#'we just told them we help them in exchange for the head of their leader and total submission to the Empire and they refused'

[randomnameless]

Re about past forging bonds -

Hubert talks to Alfonse about what being a Hero means in Fodlan, and mentions this about the 10 Dudes :

Correct. Though some families are believed to be descendants of the 10 Elites.

But they are redundant. When peoples from across the ocean tried to invade, did they save Fódlan?

My good Sir, when “people from across the ocean” tried to invade, they didn’t try to invade Fodlan, but to invade Adrestia. 

Adrestia =/= Fodlan !

“yeah but when those almyrans did the same the evil lizard lady and all the losers from the land built a locket”

Because some people asked for help, given how those some people were not able to repel them.

Also, people with relics went on their merry way more than 400 years ago and made their own country, they don’t have any obligations nor duties to defend Adrestia?

No. The Empire crushed the enemy. And the Heroes' Relics are as useless as most of their owners.

Please ignore how Nopes retconned Leopold “I am super smart” von Bergliez to have a MAJOR CREST of Cichol and to use a sacred weapon tied to his crest of Cichol, and how this person managed to defend Fodlan, I mean, Adrestia.

But Cichol isn’t a hero/Elite, so I guess it’s alright?

You're right. I find the concept of Heroes odious, and their modern-day progeny to be worse than useless.

Solely by dint of their lineage, corrupt nobles rule over territories without any consideration for their subjects.

Hubert, you know your friend Caspar’s dad, and your friend Linhardt can also fall in this category? Even Ferdie and, if she had an Y chromosome, Bernie? They would rule over people because of their lineage?

Furthermore, Lady Edlegard has had to walk a path of suffering due to this foolish worship of Elites and Relics.

Uh... Hubert is talking about Uncle’s experiments? If so, why is this horrifying when Baldo and Waldi walked through the same path but had no ties to heroic legends of old, Elites or Relics?

Oh, I know!

It’s the double headed eagle’s standard!

[cornsoupflavour]

Sick Day (Twice NSFW Smut)

⚠️18+ ONLY - MINORS DNI⚠️

TWICE Momo Hirai x Manager!Male Reader

Tags: 3.8k words, wholesome, manager x idol, multiple creampies, power exchange, role switching, possible romance, caught in the act

It was the day that the TWICE girls were supposed to visit an attraction together as part of a variety show, but your phone buzzed with a message from Jihyo, the leader of TWICE, the morning of the outing. Momo came down with a fever and was advised to rest. Being the group's manager, you acknowledged Jihyo's message and drove over to the hotel that they were staying in. Upon arriving, you climbed the stairs, two steps at a time, to reach Momo's floor. With a deep breath, you knocked on the door.

Momo opened the door, her dark, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders. She wore a white tee, sweatpants, and a pair of fuzzy socks. Her face is flushed and glistening with perspiration. A steaming cup of tea sits on the bedside table.

"Morning, Momo. Heard you're not feeling too good so I brought you some snacks, some hot beverage packets and a few other things. How are you feeling?" you asked, walking in and closing the door behind you.

"Oh, thank you... I'm really sorry for all this... I wish I could've gone with everyone."

"Hey, we don't ask to get sick... okay, maybe sometimes, but I know this isn't one of those times. So don't worry about it, it's no trouble at all. Trust me, alright? Let's get you all nice and well rested," you helped her to the bed, tucking her in while placing the back of your hand on her forehead to check her body temperature.

She frowned, her lips pouting a little as she spoke, "It's still pretty high, isn't it? I miss everyone already..."

"I'm sure they miss you too, but they'd want you to get better too. I'll make sure they take lots of pictures so you can have a feel of what it was like there. For now, just lay back on your pillow and I'll go make you some hot chocolate and something small to eat."

Momo nods, her eyes closing as she laid back. You set up a small table for her before heading to the kitchen, fixing her up a small meal along with a glass of warm water. You brought it over and placed it on the table with a bottle of vitamins. "Here you go, eat up, you need to eat if you wanna get better."

She sat up, and turned on the television to keep herself occupied as she ate. As she began eating, your eyes drifted to a stack of unread magazines. You picked one up and flipped through it, stopping at a page where Momo is being interviewed. She's smiling, her eyes bright, you can't help but feel bad for how she's feeling right now.

Momo looks away from the television, her gaze fixing on you, "Thank you. This is perfect."

"I'm glad you like it, when you're done, let me know. I'll come and clear the table for you and you can have your rest."

"Thank you again..." her voice damp and slightly hoarse as she leaned back from the table, allowing you to clear the dishes, "...I promise I'll make it up to you and everyone else next time." She sniffled, her nose red from her flu. You began clearing her table, bringing the dishes to the sink and washing them.

"What did I say? I told you not to worry about it. We all have our off days and it appears that today is yours. No shame in that, so just focus on getting better, alright?"

Momo smiled as she tucked herself further under the covers, her gaze momentarily locking with yours. You gave her a warm smile before planting yourself in the recliner, staying close by if she needed anything else. Slowly she drifted off to sleep.

A few hours later, you groggily stretched your arms as your eyes peeled open, feeling stiff from your position in the recliner. "Oh, shit– I fell asleep–" You glanced over at Momo, now nowhere to be seen, and your heart skipped a beat. Panic surged through you, and you're about to call her name when you spotted a note on the bedside table.

Your breath hitched, and you let out a sigh of relief as you read the contents of the note.

I'm feeling a little better, so I thought I'd go to the pool to cool down. Please don't worry. I'll be back soon. Thank you for everything. –Momo

You gave your face a quick wash in the bathroom to freshen up before deciding to head down to the pool to find her. As you take a step out of the elevator and into the hotel lobby, you're greeted by the soothing sounds of water cascading from a nearby fountain. You walked towards the glass doors that lead to the outdoor pool area, the sun hitting your skin, and you squinted as you surveyed the area.

In the distance, you spot Momo, her curvy form in the pool, the water reflecting the rays of the evening sun, her hair spread out like a fan around her. She was backfloating in a soft pink bikini. That sure is one way to cool off from a fever. She had a pair of red–lensed clear sunglasses as she floated.

You watched longingly as you slowly approached her, subtly admiring her figure. "Water's nice, huh? Enjoying the sun?" you asked, teasingly. She swam towards you upon hearing your voice, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she rested her arms and chin on the edge of the pool. "Hey, nice to see you're feeling better."

"Yeah, looks like I just needed some hot cocoa, a good rest and some care and concern from my favourite manager to help me feel better~"

"Yeah, yeah... you're my favourite too..."

"Huh? What was that?"

"I said you're all my favourites too," you answered, smirking a little.

You take a seat on a nearby poolside chair as you watch Momo try to get out. Your cheeks blush ever so slightly as you're presented with her assets, glistening from the water. Momo extended her hand out, requesting for you to pull her up, but upon grabbing her hand, she pulled you in, laughing excitedly.

Momo continued to giggle excitedly as you float next to her, splashing water at her. "You're so lucky I put my phone down before reaching out–"

After a little bit of playful splashing, you both climbed out of the pool. As you pulled yourself up, your suit and tie absolutely soaked, your gaze landed on Momo, her body glistening from the water, her assets shaking graciously with every movement. Your cheeks turned a soft red as you looked away, handing her a towel. She grabbed it and proceeded to wrap it around herself. "Much better, thank you. The water feels great, it helped cool my fever down. I'm feeling more refreshed now."

You nod, smiling, "That's great to hear. Now, let's get back to your room to get dried up. I'll  check your temperature again too, just to make sure."

Momo nodded, her eyes bright, "Alright, Mr. Manager~" she giggled, leaning into your side.

Before you both start walking, she shook her head, trying to get the excess water out of her  hair. As you watched, it felt as if the world disappeared and you were watching her in slow–motion.

"Shall we?" her voice snapped you back to reality. You blinked a few times, setting yourself back into the real world as you nodded, "Yeah, let's go."

As you walked, you threw on your own towel to cover your wet clothes. After a while, the two of you arrived back at the room. Upon entering, you head straight for the shower to get yourself out of your wet clothes. Once done, you threw on a bathrobe and stepped back out. Momo turned around, drying her hair with the towel.

She smiled as she walked towards you. You returned her smile, glad to see her in better spirits. "You can go and freshen up if you'd like, I'll go grab the thermometer."

"Thank you, thank you, but it's okay, I could stay like this for a while," her grateful smile tugging at your heartstrings as she stated, glancing down at herself in her pink bikini and towel. "Feels nice~"

"Alright then, at least go and dry your hair, don't want you getting sick again."

"Well, at least now if I do, I know you'll come and take care of me~" she teased before proceeding to dry her hair. You headed over to your bag and pulled out a thermometer for her to use. As she stuck the thermometer under her tongue, you placed the back of your hand on her forehead once more.

"Seems alright..."

She showed you the reading and it showed her temperature being back to normal. "Wow, looks like you're alright. I shall take my leave now, the girls should be back in a few more hours."

Momo fiddled with her towel, her gaze moving to the door, "Um, can you stay a bit longer? I'd feel more comfortable with you around, you know, just in case..." she trailed off, her voice a little shy.

You hummed, glancing back at her. "Of course, I could stay till the others get back. I'll just head to the mall downstairs to grab some new clothes. You wanna come with?"

She flashed a grateful smile, "Thank you, I appreciate it... Sure, just let me change into something less revealing. Wouldn't want to give fans a free show~" she added before grabbing some clothes and walking into the bathroom. After a while, she came out and followed you down to buy some clothes. About half an hour later, you're both back in the room.

You tossed your wet clothes into the wash, already changed into a fresh set of clothes. You took a seat next to Momo on the bed. "So, any plans on how you want to spend your 'sick leave'? Y'know, besides swimming in the pool. Or do you want to just relax and rest some more?"

Momo shrugs, her eyes drifting to the television, "I guess I'll just chill here and watch some TV... My phone's dead, so I'll be a little disconnected from the world today–" she smirked, "Not that I'm complaining," she added, her eyes meeting yours.

You chuckled, "Sounds like a plan. If you need anything, let me know."

Momo's eyes flicked back to the door, a sly smile tugging at her lips as she spoke, "Actually, there is something I need from you... I need to make sure you're not just a good manager, but a good friend as well."

Her smile grew as she stood up, swaying her hips a little as she came closer to you. Momo then straddled your lap, her body pressed against yours. She lifted her shirt to reveal her pink bikini top. She tilted her head, her hair cascading around her face, "Is there something I can get you in return, Mr. Manager? I know you like this top of mine~"

You stared, somewhat in disbelief, at the situation you're currently in. You felt a flush creep up your neck, and you gulped before responding, "Umm, I don't know, I'm not really in a position to ask for anything, but if you insist..."

Momo leaned in, her lips grazing your earlobe as she whispered, "Just be a good boy for me, and I'll make sure you won't regret it."

You nodded, a smirk appearing on your lips, along with a smug look. As she pulled back, her hands landed on your chest, gripping your shirt. She began to gently tug, her eyes locked onto yours. "You really are a good friend, aren't you?"

You responded with a flirtatious confidence, "Yes, I am~" you answered, knowing where this was headed. Momo then pulled your shirt over your head, revealing your bare chest. She trailed her fingers down your chest, her touch feather–light. You let out a soft hum at her touch. "Mmh, so strong..."

With her hands now on your abs, she leaned in, her lips just millimeters away from yours. Her breath was warm, her scent enveloping you. "Now, let's see if I can make you even stronger," she whispered, her lips brushing against yours. As she pulled back, her hands moved to the strings of her bikini top.

You grabbed her wrist, refusing to let her take the top off, "No. Leave it on... I like the way it looks on you..." She blinked with a mix of confusion and desire. She brought your hand to the center of her top, hooking your thumb on it as she slowly slipped it upwards, dragging the top with it.

"We could leave it like this, not on, not off~" she whispered, revealing her perky breasts, topped by dark pink nipples. Her eyes never strayed from yours, her mouth curving into a seductive smile.

You licked your lips, your hands reached out, tentatively, to cupping her breasts. She let out a soft, satisfied moan, arching into your touch. "Ungh, there you go, don't be shy."

You gave in, your hands massaging her breasts, kneading them, feeling her nipples harden beneath your fingers. Her nails dug into your shoulders as she leaned in, her lips capturing yours. She tasted sweet, her tongue dancing with yours as she gripped your hair, her hips rocking against yours.

Momo broke the kiss, her breaths shallow as she leaned back, a satisfied smirk on her lips. "I thought you could use a little distraction, Mr. Manager. You're doing well," she praised, her hand drifting down to the growing hardness between your legs.

You brought your lips to her neck, your head swam against it, planting kisses along her jawline. "Of course, you're my favourite distraction~ Don't tell the others I said that..." you joked but her touch and actions had you on edge. "You really are something aren't you, Momo?" 

You continued to kiss down her neck, your breath warm against her skin. Momo smirked, leaning in to nibble on your earlobe as she grazed your length through your pants.

You let out a soft whimper against her neck. You gripped her hips tightly, knowing this was crossing boundaries, but you couldn't resist her. "Mmff, Momo... So eager..."

Momo sat up, her eyes bright as she pulled down your pants, just enough to release your arousal. She licked her lips, her gaze never leaving yours, "Don't worry, I'll take care of you. I'm just happy you're here for me."

You bit your lip, a smirk forming on the corners. Momo wiggled and shifted in your lap. She spread her legs slightly, inviting you to join her. You obliged, Momo's siren call was too strong. You raised her up slightly by her hips, lining her slit with the tip of your length.

Momo leaned forward as she lowered herself onto your member, her hands gripping your shoulders as she connected her lips with yours. As you entered her, a small moan leaked into your kiss. You slowly thrust up into her, her moans filling the room, as she set the pace.

You gripped her hips, your thrusts growing faster and more forceful. "Ahh, goddamn... you feel good, Momo," you panted, your voice rough. "You're so tight, so wet..."

Momo let out a soft, breathy moan, "Ooh, just like that... Nnngh~ You're not so bad, Mr. Manager."

You increased your pace, the sounds of slapping flesh filling the room with every thrust. You gripped her tighter, your lips pressing against her neck, your breath hot against her skin. "Mmh, you feel so good," you groaned, your grip tightening.

Momo's moans grew louder, her body arching towards yours as she grinded herself to meet your thrusts, her body quivering. "Ungh, yeah, don't stop, you're making me feel so good," she panted. The pleasure was building, each thrust bringing even louder moans to the pairing.

You slammed into her, gripping her hips, your thrusts growing more intense, the room filled with the sounds of flesh slapping together. Momo's moans grew louder, her head thrown back, her nails digging into your shoulders. "Mmf, yeah, Mr. Manager~ so good... I'm gonna cum, I'm gonna cum," she cried out.

You let out a low growl, your thrusts getting harder, "Cum for me, Momo, cum on my cock. I bet you'll look so good while you do it," you encourage.

Momo's hips bucked against yours, her body shuddering as her climax took over, her pussy tightening around you. "Ahh, daddy, yesss, I'm cumming~" she screamed out, her body trembling, her release shaking her.

Your own climax was nearing, your thrusts frenzied, "Goddamn– you're so fucking good, Momo. Fuck, I'm gonna cum too–" you groaned, your release taking you over the edge, exploding deep inside her.

Momo leaned forward, her chest pressing against your own, her breathing quick and heavy. You both enjoyed the afterglow for a while, her body still quivering, her pussy milking you softly.

You leaned down, bringing her breast to your lips, your tongue swirling around her nipple, gently pulling on it with your teeth. "Mmh, you taste so fucking good..." your voice thick with satisfaction.

Momo let out a soft, contented sigh, "Thank you, daddy, that felt so good... I can't believe I'm calling you daddy, but it feels right~"

You chuckled, giving her a tender kiss on the lips, "Well, you're my favourite, so anything goes, right?"

Momo smiled, her body still clinging to your length, "Right... My favourite Mr. Manager~"

"But I'm not done. You think with a cock like yours that I'll just hope off after one ride? You're in for a real good time~ Let me give you a 'thank you' gift for being such a good manager for us~"

You smirked, "I'll do my best to keep up with you, Momo, don't worry."

Momo grinned, her hands guiding you to lay down on your back. She raised her ass and leaned forward, her breasts pressing against your chest. She wrapped her arms around your head, hugging you into her cleavage. "This is how a good manager should be, right here, in the cradle of his favourite Momo's tits," she purred.

You chuckled, your hands gripping her hips, "So bossy, Momo, but that's what I like about you."

Momo's eyes locked onto yours, a lustful intensity in her gaze that mirrored the hunger in her soul. Her hips shifted, ever so slightly, before she began to lower herself back onto you, her lips parting in a soft moan. Inch by agonizing inch, she descended, her wetness enveloping your hardness.

Your breath hitched, your fingers digging into the flesh of her hips as she sank upon you, her pussy tightening around your length. Her breasts squished against your face, swelling slightly with each tantalizing inch. Your eyes followed the descent, drinking in her sensuality, the way her nipples hardened, the way her throat arched, the way her lips quivered in a mixture of pleasure and exertion.

Once fully impaled, Momo traced a finger along your jawline, a wolfish grin curling her lips. She began to rise, her hips grinding against yours, the head of your cock dragging against her swollen folds. The sound of flesh meeting flesh filled the room, her moans adding to the crescendo of desire.

"Mmf, daddy– My Mr. Manager~" she panted, her eyes never leaving yours, "Make me feel good." The challenge hung between you, a promise of the submission she so eagerly gave.

You gripped her hips tighter, your own arousal building. "Just like that, Momo," you encouraged, your voice deep, hungry. "Give me everything you've got."

Momo's pace quickened, her breasts pressing onto your face, punctuating her movements. Her moans grew louder, her nails digging into your shoulders, her hips rolling, her body swimming against yours. The room trembled with the intensity of the rhythm.

She continued to grind herself onto you, going from quickly to slowly, her eyes locked on yours. Her body came down on your length, her pussy swallowing you whole. She rose and fell, her tits engulfed the bottom half of your face with every movement, her eyes never leaving yours. "Mmf, yeah, daddy, make me feel good," she moaned.

You gripped her hips, your body arching up to meet her, "Just like that, Momo... I'm all yours–" you encouraged her, your voice thick with lust.

Momo let out a soft, satisfied moan, "I'll show you just how you're all mine~ Don't you dare cum without my permission, Mr. Manager," she warned, her tone playful.

You chuckled, your hips bucking up to meet her, "I wouldn't dare, Momo... But when you do let me cum, it's going to be explosive– I will flood you–" you promised, the lust apparent in your voice.

Your grip on Momo tightened, your hips bucking, matching the pace as her body rocked against yours. Her moans grew louder, resonating in the room, filling it with the sounds of pleasure. "Ungh, Mr. Manager, you're getting me so close... I can't hold it," she panted, her voice thick with lust. "Mmf, daddy, you feel so good, I'm close... So close..."

You groaned, your body arching to meet her thrusts, your voice growing hoarse, "Let go for me, Momo, let your juices coat my cock," you encouraged her, feeling your own climax nearing. From beneath her soft yet firm breasts, you took her nipples into your mouth, sucking on them as her movements became more erratic.

Momo's body shuddered, her orgasm crashing over her like a wave. "Ahh, Mr. Manager, I'm cumming~" she cried out, her pussy clenching around you, milking you with each spasm. Her moans echoed in the room as her release washed over her.

Feeling her orgasm, you too couldn't hold back, your release pulsing deep inside her. You let out a low growl, your hips bucking up one last time, "Fuck, Momo, that's it, cum for me," you groaned, your release flooding her depths.

Momo collapsed onto you, her body shuddering, her grip on you not letting go. She rested her head on your shoulder, her breathing heavy, "Wow, I don't think I've ever felt so good, that was intense... I think I should get sick more often... what do you think, Mr. Manager? Or do you prefer... daddy~?" she whispered, a satisfied and cheeky smile on her lips, her body still quivering from her climax.

You chuckled, wrapping your arms around her, your chest rising and falling in unison with hers, "Whichever you like better, Momo... But just wait until the next time, I have a feeling we'll be testing just how much we can handle," you teased, your voice laced with confidence and promise. You peaked from between her mounds and leaned up for a deep, passionate kiss. As Momo reciprocated, her body twitched at your slowly softening cock. Just as you both broke the kiss, a strand of saliva still connecting you two, the room door opened, to the excited chatter and banter from the other TWICE girls.

Both parties turned to look at one another, all their mouths agape.

"Hey, girls... back so soon...?"

[Let me know if you want a part two or if you want me to make this a long running story. And let me know who else you'd want to see a fic about.]

[ Sick Day Pt. 1 – See Pt. 2 ]

[skufdaddyswansea]

Okay, I have a few more scattered thoughts in regards to Curly that either didnt fit or I just think are kinda weaker points. (and also there were a couple things i had to go back and get more screenshots for. ...again....)

Also I feel like I should add a disclaimer: I feel like I'm starting to sound like Curly's #1 Hater but I'm really not. I like him a lot! I honestly like all the characters, even if it's in.... different ways. Sometimes you like a character because they're likeable and fun, sometimes you like a character because they're interesting and deep.

(And sometimes you like a character because you want to put them in the microwave.)

Moving on.

At some point this scene really got stuck in my head. It seems pretty innocuous at first, but it actually says a lot.

Technically Daisuke is the one who screwed up here, but the fact that he was even able to mess with the vent long enough to set off the foam is on Swansea. This is his area, Daisuke's his intern (like it or not), he needs to be keeping an eye on him.

Curly can see that! And firmly but respectfully bring attention to it! He can in fact be a good leader, when he chooses to be.

So it's also interesting that this scene is followed by Jimmy's psych eval. While dealing with Jimmy so Anya doesn't have to may have been a good move, his method subtly enables Jimmy's dismissal of Anya and her work's value.

Now I want to pivot and talk about the code scanner a bit.

During Curly sections, it's always in our inventory, and as Jimmy we pick it up in the cockpit where he's... extracted from, so I feel like it's safe to say that Curly is usually carrying it on his person.

And yet.

This is another one of those things that doesnt really seem like a big deal. The Pony Express is pretty buckwild about the kinds of shit it keeps locked up with the code scanner.

But there is one glaring problem here.

Granted, this one is more of a stretch. I can't say confidently that anyone else on the crew had easy access to the code scanner. In fact, given their annoyance with everything being locked up I'd say it's pretty unlikely. It's just something that's been buzzing around in my head, but after writing it out it feels pretty weak.

But it does feel worth mentioning that if anyone other than Curly would have access to both the code scanner and the Pony Express Protection Kit (TM), it would have been Jimmy. Not to mention that if anything were to, say, incapacitate Curly, Jimmy takes over and gains control of the code scanner. Which is exactly what Anya was afraid of.

And he is pretty quick to grab it, isn't he.

Which leads me to my next point.

I touched on this a bit in my last post, but I want to elaborate on this exchange specifically. I think it's pretty revealing.

At this point, Curly thinks Anya is suicidal. He tells her she could have come to him. That he would have done anything to help her. That he should have considered that she doesn't undergo the psych evaluations, he should have thought of that, so that way he could have known.

But he did know. She told him.

Even still, when he saw Anya in this state, the only reason he could imagine for her distress was the company going under.

As long as Anya kept quiet and carried on as normal, he really didn't think it was that big of a deal.

You can see this again when he finally talks to Jimmy about it. It's simply a "difficult situation." But nothing they can't get through together.

Not to mention, Curly twice glosses over Anya's fear that Jimmy will try to kill her. Her second attempt to communicate this is followed quickly by the scene in which Jimmy attempts to kill the entire crew.

Okay, one last thing I want to touch on here. It's about the way Curly (and by extension Jimmy) use the phrase, "We can fix this." And its variations. Again, I brought it up pretty briefly before, but there's always more to say about it.

Now, Jimmy uses this phrase (or more frequently, "I can fix this.") to an almost comical degree ("Almost the entire crew is dead, but I'm going to fix this. With my gun! :)"). But they both use it it in pretty much the same way.

For others, it's an empty promise. "I'm on your side." "I'm looking out for you." "I'll protect you."

For themselves, it's a denial of reality, a self-soothing mantra they use to desperately clutch at the reins of a situation that has long since spiralled out of their control. Everything will be back to normal soon. I just have to fix it.

thanks KC Green

[on-a-lucky-tide]

I am the cat person ask and a little drunk so bear with me [not literal]

The first time John gets really drunk around Nik, Nik anticipates maybe a quiet, reserved drunk or maybe even a slightly snappy drunk.

What he does not anticipate is a drunken John Price who cannot keep his eyes off of Nikolai, feels the need to trail his finger along every little scar or mark across his skin. He just sits staring at Nikolai with such blatant adoration that it even makes Nik blush because he isn't used to another man so shamelessly admiring him out in the open. Someone [Soap] takes at least one oicture of Captain John Price sitting with his head in his hands just staring at Nikolai and he swears he can almost see actual hearts in his eyes

I hope you had a good night, Anon!

cw: alcohol.

When they first crack open the bottle of Stoli between them, Nik expects to see Price essentially fall asleep as he gets drunker. The only things stopping the most senior officer of the 141 from collapsing in exhaustion half the time are caffeine and spite. His task force doesn't see it, but Nikolai recognises bone-deep tiredness when he sees it.

What he doesn't expect after the first few glasses is for John's fingertips to circle over the back of his hand, tracing the thin, silvery lines of a scar in the centre. "Wossis?" John asks, two lines appearing between his eyebrows.

"A Hungarian gang member stabbed me through the hand during an interrogation," Nikolai says, watching John's fingers caress back and forth.

"Oh." John taps one end, and then strokes the arches and valleys of Nik's knuckles. "'Ow'd they catch you then?"

Nik's shrugs. "I let them. It was the easiest way to get inside their main base of operations."

John grins. "You sly dog." He looks back down to Nik's hand with intent interest, but his own withdrew back towards him. Nik's disappointed.

The sergeant and his lieutenant wander over for a game of rummy. As the alcohol warms his blood, Nik sheds his jacket and John's hand returns, red tinge in his cheeks. This time, it finds the sensitive back of Nik's arm, just on the inside. Goosebumps run in a flurry across Nik's skin and he startles. When he looks over, John's examining his own hand of cards intently.

The game finishes, the cards gathered in an untidy pile in the middle of the table. They drink some more - a lot more - and, as soldiers were wont to do when gathered in any social space, they begin to exchange stories. When it's Nik's turn, he offers up the tale of helping Alejandro with a cartel that had been gun running using school children.

As Nik nears the grand finale - busting the leader in a sprawling, forest mansion - he notices the sergeant lifting his phone as discreetly as he can to snap a picture of... the captain.

John's watching Nik with the biggest eyes Nik has ever seen, his head tilted into his knuckles, the other hand drawing lazy circles on the table near Nik's fingers. "Captain?"

"Hm?" Bushy cheeks perk up in a broad smile.

Nik blinks rapidly. He can feel his own face warming, because he isn't a complete simpleton. He knows that look, but... from John? There has to be something amiss. "Is everything... ok?"

"Has anyone ever told you... that yooou have... a great smile?" Price says through a deep and, uh ... dreamy sigh.

Nik... well, he smiles, turning in his seat to lean his elbow on the table, legs spreading so he can scoot a little closer to Price.

"Hoo-ly shite, c'mon, L.T., we.. uh, left the Challenger.. unlocked." Soap pats Ghost on the arm and the two scarper, leaving Nik to mirror Price's pose, head to his knuckles, and reach out to return one of those first tentative touches on the back of his hand.

The power of Stoli, eh?

Price @ Nik in every universe:

[yoongsisbae]

Bon Voyage: Into the Sea - Chapter 6

A storm capsized your boat and looks like you were the only survivor. Somehow you made it to shore, but where? Stranded, you suddenly find out you are not alone, and now you’re stuck in the middle of a centuries old conflict between 7 monsters.

BTS fantasy AU. OT7 x reader. werewolf!Namjoon x werewolf!Hoseok x werewolf!Jungkook x siren!Yoongi x vampire!Jimin x vampire!Jin x whatis?Taehyung.

If you enjoy this series and want more updates, please leave a comment or reblog!

Warnings: smutty content, mind control, blood-drinking cause vampire things, dubconish, light yandere, voyeur, lots of neck licking lol

Word count: 12.1k

---

“You are going to be the reason we all die.”

“Jimin, stop,” Jin says. “Dove, we need to know what Taehyung said to you,” he asks, much more diplomatically. 

You shake your head, trying to make your way closer to the vampires, but the men around you have made an impressive barrier. How are you going to explain the lost months you experienced, the things you witnessed in Jimin’s memory? You stare at the angry younger vampire, how are you going to convince Jimin to help you?

“Jimin, you need to bite me.”

“What?!”

-

“What did you do to her?!” Hoseok roars at the vampire in question, who looks equally as shocked and offended at the accusation. 

“Nothing!” you interject, but your words fall on deaf ears.

“He did something to her to make her act like this!” Hoseok yells louder, turning his frustrations onto his pack leader.

“She has been calling out to him since we found her,” Yoongi tells Namjoon, confirming Hoseok’s accusations.

“What?! What did you do!” Jungkook growls out. “I’ll kill you-”

“It’s my fault that she's obsessed with me?” Jimin crosses his arms, looking away like the entire display was beneath him.

“Do you want to stop Taehyung or not?!”

The men exchange looks. “We need a plan, a real one,” Yoongi says, dismissing you. “The longer we wait-”

“Yoongi, do you have anything left that might be powerful enough?” Namjoon asks.

“I can look,” he says, “don’t hold out hope now that his binds are off.”

“And how the hell did they break?!” Hoseok yells accusingly.

“Don’t look at me!” the merman counters, “There should have been no fucking conceivable way to break those spells,” he glances towards the youngest vampire who furiously glares back.

“Well it happened, okay, and now is not the time to argue about it, we need to work together to stop him, there is no telling what he is capable of now.”

“Hello!? I have a way to stop him!”

“What is it, Dove?”

“I told you! Jimin needs to bi-”

“No! No way in hell.”

“Oh I am going to kill you!”

“KILL ME?! I’LL KILL YOU.”

“Everyone, silence!” Namjoon bellows and a tense silence settles in the air.

You speak up first, desperate to make them understand you. “Jin, why exactly did you forbid Jimin to bite me in the first place? Huh? Why?!” you challenge him.

Everyone stares at the eldest, even the vampire in question himself. Seokjin’s finger runs over his forehead, moving a stray lock of hair back in place. He clears his throat, “I did not want to cause him any pain-”

“What do you mean pain?” Jimin asks, repulsed. “She can’t hurt me!”

You huff, “Your memories, Jimin, your life-”

“There are certain memories better forgotten,” Seokjin interjects.

“No, no,” you say shakily. You had wished to forget this place so many times locked up in the vampire’s lair, and then when you did, you lost more than just the memories, you lost yourself. “No.”

And Jimin, he too, is lost. 

You glance over to the defiant vampire. “You have to bite me, you’re the only one who can stop Taehyung!”

Jimin looks around at everyone’s concerned faces, growing more irritated. Why does he have to be the one to stop Taehyung? Jimin never agreed to even help! And what makes you even think he has that kind of power? 

“Why?” It was Hoseok who questioned you angrily, upset at the way you are treating Jimin with such fondness. “Why him?!”

“Because he knows magic,” you say simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“I d-don’t know magic,” he spits out. You couldn’t be any more wrong, Jimin thinks, who the fuck do you think you are, acting like you know so much about him, better than himself!

But everyone is silent, eyes full of guilt and remorse, looking at him as if they know something he doesn’t. The kind of look that Jimin despises.

“You do,” you say with more conviction. “When you were human. I can show you.” You hold out your arm to him as the pack tries still to barricade your body away from the vampires.

“What is she talking about, Jin?” he turns to the eldest. 

“Jin, we don’t have time, you need to be honest with him!”

“Shut up! You are the reason we are even in this mess to begin with, you know that? Just how many times did we tell you to not get so comfy with Taehyung. You let him use you, because you’re weak, you’re-”

“And what about you?! You let Taehyung use you too, didn’t you?!” you scream, your anger getting the better of you.

“Stop!” Namjoon bellows, “Everyone, stop!” He looks furious with you, his hard glare instantly making you feel small and apologetic.

“Don’t order me around, you filthy beast!” Jimin hisses at Namjoon, deep and threatening, his eyes glowing with rage.

“We don't have time,” you whimper desperately. 

Your head is pounding. You feel it…

…inside of you, in the back of your mind…screaming, wrapping around your bones…

…the dread of something horrible coming for you all.

Jimin can’t believe he’s stuck here until sunset! Inside this idiot infested house with the biggest of the idiots telling him the most ridiculous things he’s ever heard. It’s insufferable, you’re insufferable, the way you stare at him now. Whatever spell Taehyung inflicted on you has only changed you for the worse.

“Jimin, I’m afraid we need to work together on this.” The younger vampire yanks himself away from Jin’s comforting hand. He’s beginning to think Seokjin is equally to blame as much as you. He’s beginning not to trust him…

“I’m not fucking helping any of you,” he stares at you, glowering. “Let Taehyung tear you apart,” he growls, baring his fangs.

You shake your head in disbelief. “You wanted to be a doctor, you loved helping people, you became a medic in the military. You fought for your country, you saved people,” you ramble on and on, hoping to convince the vampire to listen to reason. You’re angry that no one has told him, they should have, this shouldn’t be coming from you!

Jimin yells, picks up and throws a wicker chair in your direction in his anger, which Jungkook stops with ease, the chair exploding when it hits the youngest’s shoulder.

Hoseok has had just about enough of Jimin, he hasn’t forgotten the scars he witnessed across your body, he hasn’t forgotten the way you looked so fragile when he found you. This was all the vampires’ fault, and Jimin most of all. That arrogant, cruel, deceptive little-

Hoseok transforms instantly, pouncing on Jimin.

Yoongi pulls you back as the others transform as well. You’re both thrown to the ground as they fight, as they tear the house apart from the inside, unable to cohabitate any longer.

You groan, rolling over, still attempting to get to the headstrong vampire, your hand pressing into broken glass and blood escaping.

At the smell it wasn’t Jimin, but Jin who lost control. So many days drinking from you, addicted in more ways than one. His eyes glow red, searching out your blood. 

Namjoon’s large snout sinks its teeth into the eldest vampire and the fighting only escalates tenfold. Everything is loud, everything is chaos. You try to keep moving closer to the chaos still, until you notice something familiar in front of you. 

You notice the redness of the gem that had fallen out of Yoongi’s pack in the chaos, now shining brighter than ever.

Oh no. You can feel it again, pulling you in. You shuffle backwards, clutching your chest, closing your eyes tightly as the gem burns brighter, glowing like the vampires’ eyes then glowing even more until it envelops the entire home.

-

“Do you all want to stop Taehyung or not?!”

The men exchange looks. “We need a plan, a real one,” Yoongi says, dismissing you. “The longer we wait-”

“Yoongi, do you have anything left that might be powerful enough?” Namjoon asks.

“I can look,” he says, “don’t hold out hope now that his binds are off.”

“And how the hell did they break?!” Hoseok yells accusingly.

“Don’t look at me!” the merman counters, “There should have been no fucking conceivable way to break those spells,” he glances towards the youngest vampire who glares back.

“Well it happened, okay, and now is not the time to argue about it, we need to work together to stop him, there is no telling what he is capable of now.”

“Hello!? I have a way to stop him!”

“What is it, Dove?”

“I told you! Jimin needs to bi-”

“No! No way in hell.”

“Oh I am going to kill you!”

“KILL ME?! I’LL KILL YOU.”

“Everyone, silence!” Namjoon bellows and a tense silence settles in the air.

This is getting you nowhere. Good God, how are you supposed to make six stubborn beings listen to you?! Think, y/n. Think! You try to come up with a plan, but your head is throbbing in pain.

Jimin speaks up first, “Just what are you playing at, pet?”

You look up at him. “Pull my memories. You’ve already done it once. Just do it again.”

Seokjin looks over at the younger vampire in disbelief.

“I have not,” Jimin looks at you furiously for getting him in trouble over a lie. “She’s obviously suffering from some delusional episode! Listen, you wretched human girl! You’re nothing to me, you mean nothing, so stop these fantasies! right! now!”

“You have, and we saw your mother. You just, ugh, don’t remember because it happened in the future, ugh, just-” you groan, clutching your head. It’s pounding more than ever, and you feel it, inside of you, in the back of your mind screaming, wrapping around your bones, the dread of something horrible coming for you all. Your body starts shaking and Jungkook wraps his arms around your waist to steady you.

Jimin can’t believe he’s stuck here until sunset! Inside this idiot infested house with the biggest of the idiots telling him the most ridiculous things he’s ever heard. His mother? You saw his mother? How dare you even talk about her! Like you know anything about her, like you know more than Jimin, who well, knows nothing about his mother…and he doesn’t care to know! 

Who the fuck do you think you are, acting like you know so much about him, better than himself! It’s insufferable, you’re insufferable. Whatever spell that Taehyung inflicted on you has only changed you for the worse. “See! She’s lost it,” he yells, pointing at you. “So weak!”

“Please, I’m not lying,” you cry out. You feel sick. You just want to save them, why won’t they listen to you?! Jungkook holds you tighter as your legs give out.

“What’s happening to her!” Hoseok looks over to his leader worriedly, holding onto your shoulders to keep you upright as you slump forward.

“I think it has something to do with this,” Yoongi pulls the red amulet from his pouch, holding the necklace up and letting it dangle for everyone to see.

“No!” You can’t stop it, it’s already starting again, the red glow emanating directly from the gem, covering everyone and everything in that same red hue, until that’s all you can see.

You clutch your chest, closing your eyes tightly as it burns brighter, until it envelops the entire home. 

-

“Yoongi, do you have anything left that might be powerful enough?” Namjoon asks.

“I can look,” he says, “don’t hold out hope now that his binds are off.”

“And how the hell did they break?!” Hoseok yells accusingly.

“Don’t look at me!” the merman counters, “There should have been no fucking conceivable way to break those spells,” he glances towards the youngest vampire who glares back.

“Well it happened, okay, and now is not the time to argue about it, we need to work together to stop him, there is no telling what he is capable of now.”

“Hello!? I have a way to stop him!”

“What is it, Dove?”

“I told you! Jimin needs to bi-”

“No! No way in hell.”

“Oh I am going to kill you!”

“KILL ME?! I’LL KILL YOU.”

“Everyone, silence!” Namjoon bellows and a tense silence settles in the air.

You feel your stomach turn again. You feel winded, like you’ve been running. You massage your temples, wiping away the accumulating sweat. God, how are you supposed to make six stubborn beings listen to you?! Think, y/n. Think!

“Why?” Jungkook speaks first, voice full of pain. “Why Jimin out of all of us?” Your heart drops at his hurt expression. You don’t know the right way to explain to Jungkook, to all of them, why this needs to be done, especially now when your head feels like it’s about to explode. When did you become so jittery? What is happening?! You try to concentrate and think, but where do you even begin? 

“W-We all know the power they have, right?” You gesture to the vampires. “The way they can look into your memories when they…but Jimin has never bitten me,” technically that is correct in this point in time, “only Jin-”

“Yeah, and just why is that?” Jimin looks at the eldest vampire pointedly, crossing his arms, fed up with Seokjin’s obtuse answers. “Explain.”

Seokjin sighs, straightening the wrinkly shirt Namjoon had given him to wear. “It was for your protection,” he addresses Jimin.  

“Protection from what?!” Jimin asks, repulsed. “She can’t hurt me!”

“We don’t have time for this,” you mutter. You feel it, inside of you, in the back of your mind screaming, wrapping around your bones, the dread of something horrible coming for you all. “Seokjin, make Jimin bite me!”

“SEOKJIN DOESN’T MAKE ME DO ANYTHING,” Jimin roars. You couldn’t be any more wrong, Jimin thinks, who the fuck do you think you are, acting like you know so much about Seokjin, about him, better than himself!

“THEN JUST BITE ME!” You scream back. “You’ve been wanting to all this time!”

The pack watches you argue, stunned into silence. This is news to everyone else; Jimin hasn’t bitten you? And furthermore, Seokjin didn’t want him to bite you. Seokjin had found Namjoon and explained most of what happened, but not that. 

---

“Stay here, in case Hoseok returns.” That was a direct order from his pack leader, and as much as Jungkook wanted to disobey and run towards the thundering noise that had rattled their home, the older shapeshifter was leagues above the young wolf in strength and dominance.

It was luck that Namjoon encountered the pair of vampires instead of his brothers. If it had been anyone else, the vampires might not have made it out with their heads. But Namjoon was always the type to observe first, take everything in before making any rash decision, it’s what kept him alive this long and made Namjoon a leader.

Jin and Namjoon were talkers. They were, even in their wildest days, the best at beguiling, enticing, drawing in others with their words, and upon meeting, they realized they had finally met their match. Namjoon’s most favorite nights were conversations with Seokjin, picking apart the intricacies of the humanities. Two beasts had become obsessed with learning and gaining a humanity of their own.

Namjoon would have torn them apart otherwise. But the magical blasts had knocked the younger more confrontational vampire out, and Seokjin pleaded with Namjoon to listen to his story. “Taehyung has escaped.” With a start like that, Namjoon couldn’t resist not learning more.

With the sun soon rising and Taehyung out there somewhere, Namjoon had little options left but to invite the wounded vampires into his home.

While you were in another part of the island healing and trying to bridge the peace amongst two headstrong beasts, Namjoon and Seokjin were coming to their own kind of peace, a détente at least for the time being, an opportunity to speak to each other like old times now that they had a bigger enemy then themselves.

---

“Well now I don’t want to.” Jimin crosses his arms, looking away.

You look at him in disbelief. Ugh. This is driving you crazy, there is no time to be like this. ‘Fucking Jimin,’ he really knows how to push your last button. Fuck, you are so over this!

You think about the crying man on the floor, covered in your blood with a broken expression on his face, you think about that sweet boy, crying for his mother. Somewhere deep inside Jimin is that sweet boy who cried.

You look down at your nails with one last hope remaining. You’ll just have to make him drink from you.

You dig your nails into your forearm, scratching your skin as deep as you can. 

But it was Seokjin who lost control. So many days drinking from you, addicted in more ways than one. His eyes turning red, searching out your blood.

Fur envelopes you, Jungkook and Hoseok shielding you with their large canine bodies while Seokjin lunges for you, stopped short by Namjoon’s fangs.

Jimin throws the beast off the older vampire. Jimin, full of rage, tears his sharp nails into Namjoon’s coat. Yoongi screams for Jin, his influential words finally knocking him out of his blood stupor. Then he calls out to the younger vampire, “Jimin, stop.”

But Jimin is already too full of rage to listen to reason. He can’t stand being stuck in this idiot infested house any longer. It’s insufferable, you’re insufferable, the way you stare at him now. Whatever spell that Taehyung inflicted on you has only changed you for the worse! He should have never listened to Seokjin! He’s beginning not to trust him-

Seokjin addresses the two wolves next to you as the younger vampire lashes out. “Take her out of here, hurry!” he yells, attempting with difficulty to retain the younger vampire with Yoongi’s and Namjoon’s help. 

“No!” you scream at the top of your lungs, “You don’t understand!”

A deep growl from Jungkook frightens you into silence. His fangs are around your stomach, only holding you still, not puncturing into you, but it’s terrifying nonetheless as he yanks you backwards, his hind legs digging into the earth.

You cry once outside, unable to pull yourself together. You pull at Jungkook’s fangs, attempting to unlock his jaw from your side and the large beast begins to whimper in anguish at your attempts to flee from him, extinguishing the fight inside you.

Nothing is working! Nothing! It’s hopeless, you’re all going to die, you think, either by Taehyung’s hands or by each others. You cry harder into Jungkook’s fur, who has wrapped his large canine body around yours.

“…what?” You see it from the open door and your body acts on impulse as you claw at the ground, trying to move closer, uncaring if Jungkook’s teeth tear at your skin. Tears dry up as you watch the house start to glow red, brighter than anything you’ve ever seen before. 

No, that’s not quite true. You’ve seen that red glow befo-

-

“We need a plan, a real one,” Yoongi says, dismissing you. “The longer we wait-”

“Yoongi, do you have anything left that might be powerful enough?” Namjoon asks. “Yoongi, do you have anything left that might be powerful enough?” you murmur to yourself. Jungkook and Jimin glance towards your way.

“I can look,” he says, “don’t hold out hope now that his binds are off.”

“And how the hell did they break?!” Hoseok yells accusingly.

“Don’t look at me…” you whisper. “Don’t look at me!” the merman counters, “There should have been no fucking conceivable way to break those spells,” he glances towards the youngest vampire who glares back.

“Well it happened, okay, and now is not the time to argue about it, we need to work together to stop him-”

“There is no telling what he is capable of now,” you say in unison to the leader, finally aware this is not just some strange case of deja vu. All eyes turn to you. Jimin scoffs, just like he did before, pulling on Seokjin’s shoulder. “...I-I want Jimin to bite me!” you yell. 

“No! No way in hell.” “No! No way in hell.”

“Oh I am going to kill you!” “Oh I am going to kill you!”

“What the hell are you doing?!” Jimin screams accusingly.

You look around, your gaze stopping on the eldest. “Seokjin, make Jimin bite me!”

“SEOKJIN DOESN’T MAKE ME DO ANYTHING,” Jimin roars. “Seokjin doesn’t make me do anything!” you yell back in unison, a satisfied smirk on your face, pointing directly at Jimin.

“How the fuck are you doing that?” the merman questions.

You rub your temples, trying to make sense of it all. ‘This happened before, why has this happened before? This has to be Tae’s doing!’ “I don’t know, I don’t know, but we’ve already had this conversation, and I-I think, I can’t remember, something must have went wrong...Jimin, you need to bite me, right now!”

“Well…” he clears his throat, looking around as everyone has gone deathly quiet, “now I don’t want to,” Jimin crosses his arms.

Ugh! ‘Fucking Jimin,’ he really knows how to push your last button.  “Listen, you’ve already done it once! Just just do it agai-wait, no, we did this already…something is wrong…” 

“Maybe it’s you!” Jimin accuses. “Taehyung has already gotten in her head, how can we trust her?” he warns the others.

“You’re...right!”

“Y/n?” 

“Jimin is right. I can feel him,” you shudder. “Which is why you need to bite me, because I know for certain, Taehyung doesn’t want you to.” You hold your hand to him.

“And if this is a trick?”

“Ugh, I’m not tricking you! I want to stop Taehyung for you, you idiot!”

‘Idiot’?! How dare you call Jimin an idiot, when you’re the biggest of the idiots in this idiot infested house! “And suddenly you have my best interest at heart?!” Jimin yells back, disgust evident.

Ugh, your head is killing you, and you feel it, inside of you, in the back of your mind screaming, wrapping around your bones, the dread of something horrible coming for you all. 

You try to think about everything that has transpired since you met Taehyung, trying to see if you missed anything-

“Wait, wait, wait…ugh, let me go!” you yell at the pack surrounding you. You press yourself against the door, opening it quickly and falling into the sand. 

You look up at the sky, taking a deep breath of fresh air to calm yourself. It’s still daytime, but not for much longer, and you’re scared of what night will bring.

Yoongi is by your side, lifting you up. “Y/n,” you think he is about to dismiss you like he always does, but instead he says, “tell me what I need to do to help you.”

“Yoongi...” You’ve never seen him so sincere before. “Do you think you can use your siren song on Jimin to-”

“I can hear you, pet! It doesn’t work! And I should kill you for even suggesting it.”

“Touch her and I will kill you!”

“KILL ME?! I’LL KILL YOU!”

“Ugh,” you groan, turning your back as the group of stubborn monsters in front of you begin to bicker, deja vu hitting you hard again. “What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to change?” You ask yourself out loud, head in your hands.

Yoongi holds you steady. “Something definitely is up, and I have a feeling it has something to do with this-” Yoongi looks through his pack.

“T-That’s it! Wait! No!” You yell as Yoongi pulls the gem out of his pack, letting it dangle in his hand.

But it’s too late. You can’t stop it, it’s already starting again, the red glow emanating directly from the gem, covering everyone and everything in that same red hue, until that’s all you can see.

‘Y/n, take it.’

You fall back to the ground and clutch your chest, dismissing the words inside your head, closing your eyes tightly as the gem burns brighter.

-

“Yoongi, do you have anything left that might be powerful enough?” Namjoon asks.

“I can look,” he says, “don’t hold out hope now that his binds are off.”

“And how the hell did they break?!” Hoseok yells accusingly.

“Don’t look at me!” the merman counters, “There should have been no fucking conceivable way to break those spells,” he glances towards the youngest vampire who glares back.

“Well it happened, okay, and now is not the time to argue about it, we need to work together to stop him, there is no telling what he is capable of now.”

“Hello!? I have a way to stop him!”

“What is it, Dove?”

Okay, this is it. “Seokjin, you need to bite me.”

“What!?” Jimin yells angrily.

You look into Seokjin’s eyes, silently pleading with him. “The memory pull, it’s going to work now. Please,” you urge, holding out your arm to him as the pack tries still to barricade your body away from the vampires. “Look into my memories and you’ll understand!”

Jimin pulls the eldest back as he advances. “You’re really going to obey her command? Just like that! Taehyung might have already gotten to her, how can we trust her?!”

“You’re right! Jimin is right. I can feel him. Which is why…” you swallow, looking at Jimin, remembering this same conversation said just another way, wondering just how many times you have tried to convince them. “Which is why, you need to bite me.” You move your eyes to Seokjin, staring ahead steadfast. “So you can see the truth!”

“Why?” Jungkook speaks up, voice full of pain. “Why Seokjin out of all-”

You grab the youngest’s face and kiss him abruptly, silencing his worries.

Hoseok’s stares at you, mouth agape. He doesn’t know whether to be furious with you, or satisfied that Jimin and Yoongi both look so furious with you for kissing the youngest shapeshifter.

“Trust me, please,” your hands shake in your desperation, squishing his cheeks as he looks at you in shock and awe. 

“O-Okay,” Jungkook nods.

The eldest vampire sighs and starts to move closer much to Jimin’s astonishment and disgust. You try to push past the pack’s strong bodies. It hurts them to see you try to go to their enemy, but they let you pass.

Jimin crosses his arms, scoffing as the eldest meets you in the center of the room. Jimin can’t believe he’s stuck here until sunset! Inside this idiot infested house with the biggest of the idiots telling him the most ridiculous things he’s ever heard. Suddenly you want Seokjin to bite you now? When you were just throwing yourself at Jimin! Why?! What happened? What’s the reason? You’re so annoying, you’re insufferable, the way you look at Seokjin with so much hope and trust.

Jimin grinds his teeth together in anger, so hard his fangs begin to pierce his bottom lip.

Seokjin puts his hands up, glancing towards the pack leader, meaning no harm before he bends his head closer to your neck.

“Wait!” Jimin speaks up. “Y/n, you wanted me to bite you, didn’t you? So come here then!”

“Jimin, I-”

“Don’t you dare say it,” Jimin cuts Seokjin off. “You didn’t listen to me about Taehyung, about her, and then you made a truce with them without even asking me! You’re lucky I even speak to you at all!” Jimin is furious with Seokjin, he’s beginning not to trust him...

You raise your eyebrows. “Really? Are you sure?”

“Don’t make me say it again,” Jimin seethes.

You smile, running past Seokjin. You hold out your wrist to Jimin, looking up at him hopefully. 

Jimin scoffs again, gripping your arm painfully and yanking you closer. The wolf trio begin to growl in anger, baring their fangs.

“I choose where I bite you, pet.”

You try to remain calm as the trio behind you let out low threatening growls. Jimin smirks, spinning you around by your arm, hugging you against his body like a shield and snickering at how angry it makes them.

The pack looks ready to attack. Yoongi begins to step forward in his growing anger.

“No!,” you stop him, “J-Just let him do what he wants,” you mutter.

Jimin smirks. “If it was what I wanted, you would be on your knees with your mouth shut.” He sneers, gripping your chin painfully tight and yanking your head backward. “And your head down, thinking about how stupid you are for walking right into Taehyung’s trap.”

‘Like you did,’ you think, keeping your temper in check.  “I know you’re scared, it’s okay.”

“I am not scared!” he hisses, nails digging into your side. You wince. Namjoon’s growls become louder.

“Namjoon, stop!”

Jimin smirks again. “Yeah, listen to her, dog. Since we are all at this human’s mercy,” he scoffs. “You seem to know so much about what happens next, so tell me, is it going all according to your little plan?” He presses his body against yours, holding you tightly.

“You like this, don’t you?” he whispers in your ear, obscenely grinding himself against your backside. Jimin rests his chin on your shoulder, arm still secure around your waist, smirking, intent on drawing this out for everyone involved, “them watching.” His hand grabs your breast roughly. 

Your eyes meet Yoongi’s eyes, dark with anger, and you shut them in shame.

You breathe through your nose as he fondles you for everyone to see, letting out short breaths when he rests his hand over your throat, choosing to submit in hopes he’ll eventually do what you want.

Jimin’s fangs scrape across your shoulder as he revels in the intoxicating feeling of power he has over you and everyone else, finally feeling better about his new situation. He breathes in the anger emanating from everyone in the room, inhaling your sweet desperation most of all.

His fangs scratch the surface of you, up the sensitive skin of your neck until you bleed.

Seokjin drops to his knees, panting heavily, addicted to your blood in more ways than one. Jimin stops, looking over to the older vampire. “I’m fine,” Seokjin pants. “I’m fine.”

Jimin looks coldly down at him, how disgraceful that he’s let you affect him so much. That’s what he gets for drinking from you all the time, for not letting Jimin! He licks the blood off your neck and you shudder. Jimin moans loudly, tasting your blood again finally.

The pack looks ready to kill, they bare their fangs, the restraint in their growls long gone.

“I’m sure they can all smell you from here, I can,” Jimin whispers in your ear, hand pressing down on your lower stomach, taunting you, “You’ve learned to be a good little pet, hmm? Here’s your reward.” Jimin presses his fangs into the column of your neck, directly on your pulse.

“What the hell?” the merman mumbles. There is something glowing in Yoongi’s pack. He fumbles with the latch to inspect it. Yoongi yanks out the red glowing gem, confusion evident on his face.

Oh no. You can feel it again. A familiar voice starts to call out to you. If it wasn’t for the pain in your neck keeping you present, you surely would have lost control.

You clutch your chest as the gem burns brighter. “Jimin! You-”

-

“Yoongi, do you have anything left that might be powerful enough?” Namjoon asks.

“I can look,” he says, “don’t hold out hope now that his binds are off.”

“WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?” Jimin roars, advancing on you and the pack.

“You saw– You know–” you look at Jimin in disbelief. You reflexively cover your throat, the punctures are gone, but your heartbeat is still fluttering. “It wasn’t me!” you yell back.

The younger vampire yanks himself away from Jin’s protective hand. “Taehyung…” Jimin growls. “And you!” He points an accusing finger at the merman. “Give me that gem in your pack right now!”

“How did you know about that?” Yoongi glares at the younger vampire.

He scoffs, “I don’t have to explain myself to you!”

“Well then fuck off,” Yoongi spits out.

Jimin can’t believe he’s stuck here until sunset! Inside this idiot infested house with– ‘Wait,’ He feels it, he can’t explain it, but it’s there, all around him, an inevitability that he can’t control, and it pisses him off! Jimin spins around, baring his fangs, claws ready to strike. 

The group watches Jimin spin around angrily like a confused dog chasing its tail.

“See,” you glare at Jimin, “See how annoying it is!”

Jimin rolls his eyes. “Taehyung. The gem is his. And it seems he’s still using it somehow.” Jimin reasons, looking around at the familiar scene. “Give it, we need to destroy it,” Jimin holds out his hand impatiently. “DAMMIT YOONGI! We don’t have time for this!”

“That’s what I’ve been saying,” you huff.

The merman holds onto his pack defensively. He doesn’t trust Jimin, but he knows they have to work together to stop Taehyung. Jimin is untrustworthy, but Jimin is powerful, more than he even realizes. So Yoongi holds his tongue and relents. 

You clutch your head in your hands. It’s pounding more than ever, and you feel it, inside of you, in the back of your mind screaming, wrapping around your bones, the dread of something horrible coming for you all. “Get it away from me!” you cry out. 

You press yourself against the door, opening it quickly and falling in the sand. Jungkook and Hoseok follow you out, worried for your safety and your quickly declining state of mind.

Jimin scoffs again. Pathetic, he thinks. Humans are scared of their own shadows. He turns his attention on the merman, waiting impatiently. He tries to ignore how close the others are to him as the men huddle around to look at the necklace. 

Jimin holds the gem in his hand, inspecting it. The weight of it in his palm is heavy. He touches the smooth rock, the gem itself is small, but the energy surrounding it is immense, a familiar power the vampire can’t quite put his finger on. ‘Why isn’t it glowing?’ he thinks, and as soon as the thought enters his mind a slow bright red light begins to emanate around the gem. 

“What’s going on?” The pack leader questions, staring at the gem, ready to strike anything that appears. 

“I don’t know.” Jimin doesn’t know how to stop it, but he wishes for whatever is happening to halt.

And as soon as the thought entered his mind the glow begins to recede back into the gem.

“Jimin, you should hold onto that necklace for now.” Seokjin speaks.

Jimin looks up and the expression on Seokjin’s face surprises the younger vampire. He’s seen that hardened look before from Seokjin, in moments when the older vampire begins to feel sentimental. Most recently, the night you came to them. Jimin never questioned it before, but now he wants to, he wants to know all the secrets Seokjin is keeping from him. Jimin is beginning not to trust him-

He grabs the eldest’s shirt collar, yanking him close. “You know what this is?”

Seokjin remains unaffected by Jimin’s outburst, covering Jimin’s hand with his own. “Now that I’ve looked at it up close, yes, I’ve seen it before. I believe, that necklace,” he sighs, “used to be yours. A long time ago, I saw you wear it. Or something very similar,” he swallows.

But before you, Jimin has never seen this necklace before in his life! He stares at the gem. That familiarity he feels can’t be– no, that feeling is just like the other moments of deja vu he has been experiencing, it’s not because…is it? Does this necklace belong to him?

You stare at the wolves’ den, refusing to move any closer. Nothing has happened yet, there is no red glow, and no immediate danger, but you feel at any moment everything could change. You look up at the sky, it’s still daytime, but not for much longer, and you’re worried-

“Y/n?” Hoseok shakes you when you don’t respond.

“Hoseok…” You wonder how many times this moment has repeated itself. Has Hoseok looked at you like this before, his care for you evident in his soft gaze? You try to remember and make sense of what is real. “That necklace, Taehyung used it to escape. I-I don’t know how, I don’t know why. I– Ahhh!”

Your nails dig into your scalp as you desperately try to claw away at the pain. The pain is radiating at your temples, just behind your eyes, in the back of your head, behind your ear-

“Hey, y/n, hey!” Hoseok holds your trembling body, patting your cheek, reminded of the moment he found you on the beach. Your eyes stare at the sky, far away, like you’re lost in your head, unable to hear him.

“W-What’s happening to her?!” Jungkook whimpers. You just came back to him and now he fears he might lose you completely.

Hoseok picks you up into his arms, holding you securely to him. “I don’t know, Namjoon will know. I’m taking her back inside.”

You want to tell him no, you want to tell him to wait, you don’t want to go back in, but you can’t find the energy to open your mouth to speak the words. Your body is betraying you, your vision starts to cloud, and you realize darkness is coming for you, even with the sun still high up in sky. You wish more than ever, you could start over again-

-

“Yoongi, do you have anything left that might be powerful enough?” Namjoon asks.

“Oh,” you groan, falling forward, unable to hold yourself up. The youngest of the pack wraps his arms around your waist, pulling you into his embrace before your knees hit the ground.

Jimin looks around, the gem still heavy in his palm. “The necklace,” he murmurs. It didn’t glow red this time and yet-

“Jimin!” The merman hisses, glaring at the vampire who has somehow taken the gem from Yoongi without him noticing, “Don’t move.”

Jimin’s body, and mind, suddenly feel sluggish. It lasts only a moment before the vampire is shaking himself out of the merman’s mind control. Jimin can’t help but laugh at his weak attempt. 

“DON’T MOVE,” Yoongi bellows, his words echoing throughout the wolves’ den, and everyone, including Jimin, freezes.

“What are you doing, Yoongi?!” Namjoon grunts, stuck in place by the merman’s words.

“I don’t know how, but he stole that from me, from my pack.” The merman walks with purpose while Jimin struggles to move. 

Your eyes go wide when you notice what’s happened. “It’s not his fault,” you mumble, glancing at Namjoon, your eyes and mouth the only part of you able to move, “I think...w-we’re stuck in a time loop.”

“A w-what?” Hoseok grunts, trying with all his might to turn his head.

“W-Well...it’s a lot t-to explain and you’ll probably forget it all anyways,” you whine.

Namjoon raises his brow. He can only slightly move his neck now, and struggles to turn his head to look at you. “Perhaps you should explain anyways. Now.” His tone is serious, potentially menacing if you were being honest.

“I know it sounds crazy, and I know you don’t want him to, shit, what haven't I explained to you yet? Jimin hasn’t actually bitten me yet, well, technically not yet, he has, but it was before I came back, from the future, into now-another time thing.” You start to remember clearly now, though it seems to be still very hard to explain, “Anyways, I know about Jimin’s past! And everything, and-”

“Is she making sense to you?” Hoseok mutters.

“Oh you’re so lucky we haven’t had this conversation before or I would be really blowing your mind,” you grunt.

Jimin’s arms jerk backwards as he fights the merman’s impressive mind control. “It’s mine! Give it back!” Jimin hisses as Yoongi plucks the gem out of the vampire’s hand mere seconds before Jimin regains control of himself again.

“Jimin, we don’t have the time,” you groan, your limbs finally moving again. “Jimin!” you yell, pulling the vampire’s attention away before he attacks the merman in his anger. 

You struggle in Jungkook’s arms, holding out your wrist to Jimin hopefully. “You know what you have to do, before it happens again!” 

“No!” Jungkook barks, lifting you off your feet to end your advance. 

Jimin exhales. This is insufferable, you’re insufferable, you’re, fuck– It’s happening again. He bares his fangs, letting his anger simmer over this constant deja vu. 

“Wait! Let me see it, that necklace,” Seokjin steps forward curiously.

Yoongi throws his arm backwards out of the vampire’s reach, the gold chain accidentally hitting your outstretched hand.

The gem touching your finger.

It felt like just a graze, so quickly it couldn’t have been longer than a second. Yet you felt it through your whole body.

And then pulling right behind your ear. 

And finally you understood as the brightest flash of red light quickly comes and goes. You hear his voice again, commanding you to do something else, something horrible...

You want to tell them all to run, to escape, but the only words your lips can speak are-

“Taehyung, come in.”

The door shatters, knocking everyone inside to the ground.

The back of your ear feels like it’s on fire and like you summoned the devil himself, Taehyung appears behind you, lifting you up. “Ahh princess, now where did you put my jewel?”

You stand paralyzed by fear, as if gravity chained your limbs to your body.

“Taehyung, leave her alone!” Jungkook roars, and he somehow looks more imposing than the pack leader himself.

Taehyung laughs, looking around incredulously at the monsters surrounding him. 

“I’m saving her from you!” He pulls you close and despite your fear, you gravitate to him. It reminds you of Yoongi’s siren song, but more painful, dark, like ropes around your limbs, a noose around your throat. “You would rather use her, draining her life away because you want a pretty pet-” he looks at Seokjin, “-or keep her here on this island, chained like a prisoner, like you did to me! You just can’t see her potential!”

“You...betrayed Jimin...this is all your fault,” you grunt, barely able to speak the words out loud. 

Taehyung looks at you, eyes softening. “Your loyalty to my brother is sweet. After everything they did to you. You really are perfect. I knew it when I first met you, we were fated to meet. You were the one who was going to save me, and now I can save you.” He holds you close, embracing you how he always wanted to, no chains or shackles between you anymore. “You saw Jimin’s story and believed him. I’ll show you mine, y/n. You’ll see once and for all.”

Yoongi’s nose is bleeding from the explosion. He has the gem hidden in his palm. He doesn’t quite understand how Taehyung appeared so suddenly, or what the gem has to do with it, but he figures no good will come from Taehyung having it, and he intends to risk everything to keep it away from Taehyung. 

He looks at your pain stricken expression and suddenly realizes, no, he can’t risk everything.

“They should have cut off your hands,” Yoongi mutters, wiping away the dried blood from under his nose and standing up. “Thy were too nice to you. When I defeat you I’ll make sure your next cell is underground and twice as small,” the merman tries to goad Taehyung away from you.

“Monster,” Taehyung frowns. “Do you know how many humans he has killed, y/n? How many they’ve all killed? Have I ever killed anyone!” he yells.

“You were going to kill Seokjin!” Jimin argues.

“Seokjin is evil!” he yells back. “And not a human.”

“Okay, Taehyung, you want retribution, we’re all here now. So let y/n go, can’t you see how scared she is?” Namjoon questions, crouching low in fighting stance. His calmness is even more menacing than his anger, you think.

“She doesn’t want me to let her go,” Taehyung smiles, his chin pressing into your shoulder as he continues to hug you close. “Tell them you want to be with me.”

“I want to be with Taehyung,” you cry out, terrified how the words left your lips so quickly, of the way your control is slipping away.

“See, she’s my destiny.” He grins, triumph dripping from his words.

No, no, no. You clutch your chest, where the pain emanates the most, right over your heart.

“Oh, that’s where it went.” Taehyung sighs, petting your head softly. “I’m sorry, one of my attacks must have hit you hard. Let’s go back, out of reach this time. Now, where is my necklace? Tell me, y/n.”

Yoongi, Yoongi has it. It’s Yoongi. It’s Yoongi. It’s Yoongi. Yoongi.

You clench your jaw so tight your teeth begin to hurt. “Who took it?” he asks sweetly.

“Yoongi...” You begin to cry. “Please don’t hurt him!”

The merman speaks up, “Oh, he won’t hurt me.”

“You haven’t changed at all, so arrogant, acting like you’re better than everyone else!” Taehyung says, staring at Yoongi’s closed fist. He flicks his wrist over, fingers pulling at the air. 

A glowing red light starts emanating from Yoongi’s palm, an inescapable power ready to burst from the tiny gem, red streaks of light between his fingers cut through the wolf’s den, knocking back anything it touches.

Yoongi yells in pain, but he refuses to let go of the necklace. 

Unlike the others, when the red light hits Taehyung, he can easily redirect it with his hand, and his beam hits Seokjin, knocking the vampire right in the chest.

You see singes across the eldest vampire’s body, his clothes tattered and deep burn scars across his skin. Yoongi’s hand looks charred too, he yells and doubles over in pain, still fighting to hold onto the necklace. The others are fast, dodging the attacks, but how long can they last? 

Hoseok is hit next, he turns into a wolf instantly, charging towards you. Namjoon runs in to attack Taehyung, who shifts your body in front of the leader. 

The wolves are trying so hard to save you from Taehyung, it breaks your heart to witness the pain they are going through. How can you save them? Protect them? You feel so useless, so human and fragile. A mere pawn in a game played between kings.

If only there was a way to restart this day again.

“Y/n, don’t,” Taehyung whispers in your ear.

The wolves are too worried for your safety to use their full force, something Taehyung uses to his full advantage as he moves closer to the merman still fighting to hold onto the gem.

Jimin doesn’t care about your safety. He crashes into both of you.

You feel the weight of both men on top of you, suffocating you as Taehyung covers your body with his to take the brunt of the vampire’s wild attacks.

However, Taehyung’s physical strength seems to be unmatched, he throws the vampire as if Jimin weighed nothing with only one arm, the other holding your wrist so you can’t get away.

He moves closer to the struggling merman.

This can’t be happening, it can’t end this way, after everything you’ve been through.

Perhaps it was how close to victory Taehyung had been, so close he was only thinking about the outcome of his winning, the great future ahead of him. He was distracted just enough, and the reigns he had held over you loosened just a bit. It cleared your mind just enough, made you hope, wish for help to come for Yoongi and the others.

Your wish fluttered inside you like a heartbeat, pulling you, and this time, pulling everyone…

Through time…

To a place where the merman had an advantage. Your wish was granted.

The thumping receded and seawater filled every space around you suddenly. You were underwater, deep in the sea. You looked around and saw red and blue flashes of light, the shadows of the beast’s bodies around you, blood like red ribbons leaving their wounds. You slowly kick towards the sky.

How deep are you? You don’t know if you can make it to get in air in time.

You scream, the sound muffled underwater, when fingers reach for your hair, jerking your head down.

It’s Jimin. By the look in his eyes you think he might drain you right here, let you drown in a sea of blood, but he reaches for your hand instead and pulls you to the surface at inhuman speed. 

Spluttering, you gasp in air as the ocean lights up the night with streaks of power flashing under water.

“You’re coming with me,” he grunts, dragging your body back to land.

“Yoongi! The others!”

“Hold your breath!” Jimin pulls you back under when Taehyung resurfaces.

You inhale in quickly. You see the sparkling merman’s tail reflecting under water as he attacks Taehyung again.

Red light explodes underwater. Pulsing through the ocean, knocking you back into Jimin. He pulls you away from the fighting, closer to shore until you can stand above water.

You try to keep up, but the night waves crash into your body knocking you off your feet. Jimin drops you into shallow water. You gasp for breath while he looks over you. It reminded you of when you first met him, the way his body is over yours. But his eyes aren’t the same, there’s no hatred in them like before, Jimin looks lost, Jimin looks…sad.

He grabs the front of your dress and rips it, exposing your cleavage. Your arms cover your chest and he yanks those away too. You almost scream, but he doesn’t do anything but look at you. Then his finger traces the scars on your chest, making you shudder. The scar lines form a deep v across your chest, connecting around your neck.

“It was you.” He grips your neck, startling you. “Fix it. Now!”

Moonlight is speckling the ocean’s surface. The water calmer than usual. “Take us back to before Taehyung arrived. Before…” he shudders, looking out at the ocean, up towards the moon angrily. “This is your fault.” Jimin lunges for you, his claws pulled quickly away by Jungkook rushing to your side. Jungkook picks up your exhausted body, wading deeper in the water, glaring at the vampire. “Let’s go.”

“Follow me.” Yoongi yells, further out.

When you reach Yoongi, the youngest reluctantly hands you to him. “Where’s Taehyung?”

“He…took the necklace,” Yoongi says bitterly. “Ready?”

You look at the dark water all around you. “W-Where are we going?”

“My home.”

-

Yoongi swims down to the sea floor. You hold his hand, let the current and his strong fin lead you to the furthest depths of the ocean.

There’s no light, only the faint sparkling reflection of Yoongi’s tail is visible to your human eyes.

Your feet touch the sandy floor. The pain in your ears lessens the longer Yoongi breathes air into you. It’s an odd feeling, walking the sea floor, a place certainly no other living human could walk alone.

‘Jin.’ Your body stiffens in fright. You see the vampire, lying suspended upon the ocean floor. It frightens you how dead he looks, floating there, but for as long as you’ve known him, Jin has always been dead, hasn't he? Jimin passes, hooking Seokjin’s floating arm over his shoulder and pulling the vampire along.

You reach an underwater cave and swim inside. It’s tunnels are vast. The coral crevices hold things, some are man-made items, some magical.

The coral of the cave winds around, creating tunnels that are compact, walls that are cramped together. It’s dark and lonely inside, there is no light, no warmth. Is this where Yoongi stayed? It makes you feel sorry for the merman, makes you want to fill his life with warmth. He swims around quickly pulling things from inside the pockets of coral.

It’s impressive how the wolves can hold their breath, but even at this depth for so long they are having trouble. Even you are almost out of the air Yoongi gave you.

The merman swims to the cave’s bottom. There’s a purple wooden door situated at the cave floor with a spoked handle. The color reminds you of the one in Seokjin’s office. He begins to turn the vault handle quickly, unlocking the door. You watch, holding your body against one of the coral walls, making sure you don't float away. 

You begin to choke on water. The door opens finally and the others rush inside, quickly escaping down into the depths. Yoongi finds you, kissing you. Slowly, taking his time now. 

Submerged in the water, floating, he became the only thing that grounded you. You wish you could speak underwater and tell him how sorry you were for letting Taehyung inside, for causing this all to happen. You kept your lips pressed to his, hoping to convey how apologetic you felt. Yoongi hugs you close and dives into the vault.

You break the surface of the water, somehow right side up now. You wipe the water away from your face as Yoongi holds you to him. You look around the small cave, a part of the underground cave system inside the island. You look down at your bodies still submerged in the water, you should be upside down. How is that possible?

It never ceases to amaze you, the magicalness of this place.

“How is he?” you call out.

“I’ve seen better days.” The vampire in question grunts. Seokjin has definitely seen better days, the usually put together vampire is the most beaten you’ve ever seen him, lying on the cave floor unable to move.

“Jin, would it help?” you offer your wrist to him. You were the only human here.

Seokjin swallows, “Yes.”

“Let me help him,” you beg the others. Namjoon lifts you out of the cave pool. Everyone looks so beaten they don't fight you, they stay silent as you make your way to Seokjin.

“Are you sure, Dove?” he grunts.

You nod, lying against him, finally letting your tired muscles relax. Seokjin drank from you countless of times before, what’s one more?

---

Jimin breaks Seokjin’s jade statue, smashing it to pieces.

“Get away from me!” he screams, “w-who are you?!”

You see Seokjin and Namjoon standing next to him. And you see Hoseok. You see Taehyung.

“Is it normal to forget?” Taehyung asks, watching Jimin curiously.

“No…no,” Seokjin swallows. Had Seokjin really been too late to save Jimin?

Jimin screams and screams, clawing at his throat. It’s dry and itchy, he feels like he’s burning from the inside out. “Stop. Stop it!” The pain won’t stop!

“He needs blood,” Hoseok says, his tone urgent and worried.

“If we bring someone to the island, he’s not going to be able to control himself.”

“I’ll find someone no one will miss,” Hoseok suggests.

“No, it’s still a life.” Namjoon interjects, watching the display, clenching his jaw when Jimin screams again.

“And what about Jimin?!” Hoseok argues. “What about his life?!” You can feel his anger, you feel it too within Seokjin.

“If it’s someone who deserves it, someone bad?” Taehyung speaks up, wincing as he watches his friend writhe in pain.

“Let’s go hunt one last time, old friend,” Seokjin mumbles, unable to look Namjoon in the eyes, watching instead the horrible state Jimin is in.

“Okay, okay.”

It was an easier find than they had thought. During a dark club night, the music boomed as a regular flirted with a young woman. Upon entering the club, Namjoon and Seokjin noticed all the tell tale signs immediately, the signs of a predator..

While Namjoon bumped into the couple, and riled up the man by cozying up to his unsuspecting victim, Seokjin quickly switched their drinks, the one the man had spiked for his date switched with his clean one. While the drug worked its magic, you looked around the club, listening to old music. You watched the bodies on the dance floor move together in almost one fluid motion. You missed it, realizing how long it’s been since you’ve had that kind of fun. Your heart raced as the beat of the song quickened, as urgency ran through the vampire’s cold veins instead of blood. You want to dance. You want to kill that man. You want to save Jimin. Complicated emotions filter through Seokjin and into you.

Your mouth goes slack as you press your body closer, your hands fisting Seokjin’s tattered shirt. “You’re taking too much!” Namjoon barks. 

“I’m sorry.” Seokjin licks your wounds clean as your vision goes hazy and you slump against him. No, you wanted to see more, to listen to more-

---

“Where are you, sweetheart?”

“Taehyung?”

Taehyung covers your cheek with his hand. “Tell me where you are so I can find you, get you away from them.”

“No! You stay away from them!”

Taehyung’s arms cage you in, his body above yours. “Y/n, please,” he begs, lowering himself over you. “I can leave the island now, but I don't want to go, not without you.” He wraps his arms around your body, hugging you close to him in a suffocating embrace. “Please come with me, I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

Despite everything, you feel sorry for him as he shakes against you.

No, no, no! He’s the same man who tried to betray Seokjin. What would he have done to Jimin if he had succeeded? What is he going to do to you? You press against his shoulders, trying to push him off of you. Taehyung covers your lips with his own, lessening your resolve.

His lips work a different kind of magic, he presses his tongue inside your mouth, runs it over your own, tilting his head and deepening the kiss. You grip his shoulders, unsure whether to push him away or closer. He kisses you for so long you wonder how he hasn’t broken away to take a breath, you wonder why you don’t have the need to either.

You gasp when Taehyung decides to move lower down your body, his lips licking across your neck. By now, he’s made sure to keep you locked to him, holding onto both your wrists so you can’t push against him. Even when he shifts his digits and intertwines your fingers, he keeps his weight heavy on you.

“It’s not fair, I can only have you in my dreams like this,” he chuckles against your skin. “Please be with me. Together we can explore the whole world, do whatever we want.” Taehyung was so excited to see all the new technology you had described to him during your long visits. He wants to experience it all with you.

You take in a ragged breath, suppressing a moan every time he sucks and rolls his tongue over your skin. “Promise me you won’t hurt them.”

“I promise.”

You don’t believe him.

You can’t believe him.

It feels like a lie, it all feels like a lie.

“Where are you?”

“In a cave.”

“There are thousands of caves on the island, do you know where?”

“I d-don’t know.”

It’s true you don't know, but there are words you could use to describe the cave. You could tell Taehyung how you got there, about Yoongi’s magical door. But you bite those words down, hiding the whole truth.

“Don’t worry, I’ll find you.” He rests his forehead against yours, runs his thumb over your kiss bitten lips. He can't wait to have you, to mark you, to make you like him.

You touch the necklace dangling from Taehyung’s neck, and he rips your hand away, gripping your wrist so tightly you can feel the pressure in your bones.

Fear trickles down your spine and catches in your throat once you realize how entangled you are to him, how easily he could hurt you if he wanted to. The Taehyung you knew had been so unthreatening, like a lonely puppy tied to a tree, only wanting attention.

The shackles took away any threatening aura, you only ever felt safe with him, you hadn't yet known what he was capable of...

Taehyung feels your heart beat jumping against his lips. “You’re scared of me, why?” he frowns. “Have I ever given you a reason to believe I would ever hurt you? Jimin hurt you, Seokjin hurt you,” he adds.

You swallow, unable to answer him. He’s right.

“If you hated Seokjin so much...why did you want to become like him?”

Taehyung holds you loosely now, smiling softly. “You know...Namjoon, Hoseok, Jungkook, their powers slow their aging, but one day, they’re going to grow old, they’re going to grow weak. They’re going to die,” he hums.

“T-That’s no excuse-”

“Sometimes we have to lose everything to gain everything.”

“Is that what you told Jimin before you took everything from him?!”

“Seokjin’s affliction really did rub off on you. What will you say when you make him remember and he still wants to rip your throat out?”

You swallow, silenced by his words.

“Tell me where you are so I can protect you,” he presses his lips upon the column of your neck tenderly.

“T-The cave-”

“Yes?” Taehyung runs his tongue along your throat, enjoying the way you tremble against him.

“-a d-door-”

His hands knead your side, up your body, gripping your mounds, caressing your suppleness.

“A door? Invite me in then, sweetheart.”

Your fingers tangle his hair, pulling him closer to you. Then run down his neck, slipping under his necklace.

You yank the gold chain, screaming.

---

“You’re awake,” Jungkook says happily. You’re lying nestled in between bodies, warm in the otherwise cold and dark cave. “Are y-you okay?”

You close your eyes, calming down, shaking your head, worried your words won’t be your own.

Namjoon holds your hand, “Y/n, can you tell us anything about what happened to the watch I gave you?”

Your hand cups your neck, where Seokjin’s bite is now healed over. “T-Taehyung, he said he would ‘fix’ the watch for me. He must have, because...it must have been, three months ago? I found that red amulet, it was from Seokjin’s shop, it appeared in my hand and then I heard Taehyung’s voice in my head, and…and I-I had no control...” You remember it clearly now, “The watch took me back in time and broke as soon as I used it.”

You look down at your hands. “But I still had the one I hadn’t used yet, from this time…” you say, absentmindedly touching your collarbone out of reflex. “When the explosion happened, I-I don’t know, I-I lost them.” Namjoon inspects your neck, gently adjusting the torn fabric of your dress.

He looks over his shoulder, where the merman lazily swims in the cave pool. “Yoongi?” he asks. 

“The stronger the magic, the more uncontrollable it becomes. If Taehyung’s attack hit her...and the watch…anything could be possible.”

“What do you mean?” you ask.

“Does that human brain of yours not work at all anymore?” Hoseok complains, sitting at the top of your head, looking down at you with crossed arms. “The watch’s magic, it’s inside you.”

“...what,” you ask horrified. You trace the scars across your chest, running up your clavicle and around your neck.

“You were trying to protect yourself from Taehyung,” Yoongi says knowingly. “You took us forward in time.”

Yoongi had noticed the stronger tides, looked up at the moon, and realized the phase had shifted 4 days ahead.

But how could that be? Then when he mentioned it to the others, they all realized…

“I-I can’t control it.”

“And we’re not even sure what it does to her when she uses it,” Hoseok says, concerned, thinking the worst. There is no telling what will happen to you in the end, are you losing hours off your life? Days? 

“Where’s Jimin?”

“Cooling off, taking a late night swim.” Seokjin sighs. “Dove, what happened between you and Jimin in this future of yours that makes you think he will be so cooperative?”

It felt wrong, telling his story, intimate memories that he didn’t even have the chance to see yet. “His past…”

“You know his whole past?” Hoseok asks. You nod. “And you trust him? After everything you know?”

“You don’t know what he’s been through! Taehyung-”

“They worked together to betray us all,” Hoseok scoffed.

You shake your head. “Taehyung knew Jimin before he knew you, Hoseok.” You’ve seen enough of their memories together to see how protective Hoseok had been over Taehyung. But the secrets Jimin and Taehyung had kept weren’t even knowledgeable to Jimin anymore.

“No-”

“Yes.”

“Did you know about this?” Hoseok turns to his pack leader. 

He shakes his head no, “They acted like strangers. Did you know?” Namjoon turns to Seokjin.

“He didn’t speak much of his childhood, even when he was human.” Seokjin hums, “The few memories of his childhood I pulled did not have any indication they knew each other. They had only become close after Jimin was turned.”

“No, they were always close.” you say, sure of yourself. “I can’t prove it, yet, but I don’t think what happened was an accident,” you look at Hoseok. “It wasn’t your fault you lost control, Hoseok.”

Hoseok's eyes start to shine in the shadows of the cave as tears well up. “No,” he says in disbelief. It was his fault. He turned Taehyung into a beast like him, and he’s never forgiven himself because of it.

He shakes his head, unable to let your words really hit him.

“Well, we can only learn the whole truth from Jimin himself. Help me this time, please?”

---

Jimin returns later than usual, right before sunrise, his mind no less at ease.

-

“Well, it almost worked last time.” 

-

Has Seokjin been drinking from you this whole time?! Jimin scoffs, settling himself away from you and the others. 

Seokjin does it messily, letting the blood drip down your shoulder, covering your chest in the red liquid.

You let a soft whimper escape your lips, moaning. Seokjin’s hand moves from your hip to resting between your legs

“Are you going to be doing that all day?!” Jimin barks, his words echoing in the small cave.

“You haven’t drank in a while, brother. Come drink.” Jimin swallows hard, smelling your blood, the sweet iron scent fills the cave. He remembers the previous time loop, the taste of your blood still a strong memory. It never happened, he hasn’t really tasted you, yet that’s now all he can think about. He remembers it distantly like a dream. Or rather a nightmare, how can you possibly be this annoying to him without even trying? Jimin silently seethes as his throat becomes itchier and drier.

Jimin looks over at the wolves, who seem to be minding their own business. There is no way they are not affected by this...lewd display! He narrows his eyes on Hoseok, the jealous one, who sits crossed-legged and crossed-arms, eyes closed and jaw clenched.

-

“You’re joking?”

“No, I saw them do it before with other girls,” you mutter, unable to meet Hoseok's eyes, “in Seokjin’s memories.”

-

Jungkook rests his head against the pack leader’s shoulder, shaking his legs to a song in his head he is using to distract himself, and Namjoon acts completely unaffected. Jimin scoffs, Namjoon sure has the best poker face, but Jimin knows this is bothering the pack. They probably finally figured out they’re weaker ones amongst them, Jimin thinks.

“Well if you won’t, then I will.” Namjoon speaks up.

Namjoon pulls your leg, pulling you closer to him as he crawls over you. His strong hands press your legs open so he can settle in between them.

“You know my kind bites too. We don’t do it to suck blood, our bite is different. But, I wouldn’t mind eating you up,” Namjoon teases, his deep voice even deeper in his gruffness.

You know this is just an act, but your heart escalates at the thought, remembering the younger werewolf acting so brazenly. Devious suits Namjoon so well, the roughness in his nature is so attractive.

Jimin grits his teeth at such a revolting thought.

“You’re just going to let him put his filthy paws all over her? You’re going to hand her over just like that?”

“I haven’t let her go.” Seokjin caresses your temples, smearing blood across your face. “We used to do this all the time. I’ve gotten used to Namjoon’s scent.”

Jimin looks away, looking for the merman, someone else he can yell at.

“Joon, wait. Jimin, did you want to drink from me instead?”

“No thanks,” Jimin hisses.

You look back at Namjoon. Seokjin lifts your hand to his mouth, biting down on the fleshy part of your palm. It hurts, he is usually better at making the pain feel pleasurable, but his objective isn’t your pleasure, it’s to cause maximum blood flow, to make you cry out in pain, knowing your whimpers will entice Jimin the most.

Namjoon’s lets his teeth scrape across your thigh. “Shh little Dove.” He uses the pet name Seokjin gave you. “Don’t cry, I’ll make you sing.”

It’s so hot in this goddamn cave. The smell of everyone’s arousal is assaulting, inescapable.

“My turn next,” Hoseok calls out.

“I’m going to mark her as my mate,” Jungkook growls, eyes darkened at the sight of you writhing in pleasure and pain.

Jimin has had it. He has had to endure being in their company for this long, but now the dogs want to defile what is his? Yes, you are his and Seokjin’s! They paid fairly for you, you would be dead if it were not for them. You are theirs! You are his. And you are the only human left on this damned island, Jimin had searched all night for any signs of life to no avail.

“I’m going to rip out your teeth,” Jimin threatens lowly.

“Did you say something?” Hoseok says flippantly.

“You don’t think I know what you’re all doing?”

You look between yourselves in silence.

“You’re just giving up! Taehyung really turned you into a bunch of cowardly dogs. You’re just gonna stay in this cave like a bunch of animals in heat while Taehyung does god knows what!?”

You continue to look between yourselves in silence.

He points at you. “She said if I bit her, we could stop Taehyung!” He yanks you to your feet so hard you feel the whiplash in your bones. “Isn’t that right? SO WHY ARE YOU WASTING YOUR PRECIOUS TIME WITH THEM?!” Jimin yells so loud his words echo over and over again.

You blink. “You’re right, Jimin.”

Jimin moves behind you, tilting your head. He licks the old blood off your shoulder, suppressing a groan at the taste. “If this doesn’t work-” he growls.

“It will.”

“Then I wont stop until it does.” All your blood will be Jimin’s one way or another.

He licks his lips before sinking his teeth into the column of your neck.

---

Just like that, you and Jimin revisit his bedroom, a memory you both shared, your past and his future had Taehyung’s plan not have worked.

-

Jimin roars, pulling away. Your body spasms with too much blood loss. Jimin looks down, your blood covering his body, his pants undone. How is he in bed with you? He was just in the merman’s cave, drinking your blood.

No, he is in the merman’s cave. This is a memory.

Jimin remembers. 

He gently turns your body over. Your breathing is ragged, strained, your eyes try to focus on the vampire above you.

Now you remember, it was the first time Jimin looked at you without hatred in his eyes. Tearing the flesh from his arm, he puts the wound over your mouth and you drink until your body relaxes. Then cautiously, Jimin lowers himself over you again, ready to see more.

---

Jin steps closer, followed by the rest of the men. 

Was Jimin still drinking from you?

Neither of you made any movement.

You both fell to your knees with Jimin’s fangs deep in your neck, your eyes glazed over and out of focus. 

“What happened?” Namjoon whispers to the eldest vampire. He wasn’t quite sure, neither of you were responsive, both lost in your heads. 

“Little Dove?”

---

I am so excited to write some backstory finally!!! Are you excited for the next chapter?

[pyr0man1c]

I’m using you as an excuse to rant about it. You are my sacrifice. Bugza.

Spoiler warning

Obey Me! Shall we date? Is a mobile otome game and anime were the MC (you, the player) gets chosen to be a human exchange student for RAD (Royal Academy of Diavolo) where you are taken down to the Devildom (hell) but you end up stuck as a small pink sheep due to not being used to the demon realm.

You were brought to the demon realm to be a human representative of the human world, to help make peace between worlds, being the celestial realm, human world, and Devildom.

You are introduced to the character Diavolo, the Prince of Devildom and heir to the throne, the Avatar of Pride, Lucifer, is introduced as Diavolo’s right hand man.

Lucifer puts you in the care of his younger brother and Second oldest, Avatar of Greed, Mammon, Lucifer giving you a D.D.D (Diavolo’s Devildom Device) which is the human world equivalent to a regular cell phone.

You are told to call Mammon to inform him of his role as your guide, where he very happily says “no” and only agrees once Lucifer starts counting down from 3, Mammon being scared of his brother Lucifer.

You are made to live in the HoL (House of Lamentation) with the 7 deadly sins/Avatars.

Avatar of Pride, Lucifer.

Avatar of Greed, Mammon.

Avatar of Envy, Leviathan.

Avatar of Wrath, Satan.

Avatar of Lust, Asmodeus.

Avatar of Gluttony, Beelzebub.

Avatar of Sloth, Belphegor.

Lucifer is obviously prideful and the strictest of his brothers, being the leader of the HoL. He doesn’t admit he is in the wrong or take anything from anyone to keep his pride. He is the owner of the three headed dog Cerberus after managing to tame him. His banner animal is a Peacock

(I fucking love male peacocks their so amazingly stupid)

Mammon is a greedy demon who will steal and get himself in trouble just to fill his desires for riches and valuables, he is a tsundere that refuses to admit he cares for MC, calling himself their “First man.” His banner animal is a crow.

Leviathan is a self deprecating shut-in otaku, refusing to listen to “normies” including MC. He adores the character Ruri-Chan, having many anime and game figures around his room. He had a pet snake named Henry 1.0 named after a character from his favorite book series, Tale of The 7 Lords, before he lost the snake, replacing it with a fish he named Henry 2.0. He is the admirable of hells navy and can summon Lotan. His banner animal is a snake.

Satan is the book worm 4th born who loves cats and reading, he hates Lucifer and hates when people mistake him for Lucifer and when they’re compared. Satan was born after Lucifer tore off his own wings out of wrath against god for the death of Lilith, leading to only two pairs of wings to grow back while the last pair formed Satan, made from Lucifer’s wrath and hatred, even having some of Lucifer’s memories from the celestial war. His banner animal is a unicorn. (I giggle at this)

Asmodeus is the narcissistic and sexual brother, always bragging about his looks and how he’s the prettiest person to exist, saying he looks better than someone after complimenting them. It is revealed that he is insecure about being a demon, missing his beautiful white wings and angelic aura, now finding disgust in his demon form. In later seasons he admits he loves MC as much as himself. His banner animal is a scorpion.

Beelzebub is the always hungry older twin, he is constantly raiding the kitchen and anywhere for food, never being able to satiate his hunger. (Personally) he is one of the nicest and caring brothers, talking a lot about how he misses his brother who is said to be in the human world, when he’s actually locked in the attic by Lucifer for disobeying Diavolo. He regrets the death of Lilith, after he tried to save Belphegor but Lilith getting killed in the process, blaming himself for it. His banner animal is a fly.

Belphegor is the cat napping younger twin, constantly sleeping and napping, he was locked in the attic by Lucifer for disobeying Diavolo, hating the humans and blaming humans for Lilith death, he tries to convince MC that he is a human like us that was trapped by the demons but we find out that’s a lie and he’s actually a demon, he gets us to help him out by making pacts with his brothers, he thanks us by asking to give us a hug, where he strangles us to death before we are brought back to life. His banner animal is a cow. (I accidentally got lesson 16 spoiled to me)

We are told to make pacts with the brothers by Belphie to get him out.

We make a pact in order with:

Mammon

Leviathan

Beelzebub

Asmodeus

Satan

And then Lucifer.

Lucifer is the most difficult for us to get, him refusing to make one with us due to thinking we have an ulterior motive (we do) but give a different excuse to why we want a pact, saying we want to prove our worth to him as the human exchange student.

Mammon is one you make the quickest. Ofc.

The Royals.

The royals consist of Lord Diavolo and Barbatos.

Diavolo is the demon prince and heir to the throne of Devildom, Diavolo is serious when he needs to but is a very nice and overall lighthearted character. He does not have a good relationship with his father, the current king of Devildom but is in a deep sleep, his son Diavolo taking his role while still Prince. His mother died while giving birth to him, and he thinks it’s possibly why his father was so strict and hard in him, blaming Diavolo for his mothers death.

Barbatos is the royal Butler to Diavolo, being a neat and orderly character, he is known as a the Greatest Pastry Chef, and being very good with tea and being a tea expert, he played a big role in Diavolo’s life, even as a child. Barbatos became Diavolo’s butler after a child Diavolo lured Barbatos into the castle with rare tea leaves, Diavolo saying barbatos couldn’t leave until he agreed to be his butler, Barbatos later said he thought this interaction was adorable. No one knows when Barbatos was born, or how long he’s been around, but he’s been around before the world and Devildom itself. Barbatos would not hesitate to destroy a building over a rat.

The Angels

The angels consist of Simeon and Luke.

Simeon is a very polite and caring Archangel , he is here for the exchange program as a representative for the celestial realm, he doesn’t hate anyone or anything. He is a writer going under the Pen Name Christopher Peugeot. He is a great cook and a mentor for Luke alongside Barbatos.

Luke a young Angel, about 10 in human years, he is the youngest of the group (except for MC he’s been around for centuries maturity wise tho he’s young) he doesn’t like demons especially Lucifer, but really likes Barbatos, being taught by him in baking and being mentored by him. Hes constantly being made fun of by the demon brothers, specifically Lucifer, and Mammon, having the nicknames, “Chihuahua”, “Fido”, and “Dog” making him very irritated whenever he’s called them.

The Sorcerer

There’s only one sorcerer, being Solomon.

Solomon is a representative of the human world, he’s a very powerful sorcerer, having 72 pacts with demons, including Barbatos. Barbatos holds a grudge throughout Obey Me! Nightbringer, which the sorcerer doesn’t even remember why, it is later revealed that Barbatos was upset he was placed 8th on Solomon’s pact list, being petty about it and hating Solomon (Drama queen Barbie). Despite Solomon being a skilled sorcerer and great with potions and mixing ingredients, this does not translate in his cooking abilities, often making his food a biohazard for anyone to consume and a danger for botulism, but he does not realize and thinks his food is fine.

The Human

You are the human, the MC, that little sheep.

You were brought to Devildom as the second human exchange student for the program, your avatar was made a sheep and the game uses they/them pronouns to make the game as inclusive to any player. You are the Main Character.

Anyways that’s what happens when you say you don’t know what my interest is about @blackoutbugza this is the consequences of your words. Thanks for a reason to rant tho:)

[ringleaderising]

@dire-vulture I think we can call this frolicking?

"I can't trail him anymore, it's like at a certain point 'e just vanishes." "I don't like the idea of him being alone out there, Pig- he's a child-" "I'm well aware, Sow, it ain't like I raised the boy too-... Now don't look at me like that, we're gonna find 'im, but maybe it's best if we regroup with the girls." "...Head him off at the godfall?" "Of anywhere he'd know where to find us, it'd be there, Darlin'." "...alright. I just, hope he's okay. I'll ask Dethrone to... give the area one last fly-over before we head to Light."

There's some sense of homesickness, as he crests the hill to the sweet scent of flowers and a bustling, highly-populated clan on the hills below. Once again, Runt thinks about perhaps going home- or maybe waiting out the godfall in Light, where his father had insisted they'd finally let him join in on the hunt- to seek magic in the aftermath of collapse- he thinks about when his clutchmate Whelp earned her cleaver, the stories she told before joining a pirate crew sailing out not far from here.

He forgets every desire to return home, however, when his footing becomes unsound and he tumbles down the edge of a steppe toward the sound of music slowly growing louder with every little scrabble for footing or bounce against stone. he sputters to a stop at the feet of a Coatl with a lute, laying flat on the ground for a moment to just listen to the pleasant sounds. "No I'm okay! I just need a minute... or a bunch of minutes."

Once he's gathered his bearings (And the nice coatl has helped him back to his feet) Runt takes stock of where he is. He's not sure he's ever seen this many dragons and flowers in one place, it's a little overwhelming- and well aware that 'overwhelming' usually ends in "viciously destroying the nearest wooden/bone/metal that one time when he got really really worked up/cardboard object' he figures it's probably best to move on quickly. "I like your music! It's a lot softer than the stuff mommy and daddy like, their music goes... goes BWAAAAUGH NEENLENEENEELENEEE. And then somebody screams and makes computer sounds." He dusts himself off, clamoring up on a nearby stump. "Could you tell me where I'm at, Mister? and maybe um, how I could get home?"

It's a short conversation over a brief walk to speak to one of the leaders about what to do about Runt making his way home where the hatchling remembers to introduce himself, and tells Snoatl he likes his name, too!

Tarragon is a comfort Runt didn't know he quite needed on this journey- especially after a spill like that! Quiet and kind he's an easy reminder of Miss Mortis from back home at the circus- but he's far cuddlier than the nocturne's sharp edges made sharper with bone. He listens, as Runt explains what's happened- He's not sure how he managed to get this far away! There was the circus near home, and the tavern outside of nature- and then, of course, the puddle he dove through spitting him out in the sea of a thousand currents only to spit him out AGAIN here, in wind, near Florabrisa- he's trotted all of Sornieth in the last few days and boy, his little feet are starting to get tired.

And maybe he misses his parents. and his stupid stinky giant sisters who are going to get their cleavers in the next godfall- oh!

"Mister Tarragon- could you show me how to find my way to uh, Light territory?" And after a moment of consideration, Tarragon assures him he can do just that.

Runt's goodbye is a little more touchy than maybe most would have expected, the hatchling quick to cuddle up into the tundra's mane as a thank you. He leaves a handful of treasure and a few broken crayons behind, mostly because that's all he's got on hand to pay the kindness of Snoatl and Tarragon back, and Sow was adamant about the importance of exchanging payment for information just as much as goods.

"I'm sorry I messed up some of your flowers when I fell into them! I promise once I'm big I'll come clean up my mess!" while that's likely a long way off, Runt reasons he'll never forget the promise, as he's sure never to forget the kindness of the dragons of Florabrisa.

[devilsrecreation]

trick or treat!!! /np, nf again!... if i'm allowed to do this twice?

I don’t see any reason why you’re NOT allowed to do it twice!

Spinny, you know my hc where Nduli finally calls Kiburi out on every bad thing he’s done? Well….

Something inside Nduli’s brain snapped the moment those words came out. His claws dug into the ground, a snarl escaping from his mouth as his eyes narrowed. All the negative thoughts that were once spiraling deep inside his brain suddenly jumped out all at once.

“That’s it!”

The rest of his float turned towards Nduli shocked of his unexpected tone.

“I’ve had it with you and your attitude! Ever since this morning, you’ve been so mean to everyone! Whenever any of us do something wrong, you’re just so cold! I’d get it if it were still the Dry Season cuz it makes us moody, but it’s over! Now, you’re just tearing us down for no reason!”

Kiburi scoffed, “Maybe I wouldn’t be if you actually did something right!”

“And that’s another thing! You’re being too hard on everyone lately! We’re all trying really hard to make you happy, but it’s NEVER good enough!” Nduli’s voice softened into a more concerned tone, “And you’re hard on yourself, too! Like you don’t stop sparring until you’re about to pass out and it ain’t good for you! Whatever’s going on, you can tell us!”

“I told you, stop worrying about me.” Kiburi replied, firmly, “Why do you always have to be on my back all the time?!”

“Why do you always have to push everyone away when they’re just trying to be there for you?!”

Absolute silence.

It was like all of Africa had stopped moving around them. Any sounds of their environment had now quieted down. No one spoke a word, not even Tamka—the most talkative one of the float. He and Neema merely exchanged glances, not daring to even breathe. Wakali cowered a bit but kept her eyes locked on her father and uncle. Kiburi had reared his head back, while the rest of his body was frozen. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. Nduli continued,

“First it was Makuu, then your own sister, and now you’re doing it to us! All we want to do is support you when you need it the most! Because that’s what friends do, they care about each other! But no, all you ever do is push away anybody who wants to help! Whenever we try to talk to you, you just say you’re fine and you wanna be left alone! But you’re not fine and we know it! You don’t even wanna hang out with us anymore, not even when you have nothin’ to do! You’re always saying that you’re tired or you don’t feel like it or you wanna be alone. It’s always about YOU and what YOU want, but you don’t even think about any of us anymore!” Nduli took a step towards Kiburi. “YOU didn’t listen to Makuu when we woke up in the Dry Season, YOU challenged Makuu to a mashindano cuz YOU didn’t like the new watering hole we got! YOU wanted us to take down Simba and YOU got us banished from the Pridelands! Just admit it, everything that happened that day was YOUR fault! We had a good home and everything except you blew it cuz you don’t care about anyone but yourself!”

Nduli was left breathing heavily by the end of his rant. His eyes now seemed to be a bit misty, but still glaring daggers at his leader. Kiburi could only blink in disbelief with his mouth slightly agape. Things were quiet again until Nduli eventually caught his breath and spoke again,

“You can find your own way home, Kiburi. I’m done…”

[totallynotsarkaz]

rszm food in Rosa's oprec issh sooooooo gooooooood

BARKBARKBARKBARKBARK-

[spoiler for Rosa's oprec bellow]

[warning, I am a rszm dork so you'll see a lot of me gushing over them]

We started of with RosaGummy cooking session and girl is not happy at all (A little bit insulted lmao) that Gummy said she has surpassed Zima when it comes to cooking. I guess my headcanon about Rosa is terrible at cooking was half right.

Then they deliver said Rosa's cooked meals to medical bay(?. Her we have two people chatting with each others. One of them was Rosa's former maid. Her name is Sofia.

She was happy to meet her Mistress but then it goes south the further they talk.

So they went off to Rosa's dorm. And god fuck I don't wanna talk about it... then Zima barged in like usual she is, and you know what. THIS. MAID. BEEFED WITH HER LMAO. I know it's funny in one way but god Zima was PISSED. So they argue for a while until Rosa stopped Zima before she throws hand.

Zima left and Rosa had long, loooong talk with her former maid, saying that she had job to do in nearby village. As volunteer teacher. Her maid follows her there and God FUCK I WANT TO THROW HANDS AT HER. Rosa was being really nice to the kids there, heck one of them shyly gives her herbs as a thank you, Rosa was about to take it and the maid took it and said it is too dirty for her. Ooooh and Rosa did not like that one a bit and softly told her to piss off.

GO GET HER ASS ROSA. Anyway, Rosa apologize to the children about her and her former maid behavior and continue to teach them in peace. For a bit. We move outside to see the former maid talking to Village head who approached and ask who she is. She answer that she's Rosa's maid and it raises question to Village Head, he then begin to question if Rosa is truly noble and you know what, this maid pisses;

Rosa overheard it and told her enough is enough. She have been very patient with her, asked the Village Head if she could receive the payment, got payment, and then put it inside her purse and gives it to her maid (a bit hesitate at first). She then said :

(we also then know the reason as to why the maid stick with her but I couldn't care less because she wants to return back to her former glorious life in House of Rostovs)

Where was I, ah yes, after exchanging words, the maid decide to go off on a journey to find the Rostovs and deliver the news of "their daughter is still alive yadayada". Rosa, feeling a bit tired got jumpscared by Istina (while dragging Zima with her) sudden appearance. Zima told Rosa she informed the gang about what happen and Rosa thank her. Not long after that, Leto informed her that there's a big delivery for her. The piano she'd been waiting for. Girl ran off as fast as lightning after hearing that (cute). We have brief Istina teasing Zima about Rosa's behavior just now.

Keep denying it Zima, we know you care for that giant fluffy bear lady. Long short story, Zima helped her moving said piano (along with the rest of the bears ig) because she worried she'll drop them.

A moment, later they're in Rosa's room. With the piano. Rosa then raise the question.

Pfft, tsundere behavior. The girls then teases this poor leader of their's

That... is very Zima. More teasing later, Rosa offers to play the piano. It's been a while she play piano and both Gummy and Istina were excited to hear. It makes her nervous. As... the other two however XDDD

Rosa roast them As to what piece she actually play, it's Für Elise Laurenz.

That. Is the end of her oprec. Note : YOU SHOULD READ THIS OPREC AS FELLOW BEAR ENJOYER

[cariantha]

Hunger Pains

Book: Open Heart, Post-Series

Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks)

Rating: Explicit

Warning: 🔥NSFW, ⛔18+ Only, contains explicit sexual content

Category: Fluff, Smut, Halloween

Word count: 2.6K

Summary: Sawyer is in a bad mood. Ethan helps her calm down.

Prompts:

🫦From Anon: Can I get a fic with Ethan giving MC a love bite or hickey?

☀️From @peonierose: Ethan & Sawyer + “sunshine”

🍬From @jerzwriter: "Actually, I like candy corn!"

Events:

🎃For @choicesoctober event: Costume / Halloween / Vampire / Meme

🥰For @choicesprompts Flufftober 2023 event: I want to take care of you.

“Mr. Cox. An appropriate name for such a dick,” Sawyer thought to herself, blood boiling as she exited Room 513. 

The patient being cared for inside could easily steal the title of “Biggest PITA” away from the infamous Nigel Platt. And only making matters worse, her consultation had been interrupted multiple times by a cocky intern eager to show off. 

Once the door closed behind her, she spun on Dr. Perkins. 

“How many times have we told you not to interrupt when your resident or attending is speaking with a patient? If you do that again, I’ll make sure you are written up.”

Sawyer strode to the nearby nurses’ station to update Mr. Cox’s chart. The obstinate intern followed. 

“How am I supposed to learn anything around here if I’m not allowed to ask questions?” he argued.

“You start by shutting the hell up and listening. Had you done that in the first place, we wouldn’t be standing here having this conversation. If you were really trying to understand something back there, you would have directed your questions to me. Instead, you attempted to conduct a medical history interview on an extremely agitated patient minutes before he went to surgery,” she scolded. 

“This is–”

Her patience was wearing thin, and Sawyer spoke over him. “Jaaackie, get Dr. Know-It-All away from me before I go all Ramsey on his ass,” she demanded through gritted teeth. 

Having caught the exchange's tail end, Jackie looked up from her tablet. 

“I think you just did,” she answered, “and Perkins, the patient in 506, needs a new catheter. Now.”

“But that’s not even my pati-” he complained.

With one harsh look from the Chief Resident, Dr. Perkins finally tucked his tail between his legs and sulked down the hall.

"You're breathing fire today," Jackie quipped as she rounded the desk to leave.

Sawyer ignored her and continued typing furiously on her tablet.

Jackie and Bryce traded places down the hall, getting on and off the elevator.

“Hey, have you seen Brooks? I mean Ramsey. Brooks-Ramsey?” Bryce guessed, unsure what to call his friend since she and Ethan surprised everyone by eloping a couple weeks ago. 

Jackie pointed in the direction of the nurses’ desk. “I hope you brought snacks. She’s in a mood again,” she warned as the steel doors closed between them.

A minute later, Bryce slunk next to Sawyer, bumping shoulders to get her attention.

“Finally. What took you so long?” Sawyer rebuked, shoving the tablet towards him. “Here, take this guy away. And while you have his head open, feel free to poke the part of his brain that disables his speech.”

“Well, aren’t you a pocketful of sunshine this morning,” he teased.

“After a few minutes with this asshole and you’ll understand why,” she said, storming off.

“Annnd, Dr. Ramsey, it is,” he decided. 

🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸

Shortly thereafter, Sawyer sat in the diagnostics office and stewed silently as the team meeting ran over schedule. Her annoyance grew more intense with each passing minute as Ethan and Harper debated, and Tobias egged them on for his own amusement. No longer able to take it, she interrupted. 

“Do you need me? Because, if not, I have patients who do.” 

Her three colleagues snapped their heads in her direction, surprised by the bite in her tone. With raised eyebrows, she looked at the team leader and challenged him to respond. 

Ethan cleared his throat. “Uh, let’s see how the labs come back and continue this discussion when we have more information.” 

Harper and Tobias quickly got out of Dodge as Sawyer stacked her notes and gathered her things. When she stood to follow, Ethan reached for her hand and held her back.

“Hey, what’s wrong? What’s got you so wound up?”

She exhaled deeply, his touch instantly calming her.

“I’m sorry.” Frustrated tears welled in her witch-green eyes. “I'm super cranky. These third-trimester hormones are no joke. My mood the last few days has been…” 

A single teardrop fell down her cheek.

“Come here,” he urged, pulling her into his lap. “It’s been, what?” 

“It’s either been hangry or hornery or both,” she pouted and sagged her shoulders.

Cracking a smile at her dramatics, “I know what ‘hangry’ is, but ‘hornery?’”

“Horny and ornery.”

With a shake of his head, Ethan caressed her swollen belly. “So, what I hear you saying is you’re irritable because you're either hungry or horny…”

“Right now, it’s both,” she interjected, her fingers seductively dancing up his chest.

“And the cure for this condition is to either feed you or fuck you?”

“Look, I’m not saying food and sex would solve all my problems, but it would sure help me calm the hell down,” she admitted with a coquettish grin.

“Well, as much as I’d like to help you satisfy your hunger pains, all I can offer right now is this.” 

Ethan reached for the bowl of Halloween candy on the conference table.

“Boo,” she scowled playfully. Sawyer stood and sifted through the options, “I’ll take the candy corn off your hands and leave the chocolates for you. I know they’re your favorite.”

“Actually, I like candy corn,” he said, ripping a small package open with his teeth and pouring them all into his mouth.

“Seriously?” she asked, surprised.

“My dad loves them. We always had a bowl out during the season. I used to push them up on my canines when I was a kid and pretend I was Dracula.”

“Aw, cute. Well, if that’s true, then I’ll take some of these too,” she reached back into the bowl and stuffed her pockets. “Supposedly, chocolate is a good substitute for sex. Feed two birds with one scone.” 

🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸

A couple hours later, Sawyer was at the lab demanding the results for one of her patients.

“What do you mean it will be another four to six hours? I ordered these tests yesterday!” 

Her raised voice began to draw the attention of others, including her indirect supervisor. Ethan was just finishing a consultation with the hospital’s lead hematologist when he heard the uproar. 

The lab assistant snapped back. “Look, lady, we’re doing the best we can. The tech will run the test when he returns from lunch.”

“Lady?! Do you see this badge? That’s Dr. Brooks to you.” 

Sawyer spewed red-hot anger as she spun on her heels. From several feet away, Ethan could practically feel the heat radiating from her. Her neck and cheeks were crimsoned, and her fists clenched at her sides. 

“That’s enough,” he admonished, taking Sawyer by the wrist and swiftly pulling her into a familiar, dark supply closet.

Ethan loomed over her as he backed her into a corner.  

“I know… I’m sorry,” she apologized. Sad cat-like eyes pleading for forgiveness. 

“This kind of stress isn’t good for you or the baby,” he advised. “This is serious, Sawyer. You leave me no choice but to help you calm down.” The corner of his mouth began to turn up in a sly grin as he ran his hand over her hair. 

“Oh, thank god,” she sighed, crashing into his lips.

“We’ll…have to be…quick…and quiet,” he murmured between desperate kisses.

As Sawyer slipped out of her shoes, Ethan lent a hand, sliding her pants and underwear to the ground. As she stepped out of them, Ethan unzipped his pants and pushed them down to expose his rising need. Their white lab coats provided a curtain of privacy if anyone walked in on them. 

Lifting her up around his waist, Sawyer tried to wrap her legs around him. With several extra inches around her midsection, she had a hard time locking her swollen ankles behind him and finding a comfortable position.

“Ethan, my belly. This isn’t working,” she squirmed under his hold.

Determined to make this work despite the cramped space, Sawyer slid down. She shrugged off her lab coat, turned her back to him, and placed her hands on the wall.  

Ethan took the hint immediately. His hands roamed under her shirt, starting at her sore back. His thumbs applied light pressure as he worked down her spine, earning a few grateful groans. He also spent a few seconds massaging her ass, finishing with a gentle squeeze. 

Closing the small gap between them, Ethan reached around and tenderly appreciated her baby bump. Then, slithering his fingers into the cups of her bra, he ghosted around her sensitive nipples. 

Sawyer felt his breath next to her ear and turned her head to meet him in a passionate kiss, his erection poking and teasing her backside.

Navigating in the dark, Ethan leaned back to align himself with her entrance. “God, Sawyer,” he gasped, easily gliding between her slick folds. “You are so ready for me.”

She looked over her shoulder with a smile and jokingly reminded him of her libidinous mood swings. “What’d I tell you? Me so horny.” 

With an amused shake of his head, he pulled back gently and then began to pump his hips. Slow and soft at first.

“Mmmmm, that feels so good, babe,” Sawyer mewled.

Ethan picked up the pace. He pushed harder and deeper but was careful not to get too rough with his pregnant wife or her precious cargo.

“Ohhhh,” she let slip a little too loud.

“Shhhh, baby,” he breathed heavily, working up a sweat.

As her legs began to tremble, Sawyer kept her hands firmly braced against the wall for support. 

“I’m close… cover… my mouth,” she panted.

With a hand on her hip to hold her close and steady, Ethan reached around with his other and gently covered her mouth. He leaned in and pressed his chest against her back, resting his chin in the crook of her neck. “Let go, beautiful,” he mumbled against the feel of her rapid pulse.

After a couple deep pumps, Sawyer’s whole body shuddered. She moaned her satisfaction into Ethan’s hand. The vibrations pulsing through her body and the warm breath against his palm provoked his own release. Clamping his mouth onto her neck, he muted himself.

The euphoria made her forget all her aches and pains. So, when Sawyer tightened her muscles around Ethan’s still bursting length, it hardly registered when he bit down hard on her throat.

They didn't spend much time basking in the afterglow to avoid getting caught. Ethan gave his wife a loving kiss, and when he was certain she could stand unsupported, he pulled up his pants and helped Sawyer step into hers. 

With a quick peek into the hallway, Sawyer checked to see if the coast was clear. “Hold on… it’s Wen,” she whispered, holding up a hand to halt him. 

When Dr. Wen disappeared around a corner, they exited the supply closet.

“Do you think she heard us?” 

“If she did, I’m sure she assumed it was only one of the ghosts that she believes haunts these halls,” Ethan chuckled. “The more important question is, are you feeling better?”

“Much better, thank you.”

“Well, let’s make doubly sure and head up to the cafeteria for some lunch.”

🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸

Later that night, at home and in the shower, Ethan pushed wet hair away from Sawyer's neck and discovered the frightful bruising.

“Oh, Soe, I’m sorry,” he expressed, carefully skimming his fingers over the bite mark. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Sawyer touched the tender spot and moved around him to see her reflection in his shaving mirror. 

“Oh my gosh!” she laughed as she traced her fingers over the imprints of his teeth. “I married a freakin’ vampire!” 

“I’m sorry. But, hey,” he innocently smiled back in the mirror, “...only a vampire can love you forever.”

He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face into her neck. “Mwahahaha,” he snarled at her ear before placing a delicate, healing kiss on the love bite.

🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸

The next day, the newlyweds arrived at work hand in hand and walked toward the attendings’ locker room. Pausing just outside the door, Sawyer turned to face her husband. 

“Hey, just a reminder that I volunteered to help in the clinic this morning. Carrick said he would do rounds for me.”

“I remembered,” Ethan said, bending down to give Sawyer a quick but loving kiss on the lips. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. I’ll see you later,” she returned, reluctantly releasing his hand.

Stepping into the locker room, she spotted a familiar face. Well, sort of. 

“Whoa, that looks soooo good, Elijah. Gross, but so realistic,” Sawyer awed. 

“Thanks! Those in the research department agreed to dress up like lab experiments gone wrong.”

“Well, mission accomplished. And, Happy Halloween, by the way. I know it’s your favorite day of the year.” 

As Elijah excitedly talked about his zombie character - which, of course, was inspired by a new John Carpenter video game - Sawyer tugged on her white coat and checked her reflection in the mirror. 

The bruising on her neck was much more prominent the day after and under the hospital's harsh fluorescent lighting. She tried to adjust her hair and fix the collar of her jacket, but it was no use. She dug through her bag, searching for her makeup case, quickly realizing she had left it at home.

“Shit,” she thought to herself. 

“Aren’t you dressing up this year?” 

Elijah’s question brought her back to the conversation, and an idea popped into her head. 

“About that… do you have any more fake blood?”

“Yeah, there’s a tube in my locker. Help yourself,” he offered on his way out.

🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸

Down in the free clinic, Sawyer examined a very inquisitive eight-year-old who noticed the bite mark and the two drips of dried blood on her neck. 

“Say ‘ahhhh!’” she instructed, using a tongue depressor to check the back of his throat. “Good, no swelling back there.” 

“Doctor! Did you get bit by a vampire?” 

“I’m afraid I did,” she admitted, putting on a bit of an act.

“Was it Dracula?”

“That’s still up for debate,” she laughed to herself, picturing little boy Ethan with candy corn fangs.

“Did it hurt?”

“Uh-uh.” 

“Did he suck your blood?”

“Justin, for goodness sake,” his mother chided and rolled her eyes.

“It’s fine,” Sawyer waved her off.

“Did he make you into a vampire too?”

“No,” turning her back to the young patient and facing his mother, she muttered, “...he just got me pregnant.” The patient’s mother cackled out loud.

🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸

That afternoon, Sawyer was on the fifth floor to check on a patient when she spotted Ethan stepping into the hallway with Esme and her intern. When they were safely out of the patient’s earshot, he wheeled around on the intern and launched into a stern, familiar lecture. 

“...It doesn’t matter that you’re still learning… Whether this man lives or dies is on you… There is no room for mistakes…”

When he finished his tirade, Ethan marched to the nurses’ station and began tapping away on an iPad. 

“Don’t sweat him. He’s all bark and no bite. Isn’t that right, Dr. Brooks?” Esme asked as Sawyer approached the scene. 

Mrs. Ramsey shook her head vehemently. “Oh, no,” she spoke loud enough for Ethan to hear, “he bites alright.” When he looked up with a raised eyebrow, she winked and kept walking. 

A couple minutes later, Ethan’s phone pinged with a text notification.

Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @potionsprefect @jamespotterthefirst @annfg8 @peonierose @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @jerzwriter @quixoticdreamer16 @mysticalgalaxysstuff @inlocusmads @txemrn @trappedinfanfiction @mvalentine @takemyopenheart @openheartforeverinmyheart @coffeeheartaddict2 @genevievemd @starrystarrytrouble @hopelessromantic1352 @kyra75 @lsvdw-blog @rookiemartin @headoverheelsforramsey @zealouscanonindeer @lilyoffandoms

[psychiccent]

Finally finished editing my old posts so NOW I can keep haunting these tags lol

Ever seen a clingy Ko? In the final Peacebreaker showdown in Providence, Kogami and Akane (and Co.) have miraculously survived the assault on Peacebreaker HQ. Up until this point, Akane has kept Kogami at a distance by being more reserved in their interactions. Ko feels/knows this, and you can see the tension carried in his body in a lot of scenes that feature Akane and himself in a room together.

If you ever need a hint, keep an eye on Kogami anytime Frederica is in frame. Frede, to me at least, always serves as a reminder to be observant of the subconscious tells a person gives off through body language, namely Ko. We see that through this unspoken language, Ko wants to be close to Akane, to reacquaint himself with this new version of her. I can't blame him; they have been separated for quite some time and Akane is not the rookie from season 1 or the woman running at his heels from PP the Movie. She's now a top dog in her own right and he's heard some things (Thanks Frede!).

When we have Ko and Akane coming down from the adrenaline high of that final encounter with the leader/bad guy in Providence, Ko has Akane formally place him under arrest. It is symbolic in a way and shows us that Kogami is not running from his actions (Or Akane), and that he is prepared to stay and face the consequences. That's not the only message I see reflected here though. To set the tone, after years of separation and hardship, Kogami has FINALLY made his way back home, and has even managed to worm his way into the CID building due to a joint investigation. Through this, Ko is finally able to reunite with Akane, under totally justifiable circumstances (ALLEGEDELY - Gino would say lolololol or rather "Screw you!" if we are going by the movie script - The man literally told Ko to stay away). When Ko DOES manage to get in physical proximity of her, the emotional distance is vast, and he sees how others have come to surround Akane during his absence. It's a tough pill to swallow for him (though obviously he refuses to admit it).

Then we have the risky business during the raid on the Peacebreaker HQ. Akane is really putting her neck on the line here, a fact Kogami brings up before they officially set out, and the audience is treated to an anxious Ko. He understands why things are falling in place as they are, regarding the mission, but Ko can't help but warn Akane away from doing anything excessively dangerous/risky while on her own. We even see Ko's anxiety spike when Akane admits that she cannot make any promises to him. Akane figures she is already out of the pot and into the fire and there could be no greater risk taken at this point and time. She is resigned to what fate has in store for her and is facing it head on. She even jokes that Kogami should be quick if he does not want to worry (DON'T DO THAT TO THE TEAM AKANE LOL, HE ALREADY LIKES TO SPRINT AHEAD INTO THE ACTION LIKE A MAD DOG). The next time Kogami sees Akane, it is with a gun planted to her head, and a maniac rambling above her. When the danger has passed and they both have a moment to BREATH, they have an emotional exchange.

From this point onward, clingy Ko has been activated. The man HAS to be cuffed to Akane in this moment and it is purely selfish in nature. Any reason to cut away the distance between them, Ko takes. This is why, despite still being in enemy territory, Ko handicaps himself with a physical connection to Akane. This would arguably put them both at risk, with Kogami restricted in how he can respond to any additional threats; this leaves them both quite vulnerable. Logically speaking here, they could have managed just fine WITHOUT the cuffs attached but Ko will have none of it. It's not like Ko is ignorant to the danger they are still in either, taking off his bulletproof vest, Kogami has Akane wear it instead...*just in case* (I'm not swooning, YOU ARE).

The handcuffs are an assurance that Akane won't easily be taken/snatched away from Kogami and offers him the best excuse to stay as close to Akane as possible. In the Providence Blu-ray edition photos, I am in LOVE with two photos in particular. One features Gino, Ko and Akane making their way through the aftermath and rubble of the raid/assault. Ko still carries Akane in this scene but get a good LOOK at Gino here. The man looks troubled/perplexed/bothered and is solemn in his guardian role for the two here. Something about Akane and Ko is triggering Gino, but what could that be? More on that later.

Akane is awake in this photo, and it looks like everyone is having it out with their inner demons individually. Sure, they are moving together as a group, but each person is dealing with a different internalized conflict. I'll have to break that down more in a future post because there is PLENTY to take from that. The next photo, which I tend to favor more, shows the crew waiting on evac to go back home. Frede, though largely unseen, has her shadow playing in the outskirts. I took this as another reminder/hint to analyze Ko and BOI HOWDY. This man is getting his FILL of Akane and Ko's position and demeanor tells us this CLEARLY.

Akane has passed out by this point and is sleeping soundly. Next to her, Ko's body language is telling us something grand. Kogami's head is tilted slightly away from Akane while a lit cigarette hangs from his lips. (I HC here that he is trying to be considerate of his sleeping beauty by keeping her air mostly clear lol) There's a small smile peeking out here as Ko stares back out to the audience. He looks SATISFIED. Why wouldn't he be? Everyone who needed to live has survived and anyone who died had it coming. This is a victory through in through as far and he is concerned, and we see Ko settled into a relaxed position absolutely BASKING in it.

A few things stood out to me here. First, that injured leg Ko was moving on throughout mission was not fully healed, yet here we see Kogami bending that same leg awkwardly to the side to rest along Akane's. You could argue that Ko is just using his leg as a minor support to keep their hands level and comfortable, BUT there is no way Ko is not feeling some kind of strain or discomfort with that abused limb, ESPECIALLY after all the action that took place prior, PLUS having to carry Akane out of the smoldering remains of that HQ. That leg has GOT to be throbbing by now and for comfort, Ko SHOULD be mirroring Gino's stance nearby with his leg outstretched in front of him. But. Ko's leg is flush to Akane's, their hands teasing one another in the shadows. GOSH. WOW. On the opposite side of his body, closer to the dominator, his leg and arm are drawn up and holding a small bit of tension (My shipper goggles have me seeing this as another symbolic showing of how Ko often tries to shield Akane, but I digress).

The STAR here is Gino. He STILL looks troubled. His body is tense and drawn in, despite being on standby to finally go home. He is still triggered by something, and you can see him looking off to the side, pointedly AWAY from Ko and Akane. What's happened, you ask? Gino has scented Ko's BS " I do this because of that" clause again and he is NOT impressed. He knows Ko has a profound effect on Akane and her psyche, and he also knows his best friend as a person and what Ko's habits and actions tend to mean. Gino has seen this before with these two...that SPARK they seem to share, and it becomes apparent that Gino's prior warnings/threats from earlier in this movie and past installments have ultimately fallen on deaf ears (Cuz Ko gonna do what Ko gonna do at the end of the day, then reason it out to his advantage later lol).

Not to mention how OBVIOUS Ko is being in the moment. They are technically all candidates for arrest, it's not just Ko. HE pulled the trigger, yes. But so did literally everyone else. They ALL went in guns blazing with no approval. NO ONE has to be in cuffs, and EVERYONE knows it, Gino especially. But Ko clings on. In the novel, we see Ko's intent is to get her handed to a medical bot/professional as soon as he can, and I find that super sweet. Ko won't hand his girl off to ANYONE when she's injured, not even his best friend. The only person who could get Akane away from Kogami in that moment is Akane herself and you cannot convince me otherwise.

[jahayla-parker]

writing prompt:

"We can't afford to gamble like this."

"Are you kidding? This is the perfect time to gamble."

for character of choice

To Gamble or Not To Gamble: Jesper Fahey x Reader

Description: 6.6k wc, Jesper and reader find themselves in a situation where they must decide how to proceed and Jesper suggests he puts his gambling skills to the test.

Warning: mention of injuries and some descriptions of that and blood, angst but happy ending, guilt and remorse, curse words, typical six of crows warnings, mentions of gambling and addiction.

“How are we supposed to sneak it off the table?” Y/n groaned, the side of her head resting against the brick wall in annoyance.

Kaz had sent her and Jesper to retrieve some antique chest that had saints-knows-what inside of it.

According to the intel Kaz had, it was supposed to be here, this dingy and cramped gambling den that is buried deep in the abandoned outskirts of the barrel.

The gambling den also operated as an auction house whenever their crew’s leader came into possession of something worthwhile; such as this allegedly valuable chest.

Kaz’s intel was right about the chest being present.

However, the chest was not up for sale during some auction.

Instead, it was being used by some gambler as payment for his night.

Y/n had frequented enough of these shabby gambling sites around Ketterdamn to know that it was rare for a gambling house to let someone pay in anything other than Kruge.

But anyone who looked at the chest, its shine nearly blinding despite its evident old age, knew it was likely worth a hefty price.

Not to mention, the house likely knew what was allegedly inside of it.

It would help if Jesper and y/n had been told of it’s contents, but Kaz once again elected not to share this crucial detail.

So, here they were leaning against the entrance to the smoky gambling hall trying to decide how to proceed.

A simple theft was one thing, but now that the gambling den’s customer had used the chest as payment for however many hands the house had agreed to, it was being closely monitored by countless guards and in full view of the remaining patrons.

“Relax love,” Jesper grinned, kissing her cheek, “I have an idea”.

“Care to share there, Jes?” Y/n teased, pulling her slumped frame off the bricks.

“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” he winked.

Y/n laughed and rolled her eyes, “Jesper, they aren’t going to let that chest leave here”.

“They won’t have a choice if we win it” Jesper said, with a shimmer in his pupils.

“How are we going to do that?” Y/n asked, scanning the room.

“Do you see how the chest is resting on the table to the right, along with that box of Nastoki?” Jesper asked, placing his arm over her shoulder.

As her eyes made contact with the overpriced alcoholic import in question, she nodded.

“That means it’s not just being used in exchange to fund a few hands for whatever mercher brought it here. Instead, it’s up for grabs, assuming one wins at least the total amount the house exchanged for it, plus usually twenty five percent profit.” He explained confidently.

“Okay, so, I somehow calculate the worth of the chest.. maybe by asking around without striking suspicion? Even if so, how do we get it? Claim we played a few hands and then offer the money from Kaz as our alleged earnings in exchange for whatever it’s worth?” She questioningly planned aloud.

“No darling, it’s much simpler than that; I play for it” Jesper winked, smirking over at his girlfriend before looking at the den ahead of them.

“Jesper, honey, Kaz doesn’t want you -“ y/n began, feeling iffy about the idea.

“I know, I know, but come on it’ll be fun!” Jesper pleaded, practically bouncing with excitement.

“Jesper, we cannot afford to gamble like this” she told him.

“Are you kidding? This is the perfect time to gamble” he joked, flashing the kruge from Kaz.

“Unless we lose, then we’ll be far worse off than if we just tell Kaz we couldn’t get it today” y/n pointed out.

She didn’t really fear Kaz herself, but she knew that regardless of the outcome, Kaz wouldn’t react well to Jesper’s idea and that Jesper would in turn, pout the rest of the day until Kaz moved on.

“We won’t lose” Jesper said confidently.

“How do you know that Jesper?” Y/n sighed.

She didn’t want to make him feel bad about this, but she also needed to keep him level headed.

“‘Cause I’ve got you. You’re good luck” Jesper grinned, kissing her cheek flirtatiously.

Rolling her eyes she whispered “come on, let’s just go Jesp”.

“Doll, I’m serious, we can easily get that chest, we just gotta play a few rounds and it’ll be ours” Jesper swore, playing with the hair that hung on the sides of her face just next to her temples.

“Kaz will kill us, that is unless they kill us first” y/n resisted.

“Nah” Jesper said, wrapping his arm back over her shoulder, “we’ll be fine”.

She rolled her eyes, “no Jesper, now come on, we need to get out of here”.

“Kaz wanted us to grab the chest” Jesper argued, getting a bit irritated now.

He found a solution!

Why wasn’t she letting him fix this predicament?

“Yes, but not in this way” y/n reminded him.

He shrugged carefree, “then he should’ve specificed”.

“Jesper again, Kaz’s money or not, we cannot afford to gamble like this” y/n said, her eyes making note of each weapon she could spot the patrons hiding on their bodies.

“Love! Are you kidding?! I’m serious about this being the perfect time to gamble” Jesper defended.

“For you, I’m not sure there is such thing” she scoffed, giving him a soft but knowing look.

She wasn’t going to get on him about his issues, but she was also not going to encourage him to partake.

“Rude” Jesper feigned offense, “let me show you what I can do.“

While he knew she meant no harm and didn’t judge him, he wanted to show her this wasn’t a big deal.

He wanted her to see that he didn’t always lose the way Kaz liked to tell her he did.

Jesper cupped her face with his palm, “let’s go”.

As he guided her across the hall, his right hand never left her waist.

His left hand was resting on his hip, signaling to everyone he was carrying a gun should they try anything.

He was well aware that this wasn’t the most reputable gambling house in Ketterdam.

As such, he wasn’t sure how these patrons would behave around someone as radiating as Jesper found y/n to be.

He slid into an empty seat at one of the scuffed up dark mahogany tables.

Jesper tapped her hip bone softly as he guided her to sit down.

As she sat cautiously on his leg, he whispered into her ear, “relax love”.

“It’s not a good idea, Jes” she stubbornly stated, head buried in his neck making it seem flirtatious instead of appearing as a random couple suspiciously whispering inside the den.

As Jesper signaled that he’d be joining the game, he rubbed her back, “want to bet?”

Y/n leaned back to look into his fieldstone colored eyes, “ isn’t that already what you’re doing?”.

He smirked and kissed her cheek before turning his attention to the table.

Jesper was feeling lucky tonight.

He wasn’t lying when he said she was his lucky charm.

Perhaps it was merely that he paid more attention to the bets in an attempt to impress her.

Tonight only fueled that desire.

He knew Kaz had told her of his frustration with Jesper’s gambling.

He knew Kaz saw it as problematic and to be fair Jesper knew it could cause problems from time to time.

But he was hoping that maybe tonight he could show her it isn’t a big deal not was it always a bad thing.

Plus he didn’t want her to think he was horrid at the game, even if she didn’t really care if he was skilled in this area or not.

“Doll, play along please” Jesper pleaded in a low voice, leaning his chin over her shoulder as he placed his latest bet.

Y/n gave him a look when no one was looking their way, before her eyes once again analyzed the room for threats.

“Y/n/n, they’re going to know I’m up to something if we don’t “ Jesper whispered with a sigh as he examined his hand.

“I thought you didn’t recognize anyone Jesper” y/n asked with clear irritation in her tone despite the way she leaned into him to speak without anyone hearing.

“I didn’t, until now” Jesper said tapping her left arm softly before stroking it to remove any suspicions from the other patrons over his movements.

After a few moments of bickering between some of the other gamblers playing at their table, y/n looked slyly over to her left, flipping her hair flirtatiously as a mask for her real intentions.

As she snuggled into his body, her lips against his ear, hair covering her lips from view, she asked, “tall, white guy in stripes?”

Jesper bent his head in a sly nod as he smirked when a patron began watching him and y/n closely.

“Should we leave?” She asked, hand on his chest as she lifted her head and looked around the room as if bored.

“No doll, let’s just enjoy our date, hmm?” He asked, his tone as he said ‘date’ emphasizing his point.

Jesper knew this person in stripes to be Mr. Callaghan.

Mr. Callaghan knew Jesper and of his gambling troubles and it wasn’t good news if he was here.

However, Jesper figured if she could keep up their cover and make it seem like they were on a date, he wouldn’t find it questionable.

After all, the couple did have some nights she’d join him for a round or two, so it wouldn’t be too unusual.

The worker at their current table shoved the round’s winnings towards the undercover crows as soon as it was deemed Jesper won the round.

“Yes!” Jesper smirked, kissing her cheek, “what did I tell you doll?”.

Playing her part and loving the grin that formed on his face she smiled and cupped his face, “fine, you won”.

“Mmm” Jesper smirked smugly, “always do”.

“So not true” y/n teased, shaking her head softly.

“You do know who I came in here with, right?” He winked, “like I said, I always win”.

Y/n rolled her eyes as her cheeks heated up, shuffling closer to him.

They deliberately made their way to the lead table, trying to take enough time to not look suspicious.

But they also couldn’t take too long as y/n was certain Jesper’s luck would surely run out soon.

She hadn’t seen him this lucky in his wining streak before.

And while she was happy for him, especially as he seemed even more confident than normal, she knew it would take just one wrong overly wagered bet to make things go terribly wrong.

In order to earn a spot at the main table and be considered for the chest (and the similarly placed higher value winnings), the couple had to wage some large bets.

And while they’d been lucky so far, the luck was only making Jesper even more cocky and blind to the risk.

The wagers he was placing were now not only enough to keep them going to their goal, but were well above that for no reason other than Jesper needing that rush.

“Jes, honey” y/n softly spoke, rubbing his hand as he went to double his wager.

“Yes darling?” Jesper asked, kissing the bare skin between her collarbone and neck.

As y/n saw some eyes on her, she put on the facial expressions of an irritated girlfriend, giving Jesper a look with her eyes so he knew it wasn’t genuine.

“Can’t we just go Jesper?” Y/n wined, a dramatic pout on her face as she dragged her hand down his chest.

Jesper suppressed a smirk, not having any problem with her ruse if it meant her hands stayed on him.

Yet, he knew what she was doing, also having seen the other patron watching them closely.

Jesper felt a bit on edge, uncertain if they were scrutinizing their ruse or worse, checking y/n out.

As the man’s eyes glanced up and down y/n’s body as she sat on Jesper’s lap, Jesper restrained from laying his hands on his pistols and guiding his girl home.

Giving the man a warning glance before smirking and kissing y/n’s cheek, Jesper responded, “we will soon love, gotta win you that chest you wanted first, hmm?”

Y/n batted her eyes and nodded, “really? You can win it for me?”

Jesper grinned at her dramatic statement but also took it as a true challenge, “for you, of course“.

Jesper’s attention was drawn back to the other guy when he groaned and commented that Jesper needed to place his bet already.

Jesper smirked and slid some kruge across the table as he moved y/n to his other leg away from the guy.

“Jes, I can’t see the back office from this angle” y/n whispered, dipping her head into his neck.

Jesper hummed, squeezing her hip, “I know, but I don’t like you near him with the way he had his eyes on you”.

Y/n looked up from his shoulder to see what he was referring to; instantly making awkward eye contact with the man in question.

Swallowing thickly, she gave the man a look she hoped showed her lack of interest before turning back to Jesper.

“Where’s the chest?” Jesper asked, resting his hand on y/n’s small back as they stood at the table.

“When you’re ready to cash out, you’ll get it” the handler said, waving to his left; the direction where another worker had moved the chest.

“That’s not how this works” Jesper argued, starting to sense something was off.

“Look man you don’t want to have to carry it around all night “ the employee pushed.

Y/n rubbed Jesper’s arm as she stared at the man, “oh don’t worry! He can still play, I can carry it”.

Jesper fought back a grin and smirked, “as my lady stated, she can hold it until we leave”.

“That won’t be necessary. What, do you not trust us or something?” The man asked, staring at Jesper with a taunting gaze.

“I could give you just about a thousand reasons why that would be reasonable” Jesper remarked, moving his arm from behind y/n to her front.

The man looked Jesper up and down, “that is rich coming from you”.

Before Jesper could respond or y/n could react, the man continued, “the boss needs to record it for the books. You’ll get your winnings soon, why don’t you stay and play a few more rounds?”.

Jesper glanced over at y/n who sighed loudly, “it’s fine. We can wait a bit babe, as long as it doesn’t come back all scratched up”.

The man chuckled, “course not, no damage will be done to your pretty chest darling”

Y/N’s hand twitched against her leg, her fingers brushing Jesper’s thigh briefly as she restrained her disgust.

Jesper sent a harsh glare at the man and guided y/n away.

Jesper huffed as he walked back to the table.

“Play a few more rounds, I’ll find the chest” y/n whispered while no one was nearby.

Jesper raised an eyebrow at her, “says the one who didn’t want me to play tonight”.

Rolling her eyes, she sighed, “you got us into this, but now it’s hidden. Might be back to plan A of just stealing it. But we have to know where it is to do that. Three rounds max though”.

Jesper nodded, rubbing her back, “agreed. I am sorry doll”.

Y/n smiled at him, “it’s fine Jes, but be conservative on these rounds Hmm? Don’t need to go home short handed tonight”.

Jesper understood her message, not only should he do smaller bets, but he should also drag out the rounds by contemplating his betting decisions.

Partially because it meant less chances for him to lose his winnings, but also because he needed to make it seem like he had been trying to leave before he lost money rather than just because they’d earned the chest and were therefore done.

Y/n waited with Jesper for another few rounds, sipping on very watered down drinks.

Once the staff were back to ignoring her and Jesper, she stood.

“Where are you going hun?” Jesper covered.

“I need to pee” y/n said, pretending to as if she wanted to whisper but was too drunk to do so.

Jesper chuckled and nodded, squeezing her hand, “don’t be long”.

Y/n squeezed his hand back before moving through the crowd.

Y/n was just about to check if the next closed door in the long dingy hallway was locked when she heard voices.

She’d checked at least five rooms which were all useless, but no one had been present in them.

Y/n froze and leaned against the wall next to the door to keep steady so she wouldn’t accidentally make a sound but could still hear.

“He’s never this lucky” she heard someone remark.

“I don’t care. You weren’t to let anyone else play for it, Bracken!” The other voice barked.

Y/n felt a sinking feeling in her gut, it had to be about the chest.

This room was one of only three rooms left in her search of the club where she’d seen the chest be moved to.

Did they know what was in the chest?

Is that why they weren’t supposed to be waging the chest?

How did it get thrown in as part of the den’s possible winnings then anyways?

As she heard more arguing and feet shuffling closer, she glanced around before sliding back down the hall and through the bathroom door.

She took a moment to compose herself, feeling her hidden leg belt holding her small blade.

It was better than nothing, but far less ideal than what she normally liked to have on her.

But Kaz was insistent that this was to be an auction and even in Ketterdamn women were expected to wear dresses at such events.

Y/n was just glad she had brought a hair tie, having snuck it in by placing it inside her heel.

It was uncomfortable to walk in, but it meant her hair could be out of her way should things go sideways.

Taking it out, she tied up her hair and swiftly made her way back to her boyfriend.

Chest or no chest, the staff were getting suspicious and the couple would be wise to leave soon.

Meanwhile, Jesper had finished his third round and began panicking that she wasn’t back.

He did another round to distract himself and focus on trusting that she’d be able to handle herself.

“Saints, that girl really is your good luck huh? You suck without her” His opponent asked mockingly as Jesper lost yet another hand.

Normally, he’d be offended or at least give some sarcastically witty retort but his kind was on her absence.

She should’ve been back by now.

Jesper looked up and saw she was empty handed as she gave him a look that communicated she didn’t get the chest.

But he couldn’t have cared less, he was just glad she was okay.

He majorly regretted having suggested they stay instead of just telling Kaz the chest wasn’t up for auction.

Regardless that she hadn’t found anything and seemed okay, Jesper intended to keep her close to him now.

“What did I miss?” Y/n asked, adjusting her dress as she sat down.

“Nothing love” Jesper sighed, biting his lip.

The other guy scoffed and laughed, “you’ll see, he’s about to lose again”

Y/n glanced at Jesper who just shook his head, setting another kruge down to increase his bet.

“Something is up!” The man shouted, slamming his hands on the table when he lost.

“Woah” y/n giggled, playing her roll of ignorant girlfriend “you okay over there?”

The man’s nostrils flared as he growled, “hey! Security, it’s her!”

Jesper promptly stood, pulling y/n behind him.

She no longer had to pretend she was confused.

She felt like a lost and pathetically naive girl in that moment.

A large crowd formed around their table as her boyfriend shielded her, one hand on her and the other on one of his pistols that he was no longer concealing; his fingers twitching to pull them from their holsters.

She was too busy measuring the threats around them to listen to the argument, letting Jesper focus on that part.

But she knew from his tone Jesper wasn’t pleased, “not going to happen”.

“Look, she’s pretending to be scared and confused! Such a sneaky little bi-“ the gambler argued angrily as he moved closer.

Jesper pulled his pistol out within a split second, it now being positioned at the man as the den’s security freed their weapons in response.

The man stopped mid curse and smirked “see how defensive? He’s protecting his secret stash”.

“You’re done talking about her” Jesper remarked, his empty hand still on y/n as he moved her to a slightly more guarded spot behind him.

“Stash?” Y/n questioned, shaking her head.

“The innocent doe eyes thing isn’t going to work sweetheart “ the man remarked.

Jesper’s grip on his pistol tightened but he let his eyes flicker to his girlfriend’s hand that she’d rested on his hip when the scene first started.

Jesper felt horrible.

He’d gotten them into this situation.

He was the reason why there were not only men crowding them but armed men.

Not to mention, it was his reputation of bad luck that had this man doubting Jesper’s sudden string of good luck tonight.

“Leave her out of this. If you think I’m cheating take it up with me, not her” Jesper stated sharply.

Y/n glanced at the back of his head before back to the others and stepping sideways as she came to understand what was happening.

Jesper’s eyes shot to her in panic and disappointment, a firm whisper, “y/n/n”.

Y/n waved an arm down her body, “you think I’m concealing cards on me?”

Only one single man was decent enough to look embarrassed as she pointed out the fact her dress didn’t cover much; and therefore there weren’t many hiding spots.

“I mean, there’s not many places I could,” she chuckled, “but feel free to look”.

Jesper stepped closer to her, uncertain what she was doing.

The guy who’d been eyeing her earlier, smugly moved forward far too eagerly.

“With your eyes, not your hands” she demanded holding a hand up to stop the man.

Jesper glared at the man, his second pistol out and now pointed at the men as he clenched his jaw.

One guard looked her over, “how do we know you’re not hiding cards were your skin is covered?”

“Where?” She asked, hands running down her dress everywhere but the area of her knife belt, “there’s not even any pockets or sleeves”.

“You know where” the guard smirked, explicitly eyeing her breasts.

Jesper clicked his revolvers as he stepped closer with a low growl deep in his throat.

“Enough, we’ll just get out of your hair then. Let’s just cash out and leave , Jesper. “ y/n said, knowing Jesper was at his end.

He kept staring at the men for a little longer but nodded his head once.

He lowered his pistols at the same time the security did, but didn’t place them back in their holsters until after the others had put theirs away.

Not that it would matter, y/n knew very well that Jesper would easily be able to pull his guns back out long before the others could even attempt to raise theirs.

An obese man tossed a bag of their winnings towards the couple and y/n caught it.

Jesper placed his hand on her back and gently lead them to the door.

“My chest” y/n reminded them, turning around and stopping their exit.

Jesper wanted to groan.

Yes, they needed the chest.

But, he’d have found someway to make it up somehow.

Just not now, not when the staff were already on edge and eyeing y/n.

“Wouldn’t you rather have the money?” The man asked , “maybe your man will get you something nice with it”.

“My girl wants the chest” Jesper argued, “so, where’s the chest?”

“The chest is not for sale” some random person spoke loudly.

“That’s fine because we’re not buying it” Jesper smirked.

Y/n caught a glimpse of the chest next to the man who’d recently spoken up.

She nodded her head his direction and Jesper raised an eyebrow.

Looking back at the house boss, Jesper gave him a questioning gesture.

The unknown man pushed the chest against the ground, the box scrapping against the bottom of the bar.

Y/n and Jesper shared a moment of eye contact before all hell broke loose.

Y/n unsheathed her blade as Jesper flipped his pistols around on their way up to his hands.

The guards weren’t too far behind and soon the couple were separated.

Jesper wasn’t even watching where he was pointing his guns, his eyes following his girl as she fluently leaped between tables as she fought off some of the guards while trying to get closer to the chest.

He was glad she wasn’t only skilled at avoiding gunshots, but also that the guards were poorly equipped.

Most had a few, dirty but sharp blades, but few had anything of larger concern.

And for those that did, Jesper guarded her from them.

As someone tried to grab his left pistol, Jesper faced him and snapped the barrel upwards against the guys’ hand, using the man’s stumbled response to send him to the floor. Jesper hit the man’s head with the butt of his gun on his way down; knocking him out.

Jesper’s eyes had just located y/n when she hissed loudly, his wide eyes seeing red pour down her exposed leg; the color visible even under the minimal glow of the club.

Even though she kept fighting her way to the chest, Jesper rang shots out faster as he rushed towards her.

As he shot the man who had stabbed her, y/n looked over at him and gave him a weak cocky smile.

Jesper could see the strain through it and his heart dropped.

She looked away and clumsily jumped off the bar counter and towards the man and his chest.

“Y/n!” Jesper called, pleading her to stop.

“I believe that’s ours” she said to the man, ignoring Jesper.

“Psycho little -“ a guard said just before y/n used her good leg to swipe his legs out from under him and knock him down.

Jesper kept one gun pointed at the guards before her who were holding her at gunpoint.

His other was turned sideways to hit the man charging at him from across the room.

Y/N’s sharp inhale rang through the air, making Jesper’s eyes freeze for a moment in fear.

But as he turned to her, he saw her nearly on the floor.

None of the guards he’d pointed his gun at had even moved.

What happened?!

Y/n pressed a shaky hand on the dingy floor to catch herself, groaning as her wrist screamed at her.

The man she’d knocked down had returned the favor by tugging her dress’s edge downwards, making her land on the floor in front of him.

She looked down and faintly made out the dull knife the guard had in his grip just as he dug it into the already broken skin.

Y/n cursed and broke the guy’s wrist as she moved her blade to his neck.

She heard the men above her moving in response and she could envision all their guns directed downwards at her.

But, she couldn’t do anything about that.

At this one she had pinned would pay for the scar he likely was causing.

She knew Jesper was there, and she hoped he’d seen what was going on.

But, she knew he had countless other threats surrounding him in the packed bar, so she wasn’t certain if he had.

She flinched and squeezed her eyes shut as she heard the familiar clicking of guns and braced for their shots.

As gunfire rang out through the now-stuffy air, y/n felt the man pull his knife out of her leg, going back for another strike.

She pressed her blade to his throat tightly, knowing she had enough pressure to subdue him as she heard him start to squirm.

Upon hearing bodies hit the floor next to her, y/n peeled her eyes open and saw Jesper had wounded each man.

Jesper was beside her, kicking the guns away from the men as he bent down to lift her up.

“Hang on love” Jesper huffed, one hand around her waist as he hoisted her back to a standing position.

He positioned his other hand so it was pointing his pistol toward anyone who dared to try and come forward.

He didn’t want to have to shoot anyone else but he would willingly shoot-to-kill every person in the bar if that’s what it took to get his girl out and he wanted them to know that.

Y/n mumbled something unintelligible as she pressed her palm to her wound while trying to brace herself on Jesper.

Jesper fought to keep his sorrowful and pained eyes off her leg as he helped her walk out of the bar.

“Wait” she gasped, making him freeze as his wide eyes snapped to her face.

“T-the.. Ches-“ she groaned, eyes squinting in pain.

Jesper huffed in irritation but leaned her on the counter as he rushed back to the chest, hurriedly grabbing it and then her hand, “now come on”.

Once they’d ventured down the narrow side-street alleys far enough to feel somewhat less at risk, she slowed her pace as she moved to rest against the wall.

Jesper fell to his knees before her as she pressed her back against the cold mossy bricks, sliding down until her butt hit the ground.

He finally let his troubled eyes examine her leg, his teeth grinding as they did.

“Shit” he sighed, looking around for water to clear the wound so he could see it better, “love, fuck”.

Y/n chuckled faintly, rolling her head side to side as the back of it rested against the bricks, “it hurts like the bitch they said I am, but I’ll be fine”

Jesper shook his head, tears flooding his vision as he faced her, using his hand to wipe the blood away since there were no liquids around.

“Fuck, Jesp-“ she moaned, pushing her fist to her mouth to keep quiet.

He glanced up at her with remorse as he wiped some sweat beads from her forehead with his other hand.

Jesper stared back down at her leg, trying to problem solve, “I know baby, I’m so sorry. Shit I- I don’t. Okay so-“.

Y/n reached out and tenderly stroked his face, making him let out a choked sob, “Jesper, honey,-“.

He shook his head firmly, pulling the bottom section of torn material from her dress and pressing it against her wound.

She grimaced but nodded as his eyes looked into hers, “let’s go”.

Jesper gave her a thankful smile at how strong she was being despite their situation.

By the time they made it back, y/n was dragging her leg so much that Jesper was nearly carrying her.

In fact, he wished he was, but her stubbornness and pride got in the way.

Ironic, right?

He used his free hand to throw open the doors, not caring that they slammed against the wall loudly.

He was glad it helped announce their entrance, his focus on finding Nina.

“I-it- just a scratch Jes” y/n tried to comfort, gripping the material of his shirt.

He knew the wound wasn’t life threatening but he hated that there was one at all.

She shouldn’t have been hurt.

He shouldn’t have gotten her hurt.

As Nina finished up the stitching on y/n’s leg, y/n continued drawing shapes on Jesper’s palm.

He hadn’t left her side from the moment it happened, not even when Kaz tried to pull him out so they could talk.

He’d face Kaz’s wrath later even if delaying it only made him angrier.

He wasn’t ready to leave her side.

Kaz had taken the chest to hide it wherever and hadn’t returned since.

Nina had already fixed the pain and bleeding and was just stitching up the skin to aid in her healing.

“Twice daily, rinse between applications” Nina stated, facing Jesper as she handed him a jar.

“What is that?” Y/n asked, reaching for his other hand.

“It’ll keep it clean and fix the infection” Nina said softly.

“Infection?” Jesper asked, the way his head was still hung and the pain and guilt in his voice made y/n frown.

“Whatever Saints-forsaken dagger was used wasn’t exactly clean, nor is Ketterdamn” Nina explained.

Jesper nodded, turning the jar over in his hand as he scrutinized the material.

Y/n gave Nina a pleading look to which her friend smiled in understanding.

“But, she’ll be fine, you got her out” Nina said, “she’s lucky you were there, it could’ve been worse”.

Jesper began to argue but y/n squeezed his hand to stop him.

Nina gave them both a kind smile before she stepped out.

They both called out a thank you to Nina before y/n tilted Jesper’s head up so she could his pewter-green eyes she adored.

He took a shaky breath, setting the jar beside her as he cupped her face with his hands, “I’m so sorry y/n, if-“.

“Please stop Jes, it’s not your fault “ she sighed.

“Doll, -“ Jesper argued softly as a tear rolled down his cheek.

“Jesper!” Kaz’s booming voice called out the sound forced into the room before the man himself did.

“Ka-“ y/n began defensively.

Jesper shook his head at her, willing to accept his punishment.

“I wasn’t speaking to you, was I?” Kaz snapped, sending her a harsh stare.

But y/n noticed the way a grimace formed as his eyes fell to her patched leg.

It lasted only a split second before his anger returned and he looked at Jesper.

“I know” Jesper admitted, not moving his eyes from his girlfriend’s leg.

“Then look at me when-“ Kaz demanded.

“Look at you?!” Jesper scoffed shaking his head, “y/n’s hurt because of me, I’m not taking my eyes off her until she’s healed”.

Y/n pouted as she sighed, unsure how to help him.

“You two were to get the chest. That’s it! Then you come back bloody” Kaz stated looking at y/n.

To Jesper, he said, “and you gambled with the kruge I gave you I said to only use to purchase the chest!”

Jesper nodded, looking intently into y/n’s eyes, “I should’ve listened. We should’ve left when y/n suggested”

“Aye! Brekker, we got the chest did we not?” Y/n smirked, stretching her leg on the bed.

“And came back inoperable for at least a week” Kaz griped.

“At least two” Jesper corrected firmly.

Kaz raised an eyebrow at him, having spoken to Nina himself moments ago.

“Jes,” y/n shushed, “not helping. And Nina said one week”.

Looking back her way, Jesper gave her a pleading look, “two”.

Kaz wanted to keep criticizing them Jesper but even as mad as he was at the behavior, after watching the way Jesper looked at y/n, Kaz could tell he wasn’t going to be making that mistake ever again.

Y/n played with Jesper’s rings as he held her torso to his side.

“It’s not your fault” she reiterated for the hundredth time.

Jesper let out a loud sigh, watching her fingers spin the rings he donned.

“You had said we should leave. I should’ve listened” he admitted.

The scene had been playing over in his mind on a loop.

“You had an idea Jesper, and it would’ve worked if things hadn’t changed twice on their end” y/n said encouragingly.

Jesper stayed silent as he wished he could take her place.

He deserved to be the one with a gash in their leg not her.

“Jes, my beautiful baby boy, Kaz’s intel was wrong. You tried to adjust so we could still accomplish the task. You had no way of knowing they’d change things again on us” she pointed out, lifting his knuckles to her soft lips.

It was true.

Inej had just left y/n’s room after informing them that the auction had been cancelled moments before they’d arrived.

Allegedly because the seller argued for a better price for which to sell it to the auctioneer.

Then, the seller made a deal to wager the chest instead, in a bet he wagered against the auctioneer.

Through all of that, Jesper’s plan would’ve worked.

However, unbeknownst to them, the auctioneer/gambling den’s leader had staged one of their own employees at the tables to win it.

But, the seller too had arranged a ploy, intending for the box to be won by his true buyer.

Evidently whatever was in this box was not something one could legally sell or even auction off.

Not that Ketterdamn much less the bare ever stuck to the laws or legalities.

But, Inej found out the intended buyer was a high ranking merchant and therefore had to make it seem they’d stumbled upon the chest on a routine night of high stakes gambling in some abandoned part of the barrel.

“Doesn’t matter” Jesper mumbled.

“Jesper Fahey, come on now” y/n pouted.

“I let my ego get in the way and you- you’re hurt becau-“ Jesper rambled.

“Don’t you dare finish that Jesper “ Y/n warned, holding his hand tightly as she kissed his knuckles again.

“Y/n, just…please, you don’t know the underlying motive I had” Jesper remorsefully whispered.

“Which was?” She asked, letting him explain in hopes he’d feel better after.

“I wanted to impress you- and Saint’s! I just.., like I said, my ego won and I wasn’t thinking as clearly as I should’ve been. I should’ve been more focused on our safety. Your safety. But instead I was thinking about showing off to try and impress you. I’m so sorry y/n, I-“ Jesper mumbled, voice strained.

She pushed her tailbone into the mattress beside him as she leaned to sit up without moving her leg.

Y/n turned to look at him as he copied her movements with a mixture of confusion, fear, and sadness swimming in his normally comforting eyes.

She shook her head vehemently, grabbing his hands in hers.

“Jesper Llewellyn Fahey” she hummed and shook her head with a smile on her lips, “you, my dear, do not need to try to impress me. You already impress me on a daily basis. Okay? You’ve got nothing you need to prove; certainly not to me. I need you to know that”.

Jesper let a few tears trail down his cheeks, hitting her thumbs until she tenderly wiped them off before kissing both of his cheeks.

“I really am so terribly sor-“ Jesper began again, his arms locking behind her to hold her to him.

“Fahey, if you don’t stop apologizing I swear I will hide your ever so precious pistols somewhere in Kaz’s office” y/n threatened.

Jesper chuckled into her hair, kissing her ear softly.

“I like that sound” she hummed, snuggling into him, “are you okay now? This is over, hmm?”

“Two weeks” he spoke, playing with her hair.

“Ugh” she complained, “fine but only if you’re keeping me company during those two boring ass weeks”.

Jesper tucked her head deeper into his shoulder, as he held her, listening to her breathing to soothe any remaining negative emotions.

“Darling, I’m never leaving your side again” Jesper threatened sweetly, closing his eyes.

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[dragonflight203]

Mass Effect 3 replay, Mars:

-And right off the bat we see Cerberus troopers executing Alliance soldiers. ME3 is not a game interested in subtlety.

I’m always a fan of hating Cerberus, but this feels cartoonishly evil. And it’s quite the whiplash from ME2.

I’d have preferred if Cerberus had stayed in the background before playing their hand. We still could have chased them for the Prothean data, but the enemies that killed everyone in the base could have been Reaper troops.

Then TIM could have made us an offer to work with him in exchange for the data, we could have told him to fuck off (or agreed if Bioware felt very ambitious), and learned later on the full extent of Cerberus’ machinations.

-This is my other main problem with ME3. We spend as much if not more time fighting Cerberus than we the Alliance, and I do not care about Cerberus. They’re just another supremacist terrorist group. Fiction is full of them.

In a science fiction game where the main enemy are eldritch abominations that destroy organics on a regular basis, that’s the enemy I want to learn more about. ME3 should be centered around the Reaper threat. Instead we spend so. Much. Time focused on Cerberus.

Whose attack on the Citadel do we fend off? Cerberus. Whose base do we infiltrate? Cerberus. What grand reveal do we learn? That Cerberus is turning organics into Reaper troops and has learned to override Reaper indoctrination. What enemy leader do we converse with? TIM. Who is the final boss? TIM.

Compared to Cerberus, Reapers are just background noise. And it’s a damn shame because the Reapers are way more interesting. I want to learn about them.

-Kaidan’s suspicions are entirely valid. Shepard worked with Cerberus for an extended period quite recently. Of course their loyalties should be in question and how much they know. Shepard should have expected this.

This is more ME2’s fault for not giving Shepard the chance to tell Cerberus to fuck off or work with the Alliance as an undercover agent.

-The Cerberus troops chasing Liara through the vents is silly. She should have thrown a singularity at them while in there or they should have easily shot her.

-And once again Shepard says the Alliance (Hackett) gave them orders. In this case, to go to Mars.

I repeat: Spectres only take orders from the Council.

ME3 really wants Shepard to just be a very competent Alliance soldier and to hell with anything that gets in the way. It would not be difficult to rewrite the dialogue so Shepard is working with the Alliance, not for them.

-And now Liara tells us about the deus ex machina that will be the backbone of the game. It’d be terrible if Shepard had to actually do any investigating of their own.

-How did Hackett know that Liara is the Shadow Broker?

-Poor James is so lost.

I’m actually quite fond of him. He’s in over his head and he knows it, but he holds his own.

-Why does Liara say that the Protheans came close to destroying the Protheans?

In ME1, Virgil said or implied that the Protheans didn’t stand a chance. The best they could do was sabotage the Citadel to help the next cycle.

I suppose Illos was an isolated research facility, so you could argue they were unaware that another group was working on the Crucible.

-ME3 reverts to the ME1 method of giving you experience points for being curious. For example, reading a data pad. Nice change from ME2.

-Liara, on Cerberus opening the airlock of the cafeteria and killing everyone: This is brutal, even by Cerberus standards.

Are we just ignoring everything we learned in ME1? Cerberus fed a squad of marines to thresher maws and experimented on the survivor. I think that’s brutal.

-I’ve always wondered if the shooting glass mechanic was originally intended to be used more extensively. I think this is the only time in the game where it’s used. Maybe shooting the glass over the cockpit of an Atlas mech, if you want to be generous.

-If you don’t shoot the glass, two of the troopers move like they will leave but never actually open the door.

-Of course Dr. Eva has the same kind of ridiculous bodysuit that Miranda had. I don’t know why I expected anything different. It must be standard Cerberus issue for top agents.

-Shepard, to Liara about how they keep moving: I just think about what I’d lose if I fail.

Shepard is staring at Kaidan during the exchange. Intentional, because I’m romancing him?

-To continue emphasizing how evil they are now, Cerberus turned on the sterility field while the researchers were inside. Just so there are no doubts that they are no longer the morally ambigious group from ME2.

ME2 retcons ME1, ME3 retcons ME2.

-And here is the grand reveal that Cerberus troops are indoctrinated.

This does make their actions a bit easier to swallow through ME3 since they’re working for the Reapers, but still way too much time is spent on them.

-Again, Kaidan’s concerns are valid. We know that Miranda wanted to put a control chip in Shepard. Kaidan has no way of being certain they did not. Shepard could be a deep cover agent and not even know it themselves.

-TIM about the Reapers: Where you see a means to destroy, I see a means to control.

There’s two endings foreshadowed. Still nothing for synthesis.

Also, given TIM pushes control it’s odd that it’s treated as the paragon choice in the endgame. Tim’s thoroughly renegade aligned what with his willingness to win at any cost.

-TIM does not want the Reapers destroyed. He wants to use them to improve humanity’s standing.

TIM is insane, but that’s a known side effect of indoctrination so I’ll give him a pass. The Reapers are far too dangerous to keep alive as tools.

Still, you think he’d remember that from the rachni experiments.

-The Dr. Eva chase is just silly. Realistically you should be able to shoot or attack her, but instead all you can do is run after her. They should have just made it a cutscene.

I’m a vanguard. I can’t even target her for a charge. Ridiculous.

-Liara, supporting the potential of the Prothean data: You know we can’t win this conventionally.

No, and I’m disappointed this is the best alternative Bioware could come up with.

-Bailey’s been promoted to commander. Good to see corruption thriving on the Citadel.

[links-in-time]

Links in Time

Part 16

It was difficult to tell how much time had elapsed in their tiny prison. There were no windows to show the sky outside, and Warriors struggled to keep track of how long he had been awake. Maari had only been unconscious for a short time, which he was greatful for. She seemed to have recovered nicely, though her arm was bleeding where she had been cut. It didn't look bad but he wanted to stop the bleeding and get her wound clean as soon as possible.

"What do you think they're waiting for?" Link asked, looking through the bars of their prison cell.

"Don't know, maybe their waiting for their Master to arrive."

"Master?" Link asked with a frown.

"Yeah the Yiga don't have a clan leader they have a Master. I thought the woman who spoke to me when we got here might be their Master, but now I'm not so sure."

"Hello?" A trembling voice called out from the partial darkness.

"Hello?" Maari replied, trying to shuffle nearer to the bars. "Who's there?"

"My name is Lars, I'm a researcher." The voice replied.

Maari and Link exchanged a surprised look.

"Were you working in Hyrule Castle?" Link asked.

"Yes, there were three of us. Now there are only two." The voice sniffed. "The Yiga grabbed us and brought us here."

"I'm so sorry this happened to you. We came here looking for the people who went missing," Maari said, half telling the truth.

"Well you found us. Now what?"

Now what exactly. The Yiga had been thorough when they searched Maari and Link. All their weapons and equipment had been taken. They also took the Purah Pad. Though Maari realised even if she still had it she didn't know how to use it to send messages. They were trapped, with no way out and no help on the way. She and Link had started resigning themselves to their fate. But they had found solice in each other's company, seeing in the other a version of themselves reflected back. A person reaching out but too afraid to hold on.

"That's enough chit chat!" A Yiga guard barked, slapping the bars of their cell with a torch stick. Maari jerked her head back to avoid being hit.

"Why are you keeping us here?" She hissed at the Yiga as they walked past.

"You'll see soon enough. Our Master has great plans for Hyrule." The Yiga replied almost wistfully.

"Alright soldier," another Yiga said, as they approached. "Go and prepare for the ceremony, I'll take over for a while."

The soldier nodded. "Yes Commander Melyn."

Maari's ears pricked up and she couldn't help but stare up at the Yiga who had entered the jail. There was nothing remarkable about them. They looked like every other Yiga, dressed from head to toe in uniform. Their face was covered by the mask and they didn't pay Maari much attention.

"I'm told I have a Hylian soldier in my jail." The commander remarked. Their voice sounded female, but Maari tried to squash her hopes.

"That's right," Link replied coldly, keeping his gaze fixed on Maari.

"Such an honour." The Yiga teased, tapping the bars with slender fingers.

"Any titles?"

"Captain," said Link.

"Captain, very fancy. And who is your companion?" At last the commander turned and acknowledged Maari.

"One of the finest Sheikah warriors in Hyrule," he replied, giving Maari a warm smile.

"Finiest, if she were that good she'd have been smart enough not to challenge the Yiga in their home!" The commander scoffed.

Maari's gaze fell to the floor. She already felt foolish, now this Yiga was just rubbing salt into her wounds. Link tried to send her reassuring glances but it didn't do any good. If this woman was her mother, she clearly didn't recognise Maari.

"Well, soon you will have the honour of serving our lord and master the great Demise."

Demise. Now it was Link's turn to snap to attention. Sky had mentioned that name as the original evil which had threatened to turn Hyrule into a land of darkness. It wanted the triforce and it had started the war between Hylia and the forces of darkness.

"What do you know about Demise? He was destroyed millenia ago," Link stated, trying to gauge any reaction from behind the Yiga's mask.

"A great deal more than you little knight. But perhaps he will enlighten you." The Yiga sighed. "I'm fact, I believe we shall have to bring this little conversation to a close. The ceremony should be ready to begin."

A few moments later more soldiers entered the jail and started jangling keys and unlocking the cells. Link shot Maari a glance which expressed a desire to make a run for it. But Maari shook her head and smiled weakly. Link's heart was in his throat as he allowed himself to be hoisted to his feet and dragged away along the jail corridor. The Commander pulled Maari to her feet and shunted her after Link. She winced as her wounded arm brushed against one of the poor researchers.

"Sorry," she uttered.

"Don't worry about it, we're all in the same boat now." The young man sighed.

The Yiga soldiers and their commander guided the group of prisoners through the hideout and back out to the enormous circular courtyard. Countless Yiga soldiers had gathered around the perimeter, chanting and jeering at the prisoners as they were brought towards the pit in the centre. A twinkling night sky lay overhead, the smallest sliver of a moon shone brightly among the heavens.

The prisoners were brought towards the pit and roughly pushed to their knees. The commander and her guards remained standing behind them as the rest of the Yiga pushed forwards a little. A Yiga stepped forwards and stood between the prisoners and the pit. They were clearly distinct from the rest. They wore an elaborate head-dress of different monster horns and scales. Strings of beads hung from their neck and arms as they raised them skyward.

Link and Maari exchanged an uncertain glance but their attention was quickly drawn back to the strange figure.

"Thank you, my faithful Yiga warriors. You have brought before your Master a sacrifice worthy of our lord Demise!" The figure cried into the night. A cheer went up around the crowd.

"Spill their blood!" Someone shouted.

"Kill Em!" called another.

"Praise The Master, praise Demise!"

Maari's heart was racing, her eyes darted here and there, searching desperately for a way out. Despite her previous pessimism, instinct still wanted her to fight. Link knelt beside her, the solder behind him forced his head down so he was bowing before the Yiga Master. Link grunted unceremoniously and tried to wriggle out of the Yiga's grasp. Maari tried to remain calm but the Master drew everyone's attention once more.

"Behold, the ancient text." He held up a tattered looking book with a dark leather cover. Maari saw instantly that it was covered in gold runes exactly like the ones from the dark portal. "Let the ritual begin!"

"Link," Maari whispered, nodding towards the Master. "The book, look at the runes!"

"What?" Link grunted, as the Yiga guard released his grip.

"The runes! I think the Yiga master is..."

Maari didn't get the chance to finish her thought, but the Yiga Master explained it for her. Each of the guards behind the prisoners drew a dagger and held it to their throats. Maari gasped, trying to wriggle away from the knife. One by one the soldiers cut the bonds of the prisoners, holding one of their arms out-stretched before them.

"What are you doing?" One of the researchers screamed.

The Master then walked towards them with his own knife, a wicked looking curved blade with a red jem set into the handle. He slashed the arm of one of the researchers, letting their blood drip into a bowl he held. Then he turned back towards the pit and dipped his fingers into the blood and began drawing runes on the ground. A spark of light appeared overhead as the Master continued to draw. Link and Maari watched in awe as the sparks turned into glowing runes floating in the air. The runes twisted and spiralled together into a swirl of crimson.

"No way!" Link breathed, his jaw hung open.

Before his eyes, a dark portal crackled and sparked into existence. Lunimous runes span slowly around the edge, adding fuel to the portals power. The Master returned to the second researcher, knife and bowl in hand.

"Hey! Leave them alone!" Maari screamed, trying to wrestle out of her guards grip and get between the Master and his next victim. "You want someone's blood take mine!"

That got his attention and the Yiga Master's mask turned towards Maari.

"Very well, the blood of the Demon Lord's eternal enemies," The Master cackled.

The commander ripped open her sleeve and the Master held the knife against her arm. Maari winced and closed her eyes, waiting for the pain. But it didn't come.

"Let the woman go!" Shouted a voice Maari now new all too well.

She opened her eyes and stared around until she found its source. Time stood at the top of the cliff. Sword drawn, his good eye glaring down at the scene below.

"Well, this looks awful," Legend remarked, as he walked up beside Time.

"Looks like a lot of traitors ready to die," Wild added, nocking his bow.

"Easy cub," Twi urged, though he had his own sword ready.

"Looks like there's plenty for all of us, may the best Link win," Wind laughed, trying to count how many Yiga he could take on at once.

"Who is that?" The Master asked.

"That, would be the goddesses chosen Heroes," Wars smirked.

He used the distraction to pull his hand free of his guard and grab their knife. Maari suddenly found her hands were also free, the commander had released her grip. Though she still wore a mask, Maari swore she looked at her. Maari shook herself into action and followed Link's lead, grappling the guard holding the nearest researcher and wresting their knife away from them. She slashed and left a deep cut in the Yiga's side. They fell back into the other guard sending them both sprawling across the floor.

Up above, Time and the other heroes repelled their way down the ropes to reach the courtyard. They instantly jumped into the crowd and began carving paths towards the prisoners. Maari and Wars stayed close to each other, protecting the unarmed and helpless researchers. Behind them, the Yiga Master, who had grown furious at this intrusion of his ceremony swung his dagger down towards Maari. She looked up just in time to see someone block his arm with their hand. The commander removed her mask and looked back at Maari. She smiled weakly and a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Get those people to safety, and be careful Maari." Melyn spoke softly to her daughter, despite the chaos erupting around them.

"Mum? What...? I can't..." Maari stammered, suddenly lost in a face she hasn't seen in years.

"Maari, there's time for this later. Right now you need to focus," Link urged, placing a hand on Maari's shoulder.

"Right," she said.

Maari shook her head and an instant later Melyn was gone. So was the Yiga Master. Maari spotted her mother a moment later, clashing blades with some other soldiers. They must have been surprised that their commander had turned on them.

"She's right, we need to protect these people," Link reminded Maari, helping the injured researcher.

"If we get them to Wild he could teleport them out of here," Maari suggested hopefully.

"We don't have the device," Link reminded her.

"No, but he has his own." Maari rembered. "Get them to Wild, I'll cover you." She held out her hand for the knife Wars had taken. He handed it over without a second thought, then proceed to escort the civilians to the other side of the courtyard.

Arrows whistled over head, some friendly which sailed past harmlessly. Others not so friendly which they had to dodge. The heroes were getting closer to their side of the pit. Sky and Four fought together, protecting Wild who was sitting on top of a window ledge shooting down at the Yiga below. Wind was using his batton to blow whole groups of Yiga down into the chasm. The others were fighting and even sending some Yiga running back through the hideout. Some disappeared from the battle field, presumably choosing to fight another day.

At last Wars and Maari managed to reach Wild and the others.

"Wild!" Called Wars, "this one's injured and they're both in pretty bad shape. Can you get them out of here?"

Wild nodded. He stowed his weapons and took out his device. Dropping down from the window ledge he took the hands of the two civilians and pressed a button on the screen. In a swirl of otherworldly blue, Wild and the researchers disappeared. With their main concern taken care of Wars and Maari turned back to the fight. Wars picked up an eighfold blade from the ground and tested the balance.

"Let's properly thank our hosts for their hospitality," he said, his blood rising and spoiling for a fight.

"Where did the Master go? He was standing right in front of us and he dissappeared," Maari asked, she sounded frantic.

Wars watched her looking around, searching for the bizzar looking Yiga Master. But he suspected he wasn't the only person Maari was looking for.

"I'm going back over there," she decided.

Before Wars could grab her Maari charged off across the battlefield.

"Where's she going?" Sky asked, as he ran over to Wars.

"To do something stupid," Wars remarked.

"Oh, and here I thought you two had already done that tonight." Sky prodded Wars in the shoulder.

Wars rolled his eyes. "Save the lecture for later will you, come and help me get her."

The two of them charged after Maari, felling any Yiga who attempted to stop them in their tracks. As Maari approached the portal in search of her mother and the Yiga Master, her gaze was caught by the swirling ruby mists beyond. The longer she looked the more she found she couldn't look away. Her arms dropped to her sides as she stood before the dark gate. Mesmerised by the power within.

"Sheikah!" A voice older than the earth itself shook her bones.

"Maari get away from it!" Melyn screamed, sprinting towards her daughter.

She dragged Maari away a safe distance as Sky and Wars reached them.

"You okay?" Sky asked.

Suddenly, a crimson hand of gloom shot out from the portal, lunging at Sky.

"Look out!"

Maari pushed Sky out of the way and it grabbed Maari's right arm instead, sinking it's claws into her flesh. She screamed as white hot pain shot through her body. Wincing as something searched around inside her.

Sky recovered his balance, turned and summoned a skyward strike before slashing the Master Sword down through the hand. It fizzled away and withdrew into the portal. Maari dropped to her knees clutching her arm.

By now the rest of the Yiga had either fled or were lying dead. The Chain convened around the portal, careful not to let their eyes get fixed on its centre. Twi held his sword at Melyn's throat.

"Don't move," he began, moving to strike.

"No Twi don't!" Maari urged. "She's my mother."

All eyes turned to Melyn and she gave a little shrug before throwing her weapon to the ground.

"I swear I am not a threat to any of you," she insisted, raising both her hands. "If you wish to take me as a prisoner I will understand. Honestly I probably deserve it."

"Mum, no," Maari uttered. But Time stepped forward and eyed Melyn with a stern glare.

"Tie her up just to be safe," he instructed.

"What, Time no, she's my mother," Maari implored, but Time shook his head. Meanwhile Wind produced a length of rope and began binding her hands.

"It's just a precaution. From where I was standing before it looked a lot like she was about to offer you up as a sacrifice too."

Maari watched as they tied up her mother and moved her away from the portal.

"I should probably take a look at that," Hyrule insisted, quickly making a cursory scan of Maari's arm.

"Anyone else hurt?" Asked Wars, dropping his weapon as though it repulsed him.

"We'll assess injuries back at base." Time insisted. "Right now I want to get you two back to Gerudo Town." He said to Maari and Wars, glaring at them with the disappointment of a father.

< Part 15 : Part 17 >

[chimeclan-tales]

Moon 1 - Newleaf

The First Gathering

Just follow the border this way, and you’ll find a twoleg structure. Bonestar’s words rang in Windstar’s head.

His border patrol had come across the lone SpikeClan leader earlier in the moon. She was friendly, and even said that StarClan sent an omen to be kind to their new neighbors.

Now on the way to the gathering, he and his cats had walked on what seemed to be a tiny thunderpath. Up ahead was a twoleg den without a roof. A stream flowed around it, and curved rocks laid scattered through the island.  

“We’re sure this isn’t a trap?” Nightsplash whispered to Windstar.

He pricked his ears. There was the chatter of cats inside. “If it was, they’d be more quiet.”

“StarClan had also confirmed the older clans meant no harm to us,” Swanstreak said. He had visited the Moon Falls after Windstar reported his patrol.

“Windstar! There you are!” A black tabby rushed out from the entrance. She was only slightly bigger than Beaverpaw, but scars littered her pelt. This was the leader of SpikeClan. 

“Greetings,” A white and silver cat followed. “You’ve already met Bonestar; I’m Halfstar, leader of NutClan.”

“Nice to meet you,” The dark blue tabby dipped his head. “Thank you for inviting us.”

“No thanks necessary. Although StarClan assured us about your presence, it’d be best to know our neighbors,” Halfstar meowed as she led his cats inside. “Welcome to the Four Walls.” 

Inside, there was a sizeable number of cats– more than three times the size of ChimeClan. Their heads soon turned to the new group, exchanging looks of curiosity, wariness, or welcome.

Windstar turned his gaze elsewhere, observing the ruined twoleg structure. While it did indeed have four walls, the holes in them were tall and unnatural. Several long rocks were scattered through it, but the most notable was the pile in the middle. Bonestar called it the Echoing Stone.

“Is that actually a clan?” A white tom with purple eyes meowed. “They look like a bunch of rogues— one even looks like a kittypet!”

He was looking at Dancingtree, whose ears and legs were a dead giveaway. The former housecat tried his best to look small. 

“Lavenderpatch!” Halfstar meowed sharply. “Do you not remember the omen our healer told us about!?”

“What if they’re the wrong cats?”

“Even I can see StarClan’s mark on the other’s forehead.” A senior… No, an elder sat on the Echoing Stone and stared at Windstar. “Introduce yourself, leader of...”

“ChimeClan,” He did as he was told, and looked to the other cats gathered. “I am Windstar of ChimeClan. We’ve journeyed from beyond and set up camp by the foot of the mountains. We hope you’re willing to let us stay and… later, negotiate borders.”

“Indeed, these are the right cats,” The cat on the Echoing Stone nodded. “I, Dappledstar, leader of BugClan, welcome you all, ChimeClan.”

“As does NutClan.”

“And SpikeClan.” Bonestar grinned. “Come and take your place, Windstar.”

As the leader hauled himself up, the foreign cats cheered their clan name. Streakswan carefully joined the other healers, and Nightsplash bounded up to the other deputies. She sheepishly turned back when she realized those were a group of BugClan warriors who simply sat nearby.

“We are now complete,” Halfstar flicked her tail as the halfmoon’s light shone down upon them. She slammed a paw on the rock beneath them, which gave a resounding ring. “Let the gathering begin!”

As Bonestar had described, the leaders spoke in order of the clan’s age: NutClan, BugClan, SpikeClan, and lastly, ChimeClan. All had reported a prosperous first halfmoon of Newleaf; Windstar couldn’t help but think that truly, StarClan led them to the right place.

“Now, onto border discussions,” Halfstar meowed. “I’m sure you’ve explored the land nearby your camp, correct?”

“Until the thunderpath, and until we detected another clan’s borders.” Windstar nodded. “We’d like to have a side of the river near the foot of the mountain, and a patch of the forest for herbs.” 

Dappledstar hummed as she gathered her thoughts. “No.”

Before Windstar could negotiate further, the strange cat stared at him.

“Our StarClan likes to sit there. You can have the side farther down. Close to here.”

“That’s… Reasonable,” Windstar tried to suppress the shiver he felt. “Thank you.” 

“The forest is far from your camp, and NutClan has many mouths to feed.” Halfstar said. “Our land is not worth your time.” 

“With all due respect, Halfstar,” Streakswan meowed from below. “Only certain herbs grow in the forest.”

“No, we still need our territory. The forest around the Four Walls is neutral ground,” She said firmly. “And you have the land across the thunderpath. Just take from them.”

Windstar turned to Bonestar, who shook her head.

“We don’t have any forest to offer because of…”

“Like I said,” Halfstar narrowed her eyes at the she-cat. “We need our territory.”

“Oh, yes yes,” Bonestar lashed her tail. “Say that one more time, would you?”

“Well–”

“I understand and agree with these arrangements,” Windstar interrupted before they could bicker further. “We, ChimeClan, are grateful for your kindness.”

The leaders nodded, and Halfstar slammed a paw on the Echoing Stone again. 

“The Gathering is over.” She yowled. “You are free to mingle until your leader says so.”

She jumped down and led her clan back to camp.

“They’re all a bit stubborn,” Streakswan whispered to Windstar as he landed next to the healer. 

“It wouldn’t be wise to press further,” He meowed. He turned to look at his other clanmates; at least they were having fun.

Nightsplah had thrown herself into a conversation with the other deputies, while a friendly BugClan cat had a chat with Dancingtree. Badgerpaw was engaging the other apprentices with a tale from the journey; from his movements, Windstar guessed it was about the wolves.

“Any plans for the rest of the moon?” Bonestar sat beside the leader. 

Hunting, gathering… Not to mention, the caves and land across the thunderpath hadn’t been explored yet. 

“I suppose we’ll settle in,” He simply meowed. “Simply get some rest. We’ve been searching for a new home for too long.”

“I understand,” She nodded. “Back then, SpikeClan had done the same, too. We’ve been here for… 600 moons, give or take.”

“Honestly,” She continued. “It’s interesting to see a new clan form. I feel like I’m watching the old tales unfold in my time instead. And for that, you have SpikeClan’s full support!”

“Thank you, Bonestar,” He dipped his head, but he didn’t take her words to heart. While her excitement was clear, her intentions weren’t. “Do you know anything about the other clans?”

“Oh, NutClan has been here forever. That’s why they hate every new clan,” She said with an annoyed flick of her tail. “They’re so… Traditional.”

“My, watch your tongue, young one,” Dappledstar meowed. Her deputy was helping her down. “When BugClan was formed, NutClan welcomed us with open paws. They had no interest in taking the plains, and they once aided us with various herbs. Stories say that during the war–”

“Oh, yes yes. How noble of NutClan,” The she-cat replied dryly. “Well. Look at the time. We should get going.”

BugClan’s deputy narrowed his eyes, but seeing his leader unphased, he chose to say nothing. Dappledstar agreed that they will be leaving, too. 

“We’ll do the same then,” Windstar meowed. “See you at the next Gathering.”

Previous Moon Event - Moss and Directions

The Heads of the Nearby Clans

Clan Territories

Next Moon Event - COMING SOON

[leegemma]

can i request lee!ricky, lee!gyuvin(maybe a little switch🤷‍♀️), and ler!hanbin to prompts 18 49 and 56?

Hello! Thank you so much for requesting zb1, I always get so happy to write those since I don't get many of them! Hope you like it!

Enjoy :)

18 -  “i’m gonna count down from 10.”

49 -  “be quiet! other people might be able to hear you, you know!”

56 -  “this is gonna be fun.”

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

Shimkongz were back at it again, this time choosing to target their leader. It all started when Gyuvin randomly ran up to Ricky, asking him if he wanted to team up on someone and prank them, Ricky of course said yes and that's how they came up with their genius plan.

Ricky was supposed to distract Hanbin while Gyuvin stole his phone so that they could both change all of his contacts together afterwards. 

The two were walking suspiciously to find Hanbin, and when they did, Ricky went up to him. "Hyung!"

Hanbin -who was just standing in the hallways of their company- turned to face the younger, sending a smile his way. "Good morning Ricky."

"Can you help me? I was trying to read through the notes you sent back to us last week but I don't understand." Ricky pulled out his phone, knowing Hanbin would not have the heart to refuse.

"Oh, yes. Of course." Hanbin turned to stand next to Ricky so he could see his phone's screen.

Meanwhile, Gyuvin was coming up from behind them, noticing Hanbin's phone in his back pocket. Perfect. He slowly walked up on his tip toes and took the phone, putting it in his on back pocket and pulling his shirt down to cover it.

"So here I was just saying that it looks a bit messy so maybe we can-" Hanbin's explanation was cut short when Gyuvin came in between him and Ricky, pulling him away by his arm, walking away fast.

"Hey! We were talking!" Hanbin shook his head at the boy.

"Sorry hyung! I really need Ricky now, though." Gyuvin and Ricky ran away giggling, into an empty studio where they sat down on the floor together and changed the contacts.

When they finished, Ricky asked the obvious question. "Um... how do we give it back to him now?"

"I don't think you have to worry about that."

Gyuvin and Ricky turned startled at the voice of the leader, who was standing with his arms crossed. Staring at the boys in fake disapproval.

"How did you-" Gyuvin didn't even know what the ask.

"After you left, I tried reaching for my phone and noticed it wasn't where I had put it. It was obvious who took it, and I just asked around and was told you guys went in here." Hanbin put his hand out to receive his phone back. "Phone. Here."

Ricky and Gyuvin glanced at each other, then started smirking as if they could read each other's minds. "Nope."

Hanbin raised an eyebrow at the younger boys. “I’m gonna count down from 10.”

"And then what?" Gyuvin laughed.

"And then I'll tickle you." Hanbin said in a serious tone, not moving.

Gyuvin and Ricky exchanged worried looks again.

"I'm going to start counting now..." Hanbin warned, fighting back a smile as he watched the cute boys trying to think of a plan quickly. "10...9...8..."

Guuvin looked like he was really panicking, so when Hanbin finished counting down and started heading for him, he dicided to yell. "HELP! SUNG HANBIN IS GOING TO KILL US!!!' even using the full name so that anyone will hear them.

"Be quiet! other people might be able to hear you, you know!" Hanbin scolded, reaching him and forcing him down. Not forgetting to turn around to look at Ricky, who was trying to sneak out of the room. "If you even think about hiding, you'll get it 10x worse."

Ricky pouted and sat down on the floor, watching Gyuvin struggling.

"Nohoho ihihm sohohorry!" Gyuvin was already apologizing.

"I didn't even touch you yet!" Hanbin had to laugh at that.

"Buhut youhu whihill!" Gyuvin complained.

Hanbin nodded. "Oh yes I will." He then started kneading Gyuvin's sides. Moving from one place to another rather quickly.

"HYUHUHNG! PLEHHASE!!!" Gyuvin squirmed as much as he could, trying to get out.

"You're so cute Gyuvinnie~" Hanbin cooed, tickling his ears and neck.

"I- RICKY HEHEHELPP!!" Gyuvin begged, managing to move his head in the direction of Ricky, who just smirked and shrugged.

"Ricky can't save you. He knows he's next." That shut Ricky's smirk down real quick.

"OKHAHAHY! IHIHIM DOHONE!!"

Hanbin chuckled. "Good for you. I'm not."

He moved to Gyuvin's armpits.

"PLEASE HAHAHAJAHA" Gyuvin's face was turning redder and redder.

Hanbin laughed and stopped. "Alright alright... are you okay?"

Gyuvin took a few seconds and then sat up with a growl. "Get over here blondie."

Ricky gulped and tried backing up against the wall. "I couldn't do anything! Don't blame me."

Gyuvin shook his head and jumped on Ricky, holding his arms above his head for Hanbin, who just moved up to the group's Tom and Jerry duo with a smile. “This is gonna be fun.” He then started tickling Ricky, decided to go full torture machine mode by heading for his hips and thighs at the same time.

"NOHOHOHO!" Since he was always trying to keep up the bad ass pose he had going (even though everyone knew he was just a cute lil strawberry 🥹) he was feeling embarrassed about laughing infront of his two friends, and trying turning his head away in every possible way.

"Awww Ricky is shy~" Hanbin teased.

"STOHOHOHOP TEAHHASING!" Ricky has been on the receiving side of tickle attacks with all the yuehua boys before, but never with Hanbin, which is why Gyuvin made sure to let him know about every single weakness of his friend.

"Ah~ Did you know Ricky can't stand tickling at all?"

"He's not that bad here. Try his sides."

"That's his worst spot, you can only go there a couple of seconds before he taps out."

Hanbin was grinning while taking all the information in, taking Gyuvin's advice.

Ricky, on the other hand couldn't handle it anymore and he was now falling in and out of silent laughter.

That was Hanbin's signal to stop, and so he did. Telling Gyuvin to let Ricky's arms down. "Are you okay, Ricky?"

Ricky looked up at Hanbin the at Gyuvin as he was laying on the floor. "I want... I want milk tea."