#BUT SPECIFICALLY I remember one about like some lonely rich girl who had no friends until one night she went out to the beach | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

writingwhenimbored · 3 years ago

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Self-Preservation

Summary: Ever since leaving the Eternals you’ve been able to live the life you’d always wanted. Even though it get’s a bit lonely at times, it’s better than fighting an endless war.

Part 2 of Puppy Dog

Content Warning: Angst, slight makeup, lil bit of kissing :)

Work Count: 4.6 K

Present

Unpopular opinion: you looked forward to getting calls from work.

As an environmental specialist you traveled the world to do field work in the most remote parts of the planet. You've dived to the sea floor, hiked to the top of Mt. Everest, been to Antarctica (twice), and those were just some things off the top of your head.

You lived in Washington State, specifically Forks. When you told people that they'd always ask 'isn't that where they filmed Twilight?' and the answer was always 'yeah it is’. The world outside your little cabin in the woods was wet and dreary; just how you liked it. Maybe it was a trait of yours to be drawn to temperamental and mysterious places.

You sat at your window drinking tea while you watched the rain pour. Bundled up in the thick sweats and fluffy socks you made yourself cozy and listened to the sound rain drops hitting the roof of your house.

As you sat there on your couch you let your mind wander. Thoughts of the people you've met, hearts you've touched, and so on began play through your brain. You've lived countless lives and met countless people but you were constantly met with the reminder that they could never stay for long.

And you were lonely.

Maybe loneliness suited you. After all it's not like you could just tell the world of your existence; not with the multitude of super humans coming out of the woodworks. You'd probably end up causing another pointless battle which lead to pointless deaths.

*ring ring*

Being pulled from your thoughts you reached onto the coffee table in front of you and grabbed your phone. You were met with a picture of your friend, Kaleb. The two of you worked together on various projects and you had a feeling another one was coming.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" You said.

"You'd never guess who I just ran into." His voice carried with excitement.

"I'm guessing it wasn't Tim—" You chided, "he's been trying to get a hold of you for this new project, maybe you should return his calls."

"I'll start returning his calls once he pays me back!" He retorted. "Anyways no. It wasn't that ass clown, it was Jenny Wood. And she had some interesting things to say about Shelby. You remember her right?"

"Isn't she working somewhere in the Amazon or something?" You questioned.

"Yeah at least she did before she was relocated." He added with lace of mystery.

"Relocated? What for?" Your interest was now peaked.

"So get this. Two months ago Shelby got a letter from some old-ass rich guy in Peru. Says his property's water source is being effected by some issues linked to a factory upstream; he asks Shelby if she could record data on some issues in their water—"

"Why not ask a water treatment specialist?" You asked.

"Exactly what I said! But apparently even though this water thing wasn't even in her field she still flew down to Peru. And guess what? No one's heard from her since."

You dreaded the thought that something had happened to a previous colleague of yours. You and the girl were never close but she was good at heart, and that's all that mattered.

"Where do you come into this?" You replied.

"No just me. Us." He continued. "Shelbys company looked at the letter and found out that the property she was sent to is one of the most untouched parts of Peru's rainforest. It's like a haven of new discoveries waiting to be made!"

"Ah I see, you want to do some exploring." You said while rolling your eyes.

"Jenny works at the same place Shelby does and says that their company would be paying top dollar for us to take a couple notes on what we see there." He relayed.

"That's if we even go." You retorted.

"I know you like mystery, Y/N. We're going."

——————

Four Days Later

The air was humid and thick as you broke through the tree line of the Peruvian rainforest. The lush foliage stretched on further than you could see and you were careful to watch out for anything dangerous in your surroundings. Map in hand, you dragged your boots through the muddy terrain of the forest floor.

A large backpack was strapped to your shoulders that had been filled to the brim with supplies for your week long trip. To your side, Kaleb huffed to keep pace with you. His steps were large and clunky as he attempted to match your strides; the twenty-nine year old was relatively fit for a human, but he was no match for your Eternal enhancements.

After discussing the details of the job to Kaleb, the two of you had decided to accept the job from Jenny’s company. The first part of your "mission" was to talk to the head of the estate that sent the letter to Shelby. You were told to ask a few questions, do a quick check-in for Shelby, then break off to do independent research on the jungle.

You've been to countless rainforests during your extensive lifetime. Thousands of years on the planet meant that you knew what ecosystems like this one sounded like. The chirping of nesting birds, the grunting of the primates, and the buzzing of the pestering bugs were all familiar noises in the tropics.

This forest was different. Quiet.

As you drew closer and closer to the estate, you found that the only noises you could hear anymore were coming from you and Kaleb. Before you could mention the lack of creatures around, your partner called out to you, "I think I see houses out there in the distance!".

Peering ahead and saw the faint silhouette of buildings. "I'm surprised I haven't seen a road or anything." You quipped.

Blisters bore into your feet as the two of you approached the houses. Glancing around, you attempted to find a road or even vehicles that could indicate where exactly these owners traveled from, but were met with none.

Instead you noticed other signs of life; a wheelbarrow here, a rake there, some areas for sitting and so on.

As you approached the cabins you began to hear the murmur of people talking. Sweat was dripping down your face as images of cool water and a place to rest were within your reach.

Once making it to where to trees ended and the buildings began, you heard the noise of Kalebs feet stop behind you.

"Holy shit," he whispered. "It's a fuckin' cult."

On the other side of the cabins you saw men and women of different ages dressed in similar clothes working about the compound. Though nothing was suspicious about their actions, you too felt something off in your gut.

In an attempt to ease your partner, you gave him a light-hearted laughed. "Just cause' people are wearing the same thing doesn't mean that they're in a cult." You stated as you started looking around. "Anyways, this seems like the right place; lets go talk to the property owner".

Kaleb hissed out to you as he attempted to keep his voice down. “You wanna talk to the cult we just stumbled upon? You're crazy."

"We didn't stumble upon them, we were sent here for a job." You said as you approached a woman grinding corn into corn flour.

"Buenos dias." You stood next to the woman and waited for her response. Instead of looking up at you she simply continued to do her job.

Kaleb huffed behind you. "She's ignoring us, Y/N. They clearly don't want us here."

Ignoring the impatient man behind you, you crouched in front of the woman and swiped your hand in front of her gaze. To your surprise she didn't even register the gesture.

"Give me your phone." Your brow furrowed as you stood up and you moved on to a pair boys sitting next to the woman. As you situated yourself between the two, you noticed that the children were talking amongst themselves; showing an indication that they could hear.

Taking Kaleb's device from behind you, you turned on the flashlight before slowly swiping the phone across their gaze. Again, no reaction.

"Their eyes aren't dilating and it seems like they can't hear me. I think you're right; there's something...interesting about them.".

You put Kaleb's phone in your bag before turning towards the woman once again. She seemed content and at ease but you knew something was wrong with her as well as the eerie energy of the jungle around you. This also meant that you had reasonable suspicion that if you found Shelby she'd be in a similar state.

Your attention however was quickly cut away from the village when you saw a large figure shifting in the foliage just behind the cabins. A low growl emitted from the entity and you knew for a fact that it wasn't anything friendly. "Kaleb get into one of the buildings." You warned.

"What? Why?" He asked in a state of panic as the silhouette got closer and closer.

You heart began to race as the growling got louder and you didn't dare take your eyes off the predator as you instructed your friend. "Just go! Now!"

Suddenly the creature pounced from the woods and allowed it's body to be hit by the light. You stomach dropped as you took in it's form: it was a deviant.

Even though it'd been over a millennium since you've seen the monsters, you didn't have time to be scared when there were lives to protect around you. Knowing you couldn't possible burn the creature like you had all those years ago, you had to come up with a plan. Quickly springing into action you attempted to work just as you had in the past: freezing the deviant then cutting off it's head.

Even with the presence of the deviant, the people of the community still didn’t acknowledge anything happening around them. This meant that you would have to get the beast as far away as possible.

Rushing to aide the people you dashed towards the deviant with nothing but pure adrenaline running through your veins. This was the first time you've tried fighting one of the creatures on your own, but it's not like you had a choice.

Arm stretched outward, you attempted to freeze the deviant to the ground. A blast of ice was expelled from your hands and struck the beast on it's front left leg. A brief sense of satisfaction washed through you before you tried to do the same to the other appendage.

Unfortunately for you, hundreds upon hundreds of years without practice left you rusty and your powers weren't as strong as they used to be. As you managed to freeze one leg to the ground the other one would free itself. Your goal was becoming more difficult as you felt yourself growing tired.

Deciding to switch tactics, you tested how your fire abilities would fair in this fight. Burning and scorching the monster you were able to corner it into a thicket of trees. It snarled and lashed at you with ferocity that scared you senseless. Barely dodging the offending attacks, you looked for a moment that would allow you to land the final blow.

Finally lunging at the creature, you turned your arm into an ice-sword and effectively sliced it's head off. It's tendons were thick and rough, thus making the act difficult, but that didn't stop you from killing the monster.

Feet back on the ground, you stood for a moment to catch your breath; not caring as blood and other innards splattered out onto you. Giving yourself a couple of seconds to catch your breath, you turned to go find your partner and check if everyone was safe.

It was then when you were face to face with another deviant.

Startled once more, you weren't able to think before it pounced at you; it's teeth and claws just inches from your face. As you cringed in anticipation of utter agony you closed your eyes and braced for impact.

A few seconds ticked by before you opened you eyes and you had come to find that monster was sitting still in front of you. This time however, you noted the unsettling noise of flesh tearing. Looking past it's face you saw a blade impaled in it's torso, it's guts dripping out onto your shoes; creating a sort of sloppiness to your favorite hiking boots.

Traveling your eyes up the blade you noticed a smaller figure standing on the other side of the deviant. With a grunt they flung the monster to the ground.

Taking in their full form you tried to stifle the gasp that was quick to make it past your lips.

"Y/N?" The man called out.

He was wearing a dark set of work clothes and his face was speckled withdirt. The baggy sleeves of his hemp shirt were rolled up his forearms. His chest was heaving as he looked up to you.

Sorrow was all you felt when your eyes met his. Being in his presence once again after all those years did nothing to prepare you for the overwhelming sense of dread that tightened around your heart.

"Druig..." You whispered as you broke the tension. His eyes were softer than when you saw him last, but as you dove deeper into them you saw that they were still distant; unreadable. Your mind raced with questions: 'Why was he here? Did he know I would come? Does he miss me?'

Obviously taken aback himself, Druig attempted to say what was on his mind. "I'm surprised that you're even still alive. Ajak said she hadn't seen you since..." He trailed off.

"Since I left? Yeah, that was kind of the point." Your voice held a pinch of sarcasm.

He attempted to take a step towards you and instinctively your feet pushed you away from the telepath.

A frown embedded his face as he took a deep sigh. "Look, I'm sure your tired and probably need somewhere to crash tonight. I'm usually not one to invite outsiders, but if you'd like to stay to at least recharge, you're welcome to."

You didn't know what to do in the moment, sure you didn't want anything to do with the mind reader but deep down you knew it would be best to have an actual bed to sleep in for the night.

"Fine."

——————

A few hours later

After settling Kaleb into his cabin (after a very important conversation), you managed to take a quick shower in the quaint bathroom just a few cabins down from your own. Putting on a pair of pajamas, you stuffed your dirty laundry and items back into your bag before looking around your room for the night.

The pounding noise of rain against the tin roof was relaxing as you navigated the small cabin. The oil lamps flickered and jumped as you passed them, giving the room a warm and somewhat mellow atmosphere. You could make out the faint sound of music playing from a record player somewhere on the compound and you felt yourself release the tension that had been forming since bumping into the mind reader.

It wasn't until you had sat down in the surprisingly comfortable bed that the weight of the day sunk it.

Seeing him again shook you to your core. Just speaking to him again sent flashbacks of how terrible your life used to be. The constant death, war, and heartache wasn't something you missed.

You had pictured this exact moment since you left and while you didn't expect him to grovel at your feet in guilt, nothing could've prepared you to how it would feel to actually see him.

Your spiraling thoughts were gone once you heard a knock at the door.

"Come in." You called out to the unknown figure.

With cautious steps, you watched as the mind reader himself make his way into your space. He was wearing different clothes from before and his hair was wet from a shower he probably just got out of before coming to see you.

From your spot on the bed he was able to look down on you; something that reminded you of your old dynamic.

His face was that of stone and his eyes scanned over you. "So?" He asked.

Confused at his statement you responded in a similar tone, "So?..."

His lips grew into a tight line and he placed his hands on his hips as if he was scolding a child. "You know exactly what I’m asking. How could you just leave? Do you know how you made everyone feel when you just abandoned us?”

You felt overwhelmed at his questions and tried putting up an invisible wall between the two of you. "I’m not doing this right now. And if I'm being completely honest, I don’t think I will ever want to. I came here for a job and that's what I'm going to do".

Rubbing the bridge of his nose he replied. "I'd think your family who hasn’t seen you for thousands of years is more important that some stupid job."

It was impossible to not roll your eyes. "Family? We weren't a family. We were teammates at best!"

"Fine, teammates, family, whatever. I feel like I deserve to know why you just left!" He barked.

"You deserve nothing from me!" You abruptly got up and started closing in on the telepath. You weren't going to let him intimidate you.

His face was pinched and you saw him getting redder and redder with anger. "What? You're still mad about some shit I said before fuckin’ paper was invented?" He grimly laughed. "Do yourself a favor and grow up, Y/N."

“You don’t get to say that!” You interjected.

“Am I wrong?” He sneered getting louder.

You were getting in his face now. “Yes Druig. You’re wrong.”

“Asking you to get over some petty grudge isn’t crazy of me! It’s you—” His arms were spread to the ceiling while his body attempted to intimidate you by looming over your figure. “—deserting everyone just cause you couldn’t get along with a teammate”.

"You're going to make me feel crazy for doing something about how you treated me? You're going to make me the bad guy?" The feeling of rage was overwhelming and you felt tears threaten to spill from your eyes. "Druig, I—" You stopped. The air around you getting quiet at your sudden reservation.

He was panting now. His glare was burning a hole through you. "You what?"

Anger was then replaced with anxiety as you struggled to find the words. "I’m not the bad guy. I’m not the villain or the monster for doing what I did. I’m sorry that you felt hurt by me leaving, but Druig I...I loved you.” You hands were clenched in tight fist as you pushed yourself to speak.

“I loved you so much that it hurt, okay? I let you bully me, and torment me, and belittle me because I was stupid. I was stupid to believe that allowing you to what you did was fine. You can’t just stand here in front of me and disregard what happened just because it was a long time ago. I need an answer. I deserve to know what happened that made you hate me so much.”

He stood there without saying a word. His face was contorted in a mixture of confusion and sheer anxiety. You fought the urge to strike, or scream, or scare him just so you could hear him say something.

"Druig...I want to know why you treated me like you did." You pressed. Your voice was now dripping with desperation to receive the closure you had longed for.

"Y/N." He sighed as he dropped his gaze to the floor. His demeanor was more reserved than before. His shoulders sinking as his voice got quieter. "I-I don't know."

"That's not an answer and you know it." You replied through gritted teeth.

Backing away from you slowly, you noticed that Druig was attempting to put space between the two of you.

Reached out, you grabbed his arm. "Druig please, I just need an answer."

Looking back up at you, you saw that his eyes weren’t filled with the usual anger, but guilt. "I should've told you this awhile ago Y/N...”

“Told me what?” You questioned.

You could tell that he was contemplating to drop the subject again but you weren’t going to let him. “Druig, what were you supposed to tell me?”

Exhaling a defeated sigh, he caved in. “Y/N, you’re...different from the others.” He gave you a saddened look. “The other Eternals, that is.”

You were confused. "Different how?"

He brought his hand up to your head. “Cause...” You noted how cool and rough his fingers were as he caressed your upper brow."I can hear every thought in your head, Y/N.”

Feeling betrayed you took a step back; removing his hand from your temple. "What?"

His eyes looked around as if he was trying to find the right words. "Every idea...whim...daydream. I can hear all of it." He swallowed. "I know I should've told you —and I'm sorry—but I didn't know how. Not after...afte—"

"After you found out I loved you." You finished his statement.

“I felt like telling you would’ve done more harm in good. I thought it was better to ignore it like I did with every human on the planet, but it’s not the same.” He tried to reclose the gap between the two of you. “It’s not the same because a human can’t possibly know me. They can’t love me or empathize with me the same way you can. Their love is so quick; it’s gone before I can even decided what to eat for breakfast! But you? You love me in a way I’ve never felt.”

“How can you say that?” You reply in offense. “You have so many people who love and care about you, but I never saw you treat them like how you treat me.”

“Because I can’t hear them, Y/N!” He exasperated. The two of you were now inches apart.

With hesitation, his hands that were once by his side reached up to lightly grab your shoulders. His eyes held a sense of fear that only seemed to get worse as he continued his confession.

The sign of affection startled you but you didn’t try to stop him. This was an entirely new side to him you’ve never seen —never felt.

He took a deep breath before continuing.“Because when I hear how you think about me, I know it’s better for the both us to push you away. And so I did whatever I could to get you to hate me. I’m not worth getting to know, Y/N. Isn’t that why Makkari left me? She’d probably give you a list of things wrong with me.” He gave a wet laugh.

“I can’t ruin love for you like I did to her. You don’t know me Y/N; I’m jealous and angry and everything you’re not. So yeah...I couldn’t give you what you wanted. I never could’ve. No matter how much I wanted to give in, it’s easier for you to hate me than to see what would happen if I gave into this.”

His words were nothing but a whisper as your gaze darted from his eyes to his lips.

“And what is this?”

Tension in the room was thick as the two of you inched closer together. The only sound was coming from outside; crickets and other bugs making beautiful white noise. Now nose to nose you were able to fully take him in. He smelled faintly of soap and citrus. Unsure of what to do, you watched as he studied your face before pulling your body even closer to him.

“I don’t know but it scares me.” He spoke lightly.

He shut his eyes and you decided to do the same as his mouth made it’s way to yours. The subtle taste of toothpaste ran across your tongue as you made the first few hesitant kisses to his lips. The sheer act of kissing him was like nothing you’d ever experienced before; it was explosive but soft and intimate at the same time.

His hands rested on the curve of your lower back and attempted to push you into him. Giving in, you dug your fingers into his hair. His locks were soft and still slightly damp from his shower.

Finally, you remembered exactly who you were dealing with. A flash of shame came across your mind as you were reminded of all the humiliation that you had been through, and here you were kissing the man who caused it. Placing your hands on his chest, you pushed him away lightly; breaking the kiss.

An array of emotions had overwhelmed you. You were bombarded with excitement for what was to come and guilt for letting him get what he wanted so quickly. “You can’t just do that, Druig.” You mentally cursed at your voice for how meek you sounded. Clearing your throat, you tried again. “You can’t just suddenly apologize and expect me to love you like I did. I respect myself too much to let that happen.”

Druig felt as though he was grasping at straws to convince you to give him another chance. “Y/N... I can’t even tell you how much I regret what I did.” He let his eyes take you in before continuing. “None of this fixes the past. I know. And you have every right to be mad at me and never see me again. But I mean it when I say, if you give me another chance I’ll be there for you. This can be whatever you want it to; I just want to be in your life if you’ll let me.”

His words felt sincere and you toiled with the possibilities that Druig had laid out. Of course the little voice in the back of your head was eager to submit to his idea, but on the other hand you knew he hadn’t earned it.

“I don’t know...” You murmured.

Giving you a half-pained smile he crossed his arms in front of his chest. “You don’t have to know right now. It’s a lot to think about.”

A few seconds had gone by before you had a proper response to the man. “I don’t forgive you —I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to— but I want to try. I want to try to be happy instead of just pushing my problems to the side.” You stated.

You weren’t sure if you had made the right decision, but you couldn’t deny the amount of weight that was taken off your chest.

Processing your words, he nodded. “Of course. I’m not going to push you to do anything.” He tried to hide the slight grin that your words gave him. “I’ll give you a bit of space for the night, but don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything.”

Appreciative of his actions you have him a soft hug before he left the room, giving you a quick smile before shutting the door behind him.

Going back to your bed, you laid back and looked at the ceiling. The rain had turned more into a light drizzle and slowly began to lull you to sleep. Your mind and body were tired from the exhausting day and you wanted nothing more than to go to bed.

Closing your eyes you tried not to think about the amount work that this new relationship with Druig was going cause. It was scary, but ultimately you knew that you’d be okay with whatever the universe managed to throw at you.

You weren’t doing all of this just because he whispered sweet words in your ear and cried in front of you, but because this is what you wanted. Making a decision for yourself was just as empowering as when you left a millennium ago. It was something you prided yourself in.

Maybe this was a bad idea and you would ending up leaving him, or maybe this is the best choice you’ve ever made. Either way you were prepared to deal with it.

This was your life and you were going to do whatever the fuck you wanted.

——————

a/n: my bad if it’s a little sloppy, i tried to make it make sense for Y/N to get back with Druig (please don’t get back with someone after they emotionally abuse you for years, no matter how good the excuse is). I’m so so so sorry this took so long; I didn’t expect to make a part two, but since y’all were so nice I quite literally slaved away on this for the past two weeks (I’m not complaining because in the end I love making you guys happy). Lmk if there’s any mistakes in it! <3

{tag list: @kenny-0909 @luzzzinator @mggpleasedontlookhere @jeannylee03 @matchat3a @xoxoloverb @nikkitc0703 @hornyjello @reallysparklychaos }

#druig angst #druig fan fiction #reader x druig #druig x y/n #eternals fic #druig fic #barry keoghan

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s0ckh3adstudios · 3 years ago

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Omori: New Neighbors

"Mikhael has new neighbors! Too bad he doesn't want to meet them."

So, I had this idea of what if Sunny and Mari ended up with a completely different friend group, specifically the hooligan kids (y'know, BEFORE they were the hooligans). Y'know; Kim, Vance, Mikhael/The Maverick, Angel, Charlie. I thought that would be an interesting idea... And besides I can throw in the bread twins for free they come with Mikhael thus they are now in the friend group. Yippee.

So I wrote a little thing down here. :D I don't know if I'll actually keep going with this?? We'll see how far the brainrot reaches or if it reaches at all.

==========

Mikhael didn’t want to meet the new neighbors.

So what if some random family decided to move into the house next to theirs? They didn’t need to congratulate them with a pie. A pie Mikhael could be eating instead. The least his parents and siblings could have done was at least let him stay home while they said their greetings, but no. Apparently he had to come. To be polite.

The newly inhabited house had been on sale for as long as Mikhael could remember. Every morning, on his way to school, he’d step outside and see it. A bland blue roof, a bland blue door, a rickety birdhouse right up front.

No longer would the house sit dormant and lonely. Movers spent all day yesterday coming in and out of the house like worker ants. When Mikhael caught his older siblings, Daphne and Bowen, watching the movers go about their business, he couldn’t help but take a peek. They looked to have somewhat expensive items. A rich family, maybe? Despite what he thought… the people who answered the blue house’s door didn’t look like anything special.

A girl about his brother and sister’s age answered the door. Long black hair, green plaid sweater vest. She was polite. She called her mom to the door; a somewhat stout woman with curled auburn hair. Immediately the parents engaged in conversation. Mikhael grumbled. He was going to be here for a while, wasn’t he?

The 10 year old big kids seemed comfortable with each other. Despite Daphne’s quiet nature and Bowen’s tendency to not speak, the new girl whom Mikhael overheard was Mari didn’t mind at all. She didn’t act like anything was out of the ordinary. She adapted to their quirks with no problem and spoke to them as if this wasn’t the first time they met.

Between the parents and the big kids, there was too much talking.

In Mikhael’s efforts to look to find something to keep his mind busy, he noticed an eavesdropper to the several conversations. A boy with short black hair hid behind his mother. He was staring at him. It wasn’t necessarily creepy but… Mikhael felt like he was being judged. Observed.

“Quit staring at me, weirdo,” Mikhael thought to himself.

It wasn’t long before others noticed the staring boy.

“Oh, Sunny!” The auburn lady said, patting her son's head. “These are our neighbors. They own a bakery. Isn’t that neat?”

The boy’s expression heightened a little. Surprise? He wasn’t easy for Mikhael to read. He wasn’t expressionless, just very neutral.

“Mikhael,” said Mom, pushing Mikhael ahead. “Why don’t you go play with Sunny?”

Mikhael scowled.

“Go on, he’s your age. Go play.”

The boys entered the house. It was the first time Mikhael had ever gone inside. It wasn’t completely furnished yet so it still had the slight echo of emptiness. A man’s voice could be heard from the kitchen, seemingly speaking to no one. It was most likely a phone conversation.

Mikhael shuffled awkwardly on the cream carpet. This “Sunny” boy was just staring at him. Mikhael rolled his eyes. He seemed to have a similar quiet nature like his siblings.

“So. Uh.” Mikhael sputtered.

“Where’d you move here from? Farther City? Or Near Port?”

Sunny looked down at his feet shyly, “...Um… Nowhere around here… Somora Town…”

“Never heard of it.” Mikhael tilted his head slightly.

"...Okay…"

The two stood in silence. Awkward. The parents laughed outside and continued chatting.

"... Moms and dads talk a lot…" Sunny sighed.

"I know, right?!" Mikhael agreed in exasperation. Finally, a conversation topic, and one that Mikhael is glad someone understands his frustration.

"Like, I'll get dragged to the store or we'll be walking somewhere and mom will find someone she knows and they'll start talking and talking and talking and she just kinda completely forgets I'm there! My feet are tired from standing next to her and she's talking about super boring stuff-"

As Mikhael ranted and grumbled about parental frustrations, he noticed how Sunny just listened to him. He continued to stare, but he looked thoughtful. He was giving Mikhael his full attention. He was completely absorbed by his words.

"You're a good listener," Mikhael smiled. Sunny almost looked confused. "You don't talk lots, do you?" The pale boy shook his head.

"Well, that's okay. I like having people listen to me!"

Sunny squinted his eyes. He looked slightly judgemental.

"Anyway," Mikhael found himself slipping out of his sour mood. He felt more comfortable around Sunny now. He wasn't so bad.

"Do you watch Dragon Ball Z?"

~~~~~~~~~~

The afternoon was eaten up by talk of cartoons and comic books. The two spent their time in Sunny's new room pulling toys out of moving boxes. With blankets tied around their necks as capes, they set up an adventure story that Mikhael narrated. They ran around the house bumping into walls and hitting each other with pillows. It really felt like he was the hero and Sunny was his meek sidekick.

Unfortunately, their fantasy world was torn away by the cold hands of reality when Mikhael's mother said it was time to go home.

"What?! Five more minutes!" Mikhael pleaded. Sunny looked dejected as he untied his blanket cape.

"Hon, we've got to head home for dinner. Besides, your friend and his family have all sorts of unpacking to do," Mom replied.

…Friend?

Mikhael looked at Sunny. Were they friends now? They had spent the afternoon together and he found that he enjoyed his new neighbors company.

Sunny was a quiet, patient listener. He was passionate about his interests even if he spoke very little. He shared Mikhael's vibrant imagination and ran around with him for a while. They had fun! He could withstand his long rambles and never complained. There was really nothing to complain about when it came to Sunny.

Staring him up and down, Mikhael came to his conclusion.

"Yeah, you're worthy of being my friend," Mikhael grinned as if he had just bestowed the highest honor upon the boy's shoulders. While the mothers laughed at his royal attitude, Sunny smiled wider than he had all day. It wasn't by a lot, but it was a change.

On the family's short walk back to the house, Mikhael felt pleased. His new neighbors weren't awful.

For the first time ever, Mikhael couldn't wait to step outside tomorrow and see the bland blue house next to his.

#omori #omori au #omori new neighbors au #omori sunny #omori mikhael #omori mari #omori daphne #omori bowen #omori fic #omori fanfic #writing

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shinebrightlikeanarwhal · 4 years ago

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Brain going brrr for Shen Jiu food today sosisosl

So hear me out, modern au. Shen Jiu doesn’t remember anything of their past live(s) and is a relatively famous internet chef. Like he has a PO Box and everything for his fans to send gifts or letters for him to personally read and tell them either what to do or that he’s proud, he never shows his face though, a deathly fear of being found, but by who? His young son, Ming Fan, is all but excited to be Shen Jiu’s direct bloodline in this life. Shen Qingqiu was always his father figure in the first life, but the second he got hurt or something and started caring for that nasty LBH.

Sometimes, Shen Jiu feels unsafe when out on the street and going about his day to day life. He doesn’t know why but certain faces of public figures terrify him. A little lady on the street selling hand made jewelry and staring at him like she’s seen a ghost makes him physically sick. God, he despises the face of this rather famous actor, Luo Bing-something?? He hates this confusing feeling that seemed to come of nowhere. That doesn’t stop them from trying to approach once they see him.

Women in fancy clothes and strong perfume dote on him and he practically melts in their arms. Confused on how they know his name but more than happy to chat about life. They seem happy for him, ecstatic even! Men in suits ranging from serious CEO to flashy idols would stop their cars and holler at him for his time of day. He despises men like that and gives them no acknowledgement while he continues on his way. If he’s lucky they have a tight schedule, if not they follow him to the grocery store and corner him in the frozen section while he picks out treats for his son. Two men have tried that and were met with a smack by popsicles. Social media was set a blaz when videos of this Luo Binghe and Liu Qingge cornered the same man on different days and tried harassing him. Of course their stans refused to believe it was their fault. It MUST be the pretty man minding his business throughout the proof on the grocery camera. The companies dared to contact him afterwards and SJ happily sent back his lawyers information and video proof of their ‘important persons’ harassment and stalking.

One was bold enough to publicly announce that they were looking for him at a political event. Broadcasted nationwide. Shen Jiu felt nothing but disdain for that Yue man. Who says “I’m looking for a man I haven’t seen since I was young and dumb.” During a political conference?? Just because you know it’s being broadcasted!? His fans during a livestream asked what he thought about it and he angrily said that Yue man was a fool! An absolute clown for thinking that wishing some guy that doesn’t even know him will come looking for him just because he said his name!

He never had a bad experience with women until one scowled at him and he instinctively scowled back. He had his son with him that day and was trying to not be hounded. But this woman continued to follow him and berate his clothing, his hair. He could handle scrutiny of himself but the moment she said anything about Ming Fan, be it his appearance or his mother, he drew the line. Wiping around to face this despicable woman and spitting the iciest response he could without scaring Ming Fan. He remembered seeing her on a magazine before. Some model or washed up actress. God help her when he posts the body cam footage his partner made him wear after the second Grocery store incident. She scoffed at him and just continued to point and jeer at him. Wondering if the others were only following him for his pretty face. Others?? The men that harassed him and the girls that scurried with their tail between their legs?? Shen Jiu is starting to think it’s time to move. He desperately wants to mind his business and live his life but they seem adamant on harassing him.

So he does! He announces it on a video after the fact so that they can’t find him even if they try to. Perks of dating a rich ceo, anonymity is quite easy with money!

Shen Jiu happily married his now hubby and they have many more kids with Ming Fan adoring them all. He refuses to be nice to this one lady at his school that tries to be friendly with him and will run crying to SJ, who remembers her as the jewelry stand girl, and he immediately has his son in a different class. Life going well for the man who was claimed to be evil in past lives, meanwhile the others are crumbling day by day now that he’s missing and they can’t seem to find him, no matter what. (NYY may have stalked him to the remote village but she wouldn’t tell the others. She can’t risk making Shizun hate her more). The ones that harassed her were publicly pitted by their companies and forced to apologize to him specifically. When word got out that Shen Jiu vanished it did NOT look good for them.. LBH had the wrath of his mother and LQG had a mother and grandmother to fear. QQQ was fired and black listed from the media. She would have just apologized if she had insulted the man himself, but following and insulting the child too? The media scorned her already shitty gossip personality. Any time she tried to get on tv they would turn on his and snicker about her cancellation. YQY lived lavishly, but lonely. He had a political marriage and no children. He refused to touch his wife. No matter what she would say all he could do is smile and apologize. Work wise things were going well. Since they didn’t have a punching bag to push everything on and the other politicians seemed to work smoothly despite disagreements, he had no real need to focus on work 24/7. But he did. He was always in his office scouring the internet for Xiao Jiu.

SY and SQH weren’t mentioned because they literally wouldn’t do anything different from usual. They wouldn’t even meet their past life husbands (LBH would think SY is a fan and just give his usual charm and leave. He’s already found SJ, this man is just a fake clearly). SQH wouldn’t have the chance to get MBJ, the neet writer would see him once and fumble his words. Probably earning a scoff as MBJ walked off to go meet his peer/partner. The two millennials would probably bond online over a story and get close. Maybe a failed relationship but remained friends.

TLDR; Everyone reincarnated and their lives fall apart if they don’t change their attitude towards SJ. SJ doesn’t remember them and just wants to raise his baby MF in peace. Jobs are lost and public relations are plummeting because these fools couldn’t find healthier ways to reconnect with SJ.

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lee-scribbles-and-doodles · 4 years ago

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My Top Ten Overlooked Movies With Female Leads In No Particular Order

Note: When you see this emoji (⚠️) I will be talking about things people may find triggering, which are spoilery more often then not. I mention things that I think may count as triggers so that people with them will be aware before going in to watch any of these.

Edited: 3/16/21

Hanna (2011)

So, before I get into why you should watch this movie, I just want to take a moment to say why it's near and dear to my heart. Growing up as a queer kid in the early 2000s, seeing portrayals of people like or similar to myself on anything was rare at best. It was mostly in more "adult" movies or shows that my parents would occasionally let me watch with them that I'd see any lgbtq+ rep at all. Often times they were either walking stereotypes, designed to be buried, evil, or all three.

Then here comes this PG-13 action thriller with a wonderfully written main female lead who, at the time, was close to my age, and who got to kiss another girl (her very first friend, Sophie) on screen in an extremely tender and heartwarming scene. To say the least, it was a life changing moment for me personally.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, Hanna is a suspenseful movie about a child super-soldier named, you guessed it, Hanna (played by Saoirse Ronan) and her adoptive (?) father Erik Heller (played by Eric Bana) exiting the snowy and isolated wilderness of their home and taking on the shadowy CIA operative, Marissa Wiegler (played by Cate Blanchette) who wants Erik dead and Hanna for herself for mysterious reasons.

It also has an amazing soundtrack by the Chemical Brothers, great action scenes, and it has an over arching fairytale motif, which I'm always a sucker for.

⚠️ Mild blood effects, some painful looking strikes, various character deaths, and child endangerment all feature in this film. However, given its PG-13 rating, a majority of viewers are presumably able to handle this one. Still, be aware of these going in.

Sidenote: It's recently gotten a TV adaptation on Amazon TV, although I have not watched it, and do not know if Hanna and Sophie's romantic/semi-romantic relationship has transferred over.

A Simple Favor

A Simple Favor is a "black-comedy mystery thriller" centered entirely around the relationship between two mothers, the reclusive, rich, mysterious, and regal Emily (played by Blake Lively), and the local recently widowed but plucky mommy blogger, Stephanie (played by Anna Kendrick). When Emily suddenly goes missing, Stephanie takes it upon herself to find out what happened to her new best friend.

It's a fantastic and entertaining movie throughout, with fun, flawed and interesting characters. The relationship between the two female leads is also implied to be at least somewhat romantic in nature, and they even share a kiss.

⚠️ The only major warnings I can think of is that the movie contains an instance of incest and one of the main plotlines revolves around child abuse, although both of these potentially triggering topics are not connected to each other, so there is thankfully no csa going on.

Edit: I legitimately forgot there was drug use in this movie until now. So, yeah, if that's a trigger, be careful of that.

I Am Mother

I became mildly obsessed with this movie when it came out. I Am Mother is a sci-fi film that centers entirely around a cast of two woman, and a female-adjacent robot who is brought to life on screen with absolutely amazing practical effects.

The plot is such, after an extinction-level event, a lone robot known only as Mother tasks herself with replenishing the human race via artifical means. She begins with the film's main protagonist, Daughter. Years go by as Mother raises her human child and the two prepare for Daughter's first sibling (a brother) to be born. However, on Daughter's 16th birthday, the arrival of an outsider known only as Woman shakes Daughter's entire world view. She begins to question Mother's very nature, as well as what's really going on outside the bunker she and her caretaker call home.

⚠️ This movie features child endangerment and reference to child death.

Lilo and Stitch

When I decided to add a single Disney film to this list I initially thought it was going to be hard but almost immediately my brain went to Lilo and Stitch, and specifically about the relationship between Lilo and Nani.

On the surface, this film is about a lonely little girl accidentally adopting a fugitive alien creature as a "dog," but underneath that the story is also about two orphaned sisters and the older sister's attempts to not let social services tear them apart by stepping up as the younger sister's primary guardian. Despite its seemingly goofy premise, Lilo and Stitch has a very emotional and thoughtful center. It's little wonder how this movie managed to spawn an entire franchise.

Despite the franchise it spawned (or possibly because of it), I often find that Lilo and Stitch is overlooked and many people only remember it for the "little girl adopts an alien as a pet" portion of its plot, and I very rarely see it on people's top 10 Disney lists.

⚠️ This movie could be potentially triggering to people who were separated from their siblings or other family members due to social service intervention. There's also a bit of child endangerment, including a scene where Lilo and Stitch both almost drown.

Nausicaä and the Valley of the Wind

Unlike the above entry, I did struggle a little bit with picking a single Studio Ghibli film. Most media of the Ghibli catalogue have strong, well-written, unique, and interesting female leads so selecting just one seemed like quite the task.

However, I eventually settled on this particular film. In recent months, Princess Nausicaä has become my absolute favorite Ghibli protagonist and I'm absolutely enchanted by the world she lives in.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world overun by giant insects and under threat of a toxic forest and its poisoness spores, Nausicaä must try to protect the Valley of the Wind from invaders as she also tries to understand the science behind the toxic forest and attempts to bridge the gap between the insects and the humans.

For those who have never seen the film, I think Nausicaä's personality can best be described as being similar to OT Luke Skywalker. Both are caring, compassionate, and gentle souls who are able to see the best in nearly anyone or anything. She's an absolutely enthralling protagonist and after rewatching the film again for the first time in well over a decade she has easily become one of my all time favorite protagonists.

Whenever I see people talk about Ghibli films, they rarely mention this one, and when they do mention it, it's often in passing. In my opinion it's a must watch.

⚠️ This movie contains some blood, and the folks who either don't like insects or who have entomophobia may not appreciate the giant bugs running about throughout the movie. (Although most insects do not directly relate to real life bugs, and are fantasy creatures).

A Silent Voice

A Silent Voice is an animated movie adaptation of a manga of the same name. While I've never had the pleasure to read the manga, the movie is phenomenal. It covers topics such a bullying, living in the world with a disability, the desire for atonement, social anxiety, and depression in a well thought out manner that ties itself together through the progression of the relationship between its two leads, Shoya and Shouko. It's also beautifully animated. Although very popular among anime viewers, I've noticed that it's often overlooked by people who watch little to no anime. So I suppose this is me urging non-anime viewers to give this film a chance.

⚠️ As mentioned above, the movie deals with bullying, anxiety, and depression (with this last one including suicidal thoughts and behaviour). If discussion of those topics are triggering to you, than you may want to proceed with caution or skip this movie all together.

In This Corner of The World

Another manga adaptation, this one taking place during WWII-era Japan. In This Corner of The World follows the life of a civilian Japanese woman, Suzu Urano, as she navigates simply living and her new marriage as the wartime invades nearly all aspects of everyday life. I think this movie is a good representation of what it must be like to be living as civilian in a country at war where the fight is sometimes fought on one's own soil. It was also an interesting look into pre-50s Japanese culture in my opinion. It's also beautifully animated featuring an art style I don't see often.

Despite it being well known among anime fans, I never really see it be brought up, even among said anime fans themselves.

Side note: I've seen many WWII dramas centering around civilians but they've almost always been about American or UK civilians. This was the first movie I'd seen that features the perspective of a Japanese civilain.

⚠️ Features the death of a child and limb loss. There's also a disturbing scene featuring a victim of one of the atomic bombs near the end.

Wolf Children: Ame and Yuki

This film follows Hana, a Japan-native woman who fell in love with a magical shape-shifting wolf-man, and her trials with raising their children, who can also magically shape-shift into wolves, on her own. It's a very heartfelt movie about a mother's love and the struggles of doing right by your children when you have limited resources to actively guide and care for them. All the characters feel unique and alive in my opinion. Also, the animation is so good that my sister and I initially mistook it for a Ghibli film.

Again, like the previous two anime entries, I don't see it ever brought up outside of anime circles.

⚠️ There's some child endangerment present in the film, although none of it is the fault of Hana as far as I can remember.

Roman Holiday

Roman Holiday is about the fictional Princess Ann (played by Audrey Hepburn), who while on a whirlwind tour of Europe, finally reaches her breaking point over having her entire life be one big schedule and all her words and actions being rehearsed. In the spur of the moment, she runs away in hopes of experiencing what life is like for other women. Unfortunately, she was previously given a sedative, meaning she doesn't get too far before it takes effect. Fortunately, she is found by the kind reporter Joe Bradley (played by Gregory Peck). Believing her to be drunk and unable to get an address from her (because she has none) he ends up taking her home for safety's sake and allows her to sleep off her suppose drunken stupor. The next day, he realizes who she is, and decides to take her on a fun sight seeing trip across Rome in hopes of getting the big scoop. Along the way, they begin to fall for each other.

This is my favorite black and white, old romance film. I think the relationship between the main characters is absolutely beautiful and I have a lot of fun watching it.

⚠️ I'm not entirely sure what kind of warning this film would need. However, it was released in 1953, so values dissonance will probably be at play for many viewers to at least some extent. For example, early in the film Ann is given sedation drugs by her doctor for her behavior, something that is very unlikely to happen today. Also, Mr Bradley deciding to take Ann home to keep her safe rather than call the police or an ambulance is a very pre-90s decision in my opinion.

#hanna 2011 #a simple favor #i am mother #lilo and stitch #nausicaä of the valley of the wind #a silent voice #in this corner of the world #wolf chilren ame and yuki #wolf children #roman holiday #black and white film #anime #disney #studio ghibli #movie recs #top 10

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alirhi · 4 years ago

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okay. let's do this shit.

Guess what, bitches? Mama bear's back and angry all over again. Remember when I said I might dive into a ragepost about how Bucky's treated after completing the one about Loki? This is it. This is the post. Welcome to fucking Thunderdome.

I will actually try to keep it civil. No promises, but I'll try. and I will not be accepting "constructive criticism" about my rage. Just so we're clear.

Got it? Good. Let's dive in.

In case you don't want to read the whole thing (I know I get wordy) here's what this whole post will boil down to: BUCKY NEVER HAD A FUCKING CHOICE. NEVER. NOT ONCE IN HIS ENTIRE ADULT LIFE.

Now, quick reminder: I don't read comics. I know nothing about Bucky's comic canon, except what Sebastian liked to bring up as often as possible during TWS/CW promotions: at some point, Bucky boned Nat. XD Since Bucky only exists as a Marvel property, I won't be bitching about other source material being disrespected like I did with Loki. This is all MCU, my dudes. And honestly? That's enough, because though we don't see nearly enough of Bucky for my liking, we do manage to get a rich, deep backstory to him in the material we're given, partly thanks to better writing in the early days of the MCU, and partly thanks to Sebastian Stan's phenomenal acting. Unlike the writers of the Loki series, Seb knows how to show, not tell. And gods, what stories those eyes show...

Let's start with the army. In an old post illustrating what an absolute BAMF Bucky Barnes truly is, I mistakenly said he enlisted, and a kind soul educated me on the incredible attention to detail Marvel used to pay - in this case, Bucky's ID number. 32557038. As this kind, eagle-eyed soul pointed out to me, the first two digits of that number - 32 - signify that Bucky was drafted, specifically from the NY, NJ, DE area (that last part is rather obvious, as Bucky and Steve are from Brooklyn lol). Bucky didn't choose to go to war. He was drafted. He was forced to fight, or go to prison.

Bucky was born in 1917, which means - again, as someone pointed out to me a while back - he came of age during the Great Depression. As a child, he would likely have seen his parents living comfortably and able to shower each other and him and his sister with gifts and fun memories, and then POOF. Stock market crashes when he's only 12-years-old, and life becomes brutal and painful. He manages to have some fun with his best friend Steve, and spends his teens/early 20s chasing girls and keeping his stupid, stubborn, tiny friend from getting beaten to death.

Steve constantly has something to prove. He's absolutely got what my mom always called "little man's disease", and Bucky's just doing his best not to roll his eyes too much at this asthmatic chihuahua constantly trying to beat up Tibetan mastiffs. While Steve keeps lying on his enlistment forms (an actual crime) trying again and again to get into the army and prove what a badass he is (definitely not), Bucky's had enough trauma and upheaval in his life and he just wants his stupid friend to calm tf down and live. Enjoy the fact that he doesn't have to go to war and get his limbs blown off.

And then he gets fucking drafted. This sweet, resigned realist who knows exactly how dangerous the war really is, is forced to put on a uniform and go fight strangers alongside other strangers thousands of miles from everything he knows. And on his last night of freedom, when he just wants to hang out with his friend, see some cool gadgets, and dance with a pretty girl, his stupid angry chihuahua friend feels the need to lie and try to enlist again.

Okay. Gotta get back on track. Ragepost about mistreatment of Bucky, not how much Steve annoys me. Sorry. Anyway...

Bucky's drafted, accepts his shitty lot with a brave smile, and is shipped off to Europe, where he is captured by HYDRA and presumed by the Allies to be KIA. Instead, he's strapped down, tortured, and given the HYDRA version of the super serum against his will. Steve rescues him, and Bucky knows he can't leave his idiot friend to his own devices to get his head blown off, so he dives right back into the fray. And then he falls off a cliff, loses most of his left arm, and is declared dead...again. This one's pretty damn valid, though lol. Without the serum no one knew he'd been shot up with, there is no way he would have survived that fall.

Here is where Bucky's story gets truly heartbreaking: His autonomy, his ability to consent is stripped from him through electroshock torture/brainwashing. The trigger words are conditioned into him during this process, and boom. Ten words in Russian, and Bucky Barnes is gone. Even the confused, hurting shadow of him is gone, leaving only a perfectly obedient killing machine, with Bucky's pretty face. He's strong as all hell, though, so they can't keep him fully under their control for long, not without more torture, when the disorientation of being fucking frozen wears off on longer missions.

I cannot stress this point enough, guys: Bucky. Had. No. Choice. Not like the draft, where his choices (go and get shot at, refuse and go to jail, or dodge and run to Canada) just suck. No, he literally didn't have a choice. He had his ability to choose stripped from him. If that's too complex a concept to really sink in, try this: His brain was fucking raped. Repeatedly. For decades. Nothing the Winter Soldier ever did was Bucky's fault. Nothing. Ever. Not remotely, no matter how you fucking slice it. Bucky is not an assassin. I almost said "not a killer", but he was a soldier, and a sharpshooter. He definitely killed when he was himself, but that was in a war, not a series of assassinations.

So far, imo, so good. This is just a rundown of Bucky's pre-show backstory. I don't love what he had to suffer, but I do love how it was treated in the movies. People were afraid of him, but when they knew the whole situation, Steve, Nat, and Sam rallied behind him. Natasha had plenty of reason to want the Winter Soldier dead; he'd tried to kill her multiple times and almost succeeded. Sam had no reason to help Bucky at all; he didn't know him, didn't trust him, and again, TWS had tried to kill him. But he stood by Steve, and when Bucky showed the clear difference between himself and TWS, Sam stood by him, too, and fought alongside him.

And it's very realistic, imo, that Tony didn't give a single fuck that Bucky had no choice. He watched this man murder both of his parents on tape. If TWS had killed my dad and I saw proof of it, I'd try to kill Bucky, too. Grief wins out over logic. Most emotions usually do. And that's a very important point we're going to come back to in a few minutes.

Bucky was really only in like ten minutes at most of IW and Endgame, and for multiple reasons I hate those movies, so I'm just gonna skip them, kay? Kay. On to the main event!

Here's where I get pissed off. Even if I didn't have an unhealthy attachment to this character, or the depth of appreciation for his tragic backstory that I do, the lack of continuity between the movies and the show alone would still piss me off. It always does. Don't even get me started on Joss "Continuity? What continuity?" Whedon and his (iconic, but flawed) shows. Ahem. Back on track...

Let me just get one little thing out of the way real quick: I fucking LOVE The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. I love it. This show amazed me when I first watched it, and I still love it after many more viewings lol. I have only ever watched it all the way through without skipping over as much John Walker shit as possible the one time lol but I love how Sam and Bucky interact, and I fucking adore how Sam's arc was treated. I just wish they'd show the same care and attention to Bucky.

Because what they did to Bucky in this show is a fucking travesty. There was a tiny ray of hope in the pilot, when he called out Dr. Bitchface for being a terrible shrink. I thought that would be the start of him realizing he needed to find someone else and ignore the damaging shit that woman was telling him. But...nope. No such luck.

The show really had a strong start, I'll give it that. We see Bucky having nightmares of his time as TWS and struggling to hide how his traumatic memories are affecting him as he tries to live in the world again. He befriends the father of one of HYDRA's victims, which can't be good for Bucky (and we're shown it's definitely not when he sees the shrine in Yori's home to his late son) but it's sweet, how he's trying to connect and reach out to someone who's hurting and lonely.

They drop the ball a little with the whole... Bucky can hack a fucking car, but can't figure out Tinder thing. Had they just run with the fandom interpretation of the tiger photos line, that it shows that Bucky is bi and left it at that, I'd have been okay with it (and no, that is not because I ship Sam/Bucky. it's because Bucky is and always has been a certified nerd who loves technology and has consistently shown very little issue learning to use new gadgets). The outdated flip phone he handed his terrible court-mandated shrink was a burner; I liked that theory when I read it, especially since it's the only time we see him even holding a phone that old lol. This all could have fit the "Bucky is a sassy bisexual nerd" narrative and it'd be okay. Instead, the director was like "NOOOOOO that line was just to show how old he is and how he can't figure out all this newfangled technology!" Woman, you had him remotely driving someone else's vehicle with a tablet. That is NOT a man who can't figure out a damn smart phone!

But that's just a minor annoyance. What fills me with absolute rage is how everyone - not just the shitty therapist who lashes out at and purposely triggers her traumatized patients, but EVERYONE - Sam, Zemo, people who should fucking know better ALL treat him like he's a psychopath and a ticking time bomb. Like he chose to take the serum and he chose to kill for HYDRA, and he's just seen the error of his ways. *barf*

Bucky in the movies is established to be a victim, through and through. His guilt over what he was forced to do is natural, and that he sees himself as a monster makes sense... but that doesn't mean it's correct. The one and only thing I ever liked about Steve Rogers is at least he got it. He pointed out that none of it was Bucky's fault, he tried to show him that he was worth saving. That's the other reason I refuse to talk about Endgame. This post will get a WHOLE LOT LONGER and a lot fucking angrier if I open that door.

Zemo supposedly knows everything about HYDRA and super soldiers... So why does he treat Bucky like he's a corrupt serial killer? (this, for the record, is why I don't like Zemo) Why does he never point out that Bucky was given the serum against his will, or that his actions, when he had control of them, proved that he was never corrupted? Bucky never wanted to become superhuman. Bucky didn't even want to fucking fight!

Sam, despite constantly resisting the label, is shown very clearly to be Bucky's friend. By episode 3, he cares. He worries about how Bucky is getting lumped in with the other super soldiers in Zemo's speech... But he never really defends him. He says "what about Bucky?" but he doesn't point out that Bucky's a good man, he's fought so hard to help people, he does everything he can to avoid killing... And that fucking speech in episode 5. I was with him on "you gotta stop looking to other people to tell you who you are." I was like "YEAH! Tell him, Sam! Bucky, you're WORTH SAVING, boo! Your value does not hinge on someone else's opinion of you!" And then... Sam dropped the ball.

He not only continued the disturbing pattern of victim-blaming in this show, and in Marvel/Disney properties in general, but he gave really dangerously bad advice! No one in their right mind, mental health professional or no, would EVER tell a traumatized former assassin (whether he was responsible for his actions or not) to go confront his victims' families out of the blue with no warning and no one to mediate and keep things from going to shit. Yori already knew his son had been murdered because he was in the "wrong place, wrong time." How is it being "of service" to tell him you're the one who killed him?! Remember how I said Tony's reaction to learning the full truth about his parents' deaths was valid and would be an important point later? Hi! Welcome to later. THAT is the natural reaction to facing the man who murdered your loved one(s). And even if Yori didn't get angry and lash out, HOW IS IT "HELPING" HIM OR BRINGING HIM "CLOSURE" TO KNOW THAT HIS FRIEND KILLED HIS FUCKING SON?!?!?! This man befriended him, bonded with him, watched him grieve... And now he's learning this is the man who caused all his pain and heartache to begin with? That is so toxic and psycho I just... I can't even... UGH.

And then there's the equally toxic and damaging "deeply traumatized person just needed a stern talking to and a hug to be ALL BETTER AGAIN" ending. I loved seeing Bucky happy and socializing, but it was too soon, and it was unearned. And it sends a fucking awful message to people actually struggling with PTSD, and to their loved ones who don't know how to help them. Heaping more blame on them and then hugging it out is NOT helpful!

This show could have been damn near perfect with just two changes. That's all. Just two. 1) Someone, anyone, bringing up the reasons why Bucky was never a villain in his presence. Someone being in his corner and reminding him, like Steve did, that it wasn't his fault and he's not going to "snap". 2) More time devoted to Bucky's healing. Actual fucking healing, not the shit they tried to pass off as a magic fix-all. He can have his happy barbecue moment, just don't frame it as "everything's great now!" Healing isn't linear, and there will be both good days and bad. Some of the most fragile people in the world have the brightest smiles.

If we get a season 2, which this amazing show absolutely deserves, and they address this stuff, all will be forgiven in my book. Expanding on his story and his journey toward healing will help to reframe that "happily ever after" garbage as something more realistic. But as it stands now... Fuck Marvel.

#fan rant #ragepost #long post #bucky barnes #mcu #captain america #the first avenger #the winter soldier #civil war #tfatws #mcu spoilers #stop victim blaming #victim not villain #never a fucking villain #bucky deserved better #fuck marvel #fuck disney

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victoriareyloficlists · 3 years ago

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30 September 2021 Additions to Reylo Fluff

These fics have been added to the Fluff lists located in the following lists:

Fluff Part 1 Titles A-G

Fluff Part 2 Titles H-M

Fluff Part 3 Titles N-S

Fluff Part 4 Titlez T-Z

The Prince Diaries by sunshineflying (AO3 2019 Rated T Complete, 10 Chapters, Princess Diaries AU, Quick Synopsis: Just weeks before his eighteenth birthday, Ben's father drops a bomb on him: his grandmother -- whom he hasn't heard from for most of his life -- wants to speak to him. What she has to say has the potential to turn his life upside down.) Inspired by Wasting Time on the Interwebs Chapter 8 by Theyna_Shipper (AO3 2020 Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey and Ben are paired up for an economics assignment, but they have a major difference of opinion on some key points.) the star to every wandering bark by addictedtoacertainlifestyle (AO3 2018 Rated M Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: When Ben Solo travels to Takodana in the name of his second novel, meeting an impossibly intriguing woman named Rey wasn't exactly what he envisioned. But the universe has a funny way of working things out.) The Elusive Mating Dance of the Porgus Adorabilis by andabatae (AO3 2019 Rated E Complete, 8 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey Niima is a PhD student studying the extremely endangered porg. Her dissertation is almost complete, but there's one phenomenon she has yet to document: the porg mating dance. She's about to witness it for the first time when a plane crash-lands on the island, disrupting both the porgs and Rey's research. Kylo Ren recently inherited Ahch-To, but what does a rich Manhattan playboy want with a deserted rock in the middle of the ocean? His plans to sell it as soon as possible are stymied when he crash-lands on the island and realizes it isn't deserted, after all...) Love is a misunderstanding between two fools by GreyForceUser (ReyandKyloforever) (AO3 2018 Rated E Complete, 4 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben Solo has been too afraid to ask out the girl he's been in love with for years, Rey. He tries to impress her by going as Kylo Ren to the Halloween costume party. Rey shows up in the sexiest costume he's ever seen. Could she possibly have worn it for him? The only thing he is sure about is that she must be trying to kill him.) slide into my DMs by hi_raeth (AO3 2019 Rated T Complete, 3 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: In which Ben shoots his shot - in the sweetest, most respectful, no-pressure way possible, because this is Ben Solo we’re talking about.) all's well that ends well to end up with you by hi_raeth (AO3 2020 Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Best friends (who are also secretly in love with each other) Rey and Ben wake up in bed together after a drunken night out. They can't remember if they've had sex or not and spend the morning trying to remember if they have (they haven't). In the process, they discover that they've been in love with each other forever.”) In Vino Verita by Nora_Wolfe (AO3 2021 Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: "Drunk Ben telling his coworkers about his future children: they'll have the most beautiful hazel eyes, freckles and tanned skin, just like their mommy. Poe: that's weirdly specific. Finn: dude, why are you describing Rey from accounting?") Even when you sniff, it’s you I want to kiss... by Hellyjellybean (AO3 2021 Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: "Ben, is my nose all red?” “Mmm,” Ben confirmed without looking up. Rey pouted. “My face is ruined!” "Your face is still beautiful.” They both stilled. Rey’s eyes bore into Ben’s back. “What did you say?” she asked.) Desperate Measures by ebongawk (makeshiftcandy) (AO3 2021 Rated E Complete, 21 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey jokingly asks her friends if one of them knows a sugar daddy when she falls on hard times. Poe doesn't really take it as a joke.) Why the Chicken Crossed the Road by SpaceWaffleHouse (AO3 2019 Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Competitive enemies Ben and Rey get into a game of chicken. All is well and fun until Poe challenges them to kiss.) It's only natural, but why did it have to be me? by Psyclodelik (AO3 2021 Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Dating app AU where Rose and Poe are desperate to find love for their lonely roommates because they are sick of hearing them masturbating in the shower. They match and arrange a date for them under false pretenses, shenanigans ensue.) Matched! by ekayla (AO3 2021 Rated M Complete, 15 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: What happens if you finally meet someone interesting on dating app during an international pandemic and can’t meet face to face?)

#reylo #kylo ren #reylo fanfic #ben solo #rey

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sunshineseung · 5 years ago

Text

Royalty // Lee Know

💌 Info: Stray Kids Lee Know x female!reader smut 💕 Includes: beginning fluff/plot, praise, pet names, possession, pussy worship, blowjob (receiving), fingering, unprotected sex ✏️ Word Count: ~4k

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Citizens lined the streets, cheering and chanting for their new queen. The royal carriage made its way down the road, the king and queen waving to the crowd with bright smiles.

You watched the parade from inside the small shop you worked at. Your mother, the owner, yelled at you from across the store, "get back to work!" You hazily continued to mop the wooden floor, but in your head, you’re dreaming of what could have been.

The new queen was a friend of your mother's, but after some heated arguments, they parted ways. The new queen's son, Minho, was your childhood best friend, but you had hardly spoken in recent years.

To see him waving to his people from inside the carriage as the new prince made your mind spin. The idea that you were once friends with the most coveted man in the city absolutely blew your mind. When you told people of this, they were quick to ask about the prince's childhood, with your only reply being "I don't remember much. We were both kids!"

He would seldom come into your family shop to buy necessities, but whenever he would visit, you would always catch him staring at you, eyes full of sorrow and regret. You'd wonder if he could be in the same boat as you: lonely, hoping for a friendship, even one long gone.

You didn't choose to go down different paths; it just happened. And now there you stood in your family store, sweeping away dust, wondering what could have been if you had just kept ties with the newly crowned Prince Minho.

"The nerve of her," your mother says under her breath while restocking shelves, "marrying the king after what she did. Absolutely shameless."

Minho's mother, also known as the Queen, slept with your father while your parents were married. Yes, taboo, but it's what ultimately broke friendships, both your mother's friendship with the Queen and your friendship with Minho. Deep resentment resided within your mother, but you just wanted to see Minho again.

You'd often lash out on your mother, her broken friendship being the reason for your coddling. She wouldn't let you leave as a child, fearing you would get snatched up by your father and taken away to the neighboring kingdom where he moved. After your falling out with Minho, you grew up with no friends until recently when you were hired at your mother's store.

The few people you interacted with there customers, some becoming your acquaintances after several of their visits, but none of them are truly your friends. You dreamed of leaving the town and moving to the forest, building your own house, and living a small, simple life, but you never had the courage to run away.

After the parade celebrating the new additions to the royal family, you got a letter. It was addressed specifically to you, marked with the bright red royal wax seal. Your heart dropped when you got the letter, and your mother was obviously fuming. You had to open it when she wasn't in the room.

"Dear Y/n L/n," the letter read, "It's with great honor that the royal family invites you to our celebration ball."

Your face is glowing, even through you believe every girl in the village received this letter. Upon further inquiring of your peers, you were the only one of them invited. Considering you weren't rich or well-known, you knew exactly why you were invited to the ball: Prince Minho.

The date was set and your dress was ready. Your mother allowed you to miss work, even considering what you were missing work for. You strolled up to the castle, and you realized what kind of party this was going to be.

There were girls from all across the land. They were all wearing expensive dresses, likely tailored for each girl, and they all had one thing on their mind: marrying the princes. What you had thought was an average party turned out to be a ball for Minho's suitors, which begs the question, why are you here?

Before you're able to turn around and leave, the guards close the massive front gate, actively trapping everyone inside the castle walls. The courtyard was full of large ball gowns and even larger hair making it hard to maneuver to the only thing on your mind: the food.

Most of the girls tonight are wearing corsets or bustiers, which gives you the perfect opportunity to eat as much as you want. Although your dress wasn't perfectly tailored or expensive, it made you stand out. While the party was full of women with hoop skirts and petticoats, you wore a slim, knee-high dress, which was a big no-no in the majority of the kingdom who valued modesty and conservativeness in women.

While at the table, you feel a tap on your shoulder. You turn around to see a hooded figure with an indistinguishable face. They grab your wrist, but since your mouth had food in it, you couldn't scream. The hooded figure drags you around a wall to a secluded hallway leading to a guarded door.

"Trust me," says the voice. Considering how boring this party was, you blindly trust the voice and follow them to the door. They nod to the guards, and the guards nod back, opening the doors.

The doors reveal a small, enclosed garden with a koi pond and a white gazebo. They takes your hand and guide you to a marble bench next to the pond. While you're looking at the fish, the figures takes their hood off. Your heart stops beating when you see a pair of familiar brown eyes looking at you.

"Hey, Y/n. It's been awhile, hasn't it?" His voice is low, almost a whisper. Your focus darts from the pond to the prince. You're totally speechless, but he giggles at your flustered reaction. "I know this isn't what you were expecting tonight, but I honestly do miss you. I just wanted to see you again."

His smile is warm enough to melt your heart, and his kind eyes loll you into a sense of comfort.

"I wanted to see you again as well, Min- I mean, your highness." You laugh at yourself, hoping Minho didn't catch your slip up. He laughs as well, but he doesn't mind your slip up.

"I can still hear the music from the courtyard." Minho looks up into the sky, the lightest sounds from the band making their way into the secret garden. He stands up and holds his hand out, hoping for you to get the hint. "May I have this dance?"

You take his hand, and he whisks you away into the gazebo. Your hands gently find their way onto his shoulders and his neck, and he grips your waist ever so lightly. You smile at each other, the both of you fully aware of the absurdness of the situation.

"You know, I don't want to be prince." Minho's face dips in mood, the twinkle in his eyes fading away in an instant. "I just want to be a townsperson with y-"

"Minho," you cut him off, "You're going to be the best prince this town has ever seen. And whenever you don't feel like being the prince, I'll always be in the store awaiting your visit."

"Oh, so now you're okay with calling me Minho?" He chuckles, and your cheeks begin to burn red. "I should have come talked to you sooner."

"Just be glad we're here now."

You continue to gently dance with the boy, feet getting tangled together every so often. His pace is calming, and your bodies are perfectly in sync with the music from the band.

"Y/n, they're making me get married." His facial expression dips again. You can tell from his eyes darting downward that he's full of overwhelming thoughts. You cup his cheek in your hand, forcing him to meet your gaze. "I'm so scared."

"If you don't want to get married, you need to tell your parents that." Your advice is harsh, but you're truly trying your best. You two have stopped moving, totally ignoring the music.

"I have. They don't listen. They're making me marry a princess from another kingdom. I... I shouldn't be telling you this." His eyes go cold, the usual confident Minho returning for a moment. "We could get in trouble for being here."

"I'm willing to get in trouble if it means you have someone to talk to, Minho." Your eyes stare deeply into his. Silence washes over you two, both from the lack of conversation and the halting of the band. Without realizing it, your bodies are drawn closer together, faces inches apart.

"I know we just met again after years, but I want to spend my life with you, Y/n. I don't want to be here." His voice is low again, this time sending shivers down your spine from how physically close he is to you. "Let's run away."

"Are you crazy?" You retort, shaking your head. "There's nothing I want more than to run away, but your idea will get us both killed."

"I need you." His words are desperate, and your heart aches for him. To see your childhood friend in such pain breaks your heart.

However, his eyes dip down to your lips, and his expression goes from cold and emotional to dark and lustful. Seeing his face change so drastically makes your heart beat out of your chest. Suddenly, your nerves are on edge, and you feel his hot breath against your skin.

"May I... babe?" His soft words hit you off guard, and you look up to him with agape lips. You slowly nod your head, and your sign of consent is enough for him to bring you into a long kiss. It doesn't take much time for his tongue to slip into your mouth, your tongues exploring each other.

It wasn't until this moment that you realize how unbearably hot he is. His tight pants and buttoned shirt fit him perfectly, and the dark, velvety blue compliments his skin nicely. His face is that of a god, and his hair is soft to the touch. He's such a great sight to take in.

He pulls away, your spit creating a rope between each other's lips. You take a moment to catch your breath, and you make eye contact with Minho.

"Let's go inside, shall we?" He holds his hand out as he did to offer you a dance, but this time his expression wasn't nearly as sweet.

"As you wish, your highness." You curtsy to him jokingly, your tight dress riding up as you bent over to bow. You both chuckle at your remark, but Minho harshly bites his lip hearing you call him your highness in a lower tone than before. You take his hand, and once again, you're wicked away into unknown territory.

Minho takes you through a side door in the walled garden, and the door leads to a hallway within the castle. The halls are empty since all of the guards are at the party, so the two of you easily make your way to what you assume to be Minho's room. There's very few possessions in his room, and it hardly looks lived in aside from the disheveled bedsheets. You don't have much time to look around though, as Minho lightly pushes you onto the bed, looking down at you. Your legs spread without you thinking, and you suddenly feel shyness wash over you.

Minho, in an attempt to calm your obvious nerves, leans over and kisses you. The kiss is passionate, and you love the feeling of his hand roaming around your body. His hands circle your tits, but never go up to meet your nipples. His hand are caring, and his kiss is soft. Your worried melt away, and when your lips part from his, you're met with a smirking, horny prince positioned between your legs.

"You're going to be my princess tonight, baby. All mine." His gaze is dark, and you can't help but moan at his words. He gets down on his knees and pulls you towards his face at the edge of the bed. His grip on your thighs is tight, and he moves your dress up just enough to reveal your panties. "Dripping already, are we?" His index finger grazes your hole over your panties, forcing another moan out of you. The Minho eye-level with your cunt was completely different from the Minho you'd just kissed seconds earlier, but you liked it.

"I-I'm sorry, I couldn't help it." You didn't realize how wet you were until you felt your sopping panties press against you from Minho's finger. He blows against your clothed pussy, making you wince from the sudden stimulation. He laughs at your shocked reaction, and you feel your body heat up with embarrassment.

Minho hooks his finger around your panties and pull them down your legs, exposing your sensitive slit. "Fuck, your cunt is so beautiful." He eyes your heat, licking his lips at the sight of it. You rotate your hips, signaling him to touch you, but he just massages your thighs by making light circles with his thumbs. "You look delicious, princess."

His tongue makes a stripe up your pussy, making you jolt from the pleasure. Minho is taking his time with you, teasing you and sucking your skin. He's sure to lick up all of your juices, humming in response to your sweet taste. You're attempting to hold back moans, but as his tongue violates your cunt and your orgasm grows closer, high-pitched sounds escape your throat.

"I love your pussy so much." Minho is not shy to praising you, and you mewl after his every word. His fingers tease your entrance, threatening to enter you at any moment. You push yourself against his hand, and your pussy is clenching around nothing. You're so needy for him.

Per your silent but evident request, Minho gently pushes his middle finger inside your cunt, and he feels your walls tighten around his single digit. You move your hips in sync with his hand, and when he bends his finger upwards, he perfectly graces or g-spot, making you moan his name aloud.

"You feel so good, Minho." You look down at him, and his mouth is covered in your essence. The sight is enough to make you bite down on your lip almost hard enough to draw blood. He looks so hot under you, and the pleasure from his finger inside you and his tongue on your clit is enough to send you over the edge. "I'm so close."

Minho inserts a second finger into you, and his hand starts thrusting into you at a faster pace than before. His fingers scissor open and closed, and before you know it, you're cumming on his fingers, having one of the most intense orgasms you've ever had.

Through your orgasm, Minho continues to finger your and suck on your clit, and when you're done, he sucks every last drop of you off of his fingers. Your legs are shaking while he plants light kisses against your inner thighs.

"You did great, princess." Minho sits up and hovers over you, leaning down to bring you into a kiss. The taste of yourself against his lips makes you wet all over again, and you're needy for even more of the prince.

Minho motions for you to sit up, and you gladly follow his orders and flip your dress over your head, exposing your entire form to him. His jaw goes slack at the sight of your body, and he makes sure you know he loves every inch.

"My beautiful princess," he says as he traces his hands on your sides, outlining your figure. His cold hands send chills down your spine, but his praise makes it all okay. You know you can trust him.

"I think it's your turn, my prince." Hearing you call him prince makes his heart flutter, and that only makes his member harder. Your hands make their way to Minho's chest to unbutton his shirt all the way, revealing his abs. You run your finger down his chest and abs to the hem of his pants, and he hisses from your touch.

Minho smoothly pushes you back onto the bed, your head coming in contact with his pillows. He stands up off of the side of the bed and pulls down his tight pants, putting on a show for you. The bulge is his underwear is evident, and you see a wet mark from his precum. He pulls his boxers down, his erect member hitting against his abs. You close your legs together in an attempt to satisfy the slightest bit of need from your dripping pussy, but Minho is quick to position himself over you and pull your legs apart by your knees.

"Ready, babe?" He runs his tip through your folds, getting your wetness to coat the head of his cock. You nod eagerly, already biting your lip. His tip hooks on your clit, and you buck your hips up at him.

"Please fuck me, Minho. I need your cock so bad." The words flow out of your mouth as if you're used to being a sex toy for the prince. Minho grips your hips tightly as he pushes his member into you, stretching you out and filling you up completely. You let out the most pornographic moan, and a deep groan leaves his lips. He feels your tight cunt convulsing around him which only makes him want to drive into you more.

He throws your leg over his shoulder giving him the chance to pound into you even deeper. Sweat beats roll down his face from his forehead as he rolls his hips in sync with yours. His cock rams into your g-spot every time, causing slick sounds from your cunt to fill the room along with your shared moans.

"Princess," Minho coos to you, "you're so damn gorgeous." He cups your cheek and kisses you passionately, still rutting his cock into you. The intoxicating taste of Minho's spit mixed with the overwhelming feeling of his cock brings you up to your second orgasm. "You wanna cum on my cock, baby?"

Your nods are desperate, and the only sound able to leave your mouth are choked moans and pleads. Minho pounds into you even harder than before trying to coax your orgasm out of you. Your eyes roll back in your head as you tighten around him and coat his member in your cum. The string of expletives and moans that come out of your mouth give Minho all the boost he needs to thrust once more into you and cum, coating your insides with his semen.

"Fuck, Minho," you draw out, "I love your cum inside me." With one finger, Minho plays with your clit as he pulls out of you, releasing a loud grunt once his cock is fully out of you.

"You did so good, babygirl." Minho rests his body next to you and pulls you into him. "I don't want this to be the last time I see you."

"It won't be the last time you see me, don't worry." You rest your head on his chest and take in the scent of sweat and sex in the room. You catch your breath with his, chests rising and sinking in unison. It doesn't take long for a disturbing knock to scare both of you.

"Sir Minho, you've been requested in the courtyard by your mother." A guard stands outside, assuming Minho is alone in his room. "Your bride is awaiting your arrival."

"I'll be out in a minute!" Minho yells out to the guard. The footsteps outside of the room grow farther away, and Minho sits up at the edge of the bed and puts his head in his hands. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, Minho. This isn't your fault." You sit next to him and pet his back in an attempt to calm him. "Let's get dressed, shall we?"

You take his hand and lead him to the pile of discarded clothes. You slip your dress back on, and Minho solemnly slides his old clothes back on before heading towards the door.

You smile at him as you two exit his room, the cool air from the damp hallway nipping at your legs. You cling onto Minho's arm, unaware of the layout of the castle.

"Go through this side door. I'll meet you in the courtyard." Minho gestures towards a small, wooden door.

"What about your bride?"

"Don't worry about her. I'll deal with it." Minho looks off to the end of the hall, unable to make eye contact with you. "I'll write you letters."

You give him a light kiss on the cheek as a goodbye and make your way to the door. Minho clenched his fists as he makes his way to the main gate.

You sneak your way through corridors into the courtyard again. The king and queen are on the top of the stairway in front of the main gate into the castle. They seem so happy for parents who forced their child into an arranged marriage.

"Now, we're proud to reveal, prince Lee Minho!" The gates swing open to reveal Minho, hair disheveled and pants on crooked. His shirt is wrinkled and partially buttoned. Despite his appearance, the girls in the crowd scream for him, and you sit back and watch.

Minho joins the partygoers, and you hardly see him through the groups of girls surrounding him. As the party goes on late into the night, you're about to leave, but Minho catches you heading towards the gate and yells to you.

"Goodbye, princess!" Minho yells over the adoring group of women around him, and they all gasp and turn around to you. You blush and run to the door before anyone can ask you questions about why the prince just called you his princess.

Days pass. You receive several letters from Minho, all with the royal wax seal. You hide them from your mother, partially because of the obvious red seal, and partially because of the contents of the letters.

Although some letters were romantic, other letters described in great detail what Minho wanted to do to your body when you two were alone again.

And when the sun sets and the moon rises, I hope to find your body under mind, shaking in my presence, heat wet with arousal. Your moans will sound like a symphony to me. My body is longing for yours, princess. To feel your lips against mine would be enough for my aching member and even more aching heart. Tuesday at 8. I'll be at your window, my love.

Sure enough, Tuesday at 8, he was waiting for you.

Who knew the prince would be so rebellious.

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#stray kids #skz #stray kids fanfic #stray kids fan fiction #skz fanfic #skz fan fiction #stray kids smut #skz smut #kpop smut #kpop fan fiction #kpop fanfic #kpop #skz minho #stray kids minho #skz lee know #stray kids lee know #skz minho smut

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teamhook · 4 years ago

Text

My Fate is Darkness :: CSSNS Ch10

Hello. I know it has been a long time but I'm going to finish this. I'm aware I have a lot of WIPs but if you're patient and stick around I will finish them all. To those who have stuck around and the new readers thank you.

I want to thank @cssns @hookedonapirate for taking time to beta for me.

AO3 |CH9| |CH10|

FFN |CH9| |CH10|

Here we go...

The road so far…

Friendships grow and a villain gains a mark in the hero column.

Rumplestiltskin had lived a very long life - one of luxury. Yes, it was at the expense of others' souls, but that didn't matter to him. Once upon a time, it would have mattered, but not anymore. During this time, his dark deeds had taken a toll on his body and heart. His appearance became more reptilian than human. The problem now was he was lonely. He wanted a companion. He'd made attempts to rectify that before and had failed miserably. Cora had chosen riches and power of her own over him. Years later, her oldest daughter had piqued his interest, but her insecurity had turned her into a green, wicked hag. Both were lost in their own darkness. Two more souls for his master. Later, the youngest went to him for training, and she too had been lost. Now he waited for an opportunity to make a deal with someone who was willing to exchange their freedom for his help.

Rumplestiltskin still didn't know what his master's complete plans were when it came to Jones. Jones turned into the opposite of his master's desires. On more than one occasion, the damn pirate thwarted their plans. Rumple suggested ending the pirate's miserable life, but Zoso declined by saying he needed him for a specific task. The darkness needed to consume the pirate's heart; the problem with that plan was that although the pirate tasted darkness before, he didn't let it corrupt him completely. He found a way to resist.

Rumple may not be all-knowing or powerful as his master, but he has a feeling Killian Jones will be his master's undoing and consequently his own. He needed to find the dagger for self-preservation purposes only. He would not lose everything again because of Killian Jones.

But first, it was time to make a new deal with a desperate soul. Perhaps this time he could get a lasting companion out of it.

Enchanted Forest

In the sea of deep green plant life, Whale finally woke up and found his way to Killian and their charge, Ruby.

Killian turned to his friend and hissed, "Where have you been?"

Whale grimaced as he felt the bump on his head. "I'm sorry, Killian. I was on my way to meet you and was knocked out."

Killian pondered his friend's words. "Perhaps it was the hunter I encountered. He must've thought we were going to hurt the lass."

"What happened to him?" Whale asked as he stretched his limbs and looked at the prone body.

"He is only unconscious with no memory of meself or the lovely lass," Killian said.

"Let's get the girl home," Whale said as he turned to the sleeping wolf. "We’re still missing the cloak."

"There's a woman. A healer that can help." Killian said. "She's not far from here. I'll carry the lass to the cart. I'm going to have to put silver shackles on her to keep her controlled. If she wakes up without restraints, she might attack, and I won't be around to protect you."

Victor sighed, "Okay, let's go."

On the way to the horses, Victor kept a close eye on the wolf as Killian pushed the cart with very little effort.

Killian glanced at his friend. "Victor, the tranquilizer you made is strong. I don't think she will wake up anytime soon."

"Easy for you to say, you have superhuman strength and speed. I'm just a walking piece of meat to her," Victor scoffed.

"Don't fret, we're almost there." Killian rolled his eyes at his friend's theatrics.

"Killian, this healer you are going to go see. Why haven't you mentioned her before?"

Killian smirked. "You're not my only friend, you know. I came across her not that long ago."

"Ah, when you were searching for the Dark One? I still can't believe you left me behind. I could've helped."

"Victor, I can't risk hurting anyone when he's around. The darkness around him can be overwhelming." Killian said.

"Alright, but somehow it was safe for you to meet a healer."

"She's a witch from a different realm. She has ways to protect herself from monsters like me. You don't. Don't you remember how we met?" Killian asked.

"Do you truly trust this witch?"

"She wields white magic. I believe she will be able to cleanse Ruby from the dark magic that forced her wolf out." Killian affirmed.

"Can she help with the replacement cloak?" Victor asked as the wolf growled in its sleep.

"I believe so. She's helped a lot of people and isn't afraid of me."

"I know you think you're this horrible monster. Yes, I know you've done horrible things in the past, but now you're a hero. I think you have to trust yourself more. Maybe even fall in love. I know you have your dalliances but they never go beyond that." Victor remarked as he stroked the fur of the sleeping wolf.

"Mate, I didn't know you were so sentimental. Alas, love isn't in the cards for me. Milah was it for me."

"I know I'm not your brother or anything, but we're the closest thing to family. You're like a brother to me." Victor's eyes welled with tears and he ducked his head to avoid Killian's gaze.

"Victor, are you crying?"

"No, no of course not. We've lived a long time and sometimes I wish I'd meet a nice girl to finally grow old with."

Killian stopped pushing the cart. "Victor, I'm sure once you stop using my blood, you will age."

"We don't have to worry about that. Let's get the beast to the horses." In all fairness, Victor knew Killian was right. He would only get in the way, Killian could move faster alone and he would be back sooner without Victor. He could easily transport himself with magic, but the less magic he used, the better.

Once they reached the horses, Killian grabbed a harness from the cart. He quickly attached the harness to the horses, and they made their way to a clearing, not far from Granny's home. There was a small, abandoned little hut. They didn't want to deliver Ruby to her grandmother before she was back to her human form. They also needed to maintain Ruby's secret. After depositing the wolf inside without a word, Killian left his friend to tend to it. There was no time to lose.

Killian arrived at the open space in the woods hours away. He looked around to make sure no one was around. He was about to knock on the invisible door when a clear wave of energy knocked him on his ass. He got up and started brushing off some dirt. "Glinda, it's me, lass. I need your help. I know you're home."

A door creaked open, and a blonde woman wearing a white cloak appeared. "Hook, is that you?" She asked.

"Aye, what was that?"

"I'm sorry, I had to add a barrier for protection. To be safe. So what do you need help with?"

"I have a werewolf. She has the scent of dark magic. She had an enchanted cloak to halt the transformations, but it went missing. I need to cleanse her and the enchantment to stop her transformation."

"You think someone did this to her."

"Aye, her eyes were a soulless black. Not a natural hue for a wolf's eyes."

"Let me grab a few things." She tossed some items in a rucksack, mumbling to herself as if she'd made a list.

Killian looked around the room. It was cozy, but he knew it wasn't what she was used to. In Oz, her native home, she lived in a castle, but here, she had a small cottage with just enough to get by.

"Okay, I'm ready. How do we do this?" Glinda asked.

Killian scratched behind his ear. "Lass, I ran here. You know how I feel about using too much dark magic."

She blinked, "I can use my magic to take us both to our location. That is if you're okay with being close to me."

He nodded with a slight smile on his lips. She was a beautiful lass, and he was aware she found him appealing, but to be in such close proximity to a woman and the scent of her blood might entice the darker part of him.

As if she knew what was going through his mind, she said, "Killian, I can use my magic to put a slight barrier between us, if that makes you feel better."

"Won't the effort drain you?"

"It will tire me but not enough to not do my job," she said.

He grabbed her bag and walked slowly toward her space. "Do it. I will guide you with my thoughts." He closed his eyes as she surrounded them with a clear field, and then with a burst of energy, the pair were swallowed by the magic in the air.

Killian and Glinda instantly appeared in front of Victor and the sleeping wolf.

"That was quick," Victor said as he laid eyes on his friend. Once his eyes landed on the woman, he raised a single brow appreciatively.

"Victor, meet Glinda. Victor is my oldest friend. And this lass is the one you're here to help."

Glinda took off her cloak, revealing a simple dress. She extended her hand for the bag Killian was holding.

"Lass, we shall give you room to work. The wolf should be sleeping for a while." He said to encourage her.

Victor and Killian walked away.

"I suppose I can see the appeal," Victor said.

Killian rolled his eyes, "I told you, I have no interest in those activities. I just want to find Zoso and Rumple and end them. Revenge is all I have left."

"If you say so, but if you're not interested, do you mind if I court the lady?" Victor asked with a smile.

Killian laughed. "I thought you didn't trust the witch."

Victor reddened, "Well, she seems lovely, and you trust her." He shrugged.

Killian nodded and turned his attention to Glinda as she cleansed the wolf, Ruby. He sat down on one of the beat-up chairs. Victor grabbed the other available chair and sat next to Killian.

Glinda approached Killian. "Do you have the item you want me to enchant?"

Killian reached into his pocket and took out a ruby pendant necklace from his pirate days. It was an expensive jewel. He handed her the necklace. "Make sure it's a strong spell."

She smiled. "I will."

She walked back to the wolf, whispered something in her ear, and started chanting. The pendant glowed a vibrant red. Once finished, she put the pendant around the wolf's furred neck. The pendant glowed once more as it surrounded the wolf's body and transformed her into a naked woman.

Killian averted his eyes, while Victor admired the sleeping form. When Glinda waved her hand over the body, a dress appeared, covering up the young girl.

Back in the forest, the unconscious hunter finally woke up with no memory of how or why he was there. He entered his humble home confused, but determined to find out what happened during his missing time.

In Haven Isles, the sandy beach had been the favorite training spot for Emma and Liam. On one of their last training days, before they finally went on a hunt, Liam glanced in Emma's direction as she took instructions from Mulan. He wondered about his mother. Emma had mentioned his mother was a force to be reckoned with. She was one of the best hunters the Isle had produced.

He was curious about her. Did he take after his father or did he have more of her features? After his recovery, he wanted to ask about her, but he could never get the words out. Then later he realized that his little brother was gone. If time truly moved as he was explained, then he would need to mourn his brother.

Emma was walking toward Liam,her long hair pulled up into a ponytail. She noticed a faraway look in his eyes. "Hey, Liam. Mulan says it's your turn. I think I upset her. Sorry."

Liam smiled at Emma snd shook his head. "You know she is going to take it out on me."

"I said I was sorry. Liam, are you alright?"

"I just miss my brother. I wish I could have been there for him. I wonder if he met a good girl. Maybe I have great-nephews out there."

"Don't let Blue hear you. You know she will oppose you seeking out any relatives. I'm sorry you missed out, but at least you get to know your origins."

"Emma, do you think you can show me my mother's archives? Sometimes I wonder if she would have married the man who was her soulmate if she were still alive?"

"Maybe, but you wouldn't be here. I've always hated that part. The soulmates thing is just another way they control you. Your mom, she didn't want that. She wanted to follow her heart."

"Do you think it's possible to fight against that bond?"

"Your mom did it." She shrugged. "Jonathan, that was the name of your mom's soulmate. After she left he fell in love with a mortal. I think it can be done. I imagine he was happy."

"Have you met your soulmate?"

Emma's eyes widened. "I don't think so."

"How can you not know your soulmate? You're about to go on your first hunt. Shouldn’t you have met him by now?"

Emma looked away. "Liam, Mulan is waiting for you. You're just going to anger her more and she will make you regret it."

Liam wanted to ask if he upset her, but turned to look at Mulan who was staring daggers his way.

Emma sat down in the sand. Liam was right she should have met her match by now, but for some reason, she hadn't yet. It made no sense. Unless he wasn't here. If her soulmate was out there, she would find him.

Merlin approached Emma. "Hello, young one. Are you ready for your magic training?"

Emma winced. "Can I have a break today?"

"I'm sorry, no you can't. Blue already opposes your training if you show her you have no interest she will surely use that as an excuse to make us stop. It will be a disservice to you and your abilities. I sense something is bothering you."

"Can you truly see everything that is to come?"

"I can see glimpses, why?"

"How is it possible that Liam's mom met someone who was not her soulmate and fell in love?"

Merlin didn't expect that question. "Is this about your soulmate?"

She turned to look at Liam. "Merlin, he shouldn't be here. His mom shouldn't have been able to meet someone out there but she did. It makes no sense. How is it the Isle let him in?"

"Emma, sometimes things happen because they're supposed to. Perhaps Alice was supposed to meet Liam's father. Some things escape logic. Magic is one of them."

"I know you know something you're not telling me. Merlin, I will not ask you what that is for now. I hope it's not a mistake trusting you."

"Emma, some things are revealed to me as needed. I can't give you answers I don't have. I believe Liam is connected somehow. I still don't know everything."

Emma and Liam had been training together for months now and were finally given their first assignment, much to Blue’s disapproval.

Merlin pulled Liam aside. “Liam, you have proven you're a hunter like your mother was. I know you and Emma will be leaving soon, but I have an assignment for you. Only you.”

Liam stared at the man, confused. “I thought we always have to go in pairs.”

“You will, but first you will retrieve a young lady showing signs of magic, and bring her here.” Merlin handed him a vial.

“I thought no one from the outside could come in?” Liam said as looked at the vial.

Merlin laughed. “That’s what the vial is for. Liam, there is a very important reason why it must be you. Alone. Sadly, I cannot say why. You must trust me.”

“What will I tell Emma?” Liam asked.

“I will explain this alteration to her. You two are going together, but will have to go on separate paths. There’s also a reason for her to go alone on this hunt,” Merlin said cryptically.

“You see the future, so is this part of the future to come?”

“It is. This is fated, and no one can escape fate,” Merlin simply said.

@rumdrum91 @itsfabianadocarmo @xsajx @hookedonapirate @kmomof4 @searchingwardrobes @seriouslyhooked @profdanglaisstuff @let-it-raines @revanmeetra87 @snowbellewells @hollyethecurious @kymbersmith-90 @branlovestowrite @thejollyroger-writer @shireness-says @ilovemesomekillianjones @thisonesatellite @thesschesthair @winterbythesea @stahlop @resident-of-storybrooke @superchocovian @lfh1226-linda @artistic-writer @thislassishooked @shardminds @winterbaby89 @xhookswenchx @ultraluckycatnd @gingerchangeling @laschatzi @wellhellotragic @xemmaloveskillianx @courtorderedcake @pirateherokillian @optomisticgirl @darkcolinodonorgasm @andiirivera @djlbg @nikkiemms @jennjenn615 @scientificapricot @officerrogers @imlaxdris71 @therealstartraveller776 @kday426 @allons-y-to-hogwarts-713 @donteattheappleshook @spacekrulesbians @lassluna @carpedzem @captainodonoghue @killian-will-do @jarienn972 @tehgreeneyes @demisexualemmaswan @queen-serena88 @swanslieutenant @tiganasummertree @whimsicallyenchantedrose @bethacaciakay @ohmakemeahercules @jrob64 @klynn-stormz @mariakov81 @sals86 @elizabeethan @brooke-to-broch @hookedonhiddles @onceratheart18 @the-darkdragonfly @veryverynotgoodwrites @jonesfandomfanatic @wefoundloveunderthelight @cocohook38

#Captain Swan #cssns18 #cs ff

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tellmealovestory · 5 years ago

Text

That Summer (1/?)

Summary: You’ve spent every summer since you were a child in the idyllic beach town you call home three months out of the year. This summer should be no different except for the addition of Bucky Barnes. Sparks fly upon first meeting, but it’s only a summer fling, right? Modern AU.

Notes: Also posted on my ao3. The beautiful divider I used is from @whimsicalrogers

Warnings: Surprisingly no swear words and a very brief mention of sexy times.

Mosquitos battled with the scratchy blanket beneath your body in a fight over who could do more damage to your sensitive skin. So far it was a tie. Music drifted out of your car speakers, a bouncy pop song, something meant for being blared at top decibels in a darkened club, sweaty bodies moving together, colorful drinks filled to the brim of expensive glasses. Not something for laying in a field an hour outside of the city stargazing.

It was a warm night, a promise of what was to come as summer began its lazy descent. Summer. Just the word always conjured long days, lazy nights, uniforms of shorts and tank tops, bare feet. Frozen slushees from the local convenience store staining lips and teeth and tongues blues and reds and purples, bags of potato chips and handfuls of candy bars. Windows rolled down, music turned all the way up, singing off key to lyrics that seemed as if they were written for you and only you as you drove aimlessly through the city before venturing onto the back roads that would take you far from the bright lights and the familiarity of your life to somewhere else.

The crinkle of a candy wrapper being balled up, the obnoxious slurp of a straw searching for the last remnants of a cherry slushee mixed with vodka had your teeth grinding in annoyance at your sometimes friend sprawled out next to you on the blanket.

“This is your last night here and this is how you choose to spend it?”

You didn’t have to take your eyes off of the stars shining and twinkling above you, winking like they held secrets, like they knew what the future, more specifically what this summer would hold for you to know she was rolling her eyes at you.

And while you tried to tell yourself you didn’t care her tone still stung.

“You didn’t have to come,” you pointed out, leaving out the part about how she only came because her sometimes boyfriend ditched her again. “And it’s not like I’m not coming back. It’s only for the summer, remember?”

“Whatever. Have fun with your summer friends,” she sneered, tone icy, piercing straight through the warmth in your chest.

It was harder this time to hide the physical way her words stung. Flinching you inched away from her on the blanket. You weren’t a mean person, but you still thought about getting in your car and abandoning her here.

Ignoring her huffed sighs, the slurp of the straw, the way she boldly reached across you grabbing your plastic cup still half full with the blue raspberry slushee you kept your gaze focused on the sky above you.

A bright streak danced across the sky, so quick if you had blinked one second sooner, if you had turned your head away from the sky you would have missed it. Your heart sped up at the sight, awe and doubt mixing in your mind. Blindly grabbing for your friends arm you excitedly pointed at the sky, blabbering about the shooting star.

Obsessed since you had learned about them in school books had been consumed, online articles inhaled, paintings painted, stories written, but you had never expected to see one.

In the blink of an eye it was gone and you were left wondering if you had seen its beauty at all.

Closing your eyes you inhaled damp grass, the alcohol infused breath of your sometimes friend, the sugary sweet slushees, the salty potato chips that swirled around you and made a wish on the brightly burning shooting star that had streaked across the sky for that one glorious brief moment.

I wish to fall in love this summer.

“You’re not mad are you?”

Your eyes were glued to the scenery that shot past your windows. The large mansions that sat dotted on the beach before giving way to gift shops and tourists traps. The ocean that glittered and shined when the bright sun hit it. The sand that had you itching to beg Wanda to pull the car over so you could run through the burning heat before dipping your feet into the still cold ocean water. Tires hummed on the road, salty ocean air inhaled, wind rustling against your hair and ruffling your shirt.

After stepping off the plane, smile on your face, sweat soaking through your shirt at the heat that hit you as soon as you had stepped out of the air conditioned terminal you had run straight into your best friends arms squealing like preteen girls at a boy band concert.

The conversation had flowed easily with her pointing out the new shops, restaurants, the gossip you had missed out on when you had left at the end of last summer. It wasn’t until the conversation had drifted to the evenings plans that it began to stall.

Your first night back had always been a girls night with take out food, homemade desserts you had brought with you, bottles of soda when you were younger that turned into shared bottles of wine, trashy television shows as you caught up with each other’s lives in person instead of over texts and skype.

This year however plans had changed.

“I’m not mad.” It was hard to be mad when you would be spending the next three months in paradise, but you were disappointed.

You had always looked forward to the first night together to unwind, to catch up, but now you were going to be spending it with their friends feeling like the awkward out of towner struggling to keep up with their inside jokes, their familiar banter.

Tearing your gaze away from the scenery you turned your attention to Wanda offering her a small smile. It was only one night.

“It’ll be fun!” Wanda chirped.

Showered, fresh faced, damp haired, bags piled high on your bed in Wanda’s spare room a quick girls night had commenced with Natasha. Gossiping over chips and dip the three of you had made plans for the summer before piling into the car heading to the party.

Christmas lights were strung throughout the house and on the back porch leading the place to have a whimsical feel. When they had told you a party you had been expecting wall to wall people, red solo cups, couples making out, drunk people stumbling and laughing.

What greeted you instead were motorcycles parked in the driveway, along the tree lined streets. Loud music spilled from the peach two story house. A few people stood outside, bottles of beer held between fingers, thumbs furiously scrolling through phones, leather jackets adorning shoulders despite the oppressive heat.

Everybody seemed to know who Natasha and Wanda were. It was impossible to take two steps without someone coming up to say hey. Introductions were made, but the more people you met the more the names and faces blurred together.

Ending up in the kitchen leaning against the counter, a bottle of warm beer pressed into your hand your eyes swept over the small crowd that clustered around the keg. More leather jackets placed on shoulders, animated conversations swirling around you, cigarette tips burning bright orange, smoke exhaled leading the kitchen to be filled with a hazy fog that made your head ache with fatigue.

Weight shifting from foot to foot, beer bottle sweating with condensation in your hand, strangers nodding in your direction in lieu of hellos. You were used to standing on the sidelines, watching everything and everybody with a keen eye, but it didn’t make it any less lonely.

Pushing through the scattered bodies of the kitchen you slid open the patio door inhaling the pine trees that surrounded the back yard, the salty ocean air that could be faintly smelled in the distance. The night air was muggy, the sky dark, the stars twinkling and as you stumbled to the railing you closed your eyes willing the fresh air and the stars to ease your loneliness.

“Careful there.”

Your body froze at the husky voice that dared to break your peaceful solitude. Shoulders tensed you exhaled, slowly opening your eyes to see a tall man, dark hair pulled into a man bun, cigarette dangling from kissable lips. He was beautiful standing there in the glow of the Christmas lights that were strung along the railing.

Convinced he was talking to someone else you turned your head, gaze inspecting the patio, the yard, but it was just you and the dark haired stranger.

A long drag off the cigarette, a quirk of an eyebrow and he was speaking again, voice low and gravelly. “You good?”

“Uh yup, yeah, great, thanks,” you rambled, loosening your hold on the railing. Worried that he’d think you were drunk you whirled around to face him, watching the way his beefy body leaned against the porch railing a few feet away from you. Caring what people thought about you, trying too hard to make everyone happy around you were were faults you had yet to overcome. It didn’t matter that you didn’t know him you still found yourself, to your horror, blurting out, “I’m not drunk!”

Exhaling a stream of smoke he stubbed out his cigarette. “Never thought you were.” His lips tilted upwards, a ghost of a smile on his face, a wisp of hair falling from his bun and framing his face.

“Right,” you said slowly. Shifting your weight from foot to foot you cleared your throat determined to start over on a better note. “I just... my friends left me alone for a couple minutes and I guess I sort of panicked and needed some fresh air and I didn’t know you were out here and... you’re laughing.”

It was rich, the kind of laugh a person could fall in love with. Throaty and hoarse like he had used his voice up on talking all day though you suspected it had more to do with the cigarettes. So far he appeared to be a man of few words.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to.”

The only thing better than his laugh was the way he stepped closer, the floorboards of the porch creaking beneath his clunky black boots as he closed the gap of space between your bodies.

Up close he was even more striking. Sculpted jaw, cheeks painted the lightest shade of pink that reminded you of spring roses, eyes so bright they rivaled the color of the ocean. Tight black tee shirt that you hinted at the built body beneath it, black leather jacket that matched the other ones inside of the house. Blue jeans that you somehow knew hid a perfect ass.

It was impossible to take your eyes off of him, but the feeling appeared mutual as his eyes lingered on your hair, your makeup free face, the thin strapped summer dress you had thrown on with a pair of sandals.

Had it been any other man standing before you, stare lingering you would have felt self-conscious, would have crossed your arms over your chest and cleared your throat before politely making an excuse and scurrying away.

It was reckless and dangerous. You didn’t know him, but instead of being put off by his staring you felt strangely... okay with it. You didn’t know him, had never seen him during any of your previous summer visits, but there was something familiar about him tugging at your heartstrings as if you already knew him, as if you guys had known each other your whole lives. It was a feeling you had never experienced before. You didn’t even know his name, but you couldn’t help feeling that this man was somehow going to be important to you.

Maybe it was jet lag, too much cigarette smoke, thrown off your usual first day rituals, but being in his presence made you feel alive, made you feel like you could truly be yourself. You didn’t have to be the perky, can fix anything, people pleaser that made you a such a good fit working at your moms wedding planner company. And you didn’t have to be the awkward fly on the wall third or fifth wheel when out with your friends. You felt like you could be yourself, whoever that was and it was freeing.

Inhaling the muggy night air you met his gaze. It was electric, inviting and you found yourself wanting to plop down on a lawn chair and spill to him all your secrets.

“Can we start over? I’m Y/N.”

“Bucky.”

Cheers erupted from inside the kitchen, but neither of you turned to look. In a matter of minutes the party was forgotten and you were fine with that.

“You new in town?”

“It’s that obvious?”

There it was, that smirk again, gentle lift of his shoulder in a shrug, another piece of hair escaping his man bun. In a way you supposed it was obvious. It seemed as if everyone at the party were wearing leather jackets with the words Howling Commandos stitched on the back and everyone had known who Natasha and Wanda were.

“Small town,” he said. “I know most of the people here, but you I don’t know.”

“Not true. I introduced myself before,” you quipped, feeling a sense of pride when he let out another throaty laugh. “Are you the welcoming committee in town? Cause if you are I gotta say you’re not doing too good of a job hiding out here.”

His laughter filled the porch and in that instant you knew you’d do anything to hear it again and again. It was so warm like feeling the sun on your bare skin the first time after the end of a long winter.

“Maybe I was monitoring the situation out here. Gotta make sure no one comes barreling out and runs into the railing. Don’t want anyone getting hurt on my watch.” His eyes drank you in slowly, a smile cracking through his smirk waiting to see your reaction.

Biting back a laugh you shook your head at the banter feeling both out of your element, but somehow so at ease. “I’d say you need a little more work.”

“You do, huh? I dunno I thought my methods worked. Got you to stop didn’t it?”

“Total fluke.”

“You sure about that, Y/N?”

The way he said your name had your heart beating straight out of your chest. He said it slowly, letting it roll across his tongue, confidently as if he was used to chatting up girls, making them feel special for a night or two. His hand moved to the railing, his pinky finger nudging yours. It was a light touch, barely a touch at that, but the electric sparks it was emitting had you itching to grab him by the collar of his leather jacket and kiss him.

Consumed by the way his barely there touch had you feeling you didn’t notice at first the way he had stepped closer, close enough that you could smell the smoke from his earlier cigarette, the beer that he must have been drinking mixed with something woodsier. Your favorite scent had always been coconut, but now... now it was whatever was wafting off of him.

“So you know why I was out here, but why are you out here?” You asked softly, not wanting to speak too loudly and break the spell. Your gaze flickered from his eyes to his lips and back. His gaze followed suit.

“Told you why I was out here,” he murmured, voice just as low, fingers ghosting over your hand, circling your wrist.

Your eyes darted down to watch the way his long fingers danced over your bracelet. Resisting the urge to close your eyes at the relaxing touches you flinched when the patio door slid open, loud music spilling out, louder voices shouting in the distance, a drunken couple stumbling out the doors, lips attached, hands roaming.

“That’s why I’m out here,” he grumbled.

His words could have been referring to anything, but when his head turned to stare disdainfully at the couple tearing each other’s clothes off oblivious to their surroundings you murmured an ah understanding.

“Should we...?” You asked, words trailing off when the woman let out an embarrassingly loud moan that rivaled that of a pornstars.

“C’mon.” His large fingers circled your wrist giving it a gentle tug.

You didn’t know him, but that didn’t stop you from following his lead as he led you down the patio steps and around the house to the front yard. The grass was cool when it rubbed against your ankles, laughter and bottles mixing and clinking together could be heard drifting from the open windows. The moon was only a crescent, but it somehow seemed to shine brighter out here than it did back home.

The front of the house was empty, but the line of motorcycles still lingered. Leading you to the front porch steps he sat down, gesturing for you to do the same.

“I’m disappointed, Bucky.” Turning your head to the side you caught a flicker of that beautiful smile that laced his lips and your only hope was that with your next set of words you could coax out another hearty laugh.

“Yeah? Why’s that?”

“As head of the welcoming committee in town you really should have welcomed them instead of running away.”

Bursting into laughter at the groan he let loose you nudged his shoulder trying hard to settle the way your heart sped up at the contact.

“Stick around long enough and you’ll be seeing more of them than you ever wanted to.”

“I feel like there’s a story behind that.”

“Maybe I’ll tell it to you sometime.”

“Maybe I’d like that.”

A motorcycle roared to life before racing off down the street. A group of guys carrying cases of beers stepped around you and Bucky entering the house, their raucous and drunken laughter filling your ears. The moon subtly shifted its position in the sky. But through it all, the distractions that flitted around you urging your attention elsewhere your focus never left each other’s eyes as if you were magnets drawn to each other and in a way you supposed that was true.

“Bucky!”

The voice was impatient as if they had been trying to grab his attention for awhile now. The spell you had fallen under was broken. A muttered curse word under his breath, a thin line of his lips, his head tilting to the side glaring at the man who had interrupted him, another piece of hair slipping from his bun.

For a minute no words were spoken and you felt caught in the middle, torn between ushering him towards the man calling his name and staying out of it.

“When you get done making googly eyes at your girl over there we could use your help in here, man.”

Staring down at your lap you tried to hide your smile at the way he had referred to you as his girl. You barely knew Bucky, certainly didn’t know his friend, but that didn’t stop the pattering of your heart or stretched smile.

“Sounds serious,” you commented, eyes lifting up to his.

“Probably a fight,” he muttered. Running a hand through his hair he heaved a sigh. The reluctance to leave was written across his face and you were pleased that the feeling was mutual.

“You should go. You know make sure nobody’s barreled through the railing out back,” you teased. The last thing you wanted was for him to leave, but it was the right thing to do. Even so that didn’t stop the stinging in your chest or the worries that this would be it, the first and the last time you saw him.

Standing up he exhaled a slow stream of breath. “Yeah,” he murmured lowly, more to himself than to you as if he had to talk himself into leaving.

Still, he didn’t make a move to leave. It was only when that impatient voice yelled for him again did Bucky yell back that he was coming.

“I’ll see you around, yeah?”

It wasn’t what you had been hoping for. You had hoped he’d ask for you number, maybe ask if he could see you again. Swallowing your disappointment you painted a smile on your face.

“It’s a small town, right?” You called out to him.

His smile was bright, lighting up the front porch steps. His laugh was rich, sending your heart racing. And when you turned around to get a final look at him your heart almost burst out of your chest when you saw him watching you too before he disappeared into the house.

“Wow,” Natasha smirked, arm looped through Wanda’s they strolled down the front steps coming to a stop where Bucky had been only moments before. “For someone who wasn’t excited about the party looks like you were enjoying yourself quite a bit.”

Keeping quiet for a second you struggled to gather your thoughts as Wanda looped her arm through yours and you began an unsteady walk back to the car. Choosing your words carefully you said, “It was... better than I expected it was going to be.”

Most of your experience with parties involved attending wedding receptions and those weren’t for enjoyment, those were part of your job working quickly to settle feuding family members, making sure to hand out coffee to the people toeing the line of tipsiness and embarrassingly drunk. In high school you had only ever gone to a couple parties too worried about your classmates would think of you to ever truly let loose.

“You should have given him your phone number,” Wanda said. Unlocking the car and unlocking your arms you slid into the backseat your head resting against the headrest, your fingers pushing the button that lowered the window.

“All done.” Natasha’s smirk was wide as she stared at you in the rear view mirror before starting the car.

“Natasha!” You yelped. “You can’t just give guys my number and don’t you think if he wanted it he would have asked?”

The radio blared to life as the car started, a semi familiar song blasting from the speakers, tires thrummed on the road, the mugginess of the night rushing in through the open windows.

Wanda reached forward to turn the volume down, but Natasha swatted her hand away. Their laughter mixed with the pumping bass flowed to the back seat where you smiled softly at them though they couldn’t see you.

“He was going to. I’m sure of it,” Wanda said. Twisting in her seat to face you her expression was open, tone confident and despite your own doubts about his intentions or lack there of you believed her.

Closing your eyes you let the music wash over you, your mind replaying the nights events over and over again.

Tags;

@nacho-bucky

@redhairedfeistynerd

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky x reader #my writing

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wickedmilo · 4 years ago

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BASEBALL AND SPIDER MONKEYS | MILO & ORION PART 1

PLACE: Orion’s house TIMING: 11:12 PM SUMMARY: Orion hosts a vampire movie night to help Milo feel better about the changes in his life WRITING PARTNER: @3starsquinn CONTENT WARNINGS: Some brief NSFW humour

Milo wasn’t sure what he had been expecting. Rio wasn’t the type to lie, and had been pretty clear about living in a large property alone. Maybe he was developing trust issues, because standing in the kitchen now, staring out at the expanse of space, he felt guilty for ever doubting his friend. It was a large property, a nice one too. He was glad he had somewhere decent to stay. If anybody deserved that, it was Orion. The fact that he had put himself on the line, had created such a permanent rift between himself and Dani, for the sake of keeping him safe… it was something he still considered when he allowed his mind to wander. He wasn’t sure he was ever going to be able to repay him, though showing up for movie nights felt like a pretty good place to start. He had a sneaking suspicion Orion had organised this particular watch party in an attempt to make him feel more grounded, to make him feel more at ease with his new life… or death. But he was really hoping his company had something to offer Rio in return. It must get lonely sometimes, such a big house with nobody in it.

Turning his attention back to the popcorn as it began to pop in the microwave, he leaned heavily against the kitchen counter. The smell was already overwhelming, but he had been the one to insist. It wasn’t a movie night without popcorn, and something about the mundane routine was incredibly comforting. “So,” he said, turning briefly to Rio who was sitting beside him on the kitchen counter. “What did you say was on the list?” Still watching the timer as it continued to count down the seconds, he used his fingers to tick off the list of franchises he had been given by his friend. “Twilight, of course. But you said The Vampire Diaries, right? Specifically episode one? Did you make this list? Or did you steal it from a teenage girl’s tumblr account? Be honest with me.”

Sitting on the counter, Orion listened to the microwave’s buzzing as the kernels slowly started to pop. For once, the sound of the microwave and the distant sound of the pool filter wasn’t the only thing to keep Rio busy. He wasn’t sure anybody had been in the house to hang out with him since Skylar had left. It was such a relief to have somebody occupying space in the kitchen with him again. Even if this was only temporary, it was worth it. For just today at least, he wouldn’t feel so alone in this house. “Stop looking like that.” Rio warned, catching his eyes as they floated around the place, “I know what you’re thinking. I’m not a real housewife or whatever those rich people shows are. All of this was purely by chance. And it’s not mine. I’m just staying here for now.” Rio smiled, but he truly didn’t want Milo thinking the wrong thing. He didn’t know why he hated the idea of people thinking this was actually his house, but something about it felt wrong. Like he was living a facade. It was partially true, but not because of this house.

“Not necessarily in that order.” Orion checked his phone for the list he had compiled. Most of the media he had never consumed himself. His parents had never been fond of their children watching such inaccurate depictions of supernatural creatures. They didn’t want Athena and Rio to get the wrong idea of what they were weak to, but more than anything else they didn’t want them romanticizing the idea of what they considered monsters. Clearly, something had gone wrong along the way with Rio. “I did my research from multiple sources.” Rio countered, not necessarily disclosing where those sources came from. “I never got to watch this stuff growing up, so I’m going in just as blind as you. But I have seen some scenes from Twilight. Personally, I think it could have been worse.”

Milo laughed, unable to help himself. “I’m not looking like anything.” He insisted, holding up his hands in surrender. “I am, however, wondering who your sugar daddy is and how I can get in on the action.” His eyes were shining with mischief as he teased Orion. He knew his friend wouldn’t mind, and sometimes he just made it so easy. “Oh, because the order is important?” He asked, sarcasm dripping from his tone. “Trash is trash, Rio. Sometimes you just gotta sit back and enjoy it.” Pulling open the door to the microwave as the alarm began to sound, he shook the bag of popcorn before emptying it into the bowl he had ready. His fingertips burned with the heat. It was strange no longer needing to worry about that. “Multiple sources being tumblr?” He raised his eyebrows, chewing absentmindedly on a piece of popcorn. The taste was pretty close to how he remembered it, only dull, and one note. Wrinkling his nose, he took another piece for the sake of it.

“Wait, you never got to watch vampire movies?” He had wrongly assumed Rio’s childhood largely consisted of vampire movies, and scary supernatural YA. It made sense considering what he was, what his parents were hoping he would grow up to become. Realising that may not be true was a reminder of just how much he didn’t know, just how much they still had to talk about when Orion was ready. If Orion was ready. “Wouldn’t that be like… homework for you?” He was genuinely curious to know. He hadn’t been allowed to watch much TV because his own parents had made it very clear they wanted him to study in his free time. But surely watching shows about the supernatural, learning about the supernatural, was studying for a hunter. “I guess we’re in it together then. Maybe we should start with Twilight after that glowing review.”

“I know you’re joking and that you don’t actually think I have a sugar… dad.” Orion scrunched his nose at the thought of saying the word. He didn’t have the emotional capacity to have a relationship like that. “It was a very specific and weird order of events that led to me being here. Including but not limited to my parents sucking, invading a girl’s privacy, getting attacked by a man eating watermelon and eventually the only person I’ve ever dated and I breaking up.” He was shortening events obviously, but this provided a very small glimpse of the life that Rio never disclosed to Milo at the comic book shop. They had never talked much about personal lives there, avoiding it altogether to chat about comic books instead. “My sources prefer to remain undisclosed.” He crossed his arms and pouted, abandoning Milo in the kitchen with the popcorn to head to the living room.

“It’s not really considered homework when it’s not accurate.” Rio spoke normally, but figured Milo would be able to hear him from where he was in the kitchen. Rio started setting up the tv to get their first pick of the night ready. “Not to say all of them are inaccurate, they all get a little bit right. But they thought it would do more harm than good.” Rio still found time to watch a few when he could. Whether it was through the movie theater or at the Scribrary when he not so formally moved in there. “Besides, vampires were never my families focus anyways.” He nodded in agreement with Milo on the movie pick and found the movie, starting it up before pausing, “Ready when you are.”

“But am I joking though?” Milo teased, laughing at the term Orion chose to use. “You can say daddy, you know. It isn’t going to kill you.” He laughed again, surprising himself with how easily the sound escaped him. Hugging the bowl of popcorn to his chest, he couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so at ease, couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so warm. “Was the specific order of events signing up to a sugar daddy website? Going on a date? And then securing a sugar daddy?” Falling silent when Rio began to elaborate, he was reminded not for the first time of just how strange his life had been. Nobody who hadn’t grown up with the supernatural could ever drop a carnivorous watermelon into the conversation as though it was on the same level as a break up. “Huh, no kidding about the complicated…” He muttered, deciding not to ask any further questions. He didn’t want to bring the mood down, but he also didn’t want to make his friend uncomfortable. There was a time and a place for serious conversation, and the start of a trashy movie marathon didn’t feel like either.

Chewing on another piece of popcorn, he didn’t immediately follow Rio to the living room. Instead, he took the time to enjoy the moment, observing the mundane aspects of the kitchen, and appreciating them in a way he never had before. His life had been turned upside down, for a month before meeting Harsh he had spent his time between the abandoned buildings, the streets of town, and the woods. No kitchens, no bathrooms, no comfortable living space. It felt good to be back, to be grounded again. Listening to Orion as he explained why his parents had kept him away from certain shows and films, he could almost understand the logic. Not knowing whether Hunters had hearing on par with his own, he finally wandered into the living room to reply. “I guess that makes sense… though I can think of a few films that would probably help if they were trying to make you see these people as monsters. I mean basically every horror movie ever, let’s be real.” Raising his eyebrows at the mention of vampires not being the family's focus, he set the popcorn down on the coffee table. “Oh, yeah?” He asked, dropping onto the couch, making himself comfortable without any kind hesitation. Couch surfing in the years before his death had left him more than capable of relaxing in other people’s houses. “Do I want to know what your family’s focus was?” Nodding towards the screen, he let Rio know he was ready without potentially interrupting an answer to his question. There was still so much he needed to learn.

“I really feel like it could kill me. For my own sanity I’ll just avoid saying it altogether.” Milo was saying the word daddy way too many times for Orion’s sanity. Was this what Rio had set himself up for when he stayed in Skylar’s house? Sugar daddy accusations? The idea might be a bit less shocking if normal, no strings attached sex didn’t terrify Rio to his core. He couldn’t even sleep with his ex, who he adored. He couldn’t say he was surprised when Milo didn’t ask for any elaboration. Life here was complicated. They wouldn’t actually get to watch anything if they waited around for Rio to tell his life story.

“They had plenty of stories all on their own.” Rio remembered his parents' stories vividly. They spared no detail of the gore they had witnessed. They liked to talk about the death and destruction werewolves or fae would leave behind. Though they never spent as much time talking about what they would do to it in turn. Ironically, the ending always included some kind of heroic intervention. Their parents or their grandparents swooping in at the perfect time and serving justice. His sister used to fall for those stories every single time. Rio used to be afraid of those stories. It wasn’t until he got older that he realized exactly what he should have been afraid of. Rio pressed play on the movie and let it get started, but continued talking with Milo. “Depends on how much about the supernatural you want to know. Both of my parents came from different families of hunters. So Athena and I got to focus on two things growing up. Werewolves and Fae. But my… abilities were always focused towards werewolves.”

Milo made a big deal about pouting in disappointment. “Is that because you’re only allowed to say it in Daddy’s company?” He asked, before raising his arms in surrender. “Okay, okay- I’ll stop now, I swear- I couldn’t resist.” His smile fading as the conversation became serious once again, he leaned back against the cushions behind him, listening intently to what Orion had to say. His own parents had been strict, and rigid. Growing up, their expectations of him had been unreasonably high, and in his opinion, put him under an unnecessary amount of stress. But they had been loving, and caring, and they had never resorted to scare tactics. He couldn’t imagine the trauma Rio might be carrying from being intentionally scared by the people who were supposed to protect him. Had they really told him stories equal to the horror movies he used to binge watch? Surely it had to be worse if they were based on the truth? On experiences they had been through?

Laughing quietly, he reached forward again to pick up the popcorn bowl, somehow feeling more comfortable when he was holding it. The smell reminded him of watching movies with his parents, as did the action of occasionally eating some, even if the taste wasn’t quite there anymore. “I mean, it isn’t as though I can just ignore it…” He pointed out. He could bury his head in the sand, but there were too many things out there he had a feeling he should know about. Supernatural life had to be easier when you understood the full extent of the world you were living in. He wanted that to be true, at least. “Huh… so werewolves really do exist.” He muttered, more to himself than to Rio. It was something he had suspected for a while, but his friend was now the first person to confirm the fact. “Fae?” He echoed, realising he wasn’t familiar with the term. Pausing for a moment, recognising the way Orion hesitated, he chewed thoughtfully on a piece of popcorn, offering the bowl to him as though it might remind him he was in a safe environment. “So, forgetting the- you know, the bad stuff, what can you do?” He asked curiously. “You’re different, right? You told Dani you barely counted as human so… are we talking Spider-Man backflips? Or is it something else? Was one of your ancestors bitten by a radioactive werewolf?” He wanted to give Orion the chance to talk in a playful way, in a way that almost trivialised the darker aspects of his life. Rio had begun to make vampire jokes, and the relaxed environment they created helped to lift some of the weight from his shoulders. Maybe, just maybe, he could return the sentiment.

Orion was mostly happy to ignore the beginning scenes of the movie in favor of talking with Milo. Even if the topic was his least favorite to discuss. For some reason, things with Milo just seemed easier. He could casually talk about topics he would usually avoid unless absolutely necessary. “Sorry to ruin your fun. I’m sure you wanted to find out about werewolves naturally.” Rio laughed, gesturing for the bowl of popcorn and then opening his mouth to see if Milo would try to throw it to him. “Fae are a lot more complicated. That’s a supernatural lesson for another night. But they have their own sect of hunters.” He didn’t need to overwhelm Milo with all of that knowledge. There were too many fae to describe in a single setting anyways. Not that Rio knew all of them as it was.

Rio couldn’t but laugh at the radioactive werewolf comment. The comic humor didn’t escape him, but it was the irony of the theory that made it even better “Oh god I wish. If hunters found out they were actually descended from werewolves I think their heads would spin.” Rio might actually go back to the Silver Bullet if he got to see that. “Yeah. I guess. I have this sort of… sixth sense I guess. If a werewolf is around I can feel it.” The gift that kept on giving. He had never figured out if there was an off switch to it. He mostly just dealt with it until he went numb to the tingling sensation. “I have faster reflexes. I’m kinda strong. I heal a bit faster than normal humans. Oh and I can see in the dark.” Rio tried shrugging them off. He never liked his abilities. No matter how great they might be objectively. “I could probably do a spider-man backflip if I trained. Any more questions?”

“Oh, no. I’ve already found out way too much without anyone to guide me through it. I’m done with finding things out on my own.” Milo assured his friend. In reality, it had been an incredibly difficult, and jarring process, but sitting here with Orion now made it more than easy to shrug off. Raising his eyebrows when he realised what he was being asked to do with the popcorn, he laughed, shifting on the sofa to give himself a better angle before aiming carefully. He so nearly missed, but with a sharp tilt of his head Rio caught the popcorn on his tongue, and he felt a ridiculous sense of accomplishment that definitely wasn’t warranted. Nodding in acceptance of Fae being too broad of a subject to cover without ruining the evening, he shelved his curiosity, ready for another night, another conversation. Offering Orion a grin when he laughed, he was genuinely proud of himself for being able to draw it out of him. He knew him well enough to understand this subject wasn’t one he was overly comfortable with. And he was not only talking about it now, but willing to joke about it. He enjoyed that.

“The ultimate plot twist, right?” He agreed, listening to the description of a sixth sense, wondering if it felt anything like being able to sense the blood pumping through a person’s veins. There were some moments it was all he could think about, hearing their heartbeat, feeling the heat of their skin, the pulse in their neck… he swallowed, pushing away the thought before he could make himself thirsty. That wasn’t going to be productive. And it certainly wouldn’t do anything to help his case in proving to Orion he was the same person he had always been. “So kind of like Spider-Man?” He confirmed. “I was almost right.” At the mention of any more questions, he sat up straight, attempting to look as serious as he could. “Only two. Potentially the two most important questions you are ever going to be asked. Number one; are you Team Edward, or Team Jacob?” He waited for his words to register before continuing, gesturing to the screen where the Cullen’s were entering the school cafeteria. They were walking in slow motion, their skin white, and pale against the film’s dramatic colour grading, and their faces were striking, intense, so obviously intended to be sexy. “Number two;” he added, maintaining his mock sincerity. “Do I look like that now? There’s only one right answer to this question, okay? Don’t hurt my feelings.”

Orion hadn’t exactly spoken about his history with the Scribrary. Or rather, two separate scribe buildings that he had access to now. The drama with Dani and the discovery of the hunter heritage all felt so fresh that RIo didn’t feel the need to pile on top of that with the Scribe history. But Milo might have lucked out in friendship when it came to finding someone with supernatural knowledge. Milo accommodated Rio’s request and tossed a piece of popcorn that Rio just barely managed to catch. The surprise took over, and he shot his arms up in the air in a triumphant cheer, maybe an overreaction but not one he was going to regret.

“I’m not that lucky. My family was convinced that the powers come directly from God. So take that as you will.” Rio was glad Milo was getting such a kick out of this. It was surprisingly easy to talk about it when the conversation wasn’t so… depressing. “Basically. I’m not nearly as cool or pretty as Peter Parker though.” He had gone through a long Peter Parker phase when he was younger, for obvious reasons. Rio was ready for his follow up questions until Milo actually asked them. He rolled his eyes and groaned in response, but felt his posture relax slightly at the change of subject. “I’ve seen enough memes to know the only right answer is Bella’s dad. I mean like… look at him.” Rio pointed at the screen, even though he wasn’t actually on it at the time. His point stood. “What’s so bad about looking like that, huh? I think you’ve always sparkled to me.” Rio laughed to himself and shot an innocent smile in Milo’s direction, “You look much more alive than they do.”

There was something so endearing about the way Rio celebrated his win, that for a few seconds following Milo found himself entirely speechless, overwhelmed by the affection he felt for his friend. “Maybe you are God.” He teased, barely putting any consideration into the joke, knowing Orion would appreciate it regardless. “Maybe you’re going to get older and suddenly inherit your omnipotence. If you don’t know what to do with your powers, please come to me. I have some pretty great ideas, you know. Tequila in every water fountain would be a good place to start...” Laughing at the mention of Peter Parker, he wasn’t sure he had met anyone who hadn’t crushed on the character at some point in their life. Sexual orientation didn’t come into play in relation to Spider-Man. “Hey, don’t put yourself down like that. You’re every bit as great as Peter Parker. I’d choose you over him any fucking day.”

Feeling a spark of satisfaction at the reaction to his questions, his eyes were shining with mischief. He was unapologetically proud of garnering such a response. “Okay, but is Bella’s dad hotter than Jacob, is that what you’re trying to tell me here?” If he had a heartbeat, he knew he would be blushing at the comment on sparkling. It was such a stupid thing to get flustered over, but he was rarely ever the recipient of compliments. He didn’t know how to accept them. “You know…” He shifted on the couch, readjusting the popcorn bowl. “That’s probably a good thing because if you try pushing me into the sunlight it isn’t going to end well. Let me sparkle in the dark, please and thank you.” Glancing back up at the screen, he wondered if the vampires in Twilight had reflections. Surely they must, how else would they look so flawlessly put together? “I do?” He asked curiously, pressing his fingertips to one of his cheeks as though he would be able to feel what Orion was talking about, the difference in complexion, the difference in demeanour. “I guess I don’t really know what I look like anymore… it’s weird only seeing myself on my phone screen, it isn’t like I can use any natural lighting either. The whole thing is just… really fucking weird.”

“You’re getting way too deep for me.” Orion laughed, lowering his victory arms and pull his legs up until a fetal position instead. “I’d have to get old in the first place. Hunters don’t exactly have the same life expectancy as an average human.” Sure, that was mostly due to the dangerous nature of their lives. But Rio had already decided long ago that just turning away from his hunter heritage and trying to live a normal life wasn’t enough. He had to actively try to protect the supernatural. In a way, he might be cutting his life even shorter. He was siding with people that may want to kill by going against those that would protect him. He wasn’t going to be getting much love from either side, in some cases. “I’ll make sure to keep your suggestions in mind though. In case I ever meet them.” Not that he really believed in any of that. “Now I know you’re just being nice. Everybody would choose Peter Parker.”

With a shrug, Rio tried to defend his statement, “I’ve been spoiled on some parts of this series. There’s a lot to be left desired about Jacob. Mr. Swan seems like a nice guy. I mean he’s older than what I would be comfortable dating, but honestly I’m just not comfortable dating.” Honesty was a virtue, or so they say. Rio spent so much of his life lying that when he finally met those he could tell the truth to it seemed to all erupt at once like a volcano. “Yeah. Suddenly the night hang outs make a lot more sense.” Rio considered what Milo talked about. It was so strange, the idea that he could no longer see himself. Something that was so trivial to most people that they don’t think twice about it as they pass by a mirror and check their hair. “Sure. I mean, I’m not like… I don’t know studying your features or anything but…” Not off to a great start, “You just look like… you. The movie seems to over exaggerate the pale features and stuff like that. I don’t think you look much different. Which is nice.” Jesus, his face felt like it was on fire. He thought he had moved past this by now?

“Hm, I don’t think anybody has ever called me ‘deep’ before.” Milo admitted, doing nothing to hide how amused he was. “I kind of like it.” His smile fading rapidly at Orion’s second comment, he suddenly found himself eyeing his friend with an open, and unguarded concern. It was a strange thing to say so casually, especially when it was clearly not intended as a joke. He hadn’t considered the life expectancy of Hunters until this moment, and he wasn’t sure it was something he really wanted to dwell on. Orion was safe, because Orion wasn’t a Hunter, right? How could you be a Hunter when you weren’t actively hunting? He wasn’t stupid enough to believe it was that simple, but for now, he was happy to convince himself otherwise. “Please do.” He said, easily falling back into their banter. “I think Tequila on tap would make the world a much greater place to be.” Offering Rio a warm smile, he needed him to see how serious he was. “Rio,” he said, his voice slow, and sincere. “I promise I would choose you. I mean, fuck Peter Parker. Come on...” Peter had a lot to offer, sure. But in his own mind Orion also had powers, Orion was just as interesting, if not more interesting because unlike Peter, he had actively saved his life. Or… unlife? He still wasn’t sure how that terminology worked.

His smile only growing when his friend proceeded to announce just how much he really knew about the Twilight series, he couldn’t bring himself to tease him for it. Not after the reminder of how grateful he was to be in his company. “Hey, you know what? Neither am I.” He admitted, quite possibly for the first time out loud. You only had to look at his history, at the ridiculous patterns of repeated behaviour for his commitment issues to become apparent. Even he knew he had them, he wasn’t about to deny it. His childhood had been too structured, too rigid. It had left him with a determination to be free. He still wasn’t entirely sure what his definition of ‘free’ was, especially now. But he did know it didn’t include dating. “Honestly, people are probably better off without having to deal with my bullshit anyway.” He absentmindedly took a handful of popcorn from the bowl, eating the pieces one by one before speaking again. “I was always more active at night anyway.” He shrugged off his new limitations. Life didn’t feel all too different in that aspect. The days had always been reserved for sleeping off hangovers and comedowns, the only thing he really missed was working. And Tower Comics usually had late shifts on offer, so hopefully he wouldn’t have to miss it for very long.

Pausing for a moment, hand halfway back to the popcorn, he realised Orion was observing him, carefully taking him in. It made him feel strangely exposed, but not uncomfortable like he might have assumed. There was something about his friend that made him feel so at ease, he couldn’t explain it even if he wanted to. He could only hope the sentiment was shared between them. The relief he felt when he was assured he still looked like himself was unexpected, until the words escaped Rio he had been entirely convinced it didn’t matter, he didn’t care. There was something so grounding about realising his appearance hadn’t changed. It was only further validation of the fact that he was still Milo, regardless of what Dani believed. Regardless of what Hunters and Slayers were taught about his kind. A half smile tugging at his lips, he didn’t hide how vulnerable he felt, because he didn’t want to hide how vulnerable he felt. He wanted to be honest, Rio deserved that much from him. “Thank you.” He murmured, his voice barely louder than a whisper. It didn’t take very long for him to push his vulnerability to the side though, because it became all too easy to make a joke as the blood rushed to Rio’s face. He believed Rio when he said he was over his crush, but he was always going to enjoy watching him blush. “You know, blushing in front of a vampire kind of makes you look like a snack.” He grinned, hoping his play on words would be obvious, and Rio would realise he was paying him a compliment.

“Do you want me to repeat it again so you can hear it more?” Orion laughed, resting his chin on his knees and shifting his tone to an only partially faked form of admiration, “Wow, Milo. You’re just soooo deep. I’ve never met anyone as intellectual as you.” Rio grinned after finishing, leaning back against the arm of the chair, “Hope that helped.” Despite the joking nature of the conversation, Milo seemed all too sincere when doubling down that Rio was better than Peter Parker. As absurd as that sounded, Rio couldn’t help but be a bit flattered. More than that though, he felt embarrassed by the compliment. One that he didn’t exactly know how to reply to. He was always terrible at accepting compliments. Instead, he switched guys. “Right. Well you should be careful who you promise stuff to. It’s a whole fae thing, I’ll explain later. But just be mindful of words like that to people.” Rio had learned the hard way just how dangerous a promise could be in the wrong hands. “But uh… thanks.”

Rio didn’t know how to respond to Milo. Rio wasn’t good at relationships, though maybe for different reasons than Milo. He didn’t know how to tell Milo that he didn’t seem like a hassle at all without it sounding like Rio was trying to date him. He shrugged the question off instead, choosing instead to show minor interest in the movie again until Milo mentioned being more active at night. “Yeah, I guess I sort of am too. I get the most done at night.” Less distractions to worry about, he figured.

Having his red face pointed out to him probably made Rio blush even harder. At the very least, it made his cheeks light on fire. “A joke about eating me? That’s just in poor taste.” Rio couldn’t even pretend to be serious, not with his giggling and the smile that wouldn’t leave his face. If compliments made him so awkward, how come he also couldn’t stop grinning? “Most people think I’m one missed meal away from snapping in half. This town thinks I’m like a saltine cracker or something. Just waiting to be stepped on and crumble.” Was that how Rio avoided dealing with the possibility that the vampire had just called him cute? Definitely.

“Obviously.” Milo countered quickly, tilting his chin in an attempt to look proud, and smug, as Orion elaborated on his intelligence. “Thank you, thank you.” He teased. “I don’t try at all, you know? It just comes to me naturally.” Quickly dissolving into laughter, he caught his friends eye, joining him in sinking back down into the cushions. “Oh, it did.” He assured Rio. “I appreciate the confidence boost.” A frown creasing his brow as he listened curiously to the warning, he hadn’t forgotten their unwritten agreement to put off the difficult conversations, to keep things light-hearted, and fun, and deal with the real world at another time. But he had a burning desire to know more, to understand. He felt as though he had been living in the dark, metaphorically, of course, for far too long now. Orion had become his light. “Okay, how about swearing? If I swear to choose you over Peter Parker, is that going to put me in danger?” He asked, genuinely wanting to know. “Hm, you don’t need to thank me, you dork. Thank Parker for being lamer than you are.” He nudged him with his shoulder, encouraging him to smile. “Who knew that was possible, huh?”

Dropping his head back against the cushions behind him, he turned his attention to the film as Orion insisted he was also a night owl. He kind of figured, given how they had reconnected, but it was a nice detail, one he was very happy to know. With every day that passed he could feel them trusting each other more, getting closer, and more comfortable with being who they were. What they were. He used to have that with Dani… not so much now. And he was so, so grateful he wasn’t alone. Laughing again, even harder this time, he couldn’t help himself. The situation was so ridiculous, so beyond funny that he had to laugh. If he didn’t laugh he would cry, or go insane, whichever came first. “Oh really?” He demanded, his eyes shining as he looked back at his friend. “You started it with the whole pointing out my lungs don’t work for shit, so… do you know how rude it is to tell someone they’re dead? How do you think Edward would feel?” Humming quietly, making his amusement abundantly clear, he chewed on another piece of popcorn. “Yeah, well, the joke’s on them because Saltine Crackers taste fucking great. Hey look,” he feigned surprise, wondering if he could elicit another blush. “Another joke about eating you.”

Orion had to appreciate Milo’s commitment to this Peter Parker debate. He wasn’t Rio’s favorite character by any means, but he was one of the most popular characters in probably all of comics. Being compared to and even rated above him was a surprisingly good feeling. “Swearing is tricky too. Though I guess not for a statement like that.” Unless there were any real Peter Parker’s in the world whose life came in danger soon. “It’s best to avoid any potentially binding statements like that. Just to be safe.” Rio needed to take his own advice. It was pathetic how easily he fell into Lydia’s grasp when he had grown up with two wardens constantly warning him of the dangers of fae. “Well I’m going to make sure my headstone reads that I was less lame than Peter Parker. Probably my biggest accomplishment in life.”

It was so nice not sitting on the couch by himself like he normally did every night. Even if they were watching a movie that Rio didn’t particularly care for. Things could be a lot worse. Right now with Milo things seemed pretty okay. Good even. “That’s old news now, you can’t use that against me!” It didn’t matter that it was barely a week old, Rio just wanted the spotlight off of him again. “I’d like to think that he would have a sense of humor about it.” He paused, glancing at the screen and trying to think of more than once in the entire movie so far that he had actually smiled, “Actually, never mind. Point taken.” Oh god. Did Milo just making another joke about eating Rio? Far past the vampire reference, this made Rio heat up even further. He dug his forehead into his raised knees and curled up into a ball so Milo couldn’t get the satisfaction of seeing his face. “No fair. You’re doing this on purpose!” Rio yelled, the sound slightly muffled from pressing against his jeans.

“Hm, okay.” Milo agreed, nodding as he took in what Orion was telling him. Until the real conversations, until they could sit down and talk about everything he didn’t know, he was going to hold onto the snippets of information he was given. He was smart enough to understand if Rio was telling him now, on their supposed night off from the world of the supernatural, then it was important. “No binding statements, got it. I stand by what I said though.” He added, grinning at his friend. “Only slightly less lame, but, you know... it’s enough.” He didn’t want to imagine any gravestone for Rio, the idea of mortality versus immortality was something he had strictly refused to let himself think about, but he had to admit the thought of the tagline was amusing. “You’re not going to top that, so you may as well give up now.” He teased, catching Rio’s eye and feeling an undeniable rush of affection. He needed this, a reminder that all hope wasn’t lost. There were things, and people, worth living for.

Laughing at the response to the previous joke being dragged back to the present, he shook his head, allowing himself to focus on the now. He got lost in his own head far too often, and he didn’t want to miss a second of this night with Orion. “Nope, that so isn’t how it works.” He insisted. “I think you’ll find I can, and I will.” Laughing again as they both turned to watch Edward on screen, the vampire’s mouth a thin, straight line, his body filled with obvious tension, he couldn’t remember laughing this hard since his death. He couldn’t remember feeling so normal. Who knew Twilight was going to be his saviour? Only tearing his gaze away from the screen to watch Rio hide his face, he playfully reached out to tug at his arms. “Doing what on purpose?” He asked, his innocence very obviously disingenuous. “Doing what? I don’t understand, Rio. My mind is pure, and innocent, and virtuous. I’m only trying to compliment you.”

“I’ll take what I can get. Slightly less lame is just fine.” Orion laughed, revelling in this moment. Where all that seemed to matter was Milo, Peter Parker and the sounds of twilight distant in the background. It was a good moment. “Clearly I’ve peaked in life. No reason to go on from here.” It had been so, so long since he had been able to laugh like that. It almost made him sad, thinking about how lonely he had felt lately. But he pushed aside that butterfly in his stomach. Good vibes only tonight.

Rio wasn’t going to budge as Milo pulled at his arms, refusing to give him a win on this. A small bit of light shone through as his leg shifted and he peaked up to meet Milo’s eye, “I don’t believe you.” Rio pouted, readjusting to shut his leg again. “I don’t think you’re pure, innocent or virtuous.” Eventually, Rio had to end the facade and lifted his head back up. He feigned annoyance, narrowing his eyes at his guest and crossing his arms. “You know if you had ‘complimented me’ like that like a year ago I probably would have melted to the floor right?” He used his fingers to make air quotes. They both knew that was true. Until Rio met Winston and started dating them, Milo was one of the small list of pretty guys that Rio could barely form words around. Another being Ricky and Adam. Thankfully, that had passed. Or Rio sure hoped that it had. The redness in his face seemed to be arguing against that. “Don’t you have a movie to watch? Notes to take? Like about baseball and spider monkeys?”

“Good.” Milo teased. “I would hate for you to be disappointed.” Laughing at Orion’s comment, he gestured to where they were sitting. “I mean, you’re sitting on a couch watching Twilight with a vampire. You’ve definitely peaked.” Picking up a piece of popcorn and throwing it lazily at his friend, he rolled his eyes, splitting his attention between their conversation and the movie. “That doesn’t mean you get to tap out though, asshole, so you can quit with no reason to go on. When I say give up I mean spend your life getting high, and eating pizza. Because we both know those are two excellent motivators for staying alive.” His laughter only coming more easily to him as Rio refused to budge, he eventually let go of his arms, allowing him re-emerge from the darkness in his own time.

“Excuse me, I am all three of those things.” He countered, pretending to be offended by the apparent lack of faith. “But I guess I can forgive you, I’m a complicated person, so difficult to understand.” He was being overly dramatic for the sake of it, but wasn’t that what was so great about this night? They could be young, and dumb, and make stupid jokes. They could shut away the outside world and pretend the only thing that mattered were their ridiculous attempts at humour, and the emotionless, super hot vampires on the television screen. “Yeah, I know, I’m sad I didn’t realise at the time.” He grinned mischievously. “Although maybe that would have driven you away and then where would you have bought your comics from?” Shoving Rio gently when he told him he should be taking notes, the popcorn bowl spilled over, but he paid no attention to the scattered pieces. He would clean them up when necessary, but the whole point of right now was being free, living in the moment. “Yeah? Maybe we should try out for the same team. You’re every bit as weird as I am, you know? With your X-Men Hunter mutation bullshit. We’re in this together now.” He did nothing to hide how much the closing statement meant to him, allowing the warmth of his words to remind him he was cared for, and protected. They both were.

“That’s what you call peaking, huh?” Orion laughed sarcastically, “I’d love to say I have higher standards. Clearly that’s not true.” And it wasn’t. His two best friends now were a werewolf and a vampire. It was like something out of a dream. Or maybe one of his parent’s nightmares. The majority of his friend group was supernaturally inclined in some way. Whether that be spellcasters or one of the supernatural beings his parents tried and failed to raise him to despise. Rio plucked the piece of popcorn from the couch that Milo so rudely launched at him and popped it in his mouth. “I don’t smoke though, so that’s already one reason eliminated. I do love pizza though.” Rio glanced up at the ceiling to consider that prospect. Pizza did sound pretty appealing. Actually, pizza sounded good right now. “Hmm, maybe we should order a pizza.”

“Not right now, you aren’t.” Rio refused to give him anything while he teased him for the crush Rio had before the two were legitimate friends. It felt like a lifetime ago admittedly, though in reality it had probably been less than a year. Rio had a habit of developing feelings like that for just about every pretty guy that spoke nice words to him. At least until Rio moved in with Ricky and Winston and Rio practically fell in love with Winston instead. Rio hadn’t felt anything quite like that since Winston left town. “Don’t be. I wouldn’t have known how to date back then even if I had the opportunity.” He barely figured out how to date Winston, and that had been an entire saga on its own, “And don’t smile at me like that!” Though he detested the idea of being compared to a hunter, he understood Milo’s sentiment and at least appreciated that he veiled it with comic book references, “I’m only going to take that as a compliment because you compared me to the X-Men. But absolutely not. No sports for me.”

“I’m offended by the implication of you settling for my company.” Milo teased. “But I’ll choose to let that slide because I’m comfortable and I don’t want to waste my energy on a dramatic exit.” Laughing quietly when Rio ate the popcorn he had dropped, he carefully contemplated the suggestion of pizza. It was another food he hadn’t tried since becoming a vampire. If his experiences with eating and drinking were anything to go on, it would be nowhere near as enjoyable as it used to be. But wasn’t that what you were supposed to do? You ate popcorn until you were genuinely hungry, and then you decided to order takeout. The familiarity of the routine was too strong for him to say no. “Want to order after Twilight?” He asked, glancing back towards the screen. They had to be reaching the middle of the film, they might even be two thirds of the way through. “Heads up, though. If you put garlic on it, then you’re going to end up on the menu.”

His smile only growing as Orion continued to insist he wasn’t pure, innocent, or virtuous, he finally abandoned his claims. “Maybe not.” He admitted, content to give in now that he had pushed back just a little. He had to at least remain indignant if he was going to accept defeat. Forgetting the makeshift disagreement, he settled further down into the cushions, pulling his legs up beneath him, listening to his friend explain he wouldn’t have known how to date. It was hardly surprising, given what he had come to know about Orion’s quiet, and gentle nature. But if he was being honest, he hadn’t either. Hell, he still didn’t know how to date. They had met just under a year ago, but it was clear a lot had changed for both of them over such a short period of time. “Screw you, I’m allowed to smile at you!” He countered, his tone petulant, but filled with affection. “And yeah, I knew the X-Men talk would do it, you’re very predictable, you know?”

“Well I’m offended by your attacks on me tonight. And for using my old crush against me to tease me. Both are very rude.” Orion hummed matter-of-factly, “So we can both be offended together. But only one of us gets the dramatic exit at the end.” He didn’t get many relationships like this. Teasing and comfort didn’t come naturally to him. It was hard to find his groove in a conversation when he had to spend so much of it planning ahead and second guessing every single word both before and after it came out of his mouth. Normally, he spent just as much time stumbling through a sentence as he did actually speaking. It usually took a lot of time and a lot of effort and patience on the other parties side to crack through some of that anxiety. Even then, he had only really achieved that sense of ease with a few people. Ariana, Blanche, Winston and Skylar were the first that came to mind. Now Milo too. It was comforting knowing that there were at least some people in town he could be his unfiltered self around. “You don’t have to ask me twice.” Rio shook his head passionately, the idea of pizza far too good to pass up. “Oh ha ha. Very funny. No garlic crust for us apparently.”

A yawn escaped Rio, and he stretched before readjusting on the couch to lay on his bed across it. He kept his knees bent and his head propped on the arm so he could still look over at Milo. “But I like you anyways” Rio reassured the vampire and gave him a thumbs up from his new position on the couch. “You’re allowed to smile at me. Just not like that.” Rio was still joking, but it had definitely been different than the other grins the two had exchanged. Rio didn’t have the energy to try to discern why it felt so different. Besides, he didn’t want to ruin the mood. He kept shifting his view between the movie and Milo. “Being predictable is exactly the vibe I’m going for. Nonthreatening, predictable, totally normal non-hunter Rio.”

“This is your house, moron, so obviously I get the dramatic exit.” Milo pointed out, very pleased they were in something together, even if the comment had been trivial, and light-hearted. It felt good to be side by side with Orion. He knew, to a certain extent, they really were in this together. In everything together. His friendship with Rio was quickly becoming his main source of support, and he couldn’t imagine it any other way. “You don’t need to tell me, I know I’m hilarious.” He added, watching as his friend stretched lazily, curling up on the sofa in a way that stupidly made him want to find a blanket, fetch him a hot chocolate, and make sure he was comfortable. He looked so innocent, it would be impossible to know all of the terrible things he had seen in his life. The struggles he had to face on a daily basis. Turning his attention back to the film, he couldn’t say anything particularly interesting had happened, but he had to admit he had thoroughly enjoyed the viewing experience. Despite not knowing what like that meant, he hummed quietly in response. “Sure, whatever.” A quiet laugh managed to escape him as he made a start on what was left of the popcorn. “I don’t know about labels, but whoever you are, I like you very much. I appreciate your vibes, you know.” He was only half teasing, needing Rio to know he genuinely enjoyed his company, that moments like these meant more to him than he could ever possibly say.

Keeping his gaze fixed on the screen, he didn’t want to embarrass Orion further, even if he was desperate to see his reaction to the admission, so he fell back into a comfortable silence, patiently allowing the end of the story play out. Simultaneously, it felt as though it was over in minutes, and took hours to finally draw to a close, but as the credits began to roll, accompanied by a tacky love song he embarrassingly recognised, he turned back to Orion, ready to ask him whether he still wanted pizza. It didn’t take him long to realise his friend definitely wasn’t hungry, though, and he stared, almost in shock, as Orion slept soundly on the cushions beside him. It wasn’t as though he was surprised he was tired, or surprised he had been lulled to sleep by what he could only assume was a vampire satire. It was the fact that he had fallen asleep next to him. Next to a vampire. Dani had made it perfectly clear he couldn’t be trusted, that nobody should be left alone with him. And although he knew Orion didn’t agree with her, being alone with somebody fully conscious was very different to being alone with them and unaware. Being alone with them and vulnerable. Biting down on his bottom lip, repressing a smile, he shrugged off his hoodie without jostling the couch, carefully draping it over Orion’s form. He could try and find a blanket, but wandering his house without his permission felt too much like a violation, so hopefully the item of clothing would suffice. He didn’t need to sleep, he didn’t need to rest in the same way Orion did, but as he settled back down again, unable to tear his gaze away, he realised he was in a position to protect. To care for somebody he was fairly certain wasn’t used to being cared for. “Night, Rio… I’ll be here when you wake up.”

#c:orion #milo and orion

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mrs-nate-humphrey · 4 years ago

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you’ve talked a little bit about this wrt dan, but i’m curious: what are your favorite seasons/arcs for the main gg characters? (serena, blair, dan, nate, jenny, vanessa) cause everyone’s personalities tended to uh, shift a bit from season to season and storyline to storyline, and i’m wondering which eras of those characters were your favorite?

oh, so i sat on this question for a very long time, and spent a ton of time thinking over it. here we go!

i loved the way serena was written in s1 and s2. she was so full of joy despite all the difficult things she’d endured, so bubbly and warm and... lively is ALWAYS the adjective that comes to mind for serena, despite how it’s a terrible pun. but yeah! she had an energy to her that was very childlike & genuine, and i loved that about her - despite the things she’d endured, she was so full of light (?? how do i describe this.) i know that serena’s arc gets notably more tragic s3 onwards, but i feel like the way she was written lost a bit of depth s3 onwards as well. she had a sharp wit, and a good sense of humour, she was playful and... most notably, she had this little giggle? that she literally NEVER does in the later seasons, which makes me sad?? she stopped laughing like a child at the age of, what, 19?? idk. in s1 & s2 serena had so many layers, and i feel like as the seasons went on they tried to, uh. keep only the surface layers? they didn’t really do justice to the character they started out with.

my answer for vanessa is actually the exact same, with slight modifications. vanessa’s energy in s1 and s2 was unparalleled. literally the best. i loved her and the way she was critical of everything and YET so ready to learn. compared to all these rich, privileged, white people... her presence was just SO good and so important to me, because the way she was so critical of the uber rich was something nobody else really was, and i think that perspective WAS valuable and should’ve remained, haha. idk what it was about s3, but i feel like they didn’t keep the crux of who vanessa was? it wasn’t a BAD vanessa season as much as an incomplete one. i felt they could’ve done so much more with a character like vanessa.... she’s so vibrant and full of life! and the way s3 was for her was very surface. and then in s4 they just demolished her character entirely. i’ve said it before, i’ll say it again: what jenny, juliet and vanessa did in 4x09 was TOTALLY out of character for vanessa. she would never, ever do that. and by the time s4 came around... someone else said this, i don’t remember who. but they said that vanessa was basically being used as a plot device more than as a character. notice how she’s always in the right place at the right time to overhear the right thing? it’s a travesty, because vanessa was just..... so significant to me. like her being there added so much value & even changed the tone of the show imo.

my blair feelings are very complicated. i think she’s fascinating, and i love leighton & her performance. i love book blair so much more than show blair, and idk why or how to explain it. i mentioned this in that post where i ranked the characters, but while watching blair in high school specifically i can’t EVER forget that she would probably hatecrime me, and even when she’s out of school she is still supremely racist at times. i actually liked blair best in s5 - and i know she was going thru ~tragic~ stuff (i think they dialled the tragedy too high actually, like, blair had TOO MUCH on her plate and from a storytelling point of view it was... ambitious, to say the least, to hope to bring all out of that out on tv) but like, keeping her tragedy aside. her capacity for kindness and care really shone thru while she was with dan, and i liked how the d/b relationship took her out of her comfort zone and her “but im a Waldorf!” bubble and let her, idk, be a person. i liked her in s4, too. i feel like blair is a really good, nuanced, fleshed out character as blair, and the way she clung to being a waldorf combined with her rich-white-girl privilege got kind of boring after a while because like. she’s not like louis? her character has so much depth. her character doesn’t need to be reduced to a title, because she’s SO much more than that.

i feel like i need to do a lot more rewatching when it comes to dan because i CANNOT be objective about him. he reminds me far too much of myself!!! down to his flaws and his mistakes and his issues – i was a precocious little shit in high school at times in very similar ways to dan, i like to think i’ve grown out of that (& am perpetually making an effort TO grow out of falling into those patterns) & that’s what i want for dan, too. dan’s arc feels real to me, because a lot of it is my arc, too. feeling lonely, out of place & unaccepted in high school --> being a popular kid in college… that hits really close to home. s1 & s2 are important seasons to me because i’m extremely protective of awkward, trying-his-best high school dan (he can be awful at times, but he can be earnest and sincere, too!) i feel like s4 is actually the best dan season – took me a while to get here, but halfway thru my s2 rewatch that’s how i’m leaning. but dan’s arc was very interesting to me, and i wish they’d kept his heart. trying to retcon him as evil fell absolutely flat to me, like. who are you convincing! one of my friends and i were joking about how georgie blackmailed dan into pretending to be gossip girl (she obviously has dirt on him that nobody else does.) anyway. dan’s arc felt pretty true until the end of s4. i wasn’t a big fan of how he was written in s5, i felt like something had been taken away from his character, but i don’t know how to say it better. you’re right though, i have gone over this a lot! so i’m not going to break my head over it, ‘cause we’re already a thousand words in and i still have nate and jenny to go.

speaking of jenny, though: i think dan’s storylines REALLY needed more of a big brother arc. the way he was characterised, especially in s1, was very “i would kill a man for my baby sister” and i have NO idea where that went or why they got rid of it. (actually, i do have some idea. fucking chip wiskers apologism & elevation of chair over literally anything else. sigh)

okay, now speaking of jenny in terms of jenny. i liked her s1 arc, like, her trying to make friends with these people & trying to keep her morals and realising she can’t do both was interesting. i think that should’ve been that with her clashes with girls in constance, though. and afterwards, either nothing happens, or she transfers out of constance, etc. jenny’s s2 arc makes me sad – she was exploited and treated like dirt in so many ways :( the jenny/agnes was interesting in s2, though, and there’s no way to interpret it that ISN’T lesbian. i’ve always felt like jenny’s feelings for nate in s2 are very comphet. jenny’s s3 arc made me even sadder than her s2 arc- she was alienating all her friends one by one, making everyone hate her, and just…… spiralling. she really needed a better support system. her s4 arc made no sense. like. why did she come back in the city to fuck with serena like that? it didn’t feel right.

yeah, all that said… i feel like there are many super intriguing elements of jenny’s storylines and arcs, like, even within canon events if things had been executed differently, it could’ve been actually good/empowering. but the writers hated jenny. and this show was never a feminist show.

ah, so… nate. he started out as a flake in s1 & s2. that’s his whole thing. he doesn’t know who he wants to be / how to get what he wants / how to get where he wants. he takes people for granted. he isn’t dependable or reliable, he lets people down (most notably, blair & vanessa.) and he means well, sure! but his life is like amber and he’s trapped in it. he doesn’t follow his heart, he’s too busy trying to please the wrong people, etc etc. in s3 he’s suddenly so ready for commitment, which always breaks my heart because vanessa!!! but anyway. s3 has a shift in his character, possibly him getting dumped at prom and realising that high school is over and one thing that tethered him to his family (being a kid, being a high schooler, being a minor, whatever) – one big thing that held him there is gone. so it makes sense that he starts trying to be his own person. i like s3 nate, and s4 nate. we see nate sort of gradually try and be a moral compass, and it’s interesting to me. when i write d/n fic something i really focus on is dan finding nate dependable, and i think that’s a value that builds in nate over time. nate of season 1 is not dependable, nope, no way. but nate of s4 seems like a decent friend to have. in s5 and s6 they more or less threw his entire arc to the wind and gave him so many shitty storylines (sage spence, wtf? nate would not do this. he’s been on the opposite end of this before, he would not carry the pattern forward, ffs.)

idk. this almost hit 1.7k, LMAO. i hope it made some amount of sense!

#anon #this is long enough to be a fanfic LMAOO #meta

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twiceinadream · 4 years ago

Text

“The little things.”

Requested: Yup

Prompt: Rich girl Tzuyu meets poor, eccentric artist Chaeyoung when the younger girl stumbles into the underground bar where Chaeyoung works. Tzuyu is feeling lost and lonely after discovering her college friends were only talking to her because of her dad's money, but she finds in Chaeyoung a warm smile and an unlikely friend, and quickly finds herself falling for the other girl despite their differences as Chaeyoung shows her a world she's never known before.

a/u: This is one of my entries in the @girlcrushficexchange, the other one will be posted tomorrow. Thanks for all the love and support and I hope you enjoy!

Category: Fluff and Angst

Word count: 3.5k

Tzuyu couldn’t recall how it went down exactly. She remembers entering the café her friends and she would typically meet up at after classes on Friday had finished as they talked about their weekend plans or parties they had heard some frat or sorority was throwing. But in truth, the Taiwanese girl could care less about all of these, having enough of that when she was growing up surrounded by the socially elite back in Taiwan. Thanks to her family’s namesake and fortune, which she had to admit did have its perks. Especially when it came to the trust fund her parents had given to her before she left to study abroad, which gave her the luxury of affording nearly anything she needed or wanted. Which unfortunately for her, her “friends” noticed as well. Leading to the fall of Tzuyu’s social life in Korea.

She had been running late to meet up with her friends since her last class had run on a lot longer than usual, because their professor had arrived half an hour late due to traffic and poor time management on their part. But, that was then and an out of breath Tzuyu was now as she had jogged most of the way to the café to her small group of friends. She quietly opened the door to the shop so as to not disturb the quiet atmosphere that always seemed to hang in the air of the café as the smell of coffee grounds and fresh pastries began to fill Tzuyu’s nose. Causing her stomach to make the distinct sound of a whale mating call to signal that she hadn’t eaten since this morning and it was already late evening. She spotted her friends at their usual booth in the back corner, all of them huddled together as they talked quietly. Tzuyu slowly made her way over so as to not startle them when their conversation suddenly caught her attention.

“...a new club just opened downtown.” One of her friends said as she looked at the other two across from her.

“Yeah, but it’s expensive. We’re not getting in.” Another said, but the girl before just smiled.

“You’re forgetting, we have our own little ‘trust fund baby’. We’ll just get Tzuyu to pay like always. That’s why we keep her isn’t it.” The three girls laughed out loud. Completely oblivious to Tzuyu who was standing less than three feet away.

“W...what?” The laughter suddenly stopped as Tzuyu’s voice broke through the café, their heads turning to the Taiwanese girl as her eyes filled with hurt.

“Tzu, wait…” But their calls fell on deaf ears as Tzuyu ran out of the café and didn’t stop running. Her lungs and legs burned as she kept going, not stopping till she was as far away from her “friends” as her body would take her. When she finally stopped to catch her breath, she was shocked to see that she was surrounded by unfamiliar buildings and alleyways, as the sky began to darken and a light drizzle started to come down.

Tzuyu walked quickly as her hair began to dampen in the rain and her clothes became heavy with water, searching the neon signs for any open shop or store. Before settling on a bar closest to her as the light drizzle became a downpour. The first thing that greeted Tzuyu was the warmth of the bar as she used a hand to wipe away the tears and raindrops on her face before standing up straighter and walking further into the room. Happy to find it nearly empty, save for a few business looking men in suits probably enjoying some drinks after work, as she made her way past them to sit at the bar. Brushing a few wet strands of hair away from her face when a voice greeted her.

“Can I help you?” Tzuyu looked up at the sound of the voice as she took in the shorter girl’s appearance. She smiled kindly at her as the girl’s fingers absentmindedly tapped against the wood of the bar. The girl’s hair was cut short and was obviously dyed blonde, Tzuyu’s eyes continued from the girl’s hair down to where she spotted numerous tattoos littering the girl’s arms before the sound of a throat clearing caused Tzuyu’s attention to go back to the girl’s face. An amused smile played at her soft and kissable looking lips...wait what!? Tzuyu shook her head as she broke herself out of her trance as she met the shorter girl’s eyes, a dark blush taking over her cheeks as she cleared her throat.

“Sorry, what?” The girl just continued to smile as she shook her head playfully.

“I asked, ‘Can I help you?’.” Tzuyu was suddenly dumbstruck as she opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Realizing that she had no idea what to order, she had never actually been to a bar by herself before. Usually relying on her “friends” to get something for her or just nursing a can of soda or a bottle of water the entire night. But, now that the moment finally came she was at a complete loss for words.

The Taiwanese native’s brows furrowed as she looked around the bar for a menu, only to come up empty as she gave the blonde girl a shy smile, “Um..do you recommend anything, Miss...uh?”

“Chaeyoung. Son Chaeyoung.” Chaeyoung said with a smile, “You?”

“Tzuyu. Chou Tzuyu.” Tzuyu returned Chaeyoung’s smile as the blonde nodded seemingly testing the sound of her name like wine.

“Tzuyu, huh. That’s a really beautiful name,” Chae’s eyes did a once over of the taller girl, “fitting for a beautiful girl like yourself.” She said with a wink, causing the Taiwanese girl to blush a deep shade of red that made the bartender laugh as she moved to make a drink for the girl. Which happened to just be a simple can of Sprite with a glass of ice, since Chaeyoung had been working as a bartender for a good while now and she had learned to have a sixth sense when it came to sensing people, and from what she could tell about the girl in front of her was that she basically filled two of her three categories for going to a bar.

After setting down the drink Chaeyoung took the bills that were handed to her, her brows raising at the amount she was given as she placed them in her apron pocket before turning back to Tzuyu as she poured some of the liquid out of the can and into the glass. Chae looked at her curiously, “What?” Was the first words out of the Taiwanese girl’s mouth, as Chaeyoung folded her arms on the bar as she looked at her.

“Are you okay?” The blonde asked sincerely, a look of genuine concern in her eyes.

But, Tzuyu just shrugged and brushed off the question with another question, “Why do you ask?”

“Well, since I’ve been bartending for quite some time now, I’ve learned there are three categories you could place people in when they come to a bar.” She held up her index, “One, sad.” She held up her index and middle, “Two, spoiled.” Finally she held up her index, middle, and ring, “ And three, looking to get laid.” The statement made Tzuyu raise an eyebrow at the shorter girl’s questionable rationale.

“So, you just go about making assumptions about your patrons?” That made Chaeyoung shrug as she moved to grab a glass and towel, cleaning it as she continued.

“Not always, but judging by your appearance and that you came to the bar at pretty much our dead hour, I’m gonna say you fall into categories one and two. So I’m gonna assume...daddy cut you off?” Chaeyoung’s horribly crude and specific assumption caused the brunette to scoff and cross her arms in offense.

Her tone was harsh as she spoke, “No. And what business do you have talking to me like this? You don’t know me or anything about me to make such outlandish assumptions about my life.” But, that didn’t seem to deter the blonde in the slightest as she rolled her eyes.

“Oh please, you read like an open book.” Chaeyoung’s voice had taken on a more arrogant tone that made Tzuyu huff in disapproval.

“I certainly do not.” This made Chae let out a sigh as she shook her head.

“Wanna bet?” Tzuyu didn’t respond, only raising a perfectly manicured eyebrow, practically daring the shorter girl to continue, “Fine.” Chaeyoung immediately reached into her apron pocket and pulled out the two bills she had been handed earlier and held them in front of Tzuyu's face, “You gave me ₩100,000 for a ₩12,000 drink, and you don’t look a day over eighteen.” This made the Taiwanese frown as she quickly snatched the money from Chaeyoung’s hands and opened her wallet, revealing more money than a typical college student would carry.

“So what? I can’t have ₩100,000 at the ready?” Chae just clicked her tongue.

“No, but, you didn’t seem to panic over the fact you gave me money I could have just easily pocketed and you probably wouldn’t have noticed it was missing.”

“Your point? That still doesn’t prove that your insistent insinuation that I’m ‘spoiled’ holds any ground.” But, that just made Chaeyoung roll her eyes again.

“Yeah, and I’m 160 cm.” The blonde said as she once again leaned against the bar, “So, really? What brings you here?” That single seemed like a key as all of Tzuyu’s struggles seemed to just open like flood gates. As she went on to talk about her childhood, which proved Chaeyoung’s suspicions about her being rich. And what it was like moving to Korea and how her “friends” had been just using her for her money. Leading to Chaeyoung sharing about some of her past as well, and how she’d been on her own since fifteen after her: parents, brother, and grandmother passed away in a car accident.

The conversation between the two flowed like a river as they talked for hours, not noticing how much time had gone by until the bar began to fill up with more people. Tzuyu finally realized how late it had gotten. Smiling sheepishly at Chaeyoung as she took out a pen from her purse, and discreetly wrote her number on a napkin before plucking out a few more bills as she handed it over to the blonde. As she got up from the bar, that was beginning to get more crowded. Waving to the shorter girl as she left, calling an Uber to her apartment when she heard her phone buzz in her purse.

Unknown Number

Hey, it’s Chaeyoung from

the bar. Text me when you

get home, so I know you’re

safe :)

The small gesture made Tzuyu smile as she sat back in the car, maybe she wasn’t so bad after all.

-1 Week Later-

After meeting at the bar, the two had been talking on and off for the past week, till Tzuyu finally mustered up the courage to invite Chaeyoung to her apartment to finally thank her for listening to her that night. Smiling as she got a resounding, ‘Yes!’ From the older girl, that she was...maybe, sorta, falling for.

Chaeyoung let out a low whistle as she took in the surrounding area of Tzuyu’s condo: brand new furniture, stainless steel appliances, floor to ceiling windows. The blonde shook her head, a small smile gracing her lips, “Money really can buy you anything.”

However, Chaeyoung’s little comment didn’t seem to sit well with Tzuyu as she crossed her arms, “That’s quite presumptuous, wouldn’t say? Assuming I just buy whatever I please.” But, Chaeyoung just shrugged as she turned to look at the brunette.

“Are you happy?” It was a simple question but Tzuyu couldn’t find it in herself to actually answer it. So she did what she did best and just deflected it.

“Well that’s very rude. You shouldn’t be asking me this.” But the blonde was persistent as she took a step closer.

“It’s a simple question. Are you happy or not?” That made the taller girl’s eyebrow raise in question as she eyed the shorter girl.

“This is not a suitable conversation we should be having.” The deflection just made Chaeyoung roll her eyes as she gripped her sketchbook a little harder.

“Why can’t you just answer the question?” That made Tzuyu scoff as she took a few steps away from the blonde.

“This is absurd. We are not having this conversation, we barely know each other and you are rude, uncouth, and unpresumptuous.” Tzuyu held out her hand for Chaeyoung to take as she began to shake it, “And I will be leaving now, Chaeyoung. Miss Son! It’s been a pleasure, I have sought out to thank you and I have thanked you.”

Chae smiled as Tzuyu kept shaking her hand, “And you’ve insulted me.” That made the Taiwanese girl scoff.

“Well you deserved it.” Chaeyoung just nodded as their hands were still joined in a hand shake.

“Right.”

However, their handshake continued, making the shorter girl bite back a smile, “I thought you were leaving?”

“Oh, I am.” Tzuyu said in a huff as she finally released their hands, “You are so annoying!” Turning on her heels as Chaeyoung let out a laugh behind her. Stopping her in her tracks as she turned around to face her once more, “Wait! I don’t have to leave, this is my house.” Tzuyu walked back to where she was standing next to the shorter girl as she pointed towards the door, “You leave!”

However that just made the blonde laugh, “Well, well, well.” Chae used her sketchbook to point at Tzuyu as she shook her head, “Now who’s being rude?” That caused the brunette to scoff as she grabbed the sketchbook out of Chaeyoung’s hand.

“What is this stupid thing you’re carrying around, anyways?” She opened the book that was littered with different sketches and doodles, “Are you an artist or something?” However as she flipped through more of the pages she couldn’t help but admire the work that she was holding, moving to sit on the arm of her couch. “They’re rather good.” When finally settled further into the seat she opened the book further, “They’re very good actually.” Tzuyu couldn’t help but look up to the Korean girl who was now sitting next to her, “This is exquisite work.”

Chaeyoung just shrugged, “Well, they didn’t seem to think much of it in old Paris.” The accent tinted French made Tzuyu smile as she looked at the art.

“You really do get around for a po…” Before she could finish the word she cut herself off as she gave Chaeyoung a shy smile.

Which made the older girl laugh, “It’s okay, you can say it. I’m a poor girl.” Tzuyu just shook her head as she continued to look through the blonde’s work.

“Where did you ever learn to draw like this?” The question was genuine as Chae just offered her a smile.

“If you’re free on Friday I could take you?” Tzuyu looked up in thought before nodding.

“Friday sounds perfect.”

-Friday-

The car ride there was pretty uneventful, considering Tzuyu had been asleep for most of it. Classes that week had been a thorn in her side since finals were that week and she was exhausted, not the Chaeyoung minded. The drive was calm and if letting the girl beside her relax was by her sleeping, that was perfectly okay in her book. And, well, Tzuyu was really pretty when she was sleeping. The longer she drove the high rises of the city began to fade away as they were taken over by the nearly forgotten villages near the outskirts of Seoul. The villages that Chaeyoung had drifted through growing up, where she truly found her passion. A soft smile came to her face as she pulled up to the entrance of an old night market, casting a look over to the sleeping girl before waking her up.

“Tzuyu. Hey, Tzuyu, we’re here.” Chaeyoung lightly shook the sleeping girl till her eyes slowly opened, brown meeting brown in an intense stare before the blonde quickly looked away blushing slightly. “Anyways, we’re here.” The artist pointed out the window towards the opening of a sprawling market of tents. The sight took Tzuyu by surprise as she marveled at the lights and smell that greeted her as she opened the door. A fond smile seemed to grow on Chaeyoung’s face as she looked at the market, “You asked where I learned how to draw, so I decided that I’d bring you there. But, I also thought, might as well show you the little things here too.” The artist winked as she began walking into the opening of the market, with Tzuyu close on her heels.

The pair had barely made it a few steps in when Chaeyoung was already bum rushed by a small army of children who pulled at her arms as she knelt on the ground, bringing them into a hug as they all began talking at once. Making her hold out her hands as she let out a laugh, “One at a time, one at a time.” The children all frowned but that didn’t last long when their attention was drawn to Tzuyu who was standing awkwardly behind Chaeyoung. Their eyes lighting up as they began talking amongst themselves.

“Who’s she?”

“She looks like a Princess.”

“I wanna marry her.”

“Is she a giant?”

Among other things, Chae stood up and looked to Tzuyu before grabbing her hand and leading her to kneel on the ground so she didn’t look so intimidating to the kids, “This is Tzuyu.” The kids looked at her stunned silence, they had never heard of a name like that before.

“Where are you from?” A little girl asked her.

The sincerity of the question made her smile as she replied, “I’m from Taiwan.” The kids seemed to look at her in even more awe that she’s a foreigner and once again began talking over each other as they bombarded Tzuyu with question upon question that Chae put a stop to.

“Guys! I’m sure Tzuyu would love to answer all your questions, but right now I want to show her around, okay?” A chorus of, “Awws.” seemed to follow Chaeyoung’s words as she helped Tzuyu stand. As they waved bye to the kids as they ventured further into the market. Each stall they passed seemed to be filled with something new, whether it be art or food, it was like nothing Tzuyu had ever experienced before. And frankly, she loved it. Along the way, Tzuyu couldn’t pinpoint exactly when it had happened but her and Chaeyoung’s hands had intertwined as they continued their journey. Stopping at a good vendor that the blonde had claimed had the best tteokbokki in the world. After they placed their order Tzuyu was about to let go of Chae’s hand so she could get her purse but the artist put a hand on her bag as she smiled, “Tonight’s on me.”

After having the best tteokbokki the brunette had ever had they finally made their way out to the far side of the market that looked over a canal that Tzuyu soon realized was littered with street art all along its walls. The art style hauntingly similar to the one of the blonde’s.

“And this is where it all started.” Chae held out her arm in a sweeping motion as she emphasized the art before them, a smile growing on Tzuyu’s face as she looked down into the canal. The moon reflecting perfectly on the water as she looked on in wonder, it truly was beautiful. Much like her companion who she realized was now staring at her. Which caused the blonde to blush as she quickly averted her eyes, “Thanks for coming with today, Tzu. I had a lot of fun and it was nice getting to show you the little things in life that really make the world go round.”

The brunette returned her smile as their eyes once again met, “I think I could get used to the little things.” Chaeyoung didn’t miss the smirk that was playing at the taller girl’s lips as she scowled.

“Really, Tzumong? I compliment you and you make a short joke.” The outburst caused the Taiwanese native to laugh out loud as she pulled Chaeyoung closer to her. Leaning down ever so slightly.

“You’re ruining the moment Chaengie.” The blonde just rolled her eyes as she pulled Tzuyu in close.

“Shut up and kiss me.” Tzuyu couldn’t help but smile as she pulled her in, their lips connecting in a kiss. She couldn’t help but smile into the kiss as a final thought crossed her mind.

‘I think I’m really starting to like the little thing.”

#fortwice #twice #twice imagines #twice prompts #twice oneshot #twice fluff #twice angst #bartender au #son chaeyoung #chou tzuyu #twice Chaeyoung #twice Tzuyu #rich girl! tzuyu #poor artist! chaeyoung #twiceinadream #anonymous

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chaoticevilbean · 4 years ago

Text

Wings of Flame

"What are we doing out here again?" Rainbow Dash flew back and forth across the path ahead of her friends, scanning the ground for possible traps or obstacles. Probably weren't any, but anything can happen in the Everfree Forest.

"I already told ya. We're lookin' fer the Lost Library. Chances are, there's somethin' there that can help us defeat King Sombra." Applejack gave the avian a stern look, which got an eye roll in response.

"Well, where is the Lost Library anyway?" Pinkie Pie asked as she skipped next to Fluttershy.

"Princess Celestia said that it was once the Great Library of Equestria. People came from far and wide to simply gaze at its front door. To enter the library was told to be a magical experience, filled with wonder and beauty."

"Oh my, Rarity." Fluttershy held her hands close to her chest, nervous to be in the dark forest but interested in her friend's story. "That sounds wonderful. What happened to it?"

"Well, the Great Library was said to be a gift from the Spirits of Old, and when people stopped treating the library with respect and started neglecting its books and the building, the Spirits hid it. It became the Lost Library and avians, mages, and the earth-bound have all been searching for it since."

"Don't worry, Fluttershy," Shining Armor called from where he led the group. "The Lost Library has never once been said to have traps. It's just hidden."

"He's right, y'all. Granny never once mentioned no traps or tests. If ya find it, ya find it. If ya don't, ya ain't worthy."

The group kept walking with small chatter after that. No one wanted to be in the Everfree Forest, but it held the last known location of the Lost Library. Rarity and Shining Armor led the group, using a compass spell to find the spot.

Around noon, Rainbow Dash flew in front of the two mages, effectively stopping their movement.

"Rainbow Dash, what on earth ar-"

"Shh." They all fell silent, listening.

"I don't hear anything."

"Exactly. There should be at least a breeze, but there's nothing. We have to keep a close eye out." The others glanced around warily, suspicious of the quiet.

The quiet was broken by something breaking through the trees into the center of the path.

A small dragon sat, staring at them all with golden-green eyes. Purple scales glistened without any direct light and the claws on its feet were shining in a way that made it hard not to notice them. Green spikes and scales accentuated the purple, deep and rich in color.

"Is that a dragon?" Pinkie Pie shouted, shocked. Applejack gave her a sharp look, but the dragon hadn't spooked so it was nullified.

"I thought dragons were all extinct," Fluttershy murmured, eyes fixed on the small creature in wonder. It really was small, only about the size of a ferret.

"They are." Shining Armor slowly moved in front of his companions, but it seemed that while sound didn't set off any alarms, movement signaled danger. The dragon took off into the trees on the right, a violet blur.

"WAIT!" Fluttershy took off after it, her friends rushing after her as fast as they could.

"Fluttershy, wait up!" Rainbow Dash shouted, but even with her speed, she somehow couldn't keep up with the other avian. They ran left, right, over a log, under some hanging vines, all over. The only way the group was going to find their way back now was with scouting and magic.

Finally, the group broke through a treeline to see Fluttershy frozen and staring.

Right in front of an enormous building. The front doors were ornate, made of some strange material that seemed neither wood nor metal. The windows were stained glass, the walls a mottling of greys, browns and greens. Flowering bushes and trees decorated the grounds around the building, and a few park benches sat ready for a person to rest on.

"The Lost Library," Rarity breathed.

"Well, whaddya know," Applejack mimicked her sentiment.

"The dragon went in through a little doggy- er, dragon door," Fluttershy informed her friends, turning to face them timidly.

"Should we see if anyone's home?"

"I don't think anyone would be living in there, Pinkie Pie. I mean, it is a library. Who would want to live in a library?"

"We should check to see if anyone's here anyways," Shining Armor decided. "Look, there's lights on." Sure enough, as they approached the front door, light filtered through the windows in bright colors.

Knock knock knock. A collective breath was held as they all waited. And much to everyone's surprise, footsteps and speaking were heard immediately after. The words got clearer as whoever it was walked closer, their voice loud.

"I told you, Spike! They wouldn't have been able to follow you if they weren't worthy! Now stop fretting and go get some tea! No, not peppermint, we're out! Try green! Out as well? Jasmine will work! Just make sure to not burn it!" The doorknobs rattled a little before the not-wood-not-metal doors swung in, revealing a young teenage girl.

Her hair was black with hot pink and magenta highlights, all of the colors tinged with light purple. Her skin was pale, but more of a that's-just-the-color than never-seen-sunlight. Her eyes were a bright violet, like the scales of the dragon they had seen before. She wore a matching set of loose black pants and shirt, along with sturdy boots that were obviously made with running in mind. Trimming and light embroidery matching her highlights colored her neckline and waist. A black cloak with purple and pink stars hung down her back, clinging to her shoulders like a snug blanket.

"Greetings, Worthy Stallions. My name is Twilight Sparkle. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," the girl, Twilight, said with a small bow and a voice befitting a princess.

"Greetings, Library Keeper," Shining Armor responded, trying to remember what Princess Luna had told him about how to greet anyone who was in the Lost Library when they got there.

"My name is Shining Armor, Head of the Canterlot Guard. These are my companions: Fluttershy, Keeper of the Ponyville Animals; Rarity, Master Tailor of Ponyville; Rainbow Dash, Right-Hand of the Leader of the Wonderbolts; Applejack, Mighty Farmer of Sweet Apple Acres; and Pinkie Pie, Smile Finder of All She Meets." Shining Armor pointed to each of them as he introduced them, eliciting waves and blushes.

"You learned the proper introductions!" Twilight Sparkle squealed, and then suddenly Shining Armor was being dragged into a giant library towards a table in the center that was the only one without any books on it. Instead, the dragon sat next to a setting of tea, looking amused, if dragons could look amused.

"You know, it's been so long since anyone's visited and most people don't know much about here that I haven't heard someone give the proper introductions in ages. I always wanted to know if I qualify as a librarian, because no one here can really tell me. Spike doesn't count, he's not a human, but you're a mage. You must know a lot about magic. What's your specialty? You said you're a guard so probably protection magic. Rarity's a mage, too, if I'm not mistaken. Does her magic help her sew? They call them designers now, I think, not Master Tailors, but that doesn't really matter here. And those avians have such pretty wings. The only wings I get to see aren't on another human."

"Whoa, slow down," the guard said quickly as she took a breath. "I can barely understand you. You talk really fast. Maybe say it again, but slower?" Twilight took this with ease, still smiling brightly.

"Do you know protection magic?"

"Yes, I do. It's my specialty. Especially barriers."

"I knew it! Does Rarity's magic help her sew? And is she called a designer?"

"Uh, sometimes and yes." Twilight let go of him then, moving towards the tea set and pouring out seven cups with practiced ease. The others had followed the two, and when Shining Armor looked back, he found all of them holding in laughter at his situation.

"So is there anything specific you're here to learn? No, I'm not going to hide the books, Spike. I'm a librarian, I have to help. I have plenty of friends already, I'm not like that. No, I'm not. Do I need to recount the Lonely Dragon Syndrome? That's what I thought." Twilight spoke to them first, but her attention was diverted by the dragon moving ever so slightly.

"You can speak to dragons?" Fluttershy asked excitedly, though it didn't really do much volume wise.

"Technically, I can't. I never learned, but I've spent too long around Spike to not know what he's saying. Anyways, what're you here for?"

"We need to defeat King Sombra. He's come back fer revenge an' we have to stop 'im." Twilight set down the teapot, looking at Applejack with worried confusion.

"Defeat King Sombra? Why? That kid is adorable!"

"Adorable? Try evil," Rainbow Dash said, flying up a bit. "He's trying to take over and enslave Equestria."

"That doesn't sound right," the other muttered, moving over to the shelves behind her. A wave of her hand and three books floated into her arms, which she then brought over and gestured for them to all sit.

"These are the books I have on King Sombra. Or, at least, the ones I've read. I can see if there're more later, but I think these are important." She opened the first book to a specific page it seemed she had read often because she had no trouble finding it. Turning the volume around, she showed them all a picture of a young boy, maybe fifteen or sixteen. He was rather cute, in an awkward sort of way.

"King Sombra was adorable as a kid. I guess he wouldn't be a kid now, but you might understand my confusion a little better knowing this. He was also known for being extremely kind, giving everything he had to those around him. I would think the only thing that could lead to him turning villainous is his crush on Princess Celestia going wrong. She is still a princess, right?"

"Yes, she's still a princess. In fact, she's the one that sent us."

"Well, if Princess Celestia is sending you after Sombra, then he's probably-"

"Hold up," Rainbow Dash held up her hand. "Sombra had a crush on Celestia?"

"A requited crush." At Rainbow's obvious confusion, Twilight simplified. "She loved him back." The effect on the table was instantaneous. All of them gasped and drew back, sharing all kinds of confused looks.

"Are ya sure?" Applejack asked, face loose in mild terror.

"Of course I'm sure, it's mentioned in at least five different books on Equestrian history and in all three of these books. Anyways, I don't really know anything that could defeat him power wise, but I'm sure I can find some volumes that might help. Spike, could you grab The Advanced Mage's Guide to Banishment and Keep the Shadows at Bay by Solar Aura? Lumin Shadow's series would be helpful as well, but are you sur- okay, okay! I get it, you've got good balance." The dragon, Spike as they assumed, flew off towards some of the upper shelves while Twilight went to fetch some books herself. It was then that the group took a look around at their surroundings.

The library was huge, with large arches and shelves going all the way to the ceiling. Perches and balconies were situated at regular intervals, meant for avians that might come. Doors were in seemingly random places, each one with simple doorknobs and pictures on the centers. All shelves and balconies and tables and chairs and doors were ornate, carved and crafted with exquisite worksmanship. It was obvious why people used to come just to look at the building.

BOOM!

Twilight dusted off her hands, grinning at the huge stack of books now in front of Shining Armor. Spike came over with his own stack of books balanced on all four of his claws. Another boom shook table as the books were dropped down.

"There you go," Twilight chirped. "All the books in this part of the library that might contain information to help defeat Sombra."

Rainbow Dash picked up one of the books, heaving under the weight. She sighed.

"Looks like we're gonna be here a while."

#mlp #my little pony #mlp humanized #twilight sparkle #applejack #rainbow dash #rarity #shining armor #fluttershy #pinkie pie

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