#But 41% is pretty decisive

[trafalgar-law-ask]

An unusual sound is heard outside the submarine… how is that possible? They are submerged in the depths of the sea!!

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[aces-to-apples]

I'm gonna be real, so little of previous games have actually mattered in any way beyond flavor text that I literally could not give less of a shit about this whole debacle. Like it's such a non-issue to me. Idk what games y'all have been playing for 15 years but truly this is the norm. Barely anything carried over from Origins to Hawke and all pretty minor shit, and I genuinely cannot think of anything beyond flavor text carrying over to Inquisition. Oh you could customize Hawke and they can answer a few vague questions with vague bullshit? Cool, presumably that's what the Inquisitor will give us. Like idk guys but I think maybe building up your expectations for a decade has had a detrimental effect on what should be reasonable expectations for a video game that's truly been in development hell for like eight years and wants to be functionably playable to brand new players without alienating them.

[the-kipsabian]

..man before investing into a new pairing (i'll reblog that poll in a sec), should we get this ship to 50 fics? 👀

[new-haven-psych-ward]

Kamen Rider Geats episode 41 poorly summarized via memes with as little context as possible:

[soaps-mohawk]

Cherry Red, Cimson Blood

Chapter 41: Revenge

Summary: A surprise trip to America has things turning in a direction no one thought they would

Pairing: Poly 141 x reader

Word Count: 6,390

Warnings: Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamics, a/b/o, alternate universe, dead dove: do not eat, graphic violence, torture, on screen death, stabbing, knives, choking, punching, blood, aftermath of death, emotions, angst, trauma, very small hint of comfort

A/N: Please, please heed the warnings. This chapter deals with some heavy topics and rehashes a lot of Chapter 34. I've put a trigger warning before everything starts and if you don't want to read it then skip from there to the next section. You'll be able to put two and two together from there.

Also if you haven't seen, I went back and changed a pretty major plot point from chapter 34 onward and it will need to be read to really understand this chapter

MASTERLIST | <- Previous | Next ->

“You’re in charge.” John says, passing over the keys to Dr. Keller. “Hold down the fort. Take some time for yourself.” 

“Invite over Ashley.” Kyle winks as he passes. 

“Cute.” Dr. Keller says, rolling her eyes. 

“Call if anything happens.” John continues, ignoring Kyle’s remark. “You know how to get a hold of us.” 

“I do.” Dr. Keller nods. “I’ll make sure the cottage is still standing when you get back.” She glances at the car. “Take care of her.” 

“We will. We’ll make sure she’s still in one piece when we get back.” 

“You better.” Dr. Keller says, giving him a look. “Safe travels.” 

Kyle closes the car door, cutting off the rest of the conversation. You’re squeezed in the back of the car between him and Johnny. It is a tight squeeze between the two of them and their broad shoulders. It’s not the most comfortable position, but the decision to leave one car behind has sealed your fate. 

Simon is in the front passenger seat, looking about as happy to be there as you feel. His arm is leaned against the door, his gaze set out the front windshield. His scent is thick in the air, musky and leathery. It’s a mixed cocktail of scents in the small enclosed space, but Simon’s is the loudest. 

John opens the driver’s side door, climbing into the car. It felt cramped before, but now it feels almost claustrophobic. 

“Just an hour drive and you can stretch your legs.” He says, and you know he’s talking to you. 

“Where are we going?” You ask as he drives down the long driveway. 

“America.” He says, giving you the same answer he gave you before. 

“Why?” You ask, knowing what the answer is going to be. 

“We have some things we need to take care of.” He answers simply. 

“What things?” You pry, already guessing where this conversation is going to go. 

“I already told you.” He replies. Simon glances at him, but says nothing. 

“You told me nothing.” You purse your lips. 

“It’s a surprise.” He says, almost like he’s rehearsed this before. 

“I hate surprises.” You say, leaning back in your seat, your scent souring a bit. “If you bothered to pay attention you’d know that.” The last bit is hardly more than a murmur, but you know he heard you in the enclosed space. 

It falls silent in the car, the five of you sitting there awkwardly after the exchange. It’s been a long time since you’ve been so bombarded by their scents all at once, and it’s been a long time since they’ve been so surrounded by your own scent. It reminds you of that time months ago after Simon returned from his solo assignment when you’d kissed in the car and nearly drove them all insane with an explosion of your scent. 

Only this time, your scent has gone sour with your displeasure and agitation at the lack of information from John.

This time Simon is the first to cave, cracking the car window to let in some air and disperse the heavy scents. 

It’s going to be a long hour. 

Traveling is your worst nightmare. 

Or, at least, traveling like this. 

It’s only the five of you on the plane, some private jet that Kate had procured. It’s a nice plane, but at the same time, being enclosed with your pack for nine hours isn’t exactly ideal. You thought the cottage was bad at times, but at least there you could go outside and escape from them. 

Now you’re really stuck with them. 

Thankfully they’ve mostly left you alone for the duration of the flight, letting you sit in your seat with a book in silence. John and Simon have been in a corner conversing for the better part of the flight, glancing at you every so often. Johnny has slept through most of it, reclined in a seat not far from them. You wondered for a moment if he was faking it to listen in, but when the snores started you knew he really was out. Kyle is in a position not unlike your own, huddled in a seat with a book, minding his own business. 

You really want to know what John and Simon are discussing, what has held their attention for so long. It’s gotten heated a few times, John’s brows pulling into a frown, his lips moving rapidly. Simon’s shoulders keep squaring and relaxing, giving you insight into the rise and fall of emotions during the conversation. You can imagine his face mirroring John’s, his brows pinching in worry or frustration or perhaps even anger. 

Whatever it is, it’s serious enough to last a good part of the flight.

You’re ushered into a car almost as soon as the wheels touch the tarmac and the plane has stopped. You’re stuck between Johnny and Kyle again, but at least the SUV is spacious enough to not have you crammed in like sardines. Your legs are stiff and sore after sitting for the better part of eight hours, but you’re not about to complain. Not with the way John’s hands are gripping the steering wheel. 

If you didn’t know better, you might have thought he was having second thoughts about whatever is happening. 

You still don’t know. 

They still haven’t told you. 

The airstrip the jet landed in looked to be a private one as well, isolated in a grassy area with rolling hills of green and a few sparse trees missing their leaves. You almost fear it might be Texas again, given the warmth of the air for a time so late in the year, but you want to believe they wouldn’t be that cruel to you. At least you hope that’s the case. 

The drive takes longer than the one in England, time seeming to stretch on endlessly as it did in the plane. You’re tired after the flight, but curiosity is keeping you awake and aware. You almost wish you had your book, but it’s stuffed in the back with the small bag you’d been allowed to bring. The others had small bags as well, and you can only imagine what is inside them. 

It makes your insides crawl with nerves. 

The exhaustion becomes too much as the naked trees and rolling hills continue to pass by outside the car. It’s quiet in the car, the tense silence not even enough to keep you awake as your head begins to droop onto Kyle’s shoulder. 

You’re jolted awake as the car comes to a stop. 

The muffled sound of car doors closing outside reaches your ears as you peel your eyes open. 

“Come on.” Kyle says softly, gently shifting you with his shoulder. “Time to get up.” 

You let out a quiet grunt, rubbing your eyes. The world outside is full of grey sky and naked tree limbs from the angle you’re at. John and Simon’s doors slam as they exit the car, the warmth on your other side disappearing as Johnny gets out as well. Gravel crunches outside as Kyle opens his door, easing you so you’re sitting upright. 

The SUV is parked facing another one, and the world behind it opens into more green fields. Kyle slides out of the car, hitting gravel before offering you a hand. You blink the sleep from your eyes, taking the offered hand. 

There’s three other SUVs parked in the gravel, people dressed in plain clothes moving around an old, rickety barn. John is standing halfway between the car and the barn, conversing with Kate. You blink in surprise. You haven’t seen her since she dropped you off with your pack almost a year ago now.

Whatever they’re discussing, it seems to be serious. 

Kyle puts a hand on your back, leading you towards them. 

“Hi honey,” Kate greets you with a small smile, the seriousness melting on her face in almost a performative manner. “How are you holding up?” 

“I don’t know.” You say, wrapping your arms around yourself. “Depends on why I’m here.” 

“You didn’t tell her?” Kate says in surprise, turning back towards John. 

“I knew what she’d say if I told her.” John says. 

You purse your lips again, disliking being talked about as if you’re not standing right there.

Kate looks like she wants to say something, but she doesn’t, instead she takes half a step back. “Better get this over with, then.” 

John turns towards you, wrapping a hand around your wrist. “Come on.” 

You almost dig your heels in and demand he tell you, but you don’t. You have a feeling you’re about to find out regardless as he leads you towards the barn. Simon and Johnny are waiting by the doors, Kyle following close behind you. Nerves are starting to flutter in your stomach, your insides twisting in fear. What the hell is on the other side of those doors and why does everyone seem so serious about it? 

Johnny’s face is hard set, Simon’s eyes blank as John pauses in front of the door for a moment. 

They’re not themselves. 

You’re looking at Task Force 141. 

Simon slides the barn door open, your stomach clenching painfully. It’s dark in the barn, but not dark enough you can’t see. Grey light seeps in through holes in the roof and sides, giving the barn an eerie look, like you’re about to step into a horror movie. 

John’s hand tightens around your wrist, tugging you forward into the musty air inside the barn. You want to dig your heels in now, fight him and scream not to drag you inside. Your hand is shaking, curling in on itself until your nails dig into your palm. 

“Hi darlin’. Didn’t know you’d be joining us too.” 

You feel like you’ve been punched in the gut, the breath leaving your lungs. 

“Phil.” You breathe, nearly choking around his name. 

He’s seated in the middle of the barn, restrained in a chair. He looks far too comfortable and casual sitting there, greeting you like he would an old friend. 

There’s a table beside him filled with all sorts of instruments. Knives, scalpels, an ice pick. 

Your stomach twists as you realize what’s about to happen. 

The other four approach Phil, leaving a gap so you can see him as you linger behind. You have half a mind to turn and run out the now closed door, but something keeps your feet frozen to the ground. 

“You’re wasting your time.” Phil says, addressing the four members of your pack now. “I don’t know where Shepherd is.” 

“That’s not why we’re here.” John says, his voice deeper and rougher than it had been just outside. “You tortured a member of our pack.”

“Our omega.” Johnny says through gritted teeth. 

“Oh I see, a little revenge then.” Phil says, a smirk lifting on his lips as he stares at you. “And you brought a little audience.” 

***Content Warning: Torture ***

You jump as Simon takes a step forward, rearing back before punching Phil across the face. His head snaps to the side from the force of it, a grunt leaving his lips. Simon grips his chin, yanking his head back to the other side so Phil is looking up at him. 

“We’re going to do the same to you that you did to her.” He growls out. 

The words have a shiver tickling down your spine. 

Simon releases Phil before drawing his fist back to throw another punch. Nausea churns in your stomach as something cracks, the sound echoing in the silence. 

“Solid hit, big man.” Phil grins, spitting onto the floor before sitting up straight again. “You’re going to have to hit me harder than that.” His eyes flicker to you as you stand there in shock. “You can ask your omega how hard I hit her.” 

Johnny surges forward, wrapping his hand around Phil’s throat. “Give me a knife. I’ll cut his tongue out.” 

Phil lets out a choked sound, your own throat constricting a bit from the memory of Phil’s hand choking you. Tears fill your eyes as Phil’s face begins to go purple from the lack of oxygen. 

“Easy.” John says, easing Johnny off of Phil. “We’re not done yet.” 

Phil lets out a choking cough, his hands straining where they’re tied to the arms of the chair. “Not bad.” He coughs out, his face still red. “Gonna have to try harder than that.” 

John punches him in the face, sending his head snapping the other direction. Blood trickles from his lip, his tongue darting out to lick the wound. 

“Of course the alpha would spill the first drop of blood.” Phil says, letting out a chuckle, his gaze returning to you. “This is going to take a while, sweetheart. Why don’t you go back outside and wait for your boys to be done, hm?” 

“No.” John says, his hand closing into a fist again. “She’s going to watch every last bit of this.” 

Your stomach churns as he throws another punch at Phil, this one landing with another sickening crack. You don’t really want to watch this, but at the same time, there’s a sick sense of satisfaction filling you as your pack takes revenge on your behalf. Your omega is nearly purring, watching in glee as they drive punch after punch into Phil’s face. 

“You’re going to have to try harder than that.” Phil chokes out around Simon’s hand where it’s wrapped around his throat. 

“We’re just getting started.” Kyle says, grabbing a knife from the table. 

Phil lets out a pained yell as Kyle stabs the knife into his bicep, slowly dragging it down his arm. It’s deeper than Phil had cut you, blood pouring out of the open wound. Your stomach twists, nausea bubbling up into your throat. How easy this all seems for them. 

How easily Phil had tortured you. 

Your fingers trace the thin, pink line down your own arm, your skin burning with a reminder of what happened to you. 

The realization of what’s happening settles in as Kyle drives the knife into Phil’s chest, dragging it downward in another deep cut. You do want to turn around and go outside. You don’t want to watch this anymore. 

The soft call of your name has you coming back to yourself. Your pack has turned to face you now. You hadn’t even realized that you had turned your head away. Tears have trailed down your cheeks, your breath hitching. 

It’s John that’s called your name, his hand outstretched. He’s holding the ice pick. Your shoulder throbs at the sight of it. The memory of one almost exactly like it being stabbed into your scent gland has a whimper leaving your lips. You know what he’s asking, what he’s offering. Phil inflicted the worst pain you’ve ever felt onto you. Now you’re being offered the chance to do the same to him. 

Your omega is screaming, yelling at you to take it, to return what he did back to him. It’s his fault this happened. Weeks of pain and agony that you will always remember. He did that to you. 

You’re moving before you even realize it, your fingers wrapping around the cold metal. Your omega is taking over again, driving that instinctual violence forward again. Simon is standing behind Phil, holding his head to the side. He looks like shit, his face already bruising and covered in blood. The metallic scent of it is strong, your mind flickering back to those soldiers, his soldiers, the ones you killed with that knife. You wonder what happened to it, if it’s still laying out in the forest, the last lingering remnant of the violence that happened there. 

You stare down at Phil, at his exposed neck. He’s jerking against Simon’s hold, as if he knows and understands what’s about to happen, as if he can already sense the pain that’s about to be brought on him. Does he? Does he really understand? 

He’s about to. 

Your hand moves before you can stop it, driving the ice pick as hard as you can into his scent gland. He lets out a yowl of pain as the metal slides under his skin and into that sensitive spot. You remember it, the lightning-like pain rushing through your body, every nerve-ending on fire, every movement agony for days and days and days. 

“Hurts, doesn’t it?” You say, pushing the ice pick as far as you possibly can into his body. “It’s the worst pain I’ve ever felt. Worse than all those years I sat in that institute thinking about my family, the family you helped tear me away from.” You take a step back, leaving the ice pick in his shoulder. “You’ll never forget it, that kind of pain.” 

Simon wraps his hand around the ice pick, pulling it free. Blood seeps out of the hole, pouring down Phil’s chest. He jerks in his restraints, his eyes squeezed shut. 

“You deserve to feel that kind of pain.” You say, taking another step back. 

“Look at you.” Phil laughs, tilting his head up with a wince. His eyes are on you, focused solely on you as you stand there. “Tough little thing. Turning more and more like your father, aren’t you?” His words bite at the back of your brain, your omega screaming at the insult. His eyes leave you, instead roaming over the three members of your pack standing in front of him. “No matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t hide her away from this world, could you?” 

He’s not talking to you anymore. 

“You’d always leave a stain on her. Eventually it would come around. She’d get caught up in a life like this, a life of violence and bloodshed. Proud of yourselves?” He lets out a chuckle. “You ruined such sweet innocence.” 

“Shut yer fuckin’ mouth.” Johnny growls as Simon moves back around so he’s standing next to you. 

“Ooh, hit a nerve did I?” Phil laughs, turning his gaze to you. “You know your dad never checked you made it to the institute? As soon as you were out of his sight he could finally stop caring about you.” Phil licks his lips. “I should have just taken you right then. No one would have known the difference. None of this would have happened. You’d still be just a sweet little innocent girl, just like you always should have been.” 

Anger and rage burns through you at his words. Years of repressed fears and emotions surging out all at once. Later you’ll wish you could blame it on your omega, that she took over in this moment, but that’s not the case. It’s you in your true form, in your own rage at Phil for his words, for his actions, for the ways he’s ruined your life even still years later. 

Time slows as your fingers wrap around the knife strapped to Simon’s side. It slides out of its sheath easily, your body moving forward as you grip it tightly in your hand. It won’t be the first time, your brain flashing back to all of those men, men who would have done worse things to you had your omega not acted on instinct. She’s screaming at you now, still, clawing at the poorly constructed cage you’ve forced her back in, calling for violence. 

You’ll give it to her. 

The knife cuts through his skin easily, sliding downward as you stab it into his neck. Blood spurts out, coating your hands in the slippery liquid. Adrenaline courses through your body, your vision going red as you yank the knife from his throat, blood spraying out of his artery from where you’ve severed it. It’s like some gruesome renaissance painting as you’re pulled back, an arm around your waist tugging you backward away from the quickly fading body in the chair, your mouth still open in an enraged scream. 

The knife drops from your hand as you’re tugged backwards, your body falling against a solid one. Your legs feel like jelly as the adrenaline pumps through your system, your blood covered hands shaking as you stare at the lifeless body of a man you once thought of as a family friend. A man who played such an integral part in your life behind the scenes. A man who was almost your alpha, a man who would have been your alpha had it not been for the woman standing outside. 

The man who tortured you and brought you more pain than you’ve ever felt in your entire life. 

He’s dead now. He can’t ever hurt you again. 

Nausea churns in your stomach as you sit there, staring down at your blood-soaked hands. It’s deep red and sticking to your skin, no matter how much Kyle tries to wipe at it with a t-shirt. Your body has gone numb as reality has settled in. 

You just killed a man. 

“Easy.” Kyle says, his hand warm against your chilled skin as he wraps his fingers around your arm. 

You’d jerked away from him, nearly slipping off the edge of the trunk. The trunk of the SUV is open and you’re seated on the edge of it, toes pushing into the gravel below to hold yourself up. Kyle had been trying to wipe the dried blood off of your hands, but no matter how hard he scrubbed, some of it wouldn’t come off. 

“Here.” Footsteps approach in the gravel, the rocks crunching under boots. “Go help Simon.” 

Rougher hands replace Kyle’s, wrapping around your wrists. You jump when the cold water hits your hands, shocking you out of your dazed state. You lift your gaze up to John’s face as he wipes the blood from your hands, the shirt quickly becoming stained with red streaks. 

“This wasn’t our intention. I just want you to know that.” He says, his gaze focused on your hands. “We didn’t bring you here to kill him. I just thought you might want to know what was going to happen to him. Closure. Maybe you could rest easier knowing he wasn’t ever going to see freedom again.” 

“He won’t see anything ever again.” You murmur. 

“It doesn’t make you a bad person. Heat of the moment. He was saying some vile things to you.” John tries to comfort you. 

“But that doesn’t mean I had to kill him.” 

“Maybe not. He wouldn’t have lived much longer regardless.” Your hands are starting to feel raw with how hard John is scrubbing them. It’s almost like he’s trying to wipe the fact you’re a murderer from your hands. “None of us will think any less of you for what you did.” 

You stare down at your hands as John finally relents his scrubbing. The blood is gone, but you’ll always remember the look of it staining your skin. “I’m sorry.” 

John squats down in front of you, his hands closing around yours. They’re so warm compared to your own chilled skin. “You have nothing to be sorry for.” 

“But I do. Phil was right. I’m not innocent anymore. I’m not a good omega. I lost that when I let her take over.” Tears slip down your cheeks, warm against your skin. 

“That doesn’t make you a bad omega.” John says, reaching up to wipe the tears from your cheeks. “You’ve done what you had to do to survive because of our failures. We failed to protect you like we promised and we forced you into situations you shouldn’t have ever been in. We will never be able to apologize enough for what we did.” 

“I’m scared, John.” You whisper. “I don’t want to be like this anymore.” 

His brows furrow. “Be like what?” 

“I still feel like she’s in control.” You say, more tears sliding down your cheeks. “I don’t think I’ve come back to myself at all.” 

Tears still sting your eyes as you sit in the back of the car, watching the flames through the rearview mirror. 

“Unfortunate that the old barn burned down.” Kate says, her voice slightly muffled through the closed car door. 

“Feel sorry for the poor soul stuck inside.” John says. 

“Too bad they’ll never be identified.” 

Their words nearly make you sick again. How easily they talk about it, how easily they can detach themselves. It is their job, you suppose. This is just a normal occurrence to them. It scares you, how easily they confront death and dismiss it. It’s cold and unwelcoming, just like their attitudes had been upon your arrival. You should have known just by that. You should have turned and left when you wanted to. 

Maybe then you’d have less blood on your hands. 

Phil did deserve it, after everything. At least this way you know he won’t try to find you again, won’t try and get revenge of his own against your pack. One less loose string to worry about, John had said. 

There’s just one more that needs to be tied off. 

“Any sign of Shepherd?” John asks. 

“None yet.” Kate answers. “Alex and Farah are investigating a couple of leads. You’ll be the first to know if they find anything.” 

“Good. The sooner we can find him, the better.” 

“He can’t hide forever.” Kate says. “We’ll find him eventually.” She glances towards the car. “You’ll be alright?” 

John is quiet for a moment. “Eventually.” 

“You need anything...” 

“We’ll be sure to let you know.” 

Cold air rushes in with the smell of smoke as Kyle opens the car door. He slides in, quickly closing it. 

“We’re almost ready to go.” He says, shifting so he can put your seatbelt on for you. You’re glad he’s doing it. You’re not sure you could have managed it anyway. “Another long flight back to England.” 

You feel like you’ve spent more time on a plane in the last few hours than you have in your lifetime. You’re not even sure what day it is, or what day it will be when you get back. A week could have passed and you’d never even notice. 

“We’ll stop and get food before we go.” Kyle continues. You know he’s trying to talk to keep you distracted. “Anything you want in particular?” 

Food is the last thing you want right now. 

“Something we can eat on the road I suppose. Don’t want to linger too long anywhere.” Kyle trails off as the doors open, Johnny and Simon climbing in. It’s a tighter squeeze this time thanks to John’s coat that he put on you to keep you warm. You don’t really need it in the car, but his scent is the only thing keeping you sane right now. 

“Ye doin’ alright?” Johnny asks as he puts on his own seatbelt. 

You hum in response, not trusting yourself to answer. You don’t trust yourself to say much of anything right now. 

The smell of smoke hits your nose again as John opens the driver’s side door, climbing into the car. “Let’s get out of here.” He says, putting on his seatbelt before the car rumbles to life. 

You lean back in the seat, staring at the smoldering ashes in the rearview mirror until they disappear around a bend as John drives away from the scene. Warm fingers brush the back of your hand, Kyle’s gaze down on your lap as he slowly curls his fingers around your hand. You stare at his hand for a moment before you look away, curling your fingers around his. 

You don’t remember much of the flight back. You slept through a good part of it, reclined in a seat just like Johnny had been on the flight to America. You barely remember the drive back to the cottage, spending most of it in a sleepy daze with your head propped on Kyle’s shoulder. 

Dr. Keller is there to greet you when you return, some delicious smell wafting from the open door of the cottage. It makes your stomach churn after hours of no food. You haven’t had much of an appetite, the memories of what had happened too fresh to allow you much else but the blissful ignorance of sleep. 

You drag your feet up the steps of the cottage, passing Dr. Keller in a haze as you head straight for the comfortable familiarity of your bed. You can hear quiet voices through the wall as you manage to work your heavy limbs out of your clothes and into something more comfortable. 

You just want to sleep more, sleep forever if it were possible. In sleep you don’t see the blood staining your hands, the spurt of blood from Phil’s neck where you’d stabbed him. You don’t see the light fading from his eyes, his body falling limp as he dies by your hand. In sleep you’re not a murderer, you can go back to when things were easier, when nothing mattered but being a good omega for your pack. Back when your only stress was making a good impression and doing your job like you’re supposed to. 

What a shitty omega you’ve become. You can’t even hold your pack together anymore. 

It’s not like they’re putting in much effort themselves, though. 

Maybe you should let things fall apart. Maybe it would be easier on everyone if you just moved past this, moved on to an unhappy, short life in a care facility while your pack got to live out the rest of their days with nothing but a painful memory of the short stint they got as a full pack. 

Phil was right. You’re not a sweet innocent little girl anymore. That person died as soon as you were forced into this pack. Maybe this was inevitable. By being forced with them you would always become like them. Good omegas learn to adapt to mesh well with their pack, giving up personality and wants in favor of making alphas happy. Maybe this is what they want, maybe this was the way things were always going to end up. You were doomed from the start to become just like them. 

You press your face into your pillow as tears slide down your cheeks, willing yourself to fall into the sweet embrace of sleep once again. 

“John told me what happened.” Dr. Keller says as you sit outside in the cold morning air. “I just want you to know that it doesn’t make me think any less of you.” 

You wish she would. You wish she’d yell and reprimand you for killing someone. You wish any of them would call you a bad person, a wicked soul capable of taking the life of someone else. 

They’re all acting like it’s normal, like it was nothing. 

You hate it. 

“You’re not a bad person.” She says. 

“I killed someone.” You retort. 

“Did you?” 

Her words make you pause. You did. You remember the blood staining your hands, the warm spray of it from Phil’s neck. It was your hand that drove the knife. 

“I want you to walk me through what happened. Step by step.” She says. 

You let out a sigh. It’s not the first time you’ve been over it in the last day. “They were torturing him, but he wouldn’t stop talking. He said that he wished he had just taken me instead of sending me to the institute, and how that way I’d still be an innocent little girl.” Your voice starts to shake. “I got really mad. I barely remember grabbing the knife.” 

“Right there.” Dr. Keller interrupts you. “Walk me through that second by second. What were you feeling beyond just anger?” 

You pause for a moment, thinking it over. What were you feeling? “Blinding rage.” You say. “I was so angry because he helped ruin my life just because he wanted me.” You swallow the lump in your throat. “Just the idea of being his...” Nausea churns in your stomach. “It’s like my brain went numb. It acted on instinct. I didn’t even know Simon had a knife until I was grabbing it.” 

“What was your omega feeling in those moments?” 

You pause to think again. You hadn’t taken into consideration your omega during your ruminations, when you’d told Dr. Keller your side of the events the last few times. “She was...angry too. But, at first, she liked it. She liked Phil being tortured. She wanted me to stab him with the ice pick.” You swallow thickly. “Why did I do that? Why didn’t I say no?” 

“Revenge is a fascinating part of human thought processes.” Dr. Keller says. “In the moment, it fires up those reward centers of the brain. It feels good, feels satisfying. The desire to act on those impulsive needs to dole out justice against someone that wronged you is natural. While it’s not the best idea, it’s just human nature to want to get revenge. In the heat of the moment, logic is the last thing on your mind. Throw in an uncontrolled omega and you may find yourself doing things you don’t want to do, and you don’t know why.” 

“So it was her fault.” You say, wiping your nose. 

“Not exactly. Instincts are complicated things to consider. Instincts don’t care about your feelings or what society considers acceptable. They’re natural, ingrained behaviors in response to certain stimuli and events. A bear chases you, you run. An alpha threatens you, your omega fights back. While yes, what you did may be morally questionable, in the moment, your omega didn’t care about morals or societal expectations. You felt threatened and uncomfortable and your omega acted on your behalf.” 

“It’s because she’s out of control.” You say. 

“Yes. You let her out of that specially crafted cage you learned to keep her in, and now she’s going to fight tooth and nail to stay out. You’re in a very delicate state and it’s not surprising your omega decided to act for you.” 

“She’s so violent.” You say quietly. 

“Omegas and alphas only show themselves for a handful of reasons. Usually those involve danger or extreme emotions. Omegas especially show themselves when violence is needed. We are all fighters at our core, even omegas. You yourself may not be a violent person, but your omega is unsettled. She’s on high alert and any perceived threat could set her off, or any moments of high emotions, such as witnessing what you did.” 

You look down at your hands, imagining them covered with blood again. “I wanted to leave. I should have.” 

“We can’t change what we’ve done in the past. Your omega was likely largely responsible for what happened in those moments. While that doesn’t absolve you of guilt entirely, that also means you weren’t fully in control of yourself when it happened.” She reaches out, putting a hand on yours. “I believe you when you say you didn’t want to do it. I don’t think you’re capable of it in your right mind. You’ve been through a lot over the last few weeks. I thought it was a bad idea to take you, but you know John.” 

“He thinks he knows what's best because it’s what he thinks is best.” You murmur. 

“You can confront him about that.” Dr. Keller says, leaning back in her chair. 

You snort. “That will go well.” 

“It might. Your pack has expressed their willingness to change, to adapt to what you want. You have the power to change your pack. If you don’t like the way they’re doing something, then tell them.” She gives you a pointed look. “They won’t know what to change if you don’t tell them what you want to change.” 

“I’m scared to ask them.” You admit. 

“Why? Why are you scared to ask them?” 

“Good omegas adapt to their pack, they don’t ask. They don’t ask their pack to change just for them.” 

She gives you another look. “Don’t go regressing that far on me.” She shifts in her seat, leaning closer to you. “We’ve talked about this before. You’re a part of this pack too, just as much as they are. You have a right to communicate your needs and your wants just as much as they do. You’re an equal in this pack, and they’ll be the first to agree with that. While their actions of late have been questionable, they do still care about you and want to make you a true equal in this pack.” 

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” You huff. 

“Then let them show you.” She says. “What’s the harm in asking?” 

“They say no.” You say. “I don’t think I could handle it if they said no.” 

“But what if they say yes?” Dr. Keller squeezes your arm. “You’ll never know until you ask. In my professional opinion, I think you hold more power now than you realize. A lot of things happened to you, but a lot of things happened to your pack as well, and within those bonds.”

“Yeah. They’re all fractured now.” You say. 

“They’re in rough shape, but they’re not unfixable. You have to want to fix them. You’re the only one that can fix them.” 

“I don’t like that power.” You say. “Part of me wants to end things.” 

“But, that means there’s a part of you that wants to repair them. As your doctor, I suggest listening to those thoughts more than the ones telling you not to. It won’t be easy, but I think it’s worth your time to try.” 

Tears fill your eyes as you sit there, thinking over her words. You do want to try. You want to try so badly, yet you can’t help that nagging in the back of your mind that everything will go back to the way it was before. 

“What do you need?” Dr. Keller asks softly, brushing some of the hair from your face as you cry. 

What is it you need? A new brain, a reset button, some amnesia? All things you can’t have. You’ll have to choose with what you do have. What do you have? A pack that desperately wants to help you. They’ve told you that themselves. Kyle told you things would get better, but here you are with more blood staining your hands. Kyle wouldn’t lie to you. Not like that. 

You have the power now. 

“Johnny.” You sniffle. “Get me Johnny.” 

NEXT ->

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[chenlesfavorite]

NIGHT RIDER, zhong chenle

working night shifts 24/7 at the convenience store while also supporting your boyfriend’s obsession with watching motorcyclists race is not easy, but little did you know that one of the bikers that he loves soon gets involved with you.

══════════════════

— pairing: motorcyclist!chenle x fem!reader

— genres: social media au (smau), written, slowburn, angsty-ish, fluff, strangers to enemies to lovers (except they're not really enemies.. they just can't stand each other)

— extra: y/n is dating jaehyun (from boynextdoor) but they break up, jaehyun is kinda toxic, chenle is a lil shithead, probably inaccurate descriptions of motorcycle racing, y/n and chenle are crackheads when together

— warnings: lots of death jokes, profanity, everything in this story is pure fiction and not an actual depiction of how they act!!

— playlist: Do I Wanna Know? - Arctic Monkeys | devil in a red dress - EIGHTYEIGHTWAV | eyes don't lie - Isabel LaRosa | HEARTBEAT - Isabel LaRosa | COLD BLOODED - Chris Grey | Rude Boy - Rihanna | OHMAMI - Chase Atlantic, Maggie Lindemann | Te Quiero - KISS OF LIFE

— authors note: my 2nd smau!! this one will be pretty different from got my ion you and hopefully better 🤭 i’m super excited for this one ngl..

— status: finished

— taglist: closed

══════════════════

profiles 1 | profiles 2

1. fuckass job and bf worries

2. 40 dollars?!

3. kicked out (half smau/half written)

4. easy forgiveness

5. victim of bad boyfriendism

6. where’s the apology?

7. a fool in love

8. he’s a sim now!

9. scary stares

10. surprise dinner (fully written)

11. sensing something... ah yes, jaemrina

12. the long awaited breakup

13. living life to the fullest and fuck chenle!

14. or maybe… don’t fuck chenle?

15. bad energy and mewing

16. the witch is coming

17. good job, genius!

18. the race (fully written)

19. nightmare wishes

20. is it the end of the world?

21. apologies are in order… oh and you’re not that bad

22. single and ready to mingle

23. yuta, the rizzler

24. yes, a date is happening!

25. stood up (half smau/half written)

26. we’ll forget about it… right? (half smau/half written)

27. hooked by why don’t we vibes

28. prince sugarplums the 5th

29. she’s not my lovergirl! / he’s not my man!

30. who want backshots?

31. his true feelings (half smau/half written)

32. send help… or maybe don’t?

33. ho is u coo?

34. find her asap

35. king of racing (fully written)

36. nothing more than a bad decision

37. no deep meaning behind it

38. oddly specific lyrics

39. jaemrina sailed!

40. talk to me, please

41. hate you & miss you

42. mission get cheny/n to make up

43. mission accomplished (fully written)

44. our sims are getting married 100%

45. my angel

— end —

══════════════════

[folkloresthings]

TOLERATE IT / FA14.

in which the older sister of lando norris finds herself teetering dangerously towards the precipice of her brother’s, significantly older, colleague.

( fernando alonso x norris!reader )

track one: gold rush. track two: delicate. track three: labyrinth. track four: false god. track five: happiness. track six: the 1. track seven: daylight. track eight: lover.

✩⡱ warnings: age gap! reader is 25, fernando is 41.

INSTAGRAM.

liked by lance_stroll, f1, and 682,947 others

lando.jpg day 41. dinner with the drivers and a special guest.

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lewishamilton nice

yourusername i’m an honorary f1 driver now

⤷ mclaren you can replace lando

⤷ lando.jpg hello????

user not y/n sitting between alonso and carlos instead of next to lando 😭😭😭😭

⤷ yourusername they smell nicer

fernandoalo_official great pics! saving them now

TWITTER.

IMESSAGE.

the screen goes black as you lock your phone, a sigh settling in your chest at your little brother’s overprotectiveness. when you tuck it back in your bag, your gaze flickers up to fernando’s. he’s hovering with a knowing sort of smile, making you laugh bashfully. you were just outside of your apartment block, his car parked on the street. he’d insisted on walking you to the door, and since the street was quiet there was no fear of being caught, not like you were at your departure in the restaurant. in fact, the midnight quiet was peaceful, the sky dark and the air cold.

“thank you for driving me home,” your voice carries quietly, hands knitting by your side. despite the heels that were irritating your ankles, you felt awfully small under his warm eyes. you knew of his reputation with women, his ability to flirt and wrap a girl around his finger. you weren’t the kind to fall for such actions, but when he smiled at you, you empathised with every woman before you.

“you’re welcome,” his smooth spanish accent warmed the shivers along your bare shoulders. fernando obviously noticed, gaze flickering to the bare skin. “you looked very beautiful tonight.”

biting back a smile, your head dips to look at your feet, hoping to hide the blush that spread across your cheeks. but before you could melt into a puddle on the step, fernando’s thumb and finger caught your chin. freezing, you let his delicate touch raise your head up again, until your sights met and the breath was knocked from your chest.

you thought he was going to kiss you. he’d been flirting all night long, sitting next to you at dinner and brushing his hand over your arm everytime he turned towards you. but he didn’t — not yet, anyway. he only held you there, the rough pad of his thumb carressing your cheek, letting himself look at you for as long as he needed.

but you were sure you would pass out if you let him do so any longer, clearing your throat and stepping away from such an intoxicating touch. “goodnight, fernando.”

he stared at you, somehow more handsome in the shadowed light. he wanted more, you could see it in his eyes, but whether that more was of good intentions, you couldn’t tell. “goodnight, pretty girl.”

he turned on his heel, descending the step towards the street, and you suddenly felt yourself turn cold. the air nipped at your skin again, without him near to keep you warm. the battle inside your head was raging, pulling between sense and feeling.

“wait,” you called feebly, and he was turned around before you could even finish the word. you rocked a little on your heels, fiddling with the keys in your hands. his hopeful eyes only solidified your decision, a coy smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “do you, maybe, want to come up for a drink?”

INSTAGRAM.

liked by charles_leclerc, maxverstappen, and 7,921 others

yourusername home is where the heart is ❤️‍🩹

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carlossainz55 loved seeing my favourite norris 🤩

carmenmmundt mojito date again soon!!!

⤷ yourusername YES!

user y/n giving us the lando content we deserve

fernandoalo_official london 🤍

⤷ user a wild nando appears

landonorris since when do you drink red wine???

writers note: london boy but it’s london girl and it’s fernando singing it

[pedrithink]

my home ✩ jude bellingham

summary: jude and his low profile girlfriend.

faceclaim: paola locatelli

ynusername

Liked by judebellingham, gioareyna, and 39.842 others

ynusername lovely days

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judebellingham you’re so pretty GOOOOD

ynusername @judebellingham so do youuuu

jobebellingham dope

gioareyna ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

karim_adeyemi have a nice trip, miss u!

judebellingham @karim_adeyemi miss u too baby

ynusername @karim_adeyemi @judebellingham ?

comments on this post have been limited.

december 15th, 2022

ynusername

Liked by judebellingham, jobebellingham, and 44.921 others

ynusername nights in london hit different :)

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judebellingham love you

ynusername @judebellingham love youuu :)

jobebellingham see you tomorrow

ynusername @jobebellingham seeeeee you!! missing u 24/7, bestie.

denbello 😍😘

gioareyna the most beautiful person in this world and y/n

judebellingham @gioareyna nah, baby. you are the most beautiful person in the world. 😓

ynusername @gioreyna @judebellingham hate u both btw

trentarnold66 ❤️

comments on this post have been limited.

march 16th, 2023

Liked by judebellingham, trentarnold66, and 51.223 others

ynusername my new baby!!!!!!!!!

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judebellingham two pretty kitties

ynusername @judebellingham 🥺🥺

jobebellingham i want to meet her 😭

ynusername @jobebellingham come hereeee!!

gioareyna so cute 💗

trentarnold66 ❤️

comments on this post have been limited.

april 1st, 2023

ynusername has added to their story

judebellingham has added to their story

judebellingham

Liked by ynusername, masonmount, and 1.958.599 others

judebellingham I've taken some time to reflect on the events of the final day and the entire season. I still can't believe it went the way it did and we couldn't get ourselves over the line. The boys that played gave everything and their efforts cannot be questioned, unfortunately we weren't decisive enough in the fine margin moments that occur in high pressure games.

Personally, it was devastating to have to watch my teammates suffer while I couldn't impact the outcome. I have never experienced an atmosphere like the one on Saturday created by you fans, I had goosebumps for the whole 90 minutes whilst only watching from the bench. Many times this season you have been the difference maker for us and in the end we've let you down by not being able to deliver the championship whilst it was in our hands.

Hopefully this adversity will trigger a new era for the club where it can compete closely for trophies every year. This is what the city and its fans deserve.

View all 13.304 comments

ynusername so proud of you 🤍🫶🏻 thank you for everything, the best is yet to come!!

judebellingham @ynusername ❤️

user1 sad that you’re leaving us, but it was a pleasure to have you man - just the best! ❤️‍🔥

user2 never give up!!

user3 see you in madrid

user4 keep your head up, life goes on!!

user5 well spoken jude

user6 the best youngster itw rn

ynusername

Liked by judebellingham, jobebellingham, and 101.227 others

ynusername you did your best, everyone is proud of you. ❤️‍🩹

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judebellingham i love you

judebellingham ❤️❤️❤️❤️

jobebellingham idol

trentarnold66 big player 🔥

masonmount ⭐️🔥

comments on this post have been limited.

ynusername has added to their story

judebellingham

Liked by ynusername, jobebellingham, and 1.273.012 others

judebellingham ain’t no place like home. my club. 💙

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user7 ur so fine

user8 ain’t no place like home and then he puts a picture of y/n

user9 u both are so fine

user10 cuties

[sen-ya]

part 5/7

is it silly that this is my favorite in this series? i really enjoyed writing kaya and I wanna do it again at some point :')

[op comic masterpost]

[pg1] panel 2: Kaya: Oh! Dr. Law! I didn't expect to find you in our library.

panel 3: Law: K-Kaya-ya!

panel 4: Law: Uh. Ahem. Excuse me. I hope you don't mind me borrowing your books.

panel 5: Kaya: Oh of course not! I'm just shocked to hear we have books you don't! What are you studying?

panel 6: Law: UHHHHH

[pg2] panel 10: Kaya: Oh! Is someone on your crew pregnant? Ikkaku??

panel 11: Law (thinking): She doesn't know Ikkaku is trans. Does she not know that I am?? I just assumed Nose-ya would have mentioned it. But that makes sense. If Straw Hat didn't already know Nose-ya was trans it's not like I would have told him.

panel 12: Kaya: ...?

panel 13: Law (thinking): Fuck, I've been quiet too long. I can't throw Ikkaku under to bus. Just say something.

panel 14: Law: No. Kaya: Oh. Then why...? Law (thinking): Wait, shit

[pg3] panel 15: Law: My, uh...brother...'s...wife. Yeah, we're taking him back to Zou soon...because his wife is pregnant...and I...want...to help...?

panel 16: Kaya: Oh, how sweet! Congrats "Uncle Law" hehe. If you have any questions I could help with let me know!! I specialized in traumatic injury, but I did deliver a few babies in Syrup Village! On smaller islands like that you wear a lot of hats.

panel 17: Law: And you've...been pregnant. Kaya: Well, yeah, but I wasn't my own doctor! Could you imagine if I had tried to deliver the twins myself? Even a doctor needs a doctor, you know that.

panel 18: Law: ...right.

panel 19: Law: ...what...what was it like?

panel 20: Kaya: Oh, my pregnant patients were actually pretty fun! I suppose it makes sense that as a pirate ship doctor you wouldn't have had to know obstetrics. But it was always so lovely to hand a parent their--

[pg4] panel 21: Kaya: ...newborn...baby...?

panel 23: Kaya: ...I'm sorry, Dr. Law. If there's context I need you'll have to give it to me. I'm not good at guessing.

panel 24: Law: What do you mean, I just gave you context. Kaya: With all due respect, you're full crying. It's a new sight for me!

panel 25: Kaya: You can tell me what's going on! I'm told I'm a very good listener

panel 26: Law: ...You Straw Hats sure are a pain Kaya: Sorry, hehe

panel 28: Law: ...I...ahem...so number one, if you didn't know...I'm...I'm trans.

panel 29: Law: But not like your husband. He got the works from Ivankov-ya...I never felt the need to seek that out.

[pg5] panel 30: Kaya: ...I see

panel 31: Kaya: How far along are you? Law: ..12 weeks, give or take. Kaya: Well, I've provided obstetric care of all kinds. So whatever questions you're researching here...why don't you ask me instead of being your own doctor?

panel 32: Law: ...Same question. What was it like?

panel 33: Kaya: Being pregnant was a horror show!

panel 34: Law: A glowing review. Kaya: Oh, sorry! I can lie if you'd prefer!

panel 35: Kaya: I was just so sick my first trimester! Law (speaking over her): KAYA-YA I THOUGHT I WAS DYING FOR TWO WEEKS WHEN WILL IT STOP I CAN ONLY EAT RICE.

panel 36: Kaya: It's different for everyone. By the end it wasn't quite so bad for me, though. And I love my kids so much. They were such cute newborns!! So I was alright being uncomfortable for awhile. Because that's what we wanted, you know?

panel 37: Kaya (off screen): What do you and Luffy want, Dr. Law?

[pg6] panel 38: Law: ...We haven't decided yet. We're giving it to the end of the week. I'm trying to think about it rationally. But I just keep getting emotional any time I talk about it. It's strange.

panel 39: Kaya: An emotional decision and a bad decision aren't inherently synonymous, you know.

panel 40: Law: ...your bedside manner is impeccable, Dr. Kaya-ya. Kaya: Well, thank you! Next time let's meet in the infirmary, mine or yours.

panel 41: Kaya: I'll be your doctor through this, okay?

panel 42: Law: ...Okay...Thank you. Kaya: Of course!

[dreamwritesimagines]

Garden of Secrets [41] - Daylily

A.N: The last 2 chapters! ❤️Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and support my loves, it made my whole week, you’re amazing!❤️ I hope you’ll like this chapter as well, and please don’t forget to tell me what you think❤️

Summary: Healing comes with patience.

Warnings: Regency era society and social rules, some gender specific language and terms, mentions of sex, mentions of threats.

Word Count: 2500

Series Masterlist

You had never been the type for surprises but you had to admit, you were quite looking forward to this one.

“If I fall down—”

“You won’t fall down.”

“I might!” you said with a giggle, extending your arms in front of you while Benedict kept his palm over your eyes, guiding you to the room. “And the next thing you know…”

“Y/N.”

“The next thing you know, I’m dead—”

“Don’t joke about that.”

“And you’re like uh, a widow artist.”

“A widow artist?!”

“Is this what you’ve been planning all along?” you teased him, making him huff out a small chuckle.

“I think you will change that theory pretty soon.”

“You don’t know that,” you sang. “Ben, I’m pretty sure your studio wasn’t this big for me to walk this much.”

“I changed the place of the canvas because it has better light over there—actually wait, I’ll change it again,” he said. “Keep your eyes closed.”

You squeezed your eyes shut when he lowered his hand, and heard him shuffle the easel around the room while you waited patiently. He soon came closer to you to get behind you, sneaking his arms around your waist to hold you close to his chest as always.

“Ready?”

“Very much so,” you said with a smile. “Can I open my eyes now?”

He heaved a shaky sigh, then cleared his throat. “Yeah.”

You opened your eyes and as soon as you did, your breath got caught in your throat.

Oh.

This was what Benedict had been working on for months; your portrait.

You couldn’t take your eyes off of the portrait and you took a step closer to it almost in a haze. It looked almost surreal, both familiar and unfamiliar because you were certain that you didn’t look as—

Mesmerizing.

Now you could understand what Benedict had said about getting the look in your eyes right, you looked nearly alive on the canvas. You already knew Benedict was talented, of course you did, but even you couldn’t imagine this. It didn’t look like it belonged to here or this century for that matter, it looked like one of those paintings that you would see in a museum from a century ago, something that would be looked upon with wonder and admiration for years and years.

“Benedict…” you whispered and he rested his chin on top of your head.

“Mm?”

“How did you—when did you—?” you stammered. “How?”

He chuckled. “I taught you how, remember?”

“No but this is something else completely,” you said. “You weren’t jesting about being inspired.”

“Oh I certainly wasn’t.”

“You’re so talented,” you murmured and he smiled against your neck before kissing the spot beneath your ear, making your heart skip a beat. You bit down on your lip, still staring at the portrait.

“So I thought of something but I want to get your opinion first,” he muttered and you turned around in his arms so that you could look up at him.

“What is it?”

A look of hesitation crossed his handsome features and he cleared his throat, stealing a glance at the portrait before turning to you.

“I know I kept saying I wasn’t ready to apply to the Academy,” he said. “And they normally open up the applications for next year at the beginning of the next season, but you can in fact send your work for the next year before they finish this year’s classes and such and it’s finishing next week and I was thinking…Maybe I could send this one and apply.”

Your eyes widened. “What?”

“The wiser decision would be to improve myself until the next season starts,” he added in a haste. “But I don’t know, it—it feels right, you know?”

A bright smile warmed your face and he let out a breath.

“Is it a terrible idea?”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea.”

“Do you think—do you think I could get in?”

“Ben, you’re the only person who doubts that,” you reminded him. “I’m completely sure that you will get in.”

“Really?”

“Really,” you nodded, stepping into his embrace. “I believe in you, always.”

He smiled softly and leaned in to kiss you, then rested his forehead against yours, his long fingers running over your back.

“You’re going to do amazing,” you said, wrapping your arms around his neck and standing on your tiptoes to peck him on the lips again. “You’ll see.”

He heaved a pleasant sigh. “I love you, you know that right?”

“Oh I know,” you said, grinning up at him. “I still like hearing it though. Quite often I might add.”

                                       *

Lottie and Anthony’s wedding was tomorrow and you were going to go to her house to see whether she needed anything, but before that, you and Josie had a visit you two had been delaying for quite some time now.

“Do they know?”

“I sent them a letter to tell them I have the letter,” Josie said as you followed her into the inn, and raised your brows at the sight of the run-down place. Josie approached the innkeeper to ask him something and he answered, so she looked over her shoulder and nodded at you.

“Upstairs, come on.”

You followed her suit, climbing up the stairs until she stopped in front of a door, then threw her shoulders back and opened the door.

“Hello father,” she said and you leaned sideways to the door, taking a look inside. The room was small and very messy, not very different from their bedchambers back at home. A shiver ran down your spine and you cleared your throat, crossing your arms.

“Came to gloat?” your mother spat and you shrugged your shoulders.

“Not really.”

“Well aren’t you two brave?” your father growled while your mother kept pushing the clothes into the chest. “Coming here like this.”

“What’s there to be scared of?” Josie asked. “You?”

Your father took a step towards her but stopped when you pulled out your knife from your cleavage.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” you said in a sweet tone, flipping the knife open. “This inn doesn’t appear to be safe for everyone after all.”

Josie repressed a smile as your mother shook her head.

“Don’t you have any shame?” she spat. “Threatening your father like that?”

“No I’m alright,” you said and turned to Josie. “Are you alright Jo?”

“Absolutely.”

“Why are you here?” your father asked while you turned the knife in your hand, and Josie heaved a sigh.

“Well first of all I wanted to make sure you were leaving,” she said. “And to remind you what might happen if you accidentally happen to be here the same time as us in the future.”

“And what exactly will happen?” he asked and you clicked your tongue.

“Your nose doesn’t appear to have healed,” you pointed out. “I’d hate to have to see it broken again.”

“You’d love it.”

“Yeah I would actually,” you pointed out and Josie nodded.

“So that’s the deal,” she said. “You stay away from us and we will stay away from you from now on. As far as I’m concerned, you’re dead.”

“Teddy deserves—”

“Teddy deserves better than you,” you said. “And I’ll make sure he gets it.”

“He’s my son!”

“By blood only and blood means nothing,” Josie said. “You made sure I understood that, remember?”

Your father eyed the knife in your hand before narrowing his eyes.

“And who’s going to stop me if I want to see my son again?” he asked. “You two?”

“Oh I don’t think I’d be bothered with you to be honest,” you mused. “Not when I can simply send people to deal with you. At night.”

“We didn’t go to your house ourselves to get the letter after all,” Josie reminded them and your mother gritted her teeth.

“I’m ashamed to call you my daughters.”

“Don’t call us your daughters then,” Josie retorted. “God knows I do not see you as my mother. If you ever show your face here again—”

“Oh so you came here to threaten us,” your father interrupted her and you scoffed.

“No, we came here to tell you what’s going to happen if you dare threaten me or Josie, or Teddy,” you growled. “And I can assure you father, though I may not deal with you myself, I will personally make sure that you suffer if you ever cross me or my wishes ever again.”

Josie tilted her head, grinning wide.

“Well I don’t need to add anything to that I suppose,” she said with a sigh. “Have a nice trip back home, I hope we never see each other again.”

“I didn’t say we’re finished—”

“We are finished,” you cut him off. “For good.”

Josie grabbed your hand as you both walked away from them, the sound of a vase smashing to pieces on the wall reaching you while you went down the stairs, and it was only when you two stepped out that you let out a breath, feeling like a weight was lifted off your shoulders.

“Are you feeling alright?” Josie asked and you felt yourself smile.

“Yeah,” you said, flipping the knife close and putting it back in your cleavage. “Are you?”

“Better than how I’ve felt in a long time,” she said. “Nice touch with the knife.”

“Learned it from you,” you said and Josie let out a laugh, then threw an arm over your shoulder to pull you close before you both started walking to the carriage waiting for you across the street.

                                             *

Anthony and Lottie’s wedding breakfast was more fun than you had imagined it would be. It was always lovely to see Lottie being her usual cheerful self, but today, both in the chapel and in the Bridgerton house she looked like she was on cloud nine which made you very happy as well. Every guest in the house was dying to talk to her or Anthony, but you made sure to keep an eye on her and get her out of the crowd when it looked like too many questions were thrown at her.

Like now.

“Excuse me ladies—Lottie?” you said, reaching out to touch her arm. “May I borrow you for a moment?”

“Of course!” she said and let you lead you away from them, then linked her arm with yours. “God, thank you! They’re already asking me what my first ball will be like as a Viscountess, can you believe that?”

“Unfortunately I can,” you said as you both passed the foyer to step outside. She heaved a deep sigh and turned to you, still holding your hand.

“This is not a dream, is it?” she asked. “I mean I married the love of my life, and I fear I might wake up anytime.”

You let out a laugh and shook your head.

“It’s not a dream Lottie.”

She tilted her head back and smiled, enjoying the sunlight falling on her face for a moment before turning back to you.

“And I could barely talk to Tony,” she said. “You think—I mean…do you think he’s as happy as I am?”

“I had the chance to talk to him about an hour ago, while you were upstairs with your mama,” you said. “I can assure you, he’s as happy as you are, perhaps even happier.”

“Not possible,” she giggled and pressed a hand over her chest, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “How about you? Are you having fun?”

“Lottie my dearest, will you please stop worrying about everyone else?” you asked with a smile and she shook her head.

“I’m trying?” she said as if apologizing and you squeezed her hand.

“It was a wonderful ceremony,” you said. “And it’s a beautiful breakfast. Everyone is delighted to be here, just…not as much as you and Anthony will be tonight.”

She repressed a laugh. “Shh!”

“So how was the wedding night talk?” you asked. “With your mama?”

A mischievous look flashed over her face. “She didn’t tell me anything I don’t know already.”

“Scandal,” you deadpanned and grinned. “So you’re leaving for Aubrey Hall after breakfast?”

“In the afternoon yes,” she said. “And um—we’ll be there until everyone comes to Kent next week—you will visit, will you not?”

“I feel like you won’t want visitors for a while.”

“Y/N!”

“I’m just saying,” you teased. “What, can I not ask questions now that you’re a Viscountess?”

She fixed her beautiful wedding gown, then threw her shoulders back, adapting an expression of exaggerated seriousness.

“I shall have to think about it,” she joked, then burst into a laughter. “No I’m serious! Benny’s house—well, your house now— is not very far from Aubrey Hall, so you must come to visit every day.”

“Well—” you started but before you could say anything, you heard Lottie’s mother calling out her name, making you both turn to look at the house. She waved at you from the door, motioning for Lottie to come and she shot you an apologetic look.

“Duty calls,” she said and kissed you on the cheek, then walked back to the house. You looked around the garden, smiling to yourself before making your way back to the house as well. You walked through the foyer but before you could reach the stairs, someone grabbed you by the wrist.

“What—Ben!” you hissed, trying to keep a straight face even if the urge to smile as soon as you saw him was stronger. “There are people here!”

“And they’re all very much focused on the newlywed couple,” he said, pulling you into the nearest room and you leaned back to the door as he closed it. “Hello my beautiful wife.”

“Hello to you too, my handsome husband,” you smiled up at him, wrapping your arms around his neck as he leaned down to kiss you. “I thought you had best man duties.”

“Mother and Lady Danbury are giving Anthony a huge speech about marriage and responsibilities,” he said. “I have to say, it’s quite entertaining when he’s the one who’s on the receiving end of a speech.”

“I can imagine,” you grinned. “So I saw you talking to Henry. Was he very happy that you will apply?”

“I haven’t told him yet,” he admitted. “I haven’t told anyone but you.”

You frowned slightly. “Why not?”

“I mean Henry and Gordon will probably hear about it because they’re friends with the director of the Academy and many people there,” he said. “But…I don’t know, it just feels like it’s something I should do, you know?”

You hummed, then nodded your head.

“I understand that,” you said. “Well then, I suppose we will have to celebrate by ourselves when you do apply, just you and me. Others can wait.”

He gave you that lopsided grin and cupped your cheek, running his thumb over your cheekbone.

“I like the sound of that,” he murmured, then leaned in to kiss you again, his other hand leaving your waist for a moment before you heard the lock sliding into place, making you pull back.

“This is your brother’s wedding breakfast!” you exclaimed with a giggle and he shrugged his shoulders.

“Exactly,” he said and leaned down to pick you up, making you let out a squeal that turned into a laugh as he made his way to the sofa with you in his arms. “We have a lot to celebrate darling.”

Chapter 42

[morganski-19]

Chills Right to the Marrow Part 42

ao3 link| part 1 . . . part 39, part 40, part 41

“And I know he doesn’t mean any of it,” Wayne explains, taking a long drag of his cigarette. “I’m just tired of it.”

Hopper scoffs. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”

Wayne needed to get out of the house. Do something other than go to work. Go somewhere where he can just calm down from it all. Not have to get in the middle of a fight or have one.

Eddie doesn’t fight with Wayne as much as he does with Steve, but it’s there. Wayne’s just used to it. Knows how to bite back enough to get Eddie to stop. Has the history where Eddie knows where to draw the line. Where to stop.

But Steve just lets him yell. Lets him scream and insult and hurt. Does it right back, not giving a shit what happens afterward. It’s giving Eddie exactly what he wants.

“I know why he does it. He’s angry and in pain, so he takes it out on us. I just wish he would stop. It’s not helping anything.”

“Hey, dad,” Jim’s kid pops her head out of the doorway. “Can I go over to Max’s?”

“Yeah, see if Jonathan can take you.”

Jim’s kid, who Wayne knows by at least three different names and can’t for the life of him figure out which one is the real one, shakes her head. “He already said that he is busy.”

Jim rolls his eyes. “Course he is. Give me like twenty minutes and I’ll drive you over.”

“Ok.” She lets the door swing back shut.

“Jonathan Joyce’s son?” Wayne asks. Willing to take a moment off from dealing with his own stuff.

Jim nods. “Her oldest. He hasn’t been busy since Wheeler broke up with him. Probably just getting high in his room.”

Wayne scoffs. “You let him do that?”

“He’s an adult, he can make his own decisions. As long as I don’t catch him while on the clock, I won’t do anything. I’m more worried about him.”

Wayne doesn’t know much about Jim’s personal life. Other than before he met Joyce, back when his kid was in the hospital. He knows that him and Joyce have been together for a few months now, and that they merged families. But he doesn’t know about his relationship with Joyce’s kids. Jim doesn’t talk about them a lot.

He’s pretty reserved, Wayne realized. Which isn’t a problem, Wayne can be reserved most of the time as well. But it was nice to have someone to relate to. Someone his age, who can understand his viewpoint more. They’re on the same understanding level.

Wayne’s never been the type of person to make and keep a friend. There were the people he grew up with in high school. People he worked with. His neighbors. But beyond basic friendliness, there really wasn’t a bond. It was different with Jim. Their understandings turning into camaraderie. Maybe turning into friendship.

It’s almost stupid to think of it that way. Two men in their fifties becoming friends. For some reason, it doesn’t sound right. But Wayne has liked being able to lean on someone during this. Someone that isn’t the twenty year old that he lives with.

He sees the kids all rally around each other. They way that they are there for each other. Adapting with their new lives and moving forward, together. Able to cope with the changes of their lives as a group, rather than the individual.

It would be nice to have something like that.

“What do you mean?” Wayne offers, hoping Jim will open up.

Jim exhales a line of smoke. “He doesn’t have many friends. Only this one kid that he met out in California. But no one here. Other than Wheeler, he just had his family. I just wish he had someone to talk to about all of this. But he just shuts himself in his room and gets high. And don’t even get me started when I try to ask, he just snaps and pushes me out.”

“I have some experience with that.” He flicks his cigarette. “Honestly, it just takes time. If you keep showing up for them, they eventually start to open up to you.”

“I guess.” Jim stubs out his cigarette.

“Mr. Munson,” Jim’s kid calls out the door again. “There’s someone one the phone for you.”

Wayne tosses his bud into the ash tray, nodding. He heads inside, following the kid to the phone. “Hello.”

“Hey, it’s Steve. Sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“No, that’s ok. What’s happening?”

Steve sighs. “Eddie hasn’t come out of his room all day. He’s locked the door and I can’t get him to come out. I thought maybe he might for you.”

Wayne rubs a hand down his face. “I’m heading back. Thanks for letting me know.”

“Ok. See you soon.”

He hangs the phone back on the receiver. Double checking that he has everything.

“That was Steve, wasn’t it?” A voice Wayne doesn’t recognize comes from behind him.

When he turns, he sees what he is assuming is Jonathan. Wearing clothes that look like they’ve been slept in. “It was.”

Jonathan scoffs. “So he calls our house now, great.”

“Jonathan,” Jim tries to scold. His voice rounding around the edges, trying not to be too harsh.

“No, I’m sick of this. It’s always Steve this and Steve that. I don’t get why he’s so great now. After all that he did. After that shit he pulled over spring break with Nancy. I don’t get what’s so great about the guy that he’s suddenly revered.”

“Oh my god, not again,” another voice comes from the living room. “You need to give it a rest, Jonathan.”

Wayne makes his way toward the door, feeling very out of place right now.

“Will, you don’t know what he said.”

“But I know what he’s done since then. You haven’t heard the things he’s done to protect the rest of us. You’re so blinded by the shit that happened three years ago to think that he could have changed.”

He hears a door slam as he makes his way to the porch. Letting out a long breath when he makes his way to his car.

“Sorry about that,” Jim apologizes.

“Do you know what that was about?”

He wants to know. Surprisingly. He’s living in Steve’s house. Trusting him with Eddie. If there was something that happened, especially whatever it was with Nancy. Considering that she and Steve seem to be really close now. With all that flirting he’s been doing with Eddie.

He needs to know that whatever Steve’s intentions are, they’re not going to screw Eddie over.

“Not really. I think it’s just an old grudge that he’s let fester.”

Wayne shakes his head. “Thanks for the smoke. I hope things get better for you.”

“Same goes for you. See you around.”

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[solkver]

airdrop ⋆·˚ ༘ *

chapter 10... ᝰ.ᐟ what in the skibidi

content warnings! mostly written, nsfw themes, profanities, really long update under the cut!

✄┈┈┈┈ october 21, 2024 – 10:34 am

sohee sat next to anton, back straight, hands on his lap. even from a far, anyone could tell how tense and stiff he looked. It made you chuckle the slightest bit, endeared at how nervous the boy gets around you. not soon after, anton wedges his elbow on sohee's side, effectively making him groan.

"what the hell, anton?" sohee grumbles, a hand caressing his sides. anton only glares at sohee knowingly and then glances at you with the same glare. you shrug, you didn't do anything! as the noise died down and sohee had finally grabbed his laptop, you lean back onto the cushions of the seat and pull out your own things. despite the headphones wrapped around your head and the laptop on your lap, you could still see sohee steal shy glances at you.

✄┈┈┈┈ october 21, 2024 – 11:15 am

it's been about an hour since you had began placing beats together hoping for something good to come out of it until your headphones beep repeatedly. Irritated, you snatch the device off your head and look around to see everyone busy on their own thing. so much for being lucky.

one last look around, your eyes meet with sohee's. bingo. sohee physically starts to panic, thinking he had been caught staring. but that wasn't the deal, all you needed right now was a plug. you smile slowly at sohee still looking at you with wide eyes, mouthing a 'charger?'

sohee sputters, "I- uh-" hands visibly shaking as he digs through his backpack, pulling a white chord out and handing it to you as quick as he could "h-here." you give him a wider smile this time, swiftly glancing at anton and thanking every god he wasn't paying attention.

✄┈┈┈┈ october 21, 2024 – 10:20 pm

"eunseok is so gonna kill me when he finds out I'm opening the door for a stranger" sohee murmurs as he goes through their kitchen wear. seeing no real knife, sohee grumbles a frustrated sigh and grabs the butter knife.

he takes a couple deep breaths as he take slow steps to the front door, the butter knife in his hand pointed forward. with a shaking hand, he twists the knob open and pulls it wide open, instantly regretting that decision and squeals as he throws the door shut, "what the fuck!"

✄┈┈┈┈ october 21, 2024 – 10:41 pm

"baby?" you say behind the door, sohee still clutching his chest, butter knife now abandoned on the ground. "hold– hold on" sohee stutters, door slowly creaking open.

"hi, pretty boy" you smile once sohee comes into sight, taking a tentative step in to the complex. sohee shakily inhales, eyes not meeting yours as he steps aside, "h-hey, yn.." once the door was shut, you raise a brow over at sohee's direction, effectively making him squirm, "sorry I just– I get really nervous around you"

hearing what the younger said, a hearty laugh erupts from you, "you're so cute, really" sohee looks away, redness creeping from down his neck all the way up to his ears, teeth caught in his lips. you'd hate to kill the mood but the sight of sohee biting on his lips has your eyes wandering.

originally you had decided to not to do anything, realizing that the guilt of trying anything with your brother's best friend will eat you up alive. but with the sight in front of you– lee sohee in all his glory clad in a worn out shirt hanging off his shoulder and basketball shorts– really, the thought of missing out on this weighs more than your guilt.

"hey sohee.." you start, taking a bold step closer to the smaller boy, both hands making it's home on his hips, "can I kiss you?" sohee's eyes are blown wide, face an incredible shade of red, "I– that– w-would that be alright, with anton, I mean?" that alone had you rolling your eyes, "nevermind him, I'm asking you. can I kiss you, lee sohee?" and maybe it was the adrenaline, or the impatience, you really can't tell, but you couldn't wait for sohee's response before crashing your lips on his.

𓏔 i. MASTERLIST 𓏔 ii. BACK 𓏔 iii. NEXT

synopsis! bored sohee decides that airdropping memes at his best friend's gig would be the best way to kill the boredom. much to his luck, the drummer of his best friend's band, who he's been crushing on for years, is the one that got his meme airdropped to.

author's note! well.... how was it..... longest update yet.... don't jump me guys 😣 taglist still open!

taglist! @pinklemonade34 @luvkyu @naseobseob @kmusicreblogs @desafortuno @dontwannaexsist

© solkver 2024 - all rights reserved. please do not repost, plagiarize, translate, or share my work on other platforms. thank you.

[d1xonss]

Desert Rose

Series Masterlist ~ Seasons 1-5

✧ Media : The Walking Dead

✧ Pairing : Daryl Dixon x OC

✧ Status : Ongoing

Warnings : Mentions of blood, death, gore, swearing, sex, violence, etc.

Prologue ~ When a zombie apocalypse breaks out and wipes over half of the population, Rose is left alone to take on this new world as it unfolds. She knew it would be difficult, for things to not work out the way they once did, turning in ways she never would've expected. But what she really didn't expect was to come across more survivors like her. Not only that, but the journey that would come right along with it.

Disclaimer ~ This is a fan fiction I wrote that follows the TV show The Walking Dead, Seasons 1-11. This mainly follows the entirety of the plot of the show, but there will be little changes here and there that I've added on my own. There may be some disturbing topics in some chapters, but there will always be a warning at the top before you read. I don’t own any of the characters in the series except for my OC. As of now the story is not complete, but there will be weekly updates. Let me know if you would like to be added to the taglist!

Hope you enjoy!

Character Moodboards

Spotify Playlist

Season 1 ~ Moodboard

Chapter 1 - Introductions

Chapter 2 - Who the Hell are You?

Chapter 3 - Opening up

Chapter 4 - One Long Day

Chapter 5 - Decisions

Chapter 6 - Metallica

Chapter 7 - Overthinking

Chapter 8 - Panic Room

Season 2 ~ Moodboard

Chapter 9 - Sophia?

Chapter 10 - Darkness

Chapter 11 - The Farm

Chapter 12 - Cherokee Rose

Chapter 13 - Hey Stranger

Chapter 14 - Thank you

Chapter 15 - Heart Attack

Chapter 16 - It ain't like that

Chapter 17 - Guitar lessons and confessions

Chapter 18 - Gone

Chapter 19 - Goodbye

Chapter 20 - Stay

Chapter 21 - Randall

Chapter 22 - Scars

Chapter 23 - Broken

Chapter 24 - Good Mourning

Chapter 25 - The Herd

Chapter 26 - Reunited

Season 3 ~ Moodboard

Chapter 27 - New Beginnings

Chapter 28 - Stranger Danger

Chapter 29 - Shit happens

Chapter 30 - Three little words

Chapter 31 - Happy Birthday

Chapter 32 - Avoiding Me

Chapter 33 - Woodbury

Chapter 34 - Come with me

Chapter 35 - Hey Jude

Chapter 36 - The Attack

Chapter 37 - Welcome Back

Chapter 38 - Worries and Apologies

Chapter 39 - Going to War

Chapter 40 - The Deal

Chapter 41 - Peace

Season 4 ~ Moodboard

Chapter 42 - Wildflower Wildfire

Chapter 43 - The Honeymoon Phase

Chapter 44 - Little Things

Chapter 45 - All Good things Must come to an End

Chapter 46 - I’m Here

Chapter 47 - Infected

Chapter 48 - In Sickness and In Health

Chapter 49 - Blood runs Thicker than Water

Chapter 50 - Bring me to Life

Chapter 51 - Liar

Chapter 52 - We’re Okay

Chapter 53 - The Pretty Purple Clip

Chapter 54 - Claimed

Chapter 55 - Moonshine and Memories

Chapter 56 - Alone

Chapter 57 - Found

Season 5 ~ Moodboard

Chapter 58 - As Deep as a Wound

Chapter 59 - The Priest

Chapter 60 - Just Married

Chapter 61 - White Crosses

Chapter 62 - Deafening Cries

Chapter 63 - Death’s Deaf Ears

Chapter 64 - The Rain

Chapter 65 - A Friend

Chapter 66 - Just the Beginning

Chapter 67 - Alexandria

[estrellami-1]

If I Should Stay

I’m not gonna lie… if there was a part to leave as my last one for a month… I’d choose this one. I hope y'all like it as much as I do! ❤️

Part 1 | . . . | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42

El watches the proceedings with wide eyes, and grips onto Steve’s hand the moment he’s close enough. “It’s time,” she says. She might be asking; she’s not quite sure.

Steve’s face falls. “Almost,” he agrees, pulling her into a hug. She goes gladly, tucking her face into his neck. “I think we’ve got one more day,” he murmurs, not letting go. “Are you up for some training today?”

She pulls back to look him in the eye. It’s the easiest way for her to make sure he’s telling the truth. “I will be stronger?”

“That’s the goal,” Steve nods. “I don’t know if it’ll work.”

El thinks about it, then nods. “I want to try.”

“M’kay. Have you eaten recently? Alli made some pretty great mac and cheese we can heat up, if you want it.”

El had mac and cheese before. It was cold, because she had to wait for Mike to bring it to her in the basement. The noodles were rubbery and the cheese didn’t taste good. She scrunches her nose, but Steve doesn’t look like he’s lying, so she relaxes her face and nods. “That would be good,” she tells him.

He smiles and ruffles the little bit of hair she has. “‘Course, El. I’m gonna heat this up, and while you eat, we can talk, okay?”

“Okay,” she answers, and watches as he puts some of the pasta into a bowl and sticks it into the microwave.

As it’s heating up, Steve turns to Eddie and Wayne. “Eddie, think you can bring him up to speed? We’ll be in the dining room if you have any questions.”

Eddie nods and waves his uncle out of the kitchen in the direction of the living room, already speaking faster than Eleven had thought possible.

When they’re both sitting at the table, her with a steaming bowl in front of her and a fork in hand, Steve starts talking. “First things first,” he says softly. “Eleven. That’s not your name; it was a number assigned to you.”

She perks up. “You know my name?”

Steve nods. “Jane.”

“Jane,” she tries out, then nods decisively. She likes it.

“So eleven. The number. That means there were at least ten others. We know Vecna, Henry Creel, is One. That leaves nine more.”

El shakes her head. She knows this. “They all died.”

Steve gives her a sad sort of smile. “Not all of them. You meet your sister, Kali. She’s number eight. She can make you believe you’re seeing something that isn’t there. She’s very powerful, and she taught you how she got that powerful.” He puts his fingertips together with his palms apart. It looks like a spider on a mirror, and El gets sidetracked for a moment by the image.

“What do you know about fairy tales?” Steve asks, and El blinks and chews the bite she’d just put in her mouth.

“They’re fake,” she eventually says. “Stories about things that never happened, that can’t ever happen.”

Steve smiles at her. “Yes, but there’s still lessons to be learned from them. Can I tell you my favorite version of a fairy tale called Sleeping Beauty?”

El perks up again. “I know that one! A witch curses the princess so she falls asleep forever until her true love finds her and kisses her.”

Steve nods. “That’s the most popular version,” he agrees, lips tilted up. “But that’s not my favorite.”

She tilts her head. “What is your favorite?”

He grins at her. “Once upon a time there was a princess. She was cursed, you got that right, but it wasn’t by a witch. It was by a fairy who hadn’t been invited to her first birthday, which is a very big deal when you’re a princess. So the fairy curses her to fall asleep—her and the rest of the kingdom—when she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel when she turns eighteen. Everything goes exactly as the fairy had said, and eighteen years after she casts the spell, the princess—Aurora—falls asleep, only to be woken by true love’s kiss. The fairy came to check on Aurora and found her sleeping, just as she’d planned. But something unexpected happened: the fairy felt compassion for her. She took to sitting by her bedside every day, waiting for the princess’s true love to appear. Finally one day she goes to leave and presses a kiss to Aurora’s forehead. Can you guess when happened?”

El frowns. “She woke up?”

“Exactly,” Steve nods. “She woke up because the fairy loved her. True love can come from anywhere. It doesn’t have to be romantic.” He takes one of El’s hands in his own and looks into her eyes. “Kali taught you to use your anger to get stronger. I want you to try to use love. It’s the one thing Henry Creel doesn’t have.”

El thinks about it. “I don’t have to kiss anyone.”

Steve chuckles. “No, you don’t have to kiss anyone. But you know me, right? You know Mike and Will and Dustin and Lucas. And you know Robin, Eddie, Nancy, and Jonathan, now, right?”

“Right,” El nods.

“And do you love any of us? Do you want us to stay safe?”

El thinks carefully about the question, then nods. “Like the fairy.”

Steve’s eyes crinkle as he grins at El. “Just like the fairy.”

Permanent Taglist: @justforthedead89 @ilovecupcakesandtea @madigoround @bookbinderbitch @suddenlyinlove @nburkhardt @artiststarme @paintsplatteredandimperfect @i-less-than-three-you @alyelf @quarble @messrs-weasley @littlewildflowerkitten @vankaar @starman-jpg @bornonthesavage @steddie-there @goodolefashionedloverboi @andienotannie @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @platinum-sunset @just-ladyme @steddiestains @swimmingbirdrunningrock @imhereforthelolzdontyellatme @martinskis-lydias @notaqueenakhaleesi @sleepyboosstuff @bestwifehaver @m-owo-n @thatonebadideapanda @finalmoondragon @velocitytimes2 @callmeanythjing @ajeff855 @ilikeititspretty @knitsforthetrail @sillysparrow @that-one-corvid @ace-is-bored @muricel @harpymoth @weirdandabsurd42

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[clubdionysus]

[BAD DECISION #41] Locked Doors

warnings: jungkook is literally so cayewwwt, shower sex, creampie <3, talks of a 'label', avoidance of said 'label', THE JILYMPICS!!! fun time with friends!!! wahooo!! i forgot how much I luv these chapters, shameless flirting!! lots of inspo from run bts :) so nice! so fun! until the red witch returns.... mwhahahahaha

wc: 11.5K

bd total wc: 540k (ongoing)

AO3 | MASTERLIST | MINORS DNI

"Go on. Admit it. You hate the turtles."

"Gguk," you say flatly, giving him a look that just screams 'really?'

"We're right by the sea," he reminds you, as if you ever forgot. Nods towards the door of the house you're currently inside - the same one you're sleeping in - and reciprocates your look. "Go on out there and tell the sea creatures you're a heartless wench who doesn't care for them."

Rolling your eyes, the smirk on your lips is well hidden. The salt air has dried your skin out, and the lines by your eyes as you smile feel a little tighter than usual - but Jeongguk is just the same, dark hair crisping as it dries off.

You'd all been playing a game of chicken down by the shore, seeing who could run away from the largest waves, when Nabi and Jimin had declared that everybody needed to go inside.

"We're setting up for this afternoon's activity," Jimin had explained. "No sneak peeks."

And thus you'd all been banished to your bedrooms.

At the time, still a little too close to the sea, Jeongguk had been protesting the demand when the largest wave of the entire game came crashing in. Had knocked out his knees from behind - and thus, he's now dripping wet in the communal area of the house you're staying in.

The dark material of his shirt drapes over his strong torso like he's made of marble; a statue comparable to those of Ancient Greece. He really is just something else. You've never known a man like him.

And yet it's those big brown puppy dog eyes that get your tummy doing silly little somersaults.

When you were a kid, and you didn't understand how the body worked, and still thought your lungs were balloons inside ribs, you used to think that little miniature men were responsible for all bodily functions ever. 

If anyone were to ask, you'd probably describe it as a game of lemmings going on inside you. The men were teeny tiny. Always wore hard hats. Had little radios that connected to a man in the brain who sat at a desk and watched everything happen.

Retrospectively, even with limited knowledge of science, you're not sure how child-you ever thought that was possible. How could tiny men fill up your tear ducts whenever you cried? Surely you'd feel them? And where would they get the tiny plastic jugs from? Logic evaded you, clearly.

Still, you can picture your band of tiny men, in rust-coloured boiler suits and yellow hard hats using your stomach as a circus tent, now. They'd trapeze from side to side. Maybe there'd even be a tiny elephant in there, doing tricks with a ball.

You push the silly thoughts of silly tiny men out of your head - only to be confronted with an equally silly man in front of you. Sexy, yes, but silly.

"You can go tell them for me," you insist, just playfully as he had suggested the thing you're arguing against. "You're already wet. Makes sense."

"No, what makes sense is us getting a shower together-"

"Oh my God," you laugh. He's determined. You'll give him that much. "Give it a rest you needy little prick."

"So you DO hate the turtles," he shakes his head. Scoffs. Looks terribly disappointed in you. All you wanna do is kiss his stupid, pretty - no, you remind yourself. Pull it together. "And here I was thinking you were a good person, B. More fool me."

It's just that his feigned disappointment is kinda cute; all pouty and pensive. There's something about a whiney Jeongguk that really does make you a little weak at the knees - but you're creating a little distance.

Or at least, you're trying to.

Quite literally - you're standing by the foot of the stairs, while he's over by the sofa. Are far too aware that if you were any closer, you'd just say fuck it. Would get him undressed right there and then, and probably get far dirtier than you are now. Would earn that shower he's so desperate to have with you.

Every single time he's touched you throughout the day, no matter how minimal, you've found yourself wanting to hold his hand. Every smile shared, you've wished was a kiss, and every laugh exchanged has made your heart swell .

You're in trouble, and you damn well know it.

"Look," you sigh, trying to be the sensible one because apparently he's incapable. "If you join me, that easily turns it into, what? Thirty? Forty minutes? But if I'm alone, I'm done in ten."

"I can be quick," he promises without hesitation, and then pretends to be a little offended. "Hold on a second - I'm not doing this for my gain. I'm just thinking about the turtles. Don't even wanna do anything with you like that. Gross. Get your mind outta the gutter, B."

"Oh, so you just wanna be naked together, huh?" You smile, knowing he's full of absolute horse shit.

"Yeah?" He says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Just normal bestie things."

You know he's joking, but there's a wilting sadness that comes with the prospect of Jeongguk still believing this; still thinking of you as he always has done.

Memories of how Jeongguk used to speak of Hayun ring in your ears like the clattering of metal alarm clocks that never seem to cease.

She stayed the same. I'm the one whose feelings changed. My hurt is on me.

History is repeating itself, just with Jeongguk playing a different role. He's stayed the same, this time. It's your feelings that have, stupidly, changed.

He's made for it, you think. Made to be adored. Made to make the girlies swoon. Made for you to feel far too fondly about.

You've an awareness of how this all will play out, thanks to Jeongguk's own history. Know that you've got limited time to indulge in him.

So, for better or for worse, indulge in him, you shall.

"You'll catch a cold if you stay in those clothes," you eventually concede, finally relenting.

The space between you is closed, you desire to keep a safe distance evaporating in the murky April air.

Toying with the hem of his shirt, you look up at him through your lashes. Hope you look as sultry as you feel.

It's so stupid. You shouldn't care so much. It's just Jeongguk.

But that's exactly the problem.

It's Jeongguk .

Oh, God, it's Jeongguk and that pretty smile, and those sweet little teeth. It's Jeongguk and the angled tip of his nose and the narrowing of his eyes as he looks down at you; no longer a doe but a dragon. It's Jeongguk, and the scent of his aftershave and warmth of his skin that always makes you feel so at home.

It's Jeongguk. Has been since that very first Dionysus night when he asked you what you liked, and all you could think about was him. Superficial, dumb shit. His tattoos, his lip ring - but also his kindness. His astute determination to make sure people who needed water got water, and how willing he was to find you a drink you liked.

You've been withholding evidence, it would seem. The crime? How Jeon Jeongguk stole your heart in an elaborate heist, so intricate you didn't even realise it was happening.

The alarm bells are ringing, now though. You're without a heart, and yet you've never felt more alive.

His dark eyes are downcast towards you; sin written all those pretty features you like so much.

"So take them off," he husks, leaning down to nudge his nose against yours. The proximity of your lips makes it hard to resist him. "Get me naked, B."

And so you simply don't resist.

You press your lips up against his, and sink into his touch; how he pulls your waist closer into his chest, how broad his shoulders are beneath your elbows as your arms link behind his head, how softly he envelops your lips with his own.

It's soft. Gentle. A kiss to declare how much you've missed him, even if it's less than twelve hours since the last time you were caught up in such an embrace.

Sometimes in life, kisses linger far longer in your soul than they do on your body.

They become your first thought when you think of fairy tales, and the people you share them with are forever immortalised as something far greater than who they actually are.

One day, when leaves have fallen and rebloomed a dozen times over, you won't be able to feel these kisses anymore - but you'll feel something . An ever-present ghost that you can never rid yourself of. Doesn't matter how many kisses come afterwards; none will ever compare.

You don't realise it yet, but this is your forever kiss.

It's the one that will stain you red in the colour of Jeon Jeongguk's affection for you. Even if one day he forgets how delicately he touched you, how feathery light his lips were and how serene your smile was, you won't. It'll replay in your mind, and whenever you realise you're thinking about it again, you'll press your lips together, as if that's any substitute.

Other lovers will no doubt kiss you later in life. Come the time, it'll be nice. Welcome, even. But it'll never be the same.

This realisation will come far too late, and it will be devastating.

Will stop you from believing in the concept of love all over again. Will make you resent your younger self for embarking on these bad decisions with a boy you were never supposed to fall for.

Jeon Jeongguk is forever, but he's also not for you.

But you're young, and you're dumb, and bad decisions just taste so good when they're on the tip of his tongue.

"About that shower?" he mumbles into your lips.

"Shut up," you mumble right back.

Yet not even two minutes later, you're in the same position, water running, clothes stripped, bathroom door locked.

"I stand corrected," he husks, lips trailing down your neck.

"Hmm?"

"About the turtles," he smirks. Pulls away to look at you, and brushes strands of sopping wet hair off your face. Holds your jaw and he presses a dainty kiss against your lips. "You do love the turtles."

Turtles? Meh. You're indifferent.

Jeongguk? Yeah... That's the kicker.

"Shut up," you whine into his lips as they press down once more. His hands roam all over your body, reacquainting themselves with the way you feel; wet, warm, and his to hold.

There's an unbridled familiarity to the way Jeongguk touches you, certain permissions never asked because they're always a given yes. He turns you around, but leans over your shoulder to make sure he can still kiss you.

Cock hard, he taps the outer side of your thigh. Instinctively, you raise up to your tiptoes. Seem to just understand what he wants; what he needs. Squeezing at your ass, Jungook lets himself rub up against you. Feels so nice, the way you use one another for nothing more than a little selfish, mindless indulgence. There's no expectation of reciprocation, and yet it's always a given.

"Keep your legs together," he husks against your shoulder, a hand on your waist and he grips the base of his cock. Presses the tip just beneath the curve of your ass where your legs meet; a teeny tiny triangle of space just beneath your pussy his to fill. Lets out a laboured breath as he pushes into the tight space. His lips kiss the curve of your neck, and he's quiet, when he begs, "Can I fuck you like this? Please?"

You don't verbalise a response. Just nod. Push your ass back a little, forearms and palms flat against the tiles, creating a barrier for your head to lean upon.

It's not really fucking. At least, you're not getting fucked - but the friction of his cock as it slides in the snug space your body accommodates for him is so nice. So simple and yet so good.

Waist being held by one of his large hands, the other comes to rest at the base of your neck. Water still pitter-patters around you, wetting your skin, making your hair stick to your body. The way your pussy leaks for him as the tip of his cock brushes up against your clit provides him with a far better lube than the water he'd been relying on.

"Fuck, B," he grunts as his hips thrust into a rhythm akin to the beat of your heart. "This body..." he squeezes your waist. " Your body. Fuck. Feels so fucking good."

For reasons you can't quite decipher, you downplay his compliments. Tease a little, and say, "I'm sure you say that to all the girls."

Jeongguk knows you're joking. Is familiar with the turn of phrase. Has heard you use it before.

But he's not an idiot.

Well, no, often he is an idiot - but when it comes to his sensitivity of you, and specifically your relationship with shower sex, he knows better than to joke along with you. There are scars left by Seokjin and even though they're pale in comparison to how raw they were when you first showered with Jeongguk, he knows how hard you've worked to heal.

And so he slows. Keeps himself snug in the warmth of you, but stays still. Presses a delicate kiss to your neck. Shakes his head. Finds your lips. Is delicate once more as he kisses you tenderly.

"No one makes me feel like you do," he promises against your lips.

Hands slinking around you, he pulls you in for a hug. Arms tight, he needs you to know that his words are true. 

Jeongguk is smooth as he manoeuvres you around to face him once more. Back pressed to the tiles, steam billowing around the room, his hands cup your jaw, positioning you perfectly for your lips to meet his - and when they do, it's clear that the way you orbit one another is reaching the point of no return.

It's only a matter of time until you crash. Collide. Combust.

Still, he's in total control. Your body kind of just becomes his; eyes wide whenever he pulls away, begging for him to return.

And he will - but first, he needs to be honest. Needs you to hear his truth, 'cause he's scared of the consequences that could occur due to an absence of it.

"I love it here," he starts, then realises he's too vague. Doesn't care that his cock is embarrassingly hard, or that he can't quite get a read behind your sparkly eyes. He looks down briefly, only for a moment or so. Shakes his head. Raises his head to meet your gaze. "Not here," he corrects. Continues, "I mean - here, yeah, right now - but not here specifically. I just... When I'm with you like this, the rest of it all just sorta disappears. Shit with the bank, with life..."

His lips find yours, pressing down tightly to match the closing of his eyes. In his head, the voices berate him. Tell him to stop being a fucking baby. To man up. To say what he really thinks.

But Jeon Jeongguk is, for the first time in a very long time, scared in your presence.

Scared he could fuck it. Scared he could say the wrong thing. Scared he could say the right thing, and fuck it up regardless.

"You help me forget," he whispers in between his needy, nonsensical physical affirmations of how much he enjoys being with you.

Life is good, though, you think. He shouldn't need to forget it.

And so you ask.

"What's there to forget, huh?" You say softly, lips brushing against his, noses nudging in that delicate way they so often do.

It's a good question.

Suddenly, Jeongguk doesn't really want to be honest any more. Doesn't want to admit to the part where he forgets you're not together. Where he forgets this started as a means to an end, and that it seems as if the end is drawing near. Where he forgets that you're not his, and he's not yours.

When it's just the two of you, it's so easy to pretend; to cosplay as lovers. Do all the things that lovers do, so that one day, you'll be able to do it easily with someone else.

But Jeongguk has tried.

He felt the rush of butterflies with Jiyeong; that superficial sorta infatuation that flutters around your stomach, but fails to reach your bloodstream. It never impacted his heart. Never made his muscles ache.

Not like you do.

And he knows why - again, he's not a total idiot.

It's 'cause you're friends.

There are layers here, à la Shrek and onions. You're already in his bloodstream. He already cares for you in a way that goes beyond that of a crush.

It just so happens that he wants to bone you, like, twenty-four-seven. Has never been so horny. Thinks he might die, like, once a day. Maybe more. He's not too sure.

The combination of his care and complete lack of self-control?

He knows that it's rare.

Knows that it isn't typical.

Even with Hayun, it wasn't like this.

There was a time when Jeongguk could say he loved her. Completely, and honestly, adored her for a fraction of his lifetime. And yet...

It wasn't like this.

Nudging his nose against yours, he goes against his better judgement.

The thing that you make him forget?

"That it's not as good as this in real life," he whispers. "You make me forget it's never this good. I don't... This shit ain't normal, B."

You're a fallacy; an illusion of what life could be like. A fantasy. That beautiful 'what if' Jeongguk used to think of you as in the shitty lighting of Dionysus, your disco ball eyes twinkling as you'd tease him by the bar.

But your glitter is on your cheeks now, fixed at zero even as rivulets of water trickle down your skin like tears. There's still a sparkle in your eye, but it's just because you're reflecting your star boy back at himself.

"What do you mean?" you ask, certain that you don't actually want the answer.

Jeongguk leans across to the taps. Shuts off the shower.

"Turtles," he says of his actions. Bites on his lip, contemplation lacing his brows together. His ring does the thing. You wish he was still kissing you. "I mean... I just... Well, this is different, isn't it? The thing we've got going on. The friendship. The fucking. It's better."

You shake your head. Know that you've been confused over things recently. Perhaps he is, too.

"It's the lack of romance. All the fun without the expectations. It is different... but it's not better."

"You've had better?" He asks, genuinely curious.

"Well, no," you admit. "But nothing feels the same as being loved."

"Oh, fuck that," he laughs. Know that somewhere in that pretty head of yours, memories of Seokjin are floating around. Is shameless, and most definitely too horny for his own good when he says, "I can fuck you like I love you."

"No, you can't," you laugh, as if the heart that's no longer in your chest isn't being put through a paper shredder. "You can't fake it. You just know when the other person loves you."

Like I love you. So desperately sad. Like he loves you. Like.

"Do you?" He implores.

The question is posed as a generalisation. You take it as such, and ignore the way your brain wonders if it was meant to be slightly more pointed.

Do you know when someone loves you ?

"What I know, Jeongguk, is that you don't need love to have fun."

"And you'd rather that? Fun over love?"

"I'd rather you shut up and fuck me," you tease, because you'll lose your mind if he doesn't stop sending you such conflicting messages. "So yeah, I'll take fun over love."

No, Jeongguk thinks. No, you won't. Not if you're fucking me.

Glancing over to the clock on the back wall, you make a note of the time. "Got twenty minutes, Gguk. We need to get ready - but fun can be fast. Love can't be."

Oh, on the contrary.

Love can be both of those things.

Jeongguk proves it not even four minutes later; your legs wrapped around him, back pressed to tiles, his thumb rubbing gentle circles over your clit as your pussy throbs around his cock.

"God, you're so beautiful," he husks into your mouth, kisses messy, tongue teasing. "So god damn gorgeous when you cum on my cock, aren't you, B?"

And you know it shouldn't, but it makes you laugh. Gets you all giggly. Mutterings of "shut up" are spliced with teeny tiny kisses and reciprocated giggles from Jeongguk. Little sing-songs of "pretty, pretty baby," and "you're so happy when I fuck you - it's so cute, " and the occasional laboured grunt, moan, curse - but always an eternal, endless, ethereal smile on Jeongguk's dreamy lips.

There's no clear, linear pathway that leads you to your bedroom. You know you don't walk, so Jeongguk must have carried you, but it's all such a mess. Him, you. Bodies, connected. Your existences bleed into one another. Too busy sustaining each other to realise that you're still wounded.

The way his cock slides into you when you're finally on your bed, retracting with every strenuous grind of his hips against yours, is nothing short of euphoric. Trapped beneath the weight of his body, you're a prisoner of your own feelings, but he's the one keeping guard. How could you not adore him? How could you want anything other than this? How could this ever be just friends?

Legs spread nice and wide for him, there's an ache in your bones that doesn't even come close to the ache in your chest.

Mindless as he hooks one of your legs over his elbow, Jeongguk's lips are barely kissing yours. Just sharing your oxygen; breathing in your moans.

"I'm there," he husks, and is met with a nod.

"Inside," is all you can manage to say. Wrap the leg that he's not supporting around his back. Hold him close. Get him smirking.

"B-" he whines, knowing he shouldn't - not like he makes any effort to pull away. He's as desperate for this as you are.

"Please."

Jeongguk fucks you until he physically can't. Until you physically can't take it anymore; until you both, emotionally, can't bear it any longer. Finishes inside you, 'cause it's what you want, and he wants to be the one who fulfils your desires.

Body heavy on top of yours, Jeongguk stays buried inside you, the clammy skin you're both sporting makes the shower you shared redundant. He doesn't want to move. Doesn't want to lose this. Lose you.

His lips press a firm kiss beneath the curve of your jaw, his fingers coming to lace with yours. Closer, and closer still.

If he doesn't separate himself from you, he's gonna say something he'll regret. Is already internally fighting against the words forming in his throat that he's refusing to speak. Stupid shit. Declarations. Affirmations. Confessions.

One of your hands strokes down his back, the other still holding on to his hand. It's a simple intimacy. One that you don't fear; but instead, you fear losing.

Jeongguk pulls back a little, to get a read on your face. Steals a kiss, 'cause he just can't help himself, then steals half a dozen more. Says, "You gotta stop seducing me, Byeol."

"Oh, fuck off," you laugh. "This time was all on you."

He shakes his head. Lets his nose nudge up against yours. Is so effortlessly serene. "All on you, Byeol."

Rolling your eyes, you nudge him to encourage his body off of yours. He begrudgingly obliges. Flops onto the empty space beside you.

"Leaving already?" he whines, eyes on your body as you get to your feet. Is shameless, cupping his still-firm cock as if the sight of you alone is enough to get him hard again.

"Need to pee," you say without much thought, reaching over to the chair for a shirt to cover your modesty.

It's hard to pinpoint the specific moment you became this comfortable with Jeongguk. Typically you're discreet about matters such as this - blame Seokjin - but there's no need for subtleties when it comes to Jeongguk.

"Can I come?"

"No?"

"Please."

"Go get dressed," you offer a different suggestion, 'cause why the fuck he'd wanna come with you, you've no idea.

It's not like he wants to actively watch you pee - though he wouldn't be opposed - it's just that he wants you close. The more he thinks about it though, the more he kinda does wanna watch. It's taboo. A little erotic. There's very little that won't get him hard, and when you're added into the mix? Guaranteed boner.

Lost in his thoughts, he lets you go. Trundles downstairs, and cleans himself off in the small sink in the downstairs loo. Runs a little water through his hair to try and rid himself of the cowlick that dried into his hair - but it'll be fruitless without a re-wash.

Giving up, he resigns himself to laughable hair for the rest of the day. Doesn't really mind, 'cause he likes it when he makes his friends laugh.

Hands resting on the basin, Jeongguks rolls his shoulders back. Looks down into the empty porcelain basin and shakes his head. "Pull yourself together, man."

He flicks on the tap again and gathers a little water in his hands to pat on his cheeks. They're flushed with colour, his lips still rosy from the friction of a million kisses against yours. Tongue toying with his lip ring, Jungook just observes himself.

Unrecognisable, is the man in front of him. The perception he has of himself when you're together doesn't align with who he actually is.

There's an innocence to the way Jeongguk sees himself whenever he's with you. He forgets the tattoos. Forgets the muscles. Forgets the lip ring, and the hair. The jawline. Forgets it all.

When he's with you, Jeongguk is the baseline version of himself; a star in its purest form.

"Why are you still naked?" You question with a raised brow, fully dressed, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. He didn't realise how long he'd been contemplating the conundrum of you. "And why is the door wide open?"

You're in yoga pants and - for once - one of your own shirts. It's form-fitting but still a little baggy, a simple wide-V neckline plunging a little too deep for his sanity. Glitter sparkles in the inner corner of your eyes, but it's subtle. Still lovely, he thinks.

"Hm?" He chirps, bathroom door wide open. Expansive eyes large as the glance over to you, it's clear you've caught him mid-thought-tangent.

You glance over your shoulder to the entryway, then back to him. "You're lucky no one came in, you little exhibitionist. Get dressed. It's nearly time."

Jeongguk could get dressed. He will get dressed.

But first he walks to meet you.

Cups your jaw.

Kisses you, 'cause it half feels like he might die if he doesn't.

Hands on his bare waist, you reciprocate his advances despite the surprise. Lean into his touch, as if it's the most natural thing in the world. Figure he's just still riding the post-fuck high. Adore the way it feels to be wanted by him.

"You're too hot," he whines when he finishes kissing you - but keeps his forehead resting against yours. Wants to stay close. "Everyone's gonna want you."

"So?" you laugh, thinking that he's absolutely ridiculous. "They can have me."

"No," he strops in full disagreement. "They can't"

"No?"

"No, B."

"That's very selfish of you," you smile against his lips.

And all he does is nod. It is selfish -but he's always been honest with you about the fact he's terrible at sharing. Simply doesn't want to do it.

There was a brief reality when sharing was his only option. Seojoon, and his stupid long legs and his dumb, perfectly styled hair. A formidable opponent, but one that Jeongguk is glad to no longer have,

It's uncomfortable to think about; a reality in which he'd lose you to another person.

It haunts him; how your silky scrunchies would look around the taps of someone else's sink. Your clothes strewn across the back of a chair he doesn't know. Watermarks left on someone else's tiles thanks to showers had by you. It's the mundane shit that Jeongguk finds he doesn't want to share the most.

And yet when he looks at you like this, he can't bring himself to say it.

Finds it embarrassing, the way his chest aches when he's thinking about your shoes in a pile by doors he's never seen before. The laundry detergent you like on someone else's shelf. Your used dishes in the sink, yet to be done because you're too busy lazing around with a nameless lover. Flecks of glitter on pillowcases that aren't yet dented with the shape of your head.

Not like Jeongguks are.

There are traces of you all around his apartment. You've not visited in a little while, but if you were to go there. this instant, you'd feel right at home.

A spare jacket of yours is hung up by their front door.

It's your half-drunk peach Chilsung in the fridge next to an iced coffee Jimin forgot to drink. The blanket on their sofa is one you brought round for a movie night and left there because Jeongguk kept going on about how soft it was. It's your tits up on the wall, but no one else really knows that except for you and Jeongguk.

It's in his bedroom though, where a sanctuary has truly been formed. A constellation of you is mapped out; glitter, underwear, sticky notes, birds. Polaroid pictures and photobooth strips. Tickets and receipts. Mementoes capturing a fraction of time that Jeongguk hopes to never lose.

"Okay," you encourage him a little further. "Well if I don't want to share you, and you don't want to share me... what do you suggest we do about it?"

This isn't a romantic declaration. It's not some admission of feelings, or anything like that. Is simply just the establishment of a boundary. A hard one, at that.

"Logic would suggest that we don't share," Jeongguk adds, all very unhelpfully.

He's being a wimp.

You want him to be the one to say it. Want him to take the leap of faith.

But the fear prevails. Gets in his head. Tells him not to be stupid.

And so it's up to you to tell him, "I think it makes sense... Yanno? Like, I don't want anything to change. I'm not like, saying we're anything more than friends, but... the hooking up. It should be exclusive, shouldn't it?"

The conversation has been had before - no hooking up with other people while you're actively hooking up - but this is different. Looking for other hook-ups has never been off the cards. Not really. You've had free will. You still do.

You'll just continue to keep on choosing Jeongguk, as long as he keeps choosing you.

He nods. Agrees.

"I think you're right."

"Okay... so...?" You say a little awkwardly. There's no declaration of anything, no confessions, no secrets shared. If anything, you're probably a little more confused than you were before.

"So..." he reciprocates your awkwardness. "Is there, like, a label, now? What is this, B?"

"You tell me," you shrug, shy in the way you want him to say good riddance to his fears. There's no rejection here. He's safe.

Jeongguk closes his eyes. Smiles.

"Well, I'm naked." He looks at you once more. "And I really need to get dressed, so maybe I should do that first."

"Your avoidance is obvious."

"I'm not avoiding anything," he says, hands on your waist as he gets you walking backwards, leading you into his room so he can get changed. You plonk yourself on his bed, flopping back into the duvet. The ceiling of his room is white, and oh-so-awfully plain. Above it is your room; somewhere you'd quite like to be with him once more, but he's too busy rummaging in his bag for clothes to wear.

So taken by your own thoughts, you barely register Jeongguk as taps your knees, body responding to him so naturally that your legs sort of just spread. Let him climb onto the bed with you, now half-dressed, the shirt he's going to wear still in his hand. Pinned down by his body weight, you smile as you welcome his return.

"Hi," you whisper, his lips sinking into yours instead of saying hello back.

Lips soft, he's got no intention of taking this any further than just the simplicity of what it is - even if you do deliberately catch his bottom lip between your teeth and gently tug on it as he pulls away.

Smiling as he sits, ass on his heels, your legs over his thighs, which are far too exposed in the pair of shorts he's wearing, Jeongguk just shrugs. Reaches up to squeeze your tits, just cause he can. Smirks. Says, "I think we're fuck buddies, but like... exclusive fuck buddies."

You're both dancing around what you really are, but it's something at least. Something better than the nothing you've been trying to cosplay as.

"It's too vulgar," you tell him.

"Well, it's what it is," he argues back, still toying with your tits, seemingly distracted, as he says, "Get them out."

"No," you laugh, which makes him pout. You know better. Know that you'll just end up needing another shower again if you get your tits out. "If we're gonna label this shit, we're gonna label it nicely."

"Why?" he teases, sinking down to press against your throat, his grip on your body strong as his hips pulse ever so gently. He knows what he's doing. Idiot. "We're not a spice rack. Who cares about the label?"

"Me," you tell him, without much thought. Had never realised you did care so much. The situation is confusing, though, and at least if you have a little label on it, you can store it away inside your brain and neglect any attention that should go its way, instead of letting it ravage your brain. "I care. I wanna know where I stand with you."

"Well, currently, you're laying down, B," he deadpans.

"Gguk."

"Byeol."

"Stop," you giggle, as his lips continue to press pretty kisses up your throat, tongue licking, breath hot. "Give me an answer."

He whines. "You're so difficult."

You laugh. "So are you!"

Jeongguk pulls back. Hands either side of your head to support himself, the chain around his neck tickles at your chin, much like the look in his eyes tickles at your heart.

"You're my best friend," he tells you. Steals a kiss. "And I've no interest in finding another bestie."

"And?" You press.

"And I've no interest in fucking anyone else," he stresses. "B, we're going round in circles-"

The light-hearted debate is cut short by the loud announcement of Jimin entering the house.

"Where are you fuckers? Gguk, wherever you are, put your cock away," he yells, yet still waltzes right on into Jeongguk's room without a care in the world.

Thankfully, the commotion had caused you both to tear yourself away from one another. Jeongguk is pulling his shirt over his head, while you sit all rather pleasantly by the pillows of the bed.

"Oh thank God," Jimin sighs, hand on heart as he enters the room. Flops down onto the bed, much in the same fashion you had not even 5 minutes earlier. "Thought I was gonna walk in on something."

Jeongguk throws a pair of socks in his face. "Then don't walk in without knocking?"

"Or," Jimin argues. "Alternatively, don't fuck each other."

You go to protest. Classic star-lover-style denial.

It's a funny thing, what a non-label label can do to a boy, though. He might not be on a spice rack, no - but nor are you. And he'd like Jimin not to think of you as if you are.

"Stop thinking about us fucking. If a door is closed, it's none of your business what's going on behind it."

Jimin sucks in a little breath through his pouty lips. "You're getting close. Still not a confession, but I'll take it."

Of course, Jimin knows the truth. He's spoken directly with Jeongguk about it on a number of occasions. The fact you two hook-up is an open secret between him and his housemate. It just frustrates Jimin, 'cause he thinks you're both self-sabotaging by not committing to it. Will scream for days if he has to deal with another Hayun-style trauma for Jeongguk.

"Anyways, chop-chop. We've finished setting up," Jimin beams. Waltzes out of the room, expecting you to follow - which you do. "It's time for the Jilympics!"

When you arrive at the front lawn, the first thing Nabi asks is, "Did he call it the Jilympics again? Dude! This joint effort!"

"It's not my fault my name works better than yours."

Shaking her head, she whispers beneath her breath to you, "Yeah and it won't be my fault when I slip and accidentally push him into the sea later."

"I know it won't be your fault, but can you give me a little prior warning?" You joke back. "So I can make sure I'm watching."

"Deal."

There's been a certain ambiguity to the plans of Nabi and Jimin, who now stand before you all with subtle smiles that they're trying not to let shine.

Gathered on the lawn, they've admittedly been deliberately ambiguous about their activity - but Jimin just can't help himself, and it doesn't take a genius to work out 'Jilympics' combined with their request for you to wear something sporty means that some sort of adventure awaits you.

Standing behind you, Jeongguk uses the obscured view of his body to his advantage. Spends the entire time you're waiting for Jimin and Nabi to start their introduction lightly tapping your ass. Right hand, left hand. One, two. One, two. Pat, pat. Sure, his body is swaying a little bit, but no one is really paying it any notice. Is typical of him. Nothing that'll make them glance twice in his direction.

But why should you care even if they do?

There's an air of excitement that surrounds you both. Keeps you trapped like a steel-bolted bubble. Uncharted territory is being walked across, and Jeongguk is holding your hand every step of the way - metaphorically, that is. Right now he's holding your ass. Just bestie things.

Seoyeon stands to the side of Nabi, while Yoongi mirrors her beside Jimin. They're exchanging confused glances not only with each other, but the entire party. Very little information has actually been given about the afternoon's activity, just that the Bride and Groom must pick teams.

A coin is flipped, and Seoyeon - who chose tails - is disappointed to see heads face up on the top of Jimin's hand.

Without hesitation, Yoongi instantly barks, "Jeongguk!"

"Hey!" Seoyeon whines, and you understand exactly why.

After all, you'd both been present during laser tag. Whichever team Jeongguk is on is guaranteed to win. It's just science.

"Fine," Seoyeon narrows her eyes at her beloved as Jeongguk comes to stand beside him. They greet one another with choruses of dumb, chad-like 'hey bro', 'lets go, bro,' and it only fuels Seoyeon's need to beat them.

And for reasons you can't quite understand, she picks you .

"Oh, I see how it is," Yoongi grins as you join your team captain, giggly and girly in your greeting just to take the piss out of the boys.

You're glad Yoongi can see how it is - 'cause you're really none the wiser. When it comes to sports, you leave something to be desired. It's no secret. You're well aware. So is Jeongguk.

"Namjoon," Yoongi calls next, only serving to strengthen his team. He's got the two strongest players, and Seoyeon really should have gotten Namjoon instead of you.

So it only comes as yet another surprise when she picks Hoseok .

You love him to death but - again - you've seen him play laser tag. No one in their right mind would pick him for a battle of survival. A mood maker? Respite from stress? Dance battle champ? Sure. You'd pick him for all of the above.

But as a contender in the Jilympics?! Surely not.

Even Hoseok is a little confused, glancing over to Taehyung and Danbi, then pointing to himself as if to say, "Me?"

In a shock twist, Yoongi then chooses Danbi - but you know he's smart. Know that he knows she does pole, and is far stronger than she appears.

It leaves Seoyeon with Taehyung to complete her ragtag team, and honestly, you're not holding out much hope for success.

Teams decided, the beans are spilt regarding the events of the afternoon. It's a competition of three games, where agility, determination, and smarts are needed in equal measure.

Still, you don't hold out much hope for your team.

The first game is a 'simple' assault course. A circle track going around the entire lawn, it's littered with furniture - makeshift hurdles, slalom poles, a sprinkler attachment on the end of the garden hose, and so much more. Too much. You wouldn't be surprised if the homeowners gave you an additional charge for property disruption, 'cause there's no way in hell they'll remember to return everything back to its rightful place.

Danbi and Taehyung go first. The most equally yet matched, that's for sure.

You think she'll have the edge - walks dogs for a living, so this will quite literally be like a walk in the park for her.

And it is - until Taehyung proves exactly why agility, determination and smarts are needed in equal measure.

He gets halfway through, just inches behind her, then says '"hey, wait, wait - Babe. Hold on." Acts all concerned. Gets Danbi worried. Pulls her to a stop, checking for the issue - only to be met with a 'Haha! Sucker!"

Taehyung bolts for it. Kocks over a stool to block her track. Passes the finish line, while Danbi is still protesting his underhand tactics.

The independent adjudicators (Nabi and Jimin, just with hi-vis vests on) declare it to be fair game.

Danbi? Well, she declares war .

When it comes to your turn, you're inevitably against Jeongguk, but don't even bother with any underhand tactics. He's already passing the second obstacle before you've even reached the first.

You're gonna lose anyways, so you may as well have fun with it, you think - and then dart across the middle of the circuit, bypassing all of the obstacles you're supposed to come up against. You're restricted a little by your lack of sports bra, and the fact you're having to hold your tits in place, barely managing to reach the other side of the circle before Jeongguk comes hurtling around the track.

"You fucker!" He shouts with a smile as he pelts towards the finish line - only for you to reach it before he does. With momentum still in his legs, Jeongguk hooks his arm around your waist and drags you with him as he slows to a hot, sticky, sweaty stop. Can't stop laughing. "You're such a cheater."

"Smart," you correct him with a giggle as he finally eases up. "I'm such a smart girlie."

He walks you both a little further back. Keeps you close. Looks down at you with such affection you know he's secretly a little enamoured by your cunning attempt to win. He'd kiss you, if it weren't for your friends.

Back at base, your teams are respectively arguing against one another as to whether or not what you did was 'legal'.

Jimin votes no, Nabi yes.

"First warning," Jimin eventually announces. "Any more funny business from team Bride and we'll have no choice but to give penalties."

The thing is, you all know you're gonna lose anyway - so fuck it. What's the worst that could happen? You'll lose a little harder? Boohoo.

It's actually far fairer between Namjoon and Hoseok. Of course, Namjoon wins, but Hoseok came really fuckin' close. Almost had it. Swears down if he were to do it again, he'd win.

But time is up, and the second game commences: Red light, green light,

The boys all insist on dying the most dramatic of deaths à la Squid Games whenever they're caught out, flailing to the floor, rolling and wailing.

In a last-ditch attempt to make you lose, Jeongguk deliberately gets himself knocked out in the process of tripping you up. It's the only death he doesn't play up, 'cause he's too laughing at you - and then subsequently running away from you when you decide that his in-game death is simply not enough.

Nabi and Jimin are withholding the scores - in all honesty, you think they're probably just gonna pull a winner out of their asses. For the moment, though, it's neck and neck.

"Welcome to the third and final round of the Olympics," Jimin declares, knowing that the task at hand has never and will never be played at any Olympic ceremony, like, ever. "The goal is simple. Dotted around the garden - from the main house right down to the beach are envelopes."

Nabi nods, holding up the small, white envelopes, before continuing. "In the envelopes are tokens. Each token is one point. There are 250 in total across 150 envelopes. Some envelopes have just one token, some have ten."

There's outcry from all of the players - shock and horror at the scope of the hunt.

"Collect the most tokens, and win," Nabi smiles with effervescent charm - only for Jimin to crush the simplicity of such a game to smithereens.

"However," he beams, oh so pleased to ruin it all. "There's a twist! Each team can exchange tokens for stickers throughout the game. Yoongi, you're red. Your team comes to me. Seoyeon, green. You go to Nabi. For every sticker you manage to stick on the rival team, you get plus ten points."

"And," Nabi smiles. "As a token of our goodwill, you'll each start with a sheet of stickers."

The 4x4 sheets are handed out, and you already know exactly who's gonna be covering you in stickers. You don't look over in his direction - but you can feel his gaze on you. It's nice. Welcome.

"They'll just take them off," Taehyung objects, convinced that the other team will need to cheat, as if it isn't full of the strongest players. If any team will be cheating, it's Seoyeon's.

"We're gonna ask that you play fairly," Nabi pleads, knowing there's no real way to stop it from happening. "You're in your twenties. You're not toddlers. Act like it."

"We're about to play a hybrid game of tag and treasure hunt," Jeongguk snorts. Finds the whole thing very amusing, and knows he's probably gonna enjoy the game more than anyone else. "Not toddlers, sureee ."

"You must have been a very advanced toddler, Jeongguk," Seoyeon teases, trash talk now a second language between the teams. You've been making little jabs at one another all afternoon, but it's been in good spirits. All part of the fun.

"I used to play tag against you in elementary school Seoyeon," Yoongi reminds her, coming to the defence of his teammate. "Try not to trip over your own feet."

"Oh that was, like, only three times," she scoffs with a smile, as if her nose doesn't have a slight bump in it still from one particularly bad fall.

Yoongi had gotten into a whole heap of trouble that day. He hadn't even done anything, he was just the first to check on her, so all the teachers thought he had done it - and because she was losing the game, she didn't correct them. Just gave a menacing smirk in Yoongi's direction when her parents came to pick her up. They didn't speak for three weeks afterwards - until Yoongi did accidentally knock someone over in the playground, and Seoyeon took the blame for him instead.

Push and pull; give and take. They've always been like this, even before they realised one day they'd be making vows; for better or for worse.

Gearing up to play, Jimin counts down from ten for extra drama. Adds a certain flair to it. Gets you rolling your eyes, and Jeongguk smirking when he catches you doing so.

As soon as he reaches zero, you're all darting in different directions. You've all seen various envelopes dotted around the place during the earlier activities, so have specific ones in mind.

There's a couple in the hedgerow by the side of the house, and you know that there's a small paved pathway running alongside the house, so after you nab the hedgerow envelopes, you beeline for the side of the house.

Already, you can see an envelope propped on the wheelbarrow. It's yours for the taking.

Or at least it was .

"Oh my GOD," you whine, as Jeongguk swoops in to steal the envelope you had been gunning for. "That was literally mine!"

"You snooze, you lose, B," he smirks - then decides he can use this to his advantage.

The pair of you are down by the side of the house.

No one else will be coming in this direction any time soon. Most of them are down by the water. Jeongguk had only come this way because, well, you were. He's like a lovesick puppy, and the pair of you are fools for not realising it - especially considering that fact it's the main topic of conversation down by the beach.

"It's good, actually that DB is over by the house," Taehyung assures Hoseok, convinced it will be their trump card for winning the game. "Will keep Jeongguk well away from us."

Ignorant to the harmless gossip, Jeongguk offers you a little challenge. He holds the envelope above his head, without even checking to see if it's got a decent amount of tokens, and smirks

"You can have it if you can reach it."

He's looking down at you, smug, eyes narrow. You know he's trying to bait you - and it's fucking working.

On your tippy toes, you hold onto his shoulder for balance and reach up. His spare hand holds your waist to further keep you balanced - or just to get you a little closer. Lowering the envelope Jeongguk keeps it just out of reach, much to your annoyance. Even when you jump a little, he raises it.

"I hate you," you promise him.

"Oh?" He grins. "So we're rivals now, huh? Some Kinda enemies to lovers type shit?"

Rolling your eyes, you lower your tippy toes and step back from him. Cross your arms over your chest.

"Who said anything about lovers?"

It's a valid question, but also one that is easily answered. He can think of a whole host of examples. Settles on the most recent.

"You did," he assures you. "Earlier. After the race. When you were practically undressing me with your eyes in front of all of our friends."

A white, baggy shirt and a pair of black shorts obscure Jeongguk's physique from prying eyes - and looks so fucking good as it does so. He expects you not to drool? Fat fuckin' chance.

Still, you'll not allow him - a man - to see weakness.

"I did no such thing."

"You did," he smirks. Bites down on his lip, and lets the ring do the thing. "Look, I'll cut you a deal, B. Kiss me and I'll give it to you."

"You're evil."

"I am a genius."

"Evil genius," you correct with a smile, and then sigh.

He's a tough bargainer. Even tougher to resist.

"You know, you were right," you eventually admit, getting a little closer. You rest your hand on his hip, and let it gravitate towards the centre of his body. Let it get dangerously close to his cock - and he allows you. Just like he lets you cup his balls, as your hand rubs slowly up and down his bulge. It's so easy to work him up. So easy. "You got me so horny earlier."

"Yeah?"

"Mhhm," you nod, once more on your tippy toes as you press a kiss into the curve of his neck. His skin is warm, despite the chill of the April air. The scent that lingers on his is that of the shower you shared together, and it makes him so hard to resist - but you must. Head in the game.

Before Jeongguk can process the fact he's being swindled, you snatch the envelope from him and dart away from the hidden spot, bolting into the open air of the garden.

Jeongguk can't follow, on account of the fact you've just given him a semi that he needs to rearrange in his underwear, which means victory is yours.

Your yell of ' loser ' echoes back to him, and has him tipping his head back, groaning up at the sky.

"Fuckin' idiot," he berates himself. Should have really seen it coming. You've been competitive as fuck all afternoon, and haven't stuck to the rules a single time.

But Jeongguk isn't the only idiot.

In one hand he'd been holding the envelope. In the other? A collection of his stickers all stuck together. Now, they're on your back. Victory is his - you just don't realise it yet.

You spend the rest of the game avoiding each other. After all, you don't want to neglect the fact you're playing with your friends. It's a bonding experience. Something of which you'll remember for years to come.

The Jilympics? A roaring success. Gold medals all around.

Once it hits the allotted time of one hour, the game is up - and the respective teams sit in little circles on the lawn counting out their tokens. Nabi and Jimin walk around to count the stickers on the players, but keep the tallies to themselves. Want to do a big reveal later.

"Shit," Danbi curses midway through the token count, shaking her hand out instinctively.

Jeongguk glances over. Notices a small bead of blood on her index finger. "Paper cut?"

Nodding, Danbi insists it's no big deal - and it really isn't. Just a small little knick. Will be fixed with a quick swipe of her tongue against it. "No biggie."

Jeongguk nods, but sees the way she continues to study the small wound just to make sure she doesn't get any blood on the papers. It continues to bother her, but she works around it. Papercuts aren't exactly foreign to her. She seems to get them weekly from the receipts she handwrites for her dog-walking business. Still, this one is a little worse than usual. The card used for the tokens is thick.

Tokens tallied, Jeongguk quickly excuses himself while the rest of his group finishes their counting. Knows he could have had more tokens, but had wasted a bunch of time flirting with you instead. Worth it , he smirks to himself, when he thinks of it.

Rummaging around in the kitchen, he swears he saw some plasters in one of the drawers when he was helping you set up for bingo the day before.

"Started the party without me, I see?" A familiar voice sweetly sounds from the entryway. Glancing up from his search, lips ajar, Jeongguk is surprised to be greeted with a familiar face.

"Yun," he stands, straightening himself out. Coughs a little. Clears his throat. "Didn't think you were getting here until tomorrow?"

"Last minute change of plans," she smiles, lips tight, a little sad in her expression - but in such a way Jeongguk knows not to ask for details.

It's a common quality of hers; a refusal to talk about what's upsetting her. Used to put Jeongguk through the wringer whenever she was upset, 'cause he could never quite figure out why. Would go insane just trying. Could never fix her problems for her, because she never shared them.

"Anyways," she holds up some thick card bags, made for carrying bottles. "Where should I put these?"

"Fridge," Jeongguk answers without missing a beat.

She's dressed casually - a pair of relaxed jeans and a small white top, with a cropped grey sweater jacket - hair up, for a change. Her lips aren't red, makeup kept to the bare minimum. Funny, Jeongguk thinks, how much she looks like the Hayun he first knew, when red was only for nights out and not her whole entire personality. It's kinda nice. Bittersweet.

"Of course," she laughs, heading around the island. More than anything, she had been asking permission to enter the space he's in. Knows that there are boundaries in place now, and isn't too sure how to navigate them. Like it or not, this is new to her. She's not gonna get it right every time, but she's not going to make a fool of herself either.

"How was the drive?" Jeongguk asks, preferring small talk over awkward silence. He's still looking for those plaster after all, and doesn't want to go back empty-handed. Especially not now.

"Got the train," she says. "Came straight from Seoul. Grabbed a taxi to the house, so it was no sweat. Pretty easy."

"Really?" Jeongguk chirps in surprise. "You should have called. One of us would have come and picked you up."

He's careful not to say that he would have picked her up - but it's slim pickings. Other than Yoongi, he's the only one who could have.

Hayun laughs, opening the fridge up, unsurprised to see it stocked full of drinks. "You forget I know what you're all like. Didn't really expect any of you to be sober enough."

Jeongguk laughs now, too. She's got a point.

"Anyway," she takes a deep breath, finding space to put her favourite wine away. "I figured you'd still be doing the Olympics. That's today's thing, right? Nabi and Jimins?"

Nodding, Jeongguk finally spots the box of plasters right at the back of the drawer. Is kinda surprised Hayun remembers the running order of the weekend. Is unsurprised that Nabi had spilled the beans to her about the event, even though Jimin had refused to even give Jeongguk a measly hint.

"Just finishing up," he confirms. "Have you seen everyone yet?"

Hayun shakes her head as she folds the wine carriers flat. "Came straight to drop my stuff off. Haven't told Seoyeon I'll be here early. I know she was disappointed with the clash so I wanted to surprise her."

The cynic in Jeongguk thinks it's very typical of Hayun, her desire to be the centre of attention at the forefront of her motivations. The hope in Jeongguk wants to believe it comes from good intentions, just as she says it does. She used to do it for him, sometimes. Would say she was out of town, only to surprise him on a night out. Always used to make his evenings just that little bit more special.

Funny, how things change.

"Well, I won't ruin the surprise," he smiles kindly, closing the drawer before heading to the door. If the rest of the weekend continues like this, he'll be happy. It's painless. A little awkward, granted, and he still doesn't exactly know how to behave around her now that he's not a pining puppy dog, but it's easier than it was. Not everything has to be a fight. The shattered fragments of what they once were can never be fixed, but the sharp edges can be sanded down. Rounded off.

"Hey, Gguk," Hayuns calls awkwardly just as he gets to the door.

He turns to face her. Chirps, as if to say, "Yes?"

Looking a little uncomfortable, it's clear she called after him before her sentences had fully formed in her head. "Look about everything-"

"It's fine," he says. Doesn't want to discuss it. There's really no point. "Things are fine, Yun. Just be nice, alright? The weekend's not about us, or whatever. Just focus on keeping things good for Seoyeon."

She wants to object - to refute the idea that she's the only one who ever plays dirty - but knows better than to do so.

Instead, she nods. "Alright. I'll see you down there."

"See you down there," JunGguk confirms. Knows he definitely could have handled that better, but didn't really want to have to handle it at all. All things considered, it went as well as it ever would have done. Hayun does, at least, seem to be on her best behaviour - and that's something, considering how testing the last couple of months have been.

He manages to push the interaction back out of his mind, but avoids looking in your direction as he returns. You're unfocused on him anyway, caught up in conversation with your team.

Tossing the plasters down onto the mat where his team had been tallying up points, Danbi is surprised to say the least.

"It's fine," she still insists, but takes the plasters regardless. Genuinely appreciates his small act of kindness. "Thank you."

Jeongguk just nods. Doesn't think he needed to be thanked. Was just general human decency, in his eyes. Would have done it for anyone.

It's not until Jeongguk takes his seat that he realises he should give you a heads up. Had been so busy stuck in his own that he failed to remember Hayun's presence affects you, too.

Ripping off a little bit of an envelope, Jeongguk crafts a small paper ball and chucks it at you. Lands just short of your knee. Tries again. Gets it in your lap this time, but you're still busy chatting.

"You really are a toddler, aren't you?" Yoongi grins with a perplexed expression on his face. Doesn't realise what's going on - and won't realise. Not until it's too late. Not until Hayun is walking down from the house, and Seoyeon is excitedly running up to meet her. Engulfing her in a warm hug, Seoyeon is so pleased to see her. Yoongi? Less so.

And you?

Jeongguk can't tell. You're not facing him. Or anyone, really. Your eyes are out towards the sea, watching the waves as they roll and rippled into shore.

This weekend is not about you. This weekend is not about you. This weekend is not about you.

It's about Seoyeon, and Yoongi.

Hayun is one of her oldest friends. Of course, she should be here. If anyone shouldn't, it's you.

Well, no.

It's Hoseok - but you're glad to have him here. Especially when he mutters "Oh, goody . So happy she's here early."

"Shush," you hush him - even if you do agree with his sarcastic jibe. "She looks nice today."

And she really does. You've got the same sweater jacket, you think, just in black. You're not trying to be mean, or bitchy. You're finding positives that can be drawn from the negatives, because you're firm in the belief that we get back what we give out. If there's energy in the air around you, you don't want to be the one making it sour. If clouds are gonna follow you, you'd rather they have silver linings, not storms hidden within.

Glancing over to Jeongguk, you find his wide eyes on yours, top teeth nervously nibbling down on his bottom lip. He tilts his head as if to ask if you're okay. You nod. Offer him a smile. It's really not that deep.

"You?" you mouth back, to which he nods.

It seems that your sanctuary with Jeongguk has been cut short.

You're thankful for the time you had together without her - but her presence just looms over you like an impending lightning strike. Maybe you won't get burned. It's highly likely that you'll avoid it. But there's always a possibility.

With Nabi also with Seoyeon and Hayun, the game is left to play out without the results. Jimin says he'll announce it at drinks this evening. Lets you all disperse. Doesn't fancy trying to battle for attention against Hayun, not when she's already winning.

You and Jeongguk remain exactly where you are, sitting on the grass, a metre or so apart. Facing each other now, neither of you are talking. Just looking. Observing.

Knees to your chest, you're tapping your feet against the floor.

Jeongguk waits for you to finish the pattern of taps, then does the same pattern with his palms on his knees. Sitting cross-legged, he really is the sweetest human you've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

It's all very childish. Neither of you wish to break the silence, but you're both fighting giggles, especially as you up the intensity of the tapping patterns.

Simple pleasures.

The beauty of being in such a large group means that it's easy to avoid those you wish to.

The rest of your afternoon is spent with the people you care the most for. It's a shame to not hang out with Nabi once more, but Hayun being here early is a surefire indication that something went wrong in Seoul. You don't believe that she's here out of the kindness of her own heart.

Perhaps you're overly cynical. Perhaps you're not cynical enough.

Still, as the afternoon carries on, everyone sets about getting changed for the evening ahead. It's just a sit-down meal and drinks tonight - far more dignified than the previous evening - but Seoyeon requested that everyone dresses a little nicer than usual.

"Hey, DB," Yoongi calls over to you as you head down towards the house. "Can you get Jeongguk for me? He's supposed to be helping with the meat."

"Yeah, sure," you nod. He'd gone to get changed a little bit before you specifically for that purpose, knowing he'd want a shower before you hopped in there. It'll be your second of the day, but this time you really will be quick. Just wanna rinse yourself off after all the running around today, especially if you want to feel even half-nice in your evening attire.

The house is quiet as you enter. You'd passed Nabi and Seoyeon on your way down to the house. They'd asked you what you were wearing and you'd replied, honestly, that you didn't know. Jeongguk packed after all. It's sort of a surprise. You just hope there are options.

Sliding the main door shut, you call out to Jeongguk.

"Gguk? Shower or room?" You ask, wanting to know where to locate him - but given that his bedroom is just a step or so away, you reach for the door handle - only for it to be locked. Odd . "Gguk?"

Brows furrowed, you don't care to hide your surprise. He never locks the door. Or at least, rarely. Jimin walked straight on in just a couple of hours earlier.

"Yeah," he says, a little frantically, voice muffled through the door, "Just gimmie a second."

The walls in this place are thin.

You should have realised this on that first evening, when Jimin and Nabi definitely heard everything.

But you're realising it now, as you hear a panicked whisper. Can't make out for the life of you what's being said.

All that's for certain is that he's not alone.

Yet when he opens the door, still shirtless from his shower, hair wet, he pretends as if he is all by himself.

It's written all over his face, though. Guilt. Shame. 

And on his bare chest? His sternum? 

Crimson red rouge. 

Just a tiny smudge. Just enough.

Mouth resting ajar, brows contorted by hurt, the split fraction of time you're caught in turns into slow motion. 

Everything is hard to comprehend - but hardest of all? The one thing you refuse to take in? 

The small grey jacket on his bed. 

That one's a real bitter pill to swallow.

"Oh," you whisper, because what else can you do? Cry? Get angry? Fuck that . "Sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"B-" he tries to interrupt, but whatever he has to say, you don't want to hear it.

Backing away, you shake your head. You, too, have a lockable bedroom door that you very much intend on utilising, now.

"I didn't mean to interrupt," you smile, all rather disconcertingly. You won't give him a reaction. Won't let him see your hurt. 

"No, wait-"

"Yoongi was after you. Something about meat. But I see you're busy, so I'll leave you be."

"B-"

"Later, buddy ."

The door slams shut behind you - and with it shatters the false promises Jeongguk had vowed to you just a few short hours earlier.

note - that's all for today!!! i was behind schedule so didn't get a chance to add more!! apologies <33

[morimakesfanart]

Sindria's Prophet #41

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[AO3] [wattpad]

Sinbad x OC

*Mori goes to horny mecha *More sex ed things *Emotional/tonal whiplash ~POV Sinbad~ Mori couldn't keep their eyes off of him for days, but they turned away every time Sinbad returned their gaze. He was definitely getting under their skin. It was only a matter of time before they fully became his, but he wasn't certain he could make it happen before he left for the Kou Empire. It was only after he sat at his desk and couldn't seem to finish a single document that he couldn't deny Mori was under his skin too. Even the waves were pointing him away from his desk.

However, the King couldn't exactly leave when he had just started working -that was what Zepar was for. The bird circled the Black Libra Tower, and when it entered through an open window of Mori's office it wasn't his Beautiful Prophet inside. That was definitely Ja'far leaving the room holding a bunch of scrolls. And when he entered the court yard, the General was headed towards the White Capricorn Tower. Something told Sinbad that Ja'far was heading his way without the waves. He dropped control of the bird.

Sure enough, Ja'far entered his office with the scrolls and put them on his desk. "Sin, is what Mori wrote in these true?" Just glancing at the labels he knew, "I haven't read those ones yet, but I'm sure they are." "Read them now." Ja'far had not looked this upset with him in years. "I'll wait."

--- ~POV Sharrkan~ Mori was ranting and it was far worse than anything Yam had ever said. "Yeah, no! I don't care how pretty these are or how much of a tourist attraction they are! You have to stop selling and supplying quartz and wooden dildos!" The Prophet pointed one such facile at the group before her. "These materials are porous. They can't be properly sterilized, so they will eventually lead to infections no matter what orifice they're shoved into!" Sindria's best swordsman was stuck between covering his face or ears while Mori 'educated' him and the staff of the Red Light District. This was a mistake. 'Can the King just show up and kill me right now????' She sighed. "You can make a similar-ish affect to quartz with glass right? That's actually safe to use, easy to sterilize, and they can handle a wide range of temperatures so you can even use them for temperature play." The Prophet twirled the crystalline dick while talking. "I was surprised when I saw how advanced this country's glass is so there shouldn't be a problem making dildos out of safe materials with the glass work here." Sharrkan had thought she would just take notes or something and leave, not try to fix everything right then and there!!! What materials were safe, what practices were dangerous; 'didn't matter that she was also teaching them things they could do/use instead that would work better. Wasn't Mori supposed to be a huge virgin nerd like Yam??? Why did she know so much about all of this? There's no way this was just from her visions. The staff were the ones taking notes instead of the Prophet. 'At least they seem to be enjoying themselves.'

--- ~POV Sinbad~ Ja'far brought the remaining Fate scrolls Sinbad had yet to read, but only really wanted him to read parts of 2 of them for the conversation. The contents were telling, both in his mistakes of the past, and Ja'far's current glare. When his Beautiful Prophet first told him that he ran away from responsibility using 'Fate,' he thought he had found the true answer in the waves. But that was a contradiction. The waves were caused by people's decisions, so even if they guide people to opportunities it doesn't remove their agency. Without realizing it, Sinbad had fallen into another phantasm to protect himself from guilt. Some of the comments Mori made since they met had hinted at the real reason but it was clear she had no intention of telling him directly. All of the scrolls had signs of being edited here and there, but not these two. They were still in process. And so there was the truth written directly in the paragraphs after his release from slavery.

...He had long forgotten how to ask for emotional support ... Those feelings would fester every time he made another mistake until he was able to fully replace his guilt with the acceptance of 'Fate' as inevitable. He wouldn't be able to acknowledge his own potential for evil for another 15~ years...

That last line held the answer. 'His own potential for evil.' That was the point Mori was really talking around all this time. In her visions he hadn't been able to accept that side of himself until it was too late. He knew he was capable of such things on a factual level considering how he viewed some of his Kingly actions as 'necessary evils,' but that wasn't the same as acknowledging that truth in his Heart. The reason he had longed for the ways of his youth was because back then he hadn't done anything that would haunt the rest his life; he had yet to gamble in desperation only to hurt those around him. But even that wasn't really the truth. When Sinbad had read about when he left home after capturing the Dungeon all he could think of was how that action damned everyone in his village just as was revealed in the scrolls in front of him. He had been making this mistake since the start. 'Just what have I been doing all this time?'

Ja'far's darkened stare waited until he got through the 2nd scroll. "This is so much worse than how you made it sound. This is more than some kid thinking he's the chosen one." A hand went to his head as he tried to wrap his mind around everything. "Sin, why do you think we all swore our lives to help you achieve your dream?"

Sinbad couldn't look away from the scrolls. Doing so would only mean seeing the disappointment in his friend's eyes. He had spent so long keeping what happened in Parthevia a secret. There was nothing he could do about it now.

"I know you don't like sharing your plans, but I thought... Did you ever trust us to help you?! What was the point of gathering all of us then??"

The King opened his mouth, and the realization that he couldn't say the 'right' answer and believe his own words hit him much harder than Ja'far's accusations. His heart started racing to match the flow of the waves. The General may have only read those 2 scrolls but Sinbad had read everything leading up to them, so more of his past was fresh in his mind. Sure, he reached out to people to teach him things periodically, but any time he ran into a real problem he always took on that burden alone. Sinbad had expected 'support' from his Household Members and citizens, but never 'help.'

Sinbad lost control over his expression. "That's part of why I decided to change this path I'm on. Mori made it clear that I will repeat the mistakes of my past if I don't start relying on you all even when I..." He was unable to find the right words to finish his sentence.

"Sin." Ja'far practically hissed his name. "If you don't fix this bad habit of yours then I'll kill you myself, just like I promised all those years ago, before you can cause the 2nd Calamity."

"I'll count on that." He would rather that than be the one that almost destroyed the world. Taking a deep breath didn't help nearly as much as he hoped. "I think we've humored Mori long enough. I need to know for sure how I'm connected to the 2nd Calamity." ---

~POV Mori~ To be honest, I wasn't expecting the management of the Red Light District to believe me right away. But apparently, being officially announced as the Prophet was really good PR because they were very excited to receive some of my 'prophecies for the betterment of Sindria.' The waves had grown dangerously high during my info dumping. If I didn't know how much of a change a sexual revolution could cause from reading history I might have been concerned. Instead, it made my heart swell with pride.

Returning to my room empty handed was a bit disappointing, but it did make it easier to sneak back without being noticed. It also gave me time to make a space the bunch of the new glass dildos I preordered. I was definitely looking forward to the future.

"Finally!" Sharrkan groaned as we exited the district. "If I knew you were going to take so long figuring out-" Both of us froze in the gold gilded doorway.

'Why is Sinbad entering the Red Light District in the middle of the day???' That thought was immediately counter when I noticed Ja'far standing next to him. That meant he was here for official business, not pleasure. 'Why am I only now realizing I could have waited for him to leave the country before attempting this????' At least I wasn't carrying a bag of dicks. That would have been the most damning evidence. --- ~POV Sinbad~ When the guards had revealed that Mori was escorted to the Red Light District by Sharrkan, Sinbad was unwilling to wait for their return. However, something wasn't quite adding up to his expectations. Mori was happily walking out of the Red Light District, and Sharrkan was drained and depressed besides her.

Before the King could say anything, Mori greeted them. "Hello, you're Majesty, Ja'far! I was originally going to tell you after writing up a report first, but since you're here I'll let you know now: I realized I could share medical information for reproductive health here." She gestured behind her, "I just finished my first trip to see what is the current common knowledge, so I could better understand how I can help."

'Does that means Sharrkan didn't drag Mori here?' Even so she was talking a bit too quickly. She was definitely nervous about something.

Ja'far responded before the King could gather his thoughts. "Mori. You do remember that you promised not to invent anything, don't you?" His smile was not the nice one.

"Yes," she admitted without skipping a beat. "However I don't need to invent anything that we aren't already working on to help here." Mori's smile was unwavering.

Sinbad sought direct confirmation. "You really came here to figure out ways to improve this place?" ---

~POV Mori~ "Of course! Who do you think I am?" I said, you know, like a liar. I placed one hand on my hip, and the other over my heart for added flare. "The whole reason I came here was because the rubber experiments are coming along, and the same material can be used to make comfortable condoms you can actually feel through. That way no one has an excuse to not use them." The King and estranged prince coughed at my words. Ja'far's eyes widened. I took his lack of comment as a sign to continue. "We are already working towards rubber gloves. And what are the fingers on gloves other than tubes? We can make condoms by just making bigger tubes." I gave a perfect customer service smile to the man in charge of finances. "From my visions, I know how much trouble 'people' get into when they can't deny their desires, so I thought I could at least help with this part of the problem." "Mx. Prophet," Ja'far took a few steps forward and grabbed my hands. "You should have told me sooner! Something like is invaluable with a King like Sinbad." 'Fish, meet hook.' I softened my expression to lean into this pity angle. "I understand. I know how many complaints you've had to deal with because of him."

((Blatant Rose of Versailles reference ;3)) --- ~POV Sinbad~ This was a dilemma. Even though Sinbad had stopped taking partners, his Beautiful Prophet was none the wiser. This was a good opportunity to enlightened her, but there was something else he had to take care of first. Ja'far might have disliked Mori when they first met, but ever since the rebellion in Balbadd was stopped things started to change. They had started having periodic moments like this when their thoughts aligned. Sin didn't like it. He gently separated their hands and received their attention at the same time. "Hey now, I stopped asking for call girls weeks ago." On one hand, if Mori wanted something, Sinbad wanted to make sure she got it -if that was the assistance of one of his Generals so be it. But on the other hand, he didn't want anyone else catching Mori's eye. When he had heard that Sharrkan brought her to the Red Light District he had thought that one of his Household Members had betrayed him. From the look of things it was starting to seem like, instead of Sharrkan, it was Ja'far he should have been worried about. Ja'far took a few steps back. His eyes and brow scrunched in great disappointment and complete lack of fucks for the topic. "I think we will all feel better with this added protection considering your track record." "Yes, well..." There was no denying that. Sinbad cleared his throat into a fist to buy time as he listed the facts in his head: '-Mori has already admitted to her feelings for me before so clearly she wants to be with me. '-Mori is also aware of my own feelings even though she hasn't fully accept it yet. '-Mori has started working on condoms that are comfortable. 'She is clearly working towards our future, so we can have a long honeymoon before growing our family!!' Mori's expression was only marginally better than Ja'far's. "Are.... you sick?" The Prophet still trusted her visions far more than anything he could say. "I'm fine. I promise." This was a failure of a conversation. Sharrkan's snickering rubbed salt in the wound. There was nothing the Womanizer of the Seven Seas could say to clear his name. "...Okay." She clearly didn't believe him. Mori lightly clapped their hands together with a smile. "Well, on that bombshell, we'll let you go do whatever you were gonna do in the Red Light District." Regret. Humiliation. Was how he spent his life really such a bad thing for a future spouse? Wouldn't his experience and expertise mean that he would be guaranteed to satisfy them? Ja'far brought the topic around to their true purpose. "Actually Mori, we came to get you. We have some questions about the future you saw in your visions."

--- ~POV Mori~ The room they brought me to was the same one that lead to the balcony where I had dinner with Sinbad more than a month ago. As soon as we entered, the King started taking off his rings. Confusion spiked my anxiety. Sinbad gave me a reassuring smile. "I noticed during our meetings about Fate that you keep looking at my rings. When I remembered you know my Djinn's abilities it was obvious what you were worried about." He took off his remaining metal vessels and placed them on a coffee table. "I know I'll never use any of these on you, but actions speak louder than words at times like these." Ja'far followed his King's example and placed his metal vessels on the the table as well. I knew I looked at Zepar's ring a few times when talking about Fate, but I thought I made it seem like my eyes were wandering. I couldn't respond. My brain was still catching up and accepting what was happening. 'This isn't going to be about his trip to the Kou Empire...' I had already explained what visions I had of that trip during a meeting about preparing for it, but it was still the most likely topic I could think of. It wasn't until they settled in amongst the plush seating that I realized I should sit down too. Sinbad's expression went serious but he didn't feel angry. After a moment's hesitation he looked me in the eye. "The person who causes the 2nd Calamity is me, isn't it?" . . . . . . 'How????' The thought was immediately followed by the realization that since I hadn't responded right away there was no way they would believe anything other than admittance. I couldn't even consider the option. ((So that emotional whiplash of a cliffhanger, amiright? The chapter took so long to come out because- Surprised! That eye infection I had came back and being on the medication this time really messed me up. It's a stronger antibiotic since the last apparently didn't fully knock it out of me. I couldn't go outside without catching on fire and passing out, and I had to hyper monitor my diet. The doctor said I'm past the next stage so the dosage was cut in half. I feel more like a person again :D I'll be on it for at least another month. Wish me luck!! This chapter was also delayed because I ended up deciding to do Artober daily this year. It was my first year making a piece every day since Jake Parker ruined Inktober by trademarking it and doing a plagiarism. Anyway, I really enjoyed the challenge :D Inspired me to work on more of my original work and things. On that note, the next chapter is going to be delayed because I want to get a lucid dream one shot out by December 7th. I definitely chose that date for no reason in particular. It absolutely has nothing to do with it being a Jujutsu Kaisen dream. Promise UwU I also have an original piece I'm nearly done writing, but I'll wait to finalize it until I have the next chapter of Sindria's Prophet posted :3 The world and this country is on fire but that doesn't mean it's the end. We have survived every day up to this one, we can survive another. We will preserve.))