#HES NOT AS CREEPY AND CRINGE AND AS UNSETTLING AS I WANT HIM TO BE

[carbonatedpitt]

moths looking at a ball of light that will most definitely kill them

[waitingandwishing]

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Word Count: 3k "𝖫𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝗂𝗇 𝖽𝖺𝗋𝗄𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌, 𝖻𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗆𝖾 𝖻𝗋𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌" ━━ Ever since you were a kid, all you wanted was to be cared for.

He was already there when you arrived, sitting on the low stone ledge with his sleeves rolled and his bipa leaning against the wall beside him. A faint melody hung in the air, like the breeze had interrupted his playing.

“You’re late,” He said, without looking. You thought it was slightly unsettling that he could sense your presence, but you didn’t mind it. At least someone did. His face was blurred like always, familiar but definitely strange to you…

“I brought persimmons,” You replied, holding up the little cloth pouch tied at your waist.

He looked over, clearly unimpressed. “Are they the bitter ones?”

“They’re the only ones.” You shrugged.

He sighed dramatically. “I suppose I must suffer.”

“You’re a palace musician. Suffering is your art, isn’t it?”

He let out a short, startled laugh and shook his head. “That’s unfair. I suffer beautifully.”

“Mm… I doubt it.” You teased. You plopped down beside him, close enough to hear the quiet creak of the bipa’s strings when the wind touched them. The cloth of your uniform rustled, stiff from the day’s work and still smelling faintly of tea and cedar floors.

“Today,” You said, biting into a persimmon, “A minister sneezed during a prayer. Twice. I thought I was going to explode.”

The man leaned in, curiosity evident in his voice. “Did he try to cover it?”

“He looked like he was dying. Turned completely red.” You chuckled.

“I wish I’d seen it,” he muttered, grinning. “I would’ve written a funeral dirge just for him.”

You choked on the persimmon and laughed, hand to your mouth. “You’re wicked.”

“You’re the one who laughed first.”

You both dissolved into laughter then. It was soft and quiet, it had to be, but it was still real. It was warm, unrestrained in a way neither of you could be when the sun was up and the palace was watching.

He plucked a note, thoughtful. “Something I was working on during rehearsals. But it’s wrong. It keeps slipping out of my fingers.”

“Maybe it’s not wrong,” You started, leaning closer to get a better look, “Maybe you just have to… Play for someone else?”

He looked at you with surprise and you quickly backtracked, “But of course that would be rude to any honored guest! A-after all you’re playing for them, not for someone else! Forget I said anything, the bitterness from the persimmons might be getting to my head…”

You opened your eyes, gasping as you snapped back up from your bed. Why were you suddenly having these odd dreams of this guy? Ugh, that was sort of creepy of you. 

You scratched your head, standing up from your bed and getting ready for the day. You needed to help Rumi get her voice back, but you weren’t sure if Zoey’s method of doing that was… Ethical. Oh well, you wanted to handle it before calling Celine, after all, she would just put more and more pressure on Rumi.

“It’s just a sweet dream, only today. Wait for me, on the stage. We will meet once again…” You muttered under your breath as you changed out of your pajamas to some comfy clothes. You slid on your gloves, covering the markings that stained them.

You and Rumi had them since the day you were born, but you weren’t related to Rumi or even were remotely close to having any heritage with demon blood. It was obviously a mystery, but you hadn’t stolen any souls from people yet so obviously it wasn’t a problem. Yet.

- - -

“He’s got this special tonic.” Zoey explained as the four of you walked down the street wearing your disguises. “Apparently, it can heal anything from sore throats to relationship problems.”

“Shhh! Quiet Zoey…” Rumi mumbled, covering her face just in case they’d be seen.

“Why are there so many people today?” Mira muttered.

“Ooh! It’s down that alleyway!” Zoey said, skipping down a creepy looking passageway. You cringed but followed her. 

Usually, you tried to trust Zoey’s judgement and give her the benefit of the doubt, but obviously it was hard when this so-called doctor had a special tonic that could heal emotional bonds. Maybe they bonded because of their hatred for the scam?

As they arrived at the “Doctors” place, Mira placed one hand on her hip with an unimpressed look on her face. “Yep, about as legit as I expected…”

“I… Does it even taste good?” You asked. “It sounds like it tastes like one of those old lady houses with chipped wood furniture…”

“That’s… Oddly specific.” Mira commented, furrowing her brows. Although you were skeptical, you did hope that this guy was actually for real.

“Earthy and herby. Smells legit to me.” Rumi shrugged.

“Yay! That’s the spirit!” Zoey clapped her hands together and grabbed Rumi’s hand to guide her inside. “Kaja, kaja, kaja, kaja!”

“Hurry, before someone sees us.” Mira sighed, entering the establishment. You followed behind them with a smile.

You sat down next to Mira, picking at the loose strings in your leather gloves. Persimmons… Your hand traced your lips. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to buy some today after Rumi’s check-up.

“Rumi Nim?” The doctor walked through and you quickly stood up with the others to bow. He chuckled, “Sit, sit. You need no introduction.” He turned his attention to Rumi, “So, a problem with your voice?”

“Yes.” Zoey jumped in, “So we need one of your awesome tonics. Something that’ll work super fast.” You nodded alongside her.

“Okay, let me see.” The doctor leaned forward, pulling his glasses down. Rumi opened her mouth for him to check before he quickly shook his head, “Ah, ah, ah. In order to heal a part, we must understand the whole.” He breathed in deeply before staring into Rumi as if trying to see her soul. “I see… I see… No.”

You blinked, clearly confused. Was this guy crazy? You were starting to think that he was but at this point you weren’t sure.

“Actually, I don’t see. Very strange.” He adjusted his glasses, now looking a bit more closely, “You have lots of walls up.”

“Woah! He’s so good right?” Zoey rocked you back and forth with awe in her eyes. You nodded along, but that could be said about anyone.

“So many walls…”

“Walls?” Rumi scoffed, turning away from his uncomfortable gaze. You felt bad for her, being read like this in front of Mira and Zoey wasn’t exactly ideal especially with her secret… “I don’t have any walls.”

“Uh, yeah, you do.” Mira commented, looking up from her OUTER magazine before turning to Zoey and muttering, “He is kind of good.”

“I’m just trying to stay focused.” Rumi shrugged.

“Hm… Focus is good, but focusing on one part leads to ignoring other parts,” The doctor leaned in on Rumi’s left side, "Making you separated, isolated.”

“Ooh ooh!” Zoey raised her hand, “Emotionally closed off?”

“Yes! Yes!” The doctor nodded along in agreement.

“She’s also a workaholic, doesn’t know how to relax…” Mira listed off the reasons before Rumi interrupted her.

“I know how to relax!” Rumi said defensively.

“You… Really don’t.” You added with a grimace.

“I bet she refuses to go to the bathhouse with you.” The doctor grinned mischievously. Honestly you were wondering why he decided to sell tonics and not work as a therapist at this point.

“Oh my gosh, yes!” Zoey exclaimed.

“How did you even-”

“Dude, we’ve been trying to take her to the bathhouse forever!” Mira and Zoey both said at the same time. You sighed, shaking you head and giving Rumi a ‘I don’t know what else to do’ look.

“How is this helpful?” Rumi asked with an eyeroll.

“It’s helping me a lot.” Mira said with a raised eyebrow.

“Waahh, I can’t believe you got all that wisdom just from looking at her!” Zoey smiled. The doctor turned over to her, eyes suddenly wide as he started to look deep into her soul as well. “Wait, why’re you looking at me?”

“I see… Eagerness to plead. Maybe a little too eager.” The doctor spoke.

“What? I’m not like that…” Zoey said before panicking, “You guys would tell me if I was like that, right?”

“Um…” Before you could give an honest answer, the doctor turned to look at you.

“I see… silence. Your soul is quiet and seeks to be loud again.” He said before turning to Mira. You paused, pursing your lips before looking back down at the ground.

Mira and the doctor stared at each other, making groans and grunts of annoyance before Mira bit back and the doctor shied away. “Yeah, that’s right.” Mira smirked.

“Okay,” Rumi cut through the both of them, “How does this help me get my voice back?”

“As I said, in order to treat the part, we must understand the whoooole.” He created a circle with his hands.

Rumi groaned, rubbing her hands over her face, “That’s great and all, but I thought we were just here for your tonics.”

“Can we just pay for the tonics now?” You asked, holding up your credit card. He nodded and as soon as you paid for the box, the three of you exited outside and waited for Rumi to come back with the medicine to help her voice.

You yawned, stretching out and pulling off your hoodie to scratch the back of your neck. “Hey guys, do you think after this we could get some persimmons?” You asked.

“Hm? Why? Are you making jam?” Zoey asked. You shrugged and pulled your hoodie down over your face.

“Just woke up craving some, thought it’d be nice to have something other than what we’re eating now.” You explained, glancing at Mira. “We could probably pick up some Boba on the way?”

Mira gasped, “Yeeessss.” She nodded. You laughed at her happy expression before seeing Rumi exit the door.

“We got the tonics! We got the tonics!” You three all cheered and started walking alongside each other.

“Yay! Once your voice is fixed, we can get back to the important stuff, like the fans.” Zoey grinned, latching onto Rumi lovingly.

You suddenly paused, hearing muttering from around the corner before seeing a couple of shadows. You widened your eyes as Zoey exclaimed, “Fans?! We can’t let them see us here, hurry!” Mira, Zoey, and Rumi hid behind you to which you sighed at.

“Guys, we’re in disguises for a reason.” You said, pulling up your mask, “This is why you wear masks.” You walked forward only to pause again at the… Surprisingly good looking dudes walking down the alleyway?

Mira, Zoey, and Rumi peeked out from behind you, eyes wide at the sight of them. “Woah…” Zoey and Mira said, eyes wide and mouth agape.

You and Rumi exchanged glances before shrugging. “So hot…” Mira muttered. 

Rumi grimaced. “Ugh, you guys are so gross…”

You kept your expression neutral, but you had to agree that they were definitely handsome. You turned to look at Rumi, about to speak before the black haired man nudged into her and made her fall. You widened your eyes as the box slipped out of her hand and caused the tonics to scatter everywhere across the cobbled street. 

“Uh…” He brushed his shoulder, “Watch yourself.”

Your eye twitched and you placed a hand on his shoulder, “Hey, apologize to my friend.” You crossed your arms.

“Hm?” He turned to look at you before you could see his eyes widening slightly and the faint sign of his pupils dilating. 

You frowned, recognition lighting up in your eyes. That guy did look sort of familiar though… Did you know him? No… You’re usually good at faces, you definitely didn’t know him. “Apologize.” You gestured to Rumi, “You’re the one who bumped into her.”

He scoffed, turning away and giving a half-assed apology, “Sorry.”

You sighed, rolling your eyes. What a child. There was plenty of space between Rumi and the rest of the street, he just happened to bump into her and make her fall because he was immature. You could never be with someone who had a horrible personality.

You knelt down next to the two other girls, helping them pick up the rest of the tonics. “What a jerk.” You shook your head.

“Yeah, they’re not even that cute.” Zoey frowned.

“They’re so bleh.” Rumi shook her head.

“They’re so…” Mira fake gagged as she threw another tonic in the box.

You all retched before hearing a funky beat come from around the corner. “Hm?” Your expression contorted from annoyance to curiosity.

You, Rumi, Mira, and Zoey all peaked from around the corner to see a puff of pink smoke fill the air. Zoey adjusted her hat while Mira pushed up her glasses. You pulled Rumi’s hoodie over her head and tightened yours with the strings.

The four of you walked towards the pink cloud of smoke, wondering what was happening before seeing a silhouette peak through. Then, all of a sudden the boys from before started to dance and sing.

“Don’t want you, need you. Yeah, I need you to fill me up.” The lead singer, the black haired one that bumped into Rumi, sang. You had to admit that his voice sounded pretty good.  “Masigo maysyeo bwa do seonge chaji ana.”

“It’s those stupid jerks again!” Rumi realized. You sighed, so much for those persimmons.

An old lady burst through your group, hands reaching to grab the lead singer. “Got a feeling that, oh, yeah. You could be everything that-” He pulled his chest forward, somehow pushing the grandma away with his… Charm? You wouldn’t exactly call it that, “That I need, tastes so sweet!”

“These guys are a boyband…” You muttered, eyes narrowed. Usually you wouldn’t be so hostile, it wasn’t like you to be this… Annoyed. But something about that black haired boy’s face made you want to… Violently bash a soda can into it.

“Looking like snacks!” The one with his eyes covered put his hands up as another with light pink hair moved to the front.

“‘Cause you got it like that.” The boyband moved to the side to allow one with a yellow beanie move forward with undeniable confidence.

“Take a big bite, want another bite, yeah. Neoui modeun geol nan wonhae, wonhae, wonhae Neo malgon modu pyeonhae, pyeonhae, pyeonhae!” He moved to the side, all of them going down a line to reveal the black haired one drinking… One of Rumi’s tonics?!

“Seriously?! I paid full price for those things!” You scoffed, crossing your arms and turning your head away.

“Can’t let go, no, no, not tonight.” They all shook their fingers in scary synchronization before posing so the black haired boy, which you assumed was the leader, could sing. 

“Jigeum dangjang nal bwa sigan eopjana.” He sang as he placed his hands on his chest. The others parted, now standing in a more horizontal zigzag.

“Neon naekkeoya imi algo itjana.” The boy with the light pink hair’s voice was soft, a surprising falsetto coming from his throat.

“‘Cause I need you to need me,” The leader sang, all of them gathering into a straight line as they harmonized. You raised your eyebrows, somehow their harmonization didn’t sound crunchy despite them being a new boyband? They probably had someone else write and produce their songs then. “I'm empty, you feed me so refreshing. My little soda pop.”

“You're all I can think of, every drop I drink up!” They moved their shoulders up and down, smug smirks on their faces. “You're my soda pop, my little soda pop.”

Zoey smiled, moving her shoulders along with them before noticing you staring at her with a raised eyebrow. She immediately stopped, but continued to move her shoulders slightly with Rumi as well.

“It is annoyingly catchy though.” Rumi muttered.

“It’s infectious.” Mira said.

“You can say that again.” You pursed your lips before widening your eyes. There were faint markings crawling up their exposed arms, purple markings. You looked back at the leader, who was… Oddly staring at you for some reason, and noticed a flash of yellow sparkling through.

You all gasped unanimously. “They’re demons!”

“Magicians!” You, Rumi, and Mira eyed Zoey for a moment before she quickly corrected herself, “Demons. Obviously demons.”

“Uh, make me wanna flip the top. Han mogeume, you hit the spot.” The one with a baby face stepped forward, everything about him seemed sort of nonchalant but you had a feeling it was definitely an act considering they were demons and surrounded by souls they could eat. “Every little drip and drop, fizz and pop, ah. Soreum doda it's gettin' hot.”

“Dang, they’re good.” Zoey admitted with a sigh.

“Incredible.” Rumi nodded, “But a demon boy band? Why?”

“I don’t care. A demon’s a demon. We kill them.” Mira said, eyes trained on them like a german shepherds as she stepped forward.

“No, it’s too public.” You said, catching the pink haired girl’s wrist.

“What if they try to kill these people?” Mira asked.

“It doesn’t look like they’re gonna hurt anyone.” Zoey said, trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, “In fact, it almost seems like they’re nice demons?”

You, Mira, and Rumi once again turned to look at Zoey with confusion in your eyes. What was she talking about? Nice demon was technically a contradiction! “Demons are never nice!” Mira and Rumi said.

The Saja Boys, or whatever their names were, it didn't matter to you, soon finished their song. The crowd surrounding them erupted into cheers and praise.  You didn’t mind that they were doing this, but they were jerks. Maybe if they were nice you would’ve been like Zoey but they weren’t.

You stared up at them before ultimately deciding that this was worth your time. At least now, you had a new objective to do while Rumi healed her voice. Kill the demons.

You felt eyes on you, turning back to see the leader staring at you once again. You tilted your head before ultimately leaving with the other girls to go get ready to defeat them. Why was he staring at you?

He probably knew you guys were Hunters so that meant he was targeting you specifically. Fine. Then you supposed that meant going after him first.

[revelboo]

Please please pleaseeeee spare my soul with another tarn, tarantulas or tfp starscream 😭🛐🛐🛐✨✨✨✨

Sure!

Disappear Pt 10

Tarantulas x Reader

• Whispering to each other, tangled in each other, you’re not sure how long you stay that way. Not wanting to end this moment yet, to lose this strange sense of understanding and intimacy. Reaching up, you timidly hook a finger against one of his mandibles. Still scary looking. Still a giant, alien spider, but you’re getting used to him, how he looks. Can feel him venting against you as you shift, a thigh sliding against his. He’d wanted to go home with you. Pretend to be human with you and you’re not sure what to make of that. Of just keeping him, playing house with his avatar while his real body is hidden away. You could pretend he was human, but you don’t really want that. Don’t want him to have to pretend and deny who he really is for you.

• Carefully brushing your hair away from your face with a servo, he lets his knuckle linger against your cheek. Sliding two of his extra legs against you, hooking them to roll you tighter to him until you’re flush against him as his biolights pulse for you. Waiting to see if you’ll push him away, but you don’t. You take a shuddering little breath, little finger curled against one of his mandibles. So close to him that he can feel the warmth of you, the beat of your heart. “What are we doing?” You ask, voice barely more than a whisper.

• “I don’t want to be alone anymore,” he murmurs, helm brushing your temple, his mandibles flexing against your cheek. Feel his clawed servos tangling in the hair at your nape to cup the back of your head, his visor brightening slightly. “If you don’t want my avatar,” he begins and there’s a question in his voice, the words so achingly vulnerable. And he just leaves the rest hanging unsaid, but you understand. If you don’t want my avatar, could you ever want the real me? What would that even be like? Living out here with him, hiding forever. Just you and him.

• “Are you proposing, spider-guy?” You ask, voice almost teasing, but your eyes are serious. Can’t tell what you’re thinking. If you’d agree to stay if he says the words or if you’d laugh in his face. He’s still a monster to you, isn’t he? And you’re just looking up at him, expression guarded, that finger still hooked with his mandible. Touching him willingly when he can remember you falling over yourself to avoid him touching you at first. Finding him creepy. Unsettling.

• Unsure what you want him to say, two of his extra legs are tapping against you again and your breath catches when he leans his face close, a mandible brushing your bottom lip. “What if I was?” He ask as the arm curled around you tightens slightly. “What if I said that I’d loved you from the moment you danced with me? With the real me and didn’t cringe away? That I want to keep you as mine?” Love? Heart racing, because that little four letter word hadn’t even crossed your mind. Do you love him? You’re not sure, but thinking of the way he fidgets and absently taps his extra limbs while he’s working, how excited he gets when something he’s working on goes right fills you with warmth. You like when he’s animated, gesturing and lifting up on his extra limbs, catching you to swing around when he has a breakthrough only to immediately apologize and back away. Like watching him engrossed in a project, the way he worries over you. Takes care of you. You’re not really his prisoner anymore. No, it’s not love, not exactly, but maybe it could be. Because you don’t want to be alone, either.

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[skippingstonez]

So that Cia concept I had? Yeah...it's not just a concept anymore.

Damsels in Distress

(Wars x reader) Chapter 1 / Next Warnings: non-con touching, lots of swearing, implied reference to sa, kidnapping

Stepping through the portal, the first thought that came to mind was that wherever you were? 

It was creepy as hell.

You were in some sort of extravagant garden. The loose gravel path lined with wall like rose bushes that would be impossible to see over even for Time. And unless you wanted to be skewered, the thorns that were practically the sizes of daggers would prevent you from simply going through them either. It was the complete opposite from the delicate red roses that littered the leafy walls. Soft petals blooming beautifully despite the chill in the air. 

The top few floors of a large building peeked out from above in the distance. Its dark exterior like a giant shadow looming over you. Thorny vines dangling off the tiled roof and clinging to dusty windows that were cracked or boarded up. You tried not to look at them for too long, afraid something would start staring back. You had barely been here for three minutes and it already felt like there was something up there, just watching you.

Closely. 

At least it seemed that you weren’t the only one that seemed creeped out by your rather unusual environment. One by one the others walked through the portal, took one look around and visibly cringed.

The most unsettling part of it all though was the look on Warriors face. His eyes were wide and almost completely glazed over in the same way Wild’s do during one of his episodes. His mouth hanging open while his hands were quivering at his sides. He looked terrified.

“Cap?” You called out, approaching slowly. Your movements deliberate, emphasizing each step loudly until you were right at his side. “Captain… Link?” You brought your hand up to his elbow, using the back of your hand to give him a soft nudge. He flinched at the contact, hands clenched into fists as he quickly stepped away from you. His breathing was quiet but his chest started rising and falling rapidly enough to suggest he was hyperventilating.

“Link, breathe. Hey-”

Time steps up beside you, grabbing Wars shoulders. Wars flinches away again but Time keeps his hold on him, coaching Wars till his breathing begins to even out. His hands are still shaking as he seems to come to.

You try asking what's wrong but Time either doesn’t hear you or is choosing to ignore you. Wars doesn't respond either, glaring up towards the mansion as if maybe your ‘im being watched’ feeling in your gut wasn’t too far off. You had heard some of the others talk about ghosts or spirits they encountered on their adventures and you really hoped this wasn’t about to become your introduction to such things. 

When Wars finally looks away his eyes are on you, grabbing onto your hand in a firm hold. The kind of hold that tells you this is about safety and not a romantic gesture. “I need you to stay close to me.”

“What's going on?” You press again, keeping close to his side like he said. “Where are we?”

“Mind telling us where the hell we are Cap?” It's Legend who asks. His voice full of its usual snark, though there is a genuine concern behind it all as he watches Wars carefully. 

“Temple of Souls.” He says bluntly, his grip tightened around your hand. “This place is dangerous, we need to leave.”

“How so?”

“This place is known to house powerful dark magic. So keep close.” It was Time that answered, still keeping close to Wars who was pulling you down the path away from the building. The others followed after the three of you but it only took a minute before you reached a dead end. Trying the next path for it also to be blocked off. Another corner and you could see a large metal gate at the end of its path covered in similar vines as the supposed temple on the other side of this gardened maze.

Wars approached it cautiously, trying to push and pull it open with no success. The only movement came from the leaves and petals that were shaken free that now floated to the ground around him. 

“Smithy, think you can work your magic on this lock and get us out of here?”

Four stepped up to the gate, looking it over before bringing out a few tools. “I need a fire rod, or something that can get it hot enough.” Wars had his out in a flash, its red gem on top glowing brightly as he handed it over to Four who held it up to one of the metal bars. The sturdy material changing from its dark color to nearly white as it heated, steam rising off of it with a low sizzle. Four handed the fire rod back, grabbing some tongs and a hammer as he tried to bend the metal box. It didn't budge.

“Sorry guys, I don't think this is a regular gate.” Four said, putting his things away. “There's probably some sort of enchantment on it that is keeping it protected.”

“So now what?”

“Why don't we try the creepy building over there? There's bound to be a way out inside right? That's how these kinds of things work?” Wild suggests.

“No. No one goes near that place.” Wars is running a hand through his hair, beginning to pace back and forth as he tries to come up with a plan. 

“Seriously? Come on, the dungeon here can't really be that bad if it's from your era. You afraid to mess up your hair or something.” Legend teased. 

“Plus  there's always a way out at the end of a dungeon! If anything I bet there's a cool item in there we could use!” Wind shouted.

“This place isn't one of your stupid dungeons!” Wars yelled out. 

This felt wrong. Sure Wars could be stern when the situation called for it but he was only this short with the others when he was really upset. And the fact that he was now yelling at Wind did not bode well. 

“Okay enough!” Time called out. “Arguing isn’t going to help right now. Captain, a word?”

Time and Wars walk away, still in view and obviously arguing. But they kept quiet enough for none of you to easily hear what it is they were saying. Sky slides up next to you.

“Is he okay?” Sky asks

“No. There's something off about this place. I just don't know what.” You respond, keeping a close eye on the two appointed leaders of your group. Wars isn't even looking at Time anymore by the time they are walking back over. Neither of them look pleased but Wars looks just as troubled as before.

“Alright, we're gonna go check out the place. Everyone stay close. No one wanders off.”

Time and Twilight took the lead, you and War's close behind as you begin navigating your way through the garden. It's eerily quiet beside the soft crunching of footsteps, adding to the overall unsettling atmosphere that has your skin crawling. Wars’ head is on a constant swivel until his head snaps to the ground, his hand coming up like a pseudo shield for his eyes.

Then you see it. A large marble statue that looks eerily like-

“Is that me!?” Hyrule shouted, staring up at the statue that looked exactly like him, right down to the curl in his hair.

“Uhh guys?” Everyone turned to Wind who was pointing further down the path. Another statue, this time of a wolf, with strange markings on its head and a small chain around one of its paws. And just around the corner you could see the makings of even more.

“Okay what the hell is this place Pretty Boy!? Some weird-”

“DON'T call me that!” Wars snapped at Legend who immediately backed up. His shoulders were shaking and you were pretty sure his grip on your hand was officially cutting off your circulation. You grab his forearm, dragging him away from the Vet and off to the side. He doesn't meet your eyes. Glaring down at the ground like it would turn into a swarm of keese at any moment.

“What's wrong?” You speak softly, not wanting to upset him anymore than he already is. Your hand stays on his forearm, knowing he tends to get jumpy being touched anywhere else when he's upset. It was one of the many things he had told you about his journey that very few others knew. 

Wars dropped your hand, still constantly checking his surroundings as he grunts out a “fine.”

“No you aren’t.” He still jumped when you reached back for his hand but he didn't pull away. You reached up and cupped his cheek, guiding his face to yours as you smiled softly at him. “You know you can talk to me right? I’m always gonna be on your side but I can't read your mind.” You know it's not going to do much but hopefully it'll at least get him out of the spiral he is clearly starting to go down.

He sighs, shoulders finally relaxing back down as he leans into your hand before turning his head to give your palm a quick kiss. 

“I'm sorry this place is just…it's her place. This is where it all happened.”

You knew exactly who and what he was talking about and your blood began to boil at the mere mention of that fucking witch. You had sworn to yourself that if ever given the opportunity you would tear her to pieces for what she did to the sweet man in front of you and today looked to be your lucky day. Pushing the anger to the side for now though you leaned up and kissed his cheek.

“It's gonna be okay, we don't even know if she's around. And even if she is, good luck trying to come near you. We all have your back and I’ll cut her hands off before I let her touch you again.”

He huffs out a weak laugh and nods, pulling you into a tight embrace. Kissing the top of your head before taking your hand once more, much more gently this time. You lead him back to the group, making sure to stay ahead of him so he can see you while you settle towards the middle. Sky and Wind come up to walk beside you, the young sailor glued to his side as he eyes the statues wearily. 

The garden path leads directly to the mansion's entrance. Its large doors already cracked open as if someone had just come through before you. Legend and Four step towards it, pulling it open a bit more to peak inside.

“The fuck!?” Legend shouts while Four is slamming the door shut with a horrified expression. You can feel Wars shrink beside you as Wind steps even closer to him. 

“What? What's in there?” The sailor asks.

“Nothing,” Four butts in before Legend can say whatever was about to come out of his mouth. “The decor is just…unique.” 

“Unique!? The Captain's face is posted on every fucking wall!”

“Hey, chill it with the language” Twilight scolds though Legend barely acknowledges it. 

You stick right by War’s side as the others are now all approaching the doors, pulling one open to see inside. Each one having similar reactions as they disappear into the room.

“We can stay out here if you need-”

“No. We need to stay together.”

You go in first, and sure enough large paintings of your boyfriend are hung up on every wall in the large entryway. A large staircase leads up to a second floor landing that looks to lead into a hallway.

“Think she’d notice if I steal one?” You say, trying to lighten the heaviness dripping off of the hero at your side. “I mean you do look really good in that over there.” Wars just rolls his eyes, pulling you tighter into his side as you walk further in. Hes stiff as a board beneath your touch and you rub your thumb soothingly on the back of his hand. 

“Everyone come here, gather around.” Time yells out. “We don't know what's waiting for us here. This isn't your typical dungeon with puzzles and monsters.”

“So then what is here? What can we expect?” It was Sky who asked, but was clearly addressing Wars instead of Time.

“There's a powerful sorceress that's been known to live here. She's obsessed with owning the hero's spirit and will do anything to have it. So if she's the reason we were brought here we should expect some sort of ambush so keep your guards up.”

You could see the gears in his head turning, trying to formulate the best plan at moving forward.

“Vet, you can sense magic that's nearby like our Traveler right?” He nods as Wars continues to think for a moment, scanning around the room wearily.

“Alright, we stick together as a group but we do so in pairs. Rancher, you and the Traveler will lead with Smithy and the Old Man behind you. Traveler if you sense any magic I need to know immediately. Sailor, stick with Champion. Sky, you're with (y/n).”

You sharply turn to him. “Wars are you sure?”

He nods solemnly, dropping your hand to cup your face. “I'm gonna be right behind you the whole time,” he says and you know it's more of a reassurance for him than it is for you as he leans down to kiss your forehead. Whispering “I love you” before he steps away, allowing Sky to take his place. 

“Vet you're with me at the rear. Now let's get going, the longer we stand around the more open we are.”

Everyone shuffles around, pairing off just as Wars told them to.

“Sky,” Wars says quietly, grabbing onto the other’s arm. “I need you to keep a close eye on (y/n). If something goes down I need you to take her and Wind and get out okay?” 

Sky nods, making sure you're right beside him as Wars makes his way over to where Legend is waiting for him. You all decided to head to the right, keeping away from anything suspicious as you walk. The next room looked the same as the entrance except without the staircase and some of the paintings were now of a young boy holding a blue ocarina. You couldn't say you recognized the boy but there was something oddly familiar about him that you couldn’t quite place. But it was unnerving, as was every room afterwards, each one following in a similar pattern that had everyone eyeing it all skeptically.

Up ahead, Twilight and Hyrule led the group into a few more rooms that eventually turned into a long hallway. The walls only just wide enough for you and Sky to walk side by side if you pressed into his side which wouldn’t do any good if you needed to draw your weapons. Sky pushed you just a step ahead of him, sandwiching you between him and Wind.

The already dim lights hung up along the walls began to flicker, making the hair on the back of your neck stand up. A hand presses to the small of your back and you jump, only to realize its Sky. Or at least you're fairly certain it was Sky. All the lights go out at once, leaving all of you in complete darkness. The hand takes hold of your tunic, pulling you backwards so you are squarely against Sky’s chest. The master sword, whose blade has the faintest glow around it, now held out in front of you both. 

“Everyone still here?” You call out, and you receive quick responses. You reach into your bag, bringing out your small lantern as some of the others do the same. It's barely enough to see in front of you, the darkness almost tangible in the crowded space as you all try to keep moving forward. Sky keeps a firm hold on your wrist, his sword adding a bit more light so you can at least make out Wind and Wild’s figures in front of you. It unfortunately doesn't stop you from running into them every few steps. 

“Somethings coming,” You hear Legend whisper. 

You weren't a big magic user, probably one of the least magically inclined in the chain but even you could feel the presence that cast over you like a blanket. Shadows licked at the flames of your lantern, a dark mist spreading out over the ground that only seemed to thicken when exposed to the light in your hand. A woman's laugh echoed around you. So softly at first that you thought it was just your imagination, trying to freak yourself out. But it grew louder and louder until it was undeniably a voice.

“I always knew you'd come back to me one day Link.”

Cia. It had to be. You glanced back behind Sky, trying to get eyes on Warriors.

“Vet, where is it coming from?” 

“I…I can’t tell yet. It-”

“Though I admit you’re a bit earlier than I expected. I'm sorry I wasn’t here to greet you when you arrived.” Her voice taunted and it made you want to run a blade through her throat. 

“Vet! Traveler! I need to know where it's coming from!” Wars shouts, his voice teetering between its calculated normality and frantic pleading.

“We're trying! I can't pinpoint a source!”

“It's like it's everywhere!”

“You see, I’ve been rather busy today!” Cia said, her voice flowing around you like the mist that now swirled at your feet. “I figured, while you all are out on your little quest, I would make a few housecalls. You know, to check up on some things.”

“House calls? What does that mean?” Sky asks in a hushed tone. You can only shrug, feeling something in your gut begin to sink.

“And since I was already in the neighborhoods, I thought I would go ahead and take care of a few pests still running around.”

Oh you did not like where this was going.

“I started with that spunky, redheaded little farm girl and I must say she put up more of a fight than I expected.”

Times face dropped as Cia chuckled to herself.

“Malon? What did you do!?” Time yelled out, “If you hurt my wife I swear I’ll-!!”

“Come now, surely you don't think I'd be that cruel. She's alive, for now. As are the others. Not that it really matters though. You all belong to me, not them.”

“Wars it's coming from below!” Hyrule shouted.

“They can't love you all like I can. They don't appreciate you the way I do. The way you deserve after everything you've been through. Especially you Hero of Warriors, I've missed-”

“Shut the hell up you psycho bitch!” You shouted into the darkness which in hindsight was not your smartest move. But it would be a cold day in hell before you let her continue to ramble off how ‘she could love your boyfriend better than you could’.

“Well well well, what a lovely surprise. Guess I have one less trip to make now since you've brought one of the pests straight to me. How kind of you Link.”

Sky shoved you behind him, sword raised defensively as he waited for some sort of attack. You drew your sword, still holding the small lantern in your other hand.

“Sky get her out of here! Now!!” Wars shouted a little too late. You could feel something moving around you like a shark circling its prey. Something dark and powerful as you tighten your grip on your small lantern, trying to find whatever it was.

Apparently, Legend sensed it too.

“(Y/N) MOVE!” Legend shouted, lunging towards you as the ground gave way directly below your feet. A scream left your lips and you barely had enough time to see the horrified look on War’s face as you suddenly fell through the floor. 

Wars screamed your name. 

Legend smacked into the ground where you disappeared, too slow to have reached you in time. He groaned as Sky quickly pulled him back up to his feet, frantically looking around to try and find where you had gone.

“No no no no no…(Y/N)! Where is she!?” Wars yelled, tears filling his eyes that he desperately tried to hold back. His lungs felt like they had collapsed, making him gasp for air. He could already feel her hands on him, pulling and pushing him around, digging into his skin that he wanted to rip off himself.

“Don't worry, I have something special planned for her. But in the meantime, why don't I show you all to your  new rooms?”

____________

You hit the ground with a scream and sickening crack as blood filled your mouth. Pain rolling through you as the lantern you had been holding shattered on the stones beside you, its glass shards now digging into your arm. You rolled onto your si-

Nope. Nope, bad idea. You flopped onto your back again, wiping away some of the blood now drooling out the corner of your mouth

“Oh my! Are you alright?”

Either you had seriously hit your head or that was a voice you truly didn't recognize. Gently fingers brushed your shoulder, pulling away when you groaned out in pain.

“(Y/n)? (Y/n) dear, is that you?”

Now that voice you recognized.

“m-malon..?” You called out, peeling your eyes open to a world of blurry grey. There was a figure leaning over you, one whose mouth didn’t seem to move as Malon’s voice called out to you again.

“Are you alright? Are ya hurt?”

You groaned out an incoherent response, focused on letting your vision adjust till you could actually make out what was around you. The figure above you turned out to be a girl with auburn hair and delicate features. Her red dress accentuated the red in her hair while her golden necklace pulled out the specks in her eyes. She reached out to you again, even lighter than before as though you would shatter like your lantern.

“Are you alright?” Her voice was as soft as her touch as she stared down at you worryingly.

“Fine…just need a sec.” You mumbled, pushing yourself up onto your elbows.  “Where am I?”

She scooted back just an inch, giving you some more space as you began to sit up but close enough to offer support if you so needed it. “I'm not sure. A sorceress came and before I knew it I was put down here in this cell as well.”

You took in your surroundings as she spoke, and sure enough you were sitting in the middle of a stone cell. Its walls cold and damp and you honestly didn’t look too closely in fear you'd see Hylia knows what growing in the corners. Without a window you couldn’t tell if you were underground or not though that's where most dungeons were so it was a safe bet. The iron bars to your left were thick but you could stick your arm between them at least. The torches just beyond providing enough light to see into the cell across from yours, and the 2 women sat inside. 

“Malon!? Sun!?”

They both sat close to the bars, fear written on their faces though they did a good job at putting on a brave front. 

“Hi (y/n),” Sun waved to you. “It's good to see you again, even if it's uhh.. Not the best circumstances.” Her eyes were red and puffy and there was an obvious stain of red in her golden hair.

Oh Cia better pray that Sky doesn’t find out.

“Are you all okay? What… What happened?” You asked, noticing a few scratches on Malon as well.

“We’re all fine dear. Well, as much as we can be. But that was quite the fall you had. Are you sure you're alright?”

You nodded, rubbing your forehead a bit to lessen the sting still in your skull. “How long have you all been down here?”

“About a day or two?” Sun said. “She got the jump on me while I was on my way to Skyloft. Is.. Is Link okay? Did she attack you guys too?”

“Wait, Link? You guys know Link?” The girl perked up beside you and you couldn’t help but chuckle.

Oh boy, this was about to be a long conversation. 

“Yes, I know him and I'm sure they have everything under control. But do you mind telling me your name first?” You ask the girl.

“My name is Zelda, though my people call me Aurora instead.”

“It's nice to meet you, your highness,” You say, bowing your head slightly. You immediately knew which Link she was referring to which brought a small smile to your face. Recalling the way the young traveler would sometimes be as lovestruck as their chosen one when talking about his princess back at home. “You might want to settle in though, cause this is gonna be a long story.”

[kirain]

Part fourteen of my appreciation project.

@minthe-drawings A fic based on their wonderful art piece here. Thank you for feeding the fandom!

The Necropolis gardens were a strange place. Beautiful, but strange—rife with mystery, sorrow, and inquisitive spirits. Wild vines curled over cracked stone, moonflowers bloomed in the shade of ancient statues, and the air carried the thick scent of damp earth and arcane herbs. To many, it was unsettling: a constant reminder of death—of the primordial forces beyond one's control.

To Scylla, it was home. She knelt in the dirt, her fingers weaving a tiny crown out of ivy and dried flower stems. Sunlight barely reached this part of the gardens through the skylights, but she liked it that way. It felt private, like a secret world only she could explore.

"Is that them?"

A short distance away, five children huddled behind a half-crumbled wall, whispering amongst themselves as they peered at her.

"Yeah, I think so. My parents call them the 'neco-baby'."

"Why?"

"Because they're an orphan," one of the children, a boy with a mop of unkempt brown hair, murmured. "They don't live up top like we do."

"You mean they're down here all the time?"

"Yep. Raised by Vorgoth and the skeletons."

The others shuddered.

"Vorgoth is creepy," a girl said, hugging herself. "No one even knows what he is. And he's always yelling."

"Why won't a human adopt them? Or an elven family?" another child asked.

"Because they were found in a crypt, obviously," the brown-haired boy answered. "There's probably something wrong with them. They might not even be mortal."

The thought sent a fresh wave of unease through the group, and they all pulled back, as if the distance between them and Scylla wasn't nearly enough.

"Let's get out of here."

"Yeah, let's go before they see—"

Just then, the young elf glanced up, noticing their faces peeking over the wall, and her face brightened. She sprang to her feet, brushing the dirt from her knees, and waved enthusiastically.

"Hi!" she called, her voice cheerful and unbothered by their hushed gossip.

Before they could think of an excuse to leave, she ran towards them, closing the gap in a few eager strides. The children cringed as she stopped in front of them, beaming from ear to ear, but she didn't seem to notice their apprehension—any hint of it was overshadowed by her excitement at finally being among people her own age.

"I'm Scylla!" she said, holding out her hand to the brown-haired boy. "You're the new initiates, right? We're going to be classmates! It's nice to meet you!"

The boy hesitated, but reluctantly reached out to accept her hand—only to freeze in horror when he noticed a cluster of small, dark beetles clinging to her arm. As one of them crawled onto his fingers, he let out a deafening shriek, yanking his hand back and shaking it violently. The beetle tumbled to the ground, and before Scylla could react, his foot came down hard, crushing it.

"No!"

A strangled noise caught in her throat, and as the boy stumbled back, she dropped to her knees, staring at the tiny, motionless shell pressed into the mud.

"You... you killed Spot," she whimpered, her voice trembling.

"Why are there bugs all over you?" the brown-haired boy screamed, frantically wiping his hand on his robes. "That's disgusting! Don't you bathe?!"

Scylla's eyes welled with tears as she looked up at him. "Necromancers should respect all life," she snapped, her tone thick with emotion. "Even the little ones!"

The boy's face twisted in revulsion. "You're such a freak!" he spat, pushing her onto her elbows. "Playing with bugs like they're your friends... no wonder nobody wants you around!"

The other children giggled cruelly, the sound sharp and cutting.

"Stay away from us!" a girl yelled.

"Go back to the tombs where they found you!"

"Neco-baby!"

Scylla sniffled as she sat up, wiping her face with her sleeve. Before she could respond, the group turned and ran, their taunting voices echoing through the air.

"No one will ever want you! No one!"

She stayed kneeling on the path long after their laughter had faded, staring at the flat, broken form of Spot. After a while, she mumbled a quiet apology to her fallen companion. Then, with careful fingers, she began to gather what remained of him, determined to give him a proper burial.

As she headed back to the gardens, the other children's gibes followed, and she believed every word.

"No one... will ever want me."

-----

Scylla stepped into Emmrich's quarters, rolling her shoulders after a long, difficult meeting. The room smelled of wet ink, old books, and the sweet scent of cologne that was never overpowering, yet strong enough to put the most troubled mind at ease. Sandalwood and cardamom—the pleasing notes that warned her, in the best way, that he was nearby.

"Darling!" she heard as soon as she entered his line of sight.

Emmrich was seated in his chair, looking up at her with a familiar warmth in his weary eyes. But there was something else there—an urgency.

"Hey," Scylla said awkwardly. "You wanted me to stop by?"

"My dearest, please trust me." His voice was firm, but not demanding. "I must take you to the Necropolis before we confront Elgar'nan."

She blinked, tilting her head. "I trust you, Emmrich."

"Thank you, darling."

She nodded and turned back towards the door. But something gnawed at her, something bitter and sharp. She hesitated, glancing back over her shoulder.

"Though... I'm surprised by the invitation."

"What do you mean?" Emmrich flinched.

She gave him a half-hearted shrug. "You always took me to the Necropolis for dates. I thought our relationship was over."

For a moment, there was nothing but silence, so suffocating she could hear his pulse quicken. Then, as if pinched by some unseen force, Emmrich shot up from his chair—but his knees buckled and he collapsed back down. His face had gone pale, his breathing ragged.

"Why would you think that?" he choked, his voice barely holding together.

Scylla let out a small, confused laugh, devoid of humour. "Before Tearstone, we argued. You made it abundantly clear you didn't think this could work."

Emmrich tensed. For once, even with his vast vocabulary, he couldn't seem to form a single word, his fingers gripping the arms of his chair, his eyes wide with guilt.

"Scylla... no." He reached out, his arm shaking. "I was being unreasonable. I was insecure about my age, about burdening you. I never wanted to leave you. I never—"

She forced a sad smile, and Emmrich felt his heart shatter.

"You don't have to justify yourself," she said softly. "It's okay. I'm no stranger to being unwanted."

"Scylla..."

She turned away again, her head hanging. "It's probably for the best, anyway. The esteemed professor and the elven tramp? It was never going to work." She tried to chuckle, to sound lighthearted, but Emmrich could sense the pain in her voice. "I'll see you later, Professor."

The dejection, the cold formality—it brought his worst fear to life. For without her, he would surely wither—mind, body, and soul.

Before she could so much as lift a foot, Emmrich suddenly lurched forward, nearly flying out of his chair. In a swift, desperate motion, he spun her around and pulled her into his arms, his head grinding into her stomach.

"Emmrich?"

"I'm sorry," he rasped, his hands clinging to her hips. "I never meant to hurt you. The argument... it wasn't about you, it was about me. I wanted to apologise immediately, but I was too stubborn." His teeth clenched, his brows furrowed. "And when you disappeared into the Fade, I—" He paused, shivering down to his bones. "Oh, darling, I thought I'd lost you!"

Scylla felt the front of her shirt dampen, the wetness warm against her skin.

He was crying.

Slowly, carefully, she raised a hand and began rubbing soothing circles into his back, her other hand caressing the back of his head. Her bracelets pushed up on her wrist as she weaved her fingers through his silver hair, massaging his scalp with a motion of tender forgiveness.

"Emmrich, I—"

"I've been holding it in since you returned," he wept, his voice raw. "But I thought you were gone forever. I... I couldn't bear it. You're the most important person in my life, Scylla. And I was a fool for pushing you away."

"I'm so sorry," she winced, her throat tightening at his distress. "I didn't realise how much you suffered while I was gone. I truly thought you—" She swallowed, more relieved than she could describe. "I thought you were done with me."

For a long while, they simply held each other—until Emmrich lifted his head to look at her, his face streaked with tears. The sincerity in his eyes made her chest swell, and for a moment, she wondered how she could ever have mistaken his now-obvious self-deprecation that day for rejection.

Then she heard it—a cruel whisper from the past, carried on the voices of the children who had tormented her.

No one will ever want you.

But before the thought could consume her, Emmrich stood—attuned to her despair, as if he could read her mind.

"Scylla, I love you."

He cradled her face, then pressed his lips into hers with a devotion so fierce, it stole the breath from her lungs. She froze, her eyes wide, the world tilting beneath her. Then, like a flower turning towards the sun, she embraced him, her hands finding his waist as the kiss deepened, the salt of his tears dancing on the tip of her tongue.

"The Necropolis," he muttered between ministrations. "I must... take you there at once."

When they pulled apart, panting, Scylla barely found her voice.

"Vhenan," she wheezed, dizzy for more.

Emmrich smiled. He'd waited weeks to hear that sweet term of endearment from her lips, floundering every second without it. Soon, they would depart for the Necropolis—but for now, he melted against her, pressing fervent kisses along her neck, worshipping her with every touch.

And for the first time in her life, Scylla realised those children had been wrong.

[vashtijoy]

Extremely random thought but do you think that cringy fanfictions written by preteens who then grew up to be embarassed adults would have never existed in the Marukiverse, considering how that art student who was in a slump was forcibly pivoted to archery instead?

wow, goddamn. I guess you could take it either way, couldn't you? Maruki does seem to think that struggling against the odds isn't worth it, and that depression and discouragement are best treated by giving up.

I do tend to think that Maruki is able to tell what people truly want, to somehow divine it out of their heads, even before 12/24—just because all of the kids get something they really want, even when it's not necessarily obvious. Maruki makes some startling judgements there, but the PTs all seem to agree that they were genuine temptations.

So my reading would tend be that Yusuke's artist friend really did think he might have been happier as an archer, and really did believe there was no hope for him in art—but, just as the PTs all turn down their wishes that they desperately want, Yusuke's friend has chosen not to switch paths, and to stick with his painting despite his slump. Until Maruki happens to him, at any rate.

What I think is more likely is that people who want to write would still write. They just wouldn't ever feel discouraged, or down. They wouldn't go through that phase of realising all their work is cringe. And of course, because Maruki's reality has no pain or challenge or complexity, nobody would ever write anything worth reading.

Which brings me to....

deleted text chat

While I was checking the archery chat, I ran into this deleted chat all about conflicting wishes, and how the very thoughts in people's heads, their ability to feel negative emotions at all, will likely be erased. It's unsettling reading, and confirms a number of theories that go around about what life in Maruki's reality would really have been like, and how he'd likely handle conflicts.

It's SCRIPTCHAT_282, and since it didn't make it into the English localisation, it will have been cut in very early dev. Look out for Akechi chiming in when Ann talks about wishing to get rid of people they don't want around.

Futaba 正月のこと覚えてるか? Do you guys remember New Year? Ryuji そりゃもちろん 嫌でも忘れねーよ… Course we do. There’s no way we could forget that. Futaba わたしのおかーさんいただろ? 春もおとーさんいたよな? My mom was there, right? And Haru’s dad was there too, right? Haru え、うん　いたけど… Uh, yes. I suppose so... Makoto なにかあった? Did something happen? Futaba ちょっと考えてたんだ I was thinking. Futaba 死んじゃった人に会いたいって 思ったら生き返ってたじゃん? If we think about wanting dead people back, they come back to life, right? Futaba んじゃその逆は? って So does it work the other way around? Sumire 逆…ですか The… other way around? Ann いなくなってほしい人に 消えろって願ったら… If we wish for people to disappear, who we don’t want around… Ann ってこと? Is that what you mean? Futaba そ! Yeah! Akechi なかなか面白い考えだね 、どう思う? That’s quite an interesting thought. Ren, what do you make of it? [Joker] 消える気がする I feel like disappearing myself. [Joker] 考え方が変わる It’s changed my perspective. Yusuke だが、誰かが生きてほしいと 願ったらどうなるんだ But then, what would happen if somebody else wished they were still alive? Sumire 一度消えて また現れるんですかね… They’d die, and then reappear again, wouldn’t they..? Ryuji 忙しいな Busy day. Akechi そういう考え自体 が 消えてしまうんじゃないかな You know, even thoughts such as these may die out in the end. Yusuke 自分のか? You mean our own thoughts? Sumire そういうこと考えなくなる ってことですね Do you mean we just wouldn’t think such things any more? Akechi 僕も同意見だな　思考自体を消されると思うよ It does seem likely. I’m afraid thought itself will be erased. Futaba あーなるほど Huh. I see. Haru 負の感情を抱かなくなるのかぁ… So… so we won’t be able to feel bad things any more..? Ann 平和になりそうだけど なんか気味悪いね It’s kind of creepy, isn’t it? We’d get to live in peace, but… Ryuji つか、よくそんな 物騒 なこと思いつくよな You always gotta think of the worst things, don’t you, Futaba? Futaba だってヒマなんだもん It’s because I get bored. Futaba あ、そうじろう帰って来た そんじゃな! Oh, there’s Sojiro! See ya! Yusuke 本当に暇潰しだったのか So this was all just to relieve her boredom? Makoto じゃあ、私たちも 授業に戻りましょう We should all turn back to our lessons, anyway. Morgana 人を生き返らせる、か。認知を使ってそんなことするなんて… Bringing people back to life, huh? Imagine using cognition to do such a thing… Morgana ワガハイには理解できないぜ。 I just can’t understand it.

revision history

Click here for the latest version.

v1.0 (posted 2024/11/30)—first posted.

[art-missy]

Your morning started simply. You woke up, showered, dressed up and went to the bakery down the street to buy pastries for breakfast. You just perpetuated your routines, smiling at the baker who knew your usual selection. So of course, you did not expect a random man to slither into the warm cocoon of your daily pattern.

As you were waiting for the baker to do your every morning bag, you felt a shiver running down your spine. When you turned around, a flamboyant man stared at you. Why was this man staring as if he wanted to Hannibal Lecter you ? You had no idea.

"How delicious looking," he finally said.

The silence that followed his words in the bakery made you cringe. The poor baker who also heard him, almost dropped your bag. The man kept staring at you, his smile widening the grimace on your face. Could his mind differentiate you from the food on display in the shop ? You hoped so.

"I don't have enough strength to deal with that level of freak, I fear," you sighed, massaging your temples.

He only chuckled, to which the baker and you exchanged a wary glance. You then received your pastries with a glad smile, bid your goodbyes then speed walked to the door. Unfortunately for your nerves, this strange man blocked your path, his unnerving smile still on his lips.

"I am Vein," he took a step closer to you, to which you took a step farther from him. "And I want your body."

"Can't you want some pastries instead ?" you winced.

To your surprise, he extended you a card.

Behind you, the baker was reaching for their phone.

"Unfortunately for me, I don't have the time to convince you to let me savour you, today," he walked past you, his smile still on. "See you another time."

You watched him walk away, and cringed when he waved at you through the bakery's glass. What a strange way to begin the day !

"I have several physical descriptions of him," the baker said, pointing at a camera in the corner of the shop. "I'll take screenshots, just in case."

You smiled at them. Did sharing this kind of peculiar experience make you more than morning buddies ?

You looked down at the card in your hand and your eyebrows raised. A modeling company ? Wait. This company is one of the best in the world ?

"This guy isn't a pimp ?"

That question kept popping in your head everytime you saw him in the bakery. Which was now every morning. Everyday, he had a new adjective for you.

"You're mouth-watering."

"Creep," muttered the baker from behind the counter, but his sole focus remained on you.

You took your bag of pastries, glowering at him.

"Mister Vein, could you stop with your...predatory words ?" you sighed. "I am not interested by a modeling career."

"I know that," he burst out laughing. "But what about a date ?"

You looked at him as if a second head just grew on his shoulder. His eyes were unsettling, staring into yours and trying to analyse your soul. Yours, on the other hand, looked at him, wondering if he wasn't a serial killer under the guise of a fabulous CEO.

The baker threw you a questioning glance, as if asking if they should finally call the police. You wouldn't be surprised if they offer themselves as a possible witness.

"What makes you think you're even my type ?"

"I don't know," Vein smiled. "But you're mine."

With time, you started to wonder if the only facial expressions available to him were creepy laughter, creepy smile and creepy words... Wait. All that time he was flirting with you ?

Anyway, that day you just ignored him —like you taught yourself to and exited the shop. You were surprised later to find in your bag of pastries a flyer for self-defence lessons, a gift from your baker.

[tinaswampdweller]

Yandere!Izuku X Reader

This is a drabble and is unfinished. I like it though and thought someone else might enjoy it. It’s rough but still readable. It’s essentially just Writing practice.

“I used to think I was a good person, you know. I used to ask myself why Kacchan did it. I could never understand. I was gonna go to UA, become a pro-hero, settle down and marry an admirable woman.”

I looked up at him, knees sore from digging into the ground for too long. His glowing green eyes looked unusually vibrant as they watched me.

He continued with an unsettling smile as if remembering something fond.

“I once visited a psychic with Kacchan and Kirishima, you wouldn’t know them, but it was something fun to do after class. The psychic, foretelling futures was her quirk, at least that's what she told us.” He chuckled like it was a funny story he was telling.

‘He’s so ingrained in his story, Y/N. This is the perfect time to make a run for it.’ a voice whispered in my mind.

He once told me his quirk made him tired if he used it too much. Given that he was probably on patrol earlier with a pro-hero, there was a chance he wouldn't use his quirk due to fatigue if I slipped past. A small chance.

“She. Said. I’d marry Urakaka, you wouldn't know her but I hadn't even told her her name. Can you believe that?” He let out a laugh, equal parts astonished and incredulous. “But she knew it. And that should have given me some relief, I was gonna marry a pretty and admirable woman, one that my mom would like.”

NOW! I leapt up using a touch of my quirk. It was by no means a heroic quirk, but it allowed me to use a boost from his quirk, whatever it was.

Two steps. Two steps was all I had moved before he had me. Hands tightly gripping my forearms close to his chest. His emerald eyes pierced into mine with that all too familiar dark stare. Amusement swimming in his electric orbs. It was a look unfit for a hero and all too perfect for a villain.

“Dammit, I wasn't finished with my story.” he said, his voice rising with a hint of irritation. I had annoyed him. Unlike most, Izuku thrived under pressure. From now on, his eyes would be fixed on my every move.

“Let. Go.” I spat at him through gritted teeth. His grip was firm, a faint static buzzing where his hand met my skin. He was using only a fraction of his strength, yet it was enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

“I should be happy right? RIGHT?” He yelled directly into my ear, his grip tightening as he shook me, the force rattling through my bones. Why was he so strong? Why was he always so much stronger each time he found me?

“I’m gonna be an amazing hero with a pretty wife to show off. But for some reason, it annoyed me. If I marry Urakaka, that leaves you free to take. Any weirdo or creep could just snatch you up.”

I began to struggle against his grip. Whatever weird monologue he was going on about, I didn't want to hear any of it.

“You're the fucking creep!” I shouted as my vision began to blur, desperately trying to tug my sore arms out of his vice-like grip. He’d used only a fraction of his quirk as a warning and just that was enough to overwhelm me. My stupid quirk only intensified his.

“No, no. Come on, don't say that. Yes, I can be creepy but… I’m different from the rest.”

Even in this dire situation, his words still managed to make me cringe.

"You're wondering if I know how I sound, aren't you?" he said with a cheerful, almost childlike giggle, as if this was some lighthearted exchange, a shared inside joke. "Yeah, I know exactly how I sound. But the thing is-" he leaned in, his voice dropping to an almost playful whisper "-if I come across that way, it's really your fault. Think about it. All of this… it’s only happening because of you."

"Wasn't it you who wanted me first?" he spat, his voice tinged with impatience. "You called me cute, counted my freckles, played with my hair –hell, you kissed me first! But no, of course, it's always someone else's fault, isn't it? Can’t you take responsibility for a damn thing in your life?"

………………………………………………………………………….

thanks for reading. If anyone’s up to it, I’m looking a specific yandere!izuku fic where the reader enters her home to find izuku on her couch. He’s being all coy and cute but vaguely threatens her family. I think it ends with her going limp as he kisses her. Just really stuck with me so if you know lmk

[dreamyeuphoricll]

Most hated characters according to the internet.

Reasons:

1.Mahito

(I) Pleasure in Battle: Mahito draws pleasure from fights, making him an extremely dark character in the series. It’s frustrating to face an adversary who fights purely for the thrill, rather than any noble motive

(ii) Cold Rationality: Unlike other villains who lose their rationale easily, Mahito remains cool-headed and highly rational. His portrayal as the embodiment of human fear and hatred leaves no room for emotion. This lack of empathy makes him even more unsettling.

(iii) Nihilistic Philosophy: Mahito adheres to nihilism, believing that life lacks inherent meaning. His chaotic worldview stems from evil desires, resentment, and the corruption of humanity

(iv) Manipulative Sadism: Manifested out of sheer hatred and human suffering, Mahito thrives on manipulating human emotions. He takes pleasure in making those around him suffer, adding to his sadistic natu

2. GABI

(I). Sasha’s Tragic Death: She killed Sasha, one of the most beloved characters in the franchise. Sasha’s death was a heartbreaking moment for audiences and other characters in the story.

(ii) Eldian Identity and Marleyan Influence: Gabi is an Eldian, but she despises her own heritage. Born and raised in Marley, she has been surrounded by people who convinced her that Eldians are devils. Despite being one of them, she wishes she were Marleyan.

(iii) Hypocrisy and Aggression: Gabi’s constant aggressive display of hatred towards Eldians, despite being one herself, is seen as hypocritical and annoying by some fans. Her sass, badassery, and frequent screaming have divided the fandom into two camps: those who empathize with her and those who find her irritating.

3. SAKURA

(I) Inconsistent Character Development: . Despite her raw strength and impressive medical ninjutsu, she frequently relied on stronger characters to save the day. This inconsistency frustrated fans who wanted to see her shine consistently.

(ii) Swinging Between Independence and Dependence: Some fans find Sakura’s character frustrating due to her oscillation between wanting independence and relying on others. This inconsistency can be annoying and contributes to the mixed feelings about her.

(iii) Treatment of Naruto: Early in the series, Sakura was often mean to Naruto. While Naruto’s behavior was initially obnoxious, Sakura’s treatment of him didn’t endear her to fans.

(iv) Obsession with Sasuke: Sakura’s infatuation with Sasuke Uchiha was a point of contention. Her unwavering loyalty to him, despite his actions, frustrated viewers who wanted her to focus on her own growth.

4. Shou Tucker

**Shou Tucker**, the infamous character from *Fullmetal Alchemist*, has earned a special place in the hearts of fans—for all the wrong reasons. Let's delve into why he's so widely despised:

i. Unforgivable Experiments:

- Tucker's most heinous act was fusing his own daughter, Nina with their pet dog, creating a horrifying chimera. The Elric Brothers witnessed Nina's suffering, and her loss became deeply personal for viewers .

- The fact that he did this twice (once with his wife and then with Nina) is chilling.

ii. Lack of Remorse:

- Unlike other villains, Tucker shows no remorse for his deeds. Even the homunculi, with their twisted natures, exhibit some human-like faults. Tucker, however, is a cold sociopath who killed his daughter out of fear of poverty .

5. MINETA

(i) Perverted Behavior: Mineta’s disturbingly immature and perverted tendencies are a major point of contention. His attraction toward girls, particularly Momo and Tsuyu, is often expressed in a creepy manner. Fans find this behavior off-putting and cringe-worthy.

(ii) Lack of Character Development:. Some viewers argue that he lacks significant growth or development throughout the series. His perversion tends to overshadow any positive moments he has

(iii) Groping Incident: During the U.S.J. Attack, Mineta’s inappropriate behavior reached a peak when he groped Tsuyu. This disrespectful move upset many fans and intensified their dislike for him.

(iv) Creepiness with Momo: Mineta’s tasteless behavior extends to Momo as well. His use of his sticky grape Quirk for a piggyback ride on her was both weird and uncomfortable. The fact that he didn’t seem to learn from these situations further fueled fans’ frustration.

6. YUNO

(I) Lack of Personal Screentime and Character Development:

In the manga, Yuno’s character development is somewhat delayed, with significant focus on him occurring around 300 chapters in.

While it’s been stated that he trains hard and achieves much, the audience rarely witnesses this firsthand, except for filler episodes in the anime.

His sudden power-ups can indeed make him appear overly perfect and less relatable.

(ii) Relationships and Detachment:

Up until a certain point in the manga, Yuno’s significant relationships are primarily with Asta and Bell. Yuno’s introverted nature contributes to the perception of him being boring. While he cares about others, his interactions primarily revolve around Asta.

Fans notice that Yuno’s soul seems to exist only within the context of Asta.

(iii) Overpowered Status:

Yuno’s strength is intentional, serving as a foil and rival to Asta.

However, this can frustrate Asta fans who closely follow his self-improvement journey.

As Asta grows stronger and understands his abilities better, the gap between them narrows.

(Iv) The Spade Arc and Missed Opportunities:

The Spade Arc disappointed you due to unexplored emotional depth.

Yuno’s identity crisis, his royal lineage, and his mother’s survival were intriguing plot points.

Unfortunately, these aspects remained largely unaddressed, leaving fans wanting more.

[murdocking]

„ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛʀᴜᴛʜ”

- a chishiya series. ch2 ch4

masterlist

warnings + notes: mentions of sex… n*ragi…😒 just getting to the beach and getting used to chishiya. this one is short be grateful

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛ��ʀ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ:

- THE BEACH

you learned quickly that chishiya was very different from anyone you’ve met. he cooly serves truthful jabs of venom at people as though hes speaking of the weather. but you tried to cling onto the bare of companionship by offering him food and water you had packed- but he refused everytime.

“do you already have somewhere to stay?”

“yes. and it is not here.”

he continues to walk away from you, as he’s been doing for the past 2 miles since you’ve left the game arena.

“well… where is it then?” he sighs out, and you feel that you’re beginning to really annoy him at this point. “far from here.”

“how far?”

“whats with all the questions? don’t you ever stay quiet” he furrows his brows, stopping to look at you while he speaks.

chishiya seems to be like a sensitive brat, any sentence over 3 words makes him decay inside- and he’s kind of right. you have been asking him random questions this whole time.

“well i just want to… get to know you better maybe. you’re the first person i’ve been able to speak for more than 10 minutes to since i got here.” he chuckles a bit before lightly saying “they probably died to get away from you.”

ouch

but chishiya lets his own voice sink in and he realizes the cruelty of his words and cringes a bit inside, turning quickly and resuming his walk, “are you planning on following me like some creep?”

you take this as an invitation

“maybe…” though you can’t see him clearly, his hood blocking his face and the moonlight sky being the only source of light- chishiya seems slightly pleased by this response.

its dark, and cold. but only for a little while. when chishiya leads you past a certain corner, thats when you see it.

a hotel resort, brightly shining across the way. you can hear faint music playing and girls jumping and giggling.

“come on” he continues to guide you to the mysterious place’s entrance- not before running into a stranger. his face makes your arms tingle with nerves and fear.

“oh chishiya? you planning on having fun tonight huh?” he leans and rolls his shoulders under the rifle he carries, chuckling just inches away from your face. you feel queasy, his eyes stare and check you out with evil- and you wonder just what did chishiya get you into.

“no niragi. we’re going to see hatter, she’d like to join the beach.”

the beach?

niragi tsks, and leans back before looking at you dead in the eye despite speaking to his beach counterpart. “can’t wait to see her here then. dont be greedy either chishiya”

the creepy pierced man looks at you longer, enjoying the unpleasant face you’re making before walking off into a crowd of bikini wearing women who loudly giggle at his presence.

“ignore him, hes an idiot anyways.” chishiya doesn’t even look at you before making his way into the resort, locating the staircase and wasting no time to go up them. you wouldn’t exactly say you’re feeling that safe at the moment. the run-in with the creepo outside has made you quite unsettled.

“chishiya, if you dont mind me asking” he turns to look at you and you can definitely tell he does mind you asking. “what exactly is this place… what am i joining specifically?” chishiya inhales a quick breath before continuing to walk up the stairs.

“the beach is like a refugee camp, but partying if you will.”

“you dont seem like the party type”

he smiles “glad you realize.”

“so why are you here?”

he pauses for a second, not too long- but long enough for you to notice something is missing from your understanding of your newfound companion.

“hatter will explain it all to you, hes the leader. im simply an executive.” he lifts his arm up, his sleeve falling slightly to expose the beach bracelet he wears, the number 11 printed onto it.

hatter originally gave you the impression of some passive leader, but once he leads you into his personal quarters- without chishiya present, you’re feeling as though the whole place is filled with creeps.

theres a topless woman grinding herself onto his leg while he stares at your frame behind his dimmed sunglasses, swirling his gross liquor in his hand.

once again, you’re feeling small- and slightly scared.

you lower your gaze, his stare is getting too much.

“not sure how much chishiya has told you… but first things first you need a bikini.”

“e-excuse me..?”

you lift your head up quickly and hes menacingly smiling “thats a rule here at the beach. cant hide weapons when youre wearing swimwear. i’ll have someone get something for you don’t worry.” you just nod

“here at the beach, you can enjoy it all. the food, drinks, partying… sex! there’s no limit here. but, a few things.”

he shuffles and slightly pushes the woman on his lap off onto the couch instead, she huffs a bit but resorts to nibbling onto his ear as he leans forward to rest his elbows onto the table in front of you both

“here, all beach members go to games for me. we collect the cards, searching for the answer to these games. and searching for a way out. you’ll be sent to some games, and if you live i expect you to give me the card at the end.”

the card..? you gasp lightly and tell him “wait!” and reach inside your pocket.

his face transforms into a dear smile as he leans closer and snatches the two of diamonds card from your hand

“wow… good job. none of my members have been able to locate this card, shame cus its such a low difficulty.” he examines the card and you nervously laugh, playing with the strings of your pants

“another rule, all doors are unlocked. not a single lock is on these doors- except for the higher positions like myself.” he takes a swig of his drink before continuing. “finally, we bring death to all traitors. you’re a part of the beach now. and you’ll stay a part of it until you die.” his playful demeanor has cut out like a bad signal, and he stares at you blankly- observing how you’ll react.

it takes a minute, but you clear your throat and begin to speak

“can i choose my own swimsuit?”

it takes a while, but you concoct a mix-and-match set that gave more coverage than your other options within your size.

you just decided on a swimsuit skirt set- though you’ll admit the v-plunge of the top was a bit more than what you’d like. the beach bracelet reminds you of the diamond’s bracelet- and you resist the urge to scratch at it.

you search for an empty hotel room, preferably one where theres no discarded clothes littering the bed- or worse… the people doing it on the bed.

eventually you get settled and let your body melt into the plump mattress and thats when you start to feel the exhaustion on your body.

you decide that nows a good time to sleep.

until your hunger wakes you up when dusk sets in. though you truthfully don’t want to go downstairs and feel exposed in the swimsuit, you accept that this is how you’ll have to live your life until you either die or leave the games.

[vestaclinicpod]

Audio Drama Sunday - 3rd September ✨

I think it’s criminal to have to work on a Sunday instead of going on a little walk and listening to little podcasts, but here we are 🫠 It’s been a frankly ridiculous week of listening and there’s still so much more I haven’t had time to catch yet! 

🌲@hellofromthehallowoods (131) Percy! Going to get Diggory! I think it makes it so bittersweet that he was about to apologise off the bat because you just KNOW that when they meet for real it won’t happen that easily. My god, I could listen to.a whole show just about this hastily assembled Friends of Zelda team. It’s so lovely to have Alice back in the narrative and I care for Tattery Stabs so much!! ‘How much do you like your brother?’ Really cracked me up. I love how hfth takes horror tropes (e.g. creepy doll) and they’re immediately someone new to love.  Speaking of someone to love!! Hector is putting in a really good bid for the award of ‘most traumatised man in the Hallowoods’, though the competition remains tough. This experience will no doubt have changed him, I can’t wait to find out how!

🦀 @thesiltverses (31) So many new and familiar voices in this new season and all of them are delightful! The writing and delivery of Val’s monologue in particular was so powerful and I was left cringing in my skin at the callous assertions that she is controllable… did we just hear the same thing? I have no idea what is going to happen this season and it’s thrilling and terrifying in equal measure! 

🦮 @malevolentcast (35) This episode is such a rollercoaster oh my god!! There are so many layers of horror here! Not just the fear of the ‘other’ and of what other humans can do, but also the intrinsic fear of losing the self.  What’s happening with John is so very unsettling, it’s been so long that we’ve almost taken for granted the way that John guides Arthur . . . what will he do when he can’t trust John’s assessment of the situation? 

📻 @monstrousagonies (110) penultimate?! Excuse me??!! Penultimate!!! How am I going to cope without having fictional night folk problems solving my actual real life problems every week?? Panic aside, I really loved this episode. I was so glad to hear the presenter telling the author of the first letter that it actually wouldn’t be unreasonable to kick off just a little. I’ve often thought about just bringing a cat home and seeing what my wife would do . . . (I know this is bad, it’s not going to happen 👀) BUT a CHILD? And aw, yay, what a satisfying end to an unsatisfactory CEO. It was a pleasure to meet station and the MA community was in fine voice! 

🌒 @monkeymanproductions Moonbase Theta Out FINALE!! I’m not going to share too many thoughts today because it may not even be out at the time of posting but IT’S AMAZING GO LISTEN!!!! Seriously, I cried so much at the thought of this show being over. I’ve loved it for such a long time and it’s been amazing to listen to it grow and see all the team’s hard work pay off spectacularly! 

🧛‍♂️ @re-dracula what a busy, busy week for the Dracula characters! Marriages, millions of kisses, casual medical abuse, VAN HELSING. What a week. 

🧬 Regina Prime (7) Damn, Epsilon has both the fire and the fight! Veeerrryyy interesting that Omega needs an assistant with a physical body… what have you got, Omega? I’m imagining a clone that is 1000s of years old, more mush than human. And the slip up with the number of clones . . .  Omega . . . ? Something you want to share with the rest of the class?? 

 💫 Wolf 359 (49 - 50) I am usually not the biggest fan of time loop stories but, of course, if W359 makes it, you know it’s gonna be great. The whole set up of the aliens being unable to communicate clearly because Doug chats absolute shit all the time is just so endearing to me. I can’t believe I’m getting so close to the end! 

🏴‍☠️ Yes, I did listen to the @levianpod pilot again. What of it? Please, please support this show if you can! It must be made. I need it. 

🎧 So lovely to hear from @thestoragepapers in last week’s episode of The First Episode Of! I feel like it’s so brave to ask for people to join in on the writing of your show but we love to see a collaboration thriving!! I need to bump this up my to-listen list! 

🐬 @patterspod (3) Fiona Caruso, the woman, the myth, the legend. Someone needs to check in on the thriller writers because they’re just not okay… Also, Ryan, you idiot. I don’t even know if we can blame the influence of some eldritch force on these bad publishing attempts, but I feel like he’s going to snap like one of twig man’s branches at the slightest supernatural pressure. Which will be fun for us, at least! 

All these amazing episodes, but my ears are bigger than my schedule and I still need to listen to new KILL FM. I’ve been really, really meaning to catch up on Additional Postage Required as well! Here’s hoping for a more chilled week next week! 🤞

[werrrrrd]

CHARLES XAVIER X OC pt.8

This chapter is a little more serious and exhibits mental and physical abuse. Please don't read if that is something you are sensitive about. If you are being abused please seek help

Also, there's no Charles interactions in this bit so I'll be doing two parts today so yall can get what you came here for!!

WARNINGS FOR ENTIRE STORY: shock therapy, manipulation, death, suicide, surgery is mentioned including an undetailed description, stitches, slight malnutrition, forcive murder, abuse of authority, blood, lots of blood stuff since this is like her power, anger issues, aggression, mentions of murder as well as the actual murder, mind reading, OC is not very kind to herself sometimes, let me know if you notice any others. No sexual assault but definitely Shaw being creepy.

Once we got back to the submarine Shaw confronted me.

“You know, I don't keep you here just for you lie to me. If I knew this was going to be an issue I wouldn't have brought you with me.”

I felt my anger rise up. How dare he. Emma took the opportunity to leave the room. 

“You're the one who made me come with you! Or did you forget that night you kidnapped me?” I glared, speaking softly but firm. My nostrils flared and fists balled at my sides

Shaw tisked

“And where would you be if I hadn't hmm? On the streets? You probably would have been killed after snapping at the wrong person. We all know that temper of yours gets you into trouble.” He came up face to face with me. “I wont hesitate to kill you if you become useless to me, you know?” He waited for a response which I did not, could not give him just yet. My jaw clenched, I swore I could taste blood in my mouth. I had to calm myself before I could answer him. Otherwise I would sound defensive. 

“How come you didn't sense them huh? I asked you, remember?” He walked up to me patronizingly. “You told me no one was there,”

I swallowed, my anger still palpable, but my worry for Charles and myself stronger

“I didn't feel them. They must have figured out how to block my powers from feeling their blood.” I lied. He might believe me. Thank god Frost had left otherwise he might have asked her if I was lying or not. He seemed to have other points to bring up instead of calling her back in. 

“And what of you being so helpless for the rest of the fight huh? Crumpled in the corner? Why didn't you use your Goddamned mind to stop them?” He asked. He wasn't yelling and that unsettled me even more than he usually did. 

“I hit my head! I could barely breathe! You can't expect me to be able to do that” I told the truth this time. I really wasn't able to use my powers on a scale like that yesterday. I could barely even keep myself conscious to stop the blood from spilling out of me.

“Except I can! That is your purpose.” He paused again “You have a job. You defend me. If you dont, then what point do you have?” 

I was silent. Seething but mostly scared. He was close to becoming physical. I had learned the signs. Red face, the vein in his forehead popping out, the strangely calm demeanor, his finger fiddling with the golden ring on his finger. He seemed to want an answer, one that I didn't have. What did he want me to say? 

“Follow.” He stopped waiting for my response and turned into the hall. I cringed outwardly. I followed him into a small office that was mostly unused. I had been in here before though. Shaw turned towards me and grabbed my arm, roughly pulling me further into the office. And throwing me towards the wall. I braced but did not raise my hands to defend myself knowing better. A slap sounded and my face stung. My mind flashed to that day in the facility when I had nearly killed that woman. How I had jumped out of my chair to try and save her. How I actually had saved her. I brought her back to life and then she smacked me in the face. I was so shocked then. I had only been trying to do what I was told, I hadn't meant to hurt her, and yet she was so angry at me. Afraid of me. Shaw must have been afraid of me too. But Shaw was a mutant, he knew better than a human did that mutants were not something that mindlessly wanted to kill. Me included. I didn't want to kill anyone, I was just a little bit out of control of my abilities and an angry kid. But back then, he had pushed me too far on purpose. He was just waiting to see what I would do when brought passed my limit. And I could never forget what had happened to Lou because of his selfishness. He was trying to make her something even more useful to him and ended up killing her instead. I was almost jealous. At least she didn't have to carry on, still living under Shaw's command doing terrible things for him. But more than that I wished she could have gotten out. The both of us, running away and finding a way to live in the world after being separated from it for so long. It would have been hard but I bet we would have gotten by. Instead one of us was dead and the other confused and lost and hopeless. 

 Shaw didn't say anything else. He only hit me for a few minutes. The ring on his fingers stung when his first landed but the reminder of how it felt to be shocked when he turned on that ring was enough to make it bearable. I was surprised with the speed that he finished up and left me at.

 I took a moment to pick myself back up. Things could be much worse. He didn't shock me at all. I only hoped that he didn't see through my lie. He seemed too busy with planning and connecting with potential allies, probably a little too itchy to get on with his plan to waste time on punishing me. Things were going well for his plan. I'm sure he was also happy that I was alive, even if he said I was useless, I knew how much he needed me. The fact that I had made it out of the parking garage alive was impressive and I'm sure he was elated that he hadn't lost his best weapon.

 I was still shocked from the flashbacks I had had when he slapped me, I had been reduced to a shivering child once again. Shaw never failed to remind me of who I had become. Even my anger had simmered down to be a tiny fraction of what it used to be. He had taken so much out of me.

 I took note of the damage done. A swollen eye, bloody nose, small cut on my cheek and a couple bruises on my arms. I stayed curled up for a little while, unsure if Shaw was actually done with me or if he was planning on  coming back. I figured it would be better to stay in the office for a little longer just in case he stumbled upon me in the hallway and got angry again. 

After it got dark I snuck to my bathroom. I took a peak in the mirror. My hair was ratty and my clothes were absolutely caked in dust and blood. I scabbed over the cut and lessened the swelling in my eye with my powers. It had already started to bruise so I increased blood flow to get the bursted blood vessels to heal quicker. I would look like normal in just a couple days. Then I peeled the bandages that Charles’ friends had wrapped me up in off my back. The cut in the side of my head looked well taken care of. I took a moment to recreate the scabs and helped my blood to do its job so that it would heal quickly. It wouldn't stop it from scarring but that was fine.

The scrape on my back looked slightly worse although just as well tended to. The skin was inflamed and was burning red. I stretched around to see it in the mirror. It spanned across my entire lower back and the damage got deeper near the top where I had slumped against the wall. There wasn't much to do about it. It wasn't bleeding at all and didn't look deep enough to cause any issues so I only dried the blood lightly and pushed out the dirt and grime that was embedded into it so that my body could rebuild the skin underneath. I touched it delicately with my fingers but I didn't feel much except for the pressure. I realized the balm must have worked to numb the pain slightly and silently thanked Charles and his friends again for pulling me out of the parking garage and helping me. I hadn't been taken care of by anyone but myself since Lou. It felt nice (even though they were reluctant to help) to be cared for.

I got in the shower to clean myself of the sweat and grime from the past events. I felt the sting of my injuries as the balm washed off, confirming my suspicion that it acted as a painkiller. I tried my best to ignore the burning. Running my fingers over my neck and spine, I felt the devices that Shaw had attached to me. After a couple weeks of forcing me to help him and me trying to resist him with the original collar on, it began causing significant damage to my skin from the burning, the low tech device tended to overheat after long periods of time with a high voltage. A red burn scar had formed. You usually didn't see it these days unless I got angry or cried, then it would flare up bright and angry. The skin was slightly shiny and looked like small water ripples where it had burned and sometimes it got tender, even now in the shower I could feel a slight tingle there. Shaw didn't like the smell that it made when my skin burned and had some handy new toys he wanted to test out on me. The devices were installed. 

I had been held down and sedated so that my mind was too foggy to use my powers. They cut my skin open in three spots, two, behind my ears near the base of my skull and one over one of the vertebrae of my spine. They attached a metal wire to each bit of bone which connected to the device that would sit above my skin. Once all this had been done they stitched up the skin around the chips. The shock was attached directly to my bones as opposed to the collar I had previously worn. This shook my very system and as you can guess, was extremely painful. They were not very visible underneath my hair but if you looked you could spot them, black and shiny. The skin would sometimes flare up and get itchy but that was the least of my worries. They were too deep into my skin for me to get a grip on with my hands, and since they were attached to the bone I couldn't force them out of my body using my blood. I would have ripped them out years ago if I could

 I dropped my hands from my neck and they fell down to my sides. Letting the water drip down my body and warm me. I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me suddenly. I could barely keep my eyes open so I got out of the shower. The exhaustion of the past day must have been finally kicking in and it was hitting me full force. I got into clean clothes. I brushed through my tangled hair, the most attention I had given it in who knew how long and brushed my teeth. I settled in once again and thought about Charles like I did more and more these days. I had given up forcing him out due to the consistency of him popping up in my thoughts. I felt my shoulders where he had last touched me and sighed again. The idea of someone touching me out of concern like he had had become completely foreign to me. It had been so long since someone had touched me without any bad intentions. I wanted to feel him again.

[rosylix]

chaotic, my heart is off time

a certain dare leads jisung to discover he may not be as straight as he thinks he is or: felix is really pretty and jisung is confused

pairing: jilix (jisung × felix)

wc: 12.2k

content: college au, fluff, smut, a little angst, they are both awkward cuties tbh, alcohol, passing mention of drugged drink. slight inexperience, extremely platonic handjobs between bros, switch!felix kinda?, sub!jisung semi-awakening, jisung has a lot of feelings that scare him, depictions of anxiety/minor panic attack, sexuality crisis, includes texting screenshots (mainly at the end)

[also read on ao3]

—

It's all Hyunjin's fault, really. 

Jisung has nothing else to blame except his innate stupidity and the one too many drinks he had downed that are making him act even more stupid, if that's even possible. 

Stupid, stupid, stupid. This whole thing is just so stupid. 

That's the only thought in his head as he wanders the house of whichever classmate is hosting this party (probably one of Chan's friends, he knows everyone), searching for someone who would be down to let him give them a handjob without it being awkward or weird.

He should've known truth or dare was a terrible idea.

“Hm… I dare you to give someone a handjob,” Hyunjin had said with a smirk. “It can be anyone at the party.”

Jisung blinked. “Are you serious?”

“Dead serious.”

“But how will you even know, like…”

“I'll know,” he said simply, and gave him an unsettling look like he knew something Jisung didn't.

And that was it. Jisung was pushed out of the room, practically sent to the wolves to complete the dare before midnight. He felt like a fucked up rendition of Cinderella or something.

A handjob? Really, Hyunjin? Jisung doesn't even swing that way and yet he can't find it in himself to back down from the dare. He knows it's a problem, his inability to admit defeat when faced with a challenge. Not to say that the alcohol buzzing through his system isn't playing a part as well. It definitely is.

Jisung lightly slaps himself and mentally tells himself to get a grip, dude. It's just a handjob between bros. A totally chill and normal endeavor! He doesn't know why he's making such a big deal out of it (he's definitely done weirder things before) but something about the idea is making a weird nervous feeling creep through his system.

It's fine. It's literally not a big deal. I'm sure the guys wouldn't even mind getting jerked off, he tells himself as he continues looking around (definitely not stalling) from the corner he's found himself nestled in. Ultimately, he decides that in order to have the least awkward situation possible he should try to find someone he's friends with rather than a random stranger. He goes through his list of friends he's comfortable with.

Chan? No. God, no. Jisung cringes immediately after thinking it. Chan's like a friend, brother, and parental figure all in one to Jisung. Even if he might agree to help, Jisung does not even want to entertain the thought any longer. He shudders.

Changbin? Uh… maybe? He was there at the truth or dare game so he already knows the situation. But he was also giving Hyunjin googly eyes the entire time so maybe not. Blegh.

Minho? Jisung thinks this is probably his best bet. Worst case, his hyung will laugh at his situation and turn him down kindly. But he trusts Minho to not let it become awkward between them either way.

Still, he should probably think through his other options. Obviously not Hyunjin… Jeongin? Even though he knows he's not, Jisung still sees him as a pure, innocent kid, he can't help it. Something about it just inherently feels wrong, he's like his little brother. Absolutely not.

So then, Seungmin? Honestly Jisung isn't totally averse to the idea… but Seungmin is his roommate and he would never be able to escape if things become awkward. So, no.

He doesn't know how long he's been standing there, probably looking pretty creepy he suddenly realizes, when a hand snaps in front of his face.

He blinks. When he looks up he sees a mildly annoyed Seungmin staring at him. Speak of the fucking devil.

"That was my drink, you know."

Oh. Jisung looks down at the drink he's holding—huh, when did he grab that?—and looks back up at Seungmin with an apologetic expression.

"I was wondering where this came from, sorry Min."

Seungmin waves it off. "That's so like you to just pick up any drink. You're lucky it was mine and not, like, some random person's." He pauses. "Or drugged."

Jisung laughs nervously. "Yeah uh, you're right, I'll be more careful." He straightens up. "Thank you for sacrificing your drink for the greater good," he says solemnly with a bow.

Seungmin rolls his eyes. "Yeah sure, anytime." He pauses. "Are.. you alright though? You've been standing here spaced out for a while but you usually love to go around annoying everyone. I would know, unfortunately." Another small roll of his eyes, then tilting his head to the side, he offers a light smile. "If you want we can go home and just watch Netflix or something?"

Of course Seungmin can tell something's up. Jisung isn't always the most comfortable in larger social gatherings with people outside his immediate friend circle. He much prefers to stay in his room and binge watch YouTube videos until he passes out, something his roommate is well aware of. Jisung appreciates the concern even if that isn't the current cause of his worries.

Still, he doesn't really want to bother Seungmin with his current predicament. "Aww, is my little Minnie worried about me~? I knew you cared about meee!" Jisung drawls, draping himself slightly over the taller boy in a messy embrace. 

"Shut up, oh my god you're so annoying." Seungmin pushes him away but Jisung doesn't miss the slight pull at the corners of his mouth. "Anyway, I was serious. I was gonna go bother Old Man Chan but if you wanna leave that's cool too. You seemed really out of it earlier. Just staring at this thing like it would give you life's secrets." He grabs the can from Jisung's hand and grimaces after taking a sip, muttering something about alcohol ruining the perfectly good taste of lemonade before handing it back to Jisung.

While the offer to just bail on the party and his dare is tempting, Jisung doesn't want to give up like that. His pride and dignity are on the line here. "Oh uh, I mean, it's nothing really. Just another one of Hyunjin's weird dares, I can handle it. But thanks Seungie."

He tries to give a reassuring smile but it must have come off a bit nervous anyway because Seungmin gives him a cut-the-crap look. "Okaay, but still, you never get this worked up over his dares. What did he say to do this time? I'm sure it can't be worse than that time you licked—"

Jisung's eyes widen and he immediately slaps a hand over the taller boy's mouth. "Oh my god Seungmin, we don't talk about that. That was quite possibly the worst thing I've ever done." He groans at the memory.

Seungmin laughs and pushes his hand away. "Yeah that was pretty bad. So? It can't be as bad as that right?"

Jisung bites his lip, damn it, he was hoping Seungmin would drop it. He doesn't even know why he's getting so in his head about the dare, he's sure Minho or one of the others will be fine with it once he explains the situation. What's a brojob between bros, right? Right?

Shit, Seungmin is still waiting for an answer. Should he just tell him? He's comfortable enough with him that it wouldn't be that weird. But.. he just can't bring himself to. "Hmm… I don't know. I mean it's a little weird but at least I won't have to do this one in front of other people. No public embarrassment this time if that's what you were hoping for," he says around a grin that thankfully comes naturally.

Seungmin frowns and opens his mouth to say something when he's waved over by a smiling Jeongin. He smiles back, then turns back to Jisung, who doesn't fail to notice the light dusting of pink on his cheeks. Oh? He's definitely gonna tease Seungmin for that later. "Alright, well if you're sure you're okay I'll leave you to it but you're telling me all about this later. And if it's really that bad then don't do it, okay? Hyunjin wouldn't force you to do anything if you really don't want to." 

“I know… thanks,” Jising smiles genuinely. “Uh—completely unrelated—have you seen Minho hyung anywhere?”

Seungmin raises an eyebrow but shakes his head. “I heard from Chan that he left already. Something about his cats he said. Why?”

Jisung's heart sinks. There goes his only real hope. “No reason…” he shakes his head and puts on a smile again. “Um, I think your boyfriend's waiting.” He points to Jeongin with a small smirk.

Seungmin's ears turn scarlet as he sees who Jisung is pointing to. His head snaps back wildly. “My what— we're not—”

Jisung puts his hands up in surrender. “Okay, my bad, my bad… I didn't say anything.”

Seungmin narrows his eyes. “No, you didn't. Bye!” And he runs off in Jeongin's direction, leaving Jisung alone with his—well really Seungmin's—drink.

Jisung leans back into his corner, thoughts going rampant. Minho, his only saving grace, already left. What does he do now!? Obviously he knows Hyunjin would never force him into doing the dare if he's really uncomfortable, but that doesn't mean Jisung wouldn't be embarrassed for not being able to! And it's not that he doesn't want to, he's just… worried. Worried that it'll be too weird and awkward and Jisung really doesn't want to mess up any of his friendships. Not to mention his… limited experience. Sure, he has some experience with girls but with a guy? Obviously not. What if he's like, really, really bad??

Whatever! If Jisung is anything, he's not a coward. In a sudden rush of adrenaline, he tips his head back, downs the rest of Seungmin's drink, and seeing as all his friends are out of the question, he decides to walk over to the first male specimen he lays his eyes on. What could go wrong?

Oh. Of course everything could go wrong. He realizes his grave mistake when he notices the unmistakable head of blond hair in his vision. Felix. Pretty boy and literal innocent ball of sunshine.

Felix had recently transferred from Australia, and while he was super friendly whenever they talked, they weren't incredibly close. Not that Jisung doesn't want to be, it just takes him a while to warm up to new people. And they only share one class together. Still, they do talk a lot in that class, and he probably hasn't gotten comfortable with someone that fast since Minho hyung, Jisung realizes with some surprise.

But that wasn't the issue. From what he could tell (from a few truth or dare rounds from previous parties), Felix became really shy whenever the topic was even slightly sexual. He definitely wouldn't want to go along with Jisung's dare, and would probably be uncomfortable even talking about it. The last thing Jisung wants is to make anyone uncomfortable, least of all Felix.

He moves to turn around but it seems the blond has already noticed him approaching by the way he breaks out into a smile and waves. Jisung silently curses his dumb impulsiveness as he continues making his way to the other boy. It's fine. He can just act normal, talk with Felix for a bit and then go find someone else.

But when he arrives and sees Felix up close, Jisung's mind goes blank. With truly striking timing, the single brain cell he'd been clinging to all night decides to abandon him and he just stares for a few seconds.

Finally, his brain decides to award him a single staggering thought: Oh, he looks really pretty. 

Felix looks back at him, bright smile still reaching his eyes, which are shimmery and lightly lined with eyeliner. And oh, Jisung is just standing here like an idiot, which he is, but god, he's really been acting more idiotic than usual.

"Uh, hey Felix!" he says and cracks a hesitant smile.

"Yo, my twin! What's up?"

Jisung laughs and immediately relaxes a little. They had found out that their birthdays are only one day apart during a lame icebreaker in class. "Just… wanted to say hi. How're you liking the party? It's only, what, your second or third one here? Chan's parties are always the best."

"It's cool! And yeah, Chris—I mean, Chan hyung's like totally awesome. At first I was intimidated by him but when I found out he's a fellow Aussie I almost cried on the spot. I definitely wouldn't have adjusted as well if not for him." Felix looks away and smiles to himself, to Jisung's relief. He was admittedly having a hard time maintaining eye contact with Felix's bright eyes constantly glittering up at him.

“I know what you mean. He's saved my life more than once.” Jisung chuckles. Then he figures he should escape before he inevitably makes a fool of himself. “Uhh, anyway I just wanted to check in and say hi but I guess I'll get going…”

“So soon? I was thinking of checking in with you actually.”

Jisung blinks. “You… sorry?”

“You've just been standing over there for the past twenty minutes or so", Felix points to the corner Jisung was lurking in earlier. "Even I know that's kinda uncharacteristic of you. I was getting worried. And then you just came speeding towards me like a man on a mission."

“You were watching me that whole time!?” Jisung all but shrieks.

“Ah, um…” Felix rubs his neck. “Not the whole time but… yeah.” He shrugs, “Sorry, is that weird? I was just worried about you.”

Jisung feels his heart swell from the kindness of this boy he's not even incredibly close with. He should make an effort to talk to him more often outside of class. “No it's… it's nothing. We were playing truth or dare and Hyunjin gave me a pretty strange dare so I've just been, y'know, thinking about how to get out of it I guess." He laughs and shrugs.

Felix hums. "Is it as bad as when Hyunjin made you lick the—"

Jisung's mouth drops open and he instinctively covers Felix's mouth with his hand. "Oh my god, Felix! How do you even know about that!?"

Felix shrugs. "Your friends seem to love telling embarrassing stories about you." Jisung feels him laugh under his hand, and his face warms when he realizes where that hand still is. He quickly pulls it back and instead uses it to bury his head in, partly to hide the red on his face and partly because he, quite simply, would like the ground to open up and swallow him whole.

The universe wouldn't be so kind as to grant him that though. Jisung would have gladly spent the next thirty minutes reliving embarrassing moments in his life (unfortunately there is no shortage of these) and wanting to die but the sound of Felix giggling tempts him to peek between his fingers.

"Don't worry, they haven't told me much else," Felix says, the teasing smile remaining on his face. "But I do know about when you publicly asked Ryujin out only for her to tell you she's a lesbian—"

"Whoa, hey!" Jisung retorts, his hands now up in the air. "Yeah, that was embarrassing but it wasn't that bad! How was I supposed to know she's not into guys? Well, okay, maybe it's pretty obvious and I'm just a dumbass but still!" Jisung pouts. "Can we not talk about my failed attempts at romance anymore?"

Felix laughs. "Sure, you never told me what crazy dare you got from Hyunjin this time,” he tilts his head curiously.

Damn, Jisung almost forgot about why he's in this situation in the first place: that stupid dare that's making his mind run in circles. “Haha, well, it’s… it's nothing.” He says oh-so eloquently.

Felix pouts. “I'm so curious now. Can’t you tell me, please?”

Jisung's heart stutters a bit at the way the other's lip juts out. Cute. “I-It's just…” he sighs. How is he supposed to say no to that face? “Um.. he dared me to… to give someone here a… a handjob…?” It comes out like a question for some reason.

Felix's eyes widen. “Oh.” He pauses and Jisung feels like he already messed things up. He's just about to change the subject when Felix speaks again. “Were you… gonna ask me..? Is that why you came up to me?” he asks hesitantly.

Jisung waves his hands around frantically. “No! No, I mean—” He cringes. “Kind of..? I kind of wasn't thinking and just went to the first person I saw, but when I recognized you I changed my mind, I swear!” 

For some reason, this only makes Felix look sad. “You didn't want to because it was me..?” he asks quietly.

“I-I mean—it's just, you're—...” 

“I'm what, Jisung..?” Felix looks hurt.

Jisung doesn't know what to do. He thought he was being considerate of Felix by not wanting to do this with him but Felix seems upset?? God, what did he do!? 

“N-No, it's not you, I mean, it's not that I don't like you! I just figured you'd be uncomfortable or something so…” 

“Oh.” Thankfully, Felix seems slightly placated. “W-Well, I'm not, so…”

Jisung blinks. “Um, you're not.. What do you mean…” he laughs nervously.

“I'm not uncomfortable. I'll let you… if you want… I don't, um, mind.”

Jisungs mouth falls open and he gapes at Felix. Surely, he misheard. “A-Are you serious?”

“Mhm…” Felix nods, his face pink.

“Um.” Jisung blinks rapidly as his brain practically short circuits at what Felix is saying. He's okay with it?! Jisung swears he must be losing his mind. This is a dream, right? There's no way he would actually agree to this. His brain suddenly conjures up images of what it would be like to touch Felix in that way. Oh my god. 

Unsure if Felix notices Jisung's brain melting out of his skull, he's snapped back to reality when he hears Felix hesitantly ask, “Do you not want to..?”

“No! I mean, yes? I mean, it's just a little weird, you know? But you'd be doing me a favor I guess, so… yeah. Um, if you're sure you're okay with it?” Jisung swallows.

Felix's lips turn up slightly and he nods, effectively quelling the anxiety that had been bubbling up in Jisung's stomach. And, wow, he must be more tipsy than he thought because suddenly he thinks Felix looks even more beautiful than before.

Jisung's heart stutters inexplicably again. He nods. “Okay, let's um, go somewhere?” He grabs Felix's hand.

—

The two of them find an empty bedroom and Jisung locks the door behind them as they walk in.

Jisung shuffles onto the bed somewhat awkwardly, Felix joining him slowly. They sit like that for a few seconds and Jisung notices Felix fidgeting with his hands slightly.

Jisung decides to break the silence. "Um." Felix lifts his head. "You know you don't have to do this right? Like, really, really don't have to," he laughs nervously.

Felix nods, "Yeah I... I know, thanks." He gives a soft smile. "I guess I'm just a little nervous? I don't know." 

Jisung bites his lip. "Have you ever..?" 

Felix looks back down at his hands. “Um… a few times back in Australia but, like, not that far."

“Oh okay. You always seem so shy about the topic so I thought..”

Felix blushes slightly. “I went to a catholic school, so I'm just.. not used to talking about it so openly I guess,” he shrugs.

"Well, if it makes you feel better, I've never done this before,” Jisung admits. Felix looks up in what looks like shock. "I mean—! I mean, never with a guy. I'm uh, y'know, I'm straight."

Felix blinks for a second. He nods slowly.

"Anyway! It's not a big deal right? Are—are you sure you're still okay with this?"

“Um.. if you are.”

“Yeah, well, I'm not really the one with a choice here..” Jisung laughs. 

Felix frowns. “Of course you have a choice. Why would your friend dare you to do this anyway if you're straight?? That's kinda weird.”

“Is it..? I feel like it's… I mean, it's not really a big deal. Just a brojob between bros. It doesn't have to be weird, right?”

“A bro—...” Felix coughs out a laugh. “R-Right. If you're sure.”

Jisung nods. “Yeah. Are you?”

Felix nods as well.

"Okay, should I just, um," Jisung shifts so he's closer to Felix and reaches for the other's thigh. He's kind of at an odd angle though, so, without thinking much about it, he swings a leg over Felix so he's sitting in the other's lap.

Felix just stares up at him with wide eyes. Shit, did he make things too weird? "Uh.. is this okay?" 

Felix blinks and clears his throat. "Yeah. You can, um, start. I'll tell you if I want you to stop," he says quietly.

"Okay," Jisung whispers, afraid to break whatever strange atmosphere has settled around the two of them.

He tried to sound confident earlier but god, he doesn't know what the hell he's doing. Unable to bear looking into Felix's eyes any longer, Jisung looks down and slowly, hesitantly slides his hand up Felix's leg and presses against the front of his jeans.

Felix lets out a huff of air so Jisung does it again, working over Felix's jeans until he's breathing heavily and Jisung can feel a more prominent bulge under his fingers.

"Um should—can I take these off?"

Felix lets out a shaky breath. "Yeah."

Jisung undoes the button and pulls down the zipper almost painstakingly slowly. He can feel the younger's eyes on him but he refuses to meet them. Once it's fully unzipped, Felix shifts and lifts his hips up so Jisung can pull his pants and boxers down.

And oh my god. Jisung didn't think that he would literally ever think this about another guy's dick but it looks almost... pretty? He just stares for a few moments, unsure of how to proceed when his head feels fuzzy with radio static.

Felix shifts nervously under Jisung's gaze. "Jisung..." It's almost a whine and fuck, since when did Felix sound that pretty? He swears his name has never sounded prettier on someone else's lips.

But shit, right, Felix is right in front of him, Jisung is basically on top of him, and he's waiting for Jisung to touch him.

So he does.

As soon as he wraps his fingers around Felix and starts to move, the younger shudders and sighs quietly. Having literally no other experience, Jisung just tries to do what does on himself. He slides his hand up and down slowly, and when he swipes his thumb over the tip, Felix lets out a little moan that prompts Jisung to look at his face for the first time since they started. And oh.

Felix's eyes have fluttered shut and his eyebrows are slightly furrowed. He's flushed, mouth hanging slightly open as he draws in shallow breaths. Jisung doesn't know what to do besides stare and keep moving his hand as he tries to commit the image in front of him to memory.

Felix bites his lip and grips the sheets when Jisung goes over the head again and holy shit, he's leaking so much. Jisung doesn't really know what he's doing but he supposes he's doing it right by the way Felix is breathing heavily through his nose, lips pressed shut. Jisung wishes he wouldn't try to be quiet.

"Felix." He looks up, and fuck, Jisung didn't think this through because now Felix is looking at him, eyes dark and heavy, and Jisung hears static again.

"Yeah? Ahh—" He moans before pressing his lips and eyes shut again.

Fuck.

"Don't—don't cover your noises."

Felix looks at him with an unreadable expression that makes him think he overstepped for a second, but then he slowly nods and complies, letting out more and more of those pretty little sounds that are making Jisung lose his mind.

On one particular stroke Felix tips his head back and cries, "Fuck, Jisung, please.."

Jisung seriously thinks he might pass out. "You're so pretty."

Felix shivers and whimpers, eyes shut tightly and Jisung literally has no clue what possessed him to say that but after seeing Felix's reaction he sure isn't planning on stopping any time soon.

"So pretty." A little noise from the back of Felix's throat. He feels like he's under a spell, words just falling out of his mouth. "S-So beautiful like this, making the prettiest sounds. Baby..."

Felix gasps into Jisung's chest, cock twitching as he lets out an embarrassed keening noise. One of his hands comes up to grasp Jisung's arm for leverage. 

Until now, the hand not on Felix's cock has been just sitting on the bed, so Jisung tentatively brings it to Felix's waist. And holy fuck his waist is so small but at the same time Jisung could feel well defined abs through his shirt and how is Felix even real?

He hesitantly slips his hand under the hem of Felix's shirt, who gasps at the sudden skin contact.

"Is this okay?"

Felix nods and Jisung feels his breath catch when a small hand covers his own, guiding it further along his torso in a silent plea to keep going.

He continues to explore the expanse of Felix's body in awe as the younger drops his hand to grip at Jisung's thigh instead. He's panting heavily and letting soft moans and whimpers slip past his lips with every drag of Jisung's hands along his cock or abdomen. 

Jisung trails the hand on Felix's chest higher until he slowly, experimentally brushes over his nipple. Felix arches his back into Jisung's hand and his head tips back as he moans so fucking low in his throat it really shouldn't be possible. 

Jisung watches Felix shake under him as he rubs his thumb in circles over the nub before moving to the other one. He starts letting out desperate little whines, the stark contrast from his low moans leaving Jisung's head reeling.

"Fuck, fuck, I can't—m'gonna—" 

Jisung takes it as a sign to redouble his efforts, stroking faster until Felix is gasping, "please please, Jisung, please," and it's all Jisung can do to stare dumbly as he moans and cums in streaks of white that slide down Jisung's hand. He works him through it, pulling his hands away once the younger's breathing has calmed down a bit.

For several seconds, they just sit there, sharing heavy breaths. Unable to meet the other's eyes, Jisung stares at his hand, covered in Felix's release. He almost wants to lick it which—okay, what the fuck. He isn't going to think about where that thought came from right now.

He takes a deep breath and grabs a tissue from the nightstand.

Felix does the same. Jisung finishes wiping his hand and looks up to see that Felix is also cleaned up, and after pulling his pants back up he hides his face in his hands. 

Jisung's heart sinks. He ruined everything didn't he? "Um.. are you okay? I'm so sorry if I made you uncomfortable—"

Felix's head lifts up, eyes wide. "No! No, I mean, wouldn't it have been more uncomfortable for you? I'm just embarrassed," he says, cheeks red and looking to the side.

"Huh?? Why are you embarrassed?" Jisung says incredulously. If anyone should be embarrassed, it's Jisung for getting so wrapped up in the dare. Saying all those things to Felix, telling him to not be quiet, calling him baby?? He feels like he's on fire from embarrassment, hot and flushed all over.

"What do you mean? You're not the one who was just begging like a little bitch. Fuck, I'm so sorry." He drops his head back into his hands.

Jisung taps his chin thoughtfully. "You have a praise kink," he says observantly.

Felix flushes and gasps. "I do not! " He lunges forward and Jisung's not entirely sure what happened but suddenly he's on his back and Felix is on top of him and it feels good and he moans when the other boy presses into him, what the fuck?

What the fuck.

Felix stares down at him with wide eyes and Jisung's positive he's bright red right now. What the fuck, he's hard? Just from touching Felix? This was absolutely not part of the plan. What the fuck. He closes his eyes and desperately wishes for the soft bed covers to consume him so he would never have to face Felix or anyone ever again.

Alas, he hesitantly opens his eyes and Felix is still hovering on top of him. Why, why, why hasn't he moved yet? Jisung can't even try to run away. There's truly no escape, he'll just have to face this hell that he created for himself.

Right when he opens his mouth to sputter out an apology or something, he isn't really sure, Felix moves against him again and it just feels so good and Jisung fucking moans again.

Felix inhales sharply. "Sorry, oh my god I shouldn't have— Are you—? Fuck— Do you want me to like… Like I wouldn't mind if— Since y'know... But should I stop?" he stutters.

Jisung doesn't know what stupid sex hormones he's drunk on, or maybe he's still feeling tipsy from the lemonade earlier because he's struck with the vague and inexplicable urge to kiss the boy on top of him.

Or maybe that's just the effect Felix has on him.

"Kiss me..?" He mumbles and subsequently watches Felix's eyes widen along with his own. He slaps his hand over his mouth in horror.

"No wait, fuck, I didn't mean to say that, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so stupid—"

Now Felix's hand is the one to cover Jisung's stupid mouth and he squeezes his eyes shut both in embarrassment and a weird surge of arousal at the feeling of having his mouth covered which he is not going to think about right now.

"I.. can do that… if you really want me to?" Felix says while looking back and forth between Jisung's eyes, like he's searching for something.

Jisung's brain short circuits and he barely registers nodding or saying yes but he must have because it's all too fast how Felix is leaning down and their faces are inches apart and all Jisung can think about is how soft and pretty the other boy's lips look and is it normal to be thinking that—?

Felix kisses him sweetly, almost a little too sweetly considering the situation, and Jisung parts his lips instinctively. The kiss deepens quickly and Jisung gasps against the other's mouth when his thigh presses against the front of Jisung's pants.

"Is this okay still?" Felix asks gently. He looks so fucking ethereal above him like this it makes Jisung want to cry.

He nods. "Please don't stop."

Felix inhales shakily and nods before leaning back down, this time his lips attaching to Jisung's neck as his leg presses back against him.

Jisung can't help the noise that escapes him, he feels floaty already with just being touched through his clothes like this. 

“You can.. pretend I'm a girl or something,” Felix whispers as his mouth travels down his neck. Right. Right, that's probably why Jisung is feeling this way. Felix is so pretty, almost like a girl and he must be getting confused, it's only natural, right? But for some reason Jisung really really doesn't want to imagine Felix as a girl. 

“I-Is that what you did with me?” Jisung asks through a gasp as Felix bites his neck.

“Um, well, I'm bi so..” he looks up bashfully.

“Oh. Right, okay.” So Jisung's the only one who's weird here for enjoying this. Cool. He's not left much time to dwell on it because Felix's hand starts snaking down to press over Jisung's clothed dick, which at this point is embarrassingly hard and straining against his pants.

Felix toys with the button and raises his head, meeting Jisung's eyes to ask for permission. Jisung gives a little nod, nervousness and excitement bubbling together as Felix undoes the button and zipper and finally, finally, touches him for real.

Jisung hadn't realized he'd been waiting for so long.

His head falls back when Felix touches him and he's barely even doing anything yet but it feels unreal. He has the fleeting thought that maybe this is exiting platonic brojob territory and becoming something he's entirely unequipped to deal with. Maybe even since the kiss, or when he called Felix pretty, but he doesn't have the mental capacity to think too hard about it right now or even care. All his thoughts fly out the window when Felix's mouth finds his own again.

"Need you to stay quiet for me, I think I hear people outside," Felix murmurs against his lips, his voice impossibly low. Jisung hadn't even noticed he was making sounds.

"Don't want anyone else hearing you like this," Felix continues, muffling Jisung's moans with his mouth as he keeps moving his hand up and down his length slowly. Where the hell did he learn to talk like that?! The increasingly deep timbre of his voice was not doing Jisung's sanity any favors.

Felix must deem the hallway clear now because he removes his mouth from Jisung's, and Jisung is back to moaning abashedly. 

“D-Does it feel good?” Felix asks, as if he's unsure of himself. Jisung squeezes his eyes shut. Is it not obvious from the way he's reacting?

“I just—wanna make sure I'm doing okay.”

“It feels—oh god—really good.”

Felix grins shyly. “Yeah?”

Jisung brings a hand up to cover his mouth and nods. He can feel himself getting close embarrassingly fast. He starts to whine and his hips stutter a bit into Felix's hand. “Please..”

Felix leans down and presses his lips to Jisung's throat again. He bites down, not enough to leave a mark but it feels dizzyingly good nonetheless. Jisung's never had someone overpower him like this before. He feels completely at Felix's mercy. It makes him shiver.

“Jisungie, you're so…” Felix murmurs into his skin, lips trailing along his collarbone.

Jisungie. His heart wobbles at the nickname and he can't help but whine. Felix is driving him insane. “Felix I think I'm—aahh, Felix, Lix..”

He pulls away from Jisung's neck with a smack. “Yeah, Sungie?”

“C-Can you—..” he looks at Felix's lips pleadingly.

Felix immediately presses his lips to his in a passionate kiss. Jisung moans into it and before he can properly warn Felix or anything, he's cumming with a high pitched keen. If he were more aware of himself he'd be embarrassed by the noise but as it is he can't even feel his legs properly. He shakes as Felix brings him down from his high. Then they just stay there, breathing heavily against each other's mouths.

Felix moves first, taking a deep breath before leaning up and away from Jisung. He peers down at him with bated breath. Jisung just lays there, hair fanning out around him. He feels sluggish, entirely spent and he stares back at Felix like a real angel descended from heaven. He seriously wouldn't be surprised if he actually were.

His trance is broken by Felix's voice, “Are you okay?”

Jisung blinks as he registers the words. He nods and slowly sits up. Felix offers him a small smile.

Once they've cleaned up, the euphoric feeling in Jisung's gut starts slowly transforming into a deep rooted anxiety that crawls its way up his spine. Fuck. What did they just do? What the fuck is happening to him? He feels himself shrinking away from the other boy instinctually, but he catches himself and clears his throat, attempting to straighten up.

“Um.. are we bros now?” He tries to joke, but his laugh sounds forced even to him.

Felix's lip quirks up for a second but he looks at him carefully. “Is that what you want? To be bros?”

Jisung opens his mouth to say something like of course bro or yeah what else? But his throat closes up. A sudden, inexplicable feeling of fear creeps into his gut.

“Jisung?”

He feels like he's suffocating, almost choking on air as he tries to get words out. “I— I don't know what... what I want. I'm so confused right now, I…”

“Hey, it's okay—”

“N-No! No, it's not. I'm sorry, I can't—” He shakes his head and leans away from Felix. He can't shake the sinking feeling that something is very, very wrong with him. How could he let this whole thing happen? Why is he feeling like this? He feels like a fraud of himself. He doesn't know what to do, he can't even process his feelings. He just knows he needs to get away from here, now.

He stands up quickly. Felix reaches for him but he's already crossing the room in long strides. As he twists the doorknob, he glances back to see Felix sitting with a hurt and confused expression before he shuts the door behind him.

Fuck. Jisung still can't breathe. He feels like it's only getting worse now that he's out in the open where people could see him. At least the hallway is currently empty, and he stumbles down it, not sure where he's going but just needing to get away. 

He staggers into an empty room. At least, he thought it was empty, but as he crosses the doorway he's met with a pair of familiar eyes on a head of long blond hair.

“Hyunjin,” he says wobbly.

Hyunjin's eyes go wide when he sees the shaky state Jisung is in. “Jisung? What's wrong?”

That's when Jisung breaks down. Tears start streaming down his cheeks in rivulets. “I h-hate you! Why'd you make me do that??”

“Whoa, hey…” Hyunjin reaches for him and pulls Jisung to sit beside him. “I'm so sorry, Sung… Please calm down and tell me what's going on?”

“The dare, you idiot. I did your stupid dare!”

Understanding and a flash of regret click in Hyunjin's eyes. “...Ah.”

“Everything was fine. Now everything is.. I don't even know.” Jisung cries, pressing his hands into his eyes.

Hyunjin rubs his back soothingly. “Okay, shh, let's calm down first… So you did the dare? Can I ask who you did it with?”

Jisung sniffs as he tries to calm his breathing. “It was F-Felix.”

“Fe-lix?” Hyunjin repeats. “The kid from Australia?” Jisung nods. “Oh, Jisung…”

“I-It's your fault! You dared me, and then you were all like ‘I'll know if you don't do it’. What the hell!”

“God, I'm sorry Jisung. I wasn't thinking… I was just being dramatic, I'm not omniscient. How would I know if you did it or not?”

“I don't know, you just…”

Hyunjin sighs. “Okay, let's relax. First, did he hurt you? I'll kick his beautiful, angelic ass if he did anything to you.”

Jisung cracks a smile in spite of himself and shakes his head.

Hyunjin's face softens. “Then what happened..?”

“I… I don't know, he made me so… confused..”

One of Hyunjin's eyebrows lifts. “...He made you confused,” he deadpans.

“Like… like…” Jisung grips his hair. “God! I don't even know! Am I normal? I don't feel normal. I think something's wrong with me. I.. I don't understand what's happening.”

Hyunjin wipes the tears on his cheeks. “Why do you think something’s wrong with you?” he asks gently.

“Th-there's— I— I think I liked it too much,” Jisung whispers.

“You liked what? …touching Felix?”

Jisung cringes. “Y-Yes, which is so weird already, but then he— you don't understand, he also— touched m-me, and I liked it, so much, like— which is so weird— it scares the shit out of me— I a-asked him to kiss me, like, like a psychopath or something, he probably thought I was so creepy b-but he was so nice and so pretty and… I don't know what to do… Hyunjin I feel like I'm— like this isn't normal.”

Hyunjin just presses his lips together and nods, encouraging Jisung to continue.

“Like… like… he's a guy. Like yeah, he's objectively pretty but he's… he said to pretend he was a girl but I didn't, I don't think I even wanted to, but, like, I'm—I'm straight, right? I mean… I mean, yeah, it's not like I suddenly— I like girls! I know I like girls so why… like I shouldn't enjoy t-touching another guy right? That's…” Jisung shakes his head with wide, teary eyes. “I'm not like, gay.”

Hyunjin winces but he looks at him with something akin to pity. “Ouch dude, you know I'm gay, right? You're not… broken or anything, I promise this is normal Jisung.”

Jisung sighs into his hands. “Fuck. I know. God, I-I’m sorry, I didn't mean it like that… I just mean like.. there's no way I'm… like shouldn't I have known by now? I'm not, like a teenager anymore. I just.. I like… girls… it doesn't make sense, why is this happening now?” 

“It's okay, you can still like girls, you can like both. Even if you don't, that's still okay. Okay? It's not… there's not a predefined time when you realize this stuff. Some people live their whole lives in denial. This is normal. You're normal.”

Jisung nods. “R-Right, of course I can still like girls. So, maybe I'm like… bisexual or something? But honestly I've never—” He presses his fingers against his eyelids. “I mean, I don't think— but maybe? N-No I've never... But it's not like I see Felix as a girl, I mean, I touched his dick a-and he— his voice is like… crazy, I don't even know— B-But I've definitely never liked boys before so how would I suddenly—?”

Hyunjin rubs his shoulders. “It's okay. You don't have to figure it all out right now. Take your time. I'm here for you, okay?”

“I'm scared, Hyunjin,” he whispers.

Hyunjin's face breaks and he sighs. “I know. I'm sorry. I think I gave you that dare so you'd have an awakening or something but that was stupid. I didn't think… I hate seeing you like this.”

“Wha—... huh?? So you knew I'm maybe not super straight even before this?!”

Hyunjin bites his lip. “I didn't really know. I just had a feeling. And honestly, I wasn't expecting you to actually do it.”

Jisung's jaw drops, momentarily forgetting his anxiety. “You weren't expecting me to— Hyunjin! How could you think so low of me!”

“Okay, sorry! I shouldn't have dared you to do that knowing you'd be crazy enough to actually do it.” Jisung hits his arm. “It was more just to get you thinking about it!”

“You're crazy.”

��I'm smart. My gaydar is never wrong,” he taps the side of his head. “And I clocked you the day we met but you said you were straight... I was probably too tipsy earlier and figured I'd test you a little. That's all. I'm really sorry. I feel terrible for causing you this much stress.”

Jisung sighs. “It's okay. I just can't believe— how did you know? None of this makes sense…”

Hyunjin shrugs. “Like I said… I'm smart.” Jisung hits him again. “Okay, okay! But maybe this is good? Learning things about yourself?”

Jisung swallows. “Right… learning things…” he sighs. “I just—I screwed it up with him didn't I? I ran away. I just left him there.”

“You didn't screw it up. You're literally having a full blown identity crisis! He'll understand if you explain it to him.”

“But, what if he doesn't want to listen, or he already hates me, or… you should've seen his face when I left, oh god, I'm a horrible person—”

“Shh. Jisung. Do you like him?”

Jisung's face burns. “T-That's— I don't—”

“I mean, do you care about him? As a friend?”

“Of course,” Jisung pouts.

“Then you should talk to him. I wouldn't be surprised if he's still here. Just explain what happened, that you're going through a lot but you don't hate him. Right?”

Jisung nods. “Right, I—You're right. I don't want him to think that I find him gross or something, oh my god.”

“He's probably just confused too. Don't worry. Do you want me to come with you?”

“No, I… I think I'm okay now. Thanks though.” He stands up and touches his face. “D-Do I look like I've been crying?”

Hyunjin smiles sympathetically. “A little, but he'll understand. Go before he leaves!”

Jisung nods and runs for the door. He pauses there and turns around.

“Hyunjin?”

“Hm?”

“I'm sorry for yelling at you.”

He waves him off. “It's okay, I kind of deserved it I think. We're good, okay? Now, go!”

Jisung doesn't need to be told twice. He's out the door in seconds and practically sprinting his way back to the room he left Felix in.

“...God, it's so hard being right all of the time,” Hyunjin sighs.

—

Felix isn't there.

The room is empty. Felix isn't here.

Oh god. What if he already left and he's avoiding him and Jisung will never be able to talk to him and Felix will think he hates him and—

He takes a deep breath. He shouldn't jump to conclusions. He has Felix's number, he should just text him. He pulls out his phone.

He paces around the room as he waits for his phone to light up. After a few minutes of nothing he sends a couple more messages and sighs. Maybe Felix is still at the party somewhere? Should he look for him?

Yeah, he decides, he needs to talk to Felix and make sure he's okay. Make sure they're okay. He can't stand the thought that Felix might think he hates him. It couldn't be farther from the truth.

Jisung paces out of the room and begins scouring every room for the familiar head of blond hair. But he's nowhere to be seen. Jisung tries not to cry. He's just about to loop around to where he started when he's stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He jumps. Felix?

“Jisung? Are you okay?” No, of course it's not. Jisung turns to face the familiar voice. 

“Seungmin,” he breathes shakily.

Seungmin gently places both hands on Jisung's shoulders. “What happened? You look frantic. What's going on?”

That's it. Jisung breaks down in tears. Again. He hates crying in front of another one of his friends but he can't help himself right now.

Seungmin looks alarmed. “Did someone do something? Are you hurt?” Jisung shakes his head. Seungmin sighs in relief. Then, his eyebrows draw together. “Wait, does this have to do with that dare?” 

Jisung hesitates, before nodding. 

Seungmin exhales. “Okay, we're leaving, okay? You can tell me about it on the way home if you want. Or not, but I don't think this place is very conducive to your wellbeing right now.”

Jisung nods and lets Seungmin guide him through the halls and crowds until they're outside. And he's right. As soon as he steps out of the claustrophobic walls he feels like he can breathe easier again. He sighs and wipes the last of the tears off his face.

Seungmin lets go of his hand. “You feeling better?” he asks.

“Yeah. Thanks, I.. guess I needed to get out of there.”

Oh, right. He should text Felix and let him know he's leaving, just in case he really is still at the party somewhere. He pulls out his phone. Seungmin looks at him, a question clearly painted on his face, but he stays quiet.

Jisung sighs after hitting send and stuffs his phone in his pocket again. Seungmin looks at him searchingly. “What happened…?”

Jisung bites his lip. His immediate instinct is deflect, deflect, deflect, but he really should tell Seungmin. He deserves to know. Jisung explains the whole situation on the way back to their dorm, from the dare to his conversation with Felix, to his panic in the aftermath and talk with Hyunjin. Seungmin listens quietly, intently. Jisung leaves out the details of what actually happened with Felix, but it's hopefully enough for Seungmin to get the picture.

When Jisung finally finishes, Seungmin blows out a long puff of air, his cheeks puffing up. “Wow. I don't even… Damn. That's crazy.”

Jisung leans his head back and groans with his hands over his face. “I know. What do I even do now?”

“Flee the country.” Seungmin says matter of factly. Jisung huffs out a laugh. “Sorry. I'm shit at giving advice. But I know Felix. He doesn't seem like the type of person who wouldn't at least hear you out, you know? Don't stress too much.”

“Then why is he ignoring me??” Jisung frowns.

“There's so many possibilities, dude. He might be feeling equally as overwhelmed right now or his phone could be dead or he might just not have checked yet. It hasn't even been that long. Give him time.” Seungmin, ever the voice of reason.

“Yeah… yeah, you're right. I'm just—I don't know. I don't even know.”

“I'm always right.” Seungmin, ever the voice of arrogance. “It'll be fine, Jisung.”

“Okay… Just know, if you're wrong I will come crying to you.”

Seungmin's lips curl up. “I'm always right. But okay, sure.” He pauses. “Honestly, I'm surprised you even did the dare, I even gave you an easy escape and everything.”

Jisung lets out a loud sigh. “I don't even know, man. Maybe a part of me, like, wanted to… I'm so confused about everything to be honest.”

Seungmin hums. “This is kind of life altering shit you're going through. You're handling it pretty well, all things considered.”

Jisung's looks at him, lips forming an ‘o’. “You think?”

He nods, “I think I'd have broken down or something by now if it were me.”

“I'm—well, I'm trying not to. I guess I went through most of the whole breakdown freakout thing with Hyunjin. I'm just trying not to think about it too hard right now I guess.”

“That's fair. Don't rush it. Uh, and I'm here if you ever wanna... talk or whatever,” Seungmin waves his hand around.

Jisung smiles. “Thanks, Min. Seriously.”

“Yeah, yeah…” he says but he mirrors his smile.

—

The next morning, Jisung wakes up feeling more refreshed than he expected. He doesn't feel great, but at least he doesn't feel like his whole life and everything he thought he knew about himself is turning upside down like yesterday. That's something.

As much as he was glued to his phone last night, waiting for a message from Felix, he doesn't want to check his phone right now, scared of what he might (or might not) see. Everything feels more real now, outside of the illusionary haze of last night, and he's just not ready to face anything yet.

Instead, he busies himself with mindless tasks, like brushing his teeth and pouring a bowl of his favorite hangover cereal. He's not even hungover, he didn't drink that much, but he just needs that extra emotional support right now. It helps, he thinks.

Eventually, he has to face reality. His phone looms at him from his bedside table, facedown but glaring at him. Jisung sighs and reluctantly picks it up. 

He cringes a little when he sees the multiple notifications from his messenger app. There's a text from Seungmin saying he's out studying with a friend but to let him know if he needs anything. Studying the morning after a party? Nerd. But Jisung smiles at the kind gesture and types out a quick reply saying thanks but he'll be fine.

And.. there's a little number by Felix's contact name too. He doesn't even want to open it. He wants to crawl back into bed and hide for the rest of the day. He wishes this had all happened yesterday when he was still in the moment and running on adrenaline.

But this is a good thing! Felix isn't ignoring him. This is good. Jisung takes a deep breath and clicks into the message.

He breathes out slowly. Okay.. Felix doesn't seem angry? He wants to meet up at least. Or what if he's just waiting until they're in person to unleash everything and tell Jisung to never talk to him again? God, he can't tell.

He doesn't want to respond. Okay, no, he needs to respond. He's the one who texted first anyway. Fuck, this is scary though.

He takes another deep breath to steady himself before carefully typing out a reply.

Jisung's heart races when Felix's reply comes in within only a couple minutes. Thank god Felix doesn't seem creeped out at coming over. Jisung quickly agrees to the time and texts Felix his dorm and room number.

Then he waits. After sufficiently freaking out for an hour, stress cleaning and everything, Jisung hears a knock at the front door. Oh fuck. He's so not ready.

Regardless, he trudges over to the door. He takes a deep breath before unlocking and opening the door. 

Felix is standing there, bundled up for the chilly weather in a jacket but also sporting a pair of loose ripped jeans, which Jisung thinks is pretty contradictory. How are you gonna put so many layers on and then just have holes in your pants? How does that make sense? One hole above the knee is large enough that Jisung can literally see the outline of Felix's thigh. 

“Um… hi…” Jisung's eyes snap up. Wait, what was he even doing just now? He wasn't like… checking Felix out or something, right? No, that's absurd. Felix's torn up pants are absurd, and that's all he was thinking. About his pants. His jeans. 

“Hi,” Jisung replies awkwardly. Why is this so awkward? They haven't even said anything yet. God. “Sorry, um, come in?” He gestures and holds the door open.

Felix murmurs a soft “thanks” as he cautiously steps inside and looks around a bit.

“Um, thanks for coming…” Jisung starts. “Seungmin— my roommate isn't here right now. But we can go to my room if you want?”

Felix's eyes suddenly light up. “Seungmin? Kim Seungmin? Tall, funny, braces?”

Jisung blinks. “Yeah, what? You know him? Wait, you think he's funny?” He wrinkles his nose.

“Yeah! Well, maybe at my own expense… We're partners in this cooking class I'm taking.”

Jisung starts walking and leads Felix in the direction of his room as his eyebrows furrow. “A cooking—? No way. Seungmin can't cook.” 

Felix giggles. “Oh, I know. I swear it's actually contagious or something because suddenly I start forgetting basic things like how to use a mixer just by being near him. I think it's a curse.”

Jisung laughs, eternally grateful for the lighthearted shift in the atmosphere, the tense and awkward air dissipating. Talking with Felix is just like that, so easy. “Yeah, I keep him out of our kitchen for his own good. I had no idea he was taking a cooking class though, what the hell?”

Felix hums. “Maybe he's trying to improve?”

“Or he's just trying to cause chaos. And from what you said, it seems like it's working.” Jisung shakes his head as they step into his room.

“Maybe…” Felix mumbles, but his focus has shifted elsewhere. He takes in Jisung's room, seeming to observe every visible corner: anime posters on the wall and an acoustic guitar in the corner and the stuffed animals on his bed. Jisung blushes, suddenly grateful for his stress-induced tidying of every nook and cranny. He hadn't realized how intimate it can be letting someone new into his space like this. This is Felix's first time in his room.

Felix. In his room. Why does it feel weird? 

It doesn't, does it? Jisung is the only one making it weird. It's not weird for friends to hang out in each other's rooms. That's literally extremely normal. But still… Jisung usually waits until he's way closer with people before letting them in his room. He can't place the anxious feeling swirling in his gut.

“I like your room,” Felix says softly. “It's like how I imagined.”

“W-What does that mean??”

“It's a compliment! It's very you.”

“Okay well… thanks,” Jisung mumbles. Has Felix really imagined his room before? How close are they that Felix knows enough about Jisung to think it's very him? He pushes the thoughts aside. 

“So…” He sighs. Here comes the awkward again. But he can't avoid this forever. “Can we talk?” 

Felix nods. “…‘Course,” he says, leaning against the bed slightly. Jisung motions for him to sit down on it and follows suit, since there isn't much else seating in his room. “If you want to!” he stutters out but Felix just smiles and sits down on the bed. On Jisung's bed. Okay, cool, this is fine.

They face each other. “So….” Jisung starts, looking down at his hands in his lap. “I just wanted to apologize. I mean, I feel like we were acting pretty normal just now, and I'm really grateful for that, but you still deserve like, I don't know, an explanation? Or something? So yeah.”

Felix nods silently.

Jisung takes that as his cue to continue. “Right, so, yesterday, it was a dare, right? That wasn't a lie. Me and Hyunjin actually like, talked about it afterwards and we're cool by the way. Just in case you thought—well, I don't know. I don't know what I'm saying. Um…” He takes a deep breath. “I mean, you were really nice about the whole thing and then I just left… kind of suddenly. That was really mean. I… I mean, you looked hurt too. Which, like, fair. That was a dick move. Um…”

Felix's voice is gentle, “Okay, hey, I get it, I'm not actually mad—”

Jisung finally looks up. “But you should be. Y-You're not mad? I would be mad. I mean, maybe not mad but confused? Frustrated? I— I kind of feel like it came across like I was… using you or something. I don't know. But that's not… Honestly I'm just really confused right now because—”

“Stop.”

Jisung blinks. “What?”

“Stop, I… I want to apologize too.”

“For what?!”

“For agreeing to it! I shouldn't have cus I…” He shakes his head. “And I kind of pushed you to tell me about the dare. You didn't seem comfortable. And I definitely should've stopped when you said you're straight... I-I was selfish.”

“Selfish?” Jisung repeats. “What?”

Felix sighs. “I agreed cus I was being selfish… Just, selfish reasons. I shouldn't have.”

“What does that even…? Dude, you're not selfish, if anyone is it's me for basically roping you into doing that for me and then leaving you high and dry like…”

Felix shakes his head. “That's not… you don't get it. I am selfish. Even being here right now… Selfish. Stupid.”

Jisung can't even begin to comprehend how that makes sense. “What…?”

“Jisung… Fuck, fine — I-I like you.”

“You like me?” Jisung mimics.

“…Yeah.”

Then it clicks. “Wait, oh. You like… like, like me?”

“...Well, that's good. I was worried it was super obvious for no reason.”

Jisungs mouth must be hanging open. “I... Are you serious?”

Felix laughs nervously. “Does it seem like I'm joking?”

“N-No but… I don't know. Oh my god. Shut up, I'm freaking out.”

“I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything, I know you're straight—”

“That's the thing. I'm not— Just, just, wait a second, oh my god. Oh my god.”

“Jisung…” Felix bites his lip. “I'm sorry, we can just pretend I never said that and go back to normal, please, I promise.”

Jisung puts his hands over his face. “No, shut up… shut up, just wait a second, please. Please just wait.”

Jisung can't see him but Felix at least goes quiet and Jisung can think. He breathes for a few seconds. In and out. In and out.

“…I think I like you too. Like, like like you… so much. Like way more than just bros. But I don't know what that fucking means.”

Jisung's heart is beating out of his chest. He hears a catch of breath. Silence. Then a soft whispered, “What do you mean Jisung, are you sure?”

“Yes, I mean, no, but— I feel something, and this isn't normal, so—”

He feels gentle fingers pulling at his wrists. “Jisung, look at me.” He lets Felix pull his hands down off of his face, which he's sure must be burning red. “It's okay. I don't want you to like… pity me or something. I'm really okay even if you don't like me like that.”

Jisung shakes his head. “N-No, I'm not pitying you Felix, I swear. I really, really—” He swallows. “Even like, your hands just on my wrists right now, making me feel like— I- I don't know,” he breathes.

Felix immediately drops his wrists. “I'm sorry,” he says genuinely.

But that's not what Jisung wanted. “No! I liked it.” He reaches for Felix's hands and interlaces his fingers in his, immediately setting off butterflies in his stomach. “I like this..”

Felix swallows and squeezes his hand a little. “But anyone can like holding hands with anyone, that doesn't mean—”

“But it's not just that. We— Felix, we kissed. I… asked you to kiss me. Did you forget that? And we did… m-more obviously. I liked it.” The more Jisung tries to explain to Felix the more he feels like he's understanding and accepting his own feelings. “That's why I ran away. I was so… confused and.. and scared I guess, cus.. I've never felt… with a guy.”

“I didn't forget,” Felix whispers. “I believe you. I know it's scary. I-I went through it too. Just— Are you sure? I really… I don't wanna get my hopes up if…”

“Can I kiss you?” Jisung blurts out. “Then I'll be sure. I… You can definitely say no.”

Felix closes his eyes and looks to be in some kind of mental anguish for a few seconds. “Yes, okay…” he breathes.

Jisung squeezes the other's hand, still interlaced with his own. He leans in a little. “A-Are you sure?” he asks quietly.

“Yes, yes, please…” Felix says under his breath while leaning in a little as well. That's all Jisung needs before he's closing his eyes and swooping in to close the distance between them. 

It's like magic. Right at the moment their lips press Jisung has his answer. His stomach flips and it feels so different from last night where he was letting Felix have control. He keeps it going for a little longer, not really moving his lips but just pressing into the kiss for a few more seconds, relishing in the way it feels.

When he finally pulls away, Felix's eyes are closed, forehead drawn in as if he's the one going through a crisis right now. 

“Felix?”

“What? Please don't say you were wrong. I mean… I mean, of course that's fine but—”

“Felix. I liked it… Oh wait, so I actually like you? Oh my god—”

Felix's eyes fly open. “You really…? You're serious?”

Jisung nods, eyes equally as wide as his.

“Are you sure? Yesterday I can get over, but this feels too real. I don't think I can handle if— I mean, god, sorry, I know you're figuring things out but—”

“Yes. Well, I— I'm still confused about other things but… I'm pretty sure—I mean this feels pretty much exactly like when I have a crush on a girl. So..?” 

“Okay. Okay, sorry. It's not that I don't believe you, I just—I really wasn't prepared for this. But I get it, really.” He takes a deep breath in and out. “So you… you really like me? Really, really?”

Jisung nods shyly. “Um.. really, really. I think more than I realized.”

Felix blushes. “Right, so… I mean, I don't want to be too forward but..? And maybe you're not ready and that's totally okay. But do you wanna..? I mean if we both like each other then… doesn't it make sense if we…”

Jisung squeezes his hand encouragingly. “What are you trying to say?”

“I'm saying—and again, you can say no if this is too fast—but I'm saying… Do you want to… try being my boyfriend…?” He peeks up at Jisung nervously.

Jisung's heart stutters in his chest. He doesn't really have to think about his answer. Even if his brain is telling him it's a little scary, his heart is giving him an answer clear as day. “Yes, y-yes, I want that… to be your… boyfriend.”

Felix flashes a shy, relieved smile. “Yeah?”

“Y-Yeah. Oh my god, a boyfriend. You're my boyfriend? I have a boyfriend?” Jisung presses his hands against the sides of his face, squishing his cheeks.

Felix giggles a little. “Mhm, that's okay right? It feels okay?”

“Yes, I like it, it's a little weird but I really like how that sounds. A boyfriend. My boyfriend.”

Felix blushes. “Ah, stop saying it like that, it's embarrassing…”

Jisung shakes his head. “Can I kiss you again?”

Felix smiles and responds in the form of crashing their lips together. Jisung gasps. It's more intense than the one they previously shared but still very sweet and gentle. Felix's lips are so soft.

Jisung tilts his head to deepen the kiss. “I like you so much,” he mumbles against Felix's mouth between kisses. “Maybe for a while… I always… wanted you to like me… tried to impress you…”

Felix makes a quiet sound and suddenly Jisung feels wetness on his cheeks. “Are you…? Felix?” Jisung pulls away, and sure enough, there are tears pooling under Felix's eyes. Jisung looks at him with concern. “What's wrong?”

Felix ducks his head but smiles, and it's enough to quell Jisung's worries that he did something wrong. “S-Sorry—God, this is embarrassing. I-I don't know why I'm crying. I'm really happy, I promise.”

“Okay. Don't worry about it.” Jisung gently grabs Felix's face and wipes the tears from his cheeks. As he presses the skin below his eyes, an array of tiny dots start appearing, speckling his face. Jisung furrows his eyebrows. “Huh—? Do you have freckles..?”

The skin under his fingers turns pink and Felix squirms his head out of his grasp. “Nooo…”

Jisung gently grabs his face again. “No, let me see, please.” He swipes his thumbs along the other's cheeks, smudging more makeup away.

Felix sighs and seems to relent. “I don't like them…” he mutters.

Jisung is appalled. “Are you serious? Why not?”

Felix shrugs. “I dunno, just looks.. messy? And no one else here has them,” he says with a frown.

Jisung shakes his head. “They're so pretty. You're so pretty. How could you hide these? God, it's like everything little thing about you is so pretty, how is that even possible??”

“Stoooop,” Felix giggles, blushing bright red now. “They're not.. I'm not…”

“You are. You literally turned me gay or something,” he jokes. “That has to count for something.”

Felix laughs, but then his expression turns more serious. “Did I really—? I mean, you think you're gay?”

“Uh—No, I just said that. I don't know. I'm still so fucking confused,” Jisung tries to laugh it off nervously.

Felix nods. “If you wanna talk about it… no pressure of course, but I kind of went through something similar so… just, I'm here for you.”

“Thank you,” Jisung whispers. “Well, I-I think I've been trying not to think about it too much. It's scary,” he admits.

“I know. You're really brave, you know Jisung? It took me like, months—years even?—before I understood and accepted myself.”

“Yeah, but I'm sure that was years ago, right? Why is this happening to me now? Like… I've always liked girls. I don't think that's… yeah, I definitely still like girls. That's all fine. But I've literally never liked boys until now?” Jisung sighs. “Well—maybe—maybe not. I've been thinking, and like, I guess there were guys that I… really admired and… I really wanted them to like me too. To think I'm cool or funny or something. And like, yeah, I felt nervous around them, but I just kind of thought they were intimidating. But maybe…? Is that..? Were those crushes?”

Felix grabs his hand and squeezes it gently. “Maybe. It kind of sounds like it.” He pauses. “Even if they weren't, and I'm the first guy you like, that's okay too. Honestly, that would be hella flattering,” he smiles. “I don't think sexuality is like... It isn't such a rigid thing. It can be more fluid for some people, you know? It's not just black and white. If your feelings are real then that's all that matters, yeah?”

“Y-Yeah. It's just weird. I'm like so past that stage. Why didn't teenage me figure this out?” He huffs out a laugh.

“There's no set timeline for this stuff. It happens differently for everyone, right? And if you don't want to think about it right now you don't have to. You can just like whoever feels natural for you. No need to think about what box you fit into or anything like that.”

“I think I just like you,” Jisung whispers.

Felix's lips quirk up. “Yeah? That's so cute.”

Jisung is sure his face goes red. “Sh-shut up…”

“Never,” Felix grins. “No, but it's okay. You don't have to label yourself, now or ever. You don't have to be gay, or straight, or bi, or... or anything in between. You can just… be, and that's enough.”

Jisung feels tears prick his eyes. He really has no clue why he's getting emotional over this, but somehow Felix is saying exactly what he didn't know he needed to hear. “Okay, but what about Felixsexual?” He jokes.

“Pfft— then I'm Jisungsexual, okay?”

Jisung's heart feels lighter than it's ever been. He giggles. “Okay.”

—

After calming down, and both their tears are wiped away, the two of them spend a couple hours just talking and cuddling, making up for what feels like so much lost time. Seriously, why didn't they become closer friends sooner? Jisung mentally kicks himself for not being more proactive in befriending him. They click so well. Jisung is so glad Felix seems to love skinship as much as he does, they both initiate it easily and it just instantly feels natural. So easy, just like everything between them.

Eventually, they move to the living room to watch something. After only just a few minutes of scrolling through Netflix, the front door opens. Jisung looks up.

“Oh, hey Seungmin. How was your study sesh?”

“Hey. Uh, fine. Is this a bad time…?” Seungmin asks, glancing at Felix and looking at Jisung curiously.

“No, it's a great time. Seungmin, say hi to my, uh, boyfriend..?” Jisung falters saying that to someone else for the first time and it comes out like a question.

Seungmin doesn't seem to notice, or if he does, he doesn't care. “Oh, so you worked it out? I'm glad. Congrats.” He turns to Felix. “I'm Seungmin.”

Felix laughs. “Dude, I'm insulted. I thought we were mates? Does being stove partners mean nothing to people these days?”

Seungmin cracks a smile. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

Jisung jumps up in his seat. “Oh yeah! Seungmin, you're taking a freaking cooking class? Who are you??”

Seungmin shrugs. “I had extra space in my schedule.”

Felix sighs. “I wish I had extra space. I would take another class with Jisung.”

“Aww, what?” Jisung looks at him fondly.

“Seriously. Why do we only have one class together? How am I gonna handle that now that we're together?”

Jisung giggles. “If you had extra time wouldn't it be better to just spend time together and not take an extra class, silly?”

“Oh yeah, I guess. Are you sure you'd be okay with that Sungie?” Felix grins and nuzzles his head into Jisung's shoulder, cuddling into him playfully.

Sungie? Oh, Jisung's done for. He giggles again and kicks his feet (like a fucking schoolgirl or something, embarassing). “Only if you promise to binge watch my favorite animes. And make cookies with me!”

Seungmin makes a gagging sound. “...Ugh, I take back everything I said. You two together are more energy than I can reasonably tolerate. Goodbye.” He throws his hand up in a wave and starts walking to his room. He pauses in his doorway and turns around. “Oh and please for the love of god, no funny business when I'm here. I'm happy for you but not that happy.” 

Jisung turns red and he hears Felix choke on air. “Seungmin!” 

“What? You already did stuff and you weren't even dating yet. I can't trust you guys.”

Jisung throws a cushion at him. “Didn't you say bye already? Bye!!”

Seungmin rolls his eyes and throws up a peace sign before turning around and closing his door.

Jisung glances at Felix, who's equally as red-faced. They stare at each other for a few seconds before both breaking out into giggles.

Yeah, Jisung thinks he'll be alright.

—

[4 weeks later]

—

—

a/n: take a shot every time you see the word 'like' (u will die). if u made it this far THANK U SOOO MUCH FOR READING WOW! this is my first fic and it's very dear to my heart.. i'm nervous about posting it asdajfjk. any feedback would be super super appreciated! i'd love to hear your thoughts (^o^) idk how active i'll be here but i've been in a writing mood recently so keep an eye out maybe? again tysm for reading!! ♡

[petra-creat0r]

AAAAGHOEHAKBVETIAHEUHAUUETYVAEH1!!!

Love it! Also yeah, guess it would get long when dealing with 5 kids and 7 ish secret bosses, so I don't blame you.

More rambling under the cut because I love talking about funky lil guys.

I already had a feeling that Naomi and Woostern would hit it off. I mean, when I first saw Woostern I immediately wanted to draw her with Naomi. Fish kid likes cowboys, they would besties with Woostern. Meanwhile Bitsy is watching both the kids and trying to make sure neither of them get hurt. (Naomi put down the gun!)

As for CK pranking people? No one can stop him from pulling pranks! He's the mighty King of Comics! He has an insane jester who can do anything by his side! Though, since Woostern asked nicely, he'll leave her alone. As for Bonslick? Bone guy might not like really any of the kids, but I can see CK wanting to hang around him. Bonslick reminds Ceeks of his Uncle Papyrus (probably just the vibes), and the kid finds him super duper cool! The rad sunglasses, the cool skateboard, the aloof/annoyed attitude towards him, CK would lowkey admire Bonslick. As well he might mistake annoyance for secretly liking his jokes and pranks (that or CK is just a tad oblivious as to when people aren't liking his jokes. Hanging out with Jevil likely is not helping that.) Also I find it ironic/funny that CK would like Bonslick but Bonslick wouldn't like him considering how dog like CK acts. (He's just a puppy who finds the bone man cool)

Most of the kids wouldn't actually be put off by Left-E's appearance. Particularly CK, Naomi, and Britni. CK and Naomi gamers who would would point and go "OMG FNAF REAL!?!?" or something cringe like that before causing havoc, and Britni would be fascinated as a girl who likes things others tend to find creepy. Left-E's not creepy! He's "neat" and "retro" and "possibly possessed but honestly that's sick too" according to Britni. Wilbur and Chicago on the other hand? Wilbur's likely unsettled and politely trying to keep his distance, while Chicago I can see one of two ways. Either he's not all that off put since his dad and sibling are possessed robots, and his sibling loves working with robotics (especially older animatronics), or that background makes him more unsettled. He might be unsettled either way if Left-E is hovering over him a lot.

Wilbur would LOVE to learn how to cook from Sonatta! He's always wanted to know how to bake properly but he lives with his Pops and uncle who... aren't that great at baking. Both are amazing gardeners and make amazing tea though! The only real person Wilbs knows who can teach him is his Ms. Noelle (who he kinda sees like an aunt), who has her own family and life. Additionally, I can see Wilbur dancing with Ms. Sonatta, as he knows how to tap dance and waltz. As a very empathetic kid (I mean, I feel all these kids have to since they've made it their mission to help the secret bosses), he'd be able to sympathize with Ms. Sonatta and would make a great listener if she wanted to talk about it? (Same is true for most the kids. Wilbur and Chicago especially, I mean they've been dealing with it with their secret boss buddies, so? All these kids effing hate the mystery man.)

I can't see any of the JSS hating Quiddo. They'd all just be down to have fun with the lil guy too! Even if Britni or Chicago might start to question some things. ("Why is this one an SB?" "How'd the mystery man affect them?" "Is it a denial situation like Jevil?" "They taste like echo flowers and egg." "Britni, did you lick them?") That would be until Quiller comes out. I think that'd be such an interesting situation since these kids are all aware of Frisk and Chara (I mean, they're CK's older siblings) and vaguely what happened Underground before they were born, and I didn't mention it earlier but, Chicago is currently in possession of The Soul. The Red Soul. The Soul we control as the Player. Chicago is the new vessel and he hates it. (He doesn't want to be anyone's puppet!) Even if Quiller is indifferent to the JSS kids, I still find it interesting to think about.

Finally Shikari. CK and Naomi would want to hang out with her, even if she wants to be left alone, and both of them would be lowkey jealous if Chicago gets attention from her. Shikari's cool and edgy! Naomi would especially be interested in her katana ("She's like the cool samurai from the shows my siblings like!") Chicago though would be a little surprised that she's taken an interest in him. He probably also thought she'd be more interested in CK and Naomi, but HIM? He doesn't think of himself as strong or capable. He's just a kid who feels behind his peers. Or a puppet unable to break his strings. Forced to be controlled by beings from the beyond whenever the narrative demands it. Plagued by visions of the mysterious man who hurt his friend and is trying to cause the apocalypse and -- Despite his confusion, I feel he'd appreciate Shikari's assurance and desire for him to get stronger. Chicago's the type of kid who's very self sacrificing. He's so determined to help others, he so often forgets to help himself.

So, I already know how your bosses would react to mine, but now I'm curious how they'd react to the JSS aka the Junior Secret ($@#!) Squad. It's a little more complicated but basically they're a group of Lightner kids who befriend the secret bosses of my AU and have been helping them recover and stuff post Deltarune. (And some how get mixed up in all the mystery man darkness bs themselves. Kinda an unfortunate trade off there.)

Since I've only posted Chicago and CK's refs, here's a brief over view of each of the kiddos.

Ooh this one is interesting !! I'm gonna try to keep it short cuz there are quite some people here.

First off, Woostern. And IMMEADIATLY it was obvious to me the fact that Naomi and Woostern would be best friends. I don't even have to tell you WHY they would be friends, just accept it. As for everyone else, they all seem like really nice kids too! Though don't pull pranks on the sheriff, CK, pretty please.

Bonslick ! Ugh, kids. He wishes they'd all stop bothering him, sspecially that CK kid, pulling pranks on him.

Left-E !! Left-E is happ-e, he's on his element; entertaining kids without realizing he might accidentally scare them. Something tells me he'd get along with Chicago, no reason in specific, its just a feeling.

Sonatta. Well, she loves kids in general, they are all adorable and the hopes and dreams of the future. Something tells me she'd get along really well with Wilbur specifically, she might be able to teach him how to cook! She had a lot of time to learn how to do stuff when she was trapped in a prison underwater for years after all, ha ha...! ... Uh...

Quiddo !! JESUS the interactions would be priceless, Quiddo is willing to do anything as long they have fun doing it, ithis kid is SO hyperactive they all might have to take care of them and be sure they don't get into trouble. Quiller really has no opinion on the matter. They all seem like good hearted kids... But will that be enough to help out such darkened souls like those individuals? Whether they succedd or not, once again, doesn't matter to it. In this case in particular wouldn't be fun to see the resul though, just more of the same.

And lastly, Shikari. As expected she mostly likes being left alone, obviously, but... I don't think she would mind the presence of some of this kids. Chicago, specifically. Despite how much she wants to make it seem that she doesn't care at all, she hates seeing totally capable and strong people just doubt themselves so much. That is NOT how she became the strongest darkner in the world, after all. Plus she also likes to see people invent stuff. Both things remind her of some people she used to know.

[holyscream]

I forgot how much of a blorbo this stupid incubus is to me. Tsk.

[greetings-and-salutations]

“Get Your F*cking Hands Off Her, A*shole!”

Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz x Reader

COBRA KAI CATCH-UP DUMP

Masterlist

(Gif not mine)

Requested? No

Summary: It was an unspoken rule around West Valley High that (Y/n) (Y/l/n) was completely and utterly off limits. No one dared test the boundaries when it came to that rule, for fear that her Mohawk-clad boyfriend would go all Cobra Kai on them. Of course, every now and again, a newbie didn’t get the memo…

Warnings: starred out swear words, overprotective Hawk, creepy dude making (Y/n) uncomfy, prejudice against “North Hills” with a substantial lack of reasoning to back it up 😬😂, lack of adherence to plot line of the source material

Pairing: Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz x Fem!Reader

IM SO SORRY THIS IS LATE 😬😬 I’m trying to get back on schedule as soon as possible, I promise! 👌👌👌

Eli Moskowitz and (Y/n) (Y/l/n) were in love. Everyone knew it, and, because of Eli’s status in their school’s hierarchy as “Hawk” the “Cobra King,” no one dared refute it. It was a system that worked. An unspoken line, if you will, that, when crossed, was swiftly dealt with. And the perpetrator never did it again. Hawk made sure of that.

But there were still some who, to them, the pretty girl in math class was simply the pretty girl in math class. Nothing more. No ties to a Mohawked gang leader, and certainly no harm in asking her out on a date this weekend. Perhaps to the movies? There was a pretty cool drive in just across town…

“That’s a bad idea.” Toby turned to look at the girl who’d spoken, an embarrassed expression on his face at having been caught staring, before he crossed his arms over his chest and scowled, in an attempt to cover it up.

“What?” He asked, glaring at her, annoyed by her unhelpful interjection in something that clearly didn’t involve her. He didn’t know who she was, being the new kid usually meant that was the case, but, Toby could already tell, whoever this girl was, she wasn’t someone he wanted to be spending his time with. She gave him the heebie jeebies, and not in the good way. Her face suddenly transformed into a smirk, before she gestured towards where his eyes had been trained just moments before.

“You’re staring at (Y/n) right?” She asked her own gaze taking in the sight of the girl at her locker just down the hall. Toby cringed a little, having hoped he’d been a tad more discreet, but this creepy girl had seen right through him.

“So?” He asked, defensively, wondering what exactly she wanted from him, landing on simply “picking on the new guy,” before she opened her mouth and spoke again.

“Yeah. That’s not gonna happen. Trust me, dude.” She replied, vaguely, but Toby just rolled his eyes, not believing her for a second.

“Who even are you?” He asked rudely, but the girl just laughed, an unsettling sound that left Toby’s skin crawling.

“Tory with a y.” She answered, as if he should know. (He didn’t.) “Listen, newbie.” She pouted sarcastically, before patting his shoulder. “I get it. You don’t know how things work around here.” Her patting ceased as she grabbed his shoulders, rather harshly turning him back towards the math class girl; towards (Y/n). “But I’m telling you right now, She’s not someone you wanna mess with.” Toby scoffed, his patience for this conversation wearing thin, as he pulled out of Tory’s grip.

“She seems harmless.” He said, before turning away from (Y/n) and towards his unwanted companion. “You, however, weird me out, so I’m gonna go talk to (Y/n). Bye, now.” He began to walk off, heading towards the girl’s locker and mentally psyching himself up as he did, before a loud voice called out after him.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you!” Tory yelled, but Toby just rolled his eyes again, before mumbling under his breath.

“You can’t tell me what to do, psycho…”

+ + +

“And then I told him that if he tried to do that again I was gonna take his face and-“

“Hey, Hawk!” The boy turned around when Tory’s voice sounded over the conversation, an annoyed look on his face at being interrupted.

“What is it?” He spat angrily, causing Tory to raise her hands in mock defense.

“Just thought you’d wanna know I just saw the new guy practically eye-banging your girl in the hallway.” She said casually, but Hawk’s heart stopped all the same.

“What?” He asked, through gritted teeth, hoping he’d heard her wrong. But Tory just nodded her head.

“Some dude. Troy or Tanner or something. New kid. Just moved here from North Hills or some sh*t.” She was still talking but, past the point of confirmation, Hawk was done listening.

“Where is he now?” He asked, his fists clenched, itching to do to this new kid what he’d been about to describe before Tory’s interruption. Nobody messed with his (Y/n)…

“Last I saw he was headed towards (Y/n)’s locker. Something about asking her out?”And that was when Hawk snapped.

“The he*l he is!” (Y/n) was HIS girlfriend. Everyone knew that. Who did he think he was? This punk coming in and trying to cheat the system, and steal away HAWK’S girl? This Troy, or Tanner, or whatever-the-f*ck his name was, was gonna pay. And Hawk was gonna make sure of it.

“I’m gonna go deal with this sh*thead. Beat his a*s…”

+ + +

“You’re (Y/n), right?” (Y/n) (Y/l/n) spun around quickly at the voice, confused as she didn’t recognize it, before coming face to face with the new kid she vaguely remembered from one of her earlier classes. She smiled politely, before responding.

“Yeah, that’s me.” She agreed, before a frown reached her face. “I’m sorry I don’t-“ She began apologizing for not recalling his name, but the boy cut her off with a shrug, leaning against the locker beside hers and effectively boxing her in, though (Y/n) assumed it was unintentional.

“Toby. I just moved here.” (Y/n) nodded along at his words, as she took a small step back, only for her foot to collide with the metal of a locker door.

“Toby… hi.”

“Hi…” (Y/n) wondered what exactly it was that he wanted, or whether it was just to introduce himself. But if that was the case, why hadn’t he left yet?

“Did you need something?” She asked, hoping she didn’t come off as rude or anything, though if she did, he didn’t point it out, or do anything really other than shake his head while laughing at himself.

“Sh*t, yeah. Um, I was actually wondering…” He trailed off, his eyes meeting hers in an intense gaze that she was both unwilling and unable to reciprocate. “Well, you’re really pretty, ya know…” (Y/n) didn’t like where this was going. She made to carefully remove his arm from the locker, so that she could walk away, but Toby apparently wasn’t finished, and reached for her wrist, holding it tightly in his grip to keep her in place. “Hold on just a second!” (Y/n)’s eyes widened in shock. “I dunno… I was sorta thinkin-“

“Get your f*cking hands off her, a*shole!”

+ + +

If Hawk wasn’t already seeing red at just the idea of someone he didn’t know flirting with (Y/n), the sight of her being held up against a locker with that frightened look on her face would surely have done it. And it did, for the next move Hawk made was not something that he would have ever done in front of his girlfriend had the situation not demanded it…

“Get your f*cking hands off her, a*shole!” It was like time had slowed down, and there was no one in the room but them; Hawk, and the sleezeball touching his girl.

The new guy spun around, his expression clearly annoyed, until he noticed the murderous one pointed back at him. His face dropped in worry.

“Look, dude. I dunno what you think-“ He began (trying to explain himself, perhaps?), but Hawk’s attention remained on his hand… that had yet to move.

“Oh I know exactly what I think!” He practically growled, stepping forward threateningly. “I think you’ve got your sh*tty North Hills hands all over my girlfriend, and if you don’t let go right now I’m gonna send you back to North Hills; only this time it’ll be in a body bag!” On a normal day, Hawk would’ve smirked at the “I just wet myself” look that had suddenly appeared on the dopes face, but this wasn’t a normal day. On a normal day, if some douche bag decided to mess with Hawk they’d do it directly, not through (Y/n). There was a level of respect there, at least for the girl. Because, everyone knew, messing with him was on thing, but (Y/n)? Practically a death sentence.

“I-I didn’t know-“ The new guy stuttered out, his grip finally releasing from (Y/n)’s skin, the girl slipping away from him and behind her boyfriend the moment she was able. Hawk felt her small hands tighten against the back of his hoodie and his angry frown deepened.

“Oh “you-you didn’t know”?” He mocked, carefully removing his girlfriends fingers from his clothes and advancing towards the other boy, nothing stopping him now from cracking this dweebs skull. He’d teach him not to mess with his girl again…

+ + +

Smack!

Smack!

“Ow!”

Crunch!

Pop!

Pop!

“Ughhhhhhhh…”

Crack!

“Stop, please!”

Hawk dropped the bruised and bloody body of the new kid harshly on the floor, before standing over him, his breathing heavy. (Y/n)’s eyes were wide. She’d never seen this side of him before. Sure, she knew he got into fights. She had to clean him up after them all the time. But he usually made it a point to keep her out of them. Though, (Y/n) supposed there wasn’t much way to keep her out of this one, since it happened over her. She frowned, suddenly feeling immensely guilty.

“If I see you anywhere near her again, we’ll be back here. Got it?” He snarled, his back now to (Y/n), which she appreciated, as she wasn’t sure she wanted to see his face look like that. She liked the soft way her Eli looked at her. She didn’t think she’d be too fond of visions of angry Hawk intruding her lovesick thoughts. “I said: Do. You. Understand!?!” (Y/n) watched the guy nod his head so fast she thought it might fall off, before scrambling to his feet. Hawk turned to make his way towards his friends and his girl, calling back over his shoulder as he did. “Now, get outta here before I change my mind.”

+ + +

“You okay, Princess?” Hawk had cooled down a little at the look on her face, hating that he’d contributed to it, but also knowing he’d had to do what he did. (Y/n) nodded slightly, though she wouldn’t meet his eyes. Hawk frowned, worried she was upset with him about the fight, though he couldn’t fathom why. That douchebag was hurting her. He’d just put a stop to it like any good boyfriend would. Speaking of…

“Can I see?” He gestured towards her wrist, receiving a small noise of agreement. He reached for her hand, his anger gradually returning as he took in the obvious fingerprints against her smooth skin. He tried to calm himself down, talking a deep breath before leaning down to press a soft kiss to her wrist.

“You’re gonna have a bruise.” He mumbled against her skin. But (Y/n) just shrugged.

“I don’t care.” Hawk sighed, running his hand down the side of his face anxiously.

“(Y/n)… you know I had to, right?” He asked, watching her face carefully as it changed, relief washing over him as she slowly nodded her head.

“I know… I just wanna go home. Can we?” She looked up at him with a small pout that Hawk was quick to agree to.

“Course, (Y/n/n). We can do anything you want.” He promised with a soft smile that dated back to his Eli days and was reserved exclusively for her. (Y/n) grinned a little, though Hawk wasn’t sure what was so funny. He wasn’t gonna comment on it though, just happy he’d got her smiling again.

“Ice cream?” She asked hopefully, earning a chuckle from her boyfriend, as his arm wrapped around her shoulder and he steered her towards the door.

“Sure, Princess. Whatever you want.”

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