#I maybe cried a little tiny bit during the closing ceremonies

[themissingmango]

[angelsxbelle]

haikyuu boys as your best friend.

part 1!!!

hey guys i thought i’d do some fluffy best friend scenarios since i’ve been feeling a bit down/anxious lately and i thought it would be fun to write something to cheer people up:)

pairings: tendou x reader, komori x reader, kunimi x reader x gn! reader

warnings: extreme fluff, maybe?? swearing

have fun and remember to stay safe on the internet kids :)

tendou, SATORI

now it’s probably obvious that being tendou’s best friend is already going to be one of the best things that could ever happen to you just by looking at him

i mean, mans is a walking ball of crackhead energy

and while being around tendou is a guarantee for having the time of your life, i feel like there’s a lot more to him than a lot of people realize, especially in the way he’d act in a close friendship

he knows what it’s like to feel left out, so he always wants you to feel like you belong somewhere and won’t let you feel alone anywhere

he’s the kind of friend that will facetime you during lunch if he’s sick so you don’t have to sit alone without him

he’s also very attentive and notices small details that other people may look over, he’s always the first person to notice if something’s bugging you or if you’re feeling down about something and he’ll ask if you want to talk about it after school when you’re in private

a very good listener, not the kind of person that will try to shove solutions down your throat, but he’s supportive and will help you try to feel better if you ask him to

also a master at cheering people up after a rough day, you can’t help but burst into giggles whenever he does something stupid to try and get you to smile, he’ll conquer anything that’s making you upset

with him around, you’ll never feel alone or unwanted because you know he’ll always be there no matter what

if you’re clingy or know how to show affection really well through acts of service or words of affirmation, you’ll make a really good pair since he likes to be reassured

will blush if you compliment him or say something you like about him, and he’ll say something nice about you immediately after too

if you give him a friendship bracelet that matches one you made for yourself, he’ll wear it every day no matter how girly or cutesy looking it is

platonic cuddling>>>>>

he also likes it when you’re close to him, even though there’s no romantic feelings attached he’ll hold your hand as you run down the halls when you’re late to your next class together

even if you don’t care for it (why wouldn’t you though),you read shonen jump with him every week while you eat snacks together in his dorm and then talk about it with him afterwards

as for stuff you do for fun together, life with tendou is always a blast

sometimes you go to convenience stores and get slushies and then run to the top of a grassy hill by the parking lot and then just talk for hours and watch the stars

during school, sometimes you guys make up dances or songs and perform them for ushijima and he just stands there like 🧍‍♂️ 

you guys like to go watch scary movies together at the theater and you always share one of those jumbo popcorn tubs

one time tendou accidentally dropped it on the person that was sitting in front of you’s head and you guys had to just  b o o k  i t  out of there

he always lets you borrow his hoodies if you ask for them since they’re huge on you and he thinks it’s cute

you’re one of the only people besides ushijima that he’s opened up to about his childhood, and if you’ve been bullied too it’ll make you even closer to him since you share it

you make sure he knows how special he is and how much you care about him all the time when he gets insecure

on the last day of high school he tears up while telling you how much you mean to him

you guys stay just as close after high school, calling each other every day

you end up visiting him in france, it’s the best two weeks of your life spent together with him and you eventually end up moving there with him

komori, MOTOYA

as a best friend, komori is the perfect person for someone that wants to have someone that’s caring and stable but also still fun to be around and knows how to lighten up

everyone knows komori is our favorite sweet boy that takes care of his icy cousin but i personally believe he secretly has a mischievous side to him you know???

like he’s still very sweet but he DEF knows how to pull a good prank

the kind of kid that’ll show up on exam day and get straight a’s and then give all of his teachers big thank you gifts but a week later someone will catch him drawing massive unicorns and care bears all over the school grounds with chalk like nothing’s wrong

he would never intentionally cause any actual harm to anyone though, he’s still very respectful and doesn’t want to actually break any school rules because he doesn’t want to get in trouble and make his teachers feel bad :’(

if you forget your lunch he’s the type to split his with you

he’ll also walk you to every class even if he’s all the way across the building bc he’s nice like that :’)))

will totally laugh if you trip over your own feet in the hallway but will always stop and help you up and ask you if you’re okay after

a sweetie, your parents probably love him because whenever he comes over he always asks if he can help with cooking and cleaning and stuff like that

together, you guys like to do stuff like study together as well as do stuff like reading horror mangas together and watching old disney movies

every once and a while he’ll ask you to go for a run with him in the morning if sakusa won’t go with him and he’ll go slow just so you don’t feel like you have to keep up with him bc he doesn’t want to wear you out right before school

he likes that you know you can find stability in him, you know he’ll always be by your side no matter what’s happening outside your friendship

also loves it when you come to his games, you yell at him from the stands really loud and he’ll wave back from the court and smile really big up at you as sakusa grumbles next to him :’)

even though your relationship is lighthearted, you can still come to him with whatever issues you’ve been going through and he’ll listen as best as he can, he’ll even open up to you as well and be vulnerable about whatever he’s struggled with in the past too

if you guys didn’t wear school uniforms, he would 100% match outfits with you no matter what your style is like

like tendou, he’ll also really appreciate it if you make him a friendship bracelet to wear and he won’t want to take it off

the day you graduate, he probably cries because he’ll miss you so much if you end up going to different universities

he doesn’t really have a hard time admitting it, but you really do mean a lot to him

even after high school, you guys still stay in touch and visit each other as often as you can, with you eventually moving back to your hometown so you’ll see each other often again and you end up staying close

you’re probably the closest friendship he’s ever had :’)

kunimi, AKIRA

token lazy best friend ™

while he has a laid back attitude, kunimi still cares very much about your friendship believe it or not

he’s very nonchalant about it, but would still die for you 100% if things came to that

as seen with his friendship with kindaichi, despite being a very chill person kunimi is still attentive to other people’s feelings and will notice if something’s wrong with you or if something’s upset you

if you’re feeing insecure or upset he won’t hesitate to reassure you, even though he has a hard time opening up he’ll still remind you how he feels about you and how much he cares about you

he’s definitely not overly sappy about it though, he just kind of says what he thinks and moves on

in school, people are probably intimidated by you because you’re so quiet around others plus mans is like 6ft tall-

speaking of 6ft tall, if some guys are creeping you out or making you uncomfortable he’ll intervene and scare them so you have a chance to slip away while he makes them question their life existence

not to mention if anybody ever tries to pick on you, he’ll say something simple but so rude they’ll be so taken aback they just end up leaving you alone in shock

the silent but protective type of best friend

also even though he acts indifferent towards most things, if you show him something you’re really excited about he’ll still make an effort not to seem like he doesn’t care or blow you off

for hanging out, he’s definitely more of a simple kind of guy, he just likes to go over to your house and talk or read/ study or watch tv with you, he just enjoys the quality time

also, he secretly enjoys it when you play with his hair like he doesn’t show too much emotion but a little blush creeps up his cheeks and his eyes squint a tiny bit

and if he trusts you a lot, he’ll open up about his past and his experiences in middle school or anything that had hurt him in the past

it makes him feel safe when he knows you’re just there to listen to him and help him feel better whenever he’s feeling down or something’s been bothering him

he’s hasn’t told you yet, but kindaichi probably likes you but he’s to shy to say anything to you about it

he’s perfectly content with having you all to himself for the time being

on the weekends you always go over to his house to watch horror movies and have a sleepover after, it’s hilarious because he makes the same cold expression at the screen the entire time

but if you get scared, he’ll squeeze your hand and tell you not to be afraid

if you need to keep a nightlight on when you’re trying to fall asleep he doesn’t care, he just doesn’t want you to feel scared

he doesn’t say it a lot, but he really does care about you

he’s uncharacteristically sad the day you graduate and hates to see you go, he doesn’t want it to end

hugs you tight and drives you home after your promotion ceremony and you stay over at his house like old times

you, him, and kindaichi still stay close in university and get together whenever you can:)

[frostsinth]

Burdened by the Stars - Pt. 2

Part 1 - MasterList

I am having so much fun writing this story so far. I had a bit of a struggle to figure out how I wanted it to go, but I think I’ve got that down now. And so it’s getting a bit easier. I hope you guys love this part as much as I do, because it has some returning characters.

I’ve already got most of the next chapter written, so I might post it 12/24 or so if I have enough interest and get far enough along to continue to be ahead of myself.

If you like my work, please think about going to BuyMeACoffee (which you can access from my MasterList above or through my header) to support me. If you would like to commission a piece, DM or shoot me an ask for details.

All the best!

We reached the outer walls of the goblin city an hour or two shy of nightfall, and I heard the trumpets announcing our approach as the gates swung wide. I smiled eagerly, and spurred my mount into a graceful canter through the streets of the outer city. The majority was below ground and deep into the mountainside, but since the signing of the Peace Treaty between the Kingdoms somewhere around a dozen years before, the goblins had set up a trade haven here on the surface. During the day, the streets were often bustling, but with night fast approaching and temperatures dropping they had a quiet air of productivity about them now. A mixture of goblins spattered with the occasional human were closing up shop as I rode, and I heard a few happy cries of greeting and murmurs of excitement when they recognized me as I passed them by. My hair billowed and bounced out wildly behind me, and I offered a friendly wave to the merchants and shoppers who greeted me as I left the royal carriage far behind and rode up the slope to the castle proper.

Those gates opened as well without delay, and the echo of my horse’s hooves clattered about the cobblestones. A herald darted from one side doorway, quickly straightening his tunic. He had only half my name out before I passed him, and he gave a tiny puff of air as he realized the pointlessness of his loud announcement of my arrival was overshadowed by the racket of hooves. But news certainly did travel fast here regardless. It had only been maybe ten minutes since I had first crossed the threshold of the outer city, and already someone was waiting for me at the top of the long, shallow steps. I pulled up my mare short before the wide stairs of the main doors at the head of the courtyard, and my smile grew at the familiar figure I saw standing before them with his shoulders squared and his hands clasped behind his pin-straight back.

I called out to him loudly with a cheery greeting, already swinging out of the saddle before my mount had come to a full stop. A few attendants rushed forward, and I passed her reins over with a kind word of thanks to them and a pat to her thick neck.

The second eldest of our family looked down at me with a slightly exasperated expression. It could be hard to tell with him sometimes; like our oldest brother, he tended to conceal most of his emotions beneath a stony façade. Remnants of a childhood with our strict father, I had been told, though I recalled only very little of that time myself. Not to mention that the etiquette of human court still aired towards a more stoic and reserved composure. But I knew both my brothers well enough to read the tiny changes which denoted their thoughts behind their masks. So I already knew King Nikostratus was not particularly pleased to see me on his doorstep that evening even before he spoke.

“Chickadee, what are you doing here?” He exclaimed as I skipped up the steps to him. “Valerianus assured me he would send word ahead for when to expect you.”

Despite the scolding edge to his voice, he enveloped me in a warm hug when I reached him. It had been more than three months since we had last seen each other after all, though of course we wrote to each other regularly. I forgot how much I had missed him myself until I was firmly enveloped in his arms and his familiar scent. I saw his expression had softened a little by the time I pulled back, and he fondly pushed my hair out of my face as he must have done a million times before.

“The roads were perfectly clear, Niko!” I told him, not fighting his fussing over my wild locks. “I don’t know what Val was waiting for, but I got tired of waiting for it.”

“Please tell me you at least informed our brother you were leaving?” He bemoaned, a slight frown pinching at his brow. I gave him a tiny, sheepish grin, and he sighed heavily in defeat. Gesturing over an attendant. “Morgana, you cannot just ride back and forth across the countryside whenever you very well feel like it. You are a Princess for goodness sakes. It’s dangerous!”

“But Niko-!”

“Auntie Gana!” Came a shouting chorus of gleeful voices from behind my brother in the castle, interrupting his reprimanding and my planned defense.

I dropped to one knee with a returning grin as two of my nephews and one of my nieces sprinted into my arms. They very nearly knocked me over with their combined weight, and I laughed as I fell back onto my bottom.

“My goodness!” I gasped. “Look at how you’ve all grown! Izaak, is that you?? I can barely recognize you! And Lorette! You’ve grown your hair so long!”

I scooped up their youngest, Viktor, into my arms as his remained stubbornly latched around my neck. The other two let me unwrap them so I could stand once more, but clung to my legs and tunic excitedly. I vaguely overheard my brother giving instructions to the attendant to send word to Val about my surprise but safe arrival. I placed a hand on Izaak’s head, scruffing the eleven year old’s hair. He pushed my hand away with a soft yelp and a fussing word before quickly working to smooth out the messy blonde curls as best he could. Lorette tugged on my shirt.

“Auntie Gana, are you here for the rest of winter now?” She asked eagerly.

I looked up at Niko, raising one eyebrow pointedly. I heard the creak of the carriage arriving in the courtyard, followed by the click of its doors as my Ladies emerged from within. My brother looked over at it, then gave another heavy sigh, shaking his head.

“Honestly, chickadee, I should send you straight back.” He told me, but belittled his words by turning and leading the way into the castle proper. “This behavior is absolutely unacceptable and-”

“Ah, I thought I heard the trumpets! And look who’s come to call!” Came a cheery voice, interrupting us for a second time. We turned as a group to face the goblin King as he strode down the hall with an excited skip in his step. “Finally! I thought our little bird might just end up staying south for the winter this year!”

Viktor wriggled to be released at the sight of his father, squealing with delight. I put the four year old on the ground to sprint over to the King next, who scooped him back up with a small touch of difficulty. Even at four, the little human boy was starting to outgrow his tiny 5’2 foot goblin parent. But if the weight bothered him, the goblin King didn’t let it show, sauntering over with a toothy grin and his son perched on one hip.

“Grier, thank goodness,” I greeted him, giving my brother’s husband a warm and grateful smile of relief, “Just in time to talk some sense into Niko! He wants to send me back!”

“Send her back??” Exclaimed Grier, his brow shooting up as he looked over at Niko. “Whatever for?? She just got here!”

His voice was full of his usual vibrant lightness, and it echoed about the large hallway around us. I felt like I was floating on air at its sound. I loved the vibrancy of the goblin kingdom, especially compared to the solemn human court of Geriveria, and that vivacity was in no small part due to its monarchs. It always made me feel so happy to see both of them, though it might be hard to see how they were compatible at all at first glance. Where my brother was soft spoken, stoic, and as unreadable as stone, his husband was everything the opposite. Grier was flamboyant, loud, and wore his emotions on his sleeves for everyone to see. While Niko wore dark solid coats with sensible black or grey pants and subdued gold buttons, Grier wore loud prints, usually several of them at once, with strange cuts, frills, and styles. His long blonde hair was absolutely wild in contrast to Niko’s short cropped black. He wore bangles and bobbles and earrings, where the most my brother ever wore was a decorative belt or a ceremonial sword at his hip. One would be hard pressed to find a more unalike pair of men. But one would be equally hard pressed to find a pair that somehow worked as well together as they did. Or made each other half as happy.

Niko gave Grier a look which equaled the same level of exasperation he had given me just a few moments prior. “She snuck out of the castle, again,” he told him, his voice as level and smooth as always but hinting at his frustration around the edges, “She didn’t inform King Valerianus she was leaving. And she didn’t send word ahead.” His hazel eyes shot back to me, narrowing slightly. “What if something had happened to her on the road? We would never have known until it was far too late.”

I took the scolding with a slightly bowed head, biting my tongue, and even Izaak and Lorette hid behind my legs with the sternness of my brother’s voice. Perhaps out of sympathy; I was sure they had heard that tone more than once themselves. It had the quality of making one feel not fearful of punishment, but instead horribly guilty for their actions. And longing to correct whatever disappointment one had inadvertently fostered. I rested a hand on each of their heads reassuringly.

Grier, however, seemed unaffected by the tone, and waved his free hand with a loud scoff that echoed about the stone hall. “Nonsense! She’s here safe now, and that’s all that matters, isn’t it?” He nudged his husband with his elbow. “Let the girl be, Nikostratus. I’m sure she’s learned her lesson and won’t ever scare you like that again.” His scarlet eyes flicked to me, and his slender brows raised high. “Right, little bird? Certainly your brothers have enough to worry about?”

I nodded solemnly, silently thankful for his intervention. Otherwise the lecture might have continued all night. “Yes, you’re right.” I glanced over at Niko. “I’m sorry, Niko, I didn’t mean to scare you. I promise I won’t do it again.”

“See there? No harm done.” Grier shifted his grip on Viktor, cocking one brow at Nikostratus. “What do you think then?”

My brother gave another long, deep sigh, shaking his head. He considered the goblin for a moment, then I saw his hazel eyes flick down to the children at my knees. I saw the sternness lift from his features again, and Izaak released my leg to move over and stand at his side with a shy smile.

“I suppose I am outnumbered.” He mused, sounding almost indifferent to the fact as he tenderly smoothed Izaak’s hair behind one ear. But then lifted a scolding finger to point at me. “Just this once, I’ll let it go. But never again, chickadee.” He warned.

Grier was already grinning wide before I could offer a response. “Excellent! I’m so happy that’s settled!” He turned to me. “You are just in time for dinner! Would you like to go to your rooms to wash up before? You’ll have to forgive the state of them, we didn’t have a chance to have them fully prepared for your arrival.” He gave a friendly wave to Safa and Lisbet over my shoulder. “I’m sure your Ladies might be able to help to that end, and would remember where everything is should you require aid.”

I smiled back at him. “I should change at the very least. I probably stink of horse.” 

That made the goblin laugh, and he hoisted his youngest over one shoulder so that he squealed with delight as well. “You can’t be any worse than these little beasties of ours!”

His words had Izaak and Lorette giggling as well.

“Inunu! I took a bath today! I don’t stink at all!” Lorette proclaimed, going over to wrap herself around his leg. “Izaak is the smelly one! Boys are always smelly!”

“I am not!” He whined angrily, stamping one little foot at his sister. “I take a bath everyday! Right, papa?”

“I know you do, Izaak. You smell wonderful, of course.” Niko reassured him, gently tucking his fingers under his little pointed chin briefly.

“Where are all the rest of the little beasties then?” I asked, looking around as we made our way down the main hall. “Or perhaps I should just follow my nose?”

“Oh, they’re around here somewhere, getting into mischief I am sure.” Grier replied, waving his hand about errantly as his present children burst into a fresh set of giggles at my teasing. “They’ll be down for dinner, gods know they are always hungry.”

“Chickadee,” my brother began as the two older children sprinted off down the hallway ahead of us, bickering amid themselves, “What made you leave without telling Valerianus? That’s not like you, and you know he worries-”

I groaned, shaking my head. “Come on, Niko.” I grumbled, surprised to find myself quite irritated at his prying. “I’ve only been here two minutes! Can’t the nosy brother act wait until later? I’ve got to go get washed up for dinner.”

He looked slightly appalled by my words. “But-”

“I’m here all winter,” I reminded him before he could finish, hopefully curtailing the conversation successfully again, “We’ll have plenty of time to catch up. Right now, I want to go get out of these clothes. Plus I’m famished! And I still haven’t seen Corwin and the twins yet!”

I saw him open his mouth to speak again, and darted over before he could. Springing to the tips of my toes and wrapping my arms around him for a quick hug. His response sputtered on his lips, and I used the opportunity to dart away, my Ladies trailing as fast as they could behind me, hiding their own giggles behind gloved hands. His words had struck a chord of guilt in me that had nothing to do with how I had left without telling Valerianus, and my Ladies’ giggles had me flushing a little darker... I certainly did not want to remember the strange visitor that had driven me out of Geriveria’s castle. But couldn’t help lingering on the thought of him, as he had come unbidden to my thoughts anyways… I wondered if he had anyone to worry about him…

“Was she always this difficult?” I heard my brother mumble softly as I made my way to the nearest stairwell to head to my tower rooms. “I swear, I don’t remember having this much trouble with her when she was little.”

“She’s always been trouble.” I heard Grier chuckle quietly in response. “But she’s all grown up now, Nikostratus. You can’t keep her a little girl forever.”

Another sigh. “... Perhaps if you cast that time spell on her...”

The goblin King’s laughter followed us the rest of the way up the stairs.

...

I sighed deeply, kicking about the powdery snow with my boots as I trudged over to set up my targets by the riverbed again. The forests were quiet this time of year, and a lingering storm from the night before crunched fresh snow underfoot as I moved. I didn’t bother to walk with a lighter step; it didn’t matter. I wasn’t far enough away from the outer castle wall to be in danger, nor was I trying to be particularly stealthy to hide from the old bottles I had brought along for target practice. I didn’t suppose they would much care if I were upwind or down. The forests surrounding the castle were at a high enough altitude that they were mostly inaccessible to anyone coming from beyond the kingdom borders, though it ran alongside the main road in places. I could be alone, but wouldn’t run into any patrols. And was close enough to return with haste should I hear the distinctive alarm bells that signified my absence had been noticed. 

Not that it should be today, though perhaps Safa and Lisbet would be looking for me at the castle. I had given them and everyone else the slip that morning when I had left without a word. Tired of their prying and longing for some time alone. I doubted they would spend much time looking for me; I had long outgrown any need for chaperones or nursemaids. Their positions as my Ladies were mostly ceremonial. Occasionally they would help me dress (for my more elaborate and highly disdained ensembles) and they made sure my chambers were kept neat. Otherwise, their only other responsibility was keeping me company. As of late I had pushed for them to take more time for themselves, and they had reluctantly agreed. Giving me long afternoons or sometimes almost full days to myself. They would likely think today no different.

As I collected the bottles and set them back on the fallen tree, I couldn’t help my thoughts wandering again. As they had frequently over the past few days since my arrival at the goblin castle. And Niko’s pestering desire to speak to me had not made my stay any easier. Luckily, he was King after all, and his Royal duties kept him pretty busy. Add that to the overall huge size of the castle, and it was pretty easy to avoid him. Especially as he had quite the knack for getting very lost in its halls without a proper guide. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how he had managed to call the castle his home for the last decade and still not know how to get from the dining hall to his own bedroom without getting lost. But as it was to my advantage this time, I decided to take it as a blessing.

It was my only blessing at the moment, as it seemed my conscience was weighing rather heavily on me. Every time I had even a breath without something to occupy it, my mind raced to the thought of the strange half-orc I had met in the palace gardens of Geriveria. The sky was as dark as my thoughts as I fretted and worried over him. Was he alright? Had I sent him to his death? Certainly, the trek to the crags of Almayit was not an easy one in fair weather, let alone in the deep of winter. Or so I had been told. And the forests of Pyejara? I had read such stories of the beasts that lurked there. I shivered, both against the chill that had descended upon the world with a vengeance for the mild weather days that had preceded it, and for the thought of that fool orc lost somewhere, perhaps in the rocky outcropping. My mind supplied ample visions of misfortune for the poor fellow, to which my stubbornness gave offhanded replies that only left me feeling a little guiltier. His shoulders were bare, and it’s been so cold! Well, then he should have worn a cloak. The footing there is hazardous, what if he twists his ankle out there all alone? Then he shouldn’t have gone alone. I did warn him it was a dangerous place. If he got hurt or lost, it was his own fool fault! Especially for having taken the word of a woman he had just met, after all!

Still, I couldn’t help my thoughts wandering to him, even now as I set my targets and stared at the icy cold water of the small riverbed. I wished perhaps I hadn’t been quite so impulsive and brash. Surely there were other ways to rid myself of a pesky suitor, orc or otherwise. I could have simply told him the truth; that there was no way in hell I was getting married. That was not the path for me, nor had it ever even remotely interested me. I had never fawned over fairytales of true love, or imagined myself a Queen of anywhere. I didn’t want to be some polished princess set on a sparkling throne and no more useful than a flower painted on a wall. I didn’t want to be seen as a reward, or a trophy wife. And I certainly didn’t want to stay in one place for the rest of my life. It may have been a perfect and happy ideal for my brothers, but I had loftier goals for myself. 

I paused, thumbing the bowstring thoughtfully. I welcomed the change as my thoughts shifted to wondering how much longer I would have to wait for my own adventure to start. I had spent my life reading about them, or prying them from travelers and merchants. How did one start these things anyways? In the stories, there was always a catalyst. Something that came along to change the main character’s routine. I wondered what mine would be, or if I could in some way instigate it. Perhaps I needed to simply leave. Pack a saddle and go out into the world. I felt the itch of it in my palms, the biting urge in my legs. I imagined with glee the freedom of the open road, of wandering wherever I wished without the binds of my title weighing me down. Out in the world where no one knew nor cared who I was or where I had come from...

Grier had always said there was a natural magic to the world. When I was little, I used to get jealous of the way he could snap his fingers, mutter a word, and simply manipulate the world around him. I poured over the spell books that I managed to sneak out of the royal library, trying my hardest to understand why it worked for him and the other goblins but not for me. When my efforts had been discovered, when Niko had tried to explain to little twelve year old me that humans weren’t able to learn magic... I had been mad; mad at Niko. Mad at Grier. Mad at magic for refusing me, even though I wanted it so much and tried so hard. 

Then Grier had taken me to the side and in that soft way he was so good at, said something to me that stuck solidly in my mind even to this day. So much so that I could hear it now as clearly as if he were standing beside me speaking the words anew.

“Magic does not exist to be bent to our will.” He had told me, handing me a handkerchief to wipe at my tear stained cheeks. “It is not made to be commanded about; it has a will of its own.”

“But you command it!” I had argued.

He then shook his head. “I ask of it, and it accepts.” He had replied. “It is a partnership, an understanding… and goblins have been speaking with magic for many, many centuries.”

“.... So Niko was right? I’ll never be able to learn magic?” I had whispered sadly, swallowing back a fresh wave of tears.

He seemed to think about this for a moment, then shook his head again. “You may never hear it,” He admitted, “... Not in the way I do. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be able to hear you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Magic is all around us.” He explained. “It’s in the air we breathe, and in the stone at our feet… It is always listening.” His toothy grin had filled his face. “How else do you explain the rain starting just as you’re thinking things can’t get any worse? Or when you’re already having a bad day and you accidentally drop your dessert? Or when you spend hours looking for something just to find it in your pocket? Or what about when you bite into a pastry and it brings you back in time to when you used to bake with your brother?”

“...That’s magic?”

He nodded, still smiling. “Sometimes if you think or worry about something enough, magic will hear you. And who knows what it’ll do when it does.”

I was forcibly reminded of this fact when I heard the snap of a branch in the trees behind me. I spun gracefully on one foot, raising my bow and notching an arrow all in the same motion. So that by the time I was facing my would-be attacker, I already had the string drawn level to my ear.

I nearly let it loose in shock when my eyes fell upon the hulking yellowish-green figure standing before me.

Erramun scowled at me, his brow becoming more pronounced as he scrunched it together. Despite the cold, he still wore nothing but the pauldron on his shoulder and the furs about his hips. He was clutching one large hand at his side, and I noticed he was hunched over slightly. He was also filthy. Covered from head to boot with dirt and mud, and gods knew what else. The recognition must have hit him at the same time it hit me, because he shook his head.

“The gods certainly have a sense of humor,” He growled, “To put you back in my path.”

I hesitated, but felt the strong urge to keep the arrow notched. As I was suddenly reminded he was larger than me, and obviously quite cross. Though I was sure he had a good reason to be. My stomach twisted in knots as my hazel eyes darted over him, accessing every inch. Trying to decide how best to handle this particular situation.

“You are certainly the last person I expected to see as well.” I replied coolly. “... Did you find the flower then?” I added, as if it were no more than a casual comment about the weather.

The half-orc laughed, a booming sound that reverberated around the trunks of the trees surrounding us. “Some flower, eh? Magical and rare?” He replied, his scowl deepening. “I searched high and low for it. Then I go back to the castle-” He took a slow, almost menacing step forward, and I matched him for a wary step back “-and the staff tells me that the Princess left.” He cocked his head to the side, considering the tip of my arrow as I straightened a bit taller nervously. “You forgot to mention I had a deadline.”

“We left rather suddenly.” I told him, careful to keep my voice steady. “How did I know you would be back so soon?”

Honestly, I hadn’t expected him to come back at all! Being sent on a wild goose chase, only to return and find out the one person he had sought to impress had left for the winter. By the gods, how had he even managed to get this far? I glanced about, but he seemed to be alone. No one had guided him here. Were orcs so good at hunting that he had been able to track me like a dog, despite my trail being nearly a week cold? I highly doubted that, narrowing my eyes at him suspiciously. I doubted also that the palace staff would have told him where I had gone, especially to a stranger at court. So how had he managed to charm that out of them? What else was he hiding?

He shifted, considering me with an equal wariness. “... So the goblin Princess is here?”

I was very good at keeping emotions from my face, especially the ones I didn’t want anyone else to see. Human court was no place to let such things slip, and I was very practiced there. But I still nearly lost my composure at his words. My lips twitched, and I was much more aware of the distinct pull of the bowstring against my fingertips than I had been previously. I wasn’t sure which was more surprising; that he was still interested after all I had put him through, or that he still didn’t realize who he was talking to.

I chewed over my words for a long moment. “... And if she is?”

He growled from somewhere deep in his chest. I almost winced, but quickly realized the sound wasn’t menacing. It was… affirmative, almost.

“Then I want to meet her.” Emerald eyes fixed on the tip of my arrow again. “Will you put that toothpick down, girl?” He grumbled. “You said you would help me. And I think you owe me now.”

His words sparked a bit of fire in my belly. “Owe you?? Are you really that desperate?” I scoffed. “Are there no orc ladies for you to court back home? Why are you even still here?”

His expression shifted drastically at my sneering, and I drew in a deep breath at the way it made his whole face seem to change. He glanced down, as if burdened by something he could not find the words to describe. But I knew that look. I had seen that look on Val’s face. On Niko’s. That weight of a thousand weights… I swallowed hard, but felt a little of the tension leave the bowstring as my tight grip relaxed. When he looked back up at me, his previous scowl was gone. Replaced by something I wasn’t quite sure how to name. But it made me lower my bow the rest of the way. Who was this man?

“I am a stranger to these lands… I cannot do this alone, but it needs to be done.” He told me, his voice quieter than I had yet heard it, but determined. He sighed, almost in irritation. As if resigned to his fate. “... Will you help me?”

I looked over his shoulder, back towards the castle. I felt guilt and stubbornness in equal parts, fighting for position inside me. But I couldn’t. How was I supposed to help him, when I knew what he wanted? And knowing that what he wanted went against everything I had ever dreamed for myself? I could feel the looming trap of his intent like a heavy iron cage dangling over my head. Following my every move. Ready to drop at the slightest provocation and take away the last of my freedom for good. I had already let this go on for far too long. I couldn’t keep up the lie any longer, but felt the truth was far too heavy to speak. Best to just toss both out the window.

I shook my head, resolved. “No, I’m sorry, I can’t help you.” I replied, returning the arrow to the quiver at my back with one smooth motion and slinging my bow over my shoulders. “I’ve already made enough of a mess of things. Now, if you’ll pardon me-”

I went to collect my pack from the snowy ground and saw him open his mouth as he stepped forward to intercept me. Likely with some argument or further point for his case. But as he stepped forward, barely a yard away, he staggered, wincing heavily. I moved forward instinctually as he fell to one knee, and found my hand on the pauldron plating his shoulder before I had fully realized where I was. 

His big head pulled back, emerald eyes meeting mine. Barely a hair’s breadth between our faces. I had dropped to a crouch beside him, and after a long pause where I found myself trapped in his eyes… I pulled back my hand.

He growled quietly, glancing off to the side.

“Are you alright?” I asked tentatively.

He offered a grunt, shrugging one big shoulder. “I will be fine.”

The half-orc shifted his weight, nearly bumping into me as he moved to yank himself back to his feet clumsily. He got almost halfway there before he started staggering again. Once more, I jumped forward, forgoing my previous embarrassment and hesitation to shove my shoulder into his. Propping his larger body up with mine to the best of my ability.

“You certainly don’t seem fine.” I shot back. I saw his hand move from his side as he tried to find his balance, and my eyes went wide with shock to see his side gashed and bloody beneath. “You’re bleeding!”

It was his turn to scoff. “It’s barely a flesh wound.” He grumbled.

“Barely a flesh wound?” I echoed, shaking my head incredulously. “You can’t stand straight. I think we’ve passed the notion of ‘barely’.”

Erramun shrugged, shifting his weight and slowly easing himself back to his own feet. But I noticed him look me over again. I wondered what he was thinking as he did. Did he find me as annoying as I found him? Some errant fly he just couldn’t seem to get rid of? I shuffled my feet in the snow, casting my own attention over towards the castle. Then back at him. I realized now that some of that previously unidentified substance smeared across his filthy skin and furs was probably blood. I could smell it a little now that I was closer, the air had a tangy iron bite to it. It made my stomach twist a little more in guilt.

“... Where are you headed?”

He shrugged again, wincing as he did and his hand returning to clutch at his side. “I haven’t figured that part out yet.”

I groaned. He was an idiot. An absolute, bonafide dumbass. I was quickly realizing that I couldn’t in good conscience leave him again. But I couldn’t exactly bring a bloody and wounded orc through the front gates either. I didn’t imagine I would much enjoy the lecture I would get from Niko once the truth came out. My stomach twisted further with dread at the thought. My mind raced through the other options. Leaving him in the outer city? The stubborn ass would probably end up on my doorstep again. Send him away? I was surprised he had made it as far as he had already. I wasn’t sure he would make it to the road without help now. So what did that leave me with? I almost groaned again, but settled for a sigh as I made up my mind.

“How did you get here?” I asked him, collecting up my bag.

“Eh?” He blinked at me.

I sighed again, more heavily this time, and hoped it was the blood loss making him thicker than a brick wall. “How did you get here?” I repeated. “Did you ride?”

He nodded after a moment. “I have a horse.”

“Well, that’s how most people ride, yes.” I returned, shaking my head. “Come on. Let’s go.”

“You’ll introduce me to the Princess?” He asked, and I thought his voice sounded a few octaves higher with his suddenly piqued interest.

I resisted the urge to wince myself, clearing my throat and shouldering my pack. “I didn’t say that.” I followed him as he staggered back along his own trail in the snow. “But if I leave you out here, you’ll probably freeze to death or something. And I don’t want that on my conscience.”

He snorted, shaking his own head. “I would not die.”

I almost laughed at that. “Indeed. You seem far too stubborn for such a thing.”

We had emerged to a break in the tree line, not far from the road, and found a large horse waiting there with its back legs hobbled. The big white mare whinnied excitedly as we approached, tossing her head up and down to make her mane slap upon her neck. Erramun grinned as he neared, smacking her side fondly and using her for support to maintain his balance.

“Get on.” I ordered him, giving the mare a friendly pat myself. She turned her head, flicking her ears toward me with her nostrils flaring curiously.

Erramun considered me for a moment, still leaning heavily on the mare and smearing more than a little of his blood against her white hide. Perhaps contemplating the order, and the tone with which I had issued it. Watching as I removed her hobble. He raised one eyebrow and peeked about.

“Where are we going?”

“To the castle.” I tucked the hobbling rope into a pouch on her saddle, and took my own pack off to hook over the horn of it. “I’ll take you the back way.”

“Why?”

“To avoid attention. I don’t feel like explaining to the guard why I’m dragging a bleeding orc around the city.”

“Half-orc.” He corrected me, his voice light with his teasing edge.

“So you like to remind me.” I grumbled in response, watching as he carefully hauled himself haphazardly back into the mare’s saddle. “What’s the other half? Ass?”

He laughed, and I felt a slight stiffening to my spine as the sound bounced around us. “Human.” He assured me. “Like you.”

I took up the mare’s reins, patting her nose. She lipped at my fingers, and I tickled under her chin until she gave a pleased whuff.

“Who says I’m human?” I replied lightly, careful to keep my voice overly flat as if to add to the mystery of it.

He laughed again, though softer this time. More a petering chuckle that remained trapped behind his teeth. “You smell human.”

“Smell??”

Erramun nodded. “Orcs have a good sense of smell. Not like ma’iitso, and not so much when only half-orc… but I can tell you are human when you stand close.”

I ignored the shiver that went down my spine at the reminder of our previous proximity, swallowing as I began to lead the mare back through the trees. “Ma’iitso?” I echoed the unfamiliar term by way of distraction.

The half-orc rubbed at the back of his neck, making some strange sounds in his throat. “Eh… the big wild dogs. They hunt in packs.”

“You mean matsio.” I said, realizing what he meant. “Wolves, in Common.”

He didn’t answer for a long moment, and I could almost feel his eyes boring into the back of my skull. I ignored him to the best of my ability, leading the mare not to the main road, but to a small deer trail that ran along the outside wall. Luckily, the goblins depended pretty heavily upon their enchantments. I wouldn’t have to worry about being spotted as we approached the wall and followed along the smoother track I had picked out years ago. Guards did not frequent the turrets, and I knew we would not set off the magical triggers here. Once we got into the castle? That would be a different story...

UPDATE: Part Three HERE

[saebyeog-i]

a formal occasion | pcy (m)

“He could probably hear your muttering but not any specific words, so you waved your hands subtly in an attempt to reassure him that everything was fine, nothing unusual was happening, and your boyfriend definitely wasn’t talking about sex while seated in the third row pew of a church.”

genre | established relationship idolverse au, romance-ish?, softer than I intended this to be, half fluff/half smut, my attempt at humor, a mostly unedited one shot

warnings | uhhh inappropriate whispering during church, mentions of drinking and celebratory tequila shots, under the dinner table fingering does that count as exhibitionism, dirty talk on the dance floor, semi-public sex, I’m a slut for PCY in a suit (a soft, overly romantic and emotional slut, but a slut nonetheless).

word count | this is 6.66k because i’m going to hell

pairing | PCY x f!reader

—

“I wonder if they fucked in the last week,” he whispers in your ear, leaning over from his place next to you in the pew.

Your eyes bugged out, pupils the size of saucers as your brain caught up and processed. Did you hear him right? Did he actually just ask that? “Oh my god,” you muttered, not wanting to cause a scene or feed into his poorly timed query.

“The dress is really pretty, she looks good, though the white’s not really accurate given… you know,” he gestured his hands vaguely in front of him, low enough that only you could see. “Now that I think about it, I can’t even count the number of times he bailed on plans with me or the guys to go hang out with her in the last six months. But I guess now we know it wasn’t just hanging out as much as it was—”

“Chanyeol!” You hiss, eyes darting around to see if anyone heard him.

“What?” He jeers back in a hushed tone, “It’s not like it’s a secret— ow!”

Were this a conversation the two of you were having in private (namely, in your own apartment or bed), then maybe your reaction would be different other than you reaching under his suit coat and pinching the flesh of his oblique muscles harshly between your thumb and forefinger. But it wasn’t in private— you were in public, in a church no less, at Jongdae’s wedding.

“Shut. Up. Now,” you muttered lowly through gritted teeth. They were only on the first reading, so there was roughly another half hour before the ceremony would end, depending on how long each subsequent reading and the vows would take. Even if his mind was wandering somewhere slightly inappropriate, you were grateful that despite being a groomsman you were able to be seated next to your boyfriend for the duration of the ceremony. Chanyeol knew you well enough by now to know that you really didn’t like just being an accessory if you accompanied him somewhere specifically as his date. Maybe it was selfish, but truthfully it was more because you barely got to spend time with him as it was with his busy schedule, but you preferred when he could stay by your side like this.

You knew most of the boys’ partners, and you all got along well. Hell, it was even you and Jongae’s soon to be wife who had the idea for all of you to get together when the boys were on tour last and have a good ol’ fashioned ‘girls night’, whatever that meant. (Wine. It meant entirely too much wine and an hour of promising you were going to take turns cooking different snacking foods only to end up ordering delivery. Though instead of sappy romantic comedies, the lot of you watched some zombie apocalypse movies and a few comedy specials. All in all, a good night.)

Even though you’d been together for almost two years, you still felt slightly anxious any time you accompanied him to an event, public or private. Publicly, you were just among the throngs of ‘Guests of EXO’, usually not getting to spend any time close to him. Privately, however, you were able to be glued to his side— not that Chanyeol would have it any other way. You were more on the introverted side of the spectrum, and sometimes having such an extrovert for a boyfriend was downright exhausting. But he’d been so excited to bring you along to the wedding, saying that it was the first big happy life milestone for a member of the group, and he wanted you to be a part of it.

It didn’t take too long for him to convince you, either. Once it became clear how far their management would go to protect the details of the event and keep as much of it as private as possible, you felt more at ease about joining him. You had your fair share of qualms about the label, of which Chanyeol was well aware (let’s just say you didn’t have the tightest lips when you’d been drinking), but so far today was handled better than you’d expected.

“Seriously though—” he whispered, tilting his head towards you again.

“Zip. It. We are in a church,” you shot back, locking eyes with him. On his other side, you could see Junmyeon leaning slightly forward, eyebrows raised and giving you both a questioning look. He could probably hear your muttering but not any specific words, so you waved your hands subtly in an attempt to reassure him that everything was fine, nothing unusual was happening, and your boyfriend definitely wasn’t talking about sex while seated in the third row pew of a church.

Said boyfriend held his hands up defensively, shoulders shrugging as he muttered under his breath “I’m just saying what everyone else is thinking! Everyone knows you can still have sex while you’re earlier on in a pregnancy—”

“Yeol!”

⬷ ❤ ⤐

Miraculously, you made it through the remainder of the ceremony without any mishaps and Chanyeol keeping any additional commentary to himself. The reception was held at a lovely partially outdoor venue with a garden and a large white tent, with plenty of room for dancing socializing. The number of invited guests was more than you’d anticipated, but then again, you guessed that Jongdae was a popular guy. You were seated at the head table with the rest of the bridal party, nursing a vodka soda while you watched the bridesmaids and groomsmen give their speeches.

And then it was time for the first dance of the newlywed couple.

Of course there was live music at this event— why wouldn’t there be? When the groom was a member of the nation’s boy group, it would have been near criminal not to have some nod to his livelihood. Chanyeol had been beaming with pride when he and Baekhyun had been asked to perform for their first dance, insisting that it was always their first choice, and not just because Kyungsoo was only able to get off base the day of the ceremony for leave from his enlistment and wouldn’t be able to rehearse at all. He also definitely didn’t count this as ‘sweet retribution’ for the tiny grudge he definitely didn’t still hold over his sister and the fact that Yoora had asked Kyungsoo to sing at her wedding for her first dance instead of him.

Watching Chanyeol perform on stage with the rest of his members or for his subunit with Sehun was always a treat, but there was something markedly special about watching him perform like this: playing an instrument, this time an acoustic guitar, side by side with Baekhyun on a pair of barstools. They were playing some love song you recognized but didn’t know the words to, and Baekhyun’s voice was doing a beautiful justice to the song. Every now and again, Chanyeol would lean forward into the mic angled in front of him and harmonize. They’d only rehearsed this a handful of times, what with busy schedules and each of them working on preparations for comebacks soon, but it still sounded heavenly to you. You watched appreciatively, even taking a moment to look around at the guests to see a number of cell phones out to film them.

For a while, it was if Chanyeol was in his own world that was just him, Baekhyun, Jongdae, and his now wife. But as the song approached its end, his eyes fluttered open and his gaze drifted to where you sat. You’d seen him through a plethora of different hair styles and colors in the time you’d been together, and while you loved his natural black hair, a different part of you was fond of the bleached blond hair he was currently sporting for filming a comeback music video. You smiled shyly, looking down at your glass for a moment before back up at him, the alcohol and the long day swirling together to make you feel just a little bit warm. He was the self proclaimed romantic of the group, the one who cried the most, and the one who talked about his feelings the most. Despite his stature and his sometimes intimidating persona when on stage, he was no more ferocious than a teddy bear, and you loved him all the more for it.

By the time the song had finished and he and Baekhyun had made their own rounds with the guests who wanted to say hello, compliment their performance, or ask for the occasional photo, you’d gotten just a little bit sleepy. You were chatting with Jongin, asking how his recent tour and promotions were going,  and he was telling stories of their recent show in Paris and how it was very different from the last time he’d been when you felt a pressure on the top of your head.

“Can I help you? You’re going to ruin my hair.” You didn’t need any indication of who was leaning almost their entire bodyweight on top of you. He was getting restless, so of course he was getting clingy.

“Was I good? Tell me I was good. You liked it right? Gosh, I know I’m so talented and so handsome, you’re really lucky to have a boyfriend like me,” he went on and on, fishing for praise and you rolled your eyes, looking to Jongin for some kind of aid. He only laughed, holding up his phone to snap a photo before firing it off into some group chat or another. You made a mental note to file this moment away for reference if there ever came a future time when Jongin would make pleading eyes for you to come to his rescue as he had so kindly failed to do for you just now.

You whined as Chanyeol leaned further forward, going deadweight on top of you at your lack of response. “Yah! Too heavy, you’re gonna crush me!” Of course he started to laugh, and of course he relented finally, pulling out the chair next to you and settling down. He flipped over his phone which he’d left on the table and began scrolling through his unread notifications, left hand reaching over to rest on your knee but his focus staying on his screen, so you turned back to the others to continue polite conversation.

Chanyeol was a very physical person. He was very touchy feely. But he wasn’t exactly big on PDA, unless you were in trustworthy company. It was not unusual for him to keep a hand on your arm, your leg, your waist, even if his attention was focused elsewhere when you were in such company. It was a slightly possessive habit of his, but not one you minded all that much. It was comforting, really, a reminder that he was still right there.

You never really minded it all that much until, that is, you felt that slightly possessive hand snake its way under the skirt of your dress via the slit on your right leg and up your thigh. You were mid sentence answering a question from Yixing about your most recent vacation when you felt Chanyeol’s fingers making their way under the fabric of your underwear and drawing circles on your hip bone. That was all fine and dandy, until a moment later when you felt his hand reach further over towards your core and then the pad of his thumb rub two harsh circles over your clit in quick succession, causing you to inhale sharply at the sensation and choke on whatever unimportant words were coming out of your mouth at that moment. You were definitely more awake now than you were five minutes ago.

“Babe? You okay?” He had the audacity of asking you, feigned concern spread across his face.

You grimaced and nodded, inching your chair forward slightly so your lap was covered by more of the tablecloth. Chanyeol’s fingers retreated to your hip bone. “Mmm. Just uh, a cramp, that’s all,” you turned back to Yixing with a smile and finished your earlier sentence as your phone buzzed on the table in front of you.

Quickly, you pulled it into your lap to read the message.

찬열 20:04 I thought your period was last week?

You really never should have given him shared access to the health app data on your phone where you tracked your cycle. Seriously. But he had asked, insisted even, saying that he wanted to be aware so he couldn’t know when you needed a restock on tampons, or maybe when having some extra dark chocolate lying around the house would be appreciated.

20:06 It was, you’re just a monster and it was the first excuse I could think of.

찬열 20:07 But if you really didn’t like it, you’d tell me to stop, wouldn’t you?

You shot him a dirty look and had half a thought to step on his toes with the heel of your shoe under the table. As if he could read your mind and your intentions, he retaliated preemptively by slipping two fingers back under the fabric of your panties and between your folds. You bit down on the inside of your mouth, hard, unwilling to be caught by any of the people surrounding you.

But he was right. You didn’t really want him to stop. If you were being honest, you’d been just a little bit horny all day— something about everyone dressed up all dapper, specifically Chanyeol in a suit with his hair styled up on the top like it was now. You felt the slightest hesitation in the movements of Chanyeol’s hand, and you knew it was in slight surprise to the amount of moisture he found. Eyes still focused on his phone screen, his fingers found their way inside of you and curled as he gave two drawn out pumps, placing pressure right where you felt it the most.

찬열 20:11 You’re so wet… have you been thinking about this all night? Fuck, you’re dirty

20:12 Shut up shut up shut UP Just fucking do me or don’t or I swear to god, Yeol

찬열 20:13 Oh okay, I’ll stop

“No,” you hissed out, a hand grabbing his wrist and stopping him from removing his fingers from inside of you. If he was going to tease you this much, he was going to finish the damn job. Across the table from you, you saw Minseok raise his eyebrows curiously at you while sipping on his glass of red wine. Like Kyungsoo, he’d also only been able to take leave from his enlistment for a single night, and it would be the only night he’d get for months yet to come, but he’d even said there was no way he was going to miss this.

The conversation around you resumed, and you politely remained as engaged as you could while your boyfriend was knuckle deep inside of you. and nodding when appropriate. You sighed out and relaxed against the back of your chair, inching your hips forward and meeting his fingers on a thrust inward as Chanyeol quietly and lazily fucked you with his hand. He was mostly just teasing you, lightly stoking the flame in the pit of your belly, keeping your desire going but never satisfying it. It was like he was timing his movement, his slender and well trained fingers never paying enough attention to any one part of your center to actually put you over the edge.

You could feel the crown of your head becoming damp with sweat. God, was he really able to work you up this much in public? Did you have a thing for exhibitionism? Did he? You’d never spoken about that as a potential kink together, but maybe based on your body’s reaction to current events it warranted a conversation later—

“Shit,” you coughed out quietly after one particularly hard thrust of his fingers and a rub on your clit almost sent you spiraling. Did Minseok just snicker? No, no way, he was talking to Junmyeon and his date, he wasn’t paying attention to you and Chanyeol. Involuntarily your walls clenched around him and you leaned forward covering your mouth with your napkin, trying to hold in a moan as you tapped out another message.

20:26 Could you PLEASE stop edging me and either make me cum or get your hand out of my pants while the rest of your friends are five feet away?

찬열 20:29 Mmmm you know I was thinking about it But now that you say it like that, no. Maybe if you asked nicely.

20:30 Fuck you I said ‘please’

찬열 20:32 Is that a threat or a promise?

Before you could even muse a comeback let alone type one out, Chanyeol quickens his pace, and one, two, three brushes against your clit and you’re tumbling over the edge. It was by far not the strongest you’d ever orgasmed on Chanyeol’s hand, and honestly you were grateful— it made it possible for you to (you thought) remain calm, demurely raise your water glass to your lips, and take a long drink while your eyes fluttered closed and he worked you through the waves, like a slow undulation washing over your body in warmth.  

Were you not actively in the middle of dozens of people, you would have half expected him to bring his fingers to his mouth and suck the cum off of them. You fantasized briefly about him doing it anyways, pinching the top of your thigh to snap out of the post-orgasm daze and remind yourself of your surroundings. Calmly, he wiped his hands on the napkin in his lap before glancing your way with a smile plastered on his face and planting a tender kiss on your cheek.

“What was that for?” You asked, your voice breathier than you’d intended. Even if it wasn’t that strong, the high mixed with the alcohol had you dizzy, drunk on wine and his affection and you thought again how good he looked in that suit.

“Nothing,” he grinned even wider, “I just love you, that’s all.”

You let out a sharp laugh, flicking your eyebrows up critically as you began thinking of ways to get back at him later.

Junmyeon’s eyebrows furrowed as he called your name and asked, “Have you had enough to eat? You look a little flushed. Too much to drink maybe?” He offered hesitantly, ever the one to be caring and concerned.

Minseok rolled his eyes and snorted. “Sure, that’s all she’s had tonight.”

“What?” The leader asked, not quite catching on.

“Ah Myeonnie, I’ll tell you when you’re older,” Minseok mused, leaning back into his chair with a cheshire grin as he drank from his glass some more.

You were, of course, nothing short of mortified.

⬷ ❤ ⤐

The following hours passed and slowly, guests began drifting away, and the crowd reduced down to only a few dozen attendees as the clock neared midnight. You had finally gotten to see Jongdae and his now-wife and congratulate them on their marriage, and on the beautiful ceremony and how much fun the party was. You’d lost count of the number of drinks you’d had, and Chanyeol had stopped his intake an hour or so ago in order to sober up and drive home, only remembering that somewhere before that Yixing had convinced everyone to do two rounds of tequila shots together. One because they were all together again for the first time in ages as he lamented that only Jongdae could reunite the family, and two when he realized that the bride was unable to join in the celebration. “We all have to drink for her because she can’t!” He’d jeered to the group, immediately waving for one of the bartenders to supply the second round. You’d giggled at his antics, but no one objected as the glasses were refilled and lime wedges passed around again.

The music had switched to a DJ at this point, and after a long stretch of high energy popular dance songs to which you heard the drunken clamor of main vocalists croon humorously off-key to, the last few had been softer, quieter slow songs. You’d finally relented and taken your shoes off, feet aching after the last several hours, and were currently swaying side to side in a lazy slow dance with your arms draped around Chanyeol’s shoulders, face halfway buried in his chest. To avoid the chances of him accidentally stepping on your bare toes, you were balancing with the bridges of your feet over his dress shoes. You’d done this a few times before, always feeling a little shy about it, worrying that you were too heavy. And yet, every time, he’d insist that no, it was fine, with a kiss on your lips or your cheek or the corner of your eye. He rather liked you relying on him like this.

It was so rare that you got to spend an entire day with him like this, surrounded by friends and chosen family. Despite how anxious you’d been earlier about this day, you felt yourself falling more in love with him as you looked into each other’s eyes. Usually a comfortable silence would be appreciated, but there was a glint in his gaze and you were compelled to ask him what he was thinking about.

“Just thinking,” he murmured into your ear, “Of when it might be our turn.”

The way your hands suddenly tightened around his was something you couldn’t help. “Cut it out, seriously Yeol. Stop teasing me, I thought you’d have had your fill with earlier,” You had to look away, pressing your forehead into his chest shyly as you thought of how you’d quietly excused yourself to go to the restroom and clean yourself up from his ‘handiwork’ under the table.

“You know I can never have enough of you,” he murmured in earnest. “I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off of you, you know.” Your ears burned at the whispers. “Really though— pregnant with my child or not, if someone told me I had to go a whole week without feeling your sweet cunt, I don’t think I could do it.”

You clenched your thighs together, the ache from earlier returning full force.

“You’ve done it before, you could do it again. What are you, some kinda sex addict all of a sudden?” you mused, thinking back to the times he went on tour and you were left settling for breathy moans through phone calls at odd hours due to time differences and insane schedules. The heat inside you began building again, thinking of the frantic reunions that always followed those long stretches without one another.

Chanyeol’s laugh was lodged deep in his chest, and you felt the vibrations as you kept yourself pressed against him. “The less of that the better. Being inside you feels too good to willingly deprive myself of that.”

Your cheeks flushed once more. What was up with him today and the sex talk in public? This time wasn’t so bad, considering between the music and the distance from the people still gathered your conversation felt somewhat private—at least, more private than when you were seated in church pews. Clearly he was horny given this evening’s earlier events, but you didn’t think it was this much.

You continued to sway together in relative silence while Chanyeol began to hum absentmindedly to the song playing, one you recognized as the group’s own. And then you had a thought, and you were feeling bold, and so you gave the thought life and leaned forward to whisper in his ear.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you had a thing for weddings and formal events.”

His grip on your waist tightened.

“I’d think maybe, you get off on dressing up all nice, the whole wine and dine, everyone seeing you look so good,” you paused, mulling over the next thought briefly before continuing, “Though we already know you get off on the attention. That must be why every time you come home from performing you can’t wait to slam my back to the mattress and fuck me into next week, huh?” You teased, rocking your hips forward just enough to press against the front of his dress pants.

In doing so, you weren’t disappointed. Your thought was, more or less, correct. You rocked your hips forward subtly once more, relishing in the feeling of his growing hard on against you. “You just can’t stop thinking about pulling me into the nearest closet or bathroom and getting balls deep in me, can you?” This, you thought as your boldness grew, was payback for earlier.

He pushed away from you suddenly, and you backed off of his feet, stumbling. You were about to apologize, thinking you’d gone too far, when he wrapped his hand around your wrist and growled lowly, “We’re leaving. Now.”

You pulled your lips between you teeth in an attempt to stifle the giggles that threatened to erupt through you as you trailed along after him, retrieving your coats and bags from the chairs at the table as he quickly said goodbyes and gave handshakes and half-hearted hugs to anyone he deemed important enough in those two minutes. You grabbed your heels and quickly slipped them back on, not bothering to buckle them as you did you best to keep up with Chanyeol’s long legs whisking you towards the parking lot of the venue.

“I can’t believe you got me hard in the middle of the dance floor,” he said, voice hushed and gravely.

“I can’t believe you fingered me under the table,” you retorted, watching as he fumbled through his pocket with his free hand and retrieved his car keys.

“I still can’t believe you let me,” he laughed in response, clicking twice and listening for where his vehicle was parked. At the sound of the beep, his eyes widened and he began outright running, and you whined at the feeling in your feet as you somehow managed to keep up with him. “God it was so hot, you did so good baby,” he cooed as the two of you reached his car. He released your wrist only to pull you close to him and cup your cheeks in his palms and place a searing needy kiss against you, which you happily returned. “Please,” he whined as he pulled away, “It’s not a bathroom or a closet but please will you please let me fuck you in the back of my car? I don’t wanna wait til we get home.”

You couldn’t even bother keeping up with idea of teasing him because seeing him so hot and bothered in that suit had you feeling needy and willing for anything. You nodded enthusiastically and he sighed in relief, opening the door to the backseat and a hand flying to the zipper of your dress and tugging it down in one go before pushing you inside.

Usually, you made fun of the deeply tinted windows when you rode in his car with him, asking him if he could even see out the windows to drive. Now, however, you were silently grateful for them, because there was no way in which you could fathom waiting until the two of you got home.

Your heels dropped off to the floor of the back seat. His suit coat was thrown tersely over the head rest of the driver’s side. The straps of your dress fell down your arms, and he trailed kisses from your neck to your  collar bone to the space between your breasts, hands snaking around to your back and nimbly undoing the clasps on your bra. You reached for his slacks, undoing the belt and buttons and yanking them down less tenderly than he had your dress— maybe that was because you knew he had plenty of pairs, and he knew this dress had been a more expensive splurge for you.  His hands gently bunched the fabric of your skirt upward as you raised your hips, pulling the garment off over your torso and attempting to throw it carefully towards the back of the car. You began undoing the buttons on his collared shirt from the bottom and when your hands met in the middle after he’d started at the top, he grabbed hold of them to pull you forward in a another kiss, holding you so tight you would have thought your lungs were the only source of his air.

“Ow! Shit shit shit,” he cried suddenly, having raised his head up too quickly to finish ridding himself of clothes and slamming it against a fixture on the ceiling.

You couldn’t help the laugh you let out. “You okay? We can just go home if it’s too cramped— oh,” your words were cut off with a moan as his fingers found their way back into your center, and you had your answer. The cramped space didn’t matter, the throbbing on the top of his head didn’t matter, the only that that did matter was you and him and how he made you feel.

He caged himself over you, curving his back to dip his head down to reach your neck to bite gently at your skin and leave faint marks in his wake while his fingers continued to work at your clit. You raked your nails down his skin, head falling back and eyes rolling with it as he pushed you higher and higher. “Stop, stop stop— any more and I’ll cum, I wanna cum with you, please,” you begged, forcing your eyes open and taking his hand in yours to remove him from you.

Chanyeol looked to the side of a moment before sighing in defeat. “No condom,” he said sullenly, lips forming an adorably disappointed pout, “We ran out of the extra stash last month, forgot to replace it.”

You thought for a minute, heavy panting filling the silence in the close confines of the car. “Well, I was going to wait for an anniversary or a special occasion to tell you, but… I changed my birth control last month,” you admitted, your unoccupied hand trailing up his abdomen to his chest, “And instead of a pill that I could forget to take, I now have an implant that’s always there, so…” you trailed off, looking up at him and batting your eyelashes in your best attempt at seduction.

Chanyeol let out a deep and guttural groan. “Fuck, fuck please baby does that mean what I think it means?”

There was something about seeing your big strong boyfriend reduced to a whining for you that redoubled your confidence and gave you the willpower to take his hand, still covered in your wetness from just a moment ago, and take his fingers into your mouth and suck them clean. His Adams apple bobbed as he swallowed harshly, eyes watching your lips the whole time.

“It means,” you said lowly after removing his fingers from your mouth with a pop, “That I want you to lay back and let me ride you until you cum inside me.”

Your boyfriend let out a shaky breath, gaping at your bold words and actions. “Fucking hell, I was just gonna say let me eat you out and I’d settle for a hand job but oh my god this is so much better,” his mouth was on yours as he pulled you close again, and you smiled into the kiss as you felt his dick twitch against your thigh.

It wasn’t the first time you’d forgone a condom with Chanyeol, but it wasn’t a frequent occurrence. The only other time you could remember off the top of your head was when he was away on tour, and your work had miraculously sent you on an overseas business trip that landed the two of you in the same city for a night. Between being a few hundred miles from home and the shared need for one another, you both ended up saying you’d just deal with the morning after pill tomorrow.

But none of that was of concern now. Now, you straddled his thighs and pushed him back, taking control of the moment. You kissed him again, slower than before, mapping the insides of his mouth with your tongue. “Ready?” You asked, circling your hips over him, cupping his face in your hands like it was the most precious thing in the world.

“God I love you,” he whispered back, stroking his hands down your sides. Slowly, with as much patience as you could muster, you lowered yourself on to him and felt your neck go limp as you adjusted to the size inside of you, a heady groan finding its way out of you. “Oh my god,” he croaked, bringing his hand to his mouth to bite on his thumb from the overwhelming sense of pleasure he felt. You hated that the thought crossed your mind, but you really could feel him so much more like this. As you purposefully clenched your walls around him once, you wondered if he felt the same. The string of curses that left his mouth answered your question.

“Good?” You asked with mirth, and he nodded feverishly, hands returning to your hips and pulling you forward. You swatted him playfully in response. “Hey, my turn on top, I set the pace,” you teased. It wasn’t often that you were courageous enough to take charge, so you wanted to relish in it as much as you could.

He laughed and pulled his hands back, holding them up defensively. “Your wish is my command, do your worst.”

You laughed out a single breath. ‘Challenge accepted.’ Fully adjusted to his size now, you rolled your hips forward slowly and snapped them back again.

The teasing comments and banter quickly subsided, replaced with only soft exhales and the sound of skin against skin. You could feel your thighs growing tired as you continued to raise and lower yourself on him, trying to stay active and make it as pleasurable for both of you as you could. But it had been a long day, and you were still tipsy, and you almost just wanted to make him come and get it over with so you could go home and fall asleep together.

Almost.

As if he could read your mind, Chanyeol’s open pouting lips curled up into a smile and and thrust up into you, meeting your hips on a movement down that had both of you gasping as the coil of heat in your belly began to bloom. You began rocking back and forth as he laid back more, the new angle reaching deeper and making you see stars.

“M’close, m’so close Yeol,” you moaned out softly. His right hand went down between you and began rubbing on your clit once more, while his other hand clasped yours, threading your fingers together. You held on for dear life, like he was the only thing that could anchor you to this plane of existence.

There was something so strangely intimate about the simple act of holding hands while fucking the love of your life that notched you just high enough to go spiraling over the edge into your orgasm. It washed over you in waves, and Chanyeol kept thrusting up under you, working you through the aftershocks until he came himself, a low throaty groan coming through his lips as you felt his cum paint your walls and his hand finally fell away from your core. You whined at the feeling, collapsing on top of him as a shudder ran down your spine, every inch of your skin overly sensitive like a livewire.

He kept one hand intertwined with yours and took his free one to brush his thumb across your cheek and tuck the stray hairs that had fallen out of place behind your ear. So gentle, so tender, but when you sat up again to plant a kiss at the corner of his mouth, you saw the mischievous glint in his eyes that meant he had something to say. You raised an eyebrow at him, waiting as you continued to try and reclaim steady breathing.

“Is this gonna be an all the time thing now? Because I’m not gonna lie, I might just bust a nut again right now if you tell me this is gonna be an all the time thing.” Even in the moments after sex, he still managed to have entirely too much energy and could talk your ear off. Nothing about the every day moments was ever too serious with Chanyeol. Somehow, there was always a sense of playfulness

You shushed him with another kiss on his lips and laughed. “Don’t nut again but yeah, I guess this can be an all the time thing now.” You knew he was kidding because he wasn’t even hard again inside you. Yet.

“Ahh! Ahh!” Chanyeol began letting out faked moans and fucked his hips up and into you, throwing his head back dramatically and pretending to come once more.

You couldn’t help but snort. “You’re such a dork.”

“Yeah but I’m your dork,” he replied, his finger tapping the tip of your nose playfully.

You pulled your face away, trying to think up some snarky remark to give him shit, and instead could only smile and let out a small laugh under your breath. His palms gently pressed to your lower back, holding you to him as if you’d disappear the moment he let go. Your hands returned to his face, thumbs brushing across his cheeks once more as you leaned in and kissed him again, slower and deeper than before. Everything you’d been through together, every secret meeting and fear of exposure and invasion of privacy, often times it felt like it might be too much— until you had moments with him like this, relishing in the feeling of connectedness and warmth and him.

After a short while of your head pressed to his chest and his hands gently stroking your back, you felt him begin to shift under you and pull out. You whined at the loss of him filling you and the skin to skin contact you craved, thinking for a heartbeat that you could just stay like this with him all night. He laughed softly, laying tender kisses all over as he mumbled apologies for needing to move, something about the side door of the car not being the most comfortable thing to have pressed against his back. He reached into a seat back pocket and fished out some stray napkins, using them to clean up the cum that spilled from you when you shifted off of his lap.

As the two of you redressed lazily and only enough to feign a sense of public decency and you crawled your way into the front passenger seat, you let out a yawn.

“Mmm see? Now we can go home and cuddle in bed,” he teased, ambling his way into the driver’s seat and buckling up as he pressed the ignition on the vehicle. Soft music filtered through the speakers, demos of his own work that he only let you listen to while they were still rough, and you felt overwhelmingly at ease with him.

With your head resting on your hand as you stared out the window at the Seoul city skyline, you felt a sense of calm settling over you, daydreaming of the softness of your shared bed that was waiting for you to collapse into it as soon as you got home. You could see from your peripheral Chanyeol’s gaze flicking over to you and then back to the road ahead as he came to a stop at a red light. “Hmm?” you mumbled, wondering if something was wrong for a moment as you shifted your gaze over to him.

“Okay, but seriously, how many times do you think they had sex today?”

“Chanyeol!”

—

author’s note | sksksksks oh my god this was so bad I am so sorry I just could NOT let go of this idea please don’t hate me I drank an entire bottle of soju and watched a supercut of the EXO section of the 2019 SM Town concert in Japan when OT6 performed in those fucking suits and then I wrote the first draft of this, sue me. Yeol really is just a big puppy that can’t let go of a question or an idea once it crosses his mind. my smut is always gonna be this kind of soft unless I’m feeling extra angsty just so you know

[radishaur]

can i request some zuko angst? just whatever you want really, you're amazing!

I hope this satisfies your need for angst! I was struck with inspiration at like 2 AM so I apologize if this doesn’t make any sense. I never edit anything and I don’t intent to start so early in the morning lol.

•••

Unrequited (Zuko x Reader)

Warnings: Implied NSFW (like minimally)

Genre: Angst

Part: 1/1

Summary: See request

•••

When you’re younger, people feed you lies. Most of them all small and harmless. They’re to keep you safe and healthy. Don’t go swimming alone or the Unagi will eat you. If you don’t eat your vegetables, the spirts will be angry with you. Don’t talk to strangers or you might get cursed. All tiny fibs to convince you of things you otherwise wouldn’t comply to.

What you don’t find out until later on in life is that they also tell you bigger lies. The biggest of all being about love.

They tell you countless stories about love. Forbidden lovers, princes and princesses, happy old couples, etc. The main similarity is that they all end in a happily ever after. They both fall in love and life is great.

My mother used to tell me I would grow up and find a man to have my own love story with. I think that was the biggest lie of all.

When Fire Lord Zuko turned 25, the council instructed him that he needed to find a bride. Him and Mai were no longer together by then, so the duty somehow became mine. I protested, but my mother and father didn’t listen. They practically sold me off to him like a piece of furniture. That was essentially what I would be after all.

I found myself slowly falling for Zuko as time progressed. Each passing day, my crush began to grow. By the time we were officially married I was helplessly in love with him.

Zuko had always been kind to me. We had become close friends in the time leading up to our ceremony. It never seemed to bother him that he wasn’t marrying for love; it was just what he had to do for his country. But that was the problem you see.

I knew he was still in love with Mai.

I had often caught him reading letters that the two had written each other or staring at photos of the two of them. He would bring her up during our conversation and I could just see by the look in his eyes when he talked about her that he was hopelessly head over heels for her. It was enough to rip my heart out.

We slept in the same bed, but we stayed confined to our own sides. We hung out occasionally and went on some outings to please the public, but it never crossed into the romantic area.

Two years into our marriage, I found out I was pregnant. The advisors has been pressuring us for a child and we knew we had to deliver. It was awkward and empty and heartbreaking, but we did it. Only once. I cried in the bathroom when it was over.

Having to be with someone who didn’t love you back was hard enough, but it was even harder when you were desperately in love with them.

Our child was born a healthy and happy girl. We named her Izumi. It was a beautiful name, but I knew why she was named that. It was a tribute to a moment he had shared with Mai. It was like she haunted every instance of our relationship.

Izumi quickly became the sole focus of my life. I spent every waking moment with her and vowed to myself never to lie to her. I wasn’t going to fill her head with white lies and bullshit. I was going to raise her right without the lies. And most importantly I would make sure she could marry for love.

Today was the day I was going to have the discussion with Zuko. I was going to make him promise me this one thing.

I put Izumi to sleep before knocking quietly on the door to our shared room. It was a formality that, although not necessary, we both indulged in. I entered when I heard him respond.

I walked in and saw him pouring over the desk in our room, focusing on whatever documents had arrived for him that day. He smiled at me briefly before returning back to his work.

I sighed and walked over to the desk hesitantly, my nerves beginning to kick in. I waited for him to look up at me. When he finally did, I fidgeted with my dress before speaking.

“I was hoping I could talk with you about something,” I said, finally meeting his gaze.

He set his pen down and turned to face me. He gave me his undivided attention and it made my heart break a little more. It was one of the things I also loved about him and it only made things more painful.

“Of course,” he said, motioning for me to sit in the chair nearby.

I brought it closer and sat down nervously. I took a deep breath, thinking of the best way to start the conversation.

“It’s about Izumi,” I began.

“Is she alright? Did something happen?” he asked worriedly.

He loved that girl more than life itself. It was just another thing that made me hopelessly adore him. I shook my head.

“No, she’s ok. It’s just...I want to talk about her future,” I said hesitantly.

“Her future?” he asked in confusion, tilting his head slightly.

“I know I don’t need to explain how much we both love her. She’s both of our entire world’s,” I began, causing him to smile as he thought about her, “So I know that we both want her to be happy in life. More than anything else.”

“Without a doubt. There’s nothing more I want for her,” he replied without hesitation.

I smiled softly at his undying affection for her. I took another deep breath before meeting his eyes.

“I want her to marry for love, not responsibility. No arrangements for politics or any other stupid reason,” I said finally.

Zuko looked a little surprised but it didn’t take him long to respond.

“Isn’t it a little early to be thinking of marriage? She’s only a year old,” he brought up.

“I know that. But I want to raise her with the knowledge that she has the freedom to choose. I don’t to lie to her,” I responded quickly.

Zuko frowned slightly, clearly not understanding the last part of my point.

“I don’t want to raise her telling her she’s free to choose and then force her into a marriage she doesn’t want when she comes of age. And I don’t want to raise her with the knowledge that she’s going to be married off against her will either. I want her to marry someone because she loves them,” I explained, a sad smile on my face before adding, “And because he loves her back.”

Zuko’s face softened into one of partial understanding. He was well aware of the feelings I had towards my parents about them forcing me to marry him at first. I had expressed to him my frustrations and he had understood completely.

But, he also didn’t understand that the second half of my statement was referring to him. He had no idea I was in love with him and I intended to keep it that way.

“Of course. I wouldn’t want anything less for my little angel,” he assured me.

“Can you promise me?” I asked seriously.

“I promise,” he replied.

I smiled, satisfied with his answer. I got up from my chair and he returned to his work. I went into our shared bathroom to take a relaxing bubble bath before bed. By the time I got out, the moon was shining high in the sky. The room was illuminated now by a few candles and I saw Zuko still working away at his desk.

I was already in my pajamas, so I simply got into bed. I had just gotten myself situated when I heard Zuko move. I turned to look at him and found him already looking at me.

“Uh, Y/N,” he said hesitantly.

I propped myself up and gave him my full attention, encouraging him to continue. He turned to face me in his seat with a perplexed look on his face.

“Why did you decided to bring that up?” he asked.

I hesitated. I looked off to the side while trying desperately to think of something to say. I mean, to his credit it was pretty random. Izumi was only 1 years old and it was definitely too early to be thinking about marriage for her. I bit my lip.

“I don’t know,” I lied, turning back to face him.

“I know you well enough to know you’re lying. Come on, we’re friends. You know you can tell me anything,” he pried.

Friends.

The word was like a knife to the chest. I sighed before falling into the bed on my back. I tried my best to think of anything to say in response to him that wasn’t the truth, but there was nothing. I resigned myself to just coming out and saying it.

“Because I know what it feels like to marry someone who doesn’t love you back,” I whispered.

The room had never been so quiet. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. I smiled sadly, still refusing to look at him.

“You...,” he began, but his voice trailed off quickly.

“Yeah.”

The discussion ended there and I simply turned on my side to go to sleep. I fought back my tears as I heard him turn back to his work. It took a long time after that night for things to go back to normal. Zuko avoided me just as much as I avoided him. After a few painful months, we finally returned back to some kind of normalcy.

Watching Izumi marry the love of her life was both a blessing and a curse. I was unbelievably happy that I was watching my daughter live the life I had always wanted. But another, admittedly smaller, part of me was deeply saddened.

Maybe love wasn’t a lie for everyone. Happily ever afters do exist. Just not for me.

[foularcadebanana]

Some things are never meant to change

The Day 12 Prompt for the Untamed Fall Fest 2020 is ‘Change’.

Summary: Jin Ling walks through the corridors of Koi Tower, missing the various people in his family. His jiujiu (and his clarity bell) is there for him.

Jin Ling roamed around the corridors of Koi Tower, distant memories of his childhood flashing before his eyes. These were the corridors where the maids assigned to Jin Ling used to run behind him when he had been just a child. He walked through another corridor where Qin Su had sat him on her lap and told him that she was pregnant, that her and Xiao-shushu were expecting a baby. This had meant that Jin Ling would become a big brother, she had told him.

A third corridor had been where Xiao-shushu had told Jin Ling about the importance of diplomacy in politics. He had been older, then. The event had been more recent, about three years ago. It had almost been as though his xiao-shushu had sensed that he would not be in the world for much longer and had decided to impart a bit of his knowledge and wisdom onto Jin Ling.

Tears slowly began to fall from his eyes. Was it wrong of him to miss the man who had betrayed everyone, including Jin Ling. To wish that the man who had been the true reason behind his parents’ death, wasn’t dead? He hoped that his parents wouldn’t hate him for it.

As Jin Ling entered his room, he looked at all of the items kept there. The gifts he had received from people he hadn’t even known for his birthdays, the bracelet from Qin Su, he really missed her sometimes, his father’s sword, his mother’s protective charm that he tied to his waistband whenever he went out on night hunts, and Wei Wuxian’s talisman that he had given to Jin Ling to use whenever the need for it arose. Jin Ling snorted to himself, as if he would ever need to use that.

Overwhelmed by emotions of all that he had lost and found in the span of just a few months, or maybe his whole sixteen years of life. He sat down on his bed and squeezed his eyes shut, letting tears stream out faster. His eyes opened though when he heard the familiar sounds of his clarity bell.

It was tied around the waist of his Jin robes, and it had rung out loud when Jin Ling had heavily sat down. Jin Ling always had it on him. He kept it closest to him, wherever he could reach it first. Sometimes, Jin Ling even held in tightly clenched in his fist when he fell asleep. It drove his nightmares away. Jin Ling had begun sleeping with it more often, almost every night, since the Guanyin Temple incident.

Swallowing the bile rising up his throat, Jin Ling wiped his tears roughly with the sleeves of his robes. Breathing unevenly, he untied the clarity bell from his waist and held it in his hands. Inscribed on the bell in beautiful calligraphy that he knew to be his jiujiu’s writing, were the words: To the one I love most, my nephew, my son, Jin Ling. Never forget that there is always someone who loves you unconditionally and is always there for you. From, your Jiujiu.

His jiujiu had gifted it to him during what was supposed to have been Jin Ling’s one-month ceremony. It took a long time to make clarity bells and even longer to have them custom made, but Jiujiu had been planning for that particular gift since he had found out Jin Ling’s mother had been pregnant.

At first, the bell had only contained the inscription of his name, but after Jin Ling had lost both of his parents, Jiujiu had inscribed the rest of the words onto the bell. He had changed them slowly as the years had passed, adding more words to it, and as a result, more meaning into the important of the clarity bell for Jin Ling.

Jin Ling remembered Jiujiu telling him the story of how Jiang Yanli had been carrying Jin Ling in her arms when Jiujiu had gently kept the edge of the bell in Jin Ling’s tiny hands. Jin Ling had immediately grasped the bell with both of his hands and hadn’t let go. Just like he held it in both of his hands right now and refused to let go.

When he woke up from his nightmares, with his heart pounding and the shadows cast in the darkness of his room scaring him, during those times, he clutched tightly onto his clarity bell, wishing for his Jiujiu to be present so he could hold onto him as his fear of the nightmares slowly passed.

He wished to hear soft and familiar reassurances from his jiujiu, and words to songs Jin Ling had been listening to from his childhood. He wanted those strong adult arms to hold him, those soft and long fingers to caress his hair. He wanted to feel safe and secure and at home. But instead all around him, he felt the presence of strangers and an indescribable unfamiliarity.

Jin Ling wished to go back to Yunmeng, but he knew that was impossible to do now. He was a sect leader and the Jin sect was in the midst of an inevitable collapse. Jin Ling had to act like an adult and be responsible and mature, like the adults in his life had taught him to be.

He didn’t move from his bed, still clutching onto his clarity bell, the inscription blurred in his vision due to the tears welling up in his eyes.

“I wish you were here right now, Jiujiu. I need you so much.” Tears rolled down his cheeks again. He felt ashamed of how weak he was. How could he possibly hope to become a strong sect leader like this?

The door to his room opened, with a quick knock beforehand. Jin Ling shot up from his bed, startled. He was about to wipe his tears again, but he didn’t need to. Inside his room stepped his jiujiu, looking around with mild interest.

“So, this is your room now, Jin Ling? It isn’t too bad, for a Sect Leader’s. Still, I think you might prefer the one you have back in Yunmeng. I hope you don’t mind me barging into your room. One of the disciples told me you were here, and I was just around the area for…work reasons. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to check up on you.” Jiujiu stopped speaking as he finally took a look at Jin Ling’s face.

Jin Ling trembled where he stood. “A-Ling? What—” Jiujiu seemed alarmed as he glanced at him.

“Jiujiu!” Jin Ling ran, throwing himself at his jiujiu, with his arms around his jiujiu’s neck.

“A-Ling— oomph!” Jiujiu staggered back a little as he was hit by the full weight of his nephew. He hugged his nephew back and lowly whispered in Jin Ling’s ear, “Who hurt you?”

Jin Ling hugged his jiujiu closer to himself and cried harder. “I missed you.”

“Jin Ling,” Jiujiu’s voice cracked dangerously as he spoke. “Tell me who did this to you. Who—”

“Nobody,” Jin Ling tried to convince him. He didn’t know how Jiujiu did it, how he knew and just appeared whenever Jin Ling needed him, even for the smallest of things. But Jiujiu did. He always had Jin Ling’s back, and Jin Ling hoped his jiujiu knew that Jin Ling would always have his back too.

Jiujiu pulled away slightly and wiped away Jin Ling’s tears with his thumbs as he snorted, similar to the way Jin Ling had earlier. “Clearly.”

Jin Ling looked down, reflexively holding onto Jiujiu’s sleeves as he stopped wiping Jin Ling’s tears and cupped his cheeks. “I need names, A-Ling,” Jiujiu said with fire alight in his eyes.

“I just missed them,” Jin Ling responded quietly, and he felt his jiujiu tensing up. “Qin Su and Xiao-shushu and my parents.”

“Oh, A-Ling,” Jiujiu said, holding Jin Ling close to his chest. Jin Ling let go of his jiujiu’s sleeves and gripped onto the back of his robes instead. He still held his clarity bell in one hand. “I miss them too, you know.”

“You do?” Jin Ling asked, blinking into Jiujiu’s chest. The purple robes were a soothing sight for his sore eyes, and the familiar smell of Jiujiu helped to slowly relax him to his core.

“Of course, I do. I miss your mother every single moment of every single day.” Jin Ling let out a breath at that. “What are you holding in your hand?” Jiujiu suddenly asked, and Jin Ling froze. Jiujiu sat them on the bed and loosened his arm around Jin Ling as he used it to bring of Jin Ling’s hand in between them.

The one Jin Ling was holding his clarity bell in. “It’s my clarity bell,” Jin Ling said, softly. Jin Ling watched as his jiujiu stared at the inscription on the bell.

Jiujiu took the clarity bell from him and slowly rubbed a thumb over the inscription. “I meant every word,” he said, “and I still do.”

Jin Ling knew that. Just like Jin Ling knew that no matter where he was, how old he turned, or who he became, his jiujiu would always be there for him whenever he needed him. And if for some reason he couldn’t be there, then Jin Ling would always have the clarity bell his jiujiu had given him, and the words written on it to reassure him and remind him of his jiujiu.

After all, his jiujiu was like his dad to him, too, and he trusted him and loved him unconditionally, too. That was something that would never change.

READ ON AO3

[apenapaperandadoofus]

For the wedding hcs could you plz do Jumin x V ✨✨✨👀

Hohoho don’t mind if I do

Jumin x V wedding hcs:

where they get married:

-Pribably somewhere e super fancy, like Greece or Italy, it can’t be in Korea tho :( but they will fly out everyone in the RFA and maybe Jumin’s father!

when they get married ( ie what time of day, what month and season etc. ):

-Porbably during autumn. They get married at the time around sunset, to then have the party at night! They get either married on September or at the beginning of October

what traditions they include ( do they get married under a chuppah and crush a glass, garter toss, ‘something borrowed, something blue,’ etc. )

- (I found so many things about Korean traditions omg.) So since Jumin is a very traditional man, he will do every single Korean tradition lol. I’m talking about presenting a goose (that’s adorable), both grooms wear blue, the wine ceremony where they share a glass of wine, and many more!

what their wedding cake looks like:

-ohh it would be either blue or white. It’d be a super big cake, decorated super fancy and maybe with 2 or 3 (floors? What are those things called?)

….who smashes cake into whose face:

- V, V, V ,V, V lmaooo, he wouldn’t smash the cake in Jumin’s face, but he’d make it so that he has a bit of the cake in his nose of cheek lol

who proposed to who first:

-Jumin proposed to V during a supposed business trip. They were at this super fancy resort and Jumin got down on one knee, asking V to be forever by his side, and V said yes

who walks down the aisle and who waits at the altar ( or neither ):

-I don’t think any of them would walk down the aisle tbh, but if someone were to do it it’d be V (accompanied by you of course )

what their wedding dresses / suits / other look like

-They both wear blue suits. V has a lighter one, and Jumin a darker suit.

what their wedding colour scheme is and what sort of decor they have

-ihhh fhis one was hard. Probably a really light color scheme, like maybe very light turquoise or just white. They would have plenty of pictures that V took, and that are Jumin’s favorite.

what flowers are in the bouquet ( if applicable. bonus: what do the flowers mean? )

-They both have an almond tucked in their suit pockets, it means promise.

what their vows are ( eg poetry, traditional, improvised etc. )

-Jihyun would go for a really cute traditional-ish. “You have always been there for me, my best friend, and now, my love. You don’t know how happy you make me.”

-While Jumin would be super poetic. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my years with you. You have always been there for me, ever since we met, and you’re the only person who has ever made me feel like this...I promise, that for the rest of my life I will cherish and protect you. I love you.”

if anyone’s late to the wedding:

-Saeyoung, he was trying to steal Elly lmao

who’s in the bridal parties / groomsmen / other:

-Definetly you, along with the RFA (yes, Zen too, Jihyun made Jumin choose him and it was the best thing ever lmao.) also we’re including Saeyoung since Jumin doesn’t want him anywhere near Elly

what their bridal party / groomsmen / other are wearing

-For a fem!MC and Jaehee, a white dress with a blue bow tied around the waist, for a male!MC and the rest of the guys, white suits with blue bowties (Saeyoung did get ahold of one of the dresses though and Zen got catfishes again lmao)

who gives speeches at the reception ( bonus: what do they say? recount a sweet memory or two between them? tell an embarrassing story? )

-Jihyun would tell a story about funny stories/seeet memories with Jumin. Some times when they were playing hide and seek, or times when they’d stay awake during sleepovers and talk for the rest of the night. And of course he’d talk about how they met, and how amazing it has been to have Jumin in his life.

who catches the bouquet( s )

-Do I even need to say? SAEYOUNG OBVIOUSLY PFTTT

what their wedding photos are like ( are they sweet, with the couple holding hands or kissing or ~gazing into each others eyes~? are they silly, with a snapshot of the ‘cake-smash’ moment? or are they artistic, with one of them facing the sunset or holding their bouquets? )

-Theyre photos are the sweetest thing ever. Rui takes them for them, as a wedding gift. The favorite photo of the two of them, is when V and Jumin are looking at each other, holding their hands with big dorky smiles on their face. There’s also one where they’re exchanging rings and V looks so happy he’s about to cry, while Jumin can’t stop smiling. And then of course, the one where V just put a bit of frosting on Jumin’s cheek. They’re both smiling and V now has his nose covered in frost too!

what sort of food they have at the reception

-They have pretty fancy and traditional Korean food, along with some western one too!

who cries first during the ceremony

-ME, I mean, definetly V. He’s way too happy and can’t hold it in.

how wild their reception gets ( who dances the best, who gets drunk first, etc. )

-So Saeyoung and a really really drunk Yoosung get into a dance competition, and when Yoosung is drunk and Saeyoung is feeling chaotic, you know it’s going to be freaking wild

what their rings are like

-Their rings are very simple silver ones, that have a big small diamond on the center and then there’s like two or three smaller ones on the sides. The diamond is blue, and it’s not like super big, but it’s definetly real

what sort of favours they have ( heart shaped sparklers, mini champagne bottles, personalised candy etc. )

-They have tons of stuff, Jumin has some cat candy (he couldn’t help himself ok) and there’s a really tiny bottle with a flower inside of it

where they go for their honeymoon

-they go to a lot of places, Italy, singapore, and to Jumin’s little island

something memorable that happens during the party / ceremony ( do they run out of ice and someone goes to get it in full formal wear on foot, does anyone fall asleep in the middle of the party, etc. )

-At one point Yoosung slipped and fell dancing and then he started crying because he lost the dance battle lol. Also Zen actually congratulated Jumin while being all blushy about it, but he was really happy for him! Saeyoung also managed to get 2 feet near Elly until he was taken away by the security guards

who officiates the ceremony

-they would probably get married by a priest, since they’re both catholic

what song their first dance is to:

-ohh this one was hard! But I think this one fits them pretty well:

The way it starts slow but then slowly builds up, and V and Jumin hold each other close, saying how much they love each other. Everyone stares in awe as the couple dances, Jumin teasingly whispering into Jihyuns ear as the dance goes on, and they get more skippy and more happy, since they can’t believe that they’re finally together, and they start dancing faster and faster, unable to stop smiling. They’re filled almost with a childish happiness at being with each other, they’re so excited, and you can tell by how they both move and smile. Until they slow down, and Jumin leans his forehead against V’s, whispering words filled witr love.

who gives who away as they walk down the aisle

-I have a really angsty hc that Jihyun’s dad is the one that’s like nope, so I feel like V would probably ask you, or just walk down the aisle with Jumin? You know?

[kingreywrites]

What obstacles fate may bring

Fandom: Tangled

Words count: 3326

New Dream Appreciation Week Day Five: Proposal

Summary: "I can't believe it," Rapunzel groaned, taking his hand to press it against her face, probably to feel the coolness of his ring against her skin. "I can't believe- this must be a curse. We're cursed, Eugene, cursed to never have a normal engagement."

"We're not cursed," he chuckled, ignoring her glare. "The doctor said it might not be permanent."

Read on ao3

@our-newdream

Eugene knocked softly on the door of Rapunzel's bedroom, more to warn her that he was coming than anything else. Actually, it was their bedroom now, he remembered with a goofy smiled, that immediately abated at the sight he was met with. The bedroom was completely dark which, these last days, wasn't unusual - with her headaches, Rapunzel was uncomfortable if it was too brightly lit. Considering her previous relationship with the sun, it was quite ironic, but she was too miserable and she missed seeing the sky too much for Eugene to even joke about it. No, what was unusual today was the fact that Rapunzel was not only laying on her bed, but was actively trying to choke herself with a pillow while Pascal squeaked comfortingly next to her ear.

"You okay Sunshine?" Eugene asked softly, knowing that loud sounds could also hurt her.

She moaned something unintelligible under her pillow and he frowned, unsure if she was sad or actually hurting. He went to sit next to her quickly, his hand going to her shoulder.

"Does your head hurt?" He might have sounded a tiny bit more panicked than he originally wanted, but who could blame him? Some days ago, his fiancee had hurt her head so bad that she hadn't woken up for twenty-four horrible hours. Rapunzel must have heard the genuine worry in his voice because she moved the pillow down, just enough for her forlorn eyes to appear.

"It's not that," she finally mumbled, "my head doesn't hurt that much anymore."

Eugene smiled but kept in a corner of his head the fact that it still hurt, even if it was a little bit. He wasn't taking any risks with that - he'd have to ask the physician about it. Said physician might end up asking for a restraining order in return, since Eugene might have harassed him a little the last four days but, joke's on him, Eugene was also the guy that managed restraining orders - plus, it was about the Princess' health, so he was right to go overboard.

Rapunzel stayed silent but, even in the darkness, Eugene could still feel the sadness she exuded. He glanced at Pascal but the frog was apparently as lost as he was, so he'd have to wait for Rapunzel to actually say it.

Or he could ask. He wasn't a patient man when it came to the health of the love of his life.

"Rapunzel, what's wrong?"

She sighed, pressing harder against the pillow as she lowered her eyes. "I'm cursed."

"Cursed? Sunshine, we talked-"

"No, I know, it's not a real curse, it's just… It feels like a curse," she bit out. Blindly, her hand seeked his and he was happy to help her find it, until she yanked it in front of her face without a warning. His yelp didn't faze her at all; she was too busy staring at his engagement ring.

Ah. Eugene understood, suddenly, what was the problem.

To be precise, it all started two weeks ago, on Rapunzel's birthday. It had been one of the best day of Eugene's life because he had proposed to the love of his life, and she had said yes, and honestly his heart still hadn't recovered from the sheer emotion he had felt that day. They had spent… an interesting night, to say the least, and Eugene discovered next morning that waking up in the same bed as Rapunzel was one of the greatest gift in life.

So, all in all, it sounded perfect. And it was perfect, really - they went to announce it to her parents, who were ecstatic and, together, they agreed to wait a little before telling the whole kingdom about it. At first, it had been Rapunzel who asked, because she wanted Cassandra to hear it from her first, and, for them to be sure that it was the case, they had to wait until they received the dragon lady's answer. Eugene hadn't minded at all, really, he was even quite glad for the relative privacy - and he took the opportunity to write to his father, so he'd be the first to tell him too.

So, how did it all go wrong? Well, considering that the Coronans didn't know about the engagement, they had started getting down the decorations they had put up for Rapunzel's birthday. Feeling a little bad that it would be tidied up only for them to send everyone into a frenzy again with their engagement, Eugene and Rapunzel decided to help clean up the decorations. Between chatting with citizens and going where they were needed, they had gotten a little separated during the day, which wasn't that unusual.

What had been unusual were the screams.

Immediately alert, Eugene had run toward the noise, not letting himself panic even when cries about the Princess had reached his ears. He hadn't asked to be let through but had been anyway, and then, the only thing he had managed to see was Rapunzel's prone form, and the blood coming from her head. The rest was a blur, honestly - he remembered going to her, remembered whistling for Max, remembered giving orders to panicked citizens with a calm his heart certainly didn't feel, and remembered rushing toward the castle… But it was all disjointed and out of focus, his memories tainted by his terror. He remembered the next twenty-four hours, remembered how scared he had been, how tightly he had held her hand, how long he had trembled with nervousness and exhaustion.

Honestly, he didn't care about much else than her well-being after that. He knew that she didn't share his opinion on the matter, but he wouldn't budge on it - she was alright, and the rest could be fixed easily enough.

"I can't believe it," Rapunzel groaned, taking his hand to press it against her face, probably to feel the coolness of his ring against her skin. "I can't believe- this must be a curse. We're cursed, Eugene, cursed to never have a normal engagement."

"We're not cursed," he chuckled, ignoring her glare. "The doctor said it might not be permanent."

"Might," she grumbled, "I still can't believe it. I can't believe I forgot our engagement."

"You had a serious head injury that resulted in a case of retrograde amnesia that made you forget the last three weeks," Eugene recited dutifully, in the exact same tone as Rapunzel's physician. "It's not your fault," he added, "and I'm very happy that it was the worse thing that came out of this. You scared me, you know."

Maybe his voice was hoarser than he had intended - maybe he was more vulnerable than he wished to be, but it was true. He had been scared, terrified that this was the end of their journey together and for what? A little fall? Rapunzel couldn't have survived their crazy adventures for her to… to… die like this. He remembered how happy he had been when she finally woke up, confused and bleary-eyes but thankfully okay - and, at this moment, every carefully constructed rants about climbing building without protection dissolved on his tongue, not important anymore. Nothing was more important than her, and if the engagement had been one of the greatest day of his life, Rapunzel was his life, easy as that.

"It seemed so beautiful," Rapunzel whispered wistfully, still holding his hand absentely while his other one was busy making circles on her shoulder. "I've seen it drawn in my journal-"

"How did you-"

"-that my mom brought to me because I'm under strict orders to not get out of bed," she answered without missing a beat. "Past me wrote detailed annotations, and drew it from multiple angles, and I- I just-"

"Hey," Eugene whispered, stroking her face as he snuggled next to her. "If you want, we can take our rings off and redo the whole proposal all over again once you're on your feet. Sure, it won't be your birthday, but you know Coronans - they'll be happy to have a second lantern ceremony! The cupcake won't be a surprise anymore, but-"

"That's not the same though," Rapunzel mumbled, closing her eyes. She looked exhausted, and probably was since she was still recovering from her concussion. "If I could just remember it, then…"

"Rapunzel," he said tenderly, kissing her cheek quickly in the hope to cheer her up. "if you want, I can propose to you a million times in a million of different ways. What's the most important to me is that you're fine because that's the only thing needed for us to make new memories. I want to make new memories with you all my life," he insisted, pushing a strand of her hair from her face, meeting her shining eyes.

She exhaled shakily, both emotional and in pain. "You're right, I'm sorry..."

"I- no, Sunshine, you have every right to be upset," Eugene rectified softly, seeing that she was getting too tired for the conversation - but it was important she understood. "You lost an important memory, anyone would feel bad about it. I would whine myself into oblivion in your situation," he smiled, drawing a laugh from her, "and you'd be the one to tell me that my health was the most important thing."

Rapunzel hummed, closing her eyes again, for longer this time. She would probably fall back asleep soon - and, as much as she missed going outside, rest was an important part of her recovery.

"As long as we're both okay, we can fix this," was the last thing she mumbled, before she fell asleep. She barely felt Eugene kiss her forehead as he fixed her blanket, leaving her with Pascal as her devoted guard, while he went to harass the physician some more.

-----

"Rapunzel?" Eugene called, pushing open the door of their bedroom, who was back to being sunny and brightly lit - once the sun stopped giving her headaches, it seemed that Rapunzel decided the window needed to be wide open all the time. However, right now, it was closed, and Rapunzel wasn't here.

Sighing, he went to sit on the windowsill, knowing that she would come at some point - until he saw a little note taped to the pane. It was undoubtedly Rapunzel's writing, punctuated with little hearts and a doodle of them kissing. (Eugene never managed to get rid of the notes. He loved them too much, and he had boxes full of them because Rapunzel wrote hundred of them that she always always personalised. Yes, he also re-read the notes quite often, because he was a sap and he loved her.) He took the note down carefully and started to read it, a little worried about her whereabouts.

Eugene,

I have a surprise for you! Go see Max and he'll know where to take you!

Love,

Rapunzel.

Eugene frowned, immediately worried, because it might be sweet but Rapunzel was barely out of bedrest, a week and a half after her accident. If she was all alone, who knew what- oh, there was writing on the other side too.

PS,

I know you're probably worrying about me already, but I asked the physician and my parents about it and they said yes! I have Pascal and Fidella with me, plus you and Maximus coming, plus a lot of people knowing where to come find me if we're not back in two hours. Now go see Max! I love you!

Well, what could he answer to that? He shook his head, smiling, and put the note on his nightstand, before going to see Max immediately. He wanted to leave her alone as little as was possible, uncomfortably aware of what happened the last time he did, and, seeing that Max was ready and eager to leave, it was apparently a shared sentiment. Eugene tried hard not to stifle her too much, because he knew that wasn't what she needed, but sometimes he wanted to bundle her up in blankets to be sure that she would always be safe. He didn't know what he would do if she wasn't.

Max led him through the forest surrounding Corona, looking proud and sure of himself when Eugene wondered where exactly Rapunzel intended to meet him. Why would it need to be so far away from home? Though, now that he was paying attention, it felt like he recognized some of the landmarks - it has been a long time since he really strolled through the forest but that tree looked sort of familiar, didn't it?

Maximus neighed, startling Eugene as his friend took a sharp corner and suddenly, there Rapunzel was, sitting on a fallen over tree in front of a campfire. Eugene dismounted Max absentely, his breath caught in his throat as the flames illuminated Rapunzel's face wonderfully - it wasn't even that dark outside but she was still glowing, her brown hair taking a fiery orange aspect which made her green eyes pop even more than usual.

"I remember this place," he said, chest warm as she nodded a little too excitedly - he could see that she was trying hard to stay seated, despite the nervous energy coursing through her.

Of course he remembered. For anyone else, this place was nothing more than another uninteresting spot of the forest, but for them both, this was where they made a campfire the day they met. It was where Rapunzel trusted him with her biggest secret, and healed his hand; it was where he trusted her with his biggest secret, and told the story of Eugene Fitzherbert the orphan.

It was where they both discovered and accepted each other for who they were, no pretense needed. He could never forget it.

Eugene went to sit beside Rapunzel, like they did that first day. Maximus made himself scarce, probably meeting with Pascal and Fidella somewhere, but Eugene paid him no mind. He only had eyes for Rapunzel - for the obvious joy in her own, the blush on her cheeks, her wonderful smile, and everything that made her the love of his life.

"Hi," he breathed.

"Hi," she laughed, eyes shining. "Do you like it?"

Eugene had been too taken with her to notice the other decorations she had set up around the campfire. There were flowers all around them, and a basket full of what seemed to be delicious sweets.

"I love it," he answered, his eyes not leaving hers as he took her hands in his. "But, though I'm not complaining, I'm wondering why you decided to come here today."

"Remember the letters Cass sent?" Rapunzel asked, apparently out of the blue.

Eugene frowned, puzzled, but nodded because, seriously, how could he forget? They had to send Cassandra another letter informing her of what happened to Rapunzel - and that their engagement was put on the backburner until she was recovered enough and, hopefully, got her memories back. Rapunzel hadn't recovered her memories as of now. However, they had received a response from Cassandra some days later. Yes, they had received something because, for the first time since she left, Cassandra addressed a letter to Eugene specifically, instead of making snide remarks in the ones she regularly wrote to Rapunzel.

Of course, when Eugene opened it, it was to discover that there wasn't a message, really - she had only wrote "ahahaha" on the whole page, mocking him from across the country for yet another obstacle coming in between him and Rapunzel being engaged. Oh, Rapunzel's letter had been "very sweet" and "full of empathy", his fiancee's words not his, but Eugene didn't believe Cassandra was capable of those things. (He still kept the letter. Bitterly, but he kept it.)

"Well," Rapunzel said when he nodded, "I asked her for advice on something-"

"And she told you to break up with me."

"No! I mean, yes," Rapunzel laughed as Eugene gave her an 'I told you so' look, "she did say that but she also added good advice. She told me that I needed to be blunt, and fix what I wanted to fix instead of dwelling forever on it."

"Fix?" Eugene echoed, suddenly worried - what would Rapunzel need to fix between them? He didn't think he had done something particularly wrong lately, except maybe be a little of a mother-hen because of her injury, but he couldn't help it! He tried hard to let her breathe but he was scared and-

Before he could continue his train of thought, Rapunzel got up, making him follow her movement gently. He opened his mouth, ready to ask her for clarifications, but she didn't leave him the chance.

Rapunzel went down on one knee and all the air left Eugene's lungs, his heart beating louder in his chest.

"This is me, fixing what is bothering me," Rapunzel beamed, her eyes shining. "You were right, Eugene - what matters most to me is that we're able to make new memories together, for all our lives. But we lived through so many moments together, and I treasure every one of them, because I treasure my time with you more than anything else in the world."

"Sunshine," Eugene breathed, unable to voice exactly just how much he loved her. He didn't think words were enough to describe the warmth in his chest overwhelming his senses, making his eyes water from sheer emotion as Rapunzel kept talking.

"This place… This campfire, that was the first time you let me in. This was the moment I really met you, Eugene Fitzherbert, my new dream even if I didn't know it quite yet. You make my life better, and brighter, and I feel so lucky to have you at my side no matter what."

"I'm lucky too," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion, "the luckiest man on Earth."

Rapunzel grinned and, carefully, she took his ring off his finger. "I know you've already done this… and that taking the ring from you may seem counterintuitive, but-" She took a deep breath, still on her knee, now holding his ring between her fingers, her own ring shining thanks to the fire's glow. "- Eugene Fitzherbert, will you marry me?"

"Yes," he answered, too quickly perhaps as he lowered himself and put his arms under hers, lifting her up in a hug. "Of course it's yes," he laughed, and she laughed too - he could feel her smiling against his neck and he never wanted to let her go. "It's always yes."

She moved her head back a little, to be able to look into his eyes. They were both breathless and grinning, cheeks hurting and an never-ending fondness that they didn't bother containing. Their lips met, almost against their will, love pulling them together like gravity.

They breathed, and Rapunzel took the opportunity to slid Eugene's ring back on his finger - which meant he had to kiss her again, because she was his everything and she wanted him to be hers, for their whole lives.

"Let's hope," she murmured after some time, "that our curse is over."

"Not a curse."

"Uh-uh. But let's hope, anyway."

"No more moonstone related incidents," Eugene suggested.

"No more retrograde amnesia," Rapunzel added.

"Sounds good to me," Eugene grinned, before kissing her again - he was certainly lucky. Who had the chance to be engaged twice to the most perfect woman in the universe?

Only him.

(They went back home to announce the engagement a second time to Rapunzel's parents, who were, incredibly enough, as excited as the first time. Rapunzel had to send another letter to Cassandra, to Eugene's despair - she would never let him live it down.

Some days later, Rapunzel pounced on him, startling him awake at an unlawful hour. He didn't complain, though; not when he saw the absolute delight on her face as she announced excitedly that she finally remembered their first engagement. One more than necessary, sure, but when had they ever done something the usual way?

Plus, twice the engagement meant twice the celebration, and Eugene was happy to provide.)

[seven-oomen]

I think you know I would not be me if I didn't request DILF Club or Peter/Noah (or maybe Chris/Noah for a little adventure) for the Ultimate Ship Meme thing. 😆 But only if you feel like it. That champagne sounds like the "sparkling" grape juices in fancy bottles they have everywhere this time of year. I almost got some, but I still have a tiny bottle of prosecco I'll probably just have instead. Maybe if I drink a little I'll finally write some. 😅 Hope you're feeling better! - B

Consider I got two DILF club requests for this meme, I’ll do the OUAT verse for this one and another verse for the other ask. XD 

Send in two (or more) names and I’ll fill all this out about the ship!

General:

Rate the Ship -   Awful | Ew | No pics pls | I’m not comfortable | Alright | I like it! | Got Pics? | Let’s do it! | Why is this not getting more attention?! | The OT3 to rule all other OT3s

How long will they last? For eternity, even death doesn’t part them.

How quickly did/will they fall in love? It was a bit of a process the first year, it wasn’t instant love. Though the connection was there due to the soulmate bond. Especially Chris took his time to allow himself to love. The first one to fall was Peter, he fell for Noah first, then Noah fell for Peter. When Chris came into their lives, Peter realized he loved him during one of their Nemeton visits. Noah followed a few weeks later. Chris was the last to fall for both of them.

How was their first kiss? Sweet, a little sloppy, and Chris bumped his head at least twice while giggling. Much to Peter and Noah’s amusement.

Wedding:

Who proposed? Peter did, at the Nemeton when he gave them their Triskelion Necklace parts.

Who is the best man/men? Derek is the best man, the groomsmen are Jackson and Stiles. Ben was their ring bearer.

Who is the braid’s maid(s)? Melissa is their best ma’am. Allison and Malia are the bride's maids.

Who did the most planning? Peter did, he choose all the fashion, the venue, paid for the wedding, got the caterer and the florist. (though Chris tried to pay for things as did Noah, but Peter wouldn’t have it. They bought the rings and Peter’s suit for him as ‘retaliation’. Chris and Noah also planned a little song called here comes the sun that their pack, friends, and family sang to them as they walked down the aisle with Peter. Noah played the guitar for the occasion with Malia.)

Who stressed the most? Chris, he’s the internal stresser of the group and he had a few panic attacks while trying to get everything in place. Noah was a close second.

How fancy was the ceremony? - Back of a pickup truck | 2 | 3 | 4 | Normal Church Wedding | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Kate and William wish they were this big. (They rented a place, invited closest friends and family but kept it on the down-low.)

Who was specifically not invited to the wedding? Kate, Gerard, Elias, and one other person who shall not be named yet.

Sex:

Who is on top? They switch, all of them like to top and bottom and they’re not picky on who gets to be on top/bottom. Things just happen.

Who is the one to instigate things? Usually Peter, but Chris or Noah (especially when they team up) can be real degenerates as well.

How healthy is their sex life? - Barely touch themselves let alone each other | 2 | 3 | 4 | Once a couple weeks, nothing overboard | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | They are humping each other on the couch right now (They’re not shy about their sex life and very much enjoy each other’s bodies and closeness. It’s a great way for them to strengthen their relationship.)

How kinky are they? - Straight missionary with the lights off | 2 | 3 | 4 | Might try some butt stuff and toys | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Don’t go into the sex dungeon without a horse’s head (They’re into toys, bondage, breeding kinks, biting/marking, dom/sub play, public sex, and some other milder kinks, nothing too crazy but also not too vanilla.)

How long do they normally last? Depends, if they’re fired up and excited they might not last long, 5-10 min, but if they go slow and steady they might also last for 30-60m. Or well, Peter will last that long, Noah and Chris both recover fairly fast and can go multiple times in a row.

Do they make sure each person gets an equal amount of orgasms? They try to get Chris and Noah to come an equal amount of times, Peter is just happy to see them come and since he can come once and then needs 10-20m to recover. (I know werewolves have healing but his senses need a break) So he tries to make them come often and then comes once or twice himself.

How rough are they in bed? - Softer than a butterfly on the back of a bunny | 2 | 3 | 4 | The bed’s shaking and squeaking every time | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Their dirty talk is so vulgar it’d make Dwayne Johnson blush. Also, the wall’s so weak it could collapse the next time they do it. (It really depends on their mood)

How much cuddling/snuggling do they do? - No touching after sex | 2 | 3 | 4 | A little spooning at night, or on the couch, but not in public | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | They snuggle and kiss more often than a teen couple on their fifth date to a pillow factory.

Children:

How many children will they have naturally? Between the three of them? 8 in this universe. Twins: Allison & Jackson, Stiles & Malia, Adeline & Mikhail, and the singles: Ben, TBN (Currently named Kaya but that might change)

How many children will they adopt? They fostered Isaac, and unofficially adopted Erica and Danny. (Boyd is part of the pack though, but since he’s mated to Erica at some point it feels weird to say they adopted him too)

Who gets stuck with the most diapers? Peter, and he doesn’t mind it one bit. He didn’t get to change many diapers for Allison & Jackson or Ben, got his fair share of them with Malia & Stiles though. But he doesn’t mind, his mates were pregnant and gave birth, so it only seems fair he needs to step up in the diaper department.

Who is the stricter parent? Chris. Noah tries but is too soft most of the time or too chaotic, and Peter just can’t say no once one of the kids pulls puppy eyes. (Especially Ben. And the others know it.)

Who stops the kid(s) from doing dangerous stunts after school? Chris is best at stopping them, Noah tries to but due to his job can’t always keep an eye on them. Peter comes with them to let them explore but safely. He protects them while they do stupid shit.

Who remembers to pack the lunch(es)? Chris. He’s got the whole routine down to pat and is a streamlined machine in the mornings. Noah still can’t wrap his head around it.

Who is the more loved parent? The kids had a phase where they preferred Peter, since he’d just come into their lives again, but once that died down they all loved their parents equally. (Jackson would never admit it, but he comes to love Noah as a parental figure. I have something planned for that.)

Who is more likely to attend the PTA meetings? Peter, he loves to hear how his kids are doing in school and doesn’t mind to absolutely obliterate their teachers if he knows a teacher is picking on his kids. He lives for shit like this as the rich house husband to his two working husbands. Also, the opportunity to brag to Karen about Jackson & Stiles’s grades or Malia’s shop accomplishments, or Allison’s latest political victory in the student council as their vice president (Lydia’s the president, they’re a power couple.) is just too good to pass up.

Who cried the most at graduation? Peter, he finally gets to see a milestone up close and personal for all of his kids. Though Noah is openly crying as well, and Chris has watery eyes. (He keeps it in until they get home and then hugs all the kids while crying.)

Who is more likely to bail the child(ren) out of trouble with the law? Let’s face it, it’s Noah. He technically has to make sure that the law is upheld, but when it comes to his own kids, he’s not above giving them a pass. Though he’s more lenient towards kids in general. But yeah, Noah will most likely try and bail his kids out. Peter would let them steam for a few hours in a “You got caught, you deal with it.” Kinda way and then bail them out after a few hours. Chris would let them steam for a bit too and then determine how big the offense was before bailing them out.

Cooking:

Who does the most cooking? Chris, he’s the most practiced and most efficient. Though Noah loves to cook Polish food and bread. Peter does it when both of his mates have to work or are too tired to cook. He’s getting better at it.

Who is the most picky in their food choice? Peter. Werewolf senses mean he has a fussy pallette. He hates most vegetables for one. Though he has competition in Jackson once Jackson takes the bite, the little shit is a regular Gordon Ramsey.

Who does the grocery shopping? Peter, since Noah and Chris, tend to work during the day and he’s more of a stay-at-home house husband and dad. Chris gives him the lists. That doesn’t stop him from sneaking in snacks and candy for himself, Noah, and the kids.

How often do they bake desserts? At least once a week. Whether it’s for bake sales, PTO meetings, birthdays, weekends, a tryout, there’s always a baked good on the kitchen counter.

Are they more of a meat-lover or a salad eater? Peter and Noah are more Meat lovers. Chris is a mix between the two. He likes salads and meat but doesn’t have a preference over either. Unlike the other two.

Who is more likely to surprise the other(s) with an anniversary dinner? Peter, he takes them out to a grill restaurant. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but the quality has to be outstanding. They get their older kids to babysit and let them order anything they want as a reward.

Who is more likely to suggest going out? Once again, Peter, I feel like Noah or Chris would be more likely to be home dwellers and Peter’s the one that takes them to bars, musicals, restaurants, malls, etc.

Who is more likely to burn the house down accidentally while cooking? Noah, he’s not a bad cook, but he gets distracted by everything else and forgets he has pots/pans on the furnace.

Chores:

Who cleans the room? Chris or Peter. 

Who is really against chores? Noah forgets to do them sometimes, but I feel like none of them is actually against them. Peter doesn’t like to do them but he likes a clean house, so.

Who cleans up after the pets? They have eight kids, a bunch of werewolves, a banshee, a kitsune, a hellhound, a Seelie, and god knows what else running around on the full moon. You think they have room for a pet??? 

Who is more likely to sweep everything under the rug? Peter. If there’s no evidence it never happened. Now come help me clean this up before you papa and poppa get home. Or when it comes to his mates he just speaks softly and forgives. He’s been in a coma for six years, he’s not gonna let anything trivial get to him. Family is everything.

Who stresses the most when guests are coming over? Chris. It’s his training and a bit of an OCD thing. “No, you don't get it Noah my love, EVERYTHING has to be spotless...” Cue Chris running around with a vacuum cleaner and a mop. “It’s just Melissa & Derek for wine night...”

Who found a dollar between the couch cushions while cleaning? Chris, and he puts them in the fun jar that they use to reward the kids. Once the jar is full, they go shopping or do another fun activity with the kids. Bad behavior/swearing gets money removed from the jar and into the dad jar. That money is used to give Chris/Peter/Noah an extra outing if the kids were particularly difficult.

Misc:

Who takes the longer showers/baths? Noah is a slut for long showers/baths. It’s his moment of relaxation.

Who takes the dog out for a walk? Noah occasionally walks Peter in his wolf form. At some point, people think Peter is a K9 unit, and Noah rolls with it. Which opens up opportunities for Peter to stay with Noah at work.

How often do they decorate the room/house for the holidays? Every year they decorate for Christmas, the midwinter solstice/yule, the spring equinox, thanksgiving, Halloween/Samhain.

What are their goals for the relationship? To love and support one another through anything and to keep a fun and raging sex life well into old age. But mostly to love and cherish one another and build each other up just the way they are.

Who is most likely to sleep till noon? Chris if you let him, training and habit have him up early, but his natural sleep cycle is to sleep like a log and to Noon.

Who plays the most pranks? Noah, he’s a mischievous little shit that loves to pull pranks on people and very sassy to boot. Where do you think Stiles and Malia have that from?

[dungeonofimaginesandheadcanons]

Next Time

Hakuren x F!reader

words: 4k

warnings: implied suicide

soulmate reincarnation au

One day bleeds into the next, turning to passing years and blurring lifetimes. Even with heavy fogs descending on inherited memories, your hearts had held firm. You and Hakuren had belonged to each other since your soul’s conception.

You began as childhood friends, struggling to survive in destitute families. You had grown up together. You showed each other your birthmarks by the creek, hiding behind trees so your parents wouldn’t catch you revealing so much skin to each other. Improper; even with chubby cheeks and tiny fingers you knew you weren’t supposed to reveal so much skin to a boy- your parents would have your head. 

When you got older, you massaged his shoulders and hands, sore from work on the farm, averting your eyes as he boyishly smiled up at you while you worked your thumbs into his palm. You ignored the butterflies in your stomach until you couldn’t hold them back anymore. 

After that, more childish sneaking. Your parents would have his head for stealing kisses the way he did. You met at night, and when he was supposed to be working the field, and sometimes the two of you managed to sneak off to the creek you two played at as children, showing a little too much skin again while you splashed in the water and didn’t even try to avert your eyes anymore.

He had wanted to take his time when it came to marrying you- wanted to propose when he had some money to his name and could take care of you and have a family with you. He wanted to have something to bring to your father when he asked for your hand. Neither of you expected the marriage proposal from the merchant’s son. 

You had only seen the boy before, but had never spoken to him. But he was well traveled, intelligent, and had wealth to offer your family for your hand- of course your father accepted. Hakuren was devastated, and avoided you for days before insisting on eloping. You wondered how could he even ask such a thing of you. To abandon and shame your family, potentially launch them into ruin by scorning a higher ranking member of society? It was unthinkable and you told him such.

You had your first real argument in your lives that day. You were both devastated; he felt betrayed by your refusal and you were just sad he refused to understand. You were picked up and mere week later without so much as a chance to speak with him again, and within the month you were a merchant’s wife- he wasn’t even invited to the ceremony.

You never saw him again in that life. You both died longing for something you hadn’t truly even known you’d lost, and the cycle started anew.

In your next life you shouldn’t have had the slightest chance to meet Hakuren, but you did. Poor again, you found yourself a little orphan left soaked and dirty on cobblestone streets. This time he was wealthy, the heir to a banking family. You met as teenagers by chance once, twice, then thrice, finding yourselves getting into and out of trouble each time. Stolen bread paid for, bruises from a fight treated with precious, dwindling supplies, and a warm meal brought on a cold night.

The fourth time he came accompanied by a young lady, blonde curls peeking out of a meticulously done updo. He introduced her as his fiancee and she glowed as he said it. Childhood friends, he said. Everyone had just known they would end up together from the time they were little. You stifled a cough as you eyed her. Some part of you felt bitter when you heard their story, but you didn’t know why so you ignored it. 

Over the next few weeks they brought you clean clothes and food, and when you broke into a fever they even had you treated by her own brother, a doctor. Unclean drinking water, cold, starvaton, and a number of other maladies had finally taken their toll. You died not long after of an illness that they couldn’t find a way to treat.

Your third life took him far too soon, death robbing him of his breath while he was sleeping in a cradle. You lived your life never having met him.

Your fourth life you met once the two of you had already married, your sons attending class together. While your husband traveled and Hakuren’s wife socialized and attended parties, the two of you met in private, without the knowledge of anyone else. 

Your husband divorced you when he found out, calling it scandalous as he sent you away without so much as a word to anyone, including your son and daughters. You went back to your childhood home in the country, where your aging parents still resided. Try as he might, Hakuren was never able to find you. 

Yours and Hakuren’s children eventually found you- Hakuren’s youngest daughter married your son. They moved you in with them and you were dismayed to find out Hakuren had passed on years ago: dropsy. You visited his grave and tended to it until the day you died. Your children buried you beside him, hoping that even if you were separated in life, you should at least be close to each other in death.

In the fifth, the first time you saw Hakuren he looked at you funny.

“Have we met before?” Your brow furrowed. You were fleeing a civil war in your country, and your ship had docked in this strange new place only two days ago. How could you have ever seen each other?

“I can’t say we have, I’m sorry. You must be mistaken.” In consolation, you offered him your name and he offered to show you around. You accepted.

You met the next day at midday, after he had snuck away from the other merchants he worked with. He showed you historical sites, shopping districts, markets, and he bought you a much too expensive necklace with a sapphire set in the pendant.

“It’s a welcome gift.” He says, too stubborn to take no for an answer. You’re forced to accept the overly generous gift, even if it’s beautiful and you secretly had really wanted it anyway.

Before you part ways that afternoon, you agree you meet again the next day, and it doesn’t stop there. You go from seeing each other during afternoons to seeing him in the evenings too, and then he’s staying overnight in your home and you wake up together the next morning. At some point in the relationship he shows up for an afternoon meeting with meals, bashfully admitting the two of you had been found out, and another member of the caravan had made the two of you something to eat for when you see each other.

One morning he turns over in bed, looks at you, and grins. You grin back, still a little drowsy, but giddy despite the hour.

“What are you smiling about so early?” You inquire. He rolls over onto you and buries his nose in your neck.

“I remember where I know you from.” His words are muffled by your skin, and you can feel the smile still on his face. You bury a hand in his hair and kiss the crown of his head.

“And where is that?”

“It’s a secret.” He kisses your shoulder, then the base of your neck, and works his way up to your mouth as you wrap your legs around his waist like they were meant to be there.

After a few more months you feel as if you’ve never been closer to anyone- like you’ve never known anyone better. You could spend the rest of your life with Hakuren and be so happy you feel as if the time might pass in an instant. When he tells you his group is leaving he sounds so disappointed, you almost don’t expect him to say that he’ll be coming back for you, but you laugh when he does.

“You sounded as if you we going away forever!” You joke, but Hakuren takes it very seriously.

“It feels like forever! I’d rather die than leave you for a second.” He whines, but as soon as you start laughing again so does he. 

The two of you dress together and eat breakfast together before heading out the door, into the warm sunshine and to the docks, where the other members of his merchant group wait for him. You converse with them for a few minutes until they’re due to leave, and when the ship sets sail you wave and watch until it disappears over the horizon. You already miss him.

“One month,” he had told you, “then I’ll be back.”

After two weeks, you got a letter. He arrived safely after ten days, and had sent a bird as soon as he had gotten on land, he wrote. Reim was truly something else, and he wanted to take you there someday. They’d be staying for a few days to pick up new merchandise to sell before coming back- there’d be a surprise for you as well. He couldn’t get you out of his head and he missed you more than anything. You traced the characters on the page as you read it, imagining the excitement he had written it with.

Another two weeks pass, and you don’t receive another letter but you’re not worried. He should be home any day now.

Another week- no word.

Five more days. Would he have sent another if they decided to stay longer?

Two more days pass before a body floats to shore, any flesh left exposed fish eaten and decaying. You don’t see it, but the fishermen who found her report that she was one of the people on the merchant ship Hakuren had been on. You tune out the rest of any rumors or gossip you hear, dodge the pitying looks of acquaintances. The ship likely sank, they said. Maybe from a sea monster, maybe from a storm, or maybe from deceptively calm waters. Either way, if nobody was back by now, they weren’t coming back.

You still held out hope. Hakuren wouldn’t just die on you- he was too stubborn for that, too devoted. He’d come back no matter what the cost.

You bit your fist to muffle your screams and cried when you couldn’t smell him on your sheets anymore.

You reread the letter in the middle of the night when you wake up from dreams of him. Any of number of nights pass doing this routine before you meander out of the house, no longer a home, to the dock where you last saw Hakuren. You look out over the horizon, dark against the night sky, as if the ship might appear and he was just late. There are other ships docked there right now, bobbing gently over the water.

You clutch the letter in your fist, feeling the paper crumple between your fingers, and take a step over the dock, dropping into the inky depths.

Finally, in your sixth lifetime, you remember him. Some cosmic sense of mercy or sadism, you don’t know, but you’re eighteen and a servant for the Kou royal family. You don’t often see the royal family, especially the older princes, who lead foreign conquests as military generals. You hear stories of them; Crown Prince Hakuyuu’s valor and strategic genius, and Prince Hakuren’s bravery in the thick of battle and his ability to rally the men. The pair make a perfect team and an unbeatable duo, and with their father have conquered Gou and Kai under the Kou Empire.

You first see him at a celebratory meal, the Royal Family and members of other noble families gathered together. There are dancers and musicians there for entertainment, and the Emperor and his family sit at a raised pavillion, looking down at the other families and the festivities. You stand behind them, your sole purpose for the evening being refilling their cups when they need it. You keep your eyes low, head down, and stay quiet. 

You do well and keep yourself in check the entire night, until at one point when you’re filling Hakuren’s glass your eyes glance up, meeting his. The sudden onslaught of five new- old?-  lifetimes startles you enough you drop the pitcher, the porcelain shattering on the floor near where he’s seated.

He only halts in his staring when the sound of the glass hitting the floor resonates, jerking away in surprise before looking down at the shards and puddle of alcohol and then back at you. At this point though, your focus is no longer on him- rather, your wide eyed fear is directed at the rest of his family and the nearby nobles who had heard the commotion over the music. Quick to react, Hakuren brushes the incident off.

“I bumped into her, it’s not her fault.”

Prince Hakuyuu and Princess Hakuei, directly across from him, both send him looks as if they know he’s lying, but don’t say anything. His parents buy it, which is what counts, and young Prince Hakuryuu just seems puzzled at the sudden tension.

“Clean this up and go get another pitcher, quickly.” His father orders. To your credit, you compose yourself rather quickly after you’re addressed, bowing low towards his father.

“Yes, your majesty.” You said, before kneeling and setting to work picking up the shards. Hakuren worries you might cut your hands. 

You mop up the spill with a rag another servant brings over before depositing the porcelain in the center of the cloth and rushing out with it. He watches from the corner of his eye as you rush out of the room to get more drink. He’s anxious for the ceremony to be over- he’s certain you remember this time. Why else would you look so shocked? How long have you been right under his nose, in his home? He wonders to pass the time.

The rest of the night goes uneventfully, save for Hakuren getting more tipsy then planned so you’ll come over to fill his cup, close enough that he could reach out and touch you, if he wanted- but he can’t do that here, so he’ll take what he can get: proximity. His unusually exuberant drinking raises some eyebrows among his family members, but again, nobody questions.

When the celebration ends and the Royal Family and officials have excused themselves, the servants stay behind to clean. You spend nearly an hour bringing dishes to the kitchens to wash, cleaning spills, and cleaning the floors. As servants start filtering out, you stay behind longer for a scolding as an older woman reprimands you for dropping the pitcher. She makes sure you understand how generous Prince Hakuren was to take responsibility for something that could have gotten you fired and kicked off of the palace grounds, if not worse. You’re the last to leave for bed, and by the time you do you just want to sleep the day off.

You’re not expecting the hand that wraps around your arm, pulling you into a shadowed hall and holding you against a solid chest. You’re about to scream when another hand covers your mouth.

“Don’t scream, it’s me.” You know immediately it’s Hakuren and you fluster, pulling away to bow in front of him.

“I can’t thank you enough for earlier, you have my eternal gratitude.” He is silent for a moment, but you don’t move until he places his hands on your shoulders and rights you, looking you in the eye.

“I remember you, and I know you remember me this time.” He tells you. Your lips part in surprise and you gaze up at him, his eyes intense and searching your face for any hint of reaction.

“It took longer than expected, but I came back after all.” A crooked smile, and your eyes well up with tears. You wrap your arms around him, burying your face in his chest as he returns your embrace. Your breaths are heavy with the effort it takes to restrain your tears.

“I missed you,” you choked, “I didn’t know what to do with myself with you gone.”

“I’m here now.” He reassures.

The two of you hide in the shadows as you catch up. You tell each other about your current lives, fill in details from what you missed of each other in your last ones. He holds you tighter as you recount the end of your last life, taking a sharp intake of breath and muttering to himself as his eyebrows furrow.

“The surprise I mentioned,” he begins, ”in the letter. I wanted to propose. I had bought a ring while in Reim.”

You want to cry again.

When it’s time to leave each other neither of you want to, but you can’t risk being seen alone together, especially when neither of you had returned to your quarters yet. As you part Hakuren kisses your forehead and then your hand, promising to make time for the two of you to see each other again.

The secret meetings made a smile touch your face, reminding you of sneaking away behind the backs of parents and spouses and coworkers like you once had, lifetimes ago. Despite the reminiscent quality though, you had a hard time believing this relationship wasn’t as doomed as the last ones, needing to hide your feelings lest someone forcibly put an end to your affair with the Kou prince. Even if you remained undiscovered, what was the end goal?

“I’ll never marry, if I can’t marry you,” Hakuren offers as a solution. “I’ve waited long enough to have you and I won’t compromise anymore.”

Did that really settle it, though? You sincerely hoped it would be enough.

The tension in the palace grew thicker by the day, and you joked you worried about Hakuren sprouting grey hairs in an attempt to ease his mind. He and Prince Hakuyuu trusted each other implicitly, and he was acting advisor to his older brother. You had a suspicion that role was becoming more perilous and stressful by the day.

Hakuren became more protective of you, as well, warning you to be even more careful answering any questions pertaining to the Royal Family, particularly he and his older brother and their mother.

“And let me know who asks, if they do. If you happen to hear any gossip, no matter how outrageous, tell me that as well.” His request put you on edge more than anything else. You racked your brain trying to figure out what precisely was going on, but all you could manage to glean was someone was plotting something, but you didn’t know who or what. You could only pray Hakuren would be alright.

He made more time for you recently as well, to the point you felt he didn’t take any time for himself. Even sleeping, he insisted you be there.

“I can’t rest if you’re not with me anymore.” He explained to you. You pursed your lips at his reply. 

 He was laid with his head in your lap as you rubbed his temples at that very moment. Seeing how bloodshot his eyes were before he shut them made you wish he would just sleep for a few hours. Surely he could be spared that long? Was this threat looming so close he was afraid to even close his eyes?

“I fear for your safety. I have nightmares of these dangers finding you. I wish I knew somewhere away from everything going on I could send you, but I don’t trust anyone anymore outside of my siblings.”

This was the first time you had heard Hakuren so at a loss. He was well known for his intelligence and cleverness and severity in facing any threat. You could tell he could sense your concern, because his eyes opened and he smiled up at you.

“Don’t worry yourself over it. Hakuyuu and I will figure something out. I’ll keep you safe above all else.”

“I’m worried about you, my love. You’re in the thick of it.” You said. He grabbed one of your hands and shut his eyes again at you admission.

“I’ll be fine as long as I can keep you, my family, and the empire safe.”

You leaned down to kiss his forehead but your fears hadn’t abated.

You slept within your quarters less and less now, and people were beginning to notice your particular closeness with Hakuren. It wasn’t unusual for a prince to use a pretty servant to warm his bed, but it was unusual when it was nightly and monogamous. Other servant girls began questioning you directly about your relationship with the prince, their curiosity overtaking any hesitation they may feel. No matter how they pleaded for details though, you only answered in one way.

“I will be there for the prince in whatever way he needs me.”

They never left entirely appeased with that answer, as it didn’t answer any of their questions nor did it raise any more. You told Hakuren of their inquisitiveness in the gardens one day, and he only nodded.

“Why have you become so open about this? What changed?” You asked.

“We were spotted a long time ago, I believe. That’s why I’ve been keeping you close to me more often- I’m afraid someone might try to use you against me and I can’t protect you any other way.” His tone was somber as he explained this and you felt your blood run cold. So you were a target? Someone wanted to hurt Hakuren in that way?

He pulled you closer to him on the bench you two were seated on and held you tight to his side, tilting his face into your hair and breathing you in.

“I’m afraid this might be something that can’t be stopped.”

The night you woke up to the sound of fire cracking you felt as if all of your fears had come crashing down on you at once. Your first thought was of Hakuren, how this could be the culmination of what he had been trying to prevent. Looking around you, you found that he wasn’t even in the room. Your only accompaniment was the smoke steadily building up, filling your lungs and causing you to choke.

You lept from the bed, running desperately to the door and sliding it open in an attempt to escape. You knew Hakuren was still inside, he never would have left the building without you, but you didn’t even know where he could have gone. You held your breath as you moved towards the way out, searching for any sign of your lover as you went. The only thing you managed to stumble upon was Prince Hakuryuu, burned, covered in blood, and pink tear tracks left in the soot covering his face.

“My prince,” you called, “are you alright? Where are your brothers?”

This only seemed to upset him, tears building in his eyes again and leaking down his face. You knew what that meant, but now wasn’t the time to think about it.

“Let’s go, we have to leave now.” You urged, ushering him ahead of you as you left the burning palace.

Your chest tightened thinking of Hakuren in there, even if poor little Prince Hakuryuu had all but told of his demise. Even in death, you couldn’t stomach the thought of not being able to see him, hold him, tell him goodbye and that you loved him for the last time. Your only consolation was knowing that you two have done this six lives over, and eventually you will get to meet, fall in love with, and hope for a happy ending again with the man your very soul sings for for a seventh time.

You interrupted you melancholic internal musings and looked at Prince Hakuryuu standing nearby a tearful Princess Hakuei and strangely mild faced Empress Gyokuen. For now, you needed to keep an eye on what Hakuren had left behind and keep them safe the way he would have

Maybe your happy ending would come next time.

A/N: this has been sitting in my head for months and took way too long. it’s 6:30 am and I am so tired

[fluffy-marshmallow-heart]

20 Seconds of Courage -Part 19

The Elementalists au

Beckett x MC (Oriana)

Words: 1835

Warnings: This is a very dark chapter. Assault, rape, murder, blood splatter, and suicide are all here, as well as gun violence and arson. Read at your own risk. (Please don't hate me, I don't even know how this got so far, but it's fairly fitting for a Halloween posting lol)

Series Master List

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  “Oh my god.” Oriana groaned, immediately trying to grasp the back of her head, but finding herself restrained, her wrists and feet tied. “What the hell was that…” She looked around the unfamiliar setting, her head throbbing. “Where….?

The room she was in was luxurious. She was lying in a four-poster queen size bed. She was laying on top of white satin sheets and wearing a white satin slip. She had nothing on underneath and was barefoot. “How in the world….?”

“I wouldn’t think about it too much. You won’t be here long. Loose ends don’t stay loose for long at all. And you, my dear, are a huge loose end.”

She froze, hearing the voice coming from across the room. She knew that voice. Her eyes immediately shifted, finding Jason’s immediately. “Jason, what are you doing? Haven’t you done enough to me already? What more could you possibly want?”

“It was never supposed to go this far. You were never going to be anything other than a decoy as we hit the real target. You really fucked up those plans, and you will pay the price. Since our big payday is no longer coming, we could try to hold ransom from Beckett for you, but….this is much sweeter isn’t it? Finding his true love, devoid of life, wrapped in white satin soaked in crimson blood? I know I’m looking forward to that view. Just like I was his sister’s. Of course, that had to be hurried, and it became rushed and sloppy. But this…you…will not be rushed. It will not be sloppy. You will be beautiful even as you die.”

Jason stood up, sauntering towards her as though a predator. The glint of a knife drew her attention. He noticed.

“Oh this? This knife and I go a long way back. It’s my...sacrificial one, if you will. You aren’t the first person we’ve had to put down for getting in our way. For the rich ones, the real targets, I have another. But for you…”

He arrived at her bedside, smiling down on her. “This knife is for little bitches like you, who don’t get out of the way fast enough.” He pressed the tip into her neck, drawing a drop of blood. He grinned as she winced.

“I’m not normally one for drawing things out. It’s such a rush, such a high, taking someone’s life. But I want your lover to know how greatly you suffered. I want him to know it’s his fault that you did not go peacefully. He’s going to wish you died the way his sister did. Instant. Didn’t feel a thing. Here one minute, and the next…gone from the earth.” He sliced her arm, a trickle of blood coming out.

“You might wonder why you’re dressed like that. A tiny slip, naked underneath, surrounded by white. Your arms and legs tied up so you’re spread open for anyone to see that perfect little pussy of yours. There’s going to be alooooot of fun happening here. Maybe not so much for you. But you’ll be bleeding out anyway, growing weaker and weaker, but still feeling every sensation brought to you. I bet I can even make you cum as I slit your throat. Dying during an orgasm…now that is a good way to go. I guess I’m feeling generous right now. Or maybe I just want to see you shudder in ecstasy at the same time you choke on your own blood.”

“Why?” She whispered. “What did I ever do to you? What did Beckett ever do to you?”

Jason sneered. “That bracelet…I loved seeing you wear it. Completely oblivious it belonged to someone else, someone important. It took me a few years to wear you down and get you to date me…honestly you are such a tease. So, it’s been years since I’ve fed my innermost desires. And this is pure poetry.”

“How?” She cried.

“You haven’t figured it out, yet? You made my relationship with Lisa public. She could no longer be used to satisfy my bloodlust. So it was fucking perfect that Beckett Harrington, brother of the last person to meet their untimely demise by my hand, picked you to start a relationship with. He caused quite the trouble for us, leading the search for Katrina’s killer. But there were no leads to go on. Everything was a dead end. Absolutely no trace of me was left behind. So, I forgot all about him. Until a few months ago when he applied for a position. At first I was nervous, but then I realized, what a beautiful thing it would be, to work with him, mentor him, become his friend. I never had the chance to make it happen. It would have been one of my finest moments, having him open up about his tragic past to me, letting me relive it through his eyes.”

“You’re despicable.” Oriana spat.

“I prefer the term, God. I alone have held lives in my hands. Just like right now, I have full control over you living and dying. If that’s not God, I don’t know what is.” He was practically singing his triumph. “I just want you to die. But not until after I’ve had you again.”

Jason climbed on top of her, unbuckling his pants as he went. “It’s a pity things went this way. I enjoyed you so much. The things you can do with that tongue of yours….” He eyes turned black with desire.

Oriana opened her mouth to scream, but Jason’s knife was immediately on her throat, breaking through her skin. “I don’t want to kill you until I make you cum, Oriana. But don’t think I won’t.”

Jason lined his cock with her center, and just as he was about to enter her, the door to the room slammed open.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” A voice boomed out.

Jason jumped off of her, yanking his pants back up.

“Are you a fucking idiot? You want your DNA all over her, inside her? I told you to leave her alone. Why are you even in here?” Michael strode into the room, not sparing a single glance at Oriana. She felt like the wind was knocked out of her.

“M…Michael? What…how…why…?” She gasped.

He turned his cold gaze to her. It was so cold she actually shivered. “You don’t actually think this one is smart enough to pull shit off by himself, do you?”

Oriana gaped at him, and he chuckled with a sneer. “God, I thought you were smarter than that. But then again, you wore a bracelet an ex-boyfriend gave you around a new boyfriend. That was pretty stupid. I didn’t think girls actually did things like that.”

He turned back to Jason, leveling him with his gaze. “Although, it’s not as stupid as giving someone a trophy to wear anytime they like. So here I am, getting my hands dirty so we don’t spend the rest of our lives in prison because of his complete and utter idiocy. And, as you can see, he has a flair for the dramatic.”

Michael shook his head in disappointment. “I never wanted to hurt you, Oriana. You’re a beautiful and bright girl. But unfortunately, I’m left with no choice. Jason, get over here.”

Jason went up to Michael, smiling widely. “It’s time, isn’t it?”

“It is. Go to the bed and take your pants off again.”

“But you said…”

“I changed my mind. I want to watch you destroy her. I haven’t actually seen you do this before. I want to experience the thrill of it.”

Grinning wickedly, Jason went to the bed, sliding his pants and boxers down, kicking them away. He climbed on top of her again, and Oriana finally started crying. She couldn’t help it. This was it. This was how her life would end. Before she could even register what was happening, there was a loud BANG! Jason fell heavily on top of her, motionless, blood everywhere.

Oriana screamed as his blood splattered on the white satin and her skin. Michael looked at her, his face blank. “Welcome to your murder suicide, Oriana. I was actually going to wait a bit longer, but I just can’t stand listening to that man speak anymore. And although I’m not opposed to killing you, I have no desire for him to rape you. I’m no monster. Jason’s messed this up so bad, and I don’t have room for more mistakes. Getting close enough to do it is good enough and all I need.”

Oriana was hyperventilating, seeing the gun in Michael’s hand, and the hole in Jason’s head, his lifeless eyes looking into hers. She couldn’t get enough air in her lungs to scream.

“But…I…he…”

Michael bellowed a laugh. “I can’t understand what you’re saying. SPEAK.” He cocked the gun, aiming it for her.

“…How…?” She croaked.

“Oh, how is it a murder-suicide? Well, I’m going to untie you. Then I’m going to anonymously tip off your dear Beckett Harrington about your location. People already know you’re missing, and they’ll suspect Jason of being with you. Beckett is already mad with worry, and he’s been publicly jealous and angry in the past. He’ll come in, see you and Jason about to fuck since you’ve missed him so much, and he’ll be so blind with rage that he kills you both. And then I’ll reappear to put a bullet in his own head, and make sure his fingerprints are everywhere they need to be, especially on the gun. Absolutely no loose ends. But just in case there’s any doubt whatsoever…”

Michael left the room for just a moment, returning with a few candles, placing them by the curtains and the bed, lighting each one ceremoniously. “There was so much commotion, a couple candles fell over, and since there was no one left alive to correct that…everything will be consumed in flames. I would use gasoline to speed things along, but who shows up and commits a crime of passion armed with a can of gasoline? Besides, you and Jason definitely would have had romantic lighting as you restarted your affair.”

“Where are we?” She whispered. “Someone will see or hear something. Those gunshots.”

“We are miles away from anyone. This house is long abandoned. Some very fancy furniture though.”

“Please don’t do this.” She begged. “I’ll leave the city, I’ll take Beckett with me. We’ll never breathe a word about this to anyone. Not even each other.”

Michael rolled his eyes. “That’s the best you can come up with? That’s the most cliché thing I’ve ever heard.”

Her whole body was trembling, feeling crushed by Jason’s dead weight, his blood dripping on her. She looked Michael square in the eye as he rose his gun back up and put his finger on the trigger.

“Goodbye Oriana.”

She let out a scream as the gunshot rang out, the house falling still as a candle fell over and lit the curtains on fire.

    @annekebbphotography​ @gardeningourmet​ @eileendannie​ @alesana45​ @drakewalkerfantasy​ @friedherringclodthing​ @mfackenthal​ @coffeebeandragon​ @jlpplays1​ @desiree-0816​ @lapisreviewsstuff​​ @cora-nova​ @thequeenofcronuts​ @drakewalker04​ @zigortega4life​

 @feartheendlesssummer​ @elainew13​ @the-soot-sprite​ @paisleylovergirl​ @dottie-minerva-mikas​ @emichelle​ @kendrasgue​ @pbmychoices​ @divergentofhogwarts​ @sonsie0613​ @cordoniasmost​ @raffsbaby​ @brightpinkpeppercorn​ @symonde​ @emceesynonymroll​

@walkerismychoice​ @confessionsofabrokegirl​ @lilyofchoices​ @darley1101​ @perriewinklenerdie​ @justendlesssummerfeels​

[missjanjie]

Branjie Fic | How Wonderful Life Is (While You’re in the World)

Title: How Wonderful Life Is (While You’re in the World) Summary: This is an epilogue/sequel to tiny dancer, because an extra dose was necessary. Word Count: ~1.7k Relationship: Branjie (Brooke Lynn Hytes/Vanessa Vanjie Mateo) Rating: T

Read on AO3

“I thought you’d be a little more excited by now,” A’keria observed. “You only graduate college once.”

Vanessa shrugged, setting the glue stick down. They’d been spending the day decorating their caps, but her heart just wasn’t in it. And that was because her heart was doing ballet in France. “I just miss her.”

“Come on, this was supposed to be a fun distraction,” Blair gently chimed in, resting her hand on her shoulder. “Brooke would want you to enjoy yourself, right?”

“Fuck, you make it sound like she’s dead,” she groaned and rest her head against the table. “How am I supposed to do this shit for another two months?” They were only two weeks into the ten-week engagement, and she already decided she couldn’t handle it.

A’keria pinched the bridge of her nose. “No, you just a drama queen. Aren’t you visiting her next month anyway? Bitching and moaning like you ain’t about to go to fucking France.”

Vanessa pushed herself up off the table, only to slump into her chair. “Y’all just don’t get it. We haven’t spent more than a few weeks apart in four years. I got separation anxiety!” Her cheeks flushed red, she was still embarrassed - she was self aware enough to know she was being childish and maybe a bit self-centered, but she couldn’t help herself; next to her mom, Brooke Lynn was the most important person in her life.

Blair nodded sympathetically. “Aw, honey, we understand. Why don’t we pick this up tomorrow? You should go give her a call before it gets too late over there. Go ahead, we’ll clean up here.”

A’keria arched her brow. “We will?”

“Yes,” she glared

Vanessa wasn’t paying attention to the bickering going on between her friends. Once Blair had given her the go-ahead to leave, she was gathering her things and heading right out the door. She glanced at her phone on the way out - it was about ten at night in Brooke’s side of the world, if she remembered correctly.

And lucky for her, Brooke Lynn was still awake and willing to Skype by the time she returned to their apartment.

“You’ve got glitter all over your face,” Brooke observed with a soft chuckle. “What sort of fun have you been getting up to over there?”

“None, I promise,” she retorted flatly. “We was decorating our caps but I just wasn’t feeling it. It’s kinda tacky at this point anyway,” she added, pulling dried glue off of her fingertips and flicking it away.

She pouted sympathetically. “Poor baby,” she cooed. “I think you should decorate it, though. It’s not like you to ever blend in.”

A slight smile twitched at the corners of her lips. “Yeah, maybe,” she shrugged. “How’s shit over there?”

“I mean, it’s hard to complain about this place,” she admitted with a soft laugh. “The only thing it’s missing is my beautiful girlfriend,” she cooed, batting her lashes.

Vanessa chuckled softly, looking down and pushing her hair off of her shoulders. “So, you ain’t gonna leave me for some fancy French bitch then?” She did her best to play it off as a lighthearted joke, but even after all this time, there was a nagging sense of doubt somewhere inside her that worried one day Brooke would wake up and realize she could do better.

Brooke scoffed and shook her head. “As if anyone in this entire continent could hold a candle to you. I’m offended at the mere suggestion, Vanj.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ve just been missing you.”

“I miss you too, but you’ll be here before you know it, and you’ll have a shiny new degree to be proud of.”

She looked back at her half-decorated cap on the dresser. “Still kinda hard to believe.” On paper, it had looked like all the odds had been stacked against Vanessa from the get-go. No one ever truly believed that she had the intelligence and determination to earn a college degree. Hell, when she had finished her first year, people around her had been surprised.

Except for Brooke.

“No it’s not,” she replied without a moment’s hesitation. “You busted your ass from the moment I met you, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that tries as hard as you. You, my dear, are a force to be reckoned with.”

“Guess it’s hard to argue now that you got proof,” Vanessa conceded, “I just wish you was gonna be here for it.”

Brooke sighed sadly. “I do too, baby. But I promise, Nina’s going to be there livestreaming the whole thing to me.”

It wasn’t the same, but there was no point in belaboring the issue - it wasn’t going to change anything and they both would only feel worse. “You right, I know. Imma let you get to bed, talk to you tomorrow.”

“Alright, love you,” she blew a kiss at the screen.

“Love you too,” she smiled fondly and ended the call.

However, when Brooke Lynn closed her laptop, she didn’t leave it sitting on her desk. Instead, she packed it into its case and put it in with her luggage. She flopped down on her bed for a moment, she’s not an actress and lying to Vanessa was harder than any course she’d taken during her master’s program, especially seeing the sadness in her expression - it was physically painful, but she knew it would pay off.

The alarm went off on her phone moments later and she made her way to the front of the apartment building to wait for a taxi. “L'aéroport, s'il vous plaît,” her diction had improved, but her French was still remedial.

But she got there just fine and landed in JFK around midnight. She took the train back into Manhattan, then took a cab to Nina’s apartment. “Thanks for waiting up for me,” she whispered as she slipped inside and carefully closed the door behind her.

“No problem, but you definitely owe me,” Nina chuckled and grabbed her a bottle of water. “Now, tell me again why you’re waiting until her party to show up?”

Brooke took a swig from the bottle and set it down on the table. “Because the graduation ceremony is going to be too busy. Besides, the party is going to be all about her, it’ll be the perfect moment for, you know…”

Nina nodded in understanding. “She’s going to be so excited to see you. I can already hear it; ‘Brooke Lynn! You’re here!’” She imitated Vanessa’s distinct way of speaking, getting her friend to laugh and hopefully alleviating the nerves she knew were still lingering.

------

Vanessa ran to her family, one hand clutching her diploma and the other holding her cap steady on her head. “Y’all seeing this shit? I’m a fuckin’ graduate!” She beamed brightly as her family surrounded her with affection and praise, the reality that she had actually survived college - something even she didn’t anticipate for herself.

“Come on sweetheart, it’s time to celebrate,” her mother cooed, leading her into the car so they could relocate to the venue.

They had reserved a private party room at one of Vanessa’s favorite restaurants. It had already been decorated with balloons and congratulatory banners as family and friends began filing in.

“Aw, you guys! This is so nice of y’all,” Vanessa beamed as she looked around the room.

“Actually,” Nina started, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet with a giddy expression. “We have a little surprise for you.” She glanced over her shoulder, her smile brightening even more.

The room was silent, aside from some confused murmuring, until the sound of heels clacking against the hardwood floor got louder and louder until Brooke Lynn was standing in the doorway.

Vanessa’s eyes went wide and began to well with tears. “Brooke Lynn!”

“Hi, baby,” Brooke had barely gotten the phrase out before Vanessa launched herself at her. She caught her in a tight embrace, picking her up and spinning her around.

“I can’t believe you’re here! What about your show?”

She shrugged as she set her down. “The understudy agreed to do a couple shows so I could surprise my girlfriend,” she kissed her sweetly and ruffled her hair. “It’s so good to see you.”

Even after she was set down, Vanessa was still hugging her tight. “I’m so happy you’re here, oh my god,” she tilted her head up to blink away tears.

Brooke stroked her fingers through her hair, humming softly. Then she took a step back, swallowing thickly. “I… um… I actually have one more surprise for you.”

“You’re not pregnant, are you?”

She laughed awkwardly and shook her head. “No, this is just… something I’ve wanted to do since… honestly, since our first Thanksgiving together. I’ve been ready but… I finally think we’re ready,” she haphazardly rifled through her purse, her legs trembled as she got down on one knee.

The Mateo family had already erupted in excitement, scrambling for their phones and enthusiastically chattering in Spanish. Vanessa was the only quiet one, biting down on her knuckles as she was already starting to cry.

“Vanessa--”

“Yes!” “Let me finish!” Brooke giggled softly, then collected herself as quickly as she could, opening the box up. “Vanessa, I’ve loved you from the moment I met you, regardless of how stubborn I was about it in the beginning. But over these past four years, my love for you has only grown exponentially. And that’s why I want to ask you… will you marry me?” There was a beat of silence. “You can answer now.”

“Yes!” It was somewhere between a scream and a sob, Vanessa hardly knew what to do with herself, so she just threw her arms around Brooke and cried into the crook of her neck until she had pulled herself together enough to slide the ring onto her finger. “Damn, look at this rock!” She exclaimed to distract herself and everyone else from how much of a mess she was.

“This bitch really got a diploma and a wife on the same day,” A’keria remarked to Blair with a laugh. “But I’ll be damned if there ain’t anyone that deserves it more.”

As the newly-engaged couple embraced, the energy that surrounded them made it clear that everyone shared those sentiments. Brooke Lynn and Vanessa had been through a lot since the day they met in Katya’s dance class, but it was all worth it to lead up to this moment.

[yasumi222]

KILLING STALKING ANALYSIS :D PART UNO

Ayz, u ppl r so nice, luvz :D

And I was thinking for some days already, about that bizarre plotline in the recent chapters, so I came up with theory – or more likely a perspective. I love Killing Stalking – but only psychological aspect of it – the part of investigation is… bad. Real bad. Still, plot holes are there to stick a finger in them. And I have a lot blabbering to do, so I suppose I won’t post it all at once XD Still, I’ll make kinda tl;dr to maybe at least announce what I have in mind and we will see how it goes.

So tl;dr – last chapters are (not 100% aware) Sangwoo suicide attempt, he did not “murder” Chief Kwak, he has inner demon fight – inside his head - Seungbae is something – and I will call it a villain.

And for the beginning – I’ll start with the analyse – what made Sangwoo to be in the situation he is right now, and why he called it upon himself. I’m saying that right now XD ill divide part one in two parts, because it will be long ass shit, and I will be crazy surprised if someone read one part in one go.

I will go for the more juicy plot holes later, after I make a point in that suicide of Sangwoo matter – because – in my opinion it is the opus magnum of that story.

PART I – SANGWOO CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Let’s start with Sangwoo. Within chapters in S3 its vivid that he cares no more about his wellbeing, he is not scared of death – he is scared of one particular way of dying – the painful one. Risky way of driving, talking about his crimes out loud, lack of joy in the thing that should provide some sort of warmness inside his broken heart.

I think Sangwoo after such traumas is divided between two personalities. Either it is some strange dissociative identity disorder, where the split is not fully achieved, but its present, or its very severe case of borderline disorder. Either way - I will assume – that indeed – inside his head lives two characters, which are fighting over leadership. And one of them is 90% of the time victorious. Let’s call him KILLER – that crazy, murderous personality, without empathy, full of himself – absolute and terrible monster. That “Killer” is the one who has hallucinations about his mother, that “Killer” believes he killed not only a mother, but a father too. That “KILLER” was created the day – when his mother put a knife in her throat, and is surviving till today. And that KILLER is the schizophrenic one – who hears bangs on the door, who reacts with aggression with every hallucination that appear. I’m pretty convinced that the first killings from Sangwoo – were not committed with the full sanity of the act. They were not accident, of course, but he was killing over and over his mother - then his mind needed to accustom to such horrific act. And the KILLER matured. Killings were most probably soothing shattered mind, he killed hallucination after hallucination – letting himself for a moment of peace – in such horrific manner.

And Bum was the one, who managed to snap the KILLER out of his mania – with very simple words. I love you. Because if mother of the KILLER was indeed loving him, even after rape, she wouldn’t die. She wouldn’t get the knife inside her throat. She wouldn’t reject him in such disgusting act. She hated him so much, she preferred death over letting herself love him. She would be still alive, alas KILLER wouldn’t be born.

And the KILLER stops. Bum survives.

But stopping the KILLER is way different story than overcoming him. He is pushing every way possible – to force Bum to hate him – testing him, trying him – and still like a child, who kicks his dog – he still expect that the dog will come back – lick his face, wiggle tail in happiness.  It’s not logical. But Sangwoo expect absolute love – even in the face of true terror.

Maybe because he regrets, he didn’t show his love to his mother – even during the most disgusting act – because he loved her unconditionally, and maybe – maybe if he didn’t complain – she would not reject him.

And KILLER is angry when Bum rejects him. But then, try after try, when our fucked up in the head Bum manage to still show his attachment to Sangwoo – the KILLER starts to shine less, and something old – something long forgotten is starting to look at Bum with different eyes. The moment of Bum attempted suicide is crucial moment, when the KILLER is for the moment gone. Hidden. Bum is trying to get rid of himself – not because he do not love Sangwoo – but because Sangwoo is not loving him. And Sangwoo see for the first time – himself in small figure of Bum, he sees that rejected, scared boy, who cries his out eyes, and who is ready to give up his life – not for him, but as an act of rejection of the world without him. Sangwoo for the first time believes Bum – because there is no lie in the blood. There is no lie in the tears.

Sangwoo hurt him. And he is aware of that.

And that Sangwoo – of that moment – is the man who will sustain on doing any harm to his beloved Bum. That is the second persona, who will lose again and again in the battle with the KILLER. But it’s the persona that I love. The persona who tries, and tries. But that persona needs help, needs constant sustain, needs the directions – to learn again how to behave, how to notice others. When I’m in pain – for example – having an headache – I’m really focused about my wellbeing. It’s easier to get upset over someone, because during pain I’m more self-centered. And Sangwoo agony is going on and on and on and on, without any pauses. And him trying to see through his trauma other person is almost impossible – and yet – he tries. Not as a hero, he won’t get any applause for doing that. And – even during tries – he is fully aware he will fail. Again. And again. Victory was never an option.

And we can all agree – KILLING STALKING – shouldn’t have a happy ending. And there was never an intention of getting one - as Koogi showed us. Sangwoo is suicidal. He was, he is and he will be. But there was one thing – the most painful death – that he feared with all his mind, wholesome of his heart. The lonely, painful death. And it was a curse placed upon him. The dagger poking his neck. And he was well aware it will never go away. Then – he asked the only person – which reached his softer, calmer persona for one thing. To die with him. To be with him – even in the most scary moment – to be with him – and in that way – even if he was devoured alive but monsters, drenched in the well, crushed to the bones – he would not die the most painful way. He needed Bum to protect him from alone, dark and scary death. And in that way he would – no matter what – be protected from the curse, that his mother placed upon him.

Still – the perspective of death was not so… vivid back then. It was in front of him, but not clear, close but not too close yet. They were drown in the ceremony of their own bonding, their honeymoon before actual wedding. And I truly believe – he wanted to cherish those moment, but his broken mind was not able to fulfill any boxes of happiness. Dysphoria. Sangwoo lost an ability to feel actual happiness, but still – seeing such joy in the eyes of Bum – forced his own mind to borrow a little of that light. And that was the moment I truly loved Bum. That was his strength that Sangwoo lacked, the ability to still light that fire. Joy. Happiness. Love.

But I can only imagine what an actual feeling that was for Sangwoo. The realization of the hollowness of your own being.

And he was shattering.

And I’d like to think that – the murder of the lady during ski trip – was an actual parallel to the first time – when Sangwoo killed someone. Haunted with the pictures of his mother, with trembling hands, and tears in his eyes – it was not a KILLER who killed her. It wasn’t thought through, it wasn’t calm and ironic. It was madness, absolutely terrifying madness.

And Sangwoo ran. Shattering more and more of the defenses he set years ago. He was naked in his own filthy, murderous self, in his own disgusting, horrid trauma, and drowned in the fear of dying – most painful, most painful, most painful… way…

And he ran to Bum. He cried next to Bum. Even if he didn’t expect him to answer, his presence was his safe place. He believed he won’t be rejected, or maybe at least hoped so. Even if he expected silence – it was the first time – when he – in very clumsy way – reached to Bum for help. Dependence was set hard in the stone. For the first time – Sangwoo was really vulnerable – and in the future – that vulnerability will only grow stronger.

 Thank you if you reached the bottom of that mindsea :) I hope, even if it’s some rambling of anon in the internet – maybe a tiny bit of it was entertaining for you; as it is part one ill try to post second asap :D even if only for myself :’D cheers!

[iamartemisday]

Why of course I have to ask for Lokane 💍

where they get married

Outdoors most definitely. Possibly on the roof of a skyscraper so they can be extra close to the sky. Loki would add extra stars to the sky and work some magic to make the moon look bigger. (He’d do it for real but there are tides and silly things like that.)

when they get married ( ie what time of day, what month and season etc. )

At night during the full moon. Probably early summer or late spring when it’s warm but not too warm.

what traditions they include ( do they get married under a chuppah and crush a glass, garter toss, ‘something borrowed, something blue,’ etc. )

I feel like they’d mix traditions. Jane would wear white, but she’d probably have some green somewhere because it’s Loki’s color. Maybe he’d make her a necklace with green stones or something. He’d wear ceremonial armor and they’d exchange rings, which Loki probably made himself because Jane deserves it and because anyone else would just go to the store like a plebe. Real men forge their own jewelry out of fire!

what their wedding cake looks like

….who smashes cake into whose face

‘Are we supposed to do this?’‘Some couples like it, but I’d rather not.’‘Very well.’Suddenly all their guests have cake smashed in their face.‘Loki!’‘You put the idea in my head, dearest, and you expected me to do nothing?’

who proposed to who first

Loki proposed. He wanted to make a big gesture, but he knew Jane would prefer a more intimate affair. He compromised by taking her to the top of a mountain and spelling his proposal out in the stars.

It was headline news for weeks.

who walks down the aisle and who waits at the altar ( or neither )

Jane walks, Loki waits.

what their wedding dresses / suits / other look like

Loki would probably wear something like the coronation scene in Thor 1. Maybe without the helmet, though. That thing can get snagged on flowers and stuff. Jane would probably favor a simpler dress. No big fluffy princess gowns. Maybe something like this: 

what their wedding colour scheme is and what sort of decor they have

Blues and purples for sure. Anything space or magic themed. Their wedding cake has constellations on it so their decor should, too.

what flowers are in the bouquet ( if applicable. bonus: what do the flowers mean? )

Lily of the Valley. Loki gets a good deal from his buddy Ēostre.

what their vows are ( eg poetry, traditional, improvised etc. )

I feel like they wouldn’t have long vows or anything overly creative. Jane’s not much of a writer and she doesn’t want to give Loki the chance to be like ‘I would move the Earth for you’ and then disrupt the planet’s gravitational pull to prove his point.

if anyone’s late to the wedding

I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t be on time. Maybe Tony if wants to grab a last minute wedding gift for them. (‘I’m sorry, Rudolph, I just saw this Viking helmet at the discount costume store and it just spoke to me. Really brings out your eyes.’)

who’s in the bridal parties / groomsmen / other

Darcy would probably be Jane’s maid of honor, and Thor would be Loki’s best man. I don’t think they’d have a huge wedding party otherwise.

what their bridal party / groomsmen / other are wearing

Thor wears his armor, and Jane gives Darcy carte blanche to pick her own dress since Jane’s not the most fashion savvy person. I feel like Darcy would look good in something like this:

who gives speeches at the reception ( bonus: what do they say? recount a sweet memory or two between them? tell an embarrassing story? )

Thor starts giving a speech about the time Loki almost fell into a volcano in Muselphiem and Thor had to save him, but then he mysteriously develops severe laryngitis and can’t talk for the rest of the night. Weird how that happens sometimes.

who catches the bouquet( s )

Jane intentionally throws it Sif’s way. (‘Confess to Thor already, geez!’) Unfortunately, Sif has her back turned, assumes whatever is whizzing at her head to be an attack and impales the flowers on a blade. Petals and broken stems are everywhere.‘Eostre will kill you.’‘Shut up, Silvertongue…’

what their wedding photos are like ( are they sweet, with the couple holding hands or kissing or ~gazing into each others eyes~? are they silly, with a snapshot of the ‘cake-smash’ moment? or are they artistic, with one of them facing the sunset or holding their bouquets? )

Some of them are perfectly normal and beautiful (the ones with just Jane and Loki). Some were boring, so Loki added a few alterations before they were developed.‘Why does Thor have a horse tail and rabbit ears?’‘You don’t think they suit him?’

what sort of food they have at the reception

I feel like they’d have a pretty eclectic setup. Jane’s partial to Mexican from her time in Puente Antiguo, but Loki needs some of Asgard’s traditional dishes as well. The full roasted goat was a bit much, but Jane can’t deny it tasted amazing.

who cries first during the ceremony

Tony, because he always obnoxiously cries at weddings. And because Loki gave Morgan a pony for her birthday and now she totally likes him best out of everyone??? Not fucking way, Reindeer Games!

how wild their reception gets ( who dances the best, who gets drunk first, etc. )

It’s a half Asgard wedding. You tell me.

what their rings are like

Gold bands with shift between different phrases and images. Also they have sensors to let one know when the other is in danger. Loki adds lots of little features like that because again, real man!

what sort of favours they have ( heart shaped sparklers, mini champagne bottles, personalised candy etc. )

Loki makes tiny model constellations to place on all the tables. They hand out extremely tiny bottles of Asgardian ale. Like barely one swallow. It’s enough to get an average human completely trashed, but probably not kill them.

where they go for their honeymoon

Loki takes her on a lengthy tour of the galaxy, showing her more stars than she ever knew possible. It turns out to be kind of a bad idea because she keeps interrupting their (cough) alone time because look at that star right there. I’ve never seen that star before. Look, Loki, look!!!

something memorable that happens during the party / ceremony ( do they run out of ice and someone goes to get it in full formal wear on foot, does anyone fall asleep in the middle of the party, etc. )

A random terrorist attack happens halfway through the reception. All Avengers and allies are needed. This is extremely bad timing as they haven’t even cut the cake yet. Loki rolls his eyes at all the whining and ‘this is important we’ll come back when we can’ blah blah blah.

Loki then disappears, only to return a minute later, wiping his knife clean like ‘okay taken care of.’

The party continues and nobody says anything about the blood on his armor.

who officiates the ceremony

Heimdall. Tony offers (he can perform legally binding marriages because of this thing from grad school when he got drunk in Atlantic City and… well it’s a long story), but since he’s still pissed about the pony thing, Jane politely declines. Tony agrees this is probably for the best as he might not be able to resist coming in on a horse since Loki obviously loves horses so damn much…

what song their first dance is to

I like Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls for them.Shockingly enough, Loki doesn’t change the song to something stupid like Jizz in My Pants as a joke. That would be too obvious (and he already filled the rest of the wedding playlist with Weird Al songs anyway).

who gives who away as they walk down the aisle

I think Jane would give herself away. It’s their moment, even if a lot of people are watching, and Jane wants it to be personal. Just him and her, the way it was meant to be.

[consultingsister-aa]

@lighthouscd said: grey & cee though ://

How did they they meet? At Victor’s house party! So, Cecelia had started to feel sick after doing four jelly shots in a row and ended up in the bathroom. She then persuades Mary, who had come up to hold her hair back/moral support, that the best place to relax at a party is in the bathtub. Trust her, she’s done this before. Mary and Cee now in the empty bath, fully dressed, sipping cocktails when Grey walks in, doesn’t notice them behind the curtain and goes to pee. You know, that normal thing you do in the bathroom. Just before anything dramatic happens, Cee whips back the curtain and yells, “GET IT OUT! OH YEAH BOY” and that is how Greyson and Cecelia met. Totally normal. Story not to tell the grandkids.  Who developed romantic feelings first? Will get back to you when it happens! Seriously, probably Cecelia, because Greyson is good looking and was probably mean to to her.  Who is their biggest “shipper?” Victor. In hopes that Grey might chill Cee out and Cee might make Grey a bit happier; it’s not really working, Grey is just annoyed by un-chill Cee.  When did they have their first kiss and under what circumstances? Technically their first kiss was at the aforementioned house party but Cee has no memory of this and Grey can’t remember if it was actually her. So first official kiss was second date, when Celia invited him over to watch the horror film Orphan and Cee spent half the time cowering into his shoulder.  Who confessed their feelings first? Cee sort of confessed for them both when she yelled to stop being a pussy and ask her on a date before they both got bored of each other.  What was their first official date? Actually, Celia talked him into going to a Gin Festival in Primrose Hill. They spend the afternoon getting slowly drunk on tiny tasters of various gins and then got pizza slices on the walk home. She was this close to inviting him in but managed to keep it together because, surprisingly, she actually had a really nice time and wanted to take thing a little slower and be more serious. First time for everything.  How do they feel about double dates/group dates? In theory, they’re not against them, but Grey doesn’t like many of Cee’s friends and she feels the same about his.  What do they do in their down time? They actually get kind of into gaming? Story based games especially, usually on the PS4. Sometimes they play together but most of the time Grey plays while Cee watches, like some sort of interactive movie. But it is something they actually do together. One time Grey played without her because she was at work and she deleted his saved game so they had to restart together. He did not do that again.  What was the first meeting of parents as an official couple like? Aha, no.  What was their first fight over and how did they get past it? They didn’t really fight, it was more like a few harsh words and then didn’t text each other for three days but Cee caught Grey chatting to some lady at the bar and Grey can deny it all he wants but he was smiling that “dUMB CHARMING SMILE THAT MEANS YOU WERE FLIRTING! PLUS YOU ALREADY HAD YOUR DRINK WHY WERE YOU EVEN STILL AT THE BAR YOU DUMB FUCK!” I don’t think they get past fights either, they just sort of stop fighting and everything is fine, only for Cee to bring it up again three weeks later in a completely unrelated argument.  Which one is more easily made jealous? Cee gets nervous about him talking to other people quite easily but Grey is more jealous. Plus, Cee just blanks him, Grey starts fights.  What is their favourite thing to get to eat? Chinese food. But a specific chinese around the corner for Celia’s and Grey spent the whole first time they got it complaining about how expensive it was (it is really stupidly expensive) but now everything is rubbish in comparison. Who’s the cuddly one? What their favourite cuddling position? Mmmm Cee is but only i terms of neither of them are that cuddly so Cee isn’t but compared to Grey is. I think Cee is more likely to just sort of lie on top of Grey when they’re watching tv or in bed.  Are they hand holders? Not really. Cee can be when she’s drinking.  How long do they wait before sleeping together for the first time? What’s the circumstances? Second date. First kiss leads to first fuck. They’re simple people.  Who tops? Cecelia. Oh Greyson, for sure, so manly.  What’s the worst fight they’ve ever gotten into? Cee drags Greyson along to a work party and it’s a pretty major event. It starts off really nice, she even manages to get him in a Gucci suit, he looks divine. But then a woman for Cee’s work (a little older, a lot shit) says something just really inappropriate to Greyson and the mood changes pretty quick. To this day, Grey wont tell Cee what she said, but she reckons it was something about his prosthetics because he eventually admitted later that he was made to feel less like Cee’s partner and more like a charity case. He’s in a bad mood the rest of the night, makes some comments about how vapid and pointless the whole thing is and they leave early. When they get home Cee starts yelling about how embarrassed he made her feel the whole night and Grey starts yelling about embarrassed he felt to even be there. Although it was a awful fight, it’s one of the few fights they have ever actually discussed and got over. Cee makes it clear that she understands fashion can come from a vapid place but it’s still important to her and they also discuss how out of place Grey was made to feel the whole night. Cee actually ends up the confronting the woman at work the next day, “I don’t know what you said to him but I’ll have you know Greyson is twice the person you will ever be,” sort of thing. It was a long night, Cee cried quite a lot, but it actually helped each other to understand the other a lot.  Who does the shopping and the cooking? Cee’s housekeeper does the shopping, although for a while she made out like she did. Cee doesn’t cook, it’s safer that way.   Which one is more organized and prone to tidiness? Cee cleans when she’s nervous, but in general Greyson is tidier than her. Celia tens to leave a trail of stuff behind her.  Who proposes? Greyson. With a lot of peer pressure from Cee through Victor.  Do they have joined Bachelor/Bachelorette parties or separate? No, and what happens during the parties stays on the parties. Not saying it was bad but it was ridiculous.   Who is the best man/maid of honour? Any other groomsmen or bridesmaids? They don’t have official groomsmen or bridesmaids because the wedding is too small but I imagine that Victor, Ariel and Celia’s friend Poppy and Alessia play major parts throughout.  Big Ceremony or Small? Tiny. Actually, ceremony might be too big a word for what they do. They have a courtroom thing with only a couple witnesses, Cee doesn’t even wear a dress.  Do they have a honeymoon? If so, where? California. Don’t know, just feeling it. They get a massive house in Hollywood hills and just do nothing but swim, chill, drink, and have sex for two weeks. Well, that’s not true, Celia always goes shopping and pretends she’s in a film.  Do they have children? How many? Mmmmm, one? Maybe. Would not recommend. 

[cheesytoucans]

Revue Starlight Supernatural AU: Blood Donors (part 2)

Tendo Maya was terrified. Life had been so good lately that she just knew the other shoe was about to drop. And it was going to be all her fault. For there was something dangling like the sword of Damocles over the most precious thing in Maya’s life.

Her beautiful, defiant Claudine had finally blessed her by letting Maya love her. These last few months with her partner fully and willingly by her side have been blissful, more than Maya could have ever hoped for and yet…

She wanted more.

That was the awful, selfish truth. She was such a wretched creature that she couldn’t just enjoy the moments Claudine was wrapped up in her arms without wanting to consume her completely.

She wanted to taste the sweet lifeblood running though those veins. Claudine was so full of fire, it shone in her eyes whenever she challenged Maya, whenever she stood up to try again and again, even if she knew she was going to lose. Maya would bet everything she owned that Claudine’s blood was as powerful as the blonde’s resolve to reach the top. Maya wanted it so badly.

But there was no way she was worthy of such a precious gift.

There was no way Claudine would share her lifeforce with Maya, especially if she realized how selfish her girlfriend really was. If she knew the depths of Maya’s hunger for her, the wolf would run away as fast as she could. Because Maya longed for a lot of things. Not only for Kuro’s blood, but for the chance of taking care of her while she recovered from the blood loss. For having the especial kind of bond that formed between vampire and donor. For being able to tell the world (and every other vampire) that this wonderful creature was hers and she was going to protect and cherish her til her dying breath.

But it will all remain as a secret wish, because Maya was terrified of Claudine’s possible rejection. She was too much of a coward to ask for something so sacred.

At least, it will remain secret for a while. Maya knew it was going to come out sooner or later and then this perfect little bubble she’s been living in with her beloved would implode in her face.

So when an absolutely livid Kaoruko clad only in a bathrobe stormed into Maya’s room, the brunette felt her stomach sinking. She already knew where this was going.

“Tendou-han, I will have a few words with you. There are a lot of things I want to say, but the first is: what the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

Maya tried to play dumb. There was a small chance this was about something else after all.

Wrong. It was exactly what she thought it was about. Time to change tactics. She told Kaoruko it was none of her bussiness, giving her a serious look. Her fellow vampire did respect her after all, maybe even saw her as a bit of a mentor. Hopefully that would be enough to get her to back off.

“Oh yeah? Then why did I have to teach Kuro-han about sharing blood? And why is my fiancée holding her while she cries right now?”

If Maya thought her stomach was sinking earlier, it was now somewhere in the underworld. Making Claudine cry in pain was the last thing she wanted.

She could feel her neutral mask cracking as the guilt hit her. Claudine was the one person who really got to her enough to make her lose her cool when there where witnesses around. Kaoruko saw her weakness and pounced, relentlessly pushing until the ugly truth fell from Maya’s lips.

Soon, all her insecurities came rushing out. Kaoruko’s anger started fading the more she heard Maya talk. By the time Maya’s voice was scratchy from overuse and tears where running down her cheeks, Kaoruko was holding her and caressing her hair.

“You dummy, Kuro-han feels she is the one who’s not good enough for you. There’s nothing to be afraid of”

Kaoruko went on to explain what had happened in the bathroom in detail, and tried to convince Maya just to talk about it with Claudine. Maya’s resolve to keep her feelings hidden started to crumble. Maybe she should talk to her wolf, the damage was already done anyways.

By the time Kaoruko was satisfied enough with her efforts to make Maya stop being an idiot (her words), it was already late enough for everyone else to be in bed.

Maya reluctantly made her way to Kuro’s room. She didn’t know what to expect.

She certainly didn’t expect the door to be locked.

Claudine never locked her door. Ever since Maya started her nightly visits, she could just walk into the blonde’s room.

She fled back to her room. She was not ashamed to admit she cried herself to sleep. It seems she has her answer, and it was exactly what she thought it would be.

The next two days were excruciating, for everyone. All the girls could tell something was wrong, and they were walking on eggshells around the pair. Kaoruko and Futaba tried to help, but they couldn’t hope to match their stubbornness.

The worst part, in Maya’s opinion, was the way Claudine seemed so… subdued. All the fight seemed to have gone out of her. She could barely meet Maya’s eyes, even when they were practicing. Needless to say, rehearsals had been hell.

It happened during the third day.

Someone from class B screwed up and a fairly heavy prop went flying at Maya’s head. She was too busy staring wistfully at her girlfriend (was she still her girlfriend?) to actually use her superior reflexes to dodge like any sensible person would.

Next thing she knows, she’s on the ground with Claudine kneeling next to her. The blonde was talking a mile a minute, looking terrified. Maya wished she could understand her, but her ears are ringing and she could feel a warm, sticky fluid running down her temple.

Finally, the ringing went down enough for her to hear all the girls talking over each other. Some asking if she was alright, others about taking her to the nurse, some even thinking of calling an ambulance. Someone (most likely another vampire) said that she should drink blood immediately to help her body deal with the damage. Everyone agreed it was a good idea, but there was a tiny problem. Namely, no one had any blood bags at hand.

“Take mine”

Maya must be hallucinating, there was no way she heard those words come out of Claudine’s lips. Then the girl threw her thick hair over one shoulder, exposing the other to the brunette’s gaze. Kuro slowly moved closer, determination shining in her eyes. Right until Maya sat up and took her arm in a vice grip to halt her in her tracks.

“No”

Kuro visibly took it the wrong way. She scowled, and practically growled the next words.

“Don’t be stupid, you need it!”

“I said no”

Despite her best efforts to stay angry, Kuro felt herself tearing up. Was Maya really so repulsed by her that she would refuse her even in a emergency?

“Listen, I… I know you don’t… You don’t want me like that. I know I’m not good enough to be your donor… But please, just this once, just take it”

Kuro closed her eyes, trying not to cry in front of everyone, only to snap then back open when she felt a hand lovingly cupping her face. What she saw left her breathless: Her vampire, with the softest look in her eyes, not even attempting to hide the fondness that was clear in her eyes and her voice as she spoke and absolutely destroyed her.

“My Claudine… You are so precious to me, and you deserve so much better than this” Maya brought her forehead against Kuro’s, staring deeply into widening crimson eyes, willing the blonde to feel her sincerity. Her voice took on that low, smooth tone that her girlfriend not-so-secretly loved as she murmured the next words against Claudine’s lips, “When I take your blood for the first time, it will be on a soft bed, surrounded by candlelight as I hold you in my arms all night long, with only the moon as our witness.”

Several people gasped, but Maya was too focused on Claudine (and probably concussed) to care. Claudine’s face was going through every shade of red as she sputtered and babbled in French, completely flustered, and it was too adorable to miss.

Sadly, the head wound caught up to her. Her vision was going black around the edges, so she closed her eyes and rested her head against Kuro’s shoulder. Maybe if she took a short nap…

After being discharged from the hospital, Maya spent the night In Kuro’s room, cuddling and finally talking about their feelings. Claudine seemed more flustered than usual since Maya regained consciousness, but the vampire dismissed it. Her girlfriend had never been the best at handling feelings.

What Maya didn’t know and Claudine refused to tell her is that, in werewolf culture, making romantic declarations or gestures and proclaiming the moon as a witness was basically proposing. To make matters worse, many wolves from both classes had been present for it, so now the entire school was on fire with gossip about the two top students. And the absolute worst: Kaoruko was fully aware of the meaning of Maya’s words, and Kuro could feel her smirking even when that cursed vampire wasn’t in the room.

What neither of them knew was that Nana was already planning their future mating ceremony. She was secretly conspiring with Kuro’s mother as well. Banana and Mrs. Saijo knew that both Kuro and Maya were career-oriented people, so they probably wouldn’t be mated until they were in their late twenties, but it never hurt to be prepared.

A week later, everyone stared as a dopey Maya stuck to Kuro like glue, playing the part of the perfect gentleman and spoiling her girlfriend in any way she could. Even the teachers surrendered to their fate and let her stay by Kuro’s side all day long, even in class. The poor blonde wolf spent the day blushing to the roots of her hair under everyone’s knowing glances.

When they arrived home, Kuro cursed the fact that Futaba’s bike let Kaoruko arrive first, as the little menace had put up banners proclaiming ‘Congrats on getting your fangs wet!’ all over the common room.

Junna and Claudine screamed.

Karen asked what that meant.

Mahiru choked.

Futaba and Hikari looked resigned.

Maya kept grinning dazedly.

And Banana took pictures.

It was wild.

~~~♡~~~

Author Notes: Curly strikes again, and is yet again sleep deprived so this is probably full of mistakes but I’m too tired to keep spellchecking, just take this offering as it is.

I almost split this in two, but I thought the cliffhanger of Maya finding out Kuro locked her door was too cruel, so it ended up being long af (hell, if you think this is ranting, you aren’t prepared for the Nanoha AU. That’s shaping up to be a whole testament. It’s coming. Maybe I’ll drop some tiny bits first).

I tried to make the declaration as over-the-top and dramatic as possible, because Kuromaya are just that Extra and gay. I wanted to title it ‘Blood donors and accidental marriage proposals’ but that would have given the surprise away.

Now we have a bit more of werewolf culture yay!

I appreciate feedback, opinions, other hc, etc. Everything gives me more ideas.

I’m about to die, see ya gays later.