#I'd say it's like a cute little angel dropping from the sky

[alien-ally]

The sweetest warmest coziest hug, that was sing my crush. or should i say ddara-baram~ i guess that's also what I'm really in need of that i keep getting enticed by simple straightforward dramas. Light but well done. With the sweetest most pleasant loveliest characters. Hantae and Baram, you'll go a loong way.

[multiverse-imagines]

A Request from DeadTides of AO3!

"Hello, would you mind writing some vash x reader fluff? I was thinking something like the reader is very shy about Vash's flirting, he finds it absolutely cute, idk...

Thank you in advance!"

-

I didn't receive instructions on gender, so I kept it gender neutral ❤️ this will also be in Vash's pov!

A New Shade of Red

I had boarded the Sand Steamer which was on route to Octovern and made myself comfortable in the room I had paid extra for, so I didn't have to share with anyone. My stomach rumbled in retaliation at my lack of food so far today. I'd only had time for a café sandwich and a cup of coffee before getting in line for the Sand Steamer. With a sigh, I headed to the commons area where a few shops set up in addition to the concession stand I had been aiming to find. I stood in line noticing an absolute cutie in front of me! They hadn't turned around yet, but I just knew! The curves of their body, the choice in outfit, the lingering scent of shampoo under the perfume! This person was beautiful!

They were mumbling to themself as they fiddled with their wallet, dropping a quarter on the ground. It rolled behind them, tapping against my shoe, causing it to lay flat on the ground. They turned to pick up the quarter, when their eyes found mine. I was right; they were absolutely alluring. They paused, mouth agape. Did they recognize me? Did I startle them? Did I have something in my teeth?

"S-sorry to bother you." They said, dipping down to the floor to pick up their coin. Their voice was like a chorus of angels!

"N-No, that's alright. Can I just say that your eyes are quite lovely? Probably the most beautiful I've ever seen?" I had to tell them.

Now, usually when I tell a gorgeous person like this one something like this, they knock me away, or harrumph and ignore me.

But this one. They blushed. Turning beet red, they averted their eyes, shoulders scrunching up to their cheeks in an attempt to hide their lovely face.

"Oh, uh, thank you, Sir." Polite too!

"Say, um, why don't I buy your food? I know this lovely spot on the upper deck where we can sit and chat, if you'd like?"

"Oh, um, sure, I need some time out of my room anyway. They get kind of stuffy." They seemed to relax a little.

"Yeah, they can get that way. The ventilation isn't the greatest." I nodded. They said yes!

We ordered our food, and made our way to the upper deck. They didn't chat much. We found our spot that overlooked the sunset. The sky was turning a blazing red, orange, and pink before the transition to the east, where the sky was already turning a dark blue speckled with the brighter stars of the evening. A perfect scene for a love story.

"So have you been on the Sand Steamer before?" They finally broke our silence as they took a bite of their food.

"Yes, I've been on it a few times. It's pretty expensive sometimes, so I travel in other ways too."

"What kind of places do you travel to?"

"A little bit of everything. Sometimes to visit friends, sometimes to see the sights." I shrugged. I didn't need to tell her that I was Vash the Stampede. I really wanted to tell the story about the duel I had on this deck though. It was so intense.

"I see. I'm headed to Octovern from December to see some friends, myself."

"That's quite a distance. Must be good friends." I nodded.

"I don't make friends all that easily, so I like to keep the ones I have." They were absentmindedly picking at the sides of their fingers as they spoke. A nervous habit?

"I seem to think you're doing a good job right now.

I think we're friends already." I smiled at them. And there it was, a blush as deep as the reddened sky. I was beginning to like this color on them. I wanted to see it more often.

"R-really? Well, then, it's nice to meet you." They held out their hand for me to shake. They were so stiff as they introduced themself by name. I took their hand, giving a gentle grip that mirrored theirs.

"I'm Vash."

"I-I know." As if their face could be any more flushed.

-

"Vash, that's so embarrassing!" They swayed back and forth as they held their hands to their face, their ears nearly releasing puffs of hot air from their increased heat.

"Aw, but Mayfly, you look so cute in that hat! It suits you!" I bent down to try being at face height.

"You think everything I wear suits me!" They peeked out from behind their fingers.

"Yeah, and you look gorgeous without everything too~" I whispered to their ear. A sharp squeak came from their throat, and they rested their head against my coat, both of which were now the same color.

It had been six months since we met on the Sand Steamer. Three since we started dating. Their inability to handle even the smallest of flirting gave me an inexpressible amount of joy. They deserved every compliment I gave them. We had talked about their past a few times. A lonely childhood, an absent family, and malnourished social skills made it hard for them to make friends, much less find a partner. If anyone understood their loneliness, I guess it was me. They were still getting used to having companionship, and someone who actually loved them. They were always a blushing mess, but it was great to know that they took my words to heart. I meant every one of them. Just another reason for red to still be my favorite color.

[bottomdeanbigbang]

Coming Soon!

Title: Interesting Revelations

Author: redamber79

Artist: lamiasageart

Pairings: Dean/Cas, mentioned Charlie/Gilda, mentioned Sam/Eileen

Rated: Explicit

Length: 21456

Tags: minor injury, mention of past child abuse, anal sex, misunderstandings, mild drug use, idiots in love, mutual pining, first time, love confessions, college AU

Warnings: N/A

Summary:

"It's Dean's third year of college and he's having to adjust to a new roommate when his friend Ash transfers to MIT. The new guy, Castiel, is studying American History and Religious Studies, and Dean is certain the guy must be straight as an arrow. Too bad, 'cause he's kinda cute. But Dean grew up with more lectures about fire and brimstone than anyone wanted to hear thanks to his dad, so he doesn't mention to Castiel that he's bi. Not like it matters, Castiel is heartbroken over the death of Anna, his high school sweetheart. So Dean is determined to just be a good friend.

But...

What if Dean is mistaken, about so very many things?

It takes a fistfight with an interloper to clear the air between them, but then there's no stopping their feelings for each other."

Excerpt under the cut...

"Dean and Castiel mostly ignored each other the first month or so they were rooming together. Then, one day, Castiel came home muttering and tossed his Religious Studies text onto the coffee table before dropping onto the couch next to Dean. Dean glanced at the clock and frowned, continuing to type. He had an English paper due in a few days and needed to wrap it up.

""Don't you have class?"" he asked curiously, tilting his head at his roommate. Castiel was running his fingers through his already wild hair, and his eyes were stormy. From this close, Dean could see their colour clearly, a brilliant, breathtaking blue that rivalled the fall sky outside their apartment window. Get a grip, Winchester. No writing poetry about the straight guy's eyes!

""I dropped it. That… That assbutt Adler is the worst Prof I've ever had, and first year I had Roman for Business 101!"" Dean blinked. That had to be the first time he'd heard Castiel swear, and he wasn't sure what to make of it. Assbutt? He shook his head a little and focused on the topic at hand.

""Don't you need that one to minor? Adler can't be that bad…"" Dean let his comment trail off as Castiel raised an eyebrow at him and gave him a withering look. Dean squirmed a little under that stare.

""I'm reporting him to the Dean. Yes, he’s that bad. He's not teaching Religious Studies, he's proselytising from his pulpit, and that damn textbook is one he wrote! I am not wasting my time. I'm just pissed I can't get my money back from the bookstore for this piece of inarticulate, brain-washed drivel. He's the worst sort of Bible-is-fact, In God We Trust Republican dickwad that I hated back home! I moved here to escape that shit, not smear it around.""

""Says the guy named after an angel…"" Dean teased a little, earning him an eye roll. Castiel dug into his backpack and hauled out a small bag of gummies, the label unmistakably identifying them as pot, then he looked at Dean warily.

""You're not gonna rat me out, right?"" he asked, and Dean stared in disbelief as his nerdy, innocent, apparently not-so-religious roommate popped an edible into his mouth. ""You want one?""

Dean closed his mouth, blinked, and then shook his head. ""Not today, got auto in a couple hours, need to be clear-headed. And you know who I rented with before, he recommended you. You think anyone Ash hung out with and rented with for two years would have a problem with edibles?""

Castiel snorted a laugh, his nose crinkling up adorably, and Dean looked away. Not being a religious whack-job and partaking in a bit of recreational pot were all well and good. Still. Not everyone was cool with a bisexual roommate.

""Fair 'nough. Wish I could get some money back for this damn book, though I'd really rather burn it than put it back into circulation."""

[cellard0ors]

Ficlet: Beneath The Blue

Mermay isn't over and people enjoyed Part 1, so here's some more...

Rhett has a bit of a gambling problem.

No, that's not quite right. More like a gaming problem. He likes games. He likes the rush of winning and it's not so much about money as the thrill of nailing a dart on a bullseye or getting a hole in one or - well - being right.

He really loves that one. Trivia, guessing games, riddles - lucking out on the right answer or just knowing it, always makes him feel fantastic. He's had marginal luck in his life. With basketball, with singing, and now - with his new current career - fishing, but games?

Rhett's always mastered those, rarely ever a loser. But the thing is, to do those things, he tends to have to use cash as an entry to play, thus - a sort-of-not-really gambling problem.

And winning in those kind of situations is also a problem, because, after some time - it tends to attract...attention. And usually the bad kind. Recently it was very much the bad kind, because he was at The 101, engaging in his normal play only to be snatched up by some very rough looking characters.

Ones who took him into a backroom and decided to skip right over the 'broken knuckles' threat and jump right into the 'you're going to go sleep with the fishes' threat.

To be fair, they probably went quickly into the decision once he started fighting back. Rhett's not much of a brawler, but he's a big guy and that in and of itself can create...issues. Especially if his temper is up.

Long story short - Rhett's bit of a gambling problem led him to being clonked over the head (more than once, matter of fact) and taken out to sea. His last real memory before hitting the water was that he'd been amazed at the boulder they'd found to attach him to - where had they gotten such a huge rock from? A landfill?

Not that it mattered - rock, rope, and Rhett all went overboard and into the deep. Rhett tried not to hold his breath, to struggle enough just to get loose, but, in the end - he'd been lost.

Except he hadn't been.

He'd awoken to find the setting sun bathing him in golden light and, above him, an angel. Because only an angel could have such eyes. Eyes as blue and deep and mysterious as the sea he was supposed to have died in.

His throat ached from damn near drowning but he'd still managed to ask the angel for his name. And he'd gotten it.

Link.

But then the angel had turned, vanished, and Rhett had seen that - while he was right about his mythical savior - he was not at all right about what kind.

Because Link had a tail.

A fish tail.

One as sparkling blue and captivating as his eyes and he'd disappeared into the surf so fast, Rhett began to question his sanity.

Had he imagined it all? The entire experience had been traumatic as heck - maybe it was just a coping mechanism for his mind? But then, far out, he'd seen a head appear above the waters.

Seen it and a shy wave and he'd waved back, because what else could he do? He wasn't dead and he wasn't crazy. He'd been saved. Saved...by a mermaid (merman?) named Link.

Which leads to now and his camping out full time on this small rocky stretch of lonely beach. Rhett made sure to check in with the local marina, see if it was okay for him to dock his tiny fishing boat, The Bluegrass, nearby. And 'nearby' was about a mile or so away, because this bit of land is pretty unoccupied and small.

...the perfect place for a merman (mermaid?) to drop off someone they saved. And, hopefully, return to? Rhett's not sure - honestly, this whole thing might be a fool's errand, but either way - he has a tent pitched and is waiting.

Waiting to see if Link returns.

Night after night seems like a failure. Still, Rhett doesn't mind. He can be patient. His last haul (fish-wise, not gambling-wise) earned him a considerable amount, so there's no harm in waiting.

Still, as he sits here now, the sky a lovely lilac as the sun dips low beneath the horizon, he can't help but feel like time's running out. Honestly, what did he expect? For Link to return and want to...what? Be best friends?

The person...creature...per-creature? Did what he could and Rhett should just be grateful and move on. But there was something about him...and those eyes...and that voice...

Rhett cracks open another can of soda, takes a deep sip when he hears it. The water's waves have become almost a white noise at this point, so consistent, but this...this is different. Just a little splish. Or splash. Or whatever.

And it's close. He puts the can down and quickly surges to his feet, looking out intently over the water and then he sees it. Just the top of someone's head. His head. Dark wet hair and blue eyes behind...are those glasses? And Rhett can't see his nose or anything else, but he can see enough to cry out, "Hey!"

The head rears back, sinks some, and Rhett feels a surge of panic, not wanting to lose this opportunity, "No! Wait, wait! Link! I-!"

The head stops, goes still. Rhett continues on, desperate for this to continue, "Please...don't go."

He doesn't.

Bolstered, Rhett continues, hoping he's heard, understood, "I...I just-? You saved me."

Link simply blinks.

"Thank you."

There's a bobbing in the water around him and Rhett's pretty sure Link nodded. Rhett edges just that little bit closer, "I...I'd hoped you'd come back. Not only so I could thank you, but so...um...maybe-? Maybe we could-? Could talk-?"

Link sinks a little more again, but Rhett can still see his eyes and, as long as he can see those, he feels okay, "I mean...you-you came back. Right? So-so maybe you'd-? You'd like to talk too?"

Link's head disappears.

Rhett feels his heart break. But then he notices that the water is moving. There's a rippling, the kind he sees when fish swim close to the surface. As if to punctuate that thought, the broad tip of a blue tail rises up and out, pushing against the waves.

He's swimming closer!

Rhett resists the urge to hoot in delight, to pumping his arms in victory, as Link pushes forward and, on the next movement of water, he surges upwards - his whole head visible now.

Link's entire face is nice.

A strong jaw, a good nose, a very fine mouth and yeaaaah, Rhett doesn't want Link to swim off, so he's going to do his very best not to focus on that mouth too much as he says, "I'm-I'm Rhett."

Link licks his lips, dips his head shyly, "I'm Link."

"Y-Yeah, you-you said..."

They both just sort of eyeball one another, both clearly unsure of what to make of the other. Of how to proceed. Eventually Rhett does, "So, ah, you're-? You're a mermaid?"

Link's eyebrows rise.

"Merman?"

"Just Mer," Link clarifies, "Our kind doesn't really attach those bits on the end there."

"Really?"

Link nods, "Humans came up with that one."

"Oh? We-we did?"

Another nod, "Back when we first used to come across one another."

"...take it that doesn't really happen now?"

"Not really. No."

Another awkward silence falls. Rhett scratches at one cheek, struggling for something else to say when Link blurts, "You're hairy."

Rhett lowers his hand and - much to his own surprise - he bursts out laughing. Link colors some and he gives a bashful smile and okay, Rhett said he wasn't going to pay too much attention to that mouth, but it's hard when it's so danged cute, "Yeah, yeah I am, brother."

"Bro-ther?" Link repeats and it's clearly a word he's unfamiliar with. Rhett beams, "'Brother'. We use it for family members. Y'know, the boys born from the same Momma and such. Can be a term of endearment too."

"Oh..." Link seems pleased with this and Rhett grins, "You got one?"

Link's eyebrows knit together and Rhett explains, "A brother? Or-or some other family or-?"

"I was spawned from another Mer. She came to shore to give birth to me."

Rhett's eyes grow wide, "You-? You were born on land?"

Link nods, "Most of us are. Mers walk between both worlds more often than not."

Rhett lets that one wash over him even as Link comes closer. Rhett can see his tail better now. It's amazing. Glossy and sparkling blue, the scales tightly knit. Rhett's first reaction is wanting to touch it but he quickly shutters that idea - recognizing it as beyond rude. They've just started talking to one another, for goodness sake!

Still, seeing it rest against the wet sand of the shoreline is tempting and seeing it move, more so. It slides and slithers, but in such an enticing way. Rhett moves a little closer, foam teasing at his toes as Link looks up (and up) at him, "Hard to talk at this level..."

Rhett realizes he probably looks like a giant at Link's angle, the Mer practically lying at his feet, so he lowers himself down until his butt hits the sand, crossing his legs at the ankles, "Better?"

Link nods and Rhett does a bit of a wiggle backward to avoid getting his khaki cargo shorts wet. There's an amused smirk around Link that says he recognizes that action. But of course he does - Mers, apparently, can traverse between land and sea.

So, Link is probably aware of how clothing works. Has he ever worn clothing? Come to the shore? Rhett wants to ask so many questions, but isn't sure what's appropriate and what isn't, but Link beats him to the questioning, "Are you a fisherman?"

Rhett lets out a strained 'Ah-?' as he immediately realizes that the true answer will no doubt insult his new acquaintance, but, again, Link beats him to the punch, "You've got the attire for it. Flannel shirt, baseball cap..."

Rhett frowns, "You think fisherman have a particular attire?"

"To my recollection..." The remark makes Rhett chuckle again, unable to help himself, "'Recollection' - you sound so danged southern. Just like me. I was born and raised in North Carolina."

Link beams, "That's where I was spawned! My sire came from the same location. Not all Mers are from the sea. Some reside in lakes, rivers - any water deep enough to conceal us, but a lot of us return to the ocean, considering its the biggest body of water."

Rhett lets that sink in even as Link again asks, "So, you are a fisherman, right?"

"Um-?"

"It's okay if you are," Link assures him, folding his arms and resting his chin there, "It's not really a proud profession amongst my kind, but it's understandable."

Rhett's lips twitch from side to side, "So I'm not, like, catching up your friends or something?"

Link snorts, "What - you think we talk to them?"

"Heck, man - I don't know how it works," Rhett lets out a peal of nervous giggles, getting the idea that Link is teasing him. Link returns the laugh and Rhett relaxes as a realization settles in.

Whether or not Rhett wants to admit it, he did want Link to return. He wanted him to return and be his friend and it appears that that is indeed what is happening.

It's happening and Rhett couldn't be any happier.

[fayeimara]

Meant To Be || One For Every Billion

6. By My Side | Pt 5

It takes you just a moment to understand his last message but you're already looking up as the dots are being connected and there he is, walking towards you with a real smirk on his real face.

So when he reaches you, you immediately say, "Definitely cute." and watch his mouth drop as he blushes.

Pretty boy didn't think you'd say it, did he? People should really know better than to dare you.

Although he gathers his composure pretty fast, responding after a beat, "Not cuter than you."

You laugh and shake your head, finishing the rest of your drink before standing, "Do you want anything?"

"I'm good, I just had a milkshake from the snack bar on the corner."

He moves to let you pass by him, following your lead as you move to exit the lounge and comment, "That's how you got here so fast. Where are the others?"

"Decided to do their own things, I guess. I think Maki was tired. I don't know what Iwa-chan and Mattsun are up to."

"Uh huh." You had a pretty good idea. They're probably busy being some of the best wingmen ever. That or Toru just ditched his friends, but you don't think he'd really ever do that.

But he'd also be complaining a little more that they ditched him if he didn't have some sort of idea so... you don't know what to think. Which is becoming a constant issue in his presence but it doesn't feel bad or scary.

At this point, you're not going to question it. If everyone is okay and happy, then you're going to focus on the now. Toru is really good at bringing that out in you, you realize as you come to a stop in the warm night air.

Turning to face him with a smile, you ask, "So, then, any requests from the birthday boy?"

His eyes light up with excitement and he responds, "Yes, but it's a surprise!"

"Okay, but.. shouldn't I be surprising you?" You question as he starts to lead you away from the lounge entrance.

"You already did! Now I know we have all night to enjoy the rest of the park."

"Or at least until it closes in a couple hours."

"Then we can gather anyone who's still up and have a party in my room!"

"Yeah, that's real ambitious. We'll see on that but- what's first?"

He stops briefly when he sees a cotton candy stall and answers in his sing-song manner, "First, something sweet for my angel."

Oh he's so cute. Seriously. But you let him buy it for you before prompting, "And now?"

"And now," he looks over at you with a satisfied smile, "we enjoy a ride down a river in a boat." He reveals, just as the two of you reach the entrance to the small, peaceful dock.

"Don't they close the river rides after dark?"

"In ten minutes, actually. So we should hurry because it'll drop us off to our next destination."

You look at him in surprise as you both join the relatively short line. Did he have this planned for before, when he thought you were going to leave? It's a little bittersweet because that's really thoughtful but, it also makes you sad to realize that would mean that maybe he thought the two of you wouldn't see each other again until the next time you visited. It also made you question... Were you unintentionally pushing him away when you visited?

Or you're just overthinking as per usual and he just puts this much effort into it every time he's spending time with a girl he might like. Right.

The two of you reach the front of the line in just a couple minutes and listen to the instructions from the staff member who tries to hand you down into the automated boat. You say 'try' because Toru's hand cuts in between and he helps you instead, giving the guy a pretty condescending smile. He's not even threatened, just.. acting like there was no other possibility because, well, it's not even a contest. You can't lie, you like it.

You settle down and he gets in after you, pretty steady himself as he elegantly plops down into the seat next to you, his arms stretching forward for a brief moment before leaning back into the seat, shifting his legs forward, and placing his hands in his jacket pockets. And whatever he just did there.. that's pretty hot too.

As your boat moves away from the dock, you're struck by the romantic atmosphere of the ride. The quiet melody of the water you're gliding through, the trees dotting the sides of the river that sway with a breeze every so often, their branches reaching towards the water like the leaves are looking for a cool, gentle place to lay. You and Toru, under the stars that are peeking slightly out of the sky, like shy observers to your secret little adventure.

He isn't saying anything either, studying the environment and in his own thoughts you suppose, but you don't mind the silence. You do, however, offer him the cotton candy, tilting the base of the cone you're holding so it's angled towards him. He pulls a hand free from his pocket to reach out and grab a tuft of the cloud-like candy before popping it in his mouth with a smile.

"Do you think about where you want to be in the future?" He's looking up at the sky, head tilted back against the seat, when you look over at his question.

You bite your lip, considering what he's asking. You think way too much about it sometimes, you suppose. "How far in the future?"

He looks over at you in surprise, like he expected a quick answer instead of your clarifying question. Now it's his turn to think. "I guess in a few years, after graduating. What do you want to do?"

"What I want to do is probably very different from where I might be, I think."

"How so?"

You're both looking at each other, lost in another bubble together, so you try to be as honest to yourself as you want to be with him, "In an ideal world, I would either write or play volleyball. Realistically, I'll end up tied to... my family business more than I'd like. Which means I likely won't have the time or energy left to do the things I love."

His eyes are wide, you think he's realized he just turned a mountain, not a rock. Maybe even you wouldn't know what to say in response to someone who just said what you did. But then he surprises you yet again, "If you know what you want to do, what stops you from making sure that's where you end up instead, no matter what?"

"You know," you smile at him softly, "That's exactly the battle I'm currently fighting. So we'll see how it turns out, I guess."

"So," his voice turns teasing, "will you pick writing or volleyball, when you win?"

"Probably writing," you answer with a laugh, releasing the weight that just took a break on your shoulders.

"Why?"

"You love volleyball, right? So much that you can't see yourself doing anything but that for the rest of your life?"

He sends another shocked, wide-eyed look your way but you're surprised he doesn't realize how clear that is to read on him, how easily you figured it out really early in the course of your correspondence this past year. You tuck that away for another day and continue your answer to his question.

"I love both like that and, the way I see it, I'm lucky to be able to love more than one thing at a time. And because I do, they'll both always have a place in the future I want. So it's not really that I'm making a choice between one or the other, I'd be incapable of that. Volleyball will always be in my life, even if it isn't the same way it is now. It's just that I'll pursue writing as my vocation while continuing to enjoy volleyball however I can."

"So you won't go pro." He doesn't state it as a question but it sounds like there's still one in there somewhere.

"I don't think so. That's... a little more complicated."

He shifts to turn more towards you, pulling another piece of the cotton candy you're holding between the two of you and encouraging, "I've seen your videos, Y/n. You're as much, if not more, talented than either of your cousins."

You laugh again, "Aren't you a little biased, Oikawa?"

"Sure, but I'm still telling you the truth as I see it. You've already filled the gaps they lack as players, you almost seem to have none. You're part of the powerhouse teams in your region, even country. And you can only improve from there."

"Yeah. But it's not talent or skill or even anything about volleyball itself that makes me so sure about its role in my life."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I promise, I will another day. But I know it'll be a long discussion and I want to hear your answer."

"My answer?"

"Where you want to be after you graduate."

"Don't you already know?" His lips pull up into a confident smile, "Because you said it, Y/n-chan. I can't see myself doing anything but playing volleyball for my future."

"No matter how you get there?"

"No matter how I get there." He confirms, watching you with a tilt to his head, "But I will get there."

"Of that, I have no doubt. I've seen you play, too."

And like that, his smile twists into a satisfied smirk, "Just on video, huh? You still have to come to one of my games in person, though."

"Oh, I do, do I?" You're grinning as the two of you fall back into lighthearted teasing.

"Of course. I think there's still a thing or two I could teach you."

"I'm sure. Without a doubt."

By the time the boat reaches the end of its line, the cotton candy is completely gone, much like any space between you both. The two of you are just short of leaning into each other, your sides already pretty much pressed against each other for most of the fifteen minute ride, as you and Toru talked and joked about various things with only the blinking stars and swaying trees as your witnesses.

You take a deep breath in as your boat approaches the dock, starting to pull away from him slightly, but you also catch the now-familiar scent of some product Toru uses and it smells divine. It's the sort of scent that makes you want to lean into his chest or neck and just relax while he holds you.

Oh my god. You need to slap yourself. That was pathetic, right? And after just one romantic boat ride, holy shit. You still have another hour and a half to go unless you completely bail on him. And for what? Because you caught yourself slipping? Again?

Ugh. No. You're here to be a good friend. And okay, take it slow and see what else could be between the both of you. But that shit wasn't slow.

You've pulled away, physically and metaphorically, by the time your boat docks but you still accept his hand as he helps you off, blocking the attendant yet again. He doesn't pull away though and neither do you, so you're still holding hands as you and Toru walk to your next destination.

Just taking it slow. Right... Shit.

Turns out your next destination is the carousel. You two keep switching horses, messing around until you're politely removed. After which you hit up some of the rides like the one that spins really fast so that you're pressed back against the reclined wall, or the one where you sit in a claw that swings you up, down, around, etc.

Following that, it's mini coasters and then upgraded back to some of your favourite thrill coasters from earlier in the day. You tell him it's a completely different experience at night. After the first one, he agrees. So you two hit up four more.

By the time the two of you get off the last one, teasing and laughing about who was screaming louder (it was him, obviously), you only have a little over twenty minutes left before the park closes. So your hand finds Toru's, your fingers lacing together with ease and electric familiarity by now, and you pull him along in order to run back to the hotel through the remaining crowd.

"Why are we going back?" He's barely even out of breath as he easily catches up to race beside you, but you guess neither are you. Thank you, conditioning.

"It's a surprise!"

The concierge barely startles when he sees two teens just run through, raising his hand to call out before lowering it in defeat. You're already gone anyways. You reach the elevator bay and hit the button for your floor, thankfully the door to the middle one opens immediately with a smooth tone. When the two of you get in for the ride up to the top floor, the pace steadies and you're just looking at each other while you each catch your breath, then you burst out laughing again.

"Okay so you're still not going to tell me?" There's a little bit of mock attitude in his tone but it's washed away by his genuine smile.

"Just wait."

The elevator dings as it reaches your floor and you're pulling him out with the doors barely open. The two of you reach your room and you swipe the card over the lock, opening the door, pulling you both through and closing it in swift motions before letting go of his hand and running to the balcony.

"Come on!"

You look back to encourage him forward as you open the double doors and he strolls up to your side before you both step out together. Just as you reach the rail, faint music starts to drift up from the park's speakers, getting louder and louder until you can hear its strains clearly, playing the orchestral melody that indicates the park will be closing in fifteen minutes.

It's what you can see only from up here that you wanted to show him. Because with the music that plays, there are lights quite literally at every inch of the park that turn on in an incredible show.

Many people gather on the streets or at particular locations for the ground level view. But those are always crowded and honestly a pretty limited view of the show's true scale. It's the guests who have park facing rooms and know to stop for the view from their balconies at this time that experience the true and complete nature of the stunning spectacle.

"Wow." He barely says it, it's more like a word he releases with his breath, but you're so happy knowing you were right.

This is the perfect ending to an incredibly special day that deserves no less. You and Toru stand there, side by side for the full fifteen minutes, still under the carpet of stars that seem a little closer from up here. The two of you hold hands, arms and sides pressed against each other as you both lean on the balustrade and listen to the crescendos and decrescendos, glancing at each other with smiles and the occasional comment. Sometimes pointing to a corner or edge of the park laid out beneath you to pull the other's attention with a tug on your linked hands.

And when the music starts its final rise only to move into its final descent, you look instead at Toru and find him looking back at you. With your hands still linked, you lean into him further to place a soft kiss on his cheek, mirroring the one from a year ago, this on his other side. Then you lean back to look at his flustered but happy face with a soft smile and add your wish for him to your blessing-

"Happy Birthday, Toru."

Prev | Next

Masterlist

Behind The Scenes!

-ngl but that moment when Toru takes a seat in the boat was fully inspired by my memory of him at the Karasuno vs Shiratorizawa match, just after Iwa hops over the seat like wow, but then the way Oikawa stretches out from his previous position... just more wow. Sorry, I can't explain it. I love that scene (and the others with those two that follow) and I don't know if I'm the only one it stuck with like this...

A/N: Okay...time for the vent... I will be the first to say that I love Kuroo and Suna primarily, and both the Miyas are a close second.. but I DO NOT KNOW HOW OIKAWA KEEPS PULLING THIS ON ME like... this whole episode really got away from me again. I mean, I did like Oikawa as a close second to Kuroo (who's been my steady the whole time, js, it's unwavering) for a LONG time before being intro'd to Inarizaki but... then Suna just came in and turned my head until I was like.. Oikawa, who? But maybe this just goes deep, so I didn't know he was always still in there. He IS incredibly lovable after all, you can't change my mind about that, and I really respect him as a complex character and okay, yeah, I honestly can't remember who was my first between him and Kuroo at this point because I was simping for them both before I really even remembered their names (and was trying to avoid being teased by my bf for rewatching scenes with them since he had to bribe me to watch the show in the first place). Anyways, I don't know what I'm saying anymore since I desperately need to go to sleep, maybe for a whole day, so I hope you guys like this one! Because.. just, yeah. Toru <3 I guess

Taglist: @delusivist, @prettyinblack231, @kac-chowsballs, @sakusasimpbot, @hawkthekinnie, @poppi144

[muffindaddystyles]

𝓛𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓢𝓾𝓷𝓰𝓵𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓻 ❤︎

A/n: My moot from twitter made a whole thread that what if Harry wrote sunflower vol6. for some fan, she wanted the idea in words so here ya go!

Crowd just to admire Harry, cheering, loving, showering him in their evermost affection.

Harry performs like he was born for this; a punk rockstar with a flower crown on his head, bout to dominate the world just from his kindness.

After performing three songs he was engulfing in conversation with his fans and he points towards you but your friends gestures if he wants to talk to her.

You're wearing a pastel dress with hues of yellow accessories. You're so red in your own way, popping out from the crowd in the bloody bold way but you're shy and skittish around people.

You're just dancing along with your bestie, swaying your hips to only angel and then doing your own sexy moves to show your friend making fun of it afterwards.

Harry couldn't snatch his focus from you and the band noticed it so they teased him, tsking at him and mouthing him his pet name 'wep' under the loud shrivels of their guitars.

You wouldn't deny that you wanted to catch his attention too but you don't know how to.

Everyone's complementing him in their fondest way and whenever you parted your plump glossy lips to shout something nothing came out.

While playing guitar, Harry gazes at you intensely his brows furrowing when he sees that your bestfriend cupped your face to say something in your ear.

He's so fuckin' jealous. He wants to be there to cup your face, stroke you and maybe kiss you.

You looks so damn kissable. He thinks you're so golden beaming around the pink sky.

Now, when he's asking your friend's name out glancing at you from the corner of his eyes your heart drops. English isn't your first language, and this made your hands shake at the side.

You don't wanna fuck this up.

"What's your pretty name darlin'?" He smiles at you feeling a bit shy from your peer that's nothing but anxiousness, Sara and Mitch exchange looks with eachother while Harry waited patiently to get your calm voice to reach to him because at this point he can do everything.

"Y/n-y/n!" You're far from him so you shouted and it stuttered making you even more blush like a coral stone.

Fuckin' beautiful name, just like her Harry's heart gave a beat.

He doesn't want to dissapoint you by taking your name wrong, you're too precious to pronounce you differently that's why he reminisced your name many times under his breath before taking it.

"Y/n, right?" You bobbed your head a bit loosening up and smiling coyly fuck Harry wants to flop at ground just at this, "soo where are you from ba- y/n?"

"Not from here!" You told him now properly locking your eyes and Harry noticed your eyes colour's so common but looks so rare on you.

Harry mimicked you doing his comic accent, "No- Not from here, that's why asked ye' from where!?!" The crowd cheered and you laughed clutching your sides telling your country name.

"I hope you're havin' a good time, y/n." He grins combing his loose curls back and sipping his water, then throwing the water on the crowd intentionally so it would reach you and he could dive in another cute moment of you.

The whole show went like this but he wants you more than singing his melodies to you and he notices that you're getting exhausted and tired but utterly overloaded with cuteness forgetting lyrics to every other song now and then, your shoes aching you so you sat down but he jolts in panic thinking you just fell and is afraid you'll come under everyone's feet.

But when you again stood up he practically heaved shaking his to scold him that he shouldn't do this, he'll end up hurting himself from missing you and thinking about you everytime.

Getting attached too soon is Harry's weak point.

The show ended and he wanted to call you backstage but you were long gone leaving your sunflower-ey coral sunshine behind.

.

Harry went through his breakup going to Japan to give him his own solace, he went through his journal where he has written all his songs and his eyes fell over the cursive words he lovingly wrote on this specific side of his journal.

He wrote a song about you right after running backstage. Kid Harpoon wanted to make some changes in the lyrics but Harry criticised that no changes will be made in this particular song, he doesn't care if it's a hit or not, this came straight out of his heart and it matters alot to him.

One day he was wandering in london when you marched from a bookshop bumping square into one person you couldn't possibly imagine, Harry.

Your canvases, books, brushes everything flew to ground and Harry's on cloud nine a feeling of when he did shrooms spreads in his chest.

"Sorry. Shit yeah." You both said in unison squatting down to collect your things.

Your heads hitting and you giggled making Harry giggle too.

"Kay there's this saying in my culture that if your forehead gets hit by another person you should hit it twice else horns grows on your head." Your eyes glinting and he shakes his head gently pressing his head against yours.

He saw your fingers shaking so he again muttered a 'sorry' feeling bad for no-reason.

"Is it your painting?" He asked and you nodded taking the canvas from him, his touch's so soft you've only imagined it or heard from the people who met him that he has the softest warmest touch. "It's beautiful."

You're in awe of him. Ofcourse you love him but you don't know how much Harry's in love with you.

He's in awe of your talent too, he knew you'd love to paint from how vivid you're. It's one of the things he imagined bout you before going to bed.

Harry was taken aback by your respect for his consent when you asked him if you could hug him and he opened his arms wide for you.

"C'mere darlin'." Million sparks shooted inside his body when you coiled your arms around his neck because of your height, he's so happy he wants to cry.

Fuck this he wants you to be his and he's gonna drag his arse for it.

He sniffed in your shampoo and scent which's vanilla, strawberries and galaxies.

"Umm..y/n would you like to grab a coffee with me?" You are appalled. you never thought he'd remember you but who's gonna tell you that you were his only thought and the dream of his heart.

"Sure! Thank you." You beamed walking alongside of him to the nearest café.

Harry thinks you're so kind that maybe you felt rude to reject his offer but this's just his anxiety.

Anyways you talked to him about things he didn't know, you asked him how life's going even though his life's all where on the headlines.

You've never drank black coffee in your life but ordered it from the embarrassment of judgment from him and when you sipped it you practically gagged.

"Wanna swap, I just took a sip?"

"Thank you never drank black coffee in my life." He didn't asked you why but you yourself told him sipping from his and it's mocha sweet as him, "not very much common where I used to live."

Harry wants to get to know you more. About your culture, your interests and specifically just you.

"There's this get-together at my home this Saturday, would you like to come it's okay if you don't want to." He rubbed the back of his neck a little nervous.

"I'd love too!" You smiled even though you're all jittery from inside. You don't know what's happening but you're just going along with it.

"Kay. See ya there." He took your hand writing his number inside your palm and he swear that he felt like he dipped his hand into a sweet pudding when he held you.

.

You got ready with feathery makeup and simple outfit, you haven't told anyone that you met Harry. You've baked cupcakes for him because your mother has always taught you to never go empty hand to someone's house.

All the expensive cars parked at his driveway wanted to make you cry, you're so nervous.

Harry's nervy too he lectured everyone not to suffocate you and give her some space knowing how lovey-dovey his friends could be.

"And don't call me pet names infront her." He seriously told Jeff who offered him tequila but he pushed it away, there's no way he's getting drunk today. "Okay foof." Jeff patted him hardly.

"Hmm. Plannin' to become someone else's baby." Sara laughed sitting comfortably between mitch's legs and Harry shakes his head shyly snapping when the door bell rang.

He was out of breath when you were infront of him. He hugged you kissing your cheek and you took in his smell trying to calm yourself.

"Y'okay?" He frowned caringly placing his hands on your shoulders, your eyes are glassy that's why he asked.

Clearing your throat you handed him the cupcakes nodding and smiling, "yes umm here."

"Hi love!" Everyone greeted you and hugged you.

Harry was acting quite selfish taking the cupcakes inside his kitchen to eat them all to himself and when he came back you were chatting with his friends quite enjoying their company.

His mind crawls to the thought of you in between his embrace while his friends becomes your friends and you spending festives together, you hanging out with him at the places you love to be at.

You were praising their talents and then Harry's and he didn't miss the glimmer of admiration in your eyes for him.

"You're quite such a fan of Harry." One of his friends says and you just nodded not knowing what else to say. To everyone else you're just a fan that Harry invited to his home.

Harry glared him. The last thing he wanted to make you feel was invadilate your caring, humble and nice feelings towards not just Harry but to everyone.

"Can I steal y/n for a second?" Harry asked smiling down at you and Sarah spat playfully, "she's all yours."

"Uhh..thank you for these." He pointed at the delights you baked for him swelling his heart at your care and you shook your head.

"I love these on you." He indicated to the pearls around your neck. Hooking your finger to unclasp it you mumbled, "do you want it?"

But didn't waited for his answer and secured it around his neck. Shivers running down Harry's spine when the pads of your fingers brushed the baby curls over the nape of his neck.

"Thank you so much." Harry thinks he can't thank you enough. You just keep on giving him reasons to owe you, this's the perfect opportunity to love you and let you know.

He took you to his bedroom quickly going to his wardrobe and you looked around, he has frames of his family and his recently ex-girlfriend.

You don't know about her that deep but you know he was deeply in love with her, if ever you know how much he loves you.

In his recent interview he talked about how he met this person and the new album's all about exploring relationship. You think so the new songs will be about her, she really's so ravishing.

He came back sitting close to you and before you even properly look at him he locked a necklace around you.

A sunflower necklace falling between the valley of your cleavages. Harry has bought this for you in the hope that you'll meet him sometimes in this world again and wore it around his neck during the whole writing process of his album.

You opened the brass golden sunflower and it had 'you're my sunflower' encarved on it.

"You're the only cloud in my mind, the only dream of my heart. Can't stop thinkin' bout you it's been two years." You rubbed soothing circles at his knee closing distance between you two while he confessed his feelings for you.

"Please let me love you.." There was a crease on his forehead and you massaged it away smiling weakly at him because you don't think so if your heart's beating.

"I'm all yours to love." He whined at your words grasping you in his arms and shoving his face inside the crook of your neck.

"Can I kiss ye'?" He asked you and you intervined you fingers in his shaky ones.

Lips brushing his and his eyes fluttered close just at the approximty.

He placed your legs on both side of his torso flushing your chests together and peppering kisses all over your face carefully.

Pressing your temples against eachother when his lips were mere away from yours, and when you molded your hand around his face he leaned into kiss you.

Giving a hot swipe to the cupid bow of your lip, tasting every inch of you. Hands everywhere, kissed you and kissed you and kissed you until you weren't breathing his name.

"Fuck. Tastes just as I imagined." Your head fell against his toned pecs and he placed his lips over your hair hugging you tight for you could become one. His.

"M'little sunflower."

.

[nad-zeta]

hi, i'm sam, she/her! i'd like a matchup please! i'm an aries, ISFP, 5'3, with glasses, dark eyes & straight dark hair that goes to my collarbone! i'm curvy/chubby with thick thighs, and i love wearing dresses and skirts. i'm kind, soft & cheerful, & i'm pretty smiley unless i'm upset! (i'm clumsy too, i bump into stuff, and my legs are usually covered with bruises). i'm pretty introverted, but i become more hyper and talkative around my friends, and we always have fun when we go out!

Hi there love! Thank you so much for the request 😃<3 I hope you are safe and well! ^0^ I hope you enjoy it dear ^_^.🔥

I match you with……………………. Kenshin

OOOh, you were definitely a troublesome person giving Hideyoshi all the grey hairs. The moment you landed in Azuchi, everyone fell in love with you. We were like an angel from heaven bringing light and warmth into their lives. Hideyoshi didn’t even have time to suspect you of being an assassin as one of the first interactions the two of you had was when, you tripped on flat ground and fell on your rear. Hideyoshi rushed to your side to help you up and guided you to the audience chamber. On your way there you accidentally lost your balance and knocked over a flower vase. Oh no, this was the worst time to have one of your clumsy streaks.

 After that, Hideyoshi knew that a sweet, clumsy person like you couldn’t possibly be an assassin or spy. You low key reminded him of Mitsunari number 2, which caused him to go into MUST PROTECT MODE.

You worked hard, and Hideyoshi started to notice that you were busy overworking yourself, so he gave you a big bag of coins and shooed you off to the market to go and relax. You walked around aimlessly when you spotted a familiar face. Sasuke! You ran up to him and started chatting with him. The two of you made your way to a teahouse together for some tea. And that my friend is when you saw him. A tall, beautiful man gracefully walking his way up you your table and plonking himself down next to Sasuke. He ordered sake and pickled plums and eyed you curiously “Sasuke why is this woman sitting with us”. Even though his words were harsh, you saw kindness and warmth in his eyes, but also a tinge of loneliness and sadness. Kenshin spent most of the tea date ignoring you; however, he couldn’t help but sneak a few glances as you.

You reminded him of a small cute bunny. As the tea date progressed on Kenshin couldn’t help but take a slight liking to you. He loved how sweet and clumsy you were, and he couldn’t help but take notice of that lovely blush spreading across your cheeks whenever he would say something to you. The two men walked you back to the main road and bid you farewell. Your low key hoped that you would be able to see Kenshin again one day as you made your way back to the castle. 

Luck must have been on your side as the very next day you spotted him sipping on sake in the very same teahouse as the day before. You went to join him, you sipped on some tea enjoying the comfortable silence between the two of you. The silence was broken when Kenshin ordered some sweet buns for you to share and when they arrived, you couldn’t help but rave about how good they tasted. This, of course, put the smallest of smiles on the bunny lords face. These little tea dates had become somewhat of a norm for the two of you, and you found yourself opening up more and more to the man. You also low key really really liked him, so you were always a little loud and very blushy whenever the two of you were together. Traits that absolutely had Kenshin’s heart melting into a puddle

On one random day, Nobunaga announced that they were to go to war with the tiger and dragon and that you were to come along with them and act as a lucky charm. You were FREAKING out! You didn’t know the first thing about battles, and you were 100% against the idea of going with, like you didn’t want to die. Your concerns fell on deaf ears as you were now on the back of Nobunaga’s horse charging into battle, you kept your eyes shut the whole time, the screams and sights of war were honestly pretty traumatizing. In the midst of battle, Nobunaga charged through the front lines, and your grip on him slipped, and you went tumbling to the ground. You were now in the middle of the bloodied battlefield alone and scared. You hugged your knees and closed your eyes, trembling in fear, too paralyzed to move.

Kenshin being the god of war was slicing through the Oda ranks, having the time of his life, when he spotted something strange. He rode closer, and it came into view, he saw you trembling little a little flower in the middle of the battlefield. His heart squeezed in his chest when he saw you so distressed, so he raced to your aid. He made it just on time to block the sword from one of his very own soldiers trying to cut you down. He gave the soldier the biggest death stare known to man and crouched down to pick you up. Your big doe eyes stared up at him, and the moment you recognized him, you threw your arms around his neck and hid your head in his chest. You held onto the man as if he were your lifeline. Kenshin held you tight in his arms and placed you on top of his horse. “Close your eyes little rabbit, fear not for I will protect you”. He wrapped one arm tightly around your waist and escort you off of the battlefield into his camp. He left you in his tent while we went off to bring the battle to completion. He came back that evening to see you had fallen asleep on his futon. He simply tucked you in and gave your forehead a small kiss before heading out to take the first watch for the night. The battle had ended in a draw, and both forces were to depart back to their territories in the morning

That morning Kenshin gently woke you up and gave you a bowl of rice porridge, he grumbled a small apology for not having anything better to give you to eat. You just smiled up at him and thank him for the food and for saving your life. He then placed you on his horse once more, to take you back to Echigo. Once there, Kenshin set you up in the room next to his. It was a room fit for a princess. Honestly, the god of war was overjoyed to have found you on the battlefield, it gave him an excuse to whisk you away, to come and stay with him. He had long time ago fallen in love with you, and it pained him to say goodbye to you before the war. 

Your relationship with the bunny warlord officially started one stormy night. You were woken abruptly by a big bolt of lightning blazing through the sky, followed by a loud roar of thunder. Before you could even think, your body moved to its own accord, getting up with your pillow in hand and making your way next door to Kenshin’s room. You opened his sliding door to peer inside; you spotted him sitting at his writing desk, finishing up some important documents. Just as you were about to turn and go back to your own room, the castle shook as another loud rumble of thunder broke lose. You ran into his room, Kenshin looked up and saw the destress on you face, he opened his arms and beckon you forward. You basically dove into his warm, comforting arms taking in his scent. Kenshin enveloped you in a warm embrace, whispering words of reassurance in your ears while gently rubbing your back. He then picked you up into his arms and carried you to his futon. He gently laid you down and tucked you in before climbing in to lay beside you. He looked into your eyes and gently caressed your cheek. “I will protect you from all your fears, my love, so rest easy”. He then wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you against his body, dropping small little kisses on your forehead and cheeks. You looked up at him and gave him the sweetest smallest kiss on the lips. As you pulled away, you whispered that you loved him.

OOOh, how Kenshin loved his little bunny. Everything about you brought the biggest smile to his face and made his heart so happy. He loves watching you energetically run around playing with the army of bunnies. He loves listening to your endless stories about anything and everything. What does he love the most you ask, well that easy. He absolutely loves it when something scares or startles you, and you go running to his side and hide behind his back, clinging and hugging him. This boy loves to protect the love of his life, and he absolutely loves it when you cling to him. In fact, Kenshin is a little bit of a jealous boi, so he will insist on being close to you wherever the two of you are. Whether it is holding your hands or holding you in his arms, he loves nothing more than to be near to the love of his life. He is most happy with you cuddle in his arms, drinking sake and nibbling on the delicious baked pickle plum dishes you made just for him. He will savor every bite of the baked goods, raving about how good they taste and not even sharing a crumb with anyone else

You love the soft bunny boi so much, you love that he is always there to reassure and comfort you whenever you are feeling blue or stressed. You love how he wears the knitted scarves you made for him, bragging about them to everyone he meets. You love spending hours in his arm, talking his ears off. Your favorite is, spending quiet evenings with the bunny warlord cradled in his arms surrounded by the bunny army.

 Other potential matches...................Hideyoshi 

Thanx so much for the request dear! I hope you enjoyed it! <3❤

[sherereadssthemanuscript]

I'd die for you. (Whitlock x OC fanfiction)

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Since I am absolute trash I decided to post the fanfic that I have been keeping to myself for quite a while which is a Whitlock x OC story basically before joining Kenna’s army Whitlock had a female friend who seemingly out of the nowhere , left because Hex threatened her. The main things you have to know about her. Her name is Selene (greek- Moon) she has brown hair which appear golden when in the sun, she has blue eyes with Hazel edges and her personality can be described as “I am smol but better not cross me”. This fanfic will include small snippets of their friendship and how she left, so enjoy, I guess or don’t, whatever…

__________________

“I am regretting this…” Selene said with exhaustion in her voice. “You were the one who was, quote, bored of the foundry” Whitlock answered her as they roamed through the desert outside of the city of Technocrats. “Okay, okay, are you gonna quote me on that till the day I die?” She felt the exhaustion take over her as she lied on her back her limbs extended as she breathed heavily. “The young, yet brilliant and genius in every way ‘adventurer’ and his charming companion suffered from the burning desire of shelter and an unquenchable thirst, while finding their way through the deadly desert, back to their city.” She let out a weak laughter and clapped at her friend’s attempt of poetry. “That was not bad, but ‘charming companion’, are you serious?” She grinned. “Okay, how about ‘annoying and hard to control companion’?” He started laughing as she pushed him lightly. “You are lucky you are cute” she said shaking her head. She took a step and heard a clinking sound under her foot as she picked up some device. “What is that?” He asked. “I don’t really know, I will take it with me, though” she said as she shoved it in her bag. “Okay I think a sand storm is coming let’s go back.” He took her hand instinctively and walked towards the direction of the city.

_____________

“Where did he put it!” Selene rummaged through everywhere to find the device she found in the desert a couple of weeks ago. “May I ask you what are you doing?” He asked as he stood near the entrance grinning at how desperate she was searching and running around. “Finally! Where did you put the thing I found in the desert?” “Somewhere higher up? Why?” She rolled her eyes. “Next time I find something I keep it to myself, alright?” She took the ladder and got up to where Whitlock had placed the device. As she grabbed it she slipped and fell but Whitlock caught her. “Woah… you are… uhm lighter than I thought” he said. “And you have fast reflexes” she remarked and he let her go. “Okay let’s see what this thing does.” She sat down and pointed the sit opposite to hers and Whitlock sat down himself. She was trying to do something with it for a long time and it was clearly annoying to him. “Hey, can I just–” he put his metallic hand on thing as she pushed it away. “No!” She pulled it closer to herself. “Don’t touch it or I will fix your hand on it.” They looked at each other for a minute before bursting into laughter. “That was the dumbest threat I have ever heard.” He said. “Ahem…” they both turned around to see Hex standing her hands crossed. “Oh, Good morning, Hex!” Whitlock greeted her mother figure warmly but Selene wasn’t as enthusiastic. “Whitlock, doesn’t your friend have anywhere else to be?” “No? She just got here.” “… Very well then.” Hex said with annoyance in her tone as she walked out of the foundry. “C-can we just continue with this thing.” Selene mumbled. “… Huh? Uh, yes” after a couple of minutes the device started working and a melody started playing on it. “In my opinion that was quite unsatisfactory…” Selene said as she pushed the thing away. “Hex was right, I-I think I will go now….” “Well if that’s what you want.” “See you later.”

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Selene was named after the moon and most nights she wouldn’t sleep, she would be out and about, just like the moon. She decided to climb the wall to Whitlock’s room in the foundry. As expected when she got there, he was sleeping. She was thinking about how to wake him up, the most rational choice was to push him gently. “Pssst. Whitlock.” His eyes opened and he sighed. “Selene, just..m go home please.” It was dark but she noticed his slight grin. “No way, didn’t you ever wanna sneak out during nighttime.” “No.” “You are a horrible liar, come on” She lighted a candle and a mechanical lamp to stop him from falling back asleep. “You are going to be… the death of me.” He gave up and got up from his bed. She couldn’t help but notice that despite he primarily trained his mind his body was fit in a way it was pleasant to the eye. When he put his clothes on they both climbed out through the window and walked around the city, with minimum to none people there. They got to the end of the city where the maze started. She sighed. “I wish this place could have been more… natural.” “What do you mean?” He said in a concerned way noticing the sadness in her tone “I mean… I love the city but… there is no flora here.” “Well … we are the TECHNOcrats.” “guess you are right.” They walked for a little more climbed to a top of a building to look at the full moon. “Don’t you want to live here permanently?” He asked her. “Yes, of course, I mean you are here and you are the only person who puts up with me, but my family just can’t leave our village…” “Yes I understand.” She sighed again. “I will go now. I am tired.” “Goodnight, Selene.”

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“So, what did you want to show me?” Selene asked curiously as Whitlock excitedly led her somewhere. “Okay, right now I just need you to close your eyes and just follow me.” “Alriiight” she closed her eyes and extended one of her hands towards him, as he took it she couldn’t help but feel a little chill going down her spine and heat rising in her cheeks. After 10 minutes they stopped. “Okay, now, open your eyes.” He said and she did so, what she saw shocked her it was a natural scenery with plants and grass everywhere and a small waterfall. “How— How in THREE HELLS did you do this?!” She looked around not sure at what to look at. “Well I made this place, it’s all artificial but you said you wanted some flora here so… I did it!” He smiled at her warmly. And she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. “I can’t believe you did this for me!” “Anything for my charming companion” She laughed and lied on the ground looking up at the sky and then moving her gaze towards him. “Lie next to me!” She said almost demanding. He lied down also looking at the sky. “This is the best day of my life.” She excitedly shouted. She sat up and looked at the waterfall. “Alright but HOW did you make a waterfall?!” “That was the easiest part” he sat up in a way that they were facing each other. She was still smiling. They stared at each other for a long time as she leaned in and kissed him in the most innocent and tender way possible. Before he could answer she pulled away. Blushing wildly she just wrapped her arms around his neck hugging him tightly. “What would I do without you?” A tear of happiness slided down her cheek.

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Days she came to the foundry and for some reason she couldn’t find Whitlock. “Whitlock! Whit–” she felt her hair being pulled “ HEY!” she shouted trying to break free but in vain . The figure shoved her in a dark room. Light suddenly hither face. “H-Hex?” She was afraid of this woman. Very afraid. “Selene, I am warning you, leave the foundry and never appear in Whitlock’s life again. “What?! Why?! What are you–” “You are just an obstacle in his life! And you will leave until sunset, or else…” she used some device and a projection of her family tied up showed up in front of her. “MOTHER! FATHER!” “My angel, please… just please do what this woman says… please help us…” her mother started crying and the projection faded. “You-you… what kind of monster are you?!” Selene felt her cheeks burning as tears were running from her eyes like rivers. “This is for the better, little girl, better for you and Whitlock… Now, we don’t wanna anything regrettable happen right? Go and take whatever you have to take and leave our city!” Selene stormed out of the room. Crying and rapidly looking anything that belonged to her. Suddenly she heard Whitlock entering the room. “Selene?.. What are you doing ?” He was concerned. What should she do? Just ignore what he is saying and leave. She stared at him. “W-we’re you crying?” “I have to leave… now…” “W-what?” “I have to leave and never come back.” Those words each were like daggers in her heart as his eyes widened. She just stormed out. “Selene!” His voice was angry, she never was so intimidated by his voice. With every time he called her name it grew louder and more furious. She stopped. “You don’t understand! And you never will! and if I tell you anything…” she remembered her mothers crying so she just ran. She was this close to the door as Whitlock grabbed her arm… FIRMLY. She winced in pain and the grasp became stronger she looked in his eyes and was terrified and saw fury, terror and anger. “You are NOT going anywhere.” There was some strange greed in his voice, how could she not notice this side of him? Meanwhile the grasp only becoming stronger the metal digging in her hand, she shouted. “Let go of me!” She felt some liquid drip from her hand she looked down and saw red drops on the ground. Noticing what he has done he let go immediately and backed away staring at his hand which had blood on it too. He seemed terrified as if 2 minutes it wasn’t him… and she knew it wasn’t… she just wanted to wrap her arms around him tell him it’s not his fault and it’s alright but she just… ran away. The tears hot on her cheeks and her hand hurting she ran away, quickly escaping the maze and then just slowly walking to her village… When she got there she was met with her worst nightmare, her family’s house was burning and there was no way someone could survive… the fire was peaceful just slowly burning and destroying her house and her from the inside. She dropped to her knees. Wishing this was all a dream. “NOOOOO!” she screamed desperately.

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For a continuous ten minutes Whitlock would just look at his bloodied hand, he was shaking. “What have I done.” He ran to his room, washing the blood away. He looked up at the mirror… at that moment his reflection disgusted him, he hit the glass with his metal hand as it shattered to dozens of pieces. Hex entered his room. “WHITLOCK!” She shouted and ran to him. “I am a monster.” He kept mumbling as she hugged and tried to hush him.

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That night, desperate for revenge Selene climbed the foundry yet again but this time to Hex’s lab. She took a dagger with her. The lab looked horrifying with things that the average mind couldn’t comprehend. She felt such disgust, she looked at Hex’s sleeping figure… so calm… as if her conscious wasn’t devouring her from inside. She looked at her for another minute before raising her dagger… then suddenly a memory hit her….

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Whitlock and her sitting on a roof during daytime as they usually did. “Selene” everytime he called her name it sounded like it was the last thing she would ever hear… she wasn’t complaining. “Yes?” She answered without looking at him. “What do you think of revenge?” “Well… I don’t have experience with it but I think people… find it as a medicine? A cure for the pain they feel?” “Would you avenge anyone?” “Yes, I mean… you wouldn’t?” he shook his head. “Some things are worth killing for….” she muttered. “No…it’s not a cure… it’s an addiction after you do it once… it becomes a curse…” she looked at him confused… “but there are things worth DYING for” her gaze met his and she drowned in his eyes. She tried to lighten it up “always have to be poetic” she laughed weakly, but still was curious… “Are people worth dying for?” She whispered. “Some are…” he slowly put his hand on hers.

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She lowered the dagger and stepped away from her bed… Selene carved a writing on Hex’s table, put the dagger on it as well and left. She neared Whitlock’s room, she slowly opened the door, he was sleeping but a candle was still lit near his bedside. She approached his bed, it didn’t seem like a peaceful dream, his brows were furrowed and his breathing was heavy. “I am sorry, Whitlock” she whispered and pressed the most gentle kiss on his lips that was as light as a feather, so soft it didn’t wake him, but his expression softened and his breathing slowed down, with seemingly, even a small smile appearing on his face. Selene left the city of technocrats and was never seen there again…

⚠Thanks for reading this guys thus was made up during my sleepless nights so I hope you guys will appreciate this. ⚠

Also + Epilogue Hex woke up in the morning feeling uneasy… as if she was watched… she brushed off the feeling and walked to her desk where she saw a carving….

“Would you die for him?”