#I'm planning on putting the most forgotten one at the final ... what could've been for impact

[probablyaseamonster]

I’m feeling spiteful today so I’m making an animatic involving many of the cartoons that got cancelled prematurely (The Owl House, Rise of the TMNT, Dead End Paranormal Park, Inside Job, etc) set to What Could Have Been from Arcane.

[captainsophiestark]

A Perfect Match

Anthony Bridgerton x Reader

Masterlist - Join My Taglist!

Written for Fictober 2023!

Fandom: Bridgerton

Day 19 Prompt: "What if we're wrong?"

Summary: Anthony and Y/N have been dancing around each other for far too long. Benedict and Colin decide to do something about that.

Word Count: 1,726

Category: Fluff, minor angst

Putting work into an AI program without permission is illegal. You do not have my permission. Do not do it.

Benedict's POV

"Colin!" I hissed, poking my head into the study where my brother sat journaling about his travels. He looked up at me like he had no idea why I could be bothering him. "Lady Y/N is here."

"Oh!"

He shot out of his seat, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. We'd only been putting together our plan to get her and my brother together for a week. How he could've forgotten was beyond me.

"Alright, she's having tea with Eloise in the drawing room. I'm going to go get her and bring her to Anthony's study," I said as Colin and I walked through the halls. "You just be ready to come give me a reason to leave once we're in there."

Colin nodded, then paused.

"Benedict? What if we're wrong? About their feelings?"

I sighed. Anthony and Y/N truly did butt heads at every opportunity as if they hated each other. But it was hard to miss the longing looks and the way one of them got distracted just by the other walking into the room. I shrugged.

"Well, I suppose if we're wrong, they'll probably kill us."

Colin gave me a look, but I completely ignored it as I marched into the drawing room.

****************

Y/N's POV

"Y/N!"

I turned from my tea and the book spread between me and Eloise at the sound of Benedict's voice, giving him a friendly smile as he entered the room.

"Hello, Benedict. Lovely to see you."

"Likewise. Actually, I was wondering if you could spare a moment to accompany me upstairs? Anthony mentioned needing to see you for something, and I told him that since I was on my way down, I'd bring you back up."

"Anthony wanted to see me?" I asked, working very hard to keep my tone neutral. Benedict nodded.

"Yes, if you don't mind."

"Actually, we do mind," Eloise chimed in. "Tell Anthony he can get his own friend."

"Eloise, Mother wanted to see you as well," Benedict responded smoothly. "She's in the garden."

Eloise narrowed her eyes, and I watched the staring contest develop like a tennis match. Finally, after a few moments, Eloise gave in and stood with a sigh.

"Fine. I shall go find her. But if this is a ruse, Benedict-"

"For what purpose? You are entirely too suspiscious sister."

I hid a laugh behind my hand as Eloise glared at Benedict on her way out of the room. I truly loved the Bridgertons, and watching them interact was more entertaining than the most competitive horse race.

"Lady Y/N," said Benedict, offering his arm to me with a smile. I took it, my mind racing as Benedict and I made our way upstairs. Anthony and I had a rather unusual relationship, and although I'd never admit it, I had developed strong feelings for the Viscount over the course of knowing him. The curiosity over why he wanted to see me was eating me alive.

"Did Anthony mention what he wished to discuss?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual.

"No, he only asked me to hurry," Benedict responded. We reached the door, and Benedict held it open for me. "After you."

I stepped inside, feeling a bit nervous. Anthony was hard at work, scribbling away at papers on his desk, but he looked up when he saw me.

"Lady Y/N! Hello, uh..." He cleared his throat and shuffled some of the papers into a neater pile absentmindedly.

"Here she is, brother, like you asked," said Benedict as he came to stand beside me. Anthony's brow furrowed like he was confused, but Colin poked his head into the study before Anthony could say anything.

"Benedict!" said Colin. "Mother sent me, she needs to see you immediately."

Now it was my turn to be a bit confused, especially as Benedict grimaced like Colin had some something wrong. Before I could say anything, however, Benedict was moving quickly towards the door.

"Right, well, then I'd better not keep her waiting."

With that, he and Colin ducked into the hall, closing the door behind them. A moment later I heard the door lock, and then a sound like something heavy being pushed against it from the other side.

"Did they just..."

I stared in shock at the door for a few moments, whirled around to look at Anthony, then turned back to the door again. Benedict and Colin had just locked me in here, with Anthony, who looked as surprised as I did.

After a long moment of inaction, Anthony pushed back from his desk and quickly crossed the room. I watched as he tried the door and it didn't budge, then tried it again. Finally, he shoved it a bit with his shoulder as if it were stuck, and still nothing worked.

"Benedict! Colin!" he shouted through the door. No response.

"Anthony?" He whirled around to face me, eyes a little wild. "Did you actually ask Benedict to bring me up here to talk about something?"

"What? No, I haven't seen Benedict all morning."

I crossed my arms and shook my head, turning away from Anthony.

"I can't believe those two. I can't believe them."

"What are you talking about?"

I huffed an irritated sigh, then answered without turning around.

"Benedict dragged me away from tea with Eloise, telling me you'd asked to see me, right away. I don't know what on earth he and Colin were thinking, but now I'm stuck in here with you-"

I stopped abruptly, not trusting myself to continue speaking. Anthony and I butted heads plenty, but there was no denying how much I enjoyed spending time with him. Sparring with him when we disagreed and never feeling angry, just excited. Laughing as he complained about having to participate in the season but feeling jealous when one of the other girls or Mamas got their hands on him... I loved him. But I wasn't sure I wanted to admit it.

"Is it really so awful?"

Anthony's voice was thick, more vulnerable than I'd really ever heard it before. I turned around to fix him with a questioning look, and he held my eyes, although he looked ready to run at a moment's notice. Unfortunately for him, we had nowhere to go.

"Is it really so awful to be stuck in here with me?" Anthony continued when I didn't answer him. "Do you really hate me so much?"

My heart shattered in my chest, especially at the tentative sadness in his voice. My answer didn't come right away, and after a second or two of silence, Anthony turned away.

"I'm sorry. Forget I said anything-"

"Anthony no I- I'm sorry." I started crossing the room to him, but stopped halfway, thinking better of it. "I have fun giving you a hard time and arguing over silly things with you. But if I've done that to the point that you feel I truly hate you... then I'm sorry, I should never have let it go that far."

Anthony turned to face me again, a guarded expression on his face.

"So you do not hate me?"

"No. Quite the opposite, actually."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself to say what I needed to say next. I trusted Benedict and Colin not to do this to me unless they had some idea that my feelings for Anthony were mutual. Hopefully, that trust wasn't misplaced, but even if it was, denying my feelings had only hurt Anthony and I both. It had to end.

"Anthony, I'm sure this will be considered entirely too forward for me to say as a lady, but... I rather think I love you. You challenge me in a way no other man ever has, and when we are aligned, our teamwork knows no equal. There may be other men who would treat me well, and there may even be other men who would respect me as a partner, but none of them would be you. You, Anthony... you are my perfect match. And if I've led you to believe I hated you, then I am truly sorry. I assure you I do not."

Anthony just stared back at me, not taking his eyes off me the entire time I spoke. He didn't respond right away after I finished, still just staring, his expression unreadable. I started to sweat and fidget, immediately regretting my words and wishing I could take them back.

"You know, Anthony, actually-"

Before I could finish the thought, Anthony rushed to close the rest of the distance between us, sweeping me off my feet and spinning me around in his arms. I yelped, but when he set me down, we both had massive smiles on our faces.

"I apologize. That was rather improper of me," he said, not sounding the least bit sorry. I smiled back and leaned into him a little more.

"No more improper than my confession, or your brothers locking us in this room together."

Anthony hummed, leaning into me and pulling me close to him again, one hand tangling in my hair as he murmured into my ear.

"I feel the same, you know. I have for some time. I just never imagined that you would care for me as much as I cared for you."

I smiled, wrapping my arms tight around Anthony and holding him close. After a few seconds, we pulled apart, and although I wanted to kiss him, badly, I held back. We'd already crossed quite a few scandalous lines, after all. And now that I knew he felt the same way as I did, I didn't think I'd have to wait long for our courtship to make quite a few more things I wanted to do 'acceptable'.

"I suppose we owe your brothers a thank you for getting us to confess our feelings to each other," I said with a sigh. Anthony scoffed.

"Absolutely not. They still tricked us and physically locked us in a room. No matter how happy I am with the results, they deserve some payback."

I grinned. "I was hoping you'd say that."

Anthony led me back over to his desk where the two of us sat shoulder to shoulder, plotting and planning the downfall of his brothers. I had no idea how long they intended to leave us in this room, but every additional minute meant more time to plan revenge.

Happily, it also meant more time with Anthony. And with any luck, the rest of my life would be filled with more time with Anthony.

****************

Everything Taglist: @rosecentury

[raeflora]

Hi, I think you're a GG fan too, I'm wondering about something. For example, it was obvious that she loved Chuck when she was with Dan and Louis, but Chuck acted like he completely forgot about Blair with Eva and Raina, so it seems like it casts a shadow over his love for CB, what do you think? He said to blair 4×4 "eva changed me" or make a room for raina on Valentine day. "You're sacred to me"

I know He loved blair the most. But If it couldn't happen with Blair, he was ready for other alternatives.

hi!! yes I'm v much a gg fan sksfjkdk so ur in the right place 💕💕 so I don't think he exactly forgot about blair with eva or raina. with eva he ultimately wasn't his true self, yes he claimed she changed him but it wasn't really him, he became henry prince and it was more that he had the freedom to become the kind of man he felt was more worthy of having a good life than it being just eva's impact, and that after everything that happened he didn't want to be himself anymore. I think with eva he was trying to be something he's not, and actually his relationship with blair enabled him to be more open and affectionate as he was romantic and loving with her. also after eva leaves he doesn't really think of her much. yes that's why he starts the war with blair but as she pointed out he was still clinging onto his henry prince dream which wasn't what he truly wanted and that simple life wouldn't have really been sustainable for him, and he's actually the one to say I love you first to blair in 4x09 so he forgot about eva and his revenge plan pretty quickly bc blair's the one he truly loves. him calling raina sacred always felt ooc to me, I think he did like her but I don't think they could've lasted long. at the time she was kind of what blair was aspiring to be and, as chair put their relationship on hold purely so blair could become powerful in her own right, I think she was a good fit for chuck and blair did feel threatened by her bc of this. however, he still openly schemes with blair and mentions her plan so he hasn't forgotten her, rather he's found someone who he needs to seduce for his business to continue and ends up having an actual connection with. that being said, he knows raina's temporary and he clearly doesn't envisage a long term future with her bc he knows blair's still around. aside from one or two lines where he's kinda annoyed at nate for dating her so soon he doesn't actually seem to have a problem with it and moves on from her quickly, much like his initial anger over eva leaving fades quite quickly. the only times he ever actually tries to move on from blair are when it's what he thinks she wants or needs, and even while she's with dan he's still technically waiting for her to sort herself out so they can finally be together. 5x24 is the only time he says he needs to move on with his life without her, and that's only bc he's sick of waiting while she's with dan. he waits for a year for her only for her to jerk him around, and obviously he can't put his life on hold for her forever. I wanna take a minute to say that the idea of blair being able to date who she wants while chuck has to wait is so unfair, bc she's stringing him along when she knows who she really wants to be with. I think that although chuck could have been with an alternative woman he ultimately wouldn't have wanted anyone else as much as blair, and he wouldn't have been as happy

[midnightkens]

tw: eating disorders, mentions of sleep deprivation/dv, self-hatred, and paranoia

--

"This is so stupid."

Ken glares at the plate as he spears the pasta with his fork. The clock ticks in the living room, a taunt that grows louder by the second. It's been nearly an hour. The pasta is probably cold by now and it won't even taste good, so maybe he should just -

"It's not stupid." Ken closes his eyes, inhaling sharply through the nose. He'd nearly forgotten about Colt. He hasn't looked at Colt since they sat down for dinner. Colt entwines their fingers, but it's a cold comfort. "It's okay, dollface. Look at me for a sec. I have an idea."

Ken hesitates before he turns his head to face Colt. When he opens his eyes, he fully expects to see anger, irritation, maybe even mockery, but there's none of that. Colt smiles softly at him, no hint of judgment. Ken doesn't deserve him. "Um." He swallows and jiggles his leg, trying desperately to calm his racing mind Don't eat that, it's not safe, but I haven't eaten all day and I'm so hungry, you're disgusting, stop that. "What was your idea?"

"I take a bite, and then you take a bite. We can do it together."

Guilt and shame curl deep in his belly. Colt's plate is untouched, pasta primavera long gone cold. "You didn't have to wait." Ken mumbles. "You could've eaten."

Don't wait for me. I can't eat normally. We're going to be here all night, can't you see that? I'm not worth your time.

"I know," Colt says airily. "I wanted to." Colt lifts his fork, and the smell of pasta, bell peppers, pepper flakes and so many vegetables Ken likes hits his nose. Resentment boils under his skin, always so close to the surface. As with most things, there is before and there is after.

In this case, before four and a half days of sleep deprivation and after four and a half days of sleep deprivation. Not being allowed to close his eyes for even ten minutes broke something inside of him. All he remembers is being irrevocably convinced that Patrick was poisoning him.

He wasn't. But from that moment, even when he finally slept, food was unsafe. Everything started innocently enough - Ken made sure that either he cooked, or they went out for dinner. So long as Patrick steered clear from the kitchen, it was safe. But then only certain foods were safe. Safe from what? Ken doesn't even know.

All he knows is that the list of safe foods got smaller by the week. He stopped having people over for dinner. Couldn't let them see how he ate, right? If there were plans to go out to eat, he wasn't allowed to eat until they got to the restaurant. Ken thought he was making the decisions at first. It's a funny thing, isn't it, the illusion of control? One minute you're eating without a care in the world, you're cutting zucchini into perfect symmetrical slices because it has to be Just Right, and of course I know what I'm doing, I'm fine, don't worry about me!

Then someone brings home pizza, and then there's the quickening of breathing, heart hammering away, palms sweating - finally, the illusion shatters.

There is no control.

There never was.

Now he's here, trying to recover and put the broken pieces of his life back together.

"Come on." Colt coaxes him with a gentle smile and knocks their shoulders together. "We're in this together."

Ken exhales slowly and lifts the fork to his mouth. If he doesn't try, he'll never get better. But being brave enough to try is so hard. "Together," he repeats. He quickly shoves the pasta in his mouth before his brain jumps at the chance to talk him out of it. He doesn't even taste the food before he swallows it. The fork falls onto the plate with a clang, and Ken buries his head in his shaking hands.

Stupid idiot, fucking worthless, why would you do that? Do you know what you just did?

Colt pulls Ken into his side, and Ken shudders. Colt shouldn't touch him. He's filthy, disgusting, and the dirt will spread and Ken can't do that to Colt, he can't -

But then Colt presses a kiss to his temple and utters a soft, "Good job." Ken doesn't pull away, even though he knows he should.

He's always been weak. What else is new?

[n0t-1nt3r3st1ng]

Vulture!Wednesday AU Part - 13

Today was the day. 

Wednesday almost couldn't sleep with the built up anticipation threatening to erupt like a volcano.

She sat at the sub-basement of the house, the tracking spell already running with Thing set to alert her the second the train began to move. While the hand stood vigilant, Wednesday had put on her suit and verified the systems on the machine were up running.

"You need to calm down, you're gonna give yourself a mental breakdown." Thing signed after Wednesday ran the diagnostics for the fifteenth time.

"Has the train set in motion yet?" Wednesday responded, dismissing Thing's well-intended advice.

"Not yet, but it will." Thing responded. "And when it does you need to be calm."

"I stand on the brink of initiating the first of many heists, the very reason I ventured into this city. Depending on my findings, departure could be my fate. Every detail must be meticulously executed," Wednesday asserted, her determination unwavering.

"Are you sure you don't have any more reasons to stay?" Thing asked.

"Positive." Wednesday replied.

Thing's reply was interrupted by the slow movement of the spell. Time was up.

In a tone betraying her impatience, Wednesday demanded, 'Tell me, how many cars are on the move?'"

"All six of them, it seems." Thing replied.

Wednesday took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. This was big, it had to be. She ran to the exosuit and the computer beside it. Her fingers dashed across the keyboard and the machine started coming alive. Her progress was interrupted when Thing jumped in front of the screen.

"What do you think you're doing?" Wednesday asked, seething.

"You were supposed to wait for twenty minutes after the train left the station." Thing replied.

Wednesday's eyes widened with fury.

"Do you assume I've forgotten a single facet of MY plan?" she retorted, leaning toward Thing, whose resolve remained unyielding.

"Wednesday, I tell you this because I love you: calm the fuck down." The hand signed.

Wednesday shook as if she had been punched before replying.

"It will take at least twenty minutes to get the machine air ready." She replied slowly. "I have no need to 'calm down'. I'm on a very detailed, very detailed schedule. Whatever concerns you might imagine are unwarranted. Now move from my screen."

Thing stood for a moment before leaving the keyboard. If the appendage had eyes, Wednesday could've still felt them on her back as she typed. Twenty minutes later, like clockwork, she attached herself to the exo-suit. One of the stone walls moved, revealing a clear sky perfect for flying.

Wednesday adjusted the helmet which doubled as a mask before turning to Thing.

"Have fun!" Thing signed.

She nodded and took off.

The sensation she encountered while in flight was unparalleled—holding her destiny entirely within her grasp. The celestial realm seemed to be hers and hers alone, a domain of personal sovereignty she held dear. As Wednesday reluctantly withdrew from her euphoric state, her focus shifted toward the impending mission. With a subtle adjustment of the throttle, she propelled herself forward, hurtling swiftly toward the railway tracks. In under twenty minutes, her objective materialized before her eyes: a deceptively ordinary train concealing remarkable technological treasures. Seemingly unexceptional in every aspect, comprising just six cars, no one could have surmised that this unassuming train might harbor some of the most scientifically advanced items on Earth.

As Wednesday approached the final car, her descent was executed with a graceful touch. The wings, folding with elegant precision, secured the car's roof seamlessly. The meticulous study of the tracks she had undertaken provided the reassurance of no nearby tunnels, alleviating any lingering concerns.

With her craft safely settled, Wednesday's hand instinctively sought her belt, retrieving what appeared to be a black Rubik's cube. Her fingers deftly manipulated the centerpiece, causing the cube to disarm into four smaller components that she arranged into a rectangular formation. The assembled pieces emitted a soft, entrancing purple glow, and in response, the previously solid roof of the car seemed to dissolve, revealing its concealed interior.

Before disconnecting from the harness that had safeguarded her during the descent, Wednesday accessed a discrete compartment at the rear. From within, she extracted two seemingly identical hilt mechanisms, each missing its blade. Swiftly, she affixed them to her hip, the hilts finding their place with practiced and precise attachment. Only then did she descend into the interior of the car.

The inside of the train car was packed with boxes stacked to the sides, leaving only a narrow corridor to walk. Wednesday reached for her belt and retrieved a small rectangular device, which she unfolded.

One of the many things Wednesday discovered when she decided to embrace technology was the multitude of open projects people shared online. The ingenuity and pride displayed by some of these creators provided the perfect blueprints from which to build her own devices. The only difference between their creations and hers, apart from their means, was the extent to which she was willing to go for her less than noble goals. This particular project was a radiation sensor with a few minor attachments she could mount in the center of the device depending on her needs. She checked the readings and breathed a sigh of relief—no radiation here.

Without wasting a moment, she set to work on opening the boxes to inspect their contents. To her surprise, each and every box held a vial of some sort. The vials came in different colors, enough to form a rainbow; some even emitted an inner light. However, they weren't her primary interest, so she moved to the door leading to the second car.

The door was secured with an electric lock, one Wednesday bypassed by reaching into her belt and retrieving a small rectangular device with rounded corners. It fit comfortably in the palm of her hand, equipped with a color LCD display. The screen provided ample space to display relevant information and user interfaces. Wednesday used the buttons on the device to navigate through various options until she found one in a different color. She selected the option and after a few moments, the door buzzed open. In front of her stretched yet another hallway, its path flanked by rows of boxes. A sense of unease began to gnaw at the edges of her consciousness. Could it be that all her efforts had been in vain? With a heavy heart, she tentatively approached the nearest box, fingers trembling as she lifted its lid. The contents inside unveiled themselves—an entirely unexpected discovery. The Chitauri helmet, reminiscent of the ones incessantly flickering across monitors weeks after the invasion, greeted her with an eerie allure.

She hesitated, absorbing the implications of this find. The lid was gently closed, and her attention shifted to the next box in line. A jolt coursed through her as the lid was lifted. There, nestled within the container, lay a Chitauri Staff—a formidable weapon. It was a monumental moment, one that marked a departure from her usual thievery of power sources and fragments of metallic scraps.

As she gingerly lifted the staff from its confines, an electric anticipation surged within her. Possibilities cascaded through her mind like wildfire, igniting visions of enhanced capabilities and newfound methods. With the weight of the weapon in her hands, her pulse quickened. The once-dormant technology seemed to awaken, a conduit between her and the unknown.

The single significance of this item rendered the entire undertaking justifiable.

Wednesday proceeded to uncover more boxes, one after another. Helmets, staves, and even Chitauri guns—all for her. Her elation was boundless; Wednesday's smile persisted until her cheeks ached, the pain inconsequential to her. She could easily fill in a box or two and take it to the suit.

Filled with renewed vigor, she marched to the door on the opposite side of the car and unlocked it with her device. 

The car door of the third vehicle swung open effortlessly, causing Wednesday Addams' heart to nearly leap out of her chest with an overwhelming rush of joy. Within the car, only two items were present, but they represented everything she had ever yearned for. Chitauri chariots, resembling sleek jet skis, were meticulously arranged, one positioned in front of the other. These extraordinary vehicles had been a constant presence in her dreams ever since their initial sighting, and now, in this moment, they materialized before her eyes.

Overwhelmed by anticipation, Wednesday cautiously extended her hand, her fingers almost trembling with a mixture of longing and disbelief. She needed to feel the cool touch of the alien metal against her gloved hand, to confirm that this reality was not some elaborate dream. The instant her fingers brushed against the unearthly material, an electric jolt surged through her, stealing her breath momentarily. In that singular moment, a spontaneous and exuberant laugh erupted from Wednesday's lips, a laugh that bordered on the edge of maniacal, causing her entire body to tremble with both mirth and excitement.

Regrettably, the chitauri chariots lacked a discernible power source, a minor detail that faded to insignificance in the grand scope of her emotions.

However, as Wednesday stood before this pivotal juncture, there remained three more cars to explore, each promising an additional enigma, each beckoning to her like the hypnotic call of a siren, tempting her onward to further discoveries.

I

It was her excitement that had led her to this careless mistake. As the door swung open, her heart raced, and in her eagerness, she disregarded any caution, failing to check for potential traps or hidden cameras. The consequence was swift and unexpected—the hand that materialized from the shadows hurled her against the unforgiving ground, leaving her stunned.

"Freeze!" The command pierced the haze of confusion that enveloped her. Shaking off the daze, she turned toward the authoritative voice, only to be met with the ominous sound of approaching footsteps that reverberated in her ears.

Wednesday's irritation flared, an internal monologue of disdain running through her mind as she gathered her wits. The term "witless imbecile" echoed, underscored by the frustration of the moment. Of course, she chided herself, there would be guards; her lack of foresight was glaring.

The hand grabbed one of her arms and attempted to put it behind her back, she shifted and got a first view of her adversary. Dressed like a regular security guard with uniform and jacked with the company logo, except the body of a trained soldier.

Summoning her resolve, Wednesday seized the moment, using the guard's own momentum against them. Swiftly, she twisted on the ground, positioning herself to face her adversary. With a calculated push of her feet against his knees, she created the necessary space. But this confrontation was far from over. The guard brandished a baton, its tip crackling with electricity. A taser rod, she deduced. She raised an arm defensively, bracing for the familiar sting that followed as the electric shock coursed through her.

An opening emerged as the guard took a step forward, and she capitalized on it, delivering precise kicks to his knee. His momentary stumble provided her with an opportunity to rise, her hand instinctively finding the hilts at her belt. With practiced fluidity, the hilts expanded, revealing hidden segments that locked into place, forming a weapon that bore the mark of her ingenuity—blades forged from Chitauri steel.

With renewed determination, Wednesday deflected the guard's baton, countering with a retaliatory strike to his leg. The cut was precise, incapacitating him without delivering irreparable harm. Her adversaries multiplied as four more guards arrived on the scene, their aggression palpable.

Gritting her teeth, she danced with calculated precision, fending off the attacks with one blade while leveraging the other for defense. The skirmish unfolded in a tense choreography, her skills keeping them at bay, but the odds stacked against her. Gradually, she was pushed back, her steps leading her closer to the car's exit. One guard seized the opportunity to retreat, undoubtedly intent on summoning reinforcements. In a decisive pivot, Wednesday abandoned defense for offense, employing both blades in a seamless, relentless assault. Her calculated maneuvers disarmed one guard, leaving him incapacitated by strategic cuts. The third guard's hand reached for his radio, his intent clear. With a swift throw, she sent one blade hurtling toward him, prompting a dodge that forced him to relinquish his communication device.

Focused and unyielding, she engaged the second guard, the clash of their weapons a symphony of steel. However, a surprising revelation emerged—her blades, formidable as they were, struggled against the resilience of the guard's rod. This unexpected resistance momentarily stunned her, but her resolve remained unwavering. In a final surge of strength, she severed the rod, the ensuing gash across her foe's chest incapacitating him.

The final guard, a force to be reckoned with, launched a barrage of sweeping attacks, each blow formidable in its intensity. Yet, without the reinforcement of his companions, his moves became more predictable. Wednesday adapted, her own strikes becoming a dance of precision and evasion. A momentary lapse in his technique provided her an opening, and she seized it, her blade connecting with his limbs and rendering him incapacitated. Wednesday didn't waste a moment and destroyed all radios before collecting her missing blade from the floor. 

Now able to breathe, she turned her attention to the single item in the car. In a standing display, guarded by transparent glass, laid a pair of daggers. The daggers were sleek and slender in design. They were made of a metallic, silver-like metal and had a straight blade. They were relatively short, no longer than 12 inches in length. What could possibly be so special about them to give them such treatment?

She used one of her blades to try to cut the glass. The metal bounced harmlessly, not even scratching the surface. It didn't matter. Wednesday had another way to brute force her access. She pressed a button and the blades went back into the hilts, which she attached to her belt once again. She then reached to her belt and took a small black disk and placed it on the glass. Wednesday pressed its center and the disk ignited with a green light. 

Vibrations, initially faint, began to resonate through the material, their intensity steadily escalating. The glass seemed to respond, its structure quivering under the mounting frequencies. The tension in the air grew palpable as the vibrations reached a crescendo, and then, with a fractured symphony of sound, the glass succumbed. It fractured, a web of cracks branching through its surface until it shattered into countless fragments, liberating the enigmatic daggers that had been held captive within. 

Wednesday recovered the disk and placed it back on her belt before analyzing the blades for radiation. Nothing. She took the blades and guarded them within her jacket.

A green sign popped on the hud of her helmet. Time was running out. The train was approaching the point where her tracking spell had lost it before. Running back, she made her way to the second car and loaded two boxes with as many weapons as she could and dragged them to the top of one of the chariots. She then rushed back to her exo-suit and attached herself to the harness.

The machine took flight and she repositioned herself to  the top of the second car. She tossed the cube pieces further apart than she had before, big enough so she could shoot cables from the suit to the chariot with the boxes. She had made her peace that she would only be able to take one but there was alway the possibility of founding another one. The machine rose to the sky and Wednesday pressed a button on her belt. The pieces of the cube lost their power and fell off, victims of the train's inertia.

Satisfied with her prize, she began flying away, her mind filled with dreams.

This proved to be her undoing. She had forgotten the most crucial rule of a heist: keep your mind on the game until you're back home.

The radar sounded once before the strike hit her. The shockwaves reverberated across the machine as she tried to regain control while the suit flew across the sky.

[starshiningsirius]

Attention seeker (Yandere Vil x reader)

The beautiful Queen's birthday, now if you'll excuse me I'm gonna go pull for his card.

Edit: I have failed and my disappointment is immeasurable. There's always Ruggie then.

A new first year to Pomifore who doesn't look like a potato face in Vil's eyes is rare. Something about her screams perfection and beauty in every way.

He never hears her talk much but she does as she's told. Her grades are always 100 marks never below that number. It amazed him how she didn't wear makeup but still looked like an angel sent down from above. When the freshmen were taught etiquette, she had no trouble at all.

What confused him the most was that she never mentioned anything regarding his beauty. Like maybe he had gotten some new makeup and graciously flaunted it to the whole dorm. She happened to be sitting in the dorm lounge and didn't bat an eye toward him, everyone else was mesmerised by his beauty except her.

Rook had to comment on his idol's sudden interest with the female.

"Roi de poison, you seem to be very interested in that freshman. She does seem like she's got something special to her doesn't she?"

"Yes, find out what you can about her." Vil was busy putting on his makeup but Rook noticed how his tone had shifted ever so slightly.

"As you wish Roi de Poison."

Rook only did as he was told though with an underlying excitement to it. It was for Vil after all and he could tell that this would go well in his twisted mind.

When Rook arrived back again, he had a surplus of info on her. From her favorite color to her daily routine. Vil noted everything he said to him about her.

She would cook for herself in the dorm's kitchen every morning for both lunch and breakfast. She never visits the cafeteria and always eats something healthy complimenting her physique. She even follows the facial routine Vil told everyone to do. When he mentions that she tutors Epel and she only spends time with him that immediately makes Vil's face turn into a frown.

He orders Rook to go and get Epel before he could even let him finish his findings. When he does come back with him Vil puts on a calm facade to mask his overwhelming envy toward the boy. He pretty much interrogates him seeing as Epel has no other choice he answers honestly.

Epel knows that charming smile on his dorm leader's face. He knew what happens when someone angers him. He could still feel the sting that had implanted itself in his memory after the blonde had slapped him for something minor.

All his questions pertained to his childhood friend. From her personality to what he knew about her that Rook didn't say to him already. He took in every bit of information. It only made him fall deeper into his obsession.

Though the fact stood out that Vil had fallen for a country bumpkin, he couldn't care less.

He just had to get her attention, after all.

* * *

"Vil senpai, is there something you need of me?"

He was outside her room door, one would say he was absolutely giddy at his plan he had concocted. Seeing her up close was even more exciting since he could take in every detail more than the pictures Rook had took of her.

"Seeing as you work so hard, I'm offering you a chance no one else gets you get to be my new makeup model! I need someone with your beauty almost as radiant as my own to test out some new makeup I ordered! I know this is such a gracious offer, so tomorrow at three after class meet me-"

"Excuse me, Vil senpai but I have to decline, it would be a waste of my time as well as yours. I ever so deeply apologize for wasting your time but I have to studying to do. Farewell." She shut the door softly leaving Vil shocked seeing as he was denied and put off to side like something to be forgotten.

That shock soon faded into pure rage. He was just denied with an opportunity as good as what he offered she could've become the talk of all social media with just one picture on his magicam page. Now that he thinks about it though, he didn't want that. All of your attention would be held up by strangers, your beauty would be flaunted off for the world to see. He's glad you denied before it could ever reach that point.

He still wanted your attention though. No, at this point he needed it. To just be forgotten just like when he plays the villain is not something he's fond of.

* * *

Y/n had been nervous as she felt like Rook had been following her for a few days and even though it had stopped altogether, she still couldn't help but be weary of her surroundings. Her vice dorm leader was always strange but it led to the question why was she the target of his interest now?

Vil had gained some strange interest in her as well and it made no sense as to why. She wasn't that special, certainly not at all in her standards. But at the present moment she didn't have the time to worry about that.

She had to go meet Epel again to tutor him in potions in the lab. They both grew up in the Village of Harvest together so they look after one another of course being good friends. Epel knows Y/n's reseved nature as well as how hardworking she is. She admires his determination just as he admires how she sees him for who he is which is thankfully not a girl. That's how the two have always been and now they both went to the same school.

She'd usually eat her lunch there before starting to mix any potions as to not accidentally mess up anything so she took a seat in the nearest chair that wasn't the teacher's desk and started eating.

Zucchini linguine was on the menu for today eating it slow with a fork not once making any slurping sounds. She noted that their was a slight difference in taste than what she was used too, considering she had made this before time and time again.

After awhile of waiting and already finishing her food she noticed that Epel hadn't arrived yet and usually he'd text if he were to be late. She found it strange, but something temporarily took her mind off it.

Her mind started to grow hazy and her eyes were growing blurry. Soon enough her body started to sway and the fork that was placed in the open container on her lap fell to the floor. Before she knew it she fell right with it feeling so dizzy all of a sudden. Her mind could process hearing for just a second, it sounded like the door.

Whispering quiet pleas was all she could do hoping it was Epel that could help him. She only saw a glimpse of purple robes, possibly nail polished fingers, and heard a few words as well as a pair of heels clicking against the floor before her mind completely shut off.

"You will give me your attention, even if I have to take you away."

* * *

Golden chains glittering, moved along with the captive that was awoken with a start.

The velvet sheets that had been neatly placed on her shifted as the chains rattled. She felt her wrists feeling the cold smooth metal on them. She immediately panicked even though she was usually calm and collected her mind just couldn't comprehend the situation. Never had she experienced anything similar to this.

She examined the walls and noticed that she was in Pomeifore, the elegant wallpaper had clued in on it. There was a dresser and a vanity next to it with all sorts of makeup neatly organized. It all looked so expensive just like the gold chains. The dread in her body had multiplied when she realized who it could be.

The room was much more luxurious then her own room. It could only be one person.

Vil Schoenheit.

As if on cue he walked in, with his manicured nails, crown on his head, and purple tipped locks accompanied by blonde roots. It only made him even more ecstatic to see her finally pay attention to him. He walked closer to her seeing her watch his every move for the first time since probably the day of the opening ceremony where he lectured the first years on Pomeifore etiquette.

When he finally reached her he lifted her chin and made her look him in the eyes.

"I want all of your attention to be on me my dear. I don't mind keeping you here to get it."

Masterlist

[zozophoenixxx]

Serotonin Booster :D 🐉

How to train your dragon edition

Here are some things I had forgotten or little details I just noticed on my rewatch, maybe even Unpopular Opinions 🤭👀

✨Race to the Edge✨

SEASON 6

I love how the twins were basically the reason Hiccup figured out that Johan was the spy

NOOO THE WAY GOTHI WENT TO TRY AND STOP STOICK FROM THROWING AWAY HER MEDICINE AND THEN GOT THROWN OFF THE CLIFF WAS SO FUNNY [ep2]

Omg that fight between Hiccup and Stoick in ep2 was crazy whenever Stoick said "I'm talking to the expert in getting duped by Trader Johan" and THEN HICCUP WAS LIKE "but I was only duped for half as long as you were. So what does that make you?"

Awww the way both Toothless and Skull-crusher were trying to get them to talk

And also Astrid being the only one that wasn't caught by the Hunters right away, she's just superior bro

I love how both of them were right - Stoick was right to not trust the merchants and Hiccup was right about Johan's plan

Toothless is actually so strong like he's not only agile and clever, I mean he just flew up to the ballista and crashed against it and destroyed it without using his Plasma Blast 😎🤩

Mala and Dagur fighting over where the Dragon Eye lenses are gonna be hidden is hilarious. Mala is so calm I love it

I got chills when Atali was like "no, Hiccup, this is my island I will defend it"

I really want to know the origin of the Wingmaidens, like where did all these women come from? How come they're still there?

I love Minden and Snotlout's relationship, the way he tried to convince her to not give up AND SHE KISSED HIM!!!

Krogan's Singetail actually cares about him

Never gonna get over Adelaide Kane voicing Mala

Also Snotlout running when the dude had the razorwhip on him LIKE HE WAS LITERALLY FLYING AND HE WAS STILL RUNNING Y'ALL HAVE TO WATCH THAT SCENE I JUST DONT KNOW HOW TO DESCRIBE IT ITS IN EP3

Generations ago Fishlegs's ancestors were dragon hunters

The Loyal Order of Ingerman - decimated the Dramillion dragons, pushing them to the brink of extinction

Grump is amazing I love him

Dramillions - have both a lava blast and a magnesium blast. Omnivores. Still being hunted.

The Hunters were founded by Ingar Ingerman

The Dramillion trying to take the manacle off his tail🥺

And when Fishlegs threw his helmet and THEN THE HAND THING 😭🥺

I love the Dramillions they're so smart they learned how to get rid of the manacles by just looking at what Meatlug and Stormfly were doing 🥺

I just realized that the twins are 19 AND I FIND THAT ABSOLUTELY CRAZY HOW CAN THEY BE THAT OLD

I really wish we knew each of their birthdays like I wanna know which one's older and which one's younger

I feel like for some reason the twins would be the oldest ones then Fishlegs then Astrid then Snotlout and lastly Hiccup. Idk I'm still iffy on this

Most Thorstons don't make it to 19

I love the twins' relationship, they love each other so much that they would rather be alone and not form part of a clan than leave each other alone and the fact that other people know this too? Plsss like the only reason Gruffnut got them back into the fake induction trials was by telling them how bad it'd be for each other to not be part of a clan.

Titanwing Zippleback HOW DO THEY KNOW ITS A TITANWING IT LOOKS THE SAME AS THE OTHER ZIPPLEBACKS

"Ughh, what's the point of winning alone? Being a Thorston means nothing without him. We are one Thorston."

I love them and also technically Ruffnut won the induction trials.

THE LAST LENSE GOSH

Love how Fishlegs cares about global warming

I'm all Snotlout, Toothless and the Triple Stryke reacting to Mala and Dagur- I'm also Mala whenever someone tickles me I'LL KILL U

UGHHH I HATE HOW SNOTLOUT MADE HICCSTRID UNCOMFY FOR HAVING A DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIP

Astrid overthinking 🥺😭

"How would you like your yak cooked?" JSHDHHA

bro I love how both Tuff and Toothless noticed the betrothal necklace

"So want to deliver some scrap metal?" Hiccup baby? Why are you so oblivious?

At least he asked her if she was alright in the armorwing's island 😩

No but if I was Astrid I'd be pissed too, the dude saw a dragon eye lens from far way and didn't notice her betrothal necklace? 🙂😤

No I can't that scene was too harsh to watch, I mean I loved to see Hiccup noticing something was wrong with Astrid but then the way Astrid compared their relationship to Mala and Dagur's and then threw him the betrothal necklace... And the way he caught it too I can't- 😭😞😖😭😓🤧

Seeing the twins trying to capture Mala was hilarious JAHDHDHHSHA

I love how when they're fighting Astrid's still there for him whenever he's expected to have all the answers. She ignored her anger and went over to him and grabbed his hand and that single thing was what gave him confidence in a moment of panic 🥺

"I'm with you"

"I know"

That final Hiccstrid scene in Mi Amore Wing was just too perfect, we have Hiccup grabbing Astrid's hand to bring her outside and talk to her, the sunset in the background, every little thing Hiccup told her about being there for her and loving her with everything he had and that he should've noticed the necklace right away AND THEN THAT KISS WAS JUST AMAZING❗️❗️❗️ it was passionate and sweet and Astrid was blushing and then Fishlegs was all uncomfortable and Mala was like "okaaayyyyy😏" and Dagur like "alrighhtttt👌🏼" ig the only thing I didn't like is that Astrid didn't say I love you back 😭 but it's ok cause yk she does I just wished she had said it.

Baby razorwhips love the water

Tuffnut named the baby razorwhip that bonded with Ruffnut, Wingnutt

Top scenes of Ruff Transition ep7

Tuffnut throwing up in Ruffnut's mouth and Ruffnut throwing up in Wingnutt's mouth just do that he could be fed- seeing the windmaiden's reactions is the best lmao

Hiccup trying to teach Ruffnut how to fly (with his dragon flight suit) and then Ruffnut losing balance but Hiccup helping her regain it BUT we still get overprotective Tuffnut jumping off of Toothless to try and help but all he did was make things worse HIS SCREAM WAS HILARIOUS nonono and the way Toothless tried to help BUT AGAIN MADE THINGS WORSE 😩😮‍💨😂

Ruffnut finally figuring out how to connect with Wingnutt and fighting the dragon hunters and saving Atali was so badass and then Atali riding Barf 😭🤩

Hiccstrid kiss count (approximately) : 6😘

The way he slightly and carefully touches her face to reassure her that he'll be fine

The Singetail's only predator is the Skrill

The Berserkers used to use metal daggers to lure Skrills into traps. The dragon is drawn to it due to its electrical properties

VIGGO JUST DID THE HAND THING THING WITH THE SKRILL WTF

If I could have any dragon it'd be in this order

Skrill - it's so badass and powerful

Nightfury - it's badass, powerful, pretty, strong and fast

Deadly Nadder - it's extremely fast and agile, has multiple attacks and the spikes

Dramillion - has multiple attacks and is very smart

Just realized that ep8 is called Triple Cross because 1st Johan crossed Viggo 2nd Viggo fake crossed Hiccup and 3rd Viggo and Hiccup crossed Johan and Kogan

That episode was basically jusr to show Viggo's arc and the way he changed for the better and learned to respect dragons

That's why the Singetails wouldn't leave in ep9 whenever they were trying tp free the Deathsong- their eggs! They're in that island.

I can't with Hiccup and Astrid sitting together just chilling but with Astrid feeling guilty and Hiccup assuring her that he was also at fault 😭

I love Narrator/Author Snotlout! The titles of the chapters of his book remind me of the ones from Pjo

Stoick and Skullcrusher acting as 1 and being worried about each other 🥺 I love their relationship

Also the way Stoick bats off the shots from the Singetails with his axe just like Astrid. They're both truly warriors

No but Toothless asking for a head scratch from Gobber bc he's worried abt both Hiccup and Stoick🥺

The way Toothless tried to make Hiccup feel better- I mean the man blamed himself for putting Stoick in "his deathbed" it was just so awful seeing Hiccup in that state and the way everyone was trying to make him feel better but it was ultimately Astrid who managed to get through to him😭

I love it when they put scenes of the movies

I love how Astrid always knows what to say without lying

Looks like it's you and me, then.

Always... was that corny or-

Probably. Nice, though.

The way Astrid is so natural at being a leader and putting everyone on their places 🤩

That lil moment they had in ep12 where he holds her face and thanks her for everything and I just love them too much 😭

I love how Spitelout is so happy when he's beating ass, this dude literally goes "I'm sure I've had more fun than this. But at the moment, I can't remember when"

Have I mentioned I love the Dramillions before? I love them way too much they're amazing and the sound they make is so 😩 I love it

The Dramillion is a distant cousin of the Changewing which means the Titanwing Dramillion shares the de-cloaking ability with its subspecies.

Stormfly's spine clone was literally so badass, my girl was surrounded and she finished every single dragon flyer with it. Badass move. Wish we had seen it more throughout the series

It really pissed me off that Hiccup had to choose between getting Tuff, Ruff and Snotlout out of that sinking ship when he could've been following Krogan. Like ofc it was the right decision but that wouldn't have happened if the twins and Snotlout didn't follow Gruff into the ship :/

I love how strong Barf and Belch are! They literally carried the a Titanwing Dramillion on their own.

That scene when they figured out that the Titanwing Dramillion is not the King of Dragons but instead the last piece of the puzzle to get to the King of Dragons

When the Wingmaidens got to the battle it was amazing

Also the way Dagur was so proud that the King of Dragons was a Berserker and how Ruff was so excited to see Wingnutt and Snotlout to see Minden🥺

THEY REALIZED THAT BBYS AREN'T AFFECTED BY THE KING OF DRAGONS BC OF THE BABY RAZORWHIPS

that last Hiccstrid Scene where Hiccup is worried about Astrid's safety- I mean his face 🥺🥺🥺 and she told him that his dad would be proud and that she's proud too and when she was about to leave he held her back and kissed her 😭😭

Ik I said this before but I simp for Astrid as a leader, she's just so natural at it

Also I love how the King of Dragons has ice powers instead of fire

WAIT SO IS THE EGG THAT HICCUP FINDS IN THE FINALE THAT THEY GIVE TO VALKA IS THAT THE KING OF DRAGONS THAT VALKA CARES FOR IN HTTYD2?!!

Valka being friends with the Wingmaidens sits absoluteky right with me

no but the way Toothless hesitated when Hiccup told him to leave him and get the egg

I love how all the dragons arrived to fight the dragon flyers, it was just so poetical to me, the dragons finally getting to fight the people that hurt them 🤩

I FINISHED IT AND NOW I'M SAD!!! I loved the end tho and I'm glad we got to see Shattermaster at Dagur's wedding, also Astrid's outfit change- we love that. And them leaving the edge is just so sad bro 😭but I love how we got to see some "insight" ig u could call it on HTTYD2 😭 also seeing Snotlout and Fishlegs's love for Ruffnut start forming was hilarious

[theglitterypages]

Title: Sweetheart Part 2

Pairings: Armin x fem! reader

Part One

Warnings: None

Word Count: 2000+

••••••

“Fix your postures!” you commanded, your hands are on your back as you walk in front of the Cadets. Levi stood behind you with a smirk on his face, he's been a little gentle with the Cadets these days but now that you're back to kick ass with him this would be so fun.

“Kirstein! Straighten up your back!”

Jean immediately obeyed while Connie was staring at you with wide eyes, this was not how they remembered you few days ago, you were soft spoken then, all sweet and all smiles but now they are seeing the tigress that Levi was talking about.

Levi was even more gentle in handling them because Levi rarely shouts yet his words carries heavy emotions but you, you can do both.

“She's the sister of the commander that's why she has the guts but I bet she's all cry and whine if she faced a Titan.”

You have a good sense of hearing and you heard what the Cadet has said about you, it wasn't the first time that someone underestimated you because of your gender and because you're Erwin's sister, it's one of the stereotypes, you don't actually mind but what you heard next took every single strand of patience inside you.

“Bet she's a good screamer in bed.”

Levi balled his hand into a fist, he may call you brat and have endless argumentd with you but he treats you like a sister and hearing the Cadets say those filthy words to you makes his blood boil but then when he saw how you tilted your head in both sides and how your eyes went blank he already knew that you can handle it yourself, you're not a simple girl after all so he let you do what you want.

Your eyes wandered around the Cadets, you were hurt by those comments, you hated being looked down just because they think you had it easy because of your brother when in fact you almost die a lot of times in the past and those wounds from Titan attacks heals in time but those words that serves as daggers stabbing your heart won't.

After a minute of searching you found the pair that you heard, the two men were standing beside Armin Arlert, it would've been a great view if the assholes weren't standing beside him, Armin Arlert's face screams peace, those blue eyes are calming.

“I bet she's been sleeping with the Captain.”

That was the last straw, Armin immediately threw hard punches towards the two guys who are both taller, and probably a couple of years older than him, he had enough of their dirty mouths, he knew that he's not suppose to do that but he couldn't stand them talking shits about you like that, his knuckles got red because of the impact and when he looked down at the two fellow Cadets, both their nose were broken as they lay flat on the ground.

Levi was shocked to see Armin straight up punch his fellow Cadets but he secretly smiled, he knew that the kid is promising. Everybody just need a little push to unleash their demons, seems like Armin Arlert has been unleashed just now.

Eren and Mikasa immediately went beside Armin to put a hand on his shoulders trying to calm him down silently, the blonde teen was heavily breathing, “I was taught by my grandfather to treat women right, you don't talk dirty shits about them like that, respect a woman the way you respect your Mother.” Armin growled through gritted teeth, he's surprised of the damage that he had done to the two men, those broken and bleeding nose gives him some sort of satisfaction but as he tore his blue eyes away from the two, he met your eyes.

You were frozen on your position, you were planning to do punch them first but Armin's action made you stop, you see the blonde guy as a soft one, the type of person who wouldn't even dare hurt a fly but here he is proving that he knows how to throw a good punch, when your gaze met, the anger on his eyes vanished, his face softened as his cheeks turned bright red including both of his ears.

With a small smile you made your way towards them, Connie, Jean and Sasha were standing behind Armin now too, checking up on him, you've deduced that he's like the baby in the group, suits him, he does look like a baby.

You looked down at the Cadets lying on the floor and grabbed their collars so you could lift them off the ground.

Everybody gasped at your action but no one dared to interfere. “I would love to have you two on our squad next expedition but we're the one leading the whole team which means...we're the first one to encounter titans and if we're unfortunate we'll be the first ones to get eaten too. I'll show you how I cry in front of the Titans then.” you let go both of their collars and let them land butt first on the ground.

You turned to Armin and smiled at him genuinely, “I appreciate your efforts for breaking their nose for me, Cadet. Thank you.” you smiled as you pat his head, Armin looked up at you with a smile, his cheeks flaming red, “It's natural human decency, M-Ma'am. No need to thank me.” you smiled at him and pursed your lips before walking away so you could go back to the center of the scouts.

“Captain Levi would take over now.”

Levi stood beside you and the Scouts saluted at him, “Take care of some written reports for me, brat.” he ordered and you nodded as a response as you walked away from the training grounds but before you could even went further, you heard grunts and gasps behind you.

You saw how the sole of Levi's boots collided with the face of the Cadets, you winced and bit your lower lip as you see how Levi kicked them hard.

“I'll make sure you two would learn how to respect your superiors now and women in general.”

You started to feel bad because you're damn sure their jaws would be dislocated because of Levi's signature kick but you remembered that they're assholes and they deserved it so you proceeded to go on and take care of the written reports instead of watching their ass get beaten.

°°°°

It was already dark when you've decided to take a walk to try and breathe some fresh air, you looked up at the dark sky, the moon was shining brightly.

Your eyes settled on the mysterious moon, you've always been fascinated of the moon, when you were a kid you often cry to tell Erwin that the moon is a creep because it keeps on following you, your brother would always hold back his laughter and would assure you that he'll protect you from the moon.

A part of you wishes that you two should've stayed as kids then, your brother has been seeking to find out the truth and as he gets closer to that truth, you're slowly losing him. You immediately wiped a tear away, you should just be happy for your brother and make sure he'll be safe, that would be enough.

You lifted your arms towards the sky as if reaching the moon, it is beautiful yet awfully frightening but the stars cast out those fears, as the stars shine brightly in the night sky you felt at ease and you smiled to yourself before putting your hands back to your pocket. It's getting colder now.

The cold wind embraced your whole and you shivered strands of your hair escaped from your messy hair bun. When the cold was too much for you to handle, wearing thin clothes is not a wise decision so you've decided to go back inside just to hear a hissing nearby, if you're right the hissing comes from the tree nearby.

Out of curiosity you slowly made your way towards the tree, you just silently prayed that it's not Cadets that are making out outside because you've witness a pair making out behind trees before and you wouldn't want it to happen again.

But as you got closer to the tree you confirmed that it wasn't a couple doing something nasty outside, it is an angel silently sitting down.

“Aren't you suppose to be sleeping by this time now?”

Armin's eyes widened as his head snapped on your direction, his mouth gaped open as while his brows raised in surprise. "I c-can't sleep Ma'am.” he stammered and looked away from you, not that he doesn't want to see you, it's just that the thin material that you're wearing is revealing your cleavage. He had to gulp and remind himself that it's not appropriate to look at women like that.

“Mind if I sit down beside you? I couldn't sleep either.”

“I-I don't really mind.”

When your arms accidentally brushed, Armin wanted to flinch but he didn't because he wouldn't want to offend you and when you looked at him you can still see how red his cheeks were even if it's dark. “Thank you for what you did, earlier. I don't really mind such comments anymore, it wasn't the first time and it probably wouldn't be my last either.” you chuckled bitterly, you've worked hard to be a skilled fighter so you could prove to everyone that you're not a woman living as your brother's shadows.

But sometimes life is fucked up, actually most of the time it is fucked up.

“You should inform Commander Erwin about it. I mean they're crossing the line, they're talking as if they know you.”

“How about you, do you know me?”

“It feels like...I do.” he silently whispered as he looked down on his hands, you followed his gaze and your mout gaped open when you saw that there's a bandage covering his knuckles. “By the walls, Armin...w-what happened? You shouldn't have done it, I could've taken care of them myself.” you grabbed his hand and examined it, not that you can see through those bandages but you just feel like doing so.

Armin could've taken away his hands from you but he didn't, feeling your soft skin against his is comforting, he's forgotten that he shed a tear when Mikasa put those bandages around his knuckles, he didn't break any bone but it's red and sore, he's not really cut out for scenarios like that but it was worth it because he was able to defend you at some way, in the little way that he could.

“It's just sore. I'm not really good at punching, you know. I used to get beaten up as a kid, they'll steal my food and Eren and Mikasa would come to rescue me but now, I finally...I finally get to do something for someone.”

“Why didn't you fight back before?”

“Because I can't and I'm not as brave. You know, when I came face to face with a Titan, I—I was frozen. Eren got eaten and it was fortunate that he's alive.”

You didn't notice that you stared caressing his knuckles as you listened but it seems ljke he doesn't notice too so you let it be, “But look at you now, I've heard from Erwin that you're a smart one. You've figured out who is the female titan right?” Armin looked at you and his blue eyes widened in shock as he saw how close you two were.

He knew that in one wrong move he can finally know how would it feel to have your lips press against his, if he'll move his head forward maybe he can feel how soft those lips are.

But he stayed back, he respects you. He's attracted to you but he knows his boundaries, his grandfather told him to grow up as a gentleman and all that and he thinks of Mikasa, if Mikasa would be treated so inappropriate by a man he wouldn't like that, he wouldn't like that to happen to his sister.

That's why he would behave himself around you and he'll choose to be contented of just staring at you, it's more than enough.

“W-Well it was a gamble and I was already late...it was—”

You kissed his cheek to shut him up. The poor guy looked at you as his whole face reddened, both his ears flaming up.

“W-Why d-did you do that?” he whispered as he looked away.

“I just want to. Can you promise me one thing?” you asked as you leaned away, Armin looked at you with curiosity before he opened his mouth to respond, “It depends, make me promise something that I can fulfill.” he told you. When he promised someone, he'll always make sure that he can fulfill because he hates it when promises are broken and he wouldn't want to break any promise to anyone, especially to you.

“Each one of us has our own expertise, I want you to focus on yours and if you find yourself in a fucked up situation, don't hesitate to go to me, call out my name or somethin', I have your back now, Armin.”

“Then call out my name too if you need me.” Armin told you bravely, he doesn't have any idea why he felt this way but the moment he saw you after bumping into you, he already know that he's attracted, he told Eren about it, Eren teased him and he's not amused, not that he hates it but he's afraid that you'll hear.

He often watch you from afar, most of the times you are found with the Captain, probably why some thinks the two of you are in a relationship but as you sat beside him under the moonlight, his heart was filled of hope.

“Good night then, sweetheart.” you whispered as you gently press your lips on his cheeks again, as usual, he was frozen and you stood up to walk away so you could go back inside already.

Armin followed you with his gaze as a sweet smile made its way across his lips, his eyes sparking with glee.

“Good night, sweetheart.” he whispered.

[imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl]

Californian Dream (Pt. 07 of 11)

Pairing: Billy Hargrove X Reader

Word count: 2.6 K

Summary: Being part of one of the richest families of California doesn't mean you're happy. Your life is boring, and you're surrounded by meaningless people and their meaningless talk. Even during Summer, with the break you have from college, there's nothing good going on. Nothing but the new pool guy, Billy, the most handsome man you ever saw. You were successfully avoiding him, not wanting to act like an idiot in front of the guy until Billy accepts to be your date for a fancy gala you're forced to attend. The night was going well, even better when he sneaked you out to go to the beach. But a gang of criminals breaks into the party, kidnapping the heirs to the wealthiest families, which includes you. So, for your safety, your parents want you to stay with Billy, living in his apartment until the criminals are caught. And that could take weeks, maybe even months.

Warnings: Light violence

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{Stranger Things Masterlist}

{Dacre Montgomery Masterlist}

×

Broken

“Listen, listen...” Cupping your cheeks and drying off some tears, he looks into your eyes. “I'm all sweaty and disgusting. Let me shower and then we'll talk, alright?”

Forcing yourself to nod, you look down, suddenly ashamed of how you were clinging onto to him. “Alright.”

“Ok.” He hesitates a little before heading to the bathroom.

With both hands on your head, you pace around the living room, the image of Alice's hands burning through your mind. Why did they do that? Was it some kind of punishment for her trying to run? Or were they sending a message? Or are they just that cruel? What will happen to the others? To the last one, if the police don't find them and if the private investigators fail?

Turning the damn TV off, you messily wipe the tears away, going to the bedroom, sitting on the bed and waiting for Billy to come out. You just want him. You feel safe with him, and if this makes things weird after, you'll apologize.

This time, when the door opens, you manage to hold back, pushing back the urge to jump into his arms again. Billy looks sad, only breaking eye contact to put his shirt on. “Come here.” And that's all it takes for you to run into his embrace again, more tears taking the place of the ones you dried off, then fighting for more space. “I'm sorry.”

You can't say anything. There are no words to be said now. So you just cry, arms around his midsection as you let your heart out. It's a mix of fear and desperation. It could've been you if Billy wasn't there to sneak you out. You wish you could see Alice, but at the same time, you don't want to. Seeing her hands on the TV was bad enough. You can't even start to think about the trauma she went through. This whole thing can't be happening, it feels like a nightmare.

“Come. Lie down to rest a little.” Billy guides you to the bed, and you only move because of him. You barely feel your legs. When you lie down, and he moves to stand up, you hold his arm.

It's not the time to blush or feel nervous. Or to think about what it means. You want him, you need him here. With you. “Stay, please.” Begging, you move aside when he nods. Billy lies down on his back, facing the ceiling. You hold his arm, just so you're touching him somehow, but it's not enough. The tears keep coming, your mind keeps imagining what else those people, your friends, the people who you grew up with, are suffering right now. “B-Billy...” Your voice cracks, and you squeeze his bicep a little.

“What, princess?”

“I'm sorry...” You whisper, already moving closer to him.

Billy's eyes meet yours, a worried and confused expression on his face. “What for?”

You don't say anything, you just move closer to him, laying your head on his chest. A breath escapes your lips when you feel his arms around you, grounding, protecting you. Now more than ever, you understand what Billy did for you when he sneaked you out of the gala. It could've been you with chopped fingers, or going through something much worse.

“You make me feel safe.” You mutter, eyes closed shut. His heartbeat is calming, and slowly, your breathing starts to slow down until it's steady again. Billy has a hand around your waist and the other comes to caress your cheek every once in a while. But the most important thing is that he doesn't let go.

You're not sure how long you stay there, but the only thing keeping you from falling asleep is the pain in your stomach. You're hungry, and that's the only thing that makes you move, sitting up straight. Moving the hair away from your face, you look down at Billy. “I'm sorry for... Doing this, but I just needed to... I needed you.”

“It's alright.” He sits up too, a hand softly rubbing your arm. “Are you feeling better?”

“Not really.” You mutter, running a hand through your hair. “But I'll make us something to eat. We're both hungry and it'll distract me.”

“We can do it together, what do you think?” He asks as he stands up, offering you his hand. You take it, letting him guide you to the kitchen.

Billy keeps the small talk as you cook and then eat, even succeeding to take a few laughs from you. When you're done with the dishes, you go back to the kitchen table to share an ice cream you bought yesterday. Seated side by side, you have a little fight every time you happen to move to get some ice cream at the same time, slapping each other's hand with the spoon.

“Do you wanna talk about...” Billy speaks low, careful. But it's ok. You'll have to talk about it eventually.

“They cut off three fingers from her right hand and the index finger from the left.” Your voice is weak, and you look down at your empty spoon. “They showed it... I mean, it was covered by white bandages but... It was obvious, and there was some blood on it and I just can't understand why they'd do something like that.”

“They don't need a reason.” Billy caresses your cheek, his finger running through the line of your jaw. “I know you feel awful but I can't help but feel relieved that's not you.” His stare is intense but kind. “Even before, I'd hate to see you in her place.”

“Even before?”

“Before I knew you better. Now... It would kill me if anything happened to you.”

“I don't think I wanna go back home.” It comes out suddenly, without considering what it truly means. But it's the truth. The truth comes to a lot easier to you now that you're not constantly trying to hide what you think or feel. “I know it's mean to think about myself now but I don't think I can go back. I can't keep doing that. I can't waste the summer with those stupid events, and I can't go back into studying law, I can't...” You stand up, pacing around with both hands in your head. “I can't keep pretending those people are my friends and I can't keep pretending that person is who I am.”

“What is your plan, then?”

This makes you turn around to look at Billy again. He hasn't moved, the ice cream long was forgotten and his attention on you. “Won't you even try to make me change my mind?”

“No.” He stands up, coming closer until you're face to face with him. Billy seems sad, a deep breath leaving his chest. ”We are responsible for our happiness. That's why I left Hawkins and if you want to leave California–”

“It's not about California.” Cutting him short, you sigh. “I love California. I just want... This.” You gesture at the apartment. “Having a place that I like, that doesn't fit a hundred people. Studying something that I care about, going to the places I wanna go, making real friends.” Since Billy started taking you to some parties, you've been growing close to Stacy, Anne, and Jimmy, Billy's friends who are now becoming your friends too. You feel more comfortable with them than you ever felt with the people you grew up with.

“Well, you don't have to think about it now. When you have to make a decision, you'll know what to do.”

“Yeah... I think I will.” You should look away, but his eyes... You feel like you could sink, and drown, and die. Slowly, you stand on your toes, trying to feel if Billy will step back. You don't even know what you're doing, it's almost involuntary, you're just chasing his lips.

But instead of moving away, he meets you halfway bending down a little to connect his lips to yours. Your arms quickly embrace his neck and you end the final distance between your bodies. You don't wanna think too much. Whenever you kiss Billy, you don't wanna think about anything. You just wanna feel. And right now, more than ever, you need him, this close, the taste of his lips so addictive, making you a little mad when you need to pull away to breathe. But you don't move away, you stay there, foreheads touching. With your eyes tightly shut, you caress his cheek, fingers tracing his jawline.

He's just about to say something when the phone starts ringing, and very reluctantly, you step back, gesturing for him to answer it. When he turns his back at you, you immediately touch your lips, smiling a little. As stupid, as insane as it is, Billy is the only guy you want to kiss. He's the only one you'd ever want to kiss. “What's up?” He says. “No, I can't go today... Because I have something more important to do here. I'll go on Friday. Bye.”

You're just about to ask him what was that about when you remember he was supposed to go to the gym today. “Hey, you can go. I'll be alright.” No, you won't. But still, you don't want him to stay if he wants to be somewhere else.

“Completely out of question.” He walks to you again, reaching out his hand. “Come. Let's watch some nice movies or something.”

And so it happens. There's this random movie going on, and you try to focus on it the best you can. On the couch, Billy holds you all the time, and it doesn't take much until your head is on his shoulder. But the happenings of the day got the best of you, and soon enough you feel yourself tired, eyelids heavy with sleep, falling close.

When you open your eyes again, you're in bed, with the morning light piercing through the light fabric of the curtains. You have the blankets all around you, and for some reason, when you get up, you feel cold. Maybe it's the air-conditioning, but Billy likes this temperature, and you haven't had a problem with it until now. So you just decide to put on a cardigan instead.

It's a war against yourself not to watch the news. You want to know how's Alice, but you don't want to see another take of her mutilated hand. Or hear what the reporters are saying about it. So you basically pace around the house, doing nothing, but trying to keep busy. For some reason, you're terribly tired, exhausted even, struggling to focus on this afternoon talk show instead of changing the channel.

The gang probably already let out the next rescue. Will it be the same? No, it's probably more. Who will be the next one they'll release? How many fingers will they still have left? Will they have both arms? Or all of their teeth? The thoughts won't leave you alone, and the talk show sucks, so you stand up, moving to the window and setting your eyes on the ocean out there, the horizon on a light shade of blue as the sun sets.

The noise of the door opening makes you look over your shoulder. A wave of relief washes over you when you see Billy, and you're just about to run to him when he mutters a harsh ‘hello’, moving straight to his room. Stopping in your tracks, you try to process it. Turning the damn TV off, you brace yourself as you go back to the couch, waiting for him to come back. But it takes longer than normal, and when you finally hear the bedroom door opening, your eyes follow him when he moves to the kitchen space. And that's when you notice you're starving.

Pushing yourself up, pulling the heavier coat you have on now even closer to your body, you walk over to the table. “Billy, can you make something to eat, I'm really–”

“You've been in here all day and you couldn't even cook something?” He suddenly snaps, both hands on the sink and his back turned at you. The roughness of his voice gets you by surprise, startling you.

“I–”

“I have been out all day, working my damn ass off, and now I have to come home and make dinner too? Don't you think I might be exhausted?” Without looking at you, he opens the fridge, looking for something, but after a few seconds, he violently pushes the door shut.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Bursting out, you try not to let the tears roll down. You're overwhelmed right now, and the last thing you need is Billy freaking out for whatever reasons.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” He finally turns to face you, slamming his hands on the table. “You have no idea what it is to deal with your kind. I clean your pools, I fix and wash your fancy cars, I change the lamps from your chandeliers, and I'm not even treated nicely. I'm the staff, the working class, a freaking nobody who's only useful to put together broken things, and then I can be kicked out.”

“My kind?” Raising your voice, a humorless laugh escapes your lips. “Haven't you said something about me being the only owner who ever offered some help?”

The laughter that escapes his lips surprises you. It's mean and cruel, so unlike everything you have seen of Billy. “And how exactly would you help me? Raking leaves?”

“Yeah, I–”

“When you're skimming the pools, it's cute. You're a good soul helping the unfortunate. When I'm skimming the pools, I'm the unfortunate, who couldn't find a better job other than serving the upper class.” He's yelling, his eyes full of anger. This isn't Billy. Something happened, but right now, you don't care. You don't think it's fair to throw it on you, but maybe he's right. Maybe coming here was a mistake. “And that's exactly what I'm doing here, in my own house. Or have you forgotten what your dad said, huh? That I'll be paid after those assholes are caught so I gotta make sure all your needs are attended? So yes, I guess I'll make you something to eat. I wouldn't dream of letting you do it yourself, ma'am.”

“This good soul will be leaving your apartment tomorrow morning.” You mutter, turning on your heels and heading to the bedroom. It's his turn with the bed, but you don't care. If that's how Billy sees you, this is who you'll be. The mean, rich kid you were raised to be. You push the door closed so violently that the loud bang startles you, a hand coming to your heart. Locking yourself inside, you climb into the bed, hiding your face in the pillow.

After all this time, you can't believe that's what Billy thinks of you. After opening your heart to him, saying things you haven't even admitted to yourself before, he still sees you as one of those people. Maybe this was a huge mistake. Maybe letting Billy get so close was a mistake. Maybe kissing him... That was the worst part. You never thought you'd want that with anyone, but he came and lit up this spark in you. Now, it's over, and you're heart is broken. Tomorrow you'll either find a place or just check if Anne or Stacy can let you crash at their place for a while. But you can't stay here. Whatever you thought you and Billy could become... It's over.

×

@multific @dontxfearxthereaper @nope-thanks @nikkixostan @shinydixon @clockworkballerina @infinitelycharmed23 @lilred91

[ficklewish]

Pre Calc Sucks

a Tendou x Reader Soulmate AU

Word count: 1.6k

Genre: Fluff

Pairing: Tendou x reader

ˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ

If you were told that you'd meet your soulmate through a texting app way before you did, you'd probably laugh at their face and tell them that it's not possible for that to happen, as it only does in movies or books. Or that's what you believed. Never in a million years did you think that it would happen to anyone you knew, let alone you yourself. It was a shock, but it was welcomed with open arms, as you had finally met the love of your life, the one fated to be with you. Meeting Tendou was, by far, the best day of your life. How you first met him however…now that would be a funny bedtime story. 

ˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ

You were struggling with your art and school when you had downloaded discord. A school friend had suggested it to you, as certain servers had places for school or art help, and you had given in due to the huge lack of inspiration you had. Making an account and picking your username, it had finally been done, but once again, you were stuck. How exactly did discord work? Would it just…randomly suggest servers everyday or did you have to find them? You had left it for a while, just empty, waiting for it to be filled. Your friend had asked if you had made any online friends, and responding with no, they became confused. "Haven't you joined any servers?" You awkwardly laughed, turning away from them. "No…I don't know how discord works." You look back up at them and see the most judging look in their eyes. "You're hopeless. Here, let me help you." Taking your phone and opening your search engine, they go to a random site and start scrolling while you look over their shoulder. Seeing them go through multiple windows, they give back your phone. “There, I added you to one, you can figure out the rest from there.” Giving a small thanks, you turn to your phone, reading the instructions. “Hmmm, this is gonna take a while…” After doing a few tweaks and introducing yourself, you finally started to talk to the people on the server, learning their names and pronouns, acknowledging their age for appropriate conversations, and even adding a few friends. You had completely forgotten you were still at school, even though it was currently your lunch period. “Who knows, maybe your soulmate is in there.” Startled, you turn towards your friend then roll your eyes. The whole soulmate concept was something you used to like, but now, it was just a reminder that you hadn’t found yours yet. The whole “first place they touch you” thing was just a taunt, at least to you. Your mark was what seemed like someone's arms wrapped around you, including your upper arms. So many of your peers had already found theirs while you felt almost forgotten. It brought thoughts to your head, such as what if...your soulmate was across the world? Would you ever meet them? Did you even have one? Shoving the last thought deep into your mind. “I doubt it, shit like that only happens in movies.” Your friend looked at you, then smirked. “I don’t know about that.”

ˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ

After classes ended, you went home, a bit excited to start talking online, as childish as it sounded. You had to keep reminding yourself that you joined for school and art help, but making a few friends never hurt. Taking off your shoes and dropping your things, you sat on the couch and noticed you were home alone for the time being, your parents most likely at the market. Taking your phone out and opening the app, you begin to interact in the correct chat for school. 

"Hey! I was wondering if someone could help me with my pre calculus homework? I'm a bit stuck"

You noticed that someone was already going to respond, which comforted you greatly. 

"I could help with this! Just give me a moment!"

Checking their profile to not accidentally misgender them, you notice that they are actually a he, and he has similar interests as you. Going back to your bag and getting your notebook and textbook, you turn back to your phone and prepare to fry your brain with math. (fucking hate math, it's so COMPLICATED) 

"Alright, what did you need help with?"

Telling your "tutor" about which problems you were confused about, they immediately begin to guide you through it and point out any mistakes you made, all while not exactly telling you the answer. He had helped you understand the concept much more easier than your teacher ever did, and you were extremely grateful for that. He had even given you some extra tips on how to remember certain formulas for when exams and tests are assigned. You thanked him multiple times for helping you with your homework

"Of course! Just DM me anytime you need help, I'd gladly do so!"

And that's what you did, texting him every now and then for homework help, mainly pre calc as it was your worst subject, and you didn't want to burden him with your other classes in case he had his own to pass. Sometimes, you'd even text him because you were actually interested in him, as he had been an interesting person to talk to. Learning a bit about him and sharing a bit about yourself, you quickly formed a friendship with, who you found out a few days ago, Tendou. He'd talk about how he was a part of a volleyball club, being a 3rd year, being part of a powerhouse team, and even some personal facts about his life. Of course, he never told you exactly where he was located, which was perfectly fine, as you didn't want to disclose that information either. However, you soon started to notice that whenever Tendou would text you, you'd become giddy no matter what the conversation was about, and when someone other than Tendou would text you, you'd deflate a bit, hoping it was him. Whenever you'd be doing anything else, you were hoping that he would send you something, you were just hoping to talk to him. These feelings scared you, as you might've had a soulmate, yet you fell for Tendou, and you prayed that maybe, it would somehow work out. 

ˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ

4 months later, and Tendou being your "tutor" was still going strong, and your friendship even stronger. You had brought up meeting with him a few times, and the both of you had even planned it sometimes, but never actually went ahead with those plans. Your schedules never met up, as he had practice and you had a part time job. You grew wary, wondering if you would ever meet your online crush. It was then that you realized you had absolutely no idea of what Tendou even looked like, which meant you could've passed him on the street multiple times without noticing. You would constantly hope that one day he would stroll into the little cafe you worked at and notice you, but that was a far stretch, as he had no idea of what you looked like either. Today was no different. Each time a customer would waltz in, you had hoped that it was Tendou, but it never was. It was currently near closing time, and you had begun sweeping the place while a coworker cleaned the kitchen in the back. It wasn't until you were about to begin putting chairs up that you felt a vibration come from your phone. Taking it out, you look at your notifications and see you had gotten a text from Tendou, and you felt your heart skip a beat. Scanning the text, the happiness you had felt quickly melted into excitement and nervousness. 

"I found the place you work at, and I think I see you. Are you the one who's holding a broom?"

Rereading the text a few times to check if you weren't seeing things, you began to grow panicked. Today was an extremely stressful day, and you knew that you looked horrible. Your hair was a mess and you had even cried once due to an overly loud and rude man whose order was messed up, and you knew that the tear stains were still slightly visible. Quickly answering his text with a "come inside then :)" you continued to put chairs up in hopes to distract yourself from the nervousness and panic growing inside you with every passing second. Hearing the door open and the small bell above it chime, you freeze. "Um…are you possibly Y/N?" Turning around slowly, you're met with a tall boy with red hair and tired eyes. He reminded you of a lizard, and you thought he was really cute. Remembering that he had asked you a question, you answered. "Yes I am. Are you Tendou?" His eyes widen, and a smile grows on his face. "Aahhh, I finally get to meet you!" Realizing that he is indeed Tendou, a smile of your own grows on your face, and you couldn't stop yourself from engulfing him in a hug. The hug is cut short however, since you feel a searing pain from where Tendou had wrapped his arms around you. Pulling away, you look into his eyes, and does the same. Realization floods his eyes, and he looks as though he's about to cry. "Well shit, who knew you'd be my soulmate too." You immediately run back into his arms, shedding a few tears into his hoodie as he hugs you as if his life depended on it. 

"I guess stuff like this really does happen in real life."

ˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ༄ؘˑ

a/n: HOOOO this took me a while to write, had to start over 3 times 😔 neways, I hope you liked it!

[colemacgrathtkz]

Where two shadows meet

Disclaimer: No gush. No mush. Just angst.

Previously. Next

----------------------‐----------------------

[The next day after being sent away, human realm]

The morning after being cast out, Luz woke up to the an empty room. She had hoped the events of last night were just some nightmare. Feeling the dried tears on her face told her the truth. She must've cried herself to sleep. She'd been waiting for the smallest chance of the portal reopening. Any opportunity, no matter how small, she refused to miss.

None came and hints of dawn were peeking through the windows.

She picked herself up and headed for her old house. The empress cloak still wrapped around her. She wondered, how would she explain this to her mother?

When she approached the street, a flyer caught her eye.

A missing persons poster with her picture on it. Plenty of them were scattered throughout the neighborhood.

She ran towards the side of her house and peered in.

Her mother, weary and worn out, sat at the table with a phone at hand. Were her eyes red from crying or staying up all night?

Luz was about signal her mother to her presence.

Not yet.

She caught her reflection in the window. Her pupils were glowing red. Stumbling back, she couldn't face her mother like this.

Sprinting away, not caring about what direction.

Hours later, Luz would return when she knew her mother was gone. She snuck in to take whatever cash she could and pack up a new bag.

Camilla Noceda: "Who's there?!"

Scratch that, Camilla hadn't gone to work yet. Luz grabbed what she had and bolted out of the house. From that day on, she had to make her supplies last.

[Six weeks later]

Luz had been wandering the country. She had tried shelters. But she had made her stays brief. People had tried to figure out, where was she from?

The worst part came from her "condition". Lately, she kept waking up in different parts of the city. Clumps of money or random items could be found alongside her. Usually with a note that said, "Take this with you". They were written in her handwriting. She refused to obey the beast inside her. However, her stubbornness meant she refused any resource that came from the empress. One in particular, the empress cloak that kept appearing in her bag.

Her travels left her funds dry and uneasy about the future.

One night, she didn't have any strength left. Her nightmare was moving to its next phase.

She found herself in her old room. A shackle made of light lead out the door. She stepped out into the hallway. The chain trailed to the right. But it became pitch black futher down. A second chain came from the abyss into a door across the hall.

She wanted to know where this would lead.

Stepping through, she dreaded that this was Belos' old throne room.

Stop...fighting

The empress stepped out from the other side of the room. Dressed in her cloak, the metal mouth mask was new. She twirled her finger and closed the door behind Luz.

Let...me.

Her majesty gestured to her mask. The voice was so muffled, it might has well have been a whisper. Luz didn't really notice it until now.

Luz: "I don't really know what..."

Empress Luz: "Check...it."

The empress pulled on her end of the chain and zipped to Noceda's side. Luz fell over, leaving the empress towering over her.

She didn't know she could make such a scary glare.

Empress Luz (pointing to pockets): "Check!"

Luz didn't waste a second and found a key.

Empress Luz: "You... willingly... give."

She handed her the key, as she stood up.

The empress removed her metal mask, relieved.

Empress Luz: " That's better. We have something to discuss."

Noceda just wanted to leave this nightmare.

Empress Luz: "This nightmare is very real. You leave... when we settle this now!

That's right, I can feel what you're thinking."

Luz Noceda: "What do you want? This is just a dream, right?"

Empress Luz: " You've no doubt noticed, I've been taking control while you sleep. Regrettably, our body has become deprived of rest. We're malnourished and becoming worse. You have to listen to me now!"

Luz: "If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me!"

Empress: "And our mother with us?"

Dread silenced both of them for a moment.

Luz: "What did you do?

Empress: " I've been a spectator, until not long ago. Neither of us have seen our..."

Luz: "My mama! Mine!"

Empress: "Our mami. I haven't seen her since you ran. I haven't done anything to her. That's what you've got to understand. I care about our mama, like you."

Luz: " You're a curse from Belos."

Empress: "Wrong! I'm not you, but at the same time, I am. From the moment Eda took you on, you were a witch with a dark side. When you killed Belos, you released his unnatural power. I wasn't made by it. It just gave me a voice. I'm a genuine Luz Noceda! I'm a part of you, just like you're a part of me."

The empress sat down on the throne, resting her head in her hand. She revealed a key under her cloak.

Empress: "I can give you the key out of this room. But these shackles on our legs are different story. These are the chains Amity gave us. Which is why, you're going to do what I say."

Luz scowled at this doppelganger. But she began to recall everything that happened since that night.

Luz: "What are you talking about?"

Empress: "Our fates are tied. But you're the only obstacle in our way. You've been frustrated and angry since we were cast out. I've been gaining control because of this. You were able to hold me back, at first. But your control is ticking away. Ironic, isn't it? We're both at our weakest, regardless."

Luz: "Let me out!"

The empress held up her restraint.

Empress: "To do what? Walk until we collapse? Hardly sleep anywhere? Fending off the streets? We're exhausted and knocking on death's door! If we continue on like this, our mother will suffer, too."

Luz: "You're lying."

Empress: " You haven't forgotten our last moments with Amity, right? She knew that would be the last time she'd see us. Mama didn't know that moment on the curb was hers. If they even find our body, can you imagine her face when they do? Haunted by the guilt for the rest of her life? Never knowing anything other than sending her daughter away? That's the fate that you're headed for. But I'm offering a different course."

Luz: "Stop beating around the bush and tell me!"

Empress: "While you've been asleep, I've tried to learn all about magic on this side. This chain could be an unexpected key to getting everything. I want everything you do. I want to give our mama an easy life. I want Amity at our side."

Luz: "Revenge on Lilith?"

Luz felt a familiar rage rising. But she didn't know why. She hadn't thought of Lilith until just then. That's when she understood her connection to the empress.

Empress: "Maybe I was hasty about that? But I know you haven't forgiven her for what she's done. I am you, after all. She got her sister back while we've got nothing. She's cursed her own sister and used us as a human shield. She gets to be with Eda. Meanwhile, you beat Belos and can't even go back to mami."

Luz: "It's because of you. All of this is your fault!"

Empress: "Us. Tell me something, does mama love you or me?"

Luz: "Me! I'm her daughter. You're just something I picked up on the Isles."

Empress: "So, she never met me? Yet, she sent you away to be someone else. It's not my fault you can't be with her. My existence isn't the reason you can't face her, is it? It's because you're too much, even for her.

But what about Amity?"

Luz: "You made me watch you terrorize everyone. You didn't leave her a choice."

Empress: " I gave her everything. She had our trust and love. But when she cast us out, she knew it was you. She was talking to you."

Summoning illusions, that night was replayed in front of them.

Empress: "When she was holding the staff, she knew it was you. Like you said, if she wanted to keep you, she could've. But once again, you were too much for her to handle.

That's two loved ones that cast us...sorry, you away. Should I even mention the others? Eda, King, Willow,  and Gus? They loved you, too, didn't they? But that wasn't enough, was it? You might hate me, but they fear you, too. They didn't stand up for you, either. Their love didn't save you. Those were your final moments with them. Your love for them wasn't enough to keep you together. "

Noceda was silent, letting those words sink in.

Empress: "Right now, I've got a plan. As I've explained, refusing to work alongside me won't help anything."

She tossed the key over to Luz.

Empress: "Right now, you've got two choices. You can keep fighting me and lead us both to our deaths? Or you can stop trying to hold me back and work towards getting it all back?"

Luz walked slowly towards the door.

Empress: "If you want to waste what's left of your energy on the former, I can promise you this. Our last moments won't be yours."

Luz: " You'd like it if I disappeared, wouldn't you? Just like me?"

Empress: "Our body can't go on like this much longer. By the time you disappeared, I wouldn't have much longer. Even if I made it back, they wouldn't trust me. I wouldn't even get the chance to atone. Despite what you think, we need to work together to make this work!"

The two stared at each other. The existence of magic, witches, and demons didn't make this any less weird.

Luz: "You said, we can have it all. How do I know you don't mean, just you?"

Empress: " We were living out our fantasies on the Boiling Isles. Mama thought they were holding us back from reality. But magic is a reality. You're holding me back because you think I'm a monster of tyranny. How are you so sure you're not wrong? Like mom? Luz Noceda is the most powerful witch in the Boiling Isles. That's the reality she never saw. But we can show her that. Together, we can make her proud. With me, we can have everything. With you, we might be able to share it?"

Luz fidgeted with the key in her hands.

Empress: "If you unlock that door, you're agreeing to embrace my plan. There's no other way to put it. But neither of us have much other choice, anyways. It'd be a new level of dense for you to refuse just because."

Luz inserted the key into the hole. She wanted to know something before turning it.

Luz: "How would being back on the Isles help mama?"

Empress: "Remember Belos last words? This world has much to offer. So much power. It is our job as humans to fulfill our destiny. It's our turn to fulfill ours. I figured out what he meant. I even improved on his day of unity. We'd have more than we could ever want. Prosperity that'd never run out, no matter how much we shared. We can and will give our family and friends what they deserve. Happiness. A life where our mom would never cry again. Amity wouldn't ever hide who she really is. No one would ever have to cry again. But that life only comes if their fearless Luz steps up. Belos' fate sealed ours. But it wasn't so we'd have nothing. Our fate is to claim everything, together."

Luz: "You're laying that on pretty thick, aren't cha?"

Empress: "I know, every day since we've been back, you've felt powerless. This is a cruel fate to live through. But, if you think about it, this is still your time to shine. Just like in those PG fantasies of yours, Luzura! At your lowest, will you rise back up? Like any chosen one worth their salt? I suppose, the only one who would know you didn't; would be me."

Luz Noceda, the former good witch in training, finally turned the key.

The empress finally cracked a smile.

Empress: "That's the right decision."

Luz woke up in an alleyway with a hot dog lying next to her.

The empress Luz appeared as a hallucination. She gestured towards a dumpster nearby. Inside, Luz found a baseball.

Empress Luz: "I've been storing that close for a while now. Until we get our strength back, we should keep it on us, at all times."

Luz picked up the hot dog, wrapped in aluminum, and began digging in.

Feeling large wads of cash in her pockets, she made her way towards the streets.

Luz: "What now?"

Empress: "Take a look inside the store next to you. I think you'll find our heading."

She peered through the window of a book store. Right there, a shelf filled with the newest release.

From the author of the "Good witch, Auzura".

Empress: "Build up your strength and work on not being recognized. If something becomes too hard for you, I'll step in. Remember, we can fix this together!"

Luz pressed her forehead against the cold glass. That phrase was a poignant reminder of how far away she was from who she used to be.

The empress placed one ghostly hand on Luz's shoulder.

Empress: "It's okay. If anyone could do this, it's us. It's always Luz Noceda."

She returned to the alley to pick up her things. While she finished her breakfast, the empress fixated on the shackle on her ankle.

She knew what buttons to press. Physically, Luz Noceda was being brought to pieces. Emotionally, she was demoralized by the cruel twist of fate. She had become so numb, the empress knew all she had to do was wait. Wait until her spirit was an easy blow out.

Now, in every sense of the word, Luz Noceda was broken!

Author's note: I wanted to show how these two might have "compromised" on working together. I once asked the creator of the "Broken!Luz AU" about the empress as a character. I've tried to stay as close to the creator's vision for her, as I could. But that brings me to this point. My additions to the AU are non canon. Take them with a grain of salt.

[bandblogging]

Let Me Down Slow (Calum Hood imagine)

Pairing: Calum Hood x reader

Words: 2.2k

Requested: yes @yessii-i asked (short version): "a fic based on the song “Let Me Down Slow” by New Hope Club were the reader and Cal are best friends and the reader is in love w/ him and starts acting weird so he confronts them and when they confess he doesn’t reciprocate their feelings."

Summary: basically the request

A/N: I feel like this could've been more angsty sorry.

Also this is based on the song Let me down slow by New Hope Club, check them out I did for this and they are genuinely really good!

___

Been on the point of giving up

For over a year and a half you had been able to keep your feelings down and to yourself but now you felt like you were at the point of breaking. Calum had been your best friend for almost four year but you still didn't know what his reaction would be. At first it had crept up on you, thinking about him more, wanting to spend more time together. Suddenly he looked even more attractive to you, something almost pulled you towards him. It took you a while to admit to yourself that you clearly had a crush on him and even longer to accept that you loved him. The last thing you needed was to ruin you friendship but you felt you wouldn't have a different choice for much longer.

If all is fair in war and love

Then why do we fight?

For a whole week now you hadn't talked or seen Calum, the longest time in your whole friendship. You couldn't bare the sight of him flirting with other girls or running after them. Last week had ended with a fight between you two, about something really stupid and unnecessary. It might have been about a TV show or something but you couldn't even remember, it had been that stupid. Those fights had become more frequent, often started by him, challenging something you had said.

'Cause we don't really talk about life no more

Tonight however you were seeing him again, there was a small get together at his place and surprisingly you were explicitly invited. He had texted you just that morning, breaking the silence and reminding you about it. A spark of hope grew in your heart and a grin formed on your face. Maybe there was still a chance that things would go back to how they used to be.

In the back of your head however you knew that you couldn't keep your feeling from him for long. You loved him and even though you didn't want to lose your friendship you didn't think that just being friends would work for you. You had practiced saying the words to him what felt like a hundred times in the mirror already but none of them felt right. Usually you could read him pretty well but thinking about his reaction you didn't have a clue. Maybe he was really good at hiding his own feelings and you weren't the only one feeling this way, but maybe not. He could just as well feel absolutely nothing for you and not want a friendship when he hears this.

The plan was to see how this evening would evolve and depending on the outcome you'd finally tell him. So you got ready and took a uber to his place. You recognized a few cars along the street and guessed that the place was already kinda crowded.

Your suspicions were right, the living room was full of people and you found Calum in the kitchen. You placed the snacks down on the table and went up to greet him. "Cal, how's it going?", you asked him and smiled. "Y/N, drinks are in the fridge-", he said but got interrupted by a friend of his. He didn't even smile at you when he disappeared with the other guy and left you alone in the kitchen.

When the night comes crawling, I'm holding on

You felt your throat close up and your heart dropped. He had immediately destroyed the little bit of hope you had left. You couldn't understand his action, couldn't wrap your head around it. You were the one with feelings, you should be the one to act weird not him.

The others were deep in conversation when you joined the living room and you looked for a place to sit down in peace. A few people threw some greetings towards you as you passed them and after a few short words you found an empty chair to sit in. You sipped on your drink, not really interested in getting drunk.

People came up to you and even though they were your friends you weren't in the mood to talk. There was just one person that you wanted to talk to but he was on the balcony, having a smoke and laughing with others. You felt yourself stare at him and tried to break your gaze but he still met your stare. You turned away quickly, embarrassed by his eyes boring into yours.

When you looked back most of the others were back inside and he was stood outside with a two girls, clearly flirting.

For something to change, tension to break

'Things aren't going to change' you whispered to yourself, looking into the bathroom mirror. You saw the dissapointment in your eyes and felt the knot came back in your throat, indicating tears. You swallowed hard, trying to think of something else. Somehow you managed to put on a smile and when you came out of the bathroom you fled into the next conversation you could find. The offered drink was a welcomed distraction and maybe getting drunk wasn't such a bad idea.

A couple of hours passed that way and Calum was at the very back of your mind, almost forgotten. You felt a bit tipsy, a certain confidence boost coming with it. You chatted with people you usually didn't talk much too and somehow ended in a conversation with someone you barely knew. He told you he was a friend of Luke's and that he didn't know many people, so you stayed with him for a while. It took you far too long to realize that he was flirting with you. Once you picked up on it you started to feel uncomfortable, you didn't want to lead him on. You excused yourself from the conversation quickly and made your way through the crow again. You bumped shoulders with someone and when you turned around to apologise it was Calum. "Oh, sorry", you muttered towards him but kept going.

There's something different in the way you look

You pushed your way through the people and went out onto the balcony. This wasn't you, you wouldn't usually act that dismissive of Calum but some part of you just did it. You leaned against the balustrade and stayed out there for a while. A couple people came outside too, smoking and chatting with you for a bit. Before they went back inside they said goodbye, mentioning that they were heading to a different party now. You wished them a good rest of the night and stared back into the dark backyard. You remembered nights were you stayed out there with Calum and looked at the stars, talking about stupid stuff and having a sleepover just like friends do. Back then you hadn't caught feelings yet and it had felt so innocent. Now you weren't sure if it would happen ever again.

A while later you turned around and for a second you were confused, the living room was pretty empty only a couple of people left. Most had probably gone to the same party. You wanted to push yourself off the balustrade and walk back in when you saw Calum. He had his armes wrapped around a girl, her sucking on his neck and surely leaving hickeys. You couldn't help but roll your eyes and look a bit disgusted. You were still shaking your head when Calum's eyes met yours and his blissful expression suddenly changed. He muttered something to the girl who begrudgingly let go of his neck and pulled away. He walked towards the balcony with an unamused expression. He shut the door behind him and you immediately knew this wasn't going to end well. "Honestly what the hell is going on with you?", he asked you and crossed his arms. "I don't know what you mean", you replied but didn't meet his gaze. "This isn't you, why are you acting like that", you could tell that he was annoyed. "I still don't know what you want from me, but honestly I can just leave that'll make it easier.", you threw towards him in a bratty tone and added a whispered, "can be me for once". "Lately you've been so-", he couldn't find the words and just huffed a few times, "-why Y/N?". "Why what? Goddammit Calum just tell me what bothers you, oh wait you don't want to talk to me", you crossed your arms too, copying him. He took a breath and took a step towards you. "Just tonight, you brushed me off multiple times, you left to some part of my home with some stranger and whenever I am with girls you look like you will murder them", he tried to keep his voice down but it wasn't working very well. "I am the one acting weird?", you asked outraged. "You didn't want to talk to me for a week and tonight you were the one that brushed me off. I thought we were supposed to be best friends.-", you took a deep breath, "-Also the guy, I literally showed him the bathroom and we talked in the hallway". You huffed and leaned back on the balustrade, staring at him. "You ignored my call the first time", he exclaimed but you quickly cut him off. "Because we were fighting, a fight you started by the way".

It was unusual for you two to fight and you didn't like it. This was the exact opposite of what you wanted to do with Calum but he had no right to talk to you like that. To you he was the one in the wrong, the one breaking your heart.

If you're gonna let me go

It's gonna hurt so choose your words

"Fighting? You remember how that started? You almost jumped a girl because you thought she was touching me without my consent even though I was clearly trying to hit that", he raised his voice. Remembering it made you wince quietly, jealousy really had struck you that night. "And now you again, why can't I make out with them. You don't have to choose them for me, I can do that myself. It's almost like you want to-", he suddenly stopped and looked at you, realising what was going on. 'Don't say it, don't say it', repeated in your head but he still went ahead. "-like you want that to be you", now Calum was the one staring at you.

There was silence, deafening silence. You didn't want to tell him this soon, not this way but now you didn't have another choice.

"Because that's exactly what I want Calum. Because I want to be the one that makes out with you.", you admitted and kept your head down. "I want to be the one you choose"

More silence, silence that was slowly breaking your heart. It was obvious now that he wasn't feeling the same and anticipating his words was hard.

Baby, let me down slow

"Y/N", his tone was apologetic and you swear you heard your heart break. "I'm sorry", he muttered out. The rest of your heart dropped and you felt your throat close up once again. This time however tears shot in your eyes and you could barely hold them back. You nodded your head in trance, waiting for him to say more.

When he didn't, you broke the silence. "I love you Calum, I can't just turn that off", your voice was shaking. He looked up and met your eyes. "I just don't", he whispered back. You let his words repeat in your mind a few times before the first tear fell.

If love is just a wicked game

Then why do we play?

You hated yourself for loving him. It was stupid, it was dumb. It only brought you heartache, you had a perfectly good friendship and you had to ruin it. Love had never been on your side and once again it was just there to hurt you. He stood in front of you, not moving, not saying anything. "I should leave", you manage to choke out and push yourself away from the railing. "Y/N", Calum's voice made another tear fall down but you knew this wasn't going to change anything.

If you're gonna let me go

It's gonna hurt so choose your words

"What does this mean?", he asked and stepped in your way. "It means that I love my best friend who doesn't love me back", your tone was bitter. He looked taken aback but didn't move. "For our friendship", he added. "For what's left of it?", you asked and a sad chuckle fell from you lips. "I don't know, nothing good I guess. I can't see you making out with girls, always wishing it was me", it was hard for you to admit but maybe this really was the end.

"Maybe we shouldn't see each other for a while then", Calum's words hit you hard, so hard because they were right. "Maybe", it was more of a whisper. You moved around him and went inside, keeping your head down, avoiding the others.

Once the front door had shut behind you you couldn't hold it together anymore. Tears started streaming down your face and you were shaken by sobs. The way home was long and usually you would take a taxi but you needed the fresh air. It was hard to breathe between the sobs, the lump in your throat not helping.

Baby, let me down, oh

Everything was taken from you in one night, your love, your heart, your best friend, your friends and now your breath.

[ma-gic-gay]

So this is a new one of these and the other one is probably over so yeah

It's a weird Christmas.

It marks a year since anyone last saw Sonny, a year since Julian's death, and a year full of drama, as one would expect.

Michael and Willow had had another child, a girl this time. Her name was Ophelia and Wiley loved being a big brother to her. The pair had also burned their annulment papers when they'd realized she was pregnant and finally admitted their feelings for each other. Watching them together had probably been the highlight of the year for their family.

Sam had started hooking up with Dante much to the chagrin of, well, everyone. It had started as a few random hookups but changed quickly into an actual relationship, testing several familial bonds.

Luckily, that disaster on wheels had been halted when Lulu had woken up from her coma. Lulu and Dante got back together and fell in love, again.

Sasha and Brando had formed a relationship as well, which was quite a surprise at first glance but made sense after a few weeks.

"Carly? You okay?" Jason asks. Surprisingly enough, she hadn't completely broke down yet, or ran away. The furthest she'd ran was the island and even then, it was only a few hours no one knew where she was, since he couldn't teleport and it took that long to get to the island.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking," she responds, faking a smile.

"Tell that to the tears in your eyes and obviously fake smile," he says to her. "What are you thinking about?"

"It's been a year since any of us have heard from Sonny. For all we know, he's dead. Hell, he probably is. I know I should give up and just agree to a funeral, but it feels wrong to do that without a body," Carly sighs, head in her hands in an effort to hide her tears. "It feels wrong for him to not be here. Last Christmas, we were convinced he'd be home by now and now it's like we've all resigned ourselves to him being dead."

"If it doesn't feel right to have a funeral, don't have one. I've known you for a long time, and your instincts are right a lot of the time. Just because Sonny's not confirmed dead doesn't mean he's not," Jason frowns, putting his arm around her and rubbing circles along her back.

Sonny's "death" meant he had to step up in more ways than one. This had marked the year of Jason running the mob, which he'd practically been doing before but was actually doing now. He'd also had to become sort of a surrogate husband to Carly to the point he practically lives there by now. The kids hadn't questioned it; they'd asked a few times if there was anything going on there but after getting a firm no there hadn't been anything else from them in forms of questioning their relationship status. It was what it was and that was the same friendship they'd always had.

There had been times even Danny had questioned why they were at that house so much, to the point he once asked Carly if they were together or not.

You know it's reaching an odd point when a twelve year old is asking if you're in love with your best friend.

Of course, they didn't take into consideration the fact the whole town thought they were together. Again. Everyone had assumed, based off of how much time they'd been spending together- surprisingly more than normal- and the fact that he'd all but moved into the house that they were together.

That was a fun one to realize when he'd gotten shot and everyone had assured her that her boyfriend would be fine.

It just wasn't happening, they were friends. Anything more could complicate it and complicated almost always meant that there would be fights they couldn't go to each other to uncomplicate.

"I know that, but I just don't want to live knowing that there's a chance he could be alive somewhere and he's been kidnapped or forgotten his name or something. It's like I'm stuck in this neverending circle where there's barely any hope but I can't pretend there's none either. Sometimes, I wish that the police would show up with a body and I would have to confirm that yes, he is dead, just so that I could get out of this loop," Carly sobs. "And then I feel terrible for wishing he was dead because I love him, you know, but then at the same time, I can't help but feel like I need closure."

"That's not a bad thing, to need closure. None of us get any closure when it comes to this, Carly. You're not a bad person for wanting some," he reminds her. "You've been grieving for a year a man you don't even know for sure is dead. It doesn't make you bad to want to have something definite."

"But wanting my husband dead? That's dark," she argues with him.

"You want to know if he's dead or alive, something to confirm what's happened to him. I hate to break it to you but you don't qualify as a terrible person," Jason chuckles. "You've never killed someone, never hurt a kid."

"I shot a dude in open court, I almost killed AJ. I've done a lot of questionable things in my life, Jason," Carly fights back.

She's not wrong, persay, but she's not right. "That stuff doesn't make you a bad person. Morally grey? Yes. Bad? No. You do what you think is best and you're impulsive. If something's not going your way, you'll tip the scales. It's just how you are. None of that makes you a bad person. Some people might not like it, but you've never killed someone or hurt a kid, so in my book you're a good person."

Carly's head comes out of her hands for a minute and he smiles, wiping away the tears. "Well you're not a bad person either. You'd never hurt a kid and you only kill in self defense or if the person's really bad and threatening someone you care about. It's not like you wake up and go kill someone for shits and giggles. You mourn the people you kill and feel bad about it. Only a purely horrible person wouldn't feel bad about their murders."

"Neither of us are bad people, let's just agree on that at least."

"Fine," she relents finally. That only took a year. "I miss Sonny. Especially this time of year. Last year, he read Donna and Avery the Grinch and he had the world's worst Grinch voice. I practically begged him to read another book because of how bad it was. But this year, I wish he would be able to read it to them."

"I miss him too," Jason admits. "It's been a hell of a year without him."

"That it has. So much has changed," she agrees with him, shifting her position on the couch so she's lying her head on his lap.

That's probably why the kids thought they were dating.

He plays with her hair as she laughs, remembering some obscure detail about his telling of the Grinch and decorating for Christmas.

Scratch that, this is definitely why everyone thinks they're together.

"Hey Mom, Jason," Joss greets them, coming in from the kitchen. "I'm going to Trina's. Donna's with Ophelia at the Quartermaine's and Avery's with Ava."

"Alright sweetie, have fun," Carly bids her daughter goodbye, sighing. "Why is she so adult now? I mean, I can remember when she was born and it feels like yesterday. Hell, Michael's birth feels like yesterday. And they're both so grown up."

"Time flies when you're having fun," he answers.

"Where'd you get that? A throw pillow or some advice of my mother's?"

"A card someone sent me back when I was in the hospital. Needless to say, that card got tossed in the trash as soon as you'd let me stand up to go to the trash."

"Who the hell sent that to you of all people?"

"No clue. It didn't have a name attached."

"Huh. Well, it's a terrible expression. Too throw pillow. The real answer would be that we're aging, sadly," Carly sighs again, equally as dramatic. "Granted, I still look like I'm 27, but somehow I've aged."

"Age is but a number."

"You sound like a Hallmark card."

"Rude."

"You do!"

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm aging as well. You're not in this whole getting old thing alone. Provided, of course, that you agree to age," he smirks.

"I don't have anything better to do, sadly, so I suppose I'll agree to getting older. But I refuse to have a gray hair."

"Then go to the salon when you notice one and dye your hair."

"I plan on it," the blonde smiles at him before changing the topic. "Do you think we're weird?"

"That came out of nowhere."

"Answer the question."

"No?"

"That sounded like a question."

"Carly, how am I supposed to answer this one? I don't know, maybe?" Jason says, though most of it comes out as a question.

"Well, I mean, think of it. Sonny's been presumed dead for a year. You've been in charge of the business and been there for all of us in more ways than I can count. Seriously, I think Donna sees you as a father," Carly chuckles. "And you've listened to me crying and losing it. Hell, you spent a month and a half at the island just so I wouldn't be alone."

"Hey, you're family. I was happy to do all of those things. Besides, you wouldn't leave my side when I got shot. Or for a very long month after that," he jokes.

"I know but you didn't have to do that. You didn't have to step up and parent the kids. You already had Danny and Scout and the breakup with Sam to deal with, that's a lot at once. Not to mention, taking over the business and grieving Sonny. And dealing with me. All at the same time," she smiles. "Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful, but you had no obligation to do any of that."

"Carly, do you think I'd be here right now if I didn't want to? You know me better than that. I love you and the kids and want to be there for all of you. So far, I've only gotten shot once and that was unrelated, so I'd consider this a pretty good experience."

The blonde scoffs at him and he chuckles. "Not funny. You could've died."

Rolling his eyes, he reminds her, "I didn't."

"Well you're not allowed to get shot for a long time."

"I'll take getting shot off of my to do list."

"Don't you dare joke about this!"

"Alright. Look at me. I'm not going to die anytime soon. I promise. It takes a lot more than a measly bullet to kill me, after all. Not even Russian madmen could do it," he says seriously.

"Good. Because if you do that to me again, I'll have no choice but to resign myself to a life in either prison or Ferncliff," she says half seriously, getting a laugh out of Jason.

It's not entirely unrealistic she'd end up in one of those positions, especially given that it's already happened. Repeatedly.

Maybe there's a sign she should stop doing dangerous things.

Almost as though she's being told to by something inside her, Carly connects her lips with his.

to be continued

why do i get myself into these things smh

[alysmarylin]

The fic you've been waiting for

Crowley avenging his beloved angel - Sandalphon got what he deserved (don't thank me, reblog instead)!!!!!!!!

Crowley and Aziraphale were unpacking the stuff they bought on a big shopping Sunday, and to this very day Crowley can't remember why and how they ended up talking about Aziraphale's, well... Ex-kin.

"I kinda enjoyed Michael", Crowley laughed. "Rather good-looking. Uriel, on the other hand..."

"Don't get me started on Uriel and Sandalphon", Aziraphale rolled his eyes. "I hate their guts"

"Sandalphon was a tough prick, I remember. And uglier than Belzebub", Crowley sneered.

"You don't say. He works in my place now, homophobic son of a... They couldn't have picked a worse candidate", Aziraphale said in a somewhat hurt voice. 

"Don't worry, angel. Soon enough, he will receive some beating from locals, I tell you"

"Yeah, I should've definitely punched that bastard back", Aziraphale muttered under his nose quietly, angrily. 

" Yeah, you bet...", Crowley laughed and then stopped abruptly. "W-w-wait, wait-wait-wait. Back? What do you mean, back?". Crowley stood up from the floor and stepped up to Aziraphale. 

" Nothing, really"

"No, not nothing". Crowley's eyes were widened in shock. " Do you mean, that, that piece of shit HIT you?!"

Aziraphale lowered his eyes. It looked like the memory wasn't pleasant. Crowley was gasping.

"When? When did it happen? How come I didn't know?", Crowley was not yet angry but more frightened. " Angel, look at me. Talk to me. Someone battered you and I know nothing of it?!"

"No one battered me. I was walking back to my bookshop and Michael, Uriel and... And he approached me, I was questioned..."

"Where the Hell was I?" - Crowley asked, astonished.

"You drove home", Aziraphale said quietly and sadly.

Crowley tilted his head backward and sighed with despair. "I should've known... ". He lowered his head and looked at Aziraphale with sadness and pain. Aziraphale looked confused and lost.

" What did he do? Tell me, angel", Crowley stepped closer, putting his hand on Aziraphale's arm, leaning closer. "Tell me. He's dead"

"Don't you dare, Crowley, we got away and I won't..."

"What did he do to you? What? Why didn't you tell me? I was up there, I saw him, I could've..."

"Because I didn't want you to", Aziraphale answered bitterly. " I needed you to be concentrated and cool-headed. You freed me from them, same as I did for you. That's all that matters"

"No, it's not. You look sad, you look hurt", Crowley said, cupping Aziraphale's cheek. " Otherwise you would've forgotten".

"He punched me in the stomach, alright?", Aziraphale said with a lump in his throat. His lower lip trmbled a bit. "It wasn't as painful physically as it was humiliating".

Crowley looked down on his angel's belly - soft, beautiful, beloved and precious - and everything before his eyes suddenly became red as blood.

"I told you because I trust you, but if you dare approach him or pull out something stupid like that, I will leave you, Crowley", he heard Aziraphale's voice from some distance.

"Do you hear me? Answer me, Crowley"

Crowley felt his head filling with lead from within.

"I will not approach him. I swear it"

"Good", he hears Aziraphale say. " I'll finish unpacking"

Crowley stopped Aziraphale, holding him by the arm. He embraced him from behind, wrapping one of his arms around his chest and putting his hand gently on the angel's belly. He buried his nose in his soft blonde curls and muttered: "I love you".

"I love you too", Aziraphale answered softly, "Now let me finish".

Crowley looked at him, picking up paper bags and arranging the stuff around the room, looking small and soft and lovely. Somehow it made his silent rage all the more burning and red became crimson in his eyes. He swore he wouldn't approach that sick fuck who laid his dirty hands - no, he couldn't bear to think of it - on Aziraphale

... But he said nothing of his friends.

***

Crowley pulled his hood further on his forehead

"Pleasure to see you, Jay. You look like a heroin addict in that hoody", said Phil. 

"I have to hide my hair somehow. Rare color"

Crowley was nervous and feeling restless.

"Yep. You're drop-dead gorgeous lad, we get it. To what I owe the pleasure?"

"I need to track someone down. Name's Saldanphon but he changes his IDs every now and then. You'll have to check for anything similar. Don't have a picture, but I draw him", Crowley laid a piece of paper on a table. The drawing looked fairly accurate. " Looks middle-aged, a bit fat, bald, ugly, has a golden tooth. A homophobe might be hanging around gay bars and the likes to preach or intimidate or whatever he does. That's all I have as of now".

"Well", Phil sighed " It's doable. But it will take a while. Any family?"

"No, none at all"

"I see. The golden tooth is indeed something". Phil looked at Crowley's hand. "You got married?"

"Ugh, yeah", Crowley answered looking around. " You know how to, ehm, tell me of the progress?"

"I've been around longer than you", Phil said wearily, and Crowley had to keep his mouth shut on that remark, " You'll know when I find something. Just one more thing. This, ehm, funny-named morality apostle. What exactly are you planning? He's gonna go?"

"No, not go", Crowley said with sheer disappointment "Plainly be taught a lesson. He put his shitty hands where he shouldn't have".

"Are you gonna call our mutual friend?", Phil raised his eyebrows. " If you want to make it clean, it's the best way. They'll never track his men down. Just food for thought, Jay. A piece of advice from the old man"

"That sounds reasonable", Crowley nodded, as if he had had any idea what to do next when he came to Phil, " I'll think about it. Thank you. Wanna count?". He put a book - a fake book, of course - on a table.

"Here? Oh, please. Trust me, if I don't find what I intend to find here, you'll know", Phil put a book in his bag and stood up. " Have a nice day, kid. Next time, wear something else"

Crowley waited for ten more minutes before leaving the diner. It was only when he was in a crowdy underground station when he put the hood off. He had to be cautious. For everyone's sake.

 

***

 

"Do you really think it's a good place, Jay?", said a tall and broad bald man in a leather jacket, trying to sit comfortably on a bench by a pond.

"The best one, in terms of privacy", said Crowley, looking grimly from his hood. " So. You said you owe me a favor all the way back from 1999. I didn't need anything for a long time, but now..."

"How do you manage to look so young, you sick bastard?", the man asked, chuckling, trying to look at Crowley's face. " You look just like my son, and that sad excuse of an heir is 27 now, not something you could tell by the way he speaks, though, I'd give him 10  in that department, still... How old are you, anyway?"

"I use a strong sunscreen. And I have good genes. Good, hardworking Irish people, my entire family. Will you listen or not, Patsy?"

A bald man stopped laughing and sighed.

"Of course. What seems to be the problem?"

"Our mutual buddy, Phil, tracked down a guy I need you to deal with. Here's what I've got on him", Crowley took a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to a man without so much as looking at his side. " I want your people to teach him a lesson. He's gotta stay alive. I can't be seen. But I need to watch it from a distance. I know you're ready to do this, but still" - Crowley took out something that looked like a book and put it on Patsy's lap still without looking at him - "this is some additional motivation for you, or a token of a good will, if you wish to call it that way".

Patsy put down an apparently-book-thing in his suitcase and opened a piece of paper. He looked at Crowley, frowning.

" What kind of a lesson do you want him to be taught, exactly?"

"If your boys will do it properly, he'll need new teeth", Crowley said, finally turning his head to his counterpart, looking him in the eyes from beneath his shaded. "The whole damn package. And the old ones, I want to have them. Every single one. Especially the golden one. No internal bleeding, no injuries to any organs. You can break a couple of ribs, but carefully. As you wish. But I need his teeth"

"Jesus fucking Christ, Jay", the Patsy man said, looking flabbergasted. " What did this son of a bitch did to you so you became such a butcher"

"He laid his shitty hands where he shouldn't have", Crowley hissed, grinding his teeth. His hands clenched in fists.

" You didn't tell me you were married. Was this your wife?", Patsy asked warily.

"I have no wife, but I am indeed married", Crowley answered. " I know you're one of the few people of your occupation who don't look down on things like that. I love him. But I swore I won't touch this bastard myself. I don't have much choice, Pat"

"I'm sorry it happened to your, well, spouse", Patsy said carefully. " But the guys that I have in my crew are not as open-minded as I wish they were. You know it yourself. Ours is not the most prestigious job. I'll do this favor, but when you're sitting in a car with them, better keep the personal personal". 

They shook hands.

"I'll be waiting for your call. You know which number to call, and which not to", Crowley said, standing up. "I'm looking forward to seeing your team at work".

 

***

 

Crowley was staring into the field glasses, trying looking at two tall men in leather jackets dragging a bald man resembling Sandalphon, gagged and tied up, to a torch on the abandoned parking lot. The jeep where Crowley and his associates were sitting was right in its darkest corner.

It was Christmas Eve, the 24th of December. The snow was falling gloriously, but the place was too grim and damp for the fairy-tale-like spirit.

“You see them, Cap?”, a young driver, sitting by Crowley’s side asked.

“It looks like him, but I need insurance. I remember his voice. Call them”

One of the guys on the backseat dialed a number and one of the bouncers took the phone.

“Our cap wants so be sure it’s the guy. Let him speak”

He turned on the speakerphone. Soon enough Crowley heard Sandalphon screaming something like:

“I’ll give you anything you want, please, untie me, I need my hands, I…”, before Crowley nodded and Sandalphon became silent again. The phone was turned off and Sandalphon was dragged to a small staircase, and Crowley had to pay very close attention, looking into field glasses again, to recognize what was going on.

“Are you sure your people can do ALL the teeth in one go?”, he asked a bit unsurely.

“You insult us, Mr. Jay. It is our signature. One strike, all teeth. Leaves a strong message”, murmured a young man behind him.

“Well, then…”, Crowley started, but then he saw something rather outstanding, that made him make a certain sound: “Oi, woah… That was surprising… Alright, gentlemen, pardon me for my previous skepticism. I take that back. On second thought, I even refuse to take, the, ehm, the evidence”

He then heard his phone ring. It had to be Aziraphale. He had to answer. He quickly took the phone and blurted:

“Angel, honey, I can’t talk, I’m very busy, buying you a surprise, I’ll call you back in ten, love you”, without letting him even say a word. He figured out it would be more secure.

“Wife?”, asked a second young man, with a smile.

“Yeah. Sort of. Listen, I think I’d rather be going, are they done with the teeth? At the end of the day, I’ll think I’m more than happy without them. I don’t wanna take ‘em. I saw what you did, it was amazing. Drop me at the underground station, please… Else my, ehm, spouse, will be suspecting something, which I don’t fancy, like, at all”.

 

Crowley was very relieved when they drove away.

 

***

 

Crowley thought he had never had such a lovely Christmas morning. Angel was by his side, in his lovely tartan pajamas, they were tucked under the blanket, sipping tea and lazily switching the channels on telly.

“I thought I hated Christmas”, Crowley said quietly, as he lowered his head to Aziraphale’s, planting a soft kiss on his temple. “Now you made me love it. What next, angel?”

“You’ll stop wearing all black?”, Aziraphale answered, with a sarcastic smile.

“Naah, not in this life and not in the next”, Crowley said leisurely, switching the channels. Then he saw the news.

“… The victim of this horrific Christmas assault is alive, but severely traumatized – his teeth were…”

That was something Crowley didn’t account for – the bloody news.

“Ugh, what is it with these people”, he said with a trembling voice, trying desperately to sound casual, turning the telly off. “It’s only violence on this television, I’ll better put on some music. And make you some tea”, Crowley said, standing up.

“Dear boy”, Aziraphale said softly. “I’d like some tangerines. Would you be so kind as to bring your husband a plateful of those?”, he smiled. Crowley looked like he was melting from the inside.

“Every time you say the h-word I can’t say no to anything, angel. I’ll be in 15, a’right”

Crowley sighed with relief as he stepped into the kitchen. He was off the hook now, but some time from now, the angel might still learn about what happened. Will he be able to understand?

“All I did, I did for you”, Crowley thought in pain. “I love you so much I couldn’t stop it. He had to pay, my love, he had to”. Crowley felt tears fill his eyes, as he was putting tangerines in a bowl, but he was able to will them away. “I’d kill for you, I’d die for you, Aziraphale”, he thought with anguish. “I hope you know that whatever comes. I hope you will forgive me for what I had to do”.

 ***

 

With Crowley gone, Aziraphale was finally able to read the newspaper.

 

“Broken teeth, that’s a good take”, he thought smugly, as he read the weekly crime report. “See, Sandalphon. What goes around, comes around, next time you want to apply brutal force to your… arguments, better remember this, no? Though I doubt there will be the next time”

Aziraphale smirked. What his husband lacked in logic and cautiousness, he made up in loyalty and protectiveness. Blind loyalty and fierce protectiveness.

“You’re such an idiot, Crowley”, Aziraphale thought tenderly. “Really, A-J? To think I wouldn’t know? Me, famous Mr. Fell of Soho?”

That very evening, when he received a phone call from Phil and heard of some “heroin junkie looking” guy calling himself “Tony Jay” or “A J”, or, God have mercy, “Jay”, of all things, he knew it has to be Crowley.

“Wearing a black hoodie on top of his shades, really. It’s a miracle he didn’t get busted for drug possession”. Maybe it was indeed a miracle.

Truth be told, he wasn’t angry. He couldn’t approve openly, but there was a certain warmness in knowing that a homophobic golden-toothed prick who assaulted him now got what was coming for him.

“But I can’t encourage this sort of behavior in Crowley”, he thought, hiding his smile. “Now, dear boy, you need to control your impulses. At least, most of the time”.

Still, Aziraphale knew that he was one of the luckiest men – well, not really men, but… - alive, for his partner would stop at nothing to protect him.

“If only he would’ve acted a bit cleverer… Well, I suppose you can’t have it all. He’s beautiful, caring, kind, sweet, fiercely loyal and sexy as Hell, in the most literal sense of this word. It’s only natural he has to be a complete idiot to not let me forget myself. Oh, he brought me the cannoli the other day… This boy watched The Godfather too many times”.

 

“Angel!”, Crowley said, entering the room with a bowl full of tangerines. “What are you smiling at?”

“I’m thinking about how lucky I am to have you, dear boy”, Aziraphale answered with a loving smile.

[smileyoongle]

Mafia BTS! Seeing you for the first time (Hyung Line)

Note: This imagine won't necessarily have all the members belonging to the same mafia. I thought having them all as the leaders would make a better plot so......here you go.

[Here's the link to the maknae line imagine: Mafia BTS! Seeing you for the first time (Maknae Line) ]

Kim Seokjin:

The night was falling and the cold wind grew more furious. Jin stood in an alley infront of a small coffee shop. He impatiently tapped his foot, waiting for a call from his gang members for an update. Any deal that gave him more power and control was important to him. To any passerby, he was just an ordinary man, waiting for a friend, perhaps. But they didn't know that this was The Kim Seokjin, the man every single soul feared. Everyone knew who he was but no one ever saw his face. Jin liked being mysterious. He enjoyed how people were afraid of something they only heard but never saw.

The light from the coffee shop illuminated the alley along with the small street lamps the area had. Hearing a bell ring, he looked up to see the door of the shop open, giving away the chatters of people. But he couldn't take his eyes off after that. His eyes fixated on a certain waitress who looked stunning.

You laughed as you conversed with the customers, taking their orders simultaneously. You tucked a strand of your hair that seemed to have escaped your ponytail. A warm and fuzzy feeling embraced Jin after he saw you.

He saw you as an angel on this dark and cold night. He moved a little closer to get a better look. He felt captivated by every inch of you. Your eyes, your smile, your rosy cheeks. But your lips, he truly wanted to feel them against his.

He started thinking about what were the odds that you could be his. After all, he was in a dangerous mafia. Why would an angel like you, want a devil like him?

Before he knew, his legs had started walking towards the cafe, his business deal long forgotten. With a smirk planted on his lips, he pushed open the door as he thought,

"Accept me or not, you are already mine."

Kim Namjoon:

The car made a swift turn onto the empty road. Namjoon's phone lit up with a notification on the passenger seat. He looked away from the road to see his phone. It was a text from one of his gang members asking him about his whereabouts. With a sigh, namjoon grabbed the phone with one hand while the other gripped the steering wheel. He was truly tired. He really wanted to run away for a while. For him, his life was a big void. He wished he could get rid of it.

He quickly typed in a reply to his accomplice and left the phone on the passenger seat. He looked up just in time to see a person run across the road. He swerved the car off it's path to avoid any accidents and hit the breaks. Even though he could have just run over whoever came in his way, he didn't wanna take anyone's life that night.

He caught his breath and looked at the person who seemed to be frozen in the middle of the road. He got down the car to question the person. On getting closer, he realised it was a girl (you). You hid your face behind your hands. Namjoon looked between his car and your figure.

Why exactly were you out at this hour?

"Hey" he called out since you didn't move at all. You flinched and slowly put your hands away. Namjoon's breath hitched as he took in your face. You were breathtaking, indeed. You always knew you were pretty, hence, the reason why your so called father used you to get money.

His eyes landed on the cut on your forehead. He frowned, thinking of how you could've gotten that. On further inspection, he saw your busted lip. Your eyes showed fear and panick. But before he could ask you anything, you finally spoke up. "I'm so sorry for the trouble but I really have to go before he finds me."

In that very moment, it became clear that you were running from someone. And namjoon wanted to protect you. He hadn't quite seen a girl like you. And from what just happened, he could tell you didn't really know who he was. He thought of this as a chance to be loved not for what he does but for who he really is. He didn't wanna let you out of his sight. He already felt so intrigued by you. And hearing your voice only made him want you more.

Before you could leave, he grabbed your hand to stop you.

"Let me come between you and whatever is trying to hurt you."

Min Yoongi:

He pinned another photo of you to his wall. There were about a hundred other photos of you. It had been a while since Yoongi had laid his eyes upon you. At first, you were just someone he was gonna use against his rival gang since you happened to be very close to the leader. But after he saw your photos, he just had to see you.

He knew everything about you. He knew your family, your friends, where you lived and everything he needed to know. The only thing he couldn't figure out was why you were friends with that shitty excuse of a gangster. Until finally he realised that you had no clue about your friend's doings. He had felt absolutely proud of his assumptions about you. He could tell you were innocent and pure. And he really wanted to see you before he planned your kidnapping.

So he stood, outside your university where you were just moving in to the dorms. He made sure he wore his hoodie to not be noticed by anyone. Seeing as you were new to this town, you wouldn't have known him anyway. But he couldn't risk it. What if you told your friends that you'd seen someone strange and they ended up figuring everything out? Then all his plans would be destroyed.

He made his way to the dorms and looked around until he spotted you. You had a box in your hand, full of your belongings. You carefully carried it to your room. At first, he couldn't get himself to move. He just wanted to stay there and take in every inch of you. But the thought of being closer to you finally got him to move.

Yoongi took the note he had written for you and started walking towards you. Right as he reached you, he gently nudged your shoulder, causing you to stop in your track. You were very clumsy, you didn't wanna end up falling infront of all the people you were gonna be staying with for sometime. So you stopped to make sure you weren't gonna fall after someone accidentally crashed into you, well, almost crashed.

"Excuse me miss, I think this is yours." Yoongi called you and reached out his hand to give the note to you. You frowned and glanced at your box. It was closed, there was no way anything could have fallen. Yoongi took that time to admire you. His head filled with the things he wanted to do to you. He snapped back to reality when he heard your voice.

"Not sure if that's mine." you said as you struggled to hold the heavy box. "It is yours, I saw it fall. Take it." the stranger urged you to take the paper. You couldn't see his face clearly because of his black hoodie. All you could see were his lips. You were a bit disappointed when you couldn't see the owner of the deep and raspy voice you'd just heard. Seeing his lips pull into a smirk, you realized you were checking him out. You quickly took the paper from him and said a thank you before going your way. You weren't in a hurry, you were embarrassed. You knew you were blushing and you weren't sure if you wanted anyone to see that. Reaching your room, you unfolded the paper to find out that this certainly didn't belong to you.

"Mine. Only mine."

Jung Hoseok:

Hoseok was liked by the people of the town. Although everyone was well aware that he ran the biggest mafia in the whole of Seoul, they couldn't help but like him. He did good for the people but when someone pissed him off, he could get very very scary. Everyone always stayed on his good side in order to never be victim to his angry side. It pissed him off most of the time. Having people behave fake infront of him because they were scared of the power he held, was something he was tired of. He wanted someone to be honest with him. He enjoyed the look of fear on everyone's faces but it didn't work anymore. So when he saw his driver being yelled upon by someone, it did make him angry but when he saw you, it all went away. He didn't know you but he sure as hell wanted to.

He had just left the building where he had a meeting when he saw the commotion near his car. He slowly made his way to you and interrupted your ranting, "May I ask what's bothering you, miss?" You turned to look at him. "Why don't you ask this idiot right here?" You said, pointing to the driver who had crashed your new car.

Hoseok raised his eyebrows at his driver, urging him to talk. After being explained what had happened, Hoseok hummed and turned to you. You stood there with your arms crossed and slightly pouting. This made his heart flutter. And judging from your unbothered look upon his arrival, Hoseok figured that you, somehow, had no clue who he was.

"I'm sorry for his mistake. Perhaps you'd let me treat you to dinner tonight as an apology?" He said, praying that you say yes. But this only made your frown more. "Why are you apologizing?" You asked, clearly confused as to why this stranger was apologizing to you for someone else's mistake.

"He happens to be my driver." He gave you a guilty smile. You widened your eyes in realization. Why were you so stupid? "So, about that dinner?" Hoseok asked you again. He noticed the crowd around them and the shocked looks on the faces of the people. Of course they were shocked. They'd never seen Hoseok interact with a girl, let alone ask her out. Also, since when did Jung Hoseok apologize for anything?

You wanted to give this man a piece of your mind too, seeing as he was the owner of the car but you were too tired for another argument. If you said he wasn't handsome, you'd be lying.

One dinner wouldn't hurt right? And he seemed nice too. So you gave him a small smile and nodded. Hoseok smiled, thinking about how he wasn't gonna let you leave once you went out with him. But you were clueless about this, surely he didn't seem like someone who ran a mafia, right?

"I can hardly call my heart mine, because it is so full of you."

This was my first imagine. I hope y'all like it. I'll be updating the maknae line soon. Hope you enjoyed it!

- XX

[fromheroestodust]

Rose Killer: Pt.4; Stuck Together

Summary: You're the leader of the strongest mafia in London. What will happen when you're forced to team up with your worst enemy

Warnings: language, violence, PTSD, cringy askout

Word count: 3852

A/N: my friend asked me to add her into this, hence Paddy's friend 😂

You wake up, finding your mattress suddenly very firm and uncomfortable. Wait - This isn't your mattress, and this isn't your room. Bolting into an upright position, you find yourself on the floor of... Harrison's room? A blanket falls off of your shoulders and you find the half finished board game two feet away from you, a piece rolling on the floor from your movements as another falls from your palm. The memories from the previous night flood in, causing you to cringe at your own actions. How could you let yourself do any of that? A little further on past the gameboard lays another figure wrapped in the duvet, his hair covering most of his facial features. Why'd Harrison sleep on the floor? Did he just fall asleep there?

"Haz." You whisper in a low tone, not wanting to cause him to jump awake. "Haz!" His eyes blink open before he rubs them and sits up, his hair even more of a mess now as some of it falls to frame his face while the other half sticks up in odd directions. "Mmmorning." He hums before standing up, taking the blanket with him and throwing it onto the bed.

"Why'd you sleep on the floor?" You ask through a yawn, picking up your own blanket - you could've sworn you didn't fall asleep with it - and picking up "High-Ho-Cherrio".

"Why'd you sleep on the floor?" He questions, causing you to role your eyes with a smile. "I fell asleep first." You point out, setting the game box on the bedside table. "Anyway, it's not my bed. It'd be weird if I slept in it."

"Good point. I just fell asleep." He shrugs. "Isn't there some group meeting at ten?"

"Yeah," You confirm, giving him a questioning look, cocking your head to the side. "Why?"

"It's 10:01." Harrison answers nonchalantly before rushing to grab his stuff, his body turning to a blur in front of your weary eyes. "What?!" You exclaim, looking at your phone.10:01. "Shit! Where's my stuff?!" Both of you run around, two tornadoes nearly destroying the room with every unsteady, tired step. Finally you find your rose, gun, and dagger. After pulling your hair up into a messy bun the two of you run down the halls to the conference room where Tom was surely waiting to curse you out for being late. 10:08

The door to the large room is thrown open, you and Harrison walk in out of breathe with messy hair and clothes, seeming like you spent the past three days in the woods. "I- ehm- I brought the files." Haz says before handing the multiple folders over to Tom who wore a very questioning and weirded out look as if to say what the fuck happened to you two? And why is she with you? The blonde just shakes his head, taking a seat in one of the two open large leather chairs surrounding the long, glossy, dark oak table. Taking the one next to him the meeting starts, everyone's expression in the room saying they'd moved passed the event but their eyes held many questions that will never be answered.

-

"So Y/n and I will see to Leo after they bring him here. After a nice beating he'll cave." Tom summarizes, your face back to the stern glare you wear for work. A few more words are traded before everyone except you, Tom, and Harrison are left in the room, for you three didn't have to rush of to another destination.

"Did you hear that?" You ask Tom, picking up a few papers giving you information on Leo Sandraya, your target for the next few weeks.

"What?" He asks, a look of alarm on his face as his eyes scan the room quickly, a hunter looking for prey, before landing back on you, his brows furrowed together.

"Silence. For once in a meeting we didn't tell at each other." You smirk, Haz suppressing a laugh behind his friend.

"Shut up, Y/l/n." He hisses, clearly not amused with your humor as a stern look plays on his face.

"Someone's being bitchy." You mumble, collecting your files on Sandraya.

"Look, I don't know why all of a sudden you're being soft around us but your plan won't work." Tom says, venom oozing from his words as he turns to face you with his arms crossed over his chest.

"I don't have a plan!" You exclaim in defense. "I actually have a version of me separate from the me at work. But this is the only one you'll ever see." With that you strut out of the room and to your own to change out of your nightwear and probably into a outfit to workout, a limp obvious in your step.

"What's her fucking problem?" Tom groans to Harrison after turning away from your shrinking figure, putting papers in a manilla folder.

"Nothing really, mate. Like she said she has a side separate from work." Haz shrugs.

"What, like you know her?" The brunette scoffs. Why was his friend suddenly defending her? Especially after what happened between them?

"Because I actually took the time to get to know her. We've been friends for a bit now." Haz says in a tone much more angry then he meant before switching to a calmer one. "Just... Try talking to her instead of being at her throat everyday."

Tom stares at his friend, trying to decipher something from his expression or his eyes. "Fine. I guess I sort of have to considering there's that party next week." He sighs in defeat, trusting his best friend. The only person who could make Tom change his mind or take in a new idea was Harrison. And, as much as he'd want to deny it, the decision was almost always right excluding a few choice occasions.

"I guess that meeting did end in yelling." Haz jokes, attempting to lighten the mood, carefully watching Tom to see how he'll react.

"Shut up." He smiles with a small laugh. "Wanna head down to the gym?"

"Yeah sure." He agrees, scooping his work into his arms before walking out the double doors and down a hallway, opposite from the way you went with playful banter filling the air between the two.

-

After finally making it back to your own room, you change out of your night clothes and into an outfit that's easy to move in, the feeling of the fabric almost seeming like velvet after being in the same small shirt and baggy pants for so long. While you're not supposed to workout, you are allowed to walk on the treadmills and do stretches, and you're not one to not go to the gym at least once a day.

Braiding a rose into your hair, you take a shortcut to your destination. The shortcut includes going outside and whilst out there you spot Tom's youngest sibling with someone. Your lips ever so slightly turn upwards, as you continue on your way, most likely to tell Haz about it later.

You reach the doors to the gym and pushing them open you groan. Tom and Harrison are hitting the punching bags, neither of them noticing your presence as you walk to the treadmills. After stretching you step onto the machine, setting it low enough to where you're walking but high enough to where you'll get at least some exercise in. You put your earbuds in and start walking, blocking out the world with one of music.

-

"Y/n." A voice says, pulling you out of your escape world.

"What?" You sigh, pulling out your earbuds that were playing Weak.

"It's like one." Harrison informs you, Tom standing a little back and to the side of him, refusing to look at you as he averted his gaze to the small screen on the treadmill.

"Oh." You turn off the machine, grabbing your bottle of water and taking a long sip. "Why are you two here so late?"

"Training." Tom surprisingly answers, no glare or mean tone. Something fishy is going on you think, but don't mention it, comfortable with the friendly atmosphere in the room.

"I saw Paddy outside with a girl on my way hers." You add as the three of you walk out, the air between you and Tom stiff but not nearly as suffocating as usual.

"Oh, yeah. That's his friend Ashlyn." He confirms, a smile grazing his lips as your trio turns the corner into the hallway that holds the bedrooms.

Suddenly, extra weight is placed atop your head causing you to jump and look up. "Haz!" You groan, finding his arm resting on your hair. He laughs and removes his arm as you lightly shove him to the side. Tom watches the two of your interactions, realizing that there is a part of you that allowed you to relax and slightly smile. Maybe you smiled more before being taken.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Tom says as he turns into his bedroom, Harrison bidding him goodbye before you two continue to your own. You arrive at yours, both of you walking in with your steps in sync. Almost as soon as you close the door, something wraps around Haz's and yours ankles before pulling you up to the ceiling, pressed against each other upside down.

"What the fuck?" He exclaims, looking around with his hair reaching for the floor.

"Oh yeah... I sorta, maybe, might make traps when I'm scared... And set them." You mumble. "I must've forgotten to take this one down."

You try to reach up to free you two but find your arms pinned under coils of rope. curse my good trap setting you groan in your head.

"Tom!" Harrison yells. "Harry! Sam! Paddy!"

You suddenly become aware of how close you both are, bodies pressed against each other's, chest to chest. A blush spreads across your cheeks like setting fire to dead leaves in the middle of a forest.

Harrison groans and stops attempting to yell for someone, for if they heard they would've came already. "We're going to pass out." He sighs, returning his attention to you as he himself comes to the same realization you had. His own cheeks become dusted in pink, if it was from blood rush or a blush, you'll never know.

"How long do you think we'll be up here?" You ask, averting your gaze from his face as the blanket on your bed was suddenly very very interesting.

"Hopefully not all night." He sighs as your rose falls to the floor, at least seven feet away for it was a very high part of your ceiling you hung from.

You let out a groan of frustration, looking around for anything to help your situation but nothing would help considering your arms are pinned next to Harrison's. This is going to be so much fun.

Another two minutes passes, both of your faces red as your roses from blood flowing into them. You'd already tried moving around to release the rope from where it was tied, but it stayed put, the only way you can get down is if someone else cut or untied the material. How fortunate.

A yawn falls from your lips and your eyes grow heavy, the easy workout you had settling in on your already exhausted body.

"Can I confess something while we're stuck here?" Harrison asks, nervousness looming in his voice as he turns his gaze to you.

"Uh yeah. Yeah sure." You allow, your own nervousness working it's way into your stomach, butterflies making a home there.

"I like you. More than a friend. I know it's weird because we've only known each other for a few months but-" he rants while a smile, a real smile spreads across your face.

"Haz. I... I like you too." You confess, biting your lip due to pure nerves.

A toothy smile sprouts from his mouth, the sight making you fall for him more. Oh, how you wished you'd fall.

Slowly, Harrison's face moves towards yours, stopping just in front of yours with the tips of your noses touching as if asking for permission. You answer by leaning forwards ever so slightly, your lips planting themselves on his in a gentle, meaningful kiss. Your heart is beating so fast you're afraid he'll hear it, but it doesn't really matter if he hears it, he can already feel it. The kiss takes you to another world, one where you're completely happy and everything is okay, a world where you haven't been kidnapped and scarred in more than one way. The kiss is like spring, peaceful and safe with new lives starting. Maybe this is your new life, a life with your enemies best friend. Both of you pull away only because your lungs demand oxygen, but you swear a kiss like that could keep you alive forever. You look up at him, both of your eyes ridden of hate and disgust and instead filled with love and wonder. How unexpected was this relationship between two mobsters, one who'd harmed the other? But most things are unexpected, and sometimes things or people just fit perfectly into the holes in the others hearts left by others. They repair the gaps and replace them with love, fixing a person to their former self. And sometimes, a relationship is all you need.

"What the bloody fuck is going on in here?" Harry asks as he flings open the door. "Holy shit." He stares up at the two of you, pure disbelief centered in his eyes.

"Finally!" You exclaim, starting to feel dizzy from being upside down so long. "We stepped in a trap I set up!"

"Get us down!" Harrison yells, starting to move around causing you both to sway.

"Stop moving- ow!" His foot hits your ankle that'd been sprained at the wearhouse, pain radiating up your leg.

Harry runs out of the room and arrives again a few minutes later with Sam and Tom who look in disbelief.

"I didn't think you were serious..." Tom breathes, staring up at his friends. "How the fuck do we get them down?"

"Just cut it." Sam shrugs, walking towards the rope.

"No! Then we'll land on our heads!" You yell, fear coursing through your body.

"Okay we won't cut it. Calm down. Jeez." Harry sighs with his hands out in front of him.

"How can I calm down if I'm hanging from the ceiling?!" You exclaim, sudden anger coursing through your veins as you see red.

"Y/n." Haz says in a gentle tone next to you, his eyebrows raised. "What?!" You hiss with venom starting to seep into your words as you turn your neck to look at him. "Calm down. They're going to get us down. Freaking out isn't going to do anything." He says, keeping his soft voice. You let out a groan but keep your mouth shut as the three brothers try to figure out how to release you two from the rope safely.

After a moment of pondering, they pull your mattress off of your bed frame. "Okay," Tom says, standing next to the part of the rope tied securely to the frame of your bed. "I'm going to cut the rope." You brace for the impact of ground as you and Haz fall onto the mattress, your hair suspending around you.

"That didn't hurt nearly as much as I expected." You sigh.

"Yeah, probably because you landed on me." Harrison groans, his face slightly screwed up in pain.

"Shit!" You exclaim, trying to break free of the rope around your body but finding yourself unable to. "Stop laughing assholes and get us out!" You yell at Harry and Sam who were laughing between the two of them by the door before they walk next to you, still a few chuckles falling from their lips.

"You guys need to stand up." Sam instructs, examining the rope trapping you and your friend together.

"How?" Harrison asks, straining his neck to look at the boy behind him. Tom, Harry, and Sam crouch around your figures before each picking you up and placing on your feet. Once up, they finally unravel the thick rope, Harrison and you taking a few steps away from each other.

"Thank God..." You breathe stretching out your limbs as your head throbs. "Thanks."

"No problem." Tom says, his arms crossed over his chest. "I'm going back to bed." With that the three brothers walk out the doorway, all whispering while looking back at you two and laughing.

"That was- ehm- interesting." Harrison coughs awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck as a pink color runs across his cheeks, yours following suit.

"Yeah..." You agree while fiddling with a piece of your hair, the air between the two of you suffocatingly awkward.

"Would you maybe like to... Be... My girlfriend?" He asks, hope and slight fear shining in his eyes, his expression eager for a response like a puppy waiting for a treat.

"I'd love to." You grin, teeth trapping your bottom lip between the rows. Haz's own smile spreads across his lips as he moves closer to you. "Oh, I'm sorry I shouldn't have-" he apologizes, his arms going back to his sides but you cut him off by placing a hand on his shoulder and meeting his lips with yours in a quick kiss before backing away.

"It's fine." You smile.

"Right." He states, surprise still evident in his features. "Well, I'm going to head to my room." Harrison starts walking out the door but you stop him, yelling out.

"Wait! C-can I... Come with you...?" You ask, fear striking your body at the thought of the countless nightmares you experienced the previous night.

"Yeah, sure." He answers nonchalantly, waiting for you to join his side before continuing down the hallways. "What time is it?"

"2:34." You answer after checking your phone. "God, no wonder I'm so tired."

You both turn into his bedroom, Harrison shutting the door after you walk in. Awkwardly you climb into his bed, a safe distance away not wanting to over step anything on not even your first hour of a relationship. You feel the mattress dip with Harrison's weight and then your empty palm you had in the space between you both filled with his own. A soft smile falls upon your face before your eyes flutter shut, and you swear that's the most peaceful you've been in years.

"Where are they you little bitch?" A stern voice says, a dark figure towering over your trapped body. "I told you. They're dead." You mumble, head hanging down facing your lap. Suddenly, your face is gripped tightly and forced upwards revealing your parents dead bodies. Blood. Every where. You look at your shaking hands, those covered in the thick crimson liquid that seems to be endlessly pooling in your palms. "Since you won't fucking give me any answers, I guess we'll have to beat them out of you." A man says before something, most likely a knife, cuts across your stomach causing you to yell out in pain. You let out a blood chilling scream and sit up, body covered in cold sweat as you breathe heavily though it feels as if no air is entering your lungs.

"Y/n?" A voice asks from behind you, causing you to turn around with pure terror painting your face. "Har... Harrison?" You breathe out, still sucking in lungfulls of air as your arms threaten to give out under you.

He wears a confused look before realization sets in an "o" expression on his face. "You're fine. We're back at Tom's place not there. You're not there anymore." He assures you, his face softening in an effort to comfort you.

"M-my parents..." You whimper before practically throwing yourself at him, whether he minded or not he didn't show it, only held you against him and ran a hand up and down your back. "You're okay..." He coos, your tears falling onto his shoulder in a trail. You pull away and wipe the streams off of your face, embarrassment consuming your thoughts. "I'm s-so sorry." You apologize. How could you expect him to take care of you every time you go through these nightmares? How could you expect him to stay with you if you're so mentally broken?

Listen." Haz says, taking one of your hands in both of his, easily covering it's entirety. "You don't need to be sorry for something you can't and couldn't control. Even though we've only known each other a short time, friends help friends and hey, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't help you?"

Thanks." You say with an almost unnoticeable smile. Leaning forwards, you place your forehead against his bare chest, his chin resting on top of your head, the scent of your shampoo filling his nose. You felt safe for the first time since you were little, to you the safest place on Earth is in Harrison's arms as if nothing could hurt you because you're with him.

"Wanna go back to sleep?" Harrison asks, moving to look you in the eye. Your y/e/c eyes stare into his blue ones, searching for trust and almost immediately finding it. "Yeah."

With your confirmation, Haz slowly lays down, his arms still around your middle. Again, you both stay a distance away from each other though this times it's closer, the feeling of peace stronger than before as you both fall asleep with the other in your grasp. Slash after slash your own blood circles around you. "I can't give you anymore information." You grunt, someone punching you across the face, a metallic taste filling your mouth with the crunch of bone. Sucking in a large breath, your eyes open in panic and lingering pain crosses your arms and stomach. You're about to bolt upright but your eyes land on Haz's sleeping face, his features are completely relaxed, an ever so small part in his lips with his hair hanging over his forehead and eye.

You're not there anymore. You're safe. His voice echoes in your mind, calming you down and turning your breathing back to a normal pace. Like he said, you're safe. You're safe as long as you're with him. For the second time that night you fall back into slumber, repeating Harrison's words in your head like a broken record.