#ITS ABOUT THE LAST TWO PETALS XXX

[coykoii]

Girl I saw your tweets and what did you write 😭 was it that bad? I’m scared

Girllll HELP it was an MCD that I hate but it made me grateful for the nwh ending we got now hfjfkdkd 😭 the way I wasn’t going to post it at all and just give you the last line but then sol was like

so blame her actually fhkdksjdhd 😌 under the cut x

never fallen from quite this high before

Peter’s chest feels open and aching and raw, like someone had just stuck their hand inside and ripped his heart into tiny pieces, scattering them across the Hudson. His vision is blurry with tears and there’s enough fear in his body to make it go numb when he can see her form shrinking in the distance, falling further, faster, while he’s being swept away by this goddamn piece of shit.

It’s immediate, the anger that tenses his shoulders and motivates him to tear this man apart until he can no longer see what’s in front of him. He rips off a piece of metal to grab one of the bombs, detonating it without thinking twice, even if they both go down.

He’s angry. God, he’s so angry that Osborn has taken so much from him that it blurs his vision, more than enough adrenaline pumping through him that it doesn’t hurt when they tumble onto the fallen shield.

Osborn is in shock and would be so easy to take out in one move, but his thoughts circulate around MJ—where is she, is she okay, is she hurt? He needs to know more than he’s ever needed anything else.

“MJ?!” he calls out, his voice echoing throughout all the carnage, but all he hears is the sound of the crumbling statue, even still. “Ned!”

He’s screaming for them, his voice going hoarse, but even for as loud as he is, no one responds. “MJ! Please, just—just give me a sign that you’re okay!”

He can’t lose her, not after everything, not when it was his fault that she got dragged into this mess in the first place. His heart feels like it’s beating itself into a bloody pulp in his chest as he waits, and still. There’s nothing.

The eerie silence makes his stomach drop to his feet, the lump in his throat far too large to swallow around, tears pricking his eyes until it hurts, but nothing compares to the pain he feels. His palm rubs over his chest, like he might keel over.

The sound of Osborn laughing suddenly fills the air, turning it sour.

“You were too weak to save her,” he cackles, grinning widely, Peter raising his head to look over at him and only seeing the man who killed two of the most important people in his life. “Always too afraid to take what you wanted, and now…she’s gone. She’s gone because of you.”

The words go to his head, and he lets them, because maybe he was weak. Maybe he was afraid. Maybe he always held back because hurting people was never his goal, but right now, all he really wants is to kill this man himself.

Osborn’s eyes light up upon hearing those words before Peter swings his fist, as hard as he can. There’s a loud crack, his neck whipping to the side, but the smile is still there.

Peter never realized how much easier it is to fight when he’s not holding back, putting all of his focus and energy into doing whatever he can to take him down. There’s blood and broken bones because neither of them are pulling their punches.

But it’s the anger intertwined with the pain that gives Peter the upper hand, knowing he has nothing left to lose, hitting Osborn hard enough so that he drops to his knees. It almost feels good, getting this release, knowing that while May and MJ didn’t deserve to die, this man does.

He grabs the glider that was lying brokenly against the shield, the knives on the ends sharp enough to penetrate anyone thoroughly. He lifts it above his head and doesn’t hesitate to bring it down, hard and forcefully, until he hears Osborn choking on his own blood. He twists the shield ever so slightly before pulling it out, causing him to collapse onto the ground.

Dead.

Peter lets the shield clatter, echoing against the metal, feeling satisfaction at the sight of the Goblin there, unmoving.

He deserved it.

He deserved it.

He deserved—

“Peter!” Ned’s voice rings through the air as he rushes down to the shield, eyes widening when he gets there. “Oh, my god…what did you—”

“He deserved it,” Peter replies stiffly despite his sharp intake of breath.

“I—I was calling for you, but I guess you didn’t hear me,” Ned whispers, swallowing hard, and that’s when he notices the tears in his eyes. “It’s MJ—”

“Where is she? Where—” His mind immediately flits from one thought to another, but the look on Ned’s face says it all. It’s not as if he hadn’t known, but the confirmation makes the ache explode in his chest, radiating from every single part of him. “No. No, no, no, please—”

“She was asking for you,” Ned says, his voice tremoring as he hugs himself. “The impact of the ground…the air was knocked out of her, but she was still hanging on.”

The implications hit Peter harder than anything he could’ve imagined—the fact that she was still alive, that she wanted to see him, that he could’ve said goodbye. That it’s too late now.

He doesn’t register the way he crumples to the ground on his knees, tears relentlessly dripping down his cheeks and sobs wracking his entire frame, because he actually lost her, the love of his life. His heart aches so badly that he can’t even bring himself to move, but he needs to see her.

Ned leads him over to the base of the statue, Peter seeing the way Peter 3 is sitting, holding MJ in his arms, tears on his own cheeks. His breath hitches at the sight of her and he would’ve lost his balance if it weren’t for Ned.

“Can I…”

Peter 3 nods, letting Peter take her in his arms, and he can feel himself shake as he brushes a strand of hair off her forehead. Leans down to press his lips there, her skin growing cold.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers against her forehead, squeezing his eyes shut. “I’m sorry, Em, I’m so sorry.”

I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.

I’m sorry that I didn’t get to say goodbye.

I’m sorry that loving me ruined your life.

“You didn’t deserve this,” he says thickly, holding her even closer and feeling the chain of her necklace brush against his suit, the last two petals now broken off.

[roonyxx]

Invisible: Part 10

Summary: Does the ritual work, or will you forever remain broken ?

Warnings: fluff, language, unprotected smut

Pairings: Dean, reader, Castiel

Wordcount: 1600

A/N: I’m SO sorry it took so long, *exactly 6 months after part 9…* I got really stuck on it and then the world went a little to shit BUT finally here it is, the very last chapter!! I hope you all enjoy xxx

My Masterlist

Invisible Masterlist

The Blue Moon came sooner then you expected, two days really wasn’t that long after all…

You were really nervous as you stood before the chalice with your, Cas’s blood and the rose petals in. The ritual was being done in your bedroom for well… obviously reasons.

Cas and you both had bathrobes on and nothing else because you had to have sex when the Blue Moon was at it’s peak and that didn’t last very long.

Cas held the paper with the incantation in his hand when he asked. “Are you sure Y/n ? There’s no going back after this.”

You nodded slowly.

“Yes Cas, I wanna feel whole again and if I can do that with you, I’m happy.” You gave him a small smile.

“Is it gonna hurt ?” you asked timidly.

He held your hand in his, offering you a sense of comfort only he could give. “It will feel unfamiliar and maybe a little uncomfortable as your soul isn’t used to being touched, let alone change its bond. But it won’t hurt.”

“Okay then let’s do this before we miss the Moon.”

You took a deep breath as Cas gave you a smile and started the incantation. You could feel something change inside you, you got dizzy and your knees gave out, but Cas was there to catch you, he carefully put you on the bed.

“Y/n ? Are you okay ?” he asked as he cupped you face.

His blue eyes were so comforting, you could already feel it, how your mind was less occupied by pinning over the green eyes you loved for so long and more about the blue ones in front of you, how they always saw you no matter how big the crowd, how they felt like home to you.

You nodded with a smile as the dizziness disappeared. “Yes I’m okay, I can feel the change already.” You said as you ran your fingers through his hair, pulling him down to you to kiss him.

He was a little stiff at first, but soon his lips followed in sync with yours.

“I know we have a time slot but Y/n we don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with, okay ? We take the time we need.” He said as he sat upright in the bed.

“I know Cas, we take it slow, we’re both not that experienced so that counts for you too, only things you’re comfortable with, okay ?”

He nodded and watched as you started to untie you robe, his eyes getting darker with each inch of skin that was revealed to him. You stood up next to the bed to drop it to the floor. Standing naked before him, you didn’t feel the need to hide, you didn’t feel exposed. This was Cas, your best friend, the man who you trusted the most. The man you would soon love.

You put your knees on the bed and crawled towards the angel, untying his robe while you kissed him.

His hands gripped your waist tight as you threw his robe aside, his cock hard and standing proud.

“You’re beautiful, Y/n” Cas said to you as he laid you down on the bed, his hips slotting in between your legs.

With a smile you wrapped your hands around his back and frowned as you felt something weird, like the air on his back was somehow colder than the rest of the room.

“It’s my wings” he said with a smile “That’s good, it means it’s working, only soulmates can feel each other’s wings.”

“Does it feel uncomfortable ?” you asked him.

“Not at all, it’s quite pleasurable.” He bent down to kiss your neck as you let your hands roam over his back.

“You’re still sure Y/N ?” he asked one last time as he gripped his cock in his hand to pump it steadily, rubbing it between your folds to slick it up, a groan escaping his throat.

“Yes Cas. Take me.”

He put his cock at your entrance and slowly pushed inside your tight channel. Putting both of his hands next to you, he held himself up as he started thrusting into you gently.

“Y-You okay ?” he panted above you.

Your walls clenched around his wide member, moaning as he hit every sweet spot inside you in just the right way, it’s like he was made for you to take.

“Y-yes don’t stop Cas, oh fuck don’t stop.” You mewled in his ear. You could feel the change, with every thrust the feeling in your chest got more intense, your heart seemed to grow more and more for Cas. How could you have never noticed the feelings you got when you were around the angel ?

“I’m gonna ejaculate Y/n” Cas groaned in your ear, you couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped you as he used those exact words, but it soon turned to moaning as his cock rubbed over your sweet spot again and again

“I-I’m close too.” You gasped as you felt a warmth fall over you, your heart rate spiked and felt a great weight being lifted from you as you came around his cock. Castiel soon followed, hips jerking harder into you to shoot his cum deep inside you as his body fell on yours.

“H-How do you feel ?” He asked when he lifted his head up to look into your eyes.

You smiled and cupped his face to kiss him.

“I feel… lighter, I no longer have this huge urge to please Dean, to want him. It still stings a little I guess ? But I feel like I’m really gonna be okay and I didn’t feel that before.” You said as you scratched his scalp lightly.

“Yes that’s good, with some time the sting will completely disappear, the spell worked, I can feel it.”

“How does it feel ?” You asked him curiously.

“My grace is responding to your soul, I can feel your emotions more prominent now.”

You smiled at him as you asked “What emotion am I feeling now ?”

“Happiness, a hint of love, still some sadness but that’s your soul reacting to the moved bond, it will pass quickly. Are you happy Y/n ?”

“I am, I really am, I didn’t think it would work because I couldn’t even imagine not feeling anything for Dean, but it’s possible, I can feel it. Thank you Cas. I’m not quite ready to say those big three words yet, but I know I’ll get there, can you wait for me ?” you asked him.

“I’ll wait as long as you need me to, Little One.” He pecked your lips sweetly.

“Thank you.”

You eventually fell asleep with the angel on top of you. Holding each other and slept peacefully for the first time in a long time.

You woke up in the morning with two arms wrapped around you from behind and a face nuzzled into your neck.

“Morning Little One” Cas whispered against your neck.

You turned in his grip to face him “Morning Cas, I was gonna ask how you slept but you don’t sleep” you chuckled.

“I don’t, how did you sleep ?” he asked as he put a stray hair behind your ear.

“Peacefully” you said “We should get up to tell the boys it worked”

“Yes you’re right”

You and Cas got up and got dressed, after brushing your teeth and hair you made your way to the library where you knew the boys would be. Right before you entered Cas took your hand in his and smiled at you.

Sam was the first of the two brothers to notice you and Cas had entered the library.

“Guys!” he looked briefly down at your connected hands “And ? It worked ?”

You nodded “Yeah, I mean the feelings still have to grow a little and I need to adjust to it but yes, we will be okay.”

“So you feel better ?” Dean asked carefully.

“Yeah, I really do Dean.” You smiled at him and now you could really feel it, this pull you used to have towards him is close to being gone, he was still, and probably always will be, incredibly handsome but you didn’t feel smothered by it anymore. You still loved him and you think in a way you always will, but it’s bearable now.

“Do you feel different ?” you asked him out of curiosity.

“I do, it’s hard to explain but I feel …”

“Lighter” you finished for him.

“Yes, lighter and I didn’t dream about you tonight, so I guess it really worked.” He said with a small smile “I’m really happy for you Y/n, you’re with who you are meant to be now, and I am sorry for inflicting so much pain…”

You squeezed Cas’s hand “I am, and Dean, let it go, it’s in the past now and if it didn’t happen I would  probably still be stuck as a broken soulmate. Now I feel complete again.”

You tugged at Cas’s hand to pull him down a little to kiss him. It was incredible how fast the bound was going. With every touch, look or kiss you could feel yourself grow even closer to the angel. You could always count on him no matter what, He always had your back and was there for you if you needed him, and apparently he protected you his whole life.

You started to see every little thing he ever did for you and you realized it was out of love, he loved you, and you knew you were gonna love him because to him

you never were invisible.

[cherrynojutsu]

Title: Like Silver

Summary: A companion series for Like Gold.

It’s challenging to finish up discharge summaries and operative reports when one’s vision keeps blurring, as it turns out. And when one keeps pressing fingers to their lips in disbelief. A poetic sort of procrastination, indeed.

Blank period, canon-compliant, Sakura-centric, some expanded plot points from Like Gold, fluff and pining, eventually becomes a smut fest with feelings.

Disclaimer: I did not write Naruto. This is a fan-made piece solely created for entertainment purposes.

Rating: M (eventual nsfw-ness)

AO3 Link - FF.net Link - includes beginning/ending author's notes

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Chapter 2/?: A Poetic Sort of Procrastination, Indeed

Sakura saunters home late in the evening, admiring the stars above her in a daze of spring air and clutching her tote bag to her shoulder as if her very life force is tethered to it.

In the flurry of emotion, she completely forgot about returning her library books, but she doesn’t give a damn.

She drudged through her entire pile of paperwork, though it was an almighty effort requiring every ounce of her discipline. Even after Sasuke left, she kept tearing up and just gawking at the impossibly beautiful gift he’s given her, affection requited bubbling up inside her ribcage and unleashed into the air she breathes like some sort of ambrosial perfume she can finally afford to bask in. She has always known there is a softer side to him, that there is much more beneath the surface than he lets on with his laconic demeanor, but this is something else.

It’s challenging to finish up discharge summaries and operative reports when one’s vision keeps blurring, as it turns out.

And when one keeps pressing fingers to their lips in disbelief.

A poetic sort of procrastination, indeed.

She hangs her tote on its entryway hook and carefully removes the box inside once she reaches her apartment. After she’s padded her way to her bedroom, she flips on the two lamps before placing it tenderly on her bed.

Sakura briefly contemplates taking the lid off then and there, but she knows she really should shower first, because otherwise the evening is going to quickly spiral away from her, whirlpool of tender feelings that it already is.

It’s the quickest shower she’s ever taken in her life; berry-scented soap floods her body and seems to take forever to rinse clean in her haste, although it can’t actually be more than a minute or two in reality. It’s also the quickest she’s ever toweled off and changed into pajamas, scurrying back to her room and grabbing the first pair she lays eyes on from her dresser drawer.

Once she has shimmied them on, she opens the box again, and just looks.

It still exists - it doesn’t disappear or dissolve as a figment of her imagination - so she picks it up with careful hands.

It is so, so pretty, exquisite in a way that makes her heart hammer relentlessly against her sternum, a catharsis in her chest sweeter somehow than anything she’s ever experienced.

It’s unavoidable; her eyes well with tears again, because he said he had it made for her. Not found in an antique shop off the beaten path or some happenstance market who knows how many miles away. Not just something that reminded him of her.

Made for me.

Which means he thought of this himself. Silk that shifts colors like the Uchiha crest, fastidiously stitched petals, and a cherry blossom tree, carved light wood that is startlingly similar in tone to the accents here in her bedroom.

And the way he looked at her, after, a storm of silver and obsidian that took her breath away.

And he kissed her.

Sakura doesn’t know how she’s supposed to fall asleep tonight, deliriously happy as she is, or how she’s going to spend any of her free time from here on out not staring at this supernal treasure. She strokes the wood with careful fingers, bringing the carving upwards for closer inspection. Every inch of it is gorgeous; she is especially enamored with the pink and pearlescent stitching, coruscant in the low light. She assiduously counts the slivers of bamboo, too, and follows the rivulets of fine branches stretching upwards to the boundaries of the framework. Upon her inquest, she notices an impossibly tiny etching, faintly whittled on the interior of one of the slats of bamboo. Tai Ro, it says; she assumes that must be the craftsman’s signature. She wonders where it came from, which far-off land Sasuke traveled through to commission something so resplendent.

She has never seen anything so bewitching, except maybe silver flecks.

Tearing her gaze away from the fan, Sakura eyes the vanity by her balcony door, an idea brewing.

It’s an aged piece, of a bygone style featuring small drawers on each size and a sunken point in the middle, from which rises a large circular mirror. A framed copy of their original Team Seven portrait sits pushed against the framing, right in the center. She placed it there because she enjoys seeing it as she gets ready for the day. It’s a good memory, one of her favorites, sentimental in a way that makes her heart swell, after everything. A pale wooden hairbrush also sits perched atop its surface, given to her by her mother forever ago while she was still at the Academy.

“I found it in the market today, just after swinging by to pick up rose food from Ino’s mother. It’s old, an antique, but I think it suits you, my dear,” she’d said, ruffling her hair, still long at that point and chattering a mile a minute in the overbearing way she has always tended to. She’d brushed her already combed locks in the manner that Sakura thinks all mothers must with their daughters, even when they are starting to become too grown for that sort of thing. “What I wouldn’t give for your hair! So unique; you should have something lovely to brush it with. You’re already such a pretty girl, but someday you’re going to bloom, and when you do, heaven help the boys.”

There’s a cherry blossom on it, too, adorning the back simply with five perfect petals.

When Sakura moved out of her parents’ house, she chose the tones of her bedroom accents, inclusive of the frame, with it in mind; she’d been using it for years by then, and had developed a fondness for pale wood rooted in familial nostalgia. Most of her actual furniture in the room is secondhand, of an older variety and painted with a white stain to make them somewhat match - she prefers things with a little bit of history, has since her mom gifted her that hairbrush - but the few frames and wall-mounted shelves are lighter washes of wood.

Many of the surfaces in her apartment are cluttered with books and other knick knacks she has accumulated through the years, but she tries to keep the vanity’s top clear, almost like an altar, an ode to the things she finds lovely atop it to give her hope with which to greet the day.

Still clutching the gift tenderly in her hands, Sakura ventures over to it.

She holds the fan close to the frame as well as the brush, comparing the color, near an exact match, a fresh memory making her heart swell in a completely different way, a way she had previously thought was maybe unrealistic.

She’ll get a stand for it, she decides, and display it in the spot the frame currently sits; it would look perfect there, the curvature echoed above it in circular looking glass, a hairbrush of a similar stain beside it. Then she’ll be able to gaze at it every morning and evening. There is no way something this precious to her could ever be stored away in a box and only seen on special occasions; it’s the same reason she struggled with the idea of hiding his letters away in one.

No, Sakura is resolutely sure that admiring it will be a daily ritual.

She can relocate the photo frame to her bedside table, maybe, next to An Introduction to Electrocardiography , or perhaps to her living room, though it doesn’t really match the wood out there.

That gets her thinking. We’re... together now, right? He’s kissed her, and she really hopes he will again, surprisingly soft lips against hers, an aroma of woodsmoke, and butterflies unleashed in her stomach. Maybe she should put the frame on the shelf in the main room. He might come over, sometime; it would be good to have it visible, situated in a place where he can see it.

With the utmost care, she lays the fan on the surface in front of her. Sakura combs through wet locks, coaxing out tangles with an old gift and appreciating a new one with watery eyes. When she’s finished, she carefully clutches it again and admires it atop a lavender comforter for the better part of an hour, alternating between mentally mapping its fine stitching within the confines of her hippocampus and paging through her book of Sasuke’s letters in a way that is more than fond, affection freed from her chest after so very long. The jubilance crests to a sense of omneity as she does so, moon glow filtering in by way of the gauzy white curtains that shield the balcony’s glass door.

She absolutely can’t wait to see him tomorrow. She sincerely hopes she’s not dreaming all of this.

She is so enamored with it that she doesn’t even drink her customary evening tea, her being warmed in an entirely different manner she is as of yet unaccustomed to, better than earl grey or some variety of dessert. It’s immensely difficult to pry it from her own hands when the time comes to do so.

Always is the last word she thinks of before she succumbs to slumber, curled up in soft colors and hoping he has found somewhere comfortable to sleep. Treasured memories emanate from objects old and new, brewing together before a looking glass where she’s placed them for safekeeping and admiration.

XXX

When she awakens in the morning, Sakura jerks upright in bed, turning to her vanity to ascertain if it was all a dream, cozened in by her subconscious as she slept.

It wasn’t. The fan is still there, precious and so enchantingly beautiful, dawn flavoring the memory of Sasuke’s return just as sweet as it had tasted yesterday with his lips on hers.

She brushes her hair again, working at the task way longer than necessary and trying not to cry out of sheer happiness. She feels so light, as if being pulled upwards by a latterly existent force of gravity, theoretically possible in terms of relative physics and with the right circumstances, but never actually experienced.

Birds are singing on the balcony when Sakura finally steps outside, snacking on seeds from her bird feeder as she gives her fledgling plants a drink before leaving for work.

It is such a lovely morning.

XXX

Sakura makes it through work as if encapsulated in a brand of inertial navigation system, floating as if she’s a bizarrely sentient cloud from patients to test tubes. She feeds the mice and records the brief observations she usually does on Wednesdays, and then a Genin is being brought in with a linear fracture in their tibia, twisted wrong and impacted during training. She gives instructions to nurses, too, taking care of smaller tasks in between, part of her feeling like she is barely there.

Well, not barely. She still keeps her wits about her and heals people; she takes pride in what she does. She just… daydreams a little, too, sage, smoke, and silver occupying her spare moments, flitting in between the corridors of her head as she flits from exam room to exam room.

She’s sitting at her desk, eating an early dinner and working on a new pile of paperwork before her next appointment arrives at five thirty, when one of Naruto’s clones bangs on her window.

Her gaze shifts to the glass at the familiar boisterous whining of her name - “Sakura-chaaaaaaan!” - and she rises to open it the rest of the way, allowing him entry into her office, an easy grin coming to her lips.

“Naruto!” A million thoughts run through her head. He has to know Sasuke’s back at this point, right? Has he seen him? He must be so happy.

Cyan bores into her, and he grins as he steps down. “Sakura-chan, teme’s back! Can you believe it? Though I guess you knew since yesterday.”

Sakura’s cheeks warm at the implication of that, wondering how he knows this information, but her friend is plowing onwards.

“Anyways, wanna have an original Team Seven reunion dinner on Saturday night? Or maybe Sunday night? Kakashi-sensei said Saturday would be better for him, if it works for you. And we should also make it a housewarming party for teme, but Kakashi-sensei says DON’T tell him that, or he won’t agree! It’s a surprise.”

Laughter erupts from her chest, rich and joyful, because it is crystal clear in that moment that Naruto is as elated at Sasuke’s return as she is - okay, maybe not quite on the level that she is, but close - even through a clone. “Of course, we should! I don’t have anything planned for Saturday night.”

Her teammate grins, all infectious happiness in the way that is so utterly characteristic of him, eyes crinkling at their corners. “Good, great, awesome! Be sure to mention it to him when you see him at seven. I’m sure if you suggest it, he’ll definitely agree.” Sakura blinks in surprise, cheeks staining darker. “Man, this is gonna be so great! Team Seven is fucking back ! I can’t wait to get a mission! It’ll be just like old times. I gotta tell Hinata-chan, too!”

She can’t help it; she smiles so wide that it hurts her face, tears paying her another visit. Sasuke’s back. He’s really back. And-

“Well, anyways, I’ll leave you to eat your dinner, Sakura-chan, but we have to force him to be social. I can’t wait to spar! But also, we gotta have a picnic, and no tying me to the pole this time. We could even challenge Kakashi-sensei to get off his ass and give us another go at the bell test. And, and! We should have a movie night. And go drinking! I’ve never seen teme drunk. I bet he’s a lightweight, and he’ll probably say all sorts of embarrassing shit! And-” Naruto’s clone’s expression turns unexpectedly serious, blue eyes suddenly narrowing in a way that is all-seeing and a tan finger suddenly pointing at her accusingly.

“-I mean social outside of you and him, Sakura-chan! Don’t think for a second that you’re gonna escape my questions later, when my brain isn’t fried from staring at that stupid scroll Kakashi-sensei has me slaving over. I want answers. ”

And then Naruto’s clone disappears in a puff of smoke, leaving her blinking in a strange combination of bewilderment and somehow, shyness, too.

And ebullience. Mostly ebullience.

She stands there grinning like an idiot for a long time. She can’t wait to see him at seven.

[oh-for-fic-sake]

New Beginnings Chapter Three Final

Masterlist

Summary: Tension's are high when the Avengers arrive, Tony soon find himself regretting letting you go seeing what you've achieved without him. He also find himself face to face with a very angry boyfriend when a argument breaks out. Warnings: Adult Situations +18, Smut, Unprotected  Sex, Swearing, Avenger Bashing, Tony bashing, Fighting, Arguing, Slight Domestic Violence,  Angry Clark. A/N: so did a lot of research for this wanting to use existing tech from the comics ect. This is the final part and long Tony might be a little out of character but whatever I cn see him being a nasty piece of work if he wanted to be. I hope you all enjoy xxx Taglist: @two-unbeatable-beaters​ @magdelen69​ @iloveyouyen​ @sofiebstar​ @thefangirlsblog​ @harrysthiccthighss​ @loserrlauraa​  @cheeseman​ @isitmine​ @tinabean37​  @agniavateira​ @msblkfire84​

You whined low in your throat the tone wasn't even as you were shunted up hips rising from the ridiculously powerful man behind you. You were bent over the kitchen counter facing the window, eyes blurry with unshed tears as your body was ridden to its absolute limits. Clawing at the marble you all but cried as one hand found somewhere to hold, an anchor to reality. Fingers latched around the edge of the sink panting trying hard not to waste the tiny breath Clark allowed to remain in your lungs, just enough to keep you conscious. Your toes were feeble in their search for purchase scrabbling up the cupboard's wanting to take some of your weight off your tummy that was molding around the cock you found yourself impaled on over and over in a smooth rhythm. He continued his invasion your body all to eager as his cock slid into place. You wept silent tears as your lover drove deeper into you almost punishing your nervous system as he made sure to glide into you sweet body at an angle that scorched your tender walls. Purposefully hitting your insides weakening your resolve and pulling you from reality pounding  you towards a magnificent end, he was tormenting you forcing your own body to build into your Seventh? Eight? Orgasm of the morning. He grunted louder throwing his head back hands shaking in restraint knew was borderline teetering on the edge of loosing his tight control you just felt so good wrapped around him! He stuttered growling and snarling eyes clamped shut trying to glow with molten heat in unrivaled lust an natural carnal desire instinctual urges fueling his mission. Clark was by all rights claiming you marking you as his very own conquered territory, taking your womb for himself. Fucking his seed into you over and over so that you'd be dripping with it, all but drenching your panties with his cum as you worked along side him your ex. His hand flexed and he eyed you still egging you on forcing you to climb higher, faster. He growled again pulling your hair taught in his fist trying to ease his quivering muscles. It was hard, so very hard not to just rut you into passing out again. But even then he knew he'd make this last he moaned low tucking his chin to his chest finally releasing your hair with a light push forward making you slump limp over the counter he'd pinned you to. For a second he thought you had passed out and huffed a breath growling, no he wanted you awake, wanted you with him. "You best not be sleeping woman!" he grunted watching you through half lidded eyes. He moved his other hand off you he was getting carried away and had to hold somewhere he couldn't risk hurting you. He quickly withdrew the hand from your ass and dug his fingertips into the edge of the marble alongside your displayed hips. Thighs held wide by his own form the slowed a little and leant down giving a reasonably gentle bite making you grunt crying at the pain he cause. Good you were still with him, at the realization he stood tall and began becoming rougher brutalizing your walls forcing you to yelp a sweet sound and beg him for more. "Pl-PLEASE CLARK-OH OHGO-AH! I'M NOT-I'M HERE I'M HERE PLEASE BABY FUCK ME!" You cried in surprise as he began getting faster and harder snarling across your back as the stone gave under his grip small finger sized dents surrounded by tiny fissures in the black worktop where his fingers sat. You cried again as he roared across your back chasing what was with any luck his final load for the morning. He'd been at this for a while now...Hours in fact, each time you thought he was finished and empty you tried to move away and get on with your day. Clark hadn't let you get more then six foot away on wobbly legs before he was on you again twisting your body pulling at your tired limbs before making your body his home again. So far you'd been taken on the bed twice, Ruined your fluffy rug in the bedroom, pounded against the door and obscenely ravished on sideboard in the hall; which was your personal favorite of the day it had been interesting with the mirror. Your labored pants and moans fogging the glass distorting the image as his held you still on your knees, splayed on the wood one huge sweaty palm holding your petals open the other around your throat forcing you to watch as his cock nestled itself inside your body until you'd ...You'd commented after between heavy pants that it had been the sexiest thing you'd ever seen... Which prompted him to then follow you into the kitchen~. You'd intended to make a coffee and relax but Clark was on a mission driven by a overwhelming need to mark you, claim you and fill you before The Avengers got here. At this point you were sure Clark wanted to drown you in the scent of his cum to an extent that even a human like Tony could smell it...You wasn't against it but you really had to be able to walk in a straight line today and Clark was slowly stealing that from you one delightful thrust at a time. You grunted as he pulled back from you as he got close you tipped your head back an wept you were exhausted! But he was not. Huffing a laugh he eyed the sweat on your back the drops trickling down your sides, your skin flush and glistening. You whined at the loss of him when you were both so close so much so you arched back trying to spear yourself back onto him. He growled lightly slapping your damp cheek as a warning. "Ah ah naughty~ When did you think that was going to happen? Hmm? Such a greedy little thing aren't you love~ so hungry for my cock you'd chase me down" he teased giving your other cheek a light slap turning it pink. He grinned wide at the desperate mewls and whines escaping you as you wriggles trying to entice him. He loved this, that even as tender and tired as you were you were still so eager to chase him for his cock, desperate to be seated on him and let him ride you into euphoria. He shook his head for a human you kept up pretty well, he would take some credit for that though after all it was his libido that was pushing your stamina. "Please! Please don't just-you can't...Clark please don't leave me like this~ fuck me make me cum I want you to cum in me again please let me make you cum again!" He let out a laugh and smoothed over your ass pretending to think before lightly tapped your the two round globes you were teasingly shaking before him. He leant down making you gasp as he places a sloppy kiss on one cheek before biting at it making you arch. "Oh alright since you asked so nicely~ Come on up...Ass up~" he muttered into your plump flesh sounding very chipper and relaxed for a man who'd all but fucked the life out of you this morning you swear to god you saw you dead grandma in the mirror earlier. You whined coughing catching your breath torn between wanting to take a breather but also needing his cock to fill you one final time at least! He was already placing your knees on the side of the marble under you ass slipping between them ankles positioned so your dainty feet were framing the ass he loved so much like a pretty picture. He tugged you back a little hanging your ass and dripping cunt just over the edge and without so much as a 'good girl' he was rutting up into you again. You arched hand now gripping the mixer tap in a white knuckle grip as he moved faster grunting and moaning. "Ah! Fuck CLARK?! PLEASE-PLE~OH! fuck~ I cant take much mooore~ AH AH AHUUGH! NO I CLARK FUCK SAKE-I CANT!?" You cried out as he moved forward pressing himself over your back a feat he only achieved due to his unfair height. You cried out as the climax that had been ebbing away now returned full force bubbling in your loins a torrent of lust threatening to overflow as his balls struck your stinging over sensitive clit. You cried out to immersed in the sensation that was just him!. You arched back up one hand pressing you up so you could try and bounce with the mans frantic motions chasing the high that he had been all but assaulting you with all morning. He grunted hissing and purring all in one as his fingers finding your ponytail again and clenched fisting the hair using it to reign you in tugging you back, your back arching further mouth wide moaning and grunting his other hand grabbed your throat holding just enough to help you move back onto him as he began swelling. "It's so fucking cute watching you try to keep up~ but you know how I feel about you trying to take over woman..." he grunted surprisingly clear as he began rutting deeper now that his hands were all but yanking you back on to his pelvis wet slaps getting louder and lewder as they joined your babbling that echoed the large space. You began gasping out apologies hearing the violence the almost bitter edge to his voice he used rarely in these moments of passion. Clark bottled up all his darkness and irritation and occasionally released it in his fucking. In these rare and coveted moods he demanded submission in the bedroom you were his release in the most beautiful rapturous of ways and if refused? He would raw you until your sobbing. You tried shaking your head crying out as your insides massaged him tighter and tighter as he spoke the delicious threatening words, he scruffed you hand changing to hold the roots of our hair at the base of your scull pushing forward stretching your spine. "You ready? Ready to cry and scream for me?~" his voice a velvet purr over your skin making you cry out breathlessly as his tilted himself back slightly then arch forward fucking you faster then your body should ever be able to physically take. The speed achieved his goal as your climax was almost instant this one wasn't a moan or cry of your lovers name it was a screech, high and echoing in primal plea the loudest roar you could muster without breath. Your clit throbbing and stinging as the nerves made you burn, a blistering heat releasing over him but he wasn't finished quite yet laughing through his deep grunts as your hands clawed as his hand still cupping your throat. Finally a few painstakingly long seconds later he came to an abrupt stop, halting his motion's with a shout, a swear and stuttering pleas of 'oh god yes' embedded a solid ten inches into your cramping heat releasing into your body hissing as his cock wept into your battered swollen cunt. You panted moaning coughing and sobbing tears streaming down your face completely exhausted and boneless panting body desperate to take in the air he had just literally stolen from you. Clark pulled back slipping from you pulling you down into his arms ignoring the way you leaked across his arms with a smile he tipped his head nose ghosting your cheek and peppered kisses across it down to your lips walking to the shower. You whined twisting your head to him eyeing him warily. "Clark no more, please I really cant- its sore stinging and I don't think-" he shushed you with a sweet kiss padding into the bathroom setting you on the sink unable to stop the smug grin as you hissed when your ass hit the cool surface. "I know, I know enough for now~ I just want to clean you up and then we can have breakfast and you can go and teach these so called hero’s a thing or two~ now come on ass in the shower" he explained as he started the power shower setting the temperature to your setting, Clark always had a scorching shower, you'd learned early on not to try and surprise him in the shower lest you be burned. You rolled your eyes and wobbly over to the large glass cubicle.

It was just past ten in the morning when they arrived, Diana greeted them. They were being brought in on a separate pad a few stories up from ground level, a separate garage from Bruce’s. Surprisingly the whole team hadn't shown up like they were expecting. Only seven. Tony, Bruce and Peter of course how could they leave out the protégé. Thor probably because he is technically an alien? Vision for maybe the same reason maybe they thought he could help due to having an infinity stone? Then two that didn't really make sense being here. Steve and Natasha? maybe they just didn't want to be left out...Fomo? The fear of missing out. Diana tried to fight the eye roll as Tony clearly eyed her up and down, it took a lot not to just drop him on the spot. Diana would never hurt a human, but was he? In her eyes he was scum, you had told her a few details that the others hadn't been privvy to. You were drunk and got very loose lipped and mentioned a few thing's you'd done at Tony's insistence even thought you didn't really want to and a few things he had said, hurtful and degrading things. The man tried to make you feel dumb and useless- well not completely he made sure you understood your limited uses. Inexperience had made you naive you'd thought it was dirty talk but once you stood back things became clear. Dirty talk shouldn't leave you a devastated mess and make you want surgery. You were a whore to him, a virgin slut to ruin and use. She had no doubt that if a Clark found out Tony wouldn't survive very long. Clark was a kryptonian a hero the symbol of hope,Superman...But he was still a man and any man worth his salt would fight for his woman's honor. And if he laid into Tony well lets leave that, one there shall we?

"Well if it isn't the woman wonder herself!?" Tony said arms stretched out as he got closer she wondered of you grin on his face was supposed to be charming or not. She smile anyway hey were here for as long as it took to figure out what this thing was, the tensions would be high enough when they saw you she didn't need to add to it. She just hoped Bruce was at least gonna record the meeting on surveillance you had been hearing up for the past week. Winding yourself in a tight ball anxious and biting at the bit, so had Clark Bruce ended up trying to give you the week off as Clark was following you ravishing you all over the tower.

"I thought they'd send Supes out to do the meeting and greeting isn't he your posterboy-" Tony's words were cut short as they all ducked even Thor was unprepared as Clark flew passed diagonally from below cutting through the air fairly slow all things considered. He'd done it so he could make a sound akin to a jet the air wrapped around them  a few seconds after he passed when he was but a dot in the distance as he passed a rumble of the sound followed. They all watched as Clark headed straight up into the air creating a sonic boom as he finally took off full speed through the ozone.

Diana smiled Clark was showing off he'd just been near the top of the tower spending some 'quality time' with you and had taken off from your balcony so he must have dropped down and flew around here to the other side of the building just to put on a show. He wasn't trying to impress them he was trying to warn them. She shook her head no he was trying to warn Tony. To bring home the fact he was a human. Diana eyed him, the billionaire did seem a little paler now.

"Well he just popped out, shall we?" She said turning directing them all into the tower. The visiting team kept looking out for the man of steel as they entered they looked uncomfortable. Good they should be, they'd spent to long letting things go to their head's here they weren't so special. Here they wasn't the strongest or the smartest or the bravest.

"Soo wheres he of to?I thought he was the whole reason we're here? You know the kryptonian tech and all that jazz?" Tony asked keeping up with Diana as she lead them further into the tower towards the designated rooms which would be the Avengers home.

"The sun. And although you have kryptonian tech Superman is not going to be as involved as you might think. We have a specialist here. A human she's an expert and is the only person on the planet who's making breaking trough's the kryptonian technologies." Diana explain vaguely smiled to herself if only they knew. It was Natasha who spoke next.

"He's going to float around the sun? Why?" Diana turned to her tipping her head slightly.

"To relax he has been busy, using up a lot of energy recently so is going to spend a few hours inside the sun. He will be back when everything begins" she explained as she placed her hand on the elevator scanning pad. Letting her enter with everyone. "So your telling me he can go into the sun? Really I mean he doesn't burn up and disintegrate?" Diana shook her head at vision who was looking skeptical

"No it makes him stronger, he says its warm but thats about it"

"So it's true no radiation can hurt him? He truly is impenetrable?" Bruce asked slowly making Diana nod she was getting wary now they w ere getting a bit to much information. Steve could tell she was uncomfortable and changed the subject. "So is the whole league here?" He asked as the elevator climbed a few floors and finally pinged the doors opening again. She smirked they had dorms with two bathrooms to share between them as you had requested.

"Yes the league and titans are here at the moment, this is your floor you'll find everything you need. The security is bio metric and the pads by the door with take scans of your palms when you first put you hand on them don't fight it it will release you when-" Tony scoffed rolling his eyes.

"Bio metric security? Oh I wounder if its as good as mine maybe we could collaborate on that" Diana growled under her breath and quickly smiled.

"I doubt you have the same considering its kryptonian,  just don't fight it sometimes its finicky" and with that she left going to the elevator

"I'll come get you when Superman is back until then please make ourselves at home" she said curtly before directing the elevator up the lab you were going to use.

You sighed padding down the corridor to the lab you'd heard Clark come back from his top up signalling it was time to bite the bullet and go see the team. after breakfast Clark had taken off doing a big swoop of the building in a show of power he said that he 'wanted them to realize who was in charge here' you'd rolled your eyes at him and kissed his cheek. Before he dove off the balcony something that despite knowing he could fly always made your stomach drop. He'd returned a few moments ago and you knew Diana was going to collect your guests and their find. Your flats didn't make a sound on the floor a you entered the elevator. The lab that had been chosen was a lower lab. One you didn't use much but you wanted to keep this project away from your others. You hung your head sighing here we go, the big reveal. You felt sick it was like the last eight and a half months hadn't happened and you were that nervous beaten down woman all over again.

Finally the elevator pinged and you stepped out there they were. Not the whole tea, thank god. They were all talking among themselves and Clark didn't look to pleased he was tense on edge as Tony Steve and Thor tried to kiss ass Peter was just being Peter and standing oblivious looking around the lab. Your lab.

"Y/n great your here!" Clark's head snapped up drawing the attention of Everyone as the man of steel spoke turning to face you smiling.the room fell into a deafening silence as you made your way over to them. Trying to fight a smug grin as your old team shared looks with one another. Tony was the first to react taking a step back face suddenly angry you knew what it was. Jealousy, he envied the fact you were here with the tech he coveted. Thor being the happy dolt he was spread out is arms with a loud booming laugh. "Y/n? Its so good to see you! I thought we'd never cross paths again after you found out Tony was cheating! How have you been?" You smiled at him politely as he turned to Tony. "Look its your Y/n- well not anymore but she's here!!" you watched Clark clench his fists at Thor’s words and Diana sucked in a breath tensing ready to attempt to intervene if he lunged. You eyed Clark warning in your gaze and stepped around Tony he turned slowly following you as you chose to ignore him. "Thank you Thor, Its good to see you to. And I'll admit I didn't think we'd see each other again but you need my help. But I'm doing very well" "Yes we I see that! You look much happier!" He added grinning fro  ear to ear seemingly oblivious to the tension he was creating the big lug was nothing but consistent. The thought made you chuckle and you tipped you head to him then motioned around you. "I am Thor! I really am this place is fantastic I've found my home I just wished I'd accepted this offer sooner" you added twisting the knife watching the others all linger uneasy they were waiting for a blow up but no. You were passed that. You gazed at Tony and you ere happy to say you felt nothing. You'd been worried you'd feel regret? Guilt? You wasn't sure but the anxiety melted when you didn't even feel anything much. Maybe disgust and a little anger but apart from that you were pretty indifferent to him.

"Y/n you? This is where you ran off to? Wow Thor’s right you look...Fuck" You took a breath as he spoke taking a step forward hands in the air eyeing you  biting hos lip a little all previous anger had gone and he was staring. You knew why Tony had been disgraced after you left. It was all over the news Pepper left him and leaked the affair and bastard child. But not your affair? You'd waited for it but nothing you supposed it could have been an apology?  Or a thank you? Gratitude for you letting her know what else had gone on. He was currently single his goody two shoes hero image tarnished and was pretty much blacklisted by women. You tilted your head eyes flicking to Clark who had looked away but hos eyes were still flickering to you, he wanted to tug you out of Tony's reach Clark’s eyes followed the human as he moved forward attempting to kiss your cheek but you dodged gracefully away. You and Clark both agreed you wouldn't reveal your relationship you didn't trust them not to blab you were safer in the long run if they never saw. But it was clear he didn't like Tony trying to get handsy with you, his jaw twitched locking he was gritting his teeth but you shook your head at him subtly then nodded to Tony. "Yes Tony, I was offered a spot here and took it now I'm in charge of all kryptonian technologies. He finds it and I fix it" you said nodding to Clark. As you closed the distance crossing the lab in measured unhurried steps. Tony took a moment to eye you cautiously as you approached him, something was different from the last time he'd seen you, you were confident held yourself different spoke louder held your head higher. He gulped that confidence was something you gained through success. And successes for you could mean trouble for them what if one day he wasn't on top? And you were? Tony never liked being second best. "So what did you bring me?~" You asked with a grin coming to a stop beside him but just out of reach. Tony grit his teeth there was so many things he wanted to say, he wanted to hash things out to argue or talk or something! Not just leave things as they ended. The others just watched on as Tony flicked his eyes to the huge artifact behind him.

"We don't know, its heavy thats why we have Steve, vision Thor and myself here t took all of us to lift it." You cast a quick glance to the case holding his suite by his feet and smirked. Diana had made them carry it in? You saw her share a chuckle with Clark. Couple of sneaky bitches! You couldn't kill the grin tilting your head down trying to hide your amusement. God forbid Tony thinks your laughing at him. You hummed It was huge a metallic gun metal grey oval rounded on all sides a decorative molding on the edge. There was a center embossed ring that was mottled like a mosaic lined that looked deep ran  between the smooth surface. It reminded you of a smaller box Clark had brought you back a few weeks ago it had held books mainly that you were slowly deciphering. But it was also different  it didn't have the same design on the sides, no hidden compartments that came out to unlock it was a sealed unit.

"We thought it could be a transportation ship? Like the thing supes rode in" tony admitted locking eyes with your lover and moved his head side to side a little crossing his arms over his chest Ego clashing much like  it did with Steve at first Tony liked to think himself a big man and didn't like bigger men. "How did you get here by the way? Like was it an accident or you know just dropped as a scout and them your planet mysteriously blew to hell?" The bitchiness took you by surprise but honestly Clark was throwing him daggers with his eyes. You gasped and intercepted what ever words where about to be spat at Tony this could get ugly quickly Clark really didn't like the avengers, Tony in particular so you doubt he’d play nice.

"Its not! Tony I've worked on his ship and its not, this is a lock box of some kind, I've opened a few before but not as big" You did a once over walking around it fingers skimming it ,smooth and cool, metal obviously but in this moment. You tapped it hearing a deep short thunk. It was definitely a box hollow but the metal was thick and is the same as the other artifacts. It was when you got to the back you saw it the damage. Clearly the iron man suit. You growled and eyed Tony. "Whats the fuck? What you couldn't figure it out so you decided to try and smash it? Really?" You growled Tony scoffed shifting on his feet. "I didn't know what it was and I wanted to find out!" He argued you shook your head. "So you smash it!? Your a fucking idiot!" You growled and turned looking aroun d the lab. Vision called out to you pulling your attention away from Tony. "Your sure its a box y/n?" It was the question on everyone's mind you looked at it nodding pressing a palm to it letting the metal cool your skin. "Its definitely a type of lock box, a chest- like I said I've opened them before but smaller and not at decorative as this...The others were easy to figure out but this one might not be as straight forward..." you turned to Diana with a grimance. "I've got a feeling its going to be similar to our security system so need to run some tests if it is DNA specific activation then its gonna take a few days to override it and reconfigure...Maybe a week?" "I need it over there, gonna scan it-" "Don’t you think we already did that? can't see through what ever metal that is" To your surprise the snippy reply came from Banner you rolled your eyes god give you strength. It would seem your new position hadn’t just got up Tony's nose. "Let me guess you tried x-ray? And ultrasound? Trying to peek inside?" He nodded pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose looking smug. You growled and gave a sardonic grin.. "Well I'm not trying to look inside, I'm going to figure out what metal it is, depending on the percentage of certain metals i can decipher a date with that date I can figure out what corresponding system would have been used at that time to seal it and what it could possibly be. If thats alright with you Dr Banner" You explained slowly like speaking to a child shutting him up very quickly. "I doubt it, it doesn't match any known elements on ours" you hung your head at Tony's egotistical comment he really thought his lab as the be all and end all, that there wasn’t anyone on earth who could possibly know more then him. "Well your not an expert on it are you Tony? No your not thats why you've come here asking for my help because I am and I have the tools and the knowledge to open it" you said Clark and Diana chuckled as you managed to shoot down the two scientists who were now pouting like children. You spun eyeing the rest of your esteemed guests. "Any other snippy comments? No? Good! Now I need it over there so I can run our database" you nodded to a small platform near your equipment...It might just fit hang off the edge a little but thats fine. The 'hired muscle' all moved to the large heavy object but your Clark beat them to it lifting it with one hand bicep not even bulging as he held it delicately. You smirked shaking your head he was showing off proving his strength to make the others wary. And it was working each of your guests began to pale eyeing on another as Clark set it down onto the platform. He grinned deciding to add insult to injury as when he began inching away he noticed it was crooked and moved it centering it with his foot, barely grazing it with the side of his toe. You sighed sealing a glance at the group now all very aware who was the real muscle in the room. You couldn't help the burst of pride in your chest at how he had showed up the worlds 'mightiest heros' you grinned thats your man! Diana even rolled her eyes at his antics. "And that would be why I love having you around the lab Supes I appreciate your help " he smiled at you over the top of the oval dome and walked around standing beside you. "So I'm just convenient? A useful tool? I'm hurt" he said placing a hand to his heart you rolled your eyes at him as he stepped away from the platform walking to wards you standing beside you looking down with a smirk. Oh he knew what he was doing. "Well you do make yourself useful occasionally~" you teased back a little banter still wary of the multiple eyes he laughed and watched you move to a control panel you cast a glance over the artifact. "Right lets get the show on the road!"

You moved about unhurriedly Banner and Peter were helping you stabilize the artifact that had affectionately become known as the pod. You were close to opening it after getting the DNA scanning mechanism off the psycho kill bot that had attacked Barbra you'd identified that to Tony's annoyance you were correct the pod was locked tight using a DNA bio metric system similar to the tower but older. Luckily with the new scanner you were able to see that a sample of kryptonian blood to cross examine and match. Working on the bot you'd finally found a way to change the 'user' as it were. You could give Clark access to it which Bruce had taken care of it in the bat cave drawing blood with a specially designed kryptonite needle that he had to hand for some reason? Konner and Jon had got bloods done to so you had a decent amount on hand the pod held around fifteen milliliters of sample DNA and the security system only ever drew one or two drops so a few vials wouldn't go amiss. The last week had been tense Tony had barely said two words to you. The one time he did try to speak was two days ago he ha cornered you in a quiet corner of the lab. You'd been sitting soldering making a connection to be able to effectively 'plug in' the scanner so you could switch the accepted DNA with Clark's and open the pod.

"So? You really left us to come here...Left me for this?" You stopped soldering he really was determined to do this? You tipped your head to him as he sat next to you.

"Yes Tony, it beats being a secretary or fuck toy" you bit out not trying hide any of your bitterness. He rolled his eyes at that leaning back crossing his arms.

"Oh come on like it was that bad you loved it~"

"Yes Tony every woman like being treated like a whore, fucked and left alone on the bed minuets after.." you grit out at him the anger coming back in waves at his blasé tone. He waved a hand about

"I mean come on it was fun while it lasted" he said offhandedly smirking at you then bit his lip eying your chest, one of the few things he praised you for your bust was a little larger then usual for a woman of your frame. You folded your arms over your breasts crushing them hiding them from him frowning you began to speak. "You have no idea do you? Tony you lied to me, lead me on just to stop me from being better then you! To stop me from proving you wrong and making you look bad! What part of that was fun!?" You asked shaking your head voice slowly raising as you began getting really irritated anger flickering in your eyes. "Don't you miss it? The sex I mean...I doubt you get many offers here but the  again I can spy a little love bite peeking right here, but come on I've been here nearly a week and no boyfriend so obliviously a one night stand" he eyed your shirt collar and you growled at him. He looked around the lab then slowly drew his gaze to your eyes. "Look have you ever thought about coming back? Its not to late, we can try again. This time be in the lab with me we can do great things if we collaborate-" you cut him of with a loud laugh and shook your head at him, he was confused watching as you continued giggling. "Really? That’s gonna be your fucking play? You are un-fucking-belivable you know that? Let me make this clear to you despite what you think Tony you are not that important and you didn't leave that much of an impression on me. I'm not nor will I ever be coming back Tony and I am never ever ever going to sleep with you again" you stated bluntly you carried on chuckling at him, he looked so offended nose scrunching making him look old. You shook your head , how the fuck had you ever thought he was the sexiest man on earth? You wanted to go back and bitch slap some sense into yourself. "Yet your fucking someone here whats the difference? Come back to us, to me I can give you everything you've ever wanted-" he argued getting snippy with you lashing out because he wasn't getting his way, you wasn't falling for the charm and sweet talk. You had gotten stronger without him and he couldn't resent it he had held you down for nearly two years and now here you were better, smarted more confident in only eight months. "Ha! What? For a price? Let me guess my research? My projects and knowledge, it must really get you that I'm here day in day out with tech you'll never get our hands on or ever understand. That I'm here doing it alone without you. Tell me how much does it get you that your not needed by yet another person? That I walked away" you hissed at him leaving him speechless you'd never been like that before. He gulped and tried to find words but couldn't under your intense gaze. "I'm not coming back you played the game and you lost Tony you lost bad now try not to get in my way for the rest of your stay...Oh and for your information Tony these bites? Not a one night stand my boyfriend gave them to me" with that you turned back to your work ignoring him after a few moments he got the message and left you smiled as he sauntered off you'd touched a nerve. Good!

From then he had avoided talking to you instead he watched eyeing you from his desk and Banner had been the one to mediate the tense conversation's that did take place. The others had left not able to endure the dorms and sharing facilities they were used to the cushy life in their 'golden tower'. So it was just the three stooges Tony, Banner and your replacement Peter. You didn't hate the kid but it stung he was the smartest idiot you knew...Except for Tony Your anxiety was mounting over what was inside the pod you'd been reading through the documents and hings were pointing into a grim direction. This particular pod was from around the forties and you suspected there was a weapon inside. A particular blade has been mentioned in a few books made of a super dense metal that can penetrate kryptonian flesh. Kryptium. And you wasn't sure what to do, if it was it was staying here fuck the avengers that was something that could potentially kill your boyfriend and adoptive sons. You'd kept this to yourself not even mentioning it to Clark or Diana. You wanted to wait and see. Currently you, Peter and Banner were going to move it upright you'd been laying it on it's side all this time! You were pulling out another little bit of tech you'd tweaked from another experiment courtesy of Clark and Bruce. Vaxxium. An anti gravity generator from a kryptonian outpost they'd needed it for the ridiculously heavy gravity on the planet they'd been scouting. Bruce had already tinkered with it before you got here but you'd perfected it you can alter the gravity in the lab or just a specific closed off area. Such as the platform   Tony was watching from the sidelines he was being a child today knowing his time was coming to an end he'd tried to hack into your system and just as you'd asked Victor had piled his system with maleware, adware, worms trojons the lot. It had been a laugh watching him as he realized his phone, tablet, laptop and a suit had all been affected, victore he’d even fucked with FRIDAY and she was glitching the fuck out. Tony couldn't say anything either trying to keep his little espionage silent but Victor had told you through your comms. You looked over to your other guests Jason, Tim and Damien were all here watching the bat boys were always around you when Clark,Konner and Jon wasn't about you couldn't help thinking that wasn't a coincidence. Currently your superboys were saving people from a devastating hurricane the Caribbean they'd been there for a few days hanging around to help even as the storm was dieing down. "Right Peter step back if you could spin us a web and gently pull it to the center" the boy smiled nodding you gave a count down and activated the vaxxium letting the extremely heavy pod now be the weight of a few hundred pounds. Peter pulled it slowly until it was in position. Then you flicked off the anti gravity and the pod creaked with a rattle as it settled standing up right thanks to Peters webs. You smiled thanking him making his face light up in a grin. You could see his appeal it was  just happy to be involved. "Sooo let me get this straight? He gets to go around town throwing his sticky white strings all over the place and its fine, when I do it its InApPrOpRiAtE" you hung your head rubbing the bridge of our nose as Jason's comment caused childish chuckles from his younger brothers even Tony snorted despite his bad mood. "Boys behave or leave- Red hood do not scoff at me young man! you want to be here on cleaning duty tomorrow? No I thought not." You warned making Jason flinch he hated cleaning it was dull and with the likes of Clark about to check his work it was never clean enough. You shook your head and turned pulling out the small vial of Clark's blood you'd kept it on you not letting it off your person since being handed it. You walked to the small camouflaged opening for new samples once you'd connected the scanner a small section had morphed into a tiny funnel type hole. You hesitated getting a bad feeling. Dread heavy in your tummy like a steel weight rolling around a heavy cold sickening feeling. "Whats up? Do it, it wont open till he's back but this way we can see if it takes" Banner added. You faltered technically he was right and the sooner this was done the sooner you were rid of Tony you flicked your eyes to the surveillance camera in the corner you knew Bruce and victor were watching you nodded to them. "Boys out" you said eyeing the bat boys who were still sitting waiting watching and guarding like a couple of guard-pups. They all moved shrugging and complaining. "But Y/n we're here incase-" you held up a hand stopping their protests and pointed to the door giving them a mum look. "No buts out I'm not risking you now go wait outside you to Peter" you announced not giving any room for arguments you hear a few mumbles as they all got up off their asses. "Why me I can just?" You fixed Peter with a look and he quickly flinched. "Now!" you watched as they huffed stomping out of the lab and Bruce quickly locked the room down, the only way to get out was you scanning your palm to pull out of lock down it was protocol you wasn't sure.

The process didn't take long it was a plug in and play just how you wanted it nice and simple. You fist pumped as your cables fit together connecting the two bits of tech Everything was going smoothly until there was a voice. "El DNA accepted" then a hissing sifting noise followed by a shuck sound. You froze as the pod opened revealing a weapon held center in the pod. Fuck. Tony and Banner eyed you confused it shouldn't had opened without Clark here. "How did it?" You shook your head at Banner cutting off his questioning trying to play it off as a fluke but no. "I don't...Maybe it was because of the change? It assumed he was here?" You wasn't going to say you were the cause. You frowned at the pod in the rush you'd forgot about the tiny fact that this thing could sense Clark's residue. You and Clark had been at it every morning this week. He was a determined to have you overflowing with him as you spent the days around your ex. You looked to the now open pod and your world stopped. No. Please god no. Banner moved from behind the console and Tony turned approaching slowly. Terror gripped at you as you eyed the sword. It was as you'd feared. Kryptium. It was the only thing weapons like that were made of on krypton used for execution's and very rare. Tony began throwing a fit he kicked a chair in rage as he eyed the sword.

"What is it y/n? Your heart spiked you know what it is?" You swallowed dryly and spoke quietly into your comms answering Victor. "Deadly...To Clark the only other thing.." you trailed of in a hushed tone hearing them gasp and panic as they understood Bruce was quick to answer see you begin to freeze panic setting in at the thought of something else deadly to Clark was here in the lab it made your stomach tie in knots. "Open the door Y/n let us in, we wont let them take it I will put it with the kryptonite, we can't get in you need to unlock it!" you nodded slow trying to edge your way to the door but stopped when Banner called out to you. "Hey any ideas? You look a little worried....Should we be?" You stopped your slow walk and placed a smile on your face. And waved then off as you now had their full attention you looked to the sword then Banner and finally your eyes rested on Tony who was about to throw a fit. "No no its- I'm not worried, just surprised I've read about it, these were ceremonial! Like high military badges of honor! That’s all...Highly prized on krypton but pretty useless" you said trying to be convincing. If you could convince them it was nothing of real value, just sentimental to the owner maybe they'd leave it here without a fuss? Tony eyed you and growled getting angry. "A sword? All that for a sword?! Not a gun or laser beam or or some incredible tech...A fucking sword!?" You walked towards it feeling sick. This was not good. And it wasn't leaving this tower. Banner eyed you then Tony. "Its still a weapon Tony, kryptonian maybe a new metal? Could be like vibranium?" He prodded making to move closer to it. You flinched almost lunging for it you fought yourself. They can't know, they cant find out. "...But a sword Banner? What the fuck!? We can't use it or or anything! None of us use fucking shit like that! The most advanced race and they gave us a fucking sword!" Tony shouted as he paced he was pissed this had not been what he wanted. He wanted technology breakthrough's or nuclear grade weapons. "Its a weapon Tony...Deadly the kryptonian's wouldn't have made it or locked it up if it was dangerous" you cursed Banner as you watched the reality hit Tony. It could harm kryptonian's? Could harm him could be his little saving grace, the card up his sleeve for when the Justice League overstepped their boundaries. It was a weakness to the most powerful being on the planet and Tony wanted it, he wanted that power to threaten the strongest thing on the planet. Tony stood tall and smiled suddenly happy he now had leverage.

"Right then, well thank you Y/n for opening it but we best be on our way- l want this sword wrapped up and we can go home" you ran in front of Tony stopping him in his tracks glaring. You could hear the panic in the other leagues voice as they shouted for you to get to the door and let them deal with it but it was to late. "No! Tony your not taking it!" Tony scoffed and moved to walk around you but you blocked him he folded his arms scowling down at you his eyes sharp and stern. He didn't like being told no. "Y/n come on out the way-" you shook your head remaining still in front of him eyes fixed on him. You were serious trying to act tough but inside you were cowering shaking you had to keep this here, you had to protect them, protect your boys. "No! Your not having it, the sword stays here" you retorted arguing you were not letting Tony have it, if he had it he'd use it on a whim or whenever the government told him to. It only needed one paranoid person To give the order and if Clark killed Tony defending himself? It would be chaos! Superman killing Iron man it would be a battle of the century Avengers vs the League. "Get out of the way...Why do you?- you know what it really is! Your holding out on us!" you stood your ground Tony gained on you smirking and grabbed your arms making you yelp and wince. "What is it? Huh come on love don't go all shy now~ It can hurt him cant it? Can kill him!?" You yipped and kicked at him as he shook you. Trying to get answers but you wasn't going to take the bait you vaguely saw Banner look lost he was unsure whether to intervene. You struggled against his hold hissing as he dug his fingers into your arms. "I don't know what your talking about!" You spat at him making him angry he growled in his throat then pushing you back trying to get you out of his way. "You don't have to say it sweetheart Your an open book you forget I know you, Fucked you! You can't hid from me it will kill him and I'm having it" you jumped up roaring at him hitting out in rage and lunged forward pressing him back a step. "No your fucking not!" It soon became a scuffle as you tried to match him trying to use your weight to knock him back. Tony may not be a super solider or type of meta-human but he was a strong man and much larger than you. He outmatched you quickly shoving you harshly out of the way. But in doing so you fell over your scrabbled back your hand clawing at the pod willing it to close praying that it recognized you again. It worked by some miracle the pod locked it again. Once it was shut you rolled away into a run but Tony turned on you sneering chasing and capturing you.

He hoisted you up off the floor and turned dragging you back you kicked a failed about shouting at him. But he continued dragging you back to it. "Why do you have to fuck around so much open it!- Open it...Open the fucking thing!" You grunted as he pushed you towards it clearly losing his patience you hissed catching yourself palms touching either side of the opening of the pod you willed it to remain shut. After a few seconds you realized somehow it knew what you wanted and you shook your head turning to face him. "No fuck you" you growled moved a few steps back from the pod it was closed and it was staying shut. Tony panted glaring and pointed to it moving forward threateningly. "We brought it here its ours! Now just- look sweetheart we can do this all day or you can be reasonable and open it either way I'm taking it" he said still stepping towards you. You laughed at him "You really think your gonna get out of here with that? That the league is gonna let you just waltz right out the door with it? Fuck no! Tony we can't trust you with something like that! Your reckless!" He scoffed and pointed to himself "Oh I cant be trusted? Yet you can clearly bias if you had to use it you fucking wouldn’t do it! At least we would, I would!" He admonished trying to justify his need for the sword trying to twist this with the whole 'its for the greater good' an excuse he'd come to use often to cover up his own selfish desires. "Why? Fame the glory of killing him!? Haven't you killed enough!? For fuck sake for a man who doesn't make military weapons anymore you still manage to kill thousands each year!" You screamed at him finally letting it your true thoughts. It was time someone had the guts to tell him some home truths. He growled standing almost chest to chest with you shouting back down at you now in a full blown screaming match with you. "Collateral! The numbers never out weigh the good we do!! The fucking lives I save!!" His words were clear. He didn't give a shit it was about the payoff, the glory and the publicity nothing more if people died to bad! He liked being the big guy! All powerful ironman! It made you sick to your stomach that he could be so black and white over this, so very blunt and callous over lives effectively sacrificed  for his ego. "The numbers are lives Tony! Human lives with families and jobs ambitions! And they die needlessly because you want to prove yourself a hero?! To et and ego boost whilst looking like the good guy?!" Tony twitched at your comment shoulder tensing as you dint back down he didn't like it. He never liked being challenged least of all buy a woman. "Oh and fucking the league don't?" You scoffed at him stepping closer getting in his face you wasn't scared of Tony, you couldn't let him think you were. You spoke in a lower tone still firm but no longer shouting "No they don't need to prove it Tony...They aren't like you, you think your a hero? No! Your just a war monger who doesn’t want to share anymore" that seemed to be the last straw as Tony without thinking struck you across your cheek. You yelped going down the impact was hard enough to knock you off your feet tumbling down the few steps of the platform. There was a beat of silence then all hell broke loose you barely heard the screams of 'Clark don't!' In your ear piece that was luckily in your other ear. Before you could even register the pain in your cheek there was a huge deafening sound coupled with a roar of outrage and Tony was no longer standing in front of you. Or behind you in fact you couldn't see him. All you could see was red, the famous red cape flowing in front of you.

Clark. He had heard Tony slap you, seen it from above the room and had tore through the building to get to you. And he was seeing red literally the glow showed his absolute fury his frame was rigid and trembling. His breath was heavy pants growls in his throat echoed throughout the room with each exhale. He was a predator watching his chosen prey, gaze locking onto the human who'd struck his woman. "Put your hands on my woman again I dare you" you blinked up at Clark you'd never heard him like this before it was actually quite frightening. You took a shaky breath and sat up slowly tucking your leg to the side leaning on one hand the other smoothing over your smarting cheek you pulled away seeing blood from your mouth and dabbing again you realized it was from your nose and mouth. You whined drawing Clark’s attention his red gaze appraised you looking for damage. His eyes spotted the blood and he snarled looking to Tony who you'd realized had been punted across the lab and was winded and hurt wheezing as he got up off the floor. "Your woman? What he's your boyfriend?! You could of fucking warned me!" You looked from Tony to Clark and back again feeling much better yet much much worse as Clark began gaining on a clearly injured Tony. "What?! you mean you wouldn't have fucking hit me if you knew?! you fucking coward!!" Tony growled at you angrily and moved trying to call a suit gearing up for a fight he had been hankering for. But Clark was faster swooping across the room collecting it and crushing it with his bare hands. It was only then that Tony realized how fucked he was. The man loved to believe that he was invincible with his suit and Clark had just crushed it with his bare hands. "Y/n call him off- just stop him ugh!-" Clark sped to Tony clutching him by the throat hoisting him off the floor to eye level. The red glow dimmed to an orange then brighter he was warning him, Clark wouldn't really do it...You think? Honestly you wasn't sure no one had ever hit you before in front of him you knew he was protective and a gentle man he was dead set against hitting women at any level so seeing another man put his hands on you in anger had really triggered him...Clark was a good few inches taller, another thing that had irritated Tony. The billionaire was terrified legs flailing about trying to get away from the enraged kryptonian. "You made her bleed...Should I return the favor?" You gasped that did not sound like your Clark it was then you started to panic yourself and slowly began dragging yourself from the floor. "So high and mighty an ego of which I've never seen before...Full of yourself and you believe that you are untouchable...Unbreakable and indestructible but without the suit you are weak...With the suit? Still weak pathetic" You gasped this was going to end badly. Clark would regret anything he did Tony in the long run. You managed to quickly stagger beside him pressing your hands to his chest. Clark offered you a glance and his gaze softened then he focused n your cheek. It was pink and beginning to swell. With a growl he turned back to Tony who was still hanging there his hands trying to claw at the grip on his neck eyes wide and panicked. You moved ducking under the arm holding Tony smoothing your hands up Clark's abdomen and chest pleading with him as you did trying to Calm him down. "No! No please don't you'll regret it please....Please Clark look at me...Please just put him down-" your pleading was cut off as Clark's lips tore back in a snarl and his chest vibrated under a spine chilling growl. A truly deep primal sound that you felt more the  heard he spoke in the same angry voice eyes still blazing locked onto his target. "He hit you I cant let him get away with it!" You faltered feeling a little put on the spot. But shook your head and slid your hands to rest at his shoulders trying to massage the muscle wanting to ease him out of his temper as quickly as possible but you didn't know how, this hadn't happened before. "And you've terrified him! Please love...Please drop him its offer he will go- let them go, it's done please for me don't do it!" Clark halted moving to cup your injured face taking a few breaths you nuzzled into his palm releasing a sigh. Trying desperately to calm him but he was still shaking with rage. Then there was a thud Clark had dropped Tony into a heap on the floor. Just as you were swept up one arm around your waist and twisted followed by another loud smash and a deep groan. You blinked catching up with what happened Clark had one palm lightly extended and the hulk was now in the hall having been 'gently' pushed into the door tearing right through it. You moved pressing a kiss to Clark's cheek making him take a deep breath. "Leave take your friends and go back to new york Tony stay there and stay out of the Leagues way or you'll answer to me and Y/n wont be there to save you" you trembled at Clark's voice it was cold and made you shiver in dread. Clark would kill him, he was going to kill Tony because of a slap? It was a lot to take in. Tony slowly and carefully got up and with one last frightened look he slowly walked to the crater keeping his eyes on the man of steel who was wrapped around you shooting daggers at him. Tony had lost the game but this time he admitted defeat Clark hadn't even hit him but Tony knew, he could see it in his eyes he wanted to the only thing that kept him alive was you. Because if Superman had hit him he would have been dead. There’s no two ways about it and it scared him. His suit couldn't save him this time, he tech was nowhere to be found. And for the first time in a long time he was just a regular man, not a billionaire or a hero or even a genius. He was a human who'd angered a god, a true god not an asgaurdian. A living breathing, planet throwing, sun destroying god and the realization terrified him.

That was the last you heard from any of the avengers, you had expected them to come back but it would seem Clark really had shook Tony with his display so they stayed away. They didn't even fly the quin jet's over 'League territory' anymore Clark had warned them and they had listened and you were glad. The sword was now locked up tight with the kryptonite which was a relief. It was a few days later Clark sat you down to talk and what he had to say was...Sweet he said he was sorry for making two holes in your lab and he would help with any repairs which you waved off. Honestly you didn't really care it was a temporary lab, if it had been the one upstairs? Well you'd be kicking ass. He also got upset he was worried that he'd lost control like that. He admitted he wanted to kill Tony, for the first time in his life his temper had gotten the best of him and it frightened him. He nearly killed out of vengeance. An eye for an eye, you carve out mine? I'll carve out yours. That wasn't usually him and it got to him. He said he just couldn't get past the rage, you'd been hit and he just saw red. You'd managed to talk him down help him through the nasty guilt and all the 'could have been’s' explaining that it was normal to be angry about it but nothing had happened so there wasn't nothing to feel guilty about. After a few days of reassurance from the whole team you were happy to announce he seemed to let it go. You did to it was weird but after everything that happened you felt better for it. Like the week with Tony and final argument had been closure? Everything you'd wanted to say had finally been said and you were right thats why he hit you. It was to close to home, to raw. The truth hurts. You laid back on the bed Clark wrapped around you he was sleeping soundly for once tucking you tight against him.  You moved stretching eyeing your new ring. It was just over a month after the incident Clark had popped the question apparently the week with you working with Tony had incited fears of you leaving, he thought you'd run of with Tony. Idiot. He couldn't stop them so had decided to take the plunge. Apparently the League all knew and were asking him each time they saw him if he found the ring yet after two solid weeks of excitement and Barry nearly blabbing twice.  Bruce put his foot down and had Clark and the two boys go see a jewellery. They wasn't allowed to talk numbers just design a ring. Konner and Jon had helped him find a design it and three weeks later It was done a white gold diamond Cartier custom engagement ring. And to tell the truth Clark hadn't been that romantic he asked during sex. Oh yes your boyfriend had asked you to marry him in the middle of rawing you ,he'd done the unthinkable growling out through his brutal thrusts that 'for once I want to be selfish and take what I want' you didn't understand what he meant...You couldn't really think past the cock you were being impaled on he had crouched over your withering form for head on yours and asked...Well not really he just panted 'be mine!' You grunted and must have answered him during another orgasm because next thing you know you'd come down from your high panting and there was a Stunning ring on your finger. Apparently that was his round about way of asking you to marry him. He was unbelievable in the best way you wasn't even mad at him you couldn't when he had explained blushing it was his way of making sure you said yes and there was no take back's. The wedding was in a few months Bruce was adamant that you have everything you want a fairy tale wedding surprisingly the Big bad bat of Gotham was a soft touch. You giggled snuggling deeper into Clark's chest taking a deep breath as he pulled you tighter cradleing you to him in his sleep. You were finally happy and free to be yourself. Your life had changed dramatically but you wouldn't have it any other way. You thought getting your job here was the start of your life. But no this was right here in the arms of your fiancé looking to the future. This was your new beginning.

[taeescript]

II. Script of the Angel

𝔰𝔶𝔫𝔬𝔭𝔰𝔦𝔰 >> This is the story of three very different people. A successful novelist, a blossoming artist and a dedicated cop. They seem to have nothing in common. Yet, they are continually drawn to each other. It is as if their fates have been intertwined. Written. That they must meet.

𝔭𝔞𝔦𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔰 >> ft. jungkook and jimin primarily.

𝔤𝔢𝔫𝔯𝔢 >> policeman!jimin, author!jungkook, painter!reader, serialkiller!XXX; a classic game of cat and mouse

𝔴/𝔠 >> 6.6k

𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔰 >> mature themes depicted. due to the explicit nature of the topic (serial killers, murders, violence, sexual content, infidelity etc.) scenes are graphic. this is rated 18+. to spare storytelling: please consider yourself warned.

𝔞/𝔫 >> i’m so glad to see people enjoyed the last part! this part is a little shorter but i hope you guys enjoy it nonetheless. will likely be making a masterlist post for this soon as i’m having too much fun writing this and it’s getting long. feedback and comments always appreciated. as always, enjoy! (: 

previous part || masterlist || next part

Muscles and bones. The primary architecture of the human body. It allows us to stand and walk; sit and run; jump and spin. But what really keeps us alive? Blood. It carries the nutrients our body needs. It carries the defenders our body requires. So integral to our survival, blood can tell a story of its own. Looking at the direction of travel along with the width and length of the spatter, a single droplet is its own author, spinning a tale of its origin and its birth. A good spatter gives us more information than just a large overlapping pool. “Come again?” Jimin says in disbelief. Taehyung shrugs. He is the unit’s spatter analyst. In one latex covered hand, he holds a cotton swab and the other is pinching his nose. “There are traces of blood everywhere,” he repeats. “Yet I don’t see a single stain of red anywhere,” Jimin rubs his temples, “Are you telling me that the killer had enough time to wipe the whole room clean?” “I’m only telling you what science has told me,” Taehyung says. He carefully dances around another coworker to reach his open kit. It shuts with a loud snap and the younger turns back to look at his commanding officer. “Can I please get back to the lab? This smell is killing me.” Jimin can only wave half-heartedly at him before turning his attention to the scene in front of him. It is eight in the morning. They had received an anonymous call about fifteen minutes ago describing a horrific murder. The station had forwarded the call to him and after hearing the detailed account, he left the station with his team. “Fuck me. What in the world happened here?” a new voice enters the scene. It is too much even for him to handle this early in the morning. Jimin utters a “you tell me”, then excuses himself from the room. He pushes past the crowding officers and curious residents until he reaches the front of the hotel. There, his stomach dislodges everything it can. Even as he wipes his mouth, the black spots do not cease dancing in front of his eyes. Deeper in his vision, the picture is all too clear. She hangs from the ceiling with her arms stretched wide. Her feet are wrapped together in rope and her body is naked. Attached behind are two massive wings. The feathers have been stitched carefully together to create an impressive wingspan and if they were not speared into her back, Jimin may have thought they were beautiful. Yet there they were, dug into her shoulder blades, ripping into her muscle and tissue. That was not the centerpiece of it all. Missing from the body were all its abdominal organs. They had been ripped out, cut out… forensics would tell him how they were taken out, but they were gone. Replaced inside her was a large bouquet of red roses. They glistened in the sunlight and when the team had arrived, there were still dew drops on its velvety petals. The grotesque memory causes his body to expel its contents again. “Boss,” the voice from before returns, “You alright?” Jimin turns to face his partner. Namjoon stands in front of him, a worried expression which contorts his face. Namjoon is one of his only friends at the work force, being the only one similar in age. The other agents were all much older than him so with common interests, the two were naturally drawn to each other. Jimin liked Namjoon well enough. He was smart and quick on his feet. More than once, Jimin had reached out to Namjoon for advice, whether it be for work or personal life. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. “Yeah, I wasn’t prepared to see that this early in the morning,” Jimin says. Namjoon nodded. He too has dark circles under his eyes and his lips were hardened into a thin, straight line. “Makes you imagine what a sick motherfucker could create this,” he comments. They stand in silence for a quick second until Namjoon speaks again, “What do you think we should do?” Jimin resumes his commanding role. “Take down the body. Have somebody sweep it thoroughly. Send a couple of the lab geeks in to scan the room. I want everything put into evidence, even if it’s a speck of dust. Everybody leaves something behind, and we will find it.” “What about the civilians? We’ve got a growing, curious crowd spreading like cancer.” “You’re Lieutenant. Do something about it,” Jimin light-heartedly teases Namjoon in his new role. Namjoon slightly flinches at the address. Although Namjoon had been promoted to a position higher than Jimin’s, Namjoon only ever treated him in the way they had always been working together: as partners. “Fuck me,” Namjoon curses with his favourite two words. Jimin grins. “Maybe later. I’ve got a shit ton of paperwork to get started back at the station. I’ll see you,” he pats his distracted friend’s shoulder. Taking a last scan of the building, Jimin strides towards his parked car. He is ready to hunt down the person who dared mess around in his town.

...

Jungkook watches the scene before him with mild interest. His ears pick up the voice of an officer that is instructing the crowd that everything is under control; to return to what they are doing without a worry. “What’s going on?” the housewife asks beside him. She is still in you pajamas and had seemed to wander out due to the hubbub. He smiles at her. “Murder.” She regards him with wide eyes. Her feet stumble backwards and she scurries away. The officer had finished his speech and the crowd was now dissipating. Jungkook took it as his cue to exit as well. As he walks out of the hotel, he feels vaguely irritated. At the end, his script is not perfectly carried out. He had needed to modify it slightly although the end result is what he had planned it to be. Even the timing of the police’s arrival after his call had been as he predicted. The world was too easy for him to guess. Now, it is time to return to Krystal. Even without using his vast knowledge of facial cues and body expressions, he knows exactly how she would react. Nostrils dilated, lower lid tensed, brows lowered and lower jaw jutting out. He reads her like a book and its title screamed “anger”. “Where were you all last night?” she questions, hands placed on her hips. He sighs while placing his jacket on the hanger at the entranceway. His feet ache as they pad across the tiles towards the bedroom. “I was out doing research. I told you yesterday,” he says. She bites her lip. When he walked past her, she could smell a faint hint of perfume mixed with a lemony clean scent like soap. Her jaws clench tighter. “Yes. But you had said you would be out late. You never said you’d be gone the entire night!” she follows him closely behind. He does not turn or wait for her. Once inside the bedroom, he throws off his shirt and pants, trudging to the showers. “Don’t you think you could have given me a call at least?” she asks. His figure is a faint silhouette through the shower curtain. She can see him scrubbing his face. She waits for him until the water is shut down and he steps out of the box. Water drips from his hair and his skin is still a flush pink from the heat. The room fills with steam and he brushes past her on the way out. Still, she relentlessly follows him. “Jeon Jungkook!” she calls out, “Say something!” He pulls out a new pair of boxers from the drawer and put them on. Once they snap against his waist, he turns to finally look at her. “I’m tired, and you’re annoying me. We’ll talk when I wake up,” he says. Tears sting her eyes but she cannot allow him to see any type of weakness. She whirls around on her heels and stalk out of the room, leaving him to himself. The door slams shut loudly behind her and makes his ears slightly ring. The sheets are cold and inviting on his body. The wrap around him like a silky cocoon and his eyes are heavy the instance he hits the pillow. There is only one last thing to do before he can allow his body to rest. With delicate fingers, he pries off the paper-thin gloves from his hands. They slide off smoothly and if there was an onlooker in the room at that moment, they would have been reminded of a snake that was shedding its skin. These are special gloves just for his hobbies. They disguise his hands so that they are void of fingertips. They are so lightweight he cannot feel them at all. They blend in with his body so perfectly, only the keenest of eyes would be able to notice the thin line above his wrist where the material ends. They are perfect for him and allow him to do what he does without a worry. He leaves the material out on the top of the drawer. He knows that Krystal would not be back in the room for a while so it is safe sitting there. They are like contact lenses, shriveling and drying up due to the exposure to air. In about fifteen minutes time, they would look like shrunken autumn leaves and be the size of a walnut. The room-keeper would find them if he had still not thrown them out, and discard them thinking they were candy wrappers. He lets his body drift into nothingness, content with the day’s work.

...

Besides having a good eye for detail, a coroner should be able to work under extremely stressful conditions. They could be asked to visit crime scenes, identify human remains or supervise the transportation of corpses. Working often behind the scenes, a coroner is an integral part to this unit. It is sad to say that we are low in numbers and are extremely interested in people joining our team! If you have taken subjects like biology, chemistry and forensics, in addition to law and humanities, we encourage you to apply to our graduate program! We would love to see you working beside us! Jimin’s eyes scan the announcement that has been placed on the door of the coroner’s office. He is scheduled for a meeting with the elder man on what may have been found and as a man of time, he is early for it. “Park! You’re here,” the coroner steps out of his office. He has patches of grey hair and a scruff of facial hair that he now scratches with his fingers. Dressed in his usual white lab coat, his black shoes peek out from beneath his pants and they lead the way towards the morgue. “How’s it going, Fernando?” Jimin greets back, “I see your wife has been feeding you well.” He eyes a popped button on the stomach of his coworker. Fernando laughs. It is loud and bounces off the white walls of the building. It is a laugh that is jolly and hearty; a strange sound to hear in the location they currently are. “Maria always has a full meal whenever I return home. I swear, she’s trying to fatten me up like the witch from Hansel and Gretel,” he chuckles. He and Maria, a linguistic analyst also working in the police force, had been married for years. They had invited nearly the whole station to their wedding and wanted to celebrate for another week before a case had dragged everyone back to work. The two turn a corner and the black door of the morgue greets their face. Fernando hands Jimin a pair of gloves and a mask before they enter the room. The body has already been laid on the table and labelled after Fernando’s inspection. “I’ve already submitted the full report. You’ll find it on your desk by tomorrow morning,” Fernando speaks with a muffled voice due to the mask. The material itches Jimin’s nose and he wrinkles it. His fingers carefully pick up the sheet that covers the body and he scans the female underneath. “You know I like to see the victims personally for each case. Do you mind giving me an overview?” he asks. The other man shrugs. This is not the first case he’s worked with Jimin. While he was not a hard man to work with, he was extremely meticulous – borderline obsessive – in details to the point that it was tiring and burdensome. “No signs of struggles. She evidently took care of her body and skin; probably went to the gym in the times between work. Besides the large opening on her abdomen, the rest of her is intact.” “What is missing from her?” “Mainly her digestive system and portions of her excretory system. Everything within her ribcage has been preserved and unmoved.” “So nothing out of the ordinary then.” “Aside from the gaping hole? No. My best guess is that she knew her attacker. Or if she didn’t, then she at least didn’t sense any danger from him.” “What makes you say that?” “I found seminal fluid in her body.” This new information made Jimin turn his attention away from the body and back to Fernando. He had finished circling the table while mentally confirming everything Fernando had been saying. “You’re suggesting our killer may have had intercourse with our victim then?” “Jane Doe, technically,” Fernando inserted, “We haven’t made an ID on her quite yet.” Jimin waved the comment away. “Maybe,” Fernando recognized Jimin’s piercing look, “I sent a sample of it to the lab geeks. It could be from the killer or it might be from when she last had sex.” Jimin knew how long these types of analyses could take. He didn’t want to wait several weeks for results so he told Fernando to put a rush on it. Fernando stood wordlessly and watched Jimin as he continued to encircle the body. Every so often, his fingers would reach out and lightly tap a part of the body. With each tick the clock on the wall made, it seemed to drive its sound into Fernando’s skull. When he could not take the silence any longer, he let out a cough. At the sound, Jimin remembers that he is not alone in the room. It happened every time he got absorbed in a case. He would become trapped in his own world and forget everything that was around him. “Sorry, Fernando. I’m going to be here a little longer. You’re free to leave. I’ll read the report tomorrow morning and if I have any more questions, I’ll find you again,” he dismisses him. Fernando bows politely and exits the room. High cheekbones, full lips and a perky nose. She was attractive enough to gain a few extra glances when she had walked down the street. Was that how she got the attention of the killer? That would make sense to why he maintained her facial features and took out her organs. Perhaps it was an interpretation of keeping her beautiful exterior shell. It could also explain why a bouquet of flowers was put inside her. Jimin shook his head. He was thinking too much. Who knew what went on in the mind of a killer? Well, besides the killer themselves. He observes her face a while longer and notices that it is not as perfectly symmetrical as he had initially thought. In fact, her right cheek bulged out in a way similar to after a person had their wisdom teeth pulled out. Bringing the overhanging light towards the mouth of the girl, he shines the light inside. There were a couple of metal tools that were placed on a tray nearby and Jimin used this to pry inside her mouth. He pushes aside the meat of her cheeks and peers at the gums. There was nothing unusual there. Something continues to urge him to look further so he turns his head slightly and checks the inner cheek. Deep at the bottom of the valley where muscle meets gums, he notices markings that stand out from the normal. He is unable to make out what they are and so he pushes away the bright light. Opting for a smaller flashlight, he drops the piercing ray of light to where he had been looking before. Four squiggles. 2-0-something-1. Or was that an I? He rotates his head further. The originally illegible third Jimin becomes an A, and the two looks more like an S at this angle. If these were letters, then the second Jimin could potentially be an “O”. The last symbol was still inconclusive as it could be either a one or “I”. Consumed with his new finding, Jimin nearly forgets to record the new information. It is not until a few seconds later that he then whips out his cellular phone and snaps a picture of it. He cannot decipher whether the symbols could be anything more than letters and numbers so he peels off his mask and throws it with the gloves into the trash bin. As he walks out of the coroner’s building and back to the main station, a feeling continues to burn in his gut. His intuition is telling him that there is something oddly familiar with what he had just saw. It wasn’t the girl or the markings themselves, but rather the position he had found them in. He felt like he had seen something like this before. He scratches his head the entire way back until he sits at his desk. That is when he remembers.

...

The light takes him by surprise from the slight crack of his curtains. Warmth from the afternoon sun hits him directly at the eyes and its rays creates a band that gives him the illusion akin to Cyclops from X-Men. He stretches and feels his muscles straining from last night’s activities. With a roll of his neck, he bounces off the bed and throws his legs onto the floor. The cold from being out of his blankets send a shiver down his spine that makes him curl his toes. Everything is strangely quiet around him. He does not hear the clatter of plates nor the running of water. There are no soft paddings from footsteps. The world is silent. He grabs a shirt from his suitcase and throws it over his head, bringing a small bit of warmth to his body. With each step around their hotel room he sees nothing. Her clothing is gone as with it her toothbrush and shoes. In fact, her entire suitcase has disappeared. With miniscule curiosity he returns back to the bedroom and unplugs his charging phone. There is one unread message and he opens it. “I know you’re tired but I don’t think that’s an excuse for your outburst this morning. Regardless, I will respect your need for personal space. I’m flying back to LA. I’ll see you when you return. – Krystal” Her words are curt and straight-forward. He reads her frustration between the words but doesn’t carry it with him. He knows she is waiting for an apology but he is too engrossed with his newfound freedom. He had not planned for the research on this trip to be completed with such speed and so his return train ride was not scheduled until the day after tomorrow. She will have to wait. He had a whole city to walk and sights to see. She will be waiting regardless. Ever so slightly he forms a smile with his lips. He walks over to the curtains and throws them open, allowing all the sunlight to enter his room. It bounces off the white sheets and covers the rug. Dust particles float around after being stirred from their slumber. With a hand pressed against the window, Jungkook peers down from the height of the hotel. He watches the automobiles that zoom beneath his gaze and traces the pathway of each person that passes by. It is a good day.

...

Fingertips graze her lips with a type of tenderness that sends small vibrations through her entire body. He holds her gaze and she peers shyly into his half-moon eyes. A smile dances on his face while she caresses his face with tremoring hands. He grabs them and holds it in his own. “You’re shaking,” he says with a light teasing tone. She wants to pull away but he holds them only stronger. He traces the lines on her palms to soothe her, but it only makes her shake all the more. “Is this real?” the question brushes your mouth much like the autumn wind rustling through leaves. It falls from your lips and floats gently to reach his ears. “Do you want this be real?” he asks you. His eyes never leave you, starting from the top of you forehead to trace to the tip of your nose and finally landing on your cherry stained lips. You faintly hear the sound of laughter in the background and the pattering of feet running but you are only consumed by the man who sits in front of you. Your nod is but a slight shift of your head. He smiles at you and cups your face in the warmth of his hands. Pressing his lips affectionately on yours, you inhale and take in everything from him. “I love you, Y/N” he confesses with all of his heart. You can feel your heart tugging towards him as he stands and offers a hand. You take it and he lightly pulls you to his feet. A rush overcomes you and suddenly, he seems taller than you remember. You look down and sees him standing a few centimeters off the ground. Your brows furrow and you peer up at him again. He has turned and is now starting to run forward. “C’mon, let’s go!” he calls back towards you. You try to move your feet but they only propel you forward while he runs upward into the vast blue sky. “Hyun!” you cry, reaching out to him. He doesn’t seem to hear you but you see laughter bursting forth from his mouth. “You’ll have to run faster or you won’t catch up!” Pressing your feet firmly on the ground, you push off but gravity brings you back down. “Hyun, I can’t! I can’t get into the sky like you!” He has now risen further than ever, growing smaller in your vision. “C’mon, Y/N! Come fast, before you can’t catch up!” his voice is faint but you hear him calling to you. You run forward faster than ever but you are never able to leave the ground. Tears spill from the corner of your eyes in frustration at the fact that you are behind him. “Hyun, don’t leave me!” you scream between your sobbing, “Baekhyun!” Your dream is shattered at the sound of metal clattering to the floor. You are jolted awake and your heart bolts at the sudden sound. The metal can which held your wet paintbrushes were now spread across the floor after falling from the table. Your friend stands at the door with an embarrassed look on her face. “Sorry,” she says, bringing a finger from her forehead towards you in apology. You feel the rise in your heart rate. You conceal it by slowly getting up out of you seat and rolling you head to get rid of the kink. Together, both you and Min clean up the mess off the floor from where she had knocked over the art supplies. “Are you okay?” Min asks softly, not quite meeting your eyes as the two of you straighten out the other half completed canvases which balance precariously on the table. You blink in confusion, causing a tear to roll down your cheek. You reach up and brush it with your fingers. They return wet and tinged with green. You let out a small laugh. “I slept on paint again, didn’t I?” you muse. You and Min are standing at the art studio where you had spent all last night in. Your completed painting stands at the corner and Min walks over to it. Min tries to read what you are thinking, but the other has her head turned away. “You stayed here all night to complete this?” Min inspects the painting closer. It depicts a girl standing shyly in front of a boy against a background of red, pink and purple. The boy had his back towards the observer and he stood with his hands behind him holding a bouquet of flowers. The painting showed an innocent love between the two but when Min squinted her eyes, you noticed two circles that were put on the back of the coat the boy was wearing. Min raises an eyebrow and points it out to you. “Are those bullet holes?” You in the meantime had stood hypnotized in front of the painting. A strange feeling is stirring in your heart as you look at what you had painted. It brought forth the memory of Baekhyun standing in front of you with flowers after their first date. It led to the memory of your first shy kiss after. It made you remember the pain you felt from your dream. Another tear perches at the corner of your eye and you turn to brush it angrily away. Min is still standing in front of you, now watching you with concern. She could guess why you are crying and trying so hard to mask it. You had only ever shed tears for one person and this painting brought back the reminder that this person was no longer around you. “I’m not sure what that is,” you laughs nervously, “It was quite late last night. My mind does weird things when I am sleep deprived.” Without further explanation, you grab your bag and head out before any other memory can shake you. “I’m going home to shower,” you say without looking back, “Sorry about the mess of the studio. I’ll be back later to clean it.” Your last words choke and you escape before Min can see the tears that fall consciously down your cheeks this time.

...

3. 2. 1. Boom. Making the entrance of the century, the three horses gallop into the square where the three beings are strapped on. White. The stallion neighs and throws his head back, unsure of where to go next. But a loud snap makes it head to the right and it brings its hooves down on the ground. Its rider’s body has been punctured with holes and the smell that emits from it is horrendous. For the first horsemen is called Pestilence. Red. Its mane has been dipped in the blood of its enemy. It limps as the giant beast follows in step behind the stallion, a battle scar from its recent fight. His rider flails at a sharp right turn, causing the spear attached at the arm to clash with the helmet. For the second horsemen is called War. Black. The man is but naked, showing his skin pulled taut over the ribcage and bones. He carries the pair of scales with his stomach plastered on one end and the other tipped with bread. For the third horsemen is Famine, but this man can no longer fill his hunger seated upon the black horse. There is a final horseman. The fourth’s name is Death. But why does it need to exist, when it is so very much alive in the other three? Excerpt: Written - Three Horsemen Everything from his desk was moved into the presentation room that allowed him more space to work. Papers of the current case overlap with the papers from the older file. They are grouped in a way only the creator can understand and it is Jimin who stands before it. Picking at his lips with a hand, his foot taps rhythmically on the floor as he continues to scan what he has laid out in front of him. He knew something had been bothering him since he returned from the morgue. Now it was clear. He had remembered a case he had taken part of when he had been temporarily stationed in Los Angelos. The case had remained unsolved but the victim was similar to his Jane Doe. In that case, the man had TH3C scratched into the inner part of his cheek. Matching the picture he had taken earlier to the picture in the old file, they were even scratched in the same place. After digging around a little more, he found two other cases that were similar. It could be coincidence but if they were all related, this was not a simple kill any longer. They had a serial killer in their hands. However there is trouble with the cases. Besides the one he is holding, the other three are from Los Angeles. He technically no longer had any jurisdiction over them. Jimin was contemplating on calling up his colleague when his own phone interrupts his thought process. He answers the phone promptly. “Hello?” “Jimin?” your timid voice reaches his ears. His name uttered from you relaxes his tense shoulders. “Hey. What’s up?” He can hear shuffling from your side as you think about what to say. “I just wanted to call and see if you were okay. You didn’t return home last night.” “I went home for a bit but was called out pretty early for a case this morning. Wait, how did you know I didn’t go home?” “Ah… Well, I’m standing in front of your place right now.” “Why are you doing that?” He can basically hear your body language through the phone. You are gnawing on the inside of you cheek and probably tugging at your shirt, a habit you had when you were nervous. “I forgot my keys again. I thought that you might be home and I could use your shower.” Laughing at how sheepish your voice is, he says to you, “That tells me you slept over at the studio again. And very likely have paint on your face.” “Hey!” you huff, “I don’t wake up with paint on my face every single time!” “But you did this time, didn’t you?” he continues teasing you. You mutter something unintelligible, causing him to laugh at you again. “Unfortunately, I can’t step out of the office but if you don’t mind stopping over, I’ll hand you my keys.” You agree to his proposal and tell him that you’ll be there in twenty. Once their call ends, he chuckles silently to himself. You never seemed to change. When he and Baekhyun were roommates, there were multiple times he’d return home and find you standing outside their flat. You would tell him the same story of how you forgot your keys and of whether you could wash up at their place. And each and every time you would have a blotch of paint on you face where you had fallen asleep at the studio. He had teasingly got you face wash in a paint bottle for your birthday a long time ago as a joke. The last time he went over to your place, he had seen it standing in your room. His mind continues to wander to memories of his college days with Baekhyun and you until he is interrupted by Namjoon. “Whoah. What do you have going on here?” he asks, stepping towards the multitude of papers. Jimin takes this break to grab himself a new cup of coffee as the one sitting to the side had long since turned cold. “I was at the morgue earlier and discovered something strange. It reminded me of an old case,” he told Namjoon. Namjoon flipped through a couple of the pages but he was not as patient as Jimin to read through all the details. He scrunched up his nose and breezed past Jimin again. “I wanted to tell you we have a name for our Jane Doe,” Namjoon said, leaning against the doorframe. He is actually quite impressed at what Jimin has discovered in the span of the short time since they discovered the body this morning. Generally, he was impressed with how fast the department had gathered information. Perhaps as this was their biggest case in a while, the team as a whole was interested in solving it as soon as they can. “Sara Michel,” Namjoon continues on, “Female. 25. From Los Angeles. She’s a fine arts curator. She was in town for a meeting with the local museum about transferring a couple of new sculptures over. It’s been confirmed that the room we found her in this morning is the room her company booked for her while she was town.” “Los Angeles,” Jimin repeats. His eyes dart to the papers. Again, their neighbouring city is mentioned. “Yeah. What of it?” Namjoon picks up on Jimin’s sudden interest. He watches as the other walks over to the piles of paper and brings up a folder. “The old case I was talking about,” Jimin says, “It was from when I worked in LA last summer. A bit unusual that Ms. Michel is from there, don’t you think?” Namjoon scratches his chin. “Well, LA is a big city. And we’re only a train ride away….” Jimin shakes his head. “I don’t like it. Something weird is going on here.” Somebody outside the room yells out for Namjoon. He groans and Jimin throws him a sympathetic look. Jimin never told Namjoon, but before Namjoon was offered the promotion as lieutenant, Jimin had been approached by the captain. He had declined the position as he knew all the responsibilities that came with the new role. Besides, he enjoyed working as a detective; it allowed him hands-on access to all cases. “I’ll keep you updated on anything else I find,” Namjoon says as he turns to leave. Jimin replies, “Same here.” “Alright, well see you around. If I don’t get lost amongst all the conferences I have to start pulling…” his voice trails off as he exits with a dejected curve of his back.

...

“Hi,” your voice interrupts his nap. After Namjoon had left, Jimin had sat down at the desk fully planning to do some more research. However, his fatigue got the better of him and he ended up dozing off. He rubs his eyes sleepily and rises to greet you. You urge him to sit back down. You may have spent the night at the studio, but you looked more put together than he was. Dressed in the first pair of jeans he could find and an old tshirt, he was in a contrast to your outfit. You wore a pair of black and white polka-dotted overall shorts that you paired with a slim fit quarter sleeved shirt inside. A necklace hung around your neck, and you had thrown your hair into a messy bun. Tendrils of hair had fallen out, but it framed your face giving you an overall effortless but fresh look. Walking up to him, you sit gently at the edge of the table while he remains seated to your side. He gently reaches up and smudges the shadow of green paint on your face. “What a way to greet me,” you pout. He smiles at you, then yawns and stretches. Remembering why you had arrived, he rummages through his pocket and retrieves the key to his apartment for you. You thanked him for it and then rotate in your spot to take in the entire room. You were similar in this way, where the two of you had an eye for minute details. It intrigues you to see the pictures that had been laid out. It is true that they are morbid but being around Jimin all these years had made you accustomed to seeing images of a crime scene. “Are you going to be coming home tonight?” you ask him. Your back is still turned towards him as you walk up and study a picture up close. He walks up to you and stands behind. You were looking at the picture of the markings on one of the victims. “TH3C,” you whisper. “No,” his voice rumbles from behind you, “This case is pretty big. I’ll most likely be spending the night here.” You spin in your spot to face him again and your noses nearly touch. He stumbles and takes a step back at the close proximity. A frown starts to crease your forehead and you nervously chews on your fingernail. “What is it?” he sighs. It takes him a moment to gather himself while the scent of you lingers around him. “I feel bad that I’m barging into your place again,” you mumble, “What if I bring you dinner tonight?” “There’s no need. I’ll order take out from nearby. Besides, you’re always welcome at my place. It’s not a bother.” “Jimin…” He sighs, defeated. “Sure. I’ll wait for your meal.” You delightedly clap your hands together. “Perfect! I’ll make your favourite dish tonight! How does carbonara sound?” Nodding he feels the usual smile that appears around you on his face. It was strange. Before you came, he had nearly fainted with tiredness but now that you were here, it was like you had transferred you energy to him. “I’ll see you again tonight, then!” you quip animatedly. Taking his keys off the desk and into your pocket, you makes your way towards the door before stopping again. “TH,” you begin, “It makes me think of Three Horsemen.” “What’s that?” he asks you, distracted by the thought of delicious homemade food. “Three Horsemen. Remember the novel I was reading? It was just a random thought. And then maybe the number three for the third one? I don’t know what “C” would mean though. Perhaps it’s the horsemen from set C,” you continue to ramble on. You notice that Jimin is now staring at you with an intense gaze. You wave your hand in front of you, as if the simple action would cause you thoughts to magically disappear as well. “Forget what I said. I’m an artist,” you laugh nervously, “Besides if it was a set C, there would be a set B and A. And that would make… nine total kills. My mind is just overactive with the books I’m reading.” Jimin laughs nervously along with you. But inside, he mentally makes a note to investigate the possibility of what you have said, however miniscule that may be. You thank him once again for his hospitality and wave him good bye. When he is left alone again, he sinks back into his seat. It makes his bottom ache as he had been seated for a while, so he paces the room. Three Horsemen – Third Horsemen – Set C. TH3C. It wasn’t an unreasonable conclusion to draw. It was scary to imagine though. Eight other victims that were not found. His thoughts are interrupted once again when the phone in the room rings. Namjoon is on the other end when Jimin picks up. “We found a witness.”

...

next part

[uglypastels]

Appropriate Action // Tom Holland

(a/n) this goes out to @captainpeggy40​ for sending me that gif set of Tom smoking in TDATT. I seriously have a problem, but hey, we wouldn’t have this wihout it so... also damn, i haven’t written a oneshot in ages and its so much easier oof. this was fun. 

word count: 4500 (italicized means flashback) 

warning: “bad boy”!Tom, smoking, some guys being pigs, tattoos, mention of drinking, (mention of) violence, (mention of) soft drug use. little bit of angst, but it is mostly fluff

hope you all enjoy xxx

“If we see you smoking we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action.” - Douglas Adams

The car’s engine roared as Tom waited in front of the building. The new paint job was just the perfect touch that his vintage chevy needed. Tom leaned his arm out the window, the other hanging over the sizeable front seat. He stared out ahead of him, looking at the empty road. In a second, groups of students would fill his vision, all gawking at the gorgeous black car. He preferred the attention to be on the vehicle he spent so much time in than himself. 

He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with smoke. That bitter, euphoric taste of nicotine was finally taking over. Even though he had only woken up a short while ago, he felt like he had been up for hours. His head was pounding, and he just wished to be back in his small apartment, cut off from the world, just him and something cold to drink. 

Tom took the cigarette from his lips, flicking the burned and shrivelled butt out the window, and quickly put it back in his mouth to take another long drag. The cigarette was almost burned up, and he hoped he could finish it before-

Right then, something caught his attention in the corner of his eye. From a distance, it only looked like a colourful blur nearing him, but he knew immediately what- or better said, who it was. He turned his head, cigarette still dangling from between his lips, to look at you walking down the path to the car. Like always, your head was down, and your pace was quick. He swiftly threw the cigarette out the window. Right then you looked up and gave him a small, tight-lipped smile, which he returned to you. All this time, music was playing, so he reached for the volume to lower it a little. 

“Hey,” you got in, eyes locked on the dashboard. Tom knew what this meant. 

“What did they do?” He looked out through the window behind you, already with two distinct faces in mind to keep an eye out for. 

“Nothing, Tom. Let’s just go.” You almost begged him, but he wouldn’t have it. 

“Darling, you know I won’t allow those two assholes to be near you, just tell me what they did and I’ll handle it.” He gripped the steering wheel tightly. All you did was pick at the loose name tag on one of your books on your lap. 

“You don’t have to do anything, Tommy.” Usually, he hated it when people called him that, but for some reason, when the word came out of your mouth. It made him feel fantastic, better than any cigarette or drink could. 

You didn’t know why you were so determined not to get Tom involved in your campus problems. Probably because you knew that he could beat anyone (really, anyone) to a pulp if he wanted to, which meant he would get in trouble. And it just didn’t feel like you were worth that. You didn’t feel like you were worth it for him to get into trouble. Besides, nothing happened. All those frat guys did was look at you and make comments… nasty, disgusting comments, but most the time you didn’t even hear them. You learned to zone it out. There was nothing for Tom to worry about.

You hoped Tom would have started driving, but when you looked up, he was still staring out the window on your side, jaw clenched. You took your hand and placed it on top of his. 

“Just drive, please.” 

His eyes fell to you for a second, looking straight into your pleading eyes. He could never say no to that face of yours. There was just so much innocence in you. He loved it about you that no matter how much you tried to get out of your shell, there was always this kind of purity and shyness about you. 

With a disagreeing sigh, he changed gears and stepped on the gas, leaving the school building behind in the dust. Only the one small cigarette butt on the floor as the only sign that you Tom had ever been there. 

You leaned in against his shoulder, but after one inhale of air, you pulled away. 

“You smell like a chimney,” you said teasingly. Tom rolled his eyes, but you could see the twitch in the corner of his mouth. All you did, however, was pout. “You said you’d stop.” 

“I’m sorry.” He kept on smiling, finding it so cute how hard you tried to get him to stop smoking. But you both knew it was hard to teach an old dog new tricks. “But you have to realise, dove, that this is a losing battle you’re fighting. It’s just simply too good.” To put extra salt on the wound, he reached out for a cigarette in the open pack in the cupholder. He put the little stick between his lips and looked at you with a face that you could only describe as Zoolander-like. 

“Besides, look how cool it makes me.” He said before putting the cigarette back in the pack. How much you hated smoking, you had to admit; he looked darn good doing it. The window on his side of the car was still open, softly blowing the wind into his hair. He had let it grow since you met but could always remember how he looked like the first time you saw him. 

That was already over a year ago. You stood outside of a tattoo shop for what felt like an eternity. It was a small studio, and it was organising a walk-in sessions afternoon that day. You thought this would be the perfect time to do it. 

Finally, you walked inside. Some punk music was playing you didn’t recognise. The walls were plastered with gorgeous artwork, and the shelves were stacked with obscure little items that might have just as well belonged in a witch coven. It looked fantastic. 

Still, the place was relatively empty. Only one chair was occupied, but that one machine was enough to fill the room with the buzzing sound. A girl with bright blue hair and several piercings was sitting at the counter, looking bored. Her spirits however perked up when she saw you walk in. 

“Hiya, how can I help you?” she smiled. 

“I’m here for a walk-in if that’s alright.” It was so evident that you had no idea what you were doing. Still, the girl didn’t say anything about it—the idea of having someone get their first tattoo excited her. 

“Alrighty then, do you have any ideas of what you want to get?” 

“Uhmm, no. Not really.” your cheeks were heating up, and you were starting to think that you had not thought this through at all. 

“That’s alright,” she reassured you. “We got a few folders with ideas over there. Look through them for an idea, and then we can come up with something.” She winked and pointed over to the corner of the room, where antique armchairs were standing. Between them, indeed, a large folder filled with small tattoo designs. You sat down and started going through the pages. It all looked pretty, and it was quite overwhelming actually to pick something. 

Eventually, you halted at something that caught your eye. It was a rose with a few petals falling off. 

“I hooked up with a girl once that had kind of tattoo,” a voice next to you said, making you jump up. You looked up and saw a guy about your age sitting in a chair, ready to get a tattoo himself. You hadn’t even realised how close the waiting corner was to the actual tattooing station. And now you were wondering how long the man had been sitting there, watching you. 

“Excuse me?” you asked, not understanding the need of the comment he had made. 

“The rose tattoo, don’t get it.” He simply said. You looked at him a bit better. He was wearing a white t-shirt, which revealed a few gorgeous tattoos slipping out of the sleeves. He had short cut hair, but you noticed that on the right side, it was completely shaved off, giving you a good idea of where he was getting his next tattoo. 

“Why not? It looks pretty.” You weren’t thinking about getting it, but it did look nice, which was the big reason you were looking at it. Before this, all the designs were fairly minimalistic. This was the first one with some good detail in it. 

“Nothing against the artist, but the design… it’s kind of basic. Nothing against it if you’re into that kind of things, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a first tattoo. Not to mention, it’s a big piece. I would go for something smaller, easier.”

You had not expected a whole essay to come from his mouth, so you stared at him with a slightly open mouth. His chuckle unfroze you again. 

“Well, lucky for you I guess, I wasn’t thinking of getting it. But thanks for your input.” 

“No problem.” He was about to turn away, but the helpless and lost little child in you cried out for help. 

“So what would you recommend?” 

He came back around and grabbed the folder from your hand. He flipped through the pages, a bit mindlessly. Eventually, he got to the last page without saying anything and closed it. 

“I don’t think you should get one.” He said as he put the catalogue on the small coffee table. You stared at him. You had no response to it. 

“Not right now, at least.” 

“Why do you think that?” You finally managed to get out. 

“Well… why do you want to get a tattoo?” You were about to answer with a half-lie, but he was quicker, “To anger your parents?” 

All you did was scoff at his suggestion, but it was enough to prove his theory right. “Hey, I don’t judge. And if there is something deeper going on in that pretty head of yours, go ahead, but don’t go through hours of pain because of them. Do it because YOU want it.” 

You didn’t reply, just thought for a second. Then, without saying a word to the handsome stranger, got up and walked over to the counter where the girl was patiently waiting (and most likely listening in to every word of that strange conversation). 

“I got an idea,” You quickly went into your phone’s gallery and scrolled through the pictures until you found what you were looking for. “Could you maybe make this like a, what’s it called, like minimal line art. You know, just one continuous line.

The girl looked at the picture, and a giant smile beamed across her face. “Absolutely! If you can send it to my email, I’ll go and trace it for ya real quick.” She scribbled down her email address, and with a few clicks, you shared the image with her. She told you that it would probably take a few minutes so you could sit back down. Right, next to your anonymous helper. 

His artist had come back from wherever he had been and was preparing the ink and machine. The helpful man, however, sat in the chair, frozen like you had left him. Clearly, he didn’t expect you do go and get a design done.

You sat down opposite of him, quite proud of yourself. 

“Well… I didn’t exactly expect that, but I hope you’re happy with your tattoo.” 

“Thanks, I am.” You nodded, “I hope you are with yours. And that it won’t hurt too much.” You winced at the idea of getting your head tattoed. You head heard that places closer to the bone hurt more. 

“You can watch if you want.” 

“I’m alright, thanks.” You declined his offer.

“Aight, Tom, take a seat, mate.” The tattoo artist told the man. Tom gave you one last smile before laying down and facing away from you, giving the tattooist proper access to his momentary canvas. You watched him place the stencil carefully. You couldn’t see what it was exactly, but it looked big. Definitely, one of those designs you would not be ready for at this moment. And the girl called you to get your own stencil on. 

And the rest, as people say, was history. You got your tattoo done much quicker than Tom did. Of course, he realised this and immediately grabbed the chance to call you over to him so he could speak to you again before you left his life forever. You sat next to him, watching him get his tattoo, and talked. It was strange. It was as if you had known each other for much longer than just that afternoon. And the afternoon ended with him asking you for your phone number, which you gladly gave. 

Things stayed just as smooth and comfortable between the two of you for all those months. His hair had grown and was now long enough for you to brush your fingers trough. He might have not said it out loud, but you knew that was a big reason for him to let his hair grow out. It did mean that the tattoo that started it all was completely covered. It was like a little secret between both of you.

You felt safe with him, but almost more importantly, you felt like yourself. He never made you do anything. He was the only person in your life that did ask anything from you, never made you do anything. But at the same time, he introduced you to this entire new side of you that you didn’t even know existed. You began to worry less about what other people thought of you, you were less scared of trying new things, even if it meant getting into a little bit of trouble now and then. It felt great. 

Tom drove you to his apartment like he did every Friday. With no other plans for the day or the upcoming weekend, you were free to do whatever you wanted. Even if it meant staying in bed for the entirety of three days, eating ice cream and watching dumb movies. 

Tom’s flat was the last place your parents would have wanted you to be. It was… grungy. It was large enough for him and your occasional sleepovers. The theme he was going for with his decor was most likely a “strange second-hand store” with his mismatching, half-broken furniture. He had an extensive collection of vinyl records, the most significant part of it containing artists you had never heard of before. He kept his little coffee table quite empty, except for the tall glass bong standing in the middle (that may or may not have been a birthday present from you). And he had bookshelves filled with everything in the range of classic horror novels, to comic books. It was your favourite place in the world. 

Yet, when you were only a few blocks away from the building, you made him stop the car. 

“What’s up?” He asked after parking the car on the side of the road. 

“Let’s go to the park,” you suggested. It had been lovely weather the entire day, and you longed for stretching your legs and finally enjoy the sun. Tom wasn’t much of a park person, but he did enjoy going on walks with you. He was about to start up the car again but then stopped. Before you could ask if something was wrong, he leaned to the side to you and kissed you deeply. With his hand on your cheek, it heated up your entire body, and you grabbed his shirt, needing something to hold on to. You could taste that cigarette he had smoked before you got into the car. 

“Hmmm, just a second,”  you said after pulling out. You opened your bag and searched for a second until you found the box of breath mints. Tom, already well aware of the procedure, rolled his eyes and held out his hand flat open. You tipped over the container, spilling three large mints into his hand. 

“C’mon, these taste like shit,” he groaned. You just looked at him until he put them in his mouth. 

“You wouldn’t have to eat ‘em if you didn’t smell like cigarettes.” You shrugged, putting the mints back in your bag. Tom still didn’t seem convinced about your method, but he didn’t say anything more. He stepped on the gas again, and you were finally off to the park.

You were glad he had the window open because it was apparent he had smoked in the car recently. Fortunately, with every minute passing by driving, the smell got less prominent. Before you knew it, you had arrived at your destination and could step out. You hopped out of the car and made your way to the other side to meet Tom. He brushed his fingers through his hair as he stepped out. You could tell how cool he thought doing so, and you could agree. He looked mesmerising. In his old denim jacket, covered in DIY patches, his grey shirt and old, slightly warn through jeans, he almost looked like he could replace Patrick Swayze in the Outsiders. 

Somehow, it all worked for him just fine. 

He grabbed you by the waist and pulled you in for another kiss. You were just glad the mints were doing their job, but no matter that, just the feeling of his soft lips against yours made you melt any time. 

But you also wanted to enjoy the weather in the lovely surroundings. Hence, you unclasped yourself from hid grasp and manoeuvred around him to hold his hand. That didn’t seem like enough to Tom, so, still holding your hand, he pulled you in closer to drape his arm over your shoulders. 

Because that was the thing about Tom. He was intimidating to most. Dark, mysterious, brooding. A real loner. There were barely any people who he opened up to. One of the few, if not the only one, is you. And that was why you knew how soft he really was. He loved to have you near him, preferably holding you or at least your hand. He loved those moments on the days you were with him, where you ate breakfast in bed and told each other about the dream you had the night before. He loved having you around, and he loved being yours. 

Ever since he remembered, he always denied the question of what his biggest fear was. First, because he simply didn’t know, but know it was just too hard to admit that he was afraid of something terrible happening to you. So when he picked you up from class and saw the speed at which you walked at to the car, never looking up to chat with friends. He saw the need at which you wanted to get out of there, meaning that there was something in that building you needed to get away from. It was definitely a someone. 

He wished you would just tell him what the problem was. He would do anything for you. Which was most likely the reason you didn’t tell him. Because you knew he would do anything. Even if it meant he’d be in danger. It wouldn’t matter to him. 

But while his fear was losing you, yours was losing him. 

That was nothing to think about at that moment, though. You were in a lovely park, holding each other close. There were a lot of families around with the same idea as you, to enjoy the pleasant weather outside in the shade of the large trees. 

You walked around the park, his arm hung over your shoulders. At one point you had wandered off to small open field between the trees. It was a perfect spot to sit down. The grass had clearly just been cut because the fresh smell was overwhelming. Tom lay down with his hands behind his head, and you used his stomach as a pillow. You looked up at the blue sky, pointing out the different shaped clouds. 

“Ooh, that one looks like a dragon!” you pointed at one on the left. When you glanced at Tom you realised he hadn’t even been looking, his eyes entirely focused on you. 

“You’re not looking!” you playfully slapped his side to which he responded with a soft groan. This was followed with the both of you laughing for a while. Then Tom reached out into his pocket and to your horror, you saw that he pulled out a cigarette and a lighter. He put it between his lips and was about to flick open the lighter you grabbed it out of his hand. He looked at you in confusion.

Mumbling, since he still had the little stick of cancer in his mouth, he said: “Ekfcufe me?”

“No way are you smoking here.”  “There’s no one here.” He sighed after pulling the cigarette out of his mouth.

“I’m here. Nature is here.” You argued. 

“Nature is here?” Tom raised an eyebrow, holding in his laughter. You nodded frantically. That didn’t seem to work because he put it back in his mouth, letting it dangle from his lip. So, you reached out and grabbed that too, just like the lighter. And you put it in your own mouth. You had smoked before, just to try, and it was quite disgusting. It was another reason why you never understood Tom’s love for it. 

“What are you doing?’ Tom said, some panic covering his voice. As much as he enjoyed it, he knew how bad it was for him. Out of all the things he introduced you too, he always wished you never took up smoking. 

“Well, if you need to smoke so bad, I don’t want to be left out.” You flicked on the lighter and were slowly putting it closer to the cigarette. Your eyes, however, were locked on Tom’s. Was he going to call your bluff? The little flame was about to burn the-

“Alright! I won’t smoke here.” He stopped you. Once again, proud of your intervention, you gave him the cigarette and put the lighter in your own pocket.

“Now go throw that out.” You told him. “And I mean all of it.” You had seen a trashcan on the path leading to the open space, so you pointed him that way. Slowly, Tom got up and slouched his way toward to bin. Satisfied, you closed your eyes and lie down on the grass. 

But that only lasted for a few seconds. You could hear footsteps and loud noises coming from the other side of the field. The voices made your blood freeze and get up quickly. It sounded like they were coming your way, and you did not want them to find you lying on the ground. The thought of that happening alone- no. You didn’t want to think about it. 

You got up and were dusting yourself off from the grass, already walking in the direction Tom had went. But it was too late, they saw you. 

“Well, if it isn’t our little y/n!” one of them shouted out. Jack. You didn’t turn around, just kept on walking. But they were much faster and quickly caught up to you, cutting off the path. 

“Uhm, hey guys,” it was a wonder any sound came out of your mouth and that they heard it. 

“Well, what are you doing here all by yourself?” asked Jack with a tone that sounded as sweet as marmite to you. 

“I’m not actually,” you tried to get through, to walk away from there, “I’m with my boyfriend-” 

“Oh, with your boyfriend, are ya?” Jason added with a disgusting smirk. “Out in the field, huh. Wondering what you two had been up to.” They both sniggered like the idiots they are. 

“Do you think we can join ya?” 

“No.”  You said, determination coming up slowly in your voice. Very slowly, but it was progressing. You could see over their shoulders that Tom was making his way back, and he noticed your new company. This gave you the real confidence you needed. 

“No? Awh c’mon, don’t be like that.” Jack was about to grab your hand, but you pulled it away from his reach. 

“I said no. I don’t know how many fucking times you dickwads need to hear it.” And then you did something you still don’t know how it exactly happened. With a rush of adrenaline, in a quick move, you punched Jason in the face. So fast that his buddy Jack couldn’t even comprehend what happened before you kicked him in the groin. 

Without wasting another second you made a run for it, meeting Tom only a few feet away. He had clearly seen what happened and stood frozen on the path to where you were. 

“Were you planning on joining or?” You said as you ran by, not wanting to stop there. Tom quickly got the hint and followed you. You had to get to his car. And fast. 

“Holy shit, y/n, what was that?” Tom asked in astonishment when he caught up to you, which didn’t take that long. You, however, didn’t answer. Not wanting to waste your adrenaline rush on answering a question that could just as quickly be answered somewhere safer. 

You ran through the whole park, all the way to the car: passing families and pigeon-feeding elderly. Finally, you could see the car. Unluckily, it couldn’t be unlocked from a distance. Tom sprinted up and put the key in the lock. You had reached the other door right on time and slipped inside. 

You were both heaving air, you clutching your chest, Tom adjusting the rear-view mirror to see if the two frat boys had followed you. Realising you were once again alone, you simultaneously erupted into laughter. 

“Wow-” you breathed out, “that was-”

“Brilliant.” Tom managed to chuckle, “You were brilliant.” He reached out to pull you against his side and kiss your forehead. “Fucking brilliant.” He repeated with a whisper.

“I don’t know what came over me.” You said in disbelief, looking at your red knuckles. Tom took your hand and kissed most severely red part of your skin. 

“It was those guys from school, right?” He asked. All you could do was nod. You hadn’t told him much about what they had been doing, but you knew he was clever enough to figure this out somewhat by himself. He didn’t ask any other questions. 

“I’m so proud of you, babe,” he said, “Kicking that asshole like that, I’m almost scared of you.” 

“Oh, almost, huh?” you questioned. 

“Well yeah, you’ll always be my little dove.” Still holding your bruised hand, he leaned in to kiss you. 

At that moment, both of you knew you had each other’s back. You loved each other. Everything was fine, there was nothing to fear, nothing to worry about.

The End

> thank you for reading!! 

> pleae leave a comment or ask, i’d love to hear what you thought about it 

>masterlist and link for taglist in bio 

tagging: 

@definitely-not-black-cat @artemisiaarm @nerdyhockeygirl @miraclesoflove @justasmisunderstoodasloki @thefridgeismybestie @m19friend @creative-happenings @parker-holland-osterfield @fanficparker @fanficscuziranout @peterparkoure @xxtomxo @happywolves81 @captainbuckyy @tra-gicx @qxeen-of-hearts @varshavisuu @kangaroobunny @petersunderoos96  @the-lost-fairy-tale @nerd-domland @sleepybesson @rissa067 @the-queen-procrastinator @scarletteclipze @screeching-student-unknown @tomhollanders2013 @miraclesoflove @playinonaloop @queenoflostspirits @roses-hxlland​ @hereiamhereigo​ @sunnydays0803​ @averyfosterthoughts​ @moorehollandplz​ @beiroviski​ @you-bleed-just-toknowyouarealive @peterparkerbabyyy @multifandomlover21​ @lmaotshollandd​ @badbitchydecisions​ @tikapollak​ @starkeybabie​ @awesomehritz​ @madzleigh01​ @oh-what a beautiful-parker @taciturnspidey​ @quaksonhehe​ @mountainsforwords​ @harryfobter @peepeeparkerr @viagracex​ @ethereal-beauty-p​ @perspectiveparker​ @slytherin-chaser​ @worldoftom​ @duskholland​ @the-claire-bitch-project​  @moonysoftt​ @peeterparkr​ @wazzupmrstark​ 

[quazartranslates]

Welcome to the Nightmare Game II - CH47

**This is an edited machine translation. For more information, please [click here]**

[<<< Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter >>>]

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Chapter 47: Star Death Reality Show (XXX)

"It's coming!" Qi Leren heard the distant movement earlier than Du Yue and Dr Lu.

Leviathan finally broke through the iron door’s blockade and once again resumed its identity of a hunter in a more crazy form. Qi Leren made up his mind to get rid of this thing this time!

"You two run that way, and I’ll lead it to the underground glacier to take care of it!" Once again, Qi Leren pulled out his gun and fired a shot at Leviathan, who had already appeared at the end of the corridor, to attract its attention.

Although the current Leviathan had become more aggressive after being injured, it couldn’t think without a brain, making it much easier to lead it to the underground glacier than they had originally thought. So, it was not a bad thing that he’d lost one hand... It's just that the recoil from shooting with one hand was too big, and his firing was a bit bad.

The privacy time was running out, and when the three people’s invisible cameras turned back on, the present situation would surprise any audience!

Up until now, almost half of the contestants' tracking cameras had stopped moving because of the contestants' death. Not long ago, several tracking cameras declared "end of transmission", and with the remaining tracking cameras in private time, there were no cameras to choose from.

But no one would have thought that there would be such a fierce scene at present!

Qi Leren, who was covered in blood and had a missing hand but miraculously healed wound, took a gun and shot at the huge monster rushing from a distance, while shooting and retreating until he ran out of bullets. He turned and ran, and while running, bit the magazine with his teeth to reload the gun.

The monster was completely out of control, chasing after Qi Leren, while the other two prey escaping in the other direction were completely forgotten by it. It devotedly pursued the prey that had constantly provoked it, and couldn't wait to swallow him into its belly!

Qi Leren was exhausted from running the whole way. At this time, he has led Leviathan to the deepest part of the underground research institute. This once-visited metal corridor was as cold as the icy bottom of hell, and as he ran deeper and deeper, the surrounding area was getting colder and colder, just like a huge freezer!

At present, a half-open door appeared. Dark and cold air seeped from behind the door, making Qi Leren shiver in his temperature regulating clothes.

This was it! He Yi had released Leviathan from here!

Qi Leren guessed that he should have been chased by Mark at that time, and fled to the deepest part of the institute to throw off Mark, but mistakenly opened this huge heavy iron door and went in... The frozen Leviathan sensed the breath of the living, recovered from hibernation, and parasitized his body.

Behind him came the sound of Leviathan moving. Qi Leren turned on the flashlight and rushed through the iron door.

He thought he would see an ice storehouse—this was indeed an ice storehouse, but...

Qi Leren opened his eyes wide and stared at it in astonishment. It seemed to be a huge underground space that was like a planet of ice and snow. It turned out to be an underground glacier covered with thick ice! Human power had cut a channel in this huge underground glacier, and used it as a natural storage room. Along the artificial tunnel dug through the glacier, there were heavy metal containers on both sides along the way. He didn't know what was stored in them.

Leviathan had caught up, and Qi Leren had to run again. This time, he obviously felt the cold. Even with Maria's blessing, the terrible low temperature here had exceeded his tolerance. Every breath was a torture to the heart and lungs. The biting cold air poured into his lungs along his esophagus and cut on his chest like a blade.

Qi Leren had a bad feeling. The temperature here exceeded his expectations. He couldn't delay too long. He had to quickly find the right place to blow up the glacial tunnel and let Leviathan be buried alive in this cold hell. All the skills he had used were cooling down, and he didn’t know if his invisible camera had frozen. He had no better way than to use the scientific weapon.

Ahead was a 90-degree turn, and the flashlight shone on the frozen alien words hanging on the corner, which seemed to be a warning symbol. Qi Leren rushed past before he could dwell on it, but ahead of him turned out to be an ice tunnel that had not been completed yet.

Qi Leren slipped and fell down, and his body slid forward uncontrollably for a while, and under the great impact, he knocked down the fragile guardrail. If it wasn't for his quick reaction to grab onto a bulge in the inner wall, he would have slid even further.

Leviathan was catching up! Qi Leren did not dare to delay any more. He took the flashlight in his mouth and pulled out his gun with his right hand to shoot. But he never expected that this horrible low temperature environment overwhelmed the already cold pressure barrel, and it exploded on the spot! The barrel burst open, and a piece of iron on the gun barrel flew out. Qi Leren felt a slight itch on his right hand, and the webbing of his thumb was bloody, but he couldn't feel the pain at this ultra-low temperature, and the blood froze in a very short time.

It was coming!

Qi Leren ducked and rolled on the ground, avoiding Leviathan's crazy attack. Their positions were reversed. This time, it was deeper in the ice tunnel!

A good opportunity! Qi Leren took out his last hand grenade, biting the pin and throwing it at Leviathan!

There was a violent explosion in the ice tunnel, and Qi Leren was shaken to the ground while running back. His palm stuck on the ice, and when he pulled it up again, he had torn off a layer of skin, but this was not the worst! Worse, with this explosion, not only the ice tunnel above Leviathan began to collapse, but also terrible cracks appeared in this ice tunnel under Qi Leren’s feet!

Terrified, Qi Leren got up and wanted to escape. He couldn't imagine how deep the underground space was beneath his feet. But the ice cracked too fast, making this section of the ice tunnel break in an instant! Qi Leren, who was about to lose support at his feet, only had time to leap to the ground without cracks in front of him with all his strength, and grabbed a support with his remaining right hand. At this time, beneath his feet was a horrible scene of ice and snow collapsing!

He lowered his head and looked at the flashlight spinning and falling in the air. The bright light couldn't illuminate this icy hellish space. He couldn't imagine how huge it was here, and even more couldn't imagine if he fell... His S/L solution hadn't cooled down yet!

Covered in ice, Leviathan couldn't escape the pull of gravity. It roared in despair and fell into the endless dark abyss with the falling ice!

So the alien sign that he couldn't understand just now was telling him that the ice here was fragile? Qi Leren's mind had just flashed this idea, and even had no time to think about how he would climb up when he had lost one hand, when there was a crisp crack above his head.

At this moment, his heartbeat and breathing stagnated because of the fear of death. In the darkness, Qi Leren raised his head in disbelief. This life saving straw he had pulled finally cracked under the overwhelming weight.

The next second, under the pull of gravity, Qi Leren, like the falling Leviathan, would fell into the endless abyss of ice and snow beneath his feet...

At this moment, his mind suddenly recalled a fall—he had fallen into the sea from the blasted bulkhead of an airship along with a player parasitized by Slaughter.

But even the wind at that time was not as cold as it was now.

He couldn't see anything, it was dark, he couldn't even open his eyes, he could only let the horrible death approach him more and more in the rapid fall.

Death's cloak has covered his eyes, but it happened that he saw a starry sea.

Endless darkness, like an open Pandora's Box, precipitated frightening darkness and despair, while the stars that were scattered in every corner of the universe, their little rays reaching far into the edges of the universe, were hope.

Seemingly cold, seemingly weak, seemingly distant, but every spot of light was a huge star that exploded and burned continuously, and terrible energy was brewing in their bodies, illuminating the planets sheltered by them. But even such a great star can't escape the same ending as everything—destruction.

At the end of the long and suffocating river of time, they would eventually extinguish and die in the boundless universe.

Whether it was human beings, stars, or even the whole universe, this day would come.

But... But...

If this world was a destroyed world, then it should have been buried in the coldness of death, without the slightest trace of vitality. Where could countless creatures absorb the light provided by the stars, be born, multiply, and be destroyed on this small planet?

Everything would be destroyed, but after destruction, everything would be reborn in another form.

Particles of destroyed stars formed a new planet, and even all life born on this planet were once the remains of dead stars, just like reincarnation. After destruction, there is rebirth.

Once again, Qi Leren saw himself.

Lying in the tree tomb full of petals. This big tree that was felled by lightning was once lush, but now like him, it had become lifeless and forgotten in this quiet garden until…

Until one day, a fresh bud pushed out from the root of this dead old tree. In just seven days and nights, it was inspired by some mysterious force and grew to half a meter high. And he who slept in the tree tomb, because of the law of power above material, returned to the world from the abyss of death.

He was destroyed and reborn.

That unknown power had been buried deep in his body, and gradually awakened from the torment of death time and time again. It was destroying his spirit, but it was also pushing him to a higher and further new world.

The cruelest test had come before him. This time, there was no skill card to resurrect him from the dead, and there were no items to resurrect him from the dead. Only the grim reaper holding a sickle was quietly waiting for him in the deepest part of the glacier.

Was it destruction or rebirth?

There was a loud bang, followed by a barrage of heavy objects falling to the ground.　　

Snowstorm-like pieces of ice fell from the sky and fell on this land. The screaming Leviathan fell heavily to the ground, and its body burst into a slurry of snow! The cold froze its time at this moment, and let this horrible monster once again sleep in its frozen hell.

But for a moment, there was a loud noise again between heaven and earth, another snowstorm-like ice collapse, and the deafening sound echoed in this underground space for a long time.

A slender figure fell down from the sky. He came down too fast and too heavy. He fell on the broken ice, like a doll thrown away on a whim. Compared with the vigorous sounds of the crushed ice falling, he was so quiet it was almost silent.

Dark red blood flowed out of his body and condensed into a dark red frost of death.

Leviathan, who still had a breath, finally gave up after sensing that there were no living creatures nearby, letting the ice and snow freeze its body, and went into hibernation with the dead.

　　&&&

Qi Leren had another dream.

He dreamed that he had set aside the fog of time and saw the future.

It was the deepest part of a churning red abyss, as if a deep scar had been dug in the heart of the earth. It seemed to be the boiling blood of demons, and the magma flowed in this black canyon, rushing to the lake of lava deep in the canyon.

In the burning lake of lava, there were terribly high temperatures and magma everywhere, and only a few black rocks were dotted on this hellish red hot land, as if they would be boiled together.

Qi Leren felt that this should be Hell that he was seeing, for only Hell would have such a horrible appearance.

And what about himself?

He seems to be a bird flying through Hell, hovering over this terrible hot land. He felt that the person he was dreaming of was here, so he ignored the danger and slowly fell in the intense heat.

He saw a huge shadow, half of which was sunk in the lake of lava. Black, huge, majestic, like a huge black dragon... No, that was a huge black dragon!

The black dragon sank in the magma, and the hot flaming liquid gently wrapped around the dark scales on its skin like waves, gradually engulfing its sinking body, but its eyes were closed and it was unconscious. 　

Because it was dead.

Rotten demons were stirring on the cliffs beside the lake, waiting to devour the elusive prey, but they were dispelled by a pressure gradually descending from the sky above and unwillingly sank into the crevices.

Qi Leren landed. He had no body, just a consciousness, and landed lightly on the magma.

His noncorporeal body stroked the black dragon’s cold skin. A great sadness filled his heart, which made him unable to think, and he let the pain which was 1000 times and 10000 times more severe than the pain of losing his arm bore into his heart. An iron seed full of spikes would grow out of the hard soil, it was so tenacious and persistent; even if it had to pierce his heart, it would grow out in desperation!

The dragon sank slowly, and he followed it, slowly sinking into the magma.

Pain and sadness hung over the dream, and he thought they would fall to the end of hell together and be imprisoned forever in death.

But suddenly, there was now a brightness in front of him.

It was dawn.

He returned to the Garden of the Holy Tomb. Grass, green trees, bushes, and the white roses blooming in the corners were all familiar to him. There was no darkness, no heat, no cold, and even the breeze gently blowing over his cheeks was edified with a touch of tenderness, and the fragrance of grass and petals.

But he was still too sad to help himself.

He sat on the soft grass with a young but scarred black dragon in his arms, and silently, silently shed tears.

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Editor’s Notes: Next chapter is the arc’s conclusion.

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[omgrachwrites]

The Princess and The Duke - Chapter Fifteen

Pairing: Sirius Black x Reader

Summary: As the Princess of Spain, you were always supposed to marry King James of England to make an alliance between Spain and England. When he marries a woman at his court for love, you are married off to his best friend, Sirius Black the Duke of Bedford to keep the alliance. However, the court is riddled with secrets and a rebel in the North starts to rise against the Throne. Royal AU.

Warnings: fluff, angst, character death

Words: 2582

Disclaimer: This Spanish was used with google translate and these gifs don’t belong to me!

Translations: I must be in heaven because I see an angel - debro estar en el porque veo un angel.

You have always been one of the bravest men I know - siempro has sido uno de los hombres mas valientes que conozco.

A/N: I would like to formally apologise for this chapter, please don’t hate me! There will only be a few more chapters left I think! I’ve changed a couple of things to make it fit into the story better, please let me know what you think and let me know if you would like to be tagged, I love you all! xxx

Chapter Fifteen - A Little Fall of Rain

Sirius grinned as he wrapped his arms around his little girl as he helped her hold the reins of the horse properly, delighting in her little giggles. The village was as quaint and beautiful as Sirius remembered and the villagers seemed to be even nicer. Glancing over at his wife, he noticed that Y/N was in her element as she helped Johnathan sit upright at the front of her horse. Her beautiful face gleamed with happiness as the townspeople called out to her, blowing kisses and showering her with pink petals.

She looked every inch the Princess as the flower petals got caught in her shiny hair. The twins giggled as they reached their little hands into the air, trying to catch some of the falling petals.

“Do you like being back in France, my darling?” Sirius asked with a grin as they passed the gorgeous little chapel.

Y/N sighed wistfully as she gazed over at him, a small smile playing around the edge of her lips, “it’s better than I could have ever imagined.”

They had been back to France since their wedding but it had only been when Sophia had moved to French court, where they had spent their visits. The Duke and the Duchess hadn’t stayed at their beautiful chateau since they had got married, so they took the opportunity to ride through the little villages that lay in the shadow of the chateau.

Sirius grinned at her answer as a petal stuck to his lip; he chuckled as he blew it off, “I love you, Y/N.”

“I know,” she fixed him with a teasing grin; “I love you too.”

Sirius laughed as he glanced back at Andromeda who was grinning at a handsome French boy frim where she sat on her horse, making Sirius roll his eyes. Andromeda was Y/N’s new lady in waiting and she was Sirius’ cousin which seemed to be the best option. Y/N really liked her, maybe too much since she had asked Andromeda to tell her embarrassing stories about Sirius from when he was growing up. Andromeda was someone that Y/N wouldn’t be suspicious of. It was the best solution for everyone.

As the small party made its way out of the village they bid goodbye to the kind townspeople, Y/N blew them kisses and Sirius waved at them before they finally crossed the grey stone bridge that had been built over the rushing stream. When they reached the gorgeous chateau nestled in the hills, the twins gasped and pointed at it while Y/N sighed happily.

“It’s so beautiful,” Andromeda breathed as they rode through the portcullis.

“I’m so happy that we did this,” Y/N beamed and reached across to take Sirius’ hand, Sirius grinned and kissed her fingers as he nodded.

Lily and James had offered Sirius and Y/N some time off, Lily had assured Y/N that she would be fine with her other ladies to help her. Sirius had accepted the time off before his wife could refuse. It was admirable that Y/N was so attentive in her duties to the Queen but it was clear that they both needed some time off. Before they had set off for France, the King and Queen had asked Sirius and Y/N to be the godparents to their unborn child which Y/N was very excited about.

The servants of the chateau were very happy to see that their Master had returned to them alive and well, they had no doubt heard about the troubles that were happening in England. Once everybody had settled and unpacked their luggage, summer wine and cakes were served in one of the beautiful gardens.

Sirius and his family sat among the gorgeous roses as the twins played in the gently flowing stream. Sirius loved to hear them play together, he was determined that they would grow up as best friends, unlike him and Regulus. Andromeda smiled as she lay beneath one of the trees with her eyes closed.

“I love it here; I can see why you two wanted to come back so much.”

Y/N sighed wistfully as she nodded, her head tucked against Sirius’ chest as she traced circles over his warm skin, “it will be even harder to leave but we all needed a break,” she rubbed her temples and Sirius pulled her closer, stroking through her hair gently with his long fingers.

“Okay, new rule, let’s not talk about court while we’re here,” Y/N grinned and nodded, leaning up to sweetly kiss his cheek. Sirius turned his head so she kissed his lips at the last moment, making her giggle into the kiss.

Andromeda sat up, looking over at Sirius and Y/N with a sly smile on her face, “so, when are you two going to have another baby?”

Sirius rolled his eyes while Y/N gasped happily as she took his hand. Everybody had been asking them that lately and it was starting to annoy Sirius but Y/N loved it.

“I would really love another child as soon as possible but Sirius doesn’t think so,” she pouted up at him.

Sirius sighed as he pressed a kiss against her forehead, “I just think that we should wait a little bit longer, the twins are only two and soon enough we’ll have our hands full with the Royal Prince or Princess,” he laughed while Andromeda nodded understandingly, “we’re being safe,” Sirius nudged Y/N’s shoulder with a smirk before he took her hands in his own, “I promise that we will have more children.

Y/N gave him a beautiful grin as she kissed his lips, giggling when the soaking wet twins jumped into her arms so they could dry off in the sun.

The merriment of spending a week in France, where they did nothing but lounge around in the sun was over too soon. Y/N and Sirius had filled their nights with love making and had spent half of the morning sleeping in. Sirius knew that Y/N was especially sad to leave France; it was hard for her to hold back her tears as they rode away from the chateau. Sirius promised that they would be back soon.

Once Sirius and Y/N were back at English court – where thankfully the weather was as warm as it was in France – they got right down to business. They were trying to locate the missing prisoners who had branded themselves as Death Eaters, followers of Voldemort who was now much more than a fable. Sirius thought that there was a traitor at court.

The whole court was in attendance in the stuffy Throne Room when the door burst open and a bleeding man stumbled through it, “Sirius,” he mumbled weakly as he fell to the floor and Sirius realised with a jolt that it was Regulus.

“Regulus!” Y/N gasped as Sirius ran over to his little brother, Sirius teared up when he saw just how much Regulus was bleeding, his shirt was soaked red and he was extremely pale, shivering in Sirius’ arms.

“Get a doctor!” he looked behind him to see everyone standing with their mouths agape, Remus was the first one to shake himself out of it and he hurried to find a doctor while James dismissed the court.

“No,” Regulus said weakly as he choked on the blood that was filling his mouth, “I’ll be dead before a doctor can get here, you were right, you were always right. I nearly got away,” he winced and spluttered.

Sirius shook his head as tears spilled down his cheeks and it felt like a dagger to the heart to see his baby brother die in his arms, “you’re not going to die, I won’t let you die.”

Regulus chuckled weakly, “you’re such a good brother, always looking after me, if only mother could have seen how amazing you are. Sirius, I’m scared, I don’t want to die alone,” Regulus’ eyes were round and scared. Sirius hadn’t seen him look like that since he was a little boy when he used to sleep in Sirius’ room after a bad dream.

Sirius shook his head as he sniffled, “there’s nothing to be scared of, and you won’t be alone. I’ll stay with you,” he held Regulus close to his chest.

Regulus glanced over at Y/N and gave her a cheeky smile, “debro estar en el porque veo un angel.”

Y/N sniffed as she gave him a watery smile, “siempro has sido uno de los hombres mas valientes que conozco.”

Regulus smiled and looked back at Sirius, “I’m not going to say goodbye because I’ll see you again.”

Sirius nodded, “I’ll see you again,” there was a ghost of a smile on Regulus’ face as his breathing slowed and eventually came to a stop. Sirius sobbed as he brought his brother’s limp lifeless body close to his chest, it felt like a part of his heart had died alongside Regulus, his baby brother.

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Sirius’ profile looked sad and tense and you knew the reason why, Regulus’ funeral had been beautiful but it was something that should never have happened. You were so heartbroken so you knew that Sirius must be feeling even worse, after his baby brother had died in his arms. He’d been a hero and he’d died a hero’s death, he had tried to thwart Voldemort and for that he would be forever honoured.

You knew that Sirius was also worried because an old sorcerer who had been banished by James’ father had contacted the King, telling him that he had news of a prophecy that affected James, Lily and their unborn child. James didn’t much believe in prophecies but he decided that it couldn’t hurt to listen, his benevolent nature had allowed the sorcerer to return to court, but only if his information was good. James had sent for you, Sirius, Remus and Peter to hear the prophecy, you were the ones that he trusted without question.

Your husband stopped outside of the council chamber and looked at you with wild sad eyes, the grey colour of his eyes didn’t sparkle as much as they used to. He took your hands and kissed along your fingers, you were worried about what he had to say.

“Maybe,” he swallowed, “maybe you should take the twins and go back to Spain,” he sniffled, refusing to look at you.

His words caused a jolt of panic to go through you; did he really want you to go? “what? What are you talking about? Why on Earth would I go back to Spain?”

Sirius shook his head as tears stung at his eyes and you cupped his stubbled cheeks so he would actually look at you, “because I’m damaged goods, Y/N!” he threw up his hands, “first it was because my parents didn’t love me and now, my brother is dead, don’t you get it? I was supposed to protect him! That was my job! You deserve to be with someone who doesn’t have any worries.”

“Sirius, darling,” you sighed as you leaned forward to kiss him, “I don’t believe there’s anyone in this whole world who has no worries and I don’t want anyone else. We promised to be together till death do us part and even then death can’t keep us apart. Unless you don’t want me here anymore, do you actually want me to leave?”

Sirius sniffled as he wiped the tears from his handsome face and he offered you a small smile, “I don’t want you to leave. Never. I just think that you deserve better.”

You smiled as you kissed his cheek, “then I’m never going to leave, you’re the love of my life, Sirius Orion Black. I only want to be with you.”

Sirius cupped your cheek and kissed you slowly and deeply, “I love you, Y/N,” he whispered against your lips, “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Sirius,” you smiled and nodded at the door behind him, “come on, we shouldn’t keep everyone waiting.”

Sirius nodded as he reached down and laced his fingers through yours as you both walked through the door of the council chambers. The table had been moved out of the way to make way for the tall throne like chairs and an old man was standing before the King and Queen. As you and Sirius entered the room, he turned to look at you, smiling benevolently as he peered at you through half-moon spectacles. With his long white hair and beard he looked exactly like a sorcerer from a storybook.

You greeted Remus and Peter as you sat on one of the tall chairs, smiling at Lily as she looked at you nervously, her hands protectively on her stomach.

James was the one to speak up first, “I don’t much believe in prophecies and the like, Dumbledore but for my wife,” he reached over to take Lily’s hand, “I would do anything, if your information proves to be good and if you can help us thwart Voldemort then you may stay at court.”

“You’re very kind, Your Majesty,” Dumbledore bowed his head as he got glass ball from his pocket, “if you would hold this against your stomach, Your Majesty,” he gave the ball to Lily, “the prophecy is about your unborn son, we will only be able to hear the prophecy if it’s close to him.”

Lily nodded and took the glass ball and did as Dumbledore said, you and Sirius leaned in as the smoke cleared and the face of a woman in huge spectacles appeared, you exchanged a worried look with Lily. It seemed that you both recognised that woman; it had been the woman that had frightened Lily at the summer festival.

“The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…born as to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies… and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not… and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives… the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies.”

Deafening silence filled the room as you felt a chill of dread run down your spine as Lily blinked back tears.

“How do you know this is about our son?” James asked, finally breaking the silence.

Dumbledore walked closer to the King and showed him an engraving on the metal part that the ball was set in, “Harry James Potter,” James read out.

James and Lily both exchanged worried glances, “we have decided on the name Harry if we have a son and we wanted him to take James’ name as his middle one, and he’s due at the end of July” Lily sniffled as she looked down at her stomach, “he’s the only one who can defeat Voldemort, Voldemort will be coming after him, and us. He’ll want to kill us,” Lily’s breath started getting short and you got from your seat and wrapped your arms around her.

“The only people who know about the prophecy are in this room, word will never be able to get back to Voldemort, we’ll be okay,” Sirius smiled but you could feel that this was only the beginning.

You glanced up through the door that had been cracked open but it was enough for you to see the back of a greasy head walking down the corridor, glancing back as he did so.

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@smiithys @elayneblack @amelie-black @siriuslyjanhvi @pregnant-piggy @lindatreb @mabelle-cherie @hxrgreeves @britishspidey @mads-bri @classicrocketqueen @sxtansqueen @hufflepuffzutara @missmulti @bruxa0007 @ourstarsailor @fific7 @galwithbluethoughts @2410slb @sunles @krismeunicornbaobei @theincredibledeadlyviper @deathkat657 @lonegryffindor2005 @writing-your-heart-out​

[writer1]

A regretful Wolf and his Beauty

Chapter One

Beast!Rex x fem!reader.

Summary: As punishment for his actions, young prince Rex was cursed to become a monster by a witch. The only thing that saved him from his fate was an enchantress, who gave him a condition. He has to find true love in order to redeem himself and he only has until the last petal of the enchanted rose falls. Rex's family helps you by guiding your way into his heart. Rex's fate now lies in your hands."

A/N: Hey, this is a collaborative fic between myself and @ahsokatano-thetogruta. We have created a star wars the clone wars fanfic based off the story Beauty and the Beast, so we both hope that you love reading this as much as we had fun writing it. Enjoy!

It's a crisp winter's day, the untouched snow was glistening, as more beautiful soft snowflakes danced through the air, swirling around each other in time as they waltzed their way to the ground. The slowly rising sun peers over the horizon, it feels magical as the sun shines over the sparkling snow, glistening and gleaming, creating a beautiful, breathtaking winter wonderland, and the inhabitants of the royal castle start to stir, the younger kids are already running around. They were waiting Impatiently to open the nicely wrapped presents under the tree. Christmas day is finally here again.

Rex was surrounded in peace until he was abruptly awoken to the sounds of exciting cheers and shouting of his younger brothers and cousins who are now running around the halls of the castle outside of his room.

Rex groans at the sound. He tries to go back to sleep, pressing his face tightly into the pillow. He had a late night, and is absolutely exhausted.

He almost growls when his door swings open and Fives, Echo and little Stutter run in. The ten year old twins and four year old kid run over to Rex, with Fives picking up Stutter, dropping him on top of his side. Rex almost growls again, but holds it back so as not to hurt his little brother's feelings.

He turns over, Stutter sitting on his stomach now, hands against his chest. The cute smile on his face makes Rex give him a small little smile.

"Come on, Rex. It's time to get up, right Stutter?" Stutter looks at Fives, nodding happily.

"Yeah! C-C-Come on, O-Ori'vod" Rex smiles tiredly.

"Okay! I'm up Vod'ika, can you three please leave so I can get dressed." They all nod, Echo walking over and grabbing little Stutter from Rex. They all walk out.

"Hurry up, Ori'vod." Echo yells back, causing Rex to huff a little. Rex rubs his face and yawns, trying to wake up more. He feels like he could go right back to sleep for the rest of the day, but that's not happening. He sits up, stretching his arms and legs out.

Once he's half woken himself up, he hops out of bed, padding over to the wardrobe slowly. He looks through his collection of clothes, finding his favorite shirt inside. He smiles, grabbing it and a nice brown pair of pants. Once fully dressed, he starts walking towards the door to leave his quarters.

On his way, Rex's vision goes slightly blurry and his eyes struggle to stay open from fatigue, so he yawns again, but because he couldn't see where he was walking, he clumsily stumbles into a small table making him curse as he snaps his eyes shut for a second. When he opens them again, he can see a vase wobbling around on its base, almost ready to topple over at any second. It all happens in slow motion and Rex is unable to move quickly enough to stop it from hitting the ground.

It makes a loud crash as it shatters into a thousand pieces. Rex feels his frustration earlier come rushing back to him, his annoyance growing with every passing second. A few moments later, he hears his door swing open. Without bothering to turn around to see who it is, his words come out snappy. "Don't you know how to knock?" He turns around to see Cody standing in the doorway. "Oh...sorry Cody. I didn't mean to lash out like that."

"It's alright, Vod'ika. I heard a loud noise so I just needed to make sure that you were okay, I was worried for you." Cody smiles knowing that Rex is okay, he saw the frustration on his face for a second after he turned around. "Are you okay?"

Rex feels a guilt wash over him like a ferocious wave, regretting being so rude, especially in front of his Ori'Vod. "I'm sorry, Cody. I accidentally bumped into it." Cody smiles kindly at Rex, he knows that it's not his fault.

"It's fine, Vod'ika. It was an accident. I'll clean it up, are you okay, you look frustrated." Rex nods, Cody's been here for him ever since their parents died two years ago. The reason Rex is crown prince is because Cody and his other brother Bly didn't want the crown.

"I didn't sleep well last night, and I was woken up by all of the noise." He mumbles a bit, still tired.

"I'm sure you'll feel throughout the day. We have a lot of fun things planned." He says with a big smile, hoping it will make Rex feel somewhat better.

"I'm sure I will too." He thanks him with a tired smile. Being thirteen and having hormones is not making his morning any better, but he tries to power through it the best he can and hopes he'll have a good time.

"I'll meet you in the ballroom to open presents once I've cleaned this up for you."

"Thanks, Ori'Vod."

"You're welcome, Vod'ika."

xxx

It's always very busy in the kitchen on Christmas. Many Chefs are preparing the vegetables and various foods for the Christmas dinner and snacks throughout the day. Gregor is a fifteen year old chef in training after being promoted from a dishwasher to a sous chef. He was given the day off today to spend with his brothers and cousins, but asked the head chef if he could make some cookies for everyone when they all open their presents. His boss is really nice, so he lets him do what he needs to do. Gregor gets up early to start making them. He hears the younger kids start running around upstairs, waking up the oldest of the family. He chuckles thinking of the kids running into his room to find an empty bed, he won't be woken up by someone jumping on him this year.

Gregor grabs all the ingredients he’ll need for the cookies, starting with the flour. He pours it into a bowl, there's a cloud of flour in the air after he pours but he just ignores it. He grabs the milk and eggs next, being careful to measure it correctly, the eggs are cracked in a separate bowl then, once checked for shells, are poured in with everything else. Next is Gregor's favorite ingredient, sugar.

He measures out a little more than the recipe calls for since his brothers and cousins love it when he adds extra into the mixture, because they all have a big sweet tooth. He mixes it in, giving the batter a quick taste. Once he finds that the taste is good he adds the baking powder and butter, checking the taste just to make sure it's still good.

Once the batter has reached the desired consistency and sweetness, he grabs a selection of Christmas spices from a cupboard and places them on the counter. He separates the batter into 3 different bowls, each one for a different flavour. He will make some cinnamon, ginger and vanilla cookies, though he makes about a batch more of cinnamon cookies because almost everyone goes crazy over those.

He mixes in the spices in and then puts the batter onto the counter. Gregor goes to get a rolling pin and some cookie cutters shaped like Christmas trees and stars to give them that extra Christmas feel to them. He rolls out the batter evenly and then cuts some out, placing them onto a tray ready to go into the oven. Once they are all cut out and placed on baking trays, he puts them into the oven that was preheated earlier on and then grabs a sand timer that will tell him in 20 minutes that the cookies will be baked and ready. He turns over the small timer and takes it with him so he can join everyone to start opening presents.

xxx

Rex sits in a circle with the kids, everyone between the ages of 2 to 15 is there. They all have presents in their laps, ready to be opened, the older kids and adults just have to give the say. Cody walks into the room, glancing around and smiling.

“Okay, you can all open your present now!” 99 calls out, he's the oldest among them and is everyone's uncle. All the kids start ripping open their presents, Rex feels a little bit of fear for Anakin's present when he starts to shake it.

“Be careful, ani. You’ll hurt him.” the twelve year old knight in training looks at Rex with wide eyes.

“Him?” he asks, setting the box down gently. He rips it open, hearing a bark when he opens it. He gasps loudly.

“A PUPPY!!!!” he yells, hugging the young dog to his chest. Rex smiles at his best friend's happiness, it was hard work keeping the puppy a secret. And getting it into the box a little while ago was tough, he had to ask Obi Wan for help. The older knight was surprised when Rex had asked him about getting Anakin a puppy, but agreed. He could see why Cody loved the guy. Anakin put the puppy down, pouncing on Rex.

“Thanks Rex, I love him!”

"Aw, he's so cute! What will you name him, Skyguy?" Anakin looks to his left to see Ahsoka petting his new dog gently on its head.

He smiles at her, she's only three years old but he finds her so enthusiastic and sweet "Hmm…" Anakin thinks for a moment, looking deeply into the puppy's eyes. "I'll call him Artoo!" He says, and the puppy lets out a little bark and wags his tail. Anakin feels tears of happiness well in his eyes as he hugs him close to his chest again, feeling Artoo snuggle into him.

After a few moments of admiring the adorable sight, Rex sees Stutter hand him a present. "Here y-y-you go R-R-Rex. T-T-This is f-for you."

Rex takes the wrapped up box from Stutter,smiling as he does so. "Thank you." He is only four years old, so the wrapping is a little bit untidy, but he is just so sweet and thoughtful. He peels back the paper to reveal a box with a lid. Discarding the wrapping paper on the floor, he carefully lifts off the lid to reveal a drawing inside. "Wow! This is so good, I love it. Thank you very much, Vod'ika!" Rex thanks Stutter, making him smile and then giving him a big hug. "Is that me and you that you've drawn?"

"Y-Yeah! We are p-p-playing t-t-together." He grins, happy that Rex loves his present. Stutter loves art so much, so any chance he gets to do something creative he will go and make more pieces of artwork.

While everyone is busy exchanging presents and making conversation with one another, the air is filled with a delightful and sweet aroma, making the ballroom feel even more Christmassy. Gregor notices that the sandtimer has almost run out, so he gets up and heads to the kitchen.

Rex watches as Hardcase rips into the wrapped present, he shakes his head. He swears that Hardcase is younger than him, not the same age. Hardcase finds a jigsaw puzzle inside, it's a puzzle of knights in shining armor, riding their horses into battle.

“This is awesome!”

“Did you remember to check who it's from?” Rex asks, Hardcase makes a sheepish expression.

“Oops!” he looks around. Finding the name tag, it says that it's from Jesse.

“Thanks Jesse!” hardcase yells to the twenty year old, who smiles.

“Your welcome, Vod’ika!” Hardcase laughs, he absolutely cannot wait to put it together.

Not a moment later, Gregor returns with some plates of his freshly baked cookies. Everyone's eyes go wide as he starts to hand them out to everyone. They always love his baking, especially his Christmas cookies, they are his speciality.

Rex runs over to Gregor, grabbing a handful of cookies. He runs them back over to the group, handing them to Anakin, Hardcase, Ahsoka, Stutter and everyone else in the group. Each person gets one for now to be fair, they'll have more once the presents are all done.

Ahsoka is next to open a present. She rummages through the various other presents under the tree until she finds one with her name on it. It's wrapped in silvery white paper with snowflakes and has a big blue ribbon tied around it. The tiny Togruta's eyes light up and the cutest smile graces her face. "Found mine!" Ahsoka exclaimed excitedly. She runs back over to her Ori'Vod.

Ahsoka lost her family about a year ago and Rex took her in, taking care of her and it wasn't long before everyone in the castle became her new family. She is so happy to have so many great brothers and cousins there for her. When they found out that she could use the force, Obi-Wan suggested that Anakin should be her mentor in her training to become a knight when she is old enough.

"Who's it from, Soka?" Anakin asks, still petting Artoo in his lap.

"It's from…" she searches the box for the label and then reads it out loud. "Rex."

Rex smiles at her kindly. "Go ahead, open it. But be careful with it."

Ahsoka nods and her eyes sparkle with excitement as she begins to peel back the paper, revealing a wooden box. She holds it and looks a bit confused at it for a moment.

"Here, you open it like this." Rex gets up from his chair and crouches down next to her, showing her how to open it. She then opens it all the way.

There's a little ballerina posing as if she was dancing. The lady is wearing a cute pink dress and has a pair of slipper silhouettes in the same colour as the dress. Her hair is tied up in a bun with a ribbon.

“I tried to get you a Togrutan one, but I couldn’t find one anywhere, sorry.” Rex says apologetically, he searched for one for weeks but they were always sold out or just didn't sell them.

"It's okay, I love it so much! Thank you, Ori'Vod!" She puts down the box and gives Rex a big hug, wrapping her arms around his neck. Rex chuckles and hugs her back.

"You're welcome, Soka. There is something else to it as well." Ahsoka looks at him puzzled, not sure about what he means. Rex picks up the box and shows her the little key on the back. "Turn this around a few times and see what happens."

"Okay!" She is excited to see what happens. When she lets go of the key, the ballerina starts to turn around as music from inside the box plays a beautiful song. Ahsoka is in love with this gift. "Wow! Thank you so much, I love it!"

"You're very welcome." Rex smiles at her and then she runs off to another room to carry on listening to the melody that the box produces, completely amazed with her present.

Taglist: @pro-fangirls-unsocial-life @captainrexisboo

[gloves94]

Sunburn [Prince Zuko] 23

Warnings: None   Rating: PG-13   Pairings: Zuko/OC   Summary:  “You have everything you’ve ever wanted.” “No.” He said softly. “Not everything…”  His golden eyes looked at her with a melting intensity she had never witnessed before. “I guess not.” She responded with glassy eyes as tears welled up threatening to break the dam of her eyes.

My fanfiction: M A S T E R L I S T

AN: I'll be the first to admit it. The last few chapters have been rough. So I wrote this with the intent of lighting things up.

xxx

The veil of the night covered the Fire Nation.

It was so late that the only living things awake at this time should've been the hooting night owls and other creatures of the nights. Creatures such as the auburn haired spy who had successfully infiltrated the Fire Nation's palace.

Tsai looked around swiftly before putting a hood over her head. She stepped out tucking a scroll with viable information in the back of her pants before slipping away. Like every other night she had to make way to the hawkery to communicate a message for her evening mission. She snuck around the corner of the hallway and almost had a heart attack when she came face to face with someone.

Zuko stood before her leaning against the hallway’s wall. His arms were crossed over his chest and his sharp eyes were fixed on hers. He didn’t seem groggy or sleepy in the least.

“Going somewhere?” He asked cooly.

She placed a hand over her racing heart and took in a deep breath. Stopping herself from screaming from the shock.

It took her a moment to regain her composure and she glowered at him. "I told you to stay away from me!" She repeated angrily. "Were you watching me?"

"You still haven't answered my question," he pressed not answering hers.

"I don't have to," She muttered as she walked past him. "Or what? Are you going to order me to?" She narrowed her light brown eyes at him. She hated it when he ordered her around to do stuff. He couldn't believe he had the audacity to do so after his betrayal, after everything he had done to her.

Zuko was convinced that Tsai was never going to forgive him. Never going to look at him and think of a decent human being again.

He tried. The spirits know he tried to make things right. He would try to speak to her. To purposely run into her around the palace when she was running errands for his sister. Sometimes he would even ask her to do pointless stuff for him. Just to keep her near. It was never anything painful or humiliating. Most of the times they were petty, ridiculous favors so that she could catch a break from his sister.

"Try this roast duck and fire-berry tart," he had demanded one afternoon. "I have to see if it's poisoned. The ice cream too."

Sometimes he would even leave bowls of fruits or sweets outside of her room in hope that they might make her day a bit more bearable.

He could still remember the angry look in her face as she glared daggers at him yet ate the full roast duck meal. She would never let it show let alone vocalize it but she was more than grateful for these small favors. Still, it wouldn't change the way she felt about him. She was still seething in anger every time she saw him, even more when he was with his perfect new girlfriend.

Zuko kept a close eye making sure that Azula wouldn't make her do anything too brash. Regardless every day the girl looked more and more exhausted. He knew it was because she wasn't sleeping at night. Dark circles carved under her eyes from exhaustion as she went on in her day by day without complaining. After seeing her that night he guessed she had been doing this every night, but to do what? Her mysterious motives for remaining restless were still a mystery to him. Was she sneaking out to visit his uncle?

"What? I can't explore the mainland?" She said referring to the Fire Nation Capital over her shoulder lying with ease.

“Liar,” he called her out flatly seeing right past her façade. “I’ve been watching you for some time now. Sneaking out at late hours. Almost passing out during the day. Where do you go? Who do you go see?” He inquired.

“That’s none of your business,” she snapped. It really wasn’t. He made a hum in the back of his throat.

“You need rest,” he advised sound like his uncle.

“Don’t you have a girlfriend or something to keep you busy? A hobby? Princely duties to attend?” She said mockingly before turning away from him.

“Have you seen Uncle?” he chased after her. She wasn’t really sure where she was going. All she knew was that she didn’t want to be around him. “You have!” He pressed on.

She would neither accept or deny that claim.

“Did he see you? Did he say anything to you?” He questioned as he tailed behind her.

She scoffed cruelly and looked over her shoulder. “He’s not talking to you?”

“No…” he answered quietly.

“Figures. Why would he want to talk to his betraying nephew?”

“But you betrayed him too!” He called out.

She stood silent for a moment. She slightly flinched as if she was going to say something but turned away silently instead.

“What are you not telling me?” He stood dead in his tracks when he realized she would not answer to him. Letting her go vanishing into the night.

Xxx

The other day Azula had demanded that she fetch a rare lily pond from a nearby pond infamous for being pooled with leeches. The poor girl returned to the palace soaked and muddy covered with leeches from head to toe. She would withdraw to her small windowless prison room completely drained where she could have a cold dinner of either stale bread, rice and sometimes dry chicken.

Another day she had been walking to the Royal bathroom chambers carrying two heavy buckets over her shoulders filled with rose petals. Petals which would be used for the princess's weekly rose water bath. She stumbled upon the hallways sleepily almost collapsing from the exhaustion. When she turned a hallway and encountered the one person she did not want to see.

He said her name in a worried tone and she ignored him continuing forward in her trek.

“Let me help you,” he said reaching for one of the wooden buckets she carried over her shoulders. “I can manage just fine, Prince.” She responded in an annoyed tone.

She looked ill. He could see the strain in her as she struggled to carry the heavy wooden buckets over her shoulders. Her body was even slightly wobbling from side to side to side from exhaustion. He snapped his fingers and before she knew it two servants that seemed to appear from out of the nowhere took the buckets off her shoulders and would finish the task from her.

She leaned over resting her hands on her knees as she caught her breath. She pushed her hair out of her face and looked at him with a hard expression on his face. It was always like this with him. She didn't need his help and certainly had no need for his sympathy. If she was fully well rested she would've most definitely been able to deliver to Azula. However her sleepless nights really weren't helping...

“I don’t want anything from you!” She angrily snapped at him. Before standing up and dusting her clothes off.

He, of course, was already used to this and had found a way around her bickering, push aways and protesting.

“Actually,” he said in a matter of fact tone. “Seeing as you are also my servant. I have something I need you to do for me.”

She gritted her teeth in fury, wondering just what stupid task he had in mind for her.

Moments later she found herself in his bedroom chambers. She tried her best not to appear interested by the artifacts and materials that were in the room.

“This is by far the stupidest task I’ve been forced to do,” she complained beyond irritated from his bed. She looked at the prince who was sitting on a wooden chair besides his bed looking down at her with his arms crossed over his chest an annoyed look in his face.

“General curiosity,” he shrugged with a rare, small smirk playing at his features.

“This..” she fought of an exhausting yawn. “Is so pointless...”

“You will not leave this room until you count every single thread on this blanket.” He ordered in a tone that was forcibly unsympathetic.

“This is so dumb. You’re so dumb…” she said weakly pointing a finger in his direction. But the bed... It was so comfortable. Her body sunk into it. Sleeping tempting her, calling her.

She currently lay on his bed, her nose buried against the heavy blanket as she counted every microscopic thread and stitch on the comforter. Sleep was taunting her, it was so seductive. Just a little cat nap wouldn't help...  He looked so smug. She had reached somewhere in the hundreds when she finally succumbed into its hands.

How could she not? Wrapped in warmth? Sleeping on a cloud, specially when the bed was wrapped in such a familiar comforting scent. What was that again eucalyptus?

It took him some time to realize it smelled like him...

Zuko let out a sigh he had been holding when he realized the exhausted girl had finally passed out from the exhaustion. He hated just how hardheaded she could be sometimes. He shook his head and pulled a thin blanket over her sleeping form before exiting his room.

xxxxx

AN: Stop reading here if you want a nice fluffy chapter. Do not read the following 3 sentences unless you want it all to go to hell again.

xxxxx

That same day Tsai was caught sleeping and as a punishment the soles of her feet were repeatedly whipped with a wooden cane in torture.

She swore not speak to the prince again.

She didn't tell him why.

xxx

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CHAPTER MASTERLIST

[hold-my-hand-kuroo]

A Bouquet For You || 02 - Carnation

A Bouquet For You Masterlist

taglist: @disgruntled-gay @moonchild-kun94 @skyguy-peach @error707-thememelord @o51oc @nanacee @prettysetter @sugawsites @shareyourfandomfaves

The next morning is exactly what you feared. You wake up late, missing the three alarms that you had set for yourself, and after some deliberation, you decide to go without breakfast. Not your best idea, but between being late on your first day or a hearty meal, you’d choose the former any day. First impressions were important.

“Are you sure you’re not going to eat?” Kenma asks, watching you fumble around with your shoes at the doorway. “Or actually, where are you even going this early?”

“Work. First day,” you say hurriedly. Turning the doorknob, you turn back to give him a quick wave or something similar to it. “See you. I’ll be back later tonight.”

“B-bye?” he responds like a question. After all, Kenma still doesn’t understand why you’re conversing with him like a real person. The feeling of living with someone after so long feels foreign, and he’s continuously caught by surprise with your behavior. Even a rush, you still poured a glass of milk for him, forgetting that spirits don’t need calcium for strong bones. He drank it nonetheless, being very confused.

Work is exactly what you had imagined it to be. Hell. Within your very first hour, you’re bombarded with new tasks and papers. “Experience is key,” your supervisor had said, but between the directions being fired at you and more coworkers just giving you endless stacks of files, you quickly are at a loss for what to do. Between flipping through the manual and managing your work properly, you find yourself already utterly exhausted by lunch break.

Lunch break. That was your next problem. Nobody wanted to involve themselves with the new, troublesome rookie, leaving you to eat on your own, albeit quickly, because you wanted to get things done.

“D-do you mind if I sit here with you?” a small, shaky voice stammers. You look up from scrolling through your phone to see a short, blonde woman. She grips tightly at her lunch bag, eyes quivering. “You don’t have to let me, though! I don’t want to be too pushy!”

“I don’t mind!” you answer kindly, offering the chair next to you. You watch as the woman of nerves shakily takes the spot. “Actually, thanks for offering. I was worried that I was going to have a hard time getting along with other people.”

“It’s always hard on the first day. I’ve been here for a few months, and it’s still really difficult for me!” she agrees. She seems more relaxed, shoulders going down slightly. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, the woman opens her lunch before jolting upright. “I’m sorry! I never introduced myself. I’m Yachi Hitoka!”

You vaguely remember her name, and you realize that it’s the person whose desk is right next to you. You’re embarrassed, to say the least, realizing that you barely made sufficient introductions to the people around you. Offering your own name in turn and apologizing profusely, the two of you get along better than expected. As it turns out, Yachi, though having only been at the company for less than half a year, was a designer genius. Often tasked to be the leader of poster projects, your coworker who seemed only to be made out of nerves was a master at what she did. You hoped to be like her one day.

“It’s a little rough at first,” she admits, wiping stray crumbs off the table, “but you’ll be fine. To be honest, I saw some of the samples you sent in with your resume. Just a peek though! Your pattern-designing is really interesting and pretty, so I think they’ll be useful in the future. If you need any help…you know…feel free to ask me.”

After lunch, you feel like a new person. You’re not sure if it’s just getting food in your system, or Yachi’s genuine optimism and show of support, but you’re determined to work harder. After getting chewed out by your supervisor for making multitudes of errors in the files, you’re back at rock bottom again. Expected.

Walking out of the office building, you trudge your way back home, squeezing your way through the mob of people all rushing to get back home at the station. Taking the train was economical on your part, but a massive hellish experience. You always took notice to stay near the doors, but eventually, people would just push you toward the middle, and you’d be stuck there. Pushing your way back out was a million times worse, as you never felt good about shoving other passengers, even if their actions warranted it.

From there, you carefully follow your GPS back to your apartment complex on foot. You didn’t exactly know yet the area that well, so you were careful to not get lost. As you’re walking, you stop and notice the little florist shop and its display of pink and red flowers. They’re small, and the way the setting sun hits the freshly watered petals, reflecting glimmers of light, fascinates you. Walking closer toward the shop, you lean down and admire the delicate beauty in awe.

“Sorry, but that’s just display. We’re currently out of carnations,” a familiar deep voice informs, followed by the closing and locking of the door. You look up to the source and let out an audible gasp. “Oh, hey. It’s you.”

“So that’s what you meant last night by cutting and dying,” you muse, looking at your neighbor and the daffodils he has in hand. “And here I thought you were some kind of gang leader.”

“I suppose what I said taken out of context sounds pretty bad,” he chuckles, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. He looks down at his bouquet and motions them toward you. “I was gonna give you this when I got back, but I guess it doesn’t matter now. Here. Congratulations on moving in, Neighbor.”

“Thanks,” you laugh, graciously accepting the house-warming gift. “Although, it’d be better if I could get a name to thank. I’m Y/N by the way.”

“Shit, did I never mention a name?” he murmurs, tsking. You almost laugh again. Poor introductions seemed to be a pattern, and you were one of the worst offenders. “I’m Kuroo Tetsurou. I’m, as you can see, the owner of this shop. Some people call me a florist, but I’m really a plant magician.”

“I’m sure you are,” you reply with a roll of your eyes. “Did you just get off from work?”

“Yup. This shop closes every day at 7 PM. Won’t be catching me doing overtime.”

“What about last night?”

“Except when I forget things, which usually doesn’t happen,” Kuroo clarifies with a smirk. He glances at your offense attire and raises a brow. “First day not so good, huh? Are you going home? I’d be willing to lend an ear if you’d like.”

“How kind of you,” you sigh, then nod tiredly. “It’s my second day here, and I already have a therapist. Lovely.”

“It’s good to complain a little from time to time.”

Following the florist, you hum a little in contemplation. Then, taking a deep breath, you being to talk about how terrible your day was and how you’ve been yelled at more times today than ever in your life and that reading the manual over and over again actually didn’t help, but none of the senior workers were very approachable. To be honest, you felt a little bit silly, opening up so quickly to a stranger, but once you started, you couldn’t stop. In fact, you don’t even notice when you’re right in front of the door to your apartment room until you hear the jingling of Kuroo’s own keys.

“Sorry, I got a little carried away,” you murmur, embarrassed for what seemed to be the millionth time that day. “I didn’t mean to rant-“

“But you look so much better after letting a little bit of steam off,” Kuroo interrupts, flashing you an insanely bright smile. “Hey, don’t worry about it. Since we’re neighbors that share the same route home, let’s just be friends, yeah?”

“Y-yeah?” you say like a question. “I mean, yeah. Sounds good.”

“Then, see you around, or maybe tomorrow, Y/N,” the florist concludes, unlocking the door to his room, already halfway in. “Hope tomorrow goes better for you.”

“Thanks,” you reply, giving him a wave before stepping into your own home. Setting your shoes aside, you quickly wonder what to do with the flowers. It’s not like you had a vase ready, so you take an empty water bottle out from the recycling instead. Carefully setting the yellow buds into the container, you leave it at the center of the table, deciding that the centerpiece brought a little life into your apartment.

“Hey,” you hear Kenma murmur, walking out of your room with console in hand. You then remember that you really did more life in your apartment. “Nice flowers.”

“You’re not even looking at them,” you chuckle and roll your eyes. “The neighbor gave them to me. Do you like them?”

“They’re fine.”

You laugh again at his aloof attitude and try to throw away the parchment paper that was used to wrap the bouquet. It’s until then that you notice a small note flutter down onto the floor. You bend over and pick it up, wondering if it’s a price tag or something of the sort.

“Hey, it’s Kuroo. You probably already knew that lol. Anyways, I hope u like daffodils. Keep them away from direct heat, and they should live for a while. Since we both seem to be like night owls, feel free to cure my of my boredom. XXX-XXX-XXXX”

“Why are you smiling in the middle of the kitchen?” Kenma asks, brow raised, and in hindsight, you must have looked dumb. If a ghost thought you were creepy, the look you had on must have been just terrible.

“Nothing,” you say quickly and scramble to set the note aside. You know he doesn’t buy it, but you don’t care or want to elaborate on how the florist next door’s kindness made you feel unusually warm. Surprisingly, finding your first friend in a new area was much more relieving that you had expected it to be, especially when your new friend seemed so open and lived close by. “It’s just a note on how to take care of the daffodils.”

“Oh.” There’s a brief silence, and you brush it off as him going back to his game. “I guess that’s fitting since they mean new beginnings or something like that.”

Now that was odd coming from a ghost who couldn’t even remember why he was still here.

“How do you know that?” You watch as he comes to a realization too, eyes widening ever so slightly out of sheer surprise. HIs reaction reassures you that he isn’t lying to you about the amnesia, and you let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m not sure.” He’s frowning, seeming to rack his mind for any clue, anything at all to remind him of where his knowledge came from and why he couldn’t move on. It’s all fruitless in the end. “I…really don’t know.”

“It’s okay,” you reassure, giving him a small smile. “It doesn’t matter that much anyway. I don’t mind cooking another portion, especially when you eat so little. Or maybe I eat a lot- Well, whatever.”

From the couch, Kenma nods and sinks into the cushions. Still, he wants to know why out of everything he could have remembered, why were they the flowers. In his current state, he can’t imagine himself as a flower buff in the past; hell, he doesn’t remember being the sun, but every morning when it rises, he feels like he’d hate to be in it, so if he can’t stand the outdoors now, he probably couldn’t either in the past. He thinks hard and long, but when you call him and tell him that’s dinner’s ready, all he can do is give up and go listen about your day.

It’s all so strange, he thinks.

[adhdzagreus]

44 BFT!!

44: Public Kiss

Sterling had never seen the palace in such a state of uproar. He’d been only a child when the last royal wedding had taken place between the current Emperor Elias and Empress Alexandra. What he hadn’t been able to appreciate then was exactly how much work goes into organizing an event of this magnitude. 

Now, of course, he was able to appreciate this in full. He was starting to dream about guard duty. The amount of people coming and going with gifts and preparations and messages was mind-boggling, and it was up to the guards to ensure everyone’s safety. And don’t even get him started on the amount of foreign dignitaries who demanded an escort. 

But very soon it was all going to be worth it because he’d managed to secure a spot guarding the actual wedding ceremony. It was almost as good as being an actual guest, and he was getting paid. From his spot by the side doors, he had quite a good view of the altar, and he was accompanied, of course, by Amos who was in a state of wild excitement, dressed in his most polished armor. 

All of the guards were. The captain had been quite specific: show up looking your best or don’t show up at all. Visitors from all over the known world were in attendance. It was the duty of the guards to represent Hamelin at its best. 

The basilica was quickly filling up with these visitors. Sterling and Amos guided those who had entered through the side doors to their seats, and, of course, kept an eye out for any restricted persons who might try to enter. Generally though, Sterling suspected, they were there for show. Surely, no one would try anything on such a joyous occasion as this. 

After a while, the tide of people entering began to slow, and the excitement began to build. Sterling’s watchful gaze flickered over the sea of guests, seated in rows all facing towards the altar. He recognized a few familiar faces. There was the captain, Arlo himself, with his wife and chief advisor Cornelia with her husband. There was the Cawtermaster, and the Taskmaster, and the Hootenany. In the interests of diplomacy, invitations had been sent out to other kingdoms, and in the interests of sizing up the future emperor and empress, they had been accepted. The envoys from Al Mamoon and Ding Dong Dell were under close supervision by the guards. 

Suddenly, everyone fell silent. Music had started up–a traditional, formal piece. It was about to begin. 

XXX

“Are you excited?” asked Annabelle, a young woman with long wavy hair the pale yellow of sandstone and serious brown eyes. Currently, her blonde hair was tucked into a tidy bun at the base of her neck, and she was wearing a floor-length light purple gown. 

Kyoko nodded with an anxious smile. She was seated on a velvet stool in a small dressing room off to the side of the main hall of the basilica, and her mother, Yuka, was fussing with her hair. 

“Are you nervous?” Annabelle asked. 

“A little bit,” Kyoko admitted. Truthfully, her heart was pounding in her chest, but that could’ve been excitement just as easily. 

“Why is that?” Annabelle asked. “I thought you were sure of this.” 

Kyoko smiled. Annabelle’s practical nature had made her the obvious choice for maid of honor. “I am sure,” she said. “I’m not nervous about getting married. I’m more nervous about all those people looking at me.” 

Annabelle nodded her understanding. Yuka removed a hair pin from between her lips and finished securing her daughter’s hair. “Don’t be,” she said sternly. “Forget all of those people. This is your big day. Enjoy it!” 

Kyoko smiled. “I’ll do my best, Mother.” 

“Your hair is done,” Yuka said. “Annabelle, will you help me with the veil? I’m afraid I’ll ruin her hair.” 

“Of course, ma’am,” Annabelle said. She picked up the gossamer-thin stretch of material, studded with sparkling silver sequins and jewels in the shapes of ivy and stars, and went to stand beside Yuka. 

Kyoko held still as Yuka and Annabelle placed the veil on the top of her head and fastened it in place. The fabric was surprisingly soft against her face, but it did obscure her vision considerably, so she was glad when they pulled it back away from her face. 

Her mother considered her thoughtfully, looking from the crown of her head (which was not currently crowned but would be later) to the hem of her ivory skirt. “Done,” she said after a moment. “You can look now.” 

Kyoko hopped up gleefully and went to the full length mirror standing in the corner. She gasped in delight when she saw herself. She was radiant and sparkling like a perfectly cut diamond. Her black hair was pinned on the top of her head while the veil spilled down over her shoulders, framing the bodice of her wedding gown. The dress was the most expensive thing she had ever worn, but her betrothed had insisted she get any dress she wanted, and she had no regrets. She felt gorgeous. 

“You look beautiful, Kyoko,” said Annabelle sincerely. “You’re going to make a great princess.” 

Her mother squeezed her shoulders. “Perfect.” 

Kyoko turned and looked at them both over her shoulder, feeling her skirt unfurl like the petals of a flower, and beamed. “Thank you,” she said. 

“It was my pleasure,” Annabelle said. 

“Of course,” said Yuka. 

Kyoko hugged them both in turn and said, “How long?” 

Yuka glanced at the clock on the wall. “Soon. Everyone should be seated now. It should be any minute.” 

Kyoko’s heart skipped a beat. Underneath the many layers of her skirt, she bounced her foot up and down. 

“Have you seen the prince yet?” Annabelle asked after a moment. 

Kyoko smiled gratefully. Annabelle knew just what to ask to keep her distracted. “Not since yesterday. It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, you know. Roark doesn’t believe in superstition, but he also doesn’t believe in tempting fate.” 

Annabelle nodded. “It will make your reunion more meaningful anyway.” 

Kyoko nodded and bounced on the heels of her feet. “I’m excited to see him.” She grinned. “How do you think he’ll react when he sees me?” 

“Kyoko, you know I can’t read his expressions. I’m convinced you’re making them up,” said Annabelle. 

Kyoko laughed. “No, I promise, I’m not! I think he’ll smile.” 

Just then, there came a knock at the door. Kyoko went to answer it, but Annabelle, being closer, beat her to it. 

It was a palace guard. “Miss Kyoko? Mrs. Yuka? Miss Annabelle?” 

“Yes?” said Kyoko. 

“It’s beginning. I’m to escort you to the rest of the wedding party.” 

Kyoko drew a sharp breath and grasped the hands of her mother and maid of honor. “Lead the way,” she said. 

XXX

All of the guests were seated. Sterling and Amos were guarding the side doors. Sterling had been briefed on the ceremony which meant that any moment now…

There came a quiet knock at the door. That was their cue. Sterling and Amos sprang into action, opening the double doors in unison, and three people walked through, straight across the front of the basilica towards the altar. 

The first was a woman that Sterling recognized as Minerva, a high-ranking judge. She was dressed in purple and gold, the traditional colors of a royal wedding ceremony. The second was the emperor, Elias himself, looking very regal in purple. And the third was the groom–Crown Prince Roark. He looked incredibly striking in black and white. 

Sterling watched Minerva go to stand behind the altar. The prince stood on the far side with his father behind him. His expression was carefully neutral–serious but not dour. He was wearing a sweeping midnight cape over a dark gray and white suit. On his head sat a metal crown, encrusted with clear jewels. 

“Oh, doesn’t he look handsome?” Amos whispered with very much the sort of tone one might expect from an elderly woman. 

Sterling rolled his eyes–they weren’t supposed to be talking–but he nodded. The prince looked very fine, very regal. Just as he should on his wedding day. 

The music swelled, and the guests all stood. The main doors swung open, held by two of Sterling’s fellow guards. 

The first to walk down the aisle was the empress Alexandra who was smiling with the smug pride that suggested she had planned the entire thing. She was followed by Yuka, the mother of the bride, smiling more sedately but with her own kind of pride. 

They were followed by four young women, walking down the aisle in pairs. Sterling recognized the first two as Captain Arlo’s daughters, Genevieve and Vivian. The other two he couldn’t put names too, but they looked familiar. All four were dressed in light purple gowns and grinning with excitement. 

Next came the maid of honor. Sterling recognized her too. She was Annabelle, Cornelia’s daughter. She looked very pretty and happy as she followed her friends down the aisle. 

And then–Kyoko herself stepped through the doors on the arm of her father Taro, head of engineering. The crowd let out a murmur of awe. She was stunning. The happiness obvious on her face only added to her already considerable beauty. 

She walked down the aisle, slowly, gracefully, with a radiant smile on her face, her gaze fixed forward to where her groom awaited her at the altar. 

Sterling turned to glance briefly at the prince and then his gaze snapped back in surprise. The prince’s expression had changed from neutral to–there was no other word for it–besotted. His lips were curved in a small smile, and his eyes were full of affection as he watched Kyoko walk down the aisle. Sterling noticed she was looking back at the prince, and it seemed him that they were having a whole conversation, just between the two of them, through the strength of their gazes alone. 

Kyoko reached the altar and released her father’s arm. He went to stand next to his wife who smiled, and Kyoko instantly clasped her groom’s hands across the altar. The obvious love between the two of them was enough to bring a smile to Sterling’s lips despite his best efforts to remain professional. 

He hoped if he ever got married he’d be that happy and in love. 

“Friends, family, citizens of Hamelin, visitors from faraway lands,” Minerva began in a clear, calm voice. “We are gathered here today for one singular purpose: to celebrate the joining of two hearts in marriage. You have come to bear witness to the union of our Crown Prince, Roark, and Kyoko, daughter of Taro.”

“Throughout the history of the Empire,” she continued, “our emperors and empresses have rarely ruled alone. There is a reason it is customary for the crown princes and princesses of Hamelin to seek a husband or wife when they become of age, and it is simply that two is better than one. We have long understood marriage as one of the most important kinds of partnerships: where two individuals join together to become stronger and better than either would be on their own. It is our hope and our belief that the two of you will form such a union. You will be strong when the other feels weak. You will be brave when the other is frightened. You will be kind when the other is hurt. And in all of this, you will act as partners and support each other as you serve our Empire and one day lead it.” 

Minerva paused to reflect the seriousness of her statement before she turned to the prince and said, “Do you, Prince Roark, declare your intention to take this woman, Kyoko, as your lawfully wedded wife?” 

“I do,” said the prince. For the first time, he turned his gaze away from his bride to look at the judge. His expression was deadly serious without a hint of hesitation. 

Minerva nodded and turned to Kyoko. “And do you, Kyoko, daughter of Taro, declare your intention to take this man, Roark, as your lawfully wedded husband?” 

“I do!” she said quickly. Her gaze flickered to the judge, smiled, and then landed back on her groom. 

Minerva turned her gaze back out to the audience. “Prince Roark and Miss Kyoko have declared their intention to marry, but no couple can live in isolation, and no prince and princess can one day lead without the support of their people. I now ask the citizens of Hamelin to rise.”

Sterling was already standing, but Amos stood up straighter, and all but a few foreign delegates in the crowd stood up from their seats and faced the altar. 

“Do you, the citizenry of Hamelin, support the union of Prince Roark and Kyoko, daughter of Taro, recognize its validity, and swear to honor them as the future emperor and empress of Hamelin?” 

“We do!” said Amos. 

“We do,” said Sterling. 

“We do!” chorused the crowd. 

“You may be seated,” said Minerva. She turned to look back at the bride and groom. “Now comes the time for the reading of the vows. I would remind you that these are among the most solemn of promises two persons can make and to look back on these vows during times of trial as a reminder of the commitment you have made to each other.” 

She turned to look at the prince who paused briefly and then spoke. “I, Prince Roark of Hamelin, take you, Kyoko, daughter of Taro, to be my wife, the mother of my children, my princess, and one day, my empress. I swear myself to you, from now until the end of time. I shall love you when we are together and when we are apart, in times of peace and in times of war, in times of health and times of sickness. I have never loved anyone as much as I love you, and I shall never love anyone else. I devote myself to you.”

Sterling watched Kyoko’s shoulder rise and fall in a deep breath, her face beaming with joy. “I, Kyoko, daughter of Taro, take you, Prince Roark of Hamelin, to be my lover, my best friend, and my husband. I swear to remain true to you throughout the good times and the bad and to love you with my whole heart forever and ever.” 

Sterling heard a strange gasping sound from nearby and turned to look at Amos who was suspiciously bleary-eyed. Are you crying? Sterling mouthed. 

The other guard nodded tearfully. Sterling rolled his eyes and patted him on the shoulder. He supposed it all was rather beautiful. The two seemed to really love each other. That was certainly the most impassioned speech he’d ever heard from the prince before. 

“It is time for the rings,” Minerva said. The emperor and the maid of honor each stepped forward. The emperor handed the prince’s ring to Kyoko, and the maid of honor handed Kyoko’s ring to the prince. 

The couple held the rings like they were something precious and fragile. Sterling supposed they were. He was willing to bet they were worth more than a month’s pay a piece. 

The prince took his bride’s hand in his, tenderly, as if it were worth even more than the ring he grasped in the other, and slid it onto her finger. “Let this ring be a symbol of my devotion and love for you. I am honored to call you my wife.” 

And then she took his hand and slid the ring onto his finger. “I give you this ring as a reminder of my love. Wear it and think of me and know that I love you. I am honored to call you my husband.” 

Minerva spoke. “By the power vested in me by the Empire of Hamelin, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” 

The couple stepped forward in front of the altar and clasped hands. Kyoko gently leaned in and kissed him on the lips. The prince reached up and tenderly cupped her face. Then they parted and turned to the crowd who all applauded. The whole exchange lasted less than five seconds, but Sterling felt like he had witnessed something shockingly intimate. 

In most wedding ceremonies, that would’ve been the end of it, but this was no ordinary wedding. It was a royal wedding, so when the crowd had settled down, Minerva spoke again. 

“As the wife of our prince, Miss Kyoko must be granted her own title. I turn to the emperor now to perform the coronation ceremony.” She bowed and stepped back to allow Emperor Elias to take her place behind the altar. 

“Kyoko, daughter of Taro, come forward,” declared the emperor. It would’ve been quite intimidating, Sterling imagined, were it not for the gleam of mirth in his eyes. Sterling suspected he knew what it was the emperor found so amusing–the prince was blushing quite a lovely shade of pink as he looked at his wife. 

She did as she was asked, gliding over to stand in front of the emperor, the train of her gown trailing behind her. Even though the eyes of the kingdom were on here, she looked poised and elegant. Sterling was impressed. Guards had to go through a month of training to learn the art of remaining poised under pressure. 

“Do you, Kyoko, firstborn daughter of Chief Engineer Taro, accept the royal title of princess of Hamelin and all of the responsibilities it entails?” the emperor intoned. 

“I, Kyoko, firstborn daughter of Chief Engineer Taro, accept the royal title of princess of Hamelin and all of the responsibilities it entails,” she said steadily. 

“Do you swear to serve the Empire and honor its constitution in all that you do?” 

“I swear to serve the Empire and honors its constitution in all that I do.” 

“Do you vow to remain loyal to the Empire and the crown for as long as you shall live?” 

Kyoko didn’t hesitate. “I vow to remain loyal to the Empire and the crown for as long as I shall live.” Sterling thought he saw a flicker of a smile cross the prince’s face. 

The emperor turned to the crowd. “Do you, the citizens of Hamelin, recognize Kyoko, daughter of Taro, as a princess of Hamelin?” 

“We do,” chorused the crowd, Sterling and Amos included. 

From behind the altar, Minerva drew something sparkling and white out of a drawer and handed it reverently to the emperor who bade Kyoko to kneel. She got down on one knee. 

Carefully, solemnly, the emperor placed what Sterling now recognized as a delicate golden crown on Kyoko’s head and spoke, “Rise, Kyoko, princess of Hamelin.” 

The princess rose and turned to face the crowd. She walked back to her husband’s side and took his hand, smiling gently. 

The judge cleared her throat and spoke. “I present to you the newly wed Prince Roark and Princess Kyoko.” 

Amos burst into applause, quickly followed by Sterling and the rest of the audience, as the new princess and her husband started down the aisle and the wedding party began to file out of the basilica. Sterling would’ve liked the chance to celebrate the newlyweds, but he had a job to do. The guests weren’t going to safely file out of the building on their own. 

But he hoped he’d get some time to celebrate at the reception. 

XXX 

Roark was a married man now. He didn’t feel much different. He didn’t feel any older or wiser. What he did feel was extremely happy. Happier, he would dare say, than he had ever been before. 

This was strange, he thought, as on the face of it, nothing about this situation was terribly unusual. He had attended many a ball with Kyoko at his side, and he had known she loved him, unbelievable as that was, for quite some time. 

But he had never been married before, and though he wasn’t a romantic, he was a traditionalist, and he knew the institution of marriage meant something. It meant a commitment to spend the rest of his life with the person he loved most. So yes, he was happy. 

“I think that went rather well,” his wife whispered to him with a grin as they entered the ballroom. 

“You were perfect,” he said. “No one should be able to have any complaints.” 

The wedding party broke up to mingle with the other guests who were entering in a steady stream of finely dressed people. The musicians were already warming up. By unspoken mutual agreement, Roark and Kyoko gravitated towards the far wall of the ballroom where they could have relative privacy. 

“I have to admit, I’m glad of that,” she said. “It was wonderful but a bit nerve-wracking. It looked like half the Empire was invited.” 

He nodded his understanding. “You get used to it. Still, I’m most looking forward to being alone with you later.” 

Kyoko grinned impishly and turned her beautiful head to look at him. “Oh? What do you think is going to happen then?” 

He colored slightly. “Kyoko, you know that isn’t what I meant.”

She laughed adorably. “I know, I know! All of these people isn’t your scene. But do try to have fun. It’s our wedding reception.” 

“I am,” he said, taking her hand and kissing it. “I’m quite happy.” 

“Mm, yes, I can tell,” she said. 

“Can you?” he asked. “I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic.” 

“I’m not, love,” she said, smiling. “I can tell. You’re smiling. It suits you. You look more handsome than ever today.” 

“Thank you,” he said with a bow of his head. “You’re as kind as you are beautiful.” 

“And you’re as charming as you are handsome,” she said, grinning. “Now come dance with me!” 

“Of course,” he said, taking her hand. Its shape was familiar in his own: thin and soft with a few callouses on her fingers from working with machinery. 

She led him out onto the dancefloor. She had an impeccable sense of timing; the musicians had just finished warming up, and, noticing the two of them, started to play a new song. It was slow and sweet and hopeful. 

They fell into position easily, his hand on her back and hers on his shoulder. She smiled at him, as dazzling as a diamond, and he smiled back. 

[fenrys-moonbeam-lochan]

Soulmate AU 1.0: My Love is Worth so Much More (Part 3)

Part 1, Part 2, Part 4 ao3

So this took on a life of its own went waaaay longer then I had intended. Hope you guys still enjoy it.

XXX

Summary: Everyone knows the facts about soulmates. You are born with dull marks on your body that brighten when you touch your soulmates for the first time. A person can have up to any number of soulmates though three is the average number. You stop ageing at age twenty-five and do not age until you find all your soulmates and until all your soulmates start ageing too. Those are the facts

Then there are beliefs. Soulmates are supposed to be chosen by the universe for you, so they can’t be wrong, can they? Wrong. There is no point of it if they do not respect you, no point if they do not love you. No point if they hurt you.

It takes years for Lorcan to figure that out though.

XXX

Lorcan had died and descended to another plane of existence.

Or at least that’s what it felt like as he slid off Rowan and flopped down beside him. He didn’t think he had ever had sex this good before.

He looked over to the younger man, who still seemed to be riding the after chock of his orgasm. Lorcan turned on his side and gently cupped his neck.

“You alright, Whitethorn?”

Rowan took a few deep breathes, “Yeah, yeah. Just-just a little overwhelmed. Never had it like that before,”

Lorcan grinned and gave him a soft kiss.

“Well, I don’t think you’ve ever had sex with your soulmate before either,”

Rowan smiled, “Yeah. What about you? I noticed some of your other petals are filling it out,��

“Well,” said Lorcan, loosely putting his arms around Rowan, “I met Gavriel and Maeve when at least one of us was a child and Vaughan and I have always had a more brotherly relationship,”

“Oh so those three are your soulmate?” said Rowan, “Or well I guess mine too,”

Lorcan frowned, “Yes, they are. Don’t you already know that? We’ve never hidden it,”

Rowan shrugged, “It’s not like you go around showing your mark to people, speculating and gossiping about soulmates is considered inappropriate, and mix that with the fact that people are usually reluctant to talk about Maeve and her closest in general, yeah there’s only vague rumours,”

Huh. Rowan had a point. Children kept their marks covered in general, even orphanages provided a powder to cover them up. Lorcan had never done it as a child but as a favour to Maeve, he and the other two had done it for most of their adult lives. He wouldn’t be surprised if even their personal group of warriors were oblivious to the bond between them. And if they did know, they probably didn't discuss it as talking about a soulmate bond without the soulmates’ permission was considered rude and improper.

Though there was one thing.

“What do people think about me living with Maeve since I was a child?”

“That’s actually why the rumours exist,” said Rowan, “Though some people just think that you impressed her and she gave you to one of her warriors to take under their wing,”

Well, it wasn't a complete lie. He and Vaughan had been trained by some of the best warriors in Maeve’s old guard. 

“If you don’t mind me asking,” said Rowan, “Do you have any other marks?”

Lorcan brought his hand to his chest and rubbed their until the powder came off and the swirl pattern was visible. Fascinated, Rowan traced it with his hand, smiling up at Lorcan.

“Ever wonder about them?” said Rowan

Lorcan shrugged, “Not really. I’ll meet them when I meet them,”

Rowan took his hand away and rubbed at his own chest. After a few seconds, Loran could see a small flame right over Rowan’s heart.

“It’s in the same place as mine,” said Lorcan, touching the mark in awe

“Yeah,”

They stayed like that until Lorcan couldn't resist anymore and leaned down t give Rowan a soft kiss, letting his lips linger until they had to come up for air.

The younger man nuzzled his cheeks and whispered, “I have to say, I'm not used to this,”

“Kissing softly,” said Lorcan with a grin

“Staying the night,”

Lorcan furrowed his brow, “I would say that we’re soulmates so of course, you stayed but I get the feeling this is more than that,”

“I’ve mostly kept myself alone since -well- since-”

“Lyria,” Lorcan finished for him, comfortingly running a hand through his hair

Rowan smiled sadly, “You know about that?”

Lorcan pressed his lips in imitation of a smile, “It was a pretty big wedding,”

“Right,” said Rowan, voice a little too rough

Lorcan pulled him up in a hug and kissed his hair.

“Well, You’re definitely not going to be alone anymore,”

XXX

Lorcan startled awake and for a few seconds, he couldn't breathe.

It took him a few panicked breathes to realize that he wasn’t really feeling his own emotions.

Throwing off the covers, he hurried out into the hall. Gavriel was also stepping out of the room in front of him. Vaughan was already in the hall, looking wide-eyed and confused.

“Who was that?”

Soulmates shared a special, physical bond that sometimes allowed emotions to carry over. Lorcan’s bond with others had never been this loud before. Maeve kept her distance. Gavriel was usually level headed. Like Lorcan, Vaughan had learned early on how to handle his as to not disturb the others. Usually they used the bond to find out where the other person was or if there was any emotional turmoil to navigate, something that had been helpful when Gavriel had lost the last of his family.

This loud and intrusive feeling in his chest was new and confusing.

In his haze, it took Lorcan a few minutes remember the newest addition to their bond. Gavriel and Vaughan must have had the same realization at the same time because they also turned toward the door at the end of the hall. 

Rowan’s room had a sheet of ice on each wall, the windows were frosted over and there were icicles hanging from the ceiling. Whatever had caused his magic to go out of control had obviously been happening for a few hours now.

Rowan himself was twisting his hands in the sheets, eyes still closed with tears running down his cheeks.

Lorcan wanted to rush forward and take the younger man in his arms, wake him up and tell him that he was okay, that whatever horror was going through his head was not real.

He knew better though.

Instead, he followed Gavirel as they slowly walked to the bed, Vaughan took the position at Rowan’s feet and Gavriel at his head. Nodding at the two of them, he knelt and started to whisper in Rowan’s ear. 

“Wake up Ro. It’s okay. You’re going to be okay. You just have to wake up,”

Rowan kept thrashing, so Vaughan and Gavriel kept their hands out, not touching but ready to stop him if he started to hurt himself.

It didn’t come to that though. Rowan eventually started to calm down so Lorcan squeezes his hand, startling him awake. Rowan between the three of them wide-eyed and confused with a bit of fear still in his eyes.

“Hey Rowan,” whispered Lorcan

That was all Rowan needed to get out of his stupor because as soon as Lorcan spoke, he promptly burst into tears and threw himself at Lorcan.

Lorcan hugged him close, shushing him and rocking him gently.

“It’s okay. You’re okay, Ro. It was just a bad dream, you’re okay,”

It only made Rowan cry harder, so Lorcan let him, holding him close and letting him know he wasn’t alone.

“I’m sorry,” Rowan whispered into his shoulder once he had calmed.

“No need to apologize,” murmured Lorcan, manoeuvring them so they were leaning against the wall by his bed. Gavriel and Vaughan joined them on either side, whispering their own reassurances.

“Do you want to talk about it?” asked Gavriel, rubbing his arm

“I- I was dreaming about Lyria,”

“Okay,” said Gavriel in encouragement 

Rowan hiccupped, “Most people don’t know this but Lyria- she was pregnant when she died,”

The three older men looked at each other stunned. Not ageing came with a lot of side effects. A stronger immune system, strength, becoming harder to kill, and of course very very low fertility. A good thing too. Lorcan himself was centuries old. If he and everyone as old as him kept having children all through their temporary immortality, the world would be overrun pretty soon.

However, as rare as children for immortals were, especially when both parents were immortal, it didn’t mean it never happened, proven by Rowan's story.

“I was going to be a father,” Rowan said in a broken whisper, “I was going to be a father and they both died and I keep seeing them, her body just laying there, broken and I just want it to stop!”

He dissolved into sobs again.

 “I just want it to stop,” he whispered through his tears

Not knowing what to do or what to say, the three of them just pulled their youngest soulmate as close as they could, holding him for the rest of the night.

XXX

Lorcan watched Vaughan whip Rowan with a pit in his stomach. Beside him, Gavriel was tense, barely keeping himself from rushing forward and pulling Rowan away.

Lorcan knew that the whip was a common punishment in Maeve’s guard, had gone through it himself, had watched Vaughan and Gavriel go through it, had implemented it under Maeve’s order but something about the scene in front of him irked him.

 Maybe it was the protectiveness he felt over Rowan, maybe it was the distant look in Rowan’s eyes.

Or maybe it was the fact that Lorcan knew that this whipping was exactly what Rowan had wanted when he lad lashed out in front of Maeve.

Once they were done, Vaughan moved to clean up the place while Gavriel stepped forward to take Rowan back to their rooms. He turned to wait for Lorcan but he waved them off.

“I have to talk to Maeve. I’ll be there later,”

Lorcan found Maeve in her study, already moving on to other matter as if she hadn’t just had Rowan whipped for no good reason.

“Lorcan,” said Maeve, once she noticed him, “Come in. What are you doing here? I thought you would be with the others,”

She said it with a gentle tone and a smile on her face. Lorcan had to shake his head to not sink into her sweetness and honey-dipped words.

“I wanted to talk to you about Rowan,” he said, seating himself opposite to her

Maeve looked at him curiously, “What about him?”

“I don’t think the whip was necessary,”

Maeve tilted his head, studying him, “Lorcan, you know the rules. He gave up control over his magic and he was given the punishment anyone would be given in the situation,”

“Yes, of course. I know that,” said Lorcan, “But it was obvious he was upset and not thinking straight. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to help him overcome whatever it is he is struggling with so it doesn’t happen again, rather than cause him more pain,”

“Like I said Lorcan, whatever the reason, the punishment still had to be dolled out,” said Maeve, voice matter of fact

“I know. I know,” said Lorcan, “All I’m saying is that maybe a little more understanding would be better,”

“What I understand,” said Maeve. “Is that Rowan is a grown man who consciously performed an action that got him punished,”

Lorcan could feel himself getting irritated but he squashed it down, “Yes, he did do wrong but was whipping him the way to correct that wrong,”

“It has always been like that. He will be fine, just like everyone else,”

Lorcan’s dormant anger flared at that remark and he jumped out of the chair before he could say something stupid.

“You’re not listening to me,” said Lorcan, voice louder than he intended, “It’s not about ‘everyone else’. This is about Rowan and how you’re punishing him despite the fact that he just needs help,”

“Help,” said Maeve raising his eyebrow, giving him the look she used to when he was a child. The ‘you poor child look’

It took every ounce of Loracn’s strength not to do a redo of Rowan’s explosion earlier.

“Yes, Maeve help!” Lorcan knew his voice was louder than it should be, knew he should stop himself.

He didn’t. He was too angry too.

“Rowan is hurt and upset and still mourning. He’s lashing out because he has no other way to deal with himself and you whipping him is giving him the wrong kind of coming method. Can’t you see that,”

In an instant, Maeve was in front of him, leading him back to the chair.

“There. There, Lorcan,” said Maeve, “Take a few deep breathes, calm down,”

Lorcan followed her instruction until his head cleared and looked to where she was sitting back in her chair.

“Are you saying that you are afraid Rowan might get, how should I put it, addicted to pain as an out for his emotions,”

Lorcan nodded, all the energy draining out of him.

“Well,” said Maeve, “As you know, I don't usually get involved in personal things like that, for anyone in the guard including you four. We just don’t have that type of soulmate relationship you know,”

Lorcan bit his lip. She was right, of course. She had always preferred to keep a distance from their bond and that was her choice. It also meant that she didn’t always have an idea of what was going through their heads.

“But since you’re so worried and you are my soulmates after all, even if we don't have that type of relationship, I’ll look into helping him somehow. Maybe a small vacation for the two of you. He seems to be the closest with you. We could also have him see a ming healer,”

Lorcan nodded, still feeling the whiplash from how fast the conversation had changed direction.

“Anything else,” said Maeve, tone once gain changed to dismissive and uncaring

Lorcan shook his head, “No, Maeve,”

“Lovely,” she said waving her hand at him

He got up and went to the door, only for her to call him as he was about to step out.

“Yes?” he said turning around.

“See Lorcan,” said Maeve, “Everything can be solved with a little bit of conversation, there is no reason to shout.

Lorcan nodded.

Maeve smiled, “Maybe you should see a mind healer too,” she said befor turning back to her papers. It didn't sound reassuring at all.

He left her study feeling as if he had lost something.

XXX

Lorcan got out the mixers and pans and set them out beside the ingredients. He looked at the clock and concluded that he had about an hour and twenty minutes.

Perfect. It should be enough time.

He mixed the ingredients together in about twenty minutes and as soon as the cake was in the oven, he started working on the icing.

Once the cake was done he put it on the rack to cool down and checked the time. Still had twenty minutes, maybe more depending on the other man’s mood.

Exactly twenty-five minutes later, Rowan stumbling into the kitchen, giving Lorcan a sleepy look.

“Hey,” he said grabbing himself some water, “What are you doing?”

“Cake,” said Lorcan, “Just finished the cream inside, have to decorate the outside now. How was your nap?”

“It was okay,” said Rowan, “Why are you making a cake? We’re the only ones here,”

Lorcan just shrugged, “Wanted to bake a cake. Want to help me decorate?”

Rowan shook his head, “Don’t know how,”

“I could show you,” Lorcan insisted, “Come here. It will be fun,”

“I really don’t feel like it, Lor,”

And that was just the problem. Rowan hasn’t felt like doing anything lately. He got like that sometimes, entered a dark slump that was hard to get out of without help. The current one had been going on longer than usual. If it kept going Maeve was going to get upset and an upset Maeve was never a good thing.

More then that though, Lorcan was just worried about Rowan. Rowan had some problems with being alone and asking for company. They could never be sure when he was genuinely in need of space or when he was just afraid to ask. Usually, his need for space lasted for a few days. It had been over a week now since his slump had started and Loracn figured an intervention was in order.

“Come on, Rowan. Decorate the cake with me. We can eat it together with wine. Just the two of us. Please!”

Rowan smiled at his admittedly rare theatrics and looked as if his resolve was breaking.

“I’ll even let you clean the icing bowl,”

Rowan snorted, Lorcan’s favourite smile spreading across his face. One that was full of laughter and childish mischief.

“Can’t say no to that now can I?”

Internally, Lorcan was squealing, however, he merely handed Rowan another spreader and started to coach him through decorating the cake.

They spent the next half an hour making different patterns out of the big bowls of frosting and icing they had created. The result was a wonky-looking thing with ten different colours without any pattern to them.

“What a work art,” said Rowan, “Truly magnificent,”

Lorcan snorted, “Not my fault you’re terrible at this,”

“Hey now, you’re the one that insisted I do this with you,”

“And it was fun!”

Rowan smiled at him, “Yes it was and if I remember correctly, I was promised a reward at the end,”

Lorcan grinned and drew the younger man closer to him, “Yes, yes you were,”

He picked up the bow and instead of giving Rowan a spoom to lick, he scooped some with his fingers and presented them to Rowan. The silver-haired man looked surprised for only a moment before he was taking Lorcan’s fingers in his mouth and licking them clean.

Once he was done, he sort of just looked at Lorcan and they both burst into laughter.

“Oh my god, I don’t know why I did that,” said Lorcan, still surprised at himself.

Rowan chuckled and wrapped his arms around him.

“Let’s go eat cake, commander,”

Lorcan kissed his nose, “Yes, let’s,”

So they grabbed the cake and a bottle of expensive wine and lade their way to the roof. The sun was just setting casting a warm glow all over the city. The spent the rest of the evening feeding each other cake and getting tipsy over wine.

Sometime during the night, after the stars and moon had come out, Lorcan looked over at Rowan and just kept on looking, helpless against the beauty. His hair was shining like silver under the moonlight. His sharp features were casting a shadow on his face, making them seem even sharper. His eyes were shining as bright as the stars he was gazing at and a small smile adorned his face.

Noticing this stare, Rowan looked over, “What?”

Lorcan smiled and reached out to gently cup his cheek, “You’re beautiful,”

Rowan blushed, leaning in to give him the softest of kisses.

“Sap,”

Later, Lorcan carried Rowan down, the younger man a little too drunk on wine to come down himself. After putting him in bed, Lorcan was just about to turn to the door when Rowan took his arm and tugged him back.

Lorcan looked down at the man lying in the bed, “What is it, Rowan?”

“Can you stay?” he whispered, an odd little tremor in his voice that Lorcan didn’t like.

“In the bed? With you?”

Rowan looked down at the bedspread and nodded.

Lorcan smiled, “I would love to,”

Rowan's head snapped up, looking a little too surprised for Lorcan’s liking. He smiled at the younger man and slipped under the covers after taking off his shirt.

“Come here,” he told the younger man

Rowan manoeuvred himself with his back was against Lorcan’s chest.

After a few minutes of quiet Lorcan was sure Rowan asleep and was just about to fall asleep himself when Rowan spoke up, voice soft with sleep.

“She doesn’t deserve it you know,”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Your devotion,” he mumbled, “She doesn’t deserve your devotion,”

It wasn’t hard to guess who Rowan was talking about. Not knowing what to say, Lorcan stayed quiet eventually hearing  Rowan’s gentle snores.

 He didn’t sleep properly for the rest of the night.

XXX

“Hey, Lorcan!”

Lorcan slowed down allowing Vaughan to catch up to him.

“Good morning,”

Vaughan smiled and linked their arms together, “Where are you going?”

“Just the gardens,” said Lorcan, “Thought I’d take an early morning walk,”

“Walk? Don't you usually run in the mornings?”

“Back is still being a bother,”

from the lashing yesterday went unsaid

“Well, would you mind if I join you?”

Lorcan smiled at his soulmate, “Never,”

It was a bright spring morning, the sun was just starting to peek out of the clouds and there was a fresh breeze in the air.

“What is it you wanted to talk about?”

“I didn’t say anything about talking,” said Vaughan but Lorcan knew it was just for show. They had never able to hide anything from each other.

Lorcan just gave him a look, telling him to get on with it.

“I wanted to talk about Rowan, more specifically you and Rowan’s...um...intimacy,”

Lorcan snorted, “You can say sex you know,”

Vaughan coughed, “Yes well, I’m a little worried about him,”

That made Lorcan frown, “What about him having sex with me is worrying. You know I always treat my bed partners well,”

“No! No! I didn’t mean it like that! It’s just- you know his thing with asking for help or touch. He’s not good at just initiating it and well I think it’s translating itself to why he’s having sex with you,”

Lorcan shook his head, “Vaughan, I have to admit I have no idea what you’re saying,”

Vaughan took a deep breath, “I think he’s having sex with you because he has no idea how else to ask for touch,”

Lorcan felt his whole self still in dread.

“What?” he asked quietly

“Not all the time of course. He’s attracted to you, that much is obvious, but I’ve noticed he’s a lot twitchier and he’s been going to your bed a lot more and put the two together and...”

Lorcan’s head spun so hard that he had to sit down, Vaughan gently lowering him to the ground and rubbing his arm comfortingly. A small part of him wanted to deny it but a bigger part of him knew Vaughan was most likely right. He had always been the most observant of them all. And Rowan had been coming to his bed a lot more.

God, how had he not noticed?

“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” whispered Vaughan, “I’ve only noticed recently which probably means it’s a recent development,”

“He’s been a part of us for years now though, why is he acting like this now?”

“Well, at first he probably pushed the need away, hence why he’s so touch starved now. And it took him a while to open up to all of us. We didn’t even know he had nightmares or about his unborn child until that nightmare. Remember?”

Lorcan nodded. That night had been awful.

“Why are you telling me?” asked Lorcan. Vaughan could have easily solved the problem himself. And if he thought it should be a group thing, he would have called Gavriel here too.

“Well, you are the only one he’s interested in having sex with or who's interested in having sex with him,”

“True,”

“And you know me and him aren’t that close and him Gavriel and him just aren’t that kind of friends,”

Lorcan smiled. Rowan and Gavriel’s friendship was one of the most amusing things around the manor. The two grown-ass men became young children around each other. Running around in the gardens, sparring and creating mayhem for everyone else. Gavriel was always so contained that it had been a shocking but welcome surprise to see him let loose around their youngest soulmate.

However, that type of friendship did not go beyond quick ‘manly’ hugs and wrestling in the arena. Though Lorcan knew that if Rowan ever indicated that he needed more, Gavriel would be more then happy to cuddle the silver-haired man, probably groom him like a small cub too.

“I suppose that you’re hoping I’ll do something about it,”

Vaughan smiled sheepishly, “I thought about a full intervention but that will probably make him shut down on us so...”

Lorcan sighed and shook his head, “I’ll do...something,”

Vaughn smiled and helped him up, “I have no doubt,”

Lorcan didn’t have to wait long for the chance. After dinner the same day, Rowan found him in his room and he’s ashamed to say that he nearly forgot about his conversation with Vaughan. Rowan's lips were insistent, his hands hot on his body, making everything else seem distant.

God, it was so tempting, so tempting to just give in to the heat and desire, to take what Rowan was already offering.

But all it took was a little peek into their bond and a little more attention to the erratic magical undertone in the room for Lorcan to know how wrong it would be. 

Lorcan gently pushed Rowan away from where he had thrown them both on the bed. The other man instantly clung tighter, whimpering desperately. His eyes were glazed over, almost as if he wasn’t there. The bond seemed to be churning with unrest and a feeling of sickness washed over Lorcan.

 God, how had he not noticed before?

“Rowan stop,” Lorcan saif softly but firmly.

The other man immediately stilled, pulling away like he had been hit, a feeling of dread going through them.

Shit, he really should have thought his wording through.

Before Rowan could make a run for it, Lorcan hugged him close, guiding Rowan’s head to his shoulder. The other man instantly melted against him, a soft whine coming from his lips.

“I know. I know. It’s okay,”

Rowan just cried harder, pushing himself into Lorcan’s embrace, as if he wanted to fuse with him.

“Hey, hey. It’s okay. Take a deep breathe and let’s get back on the bed, okay?”

Rowan nodded but kept his grip on Lorcan, almost like he was unable to let go. Instead of prying his hands away, Lorcan just scooped him up, pulling a startled squeak from his throat that would have been hilarious in any other situation. As it was, Lorcan couldn’t bring himself to even smile.

Not letting go of his youngest soulmate, Lorcan manoeuvred them so he was sitting up against the headboard with Rowan curled against his chest.

“Better?” whispered Lorcan

Rowan nodded and hid his face in Lorcan’s neck.

“Hmmm,” said Lorcan, “You know, you don’t have to have sex with me to get me to touch you,”

Rowan tensed up and Lorcan gently shushed him, “It’s okay. I’m not mad. I just wish you would have asked me,”

The younger man let out a shattered sob, completely breaking Lorcan’s heart.

“Oh Rowan,” Lorcan murmured into his hair, “It’s alright. It’s alright. Please tell me what’s wrong,”

“I just- I don’t,” tried Rowan, crying too hard to speak properly

Lorcan remembered the conversation with Vaughan from earlier.

“You don’t know how to ask, is that it?”

Rowan nodded.

With a sigh, Lorcan carded his fingers through Rowan’s hair, “Just so you know, when you are able to ask we will always listen, we will never turn you away,”

Rowan tightened his hands in Lorcan’s shirt.

“But you already know that don’t you? That’s not really the whole problem is it?”

Lorcan thought about everything he knew about Rowan, about Lyria and about the way he had punished himself for years for her death, how he probably still punished himself.

God, it made sense in a twisted way.

“You deserve it you know,” said Lorcan, making Rowan’s cry harder, “You deserve to be cared for, to be loved, to be held. Whatever you think, please believe you deserve those things,”

“It’s hard,” said Rowan, lifting his head away a little, trying to even his breathing

Lorcan wiped away his tears with one hand, keeping the other one in his hair, “I know Rowan,”

Once Rowan had stopped crying, Lorcan kissed his forehead and made a suggestion.

“Why don’t you practice, hmmm? Telling me what you need,”

Rowan tensed again so Lorcan squeezed him tighter, “Don’t worry. I won’t let you go. It was just a suggestion. It’s not like you have to ask out loud. You could just come flop in my lap during any time of the day and I would hug the life out of you,”

Rowan chuckled, a little teary and a little broken, “Okay,”

“Okay?”

“Okay, I’ll try,”

Lorcan smiled and kissed his forehead again.

Rowan sat up, putting a little distance between their bodies but keeping their legs tangled together. Lorcan kept rubbing his arm, hoping to both comfort and encourage.

He opened his mouth once and then closed, tried against but he was obviously struggling to get the words out.

“It’s okay,” Lorcan soothed, “You don’t have to right now,”

Rowan shook his head and shut his eyes tight.

Taking a deep breathe he tried again, “Lo-Lorcan?”

“Yes, Rowan,” said Lorcan, keeping his voice gentle

“Will you- would you please-”

He broke off again, making a frustrated sound.

Lorcan leaned forward and placed a soft kiss against his temple, “Take your time, Ro,” 

Rowan took another shuddering breath and swallowed.

“Lorcan, would you please hug me,” he said, voice so quiet and small that it made Lorcan’s hear ache.

He instantly pulled the younger man closer, wrapping his arms around him and pressing kisses into his hair.

“I'm so proud of you, beautiful,”

Rowan made a small noise of contentment and snuggled closer.

“It started getting worse after the cake,” murmured Rowan after a while, head still buried in Lorcan’s shoulder.

Lorcan frowned “What do you mean?” 

That had been months ago.

Rowan untangled them a little so he could look at Lorcan properly, “I was pretty drunk when I asked you to stay the night and waking up next to you felt so good, all cuddled up in our arms. After the I wanted to do it again but I just, couldn’t ask,”

“So  at first you started getting drunk a lot more and then when Gavriel started to get worried, you started having so much sex with me that Vaughan started noticing,”

“Yes,” whispered Rowan, looking ashamed, “I’m sorry. I feel like I used you,”

Lorcan shook his head, “I don’t feel used. If anything I enjoyed it so greatly that it took a conversation with Vaughan for me to realize what was going on with you,”

Rowan smiled and snuggled closer. Going over their conversation, Lorcan got another idea.

“Hey Rowan?” said Lorcan, “What if we slept in the same bed,”

“Today?” asked Rowan

“Well, yes today,” said Lorcan, “But what if we just share a bed all the time, hmmm? Would you like that?”

Rowan’s face lit up with a grin and he surged up to give Lorcan a kiss on the lips.

“Yes. Yes. I would love it,”

Lorcan smiled and felt a questioning tug down their bond. He looked down at Rowan who nodded, beaming up at him.

A moment later, the door opened and a mountain lion bounded in, Vaughan just behind him. Gavriel came on the bed and flopped down on their legs, somehow making himself comfortable. Vaughan chose to sit on Rowan’s other side, wrapping his arms around the younger man and kissing his head.

“Everything okay?” asked Vaughan

Rowan nodded and smiled at them, “Yeah, everything is okay,”

XXX

Lorcan entered the kitchen to laughter and chatter coming from his soulmates.

“What are you three doing up before me?”

“Maeve isn’t here so we thought we could have a more informal breakfast,” said Rowan, setting down the glasses on the table

“Why so early though?”

“Because,” said Gavriel, “If you had woken up first you would have started making breakfast and we wanted to do something nice for you,”

“Um...why?” asked Lorcan

“Well you take care of us all the time,” said Vaughan, “Just thought we would return the favour for once,”

“Is that alright?” said Rowan, his voice betraying just a little bit of uncertainty.

Lorcan smiled and slung his arm around the silver-haired man, “It’s wonderful. Thank you. What were you working on?”

The three grinned and pulled him over to the table for a crowded but delicious buffet of breakfast foods.

XXX

Lorcan was relaxing on the balcony when he felt cold water splash onto his face. He straightened up into a sitting position and looked above him. There were two birds hovering over him, a small bucket clutched in their claws.

He could hear Gavriel’s laughter from inside.

Those little shits!

XXX

Lorcan was arguing with Maeve again. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

“I just don't understand why you won’t just let him go visit, Maeve,”

“Rowan is needed here Lorcan,” said Maeve

“And I’m not arguing with that Maeve,” said Loran. “But telling him he can’t go visit his family for just a week? Isn’t that a bit much,”

“Are you questioning my ruling?” asked Maeve, voice low and dangerous. A clear indication for his to shut the hell up.

He did not shut up.

“Yes, Maeve,” said Lorcan, “I am actually questioning it because it makes no sense,”

Maeve scoffed, “You never used to act like. You used to be such a sweetheart, my god what happened to you?”

Lorcan bit his lip. He always hated it when she made comments like that but at the moment he had other things on his mind.

“I don’t know Maeve,” said Lorcan, “What can I say? I’m an adult now, have been an adult for a couple of centuries. It’s a pity that you’ve regressed to childish behaviours like keeping one of your soulmates from his family as if he’s your prisoner,”

It was only because of years of living with her that he was able to dodge the glass that was hurled his way, letting crash against the wall next to him.

“Oh look, Maeve,” he said mockingly, “Seems like you missed,”

He marched out of the room before she could say anything else. Vaughan met him at the end of the hall, glancing at the door behind him and looking worried.

“Are you okay?” asked Vaughan, linking their arms together, “That felt intense,”

Lorcan shrugged and answered, “Just an argument,”

“Did she throw something again?” asked Vaughan with concern lacing his words

Lorcan shrugged again, “I provoked her,”

Vaughan frowned but nodded his acceptance and didn't say anything else.

Later that evening there was a letter delivered to his door.

Dear Lorcan,

I apologize for losing my temper earlier today. That was unbecoming of me. I have done some thinking and I have realized that you were right. Rowan should be able to see his family so I came up with a solution that I hope will benefit everyone. I have decided to invite some members of the Whitethorn family for dinner. That way Rowan can stay here and see his family.

I just can not stand when someone accuses me of not treating my soulmates well, especially since I choose to have a distant relationship with some of you.

You should come out to the rose garden tonight. We can walk under the moon like as we used to when you were a little boy.

Awaiting your forgiveness,

Maeve

Lorcan sighed. Another apology letter.

He went to his closet and hunted through it until he found a blue wooden box. He slid it open and stuffed the letter with every other apology he had received from her over the centuries.

At least, Rowan would get a nice family dinner out of it.

The next morning when Vaughan asked how he was, he answered him with a genuine smile.

“We had a talk yesterday. Took a walk in the rose garden. Maeve and I are fine,”

He pretended not to notice the looks Gavriel and Rowan gave each other.

They were fine.

XXX

Lorcan, Vaughan, Gavriel and Rowan were sitting in the small study and putting their finishing touches on the reports.

Rowan finished and set aside his finished paper to work on another one. A minute later, he picked up the same paper and handed it to Gavriel, who handed his to Lorcan who handed his own to Vaughan. Vaughan then handed his own to Rowan. 

Working like that,  they spent their evening finishing and signing reports and reading them over and editing them for each other. 

Once they were finished, Rowan leaned back and stretched, “I love the bond. It’s so damn efficient. Even me and Enda couldn't work as seamlessly as this and we were trained to basically be an extension of each other,”

“We actually didn’t use it a lot before you came along,” said Gavriel, Lorcan and Vaughan nodding their agreement

“Really?  Why not?”

Gavriel shrugged as he answered, “Really not sure. We just never use it consciously. Of course, we always knew where the other person was if we wanted to and we couldn’t really hide it when we were too upset but other then that, the bond pretty much just stayed dormant. Just a constant thing in the back of our heads,”

“Though I have to say it is useful,” said Lorcan, “If not a little loud,”

“Come now,” said Vaughan, “I think we’ve gotten much better at it. Remember when Rowan first joined, we could barely keep out of each other’s heads, especially when one us was feeling strongly about a situation”

Loran grinned. Vaughan was putting it mildly. It had lead to some embarrassing situations. Lorcan loved Gavriel but he did not want to know his preferences in bed and apparently Vaughan and Gavriel felt the same way about him and Rowan.

“I like that we’re closer because of it,” said Gavriel

Lorcan smiled. He liked it too.

XXX

Rowan sighed from under Lorcan, bringing his hand up to cup Lorcan’s neck, “I like when we’re like this, your whole weight on top of me, just lying here and doing nothing,”

“Oh?” said Lorcan, gently nuzzling Rowan’s cheek, “What else do you like?”

“Hmmm,” said Rowan, thoughtfully, “I like it when you pull my hair just a little and when you kiss behind my ear,”

“Like this,” said Lorcan, placing his lips behind Rowan’s ear

Rowan gave a small laugh, “Yeah, like that,”

“Anything else,” said Lorcan, looking down at his lovely soulmate.

“I like it when you take me against a wall, when you fuck me so hard that I can barely remember my own name and when you leave me unable to walk in the morning,”

“Well, I already knew that,” said Loran, gently biting Rowan’s earlobe, “You’ve always made your...uh appreciation...for rough sex very clear, very loudly,”

Rowan's face turned a soft pink, “It’s not my fault I get loud! If anything it’s yours, asshole!”

Lorcan laughed at him, “Anything else?”

Rowan bit his lip and looked away, a bashful smile on his face.

“I love it when you call me beautiful,”

Lorcan swore his heart stilled with how much adoration he felt right then.

“You are beautiful,”

Rowan’s blush deepened and Lorcan couldn’t help but claim his lips in a searing kiss.

[taeescript]

V. Script of the Angel

𝔰𝔶𝔫𝔬𝔭𝔰𝔦𝔰 >> This is the story of three very different people. A successful novelist, a blossoming artist and a dedicated cop. They seem to have nothing in common. Yet, they are continually drawn to each other. It is as if their fates have been intertwined. Written. That they must meet.

𝔭𝔞𝔦𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔰 >> ft. jungkook and jimin primarily.

𝔤𝔢𝔫𝔯𝔢 >> policeman!jimin, author!jungkook, painter!reader, serialkiller!XXX; a classic game of cat and mouse

𝔴/𝔠 >> 2.9k

𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔰 >> mature themes depicted. due to the explicit nature of the topic (serial killers, murders, violence, sexual content, infidelity etc.) this is rated 18+. to spare storytelling: please consider yourself warned. 

𝔞/𝔫 >> sorry for an incredibly short chapter. i’ve been having a little bit of writer’s block recently. on other news, i got a new job! i’ll still be doing my best to keep to my weekly update schedule, but it may mean shorter chapters in between. nevertheless, i hope you enjoy this little blip! enjoy (: 

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The rose struggles to bud in its environment. It feels the sunlight and wants to unfurl its petals, to express to the world its bright colours amongst the browns and dark greens it has been placed in. With a last heave, the bulb expends all its energy.

Alas, the mud swallows it up.

You are sitting on your couch in the living room. The first aid kit has been opened up on the coffee table and a large roll of medical wrap has been taken out. Jungkook tucks the tail end of the wrap beneath another fold as he is seated beside you.

“Does this feel better?” he asks.

You nod, gingerly rotating your sore wrist in the makeshift brace.

“Perhaps I should have trained to be a nurse instead,” Jungkook lightly jokes.

You grin. “Perhaps.” 

He stands up to tidy away the rest of the kit. As he puts things back to their corresponding spots, he comments, “I do have to say, you are probably one of the most delicate woman I know. I’ve never seen such bruising after something as simple as a wrist grab.”

Turning red, you try to come up with an excuse. You didn’t particularly like to tell others about your condition. Once people knew, they would start being extremely careful around you; so careful you often felt like a nuisance even when you knew you weren’t one.

He has already moved on from the comment and into the kitchen. Digging through the refrigerator, he comes up with a sack of potatoes and three-day old asparagus. He holds these up.

You get up. “No. I should cook tonight. Jimin wasn’t the nicest to you today, so even though he won’t say sorry, let me make a meal in his stead.”

“Sit down,” he gives you a stern look, “Your wrist is hurt. Rest up and you can make up for it another way.”

“Another way?” you ask, following his instructions. You prop a pillow against the arm rest of the sofa and lean back so you can watch him work in the kitchen.

“Tell me how you and Jimin know each other.”

“You’re showing an awful lot of interest in Jimin and I, aren’t you?” you cheekily say.

He laughs. He had thrown off his jacket and is washing his hands in his short-sleeved shirt to prepare dinner. Again, you note his well-toned arms.

“Maybe I’m inadvertently showing interest in you.”

You blush hearing him say those words. Clearing your throat, you answer his question to change the topic. “Jimin has been my friend for a long time. He’s like the older brother I never had. He’s always there when I need him. He’s extremely smart but also very stubborn. Not that he’s unwilling to listen to the opinions of others, but once he sees things one way, it is very hard for him to see things in another.”

“The two of you bump heads a lot then?”

“Not really. The two of us tell each other everything. We respect each other’s decisions.”

“Pasta or rice?” he asks.

You take a moment to think. “Pasta, please.”

He nods.

You lie on the sofa, thinking about how much you words must have hurt Jimin earlier. You feel terrible for having said those things. You didn’t really mean a single word of it, and it makes you sigh.

“What did you mean earlier when you said that he is tasked to look after you?”

Again, words that you had never meant to say. It was only because you had been taken so aback by Jungkook’s sudden comment.

“He…. He made a promise to somebody,” you say carefully. You don’t hear anything besides the sizzling of the pan. You know that Jungkook doesn’t want to pry any further.

“He promised my fiancée,” you say.

Jungkook had not been expecting you to answer. He had only kindly initiated conversation because he felt obliged to after you made the absurd suggestion. In truth, he had only held up the vegetables because he was going to suggest throwing them away and going out for dinner instead. When he hears you speak about you fiancée, his interest is piqued.

“I didn’t know that you’re engaged,” he says.

“Was,” you correct him timidly, “I was engaged.”

He gives you time again to elaborate.

“My fiancée disappeared when we were on a trip. It’s been years,” you swallow the emotions that threaten to bubble up, “It’s because of that that makes me how I am right now. You mentioned how I was hurt so easily. It’s like my body couldn’t cope with the loss of him and so now it compensates by making me hurt everywhere else.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he looks at you from the kitchen. You are looking down at your hands and fumbling with something. He can tell that you are in discomfort.

“There’s nothing for you to apologize for. My body is just the way it is made to be.”

“What is different with your body?”

“It’s called hyperalgesia. My pain receptors respond to everything and anything. I feel too much pain now. I feel everything.”

Jungkook listens silently to your story. You feel everything. How ironic to him. Perhaps they are more alike than he had originally thought.

“You are beautifully and wonderfully made; however you are, Y/N,” he smiles at you. Looking through the fridge again, he makes you giggle when saying, “We have two cans of tuna and half of a chicken breast. Choose your fighter.”

...

“That’s the summary of the De Lorentz case, L.T.,” Taehyung says at their briefing.

Namjoon nods and thanks him for providing the details. “Well, I think we can officially say that that case is closed,” he sighs.

The whole team lets out a small cheer.

“Alright everybody. Get out. It’s been a tiring week so enjoy the weekend. I’ll see you nice and early tomorrow for another briefing. Agent Hoseok from the Narcotics Department is coming in. I’m sure rumours have been floating around that we may be working with them and I’m here to put those rumours away for good. Yes, we will be working together,” Namjoon says. A low murmur rumbles around the room. “Okay okay! I know that both of our teams have some differences but it’s all for the good of the city, right? Let’s just finish this case with them quickly and we can all be on our merry way.”

With those words, he dismisses the entire team.

“Detective Park, can I speak to you for a moment?” Namjoon calls out.

Jimin nods and walks over to the lieutenant. “’Detective Park’. I haven’t ever heard you call me that,” Jimin teases.

Namjoon rolls his eyes. “Well, I’ve got to keep up the role, you know? Don’t get too used to it. It doesn’t roll of my tongue as well as I like.”

“Alright,” Jimin laughs, “What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?”

From behind him, Namjoon takes out a stack of folders. He hands them to Jimin. “These are the files for the case with Agent Hoseok. I’m giving you them early so you can look over them. I’ve heard that this is an extremely sensitive case so I just want a pair of fresh eyes to look through everything to make sure I haven’t missed anything.”

Jimin nods and weighs the stack in his hands. They are heavier than he would like.

“Also, Jimin, I pulled in that favour for you,” Namjoon says with a slight tone of exasperation.

Jimin’s eyes light up. He holds out his hand.

“It’s in that pile already. The last file,” Namjoon can only sigh, “Please tell me this is the last time you’ll ever ask me to do something like this for you. I’m not used to skirting corners. Even if they are for you.”

“I’ll remember it forever,” Jimin says gratefully, “And I’ll try not to make you do anything like this again.”

Namjoon groans. “Oh god. The way you say that makes it seem like that’s exactly what you’re planning to make me do again.”

Jimin nods and excitedly turns to leave.

“Promise me you’ll take a look at the case with Agent Hoseok first, alright? Then go on your….chase…!” Namjoon calls after Jimin.

Jimin can no longer hear his superior’s words. He is only concentrated with the one file amongst the stack in his hand.

...

Jimin breaks his promise to Namjoon. He puts the files pertaining to the drug case at the end of his table, and only grabs the old brown file. There is a large stamp that tells him where this file has come from: Los Angeles Police Department.

It was true that he no longer had jurisdiction, but that didn’t stop him. He knew that Namjoon could get around to getting this file for him. All he needed to do was to remember to treat Namjoon out for a drink later on.

Scanning all the pages, he reads the entire case in mere minutes. Once he has the general gist of it, he flips through all the images until he finds the one he is looking for.

There. There it is. The same strange markings found on the inner cheek of the victim. This time, it is one that says “TH3A”. Not the number he is quite looking for, but it is a good find nonetheless. There is growing evidence to back up his theory.

His phone chimes to tell him that he has received a message.

“Tomorrow, we have to close Sara Michel’s case. Whatever you have up your sleeves, get it resolved. It’s nearly been a week and the trail is as cold as ever. – Namjoon.”

Jimin bites his lips. A week. He’s been looking over these papers for a week and he is no further in the case than he was at the beginning of the week.

Digging through the mess, he comes up with two more files that have been stamped by the LAPD. The pictures of interest are already clipped at the front. “TH3C”, “TH2B” and now “TH3A.” While he is unable to get three consecutive numbers, he does have three consecutive letters. Your spontaneous theory seemed much more plausible with this evidence in front of him. There was a high chance that the existence of A, B, and C could indicate sets while the numbers indicated the order. He knows it will only be a matter of time before he finds “1” in each set.

It scares him to see that it could be true. That nine people had been murdered to fulfil some type of sadistic belief of the Three Horsemen.

Although he has found all three cases, plus the matching writing on Sara Michel, he had not been able to find any connection regarding who could have done this. Well, that may not be entirely true. He did have one person in mind.

“Namjoon, are you still at the station?” Jimin calls up his lieutenant.

“Well, hello to you too, Jimin,” Namjoon answers warily, “But yes, I still am.”

“What do you have planned tonight?”

He hears Namjoon sigh deeply. “Nothing much.”

“I’m not allowed to hold an interrogation alone.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake, Jimin,” Namjoon practically whines.

“I’ll see you at the interrogation room in fifteen. I just need to pick up our suspect.”

...

Jungkook is now sitting in the empty white room while Jimin is staring intensely at him. He had been leaving the supermarket when he received the unknown call. Somehow, Jimin had found his cell phone number. Requesting to see Jungkook, Jimin had given him the choice of either walking into the station himself or having Jimin pick him up in the police car.

There was no choice as Jungkook picked the first.

“Detective Park, it’s nice to see you again,” Jungkook leans back and crosses his leg.

It is him. Jimin knows. Perhaps Jungkook is not the murderer himself, but he knows that Jungkook is somehow involved in the case. The gut feeling is never wrong.

“Namjoon, I didn’t expect to see you either,” Jungkook turns to the side and looks at Namjoon. He is standing behind Jimin with his hands on his hips. Jungkook can tell that Namjoon does not want to be here.

“That’s Lieutenant to you, Mr. Jeon,” Jimin presses onto his folded palms on the table.

Jungkook opens his mouth to correct himself, but Namjoon stops him.

“It’s fine, Mr. Jeon. Just answer our questions and you’ll be free to leave,” Namjoon says. He ignores the look that Jimin shoots him.

“Tell us, where are you from?” Jimin starts.

“Los Angeles,” Jungkook answers cleanly.

“Ah. Los Angeles. Now I’m wondering, Mr. Jeon, but have you ever heard of the “Three Horsemen” case that occurred in your city?” Jimin says.

Jungkook rotates his ankle beneath the table. “No, I’m sorry, Detective Park. I don’t believe I’ve heard of such case.”

Jimin nods. “Good. Because I would have found it stranger if you did hear of such case. You see, it doesn’t exist.”

“You’ve asked me to come in to discuss a nonexistent case?”

“One that has yet to come into existence,” Jimin grins. He turns around and says, “Lieutenant?”

Namjoon still holds onto the papers in his hands. He is still unconvinced of this game that Jimin is playing. He finds it childish and baseless.

“Lieutenant?” Jimin repeats. Still, there is no response, “Namjoon.”

Namjoon sighs. He reaches forward and spreads the three pictures on the table. Each pink-fleshed photograph stares up at Jungkook.

Jungkook briefly glances at it before averting his eyes.

“Tell me, Mr. Jeon, what do you see?”

Jungkook fidgets. “Detective Park. Lieutenant. I am an author, a writer, a… person who types up stories on a laptop and sends fictional words to his editor. I do not know what you’re insinuating here,” he says.

Jimin taps the papers. “Mr. Jeon. I’m simply asking you what you see. We are not insinuating anything.”

Jungkook peers down. He has never seen the pictures before, but he certainly knows where they are from. He silently applauds Jimin for finding these. Yet, even he knows that they do not prove anything.

“I’m not sure. Letters, I presume? They… They look to be… Oh my god. Are they carved on flesh?” Jungkook takes a deep inhale and looks away. “I’m sorry. This is making me feel very uncomfortable.”

“Jimin, we need to talk outside. Right now,” Namjoon suddenly interrupts.

Jimin clenches his jaw but proceeds out of the room following Namjoon. Once they are out of earshot, Namjoon speaks. “Jimin, he doesn’t know anything. You have three pictures from three separate cases with a somewhat similar M.O.. Alright, so I do admit that that in itself is strange, but there is nothing pointing to Jeon Jungkook being involved. You’re practically grasping at straws.”

“No, Namjoon. There is something very wrong with that man in there. Give me some time. I promise that I’ll get something,” Jimin insists.

Namjoon’s phone rings and he takes it out to check the caller I.D.. He sighs, perhaps the fifteenth time in the short span of meeting Jimin. “I’m taking this call. You have as much time to speak to Jeon Jungkook as I have to speak to whoever this is. But once I’m back, he is going home. We are going home.”

Jimin nods. Namjoon only rubs his temples before leaving the interrogation room.

When Jimin returns into the room, Jungkook is clenching and unclenching his hand. He recognizes this as discomfort, but Jimin knows that this is all an act. Jungkook is an incredibly convincing actor. Taking his seat back across from Jungkook, Jimin speaks, “You don’t seem to be too distressed in front of these pictures.”

Jungkook scoffs. “Not too distressed? Well, I apologize for not vomiting right here and now. I was thinking of doing you a service by not dirtying the floor.”

Jimin flips through the other files he has brought into the room with him. “We both know that I don’t like you, Jungkook,” he says, dropping the honorifics, “And I think you’re involved in something illegal. I’m unable to point my finger at what it is exactly, but when you slip up, I’ll be there.”

Jungkook holds no expression. He uncrosses his legs and leans forward. By Jimin’s words, he knows that it is only he and Jimin in the room. The lieutenant had left. “Well, Jimin,” he says, following in suit with the honorifics, “What is it exactly that I will be slipping up on?”

Jimin does not budge. “You know what it is exactly. Those bodies are linked to you. There might even be more bodies linked to you. I will find them all and I will find your role in all of this, mark my words.”

Jungkook smirks. “On my honour as a writer, I’ll also remember to dot my ‘i’s and cross my ‘t’s.”

Jimin’s jaw clenches and unclenches. His hand on the table grips and slightly crumples the picture beneath it. Baekhyun.

“Do you have anything else to ask me? If not, I need to be on my way. Y/N says she’s treating me out to dinner tonight.”

Jimin tries to think of something – anything – to keep Jungkook here but their conversation is interrupted when the door flies open. Namjoon is red faced as he stands at the entrance. The phone is still at his ear, but his words are loud and clear.

“Jimin, we need to go. We have another body!”

...

next part

[englishvisualnovels]

[Opinion] Speculation for MangaGamer’s 2018 Announcements

MangaGamer recently published a blog post for the results for their 2018 licensing survey and hints for their upcoming announcements. Like last year, I decided to make an article with my own guesses on what their announcements could be.

Note: Like my guesses from 2017, keep in mind that this is only speculation and should be taken with a grain of salt. MangaGamer has not revealed what their announcements are yet at the time of this article’s publishing. Also, certain links below may lead to NSFW content.

But we’ve heard your voices and without further ado: the 2018 licensing survey results!

almost identical to last year (spookie!)

I’m guessing “voices” and “spookie” might refer to the Kindred Spirits on the Roof ~Full Chorus~ re-release, which Liar-soft released earlier this year in January. For those not familiar, the Full Chorus release is a re-release of Kindred Spirits on the Roof which includes full voice acting and new CGs.

MangaGamer has previously expressed interest on Twitter in bringing Full Chorus to the west back in October 2017 where they stated they “will be discussing with liarsoft on how to go about to bring Kindred Spirits full voiced to the western audience.”

Steam on the other hand solidify its popularity as a platform for consuming visual novels.

“Steam” might refer to Hikaru Sakurai’s Steampunk visual novel series. MangaGamer has already localized Gahkthun of the Golden Lightning and Sona-Nyl of the Violet Shadows is currently being worked on by them so the only titles left in the series that have not received an official translation would be:

Souten no Celenaria ~What a Beautiful World~

Sekien no Inganock -What a Beautiful People-

Shikkoku no Sharnoth -What a Beautiful Tomorrow-

Hikari no Valusia ~What a Beautiful Hopes~

Gahkthun of the Golden Lightning: Shining Night

Shunkyoku no Tyrhhia ~What a Beautiful Dawn~

Personally speaking, I'm placing my hopes on either Hikari no Valusia or Shikkoku no Sharnoth. Unfortunately, it’d feel unreasonable for me to just pick “all of them.”

Outside of Sakurai’s Steampunk series, Caramel Box’s Kikan Bakumatsu Ibun Last Cavalier is a steampunk visual novel that might fit the bill assuming MangaGamer’s partnership with Caramel Box is still a thing after they released Otoboku: Maidens are Falling for Me in English back in 2012.

Perhaps unsurprisingly the most common non-English language used by our respondents was Japanese with 32% of users reporting some degree of fluency with the language.

with the A Kiss for the Petals series continuing strong, along with the appearance of another yuri title in the top 20. 

I’m going to group these two hints together since I believe MangaGamer may be hinting at a possible announcement for Kotonoha Amrilato.

For those not familiar, Kotonoha Amrilato is a yuri visual novel starring a young girl who finds herself lost in another world where its people speak a completely foreign language, which would match the keywords “language” and “yuri” well.

“Yuri” can also refer to another A Kiss for the Petals game getting picked up such as A Kiss for the Petals - Atelier no Koibito-tachi or even the A Kiss for the Petals - Tenshi spin-offs such as A Kiss for the Petals - Tenshi no Akogare. To be completely honest, naming any game from the A Kiss for the Petals series might be too easy since the series seems to be popular enough among yuri visual novel fans in the west to guarantee future localizations.

What stands out most this year from the top 20 is that four otome games/series have made it into the top 20. 

For “otome games,” my guess that it be may be Jooubachi no Oubou games by Pure Wool. Alternatively, it could be one of the two games girls★dynamics has put out so far: their newly released Princess Britania ~Muse no Houken~ or, similar to my guess from last year, Sanzen Sekai Yuugi ~MultiUniverse Myself~.

Hobibox, a current partner of MangaGamer’s, acted as the publisher for both Pure Wool and girls★dynamics’ games in Japan. Furthermore, the websites for Sanzen Sekai Yuugi and Princess Britania list Hobibox as one of the games’ copyright holders.

Another otome developer MangaGamer is currently partnered with is Kalmia8, the developer behind Fashioning Little Miss Lonesome. Since Fashioning Little MIss Lonesome managed to top MangaGamer’s 2017 sales charts, there’s a good possibility that MangaGamer may look into to localizing more from Kalmia8′s catalog, which may possibly include Kami-sama Nante Yondenai! and Ohime-sama datte XXX Shitai!! -Horny magical princess-.

check your email tonight to see if you got lucky!

I’m admittedly not sure on this one, but Tennenouji’s BL game Luckydog1 is the first game that comes to mind and I’ve seen others speculate the same.

From what I recall about Luckydog1 without going into spoilers, “lucky” might refer to the fact that the premise hinges on the protagonist’s luck and skill in breaking himself along with four other members of the mafia out of jail.

And come visit us at Anime Boston and Sakuracon this weekend if you’re in the area!

This hint is a bit difficult to pinpoint since “sakura” is a common title I’ve seen used for a lot of Japanese works and the sakura/cherry blossom trees is a commonly used theme in Japanese stories.

I’ve seen people suggest that MangaGamer may have picked up another game from Moonstone called Sakura no Mori † Dreamers.

That’s all, folks!

What are your thoughts? Agree? Disagree? Feel free to comment!

[fortheloveofeos]

Hello! This is my first time requesting. Can I get a Prompto x reader where the reader has a crush on Prompto, but she is afraid that she'll never get a chance with him? Since you know, he's always talking about and fawning over Cindy. And because of that, the reader develops hanahaki disease. You can google that, but it's basically like the victim is constantly throwing/coughing up flower petals due to suffering from unrequited love. Sprinkle some of that angst and make me cry!! Thank you! xoxo

Okay. So, I was halfway through a request when this one camein and I FELL IN LOVE. I had never heard of hanahaki before this and I havesince read and looked at dozens of fics/artwork that revolves around this. Ilove the idea of this tragically beautiful condition being a result ofunrequited love. Thank you so very much for sending in this request. I hope youlike it even half as much as I have enjoyed researching/writing this.

For this story, I chose to use blue forget-me-not flowerswhich are said to symbolize true love – and they remind me of the color ofPrompto’s eyes. I did add some fantastical elements with the coloring sothey’re not the pretty light blue you typically see.

Tagging: @opalandowl

Word Count: 2841

XXX

Flowers were something pure and beautiful, something thathad to fight to survive. How something so delicate yet captivating managed tobloom even in the harshest of environments was truly something to be admired. Youhad picked a large daisy from beside the road in Hammerhead before approachingthe garage. As expected, Prompto followed the beautiful grease monkey, Cindy Aurum,around like a lost puppy.

“He loves me not,” you continued as you pulled yet anotherpetal from the daisy. A small part of you felt bad for dismembering the smallflower of its innocent white petals, but you thought it was better to take outyour aggression on the small flower rather than to mope. “He loves me,” yousighed plucking the last petal. Prompto Argentum did not love you. Yet, youwere helplessly in love with him and nothing you tried helped to erase him fromyour mind.

The sound of his breathy, free laughter caught yourattention and you turned towards the garage. Prompto leaned against the hood ofthe Regalia as Cindy worked beneath the car. Something she said must have beenfunny because the blonde, Chocobo-loving man you loved tipped his head back inlaughter.

Crushing the remains of the daisy in your hand, you turnedand headed back towards Takka’s where you were supposed to meet the others forlunch. As you made your way, you bowed your head and sent up a whispered prayerto whatever Astral was willing to listen. “Please, help me to get over him.Help me to not love him,” you pulled at the roots of your hair for a moment.“Or just help him see,” you begged under your breath before sliding into thebooth beside Gladio. When he asked where Prompto was, you forced a smile andtold him that the sharpshooter was preoccupied and that the rest of you shouldorder.

Lunch went quickly, all of you too hungry or muchconversation outside of decided your next move. Prompto stayed in the garagebut Noctis thought enough to grab him an order of fries and a water before youall headed back towards the Regalia. As expected, the car was shiny and cleanand in perfect condition once more. As the five of you piled back into the car,you found yourself in your usual spot between Gladio and Noctis. You had nearlydrifted off to sleep to the soothing drone of the engine with a scratch at theback of your throat had your eyes watering.

Gladio watched you curiously and you caught Ignis’ gaze inthe reflection of the rearview mirror as you sipped from your water bottle. Youtried to offer him a thumbs up but you covered your mouth as you coughed.Pulling you hand away, your eyebrows drew together in confusion.

“Is that a flower?” Gladio leaned closer to get a betterlook at the small violet-blue bloom in your hand.

Nodding, you fingered the delicate blood carefully as youinspected it. The petals were a beautiful violet-blue with a lighter purplefading around the tips. with a puffy yellow center. “A forget-me-not,” youmumbled.

Gladio’s chest rumbled with a laugh. “When did you starteating flowers?” Though he laughed and was clearly joking, the worried look onyour face quickly shut him up.

You definitely hadn’t ingested any flowers in your lifetime.You weren’t going to start with what you were certain was one of the prettiestyou had ever seen. Swallowing what felt like a growing lump in your throat,your fingers spread and the wind that ripped through the Regalia as you spedtowards camp blow the flower away.

Unfortunately, that would not be the only forget-me-not youwould encounter. Your cough grew worse and with it, more flowers. Since thefirst one in the car, you managed to hide the blossoms from the others forseveral weeks. You were always careful to carry water in your pack and to giveyourself some room from the others in case more of the delicate blooms left you– and they always appeared in greater numbers with each bout.

Everyone seemed to notice your discomfort and your worseningcondition – even if they didn’t know about the flowers. Ignis seemed to staycloser to you, always checking on your condition and offering you teas in hopesof soothing your throat. Noctis was quick with warping to ensure that youdidn’t need to strain yourself when in the midst of battle and Gladio alwaysoffered you a shoulder when you breathing became a bit ragged. Prompto seemedworried, his violet eyes wide when he rushed to your side but he seemedclueless on what to do. Usually, he settled for holding your hand and offeringyour water to you but his seemingly constant proximity pulled at your heartstrings.

The blonde gunman seldom left your side. When camping, hehad rearranged his sleeping bag so that he could be closer to you and insistedthat out of everyone, he could deal with losing some sleep the best in order totake care of you. He fluttering about made you nervous and also made it harderfor you not to want to reach out for him and pull him in close. You wanted tokiss him and tell him how you felt but nearly every time you worked up thecourage, he would let slip the name of the mechanic with the cute springy curlsand you would go right back to your awkward coughing self.

Prompto’s insistence made it harder to conceal the bloomsthat continued to escape from your mouth. There had to have been a few timesthat he had noticed something, but he hadn’t commented or shown any realizationfarther than the knitting of his brows and a hand on your shoulder.

Somewhere amongst the coughing and the wheezing, you realizedthat this was your gift from Shiva. You had prayed to her numerous times aboutyour feelings for Prompto. The ice goddess was known for her weakness forhumans and it was rumored that if true love were to grow between two people,she was the Astral that would ensure it would come to pass. After praying onceagain to the Glacian before bed that she may grant you some sort of relief, youawoke to a frozen forget-me-not beside your head on the pillow.

Hanahaki disease worked quickly. In the legends you read asa child, the person inflicted would usually die a slow and painful death – onethat was brought on by the restriction of the airways by the flowers that beganto fill the lungs. The type of flower usually differed from story to story andthe moment you had seen the beautiful little forget-me-not in your hand, youknow exactly what they meant: true love. It also didn’t help that the bloomswere the exact same color as a certain sharpshooter’s eyes. Judging by the rateof your wheezing, you didn’t have long.

It was late. Late enough the Noctis had been out for hoursand both Gladio and Ignis had turned in as well. You had leaned yourselfagainst a rock as you looked out at the silent ocean in the calm evening.Between coughs and wheezes, you scribbled down your thoughts into theleather-bound notebook you had been carrying around for days. Hopefully, onceyou had drowned in the pretty blue petals of your unrequited love, Prompto andthe others would find it and your heartfelt words along with it.

Glancing up, you found Prompto leaning back against anotherrock not far from yours. His eyes were closed and the wind had blown some ofhis bangs into his face, partially covering his freckles and sleeping face. Hereally did look like a sleeping angel.

Several large blooms, larger than the flower would naturallygrow, fell from you mouth but you made no move to stop them. A growing pile ofthem surrounded you. What a beautiful way to die, you thought with a smile. Inthe morning, they would find you in a soft pile of the flowers on the beach. Asingle tear slipped from your eye and stained the page you were writing on. Youhad filled the journal with notes for each of the men you had come to care somuch for. There were sketches from your travels, jokes between you, poems,writings, confessions, and secrets. You had saved your confession to Promptofor last. Getting the words out was harder than you had expected because youonly had one chance to let him know your feelings. One chance to say it theright way and hopefully he would remember you in a positive light and as morethan the poor unloved girl that had died amongst the flowers.

You had just finished signing your name when a harsh coughwracked your body and a particularly large bloom fell from your lips. With asmile, you pressed the flower into the journal before setting it aside andcasting one final glance towards Prompto. Your coughing must have disturbed himbecause his eyes fluttered once before he rubbed at his eyes.

He mumbled your name once as you leaned your head backagainst the cold rock. You heard him scramble to his feet, calling your nameloudly as he reached for you in the mess of flowers. “What’s going on? Please,say something,” he begged you.

Opening your mouth to reassure him, you choked on anotherwave of the flowers and your eyes burned from the lack of oxygen in your lungs.You gripped Prompto weakly as he cradled you to his chest.

“Hanahaki,” Ignis mumbled as he approached the two of you.Between your coughs and Prompto’s panic, the others had filed out of the tentto see what was the matter. “I should have realized sooner.”

Noctis looked far more awake than he ever had at that timeof night. “Why haven’t we seen more of the flowers before?”

Another spell had your body shaking and the tears flowingfreely. Your hand on Prompto’s chest slipped as your head grew foggier. “Prom,”you gasped out.

“I don’t understand,” Prompto carefully cradled you in hisarms as he looked between you and Ignis. “Where are they coming from?”

Ignis held a grim expression as he kneeled down beside you.“The flowers are a sign of unrequited love. Whoever is inflicted with themeventually dies. The flowers continue to build up in their chest until theperson no longer possesses the ability to breathe, I’m afraid.”

Prompto’s grip tightened around you in hopes of stoppingyour violent shaking through the coughs. “Unrequited love,” he repeated andstared into your face.

Gladio kneeled down and fingered a blossom the size of hispalm. “True love, judging by these. They’re a symbol of true love.” Gladioclapped Prompto on the shoulder and squeezed it gently. The look on his facewas the same as those worn by both Ignis and Noctis.

“Me?” Prompto croaked as tears flooded his eyes.

Your head had begun to feel foggy and if he hadn’t help youso tightly, you knew you wouldn’t have had the strength to keep yourself up.You did, however, pitifully twist and reach blindly for the journal. Noctisgrabbed it and handed it over to his best friend who opened the pages directlyto the one you had written for him, the beautiful flower falling from thepages.

As he read, his eyes darting back and forth across thescribbled words though his tears, he choked back a sob. You mumbled his name againin hopes of reassuring him, telling him it really was okay. As you had written,dying was not something you were afraid of. After all, it had taken your deathfor you to tell the man of your dreams how you felt. Shiva had granted you akindness in allowing you to go in such a peaceful way rather than at the handsof some deamon.

Prompto dropped the book and pulled you into his lap so thathe could look you directly in the face. He wiped the stray tears from your eyesand whispered your name in broken sobs until you opened your eyes for what youknew would be the last time. Fitting that it would be his face that you sawbefore you crossed into whatever awaited you. Your only hope was that you wouldremember every detail of his perfect, freckled face and the depth of his eyes.

“No. This is not the end for you, it can’t be.”

Noctis moved closer. “Prom, I don’t think –“

“She’s not dying here,” he snapped but he kept his eyes onyours. You couldn’t help the fraction of a smile that ghosted your lips at thesimilarity in his irises to the petals of the flowers you were drowning in.Prompto cradled your head and spoke your name forcefully until you managed tofocus on him. “I am not saying goodbye to you here. You are going to live avery long and happy life if I have anything to do with it.”

Your intended words turned to gasps as more flowers brokefree. You couldn’t breathe at all and Prompto saw the realization in your eyes.

Prompto tore his gaze to Ignis, who had taken his glassesoff and was doing his best to remain composed at the sight of your dying bodyclutched in his arms. “Unrequited means not returned, right?” He looked at theadvisor expectantly. When he gave him a reluctant nod, Prompto nodded once.Leaning in close, he spoke so that he knew you could hear him even in yourdaze. “Stay with me,” he begged.

His soft lips pressed to yours with careful force andconfidence. His touch seemed so far away and yet your body yielded to hisperfectly. Even when he felt you go limp in his arms, Prompto kissed you withdelicate determination as if his touch could pour some of his own life forceinto your body. His fingers carded through your hair and his free hand pressedinto your hip and pulled you closer. He touched you like a dying man in searchof water, his body deprived of the sensation of yours. His love for you washedover you like a tidal wave.

“Prom,” Gladio tried to pull him away.

Prompto growled and broke the kiss gasping for breath.“Please, come back to me,” he peppered your face with kisses. Cradling yourhead in his hands, you kissed you once more before choking off a sob. “Please,Shiva above, don’t leave me now. Not when I didn’t even say it…” he trailedoff.

The night air was silent, even the ocean seemed to lie inwait. The only sound was that of Prompto’s sobs into your shoulder, your bodystill clutched against him.

Gasping, a torrent of tiny, half frozen forget-me-not bloomsfell from your lips. A thin coating of ice caked the delicate skin of your lipsas you swallowed, your airways clear of flowers for the first time in weeks.

Prompto stiffened, his arms locking around your waist infear he was imaging it all. He didn’t dare speak your name until you had pulledback enough to see his face. Tears filled both of your eyes at the realizationthat you were breathing again. You met for another kiss, this one soft andquick as if you both feared it wasn’t real.

“What was it you wanted to tell me?” you asked against hislips. The sot smile of your face lit up your eyes and colored your cheeks in alight blush.

Grinning from ear to ear, Prompto picked a flower from yourhair. “Shiva must’ve heard me,” he teased and pressed a kiss to your nose. Onlyafter you whined did he relent. Giggling, the blonde leaned his forehead toyours. “I love you, too,” he promised.

Squealing, you tacking him and the two of you fell into thesand in a torrent of laughter that was soon joined in by the others. Leaning onhis chest, tugged at his fringe and sealed his words with a kiss.