#Joshua honored the agreement

[granonine]

God's Grace and Mercy

Joshua 9:24-27. And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto…

[xoxorealitygalore]

Hopelessly Devoted III

Roman Reigns x Multiracial OC

Part three: The Pride of Fook Island

Summary: A year ago, Joe met Princess Pensri on Fook Island, and they quickly fell in love. Unbeknownst to her, Joe paid her bride price, planning to marry her. Now, he returns with his family to fulfill his promise, ready to begin their life together.

Part two: A Dance of Destiny

Joe felt a surge of excitement as he and Pensri led his cousins through the winding paths of the Fook Wildlife Sanctuary. The air was warm and filled with the sweet fragrance of tropical flowers, the sounds of birds calling to one another drifting through the trees.

Today was special. He was about to show his family something that meant a lot to him, symbolizing his roots and his love for Pensri.

His cousins, Jon, Joshua, Sefa, Jacob, and Zilla, had come to Fook Island to celebrate his engagement to Pensri. They had seen plenty of photos, heard the stories, and joined Joe on video calls with Pensri over the past year, but today would be their first real taste of the island with its beauty, and its culture.

“Alright, everyone,” Joe said, grinning as they walked along the path, his cousins’ faces lighting up with curiosity. “You’re about to see something pretty cool. You guys are about to meet the pride.”

His cousins exchanged confused glances, unsure of what he meant by the pride. “What do you mean by that, uce?” Jon asked, his voice tinged with playful curiosity.

“You’ll see,” Joe replied with a wink. He led them further down the path until they reached an open area, where the trees parted and revealed a large, lush enclosure. At the center of the enclosure, a group of tigers lay lounging beneath a canopy of leaves, their orange and black stripes bold against the backdrop of the dense forest. They looked powerful, their eyes glinting in the fading light as they surveyed the area with a calm yet commanding presence.

“Whoa,” Joshua breathed, his eyes wide as he took in the sight of the majestic creatures. “They’re incredible!”

“Meet your tigers,” Joe said proudly. “I named them after you guys.”

Pensri, standing beside Joe, smiled warmly as his cousins approached the enclosure with a mix of awe and excitement. Joe had told them about the tigers before, but now they were seeing them in person, the animals that had been named in honor of his family. Joe stepped closer to the plaque next to the enclosure and gestured to the names engraved there.

“This pride is made up of five tigers,” Joe explained, his voice filled with pride. “Each tiger represents one of you, a symbol of strength, unity, and the bond we share as a family.”

The cousins approached the plaque, reading the names with a mix of disbelief and admiration.

“This is amazing,” Jacob said, his voice full of awe as he looked at the tigers lounging lazily, their powerful bodies rippling with muscle even as they rested.

Zilla, always the most playful of the group, grinned. “Wait, so I have a tiger named after me? Does that mean I’m as fierce as one of these bad boys?”

Joe laughed, nodding. “Exactly. Each of you has a tiger here that embodies your strength. These tigers are a part of the legacy of our family.”

Sefa, who had always been the most contemplative of the cousins, stepped closer to the enclosure, studying the tigers with a thoughtful expression. “It’s kind of surreal,” he said quietly. “These tigers are named after us, but I feel like we’re the ones who are part of something bigger. Like we’re part of something that’s not just about us, but about everything this island represents.”

Joe nodded in agreement. “Exactly, Sefa. This is more than just about us. It’s a part of who we are, and it connects us to this place and Pensri’s people. The pride is symbolic of our bond, not just to each other, but to this island, to Fook Island, and Pensri.”

Pensri, who had been quietly watching them interact with the tigers, smiled softly. She could see how much this meant to Joe, how important it was to create his family’s connection to Fook Island. The tigers, each named after Joe’s cousins, were a substantial representation of the ties that bound Joe to his past and now, to the future, they would all build together.

Jon, who had been particularly quiet since they arrived, finally spoke up, his voice filled with respect. “This is incredible, Joe. I never imagined something like this. Thank you. This is so cool.”

Joe smiled at his cousin. Pensri stepped forward, her gaze shifting from Joe to his cousins. “You’re all a part of this island now, too,” she said softly. “These tigers are not just named after you. They’re a living tribute to the bond you share with Joe and now with Fook Island. You’ll always have a place here, as a part of our family.”

Joe’s cousins, still marveling at the tigers, exchanged glances, their faces full of emotion. It was clear that they were moved by the gesture, by the deep respect and love Joe had for both his family and his new life on Fook Island. They were proud of him, proud of what he had created here, and now they were part of it, too.

Jon, who had always been the most serious of the group, nodded solemnly as he looked at the tigers. “This is something special. I can see why it means so much to you, Joe.”

Joe beamed with pride, his heart swelling with the love and respect he felt for his family. “I’m glad you guys like it. This is just the beginning. There’s so much more to see, and so much more to do together.”

As they stood there, watching the tigers, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft, golden light over the sanctuary. The tigers began to stir, stretching their powerful limbs before settling down again

As the cousins continued to admire the tigers, the playful energy that Joe had always cherished about his family began to surface. Jon, ever the jokester, was the first to break the reverent silence with a laugh.

“Alright,” he said, grinning as he crossed his arms and leaned casually against the fence, his eyes fixed on the tiger named after him, a sleek and majestic creature that lounged lazily in the shade. “I’ve decided. I’m taking my tiger back to Pensacola. I mean, he’s practically my spirit animal. Looks just like me, don’t you think?”

Joe laughed, shaking his head. “Good luck getting him through airport security, Jon. They’ll have a few questions about why you’re carrying a tiger as a carry-on.”

Jon shrugged with a dramatic flourish, his grin never wavering. “Hey, I’ve got connections. I’ll make it work. I’ll tell them he’s a service animal. Who wouldn’t want a tiger to help them relax on a flight?”

The cousins erupted in laughter, all of them shaking their heads at Jon’s antics. But Jon wasn’t finished.

Joshua, who had been quietly observing his tiger, stepped up next. His tiger, with its piercing amber eyes and regal posture, seemed to mirror his calm demeanor. Joshua let out a low whistle as he studied the animal. “You know, this tiger looks like me,” he said with a grin. “I mean, check it out. The eyes, the build, even the way he’s just chilling. I might be his long-lost brother.”

Joe chuckled. “I don’t know, man. I think you might have just found your doppelgänger in the animal kingdom.”

Joshua nodded sagely. “He’s got my swagger, too.”

Zilla, who had been standing a little farther back, crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at his tiger. The tiger, a powerful and slightly intimidating creature, was crouched low, its piercing gaze fixed on him with an almost calculating look. Zilla raised an eyebrow and smirked.

“You guys, I think my tiger is sizing me up,” he said, his voice half-serious, half-amused. “Like, it’s trying to figure out if I’m dinner or if I’m worth keeping around.”

Joe burst out laughing. “Maybe it’s just admiring your style, Zilla. You do have a way with fashion, after all.”

Zilla shot him a playful look. “You think so? Or maybe it’s wondering how I’d look as a snack.”

Sefa, who had been smiling quietly at the banter, shook his head. “You guys are ridiculous. But, seriously, I think Zilla’s tiger’s just fascinated by him. It’s probably thinking, ‘Is this one tough enough to hang with the pride?’”

Zilla gave a mock-pout. “Well, I am a little intimidating.”

“I’m sure that’s it,” Joe said with a wink. “Nothing to do with you being snack-sized.”

As the laughter continued, Jacob, who had been quietly observing his tiger with a soft smile, finally spoke up. His tiger, a large and gentle-looking creature, was curled up lazily beside him, its head resting comfortably on Jacob’s lap. The bond between them was immediate and heartwarming.

“Well, I think my tiger and I are bonding,” Jacob said with a contented sigh, running his hand through the tiger’s thick fur. “Look at this. We’re practically cuddling. I think he’s more interested in napping than anything else.”

“Maybe he’s a big softie under all that strength just like you,” Jon teased. “Looks like you’ve got a new best friend, Jacob. Just don’t let him get too comfortable. He might start stealing your snacks.”

Jacob raised an eyebrow. “Hey, if he starts stealing my snacks, I’ll let him have ‘em. I mean, if we’re going to share the same name, we might as well share the food, right?”

The group burst into more laughter, and for a moment, it felt like they were just a bunch of regular cousins, enjoying a carefree afternoon. The grandeur of Fook Island, the royal engagement, and the tigers, all faded into the background as the sound of their laughter filled the air, their bonds of family and friendship stronger than ever.

Pensri, quietly enjoying the scene, turned to Joe with a smile. “You named them perfectly, the tigers match their namesakes.”

Joe grinned, his eyes twinkling with affection. “Yep.”

Masterlist | Part four: Crowned by Love

[gcldfanged]

📃 FOR WHOEVER HAND EM OVER

If you slip in a little 📃 I will discuss one scenario that had been living in my head rent free [ACCEPTING]

Aerith: -Jae and Aerith kind of having a deal/agreement that he looks the other way and lets her sneak out of the Cetra Babysitter Squad's (Turk Edition) range to get up to shenanigans. He's actually well known at the Leaf House and acts like he hates kids, but is really good with them since he doesn't treat them like they're simple. He's definitely taught the bullied kids how to throw down. His greatest achievement: Being called "cool" by the orphans but Aerith doesn't let him show off in front of them with his weapons, like his handgun (Jae: IT'S NOT EVEN LOADED! COME ON, THEY CAN PASS IT AROUND-).

He thinks Tseng's one-sided crush on her is hilarious, but he'd never say that to his face ever <- good blackmail material, Aerith *COUGHCOUGH*

Cid Highwind: "UGH, LIBERALS WITH YOUR 78 GENDERS" versus "OK BOOMER, SURE YOU GOT YOUR COLOSTOMY BAG ON PROPERLY???"

Cloud: Two guys who honestly just fucking HATE each other, Jae is well aware he's not a SOLDIER and recognizes him from a Before Crisis timeline escort mission which puts a damper on Cloud's 'I'm the Main Character" act.

Jae is not at all interested in Cloud, but makes faux-flirtatious banter with him anyway because the way Cloud reacts is funny as fuck.

Sephiroth: Idk man, like just DESTROY Jae- Kick him like he is the football!! I never get to write Jae getting the shit kicked out of him, it's fun.

Tseng: Big Bro and annoying younger sibling energies, but make it between Team Leader and Coworker. They talk shit about each other all the time, but as soon as someone unrelated makes a disparaging comment, they're like "HEY, PAL- ONLY I GET TO CALL THEM STUPID NAMES".

Zack: OOOH, OOOH- Jae was there and stayed behind to destroy evidence of the Nibelheim Incident with Verdot, Zack could remember seeing Jae and Veld before he passes out and associates them with Shinra baddies/maybe gets angry and tries to fight him when they meet up in remake continuity?

Dion: Bahamut, King of the Gays meets weird little scrungly assassin man who works with The Undying, Jae is totally the one who kicked his soldier through the tent entrance- Joshua is too Nice(tm) for that.

Jae doesn't have to be Leviathan's dominant in this AU since idk how the DLC is gonna fuck it up, or we COULD go with that and have fabulous laser dragon + twink water snek whombo-combo fighting together against Ultima and his weird Oedipus-complex himbo goth, Barnabas.

Jill: Maybe Jae helps Clive save Jill and is a Gav-like rogueish companion as they travel? Can be Levi dominant or not, but I think that's funny because they'd be the elemental trio of "fire", "water", and "water, but like, really cold bruh". THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE! j/k

Sleipnir: I just like the idea of them being totally obnoxious at each other since they have similar-ish personalities, like Clive and Barnabas are fighting all macho manly man beeg swordboner style and then you have the two fucking smarmy twinks strutting around and Shady Lady-ing at each other.

Terence Bellerose: If we're roping in @phoenixshards, then I can see Joshua and Dion having tea and calmly discussing the threat at large while Terence and Jae glower at each other from across the room all "OH, HE'S PRETTY... PRETTIER THAN ME?!" style over their respective boyfriends. THE SHIELDS ARE FIGHTIIING-

Or idk Terence is a little weirded out Joshua has a literal criminal as his Shield and Jae's underworld funk vibes get up his knightly snoot. He's a man of honor, Jae is the exact opposite- Sparks may fly?

[carolap53]

Keeping Oaths TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

10/31/2023

"This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them." Joshua 9:20 Joshua and the people of Israel were in the Promised Land. They were winning battles and were feeling good about their progress. One day a band of Gibeonites came by dressed as travelers in order to fool Joshua. They wanted to make Joshua believe they were merely travelers instead of enemies. The Gibeonites asked Joshua to make a peace treaty with them. Since Joshua chose to believe their story, he did just that. That was a mistake on Joshua's part. The Bible says Joshua did not inquire of the Lord about the Gibeonites. This forced Joshua to uphold the peace treaty with the Gibeonites, even though it was made under false pretenses. Keeping our oaths before the Lord is a serious matter. One might think that Joshua had every right to consider the agreement with the Gibeonites null and void since it was done on false pretense. However, Joshua knew how God viewed oaths. He knew that a man's word, once it was given, should be good as done. There was no reversing it. He also knew that if he did not keep his oath, he was subject to God's disfavor, which meant his ways would not be blessed. Whenever we become a child of God, we represent Him. When His children follow unrighteousness, He takes this personally. Unrighteousness opens us up to satan's attack. God's protection shield is removed. So Joshua knew that if he did not honor his oath, he would be subject to God's judgment. Is there any unfulfilled oath you have made to anyone? Ask God this morning if you have not fulfilled a commitment to anyone. Then, if there is, go and fulfill. Otherwise, you will be subject to God's judgment for your unrighteousness.

[ofengineers]

Mid raises an eyebrow at his formality, but she ends up laughing when Joshua corrects himself. At least, he's willing not to be too formal with her. She knows he's not purposedly doing it, anyway. But Mid himself has never been good with formalities. She's not even sure she would use the right titles. Cid had never insisted on these things, so it was never important to her.

"You don't know how much I hoped you'd say that," she teases, a smirk on her features. She hears all these formalities sometimes, but she prefers to stay out of this. Anyway, she's there in her workshop most of the time, away from the others. As much as she hates it admit it, it makes her sad to see all these people who once were at her father's side, without having him around anymore.

She laughs one more time. At least, he's making fun of himself too, now. "A distinction, mmh ? I don't know much about nobles and all that, but I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to kneel for a... what am I, anyway ? A commoner ?" She really knows nothing about nobility. It makes her feel a bit stupid, now that she has started spending more time with Clive and Joshua. She shakes her head, then smiles as she brings a hand to her heart. "It doesn't matter that much, after all! I'm just too... normal, I guess, and it made me overreact." And not used to KINDNESS in general, especially when it comes to someone she met recently.

She nods in agreement, smiling brightly as Joshua is speaking about Clive. "You're right. He deserves to be happy. I'm so glad he's chosen to honor my father's legacy. He's the only one who could have done it this right." She blinks a few times, then scratches her neck. She tries not to speak much about Cid; it'll probably always be a SENSITIVE subject. But here, she just did, without thinking at all. Joshua is just that kind of person it's easy to speak to. Maybe too easy for her own good. She doesn't want to feel vulnerable.

And as she secretly wishes to suddenly vanish because she mentioned Cid, Joshua compliments her work. And there's so much admiration in the way he speaks. Sometimes, she wishes she could express herself that way, too. So easily, so naturally. But he's once again catching her off guard. Mid can feel the heat on her cheeks. She looks away for a moment, well aware that his eyes are still on her. She finally looks at him again. "That's, mmh... very kind of you to say all that... really!" She chuckles a bit awkwardly before she brings her hands together. People compliment her work sometimes, but surely not this way.

"Maybe..." Think, Mid, think. She's smiling again. She truly can't help herself; Joshua is too kind. "I'd like to build an airship, too, eventually." She ends up admitting. And that's the truth; it's something she has always wanted to do, back when Cid was still alive. "But I'm not sure of where to start. Usually, I'm studying monsters when I'm not sure. But you, as the Phoenix... you can fly, right ? How... How does it work ?" // @carrotsaversion

Deeply immersed in the sacred texts of ancient wisdom, Joshua sought solace within the timeworn pages, delving into the mysteries they held. Yet, the tranquility of his study was abruptly shattered by a familiar voice that pierced through the sanctum of his thoughts. Startled, he lifted his head, his gaze meeting Mid's with a mixture of surprise and a delicate hint of awkwardness.

With reverence still lingering in his tone, he attempted to address her with a touch of formality. "Lady Midadol!" he exclaimed, his voice carrying the weight of tradition. Realizing his misstep, he cleared his throat, his cheeks tinted with a subtle flush of embarrassment. Gathering his composure, he corrected himself with a gentle smile. "Oh, I mean, Mid, my apologies. Please, just call me Joshua. No need for titles or formalities in our conversations."

Mid's laughter, like a bubbling spring, permeated the air, infusing the space with an infectious energy that melted his unease. Joining in the mirthful exchange, Joshua embraced the lightness of the moment, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous spark. "Ah, I suppose being the first and only one to kneel for you is quite the distinction," he responded playfully.

As their conversation shifted towards Clive's happiness, Joshua's expression softened, radiating genuine warmth and admiration. His eyes held a gentle glow as he spoke from the depths of his heart. "It truly warms my soul to witness Clive's radiant contentment. He is a beacon of light in this sanctuary, and every ounce of joy he finds here is well-deserved," he conveyed with sincerity, his voice carrying a reverence for his brother's newfound happiness.

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Joshua locked eyes with Mid, his gaze brimming with profound respect and admiration. "Throughout my time here, I've witnessed the monumental feats you've accomplished," he expressed, carrying a touch of awe. "Your unwavering dedication and passion for your craft have given birth to a tapestry of engineering marvels, culminating in the creation of the legendary Enterprise itself," his words resonated with reverence for her exceptional skills and boundless creativity. With a subtle gesture of his hand, he emphasized the significance and impact of her achievements, as if encompassing the profound legacy she has forged within his palm.

"In light of your remarkable contributions, I want you to know that I'm here, ready to offer my assistance whenever you need it."

[offender42085]

Post 0415

Zachary A Avans, Arkansas inmate 661977, born 1998, incarceration intake March 2018 at age 19, scheduled for release April 2085 

Burglary, Possession of a Firearm, Murder

A Bella Vista man was sentenced to 132 years in prison after admitting to breaking into a man’s home and killing him.

Zachary Avans, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated domestic burglary, possession of a firearm by certain individuals and possession of methamphetamine. The plea was under an agreement that Andrea Stokes and Jeff Chandler, Avans’ attorneys, reached with senior deputy prosecutor Joshua Robinson.

Avans was charged as a repeat offender.

Byron Keith Blackmon, 30, was found gunned down on Northwest Fifth Street in Bentonville on April 27, 2021. He died at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville.

Shannon Schmidt told police he and Avans are friends, according to the affidavit of probable cause. Schmidt said Avans asked him to drive him to an address in Bentonville on April 27, 2021, to visit a friend about a stimulus check. Schmidt said he drove Avans to Bentonville, and Avans asked him to drive around and then come back to pick him up. Schmidt said he picked up Avans near Northwest B Street, according to the affidavit.

According to the affidavit, Avans was in financial trouble after giving a friend power of attorney to have the friend collect bail and get Avans out of jail. The friend got the stimulus check from Avans but failed to rescue him from prison, the affidavit said.

Schmidt told police that Avans burned the shirt he was wearing in a fire pit when they returned to Schmidt’s house, it said.

A neighbor of Blackmon heard Blackmon screaming for help and found him lying in the street, the affidavit said.

A police officer saw an open door to an apartment at 501 NW B St., Blackmon’s apartment. According to the affidavit, officers saw blood on the living room door and floor, along with several bloodied pillows.

Police also found a used case from a revolver or semi-automatic pistol.

Avans broke into Blackmon’s home and then shot him, Robinson told Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green.

Blackmon’s family and police agreed with the plea deal, Robinson said.

Megan Thompson, Blackmon’s mother, said it is terrible when a parent loses a child. It’s still hard for her to sleep, and she’ll be lost forever without her son, she said.

“He had the best hugs,” she said. “I miss him so much.”

The judge asked Avans to speak before she sentenced him.

“No, ma’am,” Avans replied.

The judge told Avans that this would be his last chance as she would introduce a restraining order banning him from contacting Blackmon’s family. She asked him again if he wanted to say anything else.

“No, ma’am,” Avans said again. “I have nothing more to say, Your Honor.”

The Judge sentenced Avans to 132 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Avans must serve a minimum of 32 years in prison before being eligible for parole.

2o

[viastro]

third of december | joshua hong

ミ★ synopsis: i still remember, third of december. me in your sweater, you said it looked better on me than it did you. OR: in which joshua gives you his sweater on the first snowfall of the year.

ミ★ genre: slice of life!au, uni!au, fluff, some humor

ミ★ warnings: none

ミ★ word count: 2,922

ミ★ pairings: joshua hong x gender neutral reader

ミ★ notes: hi guys! in honor of it being the third of december, i decided to write this oneshot based off of that line in conan gray’s song - heather. i made this a joshua oneshot because i felt bad... for the wonwoo one... so this hopefully makes up for it :D i also love joshua’s platinum hair. i love him. i hope he’s doing well. as always, make sure to give joshua lots of love! i hope you guys like this one even tho it’s kinda short and i just wrote this in the span of an hour !

It’s cold, you think to yourself as you walk to the next building that holds your class on campus. Rubbing the goosebumps raising on your arms, you glance around at your surroundings as music floods through your Airpods. You let out a sigh to see if you can see your breath, and you purse your lips when it condensates before your eyes. 

I should’ve brought an extra jacket, you curse quietly, only to stop when you hear a beautiful laugh resonate through the small crowd of people heading to their next class. Your head perks up, and you look across campus to see a bright head of platinum hair walking in your direction as he talks to his friend. Your heart twirls in your chest when he turns his head, and you find that his beautiful laugh matches his gorgeous facial features. 

Immediately you look down at the ground and try to walk faster towards your class, feeling awkward as you were basically just gawking at his beauty. Your face feels warm, but your hands are cold as you walk in the mid-November weather. 

You hear his voice as he gets closer, but you continue to stare down at the cobblestone as you walk. You find that his voice is incredibly pleasant as well, and you wonder how a human being can be so beautiful, causing the thoughts of the coldness of your hands to come to a halt. 

“Are you sure you wanna work on the melody? I can work on it if you want.” Joshua offers as the two head towards the direction of the cafe. Jeonghan rolls his eyes, having heard this five times in the span of the two hour lecture they just got out of. 

“Joshua, I already told you that if you really wanna make the melody then you can do it. I don’t mind writing lyrics.” Jeonghan replies with a grin, and Joshua lets out an apologetic smile. “Sorry Hannie, I just hate writing lyrics.” 

“I know Joshua, but sometimes you need to practice...” Joshua tunes out the rest of Jeonghan’s lecture when he turns his head to look forward, only to pause when he lays eyes on you. Time comes to a slow when he sees you glance up from the ground for a moment, and his heart fills with warmth even in this cold November weather. 

He stops and turns his head in your direction when you walk past him, watching as you shrink within the crowd as you most likely head to your next class. Jeonghan chuckles when he follows Joshua’s line of sight, knowing that his best friend has just developed a crush. With this newfound knowledge, he nudges Joshua’s shoulder, causing the blonde to snap out of his trance. 

“You good?” 

“Do you know who they are?” Joshua asks in a quiet voice, and Jeonghan turns his head, seeing that you’re no longer in sight. He shrugs, “I’ve never spoken to them.” 

Joshua nods his head, looking obviously disappointed as they turn back towards the direction of the cafe. Jeonghan chuckles, patting Joshua’s shoulder after a moment of his friend staying quiet. Joshua glances at the brunette, and he watches as a grin etches itself onto his face. “Since they were heading in that direction today, it’s most likely that our paths will cross with theirs on Thursdays. You’ll see them next week.” 

Joshua lets out a smile after a moment, and nods his head, now feeling excited to see you in a week. Jeonghan rolls his eyes, wrapping his arm around Joshua’s shoulders as they get closer to the cafe. 

“You fall in love easily.” Jeonghan tells him, and Joshua purses his lips. He glances up at the cloudy sky, remembering the way your eyes sparkled when you briefly glanced up from the ground. And so he smiles and responds in a soft voice,

“They were pretty.” 

I brought an extra jacket, but I forgot gloves. Fucking gloves, you think as you walk across campus once again. You let out a sigh, watching as your breath condensates before your very eyes once again. Beginning to curse to yourself for forgetting the gloves on your table, you pick up the pace so that you can make it to the warmth of your building quicker. 

That plan comes to an immediate stop when you hear his voice, and you find yourself walking slower to be able to cherish the sound. Glancing up in the direction of his voice, you see him listening attentively as  his friend animatedly speaks to him. You let out a small smile, thinking that he’s rather cute when he smiles. 

You suck in a breath when he turns his head and locks eyes with you when your paths are about to cross. You want nothing more than to look away and act as if he didn’t catch you staring fondly at him, but his catlike eyes have you intrigued. He finally lets out a smile and stops walking when the two of you are right beside each other, and he turns towards you. 

You find yourself doing the same thing, internally screaming to yourself as you wonder how you were able to muster the courage to not run away when he turned to you. The blonde extends his hand in your direction, “Hi, I’m Joshua Hong.” 

Biting the inside of your cheek, you reach out and softly grasp his warm hand with your cold one, giving it a slight shake. “Hi, I’m yln yn.” 

Joshua’s eyebrows furrow slightly when you let go, and he reaches into his jacket pockets. You move to apologize for how cold your hand was, only to stop when he holds out a pair of purple gloves for you. Glancing up at his face, you catch the redness to his nose as he mutters, “It’s cold, make sure to wear these.” 

You let out a small smile, “Are you sure? These are yours, and you barely know me.” You tell him softly, and Joshua chuckles, nodding his head in reassurance. He pushes them in your direction again, and you shyly take them from his grasp. “Thank you.” 

You slide them on, letting out a happy sigh when you feel the warmth of the gloves on your fingers. Joshua smiles, “Want me to walk you to class?” 

“I thought we were gonna go to the caf-” Joshua quickly elbows Jeonghan in the stomach, making the latter double over in pain from the impact. The brunette quietly curses Joshua and his powerful elbows, wondering why the fuck his elbow felt so sharp. 

Your eyes widen slightly in concern at Joshua’s friend, and the blonde waves his hand at you with a grin, obviously one that’s trying to hold back a laugh. “He’s fine.”

“I’m dying.” 

“You’re fine.” 

“Fuck you.” 

Joshua flashes you a smile after patting Jeonghan on the back, and you end up giggling at the whole interaction. You shake your head ‘no’ at his offer, “It’s okay. It’s all the way across campus, and you already gave me these gloves. You’ve done more than enough.” 

Joshua’s heart falls slightly, but he nods his head, respecting your decision. He prepares to say bye, only to stop when you say, “We can hangout some other time, though.” 

He nods his head immediately in agreement, and you giggle at the sight of it. So you nod your head back at him, before waving your hand, “See you later Joshua, make sure to be nice to your friend.” 

Joshua chuckles as he waves back at you, watching as you begin to walk away “I’m always nice.”

“Say that to my two broken ribs.” Jeonghan wheezes from behind you, and you let out a bright smile when you hear the pair begin to squabble. 

You walk towards your class with a happy heart, and warm hands. 

“Did you hear that it’s gonna snow tomorrow?” You glance over towards the blonde, finding him playing with your switch on the floor of your apartment as you do homework on the couch. 

“December 3rd? That’s kinda early in the month.” You tell Joshua right as he lets out a groan for losing in smash bros. You watch as the pretty man shrugs his shoulders, preparing to restart the round, “Can’t believe you’re more concerned that it’s early rather than the fact that we still have to go to classes.” 

“That’s cause I work better when I’m actually in the classroom rather than online classes.” You say, rolling your eyes when Joshua waves his hand away at you. 

“Didn’t a girl slip and fall on the icy ground last year?” Joshua nods aimlessly in response before telling you that she’s still in talks of suing the university. Pursing your lips and nodding your head in agreement for wanting to sue the school, you glance back towards your textbook. 

You and Joshua did end up hanging out some other time. Almost everyday after classes to be exact. Usually it’s you, Jeonghan, and Joshua, but Jeonghan had an evening class to go to today. You weren’t originally going to hangout with Joshua, but he invited himself to your apartment to be able to play with your switch since Jeonghan broke his. 

Jeonghan is still repenting. 

You’ve discovered that not only is Joshua incredibly pretty and has a nice voice, but his personality is beautiful as well. Over the last couple weeks, your crush on him has only developed even further with the time you’ve spent with him. 

The same goes for Joshua, who has found himself thinking of you more often than not. From the fact that your eyes sparkle when you smile at him, to the way you practically inhale two cups of ramen in a span of fifteen minutes. He’s absolutely amazed by you. 

“You wanna order food?” You ask after a few minutes of silence between you, except for the diverse amount of sound effects coming from your TV. Joshua pauses the game and turns towards you with a knowing smile, causing you to let out a laugh. 

“Did you even have to ask?” Joshua responds, and you roll your eyes. 

“Thai food?” He nods his head in agreement, and the two of you settle on what dishes you both want, as well as what you’ll save for Jeonghan. Once that’s figured out, you place the order and receive the wait time of 30-45 minutes. 

“Does this mean you’re gonna take a break from your homework?” Joshua asks after that’s done, and you purse your lips in thought, before nodding your head. 

“I’ll beat your ass in super smash bros.” You tease, and the blonde rolls his eyes fondly at you as you settle down onto the floor beside him. He hands you your other controller, and the two of you begin a competitive round of smash bros. 

During the middle of the round, Joshua sneaks glances at you, watching as you laugh when you accidentally make your character fall off the platform. His eyes sparkle at the way your face brightens when you fight his character, to the pout of your lips as you begin to concentrate. 

Feeling Joshua’s eyes on you for the sixth time, you pause the game and turn to face him with a teasing smile. “Do you think I’m pretty? You keep-” 

You freeze at the close proximity between your faces, and you watch as Joshua’s eyes widen slightly. The two of you stare into each other's eyes for a moment, searching for an answer. To what question? At this moment, you can only think of one. 

are we about to kiss?

Your answer comes to you when his eyes trail down to your lips. Your eyes slowly flutter shut when he leans in slightly, and Joshua ingrains the visual in his mind, finding you the most beautiful thing he’s ever laid eyes on as he slowly leans in. 

bzzz 

The two of you jump apart at the sound of your apartment buzzer, and you quickly reach for your phone, seeing that the food is here. Joshua quickly scrambles up off the floor and walks over to your door without another word, and you rest a hand over your heart, feeling it violently pound against your chest. 

While Joshua’s cheeks are tinged a pretty shade of pink as he grabs the takeout food, wondering if the two of you would’ve actually kissed if you weren’t interrupted by the Thai food. However, it seems that his question won’t be answered as he walks back into your living room with a small smile. 

“Let’s eat.” 

Joshua literally told me it was going to snow and I decided to wear a t-shirt and a jacket? Am I stupid? You begin to genuinely question whether or not you have any brain cells as you walk across campus. The snow begins to fall around you as you head to class, and you quietly curse yourself for being so distracted in the morning to have forgotten the weather. 

The almost kiss keeps replaying in your head. From the moment Jeonghan came to your apartment after class and began to eat with you guys, to the time he and Joshua left to head back to their apartment. This was all you thought about even until this morning, and it’s all you’re thinking about now.

stupid! stupid! stupid! 

Your head perks up when you hear Joshua and Jeonghan laughing, and you find the two dressed warmly as they walk in your direction. Your heart thumps against your chest when Joshua glances up and locks eyes with you, only to internally panic when he immediately frowns. 

oh god, he hates me.

“Yn, I told you it was snowing today. Where’s your sweater?” Joshua asks when him and Jeonghan get closer to you. You bite the inside of your cheek, trying to come up with an answer that doesn’t sound like,

oh, you know Joshua. I was too busy being distracted by the fact that you almost kissed me last night, that i forgot to dress like a human being that DOESN’T wanna get hypothermia. haha. hahahaha. hahahahahahahahaha. Pain. 

“I forgot.” You mutter, feeling embarrassed about your stupidity. Jeonghan snickers at you, thinking the whole ordeal is rather hilarious, and you shoot him a death glare, to which he immediately stops chuckling. 

You turn back towards Joshua when you see him zipping open his backpack, and your eyes widen slightly when he pulls out an extra sweater from his bag. Jeonghan grins to himself, watching as Joshua holds it out in your direction.

“What?” You ask, and Jeonghan lets out a quiet sigh of disappointment at your lack of understanding context clues when it comes to real life scenarios. Joshua shakes the sweater, “Put this on. That jacket won’t help much, you need layers.” 

You bite the inside of your cheek, before handing Jeonghan your bag, and Joshua your jacket. You slip on the sweater over your head, and feel your face fill with warmth when you realize how much larger it is on you rather than Joshua. 

Joshua’s cheeks turn pink at the sight of you wearing his sweater, and he immediately hands you your jacket. You take it from his grasp and slip it on, before taking back your backpack from Jeonghan. You gesture to yourself, “So, what do we think?” 

“Looks better on Joshua-” Jeonghan immediately gets elbowed in the stomach, causing him to double over. Joshua gives you a shy smile, and you bite back a laugh. 

“You look pretty.” Joshua tells you softly, taking note of the way the snowflakes rest on your head, and the held back laughter goes away as you feel yourself growing more shy at the fondness in his voice. You look down at the ground, coughing into your shoulder as you prepare to leave to head towards your building once again.

“Thank you for the sweater, Joshua. I’ll see you and Jeonghan after class.” You tell him, and you wave at the doubled over Jeonghan, before turning to go to class. You pause when you feel a hand softly grasp your wrist, and you turn around to see Joshua right behind you. Raising an eyebrow you ask, “What?” 

Joshua doesn’t respond, instead biting the inside of his cheek nervously as he stares at you. You move to ask what’s wrong, only to be stopped when he leans in and presses a quick kiss to your lips. “I’ll see you later, yn.”

And with that, Joshua immediately turns around and walks away, ignoring Jeonghan’s teasing from behind him as he follows after the blonde. Warmth floods your senses, and you slowly raise a hand up to your lips, smile slowly breaking itself out onto your face as you watch the blonde disappear. 

You feel warm. 

“You brought that sweater just for yn, didn’t you?” Jeonghan teases as the two walk towards the cafeteria, and Joshua nods his head. 

“I knew they’d forget to dress warmly even though I told them it was gonna snow.” Joshua responds, smiling softly at the way the bright orange complimented your skin beautifully. It was a nice contrast to the white snow surrounding you as it fell from the sky. 

“You just wanted to see them in your clothes.” Jeonghan says with a chuckle, wrapping his arm around Joshua’s shoulders as they push through the doors, feeling warmth flood their bodies. Joshua nods his head, not even denying it as he smiles to himself. 

“They look better in it than I do.”

[renee-writer]

Call Me Josh Chapter 21

Rabbi Goldman tries to stay out of the hubbub about Joshua. He is contacted, those reporters dig out that he is his rabbi, but he has always put them off until…

She walks in, right off the street. Her attire leaves no doubt of her profession. He comes up to her, thinking she has to be searching for a meal or some other type of help.

“Miss, may I help you with something?” he is kind but firm. She can’t stay in the synagogue.

“No, for he already has. Joshua. He helped my friend Rashad. He told her all about herself, including the stuff she kept hidden from all but God. He must be your Messiah, but not just yours, for he showed Rashad there is a God for people like me. I want to learn about such a God. Where do I go?”

He is shocked. Could the boy he had preformed a bris for, the young man he had mitzahed, could he be Messiah? If so, why does he approach such as this unfortunate lady whether then his own people?

“Let’s get you cleaned up then I will get you a Torah and get you some information on God. You want to change your life, stop ah…”

“Hooking, yes I do. I want to live a life that honors God.”

“Very good. What is your name?”

“Mary. Thank you rabbi.”

He gets his wife to give her a makeover and then settles her in their spare room with a Torah. Then he calls his mama.

“Rabbi Goldman wishes to see you Joshua.” She tells him. Her son glows. She worries that he is doing to much but, his work seems to give him life.

“Yes mama. I will go…”

“As soon as you have ate Joshua.” She insists. His siblings smirk and Rebecca laughs. He loves to hear it. They still watch her carefully but she seems to be getting past the crushing grief.

“Yes mama.”

He finds his rabbi in his office. “Shalom Rabbi Goldman.”

“Shalom Joshua. Please have a seat.” He does. “I had a very interesting visitor today. A young lady named Mary. Her friend Rashad had told her a most interesting thing about you.”

He waits for his response. “You welcomed her in peace.” He knows he did.

“Yes. She wears appropriate clothes and her face is clear of the heavy makeup. She is studying the Torah in our spare room. What I want to know is, is it true?”

The boy that had squirmed through Hebrew lessons, who’s voice had cracked at his bar mitzvah, he is gone. In his place sits a man, with a smile in his eyes and a look of peace on his face. He leans closer. “Yes it is. My Father sent me to heal the sick, feed the hungry, to really see the misfits and the castoffs. To be Messiah.”

Rabbi Goldman doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He was serious, no doubt about that. He saw his sermon on the hill. The whole thing was posted on YouTube. He knows that he has a gift. Had it come from God? Can he believe that, that the boy he watched grow up, was Messiah? After all these years, had God placed him in Joshua?

“Joshua?”

“I get it. It is a lot to take in.”

“Why her and not one of your own?” That, in truth, was what was bothering him.

“Because they are all His children. He loves them all. Would you like me to address our people on Sabbath?”

“Yes, I think that would be a good idea.”

He stands in front of his people. His mama smiles at him while his brothers squirm in their seats, worried about what he would say. Beside Mrs. Goldman, Mary sits, her eyes shiny with the new hope that runs through her.

He opens the scroll to Isaiah, and scrolls to 61. There he begins to read, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that the captives will be released and the prisoners will be freed.” He rolls it back up. “This passage is fulfilled in your sight today.”

Total silence and then, “Blasphemy! This son of Joseph and Mary, this man that we have known all our lives, he claims to be Messiah!” one of the older man calls out. A mummer of agreement echoes around the building.

“Go Joshua, you and your family.” Rabbi Goldman urges. He slips out the back with his family and the followers that are also with him.

“Now, why did you go and do that Josh? It is bad enough you put on airs everywhere else but to do it in synagogue.” James hisses as the walk back home.

“Hush James. Your brother can only be who he is.”

“Mama, you believe this?” Jude asks.

“It is time I shared something with you.” When they get home, she sits them down, including Joshua and his friends, and tells them of the angel, the expected baby, Joe’s dream, everything.

Meanwhile, a reporter approaches Rabbi Goldman. He was in the congregation and has some questions to Joshua ‘s reading. A lot of people want to talk to the rabbi after Joshua’s shocking announcement. The reporter waits.

“Something must be done! To say such!”

“Come Levi, how do we know it isn’t true. You know what he is doing.”

“Hogwash! It is some sort of trick. “ Mrs. Goldman is trying to get herself and Mary out of the way. Mary hears the last comment.

“Pardon me, but I know tricks. Joshua, he saw my friend Rashad and I, really saw us and changed the course of our lives. I am just learning about God, but what I see of Him in Joshua, shows me that He is kind. You who worship Him should be too.”

She is lead away. The reporter finally gets to the rabbi.

“Pardon me but why did his words cause such a fuss? Brian Greene from the AP.”

“Mr. Greene, it is because he was publicly claiming to be Messiah.”

“Can you explain what that means so the public will understand?”

He sighs and nods. “Follow me to my office.”

[strawberista]

Panic surged in Hanekoma's breast the very moment she disappeared. It was rare to find someone that could throw him off in a world like this, but he quickly regained himself and spun on his heel, backing up as soon as he felt her touch him. He stood back while she introduced herself, and his mind immediately went to the music of his city. They had been working on it for a while now, he and Joshua, and they had been keeping their distance from one another in order to prevent something like this, to prevent his city from sounding so chaotic to everyone that entered.

Apparently there were still aftereffects...

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Hanekoma slid his hands in his pockets and furrowed his brow at her introduction. A goddess... He was usually supposed to keep his nature under wraps, but maybe he didn't have the luxury of secrecy here. He rarely ever met something so high up on their ladder as all that. He was going to have to assert his equality before she went around thinking she could do whatever she wanted.

And so once she was finished he tuned himself up and spread his wings, broad and white, glowing a blue hue, "Well, it's an honor to make your acquaintance, sister, but I regret to inform you we don't have gods here. I am the highest order of being on this world, an angel. And while it is an honor to meet you, I will politely request you don't damage my city. In contrary to your designation, my job is to ensure the prosperity of my district, and I won't have anyone tearing down my hard work, goddess or not. So perhaps we can come to some sort of agreement here? I mean no disrespect when I make these requests of you. I am merely upholding my responsibility."

     Scarlet eyes widened once she heard the voice - one that called out to her. So this one was different - he could see her. And that meant she got to play with him. How fun! Her whispy form vanished in front of him, only to reappear behind him, her gentle touch on his shoulders.

    " Me? " She mused, her form enlarging as the sky darkened slightly. " I am Eris, the Goddess of Chaos. I felt glorious chaos here and came to see what it was. " Her form shrank somewhat, to be his size, as she offered him a sweetened smile. " Be grateful you are in the presence of a goddess. "

[juji-han]

Mr. Hong

pairing | Joshua Hong x f!reader ft. mention of other Seventeen members

word count | 3.9k

genres | pride and prejudice au, fluff

summary | Knowing Mr. Hong was something you don’t think you could ever forget

warnings | crude language, but only a few times

"Mr. Hong!” 

“Mr. Hong!”

Having the misfortune of chasing after a twenty-four year old man was... well, unfortunate. He was stuck up, listening to only the voices he called his friends, and never waiting for anyone. Trying to control the man was the work of a mother and that’s what you were absolutely not. 

“Friend, the woman is calling, an ear in her direction wouldn’t hurt now would it?” Jeonghan called. You let out a small noise of agreement to his friend, your pride strong. Although you didn’t think you needed the help, you definitely did. 

“I cannot lend an ear friend, it’s simply impossible!” Joshua teased. He was moving around the common room, pacing with the intent of looking for something, without a care for you trying to grab his attention. 

“Please, Mr. Hong,” You pleaded, finally getting close enough to grab his shoulders and spin him around. “You’ve got to attend the ball with me, I’ve already told my mother we’re going!”

Upon hearing your full plead, his face morphs into an expression you cannot read. His eyes locked onto yours and his lips pursed with a new expression of wonder. 

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Honestly Ms. Y/N you’ve got to learn to speak up if you’re gonna be a resident around here.” He grins. He grabs your arms that were tightly gripped onto his body and connects hands. He lets out a giggle and looks around to his friends.

“Were you boys aware of the woman’s pleads? And I have the misfortune of calling you men partners.” 

Joshua walks away, his posture straight with years of practice in it. His two friends who’ve you only begun to unravel along with him follow behind, leaving an exhausted you behind in the common area wondering what the hell just happened. 

Exhaling air you didn’t even know you were holding, it dawned on you that Mr. Hong, a man who was eccentric and unfiltered in his words was going to meet your parents. 

Arriving at the ball was nerve-racking to say the least. You’re hands were sweaty, rubbing on the ribbon around your dress multiple times. Even to your parents you looked concerned, brows furrowed and eyes skittering around the foyer in hopes to find the 5′10 man that always wore a smile.

“Ms. Y/N,” You turned around quickly, meeting eyes with Mr. Hong. “Mrs. Mr., fine evening if I do say so myself. Your daughter invited me and oh-” 

Joshua’s hand shot out, eyes flicking back and forth between your mother and father, having forgotten to introduce himself first.

“Joshua Hong. That is my name, if-if you were wondering. Although if you weren’t I’ll take the burden of intruding your thoughts with such a name. Unless you’d want the burden, which would be odd but-” 

“Please Mr. Hong, I am truly honored you have decided to accompany my daughter. I thought she would never have a male who would take her without being embarrassed of her rude and blunt behavior!” Your mother raved. She fanned her face as she went on, completing her speech of your ‘wild child’ nature. 

Your face blushed redder than a local soldier uniform. "Mother! Isn’t burdening Mr. Hong about my personality more of a distaste than just announcing your comfort?”

You turned to Joshua grabbing his arm, linking you two together and pulling him into the main ballroom. 

“Do you dance Mr. Hong? Or should I have invited your friend, Mr. Chwe his name was?” You asked. He looked down at you and gave a small laugh. 

“You were running around me, calling my name for five minutes in hopes I’d say yes. Now here you are asking for my friend, perhaps your mother was right, maybe you are unkept.” Joshua spoke as he whisked you around so you were in front of him. 

“So you admit you kept me waiting in anticipation for your answer?” You pressed. Shrugging his shoulders and giving a smirk, you concluded your answer. 

“Come on,” He grabbed your hand. You had wondered if you were finally going to dance, but instead he led you out of the ballroom, going toward the balcony. “I’ve got to share information with you that is of most importance, and I have the plague of impatience my dear.”

Excusing many people that you and Joshua had bumped into, you two finally made your way to the balcony, empty with no decorations, a complete opposite to the inside. To whose mansion it was unknown, but the swan lake in front of your eyes was beautiful. You’d have to thank them one day.

Lost in your thoughts, you almost didn’t notice the way Joshua grabbed your hand, turning your head to his direction.

“You look quite beautiful tonight.” He spoke in a low voice. Although the balcony was empty of others and the great wooden doors were closed behind you, he spoke in a low tone.

“Is that all you had to rush to tell me Mr. Hong? Your ‘plague of impatience’ seems to have worn off.” You teased. “If you want such a compliment back, I’ll give it in return. You do also look of quite importance tonight.”

He clicks his tongue and gives a chuckle. Still looking at you, he reaches for the ribbon on your dress. Looking at it with a longing you couldn’t understand, he lets it fall out of his hand, the fabric falling into place slowly. 

“Where are your guest Mr. Hong? A man like you seems too lonely to travel around alone, am I wrong?”

Joshua’s eyes widen for a split second before they squint, a smile reaching his dark eyes, “I accompanied you tonight did I not?”

“You did.”

“So I am not lonely tonight. I even sneaked out and escaped my two guests you seem so keen on mentioning today.” He revealed. Your face held shock for a moment before hitting him on the shoulder giving a laugh.

“Mr. Hong, if they find out you’ve actually agreed to come here with me tonight, they might think me of a vile woman! A vile woman who has kidnapped a man of your rank to come down to the less fortunate! For a public ball!” You cried. 

“Nonsense Ms. Y/N. They would share my honor of having going to a ball with a beautiful woman. Besides, that’s not the importance I had to share. There was more, but I’m afraid I’m shy and not so open to sharing my true feelings,” He spoke.

“Is it bad?” You asked. In the two months of knowing Mr. Hong, he hasn’t shared any information that has made you worried for him personally. He was always positive, making sure to spread hope. 

“No. Well, perhaps if this goes wrong, I’d then have to assume the position of it being bad, however-” He got cut off, the wooden doors behind you two opening with eagerness. 

“Mr. Hong! Honestly, you are a grown man, just notify us when you are leaving! Is it necessary to make us have a chase?” Jeonghan scolded, Vernon walking next to him, stepping onto the balcony.

You bowed to the two men, acknowledging them and giving a polite smile. Joshua’s friends eyes widened before bowing back and switching back over to their run-away.

“We have to go.” Mr. Chwe spoke shortly, his face wearing a happy look. He took Joshua by the arm and walked him towards the doors. Whispering in his ear, Joshua nodded before facing you.

“I apologize Ms. Y/N, but this really does require my utmost attention. Not that you don’t also, but-” He was cut off once again with a tug on his arm by Jeonghan.

“My apologies.” He muttered. The three men left quickly, leaving you confused.

He’d tell you what was concerning him, now and before right? Or would he sweep it under the rug in hopes you’d let the situation go, your mind pondered.

Gasping, your face heated up in anger, “that bastard! Mother is gonna think I’ve driven him off.”

Two days ago, you got left by Mr. Hong and berated by your mother for running off a man of his handsomeness. Your mother who was so excited for you having bought a man that had potential to be your husband was still going on, complaining on how a woman of your beauty could chase a man off so quickly.

You sat at the table, eating slowly and ‘politely’ in hopes she didn’t point out another thing you did wrong.

“Dear, I’m sure she didn’t mean to. I saw the gentleman get pulled away by two other men.” Your father stuck up for you while reading the newspaper.

“Oh! Don’t you makes excuses for her,” she turned to you, sweat starting to run down her forehead after ranting and pacing. “You are trying to give me a heart attack! Truly Y/N if you want me to have one, I feel it coming on!”

You stood from your chair, walking towards her and seating her yourself.

“Mama, I’m not looking for a suitor anyway. I’m convinced I cannot give what a man needs right now for company and no man is able to do the same for me.” You spoke quickly, not giving her the chance to cut you off.

“Now if you’d excuse me, I’ll be under the tree. Call me if you’re having that heart attack, yeah?” You smiled, walking away and grabbing a book. You swore you heard your mother gasp and complain once again unto your poor father’s ears.

The weather was warm outside, but not warm enough to make you regret coming out. Sitting under the great big tree near the lake, you cracked open your book, tasking yourself with finishing another chapter.

“And your mother swears you are of wildness.” You heard a familiar voice talk. Jumping slightly, you closed your book and looked up, glad the tree covered the sun for you.

In front of you stood Mr. Hong, suit perfectly fitted and posture straight, smiling down at you.

“She only swears that so a man might think I can be tamed. Always for the man, never for the bride.” You frowned. Joshua sat himself next to you, a hand behind his back hiding something.

You pointed your head towards him, “What is that? Surely it must be the reason you left me to the wolf I call my mother those some nights ago.”

Joshua sighed, a tired smile on his face. He brought the envelope from behind his back and passed it to you. Looking at the wax stamp of his initials and family arms, you looked back up at him.

“What is this?” 

“Open it when I leave my dear. I’m much too shy to say it to your face. I had built up courage at the ball but I’m afraid its run out now.” He stood up, dusting his pants and gave a quick bow, walking away at a near running pace.

Raising an eyebrow and cracking a smile you examined the envelope. Breaking the seal, you found a letter. 

Ms. Y/N, it was took upon me that I must inform you that I am leaving soon. My close friend has gotten married! He stressed his importance for me to come, but I’m afraid it is in another town. You stood up, walking towards your house as you read on. As I’ve wrote before, I must go, as it is of importance. Before handing you this letter, I made a point to myself to tell you that this letter be read when I am gone. I have begun to realize, my feelings towards you are much more of a friend. And you are a capable woman, my, so very capable. So here it is, enough of my word rambling. Ms. Y/N. I love you. 

Sitting down on your bed, you read the last three words over and over again. You placed the letter down, sighing and drying your hands on your brown dress. Picking up the coffee stained paper back up again, you continued. 

I’m sorry this is so abrupt, but I am honored to be in love with a woman of your independence. And maybe the only reason I’m telling you this now is because I’ll be too far for you to catch me. Besides, you know me, I’m moving to fast for anyone to catch up, a quick fox you always said. So, by the time you read this, I’ll be on a carriage on the way to leave. I’m delighted to say you won’t catch me this time, just this once my dear. I am unsure of the length of my stay, but don’t forget me? It’d be unfortunate to forget a face like mine, will it not? 

Your friend and lovesick gentleman, Mr. Hong

Folding the letter and putting it under your pillow, you laid down. Staring at the dirty tinted white ceiling you shut your eyes, exhausted. You’d doubt you get any sleep tonight, not after the sudden confession as well as the settling emptiness for your now gone friend. 

“Damn you, Mr. Hong.”

A month had passed. You helped your mother and father with their daily chores and even went into town. And who knew there were so many outgoing people in the town, waiting for someone like you to befriend. 

“I’m glad you finally agreed to come with me. Isn’t being in your house all the time... boring?” Mingyu pressed. After meeting Mingyu, you found your life was short of boring, like when your previous relation was still around. 

“Please Mr. Kim, you act as if I am void of all fun. A girl of my nature practically created it you know.” You teased, putting your sheer ribbon around your face and faking awe. Mingyu gave a chuckle while lightly hitting your shoulder. You giggled and rested your head on his shoulder, giving a sigh.

“Mr. Kim, how much longer is the ride? In which direction do we travel?” You asked. You felt his shoulders square before he lightly moved your head off his side. Reaching into his jacket in a pocket, he pulled out a invitation, passing it to you. 

“A friend of mine, who was recently married, invited us to meet his new wife.” 

“Us?” You flipped the letter, looking for anything else, but found only the beautiful penmanship with a gold border. 

“Me, my dear, and a guest of my choosing. Don’t you know how to read?” He scolded. 

Passing the letter back to Mingyu, you rolled your eyes. Feeling more attached to the scenery, you suddenly saw a great building. A mansion, great and big with size with green on all sides. 

“How much longer was that?” Mingyu grabbed your cheek and pinched it. You slapped his hand away, giving a sharp look before you felt the carriage stop.

Mr. Kim helping you out the carriage, you two walked to the front doors, giving a few hard knocks.

The anticipation was killing, and just when you brought your hand up to give another knock the doors opened quickly.

There stood a tall man, round glasses hanging a bit low but still well enough to see fine. He gave you a quick glance, eyes landing on the even taller man next to you, a smile breaking across his face. 

“Mr. Kim,” the man pulled him in for a tight hug, eyes closing in joy. “I thought you’d never get here! You must come in, my wife is ecstatic to meet you!”

Bowing to the man, whose name you still haven’t been told, he returns it. Mingyu, watching the interaction, clears his throat. 

“Ms. Y/N, meet my close friend, Mr. Jeon. Mr. Jeon, Ms. Y/N.” He introduced you two. You gave a polite smile and he once again returned the favor. Grabbing you and Mingyu’s arms he pulled you two the common area. 

“Love? the guest are here!” Mr. Jeon called. Entering the room, you were stunned. The room was wide, holding a white piano to your left, and a woman was playing. The windows were big, and the curtains were these wine red, still with the only movement coming from someone passing it. In the middle were two sofas, one of which holding three men. 

Locking eyes with the man in the middle, you two stared at each other. Giving a polite bow, you changed directions, meeting gaze with the woman playing the piano.

“Mr. Kim, Mrs. Kim, It is a pleasure to meet you both.” She talked, her voice holding grace. 

Your face heated up, shaking your head at the misname. 

“Mrs. Kim?” You heard Mr. Hong ask.

“Ms. Y/N, is fine. I’m not yet courted properly.” You spoke out. Mrs. Jeon gave an understanding nod, still looking between you and Mingyu as if she was unconvinced. Holding her hand out to the couch, you and Mingyu sat down.

Holding your head down, and looking anywhere besides Joshua, you still felt his look on you. 

“Ms. Y/N, a word?” You heard him call. Looking up at him with a surprised look, you nodded after a moment of hesitation. 

Joshua linked your arm with his walking you out of the common area into the hallway. It seemed he knew the house very well, and walked you up the stairs. Reaching another room, he pushed you inside and closed the door behind him. Not yet turning around, you stared at his back, giving out a heavy sigh. 

You hit his back and heard him laugh. 

“What is so funny, Mr. Hong?” You continued to hit his back before he grabbed your hands in his big ones. “You left me! You told me you fancied me and then you left me, you crazy bastard!”

Joshua grabbed your pounding hands and gave a great laugh. You stared at him with an expression he could sum up to horror and started laughing even more. 

“Ms. Y/N, what are you even doing here?” He let go of your hands moving behind you. You turned around not letting him out of your sight and took in the room. 

It was a bedroom. A great mattress in the middle, with deep red coverings and white thin veils around the frame. 

“This was an invitation only was it not? Certainly you don’t think I followed you here?” You accused, a scoff leaving your lips. 

“You’re mistaken then. You have insulted me, I’m injured with your lack of careful accusation.” He holds his hand over his chest in feign hurt.

“Indeed Mr. Hong, perhaps I am not careful enough. But it doesn’t matter because you have still have explaining to do. Explain to me why you kiss and ran.” 

Joshua took a step towards you, eyes flickering between your eyes and mouth. He took your hand in his, bringing it up to his mouth, laying a kiss on your knuckles. 

Removing your hand from his grasp, your mouth agape, you gripped your dress. 

“I’m sorry.” He apologized. “Please forgive me, my dear. I’ve seem to forgotten you are not like me. A coward.”

Hiding your smile behind your hand, you let out a giggle, “You are a coward aren’t you?”

Giggling with you, he stepped even closer, you smile slowly leaving.

The door suddenly opened again leaving you two taking a quick step back from each other. Heads turning toward the door, you saw Mrs. Jeon peaking in.

“Am I impeding upon your conversation?” She asked, eyes covered by her hand. 

Separating yourself even further from Joshua, you walked towards her, “No. Worry not Mrs. Jeon.” 

She took you by your elbow, walking out the room. Looking behind you for Joshua, he was close behind giving a reassuring nod. 

Pulling you closer, Mrs. Jeon whispered, “Are you interested, perhaps me and my husband can be of some assistance in getting you two alone.”

Blushing, you both muffled your laughs, making Joshua raise his eyebrow. 

Finally reaching the dining room, you guys got seated. Joshua across from, Mingyu next to you. Mrs. Jeon and Mr. Jeon sat at the head of the tables and Mr. Chwe and Yoon were nowhere to be found.

“Where are my other two guests?” Joshua inquired. 

Mrs. Jeon held a slight smile, but quickly removed it off her face before anyone noticed. 

“They said they weren’t feeling of good health.” Mr. Jeon answered. 

Nodding to himself, the table started to eat. The table was silent, everyone doing their own thing, occasional clattering of plates from the maids. 

Sitting in the common room once again, the air was easy. Mrs. Jeon played the piano while you swirled your wine. As the piece she played ended, she yawned, standing up slowly.

“Shall we head off to bed?” She asked the room. Looking at Mingyu, you tilted your head in confusion. The rest of the party all nodded, minding you no business. 

“Ms. Y/N, you can have the room next to Mr. Hong’s.” Nodding and settling in, the night slowly became morning. 

Reading a book under a tree, you barely heard the ducks on the lake, nor did you hear the footsteps of the man who confessed and ran a month ago. 

“What are you doing dear?” 

Closing your book, you looked up Joshua. Staring long, you shook your head, focusing once again. 

“Um- reading,” standing up quickly, you stood tall before him. “Shall we continue our conversation? From yesterday?”

Joshua bit his lip, before nodding, avoiding eye contact and pulling you to sit down again. 

You two didn’t speak for a few moments. Just staring out at the lake, you felt your hand intertwine with his. 

“I must really apologize once again. What I did, dumping these emotions on you, so suddenly and then running away was a poor choice of mine. Reckless, and a poor trait of mine has always been moving too fast. But-But if you’d take me as yours-” Joshua trailed on.

“Mr. Hong.”

“I can make you happy. I can give you a library of your own, hell I will build it of my own hands-”

“Mr. Hong.” You called louder. Joshua still rambled barely taking a breathe of air between each word.

You reached over for Joshua’s face, pressing your lips against him in hopes he stopped talking. A noise of surprise escaped his mouth, the words stopped flowing and kissing you back. He places his hands over yours pressing his face into yours harder. Pulling away, you opened your eyes and found Joshua mouth open, and eyes closed.  

“Mr. Hong, I accept your offer.” You smiled.  

His eyes shot open, and he wore a bright smile, grabbing you by the waist and spinning you around. Giggling you held on to him as he laughed with a child’s happiness.

“Come on, we must tell the others of our engagement.” Joshua tugged you towards the mansion, barely giving you time to react, too excited. 

Pulling you into the common room, he held you close, grinning brightly. 

“I have important information to share with you all. It is of my excitement to announce the engagement of me and Ms. Y/N.” Joshua announced. 

Staring with wide eyes, Mingyu and Mr. and Mrs. Jeon all stood up quickly, like if the news was the most unbelievable. The group of three suddenly stood up and congratulated you both, cheering.

Mrs. Jeon pulled you to the side, “How was the alone time? Getting his guest to leave was the hardest task.”

You gave her an incredulous look before giggling and covering your mouth. Calling for her maids, Mrs. Jeon handed you a glass of wine.

“A celebration!”

Reading in front of the fireplace, legs pulled up to your chest, you felt Joshua place a kiss on your forehead. Glancing at him, you gave a small smile.

“Mr. Hong.” You acknowledged. He nudged your shoulder with a goofy smile.

“Mrs. Hong.” 

A/N : I feel as if this was rushed towards the end, but tbh i got writers block at the worst time and said fuck it and pushed through lol. any feedback is appreciated pls and thank u!! oh im nervous ha

[onwesterlywinds]

PROMPT #27: [EXTRA CREDIT]

A worst-case alternate timeline.

She clung to him the moment they brought her forth, such that he had to tear her away from him to get a better look at her. At first glance, she seemed unblemished, but she had been in their custody for more than a week; he'd known her to recover from black and blue bruises in half that time. Worst of all was that she did not cry as she clung to him, not as she had when he'd last seen her on Ala Mhigo's last day of freedom. Instead she trembled, shook with fear the likes of which he had never seen from her before, and he had no words at all with which to comfort her.

But even now, the Garleans would not take her from him again. He fought the first man who tried with manacled hands, shoving him into the stone wall of the dungeon with such force that he heard his skull crack through his helmet. He was halfway through with choking the second one when six guns pointed through the bars of their cage.

When he slipped into unconsciousness only a moment later, propelled into sleep through a haze of Garlean sedatives, he watched through his daughter's eyes, as helpless as she was, as they brought her in for experimentation.

---

"Ashelia?"

"Yeah, Daddy?"

He'd requested the training hall for their privacy and some fresh fruits from the viceroy's private shipment, and he'd been granted both. Now that he sat with her, under the glaring fluorescent lights they'd installed, he doubted either would make much of an impact.

"Now that we're beginning to create new lives for ourselves, under Garlemald..." The words rang hollow, even to him. "...it's come time for us to take up new identities as well. New names."

She nodded, but nothing in her bright eyes registered understanding.

"It's something I did often as a Riskbreaker," he continued. "I would have any number of names that I would pick and choose from, as part of a disguise. It would help keep me and you and your mother and Aunt Alma safe - to make sure no one could find us if there was an accident."

"Has there been an accident, Daddy?"

"No." Not yet. "But it's still important to be careful. If you're a-" He couldn't bear to say it - the word "soldier." "If you're here, with me, you have to be undercover. I'll need to make a new name, and you will too."

For the first time, she frowned, as sure a sign as any that she was deep in thought. She stared down at the apple slice in her hand but did not bring it to her mouth. "But if I get a new name... how will Edge and Joshua and Frimelda find me?"

As always, she asked the questions he had no answers for. "If they're still alive," he began uncertainly, "then I imagine you'll find them, someday. If it's meant to be."

He had already been instructed not to speak to her of the Twelve. Whatever comment he had made previously had been so innocuous that he barely remembered it, but the warning had been severe - accompanied by a veiled threat to void his future visits.

"Will Mama and Aunt Alma still know who I am, up in the heavens?"

"Always." He reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear, but she did not lean into the touch. "And they will love you no matter what your name is."

At last, she broke into her gut-wrenching sobs.

"I’ve decided I’ll be Rosenheim," he whispered to her. "In one of the old tongues, it means 'the home of the rose.' Aldous Rosenheim - what do you think of that name for a disguise?" When she did not respond, he asked, "Would you like to hear the name I've chosen for you?"

She heaved a few shuddering breaths, and nodded.

"It's Vera. Vera Rosenheim." He hated that her sobs stilled almost at once. "Mondeberta kept it in her kitchen; do you remember?" He certainly remembered all too well the time she had plucked a sprig of one, with the intention of eating it whole on a dare. "It can be used for... healing." And for making a serum strong enough to render a grown woman catatonic in the Undercity for more than a year of her life. But it was the only Ala Mhigan herb that could pass as a Garlean praenomen. "It's a wonderful name."

"NO!" she screamed, jumping to her feet. "I'm ASHELIA!"

"Ashelia Marco Riot." He allowed himself the indulgence of the full name Tia had chosen for her, not knowing when it would leave his lips again. "Ashelia, listen to me. You will always be my daughter. And I will love you to my dying breath and beyond." That was the most he could promise her. Even he had heard of the children van Baelsar had taken away - children of nobles and merchants and commoners alike. He could not swear that she would not be among their number before long. "But we can't let any more Garleans know who you are, can we? This is part of what it means to be in disguise. We'll have to pretend, perhaps for a very long time. But I'll-"

She ran from him then, for the first time in her life. When at last he found her, curled up in an abandoned corner of the research wing, he could not bear to comfort her with her new name or her old one.

---

To the Garleans, it was the first time she'd snuck out since the new year. Rosenheim knew differently, thanks to his dreams. His daughter had made a habit of leaving her chambers on nights when the viceroy was due to return and the guards' rotations were thinner in her wing. From there, she'd sneak out along the palace ramparts, steal down into the gutter, and find a quiet outcropping of Undercity territory long since abandoned by any self-respecting dweller.

By the time the knock came to his door to inform him that Vera was out of bed, he'd seen her sit at her destination for more than an hour of unbroken solitude. The only reason he was awake was that their connection had been cut - severed by an abrupt end to her concentration.

He shrugged on a uniform with the vague excuse of joining the search, only he knew precisely where to go. He knew better, too, than to follow her exact paths; a quicker route lay within the palace itself, and he was loath to surrender her own means of escape. For a single heartbeat of a moment, as he breathed in the midnight air, it was enough for him to recall himself as a boy, albeit older then than his daughter was now, exploring the Undercity for the first time.

When he at last came upon the place, it was somehow grander in person than through the eyes of a child’s dreams. He had remembered this hideout as an old weapons cache, littered with rusting swords and moldering barrels. Although the Echo had presented to him the change that had been wrought since he had last set foot here, he nevertheless could not believe his eyes: what had once been a useless, deserted corner of the Undercity was now transformed into an immaculate shrine to Rhalgr, decorated with trinkets and lit up by blue-burning candles.

He did not find his daughter there alone.

"Walker," came a familiar, imperious voice.

The Black Wolf, shorn of his helm and garbed in a simple leather coat, leaned in a corner. Vera copied his pose nearer to the cavern's entrance. The shrine gleamed along the far wall, as though in witness.

"Lord van Baelsar." He inclined his head but gave no further greeting, waiting instead for the viceroy to explain his presence here of all places. He did not, and neither would Vera meet his eyes.

"Would you care to explain to your father," said Gaius van Baelsar to Vera, "why you chose to leave your chambers?"

Vera bit her lip. Still she stared at her own feet.

"As you explained to me," the legatus continued, "you came here to pray to Rhalgr on behalf of your late mother."

The words hit Rosenheim with a pang of guilt. It was, of course, the 27th Sun of the 5th Umbral Moon - Tia's birthday. A day he had not even known that Vera had remembered, and which he certainly had not.

"Share with your father what I said to you."

Her voice was quiet but firm. "That reliance on false gods is a weakness."

"You are among the best and brightest of your generation, Vera. You will make a name for yourself in Garlemald, should you continue to excel. But you will not excel so long as you succumb to worship. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, my lord."

But that was not all. The viceroy showed no sign of satisfaction as he stared down at Vera, and Vera continued stifling her words through her clenched jaw. At last, she demanded, "Why can't I join the Crania Lupi?!"

"You are twelve years old, Vera," Rosenheim said before he could stop himself.

"You've much still to learn," van Baelsar added. Rosenheim found himself glad for the man's agreement. "And your role in Case 72 takes precedence over-"

"NO!"

Rosenheim forced himself to draw breath, to steady himself, to ready for any sign of anger from the most powerful man in occupied Ala Mhigo. But van Baelsar did not move. Instead he watched, along with Rosenheim, as Vera's hands balled into fists and she alternated her fury toward each of them and then to the altar.

"I hate being in that stupid tank!" she screamed. "I'm not learning anything, I'm not getting better - I'm just stealing power from dead things and I HATE IT!"

After a beat of silence, in which her words echoed endlessly around them, Gaius van Baelsar stepped forward from the wall. He drew himself up to his full height, there in the Undercity passage, and looked down at the girl before him with an expression Rosenheim could not read.

"I will repeat what I said before," he said, slowly, "only once. You, Vera oen Rosenheim, have the means to excel among the Empire. But you cannot honor your gifts - be they from your father or from the XIIth - if you traffic in savagery."

With no more words of admonishment, van Baelsar left the tunnel, leaving a teary-eyed Vera to follow closely in his wake.

---

Camilla was already shouting by the time he entered the briefing room, though not to anyone in particular. A notarius he had never seen before was still scribbling notes, as though she had not yet been informed to disregard her commanding officer whenever she became like this. A trio of privates shifted uncomfortably at attention, one of them still sporting a deep cut to their upper arm.

"Walker," she snapped, rounding on him at once. "Where is Seraph?"

"I've not seen her yet, ser," he replied. "I imagine she's only moments behind."

"She was instructed to arrive with you, at her earliest convenience."

"What's happened, ser?" She would hate him questioning her in front of so many, especially subordinates - but it would be best to get it out of the way before Vera arrived.

Sure enough, she bristled visibly. "She disobeyed a direct order; that's what happened."

Surely she of all people would not think him capable of buying that. "I was on backup outside Specula Imperatoris," he reminded her, as if she needed reminding of his role in this whole ordeal. "No new orders came in-"

"'No new orders came in'?" Camilla repeated, her voice breathy with affront.

"-and she carried out her existing instructions, as per the briefing."

She drew close enough to jab a finger into his chest. "Do not play the fool with me, Walker! You know as well as she does that the presence of a superior officer in the field takes precedence."

"And you know as well as I do, Pilus-" He scanned the room for the faces of any who might be stupid enough to relay what they were hearing to anyone else, and decided to chance it. "-that if literally anyone else had shown up, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Or perhaps if your daughter wasn't an arrogant, insubordinate bitch-"

"What, that's all?"

Vera had slipped in, unbeknownst to them both, still wearing her mud-spattered protective gear and her white hair coming loose from its high Garlean bun. Whatever retort he had for Camilla flew from his mind at once. Echo or no, it would never not be a relief to see her in the flesh after a mission.

Camilla rounded on her at once. "What were you playing at out there?!" she demanded.

Though the pilus towered over her in her heels, Vera remained utterly unfazed. "I carried out my existing instructions, as per the briefing."

"Do not test me! Your petulance has made a mockery of yourself and your project."

"Of you, you mean."

"How dare-"

"I slew every target we identified as a threat, and more besides," Vera pointed out, her voice quickly growing cold. "I took out more than a dozen Resistance leaders in all, and I gathered intelligence on a figure creating a schism in their ranks. You mean to tell me I was supposed to step aside from a mission I spent half a year preparing for, forsake what could be my only chance of recognition, because some spoiled little princeling decided to finally grace colonial soil?"

He could not fault her the words. He felt them and shared them, somewhere deep in the pit of his stomach.

"You will hold your tongue!" Camilla screamed, leaning her face into Vera's. "And mark me: you will be held accountable for your disrespect!"

The door slammed open, causing the three anxious privates to jump. Camilla whirled about, teeth gritted; Vera did not so much as turn to face the newcomer.

"F-Forgive me, Pilus," he stammered through an imperial salute. "I bear a message from Crown Prince Zenos yae Galvus. He seeks an audience with the one who, ah, 'interfered with his hunt.'"

With a wordless glare at Camilla, Rosenheim gave a single nod to acknowledge the summons and strode out in the direction of the Hall of the Griffin. He did not need the Echo to tell him his daughter was at his back.

"You did well today," he murmured, once he knew they were alone.

"Why are you still fucking her?" she retorted.

Another difficult question. "The crown prince will likely seek to test you. You can take my sword."

She did so, albeit with a scoff of frustration; hers had gotten cracked during her battle with a man the others had called Meffrid. Still, she could likely sense his unease, and twenty years together had taught them both not to argue against the other's intuition.

"You'll be alright." He wasn't quite certain where the platitude came from, even as it left him, but his daughter’s eyes widened as she nodded.

Twenty minutes later, she emerged from the throne room as the right hand of the new viceroy.

[pastorjdo3]

MOSES: VICTORIOUS THROUGH JOSHUA

And Joshua captured all the cities of these kings, and all their kings, and he struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them; just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded. Joshua 11:12

Joshua, fresh of facing the 5 kings led by gathered by king Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem, once again faces a conglomeration of kings led by Hazor. Hazor followed the same pattern as Adoni-Zedek faces the same fate. Fighting the servant of God proved to be as expected. He gathered other kings, aware that he needed the help of every king he could amass to defeat the King of Kings.

These victories displayed the power of the Kingdom of God; Israel, and the faith and leadership of Joshua. But not only did they display the power of their army, the confirmed the power of God’s Word. While everyone was carrying out the battle plan, Joshua was fighting with more than the agreement between his captains and generals, He was fulfilling the Word of the Lord.

Long before Joshua faced his first king, he was privy to walk along side his mentor and spiritual father Moses. Moses, though gone, was still present in the life of Joshua, having served him greatly through both word and deed. Joshua had watched Moses spend time with the Lord, and marveled as he walked in faith according to what he heard from God.

Joshua watched Moses believe as he wandered in the wilderness. Joshua watched as Moses stood outside the promised land, believing God for what had yet to be obtained. Joshua watched Moses respond to his return with the fruit from the land and saw his steady face and hand as he talked about the giants in the land that were waiting to defend their territory. Joshua listened as Moses recount the promise of God, and march forward believing the providence of God.

Watching and Listening to Moses; Joshua was shaped, molded and convicted about himself and about the God he serves.

Moses was standing with Joshua in this moment. He learned from Moses and was following his example. Moses stood victorious in the wars won by Joshua and Israel because they were Prophesied first to Moses. Even in Joshua’s victory, Moses was validated as God’s servant.

Moses was promised that Israel would lay the kings in the promised land to rest, along with their people, their culture and their gods. Though this did not occur in Moses’ life time, God’s Word was fulfilled in Joshua’s life time. Moses died having seen and experienced the fruit from the promised land, but did not received the promise or the prosperity it would bring. He died knowing God would fulfill it, but knowing he wouldn’t get fulfillment from it. Yet, he served and continued to lead the his people.

Joshua was the continuation of what God started through Moses. He walked towards a promise not given to him, but fulfilled through him. Joshua had to believe that God would honor His word in His own time. Joshua, like Moses, had to accept God’s promise as true, though it was guarantee without a delivery date. Joshua and Moses had to walk in faith, and help other’s overcome doubt through their faith.

So the question for us today is not… “Will God Fulfill His promise?”, but “When will God Fulfill His Promise?”

A Promise from God is not like a Promise from man. Man fulfills his word based on the his feelings about The Circumstances, and God fulfills His Word because of His Character. Man’s circumstances are a variable to any equation, but the character of God is consistent.

Joshua was able to live out the fulfillment of a promise made to His predecessor. Why? He saw why his predecessor wasn’t able to fulfill the promise made to him. Moses missed the promise because he didn’t believe God’s Word, thus didn’t follow His instructions.

Joshua was determined to be obedient to God, trusting His Word to become a fulfilled promise.

Joshua chose to speak to his rock. And God chose to honor His Word! Are you speaking to your rock?

What do you believe about God’s Word? Are you willing to follow God’s Word? Are you willing to push beyond your fears? Are you willing to take on major challenges? What do you believe about God’s Word both Past and Present?

We pray for the improbable! We seek the impossible! But don’t believe that all things are possible.

The improbable is not possible or probable with God, but it is actual. You can depend on God’s Word, and will experience great victories, accomplishing great feats, and overcoming great challenges when we depend on God. Sadly, there are some undefeated kings because we have not been obedient to the Word God gave us.

I believe victory is found when we are obedient to His will and willing to sacrifice our fear, will, desires, and ego which often prevent us fully trusting and stepping out on His word and truth. God’s Word is a stable foundation, and we must remain steadfast, trusting it as not to creating new paths that are more comfortable to abide in.

#PastorJDO3

[city-of-ladies]

(Picture by Lauren Brevner for National Geographic)

Mavia - The queen who defied Rome

Mavia (r. c. 375-c. 425), warrior queen of the semi-nomadic Tanukhid Arab tribe of Syria and Jordan, was among the women who defied Rome’s military might. However, unlike Iceni queen Boudica or Palmyrene queen Zenobia, she was successful and negotiated peace with the Romans on her own terms.

The primary source for Mavia’s story is Rufinus of Aquileia’s (c. 345-411 CE)  Ecclesiastical History. Later authors also told her story or expended it. One them, Sozomen (c. 400-450 CE), mentions the existence of Arab poetry recounting her exploits. There are also several versions of the queen’s name: Mavia, Maowiva, Mu`awiya, Mauia, Mania, and Mawiyya. 

Under the rule of Mavia’s husband, whose name is lost to history, the Tanukhids were allies of Rome. They received a subsidy to protect the Roman borders against raids from Persia and other enemy tribes. It is worth noting that the Roman empire was at that time facing many difficulties as invaders threatened both its Eastern and Western border. 

After her husband’s death, Mavia chose a different path and revolted against Rome. Her motivations are not clear, it could be linked to the fact that emperor Valens (328-378) tried to impose the nomination of an Arian bishop in her region. Mavia could also have felt offended because the Romans assumed that she would honor her husband’s agreement and did not negotiate directly with her. 

Mavia proved to be a deadly adversary, personally leading her armies on the field. The Roman army were not prepared to fight the highly mobile Arabs who used guerilla and hit-and-run tactics. Rufinus thus wrote that Mavia “disturbed” the regions of Palestine and Arabia and laid “waste to neighboring provinces”. Sozomen wrote that: “this war was by no means a contemptible one, although conducted by a woman”. 

The Romans finally understood they could not defeat her and were forced to accept her terms. Mavia asked for a monk of her region to be appointed as the new bishop. This could imply that she and her people were Christians, but the ancient accounts do not seem to support this view. Mavia also had her daughter marry a Roman officer named Victor. 

As Roman cities were later besieged by the Goths in 378, Mavia sent her cavalry to Constantinople’s help. Theodosius I (379-395) negotiated peace with the Goths around 382, but the Tanukhids felt betrayed by the terms and revolted again in 383. It is not known if Mavia was involved in this revolt. It is nonetheless believed that she still ruled in 425 since an inscription bearing her name has been discovered. Some scholars have argued that it could be a reference to another woman since Mavia was a common name at that time. It is nonetheless more commonly accepted that it refers to the queen.

References:

Mark Joshua D., “Mavia”, Ancient History Encyclopedia

Toler Pamela D., Women warriors, an unexpected history

[infinitum-imaginaerum]

Joshua | S.02 “Like what you see?” | @bossmyc​ 

Words | 4,500

Warnings | Bad boy!Joshua. Slightly heated, but there’s literally nothing indecent about this-- 

Notes | Okay except a peeping little girl but it’s not her fault. Anyway, it’s not a smut. Srrrryyyyy. It’s a little rocky because it’s my first piece in a long time and I’m hella nervous about being back here so we’ll just see how this goes. I hate to be like this but as usual this is highly un-edited (and highly late because... well it’s me...) so I guess that’s kind of a warning.

Happy Halloween! :)

Send me a bias, a section, and a number and I’ll write you a thing!

Joshua’s usual scene was at a friend’s house-party with a solo cup glued to his hand—for the most part. At least, that was the scene you had seen him in on literally every occasion in which you interacted with him. He had always struck you as the quiet type who only spoke to his select group of friends, and even then, he wasn’t much of a talker. Any time he wasn’t being occupied by someone he knew, he spent particularly recluse—he was an avid people watcher.

It was funny, because you prided yourself on being an avid people watcher, too. You did most of your people watching among your group of friends while they were busy going off about the latest fashion trends and the best new makeup products and who had a crush on who; able to appear physically attentive, your eyes were mostly cast in his direction.

Today, he must have had you feeling some type of way, because your eyes were glued to him a little harder, your teeth entertained your lip a little more often, your fingers curled around your cup as your legs shifted in your seat. It was a lie to say Joshua wasn’t one of the more attractive males in the room at any given time. He was dressed to deter gaze with his dark colors, but it had your full attention; his black button up was too far unbuttoned to be legal and even though necklaces of all kinds patterned the visible skin, it still had your throat somewhat dry.

Only to exacerbate the matter, you knew you had been caught multiple times when he’d shift from wherever he was to move somewhere else, but he’d flash that devilish half-grin, duck his head and disappear. He was a bad boy to the highest degree, although you weren’t sure what that entailed as nobody ever spoke extensively about him, his past, or his endeavors. You knew the motorcycle parked outside was his, but your knowledge of him beyond that was slim because even when you did get the opportunity to talk with him, the conversations were shallow at best.

“If you keep staring at him, I think your eyes might fall out of your head,” one of your friends whispered behind your ear. She was perched on the arm rest of the cushy chair you were sitting in, so she easily had direct access to your line of sight. You tensed for a moment before you would think about addressing her, and took a deep breath with the intent to reply, but she had more to say.

“Maybe you should talk to him instead of making him incredibly nervous,” she commented with a laugh. She knew Joshua far better than you did, so her advice was warranted. Even still, just the thought of attempting to engage in conversation with him put your stomach in knots, the same way it did whenever the two of you happen to be caught up in conversation together; approaching him directly was a different story. What was there even to talk about? Would you stumble over your feet or your words and make a fool of yourself? How deep was asking too deeply about him? What was there to even talk about?

Somehow, you made it to your feet, and with your half-empty cup in hand, you began to peruse the house to look for him. It was a tight squeeze through some places, brushing on other men particularly too friendly for your liking even if you happened to peep out a pardon. You swore you’d gone up and down every angle of the house at least twice before finally your friend gave you a signal to check outside.

Quietly, you attempted to sneak out the front door and happened to do so without much detection—detection being asked if you were leaving or where you were going or being grilled by someone you didn’t really want to talk to because your only goal was to find him. The screen door made an atrocious noise behind you as it banged closed, almost scaring you right out of your skin before your breath hitched in your throat, eyes finally laying on him once more.

“Joshua,” you spoke, his name strangled in your throat and came out hardly audibly. His gorgeous eyes cast away from you after they finally met yours, some semblance of a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips before bringing the solo cup up to take a sip.

“You’ve been eyeballing me so hard all night, I wondered if you’d come look for me,” he whispered, finally turning his sharp gaze back to you.

The blush that flooded onto your cheeks because of that simple statement burned like a wildfire, and you couldn’t help the way your hand came up to cover what you could, even if he couldn’t see it in the darkness of the front porch. The rough knot in your throat caused you to swallow hard as you thought of something to say, and his soft chuckle in your silence didn’t help the situation at all.

Instead of saying anything, he motioned to you with a slender index finger, silently requesting you to approach him and, for some strange reason, you found your legs moving against your will to bring you right in front of him. As if your jaw couldn’t quiver enough, as if your breath wasn’t hesitant enough, the way that slender index finger curled a lock of your hair around it as his eyes scanned your face about made you breathless.

You tried to maintain the shreds of confidence you had left, but his mere presence alone was intimidating enough to have your legs quaking. Even more so when that index finger traced the curve of your jaw to tilt your face up to his. You were clearly trying to hide it, turning it further and further down so he couldn’t look at you too intently.

“It’s an honor, really, to have a gaze such as yours trained to me. But, now that you’re here in front of me, I want to see those eyes the most,” he told you, his voice soft as a feather and the way he tilted your chin up so that he could see your eyes gave you some stroke of confidence; your legs weren’t shaking anymore and you could breathe again. “You make me nervous, the way you look at me and don’t say anything.”

“I’m sorry,” you uttered calmly, and drew your bottom lip between your teeth.

“And that,” he spoke sharply, “the way you look at me with that,” he continued, and his thumb tugged your lip from between your teeth while his matched just the same. You hadn’t anything left to say, just let your eyes wander even with the way he tilted your chin—the inspected every line and mark on his face, the way his eyes tapered so beautifully, and continued down over his nose and his mouth and eventually back down to his open shirt where many layered necklaces lay atop warm skin.

“Like what you see?” he asked with a tilt of head in a way that brushed his bangs over his eye, only one peering at you as he tried to gauge your response.

“Maybe I do,” you replied as a rough whisper, taking half a step into him. Instinctively, the hand that was preoccupied with your jaw moved quickly to your hip to keep you half a step away. “Maybe I don’t; maybe I just like to see the bad boy squirm.”

His dark chuckle hit your ear and dripped down your spine like a thick sap.  And somewhere in the back your mind, you wondered where this sudden confidence came from. You spoke to him as if you’d known him for a while, or if you were wasted and ready to hook up—neither things were true.  It certainly didn’t change the way his jaw clenched as he looked for a witty comeback, his hand still holding you back tentatively.

“The more you tease, the more I’ll squirm,” he replied with a wink, almost missed if you weren’t paying close attention to his face and the way he drank you in. The deep breath you took through your nose was perhaps asphyxiating, swirling with his scent as he tugged you forward—the half a step previously separating you now gone—and you reached out to take a hold of his leather jacket with your only free hand and your gaze turned from the hollow of his neck back up to his eyes.

Somehow, he finessed the cup out of your hand to put it somewhere. You were far less focused on that than you were on the adrenaline pumping through your veins able to feel the Joshua Hong’s pounding heart somewhere in the overlap of your touching bodies. It was through the bottom of his ribcage, reverberating against yours where it met with his. Your white knuckled grip on his jacket was the least of his concern as he tucked stray hairs away from your eyes and behind your ears.

“Take me for a ride,” you all but demanded, the half-whisper fluttering across his face like a gentle breeze. You could see the smirk pull at the corner of his lip, revealing a sliver of his perfect teeth.

“You sure about that?” he almost growled, his miniscule sweet side disappearing into something a little more daring, a little more ferocious. You swore his eyes got a little darker as you looked up into them, your footing a little loose as you tried to keep balance with only the stability of your grip on his jacket, instability he soon corrected as he took you behind the back.

The thick knot in your throat was back, as if his question was a dare that you should think twice about. You pushed all over your insecurities aside and, with as much confidence as you could collect in one go, vigorously nodded your head to affirm that you were sure. His hands pulled back to shrug the thick leather jacket off his shoulders only to flip it around you and pull it over your own.

“On one condition—you hold on tight and don’t let go,” he reasoned, slipping your arms through his jacket. He waited for your agreement, and with your tentative nod, he took the hem of his jacket and zipped it halfway. Then he took your hand and lead you down the steps of the porch to the bike you’d seen many times, but you’d never seen it up close.

You knew nothing about motorcycles, but this one looked different from the ones you’d seen before. The ones with the big wheels and giant bulky frame with the silly handlebars. This looked fast, it looked sleek, it looked dangerous. The tiny seat, you noted on the back, looked like it would snap off if you sat on it and you weren’t sure where to put your feet, so suddenly the nerves were raging again and you were thinking that you were going to regret this.

Joshua led the way, straddling the metallic black bmw bike before he turned his attention to you, prompting you to climb onto the back. Hesitantly, you approached, and placed your hands on his broad shoulders to help you over the seat.

“Joshua, I don’t know where my feet—”

He hulled your leg forward, bending your knee sharply for your foot to rest on a small peg you’d missed upon first inspection. He peered over his shoulder at you, your hands tight on his shoulders as you adjusted until your feet were situated.

“Did you change your mind?”

Still, it sounded like a challenge, which lit a fire deep inside you with no hope of extinguishing. You grit your teeth and gazed intently at the side of his face.

“No,” you uttered quietly, and another low chuckle ripped from his throat as he turned back forward.

“Good,” he replied, and tilted the bike upright to flip the kickstand before the engine roared to life. It was louder than you imagined, on top of perhaps falling off at any moment, the whole thing gave you an indescribable thrill. You faintly heard him tell you to hold on, and your hands shifted from his shoulders to wrap securely around his middle.

Being pressed that deep into Joshua Hong’s back took all your reservations about the bike away almost instantly. He was toned and warm, comfortingly stiff as he rocked the bike to balance; you could feel his hand cup over yours for a minute which you took as a signal that there was no backing out at this point. He rolled the bike slowly out to the paved road and from there, all bets were off. The engine roared, you and Joshua both jolted back from the inertia as he took off down the road, speed unimaginable to an extent as you watched the trees and lights from other houses fly by.

You had no idea how fast you were going, but the chill of the wind against your hands and face was somewhat exhilarating. The speed itself was pumping adrenaline through your body, and going around curves felt like being on a roller coaster. Joshua’s muscles shifted under your body to keep the bike balanced, but also you, around every corner, every curve. You could have yelled in that moment; the feeling of your heart race fast for the first time in a long time was liberating. At one point you remember your hands readjusting, sliding under the cooled metal of the layered necklaces and into his shirt opening—his chilly skin mixed with the pounding of his heart seemed to distract you momentarily from the thrill of the ride and, in some strange way, you felt deeply connected to him.

It wasn’t long before you came to a grassy hilltop, overseeing loads of city lights and leaves rustling in the wind to signify the beginning of autumn. The bike slowed and your chest heaved for air coming back down from the adrenaline rush with your cheek smashed against his shoulder. Still, your hand was peeking inside his black button up, against his warm skin which he made no attempt to remove and you focused on the way his heartbeat steadied. He set his feet on either side to walk the bike slowly across the scenery; there was little intention to stay long because the moment you passed the crest of the hilltop, he revved the bike again and took off.

Your fingers curled into his tender flesh, peeking under his shirt, but he ducked his head and picked up speed.  Surely going far beyond the speed limit, you let your eyes close and let the wind wash over you, let the warmth of his back soothe your cheek and let his heartbeat guide you through the remainder of the ride. A couple of tight turns had you gripping harder, pulling deeper into him for fear you’d fall off at any moment. The remainder of the ride was short-lived as you pulled back up to a familiar house—it was probably best this way, that way nobody would be too suspicious if they came to look for you, although you weren’t sure how long you had been gone.  

Joshua kicked the stand out as the engine died and finally was able to do something about the adamant touch of your right hand on his searing skin—he pulled it deeper into his body.

“I could get used to that,” he commented roughly, speaking both of you pressed against him during the ride and your soft touch against tender skin. His necklaces jingled over both hands as you began to retract your own, only partially obstructed as he half-heartedly attempted to continue to clutch it to his chest but eventually let it slip away.

“Joshua,” you rasped, shifting behind him as you prepared to dismount because the breathiness of his rough voice was doing nothing but teasing the life out of you.  “You’re going to get yourself in trouble.”

“Aren’t I notorious for that?” he asked, peering over his shoulder at you as you placed your hands against them to help yourself off.  When you were planted firmly on your two feet, Joshua reached out to take a soft hold of your forearm and pull you back to him. The way he looked directly at you at his eyelevel and then shifted his gaze to look at you up under his lashes pushed your heart up into your throat. “I’d love to get myself in trouble with you.”  

He pushed you back as he moved to stand himself, balancing the bike as his hand slipped from your forearm and down into yours until his height eclipsed yours and then seemingly towered over you—his presence alone was intimidating.

“You think you have such a profound effect on me,” you growled back, but continued to step back as he stepped forward.

“Do I not?” he asked, pushing his body into yours to push you back up to the porch that he’d whisked you away from, pressing you against the wall he previously leaned against. His large hands took your hips to direct you right where he wanted you, and there, on the window ledge to your left, the two cups you had left behind. You stood on your tippy-toes to appease his pinning as you tried to silence the approving noise that threatened to slip past your lips.

“Perhaps not in a way you hope,” you replied. Even if he knew exactly what the chemistry was, and even if he could read your mind, you’d never pass up an opportunity to tease him.

“And what way is that?” he asked you, dropping his face to yours to catch your gaze most intensely. He looked between your eyes, the feeling of your warm but hesitant breath against his mouth only boosted his confidence, his mouth tugging at the side in a small smirk. “Because if I can read you right, and I think that I can, I think that you want me just as much as I do you. Why else would you seek me out?”

He must have been able to feel your anticipation, because he only gripped your hips tighter and pushed you deeper into the slats of the vertical shiplap wall. You could almost hear him swallow after a subtle flick of his tongue against his full lips and your slightly labored breath hitched with the gentlest of brushes of his lips against yours. The sheer nerves firing through your body shot your hand up to firmly cup his jaw, holding his slightly parted mouth away from yours enough that you could see the glimmer of the dim porch light off those lips. He wasn’t about to make it easy on you, as the more you looked at his mouth, the more he teased you, flicking that same sinful tongue against his teeth behind those lush lips—part of you begged to know what he tasted like.

“Do I make you nervous?” he asked, his breath warm against your face.

“Maybe only a little bit,” you replied quietly, letting him lean back in to gingerly kiss against your mouth, just a light peck that lasted a fraction of a second, but it was enough to send electricity to every limb of your body.  His nose brushed against yours, testing the waters for the second kiss as your hand slipped passed his jaw to find the back of his neck, welcoming him as his mouth slanted against yours.

The second kiss was far more fervent than the first, fully caressing your bottom lip between his with the perfect amount of finesse that made you dizzy, lips leaving yours for only a moment to take your top lip, and back to the bottom with a gentleness that made you forget his reputation in the first place. Your left hand slithered up the curve of his chest as he pulled away to peck softly against your mouth again.  

He was eager, you could feel it in the way he held your hips; when he leaned in for the third kiss, all you could feel was his warm velvet tongue tease against your bottom lip, and from there, all bets were off. You let him in, tongue touching against his hesitantly at first, but more eagerly the way he leaned into you, tilting his head just enough to adjust the kiss just right. This kiss had you pressing against the wall to press into him. Joshua’s left arm wrapped around the small of your back, his recently freed hand bracing against the rough shiplap as he tugged you closer.

You had to break the kiss for air, but he only took the opportunity to kiss across your jaw and down your neck to the pristine folded collar of his leather jacket hanging loosely on your shoulders. Your hand on the back of his neck slithered up into his hair, your head tilted back on its own volition, and your labored breath dissipated through the fresh night air.  

It was a short-lived break, because his mouth was against yours again in a moment, teething at your lip, taking it between his to flick against it with his soft tongue.  He kissed you absolutely breathless, and when you needed to breath again, he kissed the breath right out of your throat with hot, open-mouth kisses against your neck, taking a breath of his own after a searing kiss under your ear. He loved the way you tried to control your labored breathing, shuttering against him before tilting your head back up to find his lips to kiss him once more, directing him with your index finger under his chin.

The subtle taste of cinnamon whiskey on his tongue couple with the slight citrus of orange made the kiss far more lovely, but even beyond that the sugar in his kiss was present as a complementing undertone. It was a taste you could come back for over and over and over, and maybe the way he kissed you was a little addictive—extremely planned and perfectly executed. Perhaps his most pleasurable quirk was the way his lips lingered against yours even when he sealed off every kiss, ready for the next.  

But he wasn’t about to have all the fun. You adored the way whined, a noise betraying his control, when you maneuvered to kiss against the curve of his jaw. His brow drew together, eyes closed lightly as he swallowed hard, throat moving against the soft touch of your lips that followed down to the hollow of his throat.

“Joshua Hong, resident bad boy, is weak for neck kisses,” you muttered into his skin.

“I am not,” he protested firmly and shuttered into your kiss against the crook of his shoulder, the metallic taste of his necklaces forgotten in an instant, but you tugged them away to kiss into his skin properly, and the unmistakable tightening of his hand in the thick leather of his jacket tugged you closer. You were still up on your toes, his hands on your hips moving impossibly lower and could have potentially coaxed your legs up if he so pleased, so your hands were steadying on his shoulders.

“Even bad boys—”, his warm mouth captured yours, insistent on preventing the completion of that sentence, but not even the soft nip of his perfect teeth was about to stop you, “—have their weaknesses,” you breathed against his mouth.

Somewhere in the distance of your hazy cognizance, you could hear voices of little children, and the patter of tiny feet, screaming about candy. Plastic buckets full of candy and ruffling wrappers shifting perked your ears and, even with your arms dangling over Joshua’s shoulders, you peered around him to meet gaze with a wide-eyed little girl.  He seemed to catch your distance because you suddenly weren’t reacting to the way his lips brushed against your cheek.

“Joshua…” you whispered, causing him to retract a bit and follow your gaze to the little girl. A devilish grin pulled onto his face as he tugged away from you and turned to her, squatting down in front of her.

“What a pretty princess you are, little one. Are you getting a lot of candy?” he asked, distracting her, hopefully, from the scene of the two of you doing adult things in the fairly open public.

She nodded hesitantly and turned her plastic pumpkin bucket in his direction to show him all the candy she’d already gathered before arriving. He smiled ear to ear at her, perhaps the most dazzling smile he could give.

“If you ring that doorbell after all the other kids are gone and tell them Joshua sent you, I bet they’ll give you a lot more candy than everyone else,” he told her with a wink. She beamed like the sun at the thought with the brightest smile before nodding vigorously and turned towards the door to ring the bell.

“Trick or treat!” The two of you could hear the voices of the other party-goers from inside the house, commenting on what a beautiful costume the girl had and how cute she was and, in mangled words, she told them exactly what Joshua had said. A moment later, two heaping handfuls of candy dropped into her outstretched bucket and she giggled with glee and skipped away from the door as it closed, but not without stopping for a moment to look back over to you and Joshua.

“Thank you, Mr. Joshua. Happy Halloween!”

Joshua stood up, tall and slender in front of you as he watched the little girl catch up with her group that had left her behind before he could feel you press against his back with your arms around him.

“Happy Halloween, Mr. Joshua,” you teased, playfully rubbing your cheek into his shoulder blade. “I guess cute little girls could steal you away from me in a heartbeat huh?”

“You didn’t even give me time to come back!” he protested and turned in your grasp, taking your chin to bring you lips back up to his. “Plus, I would never have known she was there; I was far too occupied with you.”

You hummed into his next kiss as he walked you backwards and into the shiplap wall once more. “Perhaps somewhere a little more private would be in order; don’t need to be out here in front of all the little ones,” you suggested, taking his wrists to make sure his hands stayed tame as they were getting a little wild right before the incident.  He fought against your hands a little but not without that signature grin on his face.

He gave you a dark chuckle, a chaste kiss on the cheek, and took your hand to take you around the side of the house.

[viastro]

euphoria | yoon jeonghan

ミ★ synopsis: in which you fail to greet your best friend happy birthday right at the stroke of midnight.

ミ★ genre: best friends to lovers!au, slice of life, fluff, some humor

ミ★ warnings: none !

ミ★ word count: 3,324

ミ★ pairings: jeonghan x female reader

ミ★ notes: this is a bit late !! but i wrote this fluffy oneshot in honor of our angel’s birthday, yoon jeonghan! i hope you guys enjoy it <3

Jeonghan’s been your best friend from the moment the two of you entered high school and got paired up to introduce each other to your class. He was still losing the baby fat in his face, and you were both around the same height. It was just the two of you against the world at that time, you’re unsure of what you would do if Jeonghan wasn’t in your life. You blossomed earlier than Jeonghan, growing into your features and knowing what flatters you and what doesn’t.

Things changed once the two of you entered university. Jeonghan had a growth spurt, now a whole head taller than you. The baby fat in his cheeks now long gone, sharp cheekbones now replacing it. Sometimes you miss his bread cheeks, you used to just spend your time squishing his face to tease him. His fashion sense improved immensely as well, perhaps it’s because of the kdramas you forced him to watch with you. His long hair was also cut short and dyed a beautiful shade of lavender. It was blonde at first, but one night you told him that your favorite color was lavender. 

He showed up at your house a week later with lavender hair. 

That happened to be the week that you realized you were in love with him as well.

Jeonghan gained a lot of attention at your university, getting multiple confessions and handmade chocolates whenever it was Valentine’s day. You would walk across campus and see your lavender haired best friend surrounded by men and women attempting to get the pretty boy’s attention. 

You learned to steer clear of Jeonghan on Valentine’s day for the sake of you not losing an arm. He understood though, as he would later come to your dorm and the two of you would eat the chocolates together. One time in your guys’ second year of uni he asked you why you never made him chocolates on Valentine’s day. 

“When will you confess your love for me, mm?” Jeonghan asks you with a hint of a smirk on his face. You have come to realize that Jeonghan dying his hair black made him look more intimidating rather than soft. So the warmth rushing to your cheeks isn’t that surprising to you based on this discovery. However, you’re still silently cursing the Gods for making your best friend incredibly handsome. You decide to play along with Jeonghan, because two can play at this game. Leaning in closer to his face, his eyes widen slightly at the sudden close proximity, “Yn?”

You smile at the fact that you were able to make him flustered, popping one of the chocolates into your mouth before leaning back. The sweetness of the chocolate floods your taste buds, and you send a wink to a now flabbergasted Jeonghan. 

“I can’t cook, Jeonghan.” 

You and Jeonghan never thought that your duo would later become a group of fourteen people. However, you meet a lot of new people in college. So you and Jeonghan expanding your friend group in your second year of uni should not be this surprising, but it was. Considering the fact that you’re now surrounded by thirteen handsome men on campus. 

It’s more of a pain on Valentine’s day now. 

However, you strongly believe that Jeonghan’s birthday might be one of the worst days to spend on campus. With gift, after gift being thrown at him and almost everyone wanting his attention. It’s exhausting, which is why you typically avoid him on campus on his birthday as well.

Today is that cursed day.

“Happy birthday, Jeonghan!”

“Jeonghan I got you this sweater!” 

“Jeonghan!”

You glance up from your journal to see your recently dyed blonde haired best friend getting crowded around by everyone, and you squint at the sight. Turning away from the view, you attempt to try and continue drawing a photo of the fruit your art class was assigned to draw. You’re not even an art major, but you wanted to take the class for the sake of having a calming course among your STEM classes.

However, as you continue to try and draw the apple, you realize that art class isn’t as calming as you originally thought it would be. You set down your pencil and tilt your head at the fact that your apple looks more like a grotesque raccoon. “How the fuck-”

Mingyu walks down the stairs and into the square in plans of going to visit Jeonghan. Only to pause and grimace at the sight of Jeonghan trying to move past the crowd with Joshua at his side, and soon decides that he’d much rather greet his friend a happy birthday! later. 

Mingyu looks around until he finds you sitting at one of the tables in the square, and he lets out a chuckle at the disgusted look on your face. He walks up and settles down beside you, causing you to glance up and immediately let out a smile. 

“Mingyu!” 

“Yn! Have you greeted Jeonghan yet?” Mingyu asks, and you shake your head as you close your journal and place it back into your backpack. You turn your head and look over to see Jeonghan and Joshua finally escaping through the crowd and running out of the square, gifts in hand as they do so. 

“Where do we go?!” Joshua asks hurriedly as they sprint, and Jeonghan gasps for air before responding with, 

“Up your ass!”

“The FUCK!” 

You chuckle at the duo once they’re now out of sight, “Ah, they finally escaped.” 

“Can’t believe he gets that many gifts on his birthday from people he’s only spoken a word to.” Mingyu says with an amused smile on your face, and you lean back, squinting at the tall man. He turns and glances at you, eyes widening slightly at the expression on your face. “What?”

You reach out and bonk his head, and Mingyu lets out a whine, patting the area you hit him. He pouts at you, “Why did you hit me!?” 

“Cause you also get that many gifts on your birthday! Must I remind you that the thirteen of you are literal heart throbs on campus?” You exclaim, and Mingyu lets out a giggle. “Ah, right.” 

Rolling your eyes, you open your mouth to scold him some more, only to pause when your phone vibrates on the table. Turning your head you glance at the screen, seeing a text message from the man of the hour. 

jeongjeongie: you didn’t greet me today D:<

shiT THEY’RE GONNA GET M

“Ooo~ someone’s in trouble. You always greet him at midnight, what happened?” Mingyu asks, and you roll your eyes at the message. You turn off your phone before letting out a sigh, looking up at the blue sky. 

“I wanted to change it up this year. We’re going to hangout tonight anyways, he’s just being a big baby.” You mutter, a hint of a smile on your face when you turn back towards Mingyu. He chuckles, nodding his head in agreement with the last part of your sentence. He tilts his head at you after a moment, and you mimic the action. “Mm?”

Mingyu shrugs, resting his chin in the palm of his hand, “You finally gonna confess as a 22nd birthday present?” 

You sputter and immediately bonk Mingyu’s head again, resulting in a lot of whines and you having to pat his head in apology for hitting him too hard. You shoot him a glare after making sure he’s okay, and Mingyu squints back at you. 

“Based on your reaction, I think I was right.” Mingyu grumbles, and he watches as your eyes turn into slits. You pout and look away, muttering to yourself, “Was it that obvious?” 

The two of you sit in silence for a moment, before Mingyu’s eyes widen and he gasps, turning back towards you. You glance at the latter, seeing him gaping at you. 

“What?”

“DEADASS?!” Mingyu asks loudly, and you raise a finger to your mouth, shushing him for being so loud. You’re sure that you must’ve gained the attention of some of Jeonghan’s admirers based on Mingyu’s volume. “Shut up!” 

“I was just joking! I knew that you loved him but I didn’t think you were ever going to confess!” Mingyu whisper-shouts and you cover your face with your hands. You peek at him through your fingers to see him still staring at you in shock, and before you know it, the blush takes over your features. 

“Were my feelings that obvious?” You ask, and Mingyu nods his head as if it were the most obvious answer in the world. “Based on the fact that the two of you stare at each other as if you’re the only ones in the room, I’d say it’s obvious to us. Maybe not to you guys though.” 

You purse your lips, letting out a tired sigh at the fact that maybe, just maybe, Mingyu is right. He lets out a laugh at your defeated expression, reaching out and patting the top of your head fondly. 

“It’s cute, yn. Don’t worry. It’ll be better than any gift Jeonghan could’ve received from his admirers.”

“Can’t believe she didn’t greet me.” Jeonghan grumbles as he walks up to his apartment, putting in his password into the doorknob. It’s now 10 pm at night, and he’s just now getting back from his birthday dinner with his friends. His arms are tired from holding all the gifts he received, and he’s also petty at the fact that you haven’t greeted him.

 Once the door unlocks, he steps in and turns on the lights, only to get blasted in the face with confetti. 

“What the fu-”

“Happy birthday, Hannie!” You greet with a big smile on your face, and Jeonghan squints at you once all the confetti falls to the floor. You tilt your head to the side, and he reaches out, flicking your forehead before stepping past you. You let out a whine and follow after him, “Bitch! That hurt!” 

“My heart hurts, ya know? Cause my best friend in the whole wide world didn’t greet me with a happy birthday at midnight!” Jeonghan exclaims as he sets the numerous gifts onto the floor. You giggle as you follow after him, finding satisfaction in his reaction. He glares when he hears your giggle, putting up his overcoat onto a hanger and shoving it into the coat closet. He turns back towards you, finding that endearing smile on your face again. “You think my pain is funny?” 

“Let me show you what I prepared for your birthday.” You tell him, reaching your hand out towards the blonde. Jeonghan purses his lips, letting out a sigh in defeat when you pout at him. He intertwines his fingers with yours, and you grin excitedly, pulling him out towards his balcony. Jeonghan lets out a whine in protest, “Yn! It’s cold and I just took off my coat-”

You push the curtains away and open the sliding door, the rest of Jeonghan’s complaint dying in his throat once he sees what you’ve prepared. You’ve essentially created a pillow fort on his balcony, with a lantern  underneath the blanket and numerous pillows and snacks. You smile, gesturing towards your creation, “Tada!”

Jeonghan glances down at his feet, feeling a bit emotional at the fact that you prepared this for his birthday. He didn’t think that you remembered the time he sleepily told you that he misses when the two of you made pillow forts, but he should’ve known that you would.

“Look! I even brought my laptop so that we can watch movies like before too. Am I great, or am I great?” You ask excitedly, and Jeonghan finally smiles softly at you. You open your mouth to explain all the snacks you bought as well, only to get cut off when Jeonghan pulls you to him in a warm embrace, nuzzling his head into your hair. You close your eyes, wrapping your arms around his waist with a smile gracing your features. 

“Thank you, it almost makes up for you not greeting me first this year.” Jeonghan mutters after a moment, and you laugh, pushing him away as he giggles. You point towards the pillow fort, “Are we gonna go in and watch movies or what?” 

Jeonghan smiles, nodding his head and stepping out of his apartment and onto the balcony. He crawls into the makeshift fort, looking around at the materials you used to make the comforter stay in position. He raises an eyebrow at the sight of the fairy lights above him that are not turned on, and you grin. 

“Oh yeah, this is gonna be magical.” You tell Jeonghan, and he glances down at you right as you press the switch that turns on the lights. His breath gets caught in his throat when you turn and smile at him, the fairy lights casting a glow over your features that make you look absolutely ethereal. 

You begin to explain how much of a pain it was for you to set up the fort as you open up the snacks and turn on your laptop. However, Jeonghan is hardly listening due to the numerous thoughts running through his head. You take note of his silence after you ask what movie he wants to watch, and turn your head to see Jeonghan just staring at you as if he saw a ghost. 

You raise an eyebrow at the blonde, reaching out and waving your hand across his face. He finally blinks and you let out a laugh at the expression on your face, “Are you okay? You froze for a second, it was as if I was in a zoom call.” 

“Oh! Yeah, sorry. I just spaced out for a sec.” Jeonghan says as an excuse, and you nod your head, not questioning it. However, the hint of a smile graces your features at the fact that you caught him staring at you. You point to your laptop screen to change the subject, “What movie do you wanna watch, birthday boy?” 

Jeonghan purses his lips as he scrolls through the numerous options, before finally deciding on The Greatest Showman. You clap your hands, obviously pleased with the choice as you turn it on. Settling back into the pillows, you pull one of the blankets over both you and Jeonghan’s legs. You hand him the chips you bought, and the two of you eat quietly and make some commentary as you watch the movie. 

It’s halfway through when you begin to feel tired, having stayed up the night before unable to sleep due to the thought that Jeonghan could possibly reject your kiss. Jeonghan notices as you’ve become more quiet, and he turns his head to see you struggling to keep your eyes open. He smiles at this, reaching out and patting your head. 

“Yn.” Jeonghan begins causing you to wake up a bit. You turn your head to see the blonde staring at you, and you feel heat rush to your cheeks at how pretty he looks. With his blonde hair soft and curly, framing his face nicely. 

You’ve decided that blonde makes Jeonghan look like an angel, even though he’s anything but. 

“Why did you not greet me at midnight?” Jeonghan asks, and you smile sleepily at him. You reach out and pat his cheek, closing your eyes, “I just wanted to be the last one to greet you this year. Best for last, am I right?” 

Jeonghan stares at you in silence for a moment, before letting out a laugh. He shakes his head, realizing just how you that is. You let out a yawn, gesturing for him to lean over towards you. Jeonghan raises an eyebrow at the action, seeing that your eyes are still closed. “Mm?” 

You mutter quietly, “Come closer, I need to give you your gift before I fall asleep.” 

Jeonghan chuckles fondly when you open your eyes. He finds your sleepy expression to be incredibly endearing. He leans close towards you, ignoring the way heat is rushing to his cheeks at the close proximity between your faces. “Why did I need to come close to get my gift-”

You press your lips to his quickly before pulling away, blush prominent on your cheeks as you try and avoid looking at Jeonghan’s face. You turn away and close your eyes, cuddling the pillow close to your chest.

Jeonghan gawks at you, and he slowly raises a hand to his lips. He watches your shoulders rise and fall, and he internally screams at the fact that you just kissed him. You, his best friend, his person. The one who he dreamt of marrying. After a moment of going feral, he reaches out and rests a hand on your shoulder. “Yn, how long have you had feelings for me?”

You turn back over and see Jeonghan staring at you with a furious blush to his cheeks. He turns his head when he realizes the movie is still playing and presses the spacebar, promptly pausing the movie. He turns back towards you, noticing the bright blush to your cheeks that match his. 

“Since you dyed your hair lavender after I told you it was my favorite color.” You mutter, and Jeonghan bites the inside of his cheek. He attempts to fight back the smile, but it fails. Your heart slowly calms down when you realize that Jeonghan is smiling, and you take it as a good sign. 

“Do you like me?” You ask quietly, and Jeonghan shakes his head. He leans his face closer to yours, and your eyes widen significantly at the close proximity. “I love you. I thought you would’ve noticed when I dyed my hair lavender just for you.” 

You find yourself smiling back at Jeonghan, and he giggles happily. He shakes his head at you, heart warm at the events of his birthday. He opens his arms towards you, and you reach out and wrap your arms around his waist, sending the two of you backwards onto the snacks. You immediately scream when you hear the crunch of the chips and candies the two of you probably crushed, releasing your hold on Jeonghan and shoving him off the food. 

“God damn it.” You mumble in disappointment as you lift up a few snacks, noticing how depleted the bag seems now that they’re smushed. While Jeonghan just stares at you, obviously flabbergasted at how quickly you shoved him in order to protect the food. You pout, placing the crushed up food onto the blanket before turning to glance at the blonde, who is now squinting at you.

“... what?” 

“So basically,” Jeonghan begins as he sits back up, running a hand through his hair. You raise an eyebrow at him, and he lets out a breath before continuing. “You don’t greet me first, you avoid me on campus, and then after kissing me, you shove me off of you in order to protect the snacks.” 

The two of you sit in silence for a moment, before you nod your head, reaching out to take a crushed up potato chip and place it into your mouth. You flash Jeonghan a cheeky smile, “Of course.” 

Jeonghan rolls his eyes and cracks his knuckles. You raise an eyebrow at him and he takes in a deep breath, “I guess I gotta do this then.” 

“Do wha-”

You don’t get the chance to finish your question before you’re tackled backwards onto the comforter. Jeonghan attacks your waist with his hands, causing you to laugh loudly underneath the makeshift pillow fort you spent an hour making. 

“I’m SORRY!” 

“Tell it to the JUDGE!” Jeonghan replies with a loud laugh, no malice in his words as the two of you giggle together. 

The sound of your guys’ laughs echoes out into the night, a faint reminder of the euphoria in the air on your angel, Yoon Jeonghan’s birthday. 

[knives-out21]

Inglourious Boyfriends - Part 9 - FINALE

Fandom: Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Pairing: Joshua Margolis (OC) x Lt. Aldo Raine

Word Count: 2709 (3480 With The Post-Ending Info)

Warnings: LONG, Lil’ Fluff

Notes: Okay, Here’s The Ending FOR REAL This Time. Here We Are, Boys. The Great, Eluded Finale. Again, As I’ve Stated Before, Fear Not! You Are All Getting A Donny Donowitz x FtM-Trans!OC With Two Endings. I Really Hope You Guys All Enjoyed This Series As Much As I Did, I Know I’ll Keep Aldo And Joshua In My Heart Forever. Well...Enjoy.

Utivich, Joshua, and Aldo once again found themselves in the back of the truck, which drove them through a dirt road to the middle of some misty forest made up of tall, thin trees. It looked straight from a horror film.

Hans sat in the passenger seat of the truck, admiring Aldo's knife, which he had confiscated.

The truck finally slowed to a stop, Hermann and Hans getting out and walking to the back. There, they pulled Aldo, Joshua and Utivich out, pacing the group a few feet away from the truck. Hans kept their hands cuffed and made them stand in a line, Hermann beside him.

Joshua glanced up at Aldo, giving Utivich a quick look before turning back to Hans.

"Hermann, uncuff them" Landa told, Hermann nodding and going to uncuff Joshua, Aldo, and Utivich, in that order.

Aldo groaned softly once he was uncuffed, so Joshua immediately turned to softly hold his hands, inspecting Aldo's wrists for any marks or bruises.

"Are you okay?" He softly whispered, blue eyes full of care as he gently handled Aldo's wrists."Did they cut ya?" Josh asked, momentarily looking up at Aldo's face as his thumbs stroked one of Aldo's wrists.

"It's fine, darlin'" Aldo mumbled, Joshua nodding and pulling away. He looked Hans up and down, taking the gun the Colonel offered him. Aldo cocked it, showing it off to Joshua before tucking it into his belt. He brushed his hand against Josh's, then pushing his blazer back to place his hands directly over his hips.

"I'm officially surrendering myself over to you, Lieutenant Raine" Landa smiled, using both his hands to hand his own fancy-looking knife over to Aldo; the same Aldo who has only ever really been used to Joshua surrendering himself over to him- in a completely different way, obviously."We're your prisoners" he added, Aldo swiftly taking the knife when Hermann was back beside Hans.

"How about my knife?" Aldo asked, giving Hans a fake smile of his own.

Landa chuckled, digging into his coat and finally giving Aldo the knife that he rightfully owned.

"Thank you very much, Colonel" Aldo squinted."Utivich, cuff the Colonel's hands behind his back".

Utivich wordlessly nodded, walking behind the whining Colonel.

"Aw, is that really necessary?" He fake-pouted.

"I'm a slave to appearances" the Lieutenant admitted, pulling Joshua closer to him before fiddling with the artillery now in his hands."Why do y'think I chose Margolis here above anyone else?" He asked, turning to smile at Josh.

Joshua smiled to himself, lightly elbowing Aldo. He shot a glare Hans' way, before leaning in and placing a sweet, loving kiss on Aldo's lips.

This gained him just the reaction he was looking for: a groan of pure, absolute revulsion from the cuffed Colonel.

Utivich freely kicked the Colonel.

"Cover yer ears, simple thang" Aldo informed, pulling his 'simple thing' nickname. He put an arm around Joshua's shoulders, keeping him close.

Joshua looked up at Aldo, confused, slowly going to cover his ears with his hands. He watched Aldo nod thankfully, and shoot Hermann without even looking at the guy. Joshua leaped back a bit, having still heard the gunshot even though it was muffled.

Utivich pat Joshua's shoulder, as Hans looking down at Hermann, shocked.

"Scalp Hermann." Aldo blankly commanded, giving Utivich the fancy knife.

Utivich looked pleased, pulling the knife out of the sheath and walking over to Hermann quietly.

"Are you mad? What have you done? I made a deal with your General for that man's life!" Hans snapped, looking between Aldo and Hermann.

Joshua smiled in a sickeningly sweet way, wrapping his arms around one of Aldo's and leaning his head on Aldo's shoulder when the Lieutenant pulled his arm back from around Josh's neck.

"Yea, they made that deal, but they don't give a fuck about him" Aldo explained.

"They need you" Josh finished.

"You'll be shot for this!" Hans yelled, having Joshua scrunch his face up in disagreement.

"Uh, n-nah, we don't think so. More like chewed out, we've been chewed out before, haven't we, Aldo?" Joshua asked, Aldo nodding in response. 

"You know, Utivich, Margolis and myself heard the that deal you made with the brass. Hard not to, since we were all in the same room. End the war tonight? I'd make that deal" Raine nodded again, stare fixed on Hans."How about you, Utivich, you make that deal?" Aldo asked, turning to look down at Utivich, who was scalping Hermann like he was told to.

"I'd make that deal" Utivich nodded.

"And you, Josh, you make that deal?" Aldo turned over to Joshua, a smile melting onto his lips.

Joshua had his cheek flush against Aldo's arm, nodding once."I'd make that deal".

Aldo's smile turned into a triumphant grin at Landa."I don't blame these two, damn good deal! And that pretty little nest you feathered for yer-self? Well, if yer willing to barbecue the whole High Command, I suppose that's worth certain considerations. But I do have one question" he turned to Joshua, to speak for him.

"When you get to yer little place on Nantucket Island, we imagine yer goin' take off handsome-lookin' SS uniform of yer's. Ain't ya?" He asked.

Hans stayed completely still, his silence speaking for him.

Joshua grinned, exchanging a knowing look with Aldo."That's what we thought".

"Now that I can't abide" Aldo huffed.

"How 'bout you, Utivich, can you abide it?" Joshua asked, putting his hand on his hips.

"Not one damn bit, sir" Utivich grunted, a sound of relief escaping his lips when he finally pulled Hermann's scalp clean off.

"And you, sunshine, can you abide it?" Aldo asked Joshua.

"Not at all, Lieutenant".

Aldo lightly nudged Joshua, who automatically pulled away. He took a step towards Hans and leaned in."I mean, if I had my way, you'd wear that goddamn uniform for the rest of yer hinga-dinga-durgen fuckin' life" Aldo grumbled, a strict gaze on Landa."But I'm aware that ain't practical, I mean, at some point, yer goin' to have to take it off. So," the Lieutenant pulled out his knife, showing it off in front of the Colonel's face."I'm goin' to give you a lil' somethin' you can't take off. Actually-" Aldo turned to his beloved."Joshua Margolis, I believe it's about time. If you would be so honored, would'ja like to give this grimy motherfucker what-for?".

Joshua's eyebrows jumped in surprised, as he pointed to himself."M-Me? Oh, uh, Lieutenant, I dunno-".

"C'mon, Lieutenant, y'seen me do it about a hundred times. Utivich'll hold his feet down, and I can guide ya" Aldo bargained, using the tip of his knife to tilt the Colonel's hat up, revealing his forehead.

Next thing Joshua knew, Utivich was indeed holding down the screaming (in agony) Colonel's legs from kicking and moving, as the Nazi lay on the cold, wet dirt he was pushed onto.

Aldo crouched by Hans, Joshua squatted in front of him, as he steadied his knife in the Lieutenant's grip. He had his chest pressed against Josh's back, his hands over the other's."Just like that, baby, smooth 'n' steady" Aldo whispered, guiding Joshua's hands as he helped the other carve a swastika into Landa's forehead.

Joshua gulped thickly, exhaling shakily as he tried his best. He had Aldo all up against him, his boyfriend's hot breath on the nape of his neck and purrs of praises rolling into his ear, after all. This was proven a little bit difficult given his current situation with trying to stay focused on cutting a swastika into a Nazi's forehead, and not all the ideas running around his head that involved Joshua and Aldo within close proximity of each other; but under drastically different circumstances.

"Pretend he ain't screamin', alright? Pretend he ain't doin' nothin', and y'can't hear shit, alright? Yer doin' amazin', baby, good boy" he praised, hands still over Joshua's, leading him through it.

Once the swastika was perfectly etched, Joshua pulled the knife away, cheeks growing darker as more ideas swam into his mind.

The two Jews (and Aldo) looked down at it in wonder, Aldo tilting his head slightly."Good job, Joshua, I love you" he planted a kiss on Joshua's cheek, unaware of his boyfriend's current underlying problem.

"I love you too, Aldebrand" Joshua repeated, voice full of glee. He turned and kissed Aldo again, the Colonel's cries getting louder when they did. 

Utivich slapped Hans to make him shut up.

"Y'know somethin', Utivich? I think this just might be our masterpiece" Aldo spoke when he pulled away, Utivich giving a toothy grin as he nodded in agreement. He groaned as he stood up, helping Joshua and Utivich up with him.

"S-So, uh, so wait..." Joshua started, scratching his jaw.

Aldo and Utivich turned to look at him.

"So- shut up-" Joshua hissed, stomping on one of Hans' legs. He scoffed, looking back up at his boyfriend and the Basterd."So if- if Landa here gets arrested, what happens to all the shit he asked of from the General? The medals, the privileges, the money, the property on Nantucket Island. If he gets arrested, none of it will go t'him" Josh listed, looking at Aldo, specifically, for answers.

Aldo put his hands on his hips, biting his bottom lip in thought, holding back a chuckle as Joshua kicked the Colonel, scolding him to stop screaming."I think," he started, scooping Joshua into his arms, grip around around his waist, "that I'll see to it that the General finds enough kindness in his goddamn heart to hand schnitzel-shit's gifts over to us" Aldo pulled Josh closer, chest to chest."I'll see to an extra piece o'property in Nantucket for Utivich" he declared.

Utivich's eyes widened as he turned to Aldo suddenly."Sir!" He exclaimed, hands raised, as if to grab something.

"Yer the toughest Basterd we got, Utivich. After all, yer the last one that's alive. It's only right" Joshua pointed out, an excited smile on his face."But- But what about the first house?" For the first time in his life, Joshua wasn't very smart.

Aldo chuckled, in an 'awe, he's so cute' type of way as he checked Joshua out."We'll take it, of course; it'll be somewhere only we know".

Joshua now had an expression identical to Utivich's on his face, stomping on the Colonel's leg to shut his protests up. He remembers the many 'somewhere only we know' hideout locations the two of them had, growing up."Seriously-? Aldo, I- I don't-".

"Aw, c'mon. Imagine it, Nantucket Island. Ever wanted a weddin' by the sea, Joshua?".

Joshua felt his heart fall out of his chest with happiness, locking eyes with Utivich, who had an equal amount of shock written all over his face."I- I- I've wanted t'get married, yea, but was always a lil' too afraid to think about the, uh, the- the details 'n' such..." he shyly admitted, looking down at his feet.

Aldo placed a finger on Joshua's chin, tilting his head up to make eye contact."Our lives are as fucked up to the public as is, doll. Now that the war's over, nothin' is stoppin' me from getting my hands on two rings 'n' makin' Utivich our secret officiant, if he so wishes". He turned to look over at Utivich, who nodded urgently as his eyes darted between Aldo and Joshua.

"Sir, yes sir!" He sounded eager.

Aldo smiled, turning back to Joshua and interlocking their fingers."Think about it, Joshy. Weddin' by the sea, our own place in Nantucket t'wind away, in. We'll adopt a lil' doggy or take in a youngster of our own- don't go thinkin' I didn't see you smilin' back at the doctor's with Bridget, I saw ya- I've been waitin' long enough, Joshua. Lovin' you since we were teenagers, that's long enough, darlin', seriously. Like I said before, threat is imminent. And I gotta protect the one thang I can't live without: that's you. I wanna- I wanna marry the one thang I can't live without, Joshua, I wanna marry you. I also don't wanna almost lose you again like at the tavern; I don't wanna almost lose you like that without havin' put a ring on ya, first" he professed, breaking his gaze to softly kissing both of Joshua's knuckles.

Joshua gulped, feeling his face start to heat up again. If this was Aldo's way of proposing (especially right after the deaths of so many men the two of them quickly grew attached to), Joshua would allow it. As of right now, the two of them haven't been able to properly mourn for the Basterds they lost, so the quicker they got together, the better, right? Saves no room for what could have been, if one of them were to die before getting married. He could already feel the tears welling up in his eyes.

"This love has gotten stronger ever since our teen years, and I don't wanna wait any fuckin' longer to actually make you mine. I wanna be with ya even when we're grey 'n' old, Joshy, believe me. Now, I know, I- I- I've never been good at the whole sweet-talkin' thing, so I'm kinda going off on a limb, here, with all o'this and I'm bein' as honest as I've always been, with you" Aldo stuttered, shaking his head."I'm so in love with you, darlin', and I'm proud of how we've come so fuckin' far. We've both lost men- good men, that we both already miss 'n' really care about, and now, it's up to us to not lose each other. You were always there for me when I needed you most, and I want you to be with me forever, 'cause baby, I'm yer's. What'd'ya say, Joshua?".

Joshua swallowed, lips slowly parting. He pulled his hands away to drag them up Aldo's arms, one hand around his neck and the other on the back of Aldo's head."Aldo, I, uh...I..." he quickly licked his lips, too happy for words as tears slowly started to trickle down his cheeks.."That's what I've waited all my life for" Joshua giggled, a huge smile breaking out onto his perfect lips as he nodded.

Aldo let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, his loving gaze going to longing when he looked down at Joshua's lips.

Joshua knew that look all too well, and turned to Utivich."Y'don't mind, if we...y'know, do you, Smithson?" He asked, wiping his eyes swiftly.

"No, sir, of course not. Congrats, I can't wait!" Utivich shook his head, clapping his hands quickly. On cue, he kicked the Colonel in the face, knocking him out and finally shutting him up.

"Thank you" Joshua squeaked, turning back to Aldo, pressing his lips against Aldo's own. He closed his eyes calmly, slinging both his arms around Aldo's neck and pulling him as close as he could, Aldo doing the same with his muscular arms around Joshua's waist.

Aldo slowly closed his eyes, momentarily lifting Joshua up, off the ground, to show how happy he was. He broke out into a grin when Josh's feet touched the ground again, going to kiss his cheek, jaw, then one final one on his neck. Aldo slowly pulled away from giving him his much-deserved affection, just to look at Joshua and smile."God, Joshua Margolis..." he called, hugging Josh.

"Hmm?" Joshua hummed, a warmhearted smile on his lips as he hugged Aldo tightly.

Aldo shook his head, "I love you. So goddamn much".

"Well, Aldo Raine..." Joshua sniffled, pulling away to look Aldo in the eyes."In, uh, i-in a way that's too damn much for anyone to understand, I love you too" he confessed, using his thumb to wipe a stray tear from under Aldo's right eye.

The pair burst out into a fit of soft giggles, knowing that as of this moment, they were no longer the inglorious boyfriends everyone could know, but inglorious husbands. Aldo and Joshua quickly reconnected their lips for another kiss, one that only Basterds who were truly in love could share.

*****

Thus concludes the tale of Lieutenant Joshua Margolis and Lieutenant Aldo Raine. You're probably wondering "But Beck!", And "What happens to them AFTER the movie?". Well, I'll tell you.

Right after this glorious kiss we left off at, Aldo pulls away. He looks Joshua right in his blue eyes, and his face finally breaks. Aldo's smile disappears, as he starts crying- and I'd be lying if I said Joshua doesn't start crying over Donny and the Basterds, too. I'd also be lying if I told you all that Utivich doesn't finally let his guard down and break down sobbing, like he almost did in the truck in Part 7. Joshua pulls Utivich into the hug, and it's a whole group-hug sob-fest that they're finally able to mourn over the Basterds they lost, in.

Joshua and Aldo moved on to fight in the Korean War side-by-side, in the early 50's. They retired from their respectful military lives sometime before the Vietnam War, and settled down. Shame, though: they would’ve kicked ass in it.

Aldo and Joshua settled down in Maynardville, Tennessee, back where it all began. Josh used his family money to build a Jewish day school near his childhood home, in honor of Donny (there's a plaque out front and everything). If possible, I’d like to believe he named it after Donny. 

Speaking of...Joshua was right, in Part 7. For years after the second world war ended, Aldo and him would find themselves spending many silent nights, lying awake, wishing things could have gone differently for the Basterds, imagining what could have been, thinking about how much they miss these truly good men. Joshua would occasionally find himself comforting Aldo, telling his husband how it wasn’t Aldo's fault, there was nothing they could have done, and so on, while holding back tears of his own because he’s having these same thoughts haunt him, too. These same thoughts, on how it was probably Josh's fault, and how there could've been something Josh could have done, and so on.

On a brighter note about the Basterds, the two of them made sure to put in an effort with keeping in touch with Utivich. Joshua and Aldo took in an orphan, a young boy. Wanna know what they named him? Easy.

Smithson Raine. They named their son after PFC Smithson Utivich, who was blown to tears after he found out. Aldo thought Utivich wouldn't cry, but Joshua knew he would.

Smithson Utivich retired from the military shortly after Aldo and Joshua did- he found a girl, got married, and had kids of his own, a son and a daughter, that he named Omar and Bridget.

Utivich eventually wrote and published a book, revolving around WW2. Specifically, the Basterds, his time with the Basterds, and their fates. He wrote stuff about Aldo Raine, and wasn’t afraid to hide Aldo’s romance with Joshua. He wrote about how Aldo and Joshua grew up together, got into military life together, formed the Basterds together, and how they shamelessly did so while romantically involved. This was because he had an inkling that the history books would merely write Aldo and Joshua off as ‘close friends’, but Utivich wanted to share the truth with the world. He wrote about how close Aldo and Joshua were, how they got married in secret, and took in a kid (he mentioned how he officiated the wedding, and how they named the child after him) and how their love never faltered, a day in their lives. This war autobiography grew to be a huge success, which is surprising, due to its clear message about Aldo’s and Joshua’s homosexuality. 

Smithson Utivich passed away in June 1996, 5 decades after WW2 ended (in Inglourious Basterds). He passed away due to a heart attack, his legacy being left behind in the form of his kids and his book.

Aldo and Joshua died hand-in-hand on December 25th, 1996, after Aldo’s long battle with cancer, and after Joshua came to the conclusion that his own pneumonia has won. Joshua left behind his childhood estate to their son Smithson Raine, who obeyed his parents’ wishes and buried them in Joshua’s family’s orchard, side by side. He’d have buried them side by side whether they asked him to or not; it would’ve made sense for them to be buried like that, since Aldo Raine and Joshua Margolis have been at each others’ sides their entire lives. And they should have the right to still be with each other, side by side, in death.

Because for these Inglourious Husbands, even death can’t do them part.