#Off to the Blue Sea! A Heartfelt Finale!

[bbina]

alone together ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 . . . stay

── taking comfort in the thought that you are together in aloneness through late night talks, heartfelt confessions, and a genuine connection. with your shared experience of recent heartbreaks, you wonder if getting together would be all worth it. in which you find solace in each other's company, that you are alone together.

⋆｡˚ prev | next ˚｡

꩜ notes .ᐟ whooping 4.2k !! i really like this chapter to celebrate forty fucking chapters . i hope everyone enjoys!!!

꩜ taglist .ᐟ @onlywonb @rosesfortaro @starwonb1n @wonychu @totheseok @dolloie @hyunjinsnumberonefun @binluvsu @onlyhyunjin @annswwa @wonbinsvlle @hakkkuu @ilovejungwonandhaechan @artstaeh @lecheugo @odxrilove @bunni @saranghoeforanton @nujeskz @nakam00t @kyusqult @nctsshoes2 @revehosh @s9nwoo @daegale @palchokitty @dutifullyannoyingfox @oshakyao @koryutte @b-riize @meowbini @peterm4rker @winuvs @i03jae @rsatoru @enhacolor @dalliesque @sweetiejaeyun @dearestjake @cupidslovearrows @sasfransisco @kkumistars @sngj08 @taroddori @nshmurarki @ennycutie @sa3ha @koeuh @astro-doll-the-star @amouriu

wonbin hates the club

don't get him wrong, he likes the concept of having a nightlife and all that but something about clubbing just irks him one way or another. maybe it's because of that one horrible experience he had when he got dragged into going clubbing thanks to shotaro, after receiving the news that he, wonbin, got ghosted once again, but in all honesty who really knows

wonbin hates the feeling of bodies pressing against each other in a tight space. he hates the feeling of not hearing people properly over the loud music on those bass boosted speakers, he hates that you can't even hold a decent conversation at the club. he hates getting drinks spilled all over him when people can't walk due to the amount of people dancing around him

he just hates it

but here he was, in the club where you shared your location, at god knows what time, looking for you

wonbin doesn't know why he felt the need to do all this. he could've easily asked seunghan instead to come get your ass when you called him but nope. he got up from the comfort of his warm bed in his cold room, threw on a jacket and went straight to you. ignoring shotaro’s curious stare when he walked passed him in the living room in a hurry

on the way to the club, he can't help but think about how your conversation went on the phone. you called him out of the blue amidst your drunk updates, talking about how some of giselle's other guy friends came and ordered even more drinks and how you had a blast for the first time in a long time

"can you pick me up i want to go home" you whine through the phone. there were some ruckus in the background and wonbin can only make out some words such as "another shot", "let's dance"

wonbin removes the phone from his ear and stares at the screen, making sure that it was actually you who was calling and not some random person with wide eyes

was this just some drunk call or were you actually dead serious?

"wonbin" you drag out his name, voice going an octave higher than normal. "come get me" you demand, slurring your words

wonbin snaps back to reality when he realizes that you were in fact, dead serious

"stay where you are. i'm on my way"

wonbin sucks in a deep breath when he scans the place, looking around, trying to look for you amidst the crowds. he sighs in relief when he finally spots you

wonbin makes his way through the sea of people as he approaches the lounge area where he finds you slumped against the plush couch while some of your friends were trying to take care of you by making you sit up properly. wonbin couldn't help but laugh a little when he watches you swat your friend's hand away cause you were starting to doze off

wonbin approaches your table and taps your friend on their shoulder, it was karina

"oh my!" karina reacts, a hand flying to her mouth. she didn't expect that you'd call wonbin out of all people to come pick you up. she expected that you called seunghan

wonbin sheepishly smiles and throws a peace sign before he motions his hand towards you

"i'm here to pick y/n up? she called me" he says, unsure of what to say really. in wonbin's defense, what else was there to say?

karina nods and moves out of the way so wonbin could come and haul your ass out of the club

"she had way too much to drink but she had fun so" karina notes, watching the way wonbin was lightly tapping your shoulder to wake you up

you click your tongue in annoyance when you feel someone tapping you awake again. you peek an eye open but your vision was blurry

"y/n wake up. i'm here. let's go" the voice you know all too well speaks

you don't know if it was the alcohol running in your system but you know that voice anywhere. your eyes flutter open and the first thing you see was a guy's face

it was wonbin

"wonbin?" you squint your eyes, trying to sit properly but your head was spinning that it was hard to do. your head feels weighted that you feel your head falling back but a hand stops it from doing so

"yeah it's me" wonbin affirms, holding your head from falling back before he fixes your position so you'd lean back properly on the cushions behind you

when you realize it was wonbin, your face lights up. you didn’t expect that he’d actually come get you

"you actually came" you giggled, clearly in a drunken state

"well, you called" wonbin smiles lazily, he knows you don't know what you're saying right now. he then takes a mental note of your current state and assesses the situation. first of all you were drunk out of your fucking ass to even handle yourself, second you were wearing something that would make it hard for him to move you properly

suddenly there were loud cheers coming to the table. wonbin looks around and sees giselle, the birthday celebrant, and some other people he doesn't know coming to the table

giselle sees him and her eyes almost pop out of her sockets

"holy shit is that wonbin?" she shrills, looking at karina for confirmation who nods her head yes and covers the side of her mouth to say something to giselle

wonbin smiles awkwardly at the birthday celebrant and even greeted her

"happy birthday by the way" wonbin greets, before he diverts his attention back to you who's suddenly wide awake

"thank you! here take a shot!" giselle chirps, pouring some liquor into the little shot glass she's been carrying around the club, handing it to people

wonbin was about to refuse but suddenly you stood up and grabbed the shot glass from giselle

"i'll take it!" you cheer in delight until wonbin manages to stop you from drinking it by prying the shot glass off your hands

"no you won't. you're drunk already" he lightly scolds you before taking the shot himself. wonbin grimaces a little at the taste. he hands the shot glass back to giselle, who was seemingly smiling widely at the sight in front of her

her eyes dart between you and wonbin before she ushers herself out of the conversation, dragging whoever was beside her to parade around the club again. the victims being jaemin, jeno and karina

you plop down back on the seats, pouting while crossing your arms, mumbling about how wonbin didn't let you drink

wonbin sits next to you as he watches you look upset beside him. you weren't even looking at him. he couldn't tell if he should laugh cause you clearly won’t remember all this the next day and the fact that he might have another thing to hold over your head again (last time it was the drunk call)

"let's go home now?" wonbin asks softly, leaning his head a bit closer to you, who only scoffs in response

"nuh uh" you roll your eyes

wonbin sits back in surprise. did you really just say nuh uh?

"what do you mean "nuh uh"?" wonbin quotes, "i thought you called me here cause you wanted to go home?" wonbin bites back a laugh. talking to drunk you in person almost sounds like talking to a child

"you didn't let me drink" you huffed, whining a little, finally turning around to look at him in the eye

wonbin couldn't help but laugh at the look on your face. he couldn’t believe that you actually got upset that he didn't let you take a shot. like a kid who just got denied off of candy with the way your lower lip was jutted out with your pout

"when we get you home, you could have all the shots you want. how about that?" wonbin suggests, tucking some hair away from your face. he was trying to fool you into heading home cause god forbid how much longer can he stand being in the club. he already took a sacrificial shot for you so the least you could do is to cooperate with him so two could go home even if it meant into fooling you into doing it

he sees the way you suddenly perk up at the sound of his bargain. he smiles in triumph when he watches you nod your head excitedly

"do you mean it?" you ask with your eyes glistening with anticipation

wonbin smiles and nods. "all the drinks you want. on me"

"okay!" you chirp, "so when are we going?"

wonbin checks the time on his phone before ordering an uber to come get you guys at the club

"we can leave now if you want" wonbin says, tucking his phone in the pocket of his jeans before looking back at you who's now leaned back on the cushions again

"let's just tell karina and giselle we're leaving" you yawned, feeling drowsly all of a sudden

wonbin nods, standing up from the couch. he stretches his limbs before holding his hand out for you to take. you gladly accept his hand as he helps you stand and stabilize yourself by putting his hand on the small of your back before scurrying out of the table with you in tow

you were walking around the dance floor looking for karina or giselle to bid them goodbye. wonbin sees karina talking to someone by the bar. he tugs your hand and points over to the direction where karina was. you nod your head as you two walk over to her

"rina!" you yelled over the music. karina stops talking to the person in front of her which was jeno, as she looks around for the person who called out her name. she then sees you and wonbin making your way towards her

"we're leaving. just wanted to let you know. if you see gigi tell her i went home and thank you for tonight" you ramble, hoping your voice was louder than the music. karina nods her head yes and tells the two of you to make it home safe and to text her if you've arrived

karina then bids you two farewell before she makes her way back to jeno, who was also waving goodbye at the two of you

with that, you and wonbin head out of the club, hand in hand

you two were now outside, waiting for his uber ride that he ordered a few moments ago. the air was cold and you weren’t exactly dressed according to the weather. you stood next to wonbin with your arms crossed to keep yourself warm while you two waited. just not too long ago you were feeling a little hot inside the cramped building but now that you were outside, you cursed yourself for only bringing a light cardigan

not only you were cold but you were slowly feeling like shit. you can feel your hair was sticking on your face, the way your heels were slowly killing you, almost everything was crashing down on you in this instant

wonbin watches the little car icon that was still on the way to where you guys were waiting in when he notices you shivering in his peripheral vision

without hesitation, he removes his jacket and drapes it on your shivering shoulders

before you could even say anything, the uber driver arrives. wonbin opens the car door and motions you to get in first. he makes sure that you don't bump your head against the car by putting his hand just above your head before he slides in next to you

"you good?" he asks, making sure you were okay

instead of answering him, you nod your head drowsily. the warmth of wearing his jacket making you sleepier by the minute. you can feel your eyelids grow heavier as you can barely make out the conversation between the uber driver and wonbin

the next thing you know you were out like a light next to wonbin

wonbin was busy having a conversation with the uber driver when he suddenly hears light snores coming from you. he turns his head to the side and there he sees the sight of you sleeping soundly wearing his jacket

he fights back a smile when he sees how snug you look wearing his jacket that was obviously bigger on you. wonbin then adjusts your head that you were now laying on his lap and not against the window

there's a sense of solace that he feels whenever he's with you. so much that he can't even directly describe what it actually feels but he knows what it is when he's with you

wonbin gently runs his fingers through your messy hair. he couldn't help but laugh at the thought of how you'd feel the next morning when the realization will dawn upon you that you called him to come get you at the club. that you had him to take care of your drunken state

it almost feels deja vu to wonbin that he was out here taking care of your drunken state. he finds it a little funny of a coincidence that it happened twice. the first time it happened was when you didn't even know who he was, and the second time being right now where you two have developed a deep connection through the constant late night talks and shared comfort in one another

it isn't much to say anything but he finds it funny that it happened twice

wonbin leans his head back, staring at the window. the city has always been quiet in times like this, just how he likes it. quiet enough that he can still hear his thoughts but loud enough to distract him from everything going on

he doesn't know why but he's silently hoping that this drive would take a little longer

. . . ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

"i'm tired" you complained, eyes still closed as you and wonbin stood outside your apartment building. you two just got dropped off by the uber driver courtesy of wonbin who ordered and paid for it now here you were, leaning on wonbin for total support.

you were now quite literally on your last legs. your feet are killing you with your heels and the fact that your head was pounding. all you wanted to do was just lay down on your bed and doze off

but of course, you still had to get inside your apartment, get unready, prepare yourself medicine and yada yada yada. just thinking about it while still under the influence just made you feel worse

"my feet hurt" you hissed, kicking off your heels on the street, startling wonbin at your sudden outburst

you were getting cranky by the minute. maybe this was all the drinks you had coming back to get your ass

"we're almost home. just a little more walking okay?" wonbin gently says, trying not to piss you off. who knew you become so cranky after a night out?

wonbin takes a deep breath, realizing the sticky situation he's in. he figures that you won't be cooperating anytime soon so he grabs your heels and wraps an arm around your waist so he could stabilize your posture as you two walk inside your apartment complex

it took a while for wonbin to basically haul your ass to your floor. you had no elevator in your building so that meant stairs. you were so close on giving up due to how exhausted you were that wonbin had to carry you on his back

"are we there yet" your words were slurring. the way you nuzzled your head on wonbin's neck, catching a whiff of his scent that smelled like a mix of vanilla and roses

"almost" wonbin huffs. not only he was carrying you, he was also carrying your purse and your heels with his free hand

you hum instead of answering. leaning your weight on wonbin. he was just so warm that you can’t get enough of it

“wonbin” you call out after a while. you don’t even know what floor you two are in but one thing for sure is that your unit was on the 9th floor

you're gonna owe him a lot for this

“yeah?” he answers, glancing back at you ever so slightly

he can feel shivers on his skin when he feels your lips accidentally brush against his exposed nape

“thanks for coming to get me” you say quietly

wonbin laughs, ignoring the feeling in his chest

“wouldn’t want you to call anyone else to be honest” he jokes. he’s still in disbelief that you called him out of people. “you owe me for this by the way”

you hum again, closing your eyes, just letting wonbin take you home

wonbin finally gets to your damn apartment unit. he crouches down so you could get off of his shoulders. you groggily get off his back to walk up to your door to input your password so you could get in

finally, home sweet home

you never wanted to just fall face first onto your covers

wonbin laughs at the way you were basically crawling your way to bed. your feet must've been so tired wearing those heels all night long. but then he realizes that you were wearing outside clothes

he puts your things down on the counter before he makes his way towards you, who was now laying peacefully on your bed

"get up. let's get unready first" he says, grabbing your arm, pulling you back up

you let out an irritated growl. snatching your arm back

"don't want to" you grunt, lying back down when wonbin stops you

"i just want you to be comfortable before you sleep. please?" he pleads, watching your face contort into something he can't decipher. although it looks like you were trying to glare at him

looks like he had some magic spell whenever he says please cause you just silently went along with what he said. you stood up, wobbling over to your bathroom so you could get unready

wonbin laughs at the way you were stumbling over yourself. tripping on your own feet trying to get to your bathroom with your eyes closed

he then watches you sit on the toilet lid. he waited for a few minutes in case you were just trying to compose yourself but you just sat there in silence. essentially he took out his phone out and took photos of your state. this was too good of an opportunity not to take pictures of you for future purposes (blackmail basically)

"y/n" wonbin calls, waiting for you to respond. when you don't say anything back, wonbin makes his way towards your bathroom

"are you seriously sleeping right now" wonbin laughs out loud. the way you were just sitting still with your eyes closed

"huh?" you blurt, trying to peek an eye open but no avail

wonbin couldn't stop laughing. the next time you plan on drinking all night, he'll make sure to remind you to think twice before doing so cause just look at you right now

"where are your makeup wipes?" wonbin asks, wiping a tear from his eye from laughing so much

it took you all the remaining energy you had in you left to even lift your hand to point where your skincare stuff was at. wonbin follows where your fingers were pointed at and opened your drawers looking for some makeup removers and the like

when he finds the packet, he takes one out and kneels to your level. he gently grabs your face and starts to wipe your makeup away in a gentle manner. just enough that your face would be deemed as clean so you wouldn't sleep with your makeup on

"are you done?" you murmured, still sitting on the toilet lid. wonbin pats your head, ruffling your already messy hair in the process

"yep. just brush your teeth and change then we're good" he says, getting up from his kneeling position off the ground, throwing away the wipes to the trash can

you begrudgingly get up from the toilet lid and pushed him out of the bathroom to change and brush your teeth

wonbin can't help but laugh a little. how this night turned out was beyond his expectations. he didn't expect that he'd actually take care of your drunk ass all night

while you were busy doing your thing, wonbin looks around your cabinets for some medication like painkillers or advil for tomorrow. he prepares them near your small fridge so you won't need to look for them first thing tomorrow with a pounding headache

after what seems like a while, you emerge out of the bathroom in your pajamas while still wearing his jacket, looking ready to sleep in the next day

wonbin watches you slowly make your way towards your bed. it was a good thing you left your ac on before you left hours ago because your apartment was freezing cold, just the way you like it

you didn't even bother to cover yourself with your blanket the way you just straight up plopped down on your bed face first. the cold pillows hitting your face immediately and almost knocked you out like a light

wonbin, who was still in your apartment, couldn’t help but smile again at the sight. you were finally comfortable enough that he wouldn’t have to worry about any other complaints besides the impending hangover you're surely going to have soon

he walks near your bed and covers you with your blanket, making sure you were comfortable and cozy. he waits for a moment, hearing your breathing go steady til he takes this a sign to leave

man, what a hell of a night has it been taking care of you

though your hand stops him from leaving just yet

"wait" you murmured, your hand circling around his wrist, making him turn to you

"yes?" wonbin hums, leaning down close to you in case you had any more requests

"stay" you mumbled, tugging his hand that he stumbles a bit

wonbin hesitates for a bit. you were obviously not in the proper state of mind and you were just saying shit. he's not sure if he should comply with your wishes or not cause when you wake up tomorrow there's gonna be a lot of questions like why were you in bed with him and that's the last thing he wants

"wonbin" you whine, tugging on his arm, “stay with me. please”

he really can't resist you, can he?

wonbin slowly slides in your bed next to you, thankfully there was still an ample amount of space between the two of you. he'll just stay til you really fall asleep just to avoid any awkwardness throughout the night

though that goes all out the window when you suddenly wrap your arms around wonbin and rested your head against his chest

"so warm" you comment, sighing in content

wonbin freezes and rethinks every decision he made tonight that led to this

what the actual fuck

"you're drunk, y/n.." wonbin mumbles, arms itching to wrap themselves around you, "you'll forget about this later in the morning.."

"what are you even saying? i'm saying you're just warm to be with" you drunkenly rant, raising your head a little to glare at him. “hold me” you huffed, snuggling closer to wonbin if it was even possible

wonbin is unsure with what to do with his hands. he feels like this is all so wrong but at the same time, it feels so right. thinking that it wouldn't be much of a problem later on (and you did basically grant him permission), he eventually wraps his arm around you too. fingers delicately tapping beats on your exposed shoulder, slowly lulling you to sleep

"wonbin.." you murmur against his chest. wonbin hums, indicating that he was listening and paying attention

"i'm so happy that i met you" you mumbled, "i never met.. anyone like you..”

wonbin chuckles, you were just sleep talking at this point but it did make him feel warm inside that you felt that way towards him. because if he was being honest, he felt the same too

it's silence after that. the only sound that could heard was your light snores. looks like you finally fell asleep

in wonbin's arms at that

wonbin takes this time to take a good look of your face up close. this was the second time you two are this up close with each other. something really did shift between the two of you ever since that kiss cause why the hell were you so comfortable with him like this ever since

he tucks your hair behind your ear again. fingers delicately tracing your face before he gently rubs his thumbs across the apples of your cheeks, smiling softly as he watches you sleep peacefully

"i'm happy to meet you too" he lightly chuckles, knowing you couldn’t hear him.

too tired to get up and cross the street to go back to his own place, he figured that it wouldn't be much of a problem to sleep over for the first time and you did tell him to stay after all

with his eyelids growing heavier by the minute, he drapes the blanket over the two of you before he dozes off to sleep with you in his arms

[raven-dor]

say yes to me

In which peter pevensie finally finds the courage he's famously known for

PAIRING: peter pevensie x reader, susan pevensie x PLATONIC!reader, edmund pevensie x PLATONIC!reader, lucy pevensie x PLATONIC!reader

WARNINGS: SET DURING THE GOLDEN AGE, established relationship, old friends, banter, arguing (not actual arguing, just reader knowing her worth, peter just stands there), allusion to NSFW, fluff

WORD COUNT: 2,342

say yes to heaven

Peter stalked across the ballroom, determined to talk to Y/N.

On the other side stood Y/N, who was determined to ignore Peter until hell froze over.

Susan rolled her eyes at the predicament. It was obvious neither of them would let it go, so she decided to take the reigns of the situation and manipulate their minds—slightly—so that they would stop this nonsense and so Susan, Edmund, and poor, sweet, confused Lucy could finally live in peace. "You have to dance with him."

Y/N scoffed. "I don't have to do anything."

Susan nodded. "You're right; you don't have to do anything. I just thought the High Queen and King should have the last dance instead of the High King and Duchess Mian, but it is no matter. I'll go get her-"

She shook her head. "No, it's-"

Peter approached his siblings, only looking at Y/N. He extended his hand hesitantly. "May I have this last waltz?"

She sighed, putting her hand in his. "If you must."

They walked away, and Edmund laughed at his older sister. "Remind me never to be on your bad side, Su."

Lucy looked up at Susan, puzzled. "But Duchess Mian was done dancing hours ago. She twisted her ankle."

Susan smirked. "She doesn't need to know that."

Peter put his hand around Y/N’s waist, earning a scoff from the annoyed Queen. "You don't have to be this close for a waltz, Your Majesty."

"Don't call me that."

"Call you what? Your formal title?"

He glared at her. "Stop behaving like a child."

She laughed. "I'm behaving like a child? Interesting."

"Y/N/N, I'm sorry."

She smirked, murmuring. "Well, this is new."

He continued. "I'm sorry that I haven't made you feel loved, and I'm sorry that you feel like I don't pay attention to you, but I do." Y/N just stared at him as he kept talking. "I know that your favorite color is deep blue like the sea, I know that you prefer blueberries above all other fruit, I know that you are fiercely loyal, that you want two children because you're scared the first one will get lonely. I know that you treat my siblings like your own, and I know that you are the love of my life." Somewhere along the line of his speech, she had looked down and was staring at his chest. Peter cleared his throat, nerves overtaking his adrenaline. "Say anything, please."

"I can't believe you." They twirled around again, and Peter became confused. Why was she still upset with him? "Y/N/N I-"

"Don't Y/N/N me. I just told you that I didn't want you to tell me like this because it would feel rushed. And here you are, saying some beautiful, heartfelt speech, and you expect me to fall into your arms? Is that it?"

"I didn't think that would happen exactly, but I did think it would go a little better than this-" He stopped, and his smile returned quickly. "You thought it was beautiful?"

"Peter-"

The waltz ended, and Y/N thanked Aslan. Perfect timing. Susan walked out into the middle of the dance floor, grinning. "Thank you all for such a wonderful evening. Safe travels home, and a Happy Christmas!"

Y/N talked to a few guests, thanking them for traveling so very far. But when they had all trickled out, and it was just the Narnian royals, she stalked off as far away from Peter as she could.

She leaned her head against the back of her chair, letting out a deep breath. The night had felt longer than it actually had been, and she always felt more relaxed sitting on her balcony. Her robe did little to keep her warm, so she went back into her closet and pulled out a thicker one, layering it on top. Going outside in the middle of winter wasn't the wisest idea, but the balcony was her safe space. Her door flung open, and she gasped, hiding against the wall, looking for anything near her to defend herself. Peter’s voice echoed through her room, causing her to feel as though steam was coming out of her ears.

"Y/N."

She left her hiding spot, stalking toward him. "You cannot just come into my room unannounced-"

"I have to talk to you."

She shook her head.  "You cannot be in here-"

"Y/N/N, please-"

She put her hands on his chest, pushing him towards the door. "Someone could see you-"

"I do not care." He looked down at her, his eyes crazed with something she didn't want to address at the moment. But apparently, he did. "I love you, and I know that you love me. You're just scared. You don't like that I finally admitted my feelings for you at the wrong time when it looked like it didn't matter." He sighed. "And I am truly sorry for that, I am. But you helped me realize that I love you, and I always have." He walked closer. "I know that you love me too. You just don't want to become vulnerable."

She scoffed. "I am not in love with you. We're eighteen. We just think we're in love."

He laughed. "I did not say that you were in love with me."

Her cheeks turned red. "No, but you implied it.” He looked at her with that stupid grin. “Leave, Pevensie." She pushed his chest again, but he grabbed her wrists. She shook against his hold. "Why do you always resort to this?"

He pulled her closer. "You know that you love me."

She didn't move away, but she didn't move toward him. She merely smiled up at him. "You-need-to-leave." She pushed him once more. "We cannot handle another scandal at the moment."

He rolled his eyes. "I would hardly call turning down Lord Eluna a scandal."

Her laugh was void of humor. "It is when it looks like I merely turned him down because I wanted to."

Peter huffed. "Fine, I'll go." He smiled one last time before he left her room. "But you know where to find me."

Y/N laid back on her bed, staring at the ceiling in shock. She did love him; she knew that. She then spent the next hour contemplating whether or not she should go to him. A moment of weakness struck at 2 am. She couldn't get his confession out of her head. Actually, it was just the one sentence that made her heart flutter. "And I know that you are the love of my life."

Slipping on her shoes, she tiptoed to Peter's room, knocking on the door. No answer. Maybe he had gone to bed. She knocked once more, and the door opened, Peter's groggy face in front of her. She smiled awkwardly. "Did I wake you?"

He shook his head. "Are you alright?"

She shook her head back. He held the door open more, gesturing to come inside. Y/N looked around, smiling, when she saw a painting of the five of them above his fireplace. He closed the door and walked towards the fire, fixing a kettle. 

"Would you like tea? Always makes me feel better when I-"

"I know that you're the love of my life too."

He put the kettle down and stood up, staring at her. "What?"

"I love you. I'm sorry, I just- I had to tell you." Peter walked towards her slowly, a smile growing on his face, and she became nervous. "Why are you silent? You're never silent." He walked closer, and she whispered, a smile threatening to break through her scared facade. "Please just say something."

Peter's smile had grown into a full grin as he looked down at her, whispering back a single word. "Jump."

A chill ran down her spine as she complied with his request. He held her by her thighs as he walked her up against a wall. She flushed. He dipped his head down, grinning boyishly. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this."

She sighed, stretching her neck to touch his lips. "Just do it, please."

He smirked and slammed his lips into hers without any warning. She let her hands travel up the nape of his neck, grabbing his neck and pulling slightly. She gasped for air, looking up at him, dazed and content. "I want you."

His eyes were dark, and her knees felt weak. He grinned once more, throwing her onto the bed. "I am going to prove to you how much I love you."

The sun poked lazily through shut drapes, hitting her eyes. She sighed, opening them hesitantly. Her legs tangled together with Peters and his burgundy sheets. Y/N smiled giddily, knowing that last night hadn't been a dream. Peter's head was resting underneath her jaw, and she hummed softly, putting her hand through his hair. She moved slightly, trying to re-situate herself, and he groaned, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her closer, if that was somehow possible. He murmured in his sleep. "Y/N..."

She couldn't bring herself to wake him, so she carefully grabbed a pillow she had been using and placed it underneath his head. Prying his arm off her waist, she grabbed her nightgown and robe, quickly throwing them on. She looked back at Peter once more, pushing the hair out of his face, and gently kissed his forehead.

Y/N tiptoed towards his door, shutting it gently, and let out a deep breath she hadn't even realized she was holding. She walked to her room quickly and sank to the ground. "What just happened?" She was in shock, that much she knew. It wasn't the kind of shock you have after witnessing something horrible, but her gut was twisting, and she knew it was because they’d changed their dynamic forever. It was a lot to handle by herself.

She needed to breathe.

Penelope galloped out of the stables, and she sighed as the fresh air rejuvenated her skin. Winter was in full bloom, but it wasn't the evil, cold, and dark winter that Narnians were used to. It was a magical, warm winter. The air was crisp but just enough so you enjoyed it. She rode into the woods, only slowing when she saw something eerily familiar. She stopped Penelope and jumped off, the snow crunching underneath her feet.

The lamp post.

Y/N grinned. It was still here. She walked closer, feeling at home with the old piece of infrastructure. She walked further into the woods, remembering the way back to the Spare Oom, as Tumnus so lovingly called it, perfectly. The flashbacks flooded back, and she grinned as she reminisced back to when they were just children. A chill ran down her back as she made contact with a rather furry branch. She kept walking forward, seeing the crack of the door until a voice called out.

"Y/N!"

She gasped, throwing herself out of the wardrobe. Walking back to the lamp post, butterflies fluttered incessantly at the sight of Peter and his disheveled hair. He looked nervous, and she blushed; it was sweet to see how much he cared.

She smiled lightly, walking closer to him. "Hello."

He nodded. "Hello."

Y/N cleared her throat. "Is something wrong-"

"You weren't there. This morning." He coughed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Imagine my surprise when I rolled over and you were no longer there."

She sighed. "Peter-"

"I understand. We don't have to talk about it again; we can just forget it happened-"

"I don't want to forget."

He looked up, tilting his head. "You don't?"

"No. I don't." She put her hand on his arm, smiling. "I had a nice time. I just needed some fresh air, that's all."

He nodded. "Ah." He grabbed her hand delicately and kissed the back, his eyes locked on hers. "You scared me."

"I'm sorry." She brought her other hand up to his cheek, caressing it softly. "I didn't mean to scare you."

He sighed, and she stood on her tiptoes, kissing his lips softly. "Do you forgive me now?"

He didn't respond, and she kissed him once more, more passionately than the first. He’d almost melted into the ground. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her closer, murmuring against her lips. "You're forgiven."

"Oh thank Aslan, I was worried for a second."

He rolled his eyes. "As if I could ever be mad at you. "

Y/N squealed as Peter helped her off her horse and twirled her around. She grinned down at him, and he looked up at her like she was the moon and the stars.

A cough echoed through the empty stables. "Are we interrupting?"

Her eyes widened, and she pushed herself away from Peter. "No, not at all."

Peter looked down at her with a humorous glint in his eye. "Not at all?"

She hissed at him, pulling his ear down to her level. "We are in the presence of your family, Peter. Try to hold yourself together for a moment." He smirked, whispering back. "That's going to be difficult."

Edmund sighed. "Are you done?"

Y/N nodded. "Yes, yes, we're done." She pat Peter's arm lightly. "I'll see you at dinner, Peter."

Peter watched her take two steps, and he just couldn't stand it anymore. He grabbed her wrist as she tried to walk away and pulled her back towards him. She looked up at him, her eyes wide. She shook her head slowly, and he smiled reassuringly before looking up. He cleared his throat and looked up at his siblings. "Y/N and I have something to tell you."

Susan sighed. "Peter, you did not elope-"

They both turned red, shaking their heads quickly. "No! No!" Y/N looked up at him, and he smiled brightly. "We’re courting."

Susan crossed her arms and decided she would bring up the fact that she knew Y/N had been in his room for a different time.

taglist: @beebeechaos

[hjijp]

proposal

pairing. idol!joshua x reader // genre. fluff, established relationship // warnings. none that i’m aware of // a/n. idk if i like this 😭

joshua stole a quick glance and found himself utterly captivated by the sight of your beauty. you looked as beautiful as always, lying on your beach towel, basking in the sunlight on your getaway to greece with him.

you guys had never been away together even though you've been together for five years, so this trip was long awaited.

no amount of words could describe joshuas love for you, you were a breath of fresh air for him. he always looked forward to your texts or calls whenever he was busy - which is all the time, which is why he's so grateful for his manager giving him and his members some time off, allowing him to devote himself entirely to you for a few weeks, free from any distractions.

as you feel the sensation of someone's gaze on you, you lift your sunglasses and turn to your boyfriend. you catch him gazing at you with a warm, adoring expression. a smile forms on your lips as you meet his eyes, and you playfully inquire, "what are you looking at?"

joshua's cheeks flushed with a tinge of pink as he was caught off guard, but he made the decision to express what was on his mind. "nothing, you just look beautiful," this caused your smile to widen before responding with a shy, "thank you." joshua could only smile at your shyness, being reminded of the first time he complimented you all those years ago.

he turns to look at the bright blue sea, the waves gently lapping against the shore. nervous thoughts swirl in his mind as he takes a deep breath, preparing to make the life-changing confession. with a fluttering heart, he had carefully planned to propose to you, knowing that you had no inkling of his intentions. joshua had always been certain that you were the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

"i have somewhere i want to take you," joshua speaks up which causes you to give a puzzled look.

"where?" you ask gently sensing his nervous aura.

"its a surprise," he says while turning to look at you with a soft smile on his face. he speaks up again "pack up your stuff so we can get going."

you follow Joshua's lead, eager to uncover the mystery. he takes your hand and leads you to a serene corner of the beach. the secluded area is stunning, with a brown hammock swaying between two trees, creating a tranquil spot shielded by large rocks. as the sun shines brightly, you walk hand in hand, savouring the warmth and the beauty of your surroundings. releasing joshua's hand, you pause, allowing yourself to fully take in the picturesque scene.

"why are we here?" you ask with an even more puzzled look on your face while looking around with your back to joshua. joshua only chuckles and asks you to turn around, you do as you're told and let out a gasp as you see him on one knee with a beautiful ring on display.

joshua takes a deep breath before he speaks up, "i found this spot while taking a morning walk while you were asleep," he chuckles. "i've always known you were the one for me. seeing how well you get along with the members and my family, it was never more clear that I wanted to marry you and that i wanted to start a family with you."

he gazes into your eyes, taking a brief pause as he recalls and recounts all of your cherished moments together, expressing his deep and genuine love for you. with a heartfelt expression, he finally takes a deep breath and asks, "you've filled my life with so much joy, and I can't imagine a future without you by my side. will you do me the honour of spending the rest of your life with me?"

your face lights up with a wide smile, tears glistening in your eyes as you quietly mutter "yes." he gently takes your hand, slowly slipping the ring onto your finger, sealing your love and commitment to each other.

"i love you," you say between sobs of happiness, joshua smiles repeating the same words to you before bringing you into a passionate kiss, thinking about his future with you.

[thebunnednun]

Golden Afternoon Monkey D. Luffy x StrawHat! Reader

You and your caption relax together during a sunset before dinner.

Reader is GN and it can be read as platonic or romantic.

On with the show!!~

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sun was beginning its descent, casting a golden glow over the deck of the Thousand Sunny. The ship rocked gently with the rhythm of the ocean, creating a soothing cadence that matched the lazy afternoon. You and Luffy were nestled in his hammock, its soft fabric cradling you both in a cocoon of warmth and comfort.

The world around you was tranquil; the crew was taking a well-deserved break, lounging around and enjoying the serene atmosphere. The breeze from the ocean was a refreshing contrast against the fading warmth of the afternoon sun. It drifted over your shoulders, carrying with it the salty tang of the sea and the gentle scent of the ship's wood.

Luffy's tan skin was a comforting warmth against you as he held you close. His presence was both grounding and comforting, his rhythmic humming a soft backdrop to the sounds of the ship. His hand threaded through your locs with a tender, rhythmic touch, while the other caressed the gentle curve of your back. The sensation of his fingers brushing against your skin was soothing, a perfect counterpoint to the cooling breeze.

He whispered softly, his breath tickling your ear, urging you to look at the horizon. You shifted onto your elbows slightly, feeling the hammock adjust to your movement as Luffy helped you turn over. His touch was gentle, lifting his straw hat from your head and guiding you so that you could face the lights rays. As you settled back into his embrace, you were now lying with your back against his chest, his legs intertwined with yours. The sunset painted the sky in rich hues of orange and pink, a vibrant contrast against the deepening blue of the ocean.

You propped yourself up slightly, eager to see the light reflecting off the water. The golden red hues of the sun danced across the waves, creating a shimmering path that seemed to lead right to the horizon. As the sun made its final dip, Chopper's voice rang out with cheerful enthusiasm. "Good night, Sun!" he called out, his voice filled with innocent delight. It was a simple, heartfelt moment that made you smile.

Sanji, ever the diligent chef, stood up from his seat and began to serve dinner, the aroma of his cooking wafting through the air. The colors of the sky continued to shift, the vibrant blues and oranges giving way to cooler shades of pink and dusky purple. A few stars began to peek out from the deepening sky, twinkling softly in the fading light.

Luffy's cheeky, playful smile never wavered as he pressed his cheek gently against your shoulder. You looked down to find him gazing up at you with a bright, infectious grin. His eyes sparkled with warmth and affection, and it made your own smile widen. You leaned into him, pressing your nose against his cheek, and let your foreheads rest together in a tender, intimate gesture.

The world seemed to slow down, the beauty of the sunset and the closeness of Luffy creating a moment of pure, unspoken calm. The gentle caress of the breeze, and the warmth of Luffy’s embrace all combined to make this moment feel timeless and perfect. You felt at peace, wrapped in the simple joy of being together, as the sky continued to change colors and the stars took their places in the evening sky.

The moon was just beginning to peek out from behind the horizon when Sanji’s voice rang out, "Come on, you two, dinner!"

Luffy didn't need to be told twice. With an excited gleam in his eyes, he scrambled out of the hammock, taking you with him in one fluid motion. His arms were strong and steady as he lifted you effortlessly, your squeals of delight mingling with his joyful laughter. The two of you tumbled onto the deck, giggling like children as Luffy steadied you both.

The crew watched on, their faces illuminated with affection. Zoro smirked, leaning casually against the railing, while Nami and Robin exchanged knowing smiles. Usopp chuckled, shaking his head at Luffy’s boundless energy, and Franky gave a thumbs-up, his grin as wide as ever. Chopper clapped his hooves together in delight, his eyes shining with happiness.

Luffy's excitement was infectious, and you couldn't help but smile as he carried you toward the promise of a delicious meal and the warmth of your friends. 

You’d be asleep in his arms again soon enough. ______________________________________________________________

Taglist: @orange-milky @xxsliverwolfxx @mochiclouds @m0rona @thealtofvalleyxdoodles

I own none of the art or characters!!

Posted on the ao3 account soon.

Be sure to check out my other works and leave likes and comments, they really help. I have a fic for almost everyone here in the master list. Drop a follow as well if you please. Don’t be shy to leave me a little reblog if you want.

I promise I bite~

See you soon my loves!!

(｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡ And thank you guys again for 100 followers!!

[nomercymaster11]

Surprises and Smiles

@winkyinkywinky

W/C: 3,369 | Penguin x You, afab!reader, fluffy, birthday celebration, R18-ish. A/N: April 25 is Penguin's birthday and this is for all the Penguin lovers out there. Please enjoy this short story! I would also appreciate comments too. Thank you!

The sun drifted towards its evening perch, you finally wrapped up your day's duties aboard the submarine. The salty sea air lingered as you made your way to your quarters, eager to freshen up after a long day below deck. With the gentle hum of machinery in the background, you indulged in a well-deserved bath, the warm water easing the fatigue from your muscles.

After drying off, you pampered yourself with a lotion that exuded the crisp scent of cucumbers, filling the air with a revitalizing aroma. You slipped into a crisp, freshly ironed white suit, feeling as sharp as a well-honed blade.

With a smile playing on your lips, you settled onto your bed in an Indian sit, carefully securing the gift with the ribbon.

"I really hope he'll like this," you whispered to yourself, your thoughts drifting to Penguin, the recipient of your heartfelt gesture. The wrapping paper, adorned with cheerful blue and yellow stripes, complemented by a vibrant red ribbon, added a festive touch to the present. Placing the gift on your desk, you made your way out of your quarters.

As you navigated the narrow corridors of the submarine, you spotted Penguin engaged in conversation with Law and Shachi. Their voices trailed off as they reached a corner, their animated gestures punctuating the air. You watched as they exchanged parting words, Law and Shachi disappearing down one corridor while Penguin sauntered in your direction, his attention still lingering on his departed crewmates.

"Penguin!" you exclaimed as your Captain and Shachi vanished from sight. The excitement bubbling in your chest bursting forth in your voice, echoing down the corridor.

With a grin spreading across his face like the sun breaking through storm clouds, Penguin watched as you sprinted towards him, your eagerness was evident in each bounding step. His arms instinctively opened wide, ready to envelop you in a warm embrace. As you leapt into his waiting arms, he staggered back slightly from the impact, his muscles tensing to steady both of you. Wrapping his arms securely around your waist, he lifted you effortlessly, feeling the weight of your affection as you wrapped your arms around his neck.

Pressing his face into the soft skin of your neck, Penguin inhaled deeply, breathing in the alluring fragrance that enveloped you. "God, you smell so good," he murmured, his voice muffled against your skin and you melted into his arms.

"I missed you," your whispered, the words carrying the weight of your longing.

Your confession elicited a soft chuckle from him, his warm breath sending shivers down your spine.

"Missed me? I just went out of the sub early morning," he teased, his playful tone laced with affection.

As he continued to hold you close, you leaned back slightly, craning your neck to meet his gaze. With a tender smile, you brushed your nose against his. You basked in the warmth of his presence, the world around you fading into insignificance in the embrace of your shared moment.

Setting you gently back on your feet, Penguin lowered his head, pressing a tender kiss to your forehead. "You're the best thing that happened to me," he murmured, his words laden with sincerity, causing a rush of warmth to flood your cheeks in response to his heartfelt declaration.

In the wake of his admission, you found your voice, though it emerged soft and slightly shy. "Likewise," you replied, your gaze momentarily dropping to the floor before lifting to meet his once more, a shy smile playing at the corners of your lips. As you walked side by side, you latched on his left forearm, you made your way down the corridor toward the galley, your footsteps matching the comforting feeling of being together.

"Say, what happened to your adventure today?" you inquired, curiosity glinting in your eyes as you glanced up at him.

Penguin, with a thoughtful pout and a gentle stroke of his chin, recounted the day's events. "Hmm, everything went well according to Law's plans. Unfortunately, we also ran into a couple of Navy soldiers, but we managed," he explained, his voice carrying a hint of resilience despite the challenges they faced.

Suddenly, you halted in your tracks, moving in front of him, your concern palpable as you scanned his form for any signs of injury. "What? Are you hurt?" you questioned, your voice laced with genuine worry, your eyes darting over every inch of his physique.

He reassured you with a gentle touch, brushing a hand against your chin. "Hey, I'm fine," he replied, his tone soft yet firm, before cupping your face in his hands. "I appreciate your concern," he added, his gaze tender as it met yours, the depth of his gratitude reflected in the warmth of his touch.

"If that's the case..." You exclaimed, seizing his arm in your excitement. "I'm already starving!" With a playful tug, you urged him forward, leading the way towards the galley.

"What's the rush?" Penguin questioned, his tone laced with amusement, but he yielded to your enthusiasm, nonetheless.

Arriving at the closed door of the galley, you knocked three times.

"Why is this closed?" Penguin queried; his curiosity piqued as he pushed the door open.

As the door swung wide, revealing the scene within, Penguin's eyes widened in surprise, a chorus of "SURPRISE!" echoing through the room as balloons and confetti danced in the air. The entire crew was gathered there, their faces lit up with anticipation and joy, even Law, leaning against the wall in the corner, wearing a rare smile.

"Happy Birthday!" you exclaimed, a grin spreading across your face as you met Penguin's stunned gaze.

Brushing the back of his neck in embarrassment yet touched by the gesture, Penguin glanced around at the assembled crew, a mixture of gratitude and bashfulness playing across his features.

"It's her idea," Shachi interjected, beaming proudly at Penguin. Meeting your gaze with a silent promise of gratitude, Penguin's expression softened into a silent acknowledgment, his eyes reflecting the depth of his appreciation for your thoughtful surprise.

Penguin made his way through the gathered crew, he exchanged brotherly hugs, receiving taps on the shoulder and forearm and fist bumps from each member. Meanwhile, you took the initiative, pulling Shachi along to help distribute plates and utensils among the group.

As Penguin approached, you handed him a plate, but he gently intervened, taking it from you. "You sit down and let me serve you," he insisted, his hand resting warmly on your back as he guided you to a seat. Your eyes lingered on him as he moved gracefully around the galley, a fond smile playing at the corners of your lips.

"Guys! Food's gonna get cold, Help yourselves!" Penguin's voice rang out above the chatter, drawing everyone's attention to the spread before them. The meal was simple yet ample, nothing extravagant but enough to share among the assembled crew. Laughter and conversation filled the room as everyone dug in.

Emerging from the crowd with a plate in hand, Penguin settled beside you, placing the dish on the table before you. "Here!" he offered with a warm smile.

"Aren't you going to eat? Don't you like the food?" you questioned, furrowing your brow in puzzlement, concerned that perhaps the fare wasn't to his liking.

"It's not like that," Penguin reassured you, his tone gentle yet firm. "Seeing you is enough to make my heart full," he teased, his fingers brushing a stray hair behind your ear, eliciting a soft blush from you.

"Penguin! Really? Flirting in front of us?" Shachi exclaimed in mock disbelief, though his tone carried a friendly warmth.

Penguin simply laughed, the sound filling the room with a contagious joy as the celebration continued, surrounded by the camaraderie of friends and the comfort of shared moments.

After finishing your meal, you carried your plate to the sink before joining the other crew members in conversation, laughter, and camaraderie filling the air.

Meanwhile, Penguin made his way to Law, who stood with his arms crossed, a mug in hand. Penguin mirrored his posture, leaning casually against the wall with one hand slipped into his pocket, mug in the other. With a raised mug, Penguin initiated a toast, and Law obliged with a nod.

"Hey Law," Penguin began, his tone casual yet curious as he struck up a conversation.

"I can't believe she'd pull off something like this. Perhaps you also knew about this?" Penguin inquired, his eyebrows lifting in surprise.

Law took a sip from his mug before responding. "Yeah, two weeks ago," he admitted, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Penguin's surprise was evident. "Oh? Damn, right under my nose," he mused, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

Law smirked knowingly. "Of course you wouldn't know. It's a surprise, after all," he quipped. Penguin’s gaze drifting towards you as you laughed and chatted with the rest of the crew, unaware of the conversation taking place.

"Well, I just wanna say thank you," Penguin expressed his gratitude, his voice sincere as he glanced back at Law.

"Don't mention it," Law replied nonchalantly. "She approached and asked nicely. It wasn't a big deal," he added with a shrug.

There was a brief pause before Penguin resumed their conversation, his tone shifting slightly.

"Aren't you jealous?" Penguin asked, a playful glint in his eye.

Law's brow furrowed at the unexpected question. "Pardon?" he responded, caught off guard.

"I told you, you should be getting yourself a girlfriend," Penguin teased, nudging Law lightly.

"Not a chance. It's not even on my list of priorities," Law replied with a hint of finality, his stance unwavering.

As you scanned the crowd, your smile widened as you spotted Penguin standing beside Law. Meeting his loving gaze, you exchanged a silent moment of affection before Law's dry humor interrupted the tender exchange.

"If staring could ignite a fire, you'd have already burned her to the ground," Law quipped, his tone laced with playful jest.

Penguin chuckled in response, shaking his head at Law's comment.

Handing his mug to Penguin, Law pushed himself off the wall, indicating his impending departure. "I've got a lot of things to do," he informed Penguin as he excused himself with a nod and a tap on Penguin's shoulder.

With the crew gradually trickling out of the galley, leaving only a few to assist with the cleanup, Ikkaku intervened, ushering you and Penguin towards the exit with a playful grin. "You lovebirds may go now, we can handle this," she insisted, giving you a wink as she nudged you out of the hall.

"I'm in your debt," you replied gratefully, returning her wink.

You and Penguin exited the galley hand in hand, a sense of anticipation hanging between you as you mentioned the surprise you still had in store for him.

"Still more surprises?" Penguin exclaimed, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice. "I'm getting nervous with this," he admitted with a sheepish grin.

Stopping in front of the female shared quarters, you opened the door, inviting Penguin inside with a playful gesture.

"Come in!" you urged, stepping over the threshold as Penguin hesitated, his cheeks flushing slightly.

"What are we? We don't have to—" Penguin stammered, his words faltering as he struggled to articulate his thoughts.

"Silly! What are you thinking?" you interjected with a laugh, playfully swatting his arm as you closed and locked the door behind you, the soft click signaling your privacy.

Penguin stood just behind the door; his curiosity evident in his gaze as you retrieved the gift you had prepared for him from your desk.

"Happy Birthday!" you exclaimed, presenting the gift with both hands.

"No way!" Penguin exclaimed, stepping forward eagerly to accept the gift, his excitement palpable.

"Yes way!" you replied, your smile warm and genuine. "I hope you'll love it," you added, your anticipation mirroring his own.

"May I open it now?" Penguin asked eagerly, his eyes shining with anticipation as the two of you settled on the edge of your bed. With a nod from you, Penguin eagerly tore into the wrapping paper like a child on Christmas morning, the excitement of the moment filling the room with a sense of joy and intimacy.

Inside the box lay a midnight blue, knitted scarf adorned with white lining at the sides, perfectly complemented by a matching wool hat, mirroring the one Penguin wore.

"You did this?" Penguin marveled, pulling the gift from the box and running his hand over the soft texture of the garments, still awestruck by the thoughtful present.

"Remember when I asked you to buy me a bundle of yarn?" you prompted him, your voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia.

"Yeah, it was a weird request from you at the time. I think it was about three months ago?" Penguin recalled, his fingers deftly inspecting the scarf as he wrapped it snugly around his neck.

"Well, that's the yarn you bought for me. I started knitting as soon as you gave me the materials," you explained matter-of-factly, a slight blush tingeing your cheeks as you looked down, your fingers fidgeting nervously. "It took me a while to make it since I could only work on it after duties," you added, your voice trailing off.

"Wait, what?" Penguin's brow furrowed in confusion as he tried to comprehend the significance of your words. "You mean..." His eyes narrowed as he pieced together the revelation slowly dawning on him. Sensing the weight of his realization, you braced yourself, anticipation coursing through you as you awaited his response.

"We only started dating a month ago..." Penguin's thoughts raced as he connected the dots. "Oh..." Understanding washed over him, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. Sensing your embarrassment, you covered your face with both hands, attempting to hide.

But Penguin wouldn't let you retreat. With a gentle yet firm grip, he grasped both of your wrists, pinning them down against the bed.

"Look at me," he commanded, his cheeks flushing with color. Slowly, you complied, your cheeks burning with embarrassment as you met his gaze, unable to hide.

"You tell me," Penguin urged, searching your eyes with unwavering intensity.

"I know you already figured it out," you replied, your voice soft and pouty.

"Still..." Penguin insisted, his own cheeks tinged with embarrassment. "I wanted to hear it from you," he pressed, his eyes pleading for honesty.

"I..." You hesitated, the weight of the moment hanging between you. "I already liked you even before you started courting me," you confessed, biting your lip nervously.

Your heart pounded in your chest, its rhythm echoing in your ears, Penguin cupped your face gently, His touch eliciting a shiver down your spine. His thumb brushed against your lower lip, tracing its contours as he locked eyes with you, the intensity of his gaze stirring a flurry of emotions within you. You could feel the tremble in his hand, mirroring the racing of your own pulse.

"Penguin..." you whispered, your voice barely audible above the thudding of your heart. Your eyes flickered from his gaze to his lips, the air between you thick with anticipation. Something shifted in the atmosphere of the room, an electric charge igniting the space between you.

"Kiss me," you blurted out, your voice breathless with desire, the words escaping before you could stop them.

"You don't have to ask," Penguin replied, his voice a soft murmur, laden with promise. And with those words as his cue, he closed the distance between you, his lips meeting yours in a fervent, passionate embrace. Time seemed to stand still as you lost yourself in the sweetness of the moment, the world melting away until there was nothing but the warmth of his touch, the taste of his lips, and the intoxicating sensation of being utterly consumed by his kiss.

With both of his hands cradling your head, Penguin pressed his forehead against yours, his breath mingling with yours as he pulled away from the passionate kiss. Parting his lips, he struggled to steady his breath, his chest rising and falling with the intensity of the moment.

"Tell me I'm not dreaming," Penguin pleaded, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty, his gaze searching yours for reassurance. Instead of answering, you leaned forward and planted a tender smack on his lips, a silent affirmation of your shared reality, your eyes closed as you too attempted to catch your breath.

"What did I do to deserve you?" Penguin's voice was soft, filled with wonder and gratitude, his question hanging in the air between you like a whispered prayer.

~~~~~~~~~

As time passed, A feeling of satisfaction settled between you and Penguin, the atmosphere imbued with the warmth of shared moments and quiet pledges. The two of you found yourselves seated beside each other on the bed, backs against the wall, holding hands in a silent embrace. You rested your head on Penguin's left shoulder, feeling the warmth of his presence comforting you.

"Starting today, I'll look forward to my birthday every year!" Penguin grinned at you, his eyes sparkling with anticipation for the future. "Thank you, for making me feel alive," he added, his heart overflowing with gratitude for the positive turn of events.

"Everything! For you..." you replied, your voice filled with love and sincerity, your heart swelling with happiness at his words.

Suddenly, three soft knocks echoed at the door, interrupting your private moment.

"Oh, time's up," you informed Penguin, who tilted his head in confusion.

"I actually asked Ikkaku if we could stay here in the room, privately," you explained, a mischievous twinkle in your eye.

"Wow, all the favors you asked from everyone, just for my birthday," Penguin remarked, his surprise evident as you brightly smiled at him.

"Uhh, (y/n)?" Ikkaku's voice came from the other side of the door.

"Two minutes!" you shouted in response, before turning back to Penguin.

Before you could open the door, Penguin wrapped his arms around you from behind, pulling you close for one last intimate embrace before you stepped outside.

As you opened the door, Penguin followed you out, finding Ikkaku leaning against the wall with arms crossed.

"Oh thank god! You guys didn't look like you had sex inside the room," Ikkaku blurted out bluntly, leaving you speechless.

"IKKAKU!" you exclaimed, shocked by her straightforward remark.

"What? You only told me you needed the room for yourself, and it turns out it was your boyfriend's birthday today, so I assumed it was the case," Ikkaku explained matter-of-factly.

"Haha! I like your train of thought, Ikkaku," Penguin chimed in mischievously.

"Penguin!!!" you glared at him, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement.

"Hey! Chill! I'm joking!" Penguin reassured you, rubbing his hands on both your shoulders. "And if that time comes, I want it to be special, and we both want it to be, not just because of the heat of the moment, right?" he added, brushing his hand against your chin as he gazed at you lovingly, showing his respect and consideration for you.

"Ok fine! I get the point! Ugh," Ikkaku sighed, feeling sick with the cheesy lines. "So, you guys move away from the door 'cause I want to rest now," she added.

"Good night!" you beamed at her, and Ikkaku smiled back before closing the door.

"Well?" Penguin stood in front of you, anticipation evident in his gaze. "I'm on night shift, it's my turn to guard the sub," he informed you.

"I wanted to stay with you," you told him honestly, not quite ready for the day to end just yet.

"Are you sure?" Penguin questioned, concern etching his features. "If you happen to fall asleep, I'll just carry you back to your room," he offered, his voice filled with tenderness.

"Sounds like a plan," you nodded, a smile playing on your lips.

"I can't wait to show off your gift to them!" Penguin's smile widened; his eyes gleaming with excitement at the thought of sharing your thoughtful present with the rest of the crew.

And so, hand in hand, you and Penguin set off towards the control room, the shared laughter and pure love echoing through the corridors as you embraced the night together.

[brittle-doughie]

[Masterlist #2]

[Masterlist #1/Main Page] >>> HERE!

Brittle’s Cookies

[Cookie Run Ovenbreak/Kingdom]

Wayward Soul (Parfaedia Cookies)

Tribute Day (Brittle OCs/Cookie Kingdom)

Five Nights, Five Dragons (The Five Dragons)

The Fool (Shadow Milk Cookie)

Spooky Cookie Tales: Watched

The Tale of the Forced Hand (Beast Cookies)

Long Time Friend (Hollyberry Kingdom)

One with the Wind! | Looking into the Wind, Piercer of Darkness Update Teaser for CRK

Feathered Envy (Dessert Paradise)

A Little Help (Star Coral Cookie)

Tale of the Mansion

Keeping Friends Close and Best Friends Closer (Cream Soda and Cherry Cola Cookie)

Superstar! The Cookie Olympics Event!

Draw Your Blade! | Looking into the Valorous Sun Tournament Update for CROB!

Cookie Flipside: Light Cream Cookie

Heartfelt Unison (Y/N Cookie skill)

Return to Sender (Strawberry Stick and Mint Wafer Cookie)

Volition’s End (Mystic Flour Cookie)

Illusion of Dreams (Clotted Cream Cookie)

The Lover of Passion HCs (Beast Hollyberry Cookie) | The Ancient Beast Order AU

The Manufacturer of Darkness

The Prophet of Salvation HCs (Beast Pure Vanilla Cookie) | The Ancient Beast Order AU

The Ancient Beast Order (Ancient Beast AU)

I Don’t Remember You (Dark Cacao and Mystic Flour Cookie)

The Walls of the Baker (Ancient and Beast Cookies)

Yin and Yang (Peach Blossom and Affogato Cookie)

Pearly Contemplation

Get Along (Dark Cacao and Mystic Flour Cookie)

Lethality (Lethal Company x Cookie Run)

Living Legend (Y/N Cookie Concept)

The Lone Giant

Longing Tide (Sea Fairy Cookie)

The Plague Approaches! | Looking into The Awakening of White Apathy Update for CRK!

No Class (Sachertorte Cookie)

Late Arrival (Dark Cacao Cookie)

Dust to Dust (Caramel Arrow Cookie)

Cocooned (Mystic Flour Cookie)

Mystic Flour is Coming…

The Wishful or the Regal (Lotus Dragon vs. Longan Dragon Cookie)

Gotta Go (The Ancient Cookies)

Under the Castle…

Timeless Kingdom - Deliciously Evil Banquet (Reader Insert)

Remember Who?

Ways of Cookie and Egg Care (The Dragons)

I Know You (Stormbringer Cookie)

Dessert Report (The Ancient Cookies)

Legendary Group Chat

A Brave Advice (Reader Insert)

The Perfect Vessel Doesn’t Exi- (The Five Beasts)

Time Balance Shenanigans (18+)

Hiding H/N, Seeking Beasts (The Five Beasts)

Welcome Back, Handycookie (TBD Update)

Flower from the Other Shore (Cherry Blossom Cookie)

Loyal Until the End (Caramel Arrow Cookie)

Costume Bond: One Heart for All, All Hearts for One.

Ingrained (Herb Cookie)

New Faces at the Witch’s Castle

Let’s Get Rolling! | Looking into the Lights, Camera, Action! Event for CROB!

What If: The First.

The Gist of The Dangerous Exchange

Let Me Be Your Princess (Princess Contest Cookie)

The Earthbread Big Seller

Bake It Till You Make It: Tasty Delights

Even More Heartbreak (Alt) - Mermaid’s Lament (White Pearl Cookie)

With Baker’s Love (Valentine’s Day 2024 Special)

A Cringe Day for Chocolates

A Witch’s Castle? [Witch’s Castle Introduction]

Storm Warning (Black Pearl Cookie)

The Cookie Run Horror - Concept #2 - “MASH”

Y/N Cookie Interactions

Reason to Stay (Elder Faerie Cookie)

Final Days (The Five Beasts)

Forced Connections

League of Evil Cookies

Spooky Cookie Tales: Prikaza

The Corrupted or the Fooled (Abyss Monarch vs. Black Pearl Cookie)

Off to Wish Camp! | A Look into CROB’s 7th Anniversary Update

Can’t Take What Isn’t Yours

Halt! The Restriction Mayhem Update

The Greedy or the Honorable (Pirate Cookie vs. Captain Ice Cookie)

Satellite (Stardust Cookie)

Cookie Details: Y/N Cookie (Mercookie Ver.)

I Remember You (Lobster and Mocha Ray Cookie)

The Heroic or the Meditated (Hero Cookie v. Ninja Cookie)

Eggcellent Easter Short

Grass is Greener Part 1 (Lilybell and Blue Lily Cookie)

[kryscent]

tsuki no hikari • teaser

pairing: opla!zoro x gn!reader

genre/warnings: slow burn, with multiple chapters, canon typical violence

a/n: i'm so excited to present this idea that's been swimming around for months since opla first came out, and its finally fleshing itself out. please bear with me as english isn't my first language. my taglist is open!

next

You’re considered a vigilante of sorts by the people living in the villages you protect and liberate; the name ‘Hikari’, said with their heartfelt gratitude and respect, was your only identifiable feature in their memory, aside from the painted kitsune mask covering your face. Utmost importance was given to the safety and wellbeing of the people you fight for – which meant fighting against bad pirates and bad Marines alike. 

It was a given you left Shells Town immediately on hearing of the altercation, and your mind swims with possible reasons for the absence of life – perhaps they fled? Your questions are answered in part, your brows meeting as they furrow at the sight in front of you. 

A red, white and blue striped circus tent, fitting to Buggy’s colour scheme, rose up in the centre of the debris, applause and hollering permeating the fabric to reach your ears. As you make your way to the tent, the air breaks to a dull thud, later followed by the sound of loud, running water (high pressure, through a pipe?), and you break into a run, skirting far around its circumference to enter without getting yourself killed by surely armed guards. 

All sounds suddenly quiet, right as the wind flaps at the bottom of the tent. Lotto. You make your way to it, leaving your bag at the opening while muttering a prayer to the seas that no one will halt your entry. Crawling under, mask pushing to the side of your face in the midst of your efforts, you stop in your tracks as a man falls limply to the ground from an impressively built arm, strangulated. You quickly get to your feet as a pretty, orange-haired girl, who you assume was in the dangling cage that rocked back and forth behind her, cuts through the rope fastening his other arm with a kunai thrown by the serpent looking man at her feet. She pays you no mind, seeing as to how you haven’t said anything or attacked them yet, gathering her weapons from where they were stored away, and you catch sight of striking blue eyes in the mirror. 

Your eyes meet the gaze of the man on the murder-pseudo-wheel of fortune, as he steps off and shakes out his shoulders, levelling you with a scrutinising stare, cocking a straight green brow, matching the cropped hair on his head, a set of three earrings glinting on his left ear. Handsome, you think, eyes darting over his face appraisingly. Warm but hardened chestnut eyes, full lips, broad shoulders and a honed figure. Blinking away the thought, you dart out to the arena stage, leaving the bemused pair behind. 

taglist: @starlysama

kryscent '24

[louisupdates]

Louis Tomlinson @Forest Hills Stadium

Text and Photos By Liam Gillin | 5 AUG 2023

“Please walk do not run!” A security guard chanted as a couple thousand people eagerly entered Forest Hills Stadium in New York to secure their spot in the pit for Louis Tomlinson’s last night of the Faith in the Future Tour North American run. Growing up listening to One Direction, I never imagined that my admiration for the group would lead me to photograph Louis Tomlinson. As I stood in the photo pit, ready to capture the evening, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey that brought me here. It was a full circle moment, & little did I know that the concert would be as eye-opening as it was unforgettable.

Andrew Cushin

The show came alive as Andrew Cushin, an emerging talent, embraced the stage amid the blazing sun. His mesmerizing guitar skills and intimate energy captivated the crowd. With heartfelt performances of “You’ll Be Free” and “Dream For a Moment,” he invoked cheers and raised Pride flags, fostering an inclusive atmosphere. The infectious spirit transcended boundaries, moving even the stoic security personnel to join the revelry, creating an unforgettable dance-filled celebration for everyone present.

Giant Rooks

Giant Rooks, the German sensation, took the stage with infectious smiles, leaving no soul unaffected. Their remarkable chemistry was undeniable, each band member perfectly attuned to the other. Enchanting the New York crowd with “Tom’s Diner” and “Morning Blue,” their fast-paced music fueled an electric atmosphere. The genuine passion they exuded for their craft was palpable, enrapturing the audience with vibrant melodies and enthralling performances. Giant Rooks’ genuine joy and camaraderie made the concert an unforgettable experience, leaving everyone immersed in their magnetic energy and longing for more.

Louis Tomlinson

Before

Just before Louis’s set, a light rain fell, but it failed to dampen the spirits of the fans. A beachball started bouncing around, creating spontaneous laughter and camaraderie among attendees. As Louis serenaded the crowd with his hits, the energy escalated, and a jumping pit came to life. A fan’s Louis flag appeared, igniting a sense of unity.

Throughout the concert, Louis expressed gratitude to his hardworking crew, and the crowd reciprocated their appreciation. He wasn’t just a performer; he was a humble and genuine artist who deeply cared for his fans. Photographing the show allowed me to witness intimate moments. Louis sharing hugs with lucky fans at the front row. iPhone flashes twinkled like stars, illuminating the entire arena as a gesture of love.

A Wild Moment

In a wild moment, Louis ripped off his shirt, sending the crowd into a frenzy of cheers and screams. It was a display of raw emotion that left everyone breathless. The main set ended with the crowd clamoring for an encore, and Louis obliged with a smile. It was a moment of full circle energy, where my fan admiration for him collided with my passion for photography.

Final Moments

Before bidding farewell, Louis surprised everyone, saying, “New York, let’s take a picture!”. The sea of fans united, capturing a cherished moment of love and unity. As the final notes echoed, the concert concluded, leaving everyone with memories etched in their hearts. The North American chapter of the tour was completed in the best way possible. Louis Tomlinson’s performance in New York was not just a concert; it was a celebration of music and unforgettable moments. My journey from a devoted fan to a photographer capturing his show was nothing short of surreal, a testament to the power of music and the connections it forges. This concert will forever hold a special place in my heart, reminding me that dreams do come true, and sometimes, they come full circle.

Part 2

Louis Tomlinson, FITFWT23: New York

[rey-jake-therapist]

My Sandman/Sweetbitter fic: Rise and Shine

AO3 is still down. I wish the worst nightmares to those who viciously attacked them!! Hopefully the AO3 team will resolve the issue and the site will soon be online again.

Here I posted the first chapter of my Sweetbitter fic "Lost Souls" (Jake x OC, NSFW). This Sandman/Sweetbitter crossover is totally SFW, and was written as a gift for Tom Sturridge, as a contribution to @ajdhbear's fan arts book for him... ^^

Summary:

It's just a short, sad but also sweet story where Jake is lost in a nightmare where he's haunted by old ghosts, memories of his past he needs to leave behind to finally move on. Morpheus, Dream of the Endless, is here to guide him through the darkness back into the light so he can rise, and shine. A humble story crafted as a token of gratitude for Tom Sturridge, with heartfelt thanks for the incredible portrayal of beloved characters: Lord Morpheus from "The Sandman" and Jake from "Sweetbitter."

Chinatown, New York, 2019

It was a quiet and chilly night. In the studio, where a tall man all dressed in black stood looking around him, there wasn't much:  a scarcely utilized kitchenette, a time-worn stereo bearing witness to the ungodly hour of 3am, a mound of questionably clean garments, and an abundance of books that adorned the space. 

Amidst the expanse, with a double bed claiming nearly half the room, a young man grappled with a fitful and unsettled repose. The Endless who visited him, slightly bent towards him to take a better look at him. The sleeper tossed and turned in his bed, restless. As though sensing the presence of the otherworldly being, he cracked open his weary eyes. 

Vaguely surprised to see a man in his room, he decided he was still dreaming, emitted a faint groan and muttered, "hmmm, Simone…" before surrendering to the call of the night once more. He turned away from the King of Dreams, who laid his hand above the slumberer's head to usher him into his realm.

Simone, then a sixteen-year-old teenager, was saying goodnight to an eight-year-old boy nestled in his bed. She planted a kiss on his forehead and prepared to leave, but the boy gripped her hand and begged her to stay with him, his large blue eyes staring at her. Simone gently caressed his hair and asked him if he had had another nightmare about his mother.

Jake nodded, tears beginning to fall down his cheeks. Simone consoled him with tenderness and brushed them away, before patiently explaining,

"You see, when the King of Dreams sends forth nightmares to haunt our nights, he often wants to tell us something. What did you see?” 

"It was awful. I tried to catch her by the hand, she touched my fingers, but a black wave, big like a monster swallowed her and dragged her back into the sea," Jake paused and looked straight ahead of him, his gaze vacant, then continued, “I HATE THE KING OF DREAMS. I’d rather have a nice dream of her,” he paused again, mustering a shy smile as he turned to Simone and added, “or of you”.

Simone smiled as her finger gently traced his cheek. 

“I’ll tell you a secret about your mum: she used to be a mermaid disguised as a human woman when she fell in love with your dad. But after he died, the call of the sea was irresistible to her… She had to go back there,” Simone’s voice trailed off, as she saw the sorrow  etched upon the boy’s face. She held his hand tightly.

“Why didn’t she take me with her?” Jake's voice quivered with longing.

“Because she knew your place wasn’t within the depth of the sea, Jake. You belong here, with us, with me…”

“Promise me you’ll never leave me, please.”

“I’ll never leave you, Jake. Ever.”

Suddenly Simone, little Jake and their surroundings liquified and underwent a surreal transformation. Morpheus stood and watched the dream that was coming next. This one, he knew, was a nightmare cleverly disguised as a memory. Jake, now twelve years old, was arguing with twenty-year-old Simone.

“I’m not a baby anymore! I know these are just stories,” restless and agitated, he continued, “She was never a mermaid! She’s gone! I know what happens when someone drowns: they can’t breathe, it's a horrible death yet she chose it! I should have loved her more, I should have saved her, I should have…” 

His sentence was abruptly interrupted by a hiccup, followed by another, and then another, each convulsion jerking his body. As Jake was shaken by other uncontrollable spasms, panic gripped his being.

“I can’t breathe… I can’t breathe! I just keep –”

Simone patiently tended to him, employing her nurturing touch to ease his distress and alleviate the hiccups.

Gradually, the apparition of Jake, clinging to Simone, began to fade, yet the vast expanse of the sea remained. Morpheus kept watching the young man’s dream, still quiet, still invisible. 

Twenty-nine-year-old Jake stood atop a cliff overlooking an endless ocean, with nothing else to see but the distant horizon. His eyes remained closed, tranquility washing over him. The haunting melody of Nine Inch Nails' 'The Great Below' swelled, saturating the air with its mournful notes, as if its lyrics had been penned specifically for Jake. 

“Staring at the sea

Will she come?

Is there hope for me

After all is said and done”

Yet soon, fragmented images of his tumultuous past began flickering in front of him in an incoherent order.

There was himself as a thirteen-year-old teenager, desperately reaching out to Simone, who hastily  got dressed but couldn’t look him in the face, consumed by shame for what they just did.

Then there was Jake, fervently imploring Simone not to follow her boyfriend, Etienne, in France. 

“What about us?!” Jake exclaimed, his voice trembling. “What do we become? Have you ever thought of that?”

“There is no ‘us’, Jake. This bubble we lived in, it was only a dream! I’ve got my life to live, you should live yours too. You’re eighteen now, I can’t carry you on my back forever!”

“But you love me! He will hurt you, you’ll see…”

Simone never really loved him. Nobody ever loved him. How could they want to be with someone this… Unloveable?

Intertwined with these memories, others came and shattered what was left of the serenity he had found when it was just him and the ocean: Simone’s mother yelling, branding her daughter a monster; the look of etched disgust upon his girlfriend Tess’s face as she finally comprehended the truth about Simone’s place in his heart; Tess’ eyes judging them, judging him; Simone claiming, “No one else will ever know you the way that I do.”; Jake getting the S of Simone and a mermaid tattooed in a creepy tattoo shop after she left; he and Simone in the same tattoo shop a year later, engraving a key into their skin as a secret code only they could crack...

Overwhelmed, Jake bent over the edge of the cliff, his arms enveloping his body tightly and his mouth contorting into a scream of anguish he couldn’t hear. Flooded with poignant memories, Jake couldn’t escape images of his mother, the one who had chosen the ocean as her final resting place when he was but a young boy. Jake knew that this part of Simone’s story was true. His surroundings turned into a vision of his mother gasping for air and agonizing, lost within the depths of the ocean. He felt as if they were but one being. His mouth was dry but he could still taste the saltiness of the sea, and soon he felt his lungs fill up with water. 

Jake finally opened his eyes and realized he was deep in the wide ocean. Even in his dreams he couldn’t swim, he realized with bewilderment. The irony! The sound of the laugh he emitted was muffled, remote even, as if it were someone else’s laugh. 

Exhausted, Jake relinquished his resistance and surrendered to the watery depths, his eyes sealing shut. Death by drowning didn’t seem that bad after all, he thought before drifting into unconsciousness. 

It was precisely at that moment that an arm emerged from behind,  wrenching him from the abyss with immense strength and propelling him upward, towards the surface. Jake, who felt the resurgence of air filling his lungs, crawled out of the water coughing then collapsed onto his back. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut, blinded by the brilliant sunlight after so much time spent in the darkness. The sand in his hand felt unfamiliar, a sign that he was still dreaming. Jake searched for a cigarette but swore loudly as he found his pack soaked. 

Casting his gaze upward, his eyes settled upon a pair of sleek, black leather boots stationed beside his head. A flicker of surprise danced across his face as he saw a man dressed entirely in black and bearing an uncanny resemblance to him, save for a different hairstyle. The man, very pale with piercing blue eyes that gleamed like twin sapphire didn't seem menacing, yet Jake brazenly inquired,

“Who the fuck are you and what are you doing in my dream? Last I checked, I had no twin… Not to brag, but I look better than you, by the way.”

The Endless arched an eyebrow, but impervious to the provocation, retorted instead,

“It’s time to wake up, Jake. The dream is over. You have dwelled far too long within this abyss of self-pity, burying yourself in its depths. It’s high time you rise and start living for yourself.”

Without warning, a raven came out of the ether and landed on the Endless’ shoulder. Fixing its piercing gaze upon Jake, the black bird cawed to say hello. Irritated by the audacity of the Endless, Jake glared at him, ignoring Matthew the raven, and asked angrily,

“Oh yeah? And what if I tell you to fuck off?”

To Jake's astonishment, Morpheus humbly knelt before him, his voice resonating with a timbre that echoed Jake's own, albeit even deeper.

“I know of your fears. For all your life your dreams were plagued by chaos and confusion, because I was kept away from my realm and had no control over it. But I can’t live your life for you, Jake. Nobody can, and nobody can help you if you don’t help yourself. And Simone… She cares more for what she will be without you than she cares for you. You can’t save her from herself any more than you could save your mother, who loved you immensely, but who was sick and afraid she would eventually harm you. Simone’s not your burden to bear, and you are no longer hers. Should you persist on this path, you both shall only run in circles, and harm yourselves.”

Jake’s first instinct was to protest, but deep inside he realized Morpheus was right. The tears cascading down his cheeks were met without resistance. Every word uttered by the man was true, which Jake, oddly, acknowledged with serenity. 

“And now Jake, you’ve got to wake up. You won’t remember me, but you’ll remember what I said.”

Morpheus, the King of Dreams - Jake knew who he was. He didn’t know how, but he knew -, retrieved a small pouch from his pocket. Plunging his hand within, he clasped a mere pinch of sand, he then exhaled, directing the grains towards Jake’s face. The young man closed his eyes and followed the path that led to the Waking World.

When Jake opened his eyes, he was alone within the confines of his studio, bathed in the glow of morning sunlight that permeated from the gaps of the roller blinds. The stereo clock showed 7 a.m, yet he felt oddly alert.

He felt… Awake.

[nixnjix]

The Ho-oh flew ahead, "C'mon Ginjiro!" Zhen exclaimed, observing the Lugia lagging. He couldn't help himself. The flight brought about a change in him, excitement filling him, his heart soaring. He was a being of the skies, he felt at home in the clouds. He slowed his pace, using the thermals to stay aloft in line with Ginjiro. "It's not much further ahead." 

"What has a fire burning beneath you now?" Ginjiro mused, maintaining a slow beat of his wings. He was being cautious, aware of the strength of his wings. "Perhaps a walk is in order. I do not want to disrupt the land further." 

Conceding he had a point, Zhen lowered to the surface, his form shimmering to take his customary human form with Ginjiro following suit. They were a ways away from civilization, off the traditional map but Zhen knew where to go, extending a hand unabashedly. He was in an exuberant mood, grinning ear to ear, his hair windblown in such a fashion that made him look boyish. 

He could see Ginjiro's surprise at his unbridled excitement. It was truly rare for Zhen to be in such a mood. Full of life and joy. He came out a better man through his ordeal, his heart of gold beginning to shine. "Are you sure you aren't under the spirits' influence?" Ginjiro cautiously asked but held out his hand nonetheless. 

"No!" Without further preamble, Zhen grasped ahold of his hand, towing him along at a quickened pace. "Quit holding us up!" 

"Zhen!" Ginjiro narrowly avoided tripping. He righted himself swiftly, struggling to keep up with the brisk stride. "Slow down!" Despite his protest, Zhen's enthusiasm was catchy. He felt a smile of his own spreading across his lips. A sensation of youth, Gin felt it spread its wings in his chest as he bounded to match his gait. "And you haven't answered my previous question before we set out. Where are we going?" 

Zhen groaned, slowing into a walk. "All these questions. Can't you let it be a surprise?" 

"It certainly is a surprise still but-" 

Zhen placed a finger to his lips, effectively silencing him. "Stop talking and follow me." 

Ginjiro raised his eyebrow but quietly obeyed, highly intrigued by this shift. What more may he do? Anticipation rode him as he followed, raising along a hill. Zhen never lost his energy all the while. It steadily rose, eagerness as plain as day on his features. Caught up in the excitement, he wanted to bear witness as well. 

Zhen stopped as they crested the hill, releasing his grasp. He presented the meadow, his arms spreading wide. "This is what I wanted to show you!" A lush sea of green, a gale giving rise to a wave across the expanse. Flowers in bloom, adding life to the verdant sea, their delightful aroma filling the area. "I made this!" 

"You did this?" Ginjiro looked about twice more, astounded, "Oh my, it's beautiful!"

"Yes!" Zhen cheered. He continued the distance, cradling Ginjiro's face, beaming. "I brought this place back to life! I!" He swelled with pride. "I did it! Finally!" 

He released his hold, tumbling back into the sea of grass. "I have finally done it! I have finally become a God." The well of emotion brimmed over the rim. Tears welled within his gaze. "Not a monster who burns and scorches the Earth." 

He raised his hand to the sky, watching a rainbow make its way across the blue. His gift, his power. He rose, eyes warm, "Partly I have you to blame. You inspired me. To say I didn't think of you when I revived the life here would be a lie. What would Gin do? I thought."

He threw his head back and laughed, heartfelt and warm. "I'm so hungover over you but you helped me all these years. You were there for me. How could I not think of you?" 

He rose to his feet, moving to stand in front of the Lugia. There was no lingering fear, no embarrassment as he gathered Ginjiro's hands in his own. "What I mean to say is…

His smile was of the radiant sun. "Thank you." 

[mykpoplovers]

THOUSANDS OF BY:D FANS ACROSS SOUTHEAST ASIA UNITE FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE FAN MEET CONCERT WITH K-POP STAR, BANG YE-DAM, IN KUALA LUMPUR

24th August, 2024 – Kuala Lumpur turned into the ultimate fan paradise as thousands of BY:D fans from across Southeast Asia flocked to Zepp KL for a spectacular fan meet concert with K-Pop star Bang Ye-dam. This unforgettable event marked the grand finale of Ye-dam’s Southeast Asia tour, and it was a night to remember for fans and media alike.

The energy in the venue was off the charts as Ye-dam hit the stage. His hit single “Come to Me” became the night’s anthem, with its catchy beats and heartfelt lyrics setting the perfect vibe for the evening. The crowd was electric, singing along and soaking in every moment of the performance.

Fans turned out in style, creating a stunning sea of denim and sparkle that became the concert’s signature look. The coordinated blue outfits added a splash of excitement to the already buzzing atmosphere, making the night even more memorable.

Off-stage, Ye-dam made sure to connect with his fans on a personal level. He engaged in one-on-one interactions, sharing laughs and heartfelt moments that highlighted his genuine appreciation for their support. His dedication to his fans was evident throughout the evening.

The fan meet also served as a special launch event for Ye-dam’s upcoming album, “Good Vibes,” set to drop on August 29th. Fans got a sneak peek and exclusive insights into the new album, heightening their excitement.

As the event wrapped up, it was clear that Bang Ye-dam’s bond with his Southeast Asian fans has only grown stronger. The night celebrated his musical journey and showcased the power of fan communities coming together to share incredible experiences.

Get ready for “Good Vibes” and keep following Bang Ye-dam’s journey—there’s so much more to look forward to!

[daggerzine]

John Canning Yates- The Quiet Portraits (Violette Records)

It’s been twenty years since John released The First Album by Ella Guru, a critically acclaimed album that I somehow missed. The Quiet Portraits is an 11-track album that was written and recorded by Yates. He plays piano, keys/synths, clarinet, guitar, mandolin, bass, a kid’s drum kit(!), and of course, all of the vocals. The added touches of BJ Cole and Scott Poley on pedal steel guitar, and reuniting with Andy Frizell on bass and flute make this a beautiful record. Jason Mitchell (PJ Harvey, Aldous Harding) mastered this album. “The Way I Remember It” leads off the album with soft, gentle keyboards and steel guitar with his hushed vocals filled with lyrics of nostalgia. It’s a perfect introduction to lay the ground for the rest of the album. “I remember you. You were lost and I was too. In a park, in the rain. I remember saying, Will you always feel as you do? Is this a temporary impression of you? Or are you the same?” For some reason, it could be a long-lost Nick Drake tune, but the instrumentation takes it deeper. Next up, “In The Stillness of The Night,” is another melancholy song, but a little faster-paced. More contemplative lyrics here with gorgeous arrangements bring Burt Bacharach to mind. “In the darkness of night, you can always count on some. In the hole that I was, I could only count on one. And when you hold onto what you believe in; Then you’ll know it’s true. In the stillness of the night, I am still in love with you.“ Listen here: https://ditto.fm/in-the-stillness-of-the-night Track 3, “Healing,” is a slower tune reminiscent of something Brian Wilson could have penned. “Don’t lose hope. Don’t lose feeling. Hope. Hope is when the flowers will bloom. When it’s always blue for you. Healing.” The song's slow, but driving rhythm gives it a tropical feel. Next is “Until You Find Me (Song for Margaret Hardman).” Is Margaret finally getting her due as the wife of the famous Liverpool photographer Edward Hardman? Seems like Edward’s love song to his wife. “I loved you; you loved me. And we breezed through life. We were as thick as thieves. With an inspired youth. And then inspired by you, I will leave these lasting images…For what purpose, I don’t know. I’m mainly missing how we laughed, surrounded by our photographs. And I will not change a single room. I’ll sit and play our favourite tunes. Until you find me.” A song filled with beautiful piano, swirling steel guitar, and subtle clarinet along with Edward’s(?) spoken word. Such a sad love song that brings this listener to tears.

Track 5 is “October Song.” The shortest track on the album almost finishes before it gets started. It’s a slow-moving waltz dealing with the struggles of love. “If this is war, then I’ve won. Or if this is a drug, then I want some.” John’s clarinet adds a beautiful touch here. Next, “It Could Be So Good,” is an atmospheric, gentle mix of gorgeous instrumentation that really blends well with the heartfelt lyrics. “This is for the dreamers, the song for every day. And this is for, This is for ones that fall away. Hope was all in place. No rules, no time to waste. It could be so good.” With “Under Cobalt Skies,” Andy Frizell’s flute really takes off here. Here’s an even slower song that again captures the reflective lyrics. “This cobalt blue night, where sky blends with sea. Brings heaven to earth. Tell that inky black breeze...I want a revelation. Know my place in time. My role on the inside, where I’m edges and lines. Life goes on apace. Time not on side. We’re fragile, we're fading, under cobalt skies.” Next up is “Life In A Different Time,” which begins with an eerie piano sound, but then turns into another beautiful melody. The song builds and builds with instrumentation, but eventually, it reverts back to its eerie beginning. “And when something’s wrong; But time, it still moves along, I try. But it makes no difference when I try. It's still life in a different time.“ It’s a song destined to be in a movie soundtrack in the future. With “Faraway Blues,” John switches to a more upbeat melody. I mean the rhythm section is further up on this one and a soaring bridge that is amazing. One of my favorites on the album. “We wore the warmest clothes. Unventured roads down we would go. What gives? Well, no one knows. But we took the path least travelled on. And on the way we came to a garden, like Gethsemane. You couldn't be betrayed. I could make you long for the future days.” Track 10, “Riches,” begins with a rising steel guitar over a slow beat. But it’s the way the vocals are mixed in that eventually speeds up the melody. “And in the unknown road ahead of us, we could find someone who’d marry us. It’s in the way we talk when I’m lying next to you and I’m just talking to you about it all. Have you found your riches, too?” The closing track, “Dreams Forgotten,” ends the album with another beautiful gem. It’s a beautiful mix of piano and synths paired with wonderful lyrics. “Birds have a way with songs to say the same things over and over. Like I have a way to turn the most potential day, into a wasteful day, over and over. I was bothered by my dreams forgotten; But now, I’m not.” After the song ends, one can only sigh knowing that the album is over. The Quiet Portraits is an album filled with soft, gentle sounds that truly take the listener to another place. It’s an album to enjoy in the morning, on a rainy day, late at night, or on a walk in the woods(see photo). In John’s own words, "It's a testament to the power of music, the beauty of solitude, and the therapeutic nature of songwriting." Here’s hoping it won’t take another twenty years for Yates to share more of his amazing music. I don’t think I can wait that long. ERIC EGGLESON

https://www.violetterecords.com/john-canning-yates

https://www.violetterecords.com/store/p/john-canning-yates-the-quiet-portraits

[rainbowsalt0412]

Osamu Dazai And The Dark Era - Chapter 4

People's feelings reflect the weather, but the weather doesn't reciprocate. The bright, warm sun shone down on Yokohama that day as I walked through the city with a frown. I was sure I looked even grumpier than usual, since I was carrying stuff in both hands. I wasn't actually in a bad mood, though. It was merely a problem of balance because my hands were full with bags of toys and sweets. You'd need a little training to carry these with a smile.

They were for the kids. I'd picked up some presents for them, since I was sure they were getting sick of the refugee life. In fact, they were probably bored to tears hiding in the safe house Dazai prepared for them, so I was a little worried this wouldn't be enough of a bribe to bring smiles to their faces. After all, what's enough for adults is never enough for kids.

A young man riding a bicycle passed by while whistling. Young children ran ahead of their mother in pursuit of some great quarry that only they could see. I couldn't help but feel as though the war between two crime syndicates was taking place on the opposite side of the world.

I thought about Mimic while I walked. I thought about the lonely soldiers who lived to die. Gide said he'd make me understand. Those words were a curse to drag me into battle. But at the same time, they were the heartfelt screams of a young child. The only ones who could understand him were his men or his enemy—and it looked as if he wanted me to become the latter.

I didn't know whether killing each other was the right thing. At this rate, the war was going to continue until either the Mafia or Mimic was destroyed. Was there no way to end this peacefully somehow? Was there no way I could both understand them and still draw my modest boundary lines?

I also had to think about the kids. I planned on quitting the Mafia once they became independent enough to live on their own without my help. I didn't know when that would be, but I knew it would come one day. The kids would grow into adults. Some might work at an office, some might become engineers, and others might even become professional baseball players. The oldest apparently dreamed of being in the Mafia like me, which was headache inducing, but, well, I figured I'd be able to talk him out of it. Once that all happened, I could finally toss my gun aside, sit at a desk somewhere I could see the ocean, and start writing my novel.

When I arrived in front of the building, I paused for a moment. The place Dazai found for the kids to stay in was an import license office affiliated with the Mafia. It was a two-story blue building by the ocean that had been baptized with rust from top to bottom by the sea breeze. To the side of the building was a spacious shared parking lot occupied by a moss- colored bus with nothing better to do.

From what I was told, Dazai rented out the entire building, so the employees there had been sent to a completely different office. He always went to extremes, but this measure was also proof that Dazai believed there was a high chance of the kids being targeted. With my hands full, I headed up the stairs while going over in my mind the list of who'd get which toy. After walking down the hallway, I opened the door to the meeting room the kids were supposedly using.

Nobody was inside. The desk had been overturned, there were holes in the wall, and the floor was scuffed, apparently from having something heavy dragged across it. The scattered crayons on the floor were crushed under large footprints. I heard a heavy thud as something hit the floor, then realized I had dropped the bags I was carrying. I began to run almost unconsciously. Rushing out of the meeting room, I descended the staircase in practically a single leap.

Once I got out of the building, I saw the undersized moss-colored bus in the parking lot starting to drive off.

As I looked at the rear window, I saw someone's hand reach out through the slightly opened curtains. The small hand banged against the glass. I could also see a person's face in the back seat; it was a young boy whose eyes were swollen from being punched.

The moment the boy saw me, his eyes flew open. It was the oldest kid whose dream was to join the Mafia one day. Noticing my gaze, he hurriedly pulled the curtains wide-open. Behind him were the other kids—he'd opened the curtains to show them to me.

The next moment, a Mimic soldier on the bus grabbed him by the shoulder and viciously threw him backward. The curtains were then yanked shut, and the boy disappeared behind them.

I desperately sprinted after the bus so hard that my knees were almost hitting my chin. The driver apparently noticed and sped up. I rushed out toward the street, placed a hand on the guardrail, then leaped over it to run parallel with the bus. The vehicle gradually drove faster. I reflexively reached under my coat, but I'd left my guns behind that day. What kind of Mafia member leaves his guns behind?

The light at the intersection was about to turn red, but the bus swerved left, barely even slowing down as the surrounding cars honked their horns. I watched where the bus was headed—there was a huge curve that went under the bridge and connected to the highway. I would have no chance of catching up with the bus if it made it that far. I had to end this before then. I dashed up the nearby staircase to the pedestrian overpass in three jumps, then sprinted to the middle before leaping to the nearby traffic overpass.

The overpass was protected with wire netting, which I grabbed onto with one hand to catch myself from falling. Then I climbed up the netting and stood on top of the overpass. Next, I rushed down the concrete until I approached an area that intersected with the road below. At that very moment, the bus began to pass below my feet.

I waited until the time was just right to jump. My coat billowed with air and rustled in the wind. I landed on the roof of a red minivan that was driving in front of the bus, throwing out my hand and one knee to blunt the fall. I heard someone inside the minivan scream.

When I turned around, I saw the bus and a Mimic soldier in gray behind the wheel. He fastened his gaze on me with bloodshot eyes. There were at least two enemies on that bus. They were military, and almost certainly armed. I, on the other hand, had no backup or weapon to defend myself with. But I would be able to handle things as long as I got just one look at the enemy. The bus itself sped up, closing in on the minivan. It looked as if the bus driver wanted to hit me along with the car. In this kind of situation, I'd normally want to cower and run the other way—that is, if I hadn't seen the kid's swollen face moments prior.

After a brief yet silent apology, I violently kicked the minivan's side- view mirror with my heel. The metal snapped as the mirror lazily fell, only to dangle by the vehicle's side. Right as I reached out and tore it off, the bus rammed the red minivan. I desperately latched on as the car drastically swerved to the side, and then I threw the side-view mirror in my hand directly at the Mimic soldier driving the bus. The oversize red-painted mirror shattered the front window and smashed straight into the driver's face before he could draw his gun. Immediately, he slammed on the brakes as he began to lose consciousness. Like an intoxicated rhinoceros, the bus swerved back and forth before eventually coming to a stop. Meanwhile, the minivan I was standing on also came to a halt as if it had drawn its last breath. I jumped off the roof.

When I faced the bus, I got a terrible feeling, as if someone had just put my heart in a vise. Alarm bells relentlessly pounded in my head. My vision flashed red and white. Before I'd even realized it, I was already sprinting.

—"I will make you understand me."

The driver was holding some kind of signal transmitter. I already knew what that meant. My body, however, hadn't caught up yet. A single moment that felt like an eternity passed by. The Mimic soldier pressed the switch on the transmitter.

And just like that, the bus instantly exploded.

My body was blasted back by a wall of air. I lost consciousness as I flew through the sky, but my back crashed into a nearby car, jolting me awake. I looked at the bus. Pillars of fire rose out of each window as it flew in the air almost as high as the eye could see. After briefly spinning through the air, it quickly fell onto the side of the road.

A moment went by before shards of glass rained from above. I tried to rush over. I tried to sprint to the bus even if it would only get me there a second faster. But in reality, all I did was fall face-first and writhe pathetically on the hard asphalt. The bus went up in flames. It lay on its side, bent in the middle. I tasted blood in the back of my throat. There was a deafening ringing in my ears, and I could barely hear a thing.

—"Like, he treats us all like kids, but we're all adults here, ya know?"

My throat hurt. I couldn't breathe. I could hear someone's screams from afar. I realized—because my throat was in so much pain—that the one screaming was me.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

***

A small sightseeing ship floated in the Yokohama Bay. Gentle waves glittered in the rays of sun from a crystal-clear sky. The ship quietly drifted through the waters as it bathed in the reflected glare.

Only a few people were on board the vessel. In the center stood a young man with scholarly features and round glasses—Ango Sakaguchi, an agent with the Special Division for Unusual Powers. A man was sitting to his right.

"Ango, it's been a while. Thanks for inviting me. How have things been since returning to your real job?"

A man with slicked-back black hair and a white coat—the Port Mafia boss, Ougai Mori—spoke to Ango in a friendly manner.

"......" Without saying a word, Ango simply lowered his gaze nervously.

"I would appreciate it if you didn't pick on my youngster here, Mafia leader."

Sitting on Ango's other side was a tall, middle-aged man with white hair who towered over the rest of the people on the boat. He was Chief Taneda, the commander in chief of the Home Affairs Ministry's Special Division for Unusual Powers.

Behind the Mafia boss and the Division chief respectively were men in black suits standing guard and the Special Forces in black. However, not a single soul was armed.

His expression strained with tension, Ango said, "Thank you for coming today. Once again, this is an unofficial meeting. All audio and visual recordings or physical intervention by anyone other than those present will be treated as acts of treachery, and the meeting will be immediately terminated."

Ango glanced at the bay as he spoke. Men from each organization secretly, or perhaps openly, waited on land off in the distance. In the unlikely case that one party decided to betray and kill the other during the meeting, the injured party's subordinates on the coast would immediately annihilate the enemy. This meeting was created on a state of delicate balance with each party holding a knife to the other's throat.

"My little Elise has been nagging me to buy her ice cream on the way home. Do you know of any good places, Chief Taneda?"

"Ha-ha-ha. Well, isn't that sweet." Chief Taneda laughed while cooling himself off with the fan in his hand. "Maybe I should pick something up for the bureaucrats waiting for my report back at the Home Affairs Ministry, too. They'd love to have your head, I'll tell ya."

Two Mafia subordinates waiting behind their boss started to shake with rage. However, the boss simply smirked with an air of indifference.

"Feigning concern for the higher-ups at the Home Affairs Ministry to boost your reputation? Government officials always seem to have something to worry about, don't they, Chief Taneda?"

"Oh, it's a trifling concern when compared with someone who has to hide in the sewers in fear of getting squashed by the government."

The two men spoke and looked as if they were playing shogi under the eaves of a house together. But the designated mediator, Ango, who was standing in the middle, couldn't stop himself from breaking into a cold sweat. If the two men before him seriously went at it, then Yokohama would become a city of corpses before three days had passed.

"Now, let's talk business," said Ango. Even the Division's elite needed to exercise utmost caution when interrupting these two. "Mr. Taneda of the Special Division for Unusual Powers has two requests for Mr. Ougai of the Port Mafia. First, you are to neither concern yourself with nor inflict harm on me, Ango. Next, you are to wipe out the European crime syndicate, Mimic, that illegally entered Japan. Do you accept?"

"I have no problems with the first condition. Personally, I'm actually extremely grateful to you, Ango. You're talented, and you supported me a great deal with my work, regardless of the fact that it was part of your job as an undercover agent. Additionally, thanks to your mediation, I was able to have this meeting with the Special Division for Unusual Powers. I almost want to embrace you and send you a bouquet of flowers."

"Then—"

"However, I cannot make a definite promise in regard to your second request. Mimic is a horrifying group, after all. We're still under a lot of pressure thanks to them. If I could, I'd rather just run away crying. It's that bad."

Ougai looked at Taneda with an indiscernible smile. A piercing flash of light illuminated the depths of Taneda's eyes. He closed them before giving Ango a signal with his gaze.

"Next, the Port Mafia requests that the Special Division for Unusual Powers—"

Chief Taneda let out a short, deep sigh. Then he pulled a black envelope out of his suit.

***

Meaningless images swirled in my head. I was standing in a white, barren hotel room. Next, I was standing in the planted forest in front of the art museum again. After that, I was on the restaurant's second floor.

—"Sakunosuke Oda, a peculiar mafioso who believes killing is never theanswer."

I was in the waste-ridden back alley, then the quiet bar in the middle of the night; then I was riding the elevator at the Mafia headquarters. After that, I was sitting in the seat by the window at the café on a rainy day.

—"Writing novels is writing people."

—"You're perfectly qualified."

I wondered if that man with the mustache was serious about what he said. Or was he just trying to make me feel better? Did I really deserve to write about people? Even if what he'd said had been true, it was all in the past. I no longer had that right.

At the site of the explosion, I somehow managed to stagger to my feet and check inside the bus. I shouldn't have; it would've been easy to simply imagine what it was like inside. After that, I decided to leave the scene before it drew too much attention. I went over to the restaurant.

—"They're an army."

—"These men don't know how to live outside of a battlefield. They're known as graugeists—men with no master."

The lights were out; it was quiet.

When I went inside, I found the owner, Pops, dead.

He was lying behind the counter on a pot and the shelf for cooking utensils. He'd been shot in the chest three times, and his eyes were still open. His hand was still gripping the curry ladle. He must've tried to grab on to whatever was nearby on the spur of the moment. I wondered how he'd planned on fighting against armed Mimic soldiers with only a ladle. Just what you would expect from the owner of a Mafia-affiliated restaurant.

Only when I gently closed Pops's eyelids did he actually look dead. I could feel my soul being tightly squeezed out of my body. It was the sound the spirit makes when it is irreversibly disfigured.

A military knife was stuck in the counter, and underneath it was a map. After pulling out the knife, I looked at the map. It contained a drawing of some mountainous terrain not too far away. There was a red X on some old private property in the mountains with the words GhostGraveyardscribbled next to it.

I was sure it was a message from Mimic—from Gide. I folded the map and tucked it away in my pocket. Then I headed up to the second floor and went into the hidden room that Pops had ready for me. An array of weapons for emergency use were stashed away in there.

I took off my clothes and put on a light bulletproof vest. Next, I slipped on a shirt, then slid my arms through the shoulder holster and buttoned it in the back.

I checked both pistols. Once I'd finished looking them over, I wiped off the dust from one gun, oiled it, and assembled everything. I made sure the sight wasn't off. Then I took out the bullet and pulled the trigger, checking how it felt. After that, I loaded the magazine before inserting it back into the gun. I pulled the slide, sending the first bullet to the chamber. When that was done, I checked the other gun the same way before sticking them in the holsters on each side of my body.

Every precise movement I made was like a prayer. As I got myself ready, my mind separated from my body, and I wandered in my thoughts: who I used to be, what I'd sought, who I'd talked to, what I'd felt, how I'd wanted to live. All I knew in that moment was that everything I sought in the past was already gone—thrown away like a crumpled-up piece of paper. I wrapped my wrists in bands packed with spare magazines. Then I slid my arms through the sleeves of the Kevlar-woven coat, into which I stuffed grenades and as many spare magazines as I could. I hesitated but decided to not bring any bandages or painkillers along. I wouldn't need them.

Instead, I found a box of cigarettes from when I'd quit years ago. I headed to the adjacent room with the cigarettes and a match. It was the room the kids used to live in—the same place where we'd roughhoused together just a few days ago. It had hardly changed: the bed railing colored in with crayon, the filthy floor, the stained wallpaper. The only difference was the five shadows that should've been there, too.

"Good night, Kousuke," I said as I lit a cigarette. That was the name of the oldest boy. "Good night, Katsumi. Good night, Yuu. Good night, Shinji. Good night, Sakura."

I watched as a trail of pale smoke quietly rose from the tip. "Sleep well. I'll avenge you."

Holding the cigarette between my fingers, I gazed into the smoke until the cigarette burned out and the smoke disappeared.

I began to walk.

"Odasaku!"

I was stopped by a familiar voice the moment I left the restaurant. "Dazai? What's wrong?"

"Odasaku, I know what you're thinking, but don't. Doing that isn't going to—"

"Isn't going to bring the kids back?" I asked.

Lost for words, Dazai fell silent. Then he said, "Judging by the scale of past skirmishes, I have a good idea of how many Mimic soldiers are left. There's a little over twenty of them, and they're resting up for battle as we speak. They've most likely set up base in the western mountain district. I'm gonna go look into it, and—"

"I already know where they are. They left me an invitation."

I handed Dazai the map with the inscription Ghost Graveyard that I'd found earlier. He furrowed his brows when he looked at it.

"They're gathering their troops all in one spot. I'm not sure the Mafia can defeat them even if we mobilize all our men."

"That won't be necessary."

"Odasaku, listen. The boss had a secret meeting a few hours ago. He met with the Special Division for Unusual Powers, and Ango was the mediator. The meeting was so secret that I couldn't get any more information, but there's still something fishy going on with this Mimic stuff. I can feel it. So until we know what that is—"

"'Something'?" I looked at Dazai. "There isn't anything, Dazai. It's all over. Everything. Whatever else happens now is meaningless—just like what I'm about to do. Am I wrong?"

"Odasaku...," Dazai said softly. "Forgive me for the absurd wording, but—don't go. Find something to rely on. Expect good things to happen from here on out. There's gotta be something... Hey, Odasaku, do you know why I joined the Mafia?"

I stared at him. We had known each other for a long time, but he'd never even attempted to talk about that.

"I joined the Mafia because of an expectation I had. I thought if I was close to death and violence—close to people giving in to their urges and desires, then I would be able to see the inner nature of humankind up close. I thought if I did that..." Dazai paused before continuing, "...I would be able to find something—a reason to live."

I looked at him; he looked back at me.

"I wanted to be a novelist," I said. "I thought I wouldn't deserve such a life if I killed someone during a mission. That's why I never killed anyone. But that's all in the past. There's only one thing I want now."

"Odasaku!"

I began to walk away. Dazai yelled out, but I didn't turn around.

***

Heading west, I started my journey.

Just like always, everyone walked in whatever direction they pleased. They all had somewhere to go, someone to meet, a home to return to. That was the world we lived in. That was the world I wanted to write about in my novel. That was the world the kids were supposed to belong to, where they'd each walk the streets however they pleased.

—"They all found peace. Nobody can take that away from them."

I recalled what Ango said that day long, long ago. Were the kids somewhere peaceful? Or had they become ghosts to wander the world of the living?

Just like Gide...and me.

As I was walking, I bumped into a small young man coming from the opposite direction.

"Whoa!"

Nothing happened to me, but the young man lost balance and fell on his rear. Everything he'd been carrying scattered across the ground.

"What d'you think you're doing?! Watch where you're going! With eyes that high up, you oughta be real good at that! Ugh... All the detective equipment the boss gave me..."

I helped the young man pick up his scattered belongings: recording paper, a pen, a camera, and a bag for storing forensic evidence. Maybe he was a forensic technician on a murder case.

"You a cop?" I asked for no particular reason.

"Me?" He squinted his already narrow eyes in utter disgust. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't lump me in with a bunch of incompetents! You don't know who I am? Soon I'll be a household name throughout all of Japan, so don't you forget! I am the world's greatest detective, Ranpo Edo—"

"Sorry about that," I cut him off midsentence. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm in a hurry."

"Hey! You'd be a real fool to throw away your chance to talk to this amazing detective! In fact, you won't be able to resist once you see my skills in action! Allow me to show you so I can rid you of any doubts. Hmm, let's see... The reason you're in a hurry is..."

The cheerful, haughty young man cackled, then stared at me. "You..."

His eyes suddenly narrowed, and the air around him instantly chilled.

The depths of his almond eyes harbored an inhuman glow.

"You..." Unlike just a moment ago, the young man spoke in a whisper. "I'm telling you this for your own good. You must not go to your destination. Reconsider."

"Why?"

"Because if you go... you're gonna die."

I lit another cigarette, then turned my back to him. Heading west, I marched on once more. As I walked away, I responded to the young man behind me:

"I know."

***

After heading down the forest road flourishing with oak trees, I saw a Western-style building. The first things that caught my eyes were the violet slate roof and the semicircle pediment with its religious motif. Basking in the evening sun, it idly stood out against the forest.

At the end of the narrow gravel path stood two Mimic soldiers with submachine guns. They must've been the guards.

"Can I ask you something?"

I casually struck up conversation as I strode toward them. The soldiers, taken by surprise, pointed their guns at me, but I'd already drawn my pistols from the holsters under my arms.

I fired two shots at once, one to the left and one to the right. The bullets buried themselves in their heads before shattering through the opposite side of their skulls. Their blood and brain matter splashed against the trees behind them, and they perished without really even knowing what happened. Their bodies hit the ground with a wet thud that echoed through the forest almost simultaneously. After putting away my pistols, I continued to walk without even looking at the bodies.

As I followed the pathway, I headed to the building's front door. I looked up at the attic space on the third floor near the rooftop on the other side of the lighting window. There was a sentry on watch holding a sniper rifle. Since I'd avoided his range of sight as I approached, he had no idea there was an intruder right below him.

I snapped my fingers to get his attention. When he followed the sound and noticed me, his eyes opened wide in astonishment. I put a bullet in his head before he could even get a hand on his rifle, and the sniper fell backward and crashed to the floor below with a bang. The soldiers inside had surely noticed that something was wrong now. I headed toward the porch, walking at my normal pace, then stopped to take out a cigarette and lit it. The murky smoke filled my lungs.

I stared at my hands—the hands that had just killed three people. They were my hands in every respect, no different from the hands that had avoided killing all those years. My fingers harbored no lust for blood. Neither did the trigger, nor the bullets. The urge to kill dwelled deep within the reaches of my mind.

Soon a ruckus began to break out inside the building—sounds of yelling, running, and magazines being loaded. I slid to the side of the French front door and leaned against the wall next to the stone pillar. With my back against the hard stone wall, I reached out to my side and knocked on the door. Immediately, there was a rumble as if the ground had cracked open, and countless bullets shattered the door, turning it into nothing more than sawdust in the wind.

I looked out of the corner of my eye with both pistols at the ready. Five seconds. Ten seconds. After twelve seconds went by and the soldiers tried to reload their guns, I pulled the pin out of a grenade and threw it into the building. As the explosion blew out the interior, I spit the cigarette out of my mouth. Then, holding out my two pistols, I rushed inside.

Bullets soared through the smoke. I pitched myself forward onto the floor, firing twice. The flash from the guns lit the room up in white. After rolling forward, I shifted to the side and leaped toward the corner of the room while firing two more shots. Bits of plaster, spurts of blood, and smoke were illuminated by the gunfire. As submachine gun bullets hit the ground below me, I ran alongside the wall knowing where they would land. Numerous empty shells hit the floor, playing the music of war. Before long, I pulled my guns together and fired twice at the enemies in the room's center. Then there was silence.

All the soldiers that were in my way when I broke in had been taken care of. I surveyed the room. The entrance hall to the Western-style building, having been blown apart by gunfire, was now an atrium. The stained glass near the ceiling dimly tinted the dust and gunpowder smoke inside. Six Mimic soldiers lay dead underneath.

According to what Dazai had said, there were still quite a few enemies left. The bloodbath still had a ways to go.

I began to hear the footsteps of soldiers at the opposite end of the carpeted stairs. My skill allowed me to see only up to five seconds into the future; that wasn't enough time to figure out what kinds of traps and battle formations the enemy had set up ahead of me.

After reloading my guns, I slowly walked up the staircase. At the top was a long, narrow connecting corridor. If the enemy closed in from the other side, I could take cover while putting up a barrage. I saw soldiers at the end of the corridor, and they immediately drew their guns. I decided to charge the enemy instead.

I rushed down the corridor; it was so narrow that I had almost no space to dodge. There were four enemies charging at me while firing submachine guns, the most optimal weapon at this distance. I bent forward and sprinted toward the Mimic soldier in the very front, then fired my pistol. His forehead took the bullet, bending him backward. Next, I swiftly rushed into the pocket and used the soldier's corpse as a shield while firing two more shots. A bullet fatally pierced the second soldier's throat. His fingers spasmed, causing him to shoot a line of bullets into the ceiling.

I kicked the corpse's sternum, sending it flying into the soldier directly behind him. While the third soldier tried to push the body away, I slipped to his side and struck him in the chin with my palm, then put a bullet through the top of his skull. Crimson liquid splattered against the wall. While the last soldier fired a submachine gun, I jumped to the side and dodged. Then I kicked off the wall once more to evade the line of fire horizontally pursuing me. Just as my leap took me right above the enemy, I unloaded the rest of my clip. I landed at the end of the connecting corridor. Only a brief moment had passed since the first shot. After another second had gone by, I heard the soldier collapse to the ground in the background. I only used the sound to confirm his death before once again continuing on ahead.

At the end of the connecting corridor was a spacious lounge facing the courtyard. It had a large fireplace with medieval-style decor, a red velvet armchair, and a war flag encased in a golden picture frame.

This mansion used to be the residence of foreign aristocrats. When I researched the place beforehand, I learned that the owner of this vast estate returned to his homeland after his assets had been confiscated with the spread of the war. Ever since then, the mansion's ownership remained up in the air as it patiently waited for an occupant who was never to return.

I stopped. I knew there was a remote directional mine up ahead, and if I went any farther, I'd get caught in the blast. My only option was to shoot through the wall to destroy it. I aimed my gun. The moment I did so, I realized my failure—there was another directional mine right behind me as well. Whoever was watching this place from afar must've decided that they'd blow up the mine behind me the moment I noticed the one to my front.

My skill allowed me to see the future, but when things happened because I'd changed my course of action, I only started seeing the future from the moment I made the change. Therefore, if there was a trap that would be triggered one second after I aimed my gun at the mine ahead, then I would only be able to see that future one second before it was triggered. This was one of those cases.

I lunged forward, and immediately the high-performance explosive behind me detonated. Shrapnel and the expanding fireball tore through my coat. When the blast slammed me against the floor, I immediately covered my head and stayed low. In a flash, the directional mine ahead blasted down the door, and the impact battered my body. It was a surprise attack that used my skill against me, coupled with a pincer attack from directional mines on both sides. This enemy knew the ins and outs of my "precognition," both the capabilities and weaknesses alike.

I had a vision.

Soldiers came in droves, rappelling through the large windows lined up on my left side. However, I was still crawling on the ground, in no position to fight back.

I had only around four seconds before they'd arrive. It was sink or swim. I took my chances and fought to pick up my pistols. I felt a dull pain in my right side; one of the pellets from the explosion had buried itself in my flesh near my hip bone, which wasn't protected by my bulletproof vest. Blood stained my shirt. I saw ropes dangle from outside the window, followed by descending soldiers' shoes. I picked up my guns with a groan. Each window was smashed through as eight soldiers came swinging into the building.

There was no time to take cover. As the glass shattered in the air, I felt as if I could see the sparkle of each fragment. First, I shot one bullet out of each gun, piercing the first two soldiers in the throat and head, respectively. Thereupon, the other soldiers landed inside. My coat fluttered in the air as I flipped over and lowered my posture before shooting two more bullets, finishing off the two closest soldiers. The remaining enemies aimed their guns at me. The fragments of glass finally hit the ground, creating countless bouncing gems of light.

Then the gunfight commenced—a shoot-out close enough to hold a boxing match. Gunfire filled the room, and my surroundings flashed bright white. Granular apostles of death soared through the sparkling world. I could see it. Leaning forward almost perpendicular to the ground, I avoided the close-range gunfire. Then I crossed my arms and fired two shots. I bent backward until my chest was facing the ceiling and shot two shots at the enemies on both sides. An impact to the chest sent me flying backward. A bullet hit my bulletproof vest, knocking the wind out of me as if I'd been hit with a cannonball.

My bullets missed one of the soldiers. I caught my fall by placing a hand on the glass-covered floor. Then I swiftly swept the enemy's legs as he tried to fire his submachine gun. Despite being midfall, the soldier reached out and grabbed my coat collar. He was planning on dragging me down to the ground with him.

This one moved nothing like the other soldiers. When I caught a glimpse of the badge on the lapel of his military fatigues, I realized he was most likely Mimic's deputy commander—Gide's right-hand man and chief of staff.

I tried to aim the pistol in my left hand at his throat, but he quickly knocked it away with the tip of his submachine gun. We tangled, then rolled on the ground. I threw my left palm at his chin in an attempt to give him a concussion, but he evaded, then immediately grabbed my sleeve and twisted it behind my back, apparently going for a joint lock. My shoulder made a dull sound. If he kept that up, I was sure my shoulder would be irreversibly damaged.

However, it's a bad idea to attempt close combat against someone with the ability to see the future. I'd wanted him to do this from the start. Grabbing my pistol with my free hand, I bent forward and unloaded the clip into the floor. The empty shells bounced off the ground with noises like small bells. The deputy commander's grip weakened, and he collapsed to the ground, a slug now buried in his throat. One of the bullets I'd just shot into the floor had ricocheted and pierced his neck. Gritting my teeth from the excruciating pain in my chest, I checked over my bulletproof vest. I'd been hit in the torso three times, each shot stopped by the Kevlar. After removing the vest, I tossed it to the ground. I'd most likely fractured a rib.

"Guh..."

I turned around to find the deputy commander still conscious, but the wound was fatal. It'd be about another ten minutes before he died.

"Want me to finish you off?" I asked while aiming my pistol at his head.

"......Yes...please...," he replied in a feeble voice. His throat must've been full of blood.

"Any last words?"

"Thank you...for fighting me..."

The deputy commander closed his eyes. The gunshot wound must've hurt, and yet, he was faintly smiling.

"The commandant is up ahead... Please save him, too......from this hell..."

I pulled the trigger. His skull burst, spewing blood and brain matter onto the floor. The deputy commander briefly twitched before going limp. I stood up and reloaded my guns. Then I began to walk.

"Yeah, I know."

***

Dazai strode confidently through the Mafia's high-rise headquarters downtown at a quick clip, his heels practically scraping off the carpet underfoot. He got on the glass-paneled elevator alone, pressed the button to the top floor, then closed his eyes. When the elevator reached his destination, he opened his eyes again. His gaze was focused on only one thing—the office at the very end of the hallway.

Dazai drew in his chin and began to walk. The large-built men in black suits guarding the door silently blocked Dazai's path. Both were carrying automatic rifles.

"Move," Dazai ordered without even looking at the men's faces. The colossal guards, twice Dazai's size, froze. Then they took a big step back, seemingly intimidated. Without even waiting for the guards to react, Dazai opened the door to the office and barged in as if he owned the place. He then walked over to the large desk in the middle of the room and stopped in front of it. Seated before the desk was the Port Mafia's boss, Ougai Mori.

"Well, well, Dazai. It's not often you come here yourself. Allow me to bring you some tea. I received some extremely expensive leaves from northern Europe. Pouring this tea on top of a steamed bun makes an exquisite—"

"Boss." Dazai cut him off. "You know why I'm here, don't you?"

Ougai didn't answer his question, though. He just grinned mildly while staring at Dazai. Only after a few moments went by did he reply.

"Of course, Dazai. It's urgent, yes?"

"It is."

"Very well. Whatever it is you wish to do, you have my approval." Ougai gave a confident smirk. "I trust whatever plan the genius Dazai has. You have always contributed greatly to my and the Port Mafia's endeavors. I expect you will do the same today as well."

Taken by surprise, Dazai fell silent. Even he felt as if he were walking on fine blades whenever he talked with Ougai. If he made just one little mistake, he could fall off the path. After pondering to himself for a moment, Dazai said, "I need permission to form a small team of executive-level skill users to attack Mimic headquarters and rescue Odasaku."

"Fantastic." Ougai nodded. "At times, revealing your true intentions first can become the greatest tool of negotiation. Very well. You have my permission. However, I would like to know why."

Dazai stared back at the boss without breaking eye contact for even a moment. Ougai's narrowed eyes harbored a tinge of cleverness, as if they could see into his heart. It was the same kind of light that was once in Dazai's eyes when he looked upon his enemies or allies.

"Odasaku is currently scouting the enemy headquarters alone," Dazai said, keeping his emotions in check. "I sent an emergency response team of Mafia members to the area, but it isn't nearly enough. At this rate, we are going to lose a valuable skill user."

"But he's our lowest-ranking member." Ougai curiously tilted his head. "Of course, he's a dear ally of ours, but is he worth sending executive-level men to the front line to save?"

"Yes," Dazai confidently declared. "Of course he is."

Ougai fell silent. He looked at Dazai, who looked straight back at him. It was an eloquent silence. The two men understood the other's state of mind and how they would counter.

"...Dazai." It was Ougai who put an end to the wordless debate. "Let me ask you this. I understand your plan, but in all likelihood, Oda doesn't want help. What do you think about that?"

Dazai tried to answer, but he could not find the words to say. Ougai pulled an envelope out of the file cabinet on his office desk, then stared at it while he spoke. "Dazai, do you know what it means to be the boss? It means you are simultaneously at the top of the organization and still a slave to it as a whole. No matter what the cost, you have to get yourself dirty to keep the Port Mafia going. In order to deplete the enemy, maximize your allies' worth, and keep the organization alive and thriving, you must also willingly perform any logically conceivable atrocity. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

He placed the envelope on the desk. It was large and made of high- quality black paper with small gold inlays in the corners. Whatever was inside appeared to be extremely thin. Dazai's eyes were inadvertently locked on the envelope. Suddenly, he caught his breath.

"This envelope—"

Something began to thrash and flicker in the back of Dazai's mind. It gradually turned into physical shaking, causing his head to go numb.

"I see." Dazai managed to squeeze out just those two words, his face deathly pale. "So that's what this is."

Then he turned on his heel and put his back to Ougai. "If you'll excuse me."

"Where are you going?" Ougai asked. 

"To Odasaku."

Without turning back, Dazai walked all the way to the door to the hallway. But as he reached for the decorated handle, he heard several noises coming from behind—something that sounded like metal parts locking together. Dazai's hand suddenly froze. Then, realizing his failure, he closed his eyes. With a soft sigh, he turned around to find four armed Mafia grunts who had noiselessly appeared from the adjoining room. They aimed their guns at Dazai, but he wasn't surprised. He simply surveyed the room before fixing his gaze on Ougai, who hadn't budged from his spot mere moments ago. He was still smiling at Dazai.

***

Just past the door ahead of the battlefield was a vast, high-ceilinged ballroom capable of fitting a hundred couples performing baroque dance. A decayed chandelier hung askew from the three-story-high ceiling. Both sides of the ballroom were dressed in crimson curtains with gold embroideries, which were ripped and coming undone at the seams, creating a gloomy atmosphere that seemed to resent the prosperity of times past. At the front and end of the hall stood two oak doors each. When I walked to the center of the room, I heard a voice coming from behind.

"Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed..."

I immediately drew my pistols and turned around while pointing them in the direction of the voice. He stood before me—the handsome ghost with silver hair and clothes. Pointing my guns at him, I finished his sentence.

"...But if it dies, it produces many seeds." The ghost squinted, then smiled.

"John 12:24. You're surprisingly well-read, Sakunosuke."

Gide stood alone before the oak doors. There were no traps. His men were gone. He didn't even draw his gun.

The sight of my pistol was aimed directly between his eyes. If I even squeezed the trigger a little, the bullet would shoot right at my target—right in the forehead of that faintly smiling man.

"Thank you for your hard work," he said.

I pulled the trigger, but Gide moved his head to the side, avoiding the bullet.

"I am sorry for what I did to the children." His expression didn't change as he began to approach me. "However, it appears it was worth it."

The muzzle of my gun followed Gide's every step as he walked alongside the wall. I shot once more at his head. My skill told me he was going to swerve right, so I purposely fired slightly farther to that side. However, Gide swerved to the left instead.

"Your eyes are the same as mine." He continued to walk noiselessly, a slight grin spreading across his face. "Those are the eyes of a man who has strayed from the path of life just like my men and I."

Gide still didn't reach for his gun. He didn't even seem worried that I was shooting at him. A chill ran down my spine.

"Welcome to our world, Sakunosuke."

Then, with no warning at all, he drew his guns and aimed them at me. I couldn't react to the sudden movement, but not because I was surprised. It was because I felt as though he wouldn't hit me even if he shot. With our guns pointing at each other, we stood in silence. The muzzles of our guns stared the other down.

"You sure talk a lot."

"Then the talking shall end here." I had a vision.

Five seconds from then, Gide shot one bullet at my forehead and one at my heart. Which way should I swerve?

To the side?

...No, if I did that, then he would adjust his aim to the side.

Down?

...No, the outcome still wouldn't change.

I had three seconds left.

That was when I noticed something.

—Oh. Now it makes sense.

One more second.

Rapidly firing both pistols, I charged forward at my opponent. And just like that, all hell broke loose.

Gunfire illuminated the area between us. As we rushed toward each other, we continued to fire. A few bullets grazed my earlobe and shredded the hem of my coat. Using the back of my hands, I pushed his guns to the side. Gide then brought his arms back to the middle as if he were forming a circle. The graugeist spit fire toward my chest. We were so close that I could grab his nose. When he shot his guns from each side of my face in a parallel fashion, there was no way for me to dodge both bullets at once.

I made a split-second decision to turn my face to the left, avoiding the bullet on the right while using my pistol grip to block the other. A bolt of lightning shot down my arm through my palm, knocking the gun in my left hand away. On the other side of the gun, I saw Gide's lips tightly curl upward. He had two guns while I now had only one. I was clearly at a disadvantage.

—Depending on where my remaining gun's aiming, that is.

The gun in my right hand—the pistol I was still holding—was already pointed right at him. I pulled the trigger. Gide desperately tried to move out of the way, but we were too close. The bullet hit his left arm, spewing fresh blood behind him.

"Gah...!"

The gunshot caused him to slowly drop the pistol in that hand. Kicking off the ground, he leaped backward.

"How does it feel being unable to predict the future?" I asked while aiming the gun in my right hand.

"It is hard to believe that something so pleasant exists in this world," Gide responded.

Regardless of the future seen and the action taken based on said future, the opponent would overwrite it and adjust their reaction. There was only one simple, yet extreme way to solve this problem—just don't rely on your skill.

With only one pistol each, Gide and I faced off. Showing his teeth in a wide half-moon smile, he laughed. The expression on my face was probably no different.

***

Dazai calmly stared at the guns pointed in his direction.

"You still haven't had any tea, Dazai," Ougai said. "Come—have a seat."

Dazai didn't even budge. A guard in a black suit slipped to his side, then pointed the automatic rifle's muzzle right at his head.

"Odasaku's waiting for me." 

"Sit."

Dazai glanced at the muzzle and returned to the middle of the room. Then he stood before Ougai and quietly stated, "I couldn't stop thinking about it. I wondered who was orchestrating the conflict between the Mafia,

Mimic, and the Special Forces. But I arrived at a conclusion the moment I realized Ango was from the Special Division for Unusual Powers: They're the ones behind this. In the government's eyes, the Mafia and Mimic are just two bothersome crime syndicates. Having these two groups take each other out would be the perfect scenario for the Division, which is why they orchestrated it all. But I was wrong."

Dazai briefly paused, then looked at Ougai.

"The one who painted this picture was you. You wanted to use the threat that the Mimic posed to help during your negotiations with the Division. Then you used Ango as a pawn for that scheme." Dazai halfway closed his eyes. "Boss, the reason you sent Ango to infiltrate Mimic wasn't to get information on Mimic. You knew Ango was from the Division from the very beginning. Am I right?"

Ougai neither confirmed nor denied the statement.

"Oh?" he simply said in admiration.

"Various nuances of the truth change when you think about it that way. Ango would give inside information on Mimic to the Mafia while also conveying information to the Special Division for Unusual Powers. Mimic is a group of ghosts in search of a battlefield. There is no way to negotiate or compromise with them. They pose far more danger than the Mafia, and if something isn't done, then they'll clash with government agencies before long. That's what the Division thought, at least. So they came up with a plan to get Mimic to attack the Port Mafia. Ango was used to leak intel to Mimic and manipulate the situation. If Mimic took the bait, then the Mafia would have no choice but to fight back. The Division believed that and gave Ango the mission...just like you wanted."

"You give me far too much credit." Ougai smirked. "The government agencies are like wolves before sheep compared with the Mafia. They cannot be manipulated that easily."

"That's why you went through the trouble of creating such an elaborate scheme. That's how much value that envelope has." Dazai pointed at the high-end black envelope in Ougai's hand. "You're right. The Division is like a wolf before sheep. No matter how much power the Port Mafia has, it lives in fear of angering the Division and getting snuffed out. That's why you offered to destroy Mimic in return for that document."

Ougai's smile deepened. Dazai approached him, then pulled a certificate

out of the black envelope. It was elegantly written with the government's seal stamped on it.

"This certification permits activities as a skill-user organization—a Skilled Business Permit."

***

Gunpowder exploded and shells flew to the ground as the deafening roars of artillery fire filled the expansive hall. Gide's gun was pointed right at me, so I knocked it away with my elbow. A bullet soared right by my face, brushing against my ear. I swung my arm in the air and aimed my pistol at Gide's forehead. He swung his arm up from below, grabbing my elbow. Then he jerked my arm to the side, causing me to shoot and shatter the chandelier. Elbow and wrist against wrist and muzzle—we knocked the other's gun slightly out of line, making each other barely miss with our shots. Bullets flew past our ears and chins. Countless gunfire created a wall of light between us as we stood close enough for hand-to-hand combat.

We pulled the triggers on our guns simultaneously only to find nothing was firing. Both of us were out of ammo. With our right arms still locked in place, we began reloading our guns. An empty magazine hit the floor. While Gide grabbed another magazine at his waist, I slid one of mine out from my wristband. He began to slide his backup magazine into the gun, but I knocked his right arm to stop him. Then I threw a left hook with a magazine still in my hand. The metal tore his skin, creating a red line across his cheek. Despite being knocked off-balance, Gide finished reloading his gun. I slid behind with my back pressed up against him, then threw an elbow while preventing him from firing. He dropped to his knees to evade. By the time I completed the elbow strike, I had already reloaded my gun. We aimed our weapons at each other at the same time, grabbing the other's right wrist with our left hands. The two of us froze in this strange position. My muzzle was before his eyes and his before mine. I was holding his gun with my left hand, but Gide was holding mine with his left hand as well: a muzzle in my left eye and a tenacious gray gaze in my right.

"Sakunosuke... You are incredible. Why did it take you so long to appear before me?"

"Sorry about that. I'll make sure to give you all the time you need today."

If I tried to break my wrist free from his grip, he would use that opening to shoot. But the same went for him. An odd balance of power kept us calm, allowing us to converse.

 "Why did you stop killing, Sakunosuke?"

"Why do you search for a battlefield, Gide?"

I suddenly heard footsteps. It was the sound of many people running our way.

"Your men?"

"Your colleagues?"

The footsteps were coming from both sides of the ballroom. It sounded to be around ten people. If those were Mimic soldiers, I wasn't gonna be able to take Gide and them on at the same time. I'd have to end Gide the moment they came bursting in, then dispose of them. The footsteps gradually got closer until the oak doors were kicked wide-open. That moment, I broke free from Gide's grip. A gunshot echoed by my ears as gunpowder burned hair on my cheek. However, the bullet didn't hit me. Gide evaded my bullet with the same movement.

Our arms locked like hooks. Thanks to my skill, I already knew who was coming. At the door ahead were armed Mafia members, while Mimic soldiers were at the back door. They stormed into the room at almost the same time. As Gide and I bent at the elbows while locking arms, I shot the Mimic soldiers behind him. Pelted with bullets, they flew back. I was sure the Mafia men behind me were being shot in the same manner. I knew what Gide was thinking. He wanted to take out the intruders before anything else, as did I. He grabbed my lapel and pulled me, but I returned the favor. While we used each other as a fulcrum, I faced my enemies once more. I shot. Another Mimic soldier was knocked backward.

This was a ballroom. We stood in the center while empty shells hit the ground like surrounding applause. Using each other as a point of support, we continued to shoot our enemies. Leaning against each other's backs, we shot them. Our clothes fluttered in the air as we spun, swapping positions. Using the other's shoulder to rest our weapons, we shot more of them. Fresh blood from the soldiers painted the walls. Our shoulders intersected as we spun, shooting each other's allies.

The flames from the gunpowder and empty shells glittered around us. Both Gide and I approached our limits as blood gushed from our gunshot wounds. My face turned pale and my vision blurry. Only my focus was sharp. We danced together around the edge of death—a place not of this world. My skill automatically showed me the future, carving Gide's next words into the back of my mind.

"What do you think, Sakunosuke?"

"About what?" I replied before he even asked.

But in reality, I didn't say a word because Gide heard my answer in a vision and replied before I could even get a word out.

"This is the world I searched for... I lived for this moment."

We didn't actually speak because our skills were predicting what the other would say, and we would think how we would reply. The moment we came up with an answer, the other would foresee it in a vision and then come up with his own reply.

"What are you after?"

"Why did you quit killing?"

It was a brief moment of eternity—a short passage of time that hardly existed. Our visions and reality meshed, creating a world that transcended our world, making it impossible to know how much was real and how much was our skill. It was a world only we could exist in. It was a world we could find only through killing each other.

"I wanted to be a novelist. Someone once told me I should."

"A novelist..." Gide smiled inside our still world. "I'm sure you could have done it."

"Yeah." Maybe there existed a world where that was possible. "This man I talked to gave me a novel. It was the last volume to a series I'd been looking everywhere for. Before I read it, he warned me that it was terrible."

"How was it?" 

"It was..."

***

"Boss, you started putting this scheme into motion years ago to get that license," Dazai continued, standing in front of the boss's desk. "I'm guessing this plan first took shape two years back when Ango went to Europe for business. You did some searching and found that Mimic would be the most promising enemy for your plan, so you had Ango contact them. I was wondering how Mimic escaped Europe and sneaked into Japan so easily, but the answer was rather simple. The Port Mafia helped them illegally enter the country. To send the Special Division for Unusual Powers into a panic and make them get off their butts, you purposely invited the enemy organization to Yokohama."

"Dazai." Ougai, who had been listening in silence, cut Dazai off for the first time. "What remarkable inference. There is nothing that needs correcting. I have just one thing I'd like to ask: What's wrong with that?"

"......"

"I told you—I am always thinking about the organization as a whole. Just like you see here, I received a Skilled Business Permit, so the government has more or less given us approval to conduct our illegal activities. And right now, Sakunosuke Oda is risking his life to eliminate a troublesome, violent group. It's a win-win situation. So why are you so angry?"

Dazai didn't say a word. That was just about the first time he'd ever been unable to articulate his feelings.

"I..."

—"There is nothing worth pursuing at the cost of prolonging a life of suffering."

—"Awaken me from this oxidizing world of a dream."

"I just..." His voice came out strained. "I just don't get it. You were the one who tipped Mimic off about the orphans' safe house. No one else could've found out about the location I chose. You killed those kids to get Odasaku to fight Mimic's leader because he is the only one who can defeat him."

"My answer is the same, Dazai. I will do anything for the benefit of the organization. Besides, we are the Port Mafia. We have always brought darkness, violence, and cruelty to this city. Why is that a problem now?"

Dazai knew. He knew Ougai's calculations, his mentality, and the rationale behind the plan. That was just the kind of organization the Port Mafia was. Logically speaking, Ougai was right, and Dazai was wrong.

"But..."

He turned on his heel, then began walking toward the door. Immediately, Ougai's guards pointed their guns at him.

"You cannot go, Dazai," Ougai called out to stop him. "Stay. Or do you have a logical reason for going to him?"

"There are two things I want to say, Boss." Dazai turned around and glared at Ougai. "First—you're not going to shoot me, and you're not going to have your men shoot me, either."

"Why is that? Because you wish to be shot?"

"No. Because it wouldn't benefit you in any way."

Ougai grinned. "True. However, you wouldn't gain anything by disobeying me and going to him, either. Am I wrong?"

"That's the second thing I wanted to say, Boss. There's nothing in it for me. There's only one reason why I'm going. Because he is my friend. Now, if you'll excuse me."

The guards placed their fingers on the triggers. However, Dazai paid them no mind and simply strolled to the door as if he were going for a walk. The guards looked to Ougai as they waited for orders. Without saying a word, Ougai crossed his arms while he gazed at Dazai's back with a faint smile. Then Dazai opened the door and walked down the hall until he could be seen no more.

***

"The last volume was amazing," I said.

I'd never read a book that drew me in so much. Every word touched my heart, and I saw myself in every character. The man who gave me that book said it was awful, but I felt the complete opposite. I read it in one sitting practically without eating anything all day. The moment I finished the book, I opened it up again to read once more.

It felt as if every cell in my brain was reborn after reading that book. Once I'd finished it, the world I'd known before completely changed. Before that, all I had was killing. I would kill people for the mission—rob them of their lives. That book opened my eyes like the sun at dawn. That last volume had only one flaw. There were a few pages near the end that were torn out, so I never knew how one of the key scenes unfolded. It was a scene where one of the characters, an assassin, explained why he gave up killing.

There wasn't enough information on the following pages to guess why

he did, and not knowing caused me so much anguish. Not only was that scene an important turning point in the story, but it was also crucial to understanding the assassin. The book was nowhere to be found new or used anymore, so I couldn't confirm that missing part. That man with the mustache never showed up again, so I couldn't ask him, either.

After worrying about it for so long, I came to one conclusion.

—"Then you write what happens next."

I decided to write it myself. I would become a novelist and write a story about why the man stopped killing. But to become a novelist, I needed to sincerely know what it meant to live.

So I stopped killing. There was one line in that last volume right before where the pages had been torn out. It was something the protagonist said to the assassin.

"People live to save themselves. It's something they realize right before they die."

I continued to think about what that meant after I vowed never to kill again. There probably wasn't any deep meaning to it. It was more than likely just a line to connect information with more information. But whenever I read that line, I thought back to the older man who had so mysteriously given me that book.

Even now.

Did he know I worked as an assassin? Had he approached me to get me to stop? Was the reason he gave me the last volume, tore out those pages, and told me to write what happens next because he wanted to tell me to save myself? That was what I believed with almost no doubt in my mind.

He had told me his name the first time we met. I had forgotten it for so long, but it was only just recently that I remembered.

His name was Souseki Natsume.

The same name as the name of the author on the cover of that novel.

***

"I was a hero," Gide said.

Gide was in a war. He fought for his country and for justice. He fought for his friends who joined him by his side. During a past war that stretched the globe, he had made countless victories and saved countless allies.

Gide was a hero.

He was a soldier who protected his country, fought for its inhabitants, and believed that his destiny was to die for them. During a certain battle, Gide led a mere forty men into battle and conquered a stronghold of six hundred people. He defeated every single one of them and captured the stronghold.

However, that was a scheme thought up by his own allied base. When the country was already finishing up a peace treaty, Gide was used by military staff executive officers in an immoral ploy to crush one of the enemy's key locations and rob them of their transport network.

Since peace had already been declared, Gide's actions were deemed a war crime, and allied soldiers were sent to kill him for his betrayal. To ensure their survival, Gide and his forty men had no choice but to plunder the enemies' equipment, become the enemy themselves, and break through his former allies' siege.

Numerous soldiers came to kill the traitor. Gide and his men took the enemies' pistols known as graugeists, donned the enemies' military uniforms, and fought to the death against their fellow countrymen.

They mimicked the enemy soldiers and became the ghosts of the deceased. Gide and his men killed their pursuers to survive, but they didn't have anywhere to live. They were criminals of war, dead men, a military with no master. From there, they wandered the lands. They took on dirty work as illegal mercenaries. These former heroes were no more. Their lives, which they were supposed to lay down to protect their country, were used for no one. They just dulled their senses, dirtied their hands, and lost their reputation. Several men in the group even killed themselves. Gide didn't stop them; he lacked the words to do so.

But there were also those who didn't die. They were soldiers at heart, and they believed killing themselves would strip them of that right. They fought, suffered wounds, and lost their friends, but they still got back up. It was proof that they were once soldiers, that their blood still drove them to be such militants. They searched for a battlefield—a place to prove they were soldiers—a place that would help them remember who they were even if it meant dying. They became ghosts who wandered the battlefield. Their homeland and pride forever lost, they became spirits of the wasteland in search of an enemy.

***

Time was still extending endlessly. We continued to foresee and respond to what the other was going to say. Not even a second had gone by in the real world, where I'd just killed the Mimic soldiers while Gide killed the Mafia soldiers. In this world, I got ready to point my gun at Gide, who was surely going to do the same.

"The final moment is near," Gide said in that world of eternity.

"Tell me one thing, Gide," I said back. "Did you never want to go after something else? Couldn't you have changed how you lived your life somewhere down the line? Something different from searching for a battlefield or a place to die..."

"Change the way I live? There is no way I could have done that." Gide smiled. A glimmer of sorrow flickered within his eyes. "I promised my allies that I would die as a soldier. Nothing else was possible."

We pointed our guns at each other. However, in the world of eternity, we quietly faced each other and talked like friends. Gide looked at me. I could see the sincerity in his gaze.

"But...perhaps I could have changed my life at some point. Maybe if I had tried to change earlier in life, then perhaps I could have become something else...just like you stopped killing others. If I had the strength you had, then maybe one day I, too, could have..."

There were only two people in that massive hall still alive. Our muzzles each pointed at the other's heart. Gide wasn't wearing bulletproof clothing, and I'd taken mine off moments prior during battle. A shot to the chest would be fatal. The triggers had already been pulled. The bullets began to slide out of the barrels.

However, we just smiled, facing our partners as if we'd come to know everything about each other, like old friends after a long chat.

—"They've observed that when multiple skills interact, on rare occasions they'll careen off into a completely unexpected direction."

So this world was a skill singularity.

"I have one regret," I said. "I never got to say good-bye to my friend. He was always there for me as 'just a friend.' He was bored of this world and always waited for death to come for him."

"That man was in search of a place to die just like me?"

"No, not exactly," I answered. "I thought you were similar to Dazai at first, rushing into battle and wishing for death without even considering the value of your own life. But he's different. He's sharp-witted with a mind like a steel trap. And he's just a child—a sobbing child abandoned in the darkness of a world far emptier than the one we're seeing."

He was too smart for his own good. That was why he was always alone. The reason why Ango and I were able to be by his side was that we understood the solitude that surrounded him, and we never stepped inside it no matter how close we stood.

But in that moment, I kind of regretted not stepping in and invading that solitude.

The bullets left our guns' barrels and slid toward our chests.

"A magnificent shot until the very end." Gide smiled. "I'm going to go see my men. Say hello to the kids."

The bullets reached our chests. The singularity vanished.

The bullets penetrated the skin, cut through our clothes, and exited out our backs. At the very same time, in the very same fashion, we both fell backward.

***

Dazai rushed into the building and over to the ballroom, passing the myriad of corpses through the corridors along the way. When he burst through the oak doors, he saw his friend lying on the ground.

"Odasaku!" 

"Dazai..."

Dazai rushed over to Odasaku, then checked his wounds. The bullet had pierced Odasaku's chest, and a vast pool of blood had collected on the floor. It was clear that the wound was fatal.

"You're such an idiot, Odasaku. The biggest idiot I know." 

"Yeah."

"You didn't have to do this. You didn't have to die." 

"I know."

Odasaku smirked with that particular satisfaction of accomplishing something worth the cost.

"Dazai... There's something I want to say."

"Don't. Stop. We might still be able to save you. No, we will save you. So don't say such—"

"Listen." Odasaku wrapped his blood-soaked hand around Dazai's. "You told me if you put yourself in a world of violence and bloodshed, you might be able to find a reason to live..."

"Yeah, I said that. I did. But what difference does that—?"

"You won't find it," Odasaku said in almost a whisper. Dazai stared at him. "You should know that. Whether you're on the side that takes lives or the side that saves them, nothing beyond your own expectations will happen. Nothing in this world can fill the hole that is your loneliness. You will wander the darkness for eternity."

—"Awaken me from this oxidizing world of a dream."

That was when Dazai first realized: Sakunosuke Oda understood him much more than he'd ever imagined—right up to his very heart, almost to the center of his mind. Dazai didn't realize until then that someone had known him so well.

For the first time in his life, Dazai wanted from the bottom of his heart to know something. He asked the man before him:

"Odasaku... What should I do?"

"Be on the side that saves people," Odasaku replied. "If both sides are the same, then choose to become a good person. Save the weak, protect the orphaned. You might not see a great difference between right and wrong, but...saving others is something just a bit more wonderful."

"How do you know?"

"I know. I know better than anyone else."

Dazai gazed into Odasaku's eyes and saw a glow of conviction.

It was clear that those words were supported by some sort of strong basis. Whether it was past experience or someone's advice—Odasaku was trying to show Dazai the path he himself had once tried to walk. Dazai knew that.

That was why he could bring himself to believe it. "...Okay. I will."

"'People live to save themselves. It's something they realize right before they die,' huh...? He was...right..." The color in Odasaku's face gradually disappeared until he was almost completely pale. He smiled. "I could really go for some of that curry..."

With trembling fingers, Odasaku reached for the cigarettes in his pocket before sluggishly placing one in his mouth. By the time he pulled out a match, his fingers were too weak to hold it anymore. Dazai took the match and lit the cigarette for him. Then Odasaku closed his eyes, smoking the cigarette as he smiled, filled to the brim with satisfaction.

The cigarette fell to the ground.

Dropping onto his knees by Odasaku's side, Dazai looked up to the ceiling and closed his eyes. His tightly shut lips faintly trembled. The smoke from the cigarette rose straight up to the top.

Nobody said a word.

***

[aboywithanimecaps]

[bonkywobble]

Librarian!steve and teacher!reader

And i mean like kindergarten teacher

Librarian!Steve and teacher!reader meeting for the first time

Pairing: AU!Steve Rogers x teacher!reader

Warnings: Pure floof

A/N: Thank you for sending this in anon, what a cute idea! Instead of doing a general relationship headcanon (which I can still do if people want to see that), I did a meet cute headcanon.

Book quote from Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry.

This blog and all works associated with are 18+ only. Minors please do not interact or follow.

Main masterlist  / Librarian!Steve Masterlist

His manager, Mr Coulson, had warned him that there’d be a small group of kids coming in today for their monthly field trip

And even though it normally has nothing to do with him, Miss Maximoff had called in sick so it was up to him to set up the children’s section so they had somewhere to sit and read

Behind due to the ‘updated’ computer system crashing, he finally finishes putting everything out right as someone enters, a tiny sea of chattering children in tow

As you make your way closer he’s able to get a better look at them

And dear god

You’re beautiful

With the sun shining on your blue clothed figure, children’s hands clasped gently in yours and the prettiest smile he’s ever seen Steve’s sure he’s been visited by an angel

He takes off his glasses and wipes them with the bottom of his cardigan, releasing he’s not seeing things when he rests them on his face again

He’s left damn near speechless when he hears you speak for the first time, watching you bend down slightly to talk to your students

“Alright everybody,” you softly whisper, “we’re in the library now so remember what I said earlier?”

And as you bring your finger to your lips each child copies you with a dramatic “shhhhh”

“That’s right, good job.”

With a saintly patience you manage to rustle everyone onto the train patterned carpet and you pick up your first book for the morning

Steve chooses a seat not too far away from you and ‘busies’ himself with work, hoping he’ll get the chance to introduce himself later

An hour in and he’s still listening to your kind voice, watching you interact with a boy pointing at the pictures:

“Yeah, he’s got the ice cream right there. Good spotting Mikey.”

“.... how about we draw our favourite ice creams when we’re back at school, Vanya?”

He’s busy drawing the scene in the back of his notepad, completely enraptured when his phone vibrates, notifying him of a text from Bucky

I’m heading out to grab a fan. Y’know, seeing as someone’s a bit hot for teacher - B

He responds with a simply ‘lay off’ before tuning into your last story

“Swashby carved a heartfelt message for the sea, which the sea fiddled with just a little bit,” you conclude, looking towards him as you turn the last page

When your eyes meet he swears he feels his heart stop

Ignoring how he wasn’t meant to be there at all he sends you a small smile that you return with one of your own

It’s enough to send his sputtering heart into overdrive and he can feel his face getting hotter by the second

The moment is broken by both a curious girl at the back asking you if she can go outside and his phone going off again

Who said I was talking about you - B

Steve’s jaw ticks slightly and he has to restrain himself from snapping the pencil in his hand - he’s absolutely getting your number before you walk out the door

[tartagliadevotee]

—  chapter 1. the fine print

pairing: kaeya / fem!reader / dainsleif

warnings: no warnings for this chapter! (not beta read)

word count: 2.3k

chapter summary: you finally arrive at khaenri-ah and meet the prince. 

a/n: here we go finally the first chapter!!! hope you guys enjoy it and tell me if you want to be added to the taglist <3

 masterlist (check here for overall summary + warnings of the story)

previous / next (soon)

Finally stepping out of the carriage, the sun caresses your already warm skin. A maid hurriedly scurries towards you and opens up an umbrella to protect you from the sun's grilling rays of heat. You smile at the maid and she quickly averts her eyes. You shrug, despite working for you and your family for so long the maids and servants still feared you. Rightfully so, your family was never kind nor compassionate. They didn’t even bother to come as they sent you off. You mostly found it to be rude towards the royal family of Khaenri-ah but it was obvious that your family didn’t feel the same. You take a step forward and the maid follows, Khaenri-ah is hot but has a pleasant wind. The air smells of something unknown but sweet, vanilla maybe? 

Your light blue dress ghosts over the red carpet as you enter through the large silver gates. The guards bow before you and you quickly pass them. Your own guards follow you, and linger as you momentarily stop before the entrance of the palace. You feel as you can’t breathe, anxiety squeezes your beating heart and you curse at your tight corset. The maid that holds your umbrella gives you a worried glance and with that, you gesture one of the guards to open the door for you. 

You’re surprised to see the royal family ready to greet you, you can almost see sparkles in the air. With a bright smile you take a step inside and do a small bow before observing who you were bowing to. You see the king, the queen and the prince. The king almost seems bored but smiles when he notices your gaze, your ears are ringing and before you can introduce yourself the prince stands up and swiftly makes his way towards you. With a bow of his own he takes your hand and gently places his soft lips. Feeling your cheeks starting to heat up, you slowly pull your hand back when his lips leave your scorched skin. 

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you,” the prince speaks, his voice smooth like honey. “I am prince Kaeya Alberich, your soon to be husband.” 

Hurriedly you held your skirt and bow once more, your mind was racing as you tried to keep up a pleasant appearance. 

“It is a pleasure as well, I am y/n y/l/n.” 

With a wide smile he turns back to his parents, his fingers intertwined with yours and you can’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Both his father and mother smile back at the two of you, they seem much more pleasant than your own family. 

“You are beautiful as the rumors state, my dear.” the mother speaks. 

“Yes,” the father chuckled. “A great bond between our families is forging. I am quite pleased.” 

You part your lips to speak but Kaeya interrupts before you can say anything. 

“I believe I own my fiance a tour,” he chirps and starts to walk to the door, dragging you along with him. “We will see you at dinner.” 

The prince, without proper form or anything, pulls you along with him as he jolts towards the doors you just entered. With the corner of your eye you notice your maid hurriedly trying to catch up with you, lifting your hand you motion her to stop and the doors close. Her horrid and shocked expression being the last thing you see before looking up to Kaeya. 

He truly was breathtaking. You had  heard many rumors before your arrival, how the prince of Khaenri-ah was such a flirt and how he broke hearts left and right. But he didn’t seem like such a man who would break a woman’s heart just for his own pleasing. His dark skin looked soft and inviting under the sunlight, his blue hair tied and lazily thrown over his broad shoulder and his eye, that shimmering oceanic blue eye just reminded you of home and seemed to be gazing to the future. It was a pity that he covered the other one with a pitch black eyepatch, in the middle of said eyepatch there was a gold stitching of a peacock. The animal that stood on his family crest. 

Prince Kaeya is breathtaking. 

You can’t help but stare, his gold earring reflects the sun and his shirt, rather indecorously, exposed his chest. You feel yourself starting to get embarrassed by your inappropriate leering and start to turn your gaze to your surroundings, but before you do Kaeya’s gaze momentarily shifts back to you and notices you glancing away at the last second. A smug grin spreads across his handsome features and your heart stops. 

“How do you like the view?” he asks, starting to slow down. 

“I-I beg your pardon?” your voice is sheer and laced with fake offense. 

The prince chuckles and comes to a halt, his fingers still intertwined with yours, you stop as well. Your eyes still glued to him, trying to comprehend what he had just asked of a woman he just met. Facing you glare head on, his smile widens and he tilts his head to the side, gesturing you to look around. 

And you do as you were told. 

With a gasp your mouth falls open. The two of you were standing at the edge of a grassy cliff, a warm wind caressed your skin, a plain of colorful flowers spread out seemingly all the way to the horizon. You can see every color, red, yellow, blue, green, pink… it was like a colorful ocean that laid underneath your feet. Each blow of a soft wind brings you a different smell coming from a different flower, taking in a deep breath you turn to Kaeya, a shocked expression visible on your face. Your heart thuds faster this time, he was watching you, his smug smile never faltering. 

“It is beautiful,” you manage to blurt out, not knowing what else to say you add. “Thank you.” 

“You are the utmost welcome princess.” 

You smile and turn back to the view, oblivious to the fact that he was observing your every move and mimic you made. He chuckles and takes a step close to you, gently he places his hand ever so delicate on your waist and feels the lace of your dress. Your face heats up at the bold gesture but you can’t help but lean in a bit. Your back presses against his chest and he hums, clearly pleased. 

He muses, “You are not what I expected.” 

With a raise of an eyebrow you tear your gaze away from the view and back to him. A soft smile tugged at your lips, despite having a guess of what the prince had meant, you still inquired further. 

“And may I be so bold to ask what you expected instead, prince?” 

A heartfelt laugh ripples from his throat, his chest trembles and your smile grows. His laugh is similar to a beautiful symphony, it pleases you to see him happy. 

“I expected you to be less willing to marry me that’s for sure.” his laughter dies down and he pulls you closer. He smells like cinnamon. “You must have heard the rumo--” 

“The rumors that you’re a flirt? Yes I have,” he averts his sole eye, momentarily you see pain but it is quick to vanish when you place a hand on his cheek and gesture him to look at you. Your fingertips burn at the contact. “I decide to judge things of my own accord. I am not one to heed to rumors.” 

“I am quite lucky then.” he replies with a wide grin.

“I wouldn’t be so hasty if I were you.” you tease, you hand still gently pressed on his cheek. 

Kaeya’s grin never wavers as he places his hand above yours and slides it down to his lips. His eye flutter closed with the bliss of feeling his skin against yours. A warm wind blows. Your ears ring as you hold your breath, Kaeya’s soft lips grazes against your palm and he places a soft kiss. You part your lips to say something, anything but it seems that all words have left you. He places another kiss and his eye slowly opens, you expect him to look at you, maybe even make fun a bit at your shocked demeanor but instead his eye lingers over something that is behind you. 

You slowly turn, upon seeing someone you pull your hand away and Kaeya clicks his tongue. It seems like the prince didn’t enjoy being interrupted. 

While you observe the man, he gently bows and takes a step closer. He had straight light blond hair and sea blue eyes, much lighter than Kaeya’s dark ones. He was rather tall. His uniform was a mix of black and dark blue, golden stars littered across it, with the corner of your eyes you can also see a sword dangling from his hip. If it wasn’t for the uniform and sword you might’ve mistaken this stranger for royalty. His beauty was almost matched with Kaeya’s.

“Dainsleif,” Kaeya mutters, bored. “What is it?” 

“Sir Albedo requested your presence, he also wanted me to add that it was quite urgent.” 

“Is that so?” 

Kaeya falls silent before sighing and shooting you an apologetic look. 

“I need to go,” he says and gestures to Dainsleif. “This is my personal guard, he will be escorting you to your quarters. I apologize.” 

“It’s alright, please go. I shall meet you at dinner.” 

You smile at him and can see the prince visibly relaxing. With a quick nod he quickly disappears from sight, leaving you with the royal guard Dainsleif. 

“This way your highness.” he says simply with a small bow and starts walking expecting you to follow him.

The edges of your dress dragging across the grass, with quick steps you try to keep up with him. He didn’t seem like someone that indulged in idle conversation but you were used to untalkative, or to put it better, fearful maids and guards around you. Though you didn’t think that this specific guard was fearful of your presence or nervous, he seemed more focused than anything. Usually you would try to talk with whoever was near you, this was mainly due to learning more about the people near you and trying to figure out if they were a threat or not. You were on unfamiliar soil, it was only logical to try and get the people to like you, even if they were just there to serve you. 

But for some reason this peculiar guard makes you nervous. He feels...cold. Despite having such bright blue eyes his gaze seems almost foggy, like he wasn’t completely there with you. 

The two of you reach the castle and as per tradition, he opens the door for you. You swiftly pass him and strut deeper inside of the castle, he quickly follows and leads you through the maze like halls. You were mildly surprised to find the inside so dark, not a candle in sight. Maybe this was due to the day just starting to end but you still found it rather odd. 

You raise an eyebrow and a small smile tugs at your lips as you continue to observe your surroundings. Everything had a silver lining and the dark halls were yours. 

“It is rather dark isn’t it?” you ask, shifting your gaze back to Dainsleif. “Are the halls always like this or are the candles to be lit?” 

“The royal family hasn’t had a visitor in a while,” he begins. His voice, despite being soft, still echoes off the walls. “These rooms haven’t been used for decades, I will be sure to ask the maids to light some candles.” 

“It is surprising that no one has been here for a while.” you say with awe, your eyes once again wondering across the pale white walls. “Is there a reason for that?” 

An uncomfortable silence follows your question. The sound of footsteps fills the silent void and just as you part your lips to speak, or rather apologize, for asking so much Dainsleif comes to a halt. You mimic his movement and notice that the two of you are standing in front of a clean white door.  

“The prince prefers not to come here anymore.” he nonchalantly answers, then he gestures towards the door. “Your room, your highness. I shall be standing watch if you require any assistance.”

“Thank you.” 

Quickly you open the door and walk inside. Swiftly closing the door you immediately press your back against it and take in deep breaths. What did he mean by that? Why didn’t the prince want to come here anymore? If the prince didn’t like it here why was your room located here? Despite Dainsleif’s calm demeanor his answer was shrouded with mystery and sent a chill down your spine. The tone of it, the silence, all of it was enough to get your stomach churning. 

You close your eyes and sigh, slowly walking forward you reach the bed. It was rather large with comfortable looking pillows and white sheets. With a tilt of your head you notice a dark blue dress with a note, curiosity getting the better of you, you slowly take the note. 

“Sorry for leaving so suddenly, I gift you this dress as a sign of my apology.” you read out loud barely in a whisper. 

Placing the note down, your hand wanders across the dress. Your fingertips screamed with pleasure with the feeling of something so soft against them. The dress has a low-cut neck and long sleeves, the skirt was littered with beautiful small golden stars, it’s a thoughtful gesture on his part and you can’t wait to wear it. 

With that initial thought, you push your suspicions to the back of your head, surely you were just being paranoid over nothing. Besides, the reason for the prince’s dislike towards the wing you currently occupied could be anything. 

Right now you just need to focus on leaving a good appearance and that’s all. The prince’s past was none of your concern.