#Oh and his crown is hidden underneath the hat :]

[zub1n-th3-gr3at]

You're a mean one, Mr. Mind!☀️

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Could you do follower shamura with a centipede reader that is the loyalty enforcer sorry for asking again I think tumblr has been eating my asks

When Shamura was first brought to the cult and immediately put in the stocks, Lamb asked if you could try assisting the spider in understanding their situation.

Their eyes seethed red like most dissenters, but tbh they were more confused than angry.

Being a Loyalty Enforcer was a tough job (aside from the top hat making your antennae slightly uncomfortable) with all the followers you had to talk to. Though you were more than happy to help Shamura. They just needed some enlightenment!

Right away, they confuse you for one of their guardians since they noticed your many arms (with extra sleeves for each one) and dozens of legs mostly hidden underneath the folds of your robe.

"Vephar...where are we...?"

"My apologies, but I'm not Vephar. They're praying over there. I'm [y/n]..the Loyalty Enforcer." You calmly introduce yourself. "I see your mind is troubled, so I'm here to help ease you into the cult."

"....has the Red Crown found a new bearer?"

It took you a second to realize they mistook the symbol on your hat for the actual crown, but you gently correct them on that, too. You have lots of patience while answering their questions.

Although of course, the inevitable question of Narinder came up...

"Where's my brother? I've missed him a lot. Has he been practicing everything I taught him?"

"He's...um..not here right now. At the moment, he's on a crusade with Lamb in our old domain."

Immediately, Shamura's mood shifts.

"....oh, that Lamb. Cursed Lamb, wretched Lamb. Why did he follow them into my cradle?! What if he doesn't come back? What if I don't see him for another thousand...?!" They're quick to panic, writhing around in the restraints, calling out to their brother.

Their screams and hisses start scaring the other followers, but you try to calm them down. You reassure them he'll come back, yet they're still quite distraught and ask if he's been treated cruelly.

That's a surprise to you, considering he was the one who sliced through their brain and yet...they're more concerned about him.

But you tell Shamura stories about how Narinder was thriving in the cult: how he attended the rituals/ceremonies with respect, how he cleaned up the bodies and icky stuff, and how he--despite never saying it--truly did miss his siblings, especially them.

Indeed, they wept that night, realizing their dear little brother was alright.

Once Shamura was more at ease, Lamb allowed you to release them and let them get acquainted with the cult.

You were their guide for the most part, showing them around and demonstrating how you kept everybody's loyalty in check.

They're impressed, although sometimes they forget your role (and still call you Vephar at times). But ofc you gently remind them of who you are again.

If anybody dares make fun of Shamura's memory loss, you'll give them an earful and/or send them straight to the pillory (if they're still spouting hate, you'll just get Lamb to deal with it).

In time, they rekindle their bond with Narinder and their other siblings, so you went back to your usual Loyalty Enforcer duties.

Ofc the ex-bishop of war still remembers how kind you've been to them and promises they'll never forget that.

[suspiciouslypinkrosegarden]

Pairing: Suit Saeran x Non Gendered Reader

Description: A little fic based on that gorgeous Suit birthday title screen CG we got this year. Go on, put on that dazzling outfit. There is one problem here with Suit’s plan though…you don’t know ballet to perform for him. Guess you’ll just have to dance together </3

Little note for readers who don’t identify as female: On stage, EVERYONE wears makeup (lipstick, eyebrows, all of it) in order to emphasize features for the audience to see. And costumes are also very important, including ones with glitter! Suity here doesn’t discriminate, everything here is following performing arts rules. Feel free to think of the costume in any way you like as it isn’t referred to as a dress! It’s anything! Local theater kid here isn’t a lier promise.

I wrote this pretty much exactly after the CG was revealed :3 so it’s older

————————————————————

“Perfect...what a well behaved doll~”

Saeran crossed his arms in front of him, showing you his signature smirk in a smug look of victory. He studied you, traveling down from your face to the outfit you so graciously modeled for him, admiring the way it hugged your waist and fell with such a poof at the bottom, black feathers adorning the soft silky material. He coughed upon noting the exposed bit of skin the outfit left in your chest area, and he made it painfully obvious that where his glance landed up was the cause of the tiny loss of composure.

You couldn’t help but feel rather flustered under his gaze, relief washing over you as his eyes finally met yours again.

“So...it took it being a special day for you to finally listen to me? Well? Did you enjoy the show at least, toy? Wasn’t it cute? The little dolly made of my little doll finally doing what you’re supposed to do. Entertaining me! That is your purpose! And today…,” he huffed through his nose with laughter. “You’re finally going to do that properly! That wasn’t just any old puppet show...but a demonstration of how today is going to go. You’re going to dance for me as I sit back and enjoy my cake in front of you...and if the performance is good enough, you can have a bite. Aren’t I generous today?”

He snickered as you tried your hardest not to sigh tiredly, not necessarily completely annoyed by him but…needless to say this wasn't something you’d have planned. There was a short pause as he tapped his foot a few times impatiently. Clearly you weren’t getting his message.

“So then, toy? Dance for me! And dance for this sugary treat~”, he cackled, sliding the small plate in your direction before pulling it back, taunting you much like a toddler. Perhaps waving a reward in front of your face would light a fire under you.

It was moments like these where you found yourself wondering what good you initially thought you’d get from blindly following a complete stranger to a hidden location in the mountains. Truth be told, today you were mainly humoring his whims because of the sheer amount of detail and effort he put into this charade, and because you were curious to try on that exquisite costume. Birthday boy or not...this couldn’t become a regular thing of his.

“Oh..oh oh oh and one more thing.”

Saeran rather excitedly crouched down for the blue present box underneath the table, easily popping its lid off and pulling out the final piece of your outfit; the same feathers and golden crown worn by your doll.

“Aren’t you excited? You get to be royalty for the day...my prince(ss)..my birthday present to play with! Why else did you think I’d instruct you to wear your hair like that before I came?”

Sending someone in to do your hair for you that evening and pamper you was the proper explanation for what actually went on. It wasn’t like it would be an easy feat to add such a lovely jeweled hair piece to your do alone. The timid believer who assisted you even brought you a perfume sent by him...so you, according to the note attached, ��wouldn’t smell so awful”. On the bright side, you really did feel dazzling, the pearls in your hair matching the ones on your new attire.

“Well...come closer so I can put it on you. I won’t bite...as long as you listen,” he teased, bringing himself forward to close up more of the gap between you two.

You bowed your head slightly in response as he fiddled with how the headpiece sat, occasionally feeling his hands smooth down and readjust little parts of your hair. Once he was confident the job was done, he took a step back to admire his work of art. He seemed proud of his accomplishments; his ability to get you to play dress up for him and how the puppet show went so perfectly after so much practice...and now was the time for his hard work to pay off. He expected you to make every bit his birthday fantasy come true, which was evident in everything from his expressions to body language. But there was a problem. You didn’t know ballet.

Saeran took his birthday hat and placed it upon his head grumpily before plopping in the seat you once previously enjoyed his performance in. He sat with a slouch, bringing his plate of cake to him, noming down on a small bite before speaking again with his mouth a bit full.

“Come on, toy! I’m waiting now that you’re all ready!”

He tapped his foot impatiently again.

You decided to address your concerns slowly.

“Uhm...Saeran..? The dance you made the puppet do was ballet…”

“Yes, aren’t you clever? So do some ballet for me.”

“That’s the thing...I haven’t done ballet since I was practically a baby. I’m not sure how to...and you’d have to turn on the music-”

Rational thinking interrupted your nervous attempt to reason a proper way to do this. “And hey...why am I dancing for you anyways?”

He tilted his head, raising a brow in disapproval.

“Because I say so, and because you value your life and your stomach. Remember? I can toss you out at any time,” he puffed, “and this cake will save you from your misery of having an empty belly. You will work for your food and convince me you deserve it!”

“...Ok..? But again...I don’t know how to do ballet anymore-”

Saeran cut you off with the sharp screeching of his chair’s legs dragging backwards against the ground, standing swiftly.

“Did I ask for excuses..? Hahaha...most people would be more pleasant on their birthdays..”, he stepped towards you. “...Is that what you’re expecting from me? Hmm? To be all sweet and sappy because it’s my big day? Extra nice to you? I still won’t tolerate disobedience...in fact, I have less patience today!”

He finished his march to you until he could make certain his dominance was well established through a face-to-face threatening scowl, towering over you best he could. He cupped your chin, tilting it up so you were forced to meet him in all his fury.

“You’re going to dance today. You’re going to dance today because I ordered you to do so, little airhead. Even if I have to force you!”

Releasing his hold on your face, he then grasped your left hand, intertwining your fingers, giving you a good yank forward into him. He caught you on his chest as you gasped in slight shock, the feeling of his hand making its way to the side of your waist; the unexpected cold touch making you shiver as you felt it through the fabric of your outfit.

There was an awkward pause as the two of you stood together in silence for a moment, Saeran just watching you with bated breath. The quiet was eating at you, feeling your heart clamoring against your ribs as you waited for him to initiate something. Your stare drifted down to his chain which sat within your outfit’s front feathers before moving back up. It was cute that he’d pick out a gold one for his birthday. You piped up as you heard him finally swallow saliva.

“We uh...need music..if you want to dance together. I think this is a good solution, actually.”

You gave him a smile, the same gentle look he’d cursed dozens of times before for making him feel so gross in the stomach. He kept quiet this time, but your expression made him feel no different than usual, if not more so.

“I knew that. Obviously we can’t dance to nothing. Tch, don’t get smart with me…”

Sure he knew that.

He let go of your hand to reach out and press play on the little radio he’d tucked away behind the little stage, contorting himself to stay close to you before returning to your old ready to dance position. He pulled you to the right with a shuffle together away from the set to a clear space in the room, closer to the window, the glow of the soft moonlight catching on the intricate glittery details of your costume.

Saeran stared for a mere moment, stiff as a statue as you placed your free hand on his shoulder. You could tell from the shifting of his eyes he was trying his best not to gawk now that he was getting a solid look at you up against him, clearing his throat with an “akhem” to collect himself. He’d never admit the tips of his ears felt hot to the touch.

Finally, with your prompting, the inviting melody which drifted through the room allowed the two of you to begin swaying together; Saeran watching your feet to understand the 1-2-3 step movements you did. He got the hang of it pretty quickly, grinning confidently as he took more lead and a firmer hold on your waist. It was a simple dance, rocking a tad and moving in a circle, the expression you showed him sweet and caring as he peered into your reflective (e/c) pools, (and perhaps it was flustered and nervous too). He, on the other hand, wouldn’t allow his mask of cocky satisfaction to be taken off so easily, despite the rosy hue his pale cheeks took on.

“My my...such a warbled little smile I’m receiving from you~ are you enjoying this, doll? Don’t lie, I can see just how red you are..pfft- is dancing with your prince something you’ve day dreamed about before? You and your delusions-”

You decided to outright call him out. He can’t just tease you like this when he came up with this whole plan in the first place, now can he?

“Says the one who made a detailed puppet set of the building we’re in. And two dolls of us. And got me a costume. And got me ballet shoes, which my whole outfit matches the doll’s exactly, by the way. And you even put on a whole show, plus made me do my hair the way you like...who’s day dream are we actually living out? Oh and don’t forget...you’re the one who took my hand to dance too~”.

You winked at him, eliciting a low growl which rumbled in his throat. His face grew redder, perhaps with rage.

“Hey...I never said I didn’t like it. The detail is incredible, and I’m being honest. I’m not sure how much work you put into it all...but I can tell it was a lot. You, sir, have a hidden talent. I’d like to see what else you can do with more free time for yourself….”

He sneered, “I’m not going to keep humoring you with more stuff like this, if that’s what you’re implying. Maybe with more free time, I’ll only find myself coming up with new ways to make you bend and break! But, I will take your compliment as you can at least appreciate this all as a work of my geniusness. I’m a busy busy man, but I found free time to set up a playdate with my toy. So stop pushing my buttons! You should feel lucky I graced you with my presence! It’s my birthday...and I’m stuck looking at your stupid face!”

“Hmm...again, with all that planning I think someone wanted to see ‘my stupid face’. And I do feel lucky, because I get to spend your birthday with you, although I wish I could have organized something myself. And what I meant was...Saeran this is a work of art. The dolls look hand crafted and painted, including the outfits which must’ve been sown for today in order to match perfectly. I also noticed the pearls on my costume match the ones on your birthday hat. And the set...some of the paint even appears as if its liquid leaf...which it might not be but still. Once we’re finished dancing, I want to go and admire your efforts. Especially the cute little replica of yourself you made~!”

Saeran sputtered angrily.

“You….are certainly an A grade weirdo. Don’t you hate this, even a little? Isn’t it sucky for you? Having to be my puppet today!”

“I’m no one’s puppet. I’m enjoying myself because I get to dress up, dance with you, and learn about a new skill of yours.”

He stopped your swaying with a halt, and you could feel his once icy hand in yours growing hotter by the second. His grip tightened as if to warn you he might hurt you with a squeeze, but within a second, it softened, and he let go momentarily to run it through his poofy locks. He grumbled.

“I don’t know why I even bother with an airhead like yourself. You didn’t even use the stamps I left so clearly out in front of you.”

You grinned at the opportunity suddenly presented to you. You hadn’t given him a birthday gift yet, and here was the chance to give him something small, but memorable.

“Hey Saeran...do you like the shade of lipstick I’m wearing today? It’s kind of purpleish..you know, a combination of red and blue. Like your stamps if the ink is mixed.”

He gulped, furrowing his brows.

“What are you getting at? I don’t care about your silly stage makeup I instructed the believer to do...”

You faked a sigh, “Sorry, sorry. I’ll make sure to get on that last bit right now about the stamps, since we’re no longer dancing.”

Without hesitation, you took him by the open sides of his striking suit jacket, pulling him to you to turn and plant a quick but firm kiss on his cheek. You then let him go, drinking in his wide eyed blushy appearance, raising his hand to touch the prominent lipstick mark you left on him. He wiped the area as if to show he didn’t like it, only to look down at the swipe of purple on his fingertips.

“See there? A stamp! And there’s more where that came from~”

[missscarletta7]

The Broken Crown- Chapter 4

Enjoy chapter 4!

Summary: All Margaret Shelby ever wanted, was the opportunity to write her own story. Only now is she beginning to realize that her brother may have already written it for her...

OoOoOo

"When your dreams all fail,

And the ones we hail, Are the worst of all,

And the blood runs stale"

~Demons~

OoOoOo

1919

Maggie was so excited. She dragged Cara toward the pub the moment their school day was finished.

"Why are we going into the Garrison?" The blonde asked curiously.

"You have to meet the barmaid who works here," Maggie explained.

"I've seen her," Cara informed her. "What's so special about her?"

"We've become good friends." It was true, after such a long period of time had passed without seeing her older sister, Grace inevitably filled the gaping space that Ada had left behind.

"Should I be jealous?" The blonde teased.

Maggie flashed a loving smile, "No one could ever replace you."

When the dark-haired girl opened the pub door, the first thing they heard was Grace's melodic voice singing. "-As I've never loved before..."

Maggie spotted Grace serving drinks to the regular customers. Unfortunately, one of those customers was Ross, who was sitting with a group of men who would hang around the betting shop. Cara was quick to notice him too, her body immediately tensed.

"Since first I saw you on the village green..."

"Sorry Mags, I forgot my mum wanted me to fix stitching on some dresses," This was one of the few times Maggie had ever seen Cara looking embarrassed, "Maybe next time, yeah?"

"Come to me ere my dream of love is o'er..."

The dark-haired girl nodded, not wanting to refute the her friends claim, and watched Cara hurriedly exit through the doors.

"I love you as I loved you when you were sweet..." Maggie moved herself over to the row of empty barstools and took a seat as Grace was finishing her song. "When you were sweet sixteen."

Grace then walked behind the bar while Maggie applauded at the performance. "Hello Maggie," Grace greeted happily, grabbing a dirty pint glass off the bar. "Don't look behind you,but a handsome young man is staring at you."

Maggie felt her stomach turn, responding, "Let's change the subject."

Grace smirked, "How was school?"

"Dull," The girl said truthfully, "Harry out again?"

Grace nodded, "It's been slow."

"What have you been doing today?"

"I had a meeting with the gentleman who will be installing the pub's brand new phone."

"Neat." Maggie beamed at the thought of the new technology.

"Your brother is trying to go legitimate." Grace informed her, "He wants to make this place seem a bit more respectable."

"Which one?" The dark-haired girl asked.

"Arthur." She answered back unenthusiastically, "Though he doesn't seem too interested in fixing anything. I mean, look at the state of these." The barmaid picked up a carton of cigarettes that was ripping apart. "Where do these even come from?" She asked, hoping this question would lead to where the guns may be hidden.

Maggie just shrugged at her question. "How should I know? I think they have a few warehouses in town."

Grace nodded, taking in the information, before noticing a customer beckon her over, "I'll be back." She told the girl.

Maggie sat by herself for a few moments before she felt a presence inch closer to stand beside her. She knew there would be a confrontation at some point, she had done so well in avoiding him. She didn't have a chance to say anything before Ross spoke first, "I had instructions to give this to you."

Reaching into the pocket inside of his coat he pulled out a folded piece of parchment, placing it on the bar he slid it towards her. She was surprised but nevertheless relieved when he said nothing else and walked back to his table. Taking the note, she unfolded it to read the message that was scribbled out. As she read a smile crept onto her face. The message was from Ada.

OoOoOo

In the parlor, Maggie had been writing in her journal when Polly descended the down the stairs. "Put your shoes on," The older woman ordered, "Johns called a family meeting."

Watching Polly walk across the room, Maggie raised her eyebrow, "Thought I wasn't allowed at family meetings."

"John says it's not that kind of a meeting," Polly said, exiting into the tiny kitchen. Maggie happily closed her book and slipped on her black boots which were resting right underneath the old coffee table, before following her aunt into the kitchen.

"Pol?" Maggie asked worriedly when she noticed the woman standing rigidly by the table. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing." Polly said after a moment, "C'mon, we don't want to be late." Polly moved to enter the betting shop with her niece in tow.

"Where's John?" Tommy asked his aunt, agitated his brother was not at his post.

"John's in the Garrison, says he wants a meeting about a family matter," Polly informed him, placing her hat on her head. "After he's said his piece he'll come back and take his place with Scudboat."

Maggie tried to follow her aunt, but was stopped by Tommy's outstretched arm, "Where are you going?"

"To the meeting. John told Polly I could come," Maggie explained to him.

Though Tommy didn't look completely persuaded, Polly called on the large man taking bets. "John will be here in ten minutes"

"Five," Tommy corrected before the family walked out of the shop onto the cobblestone pavement.

"What does John want to talk about?" Tommy asked his aunt.

"Your guess is as good as mine. Always been one for dramatics, our John" Polly replied jokingly causing Maggie to chuckle out.

"You're in a good mood," Tommy noted to the smiling girl as he pulled out a cigarette to smoke.

"I like going to the Garrison," Maggie responded.

"She likes talking to that barmaid." Polly translated her nieces' words.

"You and Grace seem to chat a lot," Tommy spoke, exhaling a breath of smoke.

The girl shrugged. "I like Grace, she likes my writing," quickly adding, "We're friends."

"You trust her enough to share your work," Tommy said, impressed by the sudden growth of his sister. "I'm thinking of asking her to be my secretary," Tommy suddenly informed the ladies.

"Only a secretary?" Maggie asked, raising her eyebrows cheekily.

He flashed her a ghost of a smile, "Never you mind."

"Secretary, eh?" Polly finally spoke up as the Garrison came into their view.

"We're going, legitimate Pol." Tommy reasoned, "What's more legitimate than a secretary? Or maybe I’ll make her a bookkeeper. Arthur mentioned she’s good with numbers and helped him fix the books." Polly said nothing and this seemed to spark something in the gangster, "Got something to say?"

"Just don't let your cock do your thinking for you Thomas," Polly warned. He remained silent, but a small smirk was fixed on his face causing the aunt to roll her eyes.

When they entered the pub, it was empty, except for Harry, who stood behind the bar drying some glasses with a white rag. They saw Finn leaning against the outer wall of the private room, which Maggie assumed John and Arthur were already in.

"Stay out here Finn," Polly ordered the eleven-year-old who tried to enter with them.

"But Mags gets to go in!" The boy protested, yet his words went unheard. This made him look jealousy at his sister, who had stuck her tongue out at her little brother as she walked into the snug with the rest of the family. Both John and Arthur were already seated, and she took a place right next to Polly.

"All right John, there's only one man-," Tommy spoke, before declining the drink Arthur poured for him continuing, "There's only one man guarding the house. What's troubling you?"

"Aunt Polly, Maggie, you two know what it's been like since Martha died." John began.

Maggie gave her brother a sad smile as Polly took his hand and said, "God takes the best first."

John looked to his sister, "Mags, you've been a big help with them, but the truth is my kids have been running bloody rings around me." With hopelessness in his voice, he continued, "Running barefoot with the dogs until all hours."

Maggie's heart ached for him, but Tommy was not having it, "Pol, give him ten bob for some new shoes. Is that it, John?" He asked his brother impatiently.

"Tommy it would be better to do this without you," Polly scolded before turning her attention back to John. "Now what's your point?"

"What the kids need is a mother." John spoke again slowly, "So that's why I'm getting married."

Everyone in the room exchanged glances of surprise. Polly was the first to speak, "Does this poor girl know you're going to marry her? Or are you just going to spring it on her all of a sudden?"

John replied matter-of-factly, "I've already proposed, and she said 'yes'."

"I think that's great John," a smiling Maggie announced. Finally! She was officially off babysitting duty.

"I think there's a shell about to land and go bang," Tommy stated mockingly, before lighting the cigarette hanging in his mouth.

Hesitantly John spoke again, "It's um- its Lizzie Stark."

"Oh, eww," Maggie breathed out, crossing her arms as her family cackled at her expression.

Polly managed to compose herself, "John, Lizzie Stark is a strong woman and I am sure she provides a fine service for her customers-"

"I won't hear the word! Understand? Do not use that word." He told them angrily.

Tommy sighed out, "What word is that, John?"

"You know what word that is," John growled out.

"Everybody bloody knows" Arthur finally spoke out and pointed at his sister, "Shit, even Mags here knows."

John gritted out, "Everybody can go to Hell."

"Whore. That word?" Tommy finally supplied. "Or prostitute? How about that one?"

Fury flashed in Johns' eyes, "Right I want it known, if anyone calls her a whore again, I will push the barrel of my revolver down their throats and blow the word back down into their hearts."

"Well, that's not dramatic at all," Maggie mumbled out her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Men and their cocks never cease to amaze me." Polly berated, "John, Lizzie Stark never did a day's work vertical- "

"She's changed!" John insisted, "All right?! People change! Like- Like with religion-"

"Lizzie Stark has got religion, eh?" Tommy interrupted.

"No! No, she doesn't have religion, but- well she loves me." John asserted, "Now listen Tommy, I won't do it without your blessing. But of all the people in the world- I want you to see it as brave."

"Oh, it's brave all right," Arthur muttered before taking a swig of his drink.

"Brave is going where no man has gone before. And with Lizzie Stark, John, that really is not what you'll be doing" She told him, unable to hold back the laughter.

But he ignored her, looking back at his older brother, "Listen, Tommy, welcome her to the family, as someone whose had a hard life. All right because I need someone. The kids need someone."

Tommy looked as if he was about to give his reply before Finn pushed open the door forcefully panting out, "Tommy, we've been done over!"

"What?" Arthur asked in disbelief.

Quickly Maggie followed her siblings and Polly, who all practically ran out of the Garrison. Not stopping until they all were back in front of number seventeen, Watery Lane. "You and Finn stay outside," Polly ordered once they were outside the entrance of the betting shop.

Maggie was about to object until Tommy echoed their aunts' instructions and followed the rest of his family inside. The pair of Shelby's eventually moved from the noisy street to the alley where the car was parked. Finn carefully crawled onto the hood and contorted his way over the front window. Maggie followed her brother, stepping up to sit on top of the hood, letting her feet lightly kick the metal of the vehicle that protected the thin wheels.

"Look, Maggie," Finn giggled and the girl twisted her upper body to see her brother playing with the steering wheel, "I'm Tommy!"

The girl smiled, "If you're trying to be Tommy, you should work more on your scowl." She told him jokingly. Overdramatically Finn made a scowl but immediately broke character by breaking out in even more giggles, triggering Maggie to laugh as well.

Suddenly Tommy was at the entrance of the alleyway in front of them, he looked instantly distressed. "Maggie, Finn." He began slowly, "Both of you stay exactly where you are."

"What's wrong?" she asked him worriedly. Did something happen inside?

Raising his arm out to her spoke out cautiously, "Mags, as careful as ya can, I need you to slowly slide off the hood."

She did as she was told, while Finn kept snickering, "I was pretending I was you." The child told his brother, but Tommy ignored him instead he directed Maggie to move against the dingy brick wall.

Once he felt like his sister was out of danger he went back to the child in the car, "Which door did you open to come in Finn?"

"I didn't," He told his big brother proudly. "I climbed in."

"I want you to climb out exactly the same way you climbed in, okay?" Tommy instructed, but Finn disobeyed and opened the driver's door.

Maggie watched as Tommy ran to grab an object that had been on the side of the door, yelling out, "Clear!" before flinging it to hit the brick wall on the opposite side of the street. Maggie yelped out at the sound of the explosion, which caused working men to drop to the ground. "That's why you should never pretend to be me, okay?" Tommy told Finn, visibly shaken by this incident. Tommy then took a deep breath and pulled both of his younger siblings close to him.

OoOoOo

Polly and Maggie had just entered the washhouse Ada had informed them she would be visiting. It was a large space, but luckily there were not very many people who decided to do their laundry at the establishment that afternoon. Alone in the corner of the washroom, sitting on a stool, was a woman with a long brown coat, wide black hat, folding trousers onto the small table beside her.

"Need help?" Polly asked the woman eagerly.

The woman looked up to see her family members and smiled, "You got my letter." Ada grinned and stood up with a bit of difficulty, Polly was the first one to embrace her.

Once the aunt and niece pulled apart it was Maggie's turn. Though the hug was more on the awkward side, due to the sizable stomach that was in the way. She muttered into her sisters' ear, "Fuck, you're huge!"

"Oh, shut up." Ada happily retorted, smacking her sister's arm lightly.

"What's with the glasses?" Maggie laughed and pointed at the large spectacles on her sister's face.

"Freddie wants me in disguise when I go out now." She spoke with a bored tone and pointed to the strange-looking eyeglasses. "Can't bloody see anything with these."

Maggie grabbed a pair of socks, which she assumed was Freddie's, from Ada's hand, "Here let me help you." She told her sister and began to fold the newly laundered clothing.

"Has Freddie got you hiding somewhere near?" Polly asked hostilely.

"It's fucking rat hole," Ada spit out, "the entire flat is about the size of your room, Mags."

Maggie felt sad for her sister. Sure, the Shelby family didn't have much to their name, but they were better off compared to most of the population in Small Heath. "Is that Copper still looking for Freddie?" Ada inquired to which Polly nodded.

Ada cursed and placed a hand on her large stomach, "I just want to live in peace with my family. But instead of thinking of me or the baby, all he cares about is the bloody cause. Freddie even gave someone two hundred bloody pounds."

Polly leaned in closer to the pregnant girl, and with a hushed tone asked, "Who?"

OoOoOo

Maggie walked down the hall from her room to Tommy's, she was hoping she could borrow a pen since hers ran out of ink. Before she opened the closed door, she could have sworn she heard noises. Had her brother come home early?

"Tom?" She asked, opening the door, but that wasn't who was in the room, "John?"

Being caught, the third oldest Shelby stopped his rifling through their brothers' things, though seemed relieved it was only her, "Mags-"

"What are you doing here?" She asked before she noticed that his eyes were watery, "Has something happened?"

"The weddings off," He informed her with an irritated tone and moved to the dresser drawers.

"Oh." Was all she could manage to say awkwardly, "I'm sorry."

"Don't," he told her bitterly, shaking his head then went back to rifling through the dresser flipping over Tommy's clothes. "It ain't your fault I'm a fucking idiot!"

"You're no idiot, John," she assured him yet he just scoffed at her words.

"Never fall in love Maggie, leads to nothing but fucking agony."

“What does falling in love even feel like anyway?” She surprised herself when she asked.

John stopped and turned his red eyes to her for a moment before continuing his search, “You know it… it's like this feeling in your gut.” He told her somewhat uncomfortably, “Your heart beats a little faster, your mind always wanders back to thinking about them, no matter what you're doing; when you eat, when you sleep, when you work… Why the fuck are you asking me this?”

“No reason”, Maggie said quickly. "What are you even looking for, anyway?"

He didn't respond to her question, causing her to become frustrated. "Fine, don't tell me." Maggie walked over to the nightstand, picked up the first writing device she saw and left the room.

OoOoOo

The next evening Maggie had fallen asleep on the sofa in the tiny parlor of their home, at least until she was shaken awake by her aunt. "What's the matter?" she muttered out, quickly sitting herself up. Was something wrong? Had the Lees come back?

"Nothing, love" Polly reassured her, "I left a new dress on your bed, go put it on."

"We're going out?" The girl asked, confused, no one had told her they had prior arrangements.

"Yes," Polly nodded, "Now c'mon, we don't have that much time."

Maggie rose from her spot, "Where are we going, Pol?"

"To a wedding," The older woman huffed impatiently and made her way up the stairs to the bedrooms.

This confused Maggie even more, "Whose?"

Not two hours later Maggie had gotten her answer. She and Polly met Ada near the Lees campground and walked into their enemy's territory with no trouble at all. They approach the crowd of witnesses just as Johnny Dogs begins the ceremony. Ada stopped to stand beside Tommy.

"Let's stand over here, love," Polly said, guiding Maggie past her siblings to get a better view of the union. She watched on as Johnny officiated, taking notice that her brother actually looked happy to be up there. Her attention was taken off the bride and groom when she spotted Ross standing about ten feet away with the rest of the Peaky Blinders. Smiling softly at his familiar face, she waved, her stress alleviated when he did the same.

"I now pronounce you man and wife," Johnny said happily as all the witnesses cheered at the new couple's first kiss.

As the night went on the partygoers were all in a festive mood. Sitting on a wooden barrel, Maggie watched as everyone mingled and danced. Tommy was sitting and chatting with the matriarch of the Lee family, Arthur was in the middle of what looked like a drinking contest, and John danced to the music with his beautiful new wife, Esme. Even she had started to sway to the music as the firecrackers sounded off over the happy noises.

"Mags," Ross greeted her, walking up next to stand next to her seating place.

"Hello," she replied, followed by an awkward pause, "I'm sorry I've been avoiding you." She told him after a few moments.

"Understandable." He responded instantly, "I've been a wanker and not just to you." Taking another puff of his cigarette, he exhaled, "I'll talk to Cara."

Maggie was surprised by this proclamation, "Really?"

"I'll sort it out." He nodded looking at the others dancing, and with a smile continued, "I miss walking with you two."

Maggie returned the smile, "We miss you too."

Ross stuck his hand out, "Care to dance?"

Maggie felt her face flush, and waved her hands in protest, "Oh, no I couldn't."

"C'mon, it's a party." He urged, with his hand still outstretched. Smiling, the girl cautiously took it and was led to the crowd.

Feeling like an idiot, she tried to keep up with the fast-paced music, but it seemed like her feet couldn't move fast enough. She felt someone clumsily bump into her backside nearly knocking her over. "Oi! Watch- Oh sorry love." Ada slurred out.

"It's alright," Maggie assured her sister, regaining her balance.

Ada then awkwardly cupped her little sister's face with both hands, and with a very stern tone warned, "Don't you ever let a man call you a 'Fucking Shelby' you hear me." She then rounded on the man next to her and jabbed a finger close to Ross’s face. "You hear me."

"Don't you worry, Ada," Ross guaranteed her, which seemed to be good enough for the older Shelby girl whose demeanor quickly changed back to her delighted drunkenness, dancing away from them.

As Ross spun her around, she caught a glimpse of John and Esme, sitting together and happily getting to know one another, "Seems like love at first sight." She heard Ross say.

"Seems so," Maggie replied happily. Very soon her attention was drawn to Tommy and Arthur trying to get a drunken Ada under control, "Oh no." She breathed out, walking closer to her feuding family members.

"Come and look, Esme!" Ada shouted, "Come and look at the family you joined!" The music ceased and now everyone's attention was on the intoxicated woman. "Come and look at the man who runs it! He chooses his brother's wives for them!" Ada shouted out for everyone to hear. She wasn't finished though, the woman then pointed at her younger sister, "Have you got some old perverted man lined up for Maggie?!"

Maggie felt her stomach drop at the thought, she felt everyone's gaze turn to her as she remained frozen in place. The only comfort that she felt was when Ross put her arm around her waist, as if to protect her. Tommy just stood in front of Ada looking at her stoically, but the mother-to-be wasn't done yet. "He hunts his own sister down like a rat, and he tries to kill his own brother-in-law!"

"Ada, that's enough!" Arthur tried to intervene.

"And now he won't even let me have a fucking dance! Not even at a fucking wedding!"

"Sit her down!" John barked out.

"Calm down Ada," Polly kept repeating, trying to soothe her. "Holy Shit. Water, right."

"Not now Ada," Arthur whined, obviously devastated the party was now unavoidably cut short. "Bloody hell, you do pick your times."

Tommy rushed over to Ada placing his coat over her and assisted Pol with leading her out of the vicinity and into the family car.

Maggie turned to her friend, "I have to-"

"Go." Ross finished for her.

Maggie rushed towards her family, who all made their way to the car. "It's too early!" she heard Ada cry out as she was ushered into the vehicle. Maggie too jumped into the front seat next to her brother.

"It'll be ok, love." Polly soothed sliding in next to her, before turning to the driver, "Step on it, Tommy."

OoOoOo

"Freddie," Ada kept repeating as she laid down on the sofa in the small parlor. "I want Freddie!"

"I know," Maggie sighed out uncomfortably, moving a sweaty piece of hair out of her sister's face.

"I can't do it, Mags. I can't do it on my own." Ada whimpered.

The younger girl's heart ached, "Hey, look at me, you can do this," She assured her, "You are so strong, if anyone can do this it'll be you."

Luckily for them, Esme had finally arrived moments later.

"Ada!" They heard Polly scream before she re-entered the home. "They're getting the word out to Freddie. He'll be here, love." She assured her niece, who grunted out as yet another contraction commenced.

"I think it might be the wrong way 'round," Esme told them, "I attended three sisters."

"Yeah, I think you're right," Polly agreed.

Maggie squirmed in place nervously, "What does that mean?"

"We should lean her forward," Esme suggested and Polly nodded, helping Ada up.

"C'mon, it's not that long to go, darling," The aunt encouraged the screaming woman. "Push, two, three!"

"Holy shit," Maggie muttered out, as she watched a new life was making its way out of her sister.

"Keep going, that's it!" Polly cheered before pulling out the baby completely. "It's a boy, Ada," Polly told the exhausted woman over the newborn's cries as Esme cut the cord connecting the mother and son with some old scissors.

Polly cleaned the new baby boy off tenderly with a small rag before returning him to Ada, who was beaming at the small life in her arms. Maggie heard banging from the front entrance and if she had not gotten out of the way fast enough Freddie may have run over her. Maggie smiled at the sight of the little family. The feeling didn't last long though, because the front door opened once again, and she felt herself being pushed aside the wall by a copper. Esme could be heard yelling, the baby boy began to shriek, and Ada sobbed, clinging to her newborn to her chest.

"Freddie!" Ada cried out as the group of officers dragged the new father out of the home.

"Tommy," Polly said darkly before letting out a string of curses in Romany before storming out of the house.

[btsmosphere]

This is Rigged | KSJ

~summary: just a night in with your friends, courtesy of your boyfriend. Although he may have a slightly different grasp of the rules to you... lion shifter!Jin x reader ~word count: 1.9k ~shifter au, domestic fluff Rating: pg ~warnings: basically nothing, ...the game is rigged? allusions to Lion King spoilers, that’s not a real warning but better to be safe haha ~a/n: this is my secret santa gift for the incredible Eva @aroseforyoongi​!! I really wanted to write something you would like as a huge thank you not just from me, but from everyone at the net for being such an amazing team mom! Joining @thebtswritersclub​ is honestly one of the best things I’ve done this year and I appreciate all the hard work you put in to make it so amazing💖😊as for this fic, I have never written a shifter au before, but I couldn’t get over this idea, so I went with it. I hope you enjoy it!

“If you guys win?”

“You give me a kiss,” he said, smirking (you wish you could call it infuriating, but really, who were you kidding? It was endearing).

“Is that so?” you popped your hands on your hips, “and if I win?”

“Then… I’ll give you a kiss.”

“Ah,” you nodded, “I see. That is a good incentive. You’re on.”

Indulgent smile spreading onto his features, Jin leaned down with his lips puckered, but you ducked out of the way, holding him off at the shoulders.

“Not until I’ve won later!” you laughed, running from the kitchen and leaving him to fume loudly behind you.

“Yah! Don’t make me get my claws out!” he called.

But you knew he was already collecting up the dishes to wash.

Jin was sure he had convinced you to let your friends come for games night. In reality, you were going to say yes no matter what – they were your friends – but the promise of some love from your boyfriend was definitely worth stalling for.

To be honest, he was probably more than happy with giving you the love anyway. Aside from the obvious fact that he was your boyfriend, you had been working hard this holiday and he wanted to spoil you.

So some love, from him and from your friends, was certainly in order.

You knew his tactics for cheering you up. He probably knew you knew. But it didn’t matter – they worked perfectly every time, just as your ways worked for him when he was stressed or down. Good food was a must, and usually you two would end up on the couch as you stroked your fingers through his mane, hearing his deep purrs to affirm his lighter mood.

Of course Jin’s plan to make you feel great was a little more elaborate than that, only allowing you to snatch hugs while he called your friends and prepared what he called ‘nibbles’.

Eventually, you resigned yourself to stealing the snacks, although this didn’t go down well with Jin. After what must have been the sixth time he caught you sneaking away some popcorn, he promptly attacked you with a bear hug, pinning you onto the sofa while you squealed with laughter.

“I should have known,” you giggled, “all I had to do to get your attention was steal your food!”

“Okay, I get it,” he conceded, “let’s wait here until they arrive.”

Peppering your face with kisses, he slid off you and tucked you against his side. Though he flicked on the TV, neither of you paid much attention to it as you swung your legs over his lap and curled up against him, content with each other’s presence until the doorbell sounded.

Tae rummaged in the little basket Jin had prepared, eventually producing a card, being sure to cup his hands and hide it from sight. A smug smile stretched across his mouth.

Tucking the card into his pocket, he swaggered forwards to stand in front of you all; you were spread across the two sofas, according to which team you were on.

And so it began.

“A movie!”

“4 words!”

“First word…”

As he bent his knees, the shouting started straight away. Trying to focus on him instead of laughing at your friends, you watched as he settled in a crouching position.

“Kneeling!”

“Stooping!”

“Floor!”

“Why would it be the floor, Hobi?”

“Maybe it is, you never know!”

“It’s not the floor, look, he’s shaking his head!”

“Hey!”

Two ears had sprouted from Taehyung’s head, and now fuzzy stripes made themselves known on his face. Curling his fingers, he made a pouncing motion as he showed his claws.

“Scary?” Jimin guessed first.

“Hunter!”

Suddenly the frown melted from your face, the answer clear to you.

“Crouching! It’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon!”

Clapping his hands, Tae stood back up again, a proud smile coming your way. As he squeezed back in beside you on the sofa, you glanced at Jin. But though you had expected him to glare back at you from fear of losing your little game, however pointless it was, instead you were met with a cocky quirk of the eyebrows.

However, the way Yoongi’s eyes widened when he read his card gave you back some confidence. His cheeks turned bright red, but he huffed anyway and positioned himself in the middle of the room.

“I-I don’t know how to…”

“Yes you do Yoongi,” Jin urged, “get on with it.”

You weren’t sure you had ever seen a bigger eye roll than the one Yoongi gave, but he complied anyway.

“Okay… one word! Film?” Joon started, leaning forwards and studying Yoongi’s gestures.

“Nonono, that’s a musical,” Jungkook interrupted.

Yoongi nodded and moved on. Your eyes nearly popped out of your head when he turned to the side and started strutting, swishing his butt about with his hands on his hips. For someone who looked as embarrassed as he did right now, he was really going for it.

“Sexy!”

“Scarring?”

“Oh my god, is it Burlesque?”

“You’ve watched that?”

“It’s not Burlesque, look!”

The next to resort to shifting, Yoongi was now prancing around in a circle with his tail in the air.

“Tail! Bum!”

“Cat-rocity!”

“Jin, shut up-“

Even though you knew he was the most versatile shifter of the group, it still surprised you when he jumped and landed as a tabby cat, then a black one.

“Cheating! Cheating!”

“Hobi, Tae literally shifted in your round too.”

“I know! I know!” Jungkook leapt from his seat, hand dancing in the air, “It’s Cats! Is it Cats?”

“Yep,” Yoongi replied gruffly.

Turning back to his fully human form, he crossed his arms tightly as he sat back down.

“This is rigged!” you complained, “Charades is so much easier when you can change shape!”

“We can only change to one animal,” Jin replied as he got up to hand the basket back to your team.

“Sure does come in handy when your card is Cats, though,” you quipped in return, but Jimin had already got up.

Turning your attention back to the front, you watched as he swooped into the air, suddenly a small bundle of wings and feathers. Of course, he apparently had a tailor-made card as well. In fairness, it was quite entertaining.

Stopping in mid-flight, he brought a wing across his chest (over-dramatic, even as a bird) and flopped to the ground, landing in human form again, eyes closed.

“Death!”

“Getting shot!”

“Floor!”

“Hobi, what films do you know called ‘floor’?”

Back on his feet, Jimin was sticking his tongue out, waving his hands at the side of his head.

“Rude!”

“Childish?”

“A… a dead child!?” (he had fallen back to the floor)

“Time’s up!” Jin exclaimed then, eliciting groans from the three of you who slumped back on the sofa.

“Come on guys, it was ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’” Jimin got to his knees, “see? Mocking… bird… killed…”

“Too hard,” grumbled Tae.

Jin’s team was up next, and although they guessed Kung Fu Panda correctly, you thought it a fitting consequence that Joon was now stuck with fluffy black ears on his head. Usually a bear shifter, he clearly didn’t find it as easy as Yoongi to change it up.

Refusing to look at your scheming boyfriend, you focussed hard during the next round, not liking the fact his team was drawing ahead of yours.

However, their next turn crashed and burned, not without an intensely heated debate about the differences between Spiderman and Antman and how to suitably portray them.

Next up, you reached for a card, hoping you didn’t get a difficult one. If Jin could manage to fix the cards for the shifters among you, you hoped he would go easy on you.

Apparently not.

Despite not being able to change shape, you thought you acted out the Wolf of Wall Street pretty well. Jimin guessed it just in time, thankfully before you resorted to any of the… well, more explicit content.

Perhaps Jin had been hoping for that, you thought, smirking back at him as you took your seat.

By now the other team were back around to Yoongi, who, handily, had to act out the Cat in the Hat.

It didn’t take long.

From here on in, the game devolved into Jin’s laughter and your groans as the cards magically got harder for your team. Seriously, how can you go about Pulp Fiction in charades?

And then there was Jin, roaring in all his majesty and putting an imaginary crown on his head. There was no need for Jungkook to look so proud when he guessed the Lion King, anyone could have seen that. You were surprised at how long it took them, Jin having to throw himself from a cliff screaming and howling for them to guess it.

But who were you kidding? Of course your boyfriend was going to try to sabotage you, and you’d be lying if you said you weren’t having a good night, mind completely away from your work.

By the time you waved your friends off, you had laughed yourself sore at Hobi’s silly guesses and Jin’s dramatics, stuffed yourself with the damn nibbles and were ready to fall into bed and sleep happily.

On leaving the shower later on, you found Jin already waiting for you in bed. Seeing you, he grinned – that endearing infuriating grin – and spread his arms wide.

“Where’s my kiss, then?”

“No way!” you scoffed, sitting on the edge of the bed with hand over your heart, “you rigged that game!”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You liar, Mr Lion-the-Witch-and-the-Wardrobe. We totally would have won!”

“But you didn’t,” he smirked.

You narrowed your eyes at him, only to be assaulted by light tickles to your sides.

“Hey!” you gasped, suddenly finding yourself underneath him. And gosh, no matter how long you had been dating this man, he never failed to make the blood rush to your cheeks.

Triumphant smile adorning his face, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to your lips. They lingered there, and only pride stopped you pulling his face closer still. When he eventually pulled away, a grin spread onto your face.

“Ha! You kissed me! I did win!!”

Eyes widening almost comically, a look of anguish quickly took over Jin’s face.

“Aargh! Nooo!” he cried, melodramatic as always as he flopped back to his pillow.

The sound of your laughter was all that followed as you climbed into bed next to him, satisfied when his arms circled your waist to tug your closer. Until he started trying to pull you over to face him.

“Give me a kiss!”

“Nope!” you laughed, “I won!”

A valiant effort was made on your part to squirm away from your boyfriend, ending with several kisses to your face and neck as he aimed for, and missed, your mouth. Coming in breathless gasps, your laughter rang out in the dim room.

“Spoilsport,” he muttered eventually, though he failed to sound genuinely bitter.

Finally dissolving, you hid your giggles in his chest as you settled in his arms. It was only once your eyes slid shut that he whispered into your hair.

“Did you have fun tonight?”

Pulling away to look at him, even in the low light, you smiled widely.

“Of course I did! Thank you, Jinnie.”

(It’s safe to say you both kissed each other, in the end)

Thank you for reading! To Eva, happy holidays and I hope you liked it!💞

taglist: @aianloveseven​ @preciouschimine​ 

My main masterlist here

[fericita-s]

Our Tree

A short Agduna story inspired by this picture @marimancusi posted and suggested someone write fan fic for.  A happy assignment to undertake! 

Usually he gave her presents - things he saw that she needed but would be embarrassed to accept unless he saved them for a birthday, for a holiday, or a celebration of their own creation.  A hat with an Arendelle crocus bloom adorning the brim when he saw her eyes linger on it in the shop window when she turned sixteen.  Some mittens when he noticed her hands were red as she rubbed them together before tucking them between the folds of her skirt on a brisk December walk, given to her after the ringing of the Yule Bell.  A book of fairy tales after she had sat, rapt, as he told her the story of a mermaid leaving her home in the sea which he gave her declaring it to be their tree’s birthday, and wouldn’t the tree want them to celebrate by reading under its branches all afternoon?

The sun was already setting and the lanterns hanging from the branches of the willow looked like they were hovering in the air.  As though it was magic keeping them afloat. The leaves scattered in the courtyard looked like a panel of stained glass in the chapel, the bright colors shining like the jewels on a crown. Falling leaves floating on gusts of air always reminded him of something that he could never quite call to mind.  Something about floating and flying with wind and laughter ringing in his ears.

“I have a present for you,” she said, and placed the package between them on the bench.  It was wrapped with blue paper and she had tied it with a ribbon. Her knee was touching his and though he wondered what was in the box, he was more eager to reach for her hand.

“For me? Why?” 

“Oh, I could make up some reason like you do, I suppose, but the only reason is that it’s finally finished. So I can give it to you now.” She pushed it closer to him and as she leaned in, he noticed the gentle curve of her neck, usually hidden underneath her long hair but today visible with her hair pulled back into a complicated braid.

He pulled at the ribbon and ran his fingers under the folds of the paper and then opened the box to find a leather-bound book. As he picked it up, he realized it was a journal - in her handwriting.

“What is this?” he asked, smiling and flipping through the pages.  There were illustrations of trolls and huldra and nattamara and some creatures he didn’t recognize. Her neat writing was under each drawing and there were pages and pages of text without any pictures at all.

“I know how you like fairy tales, so I gathered some from here.  From Arendelle.  So you don’t have to only read Danish and German ones.”

“You wrote me a book?” he asked, pleased. Iduna was in constant motion - climbing or sailing or walking and the idea that she had sat for hours, writing something just for him, made him feel like his heart was soaring out of his chest, joining their lanterns in their flight.

“I did.  And we can read it together, here at our tree.”

He reached for her hand and squeezed. “Thank you.” 

“You’re welcome,” she said and rested her head against his shoulder, her hand still in his as they watched the flutter of orange sugar maple and yellow birch leaves falling to the ground all around them.  

As his heart continued to race in his chest, he wondered if it was the gift, her hand, or her saying “our tree” that was causing this flush of pleasure that was warming him from his cheeks to his toes.  And he thought about the gift he was planning to give her on her next birthday, a ring and a question, one that he hoped she would be pleased to accept.

[ericsonclan]

A Flowery, Perfect Picnic

Summary: Renata and Minnie go on a double date with Clementine and Louis to the perfect picnic spot.

Word Count: 2167

Read on AO3: 

Renata hummed happily as she led the way into the forest. Her fingers intertwined with Minnie’s, the huldra swung their joined arms playfully. The harpy looked over at her girlfriend with a soft smile.

“So, this spot? Are we getting close?” Clementine’s voice made the huldra look back at the human who was walking hand in hand with the frankenstein.

“Yep! You two are gonna love this spot! It's perfect for double dates!” Renata smiled, her fangs poking out a little bit. Her fox tail shuffled around underneath her deep red riding hood cloak.

“The pond is really beautiful,” Minnie added and gently squeezed Renata’s hand.

“I can’t wait!” Louis grinned happily, his dreadlocks swayed with his movements while they traversed through the forest.

“Yeah, when you two invited us on Monday we were pleasantly surprised. Both Lou and I have been counting the days till Saturday. Now that the day is finally here, I can’t wait for flower crowns, picnics, swimming...”

“Yep! I got us the best flowers money could buy!” The frankenstein held up a flower basket he was carrying and displayed it with a smile.

“And I have the tastiest food and snacks in all of Richmond right here!” The huldra shook the picnic basket. “Well, besides me,” Renata had a flirty smile on her face and she stopped and got on her tiptoes for a second to kiss Minnie’s cheek. The harpy made a chirp that was slightly higher than normal while her face grew light red. Renata smiled, proud with herself as she continued to guide them through the forest.

The four of them continued to talk casually as they strolled through the woods. Minnie took the lead at the last section of the walk where three large rocks led up to a new path. Flapping her wings, she hovered above Renata who handed over the picnic basket along with the basket of flowers. The harpy clutched both baskets in her talons then soared up and glided to the top of the rock structure.

“Alrighty, here comes the fun part!” Renata grinned and dashed forward. With a hop she began to scamper up the rock structure. A few worried twitters and tweets escaped Minnie’s lips as she watched her girlfriend taking the riskier route. “Don’t worry, Min! I’m a pro at this! I-” The huldra’s words were cut short when she lost her footing and fell backwards. A frantic chirp left Minnie’s lips as she dove down and wrapped her talons around Renata’s arms. After a few seconds the huldra was safely up on the top of the rock structure.

“Are you okay?” Minnie looked at her girlfriend with concern.

“Yep! My cloak didn’t even get damaged,” She grinned until she saw the frown on Minnie’s lips and that her feathers were ruffled.

“You didn’t have to take the risky route.”

“Sorry, Minipie.” Renata took her girlfriend’s hand and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. “I’ll be more careful, promise.” Her words made a smile reappear on Minnie’s face as her feathers began to unruffle.

Clementine and Louis watched the couple for a moment before sharing a look.

“Do you wanna go first, milady?” Louis gave a bow and his head tilted slightly off. Clementine quickly helped him readjust it with a laugh.

“Sure, I’ll find us the safest path,” The human walked forward and began to climb the rock structure. Her hands found the best cracks in the rocks to secure her climb up the rocks. Louis soon followed behind her and went up the same path she did. Clementine was quickly up on the top of the rock structure.

“Need a hand?” Clementine reached out and grabbed Louis’ hand, pulling him up a bit too fast and causing their faces to end up extremely close. Both of them blushed before Louis kissed Clem’s nose. He gave a playful smile that soon faltered into a shy one as he looked away. Clementine leaned forward and kissed his cheek softly before grabbing his hand and continuing on.

“I hope you two are ready for the ultimate double date spot!” Renata declared as she walked through to a clearing beside a river. Louis and Clementine’s eyes grew large as they stared in awe of the location. The clearing was covered in beautiful green grass and small white flowers. The river’s water shone in the sunlight as the quiet waters moved downstream. Surrounding all sides of the river were tall, sturdy trees that complemented the setting.

“Whoa! Renata, this is perfect!” Louis smiled brightly at his friend who seemed proud of her choice for a date spot. Clementine was about to speak when her stomach let out a low gurgling sound before ending with a high pitched squeak. Everyone was silent for a moment before laughing.

“I guess I’m pretty hungry,” Clementine scratched the back of her head with a small smile.

“Say no more, my darling. We will set up the best picnic spot ever!”

Louis and Renata high fived and quickly ran forward to get to work. Louis busied himself kicking away pebbles while the huldra tossed up the picnic blanket and accidentally covered the frankenstein’s head.

“Oops, sorry,” Renata lifted up the picnic blanket once more and successfully placed it down. Soon Clementine and Minnie had joined them and helped with the rest of the setup. Once it was all placed, Renata began to distribute the food she had made for the picnic.

“For my sparky friend, I made some tasty peanut butter, honey and banana sandwiches,” The huldra held up the sandwich bag then tossed it over to Louis. The frankenstein smiled at his sandwiches. “For my Minaroni I made some peanut butter and fried worm sandwiches.” “Thanks, babe,” Minnie leaned over and kissed Renata’s cheek then took the sandwiches.

“Oh, and I packed some beetle chips too,” That statement made the harpy let out excited twitters.

“You’re the best!”

Minnie’s words made Renata grin widely as her tail curled into the shape of a question mark. “Thank you, thank you.” Renata glanced over and caught the look in Clementine’s eyes. Clementine had been hoping that maybe she would get some peanut butter and fried worm sandwiches. She had tried one before and she was pleasantly surprised when she discovered that it was actually delicious. Clementine doubted that Renata had picked on that fact though.

“Clemmy, surprise sandwich attack!” The huldra tossed a pack of sandwiches over at Clementine who was startled and tossed the sandwiches back and forth in her hands before catching them. Looking down, she noticed that her friend had packed her two different sandwiches: a ham and cheese one as well as peanut butter and fried worm sandwich. The human looked up to see the knowing smile Renata had on her face.

“I knew that you like PB & W sandwiches too,” Renata grabbed her rabbit sandwiches and began to chow down while Minnie and Louis worked to get out the rest of the goodies. With the fruit, juice boxes and chips also out to eat, the four all started to chow down. All of them talked and laughed as they ate their lunch and soon all that was left were some crumbs.

“That was delicious, Ren,” Minnie smiled over at her girlfriend.

“Yeah, it was tasty,” Clem leaned back and adjusted her hat to shield her face from the sun.

“My compliments to the chef,” Louis dramatically shot out his hand to Renata but the sudden movement made his arm pop off and go flying through the air.

"Dibs!” Renata hopped up to her feet while Minnie tsked and frowned that her girlfriend had called it first. The huldra ran after the frankenstein’s arm and with a leap she caught it in the air. Renata’s cape fluttered as she strode back. “Ta-da!” Renata spit out the arm and passed it back to her friend.

“Thanks,” Louis caught his arm and began to put it back in place. He had ended up putting in on backwards though and the three waited to see if he’d pick up on that fact. It took Louis a few seconds to realize he had put it on wrong. With a few spins and another popping noise he secured it back in place.

“Should we start the next part of the date?” Clementine leaned forward and glanced over at the flower basket.

“Yes!” Minnie exclaimed a bit too loudly and quickly cleared her throat as a series of embarrassed twitters escaped her lips. Her talons began to claw at the dirt.

“Min loves flower crowns!” Renata leaned over and wrapped her girlfriend in a hug. “So I’m gonna make her the best flower crown!”

Minnie smiled at those words. “I’m gonna make the best one for you too.”

“Well if it's a competition, then get ready losers, because you’re all about to lose,” Clementine grabbed the sunflowers from the basket.

“Yeah, I’m gonna make Clem look like a nature goddess!” Louis snatched up the red tulips and began to put all of his concentration into making the ultimate flower crown. Clementine was blushing at her boyfriend’s declaration and quickly got to work in hopes that no one would tease or comment on it. But the other couple was more focused on Louis’ words than her blush.

“If anyone is a nature goddess here, it’s Renata!” Minnie’s feathers ruffled and she focused on using the Mexican roses to make a beautiful flower crown for her girlfriend. Her face was hidden from the others as she’d overwhelmed herself from her own outburst.

“Min, that's so sweet!” Renata peppered Minnie’s face with kisses then began to focus on her gladiolus flower crown. The four kept up the competitive talk about flower crowns while their fingers worked to intertwine the different flower stems together. Clementine was the first to finish and held up the sunflower crown with pride.

“A sunflower crown for my sunflower,” She placed the crown on Louis’ head then kissed his cheek. The frankenstein smiled brightly and his eyes sparkled in awe and love.

“Yours will be done in just a second,” Louis grabbed Clem’s hand and gave it a few quick kisses then got back to work on the tulip crown. His tongue stuck out slightly in concentration. The frankenstein wasn’t the next one to finish though. That honor had gone to Minnie.

“Here you go, Ren,” Minnie gently placed the Mexican rose crown on her girlfriend’s head then cupped her face and gave a soft kiss. Renata’s tail moved around happily, brushing against Minnie’s talons.

“Ha ha! I’m not last!” Louis smiled with pride. “Behold,” The frankenstein placed the tulip crown on Clementine’s head. “My nature goddess.” Clementine felt her face grow hot and with one quick look at Louis she could tell that he was overwhelmed as well.

“I love it,” Clementine reached out and took Louis’ hand.

After another minute or two the huldra had finished her crown. “For the queen of my heart!” Renata placed the red gladiolus crown onto Minnie’s head then stole a kiss. Minnie’s face soon became as red as her flower crown. The two couples sat around and complimented each other’s flower crown making skills while they enjoyed the nature around them.

“So, wanna go for a swim?” The huldra asked as she sat in Minnie’s lap. She looked at her friends then up at her girlfriend.

“Sounds fun,” Minnie giggled when Renata kissed her chin.

“Yeah, I could go for a dip,” Clementine hugged Louis closer to her.

“Oh? A dip you say?” Louis hopped up and pulled up Clementine with him. “ A dip like this!” He dipped Clementine who rolled her eyes goodnaturedly then looked up with the warmest smile. The two moved closer when suddenly Louis’ arms fell off, dropping Clementine. “Clem!”

“I’m okay, Lou. My ass is just sore,” Clementine picked up her boyfriend’s arms and popped them back on for him.

“Some cool water will help with that,” Renata stood up and took off her cloak, placing it down.

All of them had put on their swimsuits before in case they wanted to go swimming. Louis stood proudly in his thunderbolt swim trunks before a blush appeared on his face when he saw Clementine’s pink bikini.

“Min, you mind?’ Renata held out the plastic wrap. Minnie nodded and began to wrap it around Renata’s waist to cover the hole in her back. The harpy tried to not get overwhelmed by being so close to Renata while she wore her lime green bikini. Once that was set Minnie tossed off her shirt showing her dark blue bikini top. Adjusting her white sport shorts, Minnie grabbed Renata’s hand and ran forward. The two laughed as they got into the cool river water.

“We can’t miss out on the fun!” Louis took Clementine’s hand and sprinted forward as well. The four swam around, enjoying the nice water as they finished up their double date. It really was the perfect picnic spot.

[lygerastia]

serpent of envy (Diane)

Summary: Just Diane and her little female admirer discovering their feelings for each other.

Warnings: none. 

Chapters: 1 [completed]

Words: 2,542

READ IT ON AO3.

**

“Hey, [name]?” the giantess lifts her head from the ground in order to stare at the person splayed onto her chest, right between her comfortable breasts. It was warm there—and Diane's female friend, [name], liked that place because she could hear her soft heartbeats. It gave her a sense of serenity and peace and love and comfort and...everything.

One thing, though: don't tell Diane that!

It was [name's] biggest secret (and she could understand why Meliodas was constantly 'playing' with Elizabeth). And Diane never has to know that. She was very oblivious as it is. Diane only thought of [name] as her friend, despite her wanting to enjoy a lot more precious moments with her before...

...before things got too complicated.

“Mmmhhhm…?” [name] murmurs sleepily, having been interrupted from her dream-like state. She wasn’t entirely asleep, being too hot and bothered by being this close to the giantess to possibly do that. It was just Diane's steady heartbeats that did the trick and lured her to somnolence. As long as Diane did not mind her sitting like this, she was fine.

And Diane should never know [name]'s true feelings and intentions. I mean, wasn’t she in love with the sin’s leader? At least that’s what she kept on saying.

So [name] had zero chances.

“I want to ask you something,” the brown-haired girl continues, waiting for her friend to look at her while she was talking.

They were chilling in a meadow, away from the bar and the others. It was almost time to go to bed, but [name] wanted for this moment to never end. They could just enjoy each other’s presence in peace, without others interrupting them. They could talk about anything. They could listen to the calming sounds of nature around them, to the murmur of the water, to the chanting of the birds and to the steady breathing of each other. They were both glad to take a break from all the fight and all the serious stuff happening around. And the only place they could relax was in each other’s company. In each other’s arms.

At least that was what [name] wished to believe.

“Are you listening to me, [name]?” Diane asks again and gently nudges [name]’s head with her index finger. The human girl moans once again and stirs awake, opening her eyes and meeting up with Diane’s vibrant purple ones. She gasps, her face coloring from the eye contact. She always remained breathless by the intensity of her eyes, especially when they were focused only on her. Rare were the instances when that happened, but those moments were precious. [name] felt her pulse quickening and had in mind to look away—but she kept her ground, curious.

“Wh-What is it, Diane?” [name] gulped, feeling her throat dry all of a sudden. Diane's lips looked so kissable. She desperately wished she could lunge and touch them—but it was inappropriate. No way she would ruin their relationship so easily, through a simple kiss. [name] had to control herself. “What did you want to ask me?” she added to divert her naughty thoughts away.

Diane’s lips turned upwards into a large smile, her eyes sparkling with glee and sunshine. God, her chubby cheeks were adorable. [name] wanted to pinch them.

“Do you love me?”

“Of course I—“ but [name]’s words die in her throat as soon as her mind processed the sin’s question. “HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH?!” she can’t help but exhale, her voice cracking at the end in surprise. She lifts her body on her arms, two round saucers staring at Diane’s beautiful expression.

Was Diane serious? She couldn’t be. What was with this question? “I—“ [name] was at a loss. But the twin-tailed girl looked with so expectantly at her that…how could she not answer?

She had to say something.

I love you. I love you so fucking much, Diane. I really—I really do! Please, kiss me and—

“[name]? Are you alright? You’ve been spacing out for a while.” Diane looks worried and it breaks [name]'s heart to see her like this. No one ever wants to see Diane distressed. Diane deserved to smile—that’s the only feeling that really suited her. “And you’re incredibly red,” the girl continued, coming closer to the other female’s face, “you got a fever? We can ask Merlin for—“

“N-No-No-No!” [name] shook her head in rapid motions until she brought herself into a kneeling position. “I’m—I’m ok, seriously!” she clears her throat and steadies her breaths before the moment of truth. She opens her eyes and tries her best not to stutter the three little words as she says in her most confident tone “I lo-love you too, Diane. Of course!”

The giantess’s cheeks color in an instant and a wide beautiful smile settles onto her face at the sound of the words. She exhales out nervously—has she been worried all this time about this? That was weird; wasn’t Diane supposed to know this? They were close friends and hugged a lot (in human form) and stayed late in the night to gossip with their hands intertwined and it was so warm and adorable...

How could Diane not know this or see the way [name] constantly looks at her? Silly Diane.

“I’m relieved!” Diane coos, closing her eyes. “I was worried that you didn’t. Sometimes I feel as if you’re avoiding me so I got worried that I did something wrong…”

[name] shook her head again vehemently, putting on a serious expression. “No! I am not mad at you, I was just—“ she takes a sharp intake of air. She just did not want to fall for Diane more—she was already knee-deep into this unrequited love. “—just tired, I needed some time on my own.  Nothing personal. I’m sorry for making you think about me, but there’s nothing to worry about.”

“I’m glad.”

If you only knew…

“[name], let’s take a bath! I saw a splendid hidden lake that we can visit and use! It’ll be fun!”

Diane excitedly ran towards the [h/c] haired girl, who was casually chatting with a drunk Ban. The Boar’s Hat was full again, merry laughter and drunken yells filling the ears of everyone around. Everyone was working, except for Diane—it was her night off.

You interrupted your conversation with Fox’s Sin of Greed (who only seemed glad about it, drinking his ale in peace) and turned to stare at the bouncy twin-tailed girl. You tried not to let your eyes wander over her curvy figure. She looked so darn cute in her human size and that uniform. It was a welcome change—one that made your heart skip a beat.

You did your best to keep your composure. “Uhh, I’m not really in the mood, Diane, I’m tired—“ you tried to avoid being naked with her somewhere in a secluded place, although you did use to bathe together. Since, most of the time, your feelings were mistaken for strong friendship. Even if it was at the expense of breaking her heart, you’d rather not see her that way anymore. Besides, her feelings for the giantess grew lately, mostly because Diane suddenly started to show her a lot more affection. The hugs, the touches started to increase, giving [name]’s imagination trouble. She had no idea what changed. And she was unsure if she was enjoying this development or not. It gave her hopes that there could be something more in these touches.

It was wrong to get her hopes up. It was a nasty feeling; but she indulged in those touches anyway, wanting to keep Diane close.

A small comfort.

“Awww,” the giantess pouts, taking [name]’s hand in hers, using her strength to pull her up from the chair. “You need to relax, [name]! Come on, it’s really pretty!” She kept on blabbering as she dragged [name] with her. The other girl couldn’t do much to resist Diane’s force, her heart already torn between the two decisions.

In the end, she spent too much time thinking, and the two girls are already running down the hill. Before she knows it, they’re laughing in the dark, calming forest, trying not to trip around fallen branches. Diane’s palms radiate warmth and [name]’s drawn toward it, completely bought into this game.

“We’re here!” Diane declares and you can’t help but gasp in awe. It was a small pond, not entirely a lake. It was surrounded by tall trees with bushy crowns, letting scarce rays of moonlight through the leaves, scintillating in the still surface of the water. The place felt private—and that’s what [name] wanted. He did not need peeping toms to peek at their bodies. Thousands of fireflies danced across the pond, in the air, giving the whole darkness around an emerald glow. All felt as if it as depicted from a fantasy story. They were already part of a fantastic adventure story. But [name] was glad that she was here with her, to share this special moment. It was as if they entered a hidden area where no one could find them.

Oh, the possibilities...

“You like it?” the Sin asks, stepping into [name]’s view. Her eyes stared into Diane’s purple ones.

“…Yeah.”

“Then let’s get it!” Diane chirps and lets go of [name]’s hand. She starts to strip without shame, shedding off the skirt, moving her hips left and right tentatively. [name] watches with interest, her eyes examining every little feature. Her curves, her long legs and how she naughtily did not wear any underwear underneath that skirt. [name] knew about that, but it still amazed how far she would go to catch Meliodas’s attention. It made her jealous. Still, she admired her beautifully crafted bottom until her gaze was attracted by the way Diane’s fingers unbuttoned her shirt, so meticulously. It was a splendid sight, half of her body coated in shadows—intimate. [name] gulps, her own fingers slowly taking off her own clothes. She was too distracted to care. If it were for her, she wouldn’t mind remaining clothed just to admire Diane’s body. She sheds the last layer, exposing her bare back.

[name] bites her lip to the point of bleeding—her heart lurched in her chest, squeezing with pain. She was so unlucky. She was head over heels with Diane and yet she had zero chances in conquering her. It was hopeless. Diane would never love her. Being near her was harmful—maybe she should just run away and forget about it. She couldn’t take this anymore. She wanted to get away and fall in love with someone else. But—was that really possible?

“[name]? You coming?” Diane’s face is illuminated by the moon rays, her smile glinting. [name]’s heart skips a beat and drops her shirt at her feet, staring at Diane. With her hair laid down, she was a sight to see. Her cheeks heated up, but she kept on watching, responding with a ‘You go first.’ Diane shrugged, ‘Suit yourself’, and simply jumped into the pond with a splash.

Diane resurfaces and stands in all her glory, pushing her hair out of her vision. Her skin had an ethereal glow, drops of water running down her body.

[name] licks her lips, frozen. Diane turns towards her, eyes shining. “Are you coming?” she repeats, kind of confused by her dazed expression.

The girl nods, but her body wasn’t moving. She just watches, feeling butterflies in her stomach.

“[name]? Are you sure you’re ok? You’re spacing out. Maybe we should go…” she added, worriedly.

“No, seriously, I’m fine…” Despite being rather cold, [name]’s body feels warm. “I’ll…come.” With slow steps, she enters the water gradually, getting used to the temperature. Diane giggles at that and swims away, in the middle of the pond. [name] takes a deep breath and dips into the water, gently swimming over to Diane.

“Isn’t it wonderful, [name]?” Diane laughs, spreading out her arms.

“…Yes, you are.” [name] let it slip out, but she doesn’t avert her gaze. She keeps on staring.

“Wh-What was that? You think I’m…” Diane gulps, getting all red. “Wonderful?”

It was in this moment when [name] realizes what she had said and turns her head away, muttering a ‘Nevermind’. She turns on her back, floating away and closing her eyes to keep the embarrassment away. She can’t believe she just said that out loud. What will Diane think about all this? She had been stupid. She wants to get away, to float into the abyss and forget this ever happened.

But two hands stop on her shoulders. She doesn’t dare to open her eyes, though she’s tempted. But she fucked up and it’ll only make Diane question her true intentions.

“[name],” Diane’s voice whispers. “Do you seriously think that?”

“Diane…” [name] pleads, opening her eyes. She’s struck by her beauty once again, but she has to focus here. “I do, but—“

“He he…I’m happy you said that!” She feels Diane’s hands cupping her face and, in a second, she leans over and captures [name]’s lips into a cute and short kiss.

“Huh…?” the girl lets out as soon as Diane interrupts the kiss, dumbfounded. She blinks—but Diane is still there. This was not a dream. Oh no.

“Wh-Wh-What was that for?!” she struggles to stand up, almost drowning herself in her haste. She stands a few feet away from Diane, who is more confused than anything.

The giantess cocks her head to the side. “I wanted to kiss you, that’s all.”

“WH-Why?! We’re not even together, we’re just—friends!” It hurt to say that word, but she had no choice.

Diane pouts “Friends? But I thought you loved me.” And now she’s slightly disappointed.

“I-I do, but-but-but I thought you said that as friends, not as—“ [name] gulps. “L-L-Lovers.”

The brown haired girl steps closer. Her thoughts were in disarray—what the hell was going on here?! Diane grabs her arms gently.

“I thought it was clear!” Diane slightly giggles at your red face. “I don’t say this to everyone.”

[name] looks downwards, shameful. “I thought you liked Meliodas…”

“Ah, captain?” Diane shrugs. “I guess I did. But then I found you! We are always together so I thought it was obvious that we liked each other.”

“Y-You knew that I liked you?” she lifts up her head, eyes teary.

“No, but I figured it out when we had that love talk!” Diane smiled brightly. “Did you change your mind?”

“N-No, but…”

“Then it’s all good! I’m so happy we cleared this out!” Before [name] could react, Diane brings her into a long kiss.

This time, [name] greedily responds, tasting Diane’s lips, the one she so desired. When they part slowly, [name]’s crying, much to Diane’s distress.

“Hey! [name], don’t cry! Why are you crying?”

“I’m just so happy…?” she wipes her tears away, grinning like a madwoman. “I love you, Diane. I thought I did not have any chance…”

“Silly!” Diane presses herself against her body, encasing the petite woman in a hug. [name] responds, hugging her tightly.

They remain embraced, naked in the dark, as the fireflies dance around them.

All feels warm and gentle.

–

[masterlist]

[not-all-that-chic]

Warm Cotton

parts   ⟨  prologue  |  yugyeom  |  youngjae  |  jinyoung  |  bambam  |  mark  |  jackson  |  jaebum  |  epilogue  ⟩

wordcount | 5.6k

warnings | female dom, panty sniffing, fingering, rimming, toy play

rec. track |  ♫ ♩

Although I am not as lost as I was in the labyrinth of trees, the unrelenting storm poses a real and omnipresent danger. The rain is pouring down gently at the moment, but as the storm clouds get more black, my fear grows. What could be considered a beautiful and welcoming forest is clouded by this storm.

I hide under a tree as the rain suddenly picks up, the water feeling like bullets instead of droplets. Not to mention the rain is cold, enough to chill me in place.

There has to be some kind of shelter somewhere. If the twins warned me of the dangers, it had to get catastrophic. They didn't seem like the type to be easily afraid of a storm. Or anything for that matter.

My body is sopping wet, even underneath the protective covering of this huge tree. The trail is hidden under the massive downpour and I suddenly realize just how dangerous the storms are. Within minutes, the lowland is under water and I don't doubt that in an hour, this whole area will be flooded.

I have to find some kind of building or high altitude area or else I'll be swept by the flood. When I look up, I notice the tree's height and it gives me an idea.

"I suppose my tree climbing skills could be of use." Even if the bark is slippery, I manage to get up onto a sturdy branch with a good vantage point.

I can't see much of anything, the resoluteness of the rain making it impossible to see farther than ten feet. Well, this branch will have to do for the time being.

Getting comfortable, I flinch every time lightning strikes. However, the branch is wide enough to accommodate me, so this is better than nothing.

I take this time to pull the key out of my dress pocket. Running my fingers across the surface, I think back to the twins.

"I need six more keys."

I suppose I got very lucky finding the twins and getting a key. After all, Jackson very well led me to them. And they so easily offered themselves. Like any fantastical journey, I assume it will only get more difficult with time. And who knows what Guardians I'll meet. What if they're crazy?

We are all mad, Pet. Do not fret, the journey will be long, but I'm here to tag along.

"Jackson!" I can hear his voice and it comforts me beyond what should be normal for the span of time I've known him. He seems to be the only constant in the Land of Wonder, aside from these keys.

A word of advice: be kind and you will find everything you need.

I internalize his words.

"What does that mean?" I get no response. "Jackson?" Nothing. "Cheshire? Cat?" Sighing, I lean back against the tree, my excitement gone. His short-lived contact with me is enough to keep me going.

Be kind. Yes. That is good advice. If his previous advice lead me to the Tweedles, then it surely will lead me to the next Guardian and ultimately, the next key.

In my thoughts, I didn't notice how far the water has risen, halfway up the tall tree. And at the speed it's going, it can drag someone along and knock them against something. I don't dare to get into that water. The storm rages, akin to a hurricane from my world.

Then the oddest of sounds reverberates throughout the area.

"Oh no! Help! Someone! Help!" My head whips around, looking for the source of the sound.

My eyes widen at the familiar rabbit ears. That's the boy! The one that lead me here initially! He struggles to swim in the water, the frailty of his body easily tossed and turned in the rapid flood waters. I worry about him, but I can't do anything out of fear of getting dragged into the same situation.

He spots me, his eyes opening in fear and desperation. "Please! You there-!" Then he is interrupted by the water dragging him beneath. I gasp and lean forward in the tree. When he breaks the surface, he is sputtering for breath and very nearly swallowing water.

"Please! Help!"

Suddenly— to my utter horror —the water knocks him against a hard trunk. His eyes close and his body goes limp. No longer a fight for the water, he's easily moved. Against all reason, I jump into the water after him.

I can't leave this innocent rabbit-man to die or drown in this water. Adrenaline courses through my veins and powers me forward against the current. My arms wrap around his form and although I struggle and it takes great effort, I drag him to my tree branch, my dress tearing in some places.

But he's safe. Unconscious and blue from the cold temperatures of the water, but— I check his pulse —safe and alive. Sighing, I lean against the tree, my own body shivering.

There's nothing to be done except wait out the storm and take care of him. My hand reaches to move a few hairs on his face as I cradle his body. His azure, swallowtail coat fits him perfectly, all the way to his white pants and brown dress shoes. He looks all the part of a gentleman. And his blonde hair that leads to white ears—

And then it suddenly hits me as I stare down at his face, the key hanging from his coat pocket, right next to his large pocket watch: he is a Guardian.

Jackson told me as much, but I had forgotten in the blaze of the moment. I glance at the key and I grab it and rub it between my fingers.

I could steal it and go on with my journey, not wasting a single moment, but Jackson's words remind me that I shouldn't. In this place of oddities and sporadic climates, I should be cautious and kind.

So I tuck it back into his pocket along with the clock.

And I wait.

It takes a while for him to regain consciousness, during which I simply twiddle my thumbs and think of my mother at home, the rain having calmed to a faint drizzle.

How much time has elapsed? Is she worried? How long will I have to stay in this place? And my cat? My cat who I so dreadfully miss. I didn't even see her off before I left the house.

"AAAHHHH!" A scream from below me shocks me out of my pensive state.

The man jumps off my lap, off the branch and into the water. I hold a giggle and watch as he struggles to get on the branch again. He wrings his coat tails out and I note sadly that his lips are blue and he's shivering.

"Goodness, I am so terribly late. The Queen will have my head..."

"Sorry but, late for what?" He flinches and whips his head back up at my question as if remembering I'm here.

"Y-you! Who are you?" I tell him my name, but before I can explain more, he looks at his pocket watch. "No time! Go go go!"

He jumps into the water and begins swimming in a direction. As much as I don't want to get into that ice cold water, I need to make sure he'll be okay. With how cold he is, he could get hypothermia!

Also, I need his key!

I swim after him— his doggy paddle cute, but very slow. He doesn't seem good at swimming. And he's weak. Frowning, I swim toward him.

"Do you want me to help you swim? I'm much faster."

He seems to consider his options and eventually climbs on my back.

"Go straight that way! And be fast!" My arms a little stiff from him holding on, but I manage. The water is smooth now that the large part of the storm is gone.

Even with all the water swallowing up the forest, the dragonflies— literally, fly sized dragons —and fruit bats— literally fruit with bat wings —and birds return to the trees as if the storm did nothing. It's still beautiful and the trees stand tall as ever.

I'm reminded as I spot his ears flopping in my periphery that I don't know his real name yet.

"What is your name?"

"My alias is the White Rabbit, but my proper name is Youngjae."

Humming with thought, I then ask, "What exactly are you late for?" He checks his pocket watch again.

"The crown prince's coronation is held today. As his personal assistant, I have to be there. But at this rate, I will be late!"

What an oddly normal thing, but knowing the Land of Wonder, there is bound to be something off about the ceremony.

"I'm sure he will understand-"

"Impossible! The crown prince has a temper hotter the hottest tea and a fuse shorter than the Dormouse around the Cheshire!"

That greatly worries me, hoping the cute rabbit boy will be okay. However, he throws around a name unfamiliar to me.

"Dormouse?"

"He is— up that hill! That yellow house there!" I notice a small, cute house surrounded by well-kept grass perched up high. I sigh in relief. Is this his house? Maybe he can explain a few things to me.

Although Jackson definitely knows the ins and outs of the Land of Wonder, Youngjae has been more clear. As the right hand of a royal, he knows much more than the Tweedles or any other resident.

Once we get higher up, the water thins and he jumps off my back and dashes up toward the house. He leaves his gate open as he slams himself against the door and into the house.

Outside it, there is an intricate, wooden fence and plants of all colors and kinds. There's even a cute vegetable garden. It makes me smile, everything about the boy cute and welcoming— even if he is pushy.

Before I can enter the house, he yells from within, "Take your shoes off please!" I do as I'm told and begin exploring the thin entryway. On the left, there is a staircase where I can hear the man stomping around on the floor above. Beside the staircase is a huge grandfather clock.

But what catches my attention are the pictures on the wall, all placed in a haphazard manner, but all in a row.

I see the Tweedles in a picture, smiling ever so mischievously. Another with a group of men, all three sat around a table with tea and delicate desserts in front. One has mouse ears, one has more scraggly rabbit ears and the one in the middle has a top hat.

In the frame beside it, I see the Cheshire Cat with his arm slung around a man who has a clock in his hand, looking at him in annoyance. The next one is a man in a pressed suit with a smoking pipe in his hand.

A few more pictures of strange men litter the walls, but the very last one— in a much larger, decorated, golden frame —catches my attention. Youngjae is standing beside someone in a crown with a contemptuous look on his face.

Is that the prince? He looks just as angry as he described.

"Oh no no no! This won't do!" I squeak as the man stomps up beside me. Wondering why, I quickly catch the idea when he points at the floor. My dress is dripping down onto the wooden floorboards.

"I'm sorry-"

"Go go go!" He pushes me down another hallway toward a door. Once he opens it, I notice the large shower and sigh with relief. After getting my dress dirty and my panties... also dirty, I desperately needed to be cleaned. A warm shower would help. He closes the door after I get in.

"Please pass me your dirty clothes through the door. I will give you a clean dress and undergarments to wear after you are clean." I feel relief peeling the dirty and damaged dress off and leaving it to him to clean.

Or not. That dress is beyond repair.

"Thank you, Youngjae."

"Not a problem. Now hurry! I am still in a rush!"

This is probably his only bathroom, so I make the shower quick, washing my hair with whatever he has without looking. He knocks on the door and I assume it's the clothes he is leaving outside the door.

It's enough that he is giving me clothing, but now I am using his heated water. I feel selfish, knowing that just a while ago, he was in a near hypothermic state. The water feels so nice on my skin that I let the time slip by a while longer.

How will I convince him to give me his key?

I turn off the water and dry myself with a folded towel. Opening the door a crack, I grab the dress and undies. I forgo the bra; it's too lacy and itchy for me. The dress is a bit large, but it's a pretty blue, so I don't protest.

Once I finish, I run while putting the socks on and go up the stairs to tell him I'm finished, but I'm stopped dead in my tracks by a strange noise.

"Oh~" My eyes widen in shock. What in the world...? I tip-toe toward the sound. It gets louder as I near an ajar door. Curious, I peek through the crack.

Inside, the man is lying on his bed, face pressed against the mattress, his pants off and on the floor. My face morphs with so many emotions,— shock, confusion, lust —especially when I notice his fingers shoved in his asshole. In his other hand, which is pressed near his nose, there are my panties.

I feel lightheaded at the sight, but just as I turn to leave, my socks make me slip on the floor, my feet knocking the door open. The large thump echoes in the house as an intense and unwelcome silence ensues. His panting is all I can hear.

Scrambling to my feet, I try to look everywhere except at him as I try to explain myself.

"I-I— the sh-shower-"

"I'm so sorry!" He yells, interrupting me. "I just- you-! Your panties..." he shakily tries to compose himself. That tiny voice of hesitation makes me feel something delicious and filthy in my stomach. When I shift my gaze to him, his face is flushed and his mouth is parted so prettily.

"What about my panties?"

"They, um."

"Go on."

"They smelled so good!" A shiver of pleasure trembles down my spine. His cutely innocent face and faltering composure, his shakiness, it all comes at me at once.

Since when have I been so full of depravity?

His words tell me that he's sorry, but his ever so perked ass is still in the air and he hasn't taken the panties away from his face.

It annoys me and makes me itch for him in the strangest way. I want to take those dirty fingers and use mine instead.

"Youngjae."

"Y-yes?" He positively squeaks, his body shaking just from hearing his name. I walk forward to him, beside him. His cute little eyes are clouded with lewd thoughts and it makes me want to defile him in every way possible. Take that innocence out of his eyes.

Make him beg for me.

I've never felt this way about a man, but I can't say I don't like it.

"What do you want me to do?" I ask, testing him.

"I don't know..."

"You have to tell me, Baby Boy. I can't help you if you don't tell me." He shudders at the nickname and starts massaging his prostate again. I stop his hands and he whines.

"P-please!"

This is new to me, but I like having power over him. He's at my mercy and I thrive on that feeling of domination. I’ve always wanted to try being in charge, but due to societal norms, I haven’t been able to. I’m excited already and we haven't even gotten started yet.

"What do you want me to do to you? Use your words for me." Youngjae slowly— agonizingly slow —sits up and places his hands in his lap, looking down. His blush is painting his cute face in red. He fiddles with the panties in his hands.

I take them from him and hold them up. He looks at me in shock, only now acknowledging the fact that I knew what he was doing with them.

"Please don't be mad."

"I'm not mad." His rabbit ears perk up and his eyes sparkle like twinkling stars. He looks at me like I'm an angel.

This is perhaps the most gratifying thing I've ever seen: he's so innocent with his legs pressed together, his white socks around his calves and cock leaking precum. All this just from sniffing my panties. It fills me with a sensation that can only be described as black.

Balling up the panties, I get an idea.

"Open your mouth for me." He obliges all too eagerly and I shove the panties inside.

The little shiver that travels into his shoulders, his eyes closing, the tiny whimper— I want more.

"Youngjae. Open your eyes and look at me."

And it fuels my desire for him further. My hand reaches down to brush against his cock. Youngjae moans, even with the soaked undies in his mouth. His cock is already pulsating in my hand. I wrap my hand around it, dragging my nail across the head.

I give it a few hard tugs and he becomes an utter wreck, having to lean against his arms. My hands stroke up and down before I reach down to cup his balls. His head whips so far back, I swear he’s going to break his neck.

He's positively on the edge of an orgasm, moans shamelessly needy.

"Why don't you tell me with your big boy words what you want me to do, hm?" I ask as I remove the panties from his mouth.

Any nervousness I had before is completely gone; I'm dead set on this role I'm playing, aiming to completely satisfy him.

"Can you... no nevermind." Tilting my head I get closer and give him a short, open-mouthed kiss. He looks to the side, shy again.

"Tell me. Or I'll leave. What sounds worse?" Youngjae gasps and gulps.

"It's dirty."

"I like dirty." I squeeze his cock hard and he bucks into my hand.

"Couldyoupleasefingerme?" The words are so fast and so shy I nearly don't catch them. Nearly. Grin lighting up my face, I run my hands up and down his legs.

"Okay. Turn around for me." Living up to his rushing attitude, he's on his back, ass up and legs apart. He looks delicious, spread out like a meal.

Youngjae looks back at me and asks, "Is this good?"

"Yes. So good, Baby Boy." I watch his leg muscles clench at my words. To think I have such an effect on him. While I'm here to please him, he wants to please me.

Finally, I reach forward and place my hand on his soft ass, rubbing it a little, mentally preparing him.

"Do you have lubricant?" Youngjae nods and points to the nightstand. I pull the bottle out of the drawer and stare at him as I rub the lube on my hand. Then, I notice something interesting underneath a handkerchief.

A cock ring. I pull it out, curious, but more excited than anything. Just seeing the object in my hand makes him moan. His hand reaches between his legs, but I stop him with a hard look.

"If you do that, I won't do what you ask." His chest that's pressed against the mattress is moving so fast that it's as if he came back from a race.

"Please," is his desperate answer.

"Take off your jacket and shirt." Once I say that, I finish coating my fingers as he nearly rips the clothes off his body and gets back on the bed. He bites his puffy lip impatiently but ultimately waits.

Youngjae then turns around, spreading himself for me and watching me. I crawl onto the bed, each movement has the mattress sinking along with Youngjae's twitching. My face is so close to his hole, watching it so intently.

"P-please don't look at it so much. It's e-embarrassing."

"Don't be embarrassed; you're so pretty." At that, he blushes and braces himself against the bed. I look at the toy in my hand. Then, I see a small square on it. Once I turn it on, I see that it vibrates. Though I turn it off, I commit that detail to memory.

"Can you please fuck me?"

It makes me smile because I know how his sanity is slipping and yet he remains so obedient.

"Since you asked so nicely." I slowly slip the ring around his dick, careful not to hurt him and he sighs once it's on him.

My finger reaches up and circles his rim, watching his reactions the whole time. He's moaning so loudly already, just from that simple action. I slip the digit inside easily and wiggle it. With my other hand, I reach around to rub his cock.

Pumping both my finger and his cock, I feel his body sweat and shake with his building climax.

"I-I think I'm gonna cum!" So soon?

"Hold on for me, Baby Boy. Don't cum yet," I tell him as I remove my finger. He whines and presses his cock against the mattress, rutting against it.

"Please! I want to cum so bad!"

"No. You won't cum at all if you cum right now." Against his own desire to chase his end, he bites his lip and lets the feeling subside. His breathing calms.

I— without warning —shove three fingers inside him as he belts out a scream.

Luckily there's no one around because with how loud he is, someone is bound to believe he's getting murdered.

"You like that?" I shove my fingers in and out of him, adding pressure to his prostate with each pump. His legs falter and he lets his body slump. Grabbing his hips, I push him up and plunge my fingers deeper than before.

"Oh my god!" His moans are so loud and broken and needy, I feel myself soaking through these new panties as well. The fluff of his rabbit tail goes crazy, twitching so fast. I know he's close.

I grab his cock again and stroke him in time with my thrusting fingers. His hands grip the mattress, knuckles turning white and I see beads of sweat pouring down his back and neck.

"I'm gonna cum! Oh, please!" Just when I feel him about to reach his limit, I remove myself entirely. He leans back toward me, silently begging me to continue.

"Don't act out now, you were doing so well. Turn around for me." Although he's a bit weak, he does so and once he's on his back, his cock springs onto his stomach.

His lips are swollen from biting them so much. Tempted by them, I lean forward and shove my tongue in his mouth. He moans and wraps his arms around my waist, keeping me close. His lips are soft and sweet and he tastes like strawberries.

I want to devour him, bite him, lick him, touch him, tease him. Even I'm growing desperate.

Finally, I get off him and take my clothes off my body. He blushes furiously, gulping at the sight. His hands reach forward, asking me to come back.

"I think I'll need new panties."

"Why?" Youngjae asks, all too innocent.

"You're driving me crazy. I'm dripping wet-"

"Can I smell?" No more is the Youngjae of before who was too shy to ask for what he wanted. I'm caught off guard, but give him the panties regardless.

And he does something that makes me completely snap. He licks a stripe up the middle of them, moaning and hissing as he throws his head back.

I rip the panties out of his hand and slam my lips against his again. Then I squeeze his cock, dragging my nails up and down the shaft, feeling the veins. His moans are swallowed by my lips, my body growing hotter by the second.

My lips migrate to his neck as I lap up his sweat. I drag my teeth across his clavicle before biting down. Although he whines, the feeling goes straight to his cock as I continue pumping him. Lips unrelenting, I suck and lick at the soft skin of his neck.

"Ah!" He shakes his head and moves his body, yet again overwhelmed by my vicious attacks on his body.

"Are you close? Do you wanna cum?"

"Yes! Yes! Yessss! Please please please I'm gonna cum-!"

But not yet. I can still do more. Just as he's about to release, I cease at once. My hands move from his cock and instead hold his hips down so he won't be able to rut anymore.

"Why?!" Although I should punish him for his bratty tone, I let it go knowing I've made him hold his orgasm so many times already.

"I promise, I'll make you cum so hard you'll see stars, but have to be patient, Baby Boy." He says nothing else, just gives me a pleading look, his eyes tearing up with incomplete orgasms and desperation.

I massage his thighs and place a kiss on his soft abdomen as an apology. His face is a soft, happy pink. The smile on his face makes my heart melt.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"This is my first time. I promise to give you my key afterward." Despite my shock, I decide to leave all my questions for later.

Right now, the only thing on my mind is to fuck this cute, rabbit man until he can't take it anymore.

My eyes are smoldering as I stare down at his cutely sexy form before grabbing one of his legs and spreading it. I shove my fingers inside and he arches, his pink hole clenching around my fingers.

By this point, even though I haven't been touched, I'm positive that my juices are leaking down my thighs. This is something you only see in your wildest dreams, isn't it? Why is that female domination is not as popular? I feel like a Goddess, having such an attractive man at my mercy.

I return to reality when Youngjae moans my name.

"Ah!" Moans so loud and pretty and shameless: it would make a porn star jealous.

With my free hand, I turn on the vibration of the cock ring and he shakes his head, yelling and whining. His hands move wildly, trying to find purchase.

"Turn around and spread your legs." Youngjae nearly doesn't hear my request, ears ringing with pleasure. I remove my fingers and lightly tap his thigh.

"Be good, Baby Boy. I'll reward you." Finally, he gets his bearings and turns around, tired from everything we've done.

"Can I cum this time?" His voice is weak.

"Yes. Get ready." I go to turn up the vibration setting on his cock ring to the max. He shakes like a leaf, the tip of his cock an angry red.

Then, I steady myself on the bed before I spread his ass open with both my hands. His breathing hitches. He turns around as I place my face near him.

"W-what are you doing? It's dirty t-there!" Although he's shocked, he looks eager. By the way his eyes are sparkling and half-lidded, I know he wants it.

I maintain eye contact with him as I blow on the hole.

"Oh..." he moans.

Then, my tongue comes out to lick a long, sensual stripe up the little hole. His mouth is open, panting, waiting for it. I kiss a cheek and go on to making circles around his rim.

"Nngh!" He starts to say something, but it's incoherent. I pick up the pace and start licking wildly, wanting him to cry from pleasure.

His mouth is open, saliva falling from his lips. Bucking against the mattress, wanting so badly to cum, he bucks against my face.

Deciding it was enough torture, I shove my tongue inside the hole. My pace is unforgiving as I press my tongue against his hole, his moans getting louder and louder by the second. But it still isn't enough for me.

I grab his cock as well and pump it while I vigorously lap at his hole.

He breaks.

Tears stream down his cheeks, a mess of saliva and tears and blinding pleasure.

"I-!" He can't finish, but I know. I go faster— harder, deeper, more, more, more —knowing he's about to cum. My tongue licks him up, down, left, right, in, out. I want to go anywhere I can reach.

"You can do it. Cum for me, Baby Boy. Cum all over my fingers." He can't even lift his head, completely gone with pleasure as his delicious moans invade the air. With one last thrust of my tongue, he arches his back, his seed spilling into my hand and making my fingers sticky.

His scream is so loud that it lights a fire in me and before I know it, I'm clenching around nothing and cumming with him. The force of my orgasm has me out of breath.

We both just catch ourselves for a while until I notice my fingers are still covered in his cum.

Bringing that hand up to his mouth, I command, "Suck." Obedient as ever, his warm mouth swallows up my fingers and licks them clean of his own cum. I lean against his back and press kisses to his shoulder blades.

I feel satisfied, even without having any stimulus on myself. Just his reactions and body language were enough for me to reach my own climax without stimulation. It was the oddest feeling, but I enjoyed it more than I could have ever imagined.

Realizing he's tired and dirty, I go to grab a towel. Forcing myself up, I go into his bathroom and run a clean towel under some warm water. When I return, Youngjae looks anxious.

"What's wrong?" I ask as I begin cleaning him up. He smiles as soon as he sees me taking care of him, but his pained expression returns.

"I'm really gonna lose my head."

I laugh and we just lie down together. After we rest for a while, just silently enjoying one another's presence, Youngjae reaches down to grab his jacket. He pulls a key from his coat pocket.

Gasping, I watch as he re-ties the royal blue bow on the key. He hands it to me.

I run my finger over the divots on the key. It's a long, simple key, with only one hole, but what makes this key unique is the intricate pattern engraved on the side. There are little trees and blades— of what I think —is grass. It's topped off with the pretty, tiny bow.

It fits someone like him perfectly.

"It's a pretty key— Oh!" In my distraction, I didn't realize he was already redressed.

"I'm sorry I cannot stay. Any other time and I would..." he looks as if he wants to say something, but decides against it and finishes buttoning up his jacket. He checks his pocket watch and turns whiter than paper.

"OH NO! Prince Jaebum will kill me!"

Jaebum. I commit that name to my memory. That's the Prince of Hearts, soon to be king. Dormouse and Jaebum, two people I have not met. Could they be Guardians as well?

"Wait!" I yell before he gets out of the door.

"I can't spare another moment! Thank you so much, but I must be on my way!"

"I want to know about this place! And the Guardians!" He falters at the door and taps his shoe. With a sigh, he comes back inside and searches through his drawers until he finds a journal.

He places it on the desk and tells me, "I'm sure you can find out whatever it is you would like to know from this book. Now, I need to go!"

Within seconds, his shoes stomp down the stairs and slam the front door. I place the key on the night table. Grabbing the blanket against my chest, I run to the window. There he is, speeding down the hill— nearly falling a few times, which makes me giggle —and into the trees and out of sight.

Once I can no longer see him, I go up to the book. It looks like it has been used often, the pages yellow and many bookmarks poking out. There's some dust on it, but the words on the cover grab my attention.

"Property of the White Rabbit. History of the Land of Wonder..."

[tenshinokorin]

Running Down a Dream #36 - Smoke

“Boy, you’re too young to be makin’ any kinda old man noise like that.” Cid Sophiar peered at Noct from underneath beetled brows and through a display of Coernix oil cans. “T'hell’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing,” Noct said quickly, righting himself and stuffing his hand in his back pocket, trying to pretend he hadn’t just been digging his knuckles into his lower back in an attempt to ease the nagging ache that had grown gradually worse all day. He hadn’t realized he was making any noise, or at least not any noise that anyone could hear, back in the corner of the Hammerhead shop by the pots and pans and the conspicuously empty medicine shelf. “Just, y'know, stretching.”

“‘Just ya know stretching,’” Cid echoed back at him, and his gaze grew more piercing. Noct expected one of the oil cans to spring a leak any minute, just from being grazed by it. “I reckon it waddn’t yer stretching at'sent two of your fellers out on their own tonight without ya.”

Noct made a face before he could help it, and any recovery of his expression was lost as Cid launched into a rusty guffaw. “Smarts like anything bein left behind, don’t it, boy?”

Noct tried to shrug, but even that made him wince. His back was killing him. He’d twisted something getting off his chocobo last night, and sleeping jammed up in the camper hadn’t helped matters. He woke up hurting and it had gone from a dull ache all day to a full on-distraction, driving him off the camper sofa and into the shop in search of some painkillers. For some things–like old wounds and heartache–potions were no use at all. “No sense in everyone going,” he said, echoing Gladio’s words as he and Ignis had gone on the night’s hunt without him, leaving Prompto and Noct in Hammerhead and relative safety. “Cindy’s still fixing the car, Prompto’s waiting on that machine drill you’re repairing, and I–”

“And you got a busted back and don’t need to be bouncin’ around on no chocobo all over hell and half of Eos,” Cid finished for him, rather more colorfully and certainly more truthfully than Noct would have. He lifted his eyebrows and there was a bright, kindly sparkle under them that was usually hidden by his hat. His voice had a kind of steel-wool softness. “I heard tell you got hurt real bad when you was a lill'un,” he said. “Izzat it?”

“I–” Noct opened his mouth, closed it again, and nodded. “Came to get some meds.” He tilted his head at the shelf behind him, full of dusty medicine boxes with faded labels, first-aid kits, snap-glow sticks, and other gas-station mercies, but nothing for his back. “Looks like you don’t have anything for it, though.”

“Pshaw,” Cid said, momentarily distracting Noct (who had never even heard anyone actually say “pshaw” before) from his pain. “We don’t get anything good from the city out here. Gotta do for ourselfs. That brought-on stuff there’s just for tourists, anyway. Wouldn’t water a plant with it.” He rooted around in his jacket pocket and handed Noct an old Sweet Shiva chewing gum tin, the paint worn off the edges and the dented lid held on with a grease-stained rubber band. “Here. You just take that tonight and give it back to me in the mornin. From an old man with a busted back to a young one with one.”

“What’s the–” Noct began, but Cid had already started shuffling back to the garage and talked right over him.

“Just use it in the camper,” he called back, “Or Cindy’ll be all over my ass for givin’ y'any.”

“Find anything?” Prompto asked, not looking up from his phone. He was draped over the ugly plaid sofa in the camper, lip caught in his teeth as he tapped his furious way through his current King’s Knight level.

“People outside the Wall are weird,” Noct answered.

Prompto’s answer was a snort; he still did not look up. “What, did the guy in the store tell you to drink some whiskey and rub your back with a cactuar spleen or something?” This, at last, made him look up. “D'you think cactuars have spleens?”

Noct did not dignify this with an answer. “Cid gave me some of whatever he takes for his back,” he said, tossing the tin on the counter and wiping out a dusty cup with the hem of his shirt. “Probably some Duscae snake-oil, but right now I’d take anything.”

This got Prompto to actually put his phone down and get up, his brows furrowed with worry as his fingers kneaded the tight band of muscle at the small of Noct’s back. “Pretty bad today, huh?”

Noct grunted, bracing himself on the edge of the tiny sink.

“Sorry I’m not as good as this at Gladio,” Prompto continued, keeping at it with one hand while filling Noct’s cup with the other. “Here. Take whatever he gave you and go flop on the bed, I’ll see if I can help it any.”

“Nothing helps it,” Noct said dully. “It always comes back.”

“C'mon, don’t be like that. Here.” Prompto pushed the cup of water into Noct’s hand and reached for the tin. “Honestly, you’ve tried every kind of thing in Insomnia, maybe out in the boonies they’ve got something that’ll… actually…” Prompto trailed off, looking down into the tin.

“Don’t tell me it’s actually a cactaur spleen.” Noct laughed, but only a little. He wouldn’t put it past Cid to hand him a box full of chocobo doot, as some kind of provincial joke on the royal city-slickers.

In answer, Prompto wordlessly held out the open tin.

Noct looked at the contents. Then he looked at Prompto. And he looked in the tin again. “Well,” he said, after a considering moment. “It’s not a cactuar spleen.”

“Cactuars don’t have spleens they are plants,” Prompto said, with intense urgency, and snapped the tin shut. “And these are–”

“Cigarettes,” Noct said, easily.

Prompto’s eye roll made use of his entire body. “Nooooct. You know those are–”

“I know they are, and you know they are,” Noct said, taking the tin out of Prompto’s and removing one of the expertly-rolled smokes. “But if Gladio or Iggy asks, we had no idea.”

“Don’t tell me you’re gonna–”

Noct summoned a fire-magic flask in one hand, coaxing just enough energy from it to light up. “If it would help my back right now I would smoke a cactuar’s entire ass,” he said, and took a long drag. And then had a slightly longer coughing fit.

“You moron,” Prompto said, taking the joint from him. “Don’t tell me you don’t even know how to smoke.”

“ObcordeIgnohowdomoke,” Noct wheezed. He gasped, coughed, and smeared a hand over his streaming eyes. “But–” he interrupted himself with another tiny cough “–whatever we got passed around behind the gym in high school is a longass way from whatever that is.”

“Crown Prince smoking weed behind the gym,” Prompto said, in something like admiration. “You’re a disgrace and I love you.”

“Crappy weed, apparentl–Hey!” Noct’s head came up sharply as Prompto put the joint to his mouth. “That’s for me!”

“Yeah well, I got anxiety,” Prompto said, taking a long hit, and then reaching out to steady himself on the side of the camper before exhaling. “Shiiiiiiva! Wow. Yes.” He put his hand to his mouth for a cough of his own. “Anxiety. And Things. Sciatica. And tinnitus and …glaucoma probably and anything else that gets me more of… the hell is this stuff?” He concluded, in wonder.

“Painkillers,” Noct said, and took it back.

Prompto nodded, and then kept nodding, seeming to forget how to stop. “When are Gladio and Iggy getting back?”

“Probably not until morning.” Anyone else would think Noct was expressionless, but Prompto knew his eyebrows meant nothing but trouble. “Gladio said they’d probably just camp and meet us tomorrow to get the car back.”

Prompto’s eyes practically glowed. “Well, hell. Let’s kill some pain already.”

“So it’s like,” Prompto was upside down on the sofa, sculpting big swaths of space out of the air above his head. “When I met you? Like, everything went all upside down. And I didn’t know that’s how it’s supposed to be, right? So I had like, all my stuff one way. All my life. Only it was all upside down but I thought that was rightside up. So I’ve mostly gotten it together, right? The upside down way? Which is the right way? Only sometimes something falls on my head, you know, from before, and I gotta deal with it and figure out where to put it.”

The King of Lucis was one thing that was not upside down, but draped across the other side of the couch like a broken umbrella. The air of the camper was thick with smoke, and so were its occupants.

“That makes,” Noct said, in a kind of hushed wonder, “so much sense.”

“Yes,” Prompto said happily, and petted the threadbare carpet for a minute. “I think so too.”

“D'you ever think about… blue?” Noct asked.

“Woah,” Prompto said.

“I know,” Noct agreed, and they lay back for several minutes and thought about blue.

“It’s like,” Prompto said, “Light. Or a sky. Or a TV screen.”

“Right?”

“All the little…”

“Little things.”

“That’s so awesome. And we’re part of it.”

“All part of the blue,” Noct sighed, then, because there was nothing else he could say as regarding the profundity of blue, he reached down, pulled Prompto up by the front of his rucked up shirt, and kissed him.

Prompto, upside down (or possibly rightside up), sank into Noct’s arms and only pulled away to murmur, dreamily, “I wonder if Cid’s going to want any of that back.”

“I wonder lots of things,” Prompto rested his head on Noct’s elbow while his legs wandered down the wall in an attempt to find a floor. “About. What’s going to happen to us. If cactuars have spleens. If you really think my freckles are cute or if you just say that because I can’t help having 'em.”

“They’re really cute,” Noct said, grave.

“About Chocobos. I think about chocobos like, a lot, man.”

Chocobos had taken up several hours to discuss. As had feathers. Which, it had been decided, were just plain weird, like hair that grows its own hairs.

“And Blue,” Noct sighed.

“And I wonder where Gladdy and Iggy are.” The top of Prompto’s head bumped gently on the carpet, and he opened his eyes. “Oh. Their shoes are here, though. Hello Shoes. Do you know that you’re like fake feet made for our feet?”

“No,” Ignis’ shoes said, in a voice like a threatening volcano. “But I do know I can’t leave you alone for one. blasted. night.”

“Smells like a crematorium in here.” Gladio’s face swam into view above Prompto’s head. “I’d ask what the hell you two have been smoking, but I think I know.”

“Cid.” Noct said, attempting to look sober, and only making himself look more fucked-up. Or possibly that was his hair.

“You’ve been smoking Cid,” Ignis’ eyebrows rose dangerously.

“Nooo. For my back. Gave us–”

“Prompto does not have a bad back,” Ignis snapped, opening the tiny camper window and then fanning the door back and forth to try and ventilate the space.

“He’s got anxiety,” Noct explained.

“He’d gonna have a bad something,” Gladio threatened.

“Beard!” Prompto said, thrusting his wiggling fingers towards Gladio’s face. “Is it weird to have? Coming out of your face? Can I–”

“No,” Ignis insisted, purple silk handkerchief clapped to his face. “Whatever it is. We’re getting the car, and I don’t care if it’s coming a tsunami, we’re riding with the top down until you two delinquents air out.”

“More than could be said for this camper,” Gladio said, dodging Prompto’s fingers, grabbing him around both wrists, and swirling him to his feet. “C'mon, outta the camper.” He shoved Noct down the steps after, leaving them both looped over the lawn chairs outside as he went back in for Ignis.

“Well, they’re blitzed,” he announced.

“Yes.” Ignis was looking down at the tin. “And from what I expect was no great amount. There’s plenty left in here. I should return this to Cid.”

“Hm.”

They looked at the rolled smokes in the tin, and then they looked at each other.

“Just in case–” Ignis said, at the exact same time that Gladio began, “For Noct’s back–”

Ignis coughed politely and Gladio chuckled, and Ignis delicately plucked three joints out of the tin. “Yes, well,” he said, as they vanished into his jacket pocket. “As a pain medication…and even for Prompto’s anxiety, they can be quite effective. Nothing wrong with that. Under the proper supervision, of course.”

“Of course.” Gladio grinned. “Cos you’re so responsible. You’re gonna smoke all three of–”

“I am going to get out of this hotbox,” Ignis said, blinking very hard several times, “before I’m rendered incapable of operating a vehicle. Take these.” He thrust the tin into Gladio’s hand. “Give them back to Cid.”

“What, before you change your mind and put those back?”

“Before I’m tempted to keep them all,” Ignis answered, and staggered out in the sunlight while he still could.

[hundredsunny]

op oc #3: APRIL

im baaaaaaack

u are about to read about my prime DAUGHTER april. the rogue princess. a real pokemon! hahahhahaha she nabbed herself the AURA AURA FRUIT yo this is wild so get ready to learn about ol’ blue eyes!!!!!!!!!!

NAME: april (i dont have a surname for her i cant think of anything and ive had her for 8 years im sorry) EPITHET: “aura shooter” ooOOoOOoOoo AGE: 18 (pre) 20 (post) BIRTHDAY: april (incredible would u have ever guessed) 5th!!!  BIRTHPLACE: nimbasa island in the south blue SEX: female HEIGHT: 5′6″ WEIGHT: 122lbs HAIR COLOR: sandy brown EYE COLOR: blue APPEARANCE: before she escaped her home, she wore an icy blue dress underneath a navy blue cloak and her hair down with a CROWN of course but she hated wearing it a lot. her hair when worn down reaches the middle of her biceps. after she escaped she ONLY wore her hair in a ponytail and she always wore a red bandanna with a white arch atop her head at all times!! it was a gift from her mamma the QUEEN herself. she also wore a white t-shirt with red triangles bordering the collar and the ends of her sleeves. does that make sense? i sure hope. she wore a red sash around her waist and then she popped on some black pants and boots. real piratey. also some of her hair kinda pops out in the front so theres a good chunk that sometimes covers her left side. look at u go princess. AFTER the timeskip she cut her hair so it reaches just above her shoulders, and instead of wearing her hair up and with the bandanna, she wears it down but with a black headband. her bandanna is tied around her left bicep (fashion inspo: zoro). she wears a green sleeveless crop top, and theres a scar that reaches from the back of her shoulder to the end of her collarbone. she earned that shit from her wild timeskip training. oof. shes ok. she wears light-washed pants and some addidas-lookin shoes lmao she also wears a rly loose belt too. also she has gold earrings and thas about it. her eyes are round and just v pretty and blue. her nose turns up at the end just a tad bit and it’s so cute she’s so cute. she has a dimple on the right side of her mouth. her mommas face :’) shes fairly skinny but after the timeskip she gained some muscles made 4 punching douchecanoes  REPRESENTATIVE SMELL: vanilla FAVE FOOD: pasta FAVE DRINK: lemonade  FAVE SEASON: fall REPRESENTATIVE NATIONALITY: australian BOUNTY: initial bounty was 60,000,000 (for being runaway royalty) but after dressrosa she SKRTED up to 155,000,000 DEVIL FRUIT: aura aura fruit a paramecia type. the fruit allows the user to manipulate their energy. with the aura aura fruit, users are able to detect the aura of others, repel the aura of others, and project their own. the power of aura is mood-sensitive and can change a lot. can u believe april is lucario 6 forms of aura: red is physical nature, orange is intelligence, yellow is sheer willpower, green is healing, blue is emotion, vioilet(i THINK) is mental communication. i forgot what i wrote down for the aura types lmaoooo the biggest drawback of this fruit is that the user can only use a limited amount at one time. another drawback is that they cant manipulate other people’s aura??? it’s rly hard to explain this but trust me it makes sense when it’s put into action i promise SKILLS SET: most of her attacks are used with red aura since it relates to physical nature. wild. “aura bullet” is just shootin aura goodbye. i love pokemon. lmao. uh “aura detect” is when she can see what someone else’s aura looks like, so basically she can determine if someone is a bastard or not before they even open their mouth. “aura clone” clones herself with aura and that takes a LOT of effort to pull this one off especially when she wants to use multiple clones. “aura bomb” yo this one is wild she uses it for diversions and escaping since it kinda acts as a smoke bomb but when she uses this thing in battle OOOOH BOY. “starstorm” ok this is like the “im going to die after i do this move” kinda thing. it combines all the damn types of aura and it just RAINS down on ppl. goodbye april. anyways there are more basic moves but i dont rly wanna get too into that rn im sorry PROFESSION: runaway princess lol CREW: straw hat pirates  PERSONALITY: an easygoing girl. v mellow for the most part but there are times where she can get pretty goofy (thanks jack). if the wrong buttons are pushed, she becomes a HURRICANE. she does have confidence issues but since she met luffy, she’s really started to overcome them. shes got a horrible habit of being sarcastic and also she asks a LOT of questions holy SHIT honey. she is TERRIFIED of heights so when franky lays down a good ol coup de burst, her soul leaves her body. g o o d b y e. she was very cold when she first met luffy and the gang bc she lived with the person who killed her mom AND jack left sooooo she was a little bitter. eventually she learned to rly live with the mugiwaras. when she first joined the crew, she was very shy and timid and tried hard to fit in. she was SO intimidated by zoro like he genuinely scared the fuck out of her so she always tried hard to not be a Fool around him but once she got comfortable with everyone she just had a good ol time. “hey grassy ass!! :))” “can u fucking not call me that”. she has the CUTEST laugh oh me oh my. honestly just a rly passionate gal, she just wants to be strong and be able to protect her pals. refuses outside help. bros out with luffy and usopp and chopper sometimes but also judges them from afar like nami does. it all just depends on the day. truly. i once wrote a series of one-shots where each one was an adventure that april had with one other straw hat. luffy was the first one, and THAT was wild. zoro’s was fucking baller. so on and so forth. rly shows off her dynamic with each member. april? shes honestly just a good person and im proud of her bc she works so hard  LIKES: training, traveling, every single animal ever, reading DISLIKES: heights, the marines, the heat, people who walk horrifically slow in crowded places WEAPON(S): aside from her devil fruit shes got a dagger she sometimes uses. jack gave one to her right before he left HISTORY: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO king jed and queen serena had a baby girl. APRIL. that made her the princess. anyways she grew up as any princess would--spoiled. however the spoiling never got to her head bc serena was so good about teaching her things like that. serena was a goddess i love her pls come back. serena was wildly popular with the citizens of the kingdom bc of her caring and friendly personality. she would always take april into the kingdom every day and pay visits to the citizens. out of all the citizens they paid visits to, the most common faces she saw were those of the solo family. cain was jed’s most talented and trusted knight. he and his wife celeste had 2 kids: jack and sho YO. jack was 7 yrs older than sho and 3 yrs older than april. april and jack became fast friends and often explored the kingdom together. regular kid stuff u know. jack’s mom was always like “jack NO u CANNOT take the PRINCESS to the farms thats FILTY” hahahah but they went anyway.  jed? a dark man. idk who hurt him or what made him so murderous. but. he was tired of serena treating the citizens like equals. he believed that royalty should be viewed as gods.  when april was 8 jed killed serena oh god there it is theres the tragic anime mom death. as soon as serena died, the dynamic of the kingdom instantly changed. soon after jed took total control, people began leaving the island. eventually, the island became so empty that only a handful of families remained. jed did not allow april to leave the castle at all, and with that rule, it damaged the friendship that she and jack had. ofc around that time jack’s dad ran off as well so he stopped tryin to visit her for a bit. but then once he got back into his groove hed sneak all about, avoiding the night patrols, and hed just sit outside of april’s window and talk to her.  when april was 11 she discovered a devil fruit hidden away in the trashed artifacts that belonged to her mother. she ate the devil fruit and was like “now im strong, fight me JED” but lol she got her ass whooped poor bby when april was 16 jack left the island, leaving her completely and utterly alone. the exposure to such loneliness began to change april into a more reserved, bitter person.  2 yrs later the STRAW HATS stumbled upon the island. at that time april had started a habit of sneaking out of the castle to roam the empty streets of nimbasa, but during one of her strolls, she encountered robin, franky, and brook. she ended up knocking them unconscious bc she felt threatened. the second group she met consisted of zoro, chopper, and sanji. they had been captured by guards and were brought into the throne room to be interrogated by jed. april was required to be there as well so she kinda sat in her throne and looked mad the entire time. sanji was like “NO WHY DOES SHE LOOK SO MAD SHE NEEDS TO BE HAPPY” and zoro was like “ive never seen someone so happy to see my face” and chopper was just having a crisis bc they were abt to be tossed into the shadow realm at the hands of the king. zoro got mouthy and jed didnt have none of that shit so he told april to kill zoro but she just knocked him out instead. that pissed jed off. THE NEXT person she met was luffy. she only met luffy bc he infiltrated a banquet thing by sitting underneath a cart. classic luffy. she didnt meet nami and usopp until WAAAAY later. yadda yadda yadda shit goes down (i wrote a whole arc for this. it’s called the princess and the pirates lmao original but yes i wrote an entire arc for her recruitment and it’s A Lot) ANYWAYS luffy asked her to join the crew but she declined at first bc she thought pirates were just like her father: power-hungry and murderous. however that obv changed when she was exposed to the straw hats more when luffy defeated jed who ate the ___ ___ fruit (tbh i forgot what fruit he ate im sorry) she KNEW she belonged with the straw hats. :’) she still be sailin with the legends. shes had some wild times obv. her arc comes a bit after thriller bark. woopie!!!!!!! like always, lemme know if u wanna know more about her!!!

[kpopfanfictrash]

Firelight

Author: kpopfanfictrash

Pairing: You / Jimin

Rating: 18+ (explicit sex)

Word Count: 5,044

Summary: You surprise your boyfriend, Jimin, with a trip to the mountains. [Genre: smut + fluff]

Jimin: what are you doing? [3:42 PM}

Y/N: Working. You know, like you’re supposed to be. [3:44 PM]

Jimin: :( [3:44 PM]

Jimin: … but what are you doing now? [3:51 PM]

Y/N: [img.jpg] [3:53 PM]

Jimin: is that my coffee mug? Hey, wait. Is that my t-shirt? [3:54 PM]

Y/N: … no, to both. [3:55 PM]

Jimin: you look so cute… I love when you wear my clothes. Gah, stop distracting me at work [3:57 PM]

Y/N: YOU are the one who texted ME! [3:58 PM]

Jimin: yes, but I was in the middle of a boring meeting then. Now I’m not bored. Now, I want to be at home, tearing my t-shirt off you [4:01 PM]

Y/N: yes, but that would be distracting from my work [4:02 PM]

Jimin: I can be your work [4:03 PM]

Jimin: please [4:03 PM]

Jimin: let me be your muse [4:04 PM]

Y/N: Go back to work, babe. I have a surprise waiting for you when you get home

Smiling, you set down your phone. You know that last text will drive Jimin crazy. As possibly the most impatient person on the planet, Jimin loves surprises but if he knows one’s coming – he’s like a puppy. He won’t sit still, can’t concentrate until he finds out what it is. That’s part of the reason you kept this one hidden for so long.

That, and you just like surprising him. You love how wide Jimin’s eyes get, the little o his mouth makes in excitement. How he shifts anxiously from foot to foot, almost dancing with happiness – even if Jimin doesn’t know why yet.  

Chewing your pen, you jot down the image suddenly painted stark in your mind. A misty forest, with shapes emerging from sodden branches. They solidify into two beings, which walk noiselessly forward. Upon meeting in the center, one of them wears a crown of gold. The other, silver.

Your pen scratches paper, wondering what happens next.

Then, your phone beeps.

Jimin: that’s not fair. You know I can’t deal with ambiguity!! [4:10 PM]

You laugh, swiveling around to shut your laptop. You’ve just finished the chapters you wanted to get done for the day – all that’s left is editing Monday/Tuesday, to send back to your publisher. Placing your phone to the side, you push yourself up from your desk. One of the large benefits to working from home is that you can just walk around in Jimin’s t-shirt.

Overall, Jimin is jealous of this fact. Especially when it’s early in the morning and he’s heading off in a suit and tie, pouting forlornly. That’s when you remind Jimin he loves his job, he loves being the client manager for different music groups. He thrives in the fast-paced environment, loves being a part of the music, is ecstatic whenever he helps make someone’s dreaming come true. Even if he gets frustrated occasionally – who doesn’t? That’s every job, every career and oh, right. He looks great in a suit and tie.

It’s just as you’re thinking this, the front door slams open. “Y/N!” Jimin calls, jangling keys hitting the table. “What’s my surprise?”

Looking up, you see the clock – and nearly laugh out loud in response. It’s 4:30 PM. “Jimin,” you groan, wandering into the front hall. “What? Why are you home so early?”

Jimin looks up guiltily, mid-shrug from his jacket. “I, uh. I told Seokjin I wasn’t feeling well, and I left,” he mumbles, smiling adorably.

Folding both arms over your chest, you stifle a laugh. It’s hard to stay mad at Jimin for long; especially when he’s grinning at you like that, bounding down the hall happily to fling his arms around the small of your waist.

“Hi,” Jimin smiles, pressing a kiss to your lips. Then, your jaw. “What’s my surprise,” he mumbles into your neck.

“Patience,” you caution, pushing him away. “Patience is a virtue.”

As you return to the bedroom, Jimin follows. “Huh,” he comments, coming up from behind. “I always thought it was, ‘Patience is a Virgo.’ Couldn’t understand why people cared so much.”

Snorting, you turn around to bop him on the nose. “Okay, are you ready?”

Jimin nods, dark hair falling into his eyes. “Ready.”

“Then – ta-da!” you sing, reaching behind you to open the door to your bedroom.

Jimin looks past, scanning the walls. “I don’t understand,” he frowns, brow furrowed. “Are we going to the gym?”

This, because there are two mostly empty duffel bags laid out on the bed. “Nope,” you grin, walking inside to unzip the red one. “Get packing, baby – we’re going on a trip.”

Jimin’s eyes brighten. “Really?”

“Would I lie to you?” you tease, disappearing into the closet. “I was going to pack for you, since I was supposed to have another hour – but then someone decided they just couldn’t wait to come home!”

“Me,” Jimin calls, springs bouncing as he lands on the bed. “I couldn’t wait.”

Shaking your head amiably, you push through the multi-colored racks of your clothes. Yanking down a few pairs of jeans and bringing these out into your room, you find Jimin lying on his back, phone overhead while he scrolls through his email. The buttons of his shirt are halfway undone, tie is loosened haplessly at an awkward angle.

That’s not packing. “Jimin,” you groan, walking over to reach for his phone. “No work this weekend!”

When you jump on him, a small oof leaves his throat. Jimin laughs, rolling sideways; grinning, when you clumsily fall off him. “How dare you,” Jimin growls. When he starts to tickle, your knees draw into your chest and you cackle with glee. “How dare you jump on top of me – and fully clothed! That’s just insulting, that’s what.”

“Jimin,” you gasp, swatting his hair with both hands. “Let me go.”

Jimin is merciless though, rolling you underneath him. “Never,” he mutters, pancaking on top of you. “I’m very comfortable like this.”

“Jimin,” you giggle, wrapping both legs around his waist. “We’re going to miss the light if we don’t start driving soon.”

Exhaling dramatically, Jimin pecks at your cheek. “Fine,” he admits. Forcing himself to stand, he undoes his tie and walks straight to your closet. “I will allow this, given my excitement for the trip. It just barely outweighs my need to take you on this bed.”

Heart beginning to pound, you push yourself upwards. “Just barely?”

“Mhm,” Jimin nods, disappearing into the closet. “If it weren’t for the promise of tonight, I wouldn’t be so agreeable.”

Shaking your head, you roll from the bed. As you stuff the jeans and tops into your bag, you take one, last glance around the room. “We’re going to the lake,” you call out. “Bring hiking stuff, the usual.”

Jimin pops his head out, just to smile. “Okay,” he grins, then disappears.

Bag full, you head into the next room to continue your search. After a quick glance at your laptop, you decide that no – you told Jimin he couldn’t work, which means neither can you. Heading into the kitchen, you lug out a plain, blue cooler. You’ll need snacks for the drive, food for the cabin – of course, wine and some more snacks for tomorrow.

Jimin enters just as you’re finishing. “You should have let me do that,” he scolds, scooting around the kitchen table. Jimin has changed into blue jeans and a t-shirt, a plain black hat slung over his head. He lifts your chin with his thumb when he reaches your side, kissing you softly. “Ready to go?” he asks, nuzzling your nose.

Nodding, you slide both hands into his back pockets. “Let’s go.”

The drive into the mountains is cool and sunny, speckled with shade from the evergreens and firs. Jimin keeps one hand on your leg while he drives, right thumb brushing your thigh every so often, as though to ensure you’re still there. He sings along with the radio; loud and off-key, despite his usually perfect singing voice. You keep the map open on your lap, despite having come here so often you barely need directions at all.

Service is spotty up here though, and you don’t want to be caught unawares – something Jimin teases you incessantly about. “How long have we been coming here?” he laughs, fingers skimming your knee.

“Since we first started dating,” you smile, because this is true.

The very first time you and Jimin both visited was a group camping trip. ‘Camping’ is a loose term, since the cabin is equipped with basically every amenity you could possibly want. It’s part of a larger resort, though the two of you only ever stay in the smaller cabins.

The first camping trip was back when you first moved to the city. The only person you knew was your friend Nina, your roommate from college. She invited you up with her group of friends and, despite your usual hesitancy, you ended up going. The first time you saw Jimin though, was outside the car. He was climbing down from Namjoon’s truck bed, wearing the same black baseball cap he has on, sunglasses tucked into the front square of his pocket. He was discussing something with Nina’s friend Hoseok, laughing hilariously at what his girlfriend, Vikki, had said.

The sight of him stopped you dead in your tracks. For the first time, you thought you understood the meaning of the phrase, ‘hit me like a brick.’ Jimin was all-consuming, all-encompassing and for a moment, you could only stare. Before, you never really believed in love at first sight. You still don’t, really – but even you must admit, the moment was extraordinary. Jimin looked up, he saw you, and it was almost as if he knew.

Somehow, he knew you’d be important. You felt the same.

You still remember his lips, lifting into a smile.

The group was large enough that you were split between vehicles and as luck would have it, you and Jimin ended up in separate cars. The feeling was disappointing, but only slightly – there was still the entire weekend before you, after all.

It was nearly an hour into the drive when you finally spoke. “So,” you sighed, trying to sound nonchalant. “Who was that guy talking to Hoseok, back at the truck?”

Nina glanced at you over the top of her seat. “Jimin?” she grinned, draping both arms over the console. “Why? Do you think he’s cute?”

Blushing, you slid even lower. “No, it’s not that,” you muttered. “I just didn’t recognize him.”

Nina raised both eyebrows. “Oh?”

Hoseok turned around. He’d been sitting backwards before then, playing some sort of card game with Vikki over his headrest. “Jimin?” he asked, looking from you to Nina. “That’s so funny, he was asking me about Y/N back at the truck.”

Your head whipped sideways to stare. “He was what?”

Hoseok nodded, slyly grinning. “He asked me, ‘Who’s that?’ and I said, ‘I don’t know.’ And so, he said, ‘Is she single?’ and I said, ‘I don’t know.’ So, then he asked, ‘Well, who would know?’ And I said, ‘I don’t know, probably Nina.’ And then he said –"

“Dear lord,” Vikki interrupted, struggling not to laugh. “Please let there be a point in there somewhere.”

“Oh, there is,” Hoseok continued, barely able to keep a straight face. “That’s when he said, ’Who am I kidding – someone that pretty can’t possibly be single.” Then I asked him a question about the weather.”

Seokjin laughed from the driver’s seat, not looking away from the road. “A truly awful story but hey, at least now we know the stage is set for Jimin and Y/N to hook up this weekend.”

Sputtering, you forced yourself to stay calm. “We are not hooking up,” you groaned, burrowing into the seat farther. “I don’t even know the guy. What does it matter if we’re both single?”

Of course, you and Jimin did end up hooking up that weekend – several times – but that’s beside the point. The rest of the car ride was spent with multiple people reassuring you that Jimin was awesome. You heard story after story of him rescuing kittens, helping grandmothers across streets and going out of his way to return lost wallets. By the time you pulled onto the fir-covered driveway – you were beyond nervous.

“Listen,” you hissed, grabbing Nina while leaving the car. “This is too much. I can’t talk to him. I can’t do this.”

Nina merely smiled, linking your arm with hers before walking inside. “Relax,” she sighed, shaking her head. “There’s absolutely no pressure here. Yes, Jimin is great – but nothing needs to happen! There are tons of people up at the cabin this weekend. You probably won’t even talk to him.”

Another lie.

You and Jimin ended up sitting beside one another at the campfire that night. Everyone else left the circle in twos and threes, until it was just you and Jimin sitting under the stars. You were the only one there, when he asked to go for a walk. Blushing furiously, grateful for the dark, you agreed.

It was on a moonlight-drenched dock by the water, that he kissed you.

Thinking about this now, you glance at Jimin in the driver’s seat.

“What?” he grumbles, trying hard not to smile. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I was just thinking about our first night here,” you respond, watching his cheeks redden accordingly.

You’re not normally the kind of person who sleeps with others on the first night – but Jimin, as it turns out, is all the exceptions to your rules. Slightly buzzed from wine and whiskey, you held his hand through the woods and fell headlong into his arms. When he slid both hands into your hair at the boathouse, you knew you were a goner. You were just as eager as he was, untucking Jimin’s shirt quickly from the confines of his jeans. Running your tongue over his lower lip, you pulled him forward, drawing him into you.

It was lucky you two even made it to the room, that night. You barely convinced Jimin to leave your bed the following morning.

Jimin’s thumb traces your leg. “I could have said I loved you that weekend,” he admits, smiling faintly. “That’s how crazy I was about you.”

“Was?” As you prop both feet up on the dash, you sigh heavily. “Has our flame died so quickly, Park Jimin?”

He laughs, glancing over. “Twisting my words, as usual. How’s this,” he smiles, removing his hand from your leg to turn on his blinker. “I loved you then, I love you now, I’ll love you always.”

Exhaling, you lean your head against the seat. “See,” you smile, tracing his cheeks with your eyes. “You recovered smoothly from that. I love you too, Jimin.”

“You better,” Jimin grins, lowering his shades. “I shaved an entire twenty minutes off the estimated road time – who does that! Yes, I am amazing,” he sighs, turning onto a thin, dirt road. “You truly have the best boyfriend in the world.”

“The humblest, too.”

“That’s a given.” Jimin rolls down the windows, allowing a soft breeze into the car. He lowers the volume on his music, letting the sounds of nature drift past. It’s only a few minutes further to the lodge, and Jimin knows this is your favorite part of the drive.

The peaks of the valley flick by, dappled in the golden hour of sunset.  The lake becomes visible upon cresting the ridge, a shiny film of silver nestled in the slopes of the hills. You sigh, watching it all unfurl before you. The drive towards the lodge is the best part – when you’re leaving the cabin, the view never seems quite as good.

After a quick stop at the main lodge for cabin keys and more snacks, your car begins the winding journey to Cabin 37. Jimin hops out first, raising his arms overhead and stretching. “We’re back!” he yells, though no one hears. “Did you miss us, cabin?”

Walking to the trunk of the car, you bend to grab one of the duffle bags. “Jimin, come help!”

He immediately obeys, trotting over to hip-check you out of the way. “Get the cooler,” he motions, grabbing both duffle bags on his shoulders. “Let’s make a fire before it gets too dark to see.”

You follow him into the cabin, setting the cooler down inside the door and wandering forward. Everything is just as you remember it – only a couple of months before today. Of course, back then it was the end of spring, not of summer. The nights were cooler then, the leaves just starting to blossom.

Now the evening is full and heavy, ripe with the knowledge of what’s past. Lightning bugs buzz on the lawn, the soft light of sunset flickering throughout the forest. As Jimin goes to place your bags in the bedroom, you unpack the kitchen to organize the fridge and the cupboards.

Jimin appears in the middle, snaking both hands around your waist and pulling you backwards. “I’m going to light the fire,” he murmurs, kissing your neck. “Come outside when you’re done, okay?”

You nod, as his hands fall from your waist. Once you’re finished, you make dinner for the two of you. Nothing fancy, just sandwiches and all the supplies for s’mores. On your way out, you grab a bottle of wine, along with two plastic cups.

The sun has sunk nearly below the horizon. It’s already disappeared past the hills, the rays casting long, reaching shadows on the ground. The blanket you carry practically trails on the ground – when Jimin sees, he leaps up to his feet to assist. The fire crackles cheerfully behind him, burning through kindling before catching hold of the larger logs. Taking the wine and blanket from your arms, Jimin turns back around to head towards the fire.

“Here.” Jimin spreads the blanket on the log, leaving the other one aside to use for warmth later. He pokes the fire with a stick, moving a few logs around as you sigh, collapsing down beside him.

Far above you, the stars are emerging and Jimin leans back on his hands to wistfully study them. “It’s so clear out tonight,” he sighs, as you lean your head on his shoulder. “But see, this is why we need Namjoon. He’d be out here, explaining which constellation is Cassiopeia. Then, of course, he’d give a live recitation of the Greek myth of Cassiopeia. Crazy bastards. Why does everyone die in those stories?”

“Well,” you consider, peering up at the stars. “I can step in for Namjoon, if you like. See that one over there?” you point at a tiny cluster of stars hanging low over the lake.

Jimin nods, unscrewing the cap from the wine. He pours first one glass for you, then another for himself.

“That’s Snorlax,” you announce. “He’s sleeping, which is why he’s so still. And see that, the bright star on the horizon?”

Jimin bites his lip, struggling not to laugh. “Uh-huh.”

“That’s Ash, mythical hero of great lore. Constantly trying to catch Snorlax but as you see – uh, Ron Weasley is standing between them.” Coughing, you motion to the thin line of stars down the middle.

Jimin’s shoulders begin to shake with laughter. “Ron Weasley – the redhead from Harry Potter?”

“The one and the same,” you sigh, waving a hand. “He’s salty because Hermione was placed so far away in the sky. Right beside Harry, which some conspiracy theorists still maintain was the actual pairing of –"

Jimin bends to kiss you, effectively cutting off your speech. “You’re amazing,” he mumbles into your lips.

“Yes, true.” Smiling, you settle your head back to his shoulder. “I will accept s’mores as payment for my storytelling services.”

Jimin bends, poking a marshmallow onto a stick. “I would – but you know how I like to burn mine. Go crazy.”

Nodding in acceptance, you grab the dessert. You stay out there like that for hours, talking and laughing while the stars shift overhead in the sky. The two of you argue, but only about the important things. Like – is there truly no wrong way to eat a Reese’s? Or, which wine gives you a worse hangover – red or white? When the fire has burnt itself to embers and you no longer feel the need for more firewood, Jimin nudges your side with his elbow.

“Come on,” Jimin smiles, lifting your head from his shoulder. “Up. Let’s go inside, let’s get some sleep.”

Nodding, you begin to help put out the fire. Spreading the ashes around, you move to bring in the trash, fighting back yawns as you trudge through the tasks. Jimin locks the door to the cabin, putting everything back in its place and when he’s finished, he pours two more glasses of wine.

When he hands you one, you immediately take the glass, place it onto the counter and push Jimin’s back to the wall.

He laughs, hands slipping into your hair while your lips tangle with his. His hips arch, pressing upwards as he kisses you slowly, lazily. Jimin’s hands skim the top of his jeans; undoing first one button, then another. He grows impatient after that, grabbing the backs of your thighs to nestle you snug around his waist.

You wrap your legs tighter, pressing yourself as he walks steadily backwards. He’s not paying attention to the lights of the cabin, using his knees to push open the door. Jimin presses light kisses to your lips, your neck, his hands grasping your butt to hold you closer.

Jimin tumbles you both onto the bed, not wasting time to wrap your legs firmly around him. He grinds into you, nose tracing quickly down the column of your neck. “God, I love how you smell,” Jimin murmurs, fingers groping for the edge of your shirt.

“Like smoke and firepit?’ you tease, arching upwards.

Jimin shakes his head, kissing your collarbone. “Like sunshine,” he murmurs, moving upwards. “And citrus.”

Smiling, you watch him push up your shirt, exposing the length of your stomach. Jimin continues moving, lifting your shirt higher to reveal the swell of your breasts. Helping him, you slip your arms through the sleeves, removing the shirt in its entirely to fall back on the bed.

“Ah,” Jimin sighs, his gaze darkening at the lace that you’re wearing. He skims your waist with his fingertips, trailing lower to open the front of your jeans. One finger slips under the zipper, tracing circles over the soft fabric.  

Moaning, you arch up into him. Your hips follow the same pattern his fingers make as Jimin bends forward, mouth opening yours. His tongue traces insistently, finger slipping back past your panties. Circling once, Jimin pulls back; then exhales quickly, pushing inside your body.

Breaking free from his lips, you throw your head back. “Jimin,” you moan, hands slipping around his neck. “Please.”

“Please what?” Jimin smiles, kissing your neck.

“Take off your clothes,” you demand, opening your eyes. “I want to see you.”

Jimin withdraws his hand to sit back on his heels. Slowly, he tugs his t-shirt overhead, continuing to look at you while his fingers trace over his belt, tugging this free from its loops to toss down on the ground. Jimin lifts onto his knees, pushing his jeans past his boxers and your lips part at the motion, seeing his erection strain against the fabric. His eyes glint in the dark.

“Lay down,” you murmur, pushing yourself up on your elbows. “I can’t take it anymore. I want you in my mouth.”

A smile tugs at Jimin’s lips but he obeys, dropping down on the sheets. Jimin loves to be praised, loves it when you touch him and tell him you love him. You love it too, the tiny hitch of breath that he makes. The sharp inhale of sound that exudes, alongside his soft groans and rather fervent swears. Pushing yourself up on both knees, you shove your pants off and to the side.

Jimin’s eyes follow the motion, suddenly dark with desire.

When you straddle his waist, you grind your hips on his thighs. Brushing your mouth against his, you press yourself teasingly downwards. “You’re so hard,” you whisper, trailing lips down his jaw. “I can’t wait until you’re inside me. But first,” you smile, and push him back on the bed.

Your hands tug at his boxers, allowing Jimin’s cock to spring free. He hisses, looking down when you slowly bend to take his head in your mouth. Groaning, Jimin arches against the softness of pillows. Your tongue swirls once over the sensitive slit and you smile, uncontrolled, at the noise he makes. Reaching a hand up, you start to play with his balls, using the other to stroke the length of his cock.

Groaning, Jimin pushes himself upwards. He thrusts his hips into your mouth; you let him, dropping even lower before twisting your lips on the way up. Jimin’s breath quickens at the sight, his breath shallow when you do it again.

“Fuck,” he groans. “You’re so fucking good, Y/N. So, fucking good, when you’re sucking my cock.”

“Mm,” you sigh, allowing his dick to fall from your mouth. Your hands fist around him, wet and fast while you sloppily jerk him off. “It’s because you’re so big,” you sigh, bending lower to lick him from base to tip. “I can’t help but want you in my mouth.”

Jimin tilts his head, looking at you. “Then what are you waiting for?” he murmurs, pushing a hand through his hair. “Let me fuck your throat.”

Without another word, you relax your throat, taking him farther and letting him have his way. His fingers curl into your hair, thrusting harder as his cock finds its rhythm. You move to sit sideways, ass up in the air while Jimin’s hand wanders towards the apex of your thighs. He trails over your ass, one finger slowly pushing into your wetness.

Groaning, you nearly forget to suck as you pull yourself upwards. It feels so good like that, so tight as you push needily onto him. Jimin just chuckles, breathy while he continues fucking your mouth. “You like that, huh? Do you want more?” Jimin murmurs, slipping another finger inside you.

A moan escapes you and this time, you do pull away. “Jimin,” you gasp, reaching around to unhook your bra. It falls to the floor. “I want you.”

Jimin smiles, pushing himself upwards. “Of course.”

Grabbing your waist, Jimin flips you onto your back on the bed. Sliding off your underwear, he stares at your legs, spread open before him. “You’re so wet,” he groans, dropping down to his elbows. “I just want to taste.”  

You nod, even though what you really want is Jimin inside you. He’s always great with his tongue though, and tonight proves to be no exception to that rule. Jimin trails gently over you and immediately, you forget your former reservations. Exhaling sharply, your knees rise to frame his head and Jimin tugs your clit with his lips, spreading you further. He flicks over you, sucking until you reach down frantically to pull him back up.

“Inside me,” you gasp, and Jimin nods.

He doesn’t reach for a condom. This is new for you; Jimin is the first man you’ve ever slept with entirely bare. He’s the first man you’ve fully let your guard down with, the first you’ve allowed to come deep inside you. Only after months of dating and STD testing did you agree, but now – a gasp leaves your lips, when he fills you completely.

Jimin might not be the biggest, but he’s without a doubt the best sex you’ve ever had. You never lie, telling him that. He’s the most eager, most passionate, most perfect fit imaginable and when he pushes inside – it’s suddenly hard for you to breathe.

Jimin’s elbows fall on either side of your body, as he pauses. His chest rises and falls with your own; when he starts to move, he nearly pulls out entirely. Hand drifting down, wrapping around your knee, he pushes back into you. Pulling out once more, to slide slowly back in.

You groan, arching against him. Jimin kisses you gently, refusing to move any faster than this. He slides in and out of your body, circling his hips before thrusting back up. This torture continues, hitting your g-spot and making you cry out his name. “Jimin,” you moan, hands fisting in his hair.

He continues like this, hips rocking against you. Over and over, pushing you to the brink of the edge and making you gasp. He pulls back, lips moving softly with yours. “I loved you,” he whispers. Out. “I love you,” he murmurs, pushing back in. “I will continue to love you.”

“You will?”

“Yes,” Jimin confirms, hand sliding down the length your body.

“Promise?”

“Promise,” he whispers, fingers brushing over your sex.

Breath stuttering, your vision blurs as your walls start to tighten. “Always?”

Jimin nods, fucking you harder. He finally lets go, thrusting completely inside you. Hips snapping forward, he moves even faster, harder to send you over the edge. “Always,” he grunts, slamming into you.

His name is on your lips when you come. The orgasm is blinding, even as his hips continue to move, continue until he comes as well, filling you up to slowly come to a stop.

Jimin collapses, though he doesn’t pull out. Not yet. Instead, he brushes kisses to your face, your shoulders until you giggle and shove him back off. With a grin, Jimin reaches for a Kleenex and wipes yourself clean. Then, he drops down beside you, tugging you into him. “That was amazing,” Jimin groans, smile already sleepy.

Nodding, you wrap both arms around him. Head falling onto his chest before –

“Babe?” Jimin’s voice is soft, in the dark.

Warily, you lift your head. “Yes?”

His smile at you is soft and innocent. “Could you… grab me my phone? It’s in the back pocket of my jeans.”

Arching a brow, you continue to stare. “Are you kidding me?”

Jimin just blinks, the picture of an angel. “Please?” he begs, pressing his hips hurriedly to yours. “I promise I’ll make it up to you in the morning. I’ll eat you out twice.”

Heaving a sigh, you sullenly move to kick back the covers. “Fine,” you grumble, rolling from bed. Bending, you scoop Jimin’s t-shirt from the floor and tug this over your head. Jimin’s pants are beside yours, and you grab these as well. “You owe me big, Park. Your ass is mine,” you grumble, reaching into the pocket and fumbling around. “The back pocket?” you repeat, looking up dubiously.

Jimin just nods, pushing himself onto his elbows. “Yes – back pocket. Keep looking.”

Frowning, you spread fingers out to the corners – and freeze. Pausing mid-motion, your head jerks up to look at him. Jimin stares back, suddenly nervous and he swallows, when you shakily pull the ring from his pocket.

“J-Jimin?” You can’t stop gaping at the gold in your palm.

When you manage to look at him again, Jimin is no longer on the bed. He hops awkwardly on one foot, while he tugs on his boxers. “I know I’m supposed to kneel,” he mutters, unable to keep from smiling walking closer. Jimin reaches out, gently removing the ring from your hand. “I kind of wanted to see your face, though, when I did this. Y/N,” Jimin sighs, leaning to press his forehead to yours.

You’re already nodding, sliding your hands around his waist.

“I’ve been waiting for the right time to ask you this, but I don’t want to let another minute go by. I love you,” Jimin murmurs, lips finding your cheek. “I love you now, love you always. Will you please just, marry me?”

It’s the please which gets you. Exhaling shakily, you wrap your arms tighter around him. “Yes,” you nod, looking up from his chest. “Yes,” you say – half-laughing, half-crying as Jimin wraps his arms tighter.

“Yes.”

© kpopfanfictrash, 2017. Do not copy or repost without permission.

[acrouge-walkintwoworlds]

Walk in Two Worlds: Chapter #12

Incoming message

Holy Hell, to has been a long time! Sorry we haven’t reached you sooner friend, we had to loose out scent for months due to a series of events. Seemed Bishop and Griffon have been in need of extra assistance for my scholarly works of the two new animus machines that Abstergo had produced. We even have been gathering witness from survivors of the “imprisonment of one of the private research centers in the southwest close to the Mexican/American border.

So now with Abstergo focused on more problems related to Hurricane Harvey destroying a warehouse that destroyed the newest research plans; fortunately, our spies and trusted allies have already scanned the plans as Harvey was in vain trying to push it’s citizens out of the city.

God. Those poor souls…

But, we must be brief. I’m glad your well, as far as I can tell. I could be wrong. Regardless, I’ve managed to steal not only a bit of the Katie Shepard files, but a bit of the Hellen Patterson files as well. I suppose after the last session of the memory of Katie’s birthday, Abstergo probably thought that Katie would be of little use. So those memories have been collecting cyber dust for the months we’ve been absent. Until that Norwegian bastard gets o our track, we get into the files of these women. Probably Hellen’s files should be played first since Abstergo probably hasn’t figured out her connection yet.

End of Message

__________________

The smell of cooked beans and smoked game filtered the air. Hellen was begging in her mind to have a whiskey now more then ever, as one of Jame’s men stitched the wound from her arm.

“From the maps I read, this creek, Brushy Creek comes from the Missouri river. So you should be safer riding along upstream.” Hellen turned her horse as Frank pointed the other boys the direction of the creek. “Hold on.”  Hellen turned in her saddle, and Jesse threw a flask and a small leather purse from his saddle bag towards Hellen. She caught it, and looked to see a sum of cash, and opened the flask to smell the rich wooden smell of whiskey. “I know it’s not Irish tradition, but Kansas City can make the finest.” James tipped his hat towards her. “Consider this even, for ridding our trail from those men.” “Here here.” Hellen replied before taking a shot’s worth down her throat.  

“Jesse, I know you have a family to look after, but you need to flee Kansas City. With you coming out of “retirement”, they will follow every suspicion leading to you and Frank’s family. “Hmm.” Jesse rubbed his chin in thought. “Saint Joseph would be the closet to train routes. Better consider that before my little ones question their daddy more.” “Come to think of it, ain’t you suppose to be keeping an eye on those gals of yours up in Montana?” Frank asked, eating a chunk of deer liver. Hellen shook her head and smiled, “Maggie could handle the Dusty Rose just fine.” Some of the men chuckled and one of them with a thick southern accent commented, “Sure right y’all. Considering how the “Virgin Madame” can go in and out without men missing her. You know how much money men would pay for ya.” “Oh sure, a skinny little undercover assassin with a torn up ear and a temper of a bobcat, that also takes in being a madame and a bounty hunter is worth getting money for.”

When Hellen finished her meal, she saddled her horse and packed her saddle bags, including the manuscript’s pages safely in her boot as well. “Hellen.” Frank called out. “Keep an eye over your shoulder. They say that this, McGriffon is in for your head.” Hellen shook her head, understanding what Frank was talking about. “That bastard will have to catch me first. But thanks.” Hellen spurred her stallion around as she headed south towards the settlement of Kearney.

_____________________________-

That’s it for that memory I’m afraid. It seems more out of pace since the DNA sample was old. But it’s enough to get ’’s bloodhounds in a different source of data while you contain Katie’s memories in the USB files. I will say though, things are getting more epic as Katie goes further in this mess she’s in.

End of Message

Chapter #12

August 9th, 1757 River Valley, New York

With her hidden blades upon her wrists and her mind full of awareness, Katie followed Liam as the scouted the wooden areas of the River Valley. The past four months had been one of mass effects of complications among the assassins. For one, one of their traders who was also a hidden informant was mysteriously killed with any identification of the culprit going into the other side with him.

Following with hearing an enraged and frustrated Hope as she had to explain to Achilles that many of the factories that carried explosives and gases that were to be of use against the templars through her gangs were involved in a mass explosion. And to make matters worse, she never received the results of an experiment she was involved with Benjamin Franklin when they were suppose to meet. Katie unfortunately was the one who found out that she saw Dr. Franklin aboard a ship for Philadelphia at the hour of the meeting that he was suppose to meet.

A month prior, when Achilles summoned Katie to the homestead, he and Liam made the decision that Katie was ready for in field work and presented her the last set of robes that Miss Abigale ever made before the fever both claimed her and Connor. She was also presented with a pair of hidden blades that were obviously an upgrade with a new rope dart and a lever that made the made shirt into a dagger with a turn of the index. Katie could of sworn that she saw Liam beamed with pride underneath the seriousness he had to place when in presence of the mentor.

Liam and Katie then boarded upon a ship to reach the River Valley, where she aided in the fight, and to help heal the wounded natives and french soldiers that joined the fight. the Abenaki allies, lead by French General lLouis-Joseph de Montcalm plotted to ambush the Colonel and his men as they retreated from their own fort. Katie never really paid attention to the war, nor knew the reason for the war. All she knew that it involved the french and the iritis crown and the subjects of dear King Georgie. The only detail that she did pay attention to was the fact that Kesegowaase decided to use this to his advantage and led the attack in the hopes of assassinating Monro. As the Native assess in left, Katie felt a quick breath as she realized, that the Colornal would die this day. Liam placed a hand on her shoulder, she looked up to see Liam giving a nod and a light grip as to say, “I know what your thinking.” before talking to a few other master assassins. But Katie diverted herself by aidding the soldiers, even though her body was lacking from wash and lack of sleep.

“Hold still!” She scolded on a young soldier, who’s arm was bleeding aggressively after a musket ball rested in it. “Can’t help it miss. Hursts like hell!” The young soldier complained. “The only thing you’ll be complain about is the lack of one if you don’t stand still.” Katie’s eyes hardened with concentration as she pressed the wounds hard as she wrapped it. Liam was looking upon a map upon a larger man shift table of trees and bark. He peeked around only to chuckle when seeing Katie’s struggle with the lad.

He must think I’m a gesture wrestling a snake. Katie thought as she finished tying the wraps upon the arm. The lad thanked her and went to his comrades in arms. It was by then, a series of shouts caught her attention.

Two french soldiers were assisting Kesegowaase, the native assassin was barely keeping his head up as his feet dragged on the ground. His long braids covered his face, and Katie could see upon the tanned deer skin shirt a trail of blood. Katie called out to Liam as they ran towards their comrades.

“Heavens above and below, what happened?” Katie asked, looking upon the assassin’s scared and bloodied face that indicated that he was close to an explosion.

Liam turned to Katie, “Do you have anything that could ease the pain?” Katie nodded, straightened herself upright and ran to her saddlebags. She pulled out various salves, herbs, and cloths into a larger cloth. She barked at a french soldier to fetch a pale of water from the stream and pour some in the cast-iron pot in the cook fire ring.

The two assassin’s assisted the wounded native against a tree. Liam lifted Kasogwase’s head slowly. The assassin’s face as Katie examined the damage further. The face was blistered and reddened with burns accompanying with cut skin from possible shards of wood, some streams of blood went down upon the master assassin’s face. the skin was so inflated that Katie could feel the heat through the dampen cloth as she cleaned his face. As she preformed her work, Liam asked the native warrior again, “What the hell happened to you? Surely Monro didn’t set this, he’s too…”  

“He lives! He’d survived! And now…he has sided with the templars!”

Katie nearly dropped the salve container, her eyes widened like a doe being exposed. Kesegowaase saw him?! She had to focus on her work, keeping her eyes focused on the possible second degree burns on the master assassin’s face. She prayed to God silently that no one would noticed the panic upon her face, especially Kasogwase. But she had to know.

“Who?” Katie asked, trying to hide the desperation in her voice and face.

The native coughed a moment before a scarp answer filtered by pain joined with anger. “Shay…”

Katie dared to look at the Liam with the corner of her eye as her master’s face widened with surprise. “What?” He breathed a pained whisper that made Hellen froze in place.

Deciding to play the dumb card, Katie was brave enough in an innocent curiosity asked, “Shay? Wasn’t that the name of the assassin who…”

“I need a moment with Kasogwase Katie! Please…just…tend to the others. I’ll let you know what is happening when we figure this out.” Liam’s face was torn betweenez surprise and anger. A look that made Katie feel frightened, as if she came across a sleeping predator. Yet, she nodded and turned to tend to the other wounded soldiers.

As Katie worked, she talked to the soldiers, asking them what happened. One of them finally explained that Kasogwase ranged an open attack on Monro, disputes the fact than Mancaul offered Monro and the British terms of surrender. Then as they chased after the Colonial and his men with the lone man, assumedly Shay in Katie’s mind, hand shot a barrel fun of gun power to the native and his men. Katie felt sick as she heard these stories. Not at the fact that Shay is truly capable of harm; yet she began to see a matter that had been bugging her for years that she needed to discuss Liam with before addressing the mentor.

Later that evening, Katie was staring upon the fire writing hard, yet hesitant. As she wrote her reports for Achilles, Katie’s thoughts and fears were crashing upon her mind. Why would Shay turn on one of his own? Former own now. This was not the man she’d known he could be capable of! Of course, Shay never expects the idea of Katie an assassin; therefore, Katie knew that her life and the brotherhood’s depended on her keeping her secrets contained.

Liam walked up towards the fire and sat right next to her. He handed her a long strip of dried deer meat. She took it with a thanks, and chewed on the gamey meat. Liam looked up into the night sky, thousands of stars gleamed and glittered. A shooting star made a long trail across the dark canvas, until it disappeared into the darkness. Liam smiled, he knew what to wish for from what Katie saw. He looked at the corner of his eye to see Katie chewing the meat, and writing the reports. Her hair glowed redder by the flames. Resulting in this young woman to be more deadly and dangerously beautiful. Liam took a log and threw it in the middle of the fire. It was also a diversion from the thoughts and feelings that resulted after learning about Shay.

“I need you to confirm and add your testimony in this report. Most of the soldiers only gave me the logical of what happened.” Katie lifted her eyes and turned to look at her master. “So will you please tell me what in the Almighty one’s name is going on?” Liam’s eyes closed as he rubbed them with his two fingers. He nodded and explained to her what happened as the soldiers proclaimed, and after conferment from Kasogwase and a few scouts, that Shay Cormac, a man that Liam had grieved for over a year now is alive and standing. Bearing a templar uniform that was too familiar to him. “Katie, I need to ask you a hard question. Was your cousin buried in a long black leather jacket?” Liam looked hard upon Katie. Blue eyes meeting with green. Without thinking she answered, “Yes. Well I’m not sure. It was a closed casket service at the funeral, so I can’t say for sure. Why?”

Liam sighed and shook his head. “Sorry Katie. I assumed that…it’s late…you should get some sleep. We have a long journey ahead of us. I’ll finish the report. We need to inform the Abenaki elders as well. Seemed we even lost some warriors as well”  He took the parchment and scroll from Katie ands and nodded as she lifted herself up. As she turned and walked away, Liam called her out her name. She turned and looked at the man. “What you did out there…we need that same amount of integrity and swift every moment, even in battle.” It was as close to a compliment as she could get from Liam at this point. Katie nodded and made her way to the bed roll where they’d camp. As she drifted to sleep with a pistol near by, Katie silently offered a prayer for guidance and for Shay’s safety.

[mayyoubekind]

Gävle Goat

@roadratsecretsanta

My secret Santa present for @ratxz! They wanted something with the Junkers being happy, and I couldn't think of a situation better for them to be happy in than causing some Christmas chaos.

Summary: The Junkers blow up a goat for Christmas. (No animals were harmed in the making of this holiday.)

Link to the fic on AO3.

Something moved in the corner of his eye and Rat whirled, wielding the pair of bolt cutters he’d been using on the fence like they were a baseball bat instead of a small pair of pliers. He blinked when he was faced with a big, puffy snow coat instead of the guard he’d been expecting, and tilted his head back to scowl up at Roadhog- someone his size should make more noise when he moved, but the big lug was eerily good at masking his footsteps, even in the crunching snow all around them. His partner didn’t even bat an eye at the threat of being smacked with the tool, giving a short, non-committal grunt to indicate that all the security guards in the area had been incapacitated. After a few more continued seconds of the stink eye, Junkrat turned back around to finish cutting a large enough hole in the fence for them to slip through. Their prize was still hidden from sight, concealed behind another, taller fence made of portable steel panels, but he could feel the anticipation rising in his gut every time his bag of toys shifted against his skinny shoulders. Its weight could be felt even through the thick winter coat Hog had forced him into and he gave his torso a shake just to feel the backpack move again and hear the little charges and bombs inside roll around together. A giggle escaped his throat as he stepped aside from the large hole he’d created, gesturing for his partner to go through first with the air of a fancy butler welcoming his master home. One heavy hand, encased in a soft glove, landed on his head momentarily as Hog ducked into the hole and warm butterflies rose in his stomach.

“Ya ready to explode the goat?” Junkrat whispered theatrically into the night air, his eyes alight with mischief. There was a beat of silence and then the lanky junker’s face twisted in thought.

“Wait. That sounded dirty. We’re here to burn the goat. Beat it to pieces. Spank the straw. Pull the antlers. Jingle the bells. Tug the tail. Hit the holly. Flick the frame. Diddle the-“

This time Hog’s hand on his face wasn’t so gentle as he shoved him slightly, just enough to set him a little off balance and stop the word vomit. Rat cackled in the night air, catching himself against the steel fence with a wink.

“Yeah, yeah, we’ll choke the chicken later, I gotcha.”

There’d be time later to celebrate the night, once they were cozy and warm in their dingy motel room, watching the news coverage of their efforts with cups of hot chocolate and a bed they’d already broken twice. For now, Rat shrugged off his backpack and set it on the ground so he could start rifling through the thing for the detonation charges he’d tossed in there earlier. Roadhog watched him silently, the eyes of his ski-goggles reflecting the dim light of the surrounding businesses. It was weird to see Hog without the gas mask, but it was just too damn cold out for the thing. He’d traded it for the goggles and a huge scarf to wrap around the lower half of his face, the entirety of the top of his head swallowed up by the largest hat Rat had ever seen. But even without his normal face on, Rat could still feel his boyfriend’s excitement as he pulled the charges from his bag and set about arranging them on the metal.

He’d come across mention of the Gävle Goat in some magazine that Roadhog had tossed his way when they first arrived in Sweden. The big lug always got him some sort of travel guide or pamphlet about each new country they ended up in, so that Rat could decide what he wanted to visit (and burn) while they were there. It was the Christmas edition of the rag, and the pages had been filled with festive red and green splashes and scenic views of roaring fireplaces, frozen lakes, and on one very special page, a gigantic goat built of straw. He’d immediately zeroed in on it since several of that page’s pictures featured the creature on fire, burning from the inside out or already just a smoldering pile of ashes. Reading took him some time, with the way letters seemed to swim over the page and re-arrange themselves on the page, but eventually Junkrat got the gist of the article.

The Gävle Goat was built every year to commemorate something or other- he wasn’t too clear on the details. What he was clear on was the fact that the thing, from the moment of its creation, was destined to burn. Ever since its first incarnation, way back in the 1960s, it had burned down over eighty times despite the builder’s best efforts to fireproof and protect the thing. The magazine spoke of the annual competition it had become in the minds of Swedes, a race to see who could get around the fences, security cameras, guards, and other precautions put in place to keep the damn beast standing until Christmas. There were betting pools on exactly how the goat would bite it- some of the more creative ways included hitting it with a car, throwing the entire 40-foot structure into the river, and carrying it away with a helicopter. It had Junkrat’s name written all over it, given that it was a few days before Christmas and no one had yet managed to get through the defenses this year. The security company hired to keep it standing was touting it as indestructible, which was as good an invitation to blow the thing up if Rat had ever heard one.

He could just see it now- a beautiful necklace of explosives, lovingly laced around the goat’s neck, a few bombs shoved up its ass, and enough C-4 packed into its belly to make sure people would feel the blast in Stockholm. Despite all the ways it had been destroyed over the years, the Gävle goat had never been blown up, and the mad Australian bomber was determined to fix that.

The pair of junkers retreated to a safe distance, back through the hole in the fence they’d created and a few more feet for good measure. Rat held the detonator in his flesh hand, unconsciously running his fingers over the bumps and ridges on the device as Hog scanned the area again, making doubly sure they were alone in the square. Once the blast went off, they’d have limited time to string the thing up, and the further away anyone was, the longer Jamie could spend on his art project. When he deemed the area clear, Roadhog gave a thumbs up and Junkrat gleefully pressed the detonator with all his might.

Instantly a boom broke the calm of the night and a wave of force and hot air blasted over them, shrapnel and dirt flying everywhere. Before the smoke had cleared, the junkers charged into the newly-made hole, Rat whooping with joy at the exhilarating feeling of smoke in his lungs and cinders burning on his face.

In front of them stood a gigantic goat, around forty feet tall, made entirely of straw and wood. Huge curved antlers, crowned with several lengths of holly and mistletoe rose into the night sky and disappeared back into the creature’s back, forming a ring throughout which strings of Christmas lights and little bells had been hung. There was a brilliant red ribbon hung around the goat’s neck and Rat’s eyes lit up with the idea of tying another bow, this one made of wires and bombs.

He made for one of the thing’s legs and immediately began to scramble up the side of the creature, using the internal wooden frame for support as he climbed. Now that he was close, he could see chicken wire strung throughout the frame as a deterrent to anyone trying to do exactly what he was doing, but little scratches and nicks in his coat didn’t bother Rat. Below him, Roadhog circled the goat and made for the guardhouse on the inside, next to the steel fence’s gate. It was open during the daytime, to let tourists and visitors see the Gävle goat, but the heavy doors were bolted shut now. There was no guard in the house- they’d timed their arrival to coincide with the switching of the shifts, and managed to catch both the guy getting off his shift and the woman arriving to replace him.

From up in the air, Junkrat took a moment to admire his partner’s massive form, hidden as it was beneath so many layers of fabric. He hated that about the cold- he couldn’t admire Hog’s broad back and muscle when the guy was all wrapped up in a coat. He imagined how Hog’s arms flexed as he watched the larger junker rip the door to the guardhouse off its hinges and set it aside so he could get at the controls within. He imagined the feel of those arms around him, pinning his legs to the bed, big hands stroking his sharp hip bones as that huge gut pressed the air out of him until all he could think about was Roadhog, Hog, his Hoggie…

He wasn’t supposed to be beating his own goat, although if his thoughts continued like that he almost certainly would get tempted to. Rat shook himself with a tittering laugh and returned to the task at hand, scrambling up onto the goat’s back so he could begin to pack the explosives inside. Underneath the layer of snow on its back, the structure smelled vaguely of chemicals and he assumed that was the fire-retardant they’d sprayed it with after it was built. Unluckily for them, Rat’s main objective wasn’t to set it on fire, but to simply blast it into little pieces. There wasn’t a chemical alive that could stop him when he got his mind set on a project.

Sirens sprang up in the distance; a wailing that stayed the same no matter what country they were in. He sang along to them as he stuffed the goat (Oh, had to tell that one to Roadie), his voice jumping up and down several octaves in time with the emergency vehicles. Hog emerged from the security booth with a self-satisfied air, and out of the corner of his eye Junkrat watched the gate slowly start to swing open. His bodyguard saluted him with two fingers before jogging through the gate and out of sight.

There was a moment of apprehension in Rat’s gut when Roadhog was no longer in view but he squashed it, shimmying across the goat’s back so he could reach the big red bow hung on its neck. Utilizing a sharp edge on his prosthetic arm, he cut through the fabric easily and let it fall to the snow below. A necklace of yellow, smiling bombs replaced it in a matter of seconds, the wires already strung and ready for priming. Rat only had a few seconds to admire his handiwork before he turned and crawled back across the structure, this time making for the goat’s ass. The last device in the bag was in the shape of a Christmas wreath, hung with bits of scrap metal and a few little pachimari charms Junkrat had managed to convince Hog to part with.

Carefully, he looped it over one shoulder, so he could leave his hands free to grab onto the wooden frame inside the goat. He lifted his right leg and jammed the end of the peg into a spot that seemed secure enough, ignoring the scratches and nicks the chicken wire left on the wood. When he was sure that it would hold him tight enough, Rat flopped over onto his belly, feeling the straw scratch against his winter jacket as he lowered himself over the back of the goat. Hanging upside down with his peg leg twisted up in the frame to make sure he didn’t fall, Jamie fit the explosive wreath right where he judged the goat’s asshole should be, cackling to himself as he strung the wires of the C4. All the blood was quickly rushing to his head, turning the exercise into a feat of muscle memory as he hurriedly connected the detonator to the remaining wires, feeling the familiar form of his bomb take shape beneath his fingers.

A roaring in the distance joined the loud sirens and he smiled to himself, letting the backpack drop off his back and into the snow below. Junkrat was tempted to let himself do the same- the soft, fluffy white stuff on the ground looked like it would make a nice cushion for his fall- but he waited until the bike and Roadhog came screaming into the square.

Hog stopped underneath him and huffed in annoyance at the sight of his boyfriend dangling off the side of a straw goat. Clambering off his bike, he went to stand underneath Rat and held out his arms, sure in his assumption that the skinny junker hadn’t planned a way down for himself.

“Gimme a sec Roadie!”

Rat giggled and waved before he started to kick his legs around, trying to untangle his peg from the frame. A few holes opened in his pants from the wire before he managed to get his leg free, and Jamie whooped in glee as the ground and Roadhog were suddenly rushing up to meet him.

His partner grunted as he caught the lanky junker, stepping back with the force of the impact. He hadn’t been prepared for the extra pounds that the snow clothing gave Junkrat. The blonde was red in the face from dangling upside down, the color contrasting spectacularly with his hair, and Hog turned to run them over to the bike. Depositing his partner in the sidecar first, he settled back into his seat and gunned the engine of his motorcycle just as the first police cars came screaming into the square. The cops gaped at the sight of the two junkers next to the goat, seemingly trying to comprehend why two of the most wanted criminals in the world were in their small town.

They did not get long to think before Roadhog was accelerating towards them as Rat scrambled upright in the sidecar, watching the police scatter in panic as the motorcycle raced out of the steel enclosure. Jamie managed to reach out a hand and snag the big red bow he’d left in the snow as they passed and he shouted with glee as they sped down a small side street, just barely big enough for the motorcycle to get through. Roadie joined him, his deep laughter ringing in Rat’s ears and bringing those butterflies to the surface again.

A deafening explosion rang out over the motorcycle’s engine and he twisted in his seat to watch the red smoke on the horizon, savoring the way the sound had reverberated and vibrated in his chest. They could watch the explosion later on tv- he was sure it would be all the news channels could talk about. Right now he savored the thrill of the night and the cold, and the enormous presence of Hog at his side. There were a few ideas in his mind of what to do with the red ribbon, and most of them involved one or both of the junkers wrapped up like the prettiest Christmas present there had ever been.

[fire-bear]

Fairies

Warnings: vague implications of maybe child abuse or something.

But mostly this is just too cute.

Behind their houses, hidden in the forest, was a treehouse. It wasn't too far from either of their houses, close enough for them to run for help if they needed it. Yet no adult could see what they were up to, their 'secret hideout' concealing their games efficiently. Both of them loved it, playing in it every chance they got, escaping from their lives and their problems.

So, as soon as Gilbert got home that day, he dumped his bag at the foot of the stairs and, ignoring his father's shout, he ran straight out the back door. Through the sprawling and cluttered garden, he went, and out of the back gate, careful to close it properly so no wild animals could get in. Then he was running through the forest, leaping over roots and clambering over the old fallen trees with the moss covering them. Squeezing through a small gap between trees (he was starting to get too big and would have to take the long way around soon), Gilbert was soon in the clearing with the tree which spread its boughs in every direction. Nestled within it was the old treehouse which had been there since before Gilbert had gotten there. It seemed to wrap itself around the branches, tilting and climbing over them, almost merging with the tree. To Gilbert, it had always seemed like it had grown that way.

He frowned when he spotted that the rope ladder was already hanging down; they always looped it up over a branch out of sight of anyone passing by. Looking up again, he couldn't see anyone at the window and he became concerned someone else had claimed the treehouse. Annoyed, he sprinted across the grass, stumbling over a root before he reached the ladder. With a strength and will brought on from irritation, Gilbert scurried up the ladder and pulled himself onto the little platform in front of the door. He didn't bother to stand, scrambling across the space to get in the door.

Inside, the treehouse was stocked with toys. Plastic swords and shields were propped against the wall. Two cloaks, one green and one black, hung on their hooks, a wizard's hat on the hook beside them. A few balls had rolled into the corners and been left there. Two trunks, each decorated with different colourful stickers, were also pushed against the walls. A pile of blankets were messily folded and laid on top of the trunk with superhero and video game characters upon it. And, in the farthest corner from the door, was a little boy, curled up and hugging his legs as he quietly sobbed into them.

"Artie!" Gilbert cried, rushing towards his friend.

His friend gasped, clearly startled, and jerked upright, his watery gaze capturing Gilbert's own. Arthur's eyes were still the brightest and most captivating he had ever seen: sometimes Gilbert thought he was some sort of magical creature. Despite his nose running as well, Gilbert fell to his knees beside him and pulled him sideways into his chest, letting the little boy bury his face into Gilbert's neck.

"Gilly," said Arthur, sniffling. It was a sign he was trying really hard to stop crying and failing. "You're home. How was-" He broke off with a hiccup and pulled away slightly to wipe at his eyes. "How was your music class?"

"Never mind that!" Gilbert said. "What's wrong? Did someone bully you again."

Arthur shook his head. "No. It's- Doesn't matter."

"Yes it does." When Arthur shook his head, he frowned deeper and turned to his trunk, shoving the blankets off it. Once he could, he lifted the lid and rooted around until he found the crown with rubies set in it and plonked it on his head where it slipped down one side. Now he was king and he could order Arthur to do whatever he wanted. Turning back to him, Gilbert almost willingly decided to let it go as he spotted Arthur's pout: he knew what was coming and wasn't impressed, clearly. But Gilbert pushed through his guilt and thoughts that Arthur was cute. "Tell me what's wrong," he commanded.

Rubbing at an eye, Arthur's pout grew more pronounced. "Okay," he said, petulantly. "Daddy told me fairies aren't real!"

Gilbert stilled. As he was a couple of years older than Arthur, he knew that fairies and magic and Santa Claus weren't real. But Arthur still believed and it was a part of who his friend was. Revealing the reality to him right now seemed cruel. He wanted to protect Arthur from that; it was why he made sure to let him use magic in any game they played, even if they were meant to be in space.

"Why would he do that?" Gilbert asked Arthur.

When Arthur shook his head, Gilbert guessed at what had happened. He may be young but even he was aware of his neighbour's tendency to drink adult juice and be generally horrible. There had been one time that had been branded in Gilbert's memory: the time Arthur's dad had blurted out that Arthur's mum had left him with his family. He wasn't sure what exactly that meant but he did know that the way he told Arthur had upset the poor boy so much that he'd cried in the treehouse for hours.

"Daddy says it's time to grow up," Arthur mumbled, confirming Gilbert's thoughts on the man.

"Well, I bet he's just not seen one," Gilbert told him gently.

As he rubbed at his other eye, Arthur frowned. "I haven't either. Why not?"

"Hm," said Gilbert, thinking fast. "Well, it's 'cause they don't want us standing on their houses."

"I wouldn't!" Arthur protested, his tears gone as he took affront to the very idea. "I wouldn't, I wouldn't!"

"I know that," Gilbert agreed. "But they don't." He paused, taking in Arthur's tear-stained face. "I'll ask my mum how to let them know you won't step on 'em. But d'ya want ice cream? We've got mint-choc stuff."

Arthur's face lit up as his smile finally bloomed. "Yes, please!"

Gilbert's mother took him aside once she'd ushered Arthur to the living room and the Pixar film she had put on for them. They retreated to the kitchen while she took out bowls and ice cream to start dishing up. She asked Gilbert what was wrong and he quickly explained. Once he had finished, she said something that sounded like, "That man." It was almost a growl and Gilbert was surprised at the reaction.

"Mum," he said to regain her attention as she put the boxes of ice cream back in the freezer. "Artie loves magic. Isn't there some way to... show him fairies are 'real'?" He used finger quotes as he spoke and his mum blinked at him for a moment. Then she laughed.

"Oh, Gilbert, you wonderful boy. I know just what to do."

She didn't elaborate as they returned to the living room where Arthur was watching Merida with an intense stare. Gilbert knew it was because of the will o' the wisps which featured later on. His mother was clearly aware of Arthur's favourite films and what could cheer him up: Gilbert felt proud to call her his mother.

Once she'd put the ice cream on the table (and Gilbert had grabbed his before bouncing up beside Arthur), Mrs. Beilschmidt sat on Arthur's other side and turned to him. "I heard that you want to see fairies, Arthur," she said.

Arthur's attention immediately switched to her, eyes wide. "Yes! Yes, please!" he exclaimed.

"Well, you may not see them" – Arthur immediately deflated and Gilbert paused with his spoon in his mouth, dismayed that his mother would dash Arthur's hopes so quickly – "but you might get gifts from them."

"Really?!" Arthur's eyes were now so wide and shining so brightly that Gilbert turned his head away to hide his fond smile and slight blush. "Like what?"

"I don't know. It's different for every fairy. You'll just have to wait and see."

"How long do I need to wait?" Arthur demanded, shifting around so that he was facing Mrs. Beilschmidt, tucking his legs underneath him.

"Hopefully not too long. Especially if you leave a gift for them, too."

"Like what? They can magic up anything! What do they want from me?"

"They love milk and cream," Mrs. Beilschmidt explained. "But they have a bit of a sweet tooth so it would be a good idea to add something to it. What do you know that's naturally sweet?"

Arthur tilted his head, thinking. Keen to show how clever he was, Gilbert waved his spoon to gain their attention. "Sugar!" he cried.

"Yes, there's that. Anything else? You can add this to all sorts of drinks and-"

"Honey!" Arthur shouted, bouncing in his place.

"Well done, Arthur! They love that, too. And flowers, of course. So why don't you set out a bowl of milk with added honey and some flowers? The fairies will fly to you!"

Slumping, Arthur twisted and grabbed his bowl of half-melted ice cream. "Daddy won't let me," he mumbled around his spoon.

Gilbert glanced at his mum, seeing that she was frowning again. When she noticed Gilbert watching her, she smiled and turned to Arthur. "Why don't you set it in the treehouse? You can use our milk and honey. I'll make it up for you while I'm making dinner. In the meantime, you can go find some flowers to leave with it."

"Really?" breathed Arthur, clearly in awe.

"Yeah!" exclaimed Gilbert, abandoning his half-eaten bowl of ice cream on the couch. "Let's go, Artie! I'll help!"

And, as Arthur jumped off the couch to race him outside, Gilbert was pleased to see his smile was firmly back in place.

They spent a couple of hours running around the area of forest they had designated as 'good', plucking flowers and leafy plants. Arthur berated Gilbert for pulling a whole one out, roots and all. He claimed the fairies would be angry so they had replanted it and hoped it would be okay, voicing apologies to the fairies to placate them. Regardless, by the time they returned to the Beilschmidts' house for food, they had a large bunch of flowers. Most of them were the little blue flowers that Gilbert was sure were bluebells but, beyond that, he wasn't sure what the rest of them were.

His mother served Arthur's favourite: fish fingers, peas and chips. Arthur was ecstatic when he spotted it and ate with gusto. Gilbert didn't really like peas but he ate some so that his mum didn't shout at him and spoil Arthur's day. When he was the last to finish his plateful, his mother seemed to notice him struggling and laughed. He was surprised to be let off but he was happy to finally hop off the chair to go play with Arthur.

That was when Mrs. Beilschmidt produced the small bowl of milk with honey. The three of them trooped out to the treehouse (Gilbert's mum was reminded that she was only allowed there for the day) and Arthur climbed up. Gilbert only went halfway so he could take the bowl from his mum and carefully pass it to Arthur. He still ended up with the shoulder of his shirt damp.

After Arthur had placed the bowl and flowers just so without letting Gilbert see, they returned to the house and, not long after, Arthur's mother came to collect him. Their mothers had a serious conversation which only ended when Gilbert's dad came home. He was immediately sent to do his homework and he waved goodbye to his friend, hoping his mum knew what she was doing.

A little while later, his mum entered his room with a sewing kit and some bits of cloth. "Would you like to help me make a fairy gift for Arthur?" she asked him, eyes gleaming with happiness.

"Yes!" Gilbert shouted, forgetting his father was in the house. He quickly quietened down as he clumsily cut the bits of cloth into the shapes of a tiny outfit for a fairy. Once he was finished with one piece, he passed it to his mother who sewed them together. Gilbert insisted on a tiny waistcoat and a tiny hat and pair of boots. When he asked if they could make a wand, his mother told him that fairies wouldn't leave their wands just lying around. Gilbert supposed that made sense and let it go.

Upon finishing, his mother accompanied him back outside, the sun having now set and the forest shrouded in darkness. It was scarier, even with the torches, and Gilbert was glad his mum was holding his hand. They quickly reached the treehouse and Gilbert climbed all the way up, ready to do the swap.

Arthur had placed the stems of the flowers in the milk, leaned against each other to keep them upright. Several petals had fallen into the milk and it looked so pretty that Gilbert felt a little jealous that Arthur was leaving this out for fairies instead of for him. Shaking his head, Gilbert concentrated and took the flowers and the bowl, leaving the tiny outfit for Arthur to find.

Gilbert's mum pressed the flowers for him when they got home so he could keep them somewhere Arthur wouldn't find them: Gilbert fell asleep smiling.

"Gilly!" came a screech from their back garden before they left for school for the day. Gilbert, eating breakfast at the kitchen island, froze with his spoon in the air, blinked and turned his head. Rubbing at an eye and yawning, he looked at his mother who bit her lip in an effort to hold back her smile (it didn't work). She nodded and gestured so Gilbert dropped his spoon into his cereal (splashing chocolate milk everywhere) and made his way to the back door.

He opened it just as Arthur screeched his name again. "Artie?" he said, squinting in the sunlight. The other boy was already in his school uniform but it was a little dirty from having presumably gone into the forest. His hands were cupped, as if he was holding something small and fragile. Slowly, Gilbert remembered what he and his mother had done and he glanced back up to see if Arthur was smiling. But Arthur's eyes were wide, as if in surprise, and his mouth was popped open slightly in a small 'o'. "What's wrong?" Gilbert asked, worried that something had happened to the little outfit.

"Look," Arthur breathed, carefully unfurling his hands. Gilbert braced himself for the tattered remains of what should have been his present. But, when he could finally see what was in his hands, Gilbert could only blink down at the tiny oufit in confusion. He looked back up and saw Arthur's lips pulling up, slowly, slowly growing into a smile. "The fairies left me a present! Gilly, we gotta do that again! Maybe they'll leave me some fairy dust!"

Trying not to laugh, Gilbert grinned at him. "Oh, wow! That's amazing, Artie!" He paused and looked at the outfit curiously. "What are you gonna do with it?"

"Keep it, of course," said Arthur. "Maybe this is for when they come to shrink me to their size and make me a fairy!"

Despite knowing it wouldn't happen, Gilbert still felt a prick of pain at the thought of Arthur leaving. "You can't do that!" he said, pouting. "You can't leave me behind!"

Arthur giggled, a sweet sound that made Gilbert blush. "Silly Gilly! You'll come, too! Ah, maybe they'll leave a little outfit for you, next time! I can't wait!" Arthur bounced in place, hands clutching the outfit tightly, grin blinding.

That was the moment Gilbert fell in love.

"Gilly!"

"Woah, blast from the past!" Gilbert called through from the living room where he had been resisting the attempts to tidy around him. "What brought that on, Mister I've-Got-A-Stick-Up-My-Butt?"

"I will save over your file on that game if you don't behave!" Arthur yelled back.

Gilbert paused the game and gasped, placing a hand over his heart as he turned to the door. He waited until his boyfriend walked into view with an old shoe box in his hands before he spoke. "How dare you even consider that?!"

"Trust me," Arthur grumbled, rolling his eyes, "I've thought that plenty of times."

Grinning at him, Gilbert gestured for Arthur to come closer, puckering his lips. Arthur smirked and stepped close enough to give him a peck on the forehead. "You love me, anyways," said Gilbert, cheerfully. "What were you shouting for?"

"Remember the treehouse?" Arthur asked, walking around the couch.

"Uh, yeah. We only spent, like, half our life there."

"Then do you remember the times we put out things to attract the fairies?" said Arthur as he sat down beside Gilbert, box on his lap.

Cheeks flushing as he remembered his part in that, Gilbert turned back to the TV. "Uh, yeah," he mumbled, thumb hovering over the start button.

"And the gifts I got back?"

"What about them?"

"Look," said Arthur, pushing the box towards him.

Putting his controller aside, Gilbert peered inside and froze. His eyes widened as he saw all the little outfits and tiny books and petite pictures he and his mother had made over the years, nestled upon a sheet of tissue paper. He knew for a fact that there should be far more than what he could see and he presumed that there were safely under the paper. "Oh," he breathed, his heart doing funny things in his chest as he realised that Arthur had not only kept them all but clearly treasured them.

"Oh?" said Arthur, incredulously. When Gilbert looked up, he could see Arthur's happy, beautiful smile. "That's all you've got to say?"

Gilbert blinked, confused. "Uh, sorry. For lying to you-"

"Don't be stupid, Gil." Arthur shook his head and shifted closer, setting the box aside. "I did figure it out after a while, you know. Thank you – I really needed that. Your mother was a godsend."

Smiling at the memories, Gilbert nodded. "Yeah. I just wanted you to be happy. I've always wanted that..." He grimaced as he remembered some of the stupid things he'd done because of his deep love for the man before him. "Even if it sometimes didn't seem like that..."

Arthur laughed. "Well, I definitely knew that. Now, my little fairy, what on Earth can I give you in thanks?"

Stealing a quick peck from Arthur's lips, Gilbert braced himself to be shouted at and said, "Well, I always like some milk and honey." Then, with a wink, he leapt from the couch before Arthur could tackle him in retaliation, cackling as he ran out of the living room.

And then Arthur let Gil run around the house while he played the game and saved over Gil’s file, deliberately missing out on side missions and stuff.

I kid: Artie’s not that mean... Probably.

[tea-and-cardigans]

The After Party - Part 3

Hey Guys, here is the final part for this fiction. Thanks for the likes and reblogs, it is much appreciated. Now that this is finished I have a few requests to write for so look out for those. :) And thank you to the person who sent me a message for an insult for Jughead from Reggie.

Part One

Part Two

He put a hand on her shoulder wanting to comfort her and she collapsed onto him. Her face nuzzled into his shirt. “You smell nice.” She commented, feeling his body stiffen at the contact.

“Thanks?” he responded unsure. He was in a small enclosed space with Betty Cooper at a house party, it wasn’t exactly where he thought his night was going to end up. Her hands moved to encircle his waist and he went to put some distance between them, his back hitting the wall behind him. He needed to process what was happening. She moved towards him again her hand pressed against his chest. “Betts. Come on.” his tone was light, friendly, trying to break the tension that had suddenly engulfed the small room. But she was having none of it, her eyes had darkened and they carefully examined him in a way he had not seen a member of the opposite sex look at him before.

“Betts I don’t think this is a good idea.” He let out, as her hand moved to his shirt playing with the material. His hands were braced on the wall behind him, he was out of space to move and she was not backing away.

“What did I say about people telling me what to do?” She replied.

“Not telling, advising.”

“I always do what is best Jug. That’s my life’s mission. But sometimes I get sick of being the good girl.” He swallowed thickly, his throat feeling dry. She smiled noticing his reaction. Her hand moved from the opening of his shirt to his neck, playing with the curls of hair that escaped underneath his beanie.

“Betts.” He groaned in warning. She had fully invaded his personal space now. If she was anyone else he would have pushed them away by now.

“Don’t you want to make me feel better.” She pressed her body against his.

“I don’t want to be a rebound.” He choked out.

“This isn’t about that. This is two people who know each other very well, who at one time or another have imagined what it would be like to cross that line.” She said seductively as she trailed a finger down the side of his cheek to lightly ghost across his lips.

“You have thought about that?” He asked searching her eyes for honesty. She took a hold of his hand and placed it on her hip.

“Haven’t you?” She said avoiding the question. He glanced at his watch on the hand not currently attached to her hip holding her tight now without realizing.

“We have 3 minutes left.” He stated struggling to keep his tone even.

“Tick, Tock” She replied.

“Fuck it.” He groaned in defeat, his hand reaching for the back of her head, pulling her closer so that his lips could capture hers. Her lips were pliable under his, returning his kiss with equal enthusiasm. Her hands went to his hair dipping underneath the beanie on his head to feel his wavy locks he kept hidden. She had always wondered what his hair felt like, hidden always under that beanie.

Her tongue swept across his bottom lip, seeking entrance which he gladly gave all too easily. This feeling of being desired overwhelmed her, she wanted more, more of this feeling. Feeling bold she reached under his t-shirt, her fingertips touching bare skin and delighting in his sharp intake of breath at the contact. But he didn’t stop her, didn’t pull away as she had expected. She moved her hands to his bare back scratching lightly. She was reveling in the sounds that he was making, it made her feel powerful that she could create such a reaction in the usually stoic teen.

So far he had been along for the ride, letting her take the lead. But this feeling arising up in him had snowballed into something he couldn’t quite control. He wanted more, he wanted to feel more. Switching their positions he pushed her up against the wall, as his lips went to her neck, he took a testing nip the barest hint of teeth  and then soothed the area immediately with his tongue as she gasped and moaned her appreciation.

Her hands were in his hair again. She wanted that hat gone. She knew it was his security blanket. A barrier against the the world and she wanted him without those. She wanted him laid bare. Those moments when she had thought about what it might be like to kiss him, she had never imagined this. She had expected an awkwardness and hesitation on both sides. But this was nothing like that. This felt almost right. There was a push and pull between them, give and take. This was not the sweet first kiss she had expected to write in her diary, all sunshine and rainbows and Archie Andrews. This was raw and unhinged. Her fingers were now laced in his hair as she directed him to where she needed to feel his touch the most.

She felt his hand moving up her waist, up her ribcage, the underside of her breast just short of touching her where she needed him to. She keened into his touch.

“Please.” She let slip from her lips. She heard him take a deep breath before his hand caressed her breast and his mouth reclaimed hers.

“Right Betty times up.” Veronica said as she opened the closet door, Archie stood next to her and may have needed some help picking his jaw up of the floor. Within the closet were his two best friends tangled up in each other, hair mussed, the crown beanie on the floor left forgotten. It seemed Veronica too was lost for words.

“Whoa looks like Needlenose does know what to do with a girl after all.” Reggie shouted peering over the shoulder of Archie who was still having difficulty getting his mouth to form words. Betty and Jughead broke apart, Betty casually smoothing down her dress, while he picked up his beanie from the floor pulling it quickly onto his head. He looked over to Betty expecting to see embarrassment or a look of guilt at being caught in the act, but he couldn’t read anything from her face. The closest thing he could describe it as was determined.

“Oh looks like Betty Cooper isn’t so innocent after all. More like your sister than we thought. Must be a Cooper thing.” Cheryl commented smugly. Betty’s face didn’t change, didn’t crumble and break like it usually would. Instead she walked over to Cheryl never breaking eye contact. She was in Cheryl’s face now, eye to eye. Cheryl noted the look in her eye and her smile faltered.

“I am done being your little plaything. Cross me again. so much as say Polly’s name and you will regret it.” She stepped past her heading for the exit. She looked back over her shoulder at the devastation in her wake, to the boy still in the closet. “Are you coming?”

How could he say no?