#Ruby Thewes

[baubeautyandthegeek]

Cruel Robbery - Ada Monroe/Sally Swanger/Ruby Thewes

A/N: Day 22 Part 2 for @augustofwhump

It’s obvious, when they find her, sons dead, husband dead, hands trapped and choked with rope, that the robbery had been quick and cruel. Ada’s quick to join Ruby in freeing Sally’s hands and neck, wrapping bruised and bloodied hands in clean bandage she’s torn from the sheets, her voice soft as she scoops Sally up with Ruby. “Easy now Sally, we’ve got you.” She’ll remember, in times later, how Sally’s voice used to sound. Soft and sweet and kind as anything. Sally won’t speak now, one last bitter robbery. Ada tends to her most often, quieter now than before. Losing faith in Inman had rattled her but Sally’s need for her sooths the part of her that hurts most. Ruby is constant, tending both farms, keeping them all alive and fed, tender as anything when she’s home, wrapping herself around both Sally and Ada as much as she can. She might be the least present, physically, but her love is written across their lands, clear as day.

[kamesama]

— scapegoat: ryōmen sukuna.

— notes + warnings: this is a heavy one ( i mean it ); n/sfw, minors do not interact; virgin! fem! reader given away as a sacrifice; true-form! sukuna; non-con; violence; gore; blood; nudity; foul language; humiliation; degradation; implied character / reader death. — word count: 2166

you have never looked lovelier.

lips red with thick layer of paint; hair held up flawlessly by an ornate pin; body burdened by fine silks. chagrin and shame danced upon your cheeks, leaving blush trails in their wake. their waltz served to ridicule you, its snicker reminding that there was not a single silver lining you could find for yourself to cling to.

and how could you? 

you were a morsel sold for a mock-promise of peace. a sacrifice made for a fleeting moment of stillness. your torment would provide a single eve’s worth of undisturbed slumber, at best.

how many restful nights did you indulge in as a result of someone else’s defiled maidenhood?

the legends echoed off the rugged walls of your skulls; bed-time stories of carnage and cruelty and corpses. of a beast’s menacing frame, caked in red. of his four-eyed, garnet gaze that rolled and glided without a shred of subtlety. of his tongues; starved and shameless. of his hands; mammoth and malevolent.

will someone frighten their children with laments for you? when your bare body is devoured by ivy and when spiders nest in your empty sockets and when field flowers erupt from within your rotten ribcage out of sole pity for your snaffled chastity, will you be mourned and honoured? no one else ever was. 

had you raised your chin, you would have found him seated, one of his hands supporting his jaw in a manner that was nearly overwhelmed with boredom. but you didn’t look up — your chin nearly settled into the subtle hollow between your clavicles, as if refusal to bear witness to his horrific majesty would, somehow, render you invisible. 

if only humility could save you.

“come closer, woman,” he called out, his voice firm and profound. it made you shudder; the elaborate imagery on your gown grew blurry. 

drip.

drip.

drip.

hot droplets left dark stains upon your lap. they expanded gingerly before coming to a halt. your muscles begged you not to let them contract. the tension grew denser than honey.

“come closer,” the echo of his command was guttural, “or i’ll rip your legs off.” 

a pitiable sob escaped you, leaving you uncertain whether your grieving was due to you betraying your own thews, or to the sheer expanse of your misfortune. with trembling limbs, you stood up, cautious as not to stumble over the hems of your extravagant wrapping. every tiny step forward made your heartbeat slam louder at the bottom of your ear canal; misplaced. 

it was the mocking curvature of his belly-mouth that you first laid your gaze on. the inhuman sight pulled your eyelids wide open, exposing the glossy white of your sclera rapidly turning bloodshot.

perhaps you would have turned on your heel and succumbed to the overwhelming amounts of epinephrine coursing through your veins. perhaps you would have fled, even if it cost you anything between your heel and your hip. perhaps you would have, if his calloused fingers hadn’t gripped your jaw, coal nails disturbing the integrity of your smooth cheeks. 

the abuse was barely bloodier than a pinprick.

the force of his touch stretched your neck muscles enough to make it strenuous to swallow. he angled your head so that his eyes — four restless rubies glistening underneath the flickering candlelight — could skim across your entire face. they appeared to lick over every convexity, concavity and crevice. your vision deadened momentarily underneath a thickening layer of moisture that soon after dripped over the rims of your lids. 

“you’re pretty for a whore,” he hummed, his lips arching upwards into a vicious grin, but his amusement withered just as swiftly, “or is it that pesky paint?” he tutted, “they always tuck you in those bothersome shrouds. what for?” his thumb rubbed across your bottom lip, smearing the bold red hue onto the surrounding skin. he cocked his head to the side, his eyes sparkling with a heterogenous mixture of exasperation and entertainment.

“have you got no tongue?” his grip parted your lips as he slid two digits into your wet, warm mouth to caress your teeth, gums and tongue with a callous touch, “there it is,” you could feel your flesh gripped in-between his fingers, “do you need it?”

a perturbed hum sounded from the midst of your throat. the smallest nod — as tremendous as your confinement would allow — served to add weight to the desperation of your agreement. 

“then use it. does your kind take their women all wrapped up?” 

“no…” your voice was timid. pathetic.

“so why should i?” 

you wouldn’t know how to respond, had he given you a chance to. he pushed you away suddenly, planting a profound, dull ache into your mandible. a fog-like haze forbade you from knowing how you maintained a sloppy balance upon your two feet.

“strip, woman. let me see my gift the way it should have been presented.” there was leisure caressing his voice, absorbing into his marked skin. yet, he appeared menacing nonetheless. you clutched the front of your gown with trembling fingers, out of fear that his starved gaze alone would rid you of your decency. your spine bent slightly in an attempt to guard whatever curve wasn’t already veiled by your silken clothes. 

but that annoyed him; his patience seemed to simmer and it evaporated quickly enough to thicken the tension all the more. once again, you found it hard to swallow.

“i said, strip,” the frigid tone of his voice seemed to momentarily freeze the blood in your veins and drag your skin up into goosebumps. your breath paused in your throat, your fingernails clawing at the vivid shrouds enough to overwhelm your knuckles.

you sniffled, “please don’t.”

the voice you pleaded with was a meek thing; pitiful and demure. it would have stirred some sympathy in anyone who possessed at least a single chamber of a heart; sukuna barely had an excuse for the whole thing. 

“please don’t?” he parroted, his voice heavy with cruel amusement. you could hear the wickedness in his words; as carnivorous and as famished as his eyes. the wood cried out from underneath the soles of his bare feet as he stood up, an enormous shadow devouring your frame. his fingers dove into the strands of your hair, disarraying the style it was carefully arranged into; the stunning hairpin fell without a complaint. he yanked your locks, pulling your head back to the point your slender neck curved into a strained arch. his misplaced mouth grinned viciously at the scene, wet tongue coating the thick lips with shameless lust. 

your eyes glistened in the flames’ glow, burdened by the bite of your tears. your lips quivered along with your fingers; it made your efforts hilariously puny as you attempted to tug on his wrist lest he easened the grip or withdrew completely, “s-stop-” you cried out, “stop!” 

the sound echoed, bouncing off the walls before dripping onto the timber floor. he tore the intricate design on your robe with a merciless jerk and ripped the girdle. the gown opened up akin to curtains to reveal every virginal secret you so obediently maintained all these years. it would have pooled in a smoothly wrinkled pile around your feet if it wasn’t for your arms stretched upwards, holding onto sukuna’s wrist in vain attempts to weaken his unyielding grip.

your skin was bared to bathe in the warm light. yet, the air was cold; icy enough to send shivers down your spine and cause your nipples to stiffen. sukuna’s carnal gaze ingurgitated you from the subtle line of the collarbone, down the valley between the breasts and all the way to the smooth curvature at the low of the belly.

his hand let not a single second go to waste; he grabbed your round flesh with all but a tender caress and pulled you closer with another tug to your hair. the accursed tongue finally indulged in the taste of your flushed skin, trailing a dripping wet line up from your navel and to the tip of your sternum. 

“i won’t stop,” he spoke, “not unless you beg better than that. beg for mercy, woman,” nothing across his features promised compassion — not his eyes, not his lips, not the ink lines ever-so-faithfully parallel to the angle of his jaw, “i may just humour you.”

how could you possibly let a thread-thin chance slip through your fingers?

“please,” you cried out in a hoarse voice. your poor hands had no idea what to do; with one you pulled at the wrist of the hand that cupped the mound on your chest, and with the other you continued your fruitless endeavour of attempting to lighten the force with which he held your locks, “please stop, i beg you, please,” you sobbed, tears pouring down your reddened cheeks whilst you sniffled so as not to let your nostrils leak.

the tension dispersed and his hold grew limp.

it was enough for you to slip out of it — just slip out of it.

sukuna caught your wrist, pulling you into his lap swiftly as he sat down onto the mat. you were caged in a way that ensured stillness, and a hush made your limbs halt, “move another muscle and i’ll taint the floor with your bowels,” his palm laid against your forehead, horrifically larger than your skull. he grinned, eating up the sight of your troubled face; reddened cheeks, wet eyelashes, whimpering mouth. your bare chest heaved as you tried your best to make your starved gasps as quiet as possible, your heart slamming against your ribs so strongly that you felt it might give out.

you wished to hug your body; to cover yourself up. shame devoured you as much as his gaze.

“good girl,” he cooed, “that’s how a bitch like you should act,” his hand pushed your head back to expose the smooth expanse of your neck. he leaned down, trailing his lips across your pulse, “obedient.” 

he pulled onto the remains of your torn gown to bare you further as his mouth abused the sweet spot where your neck merged with your shoulder — licking, nibbling, sucking. you writhed against him, your heart pounding; the fervent pulse was palpable against his scorching tongue as he lapped up the cold beads of your sweat.

“that’s more like it…” he whispered, “you should be grateful. the last one was,” his hot breath brushed against your windpipe, provoking a tickling sensation, “be honoured that i’ll take you, fill you with my seed, you insolent whore.”

his crooked smile widened as his teeth sunk into your flesh; bone-deep.

a sharp intake of breath.

silence.

a scream.

chains with which his threats held you down corroded, allowing you to writhe and kick as he chuckled through his blood-stained lips. he gripped your flesh, your thighs a canvas that he painted cherry crimson and plum purple with his fingers, ensuring that your very marrow wore his mark. he didn’t hush you again, instead letting you whine and wail. even as one of your hands broke free to slam his shoulder and slap his skull, he continued to lap up the essence with his tongue and to gnaw the flesh with his teeth.

“what did i say?” his voice slithered into your torn veins, his palm pressing across the small curvature of your stomach, right where your womb laid. it crept just a little higher, fingernails leaving thin red trails that begged to bleed. your guts twisted at the reminder; you imagined your intestines unravelled across the wood.

but it didn’t matter. 

you wanted to leave. 

you had to leave.

so he let you.

you stumbled off his thighs and onto your bare knees, attempting to crawl away. the futile endeavour bestowed upon him the lovely sight of your bruised skin and round buttocks; the appetising arch of your spine and just a glimpse of what remained untouched between your legs.

you were howling for air. crying. wailing. sobbing. 

he watched, and he listened.

closer. 

closer.

closer.

your cheekbone pressed against the hard floor, succumbing to the tremendous force. he handled your breast in his palm, fingers enclosing around the firm nipple, pulling and massaging enough to make you mewl at the bittersweetness of his lecherous touch. another hand gripped your thigh to enlarge the gap between your lush flesh. the last searched for that chaste orifice with its fingers.

against the floor, a strand of your disheveled hair soaked in a shallow mixture of your sweat, tears and saliva. your tendons pulled at your bones, fire in you yet to be extinguished. 

his touch made you shudder. your core clenched.

“don’t worry,” he comforted, “i’ll have you screaming,” he pressed against you, “clawing, rutting,” he caged your arms against the timber, “be honoured,” he reminded, his words dripping right into the shell of your ear as he besmirched you, “someone gets to sleep soundly because of you.”

ivy.

spiders.

field flowers.

you will never look lovelier.

thank you for reading!

— kamesama.

[rwby-encrusted-blog]

Rwby AU, where instead of actually hacking Penny, Watts just makes her speak in UWU.

Example;

Penny: RuWuby! I Feaw that thewe may be something vewy wong!

Ruby: *Fighting every instinct not to laugh*

[damnhotmsimmons]

We'll never get to know more about Harper and Griffin's future son

We'll never get to see Zoey, Wyatt and Topher work together with Harper and Griffin

We'll never see Savannah react to Harper and Griffin having a son in the future

We'll never see Harper and Griffin react to their future and working together with their future son

We'll never see Ben and Jess react to Savannah

We'll never see Sarah out of the hospital and recovery from her experiences with the evil ghost of Judge!Walker

We'll never see the parents finally learning about the time machine and all the time traveling adventures thew kids went on

We'll never see more of old!Ruby

We'll never learn the truth about the mysterious old women and whether or not she is supposed to be Savannah

We'll never see what present day!Savannah looks like

We'll never see Harper and Griffin's relationship develop after their kiss

We'll never see how everyone reacts to Harper and Griffin's first kiss

We'll never see the Tremont finally free of ghosts

We'll never see the main characters finally happy and at peace

Shame on you disney, shame on you for cancelling this show and countless others all cause you wanna be cheap and not pay the actors and crew members fairly

[thepariahcontinuum]

@the-coal-mine-canaries tagged me, so now I'm answering.

3 ships: Bumbleby (Blake x Yang) and Nuts & Dolts (Penny x Ruby) from RWBY and since I was tagged by a fellow member of Wormblr....Amy Dallon and some therapy.

First ever ship: I'm old, probably the Pink and Green Power Rangers.

Last song: The new DragonForce song "Power of the Tri-Force" I don't even play Zelda, it's just catchy. Also Transformers YouTuber Thew Adams aka Toygrind is the drummer for Rogue Limb and I listened to their new album "Arctus Reus"

Last movie: I watched 'The Chevalier' with @12december2017 and I think we both agree that Kelvin Harrison Jr is one handsome gentleman.

Currently reading: I'm slowly working my way through the Discworld series, I'm also keeping up with Orbis Tertius by Reaving Bishop and Chum by @reachartwork as they update and reading a few fics.

Currently Watching: Waiting to watch RWBY x Justice League Part 2

Currently consuming: At the moment nothing....Last night however it was a chicken curry, a few beers and several pints of caramel vodka because fuck my organs.

Currently craving: Things that would get my blog flagged as mature.

Okay I'm also supposed to tag some people, so: @12december2017 and also @crowhoonter @tehepicduckeh @overwhelmed-queen @jamezuse and @theheirofwind-blog since you're all new here, you're up.

[wily-one24]

For the character break down, either Emma Swan or Regina Mills

Well, this is not a fair ask. Because we all know if given the choice I'm going to choose my lady love, Emma. Like, I know who usually gets the most attention in fandom, but my heart lies with the socially awkward goof with Disney Princess curls.

I am who I am and ain't nothin' gonna change me.

Onto the questions!!!

--> How I feel about this character:

I mean, other than that I love her? I think she started out strong (like most of the OUaT women). She was fully fledged, she had character and weakness and vulnerabilities and strength. She said the wrong thing, but she tried to do right always. She didn't care what anyone thought and was desperate for everyone to love her.

She wanted family her entire life and, ultimately, she let them destroy her.

Emma started strong, like most OUaT women, and then the show... changed. It was less strong female characters and character driven, it began focusing on developing and introducing male characters, often at the expense of character growth and development.

The show was made in the liminal space of female/female shipping becoming more popular, but the industry shying away from it. When it became very clear very early on that Swan Queen was a thing, they overcorrected, tripping over themselves to introduce very male love interests. ("Look how much dick these ladies love!").

And it became less about the women we love. Emma's lifelong search for family and the struggle she had with giving up everything for them, to become the saviour they wanted, and STILL never being good enough, because ALL they wanted was a saviour and they rejected her as a daughter... all of that, became lessening herself, making herself palatable, for Hook.

From this:

To this:

It's barely even the same character.

I want heartbroken little girl who longs for a family, who so desperately wants to believe Henry's tales because it gives her a family, but she cannot dare. Life has kicked her down so many times that even the thought of believing in hope was a terrifying thing.

Only to find love and acceptance in a small town and later finding that they were family.

The woman who gives everything, who becomes their saviour and sacrifices everything, only to be told it's not enough and her mother wants a real child.

I want the woman who laughed and loved and joked and played and broke the law to uphold it. Who threw fistfights in a cemetery. Who took apart kettles in her apartment. Who left her life to follow a small child who claimed to be her son without any shred of proof whatsoever. Who thew herself down a mine. And took up a sword to fight a dragon she didn't believe in.

Okay, wow, that was question one? Let's move on.

--> All the people I ship romantically with this character:

Regina Mills, obviously. I mean, their story was legendary. It was more of a Disney story than Snow White and Prince Charming. Divorced parents that were never married. Enemies to lust. Enemies in lust. Two lost little girls. Emma internalised her pain. Regina externalised it. But it was the same. They taught each other, they supported each other, they knew each other more than anyone else.

With all my fandom lady loves, I am quite generous and liberal with my Emma shipping. Emma/Regina, Emma/Ruby, Emma/anyone, basically. I tend to stay away from Emma/Hook, because I find that side of fandom a little toxic, but that's just my preference. I didn't mind her with Graham. Throw in a little Emma/Regina/Ruby, or Emma/Regina/Graham, or even Emma/Regina/Evil Queen for some fun. But basically Emma/anyone is my jam.

My preference is Regina, though.

--> My non-romantic OTP for this character:

Emma/Henry?

Emma/Mary Margaret (before she became Snow ful time).

Emma/David.

--> My unpopular opinion regarding this character:

Unpopular? That's subjective.

One side of fandom would not like that I think she deserved a lot better than Hook.

The other side of fandom would not like that I believe she's more Bisexual than full on Lesbian (in the closet).

--> One thing I wish would happen/had happened with this character?

It would be too easy to say I wish that her and Regina had found happiness ever after.

But... honestly... I wish she had been able to stand on her own two feet at the end, instead of playing Polyester Bride with Hook.

I wish she had been accepted at the very start as the daughter she'd always wanted to be, instead of having to fight for approval and give up all the "unpalatable" sides of herself to please those around her.

I wish she had kept the light that shone out of her in the first two seasons.

If she hadn't ended up with a woman (which, I get why it wouldn't have happened then), then at least with someone who respected her, who didn't ridicule her, who didn't attack or demean her every chance he got, who put himself first in most everything he did.

She deserved better.

They all did.

[howardhawkshollywoodannex]

Renee Zellweger as Ruby Thewes and Nicole Kidman as Ada Monroe in Cold Mountain (2003). Nicole's entry among my best 1,001 movies is Bombshell.

Cold Mountain was directed by Anthony Minghella. Tony was born on the Isle of Wight, and had 9 director credits from 1978 to a 2008 episode on the telly. His other notable credits include The English Patient (his Oscar winner) and The Talented Mr Ripley,

[inghrafn]

Here at last are my TEN CHARACTERS (thank you @stelly38 for tagging me in!) Please play if you like!

Ada (Holly Hunter) / THE PIANO

Barry (Adam Sandler) / PUNCH DRUNK LOVE

Catherine Sloper (Jennifer Jason Leigh) / WASHINGTON SQUARE

Chas Tenenbaum (Ben Stiller) / THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS

George Smiley (Gary Oldman) / TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Lola (Franka Potente) / LOLA RENNT

Mathilde (Audrey Tautou) / UN LONG DIMANCHE FIANÇAILLES

Philip Lombard (Aidan Turner) / AND THEN THERE WERE NONE

Ruby Thewes (Renee Zellweger) / COLD MOUNTAIN

Sethe (Oprah Winfrey) / BELOVED

[strykingback]

BLCK The Story So Far.... Part 2

Volume 6-

Despite a Major victory over the Scions of Salem, a reunited Team BLCK and RWBY needed time to rest especially after a hard fought battle. In which Louvel would enter a two-week coma due to how much stress he placed on his body. Which within his coma he would encounter an inherited memory from his past of an ancestor talking with someone about a "Scion of Darkness" that the Silver Order must destroy.

Thus after he wakes up and is nursed back to health thanks to the efforts of Professor Lionheart and Yang, he checks the condition of his weapon which is chipped and nearly about to break. To which Louvel explains to everyone that he needs his weapon repaired by a professional Shinbaori swordsmith who can repair his weapon. With everyone questioning where they can find a blacksmith. His answer? The ancient home of the Shinbaori. As it is his mission to have it be repaired as soon as possible so he can return to the battle.

However, on the other hand Professor Lionheart and Qrow informs everyone about the criminal underground entering a war to control it has started to spill out onto the streets. The four gangs that are in combat are the Poppies, The Spiders, The Order of Nobunaga, and the Wraith Clan. Corona who is aware of these gangs steps up claiming that this feels like a homecoming for her and that its time for her to deal with the Spiders once and for all. With everyone being conflicted Louvel suggests that everyone splits into groups, one group will come with him to the Shinbaori village the other will help support Corona.

Louvel's group consisting of Sun, Illia, Lie Ren, Yang, Blade, Raven, and Ruby. While Corona's consists of Nora, Weiss, Pyrrah, Blake, Kazura, Qrow, and Outsider.

Professor Lionheart also reveals that soon he will be entering exile despite the pleas from his assistant and the Mistralian Council, to which he hands Louvel the map to the ancient Shinbaori village, and for Corona an ancient Mistralian arrow to come in handy if she needs it when the time is right.

As everyone heads off onto their missions, the Scions of Salem are punished for their failure by Salem and her newest Seat of Vanity. As Emerald and Mercury believe their "friend" Cinder is dead. Which they have a chat with Hazel about their beliefs and such. Which Hazel tries to remind himself about his mission to "Kill Ozpin" after what happened to his sister, however, he is now conflicted about it due to Ozpins consciousness being transferred into a child. Yet, before they can continue the conversation thew new Seat of Vanity informs them of their new mission to intercept the group heading to the Shinbaori Village.

Back with Louvel's group they are traveling through the Omoikane Forest, they pass through many puzzles meant to ward away any bandits or entire towns from coming across the Shinbaori. Once through the "Path of the Wolves Riddles" they encounter Kintaro who immediately clashes with the group, attempting to ward them away only when Louvel uses a a new Wolf Art. Ninth Art: Howling Moonstrike. It is enough for Kintaro to stop fighting as the rest of the Shinbaori warriors including Louvel's caretaker Kannon. They are all shocked to see someone had made it but also someone who knows the Wolf arts, which the group is brought to their master.

Back in Mistral, Corona's Group begins their investigation into the Criminal Underground of Mistral discovering that the Poppies have already been defeated as they are captured by the Order of Nobunaga who has never seen Hunters in the underground before due to their reluctance, but explains how the war began from their Chief Leader. As before the Underground had rules in place. They allowed all sorts of people, Mercenaries, Criminals, Gangs, or even the downtrodden in. Yet, they all had to follow the rules by the top leader The Krakens. However, after the Krakens were unknowingly destroyed by an unseen force, War began to break out and The Order of Nobunaga seeks to reclaim that top status, which they promise protection and to clean up the mess left behind by their war. In which Corona agrees to help them.

Back with Louvel's group they encounter the Grand Master of the Neo-Shinbaori, Masamune Shinba, in which he is shocked to see his descendant and was never made aware that his bloodline found a way to survive and thrive with the wolf arts. Which he wonders why he has come all this way. Louvel would explain that his sword needs repairs as he shows him his damaged weapon, as Masamune is further left in awe that this was once his sword when he was younger. Now seeing it manage to make it to this era despite the damage from his battle with Cinder makes him more overjoyed... as he gives out an official order for his allies to be trained by each member of the Neo-Shinbaori.

With Corona's group they encounter their first battle with the Wraith Clan and their leader, which Blake and Corona disposes of them and discovers a terrifying secret. The Spiders has plans to kill the Mistralian Council, in which Corona tells to the Order of the Nobunaga clan as they prepare to face off against the Spiders.

Back with Louvels group, they are trained by each member of the Neo-Shinbaori as Louvel meets the swordsmith repairing his sword Kai, a fox faunus, who was once a Shinbaori Warrior but retired after suffering a wound. In which he hands over his newly repaired Katana however, before he could he tells Louvel to meet with Masamune along with Ruby. in which the warrior reveals that he was once a Silver-Eyed Warrior and nearly slain Salem which shocks Ruby and Louvel, as he tells that Salem never knew fear before nor the strength of the Silver-Eyed Warriors in which when she ran from him and wounded him in the process he regretted not slaying her when he had the chance as she would go on to tell her Scions about the Silver Eyed Warriors killing any they encounter. Which Louvel vows to slay Salem with everything he has, in which Masamune and Louvel spar together ending with Louvel being victorious but the alarm is sounded as the Scions of Salem begin their assault on the Shinbaori village.

Corona would then end up getting captured by the Spiders by Melanie and Miltia as Lil Miss Malachite, would then begin to torture Corona slowly, but the sniper does not break. Knowing full well that she knew what she had to do. Yet, as soon as the Mistralian government was killed she would be next, only for Corona to say. You first. As her group comes to her rescue as Corona now faces off against her once affiliated gang saying that this was her "Graduation" from being a slave to a Gang to now being a free bird as Lil Miss Malachite reveals her affiliation being with the Scions of Salem..

Louvel's group faces off against the newly seated Seat of Vanity revealing themselves to be Shuten-Douji the Seat of Violence, as he is now been turned into a Grimm-Hybrid. Which enrages the wolf faunus to see his own brother in arms fall so far, as he attempts to enter the Violent Wolf State but hesitates, knowing full well that he could die if he tries to push himself to that limit. Yet, Louvel would immediately use a wolf art against him making the Grimm Honey Badger faunus step back out of fear, but its only when Kai enters stating its his final fight too as both he and Louvel double team against the grimm-faunus.

With Corona's group they all enter combat against Lil Miss Malachites gang as they know they have to prevent them from reach the top ground, as The Order of Nobunaga joins in on the fight as well. Assisting Corona as she battles her once "Handler" with renewed ferocity, and before she can lay down the final strike she is immediately countered as Lil Miss Malachite renounces her humanity becoming a Grimm Hybrid and soon declaring herself, The Seat Of Manipulation. Which finally, Corona grits her teeth as she prepares herself to face off against the hybrid until she is joined by Mizunami Musashi, a member of the Mistralian Government but also a Shinbaori Warrior.

Kai and Louvel fight against Shuten Douji together but soon he overpowers them with a Grimm Death Art. making the two struggle harder than before, as finally he kills Kai as the fox faunus smiles at Louvel telling him one thing. "To Awaken the Enlightened Wolf." as the wolf faunus hesitates again to the point of panicking, in which he takes a deep breath and starts to focus on Good and Bad times. Unleashing the Tenth Art: Enlightened Wolf against his brother as he beheads him ending the Seat of Violence. To which Shuten realizes that despite being an illegitimate brother to Louvel loved him all the same hugging his brother and crying in his arms as Shuten also cries telling him that Orochi is also one of the Scions of Salem as well... as he fades away into nothingness with Louvel understanding that he needs to find a way to save Orochi as well.

Back with Corona she and Mizunami fight against Lil Miss Malachite as they are pushed to their limit as Corona loads up her final arrow which was none other than the Ancient Arrow she was given to by Professor Lionheart as she fires it at Lil Miss Malachite as it is similar to that of a shooting star striking her ending the Seat of Manipulation. To which after this A Screecher as a messenger and a member of the Mistralian government goes to Ozpin who is shocked at the news of two Seats of Vanity being killed, as he excitedly states that his is a blessing and an Omen as Ozpin states through Oscar that they will definitely defeat Salem this time.... and end her once and for all.

Volume 7-

Salem mobilizes the Seats of Vanity sending Omega and Orochi who are both the number three and number two of the Seats of Vanity after Team RWBY, BLCKOUT, and SPNL are heading to Argus with the Relic of Knowledge after losing two Seats of Vanity (Even though one was proclaimed)

The Guardians of Light encounter Omega on the train heading to Argus and ends up getting separated. Where Blake, Corona, Weiss, Outsider, Nora, and Lie Ren are rescued by Cashmere who takes them to the Ruins of Light where they meet the Grimm Titan of Benevolence Exaltia, while Yang, Louvel, Blade, Ruby, Weiss,Oscar, Sun, and Pyrra Qrow meet Cala Maria as they are taken to her home where they can rest.

Desperate to learn more information about Salem, Oscar/Ozpin gives Ruby his blessing to use the Relic of Knowledge, while Exaltia informs the other half about Salem, revealing her immortality. While their resolve is shaken by the revelation however, Louvel and Lie Ren solve it as it was not a manner of How to defeat Salem. But WHO can defeat Salem.

Ruby and Blade's group are attacked by Theta (Outsider's sister) and her massive pack of raptors, when Cala Maria reveals the guide to help Ruby unleash her silver eyed powers, unleashing it for the first time ever and saving her friends, as Exaltia senses it and sends everyone else to their position as Cala Maria reveals herself to be the famed Grimm Reaper.

Cala Maria explains that there were once many Silver Eyed Warriors like herself, who created a unit called the Silver Order. In which many of them would fight to preserve life by any means necessary as it was created by Ozpin when he discovered a key weakness to the Grimm. Despite everything, mankind and faunuskind both feared and grew jealous of their power. Thus the Silver War began and ended with the leader of the Silver Eyed Warriors ending it by cutting off her own eyes and happily stating that they too will stand out of the way for other hunters as they realize what man had done to the people that were protecting them.

Ruby is left shocked as they travel to Argus, saying her farewell to them as they head to the City on the Coast of Mistral, to negotiate a means of travel with the Hound of Pride, Colonel Cordovin and her commanding officer. Only allowing Weiss to return to Atlas but not anyone else. As currently a Grimm Titan is in the vicinity that being Perseus.

Pyrra is aware that Jaune has family here as everyone meets one of his older sisters, as Kazura and Pyrra sadly explain about his death to which she stops them as they understand about his death. That she was glad he was able to die knowing that he did his very best to become a Hunter as he had dreams of being one just like their father. With her crying happily knowing he died in the arms of friends.

The Guardians of Light would then encounter Orochi who has already instigated the Grimm Titan of the Seas, Perseus to rise utilizing a device built by Professor Watts to mimic the Grimm Titan of Malevolence, Imperius' own roar. The Guardians of Light would fight against him but lose as he easily overpowers them and states that fighting like that won't get them very far and that they have to put everything on the line when fighting a Seat of Vanity. As Orochi decides to spare them when Perseus makes landfall and fades away.

Immediately, Cordovin battles Perseus, aware of the Titan as both have a long rivalry that needs to be settled, while the Guardians of Light help to evacuate the city as quick as they can. Yet, Cordovin would deal what seemed like a killing blow on the Titan, which only enraged Perseus as he enters his Burning Rage mode nearly destroying Cordovin's mech and with another seemingly killing blow from her, forces the Titan into a wounded retreat. As Cashmere and her commanding officer scolds her. As the actual Imperius would be making landfall in mere hours.

The Guardians of Light take a Sub down to the ruins of what was once the "Greatest Trading Port" in Old Remnant during the Age of Antiquity. As they discover that Perseus was once its guardian as they fire a "Dust Nuke" for the Titan to absorb and use its energy to heal him and re-energize the Titan. Grateful he unleashes a heat ray towards the sky calling for help from Exaltia and Aelius who comes to his aid.

Imperius makes landfall in Argus and battles the Grimm Titans Exaltia, Perseus, and Aelius while also hunting for the Guardians of Light who also assists the Titans wherever they can. Thankfully after Ruby uses her Silver Eyes along with Exaltias special ability it forces a wounded Imperius into retreat as the Moth Titan reclaims her crown as Queen of the Grimm Titans but further extends it to Perseus and Aelius making them the King of the Grimm Titans of the Sea and the Grimm Titans of the Skies.

The Guardians Of Light stay behind in Argus to help with rebuilding the city, but Outsider senses something that his sister is coming and is ready to leave. However the next day his sister comes in a mutated form along with her pack. In Which the Guardians of Light and the Argus unit of the Atlesian Military battles against it and ends with the efforts of Outsider and One-Eye, A Grimm T-Rex that SPNL, Ruby, Blade and Outsider encountered. As finally they are allowed to travel to Atlas.

Upon arriving in Atlas, they are ambushed by an invasion force as it is revealed that The Founding Crisis was the result of the death of Artorias' King who was poisoned by his own son who was a Scion of Salem along with his brother who took control of the Government. As Blade feels its his fault for causing an attack to happen on Atlas because he killed Daedalus Amadeus.

Volume 8-

The Guardians of Light arrive in an invasion-sieged Mantle, as they help wherever they can. As Ruby and Blade reunite with Penny who sadly does not remember them after repelling the invasion force as they are captured by the Ace Ops, taking them to General Ironwood who is shocked and happy to see them all okay. Offering them the chance to become hunters in Atlas.

Upon becoming Hunters after a six month timeskip, they encounter Robyn Hill a disgraced Atlesian soldier who informs them that working with Atlas will lead them to their deaths. As she tries to tell Blake and Yang this but the duo do not trust her nor will they give the information that Ironwood has given them to ensure the world is reconnected. However, Robyn explains why she doesnt trust Atlas as she was a soldier during the Brumelian-Atlesian war and was backstabbed by her own government because of her unit the Happy Hunters being a major threat. Thus Yang and Blake hand over the information... as they both promise not to tell their teams about it.

Kazura also speaks with Ironwood about his father falling out with him as he is saddened by how far Brumel and Atlas has fallen, understanding that the position of a leader is hard. Which Ironwood also vents saying that he just feels as if every decision he is making only grows heavier on his conscience with both Kazura and Ozpin agreeing that he is about to break.... and that it may only take one more event that will be the nail in the coffin.

Ruby and Blade encounters Tyrian as he causes chaos at a rally against Jacques Schnee who is attempting to run for the Council Seat that Rodrigues once held in the Atlesian Council as a means to oversee things. As Jacques ends up winning by a landslide when a more popular opponent was favored to win.

The Guardians of Light are pushed to their limit fighting the Grimm and the aftermath of Jacques victory as they investigate ruins left behind by the Age of Antiquity, revealing it to be the tomb of the Titan of Ice Fenrir. As they would encounter the Artorian General and Scion of Salem, Hans Amadeus who ends up defeating them and awakening the Titan only for it to be intercepted by Perseus and a new Grimm Titan Jotunheim, The Titan of Blizzards. Who reveals that his wife was the one capable of creating Atlas through the means of the The Staff Of Creation. Which is what they are looking for, but Jotun tells them that Atlas is undergoing a trial and they must complete then he will judge them.

However, something calls to Ruby as she follows it to a fallen Atlesian dreadnaught to another Grimm Titan, Aesir. The Titan of Neutrality as she unleashes her silver eyes against the Titan, who finds her impressive. But decides for her to undergo a trial as he uses his ability to bind a familiar with his soul to her but seals away her Silver Eyes ability.

Blade and Weiss discover from Willow Schnee that Jacques colluded with Professor Watts a Scion of Salem in order to win the election, to which during the first meeting of the Atlesian Council the evidence was shown and he was arrested only to be intercepted by Hans and his forces and killed as they unleash a siege of Grimm and Artorian forces against both Mantle and Atlas forcing everyone to fight on all sides.

Ruby attempts to use her Silver Eyes but it fails as she is ambushed Tyrian as she hears Aesir warning her that she is binded and must rely on her own skill as the Scion of Poison overwhelms her only to be saved by Qrow, Robyn, and Clover all of whom are prepared to take on the Scion of Poison and command Ruby to focus on evacuation efforts. While back in Atlas Watts makes his move against Ironwood while Cinder returns after being frozen in ice for the past six months and joins forces with the Scion of Thunder and Neo who is a defacto Scion of Illusion.

Ironwood and Watts fight with Ironwood coming out on top and before he can finish the job The Scion of Thunder comes in ready to fight a weakened Ironwood, but prioritizes rescuing Watts as Ironwood tends to his wounds, and rejoins everyone only to find out about Salem making her move and Blake and Yang revealing that they leaked information to Robyn Hill as Ironwood snaps and has a mental breakdown. Despite Ruby's bravery Salem reveals how Rubys mother died causing the young huntress to panic and nearly using her silver eyes in it.

Ironwood orders the Ace Ops to arrest the Guardians of Light, but they are defeated by their combined teamwork. Yet, Clover is ready to refuse orders but they are attacked by Hans and the Scion of Thunder in which Tyrian takes command of the fight and ends up killing Clover right in front of Qrow and Robyn as he tells them that this why the light grows weak each time the Scions fight them. In which Salem is nearing Atlas as they speak.

The Guardians Of Light fail to secure the Relic of Knowledge as it is stolen by Neo, disguised as an Atlesian Soldier. While Oscar moves to intercept Ironwood with Kazura. While Weiss, Blade, and Ruby move to assist Penny and Winter who are fighting Cinder as she nearly claims Frias life only to be stopped by a Simulacrum of Jotunheim. Which evens the odds for the Guardians of Light. With Cinder retreating and roaring with fury while the Scion of Thunder mocks Cinder for not being strong enough and Neo joining in agreement.

In her dying moments, Fria grants the powers of the Winter Maiden to Winter as she prepares to go and open the Relic of Creations door with Jotunheim being a guard for her. However, they soon find Kazura and Oscar fighting against Ironwood who in a moment of another mental snap shoots Oscar as both he and Ozpin become one and unleashes the magic he once had lost slowing his descent despite Jotunheim rescuing them in his dragon state and having the simulacrum board it. As Winter moves to open the relic door and take the Relic of Creation tossing it to Oscar commanding him to take the relic as far from Atlas as they can.

Oscar believes that Atlas has failed their trial as Jotunheim stated, however the Titan denies this and states it has only just begun. As The Guardians of Light retreat to Atlas with Robyn, Winter, and Qrow staying behind to attempt to repel Salems and Artorias forces as they encroach upon Atlas further bleakening the Age of Darkness and beginning the Age of Dying Embers.

[kindlygoblin]

Ruby Thewes appreciation post

[baubeautyandthegeek]

Insects And Innocents - Ada Monroe/Sally Swanger/Ruby Thewes

A/N: Day 22 Part 3 for @augustofwhump

Sally Swanger hasn’t slept right since the attacks, everyone knows it, so when she does rest Ada Monroe kisses her cheek softly, tucks her in a little more snugly and makes her way to the kitchen, leaving doors open so she might hear if Sally wakes fitful again. Ruby Thewes walks in, grumbling under her breath about insects, then louder, her voice echoing in the halls until Ada smacks her arm softly, a gentle reminder that one of them is resting. Her voice is gentler. “Tell me about the insects, love, but hush now… you’ll torment sweet Sally…” Ruby’s face softens. “No insect is worth that…” She still talks about it, all the same, all but whining with her frustration. “The bastard insects stripped the crops again… all we got is corn and sheep… and devil roosters.”

[vendriin]

Cold Mountain (2003)

[alexie-the-pig]

They were VERY much wives

Civil war wives.

[rhera]

Renée Zellweger as Ruby Thewes ↳ COLD MOUNTAIN (2003, dir Anthony Minghella)

[momobani]

What’s *really* wrong with Secretary Kim? - chapter 4

Secretary!Mingyu x fem!reader / 3.5k

Sum: Mingyu models for you again and you can’t help yourself. (ft bestie Jeonghan). 

chapter warnings: swearing, food mentions, suggestive, lil angst, fluff, mentions of alcohol

Song rec (for this chapter) - I Want You To Want Me - Letters to Cleo

A/N: am I crazy or did one of the members call him Mango once? Still a fresh carat here so if anyone knows please share with the class haha. Penultimate chapter. Also support Ruby by Woozi, it’s insane! 

Links to ch 1 /  ch 2 /  ch 3 /  ch 5

Taglist: @lavendersvt , @fav9yu

Chapter 4

Turns out your next bad decision came not too long after the previous one. Your phone rang the next day, Mingyu announcing that he had baked banana bread with caramel glazing (was that even a thing, you wondered) and informed you that he was going to drop some off for you in an hour. That’s when you decided to ask him for another round of modelling.

You’d wanted another photography session and you’d found yesterday’s to be too lonely as you just took close up pictures of your back garden; a leaf here, a mushroom there. Cute but snore. You had been bored, the few friends you had all busy and/or unavailable so you’d been alone pretty much the whole time. Save for hanging out with Soonyoung whilst cleaning and photographing Mingyu.

You took a quick shower and thew on a pair of grey sweats and a plum coloured vest with spaghetti straps, omitting a bra last minute as you felt like experimenting with Mingyu’s reactions and patience. Yet another rendition of your slightly unhinged, bored self making impulsive decisions. What could you say? At work you had to always be put together but your vacation had been an opportunity to do whatever you wanted.

It wasn’t long until Mingyu showed up, loose-fitting indigo button up shirt with the first couple buttons undone, Tupperware full of banana bread in hand and sparkling smile equipped. You let him in and he followed you to the kitchen, depositing the banana bread on the counter and moving to grab some plates and cutlery. The scene didn’t even seem odd as you were more used to Mingyu cooking in your kitchen than you cooking in your own kitchen. He enjoyed how spacious it was and you liked seeing him have a good time.

“What have you been up to lately?” He asked as he cut the bread. As soon as he had opened the box, the gorgeous smell had wafted up to your nose and took you by storm. By the time Mingyu sunk the knife into the loaf, you were positively salivating.

“Nothing much; taking photos, romancing myself and giving zero fucks.” You listed and you added an exaggerated stretch, knowing exactly how your top became snug, hugging your curves as you lifted your arms. The desired effect was achieved as you noticed Mingyu’s eyes lingered for a split second but he carried on apportioning the banana bread as if he hadn’t noticed.  

“That sounds good, better than sinking into a serious existential crisis.”

“Don’t remind me, I haven’t given it much thought because I just needed to clear my head.” You watched Mingyu as he placed two slices of banana bread on a plate each and push one towards you. “Thanks.” He was silent for a second, picking at his own slice.

“You’re not actually going to quit are you?” His voice was almost at a whisper, eyes firmly planted on the plate, pout accompanying. You stopped, loaded fork mere inches from your mouth and looked at Mingyu. He looked a little miserable and you inferred it was from the topic of conversation. You hadn’t thought what he’d do if you quit; probably become the next CEO’s secretary, and it would probably be Jeonghan, at least at first. Then, you had no idea.

“‘Gyu,” you started softly. “I don’t know yet-” you confessed.

“It’s okay, let’s not talk about it then, go on, try the bread.” He put on a smile and gestured to your uneaten forkful. You agreed and took a bite. It was like your mind expanded in a matter of seconds to accommodate the galaxy of flavours that were produced in the bread - and it blew up. You half-moaned, half-hummed at the taste, eyes wide and glaring at Mingyu.

“You are making that again, I don’t care when, but I’m reserving a slice from now. Tell everyone else to get in line.” You gushed and hurried for another bite, savouring the mouthful as you chewed in delight. Mingyu was quiet, watching you, his own plate untouched, the look on his face difficult to pinpoint, but if you wanted to hazard a guess, it was an expression of fulfilment. Satisfaction. It unnerved you how affectionate it seemed but you tried not to read too much into it as you enjoyed the rest of the slice.

As soon as you mentioned another session, Mingyu practically jumped at the opportunity. You speculated that he liked the attention, after all if he ever got any attention at work or events (you could spot his handsomeness from a mile away if you had eyes) from people mistaking him as the CEO and you as the secretary, he happily relinquished it by correcting them, and they turned their backs to him and started trying to rub shoulders with you instead. You always hated the way they would push past Mingyu to get to you, making you feel like Mingyu was your abandoned puppy.

You were more than happy to give Mingyu the attention he deserved from behind your camera. You’d decided to have a photoshoot in the garden since it was a lovely day. There was a very gentle breeze but it was still super hot outside, the promise of a blistering summer hanging in the air. You asked him to pose in various places, snapping photos fairly quickly and precisely now that you were getting used to it again.

After a few minutes you asked him to pose next to a tree, its low hanging branches not much taller than Mingyu himself, indeed some of them were just below his height. You captured a particularly well timed photo before a bee interrupted the serenity between you two, circling Mingyu until he was practically dancing on his tip toes trying to get away from the bee, not watching where he was going and walking into a branch. You were pretty sure the leaves probably entered his mouth, before he yelped and jumped back, falling to the ground.

“Mingyu!” You exclaimed and rushed to him, laugh bubbling up in your chest when you saw he was absolutely fine. He was lying there, dazed, this giant man K.O.ed by a tiny bee and a couple of leaves. You couldn’t help laughing at how cutely he lay there, shrivelled up on the grass. A tiny laugh escaped his lips, joining you in laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation.

“You’re such a coward,” you teased him as you helped him get up, words lacking bite. Mingyu pouted for a second.

“M’not a coward. That leaf came out of nowhere.” He mumbled. You didn’t give him time to sulk.

“Okay, okay, let’s keep going.” You got back on task, still smiling. Mingyu turned away and walked back to the tree. When he turned around in position, you stopped short, finger hovering above the camera button. He had unbuttoned his shirt and was standing there, suddenly cool, perfect posture showing off his toned abs and bulky chest.

You weren’t sure what you were doing, but the click of the camera told you that you’d carried on, playing along with Mingyu’s antics. You didn’t miss a beat, continuing as if he hadn’t done anything. He posed a few more times, and you snapped each new pose silently.

You paused for a while, monitoring the photos, turning your head away from Mingyu and shielding the camera screen from the sun so you could see the photos. They had come out pretty good, only one or two weren’t quite up to par but it wasn’t fatal.

You turned back to Mingyu and were completely dumbfounded. He lay in the grass propped up on one elbow, about seven feet away from you, shirtless under the sweltering sun, a large hand draped dramatically over his eyes drooping half-closed, triceps on show for the camera. You remained stone faced to the best of your ability, unaffected as far as Mingyu could see. You couldn’t help but sigh and ask.

“Mango, what are you doing?” The nickname rolled off your tongue without warning.

“Paint me like one of your French girls.” He replied with no hesitation and completely unfazed. Dork. You burst out laughing, working up your volume into an ugly cackle that you were sure Soonyoung could probably hear on his land. Mingyu was shaking with silent laughter but adamantly held his pose until you raised you camera again. Humour him, you thought, he was pretty cute, and well - pretty and cute.

You only took a few photos for fun and went to inspect the finished product. You were so concentrated that you didn’t notice Mingyu creep up behind you until he suddenly rested his chin on your bare shoulder, attempting to peer at the photos. You stiffened at the contact for a split second but didn’t jerk away. You held the camera so he could get a better view. You made the mistake of turning your head to catch a glimpse of his face only to find yourself nose to nose with him.

The two of you were still for a heartbeat, breathing the same air, his eyes boring into yours, and you swear you didn’t know what it was, but you felt yourself being pulled toward Mingyu, some invisible hand pushing you as you closed the space between you and tentatively brushed your lips against his. There was no hesitation as he kissed you back, lips moulding onto yours as he bought a hand to cradle your face whilst he straightened up a tad. His other hand came to land on your shoulder, the strap of your top being knocked to the side in the movement as his hand touched the warm flesh there.

You barely breathed, coming apart only a few millimetres for air, lest one of you would disappear and you deepened the kiss, bringing a hand to the back of his neck to keep his mouth glued to yours. His hands made their way to grip your hips tenderly, sliding up until his wrists brushed the swell of your breasts, a slight shiver threatening to wash over you at the unexpected contact. You sighed into the kiss, but only a moment later, Mingyu pulled away, deer in the headlights and speechless.

“I-” he gulped. “I’m sorry.” He breathed out and rushed to find his discarded shirt before practically sprinting away from you and back into the house. You were frozen, a life size statute in your little garden, unable to process what just happened, the emotions swirling in your brain and the tingles left buzzing on your lips and heart thumping in your chest. You were aware of the camera still in your hand and the breeze caressing your exposed shoulder.

How were you supposed to move on from that?  

***

You moved as if you were possessed for days, unsure of what you were doing or what you weren’t doing. It resulted in you almost setting your kitchen on fire via frying pan and almost tripping on a stray sock in your laundry room. You weren’t usually that clumsy, but you realised it must just be the ‘Mingyu effect’.

You’d thought a lot about what happened.

The scene was etched into your mind, a reel stuck on replay without any sign of ending. You still recalled the feeling of his lips against yours, his warm hand resting on your shoulder, skin to skin, and the way you felt dizzy after you realised he had run out.

“Coward,” you whispered to yourself in your empty kitchen. Which one of you was the bigger coward was beyond you right now. You could have tried to hold on to him, you lamented. You weren’t sure what to do or say, so you didn’t. You didn’t contact him and he didn’t contact you. It was truly radio silence between you two, for the first time ever. You hated it.

You called Jeonghan to catch up with him instead and ask how the week had gone in the office. He came around Friday night, sweats and sweater clad, the epitome of anti-corporate attire. You worried for a second that he’d set a surprise casual Friday without consulting you. Again.

(Jeonghan, the pathological prankster, had done it as a prank on Mingyu but it had turned to be a joke on you and Mingyu since you didn’t get the memo either. The two of you showed up to work as a set in your formal clothes. It was strange being the prankee rather than the pranker, but since being around Mingyu, it was becoming a regular occurrence.)

Jeonghan bought you some carbonara from a restaurant you two had often gone to to catch up, back before you had your company. He knew how much you liked it and he got himself some lobster stuffed ravioli ‘because now I make big bucks’ and was fulfilling a personal vendetta since he hadn’t been able to afford it all those years ago.

You were hesitant to tell him exactly what had gone on between you and Mingyu so you listened to his report on the office first, ‘hmm’-ing and ‘ahh’-ing as you tucked into your pasta. Jeonghan had managed to do everything that you’d left for him and then some, not surprisingly since he was Yoon Jeonghan (full name use necessary) and he was brilliant.

“You know, Wonwoo? Silent dude, phantom type, don’t see him in the daylight much?” He inquired after a while, spearing a ravioli on his fork. You nodded.

“Sure.”

“Well, he came by my office.” uh-oh.

“So? What about it?” You chewed, attempting to avoid Jeonghan’s suspicion-filled gaze.

“‘So?’ So, he asked me how it was going.” He said, baffled. “He never asks anyone how it’s going. There’s never been a sighting of him in other offices either.” You shrugged and kept chewing. “It was just odd. You don’t know anything about it, do you? It’s almost as if someone had asked him to check up on me.” You felt Jeonghan’s inquiring eyes on you.

So you did what anyone with a shred of self-preservation instinct would.

“I kissed Mingyu.” You blurted out. Jeonghan’s fork clattered to the floor.

“You did what, with who?”

“You heard me, Hannie, don’t make me repeat myself.” You used your CEO voice on him, but it came out a little shaky.  

“You know, I’m shocked but not surprised.” He said finally, retrieving his fork.

“What does that mean?” You asked a little too defensively.

“I see the way you look at him, sweetie, I know you better than you think. You haven’t looked at anyone like that since Jihoon.” Jeonghan knew exactly how to make a point.

Jihoon had been your boyfriend in college for almost two years and the only person you’d ever had a meaningful romantic relationship with. It had been great, you really had loved him and he you, but you had to grow up and join the real world and in the real world you worked forty plus hour weeks when you started at the bottom of the food chain. His job hours were unusual and yours drained you beyond recognition, so you’d amicably called it quits.

You’d seen him once since you’d let him go at an art gallery where his company, a music label, held some album launch party and he’d invited you one last time. That was years ago and since then you hadn’t committed to anyone, thinking that it was just nice to see people casually, without getting attached. It had worked just fine and suited your social recluse tendencies well.

It dawned on you that you’d been too busy working with him to notice how Mingyu had carved himself into your heart, one smile, one clumsy move, and one baked good at a time. He was the person you wanted to thank, to apologise to, the one you missed even if you’d just seen him.

“Op, there it is. About time.” Jeonghan smirked knowingly at the dazed expression on your face. “And don’t think I didn’t notice you changed the subject. We’re not done talking.”          

***

Saturday night came and you allowed yourself to burry yourself in blankets and binge a TV show. Whilst the floodgates were open you allowed yourself to dump a frozen pizza in your oven and ate it with vigour once it was done. It was pretty nice, doing nothing in particular.

You spent a couple of hours doing that, then a few more until it was two in the morning and you wanted to crash hard. You turned the TV off and started towards the staircase but nearly jumped out of your skin when your doorbell rang. At this hour, who could it be beside a serial killer, you thought but checked your security camera to find a couple of familiar figures on your doorstep.

You rushed immediately to the door and flung it open to reveal a very laboured Seokmin (in charge of your floor’s reception desk) and slumped against him, a clearly drunk Mingyu. The image was rather alarming, if not slightly comical, your usually bright sunshine of a secretary totally out of commission.

“What the fuck?” You yelped before Seokmin could even say ‘hi’. You ushered them in and made Seokmin bring Mingyu to the couch so he could explain.

“Is he okay?” You asked Seokmin.

“Define ‘okay’?”

“Seokmin!”

“Okay, okay, he’s fine, just fucked up into the stratosphere that’s all. We went drinking, a few friends of ours and Mingyu decided he wanted to get smashed. Then we got to his place and he couldn’t remember the passcode and he kept saying ‘go to YN’s house’ and ‘I wanna see YN’. So here, a present for ya.” Seokmin grinned.

“Oh my god.” You said under your breath. “Okay, bring him to the guest bedroom.”

The only person ever to use your guest bedroom was indeed Mingyu, and he’d stayed there a few times during emergencies, such as the Night of the Plunging Stocks, legendary Duck Momo shirt on in all its glory.

You got Mingyu a glass of water and some painkillers as Seokmin tried to reverse Cinderella his shoes off for him. Soon he was lying down in the bed, trashcan beside it in case the poison decided to leave him, and Seokmin huffing and puffing about how heavy Mingyu was. You sat down on the side of the bed, careful not to wake him as it dipped slightly, but then you realised he’s already out of it.

“How much did he drink?” You asked.

“Hah! How much didn’t he drink, is the question.” Seokmin laughed in disbelief. “I don’t actually know, that’s why I bought him here.”

“Thanks, I so very wanted an overgrown puppy to nurse over the weekend.” You paused. “Thanks for looking out for him.” You said to Seokmin. He shook his head.

“No, thank you for letting him crash here. Dummy forgot his passcode then chewed my ear off to come here.”

“Let it slide, he’s totally pissed. I’d forget my own name if I was that drunk.” You replied.

“Well, I should go. Thanks anyways. Goodnight, Boss.”

“Night, Seokmin.” You stayed a little while longer with Mingyu as Seokmin let himself out. He seemed so still, eyes closed and off to slumberland. You hadn’t seen him or spoken to him since he ran away that day. You decided to get up from the bed only to hear Mingyu’s objecting ‘hmm’. His eyes opened slightly but didn’t hold up.

“Don’t go,” he mumbled, but it sounded more like ‘dun g-’

“Okay, I’m here.” You conceded. He shifted at the sound of your voice, as if trying to echolocate you before his hand landed in your lap. Then out of nowhere:

“Kiss my forehead, please.” He was mumbling into the pillow but your ears weren’t ones to deceive you for the most part. “Please.” He breathed. You had half the mind to want to laugh at his adorableness but also found yourself leaning in to deposit a soft peck on his temple.

“Stroke my hair, please.” You reached out automatically but hesitated. Then you thought you’d already given in once, so you obliged him again, gently running your fingertips over his soft locks. The corners of Mingyu’s mouth twitched into the ghost of smile.

“You’re so cute,” he whispered. It caught you by surprise. So he was a whiny, affectionate, clingy drunk. “S’cool an’ badass ‘nd sexy.” He continued. It was all muffled but you were amazed by the diversity of his drunk vocabulary. Truly impressive.

“I liove you.” He mumbled. Your fingers froze. You processed the words; it’s as if he tried to say ‘like’ and ‘love’ at the same time and it just came out all slurred together. You knew he was basically blackout drunk but you let the words wash over you and it made your heart clench when the desire to reciprocate bubbled up in your chest.

Instead you brushed your thumb over his knuckles, the non-offending offending hand in your lap, and whispered:

“You’re gonna regret this in the morning.” But you realised your words fell on deaf ears as this time, Mingyu was actually lights out. And you left him there, sleeping peacefully whilst you allowed those few little words to cause a great turmoil inside your being.

You didn’t sleep for a while but lay under the covers of your own bed, staring up the the ceiling, wondering and wondering into the depths of the night …    

***

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Renee Zellweger as Ruby Thewes in Cold Mountain (2003). Renee has two entries among my best 1,001 - Appaloosa and Chicago.

Renee won the first of her two Oscars for the film, before Judy (as Judy Garland). It was the only Oscar winner for Cold Mountain, nominated for seven Oscars.