#SORRY THE WISH SCENE. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE WISH SCENE. DO DRIVE ME INSANE

[moe-broey]

"Pre-twist, it's not just a study in Alfonse -- it's a study in Kiran, how they conceptualize Alfonse, how much they must know about him, to successfully act as him. Either subconsciously, almost reflexively (my interpretation first run, as a defense mechanism), or intentionally with full knowledge that they aren't who they claim to be (REALLY FASCINATING ANGLE. MUCH TO CONSIDER)."

^^^^^^^^ highlighting this in particular like This is how the Loadbearing Alfonse Wish Lore can still win. This is how I can implement this to still be true to Alfonse's character and lore while ALSO staying in-line with the Kiran Twist. <- COPING

[evilbeanieman]

Do you do song asks? Are there any songs you feel fit Shin?

if you're asking about songs that remind me of Shin, then this one absolutely. here's why:

"I got boulders on my shoulders, Collar bones begin to crack, There is very little left of me and it's never coming back."

I take this as him during his first trial, being shown the percentages and coming to the realization he has absolutely no chance of survival. The weight of death on his shoulders, the gravity of the situation, the way his personality and mentality is challenged and "begins to crack." This is where he broke. He became Sou Hiyori. Whatever was left of Shin Tsukimi after this event is practically gone, and will probably never come back.

"But you're a killer, and I'm your best friend. Think it's unfair, your situation. You say I'm changing, I'm sorry I didn't know I had to stay the same. Can we talk about this later? Your voice is driving me, driving me insane."

That first main game man. I interpret these lyrics kind of loosely. The killer line is obviously a jab at Sara, with the whole Alice hearing a gunshot and Shin trying to frame her with this. It also calls to mind how Shin is a killer in this trial, as he practically assigned Joe his death. Additionally, the "I'm your best friend," line reminds me of how friendly and nice Shin initially tried to be during the beginning of the game. The change of him being this unassuming guy to a terrifying presence during the first main game and how Sara wishes for him not to act like this. How this trial sets up their rivalry for the rest of the game.

"You're a flashlight in a dark room or the loneliest blackout...I'm turning you on in a dark room right before we both pass out, I'll turn you on when I need you, but the batteries ran out."

The first line reminds me a lot of that one line Keiji said about Sara. The whole "Will you be our goddess of victory or angel of death?" thing. Though rather than the implications of life and death, I think this line is more about hope. It gives a lot less pressure, and gives some kind of sadness. Like Sara sure is a light in their path, but she is still a teenager. She has her own trauma and problems, and I think Shin recognizes that. The following lines I feel are a lot more tied to the second main game and the logic route. Shin is begging Sara to make an incredibly tough decision, he just plead for his life and is now pleading for Sara to save Kanna instead. This is basically the one time he is relying on her to be that light of hope, the one time he absolutely needs her. But she doesn't vote for Shin. Her batteries ran out.

"But you're a werewolf, and I'm a full moon, And all your very worst enemies will be gone soon. I think you're changing, Don't worry, you don't gotta stay the same. Can we talk about this later? Your voice is driving me, driving me insane."

I feel like this first line is a reference again to the dynamic of Shin and Sara. Because if you think about it, Shin's actions inadvertently caused Sara to become like this. If Joe hadn't died, the relationship between her and Shin wouldn't be so complex. I imagine they would both still try to get Shin to work with everyone, and the whole game would have a bit more of a positive outlook. Plus Shin literally has moon in his name and a moon motif, that's just too obvious. The "All your very worst enemies will be gone soon," line just again reminds me of how Shin thinks of her as so antagonistic. That she's secretly out to get everyone and is picking them off one by one. Then the changing line is more of a reference to chapter 3, and how she changes to become more selfish and open to killing others (The scene with Ranmaru comes to mind).

i think the whole song fits him really. hope this helped explain it.

[asknarashikari]

Minific of Kaito princess carrying Zox before they got together as Flint laughs at them (meanwhile, Stacey looks on in denial/jealous)

Lmao these guys are such disasters

“Oi, I’m not that hurt, I’ll be fine...!”

“Zox, you hit your head, I heard how loud that sound was!” Kaito reprimanded. “At least let Secchan take a look at you first! You could be concussed or something!”

“I’m fine, I swear, I can freaking walk, you know!” Zox protested. “And besides, what would that robot parrot of yours do to me, it’s not a fucking doctor!”

“Secchan can do many things, just you wait and see!” Kaito said. “And whatever he can’t do, Grandma can!” he said cheerfully. “So just stop squirming and let me take you home~”

Zox sputtered, “T-That kind of wording has different implications, b-baka!” He looked at his sister, who had lost all semblance of composure and was laughing so hard she doubled over, clutching her stomach. “Flint! Tell him that I’m just fine!”

“Sorry nii-chan, but I don’t know that for sure,” she said in what would be an innocent tone if she weren’t laughing so hard. “So maybe you should have Kaito take care of you after all!”

“You little twerp-!” Zox said, shaking a fist at her as Kaito swept him off his feet and carried him princess-style. 

“Don’t worry Flint-chan, I’ll take care of him really well!” Kaito reassured the younger sibling.

“Please do~” Flint sing-songed as Kaito made off with Zox, squirming and screaming, in his arms. “Have fun, Nii-chan!” 

“You’ll pay for this Flint!!!!” Zox cried, his cheeks burning as his head was pressed against Kaito’s surprisingly strong chest.

-----------

Meanwhile...

Stacey put down his binoculars as he resisted the urge to scream. That whole scene was so stupid it should’ve made him lose a few brain cells, but instead it was making him wish he was down there with them too.

He knew that the feeling bubbling up within him was jealousy and envy, but he had no idea who he was jealous of- the one being carried or the one doing the carrying! And it was driving him insane!

“Why did I have to be gay for these fucking disasters?!” he all but yelled at himself.

[coolgirl]

Jason expert rate Jason’s designs

sorry for being late i was busy with school but now i’m free so to celebrate. jason indulgence.

pre-crisis not robin

very cute. i like that it has a lil more of flair to it? the collar and the lines on the gloves and the shorter cape.. also love it has pants. king rlly king. wonder if they already knew he was gonna be robin anyways or if they were still considering nightbird. anyways, 8/10 bc its cute

pre & post-crisis robin (bc its basically the same)

i mean its a classic.. however it reminds me jason was the only robin who was simply given dick’s clothes rather than like. have an unique look? which sucks. 7/10 middle child syndrome is REAL

post-crisis robin (winter edition)

OKAY NOW THIS. i absolutely love. is it tacky? oh yes without a doubt. i still love the pants and the sleeves. finally winter clothes for this child, especially considering his new titans scene where he was bitching about the costume not being snow proof. he got what he wanted! 9/10

new 52/rebirth costume by

EPIC. IDC I LOVE IT.the circles on his arms and his boots.. the lines on his legs.. i just love it. i love the red mask too… it feels.. not more unique, but feels more jason-y than the other costume. 10/10

NOW. onto older stuff

hush

as u can see im VERY confusion about the pouches and the straps?? why??? whats the purpose.. generally its fine. the white strand moved a nation and i think the chest piece is cool, but everything else.. uglee. like the long as hell jacket and him looking 40 years old like why r u 19 looking like fifty? ugly white man. 5/10

winicks/utrh version

LITERALLY A CLASSIC. i love this costume sooo much. like jason obviously grew out of it, as in it wouldnt make sense for him anymore to go with something like this as his main costume because i feel like this fit the utrh mood (him not veing a vigilante/hero/villain whatver but trying to be a mob boss n shit) and it just. fucks. i love the helmet just being plain with no stupid mouth or nose shape. i simply love it. 10/10

nigthwing

its just. its just the nightwing costume. didnt even try he just stole that from dick. he still rocks it and looks better than dick, and u gotta give him points for accessorizing with his dagger. 7/10

red robin 

im not. a big fan of this costume.. i think the cowl is ugly, it just does not work for someone as big as jason… however i do like why he took this mantle and what it meant.. 6/10 no words head empty. 

oh brother. furryman

ITS SUCH AN UGLY COSTUME. muzzle batman walked so muzzle red hood could run. its just. ugly like ugly. i dont like the ears or again the muzzle or whatever the hell is going on in the arms.. its just so edgy. 5/10

WANNA KNOW WHAT A SEXY EVIL BATMAN COSTUME LOOK LIKE?

Injustice 2 batman

I2 HAD IT IN THE BAG BABY. i like that its like classic batman costume but again! with some jason touches! the red eyes, the electric tiddies making a comeback.. epic genuinely epic. 10/10

and if ur not into evil jason

100% dad ‘i have my life figured out’ batman jason 

just like the nightwing costume this is just. batman costume. nothing special or different from it so its like did u even try? BUT in this scenario it actually means smth that he stuck to bruces costume.. sweet.. but boring. 7/10

speaking of. evil ugly designs. ugh i hate this.

this motherfucker

ive never. ever. felt as humiliated by a costume than thetime jason wore this. like MORTIFYING RLLY. its DISGUSTINGGG. the helmet shape. the fucking WHITE. the SKULL PLEASE WHO DESIGNED THIS WHO HATES ME IN PARTICULAR SO MUCH??? THIS MAN DOES NOT FUCK! HES UGLY! HE STINKS!!!! the red guns are epic that much i can say. LOOK AT THOSE PANS GOD ITS SO HUMILLIATING. 0/10 WORST COSTUME EVER.

HOWEVER. winick and the artist spun GOLD from it, because next time jason wore possibly my favorite costume to date

this motherfucker…2!

like look how much better it looks with a little of swag.. the helmet without eyes.. the belts.. the fucking leather jacket.. keeping the red guns/gloves.. like seriously i dont know a better man. the skull is still awful and i wouldve replaced the white for black and MWAH best costume. like the black part at the top make it all red and the white make it black.. god this jason fucks massively i love him. 11/10 my favorite by a landslide perhaps

new 52/rebirth red hood

OKAY I KNOW theyre slightly different (rebirth has shorter sleeves and a more padded look) but to me its like. same thing. okay i think its.. fine. its not phenomenal but its not ugly.. i like the brown jacket more than the black jacket i have to admit, its more distinctive and i simply like the color more, however i do not.. like jason having the bat symbol.. but thats also a me thing about how badly written this is. anyways. the helmet with the mouth disgusts me and everytime its drawn like that its humilliating. like. 7/10. maybe 7+. when it has the mouth or like nose ANY FACIAL EXPRESSION RLLY its a 5. 

wingman

oh i absolutely despise that helmet. he looks like fucking. terminator. its the ugliest shape ive ever seen and the visor is.. huge. i dont like the shoulder pads either idk what the fuck its going on with the thing around his neck either.. like hes. knockout batman and i HATEEE IT. damians costume slaps tho. i just… its… ugly. like.. 3/10. 

get damian back arc red hood costume

oh im a HUGE fan of this design.i love how his costume is designed in a way thats like. if jason was a dnd character he absolutely would be a tank. the padding, the red undertones everywhere, i just.. love it. i like how all the costumes were done to reflect their personalities you know.. i like this robin red hood hybrid. 9/10 would even say 10/10 bc i just enjoy how gleason draws jason.

red hood/arsenal costume

its like. i dont hate it completely (i love the way the hood+helmet looks) and thats.. yeah thats pretty much all i like about it. i HATEEEE the vest i hate it fr.i hate how huge the sumbol is and idk this costume just does not spark joy. 5/10

outlaw costume

okay this one. this one drives me insane. because like. okay i dig parts of it. i like the lack of sleeves. i like the gloves thingies. i like the hood. i could get aboard him ditching the helmet - it breaks all the damn time anyways. i like the stripes on his pants in the boots. ALL SEPARATE? NEAT. now i hate. hate. the muzzle. like WHY IT LOOKS SO UGLYYY LIKE SO UGLY like unless the artist GETS IT and is SEXY it looks awful. look at this

AWFUL. also like it made sense for when he was on the run and he had to make do and assemble a costume from what he had but like now hes sponsored by lex, get that man a goddamn new suit already please. anyways. 6/10.. like i said i like many elements from it but its still.. kinda ugly all together and depends A LOT on the artist.

three jokers

im torn on this one.. i think its a bit boring.. i dont rlly like the top part, it reminds me SOO much of that one tt issue where he beat the fuck out of tim while wearing a robin costume like i understad the implications of him wearing a costume thats similar to the robin blouse but im not a big fan.. also i prefer the brown leather jacket. its like not his worst costume by far but not the best.. like pretty basic?  i would say 6/10

NOW SOME AUS.

tiny titans & lil gotham

okay these two are like. pretty much the canon versions of robin and red hood HOWEVER they both have details that are different from the original version and DESERVE a mention. the curls on robin jason and jasons red gloves/belt are ICONIC. whoever designed them knew what they were about, so 10/10 best bapy jason.

arkham knight

does the person who designed this know how much theyve done for the lgbt community? i hope they do. i love.. a lot about this costume. i love the ears, i love how techno it is, i love the layers to it.. im.. not a big fan of the whole military thingy but i have to admit that applying it to the design itself is kind of neat.. i love the colors too and how.. practical it is while being. well. kinda dramatic? the whole bat aesthetic.. yeah. i love it. 9/10

arkham red hood

this one.. when u think about it the outlaw version is VEEERY similar to this one: the pants, the hood, the jacket eve. however i like this helmet so much more, i have a weakness for eyeless (??) helmets.. i like the little details of it as well, i remember that pic going around of it being held together with like. fuckign stitches and bandaids. legendary. i love this look, i would say 9+/10

injustice 2 jason

okay gonna go ahead and say it: not a big fan of the helmet. it looks like.. a bug? the lenses do not spark joy. this bitch has many styles and like toners etc and i will no rate them all. i think its a pretty basic design, not the best but not the worst either. like if it was an exam i would make them pass but make faces at what im reading like eeehhhgh. 7/10.

hag jason

middle one is like literally, on the outside and superficial level, just. his usual costume. the jacket and the grey kevlar and the bat. now the gloves are sexy as hell.. and in the whit ebackground one u can appreciate the under costume better and i really like it?? i just.. like the design. I HATE HOWEVER the bat helmet. WHY IS IT HOLLOW?? BITCH HELLO?? AND THE BATMAN SYMBOL DOES NOT MAKE SENSE! and i like things making sense!!!. we will not talk about jason in this book. like.. 8/10. maybe 9 if im feeling it.

hag jason 2: the hagger and the furious

hes just.. a little old man.. he cannot change this.. i like this design. i like seeing jason grow old. wish it wasnt in this context. my father rlly. 8/10

—-

am i forgetting any jays.. i wont do all animated robins because they all look the same and the one that doesnt i do not like. SO HERES my thoughts..

[vannahfanfics]

Now and Forever

Category: Romantic Fluff

Fandom: Fairy Tail

Characters: Erza Scarlet, Jellal Fernandes

Requested By: Anonymous User

“Is everyone in position?”

Erza raised a hand to the small, barely detectable communication device hooked into her ear as Gray’s voice buzzed in. There came a chorus of affirmative quips from Lucy, Natsu, and Wendy followed by Happy’s characteristic, optimistic “Aye!” before Erza pressed the button on her own earpiece to validate her own position. The team’s latest assignment involved staking out a very popular pub where a certain dark wizard was known to frequent. They had been told that he would likely appear tonight to deal in the smuggling of illegal magical artifacts, and so they had assembled to stop the operation short. Her guild members were stationed in various locations throughout the small building, covering all entrances and exits, but Erza’s location was the most important... on stage, right in the center of the bar, posing as a singer.

Currently she was eclipsed by the stage curtains, but it was only a minute or so before they would be drawn up and she would be revealed to the small crowd. Erza had managed to get over her stage fright after years of forcing her way into jobs such as this, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t still unnerving for her to perform in front of a crowd. She inhaled, then exhaled deeply. All you have to do is sing and look out for the man in the wanted ad. Eyes closed as she steeled herself, she did not notice that she had been approached until they coughed politely.

“Yes?” she responded automatically as her eyes opened to settle on an intimidated-looking stage hand.

“We’re about to go live, Miss Scarlet, and the um, owner was wondering if you intend to, ah, perform like that?” he stammered quietly. Erza’s eyebrows shot up as she realized she was still dressed in her usual armor.

“No. Of course not.” Ribbons of light flashed around her before enveloping her form, hugging her tightly as her armor phased out of existence. The shimmering light protected her modesty as she pulled her new garments from her magical storage universe. By the time that the shocked stage hand lowered his hand at the dimming of the light, Erza’s voluptuous body was now clothed in a skin-tight leotard, mesh stockings and black stilettos, and a pair of bunny ears sticking out of her scarlet hair. A blush painted his cheeks and he murmured his approval before he scampered out, likely to nurse his bleeding nose. Erza chuckled and walked over to the piano, hips swaying with each step, to take her place by the gawking pianist. She leaned over the large instrument and flashed him a wink, making him shut his mouth and find new interest in his music sheets. Suddenly, she heard the whooshing of the red curtains being pulled away from the stage, and she tossed a glance over her shoulder.

The bar was dim, only lit by a ring of circular white lights lining the rim of Erza’s performance area. Her trained eyes spotted her cohorts instantly, mingled among the crowd and constantly shifting their gazes to watch the patrons. There was no sign of their target yet, at least not that Erza could see. The chatter faded as soon as the gorgeous wizard appeared, the bar falling into silence as it awaited her singing voice. The quiet was soon replaced by the heavy, dramatic tune spilling from the piano man’s expert fingers. Erza inhaled deeply, closed her eyes, and then began to sing.

At one point in her life, her voice would shake and hitch, and she would’ve been chased of stage in a matter of seconds. However, after careful practice (and a fair bit of encouragement from the ever-supportive Lucy), Erza had conquered her fears and come into her own, performance-wise. Her voice flowed like honey, dripping with emotion as she sang in time with the piano notes of longing and lost love. The bar owner had told her that her intense, dominating looks and personality was perfect for such a performance. After the first verse, Erza opened her eyes and began strutting across the edge of the stage, pausing to lean over in such a way to accentuate her pleasing features and stroke the face of the man nearest the stage. He swooned and nearly passed out into his friends. Erza gave the rest of the crowd a cocky smirk before standing back up and finishing her circuit of the stage, hips swaying and voice thundering in passion.

She came back to the piano and laid herself across the back of it, kicking up her legs with her scarlet hair spilling over her back. In that moment, the lyrics abruptly made her think of Jellal. It took all she could to focus on the task at hand and not lose herself in the thoughts of him. Why did I think of him singing some stupid love song? She knew why. She had loved him a long time, but had never worked up the courage to tell him. Erza had a lot of courage for battle and protecting her friends, but it always failed when it came to being honest with him. Her voice took on a more somber tone as her subconscious delved further into the depressing thoughts. As her eyes flickered up to meet the crowd, she could almost see him standing there, watching her with a knowing smile ghosting his lips.

Wait a minute.

She blinked, and the phantasm did not vanish. She managed to keep herself singing, but only just barely, while she frantically looked around the rest of the bar. Sure enough, the other members of Crime Sorcieré were strategically positioned throughout the establishment. No way! Is Jellal here to catch the smuggler as well? She thought as her heart nearly jumped into her throat and choked out her melodious tune. Trying not to panic and act natural lest she scare off their target, Erza pushed herself upward on the piano, but her arms were shaking slightly. She could feel the nervousness bubbling up inside her; something about Jellal watching her perform was lapsing her back into her stage-fright. Thankfully, the song abruptly ended and the curtain drew shut with Erza’s echoing voice singing the last word. As soon as it shut completely, she ceased and collapsed back onto the piano, wheezing and holding her chest in an attempt to still her pounding heart. She could still feel Jellal’s dark eyes on her, watching with rapture.

What the hell is going on here?!

~~~~~~~~~~

“Dammit!” There was a thunderous crash as Natsu took out his anger on a nearby trash bin, kicking over the metal container to spill its contents out into the street. He then squatted down while muttering under his breath to retrieve the trash because Lucy scolded him something fierce. He had a right to be annoyed; apparently the culprit had caught wind that his operation had been compromised, and had been a no-show. Erza, now in her trusty armor, crossed her arms as she sighed deeply.

“This is rather unfortunate. Now we are back to square one in hunting him down,” she tutted with a click of her tongue. Jellal laughed lightly and rubbed the back of his neck with an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry, Erza. I hope our appearance here didn’t ruin your mission.” Gray and Natsu both slung their heads around at identical moments, mouths open to likely blame it all on Jellal, but a sharp glare from the red-haired warrior immediately made them swallow whatever ill remarks they were about to spew from him. Erza returned to Jellal with a soft smile.

“No, there’s no way to tell how he learned this bar was being watched, and by whom. We will just have to gather information on his next movements.” Jellal frowned and rubbed his chin, tilting his head to the side and looking up through the corners of his eyes as he pondered something. He then smirked and looked back at Erza.

“We’re also interested in bringing this guy down, so why don’t we team up?”

~~~~~~~~~~

When Erza had accepted Jellal’s proposal to form a joint effort to take down the smuggler, she had never imagined that things would end up the way they were. She was in the fanciest restaurant in the entire city, dressed in an elegant black dress with her scarlet hair fashioned in an elaborate up-do, sitting across from Jellal who was wearing just a simple tuxedo and that coy, smug smirk of his. By their joint information-gathering, they had learned that the smuggler would be conducting his failed business venture in a more lucrative environment; to avoid the same unfortunate outcome as last time, they had decided that only the two of them should be on scene with the others waiting outside for back-up.

But still… To pose as a couple on a date? Surely this is too much! Erza thought wildly. She felt like the room was spinning, and she had the sudden extreme urge to vomit. Her fingers dug into the silky fabric of her dress as she concentrated her gaze on her lap. She was utterly unable to look at him. It was just Jellal, but it was Jellal, and under this premise with all the implications… it was liable to drive her insane!

“Erza.” His voice somehow sounded like the touch of the smooth silk caressing her nervous fingers. As if called, she glanced up, and was immediately met with his smoldering gaze. “Relax. It’s just me, you know.” A haze of pink dusted her cheeks. He saw right through me… “Your performance was lovely, by the way. Because we were so busy gathering intel, I was never able to tell you.” The blush on her cheeks heightened to a shade of carnation. She nervously fidgeted in the chair, unsure how to handle the praise, and dropped her gaze, unable to handle the way he was looking at her... Like a precious object who had captured his attention.

“Y-yes, I’ve… Been practicing…” She mumbled. She was beginning to grow frustrated with herself. How could she be so confident on the battlefield of war, but such a stumbling fool on in the warzone of love? Though his unyielding stare unnerved her, she could not but help wish to be locked in it, and so her eyes slowly circled back to meet his. His expression had not changed despite Erza’s worming about; he just continued to sit there, chin resting on his interlocked hands, those dark eyes absorbing everything about her.

“I would love it if you would sing for me sometime… A private performance, if you will.” Erza choked on air at his very blatant and insinuating remark. Her cheeks were surely the shade of her hair now. Her mouth opened and closed, attempting to form words but dismally failing, only managed to produce sputtering gasps. Jellal’s smirk widened, and then he began to laugh heartily. “Relax, Erza, I’m only playing the part of the flirtatious date. There’s no need to take everything so seriously! I’m only teasing,” he grinned widely. Erza’s shoulders hunched up as she glowered at him.

“That teasing was in very bad taste!” she scolded him. Jellal continued to laugh. By the time he had finished, Erza was steaming enough to fry an egg on her head. “I hope you’re happy.”

“I am, because you feel more at ease, don’t you?” Erza’s mouth fell open. What a devious ploy! It had sure worked, too; Erza had more or less forgotten about their environment and operation, and was more relaxed, because now it just felt like she was just spending time with Jellal. That in itself was nerve-wracking in its own right, but she had managed to recover some sense of the defensive decorum that she maintained with him during their normal interactions. As he flashed her a devilish wink, she shook her head and decided to swallow her amusement and embarrassment with wine.

“As cunning as ever.”

“I always aim to please,” he smirked before glancing off to the side to scan the room. Erza did not need to do so herself; the way his jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed told her well enough that he had locked onto their target. “He’s sitting four tables away, to your ten o’clock.” Casually sipping at the bitter wine in the crystal glass, Erza languidly turned in her chair as if she were relaxing herself, but cast a sordid gaze in the indicated direction. Sure enough, he was sitting across the room with a handful of well-to-do-looking gentlemen, the picture of decorum and propriety despite the fact that they were illegally dealing forbidden magical artifacts. “I recognize a few of them. Those are some of the most prolific magical artifact dealers in all of Fiore.”

“He must have something quite special in stock.”

“Let’s get a closer look.” Without waiting for her agreement, Jellal stood and ironed out the creases of his suit before holding out a hand for her. Erza knew it was important but was a little put-off, and the first thing that came to mind was that they hadn’t even eaten anything yet besides some small appetizer salads. You’re not here for the food, Erza; you’re here to catch a criminal! She scolded herself. It really wasn’t about the food so much as frantically trying to think up an excuse not to do what Jellal was asking because she was so unsure of what little scheme he was hatching in that handsome head of his. Still, she had to do it. She breathed in deeply before rising from the chair, the picture of beauty with her upturned chin and pin-straight back. Her hand slid smoothly into Jellal’s; a jolt of electricity rocketed up her arm as his fingers gently enclosed around it. As if that wasn’t enough, he flashed her that irritatingly sexy smirk and brought her hand to his mouth to press his lips against the top of her hand. It took all her willpower not to yank her arm away and maybe whack him upside the head for good measure.

“What are you doing?” she hissed under her breath at him.

“Playing the part. You attract far too much attention, Erza…” With a frantic glance around the room, Erza could easily find that he was right. Her regal, sensual aura had lassoed the attention of the room with frightening ease; men and women alike were looking at her with palpable jealousy, though for far different reasons. While the women in the restaurant were lamenting the fact that they couldn’t be her, their male partners were wistfully wishing they could bed her. Such a lecherous thought brought a blush to her cheeks, and, unable to take the implicative stares, she focused her attention on Jellal. Likely sensing her newfound unease, he tugged on her arm to pull her body flush to his, that unrelenting cocky smile painting her face with further hues of red. “Far too much attention. I’m going to have to show this room that you’re mine tonight.”

As if it were effortless, Jellal had pulled the infallible Erza into a whirlwind from which she could not escape.

Before she knew it, he had swept her to the dance floor, which was conveniently located right next to their target’s table. Not that Erza really noticed that; her mind had descended into a fog, with Jellal the only lighthouse that illuminated her misty reality. All she could do was stare like a helpless, trapped rabbit in the grasp of a cunning fox. Erza was painfully aware of his hand running down the bare skin of her arms, leaving goosebumps trailing from his touch, before it jumped to settle firmly on her hip. His other hand still held hers captive, holding it aloft. Her body automatically settled her other on his shoulder, more because she subconsciously knew it was the proper form for a dance than of her own volition. Jellal’s eyes glittered like a galaxy, and Erza was lost in their cosmos, an unwitting astronaut plunging into their depths. The string quartet set to their instruments, and with the serene shimmer of a love song, they began to dance.

Erza had never really danced before, but somehow, she did not completely manage to bungle things as Jellal guided her about the dance floor. Her body was pretty much on autopilot, moving at his command like a marionette by its masterful puppeteer. A few other couples danced around them, but Erza was hardly aware of them; her attention was completely captivated by the stunning man before her. The way he fixated on her with that roguishly inviting smile, piloting her body as if he knew it intimately, staring through her into the very depths of her quivering soul, Erza almost thought that he could love her.

“Erza, it would be helpful if you could assist in me keeping an eye on that fellow over there.” Her body stiffened as she realized she had been caught red-handed. Her hands weren’t the only things red, either; she knew her face was afire as she discreetly peered over Jellal’s shoulder to watch the men and try to catch snippets of their conversation. The businessmen looked quite heated now, as if they were not pleased with what they had been offered.

“… Now, gentlemen, there is no need to get so heated. Ten million is quite a gracious place to start the bidding on my part. After all, it’s not every day that you’re offered a relic of the dark wizard Zeref, is it?” At the mention of their former adversary’s name, Erza drew in a sharp breath. Jellal continued to sweep her around the dance floor but took care to keep her well within earshot of the table. “The Magus Staff is an extraordinary magical artifact.” A ripple of unease circled through the potential buyers.

“The Magus Staff is also forbidden!”

“What’s the Magus Staff?” Erza whispered to Jellal. She had never heard tale of such an artifact. Jellal frowned deeply, staring off at a point beyond her shoulder.

“It’s one of the many dark magic artifacts that Zeref created. Apparently the thing channels ‘Erasure’ magic. Anything the user wants to erase just vanishes without a trace… people, objects, entire armies. Its potential is limitless. That’s why it’s so dangerous and classified as forbidden,” he explained grimly. In the background, the music was reaching a crescendo, the various stringed instruments screaming in melodic cacophony. Erza was about to tune back into the conversation, but Jellal suddenly swept her away from the table in a few whirling spins, leaving her impossible dizzy.

“Jellal, what-“

“He’s watching.” Erza had to swallow the urge to glance back at the table, knowing that doing so would just confirm the buyer’s suspicions. She could feel his prickling gaze searching her back, and was suddenly uncomfortable that her dress plunged in the back and her shoulder blades were on full display. “Erza, you’re not very good at espionage, are you?” Jellal grinned, and he stole a loud gasp from her throat as he suddenly hiked her leg up around his waist, pulling her across the dance floor with her heel scratching against the tile. The song had finished and the band had begun playing a simmering, intense beat, a tango; the rest of the patrons had abandoned the effort, leaving the two of them alone- plenty of room for Jellal to do as he wished with her.

“I’m beginning to think that you’re enjoying this too much,” she pouted up at him as he dropped her leg only to pull her body against his such that there was not a millimeter of space between the fabric of their clothes. Her chest was pressed up against his and her back arched, forcing her to look directly up at him, at that smirk that starting a fire in her belly and those eyes that threatened to strip her armor away and bear her tremoring heart to him. It was hammering against her rib cage, driven crazy by the sheer amount they were touching and the overwhelmingly lusty atmosphere. Jellal’s hand was pressed against her lower back, guiding her around the dance floor in a sordid display that commanded the attention of everyone around them.

“Oh, I’m definitely enjoying it.” His husky whisper sent a shiver traveling up Erza’s spine. Did his face have to be that close? As the music hitched, so did Jellal’s moves, and once again Erza was flung about in a complicated turn. Except the music didn’t descend back into the intense calm, but exploded into the storm, trapping Erza in its maelstrom and stealing her breath away. Erza didn’t even have time to think about where Jellal had learned to dance so expertly as she was whisked around the dance floor; she was a sword in Jellal’s hand, brandished around and shining with the light and ringing with the sound of singing steel. Her heels clattered across the dance floor like popping firecrackers, barely striking the shiny tile before they were gone again. As the music crescendoed in a tumultuous symphony, Jellal grabbed Erza and plunged her into a deep bend backwards, holding up one of her legs while the other kept her suspended so far down that a few loose strands of her crimson hair touched the floor. There was a moment of deep silence before the room exploded in impressed claps. Erza’s chest was heaving with exertion and her skin was tingling with electricity from the exceptionally… erotic experience. She watched with wide eyes as a bead of sweat rolled down Jellal’s face. That smirk was intoxicating now; just looking at it was making her drunk. He eyed her triumphantly before his gaze flickered upwards.

“They’re leaving.” Erza tipped her head backwards. Though the image was upside-down, she could see the dealer and the businessmen rising from the table to exit down a nearby hallway. She gasped as Jellal suddenly jerked her up and spun her around to stand at his side. He looped her arms in his as he guided her off the dance floor, walking smoothly as if nothing had just happened, but Erza’s legs were trembling so much that she could barely walk in her heels. She leaned slightly against his body, and that smirk of his widened. What is he doing to me? she thought wildly.

There had always been something explicitly unspoken between Erza and Jellal, but that was all it had ever been; a whisper, a sigh, a wistful fantasy of what may be. This, however… This was not unlike the tango they had just danced to, a rising storm threatening to thunder upon the coast, exploding into a destructive force that would change everything. Erza was but a small vessel caught in the thrashing waves, being borne to whatever island that the hurricane Jellal was leading her towards. Erza had never really expected anything to ever come of the unspoken thing between them, but it was rapidly becoming apparent that she had been very wrong. It both scared and excited her.

But was now really the time?

They tailed the party of criminals outside the restaurant and to the side alley. Their target meandered down to the end, and Erza watched in mild horror as he picked up something long and thin wrapped in cloth from behind a dumpster. He yanked off the cloth to reveal a crooked black staff.

“Jellal, we have to- Oh!” Her words were cut off as he suddenly shoved her against the brick wall of the restaurant, hands on either side of her waist as he pinned her there. His face was so close that she could feel his hot breaths on her lips. He was staring out of the corners of his eyes, and she followed suit to see the party of criminals staring at them suspiciously.

“Erza, just follow my lead- and please don’t hit me,” he mused, and no sooner than he had turned her gaze back to him did he tilt up her face and press his mouth against hers.

Her mind didn’t need the Erasure magic to go blank.

Catching the criminals flew to the far reaches of her mind as Jellal’s mouth moved rhythmically against hers. If the night had been like a red-hot tango, then their lips were dancing in a smooth, melodious waltz, pure as moonlight and soft as silk. Erza abandoned herself to the calmness of the sea, allowing the breeze of Jellal to drift her further into bliss. She had never realized how much she wanted it until now- to be kissed by him, held by him, loved by him.

Too bad it was all an act.

As he relinquished her mouth to pepper kisses over her jawline, down her neck, and across her shoulders, his hands tracing intricate patterns on her sides, Erza felt her eyes flood with water. She could not choke down the small sob that escaped her lungs; it was just so painful, so unfair, that things had turned out this way. Jellal suddenly stopped kissing her too look up at her quizzically. “Erza…?” Her face was contorted in agony as she tried to tell him what was wrong, but she couldn’t force the words out of her throat. He watched her, confused and worried, and just so happened to glance out of the corners of his eyes.

It was a good thing he did, or it would’ve been the end for both of them.

“Look out!” he cried and wrapped her in a tight embrace before flinging himself to the side. They crashed to the ground together, and Erza looked up in time to see a blob of dark energy crash into the place on the wall she had just been. The brick seemed to melt into nothingness, vanishing without a trace to leave a large hole in the structure. The music from the dance floor and the din of conversation drifted out into the alley. Erza tossed a glance over her shoulder to see the dealer brandishing the Magus Staff with a dark sneer.

“Well, that wasn’t the demonstration I had in mind, but it’ll do, I suppose,” he snickered. Erza pushed herself up with a huff, and ribbons of light enveloped her figure as she changed into a more suitable outfit for fighting. Jellal blushed darkly, because his face was extremely close to her chest as she was pretty much bare save for a few ribbons of light in very strategic places, but Erza had finally managed to dispel the fog from her mind now that she was in her element. Speed was obviously going to be her ally so she selected her Flight armor from her vast inventory, cladding herself in the cheetah-patterned, ruffle-adorned armor. She stood up just as her two swords materialized into reality, and spun on her heel to kick off in a savage sprint down the alleyway. A vortex formed in her wake, buffeting the shocked Jellal and inadvertently sending him blasting out into the street.

“She’s a Fairy Tail wizard!” the businessmen panicked and attempted to scale the wall behind them, while the startled magical artifact dealer sent another blast of the dark magic careening toward her. Erza ducked to avoid the projectile and it claimed the dumpster instead, melting a hole in it and sending trash spilling out into the alley way.

“Take this!” Erza howled and brought up her swords, then delivered savage blows with the blunt sides to his abdomen. He went down pathetically easily, dropping the staff and flying backwards. He and his compatriots crashed through the brick and mortar to sail several yards down the adjoining alleyway, landing right at a very disappointed Natsu’s feet.

“Aw, man… You couldn’t save any of the fun for us, Erza?”

~~~~~~~~~~

With the criminals arrested and the Magus Staff in safe hands, Erza changed back into her dress and walked back into the street where Jellal was still sitting there pouting.

“I think you did that on purpose,” he sighed up at her. Erza smiled kneeled down in front of him, offering a hand. He smiled wryly and took it, allowing her to pull him to his feet.

“Consider it payback for all the teasing you’ve done to me tonight.” Now that they were alone again, Erza could feel his lips ghosting across the skin of her neck; she raised a hand to cover it, to chase away the phantasms of his lips that would haunt her for the remainder of the night. As her expression took on an obviously depressed edge, Jellal smiled and took her hand again, kissing the top of it like he had done previously that evening.

“Erza, you really are dense,” he mused quietly. Before she could inquire what he meant, he grabbed her by her upper arm and yanked her forward, catching his an intensely passionate kiss. His lips crashed against hers like the waves finally carrying Erza home after what felt like years at sea... home, into Jellal’s waiting arms. She melted against him, desperately trying to match the fervent rhythm he was playing against her mouth. His hands snuck into her scarlet hair to pull it loose from its up-do, and he buried them into the wavy, crimped strands as he aggressively but not painfully tousled it loose, the countless bobby pins that his eager fingers plucked free clattering down to the street like rain. Erza’s hands ran down his chest, feeling his abdominals even through the thick fabric of his suit flexing powerfully as he leaned further into the kiss. He teased her mouth open to envelop his tongue in her own, twisting and writhing with it in a zealous desire that left her knees weak. As she collapsed against him, held up only by the firm arm around her waist, she felt that fog drifting over her mind again; it was all right, though, because Erza was now safe upon the shores of ardent love, grounded in the man that she had desired for so, so, so long.

She had begun to cry again. Jellal pulled away from her, though her aching lips desired him still; her face followed after his, desperately chasing that feeling, until his hand caught her face and held her still. His thumb swept across her cheek to catch the tears falling like stars to earth.

“I love you,” she gasped, desperate, needing him to hear her before the words failed her again. “I love you, Jellal, I want you now and forever, I-“

“It’s okay,” he crooned softly, killing her babble with the softest of breaths. “You have me, Erza. Now and forever.” She felt her throat tighten as the intense emotion that she was feeling choked her, and all she could do was nod. He continued to gently stroke her face even long after her tears had dried. He didn’t kiss her anymore, only gazed at her with those eyes like galaxies, the cosmos that Erza wanted to find the farthest reaches of and belong to. Now and forever.

Enjoy this oneshot? Feel free to peruse my Table of Contents!

[yehet-me-up]

Disqualified

Pairing: Kyungsoo x Reader

Word Count: 5,978

Genre: Fluff, friends to lovers

Rating: PG13 (swearing, vague references to sex, in pun form 😂)

Summary: You’re ‘accidentally’ paired with one of your best friends, Kyungsoo, on your group’s annual Scavenger Hunt. The challenges get more and more insane as the night goes on but the most heart-stopping challenge will be admitting the feelings you’ve had for him for years.

It's going to be a long night, you think to yourself with a sigh, looking around the large grassy area of the park at your circle of friends.

Everyone has paired off for the scavenger hunt except you and Kyungsoo. He scratches his neck awkwardly, meeting your eyes for a brief moment before tilting his head up to the large swath of blue afternoon sky above.

Baekhyun and Chanyeol are paired together like always. Their girlfriends, Ali and Kat, grab their list and start strategizing as they walk to their car. Minseok and his soon-to-be wife stand next to Jongin and Yixing, patiently waiting for Baekhyun to give them the list for the evening.

You usually do these scavenger hunts with Jongdae. Soo's been partnered with Sehun for years. But this year they paired up with each other, grabbed a list from Baekhyun in a flash, and ran off to their car before you could blink.

A knot of fear and excitement forms in your gut as you think about an entire night spent with just Kyungsoo. When you’re in larger groups it’s easy to pretend you haven’t thought about him as more than a friend since… oh, probably the day you met him. But a long night, just the two of you, is going to be exquisitely painful.

Baekhyun holds up the last of his lists and looks over, noticing you and Kyungsoo standing there on opposite sides of the circle with a mischievous smirk. You restrain yourself mightily from rolling your eyes and stare him down instead, silently begging him not to make a scene.

Of course, he ignores you, sauntering over to Kyungsoo. He throws an arm across Soo’s shoulder and points to you.

'My friend, you know, it helps if you actually stand NEXT to your partner,' Baekhyun says loudly and gives him a gentle shove in your direction, handing him the list.

Kyungsoo grabs the paper with more force than necessary and glares at Baekhyun before walking over to you with a nod and a tight smile. In his typical manner, Baekhyun is unphased. He blows you both dramatic kisses before grabbing Chanyeol’s arm and running off to their car, the other teams already in their cars heading out.

Now that you’re alone the awkwardness is amplified, the air thick with tension. It's been like this for weeks, months even. Ever since New Year's Eve, you think.

'Do you want to me to drive?' he asks carefully, giving you a full smile this time. He comes to stand next to you and blows out a deep breath. He’s determined to be calm, even if his heart feels like it's about to beat out of his chest.

'Sure, that would be great, thanks,' you answer, moving closer to him so you can read the piece of paper he's holding.

You’ve all been doing this for years now, ever since became friends in college. Baekyun and Chanyeol’s annual School (now replaced by Work)-Is-Boring-Let's-Have-A-Crazy-Night Scavenger Hunt is a tradition. The items on the hunt Freshman year were fairly tame.

Steal a tray from the dining hall without Clarence the night guard catching you.

Climb to the top of the stadium and yell 'penis' as loudly as possible. And get it on video.

Get a photo of one of the girls from Kappa Kappa Alpha kissing you. 

That one was a piece of cake for you and Jongdae; one of the KKA's was in your English lit class and she happily gave you a smooch on the cheek. Baekhyun and Chanyeol were paired together and apparently had to do all sorts of begging and pleading to get one, you remember with a laugh.

Every year since then the tasks have become more over the top and harder to achieve. There was the memorable year Jongdae almost got arrested for running across the intersection of Pike and 5th in only his boxers. The time Baekhyun almost set himself on fire while trying to start a bonfire on the beach near campus. Two years ago Yixing and Jongin almost went to the ER after attempting to eat ten entire bags of marshmallows for the chubby bunny challenge, completely missing that it said ten INDIVIDUAL marshmallows.

Last year Minseok and his girlfriend Jess had dropped out of the hunt, due to the fact that he proposed to her during the challenge to break into the music conservatory downtown and sing on stage. No one minded in the least though, the hunt just morphed into an all-night impromptu engagement party instead.

Every year, Baekhyun and Chanyeol go down to their favorite dive bar, have an insane number of shots, and come up with the list of things to find and do. They normally try to keep it fair and impartial, but this year you know some of the list is directed specifically at you and the man standing next to you.

Given the adorable pouting face he’s making at the list, you know he’s picked up on that as well.

In the years since you've known Kyungsoo there's always been the question of whether you liked each other. An unspoken tension that neither of you have ever acknowledged openly or acted on. Many times you’ve convinced yourself it was just you, pining away for him.

But you’ve caught him looking at you. Across parties, dinner tables, front seats of cars. Caught him looking at you with something inscrutable in his eyes that could be merely warm friendship, or could possibly be something more.

This isn't to say that your group of friends haven’t picked up on the attraction you’ve had to him for the past seven years. At various points they've all asked you about it. Every single one of your group has told you that he’s attracted to you as well.

But he’s never said anything, or tried anything, and you’ve followed suit.

In the many years since you met him, there's only been one time when you thought something genuinely might happen. New Year's Eve, a few months ago, at Baekhyun's apartment.

You were standing out on the balcony, watching the fireworks along the skyline as it ticked closer to midnight. Even though it was far from freezing cold, Kyungsoo had still shrugged out of his jacket and silently put it over your shoulders as he joined you.

Neither of you were in a big talking mood that night, preferring to exist silently together in your observation of the world among the revelry.

It always seemed to be your way together. Quietly discussing the latest books you'd both been reading, tucked away in the corner of bars while your friends played pool. Enjoying music together as you wound your way through roads on the way home, your friends passed out with exhaustion in the backseat. Meeting up for lunch at a cafe equal distance between your two offices.

Neither of you were big on dramatics, though sometimes you wish that one of you was willing to take a big leap for once. If he was interested in you. Which you still were absolutely unsure about.

For years you've been wondering why you didn’t just ask him how he feels, finally ending the long years of back and forth. Sure you'd both dated people here and there over the years, but it seemed that the two of you kept getting thrust together by fate. Randomly being on the same dorm floor in adjacent rooms Sophomore year. Both majoring in sustainable development and having almost all of the same classes.

And now, being Scavenger hunt partners by ‘accident’ with all the other couples paired up. Perhaps the last one has to do more with my friends interference than the vicissitudes of fate, you think wryly.

His hand brushes your shoulder and you come out of your thoughts. 'Shall we tackle the uhh... ‘adult’ challenge first?' he says with a laugh and you could hug him for not making this more awkward than it has to be.

You take another look at the list and smother a laugh as you see that indeed the first item on the list is to acquire 'the most hilarious sex tape title you can find.'

'Sounds good to me,' you reply with a shake of your head, motioning toward the car lot next to the park. You pull out your phone to send a message to Jongdae while you walk.

Y/N 3:17PM: i hate you guys, just so you know Y/N 3:17PM: i know what you did JONGWAEEE 3:17PM: sorry!!! JONGWAEEE 3:17PM: everyone kinda decided that you guys needed some alone time *shrugs* Y/N 3:17PM: ???????? Y/N 3:17PM: SERIOUSLY? JONGWAEEE 3:17PM: sehun wants it known that he had no part in this JONGWAEEE 3:18PM: and yes JONGWAEEE 3:18PM: seriously

You sigh and get in the car. The two of you spend the drive discussing Kyungsoo’s latest project at work, carefully skirting around the fact that you two were obviously put together on purpose. Both of you are more than happy to discuss neutral topics.

A few minutes later you see a notification pop up on your phone and resist the urge to whine out loud.

JONGWAEEE 3:26PM: it’s time Y/N, don’t you think? JONGWAEEE 3:26PM: it’s been 7 years JONGWAEEE 3:26PM: you deserve to know if it can work 🤷🏻

After pulling into the Lover's Oasis parking lot, the nearest 'adult' store you could find, you and Soo get out of the car and look at each other and roll your eyes.

‘I can’t believe they’re still picking things like this,’ he sighs.

‘True. But we’re all the ones that go along with it,’ you reply, shutting your door.

He lets out a laugh that turns into a groan as he takes in the garish pink and white building. ‘Let’s just get this over with.’

The store is filled with couples and the occasional solo person browsing. The woman behind the counter has a shock of fuschia hair and looks up at the bell when you step inside.

'Oooh aren't you two a cute couple?' she says in a strong Midwestern accent. 'What can I help you find?'

You wince at the implication, feeling raw and exposed in such a place. Giving her a friendly smile you turn around to face something, anything, rather than have this woman walk you and your ‘partner’ through their selection.

With a noise of surprise you come face to face with a wall of handcuffs. Well, that’s not helpful, you think dryly.

Kyungsoo saves you, reaching over confidently to grab your hand, as though he’s done it daily for years; the easy intimacy of a couple who doesn’t feel whole without touching in some way. The thought sends a shock of longing through him as he walks, subtly feeling the skin of your palm and committing it to memory. He smiles to himself, thinking that the night will be bearable if it gives him moments like this to break up his undiluted longing for you.

With a small wave to the clerk he leads you back to the videos section. Desperate to get out of here as soon as possible you both scan the titles quickly, giggling to yourselves at their hilarity. The Dark Knight Comes. Raiders of the Lost Vagina. The perennial favorite: Assablanca.

He reaches forward to grab one from the back; he holds it up so you can read: Lawrence of A Labia. You make eye contact and both break into grins as you struggle around your laughter. He takes it up to the counter and pays quickly and you both jump back into your car.

The scavenger hunt is mostly an excuse to let loose and have fun, to take a break from everyday life. But there is actually a grand prize: the winning team gets to decide what movies the group watches for Friday movie night for the entire next year.

Normally Chanyeol and Baekhyun or Kat and Ali, the two most competitive teams, trade off winning. There was a memorable year in which you and Jongdae won when most of the other teams were held up by attempting to get a photo with a giraffe, but a friend of your father's happens to work at the local zoo, so you were able to accomplish that task easily.

Once you’re back in the car you and Soo look at the list. The first was definitely humiliating so you choose a more low-key challenge next: heading down to your group's favorite Denny's and convincing Pearl, the ancient, grandmotherly waitress you all love, to give you an extra serving of ice cream with your oreo sundae. She's always friendly with her customers, but ruthlessly stingy with her ice cream supplies.

Kyungsoo’s phone beeps as he holds the door open for you to go in first.

sagittalius 4:18PM: are you guys making out yet Soo 4:19PM: umm Soo 4:19PM: no, wtf? Katthegreat 4:19PM WHY NOT Soo 4:19PM: you two have met me before Soo 4:19PM: right? Katthegreat 4:19PM: okay fair Soo 4:20PM: did everyone just get together and decide to force me and Y/N to be alone tonight Soo 4:20PM ? sagittalius: yeah basically haha Soo 4:20PM: i’m- Soo 4:20PM: friendship cancelled Katthegreat 4:20PM: rudé sagittalius 4:21PM: its like a bandaid my friend sagittalius 4:21PM: just rip it off Katthegreat 4:21PM: we believe in you Soo 4:21PM: *deep sigh*

The restaurant is fairly empty on this late spring afternoon. It doesn't get crowded often, aside from early mornings and late evenings. Taking a seat at the counter Pearl greets you with her usual gravelly hello and asks what she can get you and Soo. In a masterful move he asks about her grandkids, somehow remembering their names from the times you guys have come in here before.

After ten minutes of hearing about Jackie and Crystal's elementary school progress and oohing appropriately over the photos she has in her wallet, she doesn't even bat an eyelash when he asks for extra scoop of ice cream with a warm smile on his face. You happily snap a photo of him with his victory sundae and each shove a few bites in your mouth before paying and dashing out the door.

Next you decide to choose an easy one. Or at least, you assume that to any other team this would be considered easy, but you know that Baekhyun and Chanyeol intended this one for you and Soo. ‘get your photo taken carrying your partner bridal style over the entrance to the famous Xavier Hotel by the doorman.’

When you point to that task Soo glances down at your legs, tastefully revealed by the red patterned romper you're wearing on this warm day. After a moment he swallows and nods before starting the car, asking you about a seminar you’re both attending in a few weeks to distract himself from wondering how the skin behind your knees will feel.

He parks on the side street and you approach the easily 6'5" doorman, clad in a fancy looking navy uniform. His expression is so stony you hesitate before speaking to him, trying to come up with some believable explanation for what you're about to ask him.

'Excuse me, sir?' you start, trying to catch his attention.

'How can I assist you, ma'am?' he replies in a booming voice.

'Would you mind taking a picture of me and my... husband?' you continue, purposely avoiding Soo's gaze. 'We stayed here on our anniversary last year and wanted to recreate a photo that was lost when our computer crashed,' you ask with a friendly smile.

He raises an eyebrow at you and looks around. The lobby and sidewalk aren't crowded, so he’s not needed for a moment. He thankfully shrugs and says sure. You hand him your phone and finally turn to look at Soo and find him giving you a knowing look, impressed at your quick thinking.

He holds out his arms to you and you step close, smelling his aftershave. You pause for a moment, distracted as always by his presence. But before you can think he bends down and lifts you into his arms so swiftly that you let out a squeal.

You throw your arms around his neck to steady yourself, meeting his intent stare, feeling heat spread through your limbs where his arms hold your knees and back. The moment stretches and you try to think of the last time you were this close to him; close enough to see the flecks of amber in his eyes. New Year’s Eve… you think sadly, yet again.

The guard coughs and breaks the silence. You both turn back to him, putting wide smiles on your faces as you pose for the camera. He holds you as long as he feels he can, the seconds stretching on after the click of the photo. With a sigh he sets you down, smoothing his pants down in an effort to compose himself back into a person who can pretend he doesn’t think about kissing you every second you’re together.

You grab your phone from the guard and confirm the photo is there, giving him a thank you before heading back to the car.

You quickly tag out two more challenges: finding a stranger willing to let you post ‘BYUN BAEKHYUN IS GOD’ on their facebook page, thanks to a friendly 7-11 cashier who ‘really doesn’t post much on there anyways so whatever,’ and grabbing a quarter out of the top of the Smith fountain at the center of campus. Thankfully you’d both packed towels, prepared for anything.

The setting sun casts a warm glow in the car as you lean over to look at the list he's holding while you dry off your legs. His breath catches in his throat at your nearness. Once again he wishes he’d kissed you on New Year’s, or any of the hundreds of times you’ve been close since then.

He considers it for a second while you scan the list; considers just burying his hand in your hair and pulling your lips to his. Considers telling you that you’re his perfect match, the other half that makes him whole. Considers asking if you want to be more than just best friends.

But then you speak and he curses himself for missing yet another moment to act.

‘Shall we do this next?’ you ask tentatively.

He nods and holds open the door so you can get in the car, raising his eyes skyward, cursing Baekhyun and Chanyeol. Have someone take a photo of you and your partner dancing to a busker on the Devon Ave Boardwalk, thanks guys.

In college it was one of the best outings on a weeknight. Buy cheap wine and beers and pre-game before wandering along the boardwalk and dancing while tipsy to whoever happened to be playing. Following the musical procession down the popular promenade as the night went on. He’d danced with you countless times, living for the smile on your face and the feeling of his hand on your waist.

‘Let me just find a good place we can park,’ he says into the open window, pulling up his phone. ‘I haven’t been there in years.’

Soo 5:38PM: i am Soo 5:38PM: so INCREDIBLY pissed off carlosCHANtana 5:39PM: you got to the dancing part didn't you carlosCHANtana 5:39PM: baek says 'sorry not sorry' Soo 5:40PM: i'm going to kill you both carlosCHANtana 5:39PM: or carlosCHANtana 5:39PM: you'll be thanking us carlosCHANtana 5:39PM: 😘

~~~~~

Y/N 6:14PM: that was such torture :( HYUNstoppable 6:14PM: chanyeol yelled 'I BET HE HELD HER CLOSE AND STARED AT HER LOVINGLY' Y/N 6:14PM: i mean kind of???? Y/N 6:14PM: idk???? Y/N 6:15PM: it still doesn't mean he has any feelings for me beyond friends!!! HYUNstoppable 6:17PM: oh my god HYUNstoppable 6:17PM: will you just tell him you've been in love with him for years HYUNstoppable 6:17PM: its like watching a horror movie and watching the protagonist trip every 2 feet Y/N 6:18PM: 😡😡😡 HYUNstoppable 6:18PM: you know we did this because we love you guys right? Y/N 6:18PM: sigh Y/N 6:18PM: if i look beneath the 52 layers of WTF Y/N 6:19PM: i know you guys did it from a good place HYUNstoppable 6:19PM: good luck buttercup HYUNstoppable 6:20PM: we're all rooting for you 💜

'Do we want to go for the Deschutes Hill one next?' you ask once he’s back in the car. You take a deep breath to steady yourself, still shaken from having his hands on your waist during the dance. You chose an adorable college student who was singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ enthusiastically, if horribly off-key.

'Sounds good to me, we should do that one before it gets too dark,' he replies, his eyes lingering on your hand resting on the center console.

He asks about your sister and her new husband’s honeymoon and you catch up on each other's families on the drive through your old college. There's a large, wooded hill behind South campus and the boys have tasked you all with climbing to the top of the hill and taking a photo with the enormous tree that grows there.

After parking in the visitor lot you and Soo both take large drinks from the water bottle. You swap your flats for the tennis shoes you packed and head out into the growing evening. At the entrance to the Deschutes trail you pass Kat and Ali coming out both looking happy to be out of the thick trees.

'How is it in there?' you call out. 'I haven't been up there in ages, is it still a hot mess getting up the trail?'

'Ho boy, it’s definitely less well maintained than when we were in school,' Kat says, pursing her lips and pulling some leaves from her hair. 'Good luck getting up that last slope, I swear Ali and I both fell a billion times.' She gestures to the dirt smeared on her black leggings with a wry grin.

'Thanks,' you laugh and look down at your nearly bare legs anxiously.

Soo motions his head to the trail and you start walking. Ali and Kat both give you knowing looks as they pass by. In the years that you've all been friends they've heard the entire saga of your feelings for Soo. The missed chances, the 'almost' times, and everything in between.

The early evening is nice and cool as you wind your way along the nature trail, both content to enjoy the setting and the walk. After about ten minutes you come to the final incline and you blanch at how steep it is.

'God, how did we used to do this?' Soo asks in amusement.

'We were young. And often drunk,' you laugh. 'I remember we used to take this at a run? Or was that just Baekhyun when he'd had too many shots?'

'No, I think there's definitely some velocity required to get up there,' Soo says with a sigh, rolling up the sleeves on his shirt. 'Why don't I go first and I can give you a hand at the top?'

You nod and agree, watching as he eyeballs the best footholds on the slope. Steady and sure, that's always his way, you think as he sprints and manages to get up over the final rise successfully. He breathes deeply and beams down at you, clearly invigorated from the challenge.

Much less confidently than him, you take off and manage to get within a few feet of the top before you feel yourself start to slip. Kyungsoo plants his feet and manages to grab both of your arms in his and pull you over the edge. He's stronger than you realize, and you fall on the grass together in a heap, your leg between his and your face buried in his neck as you cling to him.

You feel his hand run along your hair, pausing briefly to cup your head. Lifting yourself up you look down at him and give yourself a shake, pulling back. You already know that the image of him looking up at you, pressed together, will be burned into your mind for a long while. It helps that he seems just as shaken by the moment as you and he quickly eases himself up to standing and holds out a hand.

He pulls out his phone as you walk over to the gnarled, sprawling tree. Generations of students have carved their names into its trunk, a record of loves and would-be loves spanning decades. You lean in together and smile for the camera as he takes a selfie of you both with a clear shot of the tree in the background.

'Did you ever come here with anyone?' he asks softly, looking at the carvings and running his fingers along an indentation.

'You mean did I ever carve my initials in?' you reply incredulously, assuming he knows your sparse dating history like the rest of the group.

'I know pretty much everyone has, at one point. I never had anyone I dated that seriously, but I'll admit I thought about it; the times we'd all come here to drink and celebrate,' he says quietly.

'Me neither,' you admit with a shrug, staring up at the leafy branches.

The unspoken words hang in the air, the thing he’s dancing around and carefully not saying. That if he had carved anyone's name into this tree, he’d want it to be yours. In the silence he thinks back to New Year’s Eve.

The cheers of the people in the living room were getting louder as it gets closer and closer to midnight. With a start he’d realized how close he’d gotten to you, your shoulders nearly touching as your elbows leaned against the railing. When he's this near to you everything else floods from his mind; worries about work, plans with friends for the weekend, endless lists of trivial things that need to be done.

The world seems to shrink to your warm eyes and the way they seem to see all the way down to his soul. He meets your gaze as the time ticks lower, a fire spreading along his veins, a warmth growing low in his body as his mind runs wild with thoughts of finally kissing you. Reaching out his hand to rest on top of yours, he turns to face you.

'THREE! TWO! ONE!' the group inside called in unison.

The cheers rose to a fever point as everyone yelled excitedly, welcoming in the new year with clinks of glasses and kisses between loved ones and friends. But Kyungsoo was still standing, frozen.

He’d stared at your lips for a flash before meeting your eyes, moving his thumb across your hand. But before you’d even had a chance to enjoy the moment he’d turned and walked back inside.

As he disappeared into the crowd you realized that you still had his jacket on your shoulders, but by the time you finally convinced yourself to move, he was gone. The mixture of longing and sadness in his eyes still leaves you confused all these months later.

In the five months since that day things have been fine; achingly, painfully normal. As if the tension of what almost was that night didn't drive him as insane as it did you. As if you don’t want to scream ‘WHAT WAS THAT??’ at him non-stop.

You’ve thought about just asking, but you perpetually sigh and shake your head, never seeming to find the words when face to face with him; preferring to find comfort in his steady friendship instead of pushing for something more. 

The two of you would be amazing together, everyone says so. With how similar your personalities are and how diverse, yet complimentary your interests run. The trust and friendship you’ve built over the years would be the perfect springboard into something… more.

You shake your head, dropping your hand from the tree. Before you can get lost in this familiar train of thought you motion back down and he nods. The two of you carefully get down the slope and start the walk back to the car. Evening is falling fast and it gets harder and harder to see through the thick trees. Kyungsoo pulls out his phone and turns the flashlight on so you can follow the path.

As you walk, you realize the night is almost over. You only have a few challenges left to go. Maybe it’s all the crazy things you’ve done that night or the fact that your friends are right, you are tired of waiting and wondering. At the very least you want an answer for what happened a few months ago.

You can see the entrance to the car park, illuminated by street lamps, just up ahead. It feels desperately important to act now, as if stepping out of the woods and into the real world would rob you of your bravery. With sudden boldness you find his hand in the dim light, turning him to face you.

'Can I ask you a question?' you start, voice surprisingly confident.

'Always,' comes his reply from the darkness to your left. You can see the outline of his smile, the intimate one he always seems to save just for you.

'Why didn't you kiss me?' you ask in a rush, before you can chicken out.

'On New Year's,' you add unnecessarily, feeling the need to fill the space.

You can feel his shock and watch with amusement as his jaw drops. After a beat he finally replies. 'We’re friends Y/N, I’d never do anything to risk losing that,’ he says, his voice low and thick.

‘Oh,’ is all you can reply, dazed. ‘Okay.’

Taking a step back, you drop his hand. Well, at least I know, you think despondently, fighting the ache that feels like it’s burrowing a hole in your heart. Before he can say anything else you turn and start walking as fast as you can back to the car. You reach the door with a shaky breath, tugging on the handle, willing this night to be over as fast as possible.

He runs to catch up with you, gently reaching out a hand to turn your shoulder as he steps next to you. The depth of feeling is evident on your face when you meet his; every line of your face radiating a love and desire that’s a perfect match to his. It takes hardly a thought for him to position you fully in front of him, to cup your face in his hands.

With a quiet laugh he finally realizes suddenly how utterly ridiculous this all is. He’s been yours and you’ve been his since day one. He decides it’s high time to make it official, leaning down, sure and steady, to kiss you full on the lips.

You freeze for a beat and he can almost taste your surprise. Fear mixes with the adrenaline in his blood as he waits in limbo to see if you’ll move and take him up on the offer he’s so clearly made; an offer to give this a real go. Or if he’s just ruined the best friendship he’s ever had.

But gratefully, after a second, you begin to move against him. Your hands coming to hold his hips as you step closer, sighing at finally getting to know what it’s like to experience all of him.

Eventually you pull back slightly, looking instantly down, a blush coming to your cheeks at the realization of what just occurred. But his hand on your chin guides your eyes back up to meet his.

'I'm sorry,' he says on an exhale. 'I just... wanted to finally know.'

Your face breaks into a warm grin. 'I'm so glad you did. I've had feelings for you for years, but I didn't want to pressure you or ruin what we have.'

He nods, feeling his whole body light up. 'I can't believe it took us so long to finally give this a shot, we really are a perfect match,' he laughs, leaning down to kiss you again.

When you finally break apart a considerable time later it's fully dark. He seems to be unwilling to let go of you, only allowing you a few inches of space left for you to pull out the list. Neither of you care much about the hunt anymore, but you take a look just for fun. He scans the few items left and grins when he gets to the last one.

'How about we skip to this one instead?' he offers.

'Sounds perfect to me,' you reply. You're more than willing to drop out of the race and go straight to 'have a champagne toast at the Aldrich Club.'

Y/N 9:17PM sorry guys, we're bailing on the scavenger hunt HYUNstoppable 9:17PM what happened?? are you okay?? carlosCHANtana 9:17PM crap carlosCHANtana 9:17PM did we mess up putting you two together? *Y/N invited Soo into SASS AVENGERS CHAT* Y/N sent a photo at 9:18PM Soo 9:17PM does this answer your question? HYUNstoppable 9:18PM NO WAY HYUNstoppable 9:18PM DID YOU GUYS FINALLY GET TOGETHER??? HYUNstoppable 9:18PM god i can't wait for everyone to see this HYUNstoppable 9:18PM they’re gonna die *HYUNstoppable invited sagittalius, Katthegreat, JONGWAEEE, Hunnie, sLAY, NiNi, Minmin, JaYES into SASS AVENGERS CHAT* carlosCHANtana 9:18PM ABOUT 👏🏻 DAMN 👏🏻 TIME 👏🏻 *carlosCHANtana has set photo as announcement* sLAY 9:18PM no way! sLAY 9:18PM i thought i’d be in my grave before i saw soo and Y/N kissing Y/N 9:18PM yeah we kind of figured it out 😂 Minmin 9:18PM: congratulations for finally getting your shit together you two lmao NiNi 9:18PM: FINALLY NiNi 9:18PM: ayyyyy NiNi 9:18PM: congrats you crazy kids JaYES 9:18PM: AHHHHHHH 💕💕💕💕💕 carlosCHANtana 9:18PM i'm so happy for you guys carlosCHANtana 9:18PM i guess i have to do the dishes for a month now though ughhhhhhh 😖 Soo 9:19PM kat bet you that we'd get together, didn't she? Y/N 9:19PM i can’t believe you bet against us i’m so offended carlosCHANtana 9:19PM ..... i mean carlosCHANtana 9:19PM maybe carlosCHANtana 9:19PM IT WAS ONLY BY THE END OF THE YEAR carlosCHANtana 9:19PM we all knew you guys would get together eventually lmao it was just a question of when Y/N 9:19PM good its what you deserve for betting against us lmao HYUNstoppable 9:19PM hahahahhaa sagittalius 9:19PM sorry there was ZERO service sagittalius 9:19PM OH MY GOD YOU GUYS ARE SO CUTE Katthegreat 9:19PM CALLED ITTTTTTTTT JONGWAEEE 9:2PM we emerge from the basement of the library, that was exciting JONGWAEEE 9:20PM /NOT/ JONGWAEEE 9:20PM HOLY SH- NO WAY JONGWAEEE 9:20PM i haven't seen Soo blush since 2014 this is incredible Hunnie 9:20PM legit been waiting for this since 2011 Hunnie 9:20PM what am i going to do for entertainment now that Y/N and Soo finally got together?? Soo 9:20PM 😑😑😑 Soo 9:21PM okay we're going to go now Y/N 9:21PM sorry for abandoning the scavenger hunt guys 🙏🏻 Y/N 9:21PM i think we won though 😘 HYUNstoppable 9:21PM GROSS HYUNstoppable 9:21PM I LOVE IT HYUNstoppable 9:22PM you're still disqualified from the scavenger hunt for dropping out but i don't think either of you mind lmfao Soo 9:22PM if you'll excuse me i have a gorgeous woman to kiss now *Soo has left the chat* carlosCHANtana 9:22PM AYYYYYY 🙌🏻 Hunnie 9:22PM 🎉🎉🎉 sagittalius 9:22PM EXCELLENT sagittalius 9:22PM we still have several teams to decimate in this hunt Katthegreat 9:22PM btw Katthegreat 9:22PM we're on the last item on our list 🤘🏻 Katthegreat 9:22PM you snooze you lose, suckers Hunnie 9:23PM: WHAT Hunnie 9:23PM: oh my god Hunnie 9:23PM: we’re going to have to watch movies with subtitles again for the next year Katthegreat 9:23PM: hehehe NiNi 9:23PM: nooooooo JONGWAEEE 9:23PM: COME ON SEHUN WE GOT THIS HYUNstoppable 9:23PM OH SH- HYUNstoppable 9:24PM CHANYEOL WE GOTTA GO

[deveharrington]

Why do you think D does not acknowledge his relationships? He didn't admit to his relationship with G even though there was plenty of affection and they both appeared to be at there happiest, and he doesn't mention this relationship at all even though they are together a lot. There doesn't appear to be, st least publically, any affection with M. Is this a friends with benefits or could he himself be embarrassed about the age difference? Any thoughts?

Disclaimer: theories, not facts. 

1. Honestly,  anon….. NO CLUE I think he just wants things both ways or a million ways and bottom line: always HIS way. Also, it seems like he somehow considers himself detached from the flow of time or karma or consequences because he is so damn reckless thoughtless and it seems like he is only motivated by vindictiveness A.K.A. the past. (theory: he has an insane fear of death, so insane he’ll completely deny who he is and pretend to be so many decades younger, but he has no bucket list?? So, what is experience to him? What is the purpose? The goal? The ambition…….. etc. its ODD).

2. I can understand why D and G would want to remain private just to not make a ruckus. That I can understand. As for the rest, like, it seemed like they were on their way to going public but then yeah I guess Gillian was courted by someone who actually paid attention to her work and passions beyond bodily passions and things got derailed ?? Gillian got tired of David’s lame bullshit “i’ll take whatever job” attitude? lmao. Sorry if this is a really shitty explanation, I just can’t stand to think about Gillovny anymore lmao sorry anon!!

3. What’s “hilarious” (as in, I am using humour to protect myself from how seriously dark and disturbing the situation is and how that kind of injustice alone is enough to make me overwhelmingly angry) is that if he is embarrassed by this bullshit (as he should be) like….. its just hilarity on top of hilarity because he is not embarrassed to make a damn fool of himself on the stage but he is embarrassed by this like LMAO. Idk, I just see it as more self serving disgusting bullshit from him I mean its beyond despicable you can only laugh otherwise you’ll experience a rage so all consuming you’ll end up like me !!! LMAO 

4. I mean maybe its just what it looks like - he sees that its wrong and he tells himself it is ok whenever he wants to visit this little fantasy world where he has needs (need to control, pretend he is still married to Tea, be validated, not be alone, not be alone with himself or his thoughts, need to be on par with Tea and Gillian in terms of moving on with a “partner”, and his history is that of a serial………… misogynistic sex addicted pig serial “dater”?? idk, i feel like that is insulting to people who are dating but you know what I mean, so…) …

5. … so like, there are rules for here and rules for there and rules for this time and that time and yeah its day by day the truth is relative according to what David wants. 

6. In his own words (”lyrics”): why do I remain the same? why do I remain the same? why do I remain the same? (repeated x 10000000). BTW, I’ve noticed that “remaining the same”/not being able to move on/not being able to change therefore being flippant about change is actually a constant theme in his “music”. And yah I’m also saying that he has so many masks and facades but fundamentally he has the same self destructive issues and yeah he’s like why can’t I just be a fake person and live a different life like this is a legitimate question he has and the answer is that he has to face himself and admit what he is but he won't so here we are A.K.A.: stuck. 

7. The lack of affection is … its disturbing. I do what I can to spin it in my mind just to protect myself from how disturbing and dark the situation may theoretically be. But I wish that someone would help this person, I mean look at the situations with R. Kelly, Drake (i’m not talking about the transgressions, but all the bystanders and how long it took for the truth to come to light and also how easily the truth can be swept under the rug) … and how many people just stayed quiet, enabled, did nothing…. it drives me fucking crazy!!!!!

8. I don’t condone the toleration of disrespect (ignoring their “partner” in public) at all so it circles back to David being a fucking piece of fucking controlling exploitative piece of shit who is taking advantage of someone who will not stand up for themselves while he abuses their trust, their affection for him, and their dependance on him - DESPICABLE. 

9. Anon, please don’t go there with the FWB term (and sorry to insult actual FWB for the association with this shit) because first of all, “friends” ???? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA 

10. David said that he is beyond shame while at the same time saying his “greatest fear” is public shaming. He is full of fuckign contradictions and lies so don’t take his word for it. I don’t believe him. I think he said “public shaming” because he didn’t want people to see this pathetic shit and honestly it was right for the truth to come to fucking light like it honestly gets much more despicable when you think that David would’ve been happy to just get away with this behind the scenes while putting on a mask for his mature, trusting fans like fuck that. 

11. But I think, just from my observations, that he is fundamentally so self centered and so self conscious that his fear IS public shaming but not in the way that he understands it. His fear is vulnerability, or being his true self, which is just a normal person. His fear is being that normal, and completely valid in their own right, person who is nothing like what he projects and wants so badly for us to believe he is. His fear is humility, of seeing himself on the same terms as anyone else. His fear is transparency, visibility, sharing, interacting………….. but he labels that as “public shaming”. Remember: he has so many convoluted fantasies, excuses, dumb words (women’s clothing is bondage? really? thanks David, we surely do look to you as a crusader for women……………) so……… again don’t believe him lmao. 

12. So what i’m saying: is that yes I think he is fuckign embarrassed. And it could be entertaining (to see Mr. Arrogant squirm) if only there weren’t someone whose life is actually being implicated negatively right in front of our eyes. 

[mariequitecontrarie]

Love Beyond the Sea: Chap 21

The Fic: Librarian Belle French is a lactose intolerant American, soon-to-be-Canadian, who loathes the French and is terrified to fly. When her fiancé calls from Paris to confess that he’s in love with another woman, Belle decides to fly to France to confront him. On the plane, she meets Luc d’Or, a charming crook who turns her trip—and her life—upside down. Chapter Summary: At last, Belle has dinner with Victor, while Luc distracts Rubie (and himself) in the hotel bar. Rating: PG-13 | Word Count: 3,514 A/N:  It’s been for-freakin’-ever since I updated this story. Last time, we got a little more insight into Rubie, and Ariel pretty much flat out told Belle to face the fact that she’s in love with Luc. Later, Belle and Luc had a little roleplay and dance to help Belle prepare for her makeup dinner with Victor which led to an electric moment. In this chapter, Belle’s confused, Luc’s confused…everyone is just confused. Thanks to my incredible beta @magnoliatattoo and thanks to @rumpledspinster for the pretty banner. {One}  {Two}  {Three}  {Four}  {Five}  {Six}  {Seven}  {Eight}  {Nine}  {Ten}   {Eleven}  {Twelve}  {Thirteen}  {Fourteen}  {Fifteen}  {Sixteen}  {Seventeen} {Eighteen}  {Nineteen}  {Twenty}

READ ON AO3

“Cannes is a little bit like French wine. There are certain years that people prefer over others.” – Rob Lowe

Luc He wanted to get drunk. Very drunk. Mind-numbingly, truth-denyingly drunk.

Luc glared at the mahogany-lined walls of the smoky hotel bar, wishing he could peer through the thick wood into the dining room next door. Rubie Lupis and he were sitting at a cozy corner table, she nursing a glass of champagne while he drowned his frustrations in shots of whisky. He eyed one of the other occupied tables in the center of the room with a view into the hotel restaurant, willing the patrons draped over their martinis to leave. Perhaps he might see Belle if she decided to dance with Victor as he’d advised.

Merde. He was pathetic.

Meeting Rubie for a drink while Belle settled the details of her breakup with Victor had seemed like a good way to be useful, but now he regretted proposing the scheme at all. His heart squeezed painfully in his chest—Belle was using the dinner as an excuse to bring her fiancé back into her arms for good.

He tilted his glass and stared at the amber liquid. “Bon chance, cherie,” he mumbled, throwing back the drink.

“Luc?” Rubie took a dainty sip of champagne and laid a hand on his arm. “You’re angry with Belle.”

He snapped back to attention, forcing a smile. “Angry? Non.”

“Upset then.”

“Why should I be?” He shrugged. “We’ve known each other only a matter of days.”

Rubie’s eyes widened, no doubt at the implication that her own fledgling relationship was on shaky ground. He almost felt sorry for the little homewrecker.

He gulped down another glass of whisky, his fourth in fifteen minutes, and flicked his wrist in the direction of the bar for a refill.

Running a long, painted finger over a meticulously shaped raven eyebrow, Rubie preened in the mirror behind the bar.  Luc bit back a disgusted snort at her obvious display of vanity.

He’d only been half-listening to the girl whine about Victor as he secretly moped over Belle, but it was time to stop wallowing and turn on the charm. Rubie was vexed with her lover. Vulnerable. Insecure. His job was to fan the flame of that anxiety. The irony was that he was the one on edge.

It was driving him insane. Belle was only a few hundred feet away, batting her huge blue eyes at that idiot Whale over a crust of baguette. He balled his hands into fists, wanting to tear into the dining room and beat the other man bloody. That bastard had flown to France, picked up a new fiancée, and broken up with Belle over the phone. Victor Whale didn’t deserve Belle’s devotion.

But who was he to hurl stones?

Wearing an exaggerated moue, Rubie droned on. Luc pasted a polite smile on his face, trying to disguise his annoyance. She was beautiful, there was no denying it, but she was also lacking. There was an emptiness inside her, a soullessness that he recognized all too well. In fact, she was exactly the type of floozy he’d grown accustomed to dating before he’d sworn off women for good. Pouty, pretty, and selfish as hell. Deep grooves of insecurity circled her green eyes. Suddenly he realized what made her so familiar—she was Milah all over again.

“I don’t understand how Victor could do this to me.” Rubie covered the back of his hand with her cool fingers and he shuddered involuntarily. “This never would have happened to me when I was younger. He would be upstairs with me, in my bed, and she would wait all night.”

“Oui, j’imagine.” He nodded sympathetically.

“What’s wrong with me?” she asked, her eyes big and beseeching.

“Nothing. He’s a waste of your time,” he said on cue.

“No, you’re wrong about that. He’s wonderful. Tender and sweet.” She smiled, her eyes glazing over with a far-off look, then flipped her gaze in the direction of the dining room. “What do you think they’re doing over there?”

“Who cares?” he asked, tossing back another drink.

“I care, and I think we should we find out.”

She stood up and he caught her arm, easing her back into the chair. “No, no, no;  you don’t want to do that.” Luc couldn’t bear to see Belle smiling into Victor’s small, cold eyes. Mon dieu! He couldn’t stop himself from thinking of her. Her softness, the fragrance of her skin, how she swayed in his arms like a sapling, strong yet pliable, yielding to his lead but always standing her own ground.

He snuck a glance at Rubie’s worried expression. Perhaps she really did love Victor. A nagging sense of guilt overcame him, but he quashed it like a bug. What difference did it make what she wanted? Neither of them had considered Belle’s feelings when they’d broken her heart.

He had promised Belle that he would do anything in his power to help her win back Victor. He owed her everything. She could have turned him over to the police for smuggling; she’d had ample opportunity. Instead, she’d helped him to get his vine so he could return to the countryside, buy his land, and make a great wine. Perhaps then, when he was worth something, he could find his way back to his boy.

As for Belle, her destiny was far away from the likes of him.

When she’d been dancing in his arms upstairs, the glow of a Mediterranean sunset reflected in her eyes, he had almost kissed those lush, rosebud lips. He’d nearly fallen to his knees and begged her to break it off with the spineless doctor for good, almost thrown her down on the nearby bed and made love to her until she’d screamed with such pleasure that she couldn’t remember the name Victor Whale. But now wasn’t the time to slake his lust and his ego. Belle had come so far to win back her fiancé. She wanted to marry Victor, longed for the security of a home and family. The right thing to do was to help her find happiness.

He could offer Belle no more than a passing dalliance that would end in certain heartbreak. Besides, his focus needed to be on his vineyard and his son.

Tonight, though, he would settle for getting drunk.

Victor Victor swallowed hard and loosened his tie, shifting in his chair. As an emergency room physician, he typically didn’t cave under pressure. But that was Doctor Whale, the professional. Cool, collected, measuredly compassionate. His personal life was another matter entirely.

He had been so nervous about the prospects of this dinner, the scene Belle might make, that he’d taken a sleeping pill this afternoon and passed out in the hotel room. Rubie was irritated with him when he woke up and rushed out the door—he was running late for dinner. Soothing her would have to wait until after he settled things with Belle.

Belle. They hadn’t been alone together since his drunken breakup call, and that didn’t technically count since he’d ended their engagement from 6,000 kilometers away. When they’d sat down at the cozy bistro table, he’d hardened his jaw, expecting her to wheedle and coerce him to come home. He’d been fully prepared to fake a medical emergency. Instead he found himself wanting to linger, to prolong their last meal together.

She shone in a blue dress with her hair swept off her neck, her collarbone glowing with diamonds. This sparkling, ethereal creature wasn’t his Belle. The Belle French he knew was reliable, dependable, practical. And safe.

Belle was, well…Belle. A woman he once loved. Or loves? He wasn’t sure what to feel anymore.

This vibrant, glorious version of her was completely disinterested in him, and he didn’t know what to think. Since she’d come to Cannes, she’d changed her style, her hair, everything. She was light, carefree, and happy.

Victor swallowed past the lump of regret lodged in his throat, trying to get her to meet his gaze. Did she have d’Or to thank for the sparkle in her eyes? He wished she would look at him, but she was studiously checking their belongings off on a laundry list of items. Always the librarian—prim and organized. At least that hadn’t changed.

“You’ll keep the bonsai. The lamp we bought in New York is mine. The books will be tough, though. Why don’t you just let me keep the books?” she asked, checking another box.

“Whatever you want,” he said. She could have everything, for all he cared. Dividing the details of their life into columns labeled ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ felt mercenary, and he started to sweat.

“Victor, are you all right?” She looked up from her list, her eyes narrowed. ”Your eye is twitching.”

“Can we not talk about this? It’s so depressing.”

“Well, it’s business.” She propped her elbows on the table and chewed on the end of her pen. “This is the business of breaking up. You know, if you can’t handle it, I can have a yard sale and wire you half the cash.”

“You must hate me.” He picked up a crust of bread, crumbling it in his fingers.

“No, I don’t.” She looked down at her checklist again.

“You don’t hate me?” he pressed.

“Well, I did, Victor, but now…no.” She smiled brightly.

He stiffened at the reminder. Now she had d’Or to help her forget.

“Belle…”

“What?”

“Nothing. I don’t know.” He sighed. “I just feel so guilty.”

“Don’t feel guilty.” She set down the clipboard, pinning him with earnest blue eyes. “Because then I’ll feel guilty that I made you feel guilty. And…” She stopped midsentence, shaking her head. “No, you know what? That was the old Belle. Go ahead and feel guilty. Swim in it, till your fingers get all wrinkly.”

He chuckled. “You’re amazing. You really are.” His focus shifted to the dance floor where couples were swaying to “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

Say "nighty night" and kiss me, Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me, While I'm alone and blue as can be, Dream a little dream of me.

Had she been missing him and dreaming of their life together, as the song suggested? If they were home in Toronto, they would order her favorite pizza with no cheese and spoon on the sofa, watching Seinfeld reruns until they fell asleep. They weren’t, though. They were here, in France - together, the way they should have been all along. Of course that was what Belle wanted. Why else was she here?

“I know you’re with Luc now, but what do you say to one last dance? For old times’ sake.” Reaching across the table, he grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Come on.” Rubie Rubie studied her companion openly, drawing her gaze down the long, tanned column of his throat. He was a handsome one, she thought, this Luc d’Or. Dark and charming, with a hint of sophistication. But he was a Frenchman, and that spelled trouble. All her worst relationships had been with other French guys. Still, she wouldn’t mind if he kissed her, or took her to bed.

Rubie tossed her head. Belle was probably digging her claws back into Victor as they spoke, and he, weak-willed man that he was, would allow it. Men were fragile, egotistical creatures.

“Tell me more about Belle. Are you two very happy together?” she prompted, trying not to sound too eager.

“Eh, we have a good time, you know.” His long fingers mimicked the motions of intercourse.

Rubie frowned. She hadn’t expected the little bookworm to be good at sex. “Sexual compatibility is important.”

“Oui.”

Rubie pressed her lips together, wishing Luc would be more forthcoming. She wanted to question him about Victor’s love life with Belle, but she didn’t want to look like a fool or to appear threatened. No, asking too much would be giving away too much. She busied herself with watching her engagement ring sparkle and reflect in the mirror as she waited for him to say something, anything.

In the glass, she saw a table with a view to the dining room open, and rose. “Let’s sit over there. The lighting is better,” she lied.

Luc shrugged again and moved to follow her. “As you wish.”

She made a show of crossing her legs as they settled at the new table with fresh drinks.

“Victor was obviously looking for something…more,” she observed, testing the waters. “Something Belle couldn’t give him, maybe?”

Luc rolled his eyes and blew out a loud breath.

“What? Have I offended you?” she asked wryly.

He barked a laugh, startling her. “Non. Je ne comprends pas. Help me understand. Why would a woman like you want him?” His gaze was appreciative as his eyes ran up and down her curves, warming her body and soothing the sting of Victor’s rejection. “You could have any man you set your sights on.”

“Do you think so?” she asked, giving him her best flirtatious smile.

“Plein de poisson, n’est pas?”

She laughed, delighted by Luc’s dry humor. Victor was never funny.

“Oui, many fish in the sea.” She shifted her chair closer, then put her hand on his knee, tapping lightly with her nails.

Luc downed another drink, his bleary eyes focused on the entrance to the dining room.

Ruby followed his sight line until she spied Victor, speaking animatedly with his former paramour. The smile he gave her was tender and loving, and their hands lay entwined in the center of the table, fingers laced together for all to see.  

Jealousy reared up, biter and ugly. Fine. If he could forget about her, she could forget about him. At least for a while. It was time to up the stakes.

“You invited me here tonight, Monsieur. And now that you have me here,” she squeezed his firm thigh, “what are you going to do with me?”

“I think you know,” he said, his eyes burning.

Whether it was lust or anger fueling that fire, she didn’t know and didn’t care. She licked her lips in invitation. “Why don’t we go upstairs to my room?”

Belle “Belle? Belle, look at me,” Victor said.

She studied the clipboard she’d borrowed from the hotel desk. She didn’t want to look at him; she wanted to keep checking off boxes. She just had to plow through this meeting and this list without overthinking.

Displaying a bravado she didn’t feel, she asked, “What do you think about the couch? Would it be madness to take a chainsaw and cut down the middle to make two, huge, overstuffed chairs?”

“Belle, seriously, enough with the division of property. Dance with me.” He rose and held out a hand, that boyish glint she’d always loved in his eyes.

Her stomach flipped over and she twisted her fingers in her napkin. This was the moment she’d been building toward for days—ever since she’d boarded that airplane. Now that it was here, and Victor was looking at her the way he used to, everything felt…strange. Pushing aside her doubts, she plastered a sunny smile on her face and accepted his hand. “Why not?”

They strolled to the dance floor like they had countless times before. On autopilot, she stepped into his arms and moved with him to the music the way they always did. Dancing with a familiar partner was like riding a bicycle around your block. Safe, comfortable, and one never forgot how.

He drew her closer, splaying a hand across her bare back. His voice husky, he murmured in her ear. “You seem so different. But the same. Like someone turned a light on inside you. Why wasn’t it me?”

Tears stung her eyes and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She was overwhelmed by the events of the past several days, and being in his arms was making her weepy. Yes, that had to be it.

The arm around her back pressed tighter, and he led her out to a quiet terrace that overlooked the sea.

“Belle, don’t cry. I’m sorry for everything. If only I’d brought you with me—insisted on you being in Paris by my side—none of this would have happened,” he crooned.

When he moved his lips over hers, she acquiesced. The kiss was friendly yet awkward, like meeting an old friend she’d lost touch with—ill-fitting, but after so many years invested, it seemed a waste to let it all go.

Now wasn’t the time to back away, not when victory was so close.

She closed her eyes tighter and kissed him again. But it was no use. She stepped back, breaking the kiss, and crossed her arms over her chest.

“None of this would have happened?” she echoed. “What do you mean by that?”

Victor looked at her, surprised confusion written across his once-dear features.

“Why wasn’t it you who turned on the light?” Belle asked in an angry whisper, choking on tears. “The bright shining Belle light that burns so bright now that you can’t resist dumping your new girlfriend for your old one!”

Belle studied him, waiting for a response. Sometime in the past few days, she had stopped fantasizing about Victor’s cool blue eyes and his straight, perfect nose. His image had melted away, replaced by shaggy brown hair, sardonic chocolate eyes, and an adorably crooked nose. Luc. He filled her thoughts, fueled her dreams. Nothing about the man standing in front of her was anything she wanted anymore.

“What are you talking about?” he sputtered. Didn’t you come here for me?”

She snorted. “Yesterday, all you wanted was Rubie.”

“Rubie is wonderful; exciting. And when I met her, I wasn’t thinking. Sometimes you don’t think. You just do what you’re feeling.”

“Go on.”

“Maybe I was afraid of where we were headed. I was afraid of getting married,” he explained, moving in for another kiss.

“Bullshit.” Belle ducked away.

“Bullshit?”

“That’s right, bullshit. You weren’t afraid of getting married to her!” Belle took a deep breath. “I shouldn’t have to chase you halfway around the world to make sure this ‘wouldn’t have happened’! Looking over your shoulder to make sure you’re not flinging up the skirts of every tart that happens by!

“You know, no matter what I might seem like tonight, it’s still the same old me from yesterday that you wake up with tomorrow. The same old me, who wants a home and a family, who wants to plant some seeds and see them grow.”

“Like a garden?”

She glared at him, then softened. A lot of aspects of this situation were Victor’s fault, but her blindness wasn’t one of them. “No…yes.” She wanted Luc. A life with him, his son. Whatever that looked like, whether it was a flat in Paris or a vineyard in Provence, she wanted to be with him.  

“There’s just one thing I don’t want anymore,” she said.

“Me.”

“It’s over, Victor. I’m sorry." She stepped out of his reach. "We walked the same path once, but somewhere along the way, we started wanting different lives.”

“I know,” he said, his nod sheepish. “You’re right.” He shoved his hands in his pockets.

“Goodbye, Victor. I hope you and Rubie will be happy together.” The farewell smile she offered was wistful, but she wasn’t sad. The only emotion she felt regarding Victor was relief. That, and a newfound confidence that she was making the right decision.

What a fool she had been. Victor, and the life she thought she wanted, was the whole reason she had forced herself to get on that plane. Pride had gotten in the way. She’d been so hell-bent on not losing him to another woman that she’d missed the fact that she’d fallen in love with another man. Now she realized the truth: while she had been chasing her past, fate had stepped in and guided her toward her future.

She only hoped it wasn’t too late to tell Luc that she loved him.

Belle hurried out of the dining room, weaving through the tables, desperate to get back to the scene of his rendezvous with Rubie. A few patrons dotted the bar, but Luc and Rubie were not among them. She scoured the lobby and the annexes, but Luc was nowhere to be found.

Had they left together?

Dread churned in her gut. All of her planning, scheming, and stubborn determination to win Victor back may have sent her true love catapulting into another woman’s arms.

Dashing tears from her eyes, she hurried back to the room she was sharing with Luc, but it, too, was cold and vacant. She thought about seeking out Ariel for comfort, but she couldn’t bear to hear any more I-told-you-sos.

Collapsing on the bed, she stared at the ceiling, waiting for Luc’s return, until she fell into an exhausted, fitful sleep.

###

Up Next:  The morning after, and Belle and Victor head to Cartier to sell the diamonds.