#Shanghai Airport Taxi

[kidvoodoo]

Jeest Mafia AU, snippet under the cut 💚💙

Joost tried not to make eye contact with anyone at the airport, though the stares he received at his battered face were inevitable. How many tall, blond, bandaged, bruised and bloody men were in a hurried rush to the terminal? Odds say: not many.

‘Not that I should be thinking about odds right now’ chided his conscience, ‘that’s how I got into this mess in the first place…’

His pace didn’t falter despite the looks from the other passengers lining up in their respective lines. All of them with bags and luggage alike underarm or trailing behind them, his own, suspiciously absent.

No time to pack, clothes on his back, phone, wallet and a little vial of two small white pills. Security checkpoint nearly put an end to those, but a desperate, puppy-eyed look and his disheveled state made the officer roll her eyes and wave him through, for all she knew, or anyone knew, it was aspirin.

‘Fix more than a headache’ his inner thoughts sneered, ‘steady on Joost, for emergencies only’.

He kept his eyes on the gate numbers, briefly glancing at the destinations. Cabo, Shanghai, Johannesburg, each a far flung place he could have potentially laid low in for months, relax on some resort beach or in a high class penthouse…

But that’s not where he’s headed.

He spies the glowing gate number, the destination? Helsinki, Finland. He got the ticket the same day he got the phone call telling him to leave as fast as possible, his usually calm and monotone source had an edge of panic to their voice, Joost trashed the burner after that and shredded the last of his books and burned them. He left his apartment as the ashes were still smoldering.

Finland eh? The only clue of what was happening next was the note in the ticket envelope, hurried scrawling in broken Dutch gave him simple instructions:

Taxi to the airport, pay in cash. Get on the plane. Make sure you are in the camera view the whole time, locate the Air Marshal and watch him. Once you are off the plane, head to the pick up zone in the parking lot and look for the black limo. Tap on the driver’s side window and give the password.

“Here for Tommy’s boy” he mutters under his breath. The magic words that’ll guarantee his safety and freedom, or will land him a bullet between the brows…

Better than the alternative.

He’s on time for the early boarding and hands the Steward his ticket, eyeing the Air Marshal at the doors to the plane’s walkway. He’s given a smile and some well wishes for his flight and finally, for the first time in several days, he feels a little sliver of calm wash over him.

‘Can’t cut me up on the plane you fuckers’

He finds his seat, window view and close to the front of the plane and plops down, the ache in his joints and back starting to flare up since the adrenaline begins to wear off.

Finland…he’s uncertain exactly what is waiting for him there, he regrets not grabbing a translation booklet at the terminal kiosk but there was simply no time. His new phone is IP hidden for the time being till he can get a VPN to bounce his signal, so no using Google’s underwhelming translation system…

He thinks back to a conversation he overheard at a conference last year. The big guys were all there, each of them with a meaty bodyguard in tow and a pistol or two brandished in plain sight.

He was there on happenstance, just finishing up the numbers to hand to his boss for the last fiscal year when his curiosity got the best of him.

“Baltic’s are at it again,” his boss sneers, tapping his cigar onto the floor, “think they’ll hide behind the Nordic cunts so they don’t have to play anymore”.

“Hm.” Another well dressed older man hums in response. He’s the police liaison, a former Captain who’s been working with the mob for 40 years. “Not much to be done about it Albert, the Fins have the advantage now, I hear they’ve even brought Estonia into the fold now.”

Albert snorts, getting to his feet and giving a couple other well-dressed people a farewell wave.

“Cuz of that little shit,” he grumbles, motioning his bodyguard to get a move on. “What’s his name? Kät-something? The Union fucker.”

“Käärijä,” the former Police Captain supplies, “his Union is very bold for an upstart, cutting off the trade in the Baltic’s disrupts everything. Heard he’s in talks of making a deal with the Norwegians as well. That’s the case? Say goodbye to the big money”.

Joost tried to linger as long as possible to catch the last bit of conversation, tucking himself against the wall and listening close.

“Damn idiot, Norway doesn’t play with the new players, even if the young lady is supposedly running things over there now. He’s a fucking lunatic to think the Baltic’s will stay loyal, he’ll be done by the end of the year, mark my words-“

A dinging noise jolts him awake from his daze, the Flight Attendants are doing their safety check. The doors to the plane are closed and for the first time in weeks, months even, Joost’s tense shoulders drop with exhaustion.

He is safe. For now.

<><><>

Roughly three hours later, he startles awake.

The voice over the intercom of the plane cabin announces in several languages that they have arrived at Helsinki Airport and will begin the landing process momentarily.

He spares a glance around the cabin out of paranoia, nothing out of the ordinary and no unwanted eyes in his direction.

Twenty minutes later and he’s heading out of the plane and into the airport terminal. The weather outside is gray and snowy, the sky a mass of colorless clouds and the sun choked somewhere behind. He shivers just looking at the weather, his cheap suit jacket will definitely not suffice.

He heads down the walkways and tried not to get too overwhelmed with the directions, mostly in Finnish but thankfully also in English.

He’s only a hundred feet from the parking lot when he feels eyes on his back. He tries subtly to peak behind and catch if he’s being followed.

Two men, both in dark blue suits and expensive leather shoes, each sporting a grim, intense expression. They have their hands in their pockets.

Joost picks up his pace, eyes focused on the automatic doors that swing open and shut.

He can hear them closing behind him, their shoes loud against the tiles. He starts to jog.

He doesn’t stop to apologize to the people he pushes past to get out of the door, ignoring the scowls and curses thrown his way. His heart is hammering in his chest, he has but a minute to locate the car before he’s dragged off and butchered in a dark corner…

A car horn blares loudly as he flinches and freezes, he had walked right out in front of a pair of high beams, his eyes don’t have time to adjust as he hurriedly runs around to look.

Black limousine, tinted windows with triple thick bulletproof glass and chrome trimming. The driver’s side window rolls down, a bald man with sunglasses and a mustache regards him blankly.

“P-please,” he stammers, eyes catching the two suited men finally breaching the threshold. “I-I’m being followed-“

“What is phrase?” The driver interrupts, not at all phased by the situation in the slightest.

“Th-the wha-oh yes yes, it’s uh…” he swallows takes a breath and speaks the words softly enough for the man to hear him.

“I’m here for Tommy’s boy.”

The door at the back of the limo clicks open, beckoning him inside.

He all but dives into the car and slams the door shut just as the two men make a dash towards the vehicle, only to stop dead in their tracks mere feet away.

Joost doesn’t have the time to take in his surroundings as he sees what has halted his stalkers. In the split second before the limo peels out with a loud screeching of tires, the window on the opposite side is down just enough to see the startled and blanched faces of the two men, who find themselves held in place by a man aiming a 45 caliber handgun at them.

Were it to fire at point blank range, one of the two men would have nearly had his torso blown open. More than a lethal shot, truly overkill at that point.

The car peels out of the lot and before he knows it, Joost is tossed back into he seat as the limo put some speedy distance between him and the danger.

A loud curse and sound of a window being rolled up. Joost finally levels his eyes behind his cracked glasses to see his savior.

Sitting across from him now with the gun held loosely in his grip is a dark haired man with pale skin. He sports a blunted bowl cut and his facial hair is trimmed and tidy. He wears a long black coat with a layered polo necked jumper and a couple silver chains around his neck. The jewelry matches his pierced ears and nose rings, the whole of his attire is expensive and modern looking.

Joost is drawn into the man’s piercing eyes, blue like his own but with an edge of silver steel, made more intimidating and entrancing by the heavy makeup that lines them.

The man is staring at him, Joost’s palms immediately start to sweat.

“I uh,”

“You are the Dutchman we take in?” The man interrupts, his voice has an hint of annoyance, Joost nods politely and holds out his hand to shake.

“Yes, I mean to say, thank you,” he tries to muster a charming smile but finds himself pinned under the man’s gaze like a deer being watched through a hunter’s scope.

“I’m sure this is a bit of trouble for you-“

“Trouble? I say it is bigger trouble for you and not me. You need a drink yes? I have gin and brandy here.” The man all but ignores whatever Joost was trying to say and busies himself with pouring a drink from a side bar containing glasses and some bottles. “Brandy since the gin is warm, I not have a lot of time to get it ready.”

Joost wants to say something, anything to this stranger but finds himself at an utter loss for words. The man looks at him expectantly, pushing the glass of amber liquor into his hands.

“There you drink that, feel better afterwards. You say you looking for Tommy’s boy? That is what he tell you to say? He think he is funny man, he gonna have to explain to me…” the man trails off, eyes now scanning and taking in Joost’s disheveled appearance. “You have injury? I have some bandage here and some other things uh,” the man stops and searches for a word. “you know, doctor supplies?”

“First aid kit?” Joost supplies.

“Ah yes yes! That is it,” the man grins and digs around a bit before huffing in annoyance and opening the little sliding window to the driver’s compartment. He asks for something in Finnish and the bald man replies. Information gathered, he opens a compartment and fishes out a nondescript black case.

“Okei here it is. Let me see your hand, you have blood on your palm.” He does? Joost was in such a mad dash to get away from the goons who had jumped him back in the Netherlands he didn’t have time to take stock of his injuries. He holds out his hand timidly and the man yanks it none too gently to inspect.

“No stitches I think,” he hums, grabbing supplies to clean and patch the gash on Joost’s palm.

The man’s grip is firm and steady, there is warm radiating from beneath the leather gloves he wears.

“You are Mr. Klein eh?” The man says absentmindedly as he cleans the wound. “I hear you screw your boss out two million euros, not bad.” The man smirks, eyes flickering up to Joost’s face. “I like someone who disrupts the status quo. When Tommy say you in trouble, I had to do something about it. Would be a waste for you ending up in concrete.”

Joost cringes a little at the mention of his dilemma, taking a long gulp of his drink and reveling in the burn.

“I don’t know about disruption, I just did what I thought was right is all. Didn’t think it would go this far…” he wishes he could be more proud, he did take a chunk of money from the hands of the worst men in Europe. Now, he’s a marked man, possibly forever.

The dark haired man seems to sense his discomfort and finishes dressing his hand, grabbing a gauze patch and passing it over.

“What is done is done, you think it is bad thing now, but you make a big move, and now you have a big advantage for the war that is coming.”

Joost finishes placing the gauze over the gash on his cheek, looking at the man puzzlingly.

“What war? And what advantage are you talking about?”

The man leans back against his seat and smiles, his sharp canines peak over his lips and his expression is one of amusement and vicious excitement.

“The war between the Union and the Old Men, tear down their ruined kingdom and make our own. The advantage? That’s easy,”

The man chuckles darkly.

“You have Käärijä in your corner now.”

[kendallroydefender]

Somewhere only we know - Chapter 13 (Kendall Roy x Reader)

Masterlist

Series summary: You met Kendall when you were six years old. You have spent every summer together and now years later you and him are still just as close. This story follows Kendall and his best friend through their lives. Will they realize their feelings for each other before it’s too late?

Chapter summary: While the Roys are at their mothers wedding you get a phone call that is turning your world upside down. Following the events he makes a decision that could change his life for the better and yours too.

Authors Notes: We’re so so close to an confession!! I hope you like this chapter! Much love to everyone who’s still keeping up with the story! 🤍

Wordcount: 3.1K

You hear you’re phone ring. The caller ID says Connor wich makes you furrow your brows. Why would Connor call you from Caroline’s wedding? You accept the call, with a weird feeling spreading in your stomach, remembering last time you got a call from a Roy family member that wasn’t Kendall while they were out of the country.

”Hello?“ You ask slightly wary. He says your name in a somber tone before telling you ”Something happened.“ You take a deep breath the dark feeling starting to grow.

”It’s about Kendall. There was an accident and he, yeah, he almost drowned.“ He says and your breathing stops

”He fell off a pool float, he was drunk. We don’t know if it was an accident or..“ Tears gather in your eyes ”Is he..?“ You ask even if you’re afraid of the answer of how bad it is. If he died you don’t know how you would cope. ”He is stable, they’re keeping him til tomorrow.“ You close your eyes and exhale a shaky breath ”Can you send me the name of the hospital? I will be there as soon as possible.“ You ask him. ”Y/n you don’t have to-“

”No. Con, I need to.“

He mumbles an okay and take care, you tell him you’ll be in contact with him and if there’s any news about Kendall he should call or text you.

While organizing a jet you get a suitcase out and throw in anything you can catch. It feels like you’re almost in some kind of trance, you’re almost too calm. In less than 15 minutes you are out of your apartment and on the way to the airport.

You board your families jet, Connor has send you the name and address of the hospital Kendall was admitted to. You have also texted with Jess and Roman. You haven’t contacted Kendall himself, maybe you’re scared he will tell you not to come and because he was still not awake when Connor called you. You aren’t even sure if he knows that you’ve been told about what happened.

You know you should use the next hours to sleep but how are you supposed to when you don’t know what happened to your best friend, the man who you are in love with. You open your phone and go to the folder with all the pictures you have of him. There are funny ones of the two of you together and others where you attended galas and dinners together. You stop when you reach one where Kendall is sleeping. He looks so peaceful and carefree. You’ve taken it a year ago when he fell asleep on your couch while watching some movie. You wonder when it all went so wrong, you remember when he carried you all the way home on his back to your parents summer house after you cut your foot at the beach. Or when he rapped along to his new favorite song on your dorm bed. The way you two danced through the night in Shanghai’s clubs. All these memories rush through your head and you can’t stop yourself from crying.

You arrive at the hospital after an exhausting 10 hour flight and a taxi ride. You had slept for about an hour before waking again, too anxious to drift off again. You knew Kendall wasn’t doing well but you hadn’t thought it was this bad. You feel like you should have noticed how bad he was doing.

You ask to see Kendall but you really haven’t thought this through because you’re met with an ”I’m sorry signora, we can’t let unauthorized people to him. Only family.“ you nod, turning around contemplating what to do. Connor told you they weren’t going to the hospital but will see him after he’s released. You see Comfry on her phone. Jackpot.

You walk over to the blonde woman who smiles at you and gives a little wave. After she hangs up, she brings you to Kendall’s room. She stops outside to tell you about what happened, when and how he was found, that he’s mostly fine now but they kept him overnight to be sure.

You open the door to his room, he is resting on the bed, awake and looking out of the window. ”Kenny.“ you get out before tears come to your eyes. His head snaps towards you fast, he’s shocked to see you here. Who told you? Why did you come? It reminds him of the press conference where you appeared seemingly out of nowhere. He knows it was Roman who told you what was going on but still it feels like you always know when he needs you most by his side.

He says you name and you walk towards his bed, crushing him in a hug. He strokes your hair and after minutes you let him go. ”Sorry, sorry.“ you say wiping your tears. ”It’s okay, please don’t cry.“ he tells you cupping the side of your face. ”You shouldn’t have come, nothing happend. I’m fine, really.“ Kendall tells you to wich you shake your head. ”Kendall. No - of course.“ you tell him. Did he really thought you wouldn’t come after you heard what happened? ”Connor called me and I knew I had to get here. I just needed to see you.“

You don’t pry him about the situation knowing he will talk to you on his own terms. You just lay with him on the hospital bed. Pressing kisses onto his shaven head. ”My Dad- Uh, he won’t let me leave.“ Kendall says to you in a low distant sounding voice. ”What?“ you ask confused, since you’ve read the birthday card where he offered it. ”We had dinner yesterday. I wanted out but he- yeah, he said no.“ Kendall answers you and you feel like you swallowed a hot stone, you’re so mad at his father. Logan’s constant psychological abuse of his children. ”God. Kenny.“ is all you get out and just from that the man knows you’re mad. ”It’s okay.“ he assures you and you turn so you face him. ”No it’s really not. God i hate him so much.“ you can’t help yourself ”I’m so sorry Kendall. You don’t deserve being treated like that. You deserve so, so much better.“ he feels tears well up and he blinks fast, tries to swallow all these feelings again.

Instead he asks you if you’ll come with him to his mothers wedding and of course you say yes.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Comfry comes into the room a few hours later with one of the doctors, Kendall is being released. A car is already waiting outside.

You arrive at the house his family has rented. You catch Sophies eyes and give her a small wave and a smile. She smiles back, happy to see you. You eye Logan warily who sits next to the kids. Suddenly acting like a grandfather, you fight the urge to scoff. He looks at you but you avert your eyes quickly, turning toward the siblings who sit around a table playing monopoly. They make some jokes about Kendall’s accident slash attempt and you roll your eyes, wich Connor catches. But you don’t care, you’re here for Kendall. Connor sounded worried yesterday when he called you, you don’t understand how they can act like that now, not even a day later.

”Kids! Come on we’re leaving!“ Kendall shouts and you wrap your arm around Iverson. ”What are you doing here?“ Sophie asks with a mischievous grin. She’s not opposed to you and her father dating. She was old enough when her parents divorced to know it was better that way, she heard them fighting. Iverson took the break up harder and you can’t blame him. ”What? can’t I just go to the wedding of my best friend mother?“ you say to her jokingly.

”But you weren’t here yesterday?“ Iverson asks ”Y/n had a work thing she had to attend, that’s why she’s late.“ Kendall says quickly. He loves how well you get along with his kids, even if that means having Sophie asking him questions about you two later.

While Kendall is off to a meeting with his siblings, wich unbeknownst to you is an intervention, you and Comfry go to find you a dress to wear for the festivities. You have grown to like the woman even though your relationship with her is definitely not as deep as yours and Jess.

You buy a dress that fits you perfectly and is fitting for Carolines wedding.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••

You attend the wedding alongside Kendall. You give your congrats to Caroline and her soon to be husband, who’s name you already forgot. You’re sitting with Willa and Connor. Kendall wanted you to sit with him at the family table but you assured him you’re fine. He argued that you would be his plus one for this event but you declined. Your eyes find each other’s during the speeches multiple times, sending small smiles across the lawn.

When the eating part is over you and Kendall stay close to each other, holding hands the entire time, his arm around you. It just feels natural and you both just want to keep physical contact after everything that had happened who wouldn’t try to seek some comfort.

Maybe it’s the fact that he could have died but you just need him close to you, to feel that he’s alive. And he feels the same, he doesn’t want to get away from you. He doesn’t care about all the guest around, not really keen on striking up a conversation with anyone that isn’t his best friend.

You’re leaning into his shoulder while he smokes when Shiv and Roman come and ask to talk to him. He shrugs and tells them that he’s not interested but they are consistent and it seems like it’s urgent, so he relents and excuses himself from you for a moment. He kisses the side of your head goodbye and you hear Shiv ask ”So what? Are you together now?“ as they walk away.

The next time you’re hearing from Kendall is while you’re with Connor and he tells you about his upcoming campaign when you get an incoming call from Kendall. You excuse yourself for a moment and walk a bit away from the other guests before you answer the call. ”Y/n! We had to leave the party. We’re going to kill dad.“ he says and you furrow your brows ”Metaphorically speaking of course.“ he adds ”Wait- what? Who?“ you stammer, still confused on what is going on ”Me and the sibs.“ then he explains their plan before telling you, you can’t tell anyone about this but you wouldn’t anyway. Before hanging up he promises to call you as soon as he can and you promise him to stay with his kids until then. You stay at the ceremony, sitting with his children, you talk to Willa about her engagement and Connor reminisce about your childhood. You dance with Sophie and Iverson and briefly talk to Greg who tells you about his Comfry / Duchess dilemma and you laugh at his words. ”Nooo Greg, you can’t treat Comfry like that. She’s so nice to you“ you tell him honestly.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

”How did killing Logan went?“ you ask once Kendall comes back into the house he’s staying in. It’s late and Sophie and Iverson are already in bed. You had texted Rava earlier that you had taken the kids back to the house. You knew she was feeling better if you looked after them then when Logan did, after all he had hit iverson before. She had called to talk to the kids and you had spoken to her afterwards.

You’re sitting on the couch, skipping through the tv channels when he comes back. You glance at him as he steps into the living room and you can tell it didn’t went down smoothly. ”Tom fucked us.“ he says and your eyebrows shoot up „Are you serious?“ he sits down next to you, his head leaning back against the cushion, staring at the ceiling ”Yeah he told him about our plan.“ you would have not thought Tom would go like this against his wife. ”But the sibs and me, we’re gonna do our thing. Without dad.“ he tells you before saying ��I told them about uh, Shivs wedding.“ you know instantly what he’s referring to.

”It’s funny, Roman said the same thing you did.“ he says and you turn, so that you’re facing him ”It’s the truth Ken. It was an accident.“ you say and he looks at you, nodding a little, it’s really faint and you could have easily missed it.

”Are you hungry? The chefs already left but I got some leftovers in the fridge for you.“ he thinks then that he doesn’t deserve how much you care about him. You flew here as soon as you heard about what happened to him and now you make sure he eats. He loves you. More than a friend and he has known this for some months now. Your love is the purest most unconditional kind of love he has ever been given and he knows he needs you in his life, you make him a real person. You don’t see him as an extension of his Dad, or some famous douchebag, a Roy. You don’t see him as a killer. You see him. Kenny. Kendall. And he thinks he would like to come home to you every day. He wouldn’t dread his apartment anymore. Maybe it’s the fact that he could have died that day but he feels like he needs to get better and to confess his feelings to you finally. He can’t let this chance you two have go away again. Not if it could be everything he wanted for a long time.

"Thank you.“ he says then and you know that he’s not only talking about leftovers. "No need to, Kendall.“ you scratch his buzzed head. "I appreciate it, really. It uh it means a lot.“ he says and you answer him "Well you mean a lot to me.“ and he can’t help the smile forming on his lips. While you put the food into the microwave Kendall goes to say goodnight to his Kids. He eats on the couch next to you and after you watch some tv show you go to sleep. There are like thousand rooms in this house but it’s not a question that you are sharing a bed.

You’re laying on your side and Kendall rests on his back when he starts speaking

”I know things are difficult right now, uh with me and I know im putting a lot on you too.“ Kendall admits and you know this is hard for him. ”Its okay, Kendall. I know you’re going through some things at the moment and that’s not your fault.“ you tell him before adding

”And you don’t need to apologize, its beyond your control and of course im there for you. Like you’ve been with me when I was going through hard times.“

”Yeah but I feel like its my fault with the-“ he clears his throat ”With my relapse.“ He finally says and you swallow. Its progress that he can admit that he’s struggling again instead of telling you its fine.

”I feel like, I- I- am maybe at my breaking point.“

He turns on his side, facing you now.

”I think I need to, I need to get better. For my siblings. For you.“ you take his hand in yours ”For me, uh for me too.“ he says at last

”I think that’s a good plan, Ken.“

You whisper "I love you.“ as he drifts off to sleep and he lets himself feel a shimmer of hope that everything could get better.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

You flip through the papers Jess had dropped off at Kendall’s earlier. They’re rehab facilities he could go to. Its a few days later and you’re glad he’s still planning to go.

”Do you already know wich one you’re going to?“ you ask

”I think the one in Denmark sounds good. It has an eight week programm.“ he answers and you flip to the clinic he meant.

Reading over the text it does sound nice and the pictures look good too.

”When will you go?“

���They have a spot in two days open.“ you nod

”Do you want me to come with you?“

”To Denmark? You don��t have to.“

You give him a smile ”Yeah, but that’s not what I’ve asked.“

He takes a breath looking at you sincerely

”Of course I would like you to come but I, uh, I can’t let you do that. You’ve already done so much for me.“

You shrug now

”When does the jet leave?“

••••••••••••••••••••••••

He takes his shirt you’ve worn the night before with him. It smells like you and he needs something that reminds him of you. He doesn’t tell you, but you’ve seen him put it in the suitcase. But you don’t care, you kept one of his too and there are still multiple ones around your apartment. And two months is a long time for you two to be apart.

”What happens to us if I go now?“ he asks when you’re in bed that night. His fingers drawing shapes onto your arm.

”We’ll have all the time in the world when you come back. But now you need to focus on yourself.“ you tell him cupping his face. It’s the truth but it’s also a promise. You are aware that whatever is going on between you isn’t purely platonic anymore and more than just a crush now. It’s seems like it’s always on the brink of spilling over. You hope that you can talk about it once he returns, but he needs to be clean for that so you can be sure it’s what he really wants.

”I’ll be right here.“ another promise, he won’t come back to find you in a relationship.

You’ve waited such a long time these few months won’t matter.

”I’ll be back soon.“ he says

”Take as much time as you need.“

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

There are a few photographers and you’re glad for the darkened windows of the car. You arrived In Denmark yesterday evening and spent last night in a shared hotel room.

His hand is still in yours. Since it’s a private clinic with high privacy values you’re being driven through big gates that close behind you. You give him a long hug

”I’m really proud of you.“

He holds you a little tighter.

”I love you.“ he answers

”I love you too, Kenny. So much.“

”Thank you. For, uh for everything.“

”Always.“

You sit for a few more minutes holding each other before he knows it’s time to leave. He releases his arms from around you

”Goodbye Kendall.“

”Goodbye Y/n.“ he tells you and you press a lingering kiss to his cheek.

[lizhengcn]

Gay trip in Caucasus countries

Georgia & Armenia, the Caucasus gay trip

Tbilisi, Georgia

For some personal reasons, I flied to Tbilisi from Shanghai on Mar. 10.

When I arrived at the immigration center of Georgia, the staff checked my passport more than 15 minutes than other passengers. I assumed that my photo on the new passport looks like an international the wanted offender.

I was allowed to enter Georgia after 20 minutes' passport check.

The airport pickup driver I booked online seemed impatient and didn't help me to unload my luggage when we arrived at my hotel.

The next evening I went to a chic restaurant called HOLY which is located in a chic area near their city center metro station Rustaveli.

Many local young chic people like hanging out here. If you'd like to see beautiful young local here is a good place to go.

I ordered a salad and main dish, with a bottled juice cost me 72 lari.

After the dinner, I went to 2 gay bars searched from Google. One is SUCCESS bar which is too small for me, I stayed there for 3 minutes and left. The other is called Cafe Gallery, they charged me 20 lari for ticket and it's around 1 am, only few guys came and I left at 1:30 pm.

So the first Saturday night in Tbilisi was boring except that I saw a guard guy in the next-door bar who is cute as hell.

Before I came to Tbilisi, I met a guy Ivan online who owns a real estate website in Georgia. We talked a lot through WhatsApp and I promised to treat him a dinner when I came to Georgia for his kindness of telling me so much useful info about Georgia.

The next day we met at a nice old-fashioned restaurant called Margalita which Ivan reserved. Ivan was born in Ukraine with a Portugal nationality. During the lunch, I found Ivan is a very nice guy with a warm heart. He tried to pay the bill but I insisted and he tipped the waiter when we left.

After lunch, Ivan suggested he'd show me around some nice places of Tbilisi. We went to the Stamba hotel bookstore, vake park, turtle lake on a mountain.

When we finished the day-trip, Ivan booked a taxi for me to my hotel.

I saw a basketball court near my hotel, so when I finished dinner I went to the court to play basketball with the local boys.

The boys on the court were so friendly and passionate to me. Everyone shook hands with me even they didn't speak English much.

There is a boy aged 20-30s who plays basketball so well with beautiful movements and is my dream type. He was so kind to pass the balls to me but I didn't play well that evening. The next day I brought him a bottle of water.

Ivan invited me to a local band live concert at cafe 1890 in the second Friday evening since my arrival.

During the concert I suggested we should go to a popular gay bar that I heard from a guy on Grindr. Ivan, his wife Olga and his employee Vlad and I went to the gay bar UNHOLY which was called BAR34 before.

We were a bit early and there were few guys in the bar. Best time is from 12am-3am at weekend nights.

When we were seated in a sofa, a white boy sat next to me. His name is Andrew and he's from Noway and in his master course in Greece.

We did have a great time there especially that Olga enjoyed dancing with me at the dance floor.

The next morning Andrew sent an e-mail to me saying "Did you suck my cock at the darkroom?".

What the fuck? I even didn't notice there was a darkroom for sex in the bar.

Andrew told me in another e-mail saying, you can suck 10 cocks in 30 minutes in the darkroom. Last night he sucked one cock and other 3 cocks nearby cum to his mouth, meanwhile he cum to a guy's mouth and face.

Maybe Andrew was there only for fun, not like me. I came to the bar to look for a boyfriend.

Apr. 4th, the weather was perfect, I felt so good in the morning and just wanna go out to chill.

My plan was to visit the gay friendly sulfur bathhouse called QUEEN bath. When I arrived at the bath address I found a cozy restaurant nearby. I decided to have a lunch and then I could stay in the bath for a whole afternoon.

I received a message from Grindr when I finished my lunch. The guy named George (80% Georgian boys called George) sent me both his face and nude pictures which I liked a lot. I invited him to join me to go the QUEEN bath together and he said he'll come in 30 mins.

George showed up after 30 mins and we came to the bathhouse together. I bought 2 tickets for us, the facility of the bathhouse is simple and crude but the sulfur spring is the same as the luxury baths nearby.

After the shower and 10 mins bath in the sulfur pool we went into the sauna together.

George has a hairy body and a beautiful cock.

I touched his cock and unwrapped his foreskin, his pink and beautiful glans showed up. My hands was shaking and my cock was hard as rock with the prostatic fluid coming out from my penis.

Yerevan, Armenia

Apr. 17 was a big day in my caucasus trip. A guy named Jack tapped me on Grindr and I tapped back. After a while he sent his nudes and it made me horny. I spent 2 hours walking and enjoying the street singers' performances on the North Avenue which is the most popular street in Yerevan. I tipped 15 dollars to each singer which are my favorites.

When I was back to my hotel I felt so horny because I hadn't wanked more than 3 weeks. I sent a message to Jack asking him if he'd like to be fucked. He said yes because his roommate wasn't home.

I took a taxi and arrived at his apartment within 15 minutes.

Jack opened the door and his cat Furla came to the door to welcome me. Jack is cute with a fit hairy body and seemed very sweet.

I was seated in the sofa and Furla jumped onto my legs. My cock had been hard since I came into Jack's apartment.

Before I tried to touch Jack's hairy arms, Jack kissed me while Furla was playing with us.

Jack led me to his bedroom and the light was soft. The atmosphere was sexy and romantic.

Jack took my tops off and I took off my pants, letting my hard penis out.

Jack kneeled down on his knees and began to suck my cock. His sucking was so comfortable and soft which I enjoyed very much. I touched his hair and his shoulders during his sucking.

Then we went to the bed, we cuddled and kissed each other. I was sucking his big cock and touching his beautiful hairy body and rimming his ass. He turned his pose from lying to a doggy style so that I could rim his ass more comfortably.

He passed me a condom and I wore it. Jack sat his ass on my hard cock and twisted his body on mine. It was amazing.

With Jack's body up and down on my cock, he cum onto my belly and moved his ass from my cock.

Then he lay in my arms, rimming my nipples, I masturbated to cum.

(to be continued)

#Georgia gay life#Tbilisi gay bar#Tbilisi gay sauna#Armenia gay life#Grindr hook up#Tbilisi gay bath#gay#gay travel#gay turist

Blaze

1 note

[danmeiljie]

Advance Bravely Vampire AU Part 7!

Follow the tag "advance bravely... fanfic?!" For previous parts of this fic!

This one is extra long (4,625 words) and upgraded from Teen Rating to Explicit. You will need an ao3 account to read my E fics! Readers beware. (CW: blood drinking, blood play, explicit sex) Read it HERE!

Preview:

Yuan Zong did not necessarily need the binoculars to see it was Xia Yao moving within his father's apartment in Shanghai, but the magnification afforded him a clear view of his face. It still arrested him to behold his beauty. Perched on the rooftop in a building across the busy street, Yuan Zong was partially hidden behind a large sign, which blocked most of the wind at his high elevation.

Yuan Zong did not waste time after listening in on Yuan Ru's conversation with her sire. Normally she was very cautious about her communications with him. All Yuan Zong ever knew was she would retreat to have privacy whenever he called. She only had him in her phone contacts as "Daddy". It disturbed Yuan Zong that she didn't at least call him "Uncle" or "Mister" and it made him wonder at their relationship. He knew not all vampire sire/childe bonds were sexual or romantic in nature, though they often were. He understood why Yuan Ru had turned him, and he certainly felt the urge to make Xia Yao his own a number of times. At the heart of it, choosing someone to make like yourself, to bind them to you in a dark way, was an answer to loneliness. The great expanse of forever loomed over many of their kind. And these bonds were not always good. In fact most of them were rather toxic.

Yuan Zong had slipped from his sister's room while she celebrated gaining permission to turn Xia Yao, his blood stirring anxiously in his body as he willed it to move faster than he ever moved before. He had to get to Shanghai before she did. The news of Xia Yao's father being the identity of her sire had confused and shocked Yuan Zong, but he did not have the luxury to think about it long. He had grabbed a few essentials from their apartment and booked himself an expensive last minute early morning flight out of Beijing. 

For the entirety of the day Yuan Zong fought persistently against the great fatigue that attacks all vampires when the sun rises. Luckily it was not an uncommon sight to be a sleeping passenger on a plane, though he scared the steward when he struggled to rouse him upon landing in Shanghai. Another steward was getting ready to bring a defibrillator over and revive the sick passenger, when Yuan Zong startled the small crowd around his lifeless body with a shuddering gasp and apologies.

He went from airport to taxi, wincing in the sunlight, to an underground garage utility closet to spend the rest of the day in hiding. When the remainder of his blood stirred him to life once more after sunset, he was exhausted, but determined to find Xia Yao and set out immediately. He had drunk enough of the young man's virile blood over the weeks they had been getting together that he had a sense of where to go, letting his instinct as a hunter guide him. His strong supernatural body had allowed him to scale the wall of a building and leap across alleyways, making his movements above the busy city largely unnoticed.

'Xia Yao… I'm coming…'

Yuan Zong brought the binoculars to his face again, and saw Xia Yao walking around without a shirt, a towel in hand. His skin and hair glistened as if still wet from a shower and it made Yuan Zong hunger to touch and taste him again. Yuan Zong was no stranger to sneaking about - it was a skill required for his lifestyle - but he often lured prey to him. He was not accustomed to breaking into people's homes, never mind a high security apartment building that Xia Yao's father resided in. He was calmed momentarily to be able to actually see Xia Yao, even though he was fairly far away. He took out his phone and decided to try and call him. While Yuan Zong was persistent in his pursuit of Xia Yao, he always respected any clearly stated boundaries. Xia Yao had told him to leave him alone. Yet Yuan Zong figured his sister trying to collude with his vampire father into killing him was reason enough to break the silence.

Yuan Zong watched through the binoculars as Xia Yao looked at his phone from the couch and canceled the incoming call. Growling to himself Yuan Zong called again. Xia Yao pouted at his phone, and hesitated, as if he was deciding whether to answer or not. He watched him raise the phone to his ear.

"What do you want, eh?" Xia Yao's defiant tone of voice was very reassuring to Yuan Zong and he bit back the rebuke that wanted to come forth.

"Xia Yao. Listen to me. This is very important. Yuan Ru knows where you are and is coming tonight to force you to be with her. You are in danger." Yuan Zong strove to be calm but firm, urging Xia Yao to action. "You need to leave your father's apartment now. I can protect you and take you wherever you want to go, but you can't stay here."

"Shit! How did she find out? And what do you mean 'here'? Are you in Shanghai?" Yuan Zong watched Xia Yao gesture angrily from his high vantage point.

Yuan Zong debated about how much to reveal, "I am nearby, ready to help you. I overheard Yuan Ru making plans. You need to get out."

"Fuck me!" Xia Yao swore. He darted across the apartment disappearing from view down a hallway, but Yuan Zong could hear him breathing as he moved around. "Where should I meet you?"

"Outside your father's apartment building." Yuan Zong was greatly relieved that Xia Yao was listening to him.

"How did you– I'm coming down!" Xia Yao hung up and Yuan Zong sprung into action. He grabbed his backpack and went to the backside of the building that had a fire escape most of the way down, and he flew down the old stairs. At one point he thought they would break free from the brick, but they held on, creaking as he went. He managed to get across the street just in time to see Xia Yao coming out of the front glass doors.

"Xia Yao." Yuan Zong was drawn to him immediately and couldn't help but take him into his arms and breathe in his scent deeply. Xia Yao struggled against his chest and broke free, shoving hard. He straightened his jacket and looked around nervously as passerbys glanced in their direction, frowning at the odd behavior between the two handsome men. Yuan Zong looked at Xia Yao with naked longing.

"Let's go. Quickly!" Yuan Zong urged him to walk along the street while he called for a private car to pick them up. Xia Yao followed, but avoided any attempts of Yuan Zong touching him. It pained his heart and he burned with anger at his sister Yuan Ru. What did she do to him?

[shanghaidriverservice]

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The full-day tour is designed for maximum convenience. You'll be picked up from your hotel or any other location of your choice, and at the end of the day, your driver will take you back to your doorstep. Whether you're visiting Shanghai's markets, cultural sites, or dining in its finest restaurants, the service provides the flexibility to explore at your own pace.

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[yokiiy]

Part3: Experiencing the Worldly Splendor of Fireworks

At the moment I got off the plane at Pudong Airport, a gloomy cold wind greeted me. In March, I flew directly from Kuala Lumpur at 31 degrees to Shanghai at only 15 degrees, and the temperature difference of over ten degrees made me wrap my clothes tightly. Without time to open my umbrella, I ran through the pattering raindrops and headed for a taxi outside the airport. My hair is slightly wet, but my heart has never been so excited.

Ten minutes ago, as the plane was about to land, I saw brightly lit street lights through the window, unlike the dark loneliness in the air just now. These lights brought me comfort.In the taxi, I looked at the rows of brightly lit western-style houses flashing by outside, and the wet and reflective ground that had just rained made me feel that these were all unreal. I closed my eyes and felt the joy of my heart beating faster clearly.Everything is telling me - this is Shanghai.

part1:Immersed in the veil of the night

Strolling along the Nanjing Pedestrian Street, it was already dark and the humid air caressed my face. The uneven gaps in the stone slabs were filled with rainwater. The rain falls and ripples spread.At night, the wutong trees were particularly bright after being washed by rain. The open top bus passed by, and the building was half covered by fog. When I came to the Bund of Shanghai, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in the distance was shining, which made everyone passing by immersed in the prosperity. Looking at those magnificent Western buildings and dazzling lights, it feels like a beautiful dream. However, as I gradually opened up this dream, what came out was a different Shanghai. Inside lies the suffering of the people, the heavy history, and the confusion of generations.At the other end of Shanghai, on the quiet street, there are small restaurants and bistros lined on both sides, where people who have been working for a day gather. The lights in countless shops gather together, looking like a rainbow from a distance.Passing by the bistro, a burst of laughter reached my ears. Perhaps for those who are in small bistro, coming here is like entering another world, which separates them from their tired selves during the day. I deeply understand that seemingly bustling Shanghai was forged by countless ordinary people through their unremitting efforts.The beauty of Shanghai's night lies in its ability to accommodate everything. Still, when the sun rises the next day, it will wash away everything from last night and start a new journey.

Part2:Greeting the dawn's light

What awakens people is not the first ray of sunshine, but the sound of alarm clock and hurried footsteps. This is a fast-paced city. On the street side, breakfast stalls are ready, wafting with the aroma of freshly cooked breakfast. The road was already congested with cars, and the city, which had been silent all night, began to take on vitality. The people in the subway station are rushing for the first subway, and everyone seems to be racing against time.People run around every corner of the city, pursuing the beauty of life. The bustling streets, towering buildings, and diverse people make up the prosperity of this city.After a commotion, what caught my eye were the old grandfather practicing Tai Chi, the sound of reading at school, the laughter of children, and the flying balloons. The passing cat couldn't help but yawn and lazily leave, wagging its tail.The peaceful years are probably what they are now.Shanghai's busy yet vibrant mornings, quiet yet peaceful, showcase its unique charm.

Part3:Embraced by the colorful sunshine

The whole of Shanghai is immersed in the spring breeze in March. Sitting in a coffee shop on Wukang Road, I felt the bright spring and received the sincere blessing of spring. The sun shines through the dappled leaves, on the petals in the window and in my coffee cup, in my beloved books. Everyone loves the prosperity of the big city, but I just fall in love with its small details that people don't care about. Life in Shanghai is colorful, and the diversity of aesthetics and lifestyle creates different people. Street concerts, various performances, domestic and foreign art exhibitions, a high degree of spiritual freedom and imagination can be realized here. Its inclusiveness allows people to be respected here, and minority cultures to be understood, allowing people to get closer and closer to their true selves and remove the pretense of the past. I learned to get along with myself, became more confident and spiritually freer. I learned to be tolerant and be my true self. Shanghai is so charming that it shows unforgettable details.

Part4:The faint glimmer of the starry sky

Gradually, the city transitions from the hustle and bustle of the day to the leisure and relaxation of the night, and then enters the quiet late night. The busyness and vitality of the day gradually dissipated, and the city became quiet and mysterious. In the darkness, the lights flickered, and the traffic and people on the street gradually dissipated, leaving only a few faint street lights shining like a Milky Way. In the quiet of the night, those buildings seem to travel back to the past era under the faint yellow light. This city, which combines modern and classical elements, is also gradually falling asleep in silence.In this vast night, people fall asleep with expectations for tomorrow and the courage to pursue their dreams, outlining the outline and meaning of life.At this moment, I feel the preciousness and beauty of life. I cherish this tranquility and am grateful to everyone who has made efforts and brought us this beautiful life.

This city is the intersection of dreams and reality, where every piece of land has its past story. Behind the prosperity lies the tenderness and perseverance of time, and the unremitting efforts and struggles of generations. Suffering brings indelible harm, but it further inspires people's determination to strive. Shanghai is not only a bustling city with beautiful scenery, but also a place that carries the history and cultural heritage of Shanghai and even China.

[allovertheworldblog]

China and on

My time in China was very short, less than a day.

But it was still a very interesting experience.

I didn’t plan to visit China at all, just that my flight was through Shanghai and involved a 14-hour lay-over. 

The lady checking me in for my China Eastern flight to Shanghai checks for about 5 minutes that I don’t need a visa for China as I’m there for less than 24-hours.

Eventually she’s able to find the country code for Ireland on the computer and confirms that I don’t need a visa. 

The preflight instructional video comes on, the sound is atrocious, is this what to expect from China?, glossy but poor quality.

The same TV monitor, once the video is finished, shows feed from a camera that is on the fin of the plane, it looks particularly freaky.

The inflight magazine provides me hours of entertainment.

It has 200 pages (more than the number of rooms in Aaron Spelling’s LA mansion) of adverts, features and company news.

There’s a report on the big mission to evacuate Chinese nationals from Libya following the outbreak of Civil War.

The article reports that 35,000 Chinese, later in the same article, 7,000 Chinese, were evacuated in the operation.

The magazine is chock full of adverts for cars: Ford, Jeep, Hyundai, SGMW made by GM; ads for all sorts of consumer goods feature.

An ad featuring a larger than life Nicolas Cage catches my eye.

His prominent teeth look more prominent than ever in the advert where he promotes a watch brand.

His ever ready smile is accompanied by dyed jet black hair.

Only the day before I’d seen his star on Hollywood Boulevard. Is Nicolas Cage well known in China I wonder.

The magazine reports that the airline has been given a credit line of 50 Billion Renminbi from the National Development Bank.

It also reports that the airline is recruiting 500 cabin crew staff.

Age, height and appearance all form the hiring criteria.

Successful applicants will possess a “‘customer first” mentality’.

The in-flight movies all seem out of place and odd: Cyrus, a Lindsay Lohan movie and a home produced one featuring profligate Chinese, maybe it’s from Hong Kong I don’t know but it featured a wedding planning company and a tycoon paying millions for his son’s wedding. All the while the sound quality is scratchy.

Later they show a feature on British royal weddings on account of the upcoming wedding of Prince William.

My fellow passengers are not entirely disinterested in the Royal wedding feature. 

Before long we’ve crossed the International Date Line and it’s 02nd April already, only 2,254 more miles and 5 hours to Shanghai.

Before landing we’re given the opportunity to cure our tiredness and participate in 'Sunshine Calisthenics’.

At passport control I’m asked where I’m staying for the night.

My onward flight to Japan the next day is checked.

My passport is stamped. What to do?

I had wildly imagined that I’d be able to put my bags in a locker and check out Shanghai a bit.

The night has come, it’s about 8pm, I’m tired from the 14-hour flight on which I didn’t sleep and now in a different time zone having crossed the Pacific I want sleep.

I change some money still pondering my options.

I walk past a couple of hotel desks that are set up inside the airport.

People at the desks are calling me over.

I look over at the guy calling me.

His hotel desk has 5 stars on it, so I walk on.

A lady runs after me, her desk only has 3 or 4 stars on it: 'I have a hotel for you, what’s your budget?’

She gets angry when I don’t agree with the first choice she offers me, or the second one, she obviously doesn’t have a 'customer first mentality’.

I go with the third one she offers me for 230 Renminbi, including transport to the hotel and collection for my flight the following day.

She tells me that the Maglev train from the airport to the city finishes up at 21.30 and that a taxi from the city to my hotel would take an hour, that settles it, I’m not going to get to see Shanghai this time.

I’m guided to a bus to bring me to my hotel. The driver is overly keen on unnecessary overtaking, but I get to my hotel in one piece.

I watch some TV in my room.

There’s a programme where a host explains the drinks of the world, USA = Budweiser, Canada = Moosehead, Ireland = Baileys.

Another programme deals with military history, bizzarely The Raid on Entebbe.

They feature original footage of the raid and contemporary footage in addition to snippets of a movie featuring Charles Bronsan which was made about the raid.

Then they cut to the studio where two guys are discussing it, one is wearing a flight suit, the other a leather bomber jacket.

Pictures of a fighter plane and an army in silhouette form the set backdrop. 

Another channel (in English this time) is reporting financial and economic news.

The Mayor of a city called Changsha is being interviewed. He says that they’re investing massively in education, they have half a million students in 37 universities in the city.

I’d never even heard of Changsha before. They go on to discuss the 'Lewis Turning Point’. I’d never heard of that either. TV in China is an education in itself. 

Another programme deals the prices of graveyard plots, they're skyrocketing and there is attendant property speculation. Modern China is turning out to be an education and a surprise.

I go for a walk, there’s nothing much going on in my anonymous suburb of Shanghai.

I go back to my hotel and watch some more TV.

On International Autism Day a programme interviews a mother whose child has autism.

She cries when she says that her child could only say 'mother’ at the age of four. I guess the 'one child policy’ has many facets. 

My bus collects me the following morning at 09.00 to bring me to the airport.

I’ve misread my flight details, my flight was at 09.30. I’m arriving at the airport in time to see it leave.

They’re able to put me on a later flight, no problems, no extra charge. 

In the airport the luggage trollies have the name of an international advertising agency on them, there are ads for cosmetics companies and fashion brands on the walls of the departure lounge.

The passport control lady who stamps my passport out of China has a customer satisfaction keypad on her desk for travellers to rate her performance from satisfied and very satisfied right to the other end of the scale. 

A bus drives us past endless parked planes to what seems like the end of the airport to our waiting China Eastern airplane.

I’m leaving 'Communist’ China, bound for the Empire of Japan.

[agentcable]

Bad Prosecutor Ep. 2 Recap

Jin Jung is demoted to the Civil Affairs Division, also known as the garbage disposal office, where he meets Park Jae-Kyung, a prosecutor who is just as bad as Jin Jung was back then. While Jin Jung is dealing with the civil complaint cases, he finds a lead in the Seocho-dong murder case. He joins forces wit Shin A-Ra to take on the man behind it all.

If you want to watch the series for yourself, stop reading! This post contains spoilers to the storyline.

In the previous episode, Jin Jung punched Oh Do-Hwan, and this action will have consequences. Deputy Chief Lee catches him in the act, and Jung is promptly kicked out and sent to the Civil Affairs Division. This division is known as the "garbage disposal office" because it's where delinquent prosecutors are sent to make them quit. There, he meets Park Jae-Kyung, the head of the Civil Affairs Division. Despite his messy appearance, Park is calm and has accepted his position in the prosecution. He may have even earned the head position because he's been there the longest.

Jin Jung sets up a trap for illegal taxi services at nicht. During one of his inspections, he stops a taxi driver who is taking a quiet woman home. This leads to a street chase. However, it turns out that the "woman" is actually Chul-Gi in full disguise, complete with full make up, lacy blouse, and sparkly skirt. This incident was meant to be a public service, one of many tasks assigned to Jin Jung since joining the Civil Affairs Division. Other activities include investigating an affair, chasing a runaway dog, and taking care of drunk citizens.

Jin Jung and Chul-Gi continue to investigate the murder case while Jin Jung performs these mundane tasks. During his visit to the taxi driver, Jung discovers new information about the murder victim. He discovers that the victim,Park Ye-Young, worked as a hostess after threatening to drop the driver off the balcony. This leads them to investigate the hostess bar owner Yoo Jin-Cheol, who appears to be connected to Deputy Chief Lee.

Jung brings out his aces and calls for the help of his "gang": Baek Eun-Ji, a badass lady gangster, andd Go Joong-Do, a genius hacker. Joong-Do works for Jung solely to get his indictments removed. The pair encountered a few hiccups in their elaborate scheme to gather evidence, but they ultimately succeeded. Eun-Ji and Joong-Do meet with Jung and Chul-Gi in a secret hacker lair to review the evidence. The evidence shows that Deputy Chief Lee was caught on camera soliciting the services of hostesses.

As Jung negotiates with the Yoo Jin-Cheol, prosecutors arrive with a search and seizure warrant, allegedly from the incident at the beginning of the drama. Jae-Kyung appears to come to his rescue, but he quickly gives up. The prosecution ends up taking custody of So-Jung. Meanwhile, while reporting to Tae-Ho, A-Ra witnesses Deputy Chief Lee slap Tae-Ho on the face and threaten to remove him from office once Lee gets his promotion. As a result, A-Ra decides to break Jung out and work with him, even if they do everything his way this time.

Jung is prepared. He had Eun-Ji and Joong-Do tail Yoo Jin-Cheol, but he has already escaped. However, Jung has a backup plan. He has planted a tracker on the hostess bar owner, so they can quickly follow him to the pier where he plans to escape. Unfortunately, he left the tracker on a truck.

Do-Hwan, who is corrupt and ambitious, found it and sent Yoo Jin-Cheol away on a flight to Shanghai. A-Ra is ready to give up, but Jung claims to have a solutiion. The flight was grounded due to a false bomb threat made by Jin Jung claiming there was a bomb on the plane. Jung, Chul-Gi and A-Ra chased and apprehended Yoo Jin-Cheol who was trying to escape after threatening to kill an innocent bystander. However, Jung was arrested by airport security for his involvement in the bomb call prank.

During his promotion ceremony, Deputy Chief Lee was delivering his speech when he suddenly felt a pinch on his leg. Jung was hiding underneath the podium and surprised him! Jung addressed the media and promised to reveal the corruption and evilness of the prosecution. This sent the into a frenzy. Jin Jung promptly arrested Deputy Chief Lee and charged him with the murder of Park Ye-Young. Everyone went crazy.

[topgoodtransport]

From Land to Sky: Exploring Four Unique Transportation Systems

Introduction:

Transportation systems are integral to global connectivity and mobility. This article delves into four distinctive transportation systems from around the world, each showcasing innovative approaches to moving people and goods. From traditional methods deeply rooted in history to futuristic concepts pushing the boundaries of technology, these systems highlight the diverse ways in which societies facilitate transportation.

Venice's Canal Network: Navigating Waterways (150 words) Venice, Italy, is renowned for its intricate canal network, which serves as the city's primary transportation system. With a history spanning centuries, these waterways are navigated by vaporettos (water buses), water taxis, and traditional gondolas. This unique system showcases the charm and practicality of water-based transportation, allowing residents and visitors to travel through the city's narrow streets and picturesque canals.

Maglev Trains in Shanghai: Pushing Speed and Innovation (150 words) Shanghai's Maglev Train is a technological marvel that utilizes magnetic levitation to achieve high speeds. With a top operational speed of 431 km/h (268 mph), the Maglev Train connects Shanghai Pudong International Airport to the city center. This futuristic transportation system offers unparalleled efficiency and showcases China's commitment to pushing the boundaries of high-speed rail technology.

Bike-Sharing in Copenhagen: Embracing Sustainable Mobility (150 words) Copenhagen, Denmark, is renowned for its extensive cycling infrastructure and bike-friendly culture. The city's bike-sharing system, exemplified by initiatives like the Copenhagen City Bike, promotes sustainable and healthy modes of transportation. With dedicated cycling lanes, ample parking facilities, and a strong emphasis on safety, Copenhagen's bike-sharing system enables residents and tourists to explore the city while reducing congestion and emissions.

Hyperloop Concept: Pioneering Future Transportation (150 words) The Hyperloop concept, originally proposed by Elon Musk, envisions a revolutionary mode of transportation characterized by high-speed capsules traveling through low-pressure tubes. This futuristic system has the potential to revolutionize long-distance travel, with speeds projected to exceed 1,000 km/h (621 mph). Several companies and research groups worldwide are actively developing and testing Hyperloop prototypes, pushing the boundaries of transportation technology.

Conclusion:

These four transportation systems represent unique approaches to mobility, ranging from the historic canal network in Venice to the futuristic Hyperloop concept. From water-based navigation in Venice to cutting-edge maglev trains in Shanghai, and from cycling-centric infrastructure in Copenhagen to the potential of Hyperloop, each system highlights the ingenuity and adaptability of societies in meeting their transportation needs.

Also Read : Venice's Canal Network

Also Read : Hyperloop Concept

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[polkadotzigzag]

Not much to show for my trip so far… 1) the @sanrio store was closed at the Taipei airport 2) airport broke a piece of my luggage 3) I had to go to the mall to buy a new suitcase 4) took some pics around the mall 5) all moms like #sketchers 6) allipay blocked me so i couldn’t get a taxi and was stranded for a bit (I am back at the hotel safely but it ruined my plans to go to the Shanghai zoo) 7) Sasha is doing just fine without me (at Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqfME3nODAMYb9b5TE5OSDW74INjSLXCMCCzu00/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[travellingpowell]

A Shocking Discovery

The year was 2010 and I was still unsure of all the things China had in store for me. From Chicago to Shanghai, Shanghai to Chongqing the journey was a complete blur. After escaping the chaos of the airport I learned the true definition of the chaos once the taxi merged onto the highway. Instead of using turning signals, motorists use horns. 

After traveling for what seemed like days, my stomach’s screams reminded me it was time to fuel up. At this point, I had not even checked into my accommodation. The driver took me to a ‘must try’ spot that I was ‘sure to like.’ Upon entering the restaurant I could see the foggy glass windows with the scent of chilis streaming out from under the doors. The noise of cutlery clattering on the tables welcomed me in. 

As we made our way to our table, my feet were slipping on the dirty floor. Cigarette butts, saliva and plastic gloves littered the floor. In the distance, I could see a bubbling cauldron heading towards our table. My stomach winced in hunger. The heat from the pot was so intense, I was sweating profusely. The golden red sheen sparkled around giant crispy prawns...

[themaribatpit]

Jasonette July Day 20: Then Perish

Written by: The Maribat Pit @jasonette-july-event​ Prompt: Then Perish (Part 1) Rating: M (violence, minor character deaths) A/N: We wanted to finish Jasonette July with a bang.  The second half will be posted tomorrow for the Saturday Challenge.  We’ve appreciated all your comments and kind words, we really do read every one. It genuinely means a lot to us and encourages us to continue writing together.  As a fandom you have been nothing but kind and supportive, and we enjoy bringing you fics great and small with a wide variety of genres, dynamics, and iterations.  Also blame DC fanboy for the memes in this fic. Marinette loved to travel, she had traveled all over the world from New York to Shanghai. Today, she traveled with her parents to Gotham City to visit her parents' friends, whom they had not seen in many years. Sabine was initially afraid to visit Gotham City, due to its crime rate and ever-growing list of criminals. Tom reassured his wife, saying that his big stature would scare any would-be criminal from harming them, that the trip would be short and they would visit Metropolis afterwards. Marinette wore the Ladybug Miraculous, just in case something were to happen. As the family got off the taxi at Park Row, everyone felt something was off. "Park Row really has...changed." Thomas muttered. Sabine held on to both her husband and her daughter, "I think we should leave." she said. Soon shadows began appearing around the corner, then came the yelling, and soon after came the gunshots. Thomas grabbed his wife and daughter and ran to find shelter from a hail of bullets. Marinette looked back to see many civilians, men, women and children caught in the middle of this gang war.  She needed to be a hero, her father could take care of her mother, she needed to save those in danger. She freed herself from her father's grasp and ran behind a corner, she whispered "spots on" and transformed into Ladybug. Diving and flipping across streaking bullets everywhere, she flung her yo-yo to drag any unfortunate bystanders into an abandoned building. While in a building with innocent civilians, she peeked her head out the window to see a monstrous man.  Wearing a blood red helmet and wielding two pistols, he systematically killed everyone before him. His flips and kicks were graceful yet brutal, the cries of pain and pleas for mercy made her shudder. She couldn't fight him, no, she was afraid to. It would be best to find her family, she did all she could and got bystanders to safety. She quietly transformed back into Marinette and went to look for her family. She ran back to where she last saw them, she scoured the streets shouting "Maman! Papa!" hoping that using her French would help her parents find and identify her. She soon ran into the Red Beast, as she began to turn and run back before she saw the two people at his feet. “<No, no no no, please god no.>” she whispered to herself, tears building in her eyes. There lay her parents, in a pool of their blood with bullet holes between their eyes. Marinette dropped to her knees, silently crying. The Red Hood either didn't see her, or chose to spare her and decided to walk away. Marinette ran to her parents, grabbing them both and shaking them. "<Don’t leave me, please don’t leave me>” she wept. Later, she was picked up by the GCPD. They escorted her on the flight back to Paris along with the remains of her parents. When she arrived, she was approached by the Aide Sociale à L'enfance (ASE).  They told her that she'll be staying at a nearby orphanage until after her parents' funeral. Then she would then be sent off to live with her only remaining relative, her Great-Uncle Wang in Shanghai. On the night before the funeral, Marinette was unable to sleep.  She curled her legs to her chest while she sat on the mattress.  She has spent the past few days researching the mysterious Red Hood, crime boss and self-proclaimed Prince of Gotham.  She read article after article of his meteoric rise to power, first conquering Black Mask, then The Penguin. Nightmares plagued her whenever she closed her eyes, she saw the Red Hood tower over her parent's lifeless bodies, covered in their blood. She was worried about being sent off to a foreign country tomorrow evening, while barely even speaking any Mandarin. All the while knowing that once she is on that flight to Shanghai, her parent's killer would without a doubt walk free. Morning comes, yet Marinette still thinks of what she should do. Could she really go to Shanghai to start her life anew, not knowing the language and allowing her parents’ killer to go on unpunished? At the funeral, while standing over her parents’ graves, she remained silent. The priest, ASE agents and her friends all came to pay their respects. Each of her friends approached her to give their sympathies, but she did not listen to a word they said. The Red Hood weighed heavily on her mind, and she made her fateful decision. To run, run and never look back. She had prepared a backpack containing the Miracle box with all the Miraculous, along with a few essential supplies and money. She turned into Multimouse to sneak on board a passenger aircraft to make her way to Gotham City.  Jason knew, better than Batman, that fighting crime sometimes meant getting your hands dirty.  What started as a petty squabble between two rival gangs grew into a bloodbath.  He missed Roy at times like these, Artemis and Bizarro were still missing, but he held out hope that they would one day return to this Earth. A teenage girl with an impressively sturdy yo-yo had burst onto the scene, trying to get civilians to safety.  He was a bit too preoccupied with the battle to get a good look at the girl.  Knowing Bruce, the next time he’d see her, she’d be under his wing.  Sadly, there were two civilians that neither of them could save, a large, burly looking man and a tiny woman.  The person who shot them with frightening accuracy had got away, moments later a teenage girl had arrived on the scene.  There was a brief flash of fear in her eyes when she saw him, and she would have just scurried away if only he hadn’t been at the very spot where her parents lay dead.  The girl was inconsolable as she fell to her knees and wept, pleading with them in French.  Red Hood walked away, thinking it would be best to leave her to grieve.  There wasn’t a whole lot he could say in English that would make her feel any better, never mind in French. He watched from a distance as the GCPD arrived to pick up the pieces, Red Hood watched from the shadows as police officers and an interpreter tried to get the girl’s side of the story.  From what he gathered, the girl’s name was Marinette Dupain-Cheng and her family owned a bakery in Paris.  Her next of kin was a relative in Shanghai, and it sounded like the best option for her would be to go and live there.   The plan was to ship her and her parents’ bodies back to Paris, and let child services take it from there.  He would have probably told her to get as far away from Gotham as possible, away from the clutches of a certain someone who was also orphaned in Crime Alley.  He saw her cradle what looked like a small pink doll to her face as she wept, before he turned and walked away. A week later, Jason had a break in the case.  This was all caused by some low-level members of the Falcone and Maroni families continuing their decades-old battle.  As far as everyone knew, the crime families swiftly executed the men responsible and went about their business.  Two crime families were unable to keep their lackeys in check, and now the people who weren’t lucky enough to be whisked away by Yo-Yo Girl, were now either dead or wishing they were.   He thought back to poor little Marinette, wondering where she was now. Bruce confronted him at the Iceberg lounge shortly after the incident, to which Jason explained that the perp had got away.   He had killed people before, and that wasn’t stopping anytime soon, after all it wasn’t that long ago that he tried to kill the Penguin.  “This may surprise you Bruce, but the Red Hood isn’t the only one who uses guns in Gotham '' he snapped.  There were some lines that even he did not cross, lines that he had drawn for himself. Judging by the accuracy of the gunshots, this was no accident.  Their daughter was probably starting a new life, probably on the other side of the world.  Still, he wished he could have said something to the girl, a simple “Hey, it’s gonna be all right” probably would have sufficed.  Little did he know that Marinette was making her return to Gotham City.  She would have her revenge on the Red Hood, and this time she had nothing to fear and nothing to lose. After her very uncomfortable 10 hour flight from Paris to Gotham City in the cargo hold, Multimouse quietly sneaked out of the crowded airport without alerting anyone. Marinette wandered around Chinatown, thinking of her next step. She was thinking about how she would have to go through the city with a fine tooth comb to search for a lead, likely starting small with his men in the streets.  Before she could put the earrings back in her backpack, Tikki begged her to reconsider what she was doing.  “Please Marinette, you need time to heal, to grieve,” she pleaded, but Marinette didn’t need the powers of healing, luck and creation. If and when she encountered the Red Hood, she wanted to bring him death, misfortune and destruction.  After all, that was exactly what he had brought her.  With a stroke of luck, she overheard someone getting a beatdown.  "You get your ass outta here, this is Red Hood's turf. If you wanna sell that shit, you gotta give the boss his cut."  Marinette whispered "Plagg, claws out" and transformed into Lady Noire, before sneaking up behind one of the Red Hood’s men. He released the person he was beating, and chased him out the alleyway.  She took this opportunity to swing her staff,  hitting the back of his neck and sending him face first into the ground. He immediately tried to stand up, as he stood on wobbly legs he took out his knife from his jacket. "Oh shit, Catwoman?!" he yelled. Lady Noire used her staff to sweep him off his feet and slammed her staff onto his face.  "Where is the Red Hood?" she growled.  "Screw you bitch!" the goon retorted. Lady Noire had a feeling that he wouldn’t tell her the location of the Red Hood, so she decided to try a different approach. "Fine then, why don't you give your boss this simple message…" Before she could finish her sentence, she heard the telltale click of a gun being loaded. She turned around and started spinning her staff, creating a grey shield to deflect the storm of bullets that were being fired at her.  She moved her hands at a rapid pace, and frantically pushed back against the hail of bullets.  As the bullet storm subsided she looked up and saw, up on the fire escape, was the Red Hood with an assault rifle. The Red Hood casually tossed his gun aside and asked "So, what's this message you have for me, Catwoman?" He gracefully did a forward flip and landed in a crouch.  "Wait a minute..." he said, the first thing he noticed was that this person was tiny, 4’11 or maybe 5’ on a good day. Her eyes were a bright acid green with dark slits like a real cat’s pupils.  "You're not Catwoman, you're too short to be her, for one thing.” he remarked “also she usually has a whip instead of a staff, who are you?" Lady Noire gritted her teeth, "You killed my family" she answered with a low growl. "Do you have the slightest idea how little that narrows it down Kitten?" Red Hood's taunts made her snap.  She screamed "YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME!" The Red Hood stared at her, as he crossed his arms.  "I don't even know who you are, what's your beef with me?" He asked, Lady Noire lunged at the Red Hood with her staff, she swung wildly to try and hit him.  He dodged most of her strikes with ease, “Is that the best you’ve got?  You’re gonna have to try harder than that.”  Where she might have lacked in skill, she made up for in determination.  She wasn’t pulling any punches, he had to give her that.  He caught the staff under his arm, and punched Lady Noire with his free arm.  As he went on the offensive, he slapped her staff aside, and came at her with a series of punches and kicks.   “So, what do you want Kitten? Money? Jewels? A very big ball of string?”  he joked.  “All I want is revenge,” she spluttered. “Get in line Kitten, you’re in the city that runs on vengeance” he retorted. Marinette was lucky that the suit gave her enhanced speed, strength and endurance. She always loved how the Lady Noire suit felt a lot lighter compared to the Ladybug suit. Though she shuddered to imagine what her opponent would do with this power.    He raised his leg to end his combination with a forceful downward kick, Lady Noire raised her staff up to a horizontal block to stop the kick. Upon contact with the kick, the staff split into two, and then Lady Noire launched into her counter attack. She was striking the Red Hood with a flurry of blows with both halves of her staff.  "Escrima sticks too? Looks like we have a Nightwing fan here” he smirked under the mask; this new girl was just full of surprises.  He brought his arms to the sides of his head in a defensive posture, blocking the onslaught of strikes from the escrima sticks.  Red Hood then grabbed Lady Noire by the back of her head, placing her in a Thai clinch. He launched a powerful knee to her face and sent her reeling back. He drew his pistols and fired a torrent of bullets at her. Lady Noire had to dodge, weave and use her staff to deflect incoming bullets. One bullet even grazed her cheek. She then pointed her staff at the Red Hood and extended it with so much force it slammed him against the wall of a nearby building. Without giving him any breathing room, she then retracted the staff. She launched herself towards him and then dropkicked his face straight into the wall. His helmet cracked against the tremendous pressure. "It's now or never” she thought, as she cast Cataclysm and swiped at one half of the Red Hood’s helmet. She saw the helmet dissolve and reveal the target beneath.  She noticed that underneath the helmet he wore a red domino mask, not unlike the one she usually wore.  She would have time to think about how overly dramatic that was later, as she used her other hand to pick up the knife on the ground that the other goon left behind.  She jumped on top of the Red Hood, “Now perish!” she cried out as she thrusted the blade towards the exposed part of his face. Red Hood recovered quickly and caught her hand holding the blade. As the two struggled for the knife, Lady Noire tried to swipe at him with Cataclysm again.  Suddenly, she felt the power of 50,000 volts coursing through her, as the Red Hood activated the taser hidden in his chest piece.  She powered through, running purely on anger, grief and adrenaline. She was only able to struggle for about a minute, before passing out from the pain.  Red Hood flipped Lady Noire’s unconscious body aside, before he took off his helmet to inspect the damage. "The hell?." he pondered, "So, indestructible staff that can do double duty as a shield, and the ability to disintegrate things with one touch. Let's find out who you really are."  He slowly stood up and looked down at her unconscious body. He tried to peel away her domino mask, yet it would not come off. He tugged on the mask, even to the point of lifting the unconscious girl off the ground. He released the mask, and let the body drop with a small thud.  The Red Hood began talking to himself "She either superglued the mask on or it’s something else. Considering all that she can do, I'd say 80% chance it's magic and 20% a lantern. Either way a 100% pain in my ass".  He heard a small beeping noise and gingerly lifted her hand up off the floor.  As it emitted black and green energy, he noticed that she had a ring on.  The beeping came from a small picture of a paw print, which was missing a few pads.  If she was a lantern, that ring was going to run out of charge any moment now.  He took out his phone and called the Iceberg Lounge. He requested that they send for a van to pick him up and his new guest.   He requested that the Su Sisters get her cleaned up and ready. He needed to find out who sent her and who she worked for. He took out the special handcuffs that Batman designed when dealing with metahumans. As he walked towards Lady Noire about to cuff her, he heard some more beeping, followed by a bright light surrounding her.  Her suit and mask disappeared, leaving behind a small girl in pastel pink clothes who was probably no older than 15 or 16.  Her long braid changed back into a couple of shoulder-length pigtails, and she had a pink backpack on her back.  Jason looked inside the bag, there were a few sets of clothes, a wallet and an antique Chinese jewelry box.  He wondered if that ring was just one of many tools in her arsenal.  Jason's eyes widened, he recognised her as the girl he saw a few weeks ago when the turf war in Crime Alley broke out.  "What’s she doing here?" he said to himself aloud, “ Idiot” he muttered. He remembered following the girl and her GCPD escort to make sure she boarded her flight back to Paris.  She was supposed to be with her remaining family. Yet she came back to, no, ran away to Gotham City.  All for revenge.  He checked her wallet and saw the name printed on it, he sighed, this just confirmed that she was the same girl. When she had her revenge, what would she do then?  He wasn’t the undisputed master of thinking things through, but even he thought she was a fool to come back here.  Gotham City didn’t have the best track record dealing with orphans.  He knew this from personal experience, but there was that time where many were rounded up and sent upstate to juvie, for the crime of trying to survive on the streets.  He would have been in the same position, had it not been for his own fateful encounter in Crime Alley. He shuddered to think what her other option would be in a place like Gotham City, becoming a Robin.  Part of the reason he wanted her out of Gotham was so that Bruce wouldn’t get any ideas about taking her in.  When the car arrived, he scooped up the girl in his arms and carried her towards it.  Marinette woke up with her heart beating frantically in her chest, the first thing she saw was a bright light.  She was dead, she had to be, the last thing she remembered was confronting the Red Hood and now he had killed her.  She slowly sat up, she looked down to find that someone had changed her clothes, she was wearing light blue pajamas.  She started to look around, to her left there was a large floor to ceiling window where she could see a city at night with bright twinkling lights.  On the table next to her was the Miracle box, she quickly grabbed the box and looked through it. She gave a sigh of relief when she saw that all the Miraculous she brought with her were still there.   Suddenly, Marinette heard someone clear their throat.  At the foot of the bed, stood a rather large woman who had a bundle of clothes in her hand.  Next to her was a blonde woman with pink highlights who had a tray of food. “Oh good, you’re finally awake” the large woman said gruffly, she set the clothes down on the edge of the bed.  The blonde girl set a tea tray down in front of her, along with a couple of pastries.  Marinette’s heart sank at the sight of the croissants, they reminded her of her parents and their bakery. “Eat up and get dressed, the boss wants to see you later” the blonde woman told her, before skipping to the larger woman’s side.  Just as the two were about to leave, Marinette piped up, “Um, where am I?” she asked, “Who is your boss?” “You’re in the Iceberg Lounge in Gotham City”, the large woman told her gruffly.  “The name’s Suzie, this is one of my sisters, Candy. Our boss is the owner.”  Marinette gave an awkward wave as they left, and Candy returned it with a more cheerful one.    She took a bite out of the croissant, it tasted cold and dry. However, if she was going to defeat the Red Hood, she’d need all her strength. She put Plagg’s ring back in the box and reached for Ladybug’s earrings; she needed a new tactic.  When Tikki appeared in front of her, she also quickly looked around the room before looking back at Marinette with a concerned look on her face. “I couldn’t do it,” Marinette explained “he managed to stop me and I ended up back here”. Tikki’s eyes were sympathetic as Marinette held her closer to her face, “Are you sure you still want to go through with this?” Tikki asked.  “For now, I have to get changed and go upstairs to meet the boss.  Maybe he’s the one who found me after the fight was over” Marinette theorized as she gave Tikki the cookie from the tray.  While Tikki quietly nibbled at it, Marinette stood up and walked over to the edge of the bed.  Inside the small bundle of clothes were a simple white blouse and black skirt. They were a little big, she would probably hem it if she had her sewing machine.    Moments later, a tall woman with dark hair led Marinette into the penthouse, a large room with a desk in the corner.   A tall man in a suit stood with his back towards the door, overlooking the sparkling city skyline.  She slowly stepped inside, looking around the room as she walked towards the man.  “Um hi, who are you?” Marinette asked as she apprehensively walked towards him.  She couldn’t help but feel small in that grand high-ceiling room. “I am the owner of the Iceberg Lounge,” he explained. “I guess the question I should be asking is…” he turned towards her and Marinette saw he had a domino mask over his eyes and a red half mask covering his nose and mouth, “who are you?” He threw something at her and she caught it.  She looked down and saw the Red Hood’s helmet, half of it looked as though someone tried to tear the metal open.  Then she remembered everything she had researched about the Red Hood, and the fight that took place not long after she arrived back in Gotham. “You…” she hissed. To be continued...

[iamdunn]

Miraculous Flash Forward: Adrien Graham De Vanily

A Miraculous Fan-fic

Written By

AJ Dunn

The Agreste brand was gone as Felix stepped in to take over his uncle’s company at the behest of Adrien. Having shed off the name of that villainous man Adrien took his mother’s maiden name. Graham de Vanily. It only felt right to have his cousin who was a Graham de Vanily take over the company. He had more, business sense than Adrien. Not to mention Adrien had some things to attend to that meant staying out of the public eye. He and Felix had been identical their entire lives. It was weird although their mothers were identical twins. Felix and Adrien had different fathers as well. Felix’s father had died and Adrien’s mother remained in a coma. They had found her after his father had been captured. The miraculous’ had been returned to Ladybug who now held the miracle box as its guardian. 

Adrien looked down at his own miraculous. He often wondered if he should return it to her. The thought of returning to Paris hurt, but the thought of seeing her and the hurt he must have caused her. He couldn’t bear for her to hate him. So he stayed away. He had completed high school in London with his cousin then set off for horizons unknown after singing his cousin in as CEO of the former Agreste fashion brand. He could even stand in for Adrien as the new face. However, he didn’t have as much flair for modeling as Adrien did. 

“So you’re just going to leave me with YOUR company?” Felix asked with a wry smile. 

“Makes sense to me,” Adrien replied without looking at his cousin. It was hard enough to look in a mirror, worse to look at his identical cousin. Felix sighed.

“You can’t even look at me anymore Adrien,” Felix complained. “I know I have been… insufferable but this…” he held his hand up. 

“I’m sorry Felix you’re right.” Adrien felt ashamed. “It’s just hard.” He darted his eyes up to meet his cousins. His green eyes shown brightly, his silky blond hair slicked back in the same formal style his father always wore. Even his black suit and white shirt were straight and proper. A black-tie adorning his neck... He looked like a mannequin without even so much as a wrinkle or hair out of place. Sure he wore far less color than his father, who was a fashion designer. Felix was more… of the businessman than interested in fashion. While he still had a keen eye for it, he preferred to stick with the basics for himself. It was his way of separating himself from Gabriel Agreste. 

“So, you’re leaving then?” Felix asked coldly. He had gotten so used to having a “brother” living with him. It made for fun pranks right after Adrien moved in with him. They’d switch close. Adrien needed to laugh, he needed to make friends but it was hard for him having been sheltered for most of his life then yanked away from the only friends he ever knew. 

“In the morning.” Adrien zipped up his suitcase and set it by his bedroom door. Felix stood by the bed holding his hands behind his back spinning the silver band on his finger. Adrien wore the twin ring on his opposite hand. Felix noticed Adrien never took off the other silver ring he had. “My flight leaves at 7.” He looked at his watch. It was nearly time for dinner. “We should go, Aunt Amelie will be waiting.”

“Indeed, we won’t want to make mother wait.” Felix left the room first closing the door behind him. Adrien flipped the lock on the door then went to his mini-fridge. Only a couple of pieces left. He thought. 

“Plagg?” He asked the air. “You’re going to have to slack off on the stinky cheese for a while.” he could hear the groan coming from the mini closet to the side of his bed. He swung the door open looking in to see Plagg cuddled up on the Ladybug squishy pillow. “Hey that one is mine.” he snatched the squishy pillow and tossed it on the bed. Replacing it with a simple black round squishy pillow with a neon green pawprint in the middle. He had found them on Marinette’s website. She had designed them and Adrien couldn’t resist. Plagg pouted.

“This one isn’t as comfy as that one,” Plagg complained.

“I know you miss her, I miss Ladybug.” Adrien sat on the edge of the bed. “Maybe I should take you back.” he slouched forward placing his elbows on his knees.

“NO,” Plagg yelled. “I’m not leaving your side.”

“You might not have a choice Plagg.” he looked up at his little friend hovering only feet from his face. “Where I’m going, they don’t have stinky cheese,” Adrien smirked. Plagg looked shocked then crossed his arms and turned his head away.

“If you can walk away from Ladybug…” Plagg sighed, his arms dangling at his sides. “Then I can walk away from Camembert.” Plagg gulped his words. “As long as it’s not forever, you have to promise to go back.” Adrien chuckled.

“I will Plagg, I promise.” he stood up and headed for the door. “Let’s go eat.” Plag zipped into his shirt pocket as Adrien opened the door. 

The airport was nearly empty. Adrien had chosen this time so he could escape London without cameras following him everywhere. He had done well to avoid being in the public eye for the past few years. It wouldn’t be good if everyone in Paris found out that Adrien Agreste was leaving for China. Heaven forbid Marinette to follow him. She did have a great uncle there and he had planned to visit Cheng Sifu’s restaurant as often as possible. He found his boarding gate and took a seat in the corner where he was less likely to be spotted or recognized. He pulled his hoodie down over his eyes as whisps of his blond hair dared to expose him. He brushed them back the picked up a magazine. Marinette’s face struck him as he read the excerpt about her new company. Her designs were becoming a global sensation as his friends from his former band Kitty Section took the top spots on the chart and even knocked Jagged Stone down a peg or two. Adrien smile thinking about how proud he must be that his kids Juleka and Luka are succeeding him. There was a picture of the band. Juleka and Luka look very much the same, Rose too. Adrien’s eyes narrowed on a silver wedding band on Luka’s hand and his heart sank. Did he and Marinette get married? He closed the magazine and tossed it to the side. 

Boarding, call London to Shanghai now boarding.

Adrien stood by the window watching the sunset. He could feel Marinette standing next to him as he smiled. He looked over to her, but she wasn’t there. It was only a memory. One of his favorites. 

Adrien stepped out of the taxi at the address on his booking slip. He had leased a condo. It was paid up for the three years he planned to be here. Thanks to his trust fund which, luckily had been protected from the scandal caused by Hawk Moths’ deeds. It had been created by his mother instead of his father. Not to mention the funds from his days as a model. He didn’t have to worry about money. The now Graham De Vanily fashion industry was co-owned now, secretly of course. He wanted to maintain the guise that Adrien had disappeared in case Ladybug did in fact figure out he was Cat Noir. He couldn’t face her, not yet. 

Adrien marveled at the design of the building. It was very modern with the appearance of two bullet trains back to back. The walls were glass with a metal framework. The entrance was directly in the middle of the building. Adrien walked up to the door as bell boys scurried to his cab to grab his bags. He had taken off his hoodie so as to not look the part of a vagabond. 

“I am Adrien Graham De Vanily, I am supposed to pick up my keys from you.” He spoke Mandarin very well thanks to his father’s insistence. It helped that Master Fu and Cheng Sifu applauded him for it. Otherwise, he might have forced himself to forget it all. The guard nodded handing him a packet of papers and the keys. 

“Top floor, suite 1A.,” he told the busboys who hurried to the service elevator with his bags. “I just need you to sign a few papers here.” he slid the papers to Adrien over the counter then a pen. He signed them quickly. The guard pointed him to the resident elevators and he headed upstairs. The top floor was nearly empty as he walked down the hall to his condo. It would be his home for a while and while he had never lived on his own, he was used to being alone. He always had someone else to prepare his meals, and tend to the cleaning and daily maintenance of his home but now, he was on his own. It felt refreshing to not have to worry about close calls and coming up with excuses for the ripe smell of cheese all over everything. 

He couldn’t really complain, he was a cat kwami after all at least it wasn’t fish he was obsessed with, he’d never get the smell of rotten fish out of anything. He put the key in the door and opened it. He opened a sliding door to the right exposing a coat closet with a hanger for bags. He hung the bag closing the front door flipping the lock and deadbolt. 

“Hello,” he called there wasn’t a sound as he made his way into the living area. The room was lit with natural light exposing a room larger than the one he grew up in. The white marble carpeting was cushioned his steps as he inspected the seating. A black leather love seat with silver metal framing and two matching armchairs sat in a square around a glass table with the same silver metal for legs. There was a swirling black, tan, and gray rug under the table. The seating faced the wall opposite the window that covered the entire external wall. The daylight beamed in as he saw the entirety of Shanghai spread out for him to view. He walked to the break in the wall where sat two swinging glass doors leading to the balcony. He searched the area seeing rooftops laid out before him. He could easily leap between them and return to his room undetected. 

Returning to the sitting room he could see the large TV mounted on the wall. The art decor matched the black & silver theme. He saw the steppes leading up to the loft above the television and made his way up. The walls weren’t lined with bookshelves as his old bedroom had a bed but there was a walk-in closet and a king-sized platform bed against the wall with a railing over looking the seating area. The black slick bedside tables matched the black slick headboard with a silver bar slicing them in half. The bed was made up with a black with silver and white ivy weave bedspread. 

There was a bathroom to the far side of the unit next to a closed-off kitchen. The decal in the kitchen was white marble flooring with black marble countertops. Silver appliances finalized the theme. The bathroom might just have been bigger than the actual area of the bedroom as it comprised of a large standing shower and a jet stream tub. There counter held two sinks and medicine cabinets with another cabinet housing linens. Amelie had made all of the arrangements for the purchase and set up of the furnishing and linens, as well as the kitchen accessories. He opened the fridge. 

“Ah,” he said. “Looks like I will be doing my own grocery shopping Plagg,” he said aloud. No response. “It’s safe to come out Plagg.” the Kwam flew slowly over to him. A grumble came from the tiny stomach as he stared in horror at the empty fridge. 

“Are you trying to kill me?” Plagg groaned turning his back to Adrien crossing his arms. 

“Guess we’ll have to go out to eat.” Adrien closed the fridge and turned around. “Cheng Sifu’s?” 

“Fine.” he gruffed. “But we have to get some food before we come home.” he pointed demandingly at his owner. He was grateful to have one like Adrien, he couldn’t have imagined if Gabriel had found him and Tikki instead of Nuuroo and Duusuu. It would have been catastrophic.

They walked to the Metro and took to downtown. Adrien remembered the way to the restaurant from the last time he perused the city. He got off a few blocks from the restaurant and dipped into a mini-store. He couldn’t show up at Cheng Sifu’s empty-handed. He may have spoken Mandarin well, but he had no idea about cooking or ingredients.  He looked over various ingredients then settled on a bushed of leafy greens and grabbed a small block of Manchego for Plagg to try. He paid then headed down the sidewalk with his bag. Stepping into the restaurant which was bustling with patrons, Adrien made his way to the kitchen. 

“Cheng Sifu?” Adrien called to him in Mandarin. “I don’t know if you remember me…” 

“Adrien. My Marinette’s boyfriend.” Cheng came around the preparation counter and greeted him. Adrien’s face froze as his cheeks tinted with red. Cheng wrapped him up in a tight hug though now he was slightly taller than Cheng. Cheng, who was taller than his niece Sabine, was still a rather short and plump man. He was one of the world’s greatest chefs, but despite having been told many times that Adrien and Marinette weren’t dating, he never believed that. “How is my Marinette?”

“I … I actually haven’t…” He scratched the back of his neck as Cheng lead him into the back of the kitchen where a table was set with two chairs. Ingredients were laid out. “I haven’t seen her in two years,” Adrien announced finally. Cheng looked up saddened and confused. “I had to move away, because of… my father.” he sat down setting the bag on the table. He pulled out the leafy greens offering them to Cheng hoping this would change the subject. “Would you please teach me how to cook?” Cheng’s eyes widened as he accepted the fateful food items. 

They spend an hour preparing a meal with the ingredients Cheng had set out and the fateful ingredients Adrien had brought him. It had gotten late by the time the food was done so Cheng boxed some of it up so Adrien could take it home to eat. 

“You come back tomorrow and we make something else.” Cheng waved to Adrien as he left the restaurant. 

“Keep your promise.” Adrien reminded. He had asked Cheng to not tell anyone he was here until he was ready to go back. He promised to bring fateful food every day to learn how to cook. He wanted to impress Marinette when he went back. Adrien walked with his hands in his pockets, the bag with his food hung around his wrist. His hoodie pulled over his head as he snuck into an alleyway. He set the bag down.

“Plagg claws out.” He scooped up the bag and bound for the rooftop and slipped quietly through the shadows from one rood to another. He was on his way home when a sound caught his attention. He landed silently on the brick wall of a manor where a man was fighting off three assailants. The hand-to-hand combat of this martial art style was intriguing. He watched for a minute wondering if this man could handle himself or not. The three men seemed to be struggling as his efforts fought to subdue them. Cat Noir turned and was about to leave when he saw several more coming, this time with blades. Two of them with a saber or dao and one with a set of sai. He set his bag down without thinking another thought and dropped onto the backs of the three incoming assailants. Two of them hit the ground hard as the other tried to pull Cat off their backs. He side kicked the man in the chin sending him flying backward as he drove a single punch to the two now incapacitated assailants. The man fought off the others as they turned tail to run seeing can hovering over the unconscious bodies of their comrades. The man closed his palms together and gave a curt bow to Cat Noir in thanks. Cat returned making sure to bow lower in respect for the master. 

“Your arrival here tonight must be fate,” he said. “May I know the name of my rescuer?”

“I am called Cat Noir.” 

“Hei Mao.” You are welcome here anytime. I am Chao.” 

“Can you teach me Chao Sifu?” Cat bowed again. The man nodded curtly. “You come at night, under the cover of darkness, and I shall teach you, Hei Mao.” He turned and headed into the building. It was a small temple-looking house with an ancient appearance. Bamboo stalks and sand with stones decored the yard. A few koi ponds in the corners. He led Hei Mao to the back training ground. It was larger than the front and completely hidden from anyone outside the walls. Large trees cast their shadows over it as large stones and other terrain provided adequate advantage points for sparring and battling. 

“You meet me here after the sun goes down,” Chao said waving his hand around. “I can not start tonight. I must sit with the ancestors first.” He left Hei Mao. Mao returned to his bag and finished his trek back home. Ducking into an alley to transform back in the darkness so no one would see. 

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[musingsofa2yearold]

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[cosmichoneyedblossoms]

Borderline

—Omina Vincit Amor—

Pairing: Chanyeol x Reader x Sehun

Genre: Syndicate!au | Angst

Word Count: 3,331

Warnings: Swearing, murder, and mentions of destroyed bodily anatomy and fluids (blood, brain matter)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

“Welcome to Shanghai.”

He could tell you were tired and he knew that the four am flight didn’t help with your exhaustion either, but there you were, dragging your feet in front of him, fighting through your exhaustion, “Did we have to take the earliest flight out of Seoul?” You sighed leaning against a pillar near the baggage claim belt.

“The earlier we got here, the earlier we could do all the things you want to do.” Sehun watched as Chanyeol wrapped his arms around you, his skin crawled watching the way you leaned into his touch, is it okay for him to hate him?

“What should we do first?” Pulling out your phone, you typed ‘what to do in Shanghai’ into the search engine and it pulled up a multitude of things, “There’s museums, gardens, the zoo, tons of places to shop and eat, all the parks—”

“Whatever you want to do, we can do.” Chanyeol was barely paying attention as he too was lost in his phone. Sehun caught the fall of your smile as you noticed Chanyeol’s distant answer.

“Why don’t we go to the zoo today?” He spoke up and you turned your gaze onto him, your smile appearing again.

“You want to?” Your question seemed silly to him since he’d dance like a fool in front of the busy Shanghai airport if you asked him to.

“Absolutely, it’s supposed to be warm today. We can go after we make it to the house and unpack.” Watching your face light up with excitement made his heart flutter in his rib cage, the fact that he made you smile after Chanyeol dismissed you gave him such a surge of energy.

“Ah! Our bags!” You broke out of Chanyeol’s loose hold on you to grab your bright red suitcase and Sehun grabbed his and Chanyeol’s matching black suitcases, “Do we have a taxi?”

“Our ride is sitting out front. How about you lead the way, Y/N?” Chanyeol slipped his phone into his pocket while he took the space next to Sehun; you nodded, tugging up the handle on your suitcase, beginning to lead the way. Sehun started to follow you when Chanyeol tugged on his shirt, wanting him to wait a moment.

“What is it?” He asked and Chanyeol pulled out his phone once more, he opened it to a screen with blue and grey messages and his thumb pointed to a certain one.

“The boss wants us to meet him tonight for our new job.” Sehun glanced your way before looking back at Chanyeol.

“But we just got here… and Y/N—”

“She’ll understand that it’s for work. She’s a big girl, she can handle herself.”

So he’s okay leaving her alone in a city she’s never been to?

Sehun’s thoughts thrashed around in his brain, the blood in his veins started to boil the longer he let his mind wander, but then your voice reached him, “Are you guys coming or not?” He turned his eyes back to you, the softness of your gaze helped to assuage his anger, reminding him that at the end of the day all that matters your safety.

“Just this last time…” Sehun whispered to himself as he stood in front of full-size mirror pushing down the anxious tingles that filled him. Fixing his shirt, his hand brushed against something hard in the back of his pants, your voice ran loudly in his mind.

“What if they had firearms? You could be dealing with more than a broken nose and a fucked-up lip.”

He was making sure that if anything happened, he came back to you, safe. Turning on his heels, he grabbed his leather jacket and made his way out of his bedroom to the stairs that lead down to the main area. The quiet whisper of the tv filled the space around him as he approached the couch, he leaned over it, catching the sight of your peacefully sleeping face—the rise and fall of your chest, the slight pout of your lips, the wrinkling of your nose when you shifted in your slumber, your mascara coated lashes dusting your skin, your slightly furrowed brows—were you having a nightmare? Was Chanyeol the hero in your dreams?

“You ready?” Chanyeol hummed as he reached the bottom of the stairs, Sehun pulled his gaze away from you to look at Chanyeol who looked completely unphased that he was leaving you here alone in the middle of the night.

“Are you sure you just want to leave her here?” He took another glance at you, his heart sunk into the pit of his stomach the longer he stared at you, guilt ran deep in his veins.

“Don’t worry, she’ll be out all night. She was wearing herself thin when we were running around town today.” He walked around to the couch, crouching down to come face to face with you, “She won’t even know we’re gone.” Pressing his lips to your forehead, your brows relaxed with a slight hum, “You’ll be fine, won’t you, baby?” Sehun tore his eyes away from you, watching Chanyeol be affectionate with you annoyed him, he was short and dismissive with you all day and now you were ‘baby’ and he was showering you with affection; if you were his, he would always show you how much your worth.

“Alright… let’s go. Don’t want to keep him waiting.” He couldn’t make it out of the house fast enough, he just wanted to come back to you even though you weren’t waiting for him.

Sehun and Chanyeol walked down the hall, the obsidian double doors at the end of the hall came closer with each step, with each step Sehun’s heart smashed against his rib cage. He’s been through this over a hundred times, but every time the boss called them in, his nerve to quit and walk out vanished into thin air.

Chanyeol reached for the gold handle and pulled the door open, Sehun’s eyes found three other bodies in the room as well as an older man, “My two favorite Mutts.” The low raspy voice sent chills through Sehun as he took his spot next to Chanyeol in the lineup of people, “Since everyone is here, let’s just get straight to the point, we have 12 companies that have still not paid their debt, so now we’re having to send in our reinforcements, that means you all.”

“12? That’s a larger number than usual…” Sehun looked down the line to see a guy with soft pink faded shaggy hair dressed in denim and leather; his face looked familiar like they’d run into each other before, but haven’t exactly met. The man next to him held a different air about him, short black hair, warm caramel skin, a heavy flat expression that would fit a war veteran; another familiar face, but one he wasn’t able to pinpoint. The last guy he knew, Kris, your older brother, he looked different than the last time that he saw him—thick grey dyed locks that rested messily around his fade, dark inky tattoos that peeked out of the neckline of his collared button-up—he seemed to be holding himself well, but seeing as the last time he saw him you three were in high school and Kris was leaving for China.

“Three in the northern part of the city, two in the south, four in the east, and three in the west. Baekhyun and Kyungsoo take the three west, Kris take the two south, which leaves Chanyeol and Sehun with the three in the north and four in the east. I expect all five of you to do your jobs swimmingly, with no snags or problems. I’ll send you the location of each one along with the amount of debt they are in.” The room fell silent as the older man stood from his seat behind his desk, “Understood?”

“Yes.” Sehun, as well as the others, hummed in agreement.

“Perfect. You’re all dismissed… everyone but Sehun.” Sehun’s heart dropped into the pit of his stomach upon hearing his name.

“Me…?” All the eyes in the room turned to him as he questioned him like it was baffling that he would choose him out of the group to speak to privately.

“Yes. Just you.” He motioned for the others to leave the room and Chanyeol clapped a hand to his shoulder.

“I’ll be waiting by the car.” Sehun nodded and waited until the door closed behind him to look back at the older man.

“What would you like to talk about, Sir?” He couldn’t help but be nervous in front of him, he controlled whether he was coming or going, or if he was leaving this room alive.

“How’s my daughter?”

“Y/N? She’s…” His thoughts of your sleeping face flooded his memory, “She’s okay, but… why ask me instead of Chanyeol? He’s her boyfriend, I’m just—”

“The guy who’s there for her when Chanyeol isn’t? I know he’s using her to just fill his time when he’s bored, but you…” He sat back down in his chair to pull open one of the desk drawers, “You actually care about my princess, so please keep her uninvolved in this mess.” He pulled out a thin black checkbook and quickly scratched a large number onto the paper before ripping it out and handing it to him, “Accept this as a token of my gratitude.”

“I couldn’t…”

“You’ve taken better care of her than have since she was a child. You deserve everything—”

“Sir really…” Sehun bowed while handing him back his check, “Money doesn’t change whether I take care of her or not, she’s special to me… so I don’t need extra money outside the payment for the completed jobs.” He kinked an eyebrow before taking the check from him, confusion clear in his expression, “I better get to the first job as get home before she wakes up. Thank you, Sir.” He bowed deeply before making his exit into the hall where Chanyeol was waiting for him.

“What’d he want to talk about?” He pushed his blond hair back, getting it out of his face as he popped up from the wall.

“Nothing really, he just wanted to talk about a previous transaction with a client he thought I knew.” He couldn’t let him know that your father favored him more than your actual boyfriend, but the giddy feeling that appeared made him more than happy—now he really wanted to go home just to see you.

The outskirts of the city were drastically different than the inner city, the brightly lit streets started to fade to darker roads with poorly lit alleys the further they got out of the city. After multiple minutes spent searching for the building, Sehun finally noticed the rough exterior of a modernized structure that held the name of the company they were looking for, “Acedex Hotel? Is this, right?” Chanyeol asked getting out of the car and Sehun hummed in response as he slammed the car door closed.

“No casualties tonight, I plan to just get this done as cleanly as possible.” Less blood on his hands the better, going home for you to clean him up again isn’t what he wanted.

“No promises.” Chanyeol shrugged and made his way to the front of the building, his shadow appeared in lights flooding from the front door as they approached the glass entryway. He strolled inside like he owned the place while Sehun lagged behind him, they were a team—Chanyeol was the one to negotiate terms and Sehun was the fighter even though Chanyeol takes most of the beating.

“Welcome to Acedex, how can—” The man sitting at the desk laid his eyes on them, the color in his face drained immediately, “He’s already sending his Mutts to drain me of money?”

“Now, now, don’t act like we’re heartless human beings, Mr. Shang.” Chanyeol leaned up against the desk, rapping his fingers over the glass countertop, “All we’re here to do is collect the money that you owe our boss. He gave you six months to get your business up and running, and guess what—it's been six months.”

“I…” Sehun watched Shang’s eyes dart between every exit he had available, his sixth sense beginning to kick in as he took off down the hall on the other side of the desk.

“Don’t lose him!” Chanyeol yelled as he jumped over the desk, chasing after him. Sehun exited the building, taking a chance to where he could be headed; he rounded the corners of the building to come around to the back of it, as he reached the back door, it swung open in front of him and the man ran into him.

“Gotcha,” Sehun growled watching Shang’s face contort with anger.

“Fuck you!” He hissed, quickly throwing a punch to Sehun’s face. He stepped back to avoid the blow of his punch to deliver a jab to his throat causing Shang to fall to his knees, coughing and struggling for air, in front of him.

“Should’ve thought about not trying to attack me.” Sehun grabbed the back of his head and smashed his face into his knee as he brought it up; he watched as his limp body crumbled down onto the pavement when a sigh filled the air around them.

“You really had to knock him out?” Chanyeol huffed leaning against the doorframe.

“Easier to tote him back to the boss.”

“Touché…”

“Please, please! I’ll give you the money, don’t make me see him!” Shang squirmed and yelled as Chanyeol and Sehun dragged him down the hall towards their boss’s office.

“You should’ve just given us the money upfront, but no, you just had to run didn’t you?” Chanyeol scoffed, rolling his eyes. Guards stood at the doors waiting for everyone’s arrival, “Are we the first ones back?”

“With an actual person, yes.” The guard opened the door and they entered the office once more, this time with their job in tow.

“Let me guess, he ran.” Your father asked while they released their hold on Shang, dropping him onto the floor.

“As soon as we mentioned money—”

“Hear me out, Sir… I-I can get you your money, but I don’t have it right now…” Shang continued to babble on after cutting Sehun off, with passing glances between Sehun and Chanyeol and your father, Sehun reached into the back of his pants, the cool metal of the gun welcomed his hold on the grip.

“I thought you said you had the money…” He hummed, pulling out the gun and pulling back the slide to load a bullet into the chamber. The chinking sound of the slide snapping back into place made Shang jump but made a smile appear on Sehun’s face.

“I will!”

“That’s not what you said before.” He pressed the muzzle up to the side of his head, “We need the payment today, if we don’t receive it, your brains will be splattered across the floor.”

“Give me a week, Sir, please!” Hearing Shang beg made your father chuckle.

“You think you deserve another week?” He leaned back in his chair, letting the thought roll around before sighing, “Sehun. Go ahead and—”

“I’ll give it to you right now! Please!” Shang screamed. Silence fell around the room as they watched Shang crawl up to the desk, “I’ll pay you right now, just please spare me…” Sehun followed Shang to the desk, keeping the muzzle flush to his head.

“Shang… I don’t think that we can keep you around—” Before your father could finish his sentence Sehun pulled the trigger, the ringing gunshot echoed through the room along with the splatter of blood and brain matter hitting the floor, “Eager to end him weren’t you, Sehun?”

“I’ve wanted to put a bullet in his head since we met him.” He wasn’t exactly lying, it annoyed him that he had to track him down anyway and the fact he tried to escape only annoyed him more, but the rush of pulling the trigger was more exciting than letting the man walk away.

“Chanyeol, get Kwang to come clean up this mess.”

“Yes, Sir.” Chanyeol left the room and your father pulled open his desk drawer and pulled out a bulging envelope.

“Your payment.” His voice was short as if he was disappointed that Sehun took Shang’s life, but that’s who he was in the heat of the moment.

“Thank you, Sir.” He grabbed the envelope and bowed, taking his departure from the room that was tainted with the heavy scent of iron. Walking down the hall, Chanyeol met him as Kwang walked past them, a small group of men followed in suit carrying a black bag, one big enough to fit a body.

“Is that our pay?” Chanyeol’s upbeat voice frustrated Sehun, how could he act so calm when he just watch him take the life of an innocent man?

“Yeah…” He handed him the envelope and he ripped into the package and began leafing through the money in his hands with nothing but a smile on his face.

“Job well done tonight.” Sehun grunted in response, his eyes caught the extent of his hand and he took the large sum of money from his grasp, “I thought you said no casualties though…”

“You think I wanted to kill that man?” He hissed while he shoved his cut into his pocket.

“No, but you also didn’t hesitate.” He was right, the adrenaline racing through his veins let him know that it wasn’t a dream or a figment of his imagination, he actually killed another person without hesitation.

“I’m just ready to go home…” He pulled the car keys from his pocket to unlock the door when Chanyeol snatched the keys from hand.

“C’mon man, our first successful job in China? Let’s celebrate!” He looked Chanyeol up and down, his clothes free of Shang’s claret while his clothes were speckled with it.

“You can, but I’m going home.” He grabbed the keys from Chanyeol and yanked the car door open.

“What about me?”

“Take a cab.” He fell into the driver's seat and closed the door, his guilt already began to settle into him; he could feel his emotions start to numb over as he started the car, he needed to get home—needed to get to you.

The one thing that separated him from his fears and his release was just past the mahogany door, just one key turn away, just one step past the threshold and you were there. He slid the key into the lock and turned it, the deadbolt clunked as it retreated, he slipped into the house, the darkness of the house worried him. He made a beeline to the living area to see the flickering light from the TV dancing across the floor as he approached the couch, but you weren’t on the couch where they left you, “Y/N?” He whispered, but you didn’t respond; he bolted up the stairs and checked in your room.

You weren’t there.

Checked his room.

You weren’t there either.

His heart thrashed around in his chest as he sped down the stairs and searched the entire main floor, where did you go? Did you finally get tired of them and leave? Did someone kidnap you?

He was about to call the cops when something caught his eye on the patio. You stood facing the artificial stars, a blanket hugged your body, but he could tell that it was you and nobody else. He pulled open the sliding door for you to turn around, revealing your tired expression, “Sehun…?” Your voice was enough to have him running to you; he wrapped his arms around your body and held you close to him, “Sehun? What’s wrong?”

For a moment he forgot…

Sehun pulled away from you to caress your cheeks, your confused gaze melted the numbness that had instilled itself into him. He leaned into you, forgetting that you weren’t his.