#Tao is a chapter I’ve had for a few years now and thought up her own story along side making the main story

[mazu-art]

Tao Minazuki (Character Ref) Sketch, Color, Inked -Heroes of the next generation- AU

She is Toitás Mazumi’s deceased sister. In the AU she is the one who survives and her brother Toitás passes away.

Her Ability is: Black Ice, which she controls with her frozen heart.

Her shirt reads No Mo’ Heroes

[lyranova]

Mocha Dreams and Earl Grey Realities:

Chapter 1: An Awkward Reunion 3 Years in the Making

Summary: For the last 5 years William Vangeance’s life had been quiet and peaceful, he went to work at the Blackbird café, hung out with a few friends, and finally felt like life was going his way. Until one day when he receives a call from some old friends pleading for him to become the guardian of their 17 year old daughter Neva in order to protect her from an unknown danger.

And during this time, William’s peaceful life only becomes more loud and chaotic as he suddenly finds himself “responsible” for a woman named Zera Cassia after supposedly winning her in a poker game.

Meanwhile, after being in Witness Protection with his mother Ciel for the last few years of his life, Yuno Grinberryall is doing his best to live a “normal life”. However, he finds that it isn’t as easy as it seems, especially when he feels that he’s constantly being watched. But after meeting Neva Belmonte, who is in a similar position as him, he finds that he isn’t as alone as he first thought.

A/N: Hiya guys, I hope you’re all doing well! This is my contribution to @loosesodamarble ‘s Butler AU! That she’s set up 🥰 (which can be read HERE!)! I’ve had a lot of this plotted out/written since September, and I hope you all enjoy~! Also the poem William recites is one by Tao Qian 😁!

OC’s that’ll be mentioned in this AU: Solara Equinox (belongs to @/thoughtfullyrainynightmare), Josele Canty (belongs to @/loosesodamarble), Briar Rose (belongs to @/koneko-pi), and Acylla Rhine who belongs to @/faewraithsworld)!

Word Count: 3,367

Warning: This Series will Contain Mature Scenes and Themes throughout and each chapter will be labeled accordingly!

————

Whistles, shouts, and footsteps could be heard echoing throughout the Clover Train Station. Families traveling to and fro, people talking on their cell phones as they walked to their trains, people laughing with their friends as they waited. It was one of the busiest places in the city besides Main Street.

William quietly paced back and forth on the platform, the train he was waiting for had just pulled in, and now all he had to do was wait for the people to disembark the train. He watched as many different faces stepped off the train and onto the platform, but none of them were who he was waiting for.

He continued watching as he paced slowly, the sound of people chatting and the sound of his own thoughts steadily drowned out the sound of his dress shoes clicking against the stone floor of the station. What if he was at the wrong platform, and she was sitting there waiting for him? What if he had the wrong time? Or what if he was at the wrong station entirely?

He shook his head, no, he had everything right. He had asked Idalia multiple times earlier that day, and he even wrote it down, so surely this was the right place! Maybe she just hadn’t gotten off the train yet? Or maybe, no, could they have missed each other?!

William groaned as he slumped forward, this was his first time being in charge of someone, and he had already screwed it up!

Suddenly, he felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned around and saw the person he was waiting for.

Neva Belmonte. His ‘little sister’ as he jokingly liked to refer to her as since they looked so similar, despite not being related, and had known each other since she was a small child.

“ Oh, you’re here. Did you have a good trip?” William asked as he quickly took her bags from her, and the young girl nodded.

“ I did,” She told him softly as she let him take her bags. “ It’s been a while since I’ve been on a train, it was nice.” She added as she looked around the train station.

The two stood there a bit awkwardly. Neva was usually a quiet and soft-spoken person, but it seemed to be even more pronounced now that she was in a new environment.

“ You got taller.” He said, trying his best to break the awkward tension between them. Neva nodded.

“ 3 Years will do that.”

“ R-Right, of course,” William agreed with a nervous laugh.

William had been friends with Neva’s parents ever since he was around 16 years old. They happened to meet by chance when he started working at Idalia, Neva’s mothers, bakery. The couple had kind of adopted him as one of their own after that. Even though Julius was his father figure and main benefactor, the Belmonte’s also took care of him. They were like…an Aunt and Uncle of sorts. While Neva was more like a little sister.

But due to him being busy with his work, the last time he had seen Neva was when she was around 14 years old, when William had gotten his new apartment with his friend and co-worker Yami Sukehiro. He had invited Neva’s family to Clover so they could see his new living space and also spend some time together before the family went back to their hometown.

“ Shall we go? I’m sure you’re hungry and tired after the trip.” William asked, and Neva nodded.

The two began to quietly make their way out of the train station, steadily maneuvering through the sea of people. Until they finally made it outside, where they were slightly blinded by the bright afternoon sunlight.

William frowned, it was mid-morning when he arrived…he suddenly looked at his watch and gasped.

It was 11:30…and his shift at the Blackbird was supposed to start at 12!

“ Neva, I know you’re tired, and I’m sure you just want to go to the apartment and rest, but my shift at work is about to start. Is it alright if you come with me and hang out there for the afternoon? I’m only working part-time today, so I should be done by 6.” He told her, and the young girl nodded.

“ Yeah, that’s fine,” She agreed softly. “ Although you could just give me directions and I can walk to your apartment by myself…” She added as she began to follow him down the street towards the café.

She had a point, he could have done that, but he had strict instructions from her parents that he was not to let her go anywhere alone unless it was to his café or his apartment after school.

Why? Because Neva was in danger.

Currently, Neva believed she was being transferred because Clover Academy was better than the high school in Drysor and that going to Clover Academy would help her future. But in reality, she was being transferred due to threats being made against her. At first her parents had believed that maybe it was someone from her school playing pranks, but slowly the letters became more and more unhinged. Because of that, Idalia called William and begged him to take her in as his ward and keep her safe, hoping that maybe if Neva left the city she would be safer.

“ Please keep my Little Diamond safe.”

William sighed softly as Idalia’s words echoed in his head. How could he have said no to a mother's desperate plea? Honestly, even if she hadn’t asked him to take Neva in, he probably would have offered anyway.

Her safety and security was the most important thing.

“ What’s going on across the street?” Neva asked softly as her eyes drifted to her right. After being pulled out of his thoughts, William turned to his right as well.

Across the street, there were various boxes and furniture sitting in front of the empty store, along with what appeared to be vases and flowers. The sign above the store was covered with a big white sheet, and there appeared to be people moving around inside.

“ It looks like a new shop’s moving in across the street.” William muttered as he watched various young women walk out of the shop, pick up various items from the street and inside the box truck, before they happily walked back into the empty store.

“ What do you think it’ll be?” Neva asked, her soft voice holding a curious tone in it. He hummed from beside her.

“ I’m not sure. It could be a clothing store, or maybe an antique shop? We’ll only find out for sure once it opens.” He told her with a small smile before he patted her shoulder. “ We’re here. You go on inside, I have to go in through the back, so I can change into my uniform.”

“ Your uniform?” Neva asked with a frown, and he nodded.

“ Yes, unlike when I worked at your parent's bakery, I can’t just wear my normal clothes. We have to wear uniforms in order to keep with the café’s themes.” He explained before he turned and began to walk down the alley next to the café.

“ ‘Theme’? What kind of café is this?” Neva muttered as her gaze slowly drifted from the door to the sign above the door that read ‘The Blackbird Café’ in beautiful cursive with the image of a small blackbird.

Just what kind of place was it? Was it maybe one of those animal themed cafés where they had dogs, cats, and exotic animals?

She shook her head, there was only one way to find out, and that was by going inside.

As the platinum blonde haired woman walked inside, a young man with dark black hair, amber eyes, and a serious expression walked out of the alley way and onto the street.

———

Neva’s purple eyes widened as she stood inside the café. The design appeared to be European inspired. Men walked around wearing crisp suits, the furniture was made of varnished wood and held an assortment of fancy tea sets, table mats, and china. As her gaze drifted up the ceiling, she could see the main dining area was lit up by a beautiful glass work chandelier. She instantly looked down at her pair of jeans, sneakers, and light purple top. She felt completely under dressed.

“ Hello, and welcome to the Blackbird,” A voice said calmly from beside her, she quickly turned to the side and saw a much taller man in a crisp but slightly more casual suit. His dark hair was a bit messy, and he had a bit of a stubble mustache and beard, but he didn’t look unkempt or ‘too casual’. “ Is it just you, or will someone else be arriving later?”

“ Um, just me…” Neva said with a small frown as her eyes scanned the café in search of William.

“ Hey, you’re Johnathan’s kid sister, right? Uh…Nina isn’t it?” He asked, a confused frown appearing on his face.

“ It’s Neva…” She corrected, and the man quickly nodded and scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“ Ah, that’s right, my bad. It was hard to understand Johnathan’s blubbering when he talked about you.” The man said with a small chuckle, and it was Neva’s turn to frown.

“ You keep mentioning ‘Johnathan’, but I don’t know anyone with that name.” She said with a confused tone, but he shook his head.

“ Yeah you do, it’s that guy right there,” He said as he jerked a thumb over his shoulder, Neva looked and saw William standing in the kitchen area talking to another man with shoulder-length silver hair. “ Here at the Blackbird we don’t use our real names, we go by alias’s instead as a safety precaution. You can call me Alexander, but I’m sure Johnathan will tell you my real name when you two leave.” He added as he crossed his arms.

“ Since it’s your first time at the café, I’ll take you to Johnathan’s section.” He told her as he stepped aside, extended his hand out towards the dining area, and bowed a bit.

“ This way, my lady,” He said, his tone and demeanor quickly switching from casual mode to work mode. “ I’ll guide you to your seat and ensure that no harm comes to you.” He added, and the woman blinked.

What…on earth was going on? This was strange to say the least. But for now she would go with it.

“ Um…thank you?” She said, her tone slightly hesitant, but she slowly began to walk towards the booth that ‘Alexander’ had pointed at. As they walked, he stayed close to her, but not so close that she felt uncomfortable. Whenever something got in her way or nearly bumped into her, ‘Alexander’ moved the object or blocked it.

What kind of café was this?

She slid inside the booth and muttered a soft ‘thank you’ as he handed her a menu, he told her that her ‘butler’ would be there shortly and she nodded. She looked at the menu and as she stared at the cover, her purple eyes narrowed at the small bit of text just underneath the café’s name.

‘Butler Café’.

Neva blinked a few times as she read that small bit of text over and over again, before she let out a quiet groan and rested her head against the table. Now it all made sense; the outfits, the ‘waiters’ demeanor, all of it!

“ Is something the matter, my lady? You sound troubled.” A voice said from beside her, and she slowly turned and raised her head slightly to see William, or ‘Johnathan’, standing there with a calm but slightly concerned look on his face.

“ It’s nothing. I’m just now realizing that this is a butler café, I’m such an idiot.” Neva groaned as she lowered her head onto the table again.

“ If I may, you are far from an idiot, my lady. You’re just tired from your long journey, that’s all.” He told her before a soft hum escaped him. “ Maybe a small poem will help my lady feel better?”

Neva raised her head completely and blinked.

“ A-A poem?” She asked in surprise, and ‘Johnathan’ nodded as a soft chuckle escaped him.

“ Yes. In order to shorten the wait for my mistresses and masters teas and meals, I try to provide them with a bit of entertainment.”

“So…it’s a gimmick?”

“ I wouldn’t call it a gimmick-.”

“ But it’s a gimmick.”

“ If that’s what my lady wants to call it, then we shall call it a gimmick.” ‘Johnathan’ said with a sigh and shake of his head. “ Would my lady like to hear one while she waits for her tea and meal?”

Neva hummed unsurely, whenever she heard poems or listened to poetry she was always reminded of a very…vexing person back in Drysor. He always liked to recite poetry while being as vague as possible about the meanings when speaking to people, and it irritated her. Why not just be direct and less…odd? Wouldn’t it be easier to just tell people what you wanted to tell them, instead of telling them through riddles and poems that they most likely won’t understand?

“ My lady? Are you alright?” ‘Johnathan’ asked, the worried look returning to his purple eyes again, and Neva nodded.

“ Y-Yeah, I’m alright,” Neva said quickly. “ And sure you can tell me a poem…although I have a feeling I’m going to regret this.” She muttered the last part under her breath, and ‘Johnathan’ nodded.

And regret it she did.

“ I built my hut in a zone of human habitation,

But near me there sounds no noise of horse or coach.

Would you know how that is possible?

A heart that is distant creates a wilderness round it.

I pluck chrysanthemums under the eastern hedge,

Then gaze long at the distant summer hills.

The mountain air is fresh at the dusk of day:

The flying birds two by two return.

In these things there lies a deep meaning;

Yet when we would express it, words suddenly fail us.”

As ‘Johnathan’ finished reciting his poem, he blinked in surprise as Neva cringed and covered her ears slightly. Was…the poem not good?

“ Please don’t do that again.” She groaned as she looked away, and he tilted his head as he saw her shoulders tremble slightly.

“ Was that poem unsatisfactory? Would you prefer a different one?” He asked, and he watched her quickly shake her head as her shoulders trembled more.

At first, William had thought that maybe she was crying, but as he looked at the reflection of her face in the window, he saw that wasn’t the case. Her cheeks were red, and her hand was over her mouth, it looked as though she were trying to stifle her laughter.

She was laughing at him…

He hummed a bit, maybe this was a better way to break the ice between them.

“ Since that poem wasn’t to your liking, might I tell you a different one?” He asked, amusement entering his voice and appearing on his face. Neva quickly shook her head as she turned to face him.

“ T-That’s okay-!” She tried to say, but he shook his head and began to recite another poem despite her protests.

“ Should we try to stop them?” ‘Alexander’ asked his boss, Nero, and she shook her head.

“ Just let them be for now. We aren’t busy and there aren’t many customers right now. So just let them be, if they get too rowdy, or we get a big lunch rush, then you’re allowed to step in.” Nero said as she looked at Neva cringing in the booth as William continued to recite poem after poem. Making everyone watching either laugh in amusement, or roll their eyes in annoyance.

Meanwhile, inside the ‘empty’ store across the street, an ash-blonde haired woman watched the two with a curious gaze through her shop window.

“ I wonder what’s going on over there.” She mumbled curiously, and the young black haired man with amber eyes came to stand beside her.

“ No idea.” He said bluntly, making the woman beside him chuckle.

“ Ooh, I see, since you’re no longer on the clock it isn’t your worry or concern?”

“ Exactly.”

“ Wow, that's kind of cold.” The woman giggled, and the young man sighed.

“ I guess. Can I leave now?” He asked as he turned away from the window, and the woman shook her head.

“ Nope! Your mom promised me that you would help me out here until 3, and that’s what you’re going to do!” The woman said with a bright grin, and the man sighed.

“ Isn’t that called exploiting a child for free labor?”

“ You call it ‘exploiting a child for free labor’, I call it a ‘friendly favor’!”

“ Unbelievable.”

“ Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to pay you in food!” The woman said with a giggle as she handed him another box. “ But first, you gotta earn it!”

—----

Later that evening, 6pm.

“ Thank you for the meal, and for letting me stay here until Johnathan’s shift is over.” Neva quietly told Nero as she stood at the counter and waited for William, the other lady nodded.

“ You’re welcome, anyone that’s a friend or family member of my butlers is welcome here, and judging by how many dessert plates you had today I think you’ll be coming here often.” She said with a ghost of a smile as she looked at the small plates being cleared from her table.

“ Ah…yeah, I think I might be.” Neva admitted with a sheepish chuckle, and she turned when she felt someone tap her shoulder.

“ Are you ready to go?” William asked as he stood there, and she quickly nodded. “ Goodnight Ms. Nero.”

“ Goodnight Johnathan, Neva. Be safe on your way home.” Nero said softly, her eyes not looking up from the pile of receipts in her hand.

The two nodded before leaving the café.

They quietly walked together down the street, the awkward tension that was there earlier between them seemed to have dissipated since they were now talking and laughing a bit more comfortably like they did years ago.

“ Isn’t your apartment this way?” Neva asked as she went to turn left but William kept walking straight.

“ It is, but we’re not going to my apartment,” William told her, and began to explain as she frowned. “ I live with someone, Yami, I mean Alexander, to be exact. I thought it might be uncomfortable for you to live with a stranger so I got us a different apartment.” Neva nodded slowly.

“ That makes sense. But you could have just stayed at your place and I could have gotten a dorm room at the academy-.” Neva began, but he shook his head quickly.

“ It’s alright I don’t mind. Besides, your parents insisted on you living with me, and frankly I insisted as well.” He told her, and her frown deepened.

“ Why?”

“ Because you’re in a new, and much bigger, city that can be quite dangerous. So it’s a way for us to keep you safe.”

“ You’re all way too overprotective.” Neva muttered with a small sigh and shake of her head, but she didn’t argue, and started walking straight ahead.

William sighed in relief. While it wasn’t a complete lie, it wasn’t fully the truth either.

“ Whatever happens, you cannot let Neva know about this. Please, William, it’s for her own protection!”

He quickly shook his head as Idalia’s words echoed in his head again. While he didn’t really agree with keeping this from Neva, he also didn’t want to tell her about it either…

There really was no good way to go about this.

“ Are you coming? I don’t know the way to the apartment and I need to get some sleep if I want to go to school tomorrow!” Neva shouted as she noticed that William wasn’t following her.

“ Ah right, sorry. I’m coming!” He shouted back as he began to walk quickly towards her.

For now he wasn’t going to worry about whether he should tell her the real reason she was here or not, instead he would focus on making sure Neva was safe, happy, and comfortable in Clover just like he promised her parents.

————

Thank you all so much for reading and I hope you all have a good day~!

[wesimpforxiao]

Inception: Chapter 5

"Pft! I-Ahahaha!"  You were doubled over the table trying to stop yourself from choking on your food while Ajax crinkled his nose in disdain.  The two of you were at Xinyue Kiosk for a late-night dinner that he had insisted was his treat.  You've only ate at fancy food places like this every once in awhile; these meals were so freaking expensive! Your initial hesitance to join Ajax on the basis of money was soon overshadowed by the entertaining sight sitting across the table.

"Tch...tsk..." With every effort, he grew more impatient and frustrated.  It didn't help that you were watching and laughing at his incompetent efforts to use chopsticks!  "Ugh! Forget it!"  He gave up and stabbed one of his sushi rolls rather violently before shoving it into his mouth with a pout.  Ajax turned away from you as his face grew redder and redder, but he couldn't help glancing back to see the smile on your face and the tears of joy rolling down your cheeks.  Well, as long as this brought you joy...at his own expense...He let out a huff before reaching for his drink.  At least whatever bitterness you held towards him last week seemed to disappear.

"I-I can't believe you...! I can't take it!" At long last your laughing fit died down enough so you could breathe, and you reached up to wipe your tears away.  "Pft...! I'm sorry, but this is too funny!"

"Yeah yeah," Ajax sighed yet again, his confidence deflating like a balloon and his posture slouching.  What a way to impress a girl.  He should've went for the fork first!

Noticing his sudden change of attitude, you slipped out of your seat and joined his side, leaning over him.  "Here," you swiped the chopsticks off of his plate and placed them in his hand once again, this time so they were in the correct positions.  "Now you've got the right hold on them."  Your fingers were still draped over his while you guided the sticks to another piece of sushi.  

Contrary to your concentration on helping, Ajax was a bit more flustered than usual and it wasn't because of the chopsticks.  For some reason his heart fluttered at the sudden lack of distance between the two of you, just like that night under the light of the Mingxiao lantern.  'You think I'm in love with childhood friend?  My my my, Mr. Zhongli, perhaps you've finally lost your marbles after spending so much time with mortals,' he recollected.  No...there's no way Zhongli's right about this.  This is all a fluke!  But your hand was so warm, no doubt because of your pyro vision...how long had it been since he felt such gentleness from another person?  The closest he's ever come to human contact was by beating his foes senseless!  And when was the last time he had a genuine hug?  It's been years, he realized, since before the inception of my Fatui status.

"There, see?  You'll get the hang of it."  He snapped back to the present when your hand quickly left his.  Whatever light had begun to gleam in his eyes faded just like the heat from your touch, and he watched you sit back down at your end of the table.  "You're not completely hopeless at chopsticks," you smirked.

"You're right, ojou-chan.  One day I'll surpass you when it comes to these cursed utensils!"  He hid his feelings by attempting to put your lesson to use, but failed drastically again and again.  It was obvious he didn't pay attention to a single thing you had told him to do! The boyish desire to one-up his best friend made you giggle again.

Somewhere behind the decorated divider that made up your private dining space sat the eyes and ears of the wolf.  Following Master Childe around proved to be fruitful just as expected; while the harbinger often held private meetings and dinners to get closer to clients, this one felt different based on all the others that Charlie had followed him to.  There was a distinct familiarity--one that Childe was definitely not faking for the sake of deceit and was shared with the mysterious girl sitting at the other end of the table.

I see, thought Charlie while his ears strained to pick up the other noncoherent whispers on the other side of the screen.  He'd been following Childe around all week and had quickly picked up on the harbinger's avoidance of his own men so that he could spend time with you.  Clearly, this woman must hold a special place in Childe's heart--an old flame, maybe?  Regardless of the specifics of your relationship with him, it would make the most sense for you to be the vigilante Childe has neglected to capture; the merciless blood-thirsty harbinger would've gone in for the kill if it were any other person, but since it's you...you'd be protected. Sheltered.  Allowed to get away with tormenting the Fatui since you're so close to Childe.  You're untouchable.

Of course, this was all just a theory.  To properly identify you as the vigilante Master seeks, he'd have to follow you around instead.

A chill ran down Childe's back out of nowhere; something's wrong.  While he continued to struggle with the remainder of the sushi, his gaze darted to every which-way to identify anything out of the ordinary.  He was sure the two of you weren't followed, and he had made every effort possible to avoid his subordinates on the way here, even setting up a private room that isn't too common in the Kiosk.  Still, he couldn't help but feel like he was being watched. You noticed the sudden tension in the air around him, and stared until he noticed.

"What's wrong?"

"Hm? Oh, nothing," his voice lower than a minute ago, "Please excuse me, ojou-chan.  I need to use the restroom."  He slipped out between two of the dividers and froze once he was out of your sight.  The remainder of the room was deserted. How odd...the tension in his shoulders slowly faded as he was put at ease.  

"Excuse me," a petite voice drug him out of his thoughts and he was greeted by the waitress.  She held a silver platter with a pair of matching deserts on it.  "Oh, have you changed your mind on desert after all?"

"No, not at all.  Please, allow me."  He took the tray from her and watched her exit the room.  With one final skeptical glance around the room, he returned to the inside of the dividers.

"Oh, and before I forget," Childe began to dig into a delicious chocolate desert you didn't remember the name of but seemed to be some sort of cake.  "I have a business trip coming up at the end of this week in Mondstat."

"Oh really?  That sounds fun.  How long will you be gone?"

"For a few days at the least.  Actually, I was wondering if you'd join me."

Your forkful of chocolate-something froze in midair.  "...Join...you...?  But I don't have anything to do with your company...I'd be a distraction, don't you think? Plus there's my business with the funeral parlor and I don't think I can request days off on such short--"

"I've already spoken to Zhongli about it.  He and Hu Tao cleared you as of last night.  So, what do you say?  Wouldn't this also give you the chance to visit some of your friends there anyway?"

"Well...yes..." you mumbled with a slight blush.

"What do you have to lose?  Think of it as a much-needed vacation.  You work too hard from what I've heard from Zhongli!  Besides, we can use this opportunity to learn more about each other, don't you think?"  Seeing your hesitation, he let out a defeated chuckle and shrugged.  "Of course, that's if you want to come with me.  If not, I understand."

"I..."  Well if my superiors approved, then I guess there's nothing wrong with taking a trip, right?  "Okay, I'll come with you."

................................................

The quiet peacefulness of Liyuan wilderness was disrupted by an exhausted groan and the dragging of feet.  "Ugh, since when was it ever this hot in Liyue?"  Your clothes were soaked in sweat from the summer-like heat despite your vision granting you resistance, but Childe appeared mostly unbothered--mostly.  He didn't show it, but when you'd look elsewhere he'd often pull at his collar and reminisce of the harsh winters of the Motherland.  "Thank the archons that the sun is finally setting."

"We've already passed Wangshu Inn, but it's not too late to turn back and spend the night there.  Are you sure you want to sleep in the woods, Reed?  You'd be passing up the chance to cuddle me, you know."  He reveled in your half-disgusted, half-flustered reaction while you struggled to fully comprehend his words.

"Q-Quit it!  Like I've said before, this wouldn't be my first trip to Mond.  I have no problem lying on the ground!  Or are you saying you can't handle it?"  Flipping the subject onto him did no good at hiding your flushing skin; the arrogant smirk on his face proved it.  "...Why don't we stay here?  There's the creek nearby, and a clearing up ahead."

Childe eyed the surrounding area and set his pack down.  "If the lady insists."  The pleasant aroma of packed food filled the two of you with delight.  "Shall I begin cooking dinner?"

"I wouldn't mind," you practically drooled.  Ajax's cooking was amazing! After that initial dinner when both of you reunited, he would sometimes surprise you with homecooked meals to take home and man were you excited for the next time he offered.  A toy seller and a cook...his younger siblings must live a luxury!  "I'll get some water!"

The creek wasn't too far away--perhaps some fifty feet or so.  The crystalline waters murmured quietly over the pebbles and stones, some spaces louder, others quieter where the fish gathered.  If it wasn't getting darker by the minute and the threat of hilichurls wasn't so prominent, you could've stayed here much longer.  Not that hilichurls posed that much of a threat to someone acquainted with your fighting skills, but you've only come across them once or twice, and the giant ones could easily bulldoze through you if given the chance.

Once the pot of water was full you rose to walk back to your little makeshift camp.  Ajax had insisted on bringing fresh produce since the trip to Mondstat wasn't a particularly long one and the trip was rather straightforward.  Maybe he was going to make stew?  Whatever he chose, you just hoped none of the food spoiled from the sun beating down on the packs all day.

By the time you got back, Ajax had already managed to start a fire and was humming some unknown tune while preparing the produce.  You couldn't help but raise a brow and tighten your hold on the pot.  "Um...really?"

"Hm?"  His eyes slid to you, then back to the fire.  "Oh! Sorry, I wasn't thinking.  Don't worry, Reed.  It won't bite you."

"I'm not coming close enough to feel the heat on my skin.  Here," you thrust the pot towards him and he made sure to grab it before the water spilled over.  Your light footsteps got quieter the further you strayed from Ajax and the fire, taking shelter beneath one of the far trees where your packs lay.  

"Relax, ojou-chan.  I won't let it hurt you."  A small chuckle escaped him before he resumed his humming session without a second thought or noticing your silence.  

You really don't remember...You fidgeted with the hem of your shirt.  What did they do to you, Ajax?

Your silence carried on until the crickets duetted with the occasional hoots of a nearby owl and the crackling of the fire weighed heavily on your mind.  "I'm sorry, ojou-chan."  

"Mm?"  He had stopped rambling about some disagreement he and a coworker had about communication and was now looking directly at you.  

"I'll put out the fire," he moved.

"No, you need to stay warm."

"I wouldn't say that."  He drug out a blanket from his pack and laid it in the space between where he sat by the fire and you, who sat at the tree behind him.  "Here.  You'll lay on that side, I'll lay next to the fire."

Your eyes narrowed at the flickering flames behind him.  "Is that even safe?"

"Well if the fire ever gets out of control, you or I can put it out," he reasoned and pat the spot next to him until you reluctantly obliged.  He didn't lay down until you were settled in with your back facing him.  Silence befell the campsite until he took a deep breath.  "What's on your mind, Reed?"

It took a few minutes for the answer to come out.  "Do you not remember our last encounter  before my mother and I left Snezhnaya?"

"Now that you mention it, not really."  He remembered a vague goodbye, but nothing else about it.  It was sometime right after he returned from the abyss if he got his timeline correct.  Feeling a tad nervous for whatever reason now, he let out a small laugh.  "Could you possibly enlighten--" You rolled around so you faced him and met his gaze with tears. That's when his memory came rushing back.

"Ajax!  Ajax!"  You ran at him full speed with hot tears spilling down your cheeks until you collided with him in a tight embrace.  "I--I thought they got you too!" He seemed to freeze under your touch, so you pulled away to look him over.  He appeared tired and wild for lack of a better term, with eyes as wide as saucers like a snow leopard meeting a human for the first time.  He was different, but you couldn't put your finger on how.

"'Too?'"

"The Fatui," you sobbed.  "A day after you went missing, my house...my daddy..."

His words came out as harsh as the cold with not a hint of his kind demeanor shining through. "Spit it out."

"You know how my daddy fights against the Fatui in my town? They burned my house down and...and daddy..." Was your face red from crying all day or from the cold?  "...he burned with it."  Ajax didn't seem injured, so some of the stress weighing your shoulders down dissipated a bit now that you knew your dear friend wasn't hurt.

But instead of Ajax explaining where he was or consoling you for the loss of your father, a horrid giggle pierced through the snowscape.  It was inhuman, what with its pitch sending an icy chill down your spine and instantly replacing your expression of sorrow to one of confusion and horror.  "Ha...Hahahaha! Hahahahah!"

"Why are you laughing? This isn't funny!"

"Ahahaha!  Silly Reed," he chided and pat your head like one consoles a younger sibling, "in this world, only the strong survive.  Your father wasn't strong enough." The girl before him trembled at his words.  "He was too weak if he died like that."

"Th--This isn't funny, Ajax! Cut it--OW!"  You were shoved into the snow with an unfamiliar strength.  Ajax never raised a hand at you, even when you two played together.  What was he--

A dangerous glint danced in his eyes like the fire that consumed your house two days ago. "No, you cut it out!  You're gonna get yourself killed if you keep acting weak.  The world has no mercy on people like us.  It's kill or be killed.  Do you understand that, Reed?"

"Why are you...What is the matter with you?!  Don't you care? What did the Fatui do to you?!  Who even are you?"  Hot tears rolled down your cheeks until the cold froze them in their tracks.  Yet the boy that stared down at you was uncaring, cruel, and held no life in his eyes.

"It wasn't the Fatui," he muttered to himself.  "Hurry up and get on with it already.  What was really so important that you needed to tell me your dad died?"

"My mama and I...we're leaving tomorrow.  I came to make sure you were okay and to say goodbye.  We won't see each other again, Ajax," you finally rose to your feet and clenched your fists.  "But you don't care, do you?"

"No.  I don't.  Leave me alone already."

"I..." Ajax blinked several times as he processed his long-forgotten memory.  "I'm so sorry, Reed."

"If you're so sorry, then tell me what happened.  What did the Fatui do to you?" Even in the dark, you could see a hint of sadness in the depths of his eyes.  "If they hurt you too I swear...I swear I'll make every single one of them pay."  Heat radiated from your body at the thought.  "I promise." Yet even as you said this, there was another, darker, more bittersweet emotion in his expression.

"I...fell into the Abyss."  Those were the only words he muttered before rolling onto his other side, facing away from you.  And though you didn't really understand what he meant, his empty tone struck a cord within you.  Warm arms gently wrapped around his torso with a heat softer than the campfire that lulled him to sleep.

[malachi-walker]

Happy birthday, Mal! I love your fics, they evoke so much emotion in me and have made me cry many a time. I don't often reread fics, but i've reread multiple chapters of Rhythm and Blues because they're stuck with me so much. You capture the emotional pain of their trauma and the catharsis that comes with their growth so beautifully. You also write some brilliant meta and just consistently post some fantastic thoughts. Also your love for swords is very appreciated. <3 have a lovely day!

First of all, my apologies for not replying sooner. I was making my mind up about something that would definitely require the use of a read more and thus necessitate dragging myself to desktop (which I hate because my laptop predates the dinosaurs.)

But seriously. Thank you so much. This is honestly one of the sweetest comments I've ever gotten and definitely made my already pretty sweet bday even better.

So about that read more. In honor of you, @metalesbo, my friends @n7punk and @jem-jarrett and everyone else who sent me well wishes or just really loves my work... Here's the opening section of the next chapter of R&B. Enjoy. It's a long one.

Adora Eternia is about two months shy of her fourteenth birthday when she first realizes she's in love with her best friend.

Though--if asked--she would hasten to explain that it wasn't when she fell in love. But trying to pinpoint the exact moment is an exercise in catching mist: the more she tries to grasp it in her hands the more it spreads out and covers everything. It just is: pure and simple and very, very complicated.

It's the beginning of December and the whole town is covered in a thick blanket of snow. Winterfest will be here in a few weeks, so to help out the kids who want to get gifts for their friends the Right Zone administration has shuffled around the groups that usually take their monthly trips on the third and fourth Sundays of the month to double up with the other two. As part of group three, she and Catra got the first week (the other three members of their crew are week two folks anyway and thus outside the reorganization.)

It's still kinda weird to think that: their crew. For so long, it was just Catra and Adora. Adora and Catra. One unit bound together, just them against the world. But there's also something nice about being part of a small cluster, their "scrappy little lone wolf pack" as Catra had once put it with a wry grin before Lonnie shoved her over with an, "Excuse you, I'm a great people person when I'm not busy making sure you idiots haven't set yourselves on fire!"

They all got a good laugh out of that one.

But regardless, the holidays are coming up and this is the first year that any of their group has felt like actually doing anything for it, aside from wrangling together a sleepover and seeing if they can convince the kitchen staff to slip them some leftover eggnog.

They made each other promise not to go too extravagant and keep each person's gift to ten dollars or lower. Even though their quarterly stipend has increased from three hundred to four hundred to match with inflation over the past eight years, it still isn't a whole lot for three month's worth of expenses, especially when they also have to budget regularly for clothes to keep up with the seemingly endless growth spurts.

There's also the usual budgetary concern of keeping her and Catra's first aid kit well supplied...

Adora shakes her head to dislodge the intrusive thought and continues marching onward through the snow. This trip is a good thing. She won't let all the awful realities of their life taint it.

With so many kids running around and wanting to shop on their own to surprise their giftees, Right Zone had to negotiate with both the local police and whatever other civic authorities they could get ahold of to come out en masse and keep an eye on them all. The kids had still come with their usual teachers, of course, but doubling the load and also splitting up was a logistical nightmare. Which is just a convoluted way to say the town is positively crawling with uniformed officers, off duty members of the fire brigade, emergency personnel, and other such authority figures quietly keeping watch and making sure no one tries anything.

Adora knows that somewhere in the press of bodies, Grizzlor's busy wrangling two new "brats" (seven and nine, respectively, and definitely not friends.) Somewhere, a certain Magicat is probably grumbling over the indignity of being forced to wear shoes and kicking every snowpile she can, like she can send a direct message to whatever cosmic force is responsible for her current frustration.

On an ordinary month she and Catra--being old enough to be allowed a bit more freedom to do what they want--would buddy up to watch each other's backs while they did their shopping. But this isn't an ordinary month, so once they'd each gotten gifts for the other three they'd split up on opposite ends of Main Street with an agreement to move clockwise to avoid running into each other. Afterwards, the entire group would rendezvous at the small clock tower in the park a block over before heading back to Right Zone.

Ten dollars wasn't a lot to work with, but Adora had done her best: a new stress ball for Kyle, some moisturizing oil for Rogelio since the early winter shed had wiped out his supply and he'd been too busy to pick up some more, a twelve pound kettle weight for Lonnie now that their shared exercise routine was getting a bit too easy for her... Utilitarian choices, to be sure, but she's been paying attention and that has to count for something.

Catra's the difficult one, of course. Partly because Adora doesn't want to just get her something practical, but also because they share nearly everything between them already. About the only thing that is definitively off limits is Catra's guitar, and she's told Adora enough about her time with Tao over the years that Adora wouldn't even ask. Beyond that... Well, there's a reason why most of Adora's day off hoodies have small strands of orange fur stuck to them.

Still. I want to get her something that's hers. Something she'll like. Something she doesn't have to share with anyone, not even me.

In the end, she nearly walks past it. In one of the artisanal shops that dot small towns like liver spots, she finds a display of hand stamped necklace pendants, with a design sheet beside it. There are a lot of the usual nature designs and such, but the one that catches her eye is a treble clef with the five staff lines bleeding out from it. They ring the edge of the pendant in a half circle, and scattered haphazardly along the lines are the other music notes.

The lack of proper order would drive Adora insane. She understands that it's just meant to look pretty, not be an accurate representation of musical notation, but still... She knows her own (broken) brain well enough to know that.

It suits Catra, though.

"Hey," Mismatched eyes looked down at Adora as her head draped backwards over the back of their desk chair, the throbbing behind her left eye threatening to escalate into a migraine. "Guess I don't have to ask how the composing's going."

"It sucks," Adora groused back, sitting up and gesturing Catra over. She jabbed at two particular spots with the half chewed off eraser end of her pencil, two hard jabs each, like she was filing a complaint. "Most of it is just what I'm going for, but these two places here... They aren't sounding right. I've been going back and forth over structure all afternoon, but nothing I do helps."

"Hmmm..." Catra stroked her chin and nudged Adora over so she could sit on the arm of the chair (they'd never gotten around to requesting a second, mostly because Adora didn't want to risk Shadow Weaver suspecting they were getting too chummy.) "Got any scratch paper?"

Adora pointed to the pile of half crumpled notebook paper she used when making adjustments and Catra snorted. "Ok, dumb question. Just let me see here..."

Grabbing a pen, she quickly inked a fresh set of staff lines and copied the notes Adora had already put down, making sure to leave space to work. Glancing between the two, she drummed her fingers on the desk, playing along in her head.

"Hmm..." Catra murmured, worrying at her lower lip with a fang in a manner that was... Oddly distracting. "Ok, how 'bout this?"

Adora jolted, tearing her gaze from Catra's face to look at the sequence of notes scribbled onto the scratch paper. She paused, brow furrowing as she played them over in her mind's eye. It was a little unorthodox, veering away from the path she had carefully laid out... But also blending well with the next part. Almost like the notes took a quick detour and then lead the listener back to where she wanted them.

"Yeah..." Adora replied thoughtfully, the tension all over her body starting to smooth out. "Yeah, that could work."

"Awesome. Let's take a look at the next part."

They ultimately ended up spending several hours going over the entire piece, sussing out every place where Adora was having even the slightest niggle of unease. She didn't accept all of Catra's changes and Catra didn't push the matter, but the ones she did...

They felt right. More right than they had ever felt when it was just Adora running circles around herself.

When they finally finished up she looked over at Catra, tail waving sedately in that way it got when she was simultaneously engaged but relaxed, and asked, "Umm... Do you want to learn with me? I like doing this."

'I like making music with you.'

Catra paused, looking over at Adora searchingly, almost like she couldn't believe the question had come up. No matter how many years had passed between them, that look never really went away, and every time she saw it Adora's chest ached in a way that was hard for her to process.

"I'd like that."

Catra's composing style is very different from Adora's. More wild, more willing to bend and break the rules if it means maintaining audience engagement, but there's always an underlying order to the chaos. To her surprise and pleasure, Adora found herself learning just as much from Catra as Catra was learning from her. Their styles brought out the best in each other.

The jingle of a bell kicks her out of the memory. Mind made up even though it's nearly double her budget, Adora scans the stand of necklaces for the one with the treble clef pattern.

It isn't there. Adora swallows down the disappointment, though she can't help the sigh. Of course. The town was well aware of the large population of music students a short drive away and catered to them accordingly. But there are also dozens of kids out on the street tonight. It isn't that big of a surprise that the design sold out.

Not surprising, but disheartening nonetheless.

She's just begun to turn away when a voice calls from the back. "Hang on a sec there, little miss."

Adora jumps, but remains where she is as a large Taurian man with a massive snow white beard trundles out from a door behind the counter, wiping his hands on his apron. "Was there a particular design you were interested in?"

Adora points at the treble clef, hope rising. "This one. But it looks like it's already sold out."

"Hmm..." The man scratchs at his chin. "Well with Winterfest coming up, I'm out of blank pendants-"

Adora's shoulders slump.

"-But," The man continues with a smile. "I can double stamp it onto the back of another. Ordinarily I'd charge extra for that, but it's my fault for not ordering enough blanks. Rookie move. Besides, it's the holidays. Now would that be all right by you?"

Nodding frantically in case he changes his mind, Adora scans the other designs, quickly alighting on one in particular. "That one!"

"The claw marks? Bit of an odd combination, but the customer is always right," The old man winked as he reached out to take the necklace from her. "My jig and press is in the corner over here if you wanna watch."

Adora was glad he specified, because as nice as the man seemed there was no way in hell she was going into a back room with a stranger. But she stood next to the window beside a display of miscellaneous knick knacks and puzzles, watching him carefully place the pendant in a cushioned stand to avoid damaging the already printed side and tighten it into place before moving beside the machine.

"You're gonna want to cover your ears," He tells her, patting the machine with one massive hand. "Had to switch to a steam press when the arthritis caught up to me. Used to do it all by hammer. This boy's okay, but he gets loud."

Adora nods, glad for the warning when he bellows "Clear!" and the machine's hammer comes down once, twice, three times with a sound like the ringing of an enormous bell. Once the machine is stopped and carefully turned off, the old man removes the pendant from the press and hands it over to Adora for inspection. "What do you think? Does it pass muster?"

Adora runs her fingertips over the impressions in the metal, memorizing the feel of it, the leftover warmth of the impact. "Perfect."

"Good. Now let's get you rung up."

Counting the five dollars she attempted to surreptitiously slip into the tip jar (the old man winked as he turned back around, so stealth fail) Adora went very over budget, but the others would have to put a gun to her head for her to admit it.

Besides, it's Catra. They already know she's the sole exception to all of Adora's carefully maintained rules.

With everything finished, she continues trudging through the snow toward the park, breathing a sign of relief as she moves away from the shopping district and the people thin out; no one wanting to go to the park in the middle of such bleak weather. Angling around a clustered group of bare trees, she spots the small clock tower in the distance, as well as the figure already standing beside it. Grinning, Adora picks up the pace a bit until she can see Catra clearly and--

Her breath catches.

Since her only experience with this kind of thing has been through books, Adora always expected this moment would be more dramatic. Like back to back in the middle of a fight, or eyes locking from up on stage. Something spectacular, like fireworks, lime explosions, like the feeling of playing a song without a single mistake for the first time. It's always seemed like such a big deal in the stories, and in a way, it is.

Because there's Catra, lost in her own world as she gazes up at the streetlight that's just come on, her left hand extended to let the snowflakes fall into her palm and the light catches the orange of her fur just right to make a blaze of color against the black of her coat. She looks so small, standing in that space all alone on a cold winter's night, but Adora knows deep down that she could never be that small, not when she's Catra, not when she means so much...

Pretty much everything about the past hour--about her entire life since they met if she's being honest--snaps into crystal clear focus.

Oh. I get it now. I'm in love with you.

It's a bad idea. Adora knows that. Shadow Weaver is enough of a menace while believing Catra is simply her roommate, her sometime tool--and Catra had ended up being all too right about the torture not stopping, even after years of Adora trying to direct Weaver's attentions away from her. If the evil old bitch figures out Adora's feelings run deeper, so much deeper...

Her heart beats double time. This whole thing is an unmitigated disaster.

But it's still the best worst thing that's ever happened to her.

She must make a noise, because Catra's ear twitches in her direction, snapping her out of that distant contemplation. She turns her head and looks at Adora, lips curling in a lopsided grin. "Hey, Adora. Wow, you look like you've seen a ghost."

Adora blinks, coming back to herself and mumbling the first excuse that springs to mind. "... Just cold."

"Well no shit. C'mere."

When she closes the distance Catra glances around warily, making sure they're the only ones around, before reaching up and retying the scarf around Adora's neck, patting it once when she's done. "There. I know I make it look good, but you don't have the advantage of fur like me."

Adora looks down at the thin AC/DC t-shirt that Catra's wearing beneath her half open coat, the line of her collarbones and neck, and makes a snap decision. "Is it okay if I give you your present now?"

Catra blinks, a little thrown by the non sequitur. "I mean... Sure? Do you want me to give you yours?"

"I'm good with either," Adora shrugs, trying to ignore how fast her heart is beating, how much she wants to do this before this moment slips away. "I just want to."

There's a long moment of silence as they each examine the other, equally searching. What Catra's looking for, Adora doesn't know. She isn't sure she wants to know.

"Okay."

Breathing deep, Adora reaches into her pocket and pulls out the necklace on its leather cord. Careful to keep the pendant hidden in her hand, she passes it over, fingertips sparking as it's taken. Catra brings it close to her face, running her fingers over the four parallel slashes on the side facing her.

"Why the claw marks?"

Adora laughs, nervous butterflies positively rioting in her stomach. "Because you're a badass. Duh."

"True," Catra smirks, flipping it over and squinting at the other side. "And this?"

"Badass, loves music with all your heart. Not mutually exclusive concepts," Adora says, trying not to give away how much she thinks about this, how much she wants to take that hand in hers. She settles for a playful shoulder bump instead. "Plus we all know you're secretly a big softie."

"Excuse you, I am all sharp edges," Catra giggles, lightly elbowing her before transitioning into a soft little smile. "... Just not with everyone."

Oh God oh God oh God. That smile will absolutely be the death of her.

Swallowing past her horrible awareness of that softness, Adora asks, "So you like it?"

"I love it. Good luck ever getting me to take it off," Catra laughs, then frowns, flexing her fingers. "Hands have gone a little numb, though. Help me put it on?"

Adora.exe promptly crashes to desktop. But she still somehow manages to move, helping Catra hold back her mane so she can slip the leather cord over her head and tuck it beneath her hair. If she hesitates a moment too long in letting go, at least Catra only shoots her an amused glance. "How's it look?"

"Great," Adora manages to croak out, trying to swallow past the sudden dryness in her throat. "You look great. Umm... Happy early Winterfest, I guess?"

"Well, I'm gonna hold onto yours a little longer," Catra laughs, playfully sticking out her tongue before reaching out. "C'mere, you big dork."

Adora shuffles closer, mind and heart both screaming as Catra draws her into a hug, nuzzling her head against the side of her neck. A little whisper. "Thank you."

Adora swallows again, even harder. "You're welcome."

Between them, the necklace rests, the music side pressed right up against Catra's heart.

----------

Fun fact: the shopkeep is based off a cool old dude selling machine pressed necklaces I ran into at a Scottish festival when I was 13, and he made such an impression I never forgot him. Anyway, happy Valentine's! Have a Big Gay Realization!

[brightbeautifulthings]

MAYHEM BY ESTELLE LAURE BLOG TOUR & CHAPTER EXCERPT

The Lost Boys meets Wilder Girls in this supernatural feminist YA novel.

Available July 14th, 2020

It's 1987 and unfortunately it's not all Madonna and cherry lip balm. Mayhem Brayburn has always known there was something off about her and her mother, Roxy. Maybe it has to do with Roxy's constant physical pain, or maybe with Mayhem's own irresistible pull to water. Either way, she knows they aren't like everyone else.

But when May's stepfather finally goes too far, Roxy and Mayhem flee to Santa Maria, California, the coastal beach town that holds the answers to all of Mayhem's questions about who her mother is, her estranged family, and the mysteries of her own self. There she meets the kids who live with her aunt, and it opens the door to the magic that runs through the female lineage in her family, the very magic Mayhem is next in line to inherit and which will change her life for good.

But when she gets wrapped up in the search for the man who has been kidnapping girls from the beach, her life takes another dangerous turn and she is forced to face the price of vigilante justice and to ask herself whether revenge is worth the cost.

From the acclaimed author of This Raging Light and But Then I Came Back, Estelle Laure offers a riveting and complex story with magical elements about a family of women contending with what appears to be an irreversible destiny, taking control and saying when enough is enough.

About the Author:

Estelle Laure, the author of This Raging Light and But Then I Came Back believes in love, magic, and the power of facing hard truths. She has a BA in Theatre Arts and an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and she lives in Taos, New Mexico, with her family. Her work is translated widely around the world. 

Twitter | Instagram | Get Your Copy

Read on for a special chapter excerpt of Mayhem!

three Santa Maria

“Trouble,” Roxy says. She arches a brow at the kids by the van through the bug-spattered windshield, the ghost of a half-smile rippling across her face.

“You would know,” I shoot.

“So would you,” she snaps.

Maybe we’re a little on edge. We’ve been in the car so long the pattern on the vinyl seats is tattooed on the back of my thighs.

The kids my mother is talking about, the ones sitting on the white picket fence, look like they slithered up the hill out of the ocean, covered in seaweed, like the carnival music we heard coming from the boardwalk as we were driving into town plays in the air around them at all times. Two crows are on the posts beside them like they’re standing guard, and they caw at each other loudly as we come to a stop. I love every- thing about this place immediately and I think, ridiculously, that I am no longer alone.

The older girl, white but tan, curvaceous, and lean, has her arms around the boy and is lovely with her smudged eye makeup and her ripped clothes. The younger one pops some- thing made of bright colors into her mouth and watches us come up the drive. She is in a military-style jacket with a ton of buttons, her frizzy blond hair reaching in all directions, freckles slapped across her cheeks. And the boy? Thin, brown, hungry-looking. Not hungry in his stomach. Hungry with his eyes. He has a green bandana tied across his forehead and holes in the knees of his jeans. There’s an A in a circle drawn in marker across the front of his T-shirt.

Anarchy.

“Look!” Roxy points to the gas gauge. It’s just above the E. “You owe me five bucks, Cookie. I told you to trust we would make it, and see what happened? You should listen to your mama every once in a while.”

“Yeah, well, can I borrow the five bucks to pay you for the bet? I’m fresh out of cash at the moment.”

“Very funny.”

Roxy cranes out the window and wipes the sweat off her upper lip, careful not to smudge her red lipstick. She’s been having real bad aches the last two days, even aside from her bruises, and her appetite’s been worse than ever. The only thing she ever wants is sugar. After having been in the car for so long, you’d think we’d be falling all over each other to get out, but we’re still sitting in the car. In here we’re still us.

She sighs for the thousandth time and clutches at her belly. “I don’t know about this, May.”

California can’t be that different from West Texas.

I watch TV. I know how to say gag me with a spoon and grody to the max.

I fling open the door.

Roxy gathers her cigarettes and lighter, and drops them in- side her purse with a snap.

“Goddammit, Elle,” she mutters to herself, eyes flickering toward the kids again. Roxy looks at me over the rims of her sunglasses before shoving them back on her nose. “Mayhem, I’m counting on you to keep your head together here. Those kids are not the usual—”

“I know! You told me they’re foster kids.” 

“No, not that,” she says, but doesn’t clarify. “Okay, I guess.”

“I mean it. No more of that wild-child business.”

“I will keep my head together!” I’m so tired of her saying this. I never had any friends, never a boyfriend—all I have is what Grandmother calls my nasty mouth and the hair Lyle always said was ugly and whorish. And once or twice I might’ve got drunk on the roof, but it’s not like I ever did anything. Besides, no kid my age has ever liked me even once. I’m not the wild child in the family.

“Well, all right then.” Roxy messes with her hair in the rear- view mirror, then sprays herself with a cloud of Chanel No. 5 and runs her fingers over her gold necklace. It’s of a bird, not unlike the ones making a fuss by the house. She’s had it as long as I can remember, and over time it’s been worn smooth by her worrying fingers. It’s like she uses it to calm herself when she’s upset about something, and she’s been upset the whole way here, practically. Usually, she’d be good and buzzed by this time of day, but since she’s had to drive some, she’s only nipped from the tiny bottle of wine in her purse a few times and only taken a couple pills since we left Taylor. The with- drawal has turned her into a bit of a she-demon.

I try to look through her eyes, to see what she sees. Roxy hasn’t been back here since I was three years old, and in that time, her mother has died, her father has died, and like she said when she got the card with the picture enclosed that her twin sister, Elle, sent last Christmas, Everybody got old. After that, she spent a lot of time staring in the mirror, pinching at her neck skin. When I was younger, she passed long nights telling me about Santa Maria and the Brayburn Farm, about how it was good and evil in equal measure, about how it had desires that had to be satisfied.

Brayburns, she would say. In my town, we were the legends. 

These were the mumbled stories of my childhood, and they made everything about this place loom large. Now that we’re here, I realize I expected the house to have a gaping maw filled with spitty, frothy teeth, as much as I figured there would be fairies flitting around with wands granting wishes. I don’t want to take her vision away from her, but this place looks pretty normal to me, if run-down compared to our new house in Taylor, where there’s no dust anywhere, ever, and Lyle prac- tically keeps the cans of soup in alphabetical order. Maybe what’s not so normal is that this place was built by Brayburns, and here Brayburns matter. I know because the whole road is named after us and because flowers and ribbons and baskets of fruit sat at the entrance, gifts from the people in town, Roxy said. They leave offerings. She said it like it’s normal to be treated like some kind of low-rent goddess.

Other than the van and the kids, there are trees here, rose- bushes, an old black Mercedes, and some bikes leaning against the porch that’s attached to the house. It’s splashed with fresh white paint that doesn’t quite cover up its wrinkles and scars. It’s three stories, so it cuts the sunset when I look up, and plants drape down to touch the dirt.

The front door swings open and a woman in bare feet races past the rosebushes toward us. It is those feet and the reckless way they pound against the earth that tells me this is my aunt Elle before her face does. My stomach gallops and there are bumps all over my arms, and I am more awake than I’ve been since.

I thought Roxy might do a lot of things when she saw her twin sister. Like she might get super quiet or chain-smoke, or maybe even get biting like she can when she’s feeling wrong about something. The last thing I would have ever imagined was them running toward each other and colliding in the driveway, Roxy wrapping her legs around Elle’s waist, and them twirling like that. 

This seems like something I shouldn’t be seeing, some- thing wounded and private that fills up my throat. I flip my- self around in my seat and start picking through the things we brought and chide myself yet again for the miserable packing job I did. Since I was basically out of my mind trying to get out of the house, I took a whole package of toothbrushes, an armful of books, my River Phoenix poster, plus I emptied out my underwear drawer, but totally forgot to pack any shoes, so all I have are some flip-flops I bought at the truck stop outside of Las Cruces after that man came to the window, slurring, You got nice legs. Tap, tap tap. You got such nice legs.

My flip-flops are covered in Cheeto dust from a bag that got upended. I slip them on anyway, watching Roxy take her sunglasses off and prop them on her head.

“Son of a bitch!” my aunt says, her voice tinny as she catches sight of Roxy’s eye. “Oh my God, that’s really bad, Rox. You made it sound like nothing. That’s not nothing.”

“Ellie,” Roxy says, trying to put laughter in her voice. “I’m here now. We’re here now.”

There’s a pause.

“You look the same,” Elle says. “Except the hair. You went full Marilyn Monroe.”

“What about you?” Roxy says, fussing at her platinum waves with her palm. “You go full granola warrior? When’s the last time you ate a burger?”

“You know I don’t do that. It’s no good for us. Definitely no good for the poor cows.”

“It’s fine for me.” Roxy lifts Elle’s arm and puckers her nose. “What’s going on with your armpits? May not eat meat but you got animals under there, looks like.”

“Shaving is subjugation.”

“Shaving is a mercy for all mankind.” 

They erupt into laughter and hug each other again.

“Well, where is she, my little baby niece?” Elle swings the car door open. “Oh, Mayhem.” She scoops me out with two strong arms. Right then I realize just how truly tired I am. She seems to know, squeezes extra hard for a second before letting me go. She smells like the sandalwood soap Roxy buys sometimes. “My baby girl,” Elle says, “you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to see you. How much I’ve missed you.”

Roxy circles her ear with a finger where Elle can’t see her.

Crazy, she mouths. I almost giggle.

[southernwolf16]

Downtime Chapter 2

Chapter 1    AO3    ff.net

Finally posting this after 1,000 years. Also, I’ve decided that Downtime will be three chapters instead of two for reasons I cited here.

To @o-c-o-c-o,  @madameazzure, @thedreaminus, @silverwolf8940, @noblesselover99, @shanhei322, @pandora-twists, @galaxysilver and @icylook and everyone else who might be interested, here’s my contribution to the fandom.

WARNING: VERY LONG CHAPTER. I just realized that my stories are getting longer. This is 11.4K words.

Frankenstein returned to M-21′s room after wrapping up his work in the lab. He took a moment to observe the other RK members then decided to send them off to bed, to their dismay.

“It’s almost midnight and we have a busy day tomorrow,” he said. “M-21 will probably wake up by then.” 

Nobody moved from their positions. Frankenstein repressed a sigh. Of all the time to be stubborn. “You know the last thing we need is for M-21’s caregivers to fall asleep on him.”

Seira was first to comply, patting M-21’s right hand before pushing her chair back. Tao set down the hand towels he fetched. Regis checked if M-21 was sufficiently covered with his blanket and stepped away as well. 

“Are you sure you don’t want one of us to stay?” Takeo confirmed.

“Yes, I’m sure. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Everyone filed out of the room at the clear dismissal and soon enough, Frankenstein was alone with M-21. 

Raizel arrived and found Frankenstein studying data on the monitors. He padded to a chair on the bed’s right side, saving the one closest to M-21 for Frankenstein. There was a fine sheen of sweat on M-21’s face so he went about securing a towel to dab it off when Frankenstein beat him to it. 

Done with the task, Frankenstein sat down and with his head bowed murmured, “I’m sorry, Master, my behavior a while ago was totally uncalled for.” 

“We both know who you really owe an apology to,” was Raizel’s astute response.

No words were further exchanged between them as Frankenstein focused on M-21, whose temperature was already close to dropping to forty degrees Celsius. 

A few more hours flew by. M-21’s fever was nearly down to thirty-nine degrees Celsius. Frankenstein and Raizel saw his right hand curling into a loose fist.

M-21 let out a groan and sluggishly opened his eyes. 

Frankenstein released the pent-up breath he did not even know he was holding.

Raizel leaned forward in his seat, all the better to confirm what his eyes were seeing. “M-21…” 

M-21 moved his head in search of the voices and recognized the blurred figures to his right as his vision cleared. No sound came out as he tried to call them by name, his too dry and painful throat an impediment.

“Don’t try to talk yet.” Frankenstein headed to the kitchenette and came back with a glass of water that included a bendy straw. Before long, M-21 drained the whole glass and was looking expectantly at him so he went to get a refill. 

M-21 drank half of the water until his thirst was satiated. Sinking back on his pillow, he fixed his gaze on the pair by his bedside.

“Rai. Fra—why’s your name so long?” M-21 mumbled in a voice faint and rough from lack of use. 

Frankenstein almost laughed at the complaint. His Master’s name was longer by far. “Calling me ‘Boss’ works fine with me.”

“That’s not your name. That’s your job,” M-21 said. 

It will be best for you to find a nickname.

Frankenstein could imagine the delicate wrinkling of Raizel’s eyes by the subtle amusement in his tone. 

Perhaps we can ask M-21 for suggestions?

Frankenstein practically spluttered but kept a straight face after remembering the advice from Muzaka. “Point taken.” Switching to doctor mode he asked M-21, “Anyway, how are you feeling?” 

At that, M-21 knitted his brows. “It’s cold and everything hurts.”

Raizel reached out to pat M-21 on the hand. “It will be over soon. Frankenstein here is doing everything he can for you to get well.” 

“Your medicine’s already working, so it won’t be long and the pain will be gone.” Frankenstein dabbed a fresh towel on M-21’s forehead and his sweat-soaked hair. Next, he dipped the towel he removed in the nearby basin, wrung it out and restored it to its previous location.

M-21 heaved a sigh as the cool towel somewhat eased the throbbing in his head. He returned to staring at Frankenstein and Raizel. “I had a strange dream…” 

Raizel and Frankenstein waited with bated breath for M-21 to tell them more.

“There was purple…and black…and screaming…” 

Raizel glanced at Frankenstein then ventured, “Were you frightened?”

“Yes.” M-21 was quick to affirm. “But there was a sound. Then it was warm….and safe.” 

“The purple and black,” Frankenstein began, his voice laced with remorse, “that was me.”

“No, I’m sure that’s Dark Spear…being noisy and all,” M-21 declared. 

Frankenstein conceded with a sigh. “Still, that wouldn’t have happened if I controlled myself better—”

M-21 was outright frowning at him. “Did you do it on purpose?” 

“Did I what?” Frankenstein faltered at the question. “I—wait, I don’t think that makes—”

“It’s an accident,” M-21 pressed. “Will you do it again?” 

Frankenstein wanted to argue his case, wanted M-21 to find fault in his actions. But his self-deprecating thoughts petered out at how unhappy M-21 looked. “Very well, I’ll try not to.” This he could promise at least.

“That’s good enough for me.” M-21 patted Frankenstein on his left cuff. “We’re good.” 

Frankenstein broke into a small smile as something inside him lifted. “You should go back to sleep. It’ll help with your recovery.”

M-21 frowned again and tried to tug at Frankenstein’s sleeve. “But I have to tell you something. I just forgot what.” 

“It’s alright,” Frankenstein replied as he freed his sleeve from M-21’s grasp, “you can tell me when you’re all better—”

“No, I really…have to tell you now.” M-21 turned silent, his eyes going half-mast that Raizel and Frankenstein assumed he was going to fall asleep in the next few minutes. 

“Cockroaches…” M-21 piped up, baffling Raizel and Frankenstein in the process, “are very hard to kill…right? I might have…cockroach genes somewhere.” He had to blink several times to drive the sleepiness away. “Can you check?”

Frankenstein’s tone was gentler as he answered, “I don’t need to check. You don’t have a shred of cockroach genes, I assure you.” 

“Really?” M-21 was scarcely able to stifle his yawn.

“Yes, really. Why would I lie to you about that?” Frankenstein gave in and carded his fingers through M-21’s hair. “Go back to sleep. When you wake up everything will be better.” 

“Okay.” M-21 shifted a little to find a more comfortable position. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, M-21,” Raizel and Frankenstein responded, though they were both aware it was almost 3:00 a.m. 

At last, M-21’s breathing evened out. Frankenstein withdrew his hand and sat back.

Really, this child. Not even twenty-five minutes awake and already making people go through a myriad of emotions. 

Frankenstein, what are cockroaches and why is M-21 comparing himself to them?

Ah, of course, Master doesn’t know what cockroaches are, Frankenstein realized. It’d be a shame if he encountered one of those abominations in the house or at school. 

So Frankenstein went into a lengthy talk about what cockroaches were, browsing the Net on his phone for some pictures and a video or two for Raizel to see. He even touched on their chances of survival in a nuclear holocaust.

We must have been remiss if he still views himself as small, dirty and insignificant. Whether due to delirious rambling, a brutally honest self-assessment or both, Raizel was not pleased M-21 referred to himself as such. 

Old habits die hard, especially if they’d been drilled into him for years, Frankenstein observed. I think M-21’s improved, though he’s bound to slip on occasion.

I would rather he forget about this. 

Master? There was an alarmed undercurrent in Frankenstein’s voice.

Do not fret, I have no intention of wiping M-21’s memory. Much has already been taken from him. I only wish he will not remember the bad parts. 

No mirror was required for Frankenstein to tell he was red as a tomato at the implication.

We really must find you a nickname, Raizel solemnly decreed. 

Master…

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It took two more hours for M-21’s fever to completely break, and another hour for him to open his eyes for a second time that day.

Several details caught M-21’s attention once he was free from his sleepy haze. There was the rhythmic yet unobtrusive beeping of a machine. There were things attached to his left hand and his chest. And he was not in his room because the ceiling had a very nice shade of green to it— 

“Master, you were right about that color,” someone spoke, to which another voice hummed in reply.

The voices were very familiar. M-21 turned his gaze to the persons in his peripheral vision. “Raizel-nim…Boss…” he rasped before his throat acted up and he started coughing. 

Frankenstein poured a glass of water from the pitcher on the side table, added a straw and instructed M-21 to take slow sips.

“Where am I?” M-21 managed to ask afterwards in a frail voice. 

“In the lab,” Frankenstein replied. “The hospital wing, to be precise.”

“You finished it?” M-21 regarded the room appreciatively. They just finalized the blueprints for the area last time. “It looks great.” 

“Well, there was a very urgent need for it.” Frankenstein had to point out.

M-21 recalled the excruciating pain that overwhelmed him as everything went black. “How long was I out?” 

“It has been seven days since we rescued you,” Raizel answered.

“Seven days?” M-21 began to squirm in an attempt to push himself up from the bed, to Frankenstein and Raizel’s horror. 

“You shouldn’t do that.” Frankenstein placed a hand on M-21’s chest to halt his movements. “I’m going to raise your bed, alright?” He adjusted the head of the bed’s angle from fifteen degrees to thirty degrees and made sure M-21 was comfortable in the more elevated position.

Meanwhile, Raizel busied himself with pulling up and smoothing out M-21’s blanket. 

In the midst of this activity, they did not notice the door unlocking and the rest of the household spilling into the room.

“M-21!” Until Tao’s exclamation, that is. 

“Not so loud, please.” Tao’s voice rang over and over in his head and made M-21 wince.

“Sorry,” Tao apologized in a near-whisper while he and the others drew closer. “I mean, you’re awake…” 

“Yeah, took me a while, though.”

“Welcome back, nevertheless,” Takeo said the perfect words to describe the household’s sentiment. 

All eyes fell on Seira as she reached forward and brushed M-21’s hair to the side. “How are you feeling?”

M-21 blinked at the action. “Like I’ve been mauled by werewolves then thrown off a skyscraper at least four times,” he responded without a second thought. 

Tao and Takeo tried hard not to laugh and ended up snorting instead. Someone who sounded like Karias also chuckled.

M-21 gave the question a more serious consideration. “I’m mostly tired and sore. A little cold too. I’ll live.” 

“Hmph, as if you’d get taken down that easily,” Rael uttered, earning stares from the room’s occupants.

M-21 could feel his lips curling into a smirk. “Did you just compliment me?” 

“Don’t delude yourself, I’m merely stating a fact.” The lack of enmity in Rael’s words belied his crossed arms and arched eyebrow.

“If you say so.” M-21 did not push the subject. There was something else he had to find out, anyway. “What day is it? Raizel-nim says it’s been seven days since I got rescued.” 

So Regis told M-21 the exact day and date, and they could almost see the cogs turning in his head.

Then it clicked. “It’s exam week, aren’t you supposed to be at Ye Ran?” The question was addressed to everyone yet M-21’s eyes were set on Seira and Regis. 

“It’s still early so they all came to see you,” Frankenstein was quick to say before anyone could get a word in edgewise. A glance to the left and he saw the time.

“But they have to go now because the clock’s ticking.” He started herding the others out, leaving M-21 alone with Raizel. 

“I will be taking my exams next week,” was Raizel’s succinct explanation after spotting how puzzled M-21 appeared.

M-21 was well aware Raizel could do whatever pleased him. And he was likely still recovering from his injuries too. A pang of guilt began to bloom in M-21 at the reminder. 

Something touched his hand, disrupting his train of thought. Or rather someone.

“It is good to have you back.” Raizel continued to pat M-21 until Tao sauntered inside. 

Tao gave M-21 a jaunty salute. “Your nurse for the day reporting for duty.” He walked over to the chair beside Raizel and sat there. “Is there anything I can do for you or anything you need?”

M-21’s brows wrinkled at the niggling suspicion he was forgetting something important. It came to him when his eyes strayed to his hands. “My nails…” 

Nowadays, M-21 had to file his supposedly blunt, human nails whenever he changed back from his werewolf transformation because they retained sharpness akin to his claws. It was a recent development they discovered the hard way following an incident involving Frankenstein’s favorite vintage curtains, the sofa and Takeo’s newly-bought dress shirt.

“I filed them as soon as I got the chance.” Tao held M-21’s right hand and pressed his palm against M-21’s fingernails. He showed his uninjured palm. “See, all blunt. So no worries, you’re not gonna rip anything or poke anyone by accident.” 

“Thanks.” M-21 was relieved at having one less thing to be concerned about. “There’s a bathroom here, right?” After Tao confirmed this he went on, “Maybe I can at least wash my face—”

“Actually, there’s something we’ve been doing that’ll be easier now you’re awake.” Frankenstein joined the conversation. 

Raizel presumed this as his cue and left so Frankenstein had leeway to explain his plan.

M-21 was hesitant at first but granted his consent in the end. Knowing Frankenstein, Tao and Takeo were in charge of the more sensitive aspects of his care made matters less discomfiting. 

That and he really wanted a bath, never mind if it had to be done while he was in bed.

M-21 had a check-up as Tao carried out the preparations for his bath, and learned he ran a fever yesterday that broke only this early morning. Frankenstein declined to give further details and told him to focus on getting as much rest as possible. Although quite perturbed by the evasive response, M-21 chose to heed Frankenstein’s advice for now. 

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Baths could surely do wonders, of this M-21 was convinced. He was still exhausted and achy everywhere, yet it felt like all was right in the world after his bath. 

Anyone’s mood will improve if they didn’t feel so grimy, M-21 mused as he watched Tao and Frankenstein make swift work of changing the bed sheet, blanket and pillows from his position on the sofa.

Tao asked if he was okay. “I’m fine,” M-21 replied before a yawn overtook him. He just woke up and he was already drowsy? 

M-21 did not protest when Frankenstein lifted him again. Tao was also close by and took charge of guiding his IV stand. Once he was settled in bed, Frankenstein extracted his blood and brought it to the lab for testing.

At M-21’s request, Tao readjusted the head of the bed’s angle to forty-five degrees like Frankenstein taught them. “You’re still cold?” He just finished putting a pillow behind M-21 and caught him shivering a little. 

M-21 nestled in his blanket. “Unfortunately, yes.”

“I have just the thing for you.” Tao went to the built-in closet and got what M-21 assumed was a blue gray shirt. Unfolding it revealed that it was a button-up shawl collar cardigan. 

“Up you go.” Tao slid his right arm behind M-21 to assist him in sitting. The cardigan was laid on M-21’s shoulders. “I hope this helps.” His eyes wandered to M-21’s left hand. “Ah, wait, I have to get your IV—”

“It’s alright, I probably shouldn’t wear the sleeves in case Boss needs to do something.” M-21 drew the cardigan closer. “I don’t remember owning anything like this.” 

“Well, now you do.” Tao smoothed the cardigan down M-21’s back.

M-21 held one of the sleeves and admired the complex patterns on it. The cardigan seemed handmade so it must be expensive. “Who am I supposed to pay for buying me this?” 

Tao laughed. “You’re not supposed to pay for your gift, silly.” He helped M-21 lie back and was now occupied with fixing his blanket.

M-21’s eyebrows rose. Was it just him or was there a bashful undertone to Tao’s statement? “You made this?” he hazarded a guess. 

“Well, yeah, so how is it?” Tao asked. “I used your uniform measurements as reference so the fit should be just right. And the color, I actually had several options but I think you look—”

“It’s warm.” M-21 was moved by the kind gesture. “Thanks.” 

“Don’t mention it.” Tao grinned from ear to ear. Choosing to create the garment rather than dwelling on his anxious thoughts on those nights sleep was elusive was all worth it. He dropped his voice. “Hey, just between you and me, I’m gonna knit something for everybody in time for winter.”

M-21 wore a conspiratorial expression. “My lips are sealed.” 

Just then, the door opened and everyone aside from Raizel and Frankenstein trooped in the room.

“Fresh from the garden.” Karias set a glass vase of colorful blooms on the console table in M-21’s view. 

Rael placed an olive green pillow with bamboo leaf patterns beside M-21. “Here, in case you need another one.” He pushed on before M-21 could say something. “It’s cheap, you don’t need to pay me. Not that you have to in the first place.”

“Uh, okay?” was the only response M-21 could think of. 

Tao prodded at the pillow to test its softness. “This is a nice looking pillow you got here. Where’d you buy it?”

“I was out on patrol and found it in a sale.” Rael’s chest puffed at his accomplishment. “The store staff said it’s a memory pillow. And it’s the last piece.” 

Tao deflated at that. “Aw, bummer, I was gonna buy one for me.” 

Takeo came pushing a food trolley and announced, “Seira and Regis prepared something good.” 

M-21 remembered the last meal he had was when he gave a burger to Kentas. No doubt, Ignes was sorely lacking in hospitality.

“We’re heading to Ye Ran now,” Seira declared on behalf of everyone. 

“See you later,” M-21 responded, Regis’ intense stare not escaping his notice.

“This time I will not get a mere passing grade on that subject,” Regis promised. 

M-21 smirked back. “I expect nothing less from you.”

Tao uncovered the bowl with M-21’s name once everybody left, and the scent of chicken soup wafted in the air. The eager look on M-21’s face made him smile. “I think breakfast is in order.” 

Which turned out to be easier said than done because M-21 could barely hold his hand up, much less feed himself. It only lasted for a split second, yet Tao did not miss his disappointed pout.

“Now don’t be hard on yourself, you just woke up after all.” Tao ladled out some of the soup into a smaller bowl and stirred it with a spoon. 

“Boss figured those bastards probably didn’t feed you anything and you’ve been asleep for quite some time so we oughta start off with something light.” Tao took hold of the bowl in one hand. “And I’m supposed to help you with this sort of thing—”

“You’re not going to say or do something ridiculous?” M-21 had to make sure for his sanity. 

“I have a self-imposed ban on strange ideas,” Tao replied then winked impishly. “So, nope, nothing about airplanes, I swear.”

In the lab, Frankenstein was immersed in organizing his tasks. Tests and data required careful study. Samples must be processed. Medications had to be formulated— 

“Are your tasks so urgent you cannot spare time for rest?” Raizel finally asked after watching him in silence for the last several minutes.

Frankenstein paused and offered what he thought was a reassuring but was actually a thin smile. “I can still last a few more hours, Master.” 

Raizel beheld Frankenstein’s weary countenance. “Just because you can does not mean that you should,” he echoed an adage he heard from Takeo not long ago. “M-21 is not in immediate danger, correct?”

At Frankenstein’s confirmatory nod Raizel continued, “I know there is much to do, but you need to take a break.” 

The dull pain at the back of Frankenstein’s head spiked for a moment, an affirmation he was in need of a respite. He sighed in defeat and did not put up a resistance when he was shepherded out of the lab. Raizel clasped his shoulder just as the elevator arrived.

“You did well. We would have lost M-21 if not for you.” 

A hint of trepidation slipped into their Link before Frankenstein cut off the connection.

Raizel contemplated Frankenstein’s reaction while making his way back to M-21 and Tao. Frankenstein had not been forthcoming about some details on M-21’s status, that much he knew. However, there was an appropriate time and place for that conversation. Right now, the soundest course of action would be to let Frankenstein have his well-earned rest. 

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M-21 spent most of the day sleeping. And he could not apologize enough for it. 

“You’re tired. You rest when you’re tired. Sleep is a great form of rest,” Tao justified not for the first time. “And we’re not here for you to entertain.”

Raizel hummed in agreement while patting M-21’s IV-free left hand. 

M-21 assumed dinner would be a quiet affair with just Takeo to keep him company. At least he would not be much of a bother now he could already eat on his own. Besides, the others would probably drop by after they were done having dinner.

Regis and Seira came with food, and right behind them were Tao, Karias and Rael with a long folding table and a trolley of chinaware, glasses and cutlery. Dinner was set within minutes. Raizel and Frankenstein made their appearance not long after. 

Seira arranged M-21’s overbed table and deposited a steaming bowl of vegetable soup on it. Meanwhile, Frankenstein finished serving Raizel his ramyeon.

Raizel surveyed everyone and satisfied with what he saw remarked, “It has been so long since we all had dinner together.” There were nods and sounds of agreement from the table. 

M-21 sat there in stunned silence.

Frankenstein caught his dumbfounded expression. “M-21, that soup’s best eaten while hot.” 

Seira paused with unfolding her napkin, her attention shifting to M-21. “Is there something wrong with the food?”

Takeo was already moving from his seat. “Do you need help?”

“No, it’s fine.” M-21 ignored the lump in his throat. “The food’s fine. I’m fine.” He grasped the spoon laid out for him. “I’m fine so let’s eat.” 

No one made a comment on how shaky his voice was.

After dinner, M-21 got ready for bed with Takeo’s aid while the others tidied up. Then he opted to sit and lean on the overbed table seeing he had no intention of sleeping anytime soon. 

Seira and Regis returned with their books and writing materials. Raizel also arrived with Tao carrying his school items. Earlier, Regis and Seira admitted they still needed to go over some subjects when M-21 asked how prepared they were for their exams. Raizel likewise let it slip that he was yet to do any studying.

“Are you sure we can do this here?” Regis confirmed as soon as he set his things on the round four-seater table a few steps away from the foot of M-21’s bed. “You’re supposed to be resting.” 

“It’s early and I’ve been resting almost all day,” M-21 said. “Don’t mind me.”

The Nobles decided to review on their own first for other subjects then go over their math lessons as a group afterwards. Tao and Takeo, and to some extent M-21, offered their assistance. 

The individual study session finished an hour later. Tao cracked open a math workbook and read one of the algebra problems aloud for Raizel, Seira and Regis to solve.

“The answer’s twenty-eight.” M-21 realized his slip-up as soon as the words left his mouth. “Oops.” 

Takeo flipped through the pages of another workbook until he found the answer key at the back. “Yeah, that’s correct.”

“As to why that’s the right answer…” Tao and everyone else waited for M-21 to explain, the Nobles even had their pens ready to jot down the solution. They only received a tired blink in reply. 

“Well, that’s for you to find out,” Takeo concluded and snapped the workbook closed.

“Let’s see.” Tao scanned the workbook in his hand. “Maybe you can also answer the rest of the problems on page eighteen?” 

M-21 dropped his chin on his arms and observed Seira, Regis and Raizel work with a tenacity fit for their worst enemies. The sounds of pens gliding on paper and pages turning were soothing to his ears.

“Then M-21 can help check your answers after you’re done. Right, M?” Tao set his sight on M-21. “Okaay, on second thought, maybe not…” 

The others looked towards M-21 and found him already asleep on the overbed table.

“M-21, you’re going to hurt your back sleeping like that,” Takeo warned. There was no reaction. He was about to walk over when M-21 stirred and raised his head. 

“I’m awake, I just closed my eyes a bit.” M-21’s bleary mien made his claim quite unconvincing.

Takeo came to M-21’s bedside and guided him so he was reclining on the bed. “Okay, but you should lie down now.” 

“I heard something about checking answers.” M-21 held the edge of his blanket after Takeo draped it on him.

Tao waved him off. “Never mind that, you should go ahead and sleep.” 

“Or I can wait for you to finish.” M-21 pulled the blanket down and made himself more alert.

There were glances exchanged among the household and a silent consensus to let M-21 have his way. 

Takeo stayed close by and witnessed how hard M-21 fought to remain awake. He stepped in after M-21 roused from nodding off for the fourth time. “That’s enough, M-21, you should really go to sleep—”

“I don’t want to sleep,” M-21 replied then corrected, “I can’t sleep, I’m not supposed to sleep.” 

Raizel and the others broke off from their task, sensing they were not talking about checking answers anymore.

“What do you mean?” Takeo kept his voice level and demeanor calm. “Is there a problem? Are you not feeling well?” He laid a palm on M-21’s forehead to check if he was coming down again with a fever, only to find he was cool to the touch. 

M-21 spoke not a single word. The fear that began to suffuse his features was loud enough.

“Come on, M, you gotta tell us what’s wrong,” Tao persuaded. They all gathered around M-21’s bed. “We have to know so we can help—” 

“What if this is just a very elaborate dream I cooked up and sleeping means I’ll wake and find myself still with the werewolves?” M-21 curled his hands on the blanket. “I got lucky before, but what if next time…” He struggled to keep from trembling. “No, I’d rather stay asleep and be here—”

Raizel closed the distance and enveloped M-21’s right hand with his left hand. “M-21, look at me, please.” 

M-21 did as asked, and Raizel was almost overwhelmed by how painfully young and afraid he was.

Raizel held M-21’s gaze and attested with quiet conviction, “You are home and you are safe.” 

M-21 continued to stare. Raizel wanted to assure him all the more that he was now out of harm’s way. “This is not a dream.” His grip on M-21 grew a little tighter. “You are home.”

After what seemed to be forever, M-21 blinked and dropped his eyes. The hand warmed by Raizel’s touch looked so interesting. “I’m sorry I got scared over nothing.” 

“If it frightens you this much then it is something.” Raizel squeezed M-21’s hand a little, coaxing him to let go of the blanket. Once M-21 slackened his hold, Raizel pulled the blanket to his chest and made sure he was snug under it.

“Sorry I doubted you,” M-21 whispered. 

“There is no need to apologize.” Raizel caressed M-21 on the head to brush his hair. “It is not even an entire day since you woke up. You are still healing. We will just have to make you remember should you ever get confused again.”

M-21 meant to point out that Raizel was in a rather talkative mood, but his mind kept coming back to how the hand running through his hair was firm and gentle all at once. It further anchored him, drew him into the moment and the truth it represented. 

“Sleep, M-21,” Raizel encouraged. “Tomorrow when you wake up, you will still be here. Home and safe.”

M-21 gave in at last to the exhaustion that seemed to have settled deep in his bones. Just as he was about to slip into oblivion, a stray thought came to him—or a memory perhaps—of someone reminding him there were people who care for him very much. 

Frankenstein was so engrossed with work and nearly lost track of time if not for the alarm on his phone. His hurried pace slowed as he moved closer to M-21’s room. After relaxing his shoulders and checking his hair did not resemble a bird’s nest, Frankenstein opened the door only to be met by a melancholic atmosphere.

That was strange. Dinner ended on an optimistic note and the study session should have progressed without a hitch as well. Though the way everyone sat close around M-21 as if to shield him from an unseen enemy, schoolwork forgotten… 

I will explain later, he deciphered as his questioning gaze connected with Raizel’s.

Frankenstein took extra care in examining M-21 so as not to disturb his slumber, and was pleased to find he showed no signs of relapse. 

“Alright, you know the drill, visiting hours are over,” Frankenstein declared while collecting Raizel’s things. “Takeo, Seira—”

“Boss,” Tao cut in, “can’t we stay here for the night?” 

“Tao,” Raizel spoke up, “it has been a long day. You and Regis should get some sleep.” For a final time he stroked M-21’s hair then walked away from his bedside.

“But…” Tao’s eyes sought help from the other RK members. 

There was an imperceptible shake of Seira’s head along with Regis’ resigned expression. Takeo was apologetic yet stayed mum.

“Right, it’s Seira and Takeo’s turn to stay tonight,” Tao conceded. “Sorry about that.” 

Regis and Tao excused themselves once they reached the ground floor. Raizel sauntered into the living room and Frankenstein followed suit. Several moments passed as they stood in front of the floor to ceiling windows, watching the night march on until Raizel recounted the incident with M-21.

“I would like to have a word with you about him,” Raizel disclosed afterwards. 

There was a subtle flinch then a nod of acquiescence from Frankenstein. “Of course, Master—”

“Tomorrow, that is.” Raizel turned to face Frankenstein. “As I said, it has been a long day. Yours might even be longer than ours.” He retrieved his books and papers then clasped Frankenstein on the arm, to the latter’s surprise. 

“Knowledge is a heavy burden. I do not mind you sharing the burden with me.” Raizel withdrew from Frankenstein’s personal space. “I shall see you tomorrow. Rest for now.”

“Yes, Master.” Yet Frankenstein lingered there, listening until the sound of Raizel’s footsteps vanished. His sigh was loud the instant he was certain no one was there to hear. 

Seems it’s time to let the proverbial cat out of the bag. Frankenstein sighed once more as he trudged his way to his room. Then so be it.

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

M-21 was not sure what time it was, only that he should probably wake up right then.

So he cracked his eyes open and saw his bed was at an angle— 

Wait, not his bed. The ceiling was not his either. M-21 sat up, rubbing the drowsiness away as he tried to recall why he was at the hospital wing. The one that was just blueprints and not an actual fully furnished room as far as he knew—

The memories crashed down like a ton of bricks and then some. And the more M-21 remembered, the more his face became unbearably hot. 

Seira and Takeo were at the side observing M-21 stir and later grow red as the grogginess left him.

“Hey there”—Takeo flashed a reassuring smile at M-21— “good mor—” 

M-21 threw a look at Takeo and Seira, blushed even harder before mumbling, “Excuse me, I need to get my feelings in order.” He laid down again, dragging his blanket over his head as he did so. 

Takeo regained enough wits to reply, “Ah, sure, take your time.” 

What the hell did I just say? M-21 groaned inwardly. His brain-to-mouth filter was definitely still not up and running this early in the day, but damn this was a little too much.

You’re an adult, quit acting like a big baby, M-21 scolded. He drew deep, calming breaths and counted to ten and back in his head. 

“You okay in there, M?” Takeo queried. 

A minute passed, then another. Two hands snuck out from under the blanket and peeled it down until M-21 was back in view. 

“I said some weird things last night, didn’t I?” He sported a rosy tinge on his cheeks and refused to set his gaze on Takeo and Seira.

So that was it. Takeo met Seira’s eyes. “Something weird? I don’t remember anything like that.” 

Seira caught on fast. “I recall nothing of the sort either.”

M-21 did not budge, though it seemed his flush was already receding. 

“So, as I was saying, good morning,” Takeo repeated. Seira echoed a quiet greeting as well.

M-21 peeked at the pair. “Good morning.” Then he was up and moving to leave the bed because he wanted to go to the bathroom. Takeo was by his side in an instant. 

“I think I can manage.” M-21 got to his feet. The absurd amount of rest he had yesterday proved useful since his legs were no longer doing an impersonation of a jelly. He released his grip on the bed’s side rail and did not lose balance when he stepped forward. “Yeah, I can do this.”

Nevertheless, Seira and Takeo were within arm’s reach. M-21 eventually made it to the bathroom without incident. It was probably not even thirty steps, yet it was as if he won a prize to kick Crombel where it hurt. Takeo and Seira clapping at his small victory only cemented the notion. 

M-21 freshened up and concluded his routine with another splash of cold water on his face. That ought to reduce the chances of him making a scene again. Outside, there was muffled conversation. He finished toweling off and exited the area.

Takeo and Seira ended their report at the sound of the bathroom doorknob turning. M-21 emerged and froze in his tracks. 

“Good morning, M-21,” Raizel said. Apparently, M-21 was quite self-conscious about what happened the previous night, so he and Frankenstein agreed it was to M-21’s best interest that everybody carry on as normal.

M-21 resisted the urge to go back where he came from. Mustering all his confidence he responded, “Good morning.” His ears were burning, though. 

“Need help?” Frankenstein asked.

M-21 shook his head. “I got here on my own, I can get back there too.” And did just that to prove his point. 

“Good work.” Frankenstein was beaming as he handed M-21 a small plastic cup once he was seated on the bed. At M-21’s probing look he explained, “You’re supposed to take that at this time.”

M-21 spared a few seconds to watch a blue softgel capsule roll inside the cup as he tilted it from side to side. Finally, he popped the capsule in his mouth and drank the glass of water Frankenstein provided. 

The rest of the household paid their visit and came by again prior to leaving for Ye Ran.

Raizel and Frankenstein joined Takeo and M-21 for breakfast later that morning. Takeo just dried the last of the dishes they used when Frankenstein announced M-21 would be undergoing a check-up at the lab. 

“Might as well be on my way.” M-21 shed his blanket and dangled his legs off the bed. Given the distance and how sluggish he was, it would take him a while to turn up at the main lab.

“Hold that thought” —Frankenstein did not bother hiding how appalled he was by the idea— “who said you’re going to walk your way there?” He instructed Takeo to bring M-21 to the lab in half an hour then set off to make preparations. Raizel silently trailed after him. 

The thirty-minute mark soon drew close. “It’s almost time for your appointment. Wait here.” Takeo left the room and returned with a wheelchair.

“Your carriage has arrived, Sir,” was his solemn declaration that had M-21 snort in amusement. 

Once he confirmed M-21 was secure in the wheelchair Takeo disclosed, “I don’t think I’ve ever handled one of these.”

M-21 looked at him dead in the eye. 

Takeo smiled as confidently as possible. “But I did practice runs so we’re all set.”  

“Just don’t go be a speed demon on me. Wait” —M-21 started turning this way and that— “does this thing have a seatbelt?” 

“No, it doesn’t.” Takeo fake scowled at M-21. “And what do you take me for, a reckless driver?” Walking to the back, he held the wheelchair handles and gave a slight push. “Ready? Let’s head out, shall we?”

M-21’s grip on the armrests was tight as he braced himself. 

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

“—I didn’t take you for a reckless passenger.” Were the words Frankenstein and Raizel heard the moment the main lab’s automatic door swished open to grant Takeo and M-21 entry. 

“Of course not, you were going way below the speed limit.” M-21’s answer had a rare, playful undertone to it.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know there’s a minimum speed required for wheelchair pushing,” Takeo quipped back. 

“Maybe I should do the driving next time—”

Frankenstein cleared his throat and the pair ceased with their banter. 

“We’re not late, are we?” M-21 inquired.

“You’re just in time.” Frankenstein tapped the examination table at his side. “Come, I need to get your vital signs before I do your scans.” 

The check-up was over in less than an hour. Frankenstein gathered the printouts he made and compared them to the ones in M-21’s file. He even opened several documents on his computer and looked over those as well.

In the meantime, M-21 sat waiting on the examination table. His file was not that thick, he pretty was sure of it. But then again, his stay in the Werewolf Island was no picnic and not painless. M-21 drew his eyes off Frankenstein and let them roam around the lab. 

Nothing was out of place. The room was spotless and—was that a crack on the ceiling? M-21 squinted a bit. It seemed part of the ceiling a few paces from where they were got chipped off after something hit it with great force.

There was a nudge on his arm, pulling M-21 from further contemplating on what caused the ceiling to sustain such damage. 

Takeo, sitting to M-21’s left, nudged him with his elbow a second time and murmured, “You okay?”

Raizel was likewise gazing at M-21 with concern from his seat across them. 

It was then M-21 noticed he had been fiddling with a button on his cardigan all the while. Anymore and he could have ripped it off.

“Yeah, I’m okay, I guess.” He smoothed the cardigan’s front and rested his right hand down the table. 

Takeo shifted a little, close enough for M-21 to lean on his shoulder if he wanted to.

“Alright.” Frankenstein brought the clipboard with the latest printouts as he strode over to M-21. “Two things. One, you haven’t suffered a relapse, which is good.” 

A relapse from what? However, it appeared Frankenstein was still not inclined to offer information and did not further elaborate his statement. M-21 restrained a huff. “And the other thing?”

“You’re well enough to be discharged, but under certain conditions.” Frankenstein hoped this news was enough to appease M-21 for the moment. He mentioned the conditions, emphasizing they must be strictly adhered to. “How are you feeling now?” 

Very confused, M-21 was close to blurting out. Instead, he did a brief assessment and reported, “A little tired, a little cold, a little sore and in dire need of a bath.”

A long soak in the bath would really be useful right now, what with all the things he needed to ponder on. Alas, M-21’s hopes were dashed after Frankenstein said he could only take a fifteen-minute shower at the most. 

“One more thing and we’re done.” Frankenstein entered the drug storeroom and came out with a plastic cup. He also made a quick stop at the refrigerator just outside the storeroom and grabbed a bottle of water. “Here you go.” Frankenstein held them out to M-21.

M-21 accepted the proffered items. Inside the cup was an oblong, light orange pill. “And this is?” 

“You’re supposed to take that after breakfast.”

Again, with the vague answer. M-21 stared long and hard at Frankenstein, who merely flashed another calming smile. He bit back his exasperated sigh and downed the pill. 

“And with that you’re free to go.” Frankenstein wrote something on the papers on his clipboard while M-21 transferred to his wheelchair. “Don’t forget what I told you. I’ll come by later to check on you, alright?”

Takeo was maneuvering the wheelchair to the door when M-21 requested that he pause. 

“Oh, by the way…” M-21 began.

Frankenstein would never admit even under duress how his blood ran cold at M-21’s nonchalant yet foreboding tone. 

M-21 extended his left pointer finger in the direction of the ceiling right above them, compelling Raizel, Takeo and Frankenstein to raise their eyes as well. “What happened to the ceiling?”

The three just about did a collective wince at not spotting earlier that the ceiling was damaged. 

“A minor accident,” was Frankenstein’s unruffled response. “I’m sure it won’t jeopardize the lab’s structural integrity, but we’ll do an inspection to be on the safe side.” He motioned for Takeo to move along. “Now off you go, you still need to pack.”

The last thing Raizel and Frankenstein heard as the door was closing was M-21 worrying they might take too long to pack, and Takeo guaranteeing they would not. 

The smile disappeared from Frankenstein’s face. He removed the printouts from the clipboard and retrieved M-21’s folder to add them there, only to find there was no more space. Rummaging in his supply cabinet, he obtained a new folder and filed the printouts page by page. After that, he organized the files in his computer and tidied around the lab. He even dedicated several minutes to examining the ceiling.

Raizel could have called out Frankenstein for dawdling, but chose to wait until he was no longer occupied with his tasks. 

To say Frankenstein was stalling would not be a lie. And his excuses were running out fast. Casting a look at the security monitor, he caught sight of M-21 and Takeo as they were boarding the elevator.

And there went his last excuse. Frankenstein pressed one of the buttons on the console to activate the door’s lock mechanism. 

Had he been a lesser man he would have poured himself a stiff drink to get through with what he was about to do. But Frankenstein was no such person, so he sat on his chair with all the grace of one carrying too heavy a burden.

Then he proceeded to let the proverbial cat out of the bag. 

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

“Can you remind me again why the elevator’s just up to the ground floor?” Takeo requested. They were staring at the seemingly endless flight of stairs that would take them to the second floor. 

“Because normal houses aren’t supposed to have elevators?” M-21 replied.

“Guess there’s no helping it.” Takeo slipped off the duffle bag slung on his back and deposited it on the floor by the stairs. Digging in his pants pocket, he pulled out a black ribbon and gathered his ponytail into a bun atop his head. Takeo gestured for M-21 to hand over his pillow and it joined the duffle bag. 

M-21, catching drift of what Takeo had in mind, locked the brake on the wheelchair and stood. To his astonishment, Takeo knelt with his back towards him.

“Hop on.” 

“You’re kidding, right?” M-21 could not decide whether he was mortified or fascinated by the offer. Not once did M-24 make an attempt at something like this when he was alive.

“It’s this or I’m helping with your shower—” Takeo felt M-21’s arms go around his shoulders. The rest of M-21’s weight transferred to his back. 

“Let’s go before I change my mind.”

“Okay, just give me a minute.” Takeo interlocked his fingers under M-21’s legs and carefully rose to his full height. The urge to sock a certain Noble in the face came over him all of a sudden. Someone of M-21’s build and stature should not weigh this little. Shoving the feeling aside, Takeo plastered a smile and in a cheerful voice announced, “This noble steed will take you to your bedchamber at your behest, Sir.” 

“What,” M-21 asked between chuckles, “am I supposed to say ‘giddy-up’ or something?”

“Aha, there’s my cue.” Takeo started climbing the stairs and reached the second floor in no time. He continued down the hallway to their left after adjusting his hold on M-21. “How’s the view up there?” 

“It’s not so bad.” Some escaped strands from Takeo’s messy hair bun were tickling M-21 on the cheek. “I get to be taller than you just this once. There’s just a lot of magenta.” This back-riding business was not bad M-21 had to acknowledge, but he was nowhere near the size of Regis and not that light. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t fine with it.” Takeo smiled again for M-21, vowing never to breathe a word that no, carrying him was not so hard now because he probably had the same weight as Tao or at worse Rael. “We’re here.” 

They entered another hallway a moment ago and were approaching the nearest of the four doors there. Takeo lowered to a crouch to allow M-21 to alight then moved to the side.

M-21 blinked at the door and tried to recall what state he left his room in. Should he and Takeo go inside? The place must be covered by a layer of dust with how long he was gone. 

“Trust me, the door won’t bite you,” Takeo opined as he unbound the ribbon in his hair.

Well then, they would just have to do a bit of cleaning. M-21 grasped the doorknob and pushed, the door giving way with nary a sound. Stepping further inside, he held his breath against the dust and musty odor he was expecting. 

Sunlight shone through the open window. The curtains swaying in the breeze were different from what he remembered, as were his sheets, pillowcases and blanket. M-21 headed to the oak desk beside the window, trailed a finger on its surface and confirmed it was free of dust. The bottle of home-made reed diffuser on the mini cabinet on top of the desk had been replenished, spreading a touch of lavender scent in the space.

M-21 blinked again, the idea someone found time to clean his room finally sinking in. “Who?” 

“Definitely not me.” It was a story Takeo would rather leave for the concerned person to tell. “Maybe the Cleaning Fairy did it,” he added in jest before exiting the room.

“Yeah, right, and maybe the Tooth Fairy’s real,” M-21 retorted as he stripped off his cardigan to hang it on the back of his desk swivel chair. After that, he walked over to his bed and sat down— 

—and straight away regretted it, as the desire to roll around while wrapped in his blanket invaded his thoughts like that earworm of a song Tao kept singing a few weeks ago.

What. The. Hell. He needed that shower, stat, or else he would next be thinking about bouncing on the b— 

M-21 was the picture of calm as he got up and made a beeline for the walk-in closet section of the bathroom. Apparently, they had a Laundry Fairy as well, if the vacant laundry hamper by the corner was an indication.

Takeo returned from downstairs and emptied the duffle bag of various articles of clothing to stow them in the cabinets. M-21 finished assembling his change of clothes and found Takeo puttering around in the wash area arranging toiletries on the sink. 

“I’m going to have my shower now,” M-21 clarified to avoid any misunderstanding.

“Okay.” Takeo took long strides to the shower enclosure at the other end of the room and waited outside. 

M-21 was positive his ears were turning red. Was Takeo serious about helping him shower? “Alone? As in all by myself—”

“Oh, yeah, of course.” Takeo slid open the enclosure’s door to check if everything was in order before going on his way out at last. Sticking his head around the bathroom door he told M-21, “I won’t lock this so just holler if you need anything.” 

“Right, just don’t come barging in,” M-21 reminded just in case. He did a loud exhale once the door closed behind Takeo. Seriously, sometimes the guy was too helpful for his own good.

M-21 stepped under the shower, letting the warm cascade of water soothe and invigorate him. He set about laying down the facts he gathered so far. 

For one, people were acting a little unusual, though not in a bad sort of way. They were kinder, more tolerant.

If the fray with the werewolves occurred when he was still part of the Union he would have been left for dead, useless throwaway he was to them. 

And these people he was currently with, who he thought were only housemates, went out of their way to rescue him. Like he was someone worth all the trouble. Like he was someone important.

Maybe this was what it meant to be part of a family. 

The water was definitely not the reason why his face was scalding now.

And then there was Frankenstein. M-21 sobered at the man’s confounding behavior of late. 

Frankenstein usually made time to explain things to him without being prompted. Heck, he even asked for M-21’s consent and opinion. This norm was a far cry from the Union’s modus operandi of doing whatever the hell they wanted because M-21 and his comrades were trash and therefore not entitled to anything.

Maybe Frankenstein was too busy to talk. Maybe he needed more information and was waiting until he had everything so he could tell M-21 in one go. Maybe he deemed M-21 not ready. 

M-21 raised a hand. Could it be there was still something wrong with him? He was telling the truth when he said he was a little tired, sore and cold. These complaints aside, he felt fine. Although his fingers and wrist did seem a little too thin upon closer inspection.

Anyone who was out of commission for an entire week would be the same, right? 

So maybe there was nothing to worry about and he was just overthinking.

If that’s the case then why won’t Frankenstein— 

There were several knocks on the door, followed by Takeo telling him he only had seven minutes to go.

M-21 puffed out a breath before running his hands through his hair to start rinsing off. 

What to do, what to do…

For now, he would let the unusual treatment from everyone else slide seeing it mostly involved harmless acts. Unless someone decided to outclass Rael’s odd gift giving stunt. M-21’s eyes grew wide then he caught himself and dismissed the idea. No one would absolutely try to kiss him. Why would anyone even want to do that in the first place? 

Okay, time to stop with the weird, off tangent thoughts. M-21 ended his shower and left the enclosure. The rest of the bathroom was a little chilly, so he toweled off and dressed as fast as he could in his typical attire of a white T-shirt and black pants.

What about Frankenstein? M-21 draped a towel on his head, rubbing his hair with one hand while he retrieved his dirty clothes from the basket where he placed them. After dropping the clothes in the laundry hamper, he moved to the bench in the middle of the walk-in closet to resume working on his hair and his options. 

He could try asking the others. But if Frankenstein covered his bases, which he probably did if he was this tight-lipped, then they were most likely instructed not to tell him anything.

Waiting was his best choice. Frankenstein probably had reasons for not yet giving him a proper explanation. Besides, it was still early. Maybe he would tell M-21 later in the day. 

After all, M-21 had the right to know what was going on with him.

Or maybe he did not and he was too demanding— 

M-21 gave his hair a too vigorous rub. This was not the Union—

Two knocks on the door. “M, are you done?” Takeo called out from the other side. “Can I come in?” 

“Yeah, go ahead.” M-21 sighed and dropped his arms, already worn out from holding them up for a quite some time. It was in this state that Takeo found him.

A worried expression crossed Takeo’s face. “What’s wrong?” Already he was checking M-21 for signs of illness or injury. 

“Nothing much, just my arms deciding to quit a job midway,” was the rueful answer from M-21.

Takeo removed the towel on M-21’s head. “Your hair’s still dripping. Let me.” He commenced gently patting M-21’s hair and once satisfied it was dry enough inquired, “Think you can tolerate a little bit of noise?” 

“Probably,” M-21 answered. “My ears aren’t sensitive anymore. Why?”

“Be right back.” Takeo laid the towel next to M-21 then hurried off. He returned soon after wielding a hair dryer that he plugged into the power outlet on the floor beside the bench. 

“Uh, where did that come from?” M-21 stared at the hair dryer in Takeo’s hand like it was some kind of alien contraption for torture purposes.

“It’s mine, why do you look so surprised?” Switching on the device Takeo explained, “This doesn’t make so much noise like the others and it’ll dry your hair really quick. Want to give it a try?” 

M-21 had his misgivings but if there was one thing he was sure of, it was Takeo would not subject him to needless pain. “Okay.”

That and he could just add this to the growing list of novel experiences he had been having so far. 

“Don’t worry, this won’t hurt at all. But” —Takeo paused for emphasis— “do tell me if it gets uncomfortable, okay?” He adjusted the hair dryer’s setting to medium before raking his fingers through a section of M-21’s locks and raising it to begin his task.

And as promised, the procedure ended in a few minutes. Takeo kept moving M-21’s hair this way and that, nonetheless. 

Finally figuring out what he was doing, M-21 pointed out, “I have a comb, you know.”

Takeo beamed at M-21. “It’s fine. Your hair’s manageable enough not to need one.” That aside, he was mulling over if telling M-21 his hair was ridiculously soft would count as offensive.  

“And we’re done,” Takeo announced after deftly arranging said hair into its usual side swept style. Then he disappeared into the bath area to hang M-21’s towel on the heated towel rail mounted on the wall. 

Meanwhile, M-21 drew near the sink and studied his reflection on the mirror. The person who gazed back had dark circles under his eyes and a rather pasty complexion.

Yup, definitely looked the part of someone who’d gone through the wringer. 

Takeo showed up and clapped M-21 on the shoulders. “See, no need for a comb to fix your hair. Now come on” —he made M-21 face left and started to mock push him towards the open door— “you’re supposed to be on bed rest.”

“Alright, I’m going already.” M-21 allowed himself to be led and crossed the threshold to his bedroom. 

No sooner than he released M-21 that a chill swept through Takeo, freezing him where he stood—

“Don’t hold him down.” Frankenstein ordered. 

Takeo let go.

Blood was everywhere. On his shirt. The operating table. On the floor. 

M-21 kept bleeding even as he was racked with seizures.

Then he went still. 

A shrill beep filled the room.

Takeo bit the inside of his cheek— 

—and reeled from the onslaught. He gripped the doorframe to get his bearings and drove the memory far away into the dark recesses of his mind. Takeo somehow quietly shut the door after him, eyes going frantic in his search until he found his target.

M-21, standing in front of the window, had his back to him and appeared to be holding something aloft. 

He’s right there. Takeo could feel his nerves steadying at the sight as he moved closer.

M-21 lifted his cardigan, gave it a shake before slipping it on. The garment was an instant source of warmth and he made a mental note to consider buying a spare once he was allowed to leave the house. 

And very much alive. Takeo let out a slow, inaudible breath. He reached out with his left hand—

M-21 finished buttoning the cardigan and began running his hands down the sleeves to straighten them, wondering why Tao designed them in a way that only his fingers were visible if he did not fold over the cuffs at least once. Not that he minded since his hands would get warm too— 

Something dropped on M-21’s head and started mussing his hair. M-21 pressed his lips into a thin line as he turned to scowl at the culprit.

The somewhat annoyed expression M-21 wore almost had Takeo bursting into laughter. To his delight, there was even a pout thrown in the mix. He ruffled M-21’s tresses once more before restoring them to their proper arrangement.  

“There, there, it’s already fixed so don’t get mad, okay?” Takeo was very grateful his voice did not tremble in the slightest. Turning away from the window, he went over to M-21’s bed and peeled back the comforter. 

“Now, I really hate to burst your bubble, but bed rest involves actually getting in bed.” Takeo stopped as a thought occurred to him. “Unless you need me to—”

M-21 raised a hand. “Don’t finish that sentence.” Call him paranoid, but he had a hunch Takeo was planning to carry him like some princess in distress. “I’m perfectly capable of getting myself there.” 

He padded the rest of the way and plopped down the bed. After stretching his legs out M-21 asked, “I don’t have to lie down for this right?”

“I think lying back’s good enough.” Takeo stacked three pillows against the headboard and completed the pile by adding the one from Rael on top. “Here you go.” 

M-21 scooted backwards and settled on the pillows, his gaze following Takeo’s movements as he pulled the comforter into place.

“Is there a problem?” The question was very hypocritical coming from him, and Takeo could only hope his momentary shift in disposition would go unnoticed. 

“That’s my line.” It was fleeting, but M-21 was certain Takeo’s haunted eyes were not a figment of his imagination. How could he fail to recognize the visage he and his comrades wore more often than not?

Takeo deposited the pillow he set aside on M-21’s lap and sat on the mattress, angling slightly so he was facing him. 

“I’ve never been better.” A smile sprang from Takeo’s lips, small yet sincere. He flattened a rumple on the blanket and kept running his hand over the spot even though it was already smooth. “But there is a small…favor I’d like to ask.”

M-21 tilted his head to the side. A favor? “Go on.” 

Takeo gathered his thoughts for a few seconds then got down to it in the most benign tone he could manage. “I know it’s part and parcel of our lifestyle, but can you please try not to scare us too much?”

M-21 jerked back. “Excuse me?” 

Dead set on getting his point across Takeo continued, “What I’m trying to say is if you feel like you’re about to pass out, give us some kind of signal so we can do something.”

There were quite a few reasons why M-21 acted the way he did at the Werewolf Island. Now they seemed trivial against the fact he caused people undue worry. So he kept the words to himself. 

“I’m not telling you this because I’m mad.” Takeo hastened to add at M-21’s downcast eyes. “I don’t think anyone is. We’re just worried—”

M-21 flinched and reflexively pinned his arms against his stomach. 

“—and that’s part of the territory.” Casting aside the sinking feeling in his heart, Takeo began to pat the area on the blanket where M-21’s knee was. “We’re supposed to be concerned about you.”

Why was it so hard for M-21 to believe there were people outside of the M-Series who also care for him? 

M-21 raised his eyes and met Takeo’s earnest stare. “I…I’m really not sure if I can make that kind of promise.”

“The operative word is ‘try’.” Takeo reached further so he was now patting M-21 on the head. “Tao said it last night and I think it’s worth repeating. You have to tell us if there’s a problem so we can help. Because we might miss the signs and it might be too late.” 

“And if I have to carry you around on my back then I will.” Takeo meant every word of it.

“Okay, I’ll try,” M-21 agreed at last. It was a really small thing considering all the trouble he already caused. 

“Great, then we have ourselves a deal.” Takeo was almost tempted to pull M-21 in a headlock so he could ruffle his hair again. Maybe he would do it once M-21 was fully recovered.

There was a lull in conversation, so Takeo took the chance to grab M-21’s swivel chair and bring it by the bed. He remembered something just as he sank down the cushion. “By the way, your editor called last Monday.” 

The news had M-21’s wandering mind come to a screeching halt, only for it to begin racing as he scrambled to recall his progress on a certain task.

“Now calm down, I already explained things to her so you don’t have to worry about your deadline,” Takeo said before M-21 could go into full panic mode. “Told me you should just focus on getting well.” 

That M-21 had been moonlighting as a writer for an online magazine for about eight weeks now was one of three things only Takeo and Tao had the privilege of knowing.

M-21 sagged against the pillows at hearing he was granted a reprieve. “Okay, but I should at least send an email—” 

“Nah-ah, Boss said no gadgets for you. Bed rest, remember?” Takeo stood his ground despite the frown that appeared on M-21’s face. Instead, he narrowed his eyes at M-21 like he was sizing him up.

“So…apparently you’re writing for that magazine Tao likes to read.” M-21 had yet to reveal exactly what sort of writing he did and for whom. Having his name listed as M-21’s emergency contact person had its perks. 

“What a coincidence.” M-21 just deadpanned. What the hell.

“Too bad you guys are using pen names.”  

“That’s for security purposes. Wouldn’t want people coming over or sending stuff to houses,” M-21 stressed. Never mind there was not a snowball’s chance in hell of those happening to a newbie like him. 

“And there’s this writer he’s been following. He’ll probably ask if you know that person’s real name.” Takeo gave the pen name Tao mentioned.

M-21 kept his expression neutral. “I’m not allowed to say. We have a non-disclosure clause.” 

And there was nothing to tell because he did not know his real name either.

“Right.” Takeo folded his hands on his lap or else he would be ruffling M-21’s hair again. “Anyway, your secret is safe with me.” 

“Thanks. So, about that email—”

Takeo leveled a look of reproach at M-21. “What part of ‘No’ didn’t you understand? You’re supposed to be resting, you can do something else that’s not tiring or stressful.” 

“Fine, I’ll just do some light reading.” M-21 faced forward and squinted at the contents of the floor to ceiling bookshelf on the other side of the room.

“So, what will it be?” Takeo was already out of his seat and standing beside the bookshelf. 

“The one at the leftmost corner, third shelf.”

The book Takeo extracted from said location was rather hefty. “I don’t think ‘War and Peace’ is light reading, M. And I mean that in the figurative and literal sense.” He rapped on the hardbound’s front cover. 

“You hit someone over the head with this and that person will end up with a concussion. Sorry, but I’m going to veto you on this one.” Takeo returned the book and with a hand on his chin inspected the rest of M-21’s collection.

“You’re really building yourself a library here.” He started running a finger along the spines of each book. “Hugo isn’t light reading, either. And you only have ‘Macbeth’ from Shakespeare. Now’s not a good time for Poe as well. Ah, here’s one.” Takeo pulled out a paperback and held it for M-21 to see. “’Aesop’s Fables’.” 

“I read that three times already.”

“Oh, okay.” The book was stowed again and Takeo went on with his hunt until a red and black tome made him pause. 

“What do we have here?” His brows wrinkled as he recited, “’Grimm’s Fairy Tales’? Just the name already sounds stressful.”

M-21 was shaking his head. “I didn’t know ‘Cinderella’ could be so morbid until I read that.” 

“Then it’s definitely a ‘no’ for this one.” Takeo crouched so he could check the lower shelves. A title near the middle of the second shelf caught his attention.  

“Wait a sec, is this a tankobon?” He took the item in question and skimmed through random pages. “Isn’t this about the kid with a fox demon?” 

“Yeah,” M-21 replied, “but I don’t feel like reading about ninjas right now.”

“Nothing you want to read down here?” Takeo found another tankobon for a different title. “Not even this one about death gods in kimono?” He got out a third tankobon. “Or this story about an armored alchemist?” 

At M-21’s negative response, Takeo straightened and zeroed in on the higher shelves. Something in the fourth shelf made him do a double take. “Whoa, you have ‘Genji Monogatari’?”

“I haven’t read that yet because my Kanji is atrocious.” M-21 said. “You can borrow that if you want.” 

Takeo had a glow in his eyes as he laid hold of the first of the two volumes that comprised the book. “Are you sure? I mean, I’ll be the first to read this instead of you.”

“I’m sure. Just no spoilers, please. Can I have the fifth book from the right on the fourth shelf?” M-21 was looking forward to reading that one, but then Kentas and the rest of the werewolves and that crazy Ignes happened. 

Takeo found and examined the book M-21 requested. “Hmm, a collection of Korean myths and legends. And it’s got illustrations, too. I guess this is safe.”

He went back to M-21’s bedside and placed the hardcover in his outstretched hands, which the latter began to read straight away. Takeo smiled to himself as he settled once more in his seat and opened his own book, likewise keen on immersing himself in a good read.

[atinyidea]

[ 1 ] UNDER THE RAIN | TWO | O. Sehun

chapter summary — time moves by quickly - but you’re always entertained (and somewhat confused) by the mysterious man that is Oh Sehun. Things always take a turn for the strange in your life. However, you just never expected it to be this.

word count — 2.3k

tag list — @avmfreak96 and the tags from the first edition, please let me know if you would like me to untag you! @asslikegilinsky, @acevampyre, @high-on-food, @chanyeolol, and @marshmallow-phd! Also, let me know if you would like to be added to the tag list!

main masterlist — the lunar myths masterlist

TWO — A Secret Life... Give Or Take A Few

It wasn’t like Euina was one hundred per cent dependant on you, she was more than capable of looking after herself. Your younger sister was ‘mature for her age’ as your aunts would describe her. The thirteen-year-old having to grow up a lot quicker since the unfortunate death of your parents.

It wasn’t like the two of you were alone, you had your aunts and their son. Euina liked them enough, she didn’t have any discomfort staying with them if you needed her to. Euina came to stay with you every two weeks for a weekend. Sometimes she stayed longer but only when she didn’t have school – over an hour away in the next city where your aunts lived – she even had her own keys.

“You will not believe the past few weeks I’ve had.” You stated, closing the door to your apartment and walking straight to the living room before falling down on one of the giant bean bags you had instead of couches. Euina sat on the other one, a massive bowl of popcorn in her lap – The Chronicles of Narnia playing on the TV. It was early evening, just getting dark outside.

“I’m so ready for this.” Your sister grinned, grabbing a handful of popcorn. “Is it about hottie Mr-leather-jacket?” She winked.

You groaned at the convenient nickname she had given him when you told her about him two weeks prior, the night you ran home after beating the two men who had mentioned him.

“He was at the café again.” You moaned. “Ordered a Lumpy Bottoms Up with four Four Clovers in a Garden Basketthis time. I honestly have no idea how he comes up with them. That’s literally the seventh one! I have no idea what he’s talking about or wants. I served him a Lucky Green. I don’t think he noticed the difference.”

It was weird, to say the least. Sehun had, in fact, come into the café every day you worked (or every day, what was the difference) and ordered more and more obscure drinks from you. The first couple happened to be on the menu.

Moonlight Magic with Stardust in a Love Cup,

Familial Cream in a standard Mug.

After a while, the drinks – and even the cups – seemed to come from his imagination.

Capucha Bean Twirler with just a sprinkling of Stardust in a Hug Mug

Java Guava Lava in ‘whatever cup you feel like putting it in’– he gave you a wink after that. You would never admit to the butterflies the wink he sent after it gave you.

“Of course, he didn’t. It’s so obvious that he’s doing it to see what you’ll give him!” Euina remarked. “I think someone has a crush, you know.”

You pulled a face at her, and she simply threw a handful of popcorn at your face.

By the time the film had reached its climax, Euina had fallen asleep. You stood and scooped her up into your arms. She wasn’t the lightest thing you’d had to carry, but she certainly beat the drunken men you’ve had to pull out of the bar. Seeing her sleeping had always filled you with great guilt – she always looked so peaceful, calm, so young.

The death of your parents was always a hard topic to talk about, and while it couldn’t possibly be your fault – you were eight and in the middle of a jungle at a camp – but Euina was only one when it happened. She was the miracle that survived the car crash, and she couldn’t even remember it. That’s why you had to make sure you were strong enough to protect her – to keep her young during her childhood.

You shook your head to get rid of your bad thoughts and placed her on your bed. You only had one bed – it was a one-bedroom apartment after all – but you didn’t care, it felt nice to cuddle her every once in a while. You never knew when she’d stop wanting a hug. You kissed her forehead and tucked her hair out of her face.

You looked to the time – 21:49 – and you quickly turned to get changed, you had work tonight.

                                                            ••:۞:••

Working nights at the bar, as you’ve said many times, was always fun. However, this night you didn’t know what to do. He was there. Sehun was there. In the bar, you worked at, and you didn’t know what to do. You served him, a gin and elderflower, and then you helped the people he’d come with: four men, two women.

So he did have friends.

He stayed at the bar, while his friends moved back into a corner table, closer to the dancing space. He looked good, to say the least. His dark hair looked as soft as ever, his fringe almost falling into his eyes each time he’d look up at you through his eyelashes. You had determined that you weren’t seeing things because each time your eyes met, his would seem to glow an emerald green for a second – sweeping over the iris and gone again as you blinked. He wore a plain white V-neck – you could practically see through the thin material – a pair of black skinny-jeans and (what you liked to call)

Sometimes you just couldn’t stop yourself from thinking about those damn eyes, and you’d have to physically snap yourself out of it. It wasn’t usual how you just seemed to think about him. His eyes or his hair, his smile or simply his name. At least, it was unusual for you. Relationships came at a distance for you, and while you had had a handful of partners, nothing ever seemed to stick.

You had figured to think you just weren’t worthy of that type of relationship.

“Go on a date with me.”

He had said it, looking up at you with those eyes, after finishing his third drink. It was almost as if he needed them to finally ask you the question. It took you a minute to actually recall what he had actually said.

“I’m sorry what.”

He moved his body, so he faced you full on. He pulled a hand through his hair and your heart almost stopped. Too damn attractive. “I said, go on a date with me.”

It was weird, how hard your heart fluttered compared to how much your mind was questioning him and his motives.

“What?” You chuckled, a smile making its way onto your lips. “I hardly know you.”

“Well, isn’t that the purpose of a date? To get to know one another better?” He grinned. The way he spoke, sounded like he wasn’t a part of this decade. You leant against the bar in front of him, resting your chin on interlocked fingers. You would be lying if he didn’t intrigue you; if you weren’t interested. There was something about it that constantly drew you in – like a magical gravitational force pulling you together.

“I suppose so.” You shook your head, moving your hair back over your shoulders. “But what else is there for me?” You raised your eyebrows playfully. Sehun leaned back with an equally playful grin before standing.

“I’m sure I could make it worth your time.” He grinned and walked away. Your brow furrowed slightly, he never ceased to confuse you. You shook your head and moved back to serve another customer. There weren’t many people left in the bar – for it closed soon – but the last rounds would be called soon. You pitied Jinyoung and Adam who had to serve the last call and lock up the bar – it wasn’t your fault you got off two hours earlier than closing.

                                                          ••:۞:••

“Why the hell did you walk away from her?” Danbi exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air from her place on Junmyeon’s lap. “She was seconds away from agreeing!”

“She moved her hair away from her neck. I could see her collar bones from here,” Eunjin stated dryly, not taking her eyes from her mates’ face. Eunjin was blind, an oracle (or seer as she preferred to be named) but she always knew where her mate was. Her words were tasteful, given her predicament.

“Her scent became so strong, I’m surprised he even managed to stand a foot away from her.” Commented Tao with a small chuckle.

Sehun ignored them and looked to Junmyeon. “A group of Omegas are here. Just walked through the door.” He spoke clearly before turning on his heel and walking swiftly back to you. The six of them tensed slightly, Danbi moving off of Junmyeon so he could stand fully, Luhan quick to follow him, while Baekhyun stood to follow after Sehun.

“I’ll get her out if it comes to a fight – don’t worry about Sehun, he’ll need to focus if he’s needed,” Danbi stated, following Baekhyun – placing a hand on his shoulder and pointing him towards the door.

Tao and Eunjin stood too, quickly moving to the door to get Eunjin out while there wasn’t a fight for Tao to be involved in.

“Back so soon?” You asked Sehun as he walked towards you with pace. You were beginning to smile, but the expression faltered when you saw the expression he wore. His eyebrows were knit together, his defined jaw clenched. When you looked, his hands formed fists.

Before he could say anything, as he opened his mouth too, one of the women he came with joined his, placing a hand on his forearm. “Hi, you must be y/n, I’m Danbi. I’m a… sister to Sehun. Nice to meet you.”

“You too, I like your dress.” You complimented, albeit confused.

“Thank you! It’s new-“

“What time do you finish?” Sehun cut her off, shooting her a glare. You frowned slightly and turned to the clock behind you: 03:55.

“Now. Five minutes till my shift ends. Why?” Now you were curious. Or were you suspicious? Could you be both? Suspiciously curious. Instead of an answer, your attention was brought elsewhere, towards the other side of the bar. A group of three men were crowded around your co-worker – Jinyoung. She was a small girl, lovely (dyed) blonde curled hair that shaped her face and delicate features. She was young. She was gorgeous, even a blind man could see that. You happened to like her very much, she reminded you of your sister. You also happened to know when she was uncomfortable. You could hear it in her voice as she repeated the word ‘no’ and you could see it in her body language.

Before anything else could be said you held a finger in the air and moved towards the commotion. You swore you saw Sehun tense again.

“Can I help here?” You asked, putting on a fake smile toward the three men. They were all tall, maybe even Sehun’s height, and you could hardly see their faces from all the hair in their front. “Is there a problem?”

“She, here,” The middle one pointed a finger in Jinyoung’s face, you watched as she backed away from it slightly. “Tells us that these drinks are 8 each.”

“We think she’s lying for a bit more pocket.” Another chimed in, with what you interpreted as a snarl?

What a bunch of dicks.

“No. That is the correct pricing for the drinks in your hands. Please pay, or I’ll be forced to make you leave.” You remarked with a straight face, slightly pushing the younger girl behind you. You had never been one to know what fear was, and you certainly weren’t scared now.

“Hey, lady! Don’t go making trouble!” The last shouted, and you could smell the alcohol on his breath. Jesus, how drunk are these idiots? You looked over their shoulders and motioned for the doorman to come. However, before you could turn away from them, a hand had caught to the front of your turtleneck jumper, pulling you towards him. Your hips were thrust harshly against the bar’s counter and your palms stung from how hard you slammed them down to catch yourself from falling too far.

“He said,” the first one seethed. “Don’t. Cause. Trouble.” His hold changed, his hand was now around your neck. You could hear Jinyoung screeching for Damon, the doorman, to be quicker. You could make out Sehun’s agitated voice as he struggled to get out of the hold of one of the men he came with. You lifted your head slightly to glare at the man who held you.

His grip seemed to loosen. Good enough. You leaned back slightly before ramming your head towards him, hitting him with a force you knew would disorientate the drunken sod. His hand slipped from your throat but caught your shoulders. You knew that he’d be a slightly more difficult challenge from the way he bounced back from the hit so quickly so, you took the initiative and grabbed his own shoulders. You were practically on top of the counter, but you used his shoulders to force your body over to the other side.

You would definitely be bruised to all hell tomorrow.

You twisted in his hold, so his arms crossed and were now behind you, before flipping him over your shoulder. You stood fully and watched as he got up after a few seconds. Before he could do anything, you sent three punches to his face. However, he caught the last one and slapped you with his other hand.

You could feel your lip splitting.

Before you knew it, a whole group of you were outside. You were still fighting the drunk man, but you had hand enough. You cracked your neck and wiped your mouth.

And then you kicked him. In the face.

And he lost his footing, stumbling backwards.

And then, there was a huge wolf in front of you.

“What the fuck.”

Did you like it? Was it any good? Tell me what you think!

[queenmorgawse]

transmigration for dummies

chapter four. mdzs scum villain au. concept credit to @lee-luca. read on ao3 for end notes.  previous | first | next

About halfway ( according to his questionable sense of direction, anyway ) to Mo Village, Lan Fan catches up to him, hovering about five feet away. Jingyi sees her lips moving, but her words are lost to the whistling wind. “What?” he screams back.

She makes a face and shouts at him, in defiance of at least three Gusu Lan rules, “Mom came back yesterday, she told me to tell you you’ve got to look after me and also share your food!”

“Mom?”

“Yeah! Just because I see her more than you do doesn’t mean you don’t need to listen to her!” She points a threatening finger in his direction. “I’ll tell her if you bully me!”

Jingyi’s only half listening to her. His head is reeling. Since when does the original have a little sister, or a family at all? Whose headcanon is this?!

Lan Fan is still looking at him expectantly, though the effect is a bit ruined by the way the wind keeps whipping her long hair back in her face. “Got it,” he manages to garble out after about thirty awkward seconds of silence. Satisfied, she pours another load of spiritual energy into her sword, willing it to go faster. She catches up to her friends in the front in no time, leaving Jingyi to his existential crisis.

Come to think of it, it’s not that weird for him to have an entire sister he didn’t know was his sister, even though they’d only met about four days into his new life. They don’t look that much alike - he and Lan Fan must take after different parents, even if he doesn’t know who they are either. Plus, with the way the Lan clan literally has the girls and women living in an entirely separate part of the Cloud Recesses, the two of them probably never spent much time in the other’s company outside of training.

The thought makes Jingyi’s stomach churn with unease. Up until now, he only had to worry about not looking too suspicious in front of his fellow disciples. He can probably manage Lan Fan too, if the way she acts towards him is any indication. It’s relatively safe to assume he doesn’t have a father either : if they live in the same part of the Cloud Recesses, they would have run into each other by now, right?

He can fool his friends. He can even fool Lan Sizhui, who knows him best out of everyone here. But can he really look a mother in the eye and pretend he’s her son?

They’re not real, Jingyi tells himself. They’re just people the System created. But even as he repeats this mantra, he knows he’s not convinced. Everyone is too fleshed out, even compared to their novel counterparts, for him to treat them like they’re disposable.

It doesn’t matter, he ultimately decides. He won’t have to get used to having a dad, at least. Lan Fan, though ⎯ he can’t just brush her off. They have a mother, even if he doesn’t know her name yet, and she’s counting on him to protect Lan Fan.

Well, in light of their comparative fighting prowess, she might have to be the one doing the protecting, but it hopefully won’t come to that.

Jingyi spares a thought for Nie Mingjue’s dismembered arm waiting for them in Mo village, and silently revises that statement.

-

Within five minutes of knowing her, Jingyi can safely say this : Madam Mo reminds him of his least favorite middle school teacher. Granted, Mrs Robin didn’t dress this fancy, but she certainly sneered down her nose at people a lot and never pronounced Jingyi’s name right, despite it really not being as hard as it could have been. About halfway through the year, Jingyi had given up and started calling her by her full name, Mrs Robin-Banks, which had earned him about a month of scraping the undersides of tables clean of bubble gum.

Exactly like he used to do in class, he tunes out of her speech about how her son definitely has the potential to be a cultivator, if only a great clan - any of them, of course not theirs specifically - would notice him and take him under their wing…

On his left side, Tao Ming rolls his eyes so hard they actually go white for a second, right before Lan Fan discreetly elbows him in the ribs. It takes all of Jingyi’s self-control not to do the same.

He may have been watching the door for Mo Xuanyu’s arrival, but it still doesn’t prepare him to the chaos that erupts when the man himself barges into the hall.

Jingyi isn’t sure how much of the effect can be chalked up to his own knowledge of the character, but Wei Wuxian is a riot from his very first moment here. While the other disciples look on, half fascinated and half appalled, he leans forward, following the other’s movements. Energy runs through Wei Wuxian like a wire, whether he is scampering about the room to escape the servants or taunting Mo Ziyuan and his parents. Saying he can’t stay still would be an understatement.

As entertaining as the situation is, it is also highly awkward, especially when one of the girls reaches for Mo Xuanyu to help him to his feet, revealing the red footprint at the center of his chest. Despite knowing this beforehand, the sight makes Jingyi sick.

“Did everyone see that? Did you? The burglar is also beating someone up! How heartless!”

While he was lost in thoughts, Wei Wuxian dusted himself off, and is now pointing an accusing finger at his ‘cousin’. Before Jingyi can remember his mission or say anything, Sizhui’s calm voice cuts through the commotion. “Please calm down. Words are more powerful than weapons.”

Yeah, but it’d help a lot if I could punch this guy in the face. If he thought watching or reading about Mo Ziyuan going on his mama’s boy spiel, the entire thing pales in comparison to real life. Jingyi is itching to leap across the tea table and throttle him with his bare hands so he’ll just stop talking, but that might be an infraction unforgivable even for the most un-Lan Lan to ever Lan.

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Wei Wuxian stays behind Sizhui, peeking out from behind his shoulder with all the offended dignity of a jilted maiden.

Madam Mo’s smile looks plastered on, like the smallest tug would be enough to peel it off her face. “This is my younger sister’s son. He’s not so bright here ; everyone from the Mo Village knows that he is a lunatic, and often speaks strange words that shouldn’t be taken seriously. Cultivator, please…”

“Who said that my words shouldn’t be taken seriously? Next time, try stealing anything from me again. You steal once, and I cut off one of your hands!” Wei Wuxian interrupts. Jingyi winces. Of course, no one here can possibly know the weight these words carry, but let him cringe in peace, okay?

Lan Fan chances a glance towards Sizhui. “Shixiong, should we…” In an attempt to be subtle, she glares towards the fuming members of the Mo family, then schools her expression into a serene one when turning to their leader again.

Sizhui clears his throat. “We will borrow the West Courtyard for the night. Please remember the things that I’ve talked about—after nightfall, close all of the windows, don’t come outside, or worse, walk toward the courtyard.”

Nice try, dude.

To be fair, Jingyi feels a little mean, just letting things happen. Plot-essential as they are, this night did result in the death of four (he thinks?) people.

【Canon events must proceed as they were written,】the System pings, sealing the debate.

-

Things cool down after that. Their little group files out of the hall in their usual orderly fashion and gets to work, evacuating the last of the servants from the West Courtyard and unpacking their supplies. It’s almost pastoral.

Trouble finds them all the same, while Jingyi is checking on the position of the last of the Spirit Attraction flags.

He spots Mo Xuanyu’s ghastly makeup from a mile away. Telling the protagonist off is useless, he knows, but a good little Lan disciple would have to enforce the most basic of the instructions they gave. “Hey, you! Go back, alright? No one’s allowed here until we’ve dealt with the corpses!”

As expected, Wei Wuxian ignores him, hopping up on the roof and making a grab for the nearest flag. Even if Jingyi wanted to catch him, he couldn’t have ; for someone who was dead twenty-four hours ago and received a nasty beating since, the man is surprisingly nimble.

“Give it back!” he still shouts, chasing after him. “Weren’t you a cultivator once? You should know better than to mess with that!”

“I’m not giving it back, I’m not giving it back! I want this thing! I want this!” Wei Wuxian sing-songs back, sticking to his role as the local madman. Where’s the guy’s Oscar, huh? This is Amy Adams all over again.

Fortunately, all his flailing about gives Jingyi time to catch up. He grabs him by the arm, shaking the flag out of his slackened grip. “There!”

“Jingyi, don’t hit him. He’s not feeling well.” Sizhui must have been drawn in by the ruckus, leaving his own side of the flag formation.

“I didn’t hurt him!” Jingyi protests. “He was the one making a mess first!”

Sizhui gave him an understanding look, then turned back to Wei Wuxian. “Young master Mo, it’s getting late, and we’ll start capturing the walking corpses soon. For your own safety, please return to your room. The flag…”

“It’s just a flag, so what’s the big deal?” Wei Wuxian cuts in with a huff. “I can draw way better than this!” Before the other juniors’ astonishment can manifest, he’s sprinted off, leaving the discarded flag lying in the dust behind him.

Lan Fan and a few of her friends giggle from their own positions on the roof, while Tao Ming glares at the direction Wei Wuxian disappeared in. “What a maniac! Why can’t these people even follow simple rules?”

“It’s all right, A-Ming,” Sizhui soothes. “We still have time, so let’s just fix it up before sunset. As long as he doesn’t come back, everything will be fine.”

“Back to work, everyone!” Jingyi adds. It earns him a 【Uncharacteristic willingness to follow orders : -5 points.】alert, which he responds to with a classy middle finger behind Sizhui’s retreating back.

The OOC function really can’t come a second too soon.

-

The rest of the evening goes by uneventfully. Once it’s clear that Mo Xuanyu will not be coming back before dawn, their group wastes no time fixing the flag formation and preparing their weapons. When dinner comes around, Jingyi dutifully shares half of the veggie buns the Mo family servants bring them with Lan Fan.

To his relief, it doesn’t prompt any family bonding for them. Not that they would have had much time to talk, since his little sister spent most of the meal trying to fit as many baozi into her mouth as she could, which would surely not be as tolerated in the Lan clan dining hall.

The handful of corpses that do show up, hooked in by the flags, are more than easy to dispel. Even Jingyi, who can admit he chickens out easily, feels almost bored chopping the slow, clumsy undead to pieces. It’d be a peaceful night, if not for his knowledge that sooner or later, they’d all be summoned to the main hall again to be witnesses to a murder.

-

Bingo, Jingyi thinks when a young serving girl bursts into the West courtyard, shaking like a leaf. Her sobs wake up the few disciples who dozed off following their watch schedule ; they reach for their swords in no time, expecting another wave of corpses. It does nothing but scare the poor girl further.

Jingyi reaches her first. “What happened?” he asks, knowing full well what just went down.

The girl sniffles. She’s really a child, possibly younger than Lan Fan. “I-Madam Mo told me to call you because, because…” She cuts herself off with another sniffle, curling into herself.

“Breathe,” he advises her. “With me, okay?”

She follows suit, obediently inhaling and exhaling in sync with him, until her shaking has subsided enough for her to form a coherent sentence. “Cultivators, Mistress wants to see you as soon as possible. She said…” Another hiccup. “She said the lunatic killed her son!”

[sagesparrow394]

We’re All Weird

Chapter One / Next

Fandoms: Sanders Sides, Gravity Falls

Summary: With Bill Cipher gone for good, Dipper expected his second summer away at Gravity Falls would be a little less strange. However, his new best friend who he brought along with him has a few little secrets that will make it far from normal.

Dipper Pines never regretted anything more than his decision to leave Gravity Falls.

Back during the previous summer, his Great Uncle Ford had offered him an apprenticeship. It was everything Dipper could have ever wanted: science, monsters and adventure. However, his twin sister, Mabel, had gotten really upset and mad at him. She didn’t want to go back to school by herself. The two twins had always done everything together, and she thought she’d get lonely.

It took a lot, but eventually, Dipper agreed to turn down the apprenticeship. And when I say it took a lot, it literally took Mabel threatening to stay forever trapped in an acid-trip style prison bubble made by a dream demon from another dimension. Yeah, she was really stubborn.

When they eventually went to school, Mabel wasn’t lonely. Dipper, on the other hand, certainly was. Mabel immediately made a bunch of friends, thanks to her optimistic attitude and self-confidence, which caused a few people to gravitate towards her. Dipper, on the other hand, had zero friends. When they had to do the usual ‘what you did on your holiday’ project, Dipper was ecstatic to share the tales of their adventures with monsters in Gravity Falls. However, no one had believed him. He got the reputation as the ‘crazy monster kid’. Even Mabel stopped hanging out with him at school to secure her newfound popularity. He was completely alone.

Not to mention he was the perfect target for bullies. Weak, weird, unpopular, nerdy. He may has well have been wearing a sign that read ‘free punching bag’.

One particular day, Dipper was sprinting down the halls, knowing a bunch of bullies were not far behind him. He panted as he turned a corner. This was his chance to lose them! The door to the auditorium was to his right. He pushed it open before pulling it closed behind him. He peered through the crack in the door, watching as the bullies ran right past. Dipper let out a sigh of relief. He was safe.

He turned and started walking down the aisle between the seats, heading towards the stage. He never came to the auditorium much, only really going there for assemblies. The place seemed really creepy when empty and quiet.

As he reached the stage, he climbed onto it. Maybe he could... No. But it could be fun, and it’s not like anyone would hear him.

‘You say The price of my love’s not a price that you’re willing to pay You cry In your tea which you hurl in the sea as you see me go by Why so sad? Remember we made an arrangement when you went away Now you’re making me mad Remember despite our estrangement I’m your man...’

Dipper carried on singing You’ll Be Back to himself quietly. However, as he continued, he gained more and more confidence and got more into it.

They’d gone to see Hamilton earlier that year, at Mabel’s request. Dipper loved it, mostly for the history at first, but soon grew to like the soundtrack as well.

As he neared the end and called ‘Everybody!’, he didn’t notice another voice join in. He did notice, however, when he finished and there was an applause. He turned around in surprise and saw a boy his age stood there. He had brown hair that was dyed purple. He wore a red t-shirt with a yellow star on it and a pair of jeans. Dipper had never seen him around school before.

‘Oh, uh, sorry,’ the boy apologised, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. ‘I didn’t mean to scare you.’

‘It’s fine,’ Dipper replied.

There was a long silence as the two avoided eye contact, the awkwardness of the situation growing even more.

‘Thomas,’ the boy finally said. ‘My name, it’s Thomas. Thomas Sanders.’

‘Oh, um, I’m Dipper. Dipper Pines.’

‘I recognise that name. Aren��t you the- ?’

‘Crazy monster kid? Yeah,’ Dipper nodded.

‘Is... I don’t know much, I only moved here recently, but are the stories that I’ve heard true?’ Thomas asked, intrigued

Dipper was really surprised. Not one person had ever asked whether it was true, they just assumed that it wasn’t.

‘Um... I know it sounds insane, but yeah. It did happen. Unicorns, manotaurs, gnomes, wax figures, all of it.’

‘Whoa...’ Thomas’ eyes were practically sparkling. ‘That’s awesome! I wish my life was that exciting.’

‘Trust me, it’s not as cool as it seems. It just makes normal life here seem even worse,’ Dipper shrugged.

‘So... I’m guessing you came in here to hide from bullies...’

‘How did you know?’

‘It’s what happened to me. Ever since, I’ve come to here after school. It’s relieving to come to talk and sing with myself... I-I mean, by myself! Alone. Just me.’ Thomas coughed awkwardly.

‘You sing?’ Dipper asked.

‘Yeah, it’s one of my favourite things, along with acting. I’m a huge theatre nerd. Back at my old school, I was in all the musical performances: Heathers, Guys and Dolls, Into the Woods, Singin’ in the Rain,’ Thomas explained. ‘Recently, I heard that next year this school’s doing a production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and I figured I’d get ahead of the game.’

‘Can I... If you don’t mind, can I hear you sing?’ Dipper asked.

‘Oh, um, sure. I’ll just get the backing track ready.’ Thomas, pulling his phone from his pocket, walked off into the wings as Dipper moved and sat in one of the seats in the first row.

As the sound of music came from the speakers, Thomas ran back to centre stage. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves before singing.

‘Won't you help me please I'm afraid that I might fall For my eyes and knees, have grown frail behind this wall Let me come to you, though it appears I've lost my pep But as this ancient relic read In the tao of Ching it said A journey of a thousand miles Begins with just one step!’

Thomas continued to sing It Must Be Believed to Be Seen, and Dipper could not deny he had an amazing voice. He hit every single note perfectly. He also put a lot of emotion and quirkiness into his performance. Dipper could almost believe it was Willy Wonka on stage.

‘Beyond this door is chocolate So tasty it's obscene So follow me For I guarantee That this world I conceived And all I achieved It must be believed To be seen!

Do come In.’

Dipper applauded as Thomas went off stage and paused the music before it flicked onto the song. He came back on stage.

‘How’d I do?’

‘It was amazing! You’re definitely gonna get the role,’ Dipper replied.

‘Really?’ Thomas asked.

‘Yeah, it was incredible.’

‘You know...’ Thomas sat on the edge of the stage. ‘You should audition as well, you definitely have the skill.’

‘I’m not that good...’

‘You’re probably better than ninety percent of the boys in this school,’ Thomas replied. ‘Funnily enough, boys at the age of puberty don’t often have particularly consistent vocal chords.’

Dipper chuckled. ‘I guess... But I don’t know if I’m confident enough.’

‘You’re talking to a kid whose anxiety is super heightened,’ Thomas shrugged. ‘But even with Vir- I mean, it screaming at me that I’ll get everything wrong, I still manage to give the best performance I can. If I can do it, then you can.’

Dipper couldn’t help but smile. ‘Maybe I will then...’

‘Can you tell me more about your adventures? You know, with monsters and stuff?’ Thomas asked. ‘I really want to learn more.’

Dipper grinned, glad someone was willing to listen. For the next half an hour, Dipper recounted a bunch of stories from the summer. From Gideon and his obsession with Mabel, to falling down the bottomless pit. Thomas held onto every word, cheering at the victories, and frowning at the failures. Eventually, however, Dipper changed the subject.

‘Thanks for all this, by the way. I thought I was going to spend my whole afternoon running from bullies.’

Thomas just shrugged. ‘No problem. It’s good to know I’ve got a new friend.’

They sat there in a comfortable silence for a moment. Dipper was about to start a new conversation when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out to see a message from Mabel.

Where r u? Mom and Dad r here 2 pick us up!

‘I need to go.’ Dipper stood. ‘Hey, um... could we do this again tomorrow? This was fun.’

Thomas blinked, almost looking surprised at the question. ‘Oh, yeah, of course! I’ll be looking forward to it.’

Dipper nodded. ‘Sounds great. See you, Thomas!’

‘Bye, Dipper!’

And so, Dipper left the auditorium.

‘I sense a potential boyfriend...!’

‘Don’t you dare ruin this friendship for him.’

‘Guys, don’t fight...’

‘I must agree. Thomas, you should be getting home if you want to get all your homework done for tomorrow.’

Taglist: @merlybird500, @xxfrizzyxx, @jamiebluewind, @reblogged-anything, @luckybanana948, @nightcatssketchbook, @parano--vigilant, @angels-and-dreams, @allierox15, @dissilusioned-paris, @vampiregeek2002, @loved-and-i-lost-you​ 

[bbyboybrock--archived]

Serendipity (C.B) | Chapter 23

Summary: Serendipity: (n) the chance occurrence of events in a beneficial way

Popular youtuber Isabella Hart, known as Bella to her audience, bends over backwards to separate her youtube life from her private life. Known for her overall clean content and her bubbly attitude, Isabella has a wild side to her that only those inside the youtube community know about. When Bella meets Colby during one of the trap house parties she finally meets someone she can be her genuine self with. When trouble arises after their meeting, will Bella be able to hand the pressure or will she destroy her relationship with Colby as well as herself in the process. [This starts in 2018]

Written: 2019

Word Count: 5,755

Warnings: swearing

Serendipity Masterlist

I sit on a chair on the balcony drinking my coffee waiting for Colby to get out of the shower. It's early. Early enough for me to wear a hoodie out. I watch as people go on about their lives down below. People going to work, school, or just being pass by the complex. It's a Thursday so people are getting for the weekend. And this weekend is the first weekend of Coachella so nearly everyone in LA is preparing for that. Our friend group included.

Well, not everyone in our friend group. Its's literally just Sam, Colby, Jake, Kat, Tara, Griffin, and me. Tara is the newest addition to our group. She's not apart of the girlfriend club yet but I'm sure Jake will take care of that soon. Sam, Colby, and I are going because we have to work. Which kind of messes with their break. But they have to make money somehow.

We're not going until weekend two but Colby and I have no idea what we're wearing. Sam and Kat have been ready for at least a week. Jake is going to just wear normal Jake clothes. Tara has been planning and I'm sure she sent Jake a color scheme so something could match. And even though Colby has some sense of style, he claims that he has no idea how to dress. So I promised him that when I had a free day. I would put together both of our outfits. With the album release party and the actual release of the album, I've been busy until today. Which leads us to right now.

Sitting on the balcony drinking coffee and waiting for Colby to get out if the shower. My phone rings. I take a large sip before answering.

"Hello?"

"Happy birthday!" Yells the person the other end. I pull the phone away from my ear for a second and blink. I look at the caller id.

"Benji, it's way too fucking early for this. The caffeine hasn't even kicked in. But thank you." I finish my coffee and head back inside. I peek in the hallway on my way to the kitchen and see that Colby has finally gotten out of the shower.

"Wow, the birthday girl woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning."

"Sorry, just not in the mood... to celebrate." I begin washing the cup and keeping my eyes on the bathroom door.

"What the fuck do you mean? It's your 20th birthday! You're celebrating."

"Not this year, okay? Don't you have a class or a shift at the hospital or something?"

"I get it! I'll see you later. I have to drop off your gift."

"Wait! Benji do—" Benji hangs up on the other before I can tell him to not come over. I roll my eyes and text him quickly before sitting on the couch.

It's not that I don't want to celebrate my birthday. I always do. Even when my family ignored me, I always planned something for me to do and spent time with Benji. Hell, last year was the first year I did something other than for and spend time with Benji for my birthday. But this year is different. Everything happened close to my birthday. Colby isn't back to normal. I know he isn't happy. If I hadn't already planned my album release party a few weeks ago, I would have kept my mouth shut about it. I don't want to put Colby into situations where he has to force himself to seem happy. I couldn't do anything about the album release party. I kept telling him he didn't have to do, but he insisted. I don't want my birthday to be another boyfriend obligation. So I kept quiet about my birthday around everyone, hoping that maybe everyone will forget. I'm assuming the did because there have been no texts or social media post from my friends. Colby didn't say anything this morning.

Colby finally walks out of the bathroom. He disappears into the bedroom.

"You ready to go?" Colby asks after grabbing a pair of shoes from the bedroom.

"I've been ready. I aged five years waiting for you." I joke.

"Hey, you don't understand this, but beauty takes time."

"Okay, beast. Let's go before all the last minute weekend one people get the last of the good stuff." Colby helps me up and we head to the mall.

In the car I ordered custom shirts for Colby and I. They're redesigned fashion logos. Calvin Klein for Colby and Gucci for me. Right now we're inside Forever 21 browsing. We've already been to a few stores and found some things to wear. We decided to wear similar "matching" outfits. Mainly, we're going to stick to similar color schemes.

I'm looking through a rack of neon shorts to go with the neon yellow pants we found for Colby. As I finally find a pair in my size, Colby's phone rings. I can already tell it's Sam based on the ring tone. He has special ring tones for Sam, his parents, and me.

"Hello? Sam?" Colby looks at me confused before handing me the clothes in his hands and walking out of the store. Lucky for me, he's holding the shopping bags.

I watch him as he talks to Sam. He pulls the phone away from his ear for a second, looks at something, and then goes back to talking to Sam. I figure whatever is going on with Sam is going to take a while and go deeper into the store. I find a few more things that I like and just look through them. I go through a few more racks like that before Colby finally gets back.

"What was that about?" I ask while handing Colby back his clothes.

"Oh, it was nothing. He had gotten some emails about the Sam and Colby channel. He needed my opinion on somethings. Anyway, since we're on the last outfit, why don't we head to lunch soon. Then we can walk around the mall some more or walk around the beach."

"Yeah, okay. Let's try these on first and then we can head out. Oh, here, we're not going to buy these shirts but try it with this so I can see if it works." I hand Colby a white shirt as we walk to the dressing rooms.

We ended up getting Chick-Fil-A and walked around the beach. We spent the whole day out and even did a bit more shopping. When we got home, Colby managed to convince me to go out again. We haven't really had a date night in a while, so he said that we should go to dinner. Which is where we are now, sitting outside of Tao's in the car about to go in for dinner. The idea of us just spending the day together is nice. However, Colby spent more time on his phone all day than talking to me. Which is a bit annoying, but hopefully, he'll pry himself away from his phone for dinner.

Colby helps me out of the car and we walk into the restaurant. We get to the front counter and the waitress leads us to a party room full of our friends and Benji.

"Surprise!" Everyone screams in unison.

"Oh shit... Thank you! I really am surprised. Colbs did you...?" I turn to Colby and see that he's smiling.

"Happy birthday, baby." He kisses me before leading us to our seats. I'm sitting at the head of the table with Colby on one side of me and Benji on the other.

"I honestly, don't know what to say. This is really a surprise. I had no idea you guys had this planned." I say after taking a sip of water.

"What? Did you think we forgot or something?" Sam jokes. I see a look of panic flash across Colby's face.

"No, it's just, I wasn't really planning on celebrating this year. But this is great. I've never had a surprise party before."

"Let's look at the menu. Izzy, we can go half and half on something if you want." Colby says quickly handing me a menu.

That's when I knew that they did forget. The Colby forgot and right now he's forcing himself to be a perfect boyfriend and he's beating himself up over it.

****

Sam and I pose for pictures with the fans who happened to find out at the mall. Once we finish I wipe off the fake smile and continue walking with Sam. The only reason why we're at the mall is because Sam wanted to get a surprise for Kat and he needed a girl's opinion. I was hoping that we wouldn't run into fans today but it's only a matter of time before rumors start spreading around the two of us. Which is fine. Colby knows that I'm hanging out with Sam today and why. The only person who doesn't know is Kat, and that's the point. But I also have another reason to hang out with Sam.

We sit down at the food court and start eating the food we bought right before we got interrupted. Sam set's Kat's gift on the floor and starts setting out all the food.

"Can't wait for that to blowback on us later," Sam says as he passes me my food.

"Well, we couldn't have said no or asked them to not post the pictures. It would make the situation worse. Anyways, they're harmless selfies with fans. If they speculate, we can't stop them. We know the truth." I take a picture of our food and caption it for my story.

"Very true. Hey, thanks for helping me today. I wanted to make sure that Kat likes her gift. And since you two hang out all the time, I thought you would be the best person to help." Sam pops a fry into his mouth.

"No problem. Since I helped you out, can you give me advice on something?"

"Shoot."

"You talked to Kat about everything that happened, right?" I sip my soda and avoid eye contact with him.

"Yeah, pretty much right after everything happened. As soon as I saw her. Why?"

"Well, you know Colby. Hell, I know Colby. He doesn't talk about anything when the subject is him. Which is fine, everyone is entitled to their secrets. But— Have you noticed anything different about him?"

"You mean the drinking?" He says casually.

"It's gotten out of control, Sam. I'm scared for him. I guess what I'm asking is, should I talk to him about everything?"

"Look, I know from experience that if you try to force Colby to talk, he's going to push you away."

"But, Sam—"

"Trust me, Isabella. Colby will talk about it when he's ready. You wanted my advice. My advice is to let him be for now."

"You're right. Just forget I said anything. Let's change the subject."

"Okay, so for pizza night tomorrow..."

I get home from hanging out with Sam about an hour later. When I get home, Colby is up in the balcony doing something on his computer. He's most likely working. I know that he's going to have a guys night with Mike, Aryia, and Kevin. So it would make sense that he would be working on something.

"I'm home and I brought you food!" I shout as I put the things I just bought in our room. I walk back to the kitchen and arrange Colby's food on a plate. I bring everything up to him and set it on the table.

"Thank you. How was your little shopping spree with Sam?" Colby saves his work and turns to me.

"It was fun. I haven't hung out with Sam or anyone else really since before the album release party. In fact, my manager called me while I was out. Turns out that a producer or something called him and wants to meet with Mike, Aryia, Kat, and I tomorrow morning. Anyway, how was your day?"

"That's amazing! Yeah! I've been sitting here working all day. Honestly, at this point, I'm thinking about hiring Reggie to edit my videos. That would give me more time plan and film. I really need this guys night tonight." He starts looking

"Want me to edit for you?" I say peeking at his screen.

"No, it's fine. I know you have your own stuff to work on. I know you've been working on your second album.

"Okay. Just call me if you want to take up my offer. Enjoy your lunch." I kiss Colby on the cheek before walking back into my studio.

I sit in the living room watching tv. Well, I'm not really watching it. It's on, but my mind is elsewhere. It's nearly midnight and I should be in bed because I have to be up early for my meeting. Colby is still out, which is fine. Except, Colby left at six and he said he would be back, at the latest, at eleven. It's eleven fifty and I haven't even heard from him. I know he's out with Mike, Aryia, and Kevin. The four of them together is asking for trouble when it comes to partying. The thing is, Mike and Aryia are also going to the meeting so they should be home too. I called all four of them and got nothing. I even texted Sam, who stayed home because he's working on the new series for the duo channel all night. He hasn't heard anything either and he said he'd let me know if he found anything out.

So now I'm sitting up freaking the hell out. I cleaned the apartment three times today. The first time was general house cleaning after Colby left. The second time was at ten because I was nervous about the meeting. The third time was at eleven when I saw that Colby was late and he didn't even text me. To make matters worse, his location is either broken or he turned it off because I can't check.

As I check my phone again, Sam starts to call me. I quickly answer and turn off the tv.

"Hey, have you heard from them?" I ask calmly.

"He's at my place. He's fine... just drunk." Sam says quietly. I hear a noise in the background. It sounds like Colby.

"Why's he over there? We literally live next door."

"I know. He's a mess and didn't want to go home. I think he should crash over here tonight. Listen, Iz, I was wrong."

"What are you talking about? Wrong about what and why doesn't he want to come home?" I stand up and start slowly putting the remote back in its place.

"This morning I said to leave Colby alone. I think you should talk to him."

"Why? What's happening? Sam, you're scaring me."

"Look, I have to go. Don't worry too much. I can take care of him. Just go to bed. I'll talk to you at tomorrow." Sam hangs up before I can say anything else.

It takes every fiber in my body to stop myself from going to Sam's apartment to see what's going on. Instead, I grab my phone and drag myself to bed. I plug my phone in and turn off the lights before crawling into bed. I take Colby's pillows and force them into a position to make me feel like I'm not sleeping alone. I try to fall asleep, but instead, I map out what I'm going to say to Colby. I'm going to talk to him tomorrow. I have to, for his sake.

****

"Oh! Colby, I was going to stop by Sam's to say bye to you. I have that meeting. My ride isn't here yet, do you want me to make you a hangover smoothie?" I ask as I see Colby laying on our couch. I honestly don't know when he came in. He's still wearing his clothes from yesterday. His hair looks like a tangled mess and under his eyes are so dark that he looks sick.

"No, I'm good. The sound from the blender will make it worse. Thanks though." I stand there for a second, thinking if I should bring it up right now. I go into the bathroom and take the Advil bottle and grab a cup of water from the kitchen.

"Here," I hand Colby two pills and the glass.

"Thank you. You're an angel." Colby sits up and takes the pills.

"I know that I'm leaving any minute, but can we talk?" I sit down next to Colby.

"Of course." He sets the glass on the floor and turns to me. The bags under his eyes are prominent.

"Look, I know that things have been off since you got arrested and the tunnel incident. And I haven't been pushing you to talk because I wanted to give you space. And I've noticed that you haven't been the best lately and I really want to help you."

"What do you mean by I'm not the best lately? Like I've been a shitty boyfriend?"

"What? No! That's not what I mean at all. I just meant that lately, you've been less like yourself. You go to bed later than normal. I don't even think you sleep some nights. And when you do sleep, you're having nightmares. I know you're on the balcony drinking and listening to music. Hell, you've been drinking a lot more recently. Don't think I haven't noticed the vodka supply going down. Which is what I drink when shit's hit the fan and I want to feel good. And that's how you use vodka too. I know whiskey is your poison so don't start there. And you got so drunk yesterday that you didn't want to come home. Sam told me. But don't get mad at him because he's just worried about you too. We all are."

"Do you guys have a group chat or something where you talk about me?"

"You're trying to change the subject. I get that this might be uncomfortable for you but I'm trying to help you. Like how you helped me. But I don't know how to help you. Do you want to talk about it? Do you want for us to put a pause on our relationship so that you can focus on your mental health? Whatever you need, I'll help you do it. I just want you to be happy, Colby."

"Oh, I get it." Colby laughs to himself a little.

"What are you talking about?"

"I totally get it. Why do you always suggest breaking up or taking a break when things go bad? It's because you're looking for a way out. For years you were this party girl that didn't settle down. You literally had a different dick, every night and now you're stuck with me. You tested the whole relationship thing out with me and decided that it's not for you but you don't want to hurt me. You probably want to go back to how things were before."

"Why are you being an asshole right now? I'm just trying to help you." My phone starts to ring. I search for it in my bag and mute it.

"Help me? Really? Are you sure you're not trying to help yourself? You're making something out of nothing and saying that we should take a break. I'm starting to think that you don't actually love me. You pretended to be asleep when I first said it and waited a week before saying anything about it."

"Are you kidding me right now? I don't love you? Are you serious? If I didn't love you, I wouldn't have said it at all. I wouldn't have written a whole ass song saying how much I love you. I would 't have given up my apartment to move in with you. For fuck's sakes, I would be wearing the promise ring that you gave me if I didn't love you! I'm not the one making something out of nothing. What is wrong with you?" My phone starts ringing again and I quickly press mute. I need to hear this.

Colby sits silently for a few seconds. Thinking. I can almost see the gears turning in his brain.

"I cheated on you."

"Excuse me?" I stood up quickly. I suddenly don't want to be sitting next to Colby anymore.

"Last night. When I was at the club I cheated on you with some random chick. That's why I didn't want to come home. Not because I was drunk off my ass. I mean, I was really drunk but that was after."

"I-I don't believe you. You're lying. You're trying to hurt me or push me away instead of dealing with your problems. I do not believe that you cheated on me."

"Isabella, listen to me—" My phone rings for the third time and I finally answer it.

"Hello?" I stare at Colby in disbelief.

"Izzy, we're here. Get your ass downstairs or we're going to be late for the meeting." Mike says on the other end.

"Sorry, I'll be down in a minute." I hang up the phone and shove it in my pocket.

"Isabella, I'm telling the truth." Colby tries to touch my hand but I pull it back.

"I refuse to believe that you cheated on me. You can't just accuse me of not loving you and then blurt out that you fucking cheated. Whatever is wrong with you, better be worth hurting me and hurting me, you asshole. Mike, Aryia, and Kat are waiting for me downstairs so I'm going to go to my meeting. While I'm going, you better think about what you need in order for me to help you and we'll deal with it when I get home." I hesitate before kissing Colby on the cheek and leaving the apartment.

****

A tour. That's what the meeting was about. At my album release party a couple of weeks ago, people from the music industry were there. They liked how Mike, Aryia, Kat, and I put the show together. They like it so much they told their bosses about us. They want to put on a smallish tour with the four of us around the country so we can get exposure and build up our momentum. Not a record deal, but a tour that can lead to being signed with a label. An actual dream come true.

Except, I couldn't be as excited at I would normally be for something like this. I had to fake it during the meeting. I had to fake my enthusiasm for something that I feel genuinely excited about. All because I couldn't stop thinking about this morning.

Colby said he cheated on me. Part of me doesn't believe him. Part of me believes that he only said that so I would only hate him for being a cheater instead of an asshole for what he said just before that. Another part of me thinks he might be telling the truth. That last night, when he went out with Mike, Aryia, and Kevin, Colby met some random girl and made the decision to sleep with her. Drunk or not, Colby made that decision knowing that one day I would find out and it would devastate me.

I came home to the apartment empty. Meaning, that somewhere in Los Angles, Colby is avoiding the next conversation we need to have. Which prompts me with two things to do. I walk into the kitchen and go straight for the alcohol stash. We keep the bottles in the bottom cupboard near the sink. I pull all of them out and open a bottle of vodka and hold it over the sink. I hesitate to pour it out. Getting rid of the alcohol won't do anything. He can just go out and buy more or just spend more time at clubs. If anything, it would just make him hate me. Instead, I pour myself a glass and put all the bottles back.

I take my cup and walk into our bedroom. I grab my suitcases from the closet and start shoving all my clothes and shoes in them. After filling both I drag them to my studio room. I'm not going to leave Colby. I wouldn't just pack up my things and leave without at least talking to him. But, based on his lack of being home when we need to talk, our relationship might be on the line. Regardless of what gets decided, I'm going to be sleeping in my studio for a while. I grab my pillows from my side of the bed and one of our extra blankets. I set them on my couch and just sit down with my vodka and phone.

I just drink and stare at my phone. I could check his location. We always have each other's location turned on. But I don't want to see that he's somewhere he shouldn't be or that he turned his location off. Instead, I send Colby a text asking where he is and then put my phone away. I finish my drink and lay down. I stare at the ceiling.

It's the only place in the entire room that has nothing on it. The wall where my couch is has posters and fan art, the backdrop for most of my sit down videos. Directly across from that are my instruments. All my string instrument neatly displayed and easily accessible with my piano under them. The wall where my computer and desks are is completely made from windows. I turned the closet into a makeshift recording studio. The room Colby I could have to work. The room that Colby and I could have easily shared but he insisted on giving it to me. The ceiling is bare. Not that I couldn't put anything up there. Colby and I were going to make it into a project. A mural or something that's dangling down. But for now, it stares back at me as white and bare as the rest of the walls in the apartment. If it wasn't for the XPLR tapestry and the row of Colby cutouts, the entire apartment would be bare. Just like my ceiling.

The living room was Colby's space. That's where he films so he could decorate it how he chooses. But he didn't and that suits him. Our bedroom is a mixture of both of us. Colby even has some posts it's up because he liked the prank Sam did to him at the trap house. I have some of my art pieces up. I didn't like how we had the apartment set up. It felt too much like we had our two separate spaces.

But the more time I spent here with Colby, the more the apartment started to feel like home. Colby feels like home, but right now, the home's been broken into and I don't even know where to start to get everything back in order.

"Izzy? Are you okay?" I feel a hand on my shoulder. I slowly open my eyes to see Kat standing over me.

"What are you doing here? What time is it?" I sit up and start stretching.

"It's six-thirty. Everyone's at Sam's for pizza night. You didn't show up so I asked Colby for your apartment key. Are you okay? You look like you've been crying?" Kat sits down next to me. I touch my face. It's dry but I can feel dried tears.

"Colby is over there? Right now?" I get up and walk into the bathroom to wash my face.

"Yeah, he came a little bit ago. When he came without you, it seemed a bit sus so I asked for his key to see if you were still here. Are you okay, Iz?" Kat leans across the door frame for the bathroom?

"Is he fine? How did he seem?" I grab my toothbrush out of the cup and quickly start brushing.

"Isabella, forget about Colby for a second. Are you okay?"

"Katrina, I'm fine. If you keep asking I'm not going to be fine anymore. I'm just worried about Colby because he flaked on me earlier and I haven't seen him since this morning."

"Is something wrong with you two?"

"Everything is not fine between us. And no, I don't want to talk about it right now because I don't want to go to pizza night with even puffier eyes. I promise, when this situation is figured out, I'll tell you first. Can you help me look decent? My clothes are in the suitcases in my studio."

"Yeah, I can do that." While Kat disappears I finish brushing my teeth and dry my face. I dig through my make up and grab a few things out. I don't have time to do a full face so I just put on lipstick, my eyelids, and try to take care of under my eyes. Kat comes back with fishnets, shorts, and an oversized band tee shirt and gives them to me.

After I finish getting dressed Kat and I make our way over to Sam's where everyone is just mingling and having a good time. Colby is in the corner talking to Reggie about something. We make eye contact for a brief moment before he quickly looks away. I plaster on a fake smile before going to greet everyone.

"Okay, they're back! We can talk about it now!" Mike yells to get everyone's attention.

"Tell them what?" I ask as I grab two slices of pizza and a can of mountain dew.

"They were asking about the meeting. Mike was going to tell them earlier when they asked but I went to get you so you could be here." Kat explains to me.

"Okay, one of you spill it then," Kevin speaks up.

"We met with some people in the industry who wants to... put the four of us on tour, together!" Aryia exclaims from the couch.

"Yeah, they were at Izzy's album release party and like how we put the show together," Kat said now standing next to Sam.

"It's not like a full-blown tour like Ariana Grande. It's more like what they did with Viners. Kind of like MagCon and that other one, digital something. Except, instead of one or two actual talent acts and a bunch of shirtless teenage boys flipping around on stage, they get four real performers. No offense to Sam and Colby." I joke as I sit on the couch. Colby comes over and joins me. He puts his arm around me and I stiffen. Everyone else continues talking about the tour and asking questions. The whole time I just count the minutes until pizza night is over

Colby and I are one of the first people to leave Sam's apartment. I didn't want to leave early. Normally we're one of the last to leave. But Colby said he was tired so I followed.

"Colby, we need to talk," I say after locking the front door.

"Can't we just save it for tomorrow? I'm exhausted." Colby is near the bedroom.

"No, because if we do, you'll just disappear in the morning before I wake up. And then I probably won't see you until bedtime. And I can't do that again." I slowly walk to the couch and sit down. Colby hesitates before finally joining me. This time he keeps his distance.

"For the record, I wouldn't have skipped out on you like that." He runs his hands through his hair. His partly blue hair that he dyed before we went to Coachella.

"Frankly, after today, I don't think I believe you. Look, Colby, I know that I shouldn't have bombarded you this morning and pressured you into making a decision. But given the circumstances, you're going to have to make a decision."

"Why are you talking like that? You're stressing me out more. And yeah, I was a bit overwhelmed this morning, but I can't make that decision. Not right now." I watch as he fidgets with his rings.

"You have to. I can't just sit here and watch you suffer. You're going down the same path that I was going to and that can only lead to— I don't know how you did it but I can't lose you. Not like that. I'm willing to help you, but you have to allow me. So, there are two questions that need to be answered. First, how can I help you get better?" I watch as Colby thinks. We stay silent for a seconds before Colby runs his hand through his hair again.

"I don't want to break up. But I don't need any special help. I'll talk to you about everything. Maybe that'll help. Just you being there, that'll help."

"Okay, then I'll be here. You can talk to me whenever about whatever. I'll be here to listen. And anything else you need to get you better."

"Well, that's settled. What about the second question?" Colby is even more nervous than he was earlier. Because he knows what the next question is going to be.

"Did you really cheat on me?"

"No," he answers quickly, "but I thought about it. I was close to doing it, but I didn't."

"What do you mean by close? Did you choose a girl? Were you about to go to her place?"

"We were in the bathroom and at the literal last second before I could do any real damage, I backed out."

"You— I can't believe this. And you dared to accuse me of not loving you anymore when you went and did that. You know what? I may be stupid for doing this but, I'll stay to help you. I'll stay with you but you're on thin fucking ice. For now, I'm staying in my office."

"That's ridiculous, I'll take the couch. You can stay in the bedroom."

"No, the room smells like you and I'm mad at you right now. Let's just go to bed. We can talk in the morning." I get up from the couch and start walking to my office. I reach the door before turning around. Colby is still on the couch with his head in his hands.

"Oh, and Colby?"

"Yeah?" He slowly lifts his head and looks me in the eyes. They're watery.

"I love you."

"I love you too." I smile softly before disappearing into the room.

[sarehime]

Shadow and Silence Chapter 2

Frankenstein looked at his Master kneeling before the woman. "Master, what are you doing?" He asked. He looked over at the beautiful woman, "Who are you? Why are you making my Master do this?" Frankenstein got up, and charged at her.

Leviathan frowned when she heard the human's questions. How dare he asked such questions? It was natural for Raizel to kneel before her. He had belonged to her, since his birth. When the human charged at her, she parted her lips uttering a single sentence, "Listen here, Contractor of the Noblesse," and he knelt before her, in order to hear her orders, "You have no right to attack me, especially after you've seen your Master kneel before me. Know your place or I'll teach you where you stand."

Frankenstein fought, in an effort to stand against her, but was unable to. "You're nothing but a monster, and a coward. You won't even face me in a fair fight." Frankenstein continued to struggle, when he heard a voice in his mind. Master. Don't worry, I'll deal with this woman. Raizel looked over at his servant, Sigh, Frankenstein. Apologise to this woman, she is very dear to me. Frankenstein looked at his Master in surprise, But, Master, Raizel's expression changed, Frankenstein, you've heard my orders. Frankenstein shook at the seriousness he felt through the bond. Yes, Master. Frankenstein bowed his head, "I apologise for speaking out of turn, I was merely concerned for my Master, I didn't mean any disrespect."

Leviathan looked at Frankenstein sardonically. What bullshit, she thought. "I don't need your apologies," she said, turning her back on him. She looked at Raizel, with a much more serious expression. "I have been to Lukedonia but my home was empty. I watched the current Lord and clan leaders, for a while, they don't seem to be in a good state. Some clans aren't represented in the presence of the Lord. Why? Raizel... do you have an explanation?"

Raizel looked up at Leviathan, "Several Clan Leaders betrayed the Lord, while I was asleep for 820 years. They betrayed me and Lukedonia around 500 years ago." He answered.

"Did you just sleep while these things happened? Or did I hear wrong?" She narrowed her eyes.

"I was severely wounded in my battle with Muzaka. I had no choice but to sleep in order to recover." Raizel explained calmly."

Leviathan sighed, she was really tired of all this bullshit. "Then why are you staying here? Why did you abandon my home?" This wounded her deeply, home and family are important to her. This was driving her crazy, it was his home too, he should've gone to his home as soon as he woke up, where he belonged... "I entrusted everything to you, and you have let me down, Raizel." She said while Raizel looked at her in shock.

Raizel was hurt deeply by Leviathan's words, it wasn't his fault he had to kill his best friend and protect humanity. It wasn't his fault that he woke up in a strange place, far away from Lukedonia. "I'm sorry." That was all he could say, he was far too upset to say anything else.

When Leviathan saw his expression, her own expression softened. "Don't be sorry. When I saw my home abandoned, I was upset. You couldn't find your way again, right?" Raizel simply nodded in response. Leviathan watched him for a while. "Your lifespan has shortened, but as expected from my soul, you have survived." She approached him and held his chin gently. "You look tired, my child." She pressed her lips against his. Raizel closed his eyes and feeling her breath and pieces of her soul complete his own. He felt life. Oh, how ironic...

Frankenstein watched as the woman kissed his Master, what was she doing to him? Whatever it was, his Master's aura seemed to be growing stronger, it was almost fading, but now, it seemed as though his life force was being restored. He wanted to ask her, so many questions, but didn't want to disturb her from restoring his Master's life force.//Leviathan pulled her lips away from his. Her breath still had red glow as she moved away. She looked at Raizel with a small smile. "Feel better?"

"Yes, milady," he mumbled. He blushed unable to look her in the eye. He'd never gotten used to this. It was such an intimating ritual for him. "You should rest now."

Frankenstein wasn't sure what had happened, but seeing his Master, looking healthier, she must've restored his life force somehow. "What was that? What did you do?" He asked, wondering if there was a way he could replicate something similar, himself.

Leviathan turned to the human. He looked curious and Leviathan found it a little cute. She shrugged. "I created him, human. He needs me. Now, please take him and make sure he gets some rest. I gave him harmful power but you don't need to worry his soul was created by this power, so he will be fine. Now, stop asking stupid questions and start following orders."

Frankenstein blushed slightly, she was right of course. He had to do what was best for his Master, he could find out out the mystery lady more later. "As you wish." He said, before helping his Master to his feet, so he could take him home.

"Hey, can I come with you?" Leviathan asked curiously. She wanted to stay with Raizel. Rather, she wanted to stay in her own home with Raizel, however, Raizel was tired right now and needed rest. When he'd recovered, she'd have to take him and go to their home. Although, she wasn't sure if Raizel would want to. She felt sad again, Why did she always end up being abandoned, by the ones she loved most?

Frankenstein didn't want another guest in their home, but he looked at his Master, and how she'd helped him, then looked back at the woman, "Alright, as long as you follow the same rules as everyone else, I don't have an issue with it."

Leviathan widened her eyes, in wonderment. Rules? She'd never followed any rules in her very long life. She wanted to laugh but she managed to suppress it. Well, this would certainly, be very interesting. She smirked. "Okay, human. I don't know what the rules are about but I will try to follow them."

"Thank you, let's go then." Frankenstein headed home, supporting his Master. He informed Tao, of the situation, through his ear piece, so everyone knew what to expect, and to save himself having to explain things later.

Leviathan looked around Frankenstein's household with a beautiful smile. She sat in a chair, picking up a cup of tea, that was placed in front of her. Her gaze focusing on a certain Noble. "You are a son of the Blerster family, right?" Karias nodded tautly. He knew who she was and he couldn't believe his eyes. Leviathan, the ancestress of Nobles, was right in front of him, he felt as though he would die of fear. "You look like your father." She continued.

"T-thank you, your highness," He glanced around, at the others, surprised at how calm they all were.

Frankenstein entered the room, in time to see Karias' reaction, he would have to ask him about their new house guest later, away from prying ears. For now he spoke to her directly, "My Master is resting, he should recover in a few days." He had more questions, but would save them for another time.

Leviathan nodded. "Thank you, human." She smiled at him meanly, "I'm staying at your home but you still haven't told me your name. I can keep calling you human or you have a name?"

Frankenstein looked at her with a menacing grin of his own, "I only give my name to people I consider my friends, I still haven't decided on you yet, unfortunately."

Leviathan rolled her eyes. "Okay, I am not your friend after all. So I can pick a nickname for you. What do you want it to be, Servant of the Noblesse?"

He laughed, this would be interesting. "I'll let you be the judge of that one."

Leviathan's expression changed, becoming serious. "Hmm, what about peacock? You look like a peacock!" She smiled mockingly, at her words.

Frankenstein turned red in embarrassment. "What, you couldn't come up with anything more creative?"

"Why should be I creative? If you are just an ordinary person to me, I can give you any name, I choose."

He couldn't help but laugh, "Hearing you say that, it almost sounds like you're sulking."

Leviathan raised her eyebrows. "Well, I want to know your name but you won't say it. It's unpleasant, human."

"Frankenstein." He smiled at her, "My name is Frankenstein."

Leviathan smiled at him sweetly. "Now, that wasn't so hard was it, Frankenstein? I am not your enemy. Yes, our first encounter wasn't the best but I didn't kill you, so let's get along!" She said innocently. It was kinda her apology.

Frankenstein didn't really have much to say in return, so he relented, "Alright." She was a guest in his home, and he would treat her, the way he treated the others. "Is there anything you require?"

"Yes, I want to see the city. Do you have a balcony, or something like that? You can accompany me if you like. Then, I want to check on Raizel." Leviathan replied to his question cheerfully.

Frankenstein smiled, "Yes, right this way." He led her to the balcony, and stood behind her, as she watched the city. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" He said, breaking the peace and quiet, "Tell me, how do you know my Master?"

Leviathan sighed before turning towards the human. She rested her elbow on the railing that surrounded the balcony. "You really are a curious one, boy. I created him, therefore I've known him since his birth! I am the Mother of Nobles. Whatever you understand from this, should allow you to find your own answers, as to who I am, and how I know your Master." As she looked at the human, a butterfly flew between them. Leviathan focused on it instantly. She reached out and the butterfly settled to her forefinger. "As for the view, it isn't beautiful. It's cold and ugly. I don't like this concrete jungle. However, I like to watch this ugliness. Humans are so adorable. They try to cross the sky line, they want to change. It's so cute. Like this butterfly, they try their best with their fleeting life." She said, while looking at butterfly as it flew off.

Frankenstein listened to her words, watching the butterfly, as it flew away. He turned to look at her, unimpressed by her words, "Life only has a meaning, because it has an end. It's an basic concept that humans grasped long ago. We do what we can, in the short amount of time we've been given. We hope to be remembered, even if we know that eventually we'll be forgotten. Of course, I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand." He turned to head back inside, "If you're done, observing the ugliness of humanity, then let's go see my Master."

Leviathan smiled at what he said. It seemed he misunderstood. "What, I said was quite the opposite? I know you try your best in your fleeting life, it's a precious effort. You can change your faith, human. You can be remembered by others, in this world and in other worlds. You can die. You don't know how lucky you are because of it. I wish I could be a human, so I could truly understand." Leviathan sighed, how she longed to feel something but couldn't. She wanted to forget but couldn't. Having a long life wasn't a good thing, because no matter how hard you try, you can never forget. You remember everything, always, and it was tiring. She remembered everything, only to be forgotten by the ones she'd loved the most. She turned her golden eyes at the sky. Looking far off into the distance, standing there with longing eyes. "Don't think I can't understand all of what you said. I understand one thing. I know what it means to be forgotten."

Frankenstein looked at her, there was a faint trace of sadness in her voice, "I'm sorry, if I upset you. I often get defensive around new people, it takes time for me to fully accept them." He waited for a few moments before changing the subject, "You went to great lengths to find out my name, and yet you still refer to me as human." He shook his head, feigning disappointment.

"That's because you are a human. If we become close, then I'll refer to you by name. I have my doubts about you, too. You are a new person to me, however, I am trying to be kind to you, so please do the same. I am sure we can respect each other in time. This is a short visit, I'll have to return to my home soon. Please tolerate me until then."

"Even so, I'd prefer it if you called me by my name, since you now know it. I don't mind how long you stay, as long as you don't mess up my house. I like to keep everything in order." Frankenstein smiled at her, as a light breeze, swept between them, his hair flowing in the wind.

"Then what's your name?" She asked in a serious tone. It was actually a joke, at least it was for her... She'd always been bad at humour, but she wouldn't let that stop her.

Frankenstein rolled his eyes, "Forgotten it already? I thought you remembered everything?" He replied teasingly.

Leviathan giggled. "I'm joking, Frankenstein! Of course, I remember everything." She replied cheerfully, she felt like she'd won. Her expression changed, as she became serious again, "I have to go to Raizel's side, immediately." She felt his pain, he must be trying to get used to her power, again. She understood now, she should not have kept the visit interval so long , for Raizel's sake.

"Very well, follow me." Frankenstein replied, turning to head inside, he wanted to check on his Master as well.

***

Co-author @webcomictranslations . Thank you for your help! 💜

[the-gal-in-the-greenblue-armor]

So apparently it’s Shaman King’s 20th anniversary. Which means I’ve been thinking about the series for several days and need to type out my thoughts about it otherwise I’m going to be stuck in this brain hole for the next 2 weeks until another series briefly distracts me.

I’m going to throw this under a “read more” and be warned that I may touch on some mild to slightly spicy spoilers.

I just want to start this short essay off by stating that Shaman King is one of my all time favourite manga series. It was one of the first 4kids anime I watched on Saturday mornings when I was like...8 and was the second manga series I rediscovered when I was 13 (the first was One Piece) and the first series I finished (sort off since the series has 2 endings but I’ll cover that later). It’s one of the few manga series where I periodically reread from start to finish every few years and whenever I finish reading it think “Man, I love this”. 

Is the series perfect? No, there are some obvious flaws in the mangaka’s design of one of the main characters (who’s African-American) and the Patch Tribe (a fictional North American Indigenous Tribe that’s hella VITAL to the plot). The characters themselves are good multi-dimensional beings, but how they’re drawn would definitely not have flown had the series been released in modern day. 

However, the series has a lot going for it in terms of its characters and the reoccurring themes in the narrative. So let’s dive in shall we?

The Main Characters:

1. Asakura Yoh is the main protagonist of the series. Like many shounen protagonists, his dream is to essentially become the greatest “x” ever. In this series that title is the “Shaman King”, who is basically a god-like figure who has beaten all the other “world’s greatest” shamans in this massive tournament that takes place once every 500 years. However, our boy Yoh deviates from other shounen protagonists because his initial motivation is that he’s lazy and figures out that if he becomes the Shaman King, he won’t have to work and can just “chill out” for the rest of his life. His later motivation comes into play when he sees all the crazy folks fighting in the tournament and thinks “yikes, probably shouldn’t let these people be given this ultimate cosmic power”. 

What’s most interesting about this protagonist is while he is undoubtedly a “good” person, he seems to fall under the category of “neutral”. Despite his grand ambition, he wouldn’t be considered an “ambitious” person. Heck, when he meets someone that has a better reason for becoming the Shaman King he almost quits on the spot. He’s content to just go with the flow and see where it spits him out in life. Practically nothing fazes him and his easy-going nature unnerves his uptight allies and foes. However his greatest strength is his single core belief that “anyone who can see spirits can’t be all bad” and that philosophy allows him to befriend pretty much every character in the series, “good” and “bad”.

2. Kyoyama Anna is Yoh’s fiance and one of my all time favourite female characters. She would sell you for a corn chip and stab you without warning. She’s tough and straightforward and terrifies every character who meets her. Yoh promised her that if he becomes Shaman King she’ll be taken care of for the rest of her life and dammit she’s wants that good life. So she acts like his coach and puts him through her “torture training” because if it were up to him he would nap all day. Despite her clear personality differences with Yoh, they genuinely love each other and trust and respect each other. There’s no drama between them and I live for that good relationship goals.

(Note, the next few characters are going to have shorter descriptions because spoilers and I can’t NOT talk about them because I love them) 

3. Oyamada Manta is Yoh’s best friend. He can see spirits but isn’t a Shaman. He’s a nerd that freaks out pretty easily but as he becomes closer with Yoh, he becomes braver. He’s kind of used for exposition since he’s not from a shaman family or background. Probably cannot legally say fuck.

4. Tao Ren: antagonist turned protagonist. Goes through some incredible character development and redemption without completely compromising the core of his character. Acts somewhat as Yoh’s rival. Arrogant and hot-headed with a snarky attitude. Would order a single black coffee with a car full of kids at a McDonald’s drive through.

5. Horohoro Usui: lovable idiot but also hecking strong and goes from 0 to 100 real quick if you fuck with him. From the Ainu tribe (Northern Japanese Indigenous Tribe). Loves nature and snowboarding. 

6. Lyserg Diethel: a relatively level-headed British boy who is out for revenge against the guy who killed his parents. Definitely a “looks like a cinnamon bun but will actually kill you”. Has a conflicting friendship with Yoh as their personal philosophies don’t match up at all. 

7. Chocolove McDonald: an African American shaman. As previously stated, his character design didn’t really age well. The mangaka drew him with big lips and a big nose. In the North American manga, he’s somewhat censored (they downplayed the lip thing but erasing the lines between his lips and the rest of his face. Looks a little bit better but still a bit yikes). Initially introduced as a comic relief character but once you get into his backstory and as the story progresses, he’s a pretty grounded character who’s just trying to make up for the awful stuff he’s done. Out of the 5 main male characters, he’s formally stated to be the strongest and most well-balanced out of all of them. He’s a character that I love more with every reread.

Main antagonists:

Hao: Introduced once the Shaman Fight starts. A bit sadistic and playful. Has reincarnated himself twice trying to become the Shaman King. Has killed tons of characters without remorse. Doesn’t really care about anyone and wants to kill off humanity because he hates humans. 

The X-Laws: an extremist group formed with the sole goal of taking down Hao. To them, justice is absolute. They don’t believe in second chances or redemption. Their goal is for their leader to become Shaman King, kill Hao, and purge the world of “evil”. The main protagonists don’t like this group AT ALL.

Reoccurring themes:

Consequences: One of my favourite things about this manga is that every action has a consequence and no character is safe. Character was redeemed? Too bad, their past is coming for them and doesn’t care that they’re a good guy now. Got revenge on another group? Well that other group is coming for you to get revenge for your revenge. As Yoh states: Violence only brings about more violence. 

Forgiveness: this series is big on characters learning to forgive themselves for what they’ve done or forgiving others for not living up to their expectations. Forgiveness plays a large role in almost every character’s development. 

Mortality: In a series about ghosts and death, this theme was inevitable. What is interesting is that at the end game of the series, the main characters mourn the fact that they’ve become desensitized to the casual violence of their new lives and that they can continue to fight even after watching their friend be brutally murdered in front of them without pausing to take it in. 

Other cool things:

Shaman King has two endings: the original ending and the true ending. The original ending is a cliffhanger for when the magazine that was publishing it went under and the mangaka had to quickly wrap up the series because he wasn’t sure if he’d get the chance to actually finish it. The true ending was when another publishing company picked up the series a few years later, which allowed the creator to publish the last 15-ish chapters and write the intended ending he’d been working on.

There are 2 versions of the series: the original and the redraw. The original version treats readers to the manga’s visual transformation from beginning to end. The style of chapter 1 is drastically different from that of the last chapter. This is the version you’d find in the North America releases. The second version is the redraw. The mangaka redrew the entire series in his polished art style from start to finish, to my knowledge little was changed plot wise.

This essay kind of went a bit all over the place but the bottom line is that I love this series. I love its weird integration of philosophy and religion from around the world. I love it’s visual transformation. I love that the characters are flawed and can’t be truly placed in the traditional shounen character tropes. I love that the female characters aren’t over-sexualized. I love that the series blurs the line between what’s good and bad. And I love how the plot unfolds and keeps me coming back to reread it and fall in love all over again.

I love Shaman King.

[duallygirl178]

Dearest O'Malley chapter 9

Chapter 9

Every time Natalie was talking about moving in with Nathan, she put in a lot of thought to attract the energy into making it come true. I hoped she would move in with Nathan because it would make us both happy. Then one day, she showed me pictures on file from her laptop. Natalie had a ton of pictures on her laptop. When the photos got to the letter "L", I spotted a white 2 door Lincoln parked in the driveway in the background of a neighborhood in which she used to live in 16 years ago before she moved to Durango. I realized there was something mighty familiar about that car...but where? I studied the photo really closely as I zoomed in on the image and I realized, it was Gonzo. After 20 years apart, I hadn't seen him since Impa went missing. There was more for me to know and I wondered if she knew Impa, my friend that went missing. As I viewed more of her pictures, I found the answer to my questions. She had images of Impa and what I saw, disturbed me. Impa sat dead in a pile of weeds with the motor still intact, but the fluids all gone. Footages of what was left of him gave me nightmares. There was stuff in the trunk that wasn't there before and the windows were missing. The seats inside were ruined. Impa's dead body in the photo was just there rotting in the weeds. I had a moment of silence for my friend, Impa. Natalie told me who owned te farm and there was a guy was a local was in really bad debt before his divorce. He cheated people that bought cars at a dealership and was caught. He had to pack up and leave town with three kids, abandoning his ranch and home behind. There was only 5 horses and a mule that were out in the field by themselves. She shared some horse pictures that I got to see. Natalie would visit, do homework from college class, and relax with the horses. The horses weren't starving or anything because they had grass to eat and water to drink. They were just fine. I had a lot of memories of Gonzo and Impa together hanging out with me. I remembered the weekends, the things we'd do and I remembered all the jokes Impa told us when we were sad or bored our of our hoods...all for once last time.

I was still thankful that I had Gonzo and Robin as friends. Although, Gonzo had never met Robin before and by looking at Natalie, felt sympathy for me on my loss. I admired her feelings and I could see that she had a heart for my friend. I was glad she got a picture of Impa so I could see and feel better about what happened to him. A little later on our way to get drinks, Natalie was telling us all that she would feel happier living with Nathan since she had enough of Durango and all the things that were going on like the time she quit a program she was sick of called "Community Connections" because her caretaker kept walking in her apartment without knocking and another example the transit changed her bus stop. I personally believed she would be much better if she moved back down and with Nathan so he wouldn't have to waste gallons of gasoline going to Durango. I had a prediction she would and maybe later in 2018.

Later that day while I was at the drive in at Taco Bell, I happened to pull up to an old two door Lincoln that was white. He looked into the rear view mirror and seemed to recognize me. He asked if it was me and I replied it was recognizing him almost right away. It was Gonzo. He and I talked while we waited for our order and the line was long enough for us to catch up on all the things that we were doing these days. It was great to see him and he asked me about Impa...if I ever saw him after he disappeared. I told him exactly what happened to Impa and about Natalie having those pictures. Gonzo couldn't believe it either and he felt sympathy for poor Impa. He was heartbroken to hear it. Gonzo asked me how I've been holding up and I replied that I was handling it in a not so good but I'd pull through.Then, that's when I knew, I had to ask the same. Gonzo told me he would need some time to cope with his feelings. Impa was a good friend to both of us. We now swapped addresses so we could write to each other or even visit when we wanted to hang out. Interestingly enough, Gonzo lived in the same neighborhood as Natalie's mother and it was only a few houses down. Gonzo's order was up and so we both said our see-you-later words and then He zoomed off.

Later that day, I ran into Robin (Mister Rockin' Robin Finns, as I like to call him) while I was on my way to Safeway and got caught in another conversation with him. I told him that I found out that I lost a close friend a long time ago since he lost his sister recently. It all happened in Taos in a tragic semi accident. I was telling it how I remembered it. Knowing Robin, it kind of over-sympathetic and cried so much that he wanted to hear more. He wasn't exactly a cowardly red engine either and it was difficult to scare him, but I got him interested this time. His cowardly grille took me back in time 1985. It was just after watching "John Carpender's Christine" at the drive thru for the fourth time. But when that time when "Beetle juice" came to theaters, he totally moistened himself just as bad as "Creature" or even "Zombie Lake" or "Biohazard". Gonzo was all shook up that it was Impa's idea to go out in the woods to smoke reefer to calm down. Gonzo was so scared that he actually turned pink. He looked like Barbie's pink Lincoln from an Elvis Persley movie production. But Robin was so distraught that he gave me his deep sympathy and he remembered watching "Biohazard" for the sixth time and it didn't get any better for him on how scary it was. He asked me if I ever needed anything like a talk about to make me feel better, just to go to see him.

When I finished telling him about the death of Impa, Robin bawled for an hour as he tried to get a hold of himself. When he did, he apologized for acting embarrassingly cathartic. Robin was over-sentimental that he took things too far. He's what I described as having actor's syndrome. Someone with too much emotion that needed to be put at work on a set. I almost fell asleep listening to Robin go on and on in a conversation. It was almost getting late. Finally, Robin was done talking to me and thankfully he needed to get home too. We simply said a short good-bye and we both needed to get home.

By the time I got home, it was already an hour passed 10 PM. I was tired from Robin wasting my time by talking for so long. Once that I was let in, I had a seat on the couch and dozed off. The very next morning, I wrestled Ol' Reliable to get a move on so Nathan could test drive him around the block, I had to tell him I spent most of the month taking Jan, Nathan, and Natalie to town every night and that it was his turn to be driven. That seemed to put a lid on it! So without any guff, fuss, or cuss, Ol' Reliable obeyed me. I was still the leader and as long as I was on the property, I had control.

When Ol' Reliable got home shortly around the block, I got a chance to read Randy's old books. The time was already 5:23 PM and Jan just got home from work. In about 30 minutes, she would be ready to get drinks and go do errands. Tonight was about Ol' Reliable and it was his turn to take the three to town. And as for me, I got to 5 of Randy's books that he kept in the bathroom. I really enjoyed the fantasy world of quests and knights as I stayed home to relax. It was quiet enough by the time I finished all of the books, I turned on the TV to the VELOCITY channel and I watched some TV. It was a nice evening that night and having a break from town has never looked this good.

[xxprincessjewelsxx]

The Bitten (Baekhyun Werewolf!au Fic) Chapter 1 - Bitten

Warning: None, except that this is a wordy chap. Sorry...

This is the second installment of ‘The Lunar Mark’ series. You can find the others here: Xiumin, Kris. You do not have to read them in order but they are there if you wish to read them.

Ch. 1, Ch. 2, Ch. 3, Ch. 4, Ch. 5, Ch. 6, Ch. 7, Ch. 8, Ch. 9, Ch. 10, Ch. 11(M), Ch. 12, Ch. 13, Ch. 14(Final Chapter)

Wolves and Mates (Reoccurring characters (and some slight changes) from ‘The Lunar Mark’)

Minseok -> Power: Ice -> Found mate, but it’s a lot complicated right now

Junmyeon -> Alpha -> Power: Water -> Mated, Juhee (Human(Bitten))

Yixing -> Power: Healer -> Mated, Sora (Werewolf)

Baekhyun -> Power: Light and he’s the best tracker -> No Mate...yet

Jongdae -> Power: Thunder and he’s quick on his feet -> Found mate (Human), It’s complicated

Chanyeol -> Power: Fire, and as the largest wolf of the pack he is seen as the most intimidating -> Mated, Hana (Werewolf)

Kyungsoo -> Power: Force, the best fighter -> No Mate

Jongin -> Power: Teleportation -> Found Mate (Human), she’s in denial

Sehun -> Power: Wind -> No Mate

Luhan -> Power: Seer/Mind Control -> No Mate

Kris -> Head Alpha -> Power: Strength, Chanyeol may be the most intimidating and Kyungsoo may be the best fighter, but he puts them to shame ->  Mated, Eunha (Werewolf)

Tao -> Power: Stealth -> Found mate (Werewolf), It’s complicated

‘How did I get here?’

Everything was a blur as I lay on the forest floor staring up at the sky through the trees. Last thing I remember I was sick in bed...no...I was being dragged through the village and thrown in that god forsaken cage.

‘How did I get out? What has happened to me?’

A FEW DAYS EARLIER

I was surrounded by horrible people, deep down even my family was on the same level as the rest of the people in my village...some even more than the others. The people of my village had some notion that humans were above magical beings; I’m sure if you were to say that to some of the more prestigious and proud vamperic clans they would rip your throat out if they heard you say that, but that’s just my opinion.

And it was days like this one that proved how horrible that all these people were. A wolf...well a werewolf more specifically was caught on the outskirts of our village. He was badly beaten but still fought against the ropes at the royal guard dragged him towards the cage in the middle of town.

Magical beings that were caught were always put in that cage and put on display like they were some sort of live hunting trophy. People would poke at them with sticks, throw things, spit curses and insults, all up to the point until the guards lost their amusement, the people lost their amusement, or it was decided that the magical being would be taken to Lord Yeongjoon...

As soon as the large wolf was pushed into the cage, the enchantment on the cage caused the wolf to change from his wolf form to his human form. Now in the cage stood a man, slight of build but with some muscle on him, raven black hair, red eyes, in just a pair of shorts.

The ruckus between wolf and guard quickly gathered a crowd and soon the people of the village were more entertained by the new wolf than anything else that they had going on that day.

“This is disgusting,” I mumbled as I leaned out the window of my family’s textile shop.

“Yes he is, isn’t he?” a voice said, causing my stomach to turn, “You’re looking lovely this afternoon, Y/N.”

“Go jump in a river, Jihun,” I stated, before slamming the window shut.

“Is that anyway to talk to your fiance?” he questioned walking into the shop his grip firmly on the hilt of the sword at his side, “I don’t think your parents would like it very much if they heard you talking like that.”

“Good thing my parents are out with everyone else, staring at the wolf you dragged in,” I spat.

He clicked his tongue. “He’s just a filthy mongrel...him and the rest of his pack will get put down. And then after that, the rest of the wolves, then the vampires, witches, ghouls, fairies...all of them.”

“Your mother was a witch...don’t forget that,” I stated.

“And she died like one,” he said, “They don’t belong in this world.”

“They do...there was a time everyone lived in harmony under law and treaty....it wasn’t until two hundred years ago when Lord Yeongjoon’s ancestors came to power did that start to decline...” I said, “In the village to the north Lord Namjoon and his clan welcome human and magical being a like, pretty tolerate for a vampire...you come into Lord Yeongjoon’s land though and if you are a magical being you will be tortured and executed should you stray too close to villages.”

“How did I ended up engaged to a fool like you?” he questioned, “Those vampires aren’t “tolerant”, they’re waiting for their next meal...and that wolf out there is bred to kill.”

“He’s also human...” I stated.

“He is a filthy half-breed mutt and he will be put down like the rabid dog he is,” he stated before turning and leaving the shop.

It was words like that they drove my actions. It was late in the evening by the time that the village square emptied, leaving the cage free of prying eyes. Standing in front of the cage and making eye contact with the man, his eyes no longer the bright shade of red, but a gold color. As I looked at him I began to lose my nerve; from far away I wasn’t able to see how handsome the man actually was, but up close my heart raced as I looked at him.

“What are you staring at?!” he snapped, his eyes momentarily flashing an angry red.

Understandable, he had been stared at all day and me just staring at him helped nothing. “Are you hungry?”

Unbeknownst to my parents, who were normally oblivious to half the stuff I did unless it came to my engagement or work at the shop, I had cooked up an extra steak, potatoes, and veggies.

“I don’t know what you like...but here,” I said, slipping the plates underneath the bars.

Hesitant at first the man made his way over and sniffed the the food before taking the plate back over to the other side and devouring every last piece of food. “That was really good...” he said as he brought the plate back over, “But...why did you do that? The other’s were going to let me starve.”

“The people here...they don’t care that you or the other magical beings have feelings,” I said, “But...you probably have a fam-.” I stopped when I heard people exiting the nearby tavern. “I have to go....”

“Wait...what’s your name?” he questioned as I began to jog off.

“Y/N....you?” I said.

“Baekhyun...my name’s Baekhyun...” he said.

“I’ll bring more tomorrow, Baekhyun...” I said, holding up the empty plate.

And I did....for the next three nights I brought Baekhyun extra food that I had made, and I just sat and talked to him for as long as possible. “So in total there are sixteen people in your pack house?”

“Mmhmm....me, my eleven brothers, and four of the found mates,” he said.

“Are they actually your brothers?” I questioned. I had heard that werewolves had a tendency to have a higher rate of multiples in births than humans, but I wasn’t sure if this was the case or not.

He gave a chuckle. “No...we’re a bunch of misfits who found our own family when no one else wanted us.”

“Oh...” I said.

“But...they are my brothers. Really the only family I’ve every really known...” he said in a sad tone. I looked over my shoulder and he was looking down at the plate in his lap. “What’s it like...you know...having your parents around and all?”

“Well I mean, I love them but....” I stopped and looked towards the shop, a single light on, my mother probably putting together orders for the next day, “They’re just like everyone else here and we only talk if they want to remind me about my engagement or talk to me about work...”

“Engagement?” he questioned.

I nodded. “The man who had a rope around your neck....I’m supposed to marry that monster.” It got silent between us after that and I felt that it was best that I call it an night.

The fourth night was the night that changed things forever; I put my own feelings about Jihun aside and followed him into the tavern. He had the key to the cage, he always kept it with him, even out of his stupid Captain of the guard uniform, it was always with him.

And so was his ego...all I had to do was just go tell him “how handsome he was looking” and then he was “doing an amazing job” keeping the town safe and praise him and hand him drink after drink and soon he was completely wasted and leaning on the bar for support.

And there it was, hanging off of his belt, the key. I had just about gotten close enough to grab it when an arm went around my shoulder.

“Y/N! It’s rare to see you here!” my brother said in a loud drunken voice as he pulled me close to him, “How’s my favorite baby sister?”

“I’m you’re only sister, Ki...” I said, highly annoyed by this interruption in my plan. My brother was a member of the guard and though we were close when we were younger and I looked up to him like most younger siblings would, when we started to get older, and realize the depravity of the village and it’s people....including my own brother...that changed. However, Ki never realized that broken bond, he just thought it was me gaining my “independence” and not needing my big brother all the time.

He laughed. “She’s adorable, isn’t she Jihun?”

“I could describe her as a few things,” he replied, “But...yes.” Jihun started to lose his balance again and I pushed Ki away, getting a good idea in my head.

“Jihun...we should get you home, I think you’re done for the evening,” I said.

He argue for a moment, but after some persuasion he agreed and I agreed. As we got outside, I looked towards the cage momentarily. Baekhyun was pacing in the cage; I could only guess it was because it was a full moon and he was antsy to get out of there. ‘I will get you out of there...I promise I will.’

~Baekhyun~

‘This can’t be happening...not now...not her...’ Baekhyun thought as he paced in his cage. It was a full moon and he feeling antsy for two reasons; he wanted to run through the forest and enjoy the moon and...he hadn’t realized it had been so close, but it was mating season.

‘It can’t be her...why now of all times,’ he questioned to himself. He was locked in a cage and he couldn’t have possible come across his mate...could he?

It became a little more clearer to him that he may have when two people exited the tavern. The man who had had a rope around his neck, being supported by Y/N. It angered him to see that man with his arm around her and it only made me pace even more.

She looked over at me, this worried look in her eyes. Why was she with him? Why did she look worried? He wanted nothing more than to rip open the cage bars and get her away from him, but every time he touched them he’d get shocked.

‘I need to get out of here...’

~Y/N~

It was easy enough to grab the key as I dumped Jihun one his couch saying as he was just about completely out of it at that point. Cracking the front window I figured I could just throw the key back in and he’d think it fell off. So running back to the town square I went to the cage and looked up at Baekhyun who was still pacing, his eyes that deep shade of red.

“I’m going to get you out of here,” I said, holding up the key for him to see.

He stopped his pacing and looked down at me. “That’s not a good idea right now...”

I was confused by his statement but shook my head. “It’s now, or maybe never...” 

When I unlocked the door and opened it, I figured he would just run off into the woods and that would be that, I would never see him again. But instead I found myself on the ground underneath him, his arms blocking any escape I might have had.

He leaned down and sniffed my hair. “You can’t be her...” he whispered, his face moving down to my neck.

I had never been this close to a man before, let alone a complete stranger...and yet as his tongue ran from my collar bone to my ear and he began to grind against me, something caused any fear I may have had to dissipate and I moaned.

That fear began to come back though after I felt his fangs on my neck and he bit down hard on my neck. I let out a pained whine after a couple of moments of him being latched to my neck. As he pulled away and looked down at me he still had that wild look to his stare, but there was a mixture of terror and guilt as well.

“I’m sorry,” he said, before getting up and taking off leaving me to wonder what just happened.  

To be continued...

[anangelicday-mrwolf]

Wolfsbane : Noblesse Fanfic (post-ending)

(previous chapter)

Chapter 20 – Mistakes

Plastic chimes resonated in midst of miniscule beads of various colors, as a slender hand picked out from them a sphere that looked like a coil of Moebius strip, along with tiny plastic stars.

Yuigi promptly slipped them through a fishing line accompanied in the kit case, and she flung the completed bracelet upon a pile of at least 10 distinctly colored and composed bracelets and other ornaments.

She thoughtlessly shifted her shoulder, and right after the stiff muscles produced a groan from her. Yuigi straightened her back as she stretched. Then she realized she could not remember the last time she ever stretched.

She had been classified as at-least-S-ranked modified human, an entitlement that came with loads of perks that one could not dare deny.

So she could not remember the last time she ever suffered from stiffness or ache that came as an aftermath of an absurdly ordinary pastime.

Nowadays, contrary to her past, she would let the ache in her muscles or joints conquer her once every few hours. She has merely recovered enough to walk and talk with no strain at all; she has not managed to recover even 10% of her original strength.

‘Maybe I should have studied some medicine when I could,’ thought Yuigi, as she stared at the medical equipment in the safehouse, nothing better than a toy medical kit to her for the time being. ‘And Takio said he doesn’t know how to handle the thing either, though I’m not sure if I should buy what he said.’

Unbeknownst to her, although Takio had gained a tip or two from Frankenstein, professional work with medicine and affiliated technology is but a mystery to him.

And the medical equipment in the safehouse requires more than meticulous, professional maneuver; a voice print of a pre-registered user is a must in order to activate it. Takio, of course, did not provide her with a voice print, and Yuigi could not even fathom when she will complete her recovery – or if she will complete her recovery, with whatever that Yuri did to her still remaining inside her.

These days she could so very well relate to a nameless stack of weed growing under endless drought, somehow miraculously alive.

And whenever Takio is away, he would make sure the door is fastened outside, unable to be unlocked from within.

So Yuigi has been sustaining a life in quarantine, terribly bland compared to her days as Cerberus. Yet she had no time to be bored, thanks to all sorts of entertainment amenities that Takio would bring her from time to time, including a variety of books. Puzzles. Coloring books. And many others.

Among those, she had taken a liking to a set of beads kit to make body ornamentations with – the kind made for children’s play.

Ever since she first received the kit, she had been emptying them with a series of bracelets and necklaces, only to unchain each of them so that she can start creating new accessories.

Takio did tell her that she is free to ask for anything she needs, but she knew they would have to break the ice much more before she could make a request for more kits.

Besides, she had no problem downing and filling the kit over and over again. The beads came in a myriad of colors, shapes, and sizes, so she had more than thousands of options based on which to make bracelets, necklaces, or rings.

After all, this was not her first time doing the job; in fact, it has been years since she had ever focused on the task.

‘I should be grateful I don’t have to go outside to grab the ingredients. Back then I had to wade through the beach every single day to find appropriately shaped and sized seashells and conches.’

Then Yuigi fell in a nostalgic muse, as she stared down at a handful of beads shaped like cones.

Look, look! Is this good enough?

Mine is better!

I want a necklace today!

Your necklace is the best!

Yuigi was grinning without notice, which started to fade away soon enough.

Please don’t get hurt. Okay?

We’re okay. But promise that you’ll read us fairy tales next time you come home!

How long do we have to wait to see you again?

Eyes shut tight, Yuigi pressed her forehead with a hand she just grabbed the beads with, fisted into a dead-tight ball.

She thought she had put the past behind her, but she had not. Her fist was captured in violent quake, the rough plastic pieces nearly boring into her skin.

‘Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe I shouldn’t have volunteered to be Union’s test subject. Because here I am, helpless and powerless and homeless, despite all those years spent in labs and training. If I did not tag along the agents that visited me on the fateful day, maybe I could at least stay with them before they......’

She started at her own thought before she muttered, “Hailey... Arthur...”

Drowned in bitter reminiscence, Yuigi missed the sound of the door lock finally being removed.

“Is there something that ails you?”

She flinched upon the voice now familiar ringing by her ears. Takio, whom she had not seen for a while, was looking down at her with concern bright in his face.

“...Took you long enough to return.”

“Today I found enough time to drop by my residence. By the way, is there some...”

“Nothing.”

It’s obvious there is something, Takio wanted to retort. But he gave up on it once Yuigi uncurled her back, wearing that stern face that will accept no question whatsoever.

“I brought you dinner. And new kits.”

Takio placed the shopping bag on the table, which Yuigi did not touch. The only thing she could find plenty in this place was time; she felt no need to check out the contents on the spot.

“Is there anything else you need?”

“No.”

Yuigi flipped her hand at him, meaning no foul at all. And her gesture was meant to be harmless, meaningless. Nevertheless, Takio apparently took her wave otherwise.

“Do you despise me?”

Yuigi shifted her gaze from the beads that were once again cascading onto the fishing line. And she gaped at him as if he just suggested they could use the fishing line she was holding as an addition to chicken noodle soup he will make for her.

“Allow me to rephrase that – don’t you despise me?”

“And why would you ask that?”

Takio did not say anything more. He has never revealed to her that he is deleting Union from the world.

But Yuigi was one of Cerberus; he expected her to be experienced enough to realize what he would be doing now that the Union has crumbled. True to his expectation, she asked for no further details and yet issued a reply that was by no means stranded from the topic.

“What’s the point? The Union is no more. And it’s not like I can stop you.”

Yuigi shrugged nonchalantly and redirected her eyes to the beads, only to re-redirect them to her speaker.

“Honestly, I don’t get it. By now – no, you should have already tortured me to find out more about Union’s essential institutions or key personnel.”

“...Are you saying you are willing to dispense the intel if I ask?”

“...Why not?”

“Why is that?”

“You’ve been giving me food, a place to stay... And freedom, most importantly. I’d hate to be a lab rat that can’t even flicker whiskers without help. As a matter of fact, it’s always welcome for me to see Crombell’s forces dwindling every second.”

Yuigi snickered briefly, as if she was truly enjoying the thought.

Takio, however, did not believe in her. This could be her scheme to make him trust her and seek chances to go back to Union to plan retaliation, he told himself.

On the other hand, Takio could feel suspicion and wonder clustering within him.

Just because an empire has fallen does not mean its citizens will perish immediately. But she did not seem interested in her fellow citizens at all, seemingly implying that nothing matters now.

In addition, she was waiting for him to pry out intel on Union from her.

‘It didn’t sound like she was very loyal to Union. And Cerberus, I believe, was the most trusted guardians that 12th Elder had. I don’t understand.’

Takio, but of course, did not voice his suspicion. Their relationship was not informal or sturdy enough for him to do that.

That did not mean his curiosity will scatter to naught; it was there, steadfast and strong.

Which is why he failed to realize that he picked up on his way something he should not have.

*****

“I’m home.”

“You’re late. That’s a first.”

Tao peeked from kitchen ringing with clacking dishes, as Takio slipped his feet into a pair of pink slippers.

“I could say the same thing, Tao, seeing you home at this hour.”

“I’ll say. I don’t think I’ve seen either you or M-21 home at this time of the day.”

“Is it safe to assume your patrol covered bigger range than before?”

M-21 turned his head halfway towards his back, still concentrating on washing dishes.

“I had no choice. It’s been a while since we started shutting down Union facilities. I wouldn’t want Union minions detecting what’s happening to their facilities and finding Korea.”

Takio very leisurely gave a lie, which was not a total lie.

“Too bad. We could have enjoyed dinner together for once, but we had to leave you out.”

“I’m sure we’ll find chances again. Don’t mind me.”

“Aww, but it’s a shame! More importantly, I couldn’t find what I want!”

“I don’t see how a menu from a convenience store would be nutritiously superior to homemade meal.”

“How can you say that, M-21? Some people would find it much superior! It’s basically a feast for me!”

Oh, sure.

M-21 sighed halfheartedly. He knew if he were to refute that, Tao’s tongue will start its indefensible dance again, to utterly annihilate his eardrums by the time the dance is over.

Alas, it was too late for him.

“You do realize these days convenience stores do take care with nutrition in their menu, don’t you? Plus, this is Korean convenience store we’re talking about! It’s not your first day in this country. I thought you’d understand. And the menu I’ve been cherishing for this day was gone without a trace! Don’t you see how miserable the situation is?!”

Convenience store menu?

That was when Takio’s heart hit that nerve-wrecking code of thump in his chest, finally realizing what he has done. He remembered that one of the food he took for Yuigi that day included a lunchbox made at convenience stores, one of many stacks in the fridge.

It was obvious that it belonged to Tao, a curious lover of convenience store lunchboxes. And there was no guarantee that he would not get to the bottom of this to find out who was to blame for.

Which is why Takio opted to falsely allege his crime.

“You mean lunchbox including spicy bulgogi. Sorry. I ate it before going out for patrol.”

Tao instantaneously glared at his comrade in betrayal.

“You are willing to pay me back later, aren’t you?”

“Sure. Sorry about that.”

Tao luckily gave him an okay, and Takio disappeared to get shower.

“Didn’t expect that. He’s always found spicy bulgogi from convenience stores too much for him to handle.”

“I guess he was on hurry to start his patrol.”

M-21 continued washing dishes and was about to tell Tao that he might want to finish the lunchboxes in the fridge before the expiration date, when he noted something was not quite right.

Tao had stockpiled his lunchboxes at a spot that will make them instantly visible as soon as they open the fridge, and thus M-21 has unwillingly come to memorize the menu and numbers of each menu for the tower of plastic cases.

And according to his memories, spicy bulgogi lunchbox was stationed in the middle of the said tower.

So there was no legitimate reason he could think of for Takio to grab a menu in the middle instead of on the very top, not to mention for the menu that he does not prefer.

His hands slowed down for a breath, before M-21 returned to his chore. His mind, however, was no longer with his hands.

And nobody knew what kind of effect Takio’s mistake would whip up for them in the future.

(next chapter)

For this chapter, I took the spotlight back to Frankenstein’s family in Seoul. I completed the script for this chapter a long time ago, and right now the time draws near for me to write about Yuigi’s past. And when I do, the reason why Yuigi sounded rather nonchalant about her current standing as well as Union’s standing and whether she is an ally or foe will be made clear. Personally I can’t wait until I reach that part. XD

[spiltkpop]

Trouble [1]

“Whatever you do, don’t fall in love.”

“I promise.”

-

My legs are bruised and I can still feel the throbbing in my head from being punched in the face multiple times. There’s blood on white tank top from my bleeding mouth.

There’s a dim light in the room just barely enough so I can see my reflection from the bucket of water that is at my feet. I hear footsteps stomping up the stairs and I can hear someone walking towards my door

“Get ready,” they say before picking up and bucket and dosing me in the water so I am completely aware of everything that is happening. He unties my feet from the chair so I am sitting.

“What’s happening?” i ask with curiosity in my tone. “they’re here.” he says and I finally see his face seeing that it’s Taeyang. He smiles at me and then it suddenly fades when I hear gunshots and shouts from upstairs.

He runs off leaving me once again alone in the room. I think I waited hours before all the shouting stopped. Assuming everyone was dead, until someone started walking down the stairs. Their feet were quiet light so it was very unfamiliar to who it could have been out of the five boys who were keeping me in their basement.

“Alright, i’m in the basement and there’s just a room with a lock on it” the man says to himself until I hear a a voice coming from a walkie-talkie realizing there is indeed people alive. “Break the fucking lock and see what’s inside. You never know what these assholes could be hiding” he says harshly back I can feel myself getting tense.

I hear the lock break and in comes a tall boy with dark hair. he doesn’t honestly look that scary, he looks pretty innocent. “What do we have here?” he says in a sly tone. Never mind ignore what I said about him seeming innocent.

“What did you find?” the voice says back over. “i found a girl, who by the looks of it, looks very unhealthy and beaten up.” he says then looks back to me. “We should take her” my eyes grew wide and he pulled a smirk. Next thing I know I hear multiple more footsteps marching down the stairs with ease.

“Oh shit, she must be freezing. Baekhyun give me your jacket” says the one who’s voice I can recognize from the wallow-talkie. Suddenly my hands are being untied and a jacket is being wrapped around me. The same person who asked for the jacket then proceeded to pick me and held onto me. “What’s your name?” he asked with concern in his voice.

“Hyuna,” I say with a quite tone realizing I bet none of them heard me. “My names Hyuna.” I speak louder and graze the room realizing there are 5 others in this room plus the one holding me.

“Nice to meet you Hyuna, my names Lay and I am thankful that i found you” he says. I nod. I then turn to the one holding me. “Um, can you put me down? I can assure you I can walk.” I stutter and he nods and sets me down on my own two feet. “Thank you?” “Suho” he replies. “thank you, Suho”

The other four introduce themselves, the first one I learned being Baekhyun since I am wearing his jacket. The one next to him his Sehun, Chen, and Tao.

I follow them up the stairs realizing that indeed my white shirt is very see through and I am grateful for Baekhyun’s jacket as I wrap is tighter around my body. I enter a kitchen and see bullet holes in places bullet holes shouldn’t be. Like for example, in this house.

“Who’s this?” a tall man runs up to us and stares deep into my eyes. “this is Hyuna, we found her in the basement with bruises and cuts all over. Plus if you can’t tell her mouth is swollen, those assholes must have been beating her” Tao says with gritted teeth. The tall man takes a step back and leans down so he can look at me face to face.

“hello, I am Chanyeol! But the pleasure is all mine.” he greets himself. How can someone be so happy after what I heard. I wave back at him not wanting to speak anymore. He frowns but then stands back up still and whispers into Suho’s ear earning a smack up on the forehead.

“Ow! what was that for?” he exclaims. “You know what it was for” he mutters. I look over at the other boys with confusion but they seem to look not phased. “He was going to ask if you had been raped?” Suho says in a hushed tone as if there were more people listening. Never in a million years. But I didn’t say that. “no why would that happen?” I ask and they look dumbfounded.

“well you have bruises all over your body so we assumed they tortured you.” Chen pipes up. I nod agreeing before replying, “Yes they abused me and tortured me, but from what I learned from them, they wouldn’t only be hurting me if they did that but themselves. It takes a real monster to do that to someone” i sigh. they all shake their heads in agreement. “speaking of which, where are they? did you kill them?” i question earning a few looks.

“no we didn’t kill them they surprised us and ended up being able to get away before anything could happen” one enters the room he looks like a kitty, but from what I heard he’s probably a tiger. “I could hear you guys all the way down the hall,” he announces before looking at me.

Oh, can we keep her?“ he says with a sly smile on his face. My cheeks get red and I cover them with my hands. “that’s adorable” i hear Chanyeol and Sehun say in sync. I blush even harder.

“Well,” Suho says, “do you want to come with us? it doesn’t really seem like you have much choice now. But we will still give you one” he says pulling my hands away from my face and tilting my head to look at him.

“I would love to come back with you guys, considering the only other option would probably be death.”

They all laugh and then agree that I was right. “cmon little kitty, come with me,” the one who never introduced himself to me yet says and grabs my hand and pulls me outside the door of the house and I see multiple vehicles. “Would you like to ride with me?” he offers. I nod and he opens the door for me and then shuffles around to the drivers side.

“What’s your name?” I ask in a nervous voice. He starts the car and pulls out of the drive way and then takes my hand in his. I don’t pull away, his hands are warm. “I am Xuimin, also hope you don’t mind? I’ve been dying to get my hands on you since I heard Lay say he found someone in the basement.” he says and then realizes how creepy he sounds. “It’s okay, go ahead. May I ask something?” I voice out whilst taking my other hand and holding his one hand. He nods.

“how many of you are there? I know there was only 5 at the other house.” we stop at a tee light and he turns to look at me. “there are 12 of us, I am the oldest. Then there’s Luhan who you will meet soon, along with Kris, you’ve met Suho, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol. You have yet to meet Kyungsoo, but you met Tao. There still Kai. and lastly Sehun. How old are you?” he says. I am still a bit lost but I’ll just ask again if I get confused. “Oh, I was born June 6, 1992” he smiles and shows his teeth. “you are younger than Baekhyun but older than Chen” I mumble a reply and then lean back against the seat hands still holding Xuimin’s.

I wake up to the sound of Suhun making weird noises. I feel my surroundings and feel a fabric. this must be a couch i think to myself. I open my eyes and nope, definitely not. I am indeed on a couch, but my hand is now on Sehuns thigh.

“Oh, wow my bad,” i blush and he laughs removing my hand. “How’d you sleep?” he asks me like he’s got the sweetest tea ever. “It was good, is this your home?” i ask struck when I look at the surroundings. he mumbles a yes and then quickly adds “your home too.”

“Ahh, is she awake? I’ve been waiting to meet her.” in comes another tall boy like Chanyeol. he sits on the coffee table in front of me and smiles “i am kris, i can be your dad or daddy or-” he is cut off my Sehun slapping his hand over kris’ mouth. i giggle at the scene in front of me. “suho’s mom it only makes sense.” kris says removing Sehun from his face. “am I missing something” i ask with a questioned look upon my face.

“No, you aren’t. Kris just likes to claim himself as a dad of the house but we all know Suho runs the place” Sehun says looking at me and not Kris. “but i thought Xuimin was the oldest?” i question. “He is, but Suho knows how to run things around here and in this type of world” another joins in who I don’t recognize.

“I need to meet you all before I go crazy, you can’t keep walking in and speaking to me like I know who you are.” i announce. He agrees and pushes Kris off the table so he can sit down in front of me. “i apologize, my name is Kai, but like Kris said you can call me Daddy” I burst out laughing and he just looks insulted. “i’m sorry, but from what I have been told, I am older than Chen but younger than Baekhyun so I will not be calling you daddy” i smirk. the sadness in his eyes but i pat his shoulder hoping to comfort him. he doesn’t seem phased but gets over it soon enough.

Everyone else joined the room even ones I didn’t recognize. Suho speaks up. “everyone, this is Hyuna, Hyuna I am Suho, from the line down that’s Xuimin, Luhan, Kris, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, Kyungsoo, Tao, Kai, and lastly Sehun.” he says and they all do a quick introduction explaining how to tell them apart if I do struggle and cute nicknames Sehun assigned them all.

Not gonna lie, they’re all pretty attractive. I don’t know how I am going to complete my task.

A/N: hi this is my first time attempting a fanfic. Please give me some feedback if you like it or what not. Sorry for any grammar mistakes I wrote this on my phone and i’m 10x as lazy on my phone.

A/N: i don't know how to make a masterlist but until then if you would like to continue reading this if you click my hashtag 'trouble' on each story you still be directed to each chapter i have written.