#That man can do things with his voice that even shrimp colors wish they could perceive

[destinyandcoins]

today's gender shout-out goes to the waver in Joey Batey's voice when he sings the line "I'm weak my love, and I am wanting"

[bandaged-writer]

hi!! since requests are open- can i have jealousy hcs for dazai, ranpo, tanizaki and chuuya with an s/o who’s friendly and doesnt really catch on to flirting? :0

Dazai Osamu

➤ Dazai doesn’t get jealous easily. He trusts you all the way to his bandages and knows how long it takes you to notice that someone is flirting with you. Before the two of you became a thing, Dazai had been excessively flirting with you only and always threw compliments your way such as “Ah, those earrings really compliment the color of your eyes, belladonna!” and you’d just say “I think so, too. Thanks,” before resuming your way of life. Yosano had to tell you that Dazai was looking at you with heart eyes, trying to score a date with you for 2 weeks at that time.

➤ He watches with an amused smirk when the person flirting with you starts getting frustrated. To Dazai, it’s just funny how the person becomes more desperate and the flirting becomes blatantly obvious, yet it’s like you’re immune unless it’s Dazai that does the flirting (yes, you got better at catching his advances). Eventually, Dazai will smoothly join the scene with his hand resting on your waist and pull you close to his side.

➤ “Thank you for looking after my belladonna while I had to use the bathroom, but we’re on a date. If you’d excuse us.”

➤ However, Dazai won’t pull the playful side if the person makes you uncomfortable or uses inappropriate pick-up lines. He knows you’re just too nice to tell the person to fuck off and would rather sit through the experience than potentially anger them.

➤ You can actually see the light in his eyes fading into nothing and his voice drops an entire octave. You’d only witnessed that side of Dazai one or two times, but you will never forget the goosebumps that covered your skin. “Put those paws of yours on her and you won’t see tomorrow come.”

➤ I can see Dazai getting somewhat jealous when it’s someone you have good chemistry with and/or if there’s some kind of romantic background; like someone you’d once gone out on a date with, was partner other and such. He’d stay attached to your side all the time, but not because he doesn’t trust you; he doesn’t trust that person.

➤ While you’re happily chatting away, Dazai is extra touchy in that situation. May it be his arm around your waist, his hand on your upper thigh or gently caressing your knee underneath the table while whispering sweet nothings in your ear. Ngl, he wants to fluster you a bit, just enough for it to be visible or audible. Dazai is a little shit in that situation and wants to make the person feel uncomfortable enough to leave.

➤ “Dazai, you what-?!” You’d slap his arm and blush furiously.

➤ “I don’t like the way they looked at you, my love,” Dazai would say pouting once you’re home and proceeds to suck some purple bruises into the skin of your neck, so that they wouldn’t look at you twice, again.

➤ Can and will continue if you liked what he was doing.

Ranpo Edogawa

➤ That man protects his candy better than his own life and you’re no exception. Sharing ain’t caring and he sure as hell isn’t having it when someone flirts with who belongs to him.

➤ Unlike Dazai, he can’t just watch and immediately sweeps in to stop whatever the person was about to do with both of his arms around you or you behind him. Depends on how badly it rubs Ranpo the wrong way.

➤ Yes, Ranpo’s aware of your overly friendly side and appreciated it. Even flirting with you is fun, because it takes you some time to get it and when you do, it’s the most adorable thing. However, it’s definitely not adorable when someone else tries to gauge that reaction out of you. It’s only for Ranpo to witness.

➤ “Who the hell are you?” Ranpo would say in a tone that would give away that he’s definitely jealous but quickly sigh and stop the person from answering by waving them off. “Have you ever heard of rhetorical questions? Of course, I don’t want to know who you are.”

➤ The type to deny he’s jealous and be all whiny about your accusations until you stop teasing him about it, hold his hand and reassure him. “I really look up to you, Ranpo. My eyes are always on you,” and Ranpo would deadass lose it, because that’s what you said when it was your first time joining him for a murder case and he had told you to watch him.

➤ Gets soft real fast and admits that he just doesn’t like anyone else hitting on you, saying that jealousy is indeed a lame feeling that he’s not fond of. “But you’re beautiful so I can understand, but it’s still so meh.”

➤ Pls give him a forehead kiss. He treasures them so much more than kisses on the lips, cheek, neck, etc. To Ranpo, it’s like a pinky promise.

➤ Will proudly wrap an arm around your shoulder, pull you flush to his side and wanders off to the next ice-cream shop while making walking a bit hard. According to Ranpo, ice-cream cools down heated feelings (pun intended) and it’s a great place for him to show off who’s his.

➤ Can and will use his deduction skills on that person if they’re making you uncomfortable or trying inappropriate things on you. “Ah, I see. You’ve already harassed several people and had to go to the police. Wouldn’t it be a shame if you had to get actually arrested this time?” 

➤ Has that proud and wicked smirk on his face when the person gets scared and makes a run for it. Ranpo will still report them though.

Tanizaki Junichiro

➤ Jealousy-wise, he’s something between Ranpo and Dazai. It really depends on the circumstances, how the person approaches you and all.

➤ If the person treats you with respect and kindness, Tanizaki will quickly inform them that you’re taken by him. He understands that you’re naturally friendly and figures that it’s also the vibe you give off, so he can’t blame anyone for finding that attractive. Tanizaki is just relieved that the person was kind enough to understand the position they were in and even wished the two of you a nice day/date.

➤ Still holds your hand a little bit tighter, though. 

➤ “Wait, did you just get jealous?” It’d hit you out of nowhere once the scene replays in your head and Tanizaki would blush ever so slightly. Maybe he was a bit jealous, but not to a high extent. He’d rather call it protective. “Ah, [Name], it’s nothing like that, I promise.”

➤ Now, y’all have seen that man protecting his sister and he protects you just as much as Naomi. Once the person is creepy and fishy, it’s game over and it’s like a switch turned within him.

➤ When you get uncomfortable and feel bothered by whoever’s flirting with you, Tanizaki takes over faster than you could ask him for help. “I don’t care who you are or what you’re trying to achieve here, but bend even a hair of hers and you’ll severely regret it.” His eyes are dull, voice firm and serious as he gets his point across. 

➤ Feels genuinely jealous when you seemingly ignore him for someone else, though. None of Tanizaki’s tries of joining the conversation are successful, not even him touching your hand or being a bit more touchy than usually gains your attention. It’s then that his voice sounds a little bit more lifeless and gains your observance. “[Name], weren’t we on a date?” You know you messed up.

➤ You kindly say goodbye to whoever’s flirting with you and ask Tanizaki what’s wrong - it’s just not his kind and easily flustered self

➤ “You seemed to be having fun with them, don’t you?”

➤ “Tanizaki, they were just being nice-”

➤ Give him the puppy eyes and everything is forgiven, though. Tanizaki could never, in his entire life, be genuinely mad at you. Yes, he might be upset that you ignored him for good 5 minutes straight, but that’s it.

Chuuya Nakahara

➤ Chuuya rarely gets jealous. He puts 110% of his faith and trust in you and knows that you do the same. A relationship that’s loyal to the bone.

➤ He can stand it for a little while when e.g. Tachihara is getting a little too friendly and touchy with you. Of course, you return the gesture, believing that he’s just being nice to you and not actually flirting. After all, no one but Chuuya had ever really flirted with you or so you believed.

➤ We all know that man’s temper is as short as his height, so it wouldn’t take long for him to snatch you away from Tachihara and dump a load of work on him. “Chuuya, what is all that work for?!” Tachihara would obviously complain, not quite understanding why all of a sudden he was assigned to pretty lame jobs. Chuuya just waves him off, pulling you into his side and temper tested. “You don’t flirt with taken people. If you do, you’ll simply have to carry the consequences.” 

➤ Tachihara wasn’t aware you were in a relationship with Chuuya. After all, being an executive was a lot of work, he often came home late and your paths with Chuuya didn’t cross as often as you’d like, but y’all still make it work. 

➤ At that moment, Chuuya makes an effort to see you more often during the day, have you closer by his side and let people know that you’re his and his alone. He’ll then bring you along to meetings, lets you sit on his lap when it’s just paperwork he has to finish for Mori and holds your hand at the mafia headquarters.

➤ It’s not like Chuuya has never held your hand. He just never thought of it as necessary and you never complained about it either, so he assumed it was okay.

➤ Chuuya introduces you to Kouyou, knowing that word will get around faster. Now, Kouyou isn’t a woman of gossip but she will assume that Mori is aware of the relationship Chuuya shares with you and casually goes “Chuuya’s partner is pretty cute, don’t you think so, Mori-san?” and Mori stops whatever he’s doing, “You mean like a..relationship?”

➤ Mori will spread word like wildfire. Elise scolds him.

➤ “Now everyone knows you’re mine, shrimp,” Chuuya pats your head and messes up your hair affectionately. You can’t help the huff slipping your lips and look up at him with a questioning look. “Big reaction for someone so small.”

➤ “cOME HERE, YOU LITTLE-”

➤ The next day everyone knows about your relationship with Chuuya and knows better than to hit on you. Not only did Mori run his mouth, but your neck was pretty colorful and Chuuya was extra cocky that day.

[alwaysbeliev]

I Can’t Lose You

Happy Valentine’s Day! This is for the @rdr-secret-cupid adventure this year. Thank you for the prompt, @bloodylove3 and I hope you enjoy!

summary: When Dutch asks you and Arthur to pretend you're married for a job, you're nervous that you won't be able to hide your feelings for the outlaw. You manage to keep it in line, but things go wrong fast.

relationship: Arthur Morgan x F!Reader

word count: 3497

link on AO3

“Alright, here’s where we’ll start.”

It was mid-afternoon. The heat from the sun above was overwhelming, burning whatever it touched. Not even the shade was a relief with its cover. Animals all around were burrowed underground, hiding inside of trees, splashing around in the cool river nearby, and doing their best to stay out of direct light. You idly watched a small mouse scurry through the grass, digging at the dirt every now and then before disappearing into a hole. Quietly, you wished you were that mouse. 

For the hundredth time, Dutch was reviewing his next grand plan. There was a tipoff about a decent score, something that would help the gang move to a new camp, and it would be almost easy to pull off. Almost. But he was careful to plan, detailed to a fault, and now you had to sit through another lecture about making sure you were in the right place at the right time. He stood just inside the flap of his tent as he talked. The others were in a loose circle around him and Hosea.

You felt a drop of sweat slide down the back of your neck. What you wouldn’t give to go jump in the rushing water just a hundred feet away, even fully clothed. Imagining the relief alone made you sweat more. You could feel your skin throb, your cheeks turning red, your shirt sticking to your lower back…

“Hey!”

The sharp sound of Dutch’s voice cut through your daydream, snapping you back to reality. Others were snickering as you jerked your head over and tried to pretend you had been listening.

“As I was saying,” the man continued, “there has been a small change of plan.” 

Whoa, Dutch was changing his plan? But the score was just a week away now.

He carried on, “Arthur will be playing the part of your protective, but quiet, husband. You will need to cause a big enough distraction that we can enter without tipping anyone off. Can you handle that?”

“I thought Hosea was providing the distraction?” Your mind was turning, scrambling to remember if that was the original plan or if you were suffering from heat stroke.

“As I had said before, Hosea will be needed outside. It would seem awfully suspicious to outsiders if 5 men all seemed to suddenly rush inside together, don’t you think?”

You supposed he had a point. Outwardly, you agreed with him, but inwardly, your heart was pounding. Arthur? Husband? You barely made it through the rest of the session, managing to excuse yourself as soon as Dutch was done talking. Never before had you felt the palpitations on your chest that you did now at the thought of being with Arthur Morgan. Not just being with him, but pretending to be married. 

To say that you had a crush on Arthur was putting it lightly. From the moment you had met the outlaw, the sight of him caused your heart to race faster than his beautiful horse. You could barely speak around him, let alone carry on any conversation, and you were certain everyone in camp knew about it. Karen, Mary-Beth, and Tilly had approached you just last week to tease you about the way you fumbled over your words when Arthur asked a question. Now you had to pretend to be married?

The group dispersed as Dutch finished his grand lecture, chattering excitedly about the huge score. You felt light-headed and were rooted to the spot. Dutch was right, it should be easy, you had played the actor’s role many times before, but this… This wouldn’t be acting. And surely someone was going to notice that.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

A week passed quicker than any week you’d been through before. You and Arthur had prepared a scene, practicing to get it right, and you were feeling slightly more confident. The cowboy still gave you flutters in your heart, but rehearsed lines were much easier than improvised ones, and you were positive he hadn’t seen the longing in your eyes. It was easy.

But what wasn’t easy was how inseparable the two of you were becoming. Every morning, Arthur approached you near the campfire, offering a small treat, typically a piece of chocolate or a small fruit. The first time, your cheeks had flushed hotter than the summer sun. It hadn’t improved much. You would review your plan for the score, pause for a lunch time meal, and continue in the afternoon. Arthur often seemed to have other ideas, wanting a change of scenery, and you would find yourselves a few miles from camp on some rocky outlook or on a river’s shore, just shooting the breeze while the sun seared high above. Arthur even managed to convince you to leave your horse once, riding behind him with arms wrapped around his chest, content just to be near him. 

Finally, the day arrived. The gang all arose early, gathering their tools uneasily. Nerves always ran high the day of, regardless of how much planning had gone into the score, and your stomach churned. Karen had lent a hat, Mary-Beth a beautiful dress in your most favorite color, and you felt so fluffy and over the top. When Arthur saw you, his face seemed to go slack, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“My, my, Mrs. Morgan,” he drawled, taking a few lazy steps to close the gap to you. “Aren’t you lookin’ mighty fine this mornin’.”

Pouting and embarrassed, you waved him off, brushing a tight curl over your shoulder in a weak attempt to mask the color rising to your cheeks.

“Shut up.”

“Hey, now, I’m only tryin’ to lighten the mood.” He laughed before looking somewhat sheepish himself. “Besides, you really do.”

You paused, taking in his sincere compliment.

“Thank you.”

He didn’t have time to respond as Dutch stepped out of his tent, looking the picture of graceful leadership, commanding everyone’s attention. As you turned your body towards him, you saw Arthur’s gaze lingering on your figure, the dress complementing you perfectly. You focused on tugging on your white lace gloves, trying to turn your ears where it mattered.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~

“Alright, Mr. Callahan, now, here we are!”

Your voice pitched up, you pointed out the grandest building in town: the bank. Arthur guided his horse to the hitching post before hopping down, turning to help you down, your big skirt catching slightly and flouncing as your feet landed. Grinning at him, you tugged at his arm excitedly.

“Come on, darling, we gotta go get us a loan! That house ain’t gonna buy itself, you know!”

It was clear you were amusing the man at your side. Your anxiety was causing a jump in your performance, pushing you a slightly uncomfortable bit above believable, but you were pretty and young and the men were watching you. That was all that mattered.

With a grand gesture, you shoved the door to the bank open, stepping into the marbled interior with your boots clicking. The teller glanced up from whatever paperwork he was looking at. For a brief second, he studied the two of you, his eyes lingering on you in particular, before a fixed smile appeared on his face. 

“How can I help you?” he drawled. As practiced, Arthur opened his mouth to speak but you butted in before he could.

“Why, hello, Mr…?” You swept forward, extending a hand for him to shake. He glanced at Arthur in disbelief before gingerly shaking your hand.

“Mr. Monaghan.”

“Oh, Mr. Monaghan, how lovely!” You grinned widely, shaking vigorously. “Yes, me and my new husband here are looking to buy a house! Isn’t that just grand? We just got married, you know, just last week! Oh, we had the most beautiful honeymoon, didn’t we, darling? Traveled to see the ocean, oh it was gorgeous! Simply gorgeous! Have you ever been, Mr. Monaghan?”

He opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn’t. Not the way you planned it.

“The birds were so lovely, there were so many of them! Oh, and the food! Simply divine! Have you had seafood before? Crab, lobster, shrimp, oh it was perfect!”

As you rambled, the doors swung in again, allowing entrance to John and Javier. You didn’t spare a look for them, your energy pointed at the teller, and as planned, he didn’t seem to notice them. Your shrill voice and wild theatrics had his whole attention. You carried on as the men got into position.

“They paired the shrimp with-- What was it, my love? This wine, it was a red, wasn’t it? Or was it a white? Mr. Callahan is just hopeless about these things, you know, I’m glad I’m here to help him. Oh we had the most wonderful time together! I thought it might rain one day, there were these horrible gray clouds, but he told me not to worry, even though I wanted to, and sure enough, the sun was out by dinner time!”

The doors creaked again, allowing the last two men in, Dutch and Bill. All 5 men exchanged a look and, in one swift motion, they pulled their bandanas over their faces and drew their weapons. It was satisfying to hear the clicks of a few hammers. Your grin turned wicked and the teller suddenly realized what had happened. 

“We’ll take that loan to go, if you don’t mind.” You couldn’t help yourself. Arthur quickly stepped forward, shielding you with his body so your face was hidden, and you hurriedly moved towards the back of the men, allowing them to do what they needed. It was relatively painless and quiet, the teller moving hastily and without hesitation, filling bags with money and even allowing them access to the room with the safes. You served as lookout, casually standing at the window to keep an eye peeled for the law. Only when you heard Dutch’s signature goodbye did you turn away from it. Arthur made eye contact with you and playfully raised his eyebrows as he strode towards the door and you, ready to make for the horizon.

Without warning, the doors flew open, banging against the wall from the force behind it. Several lawmen were standing, guns drawn, ready to take out the outlaws. Instantly, shots were being fired. You didn’t know who fired first, but you dove out of the way, gripping your hat tightly so it wouldn’t be left behind. For some reason, your only coherent thought was Karen would have my hide.

Men were shouting, the smell of gunpowder filled the air. Flat on the floor, you couldn’t see anything, only heard Dutch shouting orders, police filling the streets outside, the solid sound of bullets connecting with flesh. There was nowhere to take cover. Somebody stepped on your leg and you gasped from the pain. A hand gripped your ankle and dragged you towards a wall. Panicked, you tried to scramble away until you registered Arthur’s voice trying to reassure you. 

“You boys play nice!” a deep voice bellowed from the porch. “We don’t want no hangings, now, y’here?”

“We will play nice when you play nice, Sheriff!” Dutch barked back. 

“This is a fucking massacre!” John spoke to the room at large. The men that had entered before were all on the floor, blood pooling around them, their guns laying forgotten on the wood. More were shouted outside. They were organizing to block all exits from town. There was no way you were gonna make it out now, you started to fear, and you could see the shared looks of the men with you echoing the same sentiment.

A surprised cry arose from outside as another gunshot cracked through the air. 

“There’s Mac!”

With renewed energy, everyone jumped up and sprang for the door. Feeling marginally brave, you snatched a gun from the floor, hoping you wouldn’t have to use it. Bill led the way out. Javier, John, and Dutch quickly followed, and Arthur made up the rear with you in tow, sticking to him like glue. 

The sun outside was blinding. You barely caught a glimpse of the street before you were rushed down the steps and around the side of the building. Back pressed against the wall, the pounding in your head started blocking out your hearing, and you only felt the vibrations in the air and under your feet. Even with all of Dutch’s careful planning, you were still trapped in this mess…

Arthur shouted your name. He stood, almost pressed to you, eyes burning. You snapped to attention, gun at the ready.

“We gotta make a break for it! Be ready on my count!”

It was all you could do to nod. You saw his horse in your peripheral, antsy and pawing, but waiting. You tried desperately to calm your breathing and gathered your skirts up out of your way. At the mark, you all ran, each in slightly different directions to mount their horses, spurring before fully mounted. Arthur was first and you scrambled after him, latching onto his arm and using the momentum of his horse to swing your leg over, skirts be damned. With a sharp cry, he urged his horse forward and away from town.

For a brief moment, you were free. Pounding hooves sounded behind you but were fading fast. The shouts of men continued to rip through the air, but you realized that they, too, were slowly growing faint.  And then a stabbing pain exploded in your thigh. A scream escaped before you could stop yourself. Trained well, Arthur didn’t stop his horse, but he tried to see what had happened, calling back to you with increasing desperation. You had been shot. The panic, the shortness of breath, and now the pain was too much. In a surprisingly short matter of seconds, black filled your vision and you were gone.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

The rustle of the trees. The soft sound of running water. Crackling of a campfire. Low voices outside your tent. Your hair brushing your face. Dull and throbbing pain in your leg. Heaviness in your chest. And, finally, the realization you were laying on a cot and not your usual bedroll. 

Slowly, your eyes blinked open. This definitely wasn’t your tent. These weren’t your blankets. Only the soft glow from the fire and a few lanterns shone on the one canvas wall. It was enough light to see that this was Arthur’s tent, the small table with his journal and flower, his photographs on the wagon side. His smell on the blankets. You breathed in deeply.

A snort by your feet caused you to startle. Sitting up slowly, you saw Arthur slumped in a chair, his hat drawn over his face, arms crossed as he breathed evenly, the occasional snore breaking the silence. An strong and sharp pain made you hiss and, in turn, woke the outlaw from his slumber. 

“You’re awake,” he mumbled, barely awake himself as he sat up. 

“Regrettably…”

“How’re you feelin’?”

“Honestly? Not great,” you said, chuckling a little. “But I’ve had worse. Why am I here?”

“Thought you might like a real bed. Well, realer than your bedroll. We can put you out for the wolves, if ya like.” His teasing tone was back, but it was more strained than normal. He looked absolutely exhausted. 

“No, this is fine. It’s… nice.”

Silence fell again. You stared at a thread on the sheet while Arthur stared at you. Usually there was a party the night after a big score, everyone drinking and being merry. There was a strange lack of boisterous laughter, though, and you had the weird feeling it was your doing. 

“How did we make out?”

“Oh, we escaped,” he said, leaning back in the chair again. “But we’re trapped here awhile, there’ll be law crawlin’ everywhere for a few weeks.”

“How much?”

Not even your fixation on the money got him to crack a smile.

“Dunno.” Shrug of his shoulders. “I’ve been in here, makin’ sure you don’t die.”

Arthur’s behavior was bizarre. You hadn’t seen him behave this way when another gang member was injured, not even when John had nearly been lost last year, and it was starting to worry you. Was there something else you didn’t know about? Was your injury more serious than he was letting on? For a moment, you studied his face, the ache and shadows clear in the weak light, and your heart skipped a beat when you saw the barest sign of a light track down his cheek.

“Arthur…” 

It was such a soft whisper, you weren’t sure he had heard you at first. He lifted his eyes to meet yours. You tried desperately to read him for a second before finally caving.

“Arthur, what happened? Did someone not make it?”

At long last, he managed a short huff of air that might be mistaken for laughter. Shaking his head, he leaned forward, elbows on his knees as he ran his hands across his face, removing his hat and setting it on his wardrobe. When he looked at you again, he actually had a small smile, and relief had replaced what you had mistaken for grief.

“No, no, nothin’ like that.”

“So what’s the matter?”

He tilted his chin up, exhaling long and low towards the sky, seemingly contemplating something. It was quiet for an achingly long time. Another deep sigh and he brought his chin back down, meeting your gaze steadily.

“I thought I was gonna lose you,” he murmured. “I heard the shot, your scream… I thought you were gone for sure.”

Okay… you thought, still bewildered. We’ve almost lost people before. What makes me special?

“And I didn’t get the chance to tell you…” You had seen him struggle with words in the past, but this was different. It was almost as if his voice was physically fighting him on saying anything. “I couldn’t stand to lose you, truth be told. You mean-- That is, you’re very important-- That’s, well…”

Tears pricked the corner of your eyes as you realized what he was trying to say. You didn’t dare utter a word, hoping, begging him to just spit it out. You weren’t positive this was happening, as now you were almost certain you had actually died and this was the beginning of your personal heaven.

“I can’t lose you, darlin’.”

The tears spilled over and dripped down your cheeks. You couldn’t even feel the pain in your thigh as it felt like a major weight had been lifted off of you. Arthur was startled, concern growing once more on his face at your tears, but when you started to grin and laughter bubbled up, he relaxed and looked as embarrassed as a school boy, dropping his eyes and smiling himself.

“I can’t tell you how happy that makes me to hear,” you finally said, shaking your head at the silliness of it all. “I can’t lose you, either, Arthur. You mean the world to me.”

Slowly, the cowboy rose from his seat and approached the edge of the cot. You gingerly shifted yourself over to allow him to sit beside you, and he took the opportunity. You soaked in the other’s presence for just a moment. With the softest gaze you had seen from him, Arthur returned his attention to you. He lifted a hand to cup your face, his rough thumb stroking your cheek as he drank in your features, looking truly content for the first time. Gracefully and ever the gentleman, he tilted your face up to meet his as he carefully kissed you. It was light at first. He was testing the waters, not pushing too fast. But when you met him eagerly, he leaned in, hard. 

You didn’t dare breathe for the duration of the kiss, your heart a frightening combination of pounding and not beating at all. The taste of whiskey lingered fresh on his lips and left your mouth tingling. When Arthur pulled away, you shifted forward slightly, not wanting it to end. But, courteous as always, he pressed a lingering kiss on your forehead and then sat back again. Your eyes flickered all over his face. You were still unsure if you could catch your breath.

“Wanted to do that for a long time,” he muttered. All you could do was nod. Wow…

“Can you stay with me?” you blurted out. “Tonight?”

“O’ course,” he agreed. He tugged his boots off as you scooted as far over as you could, lifting the sheet for him to crawl into. Warmth radiated from his skin and it was like stepping into a comfortable bath as he wrapped his arms around you. You sighed into his chest, drinking in his smell with your face buried in him, hands gripping his shirt. The dull sting in your leg was in the background of your mind. It didn’t matter to you, though; you were safe here. And this wasn’t going to end any time soon.

[uwuwriting]

Bakugou and Todoroki w/ future kids but they meet the reader first

Request: I know you just wrote the future kids thing but I never see the reverse scenario happen where the kid meets the reader. But maybe because they're young or the reader isn't with the boi (Bakugou in this case who doesn't have a hero name yet and maybe the reader doesn't either) The kid keeps saying his parents hero names until he finally runs into Bakugou. The kid didn't realize the reader was the mom until they stood next to Bakugou. - anonymous 

I really enjoyed writing the future kids requests mainly because they were the cutest along side some dad requests I got recently. So I chose these two since we don’t have hero names for them and you didn’t specify any characters so yeah. If you want me to write for others please don’t hesitate to ask. Love yaa.💖💖💖

warnings: fluff, some mild panic

Bakugou Katsuki

-You had gone shopping with Tsuyu and Ochako but had parted ways when the girls had been called in from their agencies. 

-Making your way back to the dorms, you were vibin along with your music when you felt a small tug at your pant leg.

-Looking down you were met with a pair of small e/c eyes staring back at you with a few stray ash blonde locks swaying along the autumn breeze. 

-The little figure stared at you for a moment, a poker face adorning his features before he spoke. 

- “Excuse me, do you know where the Ground Zero agency is?”

-You had never heard of such an agency and kneeling down you looked at the small boy.

- “I’m sorry sweetheart but I don’t know an agency by that name. Who are your parents? Maybe we can find them.”

-The boy looked at you with confusion and some irritation sprinkled on top, for a few moments before letting out a sigh and telling you that his parents were pro heroes.

-His mother apparently was on a mission across seas so they couldn’t really contact her  but his dad, the number two hero , Ground Zero  would definitely help. 

-At first you thought that the boy was confused since the number two hero right now was Hawks and you didn’t know anyone by that hero name. 

-And you told the boy that he was wrong but he was adamant, insisting that his daddy was number two.

-When you mentioned Hawks he titled his little head to the side and said rather matter of factly that Hawks had retired long before he was born.

-That was weird to say the least.

-With everything that the boy told you you were beyond confused and you decided to take him to Aizawa, thinking it was the best course of action. 

-Offering the boy your hand he hesitantly took it saying that his mommy always said that he shouldn’t trust strangers. 

- “But you look very familiar so I trust you. Kinda.”

-And with that you walked hand in hand to the dorms with the intention to find Aizawa in his room.

-Along the way however you heard yelling coming from the common room and you mentally prepared yourself for the tantrum that Katsuki must be throwing in there. 

-Halting your steps you leaned down to the boy ready to prepare him for what was to come only to be met with an ecstatic little human chanting ‘daddy’ under his breath.

-His eyes were practically shinning while he was making mini hops here and there, trying to mask his excitement. 

-If you were being honest he reminded you of yourself when you get fired up but his appearance practically screamed Bakugou at you.

-You have had a crush on Katsuki for some time now but you’ve attempted to drown your feelings and save yourself the humiliation and heart break. 

-Key word: attempted.

- “You excited there kiddo?”

-He looked up at you with a large smile on his tiny face.

- “That sounds like my daddy! Mommy always says that shouting might be part of his quirk and every time she says that, daddy and I need to tickle her until she takes it back.”

- “Well if your father is anything like the baka you are about to meet than god help your mother.” you mumbled under your breath, the boy too excited to pay attention to you, as you pushed the door open and stepped inside. 

-You made to walk to Aizawa’s room when his voice boomed through the room. 

- “Oi this isn’t a nursery. What are you doing?” 

- “Shut it Bakugou!’

- “Did you kidnap the kid? ‘Cause it seems that he’s trying to get away from your dumbass.”

-He wasn’t wrong. 

-The boy was trying to leave your grasp that you had unconsciously tightened when you started talking with Bakugou.

-The little boy looked back at you and mouthed ‘That’s daddy!!!’ before prying your hand off of his wrist and running to the couch that Bakugou was sitting. 

-He looked at the child with a scowl on his face, his eyes darting over the boys’ features noticing some resemblances to himself but also some of your characteristics. 

-The kid certainly had his hair and face structure but his eyes, nose and mouth were all you. 

-And don’t get him started on that cute grin he had on his face that was a carbon copy of the one you have. 

-Bakugou hated to admit that he had a crush on you. 

-You had caught his eye when you had roasted him during your first week of school and you two had been bickering back and forth ever since, feelings starting to develop on both sides but neither of you being brave enough to actually confess. 

- “Y/N why the hell is your brother looking at me like that?”

-At that the boy snapped his head to you, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape the grin he adorned just a few seconds ago being replaced by a really confused look. 

- “He’s not my brother, I found him! Now if you’ll excuse us I have to find Aizawa and clear things out.”

-The boy didn’t move an inch as you approached him, his eyes fixated on your face and as you leaned forward to grab him he wrapped both his arms around your neck and manhandled you onto the couch, making you fall on top of Katsuki. 

-The blushes on your faces were legendary.

-The kid was staring at you two and suddenly jumped on top of BOTH of you making Katsuki groan.

- “Mommy, mommy i thought you were in America with auntie Mina! Why did you pretend you didn’t know me? Why is daddy so small? Where are we?”

-Bakugou was staring at the kid shooting question after question as you on the other hand were on the brink of passing out from the word mommy. 

- “Oi, oi slow down. What’s your name shrimp?”

-He looked at Katsuki with a frown before roll his eyes and answering. 

- “Bakugou Tatsuo you old man.”

-They had to bring you to Recovery girl because you passed out and both Bakugou men were panicking.

Todoroki Shouto

-You didn’t know what hit you really. 

-You were lounging outside on your balcony enjoying the view the dorms gave you when you heard shouting from above you before you were frozen in place and a little ball of red hair came tumbling down the ice slide.

-It almost slammed against your glass door but stopped just on time, shaking the frost from the red locks. 

-As the child turned to you, her eyes widened and she quickly let out a string of sorry’s as she defrosted you, messing up her words many times and confusing the r with w.

-It was the cutest thing watching this five year old at best trying to melt her ice, her chubby hands resting on the iceberg as her nose scrunched up in concentration. 

-Eventually the ice melted and you were set free, rubbing your arms for some warmth as you looked at the child on your balcony more closely. 

- “I’m so sorry miss, I didn’t see you!!”

- “Well you were falling from the sky so I find it logical.”

-The little girl fidgeted with her fingers looking around in pure confusion, her lower lip trembling at the unfamiliar scenery in front of her. 

-Despite the clear panic in her gaze she held herself together, dawning a poker face soon after and looking at you straight in the eyes, her gaze feeling awfully familiar. 

- “I’m Rei. Nice to meet you.”

-She extended her hand and you were taken aback from her manners and the fact that you were being owned by a toddler. 

-Taking her small hand in yours you shake it and lead her inside, placing her on your bed and sitting across from her on your chair. 

-You stared at each other for a solid five minutes before you broke the silence with some basic questions. 

-How old she was, how she got here, where are her parents.

- “A kid got his quirk and things got out of hand. But my daddy will know what to do!! He’s a pro hero.”

- “Oh what’s his hero name? Maybe I can take you to him.”

- “Icyhot, he has an agency in the city but I don’t know how to get there.”

-At the sound of that name you were confused again. 

-Icyhot is Bakugou’s way of mocking Todoroki, your long time crush, and as far as you know there is no hero with that name,

-As you looked at the girl again you saw some similarities with Shouto.

-The hair and the poker face along with her quirk and some of her mannerisms scream Shouto.

-Even though her hair was the same color as his, she looked like you when you were around her age.

-Pushing your confusion in the back of your mind you looked at her again. 

- “Is you daddy Todoroki Shouto?”

-You wished that your first time referring to Shouto as daddy would be under him other circumstances. 

- “Yes!! Do you know him??”

-Oh you knew him alright.

-Nodding you sat up and extended your hand to the little girl, who grabbed it with no hesitation, and led her out of your room.

-And so the mad hunt for Todoroki began.

-Along the way Rei would tell you all kinds of stuff and share funny situations that her and her twin sister got themselves into. 

-Apperantly, Rei had a twin sister Ren and a younger sister who was recently added to the family, Ru. 

-You had been running around the school grounds for like an hour and you could feel Rei getting tired as she slowed down after a while. 

-She didn’t complain though. she just kept talking about her family and how her mom stayed at home for the last few weeks. 

-She was the cutest thing you have seen in a fat while and you could say that you were more than jealous of her mother, whoever she was.

-As you rounded a corner your eye caught sight of a head with vibrant red and white hair.

-And there stood Todoroki in all his glory holding a little girl of his own in his arms, this one with snow white hair.

-The moment Rei saw them she made a mad sprint and literally tackled both of them to the ground, the twins hugging each other like they weren’t suffocating Shouto. 

-You rushed to them, kneeling beside Shouto and prying the twins off of him, giving him a weak smile as you helped him up. 

-As you two stood there, the twins looked at you and something clicked.

-Both of them smiled to themselves and hugged you, nuzzling into yor side as Todoroki stared at you. 

-You all agreed to go to Aizawa or Recovery Girl to see how to get them back home.

-As you made your way to Aizawa’s office the twins were whispering to each other not as quietly as they thought. 

- “Mommy is really pretty.”

- “Yeah and daddy has that smile on his face.”

-You both became a blushing mess unbeknownst to them.

-You sure as hell had a lot to talk about after this. 

-And you’d finally get to call him daddy. 

TAG TEAM AY:

@brattyquirks​ , @the-arcana-fan-fic​

[just-someone-who-likes-to-write]

Nuada x Abused!Reader

(Requested by @athywinchester​ :Hello! May I have a Nuada x Abused Reader. So Reader works with Reds team, and she was in a very abusive past relationship. So Prince Nuada joining the team and Reader is jumpy tense and distant from him for the reason that he always looks intimidating, so Nuada gets frustrated that she aviods him but seems fine with Abe and Red and when he demands to know why Red explains her past. Nuada becomes intranced and both fall in love! Fluff and implied smut, protective Red and Abe! Thank you! ♥️)

(A/N): This honestly took longer than I expected and its probably the longest story I have wrote so far, but I liked the challenge and i hope all of your like the result!

Warning: Angst, Talk of abuse, fluff, implied smut, Grammatical Error.

Word Count: 6,587

Nuada and his sister were walking down one of the hallways in the B.P.R.D, talking about various thinks, simply enjoying the company of one another as if it was the old days before the war with the humans and them separate.

 "Brother, I assure you Abraham is treating me well." Said Nuala with a small smile.

 "Just keep reminding him that he will be punished for any wrong act he commits against you." Replied Nuada sternly. Nuala just nodded.

 Nuala is happy that her brother finally accepted her relationship with Abraham, but him being overprotective of her can be a bit troubling. Nevertheless, she enjoyed having her brother back. She was pulled out of her thoughts when she saw a familiar face walk opposite them, with her hand full of files and a troubled look on her face.

"(Y/n)!" She called with a smile, earning the agent's attention who smiled back at her.

 "Nuala, Hey!"

 (Y/n) called back moving closer to the princess but slowed down and the troubled look was back. Nuala was confused by the sudden hesitation to approach her, following her eyes she realized that she was staring at her brother who looked neutral, not showing disdain or hate towards the human agent, which Nuala couldn't helo but feel proud of that he is trying his best. However, her brother wasn't her main concern.

 "(Y/n)." She called again catching the girl's attention.

 "O…Oh!..hmm.." (Y/n) stammered not knowing what to say, she held tight to the files in her arms and started marching forward with her eyes averted to the side. "Sorry I have a lot of work to do, bye!"

 Nuala didn't get the chance to stop the female human as she went past her. The Elven princess blinked a couple of times at what just happened, confused by (Y/n) behavior.

 "What was…Strange." She said breaking the silence. Nuada sighed before he continued walking.

 "It is not your fault sister, its mine." He stated. Nuala's eyes furrowed and she followed him.

 "What do you mean brother?" She kept her eyes on him. His eyes seemed neutral as always but she could see that there was something else.

 "That human is scared of me for some reason." He answered.

 "Aren't all humans in here afraid of you?" She asked casual causing her brother to chuckle at her choice of words.

 "Some are, but they don't cower away as she does." He replied. "When I was first given my freedom all the humans feard me including her, but now, they all mustered the courage to approach me, except for her."

 Nuala was surprised by how bothered her brother looked at the idea of (Y/n) avoiding and fearing him.

 "Maybe she is just intimidated by other creatures." Nuala said trying to assure him but he only shook his head.

 "She isn't." he answered. "If she was then she would be terrified of Hellboy and Abraham but she seems very close with them."

 Nuala stayed silenced for a while not sure of what else to say to assure her dear brother that he wasn’t in the wrong. She bit her lower lip and looked down at her hands with a thoughtful stare. Then an idea came to her.

 "I can figure out the real reason." She said and her brother looked at her with a raised brow. She continued. "We spend a lot of time together in the library maybe I could ask her, or at least touch her skin and-"

 She stopped when Nuada held up his hand stopping her. He turned fully to face her.

 "I appreciate you willing to use your powers for me, sister." He started. "But I know how much you dislike using your powers on others, even if it was for me, I don't wish for you to do it."

 Nuala wanted to say something but only smiled at her brother.

 "Very well brother, if that is what you wish." She said with a nod.

 "It is." He nodded back.

 They resumed walking together for a while but Nuada broke the silence.

 "Although, I wouldn't mind telling her that I am not as bad as I look."

 Nuala just nodded as she smiled knowingly at him.

 ---

 Swinging his blade swiftly Nuada was able to decapitate the last creature they were sent to kill, but he didn't care for that. The Elven prince was more concerned for the little human who joined them on this mission. He tried to keep close in order to protect her and to show her that he meant wished no harm to her. However, while he was distracted with the piled up creatures the human must have slipped away because when he turned back she wasn't there. It frustrated him. He started to make his way out of the hallway from the second floor, wondering if the little human was safe when he heard shouting from the foyer on the first floor. Nuada walked slower as he peaked down and saw that the source of the noises was Hellboy, with him were you and Abraham.

 "Great work shrimp!" Exclaimed Hellboy with a laugh.

 "Thanks, Red!" She shouted back with a big smile. Nuada's eyes slightly widened at the sight of your smile.

 Hellboy then picked you up with his stone hand, causing you to let out a sound of surprise. Nuada was about to step forward and stop the demon but stopped when he heard you let out a series of laughter.

 "Let me down, you red abe!" You shouted hitting his back playfully.

 Nuada looked at the scene folding in front of him with almost a pained look when he confirmed that you feard only him and not just other mythical creatures.

 When they finally got out of the ruined manor that was a nest to those creatures they just killed, Nuada stayed a safe distance and he kept watching your interaction with Hellboy and Abraham and you didn't cower at her touch, voice or even sight. Nuada wouldn't admit it out loud but his appearance almost resembled a human's, if his eyes and skin were in a different color, compared to the demon and the fish he didn't look intimidating a lot. Nuada looked up when he noticed that you had to leave the two to join the other humans, that was his chance to approach. He walked a beeline towards Hellboy catching his attention and before he could question what the Elf wanted Nuada spoke.

 "Why does (Y/n) fear me?" He asked bluntly, his face and voice calm and neutral.

 "Uh…what?" Asked Hellboy who seemed taken it back by the sudden question. Abraham just blinked and watched.

 "The female Human named (Y/n)." He started to explain. "She has been avoiding me since the day I joined the Organization. At first, I thought because she fears mythical creatures like any other human, but I always see her acting so friendly to you both, so I am why does she fear me?... and how can I…stop it?..."

 Nuada didn't want to result in asking anyone for help, not wanting to seem desperate or weak in front of anyone. But the human girl made him reach his limits and just wanting answers. Hellboy just looked at him with a raised brow confused, then his eyes narrowed dangerously at the young prince. He placed his stone hand on his shoulder and squeezed, not enough to crush the elf's shoulder but enough to make him wince in pain. Hellboy leaned forward to the prince.

 "Are you planning to hurt (Y/n)?" He asked in a harsh whisper, "Cause I promise to make you regret the thought of it."

 "Red stop!" Said Abraham panicking as he released Hellboy's hold on Nuada. "You are going to hurt Nuala!"

 Despite knowing that Abraham can't stand a chance against the demon's strength, Hellboy let go of Nuada for his friend's sake. Nuada brought his hand up to massage his shoulder knowing full well that it will bruise. He will have to check on Nuala when her returns. Hellboy was going to say something else to the elf but Abraham came between them facing the demon.

 "Why are ya stopping me blue?" Hellboy asked with furrowed brows.

 "Because you misunderstood Nuada's intention, he means no harm for sister (Y/n). In fact, he wishes to befriend her." Abraham said carefully when he turned to look at the surprised prince he explained. "Nuala told me of what was happening."

 "And what is happening?" Asked Hellboy confused.  He looked between Abraham and Nuada.

 "It appears that sister (Y/n) is… intimidated by Nuada." Abraham explained. Hellboy's glare was back to the prince but Abraham quickly continued earning the attention back to him.

 "Red…I think she is ….still…hmm…" He struggled with what he wanted to say, but then found it better to just whisper what he wants to say to his friend.

 Nuada observed as Hellboy's eyes widened in realization. He pulled away and looked down at his friend with a look of concern.

 "But I thought she got over it." He whispered back but Nuada could hear him. Abraham shook his head.

 "No one truly gets over such thing Red." He started to explain. "They either let the pain consume them forever or cope with it or learn from it. (Y/n) got better not because she was strong but also because she had us by her side at all times until she was free again... or at least that what it seems."

 "What do you mean?" Asked Hellboy as calmly as he could.

 "Deep down (Y/n) is still affected by what happened and I believe that prince Nuada's presence somehow triggered those feelings back."

 Nuada frowned at his words. It's true that he still didn't understand what they were speaking of but he heard enough to know that (Y/n) was hurt in some way and he somehow is making her reliving it.

 "What are you doing still standing here?" They all turned and saw it was a displeased Manning. "Get in that truck and return to HQ, we already have enough in our hands."

 Without another word Hellboy, Abraham and Nuada aborded the vehicle and stayed silent throughout the entire way back. There were a lot of moments that Nuada wanted to say something, his mind was filled with questions that he demanded answers to, but he can sense the tension around Hellboy, for apparently whatever you have been through it angered him greatly. When they finally reached HQ Nuada was planning to talk to Abraham and get answers from him, even if the idea angered him.

 "Hey…"

 Nuada looked up and saw that it was Hellboy looking down at him with no previous malic.

 "Come to my room tomorrow morning, but not too early."

 He said simply before walking away not giving a chance to the Elvin prince to say or ask anything. Deciding that this will be better than being alone with Abraham Nuada went back to his room unable to sleep waiting for the next morning anxiously, through it his mind kept imagining the many possibilities of what he will learn tomorrow, of you, of your past.

 ---

 Standing in front of the giant heavy Iron door or Hellboy and his spouse's room. He reached for the small keyboard on the side with the screen and camera and pushed a button to form the demon that there is someone who wishes to enter. From what Nuada learned, Hellboy used to be locked in his room until one of the agents opened the door for him but after defeating him, his army and learning of the human Liz's pregnancy the organization allowed them the freedom to roam around without a schedule. The heavy door started to unlock and Nuada took a cautious step back allowing the door to slowly swing open, but it didn't need to open all the way for Nuada to see A shirtless Hellboy standing behind it.

 "Good morning." Nuada greeted first. His relationship with Hellboy might still be rocky but he never forgets his etiquettes

 "….morning." Mumbles Hellboy before turning around and walked back into the room, Nuada didn't what for an invitation as he walked in after him.

 Nuada was genuinely surprised when he found the room clean and organized. Sounds of purring caught his attention, he looked down to see a couple of cats rubbing on his legs when he followed the trails of other cats he saw in the corner a placed filled with cat toys, cat food, toward scratchers, and the opposite side the letterbox. Nuada furrowed his brows in disgust.

 "I maybe succeeded in cleaning this room, but I can never be able to talk him into giving up those cats." A feminine voice called.

 Nuada turned a saw a heavily pregnant Liz carrying a plat of food which Hellboy quickly took from, and started setting up the small table.

 "The same way I can't talk you out of not moving too much." He said making Liz roll her eyes. She turned to the prince and greeted him good morning which he returned.

 "I was honestly surprised when Red told me that you are joining us for breakfast." She said as she made her way to the table and sat down with a small groan. Nuada followed.

 "He isn't here to just join us for breakfast." Said Hellboy almost disgruntledly, causing Liz to look at him with a confused look.

 "I asked for Hellboy's help last night and he told me to come to him in the morning." Informed Nuada.

 "Problem?" Questioned Liz and she looked between the two beings. "What problem?... What is going on red?"

 He stayed silenced for a while thinking his words carefully, before setting down across from Nuada. He licked his lips nervously.

 "(Y/n) is… terrified from Nuada." He started. When seeing the hint of flame starting to spark from her skin in anger he continued. "Because she is still hurt from what happened before?"

 Her flames died down in realization and the angry look was replaced with one of sadness.

 "Oh no…" Was all that she could say.

 "I came to Hellboy in hopes of knowing the reason for her fear of me." Said Nuada hiding the irritation he felt for being still left in the dark.

 Hellboy and Liz shared a look before he let out a sigh.

 "Its something that happened to her a few years ago, Before you came along." Started Hellboy. "(Y/n) was a new agent and one of the few who didn't judge someone easily by the way they looked or what others said about them. which made her a great asset and a cool person to be around. However, Because of her kind self, it also can make her… A target to some…lowlife, manipulative bastard!.. who deserves to be-"

 "Red!" Called Liz putting her hand over her lover's to calm him, Hlleboy squeezed her hand and released a sigh before looking.

 "She started seeing someone." He continued. "They went out a few times and seemed like a decent guy. He made her laugh, feel appreciated and loved, gave her attention, it wasn't long until they started living together, which if I was being honesty felt jealous of… Anyway, after they started living together something…changed."

 "Changed?" repeated Nuada as he unconsciously leaned forward. Hellboy nodded finding it a little difficult to continue.

 "She started keeping her distance from us." Interrupted Liz giving her lover a reassuring look that she will take over.

 "She stopped visiting Abe and Red or even be around them, she started ignoring me and would exit any room I enter immediately. We noticed the change but thought nothing of it for it wasn't the first time someone tries to befriend us only to fear us in the end… But then I heard from other girls how her body was… filled… with bruises. I ignored it at first thinking it was only from practice or missions, but then we find her every now and then doing paperwork because one of her legs or arms were broken."

 "One of?" Nuada questions with a displeased look.

 "Yes." Confirmed Liz. "It happens every few months, when one of her arms heals, then we find one of her legs is broken. After having 3 limps broken in the span on months the B.P.R.D assigned her for paperwork, pulling her completely from field missions."

 Nuada listened silently with a dark look, he already knew what was happening but he still wanted to hear the end.

 "Then what happened?" he asked, urging for her to continue.

 "Then the disappearing started." Hellboy took over. "She wouldn't show up for days sometimes a whole week, and when she did show up she looked…deranged… If he wasn't around for her to follow she would be lost, not that he ever gave her space."

 "How did you find out?" Nuada asked feeling his blood boil the more he listened, but kept a calm façade.

 "I found him hit her in one of the empty hallways." Said Liz bitterly, the table under her hand started to show black spots of fire she tries to suppress. "She was pleading him to stop, she was crying but he kept going while degrading her. I was so angry that I don't remember a lot of what happened, all I know is that I marched out of there with (Y/n) while he was screaming in the background, I found out later from manning that I burned his entire right arm disfiguring it."

 "That's the least of what he deserved." Muttered Hellboy angrily.

 "And then?" Asked Nuada, his voice filled with malice no longer hiding his anger.

 "I took her to the library knowing that the bastard won't dare come closer to anywhere near Abe or Red." She continued. "I tried to make her talk but she couldn't, she was too petrified by what he would do to her later."

 "She didn't need to say anything." Said Hellboy. "Blue told us everything that she had suffered through. It started with the drunk rages, he would break things, slam his fist on the wall and slap her. Then he demanded that she breaks contact with us, but when she refused he would hit her some more but resulted in breaking her limps because he knew that she will still be around us even through missions."

 "Why didn't she fight back?" Nuada almost yelled. "I saw her fight, I saw how she deals with others idiocy, she is a strong woman who fears nothing, how can she allow that!"

 Liz and Hellboy were taken it back by his sudden outburst, surprised that he actually cares about a human, about you.

 "… Because back then she wasn't the same strong woman today." Explained Liz. "He manipulated her made her feel as if she needed him and how she will be lost without him. There are those times when she did fight back…but… He would …"

 "He would what?" Asked Nuada. "What worst can he possibly do?"

 "Whenever she fought back he would lock her up in the basement, with no light, food, or water for several days."

 Nuada's eyes widened at what he heard. Humans can truly be disgusting and selfish creatures, but to go as far as destroying an innocent person both mentally and physically just for the idea that they can, disgust him greatly. His vision turned red with bloodlust, he wanted more than to find that human and make him pay for everything he had done. His hand unconsciously traveled to the blade resting on his side, which Hellboy noticed.

 "Calm down there, big guy." Said Hellboy putting his left hand on his shoulder in a comforting manner. "I can understand your anger, but I'm both glad and sad to say that he no longer works here anymore."

 "Where is he?" Asked Nuasda with narrowed eyes.

 "It's kind of a long story but I will shorten it. After Lizzy burned his hand Manning came to confront her, which lead to us telling him everything that he had done, there was a lot of camera footage and clinical files to show that he was a rotten man, but the nail on the coffin was (Y/n)'s confession and the evidence in their home. The bastard made a lot of commission when they transferred him to who knows where, but they fired him completely when he tried to expose the B.P.R.D in anger of what we did to him. But they… Shut him up."

 Hellboy said the last part with a dark chuckle,

 "What about (Y/n)?"

 The chuckle died and a sad look crossed Hellboy's eyes.

 "It was a long journey for (Y/n) to reach what she is today." He began. "She kept waking up screaming at night thinking he was at the door, she cried, doubted herself and nearly quit her job. They wanted to send her away saying how she wasn't mentally stable, no longer fit to work for the organization but… My Father kept her around fighting them back every time they tried to fire (Y/n)."

 "If it wasn't for him (Y/n) wouldn't have been here with us." Said Liz with a soft smile. "With people who would care and love her."

 There was a long silence between them before Nuada finally spoke.

 "She fears me because I remind her of that disgusting being."

 The couple shared a look, silently conversing on what should they say or do next because Nuada seemed genuinely upset that you fear him so much. Then Hellboy finally said.

 "Did you try talking to her?" He asked.

 "I did but she always runs away before I'm even able to say "Hello" to her." Answered Nuada.

 "Maybe show her that you mean no harm and wish her good?" Said Liz, Nuada shook his head at her words.

 "When we go on missions I try my best to protect her but when I turn around she is already gone."

 "Tell Nuala to talk to her for you, they seem pretty close." Siad Hellboy thinking he got it.

 "I already told Nuala to tell her that I mean no harm but nothing came up yet."

 Hellboy and Liz looked at each other again troubled by what to say next, Hellboy was mostly annoyed. They both struggled to find a solution and Nuada could read it clearly in their faces, he released a defeated sigh and stood up, surprising them both.

 "Thank you for your hospitality and help, I have to excuse myself now." He bowed slightly to them before turning around to leave.

 "Hey, what are you going to do with (Y/n)?" Asked Hellboy, Nuada shrugged.

 "I think I will just do my best to avoid her." He said almost nonchalantly but the hurt is in his eyes. "The last thing I want is to make her relive her nightmare."

 He started walking away contemplating what he had just learned of you. His mind filled with memories from he first saw you, back when he was still trying to kill humans, he was filled with so much anger and hate. Maybe that's what caused her to fear him.

 "Wait!" Called Liz pulling him out of his thoughts. He turned to face her.

 "Next week there will be a party everyone will be there including (Y/n), take that chance in talking to her." Nuada looked at her with a raised brow.

 "But she runs away at the mere sight of me." He reminded.

 "But maybe she will be more confident knowing that we are around her and stay around." From her voice alone Nuada can tell that she as well wasn't sure about that idea but it was worth a try. He released a defeated sigh.

 "Very well, I will be at that party." He said with a nod and thanked them again before exiting the room.

 ---

 When Liz told him that there will be a party he expected people in fancy attire, a dance floor with couples waltzing, And the air filled with classic music. He did not expect the disaster he saw. The room was flashing with colorful, blinding lights, the music was too loud and disturbing that he can even hear his thoughts. The humans wearing ragged clothes calling it "Fashionable", making him regret wearing his formal wear not because he stuck out but because he thought they don't deserve seeing him at his best look. And lastly, their dancing, it made Nuada's spine with how they were all rubbing at each other as if they were an animal in heat. He shook his head and cleared his thoughts ignoring everything around him. He reminded himself that him coming here and wearing his best wasn't for the humans' sake. It was for him to get a chance at impressing the human named (Y/n). He scanned the room frowning at the sight of anything that displeased him, he tried finding The demon and his spouse, he wanted to confirm that they are there for him when he did decide to talk to (Y/n).

 Nuada froze and his eyes widened when his eyes fill on none other than her and he was taken it back with what he saw. He saw your smile before, a beautiful smile that warmed his heart and made him smile unconsciously. But wasn't prepared to see how radiating you were tonight. Your (H/c) hair was styled in a way that showed you face and wore a beautiful knee-length (F/c) dress, it was off-shoulder with sleeves that reached your elbows, the upper part hugged your waist and the lower part flowed making you look elegant. Seeing you made him glad that he did wear formally. He couldn't take his eyes from you, you were talking to other agents and laughing at whatever they were saying making him feel a little jealous that he wasn't the cause of that smile. He didn't know for how long he was staring at your direction but he was snapped back to reality when he saw your friends leave you to dance.

 He looked around him one last time hooping to spot either Hellboy or Liz but he saw no one, with a huff he decided that he couldn't wait anymore. He marched up to you avoiding the humans that didn't notice him walk by, he followed you to the table with the beverages and when he finally was close enough he realized that he didn't know what to say. But it was too late and to make it worst the deafening music died down, playing soft music. Biting the inside of his check he mustered up the courage to walk closer and took a deep calming breath. Your back was to him so he coughed lightly to catch your attention. You jumped at that.

 "Oh sorry!... I didn't mean to hog the drinks I will move right now-" Your words stopped when you turned around and saw him.

 He could see how your eyes widened in horror, but he still tried to give a charming smile, and before he could say anything you spoke first.

 "Sorry." You muttered before trying to move away and escape his presence.

 "Please wait!" He called not liking how desperate it came out but in a way grateful because you stopped and turned to him.

 "Yes?" You said still clenching your cup nervously. Nuada noticed how tense you are.

 "Did you read anything interesting?" He asked and when the question left his lips he wanted to punch himself in the face from how stupid the question was. Why am I nervous?

 "Excuse me?" You asked confused making your shoulder slump slightly losing previous tension.

 "Hmm… My sister told me a lot about how the two of you would spend most of your time together reading." He explained. You gave him an odd look.

 "You… told Nuala to spy on me?" You asked almost panicking, Nuada's eyes widened at your accusation.

 "What?..No…I…" He struggled. "I .. I might have asked her to tell me about you… But not spying!"

 The more Nuada tried to explain the more intimidated you looked by him.

 "I should have waited for Hellboy."

 "Good evening (Y/n)." A familiar voice called, and when they both turned they saw Nuala in a blue dress smiling at them both.

 "Hey, Nuala." You greeted back awkwardly. She came forward standing between both of you.

 "What were you talking about?" She asked innocently that Nuada didn't fall to unlike you, he knew his sister is here with a purpose.

 "We were… walking about how … Nuada… asked you to.. spy?...  on me?" You answered questioning her if that was true. Nuala laughed lightly.

 "He never asked me to spy on you silly." She replied Nuada gave his sister an odd look.

 "He didn't?"

 "No, of course not." She said causing both you and Nuada to let out a sigh of relief that the misunderstanding was cleared.

 "But he always asking me about you." That made Nuada tense and stare at his sister with wide eyes, and he wasn’t the only one as.

 "H..He does?" You stuttered. Nuada saw how tense you were being again, and he was ready to turn around, giving up on the whole ordeal, but his sister wrapped her arm around his forbidding him from leaving.

 "Yes." She answered with a smile. "My brother found you interesting and wished to know more about you, but unfortunately there never seems to be enough time or the right place, thus seeking me for answers."

 "Oh… hmm…" You blushed in embarrassment because you knew you were avoiding him on purpose, but you didn't know that they already knew. "I'm… sorry, your… your highness?..."

 "Please stop." He said when he saw you attempting a bow. "And call by my name Nuada, I am sorry for not introducing myself properly."

 "No it's alright, I already know your name we work together after all." You quickly reassured him.

  "I'm Glad." Nuada was relieved to see you attempting a smile, causing him to smile.

 Although the tension between the two of you was still there, Nuala was the one to bring topics to discuss between you. She would bring something about her brother that she knew would interest (Y/n) and she would do the same thing with her brother for (Y/n). As the conversation was going smoothly Nuala started to pull herself away when seeing how engrossed the two of you become with each other without you two noticing. She had seen her how her brother was staring at you, and when she witnessed his failed attempt to talking to you she decided to come forward and save him.

 Nuala glanced over her shoulder and saw how you were talking excitedly with a smile while her brother listened to you with pure interest. She could tell that something was going to blossom between the two of you and she can't wait for it to be.

 ---

 "Sorry for forcing you to say with me (Y/n) I knew how you wanted to go on that mission." Said Liz as she was rocking the bundle in her arm.

 "Don't say that Lizzy, I love spending time with you and the twins and besides…" You avoided the fire that the baby you were carrying burped making you laugh. "Helping you take care of these two is a mission itself."

 Hellboy, abe, and Nuada on a mission leaving you with Liz and Nuala, you could have gone with them but when you saw how Liz and Nuala were struggling with the twins recently you decided to stay and give a helping hand. Nuala comes beside you and reached out to rub the little red plump cheek causing them to smile and for the both of you to go "Awww" over how cute they looked. You looked back at Liz.

 "I'm always ready to help with them." You said with a smile.

 "This one is gonna need to change soon." Said Nuala calmly. Your eyes slightly widened and your smile became weary.

 "Ok, maybe not …one-hundred percent there..."

 That made the two girls laugh as you handed the child to Nuala and kept your distance. Just then the heavy door of the room opened slowly signaling that they have returned. You turned and saw Hellboy, abe, and Nuada, your eyes softened at the sight of the Elven prince and when his eyes fell on you, you shared a knowing look.

 "Where is my family." Called Hellboy as he rushed to his wife and children. Abraham went for Nuala, and Nuada stood between you and his sister.

 Although he was keeping a calm façad you could feel his eyes staring at you, and you glanced up at him when your eyes met again he smiled at you and you smiled back trying not to blush heavily. You had to avert your eyes so no one would notice you.

 "How was your mission?" Asked Liz breaking you out from whatever you were lost in.

 "It was easy." Said Red not breaking his play with his kids. "I finished as fast as I can to come back here."

 "Well, I think I will have to excuse myself." You said with a smile, Hellboy snapped his head up at you.

 "Where are you going we just got here."

 "Red leave her, she has been helping me none stop with the kids she probably wants to rest." Said Liz with a warning look. He nodded his head and looked back to you.

 "Thanks (Y/n) you can go if you want." He smiled at you and you smiled back with a nod.

 "It's alright Red, good night everyone." You said and they all replied.

 But before you left you tucked your hair behind your ear and Hellboy's eyes widened at what he saw. There was a bruise in your neck.

 "Stop." He commanded causing you to freeze. He layed his child gently down before marching up to you. He was focused on you that he didn't notice Nuada's hard stare. He stopped in front of you and pointed at your neck. "What is that?"

 "What?" You instinctively reached for your neck.

 "There is a bruise!" He said almost too loudly.

 He could see the panic in your eyes but that was the only thing he was focused on because if he wasn't so filled with rage he would have noticed your heavy blush. His eyes narrowed at the bruise.

 "Is someone hurting you again?" He asked but he didn't wait for your answer for the moment your eyes quickly glanced at Nuada then back at him he turned to the Elven prince. "You!?"

 He marched to him and was about to reach for the prince's neck before you came between them protecting Nuada.

 "Move aside (Y/n), so I can snap his neck." He ordered still glaring at the elf who was staring at you with awe.

 "No Red, Nuada didn't do anything." You defended.

 "You can't lie to me!... He caused that bruise." Exclaimed Hellboy while pointing at the "Bruise".

 "He didn't!... I..I mean… H.. he did but..." You stammered.

 "But what?!"

 "It's not a bruise!"

 "Then what is it!?

 "It's Hecky!" You finally screamed out with your face beat red and eyes shut.

 You can feel how the room became dead silence except for the twin's whimpering. You felt a hand on your shoulder and when you looked around you saw Nuada giving your shoulder a reassuring squeeze that he was with you, which you smiled at. When you turned to look back to the rest you saw that shocked look of everyone especially Red's.

 "A…Hecky?" Repeated Hellboy still not believing what he just heard. You looked away embarrassed.

 "Y..Yeah.."

 "…With him?" Asked Hellboy as he pointed at Nuada.

 "Y..Y...Yeah." You bit your lower lip nervously. "We have been… meeting "

 "I knew it!" Exclaimed Liz joyfully.

 "It was about time you finally tell us." Said abe with a grin that matched Nuala's. Hellboy looked confused at everyone in the room.

 "Am I the only one who didn't know!?" He questioned, His eyes widened as he watched Nuada wrapped his arms around your waist and buried his face in your neck.

 "It was obvious Red." Said Liz with an eye roll. "They always eat together."

 "Talk every day for hours an end, only  separated when they are forced too." Continued abe.

 "Disappear together, and show up together." Finished Nuala with wink making you blush.

 Hellboy looked at you almost hurt. You gently pushed yourself away from Nuada who let go willingly.

 "Why didn't you tell me kiddo?" He asked.

 "I.. was afraid you would overreact…because of… what happened last time." You answered looking down.

 There was a pause before you felt his stone hand petting your head ruffling your hair in the process. When you looked up you saw a soft smile.

 "Don't be afraid kiddo." He informed. "I can understand your fear of telling me, and to be honest I would have reacted the same way even if you did tell me eventually."

 You giggled at that.

 "…But to see you finally truly happy makes me happy, and if that happiness is from princy here then it's alright. At least he treats you like a gentleman…" Hellboy then leaned down and whispered. "He does treat you like a gentleman doesn't he?"

 You laughed at his question pushing him away playfully.

 "Of course he does." You said before wrapping your arms around Hellboy pulling him for a hug. "Thanks, Red, for everything."

 "No problem." He returned the hug. And when you pulled away he gently pushed you aside to stand before Nuada who looked unfazed. He pointed a stone finger o his face.

 "If you hurt her in any way I will break your bones." He said threateningly.

 "Red!" Exclaimed Abraham panicking.

 "It alright, I will allow it." Said Nuala calmly with a smile.

 "Nuala!" Exclaimed Abe at her, which made everyone laugh at him.

 It wasn't long before everyone departed to their rooms and instead of waiting until you were alone, you were happy to leave while holding your lover's hand. You sighed exhaustedly.

 "That was scary." You said.

 "It honestly went better than I expected." Replied Nuada as he let go of your hand to wrap his arm around you to bring you closer, you chuckled.

 "I thought he would end up chasing you around, trying to kill you."

 "I believe if you didn't intervene he would have"

 Both of you shared a laugh as you continued your walk to your room. when you got closer you could feel Nuada's hands travel down your body that his hand now rested on your hip, causing a shiver to travel down your spine and your face to slightly flush. He leaned over that he was close to your ear and whispered heatedly.

 "May I spend the night again with you?"

 Your heart was beating fast at this part. Every night since you started being intimate he would ask for your consent first before he could go any further, it was thoughtful of him to ask first you thought but it was still very embarrassing. Nuada of course would stop if you said "No"…But you honestly never could. You looked up to him from your lashed while biting your lower lip.

 "You may."

 At your answer, his hand squeezed your hip gently and his eyes stared at you in a predatory way that made your body shiver with excitement.

 Correction, you never Want to say "No" to him.

--- 

I hope you all enjoyed this story, and be excited for more in the future.

[guiltysecretpasttime]

Blended - 2

As you can see - so I decided to pursue Blended. Originally, there was no serious plot to this, I swear. I was just winging it but before I knew it - I was exploring this interesting new AU that I’ve unearthed and I thought, eh why not? Now, I have quite a backstory for our main characters here. Which, unfortunately, will not yet be revealed below but just the same, hope you like this!

---

Title: Blended

Previous installment here.

Legend of Korra, Lin/Tenzin, Modern AU, no bending

Multi-part, WIP

—

Narook’s

Lin sucked in a deep breath. She released it slowly, counting up to five.

Her eyes blinked, wishing for all the strength in the universe not to forsake her.

She had taught her sons never to play the break-up one-up game but good Agni, she wanted to say that she is winning this particular break-up even a decade or so after.

Yes Lin, you can do this. You have won this break-up.

She tried to give herself an imaginary fist pump.

Yes, sure. Real mature of you.

Feeling that she had done enough pep talk, Lin plastered a smile on her face. She had gotten good at this in the past years after all.

Now or never. For Jinora.

She crossed the room quickly. “Hey kid, sorry I’m late.” Lin pressed a kiss on Jinora’s hair, not meeting the eyes of the other occupants of the booth. The young girl faced her to give a kiss and a hug in return. “Of all the days, I know.” Lin focused on tucking some stray hair strands behind Jinora’s ear. “I don’t even know why Mr Sato has an assistant if the man barely follows his own schedule.”

She finally took a seat and faced the now gaping man across her.

“Ah – this is my mom –,” Jinora started to introduce her at the same time that Lin extended her hand.

“I’m Lin, Jinora’s mom. Nice to meet you.”

The bald man automatically reached to grasp her hand to shake it He was a beat too slow to release her hand and Lin involuntarily frowned at that.

Ikki elbowed her father. “His name is Tenzin.” She added helpfully. “He’s my dad.”

No kidding.

She put up the menu as a shield between them to prolong the inevitable conversation; a ruse of reviewing the food and beverage lists even if the diner has yet to update it in the past five years.

Belatedly, all her uncharitable thoughts about the faceless man that was Ikki’s father came to the forefront of her mind.  

Figures he would be that stuffy businessman who did not have his kids play with the neighborhood kids.

Speaking of kids…

The two girls were sharing a plate of waffles beside them. The waffles were slathered with butter, whipped cream, maple syrup and sprinkled on with chopped peanut butter cups. She frowned and glared at the man across her from behind the menu. That was a sugar overload and sugar crash waiting to happen. And happen it will when the two girls would be in her care later today. He would not have to deal with that.

Tenzin only had a cup of coffee in front of him. She eyed the porcelain canisters at the side containing cream and sugar. The sugar bowl was only a third full and she would bet that it was full earlier before he had his hands on it.

She put down the menu and decided they have had enough time.

Lin waved a waiter over and requested for a tall glass of lemonade.

Tenzin was still looking at her apprehensively.

As he should.

If he thinks I will cash in on this 'renewed' connection, he is very much mistaken.

“So, I believe you have some concerns about Ikki staying over?” Lin was pleased to note that her voice did not even waver at any point.

She felt the curious eyes of the kids turn to them; their own conversation turning into whispers.

That seemed to snap Tenzin out of his thoughts.

“That is - that- no I don’t -.” He stammered unbecomingly.

Lin briefly wondered how this man managed to lead a conglomerate with this level of eloquence.

Ikki pounced on this. “Does it mean I can stay over at Jinora’s and Ms Lin’s? I promise I will behave, Daddy. And I swear we will produce the best project ever – with glitters, and sparkles and all the colors.” She beamed from the side, clutching at her father’s arm in excitement.

“It’s not our first sleepover at the house,” Lin interjected gently. “But I understand it’s Ikki’s first time to sleep over that is not with family. So you might have some questions for me – about the overnight stay.” She amended quickly, if the look in his eyes meant that he did have questions - just not related to the sleepover.

He motioned to speak but was interrupted by the serving placing a glass of lemonade between them.

“Well,” Lin calmly took a sip. “I could probably start with my questions and just chime in if there’s anything that comes to your mind.” She pulled out a pen and a small notepad from her bag. “Does she have allergic reactions to food -?”

“Shrimp and crab.” Tenzin responded in a subdued manner, absentmindedly stirring his coffee. A habit that Lin knew to indicate his nervousness.

“That won’t be a problem because,” Lin began but was interrupted by her daughter.

“Me too!” Jinora pointed to herself with a grin. “I’m allergic to crab and shrimp as well!”

There was a small shriek as the two girls began chattering about being besties and twinsies.

Tenzin’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion at the display.

If that was how they would react over a common allergy (of all things that they could get from their father, it would be his ironic allergy to shellfish, which was to his mother’s consternation – but that’s a different story), wait until they realize they were sisters, Lin idly pondered.

She froze.

Sisters.

It did not dawn on her until then, put in simplistic terms, the two girls are related. She looked at them thoughtfully now, trying to see similarities in their features.

Half-sisters.

Lin corrected herself. Everyone knew how much she had clung to that particular distinction in her own family.

She clicked her pen and noted down in neat precise letters about Ikki’s allergy. “How about emergency numbers or any medicines that she needs to take regularly?”

Tenzin lifted Ikki’s bag, he showed her the bag tag which has all the emergency numbers. He also stated that there were no other allergies or any meds that the kid needs to take.

The pen continued to scratch on the pad.

Pen scratched on the pad.

“Bed time?”

“I'll leave it to your judgment to what's reasonable.” The fingers continued to hold the spoon that stirred the coffee. “They are bound to stay up later because of the project, I suppose.”

A back and forth of more questions and answers continued in the same vein.

When Lin (and Tenzin) was satisfied with the childcare information, flipped back the note pad and kept it and the pen back in her bag. “Alright then, are you really okay with Ikki staying over? If not,” She peered at him, gauging his reaction. “I can easily bring her back to your house later tonight.”

Tenzin shook his head with conviction. “No need, I mean, yes, it’s okay for her to spend time with you.” His face looked stricken at what he said. “No that’s not why I’m implying – I mean.”

Lin resisted rolling her eyes. “I get it.”

 ---

“I get it.”

Did she really, though?

Tenzin tilted his head down, stirring his coffee again, which has gone cold really. He did not dare ask for another refill as he had lost count of how many he had drank in his nervousness.

He inattentively watched the interaction of his daughter with Lin and her daughter.

Lin laughed at something Ikki was talking about.

If nothing else, Lin looked –

Happy.

Contented.

Tenzin was happy, truly, that his childhood friend (among other epithets he had for her, he thought heavily) is in a good place. He would be lying to claim that she did not cross his mind once in a while. He did wonder what had become of her. Their parting was not…ideal. And that was putting it very very lightly.

Now, here he was years later, sitting across her, having finished a conversation about their respective daughters. Lin was warm to Ikki, and he was thankful that she did not seem to bear a grudge against his daughter because of their past.

It was a surreal scenario, to say the least.

If Bumi had told him that was what he would be doing that Friday afternoon, he would have probably slapped his brother upside the head. Or checked his breath for the stench of alcohol.

This was not a normal Friday afternoon for him.

When Lin sat in their booth, he felt a chill run up his spine. The air left his lungs, as though someone had punched him suddenly.

No, it can’t be. Was his first thought.

And yet – he knew it was her.

He would recognize her anywhere. There was no mistaking the way she carried herself, the smirk, the flashing of her grey eyes – only a moment of emotion before it was hidden by the veneer of politeness.

It was cold but his palms turned sweaty. It was an odd feeling really, like a memory that was at the fringes of his mind suddenly before him. He did not know what to make of it.

As much as he was sure he has not forgotten her – when she started introducing herself, he wondered if the same can be said for the other way around.

He had moved far to start a new life with his children. Figures, that, with his luck, he lands at the very town that Lin lived at.

But if Lin wanted to keep it like they did not know each other, fine then. He could handle that. It would be simpler that way, he supposed, especially if Jinora and Ikki would remain friends (bffs, Ikki had said).

It was a cliché but he really did think the years were kind to Lin Beifong.

Is it still Beifong?

He surreptitiously peeked at her hands on the table. One of her fingers was sporting a ring.

So maybe not a Beifong…

He took a sip of his coffee and made a face, forgetting momentarily that it was little more than sludge.

 Before long, the bell at the diner’s door tinkled, announcing that more customers had entered.

Lin turned to face the door at the sound. Her face brightened up and Tenzin craned his neck to see who had arrived.

There was a young man with yellow-orange eyes, a messenger bag slung across his body. His eyes alighted at their corner booth and he smiled, more of lifting the corner of his mouth really than an actual smile.

Tenzin barely heard Lin excuse herself from the table; the two girls, still eating their pile of waffles and chatting about some singer or actor (he wasn’t exactly paying attention), took no notice of her.

Lin went to the newcomer, who raised his hand slightly as greeting.

He watched them with curious fascination – or horrible fascination, he wasn’t sure.

There was that odd tug at his stomach (that he would rather not explore, no, thank you) when the young man (boy, really now Lin? He grumbled internally, never mind his own ex-wife was years younger than him) moved to hug her and give her a kiss on the cheek.

Yes, it was definitely not Tenzin’s usual Friday afternoon.

---

Note: I enjoyed writing this. Pretty cathartic - did you like reading it too? Let me know! 

[scurriilous]

@sharkfinx​ ASKED // 𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐄

He's sitting still—relaxed as anyone can be over a red velvet couch. Even if was big, anything close to Kisame seemed smaller than it was. Nibbling on crunchy shrimp snacks while browsing through pages of a little notepad. There's another man laying on the bed adjacent to the where shinobi was. Untouched tube and condoms showed nothing had happened at that night. Kisame's eyes perked up seeing the door open. 

" Ohh, Good morning! Hidan-san. "It was evening, but he was already used to their late meeting after Hidan's fun. " Everything went as your wishes? hmm? Ah! How would you rather the ladies from this place? The service I would say it's 3/5 since they a long time to bring the food I asked....The poor's one you send came here so exhausted.' I told them they could take a nap while I was using the room, nee. " Drawing the stars as the grade he gave, then using the pencil to scratch the side of the head. 

 " ....only one thing is in my mind, Hidan-san. Any reason for sending a man this time? You usually send woman to me. Last one really knew how to wash our capes—I was soo admired I asked for tips, nee." 

   Much like the sigh from his lips, Hidan’s expression falls at the scene laid out before him before muttering,

               ❝ You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me. ❞

   Unlike his brother-in-arms, the evening’s relations were apparent on the Jashinist. Silver hair disheveled, cloak hastily thrown on, and two different colored lipstick marks stamped and smeared on the skin of his neck and torso. Lavender eyes shift to cast upon the call boy on the bed ; sleeping like a baby and clad in nothing but a jockstrap. Untouched paraphernalia confirm the Priest’s fear. 

   ❝ Not again. Kisame, c’mon ! How many times do I have to tell you - the whores are for FUCKING not - ❞ He struggles for the correct term. What exactly was it that Kisame was doing with them? You couldn’t quite call it HOMEMAKING, but it was closer to that than it was to sex. ❝ - Shit. I’m at a loss here, man, seriously. You never seemed interested when I’d send you chicks so I figured, hey, maybe he’s in the mood for a dude but . . . What the fuck is this ?! ❞ A gesture toward the dozed off male communicates his frustration. Guy must really be knocked out cold considering Hidan’s raising voice hasn’t woke him up yet.

                  ❝ Tell me you at least got a blowjob ! ❞

[leeknow-bestboy]

If You Close One Eye - Chapter One

Ships: Han Jisung | Han/Lee Minho | Lee Know, Bang Chan/Yang Jeongin | I.N, If you really squint you can notice Lix is into Binnie, Hyunjin was into everyone once

Characters: All the kids, The ex kid isn't here I edited him out, Other Character Tags to Be Added

Trigger warnings: panic attack, ptsd, original character death, homophobia, original character cheating, descriptive imagery.

Word count: 5277

Chapter: 1/?

Next chapter 

Tags: Murder Mystery, amateur detective minho, Soulmates, not your typical soulmate AU, Alternate Universe - College/University, Slow Burn, Slow Build, good things take time let it slowburn, minho is singlehandedly responsible for the slow burn so blame him, no soulmates in this universe only they are, criminology student minho, art student jisung, POV Third Person, chan deserves better and he does indeed get better don't worry, art references please look stuff up, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, best sibling bond ever.

"If you close one eye, you can see what your soulmate sees"

Born with one eye an unnatural golden color, Minho and Jisung have been forced to cover them up with colored lenses in order to blend into society.

The magic to their eyes? Even they still didn't know.

This is the story of how criminology major and dance minor Lee Minho found himself hopelessly in love with the serial killer, local artist Han.

[Alternatively, let's see how long I can make these two dumbasses pine without one of them snapping. Edit: they finally did]

[Also WARNING: a HUGE amount of Jeongchan ahead, it's not subtle at all! So much fluff--]

As per usual, the playground was packed; children of all ages ran wild, squalling and laughing like the little menaces they were- all of them avoiding a short kid who couldn't be older than five, seated at the very end of the sandbox and holding back tears of offense and loneliness.

It's not that he got bullied, he wasn't. His mom raised a tough kid who'd bite back when he's bit, but no one would play with him now. Not with how he looks, they'd rather scream and run.

Five year olds shouldn't worry about that.

Rubbing his left eye- the good one, he could see a woman's shoulder and hair. Her smile, bright and comforting, wording out a song with no sound.

"Jisung!" His mother's voice rang aloud, recognizable and warm in the hostile environment.

"Baby," She called again, finding him and wrapping her son in her arms. For the moment, there was no strange woman- only his own mother.

Jisung sniffled. "I hate people." -These words that shouldn't be said by a child flowed so easily from his lips, as if it was the only reasonable conclusion.

"We need to talk about something" his mother's voice, once excited and lively sounded utterly defeated. Little did he know, it was the last time. Years of telling him he's perfect just the way he is, special and unique in a good way, definitely- have ended up making no difference in the end.

That day, he learned to put on contact lenses.

.

"I know you're upset about the divorce, but you have to accept that it happened."

The woman's voice, high pitched and unpleasant, drove Minho ever so slightly closer to the edge. By now he knew no adult in the world would ever take him seriously, so what was the point in sitting here and listening to her talk?

The woman pursed her lips, plump and telling of the many times they went under the scalpel. Tapping her foot, she hazily reminded Minho of his own mother when scolding was due.

"If you don't talk to me, that's fine. Nothing's going to change. I get paid by the hour you know, I can do this all day."

That being said, she was probably stressed- no therapist had ever gotten Minho to talk, he's been changing doctors since his hallucinations began, which adds to a little over three years now.

"Minho, I can't help you like this. Tell your mother I give up."

A sense of dread spread over the eight years old. Again, another adult doesn't get it. Another one giving up on him, leaving, and suddenly he wanted her to stay. Pretty badly he did, at the time.

"I don't care that my parents broke up, I've been seeing monsters all day"

The woman blinked, stunned into silence. At the tinge of tears he rubbed his right eye- and there it was, certain as ever; drawn with a sharpie, people with horns. In a moment, a pair of hands that weren't his took the drawing away and pulled out a new one, drawing harshly a sad smiley face.

Although he was a big boy, he cried right then, scared out of his mind and very confused. He cried so hard it almost slipped off- the contact lens hiding his mother's disgrace.

Looking up, the woman made no effort to comfort or dissolve his fright. Rather, she was scribbling down the whole ordeal. Taking notes, furiously assessing and picking him apart, she finished her analysis smugly and said,

"It's time we get you a prescription, my dear"

And that was definitely not the last of it.

.

"Oppa"

Minho groaned lowly, alerting the speaker to the fact he's been woken from sleep.

"Minho oppa!" the voice persisted. Fully intent on hanging up, Minho side glanced at the caller id to make sure it wasn't important.

"Motherfucker!" the voice on the other end rose. From the corner of the bed Doongie meowed, alarmed.

"Freaking shrimp, what do you think you're calling your oppa?" He blurted. This isn't a call he should skip.

"Egg laying bastard! Answer me when I call you!" His sister's comforting voice trickled out.

"Gremlin twarp!"

"ballerina!"

"Whiny child!"

"Prune old man!"

"spoiled princess!"

"Mean hoe!"

"-!" Wheeze.

"I got you, you horrible gay bitch"

"We're both gay, Ryu" He threw back.

It's been a while since she last called.

"Well, you live alone, so I assume you're doing much gayer things than I can do at home."

Minho started, failing to hold back his horrified gasp. "Ryujin, you're eighteen!" He exclaimed. It seemed like yesterday she was still following him around, like some baby duckling.

"She's being mean Doongie, like you three don't count." He added, Ryujin electing to ignore his comment.

"How's dance going?" her tone changed, turning softer. For all their differences, dance for sure has always been something both loved and loved together. From copying idols on TV, to taking ballet and hiphop together, Jazz too.

"I'm not in college for dance and you know it" He groaned, immediately softening as well.

"I miss it a lot. I wish I could do more than minor in it.." On the other side of the call Ryujin hummed, understanding. She has always known his passion best.

"You're good at what you do too. You'd make a kickass detective." She claimed.

"I'm not taking criminology to be a detective." Why she had to be reminded was beyond him. If anything he aimed to be an officer, someone to tell kids off if they mess with the neighborhood cats.

"I'm just saying you could be!" She defended- which wasn't wrong, if he played job openings right. He did have a knack for picking apart mystery books too, but that was nothing out of the usual.

"How's grad life?" He asked with genuine interest. Nothing could ever matter to him more.

"I asked Chelle out, finally." She said, and Minho couldn't help but notice the edge evident in her voice.

"What happened? Did she let you down? Should I come over?" The questions left his lips before he could consider them, worry clouding over him.

"No, it's nothing like that. She said yes, but.. Yeah, oppa, I really wish you were here. I need to talk to you, face to face. Mom misses you too." She ended lamely. It was so unlike her, Minho couldn't find it in him to correct the fact that it was only Ryu's mom and not his.

"Tell her I'll be visiting tonight then, I'll go get ready." He said, fully intent on making the sudden drive over. It was only a two hour ride over to his father's, where Ryujin and his step mother lived too. If he headed out now, he could make it before dinner.

"Really? You don't have to, I know you hate it here-" Her attempts of taking it back wouldn't work once he set his mind to do something.

"Really really. I miss my stinky troll sister too," He insisted. No way was he leaving her be. The moment something felt off with her, he knew he had to go make sure she's fine; there aren't many things as precious in his life as she is.

"Dumbass," she relented, voice worryingly relieved. "I'll go tell mom."

He smiled, tapping his nail on the headboard, now sitting up at his bed. "Bye"

She huffed, pausing for a moment before giving her last reply. "Goodbye, oppa. I love you."

.

Minho sighed, leaning his forehead against the steering wheel.

For what little time he spent at his father's place, a surprising amount of bad memories were made. Up until his teen years he wouldn't even enter, and every time after that made for a rich history; first panic attack, first time breaking a leg falling down the stairs, coming out, taking Ryu to junior prom- door shut in his face that time, claiming she was grounded for beating up the neighbor's son. First time stung by a bee, and that weekend when his father's doberman puppy bit him in play, tore open his front lip and got sent to a dog pound despite his protest.

'Come on,' he thought. 'You can do this. Count to three-' and at three he did, opened his car door and walked up through the front gate.

"Minho! How lovely to see you." Smiled his step mom, a warm, if not a tad unnerving woman.

"Nice to so see you too. How have you been?" He asked, clean-cut manners kicking in. Dal and Byul had meanwhile made their way running over to the door, immediately rubbing against him with some level of desperation. He leaned down, rubbing Dal's small head.

"I've been well, your father too- that's right! Honey, come say hi to Minho." The short, lean woman called, still blocking the entrance to the oversized house and keeping Minho at the door. Whether this was on purpose shall forever remain a mystery- she did it every time.

"That brat has nothing to do in this house" His father's voice warmed over.

"Hi dad." He tried still, calling over the woman's shoulder. "Can I come in?"

Said obstacle smiled, moving aside at last. "Of course sweetie, Ryujin will be right over."

Taking that exchange for what it was, he made fast pace towards the kitchen. Avoiding his father has become a praised skill by now, a crucial one by all means.

"Dallie, Byulie, psps" he tried, pleased when both ran on over towards his outstretched hand. Two more allies at the ready.

Light steps cleared the remaining discomfort sullying his mood in short moments. "You!" A pair of arms tightened around his shoulders, prompting Minho to lift his little sister in a piggyback.

"You too!" He answered, relieved at feeling welcomed at last.

"I can't believe you actually came. Did you tell your mother you're over?" She asked, tactless as ever. He loves her a whole lot for that, too.

"She's not the boss of me, I'm twenty one" He announced, eyes closed in a content smile as his sister gently pet his hair like a cat.

"What about me? I'm almost nineteen, I wish I was free like you, Lino!" Exclaimed Ryujin, but really she didn't. There was a certain freedom gained from nobody caring about you that no one should be jealous of.

Letting her hop back onto the ground, Minho kept the smile on his face. She seemed fine, but he could tell better. Still, they couldn't talk before dinner- the pots and pans at the stovetop smelled just about ready, after all.

Instead he turned to face her, petting her head lovingly like she had his. "What's this? This tiny Ryuddaeng's nineteen? No way."

"Almost!" she growled. "Next month I'll be."

"Where have the times gone?" he questioned, shoving her playfully at the comments of "old man".

.

Dinner went as uncomfortably as expected, his father and he had behaved remarkably well- hadn't spoken a word to each other throughout. Minho ate neatly, made sure to compliment his step mother for every dish, and Ryujin helped by washing them after. All in all, it was successful unlike many dinners before.

Making way to the guest bedroom, Minho paused at the sight of his sister's door left slightly open. Right, yes- this would be a good time.

Knocking quietly, he waited for permission before entering and closing the door, waiting for Byul to enter alongside him. "Are you alright?"

Ryujin nodded, glancing up at him and back to the floor. He took that as a sign to take a seat down on her fancy dragon themed carpet.

"Are you really alright? Ryujin, I know we're not great communicators, but I'm still very worried. Is it dad?" At that his sister shook her head, taking a deep breath.

"Don't get mad, but I have a huge favor. You know Chelle, I swore I'll ask her out when I graduate and I did, but she…" Minho crossed and uncrossed his legs, chin finding its place resting on a knee. Byul purred, rubbing against it.

"She's missing. She's been missing for two weeks now, no one knows where she is." She explained, voice stern.

"I don't think she ran away, but her parents keep saying she did. She said nothing to me." She added, hoping he'd fill in the rest on his own.

"They're not filling in for missing person?" He asked, worry making his back stress and ace.

Ryujin nodded. "I know she's the bad girl type, but she wasn't into drugs and her friends seem fine. I keep trying to ask around but I can't, what if something serious happened?"

Minho nodded, realizing where he comes in. "You want me to investigate? See where that takes us?" He asked. For sure, that should be the police's job- but with her parents saying she ran away, would they even bother?

Ryujin kept quiet, eyes burning holes into Minho's. This was her crush, a big one- he's never liked Chelle, but now? If Ryujin cares that much… sure. It's not something he should be messing with legally, and a new project to be added atop his ever growing college work, but he'd do it for her. "Okay."

"Okay?" Ryujin asked back, relieved.

"Yes. I'll do it." He assured.

Ryujin's features softened farther, mouth breaking into a smile. "You're my new favorite person."

Minho smiled lightly, mind running full speed. "I need details. When and where she was last seen, and about her; exes, Instagram, friends and hangouts."

Ryujin's smile faded. Nonetheless she turned, pulling a notebook out of her bedside drawer.

Scribbling away the details he requested, she paused to ask a couple questions before turning back to her chore. "I know less than I thought." She admitted.

"That's fine, but I have a few more. How was her mental state, where did she study, was she on meds and did she mention any places?"

This kept on for a few hours, ending after they let an annoyed Byul out of the room - with Ryujin tiredly announcing that her brain is fried and he can ask the rest over chat when he's back in college. On his end, Minho learned one important thing:

This girl was not who she seemed to be.

.

Back at his apartment, Minho re-read all eleven papers of info they've gathered. On the way he's prepared a list of places to visit, only two of which stemmed from the info Ryujin herself had given him. Other than the school and family bistro down the street, it seemed the two have never gone out together, although Chelle was one to do so.

Good, he thought.

Scrolling through her Instagram, he noted which followers seemed to comment more, and who would show most often on highlights. Her latest post have been boring- it was landscape art of what he assumed to be a tall grass field on the outskirts of seoul. Around three months back he found a picture of some guy at the beach, shirt off and abs in clear view. Seeing as he looked nothing like Chelle, it would seem they weren't related.

Sorting through the packed comment section, someone's request to take it down stood out. Tapping on the person's icon, he realized that was probably the guy in the picture, although the account was made private. An ex? That would make a good trail.

Not having an account himself, by now Minho has used Ryujin's, but to follow guys it would seem he needs his own account.

Setting up all the necessities, he took a nice picture of Dori and made it his profile, sending the guy a follow request right away.

Now we wait.

.

"Oppa, if you have no photos or description and no followers, and he doesn't know you, did you really expect he'd approve your request?" Ryujin's laughter trickled through the speakers, as if it's been obvious. "You're going to have to find him." She pointed, before hesitantly adding, "Or I can-"

"No." Minho said, stern. "This guy could be Chelle's ex, he might be really dangerous! You don't get to follow his Instagram."

Ryujin sighed, and Minho got the sudden mental image of her rubbing the bridge of her nose as she did. "You have friends right? Ask one of them." She advised.

"I need to go, dad said I can't go out unless I finish these applications." She explained, hanging up after a round of goodbyes.

Right. He did! He has friends.

Picking his phone back up, Minho scrolled his contacts looking for either Felix or Hyunjin. The two weren't in his major, but they shared a dance class. Out of the student body, they were closest to his definition of friends.

A couple rings went by before the line picked up. "Hyung? Hello!" Felix's cheerful voice calmed the older's nerves ever so slightly.

"Felix, hi." He answered, trying to seem casual. "How are you?"

Felix took a moment before responding. "I'm great! I'm actually out with Chan hyung, is something up?"

"Who?" Minho asked, confused.

Felix took another moment. "Bang Chan. He's a fourth year in sociology, I don't think you'll know him."

Minho came close to a sob right then. "Can you pass him the phone?"

"Yeah sure." Felix agreed immediately, followed by ruttling sounds.

"Hello?" A voice sounded, accent similar to Felix's own.

"Hi! My name is Minho, I followed you on Instagram a couple days ago."

A short silence. "Oh my god." Chan exclaimed.

"No, never mind that, I need to talk to you." He rephrased.

"I have no idea who you are." Chan replied, confused.

"It's about Chelle." Minho added, hoping to learn anything from the other's reply.

"Oh." Was all he got. "Okay, I guess we should meet sometime then. How is she?"

The question caught Minho off guard.

"I, I'll tell you more when we meet. When are you free?" he asked, quickly seeking out a pen and scribbling the time and date on his wrist, phone squeezed between his ear and shoulder.

"Yeah, sounds great! See you then." He concluded, getting passed back to Felix and thanking him profoundly before hanging up.

"In my own college." He muttered after the phone found its place back on the table.

"Unbelievable."

.

Not many people occupied the café, despite its convenient location not far off the olympic park. For that reason Minho concluded, the coffee there probably sucked.

It wasn't his intention to show fifteen minutes early, but his nerves got the best of him, taking shape in miserable pacing until he deemed it late enough to leave his apartment already. Worst case scenarios running through his mind, he wasn't expecting it as someone took seat in the chair opposite of his.

"Hello. It's Minho, right?" Asked the stranger, dimples forming in an awkward smile.

"Ah." Minho voiced dumbly before quickly picking himself up adding,

"You're Chan?"

In the short time that passed between first learning of Chan's existence and actually seeing him, Minho's mind managed to fill with expectations and fears, all of which shattered right in that moment.

First of all, the guy in the picture had very defined abs and arm muscles, making it seem as if he'd be your average muscle-head, someone who could pull apart limbs off boys like Minho- a description that apparently had nothing in common with the hesitant and awkward person in front of him. Rather, he found that this Chan was a tad shorter than him, barely filling the light gray sweater he threw on.

Secondly, while the photo showed a man with straight dark brown hair, the man in front of him had soft blond curls that seemed so, so fluffy- invoking a primal urge to pet them in, Minho assumed, not only himself, but also every innocent bystander.

Lastly, by the amount of english in his Instagram description, one would expect an obvious accent, but that had been proven false on the phone call anyway. Regardless, Minho imagined a foreigner, so seeing his face up close had been a surprise on its own, especially considering the smile… he was, how would he put it? Cute.

"Yeah! Nice to meet you. I was worrying I'd be early, but it's good to see you are too." Minho could only half process the words, a glance at his phone telling him they both still had around ten minutes before the planned meetup time.

"Right! Right, I wanted to talk to you." Minho started, forcibly clearing his mind of any strange thoughts.

"You said it was about Chelle? I assume you're her new boyfriend?" Chan asked, voice a bit strained.

"No, It's not like that. I wanted to know if you've heard from her for the last couple weeks." Minho replied, quick to correct him so to not make things needlessly awkward. Right, he thought- Chan still might have had something to do with this girl's disappearance.

"Oh, well, I actually hadn't, I try not to do that anymore. We didn't end things on good terms." Chan confessed, picking Minho's interest.

"What happened?" He asked, worries picking back up.

Chan paused. "Are you her friend? This kind of thing is a little personal, I don't want it to affect your friendship."

Minho blinked, thinking up a smaller scale storm. "I live in her neighborhood. We're not very close, but some things happened that made me look for you."

Chan hesitated, saved by the waiter's interruption asking which drinks the two would have. Still suspicious, Minho only ordered a small iced americano, Chan matching with a small iced tea.

"You probably know we dated for around two months, it ended after I found she was cheating for a long time."

Minho's breath hitched, dangerously close to choking on his coffee. "She cheated on you?"

Chan's expression fluttered before he nodded, sheepish smile back on. "Kind of pathetic, isn't it? I couldn't hold her attention. At least, the others didn't know."

Minho gaped, unsure how to handle the new information. Chelle, the girl Ryujin asked him to look for. Was that her true nature? "What do you mean others?"

Chan's embarrassment grew, yet he didn't look away. "We were around.. five, I think.. that I know of. I followed her for a bit."

The awkwardness settled, leaving both speechless.

"Okay, I'm really sorry but I still need to ask you a couple more things." Minho was the first to break the silence.

"Go ahead." Chan smiled in relief.

"Were you mad? Wait, no- Can you think of anyone who could have held a grudge against her? More than, I guess, this."

Chan shook his head. "She's a really nice girl! She has some serious issues, but I liked her a lot at the time."

Minho bit his lip, ready to push on. "Chan, I'm going to be honest with you.. Chelle's been missing for over two weeks now."

If Chan was drinking at the moment, it would have been his turn to choke. "What?" he asked, voice steady.

"I got in touch with you because right now, nobody knows where she is. Or someone does know, but I don't" Minho explained, hoping his message went through alright.

"Are you sure she's not ghosting you? She might be." Chan offered. Minho stiffened. If Chelle was fine, if she was ghosting his sister- there will be hell to pay.

"I don't think so?" he continued anyway.

"I can't remember a specific person who would want to hurt her, but.. God, I'm worried. Chelle's gone? Like, kidnapped or.." Chan paused, taking deep breaths.

"If you have any information on where she could be, it would help a lot. I don't know her well, I'm not sure who else to ask either." Minho added.

"What do you want to know?" Chan asked, worry clouding his face in an unpleasant way. Minho almost felt, scratch that- he did feel really bad for the guy.

"Hangouts, friends, habits, names of other exes- mental state too, it's a little invasive but I can't find her otherwise." Chan stared, eye contact with Minho intensifying as neither averted their gaze.

"Okay." Chan replied after a while. "I don't really know you, but I guess it suits her. If anything happened, I wouldn't expect an officer anyway."

Slightly disturbed, Minho pulled his notes from his bag, offering Chan a big sheet of paper. Just like that, the two had begun- Just as Minho had with Ryujin before.

"I can't help with other Exes, I don't know any of their names. I do know where she hangs out usually." Chan supplied helpfully.

"Chelle, she's very into art. She thinks her art, only hers, is the best of the best. She considers herself an undiscovered gem, that kind of mentality. She'll do anything for exposure, and she likes compliments a lot." Chan bit his lip, pausing in his writing.

"She's not on good terms with her parents, and sometimes I remember, she said she wanted to run away. She has horrible mood swings, but when she's happy she can be the sweetest, most considerate person in the world. I think she had too much love in her, that's why…" Chan trailed off, sighing before shaking his head and writing down some more details.

"I'm not okay with that, you know? It's the worst kind of betrayal, but I'm still so worried. I never wanted anything to happen to her, I don't wish that for anyone." Minho hummed, recalling back on his previous suspicion, how ridiculous it seemed now to think that of this person.

So it went on, the two of them coming up with important details and question marks to jot down. Before they knew it the sky turned dark, an impatient barista politely asking them to leave.

"You have my number, right?" Chan asked.

"I don't." Minho replied, glad Chan remembered. The two exchanged phones, filling in their details with some hesitation.

"Call me if you need anything, or if you find her." Chan added, eyes glinting under the streetlights.

"You too, call me if you remember anything important." Minho replied, parting with a wave goodbye and heading towards the bus station.

It was only on his way back that he recalled their first exchange through the phone, and how stupid it had been to expect anything else from a friend of Felix's, of all people.

Groaning lowly, Minho moved his bag up, staring at the paper pile stuffed inside it neatly. Ahead was, he expected, a night full of reading- all 38 new pages of details about this girl, who he found himself liking less and less with every passing statement.

.

Over an extended time period Minho had found himself visiting many different places to no avail. He tried asking around, dropping Chelle's name here and there for good measures, but it seemed that the girl had vanished into thin air. Her only legacy had been the outrageous rumors surrounding her name, such as dating kids much younger than herself and having sex to get her way in the art world. Really, Minho should have stopped there- he wanted nothing to do with this girl anymore, was happy even; happy that she didn't get to lay her hands on his sister. Yet he couldn't stop thinking, this girl.. She was missing, it was real, and not one soul other than him have made a single attempt to locate her. How could he give up now?

It had been a long day- visiting a bar from the list in the morning before moving to a café nearby and finishing one of his assignments, Minho decided to follow up on Chelle's tracks. Twelve days have passed since his meeting with Chan, and although his anxiety kept getting worse, the list of things to check kept getting shorter with every lead he crossed out.

This one had honestly been a lame lead, but he wanted to make the most out of it- a short trip out of seoul, to a grass patch stretching a couple miles that was similar to the one he saw on her Instagram. If he couldn't find her with anyone's help, he thought- maybe he should try to think like her more. This girl, where would she go? Who would she meet? What would she do? And for that this practice was important, too.

The land stretched, tall grass for as far as the eye could see. He roamed around, looking at the tall buildings that made his home from afar. From here, definitely- he recognized the scenery as the one she drew that time. Stepping back through the grass, it didn't make much of a difference from how far he's already been, but the moment felt special somehow.

Minho breathed in, a strong breeze blowing from the front and carrying the dust and pollution of the city with it. Bad air, even this far back. At least it was silent, no cars, no birds either- it felt peaceful. Minho stepped back again, pulling out his phone, intending to take a photo. A couple more steps back, and he tripped- landing on his butt in the grass.

It was there that he found her.

.

Jisung stretched, back aching after sleeping in so late.

"Good morning, and good luck falling back asleep at a normal hour." Seungmin commented. True that, Jisung managed to mess his sleep schedule pretty badly. Good thing it was friday.

Standing up, he considered responding before giving up and making his way to the kitchen.

"Ji," Seungmin spoke up once more,

"At least brush your teeth. I'm your roommate, not your mom- I shouldn't have to tell you this!" His voice, although annoyed, remained calm. He did have a point.

"Okay mom." Jisung replied, deadpan. Without another word he turned, entering the bathroom and picking up his toothbrush to do as instructed.

Life as an art major was hard- he had so much work to do in little time, and the pressure made it feel a little like a job. Nowadays his minor in music made for the only stress reliever he could put time into without guilt, and he wondered if maybe he should have chosen it for major instead. Useless thinking about it now, anyway.

Jisung went on brushing, releasing a small whine at the thought of his next assignment. Whatever- he rolled his eyes, raising a hand to rub the remains of sleep away.

Tall grass, the clear view of seoul from afar- blurring, moving, fast as if he was struck by lightning.

The toothbrush clinked loudly against the sink as it dropped, leaving Jisung with the reflection of himself in the mirror, left hand raised. He made quick way, spitting the paste and powerwalking back to their room, brushing against Seungmin on his way there.

"Jisung? Jisung, you can't just leave this here." Seungmin bristled, pausing at the sight of Jisung pulling out his sketchbook with the craze of someone going through a revelation.

He sighed, recognizing the scene in front of him. "Inspiration struck?"

Jisung hummed, wiping his mouth and beginning to sketch. This happened every once in a while, it was one of the things that made Jisung… well, Jisung.

"I'll clean up. Should I order takeout?" Seungmin asked, affection sneaking into his voice. He's a bit weird, but sometimes he was cute too.

"Thank you, please." Jisung replied absentmindedly, focused on the paper.

"I will. Okay." Seungmin concluded, fishing his phone out to call his favorite fast food handler.

To them, after all, it was nothing more than an average friday night.

[twoidiotwriters1]

Pure Blood 27 (Sirius Black x F!Oc)

A/N: Do we have a Written in the stars crossover??? idk

I don't remember if I had already cast an actor for Alphard, but I decided that Bill Hader is the one.

Also: Sorry if someone doesn't get the notification, sometimes tumblr acts in strange ways :c but stay tuned on the weekends, thanks.

Words: 4,352

Masterlist:

Chapter 26 / Chapter 28

I walk down the hall of my house until I reach the fireplace in the living room, my parents are already waiting for me. My mother adjusts a strand of my loose hair and looks me up and down, then nods in approval.

I sigh and take one last look at my short-sleeved green dress, with a different-hued ribbon under my chest and the rest of it loose almost reaching the floor. My father sees us and takes our hands, we leave to where the big event will be. I feel a knot in my stomach as we apparate just outside the front door, but I compose myself quickly.

"I don't want any stupid games, Persephone," orders Dad in a deep voice, glancing at me. I just nod, while trying to contain the shaking in my hands and legs.

My mother knocks on the door and Abraxas Malfoy opens it. Both men greet each other with a handshake, and then the blond kisses my mother's cheek.

"Persephone, I've heard a lot about you," He says raising an eyebrow.

"Good evening, Mr. Malfoy," I reply politely. He nods.

"Your daughter Juno is here already, I must say, Ares, she reminds me a lot of you."

I shiver at the comment. My older sister did a lot of planning to arrive with the family of one of her friends. I don't know the details, Kles –our house elf– could only tell me the basics. I guess that plan was the best for everyone.

Abraxas lets us in and the next hour is utterly overwhelming, among so many presentations and congratulations on the wedding. There are a lot of people I don't remember and haven't even met before, but they’re basically the same: giggling falsely, earning points for us to invite them to the wedding, compliments, boring jokes, even people my age behaved that way. At some point in the night, I lose my parents and can only turn my head from side to side in search of someone I know.

"You look like a cagged animal..."

I jump in place when I hear his voice, but I thank all the gods that James found me.

"I feel like one," I growl and eye up his outfit. "Who would say you could look good wearing a tux, Potter?"

"Oh, let's not start with the compliments, Singh. I'm sure Sirius won’t take long and we don't want a scene of jealousy so soon."

I roll my eyes, but I can't help smile a little.

“How many times have you avoided puking in the past hour? I almost died of fright a while ago when I spoke with Bellatrix and Narcissa Black," He says, feigning a chill.

I wince, no one has fond memories of Sirius's cousins.

"I have only felt a lot of discomfort with the congratulations and hints about the honeymoon," now I shiver. "I’ve been hanging in there."

"A while ago I saw Jenna talking to the Rosiers," He tells me.

"Oh, that’ll be fun," I frown. "Are you aware of what is happening throughout the whole party?"

He smiles.

"It's not to show off, but when something’s important, I do things right."

"Isn't school important?"

"Trifles," He says, shaking his hand carelessly making me laugh.

We talked about nonsense for a few minutes. The tension that I had with James before is gradually disappearing, which I appreciate, although sometimes he makes fun of me when some lady congratulates me, she asks about Sirius, obviously, I have to answer politely, which is truly funny to him.

"Persephone," says a man and I smile at him.

"Hi, Apollo," His arms briefly surround my body, my older brother is not always very affectionate, but I don’t complain. "How are Jane and Atlas?"

My older brother's baby was born a couple of months ago, I still remember the letter Jane sent me, she was very excited. Unfortunately I haven't been able to meet him, but I can't wait.

"Both are fine. She stayed to take care of him along with her mother so that Jane could also rest, we have not been able to sleep well since he was born,” he laughs.

James clears his throat for attention and I roll my eyes to then introduce him to Apollo.

"Potter, huh? I know your parents."

"It's a pleasure to meet a member of the Singh family who doesn't seem to be crazy," he jokes and I hit his shoulder.

"And Sirius?" Apollo asks me.

"We have no idea, I haven't seen him," I shrug.

"Surely he’s trying not to cry with his parents."

I nod and suddenly, Apollo’s distracted looking at some people in the background. James and I try to see them, but my brother takes my hand.

"Will you excuse us for a minute?" He asks James and he nods. Apollo takes me a bit away from where we were.

"What's going on?"

“I know the situation with our father is delicate, but I need you to stay alert. You and Sirius. Look for him as soon as possible. There are some things planned and they’ll most likely want you as an ally. If someone wants to set him aside for some ‘men's talk’ or ‘business’ make up something so you don’t get too far away or if you can stay with him, stay.” He says nervously.

"Does this have to do with what... happened last summer?"

My brother nods.

"I’d tell you not to do anything to get attention, but that’s impossible for you," he says with a small smile.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Just be careful, dear girl..." Before I can answer, he walks away.

“Miss, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but haven't you seen my nephew? He’s tall, with long black hair– looks like a girl– he’s clumsy and has a bad character."

I do my best not to laugh loudly when Alphard stands to my side.

“Haven't seen him, but that’s a good description," He laughs.

"My dear Persephone, as always, it's nice to see you,” He hugs me and unlike my brother, his hug is warmer.

“Likewise. I'm sorry I didn't send you many letters while I was at school,” I say with a grimace.

"Don’t worry honey. Sirius has brought me up to speed,” He says winking at me and I can feel my cheeks burning. "Besides coming to greet you, they sent me to let you know that you should be with your family… Almost everyone has arrived and the Malfoys will say some boring words to start with an even more boring dance, but then we'll eat something and–" He looks around to make sure no one hears him. "You don't know this from me, but I think there will be shrimp," He whispers.

I laugh and nod, I say goodbye to him and look for my family, which doesn't take long.

My parents talk to Jenna's family and my siblings are with them. Apollo, Isis with her boring husband, Balder and Juno talking about something serious and they shut up when they see me.

"Oh dear, shouldn't you be with the Blacks?" Isis says with a mocking smile.

“They’re not married yet, Isis. Behave!” My mother scolds her.

“Hi, P,” Jenna greets me and I hug her quickly.

"Do you think it's too late to run away?"

"I already tried," She answers.

After a few minutes of getting everyone settled, I hear my mother greet another family that has just arrived.

"What take you so long?" She asks them. I turn to meet the Black family.

"Some complications, my dear," Walburga answers with a tight smile.

As the adults speak, Sirius walks over to me and I do my best not to ogle when I see him, but he doesn't make it easy for me, especially when the little scratches on his face -almost healed- make him look more attractive.

"Hey," He tells me. "You look beautiful."

How do I breathe?

"Thank you. You look good too,” I say adjusting his black tie in an act of nervousness.

"I promised not to cry when this happened, but I’m crying," says Alphard from behind us.

"Uncle, please," Sirius replies, standing next to me.

"I wish Jane was here," says the man pretending to wipe away a tear.

Behind him, Regulus approaches in a tuxedo of a different color from his brother's.

"Hi Reg," I say smiling, but it doesn't last long when he just greets me with a nod and then joins his parents, I follow him with my eyes.

"What's wrong with the little Black?" asks Alphard.

"We don't know," Sirius replies taking my hand. "Easy, I'll talk to him," he whispers. I nod.

"Are you holding hands?!"

I roll my eyes at the man's comment and he laughs.

"You're just in time, Black," says Jenna putting his hand on Sirius's shoulder. “Between Persephone and Potter they were about to cry when they didn't see you,” She jokes and Sirius raises eyebrow.

"It was just James," I assure him.

After some banter, Abraxas catches everyone's attention and, as Alphard said, his speech is boring, only for him to eventually invite a few couples to dance in the center of the room. My parents go together with Sirius's and Jenna's.

"I don't want to scare you, but you’ll have to go dance when Ares says so," Alphard tells us.

We both nod.

It's not that I’m bad at dancing, my parents forced us to take classes, it's just a waltz, but so much attention makes me nervous. This isn’t like school where I just ignore everyone, here I can feel my father's gaze. After a song, Isis enters with her husband and Balder with a girl that I cannot recognize.

"If I ever have to dance with someone, I'll go to the bathroom," Jenna tells me.

“I don't think you'll save yourself,” Sirius tells her. “I already tried to do that and they’re making sure we don't take too long. You better find James before someone else invites you."

Jenna's eyes widen and she doesn't wait long before running off.

"My dear sister is already scolding me from afar," says Alphard pointing to Walburga, who dances while looking at her brother with cold eyes. Sirius and I laugh when Alphard waves at her. "I'll go get a drink or find a sweet lad- wait," He says, raising his head a little and then laughing in a way that makes some guests uncomfortable. "I can't believe it! Eliot Flint?"

Sirius and I follow his gaze and see a man, roughly Alphard's age, walking towards us with a huge grin.

"If I’d known you’d be here, I wouldn’t have thrown my wife into a tantrum!" says the brown-haired man.

Alphard laughs and they both hug each other.

"I can't believe you're here! Oh!" says Alphard. "Walburga will die if he sees you here!" He claps like a small child.

I laugh at his attitude and that's when both adults realize of our presence.

"Eliot, let me introduce you to my nephew Sirius and..." He sees us with a mischievous smile "His girlfriend, Persephone."

I bite the inside of my cheek to avoid saying anything at his comment and shake the hand Eliot offers me.

"I don't want to be one of those corny gentlemen, but I have to be, Sirius. I haven't seen you since you were a baby, I'm glad you grew up into a healthy young man."

Sirius laughs, while Alphard nudges his friend.

“You’ve always been a lord, Eliot. Since we went to school,” He puts an arm around his shoulders and draws him closer affectionately. "This man and I had lots of adventures at Hogwarts, but what we enjoyed the most were his loony inventions, he always had the need to do something crazy with what we could find!"

Eliot gets a bit red and laughs. It's really fun to see Sirius' uncle so relaxed next to another adult other than my sister-in-law. And seeing them together, I can get an idea of why they have such a great friendship. Eliot wears a light brown suit, but it is not perfectly ironed or groomed like other men at the party and his brown beard gives him a more carefree look, which matches perfectly with Alphard's blue suit, that looks like he simply could not bother himself to make it look neater. His shoes aren’t even matching the rest correctly.

"I can imagine you spent many days in detention," Sirius says with a raised eyebrow.

"Stop there," says Alphard "Maybe some inventions or plans worked, but we didn’t have the record that you have, young man!”

"So you got yourself a troublesome boy?" Eliot asks me and I feel my cheeks burn.

"Something like that," I say. Beside me I feel Sirius's body tense a bit, but I don't dare look at him.

Alphard is distracted looking towards the hall. “Sorry guys, but your time to shine has come. It's your turn.”

We both look towards the living room, I take Sirius's hand slowly and sigh hoping nothing bad happens.

"Good luck, it was a pleasure seeing you," Eliot tells us with a smile that we reciprocate. "I'll see you soon, Black. Adeline must be expecting a dance too.” They both say goodbye and get lost in the crowd.

I feel a knot in my stomach, I take Sirius's hand more securely and he guides me towards the dance floor. We stop in a part a bit away from our parents, Sirius puts one hand on my waist and the other on my hand, while I put my free hand on his shoulder. We both follow the rhythm of the music without rushing.

"Everything is going well and that's not good," I whisper worriedly.

"I wouldn't say that," He says and I look at him confused. "Maybe I had a little fight with my mother before I came."

"That's why you were late," He nods.

"I managed to hear that she was talking to my father about a movement and that they must be alert for me to be someone's right hand."

My body tenses at the memory of Apollo's words. I tell Sirius about the warning.

"This is getting weirder," He says and then smiles. "But don't worry..." He whispers and with his hand on my waist he makes me get closer. "I'll keep you close."

"Who would say that last year you couldn't even stand next to me in the same room?" I say moving away a little.

Since the kiss, my relationship with Sirius has been very strange. We have not had time to speak about it, the exams were before winter break, so I spent it reviewing with Lily and Jenna and when we shared class, we couldn’t speak, we didn’t go beyond sharing looks and smiles.

"Sirius, we need to talk."

"That only means danger,” He says with a grimace.

The song ends and we try to go back to our place when my mother stops us.

“No, you must continue. The engaged couples are the ones that have to shine the most."

"Mom," I complain, but with her eyes she told us everything and we returned to our position to continue the next song.

"At least we can talk," says Sirius and now he looks nervous. "Do you want to talk about the kiss?”

“Not that especially, but yes. What do you want from me, Sirius? Please be honest, no more games."

He thinks for a few seconds.

"I want to be by your side. I know that with everything we’ve been through, it’s unfair that you give me a chance, but I have broken my head thinking about what’s happening now, what we’ve talked about. My friends are sick of me talking about you and what I should do, even I am– but I always get to the same end and you are always there."

My heart races.

"And what about that list of girls waiting for you?"

I won’t deny that it makes me nervous, Sirius's reputation is not a secret to anyone and although I haven’t seen him with any other girl since everything got strange with the wedding announcement, I cannot put that topic aside.

"They will go on," I raise my eyebrows and he quickly denies. "No, no, wait, don't look at me like that, I mean– I guess they'll still be there, but I'm not interested anymore, it was fun, but not anymore... I know, everything is your fault, my brain’s confused because of you,” He complains like a small child making me laugh.

"So it's easy to play with your mind?"

He complains.

"You're lucky I like you," he says without thinking. And it’s obvious that our feelings changed and that the kiss made it clear that we liked each other, but the fact that he said it makes me emotional. “...And what about you? What do you want from me, Persephone? "

"I want you Sirius," He smirks at my words. "It’ll be a disaster, but at least I'm sure of how I feel about you, and now everything’s different, now I can't let you go so easily..."

"Oh, trust me," He says, stopping and putting a hand on my cheek. "That won't be a problem," he leans a little. "You’ll have me for a long time, Percy," He says and then kisses my lips gently.

My hand goes up to his hair, when we part I can't help but smile and he does too. I haven't felt this way in a long time. The applause when the song ends pulls us out of our little bubble and we walk away from the crowd holding hands.

"Padfoot!" James practically throws himself at Sirius in a big hug. "I thought you were dead, but I saw you at one of the most cheesy dances I’ve ever seen in my life, I almost threw up."

"It's always good to see you, Prongs," says Sirius laughing.

"Ugh, no. You're smiling like an idiot in love,” complains the boy in glasses.

"Oh come on," says Jenna next to him. "If Lily were here, you’d be worse."

James sighs dreamily. "I already miss her"

"Stop judging me then," says Sirius hitting his head.

Dinner time arrives soon after. James and Jenna leave with their families and Sirius walks me to mine.

“Listen, I don't know if my mother saw us, but I think it’d be fun to continue the hateful performance between the two of us. I don't want to see her face of satisfaction,” He tells me a few meters from the table that, apparently, we shared.

"Good idea," I smile.

Dinner went by pretty fast, some sneering from Sirius and his mom replying back made me shiver at seeing so many similarities. I tried to talk to Regulus, but he was merely being polite. Isis would not stop criticizing the dresses of those present with Juno, Balder would occasionally look at the girl he danced with and Apolo was talking to my parents. The only pleasant thing was my conversation with Alphard, who keeps mentioning his reunion with his childhood friend.

"And tell me, dear Sirius," says Isis. "Have you already talked about how many children you want to have?"

I feel my face burn and Sirius is not far behind as he uncomfortably fixes his tie.

"Isis, please," I say through my teeth and she laughs.

“Look at you, little sister. So very ashamed,” joins Balder.

"It's nothing to write home about, Persephone. A question that many people will ask you," My sister says, drinking from her glass.

"Let's not overwhelm the kids," says Alphard trying to defuse the situation.

"The engaged kids, Alphie," continues Isis. "I'll give you some advice, as soon as you get pregnant, everyone will leave you alone," She says pointing to her husband who looks at her with annoyance.

"Wait," I look at her. "Are you pregnant?"

"What?" Balder blurts out.

"Surprise," She answers with a tight smile.

"We said this was not the time, honey," her husband tells her tensely.

"Oh shut up, you’re not the one who’ll carry this for nine months."

That baby won’t have an easy life. Not even born and I’m already worried.

"Isis," my father's deep voice stops the talk. My sister rolls her eyes and stays quiet.

"Gentlemen," says Abraxas arriving at our table. "Do you think we have a moment to talk business?"

Ares, Orion, Apollo, Isis's husband, Alphard, and Balder rise up. I turn to see Sirius. His father practically dragged him by grabbing him by his coat, giving him no chance to do anything about it. This isn’t right and I know that if I say something or even try to get up, everyone will get suspicious or my parents will make a fuss.

I only stay with women, who talk about… things– my mind can only think that at least Apollo and Alphard are with Sirius, but obviously it doesn't reassure me at all.

"I have to go to the bathroom," I say and as soon as I see that my mother and sisters are immersed in some gossip. Without waiting for an answer, I walk out the room, but before I can get to the bathroom, I hear an argument between two boys.

“Was your father even required at the meeting? That just adds another embarrassment to your family, Potter."

I follow the sound to one of the corridors of the Malfoy mansion.

"...besides you..." adds the blond boy.

"And what about you, Lucius? Didn't Daddy let you in with the adults?" James snaps

"I have an important mission to attend," He says, raising an eyebrow. "Actually, I have to talk to other people, you’re just a waste of time."

James laughs, fixing his glasses.

“You obviously wanted to show off your not-so-secret mission, Malfoy. I just wanted to go to the bathroom, but your arrogant presence interrupted my basic needs."

Lucius rolls his eyes.

“You're just a little kid, I knew inviting the Potters was a bad idea, but my father knows they can serve as jesters. After all, your father’s only the laughing stock of other families."

That makes James upset, I see him make his hand into a fist, but he tries to control himself.

"Didn't you have a mission to do?" He says through his teeth.

"Oh, does that make you uncomfortable, Potter? You know it's the truth, but I must say that I think that not only your family can put on a show. I look forward to the youngest Singh and your little Black friend doing something. They’re scandals experts, I want to see their faces when they find out that Avery will officiate their wedding."

Wait. What!?

"What did you just said?" James asks and Lucius smiles victoriously.

"I already said too much," He says, but James pushes him against the wall.

"No, pretty boy. Now you’ll tell me exactly what you know..."

Lucius's face turns even paler than usual at James' closeness. All his confidence is gone. Maybe I should stop the boy, but I also want to know what Lucius will say and if I get close I might screw it up.

"L-let go of me, Potter," stutters the blond.

"Start singing, Malfoy."

"I-I just– Everything is settled, my duty was to give him a small gift, my engagement to Narcissa also depends on him," He says quickly and then closes his eyes waiting for a blow that never comes.

Holy shit.

James analyzes the words and walks away from the blonde, who looks at him confused, but quickly adjusts his clothes and returns to his false attitude.

“Be careful what you do, Potter. You’re in my house and I can kick you out if I want to."

"Go away."

I hide between a nearby pillar and after a few minutes I see Lucius Malfoy walk away. When I no longer see him I walk up to James's side, he gives a start when he sees me, but then sighs.

"Did you hear that?" I nod. "I’ve heard that Avery’s not the most pleasant person in the world."

"He’s practiced black magic and killed many wizards when they get in his way," I tell him shakily. "How the hell are we going to stop the wedding if we have a person like him around?"

"I have no idea."

***

The night continued and after a couple more songs from the band, Sirius came back to our table, but this time he sat next to me.

"What happened?" I say nervously

"I'm confused– I thought they would talk about... important things, I don't know, but they only asked me questions about the wedding, where we would live, if I would continue at my father's job, silly things really, but..." He looks up and around a bit. “I saw your father speak with Apollo and other men that I couldn’t recognize, he seemed serious, more than normal, and your brother was seeing me from time to time, very tense. Do you think we should investigate more?"

I shake my head.

"Not tonight, it’s risky. Everyone’s in the same place and I'm sure they took measures so that no one else knows what they are planning."

Sirius purses his lips.

"So, I’ll tell James that there’s no need for him to do any distractions," He looks embarrassed, but he also has a smile. I roll my eyes.

“What were you going to do? No wait, I don't want to know. I can't believe you're so impulsive.”

"Does the excuse that we are Gryffindor work?" That makes me laugh a little.

"Maybe," I look him straight in the eye. "You're lucky to have someone from Slytherin," I say raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, we'll talk about it later," he complains, but then he smiles and takes my hand. "Now tell me, what happened here while I was gone?"

My smile vanishes immediately.

"We have problems."

"What?"

"Do you by any means, recognize Avery's name?" His face turns pale.

"Shit."

Taglist

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@bloodorangemoonlight

[starr-fall-knight-rise]

Humans are Space Orcs, “Two Drops of Rain.”

Alright you pseudo-sadistic people out there. 

Lets be honest, we all sort of like watching authors emotionally torture their own characters, and lets also be honest that authors can sometimes be super mean to their creations.

Well I have decided that, in my universe, actions have real psychological, emotional  and physical consequences. So, I am going to have to be the bad guy and be a little mean for this one. 

Expect character development, and light suffering. 

A droplet of rain clung to the glass of the window reflecting an inverted view of the sullen grey sky. It hung suspended there for a few seconds, capturing a moment in its surface, before rupturing and rolling downward disrupting other droplets and causing them to bleed downwards. The rain was heavy enough that the grassy compound outside was covered by a layer of grey. Water droplets lept from the concrete creating a silver haze about the ground, and anything past the distant shadow of buildings on the other side of the square was nothing more than a silhouette perhaps a lamp post, or a lone car hunched in the rain.

He raised his hand to the glass, the warmth of his fingers casting a delicate glaze of fog over the transparent surface before his fingers even made contact. 

“Adam.”

He tilted his head back watching as a pair of droplets began to roll down the outside of the glass. He watched them intently wondering which one of them would win. At first it seemed like the droplet on the left would, but ultimately it’s speed caused it to lose too much weight, and it got stuck halfway to the ground.

“Adam.”

He turned away from the window distracted from his daydreams and brought back to current reality; A white cinder block room, with industrial grey carpet and modern grey furniture accented in blue. Large tropical prints hung on one side of the room fake and grey in the cold light of early spring. A large desk sat opposite cheep steel and wood crouched under an equally cheap set of metal shelving units supporting long lines of fake, leather-bound volumes letters printed in minute gold or silver script up their spines. 

The entire right wall was made up of floor to ceiling glass windows allowing in the thin dreary light cast through the clouds above. On the desk a small glass orb contained a self sustaining biome including a colorful pink sea plant and a single shrimp-like creature. Next to that was a family photograph lovingly dusted of grime, but somehow equally lifeless as the tropical prints on the wall.

A large green plant sat next to him.

It was real, he had already checked.

“Adam? 

“Hmm.”

“I was asking if you had been feeling better since our last session?” The woman who sat in front of him was older, with short steel-grey hair, and a delicate pink white scar running over one of her eyes across valleys of sagging skin. Despite that, she was quite fit for her age, and sat with a hard straight-back demeanor that belied her surprisingly gentle manner.

“I….” He paused looking out the window again trying to track single raindrops as they pelted towards the ground and failing. He sighed, “Not really, no.”

“Do you think you can try and tell me what’s bothering you?” He could hear the rain pounding against the bushes outside the window. It was a distant sound like static or the roaring of a crowd.

“I wish I could.” The chair below him creaked slightly. It wasn’t exactly comfortable;industrial and hard, but he didn’t mind that so much. He wasn’t here to be comfortable; he had come here to get help.

“You mentioned before that you were having trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, and that was affecting your work. Is it still?” 

He shifted in his seat, and below him, Waffles, his dog, rolled onto her other side service vest creaking slightly as she sighed, “No ... the sleeping isn’t much better, and I think I’ve made it pretty clear that my concentration is still shot.” He tried pointedly to look away from the window.

The rain picked up a little, “And what exactly is it that you think about during those times.” She wondered 

He thought for a minute, “Nothing mostly. Sort of just on autopilot you know…. It’s easier there, like I don’t have to think so much.”

Her shiny black shoe bounced softly in the air, “So thinking has been difficult, or do you find yourself thinking about something specific that you’re trying to avoid.”

He rubbed a hand against his temple, “I… a little bit of both I guess. Um… Its like every time I try to think about something, something I really need to think about. My thoughts just keep coming back to…. To what happened.”

She tilted her head slightly focused, intently, but no so intently as to be uncomfortable, on him, “You have yet to talk about what happened.”

He remained silent.

“You don’t have to say anything today if you aren’t ready, but I think it's important, and I think you think it’s important, otherwise we wouldn’t be seeing these obsessive sort of thoughts.” her hands swirled to emphasise the repetitive nature. A silver ring glinted on her finger.

“I guess I’ve just been…. Trying to figure things out…... “

“Don’t feel obligated to push yourself. We can wait as long as you need.” A clock ticked on the wall above her desk filling the silence.. It seemed as if it would go on forever.

“I watched a man get beaten to death, and did nothing to stop it…..” His voice was sudden filling the silence of the room with a sudden heavy weight. His heartbeat picked up as if saying the words made the reality more tangible, but now it was out in the air, he found the words sliding from his mouth easy where they had once been halting, “I watched a man die…. I knew he was going to die….. I knew hours in advice hell eighteen maybe nineteen hours. At any time I could have gotten up and walked over to the guards and told them what was going to happen, but I didn’t. I could have gone to his cell and warned him, I could have told him to run when he entered the room. Hell, I could have jumped in front of him, but I didn’t do any of it.” HIs voice had risen in cadence and octaves filling the space with it’s agitation. At his feet, Waffles sat up sensing his unease turning her head to look at him, “But you know what…. You know what I did, I sat there and did NOTHING, in fact I did worse than nothing. He’s no friend of mine, that’s what I said. I looked him in the eye and that’s what I said knowing what was going to happen to him. Like an absolute BITC-.” 

“Why.” her voice was stern, and the expression on her face made it very clear he was escalating out of line. He relaxed back into his seat breathing hard. His heart hammered inside his head drowning out the sound of the rain.

“Why what?” 

“Why do you think you didn’t do those things.” Waffles whimpered a bit sticking her head in his lap. He hadn’t even noticed that he was ringing his hands, a habit that he had acquired after losing his leg. It generally didn’t go past that, but once upon a time it had been a precursor to hair pulling, something that Waffles had been trained to stop.

“Because I’m A B-”

“Adam.” She said sternly, “A decision is a matter of cognition, not of a personality trait. So let’s be a little more constructive. Tell me what you were thinking.”

He sighed deeply in frustration, glancing out the window again. He couldn’t even see the light post or the car from earlier. The bushes outside the window jumped and rattled rather violently under the downpour, “At first I…. I felt sick…. I wished I was anywhere but there, I wondered if it was actually real….. I wondered why this was happening to me, and how I could make this sort of decision….. And then. After all that I was, I was ...”

She waited, but when no answer was forthcoming she prodded gently, “You were….”

“Angry…. No, no angry isn’t strong enough. I was livid, furious… i….” He felt his throat constrict, “I wanted to…. I wanted.” His voice cracked and he looked away. Tears had sprung to his eyes, and he furiously tried to blink them back angry at himself. Waffles whimpered and scooted forward against his legs resting her big soft head in his lap large brown eyes looking up at him with a deep unwavering concern not understanding his pain but begging to take it away, “ I wanted to Kill him.” He finally finished voice barely above a whisper, “I have never wanted anything so bad in my life, I wanted to go down there myself and strangle the life out of him. I thought about…. About bashing his head against the concrete. I wondered what it would be like to feel his skull caving in under my hands….” He went quiet, “Disgusting.”

“Adam,” her voice was soft but firm, “ in all my years of working, I have heard people want to do a lot more for a lot less, but why don’t you tell me why you felt that way.”

Waffles shoved her snout against his hand. He had been rubbing his chest, another habit he had as a result of PTSD, a condition long dormant now resurfacing, “Number one because he was a pedophile, number two because he was a liar, number three because I know for a fact he planned on going back to his old life after getting out. He had no remorse….. He deserved to die.”

“If that’s the case than he got what he deserved didn’t he?” She wondered tilting her head to the side.

He shook his head vigorously then nodded then sighed in frustration, “yes… I…. i mean no….. No one deserves to die like…. Like that, but ...I mean maybe he did, but that wasn’t their choice to make.” He finally blurted 

“So, he deserved to die, but he deserved to die as a result of justice, and not as a result of a prison riot.” The rain had died down just a bit. Distantly a momentary beam of sunlight peeked through the clouds before vanishing once again.

Adam sighed, “YES! That's it…. The justice system is supposed to take care of this, but it didn't ...”

“Then why do you feel responsible if it was the justice systems’ job?” 

He stroked Waffle’s ears foot tapping in agitation, “I…. well because I AM the justice system. Not like to be a dick or brag, but out in space, I am the arm of the UNSC, Fleet commander. It is my job to deal with human issues offworld, so when the justice system fails it's MY duty to fix it. My job, my objective ...”

“So it was your job to save this man’s life so he could be properly punished?”

“Well, yes.” he rocked in his seat again, agitated, “But I didn’t. I sat there and I did nothing, and you know what. I LIKED it, a part of me enjoyed watching that bastard die. He deserved it…..” A sudden stab of guilt shot through him, and he groaned rocking softly as he lifted his head to the ceiling eyes catching onto porous surface of the panels above. His eyes burned. His voice began to crack again, “But, but then, then when I remember feeling bad for him, and it just makes me feel WORSE because he hurt kids, he was a monster, and I have pity for him! SO does that mean I’m siding with a pedophile? So…. so it was either give in and kill him with the rest of them like he deserved treat him like the monster he is…. Or or I could stand to the side and absolve myself of the murder, but do nothing and still have his blood on my hands, but also have the knowledge that I showed that disgusting fuck mercy when he didn’t deserve it. Either way I…..” His voice caught. He could feel his stomach contracting into a sob, but he forced it down head in his hands.

The room went silent, and waffles jammed her head in between his hands forcing him to quit as his hands sought out fistfuls of hair. His chest and diaphragm contracted and released but he clenched his teeth and shut his eyes. He wouldn’t cry here…. He had been weak enough.

It took a long time before he was finally able to control himself and sit back up. He had gone very hot, and could feel waves of heat wash over him from the effort .

When he looked up he found a glass of water being proffered to him, and he took unable to look at her.

“Adam, it is horrible that you had to make that decision. You have to understand that no matter what you did in that situation would have resulted in the same outcome.” He may have gotten control of his breathing, but he had worn far to thin, far to thin in the intervening weeks. He pointedly looked away feeling hot tears pooling at the corners of his eyes. 

His face remained blank.

“You join in, you’ve committed murder, you stand out, and you’ve  let a man die, you run to the guards and you protect a pedophile. There was no decision you could have made that would have resulted  in a desirable outcome… Tell me, Adam, Do you really think that anything you could have done would have saved that man’s life?”

He wasn’t able to stop it as a hot tear spilled down the side of his face. He kept his head turned only halfway towards her so as to hide the moisture. He rested his head against his hand so as to discreetly wipe it away, “No …”  he finally admitted.

“Go through that with me.” 

More tears. He fought desperately to keep the one eye dry as moisture pooled against his hand. 

“Because I couldn’t have fought them  all off even if I had tried, and the guards would have just let it happen anyway, but I could hav-”

“Could have what? Adam, you did what you could. You stood back to the hazard of your own health so as not to be part of something you didn’t believe in. You couldn’t stop it, and you couldn’t walk away, and that in itself is more than what a lot of people could, or would have done. A lot of people would have joined in to save their own skin.” It had grown darker outside, and he could see his reflection in the glass of the window. His black eye had long since faded but, Krill still urged him to rest as a result of bruising to his right kidney. At least he had only peed blood the one time.

“But I ... that's not, not the problem.” He shifted in his seat, and the dog scooted closer again, “I wanted to do those things, I wanted to join in, I couldn’t stop them.” His voice was growing in pitch again, and as it did the tears only flowed faster. They began to trickle down his forearm, and soon his other eye was overcome. He tried to wipe them away, but they wouldn’t stop. He was fighting a losing battle, and that only made him angier, and that only made the tears worse “Every d-damn t-time I fuck up…. I…. I-I'm weak and useless an-n-nd-” he snarled in frustration embarrassed and unable to look her in the eye, “I s-screw up so m-much, childish, o-over e-em-motional like a stupid, w-winey t-trusting-”

“Adam.”

“B-bit-”

“Adam!” Her voice cut through his rant leaving his silent. He turned away from her no longer able to control himself embarrassed. He just wanted to leave to never have to show his face to anyone ever again.

“First of all we are going to stop that sort of talk right now. It’s pointless, meaningless and it will get us nowhere. Now, do me a favor and take a few deep breaths and calm yourself. Finish the glass of water.”

He did as told still not looking at her. Waffles licked at the tears on his hands so eager to help him wash away the evidence. He finished off the water which helped a little to calm his diaphragm. He took a long slow, shaky breath.

“Would you like to continue this session another time?” She asked, “I can see this is hard?” 

He shook his head stubbornly though he still couldn't look at her.

She sat back in her seat accepting his go ahead “Second of all, whose standards are you holding yourself to.. Who expects such impossible perfection, honestly if you expected any more from yourself, you may as well wish to walk on water too.” He allowed a rueful smile to break through on that last part though it was half hearted.

“Where are you getting these grand ideas of what you have to be?”

He leaned his elbows on his knees and stared down at the floor rubbing the back of his palm over his face. The eyepatch felt sort of cold and slimy now…. He was a mess.

“I…. Guess I don’t know.” He said softly.

“Your parents, family, crew members? How have they been acting towards you?”

He shrugged, “All surprisingly supportive…. Too supportive.” Waffles poked her head up under his arms resting her head against the side of his face scooting forward knowing he was upset desperate to make it go away. Her tail beat against the floor once and then twice.

“Too supportive. How can they be too supportive.”

He paused mouth opening and closing in confusion before sighing in frustration dropping his head; the one eye began to leak again, stupid missing eye which still had tear ducts, “I guess it just feels like…. They all expected me to…. Fall apart, and I did. Its like they understand that poor little Adam Vir wasn’t going to be able to handle what happened, so lets walk on eggshells so as not to upset him.” his voice was growing thick again. Ever time he broke, the edge got closer, and there was no way to hold it back.

“And what’s so wrong with letting yourself fall apart? Sometimes it happens, sometimes it needs to happen.”

He was back to where he was before, accept the tears fell silently now his voice remaining surprisingly calm, “Because it’s weak.”

“That’s a pretty antiquated understanding of emotion. Sounds like something a man from the 2000s would say.”

He said nothing, “Who do you model yourself after, Adam?

He sighed, “My father, I guess, Captain Kelly, my mother, my older brothers…. I guess maybe a little bit from…..movies.”

Her voice was soft, “Sounds like a lot to live up to doesn't it, and let's be honest. Not all of it is entirely true to life.” On the far wall the clock ticked, “You ask me that sounds pretty exhausting.” A distant rumble of thunder rolled across the open lawn. Wind picked up causing the leaves on the bushes to dance.

“Do you think maybe you feel the way you do because it seems you can't live up to the expectations you set for yourself?” 

He remained quiet.

“Weak liable to break or give way under pressure; easily damaged.” She read aloud, “Now I find it interesting how a man who claims to be weak walks into my office on the coattails of a trauma and, instead of talking about the trauma he talks about his moral dilemma. He doesn't complain, he doesn't blame. He takes the weight of responsibility for an entire universe on his shoulders.”

“Don’t you think it’s a bit late for platitudes, doc.” he muttered staring down at his hands.

“Not platitudes, Adam. Observations.” She switched her crossed ankles, “So we know you aren't weak, and you can probably tell me why you aren't useless.”  A car’s headlights cut through the rain illuminating a burst of light over the edge of the leaves. When she didn’t speak he sighed.

“I’m not useless because I command an entire fleet of ships, I was a decorated fighter pilot, I do all these things etc.etc.” His voice was flat and monotone. Another slow tear dropped to the floor creating a dark circle on the grey carpet. He knew what was coming next, so he continued, “I’m not stupid or winy or a bitch, but…. I DO make lots of mistakes, I am childish, to trusting and over emotional.”

“What mistakes?”

He wiped at his eyes again. Waffles whimpered quietly her head on his knee, “Well, I’ve been cheated by a Tesraki, almost got my crew killed, Trusted an enemy and almost got my crew killed, trusted a strange alien species and almost got my crew killed, lost my eye and almost died, got captured more times than I can count, almost died more times than I can count.”

The rain was coming down in sheets again. The drops which had once dotted  the window now ran down in curtains, “Adam, Trust isn’t a weakness, and mistakes don’t correlate to failure. You are dealing with an entirely new species, new problems. If you didn’t make those mistakes then someone else would have to, and who knows, for them it may actually be fatal. Almost dead and very dead are separated by miles.”

More headlights.

“It ok to hold yourself to high standards Adam, it's generally a good thing, but don’t set it so high that no one can reach.” Light was fading outside and she stood from her chair prompting him to do the same. Waffles yawned and stretched. A streak of lightning rolled across the sky like the branches of some sort of celestial tree.

He wiped at his eye again finally turning his head up to look at her. 

She was smiling at him, a genuine smile, not fake or pitious, “I think we really got somewhere today leave it on a positive note?” 

He nodded, and she walked him to the door, “Homework, go easy on yourself this week, ok.” The door opened, he thanked her and then walked into the hall bright with the overhead lights and the same steel grey carpet as inside the office. He steered Waffles down the hall and into the men’s restroom, vacant accept for himself under the sickly fluorescent lights. 

It was late. 

His gate felt unsteady and his hands braced himself upright against cold porcelain. 

He learned forward over the sink to splash cold water on his face pulling off the eyepatch and washing it off before pulling it back over his vacant socket. He lifted his head and stared at himself in the mirror, messy blond hair, red puffy eyes and cheeks. But As he looked, a different face stared back at him, greying skin, yellowed sclera, and cerulean blue irises. 

He had yet to tell her about that issue. 

He turned away from the mirror and stepped from the bathroom into the hall.

Their car was waiting outside, but despite that, the two of them were still soaked by the time they jumped inside 

Rain drummed against the car windows. He rested his cheek against the glass  eye closed against the cold on his skin. It felt good…. He was quiet, and inside he felt strangely fragile like a cracking porcelain sculpture. Lightning flashed across the sky, and Waffles sighed her upper body resting in his lap lower half sitting under the dashboard. The windshield wipers drummed out a steady beat against the glass. He didn’t speak with the Driver, but paid him electronically and stepped from the car upon reaching their destination.

Wet tires against wet concrete, and he was left to push through the rain, jacket pulled up against the cold. 

The interior of the ship was dark. Most of the crew had gone on leave. He walked through the dark halls alone, and imagined he could hear the drumming of the rain against the hull, but knew that wasn’t likely. He was just passing by the mess hall pausing when he heard laughter and saw a warm yellow light cut across the floor. The warm voices seemed to pull him in as the marines talked laughing and joking, but he couldn;t do it, couldn't make himself go in.

Once upon a time he wouldn’t have imagined missing an opportunity to socialize, but instead he turned to the dark hallways heart heavy. He had no idea where his feet were carrying him.

-

Sunny sat up at the knock on her door called from her worried musings by the hesitant knock. She wondered what the marines wanted now. With the Commander out for the day and most of the bridge crew gone, it remained up to her to keep the Marines in tact, which was a surprisingly difficult job to maintain. 

“Come in!” She called

The door hissed open, and she was momentarily blinded by light throwing her hand up to find a silhouette standing in the doorway. It stepped in and the door snicked shut behind him.

Adam stood in the doorway, his body and hair damp with rain, his face with saline. His hands hung cold and white at his sides. Little tracts of water pooled around his boots and glistened on his jacket.  His ears were flushed pink with the cold. 

She stood slowly and quietly as if worried a sudden movement might scare him away. He hadn’t spoken more than a few words to her in what seemed like years, but was more like a week or two. His usually bright green eye was awash with a cold greyness, as if the cloudy sky above and seeped into his soul, but a closer inspection gave her the distinct impression of…..

Pleading? 

“Sunny….” His voice was a soft rasp, thick and heavy like he was speaking past a great weight. 

She missed him.

“Adam…. Is everything ok?”

His mouth twitched, his cheek quivered, his jaw worked for a long moment like he was fighting with himself internally. It looked painful, and was hard to watch. When his voice came, it came with a slight quiver,  “No…. I…. its been…. A really shit day.”

She wanted to move forward, to help him, but she knew like a man drowning, he would need to reach for the help before she could pull him in. Didn’t mean she wanted to watch him drown, choking and gasping for air. 

His expression was distant and glassy speaking past her more than to her, “She says I hold myself to standards that are too high.” Sunny remained quiet waiting, drawing him out, “But WHY are the standards too high? Why am I  expected to fail….. WHY Does everyone have to be so understanding. Why can’t it be just what it looks like, yes Adam you fucked up and what you did was wrong and you  failed. What is wrong with that?” The human looked up at her eye glistening with the vestiges of agony, “Why can’t the bar be set high….. sometimes , sometimes people just fail, and that's the truth of it. Why can’t we admit that. Why can’t anyone look me in the eye AND TELL ME THAT.” His voice was hoarse .

“Why do I have to be so accepting….. It just…. It feels like giving up. Like giving up on the man I’ve always wanted to be.” 

“You wouldn’t give up, Adam….. Even if you were capable of it.” She said softly 

Hed breathed in heavily air catching in his throat, “Why can’t I do this better….” he threw his hands up in the air.

“Because…. You’re only human.”

“Being human ISN’T AN EXCUSE ANYMORE!” His voice rattled off the hull reverberating through the metal. His voice snapped completely and he sagged back against the wall hand to his throat. She couldn’t stand it anymore, she couldn't watch him drown.

So she jumped in pushed past the current to catch him. He sagged against her as she fought back the current threatening to pull him under.

“How do you do it, Sunny.” he whispered 

“Do what?” She wondered.

“I can’t even fight off failure when everyone is at my back…..you….. You did it and the entire world was at your heels……”

The ship was quiet, simply the soft whirr of the backup generators to pierce the quiet, “When I was young, my brother taught me one valuable lesson. He told me, Sunny stop trying to be something you’re not and may never be, but take what you have and be the best version of the person you are now…. I didn’t listen to him for the longest time…. And I suffered for it.”

She took the Human’s face in two of her hands and made him look up at her, “Maybe you can set the bar high, Adam, but you have to make sure the bar is in the same room. Because if you weren't so trusting, and if you didn’t make mistakes….. Than you would have kicked me off the ship as soon as I walked on”

Lights reflected from his eyes and she dragged, pulled him towards shore with all her might. Her voice was soft, “So I say be damned to being perfect….. Let's be honest, it's not exactly a human trait anyway.” 

[kingneptunesthinninghead]

How much do you weigh? what a weirdly personal question

If you are outside, what are you most likely doing? sitting in the shade reading a book

Do you think you can love someone without trusting them? yes but not in a way that will ever be truly fulfilling

What’s your opinion on people who go hunting for sport? i live in a very rural area so i grew up with hunting for sport extremely normalized but once i actually developed and used my critical thinking skills i realized how morally reprehensible it is. literally just begging these people to use their brains.

Do you have a fairly fast or slow internet connection? eh its pretty fast

Have you ever been someplace tropical? florida lmao

Are you sensitive to caffeine? somewhat. i dont really consume it that much

How do you usually get around? driving myself

Have you ever been accused of being too clingy? no bc i’m generally pretty independent unless i reallyyyy like someone

What do you think about Kim Kardashian? neutral

Can you speak any French? je parle un peu français

Favorite yogurt flavor? i’m lactose intolerant so i recently tried dairy free yogurt and i hated it sooo i guess none

How much money do you have in your wallet right now? i dont have any cash in my wallet rn lol

What bottled water brand do you like? deer park or aquafina

Your favorite way to eat chocolate? brownies

How often do you listen to country music? sometimes.

Linkin Park or Avenged Sevenfold? neither

Last surgery you had? my wisdom teeth surgery

Have you ever played guitar? no but i wish i could

Is there someone in your life whose career/life choices you find immoral/unethical? Have you ever told that person your views? Do you find it difficult to support them (emotionally or otherwise) because of their choices? um i dont think so

What trait do you feel you lack that you wish you possessed? a little more confidence

Have you ever considered writing your memoirs? maybe

Do you find it difficult to stay invested in online relationships? i dont have very many online friends anymore but when i had a bunch i loved talking to them

Are you the type of person who pays close attention to the release dates of movies, music, etc., and will, for example, go see a movie or buy an album on the date it is released? If so, when is the last time you did so? only for something i really like.

Do you have any stickers on your laptop? a bunch

Would you rather have a job for which you had to go in early in the morning or one you had to stay late into the evening at? early in the morning so then i have the rest of the day to myself when i get off

Do you use any apps to track your health or medications? i have a workout app but that’s it.

Whose opinions/recommendations do you value most? my mom, sister, and my 2 best friends

If you could’ve been at any historical event, which would you have liked to witness firsthand? probably the women’s suffrage movement or the civil rights movement

Is there something that you really want to do but are afraid of doing? If so, why are you afraid of doing it?i want to tell him how i feel but i’m afraid i’ll ruin the friendship

What is something society “expects” you to do that you don’t want to do and/or don’t plan on doing? wear a tampon i’m sorry but i can’t do it

Have Jehovah's Witnesses ever come to your door? no

Are you well-known by people in your area? eh somewhat

Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis? no and i dont want to

What's your favourite type of bird? owls!!

What tv show(s) have you been watching currently? i’m watching loki, hsmtmts, planning to watch s2 of never have i ever, and i started one piece but i haven’t watched in a while

Have you ever dated a smoker? no but that might change😳

Do you share a middle name with any of your siblings? no

Have you ever been a member in a band? No.

Can you cry on command? If so, have you ever used it to your advantage? No.

Do you have separate emails for personal and business? i have my school email and personal email

Have you ever missed a flight? no

Have you ever seen a lunar eclipse? i think so.

Have you ever taken a ride in a convertible? i literally rode in my best friend’s convertible last night lmao

Why did you last need to use a band-aid? i dont remember

What fruit do you eat most often? bananas and clementines

Who was the last person you visited in the hospital? maybe my great uncle?

Has someone ever tried to start an argument with you over Facebook? What happened? no but i’ve been in a few on insta and twitter.

Have you ever had an unusual type of milk (eg. oat, rice, almond)? i don’t straight up drink milk but i love things made with almond milk.

If you could experience life as a Disney princess for a week, which princess would you pick and why? elsa i want ice powers

When you’re at home, do you spend most of your time in your room? sometimes but normally during the day i’m in the living room with my family

If you like to sleep in late, have your parents ever told you off for doing so? No.

Do you find piercings attractive? Yep.

Do you like potato chips? Loooove 'em.

What’s the most stalker-like/creepy thing you’ve ever done? If you don’t think you’ve done anything like that, what’s the most stalker-like thing someone’s done to you? i’ve looked up a few people’s houses on zillow in my day.

Do you think it’s a double standard that a woman can hit a man and expect to get away with it, but if a man hits a woman it’s assault? absolutely, you shouldn’t hit anyone

What’s your favorite old Disney movie and favorite new Disney movie? my top 3 are princess and the frog, tangled, and frozen 2. i also love the little mermaid

Name something “trendy” or popular that you dislike. idrk

“Dirty talk” in the bedroom…love it, like it, don’t care, dislike it, or hate it? it depends on what it is. it should also be mixed with some loving or praise talk imo

What is/are your favorite type(s) of ethnic food, and what’s your favorite food within that type? i LOVE italian food specifically fettuccine alfredo and i also love asian food such as general tso’s, sweet and sour chicken, lo mein, shrimp fried rice, LUMPIA 🤤

How would you describe your relationship with your hair over the years? i’ve always liked my hair color and thickness. i always go back and forth between growing it out long and cutting it short bc i can never choose which i like more also it has lots of red undertones so i’m thinking about dyeing it a deep red

How do you feel about your SO daily/regularly checking up on a couple of his exes on social media? hypothetically it would be a red flag to me. a clear sign they haven’t moved on from the past

Do you prefer your guy to wear cologne or not? a good smelling cologne on a man will quite literally make me bust a nut.

Ladies, how important is it to you that your SO wears/would wear a wedding ring? i’d want them to unless it didnt fit or something

What was the turning point that led you to decide for or against having children? i’m very close with my family so i’ve always loved the idea of having one of my own with my future spouse

Is having your “dream” wedding really that important to have? i definitely have ideas for my wedding and i would want it to go a certain way according to our plan but in the end if things go wrong or plans change it wouldn’t matter as long as i’m marrying the loml.

Do you consider it cheating if your SO goes to a strip club and then doesn’t tell you? i wouldn’t consider it cheating if he was just watching but i would be angry that he hid it from me

How old is too old for trick-or-treating? i dont think it matters unless ur posing a danger to little children

Do you sleep with your arms over or under the covers? depends but mostly under

Do you own any t-shirts of your favorite band? i have nsync and harry styles shirts but thats it

Fries or onion rings? Fries.

True/False: you’ve had an odd dream this week. all the time but most of the time i forget them right after i wake up

Do you find tattoo sleeves attractive? depends

Do you like carving pumpkins? Yeah.

What’s an animal you want to have as a pet but can’t? i think raccoons are adorable but its kindaaaa hard to domesticate them

Have your parents ever caught you drinking? no bc my parents let me drink in the house and i’ve told them abt every time i’ve drank at college

How would you react if your celebrity crush came to your door? i would absolutely piss and shit on myself.

Has your mom/dad ever walked in on you kissing or anything more with someone? no

The person you have a crush on is drunk and goes to kiss you, you know they don’t realize what they’re doing, but do you kiss anyways? i would stop it even if i want to bc i don’t want them to regret anything and i wouldn’t want them to kiss me if they don’t like me bc it would hurt too much.

What would you prefer to get from a guy/girl: flowers, a hand written poem, a picture he drew of you or a nice night out? i would love them all but something abt a guy taking the time to write a poem for me makes me melt

Do you any shirts with any kind of images of food on them? no.

Which holiday is the most fun to decorate for? halloween

What was the first website you had an email account on? gmail

Have you ever written a fanfic? YES AHSHDH.

Tattoos or piercings? tats for sure.

What’s the last gross movie/show/video you saw? the scene where alexei breaks the inmate’s wrist in black widow is SO GROSS i cringe every time

Would you rather live in a huuuge house or a little cozy one? definitely a little cozy one

Do you have a tutor for anything? No.

Who’s the best kisser you know? i’ve only kissed one person.

Has anyone ever threatened you with a knife? No. I'd like it to stay that way.

(If you’re a girl) Has anyone ever called you "shortie" instead of girl? no and i hope they dont

Do you have a deep voice? not really

Do you play games with boys/girls, like 'hard to get’? no thats dumb

Is there a Sonic where you live? yes i’m a whore for sonic

What do you like on your pizza? pepperoni or sausage

[unmanageable-day]

15. Between a friend and another friend

When you are friends for so long, and it has never come across your mind to date one of them. Until one particular guy friend of yours came to offer you a relationship, a new chapter of life like no other before. 

prev | next

a/n : i hope this is not messed up :’)

Finally, came the day when the last boxes of your stuff had officially moved in to the future house. Nobody was thrilled more than your parents. The big day was really coming and your stomach felt funny. Nervous? Yes, definitely. Ecstatic? Excited? Nah, you were not even sure about that.

After arranging your stuff with typical bickering with the soon-to-be husband, you and Doyoung ended the long day with a big portion of ramyun. He was satisfied looking at the new feeling of his home. The shared closet filled with clothes in similar range of color, shoe drawer that was dominated by your collection of flat shoes, mules and heels, kitchen and dining supplies—including a newly bought tea set, last but not least was the make-up and dressing table full of skin care products.

“The boys want to throw a welcoming party for you,” told him before starting digging in. “For being the new member of this apartment complex, they said.”

“You don't mean a housewarming party in this house, right?”

He chuckled. He definitely read your mind and your horrified expression that you didn't want to do the cleaning after a mess from an occasion with a pack of people. “No. Yuta is booking a restaurant nearby. How about this Sunday? Is that okay with you?”

You nodded, feeling relieved. “Yeah. Sure.”

“Great. I'll let them know.”

“Anyway, Doyoung?”

“Yes?”

“Did Taeyong call you?”

Doyoung was stunned. He had to control his facial expression and his emotion. Thank goodness that he and you had finished eating. Clearing his throat, he started to tidy up the dining table and headed to the sink. “Why?” he asked, his back facing you as he started to wash the ramyun pot.

“Well, I met him, and we talked a bit. I guess he's ready to.. you know, to sort some things up between us. I haven't heard from him again. Did he contact you?”

It takes several days for you to tell me? he said in his head. “Ah, yeah, he did yesterday. We're meeting tomorrow.”

“That's great.”

“Yeah.”

“I hope it will go well for you. Both of you.”

“Wish me luck, I guess?”

“Of course,” you assured him, your voice sounded delighted.

No. Really, wish me luck so I will be the lucky one to get to be with you.

Even the fact that you had decided to move in still couldn't gave him that confidence. He still felt the insecurity consuming him whenever the thought of Taeyong came to his mind.

ㅡ ❆

The dinner with the guys this weekend would remark as the first event after Taeyong finally stopped avoiding you and Doyoung. Hopefully it could be a fresh start for the three of you. You assumed these bestfriends had made up. Although it was inevitable to be the same like the old times, you still wished that things would return to normal.

“Everything will be alright, right?” you asked Doyoung for assurance before heading out. It was funny how you felt nervous to meet your own squad, but as Doyoung's 'housemate'.

“Of course. I've got your back.” He pat your shoulder.

On your way to the restaurant which you decided to go on foot, you were blabbering non-stop about this and that and all random things to overcome the nervousness. Probably it was irritating Doyoung's ears as he didn't respond much. “Okay. Here goes nothing,” you spoke to yourself, breathing in deeply before pushing open the restaurant door.

When you arrived, there were Yuta, Johnny and his girlfriend, Jaehyun, Mark, Donghyuk, Jaemin, Jeno, Sooyoung, and Seulgi already sitting, chattering, and devouring the appetizer. Yuta was the first to welcome you with his loud personality when he saw you by the door. Just then, Taeyong appeared from toilet and he made eye contact with you and Doyoung. You were about to say hi to him, yet he chose to go directly back to his chair. You spotted the empty seat beside Taeyong, so you naturally went there. Doyoung followed and sat down next to you, feeling restless.

“Now that Jooyeon is here, should we cheer for Mr. and soon-to-be Mrs. Kim Doyoung?” Yuta excitedly lead the group for a toast. The mood was instantly liven up, thanks to him. After the first toast, all of you continued to eat.

When you were scanning all the food on the table, Jaehyun offered you a basket of seafood platter, which taken by Taeyong instead. He took the remaining fried fish fillet and put them on your plate, leaving the shrimp and calamari on the basket. You looked at him, not saying anything but he got you. “You're allergic to prawn and you don't like squid.”

You drew a sincere smile. The fact that he still remembered your eating habit somehow made you feel touched. “Thank you,” you almost squealed.

Doyoung silently watched and observed what just happened. Suddenly a bitter taste crept up his mouth although he was munching some baked sweet potato. His appetite was slowly decreasing as he couldn't help but to witness the affection Taeyong showered you.

Taeyong would always picked a food that he thinks you would like. He would make sure that the food he put on your plate didn't contain some ingredients that you disliked. He would check if the food taste spicy or not before he gave some to you. He even switched the chocolate pudding he got for you when everybody knew that it was his favorite dessert.

For Doyoung, this dinner felt like a soft torture he had to endure. He felt powerless. It didn't feel like he was your fiancee. It was like just he was being there as your regular friend. Yes, you were the star of tonight. Being a good friend and partner as you thought you were, you would still talk to him and shared some food, even feeding him with your hand. But Doyoung knew you paid more attention to Taeyong. You were all ears listening attentively to whatever Taeyong was talking about. This bestfriend of yours didn't even steal the spotlight for tonight. Yet he got your fullest attention. And it was shown in his sparkly eyes, how he was comfortably enjoying your company.

“You didn't eat much. Are you sick?” you asked when you arrived home.

“I'm fine.”

“Want me to cook something for you?” You checked the fridge only to find eggs and some side dishes from Doyoung's mom. “Toast with eggs?” you offered.

“That would be nice.”

While waiting for his food, his mind recalled his meeting with Taeyong.

'I assume you already know that Hyemi and I are over,' Taeyong started. 'I've told Jooyeon about that too.' 'I want to say I'm sorry, but I guess that's not the case for you. Am I right?' Doyoung responded calmly. 'You're right.' 'Look, I'm sorry for the way I was. You know how much I value you as a friend. You're very precious for me. And so is she. I'm not gonna lie it still hurts watching her with you. But I guess, I just have to deal with it and overcome it, right?' 'I'd appreciate it. Really.' But, really, how do you deal with it, Taeyong? 'Sometimes I wish you or Johnny were a girl. I'd definitely choose you or him over anything.' The bunny guy tried to laugh without sounded fake. Or awkward. At least Taeyong had tried to make a joke about this already.

Doyoung mindlessly sighed. Although Taeyong didn't say anything weird, what if he tries to win you again this time?

“Did everything go well with Taeyong?” you asked, distracting him and snapping him out of his own thinking.

Getting a yes or no question from you had never been easier. “Yeah, of course,” he quickly answered. Without even thinking.

“I'm glad to hear that.” Soon you joined him on the couch with his toast.

He silently finished the toast, whereas you occupied yourself watching TV beside him. It was oddly quiet. Although you did wonder what might happen with Doyoung, and particularly how his conversation went with Taeyong, you didn't ask him. You didn't tell him what happened when you met Taeyong the other night either. Not telling each other might be a wise choice. Yet not even a single thought crossed your mind that he felt bothered by the fact you and Taeyong had made up.

“Let's go to sleep.” Doyoung got up and put the plate on the sink. He sent you off to the bedroom first.

You had settled under the blanket on the bed while Doyoung was brushing his teeth. Your eyes were shut, trying to sleep but Doyoung's arms sneaking to your waist made you startled and flinched that you abruptly opened your eyes again.

“Sorry. Did I wake you up?” he softly muttered. His fingers traced your hairline and tucked some hair strands behind your ear.

“No,” you mumbled, repositioning your head as you could feel his attempt to shift closer to you.

You wanted to close your eyes again. Yet the way Doyoung intensely stared at you made you uneasy, you had to look away or look at the striped pattern of his pajamas. A part of you was afraid of what he might do if you close your eyes, particularly in this position where you were locked around his arms.

“Do you regret anything until now?”

You squirmed, trying to find a more comfortable position. “Why would I?”

Because there is another man who loves you unconditionally and selflessly. He can make you happy, if you want to be with him. Because he is Lee Taeyong.

Doyoung didn't answer you back. Instead he was brushing your hair gently. Until his hand stopped at the back of your neck. "Just because," he said, before leaning in to plant a soft kiss on your forehead. Then he continued to peck your blushing cheek. He inhaled before he moved closer until his lips were only few centimeters away from yours. “Can I?” he whispered.

You gulped. Your heart was beating like crazy.

This guy was not kidding when he said there is no turning back.

You were contemplating whether to say yes or no. In your mind, both answers would result in awkward outcomes. What happened to 'living with a friend' and 'a roommate sharing a house with'? What kind of roommate who is a friend that do this such an intimate thing?

Oh, wait. Right. Kim Doyoung was not just a friend anymore.

Your eyes were quivering, slightly glancing back and forth at his eyes, his nose, then his lips. Meanwhile he was patiently waiting for your permission, staying still at where he was. You had no idea how your facial expression looked like in his eyes. Was it confused expression? Or maybe terrified? Or even disgusted? That he finally said, “It's okay if I can't.” with a little smile made you even more puzzled. Yet the courage in you suddenly popped up.

"It's not that you can't..." you shyly and hesitantly mumbled, your fist slightly cover your mouth.

The smile on Doyoung's face was getting bigger. “Then it means I can?”

“You said you wanted.. to.. try again..” You couldn't believe you said that. Never had you wanted to be buried alive, or suffocated yourself against the pillow due to embarrassment like this.

Moving away from your neck, his hand reached yours and squeezed it a bit to make it more relaxed. He gestured to guide your hand to hold on to his slim waist, or his back if you wanted. “We're taking it slow, okay?” he whispered as his palm found the back of your neck again. As he leaned in closer, you closed your eyes in panic, just like the first time. You would just let him take the lead because you were already dying from being embarrassed although this is not the first time.

In seconds, his lips finally met yours. Properly, this time. It was a gentle kiss, not particularly a short one since he took a good time to feel the softness of your lips. As if he wanted to preserve the taste of your lips, and at the same time, he wanted you to remember the shape of his lips too. Along with the feelings and the quiet atmosphere when you were just focusing on each other. It was far from a passionate or a hungry kiss as he didn't want to scare you. At least he was hoping it was good enough to make you get used to this.

You almost forgot how to breathe, having no idea how long the kiss lasted. It felt like forever honestly, although it didn't mean you found the kiss awful, or unpleasant. It was just weird to kiss, to be kissed romantically by your very own friend. Maybe you should try to get rid of this kind of thoughts, especially Doyoung will be your husband in a matter of weeks.

He finally released your lips for a breathe of air. Yet he didn't shift away as he still had his nose and forehead against yours. “How was it? Not very bad for the second time, right?”

Unable to look at him in the eyes, you curled your body and buried your face, snuggling against his chest. “Stop asking how it was right away after we did it,” you whined, giving playful slaps while he chuckled at your reaction.

[lightchildofthespring]

The fantastic adventures of Takeru Takaishi

Chapter 2: Daughter of the revolution

On their way up the hill, Sora reminisced the times when her father took her to play hide-and-seek among the woods. She also remembered the day when she hid in a bush and overheard a group of men approaching Haruhiko. They accused him of having "subversive books" and spreading anti-government propaganda among the good people of Turtle Island. Sora was so scared that she couldn't move. She didn't do anything to stop her father from being taken away.

After her surroundings became quiet, Sora left her hiding spot and ran back to her house. It didn't take long for the little girl to notice smoke rising to the sky. Once she arrived there, she found her house burning.

Sora was about to scream in horror, but she felt a hand cover her mouth and another pull her back to the woods.

"I'm so glad you're safe! I'm so glad!"

Sora recognized her mother's voice. The arms that once restricted her were now hugging the child. The little girl was trembling and it didn't take her long to begin to cry. Toshiko turned her daughter around, so she could face her. The woman's eyes were red; a couple of tear trails were still visible.

"They took Dad! They took him away!" Sora said, among sobs.

"I know," Toshiko muttered.

"Where did they take him?" Sora asked.

New tears formed in the woman's eyes. She didn't say anything. It would take years for Sora to learn that her father was taken by Yamanaka's henchmen and dragged to the living room of her family's house as a way to lure Toshiko and the other revolutionaries to a trap. The henchmen were all armed and largely outnumbered the revolutionaries. It would be a suicide mission to try to rescue Hahuriko. Therefore, their leader decided they shouldn't do it.

Toshiko and the rest of the group survived.

Haruhiko didn't.

For the rest of her life, Sora wished to get justice for her father and revenge against Yamanaka. She cooperated with the revolutionaries but, despite knowing their reasons and understanding that her father wouldn't have wanted to be the cause of their demise, Sora could never forgive the leader of the group for that decision.

Takeru wasn't fond of the silence filling the air as they climbed the hill on the horses. Sora was leading the way, Koushiro and he were in the middle and Yamato was on the back, protecting them. From the way Yamato kept staring at Koushiro's back, Takeru assumed he still considered the stranger a threat.

Since Koushiro was the one closest to him, Takeru decided to start a conversation with that man.

"Tell me, Koushiro, where are you from?"

"I was born on Shrimp Island and lived there until I was 10 years old," Koushiro replied, not looking at Takeru.

"That's pretty close to Turtle Island!" Takeru exclaimed. "I'm not sure why, but you had given me the impression of being from somewhere far away."

"I've travelled all around the world," Koushiro told him. "But I always end up coming back to this place. I like to visit the spot where my parents' house used to be... well, not properly my parents'... the house of the couple who took care of me after..."

Koushiro stopped talking. A sad expression was visible on his face.

Suddenly, Sora stopped her horse and raised one hand, as if giving a signal. Two people carrying shotguns came from both sides of the trail: a woman with purple hair and glasses and a man with spiky dark pink hair. At least, that's what Takeru assumed his hair color to be. The woman had a red and long sleeved shirt over her brown paints; her hair was tied in a ponytail. The man had black pants and a loose blue shirt.

"Daisuke! Miyako! I need to talk to my mother immediately!" Sora told them.

"We're really sorry, Sora, but we can't let strangers into the camp. It's dangerous!" Daisuke said, pointing at Takeru and Koushiro.

"This is my little brother, his name is Takeru," Yamato introduced his brother. "The one with red hair is likely a demon from Hell. You should tie him up."

"A demon?!" Daisuke exclaimed, staring at Koushiro with amazement in his eyes. "Are you an actual demon from Hell? Can you summon Hellfire? Can you eat souls? Are you capable of seeing the future?"

"No, no, no... to tell you the truth, I'm capable of seeing fragments of the future," Koushiro answered, "but that ability is not as useful as it sounds."

"You're a clairvoyant?" Takeru asked, excitedly.

"That kind of thing doesn't exist! It's unscientific! Charlatanism!" Miyako affirmed.

"I'm not a charlatan!" Koushiro stated.

"Don't mind her, Mr. Demon," Daisuke told Koushiro, "she's the local mad scientist and can get a bit carried away sometimes about science."

"Stop shaming me for my love for science, Daisuke!" Miyako shouted. "It's the greatest thing in the world!"

"Enough with this discussion!" Sora raised her voice. "The camp is in great danger! Yamanaka's men are coming to attack us! I must talk to my mother immediately!"

Yamato looked at Sora's trembling body with concern. Despite wanting to comfort her, he knew that interrupting the woman would only make her upset. Meanwhile, Miyako and Daisuke stared at Sora in shock. They didn't remember ever seeing her lose her temper.

"That's not possible!" Miyako stated, after half a minute. "Yamanaka's men don't know where our camp is! They would never find our location, unless someone told them!"

"You can't mean that there's a traitor among us..." Daisuke said.

"I don't know how it's going to happen, but I saw armed men walking up this hill amidst darkness," Koushiro told them. "That's why I warned Miss Sora."

"Why exactly should we believe you, stranger?" Miyako asked. "As far as I can tell, you're nothing more than a charlatan trying to deceive people!"

Koushiro sighed, frustrated.

"Fine, don't believe me! I'm used to that," he said. "Just tie me up already and drag me to the tent where you keep the weird looking mechanical box. I can't wait to see you yelling at the boy with green eyes and short black hair to stop meddling with your invention."

"How do you know all that?" Miyako inquired. Then, a bigger concern took over her mind. "Hold on, Iori is doing what?!"

"I can't waste more time with this!" Sora snapped, making her horse run towards the top of the hill. Yamato followed her on his horse.

"How dramatic!" Takeru murmured to himself. He was about to follow them, but Daisuke pointed the shotgun at him.

"The two of you will have to get down from the horses and let us tie your hands and blindfold you," he said.

"What? But I'm Yamato's brother!" Takeru protested. "Doesn't that make me trustworthy?"

"Well... you're not dressed as someone we could trust," Daisuke told him.

"How dare you? I'm wearing the finest and most expensive clothes you've probably seen in your whole lives!" Takeru was getting exasperated.

"That's precisely the issue!" Miyako was getting angry as well. "Do you understand that we're revolutionaries and you look like someone wealthy?"

"So... does being a revolutionary make you hate people with good taste in clothes?" Takeru asked.

Miyako and Daisuke were left speechless after Takeru's remark, not quite understanding how someone could say something so stupid.

Koushiro got down from the horse and put his hands up. He glanced at Takeru and told him:

"Mr. Takeru, with the due respect, please stop saying things without thinking first."

"W-What are you trying to say?" Takeru asked.

"I think he just called you out for saying something dumb... in a very polite way," Daisuke told him.

Takeru's world was shaken by that affirmation. Dumb? Him? But he was such an educated person! But... what if he was dumb? Had he actually been dumb for his entire life? Did he live a lie for all those years? He felt as if his head was spinning and lost his balance, which made him fall from the horse. Luckily for Takeru, he fell on Koushiro.

Koushiro wasn't very lucky as he was knocked to the ground by Takeru's weight.

"Didn't see that coming, did you, Mr. Psychic Demon?" Miyako mocked.

After that, she and Daisuke proceeded to tie and blindfold the two strangers.

Once Sora arrived at the camp, she jumped from the horse and headed to her mother's tent with large steps. Some revolutionaries, who were sitting on logs and cleaning their weapons, seemed surprised at her sudden arrival, but didn't pay her too much attention.

Yamato arrived right after her. He quickly got down from his horse and ran in Sora's direction.

"Sora, please! What are you going to say to her?" Yamato inquired, putting himself in her front. "You can't expect Leader Toshiko to believe that a demon dug himself out of the dirt and told you about a vision he had! I mean... do we even have any actual reason to believe that guy, anyway?"

"I don't know if he's telling the truth or not, but we can't risk our people's safety!" Sora retorted. "I'm not going to let Yamanaka take anyone away again!"

"Sora, I understand-" Yamato began to say.

"No, you don't! Your whole family is alive, you can't understand!" Sora shouted, pushing him out of her way.

Astonished by her uncharacteristically rude behavior, Yamato was unable to move for a few seconds. Once he recovered, he made his way to the tent in the middle of the camp. Inside it, he found Sora staring down at her mother, who was tending to a flower arrangement on the ground, while kneeling on a pillow. There were several other flower arrangements in the tent, among maps, books and weapons. The woman was wearing dark pants and a white buttoned shirt that gave her an air of elegance.

"You haven't come to see me in a while, Sora. And now, without any warning, you interrupt me while I'm with the flowers..." Toshiko commented.

"There's something more important than your flowers that we must discuss!" Sora told her. "Old man Yamanaka's men are coming to the camp! We have to evacuate!"

Toshiko paled after hearing that. She stood up and approached her daughter. Sora felt uncomfortable under that intense gaze, but didn't look away.

"Who told you that?" Toshiko inquired.

"That's not important!" Sora said.

"The only way for those people to find our location is if there's a traitor among us, which is something I can't bring myself to believe," Toshiko told her. "You'd better give me the source of that information if you expect me to take it seriously."

Sora felt her eyes getting warm and her body trembling. She wasn't surprised that her mother didn't listen to her, but that still hurt.

"Then, you need a reliable source to act to protect the group?" Sora questioned. "If you really cared about anyone, the mere possibility of them being in danger should be enough!"

"Sora, don't disrespect me!" Toshiko scolded her. "I care very deeply about-"

"You didn't even care about Dad!" Sora accused, letting a couple of tears escape her eyes.

Toshiko was taken aback by that. Without uttering a word, she watched as Sora stormed out of the tent, being followed by Yamato. Only when she was alone, she allowed herself to cry, like she had always done ever since the day when she lost her husband.

Out of the tent, Sora stumbled on something and nearly fell. Yamato embraced her from behind just in time. He didn't tell her anything. Yamato knew when Sora needed his words and that wasn't one of those moments. She turned to him and wrapped the man in her arms, burying her face on his shoulder. Yamato kept a hand on her back and caressed her hair with another. He would let her cry as much as she needed.

While Sora and Yamato were with Toshiko, Takeru and Koushiro arrived at the camp, after being guided by Miyako while Daisuke led the horses. Once they arrived, the pieces of fabric covering their eyes were removed. Takeru wasn't impressed by the amount of twenty dirty tents or the small group of people wearing cheap clothes. But what did he know? He was an ignorant, after all! Maybe that was the highest fashion among the revolutionaries and he just wasn't intelligent enough to appreciate it!

"Iori Hida, you better come out at this second or may the Goddess help me!" Miyako called.

A teenager with greens eyes and black hair came out of one of the tents. He was carrying a large mechanical black box, which had several small gears moving on its sides.

"You really are meddling with my invention!" Miyako accused.

"It wasn't working properly," Iori said. "I thought I could fix it if I took a better look-"

"Iori, you shouldn't touch other people's inventions without permission!" Miyako scolded him.

"It's not just your invention! I helped too!" Iori said.

"You just assisted me in the manufacture! I was the one who designed it and named it!" Miyako retorted.

"If it doesn't work, you didn't do a very good job, Miyako," Daisuke remarked.

"Hey, you're the last person that can criticize the Smokenator, Daisuke! You've never invented anything in your life!" Miyako shouted. Then, she grabbed the box and tried to pull it from Iori's hands, but he didn't want to give it to her.

"Stop it! I haven't finished fixing the Night Bringer yet!" Iori said, refusing to let go of the box.

"Stop trying to rename the Smokenator!" Miyako said back, putting more force in her grip.

"I find both of those names silly..." Takeru murmured, "but I'm nothing more than an ignorant simpleton who knows nothing of the world!"

"Mr. Takeru, you don't have to say that about yourself. You're clever!" Koushiro tried to cheer him up.

"You were the one who called me dumb!" Takeru accused.

"I never said that!" Koushiro defended himself. "I simply advised you to think more before saying things. I can tell you by experience that offending the wrong person can lead to terrible consequences. I didn't want you to repeat my mistakes."

"Your mistakes?" Takeru asked. "Are you saying that the reason why you die so much is that you keep saying dumb things to people?"

"I'm not going to deny that many of my deaths are tied to people not appreciating what I had to say... even if I was trying to help them..." Koushiro said in a sad tone. "But before all that, I offended someone very dangerous... in consequence I was cursed with the clairvoyance..."

"Cursed? But that's such a fascinating ability!" Takeru contested.

For a moment, it was as if the light had completely vanished from Koushiro's eyes, as if he had gotten lost in painful thoughts.

"It's not fascinating to see tragedies before they happen..." Koushiro had a cold tone, "it's not fascinating to try everything to stop those tragedies... to save people... and then watching them die anyway... unable to change anything..."

Takeru wasn't sure of what to think after their conversation took such a dark turn. Thankfully for him (but not for anyone else), the sudden eruption of black smoke from the mechanical box Miyako and Iori had been fighting over distracted him from the awkward situation Koushiro had created. The black smoke rose to the sky quickly and began to spread in high speed. Despite being the middle of the day, the darkness befalling them made it seem like night had arrived.

"Iori, what did you do?!" Miyako questioned, letting go of the box.

"Don't act as if I was the only one in fault for this!" Iori stood up for himself.

"The entire island is going to see this smoke!" Daisuke said. "Everybody is going to know our location now!"

"What's going on here?!" Yamato inquired, running in their direction alongside Sora. He saw Iori still holding the box from which the smoke was coming. "Iori, what did you do?!"

"Hey, don't criticize Iori!" Miyako defended the teenager. "A farmer like you can't understand the passion of a scientist!"

Sora hurried to untie Takeru and Koushiro. Right after that, she grabbed the red-haired young man by the shoulders and inquired:

"Is this the 'darkness' you saw? Are Yamanaka's men coming?"

"I think so..." Koushiro murmured.

"You think so?!" Yamato snapped. "Are you a clairvoyant or not?! Give us a straight answer! Tells us what will happen next!"

"I can only see fragments of the future!" Koushiro explained. "I can't control this ability!"

"Brother, leave him alone!" Takeru pleaded. "Koushiro is just trying to help! He might not know everything and not understand the intricacies of certain social rules or why some people don't appreciate fine clothes!"

"Is he still talking about Mr. Demon?" Daisuke wondered.

"But the point is that he's trying his best to help!" Takeru continued. "He might make mistakes and say dumb things sometimes, but he's trying to improve himself and do better! Isn't that worthy something?"

"I think I'm not understanding the context here," Yamato said. "What on Earth happened after I went after Sora?"

"Sora, what happened here?" Toshiko questioned, running in her daughter's direction. "This smoke is giving away our location! The camp can be attacked! Yamanaka's henchmen outnumber us! They have better equipment and more munition! In our current state, we can't outfight them!"

For a moment, Sora wanted to say spiteful things to her mother. But the desperation on Toshiko's face made her hesitate. Her previous words of accusation towards Toshiko, fueled by the pain caused by the loss of her father, seemed cruel and stupid on retrospect. It couldn't be more evident that her mother had always worried about the safety of her people.

"We just need to make sure that everybody escape to the tunnels before they get here," Sora said, letting go of Koushiro and turning to her mother. "Let's reunite our best shooters! I can lead the offensive and buy you enough time-"

"Sora, no!" Toshiko interrupted. "You have to escape too! I will stay back and fight them off!"

"Are you out of your mind?!" Sora questioned. "You'll die if you do that! I have to stay and help you!"

"This is an order, Sora! You'll leave!" Toshiko insisted.

"I'm not going to run!" Sora stated. "I'm not going to turn my back on other people and leave them to die!"

For the first time in many years, Sora saw tears in Toshiko's eyes.

"Back then, the thing that I wanted the most was to save Haruhiko or die trying. But I couldn't do that... and it wasn't just for the sake of the group..." Toshiko told her daughter. "If I had tried to save Haruhiko, both your father and I would've died. And then, you'd be left alone to fend for yourself... those horrible men wouldn't show mercy to a little kid... you might hate me for that decision, Sora. It's alright, I hate myself for it as well. But I don't regret choosing to protect you. I'll keep choosing you above everything and everyone, for as long as I live. So, please, don't throw your life away!"

Sora could feel her eyes getting flooded with tears. She almost didn't recognize the warmth and lightness taking over her heart. They were reminiscent of happier times, when her family was together. Those feelings made her realize that, despite respecting her mother's love for her, she still couldn't abandon the woman. Sora wasn't willing to lose the rest of her family.

"OH MY GODDESS!" Takeru suddenly shouted, startling everybody who was enthralled by the touching moment Sora and Toshiko were sharing. "I JUST HAD THE MOST AMAZING IDEA THAT IS GOING TO SAVE EVERYBODY! IT'S SUCH AN INTELLIGENT PLAN! I'M SO INTELLIGENT! HOW COULD I EVER THINK I WAS DUMB?!"

"Wait, did you seriously just come up with an idea that is going to save everybody?" Miyako asked in a skeptical tone.

"Yes, I did, Miss Mad Scientist!" Takeru interjected, pointing his finger dramatically towards the dark sky. "But before I begin to explain my brilliant plan, tell me, do you have any other interesting invention?"

"Oh! Are you asking me if I have other interesting inventions?" Miyako grinned. "I do! I really do! Just you wait to see them!"

"Now, you're sounding like an evil scientist, Miyako!" Daisuke commented.

"Be quiet, Daisuke!" Miyako retorted.

"Hey, Daisuke!" a young woman with light pink hair approached him. Several other revolutionaries were surrounding the group. "Care to explain what's going on to the rest of us?"

"Honestly, Jun, weren't you paying attention?" Daisuke asked.

"We have been paying attention!" another young woman, with short curly blond hair and glasses, said. "But we still need an explanation! We don't even know who that class traitor claiming to have a brilliant plan is!"

"Who are you calling a class traitor?!" Takeru inquired.

Koushiro found the discussion funny. It felt strange to laugh after such a long time, even if he was trying to muffle it. That heartwarming feeling, however, didn't last long.

He suddenly saw himself in a large living room. In front of him, there was an old skinny man looking through a large window. Through ot, the black smoke covering the hill was visible at the horizon.

"Tell me, Monk..." the old man spoke in a husky voice, "is it really wise to send all my forces after the revolutionaries?"

"I can protect you by myself, you have nothing to worry about."

Koushiro knew that voice too well. In other times, nothing would make him happier than to listen to that person, especially when he was laughing. At that moment, however, all that voice did was to confirm his dreadful suspicions.

"What is a holy man like you doing on Turtle Island?" the old man inquired, turning to his right. There, the person in the monk clothes was leaning against a wall. He was smiling at the other, but that smile wasn't like the ones he used to show Koushiro. There was no shred of joy left on that face. The top of the monk's head was covered by a black hood, but Koushiro could still see some strings of that person's large brown hair coming out.

In those distant times, that person would never hide his hair.

"Well, you know..." the monk smirked, "nothing much... just waiting for an old friend."

His sight began to turn dark, indicating that the vision was ending. Koushiro was once again in the revolutionary camp. Takeru was still discussing something with the revolutionaries, but Koushiro wasn't paying attention anymore. His mind wandered through memories of their last meetings, which all ended with his best friend asking him the same thing:

"Please, stay dead this time."

[fallinnflower]

second life

jeonghan   joshua   woozi   dk   seungkwan

seungkwan x reader (fluff, angst, royalty!au)

“even in our next life / even at that time, I’ll go to you"

WARNING: implied major character death?

Honesty is a rare commodity in the life you live. Nobody dares tell you if the dress you’re wearing, seated beside the Queen Mother before the Court, is ugly. Everyone in your company praises you, even if you don’t deserve it. 

Perhaps that’s why you value Seungkwan so much. Because he’s the only person here who’s consistently honest with you — has been since you were children — despite the differences in your stations. You’d made a vow to one another when you were too young to understand your class differences to always be the others truest confidante. 

Boo Seungkwan’s loyalty was another of his great qualities. You imagine it’s what makes him such a good knight. 

It was Seungkwan’s father who was your most trusted guardian as a child, and it was Seungkwan himself who took up the mantle once he reached of age. Now, it was he who was stationed outside your door at all hours, who accompanied you on long trips. When your father offered you a different knight, you outright refused; selfishly, you wanted to keep Seungkwan near to you. 

Seungkwan is not only a good knight, but a good friend. You felt you could talk to Seungkwan, though you had always been made of a softer substance than the quick-witted boy. 

You aren’t an important princess at all, really. The youngest of five royal children, you are far from being the spare — you are the absolute last resort. The best you can offer your family is a good alliance via marriage, and as a result you had very few lessons to attend to past the age of thirteen. Your routine hinges solely on visits to or from other royal families with eligible bachelors, and so more often than not you’re left to your own devices. 

And left with you, always at your side, is Seungkwan. 

“What about this one?” You ask, exiting the large closet that constituted as your dressing room. Seungkwan steps away from the doorway to look at you, cocking his head to the side. You stand up straighter, smoothing the blush pink skirt down. 

“It looks like a cherry blossom.” You raise your eyebrows, trying to nudge him to continue.

“Fine,” he groans. “The sleeves look like a bunch of shrimps.” You let out a heavy sigh, your shoulders slumping. 

“This is the fifth one!” You cry, and Seungkwan only shrugs, smirking playfully at you. 

“It isn’t my fault that the designers have awful ideas—”

“Seungkwan!” You hiss, though you can’t help but laugh. He holds up his hands in mock defense, but the light nature of the situation slips away as you watch his eyes rake over you once more. You bite down on the inside of your cheek, watching the way his gaze traces over your visible curves. It gives you a chance to admire him, the way his eyes seem to burn over you just the same as yours burn over him. When his gaze meets yours again, you notice that the smile on his face is more genuine, more tender. 

“Try something blue,” he suggests, voice soft. “Blue suits you.” You playfully roll your eyes. 

“As if you know anything about fashion. Really, I don’t know why I’m asking you,” you tease. And yet, you go back into the closet and pull out the first blue dress you find. When you see Seungkwan’s dark eyes focused solely on you, you start to think that maybe blue really is your color. 

The visiting prince insists on going horseback riding. You are not very good at horseback riding — but who could be, in all the layers of skirts you have to wear. You love horses, visit the stables regularly with Seungkwan by your side when you don’t have anything else to do, but you’re bad at riding them. 

The prince who asks you to go for a ride doesn’t know this, but Seungkwan does. He gives you a knowing look the second you accept, and you give it right back. The thing is, you’re in no position to say no — you’re meant to be courting him. 

Seungkwan follows at a distance as you attempt to make smalltalk with the prince. Really, it’s mostly the prince talking and you nodding and trying not to fall off the horse as the two of you begin an uphill trek. 

You don’t catch what the prince says, but suddenly he’s decided to get his horse into a run. His horse suddenly cuts off yours, and you brace yourself as the mare beneath you rears back—

Rather than hitting the ground, a pair of arms carefully catch you. You’re met with the familiar, musky smell you associate with Seungkwan before you even open your eyes. 

“I always have your back, Your Highness,” he says. “You know that.” You tilt your head back to meet his gaze. For a long moment, the two of you just hold each other’s gazes. Being in Seungkwan’s arms feels undeniably right, and feeling his warm breath fanning across your face makes your heart race. 

“Don’t go falling for me, Princess,” he murmurs. You feel your heart skip a beat, and you bite down hard on the inside of your cheek—

Suddenly, the sound of hoofbeats returns, and Seungkwan raises you to your feet. The mare that had thrown you toes the ground, but otherwise appears calm; nonetheless, he takes hold of the reins and steps away from you, though you still feel the heat from his touch lingering on your skin. 

You tell the prince you feel too shaken to continue riding, and so instead the three of you ride back to the palace, where you are allowed to rest for the afternoon. But all you do is lie in bed and recall the way Seungkwan’s eyes burned into yours, the sensation of his hands upon your waist, and wish this stupid prince you’re meant to be courting was the knight you’ve known all your life. 

You wander out into the garden on the first true day of spring, Seungkwan following at a respectful distance. In the center of the garden is a fountain with little fish which has just been replenished, and you take a seat on a bench around its circumference. Your friend comes to a stop behind the bench, and you let out a sigh as you watch the fish dart about. Soon they’ll become fat and lazy, like the ones before them — only to disappear before the first freeze of winter. You can’t help but pity them, pretty as they are. 

“Seungkwan,” you say, and he hums in acknowledgement. “What did you think of that Prince that was here this winter? The one we went riding with.” You turn to look at him, finding his nose scrunched slightly in concentration. The sun turns strands of his black hair to gold, and you allow yourself to admire him. After all, your question isn’t unfounded—

“Too thin,” he says, finally. “You shouldn’t trust a man who doesn’t eat.” You can’t help but snort at Seungkwan’s statement, even if it’s unbecoming of you. It’s less of a reaction than Seungkwan expects, however, so he ventures closer to you so that he can see the expression on your face. You keep your gaze trained downward. 

“You’ll hear about it regardless, but I want to tell you myself,” you begin, voice low. “My parents have arranged for me to visit him this month. I really… I really think they want him to be my husband.” You can’t hide how the corners of your mouth curl in distaste at the words, but Seungkwan merely looks at you with a strange sort of stoicism. He doesn’t say a word, but he takes hold of your hand, lifting it to his lips; he presses a gentle kiss to your knuckles. It takes everything in you not to burst into spontaneous tears at that very moment. You look back at the fish as he rises to his feet, and pass the afternoon in silence. 

Your journey was doomed from the start, you should have known. Poor weather began almost immediately, unrelenting rain and chill for which you were neither dressed nor prepared. But the change in weather is only the beginning of your troubles, a rather trivial thing — because the next to come are the bandits. 

The moment they appear, Seungkwan slips into the carriage compartment unnoticed and drags you to the floor with him, pressing a finger to his lips. You grasp tightly onto his hands, afraid, your knuckles starkly white against his calloused hands. Seungkwan watches you with unwavering eyes, as though he’s trying to memorize your face; you find yourself doing the same. 

You can hear the commotion outside — the horses are in a panic, and the few men that had accompanied you have begun to clash swords with the bandits. Seungkwan’s gaze shifts to the door, one hand reaching for his blade—

“When I say run, you have to run, Y/N.” His voice is deathly serious. You’ve never heard him this way before, and it makes your blood run cold. 

“I’m afraid,” you whisper, barely above a breath, squeezing the hand you still hold in both your own. “Please— Seunkgwan, I’m afraid.”

He halts in his movements and turns back to you, the line of his mouth softened into a smile. 

“Y/N,” he murmurs, drawing closer to you. “I’ll come back. I’ll find you when this is over.” 

You can’t let go. You just can’t, and he must see the way you tremble all over. He sights softly and tucks a strand of hair behind your ear, letting his hand linger. 

“No matter what. Even in our next life — even at that time, I’ll go to you. That’s a promise, Y/N,” he says, resolutely. “Do you trust me?” With your cheek pressed against his work-worn palm, you can’t help but nod. You’ve never trusted anyone as much as you trust Seungkwan, probably never will. You want to tell him this and more, tell him everything, tell him you love him; but you can barely breathe, so all you do is nod. He smiles at you, then leans in and presses a gentle, warm kiss to your forehead. When he pulls away, you finally manage to let go of his hands. He pushes you behind his back,

“Whatever you do, don’t stop,” he intones, his hand on the hilt of his blade. You swallow thickly, feeling the tears pool in your eyes as you watch all the muscles in his arms and back tighten—

“Run.”

[erintoknow]

a little victimless crime

Spiraling - A Fallen Hero: Rebirth Fan-fiction

Nothing like combining business and pleasure. [Do It All The Time] Originally: [bigger than the sound]

[Read on AO3]

It is as if you’re fighting with one arm behind your back.

When you originally conceived of this plan, you figured you’d use the villain suit sparingly. When infiltration as either Jane or some other possessed stooge wouldn’t cut it. Maneuver people into positions where you could plant suggestions, instill compulsions, weave a web of threads over the city with yourself at the center.

Argent’s possession has entered into your regular stable of nightmares. If that wasn’t enough, she’s hounding you at every turn, ensuring you can’t forget. Even pushing the mental commands, is starting to fray at you. Are you really any better than The Directive if you don’t let people think for themselves?

As long as they go down, does it matter?

“Ugh.”

Dr. Mortum frowns from across the table. “Is everything okay, mon amie?”

“Oh, sorry.” Jane grimaces as she looks up from the day planner in front of her. “I’m just trying to figure out how to – to fit all this shit into one week.”

“Mm.” She picks up her wine glass, eyes scanning the night’s crowd at Joes. “Your boss is running you ragged these days.”

“Tell me about it. Oh, that reminds me, I need to put in another order for more of that black 2.0 paint.” Jane groans, one hand holding her forehead as she scans the week for an open time slot. “Can’t believe how high-maintenance that damn suit is.”

“A problem with my work?”

“No, no, it’s the damn paint. The slightest scratch ruins the effect. And of course, I have to route the money to pay for it, through like, three shell companies.” She chews at the end of her pen, circles an open slot and jots the reminder in. “There, hope that’s enough time.”

How many lives are you living at this point? Jane with Mortum, Jane dating Ortega, Jane as criminal fixer, Ghost, Ariadne the retired vigilante, and whatever the hell is going on between Ariadne and Ortega… to say nothing of keeping both bodies fed and healthy, or skimming enough cash to pay for everything.

“Do not forget to put aside time to sleep, mon amie.”

Jane puts her planner to one side and looks up at Mortum with a hopeless smile. “Personally, I think that’s a feature, not a bug.”

That does nothing to ease the look of concern on the doctor’s face. “Trouble sleeping?”

“It’s nothing. It’s fine.” Jane sighs, waving the concern away. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Mon amie–”

“I said don’t worry.” It’s touching, almost, how concerned Dr. Mortum has started to get over Jane’s wellbeing. Haven’t figured out what exactly her angle there is. “Look…” Jane trails off as you try to find the right words, a way to thread the needle. “I… appreciate your concern but I’m fine. Seriously.”

“If you say so.”

“I do. Say so. Look, I’m not even working the frontlines anymore. No more being blown up, you know? I promised.”

Mortum does not look convinced. “Spying on the ex-marshal does not count as ‘front lines’ to you, mon amie?”

Jane scoffs, “What’s she gonna do, give me the tingler?” Actually...

No! Stay focused!

Mortum gives her a tired expression. “Charge is a craftier woman than you’re giving her credit, mon amie.”

Loud, brash Ortega? The woman whose smile makes Jane feel like she’s lighter than air? She shakes her head. “I don’t see it.”

“Well, that’s rather the idea now, is it not?” Mortum’s smile is grim and she holds out her hands, palms up. “We all play up particular roles so that others might overlook the parts we wish them too.”

That gets a raised eyebrow, “And are you hiding something from me, doc?”

“But of course, mon amie. As I assume you are from me. This is how people are. Can anyone ever truly know another?”

“I thought your thing was science, not philosophy.”

“In my prefered field? The distinction between the two can get terribly blurry.”

It’s hard to argue with her. And that alone is enough to make you nervous. Is Ortega up to something? How much does she know about Ghost and how much does she just suspect? You thought she was just trying to reconnect with Ariadne out of sentimentality, but what if she’s trying to keep tabs? The thought is enough to make Jane frown.

You have to face facts and admit that cutting ties with Ortega completely is the safest move. Jane’s the one with the relationship, the one making a connection. Ariadne’s a ghost from the past, a hanger-on. She’s got no business making eyes at Ortega.

Being around her… being forced to confront face-to-face with the impossibility of what you can never have… it’s painful. Ortega would hate her, if she knew the truth about Ariadne; what she was, what she’d done.

You can’t go back. It’s unthinkable. So, if you can’t work yourself up to dying then there’s no choice. You’re stuck on this path. You can’t unring the bell.

“–mon amie?”

Jane blinks, jerking her head up from her planner. “S–sorry, what?”

Dr. Mortum watches her from across the table, concern knitting her brow. “Penny for your thoughts?”

“Oh, ah.” Jane winces, an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I got lost in my head there.”

“It is the lack of sleep mon amie.” She smiles.

“Maybe.” Jane mirrors the smile back. “Still – there’s no rest in sight for this bad girl.” With a sigh, she snaps her planning shut and tucks it away in her purse. “I’ve got another, very exciting meeting tonight.”

“Be careful, mon amie.”

Jane flashes a smile and downs the rest of her drink before leaving a twenty on the table. “You know me, I always am.”

–––

“Thanks for coming with me,” Ortega whispers from the corner of her mouth.

“Of course, thanks for inviting me.” A smile flits across Jane’s face as she studies the mess of an abstract portrait hanging on the wall in front of them. “Hopefully no super villains crash this party.”

Ortega laughs, uneasy, as she rubs the back of her neck. “Anyone that does is going to regret it.”

Jane arches an eyebrow as you try to keep her from smiling. In the aftermath of the Gala fiasco, security has tripled in order to keep the city’s elite feeling safe. The Mayor’s Guardian force was milling around here somewhere, ready to jump into duty in a split second. For the Rangers, beside Ortega, Jane has seen Herald milling around somewhere and it wouldn’t surprise you if either Argent, or Steel, or both had been bullied into attending.

The Mayor needs to prove to her benefactors she was worth keeping in office. The Rangers needed to prove they were worth keeping in Los Diablos.

Lucky for you then, Ortega still owed Jane a second date.

No explosives this time. No dramatic fights, or burning buildings. No terrible mistakes with people screaming and blood everywhere and emergency rooms filling up. Going to do this right. Going to do this quiet. The bastards won’t realize the damage until it’s too late.

“Charge! How are you holding up?”

Jane and Ortega turn together to find Herald walking towards them. It’s a little strange seeming him in a tuxedo again. All crisp angles and sharp features. He raises an arm to wave and you think Jane spies a glimpse of blue sleeve from a Ranger skinsuit underneath. Well, that confirms what you suspected from the Gala. Wonderbread really is ready to throw-down at a moment’s notice.

Is Ortega? She’s in a suit this time instead of a dress. Easier to fight in?

Ortega waves back at Herald with a smile. “Haven’t throttled anyone yet, how about you?”

Herald takes Ortega’s hand and pulls her into a quick hug. “Oh, this is old hat to me. I just focus on the art, and see how many fancy hors d’oeuvres I can sneak before anyone notices.” Ortega laughs and Jane politely covers her mouth to hide the smile. He shifts his gaze down to Jane and his eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Sides–?” He flinches and shakes his head. “Wait, no?”

Jane keeps her face blank. Sidestep? Sidestep who? Never heard of the bitch.

There is a tense silence and then Ortega breaks it with a forced laugh. “Sorry, this is my friend Jane I was telling you about.” She gestures towards you and then from you to Herald. “And Jane, this is Herald, but you probably already knew that.” More forced laughter.

Friend?

“Sorry,” Herald rubs at his knee, “you just reminded me of someone.” He shoots Ortega a curious look.

Was it too late now to go back and dye Jane’s hair? You idiot. You stupid vain idiot. All the more reason to keep the two lives separated. Why did you have to go and get Jane involved with Ortega?

Moron. Fool. Buffoon.

Jane keeps her face a careful blank. “It’s… nice to meet you too, Mr. …?”

Herald smiles, awkward. “Just Herald is fine. Nice to meet you, Jane.” He doesn’t offer a hand to shake.

When Ortega and Herald descend into small talk Jane breathes a sigh of relief and politely detaches herself from the conversation. A few tense moments, but it had at least bought you some needed freedom from Ortega.

Time to get to work then.

“Excuse me, folks, I’m just gonna duck into the restroom real quick.”

Ortega nods, “You know where it is?”

“I’ll figure it out. I’ll see you at the shrimp bar, sweetie.” Jane winks at Ortega, a smirk spreading across her face at the slight color on her hero’s face. Still got her.

Your sense of direction as Jane isn’t as strong as Ariadne’s but enough time spent studying floor plans makes up for it. Weave through the crowd, past the buffet table. The further from the food and the booze Jane gets the less people in ritzy outfights milling around being offensively rich.

There, next to the restrooms, a side entrance for the gallery. A very bored looking cop stands next to the door, watching the guests.

Mustering up all the elitist disdain she can muster, Jane approaches the door and gives the cop a dismissive glance, adding some gravel to her voice. “I’m taking a smoke break.” The man frowns but otherwise doesn’t stop Jane as she steps through the door, pretending to fish through her purse. Perfect.

Outside, the street gives a clear view to the Hero Museum just down the block. Once again closed for renovation and repair. The dumb bastards. Maybe you’ll trash the next grand opening too. Keep it up until they get the idea.

It doesn’t take long to spot her. The woman pacing back and forth down the sidewalk, staring anxiously at her phone, purse hanging loose in the crook of her arm. Jane whispers to get her attention and when that doesn’t work progressively raises her voice. “Hey! Ochoa!”

She looks up, sags in relief and hurries over to Jane, her movements stiff and awkward in the tight black and gold floral dress. “Finally! I was about to call the whole thing off.”

“Do you want your dirt or not?” Jane hisses.

“Please, Jane.” Mia Ochoa’s frowns, “I’m an investigative journalist, not a tabloid columnist.”

“Sure, whatever.” Jane glances up and down the street. She keeps a hand in her purse, fingering the gadget from Dr. Mortum that should be disrupting the video cameras. How long did the charge last for again? Five minutes? “Sit tight, I need to get the pig out of the way first.”

“You’re not going to–?”

Jane snorts, “I’m not going to hurt anybody. I’m not stupid.” She tilts her head, thinking. “Well. I’m probably not going to hurt anybody.” She shakes her head and holds up a hand. “Whatever, wait here. This’ll only take a second.”

“Ugh,” Jane contorts her face into a visage of barely contained fury as she steps back inside. “I can’t believe some people.”

The cop sighs, “There a problem, Ma’am?”

A short bark of a laugh. “Problem?” Jane glowers down the hallway. “Yeah, there’s a fucking problem.”

Eyes flicker to Jane’s nametag. “There’s no need for that kind of language, Miss Smith.”

Jane snarls, “Tell that to the asshole who can’t keep his hands to himself.”

That gets the cop’s attention. “Again, is there something I can help you with, Ma’am.”

Jane holds her breath. You’re about to do something really shitty. Oh well. Sorry Kieth, it’s for the greater good. “Yeah, alright.” Jane sighs, avoiding the cop’s gaze. “someone ought to teach that damn waiter at the cocktail bar some manners. I’m not the only woman either he’s harassed tonight. The ass.”

The man’s eyes narrow. “I’ll see someone talks to him.” He puts a hand up to the walkie-talkie strapped to his breast pocket. Presses the button. Jane holds her breath. “Hey, Sam? I got a woman here reporting a problem with one of the help.”

The cop frowns as no one answers.

“Sam? You there?” No response. “Kim? José?”

Jane crosses her arms, and taps her foot. “I thought you said you’d take care of it.”

He shakes his head, “Something’s wrong with my damn walkie.” He taps it one more time and shakes his head. “Goddamn this garbage keeps busting. Sorry miss, I’ll have to find my superior.” He shoots Jane a glance, eyeing her up and down. “In the meantime, use some common sense.”

Jane huffs, as the cop walks off, grumbling about equipment.

Honestly, you half-expected that not to work. Thank you, Dr. Mortum.

A quick glance around to check for any other eyes and you step back to hold the door open. “Alright Ochoa, you’re in.”

“Finally.” The reporter quickly steps inside and you let the door close. “I can’t believe I’m really doing this.”

Jane frowns as she digs through her purse again. “Yeah, well, if you want the real meat you gotta go where they don’t want you to be.”

“Oh believe me, I know.”

“Ah, here we go.” Jane pulls out a small laminated pin, holds it up for Ochoa’s inspection. “Your own name pin. It’s like you were supposed to be here all along.”

“Oh!” The woman takes it from Jane’s hand with a look of surprise. “You thought of everything.”

“Don’t jinx it.”

As the two of you walk down the hallway to rejoin the main event Ochoa pins the name tag to her chest and smoothes out her dress. “Alright, well, thanks for getting me in. I can take it from here.”

“Just don’t forget our deal. You owe now.”

The smile fades from Ochoa’s face. “Of course.”

Jane scans the room as the two of you step in. There’s Ortega and Herald still talking in the far corner, and then there’s… “Actually,” a tight smile crosses Jane’s face, “how do you feel about an introduction to the Mayor’s right-hand man?”

Ochoa’s eyes light up, “I’d love it.” She frowns, “But do you think he’ll talk?”

“I think you might be surprised.” Jane grabs Ochoa’s hand, pulling her through the crowd. There we go. Jane raises her free hand in greeting, “Professor Vanderpoel, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

The balding clerk turns with startled surprise towards Jane, as the other two men in his group stop talking, watching the two approaching women with mild interest. “I’m sorry… do I know you?”

Jane laughs, a bright smile on her face. “Don’t tell me you forgot me already? Tell me you at least remember the linden trees?”

A cascade of color rockets up the man’s face. “That– that was a very different time in my life.”

One of Vanderpoel’s companions laughs and elbows him in the side. “You never told me you used to teach!”

Vanderpoel flinches, “I haven’t for eight years.”

Jane nods, knowingly. “Such a shame what happened! Still, I’m so happy to see you’ve bounced back without any problems.”

“Well…”

“Anyway,” Jane cuts him off without mercy, “I was just catching up with my good friend Mia,” Jane tugs Mia forward by the arm. “When I saw you over here.”

One of Vanderpoel’s friends tilts his head, “Mia…? You look familiar.”

Ochoa’s smile is strained. “I’m a reporter for LD Confidential.”

Jane laughs, “Don’t worry, she’s not working today.”

Vanderpoel’s two friends laugh with Jane, but Vanderpoel himself has a thoughtful look in his eye. Encouraging. Ghost’s bridge-side chat with the man has been sinking in after all.

The man on the right claps Vanderpoel on the back. “You know some lovely ladies man, I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on us!” A strange look crosses across Vanderpoel’s face and the three men make room for the two of you to join their conversation. You can’t stop the smirk on Jane’s face. You’ve got them.

S u c k e r s.

Not every bomb needs to be literal.

A few more minutes of smalltalk to help work Ochoa into the conversation and then Jane politely excuses herself from the group. She’s got a date to rejoin after all.

Ortega perks up as Jane crosses the room, a glass of wine in each hand. She doesn’t wait to ask before offering Jane one of them. “I was beginning to think you might have ditched me.”

Jane smiles, laughs, as she takes the wine glass. “Sorry, sorry, I saw some people I knew and got distracted.”

“Oh?” Ortega’s focus zeros in on Jane, “Anyone I’d know?”

“Oh, I doubt it.” Jane shakes her head and waves a hand to dismiss the idea. “Just some old college friends. “ She glances about the room, “Herald still around?”

Ortega laughs, “He’s around somewhere. Why?”

“No reason. Just wondering.” Jane sips from her glass. “You have a lot of attractive friends.”

Wait, fuck what? Why did you say that? What the fuck? What happened to that masterclass of infiltration?

Ortega blinks, surprised, then laughs. “I hadn’t pegged you for being into men too.”

Jane glowers up at her. “So what?”

“Hey, it’s fine. I’m bi too.” Ortega smiles, pats Jane on the shoulder, then lets her hand run down the arm.

“You are?” Jane winces, “Ugh, what am I saying, of course you are. Sorry, I’ve apparently lost my mind tonight.”

“I suppose my love life is pretty well documented at this point.” There’s a bitter tinge to Ortega’s voice that catches you by surprise.

“I’m surprised we haven’t shown up in a tabloid yet,” Jane admits.

“Ghost’s debut kind of took over the headlines for awhile, didn’t it?.” Ortega laughs, “It’s just as well. I don’t get the kind of media attention that I used to.”

“Miss it any?”

“God no.” Ortega smiles widely, and then the smile quickly fades. “Sometimes I wonder how many relationships it cost me.”

Huh. “Was it that bad?”

“You got out for dinner with one guy and suddenly they’re your boyfriend. After awhile I just kind of embraced it. Especially once I became Marshal. At least I could take some ownership over it that way, you know?”

“I’m… sorry, that sounds pretty rough actually.”

“It’s in the past now.”

Silence threatens to stretch out between you two. Jane coughs, “So… when did you figure out you liked women, then?”

Ortega rubs her neck, “When I figured it out…? Hrm.”

“You don’t have to tell me.”

“No, I’m just… it feels like so long ago now.” Ortega sighs. “I guess… there was this vigilante…”

Jane holds her breath. No– It couldn’t be, could it? “A vigilante?”

“Well, I had just joined the Rangers properly.” Oh. “This vigilante, Axel. She was this speed boost that worked in the south end of the city. She was Latina too, and we just… kind of hit it off.”

“Wow,” Jane says. You try to wrack you memory for anything about an ‘Axel.’ It’s not ringing a bell. “What ended up happening?”

“It wasn’t easy trying to keep it out of the press. Eventually it got to be too much and we just kind of… mutually broke it off. She retired not long after. Or moved, maybe?” Ortega crosses her arms, thinking. “That’s it, she moved down further south. I haven’t heard from her since.”

“She didn’t want to go public?”

Ortega sighs. “This was like the early aughts. Things were starting to change but…”

Jane frowns. “There would have been consequences.”

“Yeah. I think…” Ortega stares at the floor between the two of you, lost in memory or maybe regret. “I think maybe I had been too pushy. I was under a lot of pressure at the time. The new face of the Rangers. They told me I needed a relationship to look ‘normal.’”

“Human.” Jane prompts, unbidden.

“Yeah,” Ortega laughs, bitter. “That too, I guess. Not that it was an excuse, mind.”

“Would a relationship with a woman really work for that though?”

“Well, we’ll never know now. I wanted to try but…”

“But?”

“I don’t think I gave her the space to really process what coming out would mean. We just fought about it. A lot.”

Jane rocks back and forth on her heels, avoids looking at Ortega. “That’s rough, I’m sorry.” Ortega never shared this with you – with Ariadne. You’re not sure what that means. How to feel about it.

“Well, hey,” Ortega looks up, catches Jane’s eye. “I learned from it. Eventually.” She smiles, and Jane smiles back. “Well, I told you my story, what’s yours?”

Jane blinks, bites her lip. “Oh! Uh. Hrm.”

“Sore subject for you too?”

“Uh… not exactly…” Jane laughs while panic runs through your head. “Like… when I figured out I liked guys…?”

“I was more thinking women? Society kind of expects the male interest.”

Jane forces a laugh. “I guess that’s true. I’ve never actually dated a guy though.”

Ortega shrugs, “Doesn’t make you any less bi. Nothing wrong with that.”

“Is it still bi if you don’t want to date guys though?” Jane frowns, looking away. Floor, artwork, the crowd. Anywhere else.

“Oh. Hrm,” Ortega pauses, “I guess that’s up to you? I’m not the sexuality police.” She laughs and Jane finds herself joining in.

“Oh good. I’m safe then. I mean… guys can be… attractive, I guess.” Jane shrugs helplessly, “But… I don’t know. I guess I’m kind of afraid of them?”

“Jane…?” There’s a note of concern in Ortega’s voice, and Jane cringes. This conversation is getting too real.

“This isn’t really the place to talk about it.”

“Okay. I get that. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Jane sighs. That is absolutely not a subject you want Ortega to chew on. You need something to distract her. “ As far as women go, well..” You need to think of a story quickly. “There was this… girl I worked with in – in… college.”

“You know,” There’s an impish grin on Ortega’s face, “they say you should never date a coworker.”

Jane scowls, “Oh believe me, no dating was involved.”

Ortega puts a hand over her mouth. “Oh no! You just pined from afar?”

“Uh… more like, right next to her. For five years.”

“Ouch. She never caught on?”

The pained expression on Jane’s face matches the one in your heart. “I… have no idea?” Shesighs and downs the rest of her wine glass in one go. “Honestly, I didn’t really… understand what it was I was feeling until years later. And then… it was too late.” She shrugs and looks away. Can’t believe this conversation is happening. Have you lost your goddamn mind?

Ortega is shaking her head, equal parts amused and pitying. “I never would have pegged you for the shy type.”

“Hey!” Jane crosses her arms, “not shy enough to keep from kissing you.”

Ortega laughs again, “I’ve noticed.”

“I learned from my mistakes too,” Jane lies.

[nctinfo]

[TRANS] WayV’s interview with Leon Young July 2019 issue!

Their musical style changes frequently, sometimes extremely gentle and loving, sometimes explosive and fiery. The seven boys are like seven completely different gems, difficult to gather in the first place, and yet still able to radiate a unique and harmonious light, invoking surprise and curiosity.

KUN | Capricorn leader, full points for his leadership

Blood type: B Star sign: Capricorn Favourite food: Beef Favourite music genre: R&B I am Qian Kun, a treasure boy, waiting for you to unearth.

Qian Kun, who yearned for the skies since young, has a hobby for researching on planes, collecting model planes and also playing flying games. “I especially like to sit on the plane, every time we travel by plane I will take videos of the clouds in the skies through the small circular window.” Other than being a singer, Qian Kun’s biggest dream is to be a pilot. In WayV’s newest single <Dream Launch>’s MV, he could experience his “space obsession” —— traveling through space and time with the wormhole, and launching his dreams towards outer space.

As the leader, he can’t be this imaginative every day. In the team, all seven boys have distinctly different personalities, so collecting everyone’s different opinions, and bringing all the members closely together, will be impossible without impressive leadership capabilities. “Teamwork” is WayV’s team spirit, and Qian Kun is everyone’s “gege” that they admire and listen to.

Kun is very good at writing lyrics and composing, and when asked where his inspiration comes from, his words were quite shocking —— when he’s showering. “Often when I’m showering, a melody will suddenly appear in my head. I will then quickly rush out of the bathroom in a bathrobe and use the fastest speed to record the melody in my phone.”

Q: When did you realize you have a talent in music? A: When I was young, I would participate in the singing competition in our school every year, and would get first place every time.

Q: Who is your favourite singer? A: Jay Chou, I’ve liked listening to his songs since I was in the first year of primary school.

TEN | Be careful! The smiling eyes are electric

Blood type: A Star sign: Pisces Favourite food: Rice cake Favourite music genre: R&B I am TEN, born for the stage.

Born in Bangkok, TEN particularly loves Chinese traditional food.  His favourite is rice cake, soy bean milk, youtiao (fried dough), and lamb skewers. Every type of food brings him a different surprise, and makes him say “wow, this is good!” every bite he takes.

When TEN was studying Mandarin, the other members were available to be his personal “language teacher”, so he improved at an incredible speed. Other than that, TEN has his own study tips as well, which is to learn Mandarin via watching Chinese variety shows. His favourites are <Running Man>, <Our Brilliant Masters>, and <Back To Field>.

TEN’s explosive dancing is one of the highlights of a WayV stage. He looks very gentle when he smiles, but is shockingly powerful when he moves. TEN says that he mainly trains two aspects of dancing: the first is physical strength, the second is the details of the choreography. He spends at least an hour in the practice room every day doing push-ups and planking, amongst others, then practices specific dance moves after completing physical training. Because perfect movements must have good muscle control as a foundation.

Q: What is your favourite sport? A: Badminton.

Q: How have your parents supported you in your career? A: They respect my decisions very much, and let me freely do what I like to do.

WINWIN | Dancing elf, more charming the more you appreciate

Blood type: B Star sign: Scorpio Favourite food: Shrimp Favourite music genre: R&B I am WINWIN, a guy that gets more and more charming the more you look at me.

“I’m slightly introverted, but others in the team always bring me lots of joy, so I feel like I’ve been ‘opened’ by them.” Though WINWIN appears to be mysterious and cold, he’s actually very soft-hearted. His favourite thing to do is to watch movies, listen to songs, and chat with his fellow members in the dorm.

WayV has a tradition of watching a movie together in the dorms every week. They would discuss the plot after the movie and share their own thoughts and realizations. Additionally, they also regularly hold “meetings” to share their own worries with other members, while providing suggestions to others. WINWIN likes to turn off the lights and light some candles when this is going on, creating a relaxed atmosphere around everyone.

From the time he was a primary 5 student, WINWIN studied traditional Chinese dance. Years of dance background gave every move he makes a sense of calmness and elegance. Dance has a priceless meaning to WINWIN, “it is the basis of my everything, dance is what brought me here today.”

Q: Which song from the new album do you like the best? A: <Let me love u>, it’s a love song from us to the fans.

Q: Which of your facial features are you most satisfied with? A: Eyes. The outer corner of my eye tilts up slightly, and seem to have a classical beauty.

LUCAS | Clever and mischievous, imaginative and unrestricted.

Blood type: O Star sign: Aquarius Favourite food: Apples Favourite music genre: The quietest music and the most explosive music I am LUCAS, thank you to all the people who like me, you’re all really cute!

“Comparing before and after I joined WayV, the biggest change I made was learning how to take care of my younger brothers.” LUCAS says he used to always have the image of a “younger brother”, but after joining the team and facing members younger than he is, he naturally upgraded to become others’ “older brother”, and knew more about how to understand and help others.

At 183cm, LUCAS has a tall and straight figure. Coupled with big eyes that seem to be able to speak, his features make fans swoon. LUCAS, as someone who has lots of visuals and even more style, has been nicknamed a “walking poster”. When asked about his method of selecting and matching clothes, he has much to say, “we have to first understand our body before we can better match our clothes, and not just follow the trends.” He thinks colorful clothes can help add colour to the city, and if everyone can wear their own style, then the whole city will have a unique style to it.

Aquarian LUCAS always comes up with strange ideas, for example, he says that when he listens to music, he can not only hear the melody and rhythm of the song itself, but also the feelings of the composer and lyricist, and even how the drummer looks when they drum on the backing track. He also frequently lies down on the carpet to think about “the difficult questions in life”, like “the fans do so much for us, what should I do to let them feel our love too?” What is the answer? It is very simple, and also very pure - make even better music, which makes them happy after listening to it.

Q: What is your biggest wish lately? A: For WayV to hold their own concert, and interact with the fans with no distance between us.

Q: What would you like to remind the fans of? A: Eat more fruits, you can absorb many natural vitamins, which is more effective and healthier than taking vitamin tablets!

XIAOJUN | Honey voice, difficult to forget

Blood type: B Star sign: Leo Favourite food: Sour candy Favourite music genre: Ballad I want to be magic, I want to be bigger than I am.

“Take Off” is XIAOJUN’s favourite from the new album, “Even if I have no wings, I still want to fly, courage is needed to face your dreams. This is similar to my current state of mind.”XIAOJUN’s voice is not one to be easily forgotten, it’s crisp and hoarse, yet soft and dense; it’s fine, and gentle - he’s referred to by the fans as “honey voiced”.

XIAOJUN has been obsessed with music ever since he was a child, and usually likes to quietly practice singing by himself. Even though he is now a member of an idol group, and has to frequently face many busy announcements and tough rehearsals, he still persists in at least three hours of vocal practice every day. How does he protect his “honey vocals”, then? XIAOJUN has his own good practices, of course. “I drink a glass of honey water when I get up every morning, this can reduce heatiness, and moisten the throat.

”Though skilled, XIAOJUN admits that he is very nervous before meeting fans. Not long ago, WayV participated in Hunan Television’s “Happy Together”. When shooting the episode, many WayV fans went to the location of the shoot to support them. “Even though I look calm and collected, my heart is beating wildly. But on that day, the moment the curtains opened, I saw many fans holding boards with our names on them, heard them screaming and shouting our names, and only then did I really calm down.”

As someone who newly debuted, XIAOJUN thinks that luck was most important in him becoming a member of WayV, and that it was intended by the heavens. But he still wants to tell the juniors who carry their dreams and want to debut that, “you cannot lack in luck, but behind luck, you have to have an extraordinary amount of hard work. Luck will only find you when you transform your talents into skills.”

Q: Your eyelashes are long and curled, what’s your secret? A: Actually, you don’t have to take extra care, just use warm water to clean everyday, and don’t rub roughly when you wash your face.

Q: Amongst life’s sourness, sweetness, bitterness, spiciness, and saltiness, which is your favourite flavour? A: Sourness, it gives the tastebuds a curious feeling.

HENDERY | Curious BOY, always “unlocking” new skills

Blood type: O Star sign: Libra Favourite food: Chicken feet with fermented black soy bean paste Favourite music genre: Hippop I am HENDERY, who likes the colour pink.

HENDERY has a new wish recently, and that is to learn to play the jazz drums. He’s roommates with TEN. One night, he unknowingly started to play a beat as TEN sat on his bed and played the guitar. So TEN told him, “you can learn to play the drums, then we can perform together.” This sentence ignited a small flame in HENDERY’s heart, so he resolved to learn to play the jazz drums and was unstoppable afterward. He would go online to watch tutorials on jazz drums when he was free, and frequently forgets to eat because he was so absorbed.

HENDERY always likes to try new things. For example, before joining WayV, he didn’t frequently have hotpot, but was influenced by everyone and loves hotpot like no other now! Whether Hong Kong-style, Sichuan-style, or Chongqing-style, if it’s hotpot, he likes it! “If we have time, we go out to have hotpot twice a week! And it’s seven of us together every time!”

Looking back at his biggest change since debut, HENDERY thinks that his stage experience has become more diverse. He used to focus on the training itself but rarely paid attention to showcasing on stage. However, recently, he frequently finds and watches past performances by the group to re-assess himself on stage from a fan’s perspective. For example, when watching these videos, he would find that at one beat where he focused on a body angle, the camera was focusing on facial expressions instead - amongst his replays, HENDERY keeps working hard to find the best feeling on stage.

Q: The fans call you “Disney prince”, what do you think about that? A: Thank you all~ But I don’t want to be just a “prince”, I would instead like to showcase different sides of myself in songs.

Q: What do you hope for WayV’s future? A: I hope more people listen to our music, watch our dancing, that’s all.

YANGYANG | The most doted on by the group, the maknae is very busy

Blood type: O Star sign: Libra Favourite food: Hotpot Favourite music genre: melody RAP I am YANGYANG, easy-going offstage, perfectionist onstage, this is my “duality”.

As the “maknae” of the team, YANGYANG is the recepient of much love, and is always taken care of by the other members. “Uh…I am indeed a little mischievous sometimes, like when I purposely wake others when they sleep, but they never get angry at me.” WayV haven’t debuted for long, but they have completely become family from brothers, always looking out for one another. For example, when everybody goes out to eat, they would always ask the youngest brother what he wanted to have, then everybody would go according to what he liked.

The fans’ warm-hearted actions frequently touch YANGYANG deeply. Sometimes, when a new song has just been released, the fans still sing the song with them word for word at live performances. “They must have listened to it many, many times, this makes me feel really warm.”

<Say It> from the new album makes YANGYANG particularly excited, as it is the work of renowned band London Noise. YANGYANG has been a huge fan of London Noise since he was a child, and this time, he was able to sing what his idols made for him, so it’s a dream come true!

Q: Other than music, what is your biggest interest? A: I love car racing, my dad and I would go go-karting every weekend when I was little, I really like the feeling of a competition.

Q: Why is it that you can maintain a perfect body while loving to eat hotpot? A: Sorry, I just can’t gain weight, haha. But I usually workout to maintain my strength too.

Translation: Jess, Seol @ FY! NCT (NCTINFO) | Source: Leon Young — Do not repost or take out without our permission!