#The perimeter has been secured

[tenmillionthfirefly]

[jeffers-headofsecurity]

A hero’s sacrifice 🫡

I DID MY BEST

I HIT MY POST LIMIT

I TRIED TO SECURE THE PERIMETER AS BEST I COULD AND NOW I HAVE BEEN CUT OFF

[oflightningandstars]

A very lovely Happy Secure the Perimeter Saturday to you all :)

[differenteagletragedy]

Part three of Simon Riley x Single Mother <3

Part one -- Part two

It rains the next day, and the day after, then Simon gets the orders — he’d be leaving on a mission for a week or two, maybe more.

While he’s away, he thinks of you more often than he’s comfortable with. He wonders if you had the baby yet, and if you did, if the delivery went smoothly. He thinks of how you’d told him that it was just you and Charlie, and how he hopes you’re managing everything on your own.

It’s too much and he knows it, but he thinks it all the same.

By the time he gets back home, it’s been a little over a month. A few days are spent holed up in his apartment, decompressing and trying to remember how to breathe, then he’s back to it.

To you.

More walks, by the park, around the perimeter then a lap through town and back again. Eyes scanning each time, ears perked in case the little boy comes calling.

No luck — at least, not for a while. But a week or so later, during one morning stroll, there you are.

Your big belly is gone, save for a tiny little swell, and in its place is a baby carrier, which seems to be securely strapped in place, but he sees you hold onto it anyway. Sticking out of the bottom of the carrier are two impossibly tiny socked feet.

If he thought you looked tired the first two times he saw you, it’s nothing compared to how you look now. You look exhausted, weary down to your bones, but you still smile as Charlie, energetic as ever, shows off on the monkey bars.

Simon slowly makes his way over, stopping a few feet away from you. The movement makes you notice him, and you give a small laugh.

“You sure like this place, huh?”

He shrugs, hands in his pockets, and says, “Trees are nice.”

There were a few cherry trees that were blossoming now, growing along the sidewalk by the street, and he did always think they were nice-looking. You didn’t need to hear, at least not yet, that he’d found something much more beautiful to see in the park now that he’d noticed you.

At the sound of Simon's voice, Charlie jumps down from the monkey bars and runs over, putting a hand on one of the baby's feet.

"This is my baby sister, Emma," he tells him. "She looks like me but you have to be careful with her because her head is soft and her neck doesn't work right."

He chuckles, then uses Charlie's introduction as an excuse to take a glance at the baby resting against your chest. He can't see much with the way the carrier is situated, just a tuft of hair sticking out of the top, then Charlie pulls his attention back to him.

"You never said your name," the boy points out.

"It's Simon."

"I'm Charlie."

"I know."

"This is Mum," Charlie says, tugging on the hem of your shirt. "She has a different name too though."

You laugh softly, and hold your hand out to Simon, telling him your name: it's your third time meeting each other, and finally, a proper introduction.

The morning goes by much the same as your last park playdate went. Charlie bounds from the jungle gym to the slides to the swings, demanding attention and applause. Simon keeps a bit of a distance and tries to ignore just how much closer he wants to be. But with how tired you are now, or perhaps now that you know Simon just the tiniest little bit better, you speak more freely.

It does absolutely nothing to stop his yearning.

Finally, Charlie starts showing signs of slowing down. He gets a little less talkative, doesn't have quite so many tricks to show Simon, and then he stands, going to you and grabbing one of your hands away from where it rests on the baby carrier.

"Can we go home now?"

You nod, smiling at the boy, and he lifts his arms expectantly.

Simon notices you frown, just a little, before telling your son, "Baby, you know I can't carry you, I've got your sister."

"But I'm tired."

"Can you walk for me?" you ask.

He sees Charlie look from you to the baby and back again, tears welling up in his wide bright eyes, and it's enough for him to speak up.

"I could carry him, if you like."

It would be a big step in your friendship, if you could even call it that at this point, him carrying your son home, but he's ready to take it. Moreso, he's ready to offer it -- he'd take so much more, anything you offered.

"... You don't mind?"

Soon enough, the four of you are on the sidewalk, with you leading the way. Charlie is already asleep on Simon's shoulder as he holds him in his arms.

"The baby woke him up early," you explain as you walk. "I thought he'd last till his afternoon nap, but then you showed up and he had to show out."

He smiles, and when he feels the warmth spreading through his chest, he knows he's in even more trouble than he thought. It was one thing, being interested in you, but it was another to be interested in the whole package.

But of course, he had been all along, hadn't he? You drew him in, something about you seeped inside him right away, digging in its claws and holding on tight, but he couldn't deny, at least not anymore, that there was something more, too. Charlie had been, every moment he'd seen him, sweet and precocious and disarming, and now the baby ...

"Everything go all right?" he hears himself asking, speaking softly as Charlie lets out a gentle snore by his ear. "The delivery and all."

"Oh, yeah," you answer, turning down a little residential street. "Quick and easy, or I guess as easy as birthing a human can be."

"You got someone helping you?"

You shake your head, smiling up at him.

"Nope, just us. We do all right though."

You guide him through a rickety little gate towards a house, cute but rundown, and unlock the door, stepping inside and letting him come in before closing the door behind him. You show him to Charlie's room, and he lays the boy down gently in his little twin bed.

"Want some tea?" you offer, and he agrees. Anything to just stay a little longer.

While you're filling the kettle, the baby starts crying. She'd fussed a bit here and there at the park, but this sounds more insistent, Simon thinks, and you sigh, the exhaustion clear on your face.

"What can I do?" Simon asks.

And before he knows it, he's in your kitchen, taking over the tea while you sit on the couch, feeding little Emma. He can hear you as he hunts through the cabinets for cups, can hear your quiet little shushes and her little coos and gurgles as she feeds, and it's easily the most domestic scene he's ever taken part of.

By the time he meets you in the living room, two cups in hand, the baby is resting in your arms. He can see her little face fully now. Charlie was right, she does look like him. And they both look like you.

You excuse yourself for just a moment to lay her down, then come back, baby monitor in hand. You set it on the coffee table, trading it for your cup of tea, and sit beside him on the couch.

For the first time, it's just the two of you.

"Can I ask you something?"

It's not the most reassuring way to begin the conversation, but he nods, having an idea of what you might have on your mind.

"What's all ... this?"

"All what?"

You give him a look -- he knows what, but he can't very well say it, so he hesitates, trying to find the best way out of this. But you, in another show of how perfect you could be for him, give him an out.

"Look," you begin, "my thing has never not been being unable to see red flags. My thing is actually kind of zeroing in on the red flags and running straight for them. And that's not you."

"... No?"

"No," you reply. "You're yellow at best."

He smirks. "I'm a yellow flag?"

You nod, smirking back, and god, he just wants you more.

"And how's that?"

"You've got ... something. You've got sad eyes. Like you've seen a lot of stuff and like you maybe don't know how to deal with it. Something to keep an eye on, but not something that's going to destroy someone else."

"You sure about that?" he asks.

"I wouldn't let you carry my kid home if I wasn't."

He nods, taking a sip of his tea. Just when he thinks he's in the clear, you say, "But that still doesn't answer my question."

Simon considers for a moment. He barely even understands the pull he feels towards you himself, how can he explain it? But you watch him with patient eyes, close enough to touch, and he knows that if he's ever going to have a shot at actually having this, for keeps, he's going to have to try.

"I ... has there ever been something that you've never had, but you still knew you wanted it?"

You give him a small smile, and there’s understanding in your eyes — of course you have.

“And what is it that you want?” you ask.

But it’s not really a question. You know, and he can see that. So he doesn’t answer, but keeps his eyes on you steady.

“Simon,” you begin, and he has to force himself not to focus on how sweet his name sounds on your lips so he can hear the rest of what you have to say. “I don’t … why?”

“Just hit me that day,” he explains, his voice low and quiet. “Don’t know why, but it hasn’t gone away.”

“And … Charlie? The baby?”

“Charlie’s a good kid. Can’t imagine the baby will be much different.”

You stay silent for a beat, then tell him that you need to go check on the kids. He’s alone again, and he’s on the cusp of something with you, he just knows it.

When you come back a few moments later, you sit a little closer, a look of resolve on your face, and he waits.

“I’m kind of a mess,” you tell him.

“That’s fine.”

“I have two kids, and their dad is … he’s not in the picture.”

“Doesn’t bother me.”

“… Simon, I have a newborn.”

“I know, I met her. Head’s all soft and neck doesn’t work right. I remember.”

You laugh, but it’s nervous laughter, your eyes darting around the living room like you’re trying to find more reasons for him to want to run, but with every passing moment with you, he’s more and more sure that he wants to stay.

Finally, you speak again, your hand coming to rest on his arm.

“Just … I don’t know, ok?”

“You don’t have to.”

You don’t have to know, he wants to say, because he does. He knows you fit, and that he could take care of you and your children. He could carry Charlie home when he gets tired from playing too hard, and he could make you tea while you feed Emma. He could paint the house, fix it up, replace the gate with something good and sturdy. He could fix that leak in your kitchen faucet and make your life easier and do the best thing he’d ever do, with you and your family.

But you’re not ready to hear that. And he’s a patient man. He can wait.

PART FOUR - PART FIVE - PART SIX - PART SEVEN - PART EIGHT

[papasmoke]

This evening, Israeli residents set fire twice to the perimeter of the UNRWA Headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem.

This took place while UNRWA and other UN Agencies’ staff were on the compound.

While there were no casualties among our staff, the fire caused extensive damage to the outdoor areas. The UNRWA headquarters has on its grounds a petrol and diesel station for the Agency’s fleet of cars.

Our director with the help of other staff had to put out the fire themselves as it took the Israeli fire extinguishers and police a while before they turned up.

A crowd accompanied by armed men were witnessed outside the compound chanting “Burn down the United Nations” (see video below 👇 from Israeli media).

This is an outrageous development. Once again, the lives of UN staff were at a serious risk.

In light of this second appalling incident in less than a week, I have taken the decision to close down our coumpound until proper security is restored.

Over the past two months, Israeli extremists have been staging protests outside the UNRWA compound in Jerusalem, called by an elected member of the Jerusalem municipality.

This week, the protest became violent when demonstrators threw stones at UN staff and at the buildings of the compound.

Over the past months, UN staff have regularly been subjected to harassment and intimidation. Our compound has been seriously vandalized and damaged.

On several occasions, Israeli extremists threatened our staff with guns.

It is the responsibility of the State of Israel as an occupying power to ensure that United Nations personnel and facilities are protected at all times.

UN staff, premises and operations should be protected at all times in line with international law.

I call on all those who have influence to put an end to these attacks and hold all those responsible accountable.

The perpetrators of these attacks must be investigated and those responsible must be held accountable.

Anything less will set a new dangerous standard.

-Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general of UNRWA

[papiliotao]

INDEBTED — kinich x gn!reader

content: 11.6k words, cw: mentions of abuse and alcoholism, kinich backstory spoilers + natlan 5.0 archon quest spoilers, childhood friends to lovers, mutual pining, hurt/comfort, everyone is bad with emotions, death, near-death experiences

summary: kinich has never been one to trust easily, but fate has other plans. throughout the years, he slowly comes to terms with his love for you.

a/n: i'm so normal... so normal... SO NORMAL. this was an attempt at gaining an understanding of kinich's character, so it might not be perfect, but i tried my very best to ensure the characterization wasn't too questionable. i love him dearly.

ACT I.

As someone raised by the lonesome mountains of Natlan, you have long grown used to an atmosphere of tranquil quietude, a serene symphony composed purely of nature’s music. The gentle flow of zephyrs running through seas of viridescent grass coupled with the occasional sounds of birdcall have become the soundtrack of your life. For you, an ever-enduring hush has always been synonymous with normalcy, but you are perfectly content with the status quo.

So when the sound of a choked scream shatters the flawlessly-crystalline silence of a hazy morning into a thousand shards of dissonance, you feel yourself tense. In all your six years of life, you have never had the displeasure of hearing anything so horrific.

It’s funny. The noise is fleeting, ephemeral, but it holds infinitely more weight than anything else you’ve witnessed during your short time in this world. You’re sure that it will be a long time before anything else disturbs the peace in such a profound manner, and it is for that exact reason that you resolve to investigate.

Deep down, you know it’s a stupid idea. You’re only a kid, and if it turns out there’s some grave danger, it’s more or less over for you. Curiosity alone isn’t reason enough to risk your own safety but the thought of another person facing peril is.

With hurried steps, you rush through your house, lightly scurrying through the corridors to see if anyone else is awake yet. When you’re sure that everyone is still and not a creature stirs, you grab the simple pouch of medical supplies your family always insists you take with you and exit the house in a rush.

The moment you step outside, blinding threads of aureate light twist in elaborate patterns, weaving themselves across a divine tapestry dyed cornflower and tinged marigold.

It’s way too bright, and even more concerningly, it’s way too quiet.

You feel your shoulders tense, and a shiver runs down your spine. The rapid coalescence of chaos and pandemonium is unnerving, and the ambiance makes you uneasy. However, you know you have to press on.

With as much fervor as you can muster, you run around the perimeter of your house, scouring every nook and cranny for signs of life. It’s not a large place, yet you can’t seem to find anything. Whatever it was that made that noise seems to have vanished without a trace.

Just as you’re about to give up, something on the ground catches your attention. A footprint. It’s a light imprint, barely visible, etched with the utmost precision into the dusty earth below. The size of the footprint is unfamiliar, and based on the weight distribution, it seems that the person it belongs to tried to tread lightly.

But not lightly enough.

It’s clear that the track points directly towards the stack of crates and barrels sitting behind your home, so with caution in your step, you gradually inch towards the area. As you do, the sound of shuffling permeates your ears, confirming that there is indeed something lurking behind the stacked wooden storage units. You take a deep breath before daring to peek.

The sight you’re met with shocks you to your core.

A young boy around your age is huddled between the boxes, nestled securely within a small gap. His knees are tucked all the way up to his chest, his short arms wrapped around them. The boy doesn’t dare move an inch. He simply looks up at you with eyes of molten amber, their depths bedazzled with emerald starglitter. As he moves, strands of hair spun of midnight essence shift to frame his face.

A part of your young mind thinks that he looks unreal — ethereal, but your train of thought is quickly disrupted when you notice his scraped knees.

“Are you okay?” you ask, extending a hand towards the boy. Despite your attempt at being gentle, the boy flinches, flecks of opulent gold swirling within his irises, mistrust dispersing in their wake. “I won’t hurt you.”

Your gazes lock, and you hope he can sense the sincerity in your actions. Hesitantly, the boy takes your hand, his knees wobbling slightly as he stands. He’s unsteady, but you make sure he doesn’t fall. Carefully, you lead him over to the front porch of your house, slowly sitting him down on the wooden planks. Once you’re sure he’s fine, you let go of his hand and begin taking bandages and cleaning supplies out of your medicinal pouch.

As you turn towards him, preparing to patch him up, you see him tense slightly.

He’s still scared.

“It might sting a little.”

Your comment doesn’t alleviate his face of its downcast expression — in fact, it just makes things worse.

“But it won’t last for long,” you insist. “Plus, all the adults always tell me it’s for the best.”

The boy is still deeply suspicious of you. It’s strange. You’ve never met someone so on edge.

“Would it make you feel better if I let you do it yourself?” You offer the supplies to the boy, and he curtly nods, snatching the bandages and swabs before you have a chance to process what’s going on. 

He examines them closely, sunbeam-speckled eyes roaming every inch of the objects, as if shedding monochromatic tones of dandelion across their surfaces to detect any obscure dangers. After what feels like an eternity, he finally starts cleaning his wounds, barely even wincing as he brushes over them. As he moves on to bandaging his knees, you watch intently. He does everything with such ease and efficiency that you wonder if he’s used to it all.

Yet the longer he continues to work on treating himself, the more you realize that the awkward angle is causing him to wince slightly. Perhaps his wounds run deeper than you think. Slowly, you draw your hand closer to his, tapping him with a finger to catch his attention.

“Can I do the rest of the bandages?” you inquire. It seems he feels more at ease now, and you want to take this opportunity to further gain his trust. Besides, the last thing you want is for him to make his injuries worse.

The boy pauses for a few seconds, tilting his head as he regards you with apprehension. Locks of navy and seafoam mingle in the caress of the breeze, transitory weightlessness engulfing the atmosphere for only a single moment. Stillness becomes nearly tangible as equanimity envelops you. The tension only builds up once more as the boy dips his head in a gentle nod, loosening his fingers around the gauze to allow you to take it instead.

Meticulously, you continue wrapping the boy’s knees in fibres of pristine white, concealing the nasty wounds marring his skin. Despite not trusting you earlier, he’s very compliant, and he remains both calm and unmoving as you aid him.

And when you finally finish, you hear him speak for the first time.

“Thank you,” he whispers quietly, traces of hoarseness lacing his voice. It doesn’t sound like he speaks often. “You’re very kind.”

Before you can respond, the boy gets up, trying his best to hobble a few steps before staggering again. He manages to catch himself on a tree, and as he does, you race over to him. Obviously he’s not in any condition to be walking around.

“Be careful,” you reprimand him. “You can’t leave just yet.”

The boy shakes his head frantically.

“I’m supposed to be home right now,” he states gently. Although he tries his best to keep his tone flat and neutral, you notice the way his gaze becomes downcast, sullen with ashen rain clouds that dull anything and everything luminous.

“Just stay for a few more minutes?”

Perhaps it’s the concern entangled in your tone or your wide-eyed look of pure desperation that convinces the boy to give in. With a cautious sort of reluctance, he allows you to drag him back over to your old spot.

“So how did you end up here, and more importantly, how did you end up so hurt?”

It’s already very apparent that the boy isn’t big on words, yet the fleeting silence that floods your surroundings in waves of unspoken wariness unsettles you.

“I ran too fast and fell down here,” the boy states simply.

No normal person would run so fast that they dive headfirst off a small ledge without noticing, and what kind of kid goes outside without someone else along to supervise them if they get hurt?

His answer doesn’t seem insincere, yet something feels off. Doubt begins to blossom in your conscience, taking root in the form of fragmented bits of reason. Thus, you decide to try your luck and press just a little further.

“Why were you running,” you question. “Were you chased by a monster?”

“I guess you could say so…”

For a while, you continue to try to interrogate him, but you’re unable to get much more information out of him. The strange boy keeps all his secrets under lock and key, all his truths hidden within labyrinths of perplexing misdirection and nonchalant responses. Despite the frustration you feel when he refuses to comply, you understand. You’ve already pushed him far enough, but when it comes time for him to go, you try to get one last piece of information out of him.

“I never quite caught your name,” you remark as the boy steadies himself. He’s still a little wobbly but far better than before.

“Kinich,” he replies. “What about you?”

“[Name],” you say as you hand him your remaining medical supplies for later use.

Gratefully, Kinich takes the pouch, a ghost of a smile gracing his face.

“[Name], huh?” he whispers. “I’ll remember it.”

ACT II.

Nothing in the world is free. Every cost must be carefully weighed and then remunerated sufficiently.

This has been Kinich’s philosophy for as long as he can remember. No matter how desperately the sands of time and winds of fate try to erode his beliefs, they’re never successful, for his ideals have been ingrained in him since the moment he could make sense of natural order.

Ever since that fateful day where the ever-fragile threads of destiny pulled the two of you together, Kinich has been trying to think of a way to repay you, but with all the responsibilities and burdens weighing on his young shoulders, he finds it nearly impossible. When he’s not preoccupied with tending to the crops, he’s out and about in areas where only the wilderness reigns, carefully setting lethal traps to ensnare his next meal. Survival is tough, and with the ever-present threat of starvation looming over him, waiting for any opportune moment to snatch him from the gentle embrace of life, he allocates a large majority of his energy to feeding his father and himself.

It’s not like his father is much help anyway. These days, he seems to be drinking away his sorrow more than ever, losing himself as tides of despair ebb and flow, pulling him away from lucidity and into the frozen grips of oceanic melancholia. He’s been worse than ever since the disappearance of Kinich’s mother, and the one who feels the effects most potently is Kinich himself.

But everything changes on Kinich’s seventh birthday.

It’s his special day, and for once, he hopes that his father will allow him some clemency. For the first time in a long time, Kinich gathers up the courage to ask his father a question.

He asks if there has been any news of his mother.

At first, his father remains eerily silent. An ominous sense of uncertainty settles in the surrounding air, evoking Kinich to shudder as frostbite gnaws at him in a thousandfold. Bloodshot eyes pierce through Kinich’s defences, exposing him for the person he truly is beneath it all: a scared child, anxiously awaiting an answer from a man he no longer trusts.

He waits.

And waits.

And waits.

Until his father rushes forwards in a sudden juxtaposition of mood. The apathy that masked his inner turmoil just seconds before is now gone, replaced by a look of pure rage. That’s Kinich’s cue to run. He’s done this enough times to know.

So he takes off. His legs, although far shorter than his father’s, carry him far more swiftly. Reflexes and strength built up through countless similar instances take over, and everything becomes muscle memory for Kinich. On the other hand, his father does not fare quite as well. He stumbles, and at times, he even trips over the creeping roots of archaic trees. It’s as if the alcohol is weighing him down, but despite it all, he never loses sight of his son.

Kinich is an elusive breeze, weightless and elegant, never once losing his foothold as he springs from one place to another. His father is more akin to the ancient petra underfoot — uncouth, clumsy, yet destructive and powerful. Even as he staggers, his resolve remains steadfast and resolute. He will stop at nothing until he’s able to give his young son a piece of his mind.

And yet fate has a strange way of intervening at the least convenient moments, ensuring its heavenly ordainment is heeded. In the eyes of the universe, Kinich’s story is not ready to end — but his father’s is.

As Kinich rushes by the side of a cliff, this becomes apparent. The sound of heavy footfalls behind him disappears before he hears a thud. Gathering his courage, Kinich gazes behind him, only to be met with the sight of emptiness where his father should have been.

Then, he makes the fateful decision to peer below.

There, lying between thickets of dense foliage lies the body of the man he once lived with — a man full of life mere seconds ago, now motionless and despondent. It feels unreal. A shiver runs down Kinich’s spine as a creeping sense of despair begins to stab at his heart. He blinks rapidly, taking deep breaths in order to calm himself, before making his way down the cliff.

Emotions are strange, and Kinich has never been good with them. He had always believed that everything would begin to look up once his father was out of the picture, but now that his father is gone for good, Kinich can’t help but grieve. No matter how horrible he was, he was still Kinich’s only remaining parent. There were better times too — times where his father would bring home a box of sweets for him and a bouquet of flowers for his mother. It almost felt like they were a real family. In Kinich’s mind, these instances pale in comparison to all the torment his father had put him through, yet he can’t completely erase his pleasant memories either.

So as one last act of respect, Kinich decides to bring his father’s body home with him.

The journey home is long and arduous. As Kinich navigates the surrounding wildlands and his newfound freedom, swinging from treetop to treetop with his father’s grappling hook, he wordlessly says goodbye to the man who had caused him so much pain throughout the former years of his life.

On his seventh birthday, Kinich becomes an orphan. He tucks himself into bed, and while other children would have had their loving mothers to lull them off to sleep in an aria of oneiric delights, he has nothing but the harsh, transient gale that rocks the thin walls of his home.

On his seventh birthday, Kinich ends up completely alone.

ACT III.

Kinich has dealt with nightmares before, but the ones that plague him after the death of his father are particularly horrific. Every night, as watercolour fuchsia and muted lilac begin to bleed into periwinkle skies, Kinich finds himself mentally preparing for the duress that lays ahead — for each time he closes his eyes, he is whisked back to the past, forced to relive events he’d much rather forget.

Sometimes he actively resists sleep, fearing the mirages that may appear in his dreams. It is on one such night that he finally recalls his debt to you. As he lays awake, trying to ward off all-consuming thoughts of eternal solitude and grief, he remembers the one other person he’s interacted with in recent times, and an idea comes to mind. He’s going to start paying his price tonight.

Kinich is usually one to take caution, but right now, he would do anything to keep his mind from lingering on his harsh reality. As such, he climbs out of bed, making his way outside to gather some of the crops he’s grown in a rugged patch of land behind his house.

It feels good to be outside again. The fresh air is a welcome change compared to the stifling atmosphere within a house that holds far too many memories for Kinich’s liking. His recollections range from saccharine-sweet to fear-evoking, yet one thing that remains constant is the fact that Kinich can’t stop recalling a past that seems oh-so-distant.

As Kinich picks up a tool, plowing through the dirt to unearth some of the grainfruit he had planted earlier that year, his thoughts drift back to his mother. She used to wrap her delicate fingers around his when he was younger, carefully guiding him as he learned to cultivate and take care of the crops. Back then, Kinich had felt a special type of fragile warmth, but now, all that remains is the chill of the evening air.

Kinich wonders if he’ll ever feel that warmth again.

He finishes gathering a respectable amount of food in no time, having had years of practice in the past. The young boy tosses the grainfruit into a sack, preparing to set off on a journey with phantasmagoric darkness as his only companion and the luminous constellations overhead as his only guide.

The sights and sounds of an enigmatic midnight distract him from the thoughts that have been running through his head on a daily basis. Kinich is sure to watch his step, although he’s nearly certain he knows the area well enough to walk through it blindfolded by now.

Finally, after around ten minutes of wandering through veils of silken achromatic, he sees the silhouette of a building in the distance, a rough outline against a backdrop of night. To his surprise, he spots a lantern emitting a gilded glow as he approaches, its incandescent light breaking through layers of obsidian obscurity, flooding it with a golden radiance instead. As he draws closer, he begins to make out the faint shape of a figure in the distance.

Strange. What normal person would be out at this hour?

As the features of the mysterious person become more defined, Kinich realizes it’s you again. Subconsciously, a soft smile begins to grace his features at the thought of getting to speak to you once more. It’s the first time he’s been genuinely happy in a while.

When Kinich steps into the dim firelight of the lantern, his features illuminated by the ember-forged halo of light, you eagerly approach him and wave. Something about the fact that you still recognize makes his heart grow just a little softer.

“It’s you,” you remark, your face lighting up excitedly.

Kinich nods, awkwardly shuffling under the weight of your gaze. It’s been a long time since someone was so interested in him. He isn’t quite used to having people regard him with such attentiveness.

“What are you doing out at this time?” Curiosity flares in your eyes, dancing in asterisms of wonder that glimmer with the brilliance of the stars above. Normally Kinich doesn’t like it when others pry into his affairs, but he thinks the look of inquisitiveness is endearing on you.

“I couldn’t sleep,” Kinich bluntly responds, “and I had a debt to repay.” He gestures at the sack of grainfruit beside him, silently weighing out the costs in his mind. It isn’t enough to pay you back for helping a stranger unconditionally, but Kinich thinks it’s a start. At the very least, it’s enough to reimburse the material costs of tending to his wounds, and he’ll deal with reciprocating your actual actions later.

“Debt?” Your face contorts into a puzzled frown. Kinich decides that he appreciates this expression far less when it adorns your visage. “You don’t owe me anything.”

“You treated my injuries the other day,” Kinich begins to explain, but you cut him off.

“And there’s really no need to repay me for that,” you interrupt. “Trust me. I wanted to help you.”

Somewhere in the depths of his heart, Kinich feels a flurry of opalescent butterflies spread their wings and take flight. Iridescent sparks of a newfound fuzzy feeling burst to life within his chest.

It’s… new. Everything is new with you.

“At least take the grainfruit,” he mutters, trying to remain nonchalant. As a young child, he still doesn’t quite understand what he’s feeling, but he’d rather not make his emotions apparent. “It’ll save me the trouble of having to drag it back home.”

You hesitate for a few seconds before agreeing, hauling the large bag inside with great difficulty before rushing back out to Kinich. By the time you return, he recalls that you shouldn’t be up at this hour either.

“If you don’t mind me asking, why are you awake right now?” Kinich asks you as you close the front door behind you.

Deep down, a part of him wants to know if there’s something troubling you so he can help you. It’s strange. It’s been a while since he last cared for someone this deeply, but he blames it all on his desire to reimburse you for your kindness, nothing more. Conveniently, he ignores the nascent emotions blooming within, repressing flourishes that take shape in frantic flickers of ruby and rose.

“It was a little too cold tonight,” you sigh, staring down at the ground. “I just couldn’t fall asleep comfortably.”

Kinich lets out a small hum of acknowledgement as the gears in his brain begin to turn, rotating in cycles of contemplation. Perhaps he’ll bring you an extra blanket next time he visits.

“Then why don’t we keep each other company for a while?” Kinich suggests. “It definitely beats being alone.” Kinich is not usually one to actively seek the company of other people, but you’re intriguing to him.

You nod, silently offering your hand to Kinich. It feels like the day you first met all over again, except under much better circumstances. This time, he laces your fingers without hesitation, allowing you to guide him through darkness fragmented only by rays of piercing starlight. He’s not quite sure where you’re leading him, but he knows he’s beginning to trust you a little.

Slowly, your destination becomes clear to Kinich. The two of you draw closer and closer to the cliffside — a spot where pure moonbeams grace the earth with their elegant touch. Kinich tenses slightly, haunting memories from a few weeks prior threatening to resurface above the murky waters of a wounded heart. However, he quells every spark of fear threatening to blaze alight.

He’s safe. Things aren’t the same as they were on that day, and the only other person around is you.

To Kinich’s relief, you settle down a safe distance from the cliff’s edge and pat the spot beside yourself, gesturing for Kinich to follow suit. He wordlessly obliges, simply relishing in the serenity that permeates the atmosphere, nearly tangible as he feels lingering traces of your body heat in the night air.

“Look up,” you whisper, laying a gentle hand on Kinich’s shoulder.

He does as he’s told, and the panoramic sight that greets him is enough to take his breath away. The skies above are the same as ever, yet this is the first time he has truly been able to appreciate their beauty. Kinich studies the constellations that burn with unrivalled luminosity, in awe of their brilliance. Diamond lights burn bright against a backdrop of deep sapphire, each shade of an abyssal ocean waltzing in a whimsical show of wonders.

Before today, he’d always been too busy caring for his mother, too preoccupied with his father’s hysteria, or too melancholy within his own solitude to enjoy anything with an unburdened heart. 

But now everything has changed. He’s free, and he has you now. Yet again, he feels an involuntary smile tug at the corners of his lips, and before he has the chance to think about what all of this means, a shout breaks through the silence.

“A shooting star! Make a wish, Kinich!”

Kinich is more than familiar with wishing. He’s wished for plenty of things in his seven years of life. He’s wished for his father to stop gambling, he’s wished for his mother to come back, and he’s wished for his family to be happy together. Permanently. None of his wishes have ever come true.

But as he looks over at you, he notices hope and a childish innocence glittering in your eyes, manifesting in prismatic tones reflected from the skies above. A sense of warmth washes over him. Kinich sees a kind of purity in you that he wishes he could have clung onto for longer, so he makes a wish, if only to protect and humour you.

“I wish to be able to repay your kindness someday, even if it takes me a lifetime.”

ACT IV.

Throughout the years, Kinich’s debt to you only accumulates.

Word spreads like wildfire after the first few members of the tribe find out about Kinich’s living situation, and unsurprisingly, the news reaches your family as well. Strangers begin to graciously offer Kinich help, yet he always holds them at a distance. Nothing in the world is free, and he knows full well that there are people who conceal ulterior motives behind masks of charity.

There is, however, one exception.

You.

Deep down, Kinich knows that if the universe hadn’t entangled him within its delicate web of fate the day you first met, he would have never trusted you. It was only when he was left with no other options that he allowed you to aid him. He felt your sincerity that day, and although he’s still hesitant at the prospect of placing his wholehearted faith in anyone just yet, he lets you help him with his daily tasks. Kinich enjoys being around you, and a small part of him knows that he wants to be able to believe in you unconditionally.

You always show up early in the mornings, returning time and time again as the first traces of golden brilliance begin to graze the horizon. Kinich begins to find himself looking forward to the sunrise for the first time in his life.

In the past, Kinich would watch the last embers of twilight die out each day, violet enigma enveloped by vivid strokes of peach. He would always dread the day to come. Back then, nearly every waking hour of his life had been tedious and stressful, and thus he could only find respite in the land of the oneiric where dreams and absurdism erased the sorrow of real life.

But nowadays, each new dawn means spending more time with you.

You accompany him on various tasks. From farming to foraging to trading at the market, you’ve almost done it all.

Today’s task, however, requires slightly more precision.

As you set off towards a stretch of open plains with Kinich, you speak jovially, sharing stories from the past without a care in the world. Kinich himself doesn’t speak much. Instead, he listens, trying his best to piece together fragments of a childhood he never got to experience. Seeing your face light up with joy as you recall amusing escapades or confounding situations causes Kinich’s heart to swell slightly.

You only begin to quiet down when you draw near your destination. Kinich already made it abundantly clear that in order to get anything worthwhile from this trip, you need to proceed with the utmost caution.

Although you try your hardest to keep stealth in your step, you find that you’re not nearly as adept as Kinich, who has had years of experience traversing this territory. Occasionally, the sound of leaves crackling and twigs snapping will reach Kinich’s ear, and he’ll catch a glimpse of you stumbling. After a few minutes of painstaking silence interrupted only by the uneven rhythm of clumsy footfalls, Kinich decides to take your hand to steady you.

He tells himself he’s doing it to ensure you don’t scare away his next meal — that he doesn’t want you to mess up and feel guilty. However, behind his icy demeanour woven from years of hardship lies a small part of him that secretly enjoys the feeling of your fingers intertwined with his, the warmth of his palms mingling with yours.

Meticulously, Kinich leads you to a towering bush, its fragile emerald leaves dense enough to conceal an entire person. Its branches sprout out in piercing patterns of disorderly pandemonium, reflecting the true ruggedness of nature in its visage.

“Hide here, and don’t make a noise until I get back,” he whispers, his soft breath tickling the shell of your ear. Your proximity nearly causes shivers to run down Kinich’s spine, but years of practice have taught him to effortlessly conceal all his sentiments. “Watch closely.”

With those parting words, Kinich makes his way into the foliage, clutching a boar trap within his hand. He scans the ground for an optimal spot to place the contraption, finally settling on an area after around a minute of contemplation. As soon as he sets the device down, he leaves as quickly as he entered the area, gracefully making his way back to you without making so much as a noise.

Huddled behind the bush, the two of you watch in anticipation. Now that Kinich has left, wild boars have begun to make their ways out into the open, blissfully grazing, unaware of the peril that lies before them. An unsuspecting boar inches closer and closer to the trap, and Kinich’s breath hitches in anticipation, waiting for it to foolishly take the bait.

However, just as the boar begins to sniff the food laid within cold metallic jaws, you lean forward to get a better look. Kinich doesn’t react fast enough to stop you. Your movement is slight, yet it causes a large disturbance. The leaves of the bush you’re hidden behind rustle, and the boar looks up, its idyllic haze seemingly perturbed.

Without a moment’s hesitation, it turns tail and runs, conveniently kicking fallen debris into the mouth of the trap, snapping it closed with a sharp click. The other wildlife in the area take off as well. A rush of polychromatic wings create shadows overhead as birds fly away, leaving only tufts of delicate feathers behind. Their dissonant cries echo in an ominous ode of precaution, alerting any other living beings in the area that there is danger lurking nearby.

So much for hunting.

Kinich sighs. Looks like it’ll be another few days before he’ll be able to get his hands on some meat. He just lost out on a sizable sum of mora. Now he’ll have to spend more on keeping himself fed over the next few days, he won’t have anything of worth to sell for extra money — and all that goes without even considering the time and resources he just wasted.

“Kinich, I’m so so sorry,” you start, shrinking back a little as your gaze meets his — an unreadable galaxy of jade and peridot, accentuated by intricate borders of copper and gold.

His heart clenches when he realizes that the look you’re regarding him with is one of fear and uncertainty. He doesn’t want you to feel that way, so with an uncharacteristic haste, he reaches out to pat your shoulder.

“No need to apologize,” Kinich reassures you, his words and tone soothing like a marine zephyr on a scorching summer day. “You were just curious.”

Kinich knows he has every right to be angry, but overreacting and directing his rage towards another person is the last thing he’d want to do. He knows better than anyone else the damage of misplaced blame and unwarranted rage.

He knows that normally under such circumstances, it would be most appropriate to calmly ask the other party to pay a sufficient price, but since it’s you, Kinich thinks he can let you off the hook. Just this once.

Mentally, he notes never to take you hunting again.

ACT V.

The flow of time is paradoxical, morphing and bending as seasons change and circumstances shift. In Kinich’s case, the former years of his life seemed to drag on, each harrowing second stretching into eons and millenia, but recently, he has begun to resent the evanescent essence of his days.

It feels like just yesterday, he was that fearful seven-year-old, all alone in the world without a soul to offer him solace. Now he’s sixteen — a little older and a lot wiser. Although the hardships he’s faced have been far from delightful, Kinich has had you by his side throughout it all.

The situation is no different in the present. Another hard day of labour passes as usual, and after hours upon hours of exerting yourselves under the blazing radiance of the sun, Kinich is ready to walk you home with a bag of today’s spoils.

However, as the two of you prepare for the journey ahead, ashen clouds begin to roll in, overtaking the pristine azure that once painted the sky. The light overhead starts to die out, fading at an agonizing swift pace. Although Kinich has safely escorted you home during minor storms before, he has a feeling today will be different. Something about the petrichor that floods his senses feels like a premonition, a warning of disasters to come, and the atmosphere is electrifying.

“We’d better get going if we want to make it before it starts pouring,” you chuckle lightheartedly, seemingly unperturbed. You only begin to look concerned when Kinich doesn’t respond, his mind clouded with a daze of rumination. Upon seeing your features morph into an expression of concern, Kinich finally snaps out of his trance.

“You should stay the night instead.” The confused look you shoot his way causes a wave of awkwardness to wash over the ambience, yet Kinich continues to elaborate. “I have a bad feeling about the incoming storm. It feels different.”

“I wouldn’t want to burden you though,” you protest. “If we leave quickly, everything will probably be okay.”

Kinich shakes his head.

“You’re not a burden at all,” he whispers. “You’ve spent your precious time helping me. The least I could do is ensure your safety and offer my home as a refuge.”

Despite Kinich’s reassurances, you continue to refute his statements.

“But I really don’t think staying over is necessary. If you’re worried about walking back alone in a storm, you don’t need to accompany me. I’ll be okay. Promise.”

You turn away from Kinich, ready to set off. A rush of panic sends daggers of serrated trepidation to his soul. It’s unlike Kinich to lose his cool, and although he maintains a serene facade, the unsettling feeling that has been permeating his senses this entire time begins bubbling to the surface, each potential tragedy rushing through his mind in a frenzied series of what-ifs.

Without thinking, Kinich catches your wrist in his fingers, maintaining a loose grip.

“Don’t go,” he utters. He despises the vulnerability that laces his tone, but he’s more desperate than ever.

Kinich has already lost both his parents. The mere notion of losing you too is unbearable. If the storm really ends up being as intense as he predicts, he knows that muddy cliffsides, discombobulating spirals of sharp crystalline raindrops, and blinding flashes of lightning will all make for an incredibly disadvantageous situation. For a brief second, his mind flashes back to the way his father had passed, but he swiftly represses those thoughts, pushing them back into a seldom-visited corner of his mind.

When Kinich’s gaze meets yours, your expression softens. He can feel your resolve fading.

“Alright, fine,” you sigh. “You’re lucky my family has full confidence in your ability to protect me, otherwise they’d go ballistic if I didn’t come home.”

Just as you finally agree to Kinich’s proposition, the sensation of frosted drops of water prickles at his skin. The storm has begun. With haste, he pulls you indoors, quickly shutting the door to keep all the unwanted rain out.

The two of you wait it out, speaking leisurely as if nature isn’t erupting into chaos all around you. When you’re together, it feels like nothing else exists. Without a clear view of the sun in the sky, Kinich is unsure of how much time passes, but after a while, he notices that a haze of exhaustion begins to elicit yawns from you.

“Tired? You should get some sleep,” Kinich hums nonchalantly. The ambience feels tranquil, and despite the peril just outside the walls of his home, Kinich feels at ease.

You move to lie down on a dilapidated couch in the middle of the cramped living room, but Kinich immediately protests. He knows you’ll inevitably start to feel cold or uncomfortable, and that’s the last thing he wants you to experience as an honoured guest within his abode.

“Don’t sleep out here. You’ll freeze.”

Kinich takes your hand, and you allow him to pull you up. He leads you to another room — his room. For the most part, it’s barren, but Kinich watches as your eyes land on a small collection of items sitting atop an aged drawer beside his bed. Memorabilia from your various years together line the edges of dull wood — birthday gifts, trinkets that reminded you of him, and short notes of appreciation. He watches as a subtle grin etches itself into your features as embarrassment and admiration wash over him.

“You kept all this?” Slight surprise lines your tone as you pose your rhetorical question.

Kinich nods, unsure of how to elaborate. Even he’s not completely sure as to why he stores all the keepsakes you’ve ever presented him so meticulously. All he knows is that they’re important to him. You’re important to him.

“That’s sweet,” you mumble, leaning over to examine everything more closely. Your eyes linger on each object, memories flashing in their depths.

Kinich feels his heart flutter.

You spend a few minutes poring over the items and recollections of the past before finally retiring to bed. Kinich watches as you pull the covers over yourself, and he ensures you’re comfortable before turning to leave.

This time, however, it’s your turn to encircle your fingers around his arm, prompting him to stay.

“Where are you going?” you inquire, gazing up at Kinich curiously.

“Back to the living room,” he replies, gently twisting his wrist, loosening your grip.

“You said it was cold though.”

Kinich shrugs. “I don’t mind as long as you’re comfortable.”

“What if I think I’d be more comfortable with you by my side?”

Kinich tenses, and for a second, his brain malfunctions, barely processing the intent of your words. He comes to the realization that he’s not opposed to the idea. Besides, it was logical; it would help the two of you stay warm for the night.

“As long as you’re happy,” he mumbles, looking anywhere but into your eyes. Slowly, he begins to climb into bed beside you, cramming his limbs to one side in order to ensure you have enough personal space. Kinich feels unusually tense, and his heartbeat starts to spike in a melody of frantic sentiments as he begins to sense your body heat radiating from the other side of the bed.

Although Kinich tries to calm himself, it’s to no avail, especially when you shift over slightly, entangling your fingers with his. Your eyes flutter shut, and sleep pulls you under, lulling you into a whimsical land of nonsensical wonders. As frantic as the contact makes Kinich feel, he can’t bring himself to pry his hand from your grasp. The feeling of your fingers laced together is not an unpleasant sensation.

So with his hand in yours, Kinich falls asleep, and for the first night in his life, he experiences a truly restful slumber. His last thought before the tides of exhaustion drag him off to an ocean of reverie is how despite his unusual nerves, he wouldn’t mind doing this again.

And when Kinich comes to the next morning, he’s met with the most ethereal sight of his life. Early morning light blooms through the windows, tinting every corner of the room an aureate shade. The brilliance of the sun is utopia compared to the tumultuous conditions of last night, and as Kinich looks over at you, he notices the peace and content instilled within every dip and curve of your face.

You’re angelic, and the feeling of you by his side is just so right.

When Kinich comes to terms with the fact that he wants to wake up to the sight of your soft smile every single day, he finally realizes the true significance of the emotions he’s harboured towards you for years.

He’s in love.

ACT VI.

It isn’t often that you go to the market without Kinich by your side. The two of you are more or less a package deal, so when you show up alone, equipped with a small pouch of mora and without your most trusted companion, you immediately notice the whispers that follow.

“Do you think something happened to Kinich?”

“Maybe he got offered a commission that he deemed more worthy of his time.”

“Are you kidding me? Nothing is more important to Kinich than [name] — not even mora!”

The speculations range from reasonable to absolutely implausible, and in all honesty, you have no idea what Kinich is doing at the moment. All you can do is tune everything out and focus on your objective: finding a suitable friendship anniversary gift for Kinich.

Ever since Kinich became a saurian hunter and started taking commissions, you’ve been spending less and less time together. However, he’s always accompanied you to the market, helping you weigh each cost with the utmost precision. Although you’re rarely thrilled by the fact that he’s busier with his own affairs now, today is one of the few times where it works to your advantage. You want to surprise him with something special, and the absence of his presence will ensure that nothing is spoiled before the right time comes.

As you browse the goods sold by an elderly vendor, you feel a tug on the hem of your clothing. Upon looking down, you find yourself greeted by two familiar faces — Huni and Toba.

“Hey, little ones,” you say, grinning at the two children gazing at you with wide eyes. “Is something the matter?”

Huni nods furiously, Toba mimicking her actions just seconds later. You stifle a giggle. In a way, the two remind you of you and Kinich when you were younger — virtually conjoined.

“We were wondering if Kinich was okay,” Toba responds, nervously clasping his hands together.

“Ah,” you breathe out, finding yourself faced with expectant stares from all around. You can tell that prying eyes and ears have been trained on you, eager for any semblance of gossip. “Why does everyone seem to think something’s up with Kinich today?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Huni giggles, barely able to conceal her glee. “Everyone knows he follows you everywhere because the two of you are together.”

Toba nudges Huni lightly, his gaze becoming the slightest bit pointed as he reprimands her in a hushed tone. “Huni! You weren’t supposed to say that.”

You pause for a few seconds, thinking over the implications of Huni’s statement. Surely you misheard. Surely you’re just misinterpreting the girl’s words. Surely no one actually thinks you and Kinich are a couple, right?

“Excuse me, what?” you blurt out. No other words come to mind at the moment, as you’re too shocked to muster any coherent thought. “Kinich and I are what?”

“Together,” Huni states simply. “A couple. Totally head-over-heels for each other.”

A frown clouds your features as your muscles tense. You and Kinich are nothing more than friends, and although you’re extremely close — nearly abnormally so — you’ve never even discussed the possibility of being anything more. Why does everyone around you suddenly seem to think you’re in love?

Perhaps your confusion is evident because Huni continues to elaborate in excruciating detail.

“You should see the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching — it’s like his eyes fill with the light of a thousand stars. Oh, he also always asks the shopkeepers if anything’s caught your eye recently whenever you’re distracted, and…”

You tune out Huni’s tangent about you and Kinich, the thoughts in your mind coming to a halt temporarily to protect yourself from the onslaught of confounding claims being made. It feels like complete blankness engulfs your mind as you remain frozen in place, each fleeting moment feeling more comparable to an eternity. The more you dwell on Huni’s assumption, the more you realize you don’t mind envisioning yourself with Kinich.

You’re only pulled out of your mental retreat when a familiar voice rings out through the discord of marketplace conversations.

“[Name],” Kinich greets you. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here today.”

To your relief, Toba drags Huni off as Kinich approaches, frantically trying to ensure that she doesn’t say anything more in front of the saurian hunter himself. You feel a sense of momentary relief, but now that Kinich is here, what are you going to do about his present?

“Yeah, I had some free time today and wanted to check out some of the new goods. It’s been about a week since I’ve come by.”

Unsurprisingly Kinich doesn’t look convinced. Doubt swirls in a faint starlight glimmer within irises of fern and honeyed sunbeams. He knows you like the back of his own hand.

“What’s really going on?” he asks, a hint of concern entangled in his tone. He watches you intently, awaiting your answer. His eyes narrow ever-so-slightly.

Busted. Although you would have much preferred keeping your gift to Kinich a surprise, you figure it’s still better to ensure he doesn’t worry that you’ve been roped into doing suspicious business. You know from experience that Kinich tends to take drastic measures when he thinks you’re in danger, and you’d rather not have him go to such lengths over nothing.

“You know how our friendship anniversary is coming up?” you explain.

A look of realization flashes across Kinich’s features. Before he can speak, a grating voice that you’ve been hearing more often in recent times interrupts.

“So my lowly servant and his pesky idiot of a companion had the same idea,” Ajaw cackles, appearing from behind Kinich. You try your best to stifle an exasperated groan. “Maybe you really are meant to be — after all, you share one collective brain cell!”

You glare at Ajaw, and Kinich sighs, nonchalantly raising an arm to send Ajaw off to solitary confinement.

“Sorry about that. Ajaw’s been acting up more than usual since the last time I put him in timeout,” Kinich says.

You chuckle before a realization suddenly hits you.

“Wait, Ajaw said you were here for the same reason as me,” you speak hesitantly. “Were you getting me a gift too?” The way Kinich averts his gaze as you ask your question nearly elicits more giggles from you.

“Looks like we caught each other at the worst time,” Kinich sighs.

You nod in agreement, and although you’re slightly disappointed you couldn’t have kept your secret mission inconspicuous, you find the corners of your lips turning up in a smile. There’s a strange sort of comfortable humour in the situation that you only experience around Kinich.

“Since we’re both here anyway, we might as well go shopping together,” you hum, taking Kinich’s hand and dragging him off. Maybe people will stop bothering you now that Kinich is by your side again.

You wander with Kinich, gaze flitting over various items on display. However, despite all your searching, nothing quite piques your interests. It’s not until rose and clematis scatter themselves across the sky in a brilliant display of mosaic-esque shards that something finally catches your eye.

On a small table tucked within an obscure corner of the marketplace sits two matching bracelets, delicate stars engraved into opulent charms hanging from each one. The woven threads of each accessory look intricately-crafted to the point where even the finer details appear flawless.

They’re beautiful, but more importantly, they remind you of that night more than a decade ago where Kinich had wished upon a star for the first time in years. They remind you of the night where Kinich found hope once more. That’s what seals the deal for you.

“Excuse me, Ms. Vendor. I’ll take the two bracelets.”

ACT VII.

No one takes death seriously until it comes knocking at their door.

Kinich comes to the realization as he trembles on the battlefield of the Night Warden Wars, his bones aching and his joints ready to give up on him. He’s exhausted, and all he wants to do is close his eyes and allow the frigid touch of death to kiss away the last remnants of warmth from his soul. However, relenting would mean admitting defeat.

Relenting would mean never seeing you again.

(And that’s the last thing he wants.)

Everyone lives as if their time is unlimited — as if tomorrow is guaranteed to come. Humans tend to assume the future is a never-ending tale, a novel with no finale, so they continuously delay, waiting and waiting and waiting because they believe they still have many years ahead of them to wrap up their affairs.

Kinich realizes all too late that he has been ensnared within the same folly. As he remains slumped on the ground, clutching at his bleeding chest, a sense of deep regret washes over him.

He never got to tell you that he loved you.

Even after all these years, Kinich has never been able to bring himself to utter those words — not even once — and now, he’ll pay the price for his hesitation. A small part of him has always been too cowardly to cross the line from friendship into the uncharted territory of something more. 

Kinich hardly knows much pertaining to love, but from what little he’s seen in his former years of life, he knows it’s a double-edged sword — a smoldering flame of passion that burns with unparalleled brilliance. But when a roaring blaze grows too intense, it consumes all, leaving nothing but ashes and tears.

His parents had been in love at some point. Kinich recalls the times where his father would embrace his mother after handing her a breathtaking bouquet of flowers, his lips brushing across her bruised cheek with a rare sweetness. In those moments, Kinich’s father would whisper words of affirmation to his mother — promises and saccharine reassurances that would always remain unfulfilled.

Yet more often than not, their “love” consisted of domestic quarrels, the shattering of glassware against the walls of a derelict house or the slap of a hand across blemished skin. Love had destroyed them, and Kinich’s worst fear is the thought of your relationship falling apart.

So he’s maintained an ample distance throughout the years, keeping you at arm’s length to ensure nothing goes wrong. He’s always been by your side, close enough to share embers of his love yet not close enough to burn you, and now his caution is returning to haunt him.

Kinich is going to die before he has the chance to confess his true feelings.

As much as he wills himself to stay conscious, his eyelids begin to grow heavy, threatening to flutter shut for the last time. The sweet sensation of death threatens to lull Kinich into an eternal slumber, luring him in with a deceptively-tantalizing siren song, filled with promises of peace and an end to his suffering. A sense of fear grips Kinich as his life begins slipping away. He’s not ready to die. There’s so much he still wants to experience with you.

A million thoughts race through his mind before his imminent demise.

He thinks of Ajaw, who would be free to catalyze the implosion of the seven nations without Kinich around. As cruel as fate has been to him, Kinich doesn’t want the world to burn.

He thinks of his comrades — fallen warriors who had fought valiantly until they no longer had the strength to go on. They deserve to be revered and honoured, not lost to the sands of time.

And he thinks of you. His everything.

The weight of the star bracelet you had gifted him starts feeling a lot heavier. When you purchased it, you had told him it brought back recollections from one of the best days of your life, adding that you hoped you’d make many more precious memories in the future.

Kinich can’t let you down now.

A wish flickers to life within the depths of his soul, desperately manifesting in shades of emerald and rich forest green. Resplendent viridescent tourmaline glints by his chest where there had once been a gaping wound, fueling Kinich with revived vigor. Kinich feels rejuvenated, and with his newfound strength, he stands, preparing to face another onslaught of abyssal attacks.

This time he’s ready, and he’ll stop at nothing until he purges every last enemy.

Kinich is determined to fight — for Natlan, for his comrades, and most importantly, for you.

ACT VIII.

When a hero returns from war, they are typically met with the relieved faces of their loved ones and an outpouring of affection. However, Kinich finds that neither of these things welcome him upon his arrival home. Instead, he is greeted by the sight of an exasperated frown on your face and vitreous tears welling up in the corners of your eyes.

“You’re so stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid! I can’t believe you almost got yourself killed!” You continue to ramble on, your words amalgamating in a panicked jumble of incoherence as Kinich wraps an arm around your waist, pulling you in for a warm embrace. Ever since Kinich told you what happened during the Night Warden Wars, you’ve been distraught.

To his relief, he feels the tension within your body dissipate as the proximity between the two of you gradually dwindles. With your face finally hidden from view, you allow your teardrops to flow freely down your cheeks in bittersweet rivulets; Kinich can tell from the way his clothing seems to dampen. Absent-mindedly, Kinich traces circles on your back, calmly running through cycles upon cycles to ground you.

“Sorry,” is all Kinich can muster, his throat feeling parched under the scrutiny of your glare as you pull away to shoot him a nasty look. There’s so much more he wants to say to you, but he can’t find the strength to put any of it into words. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

You scoff, your tone nearly sardonic in nature, yet beneath it all, Kinich can sense how much you missed him —- how terrified you were that you would never see him again.

“Is that all you have to say?” you ask. “You nearly died, Kinich. I nearly lost you.”

The lines of your facial features, once creased in irritation, soften, giving way to vulnerability.

“I know,” he sighs, shivering as resignation chills him to the bone. He hates the fact that you’re right. Kinich reaches out to caress your cheek, gently wiping a tear in the process. “I’m still here though.”

“That doesn’t guarantee the same thing won’t happen in the future,” you choke out between hushed sobs. “What if next time you actually…”

Before you can go on, Kinich presses a finger to your lips, effectively silencing you. For a few seconds, he simply allows you to lose yourself within the comfort of his arms. He needs you to process the fact that he’s tangible, breathing, alive, before he says anything more. Kinich waits for your ragged gasps to even out before speaking.

“Do you trust me?” he asks, moving a hand to lace your fingers together.

You nod furiously, eyeing Kinich suspiciously through your sorrowful display of emotions.

“Then believe me when I say I’ll always return to you,” Kinich whispers softly.

Moments go by before you hesitantly respond.

“Fine.”

Kinich isn’t one to break promises. Ending a contract unceremoniously leads to mounting costs and debt, so he tends to avoid obliging to tasks he considers impossible. Perhaps that’s why you relent so easily. You know Kinich would never go back on his word — especially not if it has anything to do with you.

“I’m still expecting you to make it up to me though. I was unbelievably worried.”

“Sure thing,” Kinich replies, his voice breezy and nonchalant once more.

Just let me hold you for a little while longer first.

ACT IX.

Adrenaline courses through Kinich’s veins, fueling him with an urgent sort of determination. He races the wind, desperately trying to transcend nature itself. He’s always been quick, but right now, he’s not sure he’ll be quick enough.

You could be in danger.

If Kinich had known that there had been a surge in abyssal activity within the territory of the People of the Springs, he would have never let you accompany Mualani and the Traveler on their excursion; he wouldn’t have sent Ajaw away on a special mission in the dead of night in an attempt to seek some peace and quiet either. However, Kinich only found out a mere hour ago, and now he’s scrambling to reach you without the aid of his flying companion.

Kinich knows very well that he could arrive just to find that nothing serious is going on, but the thought of not being by your side to protect you in the case that something actually does happen glazes his soul over into a thousand fractals of crystalline fear.

That’s why he runs with as much haste as he can muster, guided by gilded lights reflected in untamed waters, their glow casting a luminous sheen across the wavering ocean surface. As Kinich draws closer, he senses a feeling of foreboding in the air, charging his surroundings with the essence of an ominous premonition.

And then he hears it — an ear-shattering scream.

No matter how much Kinich’s legs scream for respite, he rushes on. With every step, his pace only accelerates. The sole thought on his mind is getting to you in time.

When he finally reaches the village, pandemonium is the first thing to make his acquaintance. Warriors from the tribe fiercely attempt to fend off the incoming assault on their homeland, parrying the attacks of each monstrous entity with precision developed throughout years of rigorous training. Kinich knows they’re skilled at fighting. He trusts them, so instead of delaying, he rushes to more secluded corners of the town, fending off any monsters lurking around the outskirts in the hopes that he’ll run into you on the way.

He swings his claymore as if it's instinct, warding off all peril as he desperately searches the din of discombobulating havoc for any sign of you. His first potential lead comes in the form of a cerulean blur, followed closely by a flash of gold — two of Kinich’s few friends. Before Kinich can call their names, they’re already out of earshot. However, as he turns away to continue his search, a small fairy-esque creature barrels into him, swaying slightly as a ferocious gale attempts to send her flying into disarray.

Kinich reacts quickly, his body working faster than his brain. With ease, he snatches the entity from the sky, effectively pulling her out of harm’s way.

“Hello, Paimon,” Kinich says, fighting to keep his tone neutral. With great difficulty, he suppresses all the anxiety, facing Paimon without betraying so much as a hint of emotion. Truthfully, he’s a wreck on the inside.

“Kinich!” Paimon exclaims, her high-pitched voice cutting through the cacophony of noise ringing out in the turbulent night. “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for [name]. Have you seen them around?”

Kinich doesn’t realize he’s holding in his breath until he hears Paimon’s response. A small gasp slips past his lips.

“Um, last Paimon heard, they were heading to the east part of the village. There were some kids playing there earlier without supervision.”

Of course. Kinich should have known you were off helping others. You had always been willing to lend a hand to those in need, even when you first met Kinich. It was one of your many traits that charmed him all those years ago.

“Thank you, Paimon,” Kinich says, trying his best to keep a building sense of dread at bay. “You should catch up with the Traveler now.”

“See you soon, Kinich,” Paimon chirps before zipping away.

Now that he’s alone, Kinich finally allows the panic to set in. With even more fervour than before, he speeds off in your direction, grasping at various ledges with his grappling hook to move quicker. Kinich is all but weightless, akin to a delicate feather drifting through the breeze. However, it’s still not enough.

You’re cornered and alone when he finally spots you, backed to a wall as two beastly hounds eye you hungrily, sparks of violet electricity igniting in their irises. Just as Kinich figures that the kids have been brought to safety, one of the creatures lets out a guttural roar, a horrific sound unlike anything from this world. You cower in response. Time seems to slow as Kinich watches the abomination extend its claws, ready to rip into you without mercy.

Before he can spare another thought, Kinich’s body reacts. He flings himself through the air, landing precariously fast and skidding along the grass. As he starts slowing to a stop in front of you, he swings his claymore, countering the abyssal wolf’s attack.

Kinich shields you. No matter how perilous the situation becomes, he knows he will need to remain steadfast and resolute.

As the dust settles, you finally catch a glimpse of Kinich. He hears you call his name, feels your hand brush against his shoulder, and senses you shuffling next to him.

However, danger still lurks before you, so with one hand, Kinich lightly shoves you back, taking caution to ensure you won’t end up injured.

“Let me handle this,” he says, extending an arm to prevent you from taking another step forward. He changes his stance and faces the hounds head-on.

The monsters prepare to attack again, and Kinich takes it as a sign to charge forth, swinging his claymore with as much force as he can manage. Although the beasts are fearsome, Kinich lands blow after blow, gradually weakening them with each hit. The only thing on his mind right now is his desire to protect — to save you like you saved him all those years ago.

Kinich allows his instincts to take over, relying on the battle experience he’s accumulated to guide him through the abyssal skirmish. Suddenly he feels as though he’s back in the Night Warden Wars, fighting with all his heart to ensure he’d see you again. His resolve steels, and with one final strike of his weapon, he dispels all danger, banishing the hounds before him to the precarious realm from whence they came.

As soon as Kinich has ensured that the situation has settled, he turns back to inquire about your wellbeing. However, before a single word can slip past his lips, you run up to him and collapse in his arms, trembling like a leaf within a harrowing autumn squall.

“You’re safe now,” he whispers, his breath tickling your ear. Kinich holds you tighter, his grip so secure that even death wouldn’t be able to pry you from his grasp. “I’ve got you.”

“I was so scared… that I’d never see you again,” you gasp between shaky breaths, your panic slowly beginning to dissipate.

Kinich feels a lump in his throat and a pang in his chest. He knows better than anyone how you must have felt, what you were thinking as you lived out what you thought were your last moments. He was in your exact situation once, and all he can recall is his final plea to Celestia — his wish to return home to the welcoming sight of your radiant visage at least once more.

“I couldn’t die before I told you that,” you hesitate, your words catching in your throat, “before I told you that I loved you.”

Kinich’s breath hitches. His body freezes, and his surroundings become all but null. Maybe you really are telepathically linked because that had been his exact thought as he felt his life ebbing away during the Night Warden Wars, ascending to a divine plane in chapters of fragile mortality.

“You love me?” Kinich breathes out. In the mayhem, all is momentarily forgotten as blissful euphoria overtakes his heart, sending zephyrs of rose-tinted elation through his mind. After an eternity of waiting, Kinich finally realizes his feelings are reciprocated. “I love you too.”

The look on your face softens as sensibility and coherency begin to overtake you once more, but before you can return Kinich’s affections, dissonant screams and crashes shatter your transient utopia.

Right. You’re still in the midst of chaos.

“Do you know where the Traveler and Mualani were headed?” Kinich questions you urgently, recoiling slightly as he ruins the moment. He hates the fact that he’ll have to push aside the implications of your confession for now, but at the moment, people’s lives are still in danger.

You nod vigorously.

“I’ll take you over to them and then head back to the village to assist in resolving the crisis. We can talk more tonight.”

ACT X.

The festivities of the People of the Springs stretch well past midnight that evening, celebrating the triumph of their heroes and the recovery of the esteemed warrior Atea. Lively melodies ring out in the refreshing night air, filling the evening with songs of invigorating joy and glorious victory. Even from atop a cliff overlooking everything, the warm atmosphere still engulfs you. Although you had stayed for the commencement of the party, you and Kinich eventually decided to retire to a slightly more secluded area to pick up your conversation from earlier.

“So,” you start, your nerves beginning to flare up in a culmination of resplendent flames, “where do we start?” Subconsciously, you begin to toy with your fingers, and you don’t notice until Kinich stops you, taking your hand in his.

“Well first things first, we know we love each other,” he states, looking into your eyes. Ardor dances within his gaze, making itself at home between brilliant murals of malachite and topaz. The way moonlight catches in his irises, illuminating his features with a certain softness, makes your heart melt.

Now that Kinich no longer has to hold back, his immense love for you becomes tremendously apparent. As he traces circles into the back of your hand with his thumb, you realize that even the silences are adorned with gentle reminders of his feelings for you.

“It seems so obvious now,” you laugh lightly. “I wonder why we didn’t end up confessing sooner.”

Kinich hums nonchalantly, averting his eyes for just a second before turning back to you.

“Would you believe me if I told you that I was scared?” Kinich asks.

Amusement graces his features as you shake your head. Nowadays, Kinich is usually so calm — so composed — never allowing his demeanour to betray even the slightest hint of distress. From hunting saurians to extreme sports to tolerating Ajaw’s creative threats all the time, Kinich has endured everything with a brave face, but now you’re starting to realize that perhaps he isn’t quite as fearless as he appears.

“What were you scared of?” you inquire, tilting your head slightly to examine Kinich.

A pause ensues as Kinich mulls over his response, mentally preparing himself to pour out his heart. He’s not used to it, but he’s ready to start trying for you.

“Ruining the best thing life has ever given me,” he whispers. “You know you’re everything to me, right?”

You’re breathless as you stare at Kinich. The pure emotion behind his words is enough to widen your grin. Your heart feels like it’s ready to pulse out of your chest, speeding up in a grand accelerando and growing louder in a magnificent crescendo.

Everything is perfect.

Everything is as it should be when you’re with him.

This is your flawless elysium.

“May I?” You cup Kinich’s face with one hand, leaning towards him. Your gaze falls on his lips, and you hear him breath in softly.

Kinich nods, reciprocating your actions as he bridges the gap between you.

Time seems to slow as your lips meet in an incandescent flash of effulgent sparks. The night gleams in shades of starlight and utopia, illuminating the moment with a brilliance that encapsulates nothing less than pure love. Perhaps your souls have been intertwined since the beginning, or perhaps destiny pulled some strings to bring the two of you together, but you’re absolutely certain that from this moment on, you would only part in death.

As you pull away from Kinich, a strange smile adorns his features. Before you can question him, he speaks.

“I finally repaid you,” he says, “after all this time.”

You laugh. He’s still worrying about that?

“Thank you, love, but it doesn’t matter to me anymore,” you respond. A part of you finds it endearing that he’s still trying to make things even after your countless seasons together, yet you feel obligated to reassure him he never has to reimburse you again.

Kinich gazes at you inquisitively.

“There’s no debt between lovers, silly — only pure adoration and happiness.”

FIN. tysm for taking the time to read this fic <3

[cathkaesque]

Relentless direct action has secured another victory in the fight against Israel’s arms trade, as Elbit Systems are forced to sell their ‘Elite KL’ factory in Tamworth.

The company had previously manufactured cooling and power management systems for military vehicles, but was sold on after stating that it faced falling profits and increased security costs resulting from Palestine Action’s efforts. 

After the sale was completed last month, Elite KL’s new owners, listed as Griffin Newco Ltd, confirmed in an email to Palestine Action that they will have nothing to do with the previous owners, Elbit, and have discontinued any arms manufacturing:

“Following the recent acquisition of Elite KL Limited by a UK investment syndicate, the newly appointed board has unanimously agreed to withdraw from all future defence contracts and terminate its association with its former parent company”.

This victory is a direct result of sustained direct action which has sought, throughout Palestine Action’s existence, to make it impossible for Elbit to afford to operate in Britain. Before they sold the enterprise to a private equity syndicate, Elbit had reported that Elite KL operating profits had been slashed by over three-quarters, with Palestine Action responsible: Elbit directly cited the increased expenditure on security they’d been forced to make, and higher supply chain costs they faced.

And these actions did, indeed, cost them. The first action at the site, in November 2020, saw Elite KL’s premises smashed into, the building covered in blood-red paint. Between March and July 2021, the site was put out of action three times by roof-top occupations – drenched red in March 2021, with the factory’s camera systems dismantled, before again being occupied in in May. Another roof-top occupation in July, despite increased security, saw the site forced closed – once again painted blood-red, and with its windows and fixings smashed through.

In February 2022, activists decommissioned the site for weeks – closed off after an occupation that saw over £250,000 of damages caused, the roof tiles removed one-by-one. After this, Elbit erected a security perimeter around the site – but to no avail. One month later, six were arrested after Palestine Action returned to Tamworth – again taking the roof and smashing through, preventing the production of parts for Israel’s military machine.

Elite KL is a ‘specialist thermal management business’. Since the sale, the company focuses on cooling systems for buses and trains, but it had, under Elbit, manufactured these systems for military vehicles. Until December of last year, Elite KL’s website was advertising its military and defence products, and it was known to provide parts for Israel’s deadly Merkava tanks, with export license records demonstrating its provision of ‘ML6a’ components for military ground vehicles to Israel. The company was also known to manufacture crew cooling systems, for the military vests of tank operators.

Elbit Systems itself provides 85% of the drones and land-based military equipment for the Israeli military, along with a wide range of the munitions and armaments currently being used against Gaza’s beseiged population. Its CEO, Bazhalel Machlis, has claimed that the Israeli military has offered the company its thanks for their “crucial” services during the ongoing genocide in Gaza

A Palestine Action spokesperson has stated:

“Each activist who occupied and dismantled Tamworth’s Israeli weapons factory did so in order to bring an end to Israel’s weapons trade, and to end the profiteering from Palestinian repression. Every defeat Elbit faces is a victory for the Palestinian people.

Kicking Elbit out of Tamworth shows once again that direct action is a necessary tactic. It is one which must be utilised and amplified in the face of the Gaza genocide.”

[jinx-xxed]

Rough Week

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆ .。.:*

A/N; I needed some good ol’ fashioned cuddles and sleeping ☝️ this pic of him is one of my favs I Need to lay on him

Part of Written in the Stars

Summary; Kylo Ren has finally come back from a grueling mission. You help him relax.

Content; Supreme Leader Kylo Ren, Commander reader, pure fluff, like sickeningly fluffy, Kylo’s exhausted, you let him rest, bonded to Kylo through the Force, lots of Force communication, cute/clingy/sleepy/soft Kylo, big guy needs a break, cuddles!!!, sleeping together, giving Kylo the love he needs and deserves, he doesn’t know how to handle it, kind of domestic?, going about life in the First Order

Wc; 1.6k

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆ .。.:*

“Command shuttle SL-5956 coming to dock.”

The robotic announcement echoes throughout Hangar Eight, sending people into motion to prepare for the arrival of the ship. You stand in waiting in the midst of the hangar, watching as the shuttle lazily passes through the guard barrier leading out into space, the massive black wings of the command shuttle folding upwards like the point of a pyramid as it’s lowered to the shiny floors. There’s a gust of wind that ruffles your hair, the familiar rumbles of the ship powering down filling your ears. BB-12 sits obediently beside you, occasionally rolling back and forth in idle movements. There’s a hiss from the command shuttle as the latches to the ramp are disengaged, white clouds of depressurized air being expelled from the pumps sitting on the perimeter and creating a sort of fog that spreads across the hangar before fizzling out.

There’s the sound of multiple sets of footsteps on the ramp, though one stands out more than the others. It’s followed by a familiar pulse, buzzing in the back of your mind, pawing at the shields you keep up, asking to be let back in after being absent for a week. Your defenses are lowered just enough for the dark presence to slip through and nestle in its usual spot, intertwining with your own Force signature and securing itself to you like tying a knot. Your other half has returned. Kylo leads the way down the ramp, followed by the Stormtroopers that had accompanied him, though you notice there’s three missing from the lineup. Casualties. His form—covered in black robes, red-veined helmet giving an intimidating gleam—commands the area, everyone seeming to hold their breath as they wait for the Supreme Leader to make his orders.

You meet him halfway, tilting your chin upwards to meet the invisible gaze behind the slit in his mask. “Welcome back, Supreme Leader. I take it everything went accordingly?” You openly suggest as such because you don’t sense the telltale signs of a failed mission coming from him—those usually being broiling anger or seething disappointment.

You look at him expectantly but there’s no response, just an empty stare and the faint static of breathing from the vocoder built into his helmet. You reach that invisible hand of the Force forward, poking through his own defenses, gathering the general sense of his condition, and it washes over you like a tidal wave. He’s exhausted. You feel it as though it’s your own; limbs that seem twice as heavy than they should be, eyes burning, mind seeming to have turned into unusable mush. You see the way he can barely hold himself up, with just the slightest sway to his posture that only someone like yourself would notice. He hasn’t rested properly in over a week, too consumed by his responsibilities that burden him at all hours and the dark memories that haunt him like ghosts. You lean forward. “Sir?”

Something in him snaps on like a lightbulb finally finding the energy it needs to sputter to life, his helmet lifting with a minuscule shake. “Yes, the mission was successful. The resistance base on Cona-6 has been destroyed.” His voice is lower than usual, bogged down by his exhaustion and struggling to get through his vocoder.

Your brows crease with concern, eyes roving over his helmet, wishing you could actually see him. Let’s get you back to our room. The offer rings across the Force bond you share, going into his mind and his alone. You want to get him away from the prying eyes within the hangar, from anyone who may fault him for the state he’s in. You doubt they’re is able to notice his current exhaustion, but you know it’ll only get worse if you don’t do something.

Please, comes as a response.

You’re glad he’s so easy to agree rather than fighting you on it and insisting he has more work to finish, even though you were prepared to drag him to bed if you had to. You lead the way from the hangar, Kylo following behind you and BB-12 rolling dutifully at your side. The lights within the halls of the Steadfast are beginning to dim as the artificial day cycle comes to a close, creating a sense of impeding night for the staff on board.

Officers and Stormtroopers quickly jump out of your way as you pass, sticking to the walls and watching you with feelings of terror trembling through their minds. You try to keep the path to your room as short as possible, taking what shortcuts you can until you reach the commanders section of sleeping quarters. The door sits in waiting, the identification numbers belonging to you and Kylo inscribed into the metal. There’s a beep from the control panel, granting you access as the two hexagonal doors open.

Cold air hits your face, the room always kept to be bordering on freezing since you both run unbearably hot. You get through the receiving room, then entering into the bedroom where the familiar bookshelves, tables, chairs and the large bed are waiting. It’s like a safe space for you two—it’s the one place your guards can be let down, where you can just be yourselves together and let your bond flow between you undisturbed, and where you can hide away from the things that trouble you… even if just for a little while.

You turn, and Kylo stops. His fists are clenched as a way to try and keep himself from falling asleep where he stands, the pressure from his fingers digging into his palms. You reach up and press the releases on his mask, the compartments hissing as they slide apart. His black hair falls around his face as you take the helmet off and you’re allowed to look at him in full. His eyes are dull, dark marks discoloring the skin beneath them, a tired neutrality settled onto his features as he blinks at you slowly. His signature across your bond is muted, unable to muster itself up to full strength, coming to you in colors less vibrant than usual.

No words are exchanged as you help free him of his outer layers, the robes falling to the ground in black piles of cloth until he’s left in just his undershirt and thick pants. His lightsaber and helmet are left in their usual spot on the lounge table, laid to rest until they’re next needed. You guide him over to the bed and he doesn’t hesitate to get under the covers, his exhaustion seeming to come out tenfold and making the line of your connection tremble.

You sit on your side of the bed for a moment, merely watching as he gets comfortable with his eyes squinted even as you dim the lights to darkness. He sighs with a blooming contentment and you then move to get up, thinking perhaps it would be better to leave him alone to sleep and using the last few hours of the cycle to get work done. But you don’t get far, his hand snatching your wrist and tugging you back down. “Stay,” he orders, a rumble of annoyance coming from him at the thought of you leaving. I can’t sleep without you.

“Okay.” You tell him without hesitation, beginning to shed your layers as well and leaving them to join his on the floor. An early night certainly wouldn’t hurt; having to control the Order in Kylo’s place wasn’t an easy job. Your lightsaber is put to rest next to his own. “BB-12, guard the door so no one tries to bother us. I’ll shoot them if they do.” The droid gives a beep in response before rolling down the hall and disappearing into the receiving area. It stands as an unspoken rule across the ship that anyone who disturbs the Supreme Leader and Commander at this time will be dealt with in an unpleasant manner.

You slip beneath the covers, Kylo’s strong arms immediately coming forward and enveloping you, dragging you to him so your bodies are flush against each other. You twist around in his grip so you’re facing him, his eyes closed. You lift your hands, placing them on either side of his face, your thumbs running idly across his cheeks. He hums at the action, his body further relaxing beneath your touch and his signature becoming something more soft and smooth. You kiss along his face—his jaw, his lips, his cheeks, his scar, his forehead, and lastly, his nose, which makes his face scrunch in a way that makes you smile, reminding you of a cat.

Every part of him is perfect to you, and you tell him as such constantly. He sees only his faults, whereas you see his strengths. He attempts to bury his head in the crook of your neck, his hold tightening, overwhelmed by the attention you’re giving him. Though there’s a happy trill akin to a purr along the bond, creating a sense of tranquility that blossoms with gentle colors like flowers.

You card your fingers through the silkiness of his hair, your legs becoming tangled beneath the sheets. His breath tickles your neck, steadily becoming slower and more even as he’s dragged into sleep both by his exhaustion and your gentle care. He’s happy in this moment, glad to relax entirely around you and give in to the basic desires of his mind. You nestle your cheek against the top of his head, enjoying the way he holds you close and secure like you’re an anchor he needs to keep a hold of. He’s already asleep, and you know you’ll do your best to keep away all the things that plague him so that he can sleep in peace when he needs it most. He deserves that much.

[alexandriasarchives]

Finally

Rick Grimes x Female!Reader

Warnings: 18+ Soft core smut

Summary: There had been a connection between you and Rick that seemed obvious to everyone. You notice he never lets himself act on it and start to wonder if it's the age gap that is keeping him from letting go with you. One night on a supply run that all changes.

There had been something going on between you and Rick for a while now. Touches to tender to be friendly. The tension behind the eye contact you two shared was something even the group couldn't miss. You had been told countless times that he was obsessed with you, yet you couldn't bring yourself to make the first move. You cared about Rick and that's only grown into something more real over the years.

He decided to take you on a run alone with him like he often had. You two had been on the road from Alexandria for hours now. You knew that if you were tired being a passenger he had to be exhausted being a driver.

“We should find somewhere to spend the night?”

He looked over briefly and contemplatively before turning his eyes back on the road and nodding hesitantly in agreement. “Yeah, we should…”. While you both scouted through the dusty car windows for an abode to spend the night your mind wandered. Maybe it was the age gap that kept Rick holding back with you. He was significantly older with you being only in your twenties. Was there a chance that he thought of you as too young or immature? The car slowing and pulling onto a gravel driveway towards a cute and slightly modern cabin lodged between the trees along the road broke you from your thoughts. The roof was dark and slanted in comparison to the horizontal warm wood logs along the walls of the cabin, there are large windows wrapping around the front partially hidden by the large posted wrap-around porch. Dust has collected on a lot of it but you can tell at one time this had to be a loved vacation home.

You both simultaneously push open the car doors and step out and take a second to look over the cabin and property. Rick rests his elbow on top of the car and looks over to you. The air and tension is thick. It always is between the two of you.

“Give me a second to secure it.” He says, eyes raking over your face and chest before refocusing on the structure before him. He draws his gun from the holster on his hip and proceeds to walk around the perimeter of the cabin looking in every available window. Then slowly and quietly makes his way onto the creaky front porch. He bangs on the door frame a few times and then after hearing nothing he cautiously enters the cabin. The thought of him, gun drawn, checking each room, arms taut and bulging. Face full of focus and determination was enough to make your thighs squeeze together as you waited by the car for him.

“It's clear” Rick shouts from the front porch, breaking you from your thoughts.

You start grabbing the gear from the trunk when you feel his presence behind you. You could always feel him before you see him. Right now it felt like his eyes were burning into your backside. You turn and lift everything out when he instinctively breaks from whatever trance he seemingly was in to grab the bags from your hands. His hands brush yours for a second and the eye contact doesn't break as the bags transfer from your hands to his. The tension is palpable as you both silently enter the cabin. You take it upon yourself to rifle through some drawers and end up finding some candles and start giving some light to the place as Rick thoroughly scavenges through everything. Besides the typical world ending clutter it was pretty clean and the candles were making it quite cozy.

You pass a shelf full of books and grab one and dramatically plop down onto the couch in the open concept living room letting out a heavy breath and look at Rick, who is already looking at you. A common occurrence that you've started to grow used to.

“I'll take the couch” You say, noting the obvious lack of a second bedroom.

“No.” He says flatly, eyes scanning over your frame as he broods on over to stand at the foot of the couch where you had swung your feet up to rest. You're shocked at his tone but mostly over him treating you like you were a child. You lift your upper body to look at him and start to say

“I said I’ll-”

“And I said no…” He interjects and continues “You're not sleeping on a different level, alone” He looks at you flatly, giving you his best “Im serious” look. You narrow your eyes in response, and lay back down and roll over to sleep in defiance. You know it's childish but it's apparent that's what he thinks of you anyway so you don't care at this point.

You nestle in and close your eyes waiting to hear his footsteps go up the stairs to the loft bedroom, but instead they sound like he's rounding the couch until he's standing directly above you. That's when you feel him lean down and plant his hands on either side of you. You keep your eyes closed as he leans in even further until his lips hover at your ear. You can feel his breath fanning over the side of your face when he says.

“I said you’re not sleeping alone down here, and i fucking meant it.”

And with that he moves one arm to cradle your legs and the other your torso and he lifts you up effortlessly and starts walking you princess style up the stairs to the bedroom. Your eyes are now very much open and as wide as saucers as you stare at the side of his face with that determined look plastered all over it, and if you didn't know better a bit of smugness. Heat instantly pools in your stomach as you reach the top of the stairs.

He lays you on the bed and reluctantly lets go to return to standing upright. He looks absolutely lost in you and you’re loving every second. You can't help but notice that the only thing to be heard is you both practically panting. He shifts on his feet and you relish in being able to make “the Rick Grimes” a tad uncomfortable. He looks absolutely soft and slightly forlorn right now you can see the mental battle he's having with himself right now. You decide to test the waters

“Are you sleeping in the bed too?” Unable to take your eyes off his and seemingly him not being able to do the same he hesitates looking for the right answer in your eyes when suddenly he finds it.

He speechlessly nods his head, slowly but surely, “yes”.

You shyly smile and softly pat the space beside you on the king sized bed, only breaking his gaze for a moment.

His eyes quickly rake up and down your body and he softly smirks, and starts undoing his holster and belt now seemingly unable to look you in the eyes. However you are unable to look away, from the way his hands expertly undo his belt and his forearms flex while doing so is enough for you to push your thighs together. You watch him walk around to the empty side of the bed and hesitantly prop himself on the bed. With a deep sigh he tips his head back against the headboard and looks up at the ceiling.

The room feels like the air is being sucked out of it. Rick keeps his head tipped back and eyes fixated on the ceiling. He's breathing deeply and you cannot bring yourself to look away. The candlelight flickers across his sharp features making him look even more rugged and untouchable than usual. Yet here he is, sitting mere inches away from you in the same bed.

This is torture.

Laying with the man you want, but can’t have.

“Can you tell me what it is?” you say barely above a whisper. Risking every brick of friendship you've built over the years. Not being able to take the longing and feeling utterly desperate.

His eyes flutter closed and he takes a deep breath.

“What?” he replies gravelly and softly, eyes still closed and face towards the ceiling. He rubs a hand over his mouth and stubble almost like he’s holding the words in his mouth.

“You know… what it is about me that isn't …appealing…it's probably not appealing to anyone else either and I'm tired of being alone. i don't want other guys to-”

His hand rips away from his mouth like a bandage. His head and attention snap over to you and is now laser focused. He reaches his hands over and rips you from your side of the bed bringing you to him. You're face to face now and you can feel your breaths mixing with each exhale. Your body is on fire as his hands rest on the curve of your hips. He's looking at you so hard you're worried he might see right through you. His blue eyes are pleading the question before his lips can ask

“What other guys?”

You're too stunned to speak.

“You don't need other guys…” he continues, tone low, gruff, and twangy as lips ghost just under your ear and he gives what feels like a promise. His hands travel slowly over your clothed sides and lower back.

In all the time you’ve known Rick the two of you had never been this close. It was intoxicating.

You’re both staring deeply in eachothers eyes. Not sure of where to take this next, or how deep this should go. You decide to ask what’s nagging at you,

“What does that mean?…” his hand grips tighter on your lower back and you can feel his chest deeply rising and falling against yours. You continue still in shock of the moment and the feeling of him “What does this mean?”

“it means…” he starts, you can tell he’s choosing his words carefully. “that i can’t stay away from you any longer and i don’t want to anymore…”

Your heart is racing and a part of you wonders if he can feel it.

“I was worried you were to young… that you wouldn’t want anything to do with me anyway, or that i'd be taking something away from you by being with you but…selfishly, I don't care anymore...i want whatever you are willing to give me. i want you.”

You stare at him eyes wide in disbelief. You can think of only one thing. What you’ve dreamt of doing for years.

You tip your chin up and slowly bring your lips into his. Giving him every chance to back out.

But he doesn’t.

He cradles the back of your head and furiously seals the gap between you.

It's passionate and it's like you need each other to breathe. Words that have never been able to come out flow beautifully from his lips to yours.

Your hands are fisting his shirt while his fingers thread through your hair. Your legs are now intertwined with his and this is the first time anything has felt right in years. It’s overwhelmingly perfect.

And when you pull away from his lips for some desperately needed air, the look in his blue eyes, and the way his lips curl into soft smile gives you the impression that he is in fact thinking the same thing.

[p-seduonym]

The Little Light That Got Lost (Part Six)

A/N: More spookiness! I promise I'll make a cohesive post that goes over everything in detail when I'm done with this series. I'll also add the other parts to this post so you can see where this all started.

Taglist: @cheust, @i-simp-for-women, @goodsoup19, @143637-hrrm, @delias-stuff, @12nitled, @cutenessbun, @rinkydinkythinky, @trashlanternfish360, @bunbunbread, @daddysfangirls-dc, @justannie18(will add more if asked)

Part One

Part Two

Part 2.5

Interlude

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Based off of @cheust's Ghost Caretaker AU. It's really good so give it a read!

Wayne Family Residence – Sleepwalking Observation Log Compiled by: Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth Subject: Master Casey Wayne Purpose: To document incidents of somnambulism for Dr. Hoffman’s review Start Date: [REDACTED]

Entry #004 Date: [REDACTED] Time: 03:08 AM

Description: Awoke to a faint creaking on the third-floor landing. Upon investigation, found Master Casey standing motionless at the top of the main staircase. Eyes open, unblinking. Left arm extended slightly forward, as if reaching for something unseen. No response when addressed. Gently guided them back to bed. Breathing remained steady throughout.

Notes: This marks the fourth occurrence in seven nights. Tonight’s positioning—so near the staircase edge—was particularly concerning. Will install a motion-triggered nightlight and padded stair runner for safety. Noted faint smudge marks trailing along the stair railing—fingerprints that do not match my own. Casey’s hands were clean at the time of redirection.

Entry #005 Date: [REDACTED] Time: 02:41 AM

Description: Security alarms signaled motion in the garden. Located Master Casey standing barefoot at the edge of the garden pond, eyes fixated on the water. Temperature near freezing. Toes curled against the stone. Clutched in their hand, a silver coin I do not recognize. Murmuring indistinctly under their breath. No response to light, voice, or physical contact. Gently redirected them indoors. Upon returning with warm milk, found them fast asleep on the sitting room love seat. Coin was taken to the study for further review.

Notes: Second recorded instance of outdoor wandering. Perimeter systems to be reinforced; window sensors on the east wing scheduled for diagnostics. No known personal significance of the pond to Master Casey. Arranging temporary pond cover. Coin appears to be genuine silver, origin unknown. Following morning, Casey expressed great distress upon discovering the coin missing. Claimed it was given by the "tooth fairy" and promised to "Yaya" to keep it with them at all times.

Entry #006 Date: [REDACTED] Time: 01:57 AM

Description: Heard low murmuring via nursery monitor. Entered the room to find Casey seated upright in bed, speaking in an unrecognizable language. Tone monotone. Rhythm steady—phrase repeated six times. Upon approach, they turned toward me and clearly stated in English: “She doesn’t like the basement.” Then lay back down and resumed sleeping.

Notes: The basement door remains locked at all times. To my knowledge, Casey has never been made aware of its existence.

Entry #007

Date: [REDACTED]

Time: 03:14 AM

Description:Discovered Master Casey’s bedroom door open during routine patrol. No signs of forced entry or tampering with child safety locks. Located them in the east wing study, seated before the fireplace. Barefoot, dressed in sleepwear, hands resting calmly in their lap. Eyes open, but unfocused. Did not respond to voice. Offered no resistance when carried back to bed. Remained asleep throughout. Notably, the fireplace—unused in years—carried the faint scent of burnt wood.

Notes:No known reason for Casey to enter the study. The room is uninviting and generally avoided. When questioned in the morning, they recalled a vague dream “about being cold,” but no recognition of the study itself. Will recheck all window locks and reinstall motion sensors in the east wing corridors.

Entry #008 Date: [REDACTED] Time: 01:57 AM

Description: Master Casey found at the attic stairwell threshold. Door was ajar—odd, as it remains latched from the outside. No signs of tampering. They held the same silver coin previously secured in the study. I am certain I placed it in a locked cabinet drawer, which remains undisturbed. Casey did not ascend the stairs. Appeared to be listening. When asked what they heard, whispered, “They’re quiet right now.” Did not elaborate. Escorted them back to bed. Coin was again confiscated and this time locked in the wall safe.

Notes: The attic has been unused for several years. No personal items stored within. Security logs show no activity near the attic before this incident. Will perform a manual inspection during daylight hours. Coin now exhibits faint edge scratches and an unfamiliar fingerprint smudge. Still unclear how Casey regained possession. Beginning to question whether locking it away serves any purpose.

Ongoing Concerns:

Increased frequency and complexity of episodes

Recurrent focus on specific household locations (staircase, basement, attic, rear entrance)

Introduction of unexplained objects and behavior (coin, unfamiliar language, environmental awareness during unconscious state)

Recommendations: Continue nightly documentation. Strongly advise informing Master Wayne of the full extent of these incidents prior to briefing Dr. Hoffman. I anticipate reluctance.— A. Pennyworth

A/N: This one felt a little weird because I thought it'd be a bit more informal but it still feels clinical. I think I'll stop this sort of writing after I finish this series.

[romancherry]

caged in silk (4) — false alarm

pairings ➝ dark!joel miller x dark!javier peña x dark!marcus acacius x female!reader

summary ➝ after a false dissapearance gave them quite the scare, joel loses control in his task to teach you a lesson.

warnings ➝ explicit smut, dark!fic, dubious consent, unprotected p in v, rough vaginal sex, missionary, squirting, creampie, multiple orgasms, breeding kink, breast & nipple play, hickeys and marking kink, posessive and dominant joel, submissive reader, sub space, daddy kink, heavy makeout session, crying kink, praise kink, pet names, pussy pronouns, aftercare, manipulation, dirty talk, swearing and other explicit language, 18+, MINORS: DO NOT INTERACT.

word count ➝ 4.111

author's note ➝ hello again! it took me more time to motivate my lazy ass to write this chapter than actually finishing it. i hope you like it and if you do please leave a comment or motivational reblog 🌸 if i missed any warnings let me know.

do NOT repost, reupload, translate or plagiarize my work.

it was almost midnight when the men realized it has been quiet for far too long. they were so deep in their thoughts and work that they hadn’t realized just how fast time has passed. 

joel was fixing the dripping, rotten faucet in the kitchen. marcus was cleaning some rifles, tending to them as if they were the most precious pieces of porcelain. he was so very focused as he tried hard not to lose count on the ammunition. javier sat on his laptop, chain smoking and looking up surveillance cameras in the DEA office in medellin. the only pause between drags of smoke was when he lifted the glass of whiskey and brought it to his lips while listening very carefully on what the american ambassadors discussed – debating important classified cases, blissfully unaware of the hidden microphones javier placed right under their noses before resigning from this god forsaken job almost 3 years ago. 

joel glanced at his watch and scoffed when he realized just for how long he’s been working on fixing the faucet. he muttered a low good night to the boys, his voice grumpy and heavy with sleep, before making his way to his bedroom, already dreaming about how good he will sleep tonight with you in his bed.

he expected to find you under the covers, maybe reading, maybe already curled into your pillow like you usually were by this time of night. but when he pushed the door open and found the bed untouched, the lights off, and your scent faint in the air — not warm and recent, but old, like you hadn’t been there in hours — something in his chest coiled tight.

“sweetheart?” he called. 

nothing. 

he checked the bathroom next, knocking once, pushing open the door. empty. no sound of water. no used towel. 

he paused, brow furrowing.

“marcus?” he called out, already stepping back into the hallway. “you seen her?”

marcus freezes his actions entirely and puts the rifle on the couch next to him, his expression already serious. “i thought she was in your room.”

“no,” joel said, jaw beginning to grind. “she’s not.”

footsteps echoed on hardwood as javier came from the kitchen, still holding a half-empty glass of whiskey. “what do you mean she’s not?”

joel turned to face him, voice edged now. “i mean she’s gone.”

the silence that followed was sharp — thick with tension, panic, anger. 

javier placed the glass into the sink without looking. “check everywhere. right now.”

they split like shadows in motion — no yelling, no chaos, just the kind of cold, calculating urgency born from fear.

marcus hit the basement first, flashlight already in hand. he searched every corner like he was clearing enemy territory — eyes sharp, movements efficient. no sign of you.

joel moved through the rest of the first floor. he checked the pantry, the garage, the laundry room. doors were still locked. windows undisturbed. “nothing,” he muttered into his radio to the others.

javier moved fastest, pacing the perimeter outside barefoot, his phone already out, checking security cams and motion sensors. “no alarms triggered,” he hissed. “no movement out here in the last hour.”

joel stopped in the hallway, hand gripping the molding beside the doorframe like he needed to steady himself.

you wouldn’t try again, he told himself. not after last time. 

he closed his eyes, trying to focus on regulating his breathing and stop the panic from building his heartbeat rhythm until the point of explosion. he tried to think. to bring reason to light – to convince himself that you wouldn’t be so stupid and naive to run away during the night.

why would you want to run? what did they do to you this time? was the picnic too much? have you learned nothing from your last mistake?

his instinct dared to snap his own self out of the building panic and overwhelming thoughts. a wandering, fleeting thought which almost left his brain as quickly as it entered.

the last door in the hallway which led to a guest bedroom none of them ever used. 

the door was not even shut. it was slightly cracked. joel pushed it open with slow fingers, the old brass hinges creaking. and there you were.

fucking. sleeping.

your chest rose and fell in a peaceful rhythm, soft little exhales brushing the pillow. the blanket was wrapped around your body, one arm tucked underneath it and the other loose at your side. a book you never finished reading lay on the nightstand. the lamp was off. you’d gone to bed hours ago — quiet and unbothered.

joel didn’t say a word.

he stepped back into the hall and leaned against the wall for a beat, rubbing the heel of his hand over his face. relief poured over him like a wave, heavy and thick. he called it in over the radio.

“guest room.”

a few seconds later, marcus appeared, and behind him, javier — barefoot, heart pounding, eyes wild. they stopped in the doorway and stared.

“she’s fine?” marcus asked, voice hushed.

“fast asleep,” joel said. “like she didn’t just take five years off my life.”

javier ran a hand down his face. “fuck.”

you stirred, a little frown tugging between your brows as if you sensed their presence even in sleep. you turned onto your back, hair fanning across the pillow, lips slightly parted, still unaware.

joel walked in quietly and knelt by the bed. his hand reached out and brushed your cheek gently, thumb ghosting across your temple.

“jesus,” he whispered. “you don’t even know what you did to us.”

your eyes fluttered open, groggy and dazed. “…joel?” you murmured, blinking slowly at the sight of all three men surrounding the bed.

javier’s brows lifted, and he huffed a short breath. “you scared us shitless.” 

“i — what? why?” you asked, throat rough.

“why did you have to fall asleep here, sweetheart? you know we never enter this room,” javier asks.

“tired. jus’ wanted quiet…” 

javier knelt beside joel, his hand resting over your ankle beneath the blanket. “you could’ve said something, cariño. we tore the damn house apart.”

“yeah. thought you took off again,” joel added.

you blinked, then winced, voice still sleepy. “s’rry. didn’t mean to freak you out.”

marcus crouched on the other side of the bed, his gaze hard and unforgiving despite the quest to find you turning out successful. “we’ll lock every fucking door in this place from now on. don’t pull a stunt like that again, sweetheart.”

joel leaned forward and pressed a kiss to your forehead, his voice low and tight. “he’s right, baby. you gave us one hell of a panic attack.”

you mutter one last tiny apology in joel’s ear before he lifts you off the bed and gently carries you to his bedroom, the place where you’ve been sleeping every night since they kidnapped you. each time was more comforting than the last; joel didn’t present himself as a threat and always kept a respectable distance between you two, although he always ached to touch and hold you tight against his chest. 

after he places you on the mattress, you notice marcus giving him a suggestive glance. 

joel leaves your side and makes his way to his brother’s side. out of your eavesdropping range.

“teach her a lesson. know you got a soft spot for her, but she needs to learn," marcus whispers in joel’s ear, his instructions clear. joel hesitates. doesn’t say anything for a couple of moments. he isn’t a fan of his older brother’s demands. he doesn’t want to break you in. not like this. 

marcus senses joel’s second thoughts and scoffs at his brother’s weak spot for you. “if you don’t, i will.”

that made joel’s eyes darken. not with thrill or hunger, but with the overwhelming need to protect you from marcus’ roughness. he failed to do so after your escape attempt and had no choice but to let marcus punish you. this time, he’ll carry the burden himself, in the only way he knows how. 

joel nods his head once and gives marcus a look of reassurance and cooperation. once marcus is convinced that joel will keep his promise true, he steps out of the doorway and shuts the door behind him. 

joel turns slowly towards the bed, watching the curiosity in your eyes mix with a potion of anxiety. you can tell. his tense stance. the way he won’t look you in the eye – not quite. his mind races. his hands tremble slightly, and you’re not sure why. is it because of anticipation or the tethering loss of control?

“take off your clothes.”

the order makes you flinch, your instincts telling you to back away slightly. your mind is fully alert now. the exhaustion and gentle yearning for the comfort of a warm and soft bed have been gathered together and thrown out the window. 

“i won’t ask again.”

shivers crawl up your spine at his intimidating tone. if he was trying to inflict fear upon you, to make you forget about all the times he was gentle and careful with you as if you were a porcelain doll — he has done it. with minimal effort. 

you carefully lift yourself off the bed and stand in front of him. there were only a few feet between you. he could take two large steps and you’d be done for. clothes ripped off, a hand wrapped around your throat while he did as he pleased. 

you try to banish these thoughts out of your head and presume it’s best if you try to hurry up slightly. you don’t want things to come to that. you still believe that if you cooperate, he’ll be gentle. a part of you tells you that he doesn’t want to do this. 

but that part of you is so wrong, my dear. because while joel doesn’t want to scare you away and force you into submission like marcus wants, he is still, at the end of the day – a man. 

a man who has built a life out of butchering people for money since his daughters died. a god among men who ripped the soul out of living and well breathing creatures and never felt sorry for it.

until the day you came into his life. when he saw you for the first time and figured you are not a thing to be broken and burned alive. but to be molded and carefully guided into a lifestyle he and his brothers crafted specifically to force you to accept them as your new reality.

in conclusion; he wants you. oh, how much he wants to give into his carnage and tear you apart with his cock. only when he remembers the way your moans filled his ears like a melody when your orgasm flooded his mouth the last time…

god, it’s maddening. infuriating. 

but he must not act on primal instincts and think with his cock. no matter how painful it feels. no matter how the majority of the blood in his brain now flows in his cock right now. and he can barely resist anymore. 

he watches your lip tremble and eyes grow heavy with tears as you quietly do as instructed. 

you start with your socks, quickly discarding them on the floor so you don’t keep him waiting. so you don’t let him think you’re dragging this out to think of an escape.

your loose sweatpants come off next. when you reveal your bare thighs to him, he swears he feels like a medieval man who saw ankles for the first time. 

skin so soft. flesh so plump and glowy. his mind drifts off to when his head rested in between them to devour your pussy. how good it was when he felt the pressure of your muscles against the sides of his skull. an orgasm so intense he was worried you’d crack his head like a watermelon. but he loved it so much he made a promise to himself he’ll experience the same pain again when he made you ride his face and smother him with your thighs.

your t-shirt was next to drop on the floor. it belonged to none other than joel. he felt a sense of pride and ownership each time he saw you wearing his clothes around the house. knowing your scent mixed with his drove him crazy because he yearned to inhale directly from the source. 

tonight, he would achieve this and more. 

the sight of your bare breasts made his heart skip a beat.

he has never seen such work of art in his life. your full chest looking as if it’s been crafted by the gods themselves. like aphrodite chose you as her avatar.

he doesn’t wait for you to take your panties off. in two long strides, he breaks the barrier between you two. his hands immediately jump at your breasts, cupping them in earnest. 

he weighs and plays with them in his calloused palms. he is not being a gentleman at all – rough fingertips graze over your buds until they swell. the moment they rise to angry little peaks, his mouth latches onto one while the other is being tended to vigorously.

you quickly grow overwhelmed by his lustful attack. his warm, wet tongue lapping hungrily at your nipple, sucking and drinking as if the elixir of life itself courses through it. 

the other poor, tortured nipple – red and aching from the relentless pinching and twirling between his thumb and index. you squirm in his hold, hands grabbing a tight hold of his salt and pepper hair. 

you moan, but you don’t think it’s because of displeasure. yes, there is pain. but there is also beauty.

beauty in the way he makes you feel so wanted. so worshipped. he kisses and bites and marks every inch of your chest. he groans in both relief and pleasure when his mouth runs a path upwards on your body and finally stops at the nape of your neck. 

not only does he pull a bit of flesh in between his teeth to paint your skin in bruises – he also inhales deeply at the same time as he sucks. 

your natural scent – finally flowing through his nostrils. so sweet and musky at the same time, with notes of a warm sleep and the masculine scent of his t-shirt.

when he is satisfied with his work over your neck, his lips trace a path towards your jaw. not once do they depart from you.

you’re both breathless when he pulls you in for a kiss. he didn’t even look at you before he claimed your mouth. he needed to do this before he could stop himself.

his hands are everywhere on the lower half of your body now. he keeps you flushed against his chest, your nipples grazing uncomfortably against his blouse. he grinds and ruts himself against your thighs like a stray dog. makes sure you have nowhere to go too – his hands presenting themselves as a tight and sure anchor over your buttcheeks; smothering, kneading and occasionally slapping the tender flesh until it jiggles like jelly in his palm.

you give up on trying to put space between you. no matter how much force you channel into your hands and wrists, you can’t move this brute wall off of you. 

instead, you accept him. pull him closer, even. the act makes him moan into your mouth, deep and rough. 

the kiss bruises you. makes you shake in his grip and you’re sure that if he wasn’t holding you now, you’d fall. 

he is not here to make love to your mouth. at least not yet.

he kisses you as if he’ll never get another chance to. he needs to explore your hole and claim it with his teeth and tongue before he can soothe the ache he caused.

it’s possessive. controlling. desperate and needy. you don’t bother fighting for control and dominance. you just let him take what he wants in order to indulge himself in the pleasures he has been denying and ignoring for too long.

he shocks you when he takes you into his arms. gathering a handful of your asscheeks before using his sheer power to lift you in his lap.

he drops you both onto the mattress. your back pressed between a soft cloud and a massive brick.

not even once does he break the kiss. he swallows every moan and gasp that comes out of your mouth and greedily licks every corner with his tongue, teeth occasionally lathering attention to your bottom lip to drag and nip it.

his hands move from your ass to fumble with his own sweatpants. he is so thankful to just drag them down his thighs along with his boxers; his cock finally having enough room to breathe.

you try to break the kiss to get a look, but to no avail. he keeps your head in place with his free hand resting on your neck. his fingertips firmly pressing into the sides, a silent command to stay still. his mouth still makes out with yours hungrily as if he’s trying to keep you busy and not allow any anxiety creeping in your pretty little head. 

the hand he used in order to free his cock from his boxers moved directly to your clothed pussy. his index ran one trail up your slit to feel the cool wetness sink into the material before gathering it in between his fingers and pulling it to the side.

he didn’t waste any more time. as soon as he cleared the way, he grabbed himself by the base of his cock and gathered your juices on his own leaking head before sliding home in one smooth thrust.

you both broke the kiss at the same time to fill the room with your own moans. once he bottomed out and felt the dangerously addicting way your walls squeezed him, he didn’t know how to stop. he just lost every last drop of control he thought he had and unleashed all the pent up desire he felt for you.

“oh god, babygirl,” joel chanted as he threw his head back, eyes shut in bliss. “fuck, i can’t stop. i’m so sorry.” 

he moved his hand from your throat to the back of your head, gently lifting it a few inches to bring you closer to him. his other hand made its way under your knee. making sure to keep your legs as open as possible for him to fuck you as hard and deep as he liked.

“joel, n-no! oh my god – fuck!” 

the burning sensation left your tight channel as quickly as it came. it was soon replaced by complete and utter pleasure as your already soaking wet pussy gushed and clenched around him as he pistoned in and out of you. 

your walls presented no restraint. your pussy greedily welcomed him as if she has waited her entire life for this moment. to fulfill her duty as nothing more than a cocksleeve – a hole to serve him warmth and pleasure. 

your broken moans ambitioned him to sink deeper inside you. he plunged in deep, hard and fast, not giving you any time to adjust as he took whatever he wanted from your willing body. god, he hoped it wouldn’t come to this. he hoped his restraint and control would not shatter so quickly. but when he saw your beautiful naked body and felt you soaking wet through your panties, he knew you were made for him. he knew this pussy had a mind of her own. 

“atta girl. pussy knows what she wants, huh? t’be fucked and destroyed by a nice, big cock. fill her up with cum and never let her go.”

he tears his gaze from your swollen pussy to your face and really looks at you. 

blabbering, crying, moaning and utterly ruined. 

pink sore eyes filled with glossy tears. flushed cheeks. mouth slightly open in a round shape with a string of saliva dripping in the corner. your own finger resting on top of your tongue. a physical guardian to stop more moans and pleas from making their way out.

“fuck, look at my girl,” joel praises. he presses a soft plump kiss in between your eyebrows – an unusual contrast to the way he ruts roughly between your thighs, assaulting your poor pussy as she gushes her release all over his cock and the sheets beneath. he lost count of how many times he made you cum until now. he’s more than convinced you never actually kept count, your mind too blank and pliant to bother yourself with too much thought.

“what’s wrong, baby? cock so good it fucked ya stupid?”

you shake your head in approval, your eyes wide and glossy like precious pearls and diamonds. there’s no coherent thought behind those eyes – he scared them all away. no insecurities or anxiety in the way to stop you from feeling him at full intensity. 

and he’s so proud. so so proud he made all the voices in your head shut down for once. his heart swells with how much trust you put in him to break you apart and put you back together.

“that’s a good girl. mhm, the best girl in the whole damn world. my good girl gon’ let me cum deep inside her? hm? swell her belly full a’ babies?”

you nod in earnest, a big bright smile creeping up your face like it’s the best deal in the world. like it’s your whole life purpose.

“y-yes, d-daddy. p-please fill m-me up. wan’ your babies!”

your innocent little plea does it for him. his rhythm wavers as he buries himself to the hilt and cums deep inside you, filling your belly up with a big load. 

he stays attached and connected to you both physically and spiritually. he swears he can feel your hearts beating in sync as he holds you close to his chest and soothes your nerves by placing a few wet gentle pecks on your cheeks and forehead. 

“shhh, baby. my sweet baby. gotcha now. did so, so well for daddy. my perfect lil’ girl.”

he forces himself to remove his softening cock from between your legs. once he does, he makes sure not to leave you alone and sweaty for too long. he takes off his damp blouse and uses it as a makeshift rag to clean you up. he soothes every cry and unintelligible word that comes out of your sweet mouth.

“here, honey. drink. you did perfect. so proud of ya," he praises as he helps you drink a much needed glass of cold water. 

after he’s done cleaning both of you up, he joins you under the blankets. his fingers trace the side of your arm as he looks at your relaxed form. so obedient, full and content. 

“bet ya enjoyed your lesson, huh?” joel murmurs, aware of how close you are to drifting off to sleep. “don’ ever scare us like that again, sweetheart.”

“mmmm,” you nod while keeping your eyes closed, although you’re not so sleek in hiding your small grin of mischief, “no promise."

he chuckles, shaking his head in amusement at your little attitude. “you’re trouble, sweetheart. what are we gon’ do with you?”

oh, he knows exactly what they will do with you. 

and in the bedroom next door and the living room respectively, javier and marcus have figured out a few plans in their mind themselves. 

because you may not realise it yet, but joel had just paved the way for his brothers. made their life easier. broke you in and gave you a taste of what your future will be with, under and on top of them. 

without needing to even speak to each other, they all know you’ve just become addicted. soon enough, one man will not be enough to satisfy the burning hunger inside you; you’ll need all three to satiate your needs and take care of you.

and honey, they will. in each of their own, unique ways – they will make you forget why you even fought them off in the first place.

[phantomdreamgirl]

worship you divine

Knight!Steve x Princess!Reader (18+)

(soft-ish) smut with your forbidden lover who you realize you can't live without

You sit in your chambers, in front of your vanity mirror lazily brushing your hair, before bed. The tension that's filled the air around the castle has left you feeling despondent and weary. Fear of another attack from a neighboring kingdom lingers in the back of everyone's minds, especially the royal court. Guards have been posted outside all the rooms of the royal family, while others make nightly patrols of the hallways and corridors. Their increased presence should make you feel more at ease, but only leaves you longing for the one person who has ever truly made you feel safe. The most valiant knight in the kingdom- Sir Harrington.

You remember the first time your eyes met, at one of the annual balls. He was a sight, dressed in his armor, he was the most dashing man you'd ever seen. He watched you all night as you danced with all the most eligible, and affluent, bachelor's from the surrounding kingdoms. You knew that was part of his job, but there was something different in how he looked at you.

You found him the following day and asked if he would escort you through the courtyard. He, of course, obliged and the two of you strolled around the garden your mother had planted and maintained, carrying on a decades long tradition. He even picked one of the flowers and gently tucked it behind your ear. His hand lingered at the side of your face before he leaned in to kiss you. Realizing what he'd done, he quickly pulled away apologizing profusely until you assured him that it was alright and you wanted him to kiss you until he stole the breath from your lungs. From that day forward, you both carried out your relationship in secret.

Glancing back at your reflection, you sigh, remembering how your father had sent him and his other most trusted men to secure the surrounding perimeter and quell another potential attack. You wonder if he did it on purpose, having gained knowledge of your relationship and wanted to keep you apart. He won't succeed in trying to thwart your romance because your knight is more devoted to you than the kingdom he swore to protect.

With another heavy sigh, you rise from your seat and cross the short distance to your bed. You're about to turn down the covers when there's a sharp tapping at your bedroom door. Unsure of who it could be at such a late hour, you hurry to answer it, thinking it could be your mother coming to alert you that everyone's fears have come true yet again.

You quickly open the door and gasp when you see your knight has returned. You smile, immediately throwing your arms around him while he laughs, ushering you back inside your room. You press kisses to his cheek as his hands settle on your waist.

"I missed you," you breathe before he kisses you.

"I missed you, too," he replies, while closing and locking the door.

"It was driving me mad not knowing when I was going to see you," you continue as he sits you on the bed.

"I felt the same, that's why I had to come back. I couldn't stand being away from such beauty any longer," he reveals, reaching to cup your cheek.

"You may flatter me as much as you wish," you smile.

"I'm grateful for her majesty's approval," he smiles, in return, leaning in to kiss you again.

You drape your arms around his neck, pulling him closer and curling your fingers in the ends of his hair. His lips feel so soft and warm against yours. Its a sensation so dizzying, it makes you hold him tighter. A low moan reverberates from deep in his throat before he breaks the kiss, panting.

You blink at him, in a daze, when he leaves your side.

"Sir Harrington, what are you- ?" You ask as he sinks to his knees in front of you.

"You needn't be so formal right now," he softly suggests, as his hands rest on your skirt. He grips the material before pushing it up, exposing your legs. "I've missed you so much, dearest," he breathes, glancing up at you, his eyes shining with adoration. "Our time apart made me ache for you in ways I've never felt before."

He presses his palms to your thighs, and you watch, speechless, as he then kisses along the side of your knee. You gasp, reaching to cradle his handsome face as he kisses up to your inner thigh.

"How I've longed to feel your touch and your kiss..." you breathe when he glances up at you again.

Gorgeous hazel eyes shimmer with love as he nuzzles his cheek against your thigh.

"We mustn't be apart again," he begins, rising to his feet before kneeling on the bed. "I simply cannot bear to be away from you any longer, princess."

"Nor I, you," you reply, reaching for him once more.

You lay back, pulling him with you. The edge of his nose brushes your jaw before he presses his lips to your neck. He moans into your skin as he inhales the faint traces of your perfume. He kisses his way to your chest then impatiently pulls your night dress down, exposing your breasts. You gasp, pushing your hands into his hair as he licks and kisses across your skin.

"I need you, dearest," he pants, "all of you."

You whine, arching into him while he murmurs how perfect you are. He's completely intoxicated by the fragrance of your skin, as he buries his face in your breasts.

Soft moans leave your lips as he lavishes you with belated affection. His lips trail downward, as he kisses along your stomach then to your side. His fingers clutch your gown that's now pooling at your waist.

"May I?" He asks, glancing up at you.

You nod, lifting your hips so he can easily pull it from your body. His eyes travel your now bare body and he whispers more words of praise before taking off his own clothes. He wants to feel your skin on his, he's desperate for it, crawling over you and pressing his body to yours.

Thick hair on his chest rubs against you, creating a sensation you had never felt before but are now spoiled by. Your desire will never be sated after tonight, as you'll always crave more, always want more of him. He'll always be willing to give himself to you, since he still feels bound to the oath he swore to uphold. Though now, he views it differently, since he's fallen in love with you.

"You feel so good like this, Sir-" you breathe, gliding your fingertips along his shoulders.

"Use my name, angel," he softly corrects. "I want to hear it fall from your pretty lips."

He brushes his thumb across your lower lip while dreamily gazing at you. You hesitate, before he shifts, letting you feel how he's throbbing for you.

"Oh, Steve..." you gasp as he smiles.

"Thats better," he coos, lips against your cheek. "I want it to echo in my ears as I make love to you all night."

You whimper, guiding his lips back to yours.

He slips his hand between you, his fingers teasing you briefly before resting on your thigh. He then drags his hand upward, his nails lightly scratching your skin as he breathes, "Spread your legs a little wider, angel."

You immediately do as he instructs, as desire courses through your body. It's so intense you're almost trembling with it. He gazes down at you again, bringing his other hand up to your flushed cheek.

"You're so beautiful like this," he smiles. "I can see the love that shines in your eyes for me."

"I would hope so. I don't know how to look at you any other way," you reply, sweetly.

"My Princess..." he breathes, leaning in close. "I love you... I want to show you just how much..."

He reaches to stroke himself a few times before helping to ease himself inside you. Your eyes water at the stretch, and your nails claw at his skin as he slowly pushes in. You try to speak but it comes out as incoherent gasps as he kisses your face, while lowly moaning himself. You whimper his name and he instantly glances up, into your watery eyes.

"I know it may be painful at first, but I promise it'll feel better," he soothes, nuzzling his nose against yours.

Once his hips meet yours, the discomfort subsides and pleasure takes over.

"Are you alright, dearest? I don't wish to hurt you-" he begins when you interrupt him.

"Yes, I just need more, please..." you whine, trying to move your hips.

He grins. "Oh, so I've already spoiled you then?"

"You mustn't let your ego inflate too much," you playfully retort.

"Such an attitude is unbecoming for a lady of your stature," he scolds, ghosting his lips over yours.

"Perhaps you should adjust it for me, then," you challenge, lightly tugging on the ends of his hair.

"Perhaps I shall," he breathes before kissing you roughly.

Your legs tighten around his waist as you gasp with relief when his hips finally move. He starts out slow, really wanting you to feel how he's thrusting in and out of you. It's torture, you think, as you're suddenly greedy for more.

"God, you're perfect," he pants into your mouth, before his hangs open lowly moaning with each thrust.

Seeing him like this makes you even weaker for him. You press kisses to his cheek, snapping him out of his daze. He then eagerly reciprocates your kiss.

"I want to spend every night like this," he whispers before burying his face in your neck. He licks at your sweaty skin, eager to savor it on his tongue.

"As do I," you breathily reply, clutching him to you as his thrusts settle into a steady rhythm.

"I want you as mine, always," he continues kissing his way up to your cheek.

"I will be," you assure, running your fingers through his messy hair.

"Until your father decides otherwise and marries you off to some worthless prince... I'll kill any man that tries to touch you," he swears, with his darkened eyes boring into yours. "You're mine."

You nod. " I only want to be yours. You're the only man I've ever loved," you then reveal.

He leans in, connecting your lips for a deep, sloppy kiss.

"My angel... my princess..." he breathes thrusting into you at a brutal pace.

It takes everything you have not to scream. He then angles his head just right so your lips are at his ear.

"I want to hear you," he commands.

Soft, subdued moans of his name fill his ear as he makes you truly his.

He collapses on top of you, his hairy, sweaty body almost crushing you. You comb your fingers through his damp hair, enjoying having his body weight pressing against you, until he lifts his head. He smiles dreamily before leaning in for a slow series of kisses. He then repositions himself, with his head resting on your chest.

-

You're not sure of the time but know it's probably close to morning. You glance down at him and smile when he presses a kiss to the swell of your breast. His eyes then meet yours and you're overcome with love.

"I truly want to be with you always," you say, your voice trembling with emotion.

"You know I want that, too."

"I simply won't be able to keep pretending I'm not in love with you," you continue. "Its too much for me to bear any longer."

"Then come away with me," he suggests sitting up. "We can go somewhere far beyond this place and make a life for ourselves."

He takes your hand in his and brings it up to his lips.

"You're actually serious..." you reply while he looks at you expectantly.

"Of course I am. No other maiden has ever made me feel like this..."

He moves closer to you, cradling your face in his hands. "You're so special, angel, and I'm not going to be without you anymore, not after tonight."

"I love you," you breathe, with tears welling in your eyes as you kiss him. "I don't wish to be without you, either."

"Then it's settled, we'll leave under the cover of darkness tomorrow night and finally be free," he whispers against your lips.

You nod before he kisses you again.

You lay in each other's arms until you see the sun rising in the distance. He begrudgingly gets dressed then stands at your bedside. He leans down, reaching to cup your cheek as you smile up at him.

"You'd really give all this up for me?" He softly asks.

"In a heartbeat," you quickly reply, making him smile in return.

"I love you, princess," he breathes before giving you one last kiss.

"I love you, too, Sir Harrington."

He rolls his eyes while you giggle, unable to help yourself.

"Get some rest, dearest. I'll see you tonight," he says before sneaking out of your chambers.

You lay back, your eyelids now so heavy as your drowsy thoughts are consumed with your knight and the promise of your future together.

-

When night falls, you meet Steve at the stables, where he has horses waiting for you both. He greets you with a excited kiss, getting lost in you for a moment when he has your body against his. Once you're able to pry him away, with a laugh, you set out on your journey into the unknown. The thought of renouncing your royal life did scare you at first, but you meant what you said- you couldn't bear a life without him as yours.

You ride for ages until you see faint torch light ahead. It belongs to a tavern that Steve frequented during his travels. The barkeeper is a kindly older gentleman that is grateful to help you both, in any way he can. He says he's eternally in Steve's debt as he saved him from a roving band of robbers. He's also struck by your beauty, as he tells him his stories about you didn't do you justice. He then offers you both the room above the bar, for the night.

"Thank you for your hospitality," you say, sweetly. "You're very kind."

"Oh, I'd do anything for this lad," he replies, jovial. "And his lady love. He's a good one."

"I know," you smile, looking up at Steve, who smiles in return.

-

He manages to get a fire going in the meager fireplace before joining you in the small bed. You're unable to keep from shivering as he wraps his arms around you.

"That should warm the room up soon," he informs, nuzzling close to you.

"I hope so. I'm freezing," you reply, desperate for the natural heat that radiates from him.

You each lay in silence for a moment, just listening to the crackling of the fire until he speaks, "I can't tell you what it means to me that you're here right now."

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," you confirm, glancing up at him.

"So, you're not having any second thoughts about running away with me?" He asks, somewhat nervous.

"Look at me," you quietly instruct before his soft eyes meet yours.

The light from the latern on the nightstand isn't that strong, but it's enough so that you can read the expression on his face.

"I don't want you to think for a second that I regret leaving with you," you begin, brushing your thumbs over his cheeks. "Because it's the furthest thing from my mind. I want to be with you and this is the only way it can happen. You're my future."

A lovesick smile spreads across his lips before you pull him into a kiss.

"I love you, so much more than I can ever put into words," he breathes, between kisses.

"You can always show me..." you whisper, as he groans.

"Oh, I intend to, princess," he smirks before kissing you deeply.

[from-izzy]

skating with you | nct lee donghyuck | haechan

Haechan leans his forehead to yours as your icy noses brush against each other, “Eyes on me, bubs,” he whispers.

pairing » nct lee donghyuck (haechan) x gn!reader (lmk if i missed anything!)

trope/au » established relationship au!, holiday theme!

genre » fluffy fluff fluff!, cheeky and slightly flirty haechan, and slightly flustered reader...?, cutie boyfriend haechan, no. 1 supportive and caring haechan, reader doesn't really know how to skate and haechan helps you through it, it's all so very lovely (and i need someone to help me skate-)

word count; estimated reading time » 850; ~4 mins

warnings (lmk if i missed anything!) » none!

navi/masterlist!! 🤍 nct dream masterlist

is this my last upload of the year...? we shall see!!

“If I fall flat on my face, this will be your fault,” your threat only seems harmless to your boyfriend.

Haechan skates further away from you, lightly showing off his skills of skating backward gracefully, even adding light twirl patterns on the ice. Meanwhile, you’re left at the rink's perimeter, hands gripping for support and eyes squinting playfully at your delightful boyfriend. You have no idea why you thought it was a good idea to go skating when you have minimal experience and are the clumsiest person you know. But Haechan had to jut his lower lip, eyebrows shaped into mountains to your poor heart. How could you say no to that face? 

But, your weakness in saying no to your boyfriend has led you here. In the public ice skating arena. Back leaning onto the wall for dear life. 

It’s been thirty minutes yet you haven’t made much progress from the entrance of the rink. Maybe it’s your fear of falling or the fear of competent younger children snickering at you falling to your knees. Haechan has made a few rounds around, even entertaining others with little tricks. Watching him from afar made your heart warm as others realised how lovable your boyfriend is. Children reach for a high five, adults smiling at the small talk or encouragement he would send as he passes by. 

“Wanna hold my hand now?” Haechan skates beside you. 

You've rejected the last few offers, determined to do at least half of the oval rink by yourself; you and the wall beside you. But balancing yourself on a somewhat thin metal as your knees shake with tensed muscles is taking more energy than you expected. 

You give in, slumping your back on the wall, elbows propped up as you lean. “I just need to rest first.”

Haechan chuckles at you, making a final push on the ice to skate to you. His arms cage you between his frame, closing significant space between you both. Your eyes widen at his bold action, cheeks and neck heating at the fond eyes he’s placing upon your orbs. His eyelashes flutter prettily upon your features, a soft smile forming its way into your boyfriend’s place. The rowdy noises of the kids, metal swishing and passing behind Haechan all blur when Haechan steadies your once-leaning figure to stand with his hands securely encasing your waist. 

It’s too bad that the cold temperature has you bundled up in a few layers or else you could feel the relaxing motion of his thumb caressing your side.

Haechan leans his forehead to yours as your icy noses brush against each other, “Eyes on me, bubs,” he whispers.

As per his words, you lock your eyes with him, only closing them once or twice when you’re fully supported by him. Your forearm instinctively rests on top of his, occasionally pushing them down due to your nervousness, still afraid of slipping and toppling over Haechan, potentially hurting both of you in the process.

“Don’t worry,” he eases your mind, pressing a quick kiss on your colder lips. “You’re going to be alright,” pressing his lips to yours again, leaving them there for a bit longer. “I’m not going to let you fall,” perfectly stealing your lips once more after you hum an acknowledgement to his words. “If you fall, it’s only going to be in my arms.”

You should’ve known he would sneak in a cheesy line or two, and your laughter makes you forget your anxiousness about being on the ice. Slowly, Haechan skates backwards again, this time with you in his hold. Admittedly, this has been his plan from the very start: to have you close like this as you conquer your fear and challenge; you’re not going to complain about this either.

Haechan is a great skating teacher, pulling and guiding you out of your comfort ice. Both of you dance in the rink for an hour together. It starts with you facing him as he distracts you from paying too much attention to what your body is doing, instead prompting you to naturally let you relax into the situation. Then slowly, he takes his place next to you, his palm holding your forearm. Then, linking hands together for the final stage before he lets you go after you find the confidence to brave the environment once more. 

You almost lost your balance for a while, hunching your back to hold your knee. “You can do it!” Your boyfriend hollers encouragement behind you. Soon those words become more familiar, your proud boyfriend behind you stealing everyone’s attention at your successful solo skating. 

You did a full lap with no support from him or the wall. You leap into Haechan’s arm at the end line, Haechan littering kisses all over your face. The golden hour highlights his face, his smiling beaming further from the rays of the sun.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have been such a good teacher. And you shouldn’t be so talented either!” Your eyebrows raise at his words, unsure of where he’s going, “Now, you won’t need my help anymore…”

navi/masterlist!! 🤍 nct dream masterlist

tags: @k-films @kflixnet @starlit-network @kstrucknet @ncity-net

@haneul-and-clouds

[fel-09]

if this interests you i think it’d be a cool concept to write yan hannigram who meets a reader who is a part of S.W.A.T instead of the fbi? :0

Sorry if this is very brief, I'm a bit lazy.

Too much attention for one

The first time Will saw them, it was nothing special.

Just another operation. Another mission. Another body left cooling on the floor.

Reader moved with efficiency—swift, deliberate, precise. No wasted motion, no hesitation. They swept the scene with the rest of their team, securing the perimeter with practiced ease. Will was there as a consultant, standing in the aftermath, cataloging the blood, the signs of violence.

But he wasn’t looking at the crime.

He was looking at them.

Something about the way they held themselves caught his attention. There was control, yes, but underneath it—something else. Something caged.

It was just a passing observation.

At least, that’s what he told himself.

But then there were the other times.

He started tracking their movements—not intentionally, not at first. But his eyes always found them. In briefings, standing near the back, arms crossed. On missions, where they moved through hallways with quiet, predatory steps. He noticed their habits. The way their fingers twitched near their holster when tense. The way their jaw clenched ever so slightly before giving an order.

He shouldn’t be noticing these things.

But he was.

He shouldn’t be thinking about them when he went home. Shouldn’t be picturing them moving through his space, standing in his kitchen, sitting on his couch.

But he was.

He tells himself it’s just curiosity. A professional interest.

But then he starts following them.

Just to make sure they’re safe.

Just to see them.

Just to know.

And Hannibal notices.

Of course he does.

He watches the way Will’s eyes linger too long. The way his hands twitch, as if itching for something he won’t name. And Hannibal, in his infinite patience, waits until Will finally speaks the words he’s been waiting for.

“…I think about them too much.”

Hannibal only smiles.

“Oh, Will,” he says smoothly, pouring them both a drink. “Perhaps the solution isn’t to think less.”

He hands Will the glass.

“Perhaps,” Hannibal murmurs, “you should think more.”

_____

Hannibal had already constructed an image of them before they met.

Will’s obsession made sure of that.

The way he spoke about them—unguarded, unaware—revealed far more than Will himself realized. It was in the details. The small observations. The way Will could describe the exact shade of their eyes, the way their tactical gear fit, the rhythm of their breath when their heart rate spiked.

Will felt as though he was keeping his distance.

But in truth, he had already memorized them.

And now, so had Hannibal.

So when the moment finally arrived, when the Reader stepped into his office—alive, breathing, utterly unaware of the two sets of eyes that had been following them for weeks—Hannibal did what he did best.

He smiled.

"You must be the one who has our dear Will so preoccupied."

The words were smooth, just slightly amused, as if this were some private joke only he understood.

Reader’s gaze was sharp, assessing. They were used to being studied, used to people trying to gauge their strengths, their weaknesses. Hannibal saw the way they straightened subtly, instinctually positioning themselves in a way that kept both him and Will in their line of sight.

A survivor’s habit.

How interesting.

Hannibal gestured toward the seat across from him, the very same seat Will had occupied so many times. The very same seat where so many had sat before vanishing entirely.

"Please, sit. Will speaks of you often."

Will tensed beside him. A small, barely-there movement.

Reader’s brow furrowed just slightly.

"Does he?" Their voice was calm, guarded. Good.

Will hadn't told them.

Hannibal already knew the answer before they spoke, but hearing it aloud sent a ripple of something dark through his mind. Will had been hiding his obsession. Not out of shame, not out of guilt—but out of the raw, animalistic fear of losing what he had claimed for himself.

Hannibal leaned back slightly, watching the way Will’s fingers twitched, as if fighting the urge to reach out.

Ah.

So he was already at that point.

"Oh yes," Hannibal said smoothly. "He admires your... dedication."

A truth buried within a lie.

Reader held his gaze for a long moment, unflinching. Then, at last, they took the seat.

Hannibal smiled.

Oh, this was going to be fun.

[fhrlclln]

qimir x jedi! reader

i fear the qimir brainrot in me has overloaded with ep. 8 soooo…. imagine reader is a jedi master that joins sol in their mission in olega. and when they interrogate qimir, they immediately recognize him but doesn’t utter anything that he’s a former jedi cuz reader happens to be friends with him- maybe something more back then when they were still padawans. so here’s a small blurb to ease my mind lmao.

part two

｡･:*˚:✧｡

“i-if you want to get to her, she’ll be back here tonight! i’m holding some things for her.”

“yord, secure the perimeter. keep an eye out on mae.”

walking towards the local apothecary with ease in your steps, you watch as the jedi knight yord come out. presuming they had already found a lead, a curiosity in you arose as you walk in. master sol greets you as him and osha pass by you. jecki comes out last as she greets you as well, telling you that mae was going to arrive in the apothecary tonight. since apparently her accomplice ratted her out so easily.

“is her accomplice still in there?” you ask the young padawan as she nods. you thank her, heading inside. you wanted to see for yourself who it was. removing the hood of your cloak, you see a man behind the counter wearing what seemed to be ill-fitted robes on him. by first impression, he looks like a normal merchant yet when he turns around, as if sensing you were there, you freeze for a moment.

there’s a deafening silence when you lock eyes with those familiar ones.

qimir’s whole facade breaks when he sees you standing in the same room as him. you watch his expression drop at the instant as you are face to face with the former jedi you used to have lessons with. both of you are silent and expressionless until he breaks it.

“what a coincidence.” he says.

“indeed.” you reply and took a step forward. “it’s been years.” you point out, trying not to let your emotions come out. qimir’s lips curl into a smirk as you don’t seem to be alerting the jedis you are with now that you know him and his true identity.

“aren’t you going to tell them?” he asks, gazing upon you. you don’t answer, still a bit in dazed that qimir was standing right in front of you. alive and well. you didn’t really know what had happened to him when he had left the order one day. it had pained you the day when he had left without reason- without telling you why.

and maybe that’s why you won’t tell sol and the others of this new fragile information.

you just want answers now for the years of questioning why he left you alone in coruscant.

qimir seems a bit baffled as he walks out of the counter to come to you. he expects for you to lash out yet you don’t flinch when he invades your space, you remain calm and in-control. how very jedi. he observes silently, seeming to understand your silence as he chuckles, raising his hand up to brush a stray hair off your face. your eyelashes flutter at his sudden touch. he indulges in that as you let him touch you as he smirks.

“have you missed me?”

｡･:*˚:✧｡

so its canon this man’s love language is physical touch, hm? HAHAHW

[captain-hawks]

yakuza!matsukawa

(inspired by @amuus-bouche<3 and this)

“you’re quite a ways away from seijoh territory.”

matsukawa gives you a sidelong glance from where you’ve come to stand beside him at the garden’s outer perimeter. the unreadable expression he’s been wearing for the better part of the night wavers in amusement as you unceremoniously dump your champagne flute in a rose bush.

his lips twitch. “i am.”

you don’t know matsukawa issei, not really. 

not beyond these stolen conversations, these brief moments when you inevitably escape to the outer reaches of one gathering or another as your social battery begins to waver. 

he’s a member of the seijoh clan, operating closely alongside the infamous oikawa tooru. 

he’s tall, quiet, handsome in a way that makes you doubt your ability to walk in heels when you see him. he has tattoos that crawl down his forearms, ones you’ve only seen briefly exposed on occasion. and you never see him smile. 

—unless he’s talking to you. 

matsukawa’s typically on security detail at yakuza-sanctioned events like this, your meetings have always been brief. light conversation, sometimes a joke or two about a guest—one that often finds the two of you meeting eyes across the room in amusement later in the night. 

he doesn’t ask why you always seem to excuse yourself to the reaches of his perimeter station. 

you don’t ask why he gives you the time of day in the first place, no matter how brief, when you both damn well know he’s not supposed to fraternize with guests like yourself.  

“how’s hyōgo treating you?” (especially here, at kita shinsuke’s home. inarizaki must have contracted extra hands, given the underfoot dealings you know are meant to take place later this evening.)

he looks from you to the illuminated greenhouse, where the party goes on without you. 

“your date must be missing you by now.”

you blanch, extending a hand and watching as a firefly lands on one of your outstretched fingertips. it was an arranged meeting, much to your dismay. 

“i highly doubt he‘s even noticed that i’m gone yet.”

the firefly takes flight, finding its next resting spot atop matsukawa’s silk pocket square. it’s probably a coincidence—the fact that the material is the same color as the dress you were wearing last time you saw him. 

but it makes your heart stumble in your chest all the same. 

“i find it hard to believe you could escape a room undetected.”

you pout. “are you questioning my stealth? after all of our covert rendezvous?”

matsukawa’s lips twitch again. “no, i just don’t see how he could take his eyes off of you.”

he lifts a hand, as if to pat your head, but you belatedly realize he’s placing the glowing firefly in your hair. you wonder if he can hear the thrumming in your chest, if he can feel the heat crawling up the back of your neck. 

if he knows how badly you want him to kiss you. 

“need a tour guide while you‘re in town?” you finally ask. 

matsukawa smiles at you, and warmth floods your gut. 

“i know my way around...but i’d like the company.”