#We're pondering tonight boys

[hajihiko]

Who do u think copes with being a remnant the best/worst during. Despair times?

Best:

Peko- she is only doing the bidding she deems necessary, it's out of her hands. She will do bad things for the sake of her own duty.

Fuyuhiko- he always knew what he was capable of and how he would turn out. It's about time he becomes the man he was supposed to be and embraces it without remorse, there was never any other path for him.

Mikan: she's not so helpless and frail anymore, is she? Her turn to have the power. People need her when she wants them to need her.

Hiyoko: People are really just large ants when you think about it. She could've been one of them but she rose above it. Squish.

Nagito: just a means to an end.

50/50:

Mahiru- she hasn't done anything wrong. It's just photography and documentation without getting involved. She hasn't actually done *anything*.

Souda- all he does is make the machines. Other people tell him when and where to deploy. He's too weak to stand up for himself.

Teruteru: No wasting food, even if it's unethically sourced! It's less slaughter, more scavenging. Ethical.

Akane: the strong prey on the weak. That's what they did to me and no one stopped them, so this is just how it goes, right?

Sonia: a Princess knows what's best and does not doubt or go back on her decisions. A Princess knows pawns don't matter compared to a queen. A Princess doesn't feel remorse or guilt or uncertainty.

Worst:

Nekomaru- he's supposed to be helping people be their best and come together.

Impostor: no matter how many people they are, they know what's right, deep down.

Ibuki: she knows who she is and no one will make her into anyone else! ... right?

Gundham: humans are the ones who mistreat animals, but they behave the same in extreme distress. He forgets which he is, but there's no difference in the end.

Izuru: The absolute total absence of Feeling is worse than being miserable, actually. Countless lives are a featherweight against their own moment of humanity however brief. Anything to feel anything.

[ssaaaronmontgomery]

what about Aaron forgetting his gf’s birthday but his team has all remembered and put something together because they adore her and he just feels dreadful so of course he has to make it up to you in 100 different ways

It's Your Birthday?

Warnings: Slight angst? (Aaron is basically feeling guilty), fluff, ever so slightly suggestive but nothing is nsfw.

Word count: 1.2k

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x fem!reader

A/n: Aw :( Aaron would feel so so bad if he forgot your birthday. I don't know if I like the way it turned out :,) but I did my best and I hope you like it! Also if anyone wants to be added to my forever tags just let me know :)

Tags: @hotchnerbau (babes idk if you wanted to be tagged I literally forget who I mention these to so if someone wanted to be tagged and wasn't, I apologise)

Forever tags: @greg-montgomery @boredelle @hotchsdoormat

Aaron felt like he was missing something. Like there was something happening today that he was either unaware of entirely, or that he'd forgotten something. And he has no idea what it could be.

All day people had smiled at him, just members of the team. But a couple of them mentioned to him that "you must have something really special planned tonight" and JJ specifically said "If you want me to take Jack for the night I'd love to! My boys have been asking for another sleepover with him anyway." Anyway. Anyway? Something was implied and he wasn't sure what. It seemed so out of the blue.

Throughout the day Aaron forgets about how off he feels. He's shut in his office and after a number of hours there's a knock on the office door.

Penelope walks in.

"Sir! Hi! Quick question! What colour does y/n prefer? Does she have a favourite?" His brows furrow as confusion takes over him but he answers Garcia's question and then asks "Why do you ask?" She just grins at him "Oh, sir. You know!" No, he doesn't. But she leaves before he can ask anything else. He ponders momentarily before pushing the thoughts away and going back to his reports.

Another couple hours went by, he had closed the blinds and kept the door shut. But when he hears some sort of commotion outside his office, he quickly stands and opens the door.

He's met with party decorations all over the bullpen and you standing there with a huge smile on your face.

He makes his way down the steps and walks over to you standing with his team members.

"Honey, what are you doing here? What's going on? What is all of this?" The last two questions are directed more towards his team.

You look at him a bit confused as does everyone else. "We're throwing y/n a birthday party, sir! It's her birthday!" Penelope says excitedly but you look at him with a slight frown.

He looks back at you "It's not your-"

Aaron cuts himself off and stands there for a few seconds as he realises that it is, in fact, your birthday. And guilt immediately overtakes him. He feels terrible for forgetting. And the fact that his team remembered when he didn't, made him feel even worse.

"Oh, oh Sweetheart I'm so sorry. I forgot. I didn't...I must have just..." He trails off and looks down. He doesn't want to give you some excuse for his lack of remembering your birthday. "I'm sorry, y/n, really." He looks back up and he expects you to be upset, but he's met with a small smile.

"It's alright, Aaron. Don't worry about it. You know now. It's fine." You step closer and kiss his cheek, a kiss he doesn't feel like he deserves. Then he receives a warm hug from you but you're being pulled away by Garcia seconds later, something about cake and some gifts needing to be opened.

Gifts. Gifts! He didn't have a present for you. There was an empty desk with presents from the team on it and none were from him. He didn't have one at home. This all completely slipped his mind. He's internally scolding himself but he puts on a little smile every time you look at him.

He starts thinking of ways he can make it up to you. Of course, one option would be taking JJ up on her earlier offer and giving you a fun birthday night. But he wants to give you more than that. He's thinking more on the material side of things. Jewelry immediately pops into his head. He has a necklace hidden away for your upcoming anniversary (upcoming as in six months away, ever the planner aside from this one time) but it's meant for that day and there's even a card written with it about the anniversary. Not your birthday. And you already know that he's forgotten now. He can't play it off like he already had the necklace as a birthday gift.

He watches you open all of your presents. One from each member of the team (apart from him) but there are at least five from Penelope. Which doesn't surprise anyone, really.

He's watching your face light up as you see each new item and read each card, all having meaningful words written in them. You weren't on the team. You're a civilian. But the team loves you like family and you're close friends with them all. You see them as much as possible given their work and their lives outside of it.

"Aaron, look!" He smiles as you hold up the book that Reid gifted you. "You'll have to read it to me." You grin as you read the summary on the back of it. In his head he agrees. He'll do anything you want, especially now to make up for his lack of remembering your special day.

After cake and chatting with everyone, you go to Aaron's office when you see he's not out there. Leaving the rest of the team to enjoy the small party.

He's alone and sitting at his desk staring at nothing but he looks up at you when you walk in. "Aaron? What's wrong? If this is about forgetting what today is, it's really not a big deal. You don't need to feel so bad about it, baby. Really." He hates how sweet and forgiving you're being. The fact that you're not even slightly upset about it. That you're so understanding. But he knows he would be just as understanding if it was the other way around and you'd forgotten his.

"No, y/n. It's not okay. I forgot your birthday. I didn't do anything for it, I didn't get you anything, I didn't even remember to wish you a happy birthday this morning before leaving. Everyone except me remembered and even threw a party for you." You know he's eating himself up inside.

Walking around his desk and standing in front of him, you lean back against the wood and sit on the edge of it. Grabbing his hands and looking at him with a stern expression. "Aaron, don't beat yourself up over this. There will be more birthdays. And you don't need to get me anything. I don't care if I get presents or not. I'm fine with not doing anything special for today either way. But you can wish me a happy birthday now." You give him a kiss on the forehead and smile at him which he returns with the best one he can give, still feeling guilty inside.

"Happy birthday, y/n." He gives your hands a gentle squeeze. "But I still want to make it up to you." You think for a moment. "Okay. How about dinner? All I've had was cake because that's all there was here. Jack is with Jessica right now because she picked him up from school but I'm sure he wants to go to JJ and Will's for a sleepover. And you can make it up to me however I see fit." You tell him the last part with a smirk as you grab his tie and pull him to you, making him stand in the process. Slotting himself between your legs as you give him a slow kiss.

"I think that sounds like a good way to start."

[rafesapologist]

the set up — rafe cameron; part nine

𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: you've been one of the pogues since childhood, and your loyalty has always lied within your friend group, who is practically your family. when a threat by the name of rafe cameron begins to threaten the pogue's plans, they assign you to gain the trust of the dubious kook and keep an eye on what he's up to. however, now it's been six months since your friends set you up to spy on the kook prince himself, but what you didn't anticipate was to fall head over heels for the boy. your relationship had soon become inviolable shortly after your guys' first exchanges, much to your friends' dismay, and you two became practically inseperable. that was, until rafe discovers the truth.

warnings: swearing, some angst

author's note: hi my loves. so terribly sorry for the extensive wait it took for this chapter to be released, between school starting and things going on in my personal life taking an abundance of my time, it has been difficult to sit down and make the time to write. with each chapter, i always want to curate a piece that you all will enjoy n i never want to give you guys something half-assed. anywho, i have seen and read all ur comments about updating this series i promise, ur requests have not been ignored! thank u for being patient <3

The car ride to the chateau was quiet and tense. Your eyes stayed glued to the window, rather than looking at Rafe, who you instinctively knew was pondering a thousand reasons as to why you had a sudden shift in your demeanor. At some point, he had placed a gentle hand onto the top of your thigh, but much to his dismay, you shifted your legs towards the passenger door. His brows furrowed at your reaction, confused as to why you were rejecting his touch as though you weren't just begging for it merely an hour ago.

You hated being so callous towards him, especially without giving him an explanation as to why you were exactly, but you knew it was for the best. Your loyalty still belonged to the Pogues.

"We're here." Rafe blurted out rather dryly as the car came to a halt. With the lack of sound from the tires moving or the engine running, the atmosphere became even more unpleasant than it was prior. Your eyes shifted from the window to your lap while you fiddled with your thumbs in an attempt to form a sentence before parting ways with the boy sitting next to you, who happened to be surveying your every movement, unable to come to a conclusion about what was happening in your mind.

"Hey, I'm sorry if what we did made you uncomfortable or was too much. I don't want to overstep your boundaries or anything." He coughed, scratching the back of his head as a subtle display of his nerves taking over.

"No, it's okay," you shook your head, eyes staying locked onto your hands, "It's not that I promise. I just - Forgot I had something to do tonight and it hit me last minute." The little white lie you chose to go with was minor and meaningless, yet you felt an immense guilt at the pit of your stomach for the deception you were fronting right before Rafe's solemn face.

"Oh," Rafe sighed as he nodded, "okay yeah, that's alright. Well in that case, I guess I'll see you later. Maybe we can go out sometime this week." He flashed you a weak smile, with partial intent to try and ease the tension in the air, and another to try and convince himself that things between you two were okay and that you weren't pushing him away all of the sudden.

"Yeah, maybe so, Cameron." You replied with a forced smile that went unnoticed by Rafe, nodding quickly as you hoped to brush his comment under the rug for the time being. "Thanks for driving me, by the way. I appreciate it." You thanked him, a conciliatory approach to your final goodbye in hopes that it would clear Rafe's wondering mind of any doubt between the two of you.

"Of course."

You pushed aside your incentive for a short second as you leaned across the seat, placing a gentle kiss onto the blond's cheek, a small residue of your strawberry chapstick temporarily tattooed onto his skin. He soaked up every bit of it.

"See you later, Rafe." You breathed quietly against the side of his face as you backed away, taking in one last glance of the stunned boy as his eyes fluttered back open, just before hopping on out the car and trailing up the steps of the chateau. You made sure to turn around and wave to Rafe one last time before entering, a signal to assure him that you were safe and that he could finally drive off.

"Y/n? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with-" You cut Kiara's prying short as you were in desperate need to relay your newfound information amongst your friends.

"Rafe and Ward are shipping out the gold tonight, like literally within the next thirty minutes." You blurted out frantically.

"Wait, what? Are you sure?" John B questioned, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Pretty damn sure, considering he just told me about it. That's why I came here as soon as I found out," You stated in urgency, "we don't have much time before it happens. He's heading to meet his dad right now."

"We gotta go." Pope interjected immediately, an unfamiliar sterness in his tone.

"And do what, Pope? How are we supposed to stop them with no plan ahead of time? Kiara asked, raising an appropriate question to the matter. The news came so last minute that none of you really had time to digest what was happening, let alone come up with an elaborate plan to stop something that had been in the works for weeks prior.

"We'll find a way. We always do." JJ spoke up as he rose confidently from the couch, which in turn earned an eye roll from you at his gesture and stupidity.

"Don't be naive, JJ. We can't just magically stop Rafe and Ward, especially since you know they probably have backup here to keep anyone from getting in their way." You spat back in annoyance while the grudge you held against JJ from the day before lingered in the forefront of your mind, causing everyone to look between you and JJ in confusion.

"Right.." Kiara interjected, attempting to cut the tension that was heating up in the room amongst two of her closest friends, "Well, if none of us have any solutions then what can we do." She huffed, her face ridden with apprehension.

"Actually, I might have an idea." You heard the voice of Sarah Cameron join in on the conversation, eliciting everyone in the room to turn their heads in the direction of the blonde Pogue.

"It might be a longshot, but, why don't we just distract Rafe and Ward, and the rest of us go in during the meantime and get the gold before they realize?"

"Who would be doing the distracting?" Pope Inquired with his arms crossed, hesitation at the forefront of his demeanor, yet there was still a hint of agreeance that became evident by his curiosity.

"Well, y/n can call up Rafe, pretend there's an emergency or something. While she's doing that I'll go meet up with my dad, then you guys can go in and do what you need to do. We can at least hold them off for a bit, it should give you guys enough time." Sarah proposed the calculated scheme. It wasn't a bad one, far from it actually, but part of you hated it at the same time. You weren't too fond of the idea of lying to Rafe for the second time in a row, all within a 24 hour time span. It made you feel peccant and iniquitous, which went against everything you stood for morally, but you had to look at the bigger picture and push aside your guilt for the moment. This wasn't about you, it was about doing what's right for your friends and defending them. After all, you were their biggest hope.

"Alright, I'll do it. But I can't promise I can hold him off for long, he seemed pretty eager to get there to meet Ward." You heaved.

"That's okay, we should only need a few minutes." Pope nodded, a smile peaking through at the corners of his mouth, his eyes glimmering with a newfound sense of hope in them.

"Thank you, y/n. We couldn't do this without you." You were taken by surprise with the embrace of your sanguine confidant, who held onto you like you had just given him the world. Your body relaxed in his arms as you hugged him back, giving him the assurance that you were going to do your best to help him in whatever way you possibly could.

"I should probably call Rafe then, I don't want to waste anymore time than we've already lost." You stated, pulling back from your friend. Pope responded with a head nod as he gestured you away.

You flashed your friends a small, insincere smile as you walked off into one of the bedroom of the chateau. Your heart raced at what you were about to do, worrying that if Rafe senses any ounce of deception it'll all blow up in your face, or worse, he'll lose all trust in you.

You took in one last deep breath as you unlocked your phone and went straight to your contacts, scrolling until you found Rafe's name. Your finger hovered shakily over the 'call' button as you stared at it for a few seconds, wondering what you were even going to say to him. Your eyes wandered around the room as you tried to ground yourself for a moment, bracing for whatever was to come for you and your friends. You didn't want to do this, but what other choice did you have? This wasn't about you, this wasn't about what your feelings or what you felt was right or wrong. It was about the people you cared about the most, and in that moment, they needed you greatly.

You allowed yourself to fall back into the mattress, letting your body sink deeper into the foam as you gazed at the ceiling in deep thought. You could hear the sound of the front door opening and closing in the living room, alerting you that your friends had left, leaving you to do your part of the deal.

"Y/n? Is everything okay? I thought you'd be asleep by now."

"I'm not okay right now, Rafe. I need you."

taglist (sorry if i missed anyone, please let me know if you'd like to be on it!): @ellesalazar, @champomiel, @vadinaleme, @kys4-20, @gills-lounge, @allsmilesreally7, @sublimepenguinpeach-blog, @sp00ky-spr1te, @bibliophilewednesday, @haroldpotterson, @i-love-rafe, @ellesalazar, @calmoistorm, @abundantxadorations, @fals3-g0d, @gillybear17, @oiiviagrande, @hockeybabe87, @augustlikesdeath, @wpdailyminimeta, @palmwinemami, @loxleys-blog, @ikisscline, @flyestvenustrap, @ilovesteveharrngton

[dani-says-stuff]

Myrtles Plantation

❥ Back to the Control Center

❥ Nate Hardy Masterlist

- note the reader is afraid of dolls in this one - also my love for Amanda spills through... a lot... but I think it adds character, spice, and humor, so I'm leaving it in

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

Nate Hardy x fem!medium(?)reader

Summary: Based on this request

« could u do a nate x reader (in a relationship) at the haunted plantation?? like she sees something and amanda lets them know it was evil??? »

Thanks to this anon for reminding me this was in my drafts

Thank you for my first request anon!! so so so sorry it took so long!

I hope this is what you were looking for, I kinda went off the deep end with it lol

Word Count: 4.1k

Warnings: language, hauntings, evil spirits, creepy stuff, inconsistent capitalization, my disregard for run on sentences and “pRopEr gRammAr”, unedited ramble writings bc i just wanted to finally get it published for y’all, maybe incorrect timeline? technically? bc i can’t remember if Nate was in a video with Amanda before this one…

Dialogue Key:

Y/N

Nate

Sam

Colby

Amanda

Spirit Box

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

You and Nate were currently in his car, driving to the plantation for Sam and Colby's video.

Nate was nervous. That much was obvious from the tight, white-knuckled grip he had on the steering wheel. You could practically see the the tense emotions rolling off his skin in waves. You however, were practically buzzing in excitement.

You opened up the camera app on your phone to record a little clip. One you would either post to your instagram story soon, or you'd send it to Colby to put before the video... you hadn't really decided what you were going to say yet.

First, you brought the camera really close to your face, barely anything other than your forehead, eyebrows, and eyes in frame, "Ok so- I don't really know where this clip is going to be shared yet... or if it'll be out at all... but Nate is being boring and having a panic attack and I'm super excited and want to talk to someone about it."

You extended your arm, full face now in view as you smiled widely at the front facing camera, "Guess what!" you yelled, "We're filming with the boys again!" you spoke, flashing the camera to show Nate as he drove, "and that's not even the best part... drumroll please... the love of my freaking life is coming with us!" you squealed.

Nate's eyebrows furrowed, barely sparing a glance in your direction, instead keeping his eyes on the road, "Babe, you already showed me?"

"Oh not you." you scoffed, rolling your eyes, "You're just my boyfriend."

"Mhm..." he hummed, blinking a few times trying to figure what exactly it was he was failing to understand, "Yeah no. I don't get it N/N... pretty sure 'love of my life' and 'boyfriend' are the same thing." 

You tilted your head pondering the thought for a moment, ultimately shaking your head innocently, "Nah, it can't be. There are two very different people that take up those positions." 

"Oh really?"

"Oh yeah." you turned your gaze, meeting the side of his face,"You may be my boyfriend, and I love you so, so, so, very much..."

"But?"

"But.." you grinned turning to face the camera, "The love of my life is the wonderful and beautiful Amanda~" you sang, moving your phone forward once more blowing kisses at the screen.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so excited!" you yelled, shaking the screen for emphasis.

The brown haired male next to you laughed at your actions, "Babe, be careful, you're going to make 'em all dizzy." 

"True" you shrugged, focusing your phone once more, "anyways, you've probably guessed it by now, but we're doing another investigation tonight!"

You flipped the camera, showing nothing but trees surrounding the vehicle, "We're currently in the middle of nowhere- but that's because this location is a little different than usual."

"Yeah, instead of like a house with like- other neighbors around it and stuff" Nate spoke up, "were going to a plantation, in the middle of just like- trees" he shivered awkwardly, hissing in discomfort, "so if we get in trouble or something there's nothing for miles."

You scoffed, pulling the view back on yourself, "Yeah I guess, but that's fine because nothing is going to go wrong!" you exclaimed happily 

"Mhm, and how do you know that?"

You winked at the camera, patting the area over your chest, "I have a good feeling about it."

"Yeah ok then- remind me how you feel when we actually get there."

You laughed loudly at you boyfriend, finally getting a small crack of a smile across his lips. "Anyway, that's all for right now. See-you-all-when-we-get-there-bye-bye" you rushed, quickly ending the video.

As soon as he could tell you stopped recording, Nate spoke up, "now what was that for?" 

"Updating the public" you shrugged, starting a quick conversation with Colby over text.

Hey~ might've just filmed a little intro clip for you

You're welcome of course

And you better use it

I put a lot of effort into it

Oh really?

Obviously

Send it over

I'll check it out

About 2 minutes later after your mini vlog went through, he responded 

Oh yeah, thats going in

You're good if I do a little editing over it?

Ofc

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

Later, when viewers clicked on the video, they would be greeted to a huge tone shift between the first 2-3 minutes of the video, versus the of it.

First, your little intro, which basically became a fan cam for Amanda. Bright hearts and anime blush- the whole nine yards.

Broken, of course, every once in a while with a freeze framing on your real partner. The video going gray scale, with rain and violin music playing in the background.

Then, hard cut straight to the footage outside the plantation. ━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

Soon, the group of five were all stood before Myrtles plantation, waiting for the tour to begin.

Sam turned to Nate, camera pointed to him, "Are you excited?" 

"Dude- I- just-" your boyfriend sighed dramatically, bringing his hands up to rub at his eyes. You, however, could be seen lurching forward in laughter at his reaction, "It just like everytime you bring me on one of these."

You walked up, placing a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm your breaths, "Yeah, so thats a no." you looked up at him, pouting when he met your gaze, "He's very nervous"

"You look terrified." 

"I can tell by your- genuine face of excitement right now"

Nate forced a sarcastic smile on his face that turned out more of a grimace, "Oh yeah? This face? Right here?"

You struggled to hold back your laughter, "All excitement from him on the way up here"

He turned his head, looking down at you as you were still holding onto his shoulder, "You know, usually you're a bit more cautious about these things."

You shrugged, "But we have Amanda here this time," you gestured to her, "There's finally someone else to help me keep you guys from doing something stupid."

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

The five of you entered the house, deciding to take a quick look around before the tour guide arrived.

Almost immediately upon entering the door, something caught your attention- and no it wasn't the smell the boys were busy commenting on.

Hung on the wall of the foyer, there was a mirror. You couldn't quite put a finger on it, but you could tell there was something strange about it.

For now, you just assumed it was how dated the mirror looked. Nothing from today looked like that. 

Soon, the boys called you over to the steps, wanting to take a peek upstairs. Sam and Colby had already made their way up with Nate following behind them, leaving you and Amanda  still on the first floor. 

"Hey" you tapped the blondes shoulder, "Just to- uh, to make sure... you feel that too, right?" you asked, looking up the stairwell. 

She hummed, "Yeah, thats probably because of what happened on the 17th step." 

You simply nodded enthusiastically despite having not clue what the significance of that specific step was, "Oh yeah of course. Just making sure I wasn't the only one feeling that sense of impending doom" you joked

Amanda laughed breathily at your phrasing, "Yeah, after events like that, they tend to leave a heavier, darker feel behind." 

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

You didn't find out till later that night, it wasn't just a slip down the stairs, but a death on the 17th step.

Thanks a lot for leaving that out Sam. 

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

By the time you made it up the flight of stairs, the group had entered one of the bedrooms. Everyone was inside except for your boyfriend, who stood before the doorframe waiting for you. 

"Hey babe..." he spoke scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, grabbing your hand with the other, "so, just like a heads up, there's like... a shit ton of creepy ass dolls in there." 

Your eyes widened looking up at him, "What?"

"Yeah, like the entire mantle?" he gestured with his hands, "Just- completely covered." 

"I don't wanna go in there" you shook your head quickly, eyes still wide as saucers gripping his hand tighter. 

"Just- just don't look to your right when we walk in?"

You squinted you eyes at him, "...why?"

Nate shrugged, "Oh you know, there might be one that is kinda-sorta positioned to look at you when enter." he spoke nonchalantly as he dragged you through the door. 

You glared up at the brunette, "what?"

"By the way, we have to sleep here tonight-" the both of you heard from further in the room, "So someone is getting the room with the creepy doll staring at you."

You knew your friends- so without even thinking you threw your pointer finger up, touching your nose. 

"Woah, woah, woah" you rushed when the other three looked in your direction with shit eating grins, "No I did it- it was Col-"

"Nope, I'm safe" the black haired man cut you off.

You looked up slowly, glare pointed directly at your shocked boyfriend, who hadn't done it in time. "I'm going to kill you."

You looked over his shoulder, seeing the dolls for the first time. You quickly dropped his hand running over past Amanda and out to the next room, "Nope! I just wont be sleeping with you."

Nate quickly followed, arms extended "Wait babe! No please! Don't leave me alone!" Leaving a laughing Sam and Colby behind, filming the entire thing. 

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

"Sam" you spoke up once the tour was over, "next time we do one of these things you've got to tell me more than just 'oh were going to a haunted mansion'" you mocked 

"What's up?" he laughed, "What do you mean?"

"Oh you know" you gestured around, speaking with your arms, "yellow fever death child, owner of the house killed on the steps, poison murders, voodoo queen death, ghost mirrors-" you listed propping your hands on your hips, "I could go on and on." 

"It's haunted Y/N, what did you expect?"

"Not this!" you shrieked.

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

Soon, the five of you began the investigation in Chloe's room, each wearing a set of clip on earrings. Thanks to your wonderful, amazing boyfriend, you and Amanda were wearing the hoops. 

In addition to the earrings, Amanda came with some gifts with the four of you. she gave Colby a crystal to help amplify his empathic skills, and evil eye bracelets for both Nate and Sam. 

"These are just because I felt bad getting something for Colby and not you two." she spoke handing over the bracelets.

The raven haired man gasped, bringing his hands up to his chest, "She has a favorite!"

Nate placed his hands up on his waist, popping out his hip, "Well that's ok." he shot back sassily, dangly earrings swishing by his neck.

The blonde girl however, hummed in agreeance with Colby reaching back into her bag, "Yep, but it's not you." setting off scandalized gasps from the two men and hysteric laughter from sam. Amanda approached you with a small bag usually used for jewelry.

You took it smugly, leaning forward to kiss her on the cheek, "Thank you m'love"

"of course darling" she played along, "I heard you also have some abilities, so I picked out three things to help" she spoke as you opened the bag, pouring the items in your hand, "Ok, so this one is Labradorite" she pointed to the darker, slightly iridescent one, "It is one of the best crystals for enhancing abilities, it extends your awareness, helps you connect with the spiritual world and can be very grounding and helpful for mediums." she moved to the brighter crystal, "This one is Angelite, the same as Colby's-" 

"oh." the mentioned male scoffed playfully, crossing his arms, "I see how it is... I feel very special now." 

"-and the last one," Amanda pointed to a pitch black stone that was attached to a corded necklace, "is Black Tourmaline, which is really good at protecting and shielding you from bad energy. It can basically cleanse you from any unwanted energy that comes your way." 

"Ok!" sam exclaimed, "Now that we've handed out the gifts and the pity gifts" he raised his wrist up to the camera, making the rest of you laugh, Lets get on to the investigation!"

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

The group decided to move on to the seance room after very little seemed to be happening within Chole's room. 

"I hated this room earlier" Nate shivered next to you, "It just... I don't know, it's just weird."

You nodded as you followed him in, "Yeah? Now imagine feeling heavy when you walk in" 

"Really?" he looked down at you, "What do you mean?"

"It's just like what Amanda said earlier," you shrugged softly, "it's just very heavy in here, it feels tight." 

You let go of Nate's hand, leaving him as he went to look at a painting in the corner, approaching Amanda instead. You stood next to the blonde as she looked up at the mirror that faces the one in the other parlor. 

You shifted you gaze between her and the mirror quickly, "So... whatcha lookin at?"

She gestured you to stand next to her facing the mirror, never once moving her own gaze from the glass, "so look up there," she pointed at a specific area, "and unfocus you eyes- almost like youre trying to look through the mirror" she explained. 

Within a few seconds she could feel you tense beside her, causing the blonde to grin, "you see it?" 

"yeah" you breathed, nodding slowly, "yeah I see it" 

"Yo wait" Nate whipped around, "see what? exactly?" he moved up behind you, placing his head over your shoulder, squinting his eyes to find whatever the two of you seemed to see, "I dont see it"

"I keep seeing things move behind me" Amanda spoke

"I cant see anything specific" you added, "but I can see shapes moving" you explained gesturing up to point in the direction of the areas you spoke of, "like I saw something move like this" you dragged you hand, "and something over there" 

Amanda hummed in affirmation, "yep, where you just pointed, between this wall in the candles, there's someone" she moved her other hand, "and over here, where you saw something move, there was some kids." 

"thats crazy"

"are you feeling anything right now?" Nate questioned, as Colby moved to flip off the lights.

The both of you answered simultaneously, gaving very opposite answers,

"No."

"Yes." 

and for the first time in what felt like hours, you and Amanda broke your gazes from the mirror turning to each other instead.

"You really dont feel that?"

she shook her head, "no, I'm seeing them. I feel that someone is here, like I have full goosebumps"

"N/N" Nate placed a hand on your shoulder, "what are you feeling?"

You looked back to the mirror, looking for anymore blurs, only to see nothing, "It felt like- happy? I guess? Like you know that feeling of when you'd go to the park when you were younger and you were just like- excited? it felt like that."

Amanda nodded slowly in thought, "well, that could be the kids I saw, they did look pretty happy."

"but now" you spoke up once more, causing the boy's eyebrows to furrow, "now it just feels crowded. I cant pull one emotion from another. Its so weird." 

"the energy in here is insane" Amanda agreed, "I feel like if we did a seance at the seance table- we could get some pretty gnarly stuff"

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

So, that what the group did. you broke out the spirit box, and immediately you were greeted with several hellos. 

"Is there any sign you could give us of who were talking to?" Sam spoke up, "a name, an occupation?"

Kate

Colby looked up with squinted brows, confused at the sound "what did that say"

"it said Kate" you responded from next to Nate, hand on his arm, "im pretty sure it said Kate"

"yeah" Amanda added, "I wrote Kate right before it said that"

"is it true that this room is a portal?"

you stepped back at the question, making Nate look to you in concern "guys I just got really nautious-" 

Evil

"oh no-no-no- I don't like that" you rush out, placing yourself on the other side of the doorframe, "i'm definitely not a fan of that"

Sam, Colby, Nate and Amanda continued to speak to the spirit box within the room while you stayed in the hallway. Nate moved from the group and closer to you to make sure you were ok.

"Can you tell us how many spirits are in here with us right now?"

three 

from the doorway, you couldve sworn you saw a flash of green reflect in one of the glass window panes. Green, like the head wrap Chloe was said to wear. 

"do you think.." you trailed off moving closer to your boyfriend, "could Chloe be one of them?" you whispered. 

he stepped out of the room upon seeing your expression. You seemed paler than usually and he could almost see you shaking with wide glassy eyes staring back at him. He wrapped his arms around you, rubbing your back to give you some semblance of comfort. 

Nate, his chin resting in your head, repeated your words louder to for the group still inside the room to hear, "Was that Chloe?"

Me

Look 

you whimpered, pressing your face into his chest, "nope. tell Amanda to look at the window-"

"-that candle just got so bright at the far end-"

"-yeah that one." you mumbled, "the window by the candles. I saw something green over there."

the brown hared man nodded, raising his voice to cut off the trio 's conversation on the candle's, "Amanda? N/N said to check around that window. She said she saw something green flash overthere earlier." 

"Yo! What?" sam exclaimed excitedly, moving to you both with the camera while Amanda looked by the window pane, "What happened? what did you-"

 he was cut off by Nate shaking his head quickly above you, "not right now" he whispered to the blonde, "later." 

Sam nodded understandly, moving to film Amanda by the window, "You see anything?"

"no, not anymore." she stated, "its all clear, whatever it was must've moved by now."

━─━────༺✧༻────━─━

A few rooms and a short reenactment later, it was time for solo investigations. Well, at least it was solo for Sam and Colby, you, Nate, and Amanda were able to go out on the porch together.

The three of you were given the spot where Chloe's picture was taken, and had decided to take turns doing the Estes Method. Amanda was first up in the rocking chair. 

"I've got some information"

"woah" Nate turned to the camera to you, who was laughing softly from shock.

"We didnt even ask anything yet," you looked into the camera lens, "and were already getting answers? this is crazy"  

Nate hummed, "Yeah this is insane- what type of information do you have?"

"lets go"

"Go where?" you questioned, "where do you want to go?"

after a few minutes you received no response. you shrugged, looking over to Nate, "I don't know, you ask a question" you laughed, "it doesn't like me I guess"

He shrugged at your statement, readying his next question "Chloe, did you put yourself at risk to get the information?"

"ready"

you squinted at one another, "are you ready to put yourself at risk?"

"for the information?" Nate added on. 

"yes" 

you shook your head with a smile, " I guess she's ready ti talk"

"yes"

"Chloe was it you that they photographed in this alleyway?"

"Accident"

"You didnt intend to be in the photo?" 

You turned around, looking off the balcony as Amanda shivered, brushing her arms, "something just touched me" 

Nate turned his head, looking your direction as you gazed out onto the dark field, "Babe?" he whispered, "You alright?" 

"yeah" you muttered, scanning the yard, "yeah, I just got that feeling that something was watching me." you shook your head and rolled your shoulders, "it was probably nothing."

Nate nodded slowly, continuing his questioning of Amanda rather than you, glancing at your from the corner of his eye to make sure you were alright. "Chloe, does guilt keep you here?"

"I knew it was wrong"

You and Nate brought Amanda out of the trance to add a trigger object, things for more intense from there. The answers seemed more and more on the nose, and the small inkling you had of being watched quickly increased tenfold.

You soon felt like you spent less time engaged in the investigation, and more time peering over your shoulder.

"it was the family name"

"Woodruff? Did you hear Woodruff?" Nate rushed, "are you trying to tell us about the Woodruff family?"

"It went silent" Amanda exclaimed, "like full complete silence for a full 'Mississippi' and then it started again"

"it was in the house"

"Are you tired" 

"I hope you don't mind" Nate mentioned, gesturing too the plant, "We have oleander in Amanda's hand-"

"I know"

"-was the death an accident or was it an act of revenge?"

"Nate" you whisper, looking out into the yard, "I...I don't think this is a good idea anymore."

his eyebrows furrowed, peering at you while keeping the camera on Amanda, "Why? What's up"

 you sighed, "I just- I think we should stop. something doesn't feel right." you tore your gaze from the dark, looking up to him, "something's wrong-"

"its time to wrap up-"

The blonde spoke removing the blindfold and headphones, "I swear, it said, 'its time to wrap up'"

"See!" you gasped hitting the man's arm, "told you!"

Amanda looked between the two of you, both of your eyes were wide and your posture screamed that you were both worried, "what's going on?" 

Nate set the camera down on the bannister, still filming, as he went to get all the equipment together, "N/N was just talking about how something feels wrong and we should quit." he looked up at the blonde, "she's been feeling weird this whole time"

The two continue talking while you walk further up the porch. The feeling of being watched became stronger and stronger as you surveyed the yard, eventually catching a glimpse of something off to the side. You leaned over the wood and squinted, trying your best to get a better look. 

Soon, you saw it. 

"Guys" you muttered, trying again louder when they didn't respond "Guys!" 

Nate looked up seeing how far down the porch you'd wandered, "N/N? what's going on?" 

you looked at them eyes wide, "There's someone out here." you panicked, "please, please tell me you're almost done because there's someone in the yard and they're getting closer."

Nate straighted his back, looking into the grass too. he didnt see anything at the moment, but you were so far down and it was dar enough that it could simply be that he was too far. He waved his arm gesturing you over to them, "N/N I need you to come down here right now" 

For all he knew, that was some psyco trying to add a new spirit to the home. That spirit, would not be you if he had anything to say about it. 

"oh my god" you yelled, running up beside the two, "its getting closer."

The brown haired man moved to shield the two of you, shoving the equipment you three brought out to you an Amanda, only keeping a flashlight, "Go inside."

"but-"

"Y/N go inside."

"Wait" Amanda spoke up, peeking around the man's shoulder, "to the left?"

you were shaking at this point, "yeah, It followed me down from that side"

The blonde moved forward, pulling the flashlight from Nate's grip, illuminating the patch to see nothing there, "There?" 

you tilted your head in confusion, "well... yeah? it was-"

Amanda turned off the flashlight and the both of you were greeted with the dark figure once more, this time it was only about 10 feet from the railing. 

"oh my god" you breathed, heart hammering in your chest.

The urgency in your boyfriend began to dissipate, believing that while a spirit following his girlfriend wasnt the best- it was better than her being followed by an actual crazy person.

However the seriousness of the blonde nearly doubled once she caught sight of the glowing red eyes. "You are not allowed to be here." she spoke stern, making you stiffen even further, "you do not have permission to follow us or come any closer."

"Amanda, what is happening?" you spoke, eyes trained on the humanoid figure before you. 

"move back to the door" the blonde spoke softly to you and nate, before strengthening her voice once more, "You do not have the right to follow us into the home, you must stay out here." 

Once the door closed, the blonde watched the figure through the window until it dissolved into the air. 

"you see that stuff all the time?" you stuttered, clinging to Nates arms that wrapped around your waist, "like thats what a ghost is? I've never actually seen something like that before" 

"no." the blonde spoke turning to face you, "that... Y/N, that wasnt a spirit. that was a demon."

[leoncillo]

Oh god I thought my brain wanted a break. But I guess not? I just blacked out and this was in my notes when I came to idk y'all 🤷🏽‍♀️

SFW, GN reader (although I use "pretty"?), Black reader, Zohakuten best wingman

You notice the boys have been a bit listless so you decide to take them out. But individually. It must be tiring always being part of a group, right?

Sekido

Sekido jumps and nearly screams when the first thing he sees as he opens his eyes from his day time sleeping, is you straddling him, inches from his face.

"What the hell?! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!"

"Is that even possible?" you ask, pondering with your finger on your chin.

"What do you want, you nuisance?!"

"Get up! We're going on a date."

"Do you know how long it'll take those idiots to get ready? Why didn't you let me plan this ahead of time?" he grumbled.

"Oh they're not going. It'll be just me and you tonight" you said booping him on the nose.

His face heats up and his cheeks start to match his eyes.

"Hehe are you blus-ahh" you yelp as he grows flips you off of his legs.

"How rude!"

"Just...just go get ready yourself! We'll meet at the door in 20 minutes" he said as he marched off to the shower.

20 minutes later

You could feel all eyes on you as you walked down the stairs. You settled on dark distressed flared jeans and a modest white blouse with a cutout window with a black and white cross body bag and white tennis shoes. You decided to keep your makeup natural and to put your hair in a low ponytail to hang over your shoulder.

"You look so pretty!" shouted Urogi.

"You look lovely, dear" said Aizetsu softly.

"I might have to be jealous of Sekido for once" Karaku said, snickering.

You reached the bottom only to realize Sekido and Zohakuten were both missing.

"Wait where is he-"

"I heard that you green eyed son of a bitch!" said Sekido as you all heard him approaching the top of the stairs, only to get smacked upside the head by Zohakuten.

"Watch the language, goddamnit. You're going on a date!"

There was complete silence.

Everyone's jaw was on the floor as Sekido descended the stairs.

His hair was neatly combed and shiny, with a few strands out to frame his face. He wore a burgundy long sleeved turtleneck paired with some crisp black slacks and black loafers. A gold chain adorned his chest, a gold watch held his wrist, and a gold belt buckle around the front of his waist. Was he wearing earrings?!

"No way! I can't believe it! Hahaha" said Karaku, nearly falling off the couch.

"You look good, Sekido!" shouted Urogi.

"You clean up nice" said Aizetsu.

"All thanks to me. You're welcome, y/n" said Zohakuten.

"Y/n?"

You didn't realize you were still speechless until his well defined chest was right in front of you.

"Right. Y-You look amazing, Sekido" you said as you looked away from each other, both a blushing mess.

"Shall we go?" said Sekido as he held out his hand.

As you two walked to the car, you remembered that this was your idea, that you're in control, and mentally got your game face ready. You snatched the car keys out of his hand and motioned him to the passenger side.

"Aht aht. I'm driving. You don't even know where I planned to take you anyway."

Sekido grit his teeth, but nodded and listened. You knew he didn't like NOT being in control, so you kissed him on the cheek for playing along.

"Jesus can we just go?!" he said flustered.

After about 20 minutes of driving, you pulled up to a nondescript warehouse building on a side of town neither of you have been to before.

Even for a demon, Sekido felt a little weirded out as he looked at the building from top to bottom. "Are you gonna try to kill me or something?"

"What?! Nooo, silly. You'll see. Let's go!" you said grabbing his arm and leading him inside.

Inside there were several made up stations and soundproof rooms. A bored looking college student sat at the registration booth and looked up lazily at the two of you. "How long?"

You hummed to yourself in thought. "Two hours, please."

Sekido quickly glanced at you, still extremely confused. Was this some kinda love hotel or something? The thought made him start blushing again.

"Right this way."

The college student let you inside one of the rooms and pointed at the long aprons and face shields for you, before leaving you to it.

While you were suiting up, Sekido looked around the room at the mannequins and ceramic dishware and vases and the line of baseball bats hung on the wall.

"Y/n, what the hell is this?" he turned to ask only to see you launch a glass bowl at the wall. "What in god's name are you doing?!"

"It's called a rage room, honey" you said trying to pry the next bowl from his hands, "smashing stuff is the point!"

"I'm not completely following? Humans these days are so weird!"

You thought for a second, "Hey remember that one mission you were on when Urogi got too excited and blew all of the windows out of the building?"

CRASH

A plate went flying into the wall.

"I'm still paying the bill off for the damages!" he said growling and reaching for a vase.

"Now you're getting it! But hold back a teeny bit. You're still a demon, dude" you said, eyeing the dent in the wall.

"What are the fake humans for?" he said eyeing the mannequins.

You grabbed a bat off the wall. "Remember Douma at the last upper moon meeting?...or just him in general?"

The bat was out of your hands in seconds and smashing into the mannequins crotch.

"Yeah!" you said hyping him up and giggling at the growing grin on his face.

"Are you not gonna keep smashing?" he asked.

You usually solved your anger issues pretty easily, but you figured you could find something in this world to be mad at and shrugged.

You threw a mug into the air and hit it with a bat. "I hate parallel parking!"

Then, you sent a plate into a wall "I hate meetings that could be e-mails!"

Sekido's smile only grew wider at your display of anger as he continued his assault on the mannequins and you thought you heard a "Karaku" in his rambling somewhere.

"Ouch!" you stopped after a flyaway chip of ceramic somehow made it past your face shield and nicked your cheek.

Sekido dropped everything immediately and made his way over to you. "What? What happened?!"

"Eh. I'm guess I'm still klutzy enough to get hurt through a shield" you said going to touch the cut on your cheek.

"Don't touch it! Let me see." he said, as he held your face gently and looked you over before kissing the cut and turning away, "You'll be okay. Put some of that human ointment on so it doesn't leave a scar. Let's go home before you hurt anything else."

"Aww, Seki, you-"

"I said let's go home!" he said , storming out and hiding his face.

[agustdiwillsueyou]

WHEN HE SURPRISE YOU ON YOUR BIRTHDAY • MYG FF

"Okay, we're going now," Mom said while putting on her shoes. "Mummy can go tomorrow; stay here tonight," I asked her. I can live alone, but living alone on my birthday seems a bit depressing. "Dear, I have work, or else I would have stayed," she said hurriedly and then hugged and kissed my forehead. "Happy Birthday, dear. Bye," she wished me.

"Bye," I bid her. I started washing dishes. "No call, no message. Does he even remember that today is my birthday?" I muttered. After finishing the dishes, I moved on to clean the living room.

"After finishing all the house chores, I was about to leave when I heard the doorbell. "Is he here?" A smile spread across my face. I jogged towards the door and opened it. However, as I did so, my smile quickly faded.

"Hello, here is your order," said a delivery boy.

"But I didn't order anything," I told him.

"No ma'am, it's from Mr. Yoongi," he informed me.

"Oh, okay. Give it to me," I said and took the parcel."

"What's inside?" I asked the parcel, fully aware that it couldn't talk. It's a side-effect of living alone. I eagerly tore open the package and to my amazement, it was an ALBUM! WOW!!

This man sure knows how to steal my heart, yet I couldn't help but feel unimpressed. Alongside the album, I found a letter tucked inside.

Dear YN,

First and foremost, a very happy birthday to you. I hope you're having a wonderful day. I deeply regret not being able to celebrate with you in person due to my tight schedule. However, I'm determined to make it up to you. I learned that you weren't able to get the PROOF ALBUM, so here it is, my gift to you.Once again, happy birthday.

With love, Yoongi

There something else in box, Enjoy 😉

"What's with the wink emoji sticker?" I narrowed my eyes and saw a little box inside the box. I took it out and it was wrapped in gift paper. "He wrapped it himself," I said and examined the box.I unwrapped the box, and what I saw made my eyes widen and my jaw drop. A VIBRATOR!!WTF??? Now he's making fun of me. "We've been married for two years and we haven't even... and now he's making fun of it." "This is why people shouldn't marry their best friend." I vented all my anger.

I put all the gifts on the table and went to take a bath.

YOONGI POV

"Did you deliver that parcel?" I asked one of the staff, to which he replied, "Yes, Sir." I thanked him and hung up the call. Entering the building, I headed for the elevator, pressing the floor number where YN lives.

"Today, she'll be surprised," I thought, rubbing my hands together. After a few moments, I arrived at our doorstep. I gently pushed the door open, entered, and quietly removed my shoes. I noticed she had arranged the gifts on the table. "But where is she?" I pondered.

Curiosity piqued, I entered her room and heard the sound of the shower. "Ah, she's taking a bath," I mumbled, deciding to find a hiding spot.She emerged from the bathroom, towel-drying her hair. I took out my cell phone and sent her a message.

'Hi YN'

' Happy Birthday Darling 🎉'

"Her phone chimed with a notification. She picked it up, her expression shifting into an angry pout. She messaged me back.

With a frustrated gesture, she tossed her phone onto the bed and turned her attention to combing her hair in front of the mirror. 'Just a few more minutes, honey,' I mumbled to myself.

Then, I heard the sound of rain. Oh no, she hates rain on her birthday."Oh, it's raining now. Hence, today is officially my birthday," she sighed. "Rain always brings a touch of melancholy to my birthday," she complained, before walking towards the balcony. She opened the patio door, allowing the cold air to kiss her face.

"Now is the perfect time to try out the gift my eccentric genius of a husband gave me," she declared before heading to retrieve the gift. I covered my mouth in amazement, thinking, 'Is she really going to do it now, here?' I nervously muttered to myself, "YN, please, not now."

She returned to the room and opened a drawer. "I'm not exactly thrilled about this vibrator, but my dear husband thoughtfully gifted it to me, so I can't just dismiss it. Although, I have no idea how to use it," she said while examining the intimate toy. Eventually, she placed it back in the drawer, reassuring herself, "No worries, he'll teach me. And if he doesn't, I'll give him a piece of my mind." Her firm resolve left me facepalming in embarrassment.

Next, she retrieved the CD speaker. 'Ah, she's going to play a song,' I thought. She carefully placed the CD labeled 'Yet To Come' on the speaker and settled onto the bed.

The song's melody was truly soothing.

Before long, the song came to an end...

YN POV

"The song came to an end, prompting me to rise from the bed. Suddenly, the bulb started blinking on and off.

"Now you're showing your tantrums," I scolded the bulb, crossing my arms. After giving it a stern second look, I fetched a stool. Placing a small ladder on the floor, I climbed up to try and fix the bulb. However, it proved futile. "Hmm, it's not working," I sighed, descending from the ladder. Unfortunately, my foot slipped, and I was on the verge of falling. I instinctively closed my eyes, bracing for the impact, but I landed in someone's arms.

I opened my eyes, expecting pain, but found none. Instead, I saw Yoongi holding me, though my right leg was still entangled in the ladder. Our gazes locked, and I felt that same rush of emotions I'd been trying to suppress. The intensity of his eyes always had the power to stir something within me, and it still did. What are you doing to me, Yoongi?

I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he slid his right hand behind my legs, lifting me in a bridal style. I couldn't tear my eyes away from him.

"Are you okay?" He asked, concern evident in his eyes. I looked away, nodding in response. He gently set me down.

"Why are you here?" I inquired, wasting no time."First, let me fix this bulb, then we'll talk. Alright?" he suggested, pointing at the malfunctioning light. I nodded in agreement.

He ascended the ladder and skillfully fixed the bulb. As he descended, he declared, "Done," then turned his gaze towards me. I silently pleaded for him to look away; his gaze always had the power to melt me. Eventually, I broke eye contact.

"Are you still upset with me?" He asked, wearing a sad pout. He approached me, and I couldn't help but sigh. "You know I can't stay upset with you," I admitted, wrapping my arms around him. He reciprocated the hug, and I thought to myself, 'Only I know how much I missed his warmth.'

"Happy birthday, YN," he murmured, breaking the hug to kiss my forehead. "Thank you, Yoongi," I replied with a bright smile.

"Let's sit," he suggested. We settled near the patio door, admiring the rainy weather. Though my gaze was fixed on the rain, I could sense him watching me. When I turned to meet his eyes, he simply smiled and shook his head, redirecting his attention to the rainy view.

Then, we both heard the doorbell. I was about to get up, but he stopped me. "Wait, I'll check," he said, and I nodded. He went outside.

After a few minutes of waiting, I suddenly heard the familiar tune of a birthday song. I saw Yoongi, holding a small cake adorned with flickering candles. Overwhelmed with happiness, I instinctively covered my mouth.

"Oh my God, this is so sweet," I gushed in gratitude. He settled beside me, carefully placing the cake plate on the floor. "Blow out the candles, then make a wish," he instructed. I took a deep breath and blew out the candles. Yoongi broke into applause, his voice joining in the birthday song. In that moment, I couldn't help but silently wish for a future filled with Yoongi's unconditional love, hoping to spend my entire life with him.

After cutting the cake, I offered the first bite to him, and in return, he fed me a piece. Together, we finished the entire cake, and he playfully adorned my cheeks with frosting. A few tears welled up in my eyes, though they were only feigned

He grew concerned. "I'm so sorry. It's just cake," he apologized, reaching for a tissue to gently wipe my face.

He then lay down, resting his head in my lap. I tenderly stroked his hair, watching as he closed his eyes and settled into a state of relaxation. As the rain ceased, a gentle, cool breeze caressed us. "This is the best birthday," I finally spoke the sentiment my heart had been holding.

He opened his eyes, sat up, and cradled my face in his hands. "I'm sorry, YN, for not giving you my time. I promise you'll see me every day soon," he assured, a smile gracing his lips. His words puzzled me.

"What do you mean? Please don't tell me you're planning to go public with our relationship," I scolded gently, pointing a finger at him. "You don't have to take such a big risk. I'm content even if we meet infrequently. Your happiness and pursuit of your dreams matter more to me."

He took my hands in his, his gaze filled with concern. "But you are my dream, too. I'm not truly happy without you; my joy is complete with you by my side. And I know you feel the same. You have every right to say that your dream is me, and everyone should accept it," he declared, cupping my face as tears escaped my eyes. "I love you so much, YN... and I can't hide it any longer. Just give me one month. Promise, YN," he implored, kissing my hands.

"It's alright, Yoongi. I understand," I assured him, a mixture of emotions swirling within me.

He gently wiped away my tears. "Now don't cry, you look so ugly when you cry," he teased, and I couldn't help but laugh at his joke.

This time, I shifted to lay on his lap, gathering courage to confess. "I love you too, Yoongi," I admitted.

"I know," he replied with a soft chuckle.I closed my eyes, savoring the relaxation his touch brought. Suddenly, I felt soft lips press against mine, and there was no doubt whose they were. I couldn't help but smile, even between our kisses. Eventually, we parted.

"Nice taste," he commented, and I giggled in response, feeling a warm glow spread through me.

"Now, I'm asking you one last time, what are you actually cooking?" I warned him, my curiosity piqued.

"Okay, it's Aloo ka Paratha," he finally revealed, while stuffing spicy potatoes into something resembling bread, but not quite.

"Aloo ka what?" I asked, genuinely confused.

"PA-RA-THA," he emphasized, breaking down the word for me."Ah, got it," I nodded,

then picked up my phone and opened Google to learn more about 'Aloo ka Paratha'.

"Ah, got it," I nodded, then picked up my phone and opened Google to learn more about 'Aloo ka Paratha'.

As I read aloud the search results, "Google says, 'Aloo paratha is a bread dish originating from India. It is a popular breakfast dish in the Indian subcontinent. The recipe is one of the most beloved breakfast dishes throughout the western, central, and northern regions of India, as well as the eastern regions of Pakistan.' This sounds really tasty," I remarked, my mouth already watering at the thought.

"It is," he affirmed, carefully arranging the parathas on a plate.

He placed the plate on the dining table, then nervously rubbed his hands. "Let's eat," he suggested, and we both settled into our chairs. He took a piece, offering it to me, and I gladly accepted it into my mouth. As the flavors burst, my eyes widened, and I glanced at Yoongi, who was awaiting my feedback.

"Oh my God, Yoongi, it's incredibly tasty," I exclaimed, thoroughly enjoying the paratha.

"See, I told you," he declared, his voice filled with pride.

"Eat more," he encouraged, and I nodded. "You should have some too," I insisted, offering him a piece."No, I can't. I'm on a diet," he protested.

"YAHH.. PLEASE, JUST ONE PARATHA," I insisted firmly.

"Okay, okay," he relented, finally giving in and savoring a paratha as well.

....

"We both were in an elevator, our arms were linked to each other, and my head was resting on his shoulder. 'I'll miss you, Yoongi,' I said with a sad tone. 'Me too,' he said, rubbing my hands. I looked up at him, and he was also looking down at me."

"He leaned down to kiss me. Our lips met, both soft and passionate. We broke the kiss, and soon the elevator doors opened. He covered his face with a mask. 'I love you, Honey,' he said, patting my head as he went out of the elevator. However, he came back inside and handed me a small box."

"Then he went out again. 'This will always fill my emptiness when you feel alone.' And then the elevator closed. I opened the box, and there was a necklace. 'I love you,' I mumbled."

THE END

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Twilight Forest, Twilight King CHAPTER 9

chapter 9 is LIVE! this time, we're finally making sure our favorite rat bastard can competently hold his own on the battlefield. what's a little bit of violence between boys? ABOUT 6K WORDS UNDER THE CUT!

ao3 mirror HERE!

part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5

Weary eyelids lazily batted open and closed, peering through the shroud of darkness in the room. Unless his eyes deceived him, the first light of dawn was entering the room through the cracks of Zant's nigh-impenetrable shutters. Though, it was always hard to tell under the shadow of Death Mountain. 

Their days had flown by. Never did they get to enjoy the luxury of Master's Palace for longer than a couple of days at a time, and the past week had been no different. They were already back in the Eldin Province, busy with directing skirmishes and raids to gather enough resources for their next advance. The Hyruleans were closing in, which meant either trouble or easy money. Given their track record so far, things were shaping up to be the latter… Unless another of their Lieutenants showed up, at least.

To Ghirahim, such concerns had to wait a little longer. This morning, he found himself quite the busy boy. He laid stretched out under the covers with the Usurper King, who slept so soundly beneath him. The Twili's warm back rose up and down slowly against his chest, pressing against the weight of the metal man on top of it. This was now perhaps the fifth night they spent together like this, and it was already becoming disturbingly routine. 

You see, Zant was not kidding when he spoke of "restless dreams". Every few hours or so, weak sobs and whimpers would break out of him in shudders. Yet, his mind never allowed him to escape from the clutches of whatever plagued his resting mind so. Ghirahim, with no need for sleep, took it upon himself to daydream atop him, shushing and stroking him were he to grow panicked. Most of the time, this would work. The sniffling and trembling would soon die down, surrendering to a semblance of peaceful slumber. Other nights, Zant would snap awake and throw himself out the bed, pacing and weeping. No matter Ghirahim’s best attempts at coaxing him back, he would always request his leave, as he was so used to doing. The next morning, Ghirahim would pretend, then, that he didn't see the bruises that would besmirch his skin afterward.

But tonight, it was peaceful. Zant was still, interrupted only by the slightest shifts and jitters. It left Ghirahim with perturbingly little to occupy himself with. Still, truly bored he would never grow in his company, even when he was asleep. When he got tired of dwelling in his own mind, he instead found his hands wandering, stroking through his far-more graceful-looking hair, or lacing their fingers together. Otherwise, he could simply lay there and stare, intently observing the odd anatomy of the creature that made himself so vulnerable below him. Ink-black skin stretched over the protruding bones of his spine and shoulders, looking deceptively thin like paper, but he knew better than anyone that the Twili was much sturdier than he appeared. Zant’s ceaseless acrobatics were emblematic of astonishing core strength, that even the Sword Spirit’s counterpart could hardly hope to rival. Not to mention, he recalled several occasions where, by some miracle, the Twili managed to pick him up with relative ease. Even laying on top of him, now, he pondered how puzzling the arrangement was. At the end of the day, even if his disguise made him leagues more light-footed, he was made of solid metal. Being treated as, essentially, a weighted blanket, when to anyone else being squeezed for hours like this would be torture, was unprecedented. Above it all, every morning, without fail, he would be greeted with a pleased, eye-squinting smile, to boot. It was as baffling as it was cute.

His eyes trailed to the markings on his neck and shoulders, swirling and geometric, set into his skin like they’d been carved. Those markings were dark now, only occasionally pulsing with a weak glow. Were he anyone else, the softly blinking lights might have driven him mad throughout the night, but without his need for sleep, he found himself oddly comforted. Whenever he would drift away in thought, those lights would be there, luring him back to the realm of the living. Drawing all his attention back to that softly snoring being below him, with his eyes squinted shut and his lips slightly agape, who would wake up to refer to him affectionately with an unintelligible term he’d refuse to translate. How ironic it was, to be anchored by a man who was so thoroughly far gone himself.

He supposed he understood now why Zant was so fascinated with those small, meaningless gestures of affection. Now that he laid there, the sleeping Twili at his mercy, it was hard not to poke at him. To see him at rest, his features almost appeared softer than usual. The tensions of what plagued him during the daytime had left him to slumber, for now, the spirit of sleep gently caressing him until it dug its claws in his throat with capricious abandon. Until it could, Ghirahim would entertain his own ridiculous musings. How much could he fiddle with an organic being so deep in slumber, let alone an alien one, before he snapped him awake? With the utmost care not to wake him, he lightly brushed the top of his nails across the soft skin of his back, watching intently for a reaction. None came; not even a slight shift. It was jarring how tranquil he was, he thought to himself, reaching over to brush his hair out of his face. His eagerness to get a closer look at his porcelain-like visage was swiftly punished. He bumped into his ear by accident, causing it to twitch on reflex. Slowly but surely, twilit markings began to pulse with color. Teal faded in like the light of the rising sun, and Zant stirred in his waning sleep. 

Ghirahim was, frankly, a little embarrassed, but with the impending daybreak, they couldn’t be laying around much longer either way. Almost apologetically, he leaned down to press light kisses to the back of his shoulder. 

“Waking up?” he asked, before kissing him once more. He chuckled softly when Zant responded with nothing but a groan, and the burying of his face into the pillow. It was a novelty to find him so eager to keep sleeping. Now that he was undeniably awake, though, his own fickle mood was setting in. The Demon Lord did not like to be kept waiting!

So be bothersome he did. He traced along the markings on his back with his finger, fascinated by how they would light up under his touch. When that didn’t work, he leaned in even further, grazing his teeth over the long, finned ear that stuck out easily within his reach. Zant hummed, turning around to peek at him with a pink tinge on his cheeks. That was an interesting development!

“I trust that you slept well? You were remarkably quiet tonight.”

A thin membrane blinked vertically over Zant’s eyes as he blearily looked back at him. Eugh! “Indeed, [my cherished one],” he responded, his voice still thick and murky with sleep. “Perhaps… My sleeping mind has grown to be comforted by your presence.”

Ghirahim laughed. “So I assume you’re going to ask me to come lay on you to be bored more often?”

The somewhat dejected look on Zant’s face made it clear that his teasing didn’t land. “Ah, well. If it’s a bother, then-“

Quickly, he interrupted. “I’m pulling your leg, dear,” he cooed, continuing to caress along his patterns. “I find there’s plenty to occupy myself with. Such as…”

That was not a lie. He simply had to trace back the steps of his trail of thought from that night, and try to remember what he had wondered about which discovery. One glance around the slowly brightening room was enough.

“… That sword,” he pointed across the room to his armory. There stood displayed an absolutely incomprehensible weapon, with asymmetrical, curving shapes, and intricately smithed patterns. Looking at it, it looked more as though it was hewn from stone than fashioned from any kind of known metal. “What’s its story?”

Zant’s eyes followed his gesturing. “That, would be the Scimitar of Twilight,” he replied, resting his head down on the arms he’d crossed over his pillow. “An ancient artifact, hailing from the days of the Interlopers. I took it with me from the Palace, I thought I would put it to better use.”

“And yet, you never actually wield it. A shame of such a beautiful blade,” he scolded him and inquisitively leaned his chin on his shoulder to get a closer look at him. “How come?”

He was lifted temporarily by a heaving sigh from the man under him. “Truthfully, I’ve grown so used to dual wielding, I find my confidence in handling a two-handed weapon far too lacking to bring it with me.” 

Oh, Demise help him. Lacking confidence? Completely involuntarily, images of Zant’s behavior on the battlefield flashed before his eyes. The barbaric and haphazard ways he swung those poor, defenseless scimitars around were already difficult enough to witness. The stumbling footwork, the massive gaps in his defenses, and the constant threat of slicing his own arms clean off… It was a matter of time until something went horribly wrong! That was his idea of confidently wielding a blade? He could not stand for it. 

With an unimpressed grunt, Ghirahim pushed himself off his bedmate and back upright, greeting the day with a mechanical creak and pop of his shoulder. “Come on, now. Time to get up.”

Zant rolled onto his side, the glow of his awakened markings now lighting up the pale skin at the front of his lithe body. Self control, Ghirahim… 

“You appear to be in a rush,” he yawned, pointy teeth popping out from their sockets.

Ghirahim responded by summoning a comb from nowhere at all, and brushing his bangs back where they belonged. “Well, yes. You still need to do your ungodly stretching routine, and I have plans for the both of us. I’d like to be out of here before the Cuccos cry.”

Zant sat up next to him, greeting him with a nuzzle of the splits in his lips. “Plans?”

“As a matter of fact, yes,” he firmly told him, but not before acknowledging his affections with an encouraging pat on his lower back. “I’ve decided I can’t stand for this lackadaisical treatment of priceless weapons any longer, so I’m going to teach you how to properly swing that thing, even if it kills me.”

——

As any proper (self-ascribed) nobleman, Ghirahim valued discretion. Even moreso, he valued a lack of busybodies, who would undoubtedly be shocked to see him kick his co-lieutenant around like a sack of flour. Sparring out in the usual training field, therefore, was completely out of the question. But in the light of the rising sun, the dry grasslands of Eldin were not exactly their ally in finding a proper, secluded spot. That was, until they stumbled upon a rock outcropping near the base of Death Mountain, where craggy rock formations would obscure the view of any possible adversaries. Yes, this was where he was going to beat the tar out of his boyfriend in full courtesy. He warped the both of them there and sauntered around the perimeter to gauge the amount of space they had for this tomfoolery. Zant, meanwhile, wordlessly watched him. His usually so impenetrable, stock-still-looking stance now moreso made him exude the confidence of a newborn heron getting used to its own legs. 

Either way, the cavern was ideal. The gaping maw of the rock shelter opened up to the north, meaning they would be out of direct sunlight for pretty much the entire day. And even then, the trees right outside would keep them out of view. Ghirahim dragged his feet through the dirt somewhat and found that the dust beneath had built up to a decent layer. Now, this is plenty of padding, he thought to himself. Any meager reservations he still had about throwing Zant repeatedly to the ground were promptly discarded. To top it all off, there were only a few stalagmites and boulders scattered about, and they had plenty of space to spar. Thus, opportunities to push him into the rocks and lasciviously pin him against them would be limited to a tastefully small degree… Agh, focus!

Still, Zant evidently had his reservations. His sword hung uneasily from his hand as he began to speak. "Are you quite certain teaching me is a wise course of action? I am the first Twili you've met. Such novelty in biology may impede on your ability to instruct, to the point of reluctance.”

"Oh, please. Advising anyone the art of swordsmanship, regardless of their anatomy, is my primary duty," he frowned, before strutting back over to him, leaning on him with a sway. "Besides, out of anyone, I'm quite confident in being the most intimately familiar with your anatomy," he purred, his tongue darting out toward his helmet. Zant let out a flustered squeal in response, ducking away from him.

"Point taken," he stuttered, before carefully examining his sword. Ghirahim had equipped both of them with simple training swords, and Zant’s was a decently weighted longsword. He didn’t want to risk either of them damaging anything more important, given the False King’s affinity for wild swings. Speaking of risks…

Promptly, he stepped away from him, throwing his arms to either side with a flourish. “Allow me to slip into something a little more comfortable,” he proclaimed, before showering himself in a mighty cascade of diamond magic. Bit by bit, his exterior began to crack, sending clothes and false skin alike to fade away into naught but energy. The metal of his body creaked and groaned as his true form was finally unveiled; larger, sturdier, and with delectably defined musculature. His hands thrust forward out through the shroud and dismissed it with a showy sweep of his arms. A deep sigh of joy and satisfaction left his lips, now reverberating through his canny throat. Hands stroking through his opalescent hair, he relished in just how good this felt. Certainly, his usual form was his own customized, chosen appearance, and as special and perfect as it was, like this… He was powerful, unencumbered, and complete. His eyes fluttered back open while his hands glided over his smooth, glittering skin, and his gaze pierced straight through Zant’s helmet.

“There. Now you couldn’t hurt me, even if you tried.”

Zant stood there silently for a moment, and Ghirahim then remembered he hadn’t seen his true form up close all too often. Perhaps the last time was a full month ago, and even then, it had only been a glimpse into the heat of battle. Well, he would make sure to let him savor it today. 

Still, it wouldn’t be a morning with that oaf if he didn’t ruin the moment. “Even though your core is right in the open?” Zant inquired, gesturing with a nod at his chest.

Immediately, his graceful pose fell into shatters, and he threw his hands up in frustration. “Why do you think I’ve left our actual weapons back at the keep? Non-magical weapons such as these mass-produced wastes of ore can’t even hope to scratch me, core or not!”

Zant similarly raised his hands, though in a gesture of peace. “Forgive me for inquiring.”

"Right then, Zant. Please get into position."

He watched on as Zant, far too bashfully, lowered himself into a hunch. Before they could even get to the sword-fighting part, Zant’s posture and footwork were in urgent need of improvement. Standing there swaying like seaweed in the current wasn’t going to hold up when wielding a longsword. It was painfully obvious that even something this basic needed some real work, even though he knew Zant had such impeccable muscle control! Despite his perfect example, that lanky fool still had the gall to mess it up.

Nigh instantly, Ghirahim clicked his tongue. "Your front leg is bent too far. Holding that any longer than a minute will injure your knee. Come on! Watch closer," he demanded, narrowing his eyes to scrutinize every little twitch of the Twilight King's muscles. Zant shifted his weight again, this time leaning back rather than forward. The front of his foot lifted. It was time for a lesson.

Within the blink of an eye, he darted towards his pupil and took out his front leg with a low sweeping kick. Zant shrieked, threatening to be thrown to his side, but he somehow righted himself with the wild swinging of his arms. That unique quirk of his was ripe with potential, but he ought to cover the basics first. 

"Surely you must now see how unstable your footing is!"

Zant huffed in frustration, straightening his legs and looming over him. "Then tell me what is wrong!"

He would not be intimidated by a man so easily kicked over, even if his core was right within hand's reach, and Zant fully able to harm him through it. Mostly, he didn't want him to give up and stomp off just yet.

"Of course. I merely wanted to show you the consequences of such clumsiness," he padded over beside him again and lowered himself. "Knee above the ankle, feet flat on the ground, and weight carried in the middle. Show me!"

Zant did as he was told, uncertain of his footing at first, but surely, eventually, he stood. Ghirahim took a moment to circle him, lips pursed in thought as he observed his form. 

"That's better," he nodded. "Alright, I'm going to push you now. Try to stay upright!"

"What-" Zant attempted to speak, but interrupted himself with another screech as two rock-hard hands shoved him flat on the back. Though his torso bent drastically forward, one solid stomp of his left leg prevented him from tumbling fully. 

Standing alone being this much trouble was a foul omen for the rest of their crash course.

And foul it was, indeed. Though choreographically there was astoundingly little flaw in Zant’s stance and footwork after some work, his reflexes and endurance were abominable. They had been shuffling back and forth towards each other long enough for a beaten path to wear down underneath, and his opponent’s strength was rapidly fading. Of course, the punishments he delivered did not help his withering stamina whatsoever.

Of which an opportunity presented itself, right this second. 

Zant had failed to notice the additional step Ghirahim took towards him, and thus, ended up directly within his weapon’s range. Before he could so much as blink, Ghirahim already swiftly smacked him in the forearms with the flat of his blade, sending him tumbling to the ground with a yelp. 

Blade held at his waist, he stepped over towards his prone body. “This is your problem, Zant. You have the strength and the quick thinking, but you haven’t the endurance! Falling into your horrid habit of panting and giggling just will not hold any longer,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re getting sloppy already, and we’ve hardly been at it for a quarter of an hour.”

“A mere quarter! It feels like an eternity,” he whined, splayed on the floor with the approximate grace of a squashed snail. “There isn’t much I can do when you keep beating me down like this.”

Ghirahim twirled his blade in his hand, resting its heft on his shoulder. “The rules are simple. You fail to get out of the way of a swing, and you die. You’ve been on the battlefield many times now, you know this!”

“Yes, but usually I am at least capable of defending myself before that happens!”

“It hardly makes sense to me to teach a child how to write before it can even walk properly,” he sighed, pretending for a moment to understand mortal lifespans.

Not appreciating such language, Zant merely growled in response, fists balling in the dirt below him. Was he truly going to let him throw a tantrum in the middle of, what was essentially, their date? The Shadow King was known, first and foremost, for his horrible temper. The more he thought about it, the less he wanted to put up with it. And so, he decided to throw him a bone.

“… Fine. Get up,” he bemoaned, holding out his hand. “We will go over a few strikes, and perhaps if we have time, I will show you some guards I think would suit your posture.”

Zant latched onto his hand with frightening eagerness and pulled himself upright. 

It was not hopeless, exactly, but it certainly took a while. Endearing as his attempts were, Ghirahim would prefer if he could see whatever that bumbling fool had up his oversized sleeves. He watched from the sidelines as he had Zant repeat the same few motions, hoping to spot improvement in his fluency of grip and stance after his very best instructions. But his improvement was such a hodgepodge of different snapshots, Ghirahim could hardly keep up. Sometimes, he would swing his sword around with reckless abandon, scoring himself another kick to the chest as punishment. Other times, he’d suddenly move with striking elegance. There was serious potential locked away in there, somewhere, if only he knew how to tease it out… "Perhaps this is just easy for me to say, but you truly must view your blade as an extension of your own body. You shouldn't even have to think which is the false or sharp edge!"

But really, if he didn’t simply engage him in battle, then he’d never learn. Ghirahim left him there to spar with the air, walking off to snatch his blade from the rock he’d left it leaning against, and quickly occupied the empty space Zant was just swinging at. It was time to bolster him through this training something fierce.

"I can teach you every technique under the sun and moon, but it will be useless if you do not manage to outsmart your opponent. It’s not about speed, it’s about timing.” He emphasized with a furious strike, which Zant retaliated with his own, hitting the two blades together in a truce. Ghirahim lashed forward, pushing against him with a grunt. “The moment you realize your opponent attempts to overpower you, you push back, and turn the tides,” Ghirahim continued, pushing his sword forward. Steel edges shrieked and sparked under the sudden force of the movement. Suddenly, he relinquished his pressure on the binding of their swords and allowed his blade to be carried by the force of Zant’s quaking strength. To Zant’s chagrin, he noted far too late that it sent the blade whacking right into the side of his helmet, sending him stumbling, but not yet into a fall.

Ghirahim demanded him again to stand and lunged at him a second time. Again Zant blocked him, but was now reluctant to push back. It was like he played into his hand on purpose! How delicious. “And when your enemy hesitates, all you have to do is take control.” With a twirl of his wrists, he swiveled his sword against the now flexible hold Zant had against him, and drove his blade directly into the padding around his gut. The Twili stumbled back with a screech, hand clasped over his now undoubtedly bruised hip. 

“Not unlike taking a lover, really,” Ghirahim chuckled, his tongue darting out to lap at his sword.

“Then quit fooling around,” Zant spat, “and let me try!”

Just for the sake of demonstration, he lowered his guard just a touch. He wanted the both of them to have some fun in the end, either way. Their swords struck one another with resounding clangs time and time again. With varying degrees of clumsiness, Zant managed to lock their blades in his favor and slip past his defenses. If Ghirahim didn’t know any better, he would almost think he was starting to enjoy himself behind that hideous helmet, leaving him to deal with the negligible pinpricks of his blade. This was all well and good, but he shouldn’t let him grow complacent. He waited for a decent rhythm to settle between them; back and forth, blocking and redirecting strikes, before he kicked his mischief into gear. Right as their blades stuck together in their bind, he smirked up at him. Before Zant could even think of reacting, he lunged in to hook his arm around his neck and lanky torso, and pushed. Chest pressed against chest, he snickered mischievously, pressing that struggling and whimpering buffoon closer to him.

One swift kick to his calf was all it took to knock him off balance. With a yelp and a wave of his arms, Zant protested, but hit the ground all the same. All of the defenseless Twili’s breath was forced out with a wheeze under the weight of Ghirahim’s metal body, and he laid there squirming, trying to wiggle out underneath from him. Of course, hooking a leg around his thigh for good measure, Ghirahim wasn’t going to let this happen.

He snickered, lifting his head to look at that deadpan helmet. “You were doing quite well, right up until you got distracted, there.”

“Your point has been made. Please get off of me,” Zant grunted, writhing again for good measure. He delighted in the subtle stutter of the man’s voice. Such a valiant attempt at hiding his fluster! Even when pinned under him like this, heaving and drenched with sweat, he was dead-set on properly practicing fighting with him. It was oddly sweet, to be so serious about a sparring session.

As much as Ghirahim was enjoying his time as the personification of a bear trap, he too had to relent, both for Zant’s and his own sake, and released him from his clutches. “Let’s try that again, shall we? And pay attention to me, this time.” A statement that went without saying, if you asked him!

Keese resting high, high upon the ceiling of the cavern huddled together with bulging eyes and watched carefully, shielding their ears from the monstrous clash of weapons below them. It certainly wasn’t that Zant was incapable. Though he wouldn’t admit it, bestial strength was hidden behind those stringy arms, and he hesitated not to remind him of it every time their swords smacked together. Still, each match lasted three seconds at most. The Twilight King was used to battling with his fists laced with magic, which made him a thoroughly fearsome opponent. However, the whole point of this exercise was to increase his martial skill. For all Ghirahim cared, he could fiddle with ways to combine proper sword-fighting techniques with his ancient magicks in his own time. Frankly, he couldn’t wait until he showed him what glorious recipes of death he managed to concoct. But he actually had to know how to handle a sword to do that, first. Every once in a while, Zant would slip past his guard, but each time, he could deliver not more than a would-be nick. Ghirahim, in the meantime, was showing him every corner of the cave, literally and metaphorically, sending him flying and skidding across the floor with every other thrust and kick. There, his footing was too far apart, and there, he left himself wide open for a stab, and there — He was losing count of the number of times he managed to punish him with gleeful violence. Zant wailed in frustration as Ghirahim knocked him over once more, laughing as he watched him fall. 

But if there was one thing Zant was good at, it was pushing himself to his limits, and far beyond it. He endured such beatings, such humiliation… To see such a side of him would be a privileged novelty, but truth be told, this was par for the course. But to do so even without the will of their Master, or the mortal threat of true battle… He couldn‘t help but dig around for hidden implications, and for just a moment, entertained the thought of it being all for him. This escapade was just far too exciting! 

Zant, too, was fired up. The thrill of getting to cross blades appeared to do wonders for his willpower. No matter how many times Ghirahim smacked him against the helmet or jabbed him into the shoulder, he would keep lunging for him, or flinging the oncoming assault away with his own strike. Such harsh attacks were powerful and effective, certainly, but posed a serious risk to the durability of his blade… Well, to try and beat that fighting style out of him was much like convincing a fish to stop swimming. Ghirahim decided it was pointless to drill him on it during his first lesson. 

And yet, right when he thought he had him cornered once again, Zant managed to trick him. With one step to the right and a swift turn of his wrists, Ghirahim had the tables turned on him. With his sword locked on Zant’s crossguard, he could only watch. Within a split second, his blade slid down his own, and the curled tip jabbed him right at the base of his neck. 

A smile graced his black, metallic lips. “I see you’ve finally decided to stop messing around.”

Zant giggled, stepping back to return to his starting position, freeing Ghirahim from the (non-existent) threat of his blade. “I have simply been closely observing you, as you’ve said.”

That snake! How long had he been fooling him for? From their battle with Midna, he should have learned that Zant was not beyond self-sabotage, to reach the goal of analyzing his enemy. With a twirl of his blade in his hands, Ghirahim smirked, and held his guarding blade in front of him again to force a wall of steel between them. “Then show me what you’ve learned.”

Zant paused, but did so steadfastly, observantly. He felt those eyes crawling on him, to the wiggle of his fingers and the slight bob of his legs as he braced himself with the right amount of spring in his step. Right when he was about to launch forward and catch him off guard, Zant struck first.

… With his elbows too far apart.

And so, he ducked right underneath the much taller man’s swing and smashed him right upside the chin with the pommel of his sword.

Even with a helmet on, such a blow was painful and staggering, and as expected, Zant lost his footing and landed flat on his back with a gasp. The hand that once held his sword, but no longer, dropped down defeatedly into the dust next to him, and he laid there, motionless.

Until he started to giggle.

Ghirahim shook his head, standing over him with his hand at his side. “I’ll have you know this is no laughing matter. Had I been serious, I would have shattered all your teeth with that maneuver.” Yet, those words only made him laugh harder. Zant’s chest shook with the force of his chortling, and he sat up, head hung limply down.

“Stop laughing. You’re dead! I’ve killed you!” He scolded, but completely involuntarily, the corner of his mouth crooked into a smile. For good measure, he decided to smack him on the side of the helmet, hard enough to make it bong like a temple bell but not enough to topple him over.

“Oh, this is hopeless,” Zant wheezed, shaking his head with defeated laughter. This only got him another whack of Ghirahim’s sword on his helmet, who was now similarly unable to hold back his laugh.

“Get up! Or I’ll kill you again,” he threatened, though the distraction of his giggling significantly hampered his power. His once so swift and furious swipes were now reduced to half-hearted taps. 

“Then my life is yours to take,” Zant swooned. He flopped backward, his arms falling limply and spread out by his sides. “I am exhausted.”

An unexpected pang shot through him at the Twili’s words, even though he knew very well they were intended as a joke. In an instant, he dropped his sword to the ground. The flimsy blade clattered for a moment, before coming to a standstill, dust kicking up under the impact. Before the cloud of sand could dissipate, he had already dropped down to straddle him. His hands slid down Zant’s sleeves and intertwined their fingers. He needed to make sure the Twilight King understood the weight of those words if spoken to a weapon. Zant was dense, but had he perhaps understood? Had he noticed, that his invitation today was not simply out of annoyance toward his lacking skill, but something more? Leaning close enough to hear the heaving breaths from behind his helmet, he whispered. “Do you promise?”

“… Ah.” Zant was frozen in place, both from his restraints and from the unrelenting thump of Ghirahim’s core, pulsing into him through his clothes. He understood, then, that accepting this invitation, and entangling in battle with him… It was never a matter of simple sparring. With a gasp, the visor of his helmet retracted, exposing the lower half of his face. “Ghirahim,” he uttered, his name like a confession on his lips. The whirring of the retracting shutters hardly had time to cease. Ghirahim already dove down, pressing a solid metal kiss against that mouth, before the sweetness of his tone could fully leave it.

… And it was met with a yelp.

“Oh! You’ll have to beg my pardon, I don’t know what came over me,” Ghirahim stammered, quickly freeing up his hands to fuss over his face. Zant groaned, rubbing at his sore lips. “That will leave a bruise…”

Against all odds, Zant appeared to still be in good humor and laughed off the petty injury. “I suppose we will have to leave further practice for some other day.”

Happy to not have ruined the mood too terribly, he decided he was laying quite comfortably on top of him, after all, and didn’t see any need to leave him. He casually folded his arms over the Twili’s chest and reclined on him. “The good news is, today was not as disastrous as I’d expected. But, but but but,” he tutted. “You are far from ready to wield that gorgeous blade you have stashed back at the keep.” He reached over with a finger, and sternly, yet playfully, pushed it on the flat of his nose. “I will want to train with you like this every morning… And perhaps the nights, too, if I don’t see enough improvement.”

Zant sputtered. “Every morning!?”

Clicking his tongue in response, he retracted his hand, tucking it back under himself. “Yes? As do our troops. What, are you scared it will take too much time away from snuggling before duty?” He bantered, cocking his head playfully.

With surprising strength for someone who just spent an hour getting clobbered, two stringy arms suddenly wrapped around him. Just like that, he was trapped in boney limbs and stiff fabric. “Is that not what we’re doing right now?”

“You — Childish fiend,” he spat with the undying confidence of someone who wasn’t maddened by affections. Of someone who wasn’t wrapped so thoroughly around some maniac’s little finger. “I’m taking us back to the keep.”

“That is, if you manage to untangle us,” Zant giggled, trapping him in an impenetrable barrier with his arms and tassels acting like a snare, and he the unsuspecting hare. “You wish to be discreet around our men, no?”

He struggled, wrestled, by all means, capable of ripping himself free now that he was in his true form, but knew he couldn’t. A smile involuntarily crept up on him when he realized just how little he wanted to. 

“You’re impossible!”

[saintsir4n]

4. COOK OUT

"WHAT about parts and service?" Mia asked as she held a folder in her hands.

Letty stood by a car, fixing it up, just as Carson came over, gleeful that she found the right paint to apply to her car.

Now she had excess money for the designs, rims and the stereo, soon she would drop by Harry's to get it and in turn, she would see Brian. She hoped he would be by with the 10-second car he promised, if not the car the parts, good, shiny, glistening parts that would send Jesse into a frenzy.

"Hold off on that," Dom answered.

"But, Dom, I don't know what to do with--" Mia cut herself off, eyes doubling in size at the sight of a nasty, old wrecked car, backing into the garage.

Carson's mouth gaped open.

"All right, what the hell is this?" Dom asked Brian, coming closer as did everyone else, wanting to know what the hell that thing was. "What do you got there?"

"This is your car," Brian said, proudly, earning a deadpanned look from Carson.

She blinked, "Brian, why are you tryin' me today?"

"Her car?" Dom pointed to himself as Jesse hit on the side of it with his fist. "I told you, she's a brat and one accepts nothin' less than a said a 10-second car, not a 10-minute car."

"Can you even imagine me near this thing? Respect me please," Carson said, making Letty laugh.

"Maybe you could push this across the finish line, or tow it." Jesse chuckled, staring at his friend who flipped him off.

"You couldn't even tow that across the finish line," Dom said. "Not with those nails anyway."

Carson motioned to her throat and grazed it with her acrylic nails, making Mia and Letty laugh.

"No faith." Brian shook his head a little with a smile, as the group laughed.

"Oh, I have faith in you, but this isn't a junkyard," Dom said, gesturing to the car. "This is a garage."

"Hey, pop the hood," Brian told Jesse.

Dom chuckled, "Pop the hood?"

"Pop the hood." Brian grinned at Dom. The team moved the car into the garage where Jesse opened the hood, making it fall completely off.

"Two J.Z. engine. No shit." Jesse said.

"Goddamn, look at that thing." Carson leaned closer to inspect it. "So pretty."

"And what did I tell you?" Brian smiled, crossing his arms.

"I retract my previous statement," Dom said, a little impressed.

"The car's still busted though," Carson mumbled, and Brian snorted.

"You know what?" Jesse said holding onto the crowbar he used to open the hood. "This will decimate all after you put about fifteen grand in it or more if we have to overnight parts from Japan."

"We'll put it on my tab at Harry's," Dom said.

"Yes!" Jesse sprinted off.

"I want the turbine and compressor," Carson said definitively.

Dom pondered, knowing she had every right to it and nodded.

"Jesse will be able to replicate the J.Z. but let him work his magic first."

Carson agreed, turning back to the engine, smiling at how shiny it looked.

"Now, I gotta get you racing again so I can make some money off your ass," Dom said to smiling Brian. "There's a showdown in the desert called Race Wars and that's where you'll do it." Mia and Carson exchanged an apprehensive look, "I'll tell you what. When you're not workin' at Harry's, you're workin' here. If you can't find the right tool in this garage, Mr. Arizona, you don't belong near a car."

Brian faced Carson with a smirk.

"What?" She waited for an answer, strolling over to him as everyone went back to their work.

His expression didn't falter which made her laugh.

"Boy, you're so stupid," she said, shaking her head.

"Yeah, text me that tonight," Brain quipped.

"Don't sweat it, you know I will."

__

The next day after a morning at the garage, it was time for an old-fashioned cookout or what other people called the Toretto family BQQ.

"Mia! Carson! Come on, the chicken's dry already." Dom called out to them as he grilled the chicken.

"Oh, shut it, we're coming!" Mia called back to him, as she, Jesse, and Brian walked out, some with food in hand, whilst the others set the table.

Dom greeted Mia, with a warm embrace just before everything was set and they sat down, ready to dig in.

Dom looked around, "Where's Summer?"

"Glued to the mirror," Mia replied, sitting down.

Carson finally emerged from the kitchen after checking her outfit, she wanted to look on point, for herself obviously, but maybe, just maybe a small part of her wanted Brian's attention.

The blonde had a double take when she came out of the house wearing a sheer pink two-piece that clung to all the right places. Her hair was up in a ponytail and silver earrings swung with every step. Her cross necklace settled above her cleavage and her glossy lips shone brighter than the sun.

"Damn," Leon muttered, shaking his head then turning back to the food before receiving a scolding lecture from Dom.

"You gotta little drool from your face, man, gonna ruin the grub," Jesse joked, snapping his fingers in Brian's face whilst Letty and Mia snickered to themselves.

Dom smiled at Carson, "Dressin' up for the family huh?"

She innocently smiled, "You know I always liked to look nice."

"And it's all for me," Letty winked at her, then innocently shrugged her shoulders after Dom playfully glared.

When Carson finally sat down next to Brian, it was clear to everyone that he was extremely happy about it.

He shot her subtle glances, even leaning over to say, "I still wanna see if it's true."

"What's true?" She said just as quietly as he did.

"The blacker the berry the sweeter the juice," he teased correctly this time.

She shook her head with a smile matching his, and when her head snapped up, Mia and Letty from opposite them were mimicking them.

Just as Leon went to sip on his corona, a familiar voice was heard.

"Sorry I'm late y'all," they all welcomed Keelie when she jogged over.

She closed the nail salon slightly early so she could attend one of Dom's family BBQs. In the past couple of years she'd known the man, he'd passed the invitation to her three or four times which she appreciated and made sure never to turn down.

"Almost missed Jesse crackin' his head open," Carson filled her in, as Keelie went around the table dapping up the guys and kissing the girl's cheeks.

Jesse craned his neck to the side, "You're lame for lyin', I was balancin' when I did that handstand."

"Failin' at it," Leon commented.

"Badly," Letty laughed, "Very badly. Still got any brain cells brother?"

"Doubt it," Carson stuck out her tongue when Jesse pretended to try and jump around Brian who playfully pushed him back down, despite the seriousness of his actions.

"Hey! Stop, sit down," Dom instructed and Jesse reluctantly did so.

Keelie finally reached her chair, next to Mia, who surprisingly greeted her with a kiss, much to everyone's surprise.

"Woah," Leon choked on his beer.

Jesse looked to the sky, "There is a God."

"Don't be creepy," Carson hissed, then immediately squealed at the sight of her two blushing friends.

"Cats finally out of the bag," Brian murmured just before they all turned to a calm Dom.

"About time," he spoke up, grinning at the two women.

"You knew?" They said in unison.

"Torettos ain't known for subtlety," he replied, pointing his finger toward Mia, who laughed, "Plus you need to start puttin' a sock on your door."

"Gettin' busy in Casa Toretto," Letty nudged her friend.

"You can't say anythin', Leticia," Keelie shut her down.

Dom smirked and Letty narrowed her eyes.

"Nothing at all," Carson added, then looked at Mia, "Hey girl, if KeKe screws you over, my doors always open."

"Shut up," Keelie chucked a piece of bread at her.

Mia snorted, "I'll keep that in mind."

Keelie's eyes darted towards Brian, "Blondie, control your girl."

Brian seemed to like that term.

"I'm not his girl," Carson said melodically, and no one took it seriously.

"Not yet," Brian said, promisingly, creeping his hand onto her lower bare thigh, before she slapped it away, despite wanting it to remain there.

"Wait. Hold up." Dom said as Jesse grabbed a piece of chicken amid all the commotion. "Because you were the first out of everyone here to reach in to get the chicken, you say grace."

Everyone bowed their heads and held hands.

Brian's thumb trailed over the back of Carson's hand, extracting a soft smile from her. He was really sending her heartbeat levels into a craze.

"Dear heavenly, uh--" Jesse blanked for a moment, amusing everyone.

"Spirit." Leon finished for him.

"Spirit. Thank you." Jesse continued. "Uh, thank you for providing us with a direct port nitrous, uh, injection," Carson held back a shriek when Brian pinched her side for laughing. "Four-core intercoolers and ball-bearing turbos, and, um, titanium valve springs. Thank you."

"Amen!" Leon said and the rest of them clapped.

"He was prayin' to the car gods, man." Letty praised, ready to dig in.

"If he's not the best," Dom said smiling, as he passed the plate of chicken around.

Carson tried her best not to make a mess; one, not to ruin her outfit and makeup and two, because she knew if Brain wasn't here, she would tear up the table.

"Look who it is," Leon said. They all turned their heads to see Vince walking towards them after calming down from his earlier strop. Keelie's mood faltered. "Old Coyotes 'R' Us. I thought you were hungry, pumpkin."

Carson could tell her closest friend wasn't excited by Vince's presence nor was Brian. So she blew a kiss to Keelie and allowed Brian to rest his hand on her thigh, for comfort of course.

"You know, I gotta eat." Vince shrugged off any insults thrown his way.

"He's always hungry," Letty said, blankly.

"All right, sit down." Dom waved him over. As Vince passed, he rubbed Dom's head, saying thank you. Vince greeted Mia, Letty and even Keelie before nodding at the rest of them. His eyes found a smiling Carson, and just as he was about to mirror her expression, he saw Brian sitting there.

"Sup Vincent," Carson tried drawing his attention.

"Summer, lookin' good," Vince complimented.

"Feelin' it too."

Brian almost scoffed when his drink was snatched by Vince but Carson's nails trailed along his thigh, making some of the tension filling his body deflate.

As they started digging into the food, Dom softly asked Vince, "So how's your mom?..."

__

After dinner, the team went to the living room to watch a movie. Carson lost rock paper and scissors and had to do the dishes. She hated it – getting water all up her arms and gunk in her nails – even when she used gloves she hated it, which is why everyone took in so much pleasure in seeing her do it. Jesse picked the movie: Scream 3, which she would be missing out on the beginning all because of a bunch of dirty dishes.

"Need a hand?" Brian chuckled when he walked into the kitchen, Carson hadn't begun and didn't look like she was about to.

"You gonna do it for me?" she asked, pouting slightly and he nodded, coming over. "Thanks."

"But you're gonna have to stay in the room, you know, to keep me company," he explained, slipping beside her and picking up a plate.

She nodded, more enthusiastically than she should, "Of course."

"You had a good time?" Brian asked, placing the rest of the plates in the sink.

"When I eat somethin' I don't have to cook, I always have a good time," she told him.

"Good to know, at least I know what to plan for our date," Brain wasn't joking at all.

"You wanna take me out so bad," she said through her laughter.

He hummed, "I do."

Carson's eyes darted between him and the plate he was drying up before a mischievous smile started to form on her face.

"Okay, I'll go out with you," Brian literally almost dropped the plate out of shock drawing a giggle from her, "but as a pity date since you lost against me."

"A pity date?" his excitement didn't falter.

"Yeah, a pity date, take it or leave it," Carson teased, folding her arms and suddenly all the dishes were forgotten.

He wiped his hands, turning to face her, "I'd be a fool to leave it wouldn't I?"

"The biggest," she agreed, beaming up at him. Brain neared closer, extending an arm around her, caging her against the counter. "So, where are we goin'?"

His eyes dropped to her chest, seeing how quickly it rose and fell, no doubt due to their proximity.

"Where did you want me to take you?" his voice sounded huskier than she expected, which made her hands reach out to his forearms, "You wanna eat right?" she slowly nodded gaze moving between his lips and eyes, "I'll make sure you do."

Damn, this man made her mouth water.

But before he could say anything else, the sound of the microwave roughly opening had them jumping apart.

Vince had been glaring the moment he stumbled into the kitchen, grossed out by the fact Brian was all over his surrogate sister.

He chucked in a bag of popcorn, drunkenly glancing around.

"Wash my car when you get done," he said, bitterly laughing.

"I know you're not talkin' to me." Carson glared at him, annoyed that he ruined their little moment.

"No, Summer, I'm talking to the punk. And wear your favourite dress, 'cause when you're done, I'm puttin' you on the street where you belong cutie." Carson looked up at Brian, seeing how hard his jaw was clenched. Vince snickered to himself, turning to face the microwave. He pushed some buttons and hit the side. "Is this thing broken? What's wrong with this thing?"

Carson rolled her eyes, shuffling closer to the macho man, "V?" she exclaimed, getting his attention. "Vincent, what was that Cuban restaurant you rave about? The one with the picadillo and the --"

"Little red candles and the wooden table?" Vince answered, slightly confused.

"Yeah," Carson hummed, coming to stand in front of him. "The plantain too. You know I love that stuff, what's it called?"

"Cha Cha Cha," Vince said, raising a brow.

Carson clapped, clasping her hands together and turned back to Brian, walking a little closer over.

"Well, you can take me there, for our date. Pick me up Friday night at 10. Cool?" she asked.

"Yeah, it's cool," Brian nodded, trying to suppress his excitement. Their date would be in 5 days. "For a pity date."

"Yeah, for a pity," Carson grinned.

The two turned around when Vince angrily backed out of the room, hitting the door when he stormed out.

They heard him yell, "Make your own goddamn popcorn!"

"Christ," Carson laughed as Brian started washing up again, side-eying her outfit.

"I forgot to tell you somethin'," He said.

"Keepin' secrets already?" she teased, earning a nervous chuckle, "What's up?"

"You look amazin' today," he cheekily smiled at her.

Carson just rolled her eyes but muttered a small thank you before she started talking about all the changes she was going to make to her car. She ranted and stammered occasionally and yet he listened intently, nodding along and sliding in his input when needed.

He couldn't wait for their date, he was going out with the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen.

And to him, that made him a winner.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

a/n:

what I've realised is that this movie took place over at least a month or three weeks, nothing more. it feels like less time but i can't tell. all i know is that you can catch feelings in one setting just depends on the person. so if carson and brian seem like they're going very quickly its because they are.

how are you liking the story? (btw I've started posting it on tumblr as well).

[tparker48]

Request for Lord Dominator

It was just about an hour since Enrique went to practice with his friends. His dad wanted them to focus on improving their strengths for the evening. Enrique was the first to take initiative, heading to the weights to increase his muscle mass to accommodate for lifting up his opponents. But a couple minutes in, he stopped as he went to take breaks. His friends  taking notice as they joined him along the benches. After practice ended, his dad invited the players to a sleepover at their house. It wasn't much of a hassle to control a few players when they were at the exceptional portions, so he thought why not.

Giving them the address, Enrique’s dad drove him home as He prepared for the night ahead. Enrique deciding to game as he awaited their arrival. Pausing the game, he went to the door as the bell ran, looming into its  frame as he peeked through the hole. Nothing but the distant houses across the street filling the space. "Huh.." He pondered, unlatching the door as he took a peek outside. A sudden blur dashing into him as arms large hugged at his back. Rolling upon the floor as Enrique landed on his back, pairs of legs cradling his head before a thick crotch sat on his face. 

"Gotcha!" Morris said, crossing his arms as he sat atop Enrique "Told ya he'd fall for it!"

"Good to see you too Morris...." Enrique muttered beneath him. The other player peeking inside as they stood next to Morris. 

"This sleepover is gonna be great, I can just tell." Ezeke said, placing his bags along the table. Heading to the couch to sit down. Enrique tried to get up to join him, but Morris readjusted his weight.

"Uh-uh, gotta use that upper body strength riquey boy. Can’t have ya half-assing it like you did at practice" Morris taunted, dipping his crotch forward. his bulge rested on his forehead, piling in size as the his shorts started to stretch. He rubbed vigorously over Enrique’s face as he enjoyed the dominance he had in that moment,but  a palm dug into his shorts as it caught his attention, fishing into his asscrack as he shot off Enrique like a rocket. "Ah!"

"There, I got you off. Good to see you’re still sensitive in that area" Enrique chuckled, wiping his hand on his pants as he started to get up. But looked up as Morris tackled him, sending them backwards

"That was a cheap move you twerp!"

"Consider it payback!"

The two rolled around the living room floor, knocking into their bags before rolling over to the furniture. Colliding into the couch as it shifted to the right. "These two.." Ezeke sighed, rubbing his face into his palm before the sound of steps lingered in the halls.

"Alright Alright, save it for the mats" Enrique's dad stepped out, the two ceasing their tussling as the two leaned up from the side of the couch. "You two really need to work on your forms. If it were a real match you'd be down in seconds" he said, ushering them to sit on the couch. Enrique and Morris obliged as they got up from the floor, Morris taking an extra step as he knocked his hip into Enrique's. 

"You're lucky I was tired." Morris said.

Enrique only rolled his eyes in response, adjusting himself on the couch as his father stepped inside fully. "So what's the plan dad? Were we doing training?"

"Hold your horses, We're still waiting for one more." He replied, a knock on the door soon piercing the room. "And that must be him." He walked over to the door and opened it to the inside. A very broad but well built man stepped into the light as they held their backpack in hand. "Winston! Glad you could make it!" Enrique's dad greeted him, the two locking hands.

"It's good to see you two, I see the years have been treating you well" he replied.

"Who's that?" Enrique asked

"Right. Boys, this here is my good friend Winston, an old wrestling mate I had back in college."

"Pleasure to meet you all." 

"He's going to be staying with us tonight"

"The more the merrier" Ezeke said.

"That's the spirit! Now that the pleasantries are done, we'll start with changing clothes" Enrique’s dad said, Winston walking over to the table as he set his bag along it. "You boys change out here, me and Winston got the back rooms.'' the two made their way through the hallway, disappearing into their own separate rooms as the house got quieter. The boys starting to change as well, pulling out their singlet before they took their clothes off.

"I wonder what Coach is gonna make us do this time?" Ezekiel asked, taking off his shirt as he tossed it to the side,

"Probably some leg lifts or something, I heard from the team he's been working on getting their legs up." Enrique responded. 

"Leg lifts? that's not where it's at, it's all in the muscle!" Morris claimed, flexing his arms in the air. "Hahaa See!?"

"Muscle is one thing, Morris.." Enrique interrupted "but you gotta have smarts too. Otherwise you'd be all Brawns and no brains."

"Brains? Pah, who needs brains when you got all this?" 

"My points exactly.."

"Oh yeah, well then Mr Brains, let's test it." Morris tackled Enrique as the two stumbled backwards. Morris loomed his weight into Enrique, forcing him to hold his body up as they slid along the carpet..

"Hey! Dad said to save it for the mats"

"You’re right, he did" Morris agreed, edging himself closer "but your dad, isn't here is he?" with that, Morris pushed more of his weight into Enrique. His body Overshadowed his own, pushing the two of them into the table as it slid just slightly, the bag on top scooting over before it dangled over the edge. A bottle knocking out of its cup holder as it wobbled over the edge.

"Get off!" Enrique shouted.

"Make me Smart pants!" Morris replied.

"E-easy guys! I really don't wanna get in trouble an-"

Splash! The bottle in the bag tipped over, dosing into Morris's back before it spilled over to Enrique. In an instant, The two suddenly Shrank, Their underwear floating in the air before they fell to the ground. "Huh!?" Ezeke gasped racing over to the empty fabric, noticing bulges underneath as he plucked against the waistband. Lifting it away, his eyes widened to what lied there. Morris was the size of a tennis ball, sitting on his knees bare as knocked away the clothing

"Woah, what the heck happened to my size. I feel so small" Morris awed at his state, feeling movement below as he looked between his legs, Enrique’s head would be stuck between them, his cock sitting over him.

"If you're done sightseeing- grk..peh, you can get off now!" Enrique said, moving the cock’s length to the side, the head dippimg to his cheek as he scoffed at it.

"Hehehe, oh I'm digging this. Even when im small, you’re much smaller." Morris smirked, picking up his shaft as he tapped it against Enrique. “Boop, boop, boop” he said repeatedly, chuckling to himself as he Rubbed  its slick surface across his face, feeling the air from his nose flare into his balls before he lifted them over the bridge of his brow.

"Mph! peh! Come on man!" Enrique yelled, blinded by the large sack that smothered over his eyes, its damp, sticky surface marinating its ripe smell into his nostrils. He tried to force them away, guiding the loose skin away from his nose. But the sac only rode on top of him, One testicle slouching more than the other as his face rocked in place.

"Don’t tell me you’re overwhelmed, I'm barely making up a sweat. Im getting hard just sitting here." He taunted, ushering his thighs closer as his calves moved beneath his head. His meaty thighs edging closer as they cushioned his neck them like pillows. "In fact, I think I'm edging to jerk off." 

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh I dare" Morris taunted, eagerly wiggling his fingers as he reached for his cock. "Let's see long it takes before I-" a hand would interrupt Morris. Pulling him off as another went to grab Enrique. "Hey!"

"That's enough Morris, this is not the time for playing around" Ezeke said, lifting the two wrestlers to eye level.

"Ah come, I was just playing. Right Enrique?" 

Enrique rubbed over his eyes, clearing them of the bits of sweat that stinged his eyes. "Peh..I guess."

"Seriously you guys. Look at you, how are we gonna get your sizes back if you're-" Ezeke paused as a spark zipped through his body. Shrinking as well as the three of them went airborne. The three crashing to the pairs of underwear as they flattened underneath them.

"Ow!.." Enrique groaned, tending to his back as the impact vibrated. "Are you alright Ezeke."

"Yeah, I think I am." he said, looking around at the surrounding underwear. "Where's Morris"

"Right under you.." he muffled, Ezeke tilting on his side to him. 

"Ah sorry" Ezeke said, lifting off as he stood up, Morris getting to his feet to join them.

"Well now what? We're all shrunk!" Enrique said.

"Meh, I don't see the problem in it. I'm still bigger than you."

" That's besides the point! Dad and his Winston are gonna show up any minute!"

Click! A door echoed from the hallway. As the three looked, Winston came out from the shadows. "I forgot my shorts in here.." He muttered, walking towards his bag. Noticing a bottle tipped over as it spilt on the floor. "Ah man, there goes my elixer." He groaned, picking up the bag as it slipped out from the bag. The three below watching it hurtled as they dodged from its impact. A finger stepping over where they were as Winston picked it up. "I just got themis this thing too.."

As the hand retreated, Winston took his bag as he returned to the room. The three boys stumbling to their feet as they peeked over the pillow. 

"That was a close one, we almost got stepped on."

"Ah lighten up a little, I welcome him to try and step on us."

"I'd rather not.." Ezeke said.

"Ah you bunch of worry warts. Where's your sense of adventure? There is a lot we can do at this size." Morris paused as he looked to the hallway, a smile drawing across his face " in fact I'll show you!" With that, he raced towards the pathway. 

"Where are you going?!"

"Adventure!" Morris yelled, darting into the hallway. Enrique and Ezeke chasing after him.

"Morris, I swear to god you get back here!"

"You're gonna have to catch me first!" He yelled back, darting into the hallway as he went to the door Winston went through. Slipping underneath the frame before Enrique and Ezeke showed up.

"Dang it, he went into Winston's room." Ezeke said.

"We Gotta follow, I'm not trying to run laps because of his foolery" Enrique replied, sinking underneath the door's frame to the otherside. Ezeke hesitated at first, but shook his head as he followed behind. 

The two entered into a cool area, curtains draped across four windows as a light shined in the center. Ezeke was in complete awe as he stared at the surrounding room. Evening at his height, the room held its beauty to its fullest. "He's gotta be around here somewhere." Enrique's voice snapped him out of his trance. Following behind him as they ventured further into the room. They circled around a leg of a table as they scouted the rest of the area. Looking around for their friend amongst the other furniture, but their gaze faced to the side as a very loud hum lingered. A foot stepping down into the carpet as it flowed past them.

"Hm..hm hm..'' Winston hummed, traversing through the room to his bed. His body naked as he roamed around. Fishing out pairs of underwear as he placed them onto the floor. "Let's see, which pair should I wear this time?" He pondered, hovering two pairs in front of him. "Briefs..or boxers?"

While Winston focused on the fabric above, Ezeke and Enrique searched the ground below. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, everything was organized as it should, the items surrounding the table and bed were just about untouched. But a shadow flew by the corner of Enrique’s eye, quick to gaze toward it before darting to a sound near the windows. "I know he's over here somewhere."

"Uh Enrique.." Ezeke tapped at his shoulder "I think I know where Morris went." he pointed back to Winston as the two stared at the pairs of feet ahead. Just underneath the bed, a small silhouette would be standing there, Morris's beaming smile spread across his face as he loomed into the light.

"What is that idiot doing?" Enrique asked.

"Boxers! Yeah I think I'll go with those." Winston said, lowering them to the ground as he pulled his singlet to the floor, placing his boxers on top before placing his feet inside the leg holes.

"Hehehe.." Winston chuckled, eying the shifting feet as they nestled beneath the fabric. With a leap, he jumped in between the legs and onto the pouch of the boxers.

"Morris!" He heard his name, peeking over the edge to see Enrique racing toward him. "Don't you dare!" He yelled.

Morris only smiled, waving his hand just as Winston's grabbed onto the waistband. Hoisting them up, they raced to the coach’s waist, wrapping around the large rear as Enrique arrived at his feet. "Grgh-rgh..what is that?" Winston paused, feeling a smaller object slink between his crack. Like a switch, he started to fidget, noticing a bulge bulge begin to move as it raced around his boxers. "Gah! What the heck is that?!" Winston shouted, taking to his rear, the bulge glided around its ridge to dodge the incoming fingers. Following its sporadic movement as his palms mushed into soft skin and clothing.It was like trying to catch a squirrel as it raced from his crash and towards his crotch, spinning through and around the crevices of thighs before pushed into the bulk of his sac.

Enrique  watched the coach above, evading the stomping feet below the wind created by them as they nearly knocked  him over. jumped on one of them as he began to climb up, but it  bucked as it sent him to the sheet of the bed. "This is getting out of hand!" He cursed, climbing to the top of the bed. Getting to his feet, he turned to the fidgeting coach as he stumbled around. Clawing at his underwear as he sunk his fingers inside. 

"It won't come out!" Winston shouted, waddling over to the bed like a mad man  as he tried to ease himself. A sudden tug making him jerk as he leapt into the air, and fell onto the bed.

Enrique tried to run, scurrying to the corners of the bed. but looked up as Winston's shadow casted over head. With a sudden thud, he crashed into the bed as it sank underneath his weight. Enrique was too slow to react, sinking it the crater it created, before its spring catapulted him into the air. "Aah-aah!" He yelped through the air.  The room flipped around as he flailed for something to grab, his hands landing on a slim bulb as it broke his spins, a chain attached to it that kept it airborne. "Thank goodness for the lamp.." he sighed, looking below to Winston that writhed on the bed. "Ezeke do something!" Enrique telled.

"The heck do you want me to do!?" He answered.

As the two watched the coach, the door  opened as Enrique's dad walked in. "What's all the commotion in here!?" He asked, his gaze meeting his friend that laid along the bed.

"Somethings lingering in my britches! Grgh..I can't get it out" Winston replied, rolling around, he displayed his rear toward, the bulge running around his backside as it slithered through the thin outline of his crack.

Enrique”s dad rushed to his side, patting at his rear to stop the bulge from moving. But it was too slim to grasp, slipping through his fingers with each grab he would attempt. "Now now, hold still."

"I'm trying to!" Winston replied. 

Enrique watched from above them, keeping an eye as he watched his dad mess with the coach's underwear. "Great dad's here too. As if things couldn't get any worse." He groaned. He went to hoist himself for more leverage, but his foot lost slipped off the smooth edge of the bulb. sending him down as he slipped back to the wooden bulb underneath. As he snagged the chain, the ceiling fan started to spin. "Oh no.." Enrique said, the fan spinning faster. It’s wind beginning to flow as his hands skidded along the bulb. "Oh no no!"

He fumbled his fingers to keep ahold of the bulb, but to no avail. When his fingers slipped, he fell through the air like a rock, falling to the coaches below at a quickening speed. "Gotta grab something! Gotta grab something!" he yelled,  flailing his arms for anything as the ground hurtled closer. his hand yanking on his dad’s waistband. Its length extended from his waist as it sagged in place, Mooning Enrique as the bubbled flesh jiggled above. “Ah! That not a site I want to see!” he winced.

"Hold still, I almost got it!"

"I'm trying to hold still!"

Enrique’s dad moved around, his body jerking from one side of the bed to the other as his friend shifted and fidgeted in place. Enrique held on for the life of him, whiplashing with the fabric with each turn his dad would make. It was like holding onto the reims of a horse, his body flinging across the waistband as the stretchy fabric dared to fling him off. "I think I'm gonna be sick" He groaned.

Among the coach’s tussling, His dad's waist  knocked into the side of the bed. The corner of the underwear snagging on the wooden board as it  stretched away from his body, extending an inch away as Enrique’s hold became difficult. With the increase in pressure, the elastic band pinned against his hand. "Grhh!..Grgh!" He winced, the band stretching farther as his dad moved further away.

"This blasted thing is stubborn. Just hold still and I can..get..gah this lousy corner!" Enrique's dad yelled, jerking his hips forward to loosen his underwear, the fabric slipping off as it raced to his backside. But it wasn't the only one, as the waist band snapped back, so did Enrique as he clinged to the end of the waistband. Hurtling forward as he raced to the hairy butt in front of him. 

"No no no-!"

Slorsh! 

"Gah?!"

Enrique lodged onto his father's crack with an abrupt squelch. The hairy muscle still coated in sweat as his body raced to the bottom, driving himself deeper  until the hole cushioned at his back. Enrique couldn't see, his limbs scrunched together by his father's thick muscle, unable to move as they were stopped from pushing.

A-grh! What is that!?" His father shouted. Taking to his own underwear as fished through his crack, caving next to Winston on the bed as he fished through his own ass. Reaching inside, he found the object causing the disruption, pulling it out to the air as he opened his palm. "Enrique?!"

"Hehehe...hey dad!" he waved hesitantly.

"How did you get so small!? More importantly, why are you in my underwear!?"

"Hrgh! Got it" Winston announced, pulling out the object from his underwear as well. Revealing Morris  in his palm.

"Now that was an adventure." Morris sighed.

"Morris too!? Enrique! What is the meaning of this?!"

"I-it's a long story..."

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------

After chewing out the boys for their fiasco, the two coaches prepared for their session inside the garage. The mats were set as they rested against the cemented floor, The coaches standing on the sidelines as they got ready. While they did, Enrique and the other two boys would be on the table, weighted down by one of the coach's leg pads as it sat on their legs.

"Come on dad, it was an accident."

"That's enough Enrique, it's over now. We'll discuss punishments after Me and Winston's session." He replied.

"All that tussling you boy's caused has my body all pumped up. I can barely walk without feeling aroused." Winston’s face flushed red. Rubbing his crotch to ease the feeling,still remembering the little bulge that swirled around it. But a palm on his shoulder brought him out of it.

"Now now, Winston. We'll get that body of yours some good working out. How about we draw out old traditions?" Enrique's dad replied, holding up a bottle of oil. 

"Hah, the old classic huh? It has been a while since we did that, Why not." Winston replied. He cupped his hands out in front of him, Enrique's dad pooping off the cap as he poured the portion of oil into his hands. Just as the portion filled to his fingertips, he brought it to his body. He lathered around the corners of his chest first, letting its pile spill into his torso as he rubbed it around. Eneique's dad doing the same as he a portion of his own on his back, dosing a corners along his body before he proceeded to rub. 

Enrique and the other boys watched, the coach rubbing over every pocket of flesh, every crevice of their body until everything was lathered down. It took a few minutes, but they eventually finished as they took to the mats,wearing nothing but their shorts as their bodies glistened in the light. Even their steps were covered in oil as they positioned themselves at the center of the mat.

"Are you ready Winston" Enrique's dad asked, readying into his stance.

"Ready." Winston replied, taking his stance as well as the two stared at each other.

Quiet soon filled the room upon their staredown, Enrique and the other’s watching the two as they arched quietly. But in a sudden burst, the two charged at each other. Their bodies slid together before they locked arms. Stumbling around the other's weight before Winston planted his feet to the ground. Sliding as Enrique's dad did the same. Both coaches grunted as they wrestled, Enrique's dad charging into Winston. Knocking into the coach's torso before he felt arms wrap around his neck.

"Oh man, look at them go.."Ezeke said.

"I call bets on coach Winston" Morris said.

"Please, my dad can win against him" Enrique replied.

Winston charged forward as the two wrestlers went to the ground, taking advantage as Enrique's dad landed on his back. The two slid across the Mat before stopping at the center. Winston's chest rubbed against him before his father slithered his way from underneath. Keeping his shoulders from touching the ground as he rolled to Winston's back.

"I don't know who's gonna win, but it seems pretty close." Ezeke said.

"I'm telling ya, Winston's totally win."

"And I say my dad's gonna win!"

"Winston will!"

"No, dad will!"

"Ah geez these two.." Ezeke said, shaking his head before watching the two coaches.

About ten minutes had passed since their match began. Both coaches now back onto their feet as they locked. Their limbs were shaking from the long duration, both panting as they both struggled to barely stand up.

Taking in a breath, Winston went in for a charge. His thrust weaker than before as he collided against Enrique's dad's waist. The coach was able to catch him, but sluggishly as they tugged against each other. Their bodies gave way, the coaches tumbling to the ground as they rolled over on their backs.

"Huh..looks like the match is a draw." Ezeke said.

"Damn.." Enrique and Morris said, the two looking at each other before looking the other way.

"I'm not as flexible as I used to be, but it was fine to have at it for old times sake" Enrique's dad said, raising a hand in the air towards Winston.

"Hah, you said it" Morris agreed, taking a hold of the palm as the two locked fists.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the lockers, the coaches commenced with training the little players. Splitting them up as Morris went with Winston, while Enrique and Ezeke went with his dad. But they didn't come without punishment for their recent fiasco. Normally they would run for the duration of practice, but with their size, the coaches had to get more creative.

"Hrgh...hrrrgh...hrr-rgh!" Ezeke would be on the floor as he held up a soft platform above him. Toes arching overhead as he did his lunges.

"1...2...3..3..3, you're stuck at three until you get lower Ezeke."

"I'm doing...hah..the best I can!" Ezeke wheezed, his legs quaking as the foot above loomed closer. Crackling as his  knees were forced to the ground. He tried to rise, but legs stuck to the floor like glue. "Sir, that's too much weight! I can't..move my legs!"

Enrique's dad only crossed his arms, looking down to his foot below "Then you best get to lifting Ezeke, your opponents certainly won't care about their weight on top of you. Push through it" He pressed down more to plant his foot at his back, feeling it bounce like a spring as Ezeke struggled to lift it up. "You want space to make, make space."

Mph! Mph!" Muffled grunts came from his backside, Enrique's dad looking behind as he clenched his thick hide together. "And don't you be slacking off back there Enrique. I may be your dad, but that doesn't make it an excuse."

Enrique was in a whole different world of his own. Darkness filled his vision as bubbled skin surrounded him. Nothing but a single glow stick illuminating the bubbled muscle as oil glistened around them. "I told you dad, it was an accident, I didn't mean to-" he paused as the glutes caved in, squeezing his body into a fetal position as oil secreted his back. He could hear the muscle inside them squeak into his ears, threatening to take more space as his chin met his knees. But he managed to get a hold on them, pushing the stubborn muscle back, hearing his limbs pop upon stretching them to their max. "Rrr-gah!" 

"Good, you managed to push them back." His dad congratulated him. "But don't think it will be so easy to hold off your opponent." The walls started to stiffen, shrinking the space Enrique created as he struggled to hold them back. Managing to hold them for a second, but the muscle was quick to bypass his strength. Folding his arms and legs like paper clips.

“Hrgh-ghh!" His father's rear smashed into Enrique. sending him back into a fetal position, but this time, they wouldn’t unclench. But instead, grew tighter as the muscles groaned all around him.

"Your opponent will be relentless, subduing you without a second glance." His father finished, squeezing his glutes harder until he could feel Enrique mold into the fleshy walls. His distant grunts softening in the process. Enrique fumbled around the oiled skin as best he could, maneuvering himself parallel as the mounds above sandwiched him against the bottom.

"Well-grk! I suppose this is our workout for today-grk!" Enrique gritted through his teeth, a clench sending flesh into his face. It refused to move as he tried his best to push it away, the flesh folding around him like a face mask before pinning against his ears. But he managed to get a fold up as he gasped in the frowsty air, coughing from it before he finally spoke. "I wonder what Morris's training is-grk..couldn't be much worse than us.."

In the opposite locker room, Winston would be standing near the edge of a table, a hand at his side as he lifted his cock in the air. His balls suspended off the ground, and underneath them, Morris, bending his knees as his hands were placed on the testicles above. "Since you like playing around with my goods, Morris. you can use them for your training." Wisnton said.

"I..Isn't this a bit too much for a wrestler?!" Morris wheezed, lifting the balls higher to keep them from dropping. Stumbling his feet,  he rose them awkwardly as the clammed skin poured onto his palm, the testicle above taking advantage as it slinked its way through them and landed onto Morris's back.  He grunted heavily upon the sudden weight, the round orb sinking against his body like an anchor. His legs cracked as they curled his feet onto his toes. "Heavy! Heavy!" He strained. 

"It's not so easy handling someone bigger than you is it? Perhaps this'll be a lesson for you." Winston said, dropping his shaft on top of his balls, sending Morris to his knees with a heavy grunt. "5 lunges will suffice for your work out."

"Ah this some bull-"

"Make that 10 lunges."

[invisibleraven]

dragging them out to every restaurant or store to get the free drinks or birthday benefits just gives me big Sunset Curve energy.

"I still don't see what the big deal is," Reggie grumbled as they entered the bar. "It's loud and sticky here."

"Bud we gotta get our name out there somehow," Luke replied, a wide grin on his face. "This place does live music so we gotta try!"

"Plus Bobby knows the bouncer, so be glad we got in here at all," Alex said, glancing around nervously. "You're not even supposed to be in here."

"Not my fault you guys are all spring and summer babies," Reggie replied with a shrug.

They approached the bar, Luke trying to wave down the bartender, who looked at them unimpressed. "IDs or out fellas."

"We're here to talk to Vasco about playing!" Luke shouted at him.

"I don't care if you're here to see the queen, I can lose my license if you're here under 21, so show 'rm or shove off," the man stated.

Bobby, Alex and Luke all grumbled as they pulled out their wallets. Reggie just smiled and offered the man his fake-which was pretty good, if he said so himself.

The bartender glanced over each one, stopping at Reggie's, glancing at the bassist and then back at the card. "Well, seems we've got ourselves a birthday boy. You want a drink on the house while you wait?"

"Yes please!" Bobby and Luke chorused.

"Not you," the bartender said, then gestured to Reggie. "Just him."

"Oh, I don't drink," Reggie said. "But could I get a Coke instead?"

"Sure thing buddy."

The bartender walked off and the guys crowded around Reggie. "Did you seriously have today's date as your birthday?" Bobby hissed.

"Well yeah, I didn't want to use my real birthday, otherwise I'd get them confused," Reggie replied. "But hey, not gonna complain about a free drink."

"You think we can convince other places to give us free stuff if we show them that tonight?" Luke pondered.

"Let's meet with the bar manager and try fraud later," Alex replied.

"I say we try for someplace that serves ice cream first," Bobby proposed.

'Nah man, food first, dessert later," Luke argued back.

"It's my fake birthday, I get to decide," Reggie interjected.

Alex rolled his eyes. "I swear I can't take you guys anywhere."

The bartender returned with Reggie's coke, and a man trailing him. "These are the guys that wanted to see you boss."

Vasco was a large imposing man, but he cracked a smile at them. "Lemme guess, you guys are a band?"

Luke beamed and launched into his spiel, pressing one of their demos into the man's hands. He looked it over and nodded, promising to give them a call if anything opened up, with Bobby passing over the number for his pager, plus the studio's number, since Celia had been nice enough to pay for their own line and an answering machine out there.

High on their semi-success, they whooped as they entered the humid night air, Bobby throwing an arm over Reggie's shoulders. "Okay birthday boy, where to next?"

"Pizza," Reggie said. "I heard Gino's will give you a free slice on your birthday."

"What about us?" Luke asked.

Reggie shrugged. "Pay?"

Luke scowled but then raced after them. "Next time can it be my fake birthday? I wanna see if Guitar World will give me a discount..."

[stxrmylxve]

Welcome to eternity.

NOTICE: I was going to make this a series, but honestly i’ve been pondering this for days and have no idea where to go from here lol. Just think of this as like angst to admiration with the haitani brothers??

summed up: once they find you, you’ll never leave.

notes:

drugs/pills

cussing

fem!reader

fighting

kidnapping? (sorta)

suggestive content if you squint really hard (ran)

some pet names

enjoy??!

—————————————————————————

You rubbed your eyes, the lack of sleep getting to you as you pulled out the keys to your apartment. You did, however, catch the white envelope sitting on the floor in front of your door after you had closed the door. You leaned down and picked it up, wondering why they hadn’t just put it in your box instead of walking it up four flights of stairs to put it here.

You threw your keys in the bowl and took your shoes off, pulling up your hair and ripping open the envelope. Inside were pictures of.. you. You at the store last week, you singing in the kitchen (embarrassing), you in you bedroom. This almost gave you a heartattack, how long had they been watching you?

You tore the photos up and threw them in the trash, scared to even have something like that near you. You sighed to yourself and went to take a shower, hoping this was all a dream and you would wake up with some warmth in your system.

It however wasn’t, as much as it pained you to know. You wouldn’t wake up. And you would never have the same life again.

When you got out of the shower, you dried off, put on a shirt and shorts, and started on your hair. After detangling it, you returned to your bedroom to (hopefully) get a good night’s rest and just eat in the morning instead of tonight as you were worn out from the events of the day.

You put your things up in the closet and turned around to find two young men sitting on your bed, both having purple accents to their hair. You figured they were either the ones or affiliated with the ones that had been watching you, so you calmly closed the door and fully walked into the room.

“Nice baton. What is that, your pet beside you?" you note as the shorter of the two stiffens, must have struck a nerve with that remark.

"I'm not a pet. I'm his brother." he says with a scowl

"You do realize that telling personal information like that is bad if you're coming to do a crime, right?" you say as you walk to your dresser to find a sweatshirt to put on.

"Why are you so calm, sweetheart? I have a baton, he has excellent fighting skills, and you're more worried on putting on a sweatshirt?" the taller asks as you slip the hoodie over your head.

"Well yeah, I don't want to freeze when you take me elsewhere." you deadpan as you turn around again and pick some sweatpants from the bottom drawer.

"Damn, she does have a nice ass though.

"Shut up Ran."

"But Rindou, look-"

"Rindou and Ran.. what, did they get lazy and just like the letter R?" you say with a chuckle as you put the pants on over your shorts, tying the drawstring as you turn around again.

"And I know I have a mighty fine ass, thank you. But I didn't give you the freeway ticket to look at it." you say as you put your arms out with a sigh as you looked at the boys.

"Uh.. what?" Rindou asks as he looks as Ran and then back at you.

"Well? Take me to neverland, you have photos of me, what else? Take me out of here." you say as you lower your arms as you realize they weren't smart enough to bring handcuffs.

"Dude, did mikey really think she was going to fight back? Look at this sweetheart! Wonder if I can have her instead of him?" Ran says with a smile as Rindou glares at him.

"If you want the rest of Bonten on you, sure, take her for yourself. Idiot." he says with a sigh.

"Bonten? Y'all are with them?" you ask, your voice a little more shakey that what you would have liked.

"Stop spilling info Rindou!" Ran blurts as Rindou turns to him offended.

"Me? You said my name!" he yells back.

"Well you said mine, but not she knows who we're with you dumbass!"

"She knows our name, so what? She could make the connection herself, l'm sure she did!"

Through all of this yelling, you had slipped out of the window in the living room and was now on a ledge on the side of the building, clinging onto it for dear life.

"This wasn't smart. Maybe I should just let them sort it out and go with them and die there rather than painfully like this." you say to yourself as you scoot across, hoping your neighbors would be home to let your into their room to get out of the wind that was about to knock you off.

Of course they weren’t, leaving you no choice but to go back and head to your room for safety. You finally got back to the window and crawled back inside, meeting face to face with a confused Rindou and a slightly angered Ran.

“Where did yoh think you were going?” Ran asks as he throws you over his shoulder like you weighed nothing to him.

“Hey! I didn’t want to listen to you two yell! Hey, put me down- mmhp” you fight as Rindou covers your mouth from behind Ran as you all walk out of the door together.

You slap his hand down with a scowl and beat on Ran’s back.

“Atleast say where we’re going.” you finally say as you had tired yoursef out from hitting his muscular back built like a brick.

“To the HQ.” he says with a slap of your ass and a smile, making you yelp and hit the back of his head.   

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡

When you arrived there, you were expecting a much more… evil looking place. This was just a huge mansion that looked more like a house than something affiliated with a famous gang.

Ran sets you down and fixes his suit, dusting it off as he allows Rindou to go first and puts you in the middle as he follows in last.

Inside was even bigger; chandeliers the size of lions, beautiful marble floors, nothing that you could ever have the money to afford.

“Like it? You’ll be seeing it everyday.” Ran says with a smile as you huff and take your hand down from caressing the walls of the mansion.

“Why do you even want me? I couldn’t ever be in this price range, plus I am not even interesting compared to the things I’m sure you’ve seen!” you yell as you stomp your foot like a child.

“She sure is a yeller.” a man with a long scar across his face says as a pink haired man trailed beside him with a large grin.

“Perfect for me.”

“Sanzu, you’re high again, don’t go shoving fucking pills down her throat when she just got here.” Rindou says with a frown as Sanzu’s smile drops.

“You guys don’t ever let me look at anyone man.” he says with a sigh as he examines you from afar, eyes raking your body up and down and settling on your face after a while.

“She’ll do nice, don’t’chu think Ran?” Sanzu says with a grin as he takes out a pill bottle and pops a pill in his mouth, grinning with his head back and walks away with a giggle.

“Don’t worry about him, he is just high right now on our new shipment. He likes stuff like that so he is like the.. experimenter, you know?” Rindou says with a soft smile as you stepped forward, not realizing you had sunk back into him when you were a little terrified of the encounter with Sanzu.

"Oh.. that's normal here?" you ask as you smooth your hair out with your hand, turning to the new man with a scar again.

"What?" he asks.

"That scar," you ask as you walk up and run your hand on it, "does it hurt?"

"Not anymore." he says as he removes your hand gently, turning away to hide a slight blush that had creeped up on his face.

"Oh.. good!" you chirped as you smiled and wandered towards the kitchen, hungry as you had not eaten in hours.

"She already acts like she owns the place." Ran says with a chuckle as he jogs after you.

—————————————————————————

[elipheleh]

Music - Casey's Updates [The Final(?) Version]

Casey's instagram stories recently contained some music they would have added to their playlists for the RWRB characters. This is the final version of all the ones they shared, with a playlist containing all of the songs and playlists for Henry & Alex.

-----

Here is the full playlist of all mentioned songs. In sharing the songs, Casey also shared snippets of the lyrics, these - & the full list of shared music - are below the cut.

I also created individual playlists from Casey's lists - all the songs mentioned for Henry:

and for Alex:

Below are text versions of Casey's instagram stories.

-----

some songs i would put on my AGCD playlist if i made it today

-Too Much, Carly Rae Jepson When I party, then I party too much When I feel it, then I feel it too much When I'm thinking, then I'm thinking too much When I'm drinking, then I'm drinking too much I'll do anything to get to the rush Now I'm dancing, and I'm dancing too much So be careful if you're wanting this touch 'Cause if I love you, then I love you too much

-Bronco, Orville Peck Come on in hot, babe Hurry up, babe Can't you see the gate from here? And nothing holds me back at all Nothing left to fear Best of luck, my dear Bucking side to side Bronco running wild

-Love Me More, Mitski Here's my hand There's the itch But I'm not supposed to scratch

-Big Time, Angel Olsen And I'm losing, I'm losing, I've left it behind Guess I had to be losing to get here on time And I'm living, I'm loving, I've loved long before And I'm loving you big time, I'm loving you more

-

and HGEJFMW (Henry's)

-Not Strong Enough, boygenius The way I am Not strong enough to be your man I lied, I am Just lowering your expectations Half a mind that keeps the other second-guessing Close my eyеs and count

-The Archer, Taylor Swift I wake in the night, I pace like a ghost The room is on fire, invisible smoke And all of my heroes die all alone Help me hold on to you

-Magic, Julia Jacklin I won't feel ashamed tonight Treat it like a stage tonight Turn over a new page and write Forget all that I learnt tonight All the times that I've been hurt tonight Remember what I'm worth and fight for it

-Reach Out, Sufjan Stevens & Angelo De Augustine Reach out, reach out To all the ones who came before you Ponder what is right You and I, in defiance

-----

They also shared their "firstprince x [artist]" playlist choices.

Carly Rae Jepson Henry: all that, surrender my heart, want you in my room, everything he needs, feels right Alex: too much, run away with me, real love, shy boy, i didn't just come here to dance

Mitski Henry: first love / late spring, heat lightning, pink in the night, i don't smoke, i want you, happy, bug like an angel, a pearl Alex: texas reznikoff, love me more, geyser, i bet on losing dogs, goodbye my danish sweetheart, my body's make of crushed little stars, burning hill, remember my name

Taylor Swift Henry: the lucky one, this is me trying, wildest dreams, dancing with our hands tied, castles crumbling, out of the woods, the archer, daylight Alex: gorgeous, treacherous, cowboy like me, i know places, cruel summer, you're on your own kid, peace, you are in love

boygenius Henry: appointments, georgia, not strong enough, bite the hand, historians, garden song, hot & heavy Alex: cool about it, savior complex, sprained ankle, body to flame, smoke signals, dancing in the dark, we're in love

Sufjan Stevens Henry: predatory wasp of the palisades, for the widows; for the fatherless, all for myself, the only thing, john my beloved, to be alone with you, tell me you love me, reach out Alex: man of metropolis steals our hearts, city of roses, with my whole heart, mystery of love, heirloom, run away with me, all delighted people, america

The National Henry: demons, humiliation, once upon a poolside, don't swallow the cap, empire line, the pull of you, bloodbuzz ohio Alex: racing like a pro, i am easy to find, this isn't helping, rylan, pink rabbits, you were a kindness, slow show

-----

top HGEJFMW lyrics on this playlist [Mitski]

-I want you I hold one card That I can't use But I want you

-I'm what's left of when we swam under the moon Now the rest of my days are just waiting for when You've calmed down and tell me, 'I was meant for you' Baby, being with you makes the flame burn good If you need to be mean, be mean to me I can take it and put it inside of me If your hands need to break more than trinkets in your room You can lean on my arm as you break my heart

-So please, hurry, leave me, I can't breathe Please don't say you love me

-I glow pink in the night in my room I've been blossoming alone over you And I hear my heart breaking tonight I hear my heart breaking tonight Ooh, do you hear it too? It's like a summer shower

a few top AGCD lyrics on this playlist [Mitski]

-And I am the fire, and I am the forest And I am a witness watching it I stand in a valley watching it And you are not there are all

-There's some kind of burning inside me It's kept me from falling apart And I'm sure that you've seen what it's done to my heart But it's kept me from falling apart Now here I lay as I wonder about you Would you just tell me what I'm meant to do? 'Cause I've waited and watered my heart 'til it grew You can see how it's blossomed for you

-I better ace that interview I better ace that interview I should tell them that I'm not afraid to die I better ace that interview

-I need something bigger than the sky Hold it in my arms and know it's mine Just how many stars will I need to hang around me To finally call it Heaven? I need somebody to remember my name After all that I can do for them is done I need someone to remember me

-----

Link to the masterpost/contents page for the music posts

Link to the masterpost/contents for the whole series

link to my spotify

[periwinckles]

THE TRAIN BACK TO TWELVE - CHAPTER 26

"I really am sorry for keeping you guys up, I know it's late."

Peeta places a cup of tea in front of me, as Katniss revives the fire in the living room. It's mid spring, but we still get a few chilly nights, and tonight’s been a particular cold one.

"It's fine, Delly." Peeta says with a shrug. "It's not like we get that much sleep at night."

I can't help but widen my eyes, and he gets a light blush in his cheeks.

"That is not what I meant, and you know it."

"I know."

We're sitting by his kitchen table and he starts working on tomorrow's bread. As I watch his practiced motions, I relive my argument with Thom, in my head. I keep coming back to his final plea. What do you want me to do?

I realize I don't really know.

"I overreacted, didn't I?"

Katniss joins us with a cup of her own, and she brings it to Peeta's lips for a sip.

"I wouldn't call it overreacting. People act out of character when they get hurt. I guess that's why…" She stops mid sentence and eyes me with caution.

"What?" I ask.

"Bristel felt rejected. That explains the bitchy behavior. I don't think she's usually like that."

I really don't want to talk about Bristel anymore, I've had enough of her for the day. But as I ponder Katniss' words, I realize she is right. The only reason for her to act the way she did was if she was acting out of spite. Thom must have rejected her, somehow, throughout the day.

"You've met her before?" Peeta asks Katniss.

"Yeah, so did you, remember? When Gale got whipped, she's the one that told us what happened."

He furrows his brows trying to remember it, and his face visibly relaxes after a few seconds.

"Yeah, I think I do remember her. Tall girl, really long shiny hair, right? Quite ugly, though."

Katniss bursts out laughing, to the point she spills a little bit of her tea on the kitchen table. Even I manage a smirk, but it subsides quickly. I still don't have a clue of what I should do. Or better yet, what Thom should do. I cross my arms in the table and bury my head in them. This has been one of the longest days of my life.

"I agree with Thom." Peeta says, dropping the ball of dough on the table and giving it a final punch. "The best answer is for you to toast."

"We've only been dating for six weeks." I say with a shake of my head.

"So? My parents got married after a month of courtship, and they weren’t even coming out of a war. It's not that big of a deal."

"Your mother was pregnant, Peeta. And no offense, but are you really going to use them as a role model for a healthy relationship?"

He tilts his head with a grimace. "Yeah, you have a point."

I know fast courtships weren't really that uncommon, especially among Seam folks. It mostly came down to how old they were when the relationship started. If a couple got together when they were sixteen, they would toast a couple of weeks after they both aged out of the reaping. If they got together a few months before the final reaping, they would still toast once the games were done. Merchants weren't that different, but usually a match would be arranged by the families somewhere between the age of seventeen and eighteen.

"My parents got married without ever dating at all, and they turned out fine."

Peeta and I both turn to Katniss with shock.

"When you say no dating, you mean public dating right?" I ask her. I spent a long deal of time thinking about Katniss' parents these past few months, wondering what I would have done if the old status quo was still in place. I know I would have fallen in love with Thom, even if I met him while he was still a community boy, or a simple miner.

"No, I mean no dating at all. They just flirted during their trades, and tried to lengthen their time together. When my dad finally worked up the courage to tell her how he felt, my mom took a few weeks to make up her mind. But once she did, she was out of the apothecary, and she married him two days later."

"Your mother was very brave, Katniss." I tell her.

I've often wondered what would have been my fate. I like to think my parents would have liked Thom, maybe even accepting our relationship. But accepting him and keeping me on the payroll would be two very different things. I know, I would eventually have to make a choice, much like Mrs Everdeen had to.

"I would have done it in a heartbeat." Peeta blurts out like it's the most casual thing to say.

Katniss gives him a side glance, while carefully taking a sip of her tea, but there’s amusement in her eyes. It’s nice to see them fall into such a comfortable interplay. I knew they would eventually, but it still comes as a relief.

"Hypothetically speaking, of course." He continues, giving her a wink. "Let's imagine I fell in love with a Seam girl."

Read the rest on AO3 and Ff.net

[rainbwspctrm]

Cafe Hangout || "Sweet Cap'n Cakes" fic

[Characters]

Chromius, K_K

[Summary]

Chromius invites K_K over for dinner at a cafe, but unbeknownst to the RGB-lit musical bot, their feelings for K_K and lack of confidence proves to be troublesome.

7:00 PM, the sun is setting, street lights, building lights... road lights, all are turning on and adding to the atmosphere of Cyber Plaza's cityscapes and technologically-ran nature, solar panel-equipped roads and what have you.

The focus of tonight however, the RGB-lit musical bot who has been a recent new addition to the SCC, who appears to be sitting in a breakfast cafe, serving all sorts of breakfast meals all day round. They appear to be on their cell phone, staring at some messages.

"Made a bold decision there, bud, AHA... oh boy." Chromius sighs, just glancing down at their most recent messages, which is simply just an agreement on the hangout as a whole.

"But... hey! Maybe this won't be so bad after all! Maybe I'll have all the... the... the uh... oh."

A ring of the doorbell, and K_K, while in ducking posture, steps in through the door, to warm greetings from at least one or two other individuals, all the meanwhile Chromius has almost given up on the concept of speech and thinking as a whole.

"I was texted over here by one 'Chromi', is one of you Chromi?"

K_K asks, seeming to be in their usual lighthearted mood. Without verbally speaking, Chromius raises a hand.

"Good thing only one person raised their hand, otherwise this might've gotten very difficult." K_K speaks, attention pointed to Chromius as he walks over, seating himself on the other side of the table where Chromius sat. They've gone awfully quiet, now just tapping their fingers and awkwardly staring off to the side.

"Hey, Chromi. Got any orders, friendo? I'm famished, hungry, starved even. You might be the captain of the ship, but if you don't order soon I'll have to throw you overboard... matey." K_K chuckles, to which Chromius jumps, almost taking K_K's pirate talk seriously, jumping at the opportunity to speak for a worker of this establishment-

"Aye- matey! Can these two... uhm... UHHHH- crewmates- er... uh... CUSTOMERS! Yeah, customers, take their order now?" Chromius calls out to a waiter, apparently being a TV-head type individual, who judging by their displayed face, has a bit of concern for Chromius, but despite the setback, preps to take an order.

"A bit tense, no? Well... I'll help ease that up, customer. What'll it be for tonight?" The waiter asks, to which Chromius hastily picks up the menu laid out in front of them. Not even thinking, they decide...

"Crossiant. Just crossiant. A side of water as well please."

Chromius plainly speaks, prompting a nod from the waiter before looking over at K_K, who seems to be in ponderance.

"Give me about five ticks of the long hand on the clock, I'm not famished yet, but I should be here in that time. That good, captain?"

K_K speaks, again with the low-key pirate talk... and having spoken what he spoke despite literally stating to be hungry seconds ago.

"Give me a minute and I'll have the purple-lighted customer served. You, I don't even have to ask who you are, you're just about a friend to this whole district, K_K." The waiter speaks with a chuckle in good faith, before walking off to get that crossiant (and water) prepared.

"Hey, so it's just the two of us again. You, me, and this table. Feeling good? Great? Not-so-great? Why don't you ease your heart and talk to me a bit, Chromi? I don't bite, if that's what you've been thinking." K_K speaks, taking a note that, indeed- Chromius has been a bit of a mess since K_K's arrival.

"...W... Well... of course you wouldn't... unless, passionately...? And... and uh... Uhm... Oh let's see here, uh... Nice weather we're having?"

Chromius speaks, and K_K gives the forecast in response...

"Tonight's weather calls for partly cloudy. Tomorrow's weather also calls for partly cloudy, with winds of 20 miles per hour. Broadcast acquired from this morning, and this is weather reporter K_K, signing off and have a good night, Cyber World." Followed up by a chuckle.

Chromius is starting to feel bad about being a nervous wreck. K_K's just merely having fun, and they're feeling a complete lack of ability to follow up on it. They have to try a bit harder, so...

"...You're uh... a very good weatherman, I think. Maybe. That's kind of... well let's just say, a bit tough to report... and, hey, K_K, I know I haven't been the most stable tonight, so..."

And here comes the waiter once more!

"Alright, and here's your..."

"HUAHAHAAAAAA- OH- T... THANKS-"

Commence freakout from Chromius who thought they had a bit more privacy at that time, and that freakout didn't help the waiter either, who sprung right up at Chromius' freakout.

"S... Sir! Are you okay, sir?!" The waiter speaks-

"Y- Yeah! Fine! All honky-dorey sir! Ahaha- ha..."

Chromius lights are lighting up purple again. Fear, no doubt. It's at that time, suddenly that-

"I know my order. I know what I'd like. CD Bagels." K_K speaks with a smile that somehow almost speaks mischief.

"Alright, 'bagels' with an S, how much can I get you, Cakes?"

"Four-hundred." Speak of the devil. K_K really just spoke that amount.

"Alright, so that'll be four-... hold up. Did I mishear that?"

The waiter speaks, prompting K_K's response.

"Four-hundred. I said four-hundred." K_K speaks, still holding that smile as if this is an okay order.

"...Oh... oh my gigabytes. Cakes, that's... that's twelve-hundred cyber dollars. Plus, that's our ENTIRE STOCK, you know? You can't be..."

"About as serious as an action flick. Four-hundred, please."

K_K responds a bit more bluntly, still holding that smile.

Chromius can only look on in absolute fear now. Before, they would've thought there's no way the whole 'K_K and the 400 bagels' legend was real... but, it is. He's seriously ordering FOUR HUNDRED.

"O... Oh DEAR MERCIFUL HEAVENS YOU'RE ACTUALLY SERIOUS- O... okay... the cash then, please, PLEASE?"

The poor waiter, if they could actually sweat they would be right about now... doubly so when K_K actually gives the waiter 1,200 cyber dollars.

"...Oh I could just error code right about now. ALRIGHT- Chefs, bakers, all of you! We've got a MASSIVE order! All hands at the front! We've got TWELVE HUNDRED BAGELS TO PREPARE!" The waiter exclaims to basically the rest of the staff crew, nearly setting them into a panic that even spreads to a customer or two.

Chromius looks to be a complete state of shock. They fall silent for a good minute, their internal fans even revving up. It's quite audible too, and given Chromius imitating the look of labored breathing, K_K feels it's time to intervene, right as Chromius is about to hightail it straight for the exit. The musical bot's arm extends quite a bit, latching onto Chromius' right hand and halting them.

"The bagels, don't you want to stick around for them, Chromi?"

K_K speaks, a tad bit more serious now.

"Chromi. You were in a rush to leave, and your chassis is running like you're powering up into your next form, and what I'm trying to say is: That worries me. What's your CPU load right now?" K_K speaks, to which Chromius starts to slow down, just enough to speak.

"...Ninety percent. I've... well... um... I've heated up to eighty degrees celcius too. K_K- I'm not scaring you, am I?... Ohhh no oh no- I can't be doing that, look I'm terribly sorry-"

"Slow down, buckeroo, and put the foot on the brake pedal. These teeth aren't for biting, so I don't bite. You can be rest assured: I'm perfectly willing to listen. I'll hold back these punches as much as I can. So, promise me this, Chromi:" K_K puts on a more lighthearted smile, nudging Chromius back into their seat.

"Promise you'll end whatever tasks are making you run so blazing hot, and to let your shoulders drop." K_K speaks, his hand now on Chromius' shoulder, who shudders a bit before mocking a sigh.

"...If it puts both of us at ease, I'll try to ease up. Thanks, K_K."

Chromius speaks, seeming to have loosened up just a bit. Trying to fully let their shoulders drop though, was going to be a whole 'nother challenge with the clanging, banging and sizzling of equipment over the counter where the massive order was being put together.

"Ohhhhh sweet child oh mine, we're working them into overdrive... we're NOT getting off scoff-free..." Chromius speaks to themself, prompting from K_K...

"We're all bots here, a little vroom vroom hasn't hurt a bot. Not in the past sixteen days anyway." Which was no doubt a very oddly specific timeframe for K_K to say, and not exactly reassuring Chromius. Given their still seemingly nervous stature, K_K does what he can to avert this for the next few minutes.

Some amount of distracting idle chatter later... and a disgruntled monitor-head waiter, different from the previous worker, shows up to the duo's table, not even uttering a word before presenting the almighty plate itself. The plate of 400 CD bagels...

They drop it onto the table, walking away, posture seeming less than excited. Well now, that was not a pleasant meeting.

"...U... Uhm... K_K... that fellow didn't look... well y'know- happy. At all." Chromius speaks in concern before trying to reach their hand out for a bagel, being stopped by K_K halfway into their reach.

"Not yet, Chromi. These don't look properly baked. I've still got to work my magic on these. Wanna see a magic trick?" K_K speaks, before sweeping the plate into his hands, spying with his eyes...

A microwave oven flat against one of the cafe's walls. Usually meant for customers to heat up food themselves if they find that what they've been given hasn't been properly cooked. There was only one teeny-tiny little curious thing with K_K's reasoning however...

Every single one of these CD bagels looked to be made properly.

"Wh... what magic trick could come out of CD bagels...?" Chromius inquires as K_K makes his way to the microwave, causing the other to follow, finding that K_K is now trying to force in every single bagel into the microwave oven.

"H... hey. K_K. Wait... waitwaitwait- the bagels are perfectly fiiiine! We haven't even taste-tested any of them yet! Plus that's a LOT to just..."

Before Chromius could finish, they find themself swept off the ground, held with one arm by K_K, as he gives a smile that is somehow both wholly innocent and devilishly scheming.

"Who said anything about tasting them?" K_K speaks, before setting the microwave oven to a measely 20 seconds of cooking time, starting it... and then proceeding to tail it out of the cafe as soon as possible, his legs extending rather far so as to take really big steps.

"K_K?! What the heck are we doing?!" Chromius speaks aloud in panic, their attention darting to at least ten different spots, wondering why the heck they were just evicted from the cafe without a moment's notice.

"Don't ask questions you aren't prepared for the answer to, Chromi." K_K speaks, and before Chromius could even try to respond... an abrupt, spectacular explosion as the roof of the cafe goes flying right off, spinning like a flipped coin as a grand fireworks show blasts out from the cafe... and chaos ensues. The building ceiling smashing into nearby pavement, a few vehicles getting crushed, bots and other musically-inspired individuals going into panic mode...

And Chromius flailing their arms, legs, and shouting aloud in terror.

"K_K-- The whole thing! The cafe! It- It just- WHAT DID YOU DO?! MY MECHANICAL HEART CAN'T TAKE IT-"

Before Chromius can continue freaking out any more, K_K nudges their head upward... showing them that this was pretty much like an actual fireworks show... colorful sparkling patterns in the sky and all.

"If you're nervous, Chromi... just microwave a bagel and watch the fireworks go off. Maybe not 400 though. 399 should do it."

"O... OH-... Um... yeah... these are uh- some nice fireworks, K_K... I guess I'm a bit more at ease now. Hey, uh... oh boy. Uh... how do I word this, well..."

Before Chromius can try to get the ball rolling, however-

"The L word, correctomundo? Don't be nervous, I've had many other fans say they love me. 7591 others before you. You're the 7592nd in that case. Brave of you to be the first to say it to me directly though."

And, with all due strength, and a bit too much, K_K gives Chromius a big hug. Perhaps a bit too big, as Chromius stutters like mad- before falling limp and shutting down as an emergency measure.

"...Oh, whoops, look like it's Chromi's bedtime. Better tuck 'em in bed." And, sweeping Chromius up with both of his arms, K_K walks away from the absolute chaos he himself has wrought with his 400 bagels.

It's about a half-hour long walk back to where Chromius lives- apparently- and a disadvantage for K_K: The front door is locked.

"You've been practicing home security! Keep it up and I'll award you a badge for that." K_K chuckles as he evalutates what else he could do... and that window on the second floor looks like his answer.

"Alright bud, time to take the K_K elevator up!" And K_K extends his body all the way up to the second floor window... before smashing his head right through the window, and leaping in through the now-shattered window. With THAT out of the way, K_K tucks Chromius into bed... but there's at least four blankets laying loose, and with the cold air breezing into the window...

"Looking a bit chilly. Take all four, friendo." And proceeds to cover up Chromius with all four blankets. Looks a bit heavy, but surely the bot can manage that during sunrise. Now then, with tonight's work done, K_K whispers one last thing to Chromius:

"Thank you for that fun little cafe hangout. Let's make our next day count, Chromi."

K_K leaps out of the window, leaving Chromius to sleep the rest of the night in peace... shattered window aside.

...

The next day. Chromius finally boots up, and soonafter comes to their senses... seeing they've been buried under four blankets.

"I... don't need this many. That's odd." Proceeding to take the blankets off, Chromius heads over to the window, which looks to have a different frame than what they recall it having... and just out the window, four more discarded windows at their front yard.

"Wha...? What happened...?" Then, looking back at their night stand, their cell phone is lit up- seems they have unread messages. Better check them, so they do...

"hey friendomundo, sorry i broke your window, i tried replacing it but the first four didn't fit, so you have four new windows for all your window needs now"

"hope you can have fun with your new windows chromi"

"let's have some more fun again sometime soon"

All consecutively delivered by K_K. Seems they made a musical bot happy, and their favorite no less. They'd consider that a job well done.

"...Better respond then." Chromius speaks, before sending...

"wanna join me at an amusement park on a free day?"

Sent. Seems they've learned to get over their fears. They're looking forward to amusement park day now.

[permanentreverie]

Heyyyyyy bestie!

Occasionally, I have the desire to pop onto Tumblr and attempt to relight the candle within me that still loves this hellsite and longs to return, and apparently this is one of those times. So tonight, I decided to come into your inbox and ask you a random question like old times,,,,, pray to god the ask doesn’t get eaten by the tumblr gods, depraved though the may be,,,,, anyway, here’s a thought, perhaps inspired by my impending SKZ concert (still screaming, crying, throwing up, wanting to eat glass, and commit murder over such a statement. Can you BELIEVE it’s actually gonna happen!!!! This isn’t just the fangirl pipe dream it usually is!!!!):

If you could attend any concert (past, present; not even currently in the works, outside of the majesty of your imagination), what would it be?? But like,,,, top 5 concerts because I know you have too much love in your heart to ever possibly choose just one <3

Also, I’m still exploring ATEEZ but I think it vital you know that I was seriously considering just making hongjoong my bias today and sticking by it, and then I found out,,,,,, he’s the shortest member of ATEEZ,,,,,, it was a joke I love my short kings, but idk how much of a joke it truly IS, anymore. I can’t deny the facts that beyond Namjoon, all my biases are the short ones,,,,,,,

Oh, lol, I forgot to share at least some of my ideal concerts:

Bastille for All This Bad Blood and/or Doom Days

5SOS for Youngblood and/or CALM

BTS for literally anything ever (they could make music with those free sound effects you can use for video editing and I would eat it up 😤😤)

Coldplay for Viva La Vida or Death and All of His Friends

Dvicio for literally any album/era post 2016. (I just haven’t given Justo Ahora enough plays to really get into it the way I currently get down to Impulso, Qué Tienes Tú, and EL LABERINTO)

Special shout out to Hozier, Depeche Mode, The Rose, Backstreet Boys, Billy Joel, Panic! At The Disco, and ONEUS <3. They would also be a dream, but I gotta prioritize at some point, and I might as well mention the less attainable concerts first 😭 rip to my favorite eras of these bands and/or the fact that they’ll never tour by me (dvicio come closer than Mexico City challenge,,,,, it’s hard enough to convince me to cross state lines,,,,)

ma'am I am blessing you kissing you tenderly for sending me this, I have been pondering this these past few days and I'm honestly just getting salty that no artist wants to come to Canada, let alone my province rip. Without further ado, here are my Top 5 Concerts:

BTS (I would agree I would literally not care whatever era, for whatever setlist, but if I have to be 100% honest I'd kill to go to their Love Yourself tour, every fancam I've seen, every performance we've gotten filmed, I NEED!)

Taylor Swift - Eras Tour (there still might be a chance for me to attend. Please miss blondie release the international dates I will commit crime to get hands on tickets)

Agust D (can you believe Yoongi is going on a world tour and going to like 10 countries. Askjfs I get it with his enlistment and all and we're for sure getting concert clips but I WANT TO BE IN THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS!!! Plus I'm 90% we're gonna get Tony Montana with Jimin and I would and will go insane when that happens)

Seventeen - Be The Sun Tour (I got legit post concert depression when this ended and I didn't even attend

Twenty One Pilots - The Bandito Tour (bruh I sooo should have caved and got tickets back in 2018. Every single time I listen to Trench - one of my favourite albums of all time - I constantly think of how amazing it would be to hear live. and then I die a little inside knowing I'll never get the chance)

honourable mentions are: Coldplay, Conan Gray, the 1975, Arctic Monkeys, ONE OK ROCK, Nothing But Thieves, Hozier, NF (again), Stray Kids, The Rose, Bastille, The Weeknd, 5SOS, Chase Atlantic, Panic! At The Disco

[rainbows-and-shadows]

Rainbows Tinted Pink: A Rainbow High Swap AU

Chapter 5: Fiery Red

Previous - Ch5 - Next

Soon enough, Friday came around. Each and every person was buzzing with excitement for the upcoming Colour Block Party that evening, and were impatiently waiting for classes to finish for the weekend.

At last, it was the final class of the day, and for Ruby, that was Graphic Design. She was adding the finishing touches to a new flame print, waiting for class to start. As she ran her electronic stylus across the screen, so absorbed in her art, she took no notice of the person approaching her.

“Woah, sharp skills!”

She glanced up, slightly startled, at the classmate that complimented her. It was a boy she sort of knew, dressed in a purple and white hoodie and black jeans. They'd spoken a few times before, about assignments and projects, but she was still unsure of who he was, as well as his name.

“Colin? Right?”

“Really? You don't remember my name? After all this time we spend talking in this class,” he asked as he sat down.

“Maybe you don't make that much of an impression!” Ruby teased him, giggling.

Suddenly, the classroom door slammed open, as the A’s casually yet confidently strode into the room. Every single person’s eyes were glued to the trio, as they stepped up to the platform at the front of the class.

“First years, listen up!” Aidan began their announcement.

“We're here to give you a ‘Welcome to Rainbow High gift. An invitation to our Colour Block Party!” Avery grinned proudly as she elicited excited gasps and whispers from the entire room, before continuing. “Eight tonight, in the main hall and atrium. See you there!”

“And dress to impress!” Ainsley quickly added. “We accept nothing less!”

And with that, the three prefects left as suddenly as they’d arrived, leaving the class in awe.

“Prefect party?” A girl in hot pink, Stella Monroe, gasped. “I gotta get ready now! Move!”

She bolted out of the room, dramatically shoving a girl in marigold yellow, her roommate Sheryl Meyer, out of the way as she was walking into the room. Ruby and Colin glanced at each other before bursting out laughing.

“She's not wrong though,” Colin chuckled. “The prefect’s party is gonna be lit!”

“And it'll be extra fire, because my friend Poppy Rowan is DJing,” Ruby paused for a moment, deliberating on what to say next. He was cute, and sweet.

Maybe he’d go with her?

“Do you wanna meet me there?”

He paused, slightly taken aback. “You and me, kicking it at the dance? I'm into it.”

“Sweet,” she grinned as her heart soared. “We'll see if I remember your name this time!”

Colin rolled his eyes and went to sit down next to her. Ruby blushed slightly, smiling to herself. This was going to be her first real date!

❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️

After class, Ruby immediately ran up to her dorm. She leapt over and onto the couch, where Violet was showing Amaya and Jade her latest Vi Life episode.

“I am so excited for the party tonight,” she gushed. “And your girl has a date!”

“Awesome!” Amaya grinned.”So we're gonna have to impress the As, and you need to impress your date!”

“On it!” Jade exclaimed. “I've got a new neon lip palette that I've been dying to try out!”

“Oooh! Hashtag daring! Just depends on what we're wearing. Thoughts?”

“I'm not sure,” Amaya mused. “I bought a really cute dress before term started, but I can’t find anything to go with it.”

“Same,” Jade sighed, slightly frustrated. “I've got this green tracksuit and a t-shirt that look great with my green sneakers, but there's definitely something missing.”

They pondered in silence over their potential outfit choices for a moment, until Poppy abruptly burst into their dorm obviously excited.

“Guess what?” She squealed, as the double doors slammed against the wall.

“You're gonna learn to knock?” Jade raised her eyebrow at her sarcastically.

“So much better! Avery invited us to come to her Fashion Studio store! She's letting us have the first pick at her brand-new designs, before anyone else in the school! Ahh!”

“Sick!

“For real?”

“Awesome!”

“Hype!”

The four girls immediately shot up and bolted out the door, following Poppy down to the lifts.

❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️

Poppy led them down to the atrium, where Skyler and Sunny were already waiting. Ainsley and Avery stood proudly in front of a door, a golden sign saying Avery’s Fashion Studio just above. A set of silver keys jangled in Ainsley’s hand.

“Ladies, welcome to my shop, the Rainbow High Fashion Studio! I started this as a pop-up last year, but I got permission to make it a permanent fixture! Here, Fashion and Accessory Design focuses have the opportunity to sell their creations here, all year round!”

“We're not officially open till next week, but since Poppy’s our DJ, we decided to let you guys be our first customers of the year! Ainsley?”

On her best friend’s cue, Ainsley unlocked and opened the door, revealing the store in all its beauty. Inside was a warmly lit room with soft pink walls, lined with racks full of intricately designed clothes. The shelves above were filled with shoes, handbags, and jewellery. A few mannequins were scattered about, with beautiful dresses and outfits on display.

The girls gasped in awe, taking it all in.

“Go on, babes,” Avery urged them. “Check it out!”

They immediately darted into the shop, carefully grabbing clothes off hangers and holding them up, taking shoeboxes off shelves, and admiring the items in the mirrors.

“It's so cool!”

“Wow!”

“So stunning!

“Smoking!”

Amaya immediately picked a simple black t-shirt with a rainbow logo for herself, to go with her dress. Poppy tried on a pair of bright orange sunglasses embellished with gemstones, to accessorise her already completed outfit. Sunny chose a pair of gold high heels, decorated with sparkling stars, perfect for her sequined jeans and it’s matching jacket.

“Oh, I am so getting this!” Violet grabbed a light purple faux leather jacket off a rail. “It'll go perfectly with the dress and heels I wanna wear tonight, and my new bag!”

“Sick, V! Hey, what do you think of this?” Jade pulled off her beanie and pulled on a black baseball hat with safety pin eyes and a scribbled smile. “With the tracksuit I was talking about, and my white sneakers?”

“The ones I customised with the spikes?” Ruby asked, at another rail.

“Yep! What are you thinking of getting Rubes?”

Ruby held up a red vinyl skirt with a long clear belt. “Okay, this skirt, with my new tube top and jacket, and my black boots with the flames on them. Yes? No?”

“Um, literal perfection!” Violet grinned. “Perfect for a party, and perfect for a date!”

“Ruby, you have a date?” Sunny squealed.

“Yep! Ruby's got a boyfriend!” Jade teased.

“He's just someone in my Graphic Design class,” she explained. “He's not my boyfriend. Yet!”

“Sweet!” Poppy cried. “Rubes got a date, and Sky's going with her boyfriend!”

“It's a double date!” Skyler smiled. “How cute is that?”

“Not as cute as we’re all going to look tonight!” Amaya declared. “Everyone else better be bringing their style A-game, ‘cause we're all gonna look so cool!”

“You all found something?” Avery asked them, up at the cash register with Ainsley.

“Absolutely!”

“Of course!”

“So stunning!”

“I need these boots!”

“You're really talented, Avery,” Skylesid, as she admired the clothes. “Your stitching is amazing.”

“I will die if I can't wear this jacket to the party!” Violet exclaimed. “Literally. Right here. Dead!”

“Love that you love them!” Avery grinned. “If you guys like everything so much, everything will be flying off the shelves next week!”

“Alright, first years! Time to get ready for Colour Block,” Ainsley declared, clapping her hands together. “We're expecting flawless fashions, especially from our DJ. Are you ready, P?”

“With this inspo? Yes! Let's go girls,” she cried.

The group grabbed their garments and lined up to pay. As Ruby got into the back of the line, she noticed Skyler wasn’t there. She turned around and spotted her still standing at the mirror, deliberating between two items.

“Hey, Sky,” she called as she walked over to her. “Picked something out yet?”

“I'm kinda torn between these two,” she explained and held up a pair of jeans with silver scribble panels down the legs and a pleather dress with silver zippers. “I think both would go well with the top I want to wear, but I can't decide which would be better.”

“Hmm. Do you mind showing me the top?”

Skyler opened her phone and showed her a picture of a long-sleeved white top with black and rainbow details down the sleeves.

“Hmm. Well, I think the dress would go better. It’d show off the sleeve designs more than the jeans would, and take away some of the plainness on the front of the top.”

“Thanks, Ruby,” she grinned as she put the jeans back on the rail. The pair rejoined the line, and a few minutes later, everyone walked out of the shop with their new clothes.

“So, who’s your date tonight?” Ruby asked Skyler as they trailed behind the rest of the group.

“He’s been my boyfriend since middle school,” she smiled, a hint of a blush spreading across her cheeks. “He does Mixed Media, same as you! What about you?”

“I met him in Graphic Design class,” Ruby replied. “We sit next to each other, and he’s kinda cute, so I asked him if he wanted to come with me to the party!”

“Aw, I can’t wait to meet him!”

“Same!”

❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️

Three hours later, Colour Block was in full swing. The atrium was packed with students, as disco lights flashed all over the place, and Poppy's music blasted from her turntables.

Skyler, Sunny and Amaya were dancing near the stairs and Poppy’s turntables, having arrived early to help her set up. Their outfits were gorgeous, Avery and Ainsley’s designs completing them perfectly.

As the girls danced, Avery waved at them from the staircase, her hot pink minidress sparkling under the lights. She’d paired it with a pair of black heels with rainbow stars along the straps, to match her silver necklace.

Ainsley joined her, adjusting a black and white graffiti print jacket. She wore it with a black mini dress with purple trim, as well as metallic blue high-heeled boots with black buckles.

Just then, Colin ran over and picked Skyler up, spinning her around as she giggled.

“Aw! Heart emoji!” Sunny smiled.

“This party's tight!” Colin exclaimed.

“And Poppy's killing it! Hi Poppy!” Sunny cried as she waved at her, who looked up from her booth and waved back.

“Oh, hey. I see one of my boys by the punch. I'll be right back,” he told Skyler, as he walked away.

Just then, Amaya noticed Jade, Ruby and Violet entering the party. “Our girls are here!”

The group ran over to each other, admiring and complementing their outfits.

The remaining three had styled their outfits just as they envisioned earlier. Jade sported her tracksuit, t-shirt, sneakers and baseball hat, Ruby wore her top, skirt, jacket and boots, and Violet had her dress, jacket, high heels on, with a lilac crossbody draped over her shoulder.

“Hey!”

“Look at you!”

“Whoa!”

“You look so good”

“You look amazing!”

“You just missed Skyler's boyfriend!” Sunny said.

“He'll be back,” she turned to Ruby. “What about you? Where's your date?”

“Let's find out,” Violet pulled Ruby closer, her phone in her selfie stick, already live streaming. “Tonight on The Vi Life: Ruby's first big date!”

“We're seriously doing this on camera?” Ruby drawled, unimpressed.

“Um, yes,” Violet insisted. “It'll be the hottest episode!”

“Fine. Let's go find him and bring him back for a special ep, Date Night at Rainbow High! TM, I get the royalties. BRB!”

The pair walked away, as the others went back to dancing together. Ruby and Violet walked around the crowded space, before Ruby spotted her date by the refreshments table. “

“That's him! That's Colin.”

“Well, what are you waiting for?” Violet gently pushed her in his direction. “Go say hi!”

“Hi!” She called, a small blush growing on her cheeks as she approached him.

“Hey!” Colin turned around and paused, taking in Ruby’s outfit. “That look is fire!”

“Thanks! Hey, Vi, come over here!”

She beckoned her friend over, as Colin glanced away from her and looked at Violet, politely smiling next to her friend, her phone pointed in their direction, obviously filming them.

“Hey! I'm Violet Willow, Ruby’s roommate. It’s nice to meet you Colin! Ruby told me-“

“Wait. You're not, you're not filming this, are you?” he interrupted her, becoming slightly panicked.

“No! I mean, not until you do me a favour and sign a release letter,” she asked, immediately grabbing a consent waiver out of her clutch.

“Actually, um, I'm not into being filmed, can you, just, delete all that?”

“Hey!” Jade shouted over the music, waving at them, while Amaya and Sunny were just behind her. The two roommates were so absorbed in their conversation they didn’t see Colin straight away.

He tried to shuffle away after he spotted Amaya and Sunny, but Ruby wrapped her arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer to her, taking no notice of his actions.

“Girls, this is my date, Colin. Colin, this is my super awesome runway group!”

“What's up?” Jade waved at him, a calm, casual look on her face.

However, this expression quickly turned to confusion, as Amaya and Sunny began to panic the moment they locked eyes on the purple-haired boy. Their eyes widened as they realised what was happening.

“Oh no! Oh no no no no!”

“Bad! Very bad! Oh, very, very bad!

“Hey! Sorry, I got lost in the crowd! ” Skyler’s pushed through the last of the partygoers, to finally rejoin her friends.

“Anyways, I-” She was immediately startled at the sight of Ruby, with her arm around Colin, and the obvious look of panic on his face.

“Colin?”

“Oh, you know my date?”

“Your date? Colin's my boyfriend!”

Ruby recoiled away from him in shock, as Skyler’s eyes filled with tears of heartbreak and rage.