#Woah I have that physical attribute too...

[thecluelessdoctor]

kicks my legs every time I see a character with a cleft chin (I have one and for a long time I was super self conscious of it because at the time I was being forced to be hyper femme)

[naomiwritesbooks]

How to nail character descriptions

1. DON’T GIVE EVERYTHING AWAY AT FIRST!

I cannot emphasize this enough! Often, when you introduce new characters in your book, the first thing you want to do is write out three paragraphs of character description. The problem with this is that it usually feels like filler, and your reader will skip over this information or forget about it later. I used to struggle with this, so let me tell you what to do instead.

2. CREATE A CHARACTER PROFILE!

As a pantser myself, I can tell you that despite how much you may hate creating character profiles, they are so important! Having all the descriptions of your characters' physical attributes on a separate document or notebook will help with your writing significantly. (In another blog post, I can explain what else you should include in your character profiles.)

3. SPRINKLE IN PIECES OF DESCRIPTION OVER TIME ESPECIALLY MAIN POINTS!

Instead of opening each character's introduction in your story with a massive description dump, take main points from your character profile and state those and then the rest over time. You may feel like you need to dump everything, but it’s less overwhelming if you sprinkle in details as the story goes on.

FOR EXAMPLE,

Instead of:

The door opens to Will's loud voice, and I freeze as my eyes land on Bonnie. Her straight hair is blue, dark blue. She’s chubbier than I remember; her body evens out with wide hips. She looks about 5’3? Her frame is too short. Her face is full of piercings aligning her big lips and round nose. Her gray eyes are too big for her heart-shaped face. Even her lashes are too long, brushing her eyebrows. Her dimples are deep holes in her cheeks.

I swallow. Hard.

“Woah!” Her eyes are wide as she looks from me to Will. “You don’t even look like you! You’re huge! Glowed up for sure! How tall are you? Wait, that's kinda rude isn't it? I didn’t even say Hi. Hi!” She smiles, offering a hand.

Everything about her is too much.

She's too much.

Try:

The door opens to Will's loud voice, and I freeze as my eyes land on Bonnie. Her hair is blue, dark blue. She’s chubbier than I remember, but her body evens out with wide hips. Her frame is too short. With gray eyes that are too big for her heart shaped face.

I swallow. Hard.

“Woah!” Her eyes are wide as she looks from me to Will. “You don’t even look like you! You’re huge! Glowed up forsure! How tall are you? Wait, that's kinda rude isn't it? I didn’t even say Hi. Hi!” She smiles, offering a hand. Dimples digging into her cheeks.

Everything about her is too much.

She's too much.

The rest of the information listed before can be sprinkled in later. For example, Bonnie has dimples, so we can state that information when she smiles(as done).

This is what has worked for me and my writing, but it may not work for you in all situations. But for most, don't character dump unless prompted. Hopefully, this helps!

[girl-in-the-tower]

CHAPTER I

Ramshackle Dorm - Birthday Party Venue

Kore: Woah, to think the ghosts would go all out like this just for today! Even though I told them that they didn't have to bother with it, they wouldn't listen, at all... It's... It's kind of embarrassing to be fussed over like this! If it was Grim I would have understood but this, uh...

Ah! And I'm supposed to have a guest over today as well! Hm, I guess some tea should be in order... maybe some cakes as well... I wonder if there's any sugar left...

Ace: Yo!

Kore: Ah, just a moment- Oh, it's just you, Ace.

Ace: Ha? What's that supposed to mean? 'It's just you'? It's super rude to greet your dear guest like this, you know?

Kore: Is that so? But calling you a guest is...

Ace: What's that?

Kore: Hm...

Ace: Well, doesn't matter because my feelings were hurt either way! So I'll help myself to this krumkake to make myself feel better! Let's dig in~

Kore: Hey, that- Aaah, that was meant to be for Grim. He kept complaining all day yesterday that he should have a cake all to himself too since it's a special day so I woke up extra early just to make it for him. Now he's gonna be mad...

Ace: Haa? A whole cake just for that furball? You've got to be kidding me!

Kore: What are you talking about? You know how much he likes krumkake.

Ace: Nah, I doubt there's really anything that guy won't eat... But that's not the point. You're spoiling him too much. He's gotten really fat, you know?

Kore: It's fine. I still make sure he exercises and he looks cute round like that too, so it's not a problem.

Ace: No, I definitely still think there's something wrong here. Mainly with your head.

Kore: Haaaaaaa, you wanna pick a figh-

Ace: Oh, I almost forgot! Here you go!

Kore: ... What's this?

Ace: Isn't it obvious?

Kore: Well... Huh? Wait a minute- That can't-!

Ace: Ta-da! It's a limited edition Griffons varsity jacket that's been all the rage with Magift meatheads like you~

Kore: No way!! This is- This is-

Ace: Cool, righ- Hey!! Don't jump on me like that! You almost knocked me off the chair!

Kore: Sorry, hahaha! I was so happy I just couldn't contain myself! To think that I would be able to actually get my hands onto something so valuable!

Ace: Yeah, we figured you'd like i-

Kore: This season has really been a blessing from above for them, you know? Everybody is in top shape and playing at their best! I heard their new manager actually made them go through this super difficult training regime that has been working wonders for them. Though it's only speculation so far!

Ace: Uh, Kor-

Kore: If you ask me, it's definitely also thanks to those new brooms that they ordered for the team. The wood is apparently from the Valley of Thorns and super-resistant so they go all out without worrying about breaking them. For the moves that the team is pulling, they really need that propulsion time! Even a second helps when you're in a headlock. I remember back in the vs Mandrakes game that they switched brooms in between-

Ace: Heeeeey! You Magift boar woman! Can you hear me?

Kore: Wh-Why are you yelling like that?! I'm right next to you!

Ace: Haaaa, when you start talking about Magift you might as well be in a completely different world... No wonder they all think of you as the Magift Encyclopedia. I bet you have hundreds of useless pieces of information like that stuck in your head.

Kore: You-! Huh? What's this?

Ace: A-Ah! That!

Kore: It's rice pudding- Ah! It's homemade from the Mountains!

Ace: Hm? Ah, ye-yeah... That came with the jacket...

Kore: Eh? They put pudding in jackets when they sell them?!

Ace: O-Obviously! Don't tell me you didn't know? Bwahaha, man, you sure are clueless...

Kore: ... It's my favourite flavour too...

CHAPTER II

Ace: Alright, next to the first question!

Kore: Eh?! Question?! Is this a quiz of some kind?!

Ace: I guess you could think of it like that, so anyway- Your first question as today's birthday girl issssss: "If you were stuck on a deserted island, who would you take with you?" Hm, here it says that you can't pick members of your own dorm, but given that you guys don't even have a dorm, I'm not sure that the restriction applies. Not that it matters since you wouldn't choose Grim anyway, right?

Kore: Huh? Why not?

Ace: You're serious?! You'd pick that furball?! Hey, we're talking about a deserted island here so think carefully! Don't you want to get off it?!

Kore: Well, obviously I would... But...

Ace: But?

Kore: I can do that on my own.

Ace: Huh?

Kore: Survival is all about securing shelter, food and formulating an escape plan. If it's a deserted island I assume there would be some fauna and animals too, so we could feed ourselves through fruit gathering and hunting. It might be hard if we don't have any tools, however, but I think Grim's claws would be sharp enough to cut through the skin and meat fairly easily. I make sure he takes good care of them after all.

Ace: I-I see...

Kore: If there's no drinkable water then we'll have to boil some from the sea in order to deal with the thirst. Grim's flames, when properly utilized, would be able to do such a thing. Not to mention that he could start fires to keep us warm at night and to cook food to sustain us! Also, it could be a great emergency signal if we end up at sea and need rescuing.

Ace: You want to use him as a flare?!

Kore: That sounds so mean! I would only do that as a last resort, however! Grim's pretty sensitive about having his belly scratched so I wouldn't do anything to make him uncomfortable like that!

Ace: Haaaa, I get it, I get it! So you're saying that the furball has his practical uses too. But I can't help but worry about some flaws...

Kore: Flaws?

Ace: No matter how much you feed that glutton, his stomach will never be full, you know! Whatever provisions you managed to gather, he's sure to inhale them with the first occasion!

Kore: Wah- That's a horrible thing to say! There's no way my Grim is so selfish!

Ace: My Grim?! What is he?! Your child?! And he's totally selfish, you know!!

Kore: HAAAAA?! ARE YOU REALLY PICKING A FIGHT WITH ME?!

Ace: Ca-Calm down!! I take it back, ok?! You can bring the furball with you!

Kore: Hmph.

Ace: Seriously, getting this angry over that cat...

Kore: Isn't that normal? Grim is my special person, after all!

Ace: SPECIAL PERSON?!

Kore: The person you care for a lot, like they're part of you, right? Like Cay-senpai said!

Ace: I-I see, so that's...

Kore: Being on a deserted island isn't ideal, but at the end of the day I know I can be ok on my own. Farmwork, housework - those are things that I'm used to from the Mountains. Life isn't so easy back home, but we all make do with what we can - magic or no magic. Even if I'm stuck in a bad situation, I can manage to get through so I don't need anybody else.

Well, that's what I thought before I came to this place anyway...

Ace: ...

Kore: Besides you're wrong about something!

Ace: Huh?

Kore: In order to survive it's not just physical attributes that are important, but mental ones as well. And in that case, Grim has the real trump card!

Ace: He-He does?!

Kore: Mm! You see, Grim, he... has the cutest paws and the fluffiest fur in the world!

Ace: HUH?!

Kore: Mm! Every time I feel like giving up or am reaching the end of the rope, all I'd have to do is give his paw pads a little squeeze or lay on his tummy and my mood would instantly clear up again! In a situation full of despair like that it would make a world of difference, you know?

Ace: SO HE'S THERE JUST FOR MORAL SUPPORT?!

Kore: Well, that too! It's important after all!

Ah, this pudding is really good actually...

CHAPTER III

Ace: Haaaa, I give up... Your boar mind is way too difficult to understand...

Kore: HUH?!

Ace: Anyway, let's get on with our next question and- Ah.

Kore: Hm? What is it? You suddenly stopped in the middle of the sentence. Did the falcon get your tongue, hehe?

Ace: It's a cat, not a falcon! And I only stopped because- uh...

Kore: What?

Ace: "You're offered the chance to pick another dorm, which one would you choose?"

Kore: ...

Ace: I swear, that Headmaster doesn't even think of these questions at all...

Kore: Yeah, there's no way I can answer that...

Ace: I figured. So instead! "Please share your opinions on the dorms!"

Kore: Ah!

Ace: Nice, right? You can definitely count on me when it comes to quick thinking, you know?

Kore: ... I guess.

Ace: You guess?!

Kore: I'll start with Diasomnia then!

Ace: Hey, don't ignore-

Kore: Hm, I'm not really sure about the atmosphere there but- Don't you think that their interior decor is pretty fancy? I haven't seen stuff like that in magazines for quite a while, so I feel like it's definitely something that must have required a lot of work! It's kinda dreary though, what will the windows not letting enough light and the greenery around it could stand to be looked after better, hm...

Ace: So you're only interested in the decor, huh? Alright, what about Ignihyde?

Kore: It's too technological.

Ace: Huh, I guess that you're right. For somebody like you, it would really be a struggle living there...

Kore: ...

It's even more depressing than Diasomnia, so I feel like I would be stuck in a bad mood without enough sunlight, you know? Though I must admit, it really is super clean inside! That's a very important detail! Clean homes are necessary for good health!

Ace: There you go again, sounding like a mom... Next is Pomefiore!

Kore: IT'S SUPER FLASHY!

Ace: I know~?

Kore: No, no, you don't get it! It's so flashy it actually scares me! All that pomp and glamour! The rugs themselves look like something from the fall collection that sold out about twenty years ago and the chandeliers are bound to be at least four times Theo's salary! Walking through those hallways is like stepping on opulence! A continuous loop of flashiness!

Ace: HEY! Get a hold of yourself! Let's go over to- Ah, Scarabia...

Kore: It's so hot there!!

Ace: Oh, yeah, you're super weak to heat so you'd definitely hate it there. Right?

Kore: Mm, hate is... I think that if it was the old me, I would never have even stepped in there. But now I feel like... Yeah! I definitely think that I can give it another try! Scarabia is pretty rich too, but it feels more homely? There's a lot of people gathered around and there are banquets and feasts pretty often too. It's always lively and warm... In a way, I imagine that's what a home would feel like...

Ace: ...

Kore: I can't say the same for Octavinelle however. Hmph!

Ace: Bwahaha, that's true. It really feels like you'd get scammed in there pretty quick.

Kore: Not even that! But building a dorm underwater? I admit the decor is pretty nice and classy, but the atmosphere is too cold! There's a lot of types that I can't get along with at all so it would definitely be a miserable time for me. No, I definitely don't want to set foot there ever again!

Ace: I totally get it~ All that commotion after the exams was enough for me too. Guess the same goes for Savanaclaw too, then?

Kore: ...

Ace: HA?!

Kore: I-I refuse to believe that anybody who loves Magift is a bad person!

Ace: There's that meathead in you talking again! Are you seriously that obsessed with it?! I feel like there's a sickness that applies in this case!!

Kore: He-Hey!! That's way too- I understand that what they did was bad, and I definitely haven't forgiven Kingscholar-senpai yet, but there are definitely good points to them as well! I think!

Ace: So you're not even sure?!

Kore: A-Anyway, as for Heartslaybyul-

Ace: Don't go changing the subject!

Kore: - if I had to pick that would be my favourite.

Ace: Huh?

Kore: I love Scarabia too, a lot, but at the end of the day all that rich atmosphere is scary. I really don't feel like I would belong there at all. I'd stick out like a sore thumb among everybody else - more than usual at the very least. But in Heartslaybyul, even if Rosehearts-senpai is strict, I feel like everybody is sort of content with the oddness. There's not much that stands out about it, but I think that's what makes it so appealing, you know?

Ace: ... So... what you're saying... Is that we're a shabby dorm full of weirdoes?

Kore: I-I wouldn't go that far...

Ace: But that's the gist of it, isn't it?!

Kore: Ummmmm...

Ace: ... Alright, I get it.

Kore: Huh?

Ace: You know, it just so happens that there's one more thing I have to tell you about.

Kore: One more thing?

Ace: Yup! You see, there's this tradition where the presenter has to give the 'gift of fortune' in order to make sure this ends up being a great birthday! And it just so happens that you're lucky enough to have me here today to deliver the goods~

Kore: Huh? What are you-

[SPLATTER]

Kore: ...

Ace: BWAHAHA, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU JUST STOOD THERE LIKE THAT!

Kore: ...

Ace: Oh man, the look on your face is hilarious! Oh, let me take a quick picture to show the others too!

Kore: ...

Ace: Ok, so then- He-Hey! Don't- AUGH! MY FOREHEAD!

[ddarker-dreams]

Puppet Strings. Yan Ghost Josuke x Reader [COMM]

Warnings: Josuke’s temper flaring, typical yandere elements, brief alcohol mention. Word count: 3.1k

i.

You didn’t think much of it when you saw your window wide open. 

No, it wasn’t that particular moment that sent alarm bells ringing. It’s remarkable what the human mind is capable of scrounging up to justify an otherwise horrifying situation. Moving from one place to another is an exhausting effort -- you reasoned to yourself -- maybe you reopened it and forgot. That sounds perfectly plausible. Sleep came easily to you that night and all was forgotten the next morning. There were some other minor occurrences, cabinets being open, the television flickering. Nothing incriminating, nothing to worry about. 

For a time, this logic worked in your best interest. The last straw was when your personal belongings started going missing. Lip glosses, shirts, and even some sketchbooks. Contacting the police served to be no help. When they asked who could hold a vendetta against you, you had no solid leads. You’d only been in Morioh a little over a month. Earning an adversary in that short a time felt unlikely, if not impossible. Classmates were interviewed, their alibis clearing them of possible suspects, the investigation stagnant. Your neighbors hadn’t seen questionable figures lurking around your home. Days went by, and a few patrols later, the police claimed there wasn’t much else they could do. There were no signs of breaking and entering, no fingerprints, no leads. 

No peace of mind.

You’ve explored every logical avenue. Not knowing what to do next is the worst part, it’s what serves to frustrate you the most. Sighing, you dry your hands off, mulling over what to do next. Now that you’ve finished washing the dishes, there are no other chores to procrastinate with. Guess I better get started on that project, you think. God, but it’s so hard to focus anymore. 

Without noticing it, you felt drawn to the living room. Anyone would understand, that from the stress you’ve suffered, it’s fine to take a break. A distraction from reality sounds great right about now. Your PlayStation 2, which has been collecting dust, can finally get used. The multiplayer games are bugged -- a Player 2 shows up even when you play it with yourself -- so you haven’t used it in some time. Scanning over the various game choices, you never get a chance to pick one out. 

“Huh, so they released a sequel to that?” An unknown voice, masculine and lighthearted, chimes in behind you. Your immediate reaction is to whip your head back, searching for the source. Heart pounding, you realize this is exactly what you feared. That whoever was stalking you would eventually come to settle things for seeking help from law enforcement. You don’t see him, even though the voice had been close enough to assume he’s behind you. There’s no way you imagined it. Where is he? 

That’s when you see him. 

Whether or not it was intentional, he stands blocking your path to the kitchen, where your phone is. A young man of imposing size, easily dwarfing you. His style throws you off, it’s like he was ripped from another time. That hair… a pompadour? Narrowing your eyes, you stand from your kneeling position, preparing to hold your ground. He might be blocking your ability to call the police, but there’s still the option of running out the front door to alert your neighbors. It’ll be fine, you tell yourself, not entirely convinced. Just don’t panic. 

“Who are you?” Is the first question that slips past your lips. There’s unfiltered hostility in the words, despite your hesitation to aggravate him. Your eyebrows furrow when he puts his hands up in defense. It gives an impression of mockery in an otherwise grave scenario.

“Woah, calm down there,” he lets out a nervous chuckle that further irks you. “You can call me Higashikata Josuke.”

This person -- Josuke -- is acting too casual about this. There’s no doubt in your mind that he’s the source of your torment these past few weeks. How else could he be standing in your home, acting in such a deplorable manner? For your own best interest, you bite your tongue, that’s dying to hurl numerous insults his way. In contrast to his polite speech, he’s dressed like a stereotypical delinquent. Who knows what Josuke would do should you provoke him. You’ve heard rumors of rambunctious youths in the area and don’t want to test the validity of those claims. 

“Alright, Higashikata-san, I’m going to ask you to leave. This is my house. If you just… leave me alone, I won’t contact the police. Alright?” You feel like your proposal is a considerate one, even if you don’t intend to follow through. Once you get to safety, like hell you’re going to let this punk get away with it, he just doesn’t need to know that yet. Josuke shifts weight from one leg to another, contemplating your words.

“I can’t do that. Besides, the same way you feel this is your house, I equally feel like it’s mine.” Josuke replies, scratching his cheek. His tone almost sounds… apologetic. As if it isn’t completely within his control to leave. You gulp when you realize your approach might not work. Maybe he’s not mentally sound? That’s the most plausible solution. Taking a deep breath, you shift to a less combative posture, still hoping to talk him down.

“Is there someone I could call? A guardian, a friend? Let’s figure this out.” You will yourself to keep each word steady to lure him in. The innocent inquiry doesn’t have the intended effect, Josuke frowning as soon as the word guardian left your lips. Shit. Was that a sensitive topic? The scowl is gone in a split second like it never existed. He takes a step closer to you and you take a step back.

“There’s not much to figure out. I’ll be honest then since I’m sure you’re freaking out right now. Which makes sense. I’d be freaking out too…” he trails off, going deep into thought. Finally, Josuke manages to choose the proper words. “How do I go about this? Alright, I’ll just come out and say it.” 

“Well, to put it in simple terms, I’m dead.” 

You blink. Tilting your head, you conclude that this Higashikata Josuke is not mentally well. Getting in contact with a professional is your new top priority. Josuke picks up on your hesitant body language and rushes to give credence to his claim.

“I know, crazy, isn’t it? I’m sorry about your stuff, by the way. Felt like the best way to understand my new housemate without sending you running right away. I’ll return it now,” Josuke’s demeanor doesn’t give you the impression of a liar. Still, a spirit? You don’t know what to think anymore. He sighs at the sour expression on your face. “How to prove this to you… ah, I know. Hey, check this out.” 

Josuke points to the controller sitting on your couch. Not a second later, it starts levitating in the air, your jaw-dropping at the unfeasible spectacle. Josuke lets out an airy chuckle at your bewilderment. “Sorry, that was pretty lame. I didn’t know what else to do.” 

“There’s… really a spirit, in my house.” You struggle to say it aloud. The people living in Morioh could be superstitious, a view you attributed to living out in the country. This paranoia, or sometimes reverence, never fell in line with your beliefs. There was no solid proof that the supernatural existed. It made for riveting local stories, for youths to gossip and movies to adapt, but the line was drawn there. A timeline plays in your head of the past few weeks. It would explain how no one in this active community spotted an intruder, or how the police never found physical evidence. 

“Our house, actually.” He corrects with a beaming smile.

ii. 

Maybe it’s not so bad. 

Josuke, with whom you have an unusual relationship, makes for decent company in your otherwise uneventful life. You still can’t help but feel on guard around him for his earlier behavior. As he explained it, borrowing your belongings was just a way to get to know you. He apologized wholeheartedly for the stress he put on your life. It felt genuine, but an apology doesn’t make everything go away at once. Little by little, Josuke’s grown on you, worming his way into your heart. Memories and feelings fade, your first few weeks after the move are no different. 

“Have you seen my red scarf anywhere?” You call out, peeking underneath your pillow. Josuke appears from thin air -- an element that took some getting used to -- helping to look around your room. One of your conditions for remaining here was that he’d show up in your room only when invited, a condition Josuke was more than happy to agree to. You guess everyone is lonely in their own way.

“It’s not over here,” Josuke yells from beneath your desk. “What do you need it for, anyway? Can’t you just turn the heater on?” 

“Well, I could, but that wouldn’t do me much good. Some friends invited me to karaoke tonight, and the weather report said it’ll drop to four degrees celsius.” Feeling defeated, you plop onto your bed, staring at the ceiling. Josuke leans over, popping into your line of sight. He’s lacking the trademark smile you’ve grown used to seeing. For such a minor change, it packs a punch. Josuke sulks like a kicked puppy.

“Karaoke, huh?” He mutters, more to himself than you. “My old classmates used to do stuff like that. Sounds fun.” 

You sit up and cross your legs. Josuke’s tone is a longing one, wishing to fulfill a dream that can never be, visage painfully bleak. Guilt bubbles up in your stomach for the insensitive comment, not realizing he has a lot on his mind too. Josuke’s bubbly personality stood on a thin sheet of ice, ready to plunge into the depths at any moment. You wrack your mind to try and appease him. 

“It really isn’t anything that exciting. I was going to say no, but they insisted. Just imagine it as a bunch of tone-deaf people drunkards belting, that’s all it is.” You console. Josuke doesn’t light up at your joke, his eyes hollow. From what you know about spirits, if they linger in this realm instead of moving onto the next, that means an obligation is holding them here. You’ve never asked Josuke why he hasn’t passed on. That leaves room for speculation, numerous hours spent ruminating over theories. Maybe he’ll tell you one day, or maybe he won’t. Either way, it’s still tragic he never got to live his life.

“Mm… guess so, yeah.” He isn’t paying attention to your words. Guilt as sharp as knives slices through you at Josuke’s gloomy mood. For a split second, you consider canceling with your friends, to stay home and cheer him up. He always loves playing games with you or just speaking over trivial matters for hours. You push the idea away. Fraternizing with a spirit on the daily isn’t enough to supply your social needs, only friends of flesh and blood can fill that role. 

“Hey, I’m sorry for mentioning it. If you want to talk about--” 

“No,” he cuts you off, shaking his head. “Go ahead. Go live life.” 

You don’t offer a rebuttal. Josuke probably needs time to think, you decide. We can talk about it later.

iii. 

“What’s up?” 

You lean against the wall, payphone pressed against one ear and your hand covering the other. Music blares in the background, terrible acoustics of the crowded bar making it difficult to hear the other line. One of the workers grabbed you, saying you had a call, your guesses of who it could be next to nonexistent. You scrunch your nose up when you hear Josuke’s distinct voice on the other side.

“It’s late,” you hear him say. His voice is muffled, but the exasperated tone is hard to miss. “Shouldn’t you be back by now?” 

Sighing, you struggle to rationalize why Josuke’s pestering you like this. You never gave a time when you’d be home, not thinking it was necessary. “I was going to leave soon. I don’t have class in the next few days, so it’s fine.” 

“It’s dangerous to be out on your own--” 

“Josuke,” you deadpan, rubbing your temples. “I appreciate the concern, really, I do. But I used to live in Tokyo, remember? If I could survive the city at night, I can survive here.” 

“That’s not the point here,” Josuke counters, voice dropping dangerously low. Your patience is wearing thin at his attempts to police your autonomy. It’s not his place to enforce a curfew on you. “You don’t know what kinds of danger lurks in Morioh.” 

Josuke’s statement is full of bone-chilling conviction. Almost like he was speaking from firsthand experience. You take a deep breath, remembering that you’re speaking to someone who likely died in a traumatizing manner here. Maybe extending a little grace wouldn’t hurt. It’s a shame to cut the night short, but it’s not that big a deal.  

“Okay, I get it. It’s about a fifteen-minute walk back home. I’ll see you soon, alright?” 

Softening your voice seems to have the effect you intended. Josuke takes a second to consider, the two of you waiting in tense silence. This is the first time you’ve gone out with friends, maybe he just wasn’t sure what to make of it. You hold no intention of bending to his every whim, but this one time, you’ll offer him peace of mind. There’ll be major boundaries set up in the future. 

He sighs begrudgingly. “... Right.” 

iv. 

This is getting ridiculous. 

Josuke’s behaving no better than an entitled child, your paper-thin patience starting to give way. The circumstances you’ve been placed into were unusual enough, to begin with, but they never felt malicious, not until Josuke’s personality seemed to switch in the blink of an eye. What you can only describe as sabotage has become a regular occurrence. It perfectly parallels the problems you had upon first moving into this house, only now you know the one responsible. He’ll act none the wiser, claiming innocence in what has to be his doing.

Cut phone lines, missing shoes, personal journals disappearing into thin air, nothing has been spared. Maybe you were foolish for trusting a spirit. You’d like to have thought you were on solid terms with Josuke, your mortal mind doing its best to wrap around the otherworldly events. You’re at your wit’s end, now fully prepared to confront him on this unacceptable display. It’s a shame it came to this, you think. Confrontation is the worst.

“Josuke.” 

“[First].” 

The two of you sit in the living room, on opposite sides of the couch. Ever since the karaoke disaster a few weeks ago, Josuke’s attitude has taken an undesirable turn, as evidenced by how he’s acting now. Never did you imagine he could be so petty. You straighten out your posture, squaring your shoulders, and placing your hands on your lap. He stares at you with faint interest, cerulean eyes shining at your attention. 

“I’ve tried my best to be understanding,” you wince at how dramatic your words are. It almost sounds like you’re breaking up with a partner. “If I did something that upset you, please just be honest about it.” 

Josuke gives a nonchalant wave. “Nah, it’s not that important anymore. I recently made up my mind, so I don’t feel too concerned about it.” 

There weren’t many expectations in place for this talk, but Josuke dismissing you this fast wasn’t an outcome you envisioned. It feels like a slap to the face after you spent days dreading this talk. What did “recently making up his mind” even mean? Irritation rises in your throat like bile, words snapping out before you can stop them.

“You don’t just get to be that dismissive,” you point out with a scowl. “I know what you’ve been doing. Taking my stuff again, right, Higashikata? I’m fed up with this shit. Maybe I should just move out--” 

Your sentence gets cut off by the coffee table’s glass shattering. The high pitched noise makes you jump, shards flying in multiple directions on the floor. Glancing from the mess back to Josuke, you find the sight of him as a stronger cause for worry. He looks thoroughly unimpressed with your emotional outburst. Thick eyebrows knit together, his face contorting from friendly to enraged. You gulp when a sudden chill in the air sending shivers down your spine. With how friendly your relationship with him had been up to this point, you forgot to watch your tongue, the initial reverence wearing off long ago. 

Josuke stands up, flaunting his towering build. Looking down at you through lidded eyes, he reaches down, and you catch a glimpse of light blue and pink. Huh? What was that? A trick of the lights, maybe? As fast as it was destroyed, you watch in awe as the pieces return to their original place. Broken glass, chips of wood, screws and all, become whole as if it was a movie playing in reverse. Is this something else a spirit can do? 

“Y’know, [First],” Josuke begins with a humorless laugh. “This is great. I wasn’t sure how to do this part. Now I don’t have to worry about that, so let me cut right to the chase.” 

You feel the blood draining from your face, goosebumps dotting your skin. This is wrong. Whatever he’s doing now, you can’t stand another second of it. “Josuke, you’re scaring me.” 

“That’s fine by me.” He smiles. There’s a palpable thickness in the air, tension elevating as each second crawls by. Your mind trips over itself in search of a solution to this, but deep down inside, you’re filled with dread. A dread that this damage is beyond repair and that you’ve made a fatal mistake. Would screaming even help you? Could you outrun a ghost? Your heart pounders against your ribcage and you pray it isn’t Josuke who’s trying to rip it out. 

“You saw that table,” Josuke points to the once destroyed furniture, now neatly put back together. He frowns at your lack of confirmation, pressing further, voice increasing in volume. “Right?” 

You somehow manage to nod. Your throat and tongue are too dry to use and the room feels like it’s spinning. 

“That makes this simple then,” Josuke sits back down to his spot from before and stretches his arms. “There’s a lot I’m capable of. Way more than I’ve shown you. Breaking things apart and fixing them is my specialty, but… that last part can easily be omitted.” 

Josuke turns to face you, eyes peering into the depths of your soul.

“Threaten to leave me again and I won’t even bother to put you back together.” 

[liam-cadmus]

college au feat. sasushikahina

If you walk in Konoha University, you’ll immediately know the campus sweethearts, Shikamaru Nara and his girlfriend, Hinata Hyuuga. Hinata is the Student Council President, often seen with Shikamaru, the male carrying her books for her.  Deep inside, the two knows they’re missing one, the third to their duo, the one who’ll complete their triad.  Hinata would rest her head on Shikamaru’s shoulder, the Nara wrapping an arm around her. “Are you missing him again?” he questions, guiding their bodies through the crowd.  “How can I not? They said the new student is a Uchiha.” she murmurs, remembering onyx eyes and black hair, a bright smile and chubby cheeks.  “Troublesome, I swear, if this isn’t Sasuke..” Shikamaru trails off, his arm hugging her closer. Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha thought of bringing Sasuke along to their trip across the planet, wanting to settle in America with Sasuke’s older brother, Itachi.  The boy was crying that day, hugging the two of them as tight as he can being a 7-year old child. Their picture is still on their nightstands, small purple and green bracelets beside it, the accessory too big for their wrists.  “Come on, Hina, stand straighter, we’re close to the campus entrance.”

Itachi looks at the mirror, seeing his younger brother staring out the window, his charcoal eyes curious, glinting in the morning. He made sure that Sasuke knew the country they were from, the younger Uchiha still fluent in Japanese. He glances at Shisui who’s driving, his right hand clasping Itachi’s left on the gearstick.  “He’ll be fine, ‘Tachi.” Shisui murmurs, offering a grin. Itachi sighs in worry, “You know that he doesn’t remember any of his friends right?”  The plane Sasuke and his parents were boarding crashed, their parents sacrificing themselves to protect Sasuke, the boy coming out alive— but he was diagnosed with amnesia.Thankfully his brother remembers them, but they’re not sure if he will remember his childhood friends.  “He’ll be fine, he’s been healing. I think Obito’s plan to make us live here again is a good thing,” Shisui assured, a smile forming on his lips. Itachi bites his lip, before nodding— it wouldn’t do anyone good if he’s pessimistic, Sasuke can take care of himself.  Sasuke pulls his backpack, slinging it to one shoulder. He opens the car door, stepping out, before turning his head to his brother. “I’m gonna go in now, nii-san, be safe.” he says, closing the door gently. “You’ll be fine, twerp.”  He nods to Shisui before waving, the dark blue convertible driving off the road. He exhales softly, before putting his hands in the pockets of his bomber jacket, turning around. The squeals of girls flood his ears, making him frown in distaste— the action only increasing the volume.  He knows he’s good-looking, but the supposedly good attribute turns sour when girls swarm him, his dislike on physical contact increasing. He breathes heavily, willing himself not to make a scene, walking swiftly past the girls crowding him.  He walks into the campus, looking around to see the students that were supposed to show him around, a girl his age waving at him shyly. He sidles up to them, nodding. “Are you the ones that are supposed to uh..tour me?” he asks, smiling softly.  The brunette man stares at him before talking, “Quite the impression you made there.” Oh, he was talking about the fan girls, “Tell me about it,” he snorts, “I think it’s in the blood.”  “In the blood alright, come on, let’s get you out of here.” Shikamaru starts walking, Hinata walking beside him. The students part to give them way, it seems like these two are the popular kids in this university, he thinks, watching as girl wraps her hand on the brunette’s arm. The said brunette turns to him, a hand outstretched, “I’m Shikamaru Nara by the way,” Sasuke clasps his hand, shaking it, “Nice to meet you, I’m Sasuke Uchiha.”  His two companions stop in their tracks, making him raise an eyebrow. Shikamaru gulps, nudging Hinata. “H-hi Sasuke-kun, I’m H-hinata Hyuuga.” she greets, making him return a smile.  He walks along, the two of them catching up to his side, the three of them walking to the office. Shikamaru opens the door, Sasuke walking inside, the door shutting close behind him. A man lifts his head, a scar across his nose, his hair pulled on a neat ponytail. “Nice to meet you, is that you Sasuke-kun?” the man asks, making Sasuke nod hesitantly.  “It’s been a long time since I saw you here, you’ve grown up to a tall man.” Sasuke blushes slightly, “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I don’t remember you.” he admits, seeing the man’s smile slip, before masking it again— making him really guilty. “It’s fine, here’s your schedule, locker and dorm key, and these two will show you the classes and dorms.” The schedule and keys are placed on the desk, making Sasuke get the keys and attach them to his keychain, holding the schedule in his hand.  He nods, “Thank you..,” he glances at the nametag, “Iruka-san.” the man chuckles at him, waving the honorific away. “Iruka is just fine.”  He murmurs a thanks again, before closing the door behind him, seeing Hinata and Shikamaru leaning on the wall, patiently waiting for him. He smiles, before giving his schedule, Hinata’s light lavender eyes gazing through, Shikamaru nodding over her shoulder.  Shikamaru whistles, “BS in Engineering? Hello engineer, I’m architect, and she’s BS in Interior Design.”  “We have Physics and Algebra together, and it looks like you have History with Hinata, then we all have Design together twice a week.” he notes, Hinata nodding along.  “D-do you have a club on your m-mind?” Hinata stammers, fiddling her fingers together.  “Uh, I’m not sure if I’ll join one.” he brushes his hair out of his face as the couple nod, the two of them starting to walk, Sasuke following. Suddenly, there’s a arm thrown over his shoulder, making him flinch.  “Woah, chill man, I’m not gonna hurt ya,” a tan-skinned male with short brown hair grins at him, two upside down red triangles on his cheeks.  A blond girl with turquoise eyes jump on his back, squealing on his ear. Thank god he has fast reflexes — he adjusts his grip to not let her fall. “This is great and all, but can you please explain what’s happening?” he asks, confused out of his mind, staring helplessly at his tour guides.  “Do you not remember me, Teme?!” A loud booming voice exclaims, wide blue eyes and blond hair obscuring his vision. “I’m quite sure I don’t recognize nor seen you before.”  The blond deflates, the group around him slipping into hurt expressions, frowns marring their faces. “I’m really sorry, I’m apologize for not knowing you, I have amnesia so I genuinely don’t remember you.” he explains, scowl in place. It’s annoying when people gets upset he can’t remember them, it’s not like he wanted to. “It’s fine, ‘Suke.” a taller pale teen with long brown hair approaches, white eyes staring at him. “We understand.” Shikamaru and Hinata stare at him sadly, before pulling his arm, the group slipping into position behind him. He listens absent-mindedly as Shikamaru and Hinata gestures to the different classes, the information going to his brain while he thinks about the nickname. ‘Suke? Where have I heard that before?’ he scowls internally, silently looking around the campus.  They finish the tour, stopping by the outdoor garden, several students seating together as a group, he follows absently as Shikamaru and Hinata’s friends sit in a circle, making him sit on a bench a few feet away. He drops his backpack beside him, reminding himself to drop it in the lockers.  He opens his phone, reading Itachi’s message, ‘Your bags are in your dorm already, if you have time, visit Kakashi-sensei, his class is in 3A.’

He sends a ‘Thank you, nii-san.’ in return, pocketing his phone once more. He watches as a girl with green eyes and pink hair seat beside the blond girl earlier. A black-haired male with a bowl-cut that surprisingly fits him sits down energetically, a girl with buns and two more males arriving. 

He glances away from the group, rummaging through his bag for his earphones, a tap on his shoulder making him look up. “Gaara?” 

The red-haired man smirks, plopping beside him. “What took you so long?” Gaara asks, watching amusedly as Sasuke’s earphones slip from his hand, the black-haired man glaring at him. “I had trouble with the embassy, with the plane crash and other stuff.” he huffs, jamming the an earphone in his ear, leaning on the bench.

“Temari and Kankuro is with me, we moved here three weeks earlier than you.”

 Sasuke rolls his eyes, “I know that, you kept sending me selfies of you three together.” 

“Sorry to disturb your conversation, but do you wanna have lunch with us?” The boy with bowl-cut interjects their conversation, politely smiling at them — specifically Gaara. Sasuke gives a quiet ‘ah’ in understanding, before pushing Gaara forwards. “He’d love to.” he smiles sweetly, snickering at the flushed glare Gaara sends him, the boy seating down beside the male.

The pale teen from earlier sits gently beside him, the one who called him by a nickname. “Hello, ‘Suke.” he says, making Sasuke knit his eyebrows —  half in annoyance, and because the nickname is familiar. Suke, Suke, Suke, Suke... he thinks repeatedly, wracking his brain for when he heard that nickname from. 

“Suke?” 

He gasps, a memory floating to his brain. 

A pale boy smirking at him, a blurry girl beside him. “I think it’s time for *Hinata* to use that swing,‘Suke.” he mocks, hands on his hips.  The older boy approaches him, making him squeal and hop down, glaring. “That’s unfair, I’m using it, Neji.”  “You’ve been on that for an hour now, let others use it.” Sasuke playfully pouts before hopping down, letting the girl sit on the swing instead, walking to the bark of the tree to lean on.

The Hyuuga is worriedly waving a hand in front of his face, white irises pinched in distress. “Neji?” he whispers, before clutching his head, closing his eyes at the memories re-surfing. “You remember?” Neji asks, surprise in his features.

“No, I just blurted out a random name to someone who was never introduced to me.” he sarcastically retorts, wincing at the harsh tone his voice dropped to. 

“Slow down, Sharingan, you just got a lot of memories.” Neji admonishes, hands steady on his shoulders to avoid him moving too much.

“You still have that nickname?” Sasuke croaks in amusement, a glint in his onyx eyes in memory. “You’re Byakugan.” he teases, watching the older boy huff in mock annoyance, fond eyes rolling at him.   ‘Who’s the girl you were with?’ he wanted to ask, but kept his mouth shut, a blurry figure in his mind.  “So, I’m guessing I’ll be helping you to regain memories.” Neji gives a half-smile, before pulling him to the group. “Hey guys, mind if you introduce yourselves?” Neji asks them while he seats himself beside the male, focusing on his hands. “I’m Tenten, this is Lee,” she gestures to the boy beside her, the bowl-cut. “I’m Ino, this is Sakura.” the blond girl continues, “she’s my girlfriend by the way.” He nods along, looking at the blond who called him ‘Teme.’ “And what’s your name, Dobe?” he asks, the insult rolling out of his mouth.  The name? pet name? insult? gets the blond’s attention, blinking repeatedly. “So?” he urges the man to talk, an awkward silence covering the group.  “Naruto Uzumaki, dattebayo!” the blond beams, then clapping the man beside him on the back. “This is Shino, and that is Chouji.” he points to a male beside Shikamaru. “I’m Kiba,” the one with triangles on his cheeks introduces, Sasuke memorizing their names.  “I’m Sasuke Uchiha.”  The others separate from him, walking around quietly, up the stairs into the third floor. He searches for room 3A, wanting to meet his cousin’s boyfriend, Kakashi. He knocks on the door, before peeking in, seeing a silver-haired man reading a orange book. Upon closer inspection, he sees the title, Icha Icha Paradise, making him gape in disbelief — what professor reads porn in public?

He clears his throat, the masked professor looking up at him lazily, it seems like the man already knew he was here.

“You’re Obito’s little cousin, Sasuke-chan?” he drawls, closing the book in his hands and resting it on the table. “Hn.” he agrees, pulling a seat out in front of Kakashi. 

“You wanted to have a mentor in Engineering right?” Kakashi hums, flicking through stacks of paper. 

Sasuke nods, watching as Kakashi separates a folder from the pile, adding it two more. “I have this club you see, I don’t know if you’ve heard it, but it’s groups with three students and a professor, and we do activities around the school.” the man explains, opening two other folders.  “These are my current students,” he points to Naruto and Sakura’s folders, pulling the new one closer, “And I’m thinking if you want, to join our group.”  Sasuke purses his lips, considering the idea. “I was originally not gonna join one, but sure.”  Kakashi smiles at him behind the mask, “You’ll enjoy it, we’ll meet twice a week. I met Obito because of this, we were groupmates.”  Sasuke ‘tch’ed, looking away. “You have Orochimaru as your mentor for Engineering, he’s actually a professor from Team 7, you’re like, their descendants.” He notices the TEAM 7 stamp on the folders, confirming Kakashi’s statement. Ah, the Head Professors, the trio known for graduating with doctorate degrees. “So I’m guessing Naruto is taking Journalism and Sakura is taking Medicine?” Kakashi nods at him, their group really matching the head professors.  “Sure, I’ll join, Hatake-sensei.” he signs his signature in the corner, listening amusedly at Kakashi. “Maa, maa, I have three cute little students, that are small versions of the head profs..Kakashi is fine, Sasuke.” “Okay Kakashi, is that all?” he asks, again, “Meet us in the courtyard by 4 pm every Tuesdays and Fridays.” he nods, before bowing. “Thank you.”  Kakashi pushes him out the room, making him glare, “Bye bye, see you tomorrow!” He stumbles out the room, adjusting the bag on his shoulder.  Someone trips to him, making him reach out to steady them? him? her? He glances to the person, seeing Hinata, letting go when she’s standing steady. “I-I’m sorry for stumbling to you.” She says, fixing the stack of books on her arm.  “It’s fine, I was about to search for you anyways. I don’t know where the dorms are.” he shoves his hands on his pockets, walking beside Hinata. “Ah, If you’d follow me.” she whispers, her hair tied in a high ponytail, pressing her glasses up her nose.  “So, you visited Kakashi-sensei, did you join their club?” she asks, starting small talk. He hums, thinking his words over before speaking, “I needed a mentor, but yeah, I’m with Sakura and Naruto.”  She smiles, “It helps you improve actually, I’m in Team 8, Kiba and Shino with Kurenai-sensei as our professor.” Sasuke ‘ah’s, letting the information roll in his brain.  They walk the hallways quietly, enjoying the comfortable silence between them.  Sasuke pulls out a the dorm key, seeing the embedded 223 on the metal. They went up two flights of stairs, stopping at the dark brown door. “You’re roommates with Shikamaru.” she says, pulling her own key of the dorm to open it.  They enter the threshold, removing their shoes and placing it in the shoe rack. Hinata nods at him before seating on the couch, resting her socked feet on the low coffee table. He wanders around, peeking to the kitchen, and walking to the hallway, seeing an empty bedroom. “Is this mine?” he questions, pointing to the room with a thumb.  Hinata leans forwards to see the room before nodding. “Yeah, that’s yours, Shikamaru’s is the one on the end.”   His confused face makes Hinata giggle, the sound coming out as tinkling bells.��“Your bags are here.” she points to the bags stacked by the couch, making him pout and retrieve it.  “I’ll just...pack my clothes to my room.” he says, walking away, closing the door behind him.  Shikamaru opens the door surprised, he sees his girlfriend typing away from her laptop, Sasuke on the kitchen counter mixing various berries in cream. He slides off his shoes silently, before leaning on the doorframe and crossing his arms. “Well aren’t you comfortable.” Sasuke jumps in surprise, before scowling at him, irritated. “Close the door,” the man chides him, before plucking a muffin by the stove.  “You baked muffins?” he asks, walking to the counter, leaning his arms on the top. “Hn.” a muffin is pushed to his hand, before Sasuke walks to Hinata, placing a muffin by the table. “Thank you.” she says, a very light blush on her cheeks. He nods, before plopping on the other side of the couch, munching on the muffin with one hand, his other hand flipping through the pages of the book he’s reading.  Shikamaru takes the muffin before sitting in between the two, leaning on the back of the couch when he finishes it.  Sasuke looks up to Shikamaru leaning on his shoulder, and Hinata cleaning up papers. “Do you mind if you get him to bed, Sasuke-kun?” she asks, making him surprised  — he thought he would be uncomfortable by now, but the action seemed oddly familiar. “Ah,” he starts, before gently resting Shikamaru on the couch, draping a loose blanket on him. “I’ll walk you to your dorm, it’s late after all, if you don’t mind?”  She shakes her head, making Sasuke pout. “Come on, Shikamaru will get upset with me if I let you out on your own this late,” he reasons, knowing he’s being stubborn, but he just can’t shake the feeling of how right it is.  Hinata stifles a laugh, knowing that Shikamaru can’t get mad for not walking her back — especially Sasuke. She stares at him, seeing the same from her childhood, their memories making her smile in nostalgia. Sasuke snorts at her, “Yeah, I’ll need to walk you back, you’re just staring to space. Walking alone is out of discussion.” he threatens softly, locking the door.  Sasuke drops Hinata off in her dorm, ignoring the whispers of the other students, glaring at the boys who try to pull her away. “Thank you S-sasuke-kun.” she waves, making him return the gesture. He hurriedly walks to the elevator, ignoring at the peering eyes of the others. His keys jingle as he finds the correct key, jamming the key in and turning the knob, almost slamming the door — remembering Shikamaru’s still asleep.  Shikamaru wakes to his body being jostled, sleepily batting the hand away. A dry chuckle was heard, “Shikamaru, it’s late, just go to your bed.” Shikamaru blinks at him, before grumpily bunching the blanket around his shoulders, complaining.  “Bothersome, I just wanted to,” he gets cut off by a yawn, “sleep.” Sasuke hums amusedly, watching the Nara sleepily finding his way to his room in the dark hallway.  “Sweet dreams, Shikamaru.” he grunts, before closing the kitchen lights, hearing a faint mumble.  Sasuke fixes his button up, wearing a woolen sweater on top. He closes the door to his room, walking up to Shikamaru’s door and knocking.  “Wake up you lazy ass!” he bangs on the wall, finding satisfaction when he hears a tired groan, and a pillow thrown to the wall. “Such a drag.” the complaint is heard through the door, followed by silence. Sasuke, learned after a few weeks of living with Shikamaru, despite his high intellect and smart responses, is very lazy. “Come on, I’ll buy you coffee today, my treat.” he bribes, scowling when he hears no movement. “I’m not going to be late today, Nara.”  A few seconds tick by, before he hears sheets shuffle, and a begrudgingly brunette opening his door. “Fine, I’ll be out in 10 minutes.” He waits by the couch, twirling his keys around his finger, oblivious to Shikamaru looking at the band that holds it all together, a blue bracelet, making him force a smile. “Come on.”

A difference between Sasuke on and off campus is very different, to much of other people’s surprise. The jet black male is withdrawn, quiet, and polite outside, his expression often indifferent or ignorant to the people around him, making him look like an ass.  His friends know better, learning his other side, the witty, sarcastic Uchiha who often teases, the stubborn, polite Sasuke they once knew. He’s remembered some of them, mostly ones who he doesn’t spend much time back then. Sasuke often can be seen close to the campus’ couple, Hinata and Shikamaru worming their way to his heart. He knows that their bond is more than friendship, he feels it in his bones and bloodstream, not that he would admit it out loud. He just stays in the sidelines, watching the two share affection in his presence, but he doesn’t have the mind to disrupt them.

Sasuke really, really dislikes the girls who hounds his space, his face often displeased when they show up — especially those who already has significant others, it earns him glares. He sometimes curses his good genetics, knowing that pale skin and dark hair are attributes girls often find attractive.

“Thank god,” he breathes, walking in between Kiba and Neji, the two glaring at the girls to back off. “Sasuke-kun.” Kiba mimics the high pitched tone, wrapping himself on Sasuke’s arm. “Ha, ha, terribly funny.” he grits out, pushing Kiba away.  “You’ve been here for months, they still haven’t stopped.” Shino commented, gazing out of his tinted glasses. Sasuke huffs, remembering the girls flirting at him, shuddering at the memory of flowery perfume and long nails.  The boys around him chuckle at his reaction, knowing how many times they had to rescue the boy from crowds of women. “Sasuke Uchiha, please come to the office.” the intercom announces, speakers loud in the bustling hallway. “What did you do?” Chouji asks, pausing a moment to talk, before munching on his chips again. He shrugs his shoulders, before separating, pretending to not see the students avoiding him. He opens the door to the office, stopping in his tracks to greet Iruka, only to see Itachi and Shisui, Kakashi and Obito on one side. “Is there something wrong?”  His eyebrows knit in worry, seeing the scar going across Kakashi’s left eye, and the scars on the left of Obito’s face. His gut churns at the image his mind provides, before turning to Itachi,  who’s leaning on Shisui, the other male kissing his aniki’s temple.  “Uchiha clan was massacred in America.” Sasuke can feel his jaw dropping, his eyes widening in shock. Their clan was massacred? Does that mean the four of them are the only ones left? “Yes, we are the only ones left, we just got recently attacked.” Obito gestures to their faces, grimacing.  “You’re here to tell me that there might be someone coming after me?” he asks weakly, shoulders slumping. “Just a precaution, just...make sure someone is always with you, okay?” Itachi murmurs, patting his head. “I’ll make sure to have company, aniki.” The bell rings, snapping him out of his thoughts. He hugs them, reassuring that he’ll call them if something was to happen.  He slumps beside Naruto, tiredly rubbing his eyes, rummaging in his small bag only to groan, noticing his lack of packed lunch. Shikamaru leans forward on his other side, commenting dryly. “Nice lunch you got there.”  Sasuke peers at him with dark charcoal eyes, tiredly rubbing his arms. “Where’s yours then?” he asks, a dark eyebrow raised in return. Shikamaru opens his mouth to say he’s usually taking a share of Sasuke’s lunch when two bento boxes fall into each of their laps, making them look up in surprise.  Hinata blushes at the sudden attention directed to her, making her scrunch her nose up. “I prepared extra lunches, I n-noticed you two leaving e-earlier than normal.” she stammers, hand curling gentle fists.  Shikamaru sighs at her, tugging at her hand and intertwining it, “It’s fine, thank you babe.” he whispers, kissing her cheek softly, pulling his purple-haired girlfriend beside him. Sasuke turns away from the couple, keeping his head bowed while eating with the chopsticks.

Truthfully, Sasuke already recovered some of his memories with Hinata and Shikamaru, remembering the times they played around the Hyuuga estate when they were kids. He distinctly remembers his mom’s chatter, talking with Hiashi-san and Yoshino-san.  “Oh, remember when we were graduates? Our group was the three of us, now look at out kids.” Mikoto whispers, delight in her expression. “Mikoto, Hiashi was the only boy in ours, look at our children, his daughter is the only girl now.” Shikamaru’s mother giggles, Hiashi pinching his nose in worry. 

“I’ll marry you both when we grow up.”

The day where he laid down beside Shikamaru on a hill, both of them content in watching the cloud pass. 

The day where Neji introduced Hinata to him, making him push the purple-haired softly on the swing he sat on. 

He remembers Hinata teaching him and Shikamaru to make flower crowns, the three of them making one for each other.

He remembers when he left, leaving the purple and green bracelets around their wrists.

Even if he remembers it, he kept his mouth shut even if all he wanted to do was hug them and twirl them in circles. 

He cracks his knuckles, leaving his room in a sleeveless hoodie and joggers, his hair tied to a half-bun, his running shoes on. “Want me to bring coffee back? Vanilla Latte and Black Coffee?” he asks, wrinkling his nose at Shikamaru’s order.

The two nods at him gratefully, smiling. He closes the door behind him, placing both his earphones in, and jogging to the field, wanting to meet up with Suigetsu and the rest of Team Taka.

Team Taka is the sport news writers, Sasuke joining the small group when he remembers he used to play baseball and soccer. “Ah, Suigetsu.” he greets, sitting down beside him on the bleachers.  “Isn’t that the bad player from Kumo?” he blurts out, before slapping a hand over his mouth, Suigetsu barking out a laugh. “Ah him? Yes, he is.” Suigetsu smirks smugly at him, before glancing at the opposite bleachers, Sasuke stiffening when it’s filled with Kumo students. “You’re lucky you didn’t say that louder.” Karin comments, before writing notes. Ah, it was Kiba and Naruto’s practice, the two of them sweaty and panting. 

They stay there until 6pm, Team Taka leaving him on the bleachers. He walks to the stairs on the side wanting to meet up with Kiba, when Naruto crowds him from below the steps, blue eyes glinting in the dark night. “Hi, Sasuke.” the blond speaks in a monotonous voice, making him stiffen where he’s standing. “Why are you crowding me?” he asks, suspicion in his eyes. “I just wanted to tell you that if you break their hearts, you’re dead to me.” Naruto threatens, Sasuke knowing that ‘their’ is Shikamaru and Hinata. “And why is that, usuratonkachi?” he quips, dreading the next part. “‘Cause I know you like them, you’ve been like this ever since childhood.” He exhales shakily, knowing that out of everyone, Naruto is his best friend despite being separated for 13 years. “Sasuke stop lying to yourself, please.” Naruto pleads, his hand pulling at Sasuke’s collar. “What if I do?” he snarks, pushing Naruto back. Naruto looks at him with gazed blue eyes, frowning. “I’m trying to help you, because I don’t want to see them hurt again.” The blond snaps, “I don’t want you to be hurt staying in the sidelines.” he walks away, unaware of the group of Oto students hiding by the shadowed tree, Sasuke stumbling back blinking. He regrets snapping like that, knowing that keeping this to himself would harm him in the long run. Sasuke watches as Naruto’s from disappear in the distance, leaving him sitting with his arms pillowing his head. Sasuke’s cries of help is unintelligible in the dark night sky, a group of Oto students successful in beating him up.  Kiba runs towards Naruto, panting from running across the Academy, duffle bag in hand. He just came from the lockers, leaving Naruto on the field with Sasuke. Speaking of — “Naruto, where’s Sasuke?” he asks worriedly, looking at the agitated expression his lover has.  Naruto’s lips are set in a firm line, “I left him about 10 minutes ago.” Kiba grips him on the shoulders, shaking him, “Where?” his voice must have been so distressed that the blond notices it. “Naruto, where?” he repeats, uneasily, getting impatient. “The back of the stands.” Naruto finally mumbles, the alarm in Kiba’s tone bothering him. “Shit,” Kiba runs a hand through his hand before running off, Naruto following.  Kiba sprints, ignoring his protesting lungs, willing himself to keep going. “Kiba, what’s wrong?” Naruto shouts, only increasing his speed. God knows how long the Uchiha has been alone, the other teen telling him and Neji that he needs someone beside him at all times. Kiba pants, before walking silently around the stands, snarling at the laughing group of Oto students leaving to the back gate of the campus, before turning to Sasuke who’s laying down on the grass.  He winces, before slowly approaching Sasuke, sitting the boy up against the wooden poles. “Sasuke, are you awake?”  Sasuke groans, before coughing, clutching his stomach. “Did you break anything?” Kiba asks worriedly, rubbing his back to help him with the coughing fit.  “Bruises and cuts.” Sasuke groans, slumping on the pole, wincing at the bruises on his arms. He inhales shallowly, his breath coming out in stutters. “Let’s get you to Sakura.” Sasuke lets Kiba support him, Naruto hesitantly going to his other side. “It’s not your fault, it’s fine.” he reassures the man before they walk in the dark, avoiding bumps. Sasuke walks along with the couple, knocking on Sakura’s door, the pinkette scoffing when she sees him. “And what did you do that got you beat up?” Sasuke sighs at her before shrugging, the girl narrowing her eyes at him. “You better be grateful that you have a bestfriend that’s a medic.” she clicks her tongue before pulling her first aid kit, kneeling in front of Sasuke to tend to his wounds.  “Thank you Sakura.” he turns fond eyes to her, the girl rolling her eyes at him in exasperation. He looks down at his arms marred with bandages, the girl putting ointment on his bruises, his cuts cleaned and covered.  He walks to Sakura, hugging her tight. “Thank you.” he mutters to her ear, inhaling the calming scent of light sakura leaves.  Sakura snorts, patting his back. “We need to talk about it some time, but you should go home first, it’s late.” He waves before going out the door, Naruto walking with Kiba on his back, asleep.  Sasuke drops them at the second floor, “Thank you for coming to rescue me, and don’t blame yourself, Naruto.” he emphasizes the last part, knowing the blond will feel guilty for leaving him alone. Naruto opens his mouth to disagree, when Sasuke adds, “I should have told the group I needed a person with me at all times, but I only told Kiba and Neji.”  Naruto snaps his mouth shut, blinking. “I’ll talk to you about it tomorrow, just get your boyfriend on the bed,” he looks at the watch on his wrist, wincing at the late hour, “it’s close to midnight, just rest.” Naruto squints his eyes before nodding, Sasuke silently walking to the elevator to the third floor. He winces at the fabric rubbing his shoulder, the action making the bruise sting. He needs to wear a softer, oversized hoodie tomorrow, to not aggravate his skin.

He turns the door open, seeing the asleep couple on the couch, making him arrange them to lie down better, making sure that Shikamaru has an arm around Hinata to not let her fall. He walks to his room to get his dark blue blanket from his closet — the one from his childhood, the one they used when they’re sleeping over.

Sasuke pushes Shikamaru’s hair out his face, the brown locks falling on his shoulders, eyes closed in contentment. He moves Hinata’s ponytail from where it’s stuck beneath her head, letting it fall behind her.

He tucks the blanket securely around their shoulders before kissing their temples  — wanting to smack himself after doing the action. He stands with tense shoulders, walking away to close the door behind him softly.  Sasuke rummages in his closet, looking for his oversized hoodie, only to remember he used it a few days ago, the hoodie in his hamper. He scowls before knocking on Shikamaru’s door, the man taking a shower. “Shika, can I borrow a hoodie?” he shouts through the door, listening to the water running.  “Just come in, it’s folded in the second drawer.” a voice calls back before Sasuke opens the door, hastily opening the drawer to get the hoodie, retreating back to his room immediately, not wanting the Nara to see his bruises.  He wears the hoodie, inhaling the woodsy cinnamon scent. He knows the Nara’s oversized hoodies are huge on him, but he doesn’t care. He huffs a quiet laugh, seeing the sleeves enveloping his wrists, the dark green color surprisingly looking good on him.  He coughs, before walking out the room, looking at Shikamaru who’s ruffling his damp hair. “Why’re you wearing a mask?” Sasuke shrugs, before coughing, Shikamaru raising an eyebrow. The Nara doesn’t comment on how the Uchiha went home late nor the fact the two of them woke up tucked in the blanket. He narrowed his eyes at him, Sasuke wasn’t one to arrive late, if so, he would’ve messaged him or Hinata.  Sasuke shifts his feet, frowning behind the mask, his furrowed brows hidden behind his bangs, the hood a secure feeling around his head. Sasuke stares at Shikamaru who’s staring at him, probably thinking why he arrived late, after all, he did say he was gonna buy coffee for them. Sasuke lets the Nara get lost in his thoughts, fixing the rips on his jeans before wearing his sneakers, tapping his foot from where he’s standing by the doorway. “Shika, we’re gonna be late.” Sasuke brings him out of his musings, the Nara shuffling silently to wear his own shoes, walking behind Sasuke thinking. 

Sasuke leans on the bench, Kiba and Neji seated on the wooden seat. Hinata is seated next to him, their knees bumping to each other. On Hinata’s other side, Shikamaru leans on her, their hands laced together, not that Sasuke is looking at him. 

They read the notes in between them, Shikamaru and Hinata alternating in asking him questions for the review for the short test in Algebra later. Shikamaru, the smug lazy ass, would undoubtedly pass the test in flying colors without reviewing. 

His mask is by his chin, his bowed head hiding the small scars on his cheek. Shikamaru quips some facts while he reviews, nodding along to the added lessons, the information going straight to his brain. Hinata whispers to him, much to Sasuke’s amusement. 

“Mmmm..you’re warm.” Shikamaru sleepily drawls to Hinata, his tall form bending to cuddle to her side, on the grass. Kiba snickers at him, Naruto laughing from where he’s resting his head on Kiba’s shoulder, bent down. 

Sasuke turns to give them an amused smile, reaching over Hinata to play with Shikamaru’s hair, the Nara slumping in drowsiness. Hinata giggles at him, whispering, “Sleep, babe, I’ll wake you when it’s time to go.”  He turns a pout in Hinata’s direction, his head on her shoulder, lips expecting a kiss, Hinata rolling her eyes and kissing his lips softly. He hums before turning his eyes to Sasuke, staring back at dark charcoal eyes who’s watching him, lips giving a half-smile.  Sasuke turns his eyes to his lips before turning to the other direction, the hood falling down his head. Neji leans down, whispering in Sasuke’s ear. “I can see your blush, you look like a tomatoe.” Sasuke scowls, glaring at Neji. “Says the one who avoids Suigetsu like a plague.” the Hyuuga splutters, gawking at him, the Uchiha promised him not to mention his crush. “Wolf peach is blushing.” Neji says to Kiba, the Inuzuka clutching his stomach in laughter. Sasuke turns outraged to the two, his cheeks red in embarrassment, “Kiba already made me like dogs because he knew I wouldn’t remember I hate them, and now you’re calling me wolf peach?” Neji dissolves in snickers, smacking his thigh. Naruto jumps up, “Love apple.” he declares it so proudly, that even Sasuke chokes on his laughter, Hinata looking at them confused. “Why are you laughing?” she asks shyly, seeing the carefree smiling of Sasuke, the man wheezing, “That is the most obnoxious nickname you could think for tomatoe?”  wiping the tears off his eyes.

Sasuke breathes deeply, trying not to laugh. He turns to Hinata with a wide smile, the girl looking breathless when she actually saw the dark green garment Sasuke is wearing. He looks...right — he looks like he’s theirs. She looks at him, noticing the light red scar peeking out of his bangs.  “What’s that?” she asks worriedly, before Sasuke lifts a hand to his cheek, unconsciously showing reddened knuckles, the Uchiha looking at Kiba for help. She then sees a dark purple-blue bruise on Sasuke’s collar, before he lifts the hood up again.  “What happened.” she says, stern and firm, pulling Sasuke’s hand away from where he’s pulling the strings of the hoodie. She lets her thumb graze over his knuckles, providing comfort.  Shikamaru moves beside her, looking at them half-asleep, brow knitted in the confusing scene in front of him. Sasuke turns to the others, Sakura and the rest of Konoha 12 — their group name. He knows he’s being petty by not letting the two know, but it’s not that important.

Shikamaru pulls the hood off his face, his hands cupping both his cheeks, making him internally pray that his cheeks aren’t red. Kiba smiling cheekily behind his hand, the three of them watching his face flush in amusement.  Shikamaru tilts his head up, showing the bruises on his neck, the color slightly faded. “So this is why you borrowed my hoodie.” he murmurs, his thumb following the bruises, Sasuke shuddering. 

Shikamaru lets go after a few minutes, his sleep long gone when he noticed the weary expression of Sasuke. “You wanna talk about it?” Sasuke opens his mouth before closing it again, at a complete loss of words. He bites his lip before telling the news he got when he was called to the office, of how he needed to have someone with him at all times, how he visited their practice  — leaving his conversation with Naruto unmentioned. He says how Kiba came back and brought him to Sakura, and when he covered them with the blanket.

Shikamaru stares at him before smacking him upside the head, disappointedly glaring at him. Sasuke turns to him gaping incredulously, rubbing the part he hit. “What was that for?” he asks, Shikamaru crossing his arms and letting out a ‘tch’.  “For a genius, you sure are dumb for not telling me this.” He blinks before shrugging, looking away. Shikamaru sighs before wrapping an arm on Hinata, the girl whispering, “He’s just worried like I am.”

Sasuke exhales, wanting to keep calm despite how nervous he is. He wears a light brown sweater with a black coat, his tousled hair contained under a beanie. He opens the door to the dorm, silently walking behind Shikamaru and wrapping a blindfold around his eyes. The Nara jumps in surprise before leaning against him lazily, blushing.  “What’s this for?” he asks perplexed, hands going in his pocket, curiosity killing him. Sasuke told him and Hinata to wear something nice, that they’ll go somewhere. The two of them plan to include him to their relationship, hoping that what they see between them is mutual.  He lets Sasuke guide him to his convertible, the man asking him. “Passenger or Back seat?” Shikamaru responds dryly, “Passenger please.”  He sat down on the seat, snorting. “You really plan to blindfold us while going there?” Sasuke lets out a nervous yet excited ‘Hn.’, making him chuckle. “If you say so.” he leans back on the seat, listening to Sasuke running to the direction of the girl dorms.

His brows quirk up, a smile twitching on his lips when he hears Hinata talking to Sasuke, her tone light. Sasuke opens the door behind him, Hinata shuffling to seat in the middle.  Sasuke sat down on the driver’s seat, before pulling the seatbelt around Hinata’s waist, then extending to pull Shikamaru’s seatbelt around him securely, leaning a bit close.  “There.” he says, before the car rumbles, the engine lighting. Sasuke removes his beanie, securing it on Hinata’s head before driving. “Why’d you put your beanie on me?” she asks, pulling the beanie tighter to her head.  “I don’t want it to fly away.” he murmurs, the radio playing a song. Sasuke hums along, his deep voice mingling nicely with Shikamaru’s quiet singing, Hinata singing along. 

The wind blows against their faces, sometimes breaking out in fits of laughter because of how ridiculous they might be looking. They sense, they know Sasuke is pouting whenever they laugh, the Uchiha grumbling on how the surprise would be ruined if they were able to see it.

Sasuke stops the car, removing the seatbelts around them. He opens both their doors, before dragging them out, the two holding on to his arm. He exhales before lowering Hinata on the swing, the girl gasping when she feels it wobble only to realize what it is.

Shikamaru lets Sasuke guide him blindly, laying down on a patch of grass. Sasuke smiles with dimples, before reaching out to tug their hands. “You can remove the blindfolds now.” They remove it, seeing the meadow, their clan compounds on the village in the distance. Shikamaru leans up on his elbows before huffing, “This is what you meant by we’ll know if we weren’t blindfolded.”  Hinata turns to Sasuke, the Uchiha leaning on the tree. “So you remember everything?” she asks, watching as Sasuke’s hand fiddling in his pocket.  “Everything.” he confirms, before slipping a purple bracelet on her wrist, one that fits her.  He turns to Shikamaru, placing a green bracelet softly. “I’ll be yours if you’ll be mine.” he confesses, placing a blue bracelet in Shikamaru’s palm, curling a hand over it. He leans away, mumbling, “It’s okay if you don’t though, I’m fine being friends with you.”  Hinata share a ludicrous look with Shikamaru before giggling. “Idiot, why would we not have you?” she murmurs into his temple, blushing prettily. She places a flower crown on his head, getting two more from her bag to place on Shikamaru and her own. 

Shikamaru brushes his hands with Sasuke, before intertwining them, his other hand placing the blue bracelet with flushed cheeks. They peer at Sasuke’s face, seeing red cheeks and a shy smile.  Sasuke stands up with both their hands in his own, the three of them forming a circle. The corner of his lips curl to a smirk, asking, “Can I have kisses now?”  They stare at him expectantly before he moves towards Hinata, resting his hands on her hips, drawing her closer. He leans down, letting their lips meet, sighing out in happiness. Hinata throws her arms around his neck, stepping up to her tiptoes.  Shikamaru tugs on the cuff of his shirt, Hinata pushing him off towards Shikamaru. “Geez, you’ll get kisse-” he gets cut off by warm lips pressing against his, kissing Shikamaru back. His hands slip to his half tied hair, fingers holding his face close. Shikamaru smiles into the kiss, his tan hands caressing his cheeks.

They pull away, Shikamaru and Hinata sharing a small, quick kiss, before Sasuke pulls them into his arms, kissing their temples. “I think, I love you both.”  Shikamaru snorts, “That’s a bit early, but I love you two too.” he wrinkles his nose at the repetitive phrase, Hinata nudging all their noses together. “I love you boys too.”  Sasuke smiles as he drives, his hand clasping over Shikamaru and Hinata’s on the middle, squeezing it in comfort, Hinata leaning her head on his shoulder. Shikamaru glances at them from where he’s watching the clouds, “What’re you two smiling for?” he asks, half-asleep.

“Ah, nothing.” Shikamaru squeezes his hand, his head sleepily resting on his other palm. Sasuke tries to hide his smile, only to chuckle softly, not believing he has two lovers now, a girlfriend and a boyfriend  — which he admits, was delayed. 

“Come on Sas’, it’s dark and I can see you blushing.” Hinata just giggles at him.

Kiba and Neji pat him on the back, congratulating him for finally confessing. Sasuke chuckles, leaning beside the two, Sasuke looking lovestruck at his lovers, Hinata deciding to wear his hoodie. Shikamaru looks at him over his shoulder, cracking a smile in his direction.  “Whipped. Like buttercream, or maybe meringue.” Kiba teases, genuinely happy for him. “Now let’s help Neji got his boyfriend.” he answers, smiling when he sees Suigetsu smirk at him. “Oh look, me and Kiba need to go to the others real quick, we need to water Akamaru.” he rushes to say, pulling Kiba, the two of them snickering at the bad excuse and Neji, who’s red while talking to Suigetsu. He drops beside Hinata, the girl leaning on him once he was seated, routine at this point. Shikamaru lays his head on Sasuke’s thigh, mumbling. “You’re my pillow now.” Sasuke just smiles fondly at him, his hands running through his brown strands.  “I love you.” he whispers quietly, only audible by the two beside him, Shikamaru peeking at him with one eye. “We love you too, Uchiha.”

Note : 

Danzo was arrested, along with his minions, ensuring the safety of the Uchihas. Madara, an Uchiha moved back with them, along with his boyfriend Hashirama. (”I tried my best, it’s a busy week for me, so I apologize for the grammar mistakes.I know that they’re a bit ooc, and some details aren’t added, like some Team 7 bonding or Orochimaru being a mentor. I wrote this really quickly, so I can’t make sure it’s good, but I hope you enjoy.” - lian <3)

[jonnnysuh]

AHHHH!!! i was smiling so much reading your reply. so so wholesome. 🥺🥺thank you for being so detailed (and taking 2 hours omg)!

when it comes to svt, vernon and mingyu make so much sense to me after considering your ratings series. i don’t bias vernon, but he was the first svt member i was introduced to, and he totally caught my attention. i was immediately intrigued and wanted to know more, and i feel the same way as you do about his voice!! my long distanced friend and i have zoom sessions to watch svt in the soop, and i always find myself saying how cool vernon is. he’s so unapologetically himself, and i find myself genuinely interested in him. he radiates being down to earth and dependable. i also think how secure he seems to be with himself would make people feel so comfortable around him. i also find his quieter moments endearing. i think i relate myself to him the most actually

mingyu is someone i want to bias, but i physically can’t let myself lol. i admire him so much though. not only do i love his ability to take what his members throw at him, but there is such a sense of security i feel. he’s endearing as hell. i love his passion for photography. definitely fits giant teddy bear. the clumsiness is just :,) ahhh love love love. also i saw this video on twitter that makes my head spin. (i wanted to link the video but it’s gone!!! i should’ve screen recorded it. basically he was opening a bottle of beer and the caption was something about how he’d look out for you/protect you at a party and i—)

ok seungkwan!! this man is one of my biases eek! i’ll echo everything you said and add his INSANE vocals. the conversation he had with chan during in the soop made my heart melt.

my svt biases have shifted so much, but i currently bias seungkwan, seokmin, seungcheol, and jeonghan. hoshi is creeping in these days though too

got7!!! i love that we both started stanning around the same time. i also found them in june of 2020. i bias jay b as well, but my heart also flutters regularly over jinyoung and mark. jay b is an exceptional leader and that alone reflects so many of his positive/admirable attributes. you are is my favorite got7 song, and i couldn’t stop listening to it when i first discovered the track. insane insane. i feel like he radiates a quiet confidence. physically… *deep breath* woah. i would wear so many things i’ve seen him in too lol. i remember watching a video where he talked about having books stacked up all over his place and that was a !!!! moment for me. i think a common thread with my biases is that they’re all people i would love to have a conversation with, hear about their perspectives, and ask questions to. they’re people i think i could learn from, and the lessons range from being more carefree to being kinder to myself/trusting myself 

mark is so lovable. his duality is insane as well, and i love how present he allows himself to be. he’s a very considerate being. i think that is seen through things you mentioned: remembering details, making people comfortable. for me with nct, there are four members i would say i bias, probably to varying degrees, but i always come back to jaehyun, taeyong, yuta, and haechan (most recent addition). i’m drawn to all of their auras (idk how well that can be felt or known through a screen, but we must work with what we’ve got lol). there’s a sincerity i feel, especially with jaehyun. they’re all incredibly talented too (obv), but haechan continues to take my breath away. i’ve found myself watching videos where his dancing is analyzed, and his body lines(?) are gorgeous. i also love how unique his voice is. i’ve never heard another like it, and you immediately know it’s him. i also genuinely find haechan really interesting. i admire his ability to be carefree and physically/verbally open with his love for his members, but videos i’ve watched reflect strongly of his intelligence and wit. honorable mentions for johnny and ten. (nct is my newest group. i’ve probably been a fan for around a year, but i’ve found myself much more immersed in them as of recently, so i feel a bit nervous writing this much bc i’m still ~observing)

bts: yoongi, hoseok, jungkook (i call this bias line a triangle bc my “focus” can shift a lot between the three) 

blackpink: jisoo

txt: yeonjun

i cannot claim an ult group… i go back and forth between bts and svt, but i currently feel more connected to svt

p.s. also i’m going to have to take some time to work my way through all the links. i def know some of these i have not seen based on your descriptions, but i’m so excited. seriously thank you sm for taking the time to answer so diligently <3

Hello hello S (yes I took a peep into your about me oop). Sorry I took a week to reply, I've been busy but I was genuinely trying to make some time to sit down and get back to answer you. I hope I didn't make u wait too long </3 pls don't hate me 😭😭

I think it's interesting how we see Vernon really similarly. It's a good indication of how strong his character is despite being one of the ones that would rather be in the background. He has some really great qualities! Which aspects do you relate to with him? Eeeeeep his voiceeee. I like how he always talks like he's in the process of thinking,,, it's very cute.

omgggg i just looked up "mingyu beer" and is it this? If it is i'm literally gonna go to bed devastated bc why is he like this ((Imma need to touch grass real quick even tho it's winter </3)) . Sometimes Mingyu does too much LMAO,, like I get what the boys mean when they clown this man and say he acts cute on purpose,, also I hate how it works on me anyways. Like I am truly just a simpleminded girl. Whyyy won't you let yourself bias him??? He's out here waiting for u

I can't believe I forgot to mention Seungkwan's voice,,, you're absolutely correct. It makes me sad how he's often left out of the conversation when people talk about the best vocals in kpop :-((( like he deserves to be recognized more.

What do you love most about DK, S Coups, Jeonghan and Hoshi? I swear to god it's impossible as a Carat to have only one bias. I will say generally I love the chemistry they all have with one another,, like I have never seen it be blatantly awkward between any members and that's such a huge testament to their respect and love for one another *cries*. I feel u with the Hoshi creeping in stuff,,, like I find this man so adorable even tho he doesn't try to be,, he's just so entertaining LMAO. I also feel like Hoshi is someone I could be friends with irl,, the type of friendship where we're equally as annoying as one another so it cancels out.

"i think a common thread with my biases is that they’re all people i would love to have a conversation with, hear about their perspectives, and ask questions to." Yesssssss this 100% resonates with me. I feel like I can learn a thing or two about life from these people, and to spend even an hour to pick their brains would be an hour well spent. You Are is an A++++ song,, like even though I can't naturally understand the majority of it, the sentiment is definitely felt and u can understand the significance they carry for one another.

(I forgot to add I'm lowkey also attached to Mark bc he's Canadian LMAOOO) I'm fascinated with how your NCT biases are like a mixture of personalities. I agree Haechan's voice is so distinct,,, I always say to myself that it's like reminiscent of something from the 90s (Backstreet boys??? NSYNC??? Idk i'm a '00 baby but still) AND I CAN DEF AGREE WITH YOU WITH HOW HE DANCES. HE IS SO SMOOTH AND FLUID AHHHH IT'S SO NICE TO WATCH. You biasing Haechan makes sense to me bc his outward affection and loudness is similar to Seungkwan,, just like how Jaehyun's sincerity kind of reminds me of Vernon. btw have u seen Yuta's tattoo???? imma pass out rn

I don't know much about BTS ((actually I lowkey know more than I should for some reason i have no idea why)) but I think J-Hope's lil "I'm your hope, you're my hope, I'm J-Hope" is super fun LMAOOOOO. Jisoo is so pretty!! I also don't know much about Blackpink other than the fact that Jisoo said "I'm not scary" when James C*rden shot fruit at them. My knowledge is v random. I saw Yeonjun's lil "I ain't ever been with a baddie" dance and.... .. . I will say I felt itty bitty baby feelings maybe. Possibly?? This man owns tiktok at this point. He is the CEO. Give him his coin.

Thank you for sending this in and I seriously hope I didn't disappoint you by taking a bit to answer. I hope you have the bestest day and u feel like you're prepared to take on whatever's ahead of u <3 Pls lmk what u thought of the videos I linked LMAOOOO I hope they're not too weird

[obeyme-kaidii-writes]

Beginnings (7/9)

Mammon x ace gn!MC x ace!Leviathan

NOTE - read the content warnings listed in Part 1

[ AO3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 ]

It had been several weeks now since you had made up with Mammon and worked out the details of your relationship with him and Levi. And much to your surprise, things were going rather smoothly. Better than you had imagined, that’s for sure. The bickering, for one, had decreased considerably, which you could only attribute to the fact that Levi was no longer constantly simmering with jealousy and that Mammon no longer felt threatened by him.

Levi in particular had surprised you one day by suggesting the two of you take a bath together. The first couple of times you both were wrapped in towels. But it didn’t take him long to get comfortable enough that he didn’t feel that was necessary either. And while he still got embarrassed and blushy every time he asked if you wanted to sit with him in the bath, he was also quicker to relax with each attempt.

These private moments together were usually quiet ones, just enjoying the warmth of the water, and the skin to skin contact. But it wasn’t unusual either for them to be full of fun and laughter, like that time Levi had special ordered Ruri-chan themed bubble bath and water squirters shaped like magical girl wands.

Mammon though was starting to feel a little insecure. Partly due to the fact that he frequently got to watch how you’d light up when Levi would enter the room, completely unaware of how you also did the same whenever you saw him from a distance. And partly due to the fact that he hadn’t been able to spend a lot of quality time with you this week.

After arguing back and forth with himself, he finally decided he was going to talk to you about it. He absolutely did not want a repeat of what happened last time. You had reassured him several times that all he had to do was talk with you if something was bothering him, and today was the day he was going to take you up on that offer.

One evening, after a long day at RAD, Mammon had managed to drag you to bed early for some good quality snuggles. Staying up late with him wasn’t uncommon, but today he was pretty exhausted, and he had something to talk to you about.

With your head resting on his chest, Mammon started playing with your hair while he worked up the courage to talk. You could feel the way he would periodically tense, then breathe deeply before relaxing again, and knew there was something on his mind. You weren’t going to point it out though, not wanting to discourage Mammon from opening up, so you continued to play with his other hand as you cuddled against him.

“So...erm...I wanted ta...talk to ya…” he finally mumbled out. You had to bite back a laugh at the weird way his voice cracked in his nervousness, thankful that he couldn’t see your face right now, probably just as thankful as he was that you couldn’t see his.

“Sure, what’s up babe?”

“It’s just well...ya know…you always look so happy with Levi around,” he said, crossing and uncrossing his legs as he fidgeted, trying to find some outlet for his anxiety.

“And I’m...I’m just sayin’ that ya better look like that when you’re with me is all,” Mammon grimaced. That had come out a bit more aggressive than he had meant it to. He wasn’t trying to boss you around! He was supposed to be telling you how he felt!

“Of course I do, Mammon. I’m always happy to see you,” you replied, adjusting your position to smile up at him. He was blushing heavily now, and you wiggled upwards to give him a soft kiss on the cheek. He averted his gaze when you pulled back, but tightened his hold around your waist to prevent you from going too far, which only made you smile more.

“W-well so long as you understand.”

You laughed softly at his response, nuzzling against his neck in return, giving him yet another sweet kiss, this time on the skin there.

“We haven’t had a lot of time alone together this week, have we?” you asked.

“...nah, we haven’t…” Mammon relaxed, resting his cheek against your head, grateful that you were now leading this conversation and not leaving him to flounder about.

“Maybe we can do something this weekend? I’m with Levi tomorrow, but the day after we could do whatever you want?”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, stay in, go out. Whatever you want.”

“I guess I can make time for ya,” he teased, eliciting another laugh from you.

“I’m honored the Great Mammon would even consider spending time with a simple human,” you joked in return.

“Now ya just bein’ a brat.”

You laughed again, snuggling closer to Mammon, enjoying the feeling of warmth and safety at being wrapped up in his arms.

“Umm, did I say somethin���?” Mammon asked, tensing up beside you when he realized how quiet you had suddenly gotten.

“Oh! Sorry. Not really. It’s just…I remembered that there was something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

“Uhh…”

“It’s nothing bad! I swear. At least I don’t think it is.

You know how I seem to have a pretty low libido? Sex drive,” you clarified, just as Mammon was about to ask, “Well, I think that might not really be the case. I think I’m asexual, actually.”

“A what now?”

“I’m not really good at explaining it, I’m still learning about it myself, but it basically means, for me at least, that I’m not all that interested in sex? I mean, I still like it sometimes, don’t get me wrong. I have fun with you. But like, I could just as easily go without and spend time with you like this,” you explained, giving Mammon a firm squeeze around the waist and pressing your forehead against his neck.

Mammon felt something in his chest constrict. He loved having sex with you, he’d do it every day if he could. He liked the physical contact, and he craved that emotional intimacy he felt in the afterglow. The thought that you didn’t feel the same way was a huge blow to his self confidence. Had he been pressuring you too much? Did you not want to do it at all? Had he hurt you?

“...does Levi know?” he finally asked.

“Yeah, he was the one that helped me figure it out actually.”

“Why didn’t ya come to me? Doncha trust me?” Mammon asked, hurt.

“No, Mammon,” you sat up so that you could turn to face him, “That’s not what happened at all.”

“What did he do for ya, that I couldn’t?”

“That’s...that’s something you’ll have to ask Levi,” you replied.

“...you’re keepin’ secrets now too…?” he could feel his eyes starting to burn as he fought off his tears. He had been so angry just a moment ago, but now he just felt sad. Sad that you didn’t feel safe enough with him to discuss something so personal. Sad that you would rather talk to Levi.

“Woah! Mammon! Listen to me. Please,” but when he refused to look at you, you climbed into his lap, straddling his thighs, and placing your hands on his cheeks so you could turn his face to look at you. He resisted at first, but finally made eye contact, his eyes glossy with tears.

“I would NEVER keep secrets from you. Never,” you said, keeping your tone firm and even, emphasizing each word. “But this? This is not MY secret. Ok? It’s Levi’s. So you need to talk to him.”

You continued to scan his face, looking for any indication that he was understanding what you were saying, as you began to gently caress his cheeks with your thumbs. Finally, Mammon lifted his own hands, holding yours in place as he nodded slowly in agreement.

“I promise, Mammon. I won’t keep secrets from you, ok? I’ll always come to you.”

You leaned forward, closing your eyes and resting your forehead against his, “I love you,” you whispered.

Mammon released your hands, only to wrap his arms tightly around your waist, pulling you to him. You pressed a kiss to his cheek before returning the gesture, hugging him back as he buried his face in your neck. Holding him close, you ran your fingers through the hair at his nape, making sure to tell him how much you loved him, over and over again.

[pa-panda-heroes]

Loved your hugging hcs with the LoV and heroes! I was wondering if you could do a “how they confess to you” for the bakusquad?

Thank you, anoni! I absolutely can :> hope you enjoy!!

~🐼

How the BakuSquad confesses to you!

Katsuki:

Well, to say Katsuki is one with nicely wording his feelings well would be... false. An absolute lie. An incorrigible fallacy. Utterly incomprehensible.

He’s not great with expressing how he feels; it doesn’t come natural to him. I’m not saying he doesn’t know what he’s feeling, of course he knows what’s going through his own noggin.

And he especially doesn’t want an audience. He’d be damned if he let it slip accidentally, too.

So, first step - isolate you for a bit. Optimally, he’d have you come over to study or help him with something work-related. Maybe he’d ask you to help with repairs to his costume. “Katsuki, you can send it somewhere to get fixed.” “You’re doin’ it anyway!”

But his preferred route would be to take you somewhere, like a movie or whatever it is you prefer.

Katsuki will be closer physically than normal as he tries to put something coherent together that will tell you he has feelings for you. If your focus isn’t on him, he’ll lean over your shoulder to peer at whatever you’re doing in hopes that he can get it out without you having to see his face. But no.

After a while he’d just blurt out, “I don’t want to be your friend.” Obviously it’s not a great idea to start with that, but oops. He’s calm and a bit pouty when he says it, which is confusing for you.

It’s upon glancing at your look of absolute horror that he realizes oh shit that came out wrong! And so his face contorts into that almost comical snare and he yells at you that, “no, not like that, you idiot!”

If you pick up on what he’s saying and teasingly go through different titles (best friend, ultra best friend, etc.), his temper will flare and he’ll get flustered. But if you don’t, he’ll slap a palm to his forehead and groan. Either way, he’ll next spit out one word and one word only: “boyfriend.”

You almost can’t hear it. He’ll look away bashfully - but not without a scowl. “I wanna take you out, dumbass,” he’ll mutter.

“In a date way or murder way?”

“Murder way if you keep that shit up!”

Eijirou

So, I can’t see it being easy for Eijirou to hide his feelings. He can do it, but he gets flustered!

Like Katsuki, he would conjure up some sort of plan that involved you away from the others, just the two of you. But nothing like your everyday activities.

Obviously it’s going to be something you enjoy, but Eijirou loves nature so he’s going to try to find something relating to that. Maybe you’ll go to an aquarium, maybe a zoo. But he’d love to hike with you!

Unlike Katsuki, he’d be nervous. Every once in a while you can hear him encouraging himself under his breath, telling himself to get on with it, that he needs to be manly and be honest about how he feels.

Whether you are or not, if Eijirou has feelings for you he’s going to call you “manly,” as for him it’s a great compliment and one of the easiest ways for him to show adoration. I think he equates kind and strong-hearted with “manly,” personally.

He’d start out with telling you how much he admires you, be it bits of your personality or things you do and have done. And then, more shyly, he’d go on about your physical attributes or mannerisms he likes.

And then it comes: “I kinda like you!”

His eyes are shut tight and his face contorts like he’s in pain, waiting for your response and hoping that you feel the same way. But it’s adorable anyway.

And if you accept? And return his feelings? He’s on cloud nine with relief and definitely will fist bump the air in victory! He’ll be relieved and ridiculously happy, like a kid in a candy store.

Denki: tumblr why is there no yellow how dare u

Of course the only way for this adorable dork to confess is accidentally. Through memes. Because let’s be honest, if you’re friends with Kaminari Denki, you’re meme buddies with Kaminari Denki.

He’ll send crush-related memes to you all the time, though none of them somehow apply to you, so it’s not obvious. He’s not stupid!

Little do you know, he’ll make his own memes that center around him and your being his crush and send them to whoever realizes he has feelings for you first. Or whoever he trusts enough not to forward the memes to you.

And that’s not how you find out - no, no one sends them to you to mess with Denki or get him to finally confess. It’s not like that.

The poor boy does it himself! He’s trying to send a particular meme he’s made about you to Mina, but accidentally drops his phone and desperately tries to grab it. And whoops. It sent the meme to you.

Now he‘s in panic mode. He can’t unsend it. But you can’t know how he feels. What if you don’t feel the same way? It’s scary!

He’ll follow it up with a “...uh, surprise?” text after some a lot encouragement from his friends to go through with it. There was no denying it...

Needless to say he’s a crying mess, dramatically sobbing that his life is over now that you know, and if you don’t feel the same way.

But when you text back another meme confirming that, yes, you feel the same way, he dies a little bit inside and goes to heaven. He’ll get so excited he’ll literally become static and shock anyone around him accidentally.

Mina:

Mina is a very straightforward girl - ain’t nobody got time for blushing and cooing and hiding her face like a schoolgirl with a crush on her senpai.

She’ll know it immediately, and she’ll know what to do with it, but she’s not going to confess without at least knowing you enjoy her company or like her as a person. She may be teasing and rambunctious sometimes, but she’s still considerate!

I can’t see her caring about who’s around when she tells you, so it’s possible she’ll confess to you surrounded by good company! That said, she wants you comfortable when she tells you, so whether or not others are around depends on you.

She might be a little nervous, but it won’t affect her drastically.

Her friendly teasing will increase tenfold leading up to her confession, so be prepared to give her a taste of her own medicine!

Mina’s choice of words will be pretty straightforward - “I like you romantically! What about you, though...?” But this is when her anxiety shows. She’ll probably avoid eye contact a little, or fiddle with her hands behind her back so you can’t see. Although, all the while she’s smiling at you.

And afterward she just crashes. Like the “oh my god it’s over and I’m exhausted” kind of crash, but she’ll still obviously be in a good mood!

If you accept, her head will drop on your shoulder in relief and she’ll be overdramatic in a cute way about it! Because woah! It happened!

She’ll immediately start planning your first date after! She’ll be really giddy and constantly asks for your input.

I’m going to leave Sero out for now because I’m not really sure what to put for him 😞 I’m sorry, anoni!

[fanfics-arent-therapy-but-idc]

JATP FANFIC

Juke

Fluff

Oneshot

Time and Space

Julie and the boys decide to take a break from the band while Julie gets her bearings at college while they go and explore. Turns out that kindred spirits don’t take well to time and space.

Julie sat on the black swivel chair at the studio, back slightly arched over a keyboard as she recorded a new part to the chorus of a song she was working on. She hummed the lyrics lightly allowing her fingers to make what she heard in her head come to fruition. “Perfect” , she said once she added the keyboard to the song and replayed it. The song was mostly pop with a little bit of soul. It was right on brief as far as she was concerned, but the professors at Berklee were no joke. She just hoped that she did enough for an acceptable grade. After saving the song on her drive, she made her way to her room on 150 Massachusetts avenue. Her roommate, a dance major from Brazil, wasn’t going to be home until 11:00pm, meaning that she had two hours of alone time.

She entered the cozy room with a smile. Alana had turned on the L.E.D fairy lights and she could also smell the faint floral scent of the oil diffuser. She must have done this before she met up with her friends for their weekly Friday dinners . Julie locked the door, sat on her desk, and scribbled a note of gratitude, ending the note with a new Portuguese phrase that she’d picked up from her, “te amo muito”. After placing it on her bed, she began her nightly routine: shower, sing in the shower, wear her comfy pajamas(which consisted of an old, ripped up T-shirt that she had stolen from Luke years ago, and fluffy reindeer pajama pants), check her phone for messages, find out that she didn’t receive any, and ultimately sit on her bed for another hour with her notebook and a pencil. She usually felt most creative around this time, but tonight was not one of those nights. She stared at her phone that was all too proud to showcase her embarrassingly empty notifications list.

At first, the band came to the decision to go on hiatus for Julie’s sake. They had spent every hour of everyday together for two and a half years, cultivating a loyal following and making great music. A needed break, just so Julie could focus on school, was the logical move. Ever since they materialized as real people, they hadn’t spent much time exploring this new world. This was their chance. She mostly attributed the lack of communication to the fact that they probably still had no clue how to use smartphones and ignored the very plausible idea that they might have needed a break from her. She and Flynn spoke more often, but she was easily busier than Julie over at Northwestern with her double major in Performance studies and Film and Media studies.

Sigh. Julie fell backwards onto her bed and closed her eyes, remembering the day she left for Boston. It was still super hot in California, but she had a sweater stuffed into her carry-on for when she landed on the East Coast. The boys drove a separate car that contained most of her luggage, while her Dad, Flynn, and her brother were in another car, blasting the radio. Her father singing the loudest, trying to drown out the pang in his chest, Julie assumed. She was excited to go to college, but she would miss her hometown, her family, Flynn, and the boys. When they parked, the boys insisted on carrying all of the luggage. She had to wrestle Reggie to hold on to her carry-on. The boys wondered at everything they witnessed, none of them having taken a flight anywhere before dying. She distinctly remembers the way Luke smiled and waved at the troupe of pilots walking past them and towards their respective flights. When it was time for her to pass the threshold, her dad broke down, silent tears breaking through. “Mom would be so proud of you”, he assured her. Now it was Julie’s turn to cry. She hugged them all one more time, Luke last of all.

“Hey”, he started, “don’t forget about us when you become a cool, super smart, college student”. Julie laughed so hard that she startled the entire waiting area full of people.

“I promise that I won’t. And just because the band’s taking a break… that doesn’t mean you can’t call, or text, or video call. Don’t be a stranger.”

“Of course, once I figure out how to do that video call thing you’ll be seeing this face once a day”, he promised. Julie laughed again, wiped her tear-stained cheeks, and boarded her flight.

That was three weeks ago. The first time he video called her, the connection was poor, and they couldn’t hear each other. The second time he tried to call, she just got an embarrassingly bad grade on an exam that she had spent all night studying for in addition to being days behind on a project in the very same class. Julie lay in bed cringing at the memory of that afternoon.

“Hey Julie! woah, are you crying? What’s going on are you oka- “

“No- I mean I was, but I- I’m good now, just busy”,

“Oh. Well, what’s up?”

“Uh, nothing much honestly. Just… yeah just super busy”

“Julie, do you need me to hang up?”

“I’m so sorry, but yes. I’m just-”

“Busy? Got it. See you later”

She felt physically ill remembering that day. She had half a mind to text him an apology, but some sort of self-preservation setting inside of her stopped her every time. Knowing Luke, he’d probably texted everyone that she was super busy and not to be disturbed. Maybe that’s why she’s been left on radio silence for a week. Her dad even downsized from his daily calls and he always kept them under ten minutes; even if she insisted that she had more time. She was just about to call it a night when her phone vibrated. She froze. Don’t get too excited. It’s probably from one of your professors.

It wasn’t. Julie blinked and turned the brightness all the way up on her phone. The message read:

🎶Luke🎶: Hey, are you busy?

Julie was quick to respond:

You: No, not at all. Wanna talk?

Just as the little notification popped up to indicate that her message was delivered, there was a knock on her door. She assumed that it was Alana coming home early. She frequently forgot her keys so it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility, but who she opened the door for was completely unexpected.

“Dad! Carlos! What are you doing here?” Standing in front of her door was her dad and brother. She hugged them tightly and to more of her surprise, just outside the doorway was Flynn, Alex, Reggie, and Luke, standing humbly behind everyone else.

“Don’t be mad at us”, Alex said, “Luke made it very clear that this surprise could not be spoiled under any circumstances”.

“But we’re not that good at keeping secrets,” Reggie added.

“So you all decided to ghost me?” she questioned.

“Sort of”, Alex responded quietly. They were all looking at her. Wondering if they had made a grave mistake and if she would slam the door in their faces. She wouldn’t.

“Well… the risk was worth it. I am officially surprised!” she whispered, realizing that her fellow, sleep-deprived, students would not appreciate the interruption. The look of relief on everyone’s face was hilarious.

“Come on everyone, let’s get out of this hallway. I know a good 24-hour diner just around here. They have seats big enough for all of us”, Julie suggested.

“That sounds great Julie, but please tell me that you're getting changed first?” Flynn asked.

Julie remembered that she was in her ‘comfy clothes’. Clothes consisting of Luke’s shirt and Christmas pajamas. “Uhhh, yeah. Give me a minute”. She shut the door, jumped into a pair of jeans, sneakers, and a sweatshirt. “Okay, now I’m ready! Let’s go”.

The walk to the Diner was short, but Julie had learnt a lot. Carlos just started a photography club at his school, Flynn’s roommate, Justine, has an aunt who owns a hair salon, meaning discounted box braids all year. She was really excited about that. Reggie has been surprising fans at local cafes with acoustic versions of the band’s best hits. Alex has been holed up in every museum and library in California and Dad was up to the same old stuff, taking photos, cooking, and whatever old people do, Julie added to her dad’s protest.

“I am not old”, he responded as he pushed open the Diner doors. The place was pretty clean to most city-dwellers standards. The faded blue and yellow banquets surrounded the walls and long wooden tables were placed across from them. Julie took the liberty of snagging a few stools from the counter, seeing as the room was empty. Julie, Carlos, and her Dad sat on the stools while the rest of the crew spread out on the banquets. When the waitress came around she informed them that they were in luck and that there was a fresh batch of maple bacon and regular glazed hot out of the deep fryer. They ordered one of each for everyone, along with a pot of classic Diner coffee and a pitcher of water for Carlos. As they waited for their desserts, the group fell into a lull. Julie took this chance to get into Luke’s head. He had planned an entire trip across the country for her, but he hadn’t said more than twenty words to her since she’d layed eyes on him.

“So, Luke,” she started tentatively, “what have you been up to? Visit any museums lately?”

“Pfft I wish!” her father exclaimed. She peeked over at a mortified Luke and the sympathetic stares of his friends. “I swear all he ever does is sit in that studio, write songs, and sulk”, he continued mercilessly, only stopping when the waitress arrived.

“Here are the donuts. The coffee and water are coming right up”.

“Thank you so much,” her Dad responded kindly. “Now back to what I was say-”

“Julie, can we talk… outside,” Luke interrupted. Flynn and Carlos tried to stifle a laugh that ended in both of them choking on their donuts. Julie was… confused to say the least but she obliged, standing and walking shyly past the door he opened for her.

‘It’s freezing out here!’ She wanted to say to cut the tension, but she knew that the weather was not one of the topics of conversation that Luke had on his mind. They were walking now, taking small steps to nowhere in particular. Luke spoke first.

“So, as your father has so kindly told you, our beloved friends, and the entire Diner staff, I’m sort of miserable without you”.

Julie snorted. “Well, to be honest, I'm not having such a great time without you either. We’re really that co-dependent, huh?” Luke was smiling next to her and she was smiling back. She really did miss his smile.

“Ha, well, you say co-dependent, and I say that I'm deeply in love with you,” he shrugged, “same difference”. What? Julie froze. She was not prepared for this, but one could say that that was just bad planning on her part. Julie still remembers the day when she almost lost him to Caleb. The feeling of absolute darkness surrounding her heart, the feeling of heartbreak and anger. She was way too young to call that feeling love, but looking back, looking at all of the late-night songwriting sessions and the way she lost all ability to speak when he gave her that smile, maybe it was. Maybe it still is. Realizing that Luke was watching her, she tried to utter some sort of response.

“Luke, I-”

“You don’t have to say it back, in fact I'm asking you not to, but just hear me out on this one request. Please?”

“Okay.”

“Let me stay.”

“Where? My dorm room. I think that Alana and my dad might have something to say about that,” she answered, unsure of where this was going.

“Very funny Molina. He was doing his nervous finger twitch. “C’mon lighten the mood Julie!” She chastised herself.

“Right? I should drop out and pursue a career in come-”

“Let me stay here in Boston”, he butted in. She didn’t mind because she could see how much what he wanted to say scared him. “I'll get my own place, I'll work crappy retail jobs when all my money runs out, I’ll busk on the streets for all I care, but I… I need this. He was gesturing at the two of them.

Julie stood there unmoving. He needed her. The sentiment was horrifying and exciting at the same time, but she couldn’t hide her truth when he was showing his off right in front of her. To her, he was that bit of California sunshine she was always missing, the series of sounds that filled the empty part of a song she was producing, he was like the sweet glaze on a soft donut; he completed her. Without thinking, she grabbed his shaking hands and placed them on her cheeks. Like from memory, he was caressing her face. She placed her hands on his face and did the same. For a split second, Julie was sixteen again, in her mother’s studio, holding on tight to what she had left, what she wanted more than anything.

“I need you too, Luke. You're the glaze to my donut.” It was Luke’s turn to laugh now. Julie knew it was a stupid metaphor, but it got the job done and it made him smile.

“Oh my gosh that was terrible”, he teased, putting both hands over his mouth in shock, “how did you get into Berklee?”

“That’s a lot of talk coming from someone who didn’t get into Berklee”, she teased back, arms folded.

“Hey, don’t underestimate me! I could have gotten in had I applied”, he assured her.

“You don’t even have a transcript, Luke.”

“Once again, do not underestimate my skills of persuasion. I managed to get you to let three ghosts live in your studio” he replied.

“Fine. Then apply next semester,” she teased.

“Is that a challenge, Molina?”

“More like an invitation”, Julie looked him in the eyes now, all jokes aside.

“I’ll be there. Always”, he answered.

“Wow. That was, inspiring”, said a familiar voice, “but can we please get back to the hotel? The waitress just warned us that we don’t want to be walking around here after dark.”

Julie and Luke turned in unison to see a paranoid Alex standing in front them. “Oh, and congratulations on the two of you finally realizing that you are literally inseparable. This past month has been torture for me! Now c’mon, let’s go before we get murdered, but for real this time.”

The trio walked back into the Diner with Luke and Julie holding hands. This was met with various cheers, chants, and a relieved “finally”! from Julie’s dad. “Now I can use my studio in peace!”

THE END!

[hockeylvr59]

Proving Your Worth Part 10 || Jonathan Toews

Requested: [ ] yes [x] no

Authors Note: So I just have to say thank you to my lovely Jonny anon for always making me want to write more of this series. Your comments always mean the world to me. I hadn’t planned on this chapter (I was honestly kind of planning on skipping right to Christmas) but you asked for couch cuddling and well that transitioned into this. 

Warnings: smut, first-time sex

Word Count: 2,323

~~~~

When you’d arrived back in Chicago after Thanksgiving and ended up snuggled with Jon on the couch, both of you had been far too tired and you had quickly passed out after being carried back to Jon’s bed. It was now Wednesday morning and once more you found yourself waking up in Jon’s bed. The team had played in Nashville the night before and after a tough loss, Jon had asked you to come over, wanting to crawl into bed next to you when he arrived home. Jon had never asked you for much so you complied, taking the key his doorman offered you when you walked into the building to let yourself into his place. 

As you stirred, you felt Jon’s arms wrap tighter around your waist and while the action should be comforting, it was countered by the twist in your stomach as you once more bolted for a toilet to vomit. Having thrown Jon’s arms off of you forcefully, your boyfriend had awoken to the sound of you puking and had groggily stumbled over to your side. With Jon’s hand rubbing your back until you were finished you whimpered softly as he gently pulled you into his arms once you were back on your feet. 

“Please tell me that this should be over soon?” He murmured. “I hate seeing you sick.” You were just a few days shy of twelve weeks along so hopefully, the morning sickness would go away soon. 

“Hopefully.” You replied, basking in the feeling of Jon’s arms before moving to grab your toothbrush you’d left by his sink last night. Jon waited while you brushed and then gently kissed you, whispering good morning and thanking you for coming over last night. Though they’d lost last night, they had just played back to back and had a home game tomorrow so Jon’s coach had given them the day off to recuperate a little. 

“Can we just spend today relaxing?” He pleaded. You really should go to work but honestly, you were ahead on your assignments, didn’t have any meetings scheduled, and you’d been working overtime while Jon was on the road so that you could spend more time with him when he was home. 

“Just let me call Diane and let her know I won’t be in.” You agreed, accepting another kiss from Jon as he moved through his apartment into the kitchen. After chatting with your boss who agreed that you’d been working too hard lately and had more than made up for a day off in overtime, you hung up and plugged your phone in, figuring that you wouldn’t need it for a while. It was only then that you noticed a spot of throw up on your shirt, likely caused by splashback from the toilet. Moving to the door you called out to Jon. 

“I’m stealing a t-shirt!” After rifling through his drawers and finding a soft t-shirt, you tugged your own off of your head, tossing it onto the bed to carry to his laundry room along with some of his clothes that needed washing. It was while you were in this state of undress that Jon appeared and you heard his voice softly breathe your name. Turning to face him you saw that his eyes were wide, but they weren’t focused on your breasts or your face….rather they were resting on your abdomen. 

“I...woah…” Jon whispered, his body stepping closer to yours. 

“What Jon?” You asked. “You’ve seen me naked before.” 

With his hands dropping to your waist, Jon sunk down onto his knees, and suddenly his mouth was pressing feather-light kisses to the skin of your stomach. 

“Baby...you’re showing.” He finally whispered, his eyes moist as he peeked up at you. “This…” he kissed your stomach again. “This was not visible when I went down on you last week. This is the baby.” The awe in his tone made your eyes fill with tears as well. It wasn’t until Jon had pulled you over to the full-length mirror in his closet that you noticed what he was talking about. Though it wasn’t super obvious, your stomach did have a little bit more of a swell to it than it normally did. Immediately you thought back to how pants were tougher to button and how you’d attributed the pooch to be from over-eating. It hadn’t even dawned on you that it was the first physical sign of your child and as you stood half nude in Jon’s arms you couldn’t help but start crying. 

Jon held you until your body had steadied before retreating to pick up the clean shirt you’d grabbed and gently tugging it over your head. 

“Come on...let’s get you and baby some breakfast.” Jon murmured, one hand reaching out to you while the other grabbed the dirty shirt tossing it into the laundry. Returning to the kitchen you found that Jon had started making pancakes and he settled you down onto a stool with a glass of orange juice and your vitamins before returning to his work. 

It was only once your stomachs were full and dishes were clean that Jon pulled you back to the couch, settling you between his thighs as he tugged a blanket over you both. TV remote in his hand, Jon flipped through options before finally settling on a baking show, his hand reaching down to rest on your stomach. 

You’d stayed like that for hours, enjoying the feeling of being in Jon’s arms and just spending alone time with your boyfriend. Eventually though, Jon’s hands started to wander and peeking back at him you could tell that he didn’t even know he was doing it, still engrossed in the show. His hand on your stomach had dipped a little lower, so close but yet so far from where your body was aching for him. His other hand had been rubbing your arm and had drifted to where he was half rubbing your arm and half rubbing the side of your breast. 

“Jon…” You eventually whisper, feeling the coil inside of you winding itself up. Since he’d gone down on you, your desire for him had been steadily growing and now...now you weren’t sure you could wait any longer. You wanted to feel him, wanted to share that level of connection with him, wanted him to be your first. Hearing his name Jon finally looked down at you and you heard him hum as a question to what you needed. 

“I need you.” You breathed, your thighs clenching together unconsciously. 

“I’m right here,” Jon responded, not catching the point you were trying to make. Taking his right hand you shoved it closer to your core and repeated yourself, your voice cracking. 

“No...I need you Jon...please…” You felt Jon stiffen behind you for a moment before a soft ‘oh’ fell from his lips. 

“Are you sure?” He questioned and you let out a frustrated whimper in reply. “Okay. Okay.” Jon finally murmured, gently guiding you up off of him so that he could stand before pulling you to your feet and leading you back to the bedroom. Once there, Jon’s hands snuck around your waist and he pressed his body close to yours, kissing you. While the kiss started soft, Jon slowly deepened it until you were making out at the foot of his bed. Losing yourself in the kiss you let Jon’s actions guide you, lifting your arms when he tugged at your shirt and stepping out of your sweats and underwear as he pushed them down your legs. “Go lay back sweetheart.” He instructed and after climbing onto the bed you watched as Jon rid himself of his own clothes before joining you, his hands returning to your body. 

This was your first time seeing Jon totally nude and if you had thought you were aroused before, you hadn’t known what arousal was. Because nothing compared to seeing every inch of Jon bared for you, his eyes reading your face as he touched you, working to prepare you for himself. You’d never been with anyone before so you had no measure of reference, but Jon seemed large, both in thickness and length. 

With his index finger under your chin, Jon drew your attention back to his face, a smirk on full display. 

“Like what you see gorgeous?” He teased, kissing you instead of letting you answer as he slotted his body more firmly over your own. This was...this was everything you didn’t know you needed until now and already you knew that this was going to be better than anything before it. With Jon’s hands working over your breasts and core you whimpered into his mouth and his smirk deepened as he pulled back. 

“You’re so wet for me. So beautiful like this.” Jon’s eyes remained on your face as he slipped two fingers inside of you, watching as your face twisted in pleasure. This wasn’t uncomfortable, he’d done this before, but yet you still found yourself amazed at just how quickly and easily one action could bring you so much pleasure. “That’s it, sweetheart. Let go for me.” Jon instructed and with one more twist of his fingers you were falling apart for him. 

Pressing light kisses to your lips, Jon waited until your body had relaxed before urging your eyes up to him. “Are you sure you want this?” He questioned, once again fully willing to stop without receiving anything in return if you weren’t comfortable. 

“I don’t just want this Jon...I need you.” You insisted, your nails trailing a path down his chest. “I can’t give you much...but I can give you this and I want to share this with you.” You rambled. “I want to feel that level of connection with you. I need to.” 

“I’m yours.” Jon insisted, fingers brushing over your cheek as he kissed you slowly. “So if you’re 100% sure, I’d love nothing more than to feel you wrapped around me.” An easy smile settled onto his face and seeing no hesitation on your face he nodded, stroking himself a few times before shifting to reach for the nightstand. 

“Jon...you don’t need that.” You insisted, tugging him back to you. “I’m already pregnant remember...so unless there’s something you haven’t told me...I want to feel you. Just you.” A short chuckle left Jon’s throat and he nodded. 

“Sorry...habit.” He simply explained and you nodded smiling up at him. 

“Hmm...well it’s a habit you can break...for the next six months or so.” You assured him, gasping when he pulled your hand down to wrap it around his length. He was hard but soft at the same time and you brushed your thumb against the skin as Jon moaned over you. 

“God that’s sexy.” He groaned, letting you touch him and explore for a moment more before guiding your hand away. “Are you ready?” He questioned. “I’ll go slow...but I need to be inside you.” His words of need only spiked your own desire and you nodded, meeting his lips in a kiss as he gently started pressing inside of you, your body stretching around him. He moved slowly just like he promised and kissed the few tears that fell at the slight pinching feeling, but eventually, his hips met yours and after a moment of stillness you felt this overpowering need to have him move. 

Expressing that need, Jon nodded and slowly started rocking his hips down onto your own, setting a steady but gentle thrusting motion. 

“You feel….so good.” You moaned, your body more eagerly responding to Jon’s. 

“Yeah? You like that?” He questioned, adjusting the position of your hips just slightly to allow him to achieve a deeper angle. 

“Jon…” You whimpered, feeling that familiar warmth growing inside you again. 

“You’re perfect.” He grunted. “Let me feel you cum.” He requested. Before you’d even realized that you were right there, a thrust of Jon’s hips hit a slightly different spot inside you and suddenly your toes were curling and you couldn’t help but cling to him as pure pleasure coursed through your body leaving you sweaty and boneless. “Give me one more.” Jon’s voice murmured in your ear just before his mouth dropped to suck one of your nipples between his lips. You knew that your breasts were more sensitive due to pregnancy, but you hadn’t realized that what you were feeling would be the result and as you heard Jon curse into your chest, a third orgasm crashed down on you at the same time as a flood of heat filled your core as Jon spilled himself inside of you. 

For a few minutes, Jon rested beside you, letting your body catch up with the workout you’d put it through. Then he’d pulled you from bed and carried you to his master bathroom, insisting that you pee before climbing into the shower. Though he joined you for a few minutes, whispering praise into your ear about how good you’d made him feel and how grateful he was that you shared that with him, he eventually stepped out, leaving you alone to enjoy the heat of the water beating down on you. 

By the time you stepped out, a towel wrapped around your body, you found Jon lounging on the bed, a fresh set of sheets having been put on already. He’d motioned for you to join him, and as you tucked your body into his own you couldn’t help but bask in just how good all of this felt. You were falling in love with him...hard and fast. 

“I’ve already fallen in love with you. And I fall a little more every day.” You hadn’t realized you’d spoken aloud until Jon whispered those words into your hair. “But we can talk about that later. Rest now. You and the baby both need it.” 

[insanityinherited]

Ladies’ Travelling Necessities

Disclaimer: This is not going to be a neat, 100% PC post. When we talk about gender and gender roles, even in subverting or destroying them, we engage with them and society’s expectations of them. I mean no offence, I am simply trying to articulate how I feel and fit in this world.

It starts with a twinge and a trickle. It progresses to several internal organs ripping themselves apart and great globs of slimy stuff uncomfortably sliding away. You know how some people feel really gross about the word ‘moist’? Or get squeamish when they hear about broken bones and evicerated intestines? That’s how I feel about my period. Actually, that’s how I feel about my physical womanhood in general. Twenty-one days a month I can ignore it, for the most part, because my brain is far too good at compartmentalising. The other nine days a month though? When Aunt Flo comes to visit, when my unwanted subscription to Satan’s waterfall arrives, when it’s Shark Week, when I need to wear ‘ladies’ travelling necessities’? It’s really hard to ignore the fact that I’m a female when every weird little sensory inconsistency reminds me of my vagina.

It has taken me a lot of shifting and fumbling through my thoughts to get here. Clinically, I have no problem separating gender, biology and identity. Personally though? Ooh boy. My head gets in a jumble and things I thought I’d sorted out get juggled and re-thought and shuffled around the giant, old school filing system of my brain. See, mentally, most of the time, I’m pretty much a girl. I think. Physically, I want to be a Ken doll. Or a flat-chested Barbie. Currently, to categorise myself I have cannibalised together a bunch of labels. I’ve sort of ended up with “Sapioromantic Asexual-Lesbian DemiGirl”. Which is sort of complicated, considering most of the world assumes I’m a Homoromantic Lesbian Cis-Woman. I’ve been questioning a lot. How can I be ace and gay? How can I be sapioromantic but only attracted to smart women? Am I demi girl? Or agender? Or non binary? Or fluid? Or... sometimes I find the choices overwhelming. I welcome the opportunity for language and choice for those who need it, but when my brain tries to label me it gets a bit dizzy. So let’s try and break it down, a la the genderbread person. (If you haven’t met the genderbread person, it would be a good time to go google it. It’s awesome).

Let’s start with the easy one: attraction! Physically, I don’t experience a lot of sexual attraction, if at all, and I don’t like to act on it really ever. Making out is okay, I guess. That makes me grAysexual. When I do want to act on sexual attraction, or I’m sorting myself out, I think about or seek out women in a physical sense. Grey-ace Lesbian? It seems a bit much. Mentally, smart women make me say woah. I can’t be any kind of attracted or interested if my brain isn’t switched on and a bit challenged. Sapioromantic definitely fits me. My idea of a good date night is a public lecture on astrophysics. I’m sorry.

The next easiest part of the genderbread person for me is biological sex. Given that it’s been the same down there for twenty-seven years, you’d think it would be the easiest, right? Except that conscious thought about it makes me feel icky. But, I have a fully functioning set of traditionally female parts, so we can go with female and leave it there. Next please!

Hahahahahahahahahaha now we’re up to identity! This took me a really long (although comparatively short) time to figure out. I am not a man. This much I am certain of. In my brain I am definitely, absolutely, never even considered it, completely not male. But I’m also not a woman. This took me a while to accept and understand, because so many aspects of my brain I had been conditioned to understand were tied to my gender- my morals, my ethics, my preferences, my feminism, Hell, even my intelligence, it was all tied to my female-ness. Taking ownership of those things and taking them away from the label “girly” has helped enormously. I’m not 100% a woman. But it’s also made it a little harder- I’m not a girl, I’m not a boy, but I’m also not agender. WTF? After much wandering around the internet, I found the term ‘DemiGirl’. The place I found it is since been cleared from my history, but essentially it laid it out like a pie chart, where one’s femaleness took up a large chunk of the pie but that the other part of the pie was filled with something ‘else’. I’m not sure what the ‘else’ would be for me, but I suspect it’s agender or nonbinary. Anyway, most of the time I feel a bit female but not really female, so DemiGirl seems to be the best label I have found so far.

Expression: ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm... I’m not really sure how I come across. Recently my best-gal told me she wasn’t really sure what pronouns to use for me. Mostly she just avoids using them around me which is fine. “Oi you” works well. But it occurred to me that if someone clever and wonderful like her was struggling to assume my pronouns based on my gender expression, that possibly other people might be confused too. I’ve been thinking about this quite consciously lately, and it’s helped me to make a few mental notes. I don’t wear skirts. I own a few, from a previous life, but in winter I wear jeans and in summer I wear shorts. My hair is almost always contained in a bun or braid. I sit in the most unfeminine ways. I can’t do the princess style sitting with my ankles crossed and my hands in my lap. I wear make up, but not obviously- just to cover up the blotchy skin, really. My voice is a neutral alto, although I have a pretty good range. My hobbies are also pretty neutral- I hike and read and write. I’m not dainty or graceful or any of the things that I think people automatically attribute to a perosn’s apparent femininity. I suppose, if I had to take a guess, I’d say that I present pretty agender/nonbinary, if you ignore the boobs. I’m curious to hear what people think. My bio here and over on twitter asks for ‘she/they’ pronouns, so I guess that’s something?

However, as I lie here on the floor next to the open door, desperately wishing this heat wave had waited until *after* Shark Week, when my body temp would be two degrees lower and my patience would be a lot longer, I am conflicted and confused. The more I accept my feminist rantings, unfortunately-socialist leanings and crone-like appearance, the more comfortable I am in my mental womanhood. Physically though? Rarely-used vagina for sale. Only one owner, comes with endometriosis, free or best offer.

Bx

[imalwaysaslutfordrag]

Work In Progress Wednesday

Haha I forgot this was today due to spiraling and other shit...

Here’s a bit of this Bob/Cracker chaptered fic that I’ve been working on for a few months now. 

The summary is basically just a murder mystery where Cracker killed someone, and he enlists Bob to help cover it up, but as time goes on, more and more suspicious things pop up...yada yada...suspicion 

“I have to ask you something very important.”

“Oh wow, ok, uh, me too I guess.”

“You go first then.”

“No, no, really its better if you go first, mine is, woah, mine is pretty bad.”

“Bad?” Bob asked concerned.

Maxwell saw this shift and immediately tried to reassure his lover the best he could, considering the circumstances. “Not about you! Oh no, it’s me, it’s all my fault, I mean…you go first.”

“Ok,” Bob was hesitant after that rather strange encounter, and Maxwell’s general demeanor the whole afternoon. Maybe he knew about the proposal. Maybe he knew and was trying to get out of it. Oh god! Did Bob make a horrible mistake. He could swear he and Maxwell had been on the same page. They had been dating for three years, living together for one of those years. They had been through a lot, with the both going through Drag Race, and their relationship being kept private for so long. But they had stuck it out. But maybe Maxwell was regretting it. Bob’s inner saboteur spoke to him He never loved you. He isn’t capable of emotions like that. Bob did his best to silence that ever-present voice. 

He took a deep breath in and out before grabbing Maxwell’s hands in his much larger ones. Maxwell’s hands were, and always would be Bob’s favorite physical attribute of Max. They were firm and calloused with tiny scars and torn cuticles. They looked a lot like what Bob imagines the inside of Maxwell to look like. A bit worn down, a bit torn up, but in the most beautiful way imaginable. He smiled a secret smile to himself and the inner voice was silent. 

Bob had practiced this speech countless times to his friends, to his parents, in his head. But now, sitting in front of the man he loved most in the world, overlooking a beautiful sunset, he couldn’t get those perfect words out. 

[gaasaku-fanfests]

Bird of Prey

Title: Bird of Prey Author: darkcivet [pinch-hitter] Rating: T Word Count: 3,340 Summary: He was supposed to be her prey. But she was having trouble deciding just how to devour him. Warnings: None Author’s Note(s): I’m not quite sure what happened. This was fun to write but I think my muse got carried away lol. Hopefully it translates well from the prompts. :)

Prompt chosen: Sand storm Partner: arethaatrahasis

The road was well travelled; worn down over the years by the increase in nearby trade and industry. The Land of Wind had earned its harsh reputation in times past, but it was now fast becoming a place of both entertainment and commerce. People came from all over the great nations no matter the distance or trouble; the deserts here were notorious for unseasonal weather changes.

And such places were bound to attract a diverse assortment of visitors as well, which meant that foreign and exotic people and objects were a common sight nowadays; nobody batted an eye as the strangely dressed redhead ambled through the towering gates of the second largest city in the Land of Wind, dragging the small but heavy looking cart behind himself. It rattled as it moved but he didn’t slow down. He looked like a merchant to those uncaring to look any closer than his silk clothes and slightly battered, cloth covered cart.

He stopped outside a tawdry sign he knew well – an ill-managed tavern with an ill-mannered owner. The very man who was currently charging at the red head, all smiles and waving arms.

“Gaara!”

The redhead inwardly winced at the booming tone of the elderly man but felt obligated to greet him. “Jiraiya.”

“You don’t visit, you don’t write – you-know-who has been asking about you. I think he’s finally settling down.” Jiraiya chuckled. “Say, what do you have here?”

The noise of the older man’s baritones had upset Gaara’s … companion. The red head closed his eyes for a moment, mentally willing Jiraiya to step back. But it didn’t work. He peered under the cloth that was hiding the kestrel from view, his eyes widening at the sight of the beautiful bird.

“When I said you should get out and find a fit bird, this wasn’t quite what I had in mind.”

The bird squawked at him, biting his finger quickly before he could retract it from her perch.

“Woah! Feisty fella, aren’t you? Almost like he understood me.” He rubbed his fingers gingerly.

“She.” Gaara corrected him, but Jiraiya ignored him. “Yeah, your usual room’s ready, but keep this one quiet, yeah? Nice to see you again, Gaara.”

The redhead sighed, relieved when the older man left him alone. He reached into the opening of the covering and ran an absent finger along the kestrel in a placating manner. She cooed at him, and he shook his head, smirking.

“Stop your fussing,” he said, shaking his head at her antics. “We’re almost there.”

She was clearly eager to get under cover and away from the crowds. She didn’t do well with people, he’d noticed. But he was surprisingly unsurprised by that.

The bird chirped softly, and Gaara simply stared back at her. She was annoyed with him.

Gaara smiled. That was certainly an understatement.

‘Feisty indeed.’

 .:.

 Four days ago.

‘Only a crazy person would come out here.’

She’d stirred up a sandstorm, trying to catch her prey unawares, but he was currently nowhere to be seen. She’d watched the man for a few days, tracking his progress along the well-worn path, unable to believe her luck of stumbling upon a human of such interesting, physical attributes. Sakura had been hoping for someone like this but was realistically expecting a band of thieves or rogue assassins to be stupid enough to still be outside in this weather.

People she would have no trouble devouring to complete her mission.

Maybe the gods were on her side, after all. As a lowly acolyte, she’d been training under the bestial gods of the Wind and this was her final test, of sorts. The person she was to hunt had been chosen for her, and it was just a question now of whether to feed or mate. She had hoped for a greater challenge than the carnage wrought via her over active imagination.

“Find a man intent on obscurity and peel back the core to find the part that yearns.”

This was the only hint on how to complete her mission; and once she did complete it, her future would be revealed to her. Was she to remain chaste and faithful to the temple? Or was her purpose more personal and independent of her former life? She’d wanted children since before sex had any meaning to her, but Sakura had grown to love her work so deeply that she could never choose between them.

This challenge to her psyche was welcomed.

So, she waited by the oasis, hoping he had not lost his life along with his way; meditating to not only pass the time but extend her senses and find him. As the tendrils of her chakra reached out, Sakura suddenly felt his presence. Her target was nearby. Her eyes flew open and she hurried to stand, visually searching the area her senses had detected him.

Sakura shielded her eyes from the blinding sun with one arm, and squinted at the distant figure inching towards her. She had a plan to trick him into revealing his true self; despite her desire to let the gods choose her fate, she kind of had her heart set on devouring him. He would make a cute vole.

He was attractive, that much was clear, but was he tasty? She smiled to herself. There was only one way to find out.

The red-haired man moved annoyingly slow, and she remembered why a moment later – he had a cart.

‘I forgot he’s pretending to be a merchant.’

His intent was to find his home; at birth, he’d been abandoned on the doorstep of a monastery. The fine clothes on his back were reminiscent of the state he’d been found in. Whomever had left him there had deep pockets, to be sure. Sakura knew all this from her time following and watching him. Among her other abilities, she had the power of insight. But his eyes were always lowered when she saw him, even when alone, so he never noticed her. Or perhaps he had but didn’t care.

He looked up, eyes wide and mouth agape, as she materialised in front of him. Jade eyes moved slowly from her feet, travelling upward, taking in the outline and curves of her body, spellbound by her sudden appearance.

“Hello?”

Gaara cleared his throat. “Hello.”

“Are you lost?”

He blinked heavily, nodding his head slightly, still surprised.

“So am I,” she said. “Not like you are, but I’ve been stuck here.” She indicated at the oasis behind her. “I don’t have any provisions to last a trek to the nearest town.”

He licked his lips. “What are you?”

Sakura smiled. “I can help you.”

His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “How?”

“You get me out of here,” she said, “and I’ll show you.”

He appeared to think about that for a moment. He rubbed the stubble on his chin lightly, the pulled his finger back sharply, like he just remembered he’d forgotten to shave. And Sakura found herself fascinated by his contemplative behaviour. How was this offer of help something to be mulled over? It was easy; simple, rational, and mutually beneficial.

But he took his time answering anyway. A sandstorm was upon them and no-one was safe – human or animal. She would not last long, no matter how she travelled through here; her power could only do so much.

“Yes or no?” She asked impatiently. “The storm is coming in and I can’t get through it without help.”

Gaara nodded, gripping the axle on his cart. “Okay, but you’re walking. My cart isn’t designed for much weight.”

She narrowed her eyes at his cheek. He chuckled at her.

‘Someone’s recovered quickly.’

He was perceptive, too; that spark of impertinence in his knowing expression bothered her. He wasn’t nearly as freaked out as he should be, having witnessed a woman literally materialise out of nowhere in front of him a minute ago. It was almost like he’d seen her like before.

Sakura huffed. “I have my own means of travel.”

For the second time, his jaw dropped as she changed in front of him.

 .:.

 Four days later.

Conversation on the road was one thing; lack thereof conversation was another.

When they’d stopped to rest, she tried to strike up a conversation with him, only to get frustrated with his irreverent personality and then revert to her original position and wonder yet again how she was going to complete her challenge.

The man was infuriating! He actually had to the gall to suggest that she now travel in his cart because quote, “at least you won’t weigh it down like this”. To top it off, he was a lecher! She caught him staring at her arse when she turned her back on him, tilting his head to get a better look when she leant over something, and staring at her breasts when she huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

She couldn’t do anything without him perving on her!

And somehow, she felt like he was just riling her up on purpose. For no reason!

Well okay, she might have made a passing remark about how idiotic he was to be out in the middle of a sandstorm and that he was completely stupid for not having a horse or mule or something to pull the cart for him. He’d muttered something like I’m stronger than I look before devolving the conversation with his prurient attitude.

They were standing out in the back of the tavern and Sakura was watching him as he wrung out the shirt he’d been wearing; she was kind of freaked out that he was hand washing silk, but whatever. He had a strange way of doing things. When he wasn’t being lecherous or offensively sarcastic, he was fascinating to watch. Shirtless and leaning over the wash basin, his corded muscles were riveting.

She let out a soft sigh that made her sound annoyed, before she could stop herself.

Pausing, he looked over at her in time to see her blush.

“If you’re that bored,” he said, “go for a walk.” He smirked. “Plenty of people out there to bother.”

She poked her tongue at him; he knew she wasn’t interested in drawing attention to herself. “Maybe I’ll spread my wings. Who knows where I’ll end up.”

Gaara fixed her with a suspicious glare. “Are you trying to get out of our deal?”

The girl pouted, her brow wrinkling; her indignity at his statement was cute, he’d admit. As if either of them would be dishonourable as to try to weasel out of their deal. She’d finally told him how she could help him half a day away from the oasis. And if she was to be believed (among other things), this girl was packing some serious power. He’d heard of the abilities of the gods’ chosen – the rumours of the “almost human” acolytes. Some stories painted them as demigods, while others simply as tricksters with no real power.

But if she could help him, why wouldn’t he agree?

He had to make a wish: she’d stated it so matter-of-factly, like she was a genie and he’d been rubbing her lamp. So, he just had to make a lewd joke about it. From her spluttering, he figured she was the virginal type. You had to wonder about the types of people who spent years in temples, never mixing with the locals.

But she’d admitted to having answered wishes before.

“It’s the job of my people to answer the prayers of our followers.”

She’d done so in an entirely intangible state, apparently; unseen and unknown. She really wasn’t a people person.

Sakura moaned. “I don’t understand why you don’t just wish for riches, fame, or love like everyone else. Why do you have to drag this out?”

Gaara frowned at her. “You can make someone… love?”

She huffed loudly. “Well, no, but people ask for it all the time. There’s always some broken-hearted sap who thinks rubbing me just the right way will get them laid.”

He smirked; her cheeks reddened, and she looked away from him, trying to calm her racing heart. Her wording implied a more genie-like wishing system, but he decided not to push her on it. Maybe she’d just made a joke. On purpose. He didn’t want to ruin that for her.

Gaara sighed, realising where that line of thought was headed. It was unusual for him to spend a lot of time around someone – so few people were graced by his presence on purpose and he quickly bored of them. Sakura not only brought out the flirt in him but made him want to know more about her. She was tight lipped on the important stuff, though. She’d grown up in the temples after being orphaned, discovered her affinity with the bestial gods, and studied to join their holy ranks.

It was all just wishy-washy theological nonsense to him, but she lit up when talking about it, so he didn’t mind. He was dangerously drawn to her, he knew it. But Gaara found himself caring less about his sanity as the days had gone by. Now, he just wanted to keep spending time with her, no matter how unrealistic that scenario sounded. When she granted his wish, she would be gone; he got the feeling her impatience was tied to wanting to go somewhere.

So, he was dragging it out on purpose.

Eventually, she growled audibly and stomped off impatiently. Gaara sighed and returned to wringing out his clothes.

 .:.

 “Find a man intent on obscurity and peel back the core to find the part that yearns.”

Sakura groaned, then screamed into her pillow. They’d been staying at this pitiful excuse for a tavern for a day now, and Gaara had yet to make his wish. It was supposed to be the perfect plan: he wished, she granted, and in the throes of his yearning and bliss, she would use her power of insight to see what makes him tick.

Then devour him.

That was the plan… right?

He was her target, gods only knew why. There had be a “devour” at the end of all this.

‘Then why is he deliberately dragging this out?’

The sandstorm had been a stroke of genius, but the rest of the plan was tumbling into irrevocable chaos. She had no idea what to do. But laying in her bed, with a thin bamboo wall between them, and screaming into her pillow wasn’t going to help.

She was the kestrel, he was vole. It was as simple as that.

Steeling her determination, Sakura climbed out of bed and left her room; they were only divided by makeshift walls, since that Jiraiya person still had no idea it was a person and not a bird staying with Gaara. She gave herself a moment to smirk at that before sliding the door aside and tip toeing into Gaara’s room.

Most beds in these kinds of establishments were on the floor, but the redhead was a valued customer, it seemed; his bed was fit for the youngest son of the Wind Kage. She climbed up on it and wiggled over to the man in question.

With the moonlight coming in through the open window and highlighting his face, Gaara looking – if at all possible – even more beautiful. She took a moment to admire his naked chest, the contours of his body, and the way the moonlight reflected off of his skin, making him look almost luminescent.

‘Almost like an angel.’

She shook her head at that thought. He wasn’t holy – he was her prey. Prey didn’t have a sanctified destiny or a reason for being, other than to be at the mercy of a superior animal. She pulled a face as he rolled away from her; like the bastard knew what was coming. She had to look him in the face for this. It just felt weird, to do this in a cold, detached manner.

Sakura cleared her throat, tapping him lightly. “Gaara?”

“Hm.”

“Your wish?”

“I’m still thinking.”

She sighed. “Why?”

He rolled back over to look at her. “I don’t want to waste it.”

Well, that made an annoying kind of sense. Why did he have to be like this?

The gods were testing her patience in a way she’d never expected.

“Go to sleep,” he said. She watched as he closed his eyes again. After a while, he drifted off. The serene, ingenuous expression on his face captivated her and Sakura smiled, despite herself.

She rested her head on his chest, laying her body horizontally across his bed. His heart was calm and steady. His breathing deep and restful. She didn’t know what to do to hurry things along, but Sakura had a sudden desire; it built up from the core of her chest and expanded outward, warm and urging her forward.

It made her think of her shishou’s lesson on harmonising energies.

“I want to devour you, Gaara,” she whispered. “I want to turn you into a vole, transform, and devour you.” She rubbed his arm as he shifted slightly, seemingly unaware that she was bearing her soul to him. “I’ve always wanted my final challenge to end in me devouring my subject, but never thought it through. If I kill you, I can never leave the temple; I’ll have to dedicate my life to the gods and use my power as they wish. But the alternative is…”

She paused. What was the alternative? Living on Earth and choosing her own life. That scared her as much as it excited her. She wanted the gods to tell her what to do, because it was the only life she’d ever known, but she didn’t want to turn Gaara into a rodent and then eat him. Her kestrel form would have no problem with it and she would let the animalistic urge to devour overwhelm her.

But the part that was still human?

She wanted to join Gaara under the blanket in his bed and be devoured.

Sakura snuggled into him further, feeling her face warm at that. She’d just met him, it was crazy.

“Find a man intent on obscurity and peel back the core to find the part that yearns.”

That line… she hadn’t thought to think it through. It’s meaning. Gaara was cut off from the world – hence the intention of obscurity. Peeling back the core… the core of his being? His soul?

Realisation struck her like a lightning bolt, and Sakura sat up so fast, the warm body underneath her almost fell off the bed with her.

“Sakura...?”

‘Damn it.’

No, it wasn’t true.

She was always taught that souls only yearn for other souls… no, there was no way he was her soul mate.

‘No.’

She scrambled to her feet, using the bed to pull herself up and inadvertently locked eyes with the redhead; sleepy jade eyes widened when he realised that she’d fallen off the bed.

“Are you okay?”

Why was he being so considerate?

“Y-yeah. I uh… gotta go.”

But she couldn’t move, still staring into those soulful eyes of his.

‘Wrong word choice.’

“Uh…” She cleared her throat. “You’re just dreaming.”

He nodded, and she realised Gaara was still so far into his own, semi-conscious mind that he wasn’t really registering the reality of the situation. She licked her lips, her heart pulling at her; she ignored it.

‘This is my chance.’

She had to find out what he yearned for. What made him tick. It was perfect. He would never realise what he’d done to himself, and she could get past that rough, flirtatious exterior and finish this damn challenge!

Sakura eagerly crawled back onto the bed and looked into his eyes. “If you could have anything in the world right now, what would it be?”

‘What do you wish for?’

His right arm came up to pull her down and Sakura’s eyes widened as he touched his lips to hers.

He smiled sleepily up at her. “You.”

‘Damn it.’

[misssophiachase]

So this is my third and final part to my Bold Type fusion (can you believe the show’s coming back in June?) In all honesty this could have been a full length fic but I have way too many other things to write. You can read part one HERE and part two HERE on my Crossroads Drabble collection.

Yankees and Red Sox can’t play in a World Series, I know, but this is fan fiction and creative license. 

She Sets the City on Fire

“I cannot believe Jenna is making me do this,” Katherine hissed. It was Friday morning, the day of the big meeting between her lawyer and Mikaelson publishing to discuss the defamation suit.  

“I think this is her way of teaching you a lesson, Kitty Kat.”

“For what? I did nothing wrong and if those stuffy, egotistical suits are going to try and say that I’m at fault then they have another thing coming and also…”

“Woah,” Bonnie interrupted, holding her hand up to Katherine’s fast moving mouth to halt her tirade. “What have I told you about riling her up again, Care? Especially before the caffeine has had the optimal amount of time to kick in?”

The girls were at Bluestone Lane on West 37th Street, their morning ritual before work. Jenna had called Katherine in the previous day to tell her she would be accompanying Arabella’s lawyer to the meeting at Mikaelson Publishing.

“If I were you, I’d keep my mouth shut today,” Caroline warned. “Jenna just wants this to go away and stirring up more trouble could cost you more than your pride.”

“And by that she means, your job.”

“Thanks Bonnie, I got that,” she growled. “I just hate that I have to grovel to those chauvinistic…”

“Okay,” Caroline silenced her quickly. “Let’s get to work, maybe you can work off some of that anger in the meantime, Pierce.”

As they made their way up 37th, Caroline was struggling to keep her mind off a certain blonde haired Mikaelson that’d weaselled his way into her life, her thoughts, her sub conscious and her panties, something she was determined would never happen. Hell, she wasn’t much better than the woman who sent Klaus panties for a birthday gift. Caroline had become just another notch on his bedpost and that fact was killing her.

Not because the sex was bad, on the contrary it was phenomenal. On top of the extremely attractive facial features he’d been gifted, he obviously worked out given his impressive, toned physique and stamina. But it wasn’t just the physical attributes, it was as if something snapped inside her emotionally as she lay in his arms afterwards listening to his steady breathing and Caroline knew she was in trouble. She shook her head trying to clear her thoughts.

“What’s wrong with her?”

“She’s having a hot and sexy flashback from her night with…”

“Excuse me? I’m still here,” she hissed.  “At least wait until we get to the office so you can talk about me behind my back.”

“You like him?” Bonnie said, more like a statement than a question.

“I do not,” she bit out. “Klaus Mikaelson is an egotistical, womanising, arrogant ass that thinks he can get anyone into bed.”

“Well, with all due respect, Care…”

“I’m well aware I fell prey to his womanising charms but it wasn’t my fault.”

“Okay, just so you know that whole excuse about protecting me and drinking too much isn’t going to fly anymore. Why can’t you just admit that you have a bit of a crush, Forbes?”

She felt her cheeks flush, her downward glance on the sidewalk not doing much to hide it. They both erupted into giggles, tickling her ribs from both sides. Once they’d somewhat calmed their assault, Caroline strode purposefully ahead before responding. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“How about that ticket to the World Series?” Bonnie offered slyly, catching up as they entered the lobby of their building. “Last time I checked you still have it stashed securely in your handbag.”

“I’m going to send it back,” she mumbled. “I was just waiting for the right time.”

“The game is tonight,” Katherine shot back. “Pretty sure your time is running out. Why can’t you just admit that you want to go with him?”

“Fine, I want to go,” she admitted, albeit reluctantly. “These are box seats and I’ve never been to a World Series match. If only they didn’t have to include an unwanted guest rooting for the Yankees.”

“You realise he was the one who invited you and it’s at Yankee Stadium, right? If anyone’s unwanted…”

“Thanks, Bon,” she growled. “All I’ve ever wanted since I was little and sitting on my dad’s lap watching baseball was to go to a Red Sox, World Series match. My dad always promised to take me one day but, well uh, that never happened…” She trailed off, both girls smothering her with hugs before she could continue and shed some unwelcome and public tears. They both knew just how much her father meant to her and that she still missed him everyday.

“Then it’s settled, you are going to go to that match,” Katherine insisted, wiping a pesky tear that had managed to escape.

“But…”

“Did you ever wonder why he put that ticket in your purse?” Bonnie asked curiously.

“Probably wanted round two and figured that was, apart from alcohol, the best way to get me into bed again.”

“Someone thinks extremely highly of their sexual prowess,” Katherine teased, earning a dirty glance from her best friend in the process. “I think what Bonnie is trying to say is that this guy knows you. I mean he remembered you follow the Red Sox.”

“Like that’s difficult,” she spluttered. “I was wearing a cap when we first met.”

“I know this is a foreign concept in that over worked and crowded mind of yours, Care, but did you ever stop to think maybe he wants to see you again because he likes you?”

“You’re crazy, Bonnie,” Caroline dismissed, pressing the elevator button and desperately trying to put him out of her mind. Of course she’d thought about it and that’s what was throwing her emotions off balance.

“You’re going to do what?” Klaus demanded, looking at his brother in surprise.

“I think it’s best if I’m in the meeting between Arabella and our legal team,” he insisted, adjusting his tie.

“What is going on with you?” He murmured. “What happened to my stuffy brother who abides by the rules and has no sex life?”

“No need to be so crass, Niklaus,” he growled. “This is about Mikaelson Publishing’s reputation.”

“Oh, you mean the reputation you threatened when you decided to start a twitter war with the defendant?”

“I will not allow their indiscretions to defame one of our publications.”

“Exactly why you initiated the suit and we’re in line for an attractive settlement. You are the CEO of this company and, last time I checked, didn’t attend minor settlement discussions. We’d be a laughing stock if the Board found out you’d been attending such low level meetings.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being involved in all facets of our company, in fact I think that shows a great understanding of…”

“Okay, I give up!” He conceded, throwing his hands up in the air in defeat. “What the hell is going on here and don’t give me any more ridiculous excuses, Elijah, I’m ageing another year just waiting for a bloody explanation.” Klaus sensed his brother was close to breaking and it was at that moment he knew his instincts were spot on.  

“I kind of know her,” he offered, albeit meekly.

“Who?”

“Katherine Pierce,” Klaus was struggling to respond. That was the last thing he was expecting coming from his brother’s mouth.

“How exactly?” He asked, taking a much needed seat at his desk.

“Well, only really by reputation,” he explained. “She’s this feisty and unapologetic presence online I stumbled upon by accident and then I was intrigued.”

Klaus stilled, realising that his usually responsible brother and CEO of their worldwide publishing company had brought a defamation case against Arabella Magazine all in the name of a pathetic, and slightly creepy, crush over someone he didn’t actually know. He closed his eyes trying to steel his nerves, their lawyers were due in the conference room in less than fifteen minutes.

“We’ll be lucky if she doesn’t slap a restraining order against you instead,” he muttered. “How long has this infatuation been going on exactly?”

“Not long,” he offered weakly. “And she was out of line, I still stand by my actions.”

“But you fancy her too, excuse me if I’m a little confused,” he growled. “There are other ways to get women, you know that right?” Klaus wished he could be so confident given the way Caroline Forbes had snuck out on him and not contacted him since, especially since he’d left that ticket in her bag. 

A million thoughts had taken over his already crowded mind. His initial assessment had been that she either hated him and their night together or his more hopeful wish that she was as nervous as him given the connection he’d felt. In fact he’d never felt so close to someone as Klaus had Caroline. He was a goner, not that he had any intention of admitting that fact for fear of rejection. 

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Finding out my usually boring, celibate, older brother is harbouring a weird crush, for sure,” he agreed heartily. “But not sure exactly how I’m going to handle this mess.”

“She was in the wrong.”

“But given your feelings, I’m fairly certain you also provoked her comments,” he offered. “The defamation suit is dropped and don’t think about arguing with me, stalker.”

******

Katherine Pierce was nervous, not her usual confident self as they made their way towards a very familiar board room. Last time she was here, Katherine was distracted by an extremely gorgeous man in a pristine suit while Bonnie shot insults at his brother and Caroline did the same over a rogue pair of birthday panties.

This time it was serious. She never wanted to implicate Jenna or the magazine in her impulsive twitter war. Katherine liked to think she was tempestuous and argumentative, speaking for those who sometimes didn’t have a voice. Turns out having an opinion came at a high price.

“Miss Pierce,” she looked into the familiar, blue eyes of a certain guy that was messing with her best friend’s emotions.

This she hadn’t expected, strangely enough he seemed just as surprised as her by the startled expression on his face and tell tale wobble in his voice. No doubt he was mentally joining the pieces of the puzzle together and realising that she and Caroline weren’t delivery people or NYU anthropology students as they previously claimed.  

“Mr Mikaelson.” They held each other’s gazes curiously before taking their seats at the expansive boardroom table. Yes, she knew he was their Chief Operating Officer but not expecting him to make an appearance at such low level talks beside their in-house lawyer.

“If you’ll allow me to make an opening statement,” Arabella’s lawyer began just as the blonde Mikaelson held up his hand, halting proceedings. What happened next Katherine wasn’t expecting.

“He did what?” Caroline exclaimed spinning in her chair, earning the attention of the whole office her reaction was so loud.  Katherine had only returned to Arabella five minutes earlier before her friends dragged her into the fashion closet to avoid prying eyes and ears and were now peppering her with questions.

“He dropped the suit? What? Just like that?” Bonnie asked incredulously, trying on the nearby jewellery and checking her reflection in the mirror.

“Yeah, it wasn’t expected that was for sure but he realised who I was and didn’t want to slap Caroline’s friend with a defamation suit, talk about awkward during future social situations.”

“He did not,” Caroline murmured. “I mean what was he doing there in the first place?”

“I’m guessing he’s your typical micro-manager,” Bonnie offered.

“Even so,” Caroline murmured sarcastically. “The one thing I know about Klaus Mikaelson is that he’s professional and business is his upmost priority. He would never drop a suit for…”

“You’re underestimating the power of the penis.”

“You did not just say penis?” Katherine asked, looking at Bonnie questioningly. “You write for a woman’s magazine the least you could do is be more creative like cock or…”

“Don’t judge,” she shot back, sending Katherine a dirty glance. “Anyway, last time I checked this isn’t about anatomy but Caroline’s boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” she murmured self consciously. Ever since Caroline heard about his decision to drop the suit she was confused. “And this has nothing to do with me.”

“Well, then how do you explain it?” Caroline couldn’t explain it and it was killing her. The one thing she knew was that she had to keep her World Series date with Klaus, or whatever it was, to get the answers she needed.

“I need to go,” she offered weakly, by way of response.

“Wait! What are you going to wear tonight?” Katherine asked as she retreated. She turned back to face them both amongst the designer clothing and accessories. For once she wanted to be her low income self and not the designer alter ego she’d created.       

“I’ve got this.” She was gone before they could argue.  

********

Klaus was fairly certain he’d never felt so anxious, ever. He was sitting in the box, feet tapping on the ground nervously awaiting her arrival, if she came of course. When he left that ticket in her purse it was a gamble. Usually women threw themselves at him, more so for his fortune and name, but Caroline Forbes was different. 

It wasn’t just her natural beauty, wit or that feisty disposition, it was the fact she didn’t seem affected by him or his family. He’d been a womaniser in the past but Caroline was different. 

When Katherine Pierce turned out to be her friend, Klaus had put the pieces together, searching the internet for everything he could find. Caroline wasn’t a delivery person, she wasn’t an anthropology student either but a finance major with an impressive GPA. These were all remarkable attributes but for some reason extremely protective friend was what grabbed his attention most.

He’d fallen in love with her at that moment and needed to be close to her again, if only just to smell the vanilla scent from her golden waves or hear that melodic laugh. But his hopes for getting her to the baseball were diminishing with every minute.

“I heard the Red Sox were going to wipe the floor with your Yankees,” he could smell her sweet aroma before she sat beside him. 

Caroline always looked stunning but Klaus was fairly certain that dressed in dark denim jeans, flats and a Red Sox jersey she was probably the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Not that he’d admit that given he was a Yankees fan.

“Care to make a wager?”

“Not if you decide this like your defamation suits,” Caroline mumbled. “I mean, a bit of consideration wouldn’t hurt.” Klaus was confused and not just by her presence. 

“I’m a lawyer, love, I take all my cases seriously.” She stilled, her blue eyes meeting his curiously. 

“But Katherine…”

“And?”

“You dropped the suit because of what happened between us,” she murmured uncertainly. Klaus was struggling to form words, mainly because he didn’t want to admit that he made a professional decision that may have also brought him closer to her after the fact by chance.  

“Well….”

“Well…” Her blue eyes were on him intensely and Klaus knew he had no option but to come clean, even if it incriminated his brother. 

“I have a big thing for you but as it happens my brother has a thing for your friend too.”

“Huh?”

“Any chance we can discuss this after my Yankees annihilate your Red Sox?” 

“Fat chance,” she smiled deviously. “Not sure if I’ll have time. You realise i’m going to rule the fashion world someday?” 

“I kind of figured you could do anything you put your mind to.” He took her hand in his, it was surprising to them both but for some reason the competition seemed to fade away and nothing else mattered but them.   

[ephemerational]

Pillow Grave (VIII)

The ground is still a long ways off, hidden away beyond the impenetrable darkness. 

If there even is one. 

I suspect that there is. 

Supposing that I'm correct, it's a little bit closer now. 

I must have fallen from somewhere, a cliff or building or other structure, which has to stand on something, so there necessarily has to be a ground. 

But I don't remember. 

I can't always have fallen. 

If I did, could it really be called falling, technically?

Doesn't feel right. 

A little closer yet. 

I look up into the void, or down, I can't tell, and through the clouds of now vaguely materializing forms, the letter "L" looks back at me. 

Less than an inch away from my retina. Some more letters dig themselves into my cheekbones, creating a sharp pain all over the right half of my face. 

I lift my head off the keyboard. 

Not yet sufficiently sober, my body sways from side to side, forcing my center of mass beyond the chair's edge. 

Figures. 

I haven't stopped falling. 

Thud. 

Face to carpet, back to darkness.

I awaken to the high-pitched voice of my younger brother and a light tap on the shoulder.

“Hey, I thought you were gonna show me the around the school today.”

The young boy in front of me is beaming from cheek to cheek.

“Yeah, definitely, I was just… waiting here for you.”

“I dunno Vi, it kind of looked like you were sleeping.”

“Sleeping? In class?”

I smile widely and blow out some air through my nose in hopes of making the act more convincing. “How dare you accuse your brother of such delinquency?”

“If you say so. We did homeroom-introductions with miss Wagner today, everyone seems really nice!”

“Wagner? You lucked out then, her classes are pretty low-effort. You didn’t talk to anyone, did you?”

“Of course I talked to them, duh. They’re my new classmates, and I told you they’re nice.”

“Any word you speak to those vultures is ammunition against you. Just wait until they find their first target and you’ll see. I’ve done school for a bit now and the best way of being ignored is ignoring them. They’re boring as shit anyways.”

Was I still being sincere when I said that? Was I sincere at any point? When did it all get so twisted, so dark and callous? Why did I feel like I had to experiment with him? Why did I poke everything until it broke?

“I am no longer him!”

“No longer who?” 

Lloyd responds in the muffled, barely understandable tone of a man mumbling into his pillow.

“Don’t even worry about it… I need to take a shower”

“Woah, what kind of epiphany has led to taking action as drastic as basic hygiene?

“yeah, yeah, whatever.”

Even as warm water beats against my face and layers upon layers of filth and dead skin are stripped from my body, the thoughts won’t go away. I can’t live like this. I need absolution. Just some, just a little bit, not actually from the good one himself though. That’s worthless, he’ll forgive anyone. He already forgave me for fuck’s sake. How much could that possibly mean. I open my mouth and take in the jet of disgusting, metal-tasting water, in hopes that it will drown me before I can bring this particular train of thought to conclusion. My half assed attempt at suicide proves unsuccessful. There has to be a place for this kind of forgiveness. Fuck talking to some religious dipshit, but sad, directionless teenagers playing psychoanalyst for each other, so they don’t have to deal with the reality of their own misery for a bit? Now that’s something I can get behind. And forums like that ought to exist everywhere.

A few google searches and DMs to angsty teenagers in Lo’s comments lead me to just the place I was looking for: “The darkness glows”. A wall of absurdly pretentious confessionals, ten times the wordcount they would require, were the people responsible even remotely as interested in conveying their actual issues as they are in convincing readers of their depth, stretches down farther than any reasonable human would ever dare to scroll.

The site was apparently created by a lifestyle blogger named Veronica Heine, who became somewhat famous amongst the goth-adjacent two years ago after unexpectedly killing herself and leaving multiple novels worth of purple-prose as her suicide note. Further digging into her uncovered this site, which she assumably set up in order to help herself, but which didn’t gain any traction until the connection to the now dead pseudo-e-celeb had been was revealed. That is to say: quite a bit too late. The girl however succeeded in becoming a messianic figure for depressed assholes who think that she somehow sacrificed herself to bring them this site and therefore save their lives, miraculously unaware of the existence of suicide hotlines.

I guess I shouldn’t be too cynical of the whole matter, seeing how this is exactly what I needed.

Thanks Veronica.

For a moment I consider contemplating how incredibly macabre and creepy that thought was but decide against it.

Instead I start reading a post.

“There is no out. There can’t be. The thing we want to escape from once simplified to its most basic, nuanceless core is reality itself, or rather the human experience that is the lens through which we conceptualize it. How could there possibly be anything outside that except death? Anything that seems like an out is just another in, a pathway to another corner of the same shitty old building where the only way to escape is jumping out the 21st floor window. It still sucks, wherever your path leads, but at least it sucks in a way that’s new, refreshing almost for a while. It puts past shit into perspective despite not being an exit and becomes the new, interesting shit, which might just be enough? As long as one keeps taking the “out”s that aren’t really and continuously turns the old shit into the new shit, the grind stays interesting enough to be worth it, maybe. Maybe that’s the point of it all.”

“If you’re still looking for the point, you have already missed it, because there is none and that is the point.”

“Wouldn’t that mean that there is one? Isn’t that just a “the path is the goal”-type twisting of words, that denies the initial discernibility of a thing’s nature, but not the verisimilitude of its existence. That’s even kind of the thing I described above.”

“It would be, if I, like you apparently do, operated on the assumption that “points” or any comprehensibility-serving abstraction of physical reality is an inherent property of it, rather than a foundationless attribution made by flawed human minds.”

“In that case you’re just being needlessly obtuse by referring once to the point of existence and once to your point about existence with the same word in the same sentence.

Being hard to understand doesn’t make you profound, you know?”

“Well what’s profound?”

“Anything that makes people go “oh, I get it, the world’s like THAT” in the form of a very neat, memetic sentiment. No more than a paragraph. The kind of shit middle aged women go nuts for.

didn’t miss that you changed the topic btw.”

The commenter didn’t respond to this.

What IS profound? THAT, yes, sure, but also more, right? There has to be more. It’s not satisfying like this. There has to be a more profound explanation of profundity. Did THEY, the commenter,  find it satisfactory, of did they just not reply because their ego had been bruised?

I come to the realization that that becoming cognizant, not knowing, but actually becoming cognizant of the fact that other people do exist and have thoughts is genuinely the worst feeling imaginable.

I take a large gulp of rum straight from the bottle and the burning sensation in my throat distracts me from the terrifying thought that some guy on the internet had maybe been given a glimpse at the true nature of things that simply doesn’t do it for me.

Why did I go here?

Where did the rum come from for that matter? Sometimes it seems like alcohol just appears around me. Wait, right. This was about Lo. It’s hard not to feel pathetic in this situation, despite the overwhelming work I put into cleansing myself from such feelings forever. The space girl would surely have a blast observing and commenting upon my fucked-up coping mechanisms, but then again, there are few pathological behaviors with which she doesn’t have a field day, this tendency of hers very much included.

[sunyoonandstars]

BTS scenario: Taehyung x You (Maor) - You Meet For The First Time (Chapter 3, FINAL Chapter)

So, this is Part 2, Chapter 3, the final chapter of the personal request made by @its-metafroyical aka Maor. Make sure to check out Part 1, Part 2, Chapter 1 and Part 2, Chapter 2 before diving right into this one, though! They’re not exactly in chronological order, but still connected.

I hope you enjoy it, especially you, Maor! 😊

************************************************

Scenario (Part 1)

Taehyung is sick in bed and home alone and you, his long-term girlfriend, Maor, decide to stop by and comfort him … The situation takes quite an unexpected, pleasant turn, though …

Part 2

... is a flashback, telling the story of your first, fateful meeting with Taehyung and the events following.

FLUFF, hints of angst

***********************************************

Part 2, Chapter 3, FINAL CHAPTER

Days pass and turn into weeks without Kim Taehyung showing himself on campus again. You can't deny the fact that you are disappointed, part of you having hoped to stumble upon him again and maybe get a chance to explain the way you behaved towards him that night in the library. As if he’d care, you scold yourself for getting all worked up about nothing. But whenever you listen to BTS’ songs or watch their music videos, your thoughts stray, always coming back to that one night and the way he looked at you when your hands touched, when you snapped at him … Ultimately, you end up avoiding your favorite band altogether, whenever one of their songs pops up in your playlist skipping it without hesitating. You have to get him out of your head. Kim Taehyung is a stranger to you and that’s all he’ll ever be. Even though you couldn’t help but notice a certain spark between you two, you are not one of those delusional fans. You know that, in reality, there’s no future for the two of you. Kim Taehyung will just end up dating another idol, perfect just like him, if he gets to date at all. In his life there is no room for a girl like you. And that’s okay. You’ll eventually forget about him just like he did about you. However, in late November, all of your efforts to clear your heart and mind of him are suddenly rendered void when you see him pass by in the corridor, his figure, clothed in a dark grey coat and wide trousers, seemingly having gotten even more slender, shoulders hunched and head hanging low, a black mask covering half his face, two bodyguards by his side.   You pause in the middle of your step, stunned, Hye-soo inevitably running right into you. „Yah, Maor-ah! What’s wrong with you!? This blouse is brand-new and I almost ripped it on your zipper! You can’t —“ Her voice trails off as she recognizes the reason of your behavior. Cherry red lips forming a silent ‚Ohhh‘, she knowingly raises her perfectly traced eyebrows, pulling you to the side so Kim Taehyung’s bodyguard won’t jostle you. You are almost sure that Kim Taehyung shortly looks up, right at you, however, avert your eyes too quickly to be sure, cheeks instantly flushed. „Come on, let’s go“, Hye-soo hisses. You’re grateful she takes you by the elbow, pulling you away. In the course of the following weeks you spot Kim Taehyung on campus more often, especially around your building and the library, leading you to wonder if him constantly showing up around you is actually to be attributed to coincidence. However, the two of you never really interact. A few times it seems as if he’s hesitating to approach you, but you try your best not to look his way, not to cross his path, not so much as to breathe in his direction. Maybe he noticed, because after a while the smile that used to light up his face whenever he saw you fades, gradually disappearing and turning into a sullen frown instead. But you’re sure it’s not because of you. Or so you try to convince yourself. One morning, you can’t hold back a gasp of surprise as you enter the room and discover Kim Taehyung sitting in the front row of your photography class. As you enter, he lifts his gaze from the analogue camera sitting on his desk, staring right at you. You force a polite smile, nodding at him sharply, frantically looking for a free chair. However, the only one is the one right next to his, a bag placed on it. „I saved you a seat“, he greets you, his voice flat, facing the blackboard in front of him now, taking his bag off the seat. „Thank you“, you barely manage to reply, hesitantly sitting down beside him, so close you can even smell his subtle perfume. You spend the ninety minutes in class sitting up straight, tense, basically in stasis, eyes intently fixed on the professor, trying to focus on him and him only, not hearing a word he says while pretending to take notes and repeatedly feeling Kim Taehyung’s gaze linger on you. A soon as the docent has said his goodbyes, you get up and leave, your chest so tight you can hardly breathe. „Yah, Maor!“, you can hear him call after you, his strong baritone voice echoing in the almost empty hallway. „Wait up! Where are you going?“ Reluctantly, you stop and turn around, figuring he can only be talking to you, so there’s really no way to get out of this, you probably being the only person named Maor in this whole goddamn university. Your eyebrows raised questioningly, you look at Kim Taehyung as he approaches. „What is it?“ „Well, good day to you, too“, he retorts, one corner of his mouth raised in a stiff half smile. „I’m sorry. Hello. So, what do you want? I have to be some place, so make it quick, please“, you say, trying not to sound too friendly, afraid he might notice how glad, even excited, you actually are that he’s talking to you right now, shocked at the result however. You sound indifferent, cold, almost vile, your voice strange to your own ears. „I just don’t know anyone here, since I’ve never really attended any classes before that required physical presence, so I thought maybe you could give me the tour or at least some helpful tips as to where the cool people hang and stuff like that.“ You know his last remark is supposed to be a joke, to lighten the mood, break the ice, but you’re too anxious to muster a smile, his face falling in obvious disappointment at your absent reaction. „I’m sorry, Kim Taehyung, I’m afraid I can’t help you. I’m not one of the ‚cool people‘. And I don’t think you will have any trouble getting in touch with them. You’re, without doubt, the most popular kid in school.“ He just looks down at you, brows furrowed, his dark eyes serious, searching. „Yah, what’s up with the attitude? Why so cold? You were different before, or around around other people.“ You shrug your shoulders, feeling the well-known heat creep up your neck towards your cheeks again. Stupid face, always blushing. „I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m always like this.“ „No, you’re not“, Kim Taehyung disagrees, a curious spark suddenly gleaming in his deep, dark eyes.   „How do you know?“ „Oh, I know things. I see things.“ „You sound like a freaking creep“, you scoff, unable to hold back a short, dry laugh now, at which his face brightens again. „See, you can laugh.“ Damn. „Obviously.“ You turn away, avoiding his intense stare. „I thought you had to be someplace?“, he reminds you, his pretty face still plastered with a goofy grin. „Indeed, I do.“ „Where might that be?“ „At a group meeting. For volunteer work.“ „Volunteer work?“, he echoes, surprised, this expressive brows of his raised in curiosity. „Yes, volunteer work.“ „What kind?“ „We give free tutoring to children from poor backgrounds whose parents can’t afford to pay a tutor or help them with school because they have to work all the time to keep them afloat. It's more fun than it sounds, very rewarding. The kids are lovely, some of them difficult, but still just kids. It's incredible to see them make progress.“ Your cheeks turn an even brighter pink as you realize how your voice has grown all high pitched in excitement when you told him about your project. „That sounds wonderful, Maor! Can I come with? Please?“

There it is again, the fuzzy warmth taking up Kim Taehyung’s chest, as he watches your face light up, words tumbling from your lips, their pace quickening and your voice growing higher as you go on enthusing about the children you’d been working with. He can clearly picture you with them, being a completely different person than you are with him. Candid, affectionate, smiling, natural. „That sounds wonderful, Maor!“, he exclaims truthfully. „Can I come with? Please?“ Expectantly, he looks at you, literally able to watch your brain work, pondering the pros and cons of succumbing to his plea. „Alright. But you’ll only be allowed to observe, since — apart from heaving a  … passable singing voice — I don’t know if you have any competence“, you shrug, obviously stifling a grin. „Yah! Passable!? Were you just teasing me, Maor?“ You bite your lower lip in response, again shrugging your shoulders tauntingly, already turning on your heels and indicating him to follow you. „Woah, we’re making progress. I believe it’s suddenly getting warmer around here!“, Taehyung jokes, going along with you, having no trouble to keep up with your fast pace, your strides unusually long for your short legs. „I can feel the ice bergs melting already. Drip, drop. Drip, drop.“ „Yah, Kim Taehyung, stop it already, or I might change my mind!“ He spends the following two hours watching you and your fellow students practice English and maths with attentive, young pupils from the ages six to sixteen. Smiling to himself, Taehyung observes how you interact with them, handling the children with kindness and warmth, yet firmly, a smile on your face that even reaches your bright green-blue eyes, only from time to time making room for an adorable frown whenever one of the students throws a fit or has trouble with an assignment. You look so comfortable with the kids, Taehyung can very well picture you caring for your siblings or, some day, for children of your own, the notion bringing a glow to his features … When the tutoring session is over, he accompanies you to the building’s exit, his bodyguards discreetly tailing the both of you in a three meter distance. „Are you leaving for today?“, you ask, seeming indifferent. You had stayed quiet until now, immediately having turned back to the cautious, distanced you again as soon as the kids had left. „Hmm-hmm“, Taehyung affirms, watching you from the side. „Good night, then.“ You quickly bow your head and turn to go, giving him one last shy smile. „Yah, Maor, are you not going home?“, he calls after you, his deep, full voice resonating in the empty foyer. You shake your head, neither slowing down nor looking back, your wavy hair flying. „But it’s long past eight! Are you staying late again!?“ „What must be, must be!“, you reply, your voice carrying a smile if he isn't mistaken, throwing your arms up in resignation. „Alright. But don’t stay up too long! Sleep is important and you’re working so hard, Maor!“ But you already turned the next corner …

You had talked to your professor that morning and he’d gladly offered to leave a room unlocked for you to practice for your presentation the next day, you being one of his most promising and hardworking students. After having gone over your presentation several times, you sit down to listen to the recordings you made of the different run-throughs, trying to make out mistakes and judge your speed and weak spots. Hye-soo texts you several times, inquiring what takes you so long and repeatedly reminding you that it’s almost midnight again. Damn, Maor, you curse at yourself, your eyes tired, aching. Yet again, you won’t be able to get much more than three hours of sleep, having to get up early for your part-time job at a local bakery before your first class in the morning. You should really head home … Yawning, subconsciously clutching your paining, empty stomach, you pack up your things and leave, following your professors instructions to lock the door behind you. Your steps echoe loudly in the empty stairway on your way down, the lights dim, mostly tuned off already, the atmosphere heavy, somber. Tightly clutching your bag and books in your arms, you carefully take one step after the other, walking slowly, ever since your childhood naturally terrified of stairs, knowing how clumsy you are. However, a sudden dizzy spell overtakes you now, your vision blurred, your knees buckling. Helplessly, powerlessly, you watch the stairs rapidly come towards you, having lost your footing, unable to regain your balance, gravity getting the better of you …

Kim Taehyung had felt an inexplicable pull. Back towards the university. Back to you. He couldn't quite point a finger at it, but something, a vague feeling, had just told him that he should return, that you’d be in some kind of trouble. And right now he is beyond glad he’d listened to his gut feeling, just having turned a corner and being faced with a view that freezes the blood in his veins. „Maor! Watch out!“ Calling out your name once more Taehyung bolts forward in your direction, you having lost your footing. Eyes wide in horror he watches you fall down the stairs as if in slow-motion. Instinctively, he catches you in his arms at the very last second before your body can hit the ground, headfirst. „Yah, Maor! Are you crazy, being this reckless!?“, he involuntarily shouts at you, his voice cracking, his heart pounding heavily, fueled by adrenaline. You just lie in his arms, paralyzed by shock, limbs tense, face pale, motionless. „Maor, are you alright!? Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?“ Carefully, he holds you at an arm’s length distance to get a better look at your face, only new noticing a stream of dark red blood running down its side, originating from your temple. „Yah, Maor! You’re bleeding! Did you hit your head? Do you hear me?“ You merely blink at him, still perplexed. „My — my arm. My elbow. I — I think it — Aahh“, you hiss, taking in a sharp breath. „I think something is wrong with it!“ In panic you look down at your elbow which is twisted in an unnatural angle. „It hurts. It really hurts, Taehyung!“ „Alright, alright, Maor. It’s gonna be okay. I’m taking you to a hospital. Right now. Just stay calm. Take deep breaths. Everything is gonna be okay, alright?“ You nod automatically, still in horror at the sight of your contorted arm. „Shh, it’s alright“, Taehyung hums in his deep, low voice, gently pressing your head against his chest, careful as not to touch your broken arm and cause you any more pain. „Come on, the van is parked right out front.“

For hours Taehyung paces up and down the crowded waiting area in front of the emergency room, Jimin by his side now. He’d hurried here as soon as Taehyung had called him, shaken up about what had happened to you, worried sick. „Yah, Taehyung-ah, calm down. She's gonna be fine. I’m sure she isn’t hurt too badly. The worst could be avoided, thanks to you.“ „Exactly, Jimin!“, he snaps at his friend, agitated, jaw clenched. „Just imagine I wouldn't have been there right that instant! She would’ve fallen to her death and I, being the stupid idiot I am, would have never —“ Taehyung stops in the middle of his sentence, running a shaking hand through his soft hair. „You would have never … what?“, Jimin carefully asks, unaffected by Taehyung’s harsh tone, knowing better than to take it personally in a situation like this. „I would have never gotten to know her and never have gotten a chance to tell her how I feel about her, that I saw the kindness and warmth inside of her she so carefully tries to hide. That I consider her the most beautiful human being in this entire world, that I admire the way she cares for others and that I can’t stand to watch her treat herself so carelessly in turn. That I want to get to know her better, to understand her. That I want us to take care of each other. And that I want to protect her and make her laugh.“ Wide-eyed and frozen in place in the middle of the waiting room, Jimin stares at his friend, Taehyung’s raucous confession having turned heads all around. „Alriiiiight, Taehyungie…“, he drawls, stifling a chuckle, perplexed at Taehyung’s sudden outburst. „That’s great. I’m happy you realized that now.“ Jimin gently pats him on the shoulder, taking him aside. „Really, I’m happy for you, Taehyung“, Jimin then continues in a lower voice, smiling. „Judging by what you've told me about her, Maor must be lovely. But … let’s keep it down a little from now on. There are sick and grieving people around here, remember?“ „Alright. Yeah, sorry, you’re right“, Taehyung agrees, shaking his head at his own carelessness. „But, I’m telling you, Jimin-ah. Maor — She’s the one. I know it already, without doubt. Maor is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.“

THE END 

Thanks for reading and staying with this story till the end! 🙏🏻💜 This kind of pure fluff is usually not my area of expertise, so I hope it was bearable 😅

I hope you enjoyed this little story of mine and had a lovely day! Take care! 💜