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crystallinestars · 1 year ago

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To Steal a Detective's Heart

Thief!reader x Heizou oneshot I've been thinking about since April. Wanted to post this for his birthday, but I didn't have enough time to complete it, so here is a super belated birthday present to best detective Heizou.

Reader is female.

You had a rough upbringing. When you were a teenager your father vanished without a trace, leaving his enormous debt for you and your mother to pay off. Your mother had to give up all your valuables and the house to pay them off, leaving you and her to live in the filthy, gloomy streets of the slums. Growing up in the slums without a safe roof over your head or food to eat, you couldn’t help but grow resentful of the rich nobles who didn’t have to go cold and hungry like you did. While they ate delicious steaks, sweet fruits, and buttery pastries, your mother had to work hard to be able to afford a simple loaf of stale bread.

When your mother fell ill and couldn’t work, getting food and shelter proved nearly impossible. To survive, you turned to theft. Nobody would offer you a job since you were a frail street rat living on the slums, so you resulted to stealing what you needed. It was scary at first, and you got caught several times and faced harsh punishments, but you couldn’t give up. The little bit of food you managed to steal from vendors and coin pouches from unsuspecting passersby helped you and your mother to fill your stomachs and buy some new clothes to better protect yourselves from the cold nights.

Over the course of a few years, you perfected your criminal craft and were soon able to sneak into the abodes of the rich merchants and nobles you so despised. After stealing a few of their valuable jewelry and gold-encrusted cups and cutlery, you’d successfully sneak back out in the cover of the night and distribute your haul amongst the other poor families and street urchins since you understood their struggles better than anyone. The poor folk adored you for these gifts, and their happy smiles and fuller stomachs encouraged you to keep at it. You stole more and more valuables from the wealthy and distributed them among the poor, selling whatever was left and bringing the money to your mother in hopes of alleviating her burden of having to support the two of you alone. With the money, you were able to buy a small cottage for the two of you to live in, as well as expensive medicine to cure her illness. When she asked where you got the money from, you lied and said you got a job to prevent her from worrying, though the lie always weighed heavily on your conscience.

Your success earned you a reputation as a scandalous thief among the wealthy. An elusive mongrel who targeted only the rich, but no matter how the nobles strengthened their security with guards and multitude of locks, you were always able to successfully infiltrate and steal from them.

Hearing wind of a nationally renowned detective with a 100% success rate in cracking cases and catching criminals, the town leaders bent over backwards to get him to come and rid the town of this pesky thief. That was how the famous detective Shikanoin Heizou found himself surrounded by indignant nobles that begged him to catch you and be rewarded handsomely if he were successful. He accepted their request because Heizou has been determined since a young age to nip crime in the bud. He lost his dearest friend to hit-and-run, and he’d be damned if he let criminals run amok and ruin people’s lives for their selfish gains, swearing to himself to not let anything like that happen to anyone else.

However, your case was a peculiar one. The more he studied the clues, the more curious he grew regarding you. You only stole from the wealthy and never harmed anyone, and even then you only stole some money and expensive pieces of décor that served no sentimental purpose to their owners. Regardless, it didn’t change the fact that you stole valuable goods and were a criminal that deserved to face justice for her crimes. Heizou was able to deduce who your next target would be, and as night fell, he laid in ambush for you to make your appearance.

You didn’t notice anything amiss when you infiltrated the merchant’s house, sneaking your way into the treasury as usual. However, as you were quietly pocketing several pieces of expensive cutlery into your satchel, a voice sounded from behind you. Startled, you whip around to see an attractive man emerge from the shadows. He looked young, with messy maroon hair pulled back into a low ponytail and piercing green eyes.

A silence hung in the air as the two of you looked at each other for several heartbeats, frozen in place like statues. While Heizou usually wouldn’t hesitate to utter a razor-sharp quip about catching a criminal in the act, this time he was caught off guard by how pretty you were. Even though the upper half of your face was obscured by a hood, there was something attractive about your visage. He could see the surprise in your eyes, your lips parted in silent shock as you stood still, terrified that you were caught.

Shaking off his momentary surprise, Heizou was about to say something witty with a charming smirk, prepared to handcuff you and take you to the station, however you reacted faster than him and were already slipping out the window before he could even utter a word. Luckily it was the first floor, so you jumped out and gripped your satchel tight as you sprinted through the courtyard towards the cover of the streets, abandoning the rest of your loot. Heizou rushed after you, not wanting to let you escape. He was hot on your heels, but you were able to lose him among the winding streets since you were far more familiar with the layout of the town than he was, and he soon lost sight of you completely.

That night, both Heizou and you realized that you met your match. Heizou had never met a criminal that could escape him so easily, though he was loathe to admit that the only reason you got away was because he was too captivated by your looks to react immediately. Meanwhile, you were terrified that someone finally managed to come close to capturing you. If you weren’t as quick as you were, you would have been caught that night.

With Heizou’s arrival in town, your easy victories came to a grinding halt. From then on, you and Heizou had more and more close calls. He grew more proficient in reading your patterns and line of thinking, while you grew more creative in your infiltration and escape attempts.

On one particularly close call, Heizou managed to corner you against a wall after calling for the guards, fully intent on handcuffing you and taking you to the police station, but you thought quickly and tried to engage him in a conversation while you attempted to buy some time in figuring out how to give him the slip.

“Did the snobby aristocrats bribe you with a hefty sum to try and catch me? Are you that desperate to lick their boots that you’d go through all this trouble just to capture me?” you taunted the detective to try and rile him up. Heizou flashed you a charming smirk, understanding what you were trying to do.

“I didn’t become a detective to earn big money. As a matter of fact, I’d catch criminals and put them behind bars regardless of whether I got paid or not. My goal is to prevent crime before it even happens. I want criminals like you to think twice before committing dastardly acts by knowing that I, detective Shikanoin Heizou, will undoubtedly catch every last one of you and bring you to justice,” Heizou replied in a confident yet laidback manner as he nimbly spun the cuffs around his finger, catching them with a metallic clink in preparation to use them on you.

You blinked, not expecting to hear such a noble reason, and your hostility towards him waned slightly.

“Why? Do you want to feel like a hero that badly?” confused, you couldn’t help but ask, momentarily forgetting about your goal of thinking of a way out of your current situation.

Heizou’s expression turned serious, a note of melancholy shined in his green eyes.

“No. It’s not about playing hero. It’s about preventing criminals like you from harming innocent people,” his voice carried a note of resoluteness, and you could tell he was speaking from past experience. “I don’t know what your reasons are for stealing from all these nobles, but your thievery ends today. I won’t let you cause harm to anyone else.”

Heizou’s accusation irked you and you couldn’t help but snap at him.

“I’m not harming anyone! If anything, these stuck-up nobles don’t even need all this wealth, and the poor people in the slums are able to use-“ you abruptly slap a hand over your mouth as dread settled in your belly. You couldn’t believe you let your annoyance get the better of you, causing you to blab some private information to the very detective that has been chasing your tail for weeks, giving him clues to finding you outside of your identity as the town’s thief.

Heizou realized your slip up too and paused. It clicked in his mind that the reason you were doing this was because you wanted to share the stolen goods with the starving people of the slums to help them survive in the unjust world. There was also a good chance you came from the slums yourself, or at the very least were exposed to the horrible life that living on the streets entailed.

Swallowing thickly, you stayed silent, internally panicking that you had messed up in a big way.

Heizou stayed where he was, a pensive expression on his handsome face as he mulled over your words. You were doing what you did out of your own sense of justice, he realized. You wanted to help the less fortunate, just as he wanted to help those affected by unjust acts of crime. Both reasons had their validity, even if one is rooted in crime. He couldn’t deny that you had never harmed anyone physically, and you only targeted those that could stand to lose a few valuables and still be financially sound. And even then, they were never things that would be considered sentimental like engagement rings or items that were clearly used often by their owner. You took things that could be easily replaced, such as a few satchels of gold coins, fancy knickknacks that served no other purpose than to be displayed for decoration, and fancy fabrics.

Heizou’s brain was in disarray as his mind battled with his heart over whether to see you as a plain criminal or someone with a just cause like him. At that moment, there were the sounds of footsteps rushing towards the room you were in. The guards and police were coming. Your breath hitched as you felt the impending doom of your capture. Making a last-ditch effort, you grabbed a nearby book and threw it at Heizou to distract him, before making a break for the window.

Heizou easily caught the book and turned his head to watch you crawl through the window. He still had plenty of time to stride over and catch you—you both knew it. Yet for some reason, he didn’t. Instead, he simply watched you slip out the window.

You glanced back at him with furrowed brows, confused why he hadn’t made any attempts to stop you yet. But Heizou was just as confused as you were, and by the time his mind spurred him on to do the right thing and reach a hand towards you, it was too late. You had successfully escaped with another small haul stored away in your satchel.

When the guards arrived, they found Heizou standing and staring out an open window. When questioned about what happened, the detective gave a sheepish smile and said you gave him the slip again, but that he was extremely close to catching you this time.

From then on, Heizou tried to corner you more often to get more of these conversations with you. He amped up his charm and wit, even cracking a few jokes that made you laugh despite your better judgement and made you open up to him. During the day, he would venture out into the slums and question the people there about the mysterious lady thief. Most refused to disclose any information, but a few kids let slip that a girl by the name of y/n would help their families by giving them expensive looking trinkets, before being hastily pulled away by their mothers. That’s how Heizou learned your real name—a beautiful name for a beautiful thief that stole his heart.

It was a strange relationship for the both of you. You were both each other’s greatest enemy, yet neither could honestly say they thought badly of the other. There was an undeniable respect between you, and also a hint of something romantic. You weren’t oblivious to how Heizou would word his sentences in slightly flirtatious and sometimes even suggestive ways, while Heizou wasn’t blind to your coy smiles, flushed cheeks, and fluttering lashes.

You were both aware there were romantic feelings involved and that they were reciprocated by the other. However, Heizou was starting to get pressure from the police and the town’s nobles for taking too long to capture you despite being regarded as a genius detective, meanwhile you were still reluctant to give up your thieving ways since other professions available to you wouldn’t earn you the money you desperately needed. Caught at a crossroads, each of you had to decide whether to give up your goals for the sake of your love, or to pursue them and lose this budding connection you had.

What choice will you make?

#genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #heizou shikanoin x reader #shikanoin heizou x reader #heizou x reader

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redhairedwolfwitch · 2 years ago

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Sacrifices in Avoidance of Heartbreak - Leila Ouahabi x Reader

A/n: so i wanted to post a Leila fic on Leila's birthday but I ran out of time so it's a belated post... oops.

///

Leaving Barcelona wasn’t something you wanted to do, but you felt like you had to. Your teammates and friends, including your best friend were under the assumption that your contract was ending and you could not get a renewal organised with Barcelona. So you left after Barcelona won the Champions League, following Vicky to Manchester, but instead of going to City, you went to United. A choice that confused everyone, but Ona was happy to have you, the defender eventually finding out the real reason that you left Barcelona one night when you were missing Spain a little too much.

You’d only spent a few seasons at the Spanish club, but you fell in love with Barcelona, and your best friend at that club. But she would never love you back, and hearing about Leila being with someone else was enough for it to feel like your heart was being ripped out of your chest. So, you left, to avoid that heartbreak.

The problem is, avoidance behaviours do not solve the issues going on. The dwindling contact with your former teammates was concerning, and whilst they could see you were okay from your social media and WSL games, you missed Leila, your Barcelona teammates and Spain. The Mancunian weather was a lot to adjust to, and you drove to preserve your Spanish skills, plus it entertained Ona with conversations in Spanish that confused the rest of the team, minus Ivana.

United ended up fourth in the WSL in your first season, and whilst Ona spent her off-season heading back to Spain, your avoidance kicked in, determined to avoid the heartbreak you were still feeling a year later.

It was ridiculous, and you knew it, but you couldn’t handle seeing Leila and knowing you would never be good enough for her to look at you as more than a friend. Your self-sabotage having most likely wrecked the friendships you had with your Barcelona teammates.

“It is always weird when players leave.” Patri reminisced, reflecting on how many players were leaving Barcelona this summer, Leila included.

“They always have a reason, but they will always mean something to us. Contracts or not.” Alexia tried to comfort her teammates, but the group were slowly losing the happiness that the Spanish sun gave them earlier, sunbathing forgotten as Ona made a noise, her eyes closed but also hidden by sunglasses as she spoke.

“Not everyone leaves because of contracts. Y/n came to United to escape heartbreak.”

“Heartbreak? Who broke their heart?” Mapi frowned, sitting up and exchanging looks with Leila, who had no idea of what Ona was talking about.

“Hmm, Y/n was in love with Leila, I think they still are, but left instead of telling her…” Ona trailed off as she opened her eyes, realising Leila was staring at the ground, playing with her fingers.

“Ona…” Alexia murmured, wondering whether Ona even meant to disclose this information, but it was too late.

“Wait, you guys did not know?”

“Do they know Leila is going to Manchester City?”

Leila did not hear the response however, her mind drifting to the last few times she had seen you before you left Barcelona.

You’d been drifting away for a little while, being less touchy and affectionate, leaving rooms early and talking less when teaming up with Leila during practice.

There had always been something that had bothered the defender though, the way you held onto her longer than you held onto anyone else during your goodbye hugs, how your tears seemed to be caused by a deeper reason than leaving Barcelona, especially after something Leila had heard you say before.

You adored Spain, and would not leave unless you had no other choice, even admitting you’d love to settle somewhere there one day, after football. So to find out that you left the place you were in love with, because you fell in love with her, and she was just finding out now? It had been a year, and Ona admitted you were still in love with her?

“What was Y/n like?” Ingrid enquired to Mapi, having been silent for a majority of what was said, since she had never really met you, with the season Ingrid arrived being after you left during the summer.

“The sweetest person…” Leila murmured, getting out her phone to do who knows what, halfway between pressing your contact and calling you when an instagram notification caught her eye. A photo of you offering the camera a peony wasn’t something she expected, but the caption made her smile nonetheless.

‘roses are cliche, so i bought peonies’

“The sweetest?” Ingrid smiled, a knowing look on her face that left Mapi confused, but Leila was busy commenting an emoji on your instagram post.

“Sweet, unselfish, prefers to assist rather than score.”

“That was with Barcelona. With United, they score.” Ona countered Alexia’s point, leaving the midfielder to raise an eyebrow.

Leila’s focus drifted again as she opened her messages, finding her last message to you had been left on read, until the familiar speech bubble appeared. The Spaniard watched as one message finally came through.

‘Te echo de menos.’

You missed Leila. That was all she needed to know as a plan formed in her head for when she left to move to Manchester for the next two seasons.

///

You didn’t mean to hit send on that message, telling Leila you missed her. No doubt she would want to catch up when she arrived in Manchester now. Was that so bad, you asked yourself.

However, there was a slight issue, your still existent feelings for the Spanish defender, feelings that only a chosen few knew about because you were scared and insecure. Scared you’d be judged for leaving a top club because you fell in love, but insecure because you thought that you were not good enough for Leila.

Choosing to ignore your phone for the time being, you began to arrange the peonies you had bought, locating a vase and a spoonful of sugar to help the peonies last longer.

///

Your avoidance meant that after the euros, you didn’t hang out with your teammates outside of the training facility during pre-season. You wouldn’t admit it, not to Ona, not to anyone, but you were afraid Leila would be there. Seeing her again, after all this time… your feelings weren’t gone, your heart ached for her but she had no reason to love you back.

What you were doing wasn’t healthy, but you also uprooted your life from where you were happy in Spain and moved everything to England, and now Leila is here in Manchester too, reminding you of that pain in your chest every time you think of her.

You sacrificed your happiness to try to heal from heartbreak, or avoid it, but you sacrificed your happiness and broke your own heart leaving Leila and Spain behind.

You thought you had ruined everything as you fiddled with the paper straw in your cup, staring through the cloudy plastic lid to watch the ice cubes swirl around in your drink. An elbow in your side left you grimacing, about to elbow Millie back when she gestured to the scoreboard. You were next up to bowl.

Getting up to select the bowling ball you needed, you went to bowl, grinning and throwing your arms in the air when the ball didn’t go into the gutters and actually hit the pins.

You could hear laughter from your United teammates but you didn’t care, until you realised it wasn’t just your United teammates at the bowling alley. Your face fell, and you could feel how the goosebumps ran over your skin, stomach churning and heart fluttering. Some of Manchester City had joined, at the bowling lane next to where you and your United teammates were located.

Ona approached you, holding her bowling ball to bowl next but she paused, spotting the look on your face, and realising who you were looking at. She was yet to spot you, but Leila was in your close proximity for the first time in months.

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t feel well. Could you bring my stuff to the toilets please? I’m going to go there then head home.” You explained, barely getting a concerned nod from the Spaniard before you were hurrying to the toilets, not realising that your speed walking caught another Spaniard’s attention.

Staring into the mirror in the toilets after exiting the cubicle, you grimaced as you realised you were sweating, your heart rate not calming down even after splashing water on your face and trying to focus on your breathing.

“I have your things.” Ona announced as she walked into the toilets, holding out your bag to you after you dried your hands with the hand dryer.

“Gracias, Ona. I will see you tomorrow, hopefully…” you swallowed nervously, fiddling with your keys in your hand as you headed towards the door, opening it only to freeze.

Leila smiled softly, but her face fell as you all but scurried away and out of the bowling alley in general, disappearing into the car park and out of sight.

“They hate me.”

“They love you, but think you would not love them.” Ona replied, sending you a text asking for you to tell her when you were home safely, before taking Leila back to the bowling lanes, explaining that you had felt unwell and gone home, so someone else would take over your turns to bowl.

///

It kept Leila up at night, the look on your face, the pain in your eyes that you didn’t realise she could see. Pain and tears. She found out from Ona that you got home safely, and it was only through persuasion and reminding Ona that she was the reason Leila knew of your feelings that Ona gave her your address, but warned her that if things went south, she would leave you alone.

Leila knew your schedule from when the two of you were at Barcelona, she knew how you functioned before and after training, and before and after games. After anything, you’d shower, make food then fall asleep watching something either in bed or on your couch unless you’d been invited out, in which you’d shower, eat out somewhere or eat before heading out, and crash in your bed after.

Life got busy for a few days, but once Leila had the chance, and she knew you were home, she decided to take the chance and go talk to you. Maybe it was invasive, going to your home after getting the address from Ona, you’d probably kill the young Spaniard but you and Ona had almost a sibling relationship after all this time. You’d get your own back at Ona somehow.

It took longer than expected to find where you lived, tempted to call someone for help since google maps’ directions weren’t the most helpful, but eventually Leila’s hand hovered over the door before spotting the doorbell. A doorbell that she wasn’t sure worked, until the door opened, revealing you wearing an apron over your pyjamas.

You froze the moment the doorbell rang, putting down the wooden spoon and turning down the hob before hurrying over to the door, forgetting to look out the window to check who it was.

“Leila! What, what are you doing here?” Your voice shook slightly, hand tightening on the door handle as the temptation to slam the door in your crush’s face crept into your mind, but you didn’t do it. Instead you let Leila in, leaving her in the hallway as you hurried back to the kitchen to stop your dinner from sticking to the pan.

“Why are you here, Leila?” Your voice thick with sadness, Leila hesitated as she stood at the counter next to you, observing you stirring what she assumed was what you were making for your dinner.

You didn’t hear what Leila said at first, turning your head as she repeated it, but you just hummed, you missed talking in Spanish. You spoke in Spanish to Ona a lot, but the rest of your teammates usually looked confused after.

“We need to talk about what? It’s been months, I don’t see how we have much to talk about-” the wooden spoon fell from your hand into the pot, your fingers clinging to Leila’s zip up hoodie as she pulled you into a hug. She didn’t hold onto you tightly, expecting you to push her away, but your body betrayed you as you leaned into Leila, your face buried in her shoulder as you moved your arms to hug her back.

Only pulling away when your timer went off, signifying that your dinner was done, you couldn’t look Leila in the eye. Your focus stayed with your dinner and trying to get it served whilst still warm, and not make a mess in the process.

“I know why you left Barcelona.”

You hummed, gently tilting the pot to pour your dinner into the bowl you had out, hoping not to spill it but Leila’s lack of subtlety took you by surprise.

“You left because you are in love with me.”

Leila’s eyes widened at the clattering noise of the pot hitting the rim of the bowl, hurrying forwards to help you before you split your dinner on the counter.

“Who, who told you that?” Your lack of denial left Leila’s eyes softening, deciding to try not to get Ona in even more trouble by saying it was the younger Spaniard that told Leila and the others during the off-season.

Shaking her head, Leila sighed, “you left without telling me, you thought I did not love you back?”

Staring at the steam rising from the bowl of food, you let out a sigh in return of Leila’s sigh.

“Sí.”

Leila looked up from where she had been looking at the floor, realising what you had said, what you had finally admitted after leaving Spain so many months ago without really talking to Leila again.

“Idiota.”

“Excuse me?” Raising an eyebrow, you turned to the Spanish defender.

“Idiota.”

“Why am I an idiot? For sacrificing my love of Spain to protect myself against the heartbreak of falling in love with my best friend and her not feeling the same way.” You deadpanned, about to fold your arms but Leila reached out, her hands on your hips.

“Because she feels the same way, idiota.”

“She, you, you what?” You spluttered but Leila shook her head, pulling you towards her so you were within almost kissing distance.

“Te amo, idiota.”

“Yo también te amo, Leila.” Biting your lip, your gaze rested on Leila’s lips, returning to her eyes as she smirked, leaning forwards so her lips met yours, your hands on her shoulders to steady yourself. Dinner going cold and forgotten on the counter.

/// hopefully some accurate translations ///

Te echo de menos - i miss you

Gracias - thank you

Sí - yes

Idiota - idiot

Te amo - i love you

Yo también te amo - i love you too

#woso x reader #leila ouahabi x reader #woso imagine #leila ouahabi imagine #woso imagines #barcelona femeni x reader #then it's actually manchester united!R x manchester city!leila but that's too complicated to put in a tag lbr #leila ouahabi imagines

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faejilly · 8 months ago

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writing patterns

Rules: List the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there's a pattern!

tagged by @junemermaid, no-pressure tagging anyone who would like, because I have no idea who's seen and either done or passed on this one lately. PLEASE PLEASE DO IT AND BLAME ME IF YOU HAVE EVEN THE SLIGHTEST INCLINATION, I love seeing these things, I'm just brain-dead re: tagging today. 💙

1. Vakarian makes Shepard feel old.

Chicory, Mass Effect, Weaver Shepard, not on AO3 yet because I'm trying to turn it into a series of first/early impressions of the ME1 crew from Shepard's perspective. But then I've done Kaidan's first impression of Shepard already, so I can't decide if I should do her version of that or figure out another one. But also should I add Joker? I should always add Joker. But then in what order? (You can see the overthinking process here, can't you?) SOMEDAY I WILL WRITE WEAVER & TALI AND IT WILL BE DELIGHTFUL. She adores Tali. But also wishes to keep her safely in engineering 99% of the time. BUT ALSO...

anyway. back to sentences. ->

2. Emmett had known that he would see her.

Almond Blossoms, 7kpp, Emmett/Sheltered Princess & a lot of chaperone POV's. Also I posted that in September last year so this is clearly going to be a little depressing in terms of my ongoing 'am I a writer anymore?' existential crisis

3. “Don’t move.”

Never Again, Shadowhunters, Malec, sort of omegaverse, sort of weird magic bonds, a very belated prompt fill from the @knotinmyname anti-ai-scraping event.

4. The Matchmaker may have announced them, they may consider themselves engaged, this might be exactly what they should be doing as these connections are exactly what the Summit claims to be for… but Nathalie’s a 'known’ seductress and suspected murderer, but Clarmont’s only 'allowed’ here for the Royal Family to keep an eye on him, to make sure he knows how generous they are being with their mercy.

Relief, 7kpp, Clarmont/Ambitious Widow (Revaire feels!). Yes, that is just one sentence. Yes, I did that on purpose. No, I probably shouldn't have, but idc. 😅

5. Alec hasn’t even been Marked, still technically a fledgling rather than a Shadowhunter, when he learns that most nephilim can’t hear their weapons sing.

untitled eldritch angel powers prequel, Shadowhunters, Alec Lightwood & Politics is my jam, even when he's like 10 or something. As is weird magic and angel lore that I get to make up! Not on ao3 because I think it's going to be in a bigger thing, but I haven't actually done it yet, but I also get really tired of trying to rearrange my AO3 stuff because then I lose links and comments and brain power that should have been used for maybe writing something again some day.

6. All the dealers know Magnus’ name.

Fluff for @foodsies4me! Malec Auctioneer AU on the floor because it made me smile. (I used to be an auction block clerk.)

7. A familiar flare lit up his apothecary, and Magnus reached out to catch the fire message.

working title is 'wtf the clave is competent' and this is another playing-with-lore Shadowhunters prequel (that will eventually be Malec) started off via a Tangential Tuesdays prompt (which is a thing I would like to properly do again, but I keep not writing which makes it tricky)

8. An Omega heir to two old bloodlines in line for a Headship was something the Nephilim hadn’t seen in almost a century, and ought to have been prestigious enough for Alec to have chosen any path or mate he wanted. [x]

9. That was Magnus. [x]

These are both omegaverse prompts for the aforementioned anti-ai event and actually posted on time last June. Both Shadowhunters and Malec and just little bits and pieces of almost things. And fun on their own, imo, but. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

10. Cullen thought he’d gotten used to seeing this new Hawke in Haven.

Gladiolus, Cullen/Hawke, Dragon Age: Inquisition (Hawke as Inquisitor). Another prompt fill, a ficlet for a collection I have on AO3; its continuing existence is almost entirely @jadesabre301's fault.

Well, picking chapters and scenes posted on tumblr rather than my ao3 was probably good for my sanity, since my ao3 is a bit of a mess.

I seem to start with very declarative sentences this past year or so: we are here and this is what we're dealing with. Which is not... how I have previously concluded this meme, but I'm not sure that it's really any different than usual, just more obvious. It's a habit developed, I think, in writing relatively short-fic and also playing with lore or setting, because I very much need to set up my framework if I want anyone else to follow it.

I definitely should try and play some ME and/or watch some Shadowhunters and clean up some of the bits that I would really really like to have as finished stories though. This has successfully reminded me that I do, in fact, usually like writing and still think like a writer, so that's probably good!

/thank you june 🥰

#writing memery #junemermaid #10 first lines #writing patterns #I know I've done this one before #but can I tag consistently?#no #on writing

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magmahurricane · 10 months ago

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As someone who first started posting art online because I'd wanted to show the world my very cool OCxCanon ship for Fang back in 2008 (and having had said ship since 2006), seeing him finally get the attention he deserves has been so surreal.

I remember going through the entirety of his tags on dA, FA, FF.net, AO3, and eventually here on tumblr a few years ago. The special interest was strong but really isolating in fandom - especially since, despite the darker themes that had always been present in my writing, I sort of had a different idea of the character than most fans did pre-Archie Sonic Champions arc.

See, those of you who weren't around during these times - despite his debut game and what little we knew about Fang painting him as a selfish klutz, Pre-reboot Archie had a different take on the character. For a good while, he had his temper and excitability dialed back to make him a much more competent, serious and efficient mercenary. It wasn't til we got Ian writing for the comics that we found a nice balance between semi-competent merc and clumsy grump.

Fandom preferences led to what small pool of fans the character had butting heads over what was the "correct" way to write his character.

Like I've gone over what I love about the character in the past and why he means so much to me, and I love what IDW is doing with him. And it's nice to see him get love!

Here's to the stinky bastard we all adore, and belated welcome to his newer fans. The first Fang the Hunter issue was pretty damn good.

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neonscandal · 10 months ago

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Hello, how are you? I love your blog, thanks so much for sharing you post, Neon (sorry, can I call you that?)

I found your blog cause your BakuDeku and SatoSugu posts, and I was surprised when found out, you also a fan of Banana Fish, Fushigi Yuugi, AoT and Sk8.

Last week was my birthday, and one of the best present for me is founding your blog.

Can I ask your fav characters and moments each from Banana Fish and AoT? Sorry if maybe you've already posted this before.

Happy belated birthday! 🎉✨

I hope you enjoyed yourself 💛 IDK how old you turned but here's to another year around the sun. I don't really do new years' resolutions, but, on my birthday each year, I think about how I want to spend the next year of my life. I hope your next year is extra special.

I haven't quite answered this so please see below!

⚠️ Spoiler warning for Banana Fish anime and Attack on Titan through series end.

CHARACTERS

Aslan Jade Callenreese - Because of COURSE he is. Plenty of places to read about why that is but just know, he is precious and I know he deserved better.

Shorter Wong - Just a funny lil guy. But to know the walls that would have divided Ash and Shorter which they would have broken down to have such trust and peace between them makes everything that happened that much more devastating.

Eiji Okumura - To paint Eiji as some harmless little cinnamon roll does his character such an injustice. He was gentle but he was fearless and could be fierce and had such a teasing sense of humor. I adore him for who he was to Ash but also because he could be sassy and obstinate.

Jessica Randy - Bad bitch with a gun. Adore her for being just as mean as Ash and not treating him like glass but also being sympathetic in those moments where they really connect.

MOMENTS

Admittedly, I wound up having to stop watching Banana Fish part way through because it was so devastating and I was triggered. ✨ Took a month long break before I finished it and I have not watched it since. It just haunts me. I thought I'd read the manga but haven't brought myself to though I did buy Vol. 19 so I could get some closure.

Ash and Eiji's immediate gravitation toward one another from him just giving Eiji his gun?? and from the way he watched with awe how Eiji pole vaulted over fence and effectively saving them. Such a funny way to set up such an unlikely but perfect pair.

Ash shooting from atop the truck and everyone retreating into the Manhattan? river.. THE WAY SHORTER INSTINCTIVELY GRABBED EIJI?

Ash showing Eiji how to shoot in Connecticut, the way he softened up like they were just kids playing but then immediately had to retreat back to being Ash Lynx when he noticed other people watching.

How, even in his betrayal, Shorter did what he could to protect Eiji while in the mansion.

When they busted Ash out of the mansion, that moment of clarity when he realized Eiji was there for him.

Jack-o-Lanterns.

Every single father son moment Ash had with Max.

The moment Max burned Ash's photos. I could actually bawl right now thinking about it?

Yut Lung's revenge on his brothers.

Ash's triumph over Rick Fox.

CHARACTERS (have a funny way of not making it to the end of the series, huh?)

Levi Ackerman - I think I just like people who are burdened and damned.

Hange Zoe - Their personality did not fit the confines of life behind the walls and yet.. there they were. Brilliant, quirky, compassionate and curious. But eventually carried the weight of the whole world which blotted out their smile.

Sasha Braus, Connie Springer, Jean Kirstein - My favorite trio. From Jean's artistry, to Connie's horrible comedic timing and Sasha's insatiable hunger. Just a recipe for hilarity.

Mikasa Ackerman - Admittedly, she lost her edge and appeal later in the series which is such a shame. I mean, they brought it back for the ending but just feel like her being this OP bad ass could have had a personality consistently to match.

MOMENTS

Attack on Titan had such exquisite exposition. This is definitely a series I always wish I could watch and read for the first time again. From the world building to the fact that, just when you get settled into understanding everything, your perspective on that world is completely rearranged. Now as a veteran watcher, crazy to find all the easter eggs that were hidden in plain sight.

The reveal at Utgard tower + their success in the box - As their first line of defense is fighting against dwindling stamina and dulling blades. Offset by the impossible odds of the newbie squads' success. Devastating.

Flegel Reeves' takes on the MP's - THE REVEAL. Also, what a way to emphasize their corruption in front of those shitty run down buildings. It was such a heart swelling moment.

Levi vs. Kenny in the city - their backstory and the animation of him flitting around and dodging bullets.

Battle at Shinganshina - From Erwin's incredible speech, Connie's awful joke and the difficult decision Levi had to make. SO MUCH. Such a phenomenal succession of chaos, honestly.

THE MARLEYAN REVEAL. Bro, are you kidding me??? With a whole new understanding of oppression and classism within the world.

The scouts experiencing life outside of the walls - Especially the clowns, the cars and the ice cream.

Massacre in Marley - The chaos of the attack on Willy Tybur's play to recapture Eren but also showcase the growth of the Scouts in Paradis and the fact that their freedom still came at the cost of other people who also weren't free.

Sasha Braus' Murderer's reveal - Gabi and Falco finding their way to the Braus' was one thing. But to be turned upon by someone who wanted to help them get back home and the only Maryleyan they met because of Sasha while being spared by her father? What a turning point.

Ymir's origin story and how that devolved into the world her descendants suffer in now.

FINDING OUT EREN WAS BEHIND EVERYTHING!? Even the death of his own mother and the slaughter of the royal family perpetrated by his father. All to engineer a future where he, too, knowingly would be killed. Knowing this and rewatching it just... it was there all along.

ALSO Levi Ackerman's back story from the OVA - man has been suffering since birth.

Recalling all of this makes me want to rewatch AOT again, TBH.

#neon asks #anon asks #anime #manga #banana fish #attack on titan #ash lynx #shorter wang #eiji okumura #jessica randy #levi ackerman #hange zoe #sasha braus #mikasa ackerman #snk #shingeki no kyojin #connie springer #jean kerstein

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diovstheworld · 2 years ago

Note

Hello again! Happy Valentine’s Day! I loved the headcanons you wrote for me last time (La Squadra with a member who can create anything with their stand), so I hope you don’t mind me sending in another request! May I have La Squadra’s reactions to reader accidentally sending this to them at 3am?:

Thank you so much! xD

hi again! thank you so much for the request! i’ve been struggling for ideas for posts so this request was greatly appreciated! also happy belated valentine’s day! (sorry if this post isn’t as long as my usual ones, i’ve been typing it between classes and bus journeys ahhhh but i really hope you enjoy <3). also i’m so sorry, i’m having trouble writing on mobile rn it keeps deleting anything i have at the bottom so that was a pain 😭 again, sorry this took me so long. i had so many problems with tumblr these past few days :(( so if the layout of this post is messed up, i’m slowly trying to learn desktop tumblr ahhh

୨ ╭ ୨୧ ✦ ︶꒷꒦・⎯⎯・⎯⎯・₊ˎ✧๑

Prosciutto:

‘y/n…it’s 3am.’

sends you a little ‘💕’ after another few minutes has passed

though he lectures you in the morning about sending him texts at such ungodly hours (and a lecture on the importance of sleep) he then proceeds to give you a cuddle

very lovingly warns you to never send him messages at this time in the morning unless you’re dying

but makes sure to tell you he really appreciates the thought of the photo, accident or not

actually, sending this photo to him would probably open a whole new conversation between you both, discussing feelings (because i definitely feel like this guy has to be prompted to talk about them lmaoooo)

Risotto:

since he’s definitely the kind of guy who gets little to no sleep anyway, he’s seeing this the second you send this to him

expect him to be confused at first, but after a few minutes pass, he’s coming through to see you for sure

‘y/n…what is the meaning of…this?’

regardless of your answer, you’re gonna get a little hug for sure

and, just like prosciutto, you’re getting lectured about the importance of sleep too while getting this hug (very hypocritical of him)

but will probably sit with you until you do finally fall asleep <3

hes probably not saying much in this moment, he’s just enjoying the silence with you

actually, i feel like just like prosciutto, risotto would also have to be prompted to talk about his feelings :,)

Formaggio:

first of all, this guy absolutely loves the fact you sent him this

he finds it really funny that you sent it at 3am too

sends you back something like this:

followed by something like this

overall, despite it being 3am and an accident, he appreciates the thought

he’ll probably bring it up with you in the morning, but he’s not mad about it. he finds it funny and adorable!

he’s grinning like an idiot all night to be honest

expect hugs and lots of attention in the morning

Illuso:

first of all, fully expect to be teased about this

most likely won’t answer you immediately (because this guy likes his beauty sleep) but when he finally registers that his phone just buzzed, he’s gonna be a little confused

mostly bc he wonders who the heck is messaging him! but when he sees the photo, he definitely gives a smile

not that he’ll tell you that to your face of course :,)

in the morning, he goes downstairs with the most deadpan face to confront you about the image but honestly ends up blushing a heap ton OR is tripping over his words (very unusual behaviour from him) so you naturally work out he liked the image

he’ll probably come find you in private later on to talk about it for real, no teasing this time, just a good honest chat about the photo and, you know, potential intentions behind it (aka, this man actually discussing his feelings about someone other than himself)

Ghiaccio:

‘oh my GOD Y/N’

he’s gonna be a little mad the notification noise woke him up from his sleep BUT once he sees the photo, he’s immediately blushing

honestly, he’s probably staring at this for a good 5 minutes. he’s slightly confused on what this means

he’s coming straight to your room for sure, be prepared for an initial little rant from this guy - i mean, he’s gonna be a little mad you woke him up

the rant stops fairly quickly afterwards though and he’s definitely bombarding you with questions about the photo in question - why did you send it to him! what does it mean! why does the dog look like that! (not that it’s relevant, but knowing Ghiaccio, his rants often go on tangents :,) )

honestly, giving him a cuddle will shut him up

and he WILL cuddle you back. he appreciates your hugs <3

Melone:

immediately coming to see you after you send him that for sure, he’s another guy who i think would stay up late so he’s definitely wide awake when you send him that

let me tell you, he wouldn’t even be mad for a second. yeah it might be 3am, but that image made him smile

’y/n…did you mean to send me this?’

he’s definitely having a laugh with you about it for sure. it’s no secret that this little photo made him happy

again, he’s staying the night with you, chatting away with you about all sorts. honestly, it’s amazing what conversations sending this photo has opened up

the pair of you don’t realise you’ve been talking for so long until it hits 7am and the other guys are starting to wake up

Pesci:

he probably won’t see it till morning (he has a very good sleep schedule!) but when he wakes up to that, he’s immediately smiling!

sends you back something like a photo of a hug coupon (i did try to attach something but tumblr kept deleting the bottom text 😭)

before immediately going downstairs to give you a big cuddle!

he probably will ask you if the photo was an accident but honestly, either way he’s happy!

has the happiest smile on his face for the next week, and often finds himself going back to look at the photo!

a little bit nervous to ask you but he definitely tries to ask if the photo has any special meaning from your perspective

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writingmysanity · 2 years ago

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One year back on Tumblr

So, I am a little late on this since my one year mark was on the 21st. I originally wanted to do something fun for my one year anniversary but I realized that I just am burnt out at the moment. I am sure that you've noticed the lack of content- and I am sorry. I am hoping soon.

Instead, I've decided to make a post for some of the highlights since I've come back to tumblr. I've met so many wonderful people that I know that I wouldn't have had the honor to meet otherwise. I just want to list some of my mutuals and also artists and writers I've had the opportunity to find and interact with that i think you should all check out their content if you haven't already.

I am going to separate this by fandom lol because I love you all but I tend to lose myself in trying to remember everyone sometimes.

The Witcher first because it is what gave me the inspiration to come back and share my random bits of writing with you all.

@seidenbros steffi, beloved, you are truly the sweetest and kindest person ever. I have been blessed with your presence. you have been one of my biggest sources of encouragement and defiantly a huge enabler. you have listened to countless rants and ideas of story ideas that didn't always take off but that didn't stop us from ranting about them and fleshing them out to the point where they may as well have appeared, fully written and perfectly edited.

@cosmos-coma hello, sweetheart <3 one- happy belated birthday once more. I am so angry with myself for having gotten it wrong. Thank you for the light youve brought to my life. our letters and just being able to have someone to talk about the random craziness in life has been the absolute craziness of this world and our lives has been amazing. thank you for everything youve done, your unending adoration for my mini me who is the epitome of chaos but makes for some hilarious stories. I love our friendship more than words could ever properly express.

@queenxxxsupreme Kacey, you're probably my biggest enabler. you are an amazing writer, and an even better friend- even if you don't feel like you are sometimes. you've helped me through more than you realize in the last year that we've known each other. I can't wait to enact our plans to run away to another state and be cryptids in the woods and sell fancy cheese to rich people by the sea shore.

@daughterofautumn Goose, I haven't known you quite as long as the others but you have definitely sewn yourself perfectly into my life. your chaos and crazy energy fuels me daily. you and your obsessions (inadvertently dragging me into said obsessions) make my entire day. i love your energy. not to mention the absolute chaos that is your life. please sleep more darling, and drink plenty of water. I worry.

Arcane next!

this fandom was one that I defiantly stalked in silence for at least a month before I finally gave into the brain rot specifically for a wonderful person who amazes me with the depths of the love and kindness Shes shown to everyone who has the absolute pleasure to engage with her.

@grumpyoutlaw Grumpy, my beloved- my muse. you have been nothing but an absolute delight, a light, the very heart of this fandom. your art was what brought me into your orbit but your kindness has kept me around. writing that first piece for you was possibly the most spur of the moment but also the greatest domino that has affected the sheer amount of community i have been honored to encounter. thank you for everything. I adore you so much!

@thedreamlessnights Jams. I don't even know where to start. thank you for being so wonderful to me. your vampire fic was pinnacle for dragging me into this fandom well before i even fully committed to the fandom itself. and you followed me?? before I posted anything?? it always baffled me. you claim it was vibes lol and ill take it. you're an amazing writer and friend and I cant believe i get to call such an amazing, open, supportive person my friend. the space you've opened for everyone who wishes to let them have space to be themselves has been a blessing on my day-to-day life.

@sherwood-forests darling, I know we haven't spoken much but you are defiantly responsible for my Silco brain rot. I took a chance on your dragon fic and I cant ever recommend it enough. not to mention how kind you are?? you are the real treasure! thank you for encouraging me and being a light for everyone in the fandom.

@cedarcia DARLING. where to start? i can't believe you follow me and i cant believe I've been given the chance to be your friend. your talent is almost as impressive as your heart. you're always the first to hop on the train to try and help someone the best you can. I cant wait to visit and dress up like pirates to go sailing.

@thehistoriangirl first and foremost, your rants your T A G S... darling they give me life. getting to freaking out over our blorbos and stories we are working on (with a sprinkle of life outside fandom) has been amazing. bouncing ideas with you has never been boring in any capacity and the only thing i know to expect when i see that I've gotten a message from you is sheer just E N E R G Y and i LIVE for it. it is unmatched. not to mention you are 100% an enabler. ahaha

@mariana-souza getting to know you, in the short time that I've gotten to, has been amazing. getting to see how much work you put into your work- both art and writing- has been motivating to say the least. i love that we are able to just scream about things together- how you always seem to know what questions to ask when were talking about each others WIPs. your art is what brought you to my attention, and I am so glad I made the decision to interact with you further.

Shadow and Bone/Six of crows next!!

somehow, i feel like this fandom is simultaneously the smallest of the fandoms i find myself somewhat active in, but also the most tight knit.

@maliciousbrekker Cal. I don't know where to start- you are a wonderfully talented person and so very kind to everyone (also, I am sorry about dragging you into arcane in the middle of your SOC love <3) you are so relatable and i cant help but laugh at something you've posted at least once a day because S A M E. i know we aren't super close but just knowing i have such a wonderful mutual like you, who has on more than one occasion reached out just to check on me, i appreciate you more than you know and seeing your name pop up in my notifications always brings me joy.

@ell0ra-br3kk3r @sophierequests-trashblog I adore you both, I am sorry that we don't talk more often, you are both so pure and i love the interactions that we've had, even if they've been minimal. your amazing writers that i cant ever get enough of. thank you for being so welcoming into the fandom even if I've only ever written one piece to it in total lol. <3

there are several other moots that i just haven't gotten to engage with much at all, but i see you! in my notifications every day, and it makes my day every time. @insult-2-injury @astudyincontrasts @uniquedeerwitch

and of course- I can never forget my friend @rainbowpitofdoom you have been around for so long. we have seen each other grow and change and learn. you are honestly one of the best friends I've ever had and just getting to know you as a person has made me a better person and i need you to know this. I love you lots, Chesh and i don't know where id be without you.

every single one of these lovelies are wonderfully talented and just amazing people. they are writers and artists and they are a delight to know and get to engage with- i promise. if you ever need something new, or just to read something again, please! give them some love. they deserve every bit of it.

I love you all, and if you ever ever need anything please do not hesitate to reach out. even if its just needing to talk to someone. i truly thank every lucky star out there that ive been lucky enough to meet you all.

#ru speaks #i love you all so much #i am so appreciative of you all #for your love and support since ive come back

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curiouschaosstarlight · 1 year ago

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Part of a post I'm writing that I think distracts from the actual subject of that post but I feel like saying it anyway;

The Crepus situation seems to be pretty well-preserved from manga to game, from what I can tell. Diluc's vague about it but actually saw the scene, from beginning to end. Kaeya insists Diluc killed his dad but arrived late and didn't actually see what happened, nor did he have a clear view of what Diluc was doing at the time.

Considering how I'm...relatively sure their whole confession-then-fight thing went down not too long later on top of everything else, I don't think they've ever actually, like...talked about it.

...What I'm saying is, I'm pretty sure Crepus died from the whole overuse of Delusion thing, especially since they made special effort to draw him disintegrating rather than as a regular-ass corpse, which is not something Genshin has ever or will ever shy away from. Not "trapped in agony and Diluc had to murder him himself". I could easily be wrong, but considering everything else we see and hear in the manga and game, it would be real fuckin' weird that the only person whose word we have to go off on for details is Kaeya, the belated party that was NOT there for inciting incident.

I genuinely think Kaeya made an incorrect assumption and just...hasn't ever had it cleared up. Because he and Diluc aren't talking. And who knows how Diluc's actually handling the situation. Whether he did or didn't mercy kill his dad, the survivor's guilt has to be immense regardless.

Anyways, point being, I love and adore Kaeya, I really do.

But he's a pessimist and also a little bit of an idiot at the best of times.

One that's smart, crafty, and perfectly capable in many areas, but keep in mind he was gonna kill Collei without actually assessing what her real problem was because he was projecting so hard, and I think he's only somewhat learned to project a little less in the actual game.

Not everything every single fictional character says is 100% actual, true, unbiased fact, even if the character themselves might 10000% believe in it.

And I just...think it's very deliberate that the manga showed the events the way it did, and ALSO had only Kaeya say directly that Diluc killed Crepus. We see the events for ourselves. The events are ambiguous and look way more like Diluc hardly had any reaction time beyond being able to pick Crepus up. (Which could easily be why he has blood on his face; from picking up a bleeding man.) It just feels deliberate. Very, very deliberate storytelling.

And Maybe I'm Wrong. That's not too weird. Maybe it'll never be confirmed one way or the other.

I just...think we shouldn't rest on our laurels and call something completely canon when it's, so far, been left very much ambiguous.

#chaotic rambles #organishin #the phoenix down #frozen febreze #that is a really REALLY dumb pun and i think it'll get me weird looks if i try to explain it--#anyways that's my kaeya tag now--#as i was looking at lines for puns Diluc's line about Kaeya says Kaeya can only be half-trusted #and man aint he right for the wrong reasons huh--#see that's what we call being biased af but also being kinda sorta right by coincidence #anyways dont listen to either one about the other they're both wrong #as an aside im genuinely shocked i dddont think i mixed up Kaeya and Diluc's names in this even once #i have a very clear idea of both characters separately but for some reason my brain will mix up their names and weapons #and i dont know WHY #gettin' better at it but i've still fucked up relatively recently--

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blu-archer · 2 years ago

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Warmth after Christmas

Caretaker: Jin

Sickie: Yoongi

m/m - fluff

Word count: 4498

*As usual, there might be errors - just vibe with it.*

*Belated Happy New Year everyone! 🥰I hope you're all safe and healthy wherever you are in the world! This was meant to be posted like a week ago in the shadows of Christmas, but I was procrastinating editing. Also, this can be read as stand alone, but I did write it with the characters of a previous fic in mind, which I'll link below. it might suck, it might not... I kind of can't tell anymore, so hopefully you guys enjoy it!!*

Jin heaved up the bags of leftovers, causing the handles to dig into his forearms as he unlocked and opened the front door to his boyfriend’s house. The weather had thankfully let up enough for him to make the journey, not that he expected Yoongi to be awake any time before now. As warm and adorably affectionate as he knows the younger could be, he also knew that Yoongi was most definitively not a morning person and has threatened bodily harm upon being woken too early before.

Not to him of course �� or at least not without the dry humor and sass attached to his tone whenever Jin had managed to nudge him awake.

But it was rounding close to 10am and if Yoongi wasn’t awake by now Jin was prepared to face whatever grumpiness that he would find. Right after he dumped half of his leftover Christmas dinner in his boyfriends’ fridge, of course.

“Yoon?” Jin called as he waltzed through the familiar lounge and kitchen. He didn’t get a response other than Holly rushing to welcome him with excited barks and a full body tail wag. “Yoongi, are you awake?”

Silence.

Even Holly seemed to have held his breath in wait of a reply, then proceeded to try to wiggle and jump in Jin’s way for attention when he went to pack everything he’d brought away. it took a bit of reorganizing in Yoongi’s fridge to fit everything, but it was in and his boyfriend would be fed for the rest of the week without having to put any effort into cooking. Then he followed Holly to the master bedroom only to find what he’d thought he’d see.

The clothes worn from the day before was thrown over the back of the chair pushed to the side and Yoongi was curled up into a bundled ball in the center of his bed with only his messy blonde hair and soft snores making an appearance from outside of the dark blankets. Jin reached out to reveal his face but then retreated with a smile. It was getting late into the morning, but Yoongi didn’t often get the chance to sleep in until a ridiculous time, so he’d let him.

Maybe he could cook up a light breakfast, something to pass as a brunch with some tea. Yoongi would surely disapprove of the drink but if Jin played it right maybe he’d finally start brushing healthier habits onto the other.

He winked at Holly, playfully waving his fingers at the dog as he leapt up and curled against his dad, his tail smacking loudly against the comforter. Jin moved back to the kitchen with renowned purpose as he began to work quietly.

Yoongi regretted all his recent life choices.

He knew that he shouldn’t have been roped into the antics of the younger members of their friend group as easily as what he was, but in his defense, none of them could really resist Jungkook’s Bambi eyes – especially when he wanted something. The hours long snowball fight that had rapidly turned into a full-scale war had seemed like a fairly good idea at the time, even Jin had taken a break from the kitchen to help his cousin build little snow ducklings. They’d even spent the afternoon bundled up on the veranda at Jin’s house and watched a fresh layer fall and fill the tracks that they’d made earlier.

It had probably been the most fun Christmas he’d had since his childhood, but the childlike joy that had come with it had quickly worn off when he’d woken up the next day. His body ached with exhaustion before he could even bring himself to open his eyes and his head and throat throbbed in in gentle pulses.

With a low moan he twisted and reached out to the space beside him, seeking a warm body that wasn’t there. Belatedly, he remembered that Soekjin had dropped him off at home after they’d spent the last few hours of the night trying to kick out and carpool their friends out of Jin’s house. Holly had needed to be fed and Jin’s place wasn’t exactly dog friendly, so he had made the decision to kiss his boyfriend goodnight, grinning tiredly into Jin’s soft, whispered prompts of rest and late morning visits. Despite his obvious exhaustion, he’d been excited for Jin to spend some more time alone with him. Now though, he wanted nothing more than to remain buried beneath his blankets and hopefully not have to move a muscle until his body didn’t hate him anymore.

He curled into his pillows and pulled the blankets half over his face to muffle the light that seeped past his curtains. Vaguely Holly could be heard puttering around the house, but the sounds were as if he was submerged in water.

A noise startled Jin from his cooking, so much so he had almost knocked over his tea when he’d spun around. The noise, as it turned out, had been a soft cough and the shuffling entry of his boyfriend – barefooted and rumpled with sleep while Holly padded around at his feet, watching him with large hopeful eyes that could only be asking for attention. Unfortunately for Holly, it seemed like his owner wouldn’t have been able to focus on anything that wasn’t a bed in that moment.

“Are you still asleep?” Jin held out his tea for the other to sip on to gain some awareness before turning back to the stove.

Yoongi squinted at the coffee mug extended towards him, then up at Jin’s face. His lips pursed into a tired pout.

“Yoongi… Are you sleepwalking? Because I read somewhere that I shouldn’t touch a person that’s sleepwalking, but wouldn’t it be bad to leave them be? What if you hurt yourself? How else would I wake you up?”

“I’m awake.” He murmured with the subtlest of smiles, slowly grasping the cup which most definitely did not have coffee in it. Much to his displeasure. “I just didn’t expect to see you here. We spent all of yesterday together, so I thought…”

Jin paused in his cooking, just for a moment, considering the words. He hadn’t seen a problem with coming over, but Yoongi did value his isolation after being around too many people. Maybe he should have messaged first… “I can leave if you want some time to yourself?” He responded with a smile, trying not to cave into the doubt that was beginning to grow as he turned back to the stove. “Just let me finish up with this breakfast really quick and then- oh.”

Warmth enveloped him as Yoongi slid into his space, resting his weight against Jin’s side until the elder wrapped his arms around him. The drink in Yoongi’s hand uncomfortably hot as it pressed into his stomach.

“Don’t leave.” Yoongi spoke hoarsely against the material of Jin’s shirt. “I’m so tired, but I don’t want you to leave. I just thought- I don’t know. You’d go with your cousins to see your family or something.”

That at least eased the disheartenment in Jin’s chest. He lowered the heat under his pans and then pulled Yoongi in closer, tight enough to almost take the younger off his feet, then pressed a kiss to his forehead. He did it again when he got the satisfaction of watching Yoongi shyly twist his face towards the ground, cheeks pink and smile gradually growing.

“You’re family too.” And that was all the answer needed. “I was being serious about you being asleep though.” Jin moved to grab one of the dining chairs from the table just outside of the kitchen and gestured for Yoongi to sit while he continued cooking breakfast. “Did you rest after I dropped you off last night? You look more…”

“Bleh than usual?” Yoongi interrupted as he collapsed into the seat.

Jin shrugged. ‘bleh’ wasn’t usually something he’d use as an adjective for his boyfriend, but it did seem kind of fitting for the occasion.

Yoongi ran a hand through his hair. Rumpling it further from its sleep messed state. There was one tuft that seemed dead set on standing determinedly vertical, but it only made the soft, sleepy vibe Yoongi was emitting more endearing. “I think I’ve got a cold. Or getting one. It’s nothing serious, just a few aches so far. I’m mostly just tired.”

The heat was promptly flipped off. “We probably shouldn’t have been in the snow for as long as we were yesterday, huh?” There was only a hum of agreement. “Well, I have no qualms about dealing with a sleepy Yoonie. As long as you don’t drool on me.” Jin teased, knowing that Yoongi would probably withdraw if he came across as too concerned.

He had to bite his lip to keep from giggling about the soft pink that seemed to fill Yoongi’s cheeks once more. Despite his tired appearance, Jin couldn’t help but swoon inwardly at how Yoongi shifted shyly with a soft smile, drowning in loose flannel pajama’s that seemed a size or two too big and hugging the mug of tea that Jin had given him close to his neck, embracing the soothing warmth from the mug rather than the tea itself.

“Drink that.” Jin said with a pointed look, finally finishing off their food and pulling out bowls to dish into. “It’s herbal, one of Tae’s.”

“In other words, the least caffeinated thing one could possibly consume in my house.” Yoongi muttered with a disgusted frown towards the steaming liquid.

“Don’t be dramatic. It’s good for you.”

Yoongi hummed, taking a small sip to appease the other but still shooting an exhausted, longing glance towards his coffee machine.

Jin had been halfway through a battle match that he was already losing when Yoongi stirred. He hadn’t noticed at first, the man tended to shift in his sleep, but it was a definite confirmation when Yoongi hurriedly twisted from Jin’s lap and into his elbow with a deep sneeze. Then another that seemed to tear just as deeply from his throat and left him muffling painful never-ending coughs as Jin rubbed his back gently – not even watching his character crumple in defeat on the screen as he kept a strong grip on his boyfriends’ arm to keep him from falling from the couch.

Yoongi’s nose was definitely dripping, he could feel it on his lip as he sniffled to keep it at bay. Yet it left him with itchy hitching breaths that seemed to only transpire into agonizing empty threats. He couldn’t even bring himself to open his eyes yet in fear that the lights might make the frustrating sensation any worse.

Jin ran his hand through Yoongi’s tangled hair, the younger still hidden into his arm as if waiting for more to come. There wasn’t any heat coming off him, and he wasn’t sweating or complaining of chills, so at least Jin didn’t have to help ease any fevers. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had really looked after someone that was ill besides himself, and even then, his self-care wasn’t that great, so he really hoped that whatever Yoongi had seemed to catch wasn’t going to get worse. Or else Jin was going to have to start relying on the internet and calls to his mom, the latter being mildly embarrassing considering he’d lived alone for a while now and was probably expected to know basic health care. He honestly wasn’t as good at the whole care taking thing as Yoongi was, but he would at least be present and helpful in small things. He could at least manage that with ease, and hopefully that was enough.

He scratched soft and slow at Yoongi’s scalp, gently easing him back into cushions of the couch. There wasn’t much resistance, just the youngers body welcoming the least amount of effort and relying on gravity and momentum to move. It didn’t stop the soft moaning sigh to escape him as he finally lowered his arm and looked up at Jin pitifully.

“You look like you need a nap.” Jin teased, setting his controller aside and leaning into Yoongi’s warmth. “Your eyebags are starting to show.”

Yoongi moaned again, letting his head fall back.

Jin had a suspicion the reaction was entirely catered towards him with how he was lightly shoved in the arm, so at least his boyfriend still had some semblance of personality despite spending the last few hours practically comatose.

“I can’t – h’eSHH’uh..” Jin started as Yoongi hastily snapped forward, pressing his hand to his face. “Hih’he’EH-IKSHEW! H’EKSHHEW!” He sniffled wetly, swiping a sleeved wrist under his nose with a grimace. “Sorry… I cad’t sleep.”

“Maybe it’s the couch?”

Yoongi sniffled uselessly – Jin could very much see the peeking of liquid under his boyfriend’s nose, although Yoongi probably didn’t even care at this point. “Id’s ndot the couch.” He stated tiredly, closing his eyes until he belatedly raised his fist to cough into. “Please ged bme something to blow bmy dose.”

“Tissues. Coming right up.”

He disappeared to the bedroom to see if there were tissues hidden away in Yoongi’s wardrobe – he had once admitted that he kept a higher quality stash there for himself and , quote unquote, ‘people that he felt deserved them’, but it seemed like he must not have had the chance to restock after the last time they were used since there were only a few left in the open box.

Jin grabbed it anyway and then stopped in the bathroom to snatch a roll of toilet paper just in case. It would be rough on the poor man’s already rubbed red nose, but it would have to do.

“You’re almost out, but I can run to the store later?” Jin settled into his seat once more, watching with concern as Yoongi immediately raised a hand to cover his hitching breaths. The other slipping into the open tissue box and pulling out a few that he brought up to his face, faltering with a frown as his hitching froze until a sneeze tore out from him, the mess thankfully being caught behind his shield of tissues.

“Bless you love.” Jin said softly, rubbing small circles into Yoongi’s thigh when he heard the hoarse ‘ow’ before Yoongi tried to clear his sinuses. “Thinking about it now, the stores close early today. If they’re open at all. I can run out now and get some stuff for you if you want? It should still be early enough.”

Yoongi shook his head, dropping the used tissues onto the center coffee table before grabbing a fresh one to hold in his grasp as he adjusted to settle further into Jin’s side – eventually resting forehead into the curve of Jin’s neck, hot breath hitting his collar bone.

“Just leave it. I have some medicine lying around,” he coughed, quick to try muffle it into his tissue. “If I run out or can’t find any, I’ll just ask my neighbor’s if they have anything to spare.”

That was good enough for him. Jin wrapped his arms around Yoongi, pulling him closer until he was comfortably on his lap – face still persistently buried into his neck.

After a few moments Jin teasingly asked, “Are you comfortable? Am I the Body pillow of your dreams?”

“Mmm.” Yoongi hummed, setting a gentle kiss just below Jin’s jaw. “The best body pillow.”

Jin grinned, having expected blatant denial. “Really? The most comfortable? The best scented? Most good-looking?”

Yoongi scoffed, pulling away just enough to be able to meet Jin’s eyes while remaining comfortable against him. “Well I can’t really smell you right now, my nose is stuffy.”

“I smell amazing.” Jin reassured, filling with mirth as he heard Yoongi’s laughter. It was hoarse and kind of crackly, but it radiated a warmth that anyone would be addicted to. “It should not surprise you.”

“Of course,” Yoongi yawned, but tried to grin through it. “How foolish of me to think otherwise. Forgive me.”

Jin pecked a kiss to Yoongi’s lips, smiling as his boyfriends’ humor bled into astonishment. “Forgiven. Now, maybe we should go to the bedroom so you can get rest. I’ll look for some Nyquil and maybe that will help you to fall asleep without this nose bothering you too much.”

“You- You can’t kiss me, you idiot!” Yoongi frowned as his boyfriend broke into a low chuckle. “And you’ll get bored in the room … I want to stay with you.”

“I won’t get bored. I’ll grab your laptop and find a series or something to watch while you sleep, or who knows, I might just fall asleep as well. Yesterday was really draining with everyone and the thought of sleeping next to you is actually quite appealing right now.”

Yoongi flushed and Jin took the opportunity to kiss him again, smirking at how Yoongi hadn’t pulled away but still mumbled soft complaints.

“Let me kiss you. You deserve to be kissed. Plus, I’m probably going to get sick either way if I’m spending all this time with you.” Jin reached over to place the practically empty tissue box and toilet roll in Yoongi’s lap before he slipped his hands under his legs and behind his back, lifting a startled Yoongi into his arms as he stood up. “We may as well embrace it, Yoon’s.”

“You’re such a pain.” Yoongi sighed not without content, turning to bury his face into Jin’s shoulder as he was carried through his home. Jin had a point anyway, he was breathing his germs all over the place already, it was up to Jin’s immune system to save him now.

“Do you want to grab your medicine?” Jin stopped, readjusting him in his grip with a gentle hop. “Where do you keep that?”

“Kitchen. Should be in a shelf by the fridge if I have any.”

He changed course to the kitchen.

Thankfully it did seem that Yoongi had bought medicine recently, probably for one of their colleagues at work – the chef was known to carry an emergency kit of multiple over the counter medications in case of emergencies, especially with the waiting staff who seemed to be more prone to illness than anyone else at the restaurant.

So, he maneuvered Yoongi as close as possible so that the man could reach the bottle that he needed along with a hastily half-filled glass of water – because while Jin did frequently gym and Yoongi wasn’t that heavy, his arms were screaming at him just a little bit at this point and he didn’t want to accidentally drop his boyfriend, especially when he was already sick.

Once he was in the bedroom he set Yoongi on the unmade bed, careful not to make him spill yet failing as Yoongi tsked and gave him a halfhearted glare when some of the water was somehow jostled up from the glass and onto his pajamas.

“Sorry, let me just get some air flow in here quick.” Jin smoothed down an endearingly wild tuft of Yoongi’s hair. “Get comfortable so long.”

He moved to a set of large windows along the right wall of the room and pushed them open a little bit, just enough for a chilled breeze to gradually push in, even though he could hear Yoongi whining about it as he tried to unnecessarily make his bed neater. The room was a spacious, yet cozy area filled with neutral tones, dominantly black, except for the bright pink and purple fluffy carpet that he had bought for Yoongi on his last birthday which he was like 80% sure Yoongi hated but would never get rid of it even though Jin said that he could if he wanted to. Despite it being quite big, definitely larger than his own bedroom, it did tend to get a bit stuffy sometimes and he was pretty sure that wasn’t a good sick person environment. Was it currently freezing outside? Sure. The weather had taken a turn once again and a new layer of snow was being thickly blanketed on the world outside, but he will just keep Yoongi warm inside along with having fresh air.

“You can borrow some more comfortable clothes if you want.” Yoongi rubbed at his nose and pulled the blankets over him as he watched Jin from his seat in bed. Everything that he’d been carrying before was set haphazardly on his bedside table.

Jin found some of his own clothes that had either been stolen or left behind from the last time he was there and changed before there was any drastic change to the temperature in the room, then slipped beneath the covers next to Yoongi.

“It’s cold in here now.”

“It’s fresh air.” Jin poked Yoongi in the side, reaching across him to get the medicine. “Do you want to take it now?”

“Nah.” Yoongi sniffed, staring at the bottle in contemplation then shook his head firmly. “Nah, lets watch a movie. Sick day movie marathon that I will probably fall asleep to, but I want to try anyway.” He reached into his bedside table, a bit awkwardly with the angle, and found his laptop to pull up something to watch.

Jin smiled as Yoongi setup the laptop in between them with enough space that they could still kind of curl into each other, then clicked on the first thing he saw that seemed moderately decent.

“’The Holiday’?”

“It’s a good movie.” He rubbed at his nose, reaching for a tissue to blow it. “Seemed appropriate. Christmas stuff. Family.”

“I suppose it is. Kind of. I – Bless you.” He slipped one arm behind Yoongi’s shoulders as the younger pitched forward with a sharp, sudden sneeze. “I just realized that we’ve been dating over a year now, it feels like so much longer than that.”

Yoongi wiped his nose hesitantly, swopping his used tissue for the toilet roll to hug close to his chest as support. “We’ve been friends for years, Hyung. I didn’t even reali-ih’ heh’ECHHew! HE’IKCHH’uh! Ow. Oh mby god. Jusd end bme.” He coughed deeply, sounding worse than before with an increasing dampness in his chest.

Jin reached out to unroll a few sheets of the roll for Yoongi, narrowly missing being sneezed on, much to Yoongi’s embarrassment.

“Here, blow your nose again.” He pressed the paper over Yoongi’s cupped hand, holding it there until Yoongi took it himself and coughed into it before clearing some of his congestion. “I think you should take your medicine now rather. We can watch the movie later again if you fall asleep now, I just… I don’t know how I’m supposed to help exactly. I’m not as good as you at taking care of people, so please don’t fight me on this.” He spoke with a tender yet unsure voice that had Yoongi watching him carefully while cleaning himself up. “I just don’t want you to get worse…”

Yoongi cleared his throat, then sighed and sunk down into his pillows with his body still facing Jin. “Fine, I’ll take it now and then we watch the movie. But if I fall asleep and drool on you, you can’t complain about it. Understand?”

Jin grinned, leaning to kiss at Yoongi’s hairline. “I look forward to it.”

Yoongi lasted until just after the halfway point, although Jin gives him points for trying. He’d been yawning so much 10 minutes in that Jin had thought he wouldn’t have lasted two minutes longer. The room had darkened with both the afternoon light pairing with the heavy cloud coverage outside and they had piled blankets on to shield them from the cold. Yoongi’s breath still sounded a bit short, and Jin could feel him mouth breathing against where he had curled into his chest, but the rest of his symptoms had been minimal besides him needing to blow his nose more often.

There wasn’t much point in switching to a new movie, he hadn’t really paid attention to the last one, so he shut off the laptop and gently untangled himself from his sleeping boyfriend and packed the laptop away, careful to not to make to much noise or movement even if it was a fact the Yoongi could sleep like the dead.

Jin grabbed the now empty glass beside Yoongi and left to the kitchen to refill it. Holly bounded into him, his fur and jersey were slightly damp, probably having used the built-in doggy door to go outside but the cold didn’t seem to have lowered his spirits in the least.

“Do you want some food, baby? Come, lets get you some food. Your Appa isn’t feeling well enough to get up and feed you right now, so you’ll have to deal with some ordinary dog food tonight.”

Jin picked Holly up, embracing the frantic tongue licks before the dog eased calmly in his arms. There was something peaceful about how quiet, yet homey Yoongi’s home felt as he dished out some dog food – sliding on a few slices of meat from the Christmas leftovers he’d brought after Holly had seen him dish up some for himself.

After eating he moved around to clean up the couch from earlier, turning off the game he had completely forgotten about and picking up the stranded used tissues to throw away. He then washed and dried all the dishes he’d made that morning before taking two glasses of water back to the bedroom. Holly followed lazily behind him until he realized Yoongi was asleep, only too eager to race ahead onto the bed to climb on top of him.

“That man has way too much patience for you.” Jin chuckled, putting down the glasses then moving to close the windows a bit more since it had gotten a bit too chilly in the room now and slid the curtains shut. Climbing back into bed felt just has domestically peaceful as walking around the empty house had felt, this time the room was filled with the quiet sounds of Yoongi’s snores which had begun to falter as Holly jumped and rolled over him. “You are honestly a menace.” Jin whispered, taking a moment to pick Holly up and slip him under the covers as if to restrain him before he himself curled around Yoongi once more.

He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of Yoongi’s shampoo – some type of coconut scent – as Yoongi crept closer to his chest. Jin would never actually mention it to him as anything other than a joke, but he smiled at the small speck of drool slipping from the corner of his mouth, no doubt that it would soon be on him just like predicted.

He pressed one final kiss to Yoongi’s forehead before he let his body fall into his growing sleepiness, whispering a tender goodnight into messy hair and then embracing just one more act of domesticity, pulling Yoongi tighter against him, which kept him warmer than any blanket could.

#bts snz #bts fanfic #bts sickfic #chef yoongi #chef jin #established relationship #day after christmas #sick yoongi #common cold #snowfall #this took way too long

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taruchinator · 11 months ago

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🎁 General Audiences

🎁 2.6k Words

🎁 For the @twewysecretsanta!

Neku Sakuraba never thought in a million years that he'd get another chance at celebrating Christmas.

He'd saved Shibuya again, reunited with his friends, and even made new ones along the way— It was a happy ending no matter which way you sliced it! Or at least it seemed like it. Why did it all feel too good to be true?

“Neku?” Right, Shiki was with him. He didn't want to worry his girlfriend over something so inconsequential.

But to her, it was anything but that.

Hello everyone! And a belated Merry Christmas to you! ^^;

Thanks to the world of retail sucking the life outta me in the Holiday season, plus catching NO LESS than three colds in December alone, this took longer than I expected.

This is the fic for my giftee @ghostofchaosyettocome in the TWEWY Secret Santa event, using their prompt of a Post-NEO Neshiki Christmas (along with a hint of PTSD!Neku cause we need that drama lol) I hope you like it! <3

And so there she was, sporting an adorable Mr. Mew Christmas sweater of her own making which honestly looked far too big on her, all the while staring at him with a hint of confusion.

Neku Sakuraba never thought in a million years that he'd get another chance at celebrating Christmas.

To say being trapped in the endless void of Shinjuku for two years was scarring would be an understatement— seeing what could only be described as ‘ghosts’ of souls that used to live in a thriving environment, replaying the same tormenting cycle as if they were still alive, when they clearly weren't.

It had taken Neku a long time to come to terms with this fact. That they weren't there. Weren't real.

Yet still, the souls would continue acting on autopilot, reflecting habits from their old lives. Everything from talking, to laughing, to even celebrating. It was a truly surreal experience that never had Neku feeling more alone.

Because of this, the legendary player would find himself understanding better than ever that old saying of ‘You never know what you have until you lose it.’ And the feelings were very much still present, despite having escaped both Shinjuku and the Reaper's game almost five months ago.

He'd saved Shibuya again, reunited with his friends, and even made new ones along the way—It was a happy ending no matter which way you sliced it! Or at least it seemed like it.

Why did it all feel too good to be true?

“Neku?”

A firm yet gentle voice broke the teen out of whatever trance he'd placed himself in, almost causing him to jump out of his skin if he didn't stop himself on time. With all that thinking he'd almost forgotten where he was.

Speaking of his newest friends and going back to the holiday season, the Wicked Twisters had proposed the idea of hosting a small Christmas party with the gang. Well, it was mostly brought up by Fret, who got immediate backup from Shoka and Nagi, so it wasn't like anyone else could refuse.

They'd do it relatively early though, so everyone could still have enough time to go home and spend the evening with their families as well.

The Twisters were in charge of the food, with Fret claiming he had connections with a few restaurants that might be willing to lend a generous hand. The Bito siblings would take care of entertainment, Rhyme almost signing up for the position by herself since she had a few new gadgets she'd been tinkering with that, according to her, would make their little get together much livelier.

Which left Neku and Shiki with the decorations.

The duo had made a date out of the whole thing by going to purchase everything from a tree, to snow globes, to even small things like wrapping paper. Shiki spared no expense in acquiring any of these either, since she considered herself the host due to the party being held at her apartment— It was the largest out of everyone's homes.

Once they'd reunited at the Hachiko statue and fulfilled the promise they'd made to each other all those years ago, Neku felt bold enough to declare his feelings, and he could've never expected them to be reciprocated. After everything he'd put her through, after being what could only be described as a major asshole for the majority of the time they knew each other, how could someone like Shiki Misaki have feelings for him?

Right, he hadn't answered yet.

“Sorry, what was that? I spaced out for a sec there.” Neku rubbed at the back of his neck with a sheepish grin, hoping he could get away without any inquiries.

Shiki continued to stare, most likely trying to decipher what was hiding behind his current expression, before extending her hand towards him. “I'll say! I was asking if you could pass me the ornaments from the box over there.”

Neku followed to where she was gesturing and quickly found the cardboard box behind him. It was filled with all sorts of nick knacks brought together by the gang, each with their own special meanings and ready to be placed on the tree. The teen pushed the box in her direction with a smile. “Sure thing. We won't be short on these, that's for sure.”

As she accepted the box and gave him a small smile, the brunette pushed it to the side for the time being. “Yeah, everyone really put their all into this! Still… you okay?” With a roll of her eyes, Shiki joked lightly. “I'll be needing my decorating buddy at a hundred percent if we're gonna get this done on time.”

“Damn. Guess I can't fool her…” Neku prided himself on being able to mask his true feelings in front of others without anyone realizing it. He'd definitely gotten better over the years in expressing what he felt, but there were times when he didn't deem it necessary, and even considered that they would be a burden if not handled carefully.

But if there was one person that could see right through him, it was Shiki.

Despite knowing all of this, he tried one more time, not wanting his dumb thoughts to interfere with the jolly energy of the season. He smiled once more with a hint of embarrassment in his voice. “Of course I'm okay! I've just been kinda stressed lately with all the organizing we've had to do. Not that I don't enjoy spending time with you, but who knew planning a party would be this hard, haha…”

The look on Shiki's face was more than enough for him, though; It was clear she didn't believe him. Still, her eyes didn't reflect negativity of any kind.

She stood from the ground next to the tree and boxes piled around her, making her way to Neku. After sitting next to him on the couch, she tentatively reached for his hand, but not quite touching it, allowing him to make the first move if he so desired. She then spoke with that firm yet gentle voice he'd grown to love so much. “Hey. Talk to me. Please? Remember you're not alone anymore— I'm right here if you need anything.”

The fluttering in Neku's chest was completely uncalled for and Shiki had no right in bringing him so much comfort. Making him feel taken care of. As if he was special.

And yet that was one of the many qualities that made him love his girlfriend so very much.

Shiki smiled in return with a soft pink hue adorning her cheeks. As she squeezed her boyfriend's hand once more, she rose from her seat. “Actually, wait here! I'm gonna grab something real quick!”

Still, it was true. She claimed to have fallen for the real Neku. The one she'd slowly gotten the pleasure of knowing during their time together in the Reaper's Game— a boy who'd been hurt by the world and only wanted to be left alone, but deep down had a heart of gold that wouldn't allow him to leave those in need.

And so, to literally no one's surprise in their friend group, they became a couple.

It was both awkward yet endearing, and neither could be more happy. But of course, after everything the legendary player had gone through in his two years stuck in Shinjuku, it took a while to readjust and feel comfortable around everyday mundane stuff again.

Shiki learned how to handle Neku's anxieties, his worries, and his fears— most of the time whenever he was having a crisis, their friends would call her immediately to ask what to do. And even though he hated being a burden, the seamstress merely shushed him and said that she did it gladly.

And so here she was, doing the thing she did best— bringing him back to his senses and making sure he felt safe.

He reached for her hand and interlocked their fingers, squeezing slightly while she did the same. She was warm. She was real. “I guess I'm just… still wrapping my head around being here. With you guys.”

With her eyes encouraging him to elaborate, he did. “I spent two years away from everyone. I know it's already been months since then, but there's always that voice nagging at the back of my head… whispering and making me question things.”

“Things like what?” Shiki leaned closer, not into Neku's personal bubble, but enough to show that she was paying close attention.

“Things like… is any of this for real? Or not? I… I get scared thinking I'll just wake up one day and still be stuck there. Thinking that this was all a dream,” a bitter chuckle escaped his lips. “Coco was probably the only person who kept me sane all that time, believe it or not.”

“And that is why she and Tsugumi are getting extra presents this year.” Shiki nodded towards the unwrapped gifts still laying on the coffee table. She bumped her shoulders against his with a wink. “Gotta show appreciation for taking care of my spicy tuna roll in my absence.”

The duo chuckled with the tension dissipating from Neku's shoulders bit by bit. How could she do that so effortlessly?

“In any case,” the brunette turned her gaze to their intertwined hands, gently tracing circles around Neku's knuckles. “I can't begin to imagine what that must have been like. I know you've already told us a bit about it, but if there's anything I can do to make that feeling become a little less overbearing, just let me know. I'm sure the others would do the same, if you ever feel like sharing.”

Neku gave her a soft smile, a genuine one this time. As he lifted their joined hands, he was sure to plant a soft kiss on her own backhand, scarred from all the sewing she was used to doing. In a way it was kind of ironic— she also had a wounded heart, one that Neku did his best to show love and appreciation to every day, and yet she still focused on other's well-being first and foremost. “You're already doing enough just by being here.”

A blush spread across the teen's face with a breathless chuckle leaving his lips. “Come on, Shiki. These are far from perfect. Still, I'm glad you like them.”

With that said, the seamstress practically skipped over to her bedroom in what could only be described as excitement. It took her less than a minute to return with a medium sized box, wrapped in green wrapping paper and tied in a neat purple bow. A grin spread across her face as she presented the gift with pride. “Merry Christmas!”

“Wow, hey,” Neku returned the smile, albeit seeming hesitant as he looked at the box in her hands. “We're doing this now? I mean, we agreed to open the gifts with everyone…”

“Oh don't worry, I've got another much less interesting thing wrapped for you under the tree.” Shiki nodded towards a tiny box lined next to the few wrapped presents that they'd already finished. “Besides, I get girlfriend priority— Now just open it!”

The teen chuckled in amusement, but gladly took the package off her hands and started weighing it around, curiosity clear in his gaze. It had to be something handmade. This was Shiki after all, and she always put that kind of effort into her gifts.

He could've never predicted what was inside.

The box opened to reveal a medium sized notebook, along with a kit of markers and crayons of pretty much every shade of the rainbow. After flipping through the booklet, his mouth hung open slightly.

It was a journal.

“I know your therapist recommended that you keep one, but I couldn't help but notice that the one you have is… well, kinda plain.” Shiki fidgeted with the hem of her fluffy sweater as she began her explanation. “Shoka helped me pick the design and I added the little doodles inside. You can make your own, though! And it also has a custom playlist on a few important dates…”

Tiny drawings with everything from character portraits, to animals, to musical notes were sprinkled here and there. Shiki had never been much of an artist, but Neku could tell she'd spent some time making these. The smile wouldn't leave his face as he kept flipping through it all. “This is… amazing. I love it.”

“You do? Ahh, I'm so glad! I know it's not the best, but I figured it would look better than your plain old notebooks.” Shiki giggled and started showing off some of the things she'd included personally in the journal. A page for positive talk, another for gloomy thoughts that wouldn't go away, and even one for things he might wanna talk to her about.

It was one of the cutest things he'd ever gotten, and honestly he shouldn't be surprised.

“Well, I guess since we're starting early, might as well give you yours.” Neku leaned over to reach for his backpack on the side of the couch, rummaging through it until he found a small green box with a silver bow. He turned to the brunette with a shy smile, not quite meeting her eyes. “Merry Christmas…”

Shiki's eyes instantly lit up as she quickly accepted the gift. With bated breath, he saw her open the box and delicately grab what was nestled inside.

Two small plushies were now in Shiki's hands, and not just any plushies— fluffy replicas of both herself and Neku.

The stitching was quite rough, a few strings already coming loose around the edges, but you could see the tiny details embedded into the fabric. Patterns, accessories and more were all there. The dolls smiled back at Shiki, and Neku could've sworn he heard her gasp softly. “Neku… did you… did you make these?”

Neku merely scratched at the back of his neck, looking anywhere but in her direction as he began to ramble. “I mean, Eri helped me pick out the materials and with the designs, but all the stuffing and stitching was definitely me. I know they aren't great, but you always get me handmade stuff and after thinking about Mr. Mew I thought I could do something similar? You're more than welcome to fix them though, I'm sure you'd do a much better job—”

His train of thought was promptly interrupted by a pair of arms snaking around his own, pulling him downwards with a soft pair of lips placing a kiss on his cheek. He then heard her giggle, happy and carefree. “Are you kidding me? Neku Sakuraba, I am not touching these unless they start falling apart in my hands! Because you made them, and that makes them perfect.”

And that was more than he could ever ask for.

“Like them? I love them!” Shiki reiterated the point by giving the plushies a bear hug. “Now I can have you with me no matter where you are. Doesn't mean you can go off and get yourself tangled in more world-ending adventures, though!”

Neku laughed in reply, feeling the last shred of uneasiness wash away from him. What did he do to deserve such happiness? “I'll keep that in mind. Anyways, you think we can get back to work? Don't want the others to realize we've been goofing off. Nagi won't let us live it down.”

Shiki laughed in reply, placing the dolls on top of her chimney for them to guard the stockings. “Oh man, it's Shoka I'm most worried about. I know she has something special planned for Rindo, so we need to get this tree up and running STAT!”

“Aye aye, captain!” The teen situated himself next to his girlfriend and began to help her decide which ornament would look best where.

Life wasn't always fair. But for some reason Neku couldn't possibly grasp, it was now being extremely kind to him— With a family who cared for him, friends who adored him, and the love of the girl who stole his heart.

✦ 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐌𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐨 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬! ✦

#my stories #twewywintersecretsanta2023 #twewy #the world ends with you #neshiki #nekushiki #neku x shiki

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