#almost daring her to say 'this is why we won't work together'

[lydiaas]

JJ MAYBANK and KIARA CARRERA in S03E05 HEISTS

[billysgun]

jealously

billy the kid x cowgirl!reader |during a party for the house, you catch girls flirting with billy and can't stand it, little do you know, billy feels the same way when he finds you talking to one of the members|

you suck your gums once more as you rest the rim of the cup on your chin, swaying as you stare daggers at the girl who won't leave billy fucking alone

first, out of nowhere in the street, then at poker, and now at this stupid fucking party.

Mrs. Riley dared to doe her eyes and flutter her lashes as billy shifted uncomfortably

"you're very good-looking, billy..can we go somewhere?"

billys eyes drift to yours and you can't take it anymore as you turn down the hallway

you arent together, you aren't exclusive, and you've never talked about being something more..things just happened and clothes were forgotten about as mindless kissing turned into nightly fucking.

you downed another whiskey as the house chattered, dying to distract yourself as your gang drunkenly laughed by the make-shift bar and you decide to join them

as your head tilts back to slam more shots than you can count, you feel a hand rub your hip.

"now I think that's enough for you, cowgirl!" Jesse cheers, and you roll your eyes, hand swiping for the whiskey he stole from you while you stumble back, subconsciously hoping that was a different hand on your hip...

you drink and cheer with your gang as you sway deeper into the night deciding to forget about your troubles

"Y/n can I talk to you?" you barely hear his voice from the yelling around you, but you turn to see billy with a solemn expression

"you can talk right here" you tell him, reaching for another drink but billy softly grabs your hand

"nah, not right here..." he mumbles, you turn and he's about to lead you down the hallway when Jesse snatches your arm

"hey man, what's your issue?" Jesse questions, feeding you more liquor but billy slaps the glass away from you

"why don't you let go of her fuckin' arm?" he asks, protectively standing in front of you once Jesse lets his hand fall

"didn't know shit was like that, man" he says with his palms out, you suddenly sober up as the entire situation hit you and you're dragging billy to the nearest bathroom to fucking scream

you slam the door but it's barely audible from the music yelling outside, you turn to him as he stumbles toward you

"what the fuck was that?"

billy looks confused as you practically shake with anger

"those men out there just lost the little respect they had for me" you feel your insides boil as he starts to understand

"no one saw" he shakes his head and you push his chest

"what? no one has fuckin' mouths anymore? now I'm your little fuckin' thing to screw" your entire body is hot as you scream at him, he doesn't meet your eyes as he seems pissed himself

"then why you lettin' his hand roam all over you?" he spits you feel your chest cave in

"are you seriously gonna call me a whore for a hand on the hip? really billy?" you say through gritted teeth, he reaches for you but you move away

"no, no that's not what I meant" he quickly corrects himself but you're done with him, thinking maybe he saw you as something more than just a slut

you open the door but he shuts it before you can leave, you turn and see he's only a few inches away

"I'd never think that about you...ever" he whispers, sincerity all over his tongue as his eyes almost water with honesty and you take a lip in before you admit something yourself

"I thought it was you" you mumbled, you watched his brows furrow and you quickly added,

"I thought you were grabbin' on me...when I saw it was Jesse I backed up."

"shit...I'm sorry...that's all I saw until she pulled me away-"

you interrupt him with a scoff, knowing immediately that she was Irene

"I can't stand that woman, callin' you an outlaw like it's some sexy shit. fuckin' piece of work." you look up to see billy laughing at you

"what?" you feel your face glow as he cups one of your cheeks,

"are you jealous of her?" he asks, a cocky smile on his lips as you scoff once more

"you were jealous of a hand"

"hey, that hand didn't have a ring on it!" he quickly defends

"yeah, well after that outburst the whole town probably knows we're screwin'" you mumble

"maybe that's a good thing" billy adds, you stare up at him as he brushes your lower lip

"I want people to know you're mine and I'm yours" he whispers, you feel your heart quicken as the air around you stills

"...I want that too, billy" you barely mumble out as he dips down to kiss you softly

you can't stop smiling as his lips sweetly lap over yours, knowing that sneaking him into your room nightly wasn't just fucking, it was lovemaking.

an: ily guys so much! thank you thank you thank you for 400 followers!!! mwah!! <333

[riswippiesx]

Love & Care | Toji Fushiguro X Fem! Reader

🌷 Part two

•The confession and aftermath🌸 Part one(headcanons)

Theme: mild angst, fluff, slightly suggestive at the end(very mild, just some hint)

Warnings: ooc Toji, age gap(Toji is in his early 40s and reader is in her early 20s), suggestive jokes, nervousness, not proof read[I'm lazy asf😐]

Notes: Finally the part two is here. I'm sorry if Toji doesn't sound like Toji😭 I didn't want to make him a rude bratty guy here. also so sorry for the delay. This Toji has no filters and says suggestive jokes. I have portrayed Megumi's relation with Toji in a frank manner. They are like friends more than typical son and dad.

Also long stroy warning!!⚠️ I just love to write long fics! So don't mind. I hope you enjoy🦋

Oh the nervousness! It was ruling over your mind and you hated it. Once you even decided to ditch the evening meet up and put some excuses later on when Megumi would be furious at you. You could handle it, you were great at calming Megumi down all the time. It'd be piece a cake. But again, you knew you would regret in future thinking everything was already fallen in places except for one single piece, The confession.

The dilemma was draining but a faint possibility of getting together with a man whom you actually wanted, was keeping you up and thus you decided to shrug off all the thoughts of ditching the meet up and went to take a shower.

And the shower worked like charm for you. Your mind was finally working straight and you did all the routines you needed. You pampered your hairs and your body just the way it seemed right. After all, the evening might turn into something really special. Well there were chances, at least.

You dried yourself after shower and texted Megumi if the date was still on and he reassured you everything was fine. He didn't forget to warn you about the scary circumstances if you dared to back off in the last moment and the last thing you wanted was to offend determined Megumi. So you assured him that you won't back off.

You mothered Megumi, but sometimes he turned into a strict guide towards you and this time wasn't any exception. So you chose a outfit, suitable enough in your eyes. You decided to keep your look subtle. You were almost done when your phone ringed once. It was Megumi, who texted you the address of the beautiful cafe where he decided to bring his dad. You texted him back and left for an uncertain but exciting evening.

"Are you sure that you will be okay with me? I mean you said it was a hang out with your friend.. So..?", Toji asked, buttoned up with black shirt.

"Of course dad. Will you stop asking me the same question for like tenth time now?", Megumi looked at his dad's direction with a tired expression. He purposely didn't mention your name. He said that his friends wanted to meet his dad, since they thought his dad was so cool, which was quite a truth but Toji barely believed that. But Megumi somehow convinced him.

He felt like a dad, who was trying to set up two children. It was too much to deal with but if the whole thing turned out in the way he thought, it would be worthy enough. But he didn't have any plan about the opposite results at all.

He brushed off his thoughts soon after and hurried his dad, "C'mon, why are taking so long to get ready, dad? Hurry up already..or we will be late"

"Oh boy. Don't rush me up. I'm an old man. Spare me", Toji smirked at his son while fixing his waist belt. Megumi sighed in response.

"You? Old man? Yeah sure", Megumi mocked back. He wasn't as old as he claimed. After all, he was the one who was getting a girl, while Megumi barely had a talking phase with anyone. Anyway.

It took you 30 minutes to reach to that certain cafe but you were the one who reached first, actually. You stood outside and noticed the ambience inside. Being honest, it was really beautiful and eye catching. The dim lights added an extra charm to it. You smiled. Megumi did a great job in finding a proper place.

You waited for near 10 minutes when you heard a familiar voice calling for you.

"Y/n?"

Yoy looked back and found your dream man with a bouquet of your favorite flowers. And that was enough to melt your heart. Moreover, he looked extremely handsome in his all black look. His black shirt, black pants and that gorgeous black overcoat— oh he looked expensively glorious. You couldn't look away.

"T-Toji san..", a smile appeared on your lips as you stated his name.

"I didn't expect you...to be that friend...?"

"....what friend?"

"The one who said that I was cool and wanted to meet me..?"

Oh so that was Megumi's excuse huh.

"Yeah..I well..actually they will arrive soon.."

"Alright...is there any other female friend?"

"No...?!"

"I see...so here...." He offered the flowers to you. "Megumi told to give these flowers to the his female friend and since no other female friend of his is coming, I hope these are meant for you..?" He smiled and you died at pretty his smile.

"..thank you...these are my favorite.."

"Oh? Great. But Megumi couldn't give it to you..sorry for that..he said he left his phone at home and he needed it contact with that certain friend..so he went back to take it and I came here....that boy is so clumsy.." He laughed.

What a great actor you are, Gumi! You praised him in your mind and smiled. "That's okay.."

"Yeah let's wait here till he arrives."

"It's fine, let's.. Go inside if you don't mind..he will join us later..? Or...well the tables might get all booked..."

Toji was silent for while before he agreed and you two entered the cafe. If it looked great from outside, it looked heavenly once you entered. The light music in the background was putting everything together.

The two of you were guided to a pre-booked table and sat there. You had plenty of topics to chat about but this evening wasn't for chitchat. You needed to get to the point but it was scary. You couldn't bare rejection, not from your dream man. Toji was speaking to you but it was hard for you to focus when so much was going on in your head.

"Y/n..you are not responding.. Are you okay? Feeling alright?", he sounded worried and you realised that you were zoning out the entire time when he spoke.

"Well..sorry I was zoning out.."

"That's fine..you are okay right?"

"Yes", you smiled. He sounded so soft and caring. Was it real? Or were you being delusional? You couldn't tell. Then you forced yourself to engage in the conversation. You needed to divert your mind before actually confessing. It was just some basic chitchat when he mentioned.

"I can say some boys checking you out"

"Oh?"

"Yeah but let's ignore them. But you..do look pretty." A nervous giggle was the only thing you could do as a response. Your heart was pounding so hard that it might come out. Even Toji might hear it. Shit. You needed to get yourself together.

"Y/n are you really okay? Are you feeling uneasy? Want to go back? We can..."

"No..it's fine..no worries."

"You look like I need to worry. Your forehead is sweaty..it's kinda chilly today..you must feel sick.."

"No I..I am totally fine trust me..."

"Are you hiding something? Or you want to say something?"

You looked away. Your heart rate never became this fast. You knew it was the right time. You had to tell him your hearts content. Megumi worked hard to bring you two this far. You won't let him down. You won't let your future self regret. But you wasn't sure how to start.

At that moment of extreme nervousness, you felt Toji's hands on yours.

"It's okay Y/n..you can tell me pretty much whatever you want. I know I don't mind much. So calm down first and then say it."

Your eyes drifted back to his and his eyes hinted some care. Care for you. He was trying to comfort you. He was trying to help you. And it actually worked. Your extreme nervousness reduced a bit. You grabbed his hands back and closed your eyes. Yours eyes were shut untill you were again in control of your nerves.

You slowly opened your eyes. The peace you were feeling in your heart was so soothing. Your dilemmas weren't that much bold anymore. Your lips parted to form a few words.

"Toji san...I...like you...not as Megumi's dad..as..you..yourself.."

Toji took a moment to process the words you stated. You liked him? You? Such a gorgeous woman liked him? Was it a joke? You eyes didn't seem like one though.

Both of you stayed quiet and took your time. Your hands were still in his hold. But he took back his hands. And that was the last thing you wanted to happen but you imagined this a thousand time in your head. Rejection. Rejected by your dream man. Rejected by Toji Fushiguro. Was he refusing your feelings? Of course he was. Why would he ever be with a younger girl like you? He wasn't that fallen to consider his son's friend as his partner.

Your heart and mind was getting bitter.

"..excuse me..for a bit..y/n..I need to go check if Megumi is coming..."

Part of you wanted to yell ans say that he won't come. This evening was meant for you and him and him only. But another part kept your lips shut together. You just nodded in approval and with that Toji left the cafe.

You were certain that he partially rejected you. He didn't like you. Megumi was wrong, so wrong. You shouldn't have listened to him. You could have faced the longing but this..this wasn't something you could bare. All the times you spent with Toji, made you fall even further for him. His laugh, his jokes..you laughed a lot. His eyes, so deep to even drown you. His noticable scar, which he stated to be sign of his daring younger life's stunts- you adored that a lot. His face even looked better with it. You loved all of it but it was all for your own self. You didn't have to confess it. Dumb! Really dumb!

You looked down. The bitterness was consuming you. You wanted to cry but some strong determination in you didn't let you embarrass yourself any further in a public place. You just sat there with you head on your both hands.

Toji quickly came out. He really hoped that you didn't notice the faint blush on his face. He couldn't recall the last time he blushed like this. It was overwhelming. He wasn't sure when things turned into something more than just some chitchat about Megumi's well being. He ignored it all untill one day, when he found himself thinking about your pretty smile while working or making dinner or taking a pleasant shower.

He was ashamed of himself when he found that he had fallen for a girl half of his age, and she was literally his son's best friend. How could he? But he did and it was hard to sallow that fact. Everytime you stopped by to chat or met up to hang out, he was mesmerized by you. You brought a ray of sunshine in his dull days. His heart was filled with so much love after many years. Your memories, smell, words lingered around him for hours after you left each time.

But he thought it just one sided. Sometimes he felt you might like him back but he scolded him for thinking that far.

It was all proven actually right when you confessed. His heart stopped, ears perked up. You felt the same as he did? How could the world be so perfect. His heart told him to accept right away but a person appeared in his mind's mirror. Megumi. His son. How would he react if he found out his dad with his best friend?

And that was when a lot came in together. He got a faint clue about Megumi's consent in all this. Almost every time you two met up cause Megumi brought you two together. You two were all in meet ups while Megumi left each time with some weird excuses. He guessed something but certainly not this far. He needed to confirm if it was all in his brain or Megumi was actually involved in this. Thus he excused himself and came out of the restaurant. He knew that it was rude of him. He noticed how your face darkened when he excused himself but he couldn't afford to make a mistake in taking his further decision where you two were linked.

He brought out his mobile and dialled Megumi's number. He didn't pick up. Toji kept on calling and in the seventh attempt, Megumi finally picked up the call.

"Yeah I just got back and grabbed my phone, dad. Don't worry i'll be..." Megumi's fake statement was cut by Toji.

"Megumi be honest with me. Did you willingly set me up with Y/n?"

Megumi went silent. He had nothing to say as a reply to that.

"Megumi, I want an answer." Toji again spoke.

"Dad..."

"Yeah I'm listening"

Megumi sighed in disappointment, "...yes...I did..sorry..."

"How many times?"

"Pretty much all the time..."

"Wow"

"Are you upset?"

Toji didn't reply to that. He couldn't. He wasn't upset bur he was confused.

"Sorry...if you are...just don't blame her-"

"I'm not..just tell me one thing. Why did you do all these? Are you okay with... Your best friend being with your...dad?"

"I am always okay. Even I want you two to date"

"Why do you say so?"

"Why? You two literally talk about each other all the time. You have no idea how Y/n just keeps praising you all the time. And then at home, you do the same about her. You two didn't know how to keep things up, so I did the favour. Now tell me one thing. Did she confess?"

"She did."

"I hope you accepted"

"I came out of the restaurant without saying much"

"Dad...you are a game spoiler..."

"How on the earth would I know that you were this intrigued about us.."

"What?"

"I thought you would creep out if you get to know about I was dating your friend-"

"No I won't. When you two go so well with each other, why would I?"

"Right...so should I ...accept..?"

"You are asking? Yes you should! Geez!"

"Alright."

"You old people are so dramatic"

"Still your best friend liked me over you", Toji grinned over the call and Megumi could heard the sarcasm in his tone.

"Yeah yeah whatever. Just go back and accept."

"Sure, thanks"

"Go!"

And the hang up. Toji was sure about his next move. He would confess as well that he liked you, he loved you. You were the woman who made him gasp from time to time. You were the woman who fluttered his heart.

Thinking about you brought a smile to his face. He took a deep breath and turned to go back inside. That was when you came out. You looked tensed and upset. He knew he screwed up. He had to fix it.

"Y/n..."

"You were right.. I am actually not feeling well. Don't worry I talked with the manager. They cancelled the booking. You can go back. Sorry for wasting your time. Also, Toji san..forget what I said. Please. It was just a....well don't mind", you forced a smile.

"Y/n no..you're getting it wrong.."

"Please don't push yourself Toji san. I totally understand."

"No you don't. Y/n listen to what I want to say"

You were silent. He took that chance and spoke.

"Y/n.. I didn't mind. Not at all. Why would I..when I felt the same.."

You looked up at him. Your eyes were slightly widened.

"Yes..I like you too..and not just as Megumi's friend. As you. Y/n you amaze me. You're an wonderful woman. I just didn't accept right away because..I wasn't sure what Megumi would think of me..if I did..."

"Gumi knows about-"

"Yes I talked to him already. Actually I came outside to call him. Didn't expect my boy to go that far" he laughed a bit. "But I'm glad he did. Because I didn't have that courage to make a move on you. It felt so wrong to think about you as my partner at this age..I thought it was one sided. But your words cleared my thoughts and I'm really so glad that you feel the same for me."

"Are you...sure?"

"One hundred percent" he stated confidently which was enough to make you chuckle. Oh how pretty you looked with a smile on your face. "So ......is the proposal still valid?"

"It is always valid." You smiled. Toji's eyes softened a bit more as he grabbed your hand and kissed it.

"Great. Now let me ask you out this time..okay?"

"On a street side?"

"For now, yes."

"The people?"

"I don't really mind"

"Well..okay"

Toji got on his knees and hold your hands close to his heart. "Y/n..will you...will you do a favour to this old man and be his girlfriend?" You giggled at his goofy confession and replied, "I'd love to" and with that he kissed your hand once again.

Since you cancelled the booking, Toji decided to take you to his favorite bakery and you tried some of the cookies and desserts, so did he. You two were like two birds in love. And it was actually pure love. The adoration was so content in your relationship that you both felt at home in each other's presence.

After hanging for a bit more, Toji stopped at a flower shop and bought your favorite flowers for you, as you left the previous bouquet at the cafe. Also he didn't buy that with the intension of giving it to you in with his consciousness. So it was needed. You were delighted, so was him.

You walked as you talked. His car wasn't there since he told Megumi to drive back to take his phone. Well he didn't know things were all planned anyway. So you two decided to walk to your home.

It was a long walk yet that felt so less. Distance never seems enough when you are with your favorite person.

"Well, we are here..", Toji spoke with a smile.

"Yes..thank you..for today..Toji san.."

"Just Toji.."

"It'll take some time to adjust", you laughed.

"No problem"

"Good night. Let's meet another day, soon"

"Sure.." Smile never left his lips. You nodded and turned to get inside of your apartment but he again called you. You looked back while he stepped closer

"Forgive me for this but..." He didn't finish his sentence when you felt his lips on yours. That heavenly feeling, which you imagined so many times, was actually happening to you. Your soul jumped and shivered. You were quick to close your eyes aa you got lost in that one kiss. It hold so many emotions. After so many days, you were finally being kissed by the man you loved and adored a lot, by YOUR man.

He, on the other hand, found the peace of the world on your lips. His heart raced yet it bought peace to him. Your lips felt soft on his and his hands cupped your face. He just couldn't let your lips go.

Finally he let your lips go and looked at your face. You looked even more gorgeous up close. He admired you. Your eyes were closed yet he could tell your eyes would speak of happiness and excitement.

His breath fell on your face as you opened your eyes again. You eyes met his and his gaze brought the very common yet sweet factor of love to you, shyness. Your gaze drifted to the ground and your lips were slightly swollen from the kiss. He just wanted to kiss you again but he had to control himself. He didn't want to over do it. So he slowly let you go but stayed close to you.

"Did I cross the limit?" He smiled.

"No.."

"Glad to know" he kissed your cheeks and your heart just almost stopped. You wanted to hide your face. His direct gaze was piercing your through your soul. So you hugged him and hid your face in his embrace. Your action made him giggle softly and he hugged you back.

"There there..did I make you shy?"

"Didn't know you were such a tease"

"Well sweetheart, there's a lot you will learn from now on"

"..looking forward to it.."

"Yeah?" He slowly pulled you back and looked at you. "Sure?" and you nodded. A mischievous grin appeared on his features. "You will learn how far my teasing can go...soon" and he winked as he grabbed your waist. Your face was burning with shyness.

"Toji san! It's getting late...you should go back now..good night !" With that you made yourself free and ran inside your apartment with your racing heart.

The whole thing made him laugh hard. His phone rang and it was his son.

"Yeah..Hello"

"How did it go..?"

"Very well. She is now my girl"

"Thankfully."

"Yeah I even kissed her.."

"Well I didn't need to know that much dad....but yeah good for you two" Megumi smiled.

"I know. Just a show off"

"Old man!"

"Hey! Don't insult me like that..your mom won't like it.."

"Huh?"

"Y/n..she would certainly not like it if you insult her boyfriend and her possible future husband"

"I would never call her mom! No way"

"Someone else will..."

"Yikes. Can you please be careful about what are you saying and whom you are talking to! You are disgusting! Y/n would be so mad if she knew that you were saying such weird stuff to me about you two"

Toji laughed in response. "Sorry sorry..just kidding. Will be careful from now on don't worry.."

"Come back soon"

"Yeah"

Well...sorry for being so late omg💀 the college works are just..anyway..anyway...I hope it was okay? Cause I typed for so long lol☠️

Also, Requests are currently closed! I'll inform when they will open again. I'm keeping my chat box open but I would just delete all the requests if I get anything from today untill I open my request box again. sorry💗

Thanks a lot for reading!

Reblogs and comments are always appreciated ♡

[go-to-two]

In the Dark - CPD 9x04 Triptych

Hello! I mentioned recently that I had an old one-shot from season 9, episode 4 that I was tinkering with again. I landed here, with what are essentially three different scenes that make up the bulk of the story. They take place in the district bathroom after the panic attack scene, when Jay gets home after confronting Voight, and at home in the middle of the night. In that order. This might not ever see AO3, so we'll consider this a Tumblr special for anyone still hanging around this place. Under the cut. No warnings beyond what would apply to the Roy Walton storyline.

PART 1

"Hey..." Jay's voice is soft, pleading. He locks the door and crosses the women's bathroom towards her. The shower she never got to step into is running while she stands motionless in her jeans and sports bra. His eyes track over her frail frame, worry lining his every feature. "Hailey, talk to me. Please." Jay takes a gentle approach, hoping this will be the one that finally works. 

It almost did, minutes ago. Before Voight walked in the room with a stone-faced glare, she was about to tell him everything. She is out of strength. For weeks, it came and went in waves. One minute she had the resolve to take this to the grave, and the next she was gripping his hand until both of their knuckles turned white just to keep herself together. 

Now, Hailey can't speak. The words have been pushed so far back from ever escaping her mouth that she can't find them anymore. Even if she decided to tell him everything right here, right now- her brain goes blank. She is beyond exhausted and the steam from the shower is still filling the room. She thinks her vision might just go black and for a moment, she feels relief. It would give her an out from standing in front of him at a loss for words while he begs. 

She gets her wish. Her vision does go black, just for a split second. She feels his arms around her when she stumbles forward, and he reaches into the shower stall to turn off the water. "Alright, you're alright," he assures. Jay walks her over to sit on the long benches in front of the lockers, and he takes a seat next to her. "It's okay. It's just us here. Just me. I want to make this better for you, but you have to tell me what's going on."

"Jay-"

"-Don't." He cuts her off before she can say "nothing." He knows that tone. That dismissive tone he has let slide for weeks while he gave her the space to figure this out. "Don't you dare try to tell me there's nothing going on." He turns to straddle the bench and leans closer to her. "Not after all this. I know this started the night Kim went missing. I know it involves Voight." 

He lists off the pieces he does have. It's enough to paint a bad picture, but he's missing the details that fill in the blanks to explain why his fiancée is falling apart in front of him. 

"What am I not seeing here?" He pleads.

With her last bits of resolve, Hailey puts her hands over her eyes and shakes her head. 

"What are you so afraid of?" Jay pushes backwards on the bench, away from her, and smacks his hands down on the hard metal. The gentle approach wasn't working. Frustration, helplessness, pressure. Nothing worked. The only thing he has left is anger. "Do you think I won't be able to help? I won't understand? I'll stop loving you? Do you really think I would lock myself in the bathroom with you like this if I didn't love you with everything I have? I do, Hailey, I do." 

Jay's voice breaks on the last words, and his posture crumbles. He is supposed to be making that promise to her at an altar, but he can't see them walking down an aisle with something like this between them. "How can we get married, if you can't talk to me?" He finally whispers.

The voice in Hailey's head always warned her that she'd lose Jay somehow, but she never guessed she would be the one to tell him to go. She'll do it. She'll cut him loose before she drags him down with her. "Is that an ultimatum?" She finally asks. 

"Would it really take one for you to be honest with me?" His voice is thick, heavy with the realization that she's keeping everything from him. It's not just that she's keeping something from everyone or she's covering for Voight. She's keeping it from him, and that's when he understands how bad this really is. "I'm going to find out," he says simply.

"Jay, don't." 

He stands from the bench and shakes his head. "I'm done asking you. I'm done pretending I don't notice you getting up in the middle of the night. I'm done watching you push the food around on your plate enough to make it look like you ate something." Jay has made his decision, and they both know he'll find what he's looking for if he looks hard enough. He could have done this weeks ago, and the only regret he'll have when he gets his answers is that he didn't do this sooner. "You can be mad at me, that’s fine. At least you'll be alive. I'm going to find out." 

PART 2

It didn't take long for him to find his answer. Hailey isn't surprised at that, but she is startled when she wakes from a restless sleep to find him standing in their bedroom doorway, staring. Heartbreak is written all over his face and she knows then, everything she was trying to avoid is there on her doorstep. They say no good deed goes unpunished. She still isn't sure if her deeds have been all that good, but she's being punished at every turn so it doesn't seem to make much difference in the end. 

She doesn't move for a few seconds. She knows that he knows, but she waits for him to make the first move. In her waiting, Hailey forgets to breathe. She is like a bottle with its lid screwed tight, shaken and ready to implode at the first release. 

Quietly, Jay crosses the room. He picks up the half-empty glass of whiskey she had left on the nightstand, studies it, and sets it back down. Time stands still, until he sits on the edge of the bed and wraps her up in his arms. "Take a breath," he says evenly. "You can take a breath now." 

Her first breath is a gasp buried in his shoulder, and everything speeds up again, making impact after impact against her chest as she releases everything she has been holding in for so long. He holds onto her for several minutes- five, ten. She loses track. It's dark in their bedroom and for as long as he'll let her, Hailey cries in his arms.  

She cries until she can't anymore. She has exhausted all the emotion she can, but she doesn't dare move first once she has calmed down. He feels when her breathing evens out and the tears stop, and Jay lets go to scoot away from her. He eyes the glass on the nightstand again. "Are you drunk right now?" He asks calmly. No accusation. 

"No."

"Okay. Then let's go out there," he nods his head toward the kitchen, a more neutral space. "I don't want to do this all in here." 

They end up at the kitchen counter. Hardly neutral- it's where they signed the paperwork making this place home, where he lifted her up onto the hard granite to celebrate, where they ate, talked, laughed. There is no neutral space at home. He sits on one side and she pulls a stool around to sit on the other, and she finally tells him everything. 

Every last detail. She starts with figuring out that they were given bad leads, then making Adam leave to care for Makayla, and finding Voight and Roy Walton in that warehouse. He knew the basics already, but his eyes get darker with every detail Hailey assumes Voight left out. 

She gets through it through stutters and long pauses, and Jay sits quietly. If Hailey were a betting person, she would bet on what his first response is, because it was hers too. 

"We have to tell the team," he says.

Hailey understands his motivations. His guilt. It was the first decision she had to make in the wake of Roy Walton's death- to walk away and not radio the team- and she'll spend the rest of her life playing out every scenario in her head, wondering if she made the right one. "We can't," she answers him. 

"It's the right thing to do."

"Jay," she says slowly. "I have wanted to tell them time and time again, but this case is already too far ahead of us. They didn't ask for any of this." She wipes her eyes and rakes her fingers back through her hair. "If this gets out- and we both know it could- we'd all be implicated. We could all lose our jobs, all go to jail. We would have ruined their lives and robbed Jordan, Vinessa, and Makayla of the only family they have. I couldn't live with that. I don't think you could, either. At least this way, if it comes to it, I can sit on a stand and say they had nothing to do with it." 

He sits back and scrubs his hands over his face in frustration. Voight once told him he was wired through the heart. He jumps head first into what he thinks is right without looking at the consequences the truth can really have. 

"You wanted to know," Hailey says, "so now you have to think about the realities of it all." 

"I did want to know," Jay says coldly, but she didn't tell him. She was going to let them fall apart before she did. "So what about me? I did ask for this, and I still had to find out on my own because you wouldn't talk to me. Do I not deserve a better answer as to why?"

She looks up at the ceiling, tears and the bright kitchen lights blurring her vision. That's a much more complicated answer than simply giving him plausible deniability. "You watched me struggle for months," she admits. "I crossed lines that I said I'd never cross. I was lost. But then the one time I finally found my way again... this one time I did the right thing- this is what I got. So, if I had come home that night and told you I shot Roy Walton, would you have doubted me?"

"No."

"I did. I doubted." Hailey shrugs with tears tracking down her face again. "I see it all play out again every time I close my eyes, and I wonder if maybe I pulled the trigger too early. If that were anyone else other than Walton, would I have waited a few more seconds before firing?"

"Were his hands on Voight's gun?"

They were. She knows without a doubt they were, but it's easy to let black and white blend into grey when that is all they've known for years. 

"Were his hands on the gun?" Jay repeats, expecting an actual answer. "Close your eyes if you have to, and tell me. Did Roy Walton have his hands on Voight's gun?"

"Yes."

"Then it was a good shoot, Hailey. It's a shot every single one of us would have taken. I don't doubt that, okay? I don't doubt you."

"Would a jury?" She challenges. "If you gave this case to the right prosecutor who looked into Intelligence's history and spun the right story, I'm not so sure it'd go my way."

Hailey leans forward with her arms crossed on the kitchen counter. Jay still looks at her like he's waiting for an answer that will satisfy him, but there will never be one. "You're looking for a simple answer where there isn't any, Jay. There was never one moment that I decided not to tell you. There were a lot of individual moments, and each time I'd find a different reason, something I hadn't considered before, that told me it was better if you didn't know." 

She pauses, and she tries to come up with the words that she thinks might give him the most peace. "The way you look at me matters. So yes, I was afraid you'd never be able to look at me the same way, but more than that- I figured that if I didn't tell you... maybe you'd hate me, maybe you'd leave me, but you wouldn’t lose everything you've worked for. I could sit on a stand and say you didn't have anything to do with it, either. And now..."

Hailey trails off as an all-too-familiar weight settles in her chest. She was willing to lose him to keep him away from this, but they're here all the same. She has to worry about his fate like she worries about hers, and somehow their hope lies in Hank Voight's ability to bury a body.

PART 3

Hailey wakes up at 1:30am, barely a half an hour after going to bed. Jay isn't next to her anymore, but she figures maybe he needed some more time to wind down. She wakes up again at just past 2am, and he still isn't there. She doesn't see him, but his watch and phone are still on his nightstand, so she gives him space. She doesn't wake up again until almost 4:45am, and his side of the bed is cold and empty. 

She sits up while her eyes adjust to the low light. Hailey finally spots his silhouette far across the apartment in the living room. He sits on the hardwood floor facing the glass balcony doors, his legs drawn up to his chest and his fingers hooked around his knees. Shadows cover his face so Hailey can't see if he is angry or crying or just staring off ready to walk out into the night and leave all of this behind. 

She slides from the bed. She doesn't bother trying to be quiet since he is up anyway and she wants him to hear her footsteps to know she is coming. His chin dips in her direction as she gets closer- not fully looking at her but at least acknowledging that she is there. 

Hailey sits in front of him with her back to the window. "What are you looking at?" She asks weakly. 

Jay shrugs. "Just thinking." 

She nods, biting her lip to keep from responding. She feels like she has forfeited her right to ask what he is thinking about tonight. This is uncharted territory for them. They've always been each other's person, and now they sit across from each other in the dark wondering if any two people have ever felt this far apart before. 

Jay finally meets her eyes. "The night..." he has to clear his throat after being quiet for so long "...the night everything happened is when you said we should get married." 

"Yeah."

"Did you mean it?"

There is only so much guilt she can take, and the hollow look in his eyes might be the thing that finally breaks her completely. She pushes off the floor and walks closer to him on her knees. Gently, she unclasps his fingers and moves his hands to make room between his legs. He doesn't reach for her like he usually would, but he lets his legs fall flat on the ground when she kneels between them. 

Hailey reaches out to hold his face. There are one million ways she loses Jay in all of this, but it won't be because she let him doubt how she feels or because he feels like some hail Mary on her worst night. Not when he is the best part of her every day. His stubble is coarse under her fingers, and his jaw works when he swallows thickly. 

"I meant it," she promises. "We can wait if we need to. If you want to ask again when this is done, when things are better- my answer will be the same. I meant every word I said to you." 

He sniffles sharply and nods, but the conversation ends there. He never reaches for her. "You were finally getting some sleep. You should go back to bed," he whispers. 

Hailey tilts her head and traces her thumbs over his jaw. "Why don't you come with me?" 

Just like before, he agrees wordlessly and follows behind her into the bedroom. He lays down facing her. Open, but still not reaching out. Hailey falls asleep again to the feeling of him close by but when she opens her eyes to her alarm at 6:30am, he is already gone. 

[ibijau]

Sins of the fathers pt6 / On AO3

Jin Guangshan took a second to look up from the papers on his desk when the door opened, but smiled warmly when he saw that Jin Ling was there. 

“Come in, my boy,” Jin Guangshan said. ”And close the door behind you, won't you?”

Jin Ling quickly obeyed and walked up to the desk, trying not to gawk at the unfamiliar room. It was rare for his grandfather to use his office, and rarer still for him to allow anyone inside. Jin Guangyao was a frequent visitor, Jin Ling had noticed, but aside from that, the only people ever called to the sect leader's office were disciples who had gotten themselves in trouble. 

“You have asked to see me, zongzhu?” Jin Ling asked with a polite bow. 

“Zongzhu? Since when are you so distant, Rulan?” Jin Guangshan protested, looking so sincerely wounded Jin ling almost believed it.

“I only meant to be respectful, grandfather,” Jin Ling said with another bow. “You always say youngsters should be more respectful of their elders.”

“It is only the two of us, there's no need for that,” Jin Guangshan assured him, his tone too warm to be trusted. “Sit down, my boy, and let's take a moment to talk. It has been a long while since we've had a chat, hasn't it?”

Jin Ling nodded as he sat. It had been a while since he'd spent time alone with his grandfather, that much was true. They used to have a good enough relationship, but being forced to marry a stranger had helped Jin Ling see what sort of a man his grandfather was, and now his company was repulsive. Of course if Jin Guangshan had demanded that they spend time together since that falling out, Jin Ling could not have easily refused in spite of his disgust. However his grandfather had shown little interest in him since the wedding. 

Until that morning. 

“Is there anything in particular you want to talk about, grandfather?” Jin Ling asked, as if he couldn't guess why he was there. 

“With so much going on in your life these days, I wouldn't know where to start,” Jin Guangshan replied with a huff, sounding so much like the man he was in Jin Ling's better memories. “Your marital life, perhaps? But maybe that is not the right topic. We've had some disagreement regarding that, haven't we?”

He chuckled, as if Jin Ling’s rage and despair had been some amusing little incident, something they could now all laugh about. Maybe he even sincerely believed that. Or at least, as much as he was capable of any sincerity.

“I understand that grandfather had his reasons for doing the things he did,” Jin Ling flatly said, clenching his fists over his knees, where the desk would hide them. “It was not my place to judge your decision.”

“No, it was not,” his grandfather sharply agreed, before quickly softening again. “But I think my decision was not so unpleasant to you in the end. You get along well with that wife of yours, don't you?” 

“We are making the best of things,” Jin Ling said. 

An understatement, really. 

Wen Yuan’s lessons were going tolerably well. It was a surprise, as Jin Ling had half expected his husband would complain to his mother about his temper after the first lesson, and that would have been the end of that experiment. Instead, Wen Yuan had apparently expressed gratitude to his mother-in-law for organising this, and promised her to work hard to be worthy of the praises he’d received from Jin Ling.

The following lessons had still been tense, but by the middle of the second week they’d found a balance and things were… not bad. Wen Yuan knew to ignore Jin Ling’s outbursts most of the time. And Jin Ling was starting to accept that his husband was genuine when he thanked him or complimented something he did. They weren’t friends or anything, and maybe they’d never be, but at least they could get along, and that was more than Jin Ling had dared to hope since the moment his engagement was revealed to him.

“It must not be easy for you,” Jin Guangshan lamented. “Considering his father’s reputation, and that cold temper he's shown so far… I do hope your wife has not used his knowledge of his father’s methods to make you feel uneasy inside your own home?”

So that was the reason for this meeting, Jin Ling realised. He was grateful for his mother’s warnings, which had given him time to prepare something to say.

“Wen Yuan never mentions his old life,” Jin Ling replied. “He is very dedicated to learning the ways of the Jin sect and making them his, like a good wife should.”

That remark earned him a frustrated glare from his grandfather. Jin Ling knew it was a source of tension in his grandparents’ marriage that his grandmother still preferred to use the cultivation path that she’d learned from her parents, even after a lifetime in Lanling. Everyone knew that. It ought to make it harder for Jin Guangshan to openly complain that Wen Yuan wasn’t using demonic cultivation.

“It is a wife's duty to mould herself to the new family’s expectations,” Jin Guangshan agreed. “But a good husband should also show interest in his wife. If that Wei boy doesn't talk about his family, it might be because you do not inspire enough trust in him yet. If so, it is regrettable. I would have thought you had taken after your father.”

Jin Ling lowered his gaze, his eyes burning with rageful tears he couldn't afford to spill. 

He really wished people would stop only comparing him to his father when they wished to insult his temper. When his father did it, it was usually because he found Jin Ling too quick to anger, or too unsociable. When his grandfather said it, he meant that Jin Ling was weak for not realising rules and morality only applied to lesser people. Jin Zixuan was a well loved man, why couldn't anyone ever see his qualities in his eldest son?

“I'm doing my best, grandfather,” he said between clenched teeth. 

“Then maybe your best needs to be better, boy. Do you understand what I mean?” 

Jin Ling understood too well, but shook his head. 

“Grandfather will have to be more clear. I only want to please you, of course. But I can only do that if I know what you want from me. Does grandfather have certain expectations regarding my marriage to Wen Yuan, maybe? Grandfather should have said so from the start, then, instead of expecting me to guess things.”

As soon as he said that, Jin Ling regretted it. His grandfather tolerated few things, and insolence least of all.

“You know, it is up to me to choose my heir,” Jin Guangshan casually remarked. “Tradition would prefer it be my son, or my eldest grandson, but I could pick someone else. I have other grandsons after all, and a nephew who has a child of his own. If these options appear better for the future of my sect, I will not hesitate to make tough decisions.”

Jin Ling clenched his fists. He didn't care about being sect leader, it was a stupid job, full of dealing with stupid people. But that didn't mean he didn't recognise a threat directed at him, at his family, and that pissed him off. 

If it had been anyone else talking to him like that, Jin Ling would have let his anger explode. Or else he'd have laughed in their face, because in what world were Jin Zixun and Jin Chan better options than him to someday lead the sect? They were just stupid bullies and… 

And so was Jin Guangshan. So maybe they were better candidates, from his point of view. They were all pawns to him anyway. Jin Ling knew it too well, after going from favourite grandchild to someone who could be sacrificed to an unpleasant match. Nobody in this family mattered when compared to his grandfather and his ambitions. And still Jin Ling had been lucky, because Wen Yuan was a good person. If he hadn't been, would Jin Guangshan have cared to protect his grandson from a demonic cultivator? Or would he have allowed his new spouse to torment him, as long as he could get his hands on someone who could help him in that war against the Nie he wanted?

Jin Ling smiled.

“Of course, Jin zongzhu should be free to decide the future of his sect,” he said, imitating the placid tone Jin Guangyao used on very unpleasant people. “It makes sense. What does this have to do with our conversation, though?”

“Nothing at all,” Jin Guangshan pleasantly agreed. “It was just a thought that crossed my mind. Well, boy, I fear I'm already running out of time to talk to you. I have other business to attend, so you may go. But do think about what I've said, regarding your wife and gaining his trust. Otherwise he might find someone else to confide in, and we wouldn't want that, would we?”

Again, Jin Ling just smiled, the only safe answer against that man he'd grown to hate. He then bowed politely and left the room as quickly as politeness allowed. Once outside, he slowly walked away, willing himself to look calm under the watchful gaze of his grandfather's disciples, knowing any of them could betray him if he didn't hide how much that meeting upset him. 

More than once, he'd heard his uncle Jiang call the Jin sect a nest of vipers. Jin Ling disagreed. He didn't believe even animals would turn so viciously on their own kind.

It felt like an eternity before Jin Ling finally reached his home, the only place where nobody could spy on him. As soon as he closed the door behind him, Jin Ling let out a frustrated cry, and kicked the wall. 

“Is something wrong?” Wen Yuan asked, running to the door. 

On top of being angry, Jin Ling was immediately overcome with shame. He hadn't thought his husband would be home, since Wen Yuan usually spent mornings with his in-laws. It was one thing for Jin Ling to let his anger explode like that, and quite another to let anyone see it. Jin Ling opened his mouth to apologise, only to realise there was something more urgent to discuss. 

“Wen Yuan, has anyone approached you to befriend you since you’ve arrived in Carp Tower?” Jin Ling asked

The odd question puzzled his husband, but Wen Yuan soon shook his head. 

“No, no one except your siblings. Others find me… unsettling, I think.”

“Good, perfect even!” Jin Ling exclaimed at this confirmation his grandfather hadn't already started other schemes against his husband. “The less friends you make here, the better.”

Wen Yuan threw him a wounded look, but Jin Ling was too distracted to see it.

“Is that an order, husband?” Wen Yuan stiffly asked.

“You know, it just might be,” Jin Ling pondered. “It’s better for everyone that way.”

After all, there was nobody trustworthy in the entire sect. Which wasn’t to say there wasn’t anyone nice. Lanling Jin was a large sect, and not everyone in it was as awful as Jin Chan. In fact, most disciples were probably pleasant to chat with, charming even. But it didn’t matter how nice they were, because this was a sect where bullies were in charge, and they knew how to make nice people do awful things.

“Are you worried that I’ll betray you if I get close to others, husband?” Wen Yuan asked, his tone so icy that at last Jin Ling had to notice it.

“It’s not like that!” Jin Ling exclaimed. “I don’t care if you sleep with someone!” he winced, realising that probably sounded worse. “No, I do care! I just… don’t care who you… what you… I just care…”

He bit his lip to silence himself, expecting his husband to get angrier, but Wen Yuan only looked at him curiously.

“Are you trying to say you’re not ordering this out of jealousy?” he helpfully suggested.

“Yes, that’s what I meant!” Jin Ling agreed, relieved that his husband was getting used to his manners. “If it were just about making friends, you could be friendly with anyone, it’d be fine.”

“I see. Then why is it you don’t want me to have friends?”

“Only within our sect!” Jin Ling protested. “You shouldn’t have friends within our sect. Or within sects that are too closely linked to ours either, I guess,” he added after a moment of reflection. “If you happen to meet Jiang disciples and you hit it off, it’s fine. Or Lans, I guess, even though I can’t imagine why anyone would be friends with them.”

Of course the closest thing that Jin Ling had to a friend his own age was a Lan, Lan Jingyi, but that acquaintance only proved that the Lans were annoying. Lan Jingyi and him argued every time they met, and only sometimes hung out together because nobody else would put up with them.

“Any other sects I’m allowed to be friendly with?” Wen Yuan asked, smiling.

Jin Ling considered it, and shrugged.

“Just about anyone who doesn't lick my grandfather's boots. Well, maybe avoid the Nie, we’re not on good terms with them. But I doubt any Nie disciple would want to talk to you. They’re… they’re not very happy that you’ve entered our sect. For obvious reasons.”

Wen Yuan frowned at first, as if this remark too had hurt him, but his expression quickly shifted into something that was nearly a smile.

“You mean Wei zonghzu,” Wen Yuan said, sounding almost amused by the effort needed to decipher what Jin Ling meant.

“Him, yes. And he’s also why you need to be careful around Jin disciples. I probably shouldn’t tell you…”

Jin Ling bit his lip, but one look at Wen Yuan's handsome, honest face was enough to convince him. Wen Yuan not only deserved to know what was going on, but he also needed to. Anyway, hadn't his grandfather told him there should be trust in a married couple? 

“The thing is, Jin zongzhu is very interested in demonic cultivation,” Jin Ling explained. “He thinks it’d be the best way to protect ourselves from our enemies. And he also thinks that you can use demonic cultivation, but you’re withholding it from us.”

“But I’m not,” Wen Yuan protested, offended. “I’ve never learned!’

“I know,” Jin Ling replied. “I'm pretty sure it would have left marks on you, on your qi. I’d probably have noticed it from the moment we had our first lessons. But my grandfather is… when he’s decided that something is a certain way, nobody can convince him otherwise. And he thinks that you’re refusing to share your knowledge with us.”

“I'm not,” Wen Yuan insisted. “You can tell him that, I really have nothing to share on that topic.”

Strangely enough, it was a relief to hear that. Jin Ling couldn't deny that he'd been worried concerning the possibility of demonic cultivation. It was easy to say he would have noticed it immediately, but in truth considering Wei Wuxian's skill, he may well have come up with ways to hide the effect of his heretical paths on the body and mind. Of course there was the possibility that Wen Yuan was just lying, but Jin Ling didn't think that was the case. His husband hid many things, but so far none of the few words he'd said had ever been lies.

“Whether you know your father's craft or not, I'd encourage you to keep it secret,” Jin Ling advised. “Don't tell anyone, not even me, or my siblings, or even my mother. We've all lied to my grandfather before, but it's easier for everyone if we don't have to.”

Wen Yuan shot him a curious look, and shook his head. 

“I appreciate that, husband. But I am not lying. I really don't know anything at all. Wei zongzhu was always very firm on that, he’d scold me terribly if I showed too much interest in his methods. He knows too well how dangerous it is. He... he didn't want that for me.”

“Don't let anyone know that either,” Jin Ling said after a moment of reflection. “If my grandfather knows you can never fulfil the purpose he has in mind for you, he might try to get rid of you. It's better to keep an air of mystery about this.”

Wen Yuan tilted his head to the side. 

“I thought… Don't you also want to be rid of me?”

The question took Jin Ling by surprise. Not so long ago, he would have agreed that this marriage was the very worst thing that had ever happened to him. He wasn't so sure about that anymore. Wen Yuan was not unpleasant to have around, and their daily lessons were... nice. There was nothing particularly romantic about their marriage, but there was nothing awful either.

“You're not the worst spouse grandfather could have found for me,” Jin Ling replied. “If you were gone, I might just end up with someone worse, if my grandfather thinks it's his interest. He might try to marry me to Nie Huaisang for all I know! Do you know how annoying he can be when he's unhappy? Or… Or to one of Yao zongzhu's kids, and they're all duller than dirt, I've never heard them say something that wasn't boring. Or he'd find me someone ugly, which is just as bad as being boring. Anyway, I'm used to you now. It'd be a bother, having to deal with someone new, especially when they wouldn't be as good as you. And… And I wouldn't enjoy regaining my freedom, if it meant you had to suffer for it! Which you would. Grandfather is… not a kind man.”

Jin Ling blushed, all too aware that he was saying things in the worst possible way, once again. And yet Wen Yuan didn't take offence. If anything, he looked a little pleased by his husband's rambles. Truly, Jin Ling did not understand his husband in the least.

“I am grateful that my husband feels this way,” Wen Yuan said, fighting a smile. “I will try hard to be worthy of the praise.”

Without thinking, Jin Ling nodded.

He couldn't say it, because it would sound wrong and mean again if he tried to express it, but at that moment he actually felt very happy with the husband fate had chosen for him, that odd boy who had just enough patience to unravel the mess of words that often spilled out of his mouth.

[crazycurly-77]

Healing processes - Ch 13

You spent hours going through the files, the photos and various theories.

One of these photos also showed the small, colorful object that you saw from the rock. It was a small ball. When you zoomed in, you could see bite marks on it... it was a dog's toy!

Tim immediately called the responsible hunter, who confirmed that he had found a stray dog ​​whose owner had not yet been identified.

This was probably the dog with the ball. Tim asked the man to bring the animal to Abby for a saliva sample.

Suddenly things happened very quickly, because as soon as he hung up, your team leader's cell phone rang.

"Gibbs," he answered briefly.

Then he listened intently to what the person on the other side had to say.

After a short while, he raised his eyebrows in surprise and asked: "Are you sure?"

Again he paused briefly. Then he grumbled: “Good, thanks,” and hung up.

You all looked at him curiously and waited for his report. No one dared to say a word. But none of you had expected what Gibbs had to tell you - not even him.

“That was Ducky,” he began. “The dead man died of natural causes. Heart attack. Bears, coyotes and other animals saw him as food, but only after his death.”

“And the dog?” you asked.

“What about the dog?” he asked impatiently.

“Maybe he belonged to him and wanted to get help?” you expressed your suspicion with concern.

Tony then laughed out loud: “Y/N...that's not Lassie, who barks twice and the rangers already know that his master is lying behind a rock 543m away and having a heart attack.”

He grinned mischievously, whereupon you narrowed your eyes and replied snippily: “So? Maybe he did, but the rangers didn’t understand him?”

Your argument was so absurd that you both burst into loud laughter. You still had to hold back a little, but it was already much better than right after the operation. The injury healed well, just like your other injuries.

“Good, now that the case has been solved, you can start writing the reports,” Gibbs intervened.

What a killjoy, he could have at least let you have fun for a few minutes, you thought with a collective eye roll.

But it didn’t help, the reports had to be written. So you all got to work and were finished by the end of the day.

You wanted to invite Tim and Tony to dinner together, but they disappeared faster than you could blink. “Then not,” you thought, shrugging your shoulders.

During dinner, Jethro and you talked about the case and especially the dog. If it was the victim's dog...what would happen to the poor animal?

"I'm not taking him. I don't want to put another living creature in danger," he immediately protested grumpily.

"Why? Who are you putting in danger?" you asked him worriedly.

He froze and looked at you intently. Then he looked away briefly as if he was considering what to say.

Finally, he looked you straight in the eyes and said sharply: "You."

You looked at him in horror. "No, please don't," you thought in panic. Your heart was pounding so hard with fear that he would push you away that you thought you would faint.

He couldn't live with the guilt. Despite her assurances, he thought he was dangerous to her. She is certainly better off without him.

That thought alone almost tore his heart apart. How was he supposed to live without her? He would be alone in this cold house again and as additional torture he would see her every day without being allowed to touch her.

He felt so miserable and hopeless that he almost cried. But he had to think about her, everything else was unimportant. He had to push her away for her own safety.

...but he hadn't counted on you and your stubbornness, which was in no way inferior to his.

"He's doing it again. He's trying to push me away. I won't let him. I can't and won't let him. He has to finally see that it's not his fault and that we belong together and are good for each other," you thought in desperation.

You had to do something and fight for him and for your relationship - against him if necessary. It was all for the good of the both of you. So you went on the offensive.

You stood up, fixed your gaze on him and almost begged him:

"No, don't do that. You could do that with the others, but not with me!

I won't let you just hide in your shell and push me away.”

You paused for a moment to let him process this. Then you continued:

“Yes, I didn't want to climb that rock because it was too unsafe for me.

Yes, you ordered me to climb up anyway.

And yes, I slipped and fell and you couldn't prevent it.

But you know what?

It was ultimately MY decision to climb up.

It was MY carelessness that I stood too close to the edge and didn't pay enough attention.”

He stood there and just looked at you in silence. In his eyes you could see the storm and the battle within him. He was fighting against the hope that you were right and that there was actually a future for the two of you together. But he didn't want to allow it.

You continued your fight in a whisper:

"And do you know something else?

Thanks to your patience and persistence, I feel better every day and I love you for that.

In my eyes you are a wonderful person. Who sacrifices too much to help and protect others and it is high time that someone protects YOU.

Yes, I am very grateful to you for everything you have done for me and I have fallen in love with you during our time together despite all your rough edges.”

Hope shone in his eyes and made them shine.

“But I don’t want to force you to do anything and especially not out of guilt towards me.

I only ask you one thing:

If you think that one day you might be able to love me as much as I love you, then please give us a chance.

I don’t want anything more.

A chance. Nothing more and nothing less.”

This was your closing argument. You had thrown everything you had into the battle arena. If he were to push you away now, everything would be lost because you had nothing left to convince him of a future together. Everything depended on him now.

What will he do?

(To be continued in Chapter 14.)

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Here you will find the other chapters of this story.

Masterlist stories - Part 1 (finished ones)

Masterlist stories - Part 2 (finished/ongoing)

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Tags: @ilovemark1951, @hobby27

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[annab-nana]

can i get 22 from list a with yelena pls i hope i’m not too late idk why i didn’t see the tag in my notifs 😭😭

you weren't too late but i am definitely very late with getting back to this ask so i'd say we're even

prompt: snowed in. only one bed

warnings: not proofread, undressing, sharing a bed (obvi), cuddles, fluff

❀ masterlist ❀

"follow me," you urged when you spotted the cabin in the distance. yelena and you both were freezing as the unexpected snowstorm continued its relentless downfall and the small red room base that you two had bolted from was in the middle of nowhere it seemed. no sun in the sky only lowered the temperature even more.

with a nod, the blonde was on your six, following the tracks you made in the snow as you approached the small wooden home. the doors were locked, but you did manage to open a window for you two to crawl through.

the place appeared small from the outside, but it was even more compact once you got inside as well. there was a small den area, kitchen, laundry closet, bathroom, and a single bedroom. the only sounds that could be heard throughout the tiny space were the blistering winds outside and teeth chattering from both you and yelena. together, you worked on starting a fire, each of you yawning with each piece of wood you tossed in.

"i can take the couch," you offered while looking over yelena's shoulder at the lumpy blue couch behind her. her eyes followed your line of sight and she shook her head when she turned back to you.

"we can share the bed. we need to keep warm anyway."

after a quick nod, you followed her toward the bedroom and repeated her actions of slipping out of your suits, now soaked with water from melted snow. a shiver passed over your skin when you were left only to your bra and underwear, so you made haste to get under the sheets. you covered as much of yourself as you could with the blankets and curled in on yourself, facing the wall.

the bed dipped behind you when yelena joined you, the gust of wind that flowed in when she lifted the blankets making you shiver once more. your shivers and shakes must've been too much for your mission partner, considering her next words.

"just get over here."

"huh?" you asked when you turned to face her. you couldn't have heard her correctly.

"i'm cold and you clearly are too. it doesn't have to mean anything, but we both won't be able to fall asleep if we're frozen. so..." she trailed off, her open arm inviting you in.

if you weren't fearful that you'd turn blue any second, you probably would've thought on it more. but your need for warmth far outweighed any clear thinking skills you had.

scooting over, you wrapped your arms around her bare waist and let one of your legs slot between hers. one of her cold hands ran over your back, the friction of her actions providing you both some warmth.

"can this mean something?" you inquired softly, almost too quiet for yelena to hear.

"hmm?"

"you said this doesn't have to mean anything, but can it?" you reiterated while keeping your head on her chest, not daring to look at her face. a bit of silence followed your query and you wondered if you two were just going to pretend it never was asked in the first place.

yelena's lips pressing to your head stopped your thoughts from going downhill and focused them back on her. the girl who had occupied your mind constantly spoke up when she pulled away.

"it was going to mean something to me anyway."

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[scryarchives]

𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 - 𝐣𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 | 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟒

to get a little more information out of the supposed threat, jaime had invited the said "threat" to stay for dinner, and well, things get messy.

masterlist | previous , next !

– pairings: jaime reyes x oc

– warning: fluff, canon divergent, blue beetle movie spoilers, jaime being (slightly) ooc

– author's note: i won't lie, i'm surprised at how i somehow made jaime a little mean... disclaimer: i don't speak Spanish, Nahuatl or Tamil so please do correct me if i am wrong! read more under the cut! :)

translations: mamá dice que es la cena - mom says it's dinnner ¡Si no sales ahora, te patearé el trasero hasta llegar a Gotham! - if you don't get out now, i'll kick your ass all the way to gotham Ella tiene planes, ¿qué estás haciendo? - she has plans, what are you doing? ��A dónde van todas? - where's everyone going?

His mind was filled with thoughts and worries, but his gaze was locked on the sun that sank behind the horizon, a sigh filling his lungs.

He was late for dinner. Again.

“Mama’s so gonna kill me,” He muttered under his breath, speeding home as quickly as he could. 

“I have notified her beforehand. You will be fine.”

“It won’t stop her worrying, though.”

Wishing that he could’ve enjoyed the beauty of the sunset longer, he spotted his home, amongst the other buildings in their little community. Jaime then allowed the beetle-like alien on his back to scan for any people passing, he lowered himself closer to the ground, dashing towards his bedroom window.

His head darted left and right, and with a grunt, lifted his bedroom window open, hopping through quickly and pulling his room blinds shut.

The armour-clad suit then began to vanish, Jaime’s arms darting around his room to find whatever articles of clothes to cover his bare body.

“Jaime, hermano!”

Milagro’s voice cut through the silence of his room – other than the cluttering of items as he rummaged around – her knuckles knocking against his bedroom door.

“Mamá dice que es la cena!” Milagro huffed, turning to face the girl behind her. “Drea, I’m so so sorry about this, I do want to walk you home.”

“No, no it’s no biggie,” Drea smiled in understanding, placing her hand on Milagro’s shoulder. “I can walk home myself, we live right across each other anyways, remember?”

“My mama raised me better than that.”

Milagro’s smile turned into an apologetic one, her fist meeting with Jaime’s door again.

“Jaime Reyes, I swear!” She hissed. “¡Si no sales ahora, te patearé el trasero hasta llegar a Gotham!”

With that, the door snapped open, Jaime’s hair a mess with a sheen of sweat covering his tan skin. Milagro’s eyes widened slightly in realisation, a sigh escaping her lips.

“You stink, you better shower after dinner,” She muttered. “Come on, Drea, let’s go.”

“Go where?” Jaime frowned, leaning his weight on his doorway as he watched his sister and his neighbour walking out of the hallway.

“We’re going to the moon.”

“Very funny, Mili,” Jaime rolled his eyes. “Where are you going?”

“Where do you think, hermano? She’s heading home,” Milagro placed her hand on her hip in annoyance, Drea standing by her friend’s side as she placed a hand behind her neck.

“Yeah, but it was nice to catch up, Jaime,” She shrugged lightly. “Can’t wait to work together for job hunting.”

Jaime’s eyes widened, feeling his stomach jump into his throat, watching the only answer to all his questions almost walk right out of his front door.

He needed answers, and he needed them now.

“Wait!” Jaime called out and Drea turned around so quickly that he almost thought that she had planned for him to stop her.

“Why don’t you stay for dinner?”

Milargro frowned, a mixture of confusion and disbelief appearing on her face, as her brother, the man who never dared to be near her best friend, suddenly invited her over to stay for dinner.

“Hermano,” Milagro hissed in whispers. “Ella tiene planes, ¿qué estás haciendo?”

“You know, just to catch up and… stuff,” The male blurted his last word out, spitting out whatever came to his mind.

“I mean, my Amma is probably waiting for me,” Drea glanced behind her, Jaime’s mind running wild once more.

“Yeah, but wouldn’t you like to get to know Mili better? I mean, are you really best friends if you don’t know her favourite drink by heart?”

Jaime watched the woman closely, a smile almost growing on his lips the moment he saw her eyes widen in disbelief that he remembered such a small detail. 

Gotcha.

“Lemme call my mom real quick,” She nodded, her smile turning flat.

Jaime nodded, returning her smile with an eager one, his sister staring at him with widened eyes, jaw slack in disbelief.

“Jaime, I have no idea what you’re on about, but you better tell me by the end of dinner,” She hissed, jabbing a finger into his chest.

“Don’t worry,” He chuckled, lightly tapping the top of his sister’s head. “Nothing bad’s gonna happen.”

“So how’s your mother doing, Drea?” Bianca chimed, her son eyeing the girl’s reaction.

To say dinner was normal would’ve been an overstatement. Conversation popped up here and there, but most of the time it would’ve been awkward silence with the newcomer sitting at the table. Yes, the new neighbours did have meals with them now and then, but most of the conversations would’ve consisted of the two mothers in the family bonding over their parenting experiences.

Jaime cleared his throat, and Drea, who sat beside him, perked up instantly, a smile flashing on her features. 

There it was again, that smile. There was something about it that irked him, and Jaime couldn’t tell if it was because it appeared whenever she was called up, or if it was the fact that it wasn’t a genuine smile.

“Oh, she’s just fine,” She hummed. “Still a little exhausted. She spent a lot of time doing work before the move, so it’s all just built-up fatigue.”

“Yeah, driving can be tough when you’re new to a city,” Rudy, or César as he preferred to be called by the neighbour. “Happens to the best of us.”

“Ah, well, if she needs any help, we’re always here to help,” Bianca assured, her smile reaching her eyes. “And Rudy would gladly show her around, won’t you?”

“...I guess I could.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Mrs Reyes, and Señor César,” Came the response, and Jaime picked up that it was an almost automatic response.

“Oh, please, call me Tía Bianca! You’re practically family with how often you’ve come here!”

And for a split second, Jaime saw something other than the put-on happiness flash in Drea’s chestnut eyes. For a brief moment, he saw her eyes soften, turning into one of genuine happiness, of gratitude.

“Alright, Tía,” Drea’s mouth flickered into a soft smile. “Thanks again, for having me over, and for dinner.”

“No worries! Thank Jaime for the brilliant idea!”

In an instant, Jaime glanced over at the woman beside him, his deep brown eyes meeting hers. A smile grew on his features, and he winked up at her, amusement growing within him as he saw her cheeks flush for a moment, eyes widened in surprise.

A chuckle then escaped her, the Mexican boy turning away from his sister’s disgusted expression.

“Well, I’m just glad that I’m welcome,” She hummed. 

Jaime nodded as he glanced back at her, his eyes catching on a little stroke of red, just resting on her cheekbone.

“You got a little something,” He pointed out, his index aimed at the spot on his cheek.

Panic flooded through her for a second, her eyes gave it all away. Instantly, her palm was raised to the spot on her cheek, a fake smile gracing her lips once more.

“Yeah, my Mama called me over earlier, she asked me to help Amma paint the walls,” She exclaimed breathily. “Red’s their favourite colour.”

“Really, now?” Jaime furrowed his brows, yet his smile remained. “Strange how paint would fall on your face unless you deliberately put it there.”

“Well, it happens sometimes, hermano,” Milagro muttered. “It’s called having excess paint, and then it drips onto your face when you paint vertically.”

“Then wouldn’t you have noticed it and wiped it off?”

The male frowned over, his gaze locked onto hers. Fear filled her eyes as she broke their eye contact, her glance soon falling onto his mother’s. 

“Good point, uh… excuse me, I have to clean that up,” She muttered, standing up so quickly, that her chair almost fell backwards.

The Reyes family watched as the girl darted down the hallway, Milagro’s expression morphing back into one of horror and shock at her brother’s behaviour. Bianca frowned, confused about what had just happened as she watched Jaime get up from his seat, walking right after the girl.

“Scuse me,” He muttered.

“¿A dónde van todas?” Nana frowned, watching as two of the dinner’s participants dashed off, Rudy placing his hand on his mother’s shoulder, Jaime ignoring Milagro’s protest of annoyance.

“What the heck, Jaime?!” 

gif by @rob-pattinson

taglist: @mooncleaver @hoshi4k @mymanjaimereyes

< comment/dm me if you'd like to be on the taglist! >

[thesoulesscollection]

(Request) Keep Me Stable

Request: I have a request, could you do one with Reg & Carol right after Rhm was defeated and then a timeskip to after he's even given his cybernetics. CopperRight

Maybe not my best work but I enjoyed writing it and I hope you feel the same while reading it. 

Blood. So much. It fills his vision. Reginald felt sick to his stomach. 

"... Oh, shit…" When he hears another voice, familiar, though he could barely hear it as he struggled to breath. "... Regi-?" 

Everything is stained with blood. The floor, walls, even the ceiling up above. Reginald didn't want to think where else it laid as he stumbled back. 

He was shell shocked by the entire ordeal. How can he not be?

His long-term partner, his soulmate, is left in critical condition. A man he loved dear to his heart, he can't be left alone like this, was left for dead, torn apart at the seams, and is now clinging onto life. 

"Reginald" Again he hears her elegant voice, more clearer than the last, deeply soothing, able to command the room, it puts him at ease. "Please, stay with me" 

A firm hand grips his shoulder, she jerks him from the horrible scene into a separate room so he can only focus on her. Throughout he can barely hear her voice coming in one ear out the other, as his vision is a dizzying blur, mind left in an unfocused mush. Until a very concerned Carol is in view. 

"He. H-he's… Rig-" That's when Reginald breaks, speaking incoherently. 

"I know. I know" She whispers so no one else can hear them. "We got him. They're taking good care of him as we speak" 

When attempting to turn his head to look if they were indeed doing what she says, Carol tenderly cups his head he instinctively leans in. 

"He's going to be fine. I know it and so do you" She went to reassure, wiping the tears away. Buried in the back of his mind, he's embarrassed for showing weakness. For being such a coward. He can't even do his title as a leader correctly without almost killing his right hand. 

"H-how. How can you be so sure?" 

Reginald heaves, broken sobs choked back, hunched over, palpitations in his chest, any moment it could either sway in or out of their favor. Death like always would be around that corner now, eager, ready to steal his love from him in an underhanded swoop. 

"I know so. He's tough" Hesitant to believe her is a severe understatement, Reginald fought to not cry. "He won't dare leave your side" 

***

They've been close friends, considering one another as family for years Carol could tell something was up. When she entered his office she saw the man, exhausted, heavy bags under his eyes, and laying his head, messy hair askew, down on the dark oak desk. 

"He's going to be alright, Reginald" She said in a low, calming tone as if she read his mind.  

"I know he will, Carol... He's in stable enough condition after the surgery" As she moves to sit next to him, he shrugs his shoulders. "But I worry" 

"You're allowed to. We didn't think he'll make it but the doctor did her work well" 

Reginald sat up in his seat, nowhere close to reassured, thin fingers pinching the bridge of his nose, "She did. Forever grateful for her work. Nonetheless I regret my choice"

"Why though? He's alive. Doing better then he's done before"

"I know, Carol, dear, I know. What will he say when he wakes up and sees how much he'd changed. I can't bear the idea. Everything will be different" 

"Do you think he would be mad at you? For me, I think he'll be more than grateful" 

They sat in silence together where Reginald balls then unclenched his fists on his lap. "I really hope so. I only want to do what's best for him" 

"You are. He's going to be fine" 

[armpirate]

UNDER HIS SKIN || JJK || Ch. 10

Pairings: tattoist!jk x fem!reader

Genre: smut, angst, friends to lovers, tattoo au, virgin reader.

Summary: They say there are two versions for every story, and it's important to hear both of them. Everybody is hearing your side of the story, but it's just fair to get to know his.

After breaking up with his girlfriend, the only thing he wanted was to have fun with no attachment. You wanted to get rid of your virginity, and he wanted to tick you off his list. What he didn't expect was getting so emotionally attached to you that he would regret the deal.

Previous || Next

MASTERLIST

First thing I do when I'm done with one of the customers is drive to Tae's pub to hang out with him and Jimin. I have been meeting Tae quite frequently these two weeks, but it's been impossible to hang out with Jimin at all.

I get it though. Out of the three of us, he's the only one who's still in a committed relationship. I used to be like him when I dated Leslie. I even stopped hanging out as much with Tae because of her -even after we both came from Korea together, because neither of us knew what we would do without the other. And probably that was one of the reasons why he never really liked Leslie that much -he almost threw a party when he got to know we both broke up, and almost fought her when he learned that she cheated on me.

—Hey, cutie —Brooke greets me with a malicious smile.

—Hey —I greet her, eyes fixed at one of the tables in the middle of the pub—. Give me a coke, please.

I don't really wait for her to say she got the command. I make my way to their table, although I regret it the exact moment they lay their eyes on me.

—Oh, look who dared to come after thirty minutes —Tae jokes.

—Yeah, all the whining, just for you to be late —Jimin complains.

—Don't get me started —I lift my finger at him—, when you're the one who has been standing us up continuously.

—Says the one who forgot he had friends for five years —Jimin looks at me with one of his eyebrows raised.

—Wait, that's right —Tae looks at me—. Why am I even hanging out with you?

I roll my eyes when they both team up to come against me. They always do this, it doesn't matter what the context is, I'm always the one on the losing team.

—How's Nori doing? —I ask, trying to stop the joke before we three actually get worked up on it.

—Fine —Jimin shrugs—. We barely had any free time with the whole moving thing.

—Will you throw a party at the new place? —Tae asks.

—What's this obsession with parties? —Jimin squints his eyes at him.

While they are about to start an argument between them, I feel my phone shake in the front pocket of my jeans. I bite my lip, playing with my lip ring, as I try to hold back a smile when I see her text.

Cocktease: Tam won't be here today

Cocktease: Just in case you want to put my observing skills to test after you're done with your customer.

Me: I probably will finish late today

—Cocktease? —Brooke gets my attention— Do you really have someone saved that way?

—It's no one —I lock the screen—. Thanks —I dryly say, moving the iced drink closer to me.

Brooke seems to get I don't want to talk about it, nor find her question funny, because she leaves without saying a word. I know she meant no wrong with that question, but thanks to her now I have Jimin and Tae looking at me, and probably waiting to see who will be the first one to start the interrogatory.

—Who the fuck is "Cocktease"? —Tae frowns at me.

—And why haven't you talked about her with us?

—Her? It could be a man —I give a sip to my drink after I mention that.

—Kook —Jimin snorts—. Come on. Who is she?

—She's no one —but I know they won't let it go.

But of course, that still doesn't convince them, and that's why I end up giving in and giving them the vaguest explanation.

—She's someone I met.

—No, fuck off —Tae huffs—. You can't be this big of an asshole to have her saved as "Cocktease" because you don't remember her name. Poor girl.

I sigh in relief when he mentions that, and Jimin just seconds his words, both of them scolding me for my attitude towards all the random girls I meet and hook up with. But, of course, all their ranting is for nothing because I disconnect long before they're able to start.

On that message she seemed pissed off. And while I can't blame her, I think it's a good idea she takes a look around her into the real world -by what Tam told us, Y/n doesn't really seem the type that has lived her life to the fullest. Proved during Melanie's birthday and our drinking games, and confirmed when she threw her hands at her head when I suggested having sex when we met. Well, that's one of the reasons why I barely met with her with the excuse of making her watch over people every night. The other being I probably won't be able to hold back if we get to the other part of our deal.

It took me my biggest effort and self control to stop the kiss before it got too much the other night, I'm sure I'll fuck it up somehow if we decide to go further.

My phone shakes in my hand again. And while I first think it could be Y/n again, I see it's Mark -and I don't even bother to open the chat when I read his text.

Inlaw: Don't bother to come back. Your client canceled, because he regretted the idea last minute. Take some rest.

If I actually thought today would be a bad day...

I take a sip of my drink, before I stand up again and start walking to the door.

—Are you leaving? —Tae asks from afar.

—After the show you two did to get me to come? —I hear Jimin complaining.

—I'll invite you to dinner next time we meet. I promise.

Those are the last words I dedicate to them, before I leave the pub and head to my motorbike -which is, as usual, parked at one side of the main door. And just like I did at Tae's pub, I do the same in the bar she works at, leaving the motorbike at one side of the entrance before I place the stand and hop off.

Before I enter, I see her. She's looking good despite wearing the most normal and basic clothes -she's just wearing a black t-shirt and a small apron surrounding her hips. But soon I'm aware that her serious expression isn't only due to tiredness, when I look a bit better and find a man looking at her up and down while she's just working.

—Don't play hard to get —I overhear after I enter the establishment and get closer to them—. You've been looking at me all night.

I see her tilting her head while her back is still facing him, and she taps on the long lower fridge with her fingers, as if she were trying to control herself.

—May I have a beer? —I interrupt them.

After seeing the relief tinting her eyes, I look at the old man from head to toe. I could knock him out with no effort if I wanted to, and it seems like he also knows I could, because he turns around and leaves us alone before I can even add myself into the conversation.

—You didn't have to do it —she serves me the cold beer.

—Do what? —I frown— I only asked for a beer.

—Your puffed chest says otherwise —she points to that part.

When she does that, I'm fully conscious my chest is a bit higher than usual and my back is tense. Tilting my head while smiling, after I know I used that body posture to intimidate him, I relax and go back to my natural state.

—He isn't the first one —she assures me—, and he won't be the last. There are, at least, four assholes like him every night —she looks at her invisible clock—. Actually, this is the time they start showing up —Y/n supports herself on the counter—. You told me you wouldn't come.

—The customer canceled at the last minute —I sip on my jar—. Have you done what I told you?

The way she squints her eyes and looks around, gives away that she did actually spend some time looking around. But I'm not sure whether she's actually looked into people and their body languages, or if she just stood here and looked at everyone like a security guard at the mall.

Y/n finally nods, and she bends closer to me, supporting the weight of her body on her two elbows resting on the counter.

—Will you make me watch people as if I were Kevin Carter? —she raises an eyebrow— I thought you were going to help me.

Kevin Carter... Who the fuck is that?

—You didn't see anything that could be of help? —I mirror her, raising one of my eyebrows as I try to mock her— Examples of what you should do and what you shouldn't do. Some dudes' expression when they want to run away from a girl?

I'm not saying this is the only way to learn, but it's definitely the best way to get a visual indicator of what you should do or not, without you actually being the one doing shit.

I turn on my stool, just to turn back to her a few seconds after when I spot a girl that reminds me of the scene she pulled with Seokwoo back at the party. She's desperately trying to keep the conversation going, while he's just looking for a safe and fast escape from there.

—She is you.

While the brunette insists on getting closer, the blond male looks at her, takes a sip of his drink and looks around him fast. And he repeats the same cycle a few more times until he's finally able to walk away.

—We're simple —her eyes go back to me—. We don't want to know everything about you the moment we meet —I sip on my drink—. And the male nature is... primitive. We like to believe we're in control of the whole thing, even if it's not true. A girl that speaks too much and leads the conversation? She's out 99% of the time. She reeks of desperation.

—What about the other 1%?

—She's an eleven out of ten, the dude is way too drunk, the dude is even more desperate than her —I start counting with my fingers.

—That's offensive.

—You started your words-vomit with my cousin. You didn't seem desperate, but you seemed nervous and insecure. And you proved it even more when you ran away right after. Result? You ended up upstairs alone.

And actually... Thank god she ended up upstairs alone.

—We are assholes. And we want what we think it's difficult to get —I shrug—. If you play hard to get, keep stuff to yourself, tease a bit, and act unpredictable... any man will be after you. Whether it's on Tinder, a friend of a friend, or even that guy that's almost going to pass out over there —I point with my head to a long haired guy almost falling from the edge of the counter.

—Ohh so you're into girls like that? —that's the only conclusion she gets from everything I've said.

—Yup —I look at her, tilting my head—. That's why I like you.

✸ ✸ ✸

Even if I could've left long ago, I still stayed to keep her company the rest of her shift. And I also stay to help her pick everything up after she closes.

—You can go —she tells me, as she walks to where I'm standing—. Thank you for the lesson.

—I'll take you home —behind the counter, I'm still placing the glasses inside the dishwasher.

—It's alright.

—I said I'll take you home —I insist, without looking at her.

And probably it sounds rougher than I intended to. I didn't pretend to sound like I was forcing her to go with me, but I don't think she should be going home alone this late, when I can easily drop her off anywhere.

After we're done inside, we walk to my motorbike. I hop on it first, waiting for Y/n to get on it after me and wrap her arms around me. But that never happens. When I turn to her, and try to look over my shoulder, I see her smirking as she holds onto the bars on the sides of the seat.

Grinning at that image, seeing her upper body slightly lifted up because of her arched back in that position, I take off the stand and make the engine roar.

—It's up to you.

She doesn't move an inch while we go straight on the road, and I actually have no reason to turn right yet, but she's begging to be teased right now. I turn abruptly, feeling her arms instantly wrap around my body, followed by a short scream as she sticks her body to mine.

Something that should've been used to tease her, ended up playing against me. Because the feeling of her fast heartbeat and her tits pressing on my back is clouding my mind with the filthiest scenarios.

Everything I've been trying to avoid these weeks goes to hell as soon as I feel her closer than I should for three minutes.

She stands next to the motorbike when we arrive to her place, but before she's able to say goodbye -and before I can think it better-, I drop the question:

—Can I go up to your place?

[jaywoods1]

Supernatural: The Father hunt

Off to Uncle Bobby's

"Why the fuck can't I go as well?!"

Dean sighs. This argument had been going on for hours. 

"Jaybird-" "Don't you fucking well Jaybird me, I'm not a kid, I can handle a hunt, especially with you two along." "Yeah, but it's right near a lake, and we all know how you're terrified of bodies of water. Look, it's been a bit since any of us have even seen Bobby. Go on, let us work this case, and we'll pick you up after."

Jay flinches at the water mention, remembering all the times John had tried to drown her. It had been one of the few things that she couldn't just heal, so it happened more often.

"You fucking suck Dean." Jay says, finally giving in.

"Is it over?" Sam asks as he comes in to the motel room after a supply run.

"Yeah, it's over. Lucky freaking me. While you guys save lives, I'm stuck in a library." "Don't complain little sis, we both know you love libraries." "... Shut the fuck up Sam. Also, you're literally five months older than me, geez!"

                                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jay sighs as she approaches the door. The boys had dropped her off than sped out like the devil was after them.

She knocks three times then waits for it to open.

"Is that you Jay?" "Hey Uncle Bobby."

Bobby wrapped her up into a hug. He hadn't seen the girl in ages, and was worried something happened to her. He loves all three Winchester idjits, but the girl had a place in his heart, always making the room warmer when she walked in.

"Sorry I haven't stopped by or called. Things have been pretty hectic." "I heard. John still missing." 

Jay nods, there was still no sign of John Winchester. Sam had been loosing his shit.

"That bastard. How Sam holding up, heard he lost his girlfriend."  Another nod. "He's holding it together and handling it okayish. Pissed that we haven't found Dad, but ah well."

Bobby smiles at the girl, hiding the worry rushing though his mind. After John Winchester lost his wife, his anger was pointed at three things: the mysterious yellow eyed demon, any monster he comes across and his only daughter. He could only hope that Sam's rage wouldn't do the same thing. 

"Come on angel. Go unpack in your room, then shall we cook dinner?" Jay smiles at the man who was more like a father than her own.

"Yeah, I'll go. I'll also cook dinner, I don't want a repeat of last time." "Come on, it wasn't that bad!" "You some how lit water, WATER on fire, which almost caused the entire place to burn down, mixed up nightshade and blueberries and put arsenic instead of garlic on the bread. I don't even know how you managed to do that!" "Can you make lasagne?" "That's what I thought."

Jay unpacks her bag, which held a few changes of clothes, her laptop, some books and a few hygiene products.

She flipped one of them over and it read: The complete enochian dictionary.

Since according to the bible angels were the natural enemies of demons, she hoped It would help her out, since some of those castings were supposed to be stronger. She also had one on all the angels that ever had existed, trying to find the right one to ask for help.

She looked up at her ceiling.

"I know this won't work, but I guess I may as well try. Um, hi angels? Fuck this sounds weird. Wait can I even swear when praying? Eh, never mind. Anyways, if you really are there, can you please tell me who the yellow eyed demon is? A-and if it's my fault... My dad, John says it is, but how could it be? I-I was just a kid!" Jay starts crying softly. "I don't know if any of you exist, let alone are listening, but if you are please help! I-I don't know what to do any more."

"Hey, ya coming kiddo? I'll get started on dinner if you aren't!" "Don't you dare!" Jay wiped her tears and gets up, knocking the book about all the angels to the ground. It falls open to the page about a fallen one, Azazel. "Hm." 

"I'm turning on the oven!" "No, wait!" Jay shoves a bookmark to mark the page and races down, just in time to stop a disaster."

                                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So kiddo, how's Uni going?" 

Jay sighs. He was the only one who knew that she had been studying to get into the FBI Academy. 

"It's going well. I should be able to graduate in two years and then get into the academy, I just don't know how to break the news. Sam might have been happy, but now he's so obsessed but finding Yellow-Eyes, it almost scares me. Dean would be so upset, he'd think I abandoned him, and Dad... I don't even want to think about."

Bobby sighs, wishing he could help the girl. When he found out what happened, via Johns journal, he chased him off the property with a shotgun, almost completely getting rid of the one safe spot for Jay.

"Oh, by the way... what do you know about angels?"

That startles him. "Angels? Far as I know, they don't exist." "Well, maybe, but if demons exist, shouldn't they as well? And I have a few books. When I came across one a month or two ago, using one of their exorcism spells got him out much faster."

He still looked incredulous, so she continued. "I was flipping through on of my book and came across a fallen angel named Azazel. He looked a bit like Yellow-Eyes, and since he became a prince of hell, it would make sense for it to be him."

"Kiddo, that sounds... entirely impossible. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. Either way, what we know is that he's a demon. Hell, we don't even know if angels exist, so, in all likely-hood, they aren't real. Maybe heaven is, but not angels. If they were, why haven't they ever helped out."

That was a bit of a harsh reality check. 

"Fine. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up." "I would expect nothing less. On a subject change, aren't they giving a lecture soon?" "Yeah, in a couple weeks." "Tell you what, you tell your brothers to take a few more cases without you, mention something about my cooking, and I'll cover for you and get you to the lecture." 

Jay looked at the older man in shock. Bobby also wasn't on the best terms with law enforcement, so that would be great.

"Ohmygodthankyousomuch!!!!!!!!!!!" She exclaimed in one breath.

She then ducked to the phone to call her brothers and explained that Bobby need her help for a few weeks, (and to cook dinner) so to pick her up in a few weeks instead of when they were done that one.

"Just be safe though ok? I'll see you in a few weeks." Jay turned back, a huge smile glowing across her face. "They said yes! That you Bobby, I can't wait."

After dinner, Jay went back up to her room, pretending to be tired.

"No, that book fall was a little too perfectly timed to just be fate, so I'm either in a book/show, or someone helped me out."

She reopened the book and stated to read.

Azazel was one of Lucifer's chief lutenists. When he rebelled, he told man the secrets of heaven and-

"Oh for fucks sake, what is with you people- er angels? Demons? Whatever, raping women. Like, jeez, give it a rest!"

He later became a Prince of Hell, and known for making deals. When Lucifer was locked away, he sot out ways to free him. Rumour has it, he was only truly kind to his sister, the Archangel, Jayel.

"Jayel? I've never heard of her. Besides, the only archangels are Michael, Lucifer, Gabriel and Raphael..."

"Boys, I would like you to meet, you're sister, Jayel, the last archangel." "Why is she so tiny?" "We all were Gabe." "Shut up Luc." "Father, why is she born so much later?" "Raph's right. There are already lower level angels as well." "Well Mike, it's because you needed a peace keeper. She'll develop her powers later." Jay tuns her head as a golden haired boy walks into view. "Hi Jayel, erm, Jay, no, Jaybird! I'm your big brother Gabriel. Don't worry, I'll always protect you..."

'What in the name of... I don't know any Gabriel, or Luc, or Raph or Mike. Who were those-'

"Jayel, the last archangel."

Jay tore open the book and read up on the mysterious Jayel.

Jayel is a subject of much debate for religious scholars.

Well that's an oxymoron if there ever was one.

She was said to be the last archangel, a symbol of hope and peace in heaven. She wielded the fires of heaven and was the peacemaker. It is also to be noted that since all the angels loved her the most, it is possible that her murder at the hands of Lucifer is why he was thrown to the depths of hell. But this is all purely speculative as there are no true mentions of her in the true bibles.

"Wait, that not right, Lucifer didn't- ahg!" Jay cried out, as a sudden migraine swept through her. "What the fuck? For real, am I in a book, 'cause this is feeling like one to me."

She shook her head and decided to pursue this later.

Then next few weeks were rather chaotic, filled with half babysitting Bobby and making food, finally, the day of the lecture had arrived.

Bobby just dropped her outside, because, well, FBI.

"I am not on the FBI most wanted list, I am not on the FBI most wanted list, I am not on the FBI most wanted list, I am now hoping no one is hearing me because that sounds really sus-" "Hi, are you hear for the lecture?" "Why yes I am, and no, I totally was not talking to myself!" "It's fine. We all do it."

Jay thanked the secretary and made her way to the lecture hall.

She took her seat in the second row, heart racing from pure excitement. The lecture was being done by SSA Spencer Reid, SSA Derek Morgan, SSA Jason Gideon, SSA Elle Greenaway, SSA Jennifer Jareau and SSA Aaron Hotchner. The BAU. Her dream.

The six of them walked in and a hush fell over the room.

"Hello students, as I'm sure you are aware, I am SSA Aaron Hotchner, this is my team Doctor Spencer Reid, SSA Derek Morgan, SSA Jason Gideon, SSA Elle Greenaway and SSA Jennifer Jareau. SSA Penelope Garcia could not make it today. Reid?"

"Um, yes, hello. I'm Doctor Reid-" "You look to young to be a doctor, how old are you?" "And too skinny to be and agent!" 

He looked slightly disheartened, and his unit chief looked pissed, so I spoke up, which probably wasn't good idea, but hey, who cares?

"Age doesn't always matter, and if any of you had read any reports to do with Doctor Reid, you would know that he was a child prodigy, graduating high school at age 12, and university with Ph. D.s in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Engineering and B.A.s in Psychology and Sociology. Also, how someone looks is not a representation of their physical prowess. I'm five foot nothing and have been compared with a twig sometimes, yet can knock people twice my height and build out with a single punch and can shoot a bulls eye at 60 feet. Just because someone looks a certain way doesn't mean that they're not actually something else."

Hotchner raised his eyebrow and Reid glanced in my direction in appreciation.

"What's your name?" The unit chief asked. "Jaylin Campbell, though every one calls me Jay." I had enrolled in my mother's middle name just in case the Winchesters got on the most wanted list. Hey, you never know!

"Well Miss Campbell-" "Please call me Jay, I am not the biggest fan of my family." Well, no lie there. "Well, Miss... Jay, impressive dedication to your research, and you are correct about Doctor Reid, well done."

The lecture continued with little to no more interruptions, but Jay did notice at least one of the agents had their eye on her the entire time.

At the end, she went outside, but Bobby was going to be a bit, so she relaxed on a bench, rubbing her eyes as this had been the first moment of relaxation she had had in a while.

"Miss. Jay." Her head shot up. "Oh, hello agents!" she said, surprised that they were there. "What can I help you with?" "You said during the lecture that how someone looked was not a representation of their physical prowess, and used yourself as an example, is it possible for you to give a demonstration?"

"So, you want me to fight one of your agents." "Yes." "Which one?" "Damn, look at that pretty boy! Not even a moments hesitation!" "Shut up Morgan! And she's right, a study concluded that women who look meeker-" "Are actually hiding great amounts of strength." 

Agent Morgan jerked his head towards Jay. "Great, there's two of them. Hotch, please can we not hire her? I don't want another genius on the team!"

She furrowed her brow. "I'm unsure whether to be complemented or offended. Anyway, which one do you want me to fight?" "Agent Morgan."

She sized up the larger man, who glanced at Hotch, before throwing a punch, which was grabbed and used to flip him onto his back. "You're used to dumb opponents. I am not."

"Change of heart Hotch. Can we keep her?"

Jay heard Bobby honking. "Sorry, no can do. I barely was able to come in for the lecture, I'm constantly bouncing from place to place with my brothers, so I take most of my classes online. I probably wouldn't be able to do the academy." "Oh, are you nomads?" "Erm, kind of? Right now we're looking for our dad, who probably just got drunk and ran off somewhere and we'll find him in a month, or he's dead and we'll find his body in a couple years." "I thought you weren't close with your family." "Me and my brothers are kind of close, but my dad..." She drifts off. "We were never on the best of terms."

"And your mother?" She snorts. "Profilers really do catch everything." "That's not an answer." "Well mister boss man, she died when I was a week old, leaving me with a father who gets drunk and hates my guts and two brothers who prefer to bury all they feel until it comes up in a violent explosion. That a good answer?"

He looked slightly shocked, but hid that quickly.

"Any more questions? 'Cause my ride's here."

On the drive back she thought about the encounter.

"Bobby, we have to keep the boys off the most wanted list. I really don't want to go up against those guys."

[eleganttragedybluebird]

Jealous!Jealous!Jealous girl!

Jealous! Toxic! Yn x Kamisato Ayato

No proofread :(

Summary: You love Ayato so much. Feeling so much anger is better than not feeling anything when the man you treasure so much lie to you right?

Content warnings : yn is very very very toxic. Self harm. (You hurt yourself to guilt trip ayato) . Violence, you get so angry you littraly want to kill Ayato. This relationship is really toxic, if you encounter something similar please leave immediately.[Please do tell me if i missed anything]

Wordcount: 1.05k

How dare you how dare you how dare you! After everything we’ve been through together. I can feel my palms bleeding from bawling my fist and my long nails pressing hard into my skin. My nude pink lipstick, staining my teeth from biting my lip so hard. I called you so I could pass you your lunch and yet I see you happily chatting with your ex? You told me you lost contact with your past “friends”. YOU TOLD ME YOU TOLD ME.

I take a deep breath, feeling that my lungs are about to collapse from sheer anger. And I go up to you, the short look of fear does not escape my sight. “Hey sweets, where were you I was looking all over for you,” I said, making sure my smile was relaxed. No matter how angry I am, I can't make a scene here, if I show that my facial muscles are so tense, and yet I'm smiling so brightly, both can tell I'm lying. “Ah... YN this is redacted, and this is my girlfriend YN” “Aww! You're so pretty! I want to coddle you up” whatever that woman's name was “No no..” I said looking down and using my hair to cover my face, emanating bashfulness when the rouge on my cheeks isn't from bashfulness, but from sheer rage.”I should be going now, there is a lot of housework yet to be done. Goodbye now, hopes of meeting you again” I say softly holding her hands, “An angel” I hear her say as I leave without glancing at Ayato. He knows he’s fucked up.

I’ve worked so hard to be with you. I've lost weight, I started dressing up, and learned how to cook and you do this shit to me? All the praise you've accumulated up until now is because of me! Men envy you because you have a cute girlfriend that's loyal, cooks for you, and is there for you in any need. And it's still not enough for you Kamisato Ayato? Do you think I don’t hear those snarky remarks about you and your ex to your friends? But seeing you being so friendly with her makes my blood boil. I feel so resentful every time I see your face. Why couldn't I be your first? You had to be such a slut and be with another woman. And the worst part, you lied about it. YOU LIED YOU LIED YOU LIED. The anger I feel is not towards that woman but towards you. I’d gutting you would appease my anger than gutting her. I believe it's a pride thing, I’d be caught dead before you see me jealous of another woman.

I hear the door open quietly, you calling me all so sweetly assuming if he does not bring the up topic I won't get angry. “Whos that lady? I've never met her before.” I see you gulp almost cartoonishly. This shits funny to you? “A friend, a long time one” I hum in response. “Dinner will be done soon. Rest up honey” flashing you a calm serene smile. I see the look of relief slowly creep up your face, but not for fucking long.

“Sweets! Dinner is ready” I call out to you, I see you descend the stairs. I hate you, I hate you oh I hate you. But oh… cara mia. Look at you, I would die for you, I would kill for you, either way, what a bliss. How many women would share this devotion towards you? None I tell you, none. I say in my head as I set the table. We both sit down, then I say “Why did you lie?’ “huh?” “Have you gon deaf? I said why did you lie?” “I have no idea what you're talking about sweets” I can see the fear in your eyes, but I don't give a shit. I thrash the dining table “ WHY DID YOU LIE WHY DID YOU LIE WHY DID YOU LIE WHY DID YOU LIE! YOU FUCKING LIAR! I KNOW DAAM WELL SHE’S YOUR FUCKING LYING TO ME KAMISATO AYATO.”  I began pulling my hair and I see you approaching me and grabbing my shoulders “I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry I lied. I just wanted to make you happy…” “Oh, you're sorry? YOUR SORRY YOUR SORRY YOUR SORRY! EAT SHIT. AM I A JOKE TO YOU? AM I A FUCKING JOKE?” “No, please! I'm sorry I'm sorry! Please! You can hit me, just stop hurting yourself!” “SHUT THE FUCK UP! YOU LIAR YOU LIAR! I DESPISE YOU! I ABSOLUTELY LOATHE YOU! I WISH WE NEVER MET” you try to remove my arms so I purposely grab your wrist, letting the blood from my nail-cut palms stain your white sleeves. You are terrified, and you blame yourself this is all your fault. You made me lose my mind. “I SHOULD JUST DROP FUCKING DEAD RIGHT NOW! ID RATHER BE DEAD THAN LOOK AT YOU, YOU DISGUST ME YOU DISGUST ME” now, that really broke him. No fight has hurt him that much before. He loves you so much, and he's the reason why you want to kill yourself? He's always dreamt about having a family with you and he never imagined, even if he wants to be with you so much, he wants you alive even more. “It's over, I hurt you too much. You can never forgive me.” Break up? HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHA. Ayato you dumb cunt, breaking up means that I can't hurt you the way you hurt me. “No.” “N…no?” “No, I hate you so much now. But I’ll forgive you eventually” i say smiling as if my lipstick isn't smudging, my palms bloody, and my hair a mess. I open my arms signaling to be embraced by my lover. You hug me gently as if you’ll crush me if you hug any tighter. “I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm the worst, ill never lie to you again. I’ll cut them off if it makes you happy.” I sigh as my hands run through your hair. “Oh, I’ll be happy alright, happy that one day I will hurt you as much as you’ve hurt me now. Get ready for it, I hope it rings every time im with someone. I hope you're worried every second of the day that I might cheat on you to make it even between us, and even after that. I will never let you go.”

[saythemagicword]

PIERCING THROUGH THE SHADOW OF FAITH

Part v (Final Part)

It's been two weeks since I found out that my husband was cheating on me. Since then, it's just been me, Quiana, and my 11 week-old unborn baby. I've been going to my check-ups alone, and running errands by myself. Well, it's better, at least. I mean, why would he go with me? That trash chose to sleep with someone else; my bestfriend to be specific. So why would he choose to accompany me and his babies?

Where was he if you may ask? I don't know, probably with his new dear. He has been sending me text messages but I never spared a second to look what it says. My daughter and I were staying at our house, but we've been sleeping in her room. I can't bear to enter the room that shattered my dreams. Just seeing that door makes me recall how the end of the line was drawn. And I especially won't be able to lie in the matress that erased all the love we have shared. It's like a scene that keeps playing in my head as if I was there the whole time.

Regarding our business, I haven't been to our company since it happened. I can't stand the sight of him. You may think I could just fire him, but I chose not to. I...can't. I can't do that to the father of my kids. I don't think I could ever go to work with the thought of him not being around anymore. As much as how painful it was, there's something inside me that still wants to see him...that still wants him. I can't do that to the man I once loved, or the man I love.

While Quiana's asleep, I used my phone for a bit to distract myself from the hurtful reality. But then, I received a text message while I was scrolling through my screen, which made me accidentally open the message that goes exactly like this:

My Love

Tuesday, 5:57am: Good Morning, my love! I just want you to know that I am very sorry. Talk to me, please? I love you!

Tuesday, 11:03am: Babyyyy??? Please?

Tuesday, 3:18pm: My dear? Talk to me, will you?

Tuesday, 9:35pm: Please? I wanna see Quiana...hmm?

Wednesday, 12:42am: I miss you both..

Thursday, 1:49am: I miss you three..

Thursday, 7:02pm: Still no replies? C'mon Diana, I'm trying... Why are you so hard to please? You're not the only one who made the baby.

Today, 10:31am: Open the door. Now.

What? I was confused as hell, then I heard a bang at the door.

"Diana, open the door!" he roared as he banged our front door. I immediately went downstairs to shush him up because my daughter was sleeping. The moment I opened the door, my body got wrapped by the playful touch of faith. He immediately gushed in the door and hugged me; I almost got suffocated by his tight grip, as always. "I'm sorry..." he mumbled.

PAK!

I slapped him once again. He then touched his now-red left cheek. "How dare you come here like that? After all you did?!" I infuriatedly stated. I can feel the tears forming in my eyes, which, eventually lead to crying. I can't help but cry while arguing with the cheater. "Let me explain, just this once" he insisted.

"Okay! Tell me. Tell me everything. But. All you have to say are the answers for the questions I am going to ask." I said. "Fine, if that's the way I can talk to you. Ask me anything." he replied.

"How long has this been going on?" I asked. But he suddenly fell deaf and mute. "How long has this been going on? Avijandro Dominique Luna! For the last time, how long has this been going on?!!" I shouted in pain.

"Two years." he said.

What he had stated made me rethink everything that happened in our marriage.

"You scare me...you fucking scare me, Dominique! I don't know for the life of me which among the things you told me are true! You fucking scare me... two years? We're almost four years married. We shared love together, had kids together, and you still did that? I gave you everything. I gave you my body, my life, my soul, but...but you still chose someone else. And you know what scares me the most? The fact that you can make me feel loved with all your flowery words and considerate actions while having an affair with someone else." I poured my heart out. But before he could say anything else, we both got shocked by what happened.

"My baby..." I murmured. I saw how blood ran through my legs as I fell down in shock. I suddenly can't move. I quickly touched my bump. "It's all your fucking fault!" I blamed him. "I'm sorry.. I'm sorry, love. I'm sorry, dear. I'm sorry... It's not my intention.. I'm sorry, baby." he defended.

After that, we heard a cry. It was my baby Quiana, who seemed to be awakened by the argumentation between her parents.

"Just stay there, I'm gonna get her." said the trash.

After a minute, he came back carrying our daughter who now stopped crying. It seemed like she missed her father's presence.

Dominique kissed our daughter's forehead and flashed a worried smile. He then pulled something from his pocket and...

My world shattered in pieces. I saw my daughter snuggling on her father's arms, with a slit on her throat, lifeless. She bathed in her own blood. "You evil piece of shit! Why did you kill your daughter?!" I cried, the blood still flowing down my legs. "I'm sorry honey, I'm really sorry." he said as he slowly walked towards me. I was trembling in fear. Before I could do anything, he...

"Why...?" I murmed. I can feel how my strength was slowly decreasing as I lie on the floor. He stabbed me seven times, right exactly where my baby bump was. Dominque then placed our now lifeless daughter above my body. When I was about to close my eyes, I heard a loud thud.

He fell on the floor, beside me, with a knife on his chest.

"I-I'm sorry...my dear. I'm s-sorry I had to do this." He muttered and smiled. "I really lived up to my words, didn't I? Remember what I said on our wedding day? Side by side, we'll live together, we'll die together."

----------The End----------

[ardenla]

The circus

I short horror story I wrote:)

Word count: 1841

TW:

Once every year there is a circus in the town I live in, for the rest of the year nothing special really happens. But that is not the only reason why so many are anxious about its arrival.

I don't know everything about it, but even so it is a bit of a strange circus. It is a mandatory one and there is another strange rule: Those that have not seen it are not allowed to watch.

So basically a lot of people sit together with their eyes closed, listing to sounds that will make you want to open your eyes. This makes it very challenging for most, especially when you are not allowed to cover your eyes in any way either.

Luckily, I am one of those that have not found it difficult, in all the years I have lived here I have not once broken any of its strange rules.

"Lynn, I am so terribly worried about him." Says Jenny as she tries to hide her trembling hands.

"Jenny, really, don't worry. His dad will be with him, right? And Sammy is a pretty smart kid."

She shakes her head: "Even so, he is still just four years old and not all kids are like you when you were younger... and how you still are." Was it just me or did I sense a small hint of disappointment in me? Maybe annoyance?

For most people it is difficult to go without looking and Jenny was rather young when she saw it for the first time.

It happened during the last year of middle school. Jenny and a group of her friends had freely decided to keep their eyes open during the show. She used to be quite the daredevil, throughout the village she was also known as 'Jenny the brave'. Now it is just a silly nickname, since she lost all that bravery that day.

Before that day, we weren't friends yet, we were just classmates.

On that day she went with five others, the bravest of middle school, but eventually also the most stupid. For as far as I know has no one ever tried that before.

I still remember the day after, like it was yesterday, all of them were absent. The teacher told us what happened and that they had gotten sick with nightmares, that's how bad it was.

"You probably have to be the oldest one here that still hasn't seen it!" Jenny says taking me back to the here and now.

I laugh: "Nah, no way. I bet there are still some of the elderly that haven't seen it."

"27, you're getting pretty close."

"Jen, we are the same age!" I laugh loudly.

Then Jenny lets out a shaking sigh.

"Jenny, really it will all be alright. Let's go do something fun together soon, oh maybe we could go apple picking again. It is almost time for those, Right?

"Okay, okay, you're right, but apple picking season will start next month. But I would love to have a game night again at your place. You have collected a lot and John has been wanting to play those again for a while."

"Alright, game night it is!"

Proud of myself for being able to help my friend. I say my goodbyes and leave her café.

In the distance I can already hear the circus music, as I squint my eyes, I can see the people that have worked there the previous years.

They are all very old and very thin, I wonder if they ever get something to eat.

Unlike the crowds for a normal circus, most people here are anxious. Parents telling their kids to behave and some of them even scaring them, all just to make sure that they won't look.

"Sam! Sammy!" I suddenly hear someone call out from the crowd.

I recognize him immediately, it is Jenny's husband and Sammy's father, John."

"Hey John, is everything alright?"

He shakes his head wildly: "No, no, not in the least! I lost Sam, if you hadn't already noticed?!" He answers panicked and angry that I even dared to ask such a stupid question.

"I will help you look." I offer.

John is a bit of an ass, but I do really care about Sammy's safety. I don't want the poor little kid to be traumatized or get sick of nightmares.

"Caitlynn, you have to tell me when you find him, immediately!" He demands.

I nod and walk the other way, wondering about how Jenny and John ever got married.

The circus tent is already very old, ancient even, as some have said. But still as sturdy as ever. Just beneath one of the peaks there is this creepy grey face, it always moves. Looking at people that enter or even just pass by. I have no idea what it is made of, but most likely some type of leather. Some old mechanism must be the thing that makes its eyes move, it looks rather creepy. Especially if it is the first time seeing it, by now I've gotten used to it.

At the circus you can buy food, but I've never seen anyone there. This entire event feels more like a funeral than something that is supposed to be fun.

Another strange thing about this entire event, is that it always seems to have just enough places to sit as the amount of people that live in this village. Which means that if there is an empty place, someone isn't here.

I don't know anyone who hasn't come each and every year though.

I decide that the best way to find Sammy is to maybe ask some of the employees of the circus and maybe for them to let everyone know about his disappearance.

As one of the employees walks past me, I quickly tap her on her shoulder to get her attention.

The older lady turns to me looking at me with her dark eyes and a face that is so thin, it almost looks like a skull.

I tell her what is going on and her face seems to show something like fear.

"Oh no, we need to do something before it begins!"

"Isn't there a way to delay the show for a bit?" I ask carefully, I know that we still have some time, but it would be a good second option if we can't find him before it runs out.

"No, no, I'm so sorry. It has to start at 12 o'clock straight, bad things will happen if we don't." She seems to be more panicked than me, so I put a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. "It will probably be fine, Sammy is a smart kid. So maybe if you could tell others to help the search, we can cover more ground quickly."

"Yes, Yes, I will ask all of my colleagues if they have seen him, what does he look like?"

"He is 4, has blond hair and wears his favorite dino shirt today. It's blue with green."

She nods and runs off faster than I expected of someone as old and thin as her. I couldn't even thank her.

I can see the lady talk to each of her colleagues with quick hand gestures, then one of them runs inside to come out with a megaphone.

As I want to continue John walks up to me: "Ah hey John, did you already find-"

"WHY THE HELL DID YOU ASKED THOSE FREAKS FOR HELP?!" He shouts at me: "You SAID that YOU were going to help and NOT to make Everyone think that I am a BAD FATHER! ASK BEFORE YOU PULL STUPID SHIT LIKE THIS!!!"

What a jerk...

Calmly I answer him: "Well, we will find him a lot quicker now.", But this only seems to anger him more.

"HOW the HELL can you be this CALM?! YOU REALLY DON'T CARE!"

I look at his red angry face, I am not afraid of his tantrums.

"We will find him and nothing bad is going to happen, bad things have never happened before anyway."

His face goes quickly from red to pale: "You really believe that... There is something seriously wrong with you..."

Then out of the corner of my eye, I see a little blond kid enter the tent.

"Well John, shout all you want, but I will continue to look." I run to the tent were I thought that I possibly saw Sammy.

As I enter the tent, I am greeted by a seemingly endless hallway.

"Sammy?" I call out.

No answer.

I take my phone out of my pocket and turn on the flashlight.

Now the hallway is filled with the bright white light.

I can see doors on my left and right, all of them look very old.

The bit of paint still remaining on the doors is peeling off.

The smell of damp and dust almost makes it unbreathable.

Quietly I walk, listening for any sound.

Then somewhere in the middle of the hallway I can hear whispering from one of the rooms.

I open the door and shine my flashlight inside.

Finally!

I see Sammy standing, next to what seems like a skeleton with too many arms and heads.

"Hey, Sammy! I was looking all over for you."

No answer.

"Sammy, c'mon, we gotta go."

Again silence, he hasn't even turned his face to me.

I sigh and step into the room, as I walk towards Sammy, I suddenly hear something moving.

Quickly I turn around to see what it is, has the skeleton moved?

Nah, that's impossible.

"Sam, your dad is worried about you."

But again Sammy seems to be ignoring me.

I place my hand on his shoulder: "SAM! Are you listening?"

And then he finally moves, shocked he looks at my face. So he hadn't noticed me before?

"Sam, we have to leave!"

The little kid before me starts tearing up quietly and wraps his tiny hands around my knees.

"Were you scared, Sammy?"

He nods while I gently pick him up.

"Let's go to your dad. Oh and promise me to keep your eyes shut. I will tell you when you can open them again, okay?"

"Yes, auntie." He says with fear and tears in his soft voice.

As I quickly leave to go to the place we have to be, I can hear whispering and something moving around following us.

"And then we found him again, there is really nothing to worry about."

"Why don't you understand?!" Jenny suddenly screams after me when I finished my story, her eyes red from tears and anger.

Tired of people shouting at me, I answer rather insensitively: "Why are you all so worried, nothing bad has ever happened around here! That circus is just a silly little thing to scare kids! As long as we just follow the rules, we are safe."

"Silly little thing?! You don't understand because you haven't seen it! You are just blind!"

I still don't understand the problem.

"Don't you remember the last year of middle school, when a whole family went missing!"

"I have never heard of anyone going missing."

"The group I was with existed out of a group of 6."

"6? Oliver, Amy, John, Mary and you. Who am I missing?

"Jerry, remember..."

Her voice sounds hesitant.

"I'm sorry, who?"

Shocked about my answer, Jenny stares at me with fear filled eyes.

"Y-you two have always been best friends... how?"

[shibainu2006]

You're not alone

This is that idea I got! I can't go without writing it!

Author's note: I had way too much fun with this.. I hope you guys enjoy it!

Honorable mentions

@killersweetie

@vtoriacore

@vtoriacore-rbs

@atcordare

@the-dumber-scaramouche

@eccedentesiast-sapphic

All the cheating... Harming others... It was mind-boggling to her.

The prefect didn't understand the purpose.

Savanaclaw had finally been caught red-handed, and now she and her friends faced the housewarden and his boot lickers.

He'd given up so quickly that it felt almost too easy...

Her dreams were certainly enough to tell her this wouldn't end so cleanly.

Was she a prophet? No.

Despite that, she was still shown just who would be a problem next. Or at least what dorm.

Everyone in this school was such a nuisance...

Savanaclaw had done nothing but waste her time and energy.

All this over one stupid sport... Such sore losers...

Not even a solid hour in, he was saying all kinds of unjust things to the people who willingly helped him! Believed in him!

The very people who practically worshipped him!

"For all the talk about 'the world watching,' this is still just schoolkids playin' a game." Leona spoke with so much apathy that it made Reign's stomach churn....

"All you wide-eyed tenderfoots talkin' about your dreams... Pfft. The whole thing amused me, so I threw you a bone. That's all this was."

How dare he...

"What do you mean? What happened to working together to turn the world upside down?" Ruggie was in disbelief...

"Are you seriously still goin' on about that? All right, fine. You wanna hear the truth?" The housewarden's expression turned to an unkind one. It was never kind to begin with, but it worsened...

"You're a hyena who grew up in a dump, and I'm a secondborn prince who won't ever be king. And there is NO turning that around!"

Ruggie obviously had qualms with those words, and spoke against them quickly, "What? You gotta be kidding me! What is this? You can't just quit after we've come this far!"

Another student spoke up, "You can't do this to us, boss!"

Why did they bother with him at this point? It made no sense...

"You're gonna play, even if we gotta drag you there kicking and screaming!" Another exclaimed.

Leona was only getting irritated...

"Bah, I'm so sick of this nonsense. Shut UP, you nobodies!"

Dust kicked up, almost as though a sandstorm was brewing..

Leona had gripped Ruggie's arm, and the skin began to crack...

A pained noise erupted from his throat, but it was choked out and dry...

"Everything the housewarden touched is turning to sand?!" Jack was visibly concerned for the wellbeing of Ruggie.

"That'd be my signature spell. The King's Roar." Leona spoke in a sinister tone... "Ironic, isn't it? Nothin' the savanna hates more than a drought." His grip on Ruggie tightened..

"Yet its prince's magic desiccates everything—reduces it to sand."

"B-boss... It hurts...!" The hyena managed to speak.

Reign was getting close to losing her temper...

Deuce's eyes widened, "Ruggie's arm! The skin is cracking!"

"Your spell can legit dry out a HUMAN BEING!?" Ace was in awe, but he was scared.

Seemed like Riddle had just about enough, "Leona, I cannot allow this to continue! Off With Your Head!"

Instead of his collar stopping Leona... it bounced off.

"Myah!? Riddle's collar bounced right off!" Grim exclaimed, clearly surprised.

Leona gave a dark chuckle, "Maybe you're some kinda prodigy, kid, but don't go thinkin' you're smarter than your elders. I aced my Protective Magic classes in my sleep."

Riddle gritted his teeth at those words...

The lion barked out a laugh, "Hah! How do you like that, Ruggie? Does it hurt? Is your mouth too dry to keep licking my boots? That was your finest talent, too."

Jack was almost shaking...

"If we don't stop him, Ruggie's gonna..."

Reign exhaled, stepping forward, "I've seen and heard just. About. Enough from you..." She was fuming..

"Hah? And what can a magicless herbivore like you do?" Leona glared at her, "Since the day we met, you've done nothing but challenge my authority..."

"I ain't scared of some wannabe king who can't even get his act together!" Reign spoke firmly, "You're nothin', but a coward in my eyes!"

Leona glared at her, and they locked eyes, neither backing down for even a second...

Riddle spoke once more, "I don't get it! If you have that much power, why do this?!"

Leona chuckled at his question, "Why? What do you care, kid? You gonna scold me? Try to talk me down?" Leona spoke grimly, "Don't you get it? Power alone ain't enough to make waves in this world. Look at Ruggie here. He's like a muzzled dog. Pathetic, ain't it? Hard not to pity him."

Ruggie was choked up, already struggling to stay alive.

Jack finally had enough, "That's enough! Unleash the beast!!" He cried, and his form shifted into that of a wolf.

Everyone was startled by this!

Even Leona, who had completely lost focus.

Riddle saw this as an opportunity, "Off with your head!!"

Now, Leona's magic could do no harm.

Deuce got Ruggie away from Leona, now at a safe distance.

Sebek and Silver got the wounded out of the stadium.

Leona was fuming now, "No... NO! You can't collar a lion! And Jack! How did you... Transformation potions are forbidden! Where did you get that?"

"I didn't use a potion—that's my signature spell." Jack explained, "With it, I can transform myself into a wolf."

"Ha! What's that saying? Every dog has his day? Well, I guess you had yours!"

Reign glared into Leona's very soul.

Listening to him speak was becoming irritating...

"Housewarden Leona, I want you to know... I only came to this school because of how much I admired you! What happened to the man you used to be?" Jack questioned him.

"Shut up... Your dreams got nothin' to do with me!" Leona snapped.

Riddle took a moment to try and defuse the situation, "I understand the irony of me being the one to say it, but it pains me to see you like this. You'd be wise to confine yourself to your room and try to calm down!"

Leona glowered at him, "What do you know about how I feel?!"

Lilia stepped up, having a grin on his face, "Would that the lion king of the savanna could witness this absolute farce." He started, "No, if you ask me, the collar suits you far better than a crown ever could."

He was being far nicer than Reign planned to be...

"Huh!?" Leona was still holding onto his pride, but a few more words... that would be all it took...

"You may bemoan the fact that you're not higher in line to be king. But with that sensitive ego of yours? That so quickly directs all your petty anger at your retainers..." He continued, "Well, the idea of you ever contending with a REAL king like our Malleus—is absolutely laughable. Even if you COULD defeat Malleus, so long as that's how you choose to conduct yourself? You would never be fit to rule!"

And with that... Leona began to laugh...

"Hah... Ha ha. Yeah, you're probably right. No, you're EXACTLY right...! Ha ha ha ha! I will never become king. No matter how hard I try!"

Reign could sense the bad vibes leaking right off the lion... Another overblot...

"Myah! My fur's standin' on end!" Grim felt his fur bristle.

"The magic power within Leona is surging... I don't think my collar can hold it!"

Lilia had come to a realization, "No... that isn't magic power." He said, "That's negative energy. Which means..."

Reign's brows furrowed, "Fuck..."

"EVERYBODY GET DOWN!!" Cater exclaimed.

Riddle's collar was sent flying through the air.

Leona was so deep in anguish and rage...

"I've been loathed since the day I was born. I've never had a place, never had a future! None of my hard work is ever rewarded! How could any of YOU possibly understand? MY disappointment?! MY pain?!"

Upon hearing those words, Reign felt a sting in her heart.

Suddenly, Leona was nothing but a mirror to her...

She knew...

She understood...

All that pent up aggression.. All that saddness...

He was hurting, and now she could see it clearly.

Her inner empath took effect, and suddenly, she could feel his very heart.. How tainted and damaged it had been..

How unfair life had been to him, just as it had been to her.

Leona let out a powerful roar, striking fear into the hearts of many..

It was time to fight.

Reign stood tall, fully willing to take him on herself if need be.

A few words were exchanged, and the battle began.

.

.

.

Almost halfway in, Reign had suffered quite a few injuries, almost more than the others.

He was targeting her... Almost as though to be punishing her for her insolence... Punishing her for challenging him the way she always had.

Of course, she didn't care for that, until he came right for her, gripping her forearm.

The others were too focused on the blot monster to realize that she'd been grabbed.

Reign stiffened, shuddering.

Was this the end?

She closed her eyes, visibly afraid, but she didn't feel any pain aside from his tight grip on her arm.

"Where's all that fire from before...? Lost your nerve?" Leona chuckled darkly.

Reign opened her eyes, looking directly into his..

"You're hurting... aren't you?"

That was all she said. There was no anger on her face... Only sympathy.

Leona growled, "What are you talking about?"

"I know how it feels... To not be accepted by everyone around you.. I know it hurts to be beat down like that..." She didn't bother fighting against him.

The lion gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on her, digging his claws into her arm, making her wince, "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW!? YOU AND I ARE NOTHING ALIKE IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING!!" He roared out, "I AM THE LOATHED SECOND PRINCE! WHAT COULD YOU POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND!?"

"I can understand plenty!" Reign spoke firmly, "I went through similar! I know damn well how it feels!" She was genuine in her words.

"You don't feel like you're good enough, and you've spent your whole life trying to impress just for one goal! I know what that's like!" She told him.

Leona clenched his jaw, "YOU KNOW NOTHING!!"

He threw her down to the ground, and she yelped.

She had no stamina left to continue to fight...

The pain in her body was becoming too much for her.

Leona stood over her weak form, "I'm going to kill you... then I'll turn the rest of this pointless world to sand... If I can't rule it.. then I'll destroy it."

He reached for her, gold magic swirling in his hand.

Seeing this, adrenaline rushed through Reign's body, and she gripped his wrist, kicking him in the stomach with a powerful leg, knocking the wind out of him.

The magic in his hand faded, and she pulled him down to the ground, pinning his hands behind his back and digging her knee right into his back.

"I refuse... To die here..." She panted.

Leona growled, struggling to get her off.

His head hit the ground pretty hard, and he could feel pain in his body.

The blot was getting to be too much.

She wouldn't budge, but she felt her body giving out...

She was exhausted..

Reign fell over on her side, panting.

That was the last bit of energy she had...

Leona sat up, "You... I commend your bravery... but now it's over..."

Before he could even do anything to her, he was hit hard by a wolf.

Jack had saved her life!

Leona seemed pretty out of it, too...

Slowly, the blot monster disappeared, and Leona fell to his knees,"I just.. wanted to be king..."

And with that... the battle had finished.

Finally.

.

.

.

.

.

It had been weeks since Leona's overblot, and Reign had gotten the proper rest needed.

Her arm was pretty messed up, so it was bandaged.

She wandered into the botanical garden, holding her sketchbook, searching for the perfect thing to draw.

Reign felt something under her foot, and a familiar growl.

Oh... not again...

She sighed, lifting her foot to see the same tail she'd stepped on a month ago.

Leona sat up, "You again..?"

"Sorry..." Reign huffed, knowing he'd probably wanna pick a fight.

"You gotta watch where you're going..." Leona sighed, lying back down.

The prefect was surprised, but she didn't question him, walking off.

Leona thought back on her words...

"Hey.."

Reign turned, looking at Leona, "Yes?"

"When you said... that you understood me... What exactly did you mean by that..?"

She smiled a bit, "I meant just what I said... Nothing more, nothing less. You're not alone in this world... That much, I can promise you."

Leona sucked in a quiet breath at her words.

He wasn't alone...

Someone finally understood him...

Just like that, Reign made her way further into the gardens, humming to herself.

Maybe the prefect wasn't so bad after all...

The end!

[ladyartemesia]

TEASER: Kim Seokjin and the Mean Omega

Pairing: Nerd Alpha Kim Seokjin x Popular Omega Reader

Genre: A/B/O • Enemies to Lovers • (Sorta) College AU • Best Friend's Brother AU (Who is surprised? No one?)

Teaser Word Count: 3.6K

Teaser Warnings: A/B/O sexual dynamics • suggestive content

Rating: Explicit (18+) (Teaser is PG-13)

Summary: In the modern world, alphas are almost unheard of so why even bother learning about them? After all, as a spoiled (but reasonably kind-hearted) omega who is used to getting whatever she wants, you have better things to do. However, when unexpected circumstances throw you in the path of (extremely) nerdy and (probably?) shy Kim Seokjin, you're shocked to discover that he won't be wrapped around your little finger as easily as all the rest. Bringing that infuriating geek to his knees quickly becomes your personal mission in life... But it turns out that Kim Seokjin is not what he appears to be and the mean omega who eats beta boys for breakfast is about to get way more than she bargained for...

Author’s Note: This story would not be here without the love, support and friendship of my incredible support system. You talk with me, you laugh with me, you listen when I’m crying, and you read my chaotic drafts when I am ready to pull my hair out of my head in frustration. I love you all. @ppersonna @xjoonchildx @untaemedqueen @lemonjoonah. ALSO thank you to each and every one of you who encouraged me to post this story. This fic is dedicated to all of you as a token of my love and appreciation. Your support keeps me writing. Never doubt that for a second.

“...due to discriminatory anti-alpha policies in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, alphas were nearly eliminated from the general population…”

You heaved a weary sigh and rolled your shoulders—stretching the buttons of your high-end Oxford shirt to their limit. The beta sophomore to your right whined audibly and you smirked.

“...despite efforts to restore the genetic balance of designations, alphas currently comprise less than one percent of the population…”

Your back arched slightly as you crossed your legs, letting the absurdly short hem of your skirt ride up even higher. The poor boy you were tormenting shifted miserably in his seat.

How was he supposed to focus on a Human Biology and Designation Studies lecture when the living breathing embodiment of every sweaty undergrad’s fantasies was twisting her fingers in her hair and wrapping her pretty pink tongue around a strawberry lollipop right there in the middle of class?

“...unlike betas and omegas, alphas possess enhanced strength and the ability to compel other designations with their voice. Unmated alphas especially were often baselessly feared and distrusted...”

You knew exactly how you affected boys like him. You were a shameless tease who relished their attention and the power it brought you. Who needed drugs when driving a man mad with desire was a rush more potent than any high?

“...and that’s all for today so please read pages 450-466 in the text over break and remember to turn in your essay on scent and consent in intimacy—”

That poor sophomore looked like he had finally worked up the courage to speak to you, but you were already out the door and tearing down the hall toward your beautiful (and entirely platonic) counterpart, Kim Taehyung.

“Do you think Professor Moore is unaware that class is over at 3:25 or is he just torturing us for science?”

Taehyung shrugged, falling into step beside you with practiced ease.

“I mean I would torture you for free so it’s hard to say.”

The corner of your mouth quirked up at his characteristic dry humor, but the irritation at being held in that sweltering lecture hall for an extra ten minutes had frayed your temper.

“It’s the last class before spring break, I’m sure he was on some sort of twisted power trip.” You dug around in your purse for some chapstick, ignoring Tae’s amused snorting, “Alphas barely exist anymore and none of us are likely to meet one. Why bother learning what they can do?”

Taehyung tilted his head in amusement.

“You might be surprised.”

The final party before the beginning of spring break was always a laid back affair.

Many people had already caught planes to their various destinations, but your flight was scheduled for early tomorrow morning—leaving you with some time to kill.

Taehyung pressed his newest experimental concoction into your hand within minutes of entering the house (a surprisingly neat bachelor pad owned by two seniors, Jung Hoseok and Min Yoongi) and then darted back to the kitchen to craft more questionable alcohol potions like a deranged party warlock.

You had just found a comfortable place on the couch and were contemplating whether sampling your best friend’s mad scientist elixir would be worth the probable damage to your body when—

“H-Hello...”

It was that sophomore from your Designations Studies class. What was his name again? Jungwoo? Jinwook?

“Jungkook,” you smiled, delighted to have remembered before it became awkward. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

You motioned to the empty cushion next to you and the man in question scrambled over like he’d won the lottery.

“I—I know we don’t know each other well, but I noticed you were absent during Professor Moore’s lecture on intimacy and scent consent so I—” he blushed deeply, “I wrote the essay for you—and I brought a copy on my flash drive if-if you want it.”

Your heart melted immediately.

“Oh my gosh Jungkook, that is so sweet of you!”

Your gaze darted over his muscular form and thick brown curls.

Sweet indeed.

“I don’t want to miss out on the learning though,” you pouted, placing a hand on his tattooed bicep. “Can you explain it to me?”

Jungkook nodded vigorously even as his wide eyes fell to where your fingers were sliding slowly over his chest.

Scent consent was a pretty basic and universally known concept, but you really were touched by the handsome sophomore's consideration.

Why not give him (and yourself) a little reward?

“Um so basically if two people are involved in...intimate activities—”

You leaned forward to nip his ear lightly and he whimpered.

“Like this?” you asked innocently.

“Y-Yes. Like that.” He gulped. “In an intimate situation consent or refusal can be smelled. The scent of refusal or reluctance in intimacy is strong, unmistakable, and has a high chemical potency.”

“Is that so?” you drawled, sliding over onto his lap. Jungkook’s eyes rolled back into his head and you bit back a grin.

He was adorable.

“Uh-huh—it—oh my gawd,” (you were nibbling on his ear again) “it can immediately block sexual arousal and performance in the other partner. Meaning, if consent is not present, then it becomes difficult or—ahh” (his voice began to waver under your continued attention) “—or even impossible to continue with intimate acts.”

Your hand slid up to his cheek, bringing him closer till your lips were almost touching.

“Then what does it mean if I’m still so turned on right now?”

“It means,” Jungkook shuddered—nearly delirious with your scent, “that I really really want you.”

Across the room, Park Jimin chuckled as he watched you seduce his enthusiastic friend.

Jeon Jungkook was such a sweet kid.

Hopefully he wouldn’t get too attached.

“Wow... Some people are genuinely born blessed I suppose.”

Jimin turned to see Jung Hoseok eyeing the dimly lit corner where you and the eager young sophomore were exploring each other.

It was a rather...provocative spectacle. Not quite raunchy (you weren’t truly an exhibitionist)—just insanely sexy.

Jimin’s gaze lingered on the smooth curve of your thigh where Jeon Jungkook was currently holding on for dear life.

Lucky bastard.

“Ah you know how she is,” he sighed. “That boy isn’t going to get any farther than anyone else.”

It was relatively common knowledge that you liked to mess around but rarely—if ever— fully hooked up with anyone.

Jimin asked you about it once during a drunken game of truth or dare and you had just shrugged, mumbling something along the lines of avoiding STDs (which—to be fair—was at least part of your motivation), but the truth was a little more complicated than that.

In terms of experience, you weren’t a virgin, but... you hadn’t actually had sex in years.

You loved the chase, the foreplay, the build-up—the game of cat-and-mouse between two people who were attracted to one another.

But the final consummation was always so…

Wildly unfulfilling.

Every encounter left you frustrated. Empty.

Grumpy—even.

So you stopped bothering with it all together. (That was what sex toys were for after all.)

At the end of the day you were perfectly content being labeled a tease—it meant that people tended to know what they were (or rather weren’t) getting into when they rolled the dice with you.

Besides…it hadn’t even put a dent in your throng of admirers.

You were sunny, spoiled, indulgent, almost universally adored—

And you loved every minute of it.

“You know…” Hoseok took a long sip of his drink. “I always thought she would end up with Taehyung, but it’s been three years.”

Like you, Kim Taehyung was a trust fund brat and it was only natural that two beautiful and absurdly privileged people would gravitate to one another. You met at a freshman pledge party and had been an inseparable (and formidable) dynamic duo ever since.

The undisputed king and queen of campus.

Yes—maybe the two of you were a little self-absorbed at times, but it was hardly your fault that people tended to instinctively cater to the force of your combined looks, wealth, and charisma.

And it didn’t hurt that neither of you were ever intentionally cruel or unkind.

Just... habitually thoughtless.

(Though not when it came to each other. If anything your friendship was one area where you were both a little more human.)

Jimin shook his head.

“Nah that’s never gonna happen.” He tapped his nose. “They’re scent-crossed.”

Hoseok’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

Scent-crossed pairs didn’t smell sexually attractive to each other.

Like. At all.

No matter how physically or visually appealing an individual might be, it would be near impossible to form a sexual or romantic attachment to them if you were scent-crossed. Alphas, betas, and omegas were all subject to their noses first and foremost in the realm of attraction.

You and Taehyung smelled like comfort and home to one another...

But you were more turned on by a crisp cup of apple juice than you were his scent and the feeling was quite mutual.

He might as well have been your actual brother.

“That explains so much.” Hoseok snorted as he watched a drunken Taehyung do a flying leap on top of both you and Jungkook.

“Why is sunlight so offensive?” you croaked, dragging yourself and your luggage toward the boarding ramp next to an equally miserable Taehyung.

“The next time I book a flight before 9 AM, please shoot me,” he grunted.

Your parents were celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary with a month-long European cruise so your best friend had graciously invited you to spend two glorious weeks of spring vacation at his family estate.

The invitation had actually come as somewhat of a surprise because—for all your closeness—Taehyung was uncharacteristically tight-lipped about his family.

Not that he was deliberately withholding information per se… It was just that he never really brought them up beyond an occasional passing comment.

The one time you did ask him about them directly he sighed and said—

“We’re very close, but… I suppose we’ve just gotten used to being very private.”

There was clearly more to the story, but you were confident that Tae would share it if and when he was ready.

“My parents are in Seoul opening a new branch of the company. They took my little sister with them and my older brother has his own house so it will be just us.” He snuggled deeper into the first class seat directly next to yours. “We’ll hang out by the pool and chill during the day, then hit up some of the new clubs or whatever at night.”

“So… No one from your family will be there?”

Perhaps the invitation was not so surprising after all.

“Nope. Just you and me and thirty acres of ocean front property.”

You grinned.

“Perfect.”

“Whose room is that?”

The two of you were lugging your bags down the main hall of Taehyung’s expansive mansion when a strange hint of...something caught you right by the nose.

Your friend turned to find you frozen and staring curiously at a familiar door near the balcony.

His eyes widened, but you were too preoccupied to notice his momentary concern.

“That’s just Jin’s room.”

A firm hand wrapped around your wrist and dragged you away, but your eyes stayed glued to the source of the mysterious scent until you were around the corner and out of sight.

Your suite for the next two weeks was right across the hall from Taehyung’s. There was a whirlpool, a full bath, a balcony, and an ocean view that would rival the cover spread of any travel magazine.

Tae headed for the shower (to ‘wash the airplane off’) immediately after showing you the room and you were thinking of doing the same except…

Your mind kept going back to that door and the hint of scent you detected.

There was something… different about it.

It was faint—and far from fresh (which made sense considering that one of the few things you did know about Kim Seokjin was that he hadn’t lived in this house for years).

But still…

The need to smell it again pressed insistently at the back of your mind.

Suddenly the sound of Taehyung singing raunchy lyrics in the shower carried over through the walls and you found your feet moving almost of their own accord.

What Tae doesn’t know won’t hurt him, you rationalized, making your way down the hall toward Jin’s door. Besides—it’s not as if I’m going to steal anything…

You just needed to find that scent again.

By the time your fingers closed over the knob every one of your nerves was strangely—acutely—alert but nothing could have prepared you for what was waiting behind the door.

Oh. My. Gosh.

“What a colossal nerd.”

The room was covered floor to ceiling in Nintendo memorabilia.

Bright primary colors assaulted your eyes from all directions in the form of action figures, posters, pillows, and every other conceivable merch variety known to man.

In the center of the suite stood a large king-sized bed covered in a custom black couture toile-style Mario-verse bed set (that looked every bit as expensive as it was geeky) and a mountain of high quality Nintendo character plush toys.

Everything was simultaneously luxe and nostalgic—a rare combination of sophisticated aesthetic balance and childlike indulgence.

And the scent was there.

It was faint and covered under layers of cleaner and air fresheners, but still lingering just below the surface—too weak for you to get a really good whiff, yet potent enough to torment you.

You moved forward unconsciously toward the strongest source of the hypnotic smell—the strangely inviting expanse of Kim Seokjin’s mattress.

Suddenly the urge to climb—no crawl—across the bed itself and roll around in it like a kitten in catnip gripped you out of nowhere.

“What the hell?” you muttered, rubbing absently over the mating gland at the base of your neck.

Something very odd was going on with your body.

Your restless gaze zeroed in on one of the stuffed toys piled atop his pillows. It was a cute little mushroom man your brain recognized as a Mario character named ‘Toad’.

Take it.

Your mouth dropped open in shock.

You need it.

“Am I going insane?” you wondered aloud.

You have to take it.

Muscles in your hand began to twitch involuntarily. You bit your lip.

Bring it back with you.

Several minutes later a freshly washed Taehyung wandered over to your room and found you sitting perfectly still on your bed while staring off into space.

His head tilted in curious concern.

“Everything ok?”

You started a bit at the sound of his voice, but recovered quickly.

“Never better!” you chirped—almost too brightly. “Let’s go get some dinner, I’m starving.”

Then you grabbed his hand and pulled him down the hall toward the kitchen—shutting the door before he could catch a glimpse of his brother’s stuffed Toad doll stashed underneath your pillow

“...a critical water main rupture in the city’s New Market district early this morning has forced several residents out of their homes as flood water swelled up to nearly two feet. The governor declared a state of emergency and ordered hotels around the city to accommodate the displaced citizens. Crews are still clearing the water and assessing damages. We expect—

“Hey!” you shouted through a mouthful of cereal, after Your best friend switched off the television, “I was watching that!”

“And what you should be doing is getting ready for the pool.” Tae snatched your cereal bowl and dragged you by your shirt collar toward the stairs. “It is the first morning of our vacation. I’m not trying to waste any time. Now go.” He shoved you forward, smacking your ass for good measure.

You swatted back at him half-heartedly as jogged back up to the room where you enjoyed a surprisingly restful sleep last night.

Kim Seokjin’s door glared at you accusingly as you shuffled past—unable to let you forget that you had kidnapped it’s little mushroom man in an unexplained fit of kleptomania, but that was a problem for your future self.

The you of right now was going to zen out in the Kim family's premium glass-enclosed indoor pool (it was still a little chilly for the outdoor pool) with her best friend and bask in the simple joys of good company and no responsibility.

...Or not.

A few minutes later you bounced into the living room wearing a simple black tankini with a cute floral cover only to find Taehyung on the phone with his head in his hands.

“Yes, sir. I understand… I...I know this is my responsibility...”

That didn’t sound good.

After a few more tense moments, Tae hung up and collapsed backward into the couch with a heavy sigh.

“That water main break you heard about on TV this morning was the last straw between the province and its current contractor. They called an emergency meeting for new bids.”

Your heart dropped as you sank down beside him.

“Your dad wants you to go...doesn’t he.”

Taehyung nodded miserably.

“He can’t leave the Seoul opening on such short notice and managing government construction contracts is part of what I’ve been training for. This could be huge for our company.”

“Well...why doesn’t your brother go?”

“Jin is the brains behind most of our patented gaming and tech innovations. He wouldn’t even know where to begin with this sort of thing. Besides,” his lips quirked up in a rueful grin, “my brother doesn’t have the patience to stroke entitled geriatric egos for hours on end—which is likely what I’m going to have to do.”

The two of you headed back to Taehyung’s room where you helped him pack some suits and toiletries for his trip.

Naturally you were disappointed but...this was a great opportunity for your best friend to prove himself in his chosen field and you both knew it. In fact, he was already starting to brighten a bit.

“The meeting is about a hundred miles north of here. My dad’s secretary already handled the flight and hotel room.” His eyes darted around the suite to see if he was forgetting anything.

It was clear he was nervous, though you were sure he didn’t need to be. Kim Taehyung was a trust fund brat, but he was also talented and deeply passionate about his family’s company.

Someday this would be the norm. The two of you were stealing time in college, determined to live a little before the expectations of your powerful families transferred fully onto your shoulders.

It was becoming more and more clear, however, that your carefree time was slowly running out.

Mother had already spoken to you about potential marriage alliances and your father expected you to intern with his Vice President this summer just as your elder sister had...

Taehyung’s voice suddenly interrupted your bittersweet introspection and you couldn’t help but smile at how grown-up he looked in his suit and briefcase ensemble.

Everything was going to change, but not quite yet.

“They estimate negotiations should take around a week or so…” He walked over and pulled you into a tight hug. “There should still be some vacation left for us when I get back.”

“Hurry back then,” you mumbled grumpily into his chest and he chuckled.

“I will.”

Taehyung had been gone for less than twenty minutes when you decided that the best use of your time would be to eat more snacks.

The last thing you expected when you skipped merrily into the kitchen was to find it occupied by a shaggy-haired homeless man in glasses.

Your first instinct was to scream which caused the homeless man to drop the apple he was biting right onto the floor where it rolled around for a small eternity before coming to rest at his ankles.

Your second instinct was to grab a butcher’s cleaver from the nearby knife block and wave it chaotically at the intruder while shouting something along the lines of—

“You’ve made a huge mistake! My boyfriend is the biggest, meanest mafia boss in Seoul! Leave now and he might let you live!”

The homeless man continued to stare at you with a mixture of confusion and shock, but made no move to run away in terror like you were hoping.

So you tried again.

“Didn’t you hear what I said?! The last man who touched me drinks his steak through a straw now! Do the smart thing and leave before my boyfriend comes down those stairs and it’s too late!”

Infuriatingly, the homeless man was still not fleeing for his life and frankly you were starting to get frustrated. You drew in a deep cleansing breath and were prepared to issue another grandiose threat when he finally spoke.

“I’m sorry, miss. I... think there’s been some sort of mistake. Who is your boyfriend?”

There was no rational explanation for what came out of your mouth next, but it rolled off your tongue so smoothly and you didn’t even flinch.

“Kim Seokjin.”

For the first time in your entire exchange, the intruder looked truly alarmed.

Now that’s more like it.

“You’ve heard of him I see. He’s a dangerous man and my body belongs to him.” You slammed the cleaver down onto the countertop with a (hopefully) menacing slash. “Kim Seokjin doesn’t like when other men put their hands on what belongs to him.”

There was a long, unpardonably tense moment of silence…Then the stranger slowly reached forward and picked up a mobile phone from the table in front of him.

His eyes remained locked with yours as he pressed a quick series of buttons, brought the phone to his ear, waited a few seconds and said—

“Taehyung… Would you mind telling me why there is a half-naked, knife-wielding omega in our kitchen claiming to be my girlfriend?”

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