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amberskywrites · 4 years ago

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My Everything

“This Love” Collection

AO3 Link || Masterpost

Fandom / Genre: Nanatsu no Taizai (The Seven Deadly Sins) / Hurt/Comfort (leaning more towards comfort)

Pairing: Meliodas/Liz

Warnings: Injuries, Near death, Character almost bleeds out, Mention of slavery (Liz's past), lmk if anything needs to be added!

Notes: “This Love” Collection is a series of one shots that all take place in the same... AU? In this story people have marks which represent the strong bonds people make with others. It’s kinda like a soulmate AU, except it’s not pre-destined love and the marks can fade. Relationships will vary, from both romantic to platonic to familial. Imma attempt to post one of these weekly until I feel I’m happy with how many of these stories I’ve made!

Liz never understood the only bond mark that stained her skin.

It looked to her like a poorly drawn dragon, or some kind of shadow that was supposed to look like a cruel beast but a child had made it look cute and harmless.

She didn't know how or who she had the mark. She had never formed a strong bond with anyone. She was a slave, an object essentially, forced to do whatever her master wanted. She'd never had the chance to make friends or stay with family, and she didn't try. She had given up on trying a long, long time ago.

And when she had been taken captive by Danafor, she was almost relieved. The worst that would happen was she was put to death, but that didn't seem as bad as being forced to return to her previous life.

Then he had shown up, making a scene that was utterly ridiculous and infuriating. The kingdom he was loyal to, made his enemy if they tried to put her to death? He didn't even know her!

Still, he welcomed her into his home and she was just so confused. He was patient and kind to her, tried to cook for her (she had insisted he never cook for her again after one bite of his food, and she found herself cooking for them both). He welcomed her as a knight, a fierce warrior to protect the kingdom and helped her make friends with the other holy knights in the kingdom.

Not that she needed much help, but the little nudge to be open about getting to know people helped.

They had lived together for awhile, and had fallen into a routine she liked. Train for most of the day, go out drinking, come home, have dinner, then Go to bed. Sometimes they'd go to the meadow and enjoy the nice day, and other times they'd both stay home.

They also had an unspoken rule, one where they didn't mention bond marks. It was an odd rule - to Liz, at least. The people of Danafor made a show of their marks, boasting about their lovers or friends or family. Although a welcoming community, strong bonds meant to last years were difficult to form, and people wore their marks proudly.

Meliodas seemed even more like an oddity, keeping not only the marks of others hidden away on his chest but his own mark was kept out of sight. His sleeves never slipped down past his wrists and Liz had never once even seen him need medical attention that would require the removal of his shirt. She was curious as to what the marks could be, what they looked like, and figured she'd jump at the chance to see them.

She had been very wrong.

Liz realized pretty quickly she didn't care about the chance of seeing his bond mark, not with Meliodas curled in her lap and gasping for breath. Blood stained her trousers and shirt as she moved him as carefully as she could, freezing at the hiss and small whimper that followed.

"You're so goddamn stupid," Liz hissed, ignoring the tears welling in her eyes as she took a quick look around to try and find their healer. The tears slipped out as Meliodas' breathing only grew more ragged and she held him tighter, finally spotting the healer's tent in the distance and she began to sprint towards it.

She met the healer half way, who took Meliodas from her arms, panic clear in their expression. It wasn't everyday Danafor's grand master was on death's doorstep, after all.

The healer requested that Liz remain outside, letting the entrance to the tent fall closed. Liz cursed profusely under her breath and scrubbed at her face, trying to get the tears to stop flowing.

She was covered in blood that wasn't her own and it was because Meliodas was so goddamn stupid as to jump in front of her when someone was attacking. He hadn't even tried to block! He had taken the sword to the stomach and Liz had been sickened to see the bloodied sword clatter to the ground along with the idiot who had attacked them.

Liz was furious, and now that her anxiety that he wouldn't make it in time was receding because he was safe now, she allowed herself to be angry. Meliodas was smarter than this! He was a formidable opponent even without a sword, and he never once got injured this badly in a battle. Never.

She paced the entire time she was outside, glaring at the ground and tugging at her sleeves harshly every few seconds. It felt like hours went by before the healer opened the tent.

Liz clasped her hands over her chest, praying to the goddesses that what she was about to hear was good news. She didn't think she could handle it if Meliodas died.

The healer smiled slightly. "He's still asleep, but… he's healed completely, and just needs some more rest." Liz sighed in relief, her shoulders sagging at the news. "Maybe you can take him home?" Liz nodded wordlessly, following the healer inside the tent.

She spotted that he didn't have any shirt on, and averted her eyes instinctively. The healer helped her get Meliodas onto her back without waking him, and Liz thanked the healer before leaving.

The sky was already a deep blue dotted with stars by the time Meliodas stirred. Liz was by his bedside, dozing off on the floor on his side. She didn't want to settle in the bed, fearing she may have hurt him if she did. Liz knew that while the healers could heal wounds incredibly well, more often than not people still felt pain afterward. Specifically, they'd be really sore. And Liz didn't want to test if he was sore just yet.

He groaned softly, and Wandle made a loud noise which startled Liz awake. She looked up at the bird with a light glare, before looking to Meliodas, who was slowly blinking awake. Liz's heart jumped to her throat as she bolted up to check on him.

Meliodas looked almost dazed, and he stared up at the ceiling for a moment before glancing around, shoulders tensing. He seemed to relax when he spotted Liz, a small smile appearing on his face.

They stared at each other for a few moments in utter silence, until Meliodas broke it in a whisper. "I'm glad you're okay."

Liz felt her heart squeeze and she couldn't help but move closer and wrap him up in a hug, pulling him close and choking back a sob. Meliodas froze at the sudden action before melting into her arms, wrapping his own around her tightly.

"You moron," Liz muttered, burying her face in his shoulder. "You know better than to pull that kind of thing!"

She heard Meliodas snicker, his hands rubbing her back soothingly before she pulled away to glare at him with watery eyes.

"I knew I'd be fine," he reasoned. Liz's glare intensified, and the amused smile fell from Meliodas' face. Instead, one of confusion crossed it. "... Were you really that worried?"

Liz took a deep breath, and wiped away some of her tears with one hand while the other went to Meliodas' chest. She had seen the mark there, had seen her own mark on his chest already, and now she placed her palm above it. Meliodas' eyes widened slightly as she brought her other hand to her own chest, tapping over his mark on her lightly.

"You're my everything, Meliodas. Seeing you bleeding out… it was terrifying." She sniffled, not meeting his eyes. "I… I can't… if I lost you so suddenly, I don't… I don't think I could handle it."

She tried to take a deep breath. Meliodas brought his hands to hers and clasped them tightly, reassuringly, drawing their hands away from their chests to rest between them. Their fingers interlocked and Meliodas gave her hands a light squeeze. Liz glances up and he catches her gaze.

"I'm sorry for worrying you, Liz." His voice had taken on a new tone, and Liz thought he looked as though he may cry as well. He tugged her closer gently, and she followed his lead, settling into bed beside him. He buried his face in her chest and she huffed, though wasn't too annoyed. "I can't lose you either, you're my entire world… I don’t-" he took a deep breath, “I’d do anything to make sure you were safe.”

Meliodas glanced up from her chest, his cheeks tinted a light red and Liz felt her heart melt. She brought her hands to his jaw and wiped away a stray tear, and she tilted his face up. She leaned a little closer, but waited for him to give a nod before pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.

Meliodas hummed softly into the kiss, almost a purr, his hands wrapping protectively around Liz as they kissed slowly. Liz began to run one of her hands through his hair before eventually just cupping his face.

"Will you make me a promise, if I make you one?" Liz asked softly when they pulled apart. Meliodas nodded, careful not to bump their heads too hard. Liz caressed his cheek as she thought. "If I promise to be more careful in battle, will you promise me you'll be more careful too, please?"

His heart squeezed at her words. How many times had he made that promise and then failed to keep it?

Meliodas smiled almost sadly, bringing his own hand up to her face. "I promise."

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mybeautifulchristianjourney · 4 years ago

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Devotional Hours Within the Bible

by J.R. Miller

Elijah Taken to Heaven (2 Kings 2:1-11)

Elijah's work was finished. The words of the record are very striking: "It came to pass, when Jehovah would take up Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven." The words show how completely Elijah's life was at the disposal of God. The prophet himself had nothing to say as to when he would go - or how he would go. It would be when and how the Lord would take him.

The unusual manner of Elijah's departure would seem to have been a mark of divine commendation, a reward for his faithfulness. Yet we cannot state with any positiveness, why the prophet was thus lifted over death as he was. All we can say is that it was the divine will concerning his departure. In this way he would best glorify God.

The brief account opens another window, a window into the Father's house: "Jehovah would take up Elijah. .. into heaven." His departure was a promotion, an exaltation, a translation. We know he did not cease to live. We have but to turn the pages over, until we come into the New Testament to see him again, nearly nine hundred years later, living and active still in God's work. This is just as true of the Christians who die in our time - as it was of the old prophet. The Lord takes them up into heaven, and they live on in blessedness and service forever.

One cold autumn day I saw an empty bird's nest on a tree. It looked desolate and forsaken - but I knew that the birds which once sang there were living yet, away in the warm southland, beyond the reach of winter's storms, singing there the same sweet songs they used to sing here. Just so, there is an empty love nest in many a home, in many a heart - but we know that the dear one who has gone is living with God in blessedness.

Elijah's last day on earth was a busy one. He was sent from place to place, first to Bethel, then to Jericho, then to the Jordan. God reveals His plan to His children step by step as they go on. Elijah was faithful also to the very last moment, and went swiftly from task to task. It was to visit the schools of the prophets that he went to Bethel and Jericho. He wished to give his last counsels to these young students whom he had been training and on whom the religious work for the people would depend when he was gone.

We should continue in our work until we come to the end. In fact, when we know that the time is short - we should be all the more diligent and earnest, that nothing may be left undone. Some godly men think they may retire from active service when they get well on in years, living leisurely in the closing days. But the knowledge that we have only a little while to live - should make us eager to do all we can in the world where so much needs to be done. The shortening days - should call us to intenser activity.

Elisha's friendship must have been a great comfort to Elijah. He came into his life that day in the field when the old prophet came upon the young man plowing, and called him. Elijah needed greatly such glad and cheerful companionship. Probably he had not known much of friendship. His life had been that of a recluse. His mission was stern and his work had been severe. Elisha had in him just the qualities that were needed to give comfort to Elijah in his advancing years. Elisha went with him everywhere, a constant help and cheer. He clung to him to the very last. "As Jehovah lives, and as your soul lives - I will not leave you!" he said.

Again and again Elijah begged him to tarry behind. Just why Elijah sought to slip away from him, we are not told. Perhaps he was trying to save him from the pain of parting. But Elisha would not allow Elijah to get out of his sight a moment. He owed everything to Elijah, and it was fitting that he should cling to him to the last and refuse to be separated from him. There are many young people who owe more than they know to older friends - parents, teachers, pastors, or others - and it is fitting and beautiful that they should show their grateful love and interest to the end.

Notice, too, what Elisha would have missed - if he had not clung to his master. He would not have seen the miracle at the Jordan or the glorious translation, nor would he have received the mantle of the ascending prophet. There are always rich rewards at the end of every path of faithfulness ; and the harder and steeper the path - the greater are the rewards. God always pays His servants well, and we do not know what we miss, when we shrink from our duty in any way.

Elisha seems to have been much annoyed by the insistence of the young prophets. They kept asking him if he knew he was to lose his master that day. He said to them, "Do not speak of it!" The words seem harsh and ungentle, especially when spoken at such a time, in the midst of the sacred scenes which this chapter describes - yet the rebuke was merited. These sons of the prophets were impertinent chatterers, breaking in upon the solemn moments of most loving ministry with their thoughtless questionings. They had no conception of the sacredness of what was passing before their eyes. They had no appreciation of the grief of Elisha, before which their hearts should have been awed. They needed to learn just the lesson which Elisha's sharp rebuke gave them.

Many of us need to be taught the same lesson. We like to air our little bits of knowledge and information, letting everybody know what we have heard. Especially is this true when the knowledge we have gained is something we have no right to know, or at least no right to repeat. When we meet one in sorrow - we feel that we must say something about the trouble, and so we begin to chatter or to ask questions, when really we ought not to refer to the matter at all. There is a time to speak even in the presence of sorrow - but there is also a time to be silent. We would better be quiet always in time of grief - than to speak the wrong words or to speak them in a wrong spirit. Impertinence is always a miserable offense - but it is most miserable of all when it flings its crude words upon a breaking heart.

Elijah warmly returned the love of Elisha. The deepest wish in true friendship is not to receive - but to give; not to be ministered unto - but to minister. Elijah desired to bestow upon Elisha all he could bestow upon him. He wished to leave behind for him not merely the memory of his love - but a blessing which should make his successor more ready for his work. So he said, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." He knew he was about to depart, and his heart yearned for the young man who had been so true a friend to him, whom he loved so tenderly. He wanted to give him some parting blessing.

We see illustrations of the same love ofttimes, when parents are about to leave this world. Their affection for their children grows more and more tender as the moment of parting draws near. This incident suggests also that our friends may often do more for us in dying - than they could do even in the midst of life. They are nearer heaven then than they ever were before, and have special power in prayer. Many of us are richer forever, for the last benediction and prayer of some beloved one.

Elisha's choice in answer to the request of Elijah showed the nobleness of his heart. He did not ask for position or health or ease or honor - but for more spiritual power. He had watched his master in his work, in his zeal for God, in his intense earnestness, and he wanted to have a double measure of the same spirit. He desired most of all - to be a better man, a holier man, more active and efficient in the Lord's work. Believers should seek, above all things, the graces and virtues which make a noble Christ like character. The highest desire of a true-hearted man should be that he may be divinely qualified for the work he is called to do. That was the longing of Elisha, as he knew that his master was about to leave him and that the burden of his great ministry was then to fall upon him.

Elijah promised conditionally that Elisha should have the blessing he sought. He told him that if he saw him depart, the favor should be granted to him. Godly men do not die out of the earth when they die. Their influence remains. They leave part of their spirit in other men's lives. Elisha received a double portion of the spirit of Elijah, because the work which the older man had been doing - would pass into the hands of the younger. The true mother leaves much of the power and the beauty of her character, in the hearts of her children. The teacher leaves his words in the minds of those he has taught. All people, good or bad, leave their life behind them in influence, when they go away. How important it is that we shall live well, that our characters be true, holy, pure, so that those upon whom any portion of our influence may fall - shall be blessed by what they get from us.

The last scene of all was very glorious. "As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind!" So the most devoted friends must sometimes be separated. This parting came very suddenly at the last. We walk on together talking for many days, not dreaming of separation, then suddenly, as the chariot is waiting, the one is taken and the other left! We should not overlook the certainty of ultimate separation in every friendship we form. Some day, one of the two who are now walking together in love - will be taken and the other left to weep by a grave and to walk on thereafter lonely and sorrowing.

The departure of Elisha suggests also - that heaven is not far away. One of the chariots from the King's country came down that day and carried the old prophet home. Another came down to the door of the house when your believing father, mother, brother, or sister passed away. We shall not leave the world as Elijah did, missing death - but we shall have the heavenly chariot for our freed spirits just as truly as he had. Jesus said that Lazarus, when he died, was borne by angels home to glory. We shall have angels to carry us up to heaven!

#Devotional Hours Within the Bible #J.R. Miller #2 Kings 2:1-11 #Elijah Taken to Heaven #April 20 #2021

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imaginesforallkindoflove · 4 years ago

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Writing commission for @soulnottainted ! Thank you so much!!! I really hope you like it!! 💕💕

Sitting down with a sigh on the soft grass, the young woman closed her eyes, concentrating on the sounds of the vast nature that surrounded her. She had taken her drawing kit for the day, wanting to practice her art outside, rather than the warm and cosy inside of her home. It was sunny, and birds were chirping… For a moment it felt like a true lost paradise. Then, the tree besides her started to move slowly. The woman did not move, instead, she started sketching with a smile as the tree formed into a humanoid figure, made of woods, with a kind but stern face, red spitting fire as veins and blood and beautiful brown and amber eyes. It was taller than any house from the area, and looked very threatening to someone who didn’t know the creature. The woman didn’t fear him. How could she?

“Good afternoon, Yew.” She softly greeted, not glancing at him.

“Hello, young one.” He said, bowing his head a little. “What are you doing?”

“Drawing and painting, as usual.”

“You are right to do so. Art gives the ability to humans to show what they don’t see clearly. Some are so fogged into their dark views, and seeing a painting may open their minds." The giant tree explained.

Kelsey nodded as she listened, knowing how wise the being could be. She had grown up next to him, her parents telling her amazing stories about the tree that could take a human form, giving words of advice but also incredible tales for the people he chose.

People would find him terrifying, as he was so tall and had a deep voice. Also, he was not something you could observe any normal day. After what her parents recalled of him, Kelsey realised how much time the man tree spent with her. He always was present, like a grandparent figure to her and gave her sweet advice on how to handle life.

She cared a lot about him, and he was feeling the same way about her.

"What are you doing out there, didn’t you have your… exams to do?" Yew asked in a hesitant voice, trying to not make the young woman anxious.

"I finished them actually." She replied with a smile as she glanced at him. "I am drawing you."

"Are you?" He questioned, surprised. "Can I see?"

The young woman nodded and stood up with her artwork. She handed the piece of paper to small branches that grew out of Yew's body, and watched with amazement as the drawing made its way toward Yew's face. He was such a beautiful, tender, caring and intelligent being.

"I believe it is well made!" He exclaimed lovingly as he dropped the drawing back to its artist. "You always had so much talent, little one."

"Thank you! You pushed me to do the best, you know? I am glad you are here with me." She smiled again, rushing to hug him.

Well, hugs were something difficult to do with Yew. He could crush with so little efforts, but he always made sure to not hurt her during those sweet moments. He never had been close to anyone but her for a long time. Sometimes he had been lonely for years, without anyone to speak to!

But they found a way luckily. Yew would grow smaller branches, looking like arms, and Kelsey would hug him, feeling warm and bubbly as the tree branches touched her skin. She truly considered him like a grandfather, and always was fascinated by his stories. She regretted that sometimes, she was too caught up in her work and busy with life in general, she would leave him alone for some days. But, the young woman always came back to him, apologizing about it, and Yew didn’t seem to mind. He understood perfectly, always wishing her the best in life.

“Are you interested in a story, little one?” He asked. “One with a moral perhaps?”

“Oh yes! You know how much I love your stories!” The young woman replied, her eyes shining with excitement as she sat down on the grass.

The creature lowered his head too, his body cracking in multiple places, but he showed no sign of being hurt or being bothered by this. He thought for a few moments, closing his eyes to choose his next tale. Kelsey watched him patiently, but bearing a soft smile on her face. She was very interested with what the giant will share with her.

“There once was a lion, a mighty one, the king of all in the land. He was fierce, strong, powerful and everyone respected and feared him. As he was sleeping, a mouse had accidentally woken him up. The king was absolutely furious about this, ready to assassinate the one who had bothered him in his sleep. However, the mouse implored for his life, telling the lion that killing him would solve none of his problems, and that the mouse would be a pity prey to kill. The lion agreed with this, and released the young mouse.” Yew started. “Later, as he was roaming around his kingdom, the lion king fell into a trap: a solid net that he could not escape from. Feeling the poachers would come soon for him, and seeing he could not free himself from the trap, the lion roared, in hopes someone would realise he was in danger or needed help. It was indeed a lucky day for him! The mouse he had spared earlier came to save him! The little animal ate the net, and helped the lion out. As they escaped the poachers together, the lion thanked the mouse, and promised him to never hunt down one of the mice.” The tree being finished. “So, tell me, little one, what do you think the moral of the story is?”

“That poaching is bad?”

Yew laughed at that. It was certainly true, hunting animals for their furs, or killing them for sport, or to have trophies were horrible and bad. He wondered how some humans could do that.

"Non."

“Sparing someone is good because they can help you back?” Kelsey managed to reply, after thinking intensively.

“Not quite, but you got the spirit. Actually, you can give a story like this multiple meanings. If the lion didn’t spare the mouse, he would have been murdered by the hunters. Every little act of kindness like that can lead to something greater. At least, that is how I appreciate that story.”

“Also, small friends can be powerful allies!” The woman exclaimed. “So, Yew, am I your little mouse?” She chuckled.

“I believe you are, my little one.”

After that tale being told, Kelsey laid down next to the sitting giant, observing the sky. Finally, she was done with her mid terms. It was something that had bothered her, and she really hoped she did good! But with Yew, she felt her anxiety dying down. The tree giant emanated a kind and strange aura that always seemed to appease her, and anyone around. She didn’t know much of the giant’s story, only that he was there to help those that were, sort of, misguided by life. He would tell them tales, and ask for a story in return. He helped them realise something about their lives, and managed to turn whatever situation into a good one.

He never spoke of those cases. It was perhaps the reason why he was created. He didn’t know who did, and never intended to find out. He had helped so much people in the past, and sometimes would disappear for a little more than a week. In Kelsey’s eyes, he was a hero to help those poor unfortunate souls. Yew would argue that he had to do what he had to do. It was not like it was his choice, he was called by those people.

“Yew?”

The giant tree made a grunt in response, telling her he was awake and would listen to what she has to say.

“Did you sometimes fail at… saving people?” She asked carefully, not wanting to scare him off with her question.

He was silent for a moment, and the young woman feared she had hurt his feelings. She stayed quiet too, not wanting the situation to worsen.

“I did, in fact, fail. Sometimes… Sometimes you can’t always change people, or heal them. Of course, I never really pushed them to do the wrong thing… But…” He sighed. “But I wish that some cases wouldn’t have finished in the way they did. It is hard to watch those little humans, those complicated beasts, struggling to understand, and failing to do so. I wish I could have done more for some men and women. I have to admit, sometimes, I do feel like a puppet, and I want to be freed from my chains, to help them more. I always come back anyway to my principles.”

“I am sorry you feel that way, Yew.” The woman said, putting her soft hand on his wooden body. “You are nothing of a monster.” She chuckled, remembering how some would call her precious grandfather figure.

“I do not care about how they speak of me. I do like that nickname tho. It makes me feel… powerful, and bigger.”

The woman snorted at that. Her own father had known Yew since he was a young child, and would call him the Monster too, but in a more… loving way. When her father would tell her stories of how he used to sneak out to hear the giant tree’s tales, she only thought he had a huge imagination as a child, and here she was, befriending him and always seeking advice from him and his stories. She truly felt like Yew was her grandfather, and she believed he felt the same way about her.

The first time she met Yew, she was about the same age as her father. She was playing around the old and tall tree, then fell asleep and woke up to a giant man holding her in his hand carefully. She did not scream, because she immediately felt connected to him, and since this day, she made sure to visit him often.

“Can you tell me a story?” She asked Yew. “Can you… create a tale? Just for me?”

“Just for you?”

“Just for me.” The woman repeated.

“Alright… Once upon a time, there was a young girl with a creative mind. Some people would have expected her to be lonely, fearing that the other children would cast her out. But no, she became very popular in her school, as she was unique. The other children weren’t, and they celebrated her uniqueness with her. There was one boy, however, who didn’t celebrate with the others. He was just a regular boy, quite a strange one if you asked the older women who gossipped between themselves as they watched the children. The young girl saw how alone the boy seemed to be, and tried to approach him many times. The boy pushed her away each time.”

“That is sad and unfair. Why would the boy do that? She is just trying to befriend him!” The young woman said.

“Patience little one. You have asked for a tale, and here it is. The boy was lonely, and seemed to hate the other girl. The latter told him if he wished to be with her, then she would welcome him with open arms. At one point, she stopped seeing him and the boy realised that being alone was not something he wished. When the girl stopped coming for him, stopped talking to him, he felt like a hole had been opened, and he needed her to cure him. So, at the end of the day, he joined the others to celebrate her uniqueness with everyone else. He confessed to the girl that he missed her, and revealed that no one had been making him feel this way, because she had revealed his own uniqueness. They celebrated their new friendship quickly after that meeting.”

“It was a weak story... “ She chuckled. “But I like it. It was cute.” She yawned.

“Come child, you are tired. You have to rest.”

The young woman nodded, and slowly made her to the giant. He offered her his giant hand for bed as usual, and she laid down on it happily, knowing she was safe.

“Rest now, Kelsey.” Yew breathed out gently as he watched after her.

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zombaarbie · 5 years ago

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Some Time Ago... Pt.2

Hey, babes! I’m so glad to have part 2 finally up! Please feel free to share feedback and suggestions. Also if you would like me to tag you when new parts come out just let me know <3

Your eyes fluttered open at the sun that shone in your eyes. It had been a couple weeks since the last time you had talked to Robert. It was your intention to see him very soon after your last encounter. It was one of the most pleasant days you had in a long while.

Your mind wandered back to how he looked that day. If eyes were the window to the soul as they often say, then Robert’s charming green pools were perfect representations of the beautiful human inside. The way he talked was gentle and alluring. You couldn’t believe how intelligent and articulate he was. Then there was his scent. Of course, he worked at the circus, so there was the obvious smell of cotton candy mixed his cologne. Evergreen, perhaps?

Unfortunately, even though you were making an effort to try to see him, you had responsibilities that needed to be taken care of. But in this moment as you got up and dressed yourself for the day, you decided you would see him very soon.

This was another one of your free days, and again, you were going to meander around the town with your group of friends. Today was particularly sunny. It was warm, but with a gentle breeze. You heard a knock at your door. Your friends had arrived!

You laced up your favorite boots and trotted outside, your dress flowing while you did so. “So, what will we be doing today?” You asked, smiling at your friends. “Nothing in particular, I suppose.” Your friend Thomas shrugged in response.

You all made your way to the town square, visiting different shops and peddler’s wagons. You found a couple small trinkets you thought about maybe getting. There was one in particular that caught your eye. It was a small glass bird. Nothing special, just a lovely little figurine you liked. But before you could decide to make the purchase or not the crowd shuffled you along.

Unbeknownst to you, a certain someone’s eyes landed on you from afar, but there were a lot of people out today so he wasn’t able to make his way to you very easily. Robert fought against the crowd, but despite his strength and height, he had unfortunately lost sight of you.

All the while you were in the square there was beautiful, cheery music playing somewhere. And now you had found where it was coming from. A small group of men playing their instruments joyfully on the corner. Your face instantly lit up. You neared them and began swaying to the music.

After a short time, you got more comfortable and the men picked up the tempo, and you began to dance. Adelia sighed. Of course she was a little displeased, but you were unconcerned, as a crowd had formed and began cheering you on.

Robert heard a commotion nearby and shyly made his way to where a crowd had formed. He was too far back to see what was going on so he crept a little closer. He was now able to see what everyone was gawking at-

You were in the middle of the crowd dancing to your heart’s content, hair and dress bouncing around your silky skin. Your eyes glittered in the sun while you twisted and twirled. Then those alluring (e/c) eyes met his own and his smile widened.

“Robert!” You called out. He stiffened at this. It was one thing to talk to you at the circus, quietly, not drawing too much attention. But it was another thing for this beautiful being to call out to him, only him, in a huge crowd of people.

You motioned him towards you, but he was hesitant. You rolled your eyes with an angelic giggle and grabbed his hand, pulling him into the middle with you. He was obviously terrified, but you were breaking away his shell, one crack at a time.

You lifted his arm, twirling under it. He loosened slightly at this, and you two danced for a short time. Too short. He began to get too nervous. There were glares at him from the crowd. But the worst part for him were the whispers you two began to hear- words like “hideous” and “filth” catching your attention. You could not care less about what anybody said, but poor Robert had too many wounds to have the same strength as you.

So the man you were happily dancing with just moments before mumbled a quiet, “I’m sorry” and quickly ran away, breaking through the crowd to get out of the situation. You looked after him, then to the crowd. You were very upset. Before running after Robert you decided somebody needed to stand up for him. “You all should be ashamed of yourselves!” You yelled before sprinting after him.

His long legs made him very fast and you lost track of him. You slowed to catch your breath. Then, while passing an alley you heard muffled sobs. Your head turned to see the beautiful man crumpled and sobbing against the wall of the dark brick crevice.

“Robert...” You breathed out. His head shot up, his eyes meeting yours. It broke your heart to see him like this. He whispered a quiet apology and you hushed him. “Why would you apologize for something like that? It was not your fault.” Your voice was strong, unwavering. This made his heart flutter. You were standing up for him. It was new, it made his soul feel like it was shining.

You thought of Robert like a broken Christmas light. Something so beautiful that had gone through years of weathering and was broken down. But sometimes you could see a flicker in his eyes, of the beauty restoring itself- as if someone perhaps found where the broken bulb was and worked to repair it.

“I don’t think you should be seen with me anymore, (y/n).” His voice was quiet. All you could do for a few moments was look at him, shocked. Panic set in for him, “N-not that I don’t love your company! I just don’t want you to be ridiculed liked I am.” His eyes dropped and he paused. “Please, (y/n), I’m mockery.”

Your head shook in response. Your heart hurt to see such an angel feeling so broken. It felt like someone had poured sand into your chest, “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard, Robert Gray. I don’t give a damn what others have to say. It simply isn’t my business to know their opinion of me, anyway.”

You held your hand out to help him up. He gratefully took it and stood at full height. He towered over you, so you had to look up quite a bit to speak to him. You gave him a gentle smile and brushed a stray tear from his soft cheek.

Now that you two were away from the disorder you noticed he had something in his hand. It was small and wrapped in a cloth. “What’s that, Robert?” You pointed to it and he sheepishly handed it to you. “It’s actually for you, (y/n). I saw you admiring it earlier.”

You unwrapped it and found it to be the little glass bird from the peddler’s wagon. Something about this particular gesture made your heart swell with admiration for the kind man before you. Of course, you had gotten gifts before from potential suitors who were just looking for a wife- jewelry, nice clothing, other superficial presents...

But this was genuine. And you loved it so much.

You wrapped your arms tightly around Robert. “Oh, Bobby, I love it so much! But you really didn’t have to!” You squealed with delight. Robert’s face tinged red when you referred to him as “Bobby”. He nodded and hesitantly hugged back, “I’m glad you like it, (y/n). You deserve the world.”

And he was determined to give it to you.

#robert gray imagine #robert gray x reader #robert gray #bob gray #bob gray x reader #bob gray imagines #pennywise #pennywise x reader #pennywise imagines

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fableweaver · 5 years ago

Text

Arc of the Dragon Keeper

Iounn shouted out the order to raise shields, the women around her grunting in response as they raised their shields to lock together. Another shouted order and the long spears shot out and withdrew, drawing imaginary blood as this was simply training. The shield design had undergone several changes as Iounn and Epona had worked with several of the smiths and potters of the camp. They had at last settled on a mixture between the Nyrgardic shield and the Daunish shield. Nyrgardic shields were round, made of wood with a steal rim and boss in the center. Daunish shields were not very common, often made of wood and oval in shape. The Daunish relied more on their ceramic for armor given it made poor shields.

What they had devised was a tall shield, square with round edges. It was made of fir tree wood from Nyrgard, a steel rim, and a Daunish ceramic boss. When held in a wall it proved to hold well against the practice assaults and took little time to teach. The women and unskilled Daunish were all learning the use of the shields, and how to reform should the wall be broken.

They had also developed a spear, one with a long ceramic blade, and a blunt iron spike on the other end. The line behind the shield wall was given the spear, stabbing out over the heads of the shield bearers into the enemy beyond.

This had yet to be tested on the enemy, as full engagement had yet to happen. More Orcs had come over the mountains into the foot hills, sending out scouts and raiding parties to test their defenses. Scouts tried to meet them but most of the time they failed. Iounn was glad to not see what scouts found at farm steads that had been raided; the scouts faces when they returned told enough. The stories were enough to send farmers and shepherds flocking to the forts. Many though were not just seeking sanctuary, many volunteered to fight.

Dun Cnámh was complete, the fort built around the dragon bones in a crescent moon. The fort was big enough for out laying buildings still in the protection of the wall, but sadly as more people gathered to their king a town began to form outside the walls. Dylan started construction on another wall around the town, but it was only a quarter finished so far.

The Orcs were getting bolder, moving out of the foothills, and Liath still had yet to return. All these thoughts were on Iounn’s mind, even as she called an end to the practice. Exhausted women wandered away clad still in their ceramic mail, leather braces, and steel helms.

“Things seem to be going well,” Dylan said as he approached Iounn. “Is it wise though to train here in the courtyard? If we field them they will not be ready for the open space.”

“We will not field them majesty,” Iounn answered as she took of her helm and shook out her sweaty hair. “They learn here because they will fight here, or at the other forts. I’ve already sent some on to the other forts you have across the north to teach women there. We are to hold the forts while the men ride to fight the Orcs.”

“Yes I know, but I fear you may be drawn out Lady Iounn,” Dylan said.

“I am teaching them to hold the walls and hold the fort should it be breached,” Iounn answered. “That is all I know and all we can do. We will not be drawn out of the fort, women are not as rash as men majesty.”

Dylan gave her a wry grin and nodded.

“Well the horses and men Sten has provided have proven useful,” Dylan said. “But I fear not enough. Our scouts have arrived with a count.”

Iounn felt a chill down her spine at his words, so far the scouts had been unable to get a full count of the Orc army. It had been high already and growing since more and more seemed to be constantly pouring from the mountains.

“And?” Iounn asked.

“A hundred,” Dylan said lowly.

“Thousand!” Iounn said startled. “Our last count ended at fifty.”

“It seems their main force finally joined with this one out of the mountains,” Dylan said. “At least I hope this is the main force. It may mean they have abandoned the dwarves.”

“It may mean the dwarves have been annihilated and Liath with them,” Iounn said worried. “We can no longer rely on the dwarves coming to our aid majesty. We should strike before the Orcs do.”

“And if we strike when we do not know what we are doing Lady Iounn we risk losing too many men,” Dylan said. “Sten has only brought twenty thousand with him, I have twenty myself as well as thirty untrained warriors. We are outnumbered.”

Iounn nodded feeling numb with shock and grief. They had little hope to defeat this army, at best they could defend. Even if the dwarves were still alive, she doubted they could help unless they could call on more than sixty thousand experienced warriors. Sten was in another fort to the east, and Roland in another, spreading out their forces. They were spread thin, but even if they were to gather they would be over run.

Pounding horse hooves drew their attention to the gate where a dusty messenger rode in on a lathered horse. Spotting Dylan he turned his horse and barely reigned in before he trampled his king. Dylan took the horse’s reigns, so the messenger could dismount handing the horse off to a groom.

“Bring water!” Dylan shouted to nearby servants as he helped the man stay on his feet.

“Majesty…” the man gasped.

“Wait until you have a drink sir,” Dylan said. “Your message can wait.”

“No… on the way… the sky,” the man gasped looking to the east. Puzzled Iounn looked to the east but saw nothing over the wall. If the man was warning of attack why mention the sky?

“I am going to go look,” Iounn said and ran off before Dylan could answer. The walls were tall, three stories high and two man heights thick. Iounn raced up the stairs and reached the wall, looking out to the east. She saw a cloud, what looked like a great flock of birds on the horizon, closing fast. The guards there, Daunish men and women armed with spears, had noticed as well and were pointing and speaking in Daunish. Dylan joined Iounn shortly, looking to the flock to the east as well.

“They fly in formation majesty,” Iounn said. “And either they are closer than they seem, or are still far off but very large.”

“The man rode from the east coast, he was a lighthouse keeper there,” Dylan said. “He rode as soon as he got a good look at the creatures, for two days he didn’t stop for fear of them out flying him. Lady Iounn, those are Griffins flying towards us.”

Iounn had to stamp down on her disbelief, so Griffins existed as well.

“Prepare archers,” Iounn said turning to Dylan.

“No, we will welcome them,” Dylan said.

“Majesty just because they are Phay does not mean they are here for peace,” Iounn said shaking her head. “We need to at least prepare the archers should they attack.”

“No, we will not present arms to them,” Dylan said.

“I believe Iounn’s words are wise majesty,” Hors said alighting on the wall next to them. “The Griffins are warriors, if you want their respect you must show them force. I believe however they are about to fly over us.”

“Why?” Iounn asked startled.

“They are here for the dwarves after all,” Hors answered. “The winds over the mountains on the coast are too turbulent so they’ve flown over the moors for now until they turn north towards the mountains. They aren’t going to stop here for the humans.”

“We need them to stop here and take up arms with us,” Iounn said. “Can’t you fly to them?”

“In my current form no, I could never catch up with them,” Hors said. “but I have a way to make them stop.”

“What?” Iounn asked.

“A signal fire,” Hors answered.

“Would they really stop for a signal fire?” Iounn asked as Dylan hurried away to prepare the wood.

“One will out of curiosity I’m sure,” Hors answered. “I know the Griffins well, some are innately curious.”

Outside the walls Iounn watched as Dylan commanded his people in the building of a beacon fire. He was a good commander, his orders clear, and he stood alongside to help if needed but also knew when to stand back and let his people work.

“What is all the commotion?” Epona asked coming up to the wall. She stopped to stare at the Griffins in the air, and her son preparing a beacon fire. Her arms and hands were covered in clay, her apron smeared with it. Epona had taken over the potters and smiths in the construction of weapons after an incident in practice when she had fainted from exhaustion. Dylan had nearly ordered his mother south, but Iounn insisted she stay to aid them in her own way.

“We have visitors, we are hoping to gain their attention since it seems they will be flying into the mountains,” Iounn said.

“Why are they here now?” Epona asked. “Where did they come from?”

“The Griffins were some of the Phay that did not march, like the dwarves,” Hors answered. “They live on the Broken Isle, out in the Wandering Sea. I assume they have been there all this time.”

“How have we never found this isle?” Iounn asked. “Nyrgarders have been sailing the Wandering Seas for ages. It must be a large isle to support the Griffins. How could we miss it?”

“I have no idea,” Hors said as he shrugged. “We’ll have to ask the Griffins.”

“Will they help us do you think?” Epona asked.

“Most definitely, they are a warrior people it takes little to convince them to go into battle,” Hors answered.

“Who do they fight if they live on an isle alone?” Epona asked.

“Mostly each other,” Hors answered. “Rarely to the death, their people were born in an unusual way.”

He told them about how the Griffin race came to be, having known the two Phay well himself. When he finished Dylan had the beacon assembled and lit, the fire producing a plume of smoke from a hilltop. They watched the flock of Griffins anxiously, but they appeared to have already turned north. Then one peeled off from the rest, two more following as it flew toward the fort once more.

“Come let us go meet them,” Iounn said. Hors leapt up onto her shoulder, Iounn and Epona walking down the wall and out of the fort. They joined Dylan on the hillock looking up to the Griffins wheeling overhead. There were three, but Iounn could tell little of them from the ground. They banked and wheeled down to the ground, the largest landing first followed by two smaller Griffins. The lead Griffin appeared to be not a mix of an eagle and lion, but of a kite and a cougar. It had a broad head and tapered wings, a smooth tan color over all. The two with it were also the same type, though appeared smaller in size, Iounn unsure if this was an indication of age or gender.

“Hail to the mud men,” the Griffin said in clear unaccented words. Iounn was surprised to hear it was female, but hid her surprise. She was glad Hors had taught her the Phay language, though she struggled still with the vocabulary.

“Greetings,” Iounn said stepping forward. She held out her arm and Hors crawled out of her hair to perch there. The Griffins took a step back, flaring their wings in what Iounn hoped was just surprise.

“Greetings kin,” Hors said. “I am Hors, Once King of the Dragons. This is my companion Iounn Baroness of Stóstund, the King of Daun Dylan Rawn and his mother Epona Rawn.”

The lead Griffin settled before she bowed, the other two following suit.

“Greetings elder,” she said. “I am Manisha Elect of the Wise Wings, these are my sons Bilal and Karan. I did not expect to find an elder here.”

“No, there is much to tell,” Hors said. “But it would be best to discuss this among all the Elect.”

“Of course,” Manisha answered and turned to her sons. Both took the silent order and leapt back up into the sky, flying back towards their kin.

“I must admit I am surprised to see the Children of Might have left the Broken Isle,” Hors said and Manisha turned to him with bright eyes.

“Just as your story must wait for all the Elect so should mine,” Manisha said smoothly.

“Ah, yes of course,” Hors said flicking his tail. “It seems I am rusty in the ways of Phay politics,” Hors said lowly in Nyrgardic.

“The Phay have politics?” Iounn said in the same language, an eyebrow raised.

“Yes, it is usually culminated in pride and arguments,” Hors answered.

“Ah, much like ours,” Iounn said and Hors shook his head.

“You have never seen the Phay argue,” Hors said. “We can go at it for centuries.”

Iounn fell silent then, wondering at the complexities of a life that lasted hundreds of years. The relationships, and the politics as Hors said, must be complex indeed. She suspected alliances and enemies must have formed between them all in one way or another, an ally one day could be an enemy centuries later or vice versa. Once again Iounn was reminded that Hors was more than he seemed.

A hawk’s cry drew her eyes skyward and Iounn saw a flock of Griffins descending. The whole flock was landing further out on the moors, landing near them now were six other Griffins. Each was a blend of a type of raptor and great cat, varied in size and appearance. One stepped forward, tail lashing and wings flared, a Griffin made of an eagle and lion.

“You dare summon us like you are better than us Hors?” The Griffin growled loudly, his talons raking the loamy soil.

“Mahavir!” Manisha shouted, leaping to the other Griffin’s side and snapping at him. “You dare insult the King of Dragons!”

“Once King,” Mahavir replied snapping back at her and they began to circle one another. “He is no more than a whelp now, little better than a fledgling. You were arrogant to summon us at his word Manisha!”

Manisha hissed and leapt onto Mahavir, a snarling fight ensued between the two. Iounn watched startled and afraid, the two fought like lions over a kill. None stepped between the two but it was quickly over, Manisha drawing blood with a swipe of her talons against Mahavir’s flank.

“I see the Griffins have not changed much,” Hors said dryly.

“In more ways than you know Hors,” another Griffin answered. “I am Indira Elect of the Feather Tails. This is Mahavir Elect of the Long Talons, Jaya the Elect of the Marked Ones, Yama Elect of the Bone Eaters, Nirav Elect of the Nigh Flyers, and Dhaval Elect of the Swift Winds.”

“Perhaps it would be wise to withdraw to the fort so we can trade stories,” Hors said as Mahavir licked his wound.

“That fort is built upon the bones of one of your subjects Hors,” Jaya said.

“Of Melanthios,” Hors said and the Griffins shifted about in alarm, making hissing noises and flaring their wings. “It is a long story…”

“You would have us treat with Dragon slayers Hors?” Mahavir said outraged.

“These here did not slay Melanthios and I would have you know the humans who did slay him did so because of the Cripple One,” Hors said his voice hard as he lowered his head. Iounn took this as a threatening move, she had seen Hors try to spit fire and often he lowered his head to do so. “I would have you all listen to me without our usual belligerence because lives are at stake of our kin and those here who have chosen to ally themselves with us. You will come and listen and then do as I say.”

“You are not king of us Hors…”

“I don’t care!” Hors roared, flaring his wings as his head snapped up and molten flecks of spittle fell from his fangs. His voice did not reverberate as it would had he been even twice as big as he should have been, but his passion had the desired effect of seeing Mahavir cowed.

“Very well Hors,” Indira said calmly. “Lead the way.”

Hors snorted and returned to Iounn’s shoulder as she turned to lead the way back.

“I take it negotiations have begun?” Epona said dryly.

“Yes, we should prepare food for our guests,” Iounn answered, before she filled Epona and Dylan in with what had been discussed. They reached the fort and gates, Epona speaking briefly with a servant. They went through the courtyard into the keep itself built around the vast ribcage of Melanthios. Inside was lit by tallow candles, the vast hall mostly empty. It was where they would gather when the time came for siege, a hospital and sleeping quarters for the combatants. All those unable to fight had been sent south, hopefully to safety.

A single table stood in the room, a map table with a model of the surrounding territory made of hardened clay resting on it. They gathered around the table, the Griffins eyeing the model with interest.

“So tell us Hors what has happened,” Indira said mildly. Hors sighed and began his story, going over the birth of the Crippled One and his role, the decision to March, his search and rebirth, and his life in Iounn’s care. When he finished there was silence, breaths held in either awe or anger.

“I would hear your story before I hear any condemnation,” Hors said. “I know very well what I did, and I have no need to hear it from any of you.”

“I have nothing to condemn you for Hors,” Manisha said. “That right is reserved to the Kings or Queens of the Phay, none here hold that power.”

“Just because we do not have a King or Queen does not make the Griffins lesser than the other Phay,” Mahavir growled.

“No it makes them a wild card,” Hors said and Mahavir looked at him with an expression Iounn was unable to read on his animal face. “So tell me what brings you to the moors.”

“That tale began just after the Phay marched,” Indira answered and told them their story, Iounn translating as best she could for Dylan and Epona. Iounn listened feeling like she was being told a child’s tale, by a creature that stepped right out of one of those tales. Mages and a lost Isle, it truly was a grand tale.

“Eileen reborn,” Hors said his wings trembling. “Well that is truly a tipping of Fors Wheel. You say this Xavier went seeking the song?”

“He did so he said,” Indira said. “Eileen would have would she not? I did not know her of course but I have heard stories.”

“She would do just that,” Hors said. “So we can leave the song in his hands and the March will come in its own time. Right now we have these armies to face.”

Iounn said nothing to the change of subject to the coming war. She knew Hors was avoiding the subject of the March and the Crippled One. This was the stuff of stories, and from what she knew of stories Iounn knew there had to be a champion to face the Crippled One in the end. Not Xavier, this Eileen reborn, no Iounn knew Hors had taken that role for himself. But he was no longer up for the task, reborn himself into a body that could not feed his spirit’s power. Iounn felt a ripple of fear in her heart as she wondered if she were to be this champion. She knew Hors would never allow it nor had intended it, but she felt it might fall on her to kill the Crippled One. If not her then who?

“Tell us then of these enemies,” Jaya said breaking into Iounn’s thoughts. She was soon telling the Griffins of what they knew of the enemy, pointing to places on the map, and their efforts to contact the dwarves. The Griffins listened intently, ears perked up and tails twitching much like cats anticipating the hunt ahead.

“We can aid in the hunting down of the scouting parties,” Jaya said, her tail swishing back and forth.

“We should divide the clans then,” Indira said. “Two each to a fort.”

“What of the dwarves?” Yama asked in a mellow voice. “Surely they would have made contact by now, they must all be dead.”

“Or they cannot get through the Orcs Yama,” Manisha snapped. “Why must you always state the darkest outcomes?”

“I state a possibility we should acknowledge Manisha,” Yama answered not rising to the bait. “We should be prepared to face this enemy without the aid of the dwarves and their knowledge on these creatures’ tactics.”

“Unless a scouting party of our own goes to the mountains,” Nirav said. “We can fly over the Orc army and mountains.”

“I will go,” Dhaval said. “The Swift Winds are the fastest flyers.”

“Not over long distances,” Yama said. “The Bone Eaters are best at staying airborne longest over vast distances.”

“Would stealth not be best?” Nirav said tipping his head at his own question. “The Night Flyers can fly at night when they will not be seen.”

“You forget Nirav these Orcs are nocturnal as well,” Manisha said. “The Wise Wings would be best given how versatile and agile we are in the air.”

“Strength in needed for this,” Jaya said. “We of the Marked Ones are the strongest.”

“On the ground!” Dhaval said ruffling his feathers in irritation. “The Swift Winds are the best flyers!”

“The Long Talons are the greatest warriors,” Mahavir argued hotly. “We will be the first to draw Orc blood.”

“Enough!” Hors shouted before the Griffins devolved into another agreement. “One from the Swift Winds, Wise Wings, Night Flyers, and Bone Eaters will be enough for this mission over the mountains. None of the Elect should go, you are all needed here. Understood?”

“Yes Hors,” Indira said, the only one free of boasting. It seemed the Griffins were far too eager to prove their superiority to each other. “So which of us will go to what fort?”

“I would have the Feather Tails and Long Talons go to Dun Glas where King Sten is,” Hors said. “The Marked Ones and Swift Winds will go to the coast fort of Dun Carr where Prince Roland is. And the Bone Eaters and Night Flyers will stay here in Dun Cnámh. Objections?”

Iounn had to plug her ears from the shouts of objections from the Griffins as each began to argue against Hors’ suggestions. She could see he was pairing the types of Griffins off to benefit the other, but the Griffins of course wanted their own way. It seemed more of the arguments were over which clan was stronger or better at flying rather than anything of merit.

“You can go Iounn,” Hors said as the Griffins argued. “If it is alright if we stay here? This could take some time.”

“I will see food sent in,” Epona asked nodding. “What kind of food should I send in?”

“Freshly butchered sheep would do,” Hors answered. “I’d say about three, you can drain them first and butcher them into cuts, the Griffins won’t mind. And a dish for the offal.”

“Very well,” Epona said smoothly as if she had Griffins over for dinner all the time. “Will those out on the moors need anything?”

“They will fend for themselves,” Hors answered. “If they choose any of the herds nearby, don’t contest them.”

“I will let the shepherds know,” Epona said before turning and walking briskly out of the hall. Iounn simply nodded to Hors who rolled his eyes at her before turning to the argument. Iounn found Dylan at her side as they walked out of the hall.

“How goes the training Lady Iounn?” Dylan asked.

“Fine as you well know,” Iounn answered. “What is it you really wish to ask?”

“Mothers,” Dylan said under his breath but Iounn heard him, but his wry grin told her he hadn’t minded her question. “I wish to know if you think these Griffins will make the difference we need to win this.”

“I can’t know that majesty,” Iounn answered. “Simply because the way of battle. Even if the Griffins add superior numbers and the Orc army isn’t as big as we think, even if we get the aid of the dwarfs at their flanks, we cannot know the outcome of a war. To assume victory when all seems in your favor is one sure way to see it all crumble in your hands. Until all are dead, or one side survives, only then call the war be called over.”

Dylan was silent for several heartbeats until they were outside once more.

“Lady Iounn I fear that will be the outcome of this war,” Dylan said. “The slaying of all the Orcs.”

“You say it as if it is a bad thing,” Iounn said surprised. “You know what these creatures capable of.”

They had received word of raided farms, and the atrocities of what happened there. The slaughter went beyond human bounds, rape, butchery, cannibalism; all showed they truly were dealing with monsters. Iounn hadn’t seen any of the raided farms, but Dylan had taken one risky ride to see for himself. He had returned with a look of profound shock.

“I know Lady Iounn,” Dylan said nodding. “I despise these creatures; they do not belong in Miread. But that’s just it, they don’t belong here. The Crippled One brought them here, according to Donar, maybe against their will maybe with it. Either way, they are not of this world, and I think Miread has damaged them in some way.”

“What do you mean?” Iounn asked puzzled.

“I think that where they came from, they had no physical forms like they do now,” Dylan answered. “Now that they do they revel in it to the extent that pain has become pleasure to them. Maybe in their world, where they were free of physical sensations and desires, they were not the monsters they are now. Maybe by bringing them here the Crippled One knew he was twisting them into monsters.”

“How did you come to this conclusion?” Iounn asked surprised.

“When we rode to the farm that had been raided one of my men killed an Orc that had fallen asleep in the barn. It had raped and killed the young girl, a child no older than ten summers, and had been eating her.”

He fell silent a moment, no doubt reliving that moment as he shuddered. Iounn had learned from Goran to keep silent when those dark memories took him, to wait at the end of tunnel for him to return.

“I remember looking at it after it had died, if looked… confused,” Dylan said at last. “I thought over that for the rest of the ride back and wondered. What must it have been like to be taken from one world to this one? I think it is being here that makes them the monsters they are.”

“You cannot feel mercy to them majesty,” Iounn said hardly. “Not if you are to kill them.”

“I know this Lady Iounn,” Dylan said. “If anything it strengthens my resolve. If they do not belong here then we must send them back, for our sakes and theirs I believe. I only hope killing them really does send them back. From what Donar told us of them they don’t appear to age, they do not die unless something kills them. If so then the only way to free the Orcs is in death.”

Iounn stared at this young man, wondering what kind of king he was. None she had experience with, he was far too composed and thoughtful for a king of Nyrgard. Yet she knew it was these very airs that had even Daunish man and woman devoted to their king. Iounn had seen it grow in them as Dylan lived among them, it could only be called faith.

A horn sounded and horse hooves pounded on the packed earth, both Iounn and Dylan turning to the gates of the fort to see a rider fly into the courtyard. His horse collapsed under him foaming at the mouth and soaked in sweat. The rider leapt clear but stumbled and collapsed.

“A healer!” Dylan bellowed halfway to the man himself. “Water now! Someone see to the horse!”

Iounn stood on the steps as people flocked to the scene, Dylan ordering those not needed back as he knelt at the man’s side. Iounn was relieved to see Dylan soon helped the man to his feet, but his horse shuddered and died. He must have run it until its heart burst, and Iounn wondered what had provoked the man to run a horse to death to get here.

She walked forward and the crowd parted for her. Dylan was at the man’s side as he coaxed him into drinking some water though the man kept trying to speak.

“Majesty this man has a message let him speak it,” Iounn said. “Your concern is noble but a horse gave its life for this man to speak, we should hear him.”

“Very well,” Dylan said chastised yet unlike many men unhurt by the rebuff. “Tell me sir what has happened.”

“Names Dara majesty,” the man said having gained his wind back. “I was a shepherd ta the north turned scout now. A battle’s begun ta the north.”

“With the Orc army?” Dylan said surprised. “I’ve ordered no engagements.”

“Majesty, it baint be our forces the Orcs be fightin,” Dara said. “I ken it be dwarves.”

Dylan was dead silent a moment, motionless as a statue.

“Call to arms!” Dylan said loudly, a sharp command but free of the panic that might have resided in those words. “We march for the north.”

“We cannot hope to provide aid majesty,” Iounn said. “It is a three day march to the border besides how long it simply took for this man to ride to us.”

“I know this Lady Iounn but would you have me sit and do nothing while the dwarves die trying to fight through to us?” Dylan asked turning on her.

“No majesty, I only ask that we not rush into this,” Iounn answered. “Prepare some of your forces but be sure to keep some here. Secondly, use what is newly available to you. The Griffins can fly to scout ahead so that we are not marching blind.”

“Yes, thank you Lady Iounn,” Dylan said relieved. “Will you stay in command here?”

“I think Epona would best hold that role,” Iounn said. “I will be needed as a translator and Hors’ guardian when you arrive at the battle.”

Dylan nodded and turned away to begin organizing his men. Iounn in turn went back to the keep to confront the Griffins. Inside the Griffins were busy with their meal, Hors laying on the table with his tail swishing in irritation. He looked up at Iounn’s entrance and seemed to sense her news.

“What has happened?” Hors asked.

“Dwarves were spotted to the north engaged with the Orcs,” Iounn answered. “It seems our hand is forced.”

“We will call our kin to battle!” Mahavir said standing and flaring his wings.

“You will do no such thing Mahavir,” Hors said coldly. “I will take Yama and the Bone Eaters, the rest of you will go to the forts as I have said.”

“You do not order me about!” Mahavir said angrily.

“I do not Mahavir,” Hors answered. “Because you are too stupid to listen.”

Mahavir growled and Iounn saw his muscles bunch. Before she knew it she had drawn her hammer and stepped forward, bringing it down on Mahavir’s back paw. The Griffin yelped and whipped around, lashing out blindly at the one who attacked him. Iounn was surprised by his speed and barely avoided the lashing claws. It was his beak she needed to fear more as she saw Mahavir lunge for her throat. She brought her hammer up, connecting heavily with Mahavir’s jaw and making his sharp beak snap closed on his tongue cutting off the tip.

Hissing and blood dripping from his gaping beak Mahavir backed away, his wings rattling and tail lashing.

“First blood drawn again to your disadvantage Mahavir,” Indira said dryly. “I wonder why the Long Talons even chose you.”

“Damn you Indira,” Mahavir hissed, his voice unaffected by his severed tongue telling Iounn that a Griffin’s tongue had nothing to do with their voice.

“Damn and curse all you want Mahavir but at this rate you’ll command nothing if you keep losing battles,” Indira answered. “If Raja were here you would have never gotten command of the Long Talons.”

“Enough,” Hors said sounding tired. “We have work to do. Now go.”

Grumbling and shoving the Griffins left, only Yama remaining.

“A way with words Hors as always,” Yama said mildly.

“We’ve never met Yama so spare me the familiarity,” Hors said sounding irritated.

“We’ve met before in a past life Hors,” Yama said. “Or do you not recall?”

Hors was silent a moment, staring at Yama.

“Ah, Gita you were the first Elect of the Swift Winds,” Hors said nodding. “You regained your past memories?”

“No, but I feel I’ve met you before,” Yama answered. “You know that strange sense that you’ve done things before.”

“No actually I don’t,” Hors answered. “I’ve only been reborn the once and it seems with us Elder Phay we retain all memories of our past lives when we are reborn. The new body takes some getting used to but afterwards I found I was still much of myself.”

“Bad memory and all?” Yama said.

“You try living for centuries,” Hors answered aloofly. Iounn cleared her throat then and Hors turned to her and nodded. “Yes of course, come Yama.”

Hors leapt up onto Iounn’s shoulder as Yama followed them out of the keep. Dylan already waited with a saddled horse and five companies of a hundred men waiting. Only the scouts were mounted so they set off at a quick march, scouts riding ahead as the Griffins took flight. Iounn couldn’t help but stare up at the sky filled with the Griffins, their beating wings filling the air with a chaotic drumbeat.

They rode for the rest of the day and made camp, the Bone Eaters unable to fly at night. The next day they continued on, the Griffins flying ahead. Around midday several Griffins returned with word of events in the foothills.

“The dwarves were unable to push through and now holds a mountain in the foothills,” the young griffin reported, a vulture breed telling by her bald head.

“What are their numbers like?” Iounn asked. “Were you able to make contact?”

“Ten thousand dwarves about,” the Griffin answered. “Now the Bone Eaters join them to hold the defense. Twice their number stands between them and the moors.”

“And they will be harried the whole way,” Iounn muttered.

“Not the whole way,” Hors said. “Daylight stops them.”

“A veil covers the Orc army,” the Griffin said. “It is like flying through night and smells of smoke, but no other harm comes. It moves with the army but slowly.”

“This explains why they have not broken in further other than night raids,” Hors said. “They need the cloud of this night over them. I wonder if those to the east need the same?”

“We will ask the dwarves since they are the most familiar with them,” Iounn said. “Any plans Hors?”

“I am not a military strategist Iounn,” Hors said. “I am a dragon.”

Iounn had nothing to say to that so they mounted and continued to ride. The situation for the dwarves did not change as they rode north, the Orcs seemed intent on simply keeping them where they were. Iounn feared the Orcs were waiting for them, planning to strike just before they arrived.

They arrived in the afternoon, the sun high and sky clear but to the north. Iounn stared in awe at the dark smudge in the sky, nothing like storm clouds it hung in the air dead like smoke. Below was an army hard to count given the gloom hovering above it.

“They won’t venture from the darkness,” Dylan said watching them. “We have time to set up camp and rest before they attack at nightfall.”

“Should we not attack first?” Iounn asked.

“Had we arrived earlier maybe,” Dylan said. “But we are weary from the day’s march, by the time we are rested night will have fallen.”

Iounn did not like the idea of a night battle, and mulled over what could be done.

“If only we could get rid of that cloud,” Iounn muttered. “Hors?”

“The Crippled One made it,” Hors answered. “A manifestation of aether that is a physical control of the aether much like making a skin to transform into an animal.”

“Can you not just blow it away then?” Iounn asked.

“If it were just a cloud then yes commanding a greater sylph could give you the power to dispel it,” Hors answered. “But we do not have a witch with that power here. Even if we did it would take a greater skill to dispel that cloud, one who can draw on the aether in the same way. They would have to send the cloud back into the lines.”

“We do not have a witch of that power here but could the Dwarves or Griffins not have one of such power?” Iounn asked and Hors seemed to mull it over.

“Both are of the Younger Phay,” Hors said. “It would be an extraordinary power for them to have among them, one rarely born to their kind. It wouldn’t be unheard of or impossible, just very unlikely.”

“We should ask the Griffin to fly to the camp and send the message,” Iounn said.

“I do not think it will help Iounn,” Hors said. “There isn’t time before sundown.”

“Hors I understand battle, if we survive the night there will be plenty of time.”

She went and found their Griffin messenger and sent it off with word. Meanwhile the camp prepared for battle. There was both much to do and little to do once those tasks were complete. Some sought to rest or eat before checking equipment and armor. Defensive perimeters were drawn, stakes, pits, and entrenchments dug. There was little time to complete these measures however, so the preparations were dirty and quick.

By dusk all that was left was to wait. Iounn knew this was the hardest test of warrior’s mettle, the waiting. Goran had told her that much at least, war was brief moments of fighting, terror, and death, between long times of boredom and waiting. Standing at the center of camp as the sun set Iounn understood how the tension could leave one exhausted.

The Orc army struck before true night had fallen, the sky still stained with the blood of the fallen sun. Iounn stood with Dylan in the center of camp under his banner, the center of command where they would be easily found and a rallying point for their men. A cry and a startled horn blast was their warning that their right entrenchment had come under attack.

Iounn stood as the sounds of battle rose up into the twilight, unable to see much beyond the gloom of the night.

“We should have torches lit,” Iounn said.

“We don’t have enough,” Dylan said shaking his head.

“Gorse,” Iounn said. “Light the moors, fire is our greatest ally now. They fear light they must fear fire.”

“Donar said they are very flammable,” Dylan said nodding. He turned to a servant and rattled off some orders for wood and oil, whatever they could gather for a wild fire.

The servant hurried away to complete the task as screams and shouts continued on. Dylan was giving a few orders to those who came to him, but otherwise Iounn was pleased to see him letting those in command of their companies take command. When a runner arrived asked for aid, Dylan sent them back with word of how to spread the forces. He did not take too little or too much, he kept his composure which spread to the messengers.

Iounn was impressed with this young king; he was more than any king Nyrgard had to offer. She felt sad that it was true, Dylan was a man she could follow.

A blaze of fire lit the rising night and she gasped at the sudden conflagration. She heard an unearthly screech from the enemy lines and the dark tide of Orcs melted back from their lines. She had not expected them to fear fire so much.

“We should press our advantage,” Dylan said.

“No, they will rally and come again,” Iounn said. “Order fires built along our lines, some will test it but not as many as that first wave. We need to hold the night majesty.”

Dylan seemed to debate this in his mind. Iounn realized she had spoken hastily and feared she had spoken of too much caution to a man. Sten or Roland would have shaken those words off as a challenge and rushed in even faster because of them.

“I will build the fires, but we need time to do it,” Dylan said. “A fast sortie of the cavalry across their nose while they are stunned will bloody them more. But they ride back immediately.”

“Yes majesty that is wise,” Iounn said amazed. He had not only taken her advice of caution but saw the flaws in it as well. Indeed, this was a man she could follow.

“Conor!” Dylan shouted, and his chosen knight came running like a loyal hound. “I want you to lead the charge.”

“Yes Dylan,” Conor said nodding about to run off but Dylan grabbed him by the shoulder.

“Remember, only one pass Conor,” Dylan said. “That is an order.”

“Yes majesty,” Conor said with more formality. Dylan let him go and Conor marched off to his waiting horse. Iounn looked to Dylan to see his worry and pain. “It is not easy, sending men off to their deaths.”

“For some it is all too easy,” Iounn said. “Be glad you are not them, for they are little better than the monsters we face.”

“Is it easy for Sten?” Dylan asked.

“I believe he finds it easier than you,” Iounn answered, “But he bleeds inside when they fall. And ever they will fall.”

Her words struck him a blow Iounn saw, and she wished it was not a lesson this young man had to learn. The thunder of horses drew their gaze back to the field, though it was hard to see through the smoke and fire. Iounn made out the charge, coming from the west and turning like a scythe to cut along the enemy lines. The orcs rippled back as the mounted knights wheeled, Iounn holding her breath. Conor turned them back then just as the bonfires were lit.

The Orcs flinched and bellowed, occasionally a sortie came through the light but otherwise the Orcs remained between them and the dwarf army.

“It seems we will hold the night,” Dylan said.

“Do not be so sure majesty the night is long,” Iounn said but she agreed with this assessment. “These Orcs don’t seem very clever.”

“Donar said they bred with beasts,” Dylan answered. “I am guessing this gave them little in the way of brains.”

Iounn nodded in agreement and looked down at Hors who had been silent all this time.

“What are you thinking?” Iounn asked.

“There are those in the ranks of Orcs capable of magic,” Hors said and Iounn felt her heart freeze. “Not the Elder Magic, something similar though I’ve never felt. They must have their own.”

“Is that possible?” Iounn asked.

“The aether is of everything, not just life,” Hors answered. “It is darkness and death and rot, if it exists it is of the aether. Rituals of the Elder Magic would be beyond the Orcs, like command of the Wild Kin who would never listen to the likes of them, but they can use the darker aspects of aether. They must have their own rituals and magic.”

“You mean forbidden magicks,” Iounn said and Hors shrugged.

“Forbidden implies rules,” Hors answered. “There are no hard rules when it comes to dealing with the aether. The Phay forbade some rituals because of the danger, but the Phay used the Elder Magic like any other tool. The Elder Magic is as much a weapon as it is a tool.”

“So, what can they do?” Iounn asked afraid.

“I’m not sure,” Hors answered. “They may have invented their own rituals with their own outcomes, or they could have warped other rituals. There is no way of knowing until they do it.”

“Will they use it now?” Iounn asked.

“I don’t know,” Hors answered. “I will let you know if I feel something building.”

“That is a real comfort Hors,” Iounn said harshly.

“It is all I can give,” Hors answered non-pulsed. Iounn sighed and turned her attention back to the battle. Whatever the fires did it was just enough to keep the flood of Orcs at bay. It was not a restful night however; there were intermittent battles through the night as the Orcs tested their lines. One bon fire even went out and the Orcs swarmed the gap of darkness until it was relit.

Iounn spent the night at Dylan’s side, Conor the lodestone on the lines of battle. She never saw the fighting up close, but the sounds and smells were more than enough for her. Thankfully since the Orcs had to keep their lines around the dwarves to the north, they could not move around to flank the Daunish with any significant force. A few sorties were tried, but easily repelled or crushed given they only consisted of a handful of Orcs.

Iounn was getting a distinct lack of command structure and organization to the Orcs at this point. Whoever was the commander of this force lacked finesse in the ways of large scale battle. The Orcs were proving powerful scrappers and raiders, but against organized defenses they lacked the organization to penetrate. This left Iounn thoughtful on possibilities as the sun rose lazily to the east.

The Orcs quickly retreated to their gloomy shadow, and the Daunish were able to lick their wounds. And many wounds there were; while they had held through the night and not once were their defenses penetrated, there was a heavy toll of wounded. Over fifty dead and twice that wounded left Dylan pale as the dawn that day. Iounn looked at him as Conor recounted their losses, and her heart bled for the young man. Heart inspired those to follow him, but it also destroyed him from within.

Then they went to the hospital tent, and Iounn saw Dylan nearly break at the sight of the wounded. There were many who wouldn’t last the dawn, and many whose lives would continue but with broken bodies. The smell of spilled blood and entrails mixed with the shit and piss of the wounded. There was a few shrieking in pain, many just moaning, and a few ominously silent. Dylan stood at the entrance of the hospital staring at the suffering before him.

Then he stepped forward and started to go about the tent, talking to those he could and offering comfort. Iounn watched as he went about the tent, even offering his aid in wrapping bandages and feeding the injured. Conor joined him, both men looking worn but determined. Iounn left them to the task, feeling tired she returned to her tent to rest. She had just stepped into her tent when someone scratched at the tent flap. Iounn went to see who it was to find Kree standing outside her tent.

“I’m going to go get something to eat,” Hors said, leaping down from Iounn’s shoulder. Before she could stop him the dragon child and ran off into the camp leaving them alone.

“Come in,” Iounn said, feeling too tired to argue with Kree. The Rhodin woman came into the tent, unreadable as always. They had spent some time together now, in fighting lessons and occasional conversation, yet Iounn felt little had changed between them. Iounn looked at Kree and felt her heart ache.

“You must be tired,” Kree said. “You should lay and rest, I’ll rub your feet for you.”

Iounn didn’t argue, sitting on her cot she shed her boots and cloak, Kree taking her feet in her hands. Iounn felt her tension melt away, and with it came her barriers against the days trials. She lay back in bed, feeling tears rise, and Kree was at her side then to hold her. Kree held Iounn until she fell asleep, stroking her hair much like Goran used to do. The gesture comforted Iounn and she fell asleep with warmth in her heart she thought she had lost long ago.

#fantasy #series #fairies #dragons #please read #writing

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blizzardfluffykpop · 6 years ago

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Cats, Flowers, and Snakes

Summary: Art class with tattoo artist! Yugyeom.

Yugyeom X Reader

Oneshot

Who would ever believe that a man with a face of stone is an utter fluff ball? No one, that is exactly how I thought of Kim Yugyeom. He seemed like he could kill you with no remorse, not because of his tattoos, I have a few of those myself. So I don’t hold a stigma towards that, it’s his constant glare is what unnerves me. He sits across from in Art, he draws snakes with peonies. He has a lot of flash art in his portfolio which I admire, far away of course. Every time he interacts with people he looks as if he wants it done and over, as soon as possible. Not that he looks uncomfortable, but like he is analyzing them from the core out. When he doesn’t find what he is looking for, he pushes them away when they try to get close.

So when I found out he works as a volunteer at the animal rescue shelter two cities away. Having this gleeful smile on his face as he greets a little kid, and helps them hold a little black lab. I was a shock to say the least, I thought he was stone cold and shrewd, not wanting to be in contact with anyone. I was looking to get another cat, an older one, because I know they are not taken in as often. I looking through the little cages, reading the tags seeing only dogs which was odd three weeks ago they were packed--someone taps me on the shoulder, I flinch. I look over my shoulder, and it’s Yugyeom, “Have an animal in specific you’re looking for?” “Ah yeah an older cat?” He scrunches his nose up in thought, moving swiftly to the last of the cages, scratching the back of his neck, “Well, the only one we did,... I sold her to this sweet little elderly woman…” I sigh, I nod my shoulders slump, I should have bought that fat little orange tabby cat three weeks ago with credit… Before I hear him snap his fingers, “Would you want to come to the back with me?” I raise my eyebrows, “Huh, why?” “Well, I do have this one cat, but her paw got ran over so she’s getting transported to the vets in an hour, and maybe you would like her?” I grin at him, nodding furiously, wanting to see the little girl.

He lead me into the back where there was a bird that in recovery, a dog with a cone on trying desperately to scratch his face. I grinned at the little guys, he brings me over to the biggest cage, and this fat orange tabby, it was the one I was looking at three weeks ago, “She got hurt?” I say kneeling next to her cage, “Uh… yeah?” “Oh, I uh wanted to buy her a few weeks ago, and I can’t believe she got hurt…” He kneels down next to me, “Well she needs a good home,” “I’ll buy her-but how did she get hurt?” “Mark was opening the backdoor while a customer came in, this little girl was holding on her a little loosely, and she Usain bolted right out between Mark’s legs, and into the street.” I laugh, “Man she sounds like a little rascal, does she claw up furniture or whatnot?” “Nah, she is runner though, don’t let her old age fool you, she’ll run at loud sounds. I mean I don’t blame her, I would too…” I let out a little laugh at his remark, “So is it an easy break?” “That I’m not exactly sure about, but once she is all healed, you can come pick her up!” His grin was infectious and I couldn’t help but grin right back.

He gets up, holding out his hand for me to grab, I accept it, he pulls me up, “So how much for her?” “Let me go ask Jinyoung!” I follow him to the counter and he goes into another backroom. I stand there pondering if my baby (C/n) will like their new friend. I’m trapped in thought as Yugyeom comes up to me, with this big gorgeous smile. I could get used to seeing that, “She will be forty dollars, and with a cute smile I can make it thirty-nine and fifty cents?” I put my fingers to my cheeks and make a goofy smile, “So she’ll be thirty-nine and fifty cents!” I laugh, “That was the little baby's actual price, wasn’t it?” He nods as I pull out fifty cents, from my pocket. I take out my wallet as he looks me up in the computer system, after all I got my first kitten here. “I thought I recognized you! You’re the girl who sits across from me in art class, and does a lot of oil pastel works!” I nod, “That’s me” “Well, let me officially introduce myself, I’m Kim Yugyeom” Holding out his hand to shake, “I’m L/n Y/n, it’s been a pleasure meeting you” “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you” I chuckle, and pull out forty, and he rings it up, “I can’t wait to see you again.”

_____________________

Class with him got easier every time he sees me he gives me a small wave, I give him a smile, and get to work. Although, I wonder what I’m going to name the fast little furball, speaking of which. Cheeto is normal, but I feel like Killer is too, hmm, maybe Yugyeom has an idea. I look up, locking eyes with him, with a cough, and ask him, “What do you think is a good name for her?” “How about Goldilocks?” I raise an eyebrow at him, “Um she's orange though?” he pouts in thought.

“But…” I grin at him, “Don't worry I think it's cute,... I think I'll name her that.” He grins at me, and we continue to talk about Goldilocks, how she's healing up. How he's ready for her to have a good home, and a sweet caregiver. He smiles at me, “I wish I could see her again, after you adopt her” His pout coming out again, if this is his way of persuading people, he has got me wrapped around his finger. “Well, if you want to visit her so much, I guess you’ll just have to ask” I say trying to keep myself from smiling, and failing miserably. He grins and we go back to doing our art.

_____________________

The time flew fast to the day I brought Goldilocks home. My cat and Goldie, Goldilocks’ nickname, had an instant connection and played around, before getting tuckered out and falling asleep in my cats bed. Funny enough, (C/n) doesn’t like to share often, I guess they liked Goldie that much, they just offered it to the her. My heart felt at ease, I worried about them getting along together. It’s nice to know that things are going smoothly between the two of them.

I went to bed with ease, waking up to utter chaos was not what I expected. It seems they plotted against me with the toilet paper being ripped up and across the bathroom. My toothbrush in the sink, and the toothpaste wide open and most of it on the counter. I sigh, I find the two scoundrels with blue toothpaste matting their fur.

I’m glad I woke up forty minutes earlier than I usually do. It’s because of a dream that had me waking straight up, so much so, I fell out of my bed. I thought washing one cat was rough, I was in for a surprise, but Goldie likes baths at least, the water didn't bother her, I think waiting to be dry bothered her. Because I had her in my arms as she shivered, she just looked at me before jumping out of my arms, and like a dog, she shakes off all the water, and stands over the heater, with a smug look. That cat, is going to be the death of me, least my cat likes cuddling with me while they dry. I clean off the sink, after bandaging up my arms because (C/n) is feisty. I’ve watched millions of tutorials on how to wash cats to get them used to it, and that one refuses every trick, so I suck it up. And just deal with the scratches as long as (C/n) is clean. I clean up the toilet paper, and look at the clock on my phone. I have ten minutes to get ready, well, what was a way to start a Monday. I rush around, making myself look presentable for the day. Brushing my teeth after thoroughly washing the toothbrush, and what little toothpaste I had left. I bid my cats goodbye, and make a mental reminder to get some toilet paper as I lock the door and sprint to art.

I make it in a minute in before the professor, who has a policy of marking you late if you are not inside the classroom before they are. Which sucks, but hey I made it before them, “Man, you look out of sorts…” I sigh, not even looking at Yugyeom as I rustle through my supplies, after I pull out my project. I, finally, look up at him, seeing he has two coffees in front of him. “Two coffees?” “Well, I figured I’d get you one, I had this feeling you’d have a weird day…” I thank him, “Are you psychic or just that good at guessing?” He gives me a small smile, “Maybe a bit of both” I shake my head as I drink my coffee, “Also, you texted me if you don’t remember that you had a bad morning. I was next to the coffee shop so I uh, thought you’d like a pick-me-up.” My mouth forms a ‘o’ shape, I completely forgot about that. “You’re too sweet, you know that. I don’t know what I did to deserve someone like you in my life” His eyes squint as he smiles at me, “Just lucky, I guess” I let out a small laugh, and take a sip of my coffee, relaxing into my seat from the comfort.

“Are you going to tell me what happened? I mean it’s cool if you don’t want to, you just made me a little curious is all.” I lean my head back, shaking it in disbelief, telling him the whole story, making him laugh. Like music to my ears, that laugh of his. “It seems like your two cats teamed up on you” I roll my eyes, “I guessed that much” I roll my eyes going back to my oil pastel work, “At least Goldie is settling in well” He tells me, I nod, “I’m glad too” I ask about his gig at the tattoo shop he was trying so desperately to get into. “They said they want to see my portfolio tomorrow and they’ll start teaching me the ropes, but I won’t be working on a human canvas for at least three years.” I look up at him with a huge grin, “I’m so proud, you make such cool art that is perfect for tattooing, and I hope they want to give you an apprenticeship!” His grin matches mine, “Ahh! I’m so nervous, but I have this gut feeling they will give it to me” “I know they will!”

I go back to thinking as I work my piece out to perfection, “When you get your license I think you should give me a tattoo of your design” He looks at me a soft blush on my face, “I don’t even know if I’m getting the job yet-” “Have you seen your artwork?” His blush evident, “I-uh…” “Come on! I would totally love a snake and peony design on my thigh” With his redden cheeks he looks down, and tells me softly, “Okay” I grin at him, and go back to my oil pastel, sipping away at my coffee.

Before I can get into it, I’m interrupted by Yugyeom asking, “When do I get to see the two babies?” I shrug my shoulders, “When the two start behaving” “I guess I’ll never get to come over” He pouts, why does he keep doing this to me? He must know I fall for it, and here I go, “How about you come over this weekend?” His pout turns to a grin in seconds flat, and he tells me how excited he is to see Goldie after all this time.

_____________________

Time flies fast till Saturday hits, Yugyeom and me becoming more talkative, sort of neglecting our pieces in the process. But I wouldn’t have it any other way, if I get to talk to him for that whole time. I brought him a cookie on Wednesday, because I remembered to make them on Tuesday. Mostly because he made my day feel better with that coffee. So I wanted to repay him as a thank you, for that act of kindness.

I cleaned up my apartment over the week, and by the time we got to Saturday all I had to do was wash the dishes from last night. Thankfully, the two babies haven’t destroyed any more toilet paper, although they did figure out how to get into their food bags. Which led to me putting a rubber band over the two cabinet doors, to prevent them from getting in again. I hear a soft knock on my door, rushing over I peek through the peephole. To see, you guessed it, Yugyeom.

My two cats run over to see who is intruding in their sacred land. As I shut the door, Goldie goes and snuggles up to Yugyeom. My cat following in suit, “Jeez got catnip on you or something?” I ask sardonically. He laughs, “Maybe~” I shake my head, “I hope not” He chuckles, as I make my way over to the refrigerator and ask him if he wants anything to drink, “Um a water, I guess?” I pull out two, gesturing for him to sit on my couch.

The two babies following his lead and hopping up, my cat, still loves me it seems. As they come over and plop themselves onto my lap, while Goldie snuggles up to Yugyeom. It felt like an old couple with two cats, basking in each other’s company. If I were to be truthful with myself, I didn’t ever want this moment to end. I just wanted to stay in his comforting presence, with my two cats. Well, I guess in the scenario I was playing out in my head it would be, our two cats. Laying in our laps, as we talk about nonsense.

“I’m so glad Goldilocks has (C/n) and you to live with. She seems to be at ease in this little apartment” I smile over at Yugyeom, “I’m glad she’s finding comfort at this old age, I just want her to be happy” I tell him softly, leaning my head back against the couch, turning on the t.v. I look through the channels, finally, settling on the Disney’s classic of Hercules. “You like this movie?” He asks making a face, “Uh yeah? Like who doesn’t like this movie. It’s about a god falling in love with a commoner-” “Yeah that commoner made deals with Hades for an old love, and moves on from them to the god-” “People move on, especially since that old love cheated on them.” My cat raises their head up at me, as if to say, please don’t get into it. I look down at them, and then at Yugyeom, as he tells me, “Yeah isn’t that sad though, you trade your soul for someone that doesn’t even love you. Then you fall for the right one, and your soul has already been thrown away?” Am I really fighting over a Disney movie? Yes I am, and I’m gonna win. “But think about this way, you have to get over the old one, and once that part that loved them has left, you can move on and love someone else. Love conquers all y’know?” “Yeah but it’s sad, it doesn’t happen like that” I squint my eyes at him for a second, before saying, “At the end they end up with each other, because they were meant to be, he would do anything for her. And she would do anything for him, that’s what love’s all about-” “Yeah and what do you know about love?” “Obviously a whole lot more than you do-” “Really? The last lover I had, I thought was the one, cheated on me behind my back, and I would have done anything for them. But they wouldn’t even reciprocate half that. I thought I was going to marry them. Then I find out from my best friend, that they’re cheating on me. I didn’t want to believe it but the evidence was plain as I could see when I got off of work earlier than usually. But here I am still thinking about what we could have had.” “Does that make you, Meg?” He looks at me like I just twisted his whole story, wrapped it up in wrapping paper, and tied it off with a bow.

“I guess so,...” “Are you still in love with them?” He sighs, looking down at Goldie, and scratching her under her chin, “I’m not sure, it hurts every time I think about them. Maybe that’s why this movie hurts so much. I don’t even know if you’ve ever been in love, I’m just throwing my problems at you. I’m so sorry, you didn’t deserve that. I’ll-I’ll… um… I’m going to get going.” I place my hand on his shoulder, “Wait-” He locks eyes with me, “-What if I’m Hercules?” He scoffs at me, “As if-” “Just hear me out,” he relaxes back into his seat, “what if I show you how someone should be loved, never cheat on you, and give you my whole world in exchange for apart of yours?” He looks at me, before sighing, “I haven’t believed in love since they left me…” I look at him sincerely, “I think I can make you believe in it, just give me a day” He gives me a look, “Starting now” I tell him before I make (C/n) get off of me and I offer him my hand, and Goldie gets off of Yugyeom to follow (C/n).

I turn on my music, and fittingly enough, Prince’s song I Wanna Be Your Lover comes on. I spin him around, and sway with him to the music. Making him laugh, “You think this is going to make me fall for you?” I sigh, “Maybe not, but I’ll put my whole heart into it” He shakes his head at me, but not in a judgmental way, but like I can’t believe they are going to try this hard. “I’ve known you for three weeks, but I know you love to dance, so why don’t you show off your moves” I tell him, crossing my arms. He gets shy, nervously laughing, he shimmies a little, and makes a few little moves.

I pout, and he instantly decides to bring me in and spin the both of us, and we laugh, and we twist together just dancing around. Irritating my cats, but all in good fun, I beckon him to get his shoes and coat. After we get our shoes and coats on I take him out to the park. We sit on the swings, and we just start talking about everything. Instead of talking about Goldie like we usually do in art, we just start talking about everything.

“What inspired you to become a tattoo artist?” I ask him softly, in wonder, “Well, when I was younger I used to draw on the walls, and my parents never reprimanded me for it. And coincidentally they put me in timeout one time, and I had this red pen and I just went and made this giraffe. I feel in love with art slowly after that, making more and more intricate designs every time I had a piece of paper in my hands. My parents started buying me sketchbooks, and I wanted to find out where I could go with it… and I stumbled on flash art and well the rest is history.” He swings a little, before looking at me, “You never said what you wanted to be” I look down at my hands, fiddling with me, “I want to be an art teacher, I know how hard it can be to get a job, especially with schools killing off the course… I’ve had this is awe-inspiring art teacher that when I was in high school, and I will never forget him. He would always encourage my art, and he always brought a smile to my face, and I made so many great friends some of who are art majors as well. That art teacher brought me out of my shell and I wanted to be as amazing as him if not more. I always wanted to pursue something in the art field and I didn’t know what until my junior year of high school.” He smiles at me and we swing for a while and I ask him what’s his zodiac sign, and he pulls out his phone, “Sweetie, I got a whole natal chart ready” I giggle whipping out my phone and pulling up my natal chart.

“I didn’t expect you to be into astrology-” “I’m an art major…” He tells me with a deadpan look, as we look over each other’s natal chart. I focus mostly on his Venus, because that tells you, how they love. Capricorn in Venus, huh? They are soft, but won’t let you know it I see. But also goal-oriented, okay I can work with this. I grin at him as I give him his phone back and he gives me mine. I grin at him, and I turn in the swing, and he asks me before I can even get any words about his natal chart out, “You said you had tattoos before, can I see them, or?”

My shyness flying out the window, and I lift up my shirt to show an abdomen piece, a bouquet of bouvardia pink flowers. Which represent more than enthusiasm, they’ve been known to mean zest for life, or pink luck. I didn’t even have to say the words before he lists of the meanings to me, but then he goes and asks, “What does it mean to you?” I give him a small smile, letting my shirt drop back down, “There was times where I wasn’t as happy as I am today, and I searched for something to give me luck. To make me feel fulfilled, loved, and show some enthusiasm to everything I do. I want to put effort into everything I do. I don’t wanna just give up before I start, I wanna be courageous and live, that’s why I live life in one day, because tomorrow might not exist. I’m over waiting for tomorrow, life happens now.” He grabs my hand, “Is that why you made the bet, that you could make me fall in love with you in a day?” I look at our hands before shyly looking up, “Yeah is it working?” He winks at me, “We’ll see”

We sit there on the swings just basking in each other’s presence before we hear an ice cream truck starting to go by. I look at him, and I get up, and he looks at me like I’m nuts, “Come on, don’t you want ice cream from an ice cream truck!” He shakes his head before looking up at me with a bright smile, he gets up and starts running with me, before he lets go, “Whoever gets there last is a rotten egg!” I start sprinting, he was already ahead of me, but I won’t let that deter me. While Yugyeom runs around the dog I just completely jump over it. And I’ve finally caught up to him again, because that dog slowed him down. As the ice cream truck stops at the entrance at the park. Kids lining up, slows me down so I don’t run them over, it doesn’t slow Yugyeom down though, seeing as he has already reached the end of the line and he’s grinning like a three year old, getting ice cream. I pout, “I’m not a rotten egg” He ruffles up my hair, “Yes, you are” I cross my arms over my chest and my pout deepens and he laughs. Before I grin at him, joining in on the laughter. It takes a few minutes till we are in the 1st in line, we already exchanged our favorite flavors. I love the chocolate shortcake popsicle, while he’s much more of an ice cream sandwich person. We order ours and I pay for them, and he looks at me, “I could have bought mine…” I give him a pointed look as we move out of the way of the line, “Yeah, but I made this plan, I gotta treat my date” He rolls his eyes, but begrudgingly opens his ice cream sandwich and takes a bite out of it.

Instead of sitting on swings like we were earlier, we just end up walking up the street before finding a bench. Settling on it and just eating our ice cream in peace. I throw away my wrapper and his, in a conveniently placed trash can next to the bench. I ask him, “Well, what’s one of your tattoos” He pulls up his shirt to reveal a dandelion, “Just like you I got a flower tattoo on my ribs,...” ”But yours is to represent that you are rolling with the punches, and are happy and are growing through It seems like it represents more than just than that on you,...”

He turns to look at me, “I got this right after my big breakup… and I made a promise to myself that I’ll grow from that. That I’ll rise above the challenges that I face, that no matter how hard I’m pushed I will pull through, and come out swinging. That I’m not going to sink between the cracks, I’m going to grow up through them, no matter how many people look down at me for it. I’ll still be able to say, that I did it my own way, and I will shine through the rest of my life with a brave smile. That even if my happiness doesn’t always show on the outside it will internally. That I’ll heal from all that emotional plunder... It was probably stupid to get it right after a hard hitter. I could have really regretted it. It’s my favorite tattoo on my body actually. I wanted to focus on keeping myself happy, and finding my inner peace when I got this. I cried getting this tattoo, not because I was in pain, but because I was still fresh from the break up, after they cheated on me. My buddy Jaebum, was working on the tattoo, and actually had to stop tattooing me for thirty minutes at a time because I would start shaking from how bad I was crying. He helped me through my breakup, but I’m still bitter about it. And I don’t wanna be, so I gotta work on that.” I nod grabbing his hand softly, playing with his fingers as he spoke. Once he finished his tattoo story, I kiss his wrist, then his palm.

I lay my head in his lap, when I hear his stomach growl, “Do you wanna go out to dinner? Or just get ramen at a convenience store?” He grabs my hand and pushes me up from his lap, and walks with me, across the street on the crosswalk to a convenient store, “It seems it's settled then” I laugh, and he gives me a small grin and we grab some ramen, I pay for it, and we go over the microwaves. He heats them up while I go, and buy us both drinks, unlike our coffee he gave brought us last week, it's just soft drinks. We sit at the counter near a window. The worker looks half asleep, and I get that especially with midterms coming in a few weeks. I tilt my head at him, he mimics my actions.

I tilt my head the other way, finishing a chopstick full bite. He follows tilting my head to the other, he follows along, and we keep doing it together. I almost choke on my noodles, but I get them down before I end up cackling. And his laugh sounds like an angel's laugh, maybe he is. I wouldn't be surprised, I tentatively reach over and grab his hand. He rubs his thumb over the top of my hand. I ask him, as I open my drink with one hand. “What's something you've always wanted to do on a date… but haven't yet?” He stares off, out the window, thinking about his answer before he suddenly stares at me, eyes locked on my with full attention.

“I've never people watched with someone… I do it all the time in my head, I'll think so and so is a secret assassin, but has a sweet little mom they vow to protect.” I look at his deep pools of brown eyes as his thumb rubbing circles on my hand, “Let’s do it then”

I nod as I point out an older lady, “What do you bet she got away with murdering her husband but doesn't want regular people to know. So she goes around wearing plain clothes, but then you see those rings… she probably has a whole mansion from that murder.” He looks over at the old lady with the golden rings sparkling on her fingers, but her attire looks rather muted. “Nah, she's probably a stripper at night” I raise my eyebrow at him, “What! Old people need strippers too, that are much more their speed.” I shake my head, “Maybe” Before he sees a man in his twenties, walking his dogs, with a pissed expression, “I think that man is going to break up with his girlfriend and giving her, her dogs back” “Have prior experience or something?” I laugh at his gawking expression at me, like how could you accuse me of such a thing, “He’s probably mad at his boss, and is ready to throw hands, but his shift doesn’t start for another two hours, and he’s preparing for his proclamation speech” He locks eyes with me, “Have prior experience with this or something” He says in mocking tone, “Yes,” I pout, “My first job, was a florist, I loved every day of it, until we got a new boss. We just didn’t jive together, like his vibe just made me want to throw him. He finally pushed his limit, and I did exactly what that guy was doing. Rehearsing my lines, and to say the least I was fired but I said I quit. I mean it wasn’t a victory but...” He laughs, “You proved your point to that fucker, that’s what matters” I look at him, “Since you make little stories for everyone you see, what did you think of me?” He tilts his head in thought, wracking his brain for my supposed backstory.

Before he tells me my story he starts off with, “Only if you tell me what you thought of me.” “Deal!” I start making little circles on the top of his hand, he looks me dead in the eye, “I thought you were sweet but had a tongue full of malice. That you secretly owned snakes or cats, something that seems cold on the outside but is really sweet on the inside. That you never had a chance on love, but desperately wanted to find out what it was like…” He trails off, no longer looking at my eyes but to the side in a kind of inward tangent. He comes back to Earth and looks at me, and I confess my thoughts of him, how I thought he was cold at first, that he is scared to get close but utterly hates being alone. That he would push me away if I even tried to talk to him, with how he brushed people off in art class. That his tattoos drew me in, and I wanted to know about them, but was too afraid to ask with his stone-like features. That he was over everything everyone says, before they even said anything. I look in his eyes, before looking back down at my lap, and I softly explain, that when I saw him at the animal rescue shelter, I saw that he cares so much, but everyone he has met cares so little about him. So he worries, and pushes people away because he doesn’t want to be hurt again. He loves with his whole heart, and that shows true when he talks to little kids or looks at animals, it’s like he feels they reciprocate his feelings. I feel his hand take over rubbing circles before he interlocks our hands, and I look up at him before finishing up. That I wanted to get to know you, regardless, and pull you into my arms and hold you, and tell you everything is going to be okay.

He pulls my chin up with his other hand, “You know you’re right, about everything, I put on a cold facade so people don’t talk to me, because I’m scared of getting close. But I love company,...” I look at him, “You were mostly right about everything in your assumptions, because I used to own a snake. You wanna go somewhere else?” He nods, “My turn to pick! And you owned a snake?” I nod to both of his ideas, as he leads me down the street. He turns down a few alleys, before we’re standing in front of an arcade. I grin at him, and he pulls me in, and instead of heading for the arcade games, he brings me into the back where the light is traveling through stained glass. It’s a pool room, with foosball table, and skee ball. He pulls me over to skee ball, “I’ll have you know I’m one of the best skee ball players, but I’ll let you go first.”

I look at him and push in a few quarters that I had to spare. And I roll it right into the 100 points hole twice, and I smirk at him. He exchanges the look, and with my confidence all the way up I think I can do it with ease, and I go for it, with too much force it misses it completely, and goes right into the ten. I pout, he laughs, and I kept trying my best at the game using up all the ten off my shots. I earn a score of 230, and he looks at me and puts in a few quarters.

I watch as he keeps rolling them up into the one hundred hole, he misses once, and his ball rolls in to the ten points hole. I laugh at him, till he winks at me, with that he picks up two balls, and at the same time he throws them into the opposite one hundred holes. He gets the perfect score plus ten of 1,010, I just give him a look, and he ruffles up my hair, “Trick of the trade~” I shake my head, “No, that’s what we call cheating-” “You’re just a sore loser” “That too” He laughs, and we spend a few more hours just playing different games, including the actual arcade games. Which I did beat him at three of them, the racing one, Pacman, and Foosball. If we were earning more than just points on a screen, I’d have enough tickets to buy a golden scepter.

We tire ourselves out, but nonetheless him and I walk out the door, and we get some dessert. Donuts at eleven at night, we eat our Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in peace, and he wipes the custard off my lip, and eats it, “Nasty” I say scrunching up my nose, he laughs, “Still tasted sweet, I don’t see why you’re complaining” I pout, “Because that was my custard” “Want it back” “Ew, no thank you”

I laugh with him, and we look outside to find it’s raining cats and dogs outside. I drift closer to him, as we walk out of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Before he grabs my hand, and makes us run out into the rain. I spin him around, before we stop, just looking each other in the eyes, something complies in that moment just to kiss. I lean in, and he touches my lips, my hands weaving their way through his hair. His arms bringing me closer into his chest. His warm embrace makes me melt into him. I can’t get enough of his lips, the way they feel against mine, the soft velvet of his lips against mine.

We break apart just to look each other in the eyes, and I pull him in for another kiss. In the heavy pouring rain, here we are kissing each other, at this point I guess we can call it making out. When he pulls away this time, “Fuck… I think you got me to fall for you, Hercules” My lips curl into a small smile, “I’m glad, Meg” Before he pulls me back into him, and we sway with each other, like we’re dancing again. We pull away, and I whisper, “Let’s get to our apartments before we get sick”

I walk him back to his apartment, before I leave I grab his hands and turn him to look at me. “Does this mean I get to call you mine?” I say looking in eyes, searching for something, the lights twinkling in his eyes as he smiles his eyes squint. He looks at me, “Does this answer your question?” “Does wh-” He plants his lips on mine, and I reciprocate by kissing back. Our hands intertwining, I pull back for a second, staring into his eyes in a slight daze. “I guess you answered my question” He giggles before pulling me back into another kiss. I could get used to this, I think to myself as I kiss him.

________________

It’s been a three years since then, and Yugyeom got the apprenticeship a day after we started dating, he told me ‘no wonder you have the tattoo of bouvardia, you're my pink luck.’ I laughed at that, kissing his cheek. We celebrated by watching Hercules and eating ice cream.

Yeah there's been ups and downs in our relationship… we've had a fair amount of fights. But after we had both cooked off we'd sit on either of our couches and just talk it out. Our sophomore year of college we didn't have art together, without seeing each other as often it sort of left a rift. And he was worried about me cheating, which lead to us not talking for weeks. That ripped me up, before I came over to his house. And we fought about it for a few hours.

I slammed the door, and walked out of his apartment. How could he think I would stoop so low? And before I could even reach the elevator I heard fast approaching foot falls. I turned around, to see Yugyeom sprinting at me with full force, and he tackled me, with tears running down his cheeks. Apologizing profusely, and after laying there on the floor for a while as I coax him back, pulling myself to sit up underneath him I didn't even realize I was crying, till he wiped my tears with his thumbs. “Why don't we go back to your apartment and talk it out?” He nods and stands up slowly, and holds out his hand. I accept, and he pulls me up, and locks our fingers together. That was probably our first and last big fight. We talked about our insecurities for about a few hours. We ended up falling asleep on that couch. That morning I woke up to breakfast, I'd say in bed but it was the couch. We cuddle, thankfully it was a Sunday.

We always solve our problems together, and work on being better, from that big fight we grew closer, and now I feel really comfortable with him all the time. We’re now in our senior year, and we share art again, just like last year. Though even if we didn’t have it together again, I know we’d pull through. But I’m glad we have it together, then I don’t have to struggle alone in the class.

Standing in the middle of the art room, in front of our table I sort out what I’ll need to use for the day. As I do that, Yugyeom comes in, I turn around just to see his huge smile. He picks me up with ease, “You’re not going to believe it, babe!” I raise my eyebrow, and I run my hand through his hair, “I got my certification to be a tattoo artist, and I went to Jaebum and asked him if I could work for him, I showed him my portfolio, license, and certification,… and I got the job!” My grin grows as wide as his is, and I move my other hand up and clasp both of his cheeks in my hands before I kiss him after I tell him that, “I’m so proud of you, honey! I told you, you would get it! Let me see it!” He grins, gently placing me down, before going into his bag, and pulling out his certification. “I’m going to buy a frame later!” He grins at me, and pulls out his license as well. I kiss his nose, and pull him into my arms before the professor coughs. We laugh at her, she acts like our mom, and has since the ending of freshman year, after finding out we were dating. He carefully places the certification and the license into his bag.

Once we start working on our projects I look at him, grabbing his hand, he looks up at me. “So when am I getting that tattoo?” He shakes his head at me with a big smile, “Anytime now I guess”

Needless to say, I did end up getting a tattoo with a blue snake surrounding pink peonies, and yes, it was by Yugyeom. I used to say my bouquet of bouvardia was my favorite piece, but now with that piece on me, that means more than just Yugyeom tattooing it on me. Has become my favorite, the snake is protecting the flowers, which represent love or heart. That if my heart is ever hurt, that I’ll always strike back. But it also has to do with how I got to know Yugyeom, through his art. Before I got to know him through the vet place, which he still volunteers for, but on weekends. He even got me to join in on that, but the point is I’ll always remain soft and sweet. With Goldie, (C/n), and Yugyeom by my side, I’ll always be okay. But with the ferocity of a snake the minute you mess with it, and its clan. And after all that, I think Yugyeom is the one for me, if not then I think this engagement ring in my pocket was waste of money.

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rhomsfanfic · 6 years ago

Text

Forever (Ren Kouen X Reader)

a/n: And the last one from the appreciation series for the zine ^-^ My favorite tbh though I enjoyed writing all of them really ♥

“This will take how long?”

There was a certain nervousnessin the prince’s voice, only overtaken by the growling tone he let roll with it. From all the things he didn’t need that day, it was the carriage breaking down on the way to the next negotiation meeting. Not only would it make him stand in a bad light to come late, but it also would make the people talk about how he wanted to ditch out of this meeting so badly, he lied about his carriage. Kouen knew this was going to happen, and it put him into an angry and frustrated state.

However, the driver kept his cool, even standing his ground against the member of royalty. "I sent the page, ya know, the kid. Anyways, I sent the page to get us a spare wheel from the next town. Might take an hour, or maybe even two hours, but it'll take a while, to get it fixed." Groaning, the prince walked away without any form of goodbye, opening the way into the carriage and slamming the door behind him.

“And?” you asked, not looking up from the scroll in your hand. Just like Kouen, you had your duties to attend to and you were determined to get the information you needed from the paper. “One or two hours,” he replied bitterly, sinking down onto the seat in front of you. “Told you so,” you replied in a humorous manner, smiling as you read through the sentences. He replied with a grunt, angry that you had been right before when you told him the exact same time span. Or maybe he was just angry at the situation, it wasn’t very obvious to you.

You knew too well how important this specific meeting was and the tension running through the prince very well deserved to be there. However, you sighed as you put the scroll aside, leaning forward to touch his knee. “We’ll still be on time. It’s so early, they don’t expect us before sunset anyway,” you tried to calm him, smiling at him.

Kouen was not convinced but he at least let out his breath and the tension on his shoulders dissolved slowly. You smiled more when you saw him relax a little and gave his knee some pats with your hands, before leaning back again. Pushing the curtain on the window out of the way you gave the outdoor area a thorough inspection, sighing longingly.

It was beautiful outside. The autumn painted everything in warm orange and brown tones, from the leaves to the grass. Some rare spots of pink and red fluttered through and the falling, yellow leaves that danced on the breeze made you long for a stroll outside. You heard Kouen shuffle in his seat, his hand soon enough pushed the curtain further away, enabling him to look out too as he followed your gaze with his eyes.

“It’s pretty…” you sighed, grazing the landside with your look. You hadn’t been able to give your mind a break. Instead you had been driving through the country with Kouen, attending meetings and educating yourself on new knowledge to use. There was no time for breaks, by how rapidly the two of you had to get from place to place, and now you really felt just how much you had spent indoors, not even noticing the seasons pass.

Kouen looked over from the spot he was sitting at, inspecting your hair and the soft features of your face as you gazed outside with so much longing. He let out a deep breath, before pulling back from the window and getting up, taking your wrist into his hand gently. “Come,” he said and even though you gave him a confused look, you let yourself be pulled out of the carriage by him.

Immediately there were soldiers around the two of you, making sure you are safe. Much to your surprise however, Kouen waved them off, telling them to look after the carriage. You gave the warriors a smile, thanking them for their work, while the prince tugged you along and away. Luckily, he didn’t let you follow his footsteps for too long, the position you were in getting uncomfortable.

Then again, you were surprised when he held out his arm, an unusual gesture from Kouen. He wasn’t known for being tactful and you had abandoned the thought of him being overly romantic. You couldn’t even remember the last time the two of you linked arms, if there even was an opportunity before, so you eagerly took the chance he gave you now.

You couldn’t help but smile at his affectionate behavior. Even though his expression didn’t change drastically, you noticed how he slowed down his walking to match yours and also leaned to the side a bit so you could easily hold on to him. He wasn’t a man of many words, but he made up for it with all the little gestures he expressed randomly. You couldn’t be happier to be by his side.

Leading the way, the two of you browsed through the grassy area, the path leading you into an alley of trees. You went quite a bit ahead of the carriage, which was still resting at the place it broke down. The autumn wind was fresh and you felt good when breathing it in, but it also felt a little cold against the few open patches of your clothes, so you drew closer to the arm that was held out for you, seeking the prince’s warmth.

Above the two of you, a sudden flock of birds raised up, the sound of their wings and the cooing making you stop and look up. You watched how they flew high and then slowly disappeared from your line of sight. “It’s getting colder, they are leaving for a warmer place,” you mumbled, staring at the last point you had seen the flying animals. “Indeed,” Kouen replied and the two of you slowly continued on your way.

“Soon, all the leaves will have fallen down and everything will be covered by an icy blanket,” you sighed, looking down to the path you were walking on, listening to the leaves crunch under your feet. Kouen didn’t say anything, taking your words as the facts they were. You understood that there was nothing to add for him, since his words would serve no other purpose than holding small-talk, something he didn’t like.

Undeterred, you continued. “You ever think about this, Kouen?” On the call of his name, he turned his head towards you, his eyes burning with a questioning gaze. “About life and death, the endless cycle, I mean…” Biting your lower lip, you lowered your eyes which had met his previously. Cautiously and softly you added, “You were on a battlefield before, did this never cross your mind?”

You could feel his arm tense a little at the mentioning of war. It was his own love-hate relationship with it that urged him to think about your words for a while. There was silence between the two of you, minutes passing as you made your way down a branch of the path. Surprisingly, a small lake opened up before the two of you, a few last ducks circling on top of the water.

The two of you came to a halt and you let go of his arm, both of your limbs falling to the side of your bodies. “What happens…” he grumbled, letting the words fall of his tongue. Then he shrugged before adding, “happens.” You looked at him, nodding slowly. His gaze was fixated on the grey-blue of the lake, but you were able to see a small hint of pain in the wrinkles he had on the side of his eyes.

The prince was thinking back to his past and the loss of his heroes at that time, you were sure about that. You were never able to confirm if he was still troubled by it - Kouen would always avoid the topic and there was no clear answer - but you knew. Deep inside it still shook him to the core and with all the responsibility that suddenly was on his shoulders, he never did have the time to come to terms with it.

“So I am not afraid of something that might be. I’ll deal with it once its time is drawing close,” he finally replied to your question. You tenderly placed your hand on his upper arm, leaning against him without putting much weight on him, and mumbled, “I see.” For a moment the silence returned but it wasn’t too long until you picked up your voice again.

“I am. I am afraid of the day that I won’t be able to spend with you.” Though it had cost you a whole lot of confidence to say that, you felt proud to have it off your chest. It wasn’t very often that the two of you exchanged words about your feelings and when you thought about it again, you felt a little stupid for doing so, but you also were glad that it was out. Maybe it had been the warmth radiating from him. Or maybe it had been the strength you felt when leaning against his arm. But your voice had left you before you could overthink it. However, you couldn’t bring yourself to regret it.

Kouen didn’t reply to that. You didn’t really expect him to. Instead, the two of you said your farewells to the lake, the last duck swinging its wings and leapt out of the water, leaving its home behind to escape the cold winter. You made your way back to the carriage in silence, only disturbed by the cracking of the leaves and the breeze that rustled the tree crowns.

The carriage came back into sight soon, making you let out a sigh in relief when you made out the page that brought back the wheel, already working on the repairs. That was, until you suddenly felt a warm hand engulf yours, Kouen holding you back slightly and slowing down your steps. It took a few seconds until you two came to a halt and you looked at him expectantly. He didn’t meet your gaze, looking stoically forward at the carriage and observing what was going on.

“We need to appreciate what we have. But…” his words got quiet again and for a short moment, he looked at you. It was a soft gaze and his red eyes shimmered affectionately in a light tone. The words that followed were almost inaudible, but even just the motion of his lips got stuck in your head. He let go of your hand, making his way towards the carriage alone.

“But the thought of parting with you does worry me,” he had said and you stumbled after him immediately, determined to not let him go back alone. Not now, and not until death will part the two of you.

#Kouen #Ren Kouen #Magi #snb #magi: labyrinth of magic #Magi: Sinbad no bouken #kouen ren #sinbad no bouken #XReader

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gameimagines · 6 years ago

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@weronissa aw, glad you like my prompts. love you too!! anyway, here’s the whole list for good ol undertale sans! hope you like it!

☆彡

‼️ how jealous are they normally? how do they express it?

sans isn’t really the jealous type, he’s a pretty laid back guy and he trusts you to remain faithful. when he does get jealous though, it’ll manifest as sans interrupting the conversation or in the absolute worst case scenario - teleporting you two away (that’s typically reserved for if someone cat calls you, or is flirting with you in a way that makes you uncomfortable)

⛺️ where they would take their s/o on a trip?

answered this in a previous post so i’ll just copy and paste it here. ut! sans can take you just about anywhere you wanna go because of his teleport ability. sans isn’t picky on where he wants to go, but he prefers peaceful places. a cabin not too far away from a small town where he can get some good grub (namely, ketchup) is ideal. above ground think a mountain area where he can explore with you and take uninterrupted naps.

💤 big spoon or little spoon? how do they sleep regularly and with their s/o in the bed?

little spoon! he likes the feeling of your arms wrapped around his rip cage. plus it’s kinda uncomfortable for him to hold you to him when he’s the big spoon (you’ll be laying on his arm which is just jagged bones). regularly, he sleeps on his back with his arms and legs sprawled out on the bed. sans tries to keep his appendages to himself when y’all are trying to sleep, but he may unconsciously throw a leg over you while you doze.

🚼 do they want kids? how many?

can sans biologically have kids? he’s not sure. he doesn’t really have the organs necessary to coproduce a child after all. but he’d love to adopt a child. it doesn’t matter to sans whether the kid is biologically related to him or not. he doesn’t really have an ideal number on how man kids he’d want to father. no more than 5? i can also see sans as the type to welcome people into his home temporarily if they need a place to stay (parents kicked them out, having a fight with the household members, in a new city and need a place to crash).

🤝 do they like to hold hands? interlocked fingers or not? how do their hands feel?

heck yeah sans likes to hold your hand. it’s soft, squishy, and attached to you so of course he likes to hold it. interlocked fingers since grasping hands (like you’re shaking hands) is a bit weird for you since his bones push together.

🍽 how good of a cook are they? do they like to cook for their s/o?

sans is actually a pretty solid cook. does he like to? eh, not really. he’d much rather just go to grillby’s but he knows a thing or too. he makes great mac n cheese.

💙 who’s more likely to say “I love you” first, them or their s/o?

probably sans. whenever he realizes it he’ll be relatively quick to tell you (like swap! pap he may tell you in the form of a joke but it’ll still be endearing).

❌ what can’t they stand in a s/o? what is a deal breaker?

also like swap! pap, if you can’t get along with his little brother - he’ll have a hard time getting along with you. sans also can’t stand people who go back on their word. if it’s unavoidable he gets that, but if you make a decision to break a promise it’ll damage his faith in you.

☀️ early bird or night owl? do they wake their s/o up with them?

night owl. you won’t catch sans sleeping before 12 am. well, you’ll catch him napping throughout the day but actually resting for the night no. he sleeps in when he can so nah, i don’t think he’d wake you up with him unless you had something to do.

💐 how romantic are they?

he’s a huge nerd but he can be fairly romantic. sans’ memory is impeccable, he’ll remember all the foods you like to eat, places you’ve wanted to go, and things you’ve mentioned you like. so when a special occasion happens, he knows what you’ll like. sans isn’t usual romantic though, he saves it for special occasions so date nights are still pretty casual things like going to grillby’s or binge watching a new series together.

💍 how would they propose? how long would they take?

sans will take you somewhere you said you wanted to visit and propose while you’re there. how long he takes to do it depends on the person. if he’s loved you for a long time and he’s certain you feel the same (even if you’ve only been dating for a year), he‘ll decide to propose pretty quickly. key word: decide. he’ll still procrastinate on actually doing it for a hot minute.

👄 favorite place to kiss their s/o? favorite place to receive kisses?

he likes kissing your palms, lips, and forehead. sans likes receiving kisses on the same corresponding body parts (bones more accurately).

💊 how needy are they when they’re sick? how do they take care of their s/o when they’re sick?

he’s not needy, but i feel like he’s pretended to be sick more than a few times when he’s wanted extra sleep. despite his record of pretending to be sick, sans hates actually being sick. if he can, sans will want to sleep his sickness off so he won’t really want company. he may need you to wake him up to take his antibiotics if he’s been prescribed them. sans will be there to bring you some soup and be sure you remember to take your medication every couple of hours, he isn’t exactly proactive about telling you what to do when you’re sick - but he will get you whatever you say you need.

🗣 how do they comfort their s/o? how do they like to be comforted?

sans will either try to distract you from whatever is upsetting you or sit there and listen while you vent to him. if someone specific is the issue, expect him to crack some jokes and make fun of whoever is bothering you. he’s also pretty encouraging, sans will remind you that you can get through it. sans wants someone to encourage him when he’s feeling down. he wants someone to tell him that he isn’t stuck in his situation and push him forward. listen to what’s bothering him and gently cheer him on and tell him he can overcome it.

🗯 how protective are they? do they worry about their s/o often? what makes them nervous?

sans isn’t super protective, but he is the type to remind you to be safe. ‘txt me when u get home ok?’ is a message you’ll often receive. if there’s something he’s worried about you doing alone, he’ll go with you. he may be a passive guy but he’ll won’t show much mercy to someone who tries to hurt you. driving during storms and you going to parties with irresponsible or fairly unknown friends makes him nervous.

📖 how trusting are they? are they an open book? does it take their s/o a while to crack them open?

sans isn’t secretive but there are things he’d rather not talk about. the resets, gaster, and past mistakes are things he’ll avoid thinking about. if you ask about it he may not tell you at first, or he may point you in the direction to find out yourself. sans doesn’t like getting emotional and will avoid topics that will force him to dig up the past.

💓 what’s their love language (words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, physical touch)?

words of affirmation is san’s love language. tell him what you appreciate about him and encourage him when he needs it. it’ll mean a lot to him.

💢 what is a fight with their s/o like? how do they apologize?

sans is very non-confrontational. he’s good at changing the subject if he knows the current topic will end in a fight. when he does get in an argument, he’s passive aggressive and evasive. he’ll try to shut this discussion down and he may outright ignore you if you yell at him. sans is quick to apologize though, often accompanied by him doing something to make it up to you.

👠 how good is their sense of fashion? do they have a favorite thing to see their s/o in?

HE WEARS ONE OUTFIT. AND IT INCLUDES SLIPPERS. HE HAS NO FASHION SENSE AND DOESNT HAVE ANY PREFERENCE ON WHAT HIS S/O WEARS AS LONG AS THEY WEAR SOMETHING.

🎁 what kind of gifts do they give their s/o? what kind of gifts do they like receiving?

he’ll give you little things he knows you’d like. a blanket with from a fandom you like, a scarf that’s your favorite color, or just your favorite flavor of coffee because you have a midterm coming up. homemade things. give him a batch of cookies, a drawing, or a poem and his cheeks will glow a faint blue as he rubs the back of his neck. he loves when you make things for him.

❓one random headcanon i have about this character

sans put the dog in the kitchen (the one that ate papyrus’ secret attack). sans hoped it would discourage papyrus from facing frisk, knowing frisk had killed his brother in the last reset.

#fanfic #imagines #reader insert #scenarios #headcanon #undertale sans #undertale #undertale imagines #ut #sans #sans imagine #sans x reader #ut sans

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mischiefmakingmuses · 6 years ago

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Tawagoto’s Gate: The Disappearance of Tokyo Ghetto

[Here is a fanfic I wrote for all you lovely people, I hope you have an enjoy.]

Chapter 1: The Adventures Of Mumu-chan

In a world where darkness and light intertwined heavily and lovingly, never fully separating from each other and always continuing through existence in their dance of love and death, lived a Girl by the name of Mumu, who was secretly the Moon in a previous life. When Link did not manage to save Termina from Majora's Wrath due to being distracted by a Massive Display of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, 2,400 Doughnuts All Shaped and Flavored Like Several Pokémon, Yokai, and Digimon (As Created For "The Great Mons Game War Against Pretentious Pokémon Fans Who Think Pokémon is the Only Mons Game When in Reality the Megami Tensei Series is the Literal Ur Example of All Mons Games"), all of Termina was banished to The Shadow Realm, but in the middle of The World of Light, and it was here that the Moon took her new form as Mumu-chan.

By Day she was a regular Schoolgirl, and By Night she became The World's Greatest Magical Girl. She was The Only One who could save the town's cats from falling prey to the Evil Tree Organization, who would often capture the poor cats and trap them up on high branches from which they could not leap down from. Every other night, she was visited by her Good Friend Tuxedo Mask...a month ago, Tuxedo Mask had begun to help out a Man from town named Mike Dawson, who was trying to find out what happened to his Totally Not Girlfriend, Rita Scanlon. Even one day, Mike Dawson interrogated Tuxedo Mask.

"Tuxedo Mask, what was YOUR relationship with Rita," asked Mike Dawson.

"My work here is done," Tuxedo Mask declared before being beamed up by his spaceship and transforming into A Whole Chicken In A Can.

It was when Things were beginning to fall apart. At One Point, Mumu-chan saw Nobita and Doraemon at a candy store!!! And she saw Kitaro and Nezumi-Otoko getting ramen at a ramen stall!!! What was going on?!

Chapter 2: Chapter 2

In this hard boiled world there is only one hard boiled detective named Gummie, who was a octopus bat alien thing given form on Jack Box's Drawful 2 one day when the Author wanted to be cute in a Twitch stream they frequented.

With a Large Pretzel Stick in their mouth, Gummie looked over the case files while her dear friend Star Sheep sat in the corner playing Splatoon 2 For The Nintendo Switch™, for the Salmonids were something Star Sheep became really obsessed with because they were Funny Fish and Very Interesting.

"Do you think this is a homicide case?" Gummie asked Star Sheep, pulling the Pretzel Stick out of his mouth and acting as if it were a cigar.

"Sorry, I'm Splet," Star Sheep replied.

"Hmm. That's true," Gummie mused, lifting up her hat to look outside the window. It was a Marvelous Night, but they had not been making much headway on the case so far. Perhaps it was time to get Reinforcements involved. "We don't even have a sus cuz the sec with a mo's got a perf al."

"Eko, You Don't Drink," Star Sheep commented wisely from the corner.

"Shut up, Maya, we're getting burgers," Gummie proclaimed loudly as he put the Pretzel Stick back in their mouth.

Chapter 3: Help Me Dr. Cox

The Next Day Gummie and Star Sheep left to find Reinforcements, first coming by Richard AKA Dr. Dick AKA Dr. Cox because the Author Wanted To Be Meta and The Real Dr. Dick knew Everything that they had planned for the week that had passed.

In front of a Dollar Tree, Gummie and Star Sheep awaited for Richard to show up, playing a bootleg version of Where In Time Is Carmen Sandiego? For The Nintendo Switch™ which landed on their doorstep one day. The reality of the situation was that the game functioned almost entirely like the PC version except that The Baron wasn't called Baron Grinnit, but Baron Wasteland Because I Think That Makes More Sense.

"When my mom and I played this game, we really liked Ivan Idea," Gummie admitted.

"How are we even doing this?" Star Sheep asked, without the monotone tone that this fanfic is read in as it's being written Because It's Ironic. It was then that Gummie squinted their eyes at the screen, only for the screen to melt away and turn into The World Ends With You: Final Remix.

"Oh hey, look, it's Neku," Gummie murmured happily. "Y'know, I really love Neku?"

"Yeah, I know," Star Sheep replied. "Comfort character, right?"

"I'm inclined to believe so," Gummie answered as he attempted to play the song Calling which was her favorite song because he first heard it in the DS version in 2012 and it really stuck with them.

It was then that Richard had finally shown up. She looked around with shifty eyes, seeming a bit nervous and unsettled.

"I don't think I'm supposed to be here," Dr. Dick admitted.

"I'm vaguely getting that kind of idea too," Gummie commented. "Anyway, so I heard from my friends Smile, Urien, Netalina, Gambit, and Jizo that their friends Nobita and Doraemon have gone missing, and have no idea where to go to find them."

"Eko?" Star Sheep began, pulling on Gummie's wing. "I'm sorry, but...how do you know about the Yokai?"

Both Richard and Gummie looked at Star Sheep wide eyed, in Gummie's case you couldn't tell very well because they always made it a point to never reveal their eyes.

"Shit. Shit. SHIT. I don't know what's going on." Gummie grabbed the sides of his head in confusion, narrowing their eyes at the ground. "Something's extremely wrong here."

It was then that Kaite20 had suddenly shown up. Yes, her name is actually Kaite20 because she feels the need to constantly append the "20" to her name even when just "Kaite" would suffice.

"Hey, you guys, I found a portal somewhere and it kind of looks like one you might see in Puyo Puyo Puyo Puyo Puyo Puyo Land. Is that...supposed to be normal?"

Gummie stared at Kaite in shock.

"Like hell it is," they responded. "Guys, we're going to the portal. Don't be surprised if we end up having Adventures in Bootleg again."

Chapter 4: Peter Was Not Available So Phoebe And Plumule Are Here

Through the portal, they had reached the home of Mumu-chan, in a place between the Shadow Realm and the World of Light. It wasn't QUITE time to play Lifelight, though.

"This feels more like how in ChalkZone, half of the world was day and half of the world was night," Star Sheep commented. And she was right, as the town was split entirely between night day, right down the middle.

"...this is cool but complicated," stated Dr. Cox.

"Focus guys, I'm inclined to believe that Nobita and Doraemon are here somewhere. I dunno how the FUCK they ended up here, but I imagine that they HAVE to be here," Gummie commented.

"Do you think it's because of...HIM?" Kaite asked.

"Absolutely not, because if anything makes sense in this goddamn world we're trapped in, it's that They Above wouldn't fucking put him in this story. Then again, I have no idea who else it could be."

"You're getting KINDA too meta, now," said Richard. "Sounds like a fanfic."

"It IS a fanfic, Dr. Dick," Gummie responded. "So that means that we'll probably meet the Kitaro Family and Ittan-Momen will be really suave and shit despite not being a major character. Also we now have an autistic girl and her baby bird monster friend on the team because They Above asked a certain someone if they wanted some influence on the story."

"Actually, he's more or less my tulpa." And there was Phoebe, with Plumule right next to her. The tiny bird monster chirped in an affirmative manner.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. It's tulpas all the way down. ANYWAY, you guys, we need to find Nobita and Doraemon. The first step is finding Ittan-Momen flying around because like Hell he won't be here."

As if on cue, a dashing white cloth with beautiful blue eyes flew through the area and down the street.

"Fuckin' typical; OK, let's go." Gummie spread their arms...wings and took to the air, trying his best to keep up with the white cloth. Naturally, being part of the Kitaro Family and being Objectively The Best Kitaro Character In The Universe, at least according to the Author, Ittan-Momen was very fast and hard to keep up with. "Hey, sir, would you mind slowing down? I'll buy you some sweet potato sake if you do."

"Huh, what? Are ya talkin' to me?" Ittan-Momen flipped over in the air to look at Gummie, who wasn't keeping up very well. The cloth stopped and allowed the alien to catch up to him. "Do ya need me for somethin'?"

"First of all, very honored to meet you. Congrats on actually making it into a written work made by my Ghost Writer! They really like your voice and manner of speaking...down to the subtitles that Crunchyroll gives you."

"...Huh...? What...? I don't really understand," Ittan-Momen said. He was blushing though. "Anyway, what do ya need me for?"

"Gonna take a wild guess and say your friend Kitaro is somewhere in the area! Have either of you happened to see a boy in glasses, yellow shirt, black hair, kinda looks like a loser? Or his robot cat friend, no ears, bright smile, red collar with a bell, white belly, a pocket on said belly? I'm inclined to believe that we have a trickster afoot and that those two have been taken here for some reason...as well as you and Kitaro."

"Err..." Ittan-Momen tilted his head slightly to the side. "Yeah, I think so. I'm still not sure I really understand, though..."

"Don't worry about it!" Gummie piped up. "Just let my friends catch up with us and then you can take us to Kitaro, alright?"

"Cotton shochi!"

Chapter 5: When You're Too Afraid To Wake Up

At Ittan-Momen's introduction, the group found Nobita and Doraemon, who were actually having a conversation with GeGeGe no Kitaro himself. While presenting himself politely, it seemed like a lot of the futuristic aspects of Doraemon's existence had confused Kitaro quite a bit. He was just getting used to the fact that people had Smartphones, what was this about a 4th Dimensional Gadget Pocket...?

"Really glad to meet you, Kitaro! Yes, They Above is right, you are definitely Badass Adorable," Gummie gushed.

"Um...thank you," Kitaro replied quietly. "Ittan-Momen, who are...your friends?"

"Don't know. The purple one asked me to bring them to you."

"Sorry, Eko, I'm kindof tuning out here, hahaha. Everything I know about these guys is just what you've told me before..." Star Sheep laughed nervously.

"Trust me, if this got any more out of control, then fucking Ashens would've been mentioned. By the way, he gave the whole chicken in a can a negative review because it just looked like a melted chicken carcass.

"Anyway, Nobita, we've finally found you--and GeGeGe no Kitaro, to boot--at Urien and friends' request, so I'd consider this case closed..." Gummie adjusted her glasses. "...except that someone obviously was behind everyone's displacement, including ours and Kitaro's. So that means the case is still open...until we find the culprit!"

"I thought it was just Ekoro," Nobita replied.

"Ekoro?" Kitaro asked.

"Who's Ekoro?" Richard asked as well, despite the fact that The Real Dr. Dick knew very well who Ekoro was.

"I don't know any Ekoro," Phoebe replied bluntly. Plumule cheeped in agreement.

"I thought you said it couldn't be Ekoro," Kaite responded.

"I did," Gummie said. "So that means that it's someone we don't actually know. Kitaro, do you sense youkai activity?"

"Yes," Kitaro replied without skipping a beat. Gummie's sight wandered to the top of his head, where his ahoge was pointing straight up.

"Well, golly gee, that was fucking easy. Which Youkai of the Week do you think could've possibly done this?"

"I don't know," Kitaro responded. "It's not any youkai I've ever encountered."

"But they're a youkai? And they're close?"

"Yes."

"I wouldn't consider myself a youkai, per say..." came a voice. Everyone looked around, but to no avail. Suddenly, the world fell apart. The group panicked for a second, until the voice came back. "Give it a moment, I'll send you all back home in a second!"

They tried to focus on the source of the voice. It was coming from a definitive direction, but it still seemed like no one was there...

"I'm right here," came the voice again. Everyone looked downwards. In the middle of the group was...something. Almost exclusively what could be made out was a white mask with three heart-shaped holes in it and two horns. The rest of...whatever it was...was completely transparent. Its shaped was also inconceivable, almost as it was hardly there at all.

"The fuck are you, a Phanto?" Gummie asked in a sassy tone.

"Not...really. I'm not a youkai, either. Or a demon. Or really anything...I guess that means I'm...nothing?" It seemed to put a hand over where its chin would be. "It's kind of hard to be here, sorry."

"O...kay...so why did you bring everyone here?"

"Oh! I just wanted to have some fun and let you all construct a silly story in a world of my creation! I hope you enjoyed it! Happy April Fools'!" Nobody seemed impressed. "Aw, c'mon, I can't imagine it was that bad? I understand that all of you enjoy ridiculous humor like this! Not counting Kitaro and friends, of course, because they don't really represent anyone in The Other World, but surely the rest of you found parts of it funny!"

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Dr. Dick asked.

"I don't really know! I would say I'm Nanashi but Kitaro and Ittan-Momen would get mad. But similarly to him, I have no name. No one's given me one, and I might never have one."

"Oh, I know you," Gummie responded, "you're the one They Above have been struggling with for a while; they call you Not Melon."

"Ah, but that's not actually my name. Similarly to how they've called other characters in progress 'Not Ekoro' and the like. I don't have a name yet. But, I do have a birthday! It's today! April 1st is my birthday!"

"I'm inclined to believe that's bullshit because your concept has been floating around for more than a fucking week," Gummie grumbled.

"Well, they didn't make Smile on May 18th, and yet that's his birthday, right? And Urien was conceived sometime in November or December, but his birthday is somewhere in June or July, but it's still not decided because they want a date that would perfectly reflect Urien's personality similar to how it seemed to happen with Smile, right?"

"Wait, Urien's birthday is in June or July?" Nobita asked. "It would've been great to know that last year!"

"Yeah, but the date's still up in the air. Plus, that plot thread was going to be explored with Ekoro, with Star Sheep's Ghost Writer taking the role of Ringo so she and They Above could roleplay some fluffy EkoRin stuff. And then they decided that they didn't want to do anymore, and ran out of time anyway."

"...I think that's beyond even my understanding, Mister...err...what did you say your name was again?" Doraemon asked, tilting his head.

"Ah, well...firstly, I'm not a mister...and secondly...I don't have one. However, my birthday being today was inspired by Subeta's Elwood's birthday being today, and that Elwood's Pizza is in between time and space, kinda like me! Ultimately They Above decided they actually wanted to go down this route for me!"

"...OK." Both Nobita and Doraemon had given up at this point.

"Actually!" they piped up, clapping their hands together...or something? They were so intangible it wasn't really clear. "They Above decided to plan all this out as a way to introduce me, even though I kind of don't fully exist yet! That's part of the reason why you can't really tell what I look like...the only thing confirmed is my mask, you see?

"Anyway, that means that you, I, and the Yokai might all meet up sometime soon, in another universe! Exciting right? I'm really looking forward to it!"

"Did you understand any of that, Kitaro-san?" Ittan-Momen asked.

"No," Kitaro answered bluntly.

"It's OK, you aren't really involved. They Above are just such a huge fan of you guys that they wanted to include you. Anyway...as much as I'd love to stay and chat with you all, it's time for you guys to go back, and for this story to come to a close.

"It was really nice meeting you all! Especially because...I don't really have any friends yet! But, again, I hope you all enjoyed your time here, and I'm looking forward to meeting you all again! I'm not sure when or where, but it'll definitely happen!"

And all will fade to black.

Chapter 6: Home At Last

Gummie awoke with a start. Apparently they had fallen asleep on their desk. Star Sheep was in the corner, playing Splatoon 2 For The Nintendo Switch™.

"Star Sheep, what the hell happened last night?"

"I'm not really sure, but I had a really crazy dream where we went to solve a case...something about two people going missing? And then Kitaro was there?"

"Kitaro? You mean like GeGeGe no Kitaro Kitaro?"

"Yeah. Also there was that guy, there was that guy you like."

"Ittan-Momen?"

"Yeah."

"Fuck yes. I had the same dream too. Ittan-Momen was fucking incredible." Star Sheep turned to her friend's general direction and gave him a warm smile.

"Glad you liked it."

At the end of the day, much fun was had...and also Nezumi-Otoko Is Still Underground.

Thank you to @astarrymusenight, @jellipuddi, @robocatandboy, @timeandspaceandmagic, and my Twitter friend Peter Puzzling for letting me use your characters/personas!

#fanfic

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franeridart · 6 years ago

Note

Do you care for any of the dekusquad?

I care for most if not all hero-related characters in bnha! But if with care you mean if any dekusquad member is between my favorite characters/if I care enough about any of them to draw them more than once every blue moon, then my Todoroki tag might tip you off, there lol

Anon said:Will you ever draw Bakukamikiri again? I rlly loved how you did them!!

Thank you!!! And I think I will, though I don’t have any project to do so in the near future, sorry!

Anon said:Soo KyouHaba day (6/16) is coming up and was wondering if you could do some seijoh next gen stuff. Yahaba is often forgot about a and Kyoutani isn’t really included in a lot of Aoba Johsai stuff. Feel free to not do anything just suggesting something

Aw sorry anon but I don’t have the time to do day-themed stuff right now! KyoHaba is currently the hq ship I’m most likely to draw for, though, since they’re the only ones I’m still reading fics for! So I don’t think any will come around 6/16, but I don’t exclude I might draw them anyway in the near future! :D

Anon said:Omg your taking part in a zine!! I’m so excited! And it’s a BakuSquad one too! Ik I’m definitely going to be buying it when pre-orders open up!

I’m taking part in TWO zines, actually!! Both the @takemyhandzine and the @sixthwheelzine !!!!! I’ll be making comics for both, and if you do decide to buy either I really hope you’ll like them!!!!

Anon said:whats a zine?

In general, a zine is an amatorially published magazine! Specifically tho here we’re talking about fanzines, so magazines put together and published by fans for other fans! The ones I’m taking part in are both about kiribaku, and will include both fanart (fancomics included) and fanfics! Depending on how much you wish to spend on it, you can also buy a bundle with fanmade merch too, and the Sixth Wheel zine is gonna have a pdf version too, in case you’d prefer to buy it like that! They’re super cool projects I’m insanely happy I got invited to take part in!!!!

Anon said:Your art style is so pretty and I love to see your amazing bnha drawing on my dash

There is literally no way I could ever stop being into d gray man ever and I’m also still following hq’s manga, yes! I dunno if and when I’ll draw for either fandom next, tho, sorry! ;^;

Anon said:Everytime you draw kiribaku I gain 1 life,,,,, tysm I love ur art SM ur such an inspiration,,,💖💖💖

Oh my g o d s thank you so much ;^;

Anon said:Your Kiridragon is the cutest, I love him and want Katsuki to protect him forever. Thank you for sharing that last story with us!!! (Ps. Can we expect more Kiridragon adventures in the future? *puppy eyes*)

Thank you for liking him!!!!!! And if you’re talking about the fantasy AU in general, I’ll 100% for sure draw more for it! If you’re talking about them as kids tho I can’t say for sure - I definitely want to, tho, right now!! ;^;

Anon said:As a suggestion, could you maybe do Kiri*Deku, whether it be romantic, platonic, or misinterpreted by Bakugou and he takes Kirishima because that’s his sunshine boy thank you very much, get your own

Aw anon sorry but krdk is…………. really not my thing, so I don’t take suggestions for it ;-; I might end up doodling them in the future anyway since I have in the past, but that’s only gonna be if I find an idea I really really really wanna draw, I’m sorry

Anon said:Just wanted to say that I love your art and I just went through a majority of your blog. But I noticed you used to draw erasermic but haven’t recently and I was wondering if you still ship it??? It’s okay if you don’t or if you just haven’t gotten the inspiration recently, I’m just curious. Anyways, keep doing what you do and being amazing

Thank youuuu!!!!! And I’ve actually always drawn erasermic super sporadically! They’re one of my main ships in the fandom honestly, but since they’re sorta hard to draw for me I rarely end up drawing them? I do still love them with all my heart tho! You can expect to see more of them in the future, for sure ;u;

Anon said:I came for my kiribaku fix (it HAD to be him I’m dying all over again) but. God ur art always blows me tf away ur so good and skilled and ur improvement in like… everything inspires me SO much so bless u and I hope u have a WONDERFUL day

I’m so glad I can inspire anyone, oh my g o o o o o o d ;O; thank you so so much!!!!

Anon said:Wow your dragon kiribaku art is so cute! Will there be a sequel!

Not for the immediately after, for now! Since Horikoshi is yet to give me the official design for Kiri’s mom //sob - but as I said up there I do want to draw more with them as kids in the fantasy AU, so maybe, yeah!!!

Anon said:I absolutely love EVERY SINGLE facial expression that Bakugou makes in your Fantasy Babies comic strip. He’s such an unapologetic little shit.

THANK YOU!!!!! I was mostly trying to convey the fact that he’s too young to think about the consequences of his actions before doing stuff like calling the rage of a dragon mom upon his city l m a o glad you liked him!!! :D

Anon said:The way you draw the baby bois has me weak 💖💕❤️💗💞💓💝 That baby dragon Kiri 💯💯💯💖💖💖😊😊😊

Thank you so muuuuuucccchhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anon said:EYYYYY! Love your art, the newest comic made me laugh so hard that I almost chocked to death :D (Jk, I just couldn’t breathe normally) God bless youuuuuuuuuu

I’m SUPER HAPPY it made you laugh!!!!!! heck!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;^;

Anon said:You content makes my heart go doki doki doki doki doki

THANK!!!! YOU!!!!! SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!

Anon said:the way you draw wings is so cool, i love it. your art is just amazing in ggeneral to be honest, like akjdjkhdlkdl

AAAAHHHHHHHH I’M HAPPY YOU LIKE THEM I have so much fun drawing them, honestly!!!

Anon said:I love the fact that mina and kiri are cannonically childhood friends (middle school counts as childhood right??) Like I love their friendship so much and they both deserve the world.

Real, they’re adorable and I wish Horikoshi would actually have them interact a bit more in the manga, since as for now their scenes together are pretty much non-existent aside from their backstory ;^;

Anon said:THEY ANIMATED IT!!! THE HAND GRAB!!! IT’S IN MOVING COLOUR!!!

HELL YES I DIED IT’S BEEN NEARLY A WEEK AND I’M STILL DYING WHAT A BEAUTIFUL TIME TO BE ALIVE

Anon said:You with your beautiful beautiful art and Chonideno with her beautiful beautiful writing about Kiri and Bakugou makes my heart so happy and warm and just… Thank you for existing and love Kiribaku! I don’t know, your art makes me so happy

Ohhhhhhhhhhh boy what an honor to be put at the same level as mag ;^; I love her and her writing so much, honestly !!!!!! thank you so so much for the compliment, anon!!!!!!!!!!!

Anon said:Kirishima braiding his hair while he talks is both adorable and relatable. Thank you for that.

I’m!!!! mostly happy you caught it hahahaha thank you !!!!!!

Anon said:Hey. You seem insecure but your art is great. What kind of color scheme do you see for Hawks?

Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I honestly don’t like thinking about stuff I think Hori will give me in canon soon enough? But out of instincts I mostly imagined him in shades of brown, I think - typical birds of prey and/or aviator colors, you know!

Anon said:I love ur drawings but i also love reading ur tag. They re so funny sometimes

lmao that’s good too!! As long as I can make people enjoy a couple of moments of their time I don’t really mind how I do it hahaha

Anon said:your art is beautiful anfndfnd

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!

Anon said:Hello fran, just wanted to say i’ve been here for a long long time (since the h/q times :‘o) and today i was thinking about some of your old art and if you remember, you had a soulmates au for b/n/h/a that was super good and i really loved so i wanted to tell you!! You as an artist have such an impact on me and that au is my fave of yours!! ;0; have the nicest day ever!! -soulmates anon (4 future ref!!!)

OH MAN I’m so happy to hear you still remember that one?? It was such a fun experiment to play around with, I’m glad you liked it this much!!!! Thank you for telling me omg !!!!! ;^;

Anon said:Hi, so where did you go to watch Haikyuu (I’m assuming probably Crunchyroll but ya never know) and where might I find the dubbed version?

Aw anon sorry I don’t watch the dubbed version! Since I’m Italian, I don’t really have much use for the English dubs haha I’m pretty sure you can find it on kissanime, tho!

Anon said:could you briefly go through the process of making and completing one of your comics? I wanted to start some short bnha comics but idk where to start, thank you!

Sorry this took me an age to answer - I have answered this question a while back, I think it might be in my art tips tag! But to go through it fast, my process is something like

find a line or an exchange I want to deliver, or a topic I want discussed (usually happens randomly as I’m doing other things)

spend a million years just staring at a wall or at my ceiling or anything else as I build a whole scene in my mind to have the lines or topic take the form of an actual comic (might take two minutes, might take a month)

draw a rough sketch of the whole comic - I do this with all panels (and pages, when I separate a comic in pages) on the same canvas, so that I can look at the whole scene all together and get a good sense of the general flow of the storytelling. This process includes cutting panels, moving panels around, reshaping panels, trying different poses and angles for the same panels to find the right one, writing and deleting and re-writing lines till I’m sure the wording is what I’m going for*

line the panels - I mean the actual panels, the straight lines delimitating the panel, I line them all first and put them on a separate layer

line the people!! All the characters in every panel are lined in this stage

line the backgrounds! In case there are backgrounds and the comic is meant to stay in black and white, if not then color the backgrounds! (I always start coloring from the backgrounds cause they’re the boring parts and if I leave them for last I never do them ever #rip)

in case of black and white comics, we fill in flat, gray-scale colors at this point (or, as I’ve lately started doing, I only put down shadows and leave it at that). If it’s in colors, we color the people!

Write down the dialogue!! *at this point we change a lot of the dialogue again because enough time has passed since I sketched it that I changed my mind on everything, don’t be like me

you’re done!

All of it is done on one single canvas, unless it’s a comic with separate paneled pages in which case they’re all done on their own canvas but still drawn all together. That’s about it, hope it was at least a little bit useful!

Anon said:Hi! I just wanted to thank you for your art, especially your KiriBaku. I was exactly in the same situation than Bakugou in the post tagged “bakugou being blunt about his feelings” (except we are 2 girls) , so I used it to confess to her. She said yes! X3

OH MY GOD I’m so super happy to hear that!!!!! Congrats on your gf, anon!!!!!! *throws hearts at u*

#fran answers #im back to not answering asks i mean to draw for #if you never see those asks answered #im sorry im a f disaster #anyway about that first ask!!! todoroki is actually one of my main faves!!!!#i don't have enough ideas for him but if i did i'd always be drawing him t b h #oh also #art tips #cause there's something like that in this #tho it's just more or less my comic making process #which can be summed in 'think about something for a million years!!!' and then 'rush through it in half a day!!!!!!'#im #such an organized person am i n o t #:)))))))))))))))#anonymous

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ruffboijuliaburnsides · 7 years ago

Text

don’t take my sunshine

So, last week, @sonorofserendipity did a Big Hit on us here Adventure Zone fans. A BIG. HIT. And she has no fix for it and does not intend to create one.

So I did it instead. This will not make much sense without her fics first.

(You can also read this on AO3, if you’re so inclined.)

"We can't fix this," Istus had said, eyes wide and face ashen. She repeated it again to Lup when the very angry lich had confronted her.

"You're supposed to control fate!" Lup shouted, voice cracking. "Just undo it!"

"I'm so sorry," Istus murmured, hands unnaturally still and silent in her lap. "But destruction this complete… it can't be undone."

Lup had stormed out then, not wanting to completely lose her temper at a goddess who wasn't even at fault. Istus said there was nothing to be done. The Raven Queen agreed.

Well. They'd clearly never succeeded at doing the impossible. Lup had; this world's very survival was proof enough of that. It took her time, though, to fill in the gaps in her knowledge, to find enough information about the Wonderland liches without asking Kravitz (as that seemed cruel). Still, she made progress, and eventually, finally, she was ready to start working in earnest.

"I need you to make excuses for me," Lup told Barry before they headed into work one day. "I have snooping to do."

"Sure, babe," Barry said, as unfazed as if she'd mentioned they needed to pick up milk on the way back home. (Less, really, considering his allergy.) "Sickness or family emergency?"

"Do you think he'd buy sickness?" Lup mused, tapping a finger to her lips. Barry shrugged. "Nah, just tell him Taako needed me, it'll keep him from snooping on me and has the benefit of being technically true."

"Gotcha." Barry stood and kissed her cheek. "Let me know how it goes."

She gave Barry half an hour to get Kravitz out to do the day's field work, then let herself into the Eternal Stockade. The male elf, Edward, was gone of course — and Lup was still damn proud of that. But his sister Lydia… Lup knew exactly who she was now — Lydia was still knocking around, apparently crying over her fate and her lost brother, feeling sorry for herself.

Not sorry enough, in Lup's opinion.

"Wakey-wakey, Lyds!" Lup announced, rattling the door to Lydia's cell. It was kind of cute how Krav and the Queen were so sold on this actual prison, instead of just containing the formless souls somewhere miserable. Cute and a bit disturbing, but that was Lup's jam.

Lydia came to the bars and all but snarled at Lup when she say her. "YOU! It's your fault I'm here! Your stupid umbrella—"

"Well, first of all," Lup interrupted calmly, "It's actually your fault you're here, that's the whole point. Secondly, I believe you're actually thinking of my twin brother Taako." She leaned in close to the bars and smiled, baring far too many teeth. "I'm the one who was trapped in the umbrella and tore your brother's soul to shreds for what you did."

Lydia, wisely, pulled back from the door with a gulp. "What… what do you want?"

"I want you to tell me everything about how and why you took people's soulmates from them." Lup smiled even wider. "Leave nothing out."

~~~

Lydia was surprisingly forthcoming, especially considering what Lup did to her brother. Then again, Lup pondered, maybe it was because of what Lup had done to her brother. Liches, she'd found in the couple of decades she'd spent as a Reaper, were often far more terrified of oblivion than pain or death.

The souls hadn't been destroyed as completely as Edward had, according to Lydia, just the bond between the fragments had been destroyed, and the stolen fragment mutilated and kept to help power the machine that was Wonderland. What had happened to them after Wonderland's destruction, however, Lydia couldn't say.

"Maybe they came here?" she suggested nervously. "I really don't know, I swear."

"Shut up," Lup snapped. "Don't cause trouble or I'll be back," she added as she stalked away. Lup was a little at a loss. She could poke through Kravitz's files, but he might not have anything, and there was no way of telling when he'd be back today. Better to not get caught digging through her supervisor's things if she didn't have to.

So her options, if she didn't want to put this off again (and she very much did not, it had already been twenty years and that was long e-fucking-nough), were to wander around the entirety of the astral plane hoping to find something, or dig through Krav's stuff and hope they'd had an unreasonably busy day. Neither option was very appealing.

As she mulled over her options, a soft pull tugged at something within her, and she straightened herself up, a raven feather fluttering out of her hair as she combed her fingers through it, scythe already out to answer her Queen's summons.

Yeah. That could work, too.

"Hey, Big Mama!" Lup always reveled in the soft rustling laugh that nickname provoked from the Raven Queen, even when Kravitz wasn't there to be scandalized. ("Look, obviously you can't take this job too seriously, you have to have a little fun with golems or whatever," he'd say, "but she's a goddess!")

"You've been haranguing one of the prisoners, little spark."

Lup was torn between pride and embarrassment - of course the Raven Queen was aware she'd done that. She'd known it was likely, and she didn't mind because frankly Lydia deserved it. But getting called out on it was very uncomfortable.

"It was really more mild interrogation," Lup protested.

"Did you learn what you hoped to?"

"Some of it." Lup hesitated — even as close as she'd become to the Queen, she tried not to ask for actually substantial favors from her goddess.

"You can ask, little spark," the Raven Queen prompted, a hint of a smile in her voice.

"Right." Lup paused to draw her thoughts together. "What happens to… broken souls, if they're not completely destroyed?"

"The soul fragments from Wonderland," the Raven Queen said, her voice rumbling ominously. Lup was glad she'd learned when to tell if the Queen was mad at her or something else, or that would be… terrifying. "Yes, they are here. They are called to this place, as all souls are, and I keep them safe until the rest of their soul joins the sea." She sighed deeply. "This is not the first time someone has…. stolen this."

It was strange that Lup was so relieved to hear that. At least one day her brother would be whole again, even if it wouldn't be until he was dead.

If she failed, that is. And she wasn't going to.

"If I promise not to hurt them, can I see them" Lup asked hopefully, pulling out all the stops on her puppy dog eyes. "Just… see if I can learn anything from them?" She was great at getting her way with the Raven Queen when she wanted to. It was just usually for smaller, more ridiculous things.

"No," the Raven Queen said. Lup deflated somewhat, shoulders slumping.

"I see." She could still try to find them, but even Lup was loathe to go against direct instructions in a situation like this.

"I have a job for you outside your normal purview, however, that may keep you occupied." Lup nodded, disappointed but curious. "It has long vexed me that certain magics can damage and even destroy the soul's bond that binds two beings inexorably together, and that neither fate nor the keeper of souls could rectify such a situation."

"Mama?" Lup asked, frowning.

"You, little spark, have done many impossible things." She cocked her head, bird-like, and Lup understood in a rush of excitement and gratitude. "Perhaps if anyone can do this impossible thing, it is you."

"Just me?" Lup all but bounced on the balls of her feet, eager to get started.

"You may seek what assistance you require." The Queen paused, then added, "If you and your Barold could refrain from giving my head reaper too many conniptions, I'd greatly appreciate it."

Lup couldn't help but laugh.

~~~

Kravitz didn't need to know until she had a plan. Right now, she didn't have one, she just had research to do. Which was why she (very apologetically) informed Kravitz that she was working something very confidential at the Raven Queen's request, then stole Barry while Kravitz tried to figure out if she was full of bullshit.

"We're gonna fix Taako," she told her husband as she led the way to where the Raven Queen had indicated the soul fragments were kept.

"Tall order," Barry commented. Lup smacked his arm lightly.

"The Kravitz thing," she clarified. Barry immediately shifted from teasing to intent, leaning in as they walked, his focus lasered in on her.

"Tell me."

~~~

The broken souls were both heartbreaking and terrifying.

Some were recognizable, though damaged - an iris missing petals, a sewn doll with frayed seams and missing hair. Most were all but unidentifiable, though, faintly glowing twists of souls ripped into until they barely have enough form to stay in one piece.

"Holy shit," Barry whispered, horrified and awed. "I knew they'd been doing this, but—" His jaw clenched, and Lup reached out to squeeze his hand.

"You didn't do this," she murmured. He smiled faintly at her and squeezed back.

"Thanks." He looked back out at the souls, drifting through the air. "Are these all from Wonderland?"

"No," Lup said. "Most of them are, though."

"Think you'll be able to find Taako's?"

Lup looked out at the aimlessly drifting fragments of souls. There were so many. So many.

(It made her want to march back to Lydia's cell and drag her here by her ear, and somehow make her feel the pain of each one of those losses. She was the one whose relic could consume entire cities in a moment of rage. She was no stranger to the burning in her veins that called for vengeance.

She took a deep breath, and let it pass.)

"Well," she said, rolling her shoulders, "don't know until I try!"

It took longer than she'd expected. The souls weren't full beings, the way the souls in the sea were, but they still had… something. Lup couldn't quite put a word to it. Emotions, maybe. They carried the hurt, the trauma, the loneliness that the people who'd lost them couldn't feel. And those emotions were the only way they had to communicate, to reach out to try to find the rest of themselves, to find comfort.

Lup spent the better part of three hours gently and slowly twisting through the room, doing her best to exude safety and comfort and compassion. She got through half, maybe. She hadn't found Taako. Probably.

Barry took a more scientific approach, of course. He looked at each one individually, taking notes. He tried to see if there was anything he knew of from over a century of study, from so so many different worlds with different magics, that could help strengthen or repair them. He looked up from one tattered rag of a soul fragment to see Lup wobble on her feet and shook his head.

"Lup, it's time for a break," he called out.

"I haven't found him yet!" she protested, fists balled up, eyelashes clumped together from mostly-unshed tears. Barry pushed himself to his feet and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, tugging her into an embrace.

"You can't help him if you run yourself ragged," he pointed out, tugging her to the side of the room and pushing her down to sit on the ground. He dropped down next to her, letting her immediately lean against him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"This is pointless. They're all miserable and broken and how the fuck are we supposed to put them back together?" Lup took a few shaky breaths. "What if I was wrong, Bear? What if I can't help him?"

"You just need some space to think," Barry said, rubbing her back gently. He started to say more, but a new soul fragment drifted in, catching his attention. It was mostly whole, except for the fact that it had been excised from the soul it belonged to. It was shaped like a small animal - long-bodied, with big eyes and small round ears - and it was damaged as if it had been stabbed in the stomach. "Holy shit."

"What?" Lup looked up, following his line of sight, and gasped softly at the sight of the little creature. "Holy shit." She stood up quickly and reached out to cup the little shape in her hands, cradling it to her chest. "It's a fucking mongoose."

~~~

They took the mongoose soul home in a specialized container Barry dug up from somewhere, because it was new, and it was a mongoose, and it was twenty years since the Day of Story and Song and Lup had a sinking suspicion she knew where it had come from and she didn't want to lose track of it.

"This is bad," Barry said, staring into the jar as Lup dug her stone of farspeech out, calling up one of her speed dials.

"We don't know it's him," she said as the stone connected. "Hey, Krav!"

"Lup?" Kravitz's voice crackled through the stone's speakerphone. "Is everything all right?"

"Yeah," Lup answered, lying through her teeth with a pained smile so she would sound upbeat over the stone. "I just wanted to let you know everything went fine with Taako earlier."

"Ah," Kravitz said. There was a long pause. Lup held her breath, praying he wouldn't ask the question she expected. "Who's that?"

"Just a friend, don't worry about it, okay bye!" Lup hung up and threw her stone at the sofa. "FUCK! This is bad. This is my fault. I could've told him what I was doing and then maybe he wouldn't have done such a stupid—"

Barry let her pace and rant for a while; he always knew when she needed to vent or needed to be soothed, and she loved him so much for it. She finally wound down after a few minutes and slid into the seat at the kitchen table next to him.

"What do we do?" She asked after a moment. Barry considered it.

"Well, we've got to find a fragment that is Kravitz as much as this," he patted the jar gently, "is Taako. Then…" He shrugged. "I don't know. But we'll come up with something. In the meantime, you're exhausted and I can't do any more on my notes until I get some books from work, so how about I order some takeout and we'll have a night in?"

"Yeah," Lup said with a faint smile. "Sounds good to me."

~~~

They had a few busy days after that, doing their usual gig - people had mostly stopped becoming liches and doing necromancy around the anniversary, but there were still a few dumbasses out there causing trouble. (It was a little surreal, to Lup, to work with Kravitz and know she had part of his soul in a jar on her kitchen table.)

Then, a slow day, one that Kravitz could handle alone, and she stole Barry off to the chamber of soul fragments, jar in hand.

"What if we just… let it out and see if it likes one of the other fragments?" She suggested, staring out at the faintly glowing sea of fragments floating in the air.

"That could work," Barry said.

"You think?" she asked, actually a little surprised, because she figured it was kind of a dumb idea. Barry chuckled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well, uh, I don't have any better ideas, so might as well, right?"

Lup laughed and kissed his cheek before opening the jar, allowing the little soul-mongoose to drift up and out. "Go on, little dude, go find Kravitz."

To Lup's absolute delight, it slowly started to move into the mass of fragments, not drifting aimlessly like the rest of them, but moving straight as an arrow. A very very slow, injured-mongoose-shaped arrow. She followed it almost all the way across the chamber, Barry trailing behind her scribbling notes as quickly as he can. Eventually it slowed and stopped, hovering just near a fluttering, badly-damaged fragment that Lup can't quite discern the shape of.

The glow that both fragments give off brightens, just slightly, and the mongoose curls around the other shape, which starts to pull itself back together into the shape of a single feather.

"Yes!" Lup whisper-yelled, somehow feeling like being too loud would disturb them, even though the souls had thus far shown no sign of noticing any sounds they'd made. "Bear, look!"

"I see," Barry responded in equally hushed tones as he scribbled furiously. "This is amazing!"

"Yeah, and also we can fix Taako and Kravitz now."

"Oh." Barry stopped taking notes long enough to look sheepish, the hushed tone falling away. "That too, yes."

"You're such a nerd," Lup said with a fond smile. "So that's half of the problem solved. Or at least, half of the problem if both parties have their souls mutilated, but whatever, it's still progress."

"Re-binding them to Taako and Kravitz's souls is going to be the hard part, though," Barry pointed out. "The Raven Queen knew Taako's fragment was here, it's just that she and Istus couldn't do anything to put it back."

Lup blinked. "What did you say?"

"Uh…" Barry frowned down at his notes as if they held the answer. Which, to be fair, they might. "Re-binding them is going to be hard?" A wide grin slowly spread across Lup's face. Barry was almost worried - that grin usually meant trouble. "What are you thinking?"

"Who do we know, darling," she said, "who knows probably more than anyone else in creation about bonds?"

Realization dawned, and Barry found himself grinning, too. "Let's give him a call, then."

~~~

"Well, I have no idea if it'll work," Davenport said, leaning against the railing of his ship, the Cloudblaster, after Barry and Lup finished explaining their plan. "But sure, I'll swing by and park her… where, you think, by Magnus and Lucretia's place?"

"There's family dinner next weekend," Lup agreed, nodding. "So Taako should be there, and I'm pretty sure we can get Kravitz there with some effort."

"Thanks, Cap," Barry added.

"Don't mention it," Davenport chuckled, and patted the ring that encircled the stern of the ship, glowing faintly. The glow pulsed a bit as he did, a whirring hum rising almost like a purr. "I didn't build this baby just to turn down my family when they need our help."

~~~

"We're having family dinner tomorrow and you're coming," Lup declared to Kravitz the next week. Kravitz looked both confused and concerned by her statement.

"Uh," he said. "Why?"

"Because we want you to," Lup responded, sitting on the edge of his desk. "You're practically family to me'n Barry, we talk about you a lot, everyone's liked you the times you've met them." She smiled innocently. "Also because Big Mama says you have to."

The Raven Queen had been distressed by the revelation that Kravitz had cut apart his own soul, and when Lup had asked if she could order Kravitz to go to the family dinner and soul repair party, she'd said yes almost before Lup was done explaining.

Kravitz grimaced — though whether at the order or the nickname, Lup couldn't tell. Probably both. "Ah," he said. "I see."

"You're gonna go ask her, aren't you?" Lup asked. Kravitz raised an eyebrow.

"Obviously. It's entirely within the realm of possibility that you'd decide to fake it just to get me to come to your social event at which I will be exceedingly out of place."

"Okay, cool, see you in a couple hours!" Lup sing-songed, hopping off his desk. "At Magnus's house, don't be late!"

Right before she stepped through the portal to said house, she heard Kravitz sigh. She laughed brightly and closed the portal behind her.

This was going to work. She was as sure of it as she was of her love for Barry, her familiarity with Taako. Once they’d gotten Davenport on board, Lup and Barry had gone to bounce it off Lucretia, to see if she knew anything else that might affect the bond engine. She’d called in Angus and (after some dubious discussion) Lucas as well. Over the course of about three days, they went over every imaginable outcome, formulating equations and magical theory based on what they knew of souls, soulmates, and bonds. The possible results (depending on a number of factors they just didn’t have answers for) ranged from nothing happening to full success to everyone exploding.

(Explosions were unlikely and not expected, but Lucretia and Angus rightly argued that almost anything Lup or Lucas were involved in had at least a small chance of exploding, and neither of them could really disprove that, so it was in the list.)

Taako was showing off in the kitchen for some of Angus’s most recently acquired stray kids who were here despite Lup’s insistence this was a family-only affair, if only because of the potential drama.

“They don’t have anywhere else to go,” Angus said (firmly, not plaintively as he would’ve once), and that was that. It wasn’t like Lup was great at saying no to the kid even when he didn’t make a compelling argument.

Lup caught Barry’s eye from across the room, careful to try to stay out of Taako’s line of sight. Barry casually got up, his satchel in hand, and strolled over to the living room.

“You’ve got both fragments?” Lup asked, voice soft despite the cacophony in the kitchen that would certainly drown out even a loud conversation.

Barry hefted his bag. “Both in shatterproof jars. Is Kravitz coming?”

“Checking with Mama first, but she’s on our side, so he’ll be here.” Lup bounced on the balls of her feet and ran a hand through her hair, looking over at where Davenport’s new ship with its new (and purportedly improved) bond engine was parked. “This is gonna work,” she said with a confidence she didn’t feel.

“It’s gonna work,” Barry agreed, and his calm certainty was just the buoy Lup needed to keep herself from descending into anxious pessimism. She was a fuckin baller evocation wizard, but while she was more than passable at necromancy these days, Barry was the one of them that really got things like souls, death, and the like. If he was sure, that was good enough for her.

The time Lup had asked Kravitz to come was actually just after she guessed they’d be done eating, mostly because trying to deal with dragging Taako away from the kitchen was more work than even she was willing to put out. She timed it nearly perfectly, too, with the polite knock coming while Taako was in the middle of ordering Angus’ kids around while they did the dishes. “Exactly on time,” she said with a chuckle as she opened the door. “And with a bottle of wine. Why am I not surprised?” “It’s… polite…” Kravitz hesitated, and looked down at the bottle in his hands. “Is this not a thing people do anymore?” “Oh, no, you’re fine, I’m just teasing you,” Lup assured him, taking the wine and setting it on the side table near the door. Then she grabbed Barry’s bag from where it hung on a coat hook and shouted over her shoulder. “Babe! Ship time!” “Okay!” Barry’s voice filtered back from the dining room. Kravitz had started to follow her a bit inside, and seemed startled when she turned him around and propelled him out the door. “Lup, what—” “We’ve got something to show you before you come in and subject yourself to the madness.” Lup said lightly as they moved towards the Cloudblaster. “Angus has three new kids this time, and Magnus and Taako are being horrible influences, as always.” “Uh,” Kravitz responded. “Right.” Lup parked him just next to the ring of the bond engine, which hummed softly even as it idled. One really good thing about bond engines, Lup had discovered over the decades, was that since they literally ran on bonds, they never needed to be turned on or off. Which meant that as soon as they got started, the engine would be ready. “Cool, just… stay here for a minute, okay?” Lup said with what she hoped was a reassuring smile. Kravitz frowned, and she hastily added, “I promise it’s nothing bad, it just needs a little preparation.” “Okay, sure,” Kravitz agreed, reluctantly, and Lup hopped over the railing and onto the deck itself, where she and Barry had stashed everything but the souls themselves. It wasn’t much, just a chalk circle to try to help focus their energy into the engine, and some incense because it couldn’t hurt to say a prayer before trying it. She was up there touching up a few smudges on the circle when she heard Barry and Taako approaching. “Barry, I swear to god, if you and Lup found some fuckin goth to set me up with—” Taako was protesting, but it was clear he was curious about what was going on by how he let Barry maneuver him into place next to Kravitz. Lup put the finishing touches on the circle, then stood, reached into the bag, and pulled out two jars, glowing softly. “Hey Kravitz!” she called, and (when he looked up) none-too-gently lobbed one of the jars at his head. “You lost this, loser!” Kravitz yelped and tried to duck, but still got grazed by the magically-reinforced jar. “What the fuck!” he yelped. The glow inside pulsed slightly. Lup flashed a grin and hopped down, handing the other jar to Taako, who was looking rather bemused. “I asked myself the same thing when I saw it,” she told Kravitz. “You’re a dumbass and you’re lucky we love you so much.” “Uh… so goth coworker?” Taako hazarded. “Granted, where you two work, I’m not exactly surprised…” he trailed off as he opened his jar, the still-ruffled but otherwise restored feather-shaped soul fragment drifting out. “Ooookay, definitely not what I expected to be in that jar.” “Is that a soul?” Kravitz asked, sounding horrified. “Open yours and find out, Bone Boy,” Lup said. Barry was already out of sight, starting to power up the bond engine, which hummed behind them. “I promise, if this works, you’re gonna thank me.” Kravitz opened his, the little mongoose floating up and out of the jar to press against his chest, its glow brightening. Taako didn’t even seem to notice, so enraptured he was by the feather cupped in his hands. Behind them, unheeded, the bond engine hummed, then whirred, the bright glow of it growing by the moment. Lup focused inward, on the bonds she shared with these two dumbasses, and how strong they were, and how they were weakened with their bonds with each other broken. Power and purpose were the two most important components of any arcane working. Barry was, through the bond engine, providing the power. What Lup had to do was give that power a purpose, and convince an inanimate object that ran on the very essence that holds everything together that it wanted to mend the broken souls in front of it.

For a long, heart-stopping moment, nothing happened. Lup held her breath, eyes fixed on Taako, willing the universe to make this right.

And then, so slender and faint she almost missed it, a tendril reached out from the bond engine to wrap around Taako. And then another, and another. Lup finally tore her gaze away from Taako long enough to verify that Kravitz, too, was being wrapped in tendrils of light.

"Is, uh. Is this supposed to be happening?" Kravitz asked, voice pitched high and slightly reedy, like it got when he was nervous.

"Yes!" Lup exclaimed, grin widening as the tendrils started sprouting from the boys themselves, feeding in on the souls in front of them and each other, faster and faster becoming a solid mass of white light.

"What did you do?" Taako asked, but then she couldn't look at them anymore and the sound of the engine's workings were deafening and for a moment she worried it had all gone wrong and it was going to explode after all, and then—

Then it was over. The engine slowed and fell silent, the bright light dimmed, the bonds becoming invisible again, and when her vision cleared, Taako and Kravitz were facing each other, no sign of the souls they'd held when they began.

"Holy fuck," Taako whispered. He tore his eyes away from Kravitz, and missed what Lup didn't - Kravitz's face crumpling in pain and disappointment. The dumbass still thought Taako would forget him again. "Lup, holy fuck!"

"I know, right?" Lup all but shrieked, and descended upon them to pull them both into tight hugs, her arms around their necks. Kravitz stiffened and didn't seem to know how to handle the outpouring of affection (or anything else, for that matter), but Taako whooped and pulled her grip off her fellow reaper to swing her around happily.

"This is fucking amazing!" Taako put her back down as Barry dropped from the deck, patting poor confused Kravitz's shoulder in a comforting fashion. "Lulu… you need to fuck off, 'cause ch'boy's got like two decades worth of makeouts to catch up on."

Lup laughed, kissed Taako's cheek, and waved Barry over as she headed for the house. Her work here was done, finally.

The last thing she saw, glancing over her shoulder before the Cloudblaster was blocked by the trees, was Kravitz's face lighting up in joy and understanding as Taako launched himself into his soulmate's arms.

#taz balance #taz fic #lup #taakitz #taako #kravitz #barry bluejeans #ok but like it's only SORT OF taakitz #in the greater scheme of things or w/e #basically tl;dr lup fixes everything #with help from basically everyone #but it's mostly her #my fic #inkedinserendipity

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fydk-translations · 7 years ago

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170815 The War Fansign: Kyungsoo fanaccounts

@1248_room: Me: When did you start to raise Meokmul and Huchu? KS: Ah, because I’ve always liked dogs~ Me: Ah.... I meant the opportunity to!! KS: The opportunity to! (eyes get big) My parents used to dislike dogs! But I was determined and kept pushing until they said yes. Me: Ah~ so they’re at your parents’ home?? KS: Yes~~

@LOVELYRIM0408: I forgot everything as soon as I made eye contact with Kyungsoo... I told him my wedding was in December and his eyes got even bigger as he congratulated me extremely earnestly haha. [On my request] his suggested nuptial song was For Life and when I asked if he could come sing it personally for us, he said “I’d like to....” haha. Kyungsoo, thank you sincerely for your suggestion and blessing

@luv_in0114: Me: You know how Mr. Jo Jungseok calls you a s..son of a bitch in Brother? KS: Ah, yes ! Me: I have these dog-bird figures.. [t/n: s.o.b. and dog-bird are both spelled ‘gaesae’] KS: Ah? They’re really called gaesae? Me: Yes! KS: There’s really something called gaesae?? Me: Ah n..no there’s not actually something called gaesae, these are just figures ! KS: (looks at boxes laughing) Ah so I have a chance of getting one of these four? Me: Yes ! Please open it later~ KS: (was already opening it) Pfthahahaha

The dog-bird Kyungsoo got was the pug-bird ! When he asked me if “there was really something called gaesae..???” he was really serious about the question...

@94sh0412: Kyungsoo was the first in line TTT I told him I think can stay alive now from seeing his handsome face after seeing only my brother’s for so long and he gave me his unique bursting ah! ha! ha! laugh TTTTTT

@exo120408998:

Me: Please suggest a name for a white dog KS: Salt (his haha laugh) TTTTTTTTTTT If I ever get a dog, it’ll be named Salt!!!!!

@bc_0421: Me: Do you still cook often? KS: Yes! I cook often. Me: What’s the last dish you made? KS: It was fried rice. Me: I hear that people who like to cook also get very interested in bowls and plates. Did you too? KS: Yes! Me: What was the last one you bought? KS: The last one was porcelain!

@hjyoung32342: As soon as I got to Kyungsoo, I got on one knee, held out a bouquet, and asked him to marry me. Kyungsoo asked ‘did you ask us to marry?’ with his uncontrolled haha laugh TTT The message is something I asked him to write! It was really nice... I asked him to draw a heart on his photocard too TT

[text: Love you, my girl!]

The ring that I gave him...

@minnny106: It’s adorable how Kyungsoo wrote my full name and even stuck on a -nim... I asked him to write down something sweet and after getting super pensive he wrote ‘sweetness’ TTTTT

@X_i_u__: Me: Hello! Could you by any chance write ‘my savior who has come to ruin my life’? KS: Of course. ‘My savior...’ Me: Who has come to ruin my life. Have you ever thought about releasing a solo album? KS: If I’m given the chance too, but there hasn’t been one yet... Ruin...? Me: Has come to ruin! My life! When I go, could you call ‘Cherry’? KS: Cherry! Me: Cherry blossom? (then I covered my face and fled) [t/n: pun, also sounds like ‘did you call Cherry?’ if said in an aegyo tone] KS: Please come back (waves me back while laughing)

@bbhsrh804: Me: Do you like odd numbers [holsoo] or even numbers [jjaksoo] more? KS: (thinking...) I like even numbers! Me: Personally I like Kyungsoo! KS: (laughs big) (laughs again after signing) Me: Please write something pretty for me! KS: Something pretty... [text: Happiness!]

@xiudoh_: I remember that when I told Junmyeon I was going to Japan on vacation and asked him to recommend me a restaurant or dish, he told me ‘you need to ask Kyungsoo for something like that’ hahahaha

@cuhyuk: Me: Is there something you always eat when you’re in Busan? KS: Um.. abalone porridge. Me: Where??? KS: There.. at a shop next to where the Busan International Film Festival is held.

Now... somebody please tell me the name of this place.

@Lovelylovesuho: Kyungsoo is so good-looking and sweet.. I asked him about doing a musical but he hasn’t thought about being in one yet.. And I asked what brand of alcohol he likes and he answered Jinro TTTT

@xiu__99_: He drew Huchu for me TTTT

@marymond0408: “Can I follow up with you after this? Let’s go on an autumn date.” Kyungsoo 👼: Let’s also have a winter date, and a spring date. Let’s go on all of them.

@BH_ZERO_FOUR: Me: Hello. ⊙♡⊙: Yes, hello~ What’s your name? ___? Me: Yes. By any chance are you interested in becoming a lyricist? ⊙♡⊙: A lyricist? That would be really nice, but I have no writing talent. Me: Could you write down a line that comes to mind when you look at me? ⊙♡⊙: A line? [text: She’s my lady!]

@hello_apriler: Kyungsoo always adds a -nim hahaha. He did that at the last fansign so I asked him to write noona instead, so he went ‘Ah! Noona~’ and wrote ‘___ noona!’ The exclamation point is too cute hahaha. What pretty handwriting (⌒♡⌒)

@yeol_spring: Me: Please suggest something for dinner! KS: Huh? Me: For dinner! KS: For dinner? Um... Busan is... Me: Uh huh! KS: Busan is famous for its daegutang, isn’t it?

[text: Which role would you like to play? 1. Criminal 2. Police 3. Witness 4. Accomplice 5. [Passerby]]

@GeumNa: One of my friends in Japan got into EXO’s Daegu fansign. I was helping her write messages in Korean last night. When Kyungsoo saw her message, he replied and spoke to her in Japanese, asking if she had come alone and to return home safely :) He’s kind. Even I’m gladdened heheh

@01055708083: KS: (with his bright smile) Hello~ your name is ___! Me: Hello, please come to Busan often! (literal heart attack at eye contact) KS: I’d like to come here often... Me: I saw Kamome Diner because you suggested it and really enjoyed it~ KS: Isn’t Kamome Diner really good? (his eyes are sparkling with the film topic) Me: I really had fun watching it. Could you suggest another movie? KS: Um.. have you watched Megane [by the same director]? Me: (it was loud so it was hard to hear) Huh?? Mega what??? KS: Me! Ga! Ne! Glasses in Japanese (eyes get round) Please watch Megane!

@kimnungom: Baekhyun, Jongdae, and Kyungsoo all asked me to get well TTT My leg was injured, and as soon as I appeared Kyungsoo asked me how I got hurt, even skipping the introductions... I got hurt while watching EXO... I’ll stay healthy! EXO is the best!

@cosmosgroove: Kyungsoo’s one-of-a-kind autograph. His drew it past the page and across the album’s side. He was apologizing, but Kyungsoo... that’s nothing to be sorry for T^T If you did it, it was the right thing to do....

@hotxiu: I asked Kyungsoo to tell me ‘fighting!’ because I was studying art hahahaha and he wrote “Work hard on your art and become really cool!” I’ll promise to become cool ❤️

@a_little_moon: Kyungsoo says he’s stopped doing Pilates

@tur8s: Do you see Kyungsoo’s ‘-nim’ haha. It’s so like him.... I brought a photo ticket from Brother and asked him to draw on it so he wrote little brother ♡ big brother (◉♡◉ ) on it and laughed. Cute...

@Minkkung_0326: Kyungsoo is just TTT This was my first fansign and he was so accommodating TTTT At the end, I thanked him either for being a part of EXO or for being a singer and was so grateful when he gave a glad smile TTT Kyungsoo, shall we go to Sapporo?

[text + t/n: ‘Shall we go to Sapporo?’ is the next-to-last line of a popular love prose by lee byeongryul that, to the speaker, is a form of confession]

@ejoo_s2: Kyungsoo said his tap dancing practices were going well when I asked. I told him that I was looking forward to it, to not hurt his feet, to be careful TTTT Kyungsoo was thanking me until I had to leave .. Ah my heart is fluttering with what Kyungsoo wrote me TT The moon is so bright tonight..

[text + t/n: “The moon is so bright tonight~” is a line from a 20th century japanese writer popularly understood as ‘i love you’]

[to be updated]

sources as linked | translation: fydk

#translation #t:fanacc #a:the war #2017 #kyungsoo #exo #fydk

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pixiealtaira · 7 years ago

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Together

Hummel Holidays 2016 prompt 12: gingerbread

Pairing: Kurt/Adam

Note: see another cheesy title....

“Kurt, remember when you told me your dad took you to a festival of trees and the Nutcracker Suite? There is a festival of trees here that is matched with a gingerbread house festival. Everything will be up for bidding and the proceeds go to various youth arts programs around the city. They are looking for people to volunteer and to make creations.” Adam said as soon as Kurt answered his phone. “There is a poster up here at NYU.”

“Would we have time and what size for items?” Kurt asked.

“If I call and get details, will you work together on something for it with me?”

“It sounds fun.” Kurt said. “I’d love to.”

Kurt tucked into his class and instead of concentrating on set design from script reading, Kurt drew Christmas Tree themes that could be done for not too much and gingerbread houses.

Adam called just after Kurt’s class ended to tell Kurt he’d started the gingerbread and that tree had to be at least 4 feet tall or they could do a garland and wreath set. He told Kurt had had red, white, green and black four inch wide ribbon that would work for either and he knew someplace that he could get either trees or wreaths and to bring what Kurt thought would be fun to decorate with when he came.

Kurt stopped at the candy store on the way home and bought runts and chocolate rocks cotton candy in various colors and gum and all sorts of other little candies and candy’s like starbursts and gummies that could be molded. Then he saw an idea that made him smile and he knew what he wanted to do. He left with a bunch of starlight mints as well.

A stop at a craft store for plastic bulbs in various shaped and sizes, various colored boas and pompoms, googly eyes, felt, white yarn and big darning needles, cookie cutters of all shapes and sizes and smaller ribbon later and Kurt was on his way to Adam’s apartment.

Adam’s apartment smelled divine when Kurt arrived. Adam was behind the counter mixing another batch of gingerbread and Kurt went right to him.

“I’ve got an idea for a tree or wreath, I think it would work for either, but it is a bit odd.” Kurt said

“And that is?”

“Sesame Street.” Kurt said. “Mainly the monsters.”

“That could work.” Adam said. “Do you want to do a wreath or tree?”

Kurt sighed. “I think a tree. I also bought cookie cutters which we could use to make cookies or just hang on the tree and I thought we could make little candy containers as well…I figure we should have hot glue and heavy cardstock paper from making Christmas decorations earlier.”

Adam smiled. “Alright, let’s spill out all our treasures and see what we have that works. Draw up your ideas.”

Kurt drew out his ideas for the characters they would need and placed bulbs with each.

“I’ve got Big Bird, Cookie monster, Elmo, Grover, and Oscar.” Kurt said.

“How about Bert and Ernie?” Adam asked.

Kurt nodded. “We could do those.”

“How about Henry, the Count, and Kermit?” Adam asked.

“And Telly. And Zoe. And Rosita.” Kurt added.

“If we can make all those, we could then see what else we would need to make a tree look full.”

“We can google other monsters to add. I’m sure some have been added since I watched it much last.”

Adam laughed. “I know some have because when I watched it with my nieces last year I didn’t know several of the characters.”

“We’ll have enough, I’m sure.” Kurt smiled. “I need the hot glue gun. You draw out your gingerbread house plans. I’ll look up each monster so we can get the faces decent. I wish I could think of a way to do snuffy.”

Adam put on Christmas music and Kurt got to work on ornaments while Adam baked.

They chatted and sang along with songs and talked about baking with family and watching TV when little and what things their families had always done together.

It was a perfect way to spend the afternoon and evening.

Adam made dinner and they ate between putting up the walls of the gingerbread grocers. While they let the icing set on those, Adam dragged Kurt down to the dollar store and Kurt met Percy, who helped Adam start up the Apples when Adam was a first year at NYADA. Percy had the connections to several smaller fake Christmas trees. His sister had just had a winter wedding and was donating the trees they used to decorate with. He actually sent Kurt and Adam back to Adam’s place with two trees and enough lights to light them. Kurt gave Percy and his sister ornaments…the first set of Oscar and Henry which weren’t quite what Kurt wanted but was good enough to know which characters they were.

They built the front food stands for the grocers, little boxes and tables and bins to put under the awning Adam was making out of a fruit roll up. Kurt and Adam filled the crates and bins with runts and other small candies formed into veggies and fruits. They created a cobblestone type pavement for the front. They made roof tiles out of gum. While Kurt was piping the windows details, Adam strung lights on the tree and wrapped it in the green ribbon.

They had ended up with twenty monster and puppet ornaments. They had both heads of the two headed monster and Prairie Dawn and Abby and Guy Smiley, Ruby, and baby bear. They had extras their favorites…Oscar and Cookie Monster and Bert and Ernie and Big Bird and Harry, which Adam tucked into a box for their tree.

Kurt couldn’t help beaming when Adam called it their tree.

They decided to hang a dozen cookie cutters and then make two dozen treat tubes. It wasn’t a packed tree, but it was a full enough tree that both Kurt and Adam thought it might make the charity some money.

Kurt stayed over. He had come to love staying over at Adam’s.

Not just for the sex, like his roommates insisted. Oh, they had sex. Kurt hadn’t made them wait long once they got back together, since that had been one of the buttons Rachel and Blaine had pushed to get him back with Blaine for that brief time during March and April and May, before Kurt came to his senses in summer and broke it off again. Often they didn’t have ‘full out’ sex, as Kurt put it.

Kurt liked sleeping cuddled next to Adam, he liked midnight frottage and morning wake-ups via blow jobs. He liked the constant touching they engaged in at Adam’s, hands caressing as they passed each other, or held as they sat and watched something. Adam loved pulling Kurt’s feet into his lap as they sat together on the sofa, or tucking Kurt into his side for snuggles.

He liked watching things he liked to watch with Adam. He liked watching things Adam liked to watch.

He liked sharing space with Adam…and their lives. He hadn’t ever felt like things were evenly shared with Blaine…or even ever at the loft. It was wonderful.

And Adam was constantly coming up with things like the Gingerbread house to do. It made Kurt feel a part of where he lived. It was nice. And Kurt was ever so glad he had not messed it up completely.

#glee fanfic #hummelholidays #kadam

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wacheypenaart · 7 years ago

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Enchanted Romance Chapter 2

Previous Chapter

Summary: What led to Leonard's current situation.

The Invierno Kingdom, like its name implied, was a cold and harsh place. There was still enough food and natural resources to make a decent living, but some families barely scraped by. What families did manage to flourish only did so out of thievery and war, which often times left a different group of fairies in charge of everything. Thus, one's alliances were always changing, fairies who were once allies became enemies.

Not even family could be completely trusted, if Lewis Snart were anything to judge by. He was willing to sell off his own daughter for a half-rotted fish! Leonard, his eldest offspring, had been working off Lewis's debt at the time and couldn't prevent it. But he damn sure got her back before her buyer had any chance to touch one hair on her head.

His doing so had cost both him and his sister a home, but by that point in their lives they were better off homeless. It was certainly easier stealing for two and sharing the spoils equally rather than giving the lion's share to the abusive, no good son of a bitch that had been their father.

It wasn't too much later that two became three as Mick Rory literally burst into their lives via an explosion he had caused. His family were a rare sort of fairy-type that could produce bursts of flame and often times worked as bombs for hire. That is, until someone found them to be a threat and killed all but one of them off. Mick was that lone survivor, and he had been on a revenge spree when he stumbled upon Leonard and Lisa huddled together trying to stave off the cold.

The pair reminded Mick of his lost siblings, which led to him taking them in and offering them shelter in his den. It wasn't much, and they were wary of him as much as he was wary of them, but it beat dealing with the cold. And it was certainly better than being alone.

It took Lisa getting sick and Mick finding what they needed for medicine before Leonard began trusting the other fairy. Then, it was just a matter of time and practice until the three of them earned a reputation as the best thieves for hire. At least in their sector.

There was an official thieves guild, but like everything else, leaders and other powerful members tended to change with the seasons. Their rules, on the other hand, generally stayed the same, and it was those more than the constant power struggle in rank that bothered Leonard.

First and foremost: if a fairy snitched, they got ditched. Reasonable, as no one wanted to associate with someone who'd so easily betray them. That rule though didn't consider the fact that if a fairy was caught, they were put through rigorous torture till they gave up something. Of course this led to their second rule: don't get caught. A task easier said than done as it required either teamwork or immense skill to avoid any security provided by their target. The former was clearly not a reliable option. So the vast majority of the guild's members were loners always on the look out for someone better to work with and use.

There were other rules too, but Leonard found fault with all of them, because they encouraged fairies to look out only for themselves. He couldn't imagine himself sacrificing Lisa or Mick for some petty score. So when they were offered positions among the guild, he declined, his family backing up his decision without question.

Apparently, no one had ever rejected the guild before, and they didn't like it if the sudden increase of bounty hunters were anything to judge by. They had their own guild too, but Leonard had no intention of getting familiar with them anytime soon if he could help it.

Instead, he chose to concentrate on their latest score, which was some ancient family heirloom the current rulers were eager to pay handsomely for. They had to get it fast, as there was no telling how long this family would have the goods to give in reward.

Lisa, being the fastest flier of the three with her sleek black and gold wings, stayed out and circled around the decrepit building as a lookout for any trouble. Any hint of it and she'd give the signal in the form of a whistle before flying off to their chosen safety point.

Inside, Mick and Leonard moved at a cautious but fast pace, sticking to the shadows in case there were any others already inside trying to steal the loot before them. It had happened before, but that didn't mean they couldn't take it from them if the opportunity arose. After all, there wasn't a rule that said the first people to retrieve the item were automatically entitled to the booty.

Another reason it was fruitful to both stay quiet and hidden: owls, such as the one they found resting in its nest. Among the strewn about grass and feathers were various objects, including the artifact they came to steal.

This is where Leonard's own rules came into play. Yes, despite his contention for the guild's codes, he knew they were necessary to survive. And his rules were: make the plan, execute the plan, expect the plan to go off the rails, and throw away the plan. Despite its simplicity, it was far more effective and hadn't failed them yet.

Using hand signals, Leonard gestured for Mick to startle and frighten the beast away with a fire blast. The other fairy nodded before moving away to find another entrance into the bird's nest. The closer he could get without being seen the better. Leonard moved to do the same, only his goal was to get closer to the treasure.

The next few moments were tense as Leonard waited for his friend to strike, his body taut and ready to move. No harm would actually come to the bird, but it was a threat they needed to get rid of.

At the first sounds of crackling in the air, Leonard moved, knowing they were the noise that preceded Mick's attacks. Flames followed, hitting the bird's rump and causing it to squawk in shock before it flew up out of its nest in clumsy haste. It failed to notice Leonard nearing its refuge, which gave him time to snatch up what they came to find and start running back out of sight. He didn't pause to look for where the bird had gone, because it would've slowed him down and increased his chances of getting caught by it.

Once safely hidden in the shadows, he finally took the chance to listen for the bird's location, and more importantly for his sister. The bird had caused such a ruckus he hoped she had heard and had taken the time to hide.

Unfortunately, that was not the case as he heard her scream in alarm, the owl hissing in response.

Instantly and without hesitation, Leonard was flying out of the ruins and towards the owl itself. When he was close enough, he threw the very thing they worked so hard to steal at the bird. His sister's life was more important than any stupid trinket.

His attempt to get the owl's attention worked, and a little too well as it set its sights on him. He barely had time to shout at his sister to find Mick and get to safety before he was flying as fast as he could, drawing the bird away. He would have to use every trick in the book to survive this encounter.

The owl was fast and quickly catching up to him so he attempted to dive towards the ground, its talons nearly ensnaring him by his wings. But the move only gained him a moment before the bird was on him again, this time managing to clutch onto his upper body. He couldn't help but shout in pain as the owl attempted to crush him in its grasp, snapping bone. But the beast didn't count on him freeing one of his arms and pulling a knife to stab at its feet.

Immediately released, Leonard flew away with what strength he had left, not caring what direction he was headed, so long as he found a place to hide. There was no place close enough though, and he continued to hear the owl's hissing behind him. He had to keep going!

Functioning on pure adrenaline, he failed to notice the change in his surroundings as night in the Invierno Kingdom faded into a morning in Primavera. Not familiar with the area, he bumped into plants he hadn't seen before, causing himself further injury. The hissing finally stopped though, which was a relief and allowed Leonard to slow his flight so he could carefully land and figure out what to do. At least, that had been the plan till he blacked out.

When he next awoke it was with a painful groan and the feeling of soft bedsheets. He panicked, sitting up despite his body's protests, and tried to figure out how he could've gotten into a bed when the last thing he saw was dirt. Who had found him?

His answer came in the form of the cutest fairy he had ever seen. This fairy was tall and lanky, with short brown hair, bright hazel eyes, and a smile as bright as the sun. Said smile also looked relieved as the other fairy greeted: "Hey, glad to see you're awake! I brought some water in case you were thirsty."

"Thank you," Leonard replied politely, which was rare for him to do, but he felt so flustered and unprepared. He took the offered glass and drank it to both soothe his throat and calm his nerves.

"You've probably got some questions, like where you are, which is the Primavera Kingdom by the way, and oh-- my name is Barry. Barry Allen," the other fairy stammered in explanation, a light blush staining his cheeks, which made him even more attractive.

Leonard must have hit his head during the fall, he was acting silly.

"Are you okay? Did you need more water Mr...?" Barry asked, his concern quite clear. He looked so sincere too, which made sense if what little Leonard knew of the spring fairies were true.

"Wynters, Leonard Wynters," he replied. He was still within the right mind not to give away his real identity as it often led to trouble with some people. He had no way of knowing if Barry was related to any of his enemies.

"Oh, well, Mr. Wynters--" Barry started to say.

"Just call me Len," Leonard said without thinking, proving he wasn't completely in control of his faculties as only Lisa and Mick were allowed to use the nickname.

Either way, it earned him another smile which he found himself admiring once again. Was there something in the water? Maybe the plant life had some special pollen in it?

Or perhaps this fairy with wings Leonard had only heard about was just that enchanting?

-tbc

#enchanted romance #Wachey'sFanfic #fanart #ColdFlash #fairy au

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time-to-go-97-blog · 7 years ago

Text

Eva x Chris. It Started Off

I kind of pushed this prompt to the beginning (really sorry to the other prompts - but i just kind of started writing it). Hope you enjoy it guys... ☺️

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It started off the morning after a great party. Eva woke up early, acutely aware that she wasn’t in her own bed. Her eyes were stuck shut and she could sense the beginnings of a hangover. Blinking rapidly to shake the remnants of sleep off, she takes in her surroundings and recognition hits her instantly. This was the third time she’d woken up in his room (of course, he’d woken up in hers just as many times – they someone always found each other at parties). She’s not sure if she should be surprised anymore, this was becoming a regular occurrence for the two of them although neither had admitted to it yet. She turned her head to the left and could see the sun shining through a gap in the curtains, the singing birds told her it was still quite early. Time for her to leave. Turning her head to the left, she comes face to face with no one other than Penetrator Chris. He’s lying on his stomach, breathing evenly and he just looks so peaceful. She continues to stare at him for a minute, she can’t deny that he’s attractive but this was dangerous territory, she knew they’d hooked up too many times for it to be a one-off thing. She yawns before slipping out of bed, silently collecting her possessions before starting to get dressed. She’d just slipped her shirt on when his voice cuts through the air:

“Leaving without saying goodbye,” his voice is smug.

She turns to face him, “good morning,” it should be awkward between them, but they’d hooked up so many times before it was becoming normal. “Up so early?” she questions, he’s usually never awake when she leaves in the mornings.

He doesn’t say anything for a few minutes, deep in thought. “I think, we need to talk,” his voice is assertive, with no trace of nervousness or hesitance – he was Penetrator Chris after all.

“Oh,” she’s surprised, “about what?” Eva racks her brain thinking of what’s so important he can’t just text her like he usually does. The only thing she can think of is that he wants to stop hooking up for good, which wouldn’t bother her too much, it’s not like they were serious.

Chris’ reply is simple, “about us.” Eva doesn’t say anything, instead she waits for him to continue himself, “Well, you can’t deny the inevitable. This is the sixth time we’ve hooked up, my limits usually only two.”

Eva decides to play it cool, “so what you’re saying is,” she questions, a light lilt to her voice.

He looks at her, “maybe, we should make this a regular thing,” his tone is suggestive and Eva catches on immediately.

“Sort of like a,” she pauses, “friends-with-benefits kind of thing.” There’s a glint in her eye so Chris’ continues, “exactly, we can be friends. Friends who hook up occasionally.”

“Friends who spend the night from time to time,” Eva replies, a smile forming at her lips.

“Friends who are little bit more than friends sometimes,” Chris adds, mirroring her smile. He continues, “think about it, we have amazing chemistry,” he winks.

“Chris,” Eva says with a flat look, “you don’t have to flirt with me right now, just to get me to agree.”

“Fine. But it’s easier for me. I don’t have to bother with other clingy girls. Also, you’re smart, I can hold a conversation with you. And, you’re funny,” he reasons.

Eva already knows her answer, “but what’s in it for me,” she questions just to make him think.

His reply is instant and flirty, “me.” Eva rolls her eyes in response which causes Chris to reply, “it’ll be easier for you too, you won’t have to bother with overbearing guys. Besides, we know each other’s like and dislikes.”

“Ok.” Her answer is short and simple but it marks the start of their slightly dysfunctional relationship.

It started off undercover. They’d arrive to parties separately and slowly get drunk with their own friends, taking the time to enjoy themselves first and foremost. They’d acknowledge each other, but the first hour of the party was spent with their friends or random people that are also at the party. Sometimes they’d hook up with other people, maybe even leaving with them; this didn’t bother either of them as they both knew they weren’t together in a romantic way, for the both of them it was purely sexual. Usually however, after an hour or so of drinking with their friends, they’d always make their way back to each other. They’d talk first, small talk about their day before moving to the makeshift dance floor at whichever party they were at, each with a drink in their hand. They’d dance for a while, and it was spent laughing and whispering random thoughts in one another’s ears. Then they’d leave together, no one noticed, everyone thinking they’d left their own way. Slowly, dancing turned into dancing then hooking up; hooking up in the back corners of the house, hidden away in the kitchen, or pushed up against a wall in the hallway where everyone could see. They both slowly stopped caring over who could see. Everyone had guessed that they were together in some sense, but no one really bothered to question their relationship. Eventually, the pair started arriving to parties together at which point, they’d spend the entire evening together. Drinking with each other and greeting each other’s friends together; Eva got on well with a few of Chris’ penetrator friends, equally, the girl squad were warming up to Chris too. These parties were spent whispering into the other ears which ended in laughter. Even though they couldn’t see themselves, those closest to the two had noticed the change in behavior, they’d become a lot closer and often spent a lot of time together away from parties. When they weren’t arriving to parties together, they were skipping said parties all together – by which point everyone had guessed they were with each other. These nights were spent at one another’s house, hooking up, watching movies, dancing to music, or simply talking to each other about their hopes and dreams.

“I want a family one day,” Chris had revealed once, almost nervously. With a random playlist playing softly in the background, they’d been lying in her bed facing each other, it was so much more innocent than what their relationship had been all those months ago.

“What,” Eva was genuinely astounded, this was Penetrator Chris.

“I know,” he says, “no one thinks it of me. But I do, I have done for a while now,” he trails off.

“Tell me some more,” Eva urges him to continue.

“Well, I imagine it like,” he pauses, his memory taking him someplace else, eyes becoming distant, “like your typical white picket fence, you know. I want that. I want a wife who loves me without judging who I am now. I will give her the world. And I want kids. At least two, I mean I’m an only child, and it can get so lonely sometimes. So, I’d want my kids to have at least one other sibling.” He smiles, “I could go on, but you get the idea.”

“Wow,” she says, pleasantly surprised.

“See, everyone sees me and instantly thinks fuckboy. And I liked it at first, I suppose. But I want to be known as so much more than that. People just judge me based on that one little word,” he sighs, rolling onto his back.

“Hey, those closest to you know the real you, and that should be all that matters and all that you should care about. Fuck everyone else,” she reassures him.

It started off slow with neither of them fully realizing their feelings for one another until he let it slip accidentally. Slowly, their nights spent together turned into days spent together too. It was sudden and neither could pinpoint when it exactly happened but neither one of them cared, just glad that it happened. They’d get coffee together which was spent venting to each other about problems they currently had, with the other offering suggestions on how to solve them. Eva realized that Chris’ was an excellent listener and cared fiercely about those who he loved dearly. Chris realized that Eva would put her friends before herself and was extremely loyal. He knew he could turn to her with whatever was troubling him and he liked that he had someone who wouldn’t judge him about anything; they started to trust each other with their secrets. They’d grab dinner together on days they just wanted to laugh till their stomachs hurt and tears were streaming down their cheeks. He’d drive her to school when she woke up late after having spent the night at his place. They’d take impromptu road trips together when neither could fall asleep and just wanted to be free from everything for a while. Chris started writing uplifting notes on her school notes or stuck post-it notes on random objects in her room with cute little drawings that would make Eva laugh (she kept every single one). Eva would send him quotes from his favourite songs or movies when she sensed he was feeling down, and reading them would brighten his day especially as they were coming from Eva who somehow knew exactly which quote he needed to read.

Then one day, Chris wakes up and realizes he’s falling in love with Eva. It’s not quite love yet – he doesn’t think – but it was definitely getting there. And then on another day they’re curled up together on a sofa in Eva’s living room. It’s grey and cold outside but they’re snuggled up inside, comfortable in each other’s company and they’re laughing over something neither one of them can remember – probably a creepy stalker joke Eva made – when it suddenly slips out.

Chris is leaning back, wiping a tear from his eye, a hearty laugh escaping his lips when he blurts out, “see, this is why I love you,” he doesn’t even think about it, just says it without realizing it.

They both continue laughing, until Eva freezes, “hang on, what,” she says incredulously as she registers the words he just said; it sounded so natural.

Chris’ face pales, “what,” he looks at Eva, “I-I,” he stutters, he’s nervous but he can’t bring himself to take his words back and she realizes that.

“Oh,” comes Eva’s simple response. They both sit in silence for what seems like forever but was probably only a number of minutes. Chris is the first to break the silence.

“I love you,” his voice has lost all nervousness, and it is laced with confidence and assertiveness. Eva’s heart flutters and a warmth spreads throughout her, heating her to her core.

She smiles, “I-I think I love you too,” she closes her eyes feeling a sense of serenity wash over her.

It started off with a simple agreement but they both ended up with something greater than either of them could imagine.

#skam #skam fanfiction #chriseva #mohnstad #chris x eva #eva x chris #eva kviig mohn #christoffer schistad #fanfiction #unbeta'd #prompt

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