#also trying to decide between ''the far reaching one'' or ''the worker from afar'' for her name translation was Dificil

[beresaad]

HADES II ↳ Hecate — Ἑκατη, "The Far-reaching One"

[junquisite]

C’est La Vie 3

WORD COUNT : 1.6K

GENRE : Fluff. SIngle Parent! OC AU

WARNING : None. yearning if it’s considered one

PARTS : 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  F

NOTE : Please enjoy one of my favorite fic i have EVER written.

She got back home from her meeting and entered the PIN to her home. She got inside and shouted "I'm home!" And she heard Jiah's giggles before seeing her.

"What are you doing with uncle Seungyoun baby?" She asked and she heard more giggling and then she saw her coming out from her room on seungyoun's shoulders.

"Why are you bothering him like this?" She asked laughing and she picked her up from his shoulders.

"I don't mind. She's the cutest chick who Can sit on my shoulders anytime she wants!" Seungyoun said, going in to tickle her and Jiah laughed.

"She's also the only chick you can actually carry on your shoulders so." Jinae said and Jiah laughed.

"You hungry kiddo?" Jinae asked and when Jiah nodded, she went into the kitchen to cook.

When the food was ready, she called for then and Jiah came before Seungyoun.

"Mommy.." she trailed off and Jinae looked up from setting the table.

"Why don't you date someone?" 

Jinae sputtered and looked up at Seungyoun standing at the doorway who was avoiding her eyes.

"Who told you sweetie? Did uncle Seungyoun say something?" She asked and Jiah nodded.

"What did he say?" 

"That once I'll start school, you'll be alone at home and that you should date so you can be happy with someone." 

Jinae shot Seungyoun a glare and pulled Jiah close to her.

"I'm happy with you sweetie."

"I know. But you'll be lonely once I grow up and go to college." Jiah said, very seriously and Jinae wanted to curse at her best friend.

"Baby, I'll date if I'll ever be lonely okay? But I'm not right now. I'm very happy with you." Jinae said and Jiah nodded.

"But by that time you'll be old and no one will like you." Seungyoun chimed in and Jinae showed him a middle finger behind Jiah's back.

"Noo. My mom will always be pretty!" Jiah said and Jinae laughed, kissing her on her cheeks.

~ 

When Jinae put Jiah down for a nap after lunch and settled in front of the TV, Seungyoun joined her

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" She said and he shrugged.

"I've got all the time in the world for you." He said and she fake gagged.

"Why did you say that to Jiah?" She asked and he sighed.

"You need someone Jinae. What will you do after she grows up? She won't need you anymore and then how will you cope? I'm not telling you to date anyone right now but I don't want you to close your options too. Just don't deny an opportunity when it comes to you." Seungyoun said and Jinae nodded.

Somehow Sejun crept into her mind. She had convinced Jiah to not tell Seungyoun anything about him and promised she would tell him by the night because Seungyoun didn't really like Sejun for what he did. Although it was a long gone past now, she cried over him for far too long and he was there for her at every step. He was the only good thing that came out of losing Sejun.

" By the way, Seungwoo hyung and the boys are all going out for dinner for some friend who just came back from abroad. So come out with us." Seungyoun said and she looked at him.

"I can't. How will I find a babysitter at this short notice?"

"I already talked to Jimin. You gotta love her cause she agreed." Seungyoun said and damn him and his smart brain.

"For a few hours only?"

Seungyoun nodded and she agreed. 

She'll tell him on the way about Sejun.

~

"I'll be back soon sweetie. Call me if anything happens alright?" Jinae said and Jiah waved at her.

"Have fun mumma!" And honestly Jiah was more fine with her leaving then Jinae herself.

"Bye uncle Seungyoun. I'll see you tomorrow. You're picking me up right?" She asked and he nodded bending down to give her a kiss.

"Yes baby. Bye bye!" He said and they both got into his car.

For a while they talked about random stuff. Then Jinae decided it was time.

"I went to the new bakery today with Jiah." She started.

"Yeah I had those cupcakes. God they were so good!" Seungyoun said and she looked outside the window. He wasn't going to take this well, she just knew it.

"Sejun's back in town. He owns that bakery." 

The car swiveled and she tightened her grip on the seatbelt. 

"Your Sejun? The one who fucking left you? We're going to that bakery right this moment and I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind."

"YOU'RE NOT GONNA DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT! DRIVE TO THE RESTAURANT!" she shouted as Seungyoun swiveled the car quickly and he cursed under his breath but listened.

"Plus you're gonna see him tomorrow. Jiah wants you to take her to the bakery tomorrow remember?" She added and he exhaled sharply.

"Well it'll be fun." He said and she considered changing places with him for tomorrow. But then thought why not, Sejun should witness his wrath too.

 ~

They entered the restaurant and she recognised the loud group from afar. Before they reached them, Seungyoun pulled her back to whisper in her ear,"I don't understand why you're not interested in Seungsik. You guys get along so well and I'm pretty sure he's interested in you. Jiah loves him too." 

She rolled her eyes at him, mumbling a shut up and hitting him softly on his chest and went to them.

Seungwoo noticed them first and got up to hug her and then Seungyoun. Then they hugged all the others too because she hadn't seen them in a while. But she saw all the same faces she had been seeing for a few years now.

"Where's the new guy?" Seungyoun asked and she nodded.

"He's running a bit late. He must be here soon though." Seungwoo said and they nodded. Seungyoun sat beside Seungwoo and she settled between Seungsik and Subin, a seat in front of Seungyoun left for the mysterious new guy.

15 minutes in and a beer for everyone at the table, Seungwoo exclaimed that the guy was finally here.

She turned around to look at him and froze. She turned around swiftly to avoid him looking at her which didn't make sense since he was coming to join them only but whatever.

She looked at Seungyoun's neutral expression and wondered how long it'll stay.

Sejun came and smiled at everyone, still somehow hadn't noticed her and said hi to Seungyoun.

"Sejun, hi." He said and Seungyoun introduced himself. She felt like Calling him dumb for not figuring it out but was also happy for the peace that'll be disrupted as soon as he'll figure out who he is.

Sejun turned towards her and froze. She gave him a weak smile.

"Jinae?" He whispered and she gave him a small wave.

"Wait a minute." Seungyoun said, standing up and everyone looked at him.

"You're sejun. YOU'RE THAT SEJUN!" He said, grabbing a fistful of Sejun's shirt and Jinae got on her feet quickly while the others froze due to the sudden change of mood.

"Seungyoun NO! this is a public place!" She said pulling his hands away and pushing him down on his seat but he was still glaring at him.

"What is going on?" Seungwoo asked.

"He's the guy who left Jinae after highschool. Broke her heart." Seungyoun said begrudgingly and she kicked him beneath the table.

"Sit Sejun." she said softly and Sejun looked at the only empty chair in front of Seungyoun. Nodding and taking a deep breath, he sat.

"It was long ago. We are all mature adults here so maybe act like one Seungyoun? Sit down and let's talk. It's his friends throwing him dinner since he got back. Be a good sport!" She scolded Seungyoun who just turned his face around, pouting probably and Seungwoo chuckled, Patting his shoulder.

Sejun was sitting on the other side of Subin who was busy with Jinae and in front of a glaring Seungyoun. So basically it was a great evening, if you can sense the sarcasm.

The whole evening she was busy with the others, mostly Hanse and Seungsik and whenever he would try to spark a conversation, Seungyoun would intervene. The first few times she tried to stop him but eventually gave up throwing him an apologetic look which he was quick to wave off.

He might have made it look like he was okay but in reality he was dying to talk to her and that Seungyoun just.Won't.let.him!

So the night ended, with Sejun having too much to drink and leaning on Seungwoo when leaving. And she left with Seungyoun. God he wanted to hit that guy.

~

The next morning he walked in his bakery with a full hangover, haven't had the chance to pick up a hangover drink and just surviving on water and Pain killer. 

Around 9 am when he was in the back kitchen, baking since it was the rush hour, the only male worker of his, Taesong stepped in and placed a hangover drink beside His working station.

"Some lady dropped it for you and said she had to rush and left. Sorry I couldn't Catch her name." 

Sejun looked at the bottle which had a small sticky note on it saying, 'i'm sorry for Seungyoun yesterday.'

He smiled.

"I thought you came back here 10 years later. How did you already catch someone's attention in 4 days when you've been working your ass off here?" Taesong asked.

"It's an old connection." Sejun mumbled and shooed him away to the front.

And if he spent a few minutes staring at the bottle then drinking it, no one had to know.

[lady-of-endless]

Heavy in Your Arms (Muriel x Reader)

Author’s Note: This is some sort of an AU in which the apprentice actually worked as a healer at the coliseum at first. I've crushed my heart writing this so I pray it's going to be good. Thank you for your time!

Everything was so loud that after every fight, the noise was echoing inside his head even if the act of violence was over. His whole body was not aching because of the well-known exhaustion or the constant severe injuries, but because of the sharp regret and guilt that were torturing him more than any sharp blade, heavy chain or ruthless hit. For the sake of his only one friend, Asra, he had to endure this over and over again and never dare to complain.

'He said that he'd hurt Asra if I didn't work for him. So I hurt everyone to keep him safe.'

As Muriel stepped into the light, at the start of every sick show in the coliseum, he would remind himself those phrases, repeating them even during the fight.

Blood and sport, entertainment for many people of Vesuvia, naive enough not to see how sadistic and rotten everything was.

If he could only mute the cheering from the coliseum at least for a day. He wanted peace, the sound of nature over the disgusting screeches that were begging for more brutality, more critical hits, more victims. He wanted to disappear and not be remembered for his deeds, not be remembered at all. After every long day, all that Muriel wanted was to be left alone in silence where he could not hurt anyone, being his only wish. Even if the only place where he could hide after every fight was an underground cell with bad lightning, he would sit on the ground with his back against a cold humid wall and listen to the sound of his own tears hitting the ground. It was all that he could do, taking some moments of his own silence to think about the ones he killed that day without wanting it.

Nothing was going to last, not even the apparent peace from the underground halls of the coliseum where the cells were located. It was all disturbed when you finally appeared.

As a healer of the court, you were put in charge of the area of the coliseum, moreover, to take care of Lucio's champion. There were not many healers that wanted to work there because of the risk but the principle that everyone deserved healing, even him, brought you there.

The only difficulty was that he never wanted you or your help.

Daily, you tried to run as fast as your feet could through the halls and secret rooms of the coliseum to where the fighters rest after the murderous show. As you reached his cell, the door would always close before your eyes, because of him. Being so close but so far away to reaching him and always losing the chance to help was frustrating, unfair. It burned your composure down bit by bit. Stubbornness had you waiting for him, leaning against his door until you were forced to leave the cells of the coliseum at night.

Even if no word was exchanged between you two ever, Muriel knew all that you were trying to do. He knew how you always struggled to reach him, but he still never accepted your help. He knew how you followed him every time after a match and never let you get closer. Seeing how you were running after him to help confused him and irritated him. Who would want to get in touch with a ruin? Who would care about a murderer?

“I saw today’s match, I’m glad that you’re safe but I would feel better to see you and make sure that you really are safe.” Those were some usual lost words when you waited against his door, seated on the ground, for something that could not happen.

You stole the calmness from the only place where he could find such thing as a gladiator and it bothered him more than you thought.

“Maybe one day you’ll let me in.” You’d always say, pulling your knees up to your chest. “We could talk, I could take care of you properly.”

Insistence, constant knocking on his door, your voice when you begged him to let you help, those were the elements that were being present each day. With each day of this ritual, Muriel gradually started to get closer to that door to the point in which he would also sit on the ground, back against the same door and listening to your voice, never responding.

“I know that you don’t want to do this…” You said in a more whispered voice when the guards faded temporary from the area of the cells. Carefully, you repeated that phrase every day since you discovered that truth.

You always watched him from afar during every duel, ignoring all of the rumors about him that were floating around those who watched him because of clear reasons that were visible to you. His face never showed any pleasure for another's suffering, his moves were always hesitant, and he never started the fight. In the end, when he turned his back to the crowd in order to return to his cell, the face behind his long strands of hair was a pained one, full of sorrow, while his chest was moving erratically because of the heavy breathing and anxiousness. He never wanted to do it, but only you observed it and since that moment, you decided to try and reach him harder, analyze him more.

Seeing him so often, your mind never stopped to reach new realizations. Muriel’s hair was long enough to cover his face, messy enough to indicate that he was slowly forgetting about his well-being. The metal collar and chains were the burden of a prisoner, a possession. Those were so heavy that it made him think how if there ever will be a chance to make them disappear, he will not be capable of slow or gentle moves of his hands anymore. His right arm was encased in an armor, cursed with the resemblance of the one Count Lucio had. With this, the Count only wanted to associate the strength of his fighter with him. The strongest color from what Muriel was dressed with was a brutal red that stole the attention from other colors such as the calm green from his eyes, the shade that was capturing a whole forest. Each element that could show his true self was hidden, creating one perfect weapon for Lucio to use, and no one deserved this.

How could so many people enjoy his pain so much? How could they not see the truth? Those simple questions were able to make anger overflow from you at the start of each duel when the spectators were screaming in joy and excitement.

Now, after another day and another round, he was carrying himself into the narrow dark tunnels towards his cell and you were running after him, just as always. Following the clinging sound of his heavy chains you wanted to shout for him to stop and wait. Unfortunately, your lips were sealed in this case, not knowing his name and not going to accept the thought of calling him how everyone did. 'Scrooge of the South' disgusted you. Everyone from inside the court affirmed that he was a brutal man, but they never heard of anyone being hurt after the show. That was because he was always isolating himself, keeping himself away from everyone so that he could not make more victims, but again, only one person could see this.

All of these thoughts pushed you further, made you run faster, reaching the opened cell door. Stopping in front of that door, where he was standing, you were breathing heavily while watching his intense stare, feeling so relieved and lucky that you finally caught him. The gladiator looked at you closely for some moments in which you tried to catch your breath so that you could talk.

“I found you.” You said still breathlessly smiling softly to him.

That was the only smile that looked pure and was offered to him since he has become a gladiator.

It was the first time you saw his eyes closely. The green shade was warm, clear, calm while looking at you. Muriel realized that he stopped in his tracks for too much time.

“Forget this ever happened, go heal someone else who really needs it. Leave and forget me.” He said before closing the door with a slam.

He did not have any right to be healed or taken care of after what he did. He was hurting people, you were healing them, it was impossible for him to do that to someone like you, to let you get closer to his blood stained hands.

…

With the sudden death of the Count, the coliseum died as well, becoming a ruin after a long time in which it should have been destroyed. Time passed and somehow, Muriel finally reached the silence he was wishing on. Even if things changed, some remained the same as a memory of who he was. Those were heavy reminders of who he was in the past, one around his neck and two around his wrists along with other scars and flashbacks.

Days were full of activities in the nature, able to wash away the times in which he was forced into something he never wanted. Muriel was not missing a thing from the coliseum, except for one act that happened on the daily basis. He did not want to admit that he had questions about your actions.

What evoked the thought of you was an innocent dream he had in which your face could be seen again. Waking up from that dream or memory, he was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily and thinking about how you probably disappeared in an excruciating way just like the other workers from the coliseum. There are myths about the ones who you dream of that are saying how those persons are subconsciously missed by you. Muriel did not believe in anything like that.

Of course, no one can be sure of myths.

Unexpectedly, in one rainy night, a memory was waiting for him, knocking on his door.

Already frowning at the thought of some unknown visitors, Muriel sighed and opened the door just to see who was it, without the intention of letting strangers in or even talking to them. His breathing stopped, his mouth dropped open slightly, his eyes were wide and his mind was trying to understand.

“I found you.”

If only you were a nameless ghost he could banish and not one of his fears. Unknowingly, you were not any of those in reality. You were the most gentle shadow of his past. Hearing your words and seeing you again made his stomach fold inside out and his head spin. It has been so long since he has not seen the relieved expression from your face and suddenly, Muriel knew exactly how many years past. Five years of change in his life in which the way you looked at him now was the same as from the past. Only the pressure of his lungs reminded him to breathe again.

He could not forget your persistence but could you forget his frustrating declines?

Muriel's grip on the wooden door of his hut tightened. It could be so easy to let you go again the exact way he did in the past, with a slam of a door in front of you, but he was too stunned to move and unsure if he truly wanted to do that once again.

“No.” He said as a reassurance for himself and a way of convincing you that you did not know him at all. “You have to go, now.” Worry that you could remember him made Muriel doubt the spell and its effects even more.

Swallowing hard when he was asking himself why was he so hesitant, Muriel averted his eyes from your face when he saw you wanted to protest.

“I can't, please listen. I got lost into the woods and you were the only one around here.” You explained everything rapidly watching the man curiously, asking yourself why he looked so shocked. “Please, do you think you can help me?” You asked before catching your breath.

From all the times in which you were asking him to let you help behind a closed door at the coliseum, now you were asking for his help.

No. you were asking a stranger for help.

Something intangible in him did not want to close that door anymore. You could not remember him, it seemed, and you needed help, those were the only reasons that convinced him to let you in.

“It's dangerous out there at this hour...” He said, already doubting his decision, moving away from the door. “But tomorrow, you're gone.” His voice sounded guttural for some reason.

Those words were not a requirement, obligation, or favor. It was just something he knew it would happen, it was just to remind him that eventually, everyone leaves him.

Remembering your burning wish to help him, made Muriel want to return the favor at least once. However, once was enough for you to want to come back frequently.

After that night, you returned to thank him properly and after that, you kept on showing up the next few days under some well thought pretext. Something was drawing you closer to him from the beginning, it was a feeling that you could not explain. It made you curious to find out why by yourself.

The hut was a blossoming place. Surrounded by flowers stuck into a healthy soil, rays of sunshine that were warming the inside of the hut along with a fire. Getting used to the slightly bitter but pleasant smell of freshly cut wood was a bliss. The murmuring sound of the river that was close to the hut was soft enough to never wake him up in the morning. Your presence from time to time almost felt natural in that place but intruding in the same time.

Some people keep happy moments in the form of memories, in their minds and lock them until there comes a time in which they want to reach the feeling from when they were happy again, fantasize about it. What did Muriel have as real peaceful moments? Before he let you in that night, it was when he found Inanna and that was all. Now, Muriel had to admit that he gathered some other memories you offered him.

Even the moment when you exchanged names was a calming memory. Watching you lay down on the ground in the forest, between forget-me-not flowers, smiling at him and inviting him next to you was another one. Helping him find wood for the fire, or cooking with him and even the times in which you'd accidentally fall asleep next to Inanna.

Muriel hated how he connected your presence with the symbol of the coliseum initially, when you never gave him the agitation of that place from his past. Guilt was starting to tie around him when he saw you smile at him unknowingly of who was the one standing in front of you.

That guilt made concentrating on usual tasks almost impossible. It dug up the past and threw it in his face.

That was not the only thing that grew stronger. As the guilt was pushing him closer to the point of telling you everything, your perception got faster to the finish line. The odd feeling you had when you saw the broken chains from around his neck and wrists was getting bolder. So strong that one day, the inevitable happened.

It all came back to you in full force like a frontal hit. The man that you found when you got lost in the forest was the man you tried to reach so many times.

You looked at him in shock and silence. Muriel was taking care of the fire from the hut, his back facing you. Looking at his scared back and shoulders, you finally remembered how each scar was created in the past, being more worried about the scars from his heart.

The echoing sound of your fists banging against his door in the coliseum filled your head now.

“Muriel.” You softly called his name, ending that terrible sound from your head. Even when you only called his name, it was so hard to understand what he was feeling exactly. This time he knew what he was feeling because of the tremble from your voice. Fear and anticipation. A part of him knew why your voice sounded so broken but the other part of him did not want to accept it. “I know you. From before...” You tried to explain, being washed by the wave of flashbacks.

The day he was most afraid of was finally here and even if he was planning it in his mind, he was now unprepared and watching you tremble in place because of him.

As you stepped closer, Muriel's posture changed immediately, backing up and making his chair fall in the process, the sound making Inanna wake up from her slumber. Day by day, Muriel tried to tell you about his past but seeing how peaceful everything was going, delaying the truth every time seemed to be better even if he was never proud of that. It was a mistake not telling you, letting hesitation devour his motivation. Now, you found out alone and nothing will make you stay. He was sure of it. He lost, once again being his fault.

“Now you finally have the best reason to leave. Staying here would only do harm to you.” He said not believing in his own words, screaming on the inside for you not to listen to what he was saying.

His deep voice was always calm when he was not letting you go but now when he had to, his voice was dead. The eyes that were embracing the whole forest in his irises were now at the bay of tears, burning.

All of the people he met along the way were scared of him, his past, face, height, scars. But not you, not at the coliseum and not even now in his hut when he wanted to be left alone again for the sake of your safety. Now, when it was logical for you to leave, you had no intention of proceeding to do so.

“I don't need any reason because I don't want to leave. Why do you want me to go so badly?” You closed your eyes in a frown remembering how hurt he is.

Muriel looked away as well and Inanna whined while tugging onto the ragged material of his trousers with her teeth. She then looked at you desperately and back at him, repeating her tries to make him stop pushing you away. Muriel looked at her and sighed. Inanna was the one to always scold him for not letting you closer but as much as he was attached to his familiar, Muriel thought how she does not understand the whole story.

“I never truly wanted you to leave.” Muriel admitted without even breathing during that phrase. “But someone like you should be protected, appreciated.” The last word was a low growl, thinking about how he never got to tell you or show you how much he appreciated you or how much he started to depend on your presence. “What you found, was never what you needed.” He explained referring to himself and the words you told him when you reached him, twice.

He turned his back, taking a seat on the ground in front of the fireplace, watching it closely. Muriel never really experienced what true warmth felt like before you. You brought that warmth where everything felt cold, and he did barley anything. Even if at first, he had no idea of how to handle it, Muriel let some unseen scars heal. Blaming himself for not showing you how special you were to him was now his current activity.

“That is exactly what you do now, can't you see?” As much as you did not like to raise your tone, you had to at that moment, trying to make sure he understood what you were desperately trying to say between tears. “I'm always so happy to come here and see you, help you with the chickens, play with Inanna, feel special, wanted, finally.” Your breath hitched with the last words.

What Muriel wanted more than anything was for you to never get hurt by him. You both saw in the past what he was capable of doing and in his mind, fear was transforming the possibility of hurting you seem true even if it was a lie. Along flashbacks at night with the screams of his innocent opponents, something more disturbing appeared. It sometimes terrified him to the point of refusing to sleep, being scared to close his eyes the next night.

“I wanted to protect you from myself.” He insisted, repeating, this time his tired eyes being directed to you with no hesitation.

His voice was always calm but not now, when all of his fears reached him, it was trembling. His eyes were always locking down hope when looking at you secretly.

“Is that why you never accepted my help in the past?” You asked even if it was all clear, recalling each time he tried to keep the distance and every word making sense.

No answer came from him after this. Muriel hid his now watery eyes with strands of hair that covered his face and sit down in front of the fire, in silence. He tried to deal with what he was feeling now alone, in silence, just like he always did when he was alone.

Inanna looked at you with big gloomy eyes while resting her nose on her paws, her ears being back.

You stepped closer to Muriel, knelt in front of him and embraced him with your whole body without saying anything yet. Muriel froze at the feeling of you clinging to him so tightly. He never really wanted you to go away from him. Not even when he was in that cursed place and you were chasing him. Muriel was feeling so heavy in your arms because of all that self-condamnation. His hands were hovering over your body without touching you. Being held by you was always feeling so fulfilling but not deserved by him.

“Tell me, how am I supposed to leave the one that makes me feel more than just safe and appreciated?” You asked in a whisper, burying your face in his hair.

You shut your eyes tightly and stayed there, holding him, feeling his heart beating hard against his rib cage. Your chest was pressed against his, heart racing as well in the proximity of his. He could not escape you and he did not want to.

Living his life on the principle that he is a burden did not let him ever want something from someone but now he wanted you, your words, presence, affection. He wanted to ask you what will happen if this want of his will transform into need, scared that he will depend on you.

You slowly pulled away from him to press your lips against his forehead while your hands traveled to the sides of his warm face.

With that, his hands finally dared to touch your skin, arms around your body pulling you closer. Seeing how he was capable to be as gentle as he wanted, Muriel buried his face in your neck, breathing in, eyes closed. Unexpectedly, he finally felt how letting go was not about forgetting, it was all about learning to move on, accepting what was happening to him.

“Thank you.” He said still not being satisfied with his own words but embracing you tighter.

Muriel kept his eyes opened, thinking how he was ready to thank you in a more effective way. If he was never good at expressing things with his words, he was ready to let his gestures speak to you and confess. His right hand gently pushed your hair behind your ear while his eyes were fixated on your lips. You froze when you realized his intention and waited patiently. You both stayed like that for some moments in which his face got slowly closer to yours, eyes looking back up at yours for consent and again at your lips. None of you knew whose heart was beating louder and harder.

You smiled softly at him and closed your eyes, thinking how he will understand that it is alright. His left hand found yours and caught it tight while locking your lips with his for the first time. He was so gentle in the kiss as if your lips were only flower petals that could bend.

Muriel felt how his soul was finally home. That place was found in time on your shoulders, where he was always laying his head on. Your shoulders that carried his suffering to the end of the line, started to carry Muriel's love after.

Your stubbornness was powerful enough to push you closer to him, closer than you ever expected. His hands were scarred from murder and yet you trusted them completely, more than anything.

Muriel learned every day how soft souls have the chance to see themselves in the mirror of the soul of someone else and how the past can be erased with help. He learned to believe in change and steps took forward.

If two people cannot stay apart, they are not meant to be apart.

[heungtanbts]

yoongi x cafe owner

yoongi the type of book cafe owner to open late and stay open even later

the man can’t deal with mornings to save his cute tush life

he’d open shop an hour or so after the morning rush of busy bee workers and hurried civilians on their way to go places and do things 

but his book cafe wouldn’t be a commercial cafe like starbucks

it’d be calm, a place to get away, to leisurely sift through the rows and rows of books and curl up on one of the sofas to temporarily escape to another world

not for the ones in a hurry, but for the ones who need life to slow down just a bit

he’d spend the opening hour nursing his own cup’a joe, silently staring off into space, not really thinking of much (gotta give his mind some time to wake up and get movin)

when he’s more awake he’d quietly people watch from his place from behind the coffee bar

he’d have his regulars, some cute old folk who spend every morning grumbling at their newspapers or at the weather

a few college kids who decided to be productive with their mornings by cramming studying for their afternoon exams

but he’d never seen you before

you’d walk in with sleepy eyes and messy hair, but also with an innate excitement to have found such a cute, quaint book cafe right around the corner

he’d train his eyes on you as you walked in through the front door, your eyes immediately trailing over the numerous shelves in wonder 

he wouldn’t say anything, no chirpy “good morning, welcome to cafe agust!” 

(he’d never, really)

he’d be too mystified by your presence, the vibe you give off, utterly confounded by this weird, uncharacteristic desire to approach you

he’d snap out of it quickly though, upon hearing your voice requesting one hot vanilla latte, those sleepy doe eyes now staring right straight at him

he’d nod curtly and whip around to start your order, but more so to avoid blushing for you to clearly see

everything he’d do would be a bit on the slow side, from measuring out and grinding the beans to tapping off the excess to stirring in the steamed milk, all at an unhurried pace

you’d secretly giggle at the way he cursed under his breath when accidentally spilling a drop of hot steamed milk on his hand

“dammit, why is this so damn hot- i need to hire a real barista...”

you’d discover that his coffee has a pleasant bite to it, for those who needed an extra punch to the tongue to help them wake up (like yourself)

as you roam up and down the aisles with a warm mug in hand, he’d languidly wipe off some glasses

without you knowing his eyes would still be focused on you, watching your every move

how you’d trail your fingers along the spines of books, how you’d mouth the titles quietly to yourself, and cock your head to the side when debating if you’re interested in the read or not, how you’d cutely attempt to reach for the top shelf with little hops and tippy toeing

he wouldn’t even realize that he had left the bar and somehow made his way towards your aisle 

and, to his shock, even ask “need some help with that?” with a small chuckle

he’d have to bite his lip to fight the urge to break out into a huge gummy grin at your flustered appearance, the shyness and embarrassment evident in the crimson apples of your cheeks

he’d secretly relish in the way his body would slightly brush up against yours while reaching for that one book that’s just a bit too far away

he’d memorize your voice from the little “thank you” you’d give him after being handed the book

from then on he’d watch you day in and day out, paying attention to what genres and authors you seemed to gravitate towards, memorizing your usual order of a hot vanilla latte with skim milk and an extra half pump of vanilla, or the comical and very animated facial expressions you’d make when you were immersed in a particular story

one day it’d be 5 minutes til closing, with just the two of you left in the shop late at night

after weeks of brief interactions and subtle observing from afar, he’d finally get the guts to engage in an actual conversation with you

except who knew you’d beat him to the chase 

“wait, is that sheet music? you write music? that’s so cool! what inspires you the most?”

he’d be so caught off guard by your question, wholly expecting more of a small talk type of conversation and not your genuine interest in his inspiration and dreams

“well, i’ve just loved music since i was a kid, i guess...”

“...aaand?”

“...you really wanna know more?”

*nods so eagerly and adorably he can’t hide the gummy smile that spreads across his cheeks*

“ok, you asked for it. good luck trying to look attentive and not fall asleep”

“i’m ready to be absolutely dazzled”

he’d close the shop with the two of you remaining, more cups of hot coffee cradled between your hands, the both of you curled up comfortably on either side of a small sofa, the conversation flowing so naturally and effortlessly late into the night

and after numerous nights like these, the both of you would have the same thought cross your minds

it was a very good thing you walked into cafe agust when you did

[pastel-rosed-blog]

The Best Birthday Gift

Genre: Slight angst/Fluff

Words: 2755

Pairing: Tiffany (SNSD) x Reader (F) ft a couple other members

A/N: My first fic ever. It is lacking, but I'm glad I still finished it. ^^ Words in italic are my (your) thoughts and you talking to yourself.

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

Of all the birthdays that I’ve celebrated in my life thus far, this one had the hugest disappointments.

 This year’s downhill birthday started at work. I was chewed out this morning by my supervisor for some missing reports that I have been working overtime for the last two weeks to complete. I surely submitted them to her desk yesterday, yet she devoured my soul in front of everyone; I had no choice but to take the beating. Talking back would only make it worse. Before the day ended however, a sympathetic co-worker told me that she has discovered that the supervisor’s assistant has placed those files in the wrong drawer and the papers really were with the boss all along. The damage was done, though, I was already embarrassed in public and the whole office overheard the reprimand. Man, this wasn't good, especially since I was aiming for a promotion...word will get around quickly in the office. What a nice birthday gift from the universe.

 After getting off work, I figured I needed a break from all the things that aren't working out at the moment: my tiring job, fatigue and stress, my general loneliness from my need to be with a significant other. The thoughts in my head responded all at once.

Where did that last one come from? I'm fine...

I had one before, though. I just had to let her go.

Why am I thinking this? I don’t really need her, I can’t….or do I?...

Get it together, Y/N, it's probably just the Valentine's blues kicking in.

It’s one of the things I hate most about having a birthday in February, right before the 14th. This fact is probably the icing on the cake of this tragedy of a birthday.

I figured that a dinner out with the girls in a classy bar-restaurant on the mezzanine of the nearby mall plaza will be just what I need to unload everything and try to start fresh. Luckily, Sunny, Sooyoung, Yoona, Taeyeon and Hyoyeon had no schedules, and I was able to call them over.

Our little dinner get-together went smoothly, even though they all (shamelessly) ordered steak and a bottle of fine wine. Sooyoung signaled “one round of champagne over here, please” to the waitress while they all huddled around as I narrated all the things that were bothering me. They shared my sentiment about being publicly humiliated in the office, understanding how difficult it can be to project and maintain an image of pleasing everybody then having it crumble by small mistakes, and the frustration becomes even more real when nothing wrong was done on my part. I felt my spirit lift, discussing these things with them. I was about to tackle the last issue on my mind, the feeling of single-blessedness on my birthday-which-is-also-before-Valentine's. Now that the day of hearts is drawing near, I get reminded of her, and regret filled my mind. Oh how I wished I still had her around…

 Why does it bother me so when it was only a little push-and-pull “some” relationship? It wasn't that serious, but it did feel real. Or at least for the eight months I spent with this certain person.

She was the best and worst thing that ever happened to me. Actually, she was the first existent crush who liked me back, yet it ended abruptly without much explanation. Although the other girls knew who she was, a fellow member who they shipped me with and fully supported, they never really knew what went down between the two of us and the sudden decision to call it quits. And tonight, with perfect timing, she just had to be inevitably brought up.

 “Yah, neo, Y/N-ah, are you really not going to patch things up with Tiffany?”  Sooyoung bluntly asked, making me nearly choke on my last bite of meat.

Sunny thoughtfully patted my back until the coughing subsided. “Calm down kids, let’s give her a chance to explain.”

 Taeyeon handed me a glass of water and asked me again calmly, “Y/N, can’t things be the way they were between the two of you? You were both really happy then. Why did you stop seeing each other? You guys really matched, you know? I thought you were meant to be...” Hearing this, Yoona and Hyoyeon cringed and giggled.  That last thing Taeyeon said echoed through my mind and launched about a million thoughts, searching for the right way to answer. “We all thought that you two would go the distance.”

Heol, those words stung. I thought so too...

How do I answer them?

[flashback]

We just lost feelings for each other. Honestly, I wanted to put all the blame on her. When I think about what went wrong, I blame her inconsistency. One day she would get all over me, lovey-dovey and clingy, bombarding me with texts while I’m at work and then getting mad when I don’t reply at once. Then, the next day, she would give me radio silence and no sign of life or of what she’s doing. I would be the one to contact her and she wouldn't even respond. I would be worried for days wondering about where she could be, only to find out from the other members or through her SNS posts that they had back-to-back schedules and that she was having fun with the other SMtown artists, acting only a bit wild with the male idols, perhaps her stint to provoke and make me jealous. It still hurt me a lot deep inside and pissed me off, this trait of hers. I would then try anything and make an effort to get her to talk to me again. I’d send her favorite food over to the dorm she shares with the members, or go see them in person. Other times, I would wait outside their door in the late hours of the night (the longest I waited was about an hour and a half or so), until she comes out, being persuaded by the other girls to go and see me. After fights like this, we’d be okay again. Then the cycle repeats. Though there are different reasons for our fights, some petty and some serious ones, mostly it all boiled down to this characteristic of hers.

Then again, I guess some of it was my fault too. I simply got tired of dealing with it all. I felt pressured to excel at work; a promotion is something I needed, mainly for the pay raise out of necessity. I also felt obliged to try and please Tiffany always, her being both my happy pill and, as it goes with drugs: the more you take, the more dangerous it gets. I should know very well by now how to define what happened, it’s already been three months since we were apart. I guess my fault was that I lacked effort. I put more importance on work than on her, and perhaps her clinginess was her way of reaching out to me, and it didn't bother me as much as it should have, how I ignore her once we're not together. Letting my work-driven mind take control, it naturally let me drift away from her. During the last fight, instead of making up, we silently agreed to end our relationship. Walking all the way home at about two in the morning, all teary-eyed, with make-up all smeared, that was the last I heard from her.

[end of flashback]

I uttered the first words I can get out. “It just…didn’t work out. And I guess it can’t anymore.” Hyoyeon responded this time. “Ey, but this time, you’d want it to, would you? If we tell you that Tiffany wants in again too, would you give it another shot?” The girls all huddled a little closer. I was confined to my thoughts again.

That would be the greatest birthday gift to end all gifts. Does she really want me back? Is this finally my chance?

…

Yes, that’s it. Three months of missing her is enough torture. I really want her back. I guess I really do love her. I’ll do better this time. I'm ready to start again. Gathering my composure, I opened my mouth to say just that, but suddenly their manager, the short guy with glasses, stormed in the restaurant, looking all frantic.

“Ladies, I’m sorry to ruin the dinner like this. The brand just called me, there was an emergency and they were forced to reschedule the photoshoot to tomorrow instead of next week. We have to go now and get some rest. They send their apologies for the inconvenience.”

The girls reluctantly stood up one by one. "Y/N-ah, we’re really sorry to leave you like this, especially tonight” Yoona sulked.  I answered reassuringly, “It’s fine, I wasn’t in that much of a celebratory mood anyway. I’ll head home and go watch some series. If anything, it really means a lot that you all came tonight and heard me out.” Yoona gave me one final hug, and so did Taeyeon. Hyoyeon patted my shoulder and said “Y/N, we’ll continue this talk next time okay?” while Sunny sang “saeng-il chukhahamnida” in her aegyo voice in an attempt to cheer me up. I smiled weakly and waved them off, as their manager was frantically answering calls from the agency. Sooyoung was busy sending texts on her phone so she didn’t hug me goodbye, but she waved back from afar as she rejoined the group. That friend is rarely glued to her phone, you noticed. Whoever she's talking to, it must've been really urgent as to not give a final proper birthday hug. It must be the brand. They better have a sponsored watch as a gift for cutting my birthday dinner short! Ehh, it's a long shot.

After paying the pricey bill (darn, these girls just had to eat expensive meat), I walked out of the restaurant to the mezzanine and enjoyed the chilly breeze. I descended and joined the crowd at the center of the plaza, enjoying the late night food stalls. I noticed that there were mostly couples in the area tonight, feeling a pre-Valentines fever in the air. Walking around alone in this kind of crowd was slightly depressing.

I was wandering mindlessly among the stalls for a few minutes when I decided to sit down on the edge of the fountain at the center of the plaza to clear my head. My mind went back to what Hyoyeon said, about Tiffany wanting to fix things as well. Has she forgiven me already? Will I be the first one to move or will she come to me? Will she really accept me again?

My contemplation was interrupted when I felt a person's hand brush against my right hand which was resting on the fountain for support. I did not mind it that much. Next thing I knew, the same hand took mine, gripping it tightly but tenderly, and as I looked up to confront this very forward stranger, my heart skipped a beat. I could not believe who it was, sitting right next to me, in the middle of the late night romantic plaza, making this night even more special. Who else would I want to be here with more than her?

 "How are you, Y/N?" Tiffany spoke softly. She was dressed in a simple maroon hoodie and jeans, wearing a black cap and a mask to hide herself from peering eyes and to conceal her bare face. She began to fiddle with my fingers rather nervously. "I've missed you more than I can tell. I hope I'm not too late, but...happy birthday". She greeted with the most gorgeous eyesmile. I felt my heart melting, suddenly being filled with a burning sensation: the same I felt the first time I fell for her. Experiencing that rush all over again is more than what I could have asked for.

"F-Fany? When did you....H..How did you know I was here?" I could feel my cheeks burning as she then started to intertwine her slender fingers with mine.

She chuckled and showed me her phone, displaying her thread with Sooyoung. Turns out she was updating/spamming Tiffany throughout the dinner, urging her to come and surprise me while we were all still eating. I read one that went "PABO, YOU BOTH STILL WANT EACH OTHER SO WHAT ARE YOU GUYS WAITING FOR? YOU'LL LOSE HER AGAIN IF YOU'LL BE LIKE THIS".

Ah, so Choi Sooyoung was playing Cupid huh. I guess I owe her a proper thanks with more meat now.

"I was in the recording studio so I didn't read them right away," she explained. "As soon as I got out I rushed here. Too bad I missed the girls," her gaze went from me to the other couples in the plaza. "But at least I got a hold of the most important person tonight" she declares while raising our joined hands, a perfect fit, and settling them on her lap, pulling me closer to her side.

"Fany, don't you guys have a photoshoot tomorrow? You all haven't gotten me a gift yet y'know, I was thinking a sponsored timepiece will be enough," I snickered. She answered, "Shhh, I'd rather not skip this night." She winked at me, her brown eyes sparkling in the starlight, and it made me feel all fuzzy inside despite the chilly breeze. She got up, still holding my hand, and asked "Wanna walk?"

 Now here I was, finally walking in the plaza with someone linked to my arm, a daydream that finally came true after years of looking in from the outside.

 So this is what it feels like....it's exhilirating. It's like screaming "HEY WORLD, THIS PERSON ON MY ARM RIGHT NOW, SHE'S MY VALENTINE; SHE'S MINE AND I'M HERS!!"

...

Wait, are things okay between us again?

 I was so caught up in the moment that I didn't have time to think. I suddenly felt dread. We have to talk about this. This is my chance to fix this lest be rejected again later...

 "Fany..." She looked back at me with that adorable puppy-like gaze that stopped my heart a second time tonight. "Does this mean we are okay again?" Silence filled the space between us. I continued my speech.

"Having you here like this really makes me miss what we used to have, and I know I screwed up big time, and I thought I can manage without you but I really can't. You are the one bright and special thing in my life that I'd love to keep by my side and I don't want to lose you again. If I get another chance with you, I'll really do better to take care of you. I'm really sorry for what I did...I really...."

She put an index finger on my lips, effectively hushing the rest of my apology away. "Y/N, it's also my fault for treating you like some plaything and toying with your feelings when I feel like it, and I realize that now, how wrong I was to act like that. The girls and I talked about this, so now I know how to be mature in an actual relationship. I truly felt comfortable with you. I'd love it if you'd always be by my side too."

 After we circled the fountain once, we both stopped in our tracks. She stood facing me this time, and held both of my hands in hers. I took a good long look at her, taking in her simple, no make-up face. Could she be any more beautiful?

Still hand-in-hand I slightly lifted her black cap  to get a better view of her adorable, heart-stopping eyesmile.

"Y/N, I want another shot with this relationship. Can we date, for real this time?"

A smile spread across my face as I felt my cheeks burn. "I feel relieved to hear that, I was about to ask the same thing." When her grasp on my hands loosened, I pulled her in for a tender embrace, my arms wrapping around her waist, and my face snuggling on her shoulder. She had a hint of a sweet strawberry scent on her, and it etched into my memory as I inhaled more of her in. Her arms wrapped around my neck, her free hands going through my hair gently. This hug told me that from now on, like in this moment, someone will be there to catch me, and I know, I just know, it will definitely be her, always.

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

Epilogue

[alandofvoidandwar]

The Emptiness is a peculiar place, everyone can agree; people travel to strange places, including their favorite games. At first glance it's pure void and darkness, but every Halif and Subby has their own respective "town", meaning that they live in a place similar to their Hosts...

Wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me explain...

A Host is a human. That simple. But every Host has atleast one Halif and one Subby. A Halif (pronouned HAH-lyf) is the negativity that follows you. The bad side of someone, their fears, securities, and more. Those black scelras can't make you forget who you are. A Subby (pronounced SUHB-bee) is the positivity that guides you through life. The good side of someone, their good intentions, smiles, and love. 

However, similar to the human mind, good and evil never mix. As a result, a war has been raging on ever since Halifs and Subbies were created. Yes, tensions have decreased over time, but at any moment, another life threatening battle can occur. Halifs and Subbies try to get along as best as they can, and while it may work out, anything can happen...

... which is why this one story is odd to many. 

In the Institute of Halifs and Alike, established by a Halif called Axel, Subbies and Halifs get along well and work together to help those in need, whether by offering a job or healing their wounds. One of the employees, a Blue Negative Halif named Snowy, was waiting for his Subby to appear. Everyday, he'd go to his office, expecting his Subby to be there. But no, everyday, it was empty. About to give up, Snowy stopped expecting anything. Until one day, when he opened his door, he found a small Subby sitting at his chair...

... his name was Feuille Rouge.

Feuille was welcome to the IHA; the employees were excited to meet this new Blue Positive Subby! Axel and his co-manager Cypress even offered him a job there (although he didn't take it). Everything seemed great at the IHA.

Until a Red Trickster Halif appeared.

She called herself Ally, usually shouting her name, and seemed to love to cause ruckus. She had no Subby yet, only her and her Host, Alexa. The CEO of the IHA, Axel, apparently knew Ally, and even developed a crush on her. However, to keep his reputation up to par, he was constantly pushing her away from the IHA. As a result, she made ruckus else where. Around towns, around the void, anywhere. The catch was, she never intentionally hurt anyone. Her main schtick was pranks. Some loved them and even played along, others hated it and she almost got killed for it. But no matter the cost, she still did it.

Feuille was a curious Subby, and wanted to meet the mysterious Ally. Unfortunately, almost everyone at the IHA said no. No one would let him near her when she was around, and vice versa. So one day, Feuille snuck out of Snowys' office window just to find her. He searched and search until he came across the local bully, Tony.

Tony was a Green Trickster Halif and was known to be an asshole. That was his status: an immature asshole who thought he could outnumber any army. He preyed on the weakest he could find, and one of them was Feuille. Snowy kept him away from Tony as much as he could, but it was difficult when he hung out at the IHA all the time. When Feuille escaped the office, he bumped into Tony, and Tony saw his chance.

Tony punched and kicked Feuille and made fun of his name, and while Feuille fought hard, he was no match for the rank above him. Bruised and bloody, Feuille laid on the ground, about to give up, when a shout rang from afar.

Before Feuille could react, Ally had come up behind Tony and knocked him out with a quick beam of light, with his "sister" pulling him away from the scene.

A simple "howdy" was all she said to Feuille. Feuille, however, was too stunned to say anything. Ally brought him home to the IHA where Snowy and his co-workers were stunned as well, but because of different reasons: One, Ally was crazy, and she couldn't be trusted. Two, a Positive and a Trickster aren't a likely duo. And three, she brought him home. 

Was Snowy outraged? Of course, at Feuille for sneaking out. But when he saw that Ally, the spontaneous Trickster, brought him home, he didn't know what to say at first. He quickly patched his brother up before giving him a stern talking to. It was clear that Feuille was sorry, but Snowy saw the light in his eyes, wanting to follow Ally wherever she went. All Feuille wanted was a friend, and Snowy deprived him of that. Feeling guilty, Snowy allowed him to hang out with Ally, with the exception of being home by night time.

With that in place, Snowy barely saw Feuille anymore.

Feuille went wherever Ally went... actually, JAY went wherever Ally went. He changed his name to something "more suitable". They were an unseparable duo, unlikely, yes, but they talked like they knew eachother already. They traveled to many games via portals they created, some new, some old, some corrupted. No one could tear them apart. It wasn't long until they met a new friend named Julie, a character part of a game called Knytt Stories...

... it also wasn't long before someone new appeared.

One day, in Knytt Stories, Jay came home after being out for a while. When he came home, however, someone was sitting on the counter. Short brown curly hair, blue shirt, and black jeans...

...someone that looked just like him.

Ally quickly came in from the back to tell Jay the spectacular news: Ally has a Subby: Pig! She was actually Corrupted, meaning that she wasn't like normal Subbies who used symbols to speak mostly. She also had pure black eyes and no power chip, yet powers similar to Ally. She was different. But that didn't bother Ally! She was ecstatic to finally have a counterpart. Jay, however, while he didn't mind her, was weirded out by how much she looked like him. Things seemed great for the trio!

Unfortunately, Pig had other ideas. She felt like an outsider among Ally and Jay, and especially felt a nagging hatred towards Jay. Everything he did felt like a dig at her and she was tired of him. She despised him for bringing her into this world. 

To make Jay pay, CRIMINAL took the advantage of looking like Jay and wounded many at the IHA.

Criminals' actions quickly increased tensions between Halifs and Subbies. Halifs firmly believed that the Subbies were at fault and that they should pay the cost of the damages done by "Jay", all the while hunting him down. Subbies tried to explain that what happened was a minor incident and that no one should be killed. Alas, Halifs refused to listen and a mob decided to look for Jay themselves. While they were at it, they thought, they believed they should find Ally and execute her for all the ruckus she caused.

Ally and Jay were disturbed by the grave danger they were in. Ally wanted to know what happened to Criminal and why she did such a thing. Jay actually wanted to find the mob himself so he could hopefully explain the situation. Ally refused him to do so and instead urged him to follow her to escape the mob. The duo ran and ran as far as they could, having to leave their friend Julie behind. They traveled to any game they could think of to lose track of the mob. But the more they ran, the bigger the mob grew, and the easier it was to find them.

The mob found Ally and Jay stranded on a small planet they called "Garden". The mob grew closer and closer, throwing anything they could to hurt them. Ally, always thinking of quick decisions, created a portal to a game; she honestly didn't know where it was. Her plan was to push Jay through first, and then her follow after him.

Unfortunately, a spear struck through Allys' Life Orb, taking a piece of her Power Chip with it.

Jay quickly tried to climb back out of the portal to reach Ally, but she was too fast for him, shoving him through it completely, only to have the portal close on her. The mob stopped for a moment, confused at what had happened. Ally saw her chance and made herself a portal and climbed through it.

Ally became depressed at the thought of Jay being lost forever. She lost her best friend and she could never get him back. Angry at her actions, she bit her arms until they turned black and blue and red and until her teeth could puncture her skin no more. 

She decided to change. Change how she loved. How she did things. Her own name.

~Several years later~

A Red Trickster Halif named Ollie has been traveling game universe for the past 6 years. She's seen people die before her hands, people who may outlive her, and people who are stuck in time. Nevertheless, she always comes back to a game called Knytt Stories to see if anything changed there.

Nothing was ever touched. 

Not until one day.

Ollie found an old friend named Julie who apparently traveled outside of her games' universe to search for Ollie. Julie grew up. She was no longer considered a "playable character", but now a person. Ollie stayed there for a while, bonding with her old friend and telling each other the times they've had. One particular morning, Ollie was woken up by Julie who had heard strange noises outside. Leaves rustling, a thump, and then silence. Ollie went to investigate the situation.

What she saw cannot be unseen.

A man wearing a blue shirt; a man with dirty blonde hair; a man whom she once knew.

Ollie went to pick up the man, only for him to look at her in the eyes.

Ollie has seen those Blue eyes before.

Before she could say anything, the man utters out:

"... what's your name again?"