#and he just Looks closer to middle age because that's what witnessing the disintegration of an entire dimension does to a mf

[trianglesimpfordpines]

(...used an image of miguel in the movies but a lot of those points are from the comics, here's hoping his backstory is the same and this meme doesn't age like milk when beyond the spider verse comes out)

[berrybang97]

    ’You’re not doing it right~’, he teased with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face, hands stuffed deeply into the warmth of his pockets.

    You rolled your eyes. ‘Oh shut up, Donghyuck. You’re just sitting there’, you mumbled, furrowing your brows in concentration as you tried to work out the object in front of you.

    ‘Well, it’s not like I can do much…’, he shrugged, a helpless pout forming on his lips.

    'Just shut up…’, you whispered, leaning closer to the board in front of you. You squinted your eyes as if to spot an overlooked clue to a problem impossible to solve. Your breath slowed down to a hitch, hands shaking slightly on the triangular piece of wood, guided by a pathetic need to be pulled, by some unknown force, towards a certain direction. No, any direction was fine, you told yourself. It just needed to move.

    Your heart thumped heavily against your straining ribcage, throat dry and aching with fear of speech. Your eyes stung from the lack of blinking, too focused on the rectangular shape in front of you, and way too afraid to miss that one thing you were desperately looking for.

    You waited and waited, but nothing happened. You felt your soul sink slowly into an abyss of hurt, your chest hollow and devoid of any feeling of hope. You could feel hot tears prickling at the back of your eyes, but you tried to contain yourself. For his sake.

    Although, it did hurt like a bitch. And the vacant place of brightful expectation was not only replaced, but invaded by a swarm of contradicting emotions, pain, and helplessness.

    'Why is it not working?’, you croaked, voice fighting against cries of frustration. 'Haechan, why is it not working?!’

    No answer came to your inquiry. The room was thick with silence, and you felt your heart sink even deeper than before. You swallowed back a wave of tears, eyes empty and transfixed on the woodened board, pupils shaking with the expectation of a miracle that was never to come. But with every passing second, you felt your now limp body drain of all hope and faith, and your soul became nothing more than a cold, grey nugget of lead, reverberating the same dreadful feeling over and over again, like the hurtful symphony of a Greek tragedy.

    ‘What am I doing wrong…?’, you whispered, voice restrained and barely audible. The tears prickled at your eyes with a painful sting, and the black-stenciled letters on the board morphed into blurry blotches of dark ink.

    Once again, no response. The stillness of the room became unsufferable, almost haunting. Frustration boiled up in your veins in waves of fury, and your mind remodeled itself into a maze of persistent thoughts, each and every single one of them more disheartening and nullifying than the other.

    Your soul sank to the lowest, and something snapped inside of you, like the strings of a guitar strained by age and effort. A loud bang echoed against the walls as your fist collided with the board, tears flowing out of your eyes and down your cheeks in a matter of micro-seconds.

    ‘Why the hell are you not saying anything!?’, you yelled at the top of your lungs, voice cracking towards the end, as you tried to set your crying gaze on something that you couldn’t particularly place into a certain time and space.

    You let your whole frame slouch forward, wretched by the agonising pain that tinged your soul. You cried with hiccups, your lower lip trembling as it tried to voice out your sorrows, but in futile efforts, because every articulated word altered into an ugly and incoherent noise.

         You mumbled and whined, blabbering inquiries addressed to him and no one in particular, asking why’s and why not’s through coughs, tears, and secretions running down your scarlet-tinged nose. You could barely breathe, taking big gulps of air only to expel them in another round of heavy weeps.

    While you were crying your heart out, Haechan stood there and watched as you disintegrated with pain, and his own soul crushed as if in the merciless jaws of a vise, guilty and miserable, with the burden of a misfortune he had no control over.

         He hated seeing you like this, so broken and helpless, and he hated it even more knowing that he was the reason of your torment. But how could he fix something he was in no power of? How could he mend your shattered soul that he himself had broken through his, or lack there of, actions? He couldn’t stand seeing you pour your whole being out for him when he was not worth the effort. Why would you care for someone as good as non-existent?  

    'y/n…’, he murmured softly, barely audible.

        Through the symphony of cries, his whisper came like the sudden ring of a church bell in the middle of a mortuary night, causing you to straighten up your back in wonder and look around, skimming the room, through a lens of blurry tears, for the source of the voice.

        'Haechan?’, you blinked repeatedly, transfixed by the sudden call of your name, but the way you verbalised his own name held a heavy undertone of hope.

         ’Look at the board’, he inquired vigorously, in a resonance uncharacteristic to his.

        You shivered slightly, caught off guard by the force of his intonation, but you did as told, forcing your tear-strained pupils to focus on the wooden parallelogram that lay flat on the table. You stared at it, heart pounding with expectation that filled the carcass of your body to the brim, your limbs twitching uncontrollably as you waited. And although you’ve been dying to witness any sign of movement, you were surely not prepared to see the wooden triangular jerk and slide, on his own, across the board and towards one of the stenciled letters.

    You shuddered. ‘Hyuck, what–’

   ‘Shut up and watch, y/n.’

    You thought you couldn’t stare harder at an object, but you’ve managed to surpass this impossibility as you gazed, unblinking, at the board, with a heart so heavy that you could feel it boring a sinking hole inside your already strained chest. The transparent circle within the indicator set on the first letter, and your heart pounded even harder.

    ‘I…’, you read out loud, your voice penetrating the silence of the room, a sound so imposing that you felt your own body tremble.

    The indicator slid swiftly towards the next letter, and the following.. and the one after that… and so on…

    ‘L… O… V… E…’, you continued, your inflection unclear with tremors, hands shaking slightly as if to match your speech.

    You wanted to look around so badly, to see him, to look for him, but you couldn’t. Your eyes were glued to the board, unable to move, pupils shaking with concentration as you just waited for the next letter… and the next…

   You breathed in, prepared to keep going. ‘Y…’

   ‘…O…’, your eyes followed the triangle.

    You gulped, throat dry, as your breath stopped at a hitch in sync with your heart. You stared at the last letter as if you couldn’t read it, blinking an unneccesary amount of times, like this mere action would, somehow, change the outcome.

    ‘U…’, you murmured softly, as if you have pronounced the most beautiful sound in the Universe.

    A wave of emotions swept over you, causing your eyes to tear up in a matter of nano-seconds, hand clasping to your mouth as you let out something between a yelp and a cry of joy. Water droplets stumbled down your cheeks in rapid threads, but, this time, they were the harbringers of a very joyful happening. You felt your heart overfill with a comforting warmth, and the tear in your chest stitched itself with every rememoration of the letters he spelled out for you to read.

    You have finally lifted your gaze up and away from the board, but you did not feel overcome with dread when you found yourself still very unable to see him. No, this time you managed a sincere smile, letting your glistening eyes hover towards a certain direction, as if pulled by something more powerful than your own being. You blinked away the blurriness of tears, gazing at the empty air with a look filled with genuine love and cherished tenderness.

    ‘I love you too, Haechan’, you spoke gently, a sad smile painting your features. ‘Even though you’re dead.’

[i-would-rather-be-queen]

B.A.P Yongguk AU ‘The Righteous and the Wicked’

A/N: By all rights this should be fleshed out a bit more but it was getting so long and I didn’t want to commit to another multi-chapter fic when I have so many other things I want to write. OTL Please let me know if you like it guys. ^^ WARNING: Some violence.    

~ 

It was a mistake going up. 

Never go up when being chased. Because when you run out of room there’s nowhere else to go. It wasn’t the first time that night you’d done something stupid. What was supposed to be a simple slip inside an empty building had turned into a mad dash for your life.

Running up your seventh flight of stairs your legs and lungs were on fire. The only place left to go was the roof. Using your shoulder you slammed through the door and entered the open space. Clearly somebody had designed it as a gothic garden of sorts. A refuge in the midst of the sprawling city. Large potted plants and ivy decorated the dark stone square as well as a handful of gargoyles posted on the ledges.

Eyes searching for something to barricade the door, you found nothing. In desperation you peeked over the side of the building. There were no balconies, no other roofs within jumping distance and a fall from this height would undoubtedly kill you.

Your pursuers now blocked your only exit, their eyes locked on you as their target. It only took a second for them to catch you once you were cornered. They began patting you down, searching your pockets or any hiding places stitched into your clothes. “Where’s your phone? What’d you do with it?”

Hidden, hopefully where they’d never find it. When you realized you’d been discovered you found a place to squirrel it away in the building and then texted your editor where it was. You wanted the evidence stored on your phone to be exposed even if you couldn’t be the one to do it.

They became violent when it was obvious you were refusing to answer. There were a few good blows to your stomach that probably would have brought up your dinner if you’d had any. Still you kept on your feet until you were backhanded by a closed fist.

Crashing into the stone behind you, your head bounced off the statue of one of the gargoyles. Automatically you reached back and pulled your hand away to see it wet with blood. Rough hands grabbed you and threatened to push you over the edge.

A grating, popping sound came from above. Casting your eyes skyward you saw fine lines and cracks expanding along the gargoyle’s body. Pieces began to crumble and flake off like slate.

Then it moved.

Wings stretched as it rose from a crouch to stand to its full height. It was the size of a man. In fact its visage had even changed from an unnatural creature to look like one.

The men ran away in horror, their screams echoing down the stairwell as they fled. Thrown to the ground in their haste to escape, you lay frozen as you watched the creature with fearful eyes. It sprang from its perch then peered down at you inquisitively.

Underneath the flaking stone that now resembled clay was flesh and intense black eyes. He seemed human except for the bat-like wings that remained and blotted out the stars above. Despite its human-like appearance you were surprised when it spoke in a voice deep as the ages.

“You.”

“M-me?”

“You are the one who called me.”

“I don’t- I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just trying not to die.”

He—it—he, you weren’t sure, reached out and you flinched. He touched the back of your head and then showed you the tips of his fingers now stained red. “The blood of the righteous is the only thing that can wake me.”

“So…you’re not going to kill me?”

“No.” His expression was remote. Grim even, as if not all of him had not completely transformed from stone. “Why were they trying to hurt you?”

“I’m a reporter. Those men belong to an underground human trafficking operation I stumbled upon. And now they want me dead before I can prove it.”

Solemnly he nodded his understanding. “Then I’ll protect you until you can.”

“What?” This couldn’t be your life. Maybe you’d hit your head harder than you thought and you were laying on the ground unconscious. Hell, maybe you were dead. Dubiously you asked, “How would that even be possible? You’re not exactly inconspicuous.”

The night kept throwing you curve balls. Without saying a word the leathery wings started to disintegrate, virtually melting away. Before long there was just a man standing there. 

It was entirely possible you were in the midst of some trauma induced delusion. Reality may no longer be your friend. “Ok…I guess that’s not a problem then. Uh, what do I call you? I mean, do you have a name?”

“Yongguk.”

You really didn’t know what to say. The events of the night had pretty much broken your brain by this point. Exhausted but happy to be alive you decided to roll with it. Grabbing your phone from its hiding spot the two of you left without incident. It was a nice bit of luck after the evening you’d had but you weren’t about to push it. Not having any other idea what to do, you took him home.

When you entered the pass code to your front door your dog started barking. Which was normal but for the first time you wondered how he would react to a living, breathing gargoyle. Or for that matter how Yongguk would react to him. Cautiously you asked over your shoulder, “You don’t eat dogs do you?”

He squinted but said nothing. Alrighty then.

Upon opening the door your dog’s gaze focused on the tall man behind you, watching closely. As soon as Yongguk saw the dog something surprising happened. He kneeled down and grinned. Patting his thigh he beckoned the dog over. After a quick sniff your dog’s tail started wagging vigorously and he licked at Yongguk’s face eliciting a laugh from the gargoyle. An actual laugh. Perplexed you stared at the two of them until Yongguk looked up and your heart stuttered in your chest. The smile had lit up his entire face. How could that dour face now look so angelic?

Quickly he composed himself, though he wasn’t as gloomy as he’d been. “I haven’t seen a dog in a long time. I’ve missed them.”

“A long time, huh? I think we have some talking to do.” Quickly you heated something in the microwave to eat then the two of you sat at your kitchen table. After a few bites you said, “Time to spill. What the hell is going on?”

He sighed and appeared less than enthusiastic but began his story anyway. “A long time ago I was the leader of a band of warriors in charge of protecting a certain territory. Then a new authority took over the land and tried to use us to extort money from those who were supposed to be under our care.”

“None of us could do it. The penalty for leaving our duties was death but even that was preferable to what we were being asked to do. We were able to hide for a while but eventually they caught us.” He rubbed his hands over his face and the guilt he felt was palpable in the air.

“We were made to pay the price of our disloyalty not just with our lives but our freedom. A man of magick came to imprison us. One by one I watched my brothers’ bodies harden and skin burn away as they were transformed into these hideous creatures. I was last and told that we would only be released from the spell if touched by the blood of a worthy person in need.”

It seemed too outrageous to believe. But you’d witnessed his transformation yourself, what else could be done but accept it? Certainly nothing more that night, you decided.

Offering Yongguk the couch you asked if he’d need any blankets to which he gave you an odd smirk but declined. Too tired to wonder about any more mysteries, no matter how small, you headed for your bedroom.

Several hours later you woke in your bed and would have thought everything was some strange fever dream if your body and head didn’t hurt like hell. Deciding to check on Yongguk before you took a shower you went out to your living area and received yet another shock.

He was stone again.

In the middle of your apartment he sat like some huge lawn ornament. Dumbfounded you walked over and poked his shoulder with your index finger. There was no give, no elasticity to indicate he’d ever been anything but granite or whatever he was made of.

So much for protection. At this point you pretty much gave up trying to figure it out and got back to trying to break up the operation. After cleaning up you headed out to talk to your editor and the police. Gone the rest of the day you came home about an hour after dusk. The first thing you did when you entered your apartment was look for Yongguk. He was gone.

Before you could worry too much he emerged from the bathroom, steam following in his wake. He rubbed at his hair with a towel while another one was wrapped low slung around his waist. The flood of desire that unexpectedly pooled in your abdomen caught you off guard.

“I’m glad you took a shower. I mean, not that you needed one, but that you felt comfortable enough to, um, get naked. I’m going to stop talking now.”

His lips curled in the cutest way, clearly amused. “Yes, thank you. It was nice. Smelled like you too.”

Did a gargoyle just low key hit on you? He looked like a man though. Was he even a gargoyle anymore? “Uh, do you still have your wings?”

He nodded and they sprouted so rapidly from behind him you were startled. Yongguk kept them spread for you to see as you inched closer. “Wow. Can I touch them?”

“If you like.”

Lightly you ran your fingers along the spine of the wing, noting the membranous tissue that connected the ribbing. Dry and leathery it twitched and Yongguk sucked in a breath. Quickly you pulled your hand away. “I’m sorry, did that hurt?”

“No.” Somehow his voice had become even deeper. “It doesn’t hurt.”

Standing this close you could feel the heat emanating from his body. You were hyper aware of his presence making you feel like there were tiny sparks dancing across your skin. It was intoxicating.

He was the one to shatter the moment, backing away abruptly and seemingly flustered. To your even greater astonishment he almost seemed…embarrassed? Shy? You weren’t quite sure. But he didn’t face you as the wings once again dissolved and he returned to the bathroom.

After he reemerged he refrained from making eye contact and wanted an update on what happened while he was ‘sleeping’. His word, not yours.

You told him the cops hadn’t been interested in your photos, claiming it would take more substantial evidence. Subsequently your boss was hesitant to go forward with the story. It began to occur to you that maybe some people had been bribed to look the other way. No matter. You’d just have to get enough proof that it couldn’t be ignored whether they were on the take or not.  

There were leads you’d been working that day. Most of them hit dead ends but a few panned out. Rumors of locations people were being held until they could be transported out of the area. Naturally it was assumed to be an old warehouse but the problem was that with the economic decline in the city there were plenty of those to choose from.

Soon you and Yongguk developed a pattern. Sleep during the day, scout at night, and ignore the attraction that was building between you. He was a serious individual that appeared focused only on helping people in their unfortunate circumstances. And of course you were too, but it didn’t stop your heart from fluttering when he stole glances at you, or how you began to admire his gentle wisdom. He wasn’t one to say much but when he did you fell for him even more.

Finally the two of you found the right location. You took many pictures, making sure to get good shots of faces of the captors as well as the operation. There would be no denying what was happening now.

Once you were done you wanted to leave quickly to protect the evidence and expose the ring. But Yongguk couldn’t abandon the people. You understood, you really did. But the two of you weren’t the law here. The warrior in him refused to back down and he took flight. Unwilling to let him do this alone you followed on foot.

Yongguk took care of the kidnappers while you aided the victims and tried to shepherd them to relative safety. Once they were in hiding you saw Yongguk had led the remaining captors to the roof where it was easier for him to maneuver. He was outnumbered though and you couldn’t just stand by without helping him.

Again your lungs and legs burned as you ran up the stairs of the multi-story warehouse. It was beginning to be a habit you really didn’t want to keep. On the way you spotted a metal pipe and grabbed it. Your arrival startled a few of the men long enough to take one of them down with a swing of the pipe.

Two men were struggling with Yongguk but the other switched his focus to you. Though you got in a few good hits and may have cracked a few of the guy’s ribs, he disarmed you easily. He snatched a hold of your clothes and dragged you to the edge of the building. It struck you that you’d survived being thrown off a building a few weeks ago only to meet the same fate again.

Fueled by revenge the man tossed you over the side like you were nothing. Your brain locked in terror as it registered nothing but air around you. Before you could scream you heard a roar from Yongguk.

The ground was rushing up to meet you but instead of impact there were arms encircling you. Yongguk had caught you and was slowly ascending toward the roof which was now empty. You suspected the two hindering Yongguk might have ended up going over the side but maybe they had run off like the other man clearly had. You didn’t care enough at the moment to check.

Once he landed Yongguk crushed you even harder to himself. It was fine, you felt like you were about to shake apart and he was holding you together. Or maybe that was him shaking, you didn’t know. The two of you stood there, basking in your relief, and you didn’t miss how his wings arched around you protectively.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” His words were rushed and it was the most human he’d ever sounded. Not at all like the reticent man you’d known the past few weeks. He wouldn’t stop apologizing.

So you kissed him to get his attention then argued, “What are you sorry for? You saved my life.”

“I put your life in danger by not listening to you.” He kissed you again, though this time his agitation seemed to be receding. “I should have listened.”

His hands spread wide against your back, holding you in place as you laced your fingers into his hair. “It’s ok. You didn’t let me fall.”

As the adrenaline drained from your system you stepped back but he wouldn’t let you go far. Apparently if you scared Yongguk it took a while for his protective instincts to relax. But you were wondering something else, something you’d been dreading knowing the answer. “We have the evidence to turn over. The ring will be broken up. Will you go back to being stone again?”

“No. Once I’ve been released I’m free. At least during the night anyway.”

“So what now?”

His eyes drifted away to stare off in the distance. “My brothers are out there somewhere.”

The sadness in his voice squeezed your heart but you didn’t need the added incentive to say, “Then let’s go find them.”

~

BTS Jin’s Supernatural AU