#and why are we so proud of over extending ourselves during a time when you should be resting and staying as relaxed as possible | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

uelden · 4 years ago

Text

Vanity Fair interview translated

Just a side note before the actual translation; I don't know why, but instead of reporting the full questions and answers in full as she should, the journalist decided to report only summarized fragments of what Måneskin said and patch these fragments up into messy clusters. She also worded a couple phrases in a very confusing way (and yes, she's fully Italian). In short, she did quite a poor job, so the final shape of the interview is not that good. I didn't expect top-tier journalism from Vanity Fair but ffs. You'll see what I mean.

I translated it as it is, adding just a couple footnotes to give you insight on Italian pop culture references.

Translation under the cut

Måneskin: "Different from whom?"

by Lavinia Farnese, 09 June 2021

"True justice is being judged for what you do and not for what you are." The ones who are convinced of this are Damiano, Victoria, Ethan and Thomas who, by being the emblem of a generation that is finally free, refuse labels and conformism. In life, in love and on the stage. Where, maybe precisely because of this, they're winning everything

With the still unexpected (first place at Sanremo Festival) and the incredible (triumph at Eurovision) in their eyes, Måneskin are on the sofa of the house-studio they rented - to resume writing songs and rehearsing them - like you are after a won battle: lying in a calm and unreal silence, alert and a bit irreverent, happy.

In the garden there's the tennis table and the pool, the light of summer when it's starting and calming the country all around, and it filters inside from the large windows, and it goes onto the shining black of Ethan's hair, which blends with Thomas' eye shadow and the butterfly he has tattooed oh his naked forearm, which completes the picture of Victoria's golden crucifix hanging between neck and tank top and ends on the black nail polish of Damiano's stretched hands.

It's a human fresco, a Theatre of wrath [translator's note: "Teatro d'ira"] - to call it with the title of their latest album, a platinum record already - where their flaunted 20 years of age, their irregular femininity and virility are grown into proud and challenging custom, a pop glam rock generational manifesto of hard-earned liberties in a finally-unconditional expression of the self.

To watch them from any angle and from another age is to think that a great love will be born in those who'll understand: this new way of being in the world, the true and sovereign realm they hold where "diversity=exceptionality", the power of the artistic and cultural revolution of which they are healthy carriers in establishing in all lyrics and gestures the right to live according to one's own nature past the "people (who) talk, the people (who) unfortunately talk, and don't know what the fuck they're talking about." [tn: "Zitti e buoni" lyrics]

We go where we're afloat, where the air isn't gone. [tn: journalist's own variation on "Zitti e buoni" lyrics]

Miley Cyrus says hi – The numbers of a phenomenon

"The streams of Zitti e buoni are growing by the second, and they bring us above Muse, at the top of English charts, twelfth in the Spotify Global Chart. Followers almost tripled, in the post-Rotterdam period (from 1,4 to 3,3 millions, ed.) Contagious and universal folly: t-shirts and merchandising sold out in 10 minutes. Like the records, the tickets for a tour that keeps adding dates and expanding over geographic maps. They're contacting us even from some festivals were The Rolling Stones went." Thomas

"After the pretextual controversy over cocaine that France built against us, later disproven by my drug test, some graffiti popped up in Spain depicting me as a “No drugs” poster guy. Some tweets made us laugh: "Congratulations, Italy! I've never been more certain that four people have had sex with each other." Miley Cyrus started following us -You're great. -You guys are greater." Damiano

From the garage to the stars – Story of a flight

"It was only 2016, and we played in restaurants, in the streets, in via del Corso. Damiano without even a microphone, Thomas' guitar with wonky strings, Ethan was drumming on a cajón. During Rome highschools' sit-ins (Kennedy, Virgilio, Mamiani) we had our first confirmations and half-hours of celebrity, playing among those who criticized us and those who went "wow they're really cool." One of the rare times when they would have paid us – 50 euros each – we gave the money to the next band in the lineup so that they would make us play in their spot, later in the day, when there would have been more people. We had already realized how things worked. Visibility mattered more than money. And we still think that." Victoria

The intimacy of rock – Choice of a genre

"Music allows us the miracle of extending to others some very personal and private topics, sometimes even difficult and thorny ones. They are and they remain deeply your own, but at the same time they become a confession that reaches a wider audience, and in this passage that is alike a delivery, they find a place in you as well, a processing of them. You overcome them, you accept them. One second it's something aggressive, the next it's a ballad. Cathartic». Damiano

Against panic – The stage as therapy

"I've suffered a lot from anxiety and panic attacks, it's an issue I've worked on thanks to a psychotherapy course, my friends and my family. Playing helped me in not letting myself be paralyzed by my fears, not making myself limited in my private and professional life. I've learned to accept, to live with this side of myself. I don't hide it. I don't feel ashamed of it." Victoria

Analysis as necessity – Relying on someone saves you

"This belief that only madmen go to the psychologist is a widespread ignorance. No-one's born learned. [tn: common Italian saying] And it's often hard to understand the very reason why we're here, let alone the origin and direction of our desires. It's a long and legitimate journey towards lucidity, a kind of backing to become transparent." Damiano

Being out of our minds – But different from them [tn: "Zitti e buoni" lyrics]

"When you feel a strong passion towards something that is not a canonical job but an artistic language, that already puts you on a level of anomaly, which is not superior or inferior to other people, but it puts you in the position of the one who breaks the mold and also works at a loss, the one who sustains great risks while trying to do something that who knows if it will take you anywhere. "Why do it if it doesn't pay?". You want to give this dream of yours an aesthetic, but it becomes "You're dressing so weird! You must be gay!" - now that I'm 22 I laugh about it, but when I was 17 it had an effect on me, too." Damiano

The beauty of uniqueness – Of believing in it and defending it

"And I mean, at the end of the day if we're all different it's not because we want be alternative but because, really, no-one is the same. Justice is being judged on what you do and not what you are. Justice is equality, respect, beauty." Ethan

Fluid sexuality – Pride is freedom

"Heels for men that like themselves in them, kisses among ourselves, we have an open, extended mind, and we're proud of it. The horizons become vast, past the oppression of conservative families. With the information on the web knowledge becomes greater and with it the possibility that minorities will be less and less minorities, because the majority will be less of a majority. This way we'll make insults and bullying grow quieter. If social media get to a village of 50 souls and reveal to a girl who's afraid of the dark that someone has felt her same fear, then there's no reason to give a name to that fear, to mark it with labels which also limit and restrict. Definitions always had this effect on me. You shouldn't even consider the gender when judging someone, let alone their orientation." Victoria

Sexism – A culture to be dismantled

"Emma [tn: Emma Marrone, Italian singer] drops the bomb: “At Eurovision when I was there they massacred me for a pair of shorts, while they said nothing to Damiano – bare-chested and in heels.” The easy judgment against women is more fierce, constant, debasing (if I have a lot of sex I'm cool while Vic is a whore, where I show myself strong I'm a leader while Vic is despotic and a pain in the ass who reached success because she's hot.) As a male I'm privileged, the abuse I get is not comparable to those a woman has to live through, the comments over my aesthetic are centered only on my aesthetic and don't insinuate anything about my professionalism and my competence, while women are victims of this kind of thought in a systematic way. It happened though to find myself standing with a woman who while pulling me to herself to take a selfie, started licking my face out of the blue... I mean, what the hell do you want? Who asked you? Consent exists, and it's due." Damiano

Grow yourself – The only commandment

"To me conformism is the opposite of education [tn: could also mean "politeness"] and is the asphyxia of expression. I fortunately never endured heavy bullying, heavy enough for the the judgement of others to change me. But the mold of the small crumbs of bullying I got and of the kind of aggression that scars is the same. If I'm a kid who dances and likes dolls you have to let me do what I like. I was a kid who wanted to keep his hair long and played with Barbie. As a teen, my friends looked at my hair: " You have to find a girl with short hair to be at your side." My grandparents took away my dolls: "Stop it, they're not for you." Ethan

"When I was six I was already sick of them, the distinctions between masculine and feminine. I've always had strong ideas about how I wanted to be. I refused things that were typically defined as girly, and all around me they mocked me because I went skateboarding, I played soccer, I didn't wear skirts, I was giving myself the chance to be as I wished. I endured it a little, I suffered a little, but I had courage, and now thanks to that courage I know that I could have gotten even much more hurt, otherwise I would have left to others the most important choice: the one about myself." Victoria

Love in progress – Music, girlfriends

"I've been married to music for the last 20 years. I can't wait to celebrate our golden wedding anniversary." Ethan

"Everyone makes their own experiences, sometimes it goes well, sometimes it goes wrong, but it's always not anybody's business." Thomas

"When I first felt feelings and attraction towards a girl it was a bit disorienting because I had never had the courage of going beyond the limitations I had put for myself. For society being heterosexual is the norm and so you often define yourself in that way automatically, depriving yourself of the freedom to live many shades and faces of love. Once I overcame the initial insecurity of having to call into question my certainties I've lived my sexuality in a very natural and free way, as it should be for everyone." Victoria

"I had paparazzi at my door every day and night. So, after four years of relationship, I revealed her name. I still have paparazzi at my door every day and nigh, but at least I don't have to hide anything anymore." Damiano

The worth of the group – Phenomenology of protection

"The true engagement though, the true family is among ourselves, our band. We've believed in it since day zero, even before we called ourselves Måneskin (Moonlight in Danish), even before Ethan drew a giant moon on the flier for the first concert we ever did. We share everything, even the pain for the tragedy of Seid Visin, who committed suicide at 20 because of racism. [tn: I think the journalist asked them their opinion about Seid Visin's death, which was a current events topic in Italy, and then pasted it syntaxically in the middle of Thomas' answer, which was not a great move] A group is what we all should be: stay united and not back down an inch in the face of oppression that is generated by a distorted view of diversity." Thomas

I'm not of the right age – Like Gigliola [tn: Gigliola Cinquetti won Eurovision with her song "Non ho l'età", which means "I'm not of the right age"]

"Before you the only one who won both Sanremo and Eurovision on the same year was Cinquetti (1964). If there's anything I feel I'm not of the right age for? No, honestly no. Maybe having children. Regarding children I'll be honest: I'm not of the right age." Damiano

Having touched the sky – The fears that remain

"We're more than inside the dream, we're in the conquered dream. When you fly high there's the risk of plummeting and hurting yourself, but we'll work hard not to end up like Icarus, who burns his wings with the sun. Everything is in our hands. And this - a bit pretentiously - reassures us rather than scaring us." Damiano

#maneskin #måneskin #vanity fair #italian #translation

201 notes · View notes

mistressemmedi · 4 years ago

Text

Måneskin: "Different from whom?"

Greetings from Miley Cyrus - phenomenal numbers.

The streams of Zitti e Buoni are growing by the second, and ahead of Muse, on the top of the English charts, twelfth in the Spotify Global Chart. We almost tripled followers after Rotterdam (from 1.4 to 3.3 million, ed). Contagious and universal madness: T-shirts and merchandise sold out in 10 minutes. Like records, tickets for a tour that adds dates and expands on maps. They are even looking for us in festivals where the Rolling Stones have played. - Thomas

After the whole cocaine scandal that was started against us from France, which was later denied by my drug test, in Spain there people have been making murals with my face saying "No drugs". Some tweets made us laugh: «Congratulations, Italy! I have never been so sure that four people have fucked each other ". Miley Cyrus started following us. "You are great". “You are more” . - Damiano

From rags to riches - what a story

It was only 2016, and we were playing in restaurants, on the streets, in via del Corso (famous street in Rome). Damiano without a microphone, Thomas's guitar with broken strings, Ethan drummed on a cajón. At the occupations of the high schools in Rome (Kennedy, Virgilio, Mamiani) we had our first gigs and half an hour of fame, between those who criticized us and those who said "these guys are so cool". One of the rare times in which they offered to pay us to play - 50 euros each - we offered that money to those after us, in exchange for the chance to play during their time slow, as we knew there would have been a bigger crowd. We already understood then how it worked. That visibility was worth more than the money. We still think so ». - Victoria

The intimacy of rock - Choice of a genre

Music allows is this miracle which allows one to talk about very personal and private topics, even difficult and delicate ones. They are and remain deeply yours, but at the same time they become a confession that reaches a wider audience, and in this passage which is like a delivery, they also find their place in you, their elaboration. They are overcome, they are accepted. One moment it feels aggressive, one moment later a (soft) ballad. It's very cathartic. - Damiano

Against panic - The stage as therapy

I have suffered a lot from anxiety and panic attacks, it is a problem that I have worked on thanks to a course of psychotherapy, to my friends and family. Playing has helped me not to let myself be paralyzed by my fears, not to be limited in my private and professional life. I have learned to accept, to live with this side of me. I don't hide it. I no longer feel ashamed. - Victoria

This belief that only crazy people go to the psychologist is widespread ignorance. Nobody is born learned. And it is often difficult to understand why we are here, let alone the derivation and direction of our desires. It is a long and legitimate journey towards one's clarity. - Damiano

Essere fuori di testa – Ma diversi da loro (Be out of your mind - But different from them)

Already feeling a strong passion for something that is not a 'regular' profession but an artistic language, it puts you on a level where you're an anomaly, and while you're neither superior nor inferior to others, it places you in the condition of what breaks the mold but you're also being at a loss, leaving it to you to be bold and to take risks, hoping that they will pay off and land you somewhere. "What good is it if you don't stand out on your own?". You want to give it an aesthetic to your artistic dream, but to others it boils down to " You dress differently! You must be gay! ”, I'm 22 now and it makes me laugh, but at 17 it had an effect on me too. - Damiano

The beauty of being unique - Of believing in that and defending it

After all, we are all different not because we want to be alternative but because really no one is the same. Justice is being judged on what you do and not what you are. Justice is equality, respect, beauty. - Ethan

Fluid sexuality - Pride is freedom

We appreciate heels on men, we kiss each other, we have an open, extended mind, and we are proud of it. The horizons become vast, beyond the oppression of conservative families. With information on the web, knowledge is enriched and with it the possibility that minorities will be fewer and fewer, because majorities will be fewer and fewer. This will lower the volume to insults and bullying. If social networks can reach a village of 50 souls to reveal to someone, who is afraid of the darkness, that someone has felt that same fear.. There is no longer the need to give it a name, to define that "something" to fear, to brand it with labels that only limit you. Definitions have always had this effect on me. Gender should not even be considered in a person's judgment. Let alone orientation ". - Victoria

Sexism - A culture to be dismantled

Emma (Italian singer) dropped the bomb:" When I went to Eurovision, they insulted me over a pair of shorts. Damiano - half naked and in heels - was never criticized ". The judgment against women is constant, ferocious, and demeaning (if I have a lot of sex I'm cool but Vic a whore, where I show myself strong I'm a leader she is domineering and pain in the ass, who is successful because only because of her looks [and not the hard work she puts in]). As a male I am privileged, the harassment I suffer is not comparable to that experienced by a woman, the comments on my aesthetics are focused only on my aesthetics and do not insinuate anything about my professionalism and my competence, while women are victims of this kind of thinking in a systemic way. But I did find myself in a situation, out of nowhere, with someone who, pulling close to her for a selfie, started licking my face ... "What do you want, did you ask me?" Consent exists, and it is a must ». - Damiano

To grow as a person - The only rule to follow

For me, to conform is the total opposite of educating oneself, and the asphyxiation of one's expression (of freedom). Fortunately, I did not suffer heavy bullying, to the point where I felt I needed to change to adapt to how others saw me. But the matrix of who I am and the aggression that marks me is the same. If I'm a kid who dances and loves dolls, then allow me the freedom to do so. I used to be a kid who wanted long hair and played with Barbies. My friends, as a teenager, looked my long hair and teased me: "You have to find yourself a girl with a short hair to make up for it". My grandparents took the dolls away from me and said: “Stop it, they're not for you” ». - Ethan

“I was six and I already could not tolerate the distinctions between masculine and feminine. I've always had strong ideas about how I wanted to be. I refused things typically defined as feminine as a child, and they made fun of me for skating, for playing soccer, for not wearing skirts, for giving myself the chance to be as I wanted to be. I suffered a little, as I was bullied, but I had courage to stay true to myself, and today thanks to that courage I know that I could have been much more hurt, or I would have risked leaving the most important decision to others: the one about being just me". - Victoria

Love - music and girlfriends

I've been married to music for the past 20 years. I cannot wait to celebrate our golden wedding anniversary. - Ethan

Everyone goes through their own experiences, sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, but it's never other people's business." - Thomas

When, for the first time, I developed feelings and attraction for a girl it was a bit disorienting because I had never had the courage to go beyond the limitations I had imposed on myself. For society, being heterosexual is the norm and therefore often one automatically pegs himself in that way, giving up the freedom to experience many different shades and facets of love. Once I got over the initial insecurity of having to question one's own certainties, I lived my sexuality in a very natural and free way, as it should be for everyone. - Victoria

I had paparazzi under my house morning and night. So, after four years of relationship, I finally revealed her name. I still have the paparazzi under my house morning and night, but at least I don't have to hide anything anymore. - Damiano

The value of the group - Protecting each other

But the real relationship, the real family, is between us. Our band. We believed in it from the first day, even before calling ourselves Måneskin (moonlight in Danish), even before Ethan drew a giant moon, on the poster for our first concert. We share everything, even the pain of the tragedy of Seid Visin, who committed suicide at 20 because he was a victim of racism. Being a group is what we should all do together: stay united and not retreat in the slightest in the face of abuses generated by a distorted vision of someone "being different|. - Thomas

Non ho l’età – like Gigliola (It references Gigliola Cinquetti who won both Sanremo and Eurovision with her song "Non ho l’età" which translates to Not old enough)

Before us, the only one to win Sanremo and Eurovision together was Gigliola Cinquetti (in 1964). Is there is something for which I feel I am not yet old enough for? No, honestly no. Maybe for kids. I'll be honest, I'm not enough to be a dad. - Damiano

Reached the sky - What fears still remain

We are more than in the dream, we have conquered the dream. To fly high this high, there is the risk is to fall and get hurt, but we will try not to end up like Icarus, who burns his wings with the sun. Everything is in our hands. And this - somewhat presumptuously - reassures us rather than frighten us ". - Damiano

(ORIGINAL INTERVIEW IN ITALIAN)

[Please note that I have changed some words or structure sentence, trying to make it so that the interview made more sense lol - I skipped the first two paragraphs, which was basically the interviewer gushing over how pretty the band is lmao (relatable).

Any mistakes in the translation are sorely mine, nothing was proofread, so apologies in advance]

#maneskin #ethan torchio #damiano david #victoria de angelis #thomas raggi #i'm off to drink some wine lol

146 notes · View notes

ironmandeficiency · 4 years ago

Text

slow hand

pairing: jack daniels / reader

word count: 1624

summary: after another failed date, your coworker takes it upon himself to show you how you should be treated.

a/n: my first ever commissioned fic! the prompt was “slow dancing with jack” from the darling @writeforfandoms 💕 i hope you enjoy!! (side note, the reader’s moniker is “moscow mule”, affectionately referred to as “mule”

✨buy me a ko-fi✨

jack can tell by the tension in your shoulders and the exhaustion in your eyes that your previous night didn’t go as planned. it was supposed to be a pleasant night out filled with dancing and good food, smiles and close touches. the evening should have ended with one of you going to the other’s place and seeing where the night went from there. you had said as much when he asked you what your plans were over lunch in his office the afternoon before, but the waves of dejection rolling off you sang a different tune.

the first flaw in that plan showed itself when your date was over an hour late picking you up. a lame excuse or two slipped from his lips but you ignored them, favoring to just pretend like the night didn’t begin on a sour note and cross your fingers for the rest of the evening to go smoother.

you could have crossed every finger and toe and your eyes till they stuck, but that evening was one concocted by the devil himself to ruin your positive attitude. when you finally got to the club, everything was just off. your date kept getting distracted by other patrons (or rather, the asses of other patrons) and when he went to the bar to retrieve drinks, he didn’t come back for twenty minutes. even in some of the more densely packed clubs, it wouldn’t take twenty minutes to get two drinks.

by the time your date returned, you were tired and not in the slightest mood to dance. you just drank the free alcohol in a brooding silence. he had the audacity to ask why you were feeling down and it took a mighty amount of willpower to not wrap your hands around his throat and shake it as violently as possible. champ would’ve been mighty proud of the self-restraint you held, that’s for sure.

it was harder than you thought to genuinely have a good time after all you had endured that evening and it was infuriating. just looking at his face reminded you why you were so frustrated. no one deserved to deal with this, you reasoned, so you made an excuse of using the bathroom then slipped away.

originally the plan was to cool down in the bathroom then try again, but when you exited the bathroom and saw him chatting up some redhead at the bar, your resolve left with your patience. with your head high and frustration building, you strode out of the bar, calling a lyft to get you home. the rest of your evening was spent with netflix and junk food on your bed, wondering why you didn’t just do this in the first place. yeah you woke up with a crick in your neck and a half eaten family size bag of chips next to you in bed, but you were content.

armed with a soft smile and your favorite drink, jack made his way to your office. he sat the cup down in front of you and made himself comfortable on the chaise he’s all but claimed as his own, sipping on his own coffee. when you raised an eyebrow at the unprompted kindness, he just shrugged. “just thought you could use a pick-me-up. what happened last night to get you so blue?”

you groaned at his question. “better question is, what didn’t happen last night?” his posture suddenly changed from relaxed to intrigued, elbows propped on his knees and his favorite mug (it was shaped like a cowboy hat) held with both hands as he sat with rapt attention. the previous night was recounted to your friend with not a single detail withheld, including the bag of chips that shared the bed with you.

his attention never left you once and when you finished regaling your tale of woe, he took a contemplative sip from his mug before setting it on the end table next to him. “if you’d’a just called me, mule, i’d have come and got you. no sense paying for a ride home when you’ve got people willin’ to help ya.”

the kindness of this man never ceases to amaze you. ever since you’ve been an agent, jack has oozed southern chivalry and always had a charming smile to send your way, even after the toughest missions. any and all doors were opened for you, he would bring you your favorite drinks if he noticed you were in the dumps (like today); he was the epitome of a southern gentleman.

you give him a smile and shake your head. “i wouldn’t have bothered you so late, jack. i’m just bummed that i didn’t get to dance like i wanted to.”

“well darlin’,” he stands and pulls his phone out of his pocket, flipping through it for a moment before setting his phone down on your desk. he was in front of you now, a hand extended to you as an invitation. it wasn’t until music came from his phone that you realized he had a plan. “may i have this dance?”

alright this is it, you’ve officially ascended.

you place your hand in his with an exaggerated flourish, letting him guide you to the center of your office. the lyrics are recognized immediately from times jack had control over the music en route to and from missions and the blood rushes to your cheeks. “to conway? of course.”

when the lyrics start, you’re immediately grinning at the ease jack softly sings along with; not enough to overpower conway twitty’s voice but plenty enough to make sure you know he’s singing along.

this felt totally different than every other time you’ve danced with jack. there have been missions where you were “spouses” at galas or “dates” to clubs owned by cartel heads, and he always cut every rug he stepped foot on. but none of those days had the same intimacy that you felt with him in this moment. he sang along and held you with intent, his eyes smoother than molasses as they gazed into yours.

you want a man with a slow hand

you want a lover with an easy touch

you want somebody who will spend some time

not come and go in a heated rush

baby, believe me i understand

when it comes to love you want a slow hand

jack didn’t know just how right he was in that assumption. you always feel safe around jack during work, he always has your back on missions and is nothing but a (sometimes cocky) gentleman after hours, but this? this was the kind of safe that made you want to curl up with him and hide from the world, the kind where the only thing you wanted to worry about was if he was going to continue holding you like this.

the song ended, but neither of you paid any mind. jack simply kept on holding you, humming a simple melody as he kept you in his arms as long as he could. you didn’t dare speak and interrupt him, lest he snap out of whatever trance he’s under. this was too good an opportunity to pass up.

it’s peaceful in his arms. if you weren’t so hyper focused on the reality of dancing with him, you could have dozed off with the scent of clean aftershave and leather pillowing you. you don’t even notice that your head fell to his shoulder until he pressed a soft kiss to your temple. his mustache is a gentle scraping sensation, lips warm and gentle giving you such tender affection liable for nearly putting you through the floor.

“was this the dance you wanted, sugar?” he’s never spoken so quietly in all the time you’ve known him. the bold and brash verbosity has been shed, the snakeskin of confidence molting away to reveal new and raw skin. this is jack, stripped of the bravado that comes with being the cowboy he is and all but kneeling at your feet.

you bring a hand from behind his neck to cup his cheek. the way he leans into your hand sends your heart racing, still unused to the gentleness he’s showing. “this is everything i wanted. thank you, jack.” you watch the way his lips twitch into a wide grin at your sincerity, feeling your lips mirroring his.

“JOSÉ CUERVO, YOU ARE A FRIEND OF MINE! I LIKE TO—“

“son of a bitch!” of all the times for your office phone to ring, it just had to be now. you feel jack’s quiet chuckle before you hear it. whether he’s laughing at the ringtone ginger added (it was an inside joke, don’t ask) or your frustration, you don’t know. you don’t want to answer and plan on letting it ring, despite the way it totally obliterated the atmosphere. but jack, ever the pleasantly chaotic man he is, decided that the phone would not go unanswered. so, without letting go of you, he scooched you both back towards your desk until he picks up the phone, his bravado flipped back on with the ease of a lightswitch.

“mule’s office, whiskey speaking… yes ma’am, i’ll get right on that… always my pleasure, bye-bye.” he rested your phone back in its nest and turned to you with a smile. “your secretary just called sugar, said we have a mission to get ready for.”

you groan and slump into his arms. “now that don’t mean we can’t dance more later,” he reassures you with a quick peck on your cheek. “i mean, we’ve got the jet to ourselves and you have that spotty thingy you rattle on about.”

“you mean spotify?”

“prezactly.”

“... did you just combine ‘precisely’ and ‘exactly’?”

“you catch on quick, darlin’.”

whiskey taglist: @catsnkooks @obirain @themarcusmoreno @likeshootingstarsinthenightsky @captainrexstan @darthadeline @majorshiraharu @getdookuedon @max--phillips @andysficrecs @darklingveracruz

#jack daniels imagine #jack daniels x reader #agent whiskey x you #agent whiskey imagine #agent whiskey x reader #agent whiskey #kingsman: the golden circle #pedro pascal #jack daniels #commissions #ko fi promo

130 notes · View notes

lost-in-the-80s · 4 years ago

Text

I Don’t Wanna Lose You

Pairing: Slash x (fem) reader

Words: 1,716k

Requested by: anon

Summary: It’s a Friday night and you and your boyfriend, Slash have a birthday party to attend. Everything is going as planned, that’s until he gets drunk, of course. (fluff)

A/N: I hope this was what you had in mind, honey. I got two different ideas for this, but chose to do this one ‘cause I thought would fit more your concept.

Tag list: @roger-taylors-car @ladieswttda @teasid add yourself to my tag list :)

You were at your house getting ready, Saul, your boyfriend would pick you up soon.

It was Axl's birthday and the guys were excited about finally meeting you.

You and Saul were together for a few weeks now, a little bit more than a month, and he had been talking about you all the time.

You two met through a mutual friend, Rachel Bolan, who introduced you guys.

It was during one of his band's parties and you two spent the whole night talking, exchanging your numbers when you finally got tired and decided to head home.

You knew who he was, obviously, you had seen his band on MTV, and he had caught your attention right at the first moment you saw him playing his guitar.

He knew you too, you were a model, starting to become famous because of some big campaigns you had done in the past months.

When he saw you for the first time, it was in a television campaign, and he couldn't take his eyes off of you, even though there were other models with you.

After that party, you two went on a formal date, having dinner and going to a Bon Jovi gig after.

You two became inseparable after that, going out on dates every weekend and talking through the phone every day.

Then, Axl's birthday party arrived, and he decided that it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you to his bandmates.

You decided to wear a short satin white dress with some silver high heels.

You put on a simple makeup and applied some perfume, checking yourself in the mirror and liking the result.

You looked at your living room clock. 7:56 pm. He should be here soon. Sitting on your yellow couch, you played with your kitten's ears while waiting for him.

Suddenly you heard the house bell ringing. Getting up and stretching your dress, you walked towards the door, opening it slowly.

"Hi!" You smiled, seeing how handsome he was in his leather jacket and jeans.

"Hey, gorgeous!" He leaned in, giving you a quick kiss on the lips.

"You look stunning tonight!" He touched your hand and lifted it, motioning for you to make a spin, so he could see you better.

You chuckled a little. "You look great, baby."

He gave you one more kiss, this time a slower one. "Are you ready?"

"Yes!"

You said goodbye to your cat, closing and locking your front door, before walking with Saul to his car.

He drove for almost half an hour before you two got to Axl's mansion. It was huge and all its walls were painted white.

You locked your arm with Saul's, while you walked through the garden.

Once inside that blasting music took a hold of your ears. People from all over the house showed up to say Hi to Slash. He introduced you to all of them, always saying: "This is Y/N! My girlfriend!" Or "This is my beautiful girlfriend, Y/N!"

He looked so proud to be with you that you felt your love for him grow even more.

Love was a strong word. And it hadn't been said yet, but you knew you felt it.

You knew it, because every time he touched you, it was as if the world had stopped, and every time he called your name, it sounded like music. He was your first and last thought every day and you felt so glad that you met him.

But you hadn't said you loved him, and probably wouldn't, for now at least. It was still early and you were afraid that he would get scared by the gesture and would leave you.

The night went by, he introduced you to his bandmates and you really liked them. They were all nice to you, and introduced you to their girlfriends, making you feel yourself at home.

After a while you two parted ways, Saul went on with his friends, while you sat at the living room couch with Axl's girlfriend.

"Seriously, you're the only thing he's been talking about lately." She told you, taking a sip of her beer.

"I can't judge him, I think I do the same thing all day too." You chuckled.

"You really love him, don't you?"

"Yeah! I do!"

"I can see, there's a sparkle in your eyes when you're talking about him!" She smiled at you.

You chuckled, feeling your cheeks burn.

"Speaking about, have you seen him?"

"Not really, I think he's in the backyard with Ax."

"I think I'll look for him."

"Okay! Call me sometime so we can go shopping together!"

"Will do!"

You started walking through the crowd of people, everybody dancing, laughing and singing.

Spotting Duff with his girlfriend at the stairs, you got closer.

"Hey Duff, where's the backyard?"

He pointed to the kitchen direction, without parting his lips from hers.

"Thank you!"

He gave you a thumbs up.

Walking towards the kitchen you saw no other than Nikki Sixx himself. You were a huge fan, Motlëy Crüe was one of your favorite bands, so you decided to say Hi.

"Hi! Mr. Sixx? I'm Y/N Y/L/N!" You extended your hand for him to shake.

He looked at you and changed his posture, leaning against the kitchen's counter and shaking your hand.

"Call me Nikki!" He shouted over the music.

"I love your band! You guys are awesome!"

"Oh really, I'm glad to know that such a beautiful chick like you, likes us."

You felt your cheeks burn and giggled a little, putting a lock of your hair behind your ear.

"I have all your records, and got a tattoo!" You showed him the back part of your arm, where you had Motlëy's Girls Girls Girls logo on.

"Fucking nice!" He said touching your arm slightly.

You smiled at him.

"Are you here alone?" He asked.

"No. I'm with my boyfriend, actually."

"Hmm. He isn't very smart then, to let a girl like you alone here." He took a step closer.

"He doesn't have a reason to be worried." You replied stated, not liking the turn this conversation was taking.

You didn't notice that Slash had entered the kitchen, looking for you. He saw you and Nikki talking, you laughing at him, he getting closer to you, and his blood boiled.

"Are you sure?" Nikki took a step closer to you, his body almost pressed against yours. "He's not here now, and I can think about something very fun for us to do."

Before you could dismiss him, Saul arrived, circling your waist with his arm.

"Leave the girl alone, man!" He was drunk, you could tell by his voice.

"She doesn't seem to mind my company, bro."

Everyone around you stopped, even the music got quieter, everybody wanting to see the fight that was about to come.

"Stay the fuck away from my girl, Sixx!" He gritted his teeth.

"Oh, so you're the famous boyfriend? I think you don't really like her, since you left her all alone here."

That was it, Saul lost his temper and shoved Nikki with all his strength.

"I said: Stay away from my fucking girlfriend, Sixx!"

"Oh yeah? Or you gonna do what?"

Saul closed his fists, his knuckles getting white because of the strength.

You touched his shoulder, but he didn't seem to feel your touch. You got worried. What would you do if they started punching each other?

At that moment, Duff showed up. Saving the party.

"Wow, wow, wow, guys! Let's calm down ok?" He positioned himself in the middle or both men, towering over them.

"This is clearly a misunderstanding, let's have a drink and calm ourselves huh?"

They didn't seem to calm down.

"Come on guys, this is a fucking party! Let's not fuck this up alright!?"

Then, Tommy Lee showed up, grabbing Nikki's arm and pulling him away.

You got closer to Saul's ears and whispered. "Please, baby. Calm down!"

Your words seem to affect him, as he let go of a long breath and opened his hands again.

Everyone went back to the party, dancing and laughing again.

You grabbed Slash's hands, pulling him towards an open bedroom, closing the door once you were both inside.

"What the fuck was that?" It was your turn to get angry.

"I should be the one asking you! Why were you flirting with him?"

He had sobered up by now, the adrenaline affecting his body.

"I wasn't! I told him I had a boyfriend! And I could have handled that without making a scene if you hadn't shown up!"

"Bullshit!"

"Why did you make such a scene? I thought you guys were friends!"

"Friends don't flirt with your girlfriend!"

"He didn't even know I was your girlfriend, you didn't give me a chance to solve the shit!"

He ran his hands through his hair, groaning with annoyance.

"You looked like a fucking asshole out there! We could have dealt with that in a much calmer way!" You kept complaining.

"An asshole!? I looked like an asshole!? Well, I'm sorry if I get pissed when I see someone flirting with the woman I love!"

You froze. "Wait, what?"

"I fucking hate it. It looks like I mean nothing to you!"

"No. The other thing. You said you love me."

"I fucking do Y/N! I love you! And I see the way men look at you, and it lets me fucking crazy!"

You walked closer to him, cupping his face. "Hey! Calm down, baby!” He looked in your eyes, getting calmer “I love you too!"

He frowned.

"I don't care about how they look at me, because you're the only one I love!”

He let go of a long breath. "You do?"

"Yes, Saul! I love you!"

He hugged you, getting calmer. "I'm sorry. It's just that… you're fucking perfect, you know? And I don't wanna lose you!"

"You're not going to lose me, silly! I'm staying with you until you get bored with me." You pecked his lips.

"Then I guess you'll be staying with me forever."

"I don't see a problem with that." You put your hands on the back of his neck.

He grinned, involving you in a passionate kiss that stole your breath away.

#slash #slash imagine #slash x reader #slash fanfiction #guns n roses #guns n roses fanfic #guns n roses imagine #guns n roses fic #guns n roses x reader #harley writes

180 notes · View notes

kelyon · 4 years ago

Text

Golden Rings 19: A Friend

The Storybrooke sequel to Golden Cuffs

Rumpelstiltskin receives a visitor

Read on AO3

A family stands before him, more terrified than they want to show. The man holds a top hat in both hands. The woman keeps her arms over their daughter.

“Is it true?” the man asks. “What Regina is threatening, can she do it?”

Slowly, Rumpelstiltskin steps toward the huddled family. It is unlike Jefferson to be so serious, unlike Leona to show anything less than brazen self-confidence. The girl may be too young to know what is happening, but she knows that her parents are afraid and that is enough to make her terrified.

Belle comes up behind him, her hand extended to the child. “Grace,” she says gently, “would you like to visit my horse? Perhaps we could go for a ride.”

The girl looks to her parents. “May I, Mama? Papa?”

“Of course, luv.” Leona releases her grip on her daughter. “Make sure you mind Belle, and don’t get yourself into any trouble you can’t get out of.”

Nodding obediently, the child takes his wife’s hand. Belle gives him an encouraging smile before they go out to the stables. She trusts him to handle the situation on his own. She knows he can assuage their fears.

Once his daughter is gone, Jefferson leaves his wife and comes up to Rumpelstiltskin. He puts his hands on his shoulders and looks him in the eyes. “I’m serious,” he says.

“I know you are, my boy.” Delicately, he extracts himself from the other man’s grip. “This is a serious matter.”

“This queen lady told everyone she’s going to destroy the world.” Leona says what they all know but cannot utter. “Does she really have that much power?”

He cannot face them. He turns away, takes long, slow steps around his dining room before he answers.

“Yes.”

Jefferson crushes the brim of his hat in one hand. After a moment, he gathers himself. “We’ve seen worlds destroyed before, Dark One. It is a terrible thing.”

“Yes,” he agrees. “Yes, you were with me when proud Atlantis sank beneath the waves. A million lives lost in fire and water and lightning. But Regina’s curse is… different. Her purpose is not to destroy the world, but to destroy happiness.”

Leona’s mouth drops open. “And how is killing everyone not the same as all that? Who would be left to be happy, when it’s all over?”

Rumpelstiltskin shakes his head. “No, she wants us alive. Everyone in this world, everyone she considers her enemy. She wants us alive and miserable and trapped in our misery for the rest of time.”

“Gods.” Jefferson collapses into a chair and hangs his head. Leona stands by him and takes his hand into her own.

“Regina will end this world, and take us all to a new one--a land without happy endings. We will all be severed from the people we love, or even if we are near them, we won’t be able to love them.”

“But why everyone?” Leona asks. “Why us? I never did anything to this woman! What’s she got against me?”

Walking over to the couple, he places his hand over where theirs are joined. “You are happy,” he says simply. “The two of you have a love that she will never know--and the love of your child besides that. Regina believes that she will never have happiness as long as anyone else does.”

Leona nods, understanding. “So she’s mad, is she?”

“Yes,” Jefferson answers. His blue eyes look out at nothing as he speaks. “I’ve worked with Regina, before I met you, Leo. Once, she commissioned me to take her and a servant girl to Wonderland. Didn’t tell me that this was going to be a rescue mission to save some old man. You know the rules of the hat, only the number of people that go in can come out again. That was why Regina brought the servant girl. She killed her. Ripped her heart out of her chest and crushed it. As easily as blowing her nose. We left the girl’s body there, in the forest of giant mushrooms. So yeah. As they say in Wonderland, Regina is mad as the March Hare.”

Leona holds her husband in both hands, standing over him as she had stood over her daughter earlier. Wincing at the memory, he rests against her bosom

“What do we do?” For all her comforting posture, Leona looks at Rumpelstiltskin with steely determination. “Can you stop her?”

He raises his hands in a show of helplessness. “Regina is a powerful magic-user and she is on a war-path.”

Hands balled into fists, Leona breaks away from Jefferson and begins to pace. “If my mother were here, she’d hit that woman upside the head with a cauldron, queen or no!”

“Yeah, well Nanny Ogg is from a different world than this one.” Jefferson stays seated in the chair. His hat hangs loosely in his grip.

“It is not hopeless,” Rumpelstiltskin says. “All curses can be broken.”

“Broken after they’ve been cast!” Leona marches up to him, wielding an accusatory finger. “I want to know if you can stop her, stop this curse from ever happening!”

“Leo,” Jefferson stands behind his wife. Gently, he puts his hands on her ample hips and pulls her close to him. “The Dark One is our friend. I’m sure he’s doing everything he can.”

He says nothing. He lets Jefferson’s faith do the talking for him. Jefferson is a clever man, but less shrewd than his wife. The poor boy wants to believe in him, but Leona Ogg has no such sentimentality. She is wise enough to know that if he wanted to stop this curse, it would never have been able to start.

“You should leave,” he tells them quietly. “The three of you should go in the hat, find some world far from here where you can live out the rest of your days together.”

“If Regina can destroy one world, she’ll find a way to destroy others,” Jefferson points out.

He shakes his head. “After the curse is cast, Regina will be stopped. A Savior will come, a force of goodness who will destroy her evil forever.”

“But only after we’ve been cursed?” Leona crosses her arms.

He nods. “Yes. The only way to avoid it is to flee. Leave this world before it leaves you.”

Slowly, Jefferson turns his hat over in his hands. “That makes sense.” He looks to Leona. “Where do you want to go?”

“Lancre, of course. If we can’t live in the home we made for ourselves, we might as well go to Mum’s.”

Jefferson nods. “What do you say, Dark One? Can I offer you and Belle a trip to Discworld?”

He shakes his head. “I can’t know what form my magic will take on a world like that. There is a risk I’ll transform into something horrible and the good people of the Disk World will have to try to slay me.”

Leona snorts. “And it’ll take a few weeks at least to find any ‘good people’ around. We’re not as black and white with the ‘heroes’ and ‘villains’ as this place.”

“All the more reason for me to stay here and face this curse as it comes.”

“And Belle will stay with you?”

He gives his friend a rueful grin. “I couldn’t make her leave me if I tried.”

Jefferson looks down at his hat and then looks up again. “Do you really think if we go to Discworld the curse will pass us by?”

He puts his hands over Jefferson’s around the brim. “The best I can promise is that you will be safer.”

Leona’s dark eyes narrow. “‘Safer’ isn’t ‘safe,’ Mister Dark One.”

“No.” Jefferson steps back, away from Rumpelstiltskin and toward his wife. In a motion born from years of practice, he twirls the hat to put it on his head. “But sometimes safer is the best you can hope for.”

“I hope you do get away from the curse,” he tells them honestly. “For it will be a very long time before any good can come out of all this. ”

****

It was strange, to wake up in a bed without Belle. Without even Mrs. Gold’s body, warm and soft beside him. In the month since they had started sleeping in separate bedrooms, Rumpelstiltskin still hadn’t gotten used to waking up alone. It had been a bittersweet torture to spend that much time in bed with a woman who wasn’t Belle. Being without was a milder ache, but an ache nonetheless.

That morning, he met her going up the stairs as he was coming down. Mrs. Gold was still in her pajamas--a new pair he hadn’t seen before. She had a plate of toast in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other. So she would eat in her room before she got dressed. That was the opposite of his routine. Ever since their new arrangement, Mrs. Gold had been going out of her way to avoid him.

He wanted to speak to her. He wanted to say something innocuous, even just “Good morning.” Something to make her turn and look at him, say anything in response. He just wanted to see Belle’s face, hear Belle’s voice.

But Mrs. Gold turned away, pressed herself against the banister, and brushed past him as quickly as she could.

Rumpelstiltskin sighed. How strange that he would miss that woman, that he would feel their estrangement so keenly. Before, he had taken for granted that Mrs. Gold wanted to please him, that she sought him out and tried to talk with him. But now she would only speak when he asked her a question. Now she kept to her room when he was in the house. She stayed away from the shop during the day. Wherever he was, his wife made a point to be somewhere else.

Considering how he had treated her, it was no less than he deserved.

After making his breakfast, he sat alone at the far end of a long table. In silence, Rumpelstiltskin read the newspaper and tried to push from his mind how familiar a situation this was. Not with Belle. Once he had her in his castle, she had never avoided him, even when it would have been in her best interest. But before Belle. During those long centuries of isolation, when he had been an enemy of love. When his life was nothing but magic and deals and endless searching for a way to find Bae. When people were nothing but tools to be used, locks to be picked, pieces to be arranged upon a chessboard that stretched out for decades.

Then, he had spent many mealtimes at the head of a table set for one.

When it was time to leave for the day, Mrs. Gold came down to join him. Every morning he gave her a ride into town. She usually kept her face to the window and didn’t make a sound for the whole trip.

She wore charcoal today, a sweater-dress that wrapped snugly around her body. Gold would have sent her out in that with nothing underneath, but she had put on layers of camisoles and blouses. Most of her clothes were flimsy and skimpy, so she wore the pieces on top of each other in a haphazard effort to cover herself.

At least she looked warm.

The clashing dark colors washed out her face, made her look even paler and sadder. She wasn’t wearing cosmetics, or any jewelry besides her wedding ring. Her thick, curly hair hung limply over her shoulders, like a shroud.

Again, Rumpelstiltskin wanted to speak to her. But what could he say? Any comment on her appearance would seem like an attack, any inquiry to her wellbeing would be an invasion. What do you say to someone you’re no longer even pretending to love?

“What do you think you’ll do today?” he tried once they were in the car.

She shrugged and sank further back into the seat, her arms folded over her chest.

“Do you need money?” It seemed a heartless, mercenary solution, but it was all he could safely offer her.

And it worked. Straightening up, Mrs. Gold spoke: “Sure.”

At Storybrooke’s only stoplight, he pulled out his wallet and handed her a wad of bills.

She put them in her purse. “Since you’re paying me, I guess that means you’re satisfied with what you’re getting out of this new deal.”

Rumpelstiltskin gripped the steering wheel. No, he wasn’t satisfied at all. But he wouldn’t be satisfied until Belle was sitting next to him, talking to him. Lonely as he was, he couldn’t ask for Mrs. Gold’s time or attention. It would be too cruel to demand any devotion, when he knew he had no intention of doing the same. He couldn’t love Mrs. Gold. It would be too unfair to ask her to love him again.

He parked the car next to the shop.“You’re doing everything I expected you would, Mrs. Gold.”

“Great.” She zipped up her purse. “That must be why we’re both so fucking happy.”

By the time he turned to look at her, she had already unbuckled her safety belt and slammed the door.

Rumpelstiltskin watched Mrs. Gold walk away. He could go after her, even on his cane. He could shout to get her attention. He could drive up to her and insist she get back in the car. He could make an effort to talk to her, to get her to talk to him. He could try to understand this woman, this curse-creature who occupied Belle’s body, but who seemed to have a mind of her own. He could try to get inside that mind. He could try to see who she was, now that she wasn’t pretending to be what she thought her husband wanted.

But he did nothing. Rumpelstiltskin was a coward down to his bones. No good would come of getting to know Mrs. Gold. He couldn’t risk finding out what she thought of him, what she wanted out of this relationship. They didn’t have a relationship, they didn’t relate to each other.

He had made sure of that.

So Rumpelstiltskin did what he had been doing every day since he’d been let out of the jail cell: He opened the pawn shop, and conducted his business, and waited for the Savior to break the curse.

****

It was dark outside, when the bell rang over the shop door. A spring storm was picking up. Wind sent leaves and debris skittering over the road and sidewalks. Thunder rumbled and heavy clouds pressed down upon the town.

Rumpelstiltskin was polishing the collection of silver on the side counter. At the sound of the bell, he looked up.

And froze.

Jefferson.

It was Jefferson. The tall, broad-shouldered young man who had transported him from world to world for a handsome fee, who had accompanied him on dozens of adventures, who had reminded him that physical pleasure could come with personal affection. The boy who had paved the way for Belle to enter his heart.

How was he here? Hadn’t he taken his family and escaped to the Disk World? Wouldn’t they have been safe there? Gold had no memories of the man who stood before him. He had no idea what Jefferson’s life had been like under the curse. Where was Leona? Where was Grace?

The longer Rumpelstiltskin looked at Jefferson, the more he saw the changes in him. He wasn’t smiling. The boyish good humor was gone. There was no dancing light in his slate blue eyes. He used to stand with his head jauntily cocked to one side, but now he looked straight ahead, level and deadly serious. The man before him looked burdened, weathered and hollowed out.

He was dressed like himself, as much as Storybrooke fashions would allow. He wore a scarf at his throat, as he used to wear a cravat over the leather collar that matched his wife’s. The clothes were well-tailored, expensive. His gray, rain-soaked overcoat had gunmetal leather lapels, very much like a coat Rumpelstiltskin had given him as a gift back in the old world. Jefferson’s scarf, shirt, and waistcoat were all different patterns, all in gray and black.

He wasn’t wearing a hat.

The first time Rumpelstiltskin had met Jefferson, he had entrusted him with a magical hat. The boy had been running away from a woman he didn’t want to marry, a life he didn’t want to live. In his hopelessness, he had sliced a line across his throat with a knife. His dying wish had been to find a world where he could be happy.

That was when the Dark One had made himself known. He had healed the boy’s wounds and given him a hat that would take him to every world with magic. Surely somewhere there would be happiness for a young man who had never fit the mold he had been made for.

And ever since then, Jefferson had been at his service.

Brow lowered, gait heavy, the man approached the counter. He set both hands upon the glass top. A few of his fingers wore wide, silver rings. But no wedding ring. Was he not married in this world? What had happened to Leona Ogg?

“Are you Mr. Gold?”

Quickly recovering from the shock of seeing Jefferson--and seeing him so changed--Rumpelstiltskin returned to his work. “That is the name on the front of the building.”

“But is it who you are?” Jefferson’s voice was different too. His tone was pointed, accusatory.

If he was Mr. Gold, he wouldn’t put up with being spoken to that way. Rumpelstiltskin braced against his side of the counter, arming himself in businesslike courtesy. “And who might you be?”

Jefferson’s face changed as though someone had flipped a switch. He put on the mask of a wide, toothy smile that didn’t meet his eyes. Pushing back from the glass case, Jefferson took exaggerated steps around the shop.

“They call me Dodgson around here.” His voice was too bright. “Chaz Dodgson. I’m a pilot. Normally I fly out of Boston, and I go all over the world. But lately--almost for as long as I can remember--I haven’t been able to leave this tiny town in Maine. Do you think that’s strange, Mr. Gold?”

He made his introduction with rapid-fire delivery. A machine gun, that was what they had in this world. That was the image that came to mind. Wild shooting that blasted forth in short bursts of dazzling, horrible, light.

Then you waited for the smoke to clear, to see what would happen next.

Rumpelstiltskin kept his composure. He made a show of looking down at the silver platter he had been polishing. He saw Jefferson’s reflection in it, warped and distorted.

“I suppose you could say that Storybrooke is rather a strange place, Mr. Dodgson.”

A laugh then. No, a cackle. Rumpelstiltskin had done enough cackling in his time to know the difference. Jefferson let out an agitated, throaty sound that had nothing to do with humor.

“You’re very right, Mr. Gold!” He pointed at him with a manic grin. “Maybe righter than you know!” Then his expression darkened and he turned serious. “Or maybe you’re exactly as right as you know.”

Putting down the polishing rag, Rumpelstiltskin looked up at Jefferson. “Can I help you with something, Mr. Dodgson? Is there something you’re looking for?”

“I’m looking for a lot of things,” he whispered. “And if you can’t help me, I don’t know who can.”

What kind of game was being played here? What did “Dodgson” want with Gold? Obviously, Jefferson was speaking in a cipher. But was it his code? Or was it the curse’s? How should he respond?

He held the man’s gaze and didn’t look away. “What are you looking for?” he said softly.

Jefferson took a step closer. He didn’t look away either. “I hope to every god it’s here, but I just don’t know.”

Finally breaking the gaze, Rumpelstiltskin began to put the polished silver away. “Do you need a gift for someone? Your wife perhaps?”

With a smirk, Jefferson shook his head. “No, this is something I need for myself. What made you think I was married?”

“Oh, aren’t you? I apologize for the assumption.”

“No, I am.” He brought his hand to his throat. “But my wife is, uh, out of town, for now.”

“Traveling?”

“Living with her mother,” Jefferson said. “At least, I hope she’s still there. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her.”

Leona Ogg hadn’t been born in the old world. Jefferson had met her on an absurd flat planet called the Disk World, where her mother was a powerful hedge witch. Rumpelstiltskin had told them to go to that world, he had thought they would be safe there. If he could believe what Dodgson was telling him, he had only been half-right.

Or maybe two-thirds. One of Gold’s memories flashed into his mind: A little girl, plump and blonde, with merry dark eyes. The very image of her mother. Grace. But in this world she was Paige Lewis, the adopted and cherished daughter of Tim and Mia Lewis.

Why did he have no memories of Dodgson? Where had Jefferson been all this time, while his daughter was being raised by someone else?

“So is this an item for your children, perhaps?” He asked carefully.

Jefferson looked at him, his blue eyes steel and stone. “No,” he said. “I told you before, this is something I need for myself, Mr. Gold.”

Shrugging, Rumpelstiltskin locked the silver behind the case and limped to the other end of the store by the cash register. “Tell me again what it was?”

With a heavy tread, Jefferson moved to the middle of the store. “Tell me what you have.”

Rumpelstiltskin raised his hands and grinned like Gold would. “The shop’s inventory is rather extensive,” he said. “If I were to go through an itemized list, we’d be here for quite some time.”

“Alright then,” Jefferson said grimly. “Tell me what you think I need.”

He looked him over again, more than willing to play this game. “An umbrella, perhaps? The rain looks quite nasty.”

“Oh, it’s mad as a March hare, as they say. But I don’t need an umbrella.” He took a step forward. “I need something quite personal. Long-lasting, durable.”

“Maybe a set of luggage then. Didn’t you say you were a traveler?”

“I haven’t gone traveling in a long time.” Jaw clenched, Jefferson took another step closer to Rumpelstiltskin. “For a long time, I wasn’t even able to leave my house.”

Not able? For how long?

“Were you ill, Mr. Dodgson?”

“Yeah.” He grinned without humor. “I was sick in the head. An absolute nutter. I suffered from delusions. Memories that weren’t mine, a life that I had never lived. Can you imagine that, Mr. Gold? Can you imagine?”

“No,” Rumpelstiltskin lied. “Though it looks like you’re doing well now.”

“You trust your eyes?” Jefferson let out a short, stuttering laugh that sounded like he did actually find something funny. “I thought you were smarter than that!”

He straightened up. “What are you looking for, sir?” After a moment’s hesitation, he added, “I can’t help you if you aren’t honest.”

The last few steps to the counter were a stagger. Jefferson almost fell against the display case and stayed bent over. “Don’t you want to know how long I was trapped in my house?” He looked up at him. His eyes were soft now, teary. “How long I was trapped in my own double-mind?”

Rumpelstiltskin’s mouth opened. It couldn’t be. Surely Jefferson couldn’t have suffered like that. Surely even this curse was not that cruel.

He set his hand next to Jefferson’s, not quite close enough to touch. “My boy,” he whispered. “Tell me what you need.”

“Not a spouse, I have one of those.” He seemed exhausted, breathless. “Not a child either. Not a lover or an employer or a benefactor.” Desperate eyes poured into him. “I don’t need a loan shark or a pawnbroker or a landlord.” Still staring, Jefferson took Rumpelstiltskin’s hand and gripped it with all his strength. “I don’t need a genius or a wizard or the fucking Dark One!” That last phrase was said in a gritted whisper. It seemed to take everything out of him. “So you tell me,” he panted. “What do I need?”

For a moment, Rumpelstiltskin said nothing. For the second time in just a few minutes, he felt the shock of seeing Jefferson again. And this man was Jefferson, inside and out. He was awake. He was suffering. He needed…

“A friend,” he answered the question at last. “Is that what you came in here to find?”

Slowly straightening up, Jefferson nodded. “Is there one here?”

“Yes.” If it weren’t for his cane and the glass case between them, he would have embraced the boy like he used to. “Yes, Jefferson. I’m here.”

He covered his face with his hands and broke down sobbing. For a moment, Rumpelstiltskin couldn’t move. How should he respond to this? What could he do?

He could do what he couldn’t do with Mrs. Gold. He could comfort this man. His friend.

Ankle throbbing, he walked to the other side of the counter. Jefferson looked up, his blue eyes brimming with tears. This was the Jefferson that Rumpelstiltskin had known. The boy he had rescued on that fateful day in the forest. One of the rare souls whose desperation filled his dark heart with pity, and not contempt.

“My boy,” he whispered. He opened his arms and Jefferson embraced him.

Though Jefferson was taller than Rumpelstiltskin, the Dark One had always wielded the power in their relationship. It was the only way he had felt safe. Their physical dimensions hadn’t changed, but marrying Belle had rearranged Rumpelstiltskin’s perspective on safety and power. He let the bigger man hug him, envelop him in his need. He drew strength from Jefferson’s strength. Even though Jefferson was younger and bigger and fitter than Gold, he had come to him for help.

And Rumpelstiltskin would do everything he could to help him.

When they parted, he held Jefferson’s face in his hands. Coarse stubble prickled against his palms. Full lips parted slightly. Rumpelstiltskin wiped away his tears with his thumbs.

“How did this happen?” he asked softly. “Why didn’t you go to the Disk World?”

“We did.” Jefferson sniffed. Rumpelstiltskin took the silk pocket square out of his suit coat to give him. “We left as soon as we could. We lived there for months. But one night, I went to sleep next to Leo in Nanny Ogg’s cottage, and the next morning I woke up alone in a massive house I couldn’t leave.”

“You said that before. You couldn’t leave?”

He shook his head. “For twenty-eight years!” His face twisted and he pulled away. Rumpelstiltskin didn’t lower his hands. “You were locked in the curse, but I was locked in that house. I knew who I was, I remembered everything, I remembered too much!”

He rested his hand on his damp coat. “So that’s where Dodgson came from?”

Jefferson nodded, took a breath. “I had two lives in my head,” he whispered. “They both seemed impossible to the other. There were… months where I didn’t know what was real. In Discworld there was a poet who dreamed that he was a butterfly, and when he woke up, he didn’t know if he was a man who dreamed he was a butterfly, or a butterfly who was dreaming he was a man. That was my life. For a very long time.”

“Jefferson.” He squeezed his arm. “I’m so sorry.”

He looked at him, his expression drained. “No one else in this town was like that. Believe me, I had a lot of time to look around. Any theories as to why I was so lucky?”

He shook his head. “It’s Regina’s curse, maybe she--”

“It’s your curse,” he interrupted. “I’ve had some time to think about that. Regina is powerful, but she couldn’t have made something like this. That had to be you.”

He took a step back, resting both hands on his cane. Twenty-eight years of isolation, of knowing that time wasn’t moving, but being aware of every moment. Twenty-eight years in a world he didn’t understand, separated from the people who mattered most to him.

Utterly alone.

No wonder Jefferson had changed.

He couldn’t fool him anymore. He didn’t want to. The poor boy deserved better than that. He deserved the truth.

“It was my curse,” he admitted. “Regina cast it, but I created it. That doesn’t mean I have any control over it.”

“How is that possible?” Jefferson growled. “How can you, of all people, not have control over everything?”

“Because, my boy, all magic comes at a price. The curse that destroyed our world and created this town is the most powerful piece of spellmaking I’ve ever touched. Part of casting it was sacrificing the heart of the thing you love most--and there are more prices yet to pay. I’m not willing to lose everything, but Regina was. So it is her curse. She rules this land until it breaks.”

Jefferson’s jaw clenched. “You said something like that before, back home. You said something about a Savior. It’s that Sheriff, isn’t it? The woman with the yellow bug?”

Rumpelstiltskin blinked. “How did you know that?”

“She came to town in October. That’s when things started changing around here. The clock on the library started moving, people started doing things they haven’t done before--not in twenty-eight years of living the same lives. Now there are people in town now I’ve never seen before.”

“Who?” Rumpelstiltskin asked. “The only new person I’ve seen is Emma.”

Jefferson shrugged. “There’s the guy carrying on with the schoolteacher, I don’t know who he is.”

“That’s Prince Charming,” he explained. “He was in the hospital until just after Emma came to town, in a coma.”

“Weren’t you all?” Jefferson said dryly. “Okay, I’ve got another one for you. Around New Year’s, a guy rode in on a motorcycle, definitely an out-of-towner. He stuck around too. Do you know who he is?”

Rumpelstiltskin’s lips parted, but he said nothing. A stranger came into Storybrooke? That shouldn’t have happened. This place was supposed to be isolated from the rest of the Land Without Magic. The only people who could enter were people who were already connected to the old world, people who were born there.

But if there was a young man who could enter the town freely, who had willingly stayed in this cursed place...

Before he could ask Jefferson more questions, the bell over the shop door rang again.

“My God, it is cats and dogs out there!” Mrs. Gold stood on the front carpet. Water dripped off the plastic shopping bags in her hands. The rain had plastered all her thin layers against her skin. She looked bedraggled and cold, and Rumpelstiltskin’s first desire was to get her out of those wet things and into a bath, to give her hot chocolate and wrap her in a blanket.

It was only when Jefferson took a step back that Rumpelstiltskin realized how close they had been. Too close for any two men to be standing together in this world, and far too close for Gold to allow anyone who wasn’t wearing handcuffs.

Mrs. Gold’s crystalline eyes took in the sight of them. Jefferson clutched Gold’s pocket square in his fist. Rumpelstiltskin’s hands still held out in mid-air, reaching for the younger man’s body. In an endless instant, he saw the shock on her face, the realization, the anger.

Then he saw her close herself off. It was like the turn of a lock, or the extinguishing of a flame. She went dead behind the eyes. When she spoke, her voice was thin.

“Sorry to interrupt your business, Mr. Gold. I just needed to come in out of the rain.”

“Of course,” he said automatically. He was too stunned to move. “But you weren’t interrupting anything, Mrs. Gold.”

Her lips pressed together at that. She said nothing, but looked up and down the length of Jefferson’s body. Then she moved past them both to get to the back of the shop.

Once she was behind the curtain, Rumpelstiltskin allowed himself to sigh. Closing his eyes, he shook his head. Though that was not the worst way this situation could have gone, it was still far from optimal.

Jefferson let out a low whistle. With a meaningful glance to the back office, he said: “So can I expect your call about the merchandise I requested?”

Limping back to the cash register, Rumpelstiltskin pulled out a notepad and a pen. He passed them over the counter to Jefferson. “Certainly, Mr. Dodgson. If you’ll give me your address, I can have it delivered to your house.”

He wrote down a series of numbers and an address: 316 Angus Drive. “Just let me know when it’s ready.” His voice lowered. “I’ll be waiting.”

Rumpelstiltskin nodded. “As soon as I can, my boy.”

#golden rings #rumbelle #mad gold #rumbelle fic

11 notes · View notes

serpentstole · 3 years ago

Text

Luciferian Challenge: Day 9

How do you feel about God?

This might be an unexpected take from a Lutheran-raised Luciferian, but I don’t really have strong opinions about God. I have strong opinions about harmful actions taken in God’s name, the misrepresentation of history, and an abuse of social and political power enacted by any religious group, but not really on God Himself.

I’m a big fan of some of His people, both living and dead. I have many Christian friends who are just the nicest people, and magically speaking, I work with one Christian saint so far in the form of St Expedite, and I’ve sometimes considered trying to add St Cyprian to the mix. I am comfortable approaching Saints and other Christian entities in the way that’s appropriate to them, and this hasn’t negatively impacted me in any way so far, though I don’t know if that’ll change after I undergo a more spiritually impactful apostasy.

This feels brief and anticlimactic, so I’m grabbing another prompt from the bonus list! Another thematically appropriate one, this time in the form of…

How do you feel about the religious texts of the Abrahamic faiths? Do you use it as part of your path?

This answer is going to be longer and thus under the cut, but if people read anything I write during this entire challenge, I genuinely hope it’s this one. I will say now for any Christian, Jewish, or Muslim readers or followers I have, it will not be an answer that is hostile towards you, as I don’t want anyone to worry that they might have to either skip this answer completely or else brace themselves against an incredibly shitty take.

To get the “do you use it” part of the question out of the way, I own the Charmer’s Psalter and have used Biblical verse in magic before, but I don’t know how long that’ll continue as my magic develops and changes. I might end up just using the parts that reference the spirits and deities I work with when writing rituals, the ever popular Lord’s Prayer In Reverse, etc.

Now, onto the important stuff.

By Abrahamic faiths I assume they mean Christinity, Judaism, and Islam, since those are the three people tend to lump together during these sorts of discussions. To get two of those out of the way, I don’t think I should really feel any particular way about the religious texts used in Judaism and Islam, as I’m not Jewish nor Muslim.

I know it’s a sadly common thing for Luciferians or Satanists (or many neo-pagans and wiccans, for that matter) to be “anti-Abrahamic” and claim that while they don’t have an issue with the people that belong to those religious, they don’t like the religions themselves or the dogmatic rules those religions might encourage. But that’s sort of… missing the point, isn’t it?

The idea that anyone is a victim of their own religious belief is only half formed if you don’t look at the people or groups that will use the twisting of religious texts, ideas, or communities to victimize others. Lawmakers will often use Christian ideas to try and control women’s bodies, for example, which is something groups like TST vocally push back against. But the expectations they are willing to make on those laws reveal the hypocrisy of their stance, and that belief is being used as a smokescreen to obscure the true intentions of control over women’s bodies for the sake of it. Someone cherry picking or outright misrepresenting the words and ideals of their holy texts or religion to suit their selfish or political needs is not the fact of that holy text or religion.

We claim to reject dogma, but the assumption and blanket statement that these three religions are inherently harmful and oppressive is (in my opinion) dogmatic, and often we Luciferians or Satanists or even Pagans sometimes fall into the trap of regurgitating right wing talking points when it comes to how Judaism or Islam in particular are perceived. The issue is the people who would encourage dogmatic thinking or worse, lawmaking, while using faith as an excuse and to add legitimacy to their bigotry. To demonize the religion is to abandon great swaths of its victims, such as the women and LGBT people of that faith who are being abused by bad actors in the name of a religion they share.

If the idea of why someone would remain a member of their religion when there are so many bad actors, religious texts, or even just passages they might disagree with is a hard thing to wrap one’s head around, I ask this: would you expect rejection of their faith by a Norse pagan for the historic sexism and homophobia of old Norse societies? For the modern associations it has with neo-nazis and bigotry towards women and queer people?

If you say yes, if you would stubbornly and genuinely say yes… then what does it say about you, when we share a label with Anton LaVey’s books that were so influenced by Social Darwinism and Might Makes Right? With groups like the Order of Nine Angels, the Joy of Satan, and others who would claim to be Luciferians or Satanists while advocating for hate speech, bigotry, or literal actual murder? If a few bad actors or communities or specific books can ruin religions as old and as complex and as culturally varied as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, how the hell are there any Satanists and Luciferians left that aren’t transparently proud bigots?

If we can accept for ourselves that not all Satanists and Luciferians will use the religious label with good intentions, and that not all Pagans hold ideals that are befitting the gods they claim to serve or the communities they want to be a part of, why can so few of us extend that basic courtesy to other religions?

And all this is to say nothing of how separated from its original historic and linguistic context the bible has become, and how our view of sin is very different to how those that penned Leviticus likely saw it.

While I can understand and empathize with those who have a negative view of a religion that’s done them personal harm and caused lasting trauma, that’s the shape that their abuse took. It was the fault of the people that enacted that abuse and any churches or organizations that stood by it, not the religion they used as an excuse.* I will genuinely never blame any who shy away from a religious upbringing or culture that tried to condemn their sexuality, or gender identity, or one which tried to control their bodies. That kind of negative association lingers, and there’s no doubt that people have done terrible things in the name of their faith, like I’ve said. But to treat those religions like the root of all societal ills when there are so many who would or are be cruel regardless of their beliefs, or to be hostile towards those that follow such religions without trying to impose any restrictions or beliefs on others, is missing the broader issue and (in my opinion) far more likely to do harm than good.

Also like. Dual faith practices exist and are also fair and valid and doubtless rewarding for those people.

*Please note that I am not including small, cult-like sects in my statements about these religions as a whole. There are plenty of Christian communities who are outright hate groups or otherwise dangerous to their members. Hopefully no one tries to point to some pack of weirdos as their justification to me on why all Christians are either bad or misled, or worse, tries to apply that to other religions as well because they have some historic point of connection.

#luciferianism #theistic luciferianism #witchblr #30 Day Luciferian Challenge #30dayluciferianchallenge #illumine

6 notes · View notes

heywardsarchive · 5 years ago

Text

STAR CROSSED LOVERS~ JAMES SIRIUS POTTER

Summary: Harry Potter does not get along with his old Slytherin classmates. He doesn't let his son talk to his either. But what happens when James Sirius Potter falls in love with the Slytherin daughter of Blaise Zabini?

Warnings: fluff, kinda angsty, slightly ooc Harry and a few swear words

This is for @im-a-writer-right writing challenge

Gif not mine

Being the daughter of Blaise Zabini is not always easy. My mother had left us when I was just a child. I was left in the care of my not so motherly grandmother and her troupe of new husbands and my father, who was really trying his best. He wasn't very fatherly by nature but he tried to be there for me whenever he could.

After the war things were better for the wizarding community. They tried to be mom judgemental based on blood status or house, but old habits die hard. My father and his Slytherin friends especially uncle Draco were shunned and looked down upon. All for the mistakes made by their parents. People would glare at them whenever they passed by. Finding jobs wasn't that easy for us. Not that we needed it but dad wanted to find a way to redeem himself. So he and uncle Draco joined auror training where obviously they were most disliked. Seeing all this around me made me determined to grow up and fight this prejudice. I told my father what I thought and he smiled and patted my head saying that he believed in me. That was all eight year old me wanted to hear and she believed it thoroughly.

But things are not as easy as it seems. I started Hogwarts soon after. I sat in a carriage all alone for a while for no one wanted to sit with a Zabini. Then came in a boy with messy black hair and brown eyes. "Can I sit here? Everywhere else is full." I was delighted! "Yes ofcourse!" "James Potter." He said extending his hand. Oh. A Potter. He'd get up and leave the moment I told him my name. "Y/n Zabini." I said preparing myself for him to walk away disgustedly. I looked up at him after a few moments. "Why didn't you run away screaming?" "Why should I have?" "Because your dad hates mine. My father is Blaise Zabini. Draco Malfoy's best friend." My words sunk in. "So you're the girl my dad told me to stay away from." I felt crestfallen. Why had some old mistakes caused me this? I blinked away tears that threatened to fall. He made no move to leave and continued to stare at me. "Why are you still here then?" "You seem like a nice girl and I think we'll be good friends." "What about your dad?" "He'll get over it and besides rules are meant to be broken." Hd said winking. I laughed. Maybe things would not be so bad.

An hour into the train ride, a boy with tan skin and red hair came to our compartment. "James! There you are. Ive been looking everywhere for you." "This Fred. He's my cousin." James told me. "Now who might this pretty girl be?" He said looking at me. I introduced myself to him, waiting for a reaction. "So this is the girl your dad warned you about?" "Yep." "Nice." "As he already told you, I'm Fred, Fred Weasley. My parents warned me too, but you seem nice and I love breaking rules so, let's be best friends." He said with a genuine smile. I nodded. My biggest fears were wiped! I hadn't reached Hogwarts and I already had two friends!

"Anything from the trolley dears?" Said the trolley witch. "Just jelly slugs thanks." I smiled. She handed it to me. I opened it and shared it with the boys. "So which house are you going to be in?" James asked me. "We're certainly gryffindors." Fred finished with a smirk. "I, uh, I think I'll be in um Slytherin." They had a shocked expression but wiped it off quickly. "Well, Slytherin would have gained a brilliant witch then."

The rest of the journey was quite uneventful. We were nearing the castle and I was quite excited! I had heard so many stories of the castle from my dad. We exited the train and walked up to this giant man who was calling all first years to him. I started walking toward him with Fred and James behind me. We reached a large lake with lots of boats. The boys ran ahead and sat on a boat. They beckoned me to them. Honestly, I was still shocked they actually wanted to be my friend! I climbed on with them and we looked at the castle in awe. The ride was relatively silent as we were all mesmerized by the view. The boat ride was over and we were at the entrance to the great hall.

A tiny profesor who introduced himself as professor Flitwick gave us an introductory speech. I listened intently getting more nervous as the time passed. Seeing my face James squeezed my hand and Fred (who was half a foot taller than me) patted my shoulder reassuringly. The large door opened and we walked in. The great hall was everything I imagined. I looked at the celing it was enchanted with the night sky and floating candles. It was beautiful! The sorting ceremony was about to begin. There was a wierd hat that burst into a song. I got quite the shock.

Professor Flitwick called out names. Some girl names Jessica Greene was sorted into Slytherin. Daniel Walker was sorted into Hufflepuff and so on.

"Potter, James." I squeezed his hand and he gave me a small smile and sat on the stool. The hall started murmuring at his name. The hat had barely been placed on his head when it called "gryffindor!" James jumped up in glee and ran to the gryffindor table. "Weasley, Fred." I smiled at him as he sat on the stool. "Gryffindor!" The hat called after a few seconds. Eventually only I was left. "Zabini, y/n." I breathed in trying to calm myself. Dad would love me no matter what house I was in. Grandmother was a different story, but still. Calm yourself y/n. I climbed onto the stool and the hat was on my head. "You are different." The hat told me. "You've got great ambition and thirst to prove yourself and to change the world. But you're also very brave and chivalrous. Where to put you? Better be Slytherin!" I smiled to myself and walked to the Slytherin table. James and Fred smiled at me and threw me a thumbs up.

"Jessica Greene." Said the blonde girl I had seen earlier. "y/n Zabini." I smiled and shook her hand. She smiled. "I think we're going to be great friends." I felt so happy! I had made 3 friends when I thought I'd make none. Headmistress McGonagall gave us a welcome speech and gave a list of forbidden places and objects; which by the look James and Fred shared and then gave me; they intended to break all of them. i giggled to myself. Hogwarts truly was a magical place. After the speech was over, the tables magically filled up with the most delicious smelling food ever! I immediately piled my plate with a variety of dishes. " You look like you've never seen food before." snorted Jessica. "I have seen food before, just not as good!" I proceeded to finish up my food while conversing with Jessica and the rest of my housemates. They were all very nice, none of them having pureblood only ideas. the feast ended and we were led to the common rooms. The Slytherin common room was in the dungeons. It was green and very cozy. i liked the vibe of the place. i shared my dorm with only 3 other girls since there were only 4 slytherin girls in first year. My bed was beside the window and i loved it!

Jessica decided that since there were so few of us, we needed to bond and stick together. So after all of had got dressed we sat down in a circle and introduced ourselves. "I'm Abigail Larson." said the girl with long brown hair and green eyes. The other girl introduced herself as Anika Smith." she had tan skin and deep brown eyes with dark brown hair. The four of spoke till late that night. I woke up a bit early the next morning, excited for our first day. I got dressed into my school robes and then went to wake up the others. Anika and Abigail woke up easily while Jessica was a whole different story. "Five more minutes." she groaned. "Ok sleepy head, but if we miss our first day of classes i doubt the teachers will be happy. She groaned again but woke up anyway. While i waited i wrote a letter to my father. I told him about my house, the sorting and my new friends." I had just finished the letter when Jess was ready. "Ready to go?" i nodded and the four of us head out to the great hall.

I split from the group so i could owl the letter. I was on my way to the owlery when i felt an arm wrap around my waist and another around my shoulder. "Well, look who it is Fred! Our little snakey friend." " Why yes it is james, say y/n already forgotten about us have you?" I giggled at the comment. "Ofcourse not! I was just about to send this letter before you two slowed me down." "Our sincerest apologies." said James not looking sincere in the slightest. They continued to follow me to the owelery talking among themself. i quickly tied the letter around my owl's leg and gave him a few treats before he took off. " Lets head to breakfast before we get late yeah?" "oh little Zabini, ever the punctual girl." Said Fred snickering slightly. I hit him in the arm and walked toward the great hall. I bid they boys goodbye and sat at the slytherin table with my friends.

First year passed by relatively fast. I topped most of my classes and was the favourite student of most of the professors. Potions was my favourite class, closely followed by charms. The year was at it's end and Fred, James and I were walking by the black lake. I kicked at a pebble before turning to the boys. "Did you tell your parents that you were friends with me?" i asked hesitantly. "Not exactly, no." they said. "Our parents would not be too happy about that." "I understand." i said sadly. I should have known,their family wouldn't welcome me with open arms would they now. "Don't be sad little snake. We'll figure it out. I promise." i smiled.

I sat in the train carriage with the girls, excited to be home. I was top of the class, a slytherin and the teachers loved me. Grandmother would be pleased. Dad, well he is proud of everything i achieve and i love him for it. During the ride James and Fred walked in. "Hello ladies, mind if we borrow our little friend here for a minute?" They nodded and I walked out of the cabin with the boys. "So we have come up with a plan for you to meet us during break without our parents getting to know." I looked at Fred and motioned him to go on. "Our close friend and fellow gryffindor, Alec Thomas lives near diagon alley. We have made a plan to meet him during the break at his house. We spoke to him and he agreed to let us stay over at his place during break. If you could come to diagon alley around the 13th of july (thats my birthday lol) we could meet up for ice cream!" "That seems like a good plan." I said thoughtfully. I was planning on telling dad about the boys anyway, this could work. They grinned. The train sounded as we drew nearer to the station. I grabbed my bag and got ready to get off at the station. I hugged the girls who had grown to become my best friends although i was closest to Jessica.

I walked around the station looking for my father. "Y/N!" His voice came. I dragged my trunk and ran to him. He pulled me in for a hug. "I missed you so much!" "I missed you too dad and i have some great news!" I told him about all my achievements and my new friends. "Your grandmother will certainly be proud. She missed you although she won't admit it." I giggled at that. We apparated home where grandmother was waiting for us. A there was a man behind her whom i did not recognize. He must be her new husband! Yeah, grandmother changed husbands like she changed clothes. I went and hugged her. "How was school?" "It was great!" I told her too of all my achievements and dad was right, she was proud of me.

The days flew by quickly. I received an owl from James asking me how I was and reminding me of our meeting in a few days. Right. I had yet to tell my dad about them. I would do it now. As i was preparing to tell him the door opened and there he was. "Hey darling." "Dad I need to tell you something." "Okay." he said cautiously. "I am friends with James Potter and Fred Weasley. Please don't be mad." He smiled at me. "I am not mad dear. In fact i am happy for you. You have made so many friends! And besides I am not going to control who you are friends with. It isn't fair. But darling, be careful. James and Fred may be nice but their family won't accept you easily." "I know that. And i will be careful. Besides, they have asked me to meet with them this week at diagon alley, Can I go daddy?" He thought about it and and sighed. "Alright. You can go." "Thankyou so much!" I hugged him.

On the morning of the day I had to meet the boys I woke up early out of sheer excitement. I ran down and ate breakfast quickly. Grandmother looked shocked to see me up early but didn't comment. I ran up to my bedroom and got dressed. "Ready to go?" Dad asked coming into my bedroom. "Yep!" We were going to get my school stuff before I met the boys. We apparated to diagon alley. Dad said he had some work to do and told me to go and buy some quills and ink in the mean time. As I left the shop my father walked toward me grinning, holding something behind his back. "As a reward for doing so well, I decided to get you this." It was a broom! Oh I loved quidditch. I used to play with dad and uncle Draco sometimes. Scorpius never liked the sport. "Thankyou so much!" It was one of the best brooms out there. Oh I'm definitely trying out for quidditch this year. He patted my back. "Looks at the time! You'll get late to meet your friends. I'll get the rest of your stuff. You go ahead." I bid him goodbye and ran to the ice cream parlour.

There on a small table were James Potter and Fred Weasley. "Hello boys." I said as I walked up to them. They greeted me cheerfully. We ordered our ice cream and sat down. "Shit!" Said James loudly. He frantically pointed at the window. I looked to see what on earth was bothering him when lo and behold the famous Harry Potter was walking toward the shop. "What do we do?" Mr Potter had already seen us so I couldn't exactly run away. "Don't mention your last name no matter what ok." Fred told me. "Hey kids." Said Mr Potter. "What brings you here dad?" James asked a bit nervously. "Oh I was just in a meeting near by and thought I'd come say hi to you both. I called Dean up and he said the two of you had come here to meet a friend who I'm assuming is this young lady here." He said pointing at me. I shot him a nervous smile, not quite knowing how to react. "Yes. Dad that is y/n. She's in our year. Top of the class." "It's great to meet you." "You too sir." I started to get nervous and I think James noticed because he said. "Dad it's getting late we better get going. Good bye!" Mr Potter looked confused but left anyway. "I'd better leave too boys. See you at school." They hugged me goodbye and I went to find my dad.

***

Fourth year

The whole incident was long forgotten. The boys and I became very close. We decided not to meet such a way ever again. The stress was too much for me.

The boys had decided that it would be fun for them to join me and the girls on our train journeys and while eating dinner ever since Albus and Scorpius had been sorted into slytherin in our third year. My friends gave me suggestive looks but eventually got bored of it and accepted the boys joining us. The train journey wasn't that different this year. "Hello ladies." Said Fred sliding into the compartment. We greeted them with a chorus of hellos. Fred sat down opposite me beside Abi. Although there was a ton of space next to him, James squeezed himself next to me almost pushing Anika off her seat. She glared at him and stood up muttering coulourful words while setting herself next to Abi. "How was you guys' summer?" He asked. "It was terrible!" I cried. It truly was. "Hey! you spent half of your summer with me." Said Jessica in mock offense. "Jess, you know what i mean." She simply smirked. "What happened?" James asked. "Well, for starters I had to help set up this stupid wizarding gala with my grandmother. She wanted to show off and sell her jewelry to other folk while at the same time hosting a ball like thing, whih mind you was boring as hell. The only people who showed up were stuck up old ladies. They had brought along their reluctant grandsons who i am sure my grandmother wanted as a potential suitor for me, and had she had her way it would have been so, but my dad would not allow it. Anyway, I spent a week of my break in that way." I finished with a sigh. I could see how badly everyone wanted to laugh or sympathize with me. "Go ahead and laugh." Everyone burst out laughing and i found myself laughing too.

We spent the rest of the journey laughing and having a gala time. We reached hogwarts and watched the sorting. Slytherin had gained 9 new students. We heard the standard starting of the year speech and tucked in. We chatted merrily until bedtime like every year. It had become a tradition to chat all night on the first day of school. I went to bed that night with a smile on my face.Hogwarts is truly a magical place.

Today was the first day of classes. I had dropped divination and taken arithmacy instead. I had heard it was a wonderful subject. Professor Howard took arithmacy and he was a brilliant teacher. I truly loved the class. I sat down at my place when in noticed a head of shaggy black hair in front of me. "James?" I asked surprised. "Y/n!" James said. "I didn't know you took this class." "Neither did I. But apparently I do now." He joked. "Only kidding. I never took divination after hearing how boring it was from my dad." 'Why don't we sit together?" He nodded and jumped over his seat and onto the one next to me. "You could have just walked you know that right?" He just grinned and shrugged innocently. I just rolled my eyes.

Fourth year wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. I actually quite enjoyed it. I was sitting by the black lake. "I need your help!" came the voice of Scorpius Malfoy, following behind him was Albus Potter. "Whats up Scorp?" "Well, I like this girl and want to ask her out. But I think she hates me." "Who is this girl?" I asked. "It's my cousin, Rose." Albus cut in. Rose Granger Weasley. Another person who hated people like Scorp and me, it was because her dad doe s not like ours, but unlike the Potter boys, she refused to change her views. "Well Scorp, you should be nice to her, try being her friend, only then ask her out. If she refuses to be your friend, then I guess she is not worth the trouble. No offense Albus." "None taken. I know that Rose is a bit stuck up which can be pretty annoying." Scorpius looked dejected but nodded nonetheless. I felt a bit bad for him. But I can't really help him can I?

Today is the first quidditch game of the season. Our captain has been working out butts off sine a month. "Ready to get your arses beat?" I smirked at Fred and James. "You wish Zabini." They retorted. I walked to the slytherin changing room where our captain, Elena Johnson was waiting. "Alright. We have worked long and hard for this. Use your strategies and no cheating and we can win." We cheered and got to the pitch. I was a chaser on the team and so was James. I mounted my broom and smirked at him. He smirked back. Madam Hooch blew the whistle and the quaffle was in the air. I dived to catch it, but James caught it first. Dang it. I chased after him to try and catch the quaffle. He threw the quaffle to the hoop and just as it was about to score, my fellow chaser, Andrew caught it. He passed the quaffle to me and I scored! James was behind me now, I threw the quaffle to the third chaser, Ben who threw it at the hoop. We scored again. Slytherin was in the lead and I was ecstatic. The gryffindor chasers were trying their best to up their score. The beaters were sending bludgers left right and centre. Fred knocked a bludger in our direction, not intending to hurt anyone, but unfortunately James had come in the way and he got hit. He was a foot away from me when I saw him fall. The crowd gasped. I don't know what came over me and I dived to catch him. He nearly hit the ground when I broke his fall. I set him on the ground gently. "James. James?" I tried to shake him, but he was unconscious. Madam Hooch took him to the hospital wing and the game continued. I hoped the seeker would catch the snitch because I was unable to focus. My wishes were answered because the snitch was caught and Slytherin won the game.

I should have stayed back to celebrate but I was too concerned about James. I changed and rushed to the hospital wing. He was lying there asleep looking so peaceful. I sat by his bed and looked at him. I think I must have been there a long time because I had fallen asleep and for some reason when I woke up I was holding James' hand. I quickly retracted it. "Y/n? Is that you?" James asked. "Yea, it's me. You took a pretty bad fall there you know?" "I know. I did it so it would not hit you." "What?" "Yes." He said and before I could say anything else he fell asleep again. Typical.

What he said that day never left my mind. He obviously did it because he's my best friend. Right? RIGHT? I voiced my thoughts to Jess but she simply have me a knowing look and was no help at all. I eventually decided to let it go and move on with my life. James seemed to have forgotten he said it too. So I pretended he didn't and we were back to being best friends.

Sixth year

Although I pretended that I had forgotten what James said, I never did. His words kept resounding in my head and he never left my mind. All the tiniest things he did made it seem like he liked me. Although, he's been like that since the start. I spent the entirety of fifth year deciding whether I liked him or I was just being paranoid. Eventually I decided that I did like him and I was just lying to myself saying that I didn't. I told my friends about my revelation when they stayed over during the summer and they all responded with a "Finally!" Or something along those lines. Rude.

After I accepted I had a crush on James, I because hyper aware of him whenever he came near me. I would immediately tense and blush. I think I was pretty obvious but James was oblivious as always. Even Fred noticed and asked me about it. I tried to avoid answering his questions but he is a stubborn prat. I made him swear not to tell anyone and told him of my crush. He jumped and screamed. "I KNEW IT!" he was convinced James liked me too, but how could he? He was my best friend and besides, his father would probably kill him.

Fred seemed to take my confession as a challenge to set us up. He even managed to rope in my friends. They made us sit together I'm class, while eating. They left us alone for long periods of time but nothing. I decided that it was worthless waiting for James since he obviously didn't like me back. I would try move on. It was hard, obviously when I so clearly in love with him.

I was sitting in the library finishing my potions homework when Andrew Higgs came up to me. He was a sweet boy and was in the quidditch team with me. "Hey y/n." "Hey Andrew. What's up?" He rubbed his neck. "Do you want to go to hogsmeade with me?" I was about to say no but then I remembered that I wanted to move on. "Sure!" "Great! I'll see you tomorrow then?" I nodded.

I skipped back happily to my common room. "What's got you so happy?" Abi asked. "I got a date with Andrew." "The chaser?" "Yep!" "But what about James?" "He doesn't like me. I may as well move on." I shrugged. The girls didn't look convinced. I ignored it and left the common room for my prefect rounds. Yes I was a prefect. I had rounds alone today so I had plenty of time to think. I spent most of the year pining after him and now I only have three months left of sixth year. I may as well go on a date or two and see how it works out. As I was lost in my thoughts, I bumped into Fred. "Well well well. Look who is out after curfew." I grinned at Fred. "Is it true you have a date?" I nodded. "Don't go! James will be crushed." "I am going and he's made it clear he doesn't like me. And even if he does maybe this is the push he needs to ask me out." Fred sighed in defeat but headed back to his common room.

The weekend was here. I dressed up in a cosy but warm outfit and left for hogsmeade. I met Andrew at the three broomsticks. He hugged me and pulled out the chair for me. He was a perfect gentleman and was so much fun to talk to, but something was missing. He wasn't James. "This was fun-" I started. "But you don't like me that way?" I sighed. "I'm sorry Andrew, you're a really great person and I'd love to this again but as friends. I don't like you that way." "It's fine. I know you like Potter and it's ok. I like this ravenclaw girl but she doesn't seem to notice me so I thought I'd try to move on." I grinned at him. I bid him goodbye and headed to honeydukes to re stock my candy. I was about to pay for my sweets when fred and James came up behind me. "How was your date Zabini?" Fred asked. "It was ok." I shrugged. "You went on a date?" James asked a bit accusingly. "Yep." "Oh um that's nice. I uh I gotta go." He said practically sprinting out of the shop. " I told you he liked you." "No he does not." I was still in denial. I paid and left the shop.

James started to act wierd since that day. He started to avoid me and barely spoke to me. Heck even Albus and Scorpius noticed it. I asked Fred about it but he always just shrugged. I started spending less time with the boys and more time with my friends.

The year was over and we were on our way home. I decided that I would speak to James no matter what. "James!" "Yes?" He asked avoiding my eyes. "We need to talk." He shuffled nervously and looked at his feet. "Why have you been avoiding me?" "Avoiding you? I have not!" I gave him a look and he gave me a nervous smile. "Look i-" the train stopped and all the students came rushing out. "We'll talk about this later ok?" He said walking away. I sighed. I'll never get anything out of him.

Seventh year

James ignored all my owls that summer. He didn't even respond to the one about me becoming head girl! I told my dad of it and he sighed and patted my back. Fred still spoke to me though. He told me that James wasn't doing so well. He was always moping. That is very unlike him. Summer before my last year was pretty uneventful. Scorpius and his dad spent a lot of time in our house, not that I minded ofcourse. I wrote letters to the girls who were all travelling to different countries. Since it was my last year, I wanted to try interning with a lawyer of the wizengamot just to get a feel of what my life would be like. It was quite fun to be honest. Summer passed quickly and soon I was walking through the platform for the last time as a student. It was a bitter sweet feeling.

I dropped off my stuff in my compartment and chatted with my friends for a while. Since I had become head girl, anika was the replacement prefect. We headed the the prefect compartment where I had to give out duties. I still didn't know who the head boy was but I guess I'd find out. "James? What are you doing here?" He turned around with a guilty look. "I'm head boy." He said. "But you weren't even a prefect!" "I know, it's odd." I glared at him. He ignored me all summer and now I have to share a dorm with him?! What a life.

I ignored his presence and instructed the prefects of their duties and responsibilities. I have them the schedule and sent them off. As I was about to leave James called out my name. "I don't want to hear it Potter." I threw him an icy glare and walked out. My heart hurt. After all this time I still liked him.

After the feast we all headed back to our respective dorms. It was the first time I'd be away from my friends in school since first year. Usually I would have been happy with James as head boy but at the moment I was very angry.

I set my things in my side of the dorm and head downstairs to the common area where James seemed to be waiting for me. "Y/n! Please just listen to me." "No James. I listened to you last year during school, in the train, I sent you letters but you never responded to them. I think you've lost your chance." I said turning around. He grabbed my wrist and kissed me. I found myself kissing him back.

Realising what I did I pulled away. "No you can't do that! You can't just ignore me and then kiss me!" "I'm sorry I did that to you. When you went on that date with Andrew I got jealous. I was going to tell you I liked you that day but then you went on a date with him and I just snapped I guess. I thought if I distance myself from you my feelings would go away but they didn't. They just became stronger. That's why I didn't answer your letters and I'm sorry." He said looking genuinely sorry. "Why didn't you just talk to me?" I asked making him look at me. "I don't know, I just felt guilty after a point I guess." I wrapped him in a hug. "I forgive you but please never do that again." "You mean that?" I nodded. He immediately kissed me again. My heart fluttered excitedly in my chest. I pulled away for air. "But James, your dad!" "He'll get over it. For now, I just want to be with you."

We didn't plan on telling our friends they way we did. They walked in on us kissing and boy were they pissed. They got over it though. James and I spent most of our time together. It was quite nice actually. Our NEWTS were coming up and I decided to stay back at Hogwarts for Christmas to study. James stayed back too. We occasionally tried to study together but it always failed.

The NEWTS weren't as hard as they were made to be. I think I did quite well honestly. On our last week of school, James and i called our close friends to the head dorm where they would stay the night and we would have fun. We stayed up for most of the night and i cuddled into James' side. "You two are sickeningly sweet." Fred fake gagged. "It's not like you and Audrey are any better." I stuck my tongue out at him. Audrey was Fred's girlfriend. She was nice. "I will really miss this place." Ani sighed. "Me too." "We made so many memories here!" "Let us all promise to stay friends after hogwarts and for the rest of our lives." Said Fred. "Deal" We all said together.

Our graduation ceremony was everything I imagined and better. We sat in the Hogwarts Express for the last time ever as students. I walked onto the platform and sighed. "There's my dad." I pointed in the crowd. "Can I meet him?" James asked me. "You want to?" He nodded. "If you can't meet my father yet, atleast i can meet yours." He followed me to my dad. "Dad, this is James. He is the boyfriend I told you about.""So you are the handsome young lad who stole my daughter's heart? It's great to meet you son. I hope you're taking good care of my daughter.""It's actually her who takes care of me, but I try my best." Dad chuckled. "Good answer. You've got a good one." He told me. I moved to kiss James on the cheek but he moved his face so i kissed his lips. "I'll see you soon, hopefully." He grinned and walked away. I followed my dad and we apparated home.

James' POV

Just as I was about to find my parents, dad walked upto me. I was startled to say the least. "Who's the girl?" He asked me. "Oh no one." I shrugged nervously. "So you just go around kissing no one?" I laughed nervously. Thankfully mom came and saved me. "Ready to go?" She asked. I ran up to her and we apparated home. I spent a few days avoiding dad. I didn't want to answer unnecessary questions about my girlfriend. Unfortunately luck wasn't on my side for long. I was sitting in our backyard when he sat down beside me.

"So tell me about your girlfriend." Well, there was no escaping this now. "She's really sweet yeah, cares about me alot. She's smart and great at quidditch. She's perfect in my eyes." "And her father, doesn't happen to be Blaise Zabini does he because I remember her with him." I started to get angry. When would he see past this silly prejudices. "Yes dad she is his daughter." "I want you to stay away from her." "DAD NO! YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" I yelled at him. "I can do anything I want because I'm your father. That girl is nothing but trouble. Look at his family tree! A whole lot of death eaters they are." "Her father wasn't a death Eater. And nor is she. She's the best thing to happen to me and you can't make me leave her." "Then you leave us. It's either your family or that girl." "THEN I PICK Y/N! Atleast she doesn't make me pick." "Alright then. Leave." "You can't be serious." "I am." "Fine!" I stormed up to my room and whipped out my wand. I packed my belongings and went to Albus' room. I hugged him and then went and hugged lily and walked out the door. But where would I go? I can't go to Fred's house because dad would obviously find me there. So I apparated to the Zabini manor.

I knocked at the door hoping she would be home. "Coming!" Came her sweet voice. "James? What are you doing here?" She asked looking very confused. "I'll tell you everything, but can I come in first?" "Yeah ofcourse." She let me in and I told her everything. I could see the regret and heart break in her eyes when I told her the story. "Oh James! You shouldn't have left!" "What and break up with you?" "If it means you wouldn't lose your family then, yes!" "But what would I do without you? I love you!" "James, my love, you mean everything to me. But family is always more important. You will find someone else to spend your life with. You need to let go." " I can't do that. I need you." "You need your family more. I'll tell you what. Spend a few days here and then go back. Cool your mind. But I'm not going to be with you if it costs you your entire family James. I love you too much for that." I felt years brimming in my eyes but I nodded. She stopped me in a hug and ran her fingers through my hair.

"Y/n? Who is that?" "It's just James dad. Can he stay here for a few days? He got into a fight with his father." "Alright. I'll tell Jenny to fix up a bedroom for him." "Wait dad, is it ok if he sleeps in my bedroom?" "Ok but only for tonight. And no funny buisness you two. I don't need grandchildren this early." She chuckled lightly and shook her head. We went up to her bedroom and got changed. She lied down and pat the space next to her. I joined her in bed and wrapped my arms around her. "I'll love you forever no matter what." I heard her whisper to me before I fell asleep with the love of my life in my arms.

I had stayed with her for a few days and I had to return home that day. I grudgingly packed my things. I kissed her one last time and apparated home. "So you're back I see." Said dad smugly. "Yes. And only because the girl you hate so much forced me to come back." "See. I told you she would ditch you." I started to get angry. "She did not ditch me. She said she'd rather I break up with her than lose you and my family. But clearly she was wrong." Dad looked a bit embarassed after my out burst. I went back to my room and ignored him for the rest of the day. Albus was the only person I talked too because he understood my situation. He was sad too because he liked her in a sisterly way very much. It was a week after I returned and I was looking at career options when dad knocked on my door.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I realise I was wrong in making you break up with that girl who you clearly love. I spoke with hermione and your mother and they too agreed that what I did was wrong. So I am now here to say you have all our blessings." "Really?" I asked unable to believe my ears. "Thanks dad!" I hugged him. "Now go get her tiger. But wait. I want you to give her this." He pulled out a box with the most beautiful ring. "But dad we're so young!" "I know. It was my mom's. I got it back much after I got married so I kept it for you or Albus. You don't have to give it to her right now. But if you do, I wish you all the best." He gave me the box and left. I thought about what he said. Maybe I do want to marry her.

I apparated to Zabini manor and frantically knocked the door. The door opened revealing a disheveled y/n. "James? Why are you back i-" I cut her off and firmly kissed her. "I missed you so much." "I missed you too but what about your dad?" "He's ok with it. He realised his mistake." "That's great James! I'm so happy for you!" "Yeah me too. I also wanted to give you this." I got down on one knee and opened the ring box. "I know we are young, we have so much of our life ahead of us! And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you more than words can say my love. So will you y/n Zabini make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?" Her eyes started to water and she smiled at me. "Ofcourse I will! But not right now. I will stay engaged to you but I want to settle down first you know?" "I understand I do. And I totally agree with you. I'm with you all the way." I got up and spun her around.

I heard a sniffle and we jumped apart. "That was cutest proposal ever!" Said Mr Zabini. "Thank you mr Zabini." I grinned. "Well you might as well start calling me dad." There was a knock on the door. "Oh that must be your father James. I called him when you started your speech." The house elf opened the door and I saw my parents and siblings enter. "I guess it's time to make amends." Dad said to mr Zabini, I mean, other dad. "You must be my future daughter in law." "Yes sir. I am." She smiled at him. Mom came up and hugged her. "It's great to finally meet the girl who is going to marry my oldest little boy!" Mom gushed. "Mom!" I said embarassed. They started to mingle among each other and I sighed happily. Things did get better and I could not be happier.

Four years later

It was finally the day I was going to marry the love of my life. I flattened the non existent creases on my black suit when Fred walked in. "Chill out James you look fine." "How is she?" "She's good too." He was my best man and also one of y/n's best guy friends and so he got to see bith of us but we couldn't see each other since a week which was a bit unfair you know? We were engaged for 4 years which is a long time. In that much time, y/n became a lawyer, I became a professional quidditch player. Time sure flew by.

"Alright James. It's time." Mum said entering my room. "I can't believe you're getting married! It feels like just yesterday you were in diapers." She sniffed. "Mum!" I groaned. "Sorry. Let's go now." I walked to my position on the altar waiting for my beautiful bride to arrive. What felt like hours but was infact only five minutes I saw her. She looked like a godess. Radiance reflected out of her. She looked gorgeous in her white dress. I felt myself tear up as she walked down the aisle with her father. She stood infront of me and grinned.

While the priest spoke I could not take my eyes off her. I was so distracted I didn't realise I had to say my vows. The crowd laughed and I blushed. I recited my vows and so did she.

"I do." "You may now kiss the bride." I was waiting for those words since the start of the week. I kissed her with all the love I held in my heart and the crowd awwd.

At the dinner table fred who was my best man had to give a speech. He spoke of our time in Hogwarts and all the embarassing things I did. Next Jessica who was the maid of honor spoke of y/n's side of things. The guests laughed at our antics. It was time for our first dance. "May I have this dance m'lady" "Yes you may kind sir." She smiled and extended her hand. I pulled her up and we walked to the dance floor. I out my arms around her waist and she on my shoulders. As we swayed to the music I could only think of her.

"I love you Mrs Potter." God I loved saying that. "And I love you Mr Potter."

*********

#riaswritingchallenge #james sirius potter x reader #james sirius potter #harry potter x reader #harry potter next gen

166 notes · View notes

yungidreamer · 4 years ago

Text

Trips

The next part of Yungi is here!

Summary: Things don’t quite go as planned on the trip to the museum but sometimes the things that trip us up, force you to move forward. Yunho, Mingi, and their girl have to face fears they have been avoiding.

Wordcount: 9k

Content warnings: Angst, mistakes, letting fears get in the way of who you want to be, but a happy ending. Discussion of social barriers faced by non-traditional relationships (polyamory) and making future plans.

“Wow,” she breathed as the three of them stood on the imposing concrete steps that led up to the large classical styled building. “I know we saw the outside yesterday, but I still think I didn’t understand how big this place really is.”

“Let’s go, we’re already a little late today,” Mingi prompted, taking her hand with one of his and Yunho’s with the other.

“I’m just going to point out that it wasn’t because of me,” she laughed, following his loping gate as best she could with her smaller legs. The three of them walked into the foyer, taking in the cavernously high ceilings and monumental architecture of the space. Groups of people were gathered together in patches large and small. Many looked like families, gathered around unfolded maps; or school groups, with teachers looking around to make sure that all of the students they were responsible for were accounted for.

Yunho spotted the ticket counter slightly off to the left and pulled the other two off towards them to get their exploration started. Yunho pulled out his card and paid the entrance fee for everyone, passing them their little clip pin to attach to their shirts as proof they had paid the entrance fee. Mingi then pulled them to the information counter grabbing a map from there to decide where exactly they wanted to start their tour.

After debating a bit, they settled on starting with the Egyptian wing. All of them wanted to see it and it was located just off the entrance hall. Mingi and Yunho led the way, pulling her along behind them as she continued to admire and take in the broad domes of the Romanesque architecture.

“How tall do you think they are,” she wondered aloud as they tugged on her hands, guiding her through the crowds.

“Very,” Yunho replied with a teasing grin.

“Har har har,” she returned, pursing her lips in faux annoyance.

“He is technically correct,” Mingi laughed, his smile taking over his whole face.

“Ah yes,” she rolled her eyes. “The very best kind of correct.” Yunho leaned down and kissed the side of her head, brushing his hand over the hickey mark visible just below. He straightened up after giving her a meaningful smile, guiding everyone to the right which seemed to be the start of the exhibit. Walking amongst the vitrines, they held hands, poking their heads in to see all of the little things that were there. It wasn’t until they got to the second room that things started looking like what they had expected.

“Makes sense, doesn’t it?” Mingi commented as they looked at a stone statue with one leg forward as if it was stepping forward. “Something had to be there before the Egypt we think of. Nothing comes from nothing.”

“Why do I sometimes forget how smart you are,” Yunho laughed, bumping Mingi with his shoulder and giving him a proud grin. An eye squinting smile burst onto Mingi’s face as he looked at the other boy, a pleased pink rising on his cheeks.

“Wow, look at all the boats,” she said as they walked into the next room. “The real ones must have been pretty big to have so many people rowing them. I wonder where they imagined they were going? Then again, maybe whoever had this made just really liked boats.”

“Maybe it’s like having a model sports car,” Yunho guessed. After a second he stood up and put on the voice of a stereotypical used car salesman voice, “This here boat can have up to 12 human power (humans not included) and can go at the same speed as an obstinate camel but without the swaying and the bumping.”

She tried very hard to suppress her laughter, not wanting to bother the other people in the gallery at that section, but ended up making the oddest sound that was somewhere between a snort, a gulp, and a laugh. For all the world she sounded like a dying seal as she doubled over, in the end drawing far more attention than if she had simply laughed in the first place. Yunho snickered behind his hand for a second before throwing his head back in full bellied laughter. Mingi let out a rapid fire giggle even as his eyes watched the curious looks they were garnering from the other visitors.

It took her a moment to recover, as she fell back into her peals of laughter every time she looked up at one of them with tears streaming from the corners of her eyes. Yunho used the hem of his shirt under his sweater to dab at the moisture as Mingi continued laughing and patting her head sympathetically.

“I never knew you wanted me dead,” she finally managed to sigh, her lungs tired from laughing as they meandered further along.

“Nooo, baby,” Yunho lifted her off her feet, wadling with her along the line of glass enclosed displays on their way back to the next part of the exhibition. “Not dead, just maybe incapacitated by humor. You know, at my mercy.” With a mischievous grin, Yunho buried his face in her neck, purposely hitting an area he knew was rather sensitive and ticklish on her.

“Ugghhh, you are the wooooorst,” she snickered, scrunching her neck in a futile attempt to get away. Mingi trailed a little behind them, amused by their antics but also nervously looking around at the reactions of the other people in the room. Most people were happy enough to ignore them, living in their own world as they looked at the exhibits or listened to their audio tours. A few people glanced over, slightly curious but not wanting to be obvious about it. Only one very grumpy looking old man seemed to huff and roll his eyes at them.

When Yunho finally put her down, they both turned back to Mingi, extending their hands to him, inviting him to rejoin the circle of their affection. He smiled and stepped forward to meet them, blushing as he realized he had been pulling himself away, not wanting to draw attention to himself. It was an automatic reaction. He wanted not to think about what others thought. Really he wanted to be proud of himself and who he was, especially with them, to show them off like they did so often.

They knew it was harder on him, things beyond holding hands as they walked around, and they didn’t push it. It really sucks sometimes, looking like some third wheel, he sighed to himself, chewing on the inside of his lip.

“Hey, hun,” she bumped her hand into the side of his leg as she kept her hold on his hand. “You okay?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Mingi quickly assured her, giving her smaller hand a squeeze.

“You sure?” She pursed her lips as she looked up at him. “I know we’ve been drawing a little bit of attention to ourselves. We can be a little more careful, it’s okay.”

“No, I—” Mingi sighed, pulling them a little off to the side of the large room they just entered. He actually recognized where they were in the museum. Not that he had been here before, but they had seen the outside of this during their walk in the park. A long wall of glass and steel enclosed one side of the room, looking out at the park they had walked through just the day before. Inside was a massive courtyard that was an odd mix of stark modern architecture of sandy colored stone, and obviously ancient objects placed sparsely around the space.

“It’s pretty neat isn’t it?” She smiled warmly at him, letting the subject drop for him. “It’s actually really cool to see it from this side. It looked big from out there, but this feels really epic.”

“It’s such a huge space,” Yunho commented looking around the room. “I wonder why there are just these few things in here.”

“I think it’s just to make you feel the sort of grandeur of whatever that thing there used to be,” she gestured toward the square stone arch or entryway that stood somewhere near the center of the space.

“It must have been something special,” Yunho nodded. Mingi gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes and his gaze flicked to look more closely at each person that passed by. Their girl gave the boys hands a last squeeze before dropping them and crossing her arms over her chest as she stepped up to look at the two dark stone statues that had greeted them upon stepping into the space. Yunho’s eyes went between the other two, reading the deliberate distance she was putting between herself and them and the sad angle of Mingi’s mouth. Coming up beside Mingi, he offered him a small smile and a reassuring hand between his shoulder blades for a few seconds before dropping his hands and following their girl as she walked along the edge of the still black pool of water.

“Look, I think that’s actually papyrus, like the real, living stuff,” she said trying to find that excitement she had had a few moments ago as she pointed to the small green tuft of leaves that were sticking out of the water.

“I think you’re right,” Mingi agreed, coming up behind her and putting a hand on her shoulder. She patted his hand on his shoulder before continuing to walk around the edge of the pool towards the slightly raised center area that had the ruins which had been relocated who-knows-when to the great space inside the museum. They walked along the edge lined with windows, making their way up the couple of stairs to the upper area. Walking over to the low, tiered wall that bordered the water, she took a seat and pulled out her phone.

“What are you doing?” Yunho asked, taking a seat beside her.

“I thought I might look up something about this on the museum website.” She replied, opening something on her phone. “Can someone look at the map to see if it says where we are?”

“Oh, sure,” Mingi nodded, burying his face in the map as he took a seat on the other side of her. She kept herself busy looking at the screen of her phone, trying to keep herself distracted from the heaviness that had settled a little in her chest.

“I think it’s the Temple of Dendur,” he said, keeping his eyes on the map.

“Can you spell the name; the last bit, I mean,” she asked, keeping her voice deliberately light.

“D-E-N-D-U-R,” Mingi spelled out slowly.

“Okay, here it is, let’s see,” she cleared her throat. “It says it was finished in 10 B.C. The square thing here closer to us used to be the gate to the temple, which is the building behind it. It seems like there is a lot of imagery relating to the gods and Egyptian mythology including the symbols of the sun, papyrus, and lotuses. Awww, the god of the Nile has a cute name, Hapi,” She gave a brief chuckle before going back to summarizing what she was reading. “Their symbol was the lotus flower and they had features of both males and females. The seasonal floods were attributed to their arrival.

“The pillars are designed to look like papyrus and lotuses bound together in a bundle. When we go look at it, we should apparently look up in the porch area… apparently there are some vultures carved in there to represent the sky. Mmmm, I think symbolism around them has changed a little since I can’t say I would find it, I don’t know… I don’t really think vulture and temple or something.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Mingi told her when she paused to read.

“Sorry,” she bit her lip and swallowed, hitting the power button on the side of her phone. “I thought it might be interesting, but maybe not.” Starting to stand up and put her phone back in her pocket without looking at either of the boys.

“That isn’t what I meant,” Mingi reached for her and pulled her into his lap, having brought one leg up to rest on the step. “I’m sorry I ruined the fun.” He pulled her back against his chest, wrapping her tightly in his arms, his chin resting on her head.

“It’s fine, hun,” she shrugged, patting his hand for a second before letting her hand drop to her lap again. “You didn’t ruin it, just gave us a little reminder to be a little more discrete. It’s okay, really.”

“No,” he shook his head, squeezing his eyes closed and sighing. “I made you feel self-conscious about enjoying yourself and I made all of us feel like shit.”

“No, I—” she began before realizing she didn’t really know what to say. Sometimes it could be hard balancing his hangups and his fears, but she never wanted him to feel bad about any of it. They both knew and they both understood. It didn’t really come up terribly often. They didn’t do public dates and half the time when they had their regular lunches together on campus, other friends joined them, providing a sort of buffer for him. They talked about school and classes and focused on eating while they had time all together between classes.

At home Mingi happily cuddled, kissed, and was generally excited to reach for them, to touch them, to hold them. She had hoped getting away from places where they knew people, where he risked seeing people he would have to face later, people who might have opinions that might matter in a way, would help him relax a little, worry just a little less what people might be thinking. She really could have killed his father for all the fears he had seeded into his mind.

“I want to keep in mind what makes you comfortable,” she tried to explain. “But at the same time, I don’t want to have to think about everything I do. I want to laugh and joke and tease you both without having to run it through my head and question it. It’s fine, it’s just hard sometimes and it makes me sad.”

“I’m sorry,” He squeezed her tighter, feeling her shrug briefly before starting to pull away.

“It’s fine,” she pulled out of his arms and stood up. “Let’s keep going.” Without looking back, she started towards the rebuilt temple to get a closer look. Mingi cast a sad and apologetic look to the other boy sitting there.

“Come on, let’s catch up with her before she gets away from us,” Yunho put on a brave face, torn between wanting to chastise Mingi for letting his hangups dampen the fun and wanting to make sure he knew that he really did understand it wasn’t on purpose. Mingi nodded, standing up and putting his hands in his pockets as he moved to follow her. Yunho followed along behind them both, wishing it was 15 minutes ago with all of his heart.

“Did you see this,” she said when the two boys drew up behind her where she stood near the far side of the gate. She pointed to something just above the line of clear protective plastic that circled the base. Leonardo 1820. “People really do stay the same no matter when it is, don’t they?”

“Is it really from way back then?” Mingi asked with a good natured laugh.

“Yeah, the info on the website said something about Napoleonic forces tagging that they were at the temple during the Egyptian campaigns,” she filled in, continuing to look at the out of place lettering on the temple. After a beat, she turned and continued into the temple itself. The boys followed quietly as they walked through the small structure and back out, heading for the other side exhibition they hadn’t seen yet. They made their way through the rest of the rooms with only half hearted observations on some of the beautiful objects they passed.

“I’m just going to go to the bathroom,” she said before stepping away and into the doorway marked with the iconic ‘woman’ shaped symbol.

“Mingi, you know how much I love you, right?” Yunho said quietly as he stood close enough to him to not be overheard.

“Yeah,” Mingi nodded, looking down at his shoes.

“I’m just… I’m apologizing now, sort of,” Yunho took a deep breath. “I can’t put your hangups first today. I’m going to hug our girl and put her first today. She put a lot into planning this and she’s trying really hard to be good for you but I can’t take that hollow look on her face today.”

“Yunho, I didn’t mean to…” Mingi shifted on his feet.

“I know,” Yunho nodded, sticking his thumbs in his belt loops. “I’m gonna show her off. I want everyone to know that she’s my girl at least. If you can come around and do the same comfortably, I would love to do the same with you, but I’m going to work on putting a smile back on her face.”

Before Mingi could say another word, she stepped out of the bathroom and Yunho caught her by the hand as he said something about wanting to show her something he had spotted in the next room while she was in the restroom. She cast a quick look at Mingi as Yunho pulled her away with an excited smile. Mingi gave her a reassuring smile and took a step to follow them as the other boy looked to draw her back into the objects around them.

“How about the European paintings next?” Yunho suggested when they stepped back into the entry hall from the Egyptian area.

“Sure, if you guys want,” she nodded, looking between them. With a chuckle, Yunho led her up the wide staircase, her hand in his as he bound up towards those galleries. Mingi followed just a little behind them, staying close but mostly feeling like he didn’t deserve to join them as Yunho happily pulled her along, his hand proudly entwined with hers. They paused briefly just inside the large rounded arch trying to decide which of the four doors they were supposed to go in. When they finally figured it out, they started to make their way through the maze of interconnected galleries.

They wandered through a few galleries, largely sticking to the long line of rooms along the front and up one side of the cluster of rooms. They passed baroque and rococo paintings, some familiar and others not, under beautiful light that glowed from the skylight like ceiling which spread a surprisingly even and bright light through the room, leaving no shadows and no real shine on the glossy surfaces of the paintings. Yunho pulled her from painting to painting, enjoying the beauty of them all until they ended up in a gallery which had, at its center. a relatively sizable sculpture of a male and female figure with mythic origins obviously hinted at by the wings that sprung from their backs.

“Cupid and Psyche by Antonio Canova,” she read off the nearby plaque. “Just look at the details on his wings. They look like they should almost be soft.”

“I like how he’s holding her,” Yunho commented, standing behind her and tilting her head back to steal a kiss like Cupid was. She giggled, letting him do it, sharing a brief, light kiss.

“It sucks being a third wheel when people are disgustingly in love, doesn’t it?” A voice startled Mingi from beside him. He hadn’t noticed the woman draw up beside him, her hair cut in an adorable pixie cut.

“Oh, uh, well,” Mingi shifted away from her slightly.

“Don’t worry, I don’t mean it as an insult to them,” she assured him with a friendly smile. “I wish I had a someone who looked at me like that. I’m Louise, by the way.”

“Mingi,” he replied, offering her his hand which she shook for just a second or two longer than was just friendly. Oh, he thought, realizing that she hadn’t just come over to commiserate over him being the odd one out.

“Do you want to go get a cup of coffee at the cafe?” Louise offered. “Maybe lunch? There is a place just off the stairs over there.”

“Oh, thanks but,” he shrugged, taking a step towards Yunho and their girl. “I’m with them.”

“I know,” she nodded, giving him an understanding look. “Your friends just seem like, you know, maybe they would like a little time just the two of them and it might be fun getting to know you, too.”

“No I mean, I’m with them,” he tried again, this time bringing his hand up to rub his neck, hoping to draw her attention to the marks on his neck.

“Oh… ohhhh,” she nodded, eyes following where his hand led. “Well, sorry for saying it but, I mean, they seem to sort of be leaving you out.”

“They really aren’t,” he tried to explain.

“Okay, well, if you change your mind, this is my number,” she handed him a paper before getting on her toes and giving his cheek a quick peck. Mingi blinked, watching her walk away further into the galleries. When he finally turned back to her and Yunho. he froze, seeing both of them watching him and what had just happened. A sadness flickered in her eyes for a second before she broke eye contact, but Yunho’s eyes sparked with frustration and anger.

“You know,” She said, offering them both a watery sort of smile. “I think I need a little break.”

“Babe,” Mingi started, moving a little toward her. But she just stepped back, pulling her collar higher up on her neck, further hiding the marks there as she turned, walking away from both of them.

“Just…” she sighed, pausing near the doorway they had just walked through. “I need a little time to myself.”

After watching her go, Yunho turned on Mingi, looking at him with a tightly clenched jaw. “What the hell just happened?”

“I don’t know,” Mingi shook his head, quickly crumpling the paper and putting it into his pocket and out of sight. “I didn’t mean to let her just… she thought--”

“She thought you were here by yourself,” Yunho filled in for him in a harsh whisper as he guided him through the pair of glass doors out of the gallery and out onto a walkway that overlooked a bright open courtyard space. “Gee I wonder how she could have been under that impression?”

“I’m sorry,” Mingi whispered. “I didn’t mean to ruin everything.”

“You come here with us and spend the whole time practically pretending that you don’t know us,” Yunho muttered angrily. “Then some stranger comes up and, who knows, maybe reads everything right, that you don’t want to be here with us, that you’d rather be with someone less embarrassing than me, and you get a kiss. Not from me, not from our girl; from some stranger. I don’t even know.” Yunho clenched his jaw and looked around, though his eyes took in nothing of their surroundings.

“You need to decide what you want to do.” He finally sighed. “I’m tired of feeling a little like your dirty secret. I don’t know how our girl feels, aside from the fact I know I saw some tears in her eyes as she was walking away. I’m going to go to her. I’m going to take her wherever she wants to go for the rest of the day. If you decide to come too, I need you to decide that you are done being ashamed of me… of us. I don’t think I realized how much it hurt to see you pull away all the time until I saw how obvious it was to everyone else that you didn’t want to be with us.”

Mingi watched Yunho turn back into the gallery, trying to retrace her steps and catch up with her. He wanted to follow but at this point he felt like he was just making everything worse. He felt terrible and he knew that this had all started because he had gotten self-conscious. The one moment of looking around the room, worrying what everyone else thought had just snowballed into him pulling further and further back because of a combination of still worrying what everyone else thought and feeling like, if he joined in, his doubts would infect their fun, drag them down with him. Letting those niggling doubts stop him had just made things worse.

Making the decision, he set off after Yunho. After all, he couldn’t possibly make the whole situation worse than it already was. He would apologize and do whatever it took to make it up to both of them. He jogged through the galleries and back towards where they had first entered. As he exited to the space near the top of the wide staircase that led back down to the entry hall, he found a worried looking Yunho pacing back and forth, poking his head in the surrounding rooms and down the two long halls that stretched down either side.

“I can’t find her,” Yunho said when he caught sight of Mingi who drew up beside him. “I thought she would have just come out here, maybe found a seat to pull herself together, but she wasn’t in the rooms we walked through and I don’t see her.”

“Maybe she just went down stairs,” Mingi offered, putting a hand on Yunho’s shoulder. “If she wanted to get out of the way.”

“Right,” Yunho nodded, a flicker of hope on his face. They both hurried down the steps and into the cavernous entry hall. Staying together they made a big circle, checking every bench and corner as they nervously made their way through the space.

“Did you message her?” Mingi asked when they found themselves back near the information desk again.

“No, not yet,” Yunho admitted, feeling a little silly that he hadn’t done it already. They both pulled out their phones, typing out messages to her and sending them to her in the hopes of getting something back. They both stared at the phones, carefully looking for some sign she had seen them or was going to message them back. Finally both their phones pinged and a reply popped up on both their screens.

I’m fine. Just taking a walk. Don’t worry about it.

“Where would she go?” Yunho asked, a worried look crossing his face as he let the hand holding his phone drop. “I have the key to the room so she can’t have gone back there. We need to go find her. She shouldn’t be wandering around alone here.”

“The park?” Mingi offered.

“Right,” Yunho nodded, it made sense. “But it’s so big… do you think we can find her?”

“Maybe just go sort of the same way we walked before?” Mingi shrugged. “It’s a place to start at least.” They both pocketed their phones, put on their coats and headed out to see if they could find her.

Winding her way through the paths of the park she found herself shrouded by dark thoughts that made her chest tight. This whole trip had been a mistake. She had thought getting away would be a break, that maybe if they were somewhere where no one knew them, they would all just be able to get out of the box of their ordinary existence, relax and be themselves without having to worry. Maybe they should have just gone home for the break. It would mean they would be stuck with their families and would barely see each other for the week, but at least then she would have missed them, felt a pang of longing as she thought of them instead of this hollow pain.

She wiped a tear off her cheek as she sniffled, keeping her eyes on the path ahead of her. Her thoughts roiled in her mind, distracting her from paying terribly much attention to where she was going. All of the doubts, all of the fears she never voiced, beat against the inside of her skull. They felt loud, like they could suddenly echo through her without the dampening effect of their presence.

Mingi might be right. People didn’t really accept trios like them. You were supposed to be a couple. Even if they wanted to stay together, there was so much they could never really have. Even if they told their families and they accepted them… eventually, she laughed ruefully in her head, they would never have a wedding, never have the safety and protection that marriage offered.

And kids, she shook her head at the thought. They had never talked about it. After all, they had gotten together as kids and they were barely more than that now. How would that even work? Did they even want kids? Did she? If she were honest about it, maybe she did, not now but in some far away, nebulous someday she sort of did.

It probably doesn’t matter, a dark voice said in the back of her brain. You really think you’re all going to last long enough to have to think about it? How many people even end up with their high school sweethearts to begin with? And that’s just when they don’t even have to think about how to balance keeping it all a secret.

A sharp pain stabbed at her chest and a sense of rising panic started to hit her. She looked around, finding herself in a secluded section of the Ramble, she wandered a little off the path, not wanting to have to deal with some random passerby as she fell apart. Taking a seat on a wide stretch of bare rock surrounded by trees, she pulled out her phone and called the only person she could think of at the moment she could talk to.

“Hey Chipmunk, how is the big city?” San said brightly as he picked up the phone, having seen her name come up on the screen.

“Sannie,” her voice cracked as she said his name.

On the other end of the phone San stopped what he was doing, the smile falling from his face at her tone. He asked, “Is everyone okay? Are you hurt?”

“Everyone is fine,” she assured him, wiping her eyes as she tried to pull herself a little more together. “Mostly at least. I’m not bothering you am I?”

“You’re never a bother,” He scolded softly. “What happened?”

“It’s so stupid,” she laughed sadly at herself. “I feel like such an idiot for all of it. It’s just… it hurts and I think things are falling apart a little.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing so dire,” San chided, even as he put her on speaker phone and opened up the messaging app to ask the boys what the hell they had done. “Tell me about it.”

“I think I over reacted,” she sighed, feeling the confusing tumult of emotions rushing around inside her. “But we were at the museum and Mingi got awkward about being out with us. Then there was this girl, and she couldn’t even tell he was like with us. She hit on him, even kissed his cheek and it was like… all of a sudden I wasn’t even sure he really wanted to be with us, with me. Maybe I panicked but I just had to get away from them, so I went for a walk and I’m in the park. I just, I can’t talk to them right now.”

“They don’t know where you are?” San asked as he hit send on his first all caps message to both of the boys.

“It’s fine, I’m fine,” she said brushing off his concern. “I just… I think we shouldn’t have come. I’m just tired of sort of hiding. If we can’t even go to a museum where there is no one we are even ever going to see again without Mingi feeling embarrassed by us, then where are we going?”

“Oh love,” San sighed, his heart feeling heavy for her. If there was ever a set of people more meant for each other than those three, he had never seen it. He didn’t doubt that they would work it out, but it was surely harder for her to see from the inside.

“Yunho got kind of mad at him and just started pushing,” she groaned, closing her eyes. “He made a show of being with me but… in the end it just felt like, it wasn’t because he wanted to be there with me, it was just about pushing it in Mingi’s face and I don’t know. I don’t think either of them wanted to be there with me.”

“No,” he tried to reassure her as he read the message Yunho had sent back to him. “I know that isn’t true.”

She called you? Yunho’s message read. Where is she? We’re in the park looking for her, but it’s huge.

“Maybe,” she shrugged, a headache starting to pulse in her temples. “Maybe it doesn’t matter.”

“What do you mean,” he scolded even as he typed out what she had told him to try and get the boys perspective on just what had happened. “Of course it matters. I know they wouldn’t want you to think they didn’t want to be there with you. That’s why they are there.”

“What if…” she murmured, finally saying some of it out loud. “What if it’s just habit at this point, what if it doesn’t really make them happy anymore but they are just still here because they just haven’t found something else yet.”

San paused at the hurt in her voice. He wished he was there, and frankly he wished he was wherever the boys were so that he could break their noses. Maybe it was half a light hearted joke that he was her big brother now, but to him at least, it meant something. She and her family had been there when no one else was. The boys were too, but the way she had taken him in when he needed it most had given him a sort of unshakeable loyalty to her.

“I know that isn’t it,” he replied gently. “I know the boys both love you and would do anything just to make you smile.”

“I’m sorry,” she told him softly, chewing at the inside of her cheek as she looked out at the barely budding trees around her. “I probably shouldn’t have called and bothered you. I think I’ll go, just keep walking around for a while.”

“No no no no,” San said into the phone, panicking slightly that she was going to hang up before he could even get it out. “Where are you, Chipmunk? Where are you in the park?”

“Just somewhere in the ramble,” she shrugged. “I’m just going to keep walking. It’s okay.”

“The boys are looking for you, love,” he told her gently. “They want to know where they can meet you.”

“You can tell them you talked to me and I’m okay,” she sighed, standing up.

“I’m not sure I could in good conscience say I think you are okay,” He tried to joke. “They’re worried about you being in the park alone and they want to apologize.”

“Maybe they don’t have anything to apologize for,” she brushed the mulch off her butt and started back towards the path.

“Oh they sooooo have something to apologize for,” San chuckled darkly, telling them so in the message he was sending. “Where are you, Chipmunk? Where can they meet you?”

“Tell them the bridge,” She sighed, setting foot back on the path.

“Okay,” San nodded even though she couldn’t see it. “Will you stay on with me until they come meet you?”

“I don’t really want to talk,” she sighed. “My head just hurts at this point.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” he promised. “Just stay on with me until they meet you.”

“If you want,” she sounded tired as she walked. Eventually she found herself on the path from yesterday and before long she was there on the shore where the beautiful curving bow bridge stretched across the short point of the lake. Coming up near the bridge, she sat on the round plinth-like end of the cement railing of one side.

“I’m here.” She said quietly.

“The boys aren’t far, they’ll be there soon,” San soothed on the other end of the line. She just nodded, a blank look on her face as a couple of tears rolled down her cheeks, too tired to wipe them away.

The boys had missed her in the ramble with too many possible paths and too many trees to see very far. They had crossed the bridge and had to double back to get to it again. Now that they knew where to find her, they had set off at a jog to get back there. Mingi was the first to spot her sitting at the end of the bridge, her phone pressed to her ear. He called her name as he drew close but the only acknowledgement he got in return was her passing him her phone as she continued looking at her hand resting in her lap. Yunho was right behind him, going down on his knees in front of her.

“Hello?” Mingi said into the phone she had handed him.

“Mingi?” San checked when he heard the voice.

“Yeah, we found her,” he confirmed, panting slightly. “We’re here and I think she’s okay.”

“She isn’t fine,” San grumbled at him. “I say this as fair warning, okay? Fix this. Fix whatever you did today, because I am calling tomorrow and if I hear so much as a hint of unhappiness in her voice, I am taking a bus to the city, beating the snot out of both of you and taking her home with me. Understood?”

“Loud and clear,” Mingi mumbled, properly taken to task. “We’ll fix things.”

“You better,” San snipped. “Make sure she knows that you love her, that you really love her. Prove to her that she isn’t some habit or better than nothing alternative. I never want to hear her doubt that you love her again.”

“We will,” Mingi promised before hanging up the phone.

“Love?” Yunho said as he tried to get low enough to make her look at him. “You okay? You aren’t hurt or anything?” He took her hands in his, rubbing them up to warm them.

“I’m fine,” she said flatly. Her hands were limp in his, neither taking them nor fighting his grip.

“Babe,” Mingi said as he knelt beside Yunho. “Here,” he handed her the phone back. Taking the phone, she tucked it into her pocket before putting her hand back on her jean covered leg.

“I’m sorry,” Yunho told her as he wiped her cheeks. “We’re so sorry about ruining today. Can we try and make it up to you?”

“Not right now,” she sighed, turning her head away. “My head hurts.”

“Oh babe,” Mingi sighed. “Let us help. Let’s go back to the room and talk. We’ll stop off somewhere and get something for your headache on the way though.”

“I don’t know that I want to talk right now,” she told them honestly. Her whole body just felt tired and her brain felt fuzzy.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Yunho promised. “Let’s go back, though, okay?”

“Fine,” she agreed, standing up without looking at them. Tucking her hands in her pockets she started walking, seemingly unhurried in her pace. The boys caught up, each putting a hand on her shoulder until she shrugged them off without a word.

The walk back to the room was awkward and quiet, the boys only breaking the silence she obviously sought when Yunho led them into the pharmacy that was catty-corner from the block of their bed and breakfast. Mingi grabbed snacks and drinks while Yunho went to find pain pills and a few little things to pamper their girl with. When they had everything, they met near the cash register and checked out.

When they got back to the room, she finally said something, letting them know that she decided she was going to take a shower. Both the boys said okay, letting her go with just a nod from each of them. The door to the bathroom clicked closed behind her and Yunho slumped into the armchair in the corner of the room.

“I think I need to talk to San,” he decided, sounding distinctly tired. “She called him and since she isn’t talking to us, I can at least hear what she told him. It will give us a place to start.”

“Yeah,” Mingi agreed, sitting on the foot of the bed as Yunho pulled out his phone.

“Why are you calling me?” San asked the moment that he picked up the phone.

“She’s not talking to us and we just want to know what she said,” Yunho sighed. “Give us a place to start.”

“You two are idiots is where you can start,” San snapped. “Mingi, you ridiculous excuse for a boyfriend. You go out with her and with Yunho and you keep yourself so separate from them that no one can even tell you’re with them and some girl hits on you for her to see? All this on some trip she spent a ton of time and money on.

“And Yunho,” he said, changing the target of his stinging remarks. “You made sure to push it, made sure that Mingi at least noticed how he was lacking. She felt like a toy at the end, like whatever it was you were doing was more about him than her. I have no idea if it was but that was how she felt and you missed it.

“You have a lot of things to talk about and I don’t just mean today. Maybe you’ve missed it but she seems to be doubting your feelings for her. She’s tired of feeling like a secret. Now I think she is being a little stupid here, but its not up to me to convince her she is wrong here.” San sighed. “She’s not sure you aren’t just still with her because you’re just used to how things are. I know it's not true, but I leave it to you to convince her of that. I don’t think all of this is about you, but whatever is bothering her, it’s up to you to fix it.”

“San,” Mingi spoke up, leaning closer to the phone. “You don’t think she’s fallen out of love with us, has she?”

“I think if she had,” San pointed out. “She would have been more annoyed than hurt. Now go fix things.”

“Thank you, San,” Yunho replied before hanging up the phone.

“How did I make one of the most important people in my life feel like she’s not?” Mingi asked aloud, though the question was really more for himself than anyone else.

“You know, she’s not the only one, if I’m being honest,” Yunho took the chance to tell him.

“I know I still let things get in the way,” Mingi said, his voice sounding small. “But you said you were okay with waiting for me.”

“Maybe I’m not,” Yunho shrugged. “Maybe I would if it was just that you were a little nervous, not acting like you don’t even want to have anything to do with us.”

“I didn’t,” Mingi protested.

“You did,” Yunho hissed with a flare of anger. “Enough that some stranger fucking thought it was okay to kiss you.”

“It wasn’t…” Mingi trailed off, having to admit he was right.

“God,” Yunho gave a disbelieving laugh. “Maybe I get where our girl is coming from.”

“What do you mean?” Mingi looked at him.

“Why would I believe that when it comes down to the point where you finally have to come out, you finally have to admit that we are together, that you actually will when you can’t for something like this?” Yunho pointed out.

“It’s not like that,” Mingi objected. “I just… what if someone starts something? What if word gets back to my dad?”

“Right,” Yunho agreed. “What happens when it does? It will someday. Do you really think we’re meant to be? When that day comes, what happens then?” It hurt him to admit it, but he’d had his doubts, too.

“Then you two will be all I have,” Mingi admitted. “No home to go back to, no one to help pay the rent or tuition. Just you two.”

Yunho paused. He knew it was probably true and it was a lot to give up, but if they weren’t worth that sacrifice in the end, was all of this just putting off a heartbreak?

“You know if that happens,” Yunho told him with his quiet but absolute confidence. “You will never be alone. If you choose us, you have us, or I can at least promise that you have me.”

“I know,” Mingi nodded even as he slumped, looking away from the other man in the room.

“No I don’t think you do,” Yunho said, stepping forward and taking Mingi’s face between his hands. “If we have to work twice as hard to pay off school loans because your dad won’t help. If you don’t have a home there anymore… good, you deserve a better one. I’ll make one for you. You can stay with me and mom, or I’ll move out and we can get a place that is ours, just the three of us. I’ll get a job off campus this summer. We can start a bank account to save for all three of us; for our future.”

Mingi looked up into Yunho’s eyes and crumbled a little. Part of him really had believed he would be alone if it happened, if he became too high a price, too big a burden. Having never had that sort of selfless love from his family, it was hard to believe he could have it even from them. It was hard to take that last step when you really didn’t believe there were people there who would catch you if you fell.

“I want to believe it, but it’s hard,” Mingi whispered.

“I’ve never even had the chance to let you down,” Yunho pushed. “You never give me the chance to stand beside you, to show you off. I would protect you from anything I could, but you never give me the chance.”

“I’m sorry I’ve let you both down so much,” Mingi squeezed his eyes shut, pressing Yunho’s hand to his cheek.

“I can’t promise not to push you on this anymore,” Yunho said plainly, but without malice. “Not after today. It’s just too important.”

“Okay,” Mingi nodded a second before the sound of the bathroom door opening filled the room, having had a volume in the space it could not have had in reality. She stepped into the room, wet hair hanging loosely and dressed only in the loose shirt she usually wore to bed. Her eyes never rose to look at them as she pushed past, she only crawled into the bed without a word. Both the boys pulled apart, moving to sit on either side of the bed as they turned their attention on her.

“Love, does your head still hurt?” Yunho asked, pulling the blanket down so he could see her face.

“Doesn’t matter,” she shrugged him off. “You should just go to the museum; make the day not a total waste.”

“We didn’t come just to see things,” he pointed out gently. “We came to be together.”

“Maybe it’s best if we think about whether that was a good idea,” she said with no affect, looking at nothing in particular.

“Going out to do things?” Mingi asked, confused.

“Being together,” her voice was barely above a whisper, the first hints of emotion coming through.

“No, no-no-no,” Mingi stuttered out behind her, a sort of panic fluttering in his chest. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin things today. I’ll do better. Yunho and I, we already talked; I’m going to do better.”

“It isn’t that,” she replied. “It isn’t just that at least.”

“Where is this coming from, love?” Yunho lay down beside her, putting his head on the pillow in her view. “You can’t really mean you don’t see us making it. There is no one else for me; you two are it.”

“You’ll both find other people,” she told him simply. “It won’t be the same. Maybe it will be better, maybe it will be worse, or it will just be different. You’ll find someone who makes you happy enough and you’ll get married and you’ll have little Yuyu’s and you’ll just think about this as a memory or a mistake.”

“I don’t want those things with someone else,” he shook his head, eyes clouding as he even considered it. “I don’t want to build that with anyone but you two.”

“The world wasn’t made for people like us,” she whispered sadly. “We can’t get married, and it doesn’t seem fair to bring kids into a family where everything is precarious. What if you get sick? What if I get sick? Who goes on a birth certificate? It’s just not… meant to be.”

“I don’t know,” Yunho admitted, sniffling as he cupped her cheek. “But I’ll figure it out with you and with Mingi. It isn’t something I thought about, I’ll be honest, but I know we can figure it out. Whatever it takes, we’ll do it.”

“What if we try really hard and it doesn’t matter; it's still not enough?” She questioned, giving voice to the fear that had percolated at the back of her mind for months. If it all seemed hopeless, wasn’t it maybe better not to even try?

“I know I mess up a lot,” Mingi said, putting a hand on her arm over the covers. “I know I’m bad at things sometimes, but please don’t give up on me. Don’t leave me, please.”

“I’m not—” she began, ready to say that wasn’t what she was doing, but if she was giving up, wasn’t that what she was doing? She couldn’t have it both ways, giving up and pretending it was anything other than a choice she was making. Having to face that, the finality of having to make that choice was like a realization. It was easy to pretend she was just letting go like some dramatic heroine falling off a cliff in a melancholic flourish. Being confronted with that being a choice and only and inevitable if she decided that it was, felt like a slap in the face.

She sat up, struggling past the weight of the boys on either side of the blanket, and threw her arms around Mingi. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean… it’s just so hard that I can’t see how everything is going to be okay. And both of you. You could have anyone and it would be so much easier than all of this…” She squeezed him tight, burying her face in his shoulder, drying her cheeks on the soft fabric of his t-shirt. “When she hit on you, it was just like a punch to the gut. No one would have believed you were with us. How can we keep going like we’re something to hide? Why can’t you be proud to be with us?”

“I just kept feeling everyone’s eyes on me,” Mingi admitted. “I know it’s stupid, but I’ve always worried about what people think of me.”

“Why can’t you worry about how I see you?” She questioned, pain evident in her voice. “Why isn’t what we see in you more important?”

“I don’t know,” Mingi admitted. “I know you love me and you’re always there.”

“What am I supposed to do when I feel like you won’t be there?” She pulled away slightly, the heaviness in her chest weighing on it again. “I can’t keep feeling like I’m going to be alone if things get hard.”

“I’m always here,” Yunho curled around her from behind.

“I know,” she nodded, running her fingers through his hair. “You never let me feel alone. But I know how much you love him and sometimes I still wonder if… if I’m not just the filler you have that you won’t always need. I see how you look at him. I know it hurts you too that he won’t…”

“I’m not going to say that it doesn’t hurt,” Yunho concurred. “But you’ve never been some fill in for something I’m missing from him. Never feel like you are some consolation prize for me.”

She nodded, trying to take that to heart. “Sometimes it’s hard not to feel replaceable.”

“I never,” Mingi shook his head and blinked back a burning in his eyes as he felt a knife twist in his chest. “You should never have doubted how important you are and it’s my fault.”

“It’s not all your fault but feeling like you’re embarrassed to be more than just my friend doesn’t help,” She admitted, taking his hand.

“You’re so important,” Yunho assured her, wrapping himself around both of them as much as he could. “You make everything so much better, just by being here with us.” The words were like a warm blanket around her heart.

“I really will do better,” Mingi promised, still looking a little like a kicked puppy. “You scared me when you disappeared. If you had gotten hurt, it would have been my fault.”

“Not your fault,” She assured him. “You can’t hold yourself responsible for my choices. I shouldn’t have gone off alone. I’m sorry.”

“Can we do the shopping tomorrow?” Mingi asked, having something in mind and no longer wanting to put off the day.

“Sure, we can make tomorrow our shopping and makeover day,” Yunho agreed. “Should we see if we can make appointments to get our hair done?”

“Yeah,” A shyness suffused Mingi’s expression. “There are some things I still want to change.”

“Whatever it is,” she said supportively. “I’m so gonna be there for it.”

“Thank you, babe,” Mingi kissed her forehead before pulling her head to his chest. “I’m so lucky to have you both.”

Masterlist

#kpopscape #ateez angst #ateez fluff #ateez imagines #song mingi #jeong yunho #yunho #mingi #kpop angst #kpop imagines #ateez smut

37 notes · View notes

anangelicday-mrwolf · 3 years ago

Text

Wolfsbane : Noblesse Fanfic (post-ending)

(previous chapter)

Chapter 69 – Would You Take My Hand Now?

“Man, I knew I was born with insight. And I knew you, sir, would pull this off like...”

“Shut up.”

“So you can't cope with compliments when they come from me? Did anybody ever tell you what comes around goes around? That applies to the manner of speech, you know?”

“Then allow me to rephrase myself. I would so very viciously appreciate it if you could please zip those teeth of yours.”

“...You might want to drop the manners, if that's how you're gonna use them.”

“I'll be happy to. Shut your pie hole.”

Despite being the victim of Frankenstein's curses-without-curses for 3 times in a row, Muzaka did nothing to bite back at him.

Few days ago, he received report from Frankenstein and Lukedonia in relay of the situations from Seoul and nobles, respectively.

And earlier in the morning, Frankenstein revealed himself in the werewolf realm without anybody's notice, to demand Muzaka to lead the way to the lab.

As flustered as the werewolf lord was, the blonde human seemingly very inclined to drag him towards the lab if he were not to comply, he had never been so happy to have an uninvited guest.

Because he could think of only one reason why Frankenstein would sneak into his domain to head straight to the lab - diagnosis and hopefully treatment on the mystery of his body's automated refuge during the nuclear missile incident.

And Frankenstein, based on the research files from Ignes he had obtained in advance and the results from his treatment on Yuigi, eliminated to perfection the nanochips in Muzaka's head.

A process during which Frankenstein wore that menacing, sinister looks from beginning to the end, which derived from Muzaka's testament on the behind-the-scenes through which Crombel's nanochips nestled inside his body.

He was aware of the fact that Muzaka had once stayed under Crombel's hospitality, but he has never got a chance to learn what exactly he had been up to with Crombel during the time.

And as soon as he was hit by the comprehension that Muzaka provided himself as a test subject for the dead doctor, Frankenstein held a show of how to directly bombard someone's head with every curse available in human language, minus any syllable that is definitely not meant for the underaged audience.

Muzaka knew he was guilty; now he understood how the Crombel's suggestion he had regarded as a give-and-take deal turned into more-than-troublesome sword and shield against Frankenstein and the RK during their final showdown.

Hence the werewolf lord assumed a silent rock this time.

He doubted Frankenstein would accept an excuse that he had no idea Crombel would develop a weapon to control 1st Elder out of the nanochips he was planted with.

Notwithstanding, Muzaka was a werewolf of manners.

His personality and conscience did not let him forget his gratitude.

“Thanks, Frankenstein. I owe you big. So does Adne. Don't you agree?”

Muzaka peeked at Adne, who had finally risen from his bed.

During his treatment of Yuhyung at Seoul, Frankenstein picked up from his patient that Adne fell unconscious due to the gas he concocted.

While he was treating Muzaka, he injected into Adne the antidote he brewed with Yuhyung's recipe.

Thus Adne opened his eyes, and even though he was advised not to force himself back on his feet just yet, he was watching how Frankenstein was wrapping up Muzaka's treatment, from which he could always learn something, according to him.

“Oh, and I still remember our deal. I will grant you one... I mean, two wishes that you have, no matter what it takes.”

Frankenstein's memory was just as fresh.

He had marked that Muzaka owe him two wishes - one from their deal regarding the latter's body state, and one from his request regarding Lunark's affection.

And Frankenstein already knew how he would expend the two wishes, before which, however, was something he must go through.

Which required more than his power.

He was reminding himself that it is about time for his helper to arrive, when the door slid open.

The resonance of footsteps raised its volume, like the set of notes on a piano, and he spun on his heels as the final footstep waltz-rolled into his heart.

And he was met with Lunark's face, not as startled as he had expected, although she did look as if she were faced with a person she had envisioned as deceased.

He was met with her pink pupils, wide open and spilling alarm from their cores, and her half-open lips.

The lips he once held in his own.

As Frankenstein kept himself busy, choking the outburst of suggestive images in his head, Muzaka greeted his warrior.

“You're back! You did good, Lunark. You did really good. What are you waiting for, Frankenstein? Shouldn't you thank your savior?”

Muzaka speared the air with his nose, copycating a father showing off his proud daughter.

Frankenstein gazed at him with annoyed, questioning eyes before he nodded.

“I'll do that. While I'm at it, let me borrow her for a minute.”

“...Say what?”

Lunark and Muzaka sang in unison as they gaped at Frankenstein.

“It won't take long. So excuse me, but excuse me.”

Frankenstein did not even finish his sentence before his arm extended itself towards its target, and the next moment Lunark was tiptoeing her way out of the lab, caught by Frankenstein's hand.

Muzaka and Adne could only stare at the door, dumbstruck by the event that befell in the speed of light.

“Couldn't you at least give us a hint what this is about?”

*****

'Why are we here?'

Lunark flung her eyes about her, unable to settle down.

Yet she could only retrieve her eyes at the pink poking her eyes.

She and Frankenstein happened to be standing in the sea of wolfsbanes, the site that held the memoir of their first kiss still oscillating with gorgeous pink.

Because of which Lunark could simply fumble in silence, lost in the details of the disaster from the past.

And that was a cue for Frankenstein to begin.

“First of all, thanks.”

“Uh... What's that?”

“Thanks for saving me at Lukedonia.”

“O-oh... D-don't mention it.”

“And sorry.”

“A-about what...?”

“You had to go through all that trouble because of me. And I almost killed you. Not to mention you had to break your long-lived bow.”

“Uh... Oh... You mean the fact that I accepted the Noblesse's power and therefore broke my bow that I shall nurture my natural-born power without any experiment or body modification? Don't be sorry. I knew what I was doing, and I have no regrets whatsoever. Even if I were to go back in time, I would have made the same choice, although I have to admit that was the only option available for me back then. And, uh... No need to be sorry that you almost killed me. It wasn't you. It was the Dark Spear.”

A hurried array of excuses naturally rendered Lunark speechless, which did not bring the same effect upon her company.

“When I drank the tonic with the components altered by 3rd Elder...”

Days were not enough to dilute his nightmarish memories from the time.

The moment he downed the liquid, he could feel sleep - no, he could feel vertigo looming towards him, giving no time at all for him to look for a spare awakening or tonic.

Like a tumult of unstoppable torrent from a dam cracked, the tsunami of sleep he had been long forcing in imprisonment engulfed him.

He could feel the Dark Spear screaming in glee even before he blacked out.

The weapon was screaming, Now it's all over!!!

As he felt his legs and eyelids giving in, the best and the most he could do was picturing a series of faces.

Raizel.

M-21, Takio, and Tao.

Regis and Seira.

Gechutel, Karious, Rael.

Razark, Rayga, and Tesamu.

And......

Lunark.

Soundlessly shrieking out her name was the last thing he did before his mind slipped away from his grasp.

“That was when I realized how distinct my feelings have grown. I realized that my feelings for you can no longer stay unspoken.”

As Frankenstein was stitching the air with a now-I-don't-care-whatever-happens tone, Lunark was still quiet.

This time, however, she could not speak up.

'Did I hear correctly...? Frankenstein loves me...?!'

Clutching tightly to her heart that had been fluttering like petals dancing in the moonlight since who-knows-when, Lunark kept attentive to Frankenstein's speech.

“I knew what my heart was telling me, but I could only play deaf. The Dark Spear in me has grown powerful enough to jeopardize my control, after it took over Crombel and his Blood Stone. I was afraid it will hurt those dear to me... I was afraid it will hurt you. But thanks to you, it has lost the Blood Stone and became tame enough -somewhat - so now I have no more reason to avoid you. And most importantly, my master told me this. We should live our lives to the fullest during the time given to us, without any regret. We must look into our hearts to determine what it is that we really want. And we must make a choice for ourselves.”

Sounds just like something from a soul born with eternal time but bound to the burdens of Noblesse, thought Lunark as she nodded.

“And as I came up with your name in the course of my possession by the Dark Spear... I felt regret burning like hellfire inside me. I kept lamenting, if only I were honest with my feelings for just a little. If only I could at least give a signal of my feelings for you. Back then I'd thought my future is no more, so I'd thought I'll be losing you and the rest of my people.”

Lunark's lips were fastened seamlessly as she took in Frankenstein's voice, now turned into a whisper.

For she had gone through something similar rather recently.

When she was pouring Raizel's power into Frankenstein's body via kiss, she did not think about what will break beyond that point.

The only thing she could think of was saving Frankenstein.

Ironically, at the corner of her brain she could view a list of highlights from her life.

The list of every word and time she shared with Frankenstein, ever since they first met as enemies at Seoul.

Her survival instinct screeched at her that she can no longer carry or cumulate these memories, which left bitter regrets in her heart for a second.

She regretted that she did not confess her feelings or make more memories with him.

And here she was, figuring out that Frankenstein had felt the same regret that had haunted her.

His feelings were the same, so she could feel tiny expectation bloating like a balloon.

“And recently, I almost lost you. I almost lost myself. I almost lost everything I treasure... And I shall have no more regrets.”

So you mean...?

Lunark could only reiterate the question stuck in her throat, when Frankenstein at last turned his eyes towards her.

“You might be disappointed in me, since I've been staying single for more than 820 years. Nevertheless, would you take my hand now?”

Frankenstein's confession was quite direct, truthful to his claim of being single for more than 8 centuries, which was regardless faded in the feathery texture of his voice and the heart-melting perfume from Lunark's cardiac muscle.

Which was why Lunark let out a relaxed sigh of laughter in reply.

“I could say the same thing. I had no reason at all to familiarize myself with romance so far... Why would you opt for a terrifying woman like me?”

“Because you're terrifying. Or should I say fiery?”

Lunark did not expect him to remember the semi-jest she threw at him during their first encounter.

She could once again revel at how deep her love is, feeling no cringe at all at his delicacy, and her hand was bound by a quintet of huge, slender fingers.

“Which reminds me, isn't this near the spot we had our first kiss?”

A sentence was more than enough to drown Lunark's cheeks with streaks of red like bombs, and Frankenstein smirked.

“The first one was an accident. And the second one was stolen by the Dark Spear, during a situation that will allow no chance in hell for a romantic mood... Which is why this time I'll do it myself.”

What?! H-hold on a sec!!

The man did not spare a second for her to stop him.

As outgoing as he is, his arm was weighed with strength just as audacious, and its mind-blowing aftermath soon took over Lunark's lips.

And the werewolf was swept in the impression that the entire blood in her body was drawn to her lips.

For each of strokes and rubs Frankenstein's mouth made, a rumbling noise one would hear from a freight train spread from her lips throughout her wholesome form, to raise full blooms of elation to every corner and plain of her body, not a speck to be left desolate.

Lunark's hands, wobbling between sweetness and daze, soon secured themselves onto Frankenstein's chest, to slowly wind across his shoulders and around his neck.

The two figures basked in the kiss more electrical than the first and more ecstatic than the second, while the pink petals of wolfsbanes surrounding them rippled like dancers blessing them.

*****

A follow-up on their fluffy-soft and flowery-perfumed kiss in declaration of love, Frankenstein put on that signature full-of-poise smile of his.

“Now it's time for us to deal with the remaining obstacles. But first thing first - I need you to get changed.”

He pulled out from his jacket a white dress shirt, meticulously squared and folded in a clean bag of plastic.

“Sorry. I know I should've brought a brand new one, but I have no knowledge of your accurate size. So I had to opt for one from my own closet. And don't worry. It's washed.”

Lunark took the bag from him, locking her teeth from spilling that if it is from his collection, he is practically rewarding her.

“But you'll have to grab one from your possessions as for the fabrics to cover your lower appendages. And it'd better be something comfortable for you to move in.”

“Uh... Sure. But why would you offer this out of the blue...?”

Her eyes twitched in puzzlement, earning from Frankenstein an unexpressed pleasure of witnessing her loveliness, and he smirked and retorted with a brief explanation.

“...What?!”

And Lunark could once again realize how outgoing her man could be, as she rolled her eyes in bewilderment.

(next chapter)

At last, ladies and gentlemen, Frankenstein and Lunark are official in my fic! XD It took 69 chapters for them to be together, but guess what - next chapter will be the final chapter for this fic. :P

As for Raizel’s advice mentioned in the middle of this chapter, I made a reference to the theme message from the original webtoon during its early seasons. We must live our lives to fullest during the time designated to us, making choices by ourselves and for ourselves. Back when the webtoon was ongoing, the only impression I got was that it sounds good to me, but nowadays as days pass and seasons change, I’m growing to agree with this idea more and more. Which is why I personally wanted to make a reference to this message in my fic.

Anyways, next chapter will be the final chapter for this fic. I’d like to say you’ve been doing an amazing job of keeping up with me so far, and I’d like to ask you to please stay with me for just one more week. Thanks so much! :)

#korean webcomic #korean webtoon #fanfic #noblesse #frankenstein #lunark #frankensteinxlunark #lunarkxfrankenstein #wolfsbane #Mr.Wolf #AnAngelicDay

3 notes · View notes

johannstutt413 · 4 years ago

Text

(requested by mathmaticalknight)

“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight, the Medical Department is proud to present: the Quest for Nian’s Vital Statistics!” Gavial announced to a cheering crowd of Medics and medically-skilled personnel. “Today’s competition is one of my personal favorites - Arm Wrestling! As you can see already, sitting at the table waiting is the lady of the hour, Nian!”

The Nian herself waved to the crowd, eliciting several whistles amidst a chorus with a general sentiment of, “Just tell us already!”

“And representing the Rhodes Island Medical Community today - not me, unfortunately, because I broke my arm in the rock climbing competition - is the woman more rigid than diamond, the Bone Dragon herself, Saaaaaaariaaaaaa!”

“Wooooo!” The crowd went absolutely ballistic at this announcement; Ifrit chose this moment to unfurl a banner reading “Go Mom!” in the Sarkaz’s handwriting, which was promptly confiscated by Silence.

As the competitors sat across from one another, the Vouivre extended her hand for a shake. “Good luck today, Miss Nian.”

“Luck? There’s nothing lucky about arm-wrestling. Tell you what, though - let’s have a little bet for ourselves, hmm?”

“A bet?” Normally, Saria wouldn’t take a bet at a time like this...but something about her opponent made her curious. “What sort of bet?”

Nian grinned. “If I win, I’ll buy you dinner, but if you win, you have to buy me dinner. That sound good to you?”

“You’re either confident you can win a free meal, or you want to ask me out without asking me out...I’ll take you up on that.”

“Warriors, remember, this is a first to 3 wins competition! We’ll alternate right and left arms until the 3 win minimum is met.” Gavial walked over to the table. “I want a clean match, with no hijinks - that means you, Nian. May the stronger woman win!”

The Nian flicked her tongue at the Vouivre as they locked hands for the first bout. “You heard her, Saria. Win me over.”

“I’m not fighting for myself, Nian. Today, I wrestle in the name of Rhodes Island, and in the name of science.”

“What lofty ideals you hold to.” She chuckled. “It will only make my victory meal that much sweeter~”

The Archosaurian held up a checkered flag and waved it between them. “3!...2!...1!...Begin!”

-----------

“Thanks for not asking me to take you anywhere too fancy.” Nian and Saria were in a shuttle on their way into Lungmen, sharing a seat and watching neon lights flicker by. “I only have enough cash to cover a nice food truck right now.”

“A meal is a meal; I’m not terribly picky about price points and whatnot. The real prize was mine either way.” The Vouivre had won handily, in a rather jaw-dropping display of strength that had even Olivia on her side for once, but now she had more important things on her mind.

Her date nudged her shoulder. “Hey, I think this is our stop.”

“Ah, yes.” She stood up and followed the Nian out...only to notice it definitely hadn’t been. “Did you misread the directions?”

“No, I know where we’re going. For someone so strict, you’ve been pretty lax about paying attention to me tonight.”

Saria had to admit, she had a point. “Sorry. It’s been awhile since I’ve gone out like this.”

“Same here - no matter how many times I drag the Doctor out of his office, he just spends the whole time psychoanalyzing me. It gets pretty stale after a few times.” She gestured to a shack that looked ready to fall apart at any second. “That’s the place! And you thought I forgot where I was going!”

“It looks much more run-down than in the web advert,” the Vouivre noted as they approached it.

Nian nodded. “That’s how you know the food’s amazing. Do you know what you’re getting?”

“I need to see the menu to decide.” She stretched her arms behind her back. “Have you been in Lungmen long? You seem to know the area rather well.”

“Hmm...Depends on your perspective. Time has lost a lot of meaning to me over the...years? Decades? Which one uses the solar calendar, again?”

The medic blinked. “I’m sure you mean years. Decades are sets of ten years, after all.”

“Oh, so it was decades, then.” The Nian nodded to herself. “Good to know! Good evening, Qin Sun. Table for two, please?”

“You know the owner of the restaurant?” Saria was impressed; she must really know Lungmen-

Wait, no, her date was shaking her head. “He started here a couple of weeks ago, really nice guy. Would be a good pick for the Doctor, I think, if he ever comes out.”

“...Interesting.” That wasn’t anywhere near relevant to anything, but also, how often did Nian go out? “If I ask you something, Nian, will you give me a straight answer?”

“Maybe.” She smirked, tail casually wagging behind her and tongue ever-so-slightly sticking out.

Damn, that was actually kind of hot...hmm. “Why are you so adamant about the Medics not testing you?”

“...I don’t think we should start there.” The Nian frowned. “This is the first time we’ve spoken to each other outside of work, after all.”

“Alright, then a different question: why do you stay on Rhodes Island, and deploy on missions with us, without becoming an Operator proper? Surely you could use the extra income?”

Nian sighed. “You’re asking all the hard questions now? After the workout you put me through?”

“You asked me out on a date for a reason, did you not?” That earned her a blush. “If you don’t want to tell me anything about yourself, why commit so much to share a meal with me?”

“...You’re right. I didn’t think it through enough; most people love to talk about themselves, so I thought I could get you to do that and we could go from there, but you’re just like the rest of the Medics, I suppose. What do you want to know?” The mischief that’d been in her eyes most of the evening leading up to this was gone now.

That didn’t mean much in the grand scheme, though, so Saria decided to take it more slowly. “Why me?”

“You’re an absolute unit for one; the other day, during that group exercise, you went head-to-head with Hoshiguma for nearly an hour and gave her hell the entire time. I’ve never seen someone that strong before.” She licked her lips, seemingly unintentionally. “I love your horns, and the spines on your tail, and your hair, but more than anything, it’s that stare of yours.”

“What do you mean? I don’t stare often.” The Vouivre, of course, hadn’t taken her eye off Nian since they’d arrived at the restaurant.

The Nian chuckled at that. “I’ve seen it, either way. You’re a beautiful woman stronger and smarter than almost every man in the same room as you at a given moment, so that’s why I wanted to go on a date. Makes sense, right?”

“When you put it so plainly, at least.” That sounded honest enough. Alright, next question. “What was the confusion earlier with measuring time?”

“Ah, yes, that. Before I answer that...I’ve got another proposal.”

Oh boy. “I’ll hear you out. The last one went well for me, after all.”

“Great!” Nian tapped an item on the menu. “If you can eat this whole thing without a single drink, I’ll let you, and only you, give me the physical you Medics want of me.”

“...What’s the catch?”

She shrugged. “I just don’t think you’ll be able to. It’s really spicy.”

“Spicy, you say?” Saria picked up the chopsticks, spun them out of their paper wrapping, and brandished them with a confident smile. “If that’s the only challenge, it’s no issue at all.”

“Alright, then! Excuse me, Qin? We’re ready to order!”

The Vouivre cracked her neck. “Anything I should know ahead of your examination?”

“That’s a lot of confidence!” The Nian smiled back. “Well, if you do manage it, I hope you have something harder than diamond on your syringes.”

“A few things, in fact, but that won’t be too important. Most of the physical will be strength and endurance testing.”

Nian blinked. “Endurance testing, huh? More boring than I thought.”

“It won’t be, I promise.” She leaned forward. “You’ll forget about the testing part by the time it’s over.”

“Oh-ho-ho...Chef, hurry with that order, please!”

#arknights #saria (arknights)#nian (arknights)#math you were right #this is kind of a weird one #but the line of logic wasn't too hard to find #so nice work!#arknights fic

15 notes · View notes

angelofthequeers · 5 years ago

Text

Checkmate

Disclaimer: I don’t own ML.

Ladybug: the episode where the A-plot sucks ass and the B-plot shines.

Summary: After making his deal with the devil to clear Marinette's name in 'Ladybug', Adrien seeks the help of Kagami to take Lila down. Lila really should've taken him seriously when he'd told her not to mess with his friends...

AO3 link

“So, you made a deal with the devil.”

“What? No!” Adrien splutters. Kagami just raises an eyebrow from next to him on the locker room bench. “Okay…yeah…maybe…”

“And now you want me to get you out of it.”

“I don’t need you to save me.” Adrien digs his fingers into the material of his fencing pants. “Just…help me figure out how to out Lila. I don’t know how to prove that she lied.”

“Why now?” Kagami says, fiddling with her ring. “Why not literally any other time before now? When I was akumatised? When she was only just starting to spread her influence? Back when Ladybug outed her in front of you? You’ve known she’s a liar all this time.”

“I didn’t think her lies would hurt anyone, okay?” Adrien says. “And I didn’t want her to get akumatised again. I thought she’d just get herself caught in them and out herself. I didn’t think she’d go so far as to get Marinette expelled…”

“Or get me akumatised for the second time,” Kagami says. Adrien can’t quite tell whether there’s an accusation in there.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I’m a dick. That should’ve been the snapping point for me, but all I did was warn her to stay away from you and my other friends.”

“Yes. That should’ve been the snapping point for you.”

When Kagami doesn’t say anything more, Adrien frowns at her. “So…?”

“So what?”

“Will you help me?”

Kagami sighs. “As annoyed as I am at you, Marinette’s my friend and Lila’s still out for her blood. I’ll help you. Besides, I still owe Lila after that photograph stunt that she pulled.”

Adrien’s shoulders slump. “Thank you, Kagami.”

“Don’t thank me yet. We have to manoeuvre Lila into a corner by getting proof from someone who could irrefutably call out her lies. And for that, we need the help of a certain someone.”

“Me? Help Dupain-Cheng?” Chloé scoffs. She dabs the final bit of green nail polish onto Sabrina’s pinky finger, then screws the brush back into the bottle while Sabrina fans her nails dry. “Adrikins, you know I’d do anything for you –”

“It’s not just for Marinette,” Adrien says. “I’m the reason Marinette’s back at school. I had to make Lila fix the mess somehow.”

Chloé narrows her eyes. “Adrien Agreste,” she says slowly, “what did you do?”

“Is that why Lila was in that photoshoot with you?” Sabrina pipes up. She immediately scoops up the bottle of scarlet nail polish when Chloé extends her hand.

“Well…yeah,” Adrien says. “Lila asked why she should help Marinette. I…might have made a deal to be her friend if she did.”

Chloé blinks. Then she blinks again, and then she pinches the bridge of her nose with her free hand.

“Of all the utterly ridiculous – Adrien, you should’ve come to me in the first place! I might hate Dupain-Cheng, but if I’d known you were going to sell your soul for her –”

“Enough with the lectures, alright?” Adrien says. “I got enough of that from Kagami when I asked her for help.”

“Tsurugi?” Chloé wrinkles her nose.

“Yeah. What’s your problem with her?”

“Nothing, nothing. Look, alright, I’ll help you expose Liar Rossi. I owe her for that time she utterly humiliated me, anyway.”

“And you know I’m with you too!” Sabrina says.

“Yes, we’ll probably need you to make sure that such a busy diplomat is available when we need her,” Chloé says and Sabrina beams.

“You’re the best, Chlo,” Adrien says. Chloé smiles rather smugly.

“Oh, no need for flattery, Adrikins. Just meet me at school tomorrow with Tsurugi. The more kids of rich and powerful parents we have, the better.”

“Look, I’m not sure –” Mr Damocles tries to say.

“You haven’t even investigated how those answers got into Marinette’s backpack,” Kagami says with crossed arms. “Or the necklace into her locker. And if Marinette didn’t take them, it stands to reason that someone planted them.”

“Which is exactly what she said before you expelled her,” Adrien says.

“You heard Miss Rossi – she has a very rare disease –”

Kagami snorts. “She doesn’t have a disease. She’s a compulsive liar. No disease is making her do all this. And for that matter, why does Lila get to claim any of this with no proof?”

“We pride ourselves on believing our students, Miss Tsurugi.”

“Like you believed Marinette?” Adrien mirrors Kagami’s crossed arms. “I even tried to point out that Lila was lying, and you wouldn’t hear it.”

“Have you even consulted her mother?” Kagami says. “With as many illnesses as Lila has, the logical thing to do would be to seek extra advice on accommodating her. And as far as I know, every other disabled or chronically ill student has to have supporting paperwork.”

“Miss Rossi’s had a very hard time –”

Chloé scoffs. “Wait, so you’ve got this ridiculous rule that someone has to prove they’re disabled or sick, and you don’t even hold Lila to that rule? Incompetent, utterly incompetent!”

“Miss Bourgeois, please –” But Mr Damocles is wilting under the three-pronged attack of Adrien, Kagami, and Chloé.

“I’m sure my daddy would simply love to hear about this,” Chloé says. “Expelling one student and not believing her, while believing another student because of a sob story! No one will want to send their students here if they hear that.”

“Especially if the son of famous fashion designer Gabriel Agreste and daughter of renowned fencer Tomoe Tsurugi happened to lend their support to Chloé,” Kagami says.

“No! No! Please!” Mr Damocles babbles. Excellent. Now they’ve got him where they want him. “What do you three want?”

“For you to call Mrs Rossi,” Adrien says. “We want to talk to her about Lila.”

“I don’t think I can just –” Mr Damocles says. Chloé pulls out her phone. “Okay! Okay! I’ll call her!”

“And I think we should move this to the classroom,” Chloé says. “I’m sure the other peasants would love to hear this. But don’t tell Lila what’s going on or she’ll lie her way out of it.”

“But –”

Chloé starts to dial a number.

“Alright!”

The four of them head for Ms Bustier’s classroom. Class has already started, so Ms Bustier is in the process of writing on the board, and she beams when they enter the room.

“Ah, Adrien! Chloé! I was wondering where you two were!” she says. “I thought Sabrina would be with you, but I suppose she’s just sick or late.” Her brow furrows when she catches sight of Kagami. “Aren’t you in Ms Mendeleiev’s class?”

Kagami just stares right back.

“How rude,” Mr Damocles tuts.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Kagami says. “But since no respect was shown to Marinette when she was accused of cheating and stealing, I didn’t think I needed to show any in return. I wasn’t aware that it was common practice in France to humiliate a student in front of their entire class over an accusation rather than pulling them aside quietly.”

The way Marinette’s eyes light up at this defence of her leaves Adrien’s insides warm and fluttery. He never realises just how much he treasures that light until it’s gone. Watching her nearly give in to Hawkmoth is probably one of the most horrible things he’s ever seen in his life; next to watching Ladybug get captured over and over again during his stint as Aspik or believing that his lady was dying when Mayura had summoned that Ladybug sentimonster.

“We’ve got some, uh…business to address, once our guest arrives,” Mr Damocles is saying when Adrien tunes back in. “For now, why don’t you two take your seats, Miss Bourgeois, Mr Agreste?”

“I don’t think so,” Chloé says. “We’re fine here.”

“What’s going on?” Ms Bustier says. No one answers her.

It only takes about ten minutes after that for a rather flustered Mrs Rossi to arrive, her coat thrown on hastily and haphazardly, with Sabrina in front of her.

“What a morning!” she exclaims. “Everything’s been disappearing – my keys, my purse, everything! It’s as though the universe didn’t want me to go to work today. I’m grateful that this young lady’s father offered me a lift and that she was lovely enough to guide me here.”

Sure, the universe. Or a certain redhead. Adrien peeks over at Chloé, whose smile is almost proud as Sabrina slips into her seat.

“Mamma?” Lila gasps. “What are you doing here?”

“Yeah, what’s going on?” Ivan says.

“Um – ahem – these students wish to talk to you about your daughter,” Mr Damocles says. Mrs Rossi’s brow furrows.

“You called me here for schoolchildren?” she says. Adrien glances at Chloé and Kagami, playing a mental game of chicken, but the look in their eyes is very clear: he got them into his mess, so he can step up.

“Sorry to trouble you, Mrs Rossi,” Adrien says. “My name’s Adrien Agreste –”

“Ah, Adrien!” Mrs Rossi’s face lights up. “My bella’s boyfriend! Lila simply can’t stop talking about you!”

“Mamma –” Lila tries to say.

“Excuse me?” Chloé says.

“His boyfriend?” Kagami adds.

“Not likely,” they chorus.

“Chloé and Kagami are right,” Adrien says. “I don’t know what Lila’s told you, but I’m not and I never have been her boyfriend.”

“But Lila wouldn’t lie to me! She’s my little angel!”

Angel. Yeah. Right. More like the devil. “Ma’am, she’s been lying since she set foot in this school,” Adrien says. Out of the corner of his eye, he notices Marinette trying to conceal her incredulous smile. “She tried to lie to me about being descended from a fox superhero called Volpina. She’s been lying to our class all year.”

“She posted photos of herself kissing Adrien without his consent,” Kagami says.

“But that doesn’t sound like Lila at all…” says Mrs Rossi.

“Ahem.” Mr Damocles clears his throat. “These three raised an, uh…excellent point. Now that I’ve finally got you here, I was wondering if you could provide us with a full medical history for Miss Rossi. Purely for accommodation purposes, of course, so that we can ensure that she’s given a quality education.”

“I already told you –” Lila says.

“Medical history? Accommodations? Lila doesn’t need accommodations!” Mrs Rossi says. “She’s healthy as can be!”

“But she said she’s got tinnitus from saving Jagged Stone’s kitten on a plane runway!” Alya says. “Our whole seating arrangement was reorganised to accommodate her!”

“No, wait, it got miraculously cured by Ladybug,” Chloé says. “Her bestie.”

“Oh, and don’t forget the arthritis!” Adrien says.

“And her disease that makes her lie uncontrollably,” Mr Damocles says. “She did tell me that herself when confessing to accidentally framing Miss Dupain-Cheng for the theft of –”

“Stop! Stop!” Mrs Rossi clamps her hands over her ears. Mild guilt starts to bubble in Adrien’s gut – what is he doing, bombarding the poor woman – but his resolve is steeled at the reminder that he’s doing this for Marinette. Who was nearly akumatised and is the only other person in their school who hasn’t been akumatised, as far as he knows. The only reason she wasn’t was because of that freak scarlet akuma retreat!

“Something tells me she’s been lying to you as well,” Kagami says.

“None of this is true!” Mrs Rossi’s got a wild look in her eye, like her world is slowly unravelling around her. “Lila doesn’t have tinnitus! Or arthritis! She was never on a plane runway! What sort of irresponsible mother do you take me for?”

“She also says that she’s Ladybug’s best friend,” Adrien says. “I’ve been so worried for her ever since she said that! What if Hawkmoth targets her to get to Ladybug?”

“We keep our friendship on the downlow!” Lila protests.

“But you gave Alya an interview for her Ladyblog!” Marinette says.

“Ladybug? Lila was akumatised on her first day here!” Mrs Rossi says. “How could she be friends with Ladybug? And what were you thinking, broadcasting something like that on the internet and endangering my daughter!”

Alya swallows and looks down, blinking rapidly.

“Mamma, they’re just trying to gang up on me!” Lila’s eyes fill with crocodile tears. “Ever since Marinette was simply horrible to me –”

“Dupain-Cheng “apparently” stole test answers and Rossi’s grandmother’s necklace and pushed her down the stairs,” Chloé scoffs.

“I didn’t even touch her!” Marinette says.

“Yeah, I know,” Chloé says. “You’re disgusting. You’re a little princess. You’re the least likely person to do something like that.”

“Thank you…?”

“Lila’s grandmother’s necklace?” Mrs Rossi says.

“Yeah, it’s a fox tail!” Rose says.

“And she tried to claim that it was a Miraculous,” Adrien says. “But Ladybug called her out for lying.”

“You knew?” Nino exclaims.

“Yeah. I’m sorry. I thought Lila would eventually get caught in her own lies and people would see and then she’d get to change without being humiliated. But after she got Marinette expelled?” Adrien looks Lila straight in the eye. “I know she doesn’t regret anything she’s done.”

“A Miraculous?” Mrs Rossi says. “I think I’d know if a piece of magical jewellery was a family heirloom!”

“And how could Rena Rouge be a thing if it really was a family heirloom?” Kagami says. “Everyone knows that Ladybug gets the Miraculouses from another location when she needs help. And Lila still has the fox tail necklace, which means that either Rena Rouge is an elaborate prank, or Lila’s “family heirloom” is a fake.”

Alya winces at that for some reason.

“But we’ve never had a fox tail family heirloom,” Mrs Rossi says.

“We do! Nonna just never told you!”

It really is interesting to watch Lila flail and try to protect her lies, even now that the whole class is openly staring at her with scepticism in their eyes. Huh. Adrien could get used to this. Maybe there is something to being actively involved in justice.

“I can’t believe this. I simply can’t believe this.” Mrs Rossi turns to Lila with severely squared shoulders. “You told me that the school was closed down due to akuma attacks and that’s why you missed all that school!”

“She told us that she was travelling overseas!” Rose says. “And that she was invited to Achu by Prince Ali!”

“I never said that he personally invited us!” Lila says.

“Yeah, you did,” Nathaniel says. “You just said that you didn’t get to see him.”

“Prince Ali? I’ve never even met him, and neither has Lila!” Mrs Rossi says.

“So, you really don’t know Steven Spielberg?” Nino says.

“Or Jagged Stone?” Juleka says.

“No!” Mrs Rossi says hysterically. “Why would my daughter know famous musicians and directors? I’m a diplomat, not an actor or a filmmaker!”

“Miss Rossi, I believe we have a lot to talk about,” Mr Damocles says rather coldly. “And I would like to thank Mr Agreste, Miss Bourgeois, and Miss Tsurugi for bringing this to my attention.”

Adrien tries not to snort. Yeah. Right. Mr Damocles is just trying to save face. But if it clears Marinette’s name and exposes Lila, he’ll just stay quiet for now and let Mr Damocles take this one.

“But Marinette’s been bullying me!” Lila says. “And now she’s got her friends to gang up on me too!”

But that’s apparently one lie too far.

“Marinette? Friends with Chloé?” Alya says.

“Please,” Alix snorts. “Those two would tear each other’s hair out before even looking at each other nicely.”

“I wouldn’t have helped Dupain-Cheng if Adrien hadn’t requested me personally,” Chloé drawls, examining her nails. “Sabrina, you really need to learn how to paint nails properly.”

“Sorry, Chloé!” Sabrina says.

“Come on, Lila,” Mrs Rossi snaps. “You’ve got a lot of explaining to do, young lady!”

Lila sniffles as she gathers her bag and treks down to the front of the classroom, with everyone’s scorching gazes on her as she passes them. Once she’s next to Adrien, she says, “How could you do this to me?”

“Because you hurt my friend,” Adrien says. His eyes move to meet Marinette’s, and she flushes brilliant red and snaps her head down to look at the desk. “Marinette’s very dear to me, and she’s not the only friend you’ve hurt. And I told you never to hurt my friends, Lila. Ever.” He leans in and whispers one word. “Checkmate.”

#miraculous ladybug #aotq fic #ml season 3 spoilers #episode: ladybug #adrien agreste #kagami tsurugi #chloe bourgeois #marinette dupain-cheng #lila rossi #ml salt #basically adrien has a spine #bamf adrien #epic chloe #epic kagami #don't mess with adrien's friends #lila gets what's coming to her #c h e c k m a t e

609 notes · View notes

batupermata · 4 years ago

Text

Review NiftyPlanet Project

NiftyPlanet - Decentralized international NFT marketplace.

#NFT #NFTCommunity #niftyplanet #niftyplanetnews #NFTmarketplace #digitalart

What is the main aim for the NiftyPlanet project?

NiftyPlanet is an NFT marketplace and minting platform that utilizes the NFPL token to empower users who actively interact with the platform.

Users on the NiftyPlanet platform can buy and sell NFT’s (non-fungible tokens) created for rare and unique digital items such as music, artwork, trading cards, experience-sharing, hybrid digital/physical, and in the near future, even physical items.

NiftyPlanet’s plans extend far beyond being just another marketplace for digital collectibles and art. We intend to bridge the digital and physical world via blockchain technology to make it possible for collectibles and creations borne from both worlds to be shared with the world in the same exciting place.

We also want to give an international voice to creators that have never ventured past their own “neighborhoods” by connecting creators with an exploding International Crypto community.

Finally, we plan to provide a place where creators can monetize their creativity and even make a living from it, something especially needed in the wake of the globalist-created plannedemic, inhuman lockdowns and global financial destruction of 2020–2021. NiftyPlanet also wants to give back to all of its users and will offer rewards for active participation on the platform (creating and selling, collecting, voting and moderating, etc.). NiftyPlanet plans to provide the opportunity for farming to earn, as well.

The NiftyPlanet protocol is a solution to the limitations faced by the intellectual property market, including licensing and paperwork challenges, piracy issues and right-protection, limited or subdued revenue, and more. The advent of NFT’s represents an awesome alternative to everyone.

NIftyPlanet Video Guides - NFTとは？

https://youtu.be/8qApW2D_sn4

Why is the NiftyPlanet project team remaining anonymous?

We believe that new era of privacy and also private money is here. The world is changing very fast and people want to have a new approach in their relationship with the world at large, including the economy and government. It is clear, especially after the tyranny that has arisen from the insane and and irrational response to the “pandemic” that the NWO and its buddies in the new Pharmaceutical Industrial Complex, are currently trying to take over the world, and or kill us all. We feel that it is essential that we all begin guarding and protecting our privacy and rights before everything we own and love is gone or usurped by the “powers that shouldn’t be” either via their surveillance, assisted by other NWO buddies such as the tech giants we all know and love. Our own efforts start with this project. Those megalomaniacs aren’t welcome to participate in our community nor do we want anything to do with them thus we choose to remain anonymous.

We also feel there is too much pressure on companies and individuals to pay exorbitantly high taxes. And besides the obvious fact that taxes are too high, governments have shown perpetually that they are completely irresponsible in how they use taxes they collect from hard working citizens the world round; wasting and misusing funds for personal ends such as visiting prostitute establishments, rebuilding the same road many multiple times just so they can receive the same budget as the previous year, and last but not least to start wars, spending billions worldwide to create weapons of destruction to kill people in foreign countries that the taxpayers have no desire to have conflict with at all in the first place. But saying all this does not mean that we are against the taxes completely. In fact, we will gladly support the payment of taxes when they will be used for the people that bust their asses to pay them, and not to benefit the psychopaths who are currently in control of the spending of the taxes they collect from all of us. Taxes should migrated to a cryptocurrency basis and the method of payment should be changed from advanced payment — where you pay VAT, consumption taxes or taxes from your income from trading, to the “payment for the results”. In business area it’s called “Pay for Performance Principle”. In this payment for results scenario, for example, if you were happy with how the roads look around us that were built by your government, you would go to the DeFi Tax platform and pay directly to the company who built those roads. The same with your local Police force or any other kind of service that are currently funded by the thousands of types of taxes collected around the world. This way of paying taxes after you see the results or actual use of those taxes will motivate governments to transform and become more effective, efficient and responsible, and it will improve the world and environment around us. In our opinion, VAT that we are all paying in shops is absolutely enough for the government to survive. The rest of the Taxes we will pay in the future, once governments recognize and respect that The Era of Private money is here and we will no longer forgive their irresponsible use of our hard-earned income.

Cryptocurrency gives us our power to control our governments once more, the way they should be. Until the governments can prove they can be responsible and will not misuse or simply steal taxed money from the people we have no reason to hand any over to them. Another important reason for remaining anonymous, is routine paperwork and other extra costs. Once we register any kind of a earth-based company we need to hire a lawyer open a physical office, get and send correspondence in perpetuity. And all these things decrease our efficiency and effectiveness. In our initial stage we can not allow ourselves to waste such important resources as a time. We would better off investing this time to improve your user experience on our platform and make your life easier and more interesting, and to provide more creative and financial opportunities for our users.

The structure of NFPL token distribution

The NiftyPlanet platform is a semi self-funded platform. Half of the funds for the development and platform launch were provided by a few pre-seed investors.

Total token supply is 1 billion tokens.

There are 10 pre-seed investors of this project. In total they control 83M tokens. Additionally, they own 29% interest in the project.

2 main Founders control 8% of all token supply (80M tokens).

Tokens have been distributed to 2 founders, 2 team members and 10 pre-seed investors.

Before we hold our IDO which is planned for June 2021, founders’ and pre-seed investors’ tokens will not move at all. The main reason we are doing this is because we believe that people who participate in IDO’s should have a guarantee that the team and investors will not sell all of their tokens all at once before the IDO starts.

In the graphic you can see the entity structure of token allocation with exact ETH addresses. Until the end of the actual IDO, there will be no NFPL transactions originating from project or investor wallets.

Founder 1 (4.00%)

0x313a82316f2591ecdff509699f80ff434b4f23a1

Founder 2 (4.00%)

0xb85d39145755ca7cbd7a0703327dd0ad7fc7137c

Pre-seed investor 1 (2.00%)

0x3fb9bea7a24b70bc7588c5c25815f5d6a5936cdd

Pre-seed investor 2 (1.15%)

0x05fc4d24c1ccd25b69b8d072f4234d37d2f26bb3

Pre-seed investor 3 (0.60%)

0x9664a89a0627106d02a0143f3e6b8cc8403070cd

Pre-seed investor 4 (0.55%)

0x6ada63ea649c558718da343f09be19421724f6a6

Pre-seed investor 5 (0.40%)

0xcbc297537f30d383460862e86c3c7c332b2f1eda

Pre-seed investor 6 (0.40%)

0xbf9c915abf2003da52a6e67ae6bcd2daba6779a1

Pre-seed investor 7 (0.40%)

0x9cf8e867328eb1d35c6637c5c75fd7851d879ef5

Pre-seed investor 8 (0.40%)

These tokens will be distributed after IDO

Pre-seed investor 9 (0.40%)

0xe81C6E1B75dD8fA589Ce0389dEc305e899FA943D

Pre-seed investor 10 (2.00%)

0x58E2966cA92Eb9FebE5f6c05DA653E464aF2531A

Core team member 11 (1%)

0x6802bf043ECA770F7c1F4A03C9D68F9D181591fe

Core team member 12 (1%)

0xeAe5700167e71E88f2D20CDf5E7B743C8EB79533

Marketing (10.00%)

0xC5F62cCDB455800c1daa1e8f6b0678A77F71B756

Main address with rest of the NFPL tokens (81.70%)

0xee0ab4691476244d1633d8d1197d0a66def7e5a9

Platform Roadmap

Development of "NFT Creation Engine" and marketplace.

Launching of marketplace Beta Testing, presenting exclusive Drops.

Collaboration with show-biz talents, artists, and creators in Japan and China for Drops.

Implementation of invitation system/Start reward system for users.

Opening of NFT creation to all content creators.

Official launch and mass marketing in Japan and China.

IDO (Initial Dex Offering) in Japan, China, and Internationally.

Voting system integration and delegation of Management to the community.

#niftyplanet #nifties #NFT #NFTCommunity #digitalart #NFTmarketplace

NiftyPlanet — Where Are We Heading?

NiftyPlanet is the world’s marketplace for Nifties. Nifties are authentic and verifiably unique digital items you can truly own. Our team has been working hard to create something worthy of the attention of our community. After quite a lot of testing of the platform, we are happy, excited, and proud to announce that we are officially launching tomorrow, June, 19th! Our first drop is now scheduled, so more info will be published on our social media shortly.

Let’s talk about some things that you can expect in the next few days. On June 22, we are conducting our first Chinese AMA, so make you follow our WeChat and have your questions ready.

Another important piece of news is that NiftyPlanet is starting its first bounty campaign. During the next 8 weeks, bounty hunters will have a chance to earn $9,000 worth of NFPL tokens.

There will be 160 winners in total. At the end of the bounty campaign, we will count the number of stakes earned in all bounty programs and reward the best achievers. To increase your chances of winning, participate in several bounty programs. More details and rules will be published separately.

For more information about niftyplanet

WEBSITE: https://niftyplanet.co/

MEDIUM: https://niftyplanet.medium.com/

TELEGRAM : https://t.me/NiftyPlanet

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PlanetNifty

YOU TUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7iTV9RFgEOQsxhOaKfITDw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nifty.planet/

Reddit: https://discord.com/channels/829112237247561738/829112237247561740

Author:

Bitcointalk username: Batu permata

Profile link: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1875984

Telegram name: @yunicomel001

ETH address: 0xA5d3c9288F1C6A4a9D1298456DBCcDf9e2811896

#niftyplanet nifties NFT NFTCommunity digitalart NFTmarketplace

1 note · View note

cryptonewsmanuelakanji · 4 years ago

Text

NiftyPlanet (NFPL)

NiftyPlanet (NFPL) - Decentralized international NFT marketplace.

What is the main aim for the NiftyPlanet project?

NiftyPlanet is an NFT marketplace and minting platform that utilizes the NFPL token to empower users who actively interact with the platform.

We also want to give an international voice to creators that have never ventured past their own “neighborhoods” by connecting creators with an exploding International Crypto community.

NIftyPlanet Video Guides - NFTとは？

https://youtu.be/8qApW2D_sn4

Why is the NiftyPlanet project team remaining anonymous?

The structure of NFPL token distribution

The NiftyPlanet platform is a semi self-funded platform. Half of the funds for the development and platform launch were provided by a few pre-seed investors.

Total token supply is 1 billion tokens.

There are 10 pre-seed investors of this project. In total they control 83M tokens. Additionally, they own 29% interest in the project.

2 main Founders control 8% of all token supply (80M tokens).

Tokens have been distributed to 2 founders, 2 team members and 10 pre-seed investors.

Founder 1 (4.00%)

0x313a82316f2591ecdff509699f80ff434b4f23a1

Founder 2 (4.00%)

0xb85d39145755ca7cbd7a0703327dd0ad7fc7137c

Pre-seed investor 1 (2.00%)

0x3fb9bea7a24b70bc7588c5c25815f5d6a5936cdd

Pre-seed investor 2 (1.15%)

0x05fc4d24c1ccd25b69b8d072f4234d37d2f26bb3

Pre-seed investor 3 (0.60%)

0x9664a89a0627106d02a0143f3e6b8cc8403070cd

Pre-seed investor 4 (0.55%)

0x6ada63ea649c558718da343f09be19421724f6a6

Pre-seed investor 5 (0.40%)

0xcbc297537f30d383460862e86c3c7c332b2f1eda

Pre-seed investor 6 (0.40%)

0xbf9c915abf2003da52a6e67ae6bcd2daba6779a1

Pre-seed investor 7 (0.40%)

0x9cf8e867328eb1d35c6637c5c75fd7851d879ef5

Pre-seed investor 8 (0.40%)

These tokens will be distributed after IDO

Pre-seed investor 9 (0.40%)

0xe81C6E1B75dD8fA589Ce0389dEc305e899FA943D

Pre-seed investor 10 (2.00%)

0x58E2966cA92Eb9FebE5f6c05DA653E464aF2531A

Core team member 11 (1%)

0x6802bf043ECA770F7c1F4A03C9D68F9D181591fe

Core team member 12 (1%)

0xeAe5700167e71E88f2D20CDf5E7B743C8EB79533

Marketing (10.00%)

0xC5F62cCDB455800c1daa1e8f6b0678A77F71B756

Main address with rest of the NFPL tokens (81.70%)

0xee0ab4691476244d1633d8d1197d0a66def7e5a9

Buy our NFTs from the first Original NiftyPlanet drop!

https://twitter.com/i/status/1406979232463470599

#niftyplanet #digitalcollections #NFTs #ETH #Drop

Platform Roadmap

Development of "NFT Creation Engine" and marketplace.

Launching of marketplace Beta Testing, presenting exclusive Drops.

Collaboration with show-biz talents, artists, and creators in Japan and China for Drops.

Implementation of invitation system/Start reward system for users.

Opening of NFT creation to all content creators.

Official launch and mass marketing in Japan and China.

IDO (Initial Dex Offering) in Japan, China, and Internationally.

Voting system integration and delegation of Management to the community.

#niftyplanet #nifties #NFT #NFTCommunity #digitalart #NFTmarketplace

NiftyPlanet — Where Are We Heading?

Let’s talk about some things that you can expect in the next few days. On June 22, we are conducting our first Chinese AMA, so make you follow our WeChat and have your questions ready.

Another important piece of news is that NiftyPlanet is starting its first bounty campaign. During the next 8 weeks, bounty hunters will have a chance to earn $9,000 worth of NFPL tokens.

Our first ever AMA session is live. Only for Chinese people!

#AMA #Niftyplanet #digitalart

For more information about niftyplanet

WEBSITE: https://niftyplanet.co/

MEDIUM: https://niftyplanet.medium.com/

TELEGRAM : https://t.me/NiftyPlanet

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PlanetNifty

YOU TUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7iTV9RFgEOQsxhOaKfITDw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nifty.planet/

Reddit: https://discord.com/channels/829112237247561738/829112237247561740

Author:

Bitcointalk Username: Manuel Akanji

Bitcointalk Profile: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2954998

Telegram Username: @Manuelakanji777

ETH Address: 0x176a48a2Eb8FF8dfa46e58741E4A7b642C90F512

#niftyplanet digitalart NFT AMA NFTCommunity NFTmarketplace nifties

1 note · View note