#anyway i feel like i have unlocked yet another puzzle piece of the world

[enekorre]

A while ago my russian coworkers were discussing sweetened condensed milk and how good it was, and every eastern european that overheard that convo jumped in to agree. So a few days ago when I was in the African store in town I saw SCM and bought a can. And. Oh. It is so good, if a bit much. I have also discovered what my grandparents use when baking. Maybe the can being imported from Spain should have given me a clue haha

[pocket-sized-nightmare]

this is my fic for day two of @mcyt-yuri-week! today's prompt is "royalty"

Rescuing the kidnapped rulers is not going well.

Gem would like to say that it isn’t going according to plan, but she knows there was never a plan in the first place. As much as she loves Jimmy, and as glad as she is that Scott and Jimmy are getting their cute little gay reunion, she wishes he’d brought backup. fWhip, maybe, or maybe Pearl. Definitely Pearl. She just wants to see Pearl again.

Jimmy finishes breaking down the door to Scott’s cell. Scott stumbles to his feet. “Oh, void. Oh, void…”

Jimmy turns to the other cell. “Alright, Gem. Your turn.”

He taps at the bars around the door a few times, slams his pickaxe against the heavy metal door, then—

Footsteps echo from overhead.

“I hear someone down there!” Joey calls in a singsong voice. “I’m on my way!”

“We’re running out of time.” Scott clings to Jimmy, shaking like a leaf. “You have to get out of here.”

Jimmy looks at Gem with tears in his eyes. “I have an ender pearl in stasis at the Ocean Empire. I’ve told Lizzie to drop it on my signal, but I…” He can barely get the words out. “I can only take one.”

Scott looks at Jimmy. Jimmy looks at Scott. Both of them look at Gem.

“Go,” Gem whispers.

Jimmy sends a message to Lizzie, then wraps his arms around Scott. As the ender pearl drops, Scott forces himself to look away from his imprisoned companion.

Gem stares at the wreckage — bent bars, a broken metal door, and an open chest in disarray. There’s no denying what just happened.

Sausage and Joey make it down the ladder and stare at the unlocked cell. Gem can see the fury in their eyes before they even say a word. She crawls to the back corner of the cell and curls up in a ball in a hopeless attempt to shield herself from their attacks.

Sausage stalks towards her. “So he got out, did he?”

Gem nods. Tears pour down her face.

Sausage points his staff at her, prepared for another attack. “You let him escape. And you’re going to tell us everything.”

---

Everyone is understandably furious about this.

fWhip is on the verge of snapping and screaming at anyone he comes across. Shrub blinks back tears every time the subject comes up. Jimmy and Katherine spend all their energy caring for Scott and refuse to think about anything else.

The only person who hasn’t broken yet is Pearl.

None of the other rulers know that Gem is her partner. Neither of them talk much about it — they go on midnight picnics to stargaze, build the community garden behind Pearl’s castle together, and fall asleep in each other’s arms when the world feels safe enough for them to let their guard down, but that happens less and less often lately, and Gem has never liked being open about her emotions anyway. The moment Scott and Gem disappeared, Pearl took a page out of Gem’s book — both metaphorical and physical. She withdrew to her room, researched search-party spells and telepathic links for hours, and cared for Gem’s pets. When Jimmy returned with Scott and not Gem, Pearl knew everything before he could even say a word. The final puzzle piece of her plan fell into place then and there.

Pearl’s plan is simpler than anything the other rulers have come up with. In a way, that’s her cover. Xornoth’s minions are expecting big, flashy fireworks and chaos. They’ll be on the lookout for the hissing of fWhip’s explosives or the howls of Shrub’s wolves.

They will not look for PearlescentMoon crossing the border to Mythland under cover of invisibility.

She makes it all the way to Sausage’s castle without anyone batting an eyelash. The door is locked, but a window just above the door isn’t, so she climbs a nearby vine and cautiously slips through it. If she’s remembering Jimmy’s instructions clearly, there should be a ladder just below her, and then the cells are underneath that. Gem must be nearby.

It’s too quiet. Gem’s too quiet. Gem is never that quiet.

“Please, Gem,” Pearl whispers under her breath. “Please don’t be dead.”

She ties up her dress so it won’t get in the way, then opens the hidden trapdoor and sneaks into the basement.

The basement isn’t deep underground, but every step feels like an eternity. The unbearable smell of mold and dust overwhelms Pearl. She shivers with a cold ache that feels almost otherworldly. She has to get Gem out of there. She takes another step down the ladder, then another, faster and faster, when—

The ladder creaks.

From below, Gem gasps and scrambles to the back corner of her cell. “No, stop… I’ll give you anything you want, just not the dragon egg… please, just don’t hurt me…”

Pearl blinks back tears at the sight, but she forces herself to stay silent. One wrong move could doom them both.

She steps softly to the ground, walks over to an overstuffed chest, and gathers Gem’s items. She can’t carry everything, but she makes sure that Gem’s armor, tools, potions, and staff end up in her pockets.

Gem stares at the open chest. “I’m going crazy. I’m losing my mind. Please stop, just leave me alone…”

Pearl can’t stand to be silent anymore. She takes out a bucket of milk and drinks it, letting the invisibility spell fall away. “Don’t worry. It’s me.”

Gem stays curled up against the wall. Her eyes widen. “Pearl?”

“Oh, gemstone…” Pearl cautiously steps closer to the cell. “It’ll be alright. I’m gonna get you out of here.”

Gem breaks down sobbing.

Pearl lets her own tears fall. “I’ve got your stuff here. I’m gonna hand it through the bars, okay? Then I’ll break you out.”

Gem nods, still crying too hard to speak.

Pearl hands Gem’s items to her one by one. Gem equips her armor faster than Pearl’s ever seen before and holds her staff close to her chest for comfort. “Thank you,” Gem whispers.

“Of course.” Pearl turns her attention to the cell itself. Her heart drops. “Oh, my void. There’s no door…”

“They took it away after Scott escaped.” Gem holds her staff tighter. “They didn’t want me getting out too.”

“Gem, that was two days ago!” Pearl sits down next to the cell and reaches between the bars to take Gem’s hand. “No one’s come down for you since then?”

Gem squeezes Pearl’s hand so tightly that her fingers turn white. “No, they’ve come down. They can…” Her voice breaks. “They can still cast spells through the bars.”

Gem’s broken expression shatters Pearl’s heart. “Oh, love,” she whispers. “I’m here now. It’s going to be alright.”

Gem starts to cry again. “Pearl, help me…” “I’m here to help. Don’t you worry.” Pearl takes out a pickaxe and cautiously taps at the bars. “I’ve got to do this as quietly as possible. Sorry it’s so slow.”

“Take your time.” Gem slowly uncurls and moves away from the corner.

With a loud clang, Pearl manages to snap two of the bars off the wall. She slips through the gap and kneels down next to Gem, making a point not to look too carefully at her. Not yet. She needs to get Gem out of there first. She can’t afford to stop for anything, no matter how much it hurts her to see Gem like this. “I’ve got invisibility potions. If I’ve done it right, we should be able to see each other, but no one else can see us. I’ll break through the wall, and–“

“We’ll be seen.” Gem leans on her staff as she struggles to her feet. “We need to teleport.”

“Gem, it’ll kill you.”

Gem ignores her. “I can get us as far as the castle gate.”

Pearl sighs. She knows her partner well – when Gem makes up her mind about something, there’s no talking her out of it. “Fine, but you have to conserve your power. I’m not letting you die halfway to safety because you overdid it. I’ll take you back to my empire, and we’ll get you fixed up.” 

She hands Gem a bottle of a purplish-gray potion. Gem drinks it and makes a face. “You’ve really got to work on your recipe.”

“Hey, I’m trying to save your life here,” Pearl chuckles. “Give me a break.”

Gem lets herself laugh. “Of course. But when you drink it, I think I’ll be proven right.”

“Oh, come on, I had one from a different batch earlier. It’s not that bad.” Pearl chugs her potion… and fails to hide her disgusted expression. “Never mind. That’s horrible.”

Gem smirks. “Told you so.”

She’s interrupted by a voice from above the cell. “Don’t tell me we have another intruder.”

“We’ll take care of them this time,” another voice says. Pearl recognizes the voice as Sausage. “She’s not getting away from us.”

Gem freezes in panic. “Pearl, they’re coming. They’re gonna find us.”

Pearl slams the bars back into place. “Gem, breathe. If you’re gonna teleport us, you have to do it now.”

Gem takes a deep breath. “Hold onto me.”

Pearl puts an arm around Gem’s shoulders. Gem closes her eyes, holds the staff out in front of her, and whispers something Pearl can’t hear. With a flash of purple light, the two vanish from the cell.

The spell works perfectly. Gem and Pearl land just outside the castle gates, and judging by the lack of odd looks around them, the invisibility potions are still working their magic. They’ve made it out. “You did it,” Pearl whispers.

Gem leans her whole body weight onto her staff, then collapses to the grass. “Pearl, I can’t…” she murmurs weakly. “I can’t walk. I don’t know what to do…”

Pearl’s voice is soft and kind. “I’ve got you. It’s alright.” 

She lifts Gem into her arms with ease. Gem wraps her arms around Pearl’s neck and clings to her for dear life.

“Just hold on, my love,” Pearl whispers as she carries Gem through Mythland. “You’re gonna be alright. I’m getting you out of here.”

When they cross the border into Gilded Helianthia, the air itself seems to get lighter. Pearl hadn’t realized how corrupted Mythland has become until that moment. She has to figure out a way to heal it. No one else will get hurt — she’ll make sure of it.

“Pearl?” Gem clings tighter to Pearl as the kingdom’s golden buildings come into view. “I don’t want to be seen like this. Don’t let me be seen like this…”

“It’s alright. The invisibility spell should hold for a few minutes more.” Pearl rubs Gem’s back, hoping the gesture is comforting and not painful. “No one will see you until you’re ready.”

Gem takes a shuddery breath. “Okay. Okay, that’s… that’s fine. I just… it’s just…”

The castle appears in their vision. Pearl whispers to Gem, “Just what?”

Gem closes her eyes and tries to hide her tears. “I don’t want to die…”

“Oh, starlight…” Pearl blinks back tears of her own. “I won’t let you. You’re going to be alright. I promise.”

Gem buries her head in Pearl’s shoulder and lets herself cry. “Can we go inside?”

“Of course, my love.” Pearl keeps Gem wrapped safely in her arms as she enters the castle. “Of course.”

---

Pearl’s mind whirls as she carries Gem up to her bedroom and lays her down on the bed. Void, she’s tired. She hasn’t had a good night of sleep since Gem and Scott went missing. She can hardly imagine how Gem feels.

Gem curls in on herself with a pained wince. “Pearl, what do we do?”

“Just try to relax,” Pearl says as she types something into her communicator. “I have to tell the others that you’re safe so they stop worrying. I can tell them you don’t want to see them at the moment, if you’d like.”

“Mhm,” Gem mutters. “Do that. But what about…”

Pearl sighs. “I have Joey blocked at the moment.” After a pause, she adds, “And Sausage, too.”

“Okay. Fine. Send it.” Gem curls further into herself. “But they can’t see me like this.”

“Of course not.” Pearl types a few more words.

<PearlescentMoon> I have Gem

<PearlescentMoon> She’s safe and recovering in my empire

<PearlescentMoon> She’s requested no visitors right now but I’ll let you know when she’s ready

Dozens of messages ping in at once, but Pearl ignores them and puts her communicator down. Her partner is more important. As she sits down on the side of the bed, Pearl finally lets herself take a good look at Gem for the first time.

Gem’s braid is messy and full of dirt. One of her antlers is snapped in half. She’s covered in deep cuts and bruises, and there are dark circles under her eyes that make it clear she hasn’t slept in days. Her skin is pale and dry. Pearl chokes back a sob. “Oh, no, gemstone, I’m so sorry…”

Gem takes shuddery breaths as she tries to calm herself down. “No, it’s… it’s alright. You got me out. That’s enough…”

Pearl opens a green shulker box on the shelf and takes out bandages and healing potions. Gem stares in amazement. “You had that prepared for me?”

“Gem, you have to get used to people loving you,” Pearl says bluntly. “Did you really think I was going to drop you at the edge of my empire and leave?”

“Good point,” Gem murmurs, clinging to consciousness. She sighs. “Help me?”

“Of course.” Pearl hands her a healing potion. “Drink this.”

Gem chugs the bottle in seconds. She hums peacefully as the potion takes effect, filling her with warmth and comfort from the inside out.

“Okay. Now here, let me…” Pearl gently bandages Gem’s wounds one at a time. Bit by bit, Gem lets herself relax.

Pearl finishes by filing down the sharp end of Gem’s broken antler, then helps her to her feet. “I’m gonna wash your hair now, alright?”

“Okay…” Gem allows Pearl to lead her into the bathroom. She sits down in front of the sink and undoes her tangled braid. 

Pearl realizes it’s the first time she’s ever seen Gem with her hair down. She wishes it could’ve come at any other time, so she could sit and admire Gem’s beauty instead of worrying for Gem’s safety. “Here, tilt your head back. I’ve got you.”

Gem closes her eyes as Pearl gently washes her hair, combing out all the tangles and dirt. It occurs to her that the gentle touch is the most physical affection she’s received in weeks. When Pearl finishes washing Gem’s hair and takes her hands away from Gem’s head, Gem feels involuntary tears prick at her eyes again.

Pearl returns with a ribbon and ties Gem’s hair back into a braid, then notices that Gem is crying. “What’s happening, gemstone?”

Gem just sobs.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay. It’s gonna be alright.” Pearl helps Gem to her feet again, then wraps her in a hug and helps her stumble back into the bedroom. “You need your rest, alright? You’ve been through so much.”

Gem falls onto the bed and allows Pearl to tuck her in. Her breath speeds up I’ll m as she fights her instinct to cling to wakefulness. “I… I can’t… I…” She blinks back another wave of tears. Finally, she manages to form a single word as she grabs Pearl’s wrist. “Stay?”

“Always, my love.” Pearl sits down on the bed.

Gem pulls her closer until Pearl is lying down beside her, then curls up in her arms. “Thank you, sunflower. For everything.”

“Of course.” Pearl kisses Gem on the forehead. “We got you back, and we’ll never let them take you again. I’ll make sure of it.”

“I love you,” Gem murmurs.

“I love you too,” Pearl whispers back. “Sleep well, starlight.”

Gem’s eyes close again, and she slips into the first restful sleep she’s had in months. Pearl stays by her side.

The world might be broken, but they will keep each other safe.

[fruitcoops]

Night Changes

This isn't based on an ask, but I've had some early-Cap ideas brewing and think about the first time the team heard him laugh a lot. His and James' friendship is so sweet in SW--the beginning of it must have been such a shock to them both. SW credit goes to @lumosinlove!

So maybe James had bitten off more than he could chew. It wasn’t the first time, to be sure, but coaxing (read: drag kicking and screaming) his new teammate out of the carefully-constructed mosaic of scowls that made up his entire personality was proving to be a little more challenging than he previously expected. With most rookies, all it took was some elbow grease and overenthusiastic inclusion in group events to get them to open up—with his brand-new soon-to-be best friend, he had to handle things a little more delicately.

Sirius Black was a puzzle wrapped up in one of those freaky code-breaking machines from World War Two Lily liked to talk about. He was one of the best hockey players James had ever seen, but off the ice he seemed to shut down. The intense focus on his face smoothed out into almost perfect neutrality, and in the four months since he joined the Lions, he had never once smiled for real in front of the team. He sat in his stall and padded up in silence, then went out and kicked ass before following Pascal home like a living shadow.

Naturally, James took it as a personal mission to pry Sirius Black’s closed-off persona open like a stubborn oyster. He tried including Sirius in group events—the rookie went along with a quiet “yeah, sure”, but sat at the table and nursed a single drink for the entire night. He tried getting into friendly banter with him on the ice, but it was like Sirius had never joked with anyone in his life. Hell, he even tried finding him a girlfriend, which tanked harder than the goddamn Titanic.

“Rookie!” James shouted down the hallway.

Sirius jumped and turned around, obviously confused. “Me?”

“Yes, you,” James laughed, jogging over to toss an arm over his shoulders. “What’s up?”

“Not much.”

He waited for Sirius to continue, then rolled his eyes and gave him a friendly shake. “C’mon, man, how was your weekend? Has Dumo coerced you into being a stay-at-home babysitter yet?”

Sirius’ frown deepened. “What? I come with him to practice every day.”

Change tactics, change tactics— “Got any plans for Friday?”

James knew the answer, of course; it was always no or not yet or a simple shake of the head. If he was a less observant man, he would have assumed Sirius didn’t actually want to hang out with the team. But the longing looks toward their easy rhythm and the way he always tilted himself toward locker room conversations told a different story. “None yet,” Sirius said with a shrug.

James gave him a friendly slap on the back. “Good, ‘cause I’m having a party at my place and you’re not allowed to miss it.”

“Why not?”

“Because I want you to be there, duh.” The bewilderment didn’t fade from Sirius’ face, but beneath it—well, maybe James was just seeing things, but he looked almost hopeful. He ruffled Sirius’ hair and headed for the locker room. “Friday at five, rookie! I’ll be waiting!”

--

The week passed in a slog of practices and cold weather. Sirius clammed up more and more as the party drew closer, but James didn’t miss the way his eyes flickered between the rest of them like he was analyzing a play. He would make one hell of a captain someday, if he could just relax a little.

“Hey, rookie, want a ride?” he asked when the big day finally arrived.

“Don’t you want to go home and set up first?” Sirius’ brow furrowed. For an eighteen-year-old kid, he was awfully thoughtful. James couldn’t wait to see him let loose a little. “I wouldn’t want to get in your way.”

“It’s a yes or no question,” he teased, poking the bit of exposed shoulder through the widening hole in Sirius’ under armor.

“I…” He faltered, then the corner of his mouth twitched up. It was the closest thing James had seen to a smile from him yet. One point for Potter. “Sure, Pots. Thanks.”

“No problem. Meet me at my car in five or so, yeah?”

“D’accord.”

“Oho, fancy French,” James laughed, turning back to unlace his skates.

It wasn’t until thirty seconds after Sirius left the room that he remembered he never told the rookie what his car looked like. Horrible, terrible visions of the poor guy wandering around the parking lot—or, god forbid, thinking James had left without him—flashed through his mind. It would undo everything he had been working so hard to build.

“Shit,” he hissed under his breath as he shoved his gear into his duffel with reckless abandon and hurried out of the locker room. His legs would be stiff from trying to run so soon after a grueling drill practice, but it was worth it to save his friend. “Rookie? Hey, Sirius, you still here?”

There was no response. James cursed again and made a beeline for the door to the parking lot. Please, God, don’t let him get lost. I need him to trust me.

“Oh, thank fuck,” he panted as he burst out onto the half-frozen concrete.

Sirius looked up from his phone with a strange expression. “Are you okay?”

“Thought I lost you for a sec.”

“You said to meet at your car, yes?” He glanced between James and the car in sudden worry.

“Yeah, yes, absolutely, I just—” He made an aborted gesture and dug his keys out of his pocket. “I realized I forgot to tell you which one is mine.”

Sirius blinked at him. “I know what your car looks like.”

“How?”

“Because you drive it here every single day and you gave me a ride three weeks ago.”

‘Dumbass’ went unsaid, but James could feel it hanging in the air. He coughed lightly. “Right. Anyway, you can toss your bag wherever and hop in the passenger seat. My place isn’t far from here.”

Sirius took his duffel as he unlocked the car and settled both in the trunk with more care than James’ poor, battered bag had ever seen in its life. That was another thing that confused him about Sirius Black—he was so careful. He walked quietly for someone so tall, and each movement seemed pre-planned.

Each movement, that is, until he tried to get in the car. “Uh, Pots?”

“That’s m—oh.” James covered his mouth to stifle his laughter as Sirius tried to fold himself into the passenger seat and failed miserably. “I’m sorry, my girlfriend was sitting there last. Uh, there’s a lever on your right—yeah, there, just give it a pull and—”

With a harsh ka-chunk, the seat slid all the way back. Both men froze. It took everything in James’ power not to burst out laughing at the deer-in-headlights shock on Sirius’ face.

“Yep, that one,” he managed. “Nice job.”

They drove in relative quiet—James chattered on about weekend plans and hummed to the radio while Sirius watched out the window with the occasional monosyllable response. It took James a bit by surprise how comfortable he was, even without a steady stream of banter. Sirius might have been stubborn and silent and determined to foil all James’ plans at getting him to socialize, but he was calming to be near, like an anchor on unsteady water. Despite his overall quiet air, he was obviously paying attention to every word that left James’ mouth.

“You’re a good guy, y’know that?” he said as they turned onto his street. Sirius glanced over in surprise. “Most people tune me out within, like, five minutes.”

“I’m a good listener.”

James opened his mouth to respond, then paused. “Was that—Sirius Black, was that a joke?”

Something akin to mischief—mischief!—crossed his face. “Maybe.”

“Were you roasting me?” James gaped at him. “Oh my god. The guys are never gonna believe this.”

“Probably not.”

“You sick bastard. They won’t believe me.”

“You can give it a shot,” Sirius said with a shrug as the engine turned off. Pieces began to connect in James’ head as he stared, incredulous, at the rookie he thought would never even crack a smile. Four months of work had not been wasted, as he had feared; every joke, every one-sided conversation, and every attempt to get Sirius involved had been seen and heard and taken to heart. When he thought about it, he wasn’t sure he had ever seen Sirius actively agree to something unless James asked personally.

“We’re friends,” he said aloud, too surprised and too happy to hold it in. Not friends in the way James was with the rest of their loud, over-the-top teammates, but friends all the same.

“Well, yeah,” Sirius said as if it was obvious.

James unbuckled his seatbelt and socked him lightly on the shoulder, barely suppressing a shriek of excitement. “Love you, man. Grab your shit, we’ve got a party to set up.”

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

As much as it pained James to say it, having someone around who was six-foot-three was a huge help. There was no blow to his pride as he dragged Lily’s stepstool out; no grudging acceptance that he simply couldn’t reach those last two inches on the wall. Instead, he could foist any and all responsibility on his brand-new best friend in the whole wide world and focus on the things that mattered, like putting anything breakable or important far away from the grubby hands of his inebriated teammates.

His success was still ringing in his ears when the guests finally arrived—throughout the evening, James rode the high of accomplishing his mission to pull Sirius Black into his tight-knit circle. Every minute of those four months was worth it.

Midnight came and went, and by one-thirty in the morning James’ cramped living room was packed with tipsy hockey players in a vague imitation of a circle. “Non, non, I’ve gotta good one,” Dumo said, hiccupping. The room fell quiet as he leaned forward. “What do you call a body of water with a chicken in it?”

“What?” Kasey whispered, starry-eyed like a kid at Christmas.

“A swimming pool.”

The room stayed quiet, and then someone started to laugh. Slowly, they all turned to the source of the noise, and James felt a ripple of shock roll through the team as Sirius snorted. “It’s a swimming pool,” he said around a smile, his accent thick from three drinks. He had a nice laugh; James could get used to hearing it. “Like—poule, like chicken?”

His whole face was alight with happiness. James wasn’t sure whether to cry or cheer. That’s what I’ve been waiting for, he thought. That look, right there. Sirius fit in among the group like a missing piece of their puzzle, snickering away as if he hadn’t been stoically silent a day in his life. His laugh was downright bubbly.

“I don’t think they get it,” Dumo said into the rim of his cup.

Sirius shook his head, trying to catch his breath. “D’accord, so—so ‘chicken’ in French is poule, yeah? So a chicken in a body of water is a swimming poule. Do you get it now?”

A few oh’s of understanding washed over them, but several people continued to stare. “Too drink for this,” Sergei grumbled, though James could see the smile pulling at his mouth as Sirius turned to him with bright eyes.

“But it’s funny!” Sirius protested, so earnest it made James’ heart hurt.

“I think it’s funny, rookie,” he assured him with a clumsy pat on the arm. “And it’s my house, so I say Dumo gets a point this round.”

Kasey hiccupped. “Hey, anyone who makes the rookie laugh gets points in my book. No offense, dude.”

“None taken,” Sirius said, though his cheeks were pink.

James nudged him with his shoulder as Talker started a knock-knock joke. “It’s okay,” he said under his breath.

Sirius picked at the label on his cup. “I know I haven’t been very social,” he muttered.

“It’s okay,” James insisted. “It always takes rookies a while to warm up, so we’re just glad you’re happy. I’m glad my best friend is having a good time at my party.”

A heavy silence fell between them as Sirius looked over, eyebrows raised. “Best friend?”

“What, like you didn’t see this coming?” James slung an arm over his shoulder. “Yes, you French-Canadian nerd, you’re my best friend. And that means I’m your best friend, and there’s no take-backsies.”

“What the hell is a take-backsie?” Sirius laughed. “Did you make that up?”

James grinned. He had the feeling this was the beginning of an excellent friendship.

[jjungkookislife]

Fic Recs 2020 Pt. 1

Seokjin

let’s get married [SMAU] @hangsangwithbts

Summary: seokjin has no intention of getting married, but after facing tremendous pressure from his family to finally settle down, he comes up with the brilliant idea to fake a marriage. the lucky bride just so happens to be you.

voice mail @joonary

summary: kim seokjin is best known around campus for his romance advisory podcast, voice mail, but to you, he’s just your lovable idiot of a best friend. but when he accidentally lets it slip that he’s fallen for one of your fellow peers, you can’t help but be a little bit curious (and quite frankly, a tad bit jealous).

Yoongi

cheers if you agree @out-of-jams

summary: If it weren’t for the fact that he didn’t know who you were or even how to get into contact with you, Yoongi wouldn’t be posting all over Weverse for anyone to see. Not that he thought anyone would be smart enough to put the pieces of the puzzle together with how many people responded to his posts anyway.

snake kisses @peekaboongi

summary: You are grossly unprepared for the snake hybrid that enters your life. Yoongi is quiet and sneaks around you but eventually, even the cold reptile warms up to you.

under construction [SMAU] @luffles424

summary: In which y/n is just trying to figure out what to do with her life with the help from her (un)helpful friends

Hoseok

going once, going twice, sold @bxebxee

summary: But the real reason anything at all started with Hoseok was something much simpler, and probably wholly unexpected - not that you ever planned on any of the other members of the MBA Society to find out.You leave your unlocked phone in his car before stumbling your way into your tiny, studio apartment. And he sees a twitter notification asking you for further discount on your panties.That is all it takes.

just practice @lamourche

summary: The second time you hook up with Jung Hoseok, he doesn’t remember the first time.  You’re surprised.  It was only a few weeks ago, and you were in a broom closet. That has to be different, right? (Well, not really, you’ll learn.)

game over @9uk

summary: your boyfriend has been gaming all day without paying much attention to you. that is until his friends on discord brings up the moaning noises in the background.

you’re my kryptonite @dovechim

summary: Superheroes are immortal, they are everything we are not. The Krypton are a race of superhumans sent down to Earth to protect humans, and they are the epitome of nobility and protection. You have always believed in their immortal, God-like powers, revered and admired them your entire life. Your wish for your very own superhero is granted when you meet Jung Hoseok, a Krypton with the most unique, powerful abilities you’ve ever seen.

Namjoon

first, do no harm @yandere-society

summary: Dr. Kim is well known as the most skilled heart surgeon in the hospital, but when you notice his mortality statistics seem skewered, you discover all is not what it seems. Now, Dr. Kim is offering you a choice: will you join him? Or become yet another broken heart beneath his scalpel?

internet friends [SMAU] @bts-celestials​

summary: meeting through online, namjoon slowly starts to fall for the person who likes all the things he’s into. maybe having friends online is fun.

Jimin

reset @dovechim

summary: We are made of the pieces of what we remember, and we hold in ourselves the hopes and fears of those who love us. As long as there are memories to call our own, there can be no true loss. But Park Jimin has no such privilege.

paparazzi (tw: flash banner) @chinkbihh​

summary: What if the roles were reversed and it was Jimin who was the fan and you who was the idol?  But what if he wasn’t just a casual fan, but an avid fan?  Maybe even a sasaeng…  

Taehyung

the morning after @softlyjiminie

summary: one night, full of passion, whispered promises and heated kisses. one morning, full of regret and unwanted memories. is a night with your ex enough to send you running back into the arms of the devil?

fake love @mygsii

summary: an arranged marriage between you and taehyung leaves behind feelings of bitterness and hatred. will your heart be able to survive, especially when you’ve loved him all your life, or will it fall apart with this marriage?

cheap skate @gukslut

summary: Who doesn’t know Taehyung and his lady? Cutest couple in town, I’d say, and have been since they started dating in their college days. Oh, that was a while ago, though. And still, they’re happy as can be in that place they have together. Almost hate seeing one without the other, y’know, it’s like seeing just one testi- oh, right, I’m not supposed to talk like that. Anyhoo, I only say that because I saw Taehyung at a jewelry store the other day while I was buying my sweet Jiminie his presents. Maybe that boy’s finally gonna pop the question, but I do hope he’s got a good plan for it. Something sweet and romantic. Maybe I’ll find out after Jiminie gets back from that cabin he’s visiting.

baby i @jiminsfault

summary: a one night stand with a stranger leads to so much more than just great sex

Jungkook

only for love [SMAU] @lysjeon

summary: for almost four years it had been just him and sarang, and he had no plans on changing the life they had become accustomed to any time soon, but of course y/n has to come and shake his world.

one time in your room @ubemango

summary: There are papers to write, and virgins to daydream about. (You can think about Jeongguk’s dick later.)

piss off your parents @littlemisskookie

summary: In an effort to piss off your parents you move in with their worst nightmare- a boy with tattoos, a rock band, and an irresistible charm.

departure @nomnomsik

summary: As a flight attendant for Korean Air, you’re scheduled for a thirteen-hour flight to Japan. However, things get intimate between you and your partner and co-pilot, Jeon Jungkook, when he realizes Park Jimin, the famous idol from Korea, broads the plane and blatantly flirts with you.

curiosity @hobidreams

summary: when innocent jungkook comes to you with a not-so-innocent question… you decide it’s easier to just demonstrate.

inkling @gguksgalaxy

summary: Jungkook is your brother’s boyfriend’s co-worker, they own a tattoo and piercing parlour. In other words, he’s tall, gorgeous, has his passion literally etched into his skin, looks incredibly good in a man-bun, and is semi-unattainable for you. Why? Well…you’re not entirely sure but him ditching right after a very heated make-out session sure isn’t a good sign. His extremely poor mood the next week sure isn’t either, but the only way to fix it is to face the beast head-on. Right?

j’aime @baepop

summary: You’re the newest hire at a local café and head barista Jeon Jungkook takes you under his wing.

pop goes the cherry @1oserjk

summary: jungkook comes back home to find you visiting as well, all grown up — in more ways than one.

skirt chasers @1kook

summary: “Baggy clothes are in, but you wouldn’t know that, Miss I Draw Inspiration From Catholic School Girls.”

kiss it better @jincherie

summary: When one goes to Kim Seokjin for advice, it’s almost guaranteed to never end well. This is something Jungkook learns quickly when he mistakenly follows treasured advice to ‘be smart’ and ‘use his assets’. He just did what he was told! Of course, the execution was a bit poor… and embarrassing. But hey, if rocking up to cheer practice in a skirt doesn’t woo your crush, what will?

pay by play @yoonia

camboy!au

deeply poisoned @xmagicxshopx

summary: Kiss me on the lips, a secret just between the two of us. Deeply poisoned by the jail of you. I cannot worship anyone but you and I knew the grail was poisoned but I drank it anyway.

speeding ticket @minstrophywife

summary: Caught speeding to get home in time, you find yourself pulled over by a very delicious cop. Perhaps you can talk your way out of the ticket.Or,“I’m afraid I’m going to have to do a cavity search ma’am.”

OT7/Multiple Members

buttercream @minniepetals

summary: you were always adorable in their eyes, sometimes a little too adorable.

dulce periculum @forgottenpasta

summary: Devious and devilish, your two new impish hybrids never miss a chance to torment you for your hopeless attraction to them, knowing exactly what they do to you. But is sly sexuality and enigmatic allure all there is to the tiger and wolf hybrid, or do the depths of their eyes hide something more for you? Part ½

tropicana @dragunjk

summary: groovy punch sippin

amaranthine @koyamuses

summary: As the sole owner of Nightshade, a quaint bed and breakfast on the outskirts of the city, you find pleasure in rising each morning to tend to your guests but behind closed doors and within the shadows, you are the covenant leader to a group of young vampires who have claimed you as their mate.More often than not, your day is brimming with a mix of daily chores and back door deals that ensure the survival of your covenant. However, everything changes when three werewolves come stumbling into your life, all three of them claiming it was your scent that drew them closer as the words true mate ring into the silence.

testosterone boys @kiwiscript

summary: A little end of the year party tradition gets taken too far.

operation love letters @ve1vetyoongi

summary: When every student on campus is going crazy about a survey that claims to make true love bloom, your best friend manages to convince you to join in on the fun — except you’re disappointed to find out that your results just seem to be lost causes. That is until a love letter from a mysterious secret admirer turns up and you find yourself on a mission to find the person behind the pen — but you quickly realise it’s going to be a lot harder than you initially thought when you have 7 possible bachelors to investigate, right? Operation: Love Letters a-go!

our princess @iridescentjin

summary: In your newly established poly relationship, you are intimate with both Taehyung and Seokjin at the same time for the first time.

[fangirlandiknowit101]

30 BTS writer asks: 1, 12 + 18? ❤️🌻

Almost forgot to add - thanks for asking<33333

1. What was the first fandom and/or pairing that you wrote fic for?

Unsurprisingly, it was for Naruto and Sasuke/Naruto. You can still read it in all its glory, even on ao3 lmao. Might be hard to believe but that fic (Unsuspicious title, don't ask why it's called that I have no explanations) is really the absolute first thing I wrote that counts as a fanfic. I didn't write about other people's fictional characters before that. I didn't really write much outside of school at all, not sure how I lived my life tbh...

12. Is there a trope you haven’t written yet but really want to?

I answered earlier that I want to write a horse rider au at some point, but what I'd also like is to write a real enemies to lovers fic. Like, actual enemies. But it might be too angsty, so who knows if I'll ever make it lol.

18. What is a line/scene you’re really proud of? Give us the DVD commentary for that scene.

Aah you guys really want that commentary don't you... maybe one day I'll release a version of tswm with director's commentary for the whole thing hahahahaha (jk I'd never have time to do that)

But alright, I'm gonna take the opportunity to comment on another scene in tswm that I definitely this deserves it, it's the reunion scene between Naruto and Sasuke in chapter 49! I hesitated to pick this one bc it's so long and emotional, and also I don't want to add any accidental spoilers... but oh well. Here we go!

[My comments will be in bold text, this starts almost at the beginning of the chapter, right when Sasuke meets Naruto in Kaguya's place.]

He reached out with a hand, the bright light reflecting in the half-moon in his palm. It glowed, and just like that, his hand wrapped around another’s.

Naruto.

He sucked in a breath, lungs desperate for air. Naruto stood before him, chest heaving, hand clutching Sasuke’s so hard he feared it might break.

Their shared beat rang loud in his ears, eyes wide as they drank each other in. The darkness had given way to white, fuzzy light, their bodies floating, suspended in air.

“Sasuke,” Naruto whispered, as if afraid to drown out the sound of their connection.

Honestly, I tried my best to make it as painful as possible. That's all I wanted lol. At first I had no idea how to write this scene, but then I just got a feeling and tried to write it in words.

There was no hiding in this place. It was similar to that strange place that seemed to exist between them when they fought, blows connecting, hearts open. Between one breath and the next, it would be gone, their shared hearts lingering long after.

Nothing more poetic than that special place Kishimoto created for them when they exchange blows... extremely gay.

Here, there was only the two of them, the heat of their bodies as Naruto reached for his face.

“Am I dreaming?” Naruto wondered, fingers stroking along Sasuke’s cheekbone. “You look so real…”

They sank down, slowly, until their feet touched solid white. He shivered, the tips of Naruto’s fingers touching his chin, his mouth.

“It could be a dream,” Sasuke said quietly, exhaling as Naruto came closer.

“I can feel your heart,” Naruto murmured, his forehead coming to rest against Sasuke’s temple. “I missed you so much.”

Images flashed before Sasuke’s eyes, impressions of the world from Naruto’s perspective. Menma as the kyuubi. Kakashi, entering through a window. Iruka, hand gentle as he reached over the table.

Sakura, pain drawing her face tight. A mountain of paperwork. Snippets of conversation. The overwhelming pain of loneliness, like walls closing in on him.

He puzzled together enough pieces to make sense of the days since they separated.

Must be convenient to just read each other's minds... I should stop making fun of my own writing. But anyway, I felt very clever when I realized I could skip explanations between them and just let them see each other's memories of the past few days. I think it fits that they could see it through the other person's eyes, all the emotions too. Especially how painful it was for Naruto and how much he was trying to keep it together in front of his friends, and still failing. It gives Sasuke a better understanding of what would have happened if he'd decided to leave after one year passed (and I'm still bitter at Kishimoto for doing that in canon.)

“Naruto,” he sighed, lifting a hand to sift through soft strands of hair, closing his eyes as Naruto pressed into him.

Hearts bared, he felt Naruto’s desperate longing as his own. It mirrored his own pain, the aching emptiness filling his chest. Little by little, the cold was pushed away by warmth, Naruto’s mouth touching his cheek, his jaw, his throat. It burned against his skin, each point of contact erupting into tendrils of heat that seeped into his body.

“I didn’t know what to do,” Naruto confessed, lips shaping the words onto Sasuke’s throat. “I couldn’t go back to you, I-“

Sasuke turned his head, capturing his mouth. The words were lost between their lips, swallowed by the sudden surge of need. Naruto’s arm wrapped around his neck, keeping him in place. A fever caught him, leaving him dizzy and faint. He felt emotions between them like a physical caress, like they swirled in and out of their bodies, like a strong wind playing with fallen leaves.

Pain. Longing. Fear.

Happiness. Comfort. Love.

Naruto kissed him like he’d die if they stopped. He might, for all Sasuke knew.

Don't mind me, I was just crying buckets as I wrote this.

Their hands were still clasped tight, their palms pressed together, keeping their marks in contact. Teeth dug into his lower lip, but he could barely feel the pain over the onslaught of emotion. It was overwhelming, to share Naruto’s heart so fully. Was this how Naruto had felt, when Sasuke had touched him by accident? When Sasuke had shared too much of himself, and Naruto had been unable to give him the same in return.

I think it actually wasn't as overwhelming for Naruto when Sasuke accidentally touched him. This place that Kaguya controls just amplifies things a lot.

No such restraints now.

Their souls were on fire, like chakra flames billowing around their bodies. It was too much to make sense of, and yet it felt as if they’d always been this close, always been one and the same. Naruto fit inside him like a key, like Sasuke was now unlocked, his body no longer keeping him prisoner.

“Naruto,” he breathed out, over and over again, every nerve ending alight as they held each other.

I was listening to this song called Heat Up by Giant Rooks as I wrote this (that's where the chapter title comes from and honestly the lyrics are just *chef's kiss*) and I really tried to use as much metaphor as I could, idk if that makes it sound boring haha but for once I was definitely thinking very hard about every single sentence. And I tried to make it as "alive" as I could, so you'd feel it rather than have it described to you.

An eternity later they calmed down, mouths sliding lazily over each other, heartbeats finally finding their shared rhythm. Their foreheads pressed together, Sasuke’s eyes fluttering open to meet deep blue, their usual strength faded into self-doubt.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, running his fingers through Naruto’s hair, thumb tracing the shell of his ear. “Don’t hide from me, not here.”

Aww look at Sasuke, so in tune with his emotions. He really is an all or nothing kind of guy. If they already share everything in this place, there's no point in having secrets. Besides, his worst fear is Naruto losing confidence because of something he said or did.

Naruto let out a sharp breath, lifting their clasped hands between their chests.

“I missed you,” he said again, eyes closing in pain. “I’m so happy you’ve been okay.”

So much pain. Sasuke struggled to make sense of it, so much of it reflected inwards, towards Naruto himself. He could understand the longing, the absence of him like a gaping hole. It mirrored his own pain, pain he’d locked inside his heart within a steel cage. It flowed freely now, wrapping around Naruto’s in recognition.

But the rest… Naruto let out a sob, and yet he was smiling. Sasuke pressed another kiss to his lips, unsure of what to say.

I know Naruto did that whole waterfall thing where he embraced his evil side and totally let go of all his negative energy... But you can't tell me he's 100% okay and only happy and never feels pain. When will Konoha start offering therapy... Jokes aside, at this moment in time Naruto is so conflicted. The whole time he's been worried about Sasuke leaving him, and telling himself that Sasuke would be happier in the other dimension, and that logically he should let Sasuke stay, but he absolutely doesn't want Sasuke to leave him. It's the most selfish thing he's ever felt, I think, this need to have Sasuke by his side. And he's got so much on his shoulders, just piling up, everyone relying on him to somehow magically fix the world. And he's afraid of failing, of acknowledging to himself that there are parts of him that aren't ready to shoulder this burden, that he's still hurting, that there's still a part of him that could have become like Menma. He's supposed to be completely selfless but he isn't, and he thinks of that as a character flaw, a personal failure. And that's kind of where his resolution to not become hokage comes from. Because he doesn't think he can remove this selfish parts of him, and so maybe he should embrace them instead.

“Sasuke, it’s so strange…” Naruto started, his words slow, carefully chosen. “You understand Charasuke so well, but Menma… I can’t accept him. And now I realize, he shows the ugliest parts of me. The parts that I’m afraid of.”

They both leaned back a little, to see each other’s faces. Light played over Naruto’s features, blurring him at the edges. Sasuke cupped his cheek, tilting his chin up so that their eyes met. Now that he knew what to look for, he could feel Naruto’s fear.

“It’s always there,” Naruto confessed, raw honesty in his voice. “The fear of losing you. The fear of not being strong enough. The fear of becoming hokage, and failing.”

Sasuke opened his mouth to say something, to reassure him, but Naruto shook his head quickly.

Sasuke, on the other hand, he never held himself up to be a good person. He's well aware that he has weaknesses, that he's putting up walls so he won't have to deal with emotions and stuff. But he does believe (a bit blindly) in Naruto, I think. Even though he thinks Naruto won't succeed, it's not because of anything that Naruto does or fails to do. He thinks it's because the world won't follow him, that Konoha isn't capable of change. But he never thought that Naruto would actually give up or have these kinds of doubts.

“Let me say this. I didn’t understand it at first. Menma always rubbed me the wrong way. I know you don’t like him either, but for me… It’s like looking at myself and knowing I gave up.”

He drew in a deep breath, his fingers trembling around Sasuke’s.

“And now, here, I can’t avoid that fear. Because all of it… all of it is for you, Sasuke.” He swallowed, and through the fear, Sasuke saw his determination. “You asked me, if there’s any room in my head for anyone but you. And there isn’t.”

Naruto's brain is 99% Sasuke and 1% ramen, that's just fact. That aside, this might be one of my favorite quotes in the fic.

Frowning, Sasuke bit the inside of his cheek to stay silent. Naruto was working up to something, he could tell, and part of him couldn’t help but think it would end the two of them.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Naruto said, drawing the pad of his thumb over Sasuke’s eyebrow, the touch equal parts reassuring and painful. “I can hear your thoughts, you know. Do you really believe that I would choose anything else over you?”

A lie caught on Sasuke’s tongue. He didn’t want to believe it, but what place did he have by Naruto’s side? How could he be all that Naruto wanted him, needed him, to be? How could he be someone that others would accept walking by his side?

Oh, Sasuke. Always so ready for Naruto to cast him aside. He doesn't want to stand in the way of Naruto's dreams *wipes tear*

“I don’t believe that you would want to,” he replied, eventually. “But maybe you should.”

They stood for a long time, looking at each other. Sasuke felt torn in two directions. He wanted to tell Naruto to never leave him. He wanted to say that he’d accept anything. That he’d remove himself from Naruto’s presence to make the choice for him. That he couldn’t, wouldn’t, stand between Naruto and his dreams.

That he’d known, all along, that the other dimension was only a dream. An impossibility. That he accepted this, and wouldn’t resent Naruto for choosing the village over him.

I think the difference between Naruto and Sasuke here, is that even though they both think the other should maybe leave them for better things, Naruto is much less ready to actually give Sasuke up. Sasuke is more of the martyr type lol.

“You deserve me,” Naruto said, voice dark with conviction. “Don’t you dare think otherwise. Don’t you understand? If you saw what I’ve been doing the past days…”

Naruto lifted their joined hands higher, shifted his grip until he held Sasuke’s palm open in front of himself.

“I thought only of you. I cared only about you. What good is the village to me, if you’re not there?”

His heart felt too heavy in his chest. Naruto’s words rang through his ears, the implication behind them ensnaring his heart until Naruto held it in his hand, too.

“I don’t want any of it, if you’re not with me.”

Sasuke lowered his eyes. He couldn’t allow himself to give in. He’d already given so much, and although he knew that Naruto would have this, too, it was too much in this moment.

“Sasuke… When are you going to recognize that you’re a good person? That even if our relationship hadn’t changed like this, I’d still need you beside me?”

I wanted to write this part so badly... To make Naruto tell Sasuke that he's a good person. That Naruto thinks so, at least. It's one of the first things I thought of for this scene. Not that Sasuke agrees haha.

“Me, a good person?” Sasuke raised his eyebrows, meeting Naruto’s gaze again. He recognized the stubborn glint in Naruto’s eyes, and sighed. “Even if that was true, you’re smart enough to know it’s not enough.”

Slowly, Naruto pulled his hand closer, his grip turning gentle. Sasuke caught himself holding his breath, as Naruto’s lips connected with the mark on his palm.

“You still don’t understand,” Naruto murmured, the movement of his lips tickling Sasuke’s skin. “The past few days, what have you been doing? Caring for the children, when I wasn’t there to do it. Putting Charasuke before yourself, comforting him in the ways he needed you to. Holding yourself together. Trusting me to come back.”

This is where we acknowledge exactly how much Sasuke has changed. Naruto spent the days apart thinking only of Sasuke, even to the point where he was neglecting his friends and duties. Sasuke, on the other hand, stepped up to fill the role he thought Naruto left behind, hiding his pain behind helping others. Ultimately trusting Naruto to hold his promise to come back. Also, I just want them to be soft with each other T_T

Staring at him, Sasuke’s breath caught in his chest at the swell of pride Naruto felt for him. Was it true, that he had changed so much? In Naruto’s eyes, he had. It was startling, to realize how Naruto thought of him. But Naruto had changed too, he thought. They had grown closer, in a way he didn’t think they could have in their own Konoha.

“I think Charasuke is a bit like you,” Sasuke said, lips twitching upwards at Naruto’s affronted look. “He needs physical comfort. I don’t mind giving it to you, and I guess I don’t mind giving it to him either. You both tend to do whatever you feel like, anyway.”

“You used to mind.” Naruto looked serious, reaching out to touch Sasuke’s mouth as if to prove his point. “Suddenly, you didn’t.”

The smile slipped from Sasuke’s lips. Naruto was right. A few weeks ago, he did push Charasuke out of the window. To be fair, Charasuke hadn’t liked him much back then, either, and the circumstances had been very different. He did understand him better now. If Menma represented Naruto’s fears, Charasuke represented everything Sasuke wanted in life. But Charasuke didn’t have Naruto, didn’t have Menma with him either, and maybe that was why Sasuke wanted to be there for him. His connection with Naruto was precious to him, had kept him going, had kept him questioning himself even in his worst moments of darkness. Had given him a reason not to give up on a life that wasn’t filled with pain and hatred.

Naruto made it worth it to change. Was he hoping to help Charasuke change, too?

Spoiler alert... yes you were, Sas.

Perhaps Kaguya had something to do with it, but maybe, even without her influence, he would have reached this point anyway if given enough time. Time they didn’t have back home. It surprised him to realize that Naruto had thought of this already. That he felt selfish for wanting Sasuke to go back with him, when he knew it would be painful.

“You minded when I touched you, too,” Naruto added, as a reminder that they were talking about the two of them.

“I didn’t.” It was easy to confess. “I couldn’t allow myself to accept it, but I never minded. And now…”

Even if Naruto could read most of his thoughts in this space, it was difficult to say the words.

“I was afraid to have more of you. I still am.  Because I know they’ll never accept it.”

Sasuke vs homophobia :( Can't really kill that with a sword. Sasuke was definitely in love with him before they went to the RTN dimension, he'd just buried it so deep that he had no idea it was there or what it was. If you separate love from attraction it's not really gay, is it? (It is)

Naruto kissed him again, desperately. There were so many thoughts swirling between them, a mess of images and emotions overshadowed by the overwhelming fear of losing each other.

Naruto’s guilt, for not being able to reach Menma like Sasuke reached Charasuke. Their worry for each other. The frustration of being forced to wait. Sasuke’s slow realization of how much Naruto meant to him. How much his family meant to him, even a different version of them.

“I can’t be without you again,” Naruto said, swallowing thickly. “There’s so much I want to say and I don’t know how.”

“I’m here,” Sasuke promised. “Any way you want me to be.”

Even though it hurt, knowing the struggle that lay ahead of them, how Naruto had struggled only the past few days.

He wasn’t sure when he’d closed his eyes, but Naruto’s hands holding his face between them made him open them again. His expression was serious, almost solemn.

“I think you’d be happier if you stayed there,” Naruto whispered, searching his eyes. “You can’t deny it. I know they’d take care of you, and I can tell that your bond with your family is important to you. In a different way than ours, but still. I’d forgive you, if you chose them.”

Stop sacrificing yourself, Naruto. I don't like it.

“How could you say that?” Sasuke grabbed Naruto’s wrists, glaring at him. “Even after everything you said about how you can’t be without me, how you’d never choose anything over me, and you still think I would leave you? Even when you can feel my heart, you think I won’t choose you no matter what?”

Sasuke calling him out, as he should.

He knocked their foreheads together, tightening his grip.

“You think I’d choose happiness over you?”

How could he be happy, if Naruto wasn’t there with him? It wasn’t even an option. He cared about Charasuke, that was true. And the other version of Itachi, of Shisui, his family… Even the Sakura of that world. But how could they compare? Losing Charasuke would hurt, but it wouldn’t rip his soul apart. Staying with them would be a life, but it wouldn’t be living. How could Naruto think of himself as selfish, and still be so incredibly selfless when it came to Sasuke? What was he supposed to do, to make Naruto trust him once and for all?

“If I deserve you, why wouldn’t you deserve me in turn?”

Naruto didn’t have an answer to that. Sasuke hadn’t expected him to, and he felt him struggle with the concept. Naruto’s hero complex wasn’t doing either of them any good.

Like, I personally don't like the concept of anyone deserving love or not deserving it. Love is something you give, freely, regardless of how society values the other person. The love you give isn't less worth depending on the person receiving it. But I think the both of them are so traumatized that they need to make peace with this concept. They kind of need to be told - yes, you do deserve love, and I will give it to you. Naruto's hero complex is like... we don't have time to unpack all of that.

“You want to do this the hard way?” Sasuke continued, tone sharp. “I’ll do it with you. I don’t think you’ll succeed but I’ll do it.”

He gathered up all his resolve, all his conviction, pushed aside his own reservations.

“Saying you’ll forgive me… that’s a lie. You wouldn’t. You never would. And I wouldn’t want you to, anyway. If you wanted me by your side and I couldn’t do it, you’d be right to hate me.”

“I could never hate you.”

“Then I’d hate myself.”

Bearing each other's burdens and all that...

Naruto made a face, as if to disagree, but Sasuke felt him smile despite the topic of their conversation.

“What kind of role reversal is this,” he muttered, pressing his thumbs into Sasuke’s cheeks childishly. “I don’t even know why I’m arguing about it.”

“Because you love me.”

They stared at each other. Naruto’s eyes widened in shock, but Sasuke held his ground. What was the point in pretending anything else? It all made sense like this, and perhaps deep down Sasuke had always suspected it, even before he returned to Konoha.

“Y-you can’t just say it out loud!” Naruto spluttered, slapping his hands onto his own face instead, hiding behind them with a groan. “Stop being so smug about it!”

Me, while I wrote this: Yeah, you can't just say that out loud! The pain of being perceived. I am suffering with Naruto.

“I won the argument, didn’t I?”

“Ugh, shut up!”

Feeling lighter, Sasuke wrapped his arms around Naruto, leaning his cheek against the top of his head, Naruto burying his nose in his neck. He’d deny it when they were back in reality, but he could feel that Naruto wanted the body contact, and he was unable to resist it. It didn’t take long for Naruto to calm down, releasing a huff into Sasuke’s neck.

“Maybe we can just stay in this place forever,” he said, sneaking his arms around Sasuke’s back.

“You’d miss ramen too much.”

If an emotional scene doesn't end with a joke, what are you even doing with your life. But writing them hug was like, releasing so many endorphins. I'm weak to it.

It was strange, to talk and immediately feel every thought behind the words, every emotion on full display. Naruto’s amusement radiated off him, and it was his turn to feel a little smug as he concentrated on everything that Sasuke felt for him.

When Naruto started imagining long days spent in bed, Sasuke rolled his eyes and decided they’d been emotional enough for the time being.

Sasuke like, I can accept the lovey-dovey stuff, but I draw a thick line in front of the bedroom door. He's got some work left to do lol.

Idk if any of this made any sense but... there you have it!

[jean-does-not-have-a-horseface]

Before Dawn ~ Pt2~

Hii!! This is part two of my new series. I hope every one of you like it, I'll be tagging the story with it's title so it's easier to find.

Warnings: mentions of attempted murder

@wakatosji I figured I should tag you but if you don't want me to tag you its alright, I don't want to be annoying ❤️

Comfort tea

"Ew?" First goes Lynne. Her face is contorted with a puzzled expression as she lifts her eyebrow to Petra's sudden requiry.

"Well, yeah, kinda" Nanaba shoots a glare to Nifa, as if judging her for her choice of words before she simply brushes the question with waving her hand. Seconding that, as if she knows what you were about to say a few moments before she sets her blue set of eyes on you. A gulp finds its way down your throat as her cold gaze pierces through your body and it's not long until you get the message. The girls' voices echo through your head as if you're listening from afar for you're drunk in your own thoughts.

For instant, you hate the fact that the first time you try to willing open up about a new feeling, you're overshadowed. The urgent need to spill your guts on the subject becomes more prominent by every single minute passing and yet you force yourself to keep it in. You're not about to physically burst your guts like a corpse under the hot summertime sun because of your emotions, so you should be fine if you collect your impatient self.

"Shut up Petra, I'm serious." A playful chuckle leaves Lynne's mouth.

Maybe, it's the fact that Nanaba knows you too well that lifts some weight off of you for now when at the same time she's stopping you from saying something you'll regret. And thus, you bite your lip and reluctantly decide to ignore the throbbing of your own thoughts.

"He handpicked me for his squad!"

:readmore:

Oddly enough you don't feel any jealousy creeping in your system by hearing Petra's words thanks to Nanaba putting you in your place. Even though, you're sadly reminisced of various scenes of your past where you've been in this very position after your mother has barked at you to stay in place you utter not a single word. Your head almost always automatically goes blank so you're not taken aback by your lack of reaction. Whatever Petra says you're sure going to overthink later, when sleep won't be willing to take you for the night.

"Captain really needs someone else in his squad right? Everyone has five members and he has four. (Y/n) why are you even in Mike's team, you could fill this blank right?"

"It's a special operations squad Nifa you dummy! He handpicked everyone!" Petra's adorable bunny smile is directed towards Nifa this time who gives her a cute puckered smirk of approval in return. It's almost too precious of an interaction for you to miss.

"Mike handpicked (y/n), right after me." Nanaba's voice bores casually into conversation while she takes her eyes away from her plate and lands them onto you. "So, what were you about to say?"

"Uhm" Your mind trails back to today's most random event "Henning imitated Tomas after I said good morning and scream 'nice tits (y/n)'. I totally gave him the finger." This simple choice of words helps avoid any unnecessary drama in your girls group. At least you had some dignity not to throw hands over a man anyways.

_____

"Hange stop squishing my cheeks, I can't sit with the higher ups."

"But you did last week!"

"You dragged me!"

Hange's response is only a silent hmf followed by her ever so memorable toothy mischievous grin. She begins taking steps towards you that only increase as one foot follows the other. Despite not being in a playful mood, you decide that running seems to be the best thing to do in the moment to get yourself away from her. If she catches you, she's dragging you with her once again.

Your heart is erratically pounding in your chest as you sprint down the many hallways of the headquarters, out of breath and dizzied by hunger. You reluctantly pause for a second to catch your breath amidst waiting for the inevitable to happen. Devil sure works hard but Hange and her determination work harder, you're reminded of that everyday, you tell yourself, not only when her hand lands onto your shoulder. You mentally punch yourself in the throat for not keeping your body in a better shape.

"I am not letting you starve again, let's go!"

All while during dinner you converse with Mike and Erwin on shortage of hygienic and sanitary products, something that concerns the commander excessively. Soldiers' access to basic necessities is always a top priority in the Scouting Region and commanders are to always tend to their needs. Erwin is and should be no different.

Levi seems to have his mind in your conversation and ignores Hange entirely while she's speaking some Titan nonsense to him. His eyes often widen when Erwin expresses concern on lack of soap and talks about his predictions on its practical annihilation, but it's only what you utter next that grabs his attention enough for him to turn his head in your direction.

"We can make soap. We don't have to keep putting orders for it to be made. I was taught to make soap at home and I'm sure many other girls know."

Silence spreads fast as if a traveling shadow on sunset on the table after you speak. Erwin's batting his eyes in yours, Mike too and Levi looks at you with that usual unamused expression of his. How come they had never thought about that?

Well probably because it wasn't always that there was such shortage in almost fucking everything.

"My office after dinner, cadet." Levi speaks, breaking the silence with his stern sounding voice. "There's something I need to discuss with you."

__

"Yes sir!" You reply in a heartbeat with a small bow of your head.

Not long after, the distinguishable tone of the curfew bell fills the air, making most soldiers get up from their seats instantly. Levi sits still in his spot as his fellow higher ups bid him with farewells and goodnights to which he replies with casual, nonchalant hums. Upon seeing most of the plebe has left he orders you to stand up and follow him.

He can't help but take a few vague looks of you with the corner of his left eye and he wonders if you do the same from time to time as you march behind him. It doesn't take long for the two of you to reach his quarters, but when you do he takes a stand to unlock the door before proceeding to let you in, him following asuit behind you.

"Here have a seat." He offers unsure of where to point to except for the dark colored loveseat near his desk. "I wanted to know how you even took the knife out of my hands." He watches as your facial expression turns into something along the lines of an almost undetectable disgust and sorrow, your brows forrow and your lips pucker. You couldn't hide it even if you wanted to and maybe the fact that he provoked such reaction from you bit suddenly on his gut and kept chewing on it.

"Just because you were a thug, doesn't mean you're the only one who gets to handle a knife you know." You finally answer, scratching and scrunching your nose in uneasiness. Almost mechanically, the next question comes out of his mouth without remorse.

"Oi what does a brat like you want to do with a knife. You don't strike me as the thug type. You're too uptight for that." A few moments later his gut is going to make him regret ever asking you in the first place.

"Uptight? Ugh, why would you even care, I bet your mother didn't try to murder you in your sleep or with any chance she could."

He grits his teeth inside his mouth and immediately closes his eyes in horror. That horrible feeling of his gut being chewed forms into bits and pieces of wild inner comburst within his organs. Though he cannot phantom what you have been through, he is able of making vivid potential images in his mind that will probably contribute to another sleepless night.

He turns to face you in hopes of being able to mouth anything that could cut through the uneasy tension he's created but at the sight of you he's overthrown. That heart breaking sob that leaves your lips, those thick streams of tears down your cheeks, he won't make it if he keeps looking at you in this condition, all he wants to do is scream, for he's witnessed enough cruelty and damage in this world and it seems that it's never enough. Human bloodlust is never enough.

"I'm s-sorry. I just. Why did I say that?" You faintly utter with uncertainty masking your shaky voice.

"It's fine, as long as you get over it." He definitely despises himself because of that line because in the name of heaven and hell how do you simply ask someone to get over such trauma without sounding like an entitled asshole. The motions that his eyes catch in the dim light of his office are skinny, hard but fragile at the same time and they all hint to you wanting to leave, presumably due to the lack of consolation on his part. He just determined he'll do better. You helped Isabel back on the day so he lets you this one.

"I-I'll excu-"

"Do you have any prefered beverages?"

"M-milk tea" you quietly huff. He's not quite sure whether a drink will ease your boiling pain, but at least he's hoping it'll soothe your current state.

His heart is officially aching with agony and pain that refuses to mellow even a notch, even if he begs to any profoundly selfclaimed wall God. Ever since a year ago he's been living within the heart of crime and downgrade garbage, respected for his violent ways and easily feared for his inhuman skills. In that dirty, shit smelling drain, overpopulated with humans or rats -or probably both, he can't possible distinguish them- who piss in any corner they find, he thought he'd seen any gruesome thing a man can do, but that rough melancholy in your eyes convinces him he's so casually wrong.

"I apologise for bringing such subject up, (y/n), here's your tea. Though due to shortages we don't have any milk." You matter him a word of gratitude as he sets the cup next to you. He'll never let you know, but he notices you're surprised by his actions even in that state you're in.

"She's dead. My mother. She died last month and-" you trail off your words "I guess it's more of me being emotionally chained to my abuser." Levi just pops his head in his palms and sighs deeply at the sound of that but never comes to find the right line up his textureless thoughts should take for him to form a sentence.

"Kinda looks like piss don't you think?"

"Huh?" If he could hear your words correctly and not partially because of the turbulence in his mind he would have thought of an instant smart come back.

"The tea, it looks like piss." At the sound, he barely manages to hold in a chuckle.

He knows yet he manages to only scoff in response. "I had to tremendously water it down, be mindful." He opts to suggest always in that bland tone of his.

"Do other people except from us drink it like that?"

"I desperately want to doubt that anyone cares to provide for your golden shower enthusiasm, so no. This is some of my personal stash."

The two of you enjoy your comfort tea in sheer silence. Levi can't take his eyes off of you, not that he's trying to, but he tries to convince himself it's only because you've verbally shared your trauma with him. In return, for some of his, he didn't have to share, you were there to see Isabel's head laying on the blood stained grass with Farlans upper body accompanying it. He wants to speak up, but his mouth is seldomly never in a place to voice out the exact thoughts in his head, so even if he tells you about Kenny and his childhood you never get to hear it. In addition, he's not the one to try and overshadow somebody who speaks about themselves by sharing his experience so the comfortable silence that has sprawled in the whole of his office is more than enough.

______

Here's the deal. Henning likes Lynne, Lynne likes Tomas, Tomas likes you and you like Captain Levi, not that hard to grasp right? As long as no one neglects their soldier duties everything is fine.

It's a plain sunny Sunday in the Survey Corps headquarters. Mike is on a day out, perhaps strolling around the city of Trost in chance of finding any merchant to provide for soldiers necessities, while you're assigned with cleaning his office.

Levi is standing at the doorframe, back pressed upon it with his hands crossed over his chest as he supervises the six of you go. He promised the blond squad leader to keep an eye on his team seeing that things would get heated up pretty easily nowadays, ending up in heated arguments most of the time as well.

Every time his eyes meet yours you avert your gaze away, specifically to the floor you're set on scrubbing until your hands bleed. He can't help but notice it. Small little movements of awkwardness from his part make you tense even if you're oblivious to his awareness of the fact.

"Tch" He tries his best to shake you off the territory you're occupying in his mind. It's not right for him to endulge in something frowned upon after having just received a position as a high rank. That's not his purpose here. Emotions should never color your judgement in battlefield.

"I'm taking a break." You call to the others as you stand from your kneeling position. You pat your hands dry on the sides of your hips and you hope Levi doesn't notice, because you won't see the end of this.

"I'm coming with you! Wait for me." Tomas announces and you respond a soft 'sure' along with a warm smile. "Ah God, I'm so thirsty!" The two of you walk past Levi at the door, but you never spare him a look, in fact you're too invested in your small talk with Tomas to even ask for permission to excuse yourselves.

"Love birds, huh Nanaba?" Gelgar elbows the blonde with puckered his lips, a ridiculous expression plastered on his face. "I wonder how long until we get the good news-"

"Gelgar just shut up."

"What Lynne? Poor Tomas might finally get his chance with the kid."

Lynne loves you and your group of friends deeply. She and Nanaba are probably the big sisters of the group. They've stuck with you, Nifa and Petra through thick and thin, through bloodshed and tragedy, so she's not mad at you for having caught Tomas' attention. With your melancholic youthful face, (h/c) hair that blows softly in the wind, with the way you pucker your lips when you're determined or angry. She's probably mad at herself for never acting on that cadet trainee crush she had on Tomas. She sets her mind on recovering quickly from it.

Despite opening her mouth to speak, she notices it's not her voice that's heard, but in fact it's a deeper, almost nasal one.

"Set to work, tch, don't waste your energy on royal teenage drama."

"Sir! Yessir!"

Irritated, Levi bites the inside of his cheek, without ever changing the look in his eyes. You were kind and behaved well mannered to everyone, that was all. That was was led you to act nice to Isabel and what led her to speak highly of you to him. Nothing more. Nothing less.

 

"It's alright! Get up" with your eyes shut, you smile at the redhead who's sprawled across the grass while holding out your hand to her. Isabel smiles back and she proceeds to take your hand, taking another chance to spare with you again.

For a few nights she won't shut up about you. How you don't look down on her like other girls do, how you iron her clothes just like her big bro does.

"I'm going to miss her when were free of here, Farlan!" The red head takes a bite of her bread and munches softly on it. Before she even has a chance to speak another word she feels a hand ruffle her hair but notices that Levi's hands are concentrated on the simple task of feeding food in his mouth. She spares you a heart warming smile and wave but you fail to reciprocate as your friends gesture you to sit.

"You're gonna make me miss her too and I don't even know her." Farlan says and places a hand at the top of his head, scratching a soft spot.

"Ahh, big bro! Can we kidnap her!"

"We're not kidnapping anyone. We need to focus on our mission alright Isabel?"

Isabel shushes at this but doesn't fail to shoot you a glare. And this time you respond with a wave. Whatever you lack in word choosing skills you make up for kind acts. She wishes they kidnap you, she needs a female friend anyways.

Hey you there, yes you, thanks for taking time and reading this, I appreciate it more than I can express. If you want to see me write something for you make sure to leave a request in my askbox! Any comments on how you're enjoying the story are also very appreciated. Much love until next time 💕

[rosemarypasta]

monday afternoons ♡ 8

➤  pairing : oikawa tooru x female reader (karasuno manager)

➤  chapter warnings : slowburn (?)

➤  summary : You just recently joined the Karasuno boy’s volleyball team as their first year manager. As you grow closer to your teammates, you also unexpectedly grow closer to one of their biggest rivals, Oikawa Tooru

➤ chapter word count: 1732

♡ masterpost ♡

-ˏˋ chapter eight ˊˎ-

MONDAY 6:00 PM

“Bye everyone!” The second year libero enthusiastically yelled out before the whole team parted ways from Sakanoshita. The rest of the team mumbled out their farewells with drained energy from an intense practice session. You turned on your heel and began to walk side by side with Kageyama. Two whole weeks have passed since that confrontation with Tsukishima and you’ve made it your top priority on trying to regain their trust. Though, most of the team accepted your apology right off the bat, you still tried your best to be active in practice and be friendly with them.

“T-Today was though huh?” You started, referring to the hell-like receive training session the team just had that gifted everyone with new splotches of black and blue all over their arms. “Mhm” Kageyama hummed, his eyes and hands fixated at his unopened milk box. Your shoulders sank at his reply. Of course, there was nothing wrong with Kageyama’s answer. He was always the type to answer with the least amount of energy. A “Mhm”, “Yeah”, “Ok” was a typical Kageyama reply to everything but after what happened with Oikawa, you started to over analyze every reply he gave you. Surprisingly, he was one of the many who accepted your apology right away and just went on about his day like nothing happened, but you still can’t help but think he might have a grudge on you, though you know that he’s not the type of person to do so.

The walk continues in silence. The silence was suffocating to you and your mind raced to come up with conversational topics but Kageyama didn't feel a thing and walked as usual with a milk carton in his hand.

Ever since that day, you’ve stopped replying to Oikawa’s texts and calls. What Hinata said that day just made too much sense, all the insecurities and worries you had revolving around yours and Oikawa’s relationship just fit like a puzzle piece. He never made things official because he never wanted you to be his girlfriend. You were just a toy to piss off Kageyama and you played right into his palm like a fool.

You didn’t even bother asking him about it. You didn’t want to. You figured it would be too painful to hear it from him himself.

Though you kept ignoring him, he still repeatedly tried to text you and call you. Spamming your name in your chats every day for the last thirteen days but last night your chats were empty, with no texts from the Seijoh captain. You figured he finally got tired of chasing after his toy and gave up. But even though you were the one ignoring him, you felt a pain in your chest as you went to sleep last night.

You groaned internally as you watched your house loom closer and closer, cursing under your breath as you didn’t manage to spark a normal conversation with Kageyama.

And as if this whole situation couldn’t get any worse for you, your eyes spot the white blazer of a certain school. The two of you stopped in your tracks, your breath hitched in surprise as you saw Kageyama’s arm shielding you from the Seijoh captain. “Oikawa-san, what are you doing here.” Kageyama’s solemn tone echoed the empty streets.

“Y-Y/N! Where were you I wa-“

“Stop. Get lost already, she doesn’t want to hear it.” He barked at his senior. Before Oikawa can get another word in, Kageyama grabbed your wrist and pulled you away, leaving the brown haired setter at a loss for words in the middle of the dark neighbourhood.

12:03 AM

Oikawa rubbed his bleary eyes with his fists. He knows he shouldn’t be doing his but he couldn’t keep Y/N of his mind. He knew Iwaizumi would scold him the second he senses something and snatch his phone away. But he had to do it.

He turned his phone on and opened it to reveal his lockscreen which left a bittersweet feeling on the tip of his tongue. He swiped his thumb across the picture of his and Y/N’s hand intertwined together that he sneakily took one time she was distracted and unlocked it.

He bit his lip as he typed the two words onto Y/N’s empty chat.

“Good night”

The brown haired setter wanted to say so much more but he figured if he wanted to even make it out alive out of Iwaizumi’s lecture he was going to have to sit through the next day for disobeying his orders to just leave her alone, this was the most he could do.

He sighed as he tapped the send button. He knew she wasn’t going to reply just like the last two weeks but he still had hope.

Oikawa got up to turn off his bedroom lights before staggering back to the same spot he has been in for the last three hours. He covered his body with the covers, bringing his legs and arms closer to his chest. He went to bed with his hands close to his heart, his phone clutched tight in his fists.

TUESDAY 12:14 PM

Hanamaki and Matsukawa watched as their captain sighed at his phone for the eighth time since the lunch break started. The two third years exchanged glances, trying to get the other to ask what was wrong again. Hanamaki squinted hard at Matsukawa, silently arguing with his eyes that it was him who asked Oikawa yesterday to which Matsukawa argued back that he got to the rooftop first so he had to sit through more sighs and moping than him. The two continued to glare hard at each other as their captain signed for the ninth time that afternoon.

“What’s wrong?” Iwaizumi broke the silence amongst the three Aoba Johsai third years as he crept onto the rooftop with an armful of various colors of melon pan. Both Hanamaki and Matsukawa gave their friend a deadpan look on their face as he knew what the problem was. Iwaizumi sighed and proceeded to spike a plastic wrapped green melon pan straight to Oikawa’s downcast face.

“Man, get over yourself and tell them already!” Iwaizumi scowled at his unusually quiet best friend who would usually go ballistic if a bag of bread was hurled at his face. Oikawa sighed again and buried his head into his hands, “you tell them.” He mumbled.

Iwaizumi shook his head at his best friend and turned to his other friends as he commanded. “Basically, he started to fake date the new Karasuno manager to get back at Kageyama but he accidentally fell in love but the girl suddenly started to ghost him for some reason.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

“That’s not true! We’re not dating...yet…” Oikawa suddenly shot up. “Whatever! You get my point.” Iwaizumi barked back, rolling his eyes at him.

“Wow captain, fake dating? this is an all time low, even for you.” Hanamaki managed to stay, stifling his laughs, causing Oikawa’s face to retreat into his hands. “You? Actually falling in love with a girl? That’s new.” Matsukawa scoffed, reminiscing his captain’s old flirtatious ways with multiple girls at a time.

Oikawa sat silently as his friends laughed at him. He couldn’t even yell at them and defend himself because he knew they were right. He knew he would always play around with girls but to fake date a girl? He knew he would hate it if a girl were to fake like him but at the end he did end up liking Y/N so...it isn’t that bad...right?

“What’s the big deal? You’ll probably get over her after you go to a mixer like you usually do.” Matsukawa said through the bread he was munching on. “Yeah, what’s so special about her anyway?” The pink haired wing spiker chimed in.

“She’s special...she makes me feel so different.” Oikawa answered, his throat dry. Matsukawa, Hanamaki and Iwaizumi looked at eachother, not expecting such a pressing and soppy reply from their usually annoyingly playful friend who’s never serious about anything other than volleyball.

“I-It’s like I feel like I can be myself, the me I only show the closest people around me, the me I’m around you guys,” Oikawa took a deep breath, not caring about the looks on his friends’ faces, “I mean, you guys know how I’m with when I’m around other girls. Pathetic, fake, disgusting-”

“You said it, not me.” Hanamaki mumbled before getting elbowed on the stomach by the Seijoh ace.

“She makes me all...fuzzy and feel like the whole world is in technicolor. I-I’ve never felt it before but I don’t think I hate it. I don’t know exactly what is it but I think it’s L-”

“Love.” Iwaizumi cut off, “Sorry, had to finish off your sentence before these two start vomiting.” He pointed to the two third years squirming on the ground at Oikawa’s words.

6:05 PM

Oikawa sighed as he faced the darkening sky with his best friend by his side. His ever so silent phone still tight in his right hand, his palm starts getting clammy as the words he planned to say resonated in his mind.

“Iwa-chan?” He quietly said as the two walked home from practice.

“Hm?” Iwaizumi replied as Oikawa expected.

“Remember the one thing you told me not to do?”

“Yes.”

“I did it.”

“I know.”

Oikawa took his eyes off the sky and to his best friend, “You knew?”. Iwaizumi scoffed at his flustered friend, “How could I not? You were staring at your phone like some freak.”

Iwaizumi’s eyes watched as his best friend’s shoulders sagged even more. It would kill him to admit it but it pained him to see how down Oikawa was.

“But,” Iwaizumi started, causing Oikawa to flinch, expecting the long awaited lecture and yelling. “What I didn’t know was that she was that important to you.” He said in a calm demeanor, confusing his friend with the unexpected behaviour.

“She is.” Oikawa coughed, for his throat suddenly felt the driest it has ever been. Iwaizumi abruptly put his hand in the midst of Oikawa’s curls, bringing his head closer to his shoulder.

“She’s so important to me.” Oikawa tried his best to blink away his hot tears that accumulated in his eyes.

next:  -ˏˋ chapter nine ˊˎ-

previous:  -ˏˋ chapter seven ˊˎ-

A/N

I am sleep deprived from moving across town and never ending assignments so i’m so sorry this took so long and i didn’t proofread this chapter so i’m sorry too lmaoo. I plan to soon though so please ignore any mistakes I made this chapter

tag list (open):

@hey-there-demonss​ @bumbledunce​ @teasbees-knees​

[modern-inheritance]

Modern Inheritance: Yellow Gerbera (Pt 4 of Torin’s Story)

(A/N: I originally planned for this to be the start of a single ‘chapter’ but to hit all the points I wanted to I realized I would need another part because it got ridiculously long. 

Anyway, we get to meet a new friend! And here’s your reminder/confirmation that the ‘I’m not even into women!’ comment Torin makes in a panic in the previous chapter is Torin coming out as gay. Happy pride. Note that Torin was thought up as gay originally probably over a year ago, so this isn’t some pride month ploy. Torin is a gay, anxiety prone mess that needs therapy and friends. And we are doing the best to get him those.)

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3 // PART 4 // Part 5 // TBC

~~~

“Enough.” 

Torin snapped his gaze back up to the Elven Queen as she stood. He had nearly forgotten she was there, speaking aloud his memories as the world faded around him. Through the corner of his eye he could see that the patch of light that wandered the floor of his cell had shifted considerably. The pale golden pinks of approaching dusk barely kissed the ground. 

Queen Islanzadí drew herself up before him, expression unreadable. “Enough. I must meet my war council.” A tension that Torin had been unaware of building suddenly released, and he slumped slightly. So she wasn’t stopping to kill him. That was a good sign. He stood slowly, joints sore, and stepped back further into his cell before pausing.

Unsure if it was the right thing to do, Torin awkwardly shuffled his feet and bowed low. “Y-yes, ma’am.” When he straightened the elf was regarding him with what he thought could be the barest hint of amusement, as well as some mild thoughtfulness. 

“One of my people will come to you shortly.” The door to Torin’s cell clicked shut, guided by silent magic. The display made him shiver again. “I cannot confirm your account until tomorrow at the earliest, and cannot trust you to roam free. However, that does not mean that you will remain here in your own filth. You will bathe and be provided with new clothing before we next meet. 

“If you cause any disturbance or attempt to flee, you will be killed without hesitation. Am I clear?”

Torin heard himself speak in affirmation, but his mind was reeling as the Queen departed down the ward’s hall. 

‘Confirmation.’ So some of the men from the High Security Ward had survived the battle. He wondered if they would be truthful when asked about their former comrade, and the consequences for both if they were not. 

Suddenly lightheaded, Torin stumbled to his cot and collapsed on to it. His face pressed against the cool cinderblock, providing some anchor to the world. Every nerve tingled with static, fizzling anxiety and long forgotten hope all clamoring for the top spot in his consciousness. The dulled realization that he had forgotten to ask if the elf he had met back then was alive drifted through his mind with a pang of guilt before it too faded. 

It took til the sun had set and the moon had risen to peer over the rim of the world for Torin’s overstimulated brain to wrestle the revelations and relivings of the day down. He shifted in his cot and sat up, back to the wall, as he laid out the processed information in simplified pieces to take them in with an emptied mind.

The elves were fully in control of Gil’ead, not the Empire. The Elven Queen, Islanzadí, had visited him at his cell. She was interested in the fire-eyed elf that had been imprisoned here, and in Torin’s interactions with her. The Queen would come speak to him again, probably tomorrow, and another elf was going to come and take Torin somewhere to bathe and give him a new prison uniform. 

The last pieces to the day’s puzzle lingered in the young man’s mind as he tucked the rest of the information away. 

Torin was not exactly a prisoner anymore, but was not free either. Not only that, but the question that had stayed with him since his arrest may yet be answered.

‘What happened to the elf after her escape from Gil’ead?’

A knock against the cell door roused Torin from his thoughts. He stood, a bit more than surprised that anyone would be so kind as to knock, and warily approached the barred window. “Y-yes?” His throat was dry from his earlier speech. 

An elven woman was outside, peering into the cell with the same curiosity Torin once held as he looked in on the imprisoned elf all that time ago. “Stars watch over you, Torin Aldsson. I am Naela, of House Varan.” Her voice was the pitch and tone of a shallow river gliding over rounded stones, a smooth, rich alto with hints of lilting tones and rolling ripples.  

“It is nice to meet you, Naela.” 

The young man could not help but feel a small sense of relief as his gaze caught on the woman’s hazel eyes. It was clear, through them, that Naela carried the same power as the other elves Torin had encountered. But there was something different about the way she held it, almost cupped in her hands. There was a softness, almost gentle touch at the edges. 

Her eyes were...warm. Like laying in the beams of light that graced the ground on a chill day. Whereas the imprisoned elf’s eyes blazed with an undying fire of ferocity and determination, and Queen Islanzadí’s were the sharp, crisp chill of a winters day, Naela’s eyes were the warm sun of approaching autumn, the last vestiges of warmth and comfort at the edge of the cold seasons ahead.  

Torin wondered. If the elf from before were safe, with friends, away from this awful place and free from pain...would her eyes look the same? 

With a murmured word and a gentle tug, Naela unlocked and opened the door. “The Queen has assigned me to be your guard.” She stepped aside, offering a clear path into the hall. “If you would follow me, please.”

Torin went to fall in, but stopped at the threshold of his cell. It felt as though iron shackles had snapped around his ankles, pulling tight as he tried to step over the invisible line separating him from the world outside the four little walls. A wave of panic washed through him, ice cold to the point that it made his lungs seize. 

What if there were spells set on his cell? What if he couldn’t leave? The world seemed to tremble at the edges, and for an instant he felt his foot moving back, away from the door back to the relative safety of his cell–

Gentle hands on his forearms snapped the world back to an anchored clarity. Naela was in front of him, concern tipping her sharp brows inwards. “You are safe, Aldsson.” 

Torin could not stop his shaking. He wanted to believe her, he really did. But how could she know? He had only left his cell with another guard before. What if there were things set in the stones to kill him if he left? Or what if the burns on the imprisoned elf’s feet were a result of an escape attempt? What if–

Naela was speaking, then. But the words were...different. They were not in common tongue, yet deep in the marrow of his bones, the very cells of his nerves, Torin somehow...understood. He did not know what she had said but in that moment he understood her meaning, that there was absolute truth in her words. 

“Listen to my voice, Alddson. You are safe. Nothing will harm you here.” 

The trembling eased to a manageable level. 

“Would you like me to help you?” Torin nodded mutely. Following the pressure that the elf exerted on his arms, unable to resist, the young man took his first steps out of his cell in months.

The hall was the same as it always was. But in that moment, as Torin breathed deeply and tried to get his hammering heart under control, the air felt crisp and clear. The lights felt bright, almost too much so. Beneath his bare feet, the cool concrete felt polished and mirror smooth. 

It felt...good. And at the same time, everything almost overwhelmed him. 

“Are you back with us, Aldsson?” The young man focused back on the elf that still held his arms. Her concern was evident through the tilt of her head and tightening around her eyes. 

A pang of guilt and shame washed through him. This woman had come to let him out of a dank and filthy prison cell, and instead of thanking her and doing the only sane thing and walking out, he had to have her physically drag him through the door like a nervous cat from under a bed. 

“Yes.” Torin instinctively flexed his fingers, that telltale itch and tingle forming in his muscles that was only pacified through worrying at his knuckles. “I’m s-sorry. I don’t– I didn’t–”

“Do not be sorry for this.” Naela’s voice was firm, and the combination of that and the soothing pressure as she squeezed his forearms drew Torin’s eyes back to hers. “You are feeling things that are natural for some after such isolation.” She suddenly smiled at him, bright and reassuring. “If it will make this easier for you, I can keep contact with you as we walk. Would you prefer to remain indoors? There is a path that does not lead outside if you are not yet ready.”

A soft blanket of solace settled over Torin’s shoulders. He gave Naela a shaky smile, and nodded. “Thank you. I’d like that.”

With a reassuring pat to his arm, the elf shifted to a position slightly behind his right and settled a hand on his shoulder. Together, the elf and the freed man moved to the stairs.

~~~

Despite Naela’s gentle presence, Torin felt a twinge of unease in his stomach as they passed the door that led to the High Risk Ward’s open-floor showers. Another turn saw the two pass the ward common room and finally stop at the small barracks, where Naela held the door for her charge to enter and beckoned him to the door at the back.

Torin followed obediently, eyes darting to take in the state of his former bunk. Second on the right, lower berth. Like all the other beds it had been stripped, the mattress removed and placed elsewhere. The footlockers were pulled from their places beneath the bunks and sat lined up in front of the empty frames, all cleared of their contents.

With a jolt of sudden homesickness he had not felt since childhood, Torin remembered that the last picture of his family was in his locker when he was arrested. He wondered if it had been thrown away, and made a mental note to try asking Naela if there were any prisoner effects left in the lockup. 

“This is to be your room for the time being.” Naela pressed her hand to the door at the end of the barracks, unlocking it with another spell. 

Torin blinked. “This is the Captain’s room though....” He followed his guard inside, taking in the space. He had only been inside twice before, and had spent most of the time staring at a particular cracked cinderblock in the wall as the Captain berated him for whatever he had done. 

The space was well over half again the size of his cell, but was still quite small. There was only room for a soldier's bed along the far wall, a writing desk beside the door, and a small dresser to the right. At the end of the bed was another door, revealing a tiny bathroom with a toilet, sink and shower. 

Naela clasped her hands behind her back, hiding a small grin. “The Queen thought this would be the most convenient accommodation until she could investigate your claims.” She gestured towards the dresser and then the shadowed washroom when Torin turned at her voice. “There are several sets of clothes of various sizes for you to find your proper fit once you have washed.”  

For a moment, Torin couldn’t speak through the sudden lump in his throat. He turned back to survey the room and hide the watering of his eyes from the elf, warmth blooming in his chest. 

This was the kindness those of his own race had abandoned. The simple right to basic living conditions, to proper hygiene, space to move more than two paces and enough light to see and not feel oppressed by constant gloom. To be suddenly provided with it all, even when he could not leave and was still technically a prisoner…. 

‘...So the Queen is not as cold as she puts off. At least, not entirely.’ 

Torin wiped his eyes and breathed deeply before facing Naela again. “Thank you.” Feeling mere words not sincere enough to convey the wealth of emotions now inside him, Torin bowed.

Naela laughed and took the young man by the shoulders to right him. “You don’t need to bow to me, Aldsson!” 

The sound of laughter, after so long, made Torin smile. “Are there any restrictions that I should follow while here?” 

“Ah. Unfortunately, the washroom door must remain open, but I will turn my back when privacy is needed.” Torin nodded. The decreased privacy was not something he was unfamiliar with. He was living, and often showering, with twelve other men before his arrest. And it was not like the cell he was in previously was the most private of places. “If you find yourself needing anything, do not hesitate to ask. I will remain at the door.”

Still smiling, Torin nodded. It took a locking of his muscles to prevent it from turning into a bow again. With another word of thanks, he hurried to the first shower available to him in months, elation bubbling in his chest.

~

Yellow Gerbera: Warmth, sunshine, friendliness.

[uservillanelle]

Killing Eve ― 3x03 (Review)

Alriiight clowns, who’s ready for some 3x03 discussion? I don’t even remember how many times I’ve seen the episode already, but there are still some points I’d like to point out/talk about. So let’s get started!

Andalusia

As bad as it sounds, I enjoy seeing Villanelle do her job. It’s exactly where the show can show off some really incredible places in the world and of course explore different, creative ways of killing someone. However, this time in particular I don’t think it was realistic enough the way they did it. I mean, what kind of strength does Villanelle need to have in order to throw the tuning fork like that and instantly kill a person? You’d think it would take a lot more effort to have the tuning fork pierce human skull. No? 

Anyways, another thing is the nanny that Villanelle also killed. I believe only the pianist was her target, since she appeared to be rather taken aback by hearing the baby’s cries through the baby monitor. She didn’t expect anyone else to be in the house. She could’ve easily left without anyone seeing her, but she didn’t. “You really like that baby, huh? It’s not even yours.” So this kind of explains why she killed the nanny, since the baby wasn’t hers? But then again... I think this scene was needed for her to be able to take the baby and eventually this thing would escalate into her need to find her family. 

The Bathroom

Carolyn and Mo are analysing the circumstances of Kenny’s death. And what’s better way to do it than in a bathtub? Classic Carolyn. This reminds me of Villanelle’s “I have a thing for bathrooms, actually.” One of the recurring themes that the show expresses in such a natural way. 

The fact that the head of MPS still claims that it was suicide despite the lack of note or motivation. Makes me wonder just how many more cases like these are marked as ‘suicide’ when in reality there’s a lot more to the story to uncover. KE is really into all this shady stuff, hm?

Eve is SO done with Carolyn this season. She deserves it though, after betraying Eve but it is just so satisfying for me, at least, to watch them interact with this new formed dynamic. It’s refreshing that Eve was in a way replaced by Mo, who now is basically Carolyn’s assistent and not Eve. She did make her point for not wanting to work for Carolyn anymore, so she found someone else, while Eve is still active and in the game, just in her own way. Gotta love independent Eve Polastri.

Meetings Have Biscuits

Eve is really taking charge this season, not gonna lie. She basically set up this whole meeting, invited Jamie (whose name I constantly keep forgetting) and even ordered everybody on what they should be doing since neither Carolyn nor Jamie showed the initiative to work with one another. “You can have a biscuit when you tell me what the point of you is.” GOLDEN LINE!! I don’t usually agree with Carolyn, but YES! I’m not really sure what is Jamie’s role here. You can have Bear, who already helped to solve the rubbik cube’s puzzle while Jamie did what, exactly? I have a bad feeling about him but I’m not going to say it just yet... in case I’m wrong and do I hope I am.

Young mother with baby and grandma

I absolutely ADORED this scene in all ways. We got to see Villanelle interact with an actual baby without her doing any harm to him! That’s a rare gem we might not get to see again, so let’s appreciate it! Not only that but we got to see A BABY interact with A BABY. Villanelle’s a literal child and I love her to pieces. 

Ever since Villanelle found out that Eve’s alive she’s been back on her BS just like Dasha said and apparently it’s been DAYS. “What got into you?” So.. Dasha doesn’t know that Villanelle knows about Eve. Meaning Dasha is not communicating with Konstantin and probably doesn’t know about Eve. Then again, last episode she and Villanelle did have a talk about how she can’t go down the same road again. So is Dasha pretending not to know what’s going on or she truly isn’t aware?

Villanelle gets her next postcard. It’s London. She freaks out and we all know exactly why. Yeah, it’s like, WE also should be freaking out about it because Villanelle will be going to London in episode 3. Eve and Villanelle usually got her first reunion in episode 5 in previous seasons. So it does feel too soon and that’s exactly what Villanelle says next. “I’m not ready! How about that?” Of course she needs to prepare first. She’s extra like that. Not only she says it but she is actually nervous and her body language is TOO loud about it. 

This brings me to my next point... Dasha sees just how much of a mess Villanelle is and proceeds to “encourage” her once she hears that she’s not ready. “All you need is anorak and a face like cheese”. Okay, hear me out. Last episode Dasha and Villanelle were having a conversation about Felix and how Villanelle will have to “guide” him, encourage him and make him believe that he “can be good”. This is exactly what she’s doing with Villanelle now, or am I seeing things? Last time Villanelle picked up on that, this time she doesn’t because she’s too invested in thinking about Eve and preparation. Then she agrees with Dasha and we see her give this sort of satisfying look which only indicates just how twisted she is. I mean she can’t be that stupid to not realize why Villanelle is the way she is... and STILL encourage her to go to London. Like.. I’m sure The Twelve has many more assassins up their sleeve so why not send someone else to London instead? No. It has to be Villanelle for the show’s sake. It has to be Villanelle because EVE is there and the idea of the Twelve possibly wanting to recruit Eve keeps appealing to me more and more... this might not be the case at all but why would both sides keep setting Eve and Villanelle up even after they seemed to be “over” one another?

On a lighter note, Dasha placing the baby in the trash bin is the most hilarious thing I’ve seen. INCLUDING Villanelle’s reaction. Sooo damn good, but it didn’t seem like anyone saw Dasha do it at first. It’s only later when someone heard the baby crying, people showed up. This show man.. there’s nothing else like KE in television and it’s a fact.

Eve

Let me just start with “But before I go on, you have to understand that once I tell you about them, your lives are in danger.” “Then don’t tell us.” “They’re called The Twelve.” Eve’s really not giving a shit about anything as it seems LMAO! I mean, at least she gave them a warning beforehand? This is yet another recurring trait of Eve’s. She doesn’t care about other’s needs except her own. It happened plenty of times back in S2 and it happened in this season. For example when she called Kenny and asked about the drinks and as soon as she got the answer she needed from him, she hung up not giving a chance for Kenny to say anything. Then now, and the way she treated Mo once she asked if he could trace the Geneva account for them. This reminds me of a scene in S2 where Eve basically ordered Kenny to help her find Villanelle by saying “you work for me.” This is exactly what she’s doing with Mo now. “Did you take this job thinking it would be easier? If you did. quit now. Cause it’s only getting tougher.” This is her own way of manipulation and getting what SHE wants. She even did it with Villanelle back in 2x05 when she asked for her help while interrogating the ghost. She did it and basically had to ASK Eve for a ‘thank you’ which wasn’t even genuine from Eve’s part. It’s not the best thing to have or do... yet I’m not sure if Eve is even aware of what she’s doing or when she does it. Hopefully it won’t cause major trouble further into the story. Hopefully.

The time has finally come. Eve is finally beginning to realize and hopefully accept her feelings for Villanelle. I’m not saying she was in denial before, but more like avoiding the topic in general. Until this episode. I mean the sexual tension between her and Villanelle whenever they meet and especially in this episode was WAY too strong for her to handle and she went for it. She went for the kiss which, can mean a million things, like Sandra mentioned in one recent interview. It can mean she went for it to catch Villanelle off guard, it can mean that she simply gave into the temptation... and accepted the fact that yes, she IS attracted to the assassin and this way unlocked this very personal character journey we are about to see. After meeting Villanelle she still went to the office and all she said was “I don’t want to talk about it.” Clearly it all was too much for her, as it was FOR US, so it’s understandable. But when she came back home and got instantly paranoid, thinking Villanelle was there just got me thinking of just how big of an effect does Villanelle have on Eve. She definitely caught Villanelle’s strong scent there... and then the recording. Sure, she was scared and angry and at first turned it off ASAP. But something changed soon afterwards... something that made her turn the recording back on and bring it to her ear... and close her eyes while taking in Villanelle’s voice. She IS admitting and she DOES wish Villanelle was there. This was a moment where she had time to process everything on her own without anyone else around her. She needed this... and the reveal is just so delicious. I’m sure we all know how the episode really ended, huh?

Now that the reunion happened and Eve found out that Niko apparently discharged himself from the fascility and moved back to Poland, I’m very intrigued to see just how much will Eve and Niko’s dynamic change. Will she still try to get Niko to come back? Try to convince him that there is still a chance for the two of them? Or is she only going to visit him to tie the loose ends and be done with the guy? I do think that the kiss and the meeting itself changed things for her so I cannot wait to see just how her and Niko’s relationship will escalate/end. Niko, on the other hand, is still pretty much UNSTABLE and he’ll cause trouble. I’m telling right now. This is no good so I hope Eve will leave him as soon as she comes and be done with him since she DOES deserve better than him, too.

The Accountant

First, I’m actually glad Suzanne decided to dive deeper into the core of The Twelve. Last season we didn’t really get enough of information about them and this one seems to be way more focused on it. Meaning the story is moving forward. And by story I mean the actual plot. 

Sergei Korchmarev. AKA Charles Kruger. As far as I understood he was the one to stole 6 million euros from the Twelve WHILE working for them? He did that and then asked Konstantin to get him the money to “buy him some time” to find the “scoundrel”. So 6 million wasn’t enough for him, hm? Why do I have a feeling he’s been stealing the money for something bigger than his own greed? It has to be for something “bigger” but then again, guess we won’t be able to find out as Villanelle blew his brains out. 

Again, both Konstantin and Carolyn knew him so that makes me even more suspicious. They seem to be working on different sides now but who knows really? This whole thing just keeps me on my toes, as it should but I want to know a bit more of this whole situation. We are left in the dark and we’ve been there for the past two seasons.

Villanelle

Villanelle in the perfume shop is the definition of a drama queen. Period. The way she described the custom scent she’d like was so captivating and telling. Like, she knew exactly what she wanted and that’s power. Smelling like Roman centurion means smelling like power. “I want to make people gag with it.” It has to be THAT strong, she wants people to know just how much strength she’s carrying, but most importantly Eve. “Well, we have some lovely floral fragrances for ladies over here.” “Maybe I should describe to you what I’m thinking.” OF COURSE he had to suggest some “lovely floral fragnance for LADIES” which is the complete opposite of what Villanelle describes next. So the overly too big suit that she chose to dress to meet Eve should have that very scent sshe was talking about. After all, she does see herself as a warrior.

I wonder if them throwing a baby in this episode is the only reason for Villanelle to have this need to find her family. Sure, Konstantin hinted last season that some members of her family are still alive and right now he doesn’t seem too keen on helping Villanelle find them. Though, knowing that she will be going to Russia in 3x05 means that Konstantin, or someone else, will find out about the location of her family memebers in next episode. It should really be interesting because we haven’t seen Villanelle interact with ANY family members before. Plus... I have a feeling they will force for OKSANA to come to the surface yet again and I am here for it. 

I can’t help but point out, yet again, that after receiving the postcard, Villanelle went to London to buy perfume in preparation for the reunion with Eve, then went to the toy’s shop where she bought a talking bear and a very adorable bear shirt for herself and THEN went to meet Eve. Only afterwards all that she actually went after her target, which should be the main reason why she was in London in the first place. Love comes first for Villanelle. Job after. That’s ironic, because the previous two seasons everything was about JOB for Eve. She let her marriage fall into pieces but she didn’t stop working and obsessing over Villanelle.

Can we just appreciate Villanelle in police officer’s uniform? I mean... she can kill whoever the hell she wants if she will be wearing that. Almost makes me want to be arrested by a cop lmao!!

The bus scene

It’s been over 4 days since the episode came out and I STILL cannot believe we got a villaneve reunion AND A KISS!! Like... I was worried the scene would be too random and I didn’t want that. It was random. That’s why it was so surprising for all of us, because we couldn’t expect them to meet so soon and on a bus. There were no indications we will see them meet and that worked really well.

At the same time I feel like if we cut out the bus scene from the episode, the main plot wouldn’t be affected. This scene could easily be replaced with another one while this one could be thrown in next episode or have them meet in second episode if they found out about each other during the premiere. That’s why I don’t like that aspect... I wish the scene was there because it was NEEDED to be in that episode at that time, you know? It’s only about the placement. I wonder why they decided to include it in this particular episode. 

Other than that the scene itself was PERFECT!! I made a separate in depth post/anaylsis of the scene HERE in case you haven’t read it yet! 

Carolyn

I’m soo glad that we’re finally seeing more of Carolyn investigating things openly for us, viewers. The previous two seasons we barely saw anything she did because she was THAT private and had so many secrets we could only wonder what the hell she’s thinking or doing. Now, though... we can see she’s working on Kenny’s case and is actually trying to solve this mystery surrounding his death. That includes her setting up the meeting with one of her former lovers, Henrik, to find out about the Geneva account. 

Now, I was soo sure Villanelle would go after her so I kind of was prepared to lose Carolyn or have her escape somehow. None of that happened, though they did make us worry for a minute or two during which Carolyn wasn’t moving and had blood/bruises on one side of her head. Again, Villanelle is THAT extra to go through the trouble to nearly shoot Carolyn only to get to the accountant. And we actually got to see Carolyn fearing for her life despite having met Villanelle several times. She knew what Villanelle was capable of so the aftermath of this helped us see that she indeed had feelings but often decided to ignore/avoid them and this way stay in denial. “I’m fine” says a woman who looks like a mess and is shaking at the same time. It’s okay to admit things, Carolyn. 

Overall Thoughts

The first two episodes were there to set the entire plot up, including Eve and Villanelle find out about one another and now that they know... shit’s going down and this episode was definitely the strongest one this season so far. This is very promising since the episode was written by Laura Neal, who will be the showrunner for S4! 

We got to see plenty of action, funny moments, AT LEAST 6 different Villanelle outfits and we got a moment with her and actual baby. PLUS VILLANEVE KISS!! What else could we want?! 

As always, if any of you guys have any predictions/thoughts on previous or future episodes don’t hesitate to ask/message me about them so we could chat and discuss our favorite show together! Thank you guys for reading and see during the review for 3x04 next week!!!

[isnt-it-pretty]

A The Queen’s Gambit inspired Sylvix fic I’ve had sitting in my drafts forever. Figured I may as well post the WIP!

TW for substance abuse, and generally everything terrible from both FE3H and from The Queen’s Gambit.

The room is silent. Hundreds of people wait with baited breath as two of the world's leading chess players fight across a wooden board. The pieces are lacquered - hand carved. Only the best for the players in Enbarr.

Sylvain studies the board, picking out his response to his opponents play several steps ahead. It's already the second day - five long hours the night previous left them both exhausted. Sylvain barely remembered to eat before crashing for 13 hours.

His opponent lifts a piece, his rook, and moves it forward. It's a clever strategy, but it won't be enough. The man across from him knows it too - he's twice Sylvain's age, but desperately trying to keep up.

They see it at the same time. A single move, and it'll be finished. There won't be a way for his opponent to come back from it. If he moves his bishop, it'll all be over. His opponent will resign, and Sylvain will be the youngest world champion at 22 years old.

It's his turn, he stares at the piece, his brain ticking into overdrive. It would be so easy, just to move to pieces. But then what? What else does Sylvain have but chess? He has no friends, has a family only in name. The media hates him, a stark contrast to being the Darling of the chess world at seven years old.

One move. And he'll win. He'll prove Miklan wrong, prove the media — his former friends, wrong.

He should have drank more before coming.

His hand is reaching for his king before he even realizes it - the words leaving his lip of their own accord. It feels right.

"I resign."

He knocks over his king, the hall is silent in shock.

Sylvain gets up, doesn't even bother shaking his opponents hand, and walks out.

...

He stops by his room with a single mindedness. His phone is going crazy, but Sylvain hasn't checked to see who is trying to reach him.

Everybody, probably.

His mother must be having an aneurysm, the media must be going insane.

He opens the door to his room and tosses the phone on the bed. His wallet too, but not before emptying out his cash as a tip for hotel staff. $500 total.

It's barely anything compared to his sizable room service charges - which is probably the cost of his room twice over. It's all paid for, he never leaves debt at a hotel.

There's an untouched bottle of whiskey on top of his mini bar. Expensive in beautiful glass. He hasn't touched it, preferring cheap straight liquor. Just because he can afford expensive drinks doesn't mean he bothers with it. He stops noticing the taste soon enough anyway.

He doesn't bother getting changed as he grabs the whiskey and heads out of the room. Somebody will come bother him if he stays there, and he doesn't want to be disturbed. Doesn't want to think.

Sylvain just threw the biggest match of his life, yet he can't bring himself to care.

The roof access is unlocked, which really should be a case for concern. Anybody with a key card could enter the stairwell and climb to the roof of the hotel - 5 stars and twelve floors. He can see all of Enbarr from up here. The twinkling of its lights remain unperturbed despite his actions. 

There's a railing about a foot from the edge. Sylvain ducks under it easily, and sits with his legs dangling downward. Nobody will be able to see him from the ground. Just a spec in the darkness looming above their heads.

He uncorks the glass crystal stopper and drinks.

...

Glenn loved chess. He was pretty good at it, too. It was something he and their father used to do together. Felix would sit on his dad’s lap and try to reach for the pieces. By the time he was six, most of the set had baby sized teeth marks engorged into them

Felix never had the patience for it, personally. He never wanted to study moves or games, never wanted to sit quietly and practice it. He preferred to run around, rolling in the dirt and mud with his friends.

It didn’t stop Felix from being enthralled every time he watched his other brother play.

There was a finesse to it. A certain wisdom that Felix could never quite grasp as Glenn carefully moved the pieces. He was better than their father by ten, and was competing in chess competitions by eleven.

Felix went to every one of his games.

Even now, so many years later, Felix can remember the magic of that first game. He was seven, following behind his dad like a little duckling, his hand grasped tightly in Glenn’s. There were plastic tables with chess sets on them lining the hall of the old community centre, but Glenn didn’t care. He was ecstatic to be there. The joy didn’t fade, even after Glenn lost the second to last game.

A year later they were watching TV. There was a chess special on.

That was the first time he saw Sylvain Gautier. 

Ten years old, the boy was already the darling of the chess world. His smiling was dazzling. The interviewer was asking generic questions, what was it like competing against adults, does he see chess in his future, etc etc. The answers came so naturally Felix thought the boy may have been magic.

After that interview, Glenn found every source he could about the boy. He replayed all of Sylvain’s games, tried to puzzle through the choices that were made, and why. Tried to figure out if there was a specific style to his play, something that could be used to trip him up.

In the end, there was nothing.

Two years later, Felix accompanied Glenn to a small competition in Fhirdiahd. Dimitri and Ingrid went along, if only to provide support. Both Ingrid and Dimitri were shaping up to be pretty good chess players themselves, but even working together they still couldn’t hold a candle to Glenn.

The competition was held in a high school gym. Rodrigue dropped them off and said he’d pick them up after.

It was a shock to everybody when Sylvain Gautier showed up to play.

Felix remembered seeing him walk up to the people running check in. Remembered seeing two college age students choke. Sylvain didn’t even smile at them. Didn’t even remove his sunglasses. 

He just said his name like everybody in the building didn’t know who he was, picked up a sheet to track his moves, and went into the gym. 

Even years later, it was probably the most surreal experience of Felix’s life.

Glenn won every game, ascended through the ranks just like Felix knew he would, until he was sitting across from a celebrity of the chess world. 

Sylvain was twelve at the time, but even that seemed so much older to Felix, who was small even for a ten year old.

Glenn smiled and held out his hand. Sylvain shook it, and they played.

As expected, Glenn lost. Dramatically, in fact, but Glenn didn’t mind. He was fifteen, was planning on what to do when he graduated high school in a few years. He enjoyed chess, but he simply didn’t have to love or dedication to play professionally, or the natural born talent. Their dad always said that the best chess players had a mix of both.

Sylvain flashed Glenn a smile, a little different from the one Felix had seen on TV interviews and magazine covers. Suddenly, it hit him. Sylvain had seemed bored in every game he played, but not Glenn’s.

"You're pretty good," he told Glenn when it was all over. 21 moves total - it was savage. “Did you study Loog’s games?” 

Glenn lit up. “I did! I, um, studied your games a lot too. I figured it may be a good counter to your strategy.” He looked over the board, over his dramatic loss. “Guess that didn’t pan out.”

Sylvain just shrugged. “You’re not the first to try it, don’t worry about it.” He checked his phone, typed something, and slipped it back into a pocket with a sigh. “Sorry, I’ve gotta go. Good to meet you Glenn...”

“Fraldarius,” Glenn answered, a little flustered. Felix knew he’d never hear the end of this day.

“Fraldarius,” Sylvain said. He shot Felix a smile too, before heading out of the building.

In the end, Glenn got the prize money - apparently Sylvain insisted. Said Glenn likely would have won, if he hadn't shown up.

Felix was only ten, but he found himself following everything Sylvain did after that.

...

The first time Sylvain played chess, he was five years old. Small and prone to illness, he wasn’t allowed to go outside like other kids his age. Instead Sylvain was kept indoors, where it was safe and controlled. He spent several days a month ill in bed, wrapped in soft blankets as nannies brought him juice and borth. His childhood was marked by books and quiet toys, things he could do without bothering people, or over exerting himself.

One day his tutor, an older gentleman named Mr. Hanneman, took out the chess board in some lesson or another. He said it would be a good way to pass the time. It was quiet, thought provoking, and could be played from a sickbed, as Sylvain so often found himself.

Miklan, seven years older and already pissed at the world, barely paid attention to the rules, but Sylvain was enthralled. The chess pieces were beautiful, they all had rules about how they could move and act - just like him. 

He took up the game with a single minded focus, wanting to know everything about it. He got Mr. Hanneman to bring him books and help him read them. Days which before had passed in a boring feverish haze were instead spent reading chess books, or replaying famous games.

By the time he was six, Sylvain was playing eleven board simultaneous games and winning all of them. He started competing soon afterward.

His parents were thrilled. It was the only time they'd ever bothered paying attention to him. Whenever he won, they’d make time to go out for dinner, or watch a movie with him. His mother read him stories at night. It felt good. So he kept playing, kept hoping they would keep gracing him with small smiles at his wins. Kept chasing the feeling of affection.

Other people, he came to find out, were just like chess pieces too.

In chess, one can estimate an outcome to a specific move. Can anticipate a reaction, and have a response already prepared. People are much the same.

He learned to read situations and people, how to act a specific way to get the outcome he thought would be most desirable. It didn’t always go his way, but like chess, it often did. He learned to smile; dazzle crowds and interviewers. His poor health was a well kept secret.

By eight years old, Sylvain Jose Gautier was a renowned name within the chess world. A prodigy. A future Grandmaster. He was on the cover of almost every chess magazine at least once, and was invited for photo ops with professionals. 

Miklan hated it of course. He tried to play chess, desperately wanting what Sylvain had, but he was never very good. He got even more angry, and when angry, he lashed out. Sylvain was an easy target. 

Sylvain never told his parents, but he knew that they were already aware. There was simply nothing that could be done without impacting the family. So he dealt with it, learned how to sleep to not aggravate bruises, learned to make himself silent, a shadow in his home.

It wasn’t hard, his parents did always like a puppet for a child.

[thiswasinevitableid]

#7? NSFW? Sternclay? Pretty please 🙇‍♀️

7: It’s our one year anniversary fuck how does one celebrate an anniversary of rivalry and one-sided devotion?

Joseph Stern, alias Agent M, has accomplished what no other member of the National Hero Control Task Force has been able to: he has captured a member of the elusive Pine Guard.

The guard has been causing chaos for the better part of two years, bringing important projects such as oil pipeline development, ICE facilities, and start-up construction to catastrophic halts. 

Stern isn’t invested in those projects, but he believes in the greater good, in law and order. 

One member of the guard in particular has caught and held his attention since he first laid eyes on him. Bigfoot, or so he’s called, has eluded most of their security tapes in a way his compatriots haven’t, and has been reported as more than once saving civilians and bystanders from danger.

He also once stayed behind to ensure Stern stayed conscious after sustaining a head injury. Stern has never been able to get an explanation as to why. But after that day, puzzling out Bigfoot’s motives, his past, his personality has become Sterns true goal. 

Convenient, then, that the man is currently strapped, standing up, to a holding table in his base.

“I knew word of those files would get your attention.”  He stands toe to toe with Bigfoot, who growls but says nothing.

“There’s no call for that. Besides, even if you’d managed to infiltrate here without alerting me, there wouldn’t have been anything to steal. All the information on the identity of the pine guard members is up here. I haven’t shared it with my superiors yet.” He taps his head.

“So, you’re bluffing.”

“Not at all. Barclay.” 

Dark brown eyes go wide with concern. 

“Okay, so you got me. That doesn’t mean you got the rest of us.”

Stern sighs, counts off on his fingers, “Mothman is Indrid Cold, Jackalope is Aubrey Little, Cactus Cat is Dani Coolice, Champ is Duck Newton, Hodag is Ned Chicane, Jersey Devil is Arlo Thacker, and Echidna is Madeline Cobb.”

Barclay sags in his restraints. 

“What do I have to do to keep them safe?”

“Nothing. You’re eco-terrorists, Barclay. Even if I wanted to I can’t keep the information I gained secret from my superiors.”

“You could. Like, literally. Just don’t tell them.”

“I can’t do that. I’m sorry.” The apology doesn’t come out as hollow as he needs it to, and Barclay arches an eyebrow.

“Ahem, anyway, you won’t be needing this anymore.” He lifts off Barclays blue mask (one that compliments his coppery beard), not surprised at all by the face underneath yet delighted at seeing it. He’s thought it handsome since the first time he laid eyes on it

The spell is broken by Barclay biting his hand. He yelps, dropping the mask on the floor. 

“That wasn’t necessary.”

“Neither was unmasking me. Jesus, you never struck me as some gloaty douche  but obviously I was wrong.”

That stings, and so Stern turns on his heel with a flourish. 

“Careful, or I won’t share dinner with you.”

“Oh no, no gruel or power bars or whatever you joyless fucks eat for me--do you smell saffron?”

“Yes.” Stern wheels out the small cart, covered platter glistening atop it and a vase that’s too small for the bouquet sitting in it trying valiantly not to tip over. “I made us saffron rice with lamb, and red wine dark chocolate cupcakes.” He removes the cover, feeling rather smug.

“Shit that looks good.” Barclay whispers, licking his lips. Then he looks up, “Wait, made us?”

Oh lord, the confusion on Barclay’s face sends pangs through his chest. What he wouldn’t give to kiss it away. 

“I, well, it has been exactly a year since we met. And I was trying to think of ways to mark the date, and I know you like cooking and food and so this seemed like a good gift.”

“...Did you make us a fucking anniversary dinner?”

“Technically? Yes.”

“Alright, Mister special agent, how am I supposed to eat it when I’m strapped to a fucking table?”

“I could, um, feed it to you? I shut off the cameras in this room so that I could do so without embarrassing either of us.”

“This what you do every Friday, strap random guys down and feed them? Sounds pretty kinky.” Barclay smirks. 

“I enjoy being helpful, something a so-called ‘hero’ should understand. And I didn’t choose a random guy; I strapped you, specifically, down.”

Barclay fixes him with an amused look before shrugging as much as his bonds allow, “Fine, you clearly worked hard on dinner. May as well make the most of it.”

Stern slices a chunk of lamb, offers it to Barclay who parts his lips without hesitation.

“Holy shit, that’s good.” The blissed out look on his face is one of Sterns favorite views in the world. He hates having to pretend like he hasn’t seen it before. 

As he cuts another piece Barclay asks, “You make the bouquet too?”

“Yes. I took some classes on flower language and  arranging a few years back, and I like doing it.”

Another bite, and this Barclay sighs happily before cocking his head, “You just not gonna eat?”

“Guests eat first.”

“I’m a hostage, agent, not a guest.”

“My point stands.”

“Y’know, if you just undid my hands, we could eat at the same time. Make it a real anniversary dinner instead of some repressed man in black feeding me my last meal as a free man.”

“I’m not just any man in black, I’m your main rival. You said so yourself, once. And the answer is no to the unlocking.”

“Well, there goes that option.” 

Stern sees him tug the strings of his woven bracelet a moment too late. He braces for an explosion or a weapon flying at him. 

Instead, reality warps for a nanosecond, and then Barclay isn’t in front of him anymore. Staring down at him is what he can only describe as a Bigfoot. And honest to god, fur-covered, claw-handed Bigfoot.

A Bigfoot that is no longer restrained. 

“You’re, you’re really-”

“Yep.” Barclay lunges, but instead of grabbing Stern he reaches for the cutlery, tossing it up and over the rooms computer center and far out of range.

Then he grabs Stern by the back of his neck, slamming him against the restraint table. Stern retaliates, jumping up and landing his feet against Barclay’s chest. There’s an “oof” but nothing else. Stern tries to catch him with his stunner, but Barclay avoids him easily, twisting his hands behind his back and letting go as he launches Stern into the window. Mercifully it's made of bullet-proof, triple strength glass, so he doesn’t plummet fifty stories to his death.

He’s simply pinned by his nemesis, the city lights thousands of eyes watching his defeat.

“Are you, ow, all monsters?”

“Nope, just some of us. And you’ve put me in a real bad situation, agent.” Barclay growls in his ear, “first by blabbing that you, and only you really did know our secret identities, and then leaving me no choice but to take off my disguise.”

“I, I’m sorry your poor problem solving skills caused you to reveal that Bigfoot is not merely a codenameOW.” Barclays claws pierce his suit, “Go ahead and kill me. I won’t give up any information to the Pine Guard. I’m prepared to die in the service of my agency.”

“You sure about that?”

“Yes.” He lies

“Nothing you’d miss?”

“No.” 

A rumbling purr in his ear this time, “Not even me?”

“N-no, what, where on earth would you get that idea?”

“Flowers gave you away. Red carnations are admiration, daffodils mean unrequited love, and orange roses are fascination.” 

“That’s a coincidence.” He grits his teeth to prevent the truth spilling out. 

“Not for a guy who admitted he knew their meanings. And you know what else?” He clips Stern’s hands behind his back in cuffs designed to hold the super-strength of Duck Newton, making escape impossible for Sterns normal-human abilities “you put some wild grasses in their to fill the whole thing out.”

“So?”

“Grass means submission. You put all your feelings for me in a vase and gave me plenty of time to take them in, probably thinking it a clever in-joke to yourself. But that one? I’m betting that one was accidental, subconscious. You want to submit. Whether that’s in general or to me I have no clue.”

“Just you.” He may as well confess it. One less secret to carry to his grave.

A low, dangerous chuckle fills the room as he’s spun away from the window and shoved to his knees.

“That what you want, agent?” Barclay replaces the bracelet, becoming human before his eyes, “Want to be a good boy for me?”

He nods, cheeks hot and gaze locked on the floor until Barclay yanks it up by his hair, tearing strands loose from their carefully gelled hold. 

“Aw now, no need for that.” Barclay traces the path of the blush with his thumb, voice mockingly sweet, “know your overlords like everyone to be emotionless, but there’s nothing wrong with wanting a good fuck, even if half the city can probably see it from here.”

“Oh lord.” He moans, the image sending his thoughts, his dignity, his blood, south.

Another laugh, his head yanked sideways to take in the view, “Damn, you like that too, huh? Like the idea of everyone watching while one of America’s finest begs me to fuck his face. Your superiors finding out their best agent is so needy he’d do anything for me to touch him?”

The tears pricking his eyes are from want, not shame, when he chokes out, “yes.”

Barclay turns his head forward, then up. 

“Please, Barclay,  please.”

“Please fuck you?”

“Yes.” He whimpers.

“Nope. Sorry, agent, I don’t sleep with the enemy, even if he gives me the worlds bluest puppy dog eyes. Not to mention, threatening the people I love is the opposite of being a good boy. But since it’s our anniversary, I think you do owe me a gift.” His fingers touch the edge of Sterns mask, “let’s see who’s been tracking me for a year.”

“Wait, don’t-” The mask tears off. The two men stare at each other, frozen, one in surprise and the other in fear.

“Joseph?” 

“Hello.” He wants to look away, to see literally anything other than the betrayal on Barclay’s face.

“I, uh, I imagine this will lose me the title of ‘favorite customer’ at the Coffee Lodge.”

“You, you’ve been spying on us. You’ve been at the Lodge almost every fucking day since June, and you’re Agent fucking M, I, I can’t-” Barclay paces, fingers running through his hair, “Did you start coming just to stake us out?”

“Yes. I tracked your movements, Barclay. I’m ashamed to say I accessed the medical records of anyone in the target area who had top surgery to narrow down my suspects, and eventually identified you as Bigfoot. Once I started getting coffee at the lodge everyday it was easy to piece together who else was on the team.”

“Yeah, and flirting with me probably helped a lot.”

“Uhhhhhhhhm.” 

“Oh, come on, don’t try to pretend that wasn’t part of your investigation.”

“It isn’t. Wasn’t.”  He lowers his head meekly. 

Barclay stops moving, sighs heavily, “Is there anywhere in this damn place that’s smaller and doesn’t have cameras?”

“My bedroom only has one. Just take down the smoke detector on the right hand side as soon as we go in.”

Barclay easily lifts him over his shoulder and trudges down the hall and into the bedroom. Rips the “smoke detector” from the wall, sparks crackling when he does. Then he deposits Stern on the bed and turns his desk chair to face it. 

“We’ve got about forty-five minutes before my ride gets here. Talk.” Barclay sits down, crosses his arms while Stern attempts to sit up straight.”

“Wait, how can you know that.”

A mild smile, “You really think I’d walk into such an obvious trap without an escape plan?”

“No.” He mutters, dejected, “what do you want me to say, Barclay?”

“The truth, genius.”

“You seem to know most of it already.”

“Yeah, but one big piece is missing; why the hell didn’t you write down our identities somewhere the higher ups could find them if something happened to you? Shit, why not just sic a bunch of agents on us when we were all at the lodge making, or drinking, coffee?”

“I...I don’t know.”

“Bullshit.”

“Because the lodge was my haven too, alright?” Stern snaps, “I felt understood there, safer than I did in any secret base. And every time Dani laughed at something Aubrey did, or Duck told some corny joke, or you smiled at me, I understood more and more why you all do what you do. I felt my commitment to my work waning. I had to do something to reiterate my belief in it. This was that something.”

Barclay is silent for a moment, taking Stern in bit by bit.

“You want to leave the NHCTF, don’t you?” He leans forward in quiet shock. 

Stern nods, defeated, “I’ve been questioning our methods for some time, but always thought that what we did was in the service of keeping people safe. I’m still not fully convinced the Pine Guard is going about it the best way, but from what I’ve seen, you do a far better job of it than we do.”

“So join us. Help us figure out how to be even better.” Barclay reaches for him, takes his hand.

“You’d ask me to just like that?”

“Most of us like you, Joseph. We’re not super into Agent M, but it’s not like we haven’t noticed you’re not chasing us down as much as you used to. Also, I’d be a really crappy superhero if I didn’t at least try to recruit the smartest man I know to our side.”

Stern blushes more than necessary at the compliment. 

“Okay. I’m in. I’m ready to try being a different kind of good guy.”

“Welcome to the Pine Guard.” Barclay presses the secret hinges on the cuffs, and they drop to the floor. 

A fit of giggles in Sterns throat pours out into the space between them, “Jesus, I didn’t think betraying the government would feel so liberating.”

“Always knew you were a good guy, deep down.”

Another blush has him cursing his capillaries. 

“Heh, you do like it when I call you good.”

“Yes. Though as you observed, I have a weakness for humiliation as well.”

“Y’know, we’ve got a little bit of time still.” Barclay leans back, and Stern perks up when his hands hit his belt.

“And it is our anniversary.” Stern sinks to the floor, covers a few inches on his knees to rests his head on Barclays thigh.

“Shit, you really are a needy little thing.” Barclay shifts and wiggles awkwardly in order to get his close low enough to give Stern the access he needs. Stern nuzzles his inner thigh, skates his hands along muscular legs, making a mental note to discover what they feel like naked and tensing in time with their owners moans. 

“You’re rather, uhm, slick already. Is this where you tell me you got into heroics because you get off on fighting?”

“Nope, just on manhandling you. And you’re in no position to comment, agent.” The growl he puts into that last word has Stern melting forward. Which is helpful, in that Barclay shoves him down the rest of the way. He licks and sucks eagerly at him, moaning messily when Barclay tilts his hips up, pressing and rutting against him. 

“Like I, fuck, said babe, you’ve got no room to feel smuggAH--shit that felt good--amazed I didn’t walk in on you in the lodge bathroom with some dudes dick down your throat while another one fucked that tight ass.”

Stern would like to point out that a) he would never do such a thing in a business he respected and b) there’s only been one dick he’s wanted anywhere near him in months. But he doesn’t dare pull away. Instead he whimpers, shakes his head and takes all of Barclay’s cock into his mouth.

“Hnnnshit, maybe I got it wrong, maybe you, fuck, were one smile away from falling to you knees and begging me to fuck you over the counter.” 

Stern nods emphatically, pawing at any exposed skin he can find on Barclay stomach and hips,  and the larger man laughs.

“Fuck, much as I wanna hold you down and come all over that handsome face, got something else I wanna do even more.” He lets go of Sterns head, nudges him back so he can join him on the floor. 

“Wha-ohshit’ He gasps when Barclay rips the front of his pants off, wrapping one large hand around his cock. But when Stern tries to thrust up into the warm, tight fist, Barclay pins his hips down with one hand. There’s such easy strength in the movements that Stern tilts his head back to rest on the spotless bedspread, because baring his throat feels like the only suitable response. 

Teeth just sharper than they ought to be sink into the base of his neck, but even as he arches and thrashes in response, he can’t get any stimulation on his cock. Coarse coppery hair tickles his skin as Barclay laughs, “Cute how you think that’s enough begging to get what you want.”

“Barclay, please, I, I’ve wanted this for months, it’s all I want, I will do anything.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Poor special agent, so desperate.” Barclay’s tone is cruel as he drags his hand up in one long, slow stroke. Stern eagerly awaits a downstroke that doesn’t come. 

“Well? Gimme one good reason to indulge my pathetic new plaything.”

“I, I, I’ll be good, so good for you, let you do whatever you want, fuck.” The barest movement of Barclays hand and he sobs, “please, I just want to be good, I just want you to use me, god, please just tell me what you want.” 

“Admit you’re a needy fucker who likes the fact the other cameras in this building can probably hear him begging me to-”

“I am, I need you so badly, I need this, I want you so much, I need youOHyes, yes.” He groans happily as Barclay switches to rapid strokes and drags one of Sterns hands between his legs. He keeps his fingers outside for the time being, focuses on circling his thumb and dragging the other digits in tight patterns.

“C’mon handsome, jack me off, show me how much you like your reward oh fuck, fuck, Joseph, that’s it babe, fuck that’s good.” His head drops to mouth at Stern’s neck with a moan as he grinds against Sterns palm, “shit, shoulda asked you out last week like I was planning to, coulda been doing this every night, yeah, ohyeah.” As he comes his grip on Sterns cock tightens, and even as he rides out his orgasm he’s growling, “come on agent, lemme see you ruin those fancy clothes.”

Stern comes with what sounds, to his ears, like a pathetic cry. Yet as soon as he spills onto his stomach and Barclays hand, the larger man kisses his chest, whispering sweetly, “You’re so good, did so good for me baby, you’re amazing.”

With unsure fingers, he brushes a strand of loose hair from Barclays cheek. Barclay looks up, smiling so tenderly Stern worries he’s dreaming. Then Barclay sits up, cupping his chin and drawing him into a gentle kiss, sighing happily when their lips meet. 

“Is it selfish to be happy that you joining the team means I get to see you everyday?”

“Not in the least. Though you see me most days at the coffee shop anyway.”

“Yeah, but now I get to do this” another kiss, somehow twice as tender as the first, “when I do.”

Stern curls into his arms as he continues, “guess we oughta get you a codename now.”

“You know, I’ve actually given that some thought. Given that only some of you drew your names from cryptids or, um, I suppose your true forms, I think there’s room for a codename that reflects my history with secretive government agencies while staying on theme?”

“I think so too.” Barclay smiles expectantly. 

“In that case,” Stern grins back, future brightening ahead of him for the first time in years, “just call me Roswell.”

[pangtasias-atelier]

The Not So Secret Stash

This story came to while at work but I obviously couldn't write that there lol. Got back home at 7am, finished my college transfer applications, went to sleep, woke up, then wrote this, and then I'll have to get ready in a bit to go to work :(

But, I was inspired by getting Kaden from my free summon!! Now if only I could get Keaton but he's never had another banner cause of homophobia. Then I decided to add Yarne as well since he was summoned a long time ago like a good husband.

Done in one sitting with zero proofreading, but I hope you enjoy this, since it has been awhile since I posted a story.

_______________

"Man, this is so embarrassing," Armor too small to even get one single piece on, Yarne was reduced to wearing clothes similar to that from Kiran's world. Unable to wear his armor for at least a month, his entire wardrobe had been reworked. But even his brand new clothes began to suffer the same fate as his armor; they were now too small for him.

"It's not my fault the food here is too good," Yarne whimpers, hitching the waistband of his shorts back up. Askr's food filled with exactly his favorites, an abundance of carrot flavored treats and dishes only no longer in said abundance with Yarne consuming all he could get his greedy hands on. Vowing to cut back on his heavy portions once he grew too big for his armor, Yarne was unable to fulfill his promise even for one day. He was unable to even make it past a single meal with Kiran's insistence on not to worry. Yarne quite the worrywart, his time in Askr not only made his waistline grow, but his confidence as well. Concerns quashed, Yarne happily begun resuming his hearty meals.

And now it was biting him in the butt again. Currently wearing a plain navy blue t-shirt, the color reminiscent of his old armor, and a pair of black gym shorts. Both of which cling to him and seem to wish to strangle him. Gorging and binging known as 'meals', Yarne rests at an impressive 600 pounds, a fact he's unaware of, Yarne not having checked his weight. All he knows his is blimped out size.

His tent of shirt no longer able to hide his rolling gut, the hairy mass hangs unimpeded. His ass stretching the back of his shorts, the waistband seems to fall a bit lower with each waddle. His fat heftily rests off to the side, Yarne's rolls seemingly oozing off his body. His thighs squish and shuffle around each other.

Huffing, Yarne takes yet another short five minute rest. He rests against the wall. Stomach undulating with each breath, he puts a hand on it. A grumble let out, Yarne closes his eyes. So hungry, Yarne not having devoured a carrot flavored snack in an hour, he had begun the shameful task of snooping around for food.

Kiran had accidentally mentioned a room chock-full of snacks and even disclosed its location. Yarne had promised himself to not take advantage of such information, but his hunger wasn't cooperating with said promise.

Break over, Yarne can smell the tantalizing carrots getting closer. A mass of shuffling fat, Yarne trudges along the hall. Nose always correct, Yarne swallows the sudden saliva filling the back of his mouth. His stomach letting out another growl, Yarne licks his lips as he opens the door.

Door unlocked, his thighs end up wedged in the doorway. Grumbling, he puts both heavy, fat laden arms on the wall. Pushing, he unwedges himself. Stumbling, he nearly falls before catching himself. Catching his breath instead, Yarne rests his hands on his knees. Lifting up his shirt, Yarne pulls at it, fanning himself and the small layer of sweat forming on his back.

Ears twitching, Yarne closes the door. Basked in darkness, his Taguel eyes aid him in his search. Boxes pushed against the wall, Yarne ignores the massive one to his right, no carrot scent coming from it. Waddling straight ahead, but not without another adjustment of his clothes, Yarne sticks out his tongue as he opens the first box he finds.

Sweet sweet pure carrots his found treasure, Yarne begins pilfering it. Cramming as much as he can into his mouth, on his fifteenth one, the door locking causes his ears to twitch.

Heart dropping, Yarne rushes to the door, his gut slapping his knees. Yanking and twisting the doorknob, it doesn't budge. Whimpering, Yarne considers about pounding on the door. But knowing he'd get in trouble, he doesn't want a scolding, or for Kiran to get in trouble for accidentally telling him about this room. And if he eats even more carrots, then he'd just get in more trouble. But if he's already in trouble….

The cogs in his brain turning, Yarne puts both hands on his ears. Waddling back to the boxes, he lets himself fall to the floor. Ass cushioning the fall, the boxes shake from the tremor. Grabbing a carrot, Yarne inspects it before putting it back. But so close to them, his nose agrees with his stomach as it lets out a growl. Stomach resting on the floor, it pools forward, the box barely in his reach with his gut pushing it. Taking a bite, the sample is enough to overpower his fears of being trapped and found out. Cramming it into his mouth, Yarne blushes as he lets out a small burp, hand covering his mouth. Grabbing another one, Yarne goes to town on the carrots.

So engrossed in stuffing and sating his insatiable appetite, Yarne barely hears the door opening. His back to the door, he can't see who it is. Struggling lift himself back up, Yarne falls back down.

"S-sorry for eating this; I know I wasn't supposed to, but I was just so hungry. I only ate," Yarne counts the boxes and grimaces at his binge. "well, I didn't eat that much," Blushing, Yarne's finished rambling alerts him to the still quiet investigator. Anxiety skyrocketing, Yarne puts a meaty hand on one of the several empty boxes. Heaving himself up, he pays zero attention to whoever found him.

Gasping for air, Yarne groans from the effort, his feet already wishing for a break from that alone. Someone tapping his shoulder, Yarne flails around.

Kiran the person who found him, Yarne's eyes widen as Kiran holds a tube in his hand, a massive machine where the box once was.

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

"C'mon! Slow down," Keaton struggling to keep up, bits from his last meal still remain on his multiple cheeks.

"I'm right here," Kaden groans, catching his own breath as well, only a couple waddles ahead of Keaton. "And I'm hungry," Rubbing his breasts, Kaden picks them up, letting them plop back down, his entire body jiggling from it.

"Well, I'm bigger," Flexing an arm, nothing comes of it, Keaton's fat flowing down.

"I am," Kaden rebuttals. Ending his break early, Kaden begins his waddle again. Ass shaking behind him, his tight shorts strain against them. The underside of his butt seeps through, the creamy flesh visible.

"Wait for me!" Keaton rushes to catch up to Kaden, his great gut uncomfortably bouncing up and down.

The two's 'race' akin to a snail race, both waddle to their destination.

"Good thing I remembered," Kaden taunts, tail swishing behind him as well, the long extra limb nearly engulfed from his ass.

"Whatever. We both got kicked out anyways," Keaton's words ringing true, both sigh at the cruel act.

Both enjoying their daily third dinner, both were barely into their fourth plate when the staff had kicked them out. The two whining and fussing, both nowhere near full, Kaden had come up with the brilliant idea of stealing some food. Kiran accidentally telling them of one such room, both had forgotten with their hunger satisfied by the mess hall. But barred entry now, Kaden remembered such a fact, the two rushing for more food.

Both summoned to Askr, the place's delicious dining options left them both craving more. More always available, the two kept stuffing themselves on the daily to fill that want. The two even making a challenge out of it, both of them blimped out at unimaginable speeds.

Unfortunately, their biggest inspiration, literally and figuratively, Yarne, had left back to his work about a month after the two were summoned, the two always encouraging the much larger Taguel to eat even more.

Both far too big for their original clothes, Kiran gave them new ones before those were too small too. Clothes too expensive with a huge Kitsune and Wolfskin, eventually both were allowed to go shirtless, both only wearing shorts.

Kaden's figure an array of rolls, his svelte form was replaced with burgeoning hips and breasts, the hourglass effect visible but with a huge paunch.

Keaton's gut picked up where Kaden's gut lacked, Keaton's massive stomach a large collection of stomach rolls that had nowhere to go but down and out.

The two the same weight, the own difference was their distribution of their fat, but at their weight, it mattered little, both utterly massive.

The two weighing 800 each, mobility was soon becoming a thing of the near past. The act of mobility was barely even enjoyed by them, the two only leaving their shared room to go eat.

"Here it is!" Kaden huffs as he finds the door first, both their noses not failing them. Keaton right behind him, Kaden enters, both not noticing the quick, shoddy job of the widened doorway.

Hips lightly brushing against the doorway, Kaden takes a step inside. Pausing, his eyes spot a huge mass in the dark.

"Move it! I'm hungry!" Keaton annoyed at the hold up, he pushes Kaden and slams the door closed.

Shoved into the massive figure, Kaden basks in the warmth of it. Rubbing it, Kaden's eyebrows furrow as it feels just like himself, soft supple fat. Unlike him or Keaton, this larger mass is much hairier.

Keaton turning on the lights, Kaden soon finds out why it felt like him.

The huge thing a person, the blobby figure sits on the floor. Kaden recognizing it, he gapes at Yarne. Keaton also gawking, the two glance at each other.

Yarne's body is a puzzle, the massive bunch of rolls causing difficulty to distinguish where one part of his body begins and one ends. Half of the gigantic room is taken up by Yarne alone. With Kaden and Keaton, the room feels even smaller.

Yarner larger than both Kaden and Keaton combined and then some, he pathetically muffles at them, his body quivering.

The two of them spotting a large tube coming out of Yarne's mouth, the whirring of the machine suddenly sounds so much louder after noticing it.

The two look at Yarne once his muffles sound out again.

Kaden and Keaton let out their own muffles as Kiran straps in their own feeding tubes.

Their impending fate painfully aware with the example of what lies ahead for them right in front of them, both of their struggles prove fruitless as their feeding tubes begin churning out food for them.

The lights turned off and the door closed, all three can only eat, their gluttony leading them all to this.

[the--sad--hatter]

Game Of Survival - 9 (Bucky x Reader)

@jsmith509

FANDOM - MARVEL

PAIRING - BUCKY X FEM!READER

WARNINGS - SMUT, VIOLENCE, ANGST, VERY GRAPHIC BLOOD AND GORE, SWEARING, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

DESCRIPTION -

The Executioner - Killer of Killers, the monster that hunts monsters, the bad-guys bogeyman.

It’s a title you earned and one that you cherish. Your goals are justified, your methods are not. But when a simple murder turns into a suicide and you are left clutching a flash drive with a terrible secret on it, you find yourself caught up in a mystery that you can’t solve alone. You turn to the professionals, the experts, the heroes. The Avengers.

With the lives of everyone in the world suddenly at stake, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes have no choice but accept your help and Bucky Barnes quickly finds himself drawn in by you. He never much believed in love, let alone love at first sight so it figures he’d be proven wrong in such a spectacular way.

Masterlist

Chapter Nine

Once you were in the suite you gave it a thorough checking over, looking for anything out of the ordinary. The bedroom/lounge were clean, as was the bathroom and you went about stowing weapons around the room before you set up the laptop that had been in your small go bag.

You quickly identified the local WiFi’s available and decided on one for a bookshop a couple of doors down, clicking on it with the encryption program you were running so the IP would be run through several countries in a longs, convoluted loop. You logged into the cuisine blog you’d set up and clicked on the inbox, scrolling through the messages. No leads yet, but it had only been an hour or so since you’d left your bloody request. With a few strokes of the keyboard you quickly looked through all your assets and made sure everything was in order before you turned the screen to black and grabbed a change of clothes and headed for the shower.

 You were in the process of rinsing conditioner out of your hair when you heard Bucky come in the room, calling out to let you know it was him.

 “We need to talk.” He said as soon as you walked into the room, dressed in sweatpants and a tanktop and towel drying your hair.

 “They wouldn’t have let me in if I had you with me. Best case scenario they would have thought you were a stranger, worst case scenario they would have recognized you.” You told him coolly.

 He wasn’t thrown by the fact that you automatically knew exactly what he wanted to talk about, both of you knew the conversation was inevitable.

 “Did you know you were going to kill someone before you went in?” He asked, staring you down with unrestrained ire.  

 “Yes.” You said simply.

 “Are you sure that’s not the reason you left me behind?” He challenged.

 “Would you have just stood by and let me do it?” You challenged back teasingly.

 “You think you’re the only killer here? Everyone on The Avengers has blood on our hands, some of us more than others.” He snapped.

 “If you have to kill someone you’ll do it, I know. But you don’t take pleasure in it, I do. You might have let me kill her but you would have drawn the line at me pinning her down and cutting her tongue out and forcing her to choke to death on her own blood. Or am I wrong about you?” You flung the towel down and met his eye, waiting for him to back down.

 “You might take pleasure in what you do but that’s not why you do it. You killed ‘her’ that way for a reason, for a purpose. I wouldn’t have stopped you.”

 “Easy to say that after the fact but you and your merry men are far too uncomfortable with what I do to sanction it.” You told him.

 “It’s not the things you do or even how you do them that makes them feel uncomfortable. It’s the lack of remorse. People love their guilt, they get attached to their demons and then you waltz in, stained with blood and not a trace of regret in your eyes. It’s disconcerting.” He tried to explain, almost desperate to make you understand.

 “Are you attached to your demons Bucky?” You asked him.

 “I’m learning to live with them. The question is doll, where the hell are your demons?” He rebutted.

 “I am my demons.”

  ~~~~~~~~~~Fifteen Years Ago~~~~~~~~~~

 There was an axe hanging over your head and you were waiting for it to drop.

 It wasn’t a metaphor.

 It had been six hours that you’d been stood there, waiting for the rope to be cut and the axe to fall.

 “If you fail this test, you will die. Do not fail.” Your father told you before he left the room.

 As you waited you listened. Voices carried in old houses like these and you could hear most of what was being discussed in your father office next door.

 “You’re too harsh with the girl, you’re going to break her before she even comes of age and then where will we be? It’s not as if you can produce another heir, not one that can unite the clans anyway.” Your uncle warned.

 “She is my only hope for a legacy, I would rather see her die than let my legacy pass to someone unworthy. If you commit to something you must remain unwavering in your resolve. Once you turn down a path there is no turning back. It is dangerous to allow yourself the luxury of changing your mind, it leads to self-doubt and self-doubt leads to mistakes.” Your father replied calmly.

 When he spoke there was an eerie silence that followed and the hairs on the back of your neck stood on end.

 The axe dropped.

 Your father and uncle opened the door between the rooms to see you stood there, holding the axe in your hands.

 “She didn’t move until it fell and she caught it.” One of your fathers goons, the one who had been charged with watching you reported.

 “Well done. You have completed your education, now you are ready to learn from me. From now on, I will teach you. You will learn everything I know.” You father decreed.

  ~~~~~~~~~~Today~~~~~~~~~

 “Where the hell did you come from Ex? What’s your story?” He asked you, advancing on you until you were forced to crane your neck to look up at him.

 “It doesn’t really matter. What I am isn’t a result of how I was raised Bucky. The fact I do what I do so well is because of my upbringing, but what I am was a choice.” You sighed.

 “If it’s a choice, you can change your mind.” He implored.

 “I didn’t say it was my choice.” You laughed humourlessly.

 “Your fathers?” He guessed.

 “No. I wanted to be what you’re trying to make me into, once upon a time. But a very smart man told me I wasn’t a hero and he was right.” You said heavily, something almost close to remorse flitting across your face as you spoke.

 “Who?” He frowned.

 “It doesn’t matter, he’s dead.” You said, clenching your jaw.

 “It matters if he’s still in your head.” Bucky told you softly.

 Your expression went cold and you huffed out disappointedly at him, shaking your head wryly.

 “You claim to be ok with what I do but the second you sensed a weakness, you pounced.” You chastised.

 Bucky stormed away when he realized you’d played him again. Your little moment of sadness for what could have been was a test and he’d failed. Every conversation he had with you solved a little bit more of the puzzle but somehow he always ended up with even more pieces to try and find a place for, more to solve. But the more complicated it got, the more he wanted, the more he needed to figure it out.

 You ignored his inner struggle and typed in the password to unlock your laptop, checking the inbox.

 There was one message there. One important message.

 “Just give me something, anything.” He pleaded.

 “What?” You frowned.

 “Tell me something true, something real about you.”

 “I can tell you The Executioner will kill again, tonight. We have a lead. Are you in or are you ready to admit defeat and go home?”

 “Tell me one thing about you, just one. Prove to me that this isn’t just some game to you and I’ll come with you tonight and I’ll do things your way.” He offered.

 You knew he was changing tactics but you couldn’t quite figure out what his new angle was and that excited you.  

 You smirked as you mulled it over, deciding whether or not to grant his request. You crossed the room to him, noting how he froze the closer you were to him until he was perfectly still as you stretched up, your lips brushing against his ear as you whispered a single word to him. His sharp intake of breath was loud in the otherwise silent room as he realized what you had said, what you had told him and he looked down at you with wonder.

 You had just told him your name.

_______________________________________________________

This chapter ended up shorter because the name reveal lost it's impact if I tried to make it longer. The next chapter will be longer and more actioney.

Bucky and Ex are apparently both playing their own games, I wonder how that's going to play out?

@daisyboo11 @keepcalmandsosayweall @shirukitsune  @alina-barnes @musingpredilection  @sexyvixen7  @dropthepizza346 @nighmxre @chook007 @dragonrosegardens @brazen88brat  @clockworkherondale @demonlover87  @life-wanderer @joe-mazzello-is-my-dad @sireennotsiren @rootbeerboogy @spnrvt @violetthoughts97  @musingsofafangirlblog  

@likes-to-smell-books @thelostallycat @dilaila95 @dropthepizza346  @destiel-artemis @hiddles-rose @myfandomlife-blog @thosesexytexasboys  @liveonce-sodoitright @spnrvt @tarastudiesalot  @dahkness @sexyvixen7 @jaynnanadrews  @littledeadrottinghood  @pinkisokay  @angieptt @anamcg317 @belladonnarey @queen-kayy92 @breezy1415 @penumbrawolfy  @fairislesheets @lianadelphius @coolmassivenerd @youhavebeenspared  @candyxcyanide @musingpredilection  @isaxhorror @destiel-artemis @my-drowning-in-time @isabelcrichards @teh-nerdette  @dlcita @deathofmissjackson @life-wanderer @cleo0107 @spicymagz @drdorkus  @inquisitor-selvala  @le-mow @zeannastardust @nighmxre @blue-cat-1989  @writingforbucky @abo4280ooof @mad4oak @jsmith509

[lostinyourparadise98]

Can't help Falling in love*

A/N: pLEASE listen to Kina Grannis version of this song  while reading PLEASE it is so beautiful and it gave me sooooooo much inspiration. Hope you all enjoy!!

Shawn’s P.O.V

Before I met you, I always thought falling in love happened all at once. I always imagined one particular moment of me looking at someone and just completely knowing they were meant for me. I was so wrong, I was beyond wrong... Falling in love doesn't happen all at once, it isn't one moment  that determines everything, its a series of moments that build off each other that make  it all worth it. Puzzle pieces that make a beautiful picture, a picture of us. When I first saw you I had no idea the impact you would have on my heart. My heart, my love, my trust and respect is yours. The moments that showed me we belong together are simple and true, messy and perfectly imperfect. But its us, its our story and I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

The fist moment that tugged at my heart was the first time you came to one of  my shows, it was in Amsterdam. I saw you in the crowd singing every word, dancing like no one was watching. You looked at me, and I looked at you and for a moment I forgot that there was anybody else in the room. Your smile infatuated me, you were so far away yet just looking into your eyes made me weak in the knees. After the show you told me you wanted to go for a walk, which was odd to me. I had told you about a party we could have gone too, I listed off names of celebrities that would be there, you kindly declined grabbing my hand and saying “Walk with me, lets go get lost in the lights.” I agreed and you and I roamed the streets of Amsterdam completely lost in each other. You told me about your childhood, why you love the color yellow, the ridiculous amount of records you have, and how afraid you were to fall in love. I was afraid too.  

The second moment was when you met my family. You woke at up at 6:00Am to fix your hair and make sure your outfit was to your satisfaction. You looked absolutely beautiful. You were a nervous wreck when we reached my childhood home. You tugged at a strand of your hair, a habit of yours that you always do when you're nervous. I grabbed your hand and we made our way to the door. As soon as my mum looked at you I knew we were something special. Everything clicked so quickly, you were so kind to mum the conversation between you too was genuine and fun. You laughed at dads jokes, even the ones you knew weren't funny, and Aaliyah my god did Aaliyah love you. The bond you had with the most important people in my life completely blew me away. I know you love me by the way you love them. Thank you for that. 

The third moment was the first fight we ever had. This may sound confusing but this argument was one that tested our strength and we made it. It seems like we are constantly being pulled in a million different directions when it comes to our careers. When you wake up, I'm going to sleep. It is just something we were not able to avoid. So much anger and frustration came along with the pain of missing you. I am so sorry for taking it out on you, just like I know you're sorry for taking it out on me. It took me some time but I realized we weren't yelling at each other, we weren't pushing each other or trying to take the other person down. Love, we were fighting for each other and in some cases we still are. I will never stop fighting for you, for us. Look at us baby, we made it! You are mine and I am yours. Thats the way it should aways be.

The fourth moment was the fist time we made love. I have never known the feeling of truly connecting with another person on such an intimate level. We took our time tangling ourselves in each other, chest to chest, the beat of your heart matching mine. I felt you, every part of you slowly until I couldn't remember how to breathe. We showed each other how much we love one another that night. The way you said my name, the way you kiss my neck, the way you look up at me with those eyes drives me completely insane. Our bodies fit perfectly together, longing for one another. That love isn't meant for anyone but you. I showed you my heart and that will remain for your eyes only. The feeling of you wrapped in my arms under the sheets is something I will never get tired of.

The fifth moment was the first time you called my apartment home. This was something we had talked about for awhile but you insisted that moving in together was a bad idea. I still don't understand why, most of your things were at my place anyway. I just think you were afraid of the label even though you will never admit it. We had just gotten back from our trip to New York, you unlocked the door and waltzed right in. I watched you as you unpacked your things being too tired to do it as neatly as you normally would. You washed your face, brushed your teeth, threw on one of my t-shirts and  ran into bed. You were living with me and you refused to admit it. I got into bed and wrapped my arms around you. You cuddled into me, letting yourself fall into a deep sleep. Before you drifted you whispered into my ear. “Its good to be home.” You have no idea how much that meant to me. You are my home, it doesn't matter where we are in the world as long as I am with you I am home

The sixth moment was the first time I told you I wasn't going to use the blockers anymore. You understand anxiety better than anyone I know. There have been countless nights that you have stayed up with me, talking me through a panic attack. Your patience and kindness is something that never runs thin. I don't know how to thank you for walking with me through some of the darkest moments of my life. When I first told you I was going to perform without them you cried. You held me in your arms and kissed me harder than I have ever been kissed before. Your support means the world to me and you did everything you could to reassure me that getting off of them was the best decision I could have ever made. It was a battle and there was definitely moments that I wanted to quit. You were there every step of the way. I will never be able to repay you for that, I love you so much.

The finial moment was the first time you said I love you. It took you awhile to say it back to me but I wasn't afraid. I knew you would say it back when your heart told you, you were ready. We were at my cousins wedding, I was a groomsmen and I remember it was so hard to focus on anything but you. You wore a light blue dress that brought out your eyes perfectly. You sat with my family and as soon as the music began I couldn't keep my eyes off of you. I couldn't help but imagine what our wedding would be like, what you would look like walking down the isle to me. They chose can't help falling in love for the song my cousin walked down the isle too. You turned and our eyes met, the version of the song was beautiful, not as beautiful as you. It was our own secret moment no one else had a clue of what was going on between me and you. We stared into each others eyes for the entirety of the song. Your eyes began to water and suddenly everything slipped away. There was a moment the instruments went away and all I could hear were the lyrics, I know you felt that way too. You looked at me and mouthed the words ‘I love you’. I stood at the alter with the biggest smile on my face as I said it back as quickly as I could. I knew right then and there that my heart completely belonged to you. I want to hear you say those words over and over again. Please never stop saying those words to me my love.  I love you, I love you I love you.

I could go on for years about how much you mean to me. I could add this very moment where you are curled up in my chest as I type this on my phone, Your mouth is wide open as you sleep peacefully. You have no idea that in a few short days I am going to ask you to marry me. I can't wait to start our journey together, its only the beginning for us my love. Heres to our future, heres to our happiness, and heres to you. There is no one in this world like you. I love you forever- Shawn 

[x1-imaginesreturns]

The Key to a Curse - Dohyon Quantum Leap Part 2

Masterlist

Pairing: Dohyon x Reader

Warnings: None

Word Count: 4,977

Notes: Ahh! It’s been too long since I’ve posted for Quantum Leap, but here we are with the new part! I’ll get back to my regular schedule after this, sorry for the long delay!!

Song Recommendation: Run Away - TXT

Quantum Leap : The Beginning

You and Aoi stared at him in silence for many, long, drawn-out seconds, before you silently exclaim, “182 years?! What the hell are you in here for?? And how are you even alive for that matter?” Aoi nods with you, gaping at the boy.

By his young appearance, you would have never guessed he had been alive for that long. Nothing about him seemed overgrown or gross either, his chestnut hair perfectly surrounding his face and his skin looked as if it had recently been washed.

He laughs slightly before answering, “Isn’t it obvious?”

His amber eyes flash, the pupils of his eyes dilating down to look reptilian, and a small puff of smoke came from his nose. “I’m a dragon,” he says, “And you humans seem to think we’re extinct. Course… maybe sending me to this school wasn’t the best idea, but we’re very much alive.”

“And who are you two exactly? I haven’t seen anyone in over fifty years,” he finishes. You and Aoi look back and forth between each other before you answer, “We’re students here. But… neither of us are under the effects of the mind control.”

Dohyon’s eyes narrow at you skeptically, and you start stumbling over your words as you attempt to give him an answer, “W-well… They thought Aoi here was a girl, so the serum didn’t work on him,” you continue, hearing Aoi snort in frustration behind you, “And I-”

You cut yourself off, unsure of how to explain your situation. “I… I come from another world. In fact, I just got here last night. I woke up in someone else’s body… and well they just happened to be the daughter of the Principal and have the exact same name as me.”

Your lips shut tight, and you’re confused as to why you just spilled your new life story to a dragon boy who’s been stuck in a closet at the end of a forbidden hallway for 182 years. But your wide eyes continue to look into his as he contemplates the situation. He breathes in deeply before asking you, “And what exactly is your name?”

“W-well… my name is y/n.”

Dohyon’s entire demeanor freezes, and his eyes widen considerably. He stands up, walking forward until he’s right in front of you. “Is that really your name?,” he asks seriously, his yellow eyes glaring deep into yours. 

You hear Aoi step forward next to you, before you see him push Dohyon back slightly. “Hey don’t get so close to her! You’re gonna scare her,” Aoi says defensively, “And plus, what’s with that question? Of course that’s her name. She wouldn’t just lie to a dragon’s face! And don’t think that all humans are so ignorant to your species existing.”

“It’s okay Aoi,” you say calmly, placing one of your hands on Aoi’s shoulders, “And yes, y/n is my real name. It’s my name in the world I come from, and it’s the name the person I have taken over has as well.” 

Dohyon’s eye twitches and for a split second, the entire room fills with a tri-colored light. It all absorbs back into him, and he quietly says, “Do you mind closing the door behind you?” You and Aoi look at each other again before Aoi turns around and closes the door.

As he makes his way back, Dohyon says, “If you’re here already… that means we haven’t delayed Talo and kdqmbg for long enough. Can I see your bracelet?”

You hold up your bracelet immediately when you detect his rushed tone and wild eyes. He examines it only for a second before letting your wrist go. “That’s strange… that’s the charm I… things weren’t supposed to start already! I’ve only been in here for 182 years, but this process was supposed to happen long after 1,000 years had passed…”

He trails off, starting to pace back and forth across the room. Aoi quirks an eyebrow up and asks, “Mind explaining to us exactly what is going on? You’re leaving things very vague for us over here.” Dohyon stops and looks at you both before answering, “I can’t explain everything right now, especially to you, y/n. I need more evidence to figure out if my hypothesis is correct. But that’s not going to happen until I’m set free.”

“So…, do you two mind helping me get out of this prison?,” he asks finally, but Aoi immediately counters back with, “Well, you can just walk out the door now, we’ve unlocked  it.” Dohyon starts chuckling at Aoi’s remark before he says, “If it was that simple, I would’ve walked out of here the last time a student came in here to release me.”

“Someone else has tried before?,” you ask curiously, “Why didn’t they get you out then?” Dohyon sighs quickly before answering, “The school or some student caught him, because he was slain and soon enough the keys were returned to me, and an even stronger magic-lock system was put on my door, and the doors that will help me escape.”

“His name was Gunther by the way,” Dohyon finishes, his eyes clearly reflecting deep memories. “So how exactly do we get you out of here?,” Aoi asks, clearly not noticing Dohyon’s inner turmoil, “Since the previous person that tried got killed, I’m quite reluctant to help you in the first place.”

“Well, it’s for our sake in general. If I don’t get freed and find the answers I need… then most likely everyone in this world will die,” Dohyon states, a serious air filling the room, “And it’s for y/n. She’s in the most danger here… but at the same time… her bqmlakntcgq is the whole reason all of us are getting into this mess anyways.”

“My bqmlakntcgq…?,” you ask confusedly, “What did she do?” Dohyon just sighs at your question and answers, “To be honest, I don’t think you’re ready for the answer to that question yet. In fact, y/n, I’ll tell you right now…”

“Forget everything you’ve been told. Your entire life… has been a lie. An illusion of sorts.”

The entire room freezes for a second and you ask desperately, “What do you mean? I don’t understand any of this! Why am I so important? What has my family done? What have I done?”

Dohyon’s face softens with sympathy, and he says, “I hate not being able to give the answers y/n, but I think you’ll understand the best when the truth reveals itself. Which… I have a feeling that the truth will appear very, very soon.”

“But we will discuss all of this later,” Dohyon says, turning around to walk to the back of the small room, picking up a small box, before walking back to where he was standing formerly. “This,” he starts, “Is the only item that can leave this room. And when I open it…”

He trails off, opening the old and rusted box to reveal a set of three keys. The first one was decorated just like the one you had used to open the door, except the bitting cuts were clearly different, this time more round in shape. 

The second key was more rusted than the box it came in, but it had hundreds of elegant dragon scales carved upon the shaft and bow of it. However, it had no bit, and the shaft just ended in a strangely shaped point. 

The third and final key was made out of some sort of colorful gemstone, and wasn’t smooth in any sort of way. The bow was quite round, but from attached to both sides of the circle was a diamond-shaped piece of ordinary stone. The bit was also made of this stone, and was quite square compared to the other keys.

“These three keys will aid my escape,” Dohyon starts, once he thinks you’ve examined each of the keys, “Each one opens a certain door in the school, which will lead you on a quest to find one of the key that open the invisible locks on the door.”

“Only I can see these locks. There are five locks on the door in total, one key from the dragon head key room, and two from the other key rooms,” Dohyon says confidently, “And then of course, you have to unlock the physical door too. Make sure to not lose the door key.”

“I can’t offer you much help in actually finding the rooms and keys themselves, besides the first one,” Dohyon says, walking back to where he got the box from, “Gunther only told me what room the first key unlocked, and I carved it on the wall behind where the box was.”

Dohyon kneels down, using his magic to hold up a small flame before reading, “Room 57’s closet, which is in Ravinder Tower,  is where the first puzzle awaits for you to complete. That is… if you’re willing to set me free from this place?”

Once again, you and Aoi share a look. His eyes are doubtful, and he looks over the keys in the box once again. Before waiting for him to give you any sort of answer, you say…

“I’ll help you escape Dohyon.”

Aoi’s eyes widen immensely, a few flabbergasted noises leaving his mouth,  and Dohyon flashes you a charming smile. “Good to know. How about you Aoi?,” Dohyon asks, tilting his head towards him. “I-I’ll help!,” he cries out, before his cheeks turn slightly pink, “But don’t think I like you or anything dragon boy… I’m only doing this because y/n seems to like you.”

Aoi lets out a small ‘hmmph!’ sound and turns his head upward haughtily before you look back at Dohyon. He walks back over to the two of you and hands you the box of keys. “Be as safe as possible, will you? I don’t want the same thing that happened to Gunther happening to you. In fact… it is quite imperative that neither of you reach an ill fate.”

You nod confidently and say, “Don’t worry too much. Aoi here is the master of sneaking around the school, and I have a favor to ask of you, in fact.” Dohyon gives you a perplexed look before asking, “And what kind of favor would you need to ask of a dragon who’s currently stuck inside of a small room?”

“For every key we collect for you… will you answer one of my questions that I have? You know, about why I’m so important and how exactly you know my bqmlakntcgq and all that?,” you ask kindly and Dohyon sighs before answering, “Yes. You have my word that I will answer ONE of your questions for every key.”

You smile gratefully, before motioning to Aoi to open the door again. 

“We’ll back soon then, with the first key!”

~~

After you and Aoi trudged back to your room with the box of keys, the two of you immediately fell into deep sleep, no dreams even daring to bother the two of you that night. And when you woke up, the box of keys was still right on your desk, exactly where you had placed them last night.

Aoi didn’t wake up too much longer after you, and upon noticing the key box on your desk, he remarked, “Oh, so it wasn’t a dream?” Which sent you into a giggling fit, and Aoi simply sighed at your antics, slipping into the bathroom to get changed.

“So when are we going to go over to Ravinder Tower?,” you called out to him as you were slipping your skirt back on. “Probably tonight,” Aoi exclaims back, “Dragon boy seemed to be in quite a rush to get his answers or whatever, so we should at least respect that or something…” You quickly throw on the rest of your outfit, and Aoi asks through the door, “Can I come back in the room?” 

“Yep!,” you answer back and walk into the bathroom after Aoi exits. You look right into the mirror, and shudder quickly before popping in the red contacts Aoi had given you. You brushed your hair quickly, and stormed back into the bedroom to grab your bag.

Aoi was already ready to go, so the two of you headed out towards Aeron Tower, where both of your first classes were. You had History of Magic Beings, while Aoi had History of the Dark Arts. After these classes, you and Aoi wouldn’t see each other until lunch, which is when the two of you planned to sneak into the staff room to pick up extra guard uniforms, which would definitely help the two of you if you got caught for some reason.

The first class seemed to pass by very slowly, but soon enough you were walking out into the school courtyard for your class called “Recreational Magic”, which definitely had you feeling quite nervous, as you knew for a fact you wouldn’t be able to pull off anything remotely magical. 

But you still walked out there, only to see Dongpyo and a few other kids milling about the lawn. An older lady, who was clearly the teacher, was sitting across from you and the other kids, simply reading a book. 

And as the large school bell chimes echoed throughout the school, the teacher didn’t even look up. All of the kids who were out there immediately starting pulling magic out of them, setting off huge bursts into the sky or creating shapes and figures with their magic.

But after a few minutes of just watching everyone do their magic, you simply plopped to the ground, unsure of what to do with your current situation. As soon as you did, though, someone kicked your back, causing you to fall forward from your position, and yelled, “Hmmm, what’s this?? The daughter of the principal herself sitting down during a magic class?”

As you slowly stood up to face them, dusting yourself off as you got up, you immediately saw it was Dongpyo himself. You froze on the spot as he stormed over to you, getting right into your face. Of course, you immediately saw his glowing, red eyes, but unlike everyone else’s they had a yellow ring outlining the pupil of his eye.

However, you had no time to dwell on it, as Dongpyo jeered, “What’s the matter, cat got your tongue? If you’re not going to play by the rules, I’ll give you a little taste of what the principal did to that new f̷̡̠̣̫̲̙͎͍̙̬̝̖̀̔̈̃̔̆̽̓͜͝r̶̭̣͂́̀͐̓ỉ̷̧̱̹̻̹̗͙̜̭̰̜̹͍͔̈͌͑̃̌͗̌̉̾̾͝ê̶̺͎͇̩̥ņ̸͇̗̖̫͉̹͚͉̥̘͍̙͖͐̎͊͐̚͜͝d̷̢͔̹̼̳̠̰͔͙̥̎̂̒́̏̑̔̊͑̐̀́͜͠ͅ of yours.”

Just as Dongpyo pulled his hand back, a blue energy charging in the palm of that hand, you somehow fell through the ground and into a hole. You spiraled downwards for quite a while before it opened up into a magenta-colored space, small gems floating in the corners around the room.

“Hello?,” you called out confusedly, “Is anyone there?” Your words echoed in the space around you, and just in front of you, a figure started to appear. He was tinted magenta, but his hair was clearly black, and his eyes were glowing a bold green.

He also wore the school uniform that you were wearing now, but he also had a beanie on his head. “Hi, I’m Gunther,” he says, “I’m the person or thing, I guess, who saved you from the mind control yesterday. And yes, I am the dead spirit of the last person who tried to save Dohyon. How I ended up in this bracelet, I have no idea.”

“But I don’t have much time for introductions, so just know that I’ll be guiding you along your way to rescue Dohyon. I know more about freeing him than most people do, anyway. But I’ll also be lending you my powers… so I’ll save you from whoever that was up there,” he finishes, flashing you a quick smile before you’re thrown back up into the real world, right where you left off.

You cross your arms to protect you from the blow, and just as Dongpyo lurches forward, a barrier appears in front of you, completely reflecting his attack. And as you look at your arms curiously, you knew this was definitely Gunther’s work.

As the dust from Dongpyo’s strike clears, you immediately see him smiling at you. “Looks like she does have something in her after all,” he states cockily, before murmuring, “Too bad it’s not really her own.”

He simply laughs before turning back to the people he was with before. ‘What the hell even just happened,’ you thought to yourself, ‘And who is controlling Dongpyo? This doesn’t seem like the behavior of someone who’s just under the effects of the mind control…’

~~

Finally, after what felt like forever, lunch finally arrived, and you met Aoi exactly where you planned to meet in the first place. It wouldn’t be unusual for the two of you to sit together, as the rule was that you could only sit with your roommates. 

You told Aoi everything that had happened already, including how you had met Gunther and your strange encounter with Dongpyo. Aoi took a few minutes to contemplate over everything before suddenly saying, “We’re definitely up against something bigger than what we think, that’s for sure. And I bet you anything… dragon boy knows something about it.”

“Like think about it, he clearly was a student here, and they found him out for being a dragon. Whatever, I can guarantee you that instead of locking him up, the would’ve put him in some sort of display or would’ve gone on a search to find more dragons.”

“Whoever locked him in there knew exactly what they were doing. I guarantee it,” Aoi says, pausing for a second as you nodded at his comments, “You know what… why don’t you use your question that you get from the key we’re finding tonight to ask him about it?”

You nod enthusiastically. “That will probably get me some of the answers I want anyways,” you state, looking Aoi in the eyes, “Well, looks like we got ourselves a date with Room 57 tonight!” Aoi giggles at your cheer, and raises his glass of water up to you secretly.

You clink your glass against his, and the two of you share a smile just as the bell rings.

~~

You and Aoi had long slipped out of your school uniforms by now and had finished the few assignments that had been given to you today. And now, the two of you were scrambling around your dorm room, packing light bags for the journey ahead. You had already checked if you had the spare key to Room 57 that you swiped from the key room last night on the way back to your room last night, along with the key that would open the closet.

Aoi wasn’t so much packing as he was pacing around the room, muttering random, incomprehensible things to himself as he did so. And soon enough, he stopped on the spot and asked you, “Are you ready to go? Now’s the perfect time to go.”

The two of you had agreed to go a little earlier than last night, as Ravinder Tower was the one all the way across from your tower, Tenzin Tower. You slipped out of your room just as you did last night, and right as you got into the main hall, a strange magenta pattern appeared on your hand.

Aoi immediately turned around to raise an eyebrow at you, clearly asking ‘what is this?’. As the two of you kept walking, you pointed to your bracelet, indicating that it was probably something that Gunther had done to protect you both.

He nodded before pulling you along at a quicker pace. No guards seemed to be in any of the halls at all, and a slight feeling of dread and anticipation filled you as you edged closer and closer to Ravinder Tower. 

Soon enough, you and Aoi were stalking up the stairs of the tower, heading straight towards Room 57. Aoi had already told you that it was a potions classroom, so you weren’t surprised when you saw the cauldrons that sat in the room, and the herb shelf that was behind the teacher’s desk.

And to the left of the teacher’s desk was the closet door. It was made out of very dark wood, and it hadn’t been smoothed out, giving the door a texture that almost looked like a flowing river. The doorknob and keyhole were made of the same material that the dragon key was, and even the bolts on the door were made of the gemstone that made up the dragon’s eye.

You sighed silently, before stepping ahead of Aoi and inserting the key into the keyhole. You slowly turned it, feeling its inner mechanisms come undone before there was the reassuring click as the key settled into its final position. The door creaked open as you pulled it, and you were met with a cramped room, which was definitely only big enough for one person to be in.

Aoi saw this and nodded, motioning for you to go forward. As soon as both of you feet were on the floor…

The surface dropped from beneath you, and suddenly you were falling with the entire room itself. Everything hit the new floor with a loud crash, and you immediately heard Aoi cry out from above you, “Y/n! Are you okay?”

As you shakily stood up, clutching your spinning head, you yelled back, “Yeah, I’m okay! Is there anything new up there?” Just as you say that, three panels on the opposite side of the room fall forward, revealing a small crawl way.

“No!,” he yells back down, “What’s it like down there?” You turn so you’re facing the hole and quickly yell back, “A small tunnel has appeared, I’m gonna go down it! Wait for me to come back up!” 

Just as you start crawling forward you hear Aoi cry back, “Don’t go in there just ye-,” but as you find yourself entirely in the hole, his voice completely disappears. Figuring there was no reason to go back now, you continued inching yourself through the cramped tunnel. Your only source of light guiding you were small, glowing mushrooms that grew all along the enclosure.

After what felt like twenty minutes, you finally noticed a different kind of light ahead of you in the tunnel. And as you finally reached it, you fell forward once again, falling straight onto a wooden floor. You stood up, clutching your head, before realizing that the light was coming from a candle that lay on a table in the center of the room.

Slightly underneath the candle’s stand lay a note, which read…

Here lies the tomb of the ancient dragon king

His son is trapped in the castle near

The bloodline flows even as time continues

One secret heir

Within the books upon the shelves

Lay one secret after another

That only a descendant of the council can discover

And if you seek the key

Summon the friend that lies within yee

‘Within… me?,’ you thought confusedly, ‘Who’s inside of me?’ A poof of magenta smoke went off next you, and a familiar voice chimed, “They mean me, of course.” 

Floating next to you now, was Gunther, an adventurous smile plastered on his face. “W-what the-?,” you exclaim, blinking your eyes a bit to make sure you’re not seeing things. “You’re definitely not seeing things, y/n,” Gunther says teasingly, “Sorry… I should probably mention that I can hear your thoughts.”

“You can?!,” you exclaim loudly, and Gunther giggles, “We can continue to talk about what I can and can’t do at a later time,” he says, “But for right now, it’s my job to help you find the key. I only have some idea of where to start, as they changed it all up after they found me out.”

He flies forward, snapping his fingers as he does so, somehow managing to light up the room. Right in front of the table you’re at, there’s a huge statue of a dragon, fire coming out of its mouth as it attacks a guard, who is blocking the fire with his shield. Around you are thousands of shelves of books, each one different in shape and size. 

Gunther suddenly floats back, perching on top of the dragon statue with a worn down book in his right hand. He drops it down onto the table, and he flips the pages until he suddenly stops, pulling the words off of the page, somehow rearranging them into the shape of a key.

He drops the newly formed key into your hand, letting your examine it. The letters were clearly still imprinted on every part of the key, but each word was crossed over with so many others that it was hard to make out exactly what it said. The key was also smooth, and the bit carving was quite sporadic. You looked back up at him and asked, “How… how exactly did you do that so quickly?”

“Well, if you were like me and had to figure out the entire puzzle by yourself over a few different nights, you would’ve had to flip over the letter you just read to find the set of numbers,” Gunther starts, a smirk already present on his face, “To have to go over there to find the old poster that has the cypher to the numbers, to then find the books that each number is for, to then take the seventeen clues you are given to find the final book, which when you recite the puzzle, gives you the key.”

“But since this room knows me and knows I’ve already figured it out, it just led me straight to the key,” Gunther finishes, jumping down to sit on the table right next to you. “That certainly is… a lot,” you say astoundingly. 

Gunther nods before bouncing up again, causing you to turn around to face him. “To be honest y/n, I’m surprised Dohyon actually asked you for help first. When I first found the key, it was just lying about in Aeron Tower, which is where my dorm was. When I touched it, the mind control on me completely slipped away from me.”

“I instantly had a feeling that this key was for one of the doors in the Forbidden Corridor, so when I opened Dohyon’s door to find him in there, I was shocked,” Gunther continues, “Dohyon was also extremely shocked, but quite refused to say anything on why he was in there or how I could help him escape.”

“Over and over, he kept telling me, ‘you’re not the one who can help me.’ or ‘there’s someone I’m specifically waiting for.’ Of course, I couldn’t help but feel a little dejected at these remarks, but after enough nights of me pestering him, he finally agreed.”

“And now that I’m thinking about it y/n, you’re definitely the person he’s been waiting for. But I think you are here at the wrong time,” he says seriously, “I think something has gone terribly wrong. I mean, I’m technically back in the world! It’s nice to have a physical form and all of that again… but it just feels wrong. I think you’ve tinkered with something that wasn’t ever supposed to be messed with.”

“But what do I know?,” Gunther jokes, clearly trying to get off of the serious subject, “I’ll return into your bracelet now, I think Aoi’s starting to panic up there.” And just like how he appeared, Gunther poofed back into your bracelet, disappearing entirely.

Knowing you couldn’t dwell on what you just learned here, you headed straight for the crawl way, and scurried back towards where Aoi was. As soon as you emerged back into the room you had crashed down in, it lit up, the pieces of the room floating upwards, bringing you along as it put itself back together. 

You blinked a few times before Aoi rapidly flung open the door, to see you standing there, brand new key in hand. “Oh my goodness y/n!,” Aoi says, stepping forward to fling his arms around you, “I was so worried! But you’ve got the key… should we go to Dohyon’s now? Or tomorro-”

“Tonight,” you said firmly, “Gunther appeared down there to help me and now I have more questions than I did last night. And we’ve got to get them out of him somehow.”

~~

You and Aoi storm back down the main hall towards the Forbidden Corridor. You knew that packing the key to his door was going to be a good idea, and it certainly was, considering you were too desperate to wait another day to ask him one of your questions.

Aoi would probably be upset if you didn’t ask the question he wanted to ask, so you figured you’d just get the next two keys easily, that way you could then start asking the questions that mattered to you.

Soon enough, you and Aoi were blazing into the corridor, key in your hand, ready to open the door. You undid the lock quickly, taking it out of the keyhole as you and Aoi slipped into Dohyon’s room once again, silently closing the large door behind you.

The room was lit up with the beaming moonlight, and Dohyon sat on the chair in the center of the room, exactly like he was yesterday. “I presume you got the first key?,” Dohyon asks, holding out his left hand, clearly indicating for you to give him the key.

You squeezed it in your hand, and exclaimed, “I’m not giving you this key until you answer my question.”

“Who and what are we even up against? What’s the point of even setting you free?”

~~

(Part 1)(Part 2)

[rosecorcoranwrites]

Thoughts on Twists

Every story ever told can be broken down into three parts. The beginning. The middle. And the twist!

—Goosebumps (2015)

Jordan Peele’s Us and M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village Spoilers ahead, so read with caution!

There's something about a good plot twist: the shock, the awe, the feeling of having your world turned upside down. A good twist might make you see a character in a new light, or rethink everything you thought you knew about the setting. A bad twist, on the other hand, can ruin an otherwise decent story. Bad twists feel cheap and stupid, and make what might have been good, even great stories into muddled and unbelievable messes. So what makes a twist good or bad?

First, some preliminaries: what is a twist? Although we all use the phrase "twists and turns", I submit that a plot twist is a little different than a plot turn. A turn might be defined as the plot taking a completely unexpected direction, like "Wow! Who would have thought that guy would end up becoming the villain!". On the other hand, a twist is when we learn an unexpected fact about the world or a character that had been there, secretly, all along: "Wow! Who would have thought that guy was the villain the whole time!".

Since we're on the subject, it should be noted that twist villains are not the only type of twist there is. Nor are twist endings, the quote from Goosebumps notwithstanding. Though twists tend to occur towards the latter part of narratives, they can be sprinkled throughout. I would love to give some examples of this, but one of the problems with talking about good twists is that you don't want to give them away, and talking about them almost invariably does just that.

Obviously, a twist ought to be unpredictable, but a predictable twist does not make a bad story. Erased, which is one of four perfect stories in existence, has a twist you can see coming from a mile away, and yet it remains perfect. Why? First, because the story doesn't hinge on the twist, for one thing; it's cat and mouse, so it's okay if we know who the cat is. Second, a twist that is predictable isn't really a twist. I mean, it is but it isn't; it's one of those weird gray areas of trying to be the thing, but failing. But that's okay. A failed attempt at being a twist is, in my mind, not the same thing as a properly executed but just plain bad twist. But maybe we're getting into the weeds a bit.

I would say that a bad twist is any twist that is not a good twist, and a good twist follows certain rules: it must be believable; it must make sense in retrospect; and, for double twists, the second one must make the story better as a whole. Basically, good twists are satisfying, and bad twists aren't, usually because they break one of the three rules.

Rule 1: A twist must be believable!

By this, I mean believable in whatever world the writer has set up. If supernatural elements are established, or at least hinted at, a supernatural twist is fine. If, however, there is not one hint or peep of the supernatural throughout the story, but it turns out that the killer is a wizard, or an alien, or a ghost, it's awful. Sure, it's unexpected, but in the dumbest way possible. Good twists should be like slight-of-hand; the audience should delight at being fooled. Unbelievable twists feel more like being lied to by someone who's really bad at lying. They feel like an insult.

And don't think that introducing random supernatural elements into a story is the only way to be unbelievable. Sometimes, making a "real world" twist can feel just as unrealistic. I'll say as little as I can, because it's still less than a year old, but I think that Jordan Peele's Us pulls this. I was really excited for that movie when I saw the trailers, and then I read the synopsis and got even more excited, because I hoped that he would try a certain twist. And he did, and I think it's brilliant! But he went for another twist as well (the one that occurs first in the film, actually), which kind of ruins the whole movie. Why? Because that first twist is logistically, financially, geographically, and hereditarily unbelievable (in particular, (SPOILER, obviously): it's idiotic that the child doppelgängers are the offspring of the cloned parents, and not clones of the normal kids. Even if the clone parents had sex at the exact same time as the normal parents, the sperm and egg that happen to unite would be totally random, even accepting the ridiculous idea that the mother clone would ovulate at the same time as the normal mother. Never mind the rest of the absurdity of a vast government(?) clone experiment that just leaves an unlocked exit in a beachside funhouse). It took what could have been a great movie and made it seem fake and silly. I know I wrote a whole post about not being harsh on the plot holes in horror movies, but this particular twist is based on real things in the real world, not monsters or spirits or what have you (and seriously, a mysterious, ever-changing-yet-always-present carnival funhouse that inexplicable spits out doppelgängers from time to time is way scarier than a poorly run scientific experiment). It strains the suspension of disbelief. It's too much to take. Quite simply, I don't buy it. And a good twist should never make the audience say "I don't buy it."

Rule 2: A twist must make sense in retrospect!

The best twists are those that are staring you in the face the whole time. Once you finally learn the truth, you should be able to look back and say, "I can't believe I didn't see that coming!". As an example of such a twist is M. Night Shyamalan's The Visit. Every time I watch that movie with someone who hasn't seen it, it strikes me just how obvious the twist is, and yet no one ever guesses it.

Bad twists tend to come out of left field, or else don’t mesh with what came before. They feel like the writers are cheating by not giving you anything to go off of, but still want you to cheer for them anyway. Hans being the villain in Frozen is one such twist. His early actions in the film don’t jive with his take-the-throne scheme, specifically in that he stops Weselton’s men from killing Elsa in her palace. Why does he do this? The only reason I can think of, given that he was just going to have her executed later anyway, is so the audience wouldn’t know he’s a villain. It’s not in character and doesn't make sense when you learn what he was eventually planning.

Part of making sense in retrospect is having clues to the twist throughout the rest of the story. These might be seemingly unimportant, mundane details that the audience passes over, or they might be red herrings that seem to indicate one thing but actually mean something quite different. Either way, once the twist is revealed, those clues should become obvious. The Ace Attorney games excel at this. There was a case I was playing, and, after finally eliminating one of the two main suspects, I was stumped. If it wasn’t one of those two, who was it? I pulled up the cast list and went one by one, slowly eliminating the impossible until I was left with one improbable suspect. “No,” I thought, “it can’t be them. But, it can’t be anyone else, so…Wait!” Like puzzle pieces falling into place, everything suddenly fit. That person not only had to be the killer because no one else could, it made sense for them to be the killer given all of their past actions.

A twist that I’m not a fan of is the one in And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie. Before you grab your pitchforks and torches, let me explain for those people who have never read the book: ten strangers meet on an island and are killed, one-by-one, for their past misdeeds. While the book is entertaining and is the granddaddy of all such whittling-down-the-cast who-dun-its, the twist itself is kind of… meh. Yes, the killer’s motive makes sense, but there weren’t any clues or details one could look back on and say, “Ah! Of course! I was blind not to see it!” The little twist as to how they accomplished some of the killings was clever, but as for their identity, well… I feel like Christie could have chosen any of the ten and done the same thing with them. Nothing pointed to that one person in particular being the killer, and it made the whole twist a lot less satisfying.

Rule 3: Double twists must make the story better as a whole!

Double twists are those where one twist comes after another. The second twist can either build on the first one, or subvert it. As an author, I can tell you that double twists are a nice way of covering your bases, because even if someone sees the first twist coming, they usually won’t see the second one. As a reader, I’m crazy about double twists. And yet, people either misuse them by having them make the story worse or don’t use them to make the story better. Basically, a bad double twist is one of those that breaks rule 1 or 2. Sometimes, though, a really good double twist can salvage a single twist that breaks either of these rules, assuming that the story isn't too far gone at that point (Jordan Peele, I'm looking at you).

Let’s take at movie with a double twist, and see if it works or not: M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village. Shyamalan is quite...something, in that he soars to heights and sink to depths in terms of quality. On a scale of The Happening to The Visit (I don’t acknowledge the existence of The Last Airbender or After Earth; they're not Shyamalanian enough), I would say that The Village is just above Lady in the Water but below Glass. Don’t get me wrong, there are parts of The Village that were quite scary and interesting, but its twists? They're just not doing it for me.

SPOILERS, I guess, but this movie's been out for fifteen years, and the twists are nothing great, so, here we go: it turns out the monsters in the woods are actually villagers in suits who deter people from leaving the community, and—double twist—the movie takes place in the modern day, but the village’s inhabitants experienced loss and crime in regular society and formed their weird community in the woods in order to raise their children peacefully. This second twist was neither believable nor hinted at. For example, why do all the adults—all of whom presumably grew up in normal society—use a stilted, old-timey speech (other than to fool the audience on time period)? Also, though we know the elders have secrets they keep in black boxes, we’re never shown even a hint that these might be things from the modern era until the ending. Why not have a full color photo, or an anachronistic piece of technology? The audience would think these were goofs or sloppy filmmaking, until the reveal that it was all part of a carefully set-up twist.

I’m not a fan of the fake-monster twist either, because I’m always in favor of supernatural elements, but it’s not bad in and of itself. If it were the only twist in the film, it would be an okay movie. But that second one, well…It doesn’t make the film better—I think most people would agree it makes it worse—so it’s not a good double twist. How would I fix it? Add one more twist. The blind girl goes into the woods to get medicine, and is attacked by the murderer in a monster suit, just like in the original movie. Only this time, rather than luring him into a hole, she is saved by another creature. “Who’s that?” the audience wonders, until it rips the murderer apart with its claws and then gallops away on all fours or climbs up a tree or something, because—plot twist—there really are monsters out there in the woods! Like I said, I’m always in favor of the supernatural (Besides, the elders do say that they based the creatures off local legends). At this point, you can keep the modern-day twist or not (if you do, I would move the monster fight to after she’s coming home with the medicine). This new twist wouldn’t make it the best movie ever or anything, but it would make it a little better, a little scarier, a bit more unsettling. If the modern setting stays, this twists hits home the already-present-but-somewhat-undercut message that you can try to make a perfect, planned life, but there are still things out there you can't control. I think it would make for a more satisfying story over all.

And that, right there, is what should be at the heart of any twist (or, dare I say it, any story element): satisfying the audience. No one goes into a book or a movie or a game wanting to be lied to or cheated. We want to be dazzled, amazed, maybe even fooled but in a way that we can appreciate. We want a twist that will knock our socks off and change everything we thought we knew, while being right in front of us the whole time. But, honestly, we'll settle for a not-so-mind-blowing twist that at least satisfies our need for a good story. Heck, we'll even take a predictable twist, as long as the story itself is good. Why? Because surprising your audience is a bonus, but satisfying them is a necessity. And that is what a good twist does.