#anyway this is honestly the tiniest issue right now in my life but heres one drama thats happened during my Mini Miniest hiatus

[yoongi-sugaglider]

Jungkook x reader

fairy/soulmate au

Warnings: fluff, mentions of war, mentions of bodily injury, ummm...fluff? lol

Word count: Exactly 10k on the dot!!!

A/n note: So this was supposed to be my secret santa/ winter project for December 2020 but some life stuff came up aka my dad had some very severe health issues that kinda broke my brain for a while. He’s doing better now though and I finally was able to just sit and give this story the love it deserved. To @birbdae​ I am so sorry this is late but thank you so much for being patient with me~ Happy belated birthday and I love you bunches~

“Mother, tell me the story again?” The young girl whispered as she clung to the Queen’s multitude of skirts.

“Hush now my love.” The elegant lady gathered her child into her arms, eyes struggling to see her tiny face in the dusky twilight that surrounded them.

“Please Mother, I’m scared…” 

The woman sighed, allowing her silvery hair to fall into her eyes as she pressed her forehead to her child’s and allowed the icy chill that surrounded them to comfort her into speaking.

“Once upon a time, there lived a young maiden so fair that kingdoms bowed down at the very mention of her name.”

“Queen Merialiies, the most powerful of the frost fae.” The little princess sighed, settling into her mother’s arms and allowing the familiar words to comfort her.

“Aye, that she was. And the kindest. A great war ravaged her country. So devastating was it that half the world lost their lives and the balance of life and death were in chaos.”

The Queen clutched her child closer, shivering as her eyes trained intensely on the entrance of the isolated cavern. “When the war was over the maiden emerged from hiding, seeking out her people and gathering them from their hiding places. She knew that if they were to revive the world they would have to come together, for their strength lay in their bond with each other.”

“Because our joined power is always greater than if we are alone.”

The Queen chuckled, nuzzling into her daughter’s hair and placing the most gentle of kisses to her forehead. “Am I telling this story or you my love?”

The child smiled up at her, giggling as she patted her mother’s cheek. “I’m sorry Mother, please, would you keep going?”

“Alright, where was I?”

“You were about to come to the best part!” 

Smiling the Queen nodded, though her grip on her child tightened. “The maiden persevered, gaining strength from her people as they guided the world towards rebirth. But something was wrong. The poor dear, though surrounded by those that loved and adored her felt alone. Something was missing in her life. A love that she could have all to herself. She began searching, hoping to find one who could see through her strength to the innocent and lonely woman within.”

“And she did Mother! She found her own truest love.”

“Shh, quietly my lovely.” Her panicked gaze wandered the dark, listening intently to the wayward sounds that filtered in through the stone and ice.

“You’re right. She found her love. A twin flame to melt away the loneliness in her heart. The one who carried not only a burning love for her, but also the twin pair to her wings.”

The youngling sighed, burying her face in her mother’s chest as her tiny fingers wrapped in the delicate silk of her bodice. “Twin souls. They were happy right? Finding each other?”

“Of course my love. Finding your twin soul is a cause for celebration. And they did. They celebrated for weeks after. Two kingdoms joined together to celebrate the greatest love story in the history of the fae. There was no war, only peace and prosperity.”

The sounds from outside gained in volume. Explosions and cries for help echoed through the cavern as the two held each other close.

“Mother…”

“I know baby. I’m here. It will be okay…”

***

“My Lady where are you?” 

The young woman flinched, tucking herself farther into the frost covered tree as she watched her jailer...lady in waiting, search for her in the gardens down below.

She’d been avoiding the poor harried woman for hours, hoping to not be dragged back to the small cabin they called home and be forced to sit down and study her histories again. The tutor they’d found liked to drone on and on, more busy with facts and numbers than the great stories of heroes and villains that the young woman preferred to daydream about. He’d taken on the job willingly, a poor clumsy scholar that tended more towards the clumsy side despite the brilliance of his mind.

“My lady! Sir Namjoon awaits you! Please stop hiding and come so that he can teach you like we hired him to!”

The woman snorted, knowing she’d be able to hide as long as she needed if it meant she didn’t have to hover protectively over her inkwell while the man droned on. Luck was not on her side this day though. Where normally her fingers would have done their work, gripping tightly to the course bark that wrapped her beloved tree in silvery protection, today they faltered in the cold.

She barely had a moment to react, a silent oh! of surprise slipping from her lips as she took her tumble. The ground rushed up to meet her, its snow covered embrace announcing her hiding spot with a resounding crash.

A gasp echoed through the clearing, swallowed by the sound of rushed footsteps crunching their way through the freshly lain snow. The fallen woman groaned, eyes filled with the sight of the uncaring forest staring down at her as she lay resigned to her fate.

“My Lady you mustn't lay on your back like…” The maid stuttered to a halt, delicate fingers coming up to cover her lips as her eyes filled with misty tears. “Oh...oh your ladyship I...I’m so s…”

“Hush now Solaris. It’s been 14 years.” The woman sat up abruptly, dusting the snow from her dress and rising to brush it off of her back. “I’ve had enough of these woods. Come now, Sir Clumsy britches is waiting for me.”

Solaris couldn’t help the tittering giggle that slipped from her lips. She bowed her head, giving the young woman a small curtsy as they began making their way back towards the village.

“Might I ask why you’re always climbing that tree my lady?” She couldn’t help her curiosity. It seemed her charge was always running off, attempting to find some adventure or another in any attempt to escape her duties.

“Honestly? I’m not sure. I just…” The young woman sighed, fingers brushing at her skirts as she ducked beneath a wayward tree branch and stepped out into the clearing that housed their small cottage. “I’ve always felt like I was searching for something. Even as a child. I suppose I thought if I could see more of the land, see more of the world from up high I’d be able to figure out what that something is.”

“And have you found it my lady?”

The melancholic woman shook her head, pausing at the door to the cottage and glancing once around the clearing. It was a modest little place they called home, situated just inside the wall of trees that surrounded the capital city of their kingdom. They managed to live quietly here, benefiting from the security of the centuries old trees and forest while still being close enough to the large city to fulfill all of their living needs. It was home, though not the one she’d grown up in. That was a fairytale now only to think about in the quiet nights when she tossed and turned with nightmares of the past.

“No...I haven’t found my twin flame. Not...not yet anyway.”

***

“Your Highness! There’s news from the capital!” A hurried Solaris burst through the front door, eyes wide and panicked as she struggled to catch her breath from the obvious nonstop run from the market to their home.

“Goodness Solaris. Take a moment, calm yourself.” The young woman rose from her chair, absolutely grateful for the interruption from Sir Namjoon’s usual rantings as she guided her breathless maid to the chair she’d been occupying.

“Sir Namjoon, would you kindly draw Lady Solaris a cup of water? I’m sure she’d be grateful.”

The usually calm man grew flustered at the request, rushing towards the tiny kitchen area and rifling through the items for the requested object. Surprisingly nothing fell or broke though as the man returned with a tall cup of cold water and handed it to the maid with trembling hands and the tiniest of a dimple filled smile.

“Y...your...your water my Lady.” He muttered, scurrying back to his large stack of books as if terrified to have Solaris’s attention on him for too long.

After allowing the woman to take a few sips to calm herself her mistress took the cup, placing it off to the side and handing over a handkerchief to allow the woman to wipe at her sweat covered brow.

“Now, what’s got you so flustered that you had to burst in here in the most unladylike of manners?” She smiled in amusement as the woman inhaled sharply, almost as if preparing for the most magnanimous of speeches.

“Your highness! The king! He’s come to the capital and he’s calling all the maidens of the kingdom to attend him! It’s required that all, no matter their status, must see him at once!”

“That conquering tyrant.” Where normally she would be calm the woman suddenly burned bright red with a strange fury. “First he takes our country and now he wants all of the maidens to attend to him?” She turned from her hand maid, fury twisting her features as she stomped over to the window to glare out at the surrounding forest.

“No my Lady, you’re mistaken.” Solaris stuttered, sitting up in her chair as she finally allowed her thoughts to settle. “It’s for the First Prince. They’re wanting a marriage of good faith to allow the two kingdoms to integrate peacefully.”

“P..peacefully??” She sputtered as she turned from the window. Throwing her hands in the air she couldn’t help but to rant. “Those hot heads should have thought of that BEFORE they burned our crops and raided our villages! We’d have easily come to a compromise of some sort had they come bearing that same mentality before taking up arms against us!”

“Madame, they…”

“Yes yes I know.” She waved off Namjoon’s words dismissively. “My father didn’t want to send me there. Didn’t want his precious daughter to ‘descend into that den of thieves’” She tossed up air quotes, sarcasm dripping from every word she spoke. “Really, you men and your misplaced pride. It’s ridiculous how foolish you can be when you think with your sword instead of your minds.”

“With our...m..Madam!” The look of shock on the poor scholar’s face would have been priceless any other day. But for some reason the stately lady of the house just wasn’t feeling the need to tease the scholar.

“So how are they doing this?” She made her way to her favorite chair as she spoke, dropping into it with a huff and staring out of the small cottage’s window. The drifting snowflakes outside caught her attention and she watched them dance their way to the ground as she listened to Solaris explain the situation.

“They’ll be sending soldiers to each house bearing invitations for each eligible female.”

“They’ll be tallying each one up too. Make sure they can count each household while they’re at it.” She grumped as she folded her arms on the window ledge and plopped her chin on her forearms.

“More than likely, yes. And adding to that they’ll send the same soldiers out the day of the ball to come and collect the women.” Namjoon chimed in. “They’ll claim it’s a safety precaution but more so it’s to ensure none of them run off.”

“Why would they do that?” Solaris blinked innocently, her dazed expression and glazed eyes giving away how little she understood of the situation. “A ball! Just imagine all of the beautiful dresses we would see. And all of the handsome young men!” Her giggle echoed through the silent cabin. It quickly died off when she realized neither of her companions were sharing in her excitement.

“Honestly, I forget sometimes you weren’t old enough to remember the war and how horrible things were for our kind.” Standing from her window seat she brushed at the gossamer fabric of her dress as if attempting to rid herself of some imagined dust. “When is this ball they have planned?”

“In three days. They’ll begin sending out soldiers in the morning.” Solaris replied, hanging her head sadly.

“I see. Sir Namjoon, we’ll resume my studies once I’ve returned.” She turned away from the teo, making her way to her room and beginning to pack a small selection of her belongings.

“Wh...Miss...what are you doing?” Solaris demanded as she sidestepped the whirlwind of a woman who was now packing small packages of dried meats and medicines from the storage area of the kitchen.

“I can’t be there. If they find me, find out who I am? I just...I have to go.” 

She finished packing, mind a cold void as her determination was already set. After informing the two where she was going she set off, hoping to escape whatever fate was trying to force her way.

***

The woods were lovely, dark, and deep.

She found herself sighing at the sounds that greeted her as she stepped from the tree line to survey her surroundings.

Before her and stretching far off into the horizon was a massive frozen lake, it's surface dappled by the hoof and paw prints of the many animals that dwelled in the safety of the forest beyond and refused to sleep the winter months away. A rare smile graced her lips, one almost as secretive as the hidden cave she turned and began to make her way towards.

Her steps became lighter as she crunched through the snow, the weight of the sudden announcement lifting from her shoulders as she stepped beneath the glistening blue stalactites. The interior was dimly lit from the light that gently filtered through from the ice that protected the entrance from prying eyes.

The only sound that echoed in the place were her unhurried footsteps and a gentle dripping that whispered to her from somewhere further back in the darkness. She'd visited here many times before, a quiet reprieve she'd found several summers ago when she'd come to the lake to escape the insufferable heat of the season.

The locals didn't visit it,claiming it to be haunted by a human's soul that'd taken up residency in the place a millennia ago, back before the wingless race had died off. It suited her perfectly well as it gave her the solitude she needed to allow her poor broken wings a chance to be free.

And she did just that as she dumped her pack beside the cold ashes of the firepit she'd made during her last visit. Unsnapping the corset that since her waist she allowed it to drop beside her pack and stretched out what remained of her wings.

The nerves had died off long ago, the burnt ends though still stung with the phantom pain, a dark reminder of the night her entire childhood was ripped away from her. She sighed, glancing over her shoulders and imagining the wings as they used to be, a swirl of silver color patterned with flames and snowflakes that gave her the glorious joy of flying through the freezing winter air.

Fluttering them once and then twice she stretched them, letting the cold cave air cool them after being compressed within her body heat for so long. It was a shame really, but she didn’t allow herself to dwell on it for too long, she had a camp to make and some relaxing to do.

***

Jungkook had had just about enough of his aides. They hovered at all hours of the day, incessant in their rambling about court protocol and how important it was to not start any fights with the locals. He was well aware.

He’d never even wanted the war that had ravaged the Winter Kingdom. Had begged his father and the generals to try peace over everything else. But in the end the words of a child had gone unheard by the war blinded adults.

So here he sat, shivering violently from the cold as those blasted tittering fools for his aides dashed around his chamber. He could have called on his flaming core to warm him, but after the first day of doing so only to find himself collapsed in the hall from using far too much energy, he’d just decided it was better to suffer the cold than to appear weak in front of his unfortunate enemies.

“Sire! We must leave now. You mustn’t be late for Lord Hoseok’s dance lessons!” The tiny mouse of a man squeaked, trying so very hard to appear contained and in charge despite the dark circles of worry beneath his eyes.

“Jimin, you know that even if I’m early Lord Hoseok will still grind me into the dust for not learning that infernal winter waltz faster.” The Prince frowned, taking in Jimin’s fear-streaked face.

“That may be Your Highness. But should you dally any longer you’ll be late for sword training with Sir Yoongi as well as etiquette lessons with Lord Seokjin. We have to stick to your schedule or they’ll all be displeased and tell your Father!” Jimin squeaked again, petite hands fluttering up to cover the trembling of his lips.

“My father is too busy planning out his next conquest to even pay half a mind to what’s going on with me or my ’schedule’. Never mind…” He sighed, getting up from the window seat he’d been staring out of and making his way out of his room.

“Have Taehyung meet me at dinner. I’ve got something to discuss with him.”

***

The day continued on, lesson after grueling lesson eating away at what little patience the prince had left.

He collapsed into his chair at dinner, too exhausted mentally and physically to pay any mind to the meal scattered out before him.

“Sire, Lord Taehyung has arrived.” 

Jungkook glanced up, a tired smile being all he could come up with for his friend.

“You look like a dog dug you up in the yard and used you as a chew toy then reburied you and shit on the pile of dirt.” The young man commented as he took his place beside the monarch in training.

“You know I could have your head for that.” Jungkook grumped as he tossed a pea from his plate in the young Lord’s direction.

“Ah, you could. But they’d have to catch me first.” His statement was emphasized by the pea he’d caught between two fingers.

He was nothing if not quick. He’d worked long ago as an assassin but now sat as Jungkook’s right hand man as well as his best friend.

Jungkook smiled, probably the first pleasant expression he’d worn in quite some time.

“So my great and glorious super Prince, future king of all that is boiling and frozen, to what do I owe this most prestigious of honors of being called upon and humble myself in your magnanimous presence?”

Jungkook just about choked on his water, laughing and coughing at the ridiculousness that was Taehyung’s words.

“By the flame you’ve been hanging out with Lord Seokjin again haven’t you?” He snorted, dabbing a napkin at his nose to clear out the water that’d streamed out while he was laughing.

“I mean, the man has great taste in puns. As a Master of many things it behooves me to learn the delicate art of insulting royalty at every turn without actually offending them.” Taehyung shrugged, spearing a chunk of glazed carrot and waving it through the air as he spoke.

“Well, I called you here for a favor actually.” The prince leaned forward, eyes taking in the unaffected assassin who’d busied himself munching on the food that Jungkook was decidedly ignoring.

“Is that so? Whelped a brat that needs hiding?”

Jungkook sputtered, cheeks a bright crimson as his eyes darted around the empty dining room.

“Taehyung!!”

“That’s a no. Only virgin cheeks brush that brightly at a subject like that.”

“I’ll have you know!!!”

“Hush now, poppa’s thinking.” Taehyung smirked at the flustered royal. “If it’s not that..hmm…” He tapped his chin, pretending to think long and hard while Jungkook tried to gather his bearings.

“You’ve insulted a young maiden and her father’s come a calling wanting reparations and you need the family off’d?”

“For the love of...Taehyung please!?”  Jungkook collapsed forward, head buried in his arms as he screamed silently into the table cloth. “You’re never allowed near Seokjin again I swear.”

Taehyung snorted, eyes dancing with glee at having gotten under his friend’s skin.

“So, you’re tired of the court and want to escape is it? Get away from the ball daddy King face arranged so you don’t have to marry some country bumpkin ice queen?”

“I!! Wait. No you’re right. That’s exactly it.” Jungkook’s head jerked up, his face a picture of surprise and awe at how astute the man before him was. “How did you know?”

“We’ve been friends for going on 12 years now my little dongsaeng. How could I not know that you’ve been pushed to your limit and need to escape?” Taehyung smiled, reaching across the table and patting Jungkook’s elbow.

“Don’t worry. Hyung will get you out of this castle. I’ll meet you on your balcony at midnight. Pack light and wear that disguise you’re hiding in that secret compartment at the back of your closet.” Taehyung rose, grabbing one last chicken leg as he began to make his way out of the room.

“How did you…” Before he could finish his sentence though the assassin was already gone, having disappeared into the shadowy hall with one last flirtatious wink thrown over his shoulder.

***

The escape from the castle was simple thanks to Taehyung. A cloak and some heavy clothing were enough to disguise the wings that marked the young Prince as the royal that he was.

The two friends departed with reassurances from Taehyung that he’d lead the guards on a few wild goose chases just long enough for the ball to have come and gone. Jungkook counted his lucky stars in thanks for the effectiveness he’d come to rely on in his friend for so many years.

He took flight, the snowflake and flame veins that marked his wings becoming a blur as he darted through the snow covered canopy of the woods that marked the southern boundary of the Winter kingdom’s capital city.

It didn’t matter where he ended up, he just flew, darting here and there through the trees with a freedom and joy he hadn’t enjoyed in flame only knows how long. He allowed his mind to wander, thoughts a chaotic jumble of hopes and dreams he only allowed himself to think of when he was alone in his rooms at night.

Something gave him pause as he flew. He’d been going for quite some time, but a strange light had flashed at him out of the corner of his eye. A blue glittering affair that’d appeared between the trees despite the woods being pitch dark and most of his vision having been obscured by the blur of fluttering snowflakes.

He pulled up quick, wings only barely straining to keep him from slamming into the trunk of a massive tree that’d been in his way. He twisted in the air, eyes seeking the glow and spotting it as the reflection of a strange light glittering off of the surface of a massive frozen lake.

He moved towards it, allowing his curiosity to guide him on. Stopping short at the edge of the lake he hovered, shielding him from view of the woman dancing on the glowing ice.

It was the strangest thing he’d seen, the way the light shone on her twirling frame as she danced through the snow. It was almost as if the entirety of existence had paused for this one moment. Icicles on the tree branches around him chimed their tune, a melody gifted to his ears from the whispering wind to lend a soft winter’s melody to the racing of his aching heart. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, the whirling ice Princess giggling in the snow.

His wings fluttered, prisms of warm light glancing off her form and highlighting the broken and burned stubs of her wings. He knew the look of those wounds and it hurt to think that at some point the war that had torn their nations apart could have taken the joy of flight from such a beautiful fairy. Without thinking he allowed himself to be lifted through the air, his body reacting first to the pull of the sight of her and second to the musicality of her voice as she sang to the winter’s breeze.

The effort of drifting against the freezing weather proved to be too much for the flame that flickered in his core though. His wings faltered, frost having formed along their tips and weighing them down. The ice of the frozen lake rushed towards him and he couldn’t help the cry of fear that broke free of his chest as he crashed through the thick ice. The last he saw of the enchanting maiden was her panicked gaze, eyes wide at the intrusion and lips parted in a frantic yell as his head sunk beneath the surface.

***

A warmth brushed against his skin and he shivered, subconsciously shimmying his body closer to it. His eyelids felt weighed down by the cold, unable to open as he groaned in protest of the aching cold that stiffened his joints and limbs.

“Hush now, the fire will warm you. Just rest and let the heat do its job.”

The soft melody of the femanine voice eased his mind and he buried himself deeper beneath the heavy furs that surrounded his body.

The woman meanwhile continued to stoke the fire, having long since dried herself after diving in to save the hulking form of the foolish fire fairy that’d allowed himself to be pulled into the lake.

She turned her head, shyly eyeing his form as he breathed softly beneath the furs. She couldn’t help but allow herself to admire his soft sleeping face. Watched as his long eyelashes brushed his cheeks and admired the chiseled shape of his jaw.

She was sure that if he were awake his smile would be soft but wide, imagining teeth nibbling at his lower lip as he chuckled at some joke while doe like eyes glittered with his mirth.

Shaking her head she slapped her cheeks. What was wrong with her!? No matter how handsome he might seem this man was an enemy to her people! She scoffed at her own foolishness, though the sound was caught short as she began to question herself.

If he was an enemy why had she risked her life to save him? She’d known instantly from the way the frost had clung to his wings from the brief glimpse she’d caught of him before he’d been pulled beneath the surface of the waves exactly what he was. And yet when she’d seen those soft...brown...panicked eyes sink within the icy grip of the lake something had screamed from within her to save him. It had been pure instinct at the time.

And now as she sat by the fire, admiring the flames as they danced across their wooden fuel she allowed herself to turn her attention back to the strange ache that twisted at her shoulder blades. It’d crept up her spine as she’d been dancing earlier. As the moon’s rays had shone upon her and just before she’d spotted the crashing flame fairy.

She stretched her arms above her head, willing the dull pain to go away. And though her muscles relaxed and her mind stilled the ache remained, just at the base of her wings and tingling up nerves that she’d assumed long dead and gone. It had to have been the heat of the fire.

And so, after tossing a few more logs upon the flame and checking that her rescue was well and truly asleep and tucked in she walked back out into the cold. Her hopes were that the freezing snow would numb the nerves that seemed to want to awaken. As much as she missed flying through blizzards and dancing through the air with the winter cardinals she didn’t much mind having lost them. It was preferred honestly, as those things she missed always reminded her of the one who’d taught her those joys and she just couldn’t bear the thought of being reminded of her beloved and dearly departed mother.

After an hour or so of allowing herself to wander the secluded forest she made her way back to her cave, wings sufficiently numbed and mind at ease. Though the peaceful mindset was instantly chased away when she came back to see the young man she’d rescued moaning and tossing beneath the furs.

Dashing over she dropped to her knees, fingers frantic as she chased his forehead and placed her icy palm against his burning cheeks. Hissing she jerked her hand back. It was known the flame lords ran much hotter than those of her kind, but this amount of heat was worrying. Rising quickly she raced to her pack, pulling out herbs and medicines, sorting through them and selecting a few she knew to be safe for him.

Back to the fire she went, grabbing her tea kettle and filling it with snow from the entrance to melt above the flames. As the kettle began to boil she tossed in the herbs, eyes anxiously darting back and forth to the trembling form that groaned feverishly for his father .

“Hush now dear, I’ll help I promise.” She mumbled, more to comfort herself as she waited for the medicine to brew.

Once it was ready she ladled it into a cup, blowing desperately on it to cool it as she knelt once more by his side. Pushing away a portion of the skins she lifted his head into her lap, brushing at the black hairs that clung to his forehead from the sweat as she cooed softly to him.

“Here now dear one, open your eyes, I need you to take this.” 

He was much too weak to reply to her, muttering in his feverish sleep about poisons and dungeons.

“It’s not poison. It’s holy basil and chamomile. Now drink. It’ll take the fever away.” Her whispered words seemed to calm him. Bringing the cup to his lips she smiled softly as he drank eagerly from the medicine. Eventually he turned his head away, breathing heavily and moaning to himself. The deep husk of his voice twisted her insides, causing a blush to rush to her cheeks as the silken strands of his hair brushed down over his eyes.

She hadn’t noticed that the sides of his head were shaved, something those in the military and the aristocrats of the fire nation tended to do when important events came up.

He must have been intending on going to that fool prince’s ball. She hummed to herself, finding it hard to allow the bitterness that would normally form at the sight of him to rise up within her. He just seemed far too innocent while he slept in her lap. 

Shaking away the butterflies that tried to rise in her stomach she laid him back down on the makeshift pillow she’d made of a rolled up deerskin and tucked the pile of heavier skins back around him. It would take a dose or two more of the medicine to break the fever but she was determined now. He just had to live or the emotions that rose within her would never let her live her own life in peace again.

*** It was unfathomable how two days of caring for someone in such a state could raise such an attachment in her. She’d wiped his brow so many times she’d become familiar with every scar and divot on his face, making up stories for each as to how he could have gotten them.

On the third day he finally awoke, still groggy from the medicated tea but coherent enough to begin eating the gruel she’d made for him.

“Eat slowly now. There’s no point in rushing if you’re just going to throw it all up later.” She whispered to him, knowing that if she spoke any louder the echoes of the cave would only give him a headache.

“Why are you caring for me like this?” he asked, glancing up at her through his eyelashes as he spooned another bite into his mouth.

“I...well.” She paused for a moment, fingers picking at the frayed wood of the stick she’d been using to stoke the fire.

“My mother always taught me that kindness is more important than any grudge we could hold.” Looking up she gave him a soft smile, though a bit of her pain showed through at the mention of the dearly departed Queen.

“She must have been a great lady.” Placing the bowl and spoon at his side he leaned back against the roughened cave walls, finally allowing his gaze to take in the woman that had saved his life.

She was just as beautiful as his glimpsed image of her had led him to believe, though his heart sank one more when he spotted the burnt nubs that were her wings. He thought for a moment to question her on it, but common sense stopped him halfway to opening his mouth. There was no way that wasn’t a touchy subject, so he left well enough alone.

Instead he allowed his gaze to wander the cave, taking in the rough hewn walls and the way she’d seemed to have made the place her own. Herbs hung from the walls on pegs, bundles of various types each used to treat various injuries and ailments. Though by the way they were hung he suspected they’d been put there more as decoration than anything else.  The fire lit the area up nicely, allowing him to see much further into the cave than he’d expected.

Looking closely he noticed that a lot of the formations he thought to be ice drippings were actually some type of crystal. Though he didn’t recognize them he realized pretty quickly that they were absorbing the light from the fire and projecting that light almost like a torch.

“So...is this your home or…”

“Oh goodness no. I reside in town, I’m just here to get away.” She shook her head, giving off a soft giggle that had his heart soaring.

“I can understand that sentiment. Things were rapidly becoming stifling out there. One could hardly blame a lovely young fae such as yourself for wanting to get away.” He chuckled, his grin widening as she blushed at his compliment.

“Is...is that why you were out in the storm? To get away?”

He nodded as he tucked his hands beneath the fur skins. “Duty to your people can only push you so far before it starts to take over who you are. I wasn’t about to let my father dictate who I was going to become any longer. He’s made enough rash decisions to ruin an entire kingdom, I won’t have myself become a part of that any longer.”

The young man’s words rolled over in her mind, bouncing off the image before her along with the events that had brought her to this very cave.

It wasn’t too hard to put together that he was the young prince and a moment of anger had her clutching the stick in her hand and very seriously considering killing him right then and there.

His father was the reason her parents were dead and her kingdom had burned after all. There was no one here to witness it if she did. And yet a small voice in the recesses of her mind held her back and stayed her hand.

She thought over his words once more, realizing he’d wanted the war no more than she had. What his father had chosen and done should not have been laid on his shoulder.

Placing the stick beside her she began speaking to him. Asking him questions about his childhood and giving her own answers when he asked in turn. They spent the night like this, conversing on any subject that came to mind while avoiding their own identities as much as possible.

The sun outside began to rise and still they spoke, bonding over shared misfortunes and shared goals and dreams when it came to their respective kingdoms.

Unbeknownst to them their mutual feelings for each other began to grow. When she led him out into the light on unsteady feet and he slipped but a little, only for her to catch him, an exchange of touches, barely brief though it may have been, ignited a flame within them both.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and breathing in the frozen scent of her, a crisp smell like the first cold snap of winter. 

“You are...ethereal...did you know that?” He whispered, his lips a hair’s breadth away from her own.

She hummed, mind a haze as her eyelashes fluttered close.”You smell of ash and coal...like roasting over an open fire on a warm summer’s day.”

“Oh?” He chuckled, the sound sending a thrill of excitement through her. “And is that so bad little snowflake?”

“No...I don’t think it is…”

***

The day finally came when the young Prince found himself strong enough to walk on his own. His fever had long since gone and the color was finally beginning to come back to his cheeks.

“You know...we could always just stay here.”

She glanced up at his words, pausing in stirring the stew she’d been cooking over the fire. “What do you mean?”

“Neither of us wants to go back. And well...I rather prefer things out here compared to the hustle and bustle of my normal life.” He picked at a loose bit of string on his clothes, refusing to meet her gaze as he let her mull over his proposal.

“I...hmm.” Sitting back on her heels she stared into the fire. It was tempting, the idea of leaving the stress of her life behind. Having to pretend she wasn’t who her people needed her to be.

“They’ve been too long without a leader.” She whispered.

“I’m sorry?”

Their gazes met, each burning with their own inner fire.

“My people. I may be broken, but they need me. Just as yours need you. One day we’ll have to lead and running away isn’t going to make any of what happened okay.”

Simple words though they may have been they struck a cord in him. More so than anything the multitude of scholars and aids and so called guides could have done. He nodded, determination filling him.

“I may not be able to change much, but one day I will lead, and things will have to change. My father is getting old, as are his war mongering generals…” His words stuttered to a stop, a blush coloring his features as he realized his misstep. “I uh...I mean…”

She couldn’t help but to chuckle. “Don’t worry little Prince. I am well aware of who you are.”

“But..how..”

“Your words may seem subtle or simple but your demeanor can’t be hidden.” She rose, abandoning the spoon she’d been using in the pot.

“And now, I am Y/n the last of the winter fairy monarchs, Princess of Winter and future Queen of my people. It’s an honor to meet you Sire.” With that she bowed, a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips.

“Wait you’re what?? Who?? But how, we were told you and your family…”

“Burned?” Straightening she turned slightly, her wings on display. “My father died fighting yours. And my mother died protecting me. No I did not come out of that battle unscarred.”

“But...why…”

“Why am I telling you?” She tilted her head at him as she returned to stirring the meal.

“I saved your life and nursed you back to health, your people call this a life debt, no?”

He nodded, suddenly realizing just how much he owed her.

“Well, consider this calling in that life debt. A pact between friends you could say. Keep my identity a secret, and on the day you ascend the crown you will find yourself an ally in me.” She smiled, passing him a bowl of the stew.

“That…that’s putting a lot in a man you’ve barely known a fortnight.” He accepted the bowl graciously, barely suppressing a moan at the flavors that danced across his tongue.

“That may be. But life debts are held over everything in your culture. I can trust that above anything else you could give me.”

He huffed, running his fingers through his hair and scratching the back of his head. She’d noticed it was something he did when he was thinking hard on something and had come to find it endearing.

“I mean, I’d have kept your secret even without the pact but...if you insist on calling that as your favor I supposed I truly have no choice.”

The giggle that spilled forth from her made his heart clench and he couldn’t help but grin at her in return, his cheek dimpling and his nose crinkling like a snow bunny.

“It’s settled then.” She announced, standing and taking his now empty food bowl to be washed out.

“Oh? What’s settled?” He stood as well, pulling the empty stew pot from the fire to cool.

“I’ll be taking you back to town come morning and...oh…” She stumbled, her legs suddenly buckling beneath her.

If it hadn’t been for the flame fairy’s quick reflexes she’d have surely injured herself. But his strong arms wrapped around her,pulling her close and checking her over to make sure she was okay.

“By the flame, you’re going to get yourself hurt doing all that!” He frowned, fingertips running along the ridges of her shoulder blades as he watched her blink blurrily up at him.

“What’s wrong?” He asked his frown deepening as she leaned into his touch, lashes brushing her cheeks as her eyes fluttered shut.

“Y/n?” Panic surged through him as he lifted her limp form into his arms.

Where normally her skin was as cold as a winter’s stream it now burned almost as hot as he was and that set him on edge more so than anything ever had in his life. His heart raced as he trudged through the cave and out into the cold morning snow of the forest.

He thanked his flame for the sense of direction Taehyung had instilled in him so many times over the years as his body instinctively turned in the direction of the winter city they’d come from. His wings gave an experimental flutter, barely lifting him off the ground and for the first time since his fall he actually cursed at himself for his midwinter plunge into the icy lake. Walking was his only option.

He continued on through the forest,  moving here and there through the trees in as direct a path as he could manage, all the while whispering soft sweet words of comfort to her when she would toss about in her feverish state.

The only time she paused and relaxed was when the sun would shine through the tree, though Jungkook paid no mind to this, only grateful that she allowed him the reprieve to march on with little struggle.

“N...Namjoon.” She whispered, and for a moment his heart sank. Who was this Namjoon she spoke of? Some lover she never mentioned in all the time they’d spent together.

“Scholar...physician…”

A spark of understanding coursed through him and his steps quickened with a renewed vigor as he came to the edge of the city. A few curt words and ignored glances and he’d arrived at the physician’s clinic, panting from the exertion and praying to every deity he could name that the one she’d spoken of was home.

“Sir! Good Physician! I have need of your aid!” Jungkook announced, using his elbow to force the large wooden door open.

The sound of crashing and halfhearted curses came from some dark corner of the clinic and a tall winter fairy emerged, glasses barely hanging off the tip of his nose as he squinted across the room at the Prince.

“What can I do for you today?” He asked, voice gruff from sleep as he moved closer to Jungkook.

“W...y/n?? Wait, how did she?”

“You know her then? We were out by the lake when she suddenly took ill. I don’t know..what or how but she’d burning up!” 

“Bring her to the table!” The physician rushed off, motioning to a large wooden table towards the center of the room. 

Jungkook complied, ever so delicately placing her down and stepping back to allow the man to work.

As he began examining her he threw a slew of endless questions at the shaken prince who himself was near to collapsing from exhaustion.

“I...I don’t know. She was eating just fine, talking and laughing and it seemed like she was okay. But suddenly...she just collapsed. I just…” His fingers nervously tapped a rhythm on his thighs as his eyes darted around the clinic, searching or hoping for something to look at to ground his mind in the moment.

“Mmm..I’m sure it’s just a cold, or some sort of illness. Though...she’s never been sick a day in her life..” The bespectacled man mumbled to himself as he pressed his fingers against her wrist, checking her pulse and sighing to himself as he stepped away.

“There are a few things I can try just to ease the fever and whatever pain she may be feeling but this is going to take some time…”

“I...I’ll stay with her! I can’t just leave her like this!”

“Your highness...You really should be getting back to the palace.”

“How…” Jungkook’s jaw dropped, eyes bugging out as he stared in fear at the man before him.

“You carry yourself too well to just be some fire nation soldier off the street. And besides, I was there during your coronation. You held yourself well considering the obvious hangover you were sporting.” 

A brilliant blush rose on the Prince’s cheeks as he attempted to sputter out a response. The physician chuckled, patting him amiably on the shoulder.

“Worry not, I’ll do everything I can to ease her pain. I’ll send word to the palace once I know anything. Be off M’lord, you’ve duties to attend to.”

Jungkook couldn’t help the lingering longing look he gave her, a sigh escaping his lips as he resigned himself to the waiting game.

Namjoon frowned as the prince finally left. It’d taken a considerable amount of bribing and fussing to get him to finally walk away but the fact that the young man lingered so long worried him.

“What did you get yourself into this time…” 

***

Panic filled the small room of the physician’s clinic.

He’d spent the last few hours trying every remedy and potion he could find and still her condition deteriorated.

A scream of frustration built in his chest, only barely suppressed by the need to care for her. He sat at his desk, pouring over tomes of old and tossing each aggressively across the room when they proved to be of no use to him.

“Fate’s sake!” He growled, standing from his desk and shoving the chair out behind them.

She’d begun whimpering in her feverish state, every now and again whispering desperate pleas for help and wrenching the knife deeper in his chest. He felt useless, dropping to his knees on the floor beside her and clutching at her hand.

“Tell me, please? How can I help you? What is it that you need?” He whimpered, tears filling his eyes. “How do I save you?”

“M...mommy….tell me a story…”

The words didn’t register at first. Another sentence to him in a long line of whispered desperation.

But a brief flash of recognition hit. “Merialiies…”

He bolted upright, eyes wide and wild with inspiration.

“There’s no way!”

Racing back to his desk he shoved the books and papers out of his way, searching for the small book of tales he’d picked up at the shops a few weeks back.

A shout of triumph burst forth as he held it aloft, eyes glistening with hope as he flipped the pages to one particular story.

“The Heart’s Twin Flames.” He turned to y/n, watching her shift on the table as if trying desperately to escape some pain in her back. “There’s just no way…”

Making his way back he ever so gently turned her to her side, eyes widening at the inflamed skin spreading out across her back from the base of her wings.

“Could it be?” Dropping everything he lifted her into his arms, cringing at the sounds of pain coming from his precious cargo.

“Just hold on, I’ll take you to him. If I’m right...you may just get your wings back.”

He hurried from the clinic, not even paying mind that he’d left the front door open to swing in the wind. 

“Move! Please get out of my way. This is an emergency!” He shouted, shoving his way through the crowd of villagers lining the walkways as he raced towards the castle.

The front gates loomed before him, almost imposing if it weren’t for the sheer amount of panic flowing through him.

“Halt! State your business.” A soldier stepped before him, massive sword held at his throat .

Namjoon showed no fear, spine straight and shoulders squared as he stood his ground against the intimidating soldier.

“I’ve come at the request of his Highness Prince Jungkook of the Fire Fae kingdom. It is of the utmost importance that I speak with him immediately.”

The soldier continued to glare as a second stepped forward and the show of force began to deflate him.

“You don’t understand! I need to see him! It’s his twin flame! He found her and now without him she will die!”

“A likely story! Today is the day of his ball and you expect me to believe that suddenly a woman is his twin flame and without him she will die?” The guards chuckled together, heads thrown back with laughter as they continued to mock him.

“Sir, please! I couldn’t make this up if I wanted to! She’s dying. There must be something we can do?!”

The guard shook his head, a steely gaze pinning the poor man in place. It was obvious he wasn’t moved by their story.

“No matter the reason these gates were ordered to remain closed. Should you have proper documents the case would be different but there is nothing I can do for you. Find her a doctor, or some sort of specialist. But find them somewhere else.”

“Have you no heart man!? We’ve seen the doctor, hell I AM the doctor! There’s nothing more to do for her but get the Prince’s help! Please you must understand?? Surely you’ve heard the legends, are they not told to your children? They are fated to be! The proof is right here!” Namjoon was practically purple in the face by this point, spittle flying as he screamed in the face of the guard who’s grip was forever tightening on his spear. 

Unbeknownst to the arguing pair and barely conscious woman the fae in question had heard everything.

“Sir?” One of the many aids that had been walking with the future ruler gave him a questioning stare, wondering what their next action would be.

“There’s no harm in finding out Jimin. I’m more than suited to handle things should there be any threat.” Prince Jungkook smiled, a rare sight on the man as he handed over the documents they’d been going over as they walked from the main castle to the stables.

“Alright. I’ll take these back to the stable master in your stead. Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.”

The prince grinned, bumping his aid in the shoulder with his elbow. “Now when have I ever done anything stupid?”

“Need I remind you of the state you were in last night?”

“Can’t hear you! Walking away now!” Prince Jungkook tossed over his shoulder as he made his way to the woven metal grating that served as the castle’s front gate.

For a moment he hung back in the shadows, eyeing the tall bespectacled man who seemed to have an almost vice like death grip on the tiny quivering bundle of rags in his arms.

The snow that had been falling began to ease up, revealing a small crowd that had gathered behind them all. As the guard and nameless man argued the townsfolk began to chime in, screaming curses at him and bickering with every word he spoke.

The Prince’s temper only flared when the first stone was thrown, something seemingly so small that it would have been noticeable if it weren’t for the fact that it’d hit the bundle’s back, causing a small squeak of pain to echo through the gateway. He knew that squeak.

“What’s going on here?” He puffed his chest out, spine straight and eyes fierce as he allowed the flames of rage to flow through him. Striding forward with all of the ego and confidence that his position afforded he stepped between the man and the crowd. The mere sight of him had those gathered scurrying away, hollered apologies tossed over snow covered shoulders as they dashed off to whatever tasks they’d been attending to before allowing their chicken like rubbernecking to get the better of their attention.

“Y..your Highness. I just...” The man stuttered, shifting the tiny bundle of cloth in his arms as he struggled to push through his own confusion and panic at seeing the regal object of his desperation appearing before him.

“Guard, can you explain to me why it is that you’ve allowed a mob of people to gather at the entrance to my future home?”

“He was...he just wanted…”

“Sire please! It’s y/n, she needs your help!”

“Y/n?” This peaked his interest. “Is she alright? Is...what happened? I only just saw her a few hours ago!”

“Sire, she fell terribly ill and what was left of her wings has begun flaking off. If we don’t act quickly there’s...there’s just no hope of saving her.” 

Prince Jungkook glanced around, indecision causing him to hesitate for a moment as he watched his guards scanning the surrounding area.

“Alright, bring her inside, we’ll take her to my physi…”

“Sire please, she doesn’t have time for that!” Namjoon couldn’t help the tone of his voice as he shouted at the intimidating man. “You have to help her now, she’s dying the longer we talk about this!”

He dropped to his knees, unwrapping the blanket from the woman’s trembling form and carefully laying her body on the glistening snow.

Jungkook’s feet crunched through the snow, eyes squinted as he shielded them from the glare of the sun reflecting sharply off the glow surrounding the dying woman’s form. A strange itch began in the center of his shoulder blades, that spot he could never reach where his wings joined with the muscles of his back.

Shrugging off his cloak he knelt beside her, heart racing as the strange feeling in his wings slowly spread to the rest of him. The sun burst through the clouds, shining brightly and warming his exposed skin as his fingers brushed her cheek.

“My liege, all you have to do is allow the sun to shine through your wings and onto her. That alone is enough.” Namjoon whispered as he stepped back from them and allowed them their space.

Jungkook couldn’t help but to hesitate. There were so many things that could go wrong should he allow himself to listen to this strange man. If it were a track of some sort his kingdom would suffer if anything happened to him. But as he watched her pained face scrunch once more and as the sound of her pitiful whimper reached his ears his resolve steeled.

Leaning forward he spread his wings, allowing the light of the sun to cast a prism of reflected light over her body. The air filled with a magic the kingdom hadn’t seen in a very long time. Golden dust motes filled the air, sparkling like fireflies out in the mid-day glow. It attracted those that’d hurried away, gathering them in the square and on the streets.

The soldiers shouted, weapons raised in alarm as they watched their fearless leader begin to rise into the air alongside the small wingless form that he cradled so closely to his chest. But just as suddenly as their alarm and rage and fear rose it began to vanish, replaced instead with a calm joy that thrilled through their veins quicker than an adrenaline fueled march into the battlefield.

The people began to cheer as the two bodies were engulfed in light that shone so bright it began to rival the sun. And all along the young man couldn’t take his eyes off her form.

The woman that’d given him shelter in that freezing midnight cave. Her once frail body began to fill with life, color returning to her cheeks and her weak fingers gaining strength as they clung to his royal clothes. Her eyes fluttered open, a gasp escaping her lips as where once there was only burned stumps, now beautiful crystalline wings sprouted forth from her body, fluttering on the breeze before quickly gaining the strength to allow her to hover on her own.

And his own wings lost their brilliant red glow, cooling and shimmering as he beat them gently to keep him aloft.

The glow surrounding them faded and a hush fell over the crowd at the sight. A tiny waif of a girl engulfed in the strong arms of the royal flame.

“My love.”

“My twin flame.”

“I never got to thank you for saving my life.” His words caused her to blush as she looked at him through her eyelashes.

“I think you just did…”

Their hushed voices whispered words of comfort as their bodies slowly returned to earth. They’d only had eyes for each other, but as their feet returned to the earth that’d born them they turned to the people, each smiling with a joy that the once warring people felt throughout the lands. Warriors dropped their weapons, embracing the people they’d fought with for so very long.

Jungkook turned to the winter maiden, long,calloused fingers engulfing her own as he leaned forward to touch his forehead to hers.

“My love, how could I not have recognized you for what you were?”

“My sweet future king. Fate has a strange way of finding lovers and putting them together when the world needs their love the most.” She smiled, warm tears filling her eyes as her heart filled with a warmth only he could provide.

As one they turned to their people, joined hands raising into the air as Jungkook announced.

“I have found my Twin Flame. May peace rain on our kingdoms with the union of our joined blood! May you all find the joy my heart has been seeking. For from this moment on there will be no war, there will be no fighting. WE ARE ONE!!”

The people cheered, warriors embraced farmers, aristocrats feasted among peasants. Fire embraced ice. And as their lips met in a dewy kiss filled with all of the passion of new love, peace did reign. For they were now one.

[wrenhyperfixates]

Yule Log

Pairing: Loki x reader Summary: With Christmas quickly approaching, Loki finds himself missing his favorite time on Asgard. If he can’t go back home to celebrate, you’re determined to bring the party to him. Warnings: just the tiniest bit angsty, but mainly just fluff. And a lot of kissing A/N: We’re already halfway through December, can you believe it? To continue the spread of holiday cheer, please enjoy my latest fic! Happy reading :)

Tag List: @lucywrites02 @frostedgiant​​ @lunarmoon8​ @twhiddlestonsstuff​ @lokistan​ @thelokiimaginechroniclesficrecs​ @gaitwae

Disclaimer: Gif not mine 

“Thank you for coming,” you said to some of the last guests as they made their way out into the chilly night air.

Being Tony’s personal assistant was no easy feat, and sometimes it meant you had to be in full work mode at parties rather than being able to let loose. So many times your boyfriend tried to pull you away from all the seriousness, but you would only be able to enjoy a dance or two before having to do something else. It was yet another reason why Loki was not a fan of Stark’s shindigs.

“Darling,” he called as you made your way back into the room. “Come sit with me now?”

“I can’t. There’s still people here.”

“And they are occupied talking to Stark and Captain Rogers,” he pouted. “Certainly you can rest for a minute. You deserve it, after all.”

“Ok, I guess,” you replied, walking over. He pulled you down onto his lap before you could change your mind, kissing you quickly but passionately. “Well if that’s what you mean by rest, I would have stopped working hours ago.”

“Duly noted,” he said, nuzzling into your neck, enjoying your scent. “I will be sure to be more specific next time.”

You giggled against his lips as he kissed you again. The whole scene was picturesque, really. Sitting with your boyfriend on the couch, a tree in the background, snow falling outside, and a fire crackling nearby; it was like something right out of a painting. Or maybe a dream. Then again, that’s how you felt about every second you spent with Loki.

Just when you were getting settled against him, your boss called your name, and waved you over with a smile. He probably needed you for another scheduling problem. At least you would be getting a break for Christmas soon. You sighed and pecked Loki on the cheek, wiggling out of his grip, much to his protest. With a promise to meet him in your shared room as soon as you finished up with the last few guests, he let you go.

Roughly half an hour later, you were stumbling into your quarters, feet sore and eyes tired. Walking into your bedroom to change, you saw Loki standing by the window, his shirt in his hands as if he just forgot what he was doing halfway through changing. You hugged him from behind, resting your forehead between his shoulder blades. His hand immediately alighted on your arm and began rubbing slow circles on your skin. You’d noticed he did that anytime he was pensive or working through a lot of emotions.

“Hey, are you ok? Do you need to talk?” you asked.

“I am alright, my angel. You need not worry,” he told you, turning around to hug you and kissing your forehead gently. “Now, I believe we were going to watch a movie.”

You frowned at the way he changed the topic, but decided not to push the subject. You could always try again in the morning, but you didn’t want to make him talk if he didn’t feel like it. You got changed while Loki set up the film, something he was still very proud that he’d learned how to do. Settling on the couch, Loki rested his head on your lap, and you played with his hair as Rudolph began to play on the TV.

You looked down at the beautiful god, wondering what was going through that beautiful mind of his. There was no doubt in your mind; you loved Loki. The thing was that he could be so guarded sometimes that you felt left out. Like he was keeping things from you. It was more out of concern for him that it made you worry, not because you didn’t trust him. In fact, you trusted him with your life. You only wished that he would do the same with you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, you woke up in the bed, wrapped in Loki’s arms. You didn’t quite remember getting off of the couch last night, and you knew Loki must have carried you after you fell asleep. His eyes were on you, as you laid there. You could feel his loving gaze even before opening your eyes. You liked to do that sometimes, pretend like you were still asleep and bask in the joy of Loki admiring you. Whether or not he told you everything, he obviously adored you, and this was a nice reminder of that. Though, now that you thought about the issue of communication, you cracked open your eyes, determined to get him to tell you what is wrong.

“Good morning, darling,” he said, smiling warmly at you. “I love you.”

It always made you flustered when Loki told you that so soon after waking, like it was the most important thing. Like he had to make sure you knew before anything else happened. Before you could even get up most days, he was saying those words. They always made you snuggle further into your chest, resolving to stay in bed a bit longer, rather than getting up and starting your duties for that day.

“Morning, Loki. I love you too.”

Still laying together in a tangle of limbs, the two of you chatted for a bit longer, and you were carefully working your way up to the question you wanted to ask. It was a delicate topic, for sure, but maybe he’d be soft enough after all the pillow talk to share.

“Loki, can I ask you a question? And can you answer me honestly?” you asked.

“Of course. I will do my best, my angel.”

You frowned a little at the response, but plowed on anyway. “Last night you were upset about something. What was it? You know I worry about you. It’s ok, you can tell me.”

“Well,” he sighed. “It is nothing much, really. It is just with all these Christmas festivities, I am reminded of my mother’s favorite celebration. The winter solstice ball was always around this time. She loved planning the Yule celebrations. It was why she put up with the planning of every other ball, just so she could do this one. It was always the most fun, for her love of the holiday shone through every minute detail of the day.”

You looked at features, peaceful and happy, a small smile tugging at his lips. You wanted to be happy for him, too, but it made your heart break as you read deeper into what he was saying. It wasn’t just the holiday he was upset over.

“Oh, Loki. You miss your mother,” you cooed as he sadly nodded.

“It is nothing you need worry yourself over, really.”

“Yes, Loki, I do. Because I love you. If you’re allowed to worry over me, I can over you, too.”

“That is... fair,” he conceded, though he was frowning a little. “So what are you going to do? Nothing too over the top, I hope.”

“I’m not exactly sure yet, but I’ll start with this,” you admitted, cupping his cheek and kissing him. You started on his lips, but then moved to placing little pecks all over his face. His smile had returned by the time you finished. “Better?”

“Much,” he confessed as he pulled you closer, earning a giggle. “But you are not done trying to fix this, are you?”

“Not even close.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few days later you were setting up the common room for a solstice party, much like the Asgardian ballroom would be looking soon. You’d asked Thor more about how the holiday was celebrated on his home planet and, together with the rest of the Avengers, you were getting ready to surprise Loki. Though you had Bucky and Peter keeping him busy and out of the way right now, you were sure that Loki suspected something was up.

“Are you sure this is everything Thor?” you nervously questioned, giving the room a once-over. “Everything has to be perfect.”

“Do not worry, my friend. You were very thorough.”

After combing through your notes one last time, just to make sure there wasn’t anything you were missing, you called Peter and Bucky to bring Loki back. In true surprise party fashion, you turned the lights off and got into hiding places. When he walked in, you all jumped up and screamed “Happy Yule.” For a second he didn’t move, and the silence was kind of awkward as he stood there with a sort of stunned but otherwise unreadable expression on his face. Finally, he gently said your name.

“You don’t like it, do you?” you said, feeling like you might cry.

“Like it? No, no, I do not. Darling,” he said, shaking his head before breaking out into a huge grin and crushing you in a hug, using his godly strength to pick you up and spin you around. “I love it! I was certain you had some trick up your sleeve, but this? This is beyond my wildest imagination. It is perfect! Thank you, love.”

“Really?” you squealed in excitement. “Loki, that means so much to me.”

“And the fact that you went through all this trouble means so much to me.”

He kissed you then, not caring about the reaction from the rest of the Avengers, which was a mix of whoops and groans. Even when you broke away from each other, you still stood there for a minute, just gazing at each other. The look in your eyes said everything that words couldn’t.

“Well then, what are we waiting for? Let us party,” Loki announced.

He swept you onto the dance floor as the music began to play, enjoying waltzing amongst your friends. After a few songs, you led him over to the thrones at the front of the room. He nearly cried tears of joy when you said it was for him. Long ago, he’d given up on the notion that he’d rule, let go of the desire to do so. He did not need it if he was king of your heart. But to be offered one, even just for the night, it meant more to him than he knew how to express.

It was late into the night after a number of Avengers had moved past tipsy and into drunk, when Loki asked you take a walk with him. You bundled up before stepping into the cold night air, but afraid of his little mortal catching a cold, Loki draped an extra cloak on your shoulders. It was so soft you wondered if he’d cast some kind of spell on it. He took your hand and led you away from the Tower and into the city, lit up even more than normal by all the Christmas decorations. Eventually, you reached Central Park, and Loki slowed to a stop so he could cup your cheeks and kiss you yet again that night. You lost yourself in him, losing track of time as you stood there, lips locked together. When you finally separated, he was looking at you like you were the most precious thing in the world.

“My sweetest angel, thank you so much for cheering me up,” he said.

“It was no problem. It was totally worth it to see you so happy. Did I miss anything that you were looking forward to?”

“Darling, you simply must stop worrying yourself. The party was amazing.”

“But?”

“Did it sound like there was a 'but' coming? I assure you, you have done everything perfectly.”

“I don’t know,” you shrugged. “I just feel in my gut that there’s something missing, and I know you won’t tell me of your own accord. Please, Loki, if there’s something else, let me know.”

“Admittedly, there is one other thing I miss. But you have done more than enough already.”

“Will you please stop that?” you snapped a little, surprising the god. “Stop pushing your feelings aside, especially with me. I care about you, ok? I want to trouble myself with what’s bothering you. Because if we deal with it together, it’s not so hard for either of us. We love each other, Loki, I know that. So just open up. Tell me.”

“Are you done?” he inquired with an impressed and amused smirk as you nodded, a little flustered and embarrassed after your outburst. “Good.”

Once more, Loki kissed you, catching you completely by surprise. Usually he liked to show his love through little things, but tonight he couldn’t seem to keep his lips off yours. Not that you were complaining, of course. The displays of affection were certainly as welcome out in public as they behind closed doors. You tenderly caressed his cheek and brushed a lock of hair from his eyes.

“The Yule log,” he said. “It was the one night a year I felt like we were truly a family. Father, mother, Thor, and I would sit around the fire into the late hours of the night, laughing and telling stories.” He zoned out for a second and you let him reminisce before continuing. “I remember when I was just a small child, father even let me fall asleep on his lap sometimes. And then as we got older and things became more tense, there was still always that night.”

“Loki,” you whispered, “that’s lovely. I would love to light a Yule log for our little family, if you’ll allow it.”

“I would love nothing more, my angel.”

Then you excitedly whisked him back to the Tower, where you promptly told everyone the plan. They gathered around, and Loki conjured a log which you lit together. You snuggled with your prince in an oversized chair, safely tucked under his arm.

“My angel,” he whispered, “I really cannot thank you enough. And I vow to be more open with you from now on. Because I trust you and love you more than anything else in the Nine Realms and beyond.”

“You’re welcome, Loki. I love you, too, though I never could say it as eloquently as you can,” you chuckled. “Happy Yule, my love.”

“Happy Yule, darling.”

You began to doze off against his side. Loki listened to the conversation and laughter flowing all around him. Soon, everyone followed your lead and began drifting off to sleep. He smiled as he realized he got to keep his favorite tradition of sitting around the Yule log with his family, after all.

“Happy Yule, mother,” he whispered into the night before falling asleep, too.

[dessarious]

Misconceptions, Miscommunication, and Misinformation Pt88

AO3   Beginning   Previous   Next

By the time Selina exited the bathroom in her street clothes Chloe had tucked Mari in, sent Damian a ‘thanks for the heads up asshole’ text, fed the Kwami, notified Luka and the Kwami that they’d be dealing with any issues for the next few days, and was currently calmly filing her nails waiting for the front desk to send up the room key. She didn’t look up as the woman walked back in the room but could feel her eyes on her.

“I think we got off on the wrong foot. I shouldn’t have just shown up in costume without making sure you were aware I was coming and I shouldn’t have made assumptions about who you were outside of being a hero. Apparently Bruce left out a few things when he explained the situation to me. And he most likely didn’t mention to the boys that I could be showing up early.” Chloe glanced up at the woman and saw real sincerity. She looked at Marinette’s sleeping form and could practically hear the girl’s voice in her head telling her to be nice.

“It’s fine. I’m used to it.” And she was. Everyone expected her to be someone else. Her parents expected the perfect daughter. Her class expected a first class bitch. The public only saw a spoiled little rich girl. She’d always played to people’s expectations rather than herself to the point that if you asked Chloe wouldn’t be able to tell you who she was. Marinette was changing all that, but she still didn’t have a clue who she was under all the bluster and snobbery. “It’s not your fault either and Mari would kick my ass if I were less than civil. We can start over tomorrow when tensions aren’t so high and we’re all rested.”

“That… sounds like a good idea.” Chloe watched as the woman frowned thoughtfully at Marinette. “She’s very observant.” Chloe let out an amused snort.

“You have no idea. It’s worse when she’s awake because you know she sees more than everyone else but she keeps it to herself. It’s maddening wondering what she saw that you didn’t.” It had absolutely nothing to do with her being Ladybug either. Marinette had seen and heard more than everyone else for as long as Chloe could remember. Honestly it might have been the look of pity the girl gave her the first time her parents didn’t show up for something that started Chloe on her vendetta when they were little. Everyone else believed her when she said her parents were too busy to attend some tiny school assembly. Somehow, Marinette knew she was lying. Every time Marinette looked at her after that she’d felt like she was under a microscope.

“I live with ‘the world’s greatest detective’ so I’m used to that feeling. Granted Tim’s worse in that regard but Bruce is so uncommunicative you know he’s got things in his head you’ll never be able to pry out.” Chloe gave a non committal hum. She hadn’t been that impressed with the man during their encounter, but he had been squaring off against Mari so both that comparison and the fact she was in protection mode may very well have colored her perception. Okay, it definitely colored her perception.

“That will help. Plus Mari’s gotten a lot better at hiding it when she figures things out. That comment about why Damian doesn’t like you would never have come out, she just would have started subtly nudging the pair of you into some form of tolerance without you noticing. She probably still will actually.” Definitely with Damian. His obvious intolerance of someone so important to his father was bound to make her do it even if Selina was the most obnoxious person alive. Mari couldn’t help herself. If she thought it was broken, she fixed it, and Damian had become her pet project.

“I’m not that easy to manipulate.” Chloe could only smirk at the woman.

“I assure it won’t matter. With no planning she got Bruce to agree to leave Damian in Paris. Trust me, when she decides something needs to change, it does. I’m a prime example of that.” That was probably not the best way to say that. Mari had a tendency to push people towards what would make them happy. With Chloe it had changed over the years and she hadn’t even realized what was happening. Mari was the one who got her to think about running for class representative originally. At the time her father was in the middle of a reelection campaign and she’d wanted to be just like him. Mari was also indirectly responsible for her push to get Adrien out of homeschooling. All it had taken was a few well placed comments. It was honestly scary how easily she could manipulate people. And it was amazing that she actively tried to only help people when she could do so much damage.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Honestly if she can get Damian in anyway on board with my relationship with his father it would be a tremendous relief. I know we’ve had a… fairly rocky relationship for a long time, but we’re both finally at the point where we can accept each other for who we are. But if Damian is completely set against it, I don’t think Bruce will risk alienating him to stay with me. It hurts knowing that, but I understand. Especially given all they’ve gone through. Bruce won’t risk losing a child that way.” Chloe could help but frown at that. She couldn’t imagine either one of her parents denying themselves something just to keep her from leaving. She was actually pretty sure her mother would auction her off to the highest bidder for an exclusive on the next hottest thing in fashion. Her father would sell his own soul to stay in office so she didn’t imagine he’d flinch at tossing her out if she became a liability.

“He sounds like a decent man.” Bruce Wayne’s public image was terrible but she knew better than most how deceptive that could be. Selina was giving her a concerned look. Crap, her thoughts must have shown on her face. She really was tired if she was having trouble keeping a neutral expression.

“He is, no matter how hard he tries to pretend otherwise. He wouldn’t have given me so many chances if he weren’t.” She glanced at Mari. “I have a feeling you’ll understand what I mean.” Chloe just nodded. Mari had given her chance after chance, as both herself and Ladybug. If she hadn’t who knows where she’d be right now. “People like that are rare, but they also don’t stick with lost causes. If you or I were a hopeless case they wouldn’t have put the effort in.”

“She’s right you know.” Tikki flew over from the bed to land on Chloe’s shoulder. “There was always a hero in you. You just needed to know it was okay to be that person instead of who you were raised to be.” That got an even more concerned look from Selina.

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[iamakiller]

Where Babies Come From

“Dad?  I have a question.”

Our eyes meet over the top of Henry’s head, where he sits propped up by pillows between us on the bed.  You bite your lip to hide your smile.  My plan to bore my son to sleep has been a failure, it seems, since you are the only one who appears to be even slightly drowsy.  As always, Henry’s thirst for knowledge - and wish to delay bedtime for as long as possible - has overruled all else.

I fight the urge to vent my frustration with a sigh.  For all that his constant need to bombard me with questions can be rather tiresome, any negative feeling is vastly overruled by the gratitude I feel that we are all here together.  “Yes, Henry?”

On this occasion, his question is actually related to the topic at hand.  “Where’s Legolas?  They’re in Mirkwood, right?  So Legolas should be there.  Where was the part where he chases after them and jumps on all the barrels?  That was so awesome!”

This time, I allow myself a small sigh of displeasure. “Henry, what have I told you?”

“The book and the movies are very different,” he parrots, obediently.

“And?” I prompt, not quite as gently as I could, because he has somehow managed to omit the main point.

Henry scrunches up his face, trying to remember.  “The book is better?” he offers, with more reluctance than I would like.  

“The book is much better,” I affirm, with a satisfied nod.  “And certainly didn’t necessitate three feature-length movies.”

“I just think Legolas is really cool …” he mutters under his breath, always keen to have the last word.  Today I will allow it.  He is young, and doesn’t know any better.

From the other side of the bed, I hear a small cough.  You are undoubtedly concealing a laugh, because you do not understand how important this is.  I honestly cannot comprehend how you, whose entire career is focused around literature, have somehow managed to never read a single word of Tolkien up until this point.  But we are remedying this sad state of affairs week by week, as I introduce you and Henry - and Little b as well, if they are listening - to the prequel of one of my favorite series of books.

I set the book down on the bookshelf beside the bed, and ruffle Henry’s hair.  “Time to go to sleep, honey.”

Now, another popular stalling tactic comes into play.  Henry clutches at his throat like he is about to go into anaphylactic shock.  “I’m so thirsty,” he croaks.  “May I have a glass of water, please?”

“I’ll get it,” you offer, before I can query if he is actually as parched as he states.  You swing your legs over the side of the bed and stand up, almost immediately grabbing onto the top of the wooden headboard, and squeezing your eyes shut as you do so.

I spring to my feet immediately.  “Are you all right, my love?”

After a few seconds, you open your eyes, and offer a bright smile that is probably more for Henry’s benefit than mine, since he is also staring at you in concern.  “I’m fine.  I just stood up a little too quickly, that’s all.”

As soon as you leave the room, Henry turns to me, his brow furrowed with worry.  “Is Britt okay, Dad?”

“Of course,” I assure him, injecting a level of cheer and confidence into my voice that I do not particularly feel.  You probably are fine, but … what if you are not?  I very much feel that I should have offered to go in your stead, but given that you have refused my help multiple times this week on the grounds that I am fussing over you too much, I thought that perhaps it was best not to push the issue again.  Especially not in front of Henry, who has seen quite enough of the adults in his life bickering with each other ...

Henry doesn’t look convinced.  “Are you sure?”

“Britt is fine, honey.  Being pregnant is extremely hard work, so she has been experiencing a few unpleasant side-effects.  But she is absolutely fine, I promise.”

Henry nods thoughtfully, lapsing into silence for a rare few seconds to fidget with his dinosaur-bedecked duvet cover.  Then, as usual, there is something else.  “I actually had a question about that,” he says ominously.

Over the course of the day, he has already queried what size Little b is at the present time, when we will know if they are a boy or a girl, and if I think they will like dinosaurs as much as he does.  I do not know what else there is to ask.  “Go on …”

“Well, I bought a book about babies on Amazon, and -”

I can’t help but interrupt him, to question him on this point.  “Do you mean your mother bought you a book?”  That would be a pleasant development indeed, though it seems unlikely, since she has barely said two words to me since our dinner at Sandra’s house.

Henry stares at me like I am being very dense.  “Mom left one-touch ordering on.  I can buy whatever I want.  But anyway, I bought a book about babies.  It’s called “Where Babies Come From” and it cost ten dollars, and I’ve read it three times, but Dad … the title is a lie!  The book doesn’t actually tell you where babies come from-”

Mercifully, this alarming thread of conversation is interrupted by you returning with Henry’s water.  You pass the glass to him, and he takes the tiniest sip imaginable before handing it back to you to place it on the nightstand for him.  “Thanks, Britt,” he says.  “I’m sorry you’re having unpleasant side-effects because of the pregnancy.”

You give me a slightly strange look, but smile fondly at Henry.  “That’s very sweet of you.”

It is time, I think, for us to make a quick exit, while he is distracted ...

“Well, goodnight,” I say, beginning to stand up.  

Unfortunately, as is often the case, luck is not on my side.  Henry grabs my arm, preventing me from making my escape.

“I’m not done asking my question, Dad.  I think there might be pages missing from the book.  On page five, it says that the man and the woman have a very special cuddle.  And then on the next page, it says that the sperm fertilizes the egg.  But that doesn’t make sense.  Isn’t the egg inside the woman?  How does the sperm get in there?”

Oh lord ...

On the one hand, I am greatly impressed by my son’s curiosity and attention to detail.  On the other hand, I want to crawl under the bed and hide.

Looking around the room for inspiration or assistance, my gaze falls on you.  But it seems there will be no help to be found there.  You are fighting so hard not to laugh that there are tears in your eyes.  “Excuse me,” you splutter.  “I’m going to go get a glass of water for myself.  I’m having some side-effects, you know.”

I glare at your retreating back.  How dare you abandon me so callously in my time of need?  From the doorway, you turn and glance over your shoulder, giving me a small smile, before disappearing from sight.  I will remember this, I think.   

“Did you ask your mother?” I suggest, after a long pause in which Henry stares at me without blinking, waiting for me to impart my wisdom on this topic.  If only I had some ... but my mind has gone alarmingly blank!

He nods vigorously.  “Yeah.  She said she couldn’t remember because “it happened so fast”.  Then she said that you’re the one with the sperm, so I should ask you.”

Well, that is simply marvelous.  It seems I have been thrown under the bus by my current wife, and my treacherous ex.  Of course, I knew this question would come eventually, since Henry has been so interested in the topic.  But I was not anticipating it for quite some time, and certainly not out of the blue like this.  What am I supposed to tell him?  What on earth is appropriate knowledge for an eight year-old?  I try to mine my own childhood learning for inspiration, but save for Biology lessons in high school in which everyone sniggered at the diagrams in the textbook, I do not remember much of anything being said about reproduction during my time in the education system.  Certainly not in elementary school.

“Dad?”

This is ridiculous.  I am being ridiculous.  I will simply do what I have always done, and tell him the facts as best I can.  

“There are no pages missing from your book, Henry” I assure him.  “It is quite correct that the man and woman have ‘a special cuddle.’”  The wording of that euphemistic phrase is so vile that I almost gag on the words.  “And at the end of that cuddle, the man ... puts his sperm inside the woman.”

My little scholar is unsatisfied by my very slight elaboration on what this cursed book has taught him.  “Yes, but how?  I don’t understand …”

God have mercy on me ...

“Well, he puts a part of himself inside the woman for the duration of the, ah, ‘cuddle’.”

As Henry opens his mouth once more to ask for clarification, I think I actually feel a part of my soul leave my body.  “What part?  One time I saw a kissing scene in a movie Mom told me not to watch, and the boy put his tongue in the girl’s mouth.  Is that what you mean?”

Making a mental note to question Nicole on how closely she is supervising our son, I take a deep breath and answer his question, trying to ignore how ridiculously warm my face feels.  “Not quite.  Actually, the man puts his penis in the woman’s vagina.”

It was much less embarrassing to say it out loud than I had imagined it would be.  I feel a sense of relief - then amusement - wash over me as I take in Henry’s reaction to my words.  His eyes have gone as wide as saucers, and both of his hands are now covering his mouth.  “Oh my god!” he mumbles, through his fingers.  “That’s so gross!”

“I can assure you it isn’t gross at all,” I tell him.  That I am quite confident about, at least.

Henry peels his hands away from his face, not looking convinced at all, in spite of my certainty on the matter.  “I am never putting my penis in a vagina,” he declares.  I will undoubtedly remind him of this when he is older.  “I think I’m ready to go to sleep now,” he tells me, avoiding my gaze, and burrowing right under the lightweight duvet.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I run through the rest of his familiar bedtime routine. The most important point is that I must check under the bed for monsters.  As usual, I find none, though there is rather a lot of Lego which he will be required to clean up in the morning.  The pillows are arranged just right for him, the covers are pulled down slightly so that he can breathe, and I kiss his forehead and stroke his hair just as I used to when he was a baby.  

I bid him goodnight, and close his bedroom door gently behind me.  Although he still has a tendency to wander in and join us in the night, I have a strong suspicion that he will stay put tonight.  I can only hope that he will be feeling a little less awkward in the morning.

When I turn around, I find you standing right behind me, grinning from ear to ear.  “I enjoyed that better than the book,” you inform me.  It seems you have been standing here listening the entire time ...

“Do you think I’ve traumatized him?” I ask.  It is an extreme question, but a genuine one.  “What if he never has a relationship with another human being because of the dreadful way in which I handled that conversation?”

You grab my hand and squeeze it, still smiling.  “You did very well,” you reassure me.  “I’m sure he’s fine.  If he’s still interested, perhaps you could ask him to bring the book with him next week, and we can read it together?”

I cannot think of anything worse than reading the book together, but as always, you have managed to placate me with ease.  I raise your hand to my lips, and kiss the back of it in a silent thank you.  “This isn’t just a ploy to get out of reading the next chapter of The Hobbit, is it?” I ask, already quite sure of the answer.

When I glance up at your face, your eyes are sparkling with mischief.  “It’s getting late,” you say, the corners of your lips twitching as you evade my question entirely.  “Why don’t we go to bed?  I was hoping you could teach me all about those ‘special cuddles’ you seem to be such an expert on.”

I glare at you for your teasing, then snake one of my arms around your waist, pulling you towards me.  My hand settles on the swell of your stomach, the exact source of your unpleasant side-effects, and all of Henry’s awkward questions.  “Hmm.  It seems I already have.”

But I will be more than happy to remind you.  As many times as you require it.  

I am an expert on the subject, after all.

[strawbrrysun287]

Office Chaos #1

Hi everyone!! Recently I got into writing again and decided to cross post on here and AO3! If you take the chance to read it I hope you enjoy it <3 This will be part of a series of one shots! Happy Reading <3<3<3

If there was one thing Seokjin could safely say, it was that he was a confident gay. He would always throw a wink or a kiss to baristas, those who held the door open for him, or just anyone within the distance of him if he was feeling particularly playful.

That being said he was also openly gay. In no way shape or form was he afraid or worried about showing the person he truly was. Be it soft pink off-the-shoulder sweaters, a pair of heeled boots that made his bum look like it was carved by the gods (fun fact: it was), or even a black shirt with pastel lettering literally saying (I’m Gay, Suck It).

This was amazing for his social and love life because there was no confusion platonically or sexually. However, a certain middle-aged squat ugly fuckwad who was too dense to realize sooner Seokjin’s sexuality despite all the signs decided to fire him solely for Seokjin giving a customer, a fellow gay, his number.

In his defense, the customer was cute, was hitting on him, and was even interested and gave his own number to Seokjin as well. So all in all, who could blame Seokjin? He was young, horny, and single.

But back to the original issue. He was fired for being himself which led him to where he is now. Walking down the busy streets of Seoul heading to some gaming design company for an interview as a personal assistant to the CEO. It was a major jump from a barista to PA but he had experience… in high school, he was student council president, led three clubs, and even fixed their student budget so that way they could throw a fun concert/overnight party for the graduates.. Okay, maybe that one was a little selfish. It was still experience though! College didn’t exactly go as planned but he still was involved in the radio station and another club… although he couldn’t for the life of him remember what the club was about.

As he arrived in front of the building he could feel his heart beating against his rib cage just the tiniest bit more. He was confident though, he could do this. It would be a breeze. Throw a wink or kiss at whoever was interviewing him, talk about his experience, talk up himself and his abilities, then leave with the job and start the following Monday.

Walking inside of the building left him just the slightest breathless. Fuck. Who designed this building? Who PAID for the building? Or the interior decorating? As he tried calculating it in his head he vaguely heard someone clearing their throat but didn’t pay it any attention. After a few more minutes he finally snapped out of his calculations when the throat-clearing wouldn’t stop. He was two seconds from shoving a glass of water down the person’s throat only to look around and realize the throat-clearing had been directed at him.

With a guilty smile flashed towards the main receptionist, Seokjin finally made his way up to the desk gripping the strap of his bag even tighter.

“Kim Seokjin? I’m here for an interview with a Mr. Kim? For his personal assistant?” Despite the flash of nervousness when he was caught staring into space he quickly put the confident smile back on. The receptionist seemed less than pleased though.

“Elevator down the hall to the right. Floor 35. Park Jimin will help you from there. Try not to stare off into space again, yes?” With a sinister smirk, the lady lifted her hand just to point down the hallway and Seokjin took that as a dismissal which is exactly what it was. It didn’t stop him from mumbling down the hallway the whole time though.

“Honestly? With that kind of attitude, it’s amazing someone hasn’t dumped their coffee over her by… accident... “ Once inside the elevator he hit the button for the 35th floor and listened to the boring music as the numbers flashed above the elevator doors showing what floor it just passed. Once the doors opened for the 35th floor he took a deep breath and stepped out.

Immediately he noticed an adorable guy, younger than him with bubblegum pink hair and the cutest smile when his eyes crinkled. Okay, maybe this place wasn’t all bad. That was until he heard a deep voice shouting, seemingly the pink-haired man’s name if the way his head snapped over was any indication, and then there was a body colliding with his sending him straight to the floor with the other man on top of him.

“Kim Taehyung!! You need to watch where you are going!!” Pink-haired guy’s voice rang out. Seokjin wouldn’t be surprised if the entire floor didn’t hear the shrill yell. Which seemed plausible as there were four other heads that poked out from different rooms like little peeping parrots. Well, this was turning out to be quite the impression to leave on the people he would hopefully soon be working with.

“Sorry, Jiminie! But!! We got the house! I just got the email and we can close on the house today but we have to be there within the next hour!”

“Taehyung I swear on Yoongi’s new laptop th-”

“Don’t be swearing on my things Park Jimin! I will skin you alive!!” A voice seemingly coming from nowhere yelled in offense.

“... that you better be telling the truth or else I will make you sleep our on the balcony for the rest of the week.”

“It’s real. Like really real. The realest real you can really real kind of real! But we have to GO. NOW!”

“Okay okay! Fuck. I gu-.. Oh… Hello there. I uh… kinda forgot you got thrown to the ground in the process. I hope you aren’t injured? No injuries right? Taehyung can’t afford to be sued we are closing on a house today. Uh… if I make Namjoon Hyung give you the job would you be willing to forget this entire mess? He still owes me because of that ridiculous picture I took of him a few weeks ago when he decided to get shit-faced.”

It was official. Seokjin clearly hit his head too hard on the floor and now he was in some kind of dream drama. Shouldn’t the drama involve some super hot guy? A best friend who has his own issues but they support each other no matter what? What about the chaotic couple who he questions how they are still alive? Well… he might have found the chaotic couple. But that didn’t mean anything else. Once he realized he was being spoken to he had to blink a couple of times in order to clear his head and only vaguely caught the end.

“You… you would force your boss to give me the job just so I don’t sue the guy who knocked my ass to the ground? What if I tell you I wasn’t planning on suing him anyway? Although it did kind of hurt but if you could still get your boss to give me the job that would be fantastic and I would kiss the floor you walk on because this job is desperately needed and I’m too handsome to be walking from building to building begging for a job.”

Finally getting up from the ground he rubbed the back of his head where it hit the floor before fixing the wrinkles in his shirt. As he finished getting straightened (HA) out again another deep voice that was almost addicting echoed from down the hall along with heavy footsteps and deep down Seokjin just KNEW that the person coming towards him was the big boss. AKA the one who would hopefully be signing his checks if he got the job. Before he could utter a single word bubblegum hair spoke up again.

“Namjoon Hyung! This is Kim Seokjin, your new personal assistant. Long story short, Me and Tae got the house but in his excitement he kind of barreled into your new assistant here and sent him hurtling towards the floor, and because I’m a good honest person I told him I would assure him the job.”

Namjoon stared at bubblegum hair, Jimin?? In what seemed like absolute boredom like this was a daily occurrence. Well then again, it might be. Things were already more than a little chaotic but chaos is where Jin thrived.

“Jimin. You can’t just give people jobs because Taehyung knocked them down. You have so far given away a car, an apartment, a date, a fashion shopping spree, and part of your investment in the company which I was thankfully able to get back all because Tae didn’t watch where he was going. You know, apologizing in a HEARTFELT way will do the job nine out of ten times.”

“Okay you may speak some facts but I already gave the job to Seokjin and I already read over his resume. He seems like he can tolerate you well enough and you need an assistant to start ASAP because Tae and I have to go sign for the house okay hyung? Make sure you show him the ropes and don’t fuck it up! Bye!!”

With that Seokjin and Namjoon stared as Jimin dragged Taehyung along into the elevator with a cheeky smile and flirty wave before the elevator doors closed on the image that left the pair sputtering.

“Well… I guess they won’t be back till tomorrow afternoon. At least all my morning meetings are finished so I shouldn’t have to worry too much. Ah. Kim Seokjin-sii I apologize for the uh..”

“Chaos?” Jin supplied with a cheeky grin of his own.

“I suppose that is the best possible term for what happens on the 35th floor. Since Jimin already gave you the job I am in no way able to deny it and if I’m being honest I am in desperate need of an assistant as all my paperwork is piling up and I’m not sure where the mailroom is or where the place I normally get coffee from is and the coffee here is made by my director of media and he makes it as black as his soul is what he says at least and no amount of sugar makes it any better.”

And that’s when it happened. When Jin went from being the confident flirty gay to the shy flustered panicked gay that he always read about in stories. Namjoon smiled and he had dimples. Fucking dimples. There was no way the man standing in front of him was real. Tall, handsome, successful, understanding, kind, big hands, muscled if the fabric fighting for its life stretched over Namjoon’s biceps and thighs were anything to go by, and he had fucking D I M P L E S. Who did this Kim Namjoon think he was? God? Actually, that may be true. It wasn’t until he realized he was about to suffocate did Seokjin exhale the air he was holding in before stuttering out a hasty reply.

“Assistant? Now? Like now now? Me? For you? Coffee? I’m good with coffee and with paperwork. Yeah. I can 100% do that for you, Mr. Kim. And there is no need for formalities you can just simply call me Jin as I will be working closely with you. With you. Closely. Working. Yeah. Now?”

Seokjin knew the second the last syllable left his mouth that he was an idiot. A certified idiot who shouldn’t be allowed to be the personal assistant for a business of Namjoon’s caliber but like hell, he was going to give up the opportunity to get to know the taller man and completely wow him. Fuck was he even gay? It didn’t even matter. He could figure that out later down the line but first…

“Just tell me where to sign Mr. Kim and we can begin our new… partnership as boss and assistant. I promise I’ll do everything to learn the ropes quickly to help make your life a little less hectic.”

“Namjoon is just fine Jin. Even though I’m your boss I like to keep a close relationship with those who work close with me. You will find everyone on this floor is on a first name basis and the chaos is real and alive everyday.” And there were those fucking dimples again.

Maybe Seokjin needed to send a gift basket to his homophobic ex-boss because this new adventure at Kim. Co was going to be fun.

Chaos and all.

[bananban-feature]

Seventeen: Hoshi

(It took me a while to write this because... I’m also not sure. There’s a lot of ideas here and there and my mind is all over the place. But here it goes.)

Hoshi appreciation time! I’m here to talk about another one of my biases in my bias group that I love so much, Seventeen. Hoshi is incredibly talented and creative, fun with an extremely loveable personality! Now, where do I start?

Talent

Dance - This talent is pretty obvious as he is the leader of the performance unit, which is equivalent to the team of the main dancers of the group. (Other Seventeen members who aren’t part of this unit are already really good dancers, so this unit is really something.)

Stage Presence and Energy - A big part of what I like about Hoshi’s performances is not simply his dance - it’s his energy and attitude. I especially like it when he performs with intensity, like his Fearless intro dance with the drums (GDA 2021). I remember watching a clip of their Ode To You in Manila concert on Youtube and seeing Hoshi  made me really wish I was there. (I only became a Carat after this, during quarantine.) It’s like he’s a ball of energy that hypes people up. 

His duality is INSANE. He knows how to use his facial expressions and charisma that would make you feel the intensity of the music and fall for him on stage. And yet irl he’s absolutely adorable.

Singing - With Hoshi being such a main dancer already, you wouldn’t think he would have good vocals, but Hoshi is actually a lead singer too! In fact, in Performance unit, he is the main vocals. He has a powerful voice!

Rap - Hoshi is the main rapper in their super fun sub-unit BooSeokSoon. (Sure, he’s not actually the best singer or rapper there is in all of kpop, but he really has the talent for it.) There are many songs only a few people can pull off but he does. His energy and attitude in “Just Do It” by BSS and “Bring It” is next level, and absolutely necessary for the song to be successful.

Songwriting - This hasn’t been much (you know, as much as Woozi), but Hoshi has also participated in writing some of their songs, and even composed some with the help of Bumzu/Woozi! He co-wroteThanks with Woozi and Bumzu.

In general, I just also love Hoshi’s confidence in his talents. He knows his strengths, he isn’t afraid to showcase all the good things he can do, and he recognizes when he performs well. Confident, but not bragging. He’s just so real and so passionate about performing.

Performance Unit Leader & Choreographer

I have a lot to say about this because the first thing that really struck me about Seventeen is the absolutely beautiful choreography and incredible synchronization. It is the reason why I really checked them out in the first place after seeing a video of them dancing to Don’t Wanna Cry in x2 speed.

Choreography - Hoshi co-choreographs the Seventeen performances with a choreographer hyung/noona, and also with the help of the performance team. (I am not disregarding the work of the pro choreographers, who in fact, did such an amazing job, but I’ve seen some people dismiss Hoshi’s contributions to these. Hoshi himself doesn’t brag about it, and ALWAYS mentions the choreographers that helped them.) There are a lot of records of him working on the choreo and formations, and there are interviews with Seventeen members, Hoshi himself, and even the choreographer hyungs that talk about his work. There’s a lot of hard work involved in this, especially when you have to think about 13 people’s positions in each scene. It just requires a lot of brain power! To add to that, Hoshi is incredibly creative! He is able to take inspiration from random objects (such as street lamps), and turn it into story-telling choreography (DWC example, skip to 1:32, this is an amazing video). I really love Seventeen's choreography, and I think they have one of the best choreographies in kpop! They are my all-time favorite in this area.

Leadership - (Obviously, they practice these dances also with the help of the choreographer hyungs too, but Hoshi really leads the whole group in terms of the performance.) Hoshi is strict and particular even with the tiniest details, angles and timing. I definitely think this is one of the biggest reasons why Seventeen is so good with their dance and are called Kings of Synchronization. Not only do they practice a lot, but I think they all really work hard because they’ve developed this sense of meticulousness in choreo that Hoshi imparted.

***Hoshi said himself that he’s a quick-tempered person. The members have actually shared their accounts of how Hoshi was as a performance leader - strict, not very patient, and has a tendency to say harsh words when they did not meet his expectations. (He’s the opposite of Minghao in Idol Producer. Normally, this impatient teaching style would get me pissed, but Hoshi as a teacher to Seventeen is different. Unlike the ordinary teacher-student relationship, Hoshi has a very close friendship with the members like family. Even when there are hurts and arguments during practice, they are able to talk about it, fix and overcome it.) It seems Hoshi has changed from this harshness though. And now the members are able to talk and laugh about it freely as memories from their earlier years.

Personality

Hoshi is so talented, but what really drew me into him was his outstanding personality. People who only look at Hoshi on stage might get shocked because Hoshi in real life is like a cute crazy hamster. (Oops, I meant “tiger”, horanghae!)

Hoshi is hilarious and adorable at the same time. It’s almost like a toddler in a grown man’s body. He says the silliest things and acts the silliest way! What makes him funny is not just because he tries hard to be funny by making jokes. He’s just naturally funny - the definition of chaotic comedy, major crackhead energy! His overhyping is hilarious. And his randomness will make you laugh. I love that he is unapologetically himself, accepting himself in all his weirdness. And no one can stop his tiger agenda.  🐯 🐯 🐯

Don’t Lie I & II are two of the first episodes I watched in Going Seventeen. I was so in love with Hoshi, especially after Don’t Lie II. He was so chaotic and crazy, but also very intelligent! It really was a successful game because of his incredible deduction (with the help of Seungkwan, of course). And my gosh, the way he copied Seungkwan (and even Vernon) in their 5th Anniversary is legendary! That’s both talent in comedy and talent in acting!

Despite being this comedian, he is often seen being very sweet to the rest of the members. Honestly, unless they are in the practice room or when he needs to protect the members, Hoshi is one of those who’s often like a fake maknae in the group because he’s so cute. (Okay, except Woozi always rejects his hugs. lol) He’s also sweet to the fans and interacts with them a lot.

Hoshi’s Visuals

He may not be an official visual but nowadays, I am really appreciating his looks. I’ve always found him cute (like a child-like cute). Even in his old videos as a rookie, he has a cute and fun visual. But he really has a face with nice proportions. Honestly, he’s growing more and more mature each day. And recently, I’m just loving his visuals so much as a handsome guy.

Like...look at this beauty?

///Update, March 2021: As I predicted, Hoshi has been showing his handsome boyfriend look more and more.

A better look of the last photo, whew:

*** update done ///

This post is waaaaaaay longer than I planned it to be. There’s just too many things to appreciate about Hoshi.

Anyway, here are random things I found you also might enjoy:

Article on Hoshi as a dancer/performer (The title is misleading, but this is actually a great compilation of amazing Hoshi and Seventeen dance things.) 

Reddit thread on Hoshi’s talents

IDK, random Hoshi YT compilations (1) and (2)

The Leader Line

I’ve written about my top biases right now: Woozi (previous post) and Hoshi, hard-working members for the team. In general, I really appreciate the leader line. At a young age, they led a group of teens to rise to the top of a very demanding industry. This is real life leadership with real life issues and pressures. They had a huge responsibility, it wasn’t playtime. (Great job to S.Coups, too, for being able to handle the crazy kids and keep them in order together. Imagine having to think about the individual issues of 13 people!)

Anyway, hopefully I’ll be able to talk more about them soon in my Seventeen members general appreciation post!

[chidoroki]

TPN ch180

(spoilers! i'm so broken)

I didn't want to be right. I didn't want to actually believe that Emma was lying. If anything, I thought she was just lying about staying with her family when they crossed over to the human world, knowing she would be separated, but this.. oh my god. This girl knew ever since ch143 that she was going to lose her memories of her family and straight up lied to them about it. Granted, only a few days passed from when she returned from The 7 Walls up until they all crossed over to the human world, but still, I.. don't know how to feel. I knew since the prison break she had great acting skills so I'm impressed that she managed to pull off yet another wonderful performance, but wow.. I really hoped she wouldn't! To keep such an important and life changing secret from her family, who are all so important to her, I can't imagine how hard it must have been for her knowing this while dealing with the entire capital attack and GF plantation raid. Fighting so hard and succeeding in achieving a bright, happier future for everyone but herself.. ow, my heart.

Some people are fine with the memory loss, others aren't. If anything, at least she's the only one who forgot? I think it would've been worse if everyone else forgot about Emma instead, so having the promise only hurt her is fine.. well, it's not, clearly, but you get what I mean.

And if demon god wasn't on my nerves enough already, the little prat decides to basically photoshop every family member out of the photos Emma kept this entire time. I'm touched she still had the photos in her possession, but now this upsets me so much. Upon seeing the first set of raws and learning Emma lost her memories, I hoped that she could possibly remember them by looking back at these photos if she still had them. But no. Demon god doesn't want me to be happy or get my hopes up. It would've been such a cool idea though. We know Ray originally requested the camera because he needed to strobe for the taser, but he continued to take pictures, not only to keep up the act to prevent Isabella from getting suspicious, but to give said photos to Emma because he knew how important their family is to her. I would've loved it if something so important from the first couple arcs came back at the very end to help Emma regain her memories.

Not only that, but demon god also got rid of her id number? Like.. really? I don't know why that bothers me so much but it does. I know the id brands just proved that the kids were meant to be nothing but food. Of course I know that they're all so much more than that and I should be happy Emma lost hers, because it truly means she's free, but the number was a part of her you know? It would've been fine if every cattle child lost their identifier, but since it was only her it makes me think demon god wanted it to be that much harder for Emma to remember her past and family. That's what bothers me. That even now, after they all crossed over and don't have to deal with demons anymore, demon god still has the audacity ability to make Emma suffer. If she still had her number, I'm sure she would've questioned it, much like Ray did when he was younger (my mind thinks back to ch28, that one memory of him looking at his neck in a mirror). Maybe she would've realized that the people in her dreams also have the same neck numbers, if only faintly. (it must be so weird for Demizu to draw Emma now and not include her number after all this time)

That leads me to wonder if Emma has questioned the rest of her appearance yet. I would assume she's still missing her left ear, since her hair is still covering that side, so does she ever wonder about why it's missing? What about the scars on her body? We personally haven't seen them, but you can't tell me her back and abdomen looks perfect and clean after getting stabbed by Lewis. Yes I know, scars heal with time, but the scar on Lucas' face was still recognizable after 13 years. Same with Zack and his many unfading scars. So does Emma question where hers came from?

Moving on, a month passes and still no memories, however Musica's necklace seems to be the cause of Emma's vivid dreams, like it somehow brings life to her feelings. We see the necklace constantly, not only because Emma wears it, but on volume covers and other color pages as well. It's always been shown off as this important item and yet it hasn't really served a purpose yet. Emma recieved the necklace back in ch51 and the only thing its done so far was show her that one old vision at Cuvitidala in ch101. It'll be a real easy way to solve everything by having the necklace just conveniently bring back her memories, so I get why some people might not like the idea, but at this point I'd be fine with it.

Figures she would end up in the human world with someone who can sympathize with her pain. Old dude lost his family due to war but at least he can remember them. He asks if Emma would want to see her family, if they're alive, and she remains unsure and lost. She doesn't know who these dream people are to her, why they call out "Emma" or why it makes her feel better.

This panel.. this one right here is what breaks me. Our girl is so upset and she can't even understand why. We know why you're crying hun, it's because you miss your family. Your memories may have faded but your feelings for them still live on with you! I have no doubt that love you just as much too! My poor girl, someone send me her location so I can go and hug her!

Emma might have given up trying to remember who she was and live a new life, but if she did encounter her family again, I hope she would be excited to meet them as new people. Maybe they could all start over. Over time they could gently remind her of her past, and if Emma truly can't remember, I hope they'll accept her regardless.

And a name change? I'm.. mmm frustrated. Yeah it makes sense since she couldn't remember hers and would need a new one anyway, but aahh, really? No id identifier, no memories, no name; it's like she's a new character. I was never a fan of the amnesia trope, like she's such a great character and gets built up wonderfully, and now it's like you reset her to zero. Yeah I know, deep down she's still the happy go lucky girl we all know and love, who's strong and capable to still smile even now, but.. man, idk anymore. This whole chapter hurts me.

There's a dim light at the end of the tunnel because we get a glimpse of Ray, Gilda and.. at first I thought it was Don but that person is way too short, so Phil? Regardless, I gotta give them some credit. It may have been a couple months, (remember, old dude said he could't call for help until spring and there's flowers in the ground now) but they've already managed to find where she might be in this new, large world. Please, turn around though! She's so close to you guys, she's right there! Notice her antenna or something, I beg you!

Demon god said that even if Emma met her family, she wouldn't remember them, but I still have small hopes. Emma claim's she stopped having the dreams and given up trying to remember her past, but maybe that short amount of time believing in them was enough. Aside from the necklace which connected her feelings to her unconscious mind, the five sense can also recall memories. Perhaps if she heard her name now, outside of a dream, something in her mind will click. Maybe she would get that warm feeling again she once longed for. Sense of smell and taste are usually most effective in bringing back memories so maybe just being near them or having them cook for her could also help. I know the sense of touch usually works for when you personally touch something, but if it's possible to also recall memories by being touched, then please, for the love of god, let Ray pat Emma's head again! He's done it countless time over the years.. can you imagine if upon meeting and learning that she has no memories, Ray is just like "no worries, you're still the same Emma to us," and while he pats her head, she's like wait hold up, major deja vu, I feel like I felt something like that happened before. I'm probably only getting my hopes up real high with that idea (since old dude just patted her head and nothing) but bro.. I would honestly cry if something so simple and nostalgic as a head pat helps Emma remember her family even the tiniest bit.

And yes, I'm worried Norman isn't around. Please don't let me be right again by having him stay behind due to his health issues. Just let him be in another search group somewhere else okay? I'll accept that. It's odd he wouldn't be working alongside Ray but whatever, split your best minds up to create equally powerful teams, that's fine. It only worries me because now we might not get one last full-score trio hug like I originally hoped! I swear having a hug like that as the very last panel of the series would've been perfectly fine with me after everything that just happened. But now.. aahhh, we'll see.

I can't believe the series ends next week. There's still so much I want to see and know. I pray there's a happy ending for everyone. I want Emma with her family. I want her to remember them. I want one last full-score trio hug. Shirai, don't let us down! You played with my feelings so much within the past year, so please make all the stress and tears worth it! Give me an ending that will satisfy me so much that TPN replaces Black Lagoon as my favorite series! Go ahead, I dare you! Ya see that beautiful panel? Give that to us and not have it be a fantasy! (pretty please??)

[stillebesat]

The Blue Exchange (1/3)

Detective Conan/Magic Kaito: Hakuba Saguru, Kuroba Kaito, Nakamori Aoko, Baaya Blurb: Of all the things Saguru expected to find upon coming back to Japan after accidentally getting dyed blue while on a case in London, having Kuroba Kaito offer to help return his appearance to normal wasn't one of them.  Editor’s Note: Takes place after An Expression of Gratitude but you don’t need to read that fic to understand what’s happening in this one. Fic Type: General Overall Fic Warnings: Near Death Experience (mentioned), Death talk (mentioned) 

Ao3 Link  FF.net Link

Saguru never thought that he would be relieved to open the door to 2B’s classroom at Ekoda High and see that Kuroba had somehow managed to prank the entire class. 

But he was. 

Everywhere he looked color assaulted his eyes. Reds, Greens, Kuroba’s favorite shade of Pink, Purples, and of course, thankfully, Blue. 

The place looked like a tye-dye bomb explosion, and Saguru found himself relaxing for the first time since he’d fallen into a giant dye vat while attempting to capture a suspected thief at London’s largest Textile Factory a week ago.

Here. Here, he could actually blend in for a little while and not worry about his appearance somehow making the papers or getting stared at everywhere he went as his currently blue complexion wouldn’t be considered at all out of the ordinary when one Kuroba Kaito was present. Especially when all of his fellow classmates, with the exception of Kuroba himself, were also dyed different colors of the rainbow. Though none of them had their skin or hair the exact same shade of blue as Saguru’s. 

Even if Kuroba hadn’t decided to do a class wide prank, his KID suspect had singled him out often enough that Saguru showing up to school dyed blue wouldn’t have caused much comment beyond condolences from his classmates. 

After all, it was well known that he wasn’t well liked by KID’s ‘number one fan.’

In all the chaos, it wasn’t surprising Kuroba was the first to notice his late arrival to class. The magician was in the middle of a handstand on top of a desk when he caught sight of the British Detective standing in the doorway, and Saguru had the pleasure of seeing the briefest of cracks in his mask. 

A slight widening of his eyes, the tiniest of wobbles in his balance, showed his surprise  at his appearance before Kuroba twisted, landing upright on the floor, his usual smirk in place. He snapped his fingers, covering Saguru briefly in a cloud of smoke before he could react.

“Hakuba.” He gleefully stated, giving a performer’s bow as the smoke cleared and Saguru glanced down to see what the magician had done to him this time. 

A wave of relief washed through him upon seeing that only his white shirt had been switched out for a blue one. 

He had honestly expected him to do worse considering the state of the rest of their class.

Kuroba raised an eyebrow, spreading his hands. “I didn’t know you were feeling blue--”

“BAKAITO!!” Aoko yelled, her usual uniform replaced with a bright pink dress that perfectly matched her dyed hair as she swung her mop at him. “What did you do to Hakuba-kun?” 

Kuroba snickered, dodging the mop with ease. “Same thing as everyone else in case you hadn’t noticed, Ahoko. Now his outward appearance matches his damp personality.” He back-flipped as she stabbed the mop at him, somehow ending up in the corner on the ceiling out of her reach. 

Wait. 

Saguru quickly smoothed out his features to hide his surprise as he moved to sit at his desk. 

Was Kuroba actually taking credit for his blue state? 

Why--why would he do tha--Kuroba had nothing to do with him being blue! 

After all, he had come straight to school from the airport. A delay in his flight meaning that Saguru had arrived almost two hours later than he’d originally planned--and no one in Japan had been aware he’d be returning today, especially since he’d ended his vacation earlier than expected.

So why would Kuroba choose to pretend that he had just barely dyed him? Why not point out to the rest of the class that Saguru had somehow turned himself blue without Kuroba’s or, he supposed, KID’s interference?

It didn’t make sense. 

Sure, he didn't expect his classmates to know what had happened in London as somehow Saguru had managed to avoid being noticed by the press in London thanks in part to the efforts of the police department in keeping his involvement in the case on the down low so no one knew what had happened at the Factory beyond the thief getting caught. And yet--

“Is that why you didn’t use Pink this time around?” Saguru asked offhandedly as he pulled his books from his bag and placed them on the desk, cautiously testing to see if Kuroba was actually choosing to take the blame for his blue skin and hair.

Usually his classmate favored that bright color when it came to him. So it would have made more sense for him to use that rather than blue.

Saguru tensed in his seat as Kuroba landed on top of his desk, grinning like the Cheshire Cat as he met his eyes. 

Crap. 

Had he just given the magician the idea to turn him Pink?! It was bad enough he was dyed blue in the first place, but if Kuroba decided to use his own dyes on him--Saguru couldn’t imagine what the end result of that would be. Well, beyond likely never looking normal ever again. 

“I thought I’d branch out a bit today. I do that every blue moon or so.” Kuroba winked and vanished to his own seat two rows over as Aoko’s mop slammed down on the spot he’d just been crouching on. “Mah mah, Aoko,” he complained, waving a hand around vaguely, ignoring how half the class flinched at the movement. “You’re so violent today, you don’t need to beat me black and blue over this.” 

“Kaito.” She growled, staring daggers at her childhood friend. “Undye Hakuba-kun! He just returned from London. Give him a break before you start pranking him again.” 

Kuroba lazily stretched in his seat before flipping over his desk to the aisle as Aoko advanced. “Why should he? Hakuba had plenty of prank-free time there.” 

The glimmer in his eyes as he raised an eyebrow to Saguru suggested he knew otherwise. And while it wasn’t surprising that Kuroba may have kept tabs on him while he was out of the country and therefore unavailable for any KID heists...it seemed rather unusual for his KID suspect to know of this particular situation considering the circumstances.

“Hakubaka could use a bit of color in his life. I mean.” The magician gestured to him. “At least people can see him coming now when he’s going to rain on their parades.” 

Saguru shook his head. While it hadn’t been a result of a prank, his blue complexion hardly meant he’d been relaxing while back in London. “Aoko-san, it’s fine.” He said, drawing her attention back to him. “It’s not like I haven’t experienced this particular issue from Kuroba-kun before.” Seventy-eight times before to be exact, though not all of those had been in class. Some had been at KID’s heists as well. He ran a hand through his blue hair, his shoulders tensing again. “It will wash out easily enough once I return home.” 

If only that was true. Kuroba’s colors faded after a week if he was unable to find the right solution to the dye. Neither his or KID’s concoctions were meant to be permanent.

However, this particular job wasn’t either’s doing and his skin had stayed this same shade of blue after multiple showers in every solution Saguru could think of. At this point, he was nearly certain he’d scrubbed his skin raw for nothing.

He looked up in time to see Kuroba erasing the traces of concern from his face, instead choosing to grin back at the detective. “Maybe, maybe not.” He teased. “Perhaps this time it will be permanent.” 

Saguru flinched despite himself and Kuroba’s eyes grew more piercing

“That…” Saguru drew a steadying breath, aiming for a more neutral tone. “That would make further pranks rather boring if I’m always the same color, Kuroba-kun.” He managed to retort.  

“True, true.” Kuroba mused aloud, dancing away from Aoko once more. “It would limit my options.” 

“How about you make the choice to return us all to normal?” Aoko demanded, lowering her mop in favor of pulling her pink hair out of it’s bun. It had already half fallen out anyways. “That would be different.” 

Kuroba pouted. “But Hakuba just got here!” he whined. 

“And he’s probably tired, Bakaito.” 

Kuroba rolled his eyes. “Blue hair doesn’t affect his ability to sleep, Ahoko.” 

“Nor my ability to learn.” Saguru cut in. It wouldn’t do any good anyways. Kuroba would be able to undo his own prank, but that would still leave him fully blue. With everyone else colored like the rainbow...it did help him feel a bit more at ease here. He flipped open his book to the chapter they were covering today and froze, barely masking his surprise at seeing a single slip of paper laying there.

After School. My Place. 

Simple. Concise. No way to directly implicate Kuroba had been the one to place it there--Saguru barely stopped himself from looking to his KID suspect. How had--it had to have been when the magician jumped on his desk, but how had he known exactly where in the book to slip his message so Saguru would see it? 

He swallowed, looking to Aoko instead and offered her a placating smile as he slipped the strip of paper into his pocket. “I’m fine Aoko-san. I promise.” 

“See!” Kuroba grinned in a near echo of KID’s smile. “No need to make yourself blue in the face over something you can’t change, Aoko. Hakuba’s already done it for you.”

Saguru drew in a shaky breath, unclenching his fingers from around his pen as he forced himself to look at the board where their teacher, dressed all in yellow, was attempting to draw the classes’ attention back to the topic at hand.

If only Kuroba knew just how permanent his blue state was--was that why the magician wanted to meet with him after school? To find out? Saguru pursed his lips together, daring to glance at his classmate from the corner of his eye. 

What exactly was Kuroba plotting?

To Be Continued Chapter 2

[benjaminjofaiho]

The Captain Next Door Ch. 4

Summary: You’re a doctor who also just so happens to be a fan fiction writer. You love lots of fandoms but Captain America is by far your fave, so what happens when you get a new job, move to Brooklyn and realize that the brownstone you bought is right next door to Captain America? Obviously shenanigans ensue.

Warnings: Swearing. 

It’s worth noting that I do not care for or abide by the timeline, there are some people mentioned that haven’t technically been brought together yet [ As per Winter Soldier ] but I did it anyway.  P.S. I do not currently have a beta and the ‘f’ and ‘u’ keys on my keyboard are messed up so incase you see repeating letters anywhere they aren’t supposed to be feel free to let me know.

AN: I’m BAAAAACK!  This is coming sooner than I wanted because I’m not as far enough into future chapters as I would like.But I just wanted to put some cuteness into what is happening right now so please enjoy the light refreshment. Thank you for waiting on me, those of you that are waiting on me. Thank you for all your reblogs, comments and likes. Your feedback is always welcome and I love hearing from y’all. 

It had been about 8 weeks and you had a pretty good routine set for your new life in the big apple. Work all week, Hot yoga with Sonia on Friday mornings and occasionally the club with her on Friday nights, Sam comes over Saturday mornings to help fix up the house and in the evenings you cook your weekly meals for he and Steve; Sunday was the day you had all to yourself.

           On Friday morning you and Sonia were walking back from the gym with your yoga mats and nearly got ran over by Sam on a morning run. His earbuds fell out and it was almost as if you weren’t there. He was beside himself trying to make sure he didn’t hurt Sonia; as for her you’ve never seen her so shy in her life. She was more of a take life by the horns type girl and you didn’t even know she had a shy bone in her body.

           “Excuse me Ma’am, I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to run into you. I hope you’re okay?” You never thought of Sam that way. But in this moment with him making his voice like that, no shirt on, body glistening, you could see it.

           “Yeah sure, ”she said quietly “I’m completely fine. No worries.”

           “Can I make it up to you somehow –” You cleared your throat cutting him off. Turning to you as if you materialized out of thin air he said “Oh hey Doc, my b. You good?”

Laughing you told him you BOTH were fine and had to almost drag Sonia up the steps of your brownstone.

            Saturday morning came around and you had just finished making pancakes – you liked to cook a little extra for Sam after his work and heard the doorbell ring. You went to open it and were surprised to see Steve.

           “Hey Steve! Sam isn’t here yet I’m just waiting on him.” You always internally laughed at the fact that instead of calling his roommate like a normal person, Steve would rather come to your house to check for him personally. He was just such an old man. You continued “You know, I could give you my cell phone number so maybe you could call to find out if he was here to save you a trip.”

           “Uhh…” He started looking uncomfortable again. Damn it. No matter how good you felt like you were doing you always had a way of messing him up and making him go red with discomfort. “ Sure, here you go” He handed you a flip phone with a green and black screen. You laughed taking it from him.

           “Seriously? Don't you, like, know Tony Stark? What does he have to say about this?” you said, wiggling his phone at him.

           “I never hear the end of it actually” He laughs. What a nice laugh it was. Putting your number in you gave it back to him and he saved it. Behind him Sam showed up to your door.

           “Morning Doc, oh hey Cap. I thought you said you had errands to-”

           “ Oh!” Steve started laughing loudly slapping Sam’s shoulder “Think you’re confused buddy I was looking for you.” Looking between them with confusion you said

           “Anyway guys, just made some pancakes, y’all want some?”                      

           “Girl you know I can always eat” Sam said laughing and tapping on his stomach.

Both of you turned your head to Steve and waited

“Well, I’m actually free for the whole day so sure, a meal sounds terrific.”

After you were all good and fed, you put your elbows up on the table and your hands folded under your chin like someone plotting and scheming.

           “So gentlemen, what’s the plan for today? What are we doing?” You looked between them waiting to hear the plan.

           “Doc I came to tell you today’s the last day of my fixing upping” Sam smiled his toothy grin, “ and just in time too because I have a date with a beautiful woman.”

           “Hold on Samuel, I have a couple of questions!”

Steve let out a laugh and when you shot him a look he put his hand over his grinning mouth.

           “Firstly, congrats on your date, but also who is she and what do you mean today is your last day?”

           “Well she’s this beautiful Englishwoman, tall, funny, intelligent, honestly I could go on for hours. And as for my quitting notice, I’m all done Doc.”

           “When did you even talk to Sonia?”

           “Aht-aht! What happens outside the walls of the hospital and this house is none of your concern Dr. Y/L/N !”    

Laughing you respond “ Fine! Be like that! See if I care!” After getting over your fit of giggles you continued “ But seriously, look at this place. I mean it works fine now but it looks… A mess” you ended.  

           “ Yeah I don’t know what to tell ya. I do fixing. Need a pipe to go up? That's all me. Building a shelf into a wall? I’m your guy. Knocking down a wall and remodeling your bathroom in the space of 3 days? Obviously I’m the only one that can do that. However, all this replacing fixing, painting, choosing crown moldings, deciding the ‘aesthetic’ for the house? I cannot help you, my work is done. But trust your good friend Sam, he’d never leave you high and dry, I have a contact who’s eye is impeccable. Hell, he’s an artist, lives nearby and even furnished and decorated our place.” As he ended that sentence he pat Steve on the back.

           Steve’s head whipped towards him as he started to choke on his orange juice.

“Wh-What? Sorry what?”

           Sam continued totally ignoring Steve’s protests. “Doc, you've been to our place right?” You shook your head unable to speak “Ah! We’ve got to have you over one of these days. Matter of fact I just have something I need to finish on one of the upper levels of your house, Steve why don’t you take her by our house, show her around and get some ideas. You guys can get a” Sam chose to take an unnecessary pause “ feel of what the other wants and what you both have to offer and see if you can come up with anything.”        

           “Oh Sam,” you say flustered, “I’m sure Steve is busy and I don't want to take up any of his-”

           “Nah don’t even worry about that. Remember Steve said he was free all day? Isn’t that right Steve?” You both turned to Steve.

           “Yeah I did say that. But you know-”

Immediately cutting him off and not wanting to hear his rejection “You know I’m sure you have other things to do. Don't worry about it, honestly, you’ve already been such a help and I really appreciate it a lot” turning to Sam you continue “You know what? Dr. Bonner has joked about wanting to quit medicine to become an interior designer, I’m sure he would be up for it.” Standing up you start to look for your phone but Steve jumped up as well.

           “I can do it! I mean-” He cleared his throat from causing such a jarring noise “It wouldn’t be any issue at all, the reason I hesitated before is because I’m not sure how our styles complement each other, I haven’t really seen you outside the house before so that’s all that was.”

           “Well then, it’s settled” Sam said joining the both of you standing. “ You two go and check out the house while I finish up here.” Before even being able to argue he was out of the kitchen and taking two steps at a time. Alone for the first time with Captain America, you let out a little breath and turned to him

           “Steve, listen I really don’t want to impose-” His hand shot up immediately

           “Y/N please, it’s not an imposition. I want to do it, it's a nice break from what we do daily. Sam’s got to get to know you a bit better though your house and now it’s my turn.”

           You smiled widely before reigning it in and just nodding and walking towards to the door. Opening your front door you turned to him and let out the tiniest smile,

           “So, shall we?”

           “Yes of course.” He replied. Calling up to Sam he said “We’re going to the house buddy, see you later!” You both heard a faint Sam calling his good byes. You led him first down the steps and a gust of wind blew and you felt a little chill. At the base of your steps you turned and Steve looked almost like a kid who got caught stealing. Was he checking you out? Of course not. You shook your head and rolled your eyes. Why would captain America be checking you out? You let out a little sigh and tight smile and said “After you.”

====================Steve’s POV=======================

           Steve woke up knowing today was Saturday, which was a day that had quickly become one of his favorites. He tried to lie to himself, saying it was the freedom of the day, the fact that he had no official obligations, but then, why didn't he also favor Sunday, a day that was essentially the same? He allowed himself to admit that it was because of Y/N,  he loved Saturday, but not because of her. Her food was just too damn good. He couldn’t get enough of her… He meant her food. Admittedly, her company wasn't bad either, she was undoubtedly one of the funniest people he’d met, and she was so clever, it was really sexy to him. Her smile was like the sun parting clouds…

           “Ahhhh!” Steve let out a frustrated groan and got up to get his day started. He  always liked to work out before eating at her place, and he told himself it was because he was trying to offset the major caloric intake, but, if she just so happened to like she saw, it was an unintended side effect he guessed.

           Stepping out of the shower and getting dressed he went up to his art studio that was the sole occupant of the highest level of their house. It was split on the roof with one half roof deck and the other half studio, separated an entire glass wall. Opening up the curtains, the studio was washed in natural light, the best for painting. He looked over his new work that he had started 3 weeks ago. It was her. He told himself he was just intrigued by her features. He had never seen eyes so deep. Honestly! It had started with her eye sketches. He found himself in meetings drawing on various briefings, a set of dark hickory eyes more and more. Once Nat looked over his shoulder and let out an exaggerated exasperated sigh, “Again, Steve?” With that, he decided to keep the eye sketches to his sketch book. He told himself he always wanted to perfect eyes in the first place so why not start with some that found artistically inspiring. He didn’t even really realize what he was doing until he started getting into her laugh that sounded like fairies. So then he started drawing her lips, always laughing or smiling and he found himself just adding in the button nose…for accuracy! He realized he had been practicing just bits and pieces of her. Why not go all in? He really wanted to hone his gift. He decided to go all out and just do a portrait of her laughing. Looking at the canvas in front of him, he looked at her in the light of day. She was coming along quite beautifully, well, as beautifully as an artist can objectively call his subject. Smiling to himself he closed his studio door and walked down to the kitchen to look for Sam.

           “Hey buddy, morning. What are you up to today?”

           “Hey Cap! Well I got a date later tonight and I’m rounding up with Y/N today.”

           “Y/N?”

           “Oh that got your attention did it?” Sam laughed “Yeah man, I’m just about finished with the house. So…Are you going to make a move?”

           “This again? I don’t know what you’re talking about Sam” He began

           “I’ve seen all your obsessive drawings of her eyes all over shit at work. I see the way you look at her Steve! I’m not a blind man. Matter of fact I seem to be the only person who can see what’s going on when we all get together.”

           “Sam, I really hate to burst your bubble but you’re seeing things. Plus I’m really busy all the time, you know, working through my list.”

           “Alright man, whatever you say. I don't want to hear SHIT though when we get invited to her and Dr. Boner’s wedding and we have to sit through hearing ‘It was always right there in front of me and you were there all along bullshit. You’re gonna be upset.”

At the mention of Boner he got up “Anyway I gotta go Sam, I have a busy day of running errands” Hearing Sam laugh behind him and choosing to ignore it he was out the door.

           Was he concussed? Did he have some neurological disorder that he didn't know about? Was it Alzheimer’s? Dementia? He was absolutely confused how he ended up at the door of your house and ringing your bell. It was as if he was sitting in the back seat of his body and mind and someone else was at the wheel; driving recklessly. Before he knew it the door was being swung open and she started talking immediately.

           “Hey Steve! Sam isn’t here yet I’m just waiting on him” There was that smile again. That fucking smile. “You know, I could give you my cell phone number so maybe you could call to find out if he was here to save you a trip.” Damn it. He was bothering her. Sam was the one fixing the house but he always showed up unannounced. Yeah he helped out once in a while but he was wearing out his welcome. She didn’t want him to keep coming over like this. Damn it. She was raised in the south! Of course she’s courteous to everyone she meets plus she’s an angel. She wouldn't tell him to stop coming over. He had to back off.

           “Uhh….” He began, looking for what to say. He decided less was more here. “Sure here you go” handing you his flip phone. She laughed again. That laugh.

           “Seriously? Don't you, like, know Tony Stark? What does he have to say about this?”

           “I never hear the end of it actually” He let out a nervous laugh. The gang would have a field day when they found out about this. But at least she was making jokes. Maybe she didn't hate him 100%. She handed the phone back to him and Sam came up behind him.

           “Morning Doc, oh hey Cap. I thought you said you had errands to-”

           “ Oh!” Steve started laughing loudly slapping Sam’s shoulder “Think you’re confused buddy I was looking for you.” Samuel Wilson we have saved the world 100 times over, I’ve put my life on the line for you, and you’ve put your life on the line for me, please, do not let me down now. He hoped his crazy eyes and erratic smile portrayed all this information. Before anymore could be said she was inviting them in for breakfast.

           “So gentlemen, what’s the plan for today? What are we doing?” She looked at him and Sam.

           “Doc I came to tell you today’s the last day of my fixing upping and just in time too because I have a date with a beautiful woman.” No wonder he was in such a good mood.

           “Hold on Samuel, I have a couple of questions!”

He let out a laugh. He loved it when she got faux serious like this. It just made her all the more attractive. She looked at him and he had to tighten up immediately covering his mouth unable to stop the grin.

           “Firstly, congrats on your date, but also who is she and what do you mean today is your last day?”

           “Well she’s this beautiful Englishwoman, tall, funny, intelligent, honestly I could go on for hours. And as for my quitting notice, I’m all done Doc.”

           “When did you even talk to Sonia?”

           “Aht-aht! What happens outside the walls of the hospital and this house is none of your concern Dr. Y/L/N !” She laughed and he was taken by her beauty as always.

           “Yeah I don’t know what to tell ya. I do fixing. Need a pipe to go up? That's all me. Building a shelf into a wall? I’m your guy. Knocking down a wall and remodeling your bathroom in the space of 3 days? Obviously I’m the only one that can do that. However, all this replacing fixing, painting, choosing crown moldings, deciding the ‘aesthetic’ for the house? I cannot help you, my work is done. But trust your good friend Sam, he’d never leave you high and dry, I have a contact who’s eye is impeccable. Hell, he’s an artist, lives nearby and even furnished and decorated our place.” As he ended that sentence he pat him on the back.

           He whipped his head at Sam and began to choke. “Wh-What? Sorry what?”

            “Doc, you've been to our place right? Ah! We’ve got to have you over one of these days. Matter of fact I just have something I need to finish on one of the upper levels of your house, Steve why don’t you take her by our house, show her around and get some ideas. You guys can get a feel of what the other wants and what you both have to offer and see if you can come up with anything.” He shot Sam a death glare. He was certain she wasn't interested in him. He was sure she had suitors left and right and didn't need to feel uncomfortable with her overzealous neighbors.

           “Oh Sam, “I’m sure Steve is busy and I don't want to take up any of his-” Of course she would try to let him down easy. She didn't want to spend any more time with him than needed.

           “Nah don’t even worry about that. Remember Steve said he was free all day? Isn’t that right Steve?” Oh Shit! She was staring at him with those doe eyes.

           “Yeah I did say that. But you know-”

            “You know I’m sure you have other things to do. Don't worry about it, honestly, you’ve already been such a help and I really appreciate it a lot. You know what? Dr. Bonner has joked about wanting to quit medicine to become an interior designer, I’m sure he would be up for it.” That damn Boner guy again. Not on his watch! He jumped up.

           “I can do it! I mean It wouldn’t be any issue at all, the reason I hesitated before is because I’m not sure how our styles complement each other, I haven’t really seen you outside the house before so that’s all that was.” He was really just talking out of his ass now. He hoped she didn't call him on it.

           “Well then, its settled You two go and check out the house while I finish up here.” Sam Said. She let out a sigh like she was aggravated. Ugh he’s always making her upset. He needed to know what her ticks were so he could walk around them, his train of thought was interrupted by her voice.

           “Steve, listen I really don’t want to impose-” His hand shot up immediately

           “Y/N please, it’s not an imposition. I want to do it, it's a nice break from what we do daily. Sam’s got to get to know you a bit better though your house and now it’s my turn.”

           Huh, he thought. That was a genuine smile. Okay. Maybe not all hope is lost.

           “So, shall we?” She said

           “Yes of course. We’re going to the house buddy, see you later!” He followed her down the steps of her home and caught himself admiring her backside. At that moment a gust of wind blew and lifted her dress to her thighs and he was able to make out the base of a tattoo. He imagined what it would be like to lift that dress slowly and snake his hands up her thighs. She spun around as if she could hear his thoughts and he looked straight ahead hoping he didn't get caught. She rolled her eyes and gave a slight shake of the head. So much for being discrete. She smiled like her landlord was making a joke and she had to laugh and said. “After you.” His face went as red as the tomatoes Sam was growing on the roof while he walked a head of her to get to their home. After walking up the steps and unlocking the door he turned to her putting on his very best Captain America smile and said “Ready?”

Taglist: @champagnesugamama @smooth-sunflower @queenwinchester27  @hamilboots  @trees-are-friends

[writing-with-chaos]

[Your OCs Backstory] First Love

HELLO! =D

I didn’t get to post this last weekend, but I wrote it anyway and it’s MY FAVORITE. If nobody reads it, I don’t care. I gotta have it on here. 

This got so much longer than I intended, but I was having a lot of fun with it ;p Honestly, I just love any excuse to write scenes with Sabin, since I get to a lot of that in within the actual WIP. I love my soft boy so much T_T

I hope y’all like him (and the story) just as much!

Ariana Salem

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

//watch things on VCRs

with me and talk about big love

i think we're superstars

you say you think we are the best thing...//

"What the hell do you mean you've never baked chocolate chip cookies?"

"You can't bake very easily without an oven, Ria. Or a house to put it in."

"Okay, but you're telling me nobody's ever made them for you? None of the people you've stayed with?"

"No?"

Sabin tilted his head at her curiously. He always looked so cute when he was confused, like one of the bright-eyed stray dogs he always had with him. The latest one, a German Shephard he named Dimitri, slept in the corner by the fireplace. They both kept huddled in the living room themselves, wrapped in a nest of blankets. The fire was the only source of heat in the cabin. Despite its lack of basic utilities, it was Sabin's favorite place. The one luxury he allowed himself. When it was off-season and the owners were gone, he could pretend he finally had a place of his own, tucked away in the middle of nowhere where no one could find him. When he was here, he was just like everyone else. A boy and his dog, watching movies with the girl he adored. Sabin was always paranoid, but this was the only time Ariana ever saw him somewhat at ease. Because of that, the cabin was her favorite too.

The cookie bomb dropped while they were in the middle of said movie.

"I've had chocolate chip cookies before. Does that not count?" he asked.

"No! Baking them is like a whole new experience. It's like a childhood right of passage," said Ariana.

Sabin scratched at his neck and smiled bashfully. "I guess that would be why I didn't then."

She paused at his declaration, determination slowly filling her eyes. "When you pick me up tomorrow, I'm bringing ingredients."

It was sort of an unspoken rule of their relationship. Ariana used to wonder why he bothered to hang out with someone like her, especially before she awakened her powers, until she realized. They each gave each other what the other was lacking. She gave him a glimpse into the teenage normality he could never have through her talks of going to high school, shopping for the right clothes, hating her mom, and in exchange he offered her adventure, freedom, an escape.  In the end, that's all either of them wanted. Since then, she leaned into her role hard. Anytime Sabin so much as mumbled about an experience he missed out on, she'd do her best to give it to him. And she'd go all out. It'd be easier if he ever let her ask 'Drea for help, but she stopped trying to push the issue. He was being swayed by a stubborn ego, but it must've been rough to consider asking for help from the very creatures he was created to destroy. God knew she struggled with it enough.

The next night, she carefully snuck what she needed throughout the day. One at a time. A couple eggs in a tupperware, milk in a thermos, everything else in sandwich baggies, and her mom's recipe. Plus the stuff she usually nabbed, like snacks and whatever they'd need for dinner that night. She had to rearrange her overnight bag quite a bit, but eventually everything fit. Even a goofy, frilly apron and burned a CD, perfect to set that Baking-on-a-Sunday-Morning vibe. Sabin came to her window at midnight when the house was asleep, like he had since they were little kids, and warped her away. It was still daylight at the cabin. Her sleep schedule was always a mess when he was around. She didn't mind--it was a good excuse to take naps together.

"Okay. You read this to me--" Ariana plopped the recipe card in his hands while tying the apron. After she struggled with it a couple times, Sabin slipped behind her and tied it himself. His fingers at her lower back made her breath catch in her throat, and she forgot what she was saying for a minute. "Um. And then I'll do...that stuff."

"The baking?" He said with a laugh, completely oblivious of his effect.

"Yeah. That."

For the rest of the time, Sabin kept to his own corner near the table, so she could clearly focus. The atmosphere was exactly what she wanted. A bubble enveloped the room in a kind of bliss you only found in memories. A kitchen filled with laughter and life's latest tales. The dog at her hip, eagerly waiting for a morsel of cookie dough to fall to his level. A muffled radio filling the rare empty moments. It was like getting a glimpse of what could be in another world. Or maybe some kind of future. Her and Sabin coming home and cooking dinner together, or washing the dishes after. Him slipping behind her like before and wrapping his arms around her middle. His lips at her temple, then her jaw, and stopping delicately at her neck. And they would just stand there, silently drinking in their simple paradise. Safe enough to breathe. Stable enough to be careless, knowing there was nothing outside waiting for them to stumble. Free enough to be.

"I see why this is nice," Sabin said softly, while they rolled the dough into balls.

His face softened into a velvet smile that brightened the deep blue of his one eye, and made the firey red of the other glow like the embers in the wood-burning oven. Crystal clear of any fear or uncertainty. A rare moment, where he was completely present with her instead of two steps removed, the aura carrying him away to the same far away dream where nothing else existed outside of this moment. She'd kill to keep him happy like this.

Once the dough was in the oven, the only thing left was the clean up. Ariana lifted herself onto the counter and grabbed the wooden mixing spoon out of the bowl. She scooped some of the batter off with her fingers and ate it.

"This is the best part," she said slyly. "My mom never lets me do this at home."

"You can hang out with genocidal monsters and freak hybrids all day, but you can't eat cookie batter?" Sabin teased.

"Well, she's a lawyer. Monsters and freaks are expected, but she can't argue with salmonella."

He laughed. The full one that sounded like filtered sunbeams, lighting up the room. It was impossible not to mimic. She moved the spoon toward him.

"Want some?" He stared at the spoon for a moment. "Come on, it's not like we haven't swapped spit already."

Now the short, flustered laugh, always followed by a deep blush in the face. Pink, like normal, mixed with the silver shimmer of his Chaos Power energy. It was a satisfying bonus to teasing him. He was always so embarrassed whenever she brought up their kiss. It only happened the one time so far. She didn't press it, since admittedly she was a little shy about it herself, but she did her best to drop small hints and acknowledgments that yes, it did happen, and yes, she absolutely wouldn't mind if it happened again.

"You're never gonna let me forget that are you?" He said. He tried to start scrubbing at a bowl to distract himself.

"You didn't like it?"

It was enough for him to break his avoidance and look at her, if only for a second.  She could see the tinge of color on his cheeks through the shade of his dark, thick curls. His voice quieted to a near whisper.

"I-I didn't say that..."

"Then why would we wanna forget it?"

"You're killing me, Ria," he said with a shy smile. His hand moved to the back of his neck to scratch it, but he forgot it was soaked in soapy water. Ariana laughed loudly. "See? Look what you do to me, I'm a mess. This--This was your idea! I'm trying to focus."

"I didn't know you were so passionate about dishwashing," she teased.

Sabin took a large chunk off the spoon and hastily stuffed it in his mouth, like he didn't trust what he'd say or do with it otherwise. Ariana smiled to herself. She took it as a win. Thinking she tortured him enough, she hopped off the counter and pulled her sleeve down over her hand.

"C'mere." She used it to wipe the soap from his face.

Chaos Powers ran much hotter than humans. Being a hybrid, Sabin was only a little warmer than normal. It was unnoticeable without being this close. Sometimes she thought his mahogany skin had the tiniest glow to it, drawing her closer like the moon's pull on the waves. It finally settled in how close this was making them. Ariana's thumb gently stroked along his cheek. He stopped, and finally turned to look at her. A twitch of his mouth formed into a small, soft smile. One that was at ease. Enamored. His fingers carefully reached up to graze along her hand. Whatever bubble they were put under had them oblivious to why they snuck around at all. For a moment, this was a good idea. For a moment, it was impossible that it could be anything else.

And then the oven's timer went off. Its harsh sound broke something in the air. The bubble popped. They both remembered where they were, what reality waited for them. Most importantly, Sabin remembered. His eyes fluttered, like waking from a spell, and just as quickly as it left the far away panic she was so used to seeing in his eyes pooled back into its rightful place.

"That--That means it's done right?" He said quickly. He didn't wait for her to answer and was already at the oven.

There was a pang of disappointment in her chest, but Ariana didn't bother trying to bring it up again. It was only a few minutes, and already she grew so attached to a fearless Sabin. But this was their reality. The only reason she had Sabin in her life at all was because his fear helped him survive. Kept him one step ahead of the ever-watching Panacea, and their Seraphim soldiers waiting to bring him back into their clutches. Always their prized weapon, never her heart's true home.

They wouldn't have made it this far if she wasn't willing to wait. To fight. One day, that peaceful world would be theirs to keep. One day, they would never have to pick between safety and love again.

She would make sure of it.

[darlingpetao3]

Cursed (Ed Stevens x Reader)

Rating: G

Summary: Without being fully aware of it, you seek out Ed for comfort on an issue that had been eating away at you until you broke.

A/N: hey everyone. So, you all know that I like to write things that I think people would enjoy. But I also write things that I just need to write - sometimes just for me, to get out everything that’s in my head and feel a little better. I also write these stories so that I can come back to them and read them at a later date, again, to feel better. This one I’ve written here was something that I felt like I needed to write for me the other night. I don’t really know if anyone can relate to the issue in here (or even knows Ed Stevens very well - if you don’t, and would like to, start here), or if it’s any good, but I decided to post this in case it comforts someone else even a little too.

Warnings: Emotional Hurt/Comfort fic (with a sweet ending)

***

It’s dark out, but you’re unaware of the time. You open the door to the building, but you don’t register where you are. You don’t know anything right now. It’s dark, it’s late, and you have been walking around for God knows how long in this strange sense of limbo.

But if there’s one thing you do know, it’s that the overwhelming sense of sadness - loneliness - is inching up from your heart to your eyes where it will inevitably erupt in the form of wet, salty tears.

Scuffed, tiled floors?

Lemon Pledge?

Nacho cheese?

Did you hear your name just now?

“(Y/N)?”

There it is again.

You look up to find your good friend Ed standing in the doorway to his office. So you’re in Stuckey Bowl… You can’t even begin to wonder how you got all the way to this part of town on foot. Ed smiles at you at first, but when he takes a much better look at you, his expression turns to worry - dread, perhaps.

“Ed?” you ask, totally out of it still.

“Is everything-?”

He never gets to finish his sentence because the tears have already begun to fall, accompanied by a choked sob - the first of many. You feel like your legs are going to give out from under you, but Ed has rushed over the few steps to keep you steady in his arms. You hold on for dear life.

“Hey, hey, hey, what’s going on?” he asks softly.

“I- It’s- Never- I-” Clearly you are incapable of forming a sentence.

“Come here,” he says, helping you into his office and whether it’s your friend’s kindness, his soothing voice, or just actually having someone there for you when you need it, it sends you into more vocal cries.

Ed is watching you so intently, attempting to get a better look at your face. Knowing him, he’s probably wishing to make everything you’re feeling disappear just by willing it away. Trying to be brave, you go to look him in the eye, but that just makes it worse. It seems far too much like pity, and you are already feeling too much of that for yourself.

He takes your hands in his and silently offers for you to sit down on his office’s sofa. A ball of tension forbids you from sitting back and relaxing, so instead you sit rigidly. You sniffle loudly, and Ed wordlessly hurries over to his desk to fetch a box of tissues for you.

“You probably know this already,” he starts slowly, “but you can tell me anything. And if you don’t want to talk, I’m still here for you anyway.” He places his hand on your arm. You nod, then inhale. Talking. Talking is good. You can get this out.

“You’re probably busy with a case if you’re here so late,” you say in an attempt to back out.

“Screw the case. You’re more important.”

“You’re not getting paid to watch me be a mess, though.”

“(Y/N).”

“Okay…”

In the most hoarse, wavering voice, you begin to tell of your inner sorrows.

“I am… Ed, I am so, so lonely. I know that sounds pathetic. Horribly pathetic and stupid, and I am ashamed, believe you me. And I realize that people are having real, actual problems that matter. But, you just have no idea as to the extent of this loneliness and sadness I’ve been feeling and how it’s been affecting me. Especially lately.”

“(Y/N)... you know you’re not alone,” Ed tries while he rubs circles on your back. “We’re all here for you, every day. Mike, Nancy, Molly, yours truly of course.”

“I know, I know. But that’s not what I mean, and I think you know that too.”

“You mean having someone? A significant other?” he clarifies. You nod, then look him dead on.

“Ed, have you ever seen me with anyone? Have you ever known me to have a boyfriend over the course of our friendship?”

“Well, yeah, I… hang on.” Ed stares off to the other side of the room.

“Coming up short, right?” you give a small wry laugh.

“But that can’t be right.” He’s frowning, he can’t believe it. “It can’t be.”

“Well, it is, believe it or not. Because I’m cursed. I have been cursed and no man - no decent man - has crossed my path, let alone attempted to cross my path. It’s like I have an invisible sign over my head saying STAY CLEAR OF THIS ONE. Or NOTHING SPECIAL, MOVE ALONG.”

“Stop it,” Ed orders you. His hands fall to your shoulders and he gets you to face him. “Don’t you ever say anything like that. You know that’s not true.”

You scoff.

“Except if you’ve lived this long, being lonely for this long, you start to actually believe it.” You think you’re about to start crying again, but Ed has you in a tight hold close to him. Your tears leak onto his T-shirt.

“You can’t give in to those thoughts, (Y/N).” His hand feels so nice on your back, and you almost think that maybe it’s rubbing every bad emotion and thought out of your body. “You just can’t. You are so worthy of love and it hurts me that you can’t see it. You are amazing and smart and funny and kind- I can keep this going all night. Just watch me!”

You chuckle the slightest bit.

“See? There you go. You have so many wonderful qualities that could take nights to rattle off and someone is going to see them all. ...You never know, someone already might have noticed.”

“Ed, this is Stuckeyville, are you kidding me? Do you not know all the men in this town? They are shit. You and Mike notwithstanding.” Ed opens his mouth to say something, but you accidentally interrupt. “Maybe I should just leave. I’ve lived here all my life, but what good has that done me? I mean, yes I have my job, and I love it. And generally life is alright, but what good is any of this without someone to spend your happiness with? Maybe they’re elsewhere. Because, you know, I don’t even know what that’s really like, Ed!” you cry. “What’s it like? What’s it like to have someone? What’s it like to be in love?”

Before he can answer, you dive in again for another hug, desperate to feel some more comfort from him.

“It’s… indescribable,” he says, words muffled in your hair. You don’t really have anything to say to that. That’s what everyone you’ve asked throughout your life has said. Indescribable. There are no words. Just once, you’d like to experience this mythical thing called love so that you can have no words to say about it too.

You give a little tired sigh, relieved even just the tiniest bit for at least having got those spiralling thoughts out. You just needed a sounding board. What on Earth would you do without Ed?

“Well, I’m sure I’ve bothered you enough already, so I should probably go home. And oh- I’m sorry, I totally ruined your shirt.”

“You have not bothered me in the slightest,” Ed assures you, “and I have plenty more of these shirts at home. Bought them in bulk. Not even remotely an issue.”

“Ha… okay, then.”

“Let me drive you home,” he offers.

Naturally, you let him because now it’s somehow the middle of the night, and neither one of you would feel comfortable with you wandering home on your own. When he reaches your place, Ed even walks you to your front door. Honestly, sometimes you wonder how this guy is single too.

“Thanks for the ride, Ed,” you say, “You really are the best. I don’t know what I would have done without you tonight.”

“Let’s not think about that, but I’m glad that I was there to help you,” he says softly, pulling you in for a goodbye hug. “If you ever so much as feel even slightly upset again, I want you to call me. Find me. Track me down, I don’t care. I need to know you’re alright. Promise?”

“Yes, I promise. Thank you.”

You pull away from the hug, but before Ed lets you go, he says, “And (Y/N)?”

“Yeah?”

“About what you said earlier. Don’t leave Stuckyville. Just… just don’t. At least, not yet.”

“Why?”

“Because I couldn’t bear it if you did.”

“Oh. Well, then I won’t. At least, not yet.”

“Good.”

“Okay.”

“...Goodnight, then.”

“Goodnight, Ed.”

***

In the morning when you go downstairs to fetch the paper, you are startled upon opening your front door.

“Jesus,” you say with almost no breath left. Ed sits mere feet away from you, slumped over in one of your porch’s chairs. He stirs awake at the sound of your voice.

“Ed, what are you doing here? Were you here all night? You’ll catch a cold!”

He rubs his eyes awake. “Ah, don’t worry about me. I have the good ol Stevens immune system.”

“But why are you here?”

He stands. “I was afraid you’d skip town first thing in the morning. I wanted to stop you in case you did.”

You laugh. “You should know me better by now. I’m all talk, with no follow-through.”

“Well, I’m glad in this instance.”

There’s something in his voice. It’s not just relief, but something else that you can’t put your finger on.

“Do you… want to come in? I can make you the most caffeinated coffee or tea ever. You couldn’t have slept a wink out there.”

He scratches the back of his neck. “I’ll take you up on that.”

You open the door for him after grabbing the newspaper and soon getting started on the coffee. Once Ed finally has a piping hot cup in front of him, he takes a sip, then immediately puts it down.

“(Y/N)? This is terrible coffee. Simply atrocious.”

“Gee, thanks,” you laugh.

“Something has to be done about this. Would you like to get a cup of real coffee with me?”

“What? Now?”

“Yes, now. I’m pretty near falling asleep here. You may need to help me get to the cafe.”

“Okay, then…” you agree. But as you walk away, you stop and frown, and end up spinning around to face Ed.

“Ed. Did you…”

“Did I what?”

“Is this a date?” There’s a pause.

“I was kinda hoping it would be.” His little smile speaks more than words. “It doesn’t have to be though if you don’t want it to be.”

“No, no. I um, I want it to be, too.”

Ed tries to suppress his growing smile. “Good. Great. That’s great. Do you want to…?”

You follow his gaze and see what he’s referring to - your big fluffy robe.

“Oh right!” You giggle. “I’ll just be a minute.”

After you’ve ditched the robe and freshened up a bit, you head back downstairs to a waiting Ed Stevens. And now you can’t help but have a sliver of hope that maybe your curse has been broken.

[ralfstrashcan]

3x18 Reaction / Commentary

Anxious feeling of imminent doom in my gut? Check. Skipping breakfast in favor of running to my laptop like a starving person? Check. Chances of surviving this episode with my sanity intact? Uhhh.... Well here goes nothing.

But one more thing before we get started (Does anyone wanna get out? Yeah, me!!!! Okay sorry.)

Who's this mysterious “Alex” person?? A new player on the board???

Alright alright, I'm stalling, I know. It's weird, last week couldn't pass quick enough but now I really don't wanna click the play button... okay anyway you're probably not here to read my angsting, so. Deep breath and here goes.

In terms of putting my nerves at ease this is working out pretty good. I love Becky, okay, and her sibling ship with Simon and the Sneak Peek made me real happy and I can't wait to see more of those two together (especially considering this'll probably be her last appearance on the show). So, yeah Team Lewis! (Also that comment about them and Clary never missing a Halloween together? I need all the kid fics!!!)

Lol dude I mean you literally died for knowing about it, but sure, make an understatement XD Also, “all the way from Florida”??? Last thing I knew about her she was lying in a hospital bed a week ago (aka 3A)? When did she get released? And relocated? I missed that???

:D :D :D <3<3<3

Queen Izzy :))))))) btw those kids had seriously lacking survival skills if you ask me. That wasn't normal, right? And where were their supervisors??

Effing f-i-n-a-l-l-y.

Also, Magnus with the deflecting again as soon as he's recovered just the tiniest bit is both painfully ic and also just painful </3

Ugh, can you believe Clace entered the Malec scene even though they must have felt it was a bad time and deranged it with their flirting? Unfair. In any case I agree, Clary was always and will always be an idiot XD haha okay sorry, I don't really mean that (only like, 83%) it's just the setup was too good to pass it up ;) I mean even Alec laughed at Jace calling her an idiot so I'm well within my rights to do it, too XD

Thanks, Alec, for sabotaging the one shot at open communication you had. I mean, I want to believe he does it because he realizes Magnus is back to his deflecting self and prodding will get him nowhere, but uhm, could he try for longer than three seconds before giving up? Is he really gonna let Magnus off the hook so easily and do something stupid and reckless instead?? *sigh* BUT ALSO HIS FRAKKING FACE OKAY I CAN'T

“Back from the Plot Fold”

Alec “Tact” Lightwood looooool

“Bitch I worked on this performance for centuries how dare you”

SO. MANY. QUESTIONS.

sdfshfsjdkfjsdf I love the way he talks okay. Exquisite. (Also he has a birthmark on his lip. It's really distracting. Am I implying Asmodeus is hot? Maybe. You can't prove a thing.)

............................................................your self-confident didn't make any progress since season 1, did it, Alec? *sigh* I mean he's basically agreeing with Asmodeus that this is what will happen if their situation doesn't change.

Okay what is structure, let me just yell my impressions of this scene at you. 1) Both of their acting is stellar. Love all the little body language cues, especially Asmodeus's mocking facial expressions. 2) “Return what you stole” and Asmodeus protesting it because clearly he had a “fair deal” with Magnus. 3) Alec breaking eye contact whenever Asmodeus lands a hit (“One he already regrets.” “You make him vulnerable, weak.”) 4) The fact that Alec protests the potential-line with “We love each other.” I was confused at first but when you think about it Alec says that they help each other access their full potential by loving each other and that's a beautiful sentiment. 5) Of course then Asmodeus lands another hit with “Then I'm afraid you will be the death of him” and Alec is back to looking away.

Thank you, Alec, for not being a total idiot.

“...or else the deal is off.” Obviously. Thank you, Asmodeus, for not being a total idiot either.

.........did he just nod? I knew I was right making that 'total' italic, implying he's still somewhat of an idiot XD

sooooo pretttyyyyyyyyyyyyy

And I can't believed Clary missed Luke so much she visited him in prison a total of 0 times.

Look I'm weak and I dig the Jace-Luke-father-son-in-law-dynamic.

Also can we take a moment to appreciate the fact that Alec is able to function as Head of the Institue even though he has to make the hardest decision of his life at the same time?? Just saying. Guy knows how to handle his shadowhunter responsibility. If only he was as capable in handling other things and omg this is not an innuendo you naughty people, I meant emotional intelligence goddammit.

I mean, he's not wrong? The way he cares about her is uniquely twisted, so.

.........................is Alec having 2x12 flashbacks? Because I sure am.

Hmmmm always admiring Clary's screaming skills :)

*sigh* I mean she didn't just SAY intense pain for a short while? Why am I even bothering.

The scientist has spoken lol.

1) They had a whole underground basement full of tons and tons of that serum, right? If those are all made up of nanoparticles then I really really wonder how big the Glorious splitter was that they extracted the serum from. Since, you know, that whole stash was supposed to be enough for the Downworlders all over the world. Wtf 2) I guess “self-destructing” that basement is gonna come back to roost them and they need to recover the original sword to eliminate the Evil Rune, right???? haha

Asmodeus wrote: Hurry up pretty boy, our deal isn't on the table forever ;)

I'm actually impressed Jace remembered to ask Alec about the proposal. You get some more diligence starlets, Jace <3

OMG ALEC ARE YOU SHITTING ME ARE YOU SHITTING ME ARE YOU SHITTING ME *sigh* I mean, those two situations are obviously totally comparable, right? I for my part am, again, having severe 2x12 flashbacks, where Alec asked Jace's council about something that Jace totally wasn't equipped to answer. *SIGH*

And I guess Jace isn't suspicious because of Alec's super suspicious behavior, right?????? Ugh.

The sad part is, Alec will probably see that as confirmation that he should go through with it because he doesn't want to be selfish. So while yay, Alec seeking council, he does it in the worst way possible :( at least I got some parabatai feels out of it :/

On the one hand I'm glad she sees it that way* on the other hand this is clearly supposed to be the influence of the rune, so that's kinda undermining her statement and making it even less credible. Thanks, show.

*Yes he was a victim, no he still carries some responsibility for his actions because free will is a thing and he's had some time on earth where he wasn't exactly coerced by anyone. Manipulated, yes. But he's aware of his agency and he should have used it better. I get that I'm asking for a lot here, maybe too much, and circumstances were always against him, but I'm also not absolving him of all his crimes.

Magnus deflecting because that's what he does. God forbid a scene that could be about him actually ends up being about him instead of a side pairing I couldn't care less about. *sigh*

Also, I'm not exactly sure if Magnus really thinks Alec thought being around Maryse could help him, or if he just said that as another means to deflect because honestly, the way Alec suggested to Magnus he go to Maryse was more the here-go-see-your-babysitter-approach than anything else, especially because he basically cut of the conversation they where having before Clace interrupted. *SIGH*

WELL I COULD

YOU NO FRIKKIN SAY, MARYSE

“My lips are sealed.... especially about my issues ¯\_(ツ)_/¯”

THE DISDAIN AHAHHAHAHA CATCH ME WHEEZING ON THE GROUND

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SEELIE QUEEN IS QUEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is this.... actually......... a scene with Alec and Izzy???? HELL YEAH

Okay, words. First off, I LOVE that Alec spills all the beans, and to Izzy, the one emotionally capable Lightwood. I mean, yay Jalec and all, but it's an universally acknowledged truth that Lightwood Men seem to be pretty unable to handle their emotions in a productive way.

Second off, the music playing in the background? Is the one from the Malec Breakup Scene from 2x18. Yay mood reference, I mean. Thanks for that lovely detail, show. (Hahahaha I don't even know if I'm sarcastic or not because it's so witty but on the other hand it's just cruelly twisting the knife like r u for real man give me a damn break.)

Third off, I love basically every line of this dialogue. The fact that Alec (or anyone really) FINALLY acknowledges that Magnus gave up his powers and saved Jace for Alec. Alec's argument: “Magnus sacrificed everything so I could feel whole and now I have the chance to do the same for him.” Also that wording, “a chance”? Not an obligation, not a repayment of a dept. A chance. Because he loves Magnus and this is his chance to fix it. (In his eyes at least, pssssh.)

And Izzy's intent “He wouldn't want this. He loves you so much.” So valid. And less biased (aka skewed by shitty self-esteem) than Alec's assessment of the situation.

Also this

Ouch, just. Ouch. So ic.

Also this

Izzy asking all the right questions. The way Alec looks away means “No” and the determined way he meets her gaze again after means “But that doesn't matter.” Very good scene.

(Honestly the only thing I would have wished for is that Izzy is a little more firm in her assertion that Magnus wouldn't want this and she like, tries to change Alec's mind instead of just accepting his decision.)

hehehe :)

The same time you moved to Florida apparently.

hahaahahha <3<3<3 kick-ass sister material

.........<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3 this deserves so much recognition okay. Since we all know drinking away his problems is Magnus's No 1 coping mechanism. Too bad he'll be pushed into his liquor again by Alec unwisely breaking up with him at the end of the episode (because I daren't dream of a change of heart on Alec's side.)

Also is this the part where Maryse blabs out Alec's proposal plans??

Ugh yay, so after Maryse reassuring Magnus that they are all here for him I guess the breakup is just gonna get 5 shades uglier. Yaaay.

Love that necklace damn.

Obligatory Sizzy moment in front of Becky so she can call Simon out on it later: Check. Just glad this role doesn't fall to Raphael. (Also you bet your ass I chose Becky's line as a picture for this because I'm really that petty.)

Also omg, I just peeked into the German dubbing because obviously the Count von Count pun doesn't work because the words for Count and the word for counting aren't the same here and the guy is named Graf Zahl. And just skdjfslkdjfklsdjfkld Simon's line “That does sound really made up” is honest to God transated with “You're right, I just made him up” like oh my God who is in charge of translating this and why are they so incompetent honestly!!!!!!!! W H Y

Lol that's gotta be the first time in his life that he called her Isabelle. Probably because she was slacking off during patrol.

AAAAAND I'M WHEEZING AGAIN AHAHHA HER OFFENDED FACE Honestly the seelie queen and Becky should start a comedy spin-off, I'd be watching the shit out of that XD

HAHAHAHAH HAVE MERCY XD XD XD Then again, can you blame Simon? Izzy is sooooo droolworthy.

1) She's gonna let Alec, Jace and Clary (two and a half shadowhunters ahaha) take on a whole nest of demons alone? Instead of backing them up? Okay???

2) Why they telling them that??? As far as they are concerned Simon and Becky are civilians, not their parents.

?????? NO SHE SHOULD TAKE BECKY WITH HER!!!!!!!! CAN YOU IMAGINE BECKY TOURING THE INSTITUTE? BECKY MARVELING AT ALL THE UNREALISTIC SHADOWHUNTER TECH?? BECKY KIDDING AROUND IN THE LAB??? I WAS ROBBED!!!

:)))) even Jace breaking out the comedy :D :D :D I approve

Those are some nice wings. Not perfect, but very very nice.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME HAHAHAHAHAHAH

Okay, Parabatai Fight Scene!!! 1) Jace again with his axes, nice.

2) Being sassy instead of, idk, picking up his weapons: Check.

3) True dat, but uh, Jace, what was the plan if Alec hadn't shown up? Inviting Drevak Queen out on a date?

4) I mean, why shoot one when you can shoot five, right? Good motto. But I still kind of want an explanation how two of those arrows could land in the Drevak Queen's head and the other three in her chest, like, what are physics anyway amiright?

5) Shot meant to make Jace look heroic when really, since we earlier learnt that killing the Drevak Queen kills all her spawn*, this was just Alec doing Jace's work for him XD

*Uh, yeah what the hell is up with that. Chitauri Genetic Defect or something? *sigh*

*Feelings of terrible foreboding intensify*

sssssssssssssssssssssssudden

Look, I agree. I just don't think Maia could really comprehend / accept that so fast (and off-screen) because ugh reasons, too tired to repeat myself again *waves hand unhelpfully* but whatever, I can accept this. I made my peace with it.

1) Last time I checked those cells were secured with a combination lock thingy.

2) Thanks Lanaia for sabotaging Sizzy, I'll be sure to send you a gift basket (or, if what I think will happen happens, some flowers for your grave lol).

*snorts* Reminds me of Hannibal who was always making cannibal puns at people and no one noticed XD Also, her knocking Jace out was really dumb? I mean, he wouldn't have stopped her from saving Jonathan because, uh, that's saving her own neck, too. And if she'd portaled them both to the cell she could have disposed of him there way easier, locking him up – since apparently she didn't plan to kill him, and that nice straightjacket would have kept him from alerting the other Shadowhunters way longer than that pipe over the head. So, wholly unnecessary. I mean, in a way it's nice to know that Demonic Clary isn't smarter than Regular Clary.

Dude she's literally wielding a spear, how dumb are you.

Aaaaaand there goes my order to the nearest funeral wreath shop XD

Look I have questions (which, okay, I should have asked sooner but what even is continuity right). When that weird gratifying wing dream sequence started I thought it was Clary tapping into the rune connection and it was the real Jonathan communicating with her. When Jace entered the play field it was clear at least some part must be fake because Jace sure as heck wasn't unconscious / in trance at the time and later didn't give any indication that he participated in some creepy contest for Clary's affections. But now Jonathan is surprised by this, too? He, too, was a product of Clary's imagination? I have so many questions, first of all, why the wings? And the really cheap back-white-symbolism? Also, why did Clary feel so drawn to Jonathan if this was all in her own mind? Was it the influence of the Evil Rune? Does the Evil Rune have a user interface that's shaped to look like Jonathan? Does that mean Jonathan has a Clary-shaped interface??? I need answers.

Ugh. Let's make this long and painful, shall we.

OF COURSE IN THE ONE SCENE WHERE SHIT WILL GO DOWN THEY DON'T FAIL AT CASUAL INTIMACY THANK YOU FOR  N O T H I N G

Let's not talk about the fact that the thought, Alec could mean anything but a break together from everything that's been going on, doesn't even cross Magnus's mind because no. Noooooo. I'd rather talk about how absolutey awesome both of their acting is. For Alec I really like the way he moves his eyes, like the gaze darting around alternating with the rigid stare. For Magnus, uh, everything, just like, his whole face is perfection?? Yeah, that works.

The way he interrupts because he just needs to get this over with as quickly as possible.

Dammit, he does this eyelid dip here, it's not a blink, it's just his eyelids twitching down for a second because this is like a slap in the face. And then he turns and takes a step away because his instinct is to run from this because what is this, this can't be

“Is this about last night? Because I'm going to quit drinking.”

Magnus “forever apologizing for being an 'inconvenience'” Bane, final installment.

Dammit, his face. And again with the deflecting, trivializing his feelings, anything to keep this conversation from going where he thinks it's going.

*EYE ROLL* Sorry but you don't get to play that card after being effin obtuse for 7 episodes, Alec. Nope. Nope.

Magnus, his usual walls rudely ripped away. He has no chance but to admit how shitty he's feeling. And if it wasn't for the circumstances I'd say “yay, finally some communication” but well.

“Fine. I'm in pain,” he says, and Alec turns away, breaking eye contact for a moment because the final confirmation is too much for him for a moment.

I love that Magnus doesn't deliver this line meekly. He's worked up, sure, but there's also a confidence when talking about their relationship. Breaking up is an unrealistic concept to him in that moment because it's so absurd. It's not fixing anything so why would it happen? Makes no sense. *insert weeping sounds*

Brutal and efficient. Very ic.

Damn how does even his blink convey so much vulnerability??? (Somewhere Lexa is nodding approvingly.) (Also why didn't I find gif sets of this :c)

“You said there's nothing I can do to make it better.”

There's an audible difference in his voice, because this part is true and he's not lying. The controlled monotone isn't there anymore. This is his real despair in the face of not being able to do anything to help Magnus.

“It's not your job to make it better.”

Again, if this was a constructive conversation it would be a great step in the right direction. But sadly it isn't, and so this is too little too late.

“Well, what am I supposed to do? Just stand by and watch you suffer for the rest of our lives?”

Alec is still speaking the truth, and this is his motivation to go through with it. Because a) he believes what Magnus said about never being happy again without his magic (sidenote, he didn't, in fact, say that, he said it might never pass (meaning being affected by the magic loss) and he's not happy at the moment, which isn't the same as he'll definitely surely never be happy again without his magic, but whatever) and b) he's sure he doesn't mean all that much to Magnus. He's his current love, but that's about it. Nothing special, not worth leaving such devastating traces in Magnus's life and he certainly doesn't mean as much to Magnus as Magnus means to him. And especially from that second part stems his gravely false assessment of the situation which in the course of consideration leads him to the conclusion that breaking Magnus's heart will hurt less in the long run than him not having his magic. There's also the fact that be probably didn't think about how him doing this to Magnus will confirm every last insecurity Magnus ever had about not being lovable, because I can't believe he would have gone through with this if he'd thought of that. Or at least, he would have been visibly more torn about it, maybe even talked out of it by Izzy, etc. But it's ic for Alec not to think like that, because in a way I guess he loves Magnus too much to really understand that Magnus has these doubts. And Magnus mostly playing his vulnerabilities close to his chest isn't working in his favor here either.

“This isn't you. You're not this selfish.”

This is what I mean. If Alec was less convinced that he's doing the right thing this line might have shaken him out of it. Honestly, I half hoped he'd object this, consequentally incriminate himself and Magnus would catch on that something was going on. But ofc that didn't happen.

The spark line, just. Ouch. Again, very clinical and minimalistc. The way Alec stares, his voice back to being monotone, the way he clenches his jaw. And then his work here is done and he's ready to leave.

It only gets worse from there. Magnus, frozen in disbelieve because this can't possibly be true, and then he starts begging and it breaks my heart every single time okay. To see him reduced to this desperation is just cruel.

I still can't help but note the way Alec readily turns around before Magnus has competely turned around himself. I think he was on the brink of giving in.

The way Magnus holds on to him, hands fluttering over his arms, shoulders, cheeks. The way Alec can't even look at him for the barest second, eyes closed, breath going heavy. Magnus's everything. Just kill me now.

And let's not talk about their kisses and Magnus's whispered words because no. There's nothing to say to that except perfection. Intense, top notch emotion portrayal on both parts.

Then Alec pulls away (how???? gotta admire commitment and an iron will when you see it but boy is it misplaced) and Magnus's hands tremble because this can't be happening, this can't possibly be real.

Note that Alec doesn't look him in the eyes once because he knows if he did, it'd all be over. Also note the look of utter betrayal on Magnus's face. It's not just hurt and heartbreak, it's betrayal because this is what this is. Alec promised him something, made him believe that he could trust in him, in them, and now he's going back on his word.

Well, this was fun, let's never do it again.

Look, I don't have the nerve for this anymore, so I'll keep it short and in no particular order: - Asmodeus is ass powerful and manages to distance-summon himself, yay, nice to know that the one time a shadowhunter doesn't act stupid and impulsive it still doesn't pay off. - Asmodeus killing pissed off warlock lady was both obvious and unnecessary. - His smile is creepy. - “My son needs me.” MY ASS - He still needs to support himself on the back of the chair because he's a weak bitch hahaha.

Conclusion: *sounds of despair*

I just watched the 3x19 promo and.... they're really gonna end Malec on a train wreck this season, aren't they?? Oh God. They hoped they'd have a forth season to work through it and that's why they served themselves with issues and second helpings of extra issues, and since s4 isn't a thing we're gonna get an unsatisfying as hell 2x20-style resolution in the finale. God please say I'm wrong but like. Arrgghhhh.

(Also, credit where credit is due: “Before we get started, does anyone wanna get out?” is the line from Captain America in TWS before the elevator fight.)

[mental-health-advice]

(1/3) So here's the thing. I feel like I'm going to fail my next years in school, and be a disappointment entirely compared to my older sister who graduated from Stanford. On top of that, there are so many family issues in which my mom, my frickin 50 year old mom is coming to me for advice and to cheer her up. Not to mention my sister has this horrible attitude but she's depressed so I want to help her so bad but its a pain in the behind to talk and work with her, you have no clue. And I hate

(2/3) sorry for the discontinuity, I have to leave momentarily and I forgot what I left on, god that sounds stupid haha, but my point is im always in people's corner with a smile on my face and nobody is ever in my corner which really sucks but hey I have been coping for several years so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ deal with it I guess but it definitely feels good to vent on anon. my main problem right now is I think im gonna fail in life. especially because im in an extra competitive environment. im also sick of

(3/3) being dumb. everyone thinks im dumb, I think im dumb and ive gotten over it but honestly im still sick of it. I dread tomorrow, or every coming day. but im scared as to what happens after death. god this is dark and tbh this is the most ive ever vented to someone and the great thing is I dont feel ashamed or awkward because im anon so yay Tumblr. anyway tysm if you have actually read this highkey boring story, you're genuinely great, and I hope youre aware of the impact you're having :)

Hello lovely,

I’m so glad that venting out to us has made you feel even the tiniest bit better, having an outlet no matter what it is, is so important in keeping us moving forward and helps us feel so much better!

It is so lovely of you to be there for all those around you who you love, but you gotta put yourself first. If you aren’t feeling well or taking care of yourself then you aren’t able to take care of those around you. Is there any one that you feel as though you could have a mutual conversation with? Start with something like “I love being there for you. I’m going through a really hard time too and I was wondering if I could talk to you about it”. That way you break the ice a little. Another great outlet that I love if I’m having trouble talking to people is writing things out in a journal. That way I get to say everything that I want to say, no matter how harsh it might sound, without worrying about hurting someone else's feelings if it relates to other people. Other amazing outlets that have helped me release a bit of stress and tension is yoga and exercise if you want to try those also! 

In terms of your family it can be hard to keep things at a certain distance. Could you maybe let your mum know that you don’t feel comfortable with all the things she talks about? Or suggest that she may benefit from getting advice from someone with a little more experience? That way you are still being there for her but you are making sure that you are not her only outlet and that she is not offloading everything on to you. Working with those who live with depression can often be difficult. Symptoms that follow depression often include agitation which can make communication difficult, but there is never an excuse for what you say or how you act. Mental illness is not an excuse, it’s only an explanation. You can always talk to her if you feel she is acting inappropriately and say “maybe we can pick this up in a minute after a little space?”.

Failing at life is a very common fear, I don’t think it’s possible to fail at life. I think people are constantly learning new skills every day that they did not have the day before, you cannot fail at life. You are human, you are breathing and that in itself is an amazing thing! You are life. Try tell yourself everyday how wonderful you are, and that you are doing an amazing job. It may be hard at first, but I find it’s so motivating to me when I get up in the morning.

Everyone is good at different things, things that others may be great at may not be your forte and that’s okay! Part of life is figuring out the things that you are good at, and things that you enjoy doing. Intelligence cannot be measured on one scale, everyone works a different way you just have to identify what works best for you. If you are struggling in certain classes you could also see if there is option for tuition and talk with your teachers if someone is able to offer you extra time to help you understand things that you find difficult. The one I could never get my head around was chemistry, I spent half my lunch times working in classes to try get there but I decided it was not my thing and I went on to healthcare instead. Everyone has their good and bad and being in a competitive environment is hard but try your best to just focus on yourself and what you are doing, as opposed to those around you. This is your life love, live it the best you can!

If you are noticing an increase in these dark thoughts you may also benefit from getting some extra supports. Talking with your GP to make sure that there is nothing medical that causes you to feel the way you do, and if there is something going on with your mental health what options are best to help you get through this. There is also a tonne of counselling services available if you feel more comfortable venting in that route, that way you can get professional advice on a regular basis and ensure not to bottle things up. It’s so incredibly important to let things out lovely!

You’re genuinely great!!

Links for you to look at:

Getting helpDepression informationHelplines if you’re feeling worriedReasons to stayMindfulness

You got this x

Much love,

Willow x

[vampiricalthorns]

Piercings and Pastels pt 2

Yo, so it’s finally here! Just ... 17 months too late. This is a continuation of Piercings and Pastels one-shot that I posted ages ago. There will maybe be a part 3 to this if I can be bothered to write it. I really do spend a lot of time on creating content, and even though I don’t post original stuff as often as I probably should... anyway, there’s a link to my ko-fi in my blog description if you want to support my content.

“And therefore, the sum of this equation will be …”

Will sighed, looking down at the notes he had so nicely drawn in red and black. Math class had never been of his favourites, but he was well aware that it was a subject he wanted to be good at. He did care a lot about school, even if he happened to be punk as fuck and wasn’t hesitant to have slightly questionable style choices. Will knew that his sister Kayla wanted him to have the best shot at life possible, and that was why she kept criticising his clothing.

“Mr Solace, are you paying attention?”

Will looked up sheepishly. “What?”

“I asked you if you could be so nice to tell us the answer on the blackboard.” The teacher was glaring down on him, and Will could have a fair guess that he was not too happy with Will’s inattention.

Will looked at him, and then to the board. Realising he had not solved the equation, he caught Nico’s look and peeked into his notebook for the answer. “X is 8, and Y is 4.5.”

The teacher looked at him for a minute before nodding. “That’s correct Mr Solace, but please refrain from spacing out in my classes in the future.”

Will ruffled his hair and looked up at the big Starbucks symbol hanging over the entrance door. He took a deep breath and walked inside, being ambushed by the warm, coffee-scented air as opposed to the slightly chillier outside weather that did not smell like coffee. He had agreed earlier that week to meet Nico at the Starbucks so that they could work through their ridiculous amounts of math homework. Will was taking a fair guess that their teacher was not terribly happy with how inattentive his class actually was to his teaching.

“Hi, Will! Over here!” Will heard someone call from further inside the store. He looked around for the black mop of wavy hair that belonged to his now best friend. Today, Nico was dressed in pastel galaxy leggings, the same brown boots as he had worn the last couple weeks and an oversized pink knit sweater.

He slung himself into the chair opposite Nico. “What’s up?”

Nico smiled- the type of smile where he closed his eyes and held his hands up to his chest as if he was about to flap them. Will thought that was oddly cute. “Not much. Work’s drowning us as usual, but at least that’s an excuse to be productive.”

Will nodded. “Should I go get something to drink while you figure out exactly what we should do today and what we can wait with for later in the week?”

Having Nico’s nod of approval, Will put his bag down and got up. Placing himself at the back of the line, he looked over at where Nico was reading in his planner while pushing a strand of hair behind his ear. The purple hair clips didn’t look like they were there for anything than decoration. Cute.

He had only known Nico for a little under two weeks now, but it felt like they had been friends for way longer than that. He was like a missing childhood friend Will had only just met again, but he knew that was impossible. Will let a small smile slip as he looked up at the menu for what to get. Nico seemed like a hot chocolate person. Or maybe a Frappuccino.

“One Coffee Mocha and one Hot Chocolate please,” he told the barista, who nodded and then told him the sum of what he had to pay. After paying, he stepped to the side and looked out of the window.

They were just a couple weeks into the school year, but Will didn’t feel overworked like he usually did. Will had easily fallen into the routine of working along with Nico, who had surprisingly good control of schoolwork and when stuff was due.

“What did you get me?” Nico asked curiously when Will came back to the table and put down two cups. Will looked at him, suddenly slightly anxious that he had gotten the wrong thing for his friend. “You didn’t specify what you wanted, so I just got you hot chocolate. Was that okay?”

Nico looked surprised for the fraction of a second before grabbing the cup with both of his hands and smiling up at Will- the same adorable scrunched-up eyes smile that made Will’s legs just the tiniest bit weaker. No, we will not fall for this person now, William, even though you already did, you dumb fuck.

“Thank you, Will,” Nico said earnestly. “I thought you were going to get me coffee, but hot chocolate is just as okay. Really. I enjoy hot chocolate too.”

Will sat down again and thought for a moment before pushing his cup of coffee over to where Nico was sitting. “You can have a sip or two if you need caffeine. That’s really okay. I don’t mind sharing at all.”

“It’s a nice apartment you got,” Nico commented after Will had locked himself into his and Kayla’s apartment. It was later in the day, and Will had invited Nico over for food and video games- if Nico was up to video games of course. In the back of his mind, Will was very well aware of all the boxes still unpacked in their apartment.

“Thanks,” Will replied, throwing his keys into the bowl on the small table they kept in the hallway. It was filled with what looked like Kayla’s asthma medication (Will knew she kept one in her bag too, so she was good, a pack of chewing gum and what looked like post:it notes and pens. “It’s a bit messy since we only moved in here like three weeks ago.”

Nico shrugged. “It doesn’t bother me. It’s not like my home is pristine at all times too. We’re all human, Will.”

Will snorted and flashed Nico a creepy grin, one that made his lip piercing glint in the hallway light. “Are you sure about that, di Angelo? For all you know, I could be a demon preparing to steal and devour your soul.”

Feeling accomplished that he had made Nico laugh, Will made his way into the kitchen to get a glass of water. He hadn’t had enough to drink that day, and to be entirely honest, he was aware that his head was not too happy about that. “Do you want a glass of water too, Nico?”

He turned around when he heard the sound of soft socks moving over the laminate floor. There was Nico, hands hidden inside the oversized sweater and dragging his feet across the floor. His feet- clad with soft purple socks. What an adorable person.

He didn’t hear Nico’s answer. “What did you say again?”

Nico laughed again. “No, it’s okay, Will. Yes, I would like a glass of water, thank you.”

Will turned around again and grabbed a glass, filling it with water from the tap, trying his best to hide his blush. He was sure that the water was safe to drink.

“Thank you for helping me out with homework today,” Will mentioned as he handed Nico the glass. “I’m a horrible procrastinator unless someone kicks my butt the entire time I’m working.”

He put down his glass next to the sink and looked at Nico. “I need to go to the bathroom, but I will be right back. If you want, you can wait in my room. Second to the right down the hallway.”

Having Nico’s nod of approval, he left the kitchen, walked down the hallway and into the bathroom, sinking down against the wall with a sigh. He was falling. Hard.

Why am I doing this to myself? Will thought desperately, staring at himself in the mirror. Staring back at him was a teenager with faded red-dyed hair, piercings and a black band merch hoodie. It had been through the wash so many times that it was impossible to read exactly which band it was. He knew though, and somehow Nico had too. My Chemical Romance was always recognisable.

Deciding that he had stayed long enough in the bathroom for it to be convincing that he hadn’t just contemplated 666 ways of isolating himself from the world because he was an emotional little shit, Will flushed the toilet and left the room. He took yet another deep breath before walking into his bedroom, where Nico was sitting on his office chair. “You look like a child when you swing your legs back and forth like that.”

Nico rummaged through his pockets and dug out a lollipop, ripping off the wrapper before sticking it into his mouth. “Do you mind that?” The look he sent Will made Will’s heart skip a beat. How dare you be so adorable you little shit. This is unfair because I really want to kiss you but what if you don’t want to kiss me. This is kinda awkward.

“Not really no,” Will admitted, slumping down on his bed, shielding his eyes from the harsh bedroom ceiling light. “I can’t handle all the light. Nico, protect me!”

Nico sighed, kicking Will’s shin with one of his floofy-socks-clad feet. “Oi, you’ll survive. Get over it. It’s not like the ceiling light will give you a sunburn or anything like that.”

Will looked at him through the curly dark red fringe. “Are you honestly sure about that? Don’t test me here, I can manage everything if I try hard enough.”

“Sure, because you can fly. I’ll believe it when I see it, Solace,” Nico said, not quite able to hide the smile and giggles.

Will didn’t even reply to that as he stared at Nico, wondering what he was supposed to do with himself if Nico continued to act like the cutest person alive. God damn it, he wasn’t supposed to deal with complicated feelings like this. Love really was a weird thing.

He coughed, trying to clear his throat, although there was nothing to clear. “Is there anything, in particular, you want to eat? I can order pizza.”

Nico nodded. “No, pizza sounds good. I don’t eat it a lot, but pizza is always good.”

After discussing back and forth for a couple minutes trying to find something they both liked, they settled for something along the lines of ham and mushrooms (neither of them liked the mushrooms, but they were always peel-off-able so it wasn’t an issue.)

They ate the pizza discussing different tv shows they had watched recently, but it quickly turned into a heavy debate and rant about the shitty teachers at school.

“The English teacher, Mr Reynolds, is shit,” Nico argued. “He’s always mean to me because my English isn’t perfect and he hates Italians for a reason I don’t even understand. I think his life goal is to see me fail, although I wish him good luck with that since I manage to score well on every single test.”

“He’s not the best, no,” Will agreed. “But the history teacher is worse. Or, the worst, Blackwell, math. He’s the nightmare of nightmares. I don’t like him at all. Especially with the amount of homework he sent us home with this week.”

Nico nodded, a piece of cheese hanging out from the side of his mouth. Will had to fight the urge to remove it. “That was ridiculous. He can’t expect that much of us this early in the term.”

“Well, apparently he doesn’t care that we have to sit an hour longer every night solving equations and trig questions,” Will muttered, staring towards his backpack that was on the couch, containing the damned math homework they had barely made a dent in. “I need to go buy more paper Monday afternoon. I’m out of grid loose leaf paper after all the homework.”

“I can give you some if you remind me tomorrow night to put some more in my backpack,” Nico offered around a giant piece of pizza. “Should last you through Monday at least so that you can go after school and get more. I can come with you if you want to. I need to get more whiteout anyways so I might as well get it done then so I can stop borrowing yours all the time.”

Secretly, Will hadn’t minded that Nico had borrowed his whiteout, even though he was running low too. It wasn’t like both of them wrote everything perfectly on the first try.

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Will! We-el! I’m here! Behind you!” Nico shoved his way through the school corridor calling for Will. “Will! You big emo oaf, stop so I can catch up to you!”

Will turned and looked down, where he saw a pastel figure fight his way through the sea of navy and beige trying to get to him. He motioned towards the door in the gesture of “I will meet you outside so I don’t get killed by the rest of year 10 for causing a clot in the school circulatory system.

Will quickly got out of the door and closed the flap on his bag while waiting for Nico. He had barely lasted through the day, being out of whiteout (he had given the very rest to Nico and resorted to writing with pencil most of the day which he typically didn’t like but it was worth it), but he had somehow managed. He had remembered to bring his wallet (a personal achievement in his opinion, considering how forgetful he usually was) and his crush on Nico was (as always) very present.

He looked at Nico fighting his way out of the mob of students either getting to a new class or leaving and smirked.

“Are you okay there, Nic?” Will said, teasingly bending down to the same height as Nico’s offended face. He knew that Nico was sensitive about his height, and truth be told, Will loved teasing him about it.

Nico scoffed and crossed his arms. “Don’t call me that.”

Will just laughed and ran his hand through his hair before staring in the general direction of the bus stop. “So, do you wanna go to the tiny bookstore around here somewhere and get paper and whiteout or do you wanna go to the city and get what we need and some coffee afterwards?”

Nico smiled up at him. “That sounds nice.”

And Will melted slightly inside.

[themargotrob-archive]

after parties, after thoughts || robstan

who: margot, sebastian, a poor uber driver when/where: after party of avengers: endgame triggers: light nsfw

Seb: The hype of Endgame was absolutely unreal. Sebastian thought infinity war was big, but this was bigger than he even imagined. Part of him couldn’t even believe it. With cameras and interviewers in his face all night long, when he heard about the crew after party his blue eyes lit up. He figured he could go there first to get away a little before heading to the main after party. When he walked in, the crew was already going in and to his surprise he saw an all to familiar blonde. “Add one more shot to that” he said coming up behind her. “Didn’t think I’d be seeing you here” he told her with a smile.

Margot: She'd just tossed back her next shot when she heard Sebastian's voice and it made her choke on the mouthful. Quickly covering her mouth to try and recover from her coughing fit, Margot turned her head to look at the man, "Wh--?" she asked, finally managing to get her breath back properly, "Likewise... I thought this was crew. Aren't you supposed to be at the big party?"

Seb: The male actor grinned at her reaction, shaking his head slightly. “Ah I just needed a little break from everyone in my face. I’m gonna head to that party after. Use this as a pregame, you know?” He told her, giving her one of his charming winks before ordering a round of shots of his own for the entire bar. “You’re drinking tequila, yeah?” He said, handing her a shot as he licked his lips instinctively. Tilting his head back, seb downed the shot before locking his gaze with the actress. “So how’ve you been?” He asked stupidly, trying to make small talk. He just didn’t want her to leave right away.

Margot: Her heart raced a little anxiously as Sebastian grinned down at her, nodding as if she should have figured she'd run into him sooner or later. Of course he wasn't on her 'must see' list, but they'd started to slowly work through their issues to be more friendly with one another. It was a hard road, but they'd get there, she was sure. Her mouth opened to reply, but she clearly didn't need to as he handed her a shot anyway. Following suit, the blonde tossed back the shot and shuddered a little, clearing her throat once more and grabbing her actual drink to take another sip. A small chuckle escaped her at the rather lame attempt at small talk, "I've been busy -- you have too, yeah? This whole Marvel thing... and life in general?"

Seb: “Yeah. Busy with life in general is one way to put it” He said with a shrug of his shoulders as he thought back to all the random shit he had been going through as of late. Between the custody battle and his break up, this exact moment in time was nice for the man. Sebastian ordered himself a drink, soon sipping it not long after. “Did you ever get those things I signed, or?” He asked, still trying to keep the convo light. He just knew the second there was dead time she’d use it as an excuse to leave, and if seb was being honest, he loved seeing her.

Margot: The blonde didn't want to pry into his life, but with the news of Scarlett and he having a child, she couldn't help but feel awkward around him again. Of course it sucked for Sebastian and it was actually kind of cruel in Margot's mind that something like a child had been kept from him for so long, but even thinking about him being with her in the first place made her uncomfortable. Sebastian and his love life... she just couldn't seem to escape being involved in it, "Yeah," she replied with a nod, "I got them, thanks... I put together a hamper thing to send the winner--" She grabbed her phone out of her bra and opened up the gallery to show Sebastian the I, Tonya pack she'd created, "It'll be pretty fucking cool to win, I hope they like it."

Seb: The actor noted her expression and how uncomfortable she was getting. Not wanting to add more to that, or continue talking about what he was going through, he gladly didn’t touch on the subject again. He looked at the photo marg showed him, a smile pulling from the corners of his lips. “That’s pretty fucking cool actually. I definitely think they’d like it. It’s from you after all” he said with a nod. A moment of silence fell between them and seb shook his head. This small talk was failing and it had everything to do with the fact that they didn’t know how to act in front of each other. Feeling the booze in his system, seb cleared his throat and looked at margot. “Why is things like this between us? Why is it so hard?”

Margot: “Right?!” She asked, glad someone agreed with her that the package would be pretty dope, “Thank you! Mark seemed to think it was stupid but I think if they’re bidding on a Tonya pack, this is pretty cool, right?” She smiles genuinely for a moment before her face dropped and she tried to find something to say. Her mouth opened to speak but it seemed Sebastian had something else to say first. Her mouth shut quickly before letting out a breathy sigh, “Jesus Bas,” she hummed, having not used the nickname in so long it felt weird on her tongue, “Do we have to get into this...? Again?”

Seb: The second margot called him “Bas” seb felt his heart flutter. That right there was his cue to keep going. He hadn’t heard her call him that in so long, and honestly, he missed it so damn much. “Yeah. We do need to talk about this again. Because I can’t for the life of me figure out why it’s so difficult for you to just be my friend. I really can’t.” Seb said, shaking his head as he ran his fingers through his dark hair. “You must really fucking hate me, huh?”

Margot: “Right here?” She asked, brows raising as she looked around the pub to make sure no one else’s eyes were on them, “Because this doesn’t seem like the best place to talk about this.” When he said that again he didn’t understand why she was struggling to be his friend, Margot felt her frustration rise, “What if I’d done what you did?” She asked, “What if you were so into me and I took you out for a nice dinner to tell you something only to tell you I was in love with someone else and was dumping you?” She countered, keeping her voice low, “And then when that imploded I only gave you the tiniest window to actually try something again before deciding — once again — to get with someone else?! How the hell would you feel, Sebastian?” She was fully facing him now, her cheeks red from frustration, “Would you be super keen to be friends again?”

Seb: As margot began to speak, seb just shook his head. He knew this was going to end up with them getting loud so before they did, he let his fingers intertwine with hers as he guided them out the bar to stand somewhere more secluded. “Margot, you’re shitting me, right?” He said once they were outside and she was done speaking. “You didn’t give me any fucking window! I literally went after you for fucking months before I got with someone else. You wouldn’t let me in!! You STILL don’t let me in” he said in a defeated tone. “How can I make any damn progress with you when you don’t even try to meet me I’m not even asking you to meet me half way. I just need at least a step in my direction”

Margot: She wanted to yank her hand away from his when he tugged her away from the crowd but seeing that he was taking them out of the eyes of strangers, she was somewhat thankful. Once they’d gotten outside, she took her hand away from his and ran it through her hair, “Even if it was months, I needed time to actually trust you again!” She countered in a hiss, “Did you think I’d be totally into trusting you again?” She had felt so blindsided and betrayed that she wasn’t sure she’d even be able to trust him again in the first place let alone so soon after everything, “Why would I let you in?” She asked, “I let you in and look what happened?! Why would I open myself up to that hurt again?” Her hands raised in defeat, asking, “Why is this so important to you? Go live your life with your girlfriend — let me step when I’m ready to.”

Seb: “I know I fucked up but you don’t even give me the chance to prove to you that you can trust me again!” He fired back before being taken off guard by her last remark. “Girlfriend? There is no girlfriend” he said shaking his head before biting down on his lower lip and looking out towards the empty road. “I swear you don’t give me the chance to prove anything to you. Yeah, I made a mistake, but do you know how much I fucking beat myself up for hurting you every fucking day when all I fucking want to do is this..” his voice faded off as he wrapped his muscular arms around her tiny waist, his lips mere centimeters away from her. “I think about you all the fucking time”

Margot: “Yeah Girlfriend — or is she your fian—“ Margot had started to day ‘fiancé’ before even hearing the rest of Sebastian’s comments. They’d broken up? When had that happened? Was this why he’d been so insistent on them being friends again when they’d been texting? Margot felt a rush of heart flow through her as he pulled her close and her hands quickly reached out to rest on his chest, ready to push him away whenever she felt she needed to, “You shouldn’t be thinking of me at all,” she replied unable to stop her hands from shaking, “I— fuck Bas, I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing...”

Seb: The Romanian shook his head when he heard the start of fiance come out of her mouth. Luckily she stopped herself from saying, avoiding any further hurt from that broken relationship. Sebastian licked his lips as his blue eyes locked with hers. “Do whatever you want to do. What do you want?” He asked, making sure not to pull away, but he didn’t want to do anything that made her uncomfortable.

Margot: When he insisted she do whatever she wanted, Margot stopped, having no idea what she actually wanted to do. Her eyes darted deon to his lips as he licked them before she groaned in soft frustration and pressed her forehead into his collar, “You make it so damn hard to think...” she hummed, one of her hands moving up his chest to wrap around his neck in a tight hug.

Seb: As he felt her forehead sink into the crook of his neck, he pulled her into him, closing the gap between them as he gently kissed the top of her head. Her scent was bringing him back to 2 years ago, when everything for them felt... right. "So don't think. Show me" He said with a grin

Margot: She could hear the smile in his tone and she wanted to be mad at him still but she meant what she said. He was making it so hard to think straight. It felt so good to be held by him again and the alcohol already flowing through her was keeping her from up and leaving. Pulling back ever so slightly, she peered up at him and ran her hand through his hair before leaning up and pressing a small kiss to the corner of his mouth, “Fuck...” she whispered in frustration, annoyed at herself for being right back in that position with him where all she wanted to do was kiss him.

Seb: As the male actor felt the female pull back, his heart sank, thinking she was about to turn around and go. But then she placed a small kiss on the corner of his mouth and he couldn't help but smile at the beautiful Australian. "That's all I get?" He said, slowly raising his hands to cup her face. He began to place little kisses on her cheeks and forehead. "This one if for how I fucked up the night we broke up, this one is for making you feel like shit, this one is for not waiting longer for you..." He said before each kiss, stopping before kissing her lips. "And this is for all our missed time" He said softly, bringing his lips to hers for a deep kiss, his hands running down the side of her body

Margot: Who was this Sebastian? Where had he come from? Margot felt her heart race with anticipation as he began to press kisses to her skin, finding herself so easily taken back to when they had first dated; when things were sweet and soft between them. Now, they were jagged and torn — a feeling she was somehow trying to hold on to. Of course she knew the kiss on the lips was coming but it didn’t take away from the breathlessness she felt as he brought her close and kissed her properly. It only took a moment but Margot responded in kind to the kiss, her hand around his neck tightening its grip.

Seb: The male actor savored this moment, not wanting to rush it in the slightest. It had been 2 years since he was able to kiss this woman again, and he'd be damned if he let it go by quickly. Sebastian let his tongue part her lips to find hers, finally tasting her again, the sensation driving him wild. He let his hands gently cup her ass as he continued to kiss her deeply only breaking the kiss to breathe. "Fuck, I've missed you." He said, letting his forehead rest against hers

Margot: It felt so different and yet the kiss rang with nostalgia. Their first kiss had been during filming, on set and in front of cameras as they blocked out scenes but anything from there on she felt like an addict getting her fix. This kiss, the way his mouth moved so effortlessly with hers, was a fix she’d been missing for years. Of course there had been times where they could have been like this again, but she’d pulled back. Margot has chosen not to give in but now? Now she needed it. When he pulled back, Margot quickly reached up to wipe the corner of Sebastian’s mouth to get her lipstick off his lips, “Red Never was your colour.”

Seb: A smirk pulled from the corners of his lips as he felt Margot wipe away her lipstick from his lips. "Well, then maybe we should get your red lipstick on other parts of me so you can clean it up after" He said with a grin, biting down on his lower lip as his crystal blue eyes locked with hers. "Lets get out of here. Head back to my place. I'll get us an uber. What do you say?" He said, giving her a smile

Margot: Of course he would say something like that. Margot scoffed a small laugh and gently shoved him in the chest, “You’re so gross sometimes,” she chastised. The thought of going back to his place had definitely flashed across her mind as they’d kissed but for some reason she hadn’t expected him to actually invite her. It was too easy to agree, old feeling stirring through her but before her mind could catch up with her mouth, Margot was nodding her agreement, “Quietly,” she hummed, “So no one sees us.”

Seb: "As if the thought didn't run through your mind as well" He said with a devilish grin. At her request, Seb quickly requested for an Uber. Luckily it was a minute away and they didn't have to wait long. Opening the SUV's door, Seb made sure Margot was in and settled before he got in and closed the door behind him. "It's like a half an hour ride babe, I'm sorry" He said as he turned his body to face her. He gently ran his fingers through her blonde hair, pushing a few strands away from her face and behind her ears. "I've missed you so much."

Margot: “It hadn’t,” she insisted, though she was clearly amused by his comments. It wasn’t until they were in the back of the tinted SUV that Margot realised Sebastian was actually supposed to be at another party, “Your costars...” she hummed gently, “Are they gonna be pissed you bailed on them?” When he pushed her hair behind her ear for her, Margot felt her lips curl up into a soft smile, “You always know the right things to say.”

Seb: "Nah, they won't be pissed. Plus, much rather spend my time with you. I live with half those guys" He said with a laugh. He watched as her plump lips curved into a smile, the sight alone making his heart race. "C'mere.." He said, pulling her into him as he let her get comfortable on his chest. Seb tiled his head down to look at her, his gaze catching hers. "No more walls, ok?" He said gently, letting his finger lift her chin up slightly so her could kiss her softly.

Margot: Of course it felt good to be back in his arms, familiar smells and touches filling her senses but Margot couldn’t help but be tense. Maybe this was all a dream, Lord knows she’d dreamt of this sort of thing before. When he looked down at her, Margot shifted to be able to look up and chewed on her bottom lip, “That’s easier said than done,” she admitted, “I need you to be patient with me.”

Seb: The male actor nodded at her confession. She wasn't wrong, it was easier said than done, but the fact that she was even willing to accept this from him, Seb would be stupid to complain. "You got it. I promise I will be once you reassure me along the way, deal?" Seb said, his hand absentmindedly wandering up and down her side gently caressing her skin.

Margot: She felt like she was going to wait forever for Sebastian to answer but the fact that a reply came so quickly surprised her, “You promise?” She asked softly, “Like, actually promise? If it takes me a while to work out what I want to do or how I feel you won’t get pissed at me and bail out?” It was a serious question but his hands on her form were doing a good job of distracting her.

Seb: The Romanian smiled softly as the blonde actress spoke, a light chuckle leaving his mouth. "I promise. Once you can do the same for me. I'm in a pretty fucked up boat right now in every way you look at this, and I can't bring you on this right now - it wouldn't be fair to you. But once I figure it out, and if you want and you're ready, we can do this thing together." Seb said, giving her a half smile

Margot: Another odd wash of relief flowed through her when Sebastian agreed the timing wasn’t all that great and she found herself even more attracted to actually being with him that night. It didn’t need to be complicated, it could just be something physical tonight, something they’d both craved for months and could finally give in to. Instead of answering him, she quickly lent in and pressed her lips to his, trying to convey just how satisfied she was with his reply.

Seb: The older male was getting a bit worried when he noticed Margot wasn't speaking anymore. Maybe he said the wrong thing and she didn't like what he had to offer. But then he felt her full lips against his, and he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. Moaning into the kiss, Sebastian let his hands wander down her body, his hand stopping at her core as he inched his fingers toward her sex

Margot: Margot had to remind herself that they were in an Uber otherwise she would have climbed on top of Sebastian as she felt his hands move across her body. She sighed gently into his mouth as he slipped a hand between her legs and reached down to wrap her fingers around his wrist, “Behave...” she spoke against his lips before breaking away and sponging her lips across his sharp jaw and down his neck, “Be patient...”

Seb: A groan left Sebastians lips as she told him to behave and to be patient. If only she knew what she did to him constantly. "C'mon..." He begged, smiling as he felt her lips glide across his skin. Sebastian laced his fingers with Margots before guiding her hand to his crotch, making her feel just exactly what she was doing to him.

Margot: Of course the moment Sebastian directed her hand to his crotch she began to gently caress his length through his pants, her lips making easy work of tasting every inch of his neck after so long. He still smelt the same, his skin salty and oddly sweet and Margot took a moment to push the last two years of drama to the back of her mind so she could pretend this was nothing new. It was them just sneaking away from another party to entertain each other, “The driver is about to get a show if he doesn’t hurry up. How much longer?” She asked, lips close to his ear.

Seb: The Romanian threw his head back in an attempt to stop his moans when he felt Margots touch against his length. It was crazy how even after all this time they were able to pick up as if nothing ever happened, as if they never forgot the way the other ticked. He lowered his gaze to his phone, checking how much longer they had. "20 minutes..." He said in an impatient tone before letting his lips lock with Margot's. "Let's give him a show..." Sebastian said against her lips, a devlish grin playing across his dark features

Margot: “Twenty minutes?” She replied in a small frustrated whisper, “It can’t have been only ten minutes...” her mouth remained on his neck as she nipped a little harder, “Not too much of a show — what if he knows who we are...?”

Seb: Sebastian turned his head so he could face Margot. He let his lips meet hers, just wanting to taste her more. "I doubt it, babe. I have a different name logged on my Uber account" He said with a smile as he brought his fingers under her skirt, rubbing her sex through her underwear in a soft manner, just to tease her. "Just a small show..." He begged as his voice faded out to almost nothing

Margot: “Oh yes because your face and mine aren’t at all recognisable...” she hummed out, sighing against his lips as he began to massage he robce more, “A small one...” she agreed gently, unable to say no as he was so easily teasing her, “The smallest show...” her hand began to move against his crotch once more as her other ran into the hair on the back of his head to gently grip his hair.

Seb: A smile pulled from the corner of his lips. "Makes it all the more fun..." He said with a grin. It was crazy, Seb always found himself just wanting to spend all the time with Margot whenever they were around each other. "That's fine, because the main show I want all to myself." Sebastian replied quietly, lowering his face so he could kiss her. He groaned against her lips as he felt her hand on his crotch. "You have any idea how irresistible you are to me?"

Margot: The blonde gently rolled her eyes at Sebastian and made a motion as if she was pulling away from him only to swoop back in and press her lips feverishly to his. Hearing his groan she knew she was messing too easily with him but she applied a little more pressure to his length with no care, she wanted to draw more noises from him m, tease him within an inch of his life, “Irresistible?” She repeated with a soft noise of approval, “Tell me about it, Bas...”

Seb: The male actor knew that tonight was meant to happen. He genuinely couldn't be more grateful to get another chance with the actress who meant so much to him since the moment they met. Especially in the manner he was in right now with her. He had every intention of having an intimate moment with a woman he cared so deeply about, hoping it would lead into anything. Sebastian would literally be happy to have Margot in his life in any way than not at all.

[backto-trc-things]

Chapter One

Nesta couldn't believe it.

Well. Yes she could.

Of course they wouldn't want her around. Of course even her sisters would go along with the plan to send her away. Even Elain hadn't bothered to protest the banishment of Nesta a single time.

Honestly, Nesta supposed she shouldn't care. None of them did. Unless they cared in a way that meant they were furious with her. Like Rhysand— who clearly was not able to deal with anyone he couldn't order around or bend to his will so easily.

Well, no matter how he tried to bully her, Nesta swore to herself that she wouldn't be just another one of his cronies, following his will like he was the one that hung the sun and moon.

Except... wasn't that exactly what she would be doing if she followed orders and traveled to the Illyrian Steppes?

White hot fury burned through her. The only feeling she seemed able to access anymore.

Despite the burning anger she felt, Nesta knew her face was rigidly set and stone cold.

Her eyes narrowed. There wasn't much time to plan. She hadn't been given much time to start with and had wasted a good amount of what she had on "packing". Which actually consisted of sitting on her bed and cursing those ridiculous, self centered, obnoxiously happy fools that insisted she leave the city and go to that dirty camp full of dirty Illyrians.

And to top it all off, she was being "escorted" by... Cassian. The brute.

The more she thought about it, the angrier Nesta became. So when she met Cassian to leave she simply stalked right past him, not saying a thing or caring in the slightest that his mouth had opened upon seeing her and he obviously had something to say.

Nesta walked out onto the front steps of the house— mansion really.

"Well?" She called without looking back.

"Well what," Cassian snapped back peevishly.

She rolled her eyes and sighed so he could hear. "In case you have forgotten, which I could believe you did with that... you know. I can't fly on my own. You carry me."

Cassian walked up to stand next to her, his footsteps slightly louder than usual with irritation.

"First," he began tersely. "What do you mean about me? With that. Second you don't order me around like that."

Nesta sighed again internally. Of course he would ask. She knew he would. What she didn't know was why she wanted to bait him; what reaction her subconscious hoped to receive from the male.

"Why shouldn't I? You let so many others give you orders. Like a good dog." She deliberately didn't tell him what she had meant by "that...." that caused her to believe her would forget her flightless state.

A small growl escaped Cassian but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he scooped Nesta into his arms so fast she barely registered it before he was pushing off the ground.

The pair flew in silence, both unwilling to be the one to speak first. They still hadn't said a single word to each other when, hours later, Cassian finally stopped at the inn they were to stay at for the night.

Nesta pushed at his chest and hopped out of his arms nearly before the Illyrian had even landed.

She stalked away towards the front of the inn without a single glance back at Cassian. He let out a weary, frustrated huff and followed after a few minutes.

Nesta had already procured a room- unsurprising as there weren't many boarders staying for the night besides them anyway.

They got ready to sleep facing away from each other and laid down in their own beds silently.

Nesta waited for nearly two hours for the Illyrian to fall asleep. When she heard him snoring, she rolled her eyes in exasperation. Of course he would snore.

She slipped out of her bed and crept over to her prepacked bag which she slung over her shoulder. And winnowed away.

That was something no one else knew about. She wasn't ready to accept it. Barely admitted to the ability even in her own head. Even while using it.

Nesta stood stone still in her new place. She had no idea how far away she had winnowed, honestly. She was still in the forest, though. Or a forest at any rate. She didn't really care.

Now that she was away, Nesta had absolutely no idea what she was doing. Her sole objective had been to get away from Cassian- to be vindictive towards Rhysand and disobey his clear order. She had no... no... just nothing. Just had nothing here.

Having nothing included having no idea where she was in this case.

Nesta wandered vaguely through the forest for a few minutes. Or maybe a few hours. Who really knew.

Eventually, she just stopped. It wasn't truly a conscious thought; she made no particular decision to stop there. Nesta just... stopped. Just stopped. Stopped walking, stopped caring, stopped.

The female sat right there on the ground, her hands burying in the earth and her dress becoming coated in a layer of dirt and forest debris.

She sat there and stared off into the distance. Nesta watched her memories like they were playing out before her listless eyes in real time.

Scuffing boots interrupted her replay of a memory on which she watched Elain plan their week- dinners and parties, various social events, parades and feasts and dances.

Nesta didn't bother looking up at the Illyrian she knew was towering over her.

"Nesta," he murmured softly. Sadly.

She refused to acknowledge him.

"Nes. Nesta. Nessie."

Her eye twitched in irritation.

"Why?" Cassian asked. His voice was so startling, Nesta couldn't help glancing at him. He sounded furious.

"Why what," she replied. Toneless. Icy. Uncaring.

"Why are you like this? What is going on with you?"

Nesta whipped her head towards the stupid brute. He was the only one who could elicit emotion from her. It was nearly always anger.

"What is going on with me?!"

Cassian sighed. "That's not what I meant."

"Oh, really?" Nesta snarled back, her eyes narrowed. She lurched unsteadily to her feet.

He simply shook his head. "I'm not doing this right now."

"Like hell you aren't doing this right now," Nesta told him. "You started this now, you can finish it now."

The Illyrian opened his mouth to interrupt but Nesta cut him off before he could issue a single word.

"What is going on with me right now is I lost my home! I lost my sister. I lost myself. I am stuck in this idiotic, pointless world where Fae live that are more powerful than anyone else in the world! And what do they do with that? Nothing. They- you do nothing. You don't help anyone in the other continents, you don't help the humans who are still starving and alone and now also vulnerable to these useless races here! You barely do anything to help the people here! Including those stuck in your beloved war camps. There are still a million prejudices here! There are still females whose wings are clipped and children are still sent to freeze in these camps you insist on caring for! You have had 500 years to fix things. And you've done nothing."

Cassian looked halfway between hopelessly lost and utterly furious, mouth open and poised to interrupt.

Nesta didn't let him speak, though.

"You all in you fancy mansion with your little jokes think everything is perfect now. Happy ending! Story over. But just because your stories are over doesn't mean everyone's are! You don't seem to understand that just because you can go to a home with a family and plenty of food that there are kids who can't. You sit in that house and stick your tongues out at each other and buy exorbitantly expensive gifts no one even cares about and drink all the alcohol you possibly can and you forget about everyone else!"

The Illyrian was dumbfounded. He looked gutted.

Nesta simply shook her head at him and stalked off without even a last icy glare.

She walked for a long time. Eventually, she fell into a sort of daze where she just wandered listlessly, lost in memories. Both good and bad. The best and worst of her life, swirling around in her head like gauzy curtains billowing in the wind.

The next time Nesta let herself slip to the forest floor, Cassian was by her side almost instantly. That pushed at the haze she'd allowed to surround herself. He must have been following the whole time, not forcing her to return with him but being sure she was safe.

Cassian picked her up with a slightly uneasy sigh before launching them both into the air.

He carried Nesta in the direction of the camps, muttering about how he wouldn't sleep now anyway so they may as well continue on. It wasn't long before the female in his arms had drifted into an uneasy slumber.

˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙°˙

Nesta woke when Cassian landed. In the forest. Or.... a forest? Who could even tell the difference between these forests with all their identical trees and undergrowth?

Nesta stubbornly pushed at Cassian until he set her down on the layer of pine needles carpeting the forest floor.

"Where is the camp," she asked in a flat voice, as devoid of emotion as she could manage.

The Illyrian gestured vaguely somewhere to the side. "It's a few minutes by foot that way."

"Take me there, then. If I must go i will go now instead of lingered about just outside like we are in the midst of some illicit meeting. Or like I am afraid of those buffoons."

Cassian raised an eyebrow at the same time Nesta crossed her arms.

"I wonder, which do you find a more unappealing prospect: that someone would dare consider the idea of you lowering yourself for me or that they would dare believe you could possibly be afraid of them?"

Nesta sighed disinterestedly, allowing her mind to drift back into a fugue state where her memories swirled around in faded sensations.

"I have a proposal for you," Cassian continued, blushing and stuttering a little over the word 'proposal.'

Nesta had absolutely no desire to feel positively about Cassian in any way at the moment, but damn it all, her heart softened just the tiniest bit at the male's unexpected awkwardness. Just enough that she willingly stayed to hear the rest of what he had to say.

"I know you don't want to go to the camps. I don't blame you." He swallowed hard. "And I won't force you. In fact, if it is what you wish, I will help you get away and find a place to go. I'll make sure nobody bothers you—"

"Wonderful," Nesta interrupted in a voice that suggested she felt much less magnanimously about the situation than 'wonderful' implied. "I choose that option. Take me some place else. I will tell you when we have reached an acceptable place to stop."

Cassian raked a vicious hand through his own hair. A bird shrieked distractingly.

"Or you can walk into the camp of your own volition. You want things to change, so help me change them. We can fix things. I know we can. If you really care as much as you seemed to earlier, you'll help me."

Oh, now Nesta understood. He was making it seem like she had a choice, when really she had none. He would guilt her into staying at the camps while pretending a different outcome could have been possible. The— no Cassian's High Lord would be obeyed like always and Cassian would get to feel good about himself because Nesta wouldn't hate him when he gave her choices.

"Hear me out," Cassian said quickly. He must have seen the change in her eyes. Nesta didn't want to think about how he could have noticed. The change in her expression had been miniscule. He must know her tells very well— better than she had thought. Nesta was unsure how to feel about this new kknowledge.

"You can terrify all the Illyrians. They're already pretty afraid of you. Fear is an excellent motivator. You can use that to reform parts of the camp— of all the camps."

Nesta tuned Cassian out as he barreled on. She observed him silently. How utterly obnoxious that he managed to look much the same as always despite the long hours of flight. And traipsing through the forest after her. His mouth moved in interesting ways when he spoke, too. It was oddly fascinating. As long as one didn't listen to what actually came out of that mouth. Then the only fascinating thing about it was the pure idiocy.

At least, that's what Nesta told herself. What she had chosen to believe.

She knew what she would choose, already. She supposed that meant Rhysand would win this but.... maybe not. He couldn't possibly expect the changes Nesta hoped to bring about, therefore they couldn't be in his plans. Therefore, Nesta wasn't obeying said plans and he wasn't the victor.

That satisfied some small part of the strange creature that was Nesta Archeron enough that she deemed it a worthy time to put the Illyrian before her out of his misery and accept his 'proposal.'

"I'll do it," she said simply.

Cassian beamed at her. He almost looked... proud.

"As long as it is a standing condition that you will help me leave anytime I wish."

"Standing condition, yes."

"And you do not intervene between me and the other Illyrians."

Amazingly, his grin got larger. Nesta wasn't sure if she wanted to smack him for it or grin back.

"Agreed," Cassian said with an odd, sweeping motion of his arms that seemed, for some reason, to indicate something about the surrounding trees.

"Except, I will intervene if things go too far."

Nesta bristled. He thought he would have to rescue her like some hero coming to the aid of the pathetic damsel?

"The Illyrians here are my responsibility. If you start dismembering too many, I won't have much of an army to work with."

Finally, Nesta did smile at the Illyrian before her. He practically exploded with excitement at the expression and Nesta almost felt guilty realizing she had been capable of causing this happiness in him all along. The she realized she felt guilty and discarded the emotion as easily as though it were a soiled dress.

Cassian bounced and chattered all the way to the camp. Nesta ignored him in favor of the various forest-y objects littering the ground and her ever present memories.

When the pair reached the camp, Cassian mercifully shut up. Then they walked into the very center of the camp, side by side the whole way.