#anyway this is why i could never do politics cause i can't keep my mouth shut on fuckitry

[savage-rhi]

Magentuh

[manicformunson]

Ahh sorry i didnt mean to make you uncomfortable, i apologise if it may have brought any unwanted feeling or anything up. As for another request ah maybe the reader has a high pain tolerance and doesnt notice an injury and eddie helps her take care of it when he sees it. Or just another idea sorry😅 maybe when eddie is around the reader just doesnt talk cause she is nervous around him cause she has a crush on him, idk honestly you can write anything, especially with eddie in it and ill love it.

once bitten twice shy

pairing eddie munson x fem!reader

summary reader is hopelessly in love with eddie, she can't even speak coherent sentences around him. of course he assumes she's scared of him until a certain 15 year old can't keep his mouth shut.

note i'll do both and once again really my fault for not specifying! thanks for sticking with me though :)

It was a real problem, anyone could see that -- how choked up Y/N got around Hawkins' Freak Munson. Eddie had assumed it was because of just that, his freak status. Or maybe the way he wore his hair, or maybe it was his music that scared her.

Whatever it was, it made the metalhead's heart crush everytime he saw how visibly uncomfortable she was whenever he was around. One particular memory burned in his brain was when Hellfire held a campaign at Mike's house, Y/N had been there with Nancy.

Eddie remembered when Nancy had been ordered to take snacks to the club down in the basement and Y/N had followed; as soon as their eyes found each other Y/N grabbed Nancy's arm, whispering something inaudible before rushing as fast as she could back upstairs. It left him confused to say the least.

Last week though, was even weirder.

Y/N was with Nancy to pick up Mike, Eddie had remembered the way she lit up and slightly waved at him, her delicate lips mumbling a soft, "Bye Eddie." It was simple and sweet but he could not stop thinking about it.

If she had been scared of him like he originally thought why would she bother with goodbyes? Maybe she was just being nice -- it was in character for her anyway. He remembered how he had been shocked at how pretty her voice sounded, so taken back that he actually stuttered. "Oh yeah, b-bye."

Dustin Henderson made sure to not let him live that down. The freshman had told the Hellfire table that Monday how Eddie The Freak Munson had stuttered, and yes said freak slapped him upside the head for it.

All week he was thinking about Y/N. Eddie had always thought she was cute, even back in middle school when she had braces but now he felt like he was looking at her in a whole knew light. Shit, he thought to himself, he must been really lonely for a goodbye from a pretty girl to grind his gears for a whole week.

Y/N on the other hand, she was absolutely whole heartedly in love with him. She had been since watching him in the talent show years ago. The only other person who knew was Nancy who always was encouraging her to go for it and Y/N totally would, if she didn't become the world's biggest idiot in front of him.

It was so bad, Y/N couldn't even speak coherent sentences when he was around. Even when he had been nothing but polite to her, she still couldn't find words -- just her mouth gaping like a fish.

Graduation was coming into view so Y/N knew that if she didn't do anything she never would so, she asked Nancy if she could tag along with her while picking up Mike from Hellfire in hopes of seeing him.

Y/N had a big speak planned, how she was going to express her admiration for Eddie and how he makes her dumb but of course, the second she saw him all words left her. It was only when Nancy had nudged her shoulder did she muster up the courage to say goodbye.

That night Y/N was moping face down on her best friends bed, with her hand rubbing reassuring circles in her back. "I don't think it wasn't that bad." Nancy offered. But it was, Y/N knew it, Nancy knew it, hell the whole world knew it.

Y/N was hopeless.

She tried to go about her week like normal but all her thoughts surrounded the metalhead that stole her heart. Y/N snuck glances at him at lunch a lot, he was breathtaking.

It was the next Friday and Y/N had asked once again if she could tag along with Nancy, she was determined this time. Y/N had gone to Nancy's house immediately after school, allowing her to put on a little bit of makeup and fix her hair. "Eddie's sure to do a double take now."

Her and Nancy had gotten there a little early and decided to get out of the car to stretch their legs. Unlike last time, Y/N had no idea what her plan was she just hoped she could redeem herself.

Eddie was biting his nails all through the campaign, hoping he would see Y/N today. He knew it was probably unlikely but he couldn't help but get his hopes up. Dustin had been nothing but aggravating about Y/N all week, laughing at Eddie for getting nervous around her even though he can make a whole scene in the cafeteria unphased.

When it was over Eddie couldn't help himself, peeking outside and allowing a smile when he saw Y/N leaning up again the car next to Nancy. He had jogged a little ahead of the kids to get to her, ignoring the red that dusted her cheeks and chest he smiled, "Hey Y/N."

Her mind frozen once again as he flashed that adoring smile and Y/N had to take a second and force it to defrost before returning it. "Hey Eddie." Y/N twirled her hair between her fingers as a nervous habit. The two only looked at each other in awkward teen fashion before Dustin came up behind Eddie.

"He really likes you Y/N, you made him stutter!"

"Jesus Christ Henderson-"

Eddie went to grab the little twerp but missed as Dustin ducked into the backseat. It was Eddie's turn to sport the red on his cheeks, scratching the back of his neck. He couldn't tell if the look on Y/N's face was a good shock or a bad shock.

"Hey, I'm uh, I'm sorry about him he has this thing where-" Eddie had tried to explain but was shut up but small hands gripping his face, pulling it down to meet cherry flavored lips.

Y/N had done it. She actually did it! Granted she still hadn't really said anything but she was so overwhelmed at the mere thought of Dustin being right that she just acted on impulse.

Eddie's hands found her waist, pulling her closer to him as he intended on deepening the kiss, earning a sigh from Y/N. A hard bang on the window broke them free, "Hey love birds break it up! I'm ready to go home!" Mike yelled from the backseat, leaning over Dustin and earning a slap from Nancy.

Eddie grunted in disappointment against her lips as he met her eyes, for once she was the one to speak up. "I like you. A lot. I like you a lot." Y/N bit her lip, her hands moving down from Eddie's jaw only to be caught by his rough ones. His thumbs stroked her wrist as Eddie laughed, "I like you too, in case it wasn't obvious."

Y/N giggled before they were startled by another bang, "Let's GO." Eddie rolled his eyes and banged back before cupping Y/N's cheek, "Maybe I can call you later?" She nodded continuing to bite her lip, "Yeah, okay." Eddie snuck another kiss before turning and heading to his van, leaving her breathless.

"Y/N LET'S GO!"

"I'm coming! Jesus Mike."

[bemylord]

ᴊᴜᴊᴜᴛꜱᴜ ᴋᴀɪꜱᴇɴ ʙᴏʏꜱ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴄʟɪɴɢʏ ʙᴏʏꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ ᴡɪᴛʜ ꜱ/ᴏ

characters: yuuji, megumi, toji, satoru, kento, sukuna.

warnings: nothing actually but sukuna. aged up.

a/n: i already made s/o being clingy where s/o got into 'argument' with the characters. today is almost similar, only their reaction to the fact that you always need attention. or they being clingy.

ɪᴛᴀᴅᴏʀɪ ʏᴜᴜᴊɪ:

you and yuuji are too needy buns.

whenever both of you may cuddle - you cuddle.

to be honest, yuuji is freaky amazing as you always need some physical contact - whether it's a momentary kiss on the cheek or you get a chance to ruffle his pink hair, he's always happy as a child.

the one who would be happy to be the little or big spoon - what's the difference anyway? both of you will be stuck together like a sandwich, so he doesn't care whom to be.

you wake him up with ticklish and playful kisses in the neck area. 'mm, y/n, why don't you kiss my lips'

yuuji being himself annoying after training or mission, sluggishly jumping under the blanket, pulling you closer. 'kisses. i wanna kisses. y/n, you kissed me only once today!'

when itadori is tired, his clinginess [?] indicator rises rapidly, demanding a lot of attention.

if you half-mutter 'i wanna cuddle' or 'yuujii~ let's watch a movie together.' expect him to combine these two acts into one, cuddling you on the couch while watching the show.

kissing as a pleasant surprise <3

ꜰᴜꜱʜɪɢᴜʀᴏ ᴍᴇɢᴜᴍɪ:

megumi isn't good at showing his emotions.

he wouldn't call himself pesky yet calling himself a little-eager-to-get-your-attention man.

megumi likes when you sneak under his cardigan to get extra kisses from him, feeling the warmth radiating from his body.

he likes spending evenings playing computer games with you, he gives in to you to see your radiant smile and your smug look. 'yes, gumi-gumi, it was i who won you.' 'but the loser gets a dozen kisses.'

you guys sometimes walk in the park near to the dorms with his shikigami dogs. although the dogs don't need a walk but watching as to how you pet and play with them, megumi couldn't reject it.

it melts fushiguro as you ruffle his naughty hair, as he lays on your knees on the couch.

he likes the way you gradually but confidently melt his heart with kisses in the morning.

i think megumi's a manifestation of love would be cute, little gifts like a bar of chocolate.

ꜱᴀᴛᴏʀᴜ ɢᴏᴊᴏᴜ:

i think you and gojou annoy the others. cause you're the kind of couple that takes selfies at any second. in the middle of a fight with a dangerous curse - you'll post it on instagram. do you have a new haircut? gojo takes a million photos and puts the best one on his lock screen.

i'm certain he'd be the clingiest in the couple.

and when i said the clingiest i mean it.

and naturally, you're both so cocky - he can kiss you all over the place while you hug him from behind 24/7.

at the home, you always do everything together, it may seem you can't keep your hands off each other.

he likes to tease you while you are his mini-copy.

actually, gojo lives to tease you.

you might think that gojo is acting more clingy than you are - he's like a spy following in your footsteps, trying to get all your attention. 'your lips are in the wrong place.' '??' 'they should be right on my lips.'

and more such foolish jokes from gojo.

ɴᴀɴᴀᴍɪ ᴋᴇɴᴛᴏ:

the first phrase would be: 'darling, i have to finish my report.'

the second would be: 'don't go away, just.. could you massage my shoulders?'

kento loves when you came to his desk to rest him a bit by doing a massage or cup his face with your small palms, coating cheeks with small smooches.

you and kento love to bake bread or try to cook something new.

while cooking, there's a lot, no, a hell of a lot of kissing and uncomplicated dancing - he has both hands on your belly, standing behind you, kissing the top of your head.

nanami isn't good at making food, yet certainly good at kissing.

sunday morning you spend by cooking new recipes, the day you spend by eating the food, whilst the evening..

you're cuddling. just cuddle. hugs in the bed or the bathroom.

if that is might be counted as the clinginess the sorcerer likes to call you darling and never miss the chance to show how much he loves you.

ʀʏᴏᴍᴇɴ ꜱᴜᴋᴜɴᴀ:

you are the one sukuna allows to sit on his throne.

actually, he will do everything for you, only for you.

he allows you to cup his tattoed face with your palms, tantalizingly staring at his mouth yet no kissing the enticing lips. 'don't tease me, girl.'

with one finger he connected your lips, kissing eagerly you.

on the one hand, he gets sooo furious when you ain't coming at his domain after a mission. on another hand, it excites him - he obviously knows how much you needed his embrace.

like toji, he won't admit he also is clingy.

can't describe sukuna being a clingy type around you, but definitely needs your arms around his neck as he takes you to bed.

well, he.. secretly l-likes, when you grab his face in your palms with all your sincere love, kissing the tip of his nose. he wrinkles, because you are so funny. 'i know you need something more than kisses.'

ꜰᴜꜱʜɪɢᴜʀᴏ ᴛᴏᴊɪ:

yeah, i've replaced toji to the end bc, i've something to say.

toji fushiguro is disgruntled and angry when you ask him to kiss you for the hundredth time on the day.

once toji called a demanding puppy, you didn't talk with him for two days, as the man is used to fall asleep to your barely audible mumbling.

toji was irritated when saw you fall asleep on the couch. he's already used to being hugged in his sleep, what the hell?

although toji will deny the fact he loves when you're being pesky and annoying and also bothersome by kissing his face.

nevertheless, the thing you've started to notice as you didn't give him good night or good morning kiss, the sorcerer killer will be grumpy.

no! of course, he isn't clingy. never. well, it's one percent of toji being clingy. okay, fine, it's two but not more! 'give me the goodnight kiss.' 'ask more politely, toji.'

he tsks, bringing you closer and kissing you with undisguised greed. after all, it's your fault - you didn't give toji his kiss.

↳ back to the main game menu.

kudos and reblogs are welcome <3

[whumpmatsus]

So. Todomatsu always ACTS like he hates that Karamatsu is so eccentric, but we all know he actually doesn't mind that much. If anyone else made fun of him for that stuff, I can't help but think he wouldn't let it fly. So what about a situation where Karamatsu gets made fun of/bullied/put down by someone OUTSIDE the family for being the way he be and Todomatsu gets an opportunity to go into full protective mode over him??

OH SHIT the youngest of them goes feral

dare I say... RELEASE THE BABY!!!!!

God I love Zaimoku, it’s so good <3

-

If Totty is being completely, utterly, unfailingly honest with himself, his brothers need his help if one of them is going to be going on a date.

Really, he’s the only one who has any clue about how to act on a date! He could hit his big brothers over the head with a Clue-by-four with that shit and they still wouldn’t really get it.

Even so… part of him thinks he shouldn’t really be following Karamatsu to a date. Karamatsu is the one Totty knows is never going to come running to him for advice or assistance, especially with girls; he’s got the undeserved ego of an avocado toast sandwich. Totty isn’t sure he’d be pleased to know his baby brother tagged along not because he has to sort out a schedule thing at work, but because he wants to keep an eye on Karamatsu.

What else is he supposed to do, though? Just let Karamatsu go alone and totally blow it? His usual behavior aside, Totty really wants his big brothers to be happy and have fulfilling relationships. He thinks if he can be there to keep an eye on things, well, maybe it won’t go so bad. Maybe Karamatsu will have a shot with this woman. Maybe he’ll get a girlfriend!

The very idea was enough to make him feel a little better about lying so that his brother will take him along. It eases his conscience, imagining that if he manages to help Karamatsu out to the point that the second eldest ends up in a loving, joyful relationship, (obviously as opposed to the past few horrible ones he’s had), then a little fib isn’t so bad, is it?

After all, if he were the one in need of something like this, he’d be grateful for his brothers’ help however they did it.

Of course, when he sees the look this girl gives Karamatsu, a look like the kind a baby gives after licking a lemon for the first time, Totty can’t help but wince. This isn’t off to a great start. He lingers by the counter, greeting Sacchi and Aida, trying not to look as if he’s watching his big brother’s date.

“Aren’t you off today, Totty?” Sacchi hums as she turns to start making a drink.

He nods. “Yeah, well, I can’t stay away, I guess, haha.”

Aida jerks her head toward the table where Karamatsu and his date are. “That’s one of your brothers, right? Still as painful as ever,” she teases. “Is he… oh, my God, he’s on a date??”

“Shhhh, shh!” Totty waves his hands a little, hoping to get his friends to quiet down a little. The last thing Karamatsu needs is to be drawing attention. “He thinks I tagged along to talk to you guys about my schedule. But, yes, he’s here on a date.”

Sacchi finishes serving her customer, one of the few in the shop at the moment, and then leans against the counter to look over. “Aw, good for him. He’s not either of our types, but he deserves a shot with someone who’s interested.”

He lets out a soft sigh. “Agreed there. I kind of just wanna keep an eye on him, you know? To make sure he doesn’t mess it up too much. He should have let me pick his outfit, ugh… that aside, he’s doing okay so far, though, I think.”

Aida frowns as she slides a cup of coffee toward her coworker. “Um, I hate to burst your bubble, but he’s got his work cut out for him. I’ve been to some mixers with that girl, and she always finds something wrong with every guy she hangs out with.”

“She’s right,” Sacchi adds. “Good thing you came along so you can carry him home, ‘cause that girl’s gonna tear him to pieces. I mean, she went out with Atsushi and the next day he was in here crying and telling me she made him feel two inches tall. Nobody’s good enough for her.”

Aida clicks her tongue. “Your big brother’s in big trouble, Totty.”

It’s Totty’s turn to frown as he looks toward Karamatsu. Unfortunately, Sutabaa is so small and he’s close enough that he doesn’t have to strain too much to hear what’s being said.

The woman is laughing. However… Karamatsu hasn’t even really opened his mouth yet. “Oh, my God! You’re my date, huh? Last time I let my sister set me up. That bitch, haha. Ah, well… wow, your jacket is hurting my eyes. Could you take it off?”

Karamatsu seems to be trying his best to smile. “O-oh, yes, of course.” He moves to tug it off, folding it over the back of his chair. “Please forgive me. Anyway, my name is Karamatsu. And you, my angel?”

“Ahaha, WHAT?” The woman raises an eyebrow at him. “C’mon, dude. Don’t call me that. I’m nobody’s angel.”

Totty feels himself starting to steam. You’ve got that right.

“A-ah… right, my apologies.” Karamatsu just keeps smiling. The expression on his face reads almost like he’s in pain. “Well, should we order?”

She gives a cursory glance toward the menu, then suddenly her eyes are drawn to Karamatsu again. “Oh, my God, hold on… is… is that your face on your shirt?! Holy shit! Are you really that full of yourself?”

Totty’s heart sinks as his brother’s cheeks flush bright red. This is not going well. And while, yes, Karamatsu probably should have picked a different shirt, what’s really wrong with what he’s wearing? Even though he’s a little over-the-top and dramatic, this woman can’t know whether or not he’s ‘full of himself’ when she’s barely letting him get a word in.

Totty is the most socially intelligent of his brothers, and even he doesn’t think Karamatsu’s actually doing anything wrong. He hasn’t drawn anyone else’s attention like he usually does, he hasn’t gone overboard with any poses, and he’s… kind of just being himself, slightly toned down. It’s not like he’s bragging or being a jerk. Hell, it’s just a strange fashion choice; how the hell does she think it has any bearing on what he’s like as a person?

“Damn,” Sacchi cringes. “She’s not wasting any time, is she?”

Aida gives a pout toward her friends. “He didn’t even do anything wrong yet. He’s been a perfect gentleman.”

“Yeah, he’s just a little odd and, like, a tiny bit painful. But he’s acting really nice and polite.” Sacchi sighs as she props her head up on her hand. “There’s no pleasing some people. Aida, why don’t you go take their order? Maybe you can accidentally spill it on that pretentious top of hers when you bring it to them.”

“Pfff, if only. I’m on it, though.”

Totty continues to fume as he watches his poor brother try to impress this girl, pretty much in vain. He gets the feeling that nothing Karamatsu says or does is going to be good enough. For some reason, that really pisses him off. Despite the fact that Karamatsu can be a bit much, that he’s overcompensating for being insecure on the inside, that everyone rolls their eyes at him… Karamatsu isn’t a bad guy. He tries hard to make other people happy and treats them with respect. Even his brothers who don’t always return the favor.

By the point Sacchi and Aida are finished making their order, the youngest is ready to explode at this woman. She never even told Karamatsu her name, but she’s spent the whole time talking him down. When she asked what he did ‘besides be super excruciating’, and he told her he didn’t really have a job, she laughed at him. He tried to save it by saying he occasionally played guitar at coffee shops, and she responded something along the lines of, “What kind of hipster loser does that these days??”

Listening to it just makes him so angry. She doesn’t think Karamatsu is attractive, she’s called him embarrassing more than once, and no matter what he does or says, she’s not happy with it. Why the fuck did she even bother going out with him, then?

Totty was worried that Karamatsu was going to screw this up; so far he’s actually managed to be a decent date. He wasn’t prepared for his brother’s date to be the shitty one.

Sacchi brings him a simple iced coffee while Aida returns with the serving tray, a fake smile on her face from laughing uncomfortably at one of the woman’s comments. “God, she’s exhausting.”

“I don’t even know her and I can’t stand her,” Totty mutterrs before taking a sip of his drink. “Why the hell is she treating him like that? He’s just… being himself!”

Being himself. Karamatsu’s really not doing anything wrong. He’s trying to talk himself up when this woman gives him a chance to, but who doesn’t talk themself up on a first date? He just wants to impress her.

It makes Totty feel a little guilty to realize that, honestly, all Karamatsu really wants is to impress everyone because he wants people to like him… including his brothers. If Karamatsu feels the need to seek love and acceptance from strangers like this girl, to the point that he’s willing to put up with the horrible way she’s treating him, what does that say about his brothers? It’s not the first time he’s sucked it up and dealt with something he shouldn’t have from someone just because he wants that person to love him.

His attention is drawn by the woman giggling a little too loudly. “Fuck, you wanna go out with me again? I mean, how do you think this is going? I’m two seconds away from sneaking out the bathroom window. You’re so obnoxious, you dress like an edgy middle schooler, and who wears sunglasses inside, especially when it’s raining outside? You’re, like, cringe incarnate.”

Completely contradicting every statement she made, she slid her hand across the table to take his, if only for a brief moment. The wicked look in her eyes, more sadistic than even Ichimatsu, made Totty’s stomach twist in anger. “I might keep you around, though. You seem like a guy who’d keep me laughing for a while. Maybe next time I’ll take you out with my friends so everyone can laugh at you.”

Oh, that’s it.

He doesn’t know if Karamatsu is oblivious to what she means because he’s blinded and deafened by the promise of another date, or if he knows exactly what she means but perhaps thinks it’s worth it. His eyes light up… and behind that hopeful spark is the pain she’s already put him through.

Baby of the bunch though he is, Totty isn’t going to sit around and twiddle his thumbs while some bitch takes advantage of his big brother.

“Oh, that is sooooo not happening!” he calls as he approaches the table. Although he feels a little bad about just stepping in like this, he’s not gonna let her get away with treating Karamatsu like that. Laughing at him herself was bad enough; parading him in front of her friends for all of them to laugh at him when there’s nothing wrong with Karamatsu isn’t gonna happen if Totty has something to say about it.

The woman gives him an unimpressed look. “Who the fuck are you?”

“T-Totty!!” Karamatsu,  on the other hand, looks immediately panicked. “I can handle this… please, go back and fix your schedule, and I’ll meet you at home.”

“Wait, you work here?” She tilts her head at him. “Oh, shit, hold up. You’re the asshole who messed up my drink last time I was here.” Her gaze flits between the two of them, and she laughs again.

“― Oh, my God! You had to bring your twin brother along to come on a date? You’re pathetic!” Her hand pulls away from Karamatsu’s. “Oh, you’re definitely coming out with me and my friends.”

Totty hisses and pushes her hand away from Karamatsu’s. He steps in front of his big brother to physically block this woman from him. “Keep your hands off him! You’re not taking him anywhere. He’s never seeing you again, because you treated him like… like, fuck, I wouldn’t treat a rock the way you treated him!”

He hears Karamatsu make a noise of almost-protest behind him; he can just imagine the other man sinking down in his seat and trying to hide his face. “Totty, please…”

“No! No, she doesn’t get to just treat you like dirt, Karamatsu-nii-san! You think my brother’s just some kind of dumbass you can show off to your friends and laugh at and treat him like crap?!” he snarls. “Well, guess what? He may be sort of a dumbass sometimes, and maybe he’s a little painful, and maybe he’s not the perfect guy you’re looking for! But he’s a whole hell of a better person than you are!”

Although Totty could kick himself for not saying anything to Karamatsu before, it might be best it’s coming out now. He doesn’t have a lot of time to really think about it or pretend or rehearse. What he’s saying isn’t practiced, it’s real. “Karamatsu is the kindest person I know, and you wish you had at least half the passion he does for the things he likes! Who cares that he wears a shirt with his own face on it? He was bending over backwards to make you happy, even though everything out of your mouth was word barf about how embarrassing he is! And, by the way, you’re wrong!”

It only takes half a step for him to reach over to grab his coffee from the counter, assisted by Aida who’s smirking as she holds it out for him. “If my choice was between you or him, I’d be way less embarrassed to be seen in public with him than with you! He’s not perfect, but he cares about people, and he’s always there when you need him, and ― and all this stuff you think is embarrassing, who the hell gives a shit?! It’s what he wants to do and it’s not hurting anyone! I’d break my phone before I let my big brother go out with someone like you again! Maybe he keeps striking out with dates, but he’s never going to be that desperate!”

He feels a little bad about what he’s about to do. That feeling is mitigated by the fact that at least his coffee isn’t hot.

“And, you know, I actually am sorry about messing up your drink last time. So here, you can have mine!” Almost before he’s finished speaking, he’s dumped his entire cup over her head.

He doesn’t stick around to deal with the aftermath aside from seeing the look of abject horror on the woman’s face as the coffee makes her bad mascara drip. And even though there’s a little bit of guilt over the fact that he’s leaving his coworkers to deal with her, the fact that Sacchi and Aida are cackling while they gather up napkins eases his mind.

He grabs Karamatsu by the hand and leads him out, tossing his coffee cup on the way. There’s not much choice on Karamatsu’s part, except he doesn’t particularly look as if he minds that.

“You didn’t… have to do that, Totty,” Karamatsu mumbles. When Totty glances over, the second eldest looks more tired than anything. He knows that look; the exhaustion of something not working out, of thinking you had a chance only for it to all go up in smoke.

Totty huffs, marching the two of them in the direction that leads back home. “Of course I did! You weren’t going to do it, so someone had to. God… you’ve gotta stop letting people walk all over you, Karamatsu-nii-chan.”

The shift to the more affectionate honorific suggests to Karamatsu that this is really, truly something Totty cares about. He squeezes his baby brother’s hand with a thoughtful hum. “… If that’s the case, perhaps a romance for me just isn’t in the cards. I… really thought it was going to go somewhere this time.”

At last Totty slows slightly, from an aggressive pace to something a little calmer. He’s still pissed off that someone treated Karamatsu like that, and although he’s a bit upset that Karamatsu sit there and let it happen, he knows what it’s like to want people to like you so much that you’ll put up with nearly anything.

However, that’s also the reason he doesn’t want Karamatsu just putting up with it. He deserves so much better than to have people treat him like dirt. It’s not right to do that to anybody, but… especially not to Totty’s big brother.

“I’m sorry I kind of… tapped into Murder Totty in there,” he sighs. “Did I go overboard?”

Karamatsu shrugs. “Maybe a little. But I wasn’t truly enjoying myself and I didn’t want to go on another date with her. I just… didn’t know how to tell her no. I suppose I really am lucky you were there, too.”

Silence falls between them while they walk, then after a moment, Karamatsu clears his throat. “Totty… did you… mean all those things?”

“Huh? All what things?”

“Those things, you know… you said I was… kind and passionate and reliable.” He lets out a soft laugh. “You… you said you’d rather break your phone than let me go out with her again.”

… Oh. He. Did say that, didn’t he?

He pouts a bit, then squeezes Karamatsu’s hand. “Yeah, I meant it. Of course I meant it.”

Beat.

“But as much as I love you, I’m just glad I don’t have to do that.”

[morningstarinwinter]

🌜Moon wish upon the star✨

Roleplaying between me and @twins-born-in-a-new-moon

CW : Swear words, Sexual harassment

Word counting : 5,078

It was just a day after the announcement of the celestial ball. Everyone was very excited for it, they were already searching for a partner or thinking on the clothes they would wear that date. Artemis and Danique were not an exception to the excitement the ball bringed.

Artemis himself was already being questioned by his twin sister “Are you going to bring Danique as your date?”

“I don’t think so” he answered “she wouldn’t come with me anyway”

“Oh are you sure?” his twin asked.

“Yeah, she kind of hates me...” he said sadly.

You dork , Selene thought.

Meanwhile Danique and Penny are at the Hufflepuff common room.

“I’m so excited about the upcoming event!! What would you choose as a dress? Who would you bring?” The blonde haired girl squeals and shakes her amber eyes friend.

“Woah woah, calm down Penny! Professor Dumbledore just announced  this! Who would already think of that?” Danique said and shook her head at her lively friend.

“But you would go with Artemis right? Since you two are a thing” the blonde haired girl teases her friend.

“Wha-what do you mean by that?! Why would he like me? He is so perfect and me? No, we are not a thing. We just have a verbal war game..” said the amber-eyed girl with a  hint of sadness in her voice.

“Oh no, Dani! He has never done anything like that to anyone! You are special to him, you know?” Penny said with a serious face.

“Sigh, I don't feel like that Penny. Anyway, I may go with Barn since he seems so clueless about this” the white haired girl said, then stood up from the couch and walked off the common room.

Don't give me hope Penny, he deserves better. Someone like you. The white haired thought to herself.

“Oh, I need to tell Barn before some hungry girl snitched him before me”

Artemis himself was already moving to the great hall to eat, ignoring all the questions his sister asked him on the way.

Once there he could see many people already asking each other to go to the ball. Tulip herself asked him if he would go to the ball with her. He politely denied her petition and continued with his food.

It’s not like I don’t want to go with someone.. she wouldn’t come with me, would she? he thought.

Entering the great hall, Danique saw the boy she's just frustrated about, rejecting the mischievous red haired girl.

Huh! See? as I thought. He would have a girl by his side for that night already. The amber-eyed girl thought to herself and looked around for her hunky Slytherin friend.

“Excuse me” There is a tall Gryffindor boy appearing at her sight.

“Yes? what can I do for you?” said the girl with frowned eyebrows.

 Is he the chaser from the Gryffindor team? I think we only talked once

“It would be an honor for me to have you as my date in the celestial ball. Danique Winter, would you go with me?” The boy said with a smirk then used Orchideous to conjure a red rose bouquet and offered it for her.

Ahhhhhh, the hell? Why would he have to cause a scene here?!

“Ah...umm...that's very nice of you to say, but I already have someone on my mind. And I have to go now, Sorry…” She said and gave him a forced smile. Then she walks off the scene as quickly as she can to the Slytherin table to meet her hunky friend.

The rejected Gryffindor boy stares, following her back, and clenches that poor bouquet.

Artemis looked at the little scene the Gryffindor boy make to try to ask Danique to be his date

You fool, she would never accept a petition like that.. so flamboyant…

He can see how the boy gets rejected but the words that came from her mouth make him... sad. Someone on your mind? he thought Of course, I should have guessed it before…

Meanwhile at the Slytherin table.

“Do you have anyone you want to go with, Barn?” the white haired girl asked.

“Noh...do I have to? There were some girls that asked me, but I don't know them so I rejected” the brunette boy answers.

“Will you go with me then? Since I don't want to go with some weird dude like that” She nods her head at that Gryffindor boy.

“As a friend tho, we could have fun together without those love interest feelings” she looks back at her Slytherin friend.

“That sounds nice. I'm happy to go with you Danique!” The brunette boy smiles brightly at the white haired girl.

“It's a deal then” she smiles at him and changes the conversation  to another topic.

Since Artemis was away from the two of them he doesn’t get to hear the conversation, but he can guess. Were you referring to Barnaby?

He decided to just finish his plate and go back to the common rooms. We have astrology tomorrow, I can ask her there!

The next day in their last class of the week, astrology, Artemis waited peacefully till the class finished to talk to Danique. Once the class is dismissed.

“Excuse me Danique?” he called her “Can we talk?”

“Does it take time? since I promised to help the first year on charms” She answered the boy.

Oh no, what would he want to talk about?

“It would only be a few minutes…” he replied.

“Hmm...it's okay then I guess…” she said hesitantly. Why do I feel like he is nervous now? Why would he feel that?

“Well... mmm-” he said a bit blushed “Will you... go to the Celestial Ball with me?” he said playing nervously with one of his hair strands.

Wha-what did he just say?! Celestial ball? me? But why? The girl was surprised by his words.

“I'm sorry Artemis, but I already promised to go with Barn…” she answered.

“Oh! Do you get asked by many people and don't want to go with strangers like Barn? I'm sorry I can't help you with that now” she seems to think of her Slytherin friend and answers to him guiltily.

Hmm..maybe I was wrong when he rejected Tulip, maybe it's just her joke

“No-! I” I genuinely wanted to go with you. he thought. “N-never mind... Hope you and Barn have fun in the ball” he said sadly

 “See you soon Danique”and he left.

“Oh no! He seemed disappointed. Maybe I could check on him at the ball if he didn't go to anyone” The amber-eyed girl said to herself and then walked to the courtyard to meet the first year badger.

Artemis got out of the room and quickly went to the Ravenclaw Common Room.

There Rowan was sitting, reading a few books, so Artemis sat next to her.

“Hello Rowan” he said quite sadly.

“Well, someone is sad? What happened?” The girl asked softly.

“Danique is going to the ball with Barnaby…” answered the boy.

“Ouh- Well…” she looked at him. “We could go together, you know just as friends so we don't go alone?”

“... Sounds good for me” he smiled

When Danique finished helping with the first year, she went back to her dormitory and found that Penny and Tonks were there.

“Wotcher Dani! I hope to hear good news from you!” The pink haired girl said with a mischievous smile on her face.

“Yeah! We saw that Artemis talked to you and wondered if he finally asked you for the ball!!” The blonde hair squeals.

“Oh...um...he did ask me, but I need to tell you guys that I asked Barn to go as a friend yesterday” The white hair answered and smiled sheepishly to her roommates.

“Why would you do that Dani! Oh, I feel so helpless about you” Tonks said then facepalms.

“Look at you Danique! I said that he would ask you and you won't believe me” Penny pouts at her white hair friend.

“Now you guys make me feel guilty. Look, it's already happened okay?” the amber eye said then threw her arms up.

“Anyway let's talk about other things, you're gonna be the head of decoration right Penny?” She said, then sat on her bed.

Her 2 roommates just look at each other and thought She changed the subject again

“Oh right! I was thinking the theme could be ‘star’, what do you think about that?” Doesn't want to push on her friend, the blonde hair girl just goes with the flow.

“What can I say? I'm the star myself, you know?” when she answered and the room was now full of laughter and they continued to talk about it.

The days passed softly and so finally the night of the ball arrived, Artemis was wearing a fine and fit white suit with golden and lilac details, which helped his thin but slightly masculine appearance to stand out, he used a beautiful purple cape over his clothes, his hair was down but kept with a half ponytail, and changed his usual black glasses to a golden ones special for formal gatherings.

Thanks to all of this, and his albino appearance, he really looked like a moon prince.

Rowan, who was at his side, was wearing a beautiful blue dress with silver details, her black hair was in a side tail, she looked so pretty that night.

After finishing dressing, the amber eye girl walked to the great hall to meet her brunette friend at the gate.

“Wow...you look so beautiful Danique! It's not like you don't look good on the other day, but today you look much more beautiful!” the hunky boy said with sparkling eyes.

Before him, Danique dresses in a gold ankle-long dress with a high neck and revealed back. There are golden glitters starting from her neck to her waist. Below that, the fabric is a see through start from her tight. Her shoes are white high heels with strips around her ankle. Her hair is done as loose curls with one small braid at the left. The hair was tucked on the left side to show her silver star earring. She did her make up with a rosy cheek and brick pink lipstick.

“Thank you so much Barn, now let's head in the ball shall we?” she smiles back at him and they walk into the room decorated in star theme.

Rowan and Artemis were already sitting down waiting for everyone else to join, they were keeping a simple conversation until Danique and Barnaby walked in... She looks.. wow His eyes shone as he looked at her. She is sunning…

Rowan looked at him and then smiled to herself when she noticed who he was looking. “Shall we dance Artemis?” she asked and pointed at the couple with her head.

“Oh! Sure, my lady” he answered smiling.

Danique spotted Artemis and Rowan on the dance floor.

Woah...he looks...like a moon prince… The amber eye girl keeps staring at him for several minutes.

“That boy really looks good tonight” the voice from her brunette friend snaps her from the thought.

“You look so smart too Barn, I almost fell for you when I saw you back then” she flirts and winks at him as they always did.

“Well, sadly your heart is with that man” Barnaby said then make a fake sad face

“Sh-shut it Barn! Let's dance with others!” the white hair girl said with a reddened face and dragged her friend to the dance floor.

After a few songs our two dance couples ended up quite close to each other, enough to be able to see them dancing with their respective partner.

Artemis was completely mesmerized with how Danique flowed softly on the dance floor, but looking at how Barnaby holded her so closely made him... jealous.

“Hey Rowan, I had an idea,” he said with a smirk.

“Do tell” the girl in his arms said.

“Would you mind if...?” and he pointed at the couple with his head, Rowan understood immediately and put her arms around the boy's neck.

“Who will tell! Our dear Artemis can be jealous” she laughed.

“Oh shut it, Ro!” he laughed as well, as they continued their dance.

Seeing Artemis like that made Danique snapped.

Why would Rowan do that? Oh I see, he just wants to start a game huh? bring it on boy

“Hey Barn, when I twirled next time, hold me reallyyyy close okay?” she smirks at her friend.

“Okay...but why?”

“Just do it!” She lets out a whisper-shout

When it comes to the swirling position, Danique swirled then leaned her back on Barnaby's chest then placed her head on his shoulder. She grabs both or the boy's hands to place on her waist. Barnaby, flushed by this, quickly swirls her back to face-to-face position.

Both Artemis and Rowan looked at the other couple with surprised eyes.

“Crap” Rowan muttered “Any plan?”

“...None” the boy answered.

“Well, fuck” she then cursed.

The two of them  just stayed dancing close to each other for a while.

Meanwhile at the sass queen's couple

“Looks like they are done with this game. Ha! that boy never learned who is the champion here” the white hair girl peeks at the Ravenclaw couple and smirks.

“Sorry Barn, I went a bit too far right? Also, how about we stop dancing now and go to eat something?” the girl asked her blushed partner.

“Yea-yeah a bit too much. Speaking of eating, that's a nice idea! I'm starting to get bored of this” the brunette boy stops the dance and leads his partner to the table.

“Do you want some butter beer? I could grab it for you” he asked. 

“Sounds great! I may sit here since my feet are sore a bit because of these stupid heels” the girl replied and sits on one of the chairs.

Artemis and Rowan find a place to sit down after a few dances and they peacefully chat with each other. 

"So.... would you like something to drink?" Artemis asked

"No, I'm fine for now, don't worry" she answered.

After a few minutes, Barnaby was gone. Danique looks around to see how the ball is going.

“You look stunning today Danique” without looking, she already knew it's that Gryffindor chaser.

OH SHIT THAT BOY

“Thank you. You are looking good yourself” she turns to face him and notices that leans his hand on the table to lower himself to talk to her.

Don't get close to me you jerk

“Well, I would look better if I had you by my side tonight…” he smirks and places his other hand on her small bare-skin back.

Feeling disgusted by his action, the girl quickly stands up and steps away from him.

“Come on, one dance wouldn't hurt right?” still pestering, the boy grabs one of her wrists.

Oh no, it's so disgusting. Why did it take you so long, Barn? Please hurry up and comes help me

Doesn't like to be touched herself, the poor girl is shocked from those actions and stands still.

Artemis was very concentrated talking with Rowan until he saw how a boy got extremely close to Danique, the girl was surely disgusted by the actions of the man so he stood up quickly.

“Excuse me for a second Rowan” and as fast as he said these words, he went in Danique's direction.

Rowan quickly notices the scene before her as well “Don’t worry, go ahead”

“My darling,” He said, holding the girl's hand softly.

“Is everything ok?” he asked looking with clear angry at the gryffindor 

“If he is making you uncomfortable, say so. I will get him off in a few seconds” he whispered to her ear.

The amber-eyed girl only nods her head and looks at the ground.

“Excuse me, sir” He said, getting Danique behind him so the boy wouldn’t get to keep touching her.

“I think the lady has been clear on her actions that she doesn't want to dance with you, or even have you around" he said frowning his eyebrows "I recommend you to leave her immediately unless-”

“Unless what a pretty boy?” He laughed “What will you do, as if you could do anything to me, now move a side”

“So that's your choice huh?” there was not only anger in Artemis' eyes, he was... infuriated. “Let me guess, your name was... Daniel Roberts correct? I think your father works at the ministry of magic?”

The boy flinched “You wouldn't dare-”

“Oh of course I will!” Now was Artemis who laughed 

“Don't ever mess with Clair de Lune, your father should have taught you that... how unfortunate he is... to have a son that treat womans like a beast”

“Please don't do it!” He begged “I will do whatever you ask me but please, don't do anything to my father”

“Everything I asked?” Artemis smirked “Then apologize to the Lady immediately and leave, don't ever talk to her again!”

“P-please, forgive me miss Winter!” Trash in its place. And as soon as the boy said those words he ran away.

Artemis took a deep breath to calm himself down and then looked camly at Danique. “Are you alright Danique?” he asked softly

“Yeah! yeah...I...I guess…” she answers him softly and tries to move her hair to cover her back.

Artemis noticed the action of the girl so he softened his eyes, grabbed his cape and put it around her shoulders. “There we are”

Still not fully recovered from that physical touch, the girl flinches a bit.

“Ah- sorry I didn't mean to make you feel uneasy” the boy apologized.

“Oh no! It's not your fault. I just....Sigh, Can we get out of here…?” She hugs herself and looks at his eyes, her amber eyes still have a hint of fear in them.

He looked at her softly. “Surely, my lady” he offered the girl his arm so she could grab on it if she wanted.

Even though she was feared by that man, she feels safe around his presence. The amber-eyed girl then grabs his arm.

Then the two of them walk outside the great hall and go to the fountain yard where the sky is with a full moon surrounded by stars.

Artemis and Danique then sit together at the fountain... Looking peacefully at the beautiful night sky. Artemis hadn't said a word, he just wanted her to feel comfortable.

“Thank you for helping me back then” the amber-eyed girl broke the silence.

“I really appreciated that, really. I looked so pathetic right? A sass strong girl like me can't fight back that jerk” she let out a small painful laugh.

“You weren't pathetic” the boy said with a worry in his voice.

“That jerk didn't have any intention of backing off, until I menaced him of course…” he paused.

“And it's ok don't worry, I couldn't have stayed there just watching how that asshole made you uncomfortable” he then said softly to her.

Danique looks at him and is stunned by how his albino skin and white hair reflect the moonlight. Moreover,with the outfit , he looks like a real moon prince. She stares at him silently for a while.

Artemis looked at how the amber eyes shined thanks to the reflection of the stars of the sky, he felt he could lose in those eyes. He got close to her face. She looks so pretty right now but...She will hate me if I kiss her right? he thought and closed his eyes.

Huh? wh-why he lean in and closed his eyes, don't tell me he wanted to ki-kiss me?! Oh no my heart can't handle this now

“Umm..the-the sky is so beautiful tonight, isn't it?” She turns her head away from him and looks at the sky.

Artemis quickly gets back to his original position noticing what he was about to do “Ah- yes is indeed pretty” he answered, That’s not the only pretty thing in this place.. then looked at the sky, flustered.

“The full moon is so beautiful. I like the scenario when the moonlight shines on it” she said and looked around.

“The moon is beautiful, isn’t it...?” the amethyst eyed flick to look at the girl beside him, looking at her with longingly as the owner spoke the sentence that seems to have hidden meaning in it.

“It always is” She looked at him and smiled.

“Oh! let me show you one of my favorite spells!” she said excitedly and looked at the boy.

He tilted his head “Ok?” He said a bit confused.

“Watch this and keep it a secret okay?” she smiles and winks at him.

Danique moves her right index finger and mutters some spell. Suddenly, there are many littles stars surrounding them. They are twinkling and moving around slowly.

“My father always did this for me when I was young, since he calls me 'little star' and I really like it” she let out a small chuckle.

“You are the first one I showed this to, you know? No one ever saw me doing wandless magic before” she looks at him and smiles softly.

Artemis felt his own heart melted by her words and actions. If the place was already pretty before, now it was definitely dreamlike, he sighed.

“Thanks for this honor” he smiled at her, flustered.

He got closer to her “This is truly a beautiful scenery” he paused.

“Yet the only thing I can look at right now is at the beautiful star shining right in front of me” he admitted.

Holding her hands in his, he said “You have truly mesmerized me Danique... and all my heart can seem to think about, is you” his cheeks were in a tone of bright red.

Stunned by his words, the girl now speechless and her face is all red.

Wh-why is he suddenly like this? I'm I dreaming right now? What-what should I say?

Then the music started playing again, Artemis standed up and offered a hand to her.

“Will you spare me this dance, Danique?” He asked, still felt a bit nervous by his own actions.

“Of-of course!” she quickly stands up, with a bit of awkwardness, then takes his hand.

The dance was a slow one, they danced and marveled at each other's appearance under the night sky. Artemis was feeling quite nervous, but happy at the same time. Holding the girl so close to him during the dance felt like a dream.

Meanwhile Danique, feels safe, yet nervous in her crush's arms.

Oh no he holds me so gently, my heart beats too fast like I'm gonna explode..After that thought, she steps on his foot.

“Oh! I'm-I'm sorry” she looks down at her feet.

“It’s ok. Don’t worry” he softly laughed.

Artemis could feel his own heart beating faster. I hope she doesn’t notice

He honestly feels like he is flying, but at the same time bound to earth by the beautiful lady in his arms.

The song went sweetly and slowly as it began and they stayed in the dance position for a few seconds when they realized it was over…

“That was such an amazing dance” She smiles at him, still not letting go.

“As expect from the perfect boy”

“Perfect boy?” A sad tone was perceived in his voice “Is that all I am to you?” He asked softly, looking at her eyes.

“Oh, no! You-you are more than that…” the amber-eyed girl answers nervously. She looks at his eyes and feels like they are luring her in. Her lips part a bit because of those dreamy purple eyes.

“More than that?” He leaned close to her face again. I may be misinterpreting her but..He once again closed her eyes and  gave her a soft kiss on the lips.

He could smell her hair clearer than ever before. The smell of peach and the soft lips of the girl, he couldn’t think of anything else for a moment. His heart felt like skipping a beat and he is.. so happy.

Being surprised by his action at first, the girl then closes her eyes and kisses him back. She could smell her favourite scents from him stronger than before. She wraps her arms around his neck and tilts her head to make it easier for the kiss. Her mind goes blank and her heart beats so fast as if it's going to explode.

Artemis just let himself melt in the girl's soft lips for a while, putting his arms around her waist. Good things couldn't last forever and their lips parted from each other. Artemis keeps his eyes closed, feeling his own heart beat hard on his chest, as he keeps holding the amber eyed girl in his arms.

After they parted, Danique opened her eyes and pants a bit from that sweet kiss. She saw that Artemis still closes his eyes and holds her delicately. The blush begins to creep all over her face since she gains her consciousness back.

Oh Merlin...We kissed?! And-and we are not even a couple! What have I done?!

She let go of his neck and hides her face in her hands because of shyness.

Artemis slowly opens his eyes and sees how the girl is hiding herself “Danique…” He softly calls her.

Still hiding her face, the girl squeaks. “Yes?!”

“Look at me, please” he asked, keeping a soft tone.

The girl finally gathered her courage and let her hand down.

Artemis gave her a warm smile and finally says “I love you” Feeling his heart beating faster than it was before “I understand If you don't feel the same I just.. wanted you to know how i truly feel about you”

“I-I..” Getting kissed and listening to her crush confess his love to her, the amber eyes girl seems unable to handle these. Her legs kind of give up themselves, the girl is now sitting on the floor and hides her face again.

These are too muchhhh, I feel like I'm dying. Then she remembered that he told her to look at him so she peeks through her hands.

"Can-can you give me some time? There are too many events happening today and I feel like my brain has stopped working. Also that was my first kiss, I..." she whispers the last sentence shyly.

Artemis helps the girl to stand up again. “Ah- of course” he was now the one being shy “Wait- your first kiss?” he whispered. So it was her first kiss as well?

“Yea-yeah, sorry if I was not good” she glances up at him and presses her lips.

“No- is not that... It was my first kiss as well..” Artemis said letting his cheeks become pink.

“Really?! but you are so...good..” she said with a dreamy voice.

Artemis became completely red by that commentary and covered his face with one of his hands. “Well, thank you..” he said in almost a whisper. 

“You did it pretty good yourself…” He felt like he is meling.

“Tha-thank you..” she replied softly.

Seeing him blushed, the girl teases. “As expected from the perfect boy, you really are good at everything, oh also I think it's almost the curfew time” the amber eyes girl said with a smirk and looked at the clock.

“Good at everything huh?” Artemis now teased back "I will only do my best display for my lady after all. And, yes indeed" he said looking at the clock as well “We should go back” Artemis offered his arm to the girl “May I have the honor to escort you?”

“Oh yes, thank you my prince”she smiles and takes his arm.

There are a lot of conversations and laughs on the way to the Hufflepuff common room. And now they arrived at the barrel gate.

“Thank you about everything tonight Artemis, I would cherish this night for the rest of my life..” She smiles softly at the white hair boy.

“I could say the same, Danique” He said and gave her a kiss on her hand "Have a peaceful sleep, my princess” And with these words Artemis left to his own common room.

Artemis arrived at the Ravenclaw common room and was intercepted by Rowan “Well then... how was your secret date with Danique”  she asked, making the boy blush at the memory of the girl's lips on his own.

“I kissed her” he said “And I told her- yes, in that specific order”

“OH FOR MERLIN'S BEARD!!!” Rowan squealed “What did she tell you?!! She accepted you?!!”

“She... asked me for time to think and... process it all” he answered.

“Dank, so close yet so far” Rowan muttered “Don't worry I'm sure she would accept you in the end!”

Artemis put his hand on his heart “Would she?” he whispered. She doesn't even know about this after all..

After a few minutes of conversation each one went to their respective room.

Artemis hugged one of his pillows and smiled to himself remembering clearly all of the night before falling asleep.

Meanwhile at her dormitory. The other girls are already in the room.

“Seemed like someone got a secret date” the pink haired girl whistles.

“Yeah, how was it Dani?!” the blonde hair girl asks loudly.

“Ughhhh, Why do you guys always see this?” the white hair girl groans.

“Artemis is a good guy tho, get him Dani” the white wolf girl said

“EVEN YOU CHIARA?!” the amber-eyed girl now yanks her hair.

“Spill all of it morning star!!” Tonks then jumped at her.

“Ahhhh okay okay! Geez...”Danique told everything that happened between them.

“MERLIN'S BEARD DANIQUE!” the pink haired girl screams, followed by 2 squeal voices.

“Shhh, Tonks! you are too loud!” Danique lets out a whisper-yell.

“Why don't you just accept him, Danique? He had a feeling for you for a long time and you also like him” the blonde hair girl asked curiously.

“Sigh, he is a noble, remember? Also, he is hella perfect. Do I really deserve him tho?” the amber-eyed girl said with a sad voice.

Basic half-blood and noble pureblood huh? Sounds like Cinderella's story for me. She thought and looked outside of the window to see the moon surrounded by thousands of stars. The moon and the stars? Probably more like that.. She then excused the other girls to go for a shower and all of them knew right away not to ask about it anymore.

[yyxgin]

hi are we friends yet because ♡ i have decided to come to you whenever some stupid bts shit goes through my mind and today i offer you: a drabble in which the boys invite you (a close friend mayhaps?idk i didn't think this through) to visit them on tour and you have to share a bed with a member who isn't exactly fond of you but you end up cuddling and he goes all soft for you when you wake up?only if you want to!!you don't even have to write it you can just respond 'yes 💞' and i'd say thank

hi hello we are best friends now,,please come to me with all the bts shit i'm willing to write everything. anyways here it is,,you did not specify the member so i wrote it w seokjinnie (i'm living for this au btw,, its so over-used but still good lmao)

pairing: seokjin x fem!reader ; genre: idk man, angst? and than fluff? seokjin hates you and then he does not ; words: 1.5k ; warnings: mentions of alcohol, maybe curse words i'm not sure, jin is a meanie >:((

Kim Seokjin wasn't exactly fond of you.

So when he found out that his band mate Jungkook insisted on bringing you, his best friend, to visit them on tour for a week, he was furious.

„What do you mean y/n is coming? You won't be able to focus, she'll only distract us from work.“

His excuse was a poor one, but it made sense. The bad thing was that his younger brother was quick to sweep off any of these reasonings off the table.

„Seokjin hyung, she's my best friend. I promised to take her with me some day and she always wanted to visit Spain. And it's only for a week.“ his pleading was a pain in the older's ass. He always gave in for his little one.

Why didn't Seokjin like you? Well, that's an interesting question.

You were quite childish in his eyes, being the same age as his maknae. He never saw you as a grown woman, you were always a little girl for him. The age gap wasn't that big, but to Seokjin, it seemed like a good enough reason for him to have second thoughts. You two haven't really talked to each other that much, but he felt like your personalities just did not click well. So with that, Jin has made his mind. He didn't hate you, but he was more happy when you weren't around.

„You guys were so good!“

These words were the first Seokjin heard when he came back into the waiting room at the stadium. He rolled his eyes as he took a seat on the sofa and tried to catch his breath.

„Thank you!“ Jin watched Jungkook as he took you into his arms and span you around.

„Especially Jin, Epiphany really made me tear up a little. Your managers made fun of me when they saw me.“ you giggled and took a seat next to your best friend on the sofa.

„Yeah, sure.“

Jin's tone of voice made your best friend glare at him. His words hurt you a little, but you weren't going to show it. You weren't a little girl anymore.

„We are getting drinks! Y/n, you're coming, right?“ Jimin asked you and pierced you with a playful look.

„Of course I am!“ you laughed.

Everyone liked you. Not Seokjin. It was weird.

But as the boys catched their breathes, changed and ate dinner, all eight of you made your way into a packed club in Madrid to celebrate the success their toor has been so far.

If you weren't there, they wouldn't be getting drinks right now. But it was your last night here, so they wanted to make sure it was a memoriable one. It made Jin's stomach twist. Are you really a kid that needs to be entertained?

„Promise to not get drunk.“ you said to Jungkook in a low tone.

Jin's ears pricked up on the sound of your voice.

„I won't.“

„Promise. I don't want to take care of you tonight.“ your scolding made Jin smirk.

Jungkook was known to be a literal baby when drunk and everyone knew this. It was understaneable of you not wanting to be his care-taker for the last day of your visit.

But Jungkook did not keep his promise.

And so when it was past 3 am and everyone was drunk out of their minds, it was your job to get them to their hotel. You were sharing a room (and a bed, you two really didn't mind) with Jungkook and you really wanted to sleep, because the night has been everything but fun to you.

Everyone got drunk. You did not. But neither did Jin.

He saw you struggling to carry your best friend. Altough he thought that this whole drinking session was for you, it seemed now that you didn't even enjoy drinking. Seokjin furrowed his brows as he came up to you and helped you with the heavy beast your friend was.

„Let's go. I've sent the rest of them in a cab to the hotel already and another one is waiting for us in front of the bar.“ his voice was low and considerate, but loud enough to cut through the loud music.

You shamefully looked to the ground and nodded. Why were you acting so bashful?

You eventually got to the hotel, so now it was time to go to your room and get him to sleep. Jungkook, on the other hand, had a different idea.

„I want to sleep with Jimin tonight.“ he offered.

„No, Jungkook, we are sharing a room.“

„But I want to sleep in Jimin's room.“

You knew there was no use in trying to convince him. If you'd bring him to your room, he'd only get up and try go get to Jimin's room, which would cause only more trouble. So you nodded along and with Seokjin's help, you tried to walk him to Jimin's room.

Once the door behind him was closed, you were left with Jin. It was strangely quiet.

„Umm… thanks for the help. You can go to sleep now. Sorry for bothering so much.“ you let out and shyly smiled at your companion.

„Well, I'd love to, but your best friend just went and took my bed, so…“

The realisation hits you. Everyone was now in their rooms, all the beds were taken. The only bed free for the two of you to use was the bed you were supposed to share with Jungkook.

„Oh, well, you can sleep in my bed. I'll take the floor.“ you said and began to walk to your room on the other side of the hallway.

„What about Jungkook's bed?“

„Well, we were supposed to share. So, it's the same bed.“ you were red in your cheeks. The sight somehow made Jin chuckle.

„How practical.“

He didn't say anything else as he walked into your room. The bed was big, there was no trouble with two people sleeping there and not running into each other's bodies.

But even after this realisation, a confusing sentence left Seokjin's mouth. „It's fine, I'll take the floor.“

„No!“ you let out, suddenly wincing at the urgency in your voice. „I mean, no. It's my fault, so you take the bed. You need to sleep in a comfortable place, you are a performer, you can't wake up with a sore back.“ you explained.

It was good to hear from you. The words didn't sound only polite, but considerate as well, making Seokjin look at you in a slightly different way. „Sleep in the bed too. It's big enough." he muttered.

The blush on your cheeks deepened. „No, I can't…“

„For the love of god, just do it. I want to sleep already and I'm not in the mood for bickering.“ he snapped.

The tone of his voice cut through you like a knife. He sounded so annoyed. You hated feeling annoying. You didn't reply.

So after a few minutes, you found yourself sharing a bed with Kim Seokjin. It was strange. And weird. And it definetly made your heart race.

Jin's heart? Fine. But his conscience? Bad.

„Sorry for snapping.“ he said into the quiet room.

„Oh, it's okay. You have every right to be annoyed with me.“

„Do I?“ his question caught you off guard.

„Well, I know that you hate me.“

„I don't-“

„And it's fine, really. I tried really hard to get you to like me because what Jungkook's friends think of me means a lot to me, but it seems like I did something that made you dislike me, so…“

Your back was turned to him, but just the sight of you curled up in the corner of the bed made his heart broke a little. The realisation hit him. You knew all along how he felt about you, but he never thought about how it made you feel.

Did he really have a valid reason to dislike you?

The room is quiet for a while and you thought that Jin has already fallen asleep, when his voice called you again.

„Did you really cry during Epiphany tonight?“ he asked.

„Yeah.“ you chuckled.

Jin doesn't know what moved in him or when it happened, but he had a sudden urge to hold you. Like he wanted to erease every moment he's been horrible to you with just a little touch.

So that's what he did. He hugged you. And you let him. Hell, you've been dreaming of it for a while now.

The last thing you heared before falling asleep in his arms is a heartfelt, guilty and honest apology.

„I'm sorry.“

And when the morning comes, Seokjin wakes up and watches you with hazy eyes. Your skin is illuminated by the morning sun and your face looks cute when you are sleeping. He woke up with you still in his arms and something about that thought makes him bubble up inside.

When the morning comes, Kim Seokjin can think only of one thing: How could he ever hate you?

[deathbydarkelves]

I decided to make playlists for Cathala and Tarinne plus explanations for why I chose each song because I entered one of those ADHD fugue states and if I didn't finish this task I would die

Anyway here are the two links (they're youtube playlists because I don't have spotify. I would obviously recommend using an adblocker if you're just gonna watch on youtube) and the explanations for each song are below the cut :) Each playlist is about an hour long.

For Tarinne’s:

1. Foggy Nights: I consider this her theme so putting it first as a sort of intro only makes sense.

2. Here’s a Health to the Company: I think this works as an example of her general disposition. She’s a people person, and always a fan of singing these sorts of songs in taverns, on ships, or what have you. It also kind of feels like a sendoff to soldiers, which I imagine symbolizes her joining the Sentinel Army and quickly thereafter fighting in the Third War.

3. Wartime Prayers: Somewhat self-explanatory, this is symbolizing her seeing war for the first time, but I also included it because the last line transitions SO WELL into the next song.

4. The Hollow: This song is an intro to an album I've never heard so I don't know the context, but I really love it because it sounds like someone praying to their deity and like I mean c'mon. Elune. Tarinne's praying to Elune to guide her through the war. Do I need to elabo-

5. Wave Walker: KILL DEATH MAIM AHAHAHAHA

6. Isil Elun’falo: Just a super rad fan-made night elf song that's basically "wow we sure do love Elune" said in twenty different ways for four and a half minutes. But it ROCKS and I LOVE it.

7. Chewing Cotton Wool: This song is about losing a loved one (I did have to check but yeah that's what it is) and I use it to symbolize Tarinne losing her mom during the war. The last line, which includes the song's title, I especially like. It's referring to how morticians (apparently) put cotton gauze in a corpse's throat and mouth to keep body fluids in and make the face look more natural. So there's a fun fact for you.

8. See U Soon (Song for Dad): Just a short lofi piece to rest a bit, and it was also chosen because the title's in reference to Tarinne growing closer to her dad after losing her mom. She still visits him at his leathers and furs shop in Stormwind fairly often, especially after dangerous adventures. She just wants to make sure he knows she's alright ;-;

9. No Lullaby: Right back into it with a song that I use to represent Tarinne's general feeling of not being able to go home because it's not there anymore. She's felt like this since the end of the Third War, but it's especially strong since the whole Teldrassil thing. But I like the ending, "who said you're on your own," because it contrasts the repeating of "alone" in the rest of the song. And it's kinda like "hey, listen, you're not the only one who feels like she can't go home." I mean that's probably how basically every single night elf feels right now skxnks

10. The Moss: This song juxtaposes classic fairy tales with scientific facts about the world and I love it to BITS. I'm using it here to represent both Tarinne's love for storytelling but also her sort of... part-time historian/archaeologist/conservator career.

11. Rasputin: I just associate this song with her for some reason and this was the best place to put it.

12. Electric Feel: Moving on to focus more on Tarinne's relationship with Cathala now. This is an extremely great and somewhat 😏 song that I also included because the electricity theme is appropriate because Cathala has lightning powers and y'know it's from Tarinne's perspective or whatever.

13. Bedroom Hymns: You know why this is here.

14. Movement: I can't talk about love songs without talking about Hozier, okay. This is just a nice, slower song to relax a bit with.

15. Never Let Me Go: I have an entire goddamn music video in my head with Cathala and Tarinne for this song and it’s very dramatic and emotional and I had to include this song or I’d die. Basically just listen to near the end of this song when she's repeating the title over and over, and imagine the two of them seeing each other at opposite ends of a battlefield after the dust settles and they rush towards each other and fall to their knees holding on as tightly as they can because they got separated early on and each thought the other was dead. Then you'll know how I feel when I listen to this song.

16. Nothing That Has Happened So Far Has Been Anything We Could Control: First of all I love the title, and second of all there's a big section in the middle (1:49 to 2:47) that I like to interpret as the two of them grappling with the fact that they're not really quite sure who or what they're fighting for anymore. Their people, yeah, but there's so many alliances and semi-permanent enemies and only-on-every-other-thursday-enemies all intertwined and the world is just so very confusing and they're trying to make the best of it. Elf school didn’t include international, interracial politics in its curriculum. It did however include how to properly plant trees, and AP calculus (this is a joke).

17. In Dreams: I like to imagine this song is something the two of them would say to each other, as a way of saying “even when everything we know is gone, even when the world ends, I will still be by your side. And if I’m not, don’t fear, for I will find you.” It makes a nice note to end on :)

For Cathala’s:

1. muse: Just a nice lofi intro to get us into things :) I don't see this song as her theme, like I do with Tarinne and the first song in her playlist, but I like it quite a bit. I don't actually really have a theme for Cathala yet, I'm currently going with a version of Way of the Monk from WoW's OST but I'm still looking for something better.

2. Frogs Singing: I included this because it's about just appreciating nature, which works because night elf and also mindfulness and meditation is a whole thing.

3. Tongues: This is a song about feeling distant from your peers which is like Cathala's whole existence! She's this weird mix of two cultures and ultimately she feels out of place regardless of where she is or who she's with. Also the theme with not understanding what people are saying works because the poor woman had to learn Pandaren from scratch and that shit ain't easy. I think blizz said somewhere probably that Common is just a language that EVERYONE knows inherently because Video Game but that's bullshit in my opinion. I'll allow spells that let you understand foreign languages to an extent (Comprehend Languages from D&D lets you understand the LITERAL meaning only, which I like), but every culture and species in the universe knowing Common is silly if you think about it for more than two seconds.

4. Kung Fu Fighting: I'm legally required to include this song. Also I prefer the Kung Fu Panda version, I'm sorry.

5. Harder Better Faster Stronger: I vicariously experience having a great work ethic through Cathala and that's why this song is here because she has 999 Determination and does Too Many push-ups every day or something idk. I was gonna say "every morning" but I have a headcanon that elves only need to sleep every couple of days (sort of a nod to "elves don't need to sleep at all" from D&D, and to explain why NIGHT elves are active at all hours of the day) so that doesn't work.

6. What's Up Danger: This song is Cathala's whole Vibe. Almost zero threat assessment skills in this woman's brain. If it can be punched, she will punch it.

7. Eye for an Eye: Fairly self-explanatory, it's a song about wanting revenge so... yeah. Checked that box. It was this or The Vengeful One by Disturbed but ultimately The Vengeful One's religious symbolism probably makes it fit better as a Tyrande theme lol ("I'm the hand of god, I'm the dark messiah." Did you mean: the Night Warrior)

8. Survivor: Cathala's survived a lot of shit and this could kinda be her making fun of herself for it because "Gods, man! Don't I deserve a break!"

9. Ashes: Really the reason I include this song is the last chunk (2:42 to the end) because holy shit. Listen, if I was gonna include a song with fire motifs, it was gonna be a somber one like this.

10. Into the West: This can kinda represent Cathala just trying to fucking breathe and recover from Teldrassil. Also works because I dunno it has stuff to do with the elves in LotR, I haven't seen those movies in a while. It sounds nice and is melancholy so I included it.

11. Like Real People Do: Cathala loves Tarinne a lot you guys have I ever menti-

12. Into the Wild: Tarinne changed Cathala's world for the better and she's super fucking grateful she has her by her side. Kinda goes without saying but you know.

13. Chasing the Moon: I have a vague music video in my head for this of them falling in love and it's very cute so there's that. Also it's in this specific spot because hey she may be deeply traumatized but she's still got a fair number of things/people in her life that make her happy so :)

14. Follow My Girl: I've got a theme going in my head that while Tarinne is fairly certain of her place in the world, Cathala is still trying to find hers. She outlived all her connections on Pandaria because Elf Lifespans(tm) and the only members of her family still alive are distant relatives she never knew very well.

15. Wish That You Were Here: This works both to represent Cathala on Pandaria feeling super homesick, and for more recently after Teldrassil. Either way, it's a message to her parents and sister.

16. Mr. Fear: She does her damnedest to hide it but she's absolutely terrified something like Teldrassil's gonna happen again! That fear drives her to do everything in her power to protect who and what she can. As long as they're not Forsaken, cause she's still got her biases, that compassion even extends across faction lines. She never really got the whole Alliance/Horde thing anyway. Innocent people shouldn't have to die, regardless of who or what they are.

17. Ordinary Day: Not to get super out there but I think this song works as symbolizing Cathala really trying to hold on to her faith in Elune, but ultimately feeling pretty abandoned. I mean she can clearly see Elune's influence everywhere. But Elune sure ain't doing Cathala any favors as far as she can tell! It also ends the whole playlist on maybe a bit of an uncertain/open-ended note, because this "losing faith" aspect is a new thing with her and will definitely be something she continues to struggle with for a while. On a related note, I should say Tarinne is still very much devout but she gets what Cathala's feeling and doesn't force anything on her, and vice versa. And Cathala wouldn't become atheist, the night elves aren't monotheistic and she still worships all the other deities, it's just specifically Elune she's a little :/ on.

[liberty-barnes]

Miah’s 1K Celebration

so...

welcome to the mess that is my 1k celebration cause i’m unable to make simple choices and can’t stand the thought of letting people down

as you can see, i’m perfectly normal

the literal 1005 people following me would disagree on that but heyyy details

so anyway

one thousand

one bloody thousand people following me

my inicial reaction is whyyyy??? i’m just a bisexual disaster who sometimes writes a half decent fanfic but you deemed me worthy of your follow?

then i started crying cause yk

but bottomline is, i love you all, you’re the bestest people in the whole entire world, so i’m gonna make both a sleepover and a writing challenge

sleepover cause i like answering questions

writing challenge cause it gives me a chance to show you all other artists and discover other artists myself cause we all need them and they deserve more recognition

special shoutout to my mutuals who i’ll tag at the end for always being there for me and supporting me through every high and every low, y’all are the real heroes here

BUT ANYWAY, ONTO THE CELEBRATION PART, WHICH FINDS ITSELF UNDER THE CUT OTHERWISE IT’D BE TOO BIG TO PROPERLY REBLOG (i tend to ramble a bit, but you already knew that)

Starts: December 11th 2020

Ends: December 20th 2020

Who can participate: everyone, anon or not! no need to be following me either

send me asks for:

✨ my opinion on...

🌻 cast my mutuals as...

🎵 i'll put my playlist on shuffle and give you a song

🍉 random fact about me

🦔 what's my favorite...

🍀 i'll give you advice (or just listen to you rant, if you want)

💬 last text [insert person] sent me

💌 handwritten letter

🎬 movie rec

📖 fic or blog rec

📘 inspiration behind [insert fic name], how i came up with it or if you have questions about it

🖋 line from one of my WIPs (tell me if you want fluff or angst, i won't tell you the pairing or anything, that's no fun)

💋 kiss, date, marry [insert people]

🎤 give me a song an i'll do a mini cover of it (it will be 1min long tops cause that's all tumblr can take lmao)

📷 random picture from my camera roll (you can request a theme if you want, like pictures from my childhood or awkward pics or something)

Rules:

• Open to anyone (don't have to be following me)

• Send me a DM or ask with the prompt(s) you want (two people tops per work) and who you're writing about

• Smut is allowed but make sure to put it in the warnings

• I will accept works for any Marvel character or cast member, part of the Holland clan, 1D member or affiliated, Teen Wolf characters or cast member, Maze Runner character or cast member

• Can be reader inserts or not, but please specify it in your DM/ask too

• Tag me when you're done

• All works will be rebloged under #Miah's 1k writing challenge and put in a masterlist that will be specifically created for this writing challenge

Starts: December 11th 2020

Ends: January 11th 2020

Prompt list:

1. “Is that my shirt?” “You mean our shirt?”

2. “Home stopped being a place when you entered my life.”

3. “Stop moving and let me braid your hair.”

4. “Could you say that again?” “Were you not listening?” “No I was, I just like hearing your voice.”

5. “Can you just please hold me?”

6. “You come here often?” “Well considering I work here, yes.”

7. “Can I stay here tonight?”

8. “You’re really warm.”

9. “I’ve been in-love with you since we were kids.”

10. “Why are you wearing my sweater?” “Because it smells like you.”

11. “You are crushing me right now.”

12. “Darling I love you and all, but please get out of my kitchen.”

13. "I leave you alone for five minutes and this happens."

14. "I didn't fall. The floor looked lonely so I wanted to hug it." "Then why are you crying?" "It was an emotional reunion."

15. "There's no such thing as too many fairy lights."

16. “I’m leaving.” “Of course you are, that’s all you know how to do.”

17. “I love you.” “No you don’t”

18. “Any other lies left to tell me?”

19. “I miss the old you.”

20. “What happened to their happily ever after?” “Not all love stories get a happily ever after, sometimes it’s just once upon a time.”

21. “Lie to me. I don’t care what you say, just lie to me. Make me feel okay again.”

22. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t leave.”

23. "It's okay. It's not your fault that I couldn't be enough."

24. "Please don't leave me."

25. "You have the emotional range of a teaspoon."

26. "Will you shut up for once in your life?"

27. "This isn't about us."

28. "I will shove a christmas tree so far up your ass that when you open your mouth we'll see the fairy lights."

29. "I'm not crying, my eyes are sweating"

30. "Is that blood?" "Yes, but it's not mine." "Is that supposed to make it better?"

31. "I’ll drink to that.” “You drink to everything.” “Cheers!”

32. “Why is arson always your first answer?”

33. "What are you doing?" "What does it look like I'm doing?"

34. "I can explain!" "Then explain." "Okay, I can't explain."

35. "Get out of here with your facts. Just because you're accurate does not mean you're interesting."

36. "How many hearts did you break while trying to keep yours intact?"

37. "I know everything. It's in the job description."

38. "One more word out of you and I'll rip your throat out with my teeth."

39. "Do you listen to girl in red?"

40. "Is that code for something or am I just paranoid?"

41. "With how things have been going, I might as well start working at a circus."

42. "I love (him/her/them)." "Then why did you give up?" "Cause (he/she/they) deserved better."

43. "I want to ask but something tells me the answer will be more disturbing than anything I can think of."

44. "Do you think he's... *flicks wrist*?"

45. "Do I look like an idiot to you?" "Do you want me to answer that honestly or politely?"

46. "Just how clumsy are you?"

47. "So... the weather?"

48. "Just leave."

49. "Don't you fucking dare!"

50. "You don't have to talk right now. But whenever you're ready, if you're ever ready, I'll be here to listen."

tagging and complimenting my amazing mutuals cause y’all deserve it

@parkersbliss​ thank you for marrying me, first of all, and for being the most amazing wife one could ask. i wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you and i will never stop ebing thankful for your existence

@peterspideyy​ thank you for listening to my rants along with grace and supporting me during all my simping, you’re the sweetest thing existing since powdered sugar

@theamazingtomholland​ thank you for always putting a smile on my face, reminding me that i’m loved everyday and just being you, cause it’s the best thing you could be

@lozzypoz321​ thank you for listening to me rant abt my fics and how much i hate writing and then motivating me to write again or do basic things like get out of bed lmao (we still have the best taste in music)

@everything-is-alrightt​ kenzie lovely, thank you for being the pure little ball of unfiltered joy that you are cause even thinking about you and the jump shit your brothers get up to makes me smile like crazy, you’re amazing and don’t you dare forget it

@spider-trash​ thank you for being my brother, going alon with my ridiculous schemes for corrupting posie and making me laugh out loud every time you come up with something even worse, you’re the coolest bro i could ask for

and finally, thank you @fallinfortom​ for inspiring me to write in the first place, being an amazing mum to us, an actual good role model for me to have and for your random appearances in my dreams and the fun english teacher who makes us read tom holland fics instead of english literature. you’re amazing and i’m incredibly thankful to know you

love you all to the ends of the universe and back again, Miah

[xbellaxcarolinax]

Forging A Heart (Ivar the Boneless) 27- The Raven Queen

Pairing: Ivar x Artemis (OFC)

Word Count: 4006

Warnings: Implied fighting.

AN: One more chapter and an epilogue.

26- The Feline King

...

"Do not look so nervous," Ivar's gentle tone breaks into Artemis's thoughts. He reaches over from his throne to grab her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze, "You have nothing to fear."

"I am not afraid," Her eyes shift to his, giving his hand a squeeze in return, "What I feel is guilt."

"You should not be riddled with guilt, you've done nothing wrong."

"I am taking a child away from her family."

"She is my niece," Ivar argues, "She will be among family."

"But she would not yet understand the circumstances that I have put her in."

"Stop your worrying," He tells her, "Besides, we do not even know if my brothers will agree."

"They will agree," Her reply was quick and stern, "They have no other option."

"Then let us think of this as an accomplishment on your part, hmm?" Ivar squeezes her hand again, reaching over to brush his lips over her knuckles in a kiss. Artemis turns to offer her husband a smile to which he returns. They both look towards the doors once Hvitserk and Heamund enter with Bjorn and Ubbe in tow. Torvi was absent.

"It is good to see you again, Artemis," Bjorn comments when he finally reaches them, arms crossed over his front as usual, "Though it is a shame it has to be under such circumstances." The Queen nods in acknowledgement.

"I'm sorry if I have caused you and Torvi any grief." She replies back. Perhaps it was too much for her to handle.

"She is a bit...unwell, I'm afraid." Replies Ubbe, his blue eyes shifting toward a silent Ivar. Artemis turns to look at Ivar, and he only rolls his eyes at Ubbe's statement, but motions for her to continue. He wanted his wife to handle it, and continues to watch them with curious eyes.

"I...am sorry to hear that. Please send her our regards," She says after a moment, "I understand you have come to a decision."

"Yes," Bjorn replies bitterly, "We agree to your terms." Artemis felt her heart hammering in her chest in both excitement and grief. Her plan worked, and she would be taken more seriously as Queen, but she would hurt others in the process, and that was a burden she'd carry with her for quite some time. She was sure that Bjorn and her were both even at this point.

"Excellent," Ivar finally says with a clap of his hands, "Then it's settled."

"You keep your end of the bargain, and I'll keep mine," Bjorn mutters, eyes icy as he watched the pair. Ivar's demeanor immediately changes, like a wolf preparing to attack, but before he could utter any harsh words, Artemis speaks quickly, placing a hand on her husband's knee.

"With all due respect, Bjorn, you came to us for help. I do not think it wise for you to make such statements," Ivar huffs but let's her speak her kinder words, "But of course, if we have your word, then you have ours. Hedeby will be yours come Spring." She finishes, standing up and walking directly in front of Bjorn. She turns her head up to get a better look at the giant man.

"Asa will be safe with me," She says quietly, watching the surprise swim in his eyes, "But do not cross me, Bjorn Ironside. I may have favored your plight, but my loyalty lies with Ivar and Kattegat." Her voice was stern, enough to shock both Bjorn and Ubbe. Her eyes shift to Ubbe as if giving him warning as well.

"You are not the girl I found hiding in a crate quite some time ago." Bjorn mutters, and Artemis could have sworn she saw the beginnings of a smirk curving at the corners of his lips.

"That girl is gone." Was her simple reply, whirling round to walk back to her grinning husband.

...

Yule had reached Kattegat.

Yuletide was the time where the people came together and celebrated the winter solstice for about 12 days. All was arranged by Ivar himself, who so wished to keep the memory of his mother alive through her traditions.

Holly was brought in, along with evergreen, decorating the entryways, windows, around the fire pit, and every other nook and cranny that it could be hung from.

"It is to ward off winter demons," Ivar teases his wife, using a tone one would use on a small child. She snorts, stepping close to an evergreen branch that was neatly wrapped around the armrest of her throne by Geirdis's skilled hands. She touches the thick leaf, enjoying the smooth texture on the pad of her thumb. "They are also for protection." He continues, watching her with keen eyes.

"Protection?"

"Evil spirits," He begins with that childlike tone, "Or evil brothers." Artemis pulls a face and he shrugs, slowly walking over to her. He bends over, placing his chin upon her shoulder and wrapping an arm about her waist.

"Look up," He says against her ear, and she does, her curious eyes landing on the plants hanging above both thrones, and around the perimeter of the ceiling. They were equally green, with little white berries nestled within.

"What are those?"

"Mistletoe." He answers, and Artemis smiles at the odd name.

"And what powers do they possess?"

"Prosperity," She hums in understanding, "And fertility," Ivar moves his large hand to rest flat against her stomach. She turns her head slightly to catch his eyes, shining like jewels as they always did. Where she believed would be disappointment was something else.

Hope.

"You know," He continues, "There is a tradition that comes with the mistletoe," His wife's eyes shift back to look at the foreign plants above them.

"What's that?" His calloused fingertips graze her cheek before placing gentle pressure against her skin to turn her head back to his. She gets a quick glance at his eyes again, now gleaming with mischief, before he places a kiss to her mouth. It was soft and simple, almost innocent, but when he grinned against her lips, she knew it was only a sample of what was to come later.

...

They were to celebrate a rebirth.

They celebrate the return of the sun and longer days. They thank the gods and pray for a successful and plentiful harvest.

They celebrate the rebirth of Ragnar's legacy. A new King, a new Queen, and a new Kingdom.

And for once, everything seemed at peace.

Ivar organized feasts that delighted his people, and much to his pleasure, his Queen. Though Artemis had experienced her first Yule celebrations a year prior, she didn't have much to celebrate at the time. Slaves were to help organize the feasts, not partake in them for obvious reasons, and so, she had no love for such merriment back then.

This all was different now, much different.

She was no longer on the sidelines, waiting to refill Ivar's cup. As Queen, she would be the center of these traditions beside the King, and it was their responsibility to uphold such customs.

Aslaug would be proud, Ivar had no doubt.

For each of the 12 days Artemis was given a new wreath, which were strategically placed into her hair, the bright green leaves of evergreen, holly, and mistletoe a great contrast against the dark strands. She wore dresses of deep red, vibrant green, and shining gold. She was the perfect image of a Norse Queen, and the people loved her and her strong commitment to their ways.

She found herself smiling and laughing, whether it was through Hvitserk's silly stories, or even Heahmund and his stealing glances towards Geirdis, who was given the nights off to enjoy the celebrations. Aria was always lost within the drunken crowd, dancing with Dafi.

Ivar downed cup after cup of ale, as if competing with Hvitserk on which of them could out drink the other. He too was always dressed well, wearing fine tunics to match the colors his wife wore, and his hair styled in intricate braids and beads down to the nape of his neck. No one could deny how handsome the King was, nor how the happiness that radiated off him that hadn't been seen for quite some time.

Ivar's brothers and Torvi did not attend the celebrations. An invitation was extended to them on behalf of the Queen, but they politely refused. Ivar didn't mind, nor did he want them to attend the celebrations anyway. Artemis on the other hand was displeased, but she sent food and gifts for the children to make up for it.

Everything was perfect, and for the first time in a long time, Artemis felt she was among family.

...

The small child was pushed forward, her little hands forming tight fists into her mother's skirts that only became tighter when she was ushered forward.

"Little niece," Ivar begins, "Asa, why do you hide from us?" The little blonde girl hides behind Torvi, poking out her head to glance at her frightening uncle and his metal legs. She doesn’t respond, but tugs at her mother's dress, looking up at her with the blue eyes of Ragnar.

"You scare her," Torvi says with a frown, bending down to grasp her daughter's shoulders, "Asa, my love, do you remember what we spoke about?" The child nods, fiddling with her chubby fingers.

Artemis watches the young girl, a frown forming on her lips. Such sadness filled her heart, a great contrast against the feelings of love and warmth from Yule.

"You must stay with your Uncle Ivar for some time, sweetheart." Torvi’s eyes watered, fighting against her tears that threatened to escape. Bjorn stood behind them, stoic as ever, but he too was frowning, "Hali, your father, Uncle Ubbe and I will be in Hedeby, remember?" The child nods again, her lip pushing out in a sad pout.

"I don't want you to leave."

"I know, my beautiful girl, but Queen Artemis will be with you. You will never be alone, hmm?" Torvi glances up at Artemis, her eyes hard and threatening. Asa turns her little body to look at the Queen who was not as intimidating as her scary uncle. The young girl saw the Queen smile and watched as she stood from her throne, walking over to kneel before her.

"Hello Asa, I do hope you remember me?" Asa nods and Artemis offers her another smile, "I can't wait for us to have fun together, would you like that?" Asa sniffles but nods her head.

"I like your dog." She mutters, pointing at Heracles. The dog sat obediently beside Ivar, his large head under Ivar's caressing hand.

"He's a great companion," Artemis tells her, "And you will be able to play with him whenever you wish." The child's eyes suddenly light up and sparkle, and she whirls around to look up at her mother.

"Can I mama?" Torvi finally let's her tears fall, falling to her knees and pulling her daughter into a tight hug.

"Of course you can, my dear girl." The scene was enough to make Artemis's own eyes water. She was ripping away this child from her mother just as she was ripped away from her father. Her eyes shift to Bjorn, who says nothing still, arms crossed. It seemed he was thinking the same. How funny the fates were.

"We leave for Hedeby in the morning," Ivar announces, catching everyone's attention, "Get some rest, we will gather for departure at dawn."

...

It was a quiet evening. Artemis listens to the crackling fire, along with Ivar's steady heartbeat below his tight chest.

"I will miss you." She mumbles into his neck, nestled comfortably under the furs. She could hear Asa's gentle breathing from the opposite side of the chamber, where a bed was made for her.

"It will only be a few days." He chuckles, placing a kiss atop her head.

"I know," She says sadly, "But I worry for your safety. We've never been apart." Ivar smiles at her words. It was true, they were glued to each other's side since she first arrived in kattegat.

He lets out a sigh, holding her tighter in the best comfort he could give. He too was worried, not for himself, but for his wife, who would be in charge of Kattegat for the time being. His only comfort was that Hvitserk was to remain with her while he was away.

"All will be well, baby bird, I promise."

...

"You're not going to cry, are you?" Hvitserk teases, offering Artemis a small smile that revealed his brotherly nature, one that she herself was robbed of at a young age. He stood beside her on the beach with arms crossed, watching the ships being readied for departure. Men were running about, hauling and loading supplies and other necessities on board the ships.

Artemis smiles back at him, though it doesn't really reach her eyes as she intended. Farewells were already exchanged but still she watched with sad eyes as her husband, his brothers and Heahmund settled in their respective ships.

Aria stood with her Queen, watching Dafi sail off with the King. It was her hope that he might be restored to favor. Geirdis did not attend, though it was noticed that she had been particularly off since the discovery of Heahmund joining the mission.

Little Asa stood in between Artemis's legs, waving enthusiastically at her family. Torvi glances back at them when the boats are being pushed into the sea, her eyes staring intently into the woman who would now be a motherly figure to her daughter. There was a threat behind that look, a silent threat that did not go unnoticed. She gave her the luxury of such looks, as she knew the shieldmaiden was in such pain of being separated from her youngest child.

She sighs, placing her hands on Asa's small shoulders, joining her in waving the warriors off. She catches sight of Ivar again, as if it were the last time she would be seeing him. It certainly felt that way. He chatted away with Heahmund who sat in front of him, his infamous sword on his lap.

Ivar, sensing the gaze of his wife, turns to look at her. He sends her a grin and a wave, a promise of a safe return. He was much more optimistic than she was, but one of them had to be. His confidence was what would help her get through his absence. She could almost read his lips, the ship he was on not far off from the coast.

I will return.

And she finally lets herself smile.

"There it is," Hvitserk says, placing an arm about her shoulders, drawing her close as he begins to wave at the ships that slowly left their line of vision, "I'm sure it will be but a few days. Hedeby is already in a weakening state." He reassures her.

"I hope you are right," She replies quietly, looking down at Asa when she tugs at her skirts. The child raises her arms, and Artemis wastes no time in picking her up and settling her on her hip. Asa was tired, her eyes drooping and her head nestling against the softness of Artemis's cloak.

"Let us head back," The Queen announces, and Hvitserk signals for their small entourage to head back to the Great Hall.

...

It was the middle of the night.

She must have been dreaming of ravens again, the cawing echoing in her mind, persistent, like a mantra. Except she wasn't dreaming at all, and she realizes this when the cawing was followed by Heracles barking. She blinks, slowly sitting up while rubbing her eyes. The cawing continued, and Heracles has not ceased in his barking, an unusual act as he barked only when something was amiss, which meant...

Artemis shoots out of bed, putting on her dressing gown to cover her sleeping shift, and runs over to Asa who stirs in her sleep, but thankfully did not wake. She wondered how the child slept through such commotion.

Finally turning to the Mastiff, she reprimands him, commanding him into silence, and he does, though he stared directly at the fur covered window, his paws bouncing in anticipation.

Walking over to the window she pulls the fur curtains away, revealing a raven flapping its wings vigorously. It cawed a few times, flying off when she opened the window, and the sight behind the glass made her gasp. The few candles lit in the chambers was enough to outline the dead body of a man lying on the ground just below the window.

There was sudden commotion in the hall before she heard Hvitserk's voice.

"Artemis, I'm coming in!" He shouts from behind the leather dividers, bursting in with a hand over his eyes.

"I'm decent," She says to him frantically, her eyes taking over his disheveled form, "What's happened to you? What is going on?"

"We've been attacked," He replies, wiping the back of his hand over his brow. He was heaving, hair loose from its braid and plastered onto his face, his hands dotted in blood. He held his axe in a tight grip, the edge of the blade covered in red.

"Attacked? Ivar has only been gone 3 nights!"

"And they think us vulnerable. I need you to remain here with Asa. Tordis will be with you."

"Are you hurt?" She questions, and he immediately shakes his head in response.

"I'm alright. What I need to be sure of is that you are protected."

"What is happening outside?" Hvitserk sighs, going over to lean against Ivar's desk.

"It was a small rebellion." He mutters, watching Artemis's features change from concerned to fearful in a matter of seconds.

"What? A rebellion?"

"Lagertha's supporters." Artemis wanted to scream, but instead she chose to bite her tongue, mindful of the sleeping child. Instead, she puts her hands to her face, pushing away her hair in frustration.

"Everything is under control, you have no reason to worry."

"I am tired of others telling me not to worry, of course I will worry!" She bites out, and Hvitserk frowns at the outburst, "Has anyone else been hurt?"

"Only the attackers," He replies, his eyes shifting towards Asa who slept soundly, "They have been arrested and rounded up."

"Take me to them." She tells him immediately, already searching her chest for her cloak.

"No, I think it best for you to remain here."

"Hvitserk," Artemis turns to him, mustering all the patience she had in the world as she placed her cloak over her shoulders, "There is a dead man right outside my window." Hvitserk pulls his brows together in confusion, moving over to the window to peek out.

"By the gods." He groans, resting his head against the wooden panel.

"I will have Tordis and Geirdis remain here with Asa. Take me to them, now."

"And what are your intentions, hmm? They wished to harm you, Artemis. You are the Queen, I am to protect you, not bring you closer to the danger!"

"And as Queen, I refuse to appear weak." She says with such authority that it surprised her brother in law. She walks past the dividers with Heracles in tow, already giving orders for Geridis to be fetched.

...

She has never been inside this particular cabin, if that's what you could call it. It was more like a dungeon, a place to house criminals until a verdict against their crimes could be decided.

The roof had an opening where the moonlight was allowed to shine through along with the stars, a hopeful last view for those who would surely die. It had rained the night before, the ground a muddy mess. There were only a few men really, one woman, and a young man, about 5 in total.

Entering with Hvitserk, and another trusted man of Ivar's called Whitehair, they approach the small group of rebels, now covered in mud.

"The Seer had warned me of those who would continue to conspire." She announces to them, stepping closer, but stopped from Hvitserk's hand on her wrist.

"You shouldn't go any further." He warns her but she ignores him, removing herself from his grip and slowly making her way towards the rebels. Their hands were chained, as well as their feet. She then snaps her fingers, and Heracles enters, his big paws stomping deep into the mud, already growling at the small group. They all move away automatically in fear.

"If they wish to cause further harm, then I'm sure my beast won't hesitate to keep them in their place." There was so much venom in her voice, an unfamiliar tone to those who knew her well, and it was quite the shock to see the Queen filled with such fury.

"You decide to attack Kattegat as soon as Bjorn leaves. Such a small group. I do not see how that makes any sense?" She questions, "Why not leave with him if you had such loyalty towards his mother?" Though most remained quiet, one decided to answer.

"Bjorn is weak," He spits out, "Lagertha's son was unable to avenge her properly."

"So my death is the answer to all your problems, hmm?"

"It would be a start." The man mutters, and immediately Whitehair walks over, backhanding the man roughly.

"Respect the Queen." He speaks quietly but menacingly, walking back over to stand beside her.

Her eyes scanned each of them individually, all of them slightly familiar to her, and all of them hailing from Hedeby. Her eyes finally fell on the youngest of them. It was Arne, Master Hagen's young apprentice. His eyes were wide when she bent down to get a better look at him. He was wounded, his side slashed and bleeding, no doubt by Hvitserk's blade. He groans from his quick movements to move away from her.

"I did not think you capable of such things, Arne. You had such great potential," She says sadly before turning towards Hvitserk and Whitehair, "Fetch a healer."

"What for?" Hvitserk demands.

"He needs to be treated."

"You mean to care for the boy?"

"He will die if he bleeds out."

"He will die anyway once Ivar returns. He will not hesitate to order their deaths." Hvitserk says in frustration. Artemis stands, looking down at those who did not have the courage to look back up at her.

"Then at least he'll die the way he deserves." She says quietly.

...

When she returned to her chambers she was surprised to see the raven. Its claws were embedded deep into the wooden frame of the bed. She must have left the window open before she left.

"I tried to get it out, My Queen, but it refuses," Geirdis says tiredly, sitting next to Asa's sleeping form, "I didn't know what else to do, so I left it there."

"It's alright." Artemis replies cautiously, her eyes focused on the black creature, its beady eyes boring into her own. She approaches it slowly, raising a finger to brush over its tiny head, and it let's her.

"It is an omen," The blonde girl says, "The gods are with you, My Queen." Artemis could hear Heracles in the hall with a thrall, whinning to be with his mistress, but she momentarily ignores him, keeping her focus on the raven.

And perhaps Geirdis was right.

The dead man laying right outside the window was inspected by Hvitserk for any injuries as no other warrior recalled cutting him down, but to everyone's surprise, he had none to show for, yet there was no pulse felt. The man was as dead as the one's during the war for Kattegat, the 4 that had attempted to attack her.

The story circulated around the kingdom, how the Queen was protected not only by her guards and warriors, but by the gods themselves. The raven that now made a home in the Great Hall was enough for the people to believe that such talk was true.

No trouble had stirred after that incident. ...

@heavenly1927 @didiintheblog @leilabeaux  @jzr201 @inforapound @a-mess-of-fandoms @rastakami23 @ostra814​ @zumzum96​

[btsrmono]

Trial & Error | chapter 1.

A/N: hey guys ik this is really random for my page but i got bored lol pls enjoy?? 

Main Pairing: (jimin): student/idol x (main): foreign student

Side Pairs: main x taehyung,, main x (nct) jaehyun 

CHAPTER 1

"I still can't believe you're moving."

 You sighed, leaning your head on your boyfriend's shoulder. "Don't remind me."

 It had been a month since your parents had told you about the big move and school would be starting the next week, which is when you'd be moving.

  Ryan lied his hand on your thigh as he squeezed it a bit. "I was thinking, you know," he started, "since you're moving and all... y/n, don't you think it'd be better if we--"

  You already knew where this was going. "Break up?" you finished for him. He didn't say anything, causing you to chuckle a bit. "It's alright," you told him. "I've been thinking the same thing."

 "You have?"

  You took your head off of his shoulder, looking him in the eyes. "Yeah. I mean, it only makes sense, right? What would be the purpose of staying together?" You gave him a small smile of which he returned. You and Ryan had only been together for 5 months, not really making it a big deal.

"You know I care about you, right?"

"Yes," you confirmed. "Same goes here. Just because we're 'ending this', doesn't mean we're ending us. I'll still keep in contact with you and check up here and there."

 Smiling at you, he stuck his pinky finger out. "Promise?"

 You quickly interlocked your pinky with his. "Promise."

                                                              ~~

  Turns out, saying your goodbyes to your friends wasn't the hard part. You already knew this was going to be a problem but you had been in Korea for over two hours and still had yet to find someone that spoke English. You guys began to settle in your apartment with the help of moving guys, and you had decided that you wanted to take a look around, maybe buy a snack.

  Little to no avail, you couldn't find many American snacks like you were expecting to, and when you did, they surely didn't taste the same. Anyway, you was trying to make your way back to your new home when you realized you didn't know where you were going. Google Maps was acting up, and you were too afraid to attempt the Korean you actually did know with local natives. Therefore, you tried to ask, using as much broken English as you could to make it simple on them. However, they weren't very helpful but at least they all seemed nice. You thought maybe if you made one more attempt, you could have hit the jackpot. "Uh, excuse me sir."

The older man stopped in his tracks and stared at you. "Uh... Yes?" He asked, sounding quite nervous.

Right then and there, just from his tone, you knew he wasn't going to be much useful. You politely smiled. "Never mind." You bowed and he went on with his day. Ugh, why were you so scared to speak Korean. You were actually pretty good at it at some point due to your childhood best friend, Shi Ah. Practically her sister, you two were around each other all the time and you easily picked up the language. It was fun because you guys would always say things about people with them right there without them knowing what you two were speaking about.

 But, unfortunately, Shi Ah had to move to China Freshman year due to a job opportunity for her journalist parents. The goodbye was extremely hard but you both eventually moved on, you becoming best friends with Mariana and Riley, her doing God knows what. You even fell out of touch so you had no idea what she’d been up to the past few years. It was sad but it quickly became your new normal.

 Anyway, you knew, eventually you were going to have to get over your fear of speaking Korean but until then, you sighed and took in the scenery surrounding you to see if anything looked familiar, but nope. You stood there, deciding that maybe it was time to call a parent. As you went to dial your moms number, you suddenly become very distracted.

"Lost?" you heard a voice say.

You looked up from your phone to the girl that now stood in front of you. "You speak English?" you stupidly asked. The girl laughed. "I'm sorry," you apologized, realizing how rude you probably sounded.

"Don't be, it's understandable. What can I help you with though?" The girl was really pretty. She had perfect skin with long blonde hair and bangs that made her wide eyes stand out.

You let out a breath, looking down at your phone. "I need help getting back home."

She giggled. "Already? Come on." She then proceed to walk ahead of you as you, confusingly, followed.

"But wait, you haven't even asked where I live."

"Its alright, we're in the same neighborhood. I saw you earlier," she explained. It then made sense. However, you had not seen her. The girl was gorgeous, you must admit, so you would have remembered seeing her.

"So we're neighbors," you stated.

"Yup."

"What's your name?"

Still walking, she looked back at you and smiled. "Jinsoul. But my English speaking friends call me Zoè. Say which ever you'd like."

You nodded, repeating her name in your head a few times. A habit you picked up in order to remember people’s names. 

"And you?" she asked.

"Y/n."

"That’s pretty," she complemented you. “It’ll be hard to forget.”

Only a short block later, you guys were back into the neighborhood. "Thank you so much," you said as you began to reach your doorstep. "I owe you." 

 After exchanging numbers, she informed you that she only lived a corner away from you and that if you ever needed anything, you could just ask.

______

 The next day, you were starting school. You walked around the corner and saw your mom in the kitchen cooking breakfast. You knew that your Dad didn't leave the house until 9 am. "Morning, Mom," you greeted her.

She turned away from the pancakes she was in the middle of making and smiled at you. "Y/n! Morning baby, are you excited for school?"

 You shrugged your shoulders while smirking as you placed your back pack on the kitchen island table. "I guess. I don't really know what to expect though."

"Well if there's any advice I can give you, it's : Don't stress. Seriously, it'll make everything go wrong."

Instead of a reply, you sighed, still feeling sleepy. "Why are you up so early?" you asked her.

She then proceeded back to making the pancakes. "For you."

"Oh no, you didn't need to do that, Mom. I'm about to leave out."

She looked at you with a confused expression on her face. "Well then what are you going to eat?"

"There's a store around the block, I was just gonna grab a quick snack and head to the school early."

"Early?" she wondered.

You shook your head. "Yup. Want to get my schedule 100 percent accurate and get a mini tour of the building before it gets too crowded." Your mom kind of smirked, looking at you from the side of her eyes. You giggled. "What?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing, it's just nice seeing you be responsible and positive on the first day. I know you didn't exactly picture your senior year to go this way but I just want you to make the best of it and I think you're off to a good start so far, sweetie."

You smiled. She was right, you guess. You did feel very out of place but not in a bad way exactly. You'd rather be home but you weren’t. You were in Seoul, South Korea and what would you be able to do about it? Nothing. So why not do what you can and make it a good experience rather than a negative?

She then turned the stove off and fully looked at you. "Get going. Have a nice day of school!"

As soon as you left the apartment building, you saw the girl from the day before walking in your direction. She beamed widely at your appearance. "Y/n!" she yelled.

You gave her a gentle smile, waiting for her to catch up with you. Once she did, you both continued walking together. "You look nice for your first day."

"Thanks, you look nice too!"

You started to think that she was also going to the store. So you both walked in silence for a little bit until you arrived there. The bell dinged on the door as she opened it. The older cashier man looked at you strangely. She noticed this. "Don't mind him," she said. "He does this to everyone."

You shook your head understandingly. "Okay."

She went over to the fridge section and grabbed banana milk, as did you, then a pack of peanuts and you went up to pay for your stuff while she was still looking. Once she was done, you two stepped back out into the hot heat. Only a few moments later, a group of three good looking guys showed up, talking amongst themselves as they headed to school as well in their uniforms. This made you believe you were getting closer to the bus stop.

On the side of you, you heard Jinsoul let out a slight laugh, making you turn to her. She was looking at the boys. Next thing you knew, they were looking back at her and walking over towards you guys. "A-are they coming over here?" you stuttered.

"Looks like it," she replied cooley, a small smirk glued to her face.

You quickly gave your hair a little fix as you both suddenly stopped walking, waiting for the boys to join.

"Yah, Jinsoul!", one of them said. He continued to speak in Korean as you zoned out, worried about if they would try to speak to you too. Sooner or later, you heard your name being said by Jinsoul and the boys all kind of glanced your way, throwing you off track. 

They eventually turned their attention back to Jinsoul, continuing their conversation. All except the one boy, whom was the most adorable of them all. He blankly stared at you, his eyes even squinting a bit.

You shifted one foot to the other as you looked down at the pavement, slightly uncomfortable with this. You then heard him laugh and when you looked back up, he was smiling at you. You nervously smiled back before he finally went back to paying attention to Jinsoul. They spoke in some more Korean.

After a good minute or two passed, you heard them saying goodbye, the cutest one being the only one to wave at you. Once they were out of ear shot, you turned to Jinsoul. "Uh, Jinsoul?"

"Hm?" she wondered, nonchalantly.

"Who were they?"

She laughed loudly before covering her mouth quickly. "Really?" she asked. "You really don't know who they are?"

Of course you didn't know who they were, why was she expecting you to? You tilted your head slightly. "I mean, I'm not from here," you explained.

"True." She began to walk again, you following. "They're all idols."

"Idols?" you wondered. "As in?"

"As in 'famous', y/n."

 You slightly hesitated, letting this new profound information soak into your brain. "Famous as in?"

"They sing. Dance. Rap. They're idols. K-pop idols."

You knew of K-pop, you looked it up upon arriving to Seoul but were no expert at it and of course the only people you ever even slightly heard of were Psy, Exo and Got7. Other than that, you were completely ignorant to the Korean pop industry. "Are they all in the same group?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Two of them are. The other one, aka, my friend, is still a trainee, which means he hasn't debuted yet but he's training to."

"Interesting." You walked a few more seconds in silence until you absolutely had to ask their names. Specifically for the one guy.

She deviously smiled, already knowing what was up your sleeve. "I see what you're doing," she stated. "But if you insist. My friend's name is Bae Joon Young. We call him Jacob. The other one is Kim Taehyung and the one that you seem interested in is Park Jimin."

"Jimin," you repeated. "But wait. If they're all famous, why were they in uniform to go to school?"

"Because they have to," she told you. "They all made an agreement that if they ever dropped out of school, they are eligible to be dropped from their company. Plus Taehyung and Jimin just debuted so they have to listen to their company right now. It's a pretty logical idea if I do say so myself."

You guys finally arrived at the bus stop and she explained to you what you would do after being released at the first stop. You both went to different schools. While you went to a Foreign school, she attended a performing arts school with a ton of other inspiring and/or famous people.

Of course you saw the boys again at the bus stop but they did not bother you guys this time, instead, they met up with their other friends that were also at the bus stop. The bus eventually pulled up around 7:30am and everyone got on board. Since both schools were basically right across from each other, all students got off at the same spot too. The only difference is that you and about two other students had to walk an extra block before actually getting to the International school. Once you finally arrived there, you took a deep breath and headed inside.

A/N: Bruh, I’m sorry this chapter was so BORING but it was the 1st. It should get a lil more interesting moving forward since we got most introductions out of the way. More Jimin to come next chapter! 

ALSO: I’ll be putting a gif of a main character each chapter at the end! For this chapter, we have Jinsoul, the friendly neighbor and school bus buddy! 

STAY TUNED

PART 2

[80s-roger]

invisible man - Roger Taylor x Fem!Reader

summary: Roger is your neighbour and he’s been stalking you since the day you moved in opposite him. You caught him tonight and it’s going to be hella hot.

warnings: make out, protected sex, squirt

words:  2.265

masterlist

"Won't you come with us to the new pub downtown?" Brian asked when the recording session was done for today.

"No, I am tired..." Roger declined politely. Too rare for him.

"Tired or..." Freddie teased as he was wearing his leather jacket.

"You know Roger, it's totally fine if there's a girl!" John smiler.

"Kind of, we'll see." Roger nodded and left the studio when the rest members went to the new pub.

Roger has been your stalker since the day you moved in the neighbourhood he lives. You've noticed none of what he's doing. You actually know a rock star lives nearby your home but never made the effort to get to know him. He stays at his window all night watching you either sleep or undress which is his favourite one. All thanks to the telescope Brian got him for his 34th birthday. Tonight you caught him watching you over his telescope.

You just got home after a long ass work shift. Your male boss disrespects you and that shit drives your crazy. You overwork but you're underpaid just because you're a woman. You took off your working clothes, now you were watching yourself from the mirror before heading to the shower until a reflection from the mirror landing to the wall, distracting you. You felt something was wrong. As you turn your head to the window you notice a man watching you. And that man is the rock star. You knew that was his house. You felt embarrassed not knowing how many times he has done it before. You rapidly cover the window with the purple curtains and cover yourself with a dress you had behind the door so you could kick his ass by asking explanations. Roger was confused. He didn't know he caused the reflection neither you were coming to his place.

You aggressively knock his door. The second he opens the door, you take a moment to realise Roger Taylor from Queen was eventually the man who lives opposite you, yet he's the guy who was watching you. You both take a minute to process the situation.

"Oh you must be the new neighbour..." He awkwardly says when his hand was placed in his chest area under his blue suit.

"And you must be the neighbour who watches me with his telescope!" You were angry but also tired of your today's shift.

"N-no! I'm afraid you're mistaken!" He tried to save it but you didn't believe a word.

"Cut the bullshit, I saw you! Tell me how many times have you been doing it?" You asked and felt your blood boiling inside you.

"Just once!" He answered but you looked him in disbelief. "Or twice." his voice lowered. You crossed your arms, not believing a word. "Fine, since the day you moved into the neighbourhood." He finally admitted and your gaze was calmer than before. You were flattered a man like him watching you but it can be creepy too, right? But hey, you missed receiving some flirting. You were focused on your work all this time, you forgot about meeting new guys or even have some fun.

"At least you're honest now." You giggled. "Can I come in?" You politely asked.

"Y-yeah of course." He made way for you to get into his huge house. Makes sense for a rockstar. As you walked through his living room he looked kinda nervous. "Would you like a drink? I think it's finally time to know each other regardless of the circumstances." He awkwardly laughed but you laughed with his attitude. He was literally watching you all this time and now he acts like a child. You couldn't deny how handsome he was. His fluffy blond hair, his bright blue ocean eyes, his attitude. Dear God, you haven't felt complete as a woman for a long time. As you sat on his couch you were staring at the entire room like it was some kind of art. You could feel the heat coming from the radiators the minute you felt calmer, probably Roger turned them on to make you feel better in no time. Or he's trying to persuade you.

"Y/n, here's your drink." He offered the glass as he sat down next to you.

"Um, how do you know my name?" You curiously asked.

"I've been stalking you since the day you moved in. You think a name would be an obstacle to me?" he laughed as he took a sip from his whiskey. "I guess you know my name by now." He seriously said like he's a God you would worship.

"Yeah, of course, I do..." you nodded. "But when it comes to my name I don't know if I should creep out or be flattered." You laughed and followed his action.

"Be flattered because you're way too beautiful to be devastated. You've been a mess for a long time. Is there something wrong?" He asked looking worried but you felt shocked, knowing he's seen you this way. You should keep these curtains closed anyways. "You don't have to answer you know..." He added, making you feel comfortable.

"I'm actually really stressed." You started. "My boss keeps insulting me and I'm not even paid like my male colleagues are. This is unfair." You let out a breath, now your eyes getting blurry from the tears ready to fall. "It's been happening for two years, I can't stand inequality. I've had enough of being treated like I don't worth my position in that damn bank." You rested your head at the couch's back and cleared your eyes. You could feel Roger looking at you but he was unable to say a word.

"It's work that stresses you too much, huh?" He asked and put his glass on the table.

"I actually love my job... My boss treats me like shit." You eventually cried, thinking the reason he treats you this way.

"Why don't you talk to someone who's on a higher position than he's?" He asked. "Oh... y/n please don't cry..." His gentle fingertips took away your tears from your cheeks, feeling the desire among you. That was undoubtfully mutual.

"He's been assaulting me because I refused going out with him. Many were the times he insulted me in front of my colleagues saying nasty stuff." Υοu looked him in his eyes. You knew you liked Queen's drummer since the beginning but now it's different. You're opening your heart to him.

"Oh... Come here..." He pulled you closer. He pulled you in his arms, feeling what you missed the most. A man taking care of you. Let's be honest, you've been single for a lot of time and a hug is enough to knock you off of your feet. His eyes locked with yours. You've never felt this way before. His lips met yours and it was all so sudden you couldn't process the situation. His kiss was warm and everything you needed but it was over your limits.

"I'm sorry." You rapidly said, trying to get out of his warm hug. "I shouldn't have indulged myself this way." you pulled away and you could now see his eyes getting darker. You refused his affection and now you feel guilty too. Guilt took over and you stood up, attempting to leave his house. You never wanted to cry like a baby towards a man you just met. "I have to go..." you tried running but he stopped you. His hand grabbed yours and you looked him back to his eyes.

"Y/n please stay! Please... This is the first time I get to know you the way I want to. I know you want it too. Please." He was begging you for sex. He was begging for it for months but he couldn't meet you before. Now it's time to get to know him. You surely wanted to feel like a woman again. You haven't been laid for months and you want it now. And he wants it too.

"Do you really think I'm this type of woman?" you asked feeling easy.

"No definitely not. It's just- fuck. I want you, I desire you. Do I make any sense? You've been in my mind since the day you moved in opposite me, I'm not joking." His hands wrapped yours and his eyes wouldn't stop looking inside yours.

"I think you make sense..." you answered. You wanted to be laid, you needed it.

"I mean... Can I?" He asked for your permission to go on. You didn't talk. You were just looking at him.

"I haven't had it for a long of time so don't judge, okay?" You insecurely said.

"Same y/n." He came closer to you and his hands wrapped your waist, pulling you even closer to him and his bulge.

His lips met yours again, feeling the warm sense at your mouth and your body. Now you keep away your issues and the rules you've made to yourself. No one night stands. You didn't care now, it was all about feeling the pleasure and the desire. "Shall we go to my bedroom?" He asked, interrupting the steamy kiss. You nodded without saying a word. That kiss awakened your sexual desires.

You climbed on him, with your legs around his waist and your lips at his neck, giving him sweet and wet kisses. He could do that at the moment but he was too focused on the stairs.

His bedroom was huge and there was the telescope facing your bedroom's window. He gently threw you on his king-sized bed and it was hella soft and comfortable. He immediately removed his suit, staying chest-naked in front of you and now you had to do it too with your easy-to-be-taken-off dress in which you were braless. You spread your legs so now he could have access to your bodies colliding.

"You're so beautiful y/n..." He whispered to your ear, sending you shivers. You haven't heard that for such a long time. You knew by then how wet you are.

"Can't say the opposite." You slightly laughed to his ear and now his hands were below the dress, around your hips, squeezing them gently and carefully. "Oh, please undress me..." you laid your head back anticipating the second you would be naked.

"You're so ready for me..." He answered and with one fast move, he legitimately removed your dress, now only on your wet panties. "Not even a bra? So naughty from you." He bit his lip and placed his head at your chest, giving you kisses that would tickle you, but it didn't matter as long as sex was about to happen.

"Ah fuck..." You moaned when his hand went under your panties, rubbing your clit and now you were so horny, you would die from anticipation.

"Fuck, you're already wet. That was fast..." He smirked without interrupting your lips contact.

He took off his jeans, now his underwear was the remaining fabric that covered his boner. At the sight of himself jerking off and being prepared you took off your panties, rubbing with round circles your pussy, waiting for him to fuck you. "You better hurry, I'm so needy for it." You said and laid yourself at the back, now your head's rested on his pillows.

"So am I love..." He climbed on top of you, wore his condom and ready to thrust inside you. "Just tell me. How long? You better remember this night." He said with confidence.

"Must be half a year, I don't remember." You felt sad thinking about how undesirable you could be at that time.

"Oh love, you better enjoy it now. Do you have a safe word?" He asked as he caressed your cheek.

"It's just stop." You said as you don't have any safe words. Stop means stop, right?

"I like that." He bit his lip and gave you a deep kiss before entering your vagina.

His dick was inside you, filling you up entirely. It felt really good. It was that thing you missed. His soft moanings against your ears and his hips moving harmonically against you was everything you wanted. His eyes wouldn't stop tracking your emotions through your eyes.

"You're so good around me. Fuck..." He moaned.

"It feels so nice Rog..." You answered as the feeling of coming was near.

"You should have been doing it already..." You said with heavy breaths.

"You have no idea how long I waited for this." He smoothly said when he thrust a bit harder inside you and then you let out a softly louder moan. "Want it faster?" He asked before going that tempo.

He raised his eyebrow as you told him that. Confidence took over and now it's hell. It was faster and definitely better, both of you on the edge of coming. "Rog, I-i'm gonna c-"

"Hold it together baby, just a few seconds..." He interrupted you but now you have to hold it a little more.

"Rog seriously I can't!" You were feeling your legs shaking and now he felt it too as waves of pleasure, hit him like a truck. He was rubbing your clit, now it gets crazier. It's coming.

"Ah holy shit." He loudly moaned when he took himself off you and so did you. And right there, water-like liquids popped out of your pussy and Roger looked at you shocked. "Holy hell, that was hot." He said at the sight of you squirting.

"Yeah I usually do that." you laughed and now he went to his bathroom cleaning himself from the mess.

"We should have sex more often then. We should even start going out. Ain't leaving you now when our sex life is gonna be lit." You heard him laughing and you couldn't help but agree.

[drblood-bringer-of-death]

Yay! Another Tyrian x Watts fanfiction for Nuts and Volts week! Seriously I cant get enough of these guys! Anyway, hope everyone over at @nutsandvoltsweek enjoys it!

Waltzing into love

Warnings: literally just some mild cursing.

They hated it. Every single second of being stuck in the stuffy, crowded room full of pompous, rich assholes. Arthur glared at anyone unfortunate enough to make eye contact with him and he stayed as far away from the dance floor as possible. He hated parties as much as he hated people. He would much rather be back in the grimm lands, tinkering away at his inventions without a single interruption. But he was not the only one who hated being there. As grand and beautiful as Atlesian parties were, they had a very strict policy to them. No Faunus, No improper dress, and absolutely No exceptions. Tyrian, as sporadic and chaotic as the man was, unfortunately was the best fit to go with Arthur to this party. Salem decided that Hazel would be too intimidating, Emerald and Mercury were too young,  and Cinder would have stuck out like a sore thumb. So Tyrian was voluntold to attend as Arthur's date. He sulked even more than Arthur did. He might have even hated it more than the mustached man. Due to the strict policy, Tyrian had to wear what he considered "constrictive" clothing. And worst of all he couldn't even use his tail! Arthur had insisted he hide it, since it was against the rules. Tyrian fought him on it, to no avail as he knew Arthur was right. So the two brooded in their fancy clothing in a corner of the ballroom. They avoided everyone and if it wasn't for Arthur's accursed reputation he would have never even attended this godforsaken party. Maybe he could figure out some way to fake his death or even actually die just to avoid these parties.

"This is pointless!" Tyrian growled.

"It's not entirely pointless, but it's Incredibly dull." Arthur retorted, focusing all his attention on his scroll.

"Why did I have to come here?! I hate this! I feel like I'm restricting all my natural instincts!" Tyrian continued to complain as he pulled on the dark purple tie around his neck.

"Stop pulling at that you'll undo it! And you know why she chose you to come with me. And stop tugging on the tie!" Arthur said angrily as he turned towards Tyrian, who had managed to actually undo his tie. "How did you even? Ugh just let me fix it!" Arthur swatted away Tyrians hands and grabbed ahold of the tie. Fastening it once again.

"Ahem, am I interrupting anything?" The unwanted and annoying voice of Jaques Schnee broke through Arthurs grumbling. His brow twitched in annoyance and he sighed before facing the unbearable aristocrat.

"Why Jaques, what a pleasure to see you again." Arthur lied through his teeth.

"A pleasure as well. Who, may I ask, are you?" He directed the question towards Tyrian who stiffened as a response.

"Uh, Tyrian Callows, associate of Watts here." He shook the older man's hand in forced politeness.

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Callows. I had no idea Arthur was into such… interesting company." His tone of voice and the way he glanced at Arthur smugly,  clearly portrayed that he suspected something else. "why I'd even say you might be planning something… more forbidding." Tyrian pailed, could he really figure them out that easily? He looked at Arthur and they shared a panicked look.

"Jaques if you're suggesting-" Arthur started to accuse him but Jaques cut him off.

"Oh come now Arthur, you know i wouldn't care if you were gay, it's quite common nowadays, and I've been suspecting it for a while anyway-" Watts and Tyrians faces went bright red. "I was simply baffled that you managed to find someone to deal with your arrogance." He finished.

"I-my arrogance- excuse me?!" Arthur said offhandedly. Jaques only laughed at him.

"Relax, you know that the General himself is gay right? Really it doesn't matter here, why not show some affection! Have a dance or two! There's nothing to hide." And before Arthur, pr even Tyrian for that matter, could stutter out a response Jaques turned on his heels and walked away smirking.

"Does he think-? I mean really?" Tyrian asked before bursting into uncontrollable laughter. His entire body shook with each inhale of breath. As he laughed and laughed Arthur's face grew more and more red, out of both embarrassment and anger.

"You shut up!" He snapped at Tyrian. Whose laughter seemed never ending. Making Arthurs anger grow.

"Re- hehehe- relax Arthur. Haha, as far as we know, this could be an advantage." Tyrian offered through dying giggles.

"What do you mean?" Arthurs anger sizzled but he stopped feeling the innate need to punch the Faunus. Tyrian wiped a tear from his eye.

"Well think about it. You could gain some massive publicity points if you came out as gay, and if we did it here it would be massively successful. All we have to do is dance a little bit and maybe hold hands. People will come to the conclusion on their own and it'll be all over the news tomorrow. "Infamous inventor Arthur Watts supporting his community through love!" Can you imagine that?" Arthur paused.

Unhinged, deranged, murderous, insane… and intelligent. Those are the words Arthur would use to describe Tyrian right now. As unpredictable as the man is, he could read people and play off them better than even Salem herself.

"That… could work." Arthur poundered. The plan was foolproof, and even if it went wrong then it would cause protests in the communities drawing grimm in. "Yes. It would work quite well." Arthur hummed to himself and Tyrian smirked.

"Well then let's get to it and put on a show!" He cheered in a manic giggle as he pulled Arthur away from their protective corner and into the center of the dancefloor. Arthur huffed behind him, not expecting the pull. Although he should really expect everything from Tyrian.

"I told you to relax already Arthur! All we need to do is dance a bit and act all coupley." Tyrian smirked again and Arthur got some sort of primal feeling in his gut to run. As if something far more sinister than even they had planned was happening. But he ignored it, it was not the first, or last, time he would have that feeling while with the scorpion.

"It's Impossible to relax with you" he retorted harshly, shifting himself and Tyrian into a waltzing position. Slowly the music ran through the room and the many people around them began to move to the three step beat.

"Your words wound me Arthur," Tyrian mocked. "I'm the most relaxing person I know! Well besides Hazel." He held back a giggle.

"Your a caffeinated maniac trapped inside a padded room. I absolutely do not find you relaxing!" Arthur all but growled.

"A bit touchy aren't you? Was it something that Mr. Schnee said that caught your nerves?" He smirked wildly at Arthur who tried his best to keep his composure. As he tried to calm his breathing Tyrians insane smile reached his eyes. "Oh my, your heart rate picked up! I must be onto something!" Arthur started to panic.

"You did not- wait you can sense my heart rate? No, nevermind that!" He attempted to gather his thoughts as he and Tyrian glided across the ballroom floor, sliding in time with everyone around them. If you weren't right next to the pair it would be like they were just enjoying themselves and not having a frantic argument.

"Poor Arthur Watts, not admitting that old Mr. Schnee was right! What an exciting evening this has become!" Tyrians giggles seemed to pour out of his mouth.

"Would you just shut up! I've already said that to you tonight, you psychopath! Now stop talking and lets finish this stupid dance!" Arthur was pissed off now, he couldn't stand looking at Tyrians pretty eyes or his handsome face any longer. So he decided to do something about it. As the song approached it's climax he brought Tyrian into a sudden spin, catching the scorpion off guard. As he pulled Tyrian back into him, he made up his mind. Placing one foot behind Tyrians and throwing his center of balance off, he dipped the younger man. He heard people around them gasp, some of them seemed shocked, but through all the noise he heard two distinct things. One: Jaques Schnee saying " I called it!", and two, Tyrian Callows' sharp inhale of breath. He pulled them back up. Releasing Tyrians lips as he did, and then he turned and walked out of the room.

Tyrian stumbled, that was not expected at all. He knew Arthur was gay but he never dared to dream that Arthur liked him. He got over the shock, more delayed than he'd like, but nevertheless he rushed after Arthur and found the man pacing an empty hallway.

"Why did I do that? What was the logic of that? It was pointless, im pointless. For fucks sake we're both adults why couldn't I just talk to him!?" Arthur mutters to himself as he paced, not even noticing that Tyrian was right next to him. "Damnit, that was so stupid! Why is he so handsomely intimidating? What can't I just be normal-"

"Because you're Arthur Watts, inventor and doctor, smarter than anyone else i know and absolutely hopelessly in love with me" Tyrian interrupted, his voice caught Arthur off guard and he would never admit how much that genuinely scared him.

"Ty- Tyrian look, what I-" he was cut off as said man lunged at him suddenly, crowding his precious space.

"Just shut up and kiss me again" the scorpion demanded as he rolled his eyes and pulled Arthur into him. Their lips crashed together again, yet the feeling was different. Before Arthur could barely feel the kiss at all, but now he felt like sparks were flying down his spine and static was invading his mind. Arthur let himself fall mentally, his brilliant mind failing him when he needed it most, so he just let it happen. Let his body do the talking for once.

Tyrian on the other hand was practically shaking with joy, he had a crush on the doctor for a while now but he truly never believed Arthur would like him back, let alone make the first move! He could not be happier even if his own goddess showed up just then! He felt as if nothing could ruin this sweet moment of love. And he was right, not a soul came out of the party to find them and they were left alone in the hallway. As Tyrian let go of Arthur he smiled. Not a crazed, classic Tyrian smile, but a calm, genuine one. Arthur felt his heart skip more than one beat, and he was sure Tyrian felt it too. Soon enough Tyrians soft laughter bubbled out of his mouth.

"What's so funny?" Arthur asked, his usual scoff lightened just a touch.

"Well the fact that we literally waltzed into love." Arthur's eyes rolled.

"That was cheesy." He huffed as he set his head on Tyrians shoulder.

"No, parmesan is cheesy." Arthur sighed. The moment was ruined by the man who created it. And he could not help the small smile that was hidden by his mustache. Maybe tonight was worth the party.

[dyker-farmer]

More bro fic.... angst fodder kind content.

Take that can away if you can

I never see Shane works that don't go all in for romance nor explore the more realistic ugly parts of recovery, and I kind of crave That TM. So let me have at it too with the self-insert whump mumbo jumbo; no romo version.

Set post-8 hearts event- not 10, jesus-, Farmer Uidelsib is two years or so in, full house built and married to Emily. They/them pronouns, same as me.

Diverges from then on, Shane-centric from an outside POV for the most part.

I also put it on Ao3.

[[MORE]]

A bitch bastard man and a bitch walk into a room... Chapter 1/2/3/4

"I think we should talk about this."

If the room was stifled before, this just causes the pin to drop, and the relative lull to shatter with it. I don't want a storm, but we can't pretend the sea's a slightly oversized pond if we want him not drowning in it- again, my mind supplies, unhelpful.

He's zoning out again, blurry eyes pointedly off me, preferring the turned-off TV.

Let's start easy. "Why did you come here, Shane?"

"I-I-" It sounds like an excuse building up and it bubbles out like a shaken can, "I don't- I shouldn't have-" he goes to up and leave, and we just can't have that.

I scrape my chair closer and grab his shoulder, same as before. Hopefully it's more placating than caging. "No, you should have. You did good. Seeking out, remember?"

He doesn't answer but stills.

"Like Dr.Campbell and Harvey said." I try again.

"Yeah… Yeah." Deep breathing. "I. Don't know." He searches for my face, not quite past the nose. I nod, ushering him on. "It's. Stupid." I frown and my eyebrow goes higher than before and he immediately doubles down. "I know- positiv' reinforchment and all that shit! But… It's hard." A tired hand wipes the most of moisture off his face, before it goes back to wriggle with the other on his lap. "It's so fuckin' hard. Didn't even last two seasons!-"

I cut him off. "Two seasons is a lot! One and a half too. Last time, you'd tried to go cold turkey on the spot. We know what that got us." Sea foam in the mouth and a shared cold in the early spring, on top of a Joja lawsuit. "Shit's hard, like you said. You lasted one and a half this time. Next time-"

"Why the fuck do you always think there's gonna be a next time."

This time, I still. My laidback demeanor mirror his, but so does the cold anger creeping in and tensing both our backs.

"Because. There is going to be a next time. And another after that. And another. Same way there's been next times before this one now."

What's left unsaid we don't touch.

All irritation floods from him like it's just pointless to keep it in anymore, and his forehead goes to thunk softly against the wooden surface he leaned on before. The table muffles his next words a little.

"I can't… keep doing that." I don't peep. "I can't keep rolling back down and then up and down, and up, and down. I- I just can't, Garcia- Uidel-"

"I'll drag you there." I shrug.

"But you shouldn't have to!" His voice raises and make the boards vibrate where his skin's still pressed. "You shouldn't have to-to fuckin'-" he sniffles, the following words drowned out in held-back sobs. "Fuck damn it, you- I said I- I wouldn't be a burden anymore!"

He's crying out loud now, open sorrow and no walls left. Out of all the things you could stick on the not-so amiable man sulking straight from bed to Jojamart to Stardrop Saloon to bed, you probably wouldn't think of "extreme scare of bothering anyone". Yet it's all here in how he collapses silently in the mattress, wake without a sound, keep his head down the whole time he crosses town, tries to merge himself in the fake-nice blue of the shelves at work, then corners himself right between the chimney and the bar on Emily's side, stuck in-between two sources of warmth that can never touch him unless he swings one way or the other. And he doesn't a lot, still keeping to himself strictly. You probably wouldn't think either of how dreamy he gets, hidden in his alcove but seeing everything from there.

When Harvey nerds out about classical, jazz and electro swing music down the bar to me, trying to catch me up on my fuzzy memories of arts history and the implications of breaking codes in the tempo and the leisure of each instruments; of how each note gets a specific response from the brain if done right, and can make up for caffeine deprivation in miraculous ways, when there are no more chances to push back the dread of midterms season at doctor school.

When Elliott, boisterous and drunk, arm-on-arm with an equally inebriated Leah, calls out to the whole place to hear out his latest soliloquy, and drags on the words too much, but with a voice that carries it well, all flamboyance and no limits, as his hair floats around him in a crown and he reigns over the room like a kind lion- Description all intoxicated words from your chicken man truly, not mine. I always get too caught up in the pendulum of Leah's braid and her crooked smile to quite appreciate his theatrics. But the recital rings clear, and everyone applauds the performance- because hey, you applaud a drunk guy showing off the prowess of not tripping a single word in a ten minutes tirade, but also because it really is that good! Everyone, even Shane, whose hands zipped to under his armpits the moment our eyes crossed and I met his pink cheeks with a clairvoyant smile.

Hey, what can I say. Dude's a sapiosexual. Hence why we'll never and cannot bang. That, and, uh, the being lesbian thing.

But all this is closed off and not for anyone to see behind see-through fogged windows, like those kitchen cabinets, when you can make out the piled plates all resting against the cold surface precariously, bound to crash and shatter the moment you open them.

It took a good wrecking ball of a fake-oblivious polite faced stranger and my incessant, hot pepper poppers-powered pestering, to even just crackles the glass.

The rest was all done out of his own volition. He can't see that because alcohol is a depressant, and guzzling it down leads to blurry concepts made softer always and pretty much lush in brain, and when he's off the thing, and that's rare, he instantly goes from not there to thinking he's everywhere, soiling everything and giving nothing.

His sobbing doesn't relent, and he whimpers issues of "trustworthy sack of shit", "not being worth the fucking shrink's money", "not being worth his aunt's troubles", "not being worth Jas". At some point he goes to grapple with his hair, and tugs brusquely once, then twice, then I have to reach for his wrist to make him stop, which he snatches back as soon as I make contact. But he doesn't grab anything to pull or pinch or punch again, so that's good. I stay on standby beside him, but don't touch him. He rasps more condemnations, struggles to breathe enough through the phlegm spreading in his respiratory system, and I start reenacting the steps to stop a hyperventilation in my head, and the first aid for choking, when he begins to cough violently, his entire frame upset with the movement.

He takes the tissue box i nudge with insistence toward him, and ends up spitting mouthfuls of mucus mixed with some bile in the basin under his feet. Most of it is clear and smells of fruits, not beer, so I'm not too worried. When I go to stabilize him by taking his shoulders, he grasps at my wrists to stop me- but let them stay here, while he clings. The tremors get to me now, and I remind myself that this is good, this is before the cliffs and him finding refuge to burst open, not glassily stare at the weeping clouds as he blabbers on the meaninglessness of his life.

This is… very alive.

I ought to be glad.

I let him come down at his rhythm, counting the pulses of his wrists as I feel mine numb with the blood circulation slowed down under his hold.

When he's back with a mind, I count to three, then let go. His arms flop back down, on his lap and hands dangling between his tighs. He blows his nose again.

"I'm so pathetic…"

"Yeah sure, and I'm a serial prom queen."

Instead of jabbing back and forth, we get interrupted by a soft mewling. Both of us turn to the door, that's opened slightly to let in Eryza, the pitter-patter of her paws on the stone flooring the only sound for a moment…

As we both stare in revulsion at her jaw, a single line of vomit dripping of it.

Shane puts his head down in shame, not even having the strenght to hide further.

"Sorry."

"Nah, 's okay. She's already trash, anyway."

Eryza edges closer and rapidly tour around our legs- going back to Shane's feet twice, her whiskers tickling his exposed ankles. Purring loudly, she completely ignore my chastizing as I threaten to make her diet periwinkle-based to counter-act her literal potty mouth, and she scampers to do who-knows-what in the rooms.

"Your vibes are rancid, do you hear me?? Rancid, girl!" I call after her. "I swear to Yoba, Shane, your aunt might as well have brought me a raccoon."

Turning back to him, I can see the short-lived humor of the situation was, well, short-lived. I sigh.

It's late. We're both tired. Tomorrow is sunday. It's cool. We've got time.

I don't sit back down right away. First, I put a hand down on the nape of his neck, that slides to the top of his scalp, right where he'd tug. My quota, remember?

He sniffles some, a few teardrops make their way to the planks, unheard. We stay like this for a moment.

He doesn't shake me off, but in the slow tandem his body takes, rocking lightly from back to forth, I can tell it's enough, for now.

I sit back down on my chair.

I lean on the hand I'd put in his dark purple strands before, smelling cedar wood and pine trees. I don't assume. My farm has plenty of those to stumble through. And even if he went back to the cliff, another time again. I do that too. With my own cliffs back at not-home, but close. There's a sense, in staring down what couldn't take you.

Like visiting a scene crime that you've narrowly escaped from. And pride too. And the thrill of asking- "what if again? What if this time?"- and okay, I can see why it'd be worrying to have him go there a thrice time on his own late in the evening.

But last time was fine, the one before was made fine, and he might need a bitch for a friend right now, but not a watchdog.

His forehead is back against the table.

Three fingers massage my temple. I don't know how much he'll even remember tomorrow, but it's worth the try, always.

"Shane, dude, look at me." He doesn't.

"Dude."

Still doesn't budge. I knock the wood lightly.

"Yo, punk, my eyes are up here." I joke.

He snorts, or maybe he sniffles, and his chin's now resting on the table, peering through the forgotten drinks to watch me. His hands are hidden, probably still clutching his midsection. If I went on a rollercoaster toasted, I'd probably look the exact same.

"I told you before that you literally couldn't be a burden."

He snorts for sure this time, derisive. I knock wood again. "Don't look away from me when I talk, young man. Rude ass punk."

"Bitch." He throws.

"Bitch bastard man." I send back. "Anyways, as I was saying. If I choose you're my dumb of ass to keep around, that's me, that's my decision. You can't burden me if I choose the hard mode package and roll with it. So stop it. I literally told you before, it's not about you not making efforts or burdening people, it's about people who want to deal with you, out of free will."

"Freaky."

"Oh shut up, you dramatic himbo wannabe."

"A what now?"

"Internet slang. Gotta admit you're closer to a dad bod type, but the energy's here, according to many."

He shuffles, self-conscious. "Y'don't need to remind me…"

"Oh hush you, you're perfectly fine. And Elliott would eat his dumb little lobster and pomegranate toasts off that belly if you'd grow out of your own shell and let him."

He sputters unintelligibly, red as a fecking pepper. Good. Flustered is better than self-depreciating.

But now he's pulled on his hood and the strings all the way out, and resumes to chanting me to fuck off, so that might be a good call for a break.

"I'm gonna change and clean up, you need anything? Do you think you'll go back to the ranch, or stay here for the night?" It's happened before, but you can count them on the fingers of one hand.

A long silence follows and I allow myself a quick look in the mirror. Yeah, we're skipping a shower tonight, but the simple hairbrush will not do. I look like a bird's nest that the birds fought in to know who'd keep the children when bird 2 takes off and bird 1 is left to mourn the empty space that'll never fill up the same again and the good times that won't be- wow, trauma lane much, not now, cowpal. First we buckle up our current rodeo. I walk back to the main room, now pajama-clad.

"I've got the beds for the possible kids up there, don't ask me why Robin put so many there, we're two people in a house, and I can lend you a Tee if you want."

He's anxious, chewing his thumb. "Emily won't mind?"

"She's out, sleeping at Haley's tonight. Girls' night and sisters catching up. It's important for her energy flow and karmic balance. Plus, you know she wouldn't mind, she likes you."

That makes him blush more, covering up the alcohol damage enough. I take note, but don't comment. Things for later. They pile up tonight.

"I- I can't go back to the ranch like this."

"You could. Marnie knows better than act as if you're doing this for fun, now. She'd have to understand. But you don't have to." I reassure him when agitated pupils jump up to me. Let's keep that ongoing panic attack at bay. "Either way, I won't mind."

I sit back. Stretch my arms between us. Catch his worrying hands into mine. Give him a squeeze. Tense appendages don't squeeze back, but don't pull back either. That's half a win. He stops torturing the poor things, and unfold with visible effort, like a crumpled up paper flower put on water. His head shakes, and I can't tell if it's conscious, him speaking with himself or trying to shake off a thought, or just a reflex. He visibly forces his shoulders to relax.

"I'm… not bothering you?" Righteous. Seeking vocal positive reinforcement, like a pro.

"Nope." I pop out the 'p'.

"... I think I'll, uh, stay for tonight."

My hands shoot into the air. "Woo! Sleepover, baby!"

I don't catch his hands curling back on themselves, trying to capture that leftover warmth in the late summer night.

--- to be continued.

[punkscowardschampions]

Buster & Rio

Buster: [details of some party that they can go to because it's not someone he knows its more like a friend of a friend of so they can do what they want] Buster: I'll pick you up when you're ready Rio: Oh, I'm with Nancy rn Rio: think I might be in it for the long haul over here Buster: You've been there ages Rio: I know Rio: been a while, lots she wants to catch up on Rio: I can probably make it though, if I start politely getting ready to leave soon Buster: Where are you? Rio: at mine Rio: we went out shopping for a bit but now we're just chilling Buster: I'll tell her mum or dad are on the warpath, either's believable Buster: She'll be back before she realises they're working Rio: That's not very friendly, is it Buster: She's my sister, not my friend Rio: yeah but won't she wonder why you've tricked her Buster: She'll think I got it wrong, a common enough thought for her to have about me Buster: Who cares? Rio: I don't wanna be mean Buster: Don't then Buster: To me Buster: I haven't seen you all day Rio: Baby Rio: you know I wanna be with you Rio: let me get out of this my way though Buster: Alright Rio: I promise, it won't take that long Buster: You do know that unless you appear right now it's too long, yeah? Rio: Of course Rio: you know I missed you as much Rio: more, I think Buster: So prove it by getting rid of her Rio: I will Rio: it would've looked so suspect if I didn't spend any time with her Buster: Or like you've outgrown her which everyone wanted us to do with each other, therefore they'd have to be thrilled Rio: If everyone weren't massively hypocritical Rio: or her social life was a bit more robust in general Buster: Her lack of a social life is her own problem, not yours, babe Rio: not if I ditch her at the drop of a hat Rio: but I've worked it out Buster: Tell her to ditch her fringe and you'll be doing her such a big favour it'll cancel out the abrupt goodbye Rio: Stop 🤫 Rio: I'd almost forgot how rude you can be 🙄😏 Rio: I'm gonna have a fake argument with Dan that I'll 'need' to go and sort out Buster: It sounds good in theory but she'll probably try and convince you not to 'cause he's a man Rio: She can text me the TLDR of the gay agenda Rio: it'll be fine, less of a 😱 when I dump him later too Buster: Surprised you ain't had a real argument by now Buster: He's even more of a pussy than I thought Rio: He knows I'm busy with family still Buster: And those papers don't deliver themselves Rio: You're SO funny, babe Buster: Yeah, I know Buster: One of many talents Rio: I might rank it lower than some of your others Rio: but I still like ya Buster: Don't force yourself, like Rio: Come on Rio: what have you been doing today anyway? Buster: As the twin with a social life in each of our postcodes, I've been busy fulfilling those obligations Rio: See, you've been keeping busy too Rio: not even missed me Buster: I can do both Buster: Multitasking is one of my aforementioned talents Rio: I can give you that one Buster: [a topless post football playing selfie like see busy and thinking about/missing you hence I took this for you] Buster: I'll give you this then Rio: 😍😍😍 Rio: I wanna come watch you play next time Buster: Yeah? Rio: you need to ask when you look like that? Rio: I could be there, right, at a proper match Buster: 'Course Buster: Probably don't tell the others though, it'd be hard to stop Billie and Edie from wanting to come with you Rio: True Rio: do your parents come? Rio: 'cos I'd rather not control my 😍😍😍 at all Buster: They'd have to not be working for there to be any danger of that Rio: I thought so Rio: I'll cheer you on Rio: bring the 🍊🍊 Buster: My dad watches me box more often, you wouldn't like that anyway Rio: not gonna encroach on your male bonding time, don't worry Buster: Hilarious Rio: I was being serious Buster: Me too, it's hilarious you reckon we have any kind of bond to encroach on Rio: you live together Rio: that's something, like Buster: Only 'cause they won't let me move out yet Rio: Well yeah Rio: you are only 14 Buster: And they were making such good choices when they were Rio: they didn't get to have their own place either Buster: They didn't need one, they were already living in the same house Rio: I doubt that argument will change their mind Buster: Whatever, I'm not trying to leave Ava with just Nance Buster: She'd make her well weird Rio: I don't think you can't make anyone anything Rio: least of all your sister Buster: You know what I mean Buster: And you don't have to jump to the other's defence, I ain't gonna send her this Rio: Whatever Rio: what are you gonna wear tonight then? Buster: Unlike you I haven't been shopping, maybe I'll go now while I'm waiting for you Rio: Just trying to work out the level of effort I need to put in Buster: What level of effort would you like to put in? Rio: I just don't want to look out of place Rio: why is that a problem? Buster: It's not a problem, why are you coming at me with an attitude? Rio: Sorry Rio: I think all this shit that's going on with Nance has got to me Buster: What's she said? Rio: Just all about those kids, what they say and do Rio: it's a shitty situation Buster: Stay with her if you want, I can take some of the lads with me Rio: If you'd rather Buster: I obviously wouldn't Buster: But if it'll make you feel better Rio: I don't know Rio: there's nothing I can do for her Buster: I'd say bring her but she'd never go Rio: I hardly blame her Buster: 'Course not, you never do Rio: Going to a party where she knows no one won't make her feel any better Buster: She doesn't wanna feel better, she'd rather wallow Buster: A party's as good a place as any for that Rio: You invite her then Rio: I'm not a middleman Buster: I don't actually want her there, unbelievable as that may sound, babe Rio: then we're agreed it's a bad idea Buster: I'll take us being in agreement about something as far as my fucking sister is concerned Rio: For God's sake Rio: let's drop this Buster: Don't for God's sake me Rio: This conversation is pointless Buster: That ain't stopped you keeping one going with Nance though Rio: Your sister has spent most of today telling me how hard she's struggling and how hard she gets bullied and you want me to just put that aside like it's nothing Buster: Would you like me to applaud you for having to hear a day's worth of it? Rio: Don't be a dick Buster: Don't tell me what it's like as if I don't go to the same school Rio: Don't make it about you Rio: it's happening to her Buster: Cheers for that, I had no idea Rio: Like I said, pointless Rio: have a good night with your friends Buster: I will Rio: 👍 Great Buster: It's no mansion but I'll make the best of it regardless Rio: Go away now Buster: Who do you think you're talking to? Buster: That hasn't worked on me a single time you've tried it Rio: You're just trying to annoy me now and I don't need it Buster: You wish Buster: She's annoying you and you don't wanna admit that to yourself or her Rio: No, you're being an asshole because you're mad Buster: I'll take all the blame, babe, what do I care? Buster: It's a well established role, I'm the asshole and she's the only one ever who suffers Rio: I haven't said that, no one's said that Buster: Chelsea's always been a picnic for me, like Buster: Not that anyone's ever asked Rio: I know that, why are you saying it like I don't Rio: and I can't do fuck all about that either Buster: 'Cause you're acting like you don't Rio: The ways you cope aren't the ways she does, or doesn't Rio: I just don't see the point of acting like that'll work Buster: Well, I don't see the point of you taking all her bullshit on as your own Buster: Or getting dragged down by it Rio: I can't just Rio: dismiss it that easily Rio: she's still here, like, can you just give me a moment Buster: Take loads of them Buster: I'll see you tomorrow Rio: Thanks so much Buster: You're so welcome Rio: Bye then Buster: Yeah Rio: if that's how you feel then just see me on easter Buster: If that's how you feel, then you might as well bring your boyfriend to celebrate with us all Rio: Fuck you Buster: No, fuck you Rio: I don't get why you're being like this Rio: explain it to me Buster: You don't get to hold Easter over me like an ultimatum when you know it won't be the same then Buster: We only get 7 days and you've already spent this one with her but I can't be upset about it 'cause she's more upset than me Buster: Fuck that Buster: And like I said, fuck you Rio: You're allowed but that ain't what you put out at all Rio: you're mad at her, I get it, but fuck taking that out on me Rio: she's my cousin, I have to see her when she comes over Rio: and nah, it isn't a fun time but you don't need to take my mood so personally Buster: Forget it Buster: You could just see her on Easter, but why would you when that threat works so much better on me Rio: It's not a threat Rio: if you reckon you're gonna have so much more fun with your friends then you may as well Buster: I reckon I'll have to try and have fun with them 'cause that's the only option you've given me Rio: I was actually coming 'til you told me not to Buster: I didn't tell you not to Rio: Yes you did Rio: you said see you tomorrow Buster: Don't put words in my mouth Buster: You already weren't coming by the time I said that Rio: Then why would I have left my house to go have an imaginary argument for you Buster: To have a real one with me, obviously Rio: Yeah, that's exactly how I wanted to spend my evening, you've got it Rio: never mind I can't friggin' go back five minutes later 'cos she's probably still there with Junior Buster: You and me both Buster: So don't go back yet Rio: Well where do you suggest I go Rio: seeing as you've uninvited me from the party 'cos I'm so shit Buster: Come on Rio: I'm not sorry I care about her Rio: and that isn't me saying you don't, or me saying I don't care about you either Rio: I clearly do Buster: I don't want you to be sorry Buster: I love that you care so much, you know that Rio: are you coming to pick me up then or what? Buster: I'm basically halfway to you already Buster: I wasn't gonna turn around, who am I? Buster: Not a cunt who gives up that easy, like Rio: Don't scare me like that Buster: I didn't mean to Buster: I'm sorry Rio: You wanted to make me feel how you did Rio: I get it Rio: I've missed you too today Buster: It just made me think about what it'll be like, I've been trying not to Rio: Yeah Rio: I know Rio: we'll have to work out how often we can Buster: I missed you so much Buster: I can't leave you Rio: but you have to Rio: there's no scenario where we can be together as much as we want Rio: even if we weren't having to hide it Buster: There has to be, there's always choices Buster: If you want something badly enough, you make it happen Buster: That's my life Rio: You can't leave school, I can't go to yours, I wouldn't get in Rio: and I can't just move myself to London with nowhere to live and no plan Buster: Then I'll move back here Buster: With Nan and Granddad Rio: Your parents won't want that Rio: even if they're barely about, they still want you around Buster: I don't give a shit what they want Rio: I know, but it means they've got enough say to stop you, at least for now Rio: in a few years, nah Rio: it's shit, I don't want that to be how it is any more than you do Rio: I wanna be with you always Buster: In a few years you could have a boyfriend that isn't a pussy with a paper round Rio: Do you actually think I'm going to get a new boyfriend? Buster: Not right now, obviously Rio: Not ever, if you still want me Rio: I've only got this one still because I don't want to waste our time together right now dealing with the logistics of formally dumping him Buster: Like you said, we can't be together as much as we want Rio: so that means, what, to you Rio: you need to keep this open Buster: It means you deserve better Rio: there isn't better Rio: you said that Rio: and I believe it Buster: Not than me, but than this bullshit scenario Buster: My mum and dad only got through uni 'cause they had us, everyone knows that Buster: They'd had years together by then Rio: Well, I believe in us Rio: I thought you did too Buster: I do Buster: I just can't fucking breathe when I think about going back Rio: it's the first time Rio: we'll get better at it Rio: we'll have to Buster: Yeah, I'll add it to the list of shit I have to do Buster: It'll be fine Rio: It won't Rio: it'll hurt like hell Rio: but we have to be okay with that Rio: if we want the good of it Buster: Don't Buster: You can't ask me to be okay with hurting you Rio: It hurt more Rio: being without you Rio: we'll have more than we did, no matter Buster: I know Rio: That's what love is, right Rio: no matter what Buster: If it ain't that, I don't know what else it would be Rio: I don't want anyone else Rio: even if it's painful Buster: Okay Buster: Me either, in case that wasn't painfully obvious Rio: You better not Rio: You're mine Rio: I can't share you Buster: I am yours Buster: I told you, nobody is gonna change my mind Buster: I probably should have said no obstacle though, 'cause distance won't either Rio: not even you Rio: you can't change your mind yet Rio: preferably ever but Rio: I won't say you can't there Buster: Especially not me, what the fuck do I know, I reckoned ignoring you for the rest of our lives would work Buster: I won't ever change my mind 'cause I can't Buster: That'd be a mistake and those aren't allowed Rio: I love you Rio: and I'll get better at listening Buster: I love you too, but I can't promise that I'll get better at staying calm Buster: You know my history Rio: I know you Rio: and I love you as you Rio: we'll make this work Rio: what else can we do, right Buster: She gets to me too, you know Buster: Or all of that bullshit at school does Rio: Of course it does Rio: no one wants to hear that about their family Rio: and not be able to stop it Rio: I know you care Buster: She doesn't understand Rio: She sees it like you're picking their side Rio: instead of trying to keep some of them vaguely on it in any way Buster: I'm not gonna take on the whole school for her Buster: It shouldn't have got that far Buster: She lets shit escalate and then expects me to fix it Rio: She's a good victim Rio: she rises it to it, you know Rio: if she could just laugh it off or let it go, it wouldn't be happening Buster: I don't know how the fuck she could have been raised the same way as me, with the parents we have, and become that Buster: Everything my mum went through, it's offensive Rio: She doesn't mean to be the way she is Rio: she needs to get to a place where she can help herself, or ask for help Buster: She doesn't try hard enough not to stand in her own way Buster: So she might as well mean it Rio: It's frustrating, I know Buster: Frustrating ain't the word Buster: But whatever Rio: You can't change her Rio: unfortunate or otherwise Rio: just how it is, babe Buster: At least she ain't Ro levels yet Rio: Is anyone Rio: now that's offensive Buster: Fair point Rio: swear she lowkey hates me Buster: She don't like anyone Rio: yeah but she liked my ma and me being born stole her attention Rio: gutted ever since, I'm so sorry Buster: Come on, be real, she liked your mum until Edie was born Rio: Too true Rio: 'course that had NOTHING to do with Drew 🙄 Buster: Maybe she only wants mixed race babies Buster: I'll ask her if she comes to Easter Rio: 😂 Rio: please do Rio: how did you stand to live with her for all those years Buster: They are cuter, like Buster: And I didn't have a choice Rio: You'll want to get with a darker girl than me then Rio: it's amazing your da didn't murder-suicide Buster: No, I won't Buster: Look no further for where I get my coping strategies from, bottle in hand literally as I type this Rio: That's just cultural, like Rio: and when your brother does what Joe did, who's checking Buster: Yeah Buster: At least you're not actually my sister Rio: again, don't think that's calming anyone Buster: When have I ever been a calming influence? Rio: I wish there was explaining it Rio: but nah Buster: Who do we owe an explanation to? Rio: I mean, if we could Rio: so we didn't have to hide it Buster: If we ever tell anyone I'm not explaining or grovelling, fuck that Buster: Only God can judge me and he don't exist, so Rio: Shh, my nan has spidey-sense for blasphemy Rio: I just wanna show everyone how much I love you Rio: I can at this party, yeah Buster: You can do whatever you want at this party, babe Rio: That like just what I need Buster: [a picture of a full crate/case of something expensive that he's bringing to this party] Buster: Nobody's gonna care what we do Rio: 🙌 Rio: you're the best Rio: I'm gonna need to get changed in the car Rio: 'cos not even me puts on a party dress to go have an argument, sadly Buster: Next time I won't tell you to fuck off for less than a tiara and ballgown, like Rio: I appreciate that Buster: I can wait, you know Buster: Without distracting you too much Rio: where Rio: I told you, I already left Buster: But you can go back, if you need to Rio: No I can't, 'cos I'm going to see Dan, remember Rio: not get ready to go out with you Rio: it doesn't matter Buster: You could be making yourself look beautiful for him Rio: Rude to suggest I'm not already Buster: I'm not suggesting that, just that I'm aware how arguments work Rio: That isn't the vibe Buster: You decide what the vibe is, and Nance doesn't need to know Rio: If you're saying I need to then just say it Buster: What? Rio: Put more effort in Rio: 'cos I'm clearly not bothered so Buster: I'm not saying that Buster: Why would I? Rio: I don't know Rio: you tell me Buster: Rio Rio: What? Buster: All I'm ever gonna tell you is how perfect you are Buster: Come on Rio: Do you think I'm going to embarrass you? Buster: No Buster: Don't be stupid Rio: Don't call me stupid Buster: I'm not, I'm saying the idea that I'd ever feel like that 'cause of you is stupid and you know it is Rio: I'm nervous Buster: Tell me Rio: What if someone there knows Rio: it's stupid Buster: We're going there 'cause they don't Buster: Trust me Rio: I do Rio: I just don't want this to end Buster: It won't Buster: No matter what, remember? Rio: Yeah Rio: I know, it'd just be nice if we didn't have to test that theory for a long time yet, wouldn't it Buster: We're not testing it tonight Buster: It's the opposite, a chance for us to be like any other couple Rio: Yeah Rio: okay, I'll stop freaking out now Buster: Freaking out isn't the vibe either, your worries aren't irrational, I wish I could say they are Buster: But like I said, I chose this party over any of the others happening this week for a good reason Buster: You're safe, and so is the secret Rio: You aren't stupid either, obviously Rio: I do know Rio: and I do wanna have a good time with you, so we will Buster: I just wanna give you everything that he can, especially bullshit that gets taken for granted Rio: You don't need to compete with him Rio: or anyone else Buster: There's no competition Buster: Like you said, I ain't stupid Rio: even if we could literally never leave the hotel, I'd be happy, you know Rio: I just like being with you Buster: Yeah, but you need to know that I'm not ashamed of you, I wasn't when we were kids and I'm not now Buster: Whether nobody or everybody knows Rio: I know what I am Rio: and what your friends are like Rio: and girls you're used to Rio: is different Buster: I know what you are Buster: And they're not my friends, you are Buster: As for any girl other than you, you know how I feel and how I don't Rio: I love you Buster: I'm sorry Rio: No, don't be Rio: you've done everything right Buster: I haven't though, it's my fault you feel like I could be anything but flattered that you wanna go anywhere with me Buster: I know what I am too, and what I've done Rio: It's more circumstance Rio: you just played into it Buster: I've been acting like it's Nance who's wrong, for not fitting in, maybe it's me Buster: Maybe I'm actually the weak one Rio: You did what you had to do Rio: I would've done the same Rio: I have Buster: You haven't been cruel, that's just me Rio: I'm no saint, babe Rio: no one is Buster: You're as close as it gets then Rio: You're good, Buster Rio: I know Rio: and I knew Buster: I'm whatever people need me to be Rio: You ain't what you do to survive Buster: That's exactly what I am Buster: Everyone is Rio: I don't think so Buster: 'Cause you want to think that I'm good Rio: No Rio: because that assumes it's never gonna be more than just surviving Rio: it's some lowest common denominator shit Rio: I'd rather look at potential over desperation Rio: any cunt who thinks they'd be a 👼 at their lowest, hasn't ever been that far down Buster: It's not gonna be more than just surviving any time soon Buster: So 'course you'd rather look at potential, who wouldn't? Rio: I'm not going to be defined by my worst Rio: that's not naive optimism Buster: Good, don't be Rio: Why are you then Buster: When you're the best, you're also the worst Rio: I'm not Rio: You can't have it all the ways Buster: You're better than me, that's no secret, babe Buster: I keep telling you Rio: Then I can be worse too Buster: No you can't Rio: Why don't you like yourself Buster: 'Cause you can't please everyone Rio: you should consider yourself Rio: fuck everyone else Buster: That would only get me so far Rio: You don't have to be a dick to get places Rio: I'm aware, it does work Rio: but it's also not a requirement Buster: It is where I live Buster: And as we've established, I won't be leaving for a while Rio: you don't want to end up there Rio: do you? Buster: No Rio: Good Buster: I wanna come home Rio: I like being here too Buster: Remember when I hid Rio: Yeah Rio: and we'd really plan like your parents would just leave without you eventually Buster: Home Alone and Parent Trap really made it seem plausible, to be fair Rio: You were lead well astray with the latter Rio: though you're not also a ginger so that revelation probably wouldn't have happened Buster: I'm not a girl, more importantly, I'm not exactly sure how that's escaped your notice lately Buster: And I've got more chance of becoming one than my parents have of getting divorced at this point Rio: This is true, I remember Rio: it has been a day, you know Rio: my memory fades so fast Buster: Just as well I took more pictures than just the topless ones earlier then, yeah? Buster: [dropping nudes casually] Rio: you're forgiven for holding out on me Rio: just so you know Rio: 🥴 Buster: I said I wouldn't distract you too much Buster: My memory never fades Rio: that's a shame Rio: 'cos there's loads of this convo I'd like you to forget Rio: but we can start with the no distracting rule Buster: I didn't say no, just that you've gotta put clothes on before I can take them off Rio: I suppose that's fair Buster: What are you wearing then? Rio: You can't rip it Rio: it's one of my best dresses Rio: [a picture of it in her bag] Rio: you want me to put it on? Buster: I'll do it Buster: I've stressed you out, it's only right that I calm you down before we get there Buster: Full 👸🏽 treatment Rio: It's not you Rio: but I'm not going to say no or turn that down ever so Buster: You've got the wrong twin if you want any makeup doing though Buster: I only know how to take it off Rio: 😏 I'll survive Rio: though I may put on some to have you do that again Rio: it was so nice Buster: Start with lipstick, I really wanna take that off Rio: ❤️ or 💗? Buster: You tell me Buster: [sends her a pic of his outfit like] Rio: Hmm Rio: You'll look better in pink Buster: Okay Rio: more subtle, I know Rio: but I can leave other marks Buster: Yeah, you can Buster: I'm almost there now Rio: Go faster Buster: I'm not driving Buster: But I'll insist he does Rio: Do Buster: Already done Rio: he must think you're such a twat now Rio: my bad Buster: You're worth getting a lower rating from him for Rio: That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me Rio: 😂 Buster: You're welcome Rio: You can say what you like about my standards on that one Buster: I don't dislike myself that much Rio: Good Rio: 'cos you're my favourite person Rio: and won't have nothing said about my taste Buster: You've got flawless taste, especially in dresses Rio: I knew you'd liked it Buster: I love it Rio: I'm gonna look good for you baby Buster: You do now Rio: but always Buster: You do always Rio: I'll get lazy if you make it this easy, like Buster: You'll still look good then Buster: And I'll still want you Rio: Buster Buster: Yeah? Rio: I'm going to miss you so much Buster: I'll do whatever I can to make sure you don't though Buster: Anything Rio: We both will Rio: people do it, don't they Rio: there must be tips to cope Buster: 'Course Buster: Loads of people meet online and live in different countries, loads further away from each other than we'll be Rio: Exactly Rio: it doesn't always fail, can't do Rio: it's just harder Buster: Even if it does for everyone else, we're not gonna let it for us Rio: No Rio: we can't Buster: We won't Rio: you're too good and no one else is going to look after you properly Buster: Nobody else is gonna look at me or touch me or know me Buster: Only you Rio: I'm yours, in every way a person can be Rio: and I need you, you know Buster: Well, I'm here, so you can have me Rio: here here? Buster: Close your eyes and open them again Buster: You'll see me Rio: [does] Buster: [opens the car door because gentleman] Rio: [the most extra greeting like it's been 1000 years] Buster: [we know he's being as extra it's fine] Rio: [lol at the day you ever get a chatty driver] Buster: [he'd just be rude cos 100% that bitch] Buster: [or they'd do that thing where you try and talk normally and act like nothing is happening even though you're being saucy af] Rio: [that is a mood tbf] Buster: [we should give them a chatty driver one day lol] Rio: [we'll let you live today 'cos you need to get changed so literally as much ignoring as possible tah] Buster: [get you a man who will undress and redress you like he literally is] Rio: [so about it, reckon we probably know how this party will play out now so wanna do easter?] Buster: [yeah we know it's their chance to be extra in front of everyone so I'm down to do easter]

[lets-just-daydream]

Alright I'm here to bring the angst. If you're up to it can we please see McCree with a crush on a reader but she already has a boyfriend, BUT he notices that boyfriend makes her cry and notices questionable marks (but can't prove them)? How does he handle it? Does he try to stay out of whats not his business, does he save the day? You're my favorite writer thanks so much for always writing for us! Sorry if it's too specific..I understand it may not be that interesting so whatever you want

You’re so kind! Thanks for requesting. I hope you enjoy! (I think I went a lil overboard with this but it was fun to write so I have no regrets)

*

You choked back tears as you applied an extra, heavier layer of makeup onto the bruise above your eyebrow. The discoloured marks were getting harder to mask, but you feared what would happen should anybody find out what your boyfriend did to you.

You gave yourself a quick once over in the mirror and wiped the tears away, lest they ruin your makeup. You crept past the still sleeping form of your boyfriend, fear overcoming your senses as he shifted and rolled onto his side.

Once you were safely outside, you let yourself breathe a sigh of relief and you made your way to work.

Most people hated going to work and longed for the clock to signal that it was time to go home. You on the other hand, work was your sanctuary. You longed for the time you could get to work and dreaded when the hour struck to go home. You had been told that you couldn’t continue doing so much over time, do you got in as early as possible without getting caught and leaving as late as you could. This was your life in the hands of an abusive monster.

But you loved him. He always swore that this was the last time and always showered you with praise and love after you finished crying and unlocking the bathroom. You were sure he didn’t mean it. He loved you, after all.

You arrived to work and went to your desk, setting up for the day.

“Hey there,” came the familiar voice of Jesse McCree, the funny cowboy who also came in early on occasion. He never questioned why you came in so early after the first time he asked. You had started crying and he freaked out, guilt racking him. You never explained why, and he never pressed the issue, but he knew something wasn’t right.

“Good morning, Mr. McCree,” you said, giving him a polite nod.

“Now, you know I hate it when you call me that. Please, just call me Jesse,” he chastised.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Mc- Jesse,” you stammered. “Sorry,” you concluded in a whisper. He looked at you, a frown etching his features.

“Are you alright? If ther-” his sentence was interrupted by your mobile ringing. You glanced down at the screen to see that your boyfriend was calling. Fear overtook your body and you stared at your phone, too scared to pick it up.

“You gonna get that?” McCree asked. Your gaze flickered up to him and you saw the concern on his face. You picked up the phone and gulped, pressing it to your ear.

“H-hello?” you answered.

“Good morning,” came the voice of your boyfriend. “You were gone when I woke up,” he said with a sad tone.

“Sorry, I - I was keen to get some work done today,” you said, trying to keep a straight face on in front of McCree. He played it cool, but he strained his ears to listen to the voice on the other end.

“That’s okay. I’ll see you after work, I’ll come pick you up,” he said.

“No, you don’t have to do that,” you said, voice quavering.

“I want to. I’ll see you after work. I love you, bye,” said and the call ended with a click.

“That your squeeze?” McCree asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah,” you responded with a small, sad smile.

“As I was sayin’,” McCree continued. “If there’s anything you need or you wanna talk, I’m a real good listener. In fact, let me go buy you a cup of co-”

“Thank you, but that really isn’t necessary,” you interrupted.

“Sorry I offended you,” McCree said, his face dropping.

“You didn’t offend me, it’s just not a good idea,” you responded.

“Why, your man don’t like you talking to other guys or somethin’?”

His words struck you where it hurt and you stood from your seat, tears spilling. You ran to the women’s bathroom and you locked yourself in a stall, sobbing and trying to get McCree’s words out of your head.

*

By the time you exited the bathroom, more people started arriving to work and you lowered your head, avoiding pitied looks and sorry glances in your direction. Your eyes were still puffy but you needed to start some actual work. A wave of relief washed over you when you saw that McCree was no longer by your desk. You couldn’t bear to face him after that embarrassing display.

“Good morning,” said your coworker.

“Morning,” you mumbled back.

“McCree was here a little while ago. He was asking about you.”

You sighed and shook your head. Why was he so obsessed with you? Couldn’t he just leave you alone? You blamed yourself for being too friendly toward him. It wasn’t his fault, he was a nice person but you knew what would happen if your boyfriend found out about your friendship.

“I’ll go find him,” you said to your coworker. “Thanks for letting me know.”

You wandered the building, looking for McCree. You needed to tell him that while you appreciated him and his friendship, you couldn’t let this continue.

“Jesse!” you called, entering the training room.

“Hey, there’s my favourite girl,” he said with a smile. Your face flushed at his words and you felt guilty at the heat that fluttered through your body. If your boyfriend had seen the exchange, he would never have stood for it.

“Can I speak to you for a moment?” you asked.

“Right now ain’t a good time, as much as I’d love to talk with you. I’ll come find you later, okay?”

“Okay, see you later.”

*

You spent most of the day glancing at the door every time it opened, hoping to see McCree walking through. But after four o'clock, you began to worry he wouldn’t make it. You figured it could wait until tomorrow, anyway and packed your things for the day.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” you said to your coworker with a smile.

“See you,” came her reply.

You walked through the building and walked towards the car park to find your boyfriend’s car. You felt a gloved hand close around your arm and you froze. It wasn’t your boyfriend. He stood next to his car and you saw his sweet expression turn sour.

“Sorry I took so long to find you today,” McCree said.

“Jesse, let me go,” you whimpered, your eyes locked on your boyfriend’s. McCree let go of your arm and you turned to face him. “We can’t be friends anymore, Jesse. I’m sorry.”

“What?” he blurted. “Why not?”

You saw the hurt in his eyes and you blinked back tears, not wanting to make a scene in front of all of your coworkers. He pressed a hand to your cheek and you jumped away from the touch as if his hand was red hot.

“Don’t,” you said.

“I know he doesn’t treat you right. You think I don’t notice, but I do. I’m more perceptive than people give me credit for. Let me help you.”

“I don’t need your help,” you croaked. He brushed a thumb over the spot above your eyebrow. His eyebrows creased in displeasure as he wiped the concealer away revealing the discoloured bruise underneath.

“I knew it,” he growled through bared, gritted teeth.

“Is there a problem here?” came your boyfriend’s voice, causing you to jump.

“No-” you started, but you were interrupted.

“Yeah, there is,” McCree said, standing up to his full height and staring your boyfriend down. “The problem here is you.”

“Excuse me?” your boyfriend hissed, his nostrils flaring as he narrowed his eyes.

McCree said nothing, choosing to intimidate your boyfriend without words.

“Guys, please don’t do this right now,” you pleaded, stepping between the men.

“You stay out of this,” your boyfriend fumed, pushing you out of the way. “I’ll deal with you at home.”

You fell and hit the ground with a thud. You hurt your hand trying to break your fall and McCree rushed to your side, helping you up. You suddenly felt self-conscious as a small crowd had formed, watching the events unfold.

“Are you okay?” McCree asked, holding your head to his chest.

“You stay away from her,” your boyfriend spat, grabbing McCree by the scruff of his shirt.

“Big mistake,” McCree sneered, grabbing your boyfriend by the neck and punching him square in the face. Your boyfriend staggered back and held his bleeding nose between his fingers. “You leave. You leave right now and you don’t come back here, ever,” McCree threatened.

“I don’t think so,” your boyfriend growled, grabbing your arm and pulling you to him, dragging you to his car.  You struggled against his grip. It was like a vice and you knew there would be more bruises left on your skin.

“Let me go!” you pleaded, pulling away from him, reaching for McCree.

“I need back-up, main car park,” McCree growled into his earpiece as he reached for you. Seconds later, several Blackwatch agents filtered through the crowd and tackled your boyfriend to the ground, restraining him and making sure he couldn’t run.

It seemed like you were finally safe. The police arrived moments after to arrest your now ex-boyfriend. Your heart ached as he tried to plead with you. He was a monster and he hurt you, but you couldn’t help the pang of sadness that tugged at you as he begged.

“Sweetheart, please. Tell them to let me go! We can forget this whole thing even happened. I forgive you already,” he cried desperately. McCree turned you away from him, telling the police to take him away.

“Are you okay?” McCree asked. You couldn’t find any words to describe how you were feeling. You couldn’t even open your mouth. You fell into McCree’s arms and he held you as you cried, stroking your hair and whispering that it was okay now. You were safe and he was going to take care of you.

[jiwonsssi]

— on the count of three.

prompt:

- Let's take a photo! One, two..

- I'm going to kiss you.

- Three.. What?

characters: Eun Jiwon, 'you';

warnings: slight cursing, slight R-rating.

Jiwon is a really good old friend of yours. Not like 'good', not really 'really', but surely 'old' and sometimes even a 'friend'. Well. Decision of spending an evening together was not quite a bad idea. He started to behave lately, and was a bearable human being, even funny and nice sometimes. You wanted to know what caused those extreme changes, but decided to not to disturb it to not to ruin it.

- And you know what she did? She hid the fact that she stole it! Like, I can't believe..

- But what do you want her to do? Being, like, 'oh, you know what, I stole this, that and that, just saying'? It's bullshit. Use your head before talking, you, - he put a hand on your hair to mess with it while laughing and you just roll your eyes since it was better to not pay attention to his antics rather than fight back. Useless anyways.

Anyways it was a good way of wasting time on watching a movie or drinking or doing God-knows-what. You end up re-watching the first Iron Man for, like, tenth time and by the end of the begging of the film it was only a conversation that was matter.

- Look whos talking, mister I-Say-Shit-Without-Thinking-Since-I-Started-Talking, huh, - but you, being, well, you, continued bickering. Following the easiest path was never a choice. And it's funny to see him frustrated. More like a hobby of yours.

- What? Why are you being so brave tonight? - he looks at you with those angry eyes and you answer with same expression. Because.. well, we already discussed it.

Then you are being pushed to the side by his hand on your shoulder. Seeing his all smiley and mocking 'I am the winner' face while he sips his drink was not pleasant at all, so with a deep sigh and a slight kick on his leg, you stood up to straighten your shirt.

- It's not like I was scared any other day, you know, - he follows your hands with a gaze and nod, taking another sip. And now that was surprising. Because having him checking you out is surely something you have never experienced. Jiwon adjusts his pose and avoids your eyes when you bend a brow.

He's not ashamed; to be honest, you are not entirely sure if he has a clue what shame actually is.

- I know, - and it suddenly awkward. Maybe it just you, but he definitely changed his expression. Now he tries to burn a hole in a TV screen and you just stand there not knowing what to do. Very nice. Just a dream, - I want another bottle of soju. Have some? Bring it.

He didn't even glanced your way. Usual Jiwon is back in town so nothing to worry about.

So you made yourself comfortable on a couch again and took a cup with soju from his hand.

- Help yourself, - you smiled at him with false politeness and nodded to a kitchen, receiving muttered curses and soft 'I didn't want it that much anyways'. You smile, shaking your head.

He's really cute, you just couldn't deny it.

By knowing him for more than a few years now, you got an immunity to all his attacks (almost), so you actually found him adorable mostly. He indeed is. When he's not a moron, he's either a squishy sleepy lost ball or a charismatic rapper and powerful, smart leader. And you even had just a tiny small little micro crush on him before. Well maybe a huge ass crush if being honest. And you even sure that he knew. You were young, naive and inexperienced. Of course he knew. It was obvious.

The thing is, he never took an advantage, even if he had a chance, and it made you respect him at some point. Now it's gone, just a funny memory; yet something is still there. You just preferred to ignore it. God knows why.

- Someone is spamming you with texts and you are too deep into admiring me to notice.

Being slapped in a face? That's how it feels like.

Resume: you stared at him while thinking that you used to have a crush on him while holding a cup near your mouth but not drinking while your telephone kept ringing while he was fully aware of what was happening for God knows how long. Well.. Shit happens, right?

- Was thinking that you need to see a dermatologist.

Maintaining a straight face when you actually had an internal breakdown was not an easy task, but you managed. Now the task is to ignore his smirk. Like hell he would believe. Ugh.

You opened a text from your friend, well, a bunch of texts, from just one tiny friend, to see her asking you repeatedly what were you doing. Lots of unnecessary photos of her face with all the faces she could have manage, surroundings, and similar messages; she is a really close good friend. The only reason for tolerating it.

Still funny sometimes tho.

- C'mon, let's take a picture, - someone need to break the ice now, right? You leaned backwards closer to his face to adjust an angle and put on the dumbest expression you could maintain, - One, two..

- I'm going to kiss you.

- Three.. Wha-

And then his lips are on yours.

There is not a single thought in your mind.

You weren't even able to be surprised.

The kiss is so light; his lips barely touch yours and yet it's so breathtaking. So soft.

No one ever kissed you like that.

You don't want it to end; you will need to talk about it, to sort things out, but for now his hands on your cheeks and you let him deepen the kiss. It's somehow magical now; the atmosphere around you.

Feeling your arms getting weaker by every second, you just lean into him. Into comfort you never knew even exist. His hands reach you neck to gently guide you and you completely surrender. It's impossible to not to.

God, he's amazing. And when you realise that one of your hands is slowly making it's way up his tight, you hear loud crack of the phone hitting a floor.

Perfect timing.

It ends this magic just like that; you open your eyes trying to catch a breath.

And then silence.

Complete silence; just his slightly hitched breath and your heart. You wander if he can hear it.

You wait for him to joke, to be nervous or at least be even slightly surprised. But when you meet his eyes, he's so calm. He looks at you directly with so fucking gentle smile.

You have never seen him smile like that. And you were lucky; he could persued you to do anything by looking that way.

There is only you who look like a deer caught in a headlights, actually. And Jiwon finds it adorable.

His hands never leave your body and now he keeps your head straight for you to look at him; and you just choose to shut your eyes tightly. Causing him to crack and laugh.

You have no idea what to feel now, you just really want to decide later; but the sound of his laugh was never that charming.

You never imagined your heart can beat that fast.

- Look at me, - you just shake your head, realising that one of your hands is now stuck in the air and you, like a complete fool, place it on your knees. And another one, that was on his thight all the time. For fuck's sake, oh God. Still refusing to open your eyes tho.

- No, - voice is like a tiny squeak and he finds it funny again when you feel him caress your neck with his fingers; it's so light and tender you barely notice. But he does it.

Remember fast beating heart? Now it's faster and it seems like a good idea to just die in his arms.

- Please, - he rarely asks this polite and you decide to give him a chance. Since he already kissed you. You are going to face him anyways, it's not like he's planning to fuck off. Not like you want it.

- I broke my phone, - your hands now on his wrists and you find yourself not being able to do what you wanted to do.

He's so warm. You can feel it. You can feel his pulse under your fungertips. So calm.

It's impossible to look at him now.

- I know, - he's a lot closer now; voice is barely audible. Perhaps you would get mad if it wasn't so good.

Yes, long forgotten crush, all that staff; but you can't deny that he's exactly what you ever wanted. As simple as that. You just choose to avoid those feelings to not to get hurt. Because he never made a move; was always around, like a friend. He made it clear then. And now he offers something different to you. Yes, it feels really good.

It would be better to know that he does it not because he's drunk and wants to mess with you.

His presence feels different all of a sudden. Hot. Tempting. Delicate?

- You wouldn't be able to keep them close forever, - Jiwon laughs again and you feel, suddenly, a smile creeping on your face as well.

He's not like that, right? Jiwon is not going to do that to someone.

- Don't underestimate my fear of facing you, - you feel him stroking your hair lazily and he gave your ear a light pinch.

- You said you are never afraid. Never, my ass, - he's mocking you again as if kissing wasn't enough. Not going to let it slide, you unconsciously open your eyes to see him smiling ever so brightly.

- It wasn't.. Fuck, - it's not the moment that breathtaking, it's him.

His expression is priceless and he's so close and so happy. God, so happy.

You are falling for him so hard you can feel your ribs clenching.

- Now I'm going to kiss you again. Ready? 1..

He never finishes since it's rather difficult to talk while kissing. You can feel Jiwon smile widely in the kiss and this is incredible; all that happening is incredible. His hands on your waist and he's pulling you on his laps and you happily help him. Way too happily perhaps since he breaks a kiss to laugh, while giving you short pecks and getting down your neck with wet kisses. The skin feels like it's on fire; everywhere you feel his fingers touch you, it burns. You move your head to give him better access, burying fingers in his hair, slightly tugging on it.

You would sell your soul to not to moan like a teenager, but you can't. All you manage is biting your lip and pulling his hair harder. He likes it. You can feel it. You totally can feel exactly how much he likes it.

- Let's pretend it was our first date and when I asked you to be my girlfriend you said yes, - you catch something in your throat not because you are taken aback by his audacity, but because he definitely leaves a hickey on your neck.

The thing is, you are mad, happy and turned on at the same time.

Tagging on his hair, you make him look at you. And damn those eyes.

Now you just turned on. Nice.

- What made you think I would say yes?

- You just jumped on my lap like you..

- I understand your point, now shut up, - well, testing him is not an easy game to play.

But it so worth it.