#assured home inspectors

[assuredhome]

How Cutting-Edge Technology is Revolutionizing Home and Commercial Inspections

Find out what goes into a commercial inspection from the best commercial property inspection company in Tulsa.

[sorryimananti-romantic]

The Leaders | Chapter X

"maybe a place where light and darkness meet, the choice between truth and lies is mine."

masterlist

ot8!ateez x f!reader, mafia au

chapter warnings: drinking, smoking, illegal businesses, mentions of war/military, drugs, gangs and corruption, mentions of assassination, you finally have a clue on the real threat, romance with san, winter as bodyguard, mingi and woo are the teasers now-

chapter wc: 10.3k

chapter synopsis: you and hongjoong go to the president son’s residence to discuss the recent findings about secretary oh’s involvement. you learn some secrets about strictland, president lee and president han’s roles, and the rv spies. with your trust placed in each other, lady kim shares something with hongjoong that leads him to go to maddox and co. with seonghwa to trace the source of your ring without your knowledge. as per president son’s request, winter becomes your bodyguard and accompanies you to the warehouse where you prepare to deal with the clients in a true ‘leader’ fashion.

prev chapter recap: the crescents are being investigated and trade is temporarily shut down with the investors dubious of their involvement with the company. you collaborate with jaehyun to keep an eye on the tide at edenary and learn that inspector gong has been looking into you. seonghwa admits the possibility of a mole. apart from work, he also expresses his woes of failing to be a gentleman to you though you assure him that you are loved. your first date with wooyoung is successful but not free of worry and towards the end, you both go to wooyoung’s home to discuss work where you are joined by hongjoong and jongho. hongjoong muses that its time to stop acting like refined gentlemen and show the world that they are a gang. you learn from jaebeom that madame tiffany is involved with the elites who wish to trigger a regional war to test the strictland nuclear weapons and you confront hongjoong and seonghwa. you go to the bar to vent with yeosang and san and find a mysterious note in your purse after you leave. the identity of the last anonymous funder gets exposed and the crescents gather to plan ahead since it’s obvious that the crescents are deliberately being targeted because of silver light. yunho invites you to his place for the night and you get intimate.

“Oh, to be rich and own a farm where I can grow all my favourite flowers,” you sighed wistfully as you zoomed past the numerous farmhouses with luxurious mansions that bordered the expressway to Sector 2. 

The farmhouses were a staple of Sector 2. The residents of these sectors mostly owned acres of lands and had lavish living spaces surrounded by lawns or farms. The descendants of the royal family still dwelled in this sector along with some politicians and business owners who preferred the slow-paced life of Sector 2 over the occasionally suffocating Edenary air.

“I can make that happen,” Hongjoong declared almost casually, inspecting his nails and adjusting the cuffs of his shirt. You passed him a tired glance, meeting eyes with Taeyong in the rearview mirror who anticipated your response.

“Let’s save the company first, eh, Captain? You can shower me with luxuries later.”

Taeyong made no effort to conceal the laughter that erupted from his mouth at your comment and Hongjoong, who was sitting behind the driver’s seat, kicked under the seat in warning. Taeyong resorted to low snickering. 

Hongjoong glared at you next. “It’s not that bad–”

“I know,” you placed your hand over his. “I’m just teasing you. Relax.”

Hongjoong took a deep breath, managing a weak smile. You smiled back, brushing dust off the lapel of his black coat and continued, “I always imagine myself with a big house or mansion, planting my own flowers and harvest. When I’m old and tired of this life, though.”

Hongjoong smiled. “When I’m ready to settle, I’d like to buy a mansion with big lawns too. I’d like for all of us to live together, let the business run itself. I imagine someone is married, and someone has kids. Another has too many pets. We all go hunting when the weather calls for it, or go fishing on one of the islands.”

“Sounds lovely,” you said, warmth bubbling in your chest at the thought.

“Seems impossible, for now, but I would like for a day to come when I do not have to watch my back.”

“Ah, the Captain’s feeling sentimental today,” Taeyong shook his head. “Rest up. We have a solid 20 minutes ahead.” 

Hongjoong closed his eyes and found your hand again, clasping it in his. You squeezed it gently, going back to admiring the scenery. 

It was a big day today. You were on your way to the Son Mansion in Sector 2 where ex-president Son and his wife resided. Hongjoong had sent a letter right after the weapons funder was exposed and President Son’s reply was positive. He invited him to his residence. The three of you made sure to leave the sector discreetly, making sure that you didn’t have eyes on you.

However… you felt restless and exposed. The note that you found in your purse the other day when you learned that Madame Tiffany was involved with the Strictland business was making you paranoid because it was proof that someone was watching you and had perhaps planned one step ahead.

Meet President Son, the note said. You’ll find something you are not looking for, but something you have been and will be looking for.

Right after you received the note, the weapons funder was exposed and Hongjoong had to request President Son for a meeting. That’s when you asked him for the favour– to let you accompany him. You told him that you were not sure why but you had a feeling that you needed to go and meet President Son. He didn't probe and accepted your request.

You reached the heart of the sector at a bounded society that serves as a secure place for the elites. The area had tight security which was a given since this place was a home to some of the retired military officials as well. You passed through each checkpoint slowly– the guards seemed to have been alerted that you were President Son’s guests and as soon as you entered the residential area, an officer accompanied you to the ex-president’s mansion.

Taeyong parked the car outside and you gathered your belongings– and your wits– before getting out, clutching your black fur coat tighter when the icy wind hit you. You linked your arm with Hongjoong’s before following the guard inside, the heels of your boot clacking on the paved path that bisected the lawn. You took a quick look around– different trees and big plants with some camellias grew along the boundary of the house. There were remnants of snow on the grass from the storm in the early morning.  

A middle-aged butler welcomed you inside, guiding you to the study. The study felt and looked warm with its book-lined walls and ruby rugs, multiple lamps lit around the space.  A tall man stood poking at the wood in the fireplace while humming a tune to himself, unaware of your presence.

The butler knocked to alert the arrival of the guests but the man did not move until he was done fixing the wood, hanging the poker back in its stand before turning and smiling at the sight of you both.

Ex-president Son Seokku. The man who reigned over Eden for two whole presidential terms, which made a whole decade. The man who did not let Eden lose when the war began and stood against Eden’s own army to make the Treaty of the Eight Hills happen, resulting in the end of the war. He stood tall but somewhat weary, the corner of his eyes creasing as he smiled. He was dressed very casually in a plain beige button-down and matching trouser, moving with a sort of grace that comes with a high position such as his.

Hongjoong saluted first and the man saluted back before shaking hands with you both.

“President. It’s an honour to be in your presence,” Hongjoong said, introducing you as his partner and you shared Hongjoong’s sentiment. 

“I’m president no more,” he reminded you both, motioning you to take your seats in the other corner of the study and you settled down on the plush maroon sofa. 

“You’ll always be referred to as the president,” Hongjoong said and the man shrugged, probably used to hearing that term. The three of you exchanged pleasantries while you were served tea, scones and biscuits. You got to hear some war stories before the topic naturally steered towards why Hongjoong requested for a meeting and more importantly, why was President Son eager to meet him. 

“I heard you’re in quite a pinch,” the man said, somewhat amused. “Edenary Station is not going to hold back if it’s the navy and the army backing them.”

“Nothing we can’t handle,” Hongjoong said confidently, sipping his tea and President Son nodded enthusiastically. A knock sounded on the door and Lady Kim Jiwon entered with a meek smile sent in her husband’s direction. 

“Hope I’m not late– the cats would not let me go.”

“That’s alright,” you smiled warmly, shaking her hand. She shook Hongjoong’s hand as well before sitting next to her husband, straightening her black skirt before crossing her legs.

“You’re right on time,” President Son affectionately squeezed her shoulder. “I was just asking Hongjoong here about how he’s handling the Edenary Station case.”

“Well, I hope,” she said casually. “I heard something more interesting, though.”

She passed a meaningful look at Hongjoong who got the cue. 

“Of course you know all about how we deal with weapons in the underground networks. Yet…” Hongjoong fixed his gaze on the ex-president. “Yet you do nothing about it.”

“Like I said,” President Son smiled slyly. “I’m not in a position of power anymore.”

“That’s not true,” Hongjoong smiled back. “You still control much of the political tide. You can’t be a man of no power after having ruled Eden for a solid decade, Sir.”

President Son chuckled darkly. “If I had a semblance of the power I had in my prime days, Major, the weapons channel would not exist.”

The room filled with silence at the implication of his words and the president decided that you all had joked around enough. He leaned in, rubbing his hands and shaking his head before beginning.

“The man that was arrested, Oh Jungse– President Han’s secretary. He was funding your weapons project, if you haven’t found out already.”

“We learned about that, but there’s not a whisper of it in the streets,” Hongjoong said.

“He is but a middleman. Someone else is your source. Have you figured that out yet?”

“It must be you,” you started and the couple regarded you with a curious look. “If there’s anyone who will not approve of the current presidency and how it functions regarding defence, it can only be a previous president or someone of a similar status.”

For a moment, you wondered if you had said the wrong thing but President Son nodded sombrely. “That’s right. It is no secret that I do not approve of the current defence status, but that is not why I was funding your project. I have other reasons.”

“Must be regarding Strictland, then,” Hongjoong commented and watched them shift uncomfortably. “Luna here… Are you aware of her identity?”

“Secretary Park Byung Eun’s allegedly illegitimate daughter,” Lady Kim said, her gaze sticking on the pearl ring you wore. Did she recognise the family ring? 

Your father had given you this ring some time before you left for Wonderland, saying that it was a keepsake of your mother’s and you were not to lose it under any circumstances. If she recognised the ring, was she also aware of your mother’s identity?

“Allegedly?” Hongjoong repeated, looking at you and finding the colour drained from your face.

“Allegedly,” Lady Kim confirmed. “I personally wouldn’t believe a word that comes out of that man’s mouth.”

“Well… Luna is my source regarding my knowledge on Strictland. She can be trusted,” Hongjoong said as if bringing you here was not a display of his trust in you enough. “You must be aware of the Strictland’s nuclear operation.”

“Major Sung visited Eden for a reason,” President Son sighed. “Do you know why the Strictland’s governor meets with the current president so often?”

Hongjoong shook his head, saying that he was not sure and explaining that all he knew was that Secretary Park was involved, as well as a number of elites including Madame Tiffany who they had signed on the silver light project with. President Son was aware of that deal and commended Hongjoong’s drive to get silver light passed as a medicinal drug.

“It’s going to be a war with the elites. Silver light is their ambrosia. They would never give it up and will crush anyone who gets in their way. Seems like they have already begun– stopping your trade and now putting a halt to your weapon’s project. Are you sure you can handle what’s next, Major Kim Hongjoong?”

“You know us, President,” Hongjoong straightened his back. “We are survivors and we will always rebuild no matter how much we lose.”

“And your loyalty lies with Eden?”

“With my home and my people, first and foremost,” Hongjoong announced. 

“Then you’ve come to the right place,” President Son nodded. “I will pull some strings and make your trade resume, even though I personally do not approve of it. However… it’s the only thing I can do for you right now to keep your organisation functioning.”

You and Hongjoong thanked the president and the man took a deep breath.

“Secretary Park is not your real enemy. He is but the right hand man of the person who’s leading the Strictland operation right now, wearing the cloak of an angel to hide his devil horns. Your real enemy is President Lee Jinwook– he is behind the Strictland operation.”

“That can’t be,” you muttered, finding Hongjoong just as shocked as you. Sure, you both had entertained the idea that President Lee could be the mastermind behind this, but to hear it directly still felt like a big blow.

“It’s not just that,” Lady Kim began. “And I’m only revealing this to you because we have tested your loyalties and found you to be our ally rather than the enemy– the RV spies answer to us among many others and have confirmed that the Crescents can be trusted.”

“It would be an honour,” Hongjoong said.

“President Han’s assassination– something about it never sat right with me,” she began. “You must feel that too, right?” She asked and you nodded, wholly agreeing. “It’s not just the way that she was assassinated but how Lee Jinwook reacted afterwards– censoring the media and shutting down all investigations on Hyojoo’s death. He said that he wanted to investigate it privately and we understood, but we were Hyojoo’s closest friends and he never shared any details with us. It was clear that he was basically cutting ties with us.”

“And we had an argument about it, hence the bad blood between us now, which is no secret,” President Son added. “We tried to investigate Hyojoo’s death but he always found out and sent a message– and it got ugly from there. We reached out to the RV spies who informed us that maybe we should shift our focus elsewhere first.”

Lady Kim exhaled. “There was too much going on at that time. The elections were right around the corner and the people were scared. Any detectives who tried to get leads for us got demoted or fired. The office employees started resigning. In hindsight, it looks like President Lee knew that he was going to win and purged the office, starting with a clean slate.”

“But he… he always goes on about how he wants to honour his wife and continue her legacy. He built that hospital in her memory,” you said but you knew your argument sounded weak now.

“Got him those pity votes, didn’t it?” President Son smiled almost sadly. “Built a hospital but won’t let silver light launch as a medicinal drug and plans to put patients in that hospital when he makes the Strictland operation public.���

“How did he get so much power?” Hongjoong mused, settling in resignation now that things seemed out of his control.

“I suspect that when President Han began her reign, Lee Jinwook stuck close and made connections with all sorts of people. His background is not special but he’s got a scheming mind, that one. He was quick to mingle, especially with the wrong type of people. Hyojoo had no idea what was going on but I think she started suspecting something when her term was about to conclude and Jinwook stopped pretending to not like the spotlight.”

“Do you think President Lee has got something to do with President Han’s death?” You asked and the room started feeling cold as the couple thought about it.

“Something, definitely,” President Son announced and you and Hongjoong exhaled, not realising you both had been holding your breaths for the answer. “How much he’s involved, I’m not sure. He’s very clean and we’ve got nothing to support whatever we just told you. It’s all about trust now.”

“It is,” you agreed. “I’ve got nothing to support whatever information I gave to Hongjoong either– I had more than a clue about what was going on with Strictland, but I wasn’t aware of President Lee’s involvement. It’s just about trust. Thank you for placing your trust in us and confirming our suspicions. And for giving us more.”

President Son concluded the meeting and Lady Kim asked if she could have a word with you while Hongjoong and President Son shared some technical details. You followed Lady Kim outside to the veranda which gave a beautiful view of the lawn. You started with small talk about the beautiful mansion.

“How did you get out of that house?” Lady Kim asked. “Secretary Park isn’t the kind of person who would have let you go if you’re really his illegitimate daughter. He would have kept you a secret.”

“Well, he did disown me and changed my surname to Jeon before shipping me to Wonderland in 1963,” you told her and she nodded. “I only came back because I asserted that I was no longer tied to him.”

“I think that someone wanted you to come back. The RV spies protect you– do you know why?”

“No,” you narrowed your eyes just a fraction. “Do you know why?”

“Not yet,” she smiled knowingly. “But I have my suspicions.”

“And what would they be?” 

Lady Kim only smiled in response to your frustration. You fiddled with your ring out of nervousness and she noticed that.

“That’s a lovely ring,” she commented. “Where did you get it?”

“It’s a family ring. From my mother, apparently,” you said with a broken laugh. “Not that I know who it belongs to. My father, Secretary Park, gave me this ring when the war ended to congratulate me for making it back alive– I served as a medical assistant. This is the only reminder I have of what was once my home.”

Lady Kim gently took your hand, to your surprise, and inspected the ring– a golden band that twisted into a knot with a small pearl in the middle. 

“Someone I know had the same ring. She lost it, though, which is odd because I had never seen her without it.”

“When did she lose it?” You asked, heart thumping wildly and Lady Kim looked at you, eyes full of secrets.

“Not sure,” she said. You nodded, willing yourself to calm down. “That’s a Maddox ring. Someone only of a high status could own such a ring. Your mother must be someone of high status– I would expect nothing less of Secretary Park.”

You shrugged and she let go of your hand. You glanced at the woman.

“Were you very close with President Han?”

Lady Kim looked surprised to hear the question but she smiled. “She was Seokku’s best friend, and after I married him, she became the closest thing I had to a sister.”

“I had the honour of meeting her once– a short little encounter, but it always stuck with me,” you found yourself recalling the party at Park Mansion in 1963– the same party Assemblyman Kim remembered you from. That was right before your father sent you to Wonderland.

“She was a lovely woman,” you continued. “She found me hiding in the balcony and we made small talk. She noticed my ring too– I guess you people have an eye for these things,” you said, chuckling lightly. “She told me that I felt familiar for some reason and she found herself opening up to me. It wasn’t a long conversation that we had, but she found herself telling me how sometimes, she feels as if she’s just a piece of chess in someone’s game and that the life she is living is a lie.”

“She said that?” Lady Kim frowned in surprise, though understanding started to wash on her features. 

“I obviously didn’t think much of it– I didn’t know her personally. I just said something dumb like how I feel the same, and that no matter how trapped you are, you should always be in control of your own life, at least.”

“Ah…” Lady Kim started to laugh, tears prickling the corner of her eyes. “That’s where she heard that, huh?”

“What?”

“She started saying that a lot after she became the president. She said a kid told her these wise words. It sort of became her mantra, and…”

Lady Kim paused. You could see that she was holding back from saying something so you didn’t probe. Right then, President Son and Hongjoong joined you both. They asked you to give them a moment of privacy, suggesting you explore their lawns before they would come to say their farewell. 

While you walked with Hongjoong along the cement path that led to the front of the Son Mansion, Hongjoong noticed a wistful smile on your face. He supposed you had a good conversation with Lady Kim– his conversation with President Son had ended on a rather heavy note. You caught Hongjoong watching you.

“What’s making you smile like that, love?”

Your smile deepened. “I once told Seonghwa about the only conversation I had with President Han– right before she got elected as the president in 1963. The same party where Assemblyman Kim remembers me from.”

“The party was hosted at Park Mansion to celebrate the debut of Lee Jinwook in politics,” Hongjoong said and you confirmed with a nod. “You met President Han there?”

“I was actually hiding when she found me on the balcony. We had a little conversation– she complimented my ring and made small talk, told me that I strangely felt familiar to her, and… she shared some of her worries. She said she felt like she was being manipulated and had no control over her life.”

Hongjoong took a deep breath. He was so confused right now, especially with what President Son had privately told him. 

“I told her that she should at least have control over her own life, no matter how trapped she is. Lady Kim just told me that my words stuck with President Han and after she won the elections, it became a mantra for her.”

“You tend to leave a mark wherever you go,” Hongjoong took your hand, squeezing it. “That’s just how you are.”

“It’s kind of funny, because what she said also became a mantra for me that I repeat when I find myself in a dark place.”

“And what’s that?” Hongjoong asked.

“That there is light even in the darkest of places,” you grinned. “Such simple words, right? Somehow, at that time… I really needed to hear it.”

“Looks like she needed to hear those words too,” Hongjoong grinned back. 

President Son and Lady Kim joined you at the front of their residence, sharing some gifts for you both to take back– some high quality tobacco for Hongjoong and imported chocolates for you, as well as wine for Taeyong. You thanked them and Lady Kim hugged you in farewell, saying that she enjoyed your company and would like to meet you again- preferably under better circumstances. 

You got inside the car first, the couple having a quick conversation with Hongjoong which looked serious, seeing how Hongjoong glanced at you reflexively, looking surprised. He nodded earnestly before getting inside the car. 

It was starting to get dark now. You let a few moments pass, admiring the golden hour and how the fields lit under the sun before you turned your attention to Hongjoong and asked him about the contents of his conversation with President Son. 

Hongjoong looked at you for a moment too long before speaking. “Would you be surprised to hear that the Sirens answer to him?”

Your mouth formed an O shape and he chuckled. “If you told me after I processed the conversation we had with President Son today, I wouldn't be surprised. But right now… I admit that I am.”

“He’s going to have one of the leaders of the Siren come in contact with us. They can share the gritty details on how to take our new target down.”

“Sounds like a plan,” you said, hope starting to bloom inside your chest.

“Also… you’re getting yourself a bodyguard and a car.”

“Now?” You frowned. “Secretary Park isn’t going to attack me now. What’s the deal?”

“You are a Crescent– a Leader. Now that things are going to get messier, you must have someone by your side when you go out.”

“You don’t take Taeyong everywhere, do you?” You asked and Taeyong groaned.

“If he starts taking me everywhere now, I’m blaming you, Luna.”

“You don’t have to take them everywhere,” Hongjoong shrugged. “But it’s an order.”

“Might I suggest Doyoung for the job?” Taeyong said. “He’s been inactive ever since Yuta replaced him when he got injured.”

“So Doyoung must be Seonghwa’s old bodyguard?” You asked.

“President Son made his own suggestion,” Hongjoong revealed and you raised a brow. That meant… President Son ordered Hongjoong to get you a bodyguard?

“Why would he suggest a bodyguard for me?” You asked.

“What can I say? He likes you,” Hongjoong shrugged dismissively, not meeting your eyes.

“Kim Hongjoong,” you called. “Tell me the truth. Right now.”

Taeyong whistled at how you bossed the boss around. Hongjoong shot you a glare. “He thinks we can use you to rile Secretary Park up. If Secretary Park messes up, that affects President Lee. It’s time we get back at them, right?”

“That’s… smart,” you folded your arms defensively. “Who did he suggest?”

“Let me have a little meeting with them first before I tell you,” he requested and you agreed, the two of you starting to unpack the conversation and make sense of what happened today.

When you reached back at the Crescent Office, Yunho called for your help and you immediately went inside his office room to assist him. Outside, Hongjoong watched your figure disappear for a long time before going to his office room, finding Seonghwa inside. 

“Ah, you’re back,” Seonghwa looked up from his reports. “How did it go?”

“Better than expected. We have an ally.”

“That’s great news,” Seonghwa put down the reports, stretching lightly. “What do you look so gloomy for then?”

“Say… you have a good eye when it comes to recognising jewels and the likes, right?” Hongjoong asked. Seonghwa frowned in confusion but nodded.

“We should make a trip to Maddox and Co. soon,” the Captain said, rubbing his chin in thought. “We’re going to look into Luna’s ring.”

“The pearl ring?” Seonghwa asked and Hongjoong nodded. “Why?”

“Lady Kim asked me to look into it. She said that Luna claims that it’s a family ring from her mother’s side, but such a ring can only belong to a high class family, and there aren’t many high class families in Eden, right?”

Seonghwa thought about it for a few moments. “Her mother… might be alive?”

“It’s not even about that– she’s probably dead, otherwise she might have reached out at some point… right?” Hongjoong pondered.

“If her mother had an affair with a married man… maybe not, Joong. I’m more surprised Secretary Park took the risk of raising his illegitimate child when he cares so much about his reputation. They could have sent her to the orphanage and she would have never found out about both her parents.”

“Right?” Hongjoong sank down on the couch. “It’s weird how he raised her, Seonghwa. Made sure she had an education, taught her all about business– why? If he cares about his reputation so much, he wouldn’t have gone through all these measures. And I really don’t think that it’s because he has a soft spot for her when he’s been trying to kill her lately.”

“Yeah, it definitely does not add up, I’ve had this thought too,” Seonghwa agreed. “But… does Luna wish to find out her mother’s identity?”

“I don’t know,” Hongjoong admitted. “You know her better than I do.”

“But you know her in ways that I don’t,” Seonghwa remarked. “I don’t know, she never mentioned anything about her mother to me. Should I ask her if she wants to look into it with us?”

“And give her false hope? If this is a dead end, she’ll be distracted. I think once we have a lead, we can ask her if she wants to find out about her mother and share what we have from there.”

“Well, you may not know her as much as I do, but even you know that she would be mad to learn we looked into this without her permission.”

“I’m aware, but Seonghwa…” Hongjoong looked distraught, sharing the last bit President Son and Lady Kim told him in private. 

Seonghwa’s face paled when he heard that, eyes widening as the gravity of the situation started to sink in. 

“Lady Kim hinted something to Luna, but she’s clueless right now, and it’s better if she remains so until we have a solid lead,” Hongjoong said in a low voice and Seonghwa agreed.

“The RV spies must be protecting her because of this, right?” Seonghwa wondered, deep in thought.

“And that’s why President Son suggested we have one of the RV spies as Luna’s bodyguard. Set up a meeting with Winter– I think she’ll make a good fit. She’s already been watching Luna anyway. Yeosang found her at the Bar the other day.”

“Winter… I think she’s been watching Luna since she lived in Edenary. Luna mentioned that she looked familiar.”

“Well then,” Hongjoong clapped in conclusion. “It’ll be a match made in the underworld.”

It took a few days for Edenary Station to finally drop the case of the illegal shipment to Mist Island, settling on a heavy fine and a few restrictions on the trade limit. Seonghwa went to Edenary to sign on it, returning with his form the most relaxed you had seen in a while. He also brought news that Secretary Oh was released, though he was not in the best condition. With President Son being unable to intervene personally, Secretary Oh went into hiding, presumably. 

Hongjoong was half sure that President Son would have employed some guards to protect Secretary Oh. If Secretary Oh really was once loyal to President Han, and now a means for President Son to fund the underground weapons project, that surely meant that President Son would ensure his safety. So that was sorted as well.

Yunho and Jongho left for Edenary right after Seonghwa came back– it was Hongjoong’s idea that perhaps, they should start spreading word about Strictland around. If the public started to talk about President Lee and other politician’s potential involvement in Strictland’s status and how it could trigger a regional war, no amount of censorship would work to shut the civilians and quell the chaos that would follow. 

And for that reason, you all prepared to get into contact with the Sirens Rebel Party, waiting for President Son to send his men for a meeting– their goal was ultimately to stop the annexation and occupation of Strictland, and if they were aware about the active nuclear operations in Strictland, they were probably enraged and there would be no stopping them. 

You decided to keep the rumours related to President Lee and his possible interest in Strictland’s occupation to yourself, for now. If false, things would end at media censorship and restrictions imposed on the Rebel Party, but if this statement held some truth…

You needed to find out just what kind of a sadist President Lee really was. Only then you would be able to predict his next moves. For now, you were conscious of the suspicion that he was somehow involved in his wife President Han’s death. If he really was, that would prove to be a very grave matter because he had used his wife’s name to excel in his career in more ways than imaginable. 

Furthermore, you had learned about President Lee being the real mastermind behind Secretary Park and his business methods. That meant that President Lee had bribed quite a few people to make his way to the top. If President Lee was pushing in the favour of Strictland’s nuclear operation, he could possibly be a member of the ‘elites’ and there was a high chance that he was acquainted with Tiffany and might have used her to keep the silver light project from launching.

But first, you needed to confirm how involved Tiffany was– had she been the one to tip the navy about the illegal trade being carried out by the Crescents, and the one who had Secretary Oh, the anonymous weapons funder, arrested? All to stop the launch of silver light, after making the deal? 

The question remained. Why would she shake hands on the deal with the Crescents on the silver light project if she did not want the world– the common man– to find out about that drug? 

In any case, Tiffany was informed that the project was on hold when the illegal shipment was caught, and Hongjoong decided to not update her about the resumption of the business– you needed to find out how involved Tiffany was with the Strictland nuclear operation and President Lee. 

San and Yeosang had safely finished transporting most of their silver light batch to the other warehouse owned by MX Pharmaceuticals, located at the border of Sector 2. This was the warehouse where they used to produce drugs back in their gang days but the site had been shut for years after. They still had loyal staff and workers who were willing to cooperate in full secrecy and work alongside the Crescent’s own staff. So the duo ensured the workers got along and the production began smoothly. 

San returned to the Crescent Bar in the afternoon where you were waiting for him in the office, ready for the last meeting you would be holding in the main city before moving to the warehouse. He entered the office and took off his outerwear, hanging it on the knob before turning to you. You greeted him with a smile and he returned it with a peck to your cheek.

“You’re ready?”

“They’re arriving any minute now,” you told him. “I’m ready.”

Your client today was one of the anonymous funders who was in town and had agreed to meet, wanting to go through the terms of their deal with the Crescents, now that their identity was exposed– the youngest son of one of the old conglomerate families, owner of multiple businesses but best known for their construction businesses. Seonghwa was sure that they wouldn’t need much convincing. They would probably continue to fund the weapons project as long as they made sure their identity would remain hidden.

“It’s going to be a short meeting, so don’t fret too much,” San smiled reassuringly at you when he spotted you twiddling with the ends of your sleeves. “We’ll be fine.”

“I’m just worried if they will back out of this deal. We’ll suffer a huge loss–”

“And losses happen in every business,” San reminded you, cupping your face. “That’s normal.”

You nodded, managing a small smile to show him that you understood. He smiled back, leaning in for a quick kiss.

But it looked like you needed that, the way your fingers curled around his shirt and kept him close, so San continued to kiss your lips in slow, soft movements until you pulled away with a happy sigh, grinning at how he lingered and was unable to open his eyes for a moment.

“Would you like another?” You teased and San chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. 

“I would like another, but…” San trailed. As if on cue, a knock sounded on the door, indicating the arrival of your guests. San cocked his head in that direction and you pouted. Unable to resist, he kissed the pout off with a promise of more before the two of you exited the office and moved to Room no. 1. 

As expected, the meeting passed by in a breeze. The client agreed to continue with the old terms, strengthening their anonymity and addressing some rumours about silver light. You and San took that opportunity to hint on the sinister stirrings regarding Strictland, which piqued their interest. After a few drinks, the client left and a knock sounded on the door right after

When the door opened and San caught a glimpse of the new guest, he straightened and asked them to come in. You turned in your seat, your mouth parting in surprise to see the familiar face of who had to be one of the RV spies that Seonghwa had told you about.

The woman seemed to be around your age, clad in a short black robe with a hood over a cropped top and a black trouser. If the outfit choice wasn’t odd, the striking silver hair that framed her face rather beautifully caught your attention. 

“I don’t suppose you’ve met formally,” San began, urging the guest to take a seat and she did after bowing in greeting. “This is Winter. You might have heard of her.”

“Ah, yes,” you nodded. So this was the woman who had been present at the bar during your last meeting with Yeosang and San. The familiarity of this woman, however, was not because of the recent glimpses you caught. You were pretty sure you had come across this woman in Edenary too.

“Well… this is her. Your bodyguard,” San announced.

“So you’re no longer protecting me from the shadows, huh?” You addressed Winter directly, her lips curling into a small smile. 

Of course you found out. San shifted in his seat. “Are you okay with this arrangement, Luna?”

“Yeah, I’m good,” you assured, extending your hand and Winter shook it. “I hope we get along.”

“Yeah, so, Winter can of course be trusted,” San began, eyeing the spy who had now taken off her hood, ruffling her short hair. He seemed to be sceptical of her. “She will be accompanying you when you move to the warehouse. It’s preferable if you take her along with you everywhere unless you have a private matter to attend to. Also… she won’t be reporting to us so you don’t have to worry about that.”

You nodded slowly. “Who do you report to, then?”

“My only job is to keep you safe, Miss,” Winter announced. “There is usually no reporting done… from my side. I just have to make sure you’re in no physical harm.”

From her side. That meant that there were other spies keeping watch over you. 

“Can you report to me, though? If I send you on errands or something?” 

“Definitely,” she agreed.

“And can you tell me why are you RV spies watching and protecting me? Is it because I know something that I shouldn’t?”

“I’m afraid I cannot tell you that… yet,” Winter added and you looked at San in frustration who shrugged, equally irked. 

“No point probing,” San sighed, turning his attention towards you. “There is also a car waiting for you outside. It’s yours to use, however you please. You’ll need it.”

“Ah,” you recalled Seonghwa talking about arranging some transport for you. “I thought it was understood that I only need it to commute for now–”

“Think of it as a company car if that’s what eases your mind,” San grinned. “But really… it’s yours. You can’t be a Leader and not own a car.”

Hongjoong’s words. You narrowed your eyes at San but gave in. 

San got up with a grunt. “Well, I’ll leave you two to familiarise yourself with each other. I’ll be in the office in the meanwhile.”

With that, he left with a reassuring squeeze to your shoulder while you folded your arms and looked at the woman in front of you who mirrored your position.

“Any terms that I should know?” You asked. “Because it looks like we’re not going to be talking much.”

“Well…” Winter shrugged as if that was a debatable statement. “Since you know that I’m an RV spy, it’s better if you don’t ask anything about the spies or related to them because you won’t be getting many answers.”

“Of course,” you understood.

“I have plenty of information that I can share with you, so I can be considered an informant too, if you’re willing. I, however, cannot tell you something you already don’t have an idea about.”

“What does that mean?”

“We know about your silver light business and whatever happened, for instance,” she said and you whistled– never did you think you would be talking about that secret project so casually with someone. “You can ask me what I know regarding that matter, but I can only tell you as much as I’m allowed to.”

“And how much are you allowed to tell me?”

Winter smirked. “Just enough.”

You smirked back in understanding though you tried to subdue the frustration bubbling inside your chest. “How lovely. Are you required to accompany me everywhere?”

“Well,” Winter took a deep breath. “I’ve been ordered to keep an eye on you anyway, so. It’s up to you– when you want the world to know that you’re under protection, I will be right by your side. And when you don’t… I will be watching over you anyway.”

“How reassuring,” you poured her a drink and then she returned that favour. You shared a toast before drinking, the liquid tasting awfully bitter on your tongue today. 

“Can you tell me how long you have been watching over me?”

Your request was not pleading or probing this time. It was simply resignation to what was. To the unknown. Winter considered that, probably going over the pros and cons of revealing that information to you.

And the pros seemed to have outweighed the cons this time. “Ever since you came back from Wonderland and Secretary Park could not watch you anymore.”

Your eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of your father. Did she mean that your father hired her? That would not make sense because the Crescents would not have allowed her to be your bodyguard then. 

“Hearing that answer has made me more confused than I already was,” you sighed in defeat. “When you can elaborate on that, let me know.”

“I’ve given you more than I intended in that answer. It’s up to you, how you interpret it,” Winter said, getting up. “I’ll be outside then.”

You sat dejected, staring holes into your now empty glass. No matter how much you tried making sense of that one sentence, you could not come to terms with what it was threatening to imply so you got up and went towards the office with heavy steps, finding San inside seated on the couch, apparently waiting for you.

You passed him a tight-lipped smile before joining him there. He put his arm around your shoulder in an attempt to cheer you up, grinning at how sulky you could get when you didn’t have your way.

“She’ll warm up to you,” San assured and your pout deepened.

“She’s called Winter for a reason. I don’t think she will.”

“That’s a very bad joke,” San laughed, making you break into a smile as well. “She has already warmed up to you. I’ve caught her watching over you even when she did not need to.”

“Work habits die hard,” you retorted but decided to keep that in mind. Maybe this spy had a soft spot for you. That could work to your advantage.

San shook his head and gazed at you, half amused. His expressions changed into adoration as he tucked your hair behind your ears. “You’re leaving for the warehouse tomorrow morning, right?”

You hummed in response. San tilted your face with the pad of his thumb on your chin, capturing your lips in a slow kiss, lingering. “The boys will take care of you. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

“I know,” you assured him with a smile. “Wooyoung and Mingi make nice company.”

“That’s true,” San said, his gaze stuck like glue to your lips and you leaned forward.

The tips of your noses brushed, making him suck his breath as if this was his first time. He pecked your lips before pulling away to look at you in the eyes. You let his loving gaze wash over you like the warm rays of the sun, basking in his sweet touches and kisses, sharing grins. 

It was amazing what a simple kiss with San could make you feel like. The soft plush of his lips were welcomed on yours, your lips moving in tandem with your tongues poking in between, allowing for some open-mouthed kisses. You leaned further into his body, his hands leaving a burning but welcoming sensation on your skin, as if the delicious energy coursing through you was not enough. 

However, there was also a sense of solace that came with being in his arms. He was slow and relaxed with his movements, hands holding you steady and flush to him, exploring the curves and edges of your body without any innuendo, and you appreciated that. He was always so, so patient with you, letting you hold the reins while also reminding you of what was next with every step you took.

Since it felt like being home in his arms, you talked about your recent endeavours while he talked about his in the privacy of the cosy office room. You took your sweet time, poking at each other teasingly and exchanging affirmations and reassurances. San talked about how hectic it had been with the transfer of the silver light  project to the new warehouse and you eagerly listened to whatever complaints he had. And when you both were done and it was time for you to get back to your duties, you hugged him long and good. Even though you would be seeing him every other day, you would miss sharing moments like these where you could be in his arms leisurely.

When you exited the bar, you almost didn’t catch Winter leaning against the window in the shadows. You made an impressed face as she emerged from the shadows and joined your side.

“To the office we go,” you announced in a singsong voice and Winter bowed almost mockingly before walking beside you, just one step behind you at all times.

Your shadow, now finally at its rightful place.

While it was nice to be back at the warehouse, hanging out with the girls during break (or whenever you got overwhelmed by the amount of testosterone around you), you kind of missed the quiet life back at the Crescent Office– or even the bar.

The warehouse was still busy with its usual manufacturing, though the weapons assembling was slower now, giving some of the employees a much needed break. Umji, one of the engineers and Yerin, the lead designer, were your new company. The women tend to stick together in this rowdy workplace, often seeking quiet spots to share drinks, smoke or gossip. Some of the female employees were making the most of their days off, gone to visit family or friends. That left the three of you along with Winter, and boy, were they giving Winter a hard time.

While they did not know the identity of the spy, the girls were hellbent on cracking Winter’s front, aiming to have her join you all when you drank or chatted. Winter usually sat close by, opting to sip on her own flask which contained some mysterious drink she refused to reveal the name of. You were half-sure that Winter was enjoying the attention and was purposely pretending to not care about what you girls talked about.

You asked her one night if all that acting about being just ‘a bodyguard’ and staying on her toes was tiring and she responded with how being alert, even in her sleep, was ingrained in every fiber of herself now. It was muscle memory, a subconscious habit. You wondered what sort of training she had received to reach that point.

Mingi and Wooyoung, along with the rest of the boys in the warehouse, made sure that you were comfortable and cared for at all times, apart from all the teasing and playing around. You had accompanied them to one meeting so far, staying back and observing while they did the talking, just to get a hang of how you were supposed to handle these meetings in case the investors of the weapons project wanted to back out. You were scheduled for another meeting tonight and this time, you were ready to present yourself as one of the Crescents– as a Leader.

“Our client tonight is Mr. Ju Seok Tae,” Wooyoung said, reading through his file and passing it on to you. You skimmed through the two-pages report on him, your brows raising in mild shock as you made the connection. Wooyoung smirked in answer. “This should be easy.”

“‘Mr. Ju Jihoon’s cousin’,” you stated his family background out loud. “Ju Jihoon of Eden News, right?”

Mingi confirmed with a nod. “Co-partner of Jang of Eden News. Do you think that Ju Jihoon is aware that his cousin is funding the weapons project?”

“I think he’s aware…” Wooyoung scratched his chin in thought. “I think it comes down to whether he is quiet because he’s in favour of this, or because he’s holding this as leverage over his cousin.”

“Only one way to find out, I suppose,” you shrugged. “Do we need this investor or is he disposable?”

“Won’t hurt to have him stay,” Mingi considered, looking at Wooyoung for confirmation who nodded.

“He makes a hefty donation every few months, but even if he leaves, we can manage,” Wooyoung said with a light wince, making you chuckle.

“We can make him stay,” you assured. “We need everyone we can keep on our side. Especially now when everyone seems to be after us.”

“That’s true,” Wooyoung scoffed. “I talked to Jongho last night. He says that the people in Edenary have become wary of having any sort of connection with us.”

“I trust that Jongho and Yunho are doing a good job spreading word about Secretary Park and President Lee’s connection with Strictland,” you took a deep breath. “That’s the only thing keeping me from screaming in frustration these days, I can’t lie.”

Mingi laughed. “You can still scream. With how loud these machines are in here, no one is going to hear you.”

“That’s true,” Wooyoung clapped. “Scream your lungs out, baby.”

You genuinely considered for a moment. “Can I?”

“I must admit I wished to hear your screams in another setting, but…” Wooyoung shrugged as if it couldn’t be helped, and Mingi choked on his breath, stifling a cough. Once you realised what he meant, your mouth fell open and you grabbed a cushion from the sofa you were sitting on and chucked it across the room to where Wooyoung sat. He laughed loudly as he caught the cushion.

“Jung Wooyoung!” 

“Just like that,” he winked, making you shake your head. 

“You’re saying that man,” Mingi began, “when it’s usually you screaming like a bi-”

The cushion got thrown across once again, this time fiercer and hitting home– Mingi’s head. Mingi grinned and you shook your head, stifling a smile. 

It had barely been a week in the warehouse, but you were getting used to how different this duo was compared to the rest. You supposed their work environment allowed them to be relaxed and almost candid with their mischief. Still, when need be, the duo was authoritative and rough. They were truly a force to be reckoned with, and you liked how they handled things.

With fists, if words didn’t work. Plain and simple.

“I know what we need to do,” you interrupted the little banter that Mingi and Wooyoung had going on. “If Ju Seok Tae thinks about backing out, we need to threaten to expose the Ju family for funding the underground weapons channel. Do you realise how bad this sounds?”

“Especially because President Lee has been on good terms with Eden News, considering how he befriended the co-owners at the time of his wife’s death and censored all relevant news heavily,” Wooyoung shook his head in disappointment. “Do you think we should be direct with this threat now?”

“Now or never,” Mingi’s lips curled in a tight smile. “It’s time we stop pretending to be a sophisticated organisation and show them that we’re just a gang in the end, unafraid to expose the Ju family, no matter the consequences. If our weapons project suffers a loss, the Ju family must join us in our mourning. Let’s see them censor that.”

You were pleasantly surprised to hear those words come out of Mingi’s mouth, and when Wooyoung responded with an excited ‘hell yeah’, Mingi bit his lips and nodded, clapping Wooyoung’s hand loudly, making you shake your head. 

“Can I make the threats this time?” You asked, raising the file of your client, displaying Ju Seok Tae’s picture. “I think he looks like someone who can’t take a threat from a woman.”

Mingi laughed, wholly agreeing while Wooyoung’s eyes glinted in mischief. 

“You just want a taste of that thrill, don’t you?” Wooyoung scoffed. “The thrill of being the one in power.”

“I mean… I am a Leader now, aren’t I?” You shrugged. “Gotta exercise that power before it starts getting rusty.”

“That’s my girl,” Wooyoung clapped in agreement, a knock sounding on the door. One of the employees was asking Wooyoung and Mingi to check on the latest batch of metal. Wooyoung got up and kissed your cheek on the way out, Mingi following suit and ruffling your hair, spotting the same annoyed pout he did whenever he messed with you and correcting it with a kiss to your head.

Leaving you with flaming cheeks that you had to cool down with the back of your hands, smiling to yourself. They really did not let you think about any of the other boys at all, always keeping you busy, Wooyoung was downright smothering you in kisses and hugs any chance that he got. However, his was laced with a certain flirtiness reserved only for you. 

As for Mingi… he seemed to be following suit, though he was more mindful of your personal space and resorted to casual teasing as opposed to affectionate flirting. While Wooyoung had made it his life’s mission to break you (not that you were complaining), Mingi seemed to be the one grounding you. It reminded you just a little bit of Seonghwa.

You stifled another smile and shut your eyes, soaking in the silence of the office room before it would get loud again.

It hadn’t been long since Hongjoong stepped into the famous jewellery shop of Eden– Maddox and Co., known to be a genuine brand of the finest diamonds in the entire continent. 

As someone who admired their craftsmanship, Hongjoong and Seonghwa were both loyal customers. Their oldest branch was here in Sector 1 and all of Eden had done their utmost best to protect the family and their business during the war. It was why Maddox and Co. made sure that the favour was returned, contributing huge amounts of their earnings to help rebuild Eden and support its citizens. 

Stepping through the guarded gates, Hongjoong tried to quell the nervousness that was making him queasy now, but to no end. Perhaps, he was more jittery than Seonghwa too– Seonghwa definitely appeared more put-together, dressed in black leather with his freshly dyed platinum hair slicked back. Hongjoong was dressed in his usual fit but everything seemed to be going wrong today– the mud on his boots from when he accidentally stepped into a puddle of leftover water from the rain last night, the loose thread near his sleeve that he wanted to trim but kept forgetting, among a bunch of other elements that contributed to his somewhat sour mood.

Plus, the bitter taste in his mouth, knowing that he was looking into your family background without your knowledge. It felt like an act of betrayal, even though it was very necessary. 

When Seonghwa’s fingers brushed his, Hongjoong looked up to find him sharing the sentiment. With a squeeze to his hand, Hongjoong begrudgingly took the lead and walked through the glass door, entering the pristine ivory building that was the showroom of the shop, displaying some items from their latest collection with some old, classic designs. When one of the employees recognised them, she signalled the receptionist who made a call. 

Moments later, Lee Sunmi appeared from another room, lighting up at the sight of the two. While they were regular and valued customers, Sunmi was well-acquainted with them both and she welcomed them with a warm smile, accompanying them inside her office. 

“Back for another design already?” Sunmi asked, making Seonghwa smile as he recalled how Hongjoong suddenly had the urge to get you a cuff bracelet when he decided that you were meant to be a Leader and stand right beside him. 

Hongjoong shook his head, his smile not quite meeting his eyes. He took a seat and took a deep breath. 

“I trust you’ve been well?” He asked and Sunmi nodded. “How’s business?”

“Booming, as always, but you’ve got me anxious now. Enough with the formalities. Is something wrong?”

“Well, I’m gonna be straightforward then,” Hongjoong began. “There is a certain pearl ring designed by Maddox and Co., and I need to see who purchased it. Seonghwa can explain what the ring looks like, but can you do this for us?”

“Our customers’ privacy matters to us. Are you aware of the weight of what you’re asking?” Sunmi frowned, finding the request unexpected. 

“It’s important– I’m here because Lady Kim said that you could help.”

“Who does the ring belong to right now?” Sunmi asked after a moment.

“Luna. You must remember seeing her at the party,” Seonghwa answered. “She was wearing the cuff bracelet that you designed for Hongjoong not too long ago.”

“Ah, right,” Sunmi nodded, swiping her long black hair back. After a moment, she recalled and nodded. “I had a brief conversation with her.”

“Yeah, so she is the current owner of the ring, but it belongs to her mother. Only… she does not know who her mother is.”

“And her father?”

“Secretary Park Byung Eun,” Hongjoong revealed and Sunmi whistled in surprise. “Although… we’re starting to doubt that now.”

“And does poor Luna know that you both are looking into her parents?” 

Seonghwa and Hongjoong looked guilty, which was all the answer Sunmi needed. “Can you at least assure me that this is for her good? No one gets harmed?”

“Absolutely,” Hongjoong declared. “We only want to have something to tell her when we reveal that we looked into her. I don’t want to give her false hope, and I don’t want her to worry about this right now. Lady Kim planted the seeds of doubt in me, so I’m only doing what I do best. Finding answers.”

Sunmi nodded in all seriousness, asking Seonghwa to explain the design to her. Seonghwa started sketching and describing while Hongjoong watched the two intently, on his toes. 

“Are you sure this is the design?” Sunmi asked when Seonghwa was done, and he nodded.

“As close as it can get. It’s not a very complicated design,” he said.

“I think I’ve seen this design in one of the books, hold on,” she said, moving to the shelf and spending a few minutes checking them until she brought back two, asking Seonghwa to have a look. Seonghwa spotted the exact design, showing it to Hongjoong who confirmed it.

“Exactly this ring,” Seonghwa slid the book to Sunmi who had a deep frown on her face. 

“That’s strange– you see the receipts attached with the designs?” She scrolled through the pages and the duo nodded. Every design had a few receipts attached, indicating the transaction. “There’s no receipt attached to your ring’s design.”

“Which means?”

“All these designs made it into this book because they are custom-made– designed for one or few people,” Sunmi answered, looking at Hongjoong. “The fact that the design is here without any record of its purchase is strange, because every design on every page on every book on this shelf has a receipt attached.”

“So where is the receipt for this ring?” 

“Can’t be a coincidence,” Seonghwa looked at Hongjoong and then at Sunmi, the both of them nodding. “The ring belongs to some mysterious owner whose identity no one knows. And then you’re saying that there are no records of who bought this ring?”

“Seems like it,” Sunmi slumped back in resignation.

“Is there any other way of finding out?” Hongjoong asked. 

Sunmi thought for a few moments. “The archives, or my grandfather’s journals. This ring was made in 1939 and my grandfather was the sole designer back then. He must have some record of it– another cash receipt or an account of it somewhere.”

“So it’s going to take a while, I presume?” Hongjoong asked.

“Definitely,” Sunmi said with a sorry smile. “My grandfather is no more so I’ll have to visit his residence in Edenary or check the warehouse. But I’ll get to it as soon as possible–”

“Take your time, but make sure no one else learns about this,” Hongjoong requested and she nodded earnestly. “It must be an influential family from Edenary, so that’s your search pool.”

“Got it,” Sunmi took a deep breath. “I must tell you that If the receipt is gone from here, that means that either my grandfather did not want anyone to find out who this ring belongs to, or there has been a security breach without our knowledge. A grave matter, so rest assured not a soul will know about this.”

“Thank you,” Hongjoong placed his hand over his heart as he got up, bowing in gratitude. “We owe you one.”

“Nonsense,” Sunmi waved her hand in dismissal. “You’ve done so much for us. My father still talks about you very fondly.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the duo left the shop, standing outside and watching the building with wistful expressions. Hongjoong caught Seonghwa staring at him and he shook his head.

“Everything about this feels sinister, I tell you,” Hongjoong dug out his pipe from his coat pocket for a much-needed smoke. “Can we make the RV spies talk about this matter?”

“What are the chances that they were not the ones who hid the receipt?” Seonghwa mused. “If it’s a security breach and not Sunmi’s grandfather’s own doing, I’d say that only our lovely spies are capable of doing this without anyone’s knowledge.”

“Fuck,” Hongjoong spat. “And now one of them is Luna’s bodyguard.”

“Let’s lay low,” Seonghwa placed his hand on Hongjoong’s shoulder. “The truth will come out when it’s time.”

next chapter

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[hannie-dul-set]

[is this an interrogation, or is this a blind date]. “ricky shen. shen quanrui. shim cheonye. wow. you have quite the collection of names, mr. shen. which are you most comfortable with?”

you voice echoes against the soundproofed walls of the interrogation room— painted black, dimly lit, exceedingly and uncomfortably cold. you let the police file rest atop your laptop keyboard to adjust the length of your sleeves, but it seems like your junior colleague sitting next to you isn’t all that bothered with the temperature in comparison.

“just ricky, please.”

the current…person of interest doesn’t seem all that bothered either. in fact, for someone being interrogated as a suspect for multiple criminal infractions, he looks awfully calm sitting in front of you from across the table; gaze wandering around as if he’s visiting a tourist attraction, two fingers tap, tap, tapping against the table as if he’s trying to replicate the elevator music humming through his head, and lips pursed into a curious pout as he stares straight into one of the four security cameras in the corner with sparkling eyes.

you feel a nudge from your left. assistant inspector park gunwook seems to be excited to witness his first interrogation. “all right, ricky,” you hum, smiling. “on the ninth of january, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.— do you mind walking me through what you did during that time?”

“oh!” ricky exclaims. you feel something spiritual rattle your bones. gunwook’s hands start typing. “january nine...i was at the gym from six to eight, or maybe until eight thirty? oh, and after that i stopped by at artisan— the bakery daehak-ro— and stayed there until nine, i think i’m not really sure..”

“artisan on daehak-ro,” you repeat. gunwook is typing every word exchanged. “i hear their milk bread is very popular.”

“it is! they taste very good.”

every syllable, every stutter. “the ones at boulange are better though,” you say, and you hear the typing stop for a moment. you feel your junior’s eyes on you. “soft. always fresh. served straight from the oven.”

“really?” ricky replies. “i’ve never been there before.”

your face brightens. you beam at him. “then, would you like to join me sometime this—”

a nudge from your left. you turn to see associate inspector park looking at you with a deeply confused and troubled expression. seonbae? his furrowed brows seem to ask. you assure him with a nod, a calm smile, then return your attention to the interrogatee. 

“ahem,” you clear your throat. “moving forward. after visiting the bakery, what did you do in the period between nine and ten?” ricky shen narrates the scene— that afterwards he bought a box of macarons to go then went straight home to watch some dramas. you interrupt him there, eyes scanning your records. “you say you went back to your apartment?”

gunwook copies the conversation onto his screen. “um, yes. i think so.”

“but according to a classmate of yours, miss shen xiaoting, she saw you walking along the sidewalk in hyewa-ro at around nine-forty-five, ricky.” your gaze flits back up to him. he blinks at you. he blinks at you with those sparkly, big, brown eyes. you continue to smile. “isn’t that a little too far from your address?”

“oh,” he says. “then she must be right. sorry, i can’t really remember.”

the sound of typing ceases. you feel an expectant gaze drilling into the left side of your cheekbone. you ignore gunwook’s avid enthusiasm at the opening ricky shen just made. you fold your laptop to a close. you bring your elbows to the table and let your chin rest on interlocked hands. 

“that’s okay,” you start. “we all forget things sometimes,” you continue, and this sends your younger colleague into a state of alarm.

“seonbae,” you hear him whisper, rather pressingly. you pretend that you did not.

“can you tell me what your relationship is with miss xiaoting?” you ask. ricky shen continues to sit very politely from across the table “just classmates? friends? maybe she’s your—”

“let’s— let’s take a five minute break!”

before you could even hear a response from ricky, who seemed to have no problems nor reservations in humoring your question, you’re shoveled out of the interrogation room by a very confused, very vexed, very alarmed park gunwook. “seonbae. inspector,” he exasperates. it’s a little hot outside the room. you uncross one of your arms to fan yourself in the face— not for too long because your junior starts to grab onto your shoulders. “please. please get a grip.” 

you look at him. deadpanned. he swallows. “i am getting a grip,” you reply, swatting his hands off your clothes. “getting a firm grip on this man because after years of being single thanks to this god damned job sucking the life out of me, my ideal type is finally being handed to me on a silver platter.”

“seonbae,” gunwook releases a breath. “he’s under investigation for charges of destruction of property and arson. seonbae, he might have burnt someone’s house down.”

“ah. well. i think he’s more cute than hot.” you peek into the one-sided window, showing the scene inside the interrogation room. your suspect is looking around and drumming his fingers against the table again. “there isn’t even probable cause to detain him for tonight. that’s a shame. i’m working overtime too.” 

through the window’s reflection, you could see gunwook’s expression— perplexed, confused, probably wondering how the hell did the scales of criminal justice fall into the hands of someone like you. you press your lips into a smile.

“five minutes over. time to get back to work.”

[lisbeth-kk]

Sherlock fandom

It is in the Details

He had always been meticulous, even as a child. It was his brother who taught him to observe and to keep an eye out for tiny details. 

“The more subtle, the more elegant people will find you. Whether it is your attire or your movements. That way, they will not question your ulterior motives,” Mycroft told him.

Sherlock considered this, and when Mycroft bought him the Belstaff and had added the red buttonhole, he understood. It added an eye-catching sophistication to the garment. The fact that it was one of a kind, made it even more special.

Before he attended his first official crime scene, Sherlock Holmes, the world’s only consulting detective, used a fair amount of his inheritance on expensive hair products, had a bespoke cologne made, purchased Italian leather shoes, and spent an agonising hour at one of Savile Row’s tailors to have his measurements taken.

“Only blue and black suits. A dozen white shirts. Two of the aubergine ones over there. Two of that shade of blue. No ties.”

The tailor didn’t even bat an eyelid when Sherlock made his order and insisted that everything should be tightly fitted.

“I need to breathe, but that’s about it.”

“Of course,” the tailor replied.

***

“Who are you, and what have you done with that high as a kite kid who turned up and solved a crime for me last year?” Greg Lestrade asked when Sherlock strode towards him.

“Gone. I’m clean as of last month. Just what you commanded, detective inspector,” Sherlock drawled. “Now, where are the bodies?”

Sally Donovan and Philip Anderson weren’t as easily dazzled by his newly invented persona, but Sherlock saw them as irrelevant, so he didn't care about being offended by their snarky comments.

***

“Just look at you,” Mrs Hudson cooed when Sherlock knocked on her door.

Her favourite colour is still purple. Recently been to the hairdresser. Didn’t get that cat after all.

“Hello, Mrs Hudson. Lovely to see you again. Are you still renting out the upstairs flat?”

“I take it you are interested,” the elderly woman said and winked. “Don’t you think it’s a bit big for just you. A flatmate would be nice. What do you say?”

“Who would tolerate living with me?” Sherlock answered with a grimace.

“Oh, come now, Sherlock. Deep down you’re as fluffy as a plushie,” she stated.

Sherlock rolled his eyes and went upstairs to take a proper look at 221B.

It was cluttered, but the atmosphere was cosy, even though it hadn’t been inhabited for several months. 

It feels like a proper home, but do I want to share it with another man? I’ve never lived with other people than my family before. None of my peers tolerated me for more than a few minutes at a time. I find it hard to believe that somewhere out in the London streets, a man walks around willing to share this flat with a pompous and infuriating git as myself. It would be nothing short of a miracle if that was the case.

***

“Sherlock, meet an old friend of mine, John Watson,” Mike called out when he walked into the lab.

Sherlock narrowed his eyes at the fair-haired man. To Sherlock’s astonishment this John Watson offered to let him borrow his phone when Sherlock asked Mike for his, even though he knew it was safely tucked into his coat pocket.

“Afghanistan or Iraq?”

The awe in the man’s eyes, made Sherlock look away quickly to hide his own confusion. No one had ever gazed at him like that.

“Who said anything about a flatmate?” John asked when he’d gathered himself after Sherlock’s rapid deductions about his career, family, and wound.

“Mike did,” Sherlock explained and put on his coat and scarf with deliberate movements.

Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you look at my hands and neck, John Watson.

***

“Will you be needing the upstairs bedroom?” Mrs Hudson asked when she followed him and John into 221B the next day.

John blushed but didn’t answer, which was quite promising.

“We’ll let you know,” Sherlock mumbled.

“We have all sort around here,” she assured them before she went down to her own flat.

John placed his cane by the red chair and wandered around to look at all the eccentricities the flat had to offer. The more he walked around, the less he limped, much to Sherlock’s satisfaction.

“Yes, I think this will do just fine,” John said and made himself comfortable in the upholstery chair.

***

“How did you get glitter in your hair?” John asked two days before Christmas later that year.

“I went to Liberty’s to buy some decorations for our tree,” Sherlock said.

“What happened to the Grinch I moved in with in February?”

“He fell in love with an ex-army doctor with a psychosomatic limp,” Sherlock quipped.

“Did he, now,” John murmured and circled his arms around Sherlock’s waist.

Sherlock hummed and bent down to kiss John softly.

“Noticed anything else?” he asked innocently and a bit breathless when they parted.

“I did actually. You’ve been to your tailor,” John said with a broad smile.

“Tell me,” Sherlock purred and sucked John’s bottom lip into his mouth.

“Just spotted some small things. Your shirt isn’t tucked into your trousers in its usually way, one button is only half buttoned, and your left trouser leg has a – “

Sherlock interrupted John’s deductions with a passionate kiss. He looked down into the blue eyes and it felt like he was drowning in a sea of adoration.

“You are a marvel, John Watson,” he whispered.

“Just paying attention to the details that are out of order,” John shrugged, a bit embarrassed by such praise.

“A shame you only catch such details when it comes to me and not at crime scenes.”

John slapped Sherlock’s arse, called him a brat, and went to make tea, while Sherlock decorated the tree.

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

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[arek-ian]

Knowing that both of Dongsik's parents had dementia when they grew old, mostly due to the amount of grief they had been through, makes me wonder what Dongsik's future will be like.

He will likely end up like his mother when the long-hidden effects of his grief finally surface — the way he keeps staring distantly and blankly, probably imagining his twin sister. He might even ask why she stopped coming home. Juwoon says nothing, which makes Dongsik start to blame himself for not reaching out to her first. Then, Juwoon would take him to visit her on their birthday, maybe. Dongsik then falls silent because, even though he didn't say it, he hates to remember that he forgot she isn't here anymore. But Juwoon knows.

In fact, unintentionally, Dongsik becomes more and more quiet as he grows older. Juwoon realizes their roles have changed. He is the one who keeps talking about unremarkable things or important ones just so the man won't get lost in some other world. He would peel him fruit and wait patiently for him to assure him it’s sweet. And when those cold nights linger, bringing with them some unpleasant silence, they remain cuddled, sharing the same air and letting the silence engulf them thoroughly. Until Dongsik pulls out of his distant thoughts and quietly starts brushing the now-gray hair from Juwoon's forehead, his hand becoming slower bit by bit until he falls asleep.

Juwoon, too, grows old with him. When he sees the first visible wrinkle on his face, his frown deepens — not because he longs to be the young and handsome inspector again, but because he fears he will start to look more like Han Kihwan. However, all of those doubts would fade away with the air once Dongsik traces with his fingers the crow's feet on Juwoon's face or the small faint wrinkles on his hands. The ones that always felt so soft and smooth now feel the same as his own hands. And he then remembers, because Dongsik never forgets this handsome face.

"Juwoon-ah, have you eaten?"

Juwoon remains between his hands, waiting for his smile to reach his eyes as the recognition flickers in them. He is capable of waiting.

"No. We will eat together."

[heich0e]

[warning: while f!reader is not described with any specific physical characteristics, the child in this fic is described as having inherited all of Megumi’s attributes and none from reader! please read with that in mind, or pass over this fic if not <3]

Who the hell are you?

Megumi can't shake the unsettled feeling in the pit of his stomach as he stares down at you. He watches as you quickly compose yourself, pulling your expression into something a little less shocked, a strained smile appearing on your face instead. You can't quite meet his eyes.

You're shaking a little bit, with a windbreaker wrapped around you that's much too big for your frame—the logos and insignia on the coat belong to the police precinct Nanami works at, and he suspects he must have loaned it to you. You're soaked through beneath it, just like Kota was when he showed up earlier, and Megumi wonders how long you were out in the rain looking for him.

"Thank you for taking care of him," you say quietly, your hand still on Kota's back. He watches as your eyes trail across Kota's sleeping face, a glimmer of something distinctly sad behind your eyes. You move to take him from Megumi's arms, and without thinking his grip tightens on the little boy's frame. You look up at him curiously. "I can take him now."

Megumi swallows and nods, handing the child over with a quiet, unnecessary "Careful."

Kota looks completely at peace in your arms, nuzzling his little face into your neck the moment you take hold of him. He doesn't wake at all. Doesn't even stir.

It makes Megumi sad for a moment, that he won't get to say a proper goodbye.

He shakes that sudden, unwarranted thought from his mind as quickly as it appears. But there's something else lingering in the back of his mind, more distantly, that begs for him to pay it attention. To acknowledge it.

You turn your back to Megumi.

"I'll take you two home," Nanami says, nodding down towards you. He's still in his uniform, still on duty as far as Megumi knows, having come from the police station when Yuuji called him. This seems a fairly low-priority task given Nanami's rank as an Inspector with the prefectural police, but given that Yuuji was the one who contacted him it doesn't altogether surprise Megumi that the man took it upon himself to see the job through.

Yuuji fetches Kota's rain jacket from the coat rack, laying it over the sleeping boy's shoulders to keep him dry in the quick walk from the clinic to the police cruiser. Then Megumi watches as he carefully slips his little yellow rain boots back onto his feet. You face him once he's done, bowing as deeply as you can with your son in your arms.

"Thank you so much for all your help, I'm so grateful to you," you say to him, still bowing. You stand, glancing over to Megumi next, though you don't let your eyes linger for long before looking away again. "To both of you."

"He's a really sweet kid," Yuuji assures you. "Don't get too mad at him for taking off like that, he was just trying to do what he thought was right."

You smile a little, looking down at Kota's sleeping face. You brush a tendril of his dark, unruly hair away from his eyes.

"I know," you murmur. "I'm just happy to have him in my arms again."

"You should keep a closer eye on him."

Everyone freezes when Megumi speaks, his tone fairly flat.

You don't meet his eyes. You nod. "Sorry, Fushiguro-san."

"We should go," Nanami says, cutting into the conversation and shooting Megumi a look that makes him feel like a misbehaving child.

You nod towards Nanami, and allow him to lead you out through the sliding front door of the veterinary clinic.

It's still raining outside, though not quite as heavily as it had been earlier in the evening. Yuuji and Megumi stand in the doorway watching as you leave, Yuuji waving one hand up over his head when Nanami casts one last look back before slipping into the driver's seat.

It's only once the car finally pulls away, that feeling of molten lead still churning in the pit of his stomach, that Megumi comes to a realization.

He turns to Yuuji, and his friend looks at him a little bit strangely at the abrupt movement. His brow furrows when he sees the bewildered look on Megumi's face.

"Did you tell her my name?"

[laurasimonsdaughter]

Dear Magisowo, id like some legal advice if you have any.

I’m a wizard and have recently acquired and renovated my home into a proper wizard tower. However problem is I’ve been getting harrased by the local HOA, them complaining that my tower is an “eyesore” and “disturbing” their neighborhoods image. My tower was built perfectly legally, I’ve got all the proper building permits and followed all local county tower laws. That still isn’t enough for them as they’ve sent countless “inspectors” who’ve found nothing, and have been sending threats of legal action. Is there any way to get them to stop and do their threats actually hold weight?

Good morning!

That sounds like a horrid situation and let us assure you: this so-called Homeowner Association hasn't got a leg to stand on. Of course neighbours are always free to band together for purposes of mutual support - like establishing a feral griffin watch or communal herb garden - but legal rights are only granted in the case a HOA of owners that share communal real estate. As is the case with apartment complexes where one buys an apartment instead of renting it.

If your home is a detached building and you obtained the proper planning permission, your tower construction is perfectly legal. I imagine these people are threatening to report your building to the urban aesthetics commission, but if you have your papers in order the municipality will have ran your plans by them already. Besides, wizard towers are protected under the Occult Habitat Provision, as studies have shown they are a requirement for performing certain types of magic and frequently attract endangered magical species.

We advise passing this information on to the individuals that are bothering you, asking them politely to stop, and if need be warn them that you will treat their actions as intentional harassment if they continue. We will send you an example of how to keep a log to build a harassment case, if worst comes to worst.

We absolutely can not recommend contacting the Wizard Orb Assistance Helpline (WOAH) and inquiring after the latest neighbour-repelling wards that they have on file under Occult Commons. That would be irresponsible from a community building perspective and as such we would under no circumstances advise you do such a thing.

All the best,

~ the MagISoWo Team  

[taurielkive]

⏦ﾟ♡︎ the last of durin's line . . . tauriel x kili

༯ synopsis : Tauriel is the night guard at the NY Museum of Natural History, but she didn't expect that with the arrival of an Eraborian exhibition she would find the love of her life in the sculpture of Prince 'Killian Durin'.

༯ tags : inspired by night at the museum; tauriel and legolas are night guards; thranduil and bard are so unserious; tauriel fell in love at first sight; attempt at humor; arwen and aragorn are oblivious in love;

༯ word count : 2.7k

༯ status : on-going

༯ part 2

New York, 2016

“Legolas!” the woman exclaimed, breathless, as she hurriedly climbed the museum’s entrance stairs, trying to balance a tray of coffee in her left hand and a backpack in her right. “Wait for me!”

The man turned, raising an eyebrow as he saw her running towards him. She was dressed in a bulky white jacket, matching her light-colored cap that had a large pompom on top. He smiled and shook his head, walking down two steps to catch up to her and take the tray from her hands.

"Oh my God, Tauriel! You're going to run someone over at this rate." he said, exasperated, as he looked around at the busy street. The day was coming to an end, and people were hurrying towards their homes. "We still have five minutes until our shift starts." he added, checking the watch on his wrist.

“No! We’re late! Inspector Beorn asked us to arrive early, remember?” she said, her eyes wide as she grabbed the man’s wrist and pulled him toward the museum entrance, hurrying through the revolving doors. “He wanted us to organize the new Erabor exhibition. We had to make sure we were the first to see it at sunset!”

"Fuck..." Legolas' eyes widened as he looked at his watch again. "The museum will wake up soon. What floor is the new exhibition on?"

"On the second floor, next to the Ancient Egypt exhibit! We can’t let Galadriel talk to them first." Tauriel replied, letting out a soft laugh as she positioned herself behind the information desk in the middle of the museum. She placed her backpack on the swivel chair, took off her jacket and cap and hung them on the back of the chair, before fixing her hair. "The museum is going to be a disaster — it’s been a while since we’ve had a new exhibit. We have a total of three new sculptures.." Her eyes lit up at the thought of what was to come. The museum, quiet and peaceful during the day, always gained a special touch at dusk. Magic happened — literally.

Legolas adjusted the earpiece, listening to the soft hiss of the intercom before letting out a weary sigh. Leaning over the counter, he gazed down at his clipboard.

"'The last of Durin's line', the princes have the original weapons? Amazing..." Legolas murmured, surprised, as he read the documents on his clipboard. "'The King under the Mountain', I remember seeing this sculpture in a documentary, it's very realistic..."

"That explains why we spent almost two months on renovations..." Tauriel bit her lower lip, picking up her coffee cup and drinking.

"Don't even tell me, Faramir wouldn't stop complaining about the dirt in the Egypt section." Legolas looked at his watch and picked up his clipboard, starting to walk towards the elevator. "It's almost time."

"Well, you're the one who decided to get involved with an emperor," Tauriel replied, hanging the bunch of keys at her waist.

The man ignored the red-haired woman, simply rolling his eyes as he leaned against the elevator wall, nodding along to the classical music playing.

"Do you think it will be peaceful today?" Legolas asked, still focused on his drawing board, but without hiding a certain anxiety.

"Calm?" Tauriel raised an eyebrow, with a cynical smile. "With Galadriel, always around? And now with these new sculptures? I highly doubt it."

"But, King Aragorn assured me that he would keep Rex busy, with the help of Bard and Thranduil." said the woman.

"Do you really trust those two not to cause trouble?" Legolas asked, shrugging as he remembered how the little cowboy and the general of the Roman Empire always left a trail of chaos.

"As long as the toy car has a battery... Of course I trust them." Only Aragorn actually, she thought to herself.

The elevator doors opened with a soft clink, and Tauriel’s lips lifted in a small smile.

“Showtime,” she murmured to Legolas, her voice thick with anticipation.

The blond let out a deep sigh, letting his shoulders relax before casting a careful glance around the silent hallway. He gave his friend a small wave and walked ahead, his footsteps barely audible on the polished floor.

The museum's soft lighting cast long shadows on the walls, giving the room an even more solemn air at this time of night. Tauriel followed Legolas's gaze for a moment before turning her attention to their final destination: the large, dark doors that held the museum's newest exhibit.

Her smile widened a little as she began walking in that direction. It was always a special moment when new artifacts came to life for the first time. The newly arrived statues would soon awaken, and she would be there to guide them through their first contact with this new world.

Tauriel pushed the heavy doors open with both hands, feeling the cool wood beneath her fingers as they creaked open. Her heartbeat quickened slightly as she took the first step into the new exhibit. Strategically placed lighting cast shadows and glows across the artifacts, but it was the trio of sculptures in the center of the room that immediately caught her attention, the paintings and some artifacts going unnoticed.

There they were. The last of Durin's line.

In the center, Thorin Durin stood imposingly, his stern expression carved in impressive detail. His eyes held an almost intimidating seriousness, and the cloak fell over his shoulders with an impressive wealth of detail. Every strand of his black beard, every fold in his armor, everything seemed alive in a surreal way, the statue conveying the same imposingness that the true king would have had in life. Tauriel stopped before him, studying him with respect before moving to the left.

Prince Phillip. His gaze fell on the blond prince, and a sigh escaped him without realizing it. His long, traditionally braided hair shone in the light, and his braided mustache reinforced his noble bearing. There was something serene in his expression, as if, even in wax, Phillip carried a quiet joy, an unwavering loyalty.

Then, her eyes slid to the last statue.

Her breath hitched. Prince Killian.

The younger prince seemed to capture something beyond the simple art of sculpture. There was an intensity in his sculpted gaze, an energy that made her breath catch in her lungs for a moment. His features were strong, but there was a softness to them, a perfect balance between bravery and youth. The waves of his hair fell over his shoulders with stunning ease, pinned back slightly.

He was absolutely gorgeous.

His bow rested securely on his back, and his arrows were positioned perfectly in his quiver. The way the sculpture captured the tension in his muscles, the lightness in his posture, made him look as if he might move at any moment.

And he would.

Tauriel felt a current pass through the air. It was subtle at first, a barely perceptible vibration, but soon the dim glow of the lights flickered, and a low, almost imperceptible sound began to vibrate in the air. Rex. A soft crack, followed by another, louder one.

Her heart raced as the first spark of life appeared in Thorin's eyes. The statue was no longer a statue. His hands moved slowly, testing his own fingers, and a long sigh escaped his lips, as if he were waking from a deep sleep.

Beside him, Phillip blinked several times before letting out a muffled murmur. His twin blades now gleamed in the soft light of the museum, as if they had been forged for a battle that was about to begin.

Tauriel held her breath as the last of them finally moved.

Killian blinked slowly, his brows furrowing as if he were trying to figure out where he was. The gleam in his brown eyes began to focus, and then he took a deep breath, lifting his head. His hands flexed slightly before resting on the bow on his back, an automatic gesture of an archer accustomed to keeping his weapon close at hand.

And then he saw her.

Killian's eyes met hers, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Tauriel felt heat rise to her skin, but she kept her posture firm. First impressions were always important. Then, finally, she broke the silence. “Welcome back.”

Thorin stepped forward, his expression dark and intense. He was taller than Tauriel had imagined, his imposing presence radiating a natural authority. His eyes, now bright and questioning, fixed her intently.

“Who are you?” His voice was firm, thick with suspicion. He looked around, his eyes scanning the room warily. “And where in Mahal’s name are we?”

Phillip and Killian exchanged a brief glance before turning their attention back to the woman. The older one seemed more attentive and analytical, while the younger one tilted his head slightly, his gaze curious but attentive.

Tauriel took a deep breath. She was used to this kind of reaction — it was always like this when new exhibits came to life for the first time. She took a deep breath before speaking, keeping her voice calm and controlled.

“I know this must be confusing for you, but I can explain. You are inside a museum.” She gestured around the immense hall. “This is an exhibition dedicated to the lineage of Durin, your sculptures were brought here as part of the collection to be preserved.”

The king frowned, clearly not satisfied with the explanation. Phillip, on the other hand, arched an eyebrow, absorbing the information with interest.

"Preserved? Are you saying we are just… memories of a time that has passed?"

Thorin, beside him, remained silent, his eyes scanning the surroundings, absorbing every detail.

Killian, on the other hand, tilted his head slightly. “But we’re alive,” he said, touching his own hand, feeling the skin that had once been nothing but wax. “Why?”

Tauriel allowed herself a small smile before answering, “Because of Faramir’s Tablet.”

The three men looked at each other, not recognizing the name. Thorin looked impatient.

"And what is this tablet thing?"

“An Egyptian artifact that is on display in the next wing,” Tauriel explained. “Every night, it emits an energy that allows the sculptures and figures in the museum to awaken until dawn. But when the sun rises, you return to your original state.”

Phillip let out a low whistle, impressed. “So, basically, we’re stuck in a cycle of life and death every night?”

"If you prefer to see it that way... yes."

Killian chuckled softly. “Well, it could be worse. At least we’re here, right?”

He smiled at her, and Tauriel felt a slight heat rise to her face, but she kept her composure. Thorin, however, remained serious, pondering everything. After a long moment of silence, he finally spoke:

"And what happens now?"

Tauriel uncrossed her arms and stepped forward. “Now, I’ll guide you. I’ll explain the rules. And I’ll help you understand any questions you may have.”

The three of Durin's line continued to stare at her, absorbing her words. And deep down, Tauriel knew that this would be a very long night.

"By the way, my name is Tauriel, and I am the night guard."

“Fili Durin,” said the blonde prince.

“And Kili Durin,” said the younger one.

“At your service,” they said together and bowed.

Thorin just looked at her and nodded slightly.

───────

The sound of Tauriel’s boots echoed across the museum’s shiny floor as she walked ahead of the trio, leading them through the lobby. With every step, she felt the watchful eyes of Prince Filí and the king on her and their surroundings, taking in every detail of the new reality they found themselves in. Killian, on the other hand, seemed more interested in his own discovery of the place, curiously touching the display cases as they passed and nodding at the sculptures they passed.

“So this museum… keeps warriors and kings as exhibits?” Fili asked, glancing around at the other sections.

“Something like that,” Tauriel replied, not elaborating too much. She didn’t want to overwhelm them with information right away.

Before she could continue, a shrill scream cut through the silence of the museum. Tauriel stopped abruptly, her eyes widening for a brief moment.

Thorin frowned, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword.

"Was that a scream?" Filí asked, frowning.

“There were several screams,” Kili corrected, already instinctively reaching for his bow.

But unlike them, Tauriel just took a deep breath, wasting no time, she ran down the hallway, hearing the heavy footsteps of the three men behind her. When she turned the corner, she found exactly the kind of scene she feared.

In the middle of the hall, Dwalin — a heavily clothed Viking with striking tattoos— was shouting furiously at a small toy car, its engine roaring. Beside him, Gimli — a pirate in a wide hat and worn boots — was shouting with equal indignation.

Inside the cart sat two tiny figures: Thranduil, a miniature Roman general in gleaming silver armor and a red cape, and Bard, an equally small cowboy in a hat and leather coat, his legs casually crossed.

And of course, they shouted back loudly.

“Out of the way, you noisy ogres!” Thranduil demanded, grabbing the reins of an invisible horse.

"That's right! We're on a mission!" Bard reinforced, tipping his hat back.

"Mission my ass! You almost ran over my foot!" Gimli retorted, stamping his foot on the ground.

“So what? You have two, don’t you?” Thranduil snapped. “Your foot is worth nothing compared to the honor of a Roman general!” he retorted, his small voice full of arrogance.

"By Odin, I will crush this cart with my bare hands!" Dwalin roared, raising his fists.

In the midst of the chaos, Bilbo, an archaeologist in beige clothes and a scarf around his neck, stood between the two groups, looking as if he wanted to intervene, but not brave enough to step into the line of fire.

Leaning against the far wall, Legolas watched everything with his arms crossed, shaking his head slowly in pure denial, as if he had already given up on sanity, his long hair was all messed up.

Tauriel took a deep breath before finally interjecting.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!"

Immediately, everyone froze. Silence filled the hallway, broken only by the sound of the car creaking slightly as it slid forward an inch. Thranduil turned toward him with an arched eyebrow.

"Ah, finally, someone in authority. Tell these barbarians to get off the road."

“Road? It’s a corridor, you lunatic!” Gimli exclaimed.

Kilí, who was standing behind Tauriel, watched everything with an amused glint in his eyes.

“Okay,” she began, keeping her voice steady. “I’m only going to ask once: why exactly are two big warriors yelling at two who aren’t even big enough to fight?”

“They nearly ran me over!” Gimli pointed an accusing finger at Thranduil and Bard, still sitting in the cart. “And they didn’t apologize!”

"We have no time for excuses when we are on a mission of great importance!" Bard retorted, adjusting his leather coat as if he were a true gunslinger.

“Of great importance?” Dwalin snorted. “And what mission would that be?”

Thranduil crossed his legs and tilted his head, looking at them as if they were mere commoners in his path.

"That's none of your business."

"That's none of your business!" Gimli repeated mockingly, rolling his eyes. "Just see!"

Bilbo, who had been watching until then, finally found the courage to speak. "Well... maybe they have a good reason?"

"Thank you, archaeologist." Bard smiled, raising his hands.

"At least someone here has some common sense."

"Don't pull my leg!" Bilbo quickly retorted.

Meanwhile, Legolas remained leaning against the wall, watching everything with boredom. Tauriel gave him a sharp look.

"And you? Why didn't you do anything to stop it?"

Legolas shrugged. "I wanted to see where this would go."

Tauriel let out an exasperated sigh. “Okay. Everyone, stop. Now.”

Her authoritative tone silenced the group again.

“Thranduil, Bard, get off that cart. Now.”

“No.”

Tauriel closed her eyes and counted to three before opening them again.

"Thranduil…"

The miniature Roman general snorted dramatically before finally standing up, followed by Bard, who jumped out of the cart with a quick leap.

"Thank you. Now, Dwalin and Gimli, no one is to smash anything, understood?" The two grumbled, but nodded.

"I liked them!" Kili said, a big smile on his face as he watched the scene.

"Does this… happen often?" Fili asked, looking from Tauriel to Legolas.

Thorin just ran a hand over his face, as if he was already tired of the situation before he even fully understood it.

Legolas shrugged. "You get used to it. Welcome to the night shift..."

[scribblestatic]

*thinks quietly*

I feel like talking about scenes I had planned for ICBA.

It's been...*checks*...jesus christ five years since then, but I still had so much I wanted to write. Sometimes I look back at the document I had already started and want to get back to it.

It just feels like there's not much energy left in me to do it all, and it kinda sucks.

So, let's talk a bit about what was gonna happen.

--

First, I was going to have Minute Maid go on training runs with Endeavor. Getting to see what it was like being out-and-about in a different way.

By the end of the week with him, Endeavor was going to ask about how Izuku got his magic. He'd perhaps verbally corner him a bit, but he wouldn't say anything. I juggled around with the idea of whether or not Handyman would cause Endeavor to see something, but I never quite decided.

What ended up stopping me from completing this chapter was that, really, I was kinda getting tired of setting things up. I wanted to jump straight into what was next, and I still sometimes have a problem being patient with my own writing.

But yeah, Izuku would get outta there when it was time for him to be picked up, and he'd go home and kinda panic about it. Shimizu was going to be helping his mom with the taxes, so she was going to be there to help him calm down.

He never told Shimizu that he'd died, and he still feels substantial stress about it, so being asked how he got his magic so much just makes him remember dying. I'm not sure if he tells her here, but he does end up being comforted, and Endeavor is given a warning by Inspector Yayoi.

Izuku's given a break from training for a week, and during that time is when he meets Ochako. They quite easily become friendly. They start hanging out over the weekend, and before she leaves, they exchange phone numbers. He finally gets a new friend around his age, though he doesn't tell her who she is yet. That doesn't come for a little while longer.

During the week, he does homework in Aizawa and Yamada's apartment. He still feels a bit down despite having met Ochako, so Yamada tries cheering him up. During his efforts, Izuku asks about learning capoeira or something of the like. Yamada says that Kayama (Midnight) would be better to ask, so he calls her up for a get-together to talk about it.

Meanwhile, Tsukauchi convinces All Might to sign up for the opportunity to train Minute Maid. All Might was reluctant because he felt he'd traumatized him enough, but Tsukauchi assures him that the kid's still very much a fan and doesn't hold a grudge against him. He also hints that he's been kind of down and could use a pick-me-up (he wasn't told exactly what happened, but the institute alluded to how it might be a good idea for Izuku and All Might to meet up). So, All Might considers it.

When Kayama comes over, Izuku talks with her about fighting styles that use legs more than arms, and she tells him a few methods. He asks about being shown how to do it, but pauses, and also asks if Shimizu could be given a pass to let her practice like she used to before her quirk increased her weight beyond the allowable limit. Kayama isn't sure how to do it at first, but then considers that Shimizu is currently one of his trainers. As long as she has someone in a similar weight class to practice against, it's possible she could do those exercises again.

Feeling better and happy that he could maybe help Shimizu, they go out and do some leg exercises to prepare for training. When he gets home, Shimizu is there, finishing up with the help she was giving on their taxes. They playfully quip with each other, and Izuku feels like he has Shimizu there as a friend, too, feeling less alone and very blessed.

Meanwhile, Magakuro, Shimizu's former coworker, goes to a karaoke bar with some folks from work. She considers calling Shimizu, but decides against it.

...

Anyway, that's all I'm saying on it for right now. If I do, by some miracle, end up writing it, some details may change, hence why I'm being kinda vague.

[assuredhome]

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[thepromptswhisperer]

Train Prompts

1. A has taken this train so many times by now that the scenic route has lost (some of) its grandeur. Watching B admire it, however,… (A could do that until the day they die and never get bored of it.)

2. A rests their head on B’s shoulder/lap as they travel home/etc. (They fall asleep right there.)

3. When the train abruptly comes to a stop/takes a turn, A tumbles into B(‘s lap).

4. A usually walks past the musicians performing at the train station. This time, however, they stop and listen.

5. A dreads reaching their destination (– a feeling that only intensifies when they see B taking the same train.)

6. A holds onto the train handle, and B holds onto them.

7. A suffers from motion sickness, and B tries their best to help them. (e.g. by proposing to switch seats with them)

8. A fire/fallen tree/etc. prevents the train from going any further, which leads to A and B getting stranded in the middle of nowhere/etc.

9. A and B reunite/say goodbye to one another at the train station.

10. A intensely studies the train map as they attempt to figure out where to go and how to get there. B, who stands next to them, helps them/is equally lost.

11. A unexpectedly runs into their ex (friend)/etc. on the train – with no possibility to hide from them (or the (unpleasant) conversation that they know will follow).

12. A, a (street) musician, performs at the train station/in a train. The performance goes viral.

13. A realizes too late that they are on the wrong train.

14. A draws something on the window. (e.g. tic-tac-toe, a heart)

15. A has desperately tried to keep some distance between themselves and B. Yet they can’t deny that the feeling of their arms/legs pressed against theirs – as they sit/stand next to each other (in a crowded train) – makes their heart flutter.

16. A and B sit at the train station and make up stories for the people that walk past them. 

17. A and B are alone on the train. A enjoys it, but B is panicking. Isn’t this how horror movies usually start?

18. A and B share a kiss on the train steps/as they lean over the row of chairs separating them.

19. A and B, two strangers who oftentimes take the same train (e.g. to work), have established eye contact a few days back. That day, A is determined to strike up a conversation with them.

20. The incoming train messes up A’s hair. B assures them that they look great.

21. A lends one of their earbuds to B so that they can listen to music/etc. together while traveling home/etc. 

22. A is waiting for their train when the platform fills with people coming from/going to a concert/sports event. (They sing/chant and dance, entertaining/annoying everyone else.)

23. A adores the art decorating the walls of a train station they frequent, and are delighted when they meet the artist.

24. A misses their train (e.g. because they were too caught up in B).

25. A surprises their partner/crush/friend/etc. B, a ticket inspector/train driver/etc., at work.

26. A cannot stand when people listen to loud music on the train (or when it’s so loud one can hear it despite them wearing headphones/etc.). Yet, their anger lessens when they hear what stranger B listens to.

27. A and B (, as well as everyone else on the train,) overhear a stranger’s/a group of strangers’ entertaining/etc. (phone) conversation.

28. Someone steals A’s bag/etc. while they look out of the window/stand at the train station/etc. B attempts to help them and catch the thief.

29. A and B talk to/shout at one another across different platforms as they each wait for their respective train to arrive.

30. A didn’t anticipate the next stop coming up so soon. Therefore, they barely make it out of the train in time/sit on the train’s toilet when it does – the window offering a nice view of the train station/etc.

31. A and B’s fingers (nearly) touch as they hold on to the train handle.

32. A handful of times now, A has seen B behave poorly. When their “train enemy” acts up once more, they speak up.

33. A panics when a ticket inspector boards the train. Stranger B unexpectedly helps them.

34. A draws sketches of strangers that sit on the train with them. Usually, they keep their art to themselves, but something about B makes them want to gift them the sketch.

35. A sits behind B and is able to read the text messages they send to a shared friend/etc. They know they shouldn’t look, but they can’t help themselves (– especially not when they see their name being mentioned).

[satin-spanks-and-frills]

Sent to live with Auntie

The first part of a story I wrote on Fetlfe

Part 1

His mother had had enough. The summer holidays were only a few days away and she knew what she had to do. Her sister had offered to take him in hand on more than one occasion but she wasn't altogether sure about her methods but now she was at the end of her tether. She'd threatened to send him to live with his Aunt before but he'd known she was bluffing, now he wasn't quite so sure after he overheard her talking on the phone that evening. "I've tried everything, but nothing seems to get through to him" she said, "if you're sure you're happy to take him I'll put him on the train tomorrow morning". His heart sank when she told him, he begged and pleaded, made promises to be a good boy but her mind was made up. He was going to spend the rest of the summer holidays with his Auntie Karen.

He barely slept that night, if he was being honest he really didn't like his Auntie. She was a severe woman, who made it quite clear that she really didn't like little boys. It was going to be a long summer, the only ray of light being his cousin Kristen who was a few years older than him. She was a tomboy who was always happy to play with him. He hoped she'd still feel the same, it had been some time since they'd seen each other.

Morning came and after one last fruitless effort to change her mind, he was dragged to the train station by his mother. He was surprised when he was told not to bother packing any clothes but his Mummy assured him his Auntie had lots of suitable clothes for him at her house. "The ticket inspector knows which stop you need to get off at" she told him "Auntie Karen will be waiting for you". With that she put him on the train and waved him off.

The journey took a couple of hours, he gazed out of the window and remembered the last time he'd visited, they were painful memories. He only stayed a week but he lost count of the times he'd been spanked by his Aunt. His face blushed bright pink as he recalled howling across her knee as she whacked him with her slipper, wooden spoon or hairbrush, often with his cousin watching on. He recalled an overheard conversation between his Aunt and Mother as they were getting ready to leave "I've still got all of Kristen's old clothes, he's so small that they'd fit him perfectly" his Aunt said, "why don't you give it a try, it worked wonders on Kristen". Before his Mother could reply she caught sight of him listening "We'll see how things go for the next few months, hopefully there'll be some improvement" she said giving him a pointed look. He hadn't understood what they were talking about at the time but thinking about it again gave him a growing sense of unease.

His Aunt met him on the platform, her eyes appraising him as he walked towards her. With a curt welcome she told him to come along and he followed her to the car park. He went to get in the front passenger seat but was told to get in the back "Children ride in the back in my car" said his Aunt "it's time you remembered your place, from what your Mother's been telling me you've been getting above yourself lately". Their eyes met in the rearview mirror as he sat sullenly in the back, he noticed an amused twinkle in her eye as if she knew something he didn't, again he felt that sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Kristen isn't home for the holidays yet" said his Aunt as they pulled up the drive to her house "her school doesn't break up until the weekend, so it'll just be the two of us until then". He'd forgotten that his cousin attended boarding school, the nearest school to their tiny village in the countryside was a two hour round trip away so the decision was made for to attend the boarding school his Mother and Aunt had went to.

She led him into the large house, once through the door she crouched down to look him in the eye "Let's get things straight right from the start. You know why you're here, your Mother is fed up with your behaviour and your attitude" she said wagging a finger in his face "all that stops right now. If you follow my rules and behave as I expect you to then you might actually have a fun summer with us but.." she raised his chin to look directly into his eyes " if you don't I can promise you'll be very sorry indeed, have I made myself clear?". "Yes Auntie Karen" he mumbled " We'll see" she said "It's getting late and I'm sure you're hungry after your journey, we'll have some dinner then see about getting you settled in and ready for bed." Bed? he thought, it was barely 6pm and it would still be light out for hours, he'd hoped to go exploring in the large garden behind the house. Perhaps his Aunt had lost track of time, there was no way he was going to bed this early.

Once he'd finished dinner, his Aunt told him he had half an hour until bedtime. "But it's only 7 o'clock, there's no way I'm going to bed this early. I'm not a baby!" he stormed. "You'll do exactly what I tell you to or you'll suffer the consequences, I won't be argued with or spoken back to. You can get yourself upstairs right this minute, you're going in the bath then straight to bed" she snapped, taking a firm grip on his arm and leading him upstairs to the bathroom. "Clothes off" she ordered, he hesitated for a moment "if you don't take them off I'll do it for you" she said. It was so embarrassing to strip off in front of his Aunt, he tried to hide his modesty but his Aunt slapped his bottom and told him not to be so silly. "Get in and give yourself a good scrub, I can't abide the smell of boys in this house so you had better get used to smelling a lot sweeter than you do at the moment. You've got 10 minutes, do not make a mess, I'll be back to check you've washed properly once I've disposed of these foul smelling clothes"

He didn't know what she'd put in his bath water but whatever it was it smelled incredibly girly, he wrinkled his nose in disgust. He'd barely begun washing himself before his Aunt appeared and ordered him out. "Put this on" she told him, handing him a fluffy pink dressing gown "it belonged to Kristen but I think it will fit you too". "That's a girls robe, I can't wear that!" he snorted, "where are all my clothes" he demanded. Taking him firmly by the arm his Aunt marched him out of the bathroom and through to what was to become his bedroom. "I've told you once already that I won't argue with you or be spoken back to" she said, sitting herself on the edge of the bed "it's time you found out what happens to little girls who don't do as their told". With that she dragged him across her knee and began to spank his bare bottom. "But I'm not a girl!!" he wailed as the spanks rained down, setting his backside on fire. "For the rest of the summer you are" said his Aunt as she continued to smack his behind. "Your Mother knows I will not have men in my house so the only reason I agreed to take you was on the understanding that you would live and act like a little girl for the duration of your stay". "Noooo!! I won't do it!!" he wailed as he struggled in his Aunts grip "You can't make me!!". "Cant I?" she asked, "well, we'll just see about that wont we" as she picked up a hairbrush from the dressing table. "I think by the time I've finished with this hairbrush you'll be begging me to dress you up like a pretty little girl".

His bottom was on fire, he kicked and wriggled but there was no escape. Soon he hung limply across his Aunts lap, tears and snot dripping on the carpet. "Are you ready to do as you're told?" she asked " I can carry on all night if I have to". "Y,Y,Yes Auntie" he snivelled, relieved that she finally stopped. "I'm going to stand you up and you're going to ask me very nicely to get you ready for bed, understood?". She released her hold and guided him to his feet, his hands instantly rubbing his throbbing backside and his nakedness forgotten. "Now, what do you want to ask me young lady" said his Aunt "P,P,Please can you get me r,r,r,ready for bed Auntie" he stammered. "See how easy that was, let that be a lesson to you". She opened the drawer on the nightstand and pulled out a pair of extremely girlish pyjamas, pink shorts with frills around the legs and a matching top with a unicorn on the chest. "Put these on and get into bed" she ordered, drawing back the covers on the bed. He hadn't noticed but his bedding was covered in Disney princesses, he cringed with embarrassment but the deep, throbbing pain in his bottom reminded him to hold his tongue. His Aunt tucked him in and kissed his forehead. "I want you to go to sleep, no getting up until morning. We've lots of things to take care of tomorrow, so you'll need a good nights sleep. If I have to come back up here, you'll be very sorry." With that she left him, it was still light outside and it leaked through the thin curtains. He was able to finally take in his new surroundings, he was in the bedroom of a 5 or 6 year old girl. He struggled to understand what was going on, his Aunt was obviously crazy, there was no way this could be happening to him.

He lay awake for what seemed like an age, the sting in his bottom slowly subsiding to a deep, throbbing ache. He would run away, he decided, all he needed was some clothes and he'd sneak out and escape. Slowly he crept out of bed, there must be something he could wear, all he needed were a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Slowly he opened the large wardrobe and his heart sank, hanging inside were rows of little girls dresses. Their bright colours and shiny fabric seemed to glow in the half light. He was momentarily mesmerised, running his fingers over the soft material. He felt something he'd never felt before and it both excited and repulsed him, what was wrong with him? He closed the wardrobe door and checked the dresser, each drawer confirmed his worst fears. They were full of frilly, girlish underwear and socks, even the few t-shirts he found were obviously meant for little girls. He pulled out a pair of panties and the feelings of excitement mixed with disgust came back. The knickers had a small bow on the front and rows of ruffles on the rear, would he really have to wear these? To his utter shame and embarrassment he felt himself grow inside his pyjamas, quickly he put the panties away and crept back to bed.

[wordsarelife]

—the last time

pairing: anthony lockwood x sibling!reader

summary: you always throw yourself in harms way to save your friends and especially your brother, this one might've been too far

warnings: mentions of dying and getting hurt

"what the heck happened, lockwood?" barnes was folding his arms "we talked about this"

lockwoods eyes wandered from the ambulance and lucy and you back to barnes. he almost couldn't look him in the eyes. barnes was right. this wasn't the first time this had happened. actually, they had a few conversations about it already and lockwood could see that barnes was at his final point.

"this is exactly the reason every other agency has supervisors"

"we aren't like the other agencies" lockwood quickly argued

"believe me, i know" barnes was massaging the top of his nose "the other agency aren't causing me headaches"

"i'm sorry, inspector"

"this isn't the first time i heard that, lockwood" barnes sighed

"i know" lockwoods eyes wandered back to your shivering form "but it will be the last" he assured "i promise"

"i will take you up on that" barnes nodded, before his eyes turned softer "i'm really sorry for what almost happened today" he patted the boys shoulder

"i know" lockwood nodded, biting his lip as to stop the tears from flowing. barnes pity didn't make it any easier.

the inspector send lockwood another brave smile, before he raised his hand to wave at lucy and you, finally walking off to his car to leave the scene.

later in the evening when you were all home and you were laying in bed, lockwood came to talk to you.

"hey" he muttered softly, sitting down on the edge of your bed

"hi" the guilt was already crawling up your neck

you were a bit stunned when he got straight to the point. "you realize that this was extremely stupid, right?"

your eyes wandered to your hands that were playing with your book.

"what was is this time, y/n?" lockwood continued after your lack of an answer "you fell out of a window" he reminded "just a few metres more and you would be dead right now"

"i'm sorry" you muttered

"why do you always do that? why do you throw yourself in that kind of danger? why don't you never think before you jump?"

you shrugged your shoulders

"we talk about this a million times and you never change the way you behave on cases" he closed his eyes shortly, trying to keep his cool "i pull you out for a month, you come back, behave for like two days and then everything starts all over again. you nearly die every second, barnes is waiting to ban us from the job and the bills pile up more and more. i don't know what do to, y/n. i don't know how to fix it"

you weren't used to see your brother like this. his brown teary eyes stared at you and you felt like crying too. never before had he let you know anything about the struggles he was facing. he was your older brother after all, he was supposed to solve everything on his own. or at least that was what he always thought his job was.

"i don't know how to help you"

"help me?" you repeated "you don't need to. there's nothing wrong with me"

lockwood sighed. more exhausted than ever before. "stop pretending you're okay for a second, alright?"

"i'm not" you protested weakly. you could see in his eyes that heknew you were lying

"you don't have to prove anything. not to me and not to anyone else" he assured. then he leaned forward, inspecting you closely "why do you always save our lives at the expense of yours?"

"i don't"

"yes, you do" he nodded "that is why we are having this conversation now and the last hundred times it happened"

you sighed, knowing that he wasn't going to just leave it

"i'm trying to pay you back, anthony" you said, finally giving in

"what?" he asked stunned "pay me back for what?"

"for saving me and sacrifing so much to take care of me"

he almost looked angry at that "what are you talking about?" he asked "you don't owe me anything, alright? there's nothing you would need to pay back! and when it comes to a dangerous situation i'd rather get hurt than have you in the crossfire"

"no" you shook your head in protest "when it comes down to it, there's one of us that needs to survive and it's not me"

you could see the surprise in his face, before he had even said anything to that. his eyes welled up with tears again. the question he asked next would've probably been deemed silly by you, if it weren't for the seriousness of the conversation and his voice breaking while muttering the words. "y/n" he said softly "do you even want to be alive?"

you gasped, taking a moment to comprehend the weight of that question. "yes" you answered, truthfully "but i could never let something happen to you, don't you understand that? you're all i have left and i couldn't live without you, it's pretty selfish probably" you shrugged your shoulders "i didn't know what would happen to george and lucy as well. none of us is qualified to lead an agency, so they would probably lose their jobs. you're important to all of us, anthony and in comparison no one would care if i suddenly disappeared"

"i would" his voice made you look up "i will always care about what happens to you and though i understand your reasoning i cannot accept it. i wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to you and george and lucy wouldn't either, you're as important as everyone in this house and we won't tolerate you acting like your life doesn't matter"

"but i-"

"no buts, young lady" you giggled at that "i'm your older brother and as long as you're living under my roof, you're going to follow my rules. that includes not jumping out of windows before knowing for sure that there is water underneath them or better not until i told you to jump or it is the safest option to survive, you hear me? survive"

"okay" you nodded

"we will work on this together" lockwood assured "and i will try to not get myself in any situation that would even make it necessary to be saved, alright?"

"sounds good"

"but you're still grounded"

"fine"

he hugged you, happy that you had been honest and that you accepted what he had told you. he kissed your forhead. "after all you're all i have left as well, don't you forget that"

"i won't" you said, looking into his eyes and feeling a bit of the guilt disappear into thin air "i promise"

[bryantselectricalltd]

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Partnering with Builders, Developers & Engineers

Bryant’s Electrical Ltd. regularly works alongside general contractors, real estate developers, and engineering consultants. Whether it’s a single custom home or a multi-unit commercial buildout, they bring deep project coordination experience and proactive communication to every collaboration.

Their ability to forecast project risks, manage timelines, and solve challenges in real time makes them a valuable asset on any job site.

Safety and Compliance: No Compromises

At Bryant’s Electrical, safety is non-negotiable. Their entire crew follows strict safety protocols and undergoes regular training in the latest electrical standards and occupational health guidelines. Their commitment to safety extends to:

Fall protection

Lockout/tagout procedures

Arc flash awareness

Fire prevention systems

CSA and NEC electrical code compliance

Clients can rest assured that their project is being handled not just skillfully, but safely — protecting people, property, and productivity.

Ready to Start Your Project?

Whether you’re looking to build from the ground up, upgrade existing infrastructure, or plan future electrical expansion, Bryant’s Electrical Ltd. is your go-to partner in Red Deer. Their streamlined process, commitment to quality, and wide-ranging experience ensure that no matter the size or scope of your project, it’s in the right hands.

Conclusion: Managing electrical systems requires far more than just basic wiring — it demands foresight, expertise, and coordination. Bryant’s Electrical Ltd. brings all that and more to every project they undertake. If you’re looking for a reliable commercial electrician in Red Deer who can manage your electrical project with precision and professionalism, look no further than Bryant’s Electrical Ltd.

[asystolle]

an odd morning in the life of teenie

y'alllll i'm just minding my business working from home today, on the couch. laptop out with docs and sheets open, tv on with 911 4x13 and 4x14 on because TODAY is the hiatus rewatch EPIC DAY.

i get a text from the neighbor in the the downstairs condo asking if i could kindly open our unit door so that Billy and Jim (remember them, teenie? they're coming to measure something since neighbor is a little paranoid about the smell rising up from the gas vents when the weather changes) can get through downstairs to the neighbor's unit.

neighbor's not home, but we agreed they will leave their back kitchen door open so these inspectors can get in and do their work through ours. the appointed time comes, the doorbell rings. i get up and make sure i have pants on. my hair's a lost cause but whatevs, i'm presentable. i hop down the stairs to open the door for Billy and Jim and LO AND BEHOLD neighbor had called the local firefighters.

they're greeting me and i robotically go through the social graces. the whole time i'm screaming internally because WHY are they in full turnouts. goddd i hate how uniforms are such a weakness for me. they apologize for not taking off their heavy work boots. i stutter that's uhhh that's no problem at all and snap my damn mouth closed before i can get worse.

they're nice, they chit chat as they walk through my house and down the back connecting doors down to the neighbor's. they've come here straight after another call, they said! wow, okay, i'm standing like 🧍🏻‍♀️in my kitchen waiting for them to come back up all awkward. head empty. they finish measuring pretty quickly and thump up the tiny narrow back stairs. i apologize for my cat binx army crawling past them in shock. me too buddy, me too.

they assure me the scent is normal and that they'll inform the neighbor themselves with a report. i nod and hold the door for them, trying to hold eye contact and failing because my ability to function in high capacity is INCAPACITATED BY HOT MEN IN UNIFORM WHO ARE FIREFIGHTERS.

they glance over at the tv as they walk out the door and Jim (? i think) turns to Billy and chuckles oh hey isn't that the buddy cop show? the rookie or something, right? i'm behind them spluttering because I FORGOT WHAT I PAUSED HOLY SHIT. Billy, oh, informed Billy, said: nah Jim, I think you mean Buddie. That's that 9-1-1 firefighters, right, miss? They turn to me as they step out onto the front porch. i have lost my mind. i nod frantically, mute. i shut the door.

this was the still my tv was paused on.

[bhagwanrr]

The Long Rickshaw Ride

Auto-rickshaws have always been my lifesaver in dire moments. I don't recall myself being a late person but more of minute counter whose calculations always fail apart. One such morning was accompanied by a rush hour, making things worse I was on my toes to get the right metro so I hopped into the first rickshaw I saw. 

     The very moment I comfort myself to the spaces of that automobile, my ears delight themselves with noise cancelling earbuds. Generally, my journeys are often undisturbed from my home to the metro yet the monotony of this event is something I appreciate in my life for existing.

    But that day the driver interrupted me and said, " Do you know about the fair I'm about to charge ?" To this question, my answer would be totally positive as it was my daily travel. He continued, " Listen to me carefully, next time you sit then re-confirm the fair and the mode of travel if it's special or sharing." I was well aware of those facts but why would he want to start a conversation with me when I'm being nonchalant about it. Can it be his loneliness or he being chatterbox or the worst case, he's some drunkard driving for quick income. All of these reasons filled my mind but keeping all of these things aside I initiated to listen and carry the conversation.

     My minimal contribution was not even making a flow but atleast he knew that he have someone on the other side. Here came another passenger but a lady in burkha who was not willing to entertain the words of the old man. Not likely too old but he might be in his early 50s or so, something was off about him the way he sat at the seat made me feel if he was drunk but his eyes were not much of a alcoholic but more of a pained soul. His clothes weren't fancy or too dull but not I can assure that those things have seen a wash in a while. After being mildly scolded by the lady passenger he stopped at a blank silence and I didn't like it. I'm not a good listener but that day the words had something hidden, some feelings that we never know about.

     An old uncle and aunty, a pretty beautiful couple with shaking bodies in the cold asked for a ride and the driver was more than happy to have me on his side at front. In India, drivers often share their seats with the passengers and he started to talk again. I was eveready to have him on the air again but then two police inspectors interrupted us with ride. 

     His rickshaw was taken aside by a young man with eyes of a devil that's ready to devour a soul. The driver knew what's coming and he asked me to get off so that he can reach out for the stick. My doubts came true, he was handicapped. Limping and cursing his way to the authorities present at the spot, he made his mind that he wouldn't sign the papers if the elderly couple were not a part of the crowd.

     The auto-rickshaw might have been taken as a collateral for the payment by the police. We might be looking for a new ride but our driver avoided all of it and signed the papers. Coming back with the words, " Who knows what papers I've signed, I don't know Gujarati so I sign without obligations and I get fines everytime. I wouldn't have done so this time but this elderly couple would face problems because of me. Take care, Beta. These vultures won't leave a person like me and look at you all young and shiny, they'll devour you completely alive so work hard and be strong enough to sustain." Those words were like honey to my heart but not for the elderly couple.

     The ride continued with him showering all the things he had for all of us. The elderly couple made it to their stand and as expected the driver didn't charge them for the ride. The couple went off happily but my mind was filled with void. Is this the last shred of humanity ? The last piece that only feels grateful if they get benefitted. The couple weren't happy when the driver gave them his words but the waived off fair made them happy. Lastly, my stop came around. For the first time in my life, I was not at all ready to leave the ride but it was the time I get on to my metro. I offered him the fair price and made a farewell with the words, " Take care and make sure you ask to the next driver about the fair." I smiled at those words and went off. 

     I was almost 30 min late for my journey but all of it didn't even matter at that moment. Sitting in the metro, I realised most of this account was my overthinking, we all face such things daily but never think about them. At the end, we all are thinkers, only the times are different.

- A narration by Bhagwan RR