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cowboycakes · 4 years ago

Text

The Strategy

Pairing: Zeke Jaeger x Reader

Synopsis: The forest was the last place you thought you'd find yourself infatuated with someone you barely knew - especially not your cocky prisoner.

Themes: angst, flirting, guilty love, big plot twist

Warnings: kissing and suggestive language, bullying / teasing, mentions of death, some anxious thinking, light alcohol and tobacco use, profanity. reader uses she/her pronouns. s4 spoilers.

Word Count: 5.7k

Anon (🐸)'s Request: Hi ! Can I request a Zeke x fem reader imagine/one-shot? Reader is a captain for the survey corp and long time veteran. She is really intelligent and is a strategist for the corp. They kind of hate each other but have a lot of chemistry but start bonding before the forest incident. Sorry if that isn't specific enough and too vague.

On occasion, you tended to be so logical that it ruined your life. There was no room in your mind for daydreams, love, or speculation. Fate was false - most things in life were completely arbitrary. That was the way you’d trained yourself to think. Not because you enjoyed it, only because it made it easier to survive.

This way of thinking is a result of your lifetime with the Corps. The award of a Captain’s position was the fruit of your labor, along with being revered for your ability to strategize. Many of the most important and most successful missions in recent years had been planned by you. But, the bubbling tension and division within the walls have thrown you for a loop. You’ve attempted to collaborate with Levi in recent weeks to try to pin down any conflict - anything you could do to calm the storm and keep your comrades safe would be worth it.

Instead of being able to act on whatever plans you’d developed, you’d been assigned to the most bizarre mission you’d ever taken part in: babysitting some man in his late twenties, all the way out in a forest filled with towering redwood trees. This mystery man was apparently not to be trusted, he was Eren’s half-brother from Marley and the holder of the beast titan. He’d done tremendous damage to the Corps in the past. His intentions and motives now remained mysterious, but one thing was for sure: his loyalties lied with Eren, not with the Scouts.

You were disappointed and terrified all together. Being so far away from the action left both you and your comrades vulnerable. But, Levi insisted you needed to confine this man far away from society. And although you were a captain, whatever Levi says usually goes.

The forest wasn’t so bad upon your arrival. Damp pine needles that covered the ground coated the air in a sweet aroma. The blanket of shade given off by the trees was temperate in the summer heat. The tents you’d been provided with were sturdy, insulated, and a dark shade of green that complimented the woodland setting. Above all, you were accompanied by 30 trained soldiers and a shipment of high-quality Marleyan wine.

The entirety of your first day in the forest was spent unpacking and setting up your living quarters. Stars now peak through the canopy of branches above, and a cold breeze ruffles the millions of leaves surrounding the camp. The air was chilly despite the heat that blazed earlier in the day.

The cot you’d assembled in your tent is comfortable enough, but the grey sheets you’d just stretched over the mattress still smell stale. You conjure up the idea of going for a walk while your blankets air out. The musty scent sure wasn’t going to lull you to sleep.

Your timid feet crunch on the ground through the forest for a while, away from the camp. The mist of your breath is tangible in front of your face - the light jacket you’d brought wasn’t going to be enough to keep your goosebumps at bay. It’s much more intimidating out here at night than you’d expected. Darkness brought mystery to the gaps between each tree. And the sheer amount of trees beyond the campsite is dizzying, their height is even more difficult to process. They add a sense of company to your walk, although you can’t tell if they are peaceful observers or prying sets of eyes.

It’s surprisingly quiet out here, no animal or human alike made noise at this hour. The silence leads you to pick up on the echo of a fire crackling somewhere. You’re suddenly a bit excited - you’d figured everyone would have gone to sleep by now.

You spot a comforting orange glow coming from the other side of the distant campsite, offset from the main groups of tents. Maybe someone else’s sheets needed time to breathe too.

The light grows brighter as you trek towards it. It leads you to a humble tent and a fire pit with two rusted metal chairs placed on either side of it. In one of the chairs sits a blonde man in a white shirt, with his back turned to you. He has his nose in a poorly bound book - its stitching is frayed and the pages look wilted, as if they’d been dropped in water before. A cigarette smolders in his free hand.

Your feet crunch into the ground a little harder as you approach in an attempt to avoid startling him. The man looks up to you once you’re finally facing each other. His face is foreign to you. Round glasses on his nose reflect a golden luster from the fire in front of him, blurring your view of his grey eyes slightly. Blonde waves are parted down the middle of his head, tousled a bit too perfectly. He has a well groomed beard that compliments his structured face and strong biceps that peak through his shirt sleeves.

He’s handsome, classy, alluring. Nothing like the usual around here.

“Hi, I’m Captain Reader,” you say with a small smile.

“Reader, huh?” he says, folding his book closed, “I think I’ve heard that name somehow…”

“Oh, possibly. I’m a long time captain. I do a lot of strategic work as well, and it's not exclusive to the Scouts. So my name tends to get around.”

“My name is Zeke,” he replies, returning the smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Zeke… did that sound familiar? You couldn’t decide.

You take a seat in the other chair across from the fire, warming your hands once you get comfortable. The embers lit in front of you are only a sad little bundle of sticks, clearly in need of more fuel. Zeke rolls his shoulders back as his eyes focus in on your frame. His attention is definitely not on the book anymore. His body language almost tells you he likes what he sees - he’s open, relaxed, observant. The cigarette has gone a bit limp in between his fingers.

You’re guilty of curiosity too, as your eyes prod his figure. There must be something in the air.

“What’s that book about?” you question, “it looks… well loved.”

He chuckles. “It's a little fantasy piece, actually. Not something I’d usually find myself reading, but I’ve read it a hundred times now. It’s about a maiden who buys her way to heaven, and a prince who rescues her from the consequences.”

“Interesting…” you say, “how does someone buy their way to heaven?”

“With something far more valuable than money,” he explains. You wonder if the sultry undertone he added was all part of your imagination. It was a little grumbly, suggestive.

“And what would that be?”

“Not sure, still trying to figure that one out,” he remarks, bringing the cigarette up to his lips. Light from the fire gets trapped in the smoke and travels up through the dark air as he exhales.

“You’re gonna ruin your lungs if you keep doing that, Zeke,” you joke.

He chuckles again, “So she’s pretty and caring. Guess I’ve lucked out.”

You feel a little heat rush to your cheeks. This innocent, flattered, puppy-love feeling: you hadn’t felt this way in years. You really wish you could just brush it off, it wasn’t something you were used to. Instead, you let your mind wander for only a second - it would be a nice pastime to have a summer fling with someone in this forest. You were more than tempted. It would get your mind off of the impending doom you tended to feel in chaotic times like this. You could live a bit for once.

And the beautiful man in front of you could be the perfect candidate.

“Hmm, it’s convenient that you think so,” you reply, crossing your legs.

“Convenient? For you, or for me?” he questions. “Looking to get something out of your time in this forest, Captain?”

You pause. He’s bold. “Depends… what about you?”

Zeke lifts the book up slightly in his hand and flips it over to examine its withered back cover, “Not sure, maybe I’ll finally experience whatever this book is talking about. Something so desirable I could cheat my way into heaven with it.”

No. His tone wasn’t your imagination.

“I have a feeling you’ll end up being the prince that has to deal with someone else’s fuck-ups instead,” you laugh.

His lips curl back into a smile as he starts to laugh with you. “Doesn’t sound out of character,” he replies.

His pretty blonde hair ruffles a bit as the wind picks up. And shit - is that wind bitter. The miniscule fire wasn’t doing it’s best to warm you. You notice your limbs are shaking, too much for your jacket and hands to conceal. Zeke surely notices too, he’s been eyeing you this whole time after all.

“Here,” Zeke offers, pulling a thick corduroy coat off of the back of his chair.

“No, no. You should wear that. I’m alright,” you protest, rubbing your hands over your arms vigorously to try to stop your shuddering.

Zeke gets up from his seat anyway and crosses the gap between the two of you. You look up to him once he’s standing over you, embarrassed. Two big hands drape the hefty fabric over your shivering shoulders. You immediately feel warmer as your body heat gets trapped underneath it.

“Thanks,” you mutter, pulling on the jacket to adjust it on your arms.

The wind still howls as Zeke goes back to his metal chair. He sits down casually, taking another drag of his cigarette as his eyes move back to you, lingering on you gently -- like he feels satisfied or nostalgic. Your features looked so beautiful in the faint orange light of the fire, as the only focal point in his vision while darkness clouded everything behind you. He couldn’t help but stare.

“I do mean it,” he says as he exhales, “that you’re pretty.”

His words hang there for a moment. They wait for you on a hook, persuading you to take his bait. So he could reel you in.

“Trying to flatter your superiors huh? Well that’s one way to get what you want,” you retort.

“Who says you’re my superior, Captain Reader?” he jokes.

You laugh at him.

“Don’t take this the wrong way,” you begin, “but I’ve never seen you around before. Are you from another branch of the military?”

Zeke pauses, letting out a huff of air.

“You know, with a reputation like yours, one would think you’d know your enemies a little better.”

Your face drops from a smile that rested high on your cheeks to a shocked, open-mouthed glare. You’re frozen. Why didn’t you assume…

“You’re the other Jaeger…” you trail off.

Zeke brings the cigarette back to his mouth and flips his book back open in response.

You stare down into the fire, unsure of what to do or say next. You were mortified. Maybe saying nothing was the answer - you’d already dug yourself into a hole by flirting with your prisoner. And damn, did Zeke deliberately let you. He knew who you were. He wanted you to feel this way. He led you on.

Who was supposed to deal with your fuck-up now?

You stand up, keeping your eyes on the ground.

“Goodnight, Zeke,” you say quietly, dropping his coat onto the chair.

You move quickly through the dark air that nips at your ears, back to the safety of your tent.

***

“Don’t go off and be an idiot,” Levi warns.

You assure him you wouldn’t, pouring a big glass of wine for yourself with a smile spread across your face.

Levi had been more than reluctant to let your soldiers bring this wine, but you’d done some convincing. This forest had been boring for the past few days. Laughing over a few drinks would be a sure way to liven up the crowd. You were just excited to finally get a taste of this Marleyan wine that everyone had been raving about.

You hadn’t seen Zeke since that night three days ago. Unfortunately, you couldn’t get him off of your mind. Partially because you were horribly embarrassed. And angry. You couldn’t believe you’d walked into his trap like that, practically offering yourself to him as a subject to humiliate. You were sure he’d enjoyed every bit of it.

And the other reason you couldn’t get him off of your mind…

He was a bit gorgeous. And you loved the way he talked to you, how it made you feel. Even though your time with him was so short, you secretly wanted more. You cursed yourself for thinking about him like that after all the harm he’d done to the Scouts. All of it made you sick - it was wrong, it made you feel like you had dirt on your hands.

But what if you tried to talk with him again? Just to sort your feelings out. Then you could be free to forget about him. This time, you would control yourself. You knew who he was now, and what it meant to be speaking with him. You were allowed to speak with him, you just had to be careful if you were going to proceed. None of you could trust him.

But the curiosity was still killing you.

You swirl the wine around in your glass as you dig the toe of your leather boot into the soft ground - trying to decide.

Anxious feet move below you before your mind is ready for them to, back toward Zeke’s tent.

It was nearly sundown, and beautiful purple rays beam through the forest, shattered from full display by hundreds of tree branches. The air was warm tonight, so there would be no need for Zeke's jacket again.

Once you see his camp, you notice he’s back in the same chair again. He’s still reading that torn-up book, this time with a pencil in his hand. He scratches little notes onto the pages here and there.

He looks up once he hears the familiar sound of your boots. The eyes behind his circular lenses scan you, lingering on the glass in your hand. You wonder if you should have brought him one.

“Hi, Zeke,” you say softly, making your way to the chair across the empty fire pit.

“Captain, thought I’d never see you again,” he says, a false excitement stuck in his voice.

You keep swirling your wine around in its glass, waiting for it to air out so you could take your first sip. It smelled divine, so fruity and fresh, in contrast with the earthy smells that the forest gave off.

Zeke looks up to you over the top rims of his glasses, unimpressed. You raise your glass to your lips, almost ready to tilt it back and let the chilled, burgundy wine rush into your mouth.

“That’s sluggish if you,” he remarks.

You pause, letting the cool glass linger on your bottom lip.

“What?” you bark, pulling the glass from your mouth.

He looks back down at his book, “No Marleyan strategist - or any good strategist for that matter - would drink in front of their adversaries. It makes you look sluggish.”

You just gape at him. He’s probably having fun while trying to irritate you. Two could play.

You put your arm out in front of you and flip the glass over, pouring the wine onto the wet dirt below. It splashes up onto your boots as it streams from your cup and runs down to spill into the fire pit.

“Happy?” you grumble, tossing the glass into the dirt. “Probably shitty wine anyway, considering you two come from the same place.”

He snickers, “Not quite. I was hoping you’d just hand the glass over.”

You regretted trying to talk to him now.

“Fine,” you sigh, getting up from your spot and turning back toward your tent. “Keep scribbling in your stupid book.”

“Actually, I was writing the two of us into the story.”

You’re sure he’s just pushing your buttons further - trying to lay another trap for you and capture you in another awkward moment of infatuation. But his words cause you to pause in your steps for a second.

“And what are we doing?” you question.

“We just cheated our way into heaven.”

“Creep,” you grumble before continuing to walk.

***

You hadn’t gone near that wine since. You had a grudge against it now, it completely ruined the mood last time you saw Zeke. But it had sure lightened the mood for everyone else, probably a little too much. Everyone except for Levi, of course. It was nearly impossible to change his mood.

In the meantime, you were still victim to unwarranted thoughts of Zeke in your head. This almost felt like a schoolgirl crush, how he bullied you a bit. This was more like torment, actually, considering you were trying to get him out of your head. But it didn’t change the fact that you liked what you saw.

Lately he was always reading that book and jotting down notes in it. And he rarely left his little corner of the campsite except for when he went on walks sometimes. You’d admire him from afar, careful never to let your eyes meet with his.

You’d take the images of him now burned into your brain back to bed with you, and stare up to the dark tent ceiling above. You’d fantasize about what it would have been like to meet Zeke in another life. One where the two of you weren’t enemies trapped on two different sides of a war. Where you didn’t feel guilt for your interest in someone who had jeopardized you and your comrades. Where the two of you were free to know one another.

You couldn’t pinpoint what kept driving this involuntary curiosity you felt towards him. It was tiring, honestly. But you wanted his company. Maybe you just wanted company in general -- it's not like you got along with him or anything.

Should you fix that? Did you even want to fix that? Would a peace offering be doing too much?

He did mention he wanted your glass of wine…

So one night, you cave. And you march over to the wooden cart that held dozens of cases of wine, an empty glass for Zeke in hand. You’re shocked to see only four measly bottles remain, laying on their sides in the only wooden case left. You could have sworn the shipment was full only a few days ago, but this camp had been set up for weeks now. Everyone here must be just as bored as you were, and several times more thirsty.

You pry open a cork and pour a few inches of wine into the glass, stopping to waft the crisp aroma into your nose. The air tonight was crisp too, it was cooler than it had been in recent days. You were adamant about remembering a jacket this time. The journey to Zeke’s tent feels long under the moonless sky. Hesitancy, followed by regret, pools into your brain as the dim light from his campfire comes into view.

Grow some balls, you’re convincing yourself that all of this means more than it really does. You’re bringing him a glass of wine for God’s sake.

There’s still time to turn around though… you could just finish the glass on your own. Out of range for him to bully you for it.

But he’s sitting there so prettily. He has his boots up on the rocks surrounding the fire pit, careful not to burn their soles in the flames. His blonde locks are pushed back slightly, giving you more room to look at his smooth face. And he’s certainly not busy, just reading his old book. Maybe he still had some compliments left for you despite all the bickering you two had done. Maybe he-

“Haven’t tried any of that ‘shitty’ wine yet, have you?” he questions. You hadn’t even noticed how close you are to him now. You’d gotten lost in him on the way.

“No…” you grumble, “it's for you. A peace offering.”

You stick your hand out. He receives the glass, lifting it up to examine it before taking a big drink.

“Ah,” he breathes, clearly satisfied. “It’s disgusting, Captain. Really.”

You stifle a laugh. “Everyone else seems to think so too. It’s all nearly gone.”

“Hmm,” he says, taking another sip, “None for you, I guess. Might as well just let it run out.”

“I think I will,” you mock, turning away from him to go sit in your chair,

The sizable fire Zeke had put together tonight was quick to thaw the chills on your arms. You really didn’t need your jacket after all, and opted to lay it over the back of your chair. The two of you sit there in silence for a while, taking in each other’s presence, observing the dying light in the forest.

Zeke looks at you eventually. Your eyes instinctually dart away.

“What made you want to come see me again?” Zeke asks.

You frantically search for an answer. You need to be careful.

“Boredom,” you reply flatly.

“You think so?” His attitude is back to how it was the first night you’d met. He’s engaged, focused, yet comes off so casual laying back up against his seat like that. He enjoys toying with you, like a cat to its prey.

Be careful.

“Don’t like my answer or something?”

That wasn’t exactly careful.

“No. You’re just not being honest.” He breathes that last word out like he needs to get a rise out of you, then he nonchalantly takes another drink while he waits for you to respond. Your mouth is open the slightest bit; you’re nervous, angry. He’s in your head now. He was reading you like that overused book of his.

“Then what do you want to hear from me?” you question. There’s thankfully still a false calmness in your voice.

“Just the truth. It’s not that complicated.”

You were sweating in front of this fire now. What was the truth? That you were interested in him? That you wanted nothing to do with him?

Be honest.

“I guess I just like your company,” you admit. Your eyes fall to the rocks lining the fire pit.

***

The discussion became pleasant after that, surprisingly. You guess you just needed to own up to how you felt. Your admittance caused some of the anger and tension tugging between the two of you to subside. The conversation was calm, collected, bouncing around from subject to subject: from the book, to life in Marley, to life in Paradis, to your occupation, and back to the book. Most of it was uneventful, but you liked that. It made it easy to pretend you were talking to him on the first night again, before you found out who he really was.

You left his camp with a giddy smile on your face. You’re on your way back to your tent now, after saying your goodbyes to Zeke. It was late, and you needed to be up early to have an important conversation with Levi. And god forbid he found out about any of this business between you and Zeke. Even though nothing was serious, it would come off unprofessional. And rightfully so.

You’re so lost in thought by the time you’re opening your tent door that you didn’t realize your arms were cold. The jacket you brought was probably still hanging off the chair at Zekes fire pit. It would look suspicious if you left it there and one of the other soldiers happened to see it.

You go back quietly, careful not to let anyone hear your footsteps. A couple of scattered thoughts weave their way into your head on your journey - what if this was another ploy of his? An attempt to get you back where he wants you, this time late at night. But how could it be? You were the one who left your jacket there. If anything, this was your own attempt to lead yourself back to him. Did you want him that badly… deep down?

When you reach your chair, you find it to be empty. You check around its sides, back, and underside - no jacket in sight. Out of the corner of your eye, a sliver of light shows from under the tarp serving as Zeke’s tent door. He’d probably noticed it and taken it inside with him after you’d gone home.

Halfheartedly, you meander to the tent door. You tap on it once the limited glimmer of light from inside touches the toes of your boots.

“Zeke? Do you have my jacket?” you whisper, still flicking the tarp to get his attention.

No answer.

Cold air stings your exposed skin as a draft swoops down through the camp. You also were wary of any observers that happened to be out this late at night. There was no telling what it looked like you might be doing outside his tent at the moment. The more uncomfortable you became out here, the more impatient you got.

“Zeke!” you hiss, whipping your head around your shoulder to double check your surroundings.

Still nothing but silence on the other side. Had he fallen asleep already?

The urge to pull back the tent door hits you. It would only take a moment to retrieve the jacket, then you’d be on your way.

Once again, making this a bigger deal than it really is.

But that didn’t matter. It felt like a big deal. That’s what every situation that involved him felt like. A big, complicated, multidimensional deal.

Be careful.

That wasn’t the answer either. Being careful was a good tactic when it came to strategizing your next moves in war. It was sometimes rendered useless when dealing with love. This was out of your control. And that was ok. That was what compelled you toward him - the mystery, the rush.

Let go.

You grip the tarp, it crinkles under your stiff fingers as you pull it back. A rush of warm air hits you, along with the light of a few oil lamps. And Zeke… shirtless. Sitting on his unmade bed with your jacket in hand.

The sight of his sculpted body in front of you sets a nervous, unprepared spark off in you, causing you to shut the door fast and stumble inside. And all at once, there you were - back in Zeke’s grasp. You accepted that wanted to be there.

“My jacket... ” you say, staring hard at the fabric in his hands, trying to avoid eye contact with his bare chest.

He stands up in silence and comes to your side, raising the jacket up once he gets real close to you. Oh no, he’s draping it over your shoulders again, slowly this time around, taking his time to stare into your puppy dog eyes. Dammit - the hot cheeks, the butterflies, the embarrassment. All of it was back now, in an instant he had you feeling like puddy in his hands. The two of you stare at each other as his hands adjust the jacket around you, stopping to play with one of the buttons on the front.

“You’re forgetful,” he mumbles, still focused on the button on your chest. His tone is sweet and quiet, a small smile appears out of one corner of his mouth.

You weren’t breathing, or thinking. Just looking down innocently at the hand that was so close to you.

“I’m not… normally,” you say quietly.

Zeke’s hands move to grip each side of the front of your jacket gently. His eyes move up from the hands placed on your jacket, and back to you. To your lips. You part them at the realization, swallowing the lump that suddenly appeared in your throat.

He shifts further in towards you, tugging on your jacket the slightest bit.

One cohesive thought rises up in the blankness of your brain. You want to kiss him.

The urge was mutual. Your lashes flutter against your cheeks a few times before you shut them, turning your head slightly to the right. Zeke follows your lead. You feel warm fingertips touch your chin and guide you to his soft pair of lips. His other hand abandons your jacket and comes down to meet your waist, slowly sliding to the small of your back. You melt into his touch, pulling yourself in closer. Chills go down your neck at the sensation of being in his arms, at his mercy. It feels so right, so warm and gentle. You want to keep going - so bad. You want him to hold you, touch you, kiss you harder.

But only for a moment.

You pull away once the guilt hits your core, gently touching your fingers to your lips.

Zeke stares at you, his eyes a bit wider than normal. His arms have gone limp at his sides without having you to occupy them any longer. You can tell there’s something on the tip of his tongue, something that might save the situation and bring your lips back to his. You didn’t want to hear it.

“It’s wrong. This is all wrong,” you say, backing up into the tent door behind you.

You think of the war. You think of your duties. You think of who Zeke really is. Any fluttering in your stomach was gone now, instead it was filled by tinges of regret.

“You’re right. It is,” he responds. He walks back over to his bed and sits on the quilt ruffled at its end. He runs a hand through his hair as he turns his head away from you. “I figured you’d be smart enough not to kiss back.”

You were almost too shocked to notice how much his words burned. Your mouth hangs open as your eyes squint at him a bit. Emotion courses through you as your mind crashes down from the high you were just on. You needed out of this tent.

You grip the tarp resting against your back and fling it open. You felt lost, speed walking away from Zeke’s tent and toward the center of camp. The night concealed the confusion on your face, but only for a minute. A fire glows near your tent, lighting up your surroundings - its Levi. You try your best to avoid him, changing your course to avoid his eyes.

“What are you doing awake, Reader,” Levi questions dully.

You don’t let out any response other than stopping in your tracks.

“Is everything... alright?”

“I just,” you search for anything appropriate, any excuse for your apparent distress, “don’t like being in this forest.”

You both go quiet for a moment, listening to the snapping of thin branches in the fire.

Levi breaks the silence, “That’s actually what I was going to mention to you tomorrow. The MP’s need you for something. I was going to give you the choice to go back, or stay here.”

Going back. Maybe that was the right answer you’d tried so hard to find.

***

You shove all of your belongings into your suitcase early the next morning. It didn’t take you long to decide you needed to abandon this mission. Nothing between you and Zeke would ever work out, and your feelings for him were only a burden to everyone here, and yourself.

You lug your bags to a horse and cart that had been set up for you, tossing them over the cart’s walls and into the back.

Climbing up into the front seat, you notice a gift waiting for you - that overused book. Zeke must have finally figured out how to fake his way into heaven.

You decided to read some of it on the way back.

Zeke sure had written his own story inside of it. All of the notes he’d scribbled in the margins were in another language, presumably from Marley - a secret story you’d never get to understand. Only for him to know.

***

You heard news of what happened in the forest a few days after you arrived home. You couldn’t process it at first, instead you just sat in disbelief and denial. Then the ‘what ifs’ set in. What if you had stayed? Maybe you could have stopped Zeke from doing all the damage he decided to cause. The tear-filled anger set in after that.

There was only one chapter of his book left now. You felt disgusted looking at it, a reminder of everything you’d felt for him. You needed to sit yourself down and get through it so you could finally throw it away - and finally forget about him forever.

You come to the final page. It was intended to be blank, a sort of protectant between the ink on the last page and the back cover. But instead, there’s a penciled in note. From Zeke.

His writing in your language was messy and shaky. You assumed he could read in your language, but may not be practiced in writing in it. This was probably the first message he’d ever written in it. All for you.

—

Dear Captain Reader,

I tend to avoid feeling guilty for much. I probably won’t feel guilty for everything I’m about to do to your soldiers in this forest.

I did feel guilty, however, when I saw your beautiful face that night you found me alone in the forest. And then I realized you were caring, brilliant, and a strategist that was far smarter than I was.

Well, this was my attempt at strategizing.

Pulling you in and then pushing you away. I hoped the guilt and confusion would make you leave. Make you think you were unfit for the assignment, too distracted by me. Heartbroken, even. Anything to get you out of here.

Now, I’m not too sure there will be anyone to rescue you. I won’t be able to again. Take care of yourself. Stay sharp.

I hope you enjoyed the book. I was really never a fan of the ending.

Zeke

—

Author's Note:

Dear anon: You gave me a lottt of free rein with this one, so I hope it was ok ●﹏● (and not too angsty and complicated lol. You said they kinda hate each other but theres chemistry and I just ran with it. Oopsies.) This was one of my favorite fics to write, ever, I think! I had a lot of fun with the dialogue especially. Thanks so much for the request, and thanks to everyone else for reading! Lots of love - Shep :)

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reidgraygubler · 4 years ago

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hot cocoa and cuddles part two (spencer reid/reader)

Title: hot cocoa & cuddles (part 2) Request: no Couple: Spencer Reid/Gender Neutral!Reader Category: fluff Content Warning: swearing (if any), mentions of a case/s, mentions of illnesses, tbh idk what else to tag Word Count: 2,348 Summary: the team returns back to maryland/dc after the case in alaska. reader discovers they still can’t warm up, even after everything they do. spencer tries to help out, again A/N: the long awaited part 2 of hot cocoa and cuddles. this is for the people who want to read part two and those who were looking forward to it… o.o thanks for all the love and support! Check out my masterlist!

part one

{***}{***}{***}

I pulled my sweater cardigan tighter around my body and shivered slightly. I pulled my hands away from my sweater and wrapped them around my hot mug, which was just hot tea. My eyes de-focused on the desktop in front of me. Anything Penelope and Aaron were saying went in one ear and out the other.

“You okay there, Honeybee?” Derek asked, looking over at me. I shivered and looked over at him. All eyes were on me as I tried to make myself not shake from my freezing-ness. “We’ve said your name like 6 times.”

“We’ve been home for 2 weeks and I am still freezing,” I spoke through clenched teeth. I wrapped my hands around my mug, which was slowly getting colder. “I have done literally everything to keep warm, and I’m still freezing.” I shook my head.

“Maybe you should get a cat,” Emily spoke up. I looked over at her and furrowed my eyebrows. “Sergio keeps me pretty warm at night.” She smiled at me. I laughed lightly and shook my head.

“My apartment doesn’t allow pets,” I mumbled and stared at the table. I shrugged and shook my head. “I guess I just live in this constant state of forever being cold.” I frowned.

“Maybe you should get your blood check. You could have low iron,” Spencer spoke up, tapping his fingers on the tabletop. I looked over at him and shook my head. “Being cold can be a symptom of low iron… You could be anemic... hypothyroidism is always a possibility,” he continued on his ramble/.

“Hey, Spence?" I asked as I looked at him, my hands wrapping tighter around my mug, which at this point was starting to get lukewarm.

“Yeah." He looked over at me with a smile.

“I don’t think I need you to tell me of my impending doom because I’m cold. I went to Alaska, not a hospital filled with a bunch of sickly people,” I whispered. Spencer lifted his finger to retort but failed when I shot him a glare.

“Get a boyfriend.” JJ smiled at me. I looked at her, trying to hide my smile but clearly failing. “Like your own personal space heater in bed. Body heat is a wonderful thing,” she mused as she flipped her file open. I shook my head as I glanced at Spencer.

“Yeah, I’ll look into getting a boyfriend or my own personal space heater. Although, I’m not entirely sure if my apartment will allow those,” I pouted. JJ laughed and shook her head.

“Hey, Honeybee, I’m always free if you need a personal space heater.” Derek smirked at me. I laughed harder than I should have and looked at him.

“You seriously expect me to sleep in the same bed as you, Derek Morgan?” I cackled and shook my head. Spencer shifted in his seat and kept his eyes down on the file in front of him.

“You shared a bed with Pretty Boy over there.” Derek nodded to my friend beside me. I tensed up slightly and glared at him.

“Better him than you, to be honest.” I flashed him a teasing smile.

“Guys, let’s get back on the task at hand. Garcia,” Aaron spoke up as he looked back at Penelope. I stifled my laughter as I looked back at Derek. He grumbled something under his breath as he looked back at his file.

{***}{***}{***}

I swear my heater was up so high (or as high as my bill would allow), I had my fluffiest and coziest pair of socks on, and at least 3 different sized hoodies on… The Alaska case was several weeks ago, I’ve been home ever since then… So why am I as cold as I am? And why can’t I warm up? Maybe I should take Derek up on his offer. Though, I think that’d be a whole new line I’d cross. Hard pass, thank you very much.

I should be asleep right now. 1:30 in the morning and I was sitting in bed with a hot water bottle pressed to my body. Something is wrong and I don’t know what. Crap, what if Spencer was right? What if I do have low iron or anemia? Or that hydro… Hypothyroidism, whatever that could be… I should ask him what that means. I wonder if he would be willing to be my personal space heater again. I mean, I know I kept him warm every bit as he kept me warm when we were in Alaska. And, he knows I’ve been cold. Listen, I’m just trying to rationalize wanting to cuddle Spencer Reid. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t stopped thinking about that. And, I wouldn’t be upset if it happened again.

“Screw this,” I muttered as I climbed out of bed with a blanket around my body. I shook my head as I muttered profanities under my breath. My body shook as I walked towards the front door of my apartment. I slipped my shoes on and left the house, freezing as I left my warm home.

And then I found myself standing just outside of Spencer’s apartment. Better him over Derek, I kept repeating to myself. I have a better relationship with him than Derek. Derek is more of an older brother to me. Spencer... I don’t know what he is to me. But he definitely isn't an older brother...

“Just… knock,” I whispered as I brought my fist to the door. It’s nearly two in the morning. I hope he wasn’t asleep. Although, knowing Spencer he was probably awake, reading over some old files.

“What… What are you doing here?” Spencer’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I blinked before staring at him. He was wearing a black t-shirt and red and black checkered pj pants. Though his hair was messy and disheveled, he was definitely not asleep.

“Just… Just coming to see how you’re doing,” I lied and shrugged. Spencer looked at me, raising an eyebrow. It was clear he wasn’t so sure of my answer. But to be fair, I wasn’t sure about my answer either.

“What’s really going on?” he asked, stepping to the side, silently inviting me in. I looked around his apartment and took a deep breath. His home always smelled like cinnamon and spice. I probably enjoyed it too much. Although, it made me feel warm… Which I was okay with. Answering Spencer’s question didn’t even cross my mind until I turned back and looked at him. “Is everything okay?” he asked again once I was facing him. I took a deep breath as I tugged on the ends of my sleeves.

“Uh, I was just… I was just thinking about the Alaska trip.” I wrinkled my nose as I looked anywhere but Spencer’s face. I was only mildly embarrassed that I was here… asking Spencer if he would want to cuddle with me… because I’m so cold. Man, I’m happy Spencer isn’t the teasing type. Not that he’d tease me about this. I know that anyone else would though…

“What about the Alaska trip?” Spencer looked at me, his tone telling me he was very wary about my statement. I looked at the ground and shrugged.

“Just something you said, I guess,” I started as I looked at him, “Well, something you said earlier today,” I shrugged as I looked back down at the ground. I really wanted my blanket and hot water bottle. Even though I was warmer in his apartment, I was still cold. “Could I really be sick? Is that why I’m so cold?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest as I looked back at him. A shiver worked its way down my body and all the way to the tips of my toes and fingers.

“Come on, I’m gonna make you hot chocolate, and then we’re gonna go lay in my bed, under the covers.” He held a hand out for me to take. I stared at it for a moment before carefully resting my hand in his. He clasped his fingers around mine before leading me to his kitchen.

“You didn’t answer my questions, Spencer. You know more than anyone that avoiding a question means your keeping something from someone.” I watched as he made two large mugs of hot cocoa.

He still didn’t answer my questions as we walked towards his bedroom. And, in fact, he was silent up until I was sitting beside him on the bed, holding my mug of hot chocolate close to my body. Even though I was now in a warmer home, with a hot drink, several blankets, and the warmest person I know (despite his sometimes icy hands), I was still very cold. So, I looked over at him, watching as he flipped through the pages of his book.

“Are you going to answer my questions?” I asked, reaching over and placing my mug on the side table. Spencer looked over at me with a raised brow, slightly closing his book. “Am I actually dying?” I asked, feeling a certain fear grow in my tone.

“You’re not dying,” he said as he folded the corner of the page in his book before closing it. I watched as he set it on his side table.

“You don’t sound very convincing.” I shrugged, pulling one of my several blankets tighter around me. Spencer looked over at me and raised an eyebrow. He carefully gestured for me to move closer to him, and when I hesitated, he pulled me closer to him.

“You’re not dying. You’re not sick. You’re just cold. Everyone knows you’re probably the one who gets cold the most. Even when we were in Florida, you were cold,” Spencer said as he kept his arms around my body, holding me close to his. His body temperature was definitely warming me up, just like it had a few weeks prior.

“Hey! That’s because the stupid officers had the A/C on 65! It was freezing!” I moved away from him and looked at his face. I could feel a giggly smile grow on my face as I kept my eyes on him. “You giving me your sweater was like a gift from God.” I looked down at him.

“I think that’s the fourth sweater that’s gone missing?” He copied my smile before laughing. I looked away from him, trying to play innocent. “And the only common denominator is you.” Spencer poked my nose before he pulled me back closer to him. I rolled my eyes before curling back into his side. The goosebumps that were once on my arms and exposed skin, were now fading away the longer I stayed beside Spencer.

“If it makes you feel any better, they were quite warm.” I smiled. I left out the part that I enjoyed that they smelled like him. “And, I’ll return them washed,” I added, again leaving out that I’ll be sad that they won’t hold his scent.

“If they weren’t my favorite sweaters, I would say keep them. But I’m rather fond of two of those.” Spencer looked down at me with a warm smile. I laughed.

“Thanks for letting me in. I know it’s late. I promise I won’t make this a habit,” I laughed as I looked out onto the blankets in front of me. Part of me wondered what temperature Spencer had his furnace on, and how it was so warm. Mostly because my furnace was on pretty high and it was still like an icebox in my apartment.

“It’s okay, really. You should work on getting a portable heater for your house and desk just so they warm up faster,” Spencer suggested.

I almost, very nearly, said “But then that’d mean I can’t come over anymore,” But I didn’t. So, I just stayed silent.

“Like Garcia said, your own personal space heater,” Spencer laughed. Though, I cringed, remembering what Derek had said.

“Yeah? Or I could just get a Derek Morgan.”

“Who would want him as a boyfriend,” he scoffed, sounding mildly hurt with my joke. I looked up at him with furrowed brows before sitting upright.

“I never said I wanted him as my boyfriend. I was joking that he said he could be my space heater or a boyfriend. I was saying… What I meant was I could get a boyfriend instead. Because, you know…. Cuddling is a good way to-”

“What if it was me,” he asked, cutting me off so swiftly. I had to look at him to make sure he actually said what he said, because he was so quiet and he said it so fast, I almost wasn’t sure.

“You want…” I furrowed my eyebrows, again, as I stared at him. Spencer was looking down at the blankets, probably wondering to himself if he actually said what he said. “Spencer, if you wanted to ask me out all you had to do was ask.” Okay, I was definitely warming up a lot faster now, feeling my blood rush from a sudden secondhand embarrassment that I didn’t really want to feel.

“It’s a lot more than that,” he muttered as he looked at me. I furrowed my eyebrows before reaching a hand up to his face. I carefully guided him so he was looking right at me.

“It really isn’t… Like, ask me a question, any question.” I smiled, feeling my fingertips warm up under the warmth of his skin.

“Can I kiss you,” he asked, his voice very soft. I smiled before nodding, feeling a newfound excitement flood my body. Spencer lifted his hands and cupped my face, warming my cheeks instantly, before leaning closer to me.

As his lips connected with mine, I finally felt warm for the first time in weeks. His arms holding me close to his body, like he became my own personal space heater, again. I could sense that he knew I was warming up because when he pulled away from me and looked down at me, he was smiling.

“I’d be okay if I made a habit of this.” Spencer nodded as he carefully ran a hand through my hair. I couldn’t help but laugh again.

“Good.” I smiled before pressing my lips to his for a moment, “Because I could too.”

if you want to be a part of a taglist or have any comments about this one shot, let me know here

#shadow writes stuff #masterlist #matthew gray gubler #spencer reid #criminal minds #mgg #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid imagine #spencer reid x reader #matthew gray gubler fanfiction #matthew gray gubler imagine #matthew gray gubler x reader #doctor spencer reid #doctor spencer reid imagine #doctor spencer reid fanfiction #doctor spence reid fanfiction #doctor spencer reid fan fiction #criminal minds fan fic #criminal minds one shot

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danteinthedevildom · 4 years ago

Note

*slides you a 20 dollar bill and drawing of a smiley face* So how about that “sheep”!MC part 2? ;)

only if you want to of course shshddhd

*Gently pushes it back to you* Friendo I was absolutely gonna write up a part 2 just bc you said you’d be down to read more in that last ask (which I still got in my inbox bc oop I got a lil caught behind-), so hella? This one’s on me ;)

“Sheep”!MC 2: Electric Boogaloo

This post is written for a GN!MC and uses they/them pronouns!

- Knowing “sheep”!MC’s direct approach to conflict, Barbatos has a habit of checking the timeline each morning to see when MC might attempt to attack a demon. He mostly does this to help avoid certain outcomes that might lead to their untimely demise (because, it turns out, “sheep”!MC does have an unfortunate habit of trying to take on higher demons that aren’t quite so afraid of being caught snacking on the little human as the lesser demons are), but every now and then - should the need arise - he might try to warn someone else of their impending doom.

- (Mostly it’s Lucifer and Diavolo, and often only when “sheep”!MC doing so would be damaging to their reputation. He has no qualms allowing “sheep”!MC to punch Lucifer in the kidneys in the safety of the House, and often chuckles whenever he sees such an event as he’s flicking through the timelines like a particularly bored channel surfer.)

- There are, of course, those who believe he takes advantage of this daily observance to see if “sheep”!MC will attempt to tackle him, and thus forewarn himself of any head-to-gut occurances. To these demons, he simply smiles, steps to the side to avoid an on-coming, tiny, fighty human, and says it’s all in the duty of being a butler to be constantly aware of his surroundings.

- That said, even Barbatos can make mistakes. A tiny mis-assessment in determining which timeline they’re destined to follow from the thousands of branching paths, and suddenly he finds himself forcing out a laugh, listening to Diavolo’s howling glee at the perfect sneak-attack “sheep”!MC managed to land on him.

- “Sheep”!MC is often kinder to the angels - mostly because they pose no actual threat to the human’s welbeing - and thus, their kidneys and stomachs are safe from flying fists and charging heads. What they’re not free from, however, is the ever-present duty of trying to get “sheep”!MC to please stop going after demons three times your size-

- Simeon is the unfortunate caretaker whenever “sheep”!MC’s spending time with the Purgatory Hall gang. If you asked him to count, in one day, how many times he had to frantically grab for “sheep”!MC’s cape, or tighten his grip on their hand, or just barely manage to secure them by the waist with a well-timed lunge, he’d turn just a little green around the gills and admit, very sheepishly, that he lost count after the twentieth escape attempt.

- It’s not all bad, of course; a few times, whenever they do manage to slip away from Simeon’s watchful eye, he’ll find them a few minutes later with their hands clenched into fists by their side, head tipped down, lips pulled back in a threatening snarl, standing off against a small group of lesser demons who seem genuinely terrified of the imposing display. He lets them get away with it in those instances because he finds it genuinely funny, and it’s a good boost to their self confidence when they prance back to his side looking supremely smug and satisfied.

- Still. The times he’s found them standing off against higher demons, towering over their miniscule form with murder in their eyes and bloodlust radiating from their non-souls in putrid waves, far outweigh the number of times he’s found them standing off against demons they can actually-sort-of-maybe beat. He’s not sure, all things granted, that he can actually have a heart-attack - nor is he sure that he could exactly die from shock, either - but it certainly feels like he could, and does, every time he sees them scarper off.

- Want to know something that’s both genuinely funny and wonderfully cute? Ever since the brothers started calling “sheep”!MC “little sheep” - due to the horns they constantly wear on their headband - other demons have started to nickname Simeon the “little ram”. It’s a nod, of course, to the fact that Simeon - in moments of terror, when faced with the concept of “sheep”!MC’s potential, imminent demise - has leapt in to their defence and let off a threatening shockwave of Celestial magic. Apparently, seeing an angel (who also stands taller than the human) dive in with a furious scowl is just absurd enough to warrant a funny nickname.

- (Yes, Lucifer does tease him with this. There have been far too many Protective Daddy Angel jokes for Simeon to count, and he’s only greatful that it’s isolated to their private chat, which no-one, absolutely no-one at all, has any form of access to what-so-ever. Most certainly not “sheep”!MC, which he’s ever-so-thankful for, because he thinks he might die of embarrassment if they ever read those conversations.)

- There is a saying, among the participants of the Exchange Programme, that they fervently murmur like a mantra, each day, whenever “sheep”!MC trots off to Purgatory Hall; a saying so well-known, so immutable, that none of them even know when it started, nor who first uttered the immortal words: “Don’t leave them alone with Luke”.

- Luke isn’t powerful enough to actually stop “sheep”!MC from running off. He’s the only one who could be considered smaller than them, and any attempts to grab for their hand or catch their cape often end up with him getting dragged along behind them, eyes darting back and forth between wherever they’re going and the group they’ve left behind.

- It’s mostly out of a misplaced fear that trying to dig his heels in will hurt them, and partly because he feels a little awkward trying to stand up against them. The few times he has, they’ve managed to convince him that it’ll be alright; after all, neither of them are children, and they don’t need looking after. Besides! Together, they’re a perfect anti-demon team. What could possibly go wrong?

- What could possibly go wrong when you put a loud-mouthed, anti-demon angel together with a brash, head-strong human with absolutely no self preservation, without any form of supervision? Everything. Everything could go wrong. There is no force in all Three Realms that is capable of diverting the inevitability that is Luke and “sheep”!MC picking fights (both intentionally and not) with demons significantly stronger than they are.

- The only mild benefit is that Luke, despite being young, is an incredibly powerful little angel. He just doesn’t know how, exactly, he’s meant to utilise his powers. More often than not they manage to survive any close encounters of the murder kind with accidental blessings (”I won’t let those horrid demons hurt you!”, it turns out, translates nicely into a spell that burns demons on contact with “sheep”!MC’s skin), which has made them a relatively feared duo... and an absolutely tantalising target whenever they’re found alone together.

- (After all, what demon would actually believe that a chihuahua and a sheep managed to take down one of the Generals last week? Clearly it was a fluke, or a lie spread about by the much weaker lesser demons. They all need to have a crack at nibbling on the little annoyances when their much fiercer guardians aren’t around, just to prove it. This never ends well for the demons. A blessing-powered headbutt to the gut actually hurts.)

- If you’ve ever wondered about “sheep”!MC and Mephisto, wonder no more; they’re practically archenemies. Well. Mephisto is their archenemy, anyway; he finds it funnier than anything else. What else would they call a reporter who has the ability to drop in out of nowhere and disappear in the blink of an eye, with the infuriating tendency to dance circles around them until they eventually run head-first into a brick wall, and then post the picture in that day’s newspaper?

- Mephisto takes endless joy in following “sheep”!MC around and snapping pictures of them mid-fight - usually when they’re at their most headstrong, and their least likely to win - and posting them on social media alongside teasing commentary as if he’s commentating on a football match. It’s one of the most popular accounts to date in the Devildom, much to “sheep”!MC’s unending irritation.

- They never actually see Mephisto when he’s taking pictures, though not all of that’s due to their single-minded attitude and pin-point focus when confronting a demon; Mephisto just has the uncanny ability to be completely overlooked in any given situation - including totally empty hallways. The most they ever see are teasing glimpses of him that they can never quite track down unless he wants to be found, which often means they spend a lot of their time chasing after a very amused Mephisto, absolutely raring to sock him dead in the face.

- (He’s not a complete asshole, despite what they might think; if “sheep”!MC’s in genuine danger, someone always manages to turn up at just the right moment - or their murderer-to-be somehow gets distracted by seemingly nothing at all. Not that he’d admit to being an ever-watchful eye, of course; he’s just a fly on the wall, and “sheep”!MC is more profitable to him alive.)

- Back on the topic of the brothers to end this off, since last time I gave a little more focus to the others last time: of the seven of them, there are only two MC doesn’t try to pick fights with as freely as they do the others.

- The first is Satan, though not entirely for the reason you’d think; “sheep”!MC really doesn’t care about the danger that comes with pissing him off and igniting his Wrath, and is more than prepared to stare him down even over tiny things. The reason they don’t tend to attack him is simple: he’s generally smart enough not to wound their pride or put them in situations they feel threatened in.

- (This doesn’t stop him from being victim to their attacks entirely, however; it just means they often get him over much smaller, more ridiculous things. Yes, this absolutely includes them stamping on his toes if he teases them too much, or slapping his hand away at the dinner table if they both reach for the salt just so they can snatch it up first. It often leaves him more bewildered than anything, and sometimes sets up petty rivalries - such as sitting in each other’s favourite seats or being the first down to breakfast each day.)

- (Sometimes, if he’s busy reading, he’ll get a hard punch to the shoulder. It doesn’t hurt - more of a nuisance, really - and he often tries to ignore it until he genuinely can’t anymore for threat of losing his temper. It’s not his fault that he gets thoroughly invested in a really good book! If “sheep”!MC needs him so badly, they can wait until he’s done.)

- (Of course, if there’s one thing “sheep”!MC can’t stand, it’s being actively ignored - so that almost never ends the way Satan wants it to. They’re too stubborn to just walk away and come back later, and much too fearless for their own good.)

- Pre-pact, he found their spitfire attitude utterly hilarious and endearing, and even offered to teach them more effective ways to take down their targets (or, more accurately: Lucifer), solely for the joy of the outcome. After the pact, however - when he’s come to understand them more - he helps them out of a desire to keep them safe, rather than to make them a co-conspirator in Lucifer-annoyance. They’re small and brash and fierce, and he adores that - but he also understands the importance of being able to defend themself.

- (He’s also not too fond of the kidney punches they’ve absolutely mastered under his tutelage. They have a tendency to utilise that attack if he steps in to help them, so honestly, making sure he doesn’t have to step in just saves the mild irritation of getting prodded in the back by a fist.)

- The second is Beel, for reasons much more understandable. Beel just doesn’t do a lot that would make “sheep”!MC go for the kill. He’s better with personal space than Asmo and Mammon; better at treating them like a person with free will and a capable mind than Lucifer; better at interacting with them than Belphie or Levi. More often than not they spend time together amicably, and only really have altercations if Beel’s raiding the fridge or munching on some of their human-safe food.

- When they do go “full sheep” on Beel, it’s usually for good reason. Sometimes he manages to sneak up on them - as silent on his feet as a mouse, despite the limbering size of him - and instinct kicks in before he has the chance to speak; the spin on heel and slam their fist against his abs, and have to style out the sheer agony that is punching what feels like a brick wall at full force. Other times, he finds himself muttering a quiet apology after a firm punch to the arm, having been caught up in the bullying teasing against Mammon, and being the only one sat close enough for “sheep”!MC to strike retribution against.

- (Rarer times, pre-Chapter 16, he finds himself lurching awake to the slight sting of something against his cheek, grief-filled screams still ringing in his ears. Chest heaving for breaths, fear-sweat rolling down his spine, his eyes flit about the room, half-unseeing with the sluggish pull of sleep. Another sting, a slight movement, and he looks down. There, he locates it; the human, sitting on his lap, one hand raised in preparation for another strike, lips pulled into a terse frown. They lower it once they realise he’s seen them. Only then does the last echo of a scream fade.)

#obey me #obey me mc #obey me headcanons #obey me hc

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leviackermanscleaningbuddy · 4 years ago

Text

BTS DRABBLE

It’s never difficult to be around Hoseok or Jimin. Hobi is the actual human form of sunshine 98% of the time, and Jimin is so lovely and sweet and perfect that you wonder on a daily basis if he’s not actually an angel. You’re lucky-you always realize that-but on days like today, when you’re tired and stressed and more than a little crampy-it hits you all over again-just how lucky you actually are. Because with these two men, nothing goes unnoticed, and you never go unloved.

Or rather, Jess writes a fluffy, purely self indulgent, domestic relationship AU featuring JiHope in honor of Hobi’s birthday week. Happy Hobiuary! 💜

Tags: BTS, Bangtan Boys, Bangtan Seonyendan, Bulletproof Boy Scouts, Beyond the Scene, Jung Hoseok, J-Hope, Hobi, Hoseok, Park Jimin, Jimin, BTS x you, BTS x reader, Poly!BTS, Hoseok x you, Hoseok x reader, Jimin x you, Jimin x reader, Hoseok x Jimin, JiHope, Fluff

Genre: Tooth Rotting Fluff

Title: Champagne Bubbles

It had been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

As soon as you had gotten into work that morning, the vet on duty had instantly started yelling-overwhelmed and swamped by cases already-and scared of angering her any further, you hadn’t stopped running since 6 AM.

Cut to the last hour of your shift, and you had somehow managed to get every animal substance known to man on your scrubs-you were fairly certain that last rowdy patient had peed on you more than once-and you looked, and smelled, like someone who was at the end of their metaphorical rope.

However, you still had to take an exam at the nearby university before heading home, and so, throwing your coat on over your soiled clothes, you headed for the library, the world-dark when you left the apartment that morning-dark once more as the moon crested over the nearby buildings.

You failed the exam.

It was hard to drive home-what with the darkened streets and the exhausted tears starting to brim and overflow-but you managed to make it, and pulling into your spot, you allowed yourself to just sit for a moment, forehead resting forlornly on the cold steering wheel.

This day could not get worse.

Famous last words.

Cut to now, as you’re walking up the last flight of stairs to your apartment, and you start to feel the telltale cramping low in your abdomen, the kind that makes you wanna crawl in bed, throw a blanket over your head, and curl up-fetal position-around a hot bean bag.

“Dammit, why.” You groan out, reaching the landing, as you blindly dig your hand into your purse to search for your keys, a simple task, that feels like an impossible trial in your tired state.

Good thing you had been prepared and put in a tampon that morning when you had woken with the impending signs of doom and a headache.

Finally locating your keys, you unlock the door to the darkened apartment and let out a sigh of tired relief as you let your bag slide to the floor right in front of the entrance, kicking off your worn and smelly sneakers without a thought.

Well, without a thought other than getting into a hot shower and falling into your bed with a heating pad and a blanket over your head.

It’s quiet in the apartment, and you wonder briefly, if Jimin and Hobi are already asleep as you creep quietly toward the hallway. You are home a lot later than normal.

You all rise early together every day and split ways in the parking garage-you headed for the emergency vet clinic, Jimin waving cheerfully as he leaves in his old beater for his job as manager at the local coffee shop, and Hobi driving off far too fast on his scooter toward the local arts college, where he teaches dance classes.

You all usually go to bed early too, at the same time, together, but tonight, you’re far later than usual and the apartment is lacking the sunshine of Hobi’s bright smile and Jimin’s soft welcome home embrace.

Your footsteps falter at the kitchen, and suddenly, you let out an audible groan, as your eyes are drawn to the kitchen sink sitting dark in one corner.

Dammit. You still needed to do the breakfast dishes.

Shuffling across the tile of the kitchen, you turn on the hot water and let it wash over your cold, chapped hands for a moment, before your reach into the sink blindly, searching for the first dirty dish.

You glance down in surprise when-after moments of fruitless searching-you find nothing in the sink, and note, suddenly, that it is empty and spotless, the dishes already done and put away in the cabinets.

Interesting.

You don’t allow yourself to dwell on this for long however, before your tired, aching feet are leading you down the dim hallway once more, toward the safety and warmth of the bathroom and the delicious idea of hot, steaming shower for your tired and dirty body.

Pushing open the door, careful to be quiet, in case your boyfriends are truly sleeping like you think, your eyes widen once more in surprise for the second time in as many minutes.

The bathroom is softly aglow with the light of candles, the atmosphere warm and scented like roses and champagne, and in the flickering light, you note that the small bathtub in the corner has been filled to the brim with steaming, lapping water, perfumed with the oily slick of some sort of bath salt.

“What the hell-” You breathe out beneath your breath, and suddenly, you don’t feel so tired anymore, and the corners of your mouth are tilting upward in the start of a fond smile, as you observe the carefully presented scene before you.

First the dishes, and now a bath?

The boys are definitely up to something.

Shucking your heavy coat off onto the bathroom floor, you trek back the way you have just come, and without knocking, push open the door to the bedroom.

The room is dimly lit by the string of clear lights that adorn the wall above the bed-giving it a cozy and soft glow-and by the flickering of a movie playing quietly on the TV.

You lean against the door frame and take in the scene for a moment, the smile on your lips growing unwittingly bigger as you observe your boyfriends, curled up in the middle of the queen bed, piled under several blankets, looking soft and ethereal and altogether incredibly comfortable.

Jimin looks up first, large dark eyes reflecting the light from the tv screen, blonde hair ruffled in an adorable way, as if he has just taken a shower, and smiles when he sees you, eyes creasing into half moons. “Baby girl! you’re back!”

Hobi glances over at Jimin’s words, chin resting on the shorter man’s head where it lays on his chest, and offers you one his breathtaking smiles, and the room becomes a million times lighter, as if the sun has just peeked through the curtains. “Hey beautiful! Long day?”

“Incredibly.” You nod, glancing over to the movie they’re watching. Some action flick you’ve never seen. “What’d you guys do, by the way?” You ask nonchalantly, slightly teasing, as you draw your attention back to them once more.

“What do you mean?” Jimin asks, sitting up now, full lips drawn into an incredibly cute pout that you struggle to resist.

“You know.” You motion vaguely over your shoulder. “First the dishes, now a bath?” You grin teasingly, shrugging, suddenly all too aware that you’re still in your stinky scrubs. “You guys must have done something really bad to suck up like this.”

“You’d think, right?” Hobi jokes back, laughing loudly, as he slides away from Jimin and stands, and you note, as he comes toward you, that he’s wearing the plaid pajama bottoms you had tried so hard to throw away last year.

He pauses in front of you, quirking his head in an endearing way, and reaches out to tuck back a loose strand of hair behind your ear. “Actually though,” He offers you the hint of a soft, heart shaped smile. “We just wanted to spoil you after a long day. Is that so hard to believe?”

“Give us some credit, baby.” Jimin has joined you both at the doorway now, and he yawns, reaching up to ruffle his already disheveled hair, before he shoots you a mischievous smile that makes his eyes light up. “We’re not completely dense.”

“I know.” You laugh now, and the tiredness is showing through again, straining your mirth. “Thank you.” You give them both a fond, affectionate half smile, the best you can do for now.

You have to admit, the bath is calling your name.

“Your bath is gonna get cold.” Jimin states, as if he has read your thoughts, and he leans forward, whether to push you toward the bathroom, or hug you, you don’t know, but you avoid his hold by stepping backward.

“Ew. Don’t touch me, Chim.” You wrinkle your nose as you glance down at your soiled work clothes. “I seriously think I was peed on like fifteen times today.”

Jimin’s brow crinkles, and he shoots you a teasing look of disgust. “Okay. You don’t have to twist my arm. I’ll wait till you’re clean.”

Hobi laughs, and the sound gives you the motivation you need to give them each a little grin and wave, before heading toward the bathroom and the much awaited bath.

******

The bath rejuvenates you, and by the time you return to the bedroom, wrapped in a towel and skin red and raw from soaking, you feel like a completely new person.

Though you can still feel the exhaustion creeping up your bones.

The boys are back in the bed, cuddled up like before, but there is another movie going on the TV now-a chick flick-and the bedside lamp is on.

“You started another movie without me?” You ask playfully, digging through the dresser to find your pajama shorts and tank top, one hand holding the towel securely at your chest.

“You took too long.” Hobi complains around a mouthful of popcorn, his free arm looped loosely around Jimin’s shoulders. “We thought you drowned.”

“And you didn’t check to see?” You jab back, glancing over your shoulder, as you finally locate your clothes, and shoot Hobi a playful glare, eyebrow raised in the man’s direction.

He shrugs. “Didn’t want to miss the movie.”

You roll your eyes, and start to slip your now clean legs into the pajama shorts, beginning to shiver now in the cool air of the room.

“You know, baby girl.” Jimin speaks up now, and his normally lilting tones are darker, sultry, suggestively playful. You glance at him, and he raises a brow at you, teeth sunken slightly into his plush, bottom lip, as his eyes scan the naked expanse of your legs. “You could cut down on time. Just not wear anything. Merely a suggestion.”

You roll your eyes once more, and stick your tongue out at him, before pointedly holding his gaze as you finish putting on the rest of your pajama outfit.

Sliding hurriedly into the warmth of the bed next to Jimin, you are caught off guard to feel the heat of an already hot heating pad beneath the covers, and you glance over questioningly at the two men beside you.

Jimin grins in a way that makes your stomach warm with love and fondness. “Don’t tell me you didn’t think we knew.” He cocks his head at you, blonde hair falling into his eyes. “Come on, baby. You’re as easy to read as a book. And you know we keep track.”

You consider making a teasing remark in return-about them keeping a calendar or something in their phones about the dates of your period-but instead, you decide to simply utter a soft “thank you” as you situate the heating pad, and snuggle down beneath the blankets next to Jimin.

He slides his arm beneath your body and pulls you against him, and his body heat is instantly making your eyes droop slightly and a heavy feeling of comfort wash over your tired muscles as you allow your head to rest heavily on his chest, heartbeat steady beneath your ear.

You glance at the TV and recognize the movie scene that is being played.

You groan. “You guys know I hate this movie.”

“Which is why we’re watching it.” Hobi teases, letting the hand that is resting on Jimin’s shoulder flick so that his long fingers tickle your hair and the top of your head. “It’s time for you to realize what good media is, beautiful.”

“Whatever.” You grumble out, burying your face into Jimin’s side, your eyes already closing, as you breathe in the smell of him-sandalwood and vanilla and something soft that feels like home. “I’m not gonna watch it anyway.”

You feel Jimin press a kiss to the top of your head, and Hobi rest his hand on the crown of your hair, and the affectionate gestures-just to let you know they’re there, that they’ll always be there-make you feel as if you’re home.

You are home.

Because you’re so lucky. Lucky to have them both in your life. Lucky to have two people who make you feel as if home is not a place, but a feeling.

You are the luckiest.

And you realize that every single day.

But days like today-that are terrible and horrible and no good-yet still end here, curled up next to your two favorite people in the whole world, make you realize that the most.

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twstdreams · 5 years ago

Note

Hello! Could I request scenarios/headcannons for Leona, Azul, Vil, Malleus, and Kalim? During flying class someone jinxes their crush's broom and sends them free falling but just before they hit the ground the boys rescue them. To show their gratitude, their crush gives them an innocent peck on the cheek afterwards (oblivious to their feelings) before leaving. Sorry if this is too specific! Kinda inspired by Harry Potter lol

Yes, you can! A bit specific, but I much prefer this over vague requests, so no worries! I hope you enjoy! I combined it and did both headcanons and a short little scenario.

Heroes, Villains, and the soft spot in between

Leona Kingscholar:

Your broom sputters a bit and Leona just brushes it off with a soft laugh. Couldn’t even fly your broom straight, it’s a good thing you’re cute.

But the worry on your face transforms into panic and your flying patterns quickly become erratic

Suddenly you’re falling and Leona doesn’t even get the chance to think, not about his image or if it’s worth the effort, he casts a spell using his well of magical powers and save you from disaster

It’s not the smoothest spell on Earth but it’s strong and you land safely

You’re in shock and grasping onto your jinxed broom as a crutch, trying to keep yourself stable. Leona makes some remark about you being easy prey, but your mind is still reeling from everything that happened. You take in a deep breath as strength begins to return to your legs.

“Did, did you save me?” you ask tentatively.

“Yeah,” Leona confirms, but before he gets to finish his sentence, a quick peck to his cheek silenced him.

“I’m glad at least someone is on my side. Thank you.” Your voice drips with enough sincerity that Leona feels his heart twinge, not that his confident smirk betrays his true feelings. Perhaps, he wouldn’t mind saving you a little more often if he got rewarded like this.

Azul Ashengrotto

Azul has an inkling that something is off with your broom, he’s not an expert flyer but he’s familiar with sabotage, however, you’ve taken off before he can confirm his suspicions

For once, Azul regrets that he’s right as you life is placed in imminent danger

With a smile plastered to his face, Azul uses his array of skills to safely reduce your fall until you all but float into his arms

His expression is picture-perfect and doesn’t indicate a drop of worry, but his rapidly beating heart says otherwise

Your doe-eyed expression as you grasp onto him soothes his heart. Your grip is tight, seeking something steady to contrast to your wild life-threatening fall moments ago. Your breathing begins to even as a shaky smile makes its way onto your face.

Azul can only widen his eyes as you swiftly tug him down to plant a kiss on his cheek. He can feel a whisper of the kiss remain even after you let him go.

“Thank you for saving me. Hopefully, that’s enough for a payment?” Your voice is soft and your words are light, but worry and fear still cling to your expression.

“For today,” Azul relents, “But perhaps we should sign a contract to make sure this never happens again?” His gaze remains on you but Azul’s mind wonders how this happened and lays out a plan to find out. Though, even if he finds the perpetrator, he’d consider leaving them alone for a while, if only to assure you’d run into his arms for safety.

Vil Schoenheit

Vil was flying as well, actively trying to avoid anything that could mar his face like a swarm of bugs or flock of birds

His focus falters when he hears you shriek and horror courses through his veins as he sees you falling

He pours all of his magic into his broom in a mad dash to catch you

He chips some of his nail polish but he barely even notices because of your flailing limbs. You two land with as much as grace as possible given the near-death experience.

Afterwards, Vil insists that you leave class early and escorts you away. You’re trembling like a leaf in his arms with tears welling in your eyes. The steady feeling of the ground isn’t enough to calm your erratic heartbeat

He leads you to his room and pampers you with an impromptu spa day

The smooth pads of Vil’s fingers glide over your cheeks as he massages in a face cream. The steadiness of his fingers helps put you at ease. You always try to take care of your skin to an extent but today Vil has pulled out all the works. Cleansers to wash away the grime of flying, facial masks that leave your skin refreshed, and serums and creams that soak into your face while making it as soft as a petal. Less than an hour ago, you were on the verge of a breakdown but as Vil massages leave-in conditioner in your hair, you nearly fall asleep on his lap.

“Finished, you look beautiful.” The affection in his voice warms your heart. You sit up and look in the mirror. Your beautiful skin is surprising but the relaxed expression looking back is even more unexpected. Your lips form a soft smile. You plant a gentle kiss on Vil’s cheek with happiness adorned on your features.

“Thank you for making today a good memory.”

Malleus Draconia

Malleus sees you falling off your broom and sighs. Sure, he had compared you to a baby, but he didn’t expect you to be so defenceless.

You’re helplessly plummeting towards the ground, but a quick spell has you landing softly in front of him.

He’s not freaked out since it was so easy to save you, but when his fingers brush over your broom, he senses foul magic and immediately his green eyes are filled with rage

He doesn’t plan to let this transgression go, but he’s currently distracted by your sudden affection

Before Malleus can lecture you or remark on your spectacular fall, your arms envelop him. The act renders him speechless. People barely had the courage to talk to him or invite him, let alone bold displays of physical affections. He wonders if your brain is muddled by the traumatic experience. You raise your head to show your dazzling smile while looking into his eyes.

“You saved me,” you state, almost breathless and most definitely in awe. You lift yourself up and swiftly kiss his cheek. It’s brief and a feather-light touch, but a lingering sensation remains on Malleus’ skin all the same.

“Thank you,” you add as a pretty flush spreads across your cheeks, whether from embarrassment or the exertion of flying, only you know.

Kalim Al-Asim

You’d never feared flying, in fact, you were quite excited to soar through the skies and the freedom it entailed

That all ends when your broom fails you and instead of flying, you’re on a one-way collision course with the ground

While free-falling through the air, you were overcome with fear, your brain trying to conjure up something to save you from impending doom but fails spectacularly

Suddenly, your back meets carpet rather than the hard ground and instead of blurry clouds in the sky you see Kalim’s radiant smile

Kalim chatters about how he’s glad that he made it in time and promises to catch you if you ever fall

You can practically hear your heart thumping. Even though you’re safe now, your blood is still flowing with adrenaline from your unexpected broom induced free fall. Kalim, with a grin from ear to ear and confidence that reassures your frazzled mind, is your saviour today. Without thought, you kiss his cheek, quickly and a little unstable due to the flying carpet but sincere all the same. Your subsequent giggle mixes with Kalim’s surprised laugh as you both smile as bright as the sun, for different reasons though.

#I felt so soft writing Vil's piece #I'm pretty happy with how this turned out #twisted wonderland #disney twisted wonderland #leona kingscholar #savanaclaw #azul ashengrotto #octavinelle #vil shoenheit #pomefiore #malleus draconia #diasomnia #kalim al asim #scarabia #twisted wonderland headcanon #twisted wonderland scenario #twstdreams #twisted dreams

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tiaragqueen · 5 years ago

Text

Sequitur

✂ Pairing: Yandere! Madara Uchiha x Reader

✂ Word Count: 1,3k+

✂ Trigger Warnings: Death, possessiveness, murder, mention of stalking

[Edited]

***

If you like my writing, please support me on ko-fi!

“I've been biting my tongue. The line has been crossed, and now, there is hell to pay. Enough is enough, the truth's coming out if you like it or not.” - Manipulate [Heartist]

Arranged marriage was always awkward and tense, especially when your husband was a feared man in his village. You hadn’t fully comprehended the meaning of the word ‘feared’, thinking that it was only a hyperbole until you met him in person. Madara was austere in demeanor, and his dark kimono served to highlight the cogent aura that surrounded him like gloomy clouds. You had to shoot your mother several shocked and questioning glances before she sated you with a calm nod. She gently reminded you to recompose, but it was easier said than done when you could feel his laser eyes boring on to your head. This wasn’t the first time people had judged you, and yet, something about him provoked turbulence within you.

That was two months ago, though. Now that you’d spent more time with him – depending on his schedules, of course, which was almost rare – and married, you no longer felt too nervous around him.

Well, more like forcing yourself to adjust to the new environment, but you didn’t dare to tell anyone that. You were certain he’d already picked up on your anxiety and would probably be pissed off by your lack of… development.

Nevertheless, you learned that he liked to talk about politics and peace. Although they weren’t your favorite subjects to discuss, you did your best humoring him. You applied some of the lessons your mother had drilled into you on how to be a good wife by asking about his day and bringing him tea (she also told you to massage him, but you were a little too scared to ask). Despite your efforts, you could sense that you still hadn’t cracked his armor judging from his mannerisms alone. He remained stiff and formal, it almost felt as if your work had been futile all along.

And, honestly, you weren’t sure if you should be concerned with that. It wasn’t as though you willingly married him, anyway. There was a subtle resentment that came from the loss of autonomy, but at least he wasn’t abusive.

Though, you couldn’t deny the sensation of being watched whenever you went out alone.

But it must be your imagination, right? In an attempt to familiarize yourself and bridging the distance with other members, you often helped the women with their chores. The exhaustion might be the reason behind that weird occurrence. There was no need to suspect your husband when you clearly saw him doing his endless paperwork.

Yes, you were still adjusting, is all. You just needed to rest more.

Huffing, you plopped down on a bench and glanced around. When was the last time you observe your surroundings again? The clan could be hectic sometimes, but the members were generally pleasant to talk to.

“Excuse me.”

You peered to your left and saw a man wearing ordinary clothes. He smiled and dipped his head slightly as a form of greeting.

“I was wondering if you know the way to Hokage office?” he inquired politely.

“Oh, just go straight and turn right. It’s in the center of the village.”

The man appeared to mull over your answer. “If it’s not too much to ask, can you please take me there? I’m afraid I might get lost.”

You didn’t understand why he should be scared of such a thing when he could just ask another villager later. But you tried to look at the positive and assumed that he might have a poor sense of direction, or probably short term memory. Either way, it was clear that he wouldn’t leave unless you assist him, thus, cutting your downtime short.

Suppressing the disappointed sigh that filled your chest, you nodded rather reluctantly.

“… Okay.”

You stood up from the bench and slowly approached him. Before you could take the lead, a sudden wind blew your hair and the man abruptly collapsed. You whipped your head just in time to see his guise puffed, revealing a strange ninja underneath. Blood flowed down from the tiny slit the kunai created on his neck, hollow eyes conveying an unspeakable shock. Someone landed a few meters beside you but you couldn’t bring yourself to turn around, still stunned by the swift murder that occurred seconds ago.

You didn’t have to, though. You already recognized the familiar chakra that engulfed yours even when he did nothing in particular.

Madara.

“What… what did you just do?” You wouldn’t be surprised if he scoffed at your stupid question. You knew what you saw, regardless of how fast it seemed. You knew what you were staring at, regardless of how astounding it felt.

It wasn’t easy to swallow the fact that your husband had just killed a man right behind you, after all. Granted, it was an enemy, but still...

“Foolish woman.” he sneered, hands crossed over his broad chest. “Naively helping people without thinking about their motives. I thought your father has taught you to never trust a stranger.”

You gulped and slowly rotated your head towards him. “W-what are you doing here? I thought you were working.”

Madara squinted, displeased by your attempt to divert the attention from you. Although it wasn’t your intention, to begin with. “Somebody has to look after you,” he said. “because I know that you’d get trapped in this kind of predicament. You’re too nice for your own good, [Name].”

You blinked owlishly, trying to process his answer. Hands twitching on your sides, you finally concluded that you refused to believe.

“Does that mean… you’ve been stalking me, Madara?” you drawled hesitantly, willing yourself to look at him in the eye. “All this time, it was you…?”

He said nothing, but you knew the answer anyway.

Clasping a hand over your mouth, you scowled. “How dare you…! I already lost my freedom by marrying you, and now, you’re stalking me?! What kind of husband are you?”

“A husband that cares about his wife, obviously.” Madara didn’t bat an eye at your outburst and calmly retorted. “It’s not my fault that you were arranged to be with me. You should’ve known that by now.”

“It still doesn’t give you a right to watch me like a creep!”

“Your father asked me to protect you,” he stated. “and it’s my duty to do so, anyway. I don’t understand what’s the fuss about, and frankly, I don’t want to listen to it. Either you accept your situation or keep suffering in silence. There, I gave you the freedom to choose.”

You opened your mouth to insult him, but you knew he’d most likely brush it off. However, you’d gone too deep to back out now. “You’re a jerk, you know that?”

Madara cocked his head. “Oh, is that so?”

The alarm blared in your head when he slowly advanced towards you, face still impassive as always. Panic started to grip your chest as you seek an escape route. You could run now. It wasn’t too late. You could avoid him and ask for help. People would notice your plight, right?

You flinched when a hand unceremoniously grabbed your neck and lifted you. Madara loomed over you like the impending doom, onyx eyes glowering coldly on to your shrinking ones. Luckily, he hadn’t strangled you. Not yet.

“Don’t ever hope about getting away, unless you want to pay the hell later.” he warned. “You belong to me, and I hate sharing what’s mine. If you know what’s good for you, I suggest you behave from now on.” Squinting, Madara hissed. “Do I make myself clear?”

You gripped his hand, a sadistic voice inside you desiring to inflict pain on him. But you knew better than to provoke him further. As much as you hated to admit it, divorce would humiliate your family. So the most logical thing to do was to obey whatever he ordered, even if it meant going against your wishes.

“… Whatever.”

Madara scowled and tightened his hold slightly, enough to tense your body. “Speak appropriately to me,” he demanded.

You writhed a little, trying to find space to breathe. Realizing that he wouldn’t budge no matter how hard you struggled, you scowled in defeat.

“Yes, Madara.”

Satisfied with your reluctant response, Madara smirked. Raising a hand, he mockingly patted your head and cooed. “Good girl.”

#yandere anime #yandere imagine #yandere anime au #yandere oneshot #yandere scenario #anime yandere au #anime yandere #yandere naruto imagine #yandere naruto scenario #naruto yandere #yandere naruto #Yandere madara #Yandere madara uchiha #Yandere madara x reader #Yandere madara uchiha x reader

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seungminotes · 5 years ago

Text

Accident - Prone

enemies to lovers/ almost-lovers with Hwang Hyunjin

A/N: this took so long and I don’t think I’m even happy with the result. I hope you like it though, anon

Warnings: 1.5 k words | kinda slow | potential part two? | not proofread

Hyunjin is literally the worst luck charm ever. Everywhere he goes is just a natural disaster around you.

No matter what, always end up getting physically hurt.

Whether it was a flying soccer ball to your nose, that awful chemical burn in chem after you two were partnered together once, the spilled water on your favorite blouse... the list goes on and on.

After so many unlucky occurrences, you had finally decided Hyunjin was just the equivalent of seeing a black cat

A warning sign of impending doom.

Okay but, perhaps he was just dramatic and clumsy

the thought never really occurred to you that this boy was just made like that.

You only figured: you plus him in a room together was not the best of ideas. It just could never end well.

You swore you two could’ve been mortal enemies in a past life or something.

These occurrences had just become so frequent that at one point, you naturally despised the lanky boy.

Though quite unreasonable of you, you simply wanted nothing to do with him.

Hyunjin on the other hand, had no ill feelings towards you.

No, those ill feelings were rather reserved for himself whenever he somehow managed to ruin your day over and over again.

He partially blamed his lack of coordination, but then he remembers he’s a dancer and had rather impressive coordination in comparison to most other people.

Maybe that was saved for dancing though, maybe somehow those skills dissipated offstage and outside the practice room.

Orrrrr just maybe... it was just around you that he became so flustered, the human embodiment of a hot mess, that he could not function or even move accordingly?

Whatever it was, he felt utterly sorry for every encounter you’d ever had with him.

At some point he had tried to very actively avoid you in hopes of sparing himself the embarrassment of yet another disaster.

He always made sure he and his friend group were situated as far as possible from you in the cafeteria during lunch.

If he saw you walking down a hallway, he’d always be sure to turn the other direction.

Heck he’d run into you only a certain amount of times before he had memorized your routes and just avoided those altogether.

He very secretly cared for your own safety… from himself.

Which wasn’t the most romantic of things

Which was reasonable, right?

You could probably never have a romantic connection with someone with which nothing could ever go right.

But why did that notion disappoint him so much??? hmmm

Hyunjin probably shouldn’t want to get any closer to you, that’s exactly why he drew an imaginary boundary

And his plan proved to be more than effective with time.

That at least it was…

Until Kim Seungmin, his own very best friend, decided to befriend you after a photography project you’d both worked on.

Ever since then, you two had been practically inseparable…

leading many to believe in a prospective couple. Oop

Hyunjin typically just annoyed the thoughts of other surrounding the topic of you and Seungmin though, not that it bothered him per say

Anywayyyy

Seungmin now sat with you on the other side of the cafeteria.

Even after his long protest for you to go sit with his other friends, you couldn’t quite bring yourself to be in harm's way that close to Hyunjin.

“They’re not mean or anything, y/n,”

“I didn’t say they are, I just don’t know them that well, it would be awkward,”

“Well how can you get to know them if you won’t even sit near them,”

Okay so maybe at this point your feeling a bit guilty towards Minnie who is sacrificing some time with his best friends to sit with you now

But as you glance towards his group of friends on the other side of the room, you couldn't help but get nerves from the sight of Hwang Hyunjin

Seungmin notices the change in demeanor in your face after you take a peek over there

He thinks he;s just uncovered the mystery of the century

“I saw that!”

“Saw what?”

“That passive aggressive glare you just shot my friends, which one do you hate?

“Seungggg, it’s nothing,”

“I bet it’s Jisung, he’s so loud, not really your type”

“I think Jisung is nice, drop it.”

“Hyunjin?”

The very mention of his name makes your face drop

Seungmin of course catches it

“Knew it”

So this leads to a very detailed retelling of every horrible occurrence that has happened to you in the presence of his friend

“You’re being stupid, he just has butter fingers”

“You must have a butter body to mess up that much”

“Never say that phrase again, I didn’t like the mental image”

“Oh shut up”

Luckily the bell rang just in time to bring the convo to a close

but as you both get up to throw your trays away Seungmin ultimately gets the last word

“You're sitting with us tomorrow”

You may or may not have pouted all the way to English with him afterwards

Nothing really works on Seungmin though

Snake

So the next day, you’re sitting at lunch with all these guys you don’t know very well

But Min makes sure to introduce you well and they’re all super inclusive of you

He even made sure you and Hyunjin sat on opposite ends of the table

Not that it even mattered though because Hyunjin was unusually quiet

He really didn’t even look at you …

Which didn’t bother you that much

Though it did make the atmosphere a bit tense when he was spoken to and wouldn’t really listen

He seemed super out of it

At least until he completely knocked over his carton of milk onto Felix’s tray

He cursed under his breath, because trust me he knew something would happen in the time span of half an hour that you were sitting this near him

Your breath hitched for a second because you were lowkey scared something was gonna happen soon

One of his natural disasters

But oddly enough, nothing really came towards you

Hyunjin got up to go scavenge for some napkins

And lunch was soon nearing its end

Meaning, you had spent a full 30 minutes near Hwang Hyunjin and remained unscathed

Who would have thought?

Seungmin, that’s who

He made it very clear too

His little “told you so” as you were getting up to throw your trash away

Unfortunately for you though, the nearest trash can appeared to be directly behind Hyunjin

Who by now was trying to clean up the mess of milk he made on the table

Considerate guy huh

“Y/n, hurry up we’re gonna be late” Seungmin urged

What could go wrong if you just ….

Walk behind Hyunjin for like 3 seconds??

A lot more than you’d expect to be honest

In those mere three seconds Hyunjin has managed to turn around, trip you, and hit you on the side of the head with his outstretched arm clutching wet napkins

Cue Seungmin cracking up

And mortified Hyunjin

“Are you ok? Shoot I didn’t see you, are you good?

Your head lowkey panged but his worry was kind of unexpected …

And kinda maybe very adorable???

Uh oh

You get up and assure him you’re just fine

He kinda just scratches the back of his neck awkwardly

“I think I hurt you a little too often.”

“I’ve noticed,”

“I swear it’s not intentional or anything though”

Seungmin can’t take this atmosphere, he dips quick

He also can’t afford a tardy which you are obviously gonna get if you keep standing there staring up at this guy

You of course take notice that this awkward moment is taking a bit too long

But something is really keeping you glued to this spot and it may or may not have to do with the warm worried eyes staring down at you

“I think Seungmin left you,” Hyunjin nods his head to where your friend was previously waiting for you

“Little snake”

The little sound that Hyunjin made trying not to laugh kinda made you giggle

And oh no

Hyunjin found that way too cute for his own good

He decides to walk you to English, he knew the route pretty well, go figure

He does keep his distance though

After he drops you off at the door, you’re already late and so is he of course

But he waits for you to go in before sprinting to his own class

Almost like walking you home after a date

When you excuse yourself into class, Seungmin is smirking at you from your shared desk

“And I thought you hated Hyunjin.”

A roll of your eyes didn’t make him any less smug though.

#hyunjin #hwang hyunjin #stray kids #skz #skz scenarios #hyunjin fluff #hyunjin imagines #stray kids imagines #stray kids scenarios #stray kids fluff #skz hyunjin #hwang hyunjin x reader #stray kids x reader #skz imagines #skz blurbs

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red-doll-face · 5 years ago

Note

Could you do a request on The Collector with an innocent, shy and jumpy reader he's kidnapped and begins to...I'm not sure if love is the right word lust after I think, sorry haven't been requesting long. :)

The return of the bug man. Maybe if u tell him ur fav pixar movie is bugs life he'll be nice 😳 he's a lil mean in this one but not too much. Im sorry i couldnt make it longer. Thanks for requesting!! 💞

Warnings: kidnapping, slight violence, dead body mention, ambiguous ending so beware , its up to you but there are... Implications

WC: 1163

Asa 'The Collector' Emory x gn Reader

Anything

Your aunt was a solitary woman. She was rich, but not the type to share and she kept her and her family very private. You could count the times you’d gone to visit her on just one hand. That did not mean that you didn’t try and contact her. In fact you worried for your aunt. Because she drove people away, you could never tell if she was in danger or if she was ok. She never told anyone what was happening to her. So you decided that visiting her without asking was what you had to resort to. She called sometimes but she’s been more quiet than you’re used to. Which means silent.

When you pulled up to her house, it was dark already. Did she have to live so far away? The car door closed behind you and your shoes crunched along the gravel in the driveway. You ring the doorbell.

“Auntie, it’s me!” you shouted and you received no response. The garage was closed and no sound echoed from the solitary house. No lights. Not even the porch lights. You stood in the dark and as you tried to knock a little louder the door creaked open. It was almost darker inside of the house than out. The windows were covered in boards and there were objects everywhere, like someone knocked everything in the room over. You yelped as a blade connected to a wooden plank sailed down from above the doorway, ducking just out of the way. It swung on a hinge and you furrowed your brow.

“What the-?” When you turn around, a man in a weird mask is staring at you from the bottom of the stairs, eyes shining bright green. You scream and turn to run from the figure, skirting past the plank with the blade. You try for your car, fumbling with the remote to unlock the door. The man picks you up violently, struggling in his arms. You attempt to stab him with the car keys but he won’t relent. He drags you up the stairs, avoiding traps along the way. You see the corpse of your aunt's husband and you sob. You see your aunt chained up in her bedroom and her screams are muffled through a gag. She's covered in wounds, blood, sweat and grime. You cry out and she seems to get more emotional at the sight of you. He throws you down on the floor, the air leaving your lungs all at once. You gasp to gain it back, failing to notice the chains he ties around you.

“Please, just stop. Leave us alone.” You whine as he starts to force you into a red chest. Impending doom. “No. No! NO!” the world turns black as he latches the box closed, your aunt screaming and eventually, silence.

The box unlatched and you tumbled out, coming face to face with black combat boots. You tried to pick yourself up but your hands were tied with chains. Your wrists hurt and he shoves you into a cage. There's at least a gym mat on the floor of it and you feel cold at the thought of spending any time in there. He kicks the cage closed, latching from the outside and you whimper.

“No, please. Why are you doing this? Just tell me what I’ve done to deserve this. Please.” Tears stream down your cheeks. You couldn’t believe this. All you wanted to do was see your aunt, not get kidnapped by some serial killer. He turns to look at you but you can't read anything past the mask. He drags the red box away and you curl into the corner. The room is dark but you don't even want to try and look at it. It will make this nightmare seem more real. You fall asleep thinking about how when you wake up, it’ll be a dream and you’ll pet your cat and make breakfast and-

You wake with a start. The blue stained gym mat on the floor crinkles as you move. Your wrists are red from being tied together. You whimper. What had you done to get such a bad hand at life?

You look up to see the man watching you, sitting in a chair and observing you in your little cage. Like a little bird. Sad to be in the cage but powerless to stop it. You look to meet his eyes.

“Can you untie me? I can't get out anyway.” You stick your chained hands out of the bars and he stands, slowly but surely. He roughly tugs your hands up further, taking a small key and unlocking the mechanism. You sigh and thank him. Venom will get you nowhere. That was the expected. Perhaps a kinder attitude will lighten his hand. You may be scared but strategy will stay the course.

You hold the marks in your cage, rubbing at them to comfort yourself. You put your hands in your lap, resting your head against the bars. He was surprised at how easily you accepted this. He expected resistance but it was sort of sad how fast you settled. He retrieved the sandwich he brought you. The cutie he met at that horrendous woman's house. A lovely creature. Something he wouldn't mind pinning to the wall to look at.

He stuck the sandwich through the bars, nudging it towards you. You take it, putting it in front of you. Foolish bird.

It’s been probably another day inside of the dismal room and the even more morose cage. You’ve already had enough of it. You had to pee. But your captor hadn’t come back yet. You rubbed your thighs together to keep from peeing yourself.

Little do you know he's watching from a camera placed in the dark corner. You rub your thighs together, putting a hand over your crotch. Sweet thing. You probably have to pee. But you bite your lip and wiggle. He can’t stop watching you. Your face changes in nuance, your hands clutching. Your useless rocking. He thinks he’ll fix your little problem.

The cage unlocks and you see the man walk in. He holds the cage door open and you take the chance he gives you. You exit the cage, following the tight fingers on your wrist. He leads you to a simple room with a toilet and a sink. He locks you in and you curse. There are no windows. Of course. You handle business and knock and the door opens. He’s still wearing that weird mask. You come out and he grabs your wrist.

“No, I don’t want the cage. Please, I don’t want the cage.” You cry out. You sob and blubber. “You leave me in there, I don’t- please, I’ll do anything.” You shake and grab at his arms. He freezes at the word anything. Anything. Everyone says anything. But does the songbird mean it?

He tugs you out of the cage. You’ll wish you hadn’t said ‘anything’.

Thanks for reading!! Never enough bug boy content.

#the collector x reader #the collector #asa emory x reader #asa emory #the collection #slasher x reader #slasher #fanfic #red writes

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moonshoesnikki · 5 years ago

Text

Behind Enemy Lines

Bso this is the new full length fic i’m working on!

hope yall like it while i crawl in a corner god this is cringey

genre: drama/angst

words: ????

chapter 1

General Choi San is the leader of the army trying to overthrow your country. But what happens when he not only captures your land, but your heart as well? (wink wonk lol)

Rumours were starting to spread throughout the country, but this had happened before. The villagers, and even the court members, would start to whisper. Warn of dangers to come. Dangers were never a concern for you, you were used to days filled with the impending doom of an attack on your small nation. Hidden in the mountains near Taebaeksan, your country was relatively off-grid,yet living with the fear that one day you would be found. Yesterday was not that day, and neither was the day before that. As the general of the militia, you would hear every fantasy that popped into anyone’s head.

“I’m telling you, i saw invaders coming from th-”

“You have to listen ma’am, they were seen just outsi-”

“Please, just take a minute to liste-”

“You crazy bitch! Just listen alrea-”

The townspeople weren’t exactly fond of you, they didn’t understand how a woman could become the general of the guard. Surely there had to be a man who was more capable, but the decision was made after a series of intense battles between the men - and you. Once the king saw your determination and skills, there was no question. Even the men followed you blindly into battle more than once, knowing that you had their best interests at heart. And due to your skill in military planning - your father being the previous general paid off after all - most battles didn’t lead to much. Most generals and captains of armies were intrigued at the thought of a woman leader and would offer to meet before any issues arose.

Private meetings like this were never rare for you, you were used to being stared at. You were always regarded as one of the more beautiful women in the circles you traveled in, not that you had many. Typically, the opposing general would never take you as seriously as they took their male opponents because, well, I mean look at you. After about twenty minutes into each meeting, the general would realize their mistake in underestimating you. Your thorough knowledge of their lands, army, and ammunition was appalling. That was when they would start taking you seriously, as a true general and not a little girl playing dress up. And deals were made, treaties signed, and peace reigned over the kingdom.

This time was different. Choi San was known for his ruthlessness, on and off the battlefield. He led his people to victory more times than anyone can count. A trained martial artist, San could truly best almost any opponent. Rumours would spread about him. For a while the people thought he was gifted with special powers from the spirits. He was quick, accurate, and deadly. Not only was he known for his skills on the battleground, San was breathtakingly handsome. Rumours had it that his eyes were dark with lust and greed and his smile could bring women to their knees. You hoped every day that you would never have to encounter him. But the day had finally come. Your most trusted spy, returned -barely- with a warning scrawled onto a sheet of paper.

“Come alone, we’ve got a dinner date. 7pm.”

You sighed and hung your head. There was no avoiding this. You turned to your second in command and best friend, Park SeongHwa. A skilled assassin and reliable friend, the two of you had been attached at the hip since you were toddlers. Your mothers were best friends which meant that you were always near each other. Learning to fight, studying, even just laying in the fields as the wind blew through your hair. He truly was the brother you never had.

“Seonghwa, I’ll need you with me on this.”

“Of course, General.” He responded. Always so professional.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Your stomach sank as you approached the destination. You did as General Choi asked - somewhat. The tent set up by San’s troops was placed in a low valley between towering mountains. Your scouts determined that the enemy had a scout on the western mountaintop, so you instructed SeongHwa to post on the eastern. If General Choi broke the rule, so could you.

“There she is! The fearless leader!” he bellowed from the tent. The timbre of his voice surprised you, almost as if he was excited for this meeting? But what surprised you more was that it made your heart do the tiniest backflip.

You sat at the table across from him, your heart pounding in your ears. His presence was unnerving to you, but you couldn’t distinguish why. Arguably, you were just as competent of a general he was. The only thing he lacked was your compassion, and you the lack of his ruthlessness. Yet something in his eyes was so alluring to you. It felt like you could get lost in them forever, watching the way they glinted as he talked. He had a certain arrogance to him,he knew he was attractive, he’d been reassured of that many times. After taking down multiple nations, it was only natural for him to put on an air or two. However, you noticed the change in his demeanor. Multiple of his men - so much for going alone - entered the tent at different points to bring more food or wine. Each time one entered, his demeanor would change. He became soft, and would laugh with his friends. Making jokes and playing games seemed natural to him, then in an instant he would return to the arrogant general.

He chuckled as he watched your face. You looked calm on the exterior, always making delicate yet deliberate moves and knowing exactly what to say. All the while, he could sense your discomfort. He would be lying if he said it didn’t intrigue him. He had heard from his men before that you were a sight for sore eyes, but he didn’t truly understand what they meant until you walked into the tent. You were breathtaking, stunning, everything that made his heart stop and take a moment to pause. Throughout the entire dinner and talks, he didn’t once stop looking at you. It made you squirm, which made his heart sing -- it meant that he had the same effect on you that you did on him.

‘Snap the hell out of it’, you told yourself, ‘we’ve got a war to prevent’.

“So, what do you say General?” San asks as he glances to meet your eyes again, “Are we through here? Are our terms agreeable?” He leans back in his chair and throws his arm across the back, pulling one leg over the other.

“I believe we are through, General. However, My country cannot agree to these terms.” You respond.

“Come now, I’d hate the next time I see your pretty face on the battlefield instead of somewhere more comfortable.”

You gasp in shock. He can’t be serious, can he? Your countries are inches away from war, with you two leading the charge, and he’s trying to seduce you. Honestly, the fact that someone else has managed to use this strategy other than yourself is impressive. But it doesn’t stop the rush of blood to your cheeks that you desperately try to stifle. He notices and it sends him reeling.

“General Choi, as alluring as your offer sounds, I’m af-” he cuts you off by pressing his lips to yours. Thrown off guard by his impulsive move, you slap him directly across the cheek. San falls to the ground clutching his face.

“General, what in the hell do you think you’re doing?!” you shouted. He said nothing. This was the first time in his life he’d felt rejection. San stood up, immediately embarrassed by his actions. However, his pride couldn’t take the refusal to submit.

“I’ll see you on the front”. San turned and left the tent.

‘If it’s a war he wants,” you thought to yourself, “it’s a war he’ll get’.

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ren-c-leyn · 4 years ago

Text

The Cost of Desire

It’s been a while, but here’s another short story for the blog. Figured it’d be a good way to slowly get back into tumblr.

This is a fusion story using these 1,2 prompts by @thependragonwritersguild, this prompt by @humdrummoloch, this prompt by @promptsforthestrugglingauthor, and these 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 prompts by @givethispromptatry.

Fair warning, while this piece doesn’t have any gore or violence in it, it is a more tense piece with the narrator stuck waiting impending doom.

I remembered that day clearly, the one that began this secret obsession of mine. It was just one of those moments that never left me.

Mother was an alchemist whom always gathered the ingredients for her potions herself. I don’t remember why exactly but she had decided to take me with her, but I remember being excited to go on a ‘real life adventure.’ I clumsily carried some of the baskets and trotted after her on my short legs. It went well enough, until we got to the forest filled with mist.

“Shhh…” She held her pointer finger up to her lips. “We need to be quiet here.”

“Why?” I whispered, still somehow loud enough to cause an echo.

“There’s something that sleeps here. We don’t want to disturb it. Now stay on the path, don’t stray from it for a second.”

I listened, but only because mother was there with me. Something about not being allowed to stray from the path and make noise made me want to run off the path and scream ‘hello there’ at the top of my lungs. And that desire never left.

As I got older, I got more and more curious about the forest and what slept in it. Often, I would stray from the path, a little more each time to see if I could find anything besides the endlessly swirling white. My best friend, however, was a tattle tale and the one day I did stray off the path while they were with me, they ran all the way back to the village got my mother. Whom, was of course, furious.

“You’ve been told many times to stay on the path!” mother shrieked, pacing the main room of our tiny house. “One of these days something is going to take you!”

That threat was enough to curb my wanderings until I became a true adventurer and discovered the secret of that forest. It was a place wizards hid powerful artifacts, artifacts powerful enough to make me the best adventurer of them all. A lure I couldn’t resist.

Equipped with my weapon and my armor, I felt more than confident enough in my ability to take down the guardian of the artifacts. I strode into the mists, not even trying to muffle the clinking of my gear. All of mother’s warnings and rules were broken. I didn’t even remember most of them in that moment, my mind was focused on the prizes that awaited me.

Oh how foolish I was.

In less than an hour, I had found a stone path. It was strange, I hadn’t remembered coming across one so close to the main path, but I was not going to laugh off this bit of fortune. For all paths must lead somewhere, and the only thing to go to in this forest was the place the relics had been locked away. I rushed down it, drinking in the muffled sounds of my own footfalls as I went.

And it was on that stone path that I met the creature mother had been so terrified of finding me.

Two opalized eyes blinked at me through the fog. I could see no discernible pupils through the gloom but I knew that those eyes were sorting through my very character, figuring out who I was without a word. Chills ran up my spine, breathing got a little harder, and my heart sped up against my will. My legs, dear gods my legs, they trembled and nearly gave out beneath the weight of that stare. Run, run away, my instincts screamed. But I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t run. Not without something to show for my courage, or stupidity, in coming to meet the guardian.

The eyes vanished and the mists began to clear. I sucked in a breath of relief just before the hairs on the back of my neck rose. The ghost-like chill of breathe on my neck nearly made me jump right out of my armor as I spun around, hand gripping the hilt of my sword for all it was worth.

Before me stood what looked like a young girl. It’s difficult to recall exactly what she looked like. Whenever I try to focus on her appearance my mind goes hazy and I nearly forget what I was trying to remember. The one thing I can recall clearly was the sound of her voice. It was as if there was a constant whine of wind trying to drown out a girl’s voice, and it echoed in my mind. Her eyes were like opals and had no pupils, and I can’t recall there being any color to anything else about her. Just... cloudy whiteness, like a phantom.

No, not like it. Not at all. She was a phantom. The ghost of every misdeed and mistake ever committed. That was her, that was what I faced that day.

“Who are you?”

I grinned, clenching my teeth together to keep them from chattering right out of my gums.

“I am the greatest adventurer to ever stand before you,” I declared with shaky bravado, “and who are you?”

“Oh, no one important.”

“Well, that’s solidly not true.”

She laughed, though it didn’t seem to come from her. It seemed to come from the forest itself.

“It is in the grand scheme of things. In fact, I am no one,” the smile fell from her face into a dark stare that nearly made my legs give out from under me again. “but that doesn’t matter here because you are someone, someone who does not respect the grand scheme. And someones are not allowed in here. You must leave.”

“No. I’m the greatest adventurer there ever was, and I’m not leaving without at least one artifact.”

She shook her head, an amused smile growing on her lips.

“They all say that, all of the somebodies. But you don’t understand, you never understand. Nothing you learned up there will help you survive down here.”

I paused at that. Down here? Weren’t we still in that forest? I looked up but al I could see was more mist.

“Look, I don’t know what mind games you’re playing, guardian, but I’ve come too far to back down now. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be on my way.”

I turned back around and started to walk forward. The sense of dread and impending doom grew as I took the first step, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to get away from that being. But guardians aren’t known to just stand idly by while someone comes in and raids their treasure troves, and she was certainly no exception.

“You’re not excused!” the forest howled as the ground quaked.

I struggled to keep my balance as I looked around for the source of the earthquake. The next thing I knew she was standing in front of me, arms outstretched.

“Not unless you turn around and leave. That’s the only way to walk away from me, somebody.”

Irritated, I reached out to push her aside, but she was a little faster than I. A freezing cold hand wrapped around my wrist and sent what felt like ice up my veins. Everything was so cold, and so numb. I felt my strength all leave me as pain took it’s place. Soon, I was on the ground and the little girl was leaning above me.

“You wanted to be the best. Now look at you. It’s going to kill you,” she whispered into my ear.

The tingling feeling of paralysis held me in place, though I violently wished I could unsheathe my sword.

“It’s going to hunt you down and kill you. Your end is coming. Even if you should leave, somebody, you’ve sealed your own fate.”

Then, she was gone. Just like that. The feeling of dread, of being watched, it was all gone. Except I couldn’t move and I felt the cold spreading throughout my body. I struggled at first, but of course nothing move. Over time, I got some feeling back and was even able to push myself up a tiny bit. But the hours were so slow in passing that I caught myself wondering if time was moving at all. I leaned back against the ground, knocking my head on the cold stone.

It was pointless. It was so pointless.... Trying to fight the paralysis, trying to escape, wasting all that time talking to some strange girl, even coming here. I was going to die, and there would be no point to it. The ultimate tragedy.

I was always terrible at goodbyes. I had a tendency to avoid them, if at all possible, and other times gave a simple wave and ignored the probability I would never see them again.

As I found myself alone, struggling to make my body to move, I wished I had been able to say goodbye. If only to my best friend, who warned me not to go.

Then, I fell asleep, letting the cold consume me. But that was not quite the end of my tale.

The mid afternoon sun filtered it’s way through the sheer curtains to fall upon my face. My eyes slowly blinked themselves to awareness as sleep let go. I wasn’t dead. I wasn’t even in the forest anymore. I seemed to be at my best friend’s cottage, laid out in the guest room. The scent of herbs and incense filled the air as I looked around in a daze.

A dream?

I was not that lucky, though. A chill rose in my blood and pain began to fill my senses. While I could move, it was stiff and agonizing.

My friend popped their head into the room.

“How are you doing?”

The bitter pain of the curse settling into my bones clenched once more, pulling a gasp from my throat.

“Oh, you know, like I’m dying.”

They crossed the room and settled into one of the chairs next to the bed.

“By rights, you should be dead. You can be a real idiot sometimes, you know that? I can’t believe you went out of your way to provoke the creature of those woods.”

“I am shocked and appalled that you would believe for even one second that I would do that.”

“Are you though?”

“Not really. How’d I get here, anyways?”

“I went looking for you and found you laying face down in the grass beside the path. But you wouldn’t wake up so I drug you here and got the healers, who got the priests, who got the mage, who is sending a letter to the wizard’s guild.”

I let out a low whistle.

“Damn, sounds like you’ve had all kinds of interesting company while I was out cold. Why do you always meet the interesting people while I’m gone?”

They laughed, but it trailed off into a grim expression.

“I’m afraid that you’ve had your last adventure, friend. The priests and mages don’t even know where to begin tackling the curse that you ended up getting. What did you find anyways?”

“Some... weird girl.”

“Some weird girl doesn’t tell me a lot.”

“She’s the Keeper of Forbidden Artifacts, and to be fair, she did warn me before she decided to kill me.”

“Kill you?!” they jumped up out of the chair.

“The curse.”

“The hells she will!”

And before I could stop them, they ran off, like they were going to get mother again. Only, mother wasn’t here to save me this time. No one was. I was doomed to a slow death, feeling my energy be stripped away day by day while others have adventures of a lifetime.

So I pen down this tale as warning: Do not enter the mist-filled forest, for it is no place for mortals.

The very slim chance of success, if it should exist at all, is simply not worth the cost of desire: a constant pain and chill that will slowly devour you and steal away your life while you fear the impending end that forever sits at your bedside waiting for you to finish withering away into an empty husk. Abandon ambitions of recovering lost treasures forged by over-ambitious wizards and find a more worthy quest to pursue.

Taglist, feel free to ask to be added/removed at any time:

@nemowritesstuff, @likelyfantasywriterspsychic, @dawnoftheagez, @orphicodysseywrites, @hannahs-creations, @writer-candy, @kaylewiswrites, @ravenpuffwriter, @tenacious-scripturient, @ofinkblotsandscript, @mischiefiswritten , @kespada, @asterannie, @silvertalonwriteblr, @inspiring-prompts, @greenwood-writes, @wemitodd, @elkatheinkstained, @n1ghtcrwler, @writingiswilde, @say-no-to-negativity, @wordshavings

#fiction #fantasy #dark fantasy #original story #My writing #writeblr #a story by Ren

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inviouswriting · 4 years ago

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Forgiveness

I have three more installments for the Kivera AU. Then I’ll bring that side story to an end.

Kivera and Ardbert. So mentions of the polyship.

Characters mentioned.

Meeps/Fae - @meepsthemiqo

Shuri - @maiden-born-in-snow

Ardbert had thought he had ruined his chances with her, he had said things which were not easily forgiven. When Divinity approached him, telling him Kivera wants to finally see him. He was surprised she would give him the time of day, after her cold shoulder treatment the pass few weeks.

Ardbert was told a location to go, on the outskirts of a Gridania, a secluded spot, perfect for a creature of the night. When he sees Kivera sitting overlooking the water as it flowed. He is reminded of how lucky he was, she is someone who could have killed him without a second thought. She commands respect and rightfully so, he felt her power run through him. Had she intended to kill him, he would not be there.

Kivera has an ear turned towards him, she knows he is there, but hasn’t decided to look his way yet. The former warrior of light, sensed unease within her. Like they were just putting off another inevitable. She avoided him throughout her being in the house, anytime he would enter a room, she’d disappear without a second thought. Right now he feels his voice stuck in his throat, he starts with what he should say.

“I’m so-”

“Do not apologize.” Kivera’s voice is barely a hiss.

“You have nothing to apologize for, you merely defended the defenseless.” Kivera tucks her knees into herself, making herself smaller.

“Then let me apologize for my words. I said things that hurt. Divinity explained.” He hears her scoff under her breath.

“She is like me, she has been through as much as I have. I accept that apology. You were an idiot the moment you said them.” He sees a glare turned towards him.

“If you are ever careless with your tongue again. I will make sure to drag you to Hell myself.” Ardbert knew she was half serious, the tease in her voice hid her true intent.

“If I ever do, I’ll go willingly.” He sees her gaze soften, taking an invitation to approach her, there was a sensation in the air that kept him from being directly next to her. He took it as warning she did not want him that close yet.

“Cid, I handled him correct. He isn’t a fighter. So scaring him was easier. G’raha Tia, I handled him poorly. I could have done the same as Cid. Scare him without the grand display.” Kivera muses aloud, wanting to turn back the clock and redo that encounter. There were those of the Scion’s terrified of her now, they should be. They trespassed in her world.

“I owe you an apology myself, for my own careless words.” Kivera directs it to him.

“We were both fired up. Mine were worse. I took jabs like that many times from Scions and in The First.” Kivera raises her head to look at him now.

“What of Meeps in this?” He asks her, wanting to know if it was the miqo that set her on the path.

“Fae, is ruled be her grief, while Meeps just wants to forget it. What she did not understand when we spoke is, that worlds, The First’s G’raha Tia the Crystal Exarch is dead. Both he and Elidibus are dead. This world’s G’raha Tia, is not dead. His life is already set in motion, just the circumstances changed. The path that lead to his death is no longer the reality. There is no Zodiark, nor Hades and Elidibus to bring that impending doom and calamity.” Kivera rambles more than really talking, Ardbert understands it.

“Yet the Exarch’s memories are implanted into the current G’raha.” He adds to her ramblings.

“Of which he sacrificed the memories of his former self’s memories from there. It’s complicated, but the payment was the same. The memories that made no sense. Like which Hecate’s were taken so Kiya could exist without the chance of losing herself because of what was her former life in Amaurot.” Kivera folds her arms.

“In short, there was no need for the future that was set in motion, for their memories to stay the same.” Ardbert asks, he was confused.

“Like that, it’s why humans shouldn’t tread in the space of time and death. My rulership. Matters of the Underworld to make sure it flows smooth.” Ardbert understood that one. He had moved closer to her, and Kivera gets up to be in front of him. He sees her face is more solemn about something.

“I am about to show you, what I hid during the first showing. There are sides of me not meant for everyone. Shuri and Estinien accepted them. They both know and bore witness to these memories. I will warn you, if you should deny these, I will never open up to you again, and our relationship shall end here.” Ardbert is taken aback by her words, understanding that what she shares next will either mend or make them repulse each other further.

“I understand.” He says, and Kivera presses her forehead to his to show him the same memories she had shown Shuri. The direct torment in Hell she endured, how the former arc angel was dragged through mires, used in different ways, how she was blinded. Her betrayal of her zodiac circle as a lich puppet. Being made to attack them against her will. He could feel the flames that scorched her, reminding him of the flames that she had marked him with.

When she had finished sharing those memories, he wrapped his arms on her. He after all, shared something similar when he had attacked the other warrior of lights, had done the Ascian’s work to set Zodiark in motion.

“I accept these memories. To think you’d trust me with them.” Kivera feels vulnerable in it, and wants to run from him. He keeps her there, even as the prickle of lightning surges through her.

“I’ll keep them a secret too, and not use them on you.” He swears, and Kivera relaxes. The tension within her still there, but the start of them mending what could have easily ended their side of the relationship. He is reminded despite all her bravado and demeanors, this was a tormented soul.

“You are not undeserving of kindness. And what you cling to from Damien’s death, if you show this much to mine and Shuri. Don’t you think it is time you healed too?” Kivera for the first time is struck with his words more than when he spat venom in their fight. She had felt her chest tighten, if her heart was within her, she’d have felt it skip or drop.

“I’m not meant to..” She turns her head away, Ardbert keeps hold feeling her wanting to run away.

“Stay. You have said it yourself before, that those who let their hearts be ruled by sorrow and grief risk destruction. Isn’t that true for you too?” He feels her nails dig into his shoulders. He is the second person to say that to her.

“I...” It is her lost for words, she pulls back but Ardbert keeps her from running with a hand between her wings.

“You don’t have to torment yourself anymore. Look at all you have gained.” She shoves away from him, but he keeps her there.

“I can’t just forget my feelings..”

“So don’t. You can keep them and mourn while chasing what is given to you. Trust us a bit more.” Kivera feels her face heat up, then buries her face into his chest.

“I will try.” She murmurs and Ardbert runs a hand through her left wing, not feeling her recoil from that touch.

“Black wing.” Ardbert understands and touches on it instead.

“Divinity and Shuri are right. You have your cute moments.” This gets Kivera to snap her head up and shove him back. He is glared at through pink irises and a dusted face to match. She in turn runs away and he laughs seeing her embarrassed for a change.

“Well, I’m not about to let her get away now.” He chases after her.

Kivera reflects his words.

“May too, I deserve redemption then.”

#Kivera Siverstein #polyship with shuri #shuri fontaye #Kivera au

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lil-meow-meow-goes-rawr · 5 years ago

Text

Together

⚔︎ Previous Chapters: Trouble Brews, Illusions, Tragedy Strikes

⚔︎ Pairing: Jungkook x OC

⚔︎ Genre: Medieval Fantasy, Knight!Jungkook, Knight!Hoseok, Wizard!Yoongi, King!Namjoon, Prince!Taehyung, Prince!Jimin, Brothers!Yoonjin

⚔︎ Warnings: self-deprivation, self-blame, grieving, destruction

⚔︎ Rating: 13+

⚔︎ Synopsis: Finally reunited, the three unlikely friends make their back down the mountain in hopes of saving the kingdom from its impending doom

⚔︎ Word Count: 7.2K

⚔︎ A/N: This was meant to be a oneshot, yet here we are four chapters later. There is one chapter left. If anyone would like to be added to the tag list, leave a comment or send an ask and I’ll be happy to add you :)

⚔︎ Tag List: @ephemeralninon

⚔︎ Masterlist

A chill ran down my spine, though I doubted it was from the sharp night air. I had heard it. I know I had. Someone was there.

My breath caught in my throat as I strained to listen. It had been speaking. I was sure of it. The voice was frantic and unfiltered, spewing words I did not understand, yet it was there.

The voice came again.

I spun on my heels, searching the surrounding trees for a source to the noise. My ankle throbbed at the forced action, though I simply bit my lip against the pain. The ache was something I had quickly learned to disregard.

Still, there was nothing there. Perhaps I was imagining it all. Perhaps there had been no sound and the past several days of solitude were beginning to affect my head.

Blinking rapidly, I struggled to force my burning eyes to focus. Sleep was not a luxury I had been granted recently. Two days after the attack by the ogres, I woke to find Yoongi had disappeared. Left alone with a throbbing ankle and no idea how to navigate Blood Mountain, I was too afraid to sleep. Every tale that Taehyung had ever told, replayed in my head like a nightmare whenever I closed my eyes.

The reason behind Yoongi’s absence was clear. If I had been in his position, I would have disappeared long before he had. No one would want to be around the reason for their family’s death. Yet, if I had any inclination of not surviving Blood Mountain before, I was sure of it now.

Beating against my chest furiously, my heart raced as I forced my feet forward. The voice had returned. This time, I was sure I was not imagining it. Perhaps whoever was speaking would be able to help.

The chanting grew louder the further I ventured into the trees. The voice, I realized, was not one but many joined together. Their words slurred together, and the language was one I did not recognize.

It did not take long to find the source of the voices. I found them, nestled in a clearing, the ground torn away to create a trench in the earth. Uprooted trees lay tossed to the side, haphazardly thrown into a pile not far from the trench itself.

A strangled cry left my lips and I dropped to the ground once I caught sight of the creatures responsible. Spirits of all shapes and sizes manifested inside the trench. Most of them resembled people, though I saw a few animal-like creatures among them as well. These were the spirits which haunted the mountain. The people whose lives had been lost the night Blood Mountain earned its name. I fought to breathe as I looked down at the countless faces; knights, men, women and children, they were all there. Each frozen in the moments of their deaths. Torn clothes and charred faces did nothing to hide the anger rising among them.

In the center, a campfire burst to life followed by an excited uproar from the spirits.

They were dancing. Each of the spirits, though moving their bodies in different way, were all perfectly in sync.

Swallowing hard, I watched as they moved in tandem. Their heads swiveling in my direction, as if having been alerted to my presence.

“Oh no.”

One of the spirits stepped forward from the center of the group. His arm extended out in my direction.

The spirit looked familiar, though I did not understand how.

“The living,” the spirit’s voice rang out through the silent air, “one walks among us now.”

Cursing under my breath, I slipped away from the edge of the trench. How had they known I was there? It did not make sense, and yet, nothing on this mountain made sense. I had been a fool to follow the sounds of their chanting. If I had been but a bit wiser, I would have run the other direction, yet I had been hoping against all logic that I would find Yoongi among the voices. I was wrong.

“The living must be punished!” A cry rose up from amongst the crowd.

Cheering erupted in support of the statement.

I screamed when I felt a hand on my shoulder, another quickly slapping itself across my mouth to silence me.

Lips rested next to my ear and a quiet voice spoke, “You must truly be from the royal family. Only a royal could manage to make enemies quite as easily as you do.”

My eyes widened in shock as my head snapped around to find Yoongi kneeling beside me. “Where have you been? I have been looking everywhere for you!”

His eyes darkened. “I wanted to be alone.”

I froze, my own gaze dropping. Of course, he did. It had been a stupid question.

“Still, I could not simply leave you alone on Blood Mountain to fend for yourself. I have been following your movements to ensure your safety.”

Snapping my head up, I stared at him in shock, not sure whether to slap or hug him. Instead, I turned my attention back to the spirits who had begun to grow restless. “They know we’re here.”

“Spirits of the dead. The more powerful ones especially are incredibly perceptive. One should avoid crossing paths with them.”

I watched the wizard from the corner of my eye as he surveyed the scene below him. Something about him had changed. It did not take much for me to notice the spark in his eyes was gone. A part of him had died alongside his brother that day. Guilt weighed down on me like a crushing boulder. I was meant to be a leader for my people and yet all I seemed to be able to do was cause them pain.

“Quit staring. Did your mother not tell you it was an act of rudeness.”

I dropped my stare. “My apologies.”

Yoongi rolled his eyes. “We need to depart, before they begin searching for us.”

“There is no need.”

Yelping, I spun to find the same familiar spirit who had spoken earlier, standing directly behind us. Up close, I realized who he reminded me of. The sharp features, dark eyes and long nose; it was Hoseok. The spirit posed a scary resemblance to the knight.

Yoongi cursed under his breath. “We have not come looking for trouble. My friend simply became lost.”

“It does not matter to me how you wandered onto our sacred ground. All that matters, is that we now have two offerings, which is far better than only one.”

“Offerings?”

Yoongi shot me a cold stare, one that clearly told me to stay quiet.

In the bat of an eye, Yoongi and I were transported to the center of the crowd. Disoriented, I nearly fell into the wizard as I attempted to keep my feet beneath me.

Our arrival brought on an angry uproar. My breathing was jagged as I shifted my gaze among the many faces which sought revenge for the crimes committed against them.

“The crimes of those who spilled the blood of the innocent have long since cursed this mountain.” Hoseok’s look-a-like spirit shimmered into existence beside me. “Today, we shall right those wrongs and free ourselves from this prison! We have been granted not only a wizard whose magic will aid in our freedom, but a member of the royal family as well!”

Angry cries and jeering filled the air as the spirits began closing in around us. Though some spat their anger at Yoongi, most had their attention solely on me. For it was I who represented everything they despised. The royal family had been the cause of so many unfair deaths. Though I did not truly belong to the family, it appeared as though they did not care.

“How are we going to get out of this one?” I whispered to Yoongi who was standing limply beside me.

“Is there a reason to?”

I frowned. “Sorry?”

“Neither of us have anything to live for anymore. How long has it been since you left your kingdom to fight on their own? Do you truly think they have not lost the battle?”

I gawked at him, unsure of how to respond. “You aren’t suggesting-”

“It’s over, Emelyn. I fear it is time to give in.”

I froze. A part of me knew the wizard was right. It had been far too long. The battle would be long since over. There was no real need for me to continue on with this quest.

An all too familiar cry filled the air then, silencing the spirits and my own dark thoughts. Snapping my neck up, I peered into the dark sky. It couldn’t be, could it? Was he really here?

Yoongi turned to me as if in slow motion, shock written plainly across his face. “Was that…”

“A dragon?” An uncontrollable grin found its way onto my lips. “Perhaps it is not yet time to lose all hope.”

“Your friend,” Yoongi’s voice was quiet as his eyes grew wide in realization and his head fell back to search the night sky, “he’s here. The Phantom Knight.”

As if responding to his name, the dragon appeared overhead; its large wings covering nearly the entire expanse of the glade. Never once had I been so happy to see a creature that could very easily eat me for dinner.

The spirits were distracted, having turned to gawk at the massive creature in the sky. If Yoongi and I were looking for a chance to escape, this was it. Still, it would not be an easy task. We stood amongst a circle of angry spirits. Their attention may temporarily be on the dragon, but that would soon change if Yoongi and I were to take so much as a step in any direction. We had to try something though. It would be foolish to stand there and wait for fate to take the lead.

Grabbing the wizard’s hand, I brought my other hand up to my lips. He nodded in understanding yet gave me a questioning look, as if unsure of how I was going to get us out of the situation. I couldn’t answer him because I did not know myself. I was prepared to make it up as we went along.

Taking in a deep breath, I turned back toward the dragon. When he was almost directly overhead, I screamed. I screamed Jungkook’s name as loud as my voice would allow, pouring every inch of fear and desperation into it.

Yoongi yanked on my hand, attempting to draw my attention as I drew every eye in the glade to me.

As expected, I had also caught the attention of one very angry dragon. Its head shot down and its eyes locked on me. A gleam of recognition flashed across its eyes and I knew Jungkook was still in there, somewhere.

“Are you insane?” Yoongi bit out through clenched teeth. “You are going to get us both killed.”

I smiled lightly and nodded toward the sky.

Yoongi frowned in confusion as his eyes slowly traveled upward. I looked up in time to see the dragon fold his wings and dive.

Chaos ensued with the impending attack. The flames of the fire expanded, reaching nearly halfway up the trees still standing. Intense heat washed over us as the spirits began to scatter.

Yoongi drew me into his arms, turning his back toward the dragon in order to shield me from the incoming attack.

Seconds later, the dragon’s massive talons wrapped securely around both our bodies, lifting us into the sky and away from the vengeful spirits.

Yoongi didn’t say a word the entire flight. I had no way of knowing where the dragon was taking us, and it seemed as though Yoongi believed our doom to be set. I was still wrapped tightly in the wizard’s arms as the dragon’s talons had kept us from moving. It was strange, being so close to someone and yet feeling as though they were a million miles away.

I yelped in surprise when the dragon suddenly dove for the ground only to land lightly without ever placing any harm on either me or Yoongi.

Once the dragon released us from its hold, Yoongi rolled us both out of the way before leaping to his feet to stand over me protectively. I raised an eyebrow at his actions. One moment it was as if he hated me wholeheartedly, and the next he was ready to protect me from a creature ten times his own size.

Getting to my own feet, I cringed at the pain in my ankle as I laid a gentle hand on Yoongi’s shoulder. “It’s alright. If he wanted to hurt us, he would have done so by now.”

Yoongi’s expression was conflicted as he turned toward me. He was torn between feeling ecstatic to be near a real dragon and angry at me for managing to get us both into this mess.

“Trust me.”

“Why should I?”

His words stung yet I knew he had every right to be angry with me. Before I could answer, the dragon let out a low rumble that drew both our attentions.

I was surprised to find it staring in my direction, its eyes glued to my ankle. Swallowing hard, I took a step back. Having not been able to understand the expression in the creature’s eyes, I assumed the worst.

“He senses your wound,” Yoongi said, his voice filled with an awe that subdued all his fear, “you should allow him to approach.”

“Now you are the one who seems to have gone insane.”

Yoongi sighed tiredly. “Tell me, Emelyn. What was the plan after having the dragon fly us away? Just how did you plan on getting us both out of the nest alive?”

I pursed my lips as I took a tentative step forward. He was right of course. My plan had not extended past escaping the spirits. I fear I did not possess the same skills of strategy that my brother did.

The dragon cocked its head as it watched me slowly limp forward, its eyes remaining fixed on the swollen ankle.

Yoongi released a slow breath as he watched in pure fascination. “A dragon’s first instinct has always been to heal.”

I froze when the creature craned its neck back to rub the tip of its nose against the back scales.

“Even now, when faced with a creature that is not truly dragon nor man, the same need remains. His intentions are not to devour us, but to heal you.”

I bit my lip, praying as hard as I could that the wizard was right.

Bringing its head back around, the dragon produced a low rumbling sound in the back of its throat as it approached my ankle, its nose now covered in the oil from beneath its scales.

Hesitating, I hobbled back a few steps, just out of reach.

Yoongi appeared beside me then, slowly leading me forward once more. “It is alright, Emelyn. I can assure you this creature means you no harm. He is only attempting to help.” He breathed a small laugh. “I dare say his powers of healing may even surpass my own.”

Slowly, the dragon’s head rose, turning to stare out the cave entrance.

Confused, I followed its line of sight. My breath hitched and I quickly turned back to the creature. Sunrise.

Yoongi made a strangled noise behind me as the dragon suddenly shifted form. Moments later, the form of a young man replaced that of the dragon. My heart pounded wildly against my chest as he lowered his gaze to meet my own.

“Jungkook,” I breathed, relief washing over me as I took in his ruffled appearance. He looked to be as tired as the rest of us yet did not appear at all injured. For that reason alone, I felt the tears begin to build.

He offered me a soft smile. “Hello, milady.”

I choked out a small laugh. “You’re alright? Nothing is broken?”

Jungkook made a show of checking himself over before shaking his head. “All is well.”

Without stopping to think on my actions, I rushed forward wrapping my arms securely around him, my head burrowing into his neck. Tears stung my eyes as I felt him return the embrace, his arms looping around my waist. A part of me had begun to believe that I would never see him again. Yet against all odds, we had found each other once more.

Yoongi cleared his throat awkwardly behind me. I felt my cheeks heat up as Jungkook and I sprang apart.

“I’m guessing this is Jungkook?” Yoongi asked with a knowing smile before reaching out to tap Jungkook on the nose where the oil still remained. “You may want to finish what you started. I do not know for how much longer Emelyn will survive without your help.”

Jungkook frowned in confusion, dropping his gaze to glance over my body. “Are you hurt?”

“You do not know?” Yoongi asked. “The dragon certainly seemed to.”

“The dragon can sense things I cannot as a human.” Hooking his finger under my chin, Jungkook forced me to meet his piercing stare. “Milady, where are you injured?”

“It is nothing you should be concerning yourself over.”

Yoongi sighed tiredly. “She has been bitten by a basilisk. I fear she may not live for more than a few days more if it is not treated. You are her only hope now, Jungkook. If we were to attempt the journey back to my own house for the remedy, it may be too late.” Looking between the both of us, a soft smile appeared on his lips. “I shall grant you both a moments peace, though I would advise you to hurry. If we are to return to the kingdom in time to save it, we must act quickly.”

I shot my head around in shock. “You are going to help us?”

“I never said I wouldn’t.” With a polite nod of his head, Yoongi quietly left.

Swallowing hard, I turned back to Jungkook who remained exactly where he had been, simply staring at me. Waiting.

After a moment of tense silence, he spoke just one word. “Where?”

Sighing, I motioned down toward my ankle.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Jungkook dropped to his knees. True to his nature, he silently asked for consent before rolling the edge of my dress up to view the wound. A sharp intake of breath was all I heard before he was helping me down onto the ground beside him so he could extend the ankle. He worked in silence, using the oils on his nose to spread across the wound. I bit my lip to keep from making a sound as he worked, fighting the urge to scream at the sensation of fire against my skin.

“Why do you so desperately avoid the help of others?” Jungkook asked, his focus remaining firmly on the wound. “Do you wish to die so badly?”

“My own troubles seemed to be so small in comparison to what was happening around me. There were other things which required my attention more than a snake bite.”

“A snake bite that may very well have taken your life.”

Dropping my head back, I took to studying the formations of the stones above me. “Answer me truthfully, do I have a reason to live on? People have died because of me. For what reason should I be allowed to live when their life was so cruelly stripped away?”

Jungkook’s hands stilled as I spoke. I did not want to look down for I feared the expression on his face. He most likely thought me a fool.

“Every life is precious.”

“Which is why one should strive to never take the life of another.”

“Was it your intention?”

“No,”

“Then you have every right to live.”

Shocked, I brought my head back down to find him staring at me, his eyes filled with a sorrow I could not begin to understand.

“Emelyn, life is cruel. It continuously throws us into situations we were not prepared for. Some things are simply beyond our control.”

Tears sprang to my eyes as I fought to steady my erratic heartbeat. “I have caused deaths on this mountain, Jungkook. No amount of reason will ever correct my mistakes.”

“Blood mountain is a dangerous place. The creatures here are even more so. Whatever happened, it was not your fault.”

“You weren’t there,” I spat at him as the tears finally broke through my defenses to cascade down my cheeks, “it was I who led the ogres to their door. I was the one they were trying to protect because I could not protect myself. Yoongi is now suffering because of me.”

Reaching up, Jungkook gently cupped my cheek, running his thumb across my skin to wipe the tears away. “Accepting a death is never easy, and it will take time for Yoongi to heal from this. However, he is not the only one who will need to heal. You too, Emelyn, will need to find your peace with it.”

“I do not know if I can.”

He smiled softly. “You will, someday. For now, you simply must not let it consume you. Focus on the task that must be done and allow the healing to take its time.”

I bit my lip to keep from shedding a tear, dropping my gaze down to my foot only to gasp when I saw it. “It already looks better.”

“Being part dragon does have its advantages.”

“As I said before,” Yoongi said, shuffling back inside the entrance, “a dragon’s power of healing is far greater than anything I could ever hope to achieve.”

Jungkook smiled sheepishly. “You are the wizard who practices dragon magic?”

Yoongi pursed his lips. “Yes, that is me.”

Getting to his feet, Jungkook bowed slightly to the elder. “Are you able to help?”

“I will see what I can do.”

Jungkook looked down to me, a large grin painted across his features.

I easily returned the smile as I slowly began moving my ankle in small circles. The pain was nearly gone, and I had regained most of the movement. It was still stiff, yet that seemed such a minor inconvenience to what had been.

“If you are finished healing Emelyn, I suggest we begin the process of healing you as well.”

Jungkook suddenly looked worried, shifting from one foot to the other. Frowning, I watched as he nervously fidgeted with his fingers.

“Jungkook?” I asked softly, pushing myself to my feet. “Is everything alright?”

“You do wish to be free of your curse, do you not?” Yoongi questioned.

Jungkook hesitated. “I cannot be completely free of it. Not yet. I only wish for you to return my ability to control myself during the day. If I am to help Emelyn regain her kingdom, then I will need the powers granted to me by this curse.”

A soft smile played on Yoongi’s lips. “You truly are the most noble of the knights. I shall grant your request and leave your powers to you. However, once the powers of the dragon begin to take control, they will not be stopped for long. This will be nothing more than a temporary solution. I will need to remove your curse completely one day soon, or it will take hold of you.”

“What would happen if the dragon were to take control?” I asked, knowing I would not like the answer the wizard gave.

“Ultimately, the mind of the dragon would overpower that of the man, removing any sense of humanity remaining. The kingdom will lose the Phantom Knight either way. It is up to you whether you allow the Moon Dragon to live on.”

Jungkook set his jaw, a look of determination settling in his eyes. “The dragon must not live to take any more lives. I will win this battle for our kingdom, then the Moon Dragon must perish.”

I sucked in a sharp breath. There was something about the way he said it, as if he were prepared to sacrifice his life in order to save the kingdom. I had allowed one too many deaths already. I would not allow Jungkook to die as well.

Yoongi smiled softly, his eyes holding a sorrow that seemed to cut me like a knife. “It is no wonder the kingdom feels so safe under your watchful eye. I have only known one other person who would be willing to sacrifice so much for another.” Closing his eyes, the wizard took a deep breath before quietly mumbling a string of words I could not understand.

My breath hitched as the air around Yoongi began to glow a soft green. For the first time since I had met him, the wizard seemed to be completely at peace. His expression softened, the words came to a stop and he sank to the floor. Yoongi’s eyes remained closed as he simply sat there.

“Do you think he’s alright?” I asked Jungkook, my voice barely a whisper.

Jungkook tilted his head slightly as he watched the wizard. “I do not know.”

“Should we check?”

Before Jungkook could answer, he let out a loud gasp and dropped to his knees.

A strangled cry sounded from the back of throat as I dropped to the ground beside him. “What happened? Are you alright?”

Jungkook nodded slowly. “I think so, I ju-” with another gasp, he shot his hands up to clutch at his chest, his expression darkening painfully.

Looking back to the wizard, I found him to be completely encased in the soft glow. His expression showed no sign of disturbance.

Beside me, Jungkook latched onto my arm as he sucked in a sharp breath. “The dragon,” he gasped, “it’s fighting against the magic.”

I reached forward to steady him but Jungkook slapped my hand away.

“Don’t. I do not know how the dragon will react any further. You must stay back, Emelyn. For your own safety.”

I blew out a frustrated breath as I sat back. I hated sitting idly by, unable to help. Despite his tranquil nature, beads of sweat began forming on Yoongi’s forehead. He may not have been showing it, but he was working hard to drive the dragon back. Every few minutes, Jungkook’s grip on his tunic tightened as he fought through the pain. Yoongi had warned us this may be a difficult process, yet neither of us had expected anything quite like this.

It was quiet and peaceful, the way Yoongi’s magic worked. A far different experience than Ryia’s magic. When Ryia performed magic, there were often vast displays of red sparks which danced around the subject. I had been able to hear the magic at work, yet that was nothing like Yoongi. The wizard worked in complete silence. Besides the soft glow, there was no indication that his magic was at work. Thinking back to the battle with the trolls and the time spent inside the tunnel, there had never been a moment in which his magic caused a display of any kind.

Both men collapsed to the ground, yanking me from my thoughts. The glow around Yoongi faded quickly as they both fought to catch their breath. I wanted to ask if they were alright, to demand they tell me what had just transpired between them, yet I could not find the words to do so.

Blood dripped from the corner of Yoongi’s mouth where he had bitten it accidentally from the fall. He sat up slowly, bringing a hand to his head as he glanced around, disoriented.

Jungkook remained unmoving. Worriedly, I shook his shoulder to gain his attention. When he did not wake, I turned to Yoongi as the panic began to grow. “What is going on? Why is he not waking up?”

Yoongi closed his eyes tightly for a moment before letting out a slow, deep breath. “The dragon inside of him is strong. It was not an easy feat to bring it down. Jungkook’s will is strong, but the battle he just waged inside his own mind has taken its toll. I do not believe he will wake soon. For now, it is best to let him rest.”

“And you? You do not look much better than he does.”

Yoongi forced a smile. “I will be alright. Dragon magic is a powerful force. When choosing to wield it, the witch or wizard is consciously choosing to act on something that may very well consume them.”

“Why would you risk your own life like that?”

“For this very reason,” he said, motioning toward the sleeping knight. “Had I not been able to help, the dragon would have destroyed him. Helping those around me, that is all I have ever striven to do.”

“I stand by what I said, you know, back at your home. You are good man, Yoongi.” He attempted to deny my words, but I quickly stopped him. “You are one of the kindest souls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Not many would live their lives with the sole purpose of helping others. You do not deserve the fate handed you and I fear I am very much to blame for that.” Dropping my gaze, I began fiddling with my fingers, the words tumbling out of my mouth faster than I could fully process them. “Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for what I did to you and your brother. I truly am sorry, Yoongi. If I had not shown up outside your door, Seokjin may very well be alive right now. I did not mean for it to happen, and yet I will never be able to fix my mistake. All I am able to do is apologize and hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me.”

It was silent for a moment. I began preparing myself for the inevitable accusations, yet what came instead surprised me even more.

“Why would I need to forgive you when you have done nothing wrong?”

Snapping my head up, I stared at him with wide eyes. Had I heard him correctly? There was not a hint of anger in his voice. Instead, it was filled with a compassion I did not deserve.

He smiled kindly and gently took my hand in his. “Those ogres had been lurking outside the house for days before you arrived. They knew where we were and yet I did not move our location because I felt as if we were meant to be there, waiting for something important. I now realize, that important event was meeting you. We may not always like what fate has chosen our paths to be, but we must be ready to face whatever comes. We are in the heart of Blood Mountain, Emelyn. What happens here is not often within our control.”

“You do not blame me for what happened?”

Shaking his head lightly, he squeezed my hand. “And neither should you. What happened was not your fault.”

“You seem so calm about it all,” I choked out through the tears which threatened to fall, “how do you do it?”

“I miss Seokjin more with every passing second. He was the last remaining family I had, but he was more than that as well. He was my brother as well as my friend and mentor. Seokjin formed me into the person I am now, yet as much as I miss him, I know I cannot undo the past. Seokjin is gone and no amount of mourning will bring him back.”

“It seems there is much I have yet to learn in this life. People, love and life; it is all but lost on me.”

“No one ever fully understands any of this. It is why we are here together. For alone, this life would swallow us whole.”

“How did you become so wise?”

He breathed a small laugh, gently pulling his hand back. “I am not so wise. Most of what I know, I have learned from my brother.”

“You are modest.”

“I only live by what I know, which is that most people live their lives, striving for selfish gains. They strive only to please themselves. Yet that is not how we are meant to live. We are meant to put others first, to meet the needs of the ones around us.” He nodded toward Jungkook with a soft smile. “If I had not agreed to help this young man, he would not have lived to help you in your endeavor of saving your kingdom. Helping one person can inadvertently help so many more people.”

I stared at the wizard, unsure of what to say. He may not have thought himself wise, yet I had never heard words so profound. I knew plenty of people who had lived their entire lives placing others before themselves. That was the way in which Namjoon ruled the kingdom, yet even he could not match the selflessness that Yoongi had just shown me. Jimin was next in line to rule. Still, if I were forced into a marriage with Taehyung, I would become queen and the responsibilities that came with it would fall on my shoulders. I had to wonder; would I be able to rule so wisely? So selfless and caring? Would I even be a good queen?

Watching Yoongi care for Jungkook now, a man he had only met a few minutes ago, I knew. If I were to ever become ruler, Yoongi was who I wanted to be.

Jungkook woke a few hours later, just before sunset. Together, we worked to gather some provisions. Yoongi insisted on making a quick dinner for us all.

Jungkook remained restless, his gaze constantly drifting to the entrance of the cave. I could hardly get him to eat anything.

When I mentioned it to Yoongi, the wizard chuckled lightly. Shuffling around the small fire, he knelt before the knight. “Did I fail to mention, you will have total control of your own mind even with the transformation tonight?”

Jungkook’s eyes grew wide.

With a small hum, Yoongi nodded. “It will only last for the night, so I suggest you make the most of it.”

“What do you suggest we do?”

“The castle is nearly a three days ride from here and we don’t have so much as a single horse. By foot, it will take far too long. The castle could lie in total ruin by the time we reached it. It seems a nearly impossible task for any man, yet-”

“-not for a dragon.” Jungkook finished.

A sly smile graced Yoongi’s lips. “Not for a dragon.”

Bouncing his shoulders, Jungkook clapped excitedly.

I laughed at his joyous response, having never seen him look so happy.

“Do not celebrate just yet,” Yoongi reprimanded, though a smile of his own was visible, “we have yet to save the kingdom.”

For the first time since I had met him, Jungkook regarded the horizon with a gleam of hope in his eyes. The dread of the setting sun no longer sent a wave of panic crashing over him. For just a moment, he had been set free.

Getting to his feet, Jungkook padded over to the opening of the cave, his eyes glued to the setting sun. The corner of Yoongi’s mouth twitched up knowingly as he busied himself putting out the fire and gathering our things. With a tilt of my head, I turned back to Jungkook. His shoulders lightly rising and falling with each breath as he watched the sun set. Both men felt so at ease, so why was it I felt so anxious?

Just as the sun disappeared behind the trees, Jungkook turned to me with a large, excited grin. With an excited nose scrunch, he transformed back into the dragon. Something felt different about this change. Looking closely, I let out a soft gasp. His eyes, they were still his own. Jungkook was in complete control.

“Did you not believe me?” Yoongi chided, stepping up beside me.

I gaped at him, unsure of what to say.

“Shall we?” Yoongi asked, offering me his arm which I took after a moment. “The sooner we leave, the sooner we shall reach the castle. I do believe it is time we saved your kingdom.”

What had taken several days to journey up the mountain, only took a few hours to return upon the dragon’s back. Jungkook took pleasure in diving occasionally, only to hear me scream as Yoongi and I clung to his back for dear life. If dragons could laugh, I knew he would have been.

As we drew closer, I drew in a sharp breath at the sheer amount of destruction that had been caused. The land had all but been destroyed. Fields had been burnt down; homes and the underlying villages had all been pillaged and ransacked. Any sign of life had been sucked dry from the land. King Merek had not simply attacked the kingdom, he had devised an entire siege. Namjoon’s panic toward the impending attack all those days before, suddenly made sense. I had been too naïve to see it, yet the King had known.

Guilt weighed down on me, crushing the air out of my lungs as I watched the dead land pass beneath me. It was for this reason that Namjoon had insisted on the marriage. I saw that now, and yet it was too late.

“Jungkook,” Yoongi hissed suddenly, leaning forward as if to shield himself from view, “perhaps it is best that we land. There are those whom we must not alert our presence.”

Glancing down, I caught sight of what he meant. A line of King Merek’s knights patrolled the perimeter of the castle’s grounds, preventing anyone from leaving. They were attempting to starve them out. A lengthy tactic, yet an affective one. It had already been nearly eight days. I knew the kitchens were not fully stocked when I had left. If I knew anything about Jimin or Namjoon, it was that they always placed their people’s needs before their own. The moment they sensed any real threat of a siege, they would have sent as many of their people to the castle grounds as possible. They would not last for long, feeding such a large mass of people without first finding food.

Jungkook landed lightly amongst the carnage of houses just outside the castle’s view, while remaining out of view from the knights as well. With a soft rumble from his throat, Jungkook folded his wings against his back once Yoongi and I were safely on the ground.

“Your kingdom has been laid to siege.” Yoongi said, as if it were not obvious enough.

My heart pounded against my chest as I stared up at my home. With any luck, Namjoon and Jimin would both be inside, unharmed. Nelly, Hoseok, Alyse; were they alright? How many lives had already been sacrificed for my kingdom? How many more deaths must I atone for?

Jungkook nudged me lightly with the tip of his snout, a low rumbling emanating from him as if to ask what was wrong.

“If I were to presume, I would say our dear Lady Emelyn is once again taking the blame upon herself for the wreckage caused in the battle.” Yoongi said softly, as if reading Jungkook’s thoughts.

“Would I be so wrong if I were?” I asked, tears clouding my vision as I stared up at the castle.

“You cannot continue to blame yourself for the action of others.”

“And yet I know it to be my fault. The reason this fighting began, is because I refused to marry the son of King Merek. Fear kept me from protecting my kingdom, and now it lies in ruin.”

“Fear of what, may I ask?”

“The engagement.”

Jungkook snorted and settled down in the grass, his legs tucking up beneath him, much like a cat.

“Why would you be afraid of an engagement?” Yoongi asked, throwing a curious glance at the dragon.

Taking a deep breath, I clenched my fists at my side as I fought back the tears. “It is a fear which comes from memories of my past engagement to the Prince of the Vriven Kingdom.”

Yoongi gasped, realization dawning. “You were the maiden they held as ransom. It was you the prince nearly killed that night.”

“If Jimin had not arrived when he did, I would not be standing here today.”

“Strictly speaking, you’re sitting.”

Rolling my eyes, a small smile crept up my lips. “It was because of my own selfish fears that my kingdom was compromised. If I had only agreed to King Merek’s proposal, the kingdoms would still be at peace.”

“Would they?”

I scoffed. “You sound far too much like Hoseok.”

“Think about it reasonably, Emelyn. King Merek has attempted attacks on the Kim Kingdom a great many times before. The only thing that made this attack successful was the absence of the Phantom Knight.”

Behind him, Jungkook blew out a frustrated breath of steam.

Yoongi spun him so fast, the dragon shot his head up in alarm. “You are not to start now. It is no more your fault than it is Emelyn’s.”

I knew what the wizard was trying to do, and I was grateful to him. He was right after-all and though I doubted the weight of guilt would simply lift off my shoulders, I decided to push it to the back of my mind for now. I would face it later when I had a bit more time to think things through. For now, we had to focus on saving the kingdom.

My eyes scanned the surrounding area as Yoongi continued to berate Jungkook for doing the exact thing I had been guilty of. Of course, I did not blame the knight. He had been unable to control the dragon. By not arriving to the battle, he saved the kingdom from any further destruction. For that I was indebted to him.

I froze when my gaze fell on an approaching figure. Through clenched teeth, I hissed at the others to be quiet. “We have visitors.”

Yoongi cursed under his breath as he nearly tackled me to the ground. “We cannot allow them to see us.”

“How do you propose we do that? It will be nearly impossible with a fully-grown dragon beside us. Why do we have a dragon with us?” He groaned.

My eyes grew wide, ideas forming so quickly I could hardly keep up. “We have a dragon with us.”

“I just said that. Were you not listening?”

“No, listen. We have a dragon.”

Yoongi glanced at Jungkook before shrugging lightly. “I do not understand. How is this a good thing for our current situation.”

“You and I need to get inside the castle. There are a few things we need if we are to defeat King Merek’s army. To do that, we will need a distraction and what better distraction than the Moon Dragon himself?”

A sly smile crept up Yoongi’s lips. “I take it you have a plan.”

#The Phantom Knight #bts jungkook au #medieval!jungkook au #jungkook au #jungkook angst #bts au fanfic #bts au #bts angst #bts fanfic #bts fanfiction #bts fic #bts fluff

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the-gory-gardner · 4 years ago

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Nightingale Part Four: Not Alone

(The Meeting Between A Huntsman And A Lonesome Kitten One Year Ago)

Jonathan West x Katrina Evans

For almost an hour the only sound filling the small cabin was the clicking of a keyboard. Jonathan sighed when he finally finished his piece for his blog along with sending emails to potentials clients. When he had sent the last email he’d starting browsing the local news websites to see if Katrina had been reported missing.

He knew she’d said her parents weren’t home but you’d think they’d call the house to check on her especially after a big snow storm. But the only interesting thing he found was a report on one Richard Wells a sex offender who’d skipped town. Jonathan knew it was the man from the night before he’d killed. He wondered if his body was still out there covered in snow and being chewed on by animals. Jonathan wondered given the man’s record if anyone one even care to find his killer if they discovered his body.

After a few more minutes online before finally closing his laptop. Just as he did a loud scream rung out from his bed room. Jonathan didn’t think at all simply reacting on autopiloting as he grabbed the closes things to him before running to the back of the cabin. What he found was no threat, just a small girl thrashing around on his bed trying to fight a danger that only she could see. Seeing there was nothing around to hurt him he sat down the object he’d grabbed- A wooden spoon, seriously ?- before heading towards the bed.

“Katrina, Katrina wake up”. Jonathan said in a whisper shout as he tried to get closer to her. He sat on the edge of his bed doing his best to avoid her flailing arms. “Katrina wake up, It’s okay wake up”. He stated this time managing to get ahold of her wrist just below her bandages. With that Katrina finally woke up her eyes shooting open. She sat up at neck breaking speed nearly knocking Jonathan off the bed as she barreled herself into his chest.

Jonathan of course was startled holding his hands up unsure of what he should do. He never thought he’d be in a situation where a very small traumatized girl was sobbing into his chest as her whole body shook, After a moment of hesitation he held his arms around Katrina. He wasn’t really holding her his arms slightly hovering above her. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry please I don’t want to be alone”. Jonathan found his chest hurting at the girl’s coked sobs.

Still hesitate Jonathan let his arms touch her as he began to rock slowly back and forth. Just like his mother use to do after nightmares when he was little. “Shush it’s okay Katrina I’m right here nothing going to get you”. He found himself saying as the girl began to shake a little less. After several minutes the only thing he heard were small sniffles and breaths. “Katrina you still with me”? He asked quietly wondering if she’d fallen back to sleep in his arms.

“Y-Yeah”. Katrina replied in a small voice. “I’m so-sorry fo-for cry-crying on y-you”. She said trying to pull away. Jonathan gave her a sad look as he kept his arms around her, the thought of removing them not even crossing his mind. “Your fine your scared your allowed to be scared”. He told her as she sniffled. Jonathan didn’t think much as he lifted his hands to wipe away the tear streaks under her wide brown eyes. “Come on I taken you probably don’t want to sleep”. He stated get a shake of the head from Katrina.

Jonathan got off the bed taking her small hand into his. Katrina took the fluffy white blanket off the bed wrapping around herself. With that he lead her back to the living sitting on the couch with her a seat away but still holding his hand. With his free hand he picked up the remote to the TV. “You got any preferences”? He asked her. “N-No not really”. She replied quietly. Jonathan nodded before flipping though the channels until he found something.

The choice ended up being some kid’s movie Jonathan could vaguely remember watching as a kid. They sat there for several minutes peeking at each other from the corner of their eyes more than actually watching TV. “Do you want to talk about the dream”? Jonathan finally asked. “It was just- I was just...alone”. Katrina said slowly. Jonathan was somewhat curious about that but didn’t pry not wanting to upset her farther. “Well your not alone here and while your here i’ll take care of you”. he said instead still not certain how to properly comfort someone.

“Why”? Katrina asked a look of confusion and sadness on her face. “Why what”? Jonathan asked confused himself by her question and expression. “Why are you taking care of me”? She asked. Jonathan furrowed his brows processing the questions. For a moment he remembered a much young him wondering why his mom was kind to him while his father hadn’t been. “Because-Because you don’t deserve what happened to you”. Jonathan answered. He wasn’t sure if that was why he was but they were the only words forming in his head right now.

Katrina looked down at her lap biting her lip her mind completely jumbled. She wasn’t sure if that was because she was sick or because of what had happened the night before. Suddenly she yawned again and felt her eyes getting heavy again. She guessed she underestimated just how tired the medicine would make her. “I don’t want to go back to sleep”. She mumbled scared she’d ‘wake up’ alone in the dark again with a feeling of impending doom settled in her chest.

“It’s alright I’ll stay with you this time, I’ll wake you if it looks like your having another nightmare”. Jonathan told her. Sleepily Katrina nodded as she lied down on the couch using Jonathan’s thigh as a pillow. Katrina’s mind was too tired to be shy about the closeness while Jonathan was too stunned to move. After a moment Jonathan placed one of his hands down sating it on her hair. He ran his hands lightly though her hair as he began to hum a small lullaby.

He could remember his mother humming the same one and how he’d never had another bad dream afterward. He hoped the lullaby would drive away Katrina’s as well. He didn’t know how long he stayed there stroking her hair but he had no urge to move the small weight of the sleeping girl comfortable in a way he couldn’t recall ever feeling before. Though it was a foreign feeling he didn’t mind it at all. Really he hoped that the feeling would remain even the tiniest bit after Katrina left.

#Jonathan West #Katrina Evans #The Huntsman #Slashersona #Slasher OC #Slasher Sona #Jonathan West x Katrina Evans

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starr-fall-knight-rise · 6 years ago

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Humans are Space Orcs “The Infection.”

Sorry this one is going to be a little longer than normal, but it is sort of relevant for the direction that I have decided to take. I am setting the groundwork for something pretty big, so I hope you can all enjoy. I hope to get out something a little smaller and easier the next one, so bare with me. Hope you like it.

He jolted upright frantically feeling around in the darkness for a light, anything, anything at all to stave off the feeling of dread. His frantic sweat-slicked fingers fumbled with the comm light on the wall before finally flicking on the interior bulbs bathing the room in a delicate blue glow. He sat up on the edge of the bed and took a long, shaky breath dropping his head into his hands. A soft whimper accompanied him, and he reached out with a hand to stroke the dog’s ears. Waffles sat on the bed beside him head lowered and cocked to the side making sure he was okay.

He couldn’t have been sure, maybe he was and maybe he wasn’t. His PTSD wasn’t so bad as it once had been, but every now and then, the dreams still plagued him. Though he could not remember the content he was still aware of the feelings of dread that had washed over him. An impending sense of doom. He took another deep breath and reached down to strap on his prosthetic. Perhaps a walk would calm him down, it was unlikely he would be getting to sleep again tonight.

***

Out in the hallway, the ships internal lights had been dimmed to simulate dusk in synchronicity with the circadian rhythms of the average human. The ship was still, despite the undoubted movement of the graveyard crew working to keep the ship through the night. He was unlikely to meet any of them at this hour as graveyard shift would consist of the operational minimum of crew members required to run the ship. As a class D-6 Battle Cruiser with a Warp Capable Alpha 1 engine the Harbinger required a two man bridge crew, five auxiliary and a twenty member team of engineers to operate…. A surprisingly low number truth be told as the crew numbers could level out well over 100.

By way of his late night wandering, he found himself down in the crew quarters….. He momentarily played with the idea of waking Sunny for the company against his still uneasy mind, but he quickly dismissed it. He couldn’t do that, perhaps he would find Krill, the Vrul had no need of sleep, though he wasn’t exactly psychologically supportive. Sure he would try to help, but he only knew what he read from textbooks, he wasn’t exactly intuitive. He sighed and backed himself against the wall. Waffles sat at his feet leaning her head against his human leg as he stared into space. Inside his stomach churned, butterflies rode up and down his throat, and he absently rocked from side to side trying to stave off the nervousness.

He tried to think of something else to distract himself from the fear. His thoughts crossing to the starborn Conn, so “lovingly’ known as convict. They had recently made efforts to bring him aboard the ship. The further they went out into unknown territory the more extreme and dangerous their work became, and despite Conn’s ability to survive in the most extreme of conditions, the vacuum of space, it was becoming increasingly dangerous, so the ingenious mechanics crew had rigged together a portable gravity field generator to fix the one problem that prohibited the starborn to enter the ship: the fact that his neck would likely snap and his own weight would crush his internal structures under the weight of gravity.

Someone had even managed to rig together a set of translation gloves, the kid that used to be used for translating sign language. It was relieving to know that soon he wouldn’t be the only one that Conn could incessantly annoy.

His stomach churned again, and with annoyance, he pushed himself away from the wall. Something felt so wrong, and of course deep down he knew that it was nothing, but that didn’t make the feeling any less real. WIth waffles at his heels, he continued his walk down the length of the ship staring up at the ceiling and just…. Thinking.

He turned a corner startled out of his revery as waffles began to growl. He turned to look at her with confusion and sudden worry. Waffles NEVER growled….. At least not on a silent ship in the dead of the night when there was nothing there.

They are here.

Commander Vir nearly leapt out of his skin spinning in a tight circle as the whispered voice seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once. Eyes moving wildly, his heart pounded in his chest, as he turned towards one of the dark service tunnels leading into the inner bowls of the ship, and there he saw it, ghostly white ribbons fluttering and scattering on a backdrop of darkness waving behind the skeletal white face and reflective black eyes. The starborn drifted from the darkness, his skeletal body so similar to a human but disproportionate enough to add an itching sense of horror.

“Get out of my head convict.” The commander snarled. The dog growled again, and he could hardly blame her.

They are here.

Commander Vir ventured forward a step as the starborn drifted a little closer hands floating out to either side of him, gloves unused. He looked... wrong …. Somehow.

You feel it too, you feel it too human, you can feel it You Can feel it YOU CAN FEEL IT.

Commander Vir grabbed at the sides of his head in a futile effort to fight against the raising volume. Beside him the dog began to bark frantically.

YOU CAN FEEL IT!

The starborn lurched forward from the darkness, and Commander Vir was just able to pull himself to the side as the starborn rushed past him. The dog stepped in front of him teeth pulled back in a rabid snarl. Commander Vir clutched his head as his mouth began to go dry.

Oh no.

“Commander!”

***

The frantic howling of the dog had woken members of the crew who had rushed to his help. Krill arrived at about the same time the others were subduing the starborn. The dryness in his mouth slowly retreated and he relaxed as Krill came to his aid. The starborn was carted off to the infirmary unresponsive and cattonic. He rocked slowly back and forth in the air mouth open making an unnerving dry gurgling sound from the depth of his throat. As all this was happening a member of the night crew called him up to the bridge, and he went with some amount of confusion.

“Status?” He wondered walking onto the bridge and taking a seat in the Captain’s chair.

The navigation operator turned in his seat, “Short range radar in picking up multiple signals, sir. Too small to be asteroids, way to small, but there are….. Well there must be hundreds of them, and they’re just floating there sir. We already tried exterior hull cameras, but we’ve got nothing. Whatever they are, we can’t see them.”

“Give me a size estimation lieutenant.” He said turning in his chair to monitor the rest of the bridge crew at their stations.

“No bigger than two meeters sir, probably less than that, but there are hundreds of them.”

Commander Vir tapped his chin for a long moment of thought before, “Prep a raptor, I’ll be down in five so we can get a closer look. Lieutenant, you have the chair.” With a swift turn, he twisted on his heels and made his way down to the docking bay.

***

By the time he reached Bay 1, the raptor was already in place. The bird was a rather clunky piece of equipment, but it had to be fitted with all the weapons and scientific equipment as one could argue was prudent. Commander Vir took a moment to suit up in one of the auxiliary rooms getting help from a crewmember to strap on the tight fitting space/flight suit, attached helmet, control enabled gloves, and vital monitoring systems that had become standard on the ship since Krill had arrived.

As he was strapping himself into the cockpit, he looked over to see Sunny and the other Drev running onto the floor alerted by the sudden commotion that had overtaken the ship. The cockpit sealed over him still allowing him a wide angled view of the bay doors before him. He reached up and pulled the straps into position about his body allowing them to auto auto adjust around his chest and arms.

He wrapped his hands around the ship’s controls and auto engaged the targeting, and navigations systems. Neon circles, vestors and numbers appeared on the inside of his visor as he powered up the engines spitting purple tinted blue fire from the two rear thrusters. The room cleared for his takeoff, and before he knew it, he shot off into the vacuum of space and it’s endless darkness. “Alright, lieutenant, load the location feed.” In response to his request, The screen in front of him lit up, highlighting what must have been at least 90 to 100 location vectors, but by his vision there didn’t seem to be anything there.

Granted this part of space was rather dark, thousands of miles from anything but an unusual formation of asteroid fields dominated by monolithic stones the size of small moons,. WIth one hand he toggled the acceleration and sped into the intervening space delicately avoiding the space debris with the delicate touch of a surgeon.

“I’m here lieutenant, but I don’t see anything.”

“How can you not captain, they….. Holy hell Commander, they’re all around you.”

“You mean the asteroids because yes, yes they are everywhere.”

We see you.

Commander Vir froze where he sat wrecking the rotating engines around with a quick burst to pull himself to a stop. Hiis heat began to pound in his chest, his mouth went dry.

“Commander, commander what’s wrong. You’re pulse just spiked, and your blood pressure just shot up, are you ok.” that was Krill this time, but he was to frozen to respond bogged down as he was in a cold sweat

We see you hiding in there….. In skin meat sack you call a body. The voice reverberated in his head seeming to rattle through his bones with the power of a speaker system with the base turned up all the way.

His lips quivered as he looked around following the slowly drifting location vectors, but still unable to see anything, “I…. I don’t know what your talking about…. I’m not h-hiding.”

“Commander, repeat that would you, we didn’t quite catch it.”

Come out of there Deus and face us in your true form.

A line of sweat trickled down his spine, “Now I don’t know who you’re talking to, or what you’re talking about.” His hands slowly tightened around the joysticks as his trigger finger inched towards the trigger on the forward guns.

LIES!

He cried out in pain at the volume as his eye lurched out of focus. His ship was jogged to the side, something thudded against the hull, once twice than three times. He lifted his head shaking his vision... and screamed.

The creature stared back at him twisted and skeletal with charred brown and black skin, horribly long spidery fingers and an open mouth with chattering twisting teeth. It lurched its head towards the glass causing a thud to burst through the cockpit. Behind it strings of charred black fanned backwards into darkness.

WIth a frantic burst born of instinct, he jarred the acceleration and then maneuvered reverse thrusters at the last moment. Throwing himself against the harness, and the creature off into blackness. But he could see it now, fingers clutching around the side of the cockpit….. Hundreds of them.

Come out Deus.

Come to us

Come with us

Face us

Coward

We see you.

His head was beginning to grow light, his mouth was as dry as sandpaper, he felt as if he was about to fall out of himself. He gritted his teeth against the feeling begging his body not to give in, not to be overwhelmed as the sudden burst of telepathic voices threatened to send him into a wild convulsions.

He rotated the joystick to the left and forward sending them spinning diagonally into the dark. Bodies flew past the cockpit’s windscreen, as the pressure cuffs in the pant legs of his suit contracted to restrict blood from pooling in his legs.

DEUS.

His vision was fading.

“COMMANDER, commander, come in what’s happening.”

“He’s going into convulsions.”

“Someone needs to help him NOW!”

“I can’t, something’s blocking our systems.”

HE couldn’t move thousands of hands obscured his vision climbing and rolling on his windscreen. Face and eyes, and charred skin.

Calm your mind human, and I will help you.

“Conn?” The commander muttered turning his head groggily inside the cockpit. Even as he did something seemed to flow around his consciousness beating back the hundreds of clamoring voices. Hurry, I cannot hold them back for long.

With a desperate jolt, he turned the raptor in another sharp series of spins careening over and around asteroids at one point slipping through a gap that left him only a foot or two to either side. Bodies flew in all directions. Hands grasped at the cockpit lit from the background by the light of distant, nebulae. He didn’t know where he was, didn’t know which was way up or which way was down, but he followed the vestors flying by instinct when those weren’t enough acutely aware of the war being fought around his mind.

Conn Vs a hundred.

He broke from the asteroid field rocketing towards the ship with wild abandon. Fingers still clasped at the corners of his vision. He only had one chance, “OPEN THE BAY DOORS!” He yelled into the com, “NOW NOW NOW.” Somewhere, someone must have heard him, and the doors opened just as the raptor passed through, upside down.

He rotated the thrusters and gave a powerful backwards burst which dropped them to the ground and had them skidding across the floor. His head rattled and his body jolted as sparks went up in front of his vision. He was jolted back and forth. His head rattled inside his helmet. The raptor spun once, twice on its head and then came to a halt. Lights flashed red through the cracked, but not shattered, cockpit screen. He could hear frantic voices. The wind screen screeched and cracked, and then opened. He couldn’t move, suspended upside down as he was groggy and disoriented.

“Hold him steady, easy, there we go, now pull him out.” The release catch snapped open and he slid into a set of waiting arms. Through his disorientation he recognized the blue carapace.

“What in the hell are those things!”

“SHIT.”

He turned his head slowly to the side looking past the trail of destruction he had left through the docking bay. Scattered along he floor, amidst the pieces of broken paneling were bodies. Charred and shrunken twitching and gurgling as they were slowly crushed to death by the weight of their own bodies.

“Lay him down. Someone help me get the helmet off.” A bright light was shown into his eyes and he squinted trying to push away whoever it was. Arms tightened around him.

“Stay Still Commander.”

“Bridge team to docking bay, bridge team to docking bay we have a problem. THEY’RE CRAWLING EVERYWHERE, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THEM!” The entire crew was awake now, he could hear them, the panic and confusion at what was going on.

He tried to swat away the light again “Tell them to turn on the exterior hull gravity.”

“Commander?”

“Just do it.”

Inside his head, he felt it as Conn gave way. The voices flooded into his head, and not moments later everything had gone black. Outside a jolt ran through the hull of the ship, and the clinging infected starborn were dragged downwards crushed and choking against their own weight. Conn stopped his frantic twisting, and commander Vir’s seizure subsided.

The GA was alerted immediately, and samples were taken of the recovered, and now quarantined, corpses.

Something was very, very wrong.

#humans are space orcs #humans are space australians #humans are space oddities #humans are weird #earth is a deathworld #Earth is space Ausralia

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