#been having nasty art block lately but I couldn’t get this image out of my head

[mr-snailman]

casey and alan discover the real cause of their problems XD

[darkpoisonouslove]

Winx Club Rewrite Is a Go

I don’t know how I ended up here because I’ve always maintained that rewrites aren’t my thing (and I still kinda do) because it feels a lot like reading the same thing over and over again and to me it can be annoying. Yet, here I am with my very own Winx Club rewrite.

I started writing the first episode today but I have A LOT planned out already. Seasons 1 and 3 are pretty solid already even if there is still a lot of character work to be done and logistics to be figured out. I also have some structure for seasons 2 and 4 and I figured out the backstory of the Wizards of the Black Circle yesterday and that gave me an indescribable feeling which is pretty much what I took as a sign that it’s time to talk about this project.

To explain what I am doing - I am taking everything and changing it while keeping it the same. If that doesn’t make sense, then imagine that I am keeping the major plot points and most of the episodes (I have removed some because they are just irrelevant) have the same starting and ending point as they do on the show but there are big changes between those. Seasons 5, 6 and - you’ll find out in a sec - are going to have a lot more changes. I have removed transformations and switched around some of the transformations so that they are earned at a different point than in canon. I have picked a place to end this already and I have arcs for each season.

Now when it comes to the seasons, I have removed season 7 which will be done as a “movie” and will have additional plot still because there really is THAT little to season 7. Season 8 becomes season 7 in my rewrite and is the last and final season. It is the end of Winx’ journey and I think it is a satisfying end to a pretty long story. I am keeping the movies but:

1) There will probably be “movies” after seasons 1 and 2 as well just to make the structure make sense and because I feel like there is enough to be talked about between the seasons.

2) SotLK is majorly different from canon because there was no sense to that movie and only plot holes instead. I’ve saved what was salvageable from it and mostly put it in season 3 to free the whole movie for more interesting and logical stuff to happen. The end goal is the same, though - bringing Marion and Oritel (and Domino) back.

3) Magical Adventure is the least changed but there will be several changes here as well. The plan is to make the movie relevant on a wider level than just to Winx and the Specialists but I still don’t have that clear a vision of it. Just some things that I want to see but need piecing together.

3) The “movie” after season 5 will deal with the season 7 plot instead. I have switched them around. There will be Kalshara and Griffin and Faragonda and some major Bloom drama as well. I need to make these pieces connect, too, but this one feels almost coherent at the current time.

4) Politea is saved for the last movie that is after season 6. You’ll see why. Anyway, major Daphne and Bloom feelings are planned for that movie... and I don’t know what else yet. We’ll see.

I am currently working on all of the seasons and all of the movies at once so it is a bit of a mess. I write down and rewrite ideas. Everything is one big map in my head that isn’t completely translatable to someone else. Anyway, you can find everything I have posted about this in the “wc rewrite” tag. You can ask me questions if you have them and I’ll see how much I’ll share while trying to resist the urge to spoil everything because I have been at this for about 5 months now and I have so many ideas that I adore and want to talk about. Despite that I have no idea how quickly I can work on it. This is bound to take years which was the hardest part of this project for me to reconcile with but I really want to do it. So let’s see how that goes.

I want to say that I am planning on doing one episode a chapter but because I have decided to both develop the characters and be self-indulgent, that will make the chapters long. I don’t think that they are devoid of tension or action, however, because this thing is packed with so much stuff happening. Here’s a little sneak peak from the first episode:

“Bloom, honey, wake up,“ Vanessa’s mellow voice reached her through the colorful explosion into which her dream was retreating.

“Just five more minutes, mom,” Bloom mumbled as she wormed her head under the pillow to block out the interruption. She reached for the fairy princess in her dream with hair of liquid light and a touch like sinking through the reflective surface of a mirror that showed none of Bloom’s own features to her. She’d lose not just the way but her own self if she let go of the figure in front of her.

“You’ll be late for school, sleepy head.”

The woman evaporated in a heap of steam with a nasty hissing sound that rattled Bloom’s bones as she jumped into bed. Vanessa’s apologetic smile came into focus to draw a groan out of Bloom’s parched throat as she threw her head back.

“Not funny, mom,” Bloom grabbed her fallen pillow from the floor and plopped herself back down on her mattress, eyes wide open as the image of the fairy burned in her mind. “I wanted to see where she’d lead me!”

“Who?” Vanessa sat down on the edge of the bed.

“The fairy from my dream,” Bloom covered her eyes with her free hand to narrow her focus to the woman. “I’ve seen her before, I just...” she threw the pillow next to her on the mattress. “I can’t remember where.”

“Well, I’m not surprised. You’ve read every book on fairies that you could get your hands on. It’s only natural that they’ve started blurring together,” Vanessa chuckled.

“Yeah, but it’s not that.” Bloom shot up once again, her vision spinning for a moment from the sudden action. “She’s not a character. She’s something... someone else.” She twisted a strand of hair around her finger looking for the warmth enveloping her at the presence of the mystery fairy. It couldn’t be the first time she’d dreamed about her but she couldn’t recall more than that. “Grandma always said that dreams are important.” Another reason not to let go of the fleeting imagery in her head.

“I’m pretty sure she meant the other kind of dreams,” Vanessa’s amusement was more of a ghost itself now that Bloom had mentioned the newest loss in their family. It was her who had to stay open and talk to Bloom about Mike’s mother when he froze every time the topic was brought up until Bloom could no longer bear to cause him that. “Did you finish your art project last night? I sure hope it was inspiration that kept you up so late and not the lack of it.”

Bloom beamed despite the deflection. “I did!” She jumped out of bed as her mom made space for her to launch herself at her desk where her masterpiece was covered by stray sheets to keep her parents from peeking without her there to see the reactions. Finals had really inserted themselves in all areas of her life–including dreams–to throw a wrench in her works. Finishing a drawing she’d been sitting on for over a month had let her breathe fresh air again. “Here it is.” She pulled two sheets from the pile. “This is the sketch I did during spring break.” She’d spent a whole day wandering Gardenia looking for the building to put her vision into. “And here is the one I’ve reimagined.”

Vanessa gasped, hands flying to her mouth as her eyes gleamed with unformed tears. Not unlike her response to Bloom’s first steps in art back when she’d been three but, somehow, her reactions had developed to match Bloom’s growing skillset without giving undue credit.

Bloom’s heart swelled in her chest with pride boosted by the trust she had in her mom. Her work was almost complete now that it’d accomplished the desired effect with one parent. She’d been in awe herself by the alterations she’d made to Earth architecture to make it elaborate and alien enough for a fantasy... something. She still couldn’t decide what format she wanted to create her world in. Comics were a handy option but a vision of an elusive deal for a TV show still reared its head every time she reached for a pencil and a blank sheet of paper. And there was, of course, the popularity of video games accompanied by her lack of skills or contacts when it came to coding. There was always one more step to the door of her fairy utopia but she had to focus on the art for now.

“I hope that keeping this up will be easier after school is done stifling my inspiration,” Bloom chewed on her lip as she waited for her mom to collect herself enough to give the verdict of whether a summer job was about to take over that function now.

“Uninspired? You?” Vanessa shook her head in disbelief. “Honey, you have the imagination to create worlds and I am sure that one day you will,” Vanessa reached out cautiously towards the museum Bloom had created for her fantasy world. Her fingers barely brushed the paper to leave no traces of their presence and the bittersweet look on her face was too much for Bloom to stand. Her art was not meant to be an untouchable monument. It was supposed to be a temple, a home. Maybe her yearning had come through too well.

[weirdmarioenemies]

Name: Whomp

Debut: Super Mario 64 

You know what I’ve been thinking about lately? Super Mario 64. Haven’t we all, really? Between all the recent datamines and general online discussion, I can’t help but wonder about Super Mario 64! 

Something I don’t think Mario 64 gets enough appreciation for, is being the birthplace of our beloved Whomps! At least, I certainly belove them. Don’t you? We’ve covered pretty much every “Thwomp” variant in the past, and sure, Whomps may be nowhere near the “obscure” side of enemies, but a splendid design is a good thing to appreciate anytime! 

Not only is this their debut, but they get a whole stage themed around them: the Whomp’s Fortress, if by “fortress” you mean a vague collection of scattered obstacles and platforms floating in the sky, like most 64 stages! That sure is a lot of... textures! My favorite part is the little paddling pool near the bottom.

And who could forget the Whomp in all their original polygonal glory? Clearly they just wanted to make an enemy who is just a rectangle with a texture on top, yet the design had all its charm even back then! The sunken eyes with glowing red pupils, the H-shaped mouth with the crooked teeth... it’s very cute, in an ugly way. And on the back, their weak spot is a crack with a bandage on top! Adorable!

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it- that’s why the Whomp has only really had a few subtle redesigns over the years! When they appeared in Mario 64 DS, they looked just a little bit nicer to look at. They were also in New Super Mario Bros. DS, using the same model- a 3D only enemy in a 2D game, how strange indeed! Their first appearance in a new mainline game in 10 whole years- and it probably just happened because they wanted to reuse assets.

Another redesign? Don’t mind if I do! The Whomp’s grand return to the third dimension happened in Mario Galaxy 2, really cementing them (hah) as a modern Mario classic. This time, they’re huge! And square-ish! And uh, their eyes aren’t wacky anymore. No longer having a band-aid, they instead have a big ground-pound symbol on their back now, which must be just awful, right? Can you imagine having a big logo emblazoned on your back which says “crush me with your butt here”?

This here is their artwork from Mario Party 9. It’s the same as the art from Galaxy 2, but their eyes are glowy now. I just thought this was funny.  But I’m getting ahead of myself here! Before I talk about Mario Party, I need to talk about...

Their monarch, the big bad Whomp King! He’s just... He’s just a big Whomp. He acts just like other Whomps, but he’s big and takes three hits. What’s totally memorable about this boss, though, is the villain monologue he gives before fighting! 

“It makes me so mad! We build your houses, your castles, we pave your roads, and still you walk all over us. Do you ever say thank you? No! Well, you're not going to wipe your feet on me. I think I'll crush you just for fun! Do you have a problem with that? Just try to pound me, wimp! Ha!” 

Uh oh! Looks like Mario’s world has a little problem with under-valuing essential workers! Good thing our world has nothing like that. Well, jokes aside, it’s a pretty cheeky nod at how the Whomps are made of stone- but one has to wonder much of this tragic backstory is serious! It must be a pretty nasty lot in life, huh? 

Don’t feel bad- in 64 DS and Mario Galaxy 2, the Whomp King got a snazzy new crown! At least someone appreciates him a bit!

Well, it wasn’t just him: Galaxy 2′s Throwback Galaxy was one big reimagining of Whomp’s Fortress, meaning this is probably the most Whomp-focused game released in the past decade. The music was remixed, the boss fight was revamped- all in all, a lovely throwback indeed!

And the Whomp has basically just... stuck around! You may have noticed the image at the top (from Super Mario Party) has a slightly different design, being a little more rectangular with smaller, thinner eyes and a more angular mouth! They definitely redesigned the Whomp again at some point, but I couldn’t tell you exactly when... Either way, I’m glad they’re here for good! 

Not that Whomps ever really went anywhere! In the years between Super Mario 64 and its remake, Whomps survived almost exclusively in Mario Party (and other spin-offs), functioning mainly as roadblocks that don’t allow the player to pass!

Which brings me to my final point- between their design and this function, the Whomp is most likely based on the mythological yōkai called... the Nurikabe! And since I’d love nothing more, I’ll now go into a long-winded tangent about what the Nurikabe is, and... Hey, wait!! Come back! It’ll be interesting, I swear! Don’t cut off the post! Hey-

Yeah, yeah. You’re all sick of my long-winded yōkai posts. But I’m happy you joined me here, even if it was out of pity. Let’s talk about the Nurikabe!

Look at this big guy! What a card! Nurikabe literally translates to plaster wall, and they take the form of a big invisible wall that blocks the way of travellers at night. Since they’re invisible, they naturally don’t have many illustrations- leave it to Shigeru Mizuki to depict them as a large, goofy-looking slab of stone! This Nurikabe joined the main cast of the GeGeGe no Kitaro manga, and thus quickly became a cornerstone (haha) of their popular depictions!

(To be fair, there does exist an old illustration of the Nurikabe as a strange, lumpy dog thing... but I’m not MUCH of a fan? I think a literal stone wall is so much more charming!)

Come on, look at this! What could be better? 

Ōkami has a rather lovely Nurikabe-looking guy! Though his design is splendid, if you’ve played Ōkami you likely remember him as “the extremely frustrating memory puzzle” or “the memory puzzle that is literally scientifically impossible for the human brain to solve”. Shame!

Yo-kai Watch has the Murikabe, a.k.a “Noway” in the English version! “Muri” means “no way”. So like, it’s a pun. Hoho.

Nioh’s Nurikabe is quite scary, but also rather cool! Don’t you think? I still know very little about Nioh, but whenever I look at its yōkai I think “Dang! That’s cool!”, and I’m right, and it is cool. 

The Super Sentai series has two whole Nurikabe monsters, each based on a different Nurikabe look! While the latter is quite cool, I’m in love with the former and its weird, grungy brick wall look! It’s like, the dictionary definition of Gnarly! Though I know very little about tokukatsu shows, I think its kind of fascinating how creative they can get with designing humanoid monsters suits!

You may be wondering: was this entire post just a thinly-veiled excuse for me to talk about the Nurikabe? And to that I say:

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmaybe....???

[gloriainalbis]

Strangers

Part 3 - Grand Illusion (S1E1+S1E2)

Nathan Young x Reader Words: 4k Warnings: Swearing, mentions of sex and nudity, drugs  Songs:  Too Much On My Mind - The Kinks I Won’t Hurt You - The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band

“Where are you going, I don't mind I've killed my world and I've killed my time”

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Masterlist | Ao3

--

    You’re just about done changing, closing your locker and stepping away to zip up the front of your jumpsuit and fix your hair. It’s just you, Nathan, Curtis, and Simon remaining when Nathan whistles and motions for everyone to huddle up. “So…” he begins seriously, an emotion one does not typically expect from Nathan. “If anyone asks what happened yesterday, we say nothin’, right? It’s just a completely normal day.” You nod in agreement as he looks at each of you in turn.     Having left the locker room, you are now all standing together to await whatever new probation worker was sent to replace Tony after his mysterious disappearance. You try to look as normal as possible, leaning casually against a pillar and definitely not making any sideways glances at your fellow young offenders. It‘s hard to resist the urge.

    A woman walks up to stand before you all, she looks to be about in her early thirties and is dressed simply but well. Her hair is dark, long, and some of it is pulled away from her face. She’s pretty, but by all accounts, a remarkably normal person. You assume she’s the new probation worker, and you’re right. “Gary and my colleague Tony have both been reported missing. Their families are very worried about them. Have you seen anything unusual? Anything at all?” Nathan raises his eyebrows and holds up a finger to catch her attention. “You saw something?” she asks. You desperately want to stop this. Nathan has just told you, moments ago, that you should act like nothing happened yesterday, and yet here he is. He probably isn’t going to tell her the truth, you can’t imagine him ratting everyone out like that, but you can’t imagine him saying anything that would make the situation better, either. “A few days ago…” Kelly shakes her head slightly, trying to get him to stop, and you try to catch his eye to send him a harrowing gaze, but he just barrels on. “I go into the toilets, Tony and Gary were in there. They’re butt naked.” You breathe a sigh of relief that luckily sounded remarkably close to exasperation, which is probably because it was. “Tony has Gary by his hair, like this, an’ he’s just doin’ him, doggy style!” He starts to thrust and grunt, and you put a hand to your cheek, half over your mouth to suppress your involuntary grin. What he’s doing was disgusting, but oddly entertaining. It’s like watching a trainwreck. “And Tony is like ‘Aaagh! Who’s your daddy? I’m your daddy, I’m Big Daddy!’” It’s vulgar, honestly. Nathan gets really into it, making crude motions and grunts, chanting, “Oh yeah, oh yeah, ooooh yeah!” before calling out “I’m daddy cool!” Tony would have presumably finished then, because Nathan stops thrusting to put his hands on his hips and return to his normal posture. “So I’m guessing they’ve ran away to continue their illicit homosexual affair. And I ask you, in this world of intolerance and prejudice, who are we, who are we to condemn them?” He’s on point with the social justice, but now is decidedly not the right time, place, or circumstances. The probation worker says nothing and just walks away. You reach out and shove Nathan. “What the everloving fuck was that?” He gasps indignantly. “I was just trying to act normal!” “If that’s your idea of normal, then there’s somethin’ seriously wrong in your head,” Kelly scolds. “I thought we already knew that,” Curtis agrees, earning a giggle from Alisha.     You all congregate on the roof, standing together, overlooking the lake and office buildings on its far side. Ah, the charming sights of Wertham, an army of identical fifteen-story grey blocks. Nathan takes a drag from his cigarette before smiling, “Well, I think we got away from it.” “Do you actually believe that, or are you just really dumb?” Curtis asks sarcastically, and you snicker. “I actually believe that!” Nathan insists. You had just laughed at him, but there’s something in Nathan’s earnest voice that makes you want to believe it, too. “I mean I was there, right? I should have one of these bullshit powers.” “You can have mine,’ Kelly gripes. “You want to hear what people are thinkin’ about you?” “Not so much, no. I want something good, you know? Something from the A-list.” “Maybe you can fly,” Simon offers quietly. Nathan’s face lights up. “He’s not going to be able to fly,” Alisha reasons. “Yeah, there’s always someone who can fly, check it out!” His confidence in this proposition seems inordinately inflated. “We don’t need you trying to jump off buildings like superman to test it,” you add, knowing full well that Nathan could and would. “Ah, I won’t!” He walks over to a nearby chair, far away from the roof’s ledge, and climbs up. “This has no chance of working, right?” You lean in to whisper to Kelly. “None,” she agrees. Nathan leaps into the air, raising his arms up hopefully, but he just falls to the ground like a sack of bricks, except with the addition of a nasty smack. “Ow! No, that’s not it,” he groans, picking himself up with a childish expression of annoyance on his face. “So what happens now? Is this it?” Curtis asks, turning to look at everyone. “Are we gonna be like this forever?” “What if we’re meant to be, like, superheroes?” Now, you really do want to include Simon more, he seems like a genuinely nice, if chronically shy, person, but his suggestions today are horribly lacking. “You lot, superheroes?” Nathan asks, sounding more jealous than anything. Kelly looked worryingly contemplative, and you’re bothered by how well the story seems to fit. “No offense, but in what kind of fucked up world would that be allowed to happen?” “This world is pretty fucked up,” you point out. “I did not sign up for that,” Alisha exclaims. “Superheroes!” Nathan continues with the thinly-veiled jealousy. “I love this guy, you prick!” “What if there’s loads of people like us all over town?” Kelly askes, and she has a point. It had been a pretty large storm, you couldn’t be the only people who had seen or experienced it, right? Are there other people going about their normal, daily lives discovering their powers right now? “No,” Nathan scoffs, cigarette smoke billowing from his nose. “That kind of thing only happens in America. This will fade away. I’m telling you, by this time next week, it’ll be back to the same old boring shit.” Needless to say, this would not prove to be at all true.     Your task that day is picking up litter, each of you are given a large plastic bag and trash grabber before being set loose on the city, to collect trash with reckless abandon! In reality, you probably won’t even stray far from the community center. As you follow along the edge of the lake, Nathan continues to complain about his lack of a cool new superhero ability. “And what? Because you’re all special and I’m not? Yeah, well I doubt it. You can think what you like, but I have a ‘superpower’” he uses air quotes and says the word in a comically high-pitched valley-girl voice. “I just need to find out what it is.” “Maybe you’re just super retarded!” Alisha proclaims, and a cursory glance at the rest of the group would tell you she isn’t the only one growing annoyed at him. “Maybe I’ve got a whole Spiderman vibe going on, you know?” he continues unabashed. “Maybe I can climb stuff and do spider shit.” “Yeah, cuz that makes perfect sense,” Curtis cuts in. “Why would you be able to climb stuff?” “I don’t know!” Nathan calls back. “How is it that you can turn back time, apparently? And weird kid can turn invisible?” He pokes Simon in the back of the head with his grabber. “It’s not like this whole situation is backed up by a wank-load of logic.”     Later in the morning, you’ve moved all the way from right outside the community center to a tunnel under a nearby bridge. It’s a disturbingly gross place, but its inordinate abundance of trash has led you there, calling to be picked up and sent away to landfill. Curtis peers curiously at something he’s picked up with his grabbers, some sort of melted hunk of plastic. But as he peers, he notices something tucked into a corner not that far away. Something that looks fleshy and pink and remarkably human. “What is that?” he asks, voice dripping with disgust. You scrunch up your nose and move in to get a closer look. “Oh, god…” you groan. It’s a human man, completely naked, lying face down on the pavement. You are suitably disgusted. “Is he breathin’?” Kelly asks. Alisha strides forward without much hesitation and pokes his bare ass with her grabber. “Hey, nude guy!” she calls. “You’re naked!” Your eyes widen and everyone, yourself included lets out cries of protest as he rolls over to reveal himself, full-frontal. It’s not a pretty sight. Simon snapps a photo, you’re not exactly sure why, but documentation seems to be his response to everything so far. “Good lord!” Curtis protests, turning away. “Oh my god!” Alisha laughs, finding it funny more than anything else. Kelly actually turns around completely to avoid seeing any more of it. Nathan’s jaw, however, drops. Realization spreads over both of their faces and Nathan points an accusatory finger at the naked man before crying out, “You?!” The man stands up as fast as he can and bolts, but Nathan is outraged. “Hey!” He tries running after the man, but it’s too late. “Do you want to tell us who that was?” Curtis questions through a chorus of laughter. “He’s my mum’s– He lives with my mum.” He eyes everyone defensively. Alisha chuckles before proclaiming matter-of-factly, “Your stepdad has got a massive cock.” You snicker, even though you don’t want to have to think about it much. It was quite a disturbing image, even more so now that you know he’s close to Nathan’s mum. But… it was true. “Jesus!” Nathan cries in objection. “And he’s not my stepdad, alright?” You hold up your arms in mock surrender, “I assure you, I’m completely ready to forget about that picture, it should be purged from my mind.” Alisha leans closer to you and Kelly, guffawing. “Did you see that thing? That was like monster big!” She locks eyes with Nathan and hisses as if in pain, lowering her voice suggestively. “Your mum will hurt.” “La, la, la! Shut up!” He closes his eyes and literally sticks his fingers in his ears to block out her nasty comments. “Why’s he naked?” Kelly asks, turning to Nathan for the answers he doesn’t have. He gapes, trying to piece it all together, but Alisha speaks up before he can be given the chance. “Well he’s obviously some kind of pervert. Or he’s gay.” You wince at the presumptive, nay, offensive comment, not exactly fond of how it perpetuates harmful stereotypes. Curtis scoffs at her remark, “That follows.” “Well, he was cruising for rough trade!” she explains indignantly. “They love that shit!” “Oh, a little light homophobia? Go for it!” You have to agree with Curtis’ sarcastic reply here for a multitude of reasons, one of which being because you highly doubt Natha’s stepdad is secretly gay. “Or he could be a rapist,” Kelly muses with far too much nonchalance. “There’s loads of ‘em ‘round here.” “Maybe he’s a werewolf,” Simon posits seriously. Everyone sort of sneers at the idea and Nathan certainly isn’t pleased, exclaiming, “Twat!” “It’s what happens in films,” Simon tries to elaborate, growing visibly more nervous by the second. “You turn into a werewolf, you kill someone, an’ then you wake up somewhere naked… Like a zoo.” “He’s not a werewolf, alright?” Nathan protests hotly, defensiveness creeping into the edges of his voice. With the recent storm and all these odd powers, it’s all too likely that Simon’s right, or at the very least eerily close. “This guy is such a pussy, he needs my mum to open jars for him. I’m sure if he was a werewolf, he’d be able to open a jar of peanut butter for himself!” “What happens if the storm messed him up?” Kelly interjects. “Yeah,” you add, agreeing with her not only because it does make some sense, but also because you really want to bother Nathan, “he’s probably only been a werewolf for two days.” “What do you mean probably?” Nathan proclaims. His growing look of disbelief is incredibly amusing. “Well, Alisha had a point…” You look away and raise your eyebrows to insinuate what you mean. “Oh, fuckin’ hell, y/n! You, of all people?” he gapes, and you try not to laugh at his expression. This is far more fun for you than it should be. “Thank you!” Alisha cries, feeling vindicated by your agreement. It isn’t fun to say, but she wasn’t wrong. “That’s bollocks, the storm didn’t do nothin’ to him,” Nathan insists, but it’s starting to sound more like he’s trying to convince himself than you. “What are the chances?” The question hangs uncomfortably in the air. No one answers, and Nathan ends up just rolling his eyes and scoffing before stalking off and getting back to work, picking up trash.     You take a quick shower at the community center before heading home, feeling pretty grimy from searching for and collecting trash all day. Toweling off and gathering your things, you wonder if Nathan’s still around. He walked home with you the past few days and you really did enjoy his company. You decide to take a cursory look around, running into Sally in the process. “Oh, y/n, why’re you still here?” She’d looked to be pretty nice, so you’re surprised by the scrutinizing and cold tone you can hear creeping up behind her words. “I decided to shower before heading home,” you explain, trying to keep your voice as level as possible to allay suspicion. “Have you seen Nathan around?” “Yeah, he was by some vending machines a few minutes ago,” she tells you. “Okay, thanks! Have a good one.” You give her a small wave as you turn down a nearby hall, wondering why her smile doesn’t feel genuine. After about five minutes of searching, you enter a large common area with a raised loft in one corner. It’s there you find Nathan, sitting on the floor with arms resting on the railing and legs dangling over the edge. He’s surprised to see you, suddenly sitting up straighter and adopting the expression of someone caught in a nefarious act. “Oh, Nathan! There you are.” You approach him on the ground below, looking up with a smile. “Y/n!” He looks pleased, but notably apprehensive. “I was just wonderin’ if you wanted to walk home with me?” you ask, growing increasingly suspicious. “Uuuuh, well, I don’t know...” It’s then that you notice the duffel bag and mattress behind him. “Wait, why do you have a mattress? And a bag?” You start to piece together a few pieces of this puzzle. “I’ve only known you for three days, I don’t think we really need to know the intimate details of each other’s personal lives,” he stalls, leaning back to push the bag out of your view. But you aren’t about to give up that easy. “Screw that, what about being bonded by our shared traumatic experience?” You thought you were becoming friends with Nathan and don’t want to give that up so soon. And besides, you feel like you’ve known everyone in your service group for far longer than three days. It’s probably the superpowers and experience of burying your probation worker and fellow young offender together, but you want it to be more than that. Nathan gives in, “Alright, fine, come on up.” He patts the space beside him and you grin, turning to walk up the stairs and join him. Once up there, you have a better view of things. Not only is there a mattress, but also a pillow and blanket, and his half-unzipped bag, which appears to be full of clothes. You sit down next to him, dangling your legs over the edge beside his own. You don’t speak, allowing him to open up when he wants to. A few tense moments pass. “My mum kicked me out after our first day of community service,” he finally admits in a small, defeated voice. “I’m sorry, that sucks,” you murmur in response. While you’ve never actually been kicked out, you always felt that it was just about to happen, and you’ve used up all your chances with your dad and stepmum, once you move out, you know you’ll never be able to live with them again. He nods, “It does. I’ve been sleeping here.” “That’s why you were sneaking out of here yesterday morning,” you realize. “Yeah,” he chuckles, remembering how you caught him climbing out of a window. Then you recall what Nathan said when Tony was taking everyone’s phones. “Is that also why you were expecting a call from your mum?” He nods wordlessly. “Well, did she?” “No,” he shakes his head bitterly. “She’s cut me out.” “That’s bullshit,” you counter. Nathan turns to look at you, perplexed. “She doesn’t know what she’s missing out on.” His face lights up in a worrying surge of confidence. “Yeah! I mean look at me,” he holds his arms up in a strongman pose and grunts while trying to flex. You cannot for the life of you tell if he’s being serious, but he looks absolutely ridiculous, so you burst out laughing. “I don’t know what you’re laughing at,” he continues, unphased. “It’s pathetic!” you wheeze between laughs. He almost snickers, half a chortle making it through his poker-faced veneer. “This’s one’s smasher,” he nods to his left bicep and you snort. “This one’s basher,” he nods to his right bicep. It’s redundant to say that you devolve into a fit of hysterical laughter. “And this one…” he points to his crotch and you shake your head, already wheezing, “is The Destroyer!” That absolutely does it in for you, and Nathan can’t hold it in any longer either, he breaks down laughing with you. After a while, the laughter dies down and you’re simply sitting beside one another in amiable silence. Nathan jumps to his feet and holds out a hand to help you up. “Come on, I’ll walk you home.” “But what about…” you motion to all his stuff, but take his hand anyways and stand up. “I’ll walk back later. Now that you’ve become acquainted with where I live, I’d like to see your humble abode.” He grins and begins to walk down the stairs to the room’s main level. “Alright, but beware, my stepmum’s a bitch,” you warn, following after him. “Well, have you ever found her butt naked in a dark alleyway and come to the sudden and disturbing realization that she has gorgeous tits?” You cringe at the thought, “Can’t say that I have.” Nathan is curiously silent for a few moments. “Does she, though? I’m curious,” he muses with a cheeky grin. “Nathan!” you gasp, punching him in the shoulder. “Ow! Point taken! Why do you keep punching me?” he curses, glaring at you with playful indignance. You smile to yourself, pleased. “Because you deserve it and someone has to.”     Together you walk to your house, entirely unsure and uneasy about what will happen next. You grow increasingly anxious as you approach your house. There isn’t really a nice side of Wertham, but your stepmom likes to think you live there anyways. She is wrong, suburban Wertham is just as grungy and seamy as the city itself, it just looks marginally more pleasant. Once you’re at the front door, you stop and turn to Nathan. “Okay, here’s the plan. We go in, we try to get upstairs as quickly as possible. If we see my stepmum, we stay civil and try to get away without offending her. Sound good?” You exhale a deep breath, unsure of whether you should be amping up or calming down. “Yeah, but why do we need a plan?” Nathan asks innocently. “You’ll see,” you explain, opening the door. You aren’t really sure what to expect, to be perfectly honest. Your stepmum barely even wants you there, so you never really push it by bringing home anyone else. In secondary school, the only people you had over were friends you’d made before she married your dad, and thus people she had no real control over your relationship with. But once she was in the picture, you suddenly preferred going over to other people’s houses rather than having them come to yours. Hopefully, things would be different now, with you being an at least semi-autonomous adult. But probably not. You lead Nathan inside the front hall, so far so good, and turn to go up the stairs when things go south. “Ah, ah, ah! Who’s this, y/n?” your stepmum stops you, rushing out from wherever she’d been to literally stand between you and the stairs. “Hullo!” Nathan perks up, smiling broadly and sticking out a hand. “I’m Nathan.” Ah, so when you said ‘civil,’ he’d heard ‘unnervingly polite.’ “He’s from community service,” you explain. She glances down at his hand with mild disgust, and so he drops it. “Well, I would appreciate it if you didn’t bring those people to his home,” she sneers with a fake smile. “I’m those people,” you point out. Talking back hadn’t been in the plan, but the plan was never going to work anyways. She casts a derisive glance between you and Nathan, “Evidently.” Your dad walks in, then, from the kitchen, holding a casserole between oven-mitted hands. “Oh, y/n! Are you gonna have dinner with the family?” his tone is cheerful, but the insinuation behind his words stings you. “No, I’m clearly not a part of this family,” you murmur, hoping someone will contradict you, but your dad just squirms and looks sort of uncomfortable. No one says anything, even Nathan remains gloriously silent. “Wow! Okay, so we’re going. Bye.” You grab Nathan’s hand and he lets you drag him away. Once outside, though, you drop it and stalk down the street, just trying to get away from your house. Tears prick at your eyes as you allow yourself to break down. It hurts. It hurts to not be included, even if you expected it. That woman had taken so much from you, had pushed you to become what you were and live the life you’d lived just because she expected it. There are people around you, of course, saying that you’re more than that, but when she looks at you like you’re nothing, you feel like nothing. Nathan follows after you, “Hey, y/n, where are we goin’?” “Away!” You call after him. He catches up to you soon after that, when you’re about a block away from your house, grabbing your arm to get you to stop. Neither of you say anything, but he sits down on the curb and motions for you to join him. You do. He puts his arm around your shoulder and you lean into him. He smells like cigarettes, bandaids, and sharpies, and you wonder why, but it distracts you, and so you revel in it. This is the closest you’ve ever been, and even though you’ve only known each other for three days now, you seem to fit perfectly there. Nathan leans his head in closer to you, “You know, if it makes you feel any better, she had really wack tits.” You laugh despite yourself, “It does, actually.” You smile and close your eyes, allowing yourself to become lost in the feeling of his arm around you and the smell of his clothes, which remind you of the community center and of him. You sit there for a few moments, in comfortable silence. “What’re you gonna do now?” he asks. “I’ll just sneak in through my window, the lock’s broken,” you murmur in a quiet voice. He nods but doesn’t move. Eventually, you say your goodbyes and sneak back into your respective living spaces, but for now, you remain in his arms. For now, you’re together.

[ironcaptainnataliabarnes]

Red Roses (A Harry Hook x Reader/OC)

A/N: Yall. This chapter is hella long. I hope you all enjoyed it!! If you see any mistakes at all please let me know so I can fix it pronto! This is such a fun story to write and I'm glad people are liking it! If you have any ideas or requests you would like me to add in future chapters, let me know! This is for you guys! <3 :)

Summary: Ruby Hearts, daughter of the infamous Queen of Hearts, was abandoned by her mother when she was young and forced to live with her father, the King of Hearts, in Auradon.  Harry Hook himself may be the only one who finds her madness enchanting. Will Ruby find her self falling for the rugged pirate, or will the roses bleed red?

Prologue / Chapter 1 / Chapter 2: The Pool of Tears

It only made perfect, logical sense that Uma, Gil, and Harry managed to weasel their way into every single one of Ruby's classes. Suddenly she wasn't a person made of stone hidden in the back of the class anymore. She had friends. Friends that legitimately either didn't care that she was mildly insane or refused to believe she was crazy at all. Surprisingly, Ruby found herself enjoying her newfound gang of friends.

At first, Ruby thought her little mind palace she enjoyed in Art 101 would be ultimately ruined, but she enjoyed teaching Uma and Harry how to paint and keeping Gil from drinking another bottle of paint. (He claimed the white paint was milk, and continued to drink it all until he got sick.) The boys had even joined the Tourney team, and even though Harry dissed the game everyday, Ruby knew he liked having a way to expel his own frustrations.

Ruby and Uma became close friends after they shared their mutual hatred of Mal. The purple haired girl had given a particularly nasty glare at Uma when Ruby asked if she had disliked Uma.

"Dislike?" Uma had scoffed. "That girl hates me. And trust me when I say the feeling is mutual."

"What happened between you two? Does it...is that why you were crying that day?"

Uma had nodded and told the story of how she earned the nickname Shrimpy from the daughter of Maleficent. The normally calm and collected pirate even broke down into tears, and Ruby had held her in the comfort of Uma's dorm room, consoling the girl like she had wanted to years ago.

But that had been weeks ago. Uma had now made Ruby an official part of her pirate crew, not considering the fact the majority of her crew was still on the Isle, but that didn't seem to bother Uma. The two girls were sitting on the bleachers, waiting for the Tourney game between Auradon Prep and Hogwarts High to start.  

"Goddd it's so hot," Uma complained, fanning herself with her hand.

"It's a good thing I told you to ditch all the leather. You'd be fried like a walrus in winter by now if you were still wearing it," Ruby replied, giggling at the thought of a walrus covered in snow.

Uma snorted, "Right. You'd think this place being full of magic, someone would come up with a way to fix the heat."

"Exactly," Ruby nodded in agreement. "This weather is not the best for tea time. Unless it's iced tea. But then it wouldn't really be tea at all would it?"

Uma made a confused yet amused face and jumped in surprise when Auradon's band began to play, trumpets and drums echoing across the field as the Tourney team ran out. The crowd began to cheer and clap, but of course Ruby and Uma were mainly cheering for Harry and Gil.

The game had gone by quickly, Auradon beating Hogwarts High to a pulp, winning 16-3. Of course it was only possible for Ben and Jay to score because Harry was basically mauling down every enemy in his way.

As Uma and Ruby stepped off the bleachers to go find Harry and Gil, they were stopped by Evie, ever present smile on her face.

"Hey!" She greeted cheerfully. "Sorry to bother you, but Ruby I was wondering if you were free Friday?"

"Next Friday?" Ruby cocked her head in question. What was Friday? It would be the 24th of the month then, the only thing she would be doing was-

The 24th.

Friday was Ruby's birthday.

She told only Evie of her dislike for her birthday last year. Why was she bringing it up? Did she tell anyone else?

"U-um, no I wasn't really planning anything I guess. Why?"

"Just checking! Toodaloo!" Evie skipped off, locking her elbow with Doug as the band walked back towards the school.

"What's Friday?" Uma asked Ruby, shaking the girl from her thoughts.

"Oh, nothing important." Ruby dismissed the question. It wasn't a lie.

Just then, Harry and Gil ran up, helmets off and sweating from the game. Ruby somewhat hated her mind for even thinking it, but she couldn't help but find Harry even more attractive after he finished a game. Something about how his muscles glistened, and his blue eyes seemed brighter with the rush of the game-

They were looking at her. Shoot. She had been ogling at Harry for what felt like ages that her mind blocked out any and all conversation around her.

"W-what?" Ruby asked, ignoring the way she felt her cheeks flush when Harry smirked slightly. It was as if the pirate could read her thoughts. How scary that would be.

"Uma just told us about the special Friday," Gil told her, still exuberant even after an exhausting game.

Ruby flashed Uma a glare. Clearly her dismissal of the day didn't work on the girl.

"Tell us, Heart," Ruby felt an involuntary shiver at Harry's given nickname for her. "Wha's so special about that particular Friday, hmm?"

"Honestly, you guys, it's nothing. 'A tea party with iced tea instead of tea tea' nothing," Ruby covered her nose in mock disgust. "Now you two need a serious shower. You smell worse than the freezing walrus."

Jay ran up to the group, having been talking to the coach, and gave a pat on the back to Gil. "Nice work, man! When you dodged that guy in the second half, dude that was epic!" he exclaimed.

"Dude, no way! When you spun off of Ben to make that shot, that was so incredible!" Gil jumped with excitement.

"We totally deserve a celebratory drink for that win. Whaddya say, man? You down?"

"Definitely, dude! I'll catch up with you guys later," Gil said before running off with Jay.

Harry scoffed, and ran a hand through his hair. "Hones'ly. 'S like I didn't just batter down half the enemy's team to win. I LIKE DRINKING TOO!" He yelled towards the boys, though they were already out of earshot.

Ruby giggled while Uma rolled her eyes at her first mate. "You can drink in the shower for all I care, you really smell like dog."

"Ughhh fineeee," Harry complained head thrown back in defeat as they walked back to the dormitories.

It was ritual by now for the gang to meet up in one of their dorm rooms at least once a week for no particular reason other than to be stupid in the confines of their own rooms. Ruby's curiosity had gotten the better of her, and she actually brought four iced teas for the group. Not a one of them enjoyed, especially Gil, who's knack of liking everything had its limits. Uma had the marvelous idea of sneaking into the kitchen, it was late after all and no one would be there. Needless to say, the school food storage needed to be replenished, and soon.

Thursday classes had come and gone, and Ruby's illusion of her vase of roses singing a sweet tune was broken by knocks at her door. She had expected Harry, of all people, but was quite surprised by Ben's form in her doorway. It had been a while since she and been had talked; ever since Uma and the boys showed up and Ben having to take on more kingly activities, there hadn't been much time for the two friends to hang out. Ruby instantly felt guilt at not having at least tried to find time to hang out with her first friend.

"Ben! Hey, what, uh, what can I do for ya?" Ruby asked, pushing down her guilt and putting a smile on her face. Her hair probably looked a mess, and her clothes were most definitely wrinkled, but she knew Ben really didn't care.

"Hey, Ruby. It's been a short while, hasn't it?" He greeted her back. He seemed kind of nervous, his hands wringing together in front of him.

Ruby's guilt instantly resurfaced. "Ben, I'm so sorry-"

"There's nothing to be sorry about, Ruby. I actually came to ask you something," He said, smiling at the shorter girl.

Ruby raised an eyebrow in question.

"I was wondering if you could paint something for me?" Ben asked her, hope in is voice.

"Oh, OH. Yeah, of course, sure!" Ruby paced back into her room excitedly, images already running through her head of what she could paint for Auradon's king. "What were you thinking? Because I've been having this idea of like a half beast thing that-"

"No actually, Ruby uh," Ben's eyes flicked towards Ruby hesitantly, as if he was scared of her. That's odd, Ruby thought.

"I was hoping you could paint Mal for me," Ben finished.

Ruby stopped her mind's ideas and stood frozen on her rug. She looked at Ben somewhat accusingly. "What."

"I know, I know," Ben said, arms out and moving to stand in front of Ruby. "I know you two don't really get along but I want to do something nice for her and she mentioned to me about how all the royalty here have their portraits hanging everywhere and I thought it would be nice if I could do that for her and well you're the best painter there is Ruby and I just-"

"Ben, oh my aces, calm down!" Ruby told him, effectively stopping Ben's rambling. She put a hand to her head. She did have a hatred for Mal, but Ben had tried hard to be Ruby's friend since she was first brought to Auradon. She couldn't just tell him no.

She sighed, "Okay. Okay, I'll do it. But I'm going to need a picture or something. I don't find myself gazing misty eyed at your girlfriend all that much, Mr Benjamin."

Ben had already turned to walk back out of Ruby's dorm. "No, it's okay I get it- wait, you'll do it?" Ruby nodded. "Oh, this is great! Here-" he pulled out his wallet and handed her a picture of said girlfriend. "Thank you so much Ruby. You really are the best."

Ben pulled her in for a hug as she answered with a smile. "No problem."

Friday morning Ruby rolled out of bed sluggishly, gasping when she saw the time. She dressed quickly in a simple red top with black jeans, and threw her long hair up in a pony tail before practically running to her first class. As her classes rolled on, she tried not to think about what shenanigans Evie was up to.

Ever since Ruby had moved to Auradon, her father saw her birthday as a spectacular event. He tried throwing her birthday parties, but of course no one would come. He tried taking her out for ice cream, but it was unbearably hot and the ice cream melted. Birthday's just weren't meant for Ruby. In her time on the Isle, birthdays were treated as every other day, nothing special in it whatsoever. She used to wake up hoping her mother would have something special for her, but Ruby was greeted with the same fear as always. Ruby was used to this, and never saw any importance in her birthday anyway. After all, it was just like every other unbirthday, wasn't it? In her first year at Auradon Prep, Evie had questioned her, claiming it odd a whole year had gone and she never celebrated on any single day. Of course, Evie found out the truth, but Ruby eventually convinced her to not make a big deal out of it, and made the blue haired girl promise to not tell a soul. "No one would want to come to a party for me anyway," Ruby had claimed. "They'll be too scared I'll go off with their tiny hatless heads."

Evidently, this year, Evie had different plans. And Ruby was slightly scared.

Ruby had barely been in her room for five minutes after classes were finished before Evie materialized at her door.

"You, my wonderful friend, are coming with me," the overly excited girl said.

Ruby blindly threw her bag on her bed as Evie grabbed her arm and tugged her along to Evie's dorm. Ruby marveled at the clothes along one of the walls; Evie's room was always filled with outfits she had designed, and they were always incredible.

"Any particular reason you dragged me to your fashion show of a room, E?" Ruby asked, feeling the silk of white skirt with black patterns.

"Yes, actually," Evie answered, grabbing Ruby by the shoulders and spinning her around.

The sight of the dress in front of Ruby made every coherent thought leave her brain.

She must have gasped, or made some sort of awestruck face because Evie smiled and wrapped an arm around Ruby's shoulders. "Do you like it?" the blue haired girl asked.

"Evie," Ruby started, taking slow steps toward the wonder of a ball gown and cautiously ran a hand over the intricate rose design on the front. "I honestly don't have the words. I think the Hare must have put some sort of drug in my tea today. I can't- Evie this is beautiful."

"Good. I'm glad you love it!" Evie clapped her hands excitedly. She walked to the back of the dress and unzipped it from the mannequin. "Now let's get it on you."

"Yes, let's- wait, what?" Ruby shook from her daze.

"Come on, no time to lose. Undress, Ruby!" Evie exclaimed.

Despite Ruby's confusion, she really wanted to wear the gorgeous dress. Maybe this was what Evie was planning. To make a gown for Ruby. Any thoughts about her birthday disappeared once Ruby saw herself in the dress.

Evie danced around her, making last minute adjustments while Ruby gaped at herself in the mirror. Evie stepped away, looking proud. "Give us a spin," she said.

Ruby lifted the sides of the dress slightly and twirled. The gown was light and it swirled around her legs as she came to a stop. Ruby couldn't help the huge smile on her face. "This is so amazing, Evie," she turned to her friend, "but what exactly is this for?"

Evie's eyes sparkled mischievously. "You'll see. Now come, sit."

Ruby did as told, and watched as Evie deftly pinned a braid to the crown of Ruby's hair and brushed the tangles out of the rest. It was when Evie placed a small crown inlaid with a heart-shaped ruby that Ruby became nervous. "Evie, really, what's going on?" she hated how her voice shook with the question.

"Put on these shoes, and let's go find out," Evie answered, handing Ruby a pair of dark red heels.

Ruby quickly slipped on the heels and tried not to trip as Evie rushed her out of the door. She led the girl to what was unmistakably the school's ball room. Ben was waiting outside the doors, dressed immaculately in a deep blue suit. Evie gave him a nod before disappearing, not before smiling widely at Ruby.

"Ben, maybe you'll give me some answers?" Ruby looked up at her friend, and saw the same glint she had seen in Evie's eyes. Ruby was hopeful, clearly Ben wouldn't keep her in the dark, would he? But her hope simmered as Ben kept his mouth loyally shut.

Suddenly, Fairy Godmother opened the doors. "It's time!"

Ben gave a bow to Ruby, gesturing towards the open doors with a hand, "Shall we?"

Ruby hooked her hand onto Ben's outstretched elbow, and he led her through the doors. Ruby put a hand to her mouth to stifle another gasp as they walked out to the top of the ballroom steps.

The filled room collectively yelled "Happy birthday!" upon seeing Ruby enter. She couldn't believe it. There were actual people here, for her.

"Ben, what-"

"Welcome, dear Ruby, to your birthday party," Ben bowed once more. Ruby caught sight of Uma, Gil and Harry at the bottom of the stairs, but her eyes found themselves stuck on Harry.

He was dressed like a gentleman but still looked ruggedly handsome with his black tousled hair and smudged eyeliner, his hook hanging from his belt loop. He winked at Ruby, shamelessly devouring how gorgeous she looked in her ball gown.

Ruby would have been stuck at the top of the stairs all day had Evie not once again materialized next to her, dressed in a beautiful blue gown. She grabbed Ruby's hand. "Come on, it's much more fun at the bottom of these stairs," she whispered to her. They made it to Uma and the boys on the ballroom floor, Evie leaving Ruby with a hug and a "Happy birthday, Ruby" before disappearing to find Doug. Ruby turned towards her gang of friends accusingly.

"Did you guys know?" She asked.

"Since las' week, Heart," Harry answered, ever present smirk on his face.

"Yeah, Evie told us the whole deal and had us outfits made. I honestly didn't think I'd look this good in a dress," Uma said. She was right. Her sea green dress was really alluring.

"This place is so amazing, there's tables full of food!" Gil exclaimed, charming in his suit.

"Guys, I-"

"It's okay, Ruby," Uma assured her, giving her a hug. "It's your first birthday party. Let's have some fun," she smiled and winked at her friend. Ruby hesitantly smiled back.

Suddenly trumpets blared as Ben appeared on the overhead balcony, Mal at his side.

"Thank you everyone for coming! As you all know, today is our very own Ruby Hearts' birthday! I think it's about time we get this party started!" He announced, earning cheers from the crowd.

Ruby just stared, silent and still shocked at the whole ordeal. Were these people really here for her?

"'S alright, Heart," Harry's unmistakable voice whispered behind her. His breath was hot on her ear as he spoke, "You deserve this, lass."

She turned around and saw a genuine smile playing at Harry's lips that somehow eased her own fear. She smiled broadly at the pirate. "Thank you, Harry," she whispered back.

"Whoooo!" Gil's cheer broke the moment, the boy jumped in and began dancing wildly to the music. Laughing, Ruby and Harry joined in, Uma reluctantly joining the sway.

The night flew by, song after song, the gang stayed dancing together the entire time. Ruby could tell it was late in the night, but no one at the party seemed to care. She felt a poke at her shoulder and turned to see Carlos, Jay, and Evie. She gave each of them a hug as they wished her happy birthday.

"Evie, you know I'm so thankful for this," Ruby started, as she waved to Carlos and Jay who were whisked away by the crowd. "But a whole ball?"

"You know I would only have the best for you," She answered, giving Ruby a smile. "Besides, it wasn't just my idea."

Ruby's curiosity was instantly piqued. "What do you mean?"

"Well, Ben and I might have let it slip to Uma and Harry about your birthday coming up and how we really wanted to do something for you and Harry came up with this marvelous idea to have a ball since you're technically a princess so Uma and her gang helped us set all this up and we invited literally the entire school and-"

"Whoa, whoa wait," Ruby interrupted her. "This was Harry's idea?"

Evie nodded right as a slow song started. She was pulled away by Doug but winked at Ruby when she noticed Harry showed up at the girl's side.

"Ruby," Harry greeted, dipping into a bow, amused look on his face. "Will ye do me the 'onor of dancin' with me?" He held out his hand for her to take.

Ruby knew her face was flushed. She was still processing how this was Harry's idea, and what did Evie say about him saying she was a princess? She didn't know if her brain would function enough to be so close to Harry Hook, gazing into his eyes as she danced with him to the slow tune-

Ruby blinked out of her daze. She could do this. Her hand met Harry's outstretched one and his smirk grew to a smile as he pulled her closer. Her breath hitched when his other hand came to her waist, and he immediately pulled her into the dance steps.

"Don't tell me Harry Hook's been taking dancing lessons, now?" Ruby questioned amusingly, fighting down her blush.

Harry spun Ruby with the waltz, pulling her closer so that she could feel his breath when he spoke. "'S almost like sword fighting, really."

A blur of blue captured Ruby's eye, and she craned her neck to peer behind Harry. Uma stood, watching the two dance and Ruby almost missed the wink she gave her. At the food table behind Uma, Ruby caught sight of Gil chugging down the entire punch bowl and Jay seemingly egging him on. She snorted and turned her gaze back to Harry, feeling bold.

"So, Mr. Hook," Ruby danced her fingers up Harry's arm. His jaw tensed ever so slightly. "What's this I hear about you planning this whole thing?"

Harry's ears immediately turned pink. "Well, er," he cleared his throat. "Uma an' Gil came up with the plan too, ye know."

Harry let go of Ruby's hand to come rest at her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck. The waltz was over by now, but neither seemed to notice or care. "How kind," she looked up at the pirate. "You know, this party is kind of for you too," she said.

"How so, Heart?"

"Well, it's my birthday, but that means it's also you're unbirthday! And really that's just as worthy as celebrating in my opinion." Ruby's tone was joking, but Harry's eyes were piercing as they held each other. He moved his head so that his mouth was next to Ruby's ear. Her arms tightened around him, fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.

"Ye've no idea how beautiful ye are, Ruby," Harry whispered, husky voice making a shiver course through Ruby's body. "All these other goons are jealous of my own little princess,"

Her breathing hitched, and she pulled her head back to peer at Harry's face. His eyes seemed filled with that same sensation Ruby felt but couldn't quite name. His striking blue eyes darted to her lips as his left hand cupped her face. Ruby was quite aware of the almost nonexistent space between them, of the erratic beating of both of their hearts. She whispered his name, not believing her eyes as the moment played out.

"UGH! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!" a girl's voice yelled, causing Ruby and Harry to jump apart. They shared a look and made their way to were the commotion was.

There was a circle around Uma and Mal, the former's dress covered in punch.

"You ran into me!" Mal yelled at Uma. "Maybe you should watch where you're going!"

"Look, I know time in Boradon has made you insane, but I would think you know how to walk," Uma snapped back, giving up at wiping off punch from her dress.

Mal scoffed. "If you're so uncomfortable here then you should have stayed in that sandbox where you belong!"

In the blink of an eye Uma pounced on Mal, snarling with her arms outstretched. A full on girl fight broke out, hair being pulled and dresses being torn. It lasted all of two seconds before Ben and Gil rushed in pulling the two girls apart. They continued to yell insults at each other, but all Ruby could see was the floor covered in ice. She watched as every step and stomp of feet caused it to move to the brink of shattering. Ruby had had enough.

"STOP IT! BOTH OF YOU!" She yelled, effectively surprising and silencing everyone in the room. "It's PUNCH! You're not dying and if you don't stop this petty little fight then the frozen floor with collapse and we'll all be eaten by the Jabborwock!"

"Just as insane as ever! You should have stayed with your crazy mother," Mal scoffed before marching out, Ben casting an apologetic look before running after her. Uma tried to apologize to Ruby, but she couldn't hear a thing over the cracking ice.

"Just-..no," was all Ruby could say before she too left the ballroom. She couldn't make it to her room before the tears came.

She fell down onto her bed, letting the water flow. She knew a party was a horrible idea. No one wanted to be there for her, they were there because it was just a party. Maybe Mal was right. Maybe she should have stayed on the Isle with her mother. Maybe she would have learned how to scare everyone away and build a wall around her heart, so maybe then she wouldn't be hurt as easily.

After what felt like ages, Ruby heard a knock at her door. She sniffled as whoever it was walked in and sat next to her on the bed.

"Tears don't belong on that pretty face, lass," Harry said, pulling Ruby up and wiping said tears from her face. She sniffled as he did so.

"I just don't understand, Harry."

"I know, Heart," he said, sad to see her so upset. "Some things are jus' too hard to understand."

Ruby nodded, her mind just registering her sore feet and legs.

"Oh! I, erm, I've got something for ye, Heart," Harry said, changing the mood of the conversation with just a singe sentence. He had something for her?

"What is it?" Ruby asked, rubbing an eye.

"Well, I've been wanting to give it back to ye for a while, but it jus' never seemed like the right moment," Harry told her, ears turning pink as he pulled out something from behind his back.

It was a little stuffed rabbit.

Ruby gasped, new tears forming at her eyes as she recognized her old toy, the one she had lost that fated day.

"Look at ye, getting all happy over a wee toy," Harry joked, happy to see the light in Ruby's eyes again.

"Harry Hook, you thief!" Ruby exclaimed, tackling the boy in a hug. He fell back on the bed, arms wrapping around Ruby's form.

They laid on the bed holding each other for a while, Harry's hand making mindless patterns on Ruby's scarred arm. Ruby had never been more happy than she was in his arms. What is happening? She thought.

"D'ye think they're mad?" Harry asked.

Ruby wasn't sure who exactly he was talking about. "They can't help it," she answered anyway. "We're all a bit mad here."

[fearofaherobrine]

Roleplay Server Log #259

"Sea Dragons, Liz Transformed, Mix Fix”

[Doc] Is rather unhappily working on the quartz floor of the shrine. It's raining outside one half of the building and it's blazing hot on the desert side. The air is full of fish and rot stink.

[Buff] Do you even know what it is?

[Basil] Loud noises outside-

[Doc] It's horrible and it stinks!

[Endrea] Pokes her head in- What is that rancid smell?

[Doc] Waves hir hands vaguely at the pile of rot - THIS.

[Buff] It's a thingie!

[Endrea] - I can see that...

[Doc] It's got these flat things that look like leafy stuff, but I know it's supposed to be an animal!

[Buff] Looks at Endrea - I don't think we've met before. - Sticks out a huge hand- I'm Buff!

[Endrea] Politely takes his hand- I am Endrea

[Buff] Shakes it- You're really pretty mis.

[Doc] Uses a lance to lift away a chunk of flesh - I think I found the head. Finally.

[Endrea] - Thank you.  Head, Doctor?

[Doc] Grabs something and drags it out a bit. It's a nasty looking skull with a long skinny snout and big empty eyesockets.

[Basil] Loud aggravated honking noise-

[Endrea] - I'm about ready to drag that thing out of the water and into the desert

[Doc] It's just hungry and angry. I'm working as fast as I can!

[Endrea] Grumbles- Doctor, do you mind if I stretch out into my larger form?

[Doc] Not at all. There's plenty of room even with this mess. Just try not to get any one you.

[Endrea] Shifts into her dragon form, shaking herself off a little before loafing-

[Buff] Is suprised-  Whoah! I didn't know you were a dragon! You're still lovely though. Very fit and sleek.

[Endrea] Hums out her thanks-

[Buff] Leans over Doc as they try to clean the skull a bit in a cauldron of boiling water - How come it doesn't have any feet?

[Doc] I don't know! It doesn't seem to have teeth either.

[Endrea] - It almost appears dragon like, but as far as I know dragons do not exist out there...

[Doc] Dammit, I'm gonna have to ask Lie. I need an irl expert. I hope she doesn't cuss me out for exposing her to this awful smell.

[Buff] I'll go get her! I feel like doing some running anyway!

[Doc] Knock yourself out man.

[Buff] Righty-O! - Is off like a shot.

[Doc] Stares after him.

[Endrea] - Well he's...  Energetic...

[Doc] He's a bit strange, but at least he's friendly and actually helpful.

[Endrea] Humms and then preens herself a little-

[Lie] Is trimming back the honesty blossoms a little-

[Buff] Comes racing up - Mis Lie!

[Lie] Yelps- Oh!  Buff, hello

[Buff] Doc needs you urgently!

[Lie] - Oh, um, okay?

[CP] Comes outside-

[Buff] Picks her up like a child and runs away with her-

[Lie] Yelps-

[CP] - YOU FUCKER BRING BACK MY WIFE!

[Buff] Someone to race! Catch me if you can! - Is almost to the spawn already-

[CP] Teleports after them with a growl-

[Buff] Makes it to the shrine and carries Lie inside-

[Lie] Immediately gags- Oh fucking hell what is that!?

[Buff] We're not sure. That's why we needed you! That was a good run. Cp's a slowpoke though.

[Doc] I didn't mean kidnap her!

[CP] Teleports in and goes to punch Buff-

[Buff] Grabs his approaching hand and shakes it vigoriously - Good race! You'll win next time I'm sure!

[CP] Sets said hand on fire-

[Lie] Slips out of Buff's grasp- So uh...  Why did you need me?

[Buff] Jerks his hand away - yow! Hot stuff.

[Doc] Because I'm trying to figure out what this is. It's something from the real world I've never seen before. It's got a long head like a dragon- gestures at the mostly clean skull - but all these plant bits attached to the skin, and I can't find any feet or flippers or anything.

[Lie] Frowns as she looks at it- I'm not sure...  I mean, the leafy parts kinda remind me of a much smaller animal...  But this is at least a hundred times bigger...

[Doc] This corpse was handed to me by a Leviathan. It could be a deepwater version of something normal.

[Lie] - Then maybe it's a freakishly large sea dragon?

[Doc] blinks- I though there were no dragons irl?!

[Endrea] - Sea dragon?

[Lie] - It's not an actual dragon, it's...  Hard to explain?  Here, I'll just give you a mental image...

[Doc] Stares - That's a real animal?! What the fuck?

[Endrea] - Are you certain that's not a plant?

[Buff] Looks like healthy eating for a big sea monster.

[Doc] No wonder I couldn't make heads or tails of it! It has a shell body?!

[Lie] - I think so?  I'm not positive though...  They're related to sea horses

[Doc] You have underwater horses?! I'm shocked you haven't bugged me to bring you some for your collection?!

[Lie] - Not actual horses Doc, they just kinda look like one- Gives another mental image

[Buff] Looks like a less fancy version of the weedy thing.

[Doc] Agreed. Are they big?

[Lie] - Not at all, they're actually quite small

[Doc] That's cute. And... I guess I can get rid of this stinky thing at least. The skull and one frond should be enough to work with.

[Buff] Shall I take it outside?

[Doc] Only if you'll bathe later.

[Buff] No problem! - Is already shoving the mass through the desert side door-

[CP] Considers locking Buff out-

[Doc] Cp, it's been a long time since you set something on fire besides yourself. Would you like to go incinerate it?

[CP] - Fuck yes- Goes outside ready to burn the corpse

[Buff] Rolls the mass down the hill and mops his brow before walking down himself-

[CP] Waits for Buff to get a bit closer before erupting it into flames-

[Buff] Skips backward and gets splattered a little as bits go flying- Whoah! That's one way to clean up! Good job Cp!

[CP] - I don't care what you think fucker

[Buff] Not now, but maybe someday you will. Making friends is an art!

[CP] Flips him off-

[Buff] Gives him a thumbs up-

[Liz] -Comes meandering with a sour face, nose scrunched unhappily-

[Buff] Waves - Hi Liz!

[Liz] Hhhhey!

[CP] Is just watching the flames-

[Liz] -Scoots around burning corpse to bump CP and Buff-

[Buff] Best not to do that! I've got a bit of a stink on, little one.

[Liz] Too late! Beside, not as bad as the burning version.

[Buff] Well, it will be gone soon. Cp's flames are pretty hot!

[CP] Cools down the flames to make it last longer-

[Liz] Good! Smells gross.

[Buff] Doesn't notice- And soon we're gonna have live ones! Big leafy water dragons!

[Liz] Are they gonna smell as gross as that one?

[Buff] Nope. Cause they'll be alive!

[Liz] That's good!

[Buff] And Basil won't cry anymore.

[Basil] Still making annoyed noises in the background-

[Liz] Basil? The thing Momma watched?

[Buff] Yeah, the big black sea monster that's filling up most of the bay. This is it's natural prey animal.

[CP] - So that's why Doc brought it back

[Buff] Someone named Levi gave it to hir!

[CP] - That would be the Leviathan...

[Buff] That's the one!

[CP] - What ever...

[Liz] -Nibbles on nails a bit before bouncing around and bumping head against CP gently-

[CP] - What is it?

[Buff] Excuse me for a moment- Wades into the little river

[Liz] Hi!

[Liz] -smiles up at CP-

[CP] - Do you want a treat?  I might have dragonwort on me...

[Buff] Remembers he has some wood in his inventory and tosess a few chunks on the fire before going back to washing himself-

[Liz] Nope!

[Liz] Just wanna say hi. *plop to sit beside CP

[CP] - Well then hello to you to, getting into mischief?

[Liz] Not really, Mom's been tired a lot so I try to not make too much... *glance back and forth

[Liz] But! I drew a picture for a thing and I... maaay... have made a small mess?

[CP] - Good job kiddo

[Liz] They say it's not good to do that.. But Meh!

[Liz] -scratches horn base- Skeee says I gotta be more... uh.. prime? and proper! Cos' I'm special. But I'm just a kid, so I dunno what he means. What have you been up to?

[CP] - Recovering, I was injured...

[Liz] ! By what? You're so strong! Can I fight whatever hurt you?

[CP] - The false NOTCH...

[Liz] -Head tilt- What?

[CP] - I have two NOTCH's, the one spawned for me, and the one that took over...  The one that took over not only managed to delete me, but delete Lie as well...

[Liz] Delete? Like.. Make go away? How! That's shitty. *pause, droop head and look around for parental units because shi used a bad word

[Liz] You should kill the bad one.

[CP] - We're trying

[Lie] Trying? Why not just do! Or is he like... Strong? Real strong?

[CP] - Very strong

[Liz] Oh! Huh... Stronger than you?

[CP] - Not for long

[Liz] That's good! Hard to believe anything stronger than you.

[CP] - Thanks kiddo, well, I'm going to check on my wife

[Liz] Alright!

[Doc] Just climbs into the lava fountain fully clothed and scrubs off - thank goodness. I feel like my sinuses were in full rebellion.

[TLOT] comes up from the kitchen hallway carrying the trunk. -Doc? I have what yo asked for.

[TLOT] Yeah. And it's a fucking command block in pieces.

[Doc] REALLY? Do you know what's on it?

[TLOT] Obviously a bit bummed- Deletion codes...

[Doc] Gets out too fast and spills a bit of lava on the floor- THAT BASTARD. We've got his ass now! There's no way that belonged to anyone else. How did we miss it before?

[TLOT] it was hidden in a wall with a booby trap that was set to blow up the house.... Stevie is not happy.

[Doc] Well.... At least he won't have any illusions now as to which side he should be on.

[TLOT] This is true.

[Doc] I'm taking this straight  to Dawn!

[Basil] Tremendous angry wail-

[Doc] Then we take care of Basil....

[Doc] sticks the trunk in hir inventory and shifts, crowding Endrea slightly - I'm not even closing the door! I'll be super quick!

[Liz] -Trots up to the shrine, poking head in-

[Doc] Liz arrives just in time to see doc in their dragon shape knock a hole in reality itself and go racing through the broken tv on the other side. The portal stays open, statick all around its edges and bits of sand blowing inside and pixellating on the floor of the shrine

[Liz] ... What? -Slink up to peek into portal head tilting and expression curious.-

[Endrea] Has come that direction- I wouldn't go through there Liz

[Liz] Why? Where's it go?

[Endrea] - The real world, someplace that will cause you pain at first

[Liz] Sounds like trash. Why's Doc going? *plop to sit, look up at Endrea

[Endrea] - Because they have business out there

[Lie] Comes up after convincing CP to finish burning the corpse-

[Liz] Oh. ... But doesn't it hurt Doc? Or does Doc go out a lot?

[Endrea] - The pain is only once, then it doesn't hurt anymore

[Lie] - Talking about going irl?

[Endrea] - Yes Mistress

[Liz] Oh! That's cool. Have you gone out? *tilt head up at Endrea

[Endrea] - Yes, many times

[Liz] That's cool!

[Endrea] - Perhaps when you're older

[Liz] I gotta wait for Doc to get back, I gotta drawin' to show em! So I can look like Momma. *nod nod a bit and pop drawing out of inventory to proudly present to Endrea

[Endrea] - That's a very nice drawing Liz

[Liz] I can do better when I'm bigger, probably... But it's good for now!

[Endrea] - Yes it is, and I'm sure you'll surprise Mix and Sky with it

[Liz] It'll.. Also make it easier to get around in the house. *sheepish look

[Liz] It's gotta make Momma feel better, right? She'll like it!

[Endrea] - Yes, that's why most of us also have human forms

[Lie] - Make her feel better?

[Liz] Momma's tired a lot and doesn't go walking with us anymore.  She went out the other day though!

[Lie] - She's really tired?  How long has she been feeling tired?

-Liz sets the picture down and counts on hir paws a bit- [Liz] ...Uhh.... -Gives up and shrugs a bit- A While?

[Lie] Frowns in concern- Well, maybe you should mention it to Doc

[Liz] I planned to! When I showed Doc my picture!

[Lie] - Good, that's what you should do for somebody they care about

[Liz] Not be a meanie like CP? Even if he means good under all that mean?

[Lie] - He's not always a meanie.  He's learning to be better all the time

[Liz] Yeah, but he's still a big meanie sometimes. Usually to people who are jus' trying to be nice!

[Lie] - It's because he doesn't know how to respond.  Nobody had been nice to him in a very, very long time

[Liz] Then he should try being like them! He's real nice to kids like me! He was gon' give me a treat!

[Lie] - He's good with kids because he raised his brother who used to be a kid

[Liz] Then why's he mean to him too? *head tilt

[Lie] - They were both tricked by a very mean NOTCH who made Stevie an adult and turned them against each other.  As soon as CP gained his eyes he went to Stevie to make sure he was okay, and Stevie had been tricked into thinking he was bad

[Liz] The Mean NOTCH that Cp talked about?  That sucks.

[Lie] - Yeah it does, he was a lot worse when he first came here

[Liz] Momma says he yelled a lot on her first day here. He was loud a lot, wasn't he?

[Lie] - Very much so, he also killed the others here a lot more

[Liz] Huh... *chew on claws a bit, lowering head thoughtfully

-There's a bit of bird noise as some gulls are scattered by the doctor returning-

[Doc] shoots back through the hole and seals it behind hir. Phasing artfully through my the huge glass window and sliding back inside and down between the eyes of the Herobrine in the stained glass. Xe thumps down on the floor with a cruel smile. - the deed will be done tonight. And all she wanted was the buttons from the block. So I can work on reversing the actual information

[TLOT] Good. I hope she kills the bastard.

[Liz] Doc's back! *bounce bounce up

[Lie] Shudders a little as she remembers what happened to her-

[Doc] Pats Liz with a paw- how are you doing kiddo?

[Liz] I'm good! Look look, I brought a picture so you can make me look like Momma! *dart back to pick picture up and present it to Doc

[Doc] holds it in hir claws- Aww. I can do this. But I have to take care of Basil first. Just stay here, okay?

[Liz] Alright! I got time, Momma'll be happy to see me all bipidal like her she'll feel better! *plop to sit

[Doc] Lie? Could you furnish me with some plants? Nothing specific, just lots of big leaves.

[Doc] Wait? Feel better? What's wrong with Mix?

[Lie] - Sure- She concentrates and creates leafy seaweed like leaves

[Doc] Sets up hir own command block and places the skull on it while waiting for Liz to answer hir-

[TLOT] Leaves?

[Buff] Comes back from the side passage in to watch-

[Liz] Momma's tired a lot now.  *chews on nails a slight bit

[Liz] Doesn't get up as much. She got out for the first time in a while the other day!

[Doc] That doesn't sound right, have her come see me for a checkup very soon, okay?

[Liz] I'll see if she'll get out of bed to. She just lays around... *pout

[Liz] Doesn't go for walks with us anymore.

[Doc] I'll walk you home when we're done then.

[Liz] -nod nod-

[CP] Comes back in- That things burnt to a crisp now!

[Liz] Good!

[CP] - Oh, you're still here

[Liz] Yep!

[CP] - Surprised one of your guardians hasn't come looking for you yet

[Liz] M a big kid! They don't gotta watch me!

[CP] - Are you sure?

[Liz]... Mostly. Skee could watch me, but he was reading so i didn't bother him....

[CP] - Did you at least let one of them know where you were going?

[Liz].... Yessss?

[CP] Gives her an "I don't believe you face"

[Liz] Kind of? I said it really fast while running up the stairs

[CP] Sighs- Oh joy...

[Liz] - sheepish grin-

[Doc] is listening while coding and adds a bunch of Lies foliage to the shape Xe's creating around the skull. The resulting thing is bigger then a horse, but easily manipulated in hir paws.

[Lie] - Wow, that thing really is huge...

[Liz] - scoots over to watch -

[TLOT] just let me know when it's my turn...

[Doc] I will, I will! I know this your area too.

[CP] - I thought you didn't like bringing large stuff to life TLOT?

[Liz] *blep

[TLOT] Only because I was afraid of getting in trouble. - he beams at them with pride in his friends- but since those close to my hearts slew the beast. I don't have to be afraid anymore.

[CP] Makes a gagging motion-

[Doc] We can't finish it in here anyway, it's a water creature. - Xe bundles up the creature into its codes and stuffs it in a spawn egg. It looks a bit like a creeper egg., all green and speckled

[Liz] - baps CPs knee with a paw - that's not nice! Smile!

[CP] - Smiling isn't my thing

[TLOT] Takes the egg gently and cuts his fingers on his teeth, painting it purple with blood and making it pulse softly-

[Liz] Then nod, or somethin!

[CP] Just pats Liz on the head-

[Liz] ya don't gotta be all scared and scary anymore! Ya got family. *nuzzle hand a bit

[CP] - It's part of my job to be scary

[Liz] Then be a nicer scary. Scary at the right people!

[Doc] He has a reputation to maintain Liz. Otherwise the other pastas will pick on him.

[TLOT] It's ready. You guys want to come outside and watch?

[Doc] You bet I do!

[Lie] - Sure

[Endrea] - It depends on which direction we're going

[TLOT] Heads up the short steps to the hallway below the signaling tower-

[Doc] Desert side Endrea.

[Endrea] - Then I will follow

[Doc] Just walks out through the wall and loafs where xe can see TLOT-

[Endrea] Steps outside and Lie follows her-

[Basil] Stirring in the pond, quiet for the moment-

[Liz] - trot out with to look at what's happening -

[Doc] Is entranced and hir eyes sparkle with wonder. - They're beautiful...

[Basil] Deep snuffling and a sudden thrashing as they try to turn around and get out of the bay without touching the lava falls.

[TLOT] Rolls the egg over in his hands and copies it several times. He holds it up and clicks it into the water again and again. The big weedy sea dragons spawn out in an arc and are visible for frozen moments as they plunge into the water and quickly swim away with their plantlike fronds twirling like fans in the clear water.

[TLOT] Leans out to see around the bridge better-

[Basil]  goes roaring after the dragons with his jaws wide-

[TLOT] Guess we better make lots of those...

[Doc] No shit...

[Lie] - Lets hope they can breed on their own...

[Doc] If they can't, we'll just spawn a bunch periodically. Maybe it's time I coded for something to be a natural spawn. I've never done that.

[Liz] pretty.....

[Deer] In chat- What did you just make?

[Doc] We finished ressurecting the thing I had the corpse of, my dearest. You'll love em! Part dragon, head like a horse and covered with pretty leaf things.

[Deer] - Sounds bizarre...

[Doc] I'll spawn some for you later. I think Basil will eat all of these in short order since they haven't had them in a while.

[Doc] At Liz - Your turn kiddo. Then we go check on Mix.

[TLOT] There's something wrong with Mix?

[Doc] Apparently.

[TLOT] Why can't we just tp her here?

[Buff] I can go get her!

[Doc] No you can't! She lives deep underwater!

[Buff] Pouts-

[Liz] My turn! My turn!

[Doc] Unfurls the drawing again and makes a quick table of woodblocks - I think.... hmmm,, obsidian and black wool.... Xe starts crushing and melting blocks into pixels and sits down on hir hanches to shape a person sized doll out of the mass.

[TLOT] You're getting much faster at doing that.

[Doc] Practice makes perfect.

[Doc] Whats this pointy thing on top Liz? Is it a sagital crest? Or do you just want a pointy purple hat?

[Liz] Hair! I didn't make the back but.. Its hair, like mommas!

[Doc] Pulls out some purple wool and starts fiddling with it. - Your moms puffs out and down though. It's short- Starts trying to arrange the hair on the doll without much luck.

[Liz] Well yeah, but my crest goes up! Maybe try something sturdy to keep it up?

[Liz] Or I could style it...

[Doc] A little slime would keep it up. Mine just stands because I have so much natural statick. - Xe starts rolling a little tail and paints some stripes on it.

[Liz]  Is that why? Huh. Cool! *cheerful smile

[Doc] Pinches up the stripes into purple bumps- Yeah, that's why it droops when my energy is low.

[TLOT] Spawns a few more sea dragons just to watch them leap and swim.

[Basil] Is barely visible on the horizon chasing one of the weedy sea dragons-

[Liz] Neat! -Leans in to watch Doc work, blepping slightly-

[Doc] Does some finishing touches and holds the limp body up like a doll- Does that look right to you?

[TLOT] Are you ready for Mix Doc?

[Doc] Just about, you should warn her first anyway.

[Liz] -Trot around to look at it- Hmmmm... Yeah!

[TLOT] Mentally to Mix - Doc wants to take a look at you. Are you busy, now-ish?

[Doc] Holds out the body- It'll vanish when you take it. That's normal. Just equipt it in the chest slot of your inventory.

[Mix] -In reply after a moment- Uh.... Give me a second to get some clothing on, then sure.

[Liz] -Takes body excitedly-

[TLOT] Waits-

[Doc] Go on Liz, try it out. Walking will take some practice, but you'll get the hang of it. This is a good place to practice. Falling on sand isn't too terrible.

[Liz] -Small pause before bam, humanoid kiddo!- Oooooo! *wobble onto butt and just, wiggle legs a bit experimentally, feeling everything with hir hands-

[Mix] Alright, now I'm ready.

[Doc] Puts hir tail fluff behind Liz to keep hir upright-

- /Tp Mixminer to HerobrineTheLordofTears/ -

[Doc] Now you can show your mom too.

[Mix] -Plops a little against TLOT, wobbling on her feet. She looks as tired as she probably feels. She looks like she threw the nearest shirt on, and it's probably Sky's as it's about 4 sizes too big for her tiny ass.-

[Liz] -Shakily gets to feet, although hir posture is highly based on bad balance. A tragic case of "Where did all my bodyweight go and how do I stand or do anything without it??".- Momma!

[Lie] Frowns a little in concern- Mix...

[Endrea] Goes to help Liz stand and find her balance-

[Mix] Hmm?

[Liz] This is neat..... *leaning on Endrea

[Doc] Is so concerned xe scoops up Mix in hir paws. - your colors are terrible! Everything so dull and gray and you, have a gem forming in your back?! Is that normal for your seed?! I know Nk has one...

[Lie] Spawns a few healing flowers-

[Mix] - startled, but now in Doc's paws - Uhh-- I... My brothers did... Notch's was gold though... *sleepy shrug, looking up at Doc

[Doc] is feeling over the gem, looking for any .exe files or hidden folders- it's a... Battery?

[TLOT] How interesting. It seems like so much associated with your home seed is crystal powered.

[Doc] Bites hir lip a little bit.- I know what you need but it's not gonna feel good at all. So my apologies in advance.

[TLOT] Do you need blood Doc?

[Doc] No actually what I need is- hir head swings around to face the big brine who is merely watching with a bored expression- Cp.

[CP] - What?

[Endrea] Is coaching Liz a little, having experience with not only herself but her three children as well-

[Mix] -Worried expression-

[Liz] -A very quick learner, Shi's walking, if a bit wobbly-

[Mix] Should I... Be worried?

[Endrea] - Good, your starting to get it now

[Liz] -Toddle toddle-

[Doc] No, I mean, it won't be fun. But I'm 96% sure it will work. Your crystal seems to have a good capacity for electrical load even though the stats are still forming.

[Mix] Oh-- You're gonna shock me aren't you? Oh--- This is gonna hurt.... *slight wiggle

[Doc] Cp remember that bolt you threw at me in the Nether? Hit me again. Aim for my tail so I can cushion the blow on Mix a little bit. It's gonna hurt me if that sweetens the pot for you.

[Mix] Ehhh.... ... If... If it makes me feel better...

[CP] Debates a little before summoning the lightning to his hand- Fine- He chucks it as hard as he can at Docs ass

[Doc] Hir teeth clamp too tightly shut to scream at the sheer voltage flowing through hir and xe crushes Mix painfully to hir chest trying to filter some of the raw power to avoid cooking the smaller creature. After several painful moments the power finds its level, leaving Mix full and Doc feeling like a burnt out light bulb. Xe topples slowly to one side and lets go of Mix- you... Fucker...

[CP] - That's my line

-Mix is mostly a ball of screaming pain throughout the voltage. She plops onto the ground and lays there for a second, staring ahead. The emerald in her back is glowing with frantic light.-

[Liz] Momma! Doc!

[Mix] -Slowly sits up, shivering a bit. Her colors are mostly back to normal, maybe even a bit brighter?- Woah---- Holy fuck. I.--- That's a lot of energy... -Slight rock in place-

[Endrea] - Shhh, see?  She's alright Liz

[Liz] -Baring teeth a bit only to relax as Mix is alright- Mom! -Does the scramble to her, it's an odd mix(haha) of motions, clearly trying to go fast like shi usually would, but it doesn't quite match up with the new body-

[Endrea] - Careful

[Lie] Is pinching the bridge of her nose and grumbling under her breath over her husbands behavior-

[Endrea] - Liz, try keeping your feet a bit farther apart

[Doc] softly- Lie...?

[TLOT] Also approaches out of concern-

[Lie] - Yes?- Moves a bit closer to them

[Doc] I'm offically tattling on your husband for fucking my ass with lighting and not even buying me flowers or dinner first.

[Lie] - Oh trust me, there will be repercussions...

[Doc] Good.

[TLOT] Is trying not to laugh since Doc's obviously being sarcastic-

[Doc] Mix? Are you okay?

[CP] Approaches his wife- Come on, I did what Doc asked

[Lie] - No sex, two weeks

[CP] - WHY!?

[Mix] I feel so alive! I'm not tired at all anymore! -standing up a bit wobbly, looking at herself as Liz toddles over. throws an arm around her dragon kid and gives hir a big smooch to the forehead-

[Doc] Good. If no one minds, I think I'm just going to lay here for a bit, since the well-understood rule about not toasting the admins has been soundly violated.

[CP] - YOU TOLD ME TO!

[Mix] -Smooches Liz's head again before sifting a blanket from her inventory, delicately drapes it over Doc.-

[Doc] Thank you Mix. Not on my ass I didn't!

[Mix] No problem! Thanks again, really... But I should be getting this troublemaker home.

[Liz] But mooommmaaa

[Endrea] - They will need some clothes...

[Liz] Nooo! I don't need clothes!

[TLOT] We can toga for now. - Pulls on his shirt and multiplies the blue fabric until it's a long, wide strip. Artfully he winds it around Liz and then tosses the end over hir shoulder. - There you go.

[Liz] Laaammmeeee... Dragons don't need to be dressed!

[Mix] Oh hush, its better than getting gasped over if someone spots you! *herd herd the Liz

[Mix] Bye, thanks again! Life saver, really.

[Lie] - Hey Doc, while we're here...

[Doc] Is laying with hir forked tongue hanging out just a teeny bit. - yus?

[Lie] - Pretty sure I'm well enough now for you to take one of my hearts to give CP, if your up for it that is...

[CP] - Lie...

[TLOT] That is going to hurt....

[Lie] - I know, but even though he won't admit it it will give CP a bit more peace

[CP] - Rather not have to have one of your hearts

[Doc] We have demonstrated why it's a good idea though...

[TLOT] I'll make something to keep it in. Save you a little effort. - He takes a gold ingot and an emerald from the creative and starts picking them apart on the wooden blocks Doc left out.

[CP] Flips Doc off-

[Doc] I guess I'll need to be smaller. I don't want to hurt you needlessly. - Xe shrinks down and ends up laying flat on the ground.

[Lie] Takes a breath to steady herself and CP moves behind her-

[TLOT] Holds up the finished locket. It's more the size of a pocket watch, but it is heart shaped. The front has two overlapping emerald leaves, and he squeezes a small latch to make them pop open like a pair of wings.

[Lie] - It's beautiful TLOT

[TLOT] Blushes slightly-

[Doc] No, don't stand. You come down here. Sit across from me at least.

[Lie] Moves so she's sitting in front of Doc-

[Doc] Levers up from the ground and sits cross-legged, facing her. Xe steadies hirself, still looking rather frazzled, and lays a hand gently  on Lie's chest.

[Lie] Small pull away at Doc touching near boobs-

[CP] Growls-

[Doc] Easy. I'll be as gentle as I can. - Xe makes a little bit of statick around hir fingers and traces a small hole -

[Lie] Looks away a little-

[Doc] Brushes a fingertip along her heart cluster and settles on one near the bottom, close to the redstone heart that's pulsing softly and throwing a bit of reddish light across hir features-

[Lie] Flinches a little at the contact-

[Doc] Melts the connection and plucks the tiny heart from her chest. Xe puts hir other palm on Lie's sternum to keep her from toppling as the hole closes. - Done.

[Lie] Lets out a whine of pain and CP moves quickly, gathering her into his arms and trying his best to soothe her-

[TLOT] Closes the locket around the small heart and holds it gently.

[Doc] Stays sitting. - Sorry Lie...

[Lie] - It...  It's okay...- She curls into CP's embrace

[TLOT] I have a muffin if you want it. A little food will help you heal.

[Lie] - Thanks- She holds her hand out for it

[TLOT] Smiles and passes it to her- It has little white dots on the top that are immediately recognizable as lightning berries.

[Doc] Smiles- Just expanding your repitoire huh?

[TLOT] What can I say? They taste good.

[Lie] Nibbles on the muffin, relaxing in CP's familiar warmth-

[CP] - Give it to me- He doesn't like TLOT holding Lie's heart

[TLOT] Offers it- No need to be so gruff. I know you'll take good care of it.

[Doc] Hopefully we won't ever need to use it.

[CP] Pockets it for now as he stands, lifting his wife as he goes-

[Lie] - I suspect we're heading home

[CP] - No shit

[Doc] It's okay Lie. I need to go ground myself anyway.

[mystery-moose]

FIC: Angus McDonald and the Flight of the Flying V (6/?)

[AO3 link]

They’ve come a long way, but even ten years after the world was saved, they’re still not quite where they should be. A whim, a missing painting, and a handful of near-death experiences help a flip wizard and his apprentice bridge the gap.

Taako does his best. Angus takes some risks. Introductions are made, bonds are tested, and lessons are learned — better late than never.

Taako was a real asshole sometimes. (Okay, most times.) It was a part of his personality he had no intention of ever fully excising. You go for the goof, you commit to the bit, and if some people can't take a joke, that's their problem. He knew Angus was fully aware of this, so Taako wasn't bothered when he didn't speak to him for the next few blocks. He simply twirled his umbrella and followed along quietly to wherever it was they were going.

He didn't have to be a detective to figure it out; the southern edge of Neverwinter butted up against the World's Teeth, the mountains separating the northern and southern halves of Faerun. They were heading towards those mountains along the main thoroughfare, and when the train station came into view, Angus turned to him and smiled.

"Feel like a day trip to Rockport?" he asked.

Taako shouldered his umbrella and grinned. "Why not?"

Getting tickets seemed easier these days — there were two larger trains on parallel tracks, and they operated in sync with each other. By the time they finished paying and stepped out onto the platform, the Rockport Limited was pulling into the station. Angus was a little disappointed ("I hoped you'd get to see the Neverwinter Express, it's totally different.") but Taako was happy to bask in the nostalgia of one of his more memorable escapades.

The train itself was new, since the Reclaimers had trashed the last one pretty thoroughly, but it was largely the same. Fancy gilded exterior, very ornate, with lots of gold and bronze, and an equally plush interior, full of wood and silk and velvet. The train had been Rockport's baby, Angus explained — they'd been the ones to spearhead the tunneling operation, and it was the sole thing they could lord over Neverwinter — so they'd spared no expense in its reconstruction. The only difference Taako noticed was the lack of the empty archway in the dining car. Guess after Jenkins killed someone with it, they reconsidered the whole port-wand pleasure-room thing.

Their conductor was a friendly halfling, cheerful and pleasant and totally boring. No fun goofs to be had at his expense. Angus must have noticed Taako pouting after the halfling led them to their table in the dining car, because he snorted under his breath.

"Sorry you don't get to be mercilessly cruel to someone this trip," he said after the conductor was out of earshot.

"Just nostalgic, is all," Taako said, glancing out the window as the train began to move. "'Sides, not like Jenkins didn't have it coming."

"You didn't know that at the time."

"I had a hunch." Taako tapped his temple. "Elven intuition. You wouldn't understand, being human and all."

Angus smirked. "Uh-huh."

"You wanna play keep away with your notebook for old time's sake?"

"No, I'm good."

As their waiter approached with two full trays of goodies in his hands, Taako nearly did a double-take; he was an absolutely gorgeous dark elf, broad shouldered and built like a house with luscious Fabio-esque hair. He smiled and offered them their choice. Angus took a muffin and coffee, plus a newspaper. Taako took a blueberry scone and a cup of tea. The waiter poured his tea, smiled again, and then took the two trays and headed down the car to another occupied table at the far end. Taako leaned out and watched him walk away. When he settled back into his seat, Angus was shaking his head.

"What? I'm married, I'm not dead."

"Gross, sir."

"Do I have to bring up how you were looking at Silvia? Oh, I'm sorry." He leaned forward. "Lieutenant?"

Angus' grin disappeared and he turned his attention to the newspaper. Taako grinned and took a bite of his scone.

"Y'know," he said with his mouth full, "that sorta dom-sub stuff ain't really my bag, but you chase your bliss, Ango."

"I'm not listening," Angus said in a sing-song voice.

"Right. I'll leave you to your paper. I won't say another word about Silvia." Taako leaned in an stage-whispered, "Miss Hayden, if you're nasty."

Angus rolled up his newspaper and smacked Taako upside the head with it. He started laughing again, and Angus blew out the exasperated sigh he used when he wanted to stifle his own laughter.

The journey was thoroughly uneventful. After they'd taken lunch (and Taako had asked the waiter to bring him a hot towel just to watch him leave a couple more times) they'd retired to the sleeper car. Taako had dozed lazily while Angus read the paper, then they'd played a game of cards where they both cheated mercilessly, and after a few hours, they pulled into Rockport.

Last time, Taako had killed a weird crab monster, stolen a bunch of shit he shouldn't have, thrown a serial killer off the back of a runaway train (well, that was Magnus, but he'd been present for it) and then saved hundreds of people by teleporting said train into said serial killer's private garden. It was wicked awesome.

This trip was pretty good too, though.

Rockport was a fishing and farming town, largely, and that much hadn't changed; it still smelled like fish when the wind blew from the west, and like flowers when it blew from the east. The ticket seller at this end was still the spitting image of Tom Bodett, though a fair bit older than when Taako saw him last. He probably recognized Taako, too, considering how he turned on his heel and walked away the moment he saw him.

It wasn't nearly the size of Neverwinter, but Rockport still qualified as a bona fide city — there were wagons traveling up and down the white cobblestone roads, many pulling cargo trailers full of crates. Stalls and small markets were set up all along the main road from the train station toward the city center, hawking everything Rockport was famous for, which was mostly beef pasties, fish and chips, or bouquets of lupines. Not so many souvenirs of the Rockport Limited anymore, Taako noted. Made sense; if Neverwinter had built their own, it couldn't be that special.

Angus led them off the main road into a narrower side street. Taako narrowly avoided a puddle as he stepped alongside Angus.

"So who are we visiting in Rockport?" he asked.

"There's an artist here," Angus explained, adjusting his glasses as he walked. "He's sort of a historian. Rocco, the owner of that curio shop? They introduced us."

"And this artiste will know... what?"

"Well, the curator gave me the broad strokes—"

"Nice."

Angus rolled his eyes. "—but after talking with Rocco, I'm sure this wasn't about the money. I want to learn more about this painting, and about who painted it."

"What's it even a picture of?" Taako asked, realizing he didn't know the first thing about what they were doing.

"It's a flock of birds flying above the Sword Coast. They say it's the pinnacle of the proto-naturalist movement in the art world."

"'They' being stuffy old professors and ultra-nerds."

Angus opened his mouth, then closed it and shrugged. "Yeah, basically."

"And it's worth a lot?"

He nodded enthusiastically. "Shyeah!"

"How much?"

"A lot."

"We talkin' six digits? Seven?"

Angus hesitated, like he didn't want to say it out loud. "More like eight or nine."

Taako stumbled a bit and caught himself with his umbrella. "Pumpkin?"

"Yes, sir?"

"That's a lot."

"Yes, sir."

While Taako's mind reeled at the amount given (and idly fantasized about how he'd waste it) he followed Angus down the road a few more blocks to a shabbier, dingier part of Rockport. A place where the roads had a few more potholes, the wagons were fewer and farther between, and if anyone bothered to clean the streets, they did it a lot less frequently. Not quite a slum — Taako knew slums — but certainly less well-to-do than anywhere they'd been today. Hell, he was pretty sure that shady curio shop was in a better neighborhood.

Angus stopped in front of a four-story apartment building. There were no wagons on the road, no one walking the streets. Taako suddenly felt very alone, isolated, like there was no one but him and Angus on the whole block.

"Your fancypants art historian lives here?" he asked, glancing around.

"Yep." Angus started up the stone steps. "I think he got caught up in some scandal, years ago. Kicked out of the university."

"No shit."

"Pretty sure he helps Rocco forge the occasional painting," Angus said idly, opening the door. "Or at least do some clean-up work if they're damaged. Fetches a better price that way."

The place was empty, no one in sight. There was a small foyer with doors on either side, a short hallway leading deeper into the building, and a stairway leading up. Angus led the way upstairs. Taako kept glancing around. He heard the occasional signs of life, but they all seemed distant. Nothing sounded close by. It made him nervous. Brought back memories of his time on the lam, after Glamour Springs, when it seemed like even silence and solitude were out to get him.

They walked up four more flights of stairs, and Taako was about to start complaining about it when Angus stepped in front of a door at the top.

"This guy might be a bit... nervy," Angus said diplomatically. "Try to go easy on him, okay? I really need his help."

Taako straightened his back, crossed his heart, and held up two fingers.

Angus stared at him for a moment, then shrugged and knocked on the door.

It slowly swung open.

Angus' eyes widened. He looked at Taako. Taako looked at him, then gestured at the door. Angus held his hands up like how should I know?

With a gentle push, Angus opened the door. "Uh, Mr. Wendell? Sir?"

The apartment was a mess. It was hard for Taako to tell how much of it was always like that. There were paintings propped up along every wall, four or five deep in some places, and paint cans and palettes strewn everywhere. Drop cloths lay in a haphazard pattern on the floor, though paint had still spattered onto some exposed hardwood. A number of easels, one folded up and tipped onto its side, lined the near wall, opposite the windows. There were old takeout boxes on the small kitchen counter to the left, dirty plates on a tiny table to the right, and in the corner, a large trash bag filled with what looked like stale popcorn. It really made Taako feel a lot better about the state of his own home.

Angus walked in, examining the place intensely. Taako took the time to check himself out in a stand-up mirror on the far wall. As he stepped towards it, his nose wrinkled.

"You smell that?" he asked, sniffing the air.

Angus didn't answer. Taako sniffed again. It smelled like something burning. Or... not burning. Charring? Like meat seared too long.

"Taako."

He turned around. Angus was staring at a space beyond the kitchen counter. Taako stepped closer and followed his gaze. An old human man, bald with a grey beard and spots on his forehead, lay face down on the floor. A pool of red surrounded his head.

Oh, good.

"That's not paint, is it."

Angus reached into his jacket and drew his wand. A new one, Taako noticed — fine grained wood, with a longer handle built for a duelist's grip. Nice.

Wait. He sniffed again. Is it wood? Charcoal? Or... is it even a smell?

Taako looked down. Something wasn't right. He was definitely picking up something, and if it wasn't a smell... he reached up, tapped his temple, and cast True Sight.

The ring appeared immediately, a series of invisible, glowing runes stretching from the door to the far wall and back again. Like a summoning circle, or a—

Angus stepped forward, towards the body. Taako's eyes widened as Angus stepped onto the runes.

"Don't!"

Too late. Taako threw himself forward, tackled Angus to the floor next to the corpse, and popped his umbrella. The space behind him flashed and flared as the air itself caught fire. There was a sudden breeze, like an inhale, as the oxygen in the room fed the blaze.

Taako rolled over. His boots were on fire. He kicked at the flames angrily — he loved those fucking boots, god damn it — before Angus cast a light ice spell over them. The boy pushed himself to his feet, eyes wide and hand up to shield them from the waves of heat.

That incantation must have been some serious shit, because the fire wasn't going out. It was getting bigger, growing hotter with every passing second. The drop cloths were already ash, the hardwood floor was charring to black, flames were licking up the walls and flowing across the ceiling, and everything in the apartment that was combustible (which was everything) was catching fast.

Taako held up his umbrella and fired a Ray of Frost at the inferno. It did about as much as good as spitting into it. He swung it from side to side and tried Ice Storm. It melted before it even fully formed.

"We gotta go!" Angus shouted, glancing around. "Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go—"

"Go where?!" Taako shouted back, waving his hand towards the fiery expanse between them and the door.

Angus didn't answer. He had already found their exit. He ran past the kitchen counter, stumbled over an empty paint can, and made it to a window. He tried to open it, straining against the jam, then looked down.

"It's painted shut!" he exclaimed.

"Oh, for fuck's sake," Taako cursed, shoving him aside. He raised his umbrella and fired a spell which blew out the window and most of the wall with it. He turned to Angus and grabbed his hand, and he didn't have to say a word — they both jumped.

Taako popped his umbrella again, and the Featherfall enchantment kicked in immediately. He and Angus floated gently to the ground. The air cleared and the heat faded as they fell, but Taako could still feel it like a forest fire at his back.

As soon as they touched down, Angus turned around and looked up. The fire was spreading fast, already licking past the top of the hole Taako had created.

"Is anyone else in there?" he asked.

"Nah, don't think so," Taako said, shaking his head. Then he looked at Angus, who was starting for the steps. "If you think you're going back in there—"

Angus spun on his heel. "We can't just leave!"

"So call the fucking fire brigade, dingus!" Taako yelled, throwing his arms up.

Angus clenched his jaw. He held his wand straight up and, with a fairly intense use of Prestidigitation, fired a bright, screaming flare high into the sky. Taako stared up at the fire, at the holes it was burning into the roof, at the pillar of heavy black smoke rising into the sky, and scowled.

It had been such a nice day, too.

[wastedwishesandhope]

Cafuné

Deby was standing in the lobby of the complex building. She’s alone feeling very agitated while looking around the area, checking and watching the high- profile personalities such as models, politicians and she also walked across of a famous CEO of a certain clothing line. She wonders if people like them really likes staying and working till late at night.

She’s holding in her left hand her phone while a paper bags in her right hand with clean pair of shirt and pants, as well as undergarments she just snatched inside Anna’s closet. She was told about the password for her apartment when she rung her phone in the middle of the night. She immediately sprinted off and rush to the address she gave. Now, she’s completely clueless and dumbfounded who lives in a very luxury condo unit. She doubt its Anna, she knows she barely can even afford a meat when she likes it.

The loner girl took a deep breath remained standing next to the wall. She even caught the receptionist glancing back and forth at her, maybe checking if she’s not some kind of terrorist. She rolls her eye with the thought and when she heard the elevator door makes a ding sound, her head whipped to look at it and anticipates till it open. She was expecting that she might see Anna getting off from it.

But her eyes opened widely, mouth hung open, and her jaw fell when she didn’t expect to see someone as glorious as him coming off from the elevator.

It was Kim Taehyung.

 “Fucking no way…” she whispers to herself.

 She watched him moving as if he was inside a tv drama and his movements was edited in slow-  motion. She just stares at him like he’s a very magnificent work of art inside a museum. Kim Taehyung looked around first as if he’s looking for someone. He was wearing a blue casual collar shirt with the two buttons open like he was enticing all the woman to look on his way. Deby almost choked when his head turned to her spot and he made a ‘there’ word on his mouth. She knows that’s what he said. She can’t be wrong, she knows how to read words through lips. She felt her body froze when he walks closer at her and he put his right hand inside his dirty- brown pocket pants and kept his phone in his left hand.

 “He looks like a real life anime…” she whispered to herself again. She gulped and forced herself to remain calm. She doesn’t wanna embarrass herself. She still needs to stand up as if his existence didn’t sweep her feet off.

 “Omg. Omg. Stay calm idiot, fuck he’s really coming this way! Ohmygod. Sorry Kim Seokjin but this boy is really testing me. I’m getting bald!”

 Deby tried to muster her courage and did her best to ignore him.

What do he needs from me in the first place?, she thought.

She looked at her back and to her left and right side, trying to see if there’s someone who might be obvious to meet someone like Kim Taehyung, but she couldn’t find any. She’s basically alone in that lobby area.

 “It’s you, right?”

 She was taken aback when she heard a voice near her. She looked in front of her and she can’t be wrong when he’s really standing there and looking directly at her face.

Deby scratch her elbows and looked around her one more time. She wants to make sure that he’s really talking to her.

 “A- Are you talking to me?” she asked pointing a finger to herself.

 Kim Taehyung sighed. “Nope. I’m talking to the wall behind you,” he sarcastically answered. And because she’s jittery and can’t think straight, Kim Taehyung was confused when Deby, really, moved aside.

 “Oh? I- I’m sorry. I- I’m blocking you,” then bow her head. When she stepped to her left to move, Kim Taehyung grabbed her arms.

 “We can’t stay here for a little bit longer, c’mon! We can’t be caught! Dumbass!” Then dragged her to the elevator.  When they both stood up waiting for the elevator door to open, that’s when Deby realized what’s going on. She pulled her arms off from his grasp.

 “What the hell are you doing?! Where are you taking me?!” she went frantic.

 Kim Taehyung rubbed his face in annoyance.

 “SSSSHHH! Lower your voice! You’re Deby, right?”

 She blinked a couple of times. “H- How did you know my name?”

 Kim Taehyung snort to laugh. “Well, obviously, I’m here to pick you up since Anna can’t go to meet you here.”

 Deby gasps. “OMG!” Then she quickly put her hands to her mouth and looked around, making sure nobody heard her. Kim Taehyung keep pressing the up button. “What the hell is she doing here?! Ohmygod, don’t tell me she’s—she’s held captive by Bighit Entertainment?! Ohmygod, I’m telling you she didn’t meant to slap his face! You know what happened right? You’re a felony for this crime! You used my innocent friend for your own sake and you let Park Jimin play with her heart! She’s about to move on now and she’s—“

 “Could you please shut the fuck up?!” he yells at her. Deby pused her lips. “She’s not being captive by anyone, okay? Stop jumping into conclusions! Just keep your mouth shut and stop making a scene here! All you have to do is to keep your mouth close till we get there, okay?”

 Deby bit her lower lip and mumbles under her breath, “It’s not because you’re handsome that you can do whatever you wanted to do and boss me around. You’re not Seokjin.”

 “You sayin’ something?” Kim Taehyung irritatedly asked.

 She shakes her head and keep her mouth close. She held her hands up and said, “Not saying anything.”

 “Talk back and you’re dead.”

 Deby mimicks what he said when he turns around. She’s so pissed off that she even wanted to kick his ass while he’s not looking. Kim Taehyung let out a breath then quickly went in when the elevator door finally opened. She kept her distance from him while Taehyung was leaning against the wall and scrolling up and down to his phone. The whole ride was quiet. Neither of them wanted to speak, or else, someone might get ticked off.

  —      —   —

  Anna remained sitting watching Park Jimin sleeping. He’s breathing steadily yet he still looks pale. The memory from what happened kept lurking inside her head. The image of him soaked in his own blood, while he’s in pain and his face when he smiled. Everything is confusing her. She can’t understand what’s going on. Why did he save her? Why did he risk his own life for the woman he no longer care and love?

She leaned back against the couch next to his bed. She scanned through her fingers the bite mark on her right arm. She decided that she’ll give him blood for the meantime. Kim Taehyung even helped while doing the process. He tried to wake him up so he could bite and get even small amount of her blood. He didn’t atleast tell her that he have been craving for her blood in a long time. He doesn’t want to spook her out. Kim Taehyung knows how Anna’ blood would definitely help him especially that he’s in the verge of dying.

He had to even control Park Jimin when he can’t stop sucking her skin and if they won’t do that, he’d definitely end up draining Anna and she could’ve been killed with an unconscious Park Jimin.

She felt really exhausted after that. She almost fainted when she tried to stand up and she felt like her world was turning upside down. She’s dizzy and her lips felt numb. Gladly, Kim Taehyung was quick to catch her and told her to take a rest till morning. He did all the works and even sanitized the wound on her cheeks. He covers it with adhesive bandage to avoid any irritation to her skin. Luckily, the cut wasn’t that deep and she hopes it won’t scar after.

She’s wearing one of Park Jimin’s shirts since she was almost naked when Kim Taehyung came to rescue them. She insists of taking him to the hospital but Taehyung was right, they don’t want to make any controversy, especially now that she’s still under fire.

 She heard the door opened and light footsteps came inside the room. She thought that might be Kim Taehyung and Deby. Anna wants to stand up to welcome them but she’s so weary that she knows her knees and legs would wobble as soon as she stood up.

 Kim Taehyung went inside the bedroom with annoyance in his face. She wonders what happened.

 “She’s here,” he said. After that, Deby shows up with a paper bag in her hands. Her face immediately brightened as soon as she saw Anna sitting on the couch. She run into her and throws a tight hug.

 “Thank you for coming,” Anna said then tapped the space next to her so she could take a seat. Deby’s eyebrows furrowed when she saw the gauge on her face, and even gets worried when she noticed the pale look of her friend.

 “What happened to you?! Who did this to you?!”

 “It’s—It’s the sasaeng fans but don’t worry I’m safe now,” she answered then turned her head to look at the man sleeping on the bed. “Park Jimin saved me…” she continued almost above her breath.

 Deby’s eyes turned to look at him. “Wow…” Anna looked at her weird reaction. “Ohmygod Anna, did you save the Korea in your past life? This is truly amazing, I mean, look at his handsome face, he’s a mochi and ohmygod, is this really for real? Am I really sitting inside the bedroom with a Park Jimin and…” she trailed off then turned her eyes back to Kim Taehyung who’s still standing and leaning against the wall. “Never mind.”

Never in her wildest imagination that she will hate one of the members of Bangtan. She don’t know why but Kim Taehyung just pissed her off so bad.

 Anna noticed the heat between her best friend and Kim Taehyung. “Did you get into a fight?” she asked Deby.

 Her best friend scooted closer and whispers, “That Kim Taehyung looks a real life anime, granted that he’s handsome but I don’t like his attitude. He called me dumbass and he even said ‘talk back and you dead’. Was that even normal for a guy to treat a woman like that? Ghad! I can’t wait till I spill tea about his attitude behind the stage!”

 Anna looked at Kim Taehyung. She didn’t say anything yet he already speaks to defend his self. “She’s so noisy. Tell her I don’t care if she spread and tweet that, I give zero fucks about her,” then he left.

 “SEE?! He got nasty attitude, Anna! How come you manage to stay with people like them?! Have you forgotten what they did to you?! That Park Jimin, yes he’s fucking hot and sexy boy but he fooled you, then that anime character Kim Taehyung, he doesn’t look real but his bitch attitude won’t be forgotten! I swear to god—“

 “Deby please stop!” she cuts her off and her best friend immediately went silent. “I have never forgotten what Jimin did, and I don’t think I could ever forget and move on from that. But Kim Taehyung has nothing to do with it. Look we’re all frustrated here, he’s tired and worried for his friend, please just understand him. He’s a good friend and I can guarantee you that. We all need rest to calm down and chill. He did all the works here, he’s a good person Deby, and I know, I can feel that.”

 Deby just sighed and leaned back to the couch. She kept silent for a moment and stays watching Park Jimin on the bed. “Okay… maybe I went overboard, too.”

 Anna holds her hands. “I’m sorry that I even bother your sleep.”

 “No worries and I ain’t sleeping yet, I’m reading a fan fiction. It’s a Jin AU, I’ll send you the link, I swear, give it a shot and you’ll definitely like it!”

 Anna laughs with the thought that her life was even more complicated compared to the fan fictions she have read before.

 “By the way, Anna, you haven’t told me the complete story yet. How did Jimin save you from those sasaengs? Did you call him for help? And what happened that his state looks worst? I mean, was that bad that he left unconscious? Did the sasaengs shot him to dead?”

 They’re both get interrupted when Kim Taehyung walks in and he gave Anna a look as if telling that it’s her decision whether she wants to tell her the truth or keep it hidden.

  —      —   —

  Deby can’t stop pacing while Kim Taehyung and Anna both sitting on the couch. Kim Taehyung was watching her walking back and forth across the bedroom with his legs crossed and Anna stayed still feeling nervous for her best friend’s reaction.

She had already used every last straw to finally tell her everything, when she said it’s everything, including his real identity. She told her what happened with the sasaengs and how he stopped a fast running car from hitting her.  How she offers her blood so he’ll get vitalize and he won’t die from hunger, dehydration and too much use of his strength.

It’s already 4 in the morning but their minds works as if it’s the middle of the day. Their energies and mind couldn’t stop running.

 “Stop pacing! You’re making me dizzy!” Kim Taehyung whines. Anna put her hands on his knees to tell him to stop.

 Finally, Deby stopped midway and turned around to look at them. “I knew it!!! Did I win for a raffle promo?! This could be a prank or I might be recorded for a gag show! Omg! And maybe you’re one of them Anna?! Omg! I knew it! Where are the other boys hiding?! Omg! Tell me, don’t worry I will not ruin the show! C’mon, this is a prank, right?!”

 Kim Taehyung sighed in defeat and put his palms on his face. Anna remained biting her lips, worried for her friend.

 “KIM SEOKJIN?! WHERE YOU HIDING AT?! C’MON! SHOW YOURSELVES THE SHOW IS OVER! YOU’RE CAUGHT NOW!” then to their least expectation, Deby run around the house checking every door trying to find for the other members.

 Taehyung nudged her elbows. “Make her stop, or else she won’t like what Jimin will do to her once he got disturbed to his sleep.”

 Anna apologized to him. Deby came back inside the room looking sweaty and tired from running around. “Where are they? Couldn’t find any of them, but ghad I feel like I won a ticket for free visit to Park Jimin’s house.  Anna come with me, he got their complete albums! He even has huge posters outside!” she squeals.

 “Deby, please. Calm down.”

 Deby stood there panting while looking at her. Anna tried standing up again, when she noticed she’s no longer felt sick, she walks up to her.

 “You’re not in a gag show. This is not a prank. Believe me, everything that I tell you is the truth. It is one of my reasons why it’s not that easy to expose that I’m dating him, it’s not just because he’s an idol but because he’s different from any of us! Park Jimin is a vampire,”

 She noticed her best friend’s lips were trembling. Anna holds both of her hands and she proves that she was shocked by this news, her palms are so cold and her whole body was shaking.

 “Y- You know that—that this is too much. Right, Anna?”

 “I’m sorry that I had to include you with my mess—“

 Teahyung butts in. “Told ya! She can’t handle it—“

 “SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Deby shouted.

 Anna flinched with her sudden outburst. She eyed Kim Taehyung to leave them for the meantime. Taehyung rolls his eyes then left the bedroom. She made sure to calm her best friend first before they sat quietly back on the couch.

 “I don’t need you to understand everything instantly. Believe me Deby, it took me weeks before I absorbed everything. I thought he was just lying but then, I figure out that he’s serious.”

 Deby let out a loud exhale and pulled her hands off from Anna’s grasp. She looked back at Jimin. “If what you’re saying is true, then what are those pre- debut pictures, childhood photos he got? Those videos taken back from high school? The information and his family background? What are those?”

 She turned her eyes back at her. She waited for Anna’s answer.

 “He just made up all those information you got online. He can do that. He is capable to do that. His identity is a secret even to his agency and to his co- members. It’s only Taehyung, me and you who knows everything. He wants to keep it to few people only to avoid any spills. He’s being careful to trust anyone.”

 Deby shrugged. “So you’re telling me that you’re ex- boyfriend is an idol and… a blood sucker?”

 Anna nods.

 “This is insane. I think I need a shrink.” Then she laughs awkwardly.

  —   —   —

  Deby walks in the kitchen and saw Kim Taehyung standing in front of the counter fixing himself a milk. She left Anna for the meantime to get some rest before they’ll head back home. It’s already 5’o clock and the sky looks so blue outside. The sun will come out any minute soon.

 “Aren’t you going to get a quick nap?” she asked.

 Kim Taehyung flinched in and jumped to his surprise. He turns around and sees Deby leaning against the doorframe.

 “You scared me!” then he went back from what he’s doing. “Nah. I can’t sleep,” he answers shortly. Deby walks across the kitchen and stood not too close from him. She grabbed an apple from the kitchen counter and took a small bite.

 “By the way, we started a sour note, I’m sorry if I get into your nerves when basically, it’s our first time knowing each other. But not on my side, if you know what I mean. I’ve known you ever since you debuted as Bangtan.”

 Taehyung took a sip to his glass of milk before he stretched his arms to offer her. She thanked but says no.

 “It’s okay. We’re all tired, sleep deprived so we tend to get annoyed easily. I’m sorry, too. This is all new to you, I know it. Been there, done that.”

 Deby plays the apple with her hands. “Uhmmm… don’t you have any schedules for today? You look so tired, that’s why I’m asking.”

 He shakes his head. “We’re free today, so I don’t mind not getting any sleep. I can rest till I make sure he’s okay.”

 She just nods her head. “Hmmm… hope you won’t mind if I may ask,”

 “What?”

 “How—how did you manage to stay with him even after the fact that he’s uhmmm… he’s—“

 “A vampire?” he continued. She nods aggressively. “It has never changed the fact that he’s my best friend. As simple as that,”

 Deby cusses to herself incoherently. Fuck, no stay in your lane Kim Taehyung.

 “We won’t expect you to take it all in. If you’re surprised, what more when he revealed the truth behind his real identity to me? I think I lost count pulling my hair,”

 They both laughed.

 “Anna told me that there are only three people who knew who he really is. I don’t know but that sounds… uplifting. It’s always comforting to think that someone trusted you their dark- deepest secret.”

 “On a positive note, yes.”

 Deby looked up at him. She realized they were both leaning against the kitchen counter, at 5 in the morning, with the chilly weather and silent morning, just like what she always imagine in the fanfictions she reads every night. She blushed and bit her lips to control herself from smiling. She couldn’t help but to giggle, after all, it’s still Kim Taehyung. Who won’t get all giggly when you’re standing to an ethereal beauty like him?

 I’m sorry Kim Seokjin. I’m really sorry, oh god.

 She pulled her phone from her pocket pants and turned around to stand in front of him. She muster the courage she could get to grab the .00001% opportunity that the universe has given to fans like her.

 “Uhmmm… I know that you’d probably hate me again but…” she stutters. “I—I mean… can—can we—“

 “Take a picture together?” he completed.

 She’s definitely sure her heart leaped from her chest and her eyes glimmer when he said that.

 “Uhh—uhmm… yes? I- I’m sorry, I know this is embarrassing after I shouted on you and—“

 Kim Taehyung suddenly snatched her phone and tapped the camera button. “I don’t really mind. You know what I am thinking right now?” then he looks up at her.

 She’s baffled. “What?”

 “That in this grimly world we have, there are still people who can see the positive side and takes everything lightly. People like you.”

 Deby was taken aback when Kim Taehyung suddenly grabbed her hands and pulled her to his side, wrapping his long arms to her shoulder and held the phone up.

 “Say cheese…”

 The camera clicks capturing the very unexpected moment of them both. His legendary box smile and her blushing cheeks.

  —     —   —

  “We could have stayed for a little bit longer there! You know like it’ll be good if the first thing that Park Jimin sees as he open his eyes is you. I bet he’ll get recover instantly,” Deby complains.

 Anna insisted that she could take some rest in her apartment and she doesn’t want to wait till Park Jimin wakes up. She’s still confused and it’ll hurt her more to stay with him for that long. She’s positive that he’ll be okay and she just wanted to pay after what he had done. He saved her from death. The least thing she could do is to save him back. After all, they still shared memories from the past. Memories that might be painful but yet, important.

 “I thought you were so itchy to get out from there, you’ve been picking a fight with Kim Taehyung last night, what’s with the sudden changes?” she asked and plopped down the couch. She gets puzzled when Deby started squealing and giggling and quickly open her phone to show her a picture of them on the screen. “What the fuck?!”

She turns off her phone quickly and started hitting Anna’s arms. “I know this is blasphemy, and I admit it I swear to god, I feel so ashamed to Jin, but… but Anna, its Kim Taehyung and I just can’t understand myself when we’re talking in the kitchen, it’s like a story in fanfictions I’ve read and—“

“And so now, what happened to those things you said last night? In just one snap, you changed your bias and made a complete u- turn to his lane?”

Deby pouts. “He’s handsome, that’s it. Blame his genes. Who can stand not falling for a Kim Taehyung?”

“Me,” Anna deadpanned.

“Oh c’mon! it’s not like I’ll date him! Well, we can date if he’ll ask nicely,”

“Shut. Up! Gosh I can’t believe you!” Anna laughs.

“I think he’s a vampire too, Anna. He allures me and now look, I’m head over heels to him!”

Anna rolls her eyes. “No, you’re just a bitch.” Then she laughed out loud.

“I know, and you’re a bitch, too. That’s why we’re best friends.” Then Deby winks at her, Anna just laughs at her. “Too bad I can’t post online this picture, but anyways, this is better than any fan signing events. We don’t know, maybe when I get closer to him, I’ll get a chance to ask him to introduce me to Jin,” she said wiggling her eyebrows.

 Anna just ended up shaking her head laughing to her best friend. “I don’t know a Kim- Seokjin- stan- Deby anymore.”

  —     —  —

  Park Jimin opened his eyes. His bedroom was filled of darkness with the close curtains not letting the sunlight comes through in. He still feels weak but he’s better than before. He no longer feels the hunger and he somehow stop craving for blood. He gets up from the bed and he feels all his reflexes has came back just like before. He don’t feel any pain inside him and he’s not limping at all. Jimin stood up from his bed and draws the curtains. The sun direction says it’s probably afternoon already.

 “Finally, you’re awake!”

 He turned around to see Kim Taehyung half- naked with a towel draped around his waist to cover his lower body. He obviously just had gotten out from the shower. Jimin walks across to his bedroom and picked up his phone.

 “Why didn’t you wake me?” he asked.

 Taehyung towel dry his hair. “I let you rest. You’ve been so exhausted for a weeks, no, a months rather,” he answers. Park Jimin suddenly freezes when he remember something that happened last night.

 “Where is Anna?!”

 Kim Taehyung blinked a couple of times. “She just went back to her apartment. She couldn’t wait you wake up. She needs rest though, she seems exhausted and she needs energy after that blood donation,” he mocks.

 “What???” he asked, confused.

 “Can’t you remember? She let herself to feed you last night. Glad I was there, you couldn’t stop sucking her, she almost died from losing that huge amount of blood. She stayed here all night and we let her best friend to come in so there’s someone who could assist her going back home. After what happened last night, it’s scary to let her go by all herself.”

 “W- wait, you mean, she’s here? Like right here?”

 “Yes. She even took a nap in the couch. They just left before lunch.” Park Jimin suddenly ran to his walk in closet to pick a clean shirt and pants. Kim Taehyung followed him. “Where you goin’? You ain’t fine yet.”

He wear his shirt over his head and answers, “I’ll go see her. I need to meet her.”

“Are you going to tell her everything? Maybe try to explain the truth? From what I have seen last night, she still loves you though. The worry and concern was written all over her face. She didn’t even leave your side for the whole night. Granted that she still hates you but that didn’t remove the fact that she still hoping that you two could get back together. And also I think, she is entitled to know the truth. Chim, it’s still her life.”

 Park Jimin went silent for a brief moment. “I don’t know how am I going to start though,”

 “Are you… gonna tell her that her dad was actually a rapist?”

 “I don’t wanna tainted the good memories she has with her Dad. It’s still her biological Dad and besides, even though he mercilessly raped Wangbi, he loved Anna. He raised her well and provides the love that only a real father could give.”

  —     —   —

  Anna walks across her apartment to turn off the light in the kitchen. She was watching television alone in the living room and just gets up to get an ice cream to eat while binging a tv series she subscribed in Netflix. When she put down the ice cream on the table, she suddenly came to a halt when the wind blew coldly and it made her skin grew goosebumps. She was sure that she closed all the doors and windows and the aircondition was off, too.

She tried to shrug it off but the familiar feeling of being watched has come back. She felt that someone was standing behind her. She doesn’t want to turn around, she knew who it was. It is the very same feeling she gets every time that he’s near. It hasn’t changed. The chill temperature whenever he’s close and the rapid beat of her heart won’t lie.

The television suddenly turns off.

 “What are you doing here?” she asked calmly without turning around to face him. She remained standing on her spot.

 Park Jimin swallows the growing lump in his throat. He’s nervous to see her again. “How are you doing?” He knows he shouldn’t have asked that and yet this question kept him up at night for a certain black- haired girl.

Anna finally had the courage to turn around and look directly at his eyes. “Do not ask me that question.” She replied, tears seemingly falling down her now plain cheeks that had once been pink due to her constant happy state. And as he began to ask why, Anna replied with a sudden fire in her eyes. “You can’t ask how a person is doing after tearing them apart, you have no right. Park Jimin.”

She doesn’t understand why all the hatred and anger has coming back in a rush after looking at him right now. She thought she’s good already after last night. But now, she’s here again, completely lost, broken and still wasted from his drunk memories.

 “I know that you’re still angry with me,” he shortly asked. He remained standing under the faded moon light outside. Her heart aches for his voice and she hates herself.

 “If you came here to thank me, save it. You don’t owe me for anything, I just return the favor after saving me from getting hit.” She answers coldly.

 Park Jimin remained immobile, his head down. He remained silent but the silence is killing her. She don’t know what’s running through his mind. She wants to know, but half of her doesn’t want to.

 “You can leave now. Please, leave. I still want to keep the remaining sanity I have, Jimin.” Her voice trembles.

 “I’m sorry.”

 She froze.

It’s the word she have been wanting to hear, but she don’t feel anything but emptiness. Anytime soon, the tears would probably broke again, ruining the courage she built over time.

Park Jimin looked up at her, the evident of sadness has shown to his eyes. She don’t want to buy it, she just want to stop believing that he meant what he said. She wants to keep her heart hard as a rock, but his eyes are fires, melting it.

 “You can hate me as long as you want. You have all the rights to feel that way—“

 “Why did you came last night?” She bit her quivering lips. “Did you heard me calling your name?” She took another deep breath. “Why do you have to call me Princess again?” She swallowed the lump rising in her throats. “Do you want to fool around? Rising up my hopes that everything will be fine again between me and you?”

 Park Jimin counts the steps between them. “You don’t have to call my name, Anna. Because I’m always around… watching you… from afar... quietly.”

 “How do you expect me to believe that? Because during those days I am a complete mess, crying over you, trying to fill in the holes of sadness inside me, looking for the bright sky even if it’s raining, where were you? When I couldn’t even remember my name because anxieties had eaten my whole brain, ruining the remaining sanity that left on me, but till was stolen… where were you? When I couldn’t even breathe because every damn time the ghost of your laugh etched upon my memories, it’s like a spiky knife gritting every muscle of my heart.” Then the tears broke into its way now. “Where were you when I’m lost because you left me hanging in the air, Jimin?” Her voice cracked. “Where when you when they dragged me away from you?”

 Park Jimin watched her with tears soaking her face. Here he is again, making her cry.

 “I’m sorry I ruined you.”

 She laughed bitterly. “Yeah, it’s easy to say sorry.” Then she wiped her tears. “The mess has been made. You can’t take it back.”

 “Anna, you need to know the truth. You need to hear my explanation—“

 “I’m no longer interested, Jimin. I might be wondering what are you really up to but I just wanted to cut off all my connection to you. This is way better. I need to get my life now. I’ve been getting threats so please, just stop. I don’t wanna create any rumors about me. I wasn’t born to be exposed in public.”

 “I had to lie to you and pretend that I don’t want you anymore because—“

 Confusion settled on her face. “Because what?”

 “I thought—I thought you are my daughter, I know this is really sounds insane and—“

 “What the hell?”

 “Anna believe me, I don’t know what am I gonna do and—“

 “Why are you so hell bent out trying to convince me with all your lies, Jimin?!”

 “I. AM. NOT. LYING. I know, I sound stupid but I’m really sorry. I jumped into conclusion—“

 “WHY DID YOU THINK THAT I WAS YOUR DAUGHTER?! ARE YOU ON CRACKS?!” she started raising her voice.

 “BECAUSE YOU ARE WANGBI’S DAUGHTER!”

 She went silent.

 “Wangbi…” she whispers. She remembers it was the name that Mrs. Kim had called her once.

 “She is your mother.” Jimin added.

 Anna almost fell on her knees. She can’t express her feelings right now. “Jimin why did you have to include my personal life here?! What do you know about my real mom?! Why do you have to make up stories—“

 “I’m not making up stories here Anna! That’s the truth. Wangbi- she is your mother! She was my first love, she was the first person who loved me when nobody does!”

 “And now you’re telling me that I dated my mother’s ex- boyfriend?!”

 Park Jimin pulled his hair into his fist and tried to compose his self. “Okay, I know it’s hard to believe but that is the truth Anna. The very first night that I kissed you, it was because I see Wangbi in you. You remind me of her, and then I realized that I’ve been looking for my lost child since the last thing I heard was Wangbi is pregnant and I thought it was my kid! It was a complete mistake that I jumped into conclusion and expects that you are that missing child since you have the ring that I gave her back when she’s still alive! I am so scared for the truth but then I found out, we are not biologically connected, and the father you grew up with is your real Dad. I am a mess and I don’t know how am I going to explain everything to you.”

  “I remind you of my mother…” she repeated the words stock in her ears.

 “Anna—“

 “So it’s not me who you loved, but my mom?”

 “That’s different now compared before. I loved you as you are! You both are different.”

 Anna took a seat to the couch next to her. All the information is too much. She don’t know if she’ll going to believe that Park Jimin knows who’s her mother. She don’t know what to feel. If she wants to know more about her? Or she would rather keep her in the past? Everything is all crumbling up inside her mind. She can’t think straight.

She closed her eyes, she leaned her face against her palms resting on her knees.

She once hated the woman of her past. She remembers they almost talked about her, and now, she will know that his past love was her mother? She don’t know how is she going to take in everything.

  “Anna…”

 She started weeping. “What have I done that the universe has to play with my own life and destiny?” She sobbed harder. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”

 The image of his father, she suddenly misses him. The fact that she didn’t even able to meet her mother, it’s ripping her. And the thought that the man she loves was connected to her past, and to her mother? That’s what making her crazy.

 “I am so desperate to make things right that I have decided to compel you and made you forget about me,” he confessed.

She heard him walks closer at her and he kneeled in front of her. “I am always scared. I was so scared that everything will be impossible for both of us. It’s scarier than the night I revealed you my true identity. I am always scared with the thought that you’ll run away from me, and that you’ll be gone forever. That’s why instead of waiting it getting into that point, I’ve decided on my own, that maybe if I no longer exist in your life, your life won’t be tainted. You live normally. You won’t have to endure the pain of being in a relationship with a beast like me.”

 Anna lifted her head up. “I want to see you fucked up.” She says, he looks up at her as bewildered as ever. “I want to see you vulnerable, with your heart in my hands and your eyes bloodshot screaming over everything you’ve ever done wrong. I want you to cut open your mind and let me into your secret world, I want to see every dark thought, silent screams, and mental scar you own.” She pauses to take a breath.

 “And then I want to tell you that I love you anyway. That I don’t care that you’re fucked up, I love you. I love you as exactly as you are.”

 It’s already too late when she realized that Park Jimin had closed their gaps and kissing her deeply. He touched her cheeks and she felt her face warmth. She responded to his kiss and it was the very first time that she felt the need, hunger and pain through his lips. Anna felt a one last tear fell from her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer to her body. He pressed his lips slowly. Their tongues rolled over to each other. Kisses grew more sloppy. His tongue swiped across her bottom lip and she felt his arms around her body tightly.

The warmth was spreading through her rapidly. Her mind was empty aside from the kisses that making her body hot and feeling needy. Her body was shaking from the pleasure that she’s getting for the very first time in her life. Park Jimin grabbed her ass and lifted her up from the couch. She quickly wrapped her legs around his waist, not breaking the kiss. He brought her inside the bedroom and he put her down sitting on her study table. They broke the kiss for a moment to breathe and he continued kissing her slowly.

She kept her legs locking around his waist while he’s hugging her body tightly.  He sucked her lips passionately. Every smooch they did was slow, deep, with soft sound.  Jimin bit her lower lips and she moaned to his mouth.

“Do you like it?” he whispered softly. She didn’t answer because she was too weak to wake up. Park Jimin kissed her lips, and cheeks. He traced her jawline and kissed her earlobe. She leaned in, pressing her ear against his wet lips. She closed her eyes feeling aroused.

He blew his hot breath into her ears and she shivers down. Her knees were too weak and her heart beat pumped so faster. He buried his head into the crook of her neck and he bit her skin slowly.

He scooted her up again and brought her to the bed. He laid her down and Park Jimin took off his shirt in a sudden. He was shirtless when he leaned down to kiss her forehead. He slipped his right arm underneath her neck and they intertwined their legs and hands. They were so tightly wrapped together. The butterflies in her stomach were so hyped, dancing around, up and down crazily. Her organs churned so fast like a roller coaster.

She placed her hands against his chest. She could feel his heart beat underneath her palms. He pressed his lips deeper into her mouth, sucking her lips softly. He smooched her passionately. Jimin took her legs and released her lips to kiss her neck. She gave an access to lick her skin and sucked her collarbone. She moaned whispering his name. He opened her legs wrapping securely around his waist. She could feel the growing bulge pressing against hers. He kissed her forehead, nose and left cheek again. He kissed her lips and she opened her eyes. He looked at her eyes penetrating into her soul with his love. He caressed her hair and put aside some hair that stuck on her cheek.

“I know words aren’t enough to express myself, but still I wanted you to know that you are the best thing that happened to me,”

Anna smiled, staring at his face beneath the moon light. “I love you,” then she didn’t help myself from tearing up again.

Park Jimin wiped the tears from her cheeks and kissed her forehead again. “I love you, too.”

 He kissed her again. He moved his head to her jawline, kissing the line slowly until his lips reached her neck and collarbone. He slowly unbuttoned her sleeping blouse one by one. He opened the collar of her shirt and kissed her, sucking her neck. Jimin slowly kissed her chest without touching her breast. His hands roamed at the back of her to unhook the remaining cover of her upper body. He completely removed her clothes and she’s lying down naked under him.

She felt nervous, she don’t know how is she going to respond to his touches. Park Jimin hover at her then said, “Just keep calm, I’ll be gentle.” Then he kissed her again deeply. His hand slid to her inner thigh and stroked her sensitive flesh lightly. He wants to make sure she’s ready before he gets inside her.

He leaned down, his lips trailed over her upper breast, sucking her hardened nipples. Her back arched so her breast lurched into his mouth more. His lips traced over up to her stomach and stopped there. She was breathless when he smooched her navel. Jimin kissed her inner thigh. He kissed her legs and kissed her right toe while he took the left leg to wrap around his waist. He watched her curling up to his touch slowly.

He hikes up her knees to slither his tongue over her clit. Her hips jerked forward and she moaned a little too loudly as the tongue swirled in circles over her bud.

Park Jimin caught up her breast and he squeezed it while he’s busy licking her folds.

 “Baby, you’re so wet for me,” Jimin whispered looking at her still licking her bud.

 Jimin released her boobs and he rubbed her slit with his thumb. He sucked her clit like he was nursing her nipple.

 “J- Jimin…” she moaned and breathing hardly. He stopped what he was doing and crawled up to kiss her lips again. She moaned into his mouth when his middle finger push deeper into her folds of warm flesh. He slowly pulled his finger back out, then slowly in again. He was watching her reaction while she’s moaning his name. She spread her legs wide opened for him while he was leaning down closer to her. He kissed her lips. Later as she grew wetter, he managed to fit a second finger. A soft mewl crawled into his ears.

His thumb massaged her clit, and she felt the agonizing quick speed of his fingers. She felt her walls clenched around his fingers. She whimpers into his skin and she grabbed his hair. His name slipped through her lips again.

Her moan grew louder and he flicked his tongue to her mouth. Pressure built in within her belly.

“You want to cum?” Jimin whispered kissing her earlobes.

She nodded helpless.

He smirked and pushed in and out his two fingers inside her. She moaned murmuring his name and he said that she better moan in his mouth. She was really breathless and she was close to reach her climax. Her body began to quiver. Her legs were shaking and she was getting difficult to breath. Her body writhed in pleasure.

 “Fuck… Jimin.”

 Her orgasm was building fast. She lost to the moment when Jimin sucked her lips. Her body exploded so hard. She felt herself contract with Jimin’s fingers in her walls, rubbing them in and out slowly. Her legs were shaking violently as her orgasm. The strong wave of shear pleasure took over her body. He slowly took out his fingers to suck it clean.

 Anna pulled her down closer to kiss his lips. She felt Jimin was trying to pull down his pants while she’s kissing him deeply. Jimin groaned into her mouth as he removing his boxer briefs so fast. He spread her legs wider again and pressed his hard bulge against hers. He was rubbing his crotch against her clit trying to arouse her again.

He slowly pushed his hard cock into her wet opening. Suddenly her body was trembling. He could feel it so he decided to just rub his head against her labia. His lips touched her skin slowly, smooching from her cleavage to her collarbone.

Jimin didn’t wait any longer before starting to insert the tip of his head into her. He pushed gently inside her. She moaned, feeling the pain and pleasure. His hard cock started to fill her in. Since she was still tight, Jimin had to push his head in a few times before he could insert his full erection into her. He held her hips to help him to push in.

She whimpered biting her lower lip.

 He lifted her legs up over his shoulders and he pushed in again a little bit harder this time. She was already wet that it wasn’t difficult for Jimin to put in his hard rock into her. He moaned when he was all the way inside. She felt good and felt full, feeling the friction of his bare shaft in her walls.

Jimin kissed her as he began to thrust his cock in and out very slowly. Her mouth slightly opened, gasping for air. He rammed into her again deeply and she could see that he was enjoying it.

 “A- Anna… fuck… baby… fuck…” he moaned.

 He thrusted in and out slowly. He gave her deep thrust as she kept moaning. She grabbed his ass cheeks, thrusting up slowly too, trying to match his pace. The sensation was just so good between them.

 “Awh… fuck,” she moaned again. His cock felt harder inside her, making her walls grip in his shaft tightly. She could feel him pulsating inside her, releasing his precum. Their fluids were mixed up, making her even wetter.

Jimin cupped her breasts, squeezing them while he kept thrusting in and out. He’s pinching her nipples while he’s busy kissing her neck.

She could feel the overwhelming climax churning inside her core. Her mind was messy and she couldn’t think clearly. The sensation was too much for her to handle. It was a deeply sensual pleasure, making her tremble so hard. She felt there was a strong wave sucking her energy starting from her toes and fingertips until it spread through her whole body. It was so intense that she felt exploding just like that. She spasmed feeling him pulsating inside her.

Her hold around his neck tightened when she can feel her orgasm again. She opened her eyes but her vision was blurry and she was breathless. She felt like there was something strong that took over her body, making her feel so light.

She reached her climax but he still didn’t stop from rocking his hips. Up until she heard him moaning her name and his hold around her body tightened. His breath grew heavy and after a few thrust, he came undone. He was panting so hard when he reached up for her face and gave her a languid kiss.

 “I love you baby, I love you so much, princess,” he said again still catching his breath. He kissed her deeply again and Anna smiled sheepishly when she sees him blushing.

She cupped his face and kissed him back saying, “I love you more than you love me, angel.”

  They remained still connected.

One body. One soul.