#breathe breathe breathe. it’ll be fine.

[sserpente]

S T R A Y

Synopsis: The streets are not safe at night, not in the N109 zone, and even less so for a woman. When you realise you are being followed one night, panic surges through you, your heart pounding in your chest. You have to come up with a plan, fast. Hardly anyone still mingles at this time of day, yet there is a club nearby whose lights are still lit. A group of men are chattering just outside. One of them, you recognise. It is Sylus, the leader of Onychinus himself. Discarding all rational thinking, you throw yourself into his arms, hoping that he will play along and help you. It’s an encounter you’re certain you will never forget. So when you meet again a few weeks later during a fateful business meeting and your own father offers you up to him as payment to settle a dispute, only one question remains—did you get unlucky…or lucky?

Words: 5434 Warnings: bad parenting, being followed

Life in the N109 zone was…different. More than the booming trade of vitamin D pills and weaponry, there was a certain beauty to it. One that I had come to appreciate. The glooming lights, the abrasive darkness, and that mysterious aura were a balm to the soul that most people failed to appreciate.

It was life. Life was rough. This dream of Linkon City, an escape most people here longed for, was as unreachable as the sunlight.

As for me, my father made sure of that. I was all he had—and he wouldn’t let me leave to find joy elsewhere. Not unless he could draw an advantage from it himself.

I sighed, clutching the pile of neatly stacked documents tighter to my body. Confidential documents, retrieved illegally, of course, that were too precious to entrust anyone else with. It was already past midnight and the cold had crept in without mercy, crawling further and further into the heart of the N109 zone and freezing up its streets and alleys.

I breathed out through my mouth only to watch it mix with the crisp winter air. I wasn’t dressed warmly enough but there had been no time to put on several layers of clothing before my father sent me out with urgency in his voice.

He was mad. I could consider myself lucky if I made it home safely—without any vicious Wanderer attacks or thugs who wanted my father’s head as much as they wanted the pile of documents I realised now would be better off in my bag.

Perhaps it was a coincidence that I did. Or perhaps it was some sort of divine intervention because the very moment I closed the zip, I spotted a man wearing a black beanie from the corner of my eye. It was too dark to make out his face, only that he had stopped walking…and stepped forward again as soon as I did.

Shit. Don’t panic. It could just be a coincidence. Just change the side of the road and it’ll be fine. I drew in another deep breath, bracing myself. I took a sharp turn right, crossing the street over cracked asphalt and a discarded car tire only to watch the stranger do the same.

Perhaps now it was time to panic. There was no doubt about it. My gun was in my bag. Would I be fast enough to pull it out, cock it and aim before he realised what I was doing? Possibly not. He was getting closer already. I had to act fast.

The main road was the only one fairly lit in the N109 zone. I had to disappear out of sight if I wanted to gain an advantage and in order to do that, I had to merge with the shadows. I took another sharp turn, slipping into a side alley.

Old cardboard boxes and bins lined the narrow pathway, and the pavement was still glistening with the tears the sky had cried throughout the day in the artificial light of a shady poker club that was still open.

An opportunity, perhaps? I quickened my steps, heading straight towards it. Voices accompanied the weak source of light—cheerful chatter by men and women alike. Normally, I’d stay miles away from these places. But right now, it may be my only lifeline.

Another inconspicuous glance back proved the stranger was indeed still following me.

Ten more steps. Ten more steps and I could…could do what? I bit my lower lip. I hadn’t thought this through at all. People who visited these clubs were hardly of the trustworthy sort. If anything, there was a chance they were even deadlier than the man behind me.

Still, I had no choice, perhaps I would…

My heart skipped a beat when my eyes fell on one of the men facing the open door of the building. His hands were buried in his pockets as if he didn’t have a care in the world, a nonchalance unusual to the N109 zone. But it was his appearance that made my breath hitch.

White hair, red eyes…this…this was Sylus. I’d only seen him once before. As a real estate agent on the dodgier and more exploiting side, my father liked picking fights over property he believed he was entitled to—it got him on Onychinus’s bad side quickly, and onto their long list of enemies they were happy to strangle on sight.

My instincts should be telling me to run. I could only imagine the pure horrors they’d inflict on me if they knew I was his daughter. But I was also running short on options. Sylus was the most powerful man in the N109 zone. And as of right now, he was the only one I would trust to be capable of helping me out of my predicament.

He heard me approach before he turned his head to face me. One of his perfectly shaped eyebrows rose slightly when my eyes locked with his, yet before he could utter even a single word, I threw myself into his arms as if he was my boyfriend and I hadn’t seen him all week. He placed his hands on my waist presumably by reflex, a barely audible gasp escaping his lips in the process.

“A little stray kitten is seeking the protection of a lion. How…adorable,” he purred. Mockery swung in his dark voice. It sent pleasant shivers up and down my spine, reminding me of how dangerous this man was, and yet…I felt safe in his arms. Protected. With a shaky breath, I nuzzled up to his neck even closer.

“Please…I’m being followed. Help me. C-can you pretend we know each other?”

Sylus stiffened in my arms. For a brief moment, I worried he’d push me away and tell me to deal with this myself but instead…instead he tightened his grip around me with a start. I let out a sigh of relief before I could stop myself.

“Who? The guy right behind you?” he asked, his tone low and stern.

“Yes,” I whispered into his ear. “He’s wearing a black beanie.”

Sylus hummed, looking up when the strange man reached us at last. “Can I help you?” he growled.

I swallowed thickly, pressing my face against Sylus’s chest. Heavens, he smelled…good. His masculine scent calmed my nerves in an instant, my trembling ceasing a little.

“N-no…” I heard the man stutter behind me.

“Then what do you want from my girlfriend? You don’t strike me as the poker type,” Sylus continued, his voice carrying just a hint of a threat. My girlfriend… Why did I like the sound of that so much? I suppressed a scoff. I’d been reading too many mafia romance novels, that was for sure.

“Your girlfriend, huh? I’m just taking a walk. Enjoying the fresh air, taking in the night breeze.”

Clearly, he was not convinced. Yet it appeared he did not realise who Sylus was either—and that as of right now, he was playing not only with fire but death itself.

“Then keep on walking and don’t look back,” Sylus said. He leaned back a little, hooking his index finger under my chin to force me to look at him. His crimson gaze went soft, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Did you have a good day at work, kitten?”

I nodded, too stunned to speak. Studying him up close, he…he was attractive. Very attractive. Shit, what was wrong with me? This wasn’t just anyone, this was…this was the leader of Onychinus himself! Sylus is dangerous, I scolded myself. Your father’s arch enemy, your...oh please, don’t develop a crush on him!

“How can I be sure you really know the lady, huh? You could be blackmailing her, making her work for you, or some shit like that. She might need my help.”

Sylus growled. I was unprepared for the jolt of electricity rippling through me when he did. But what had me at his mercy was his following action. Without showing any signs of hesitation, Sylus leaned down and pressed his lips against mine, claiming my mouth in a kiss full of longing and the promise of more.

I froze. Panicked and melting into him both at the same time. By the time he released me, his hot breath ghosting over my face, the stranger scoffed and then, finally, took off.

Butterflies exploded in my belly, my heart fluttering in my chest to the point I was worried he could hear it.

I should thank Sylus. Show him my appreciation, shower him with grateful words, and yet…my throat remained paralysed as if his kiss had awakened something in me my body was yet to come to terms with.

“You are reckless wandering around the N109 zone unarmed at this time of night, kitten,” he said once the man was out of sight.

Damn it. I shook myself. Pull yourself together!

“I’m not unarmed. I have a gun in my bag, I just…I panicked. He would have reached me by the time I got my weapon out.”

“Then carry it on your hip next time. How far are you from home?”

“About a mile. That way.” I pointed down the alley—the exact same direction the stranger had disappeared into.

I only realised now that Sylus was still holding me. I cleared my throat, peeling myself out of his embrace.

And whoever he had been conversing with, they were all gawking and had been following the spectacle as if I was the main character of a reality TV show. Oh, how lovely.

“Luke, Kieran!”

“Yes, boss?” Two young men dressed entirely in black, their faces hidden by eerie masks stepped into view, answering Sylus in unison. I blinked. Where had they come from?

“Take my car and bring this lady home safe.” His tone allowed no contradiction—not from me and certainly not from the twins. Not that they were not inclined to read every wish from his lips anyway.

“Sure thing, boss,” one of them said.

“Follow us!” the other one added.

Expecting me to do as I was told, they disappeared around the corner, the way I came from, before I could protest.

I took a step back. “Uh… Sylus?”

His crimson eyes locked with mine. A mute invitation to continue speaking.

“Thank you.”

He nodded. “Good night, kitten.”

I did not look back when I took off. I couldn’t. I could still taste him on my lips along with the lingering aroma of expensive whiskey…

“In you go, miss!”

“Yeah, just tell us where you live and we’ll get you home in no time!”

Unable to tell who was who, I merely recited my address to them before I climbed into the back of the car hoping that this wasn’t a trick and they would indeed take me home.

Studying the interior as well as the exterior and taking into consideration that I didn’t know a lot about cars; even I knew that this one was expensive. Very expensive, surpassing the wealth of my father by far.

As soon as the engine was started and the twins stirred the vehicle further and further away from the poker club, my mind drifted off to Sylus and the way those stunning red eyes had softened with compassion upon learning of my precarious situation. A man with such a look in his gaze couldn’t possibly be a villain…right?

“Wait…this is where you live? This is the real estate agent’s mansion.”

“Are you his daughter?”

They both leaned back, staring at me through their expressionless masks. I swallowed thickly. Shit. I should have given them a different address. One that was right around the corner or something. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

“I…I…”

“Explains why you’re sneaking around at night. That real estate agent is shady.”

“I was just trying to get home. I’m not up to anything. And I certainly don’t want any trouble.” Plus, I wouldn’t have thrown myself into the arms of my father’s greatest enemy, your boss, if I did.

“Ah, don’t worry, we won’t tell Boss about your dad.”

“Yet.”

The car doors unlocked, prompting me to breathe out audibly. “T-Thank you.”

“Good night!” they called out in unison when I got out of the car as quickly as I could muster. I’d barely closed the door again before they drove off already, leaving me behind confused and speechless. Yet? What was that supposed to mean?

It was a few weeks after this incident that my father announced I was to attend a highly important business meeting with him. So far, Onychinus had been silent. No surprise attacks, no kidnappings. I should have felt at ease that Sylus had acted like a true gentleman that night, ensuring I got home safe without expecting anything in return.

Luke and Kieran must have kept their mouth shut about my identity. And if they hadn’t, and Sylus already knew who I was and where I lived…

It should have been concern or even fear pumping through my veins. Instead, my thoughts kept circling back to the very moment the infamous leader of Onychinus had kissed me as if we were in love.

“Are you ready, sweetheart?” My father stepped behind me, meeting my gaze in the mirror.

I took a deep breath and straightened my suit. “Ready, Dad. So…who are we meeting tonight? And where?”

“Place is a shady poker club about a mile from here. We won’t stay there any longer than necessary.”

Shady poker club? I swallowed thickly. He couldn’t possibly mean…

“Dad, who are we meeting up with?”

“The less you know, the better, sweetheart. Now let’s go. We’re gonna be late. He doesn’t like it when you’re late.”

He. Who was he?

My father ushered me outside and into his car before I could pry any further. We soared through the streets ignoring speed limits and the occasional obstacle. He was nervous. The way his fingers gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white had me shift back and forth on the passenger seat all restless and uneasy myself.

He hadn’t even told me why he wanted me there in the first place. Not knowing what to expect at all threatened to have me decorate the dashboard with my dinner.

But perhaps that was a lie. Part of me did know, precisely, what to expect. I realised that the very moment the car came to a stop.

Sylus’s crimson eyes locked with mine when I entered the poker club a few steps behind my father and his men, his brows furrowed ever so slightly. If Luke and Kieran had indeed revealed my identity to him, he did not show it. His demeanour was calm. Collected.

“Mr. Sylus… Thank you for your time,” my father said.

“Don’t thank me before you have made it worth my while.” He paused and my heart skipped a beat when he stepped towards me and raised my hand to his face, pressing a tender kiss to my knuckles. “We meet again, kitten.”

It lingered on my skin even after he let go, like the gentle wings of a butterfly caressing the back of my hand. I was on fire, my face and ears so warm I could practically feel the blood pumping through them. Airplanes took off in my body, making me nauseous for different reasons entirely now. Damn it.

“Good evening, Sylus,” I pressed out at last.

My father’s eyes widened. “You know each other?”

Sylus looked at me expectantly.

“Uh… Sylus helped me out of an iffy situation the night you sent me to retrieve those documents for you. He ensured I returned home safely,” I said.

It was a challenge to hide the trembling in my voice. I’d had good reason not to tell my father about my encounter with Sylus. I suppressed a gasp when he grabbed my upper arm.

“Are you kidding me, child? You’re telling me you put yourself in the leader of Onychinus’s debt?” he hissed.

And this was exactly why.

I spotted the twins, standing guard on either side of Sylus’s chair, their masks void of any emotion as usual. Sylus himself had sat down already in the meantime, an untouched glass of whiskey on the stained poker table in front of him. The place was deserted. Neither customers nor staff filled the place with life, leading me to believe that Sylus had made sure there wouldn’t be any unwanted eyes and ears present.

“I don’t have all day,” he called over. He almost sounded…bored.

“Mr. Sylus… Of course. Excuse me. Let’s get down to business, shall we?”

My father’s men scattered across the room, taking position in every corner with one hand on the handle of their guns. I swallowed, relieved when my father finally let go of me and sat down opposite Sylus. I took a seat next to him, unsure of what he expected me to do next.

Already I was hardly looking forward to the ride back home. My father would give me hell for getting involved with Onychinus on my own terms. Shit. Shit, shit, shit!

“So…Mr. Sylus. I heard you are currently investigating Mr. Edward Geoffrey’s efforts to create Evol serums?”

I frowned. Of course, Onychinus would be interested in Geoffrey’s Evol serums too. My father had always had an eye for opportunity. He surpassed himself, however, with this. Willingly setting up a meeting with the enemy was not only reckless, it was suicide.

“You heard correctly.” Sylus took out a coin from his pocket and began flicking it between his fingers.

I bit my lower lip, fighting for composure. The tension in the room was palpable. One wrong word and it would blow, causing a deadly explosion.

“I may be able to help.”

Sylus huffed a laugh. “Is that so?”

“Mr. Geoffrey is an old acquaintance of mine, you see.”

“And why would that information be relevant to me?” he replied, clearly unimpressed.

Hypnotised, I watched him play with the coin.

“Because I sold a property to him. I have access to the floor plans…and skilled men who know how to bypass the security system I set up for him.”

My father pulled out a small package and slid it across the table. Sylus looked up. Now he was interested.

“You stole a sample of one of his serums? Why?”

“Consider it a peace offering.”

“You are a fool if you think all will be forgiven because of this.” Sylus nodded at the package with his chin, then gestured for Luke and Kieran to take it. One of them snatched it off the table before my father could change his mind.

“Mr. Sylus… Let me be frank with you. I made myself very vulnerable by meeting up with you and I have no ill intentions, not tonight. I did this in good faith. My investors are not happy with me. My involvement with Onychinus has made them…wary of future collaborations.”

Sylus huffed another laugh. “That merely sounds like you are facing the consequences of your own actions. Were you expecting pity? Compassion?”

Compassion. He’d shown me compassion that night. But I was not my father. I was not here to strike a business deal. I was, apparently, here to look pretty and keep my mouth shut. It was in moments like this I resented the crudeness of my own flesh and blood.

My father shot me a brief look. He was desperate, I could see it glistening in his eyes. “Alright. I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this but…how about we raise the stakes then?”

The stakes?

“An addition to your workforce, perhaps?” he went on. “My daughter is an excellent assistant to me. I’ve tasked her with many important missions in the past. She is reliable, resilient, and obedient.”

My heart skipped a beat, my stomach churning. Nausea crept its way up my throat, my limbs tensing. My own father…meant to sell me to Sylus? To Onychinus?

The shock and hurt must have been visible on my face. It was ironic, really, that my ability to keep a poker face was remarkably pathetic given the very place of this meeting.

Sylus’s crimson eyes flickered over to me before they focused on my father again. My own gaze followed him. There was no way he would agree to this. Sylus had shown himself to be nothing but a gentleman the last time we met. He’d respect my autonomy, he’d—

“Hmm. That does sound like a fair enough deal. I accept.”

What? My head whipped back in his direction, my eyes widening in pure horror. He…he couldn’t be serious now, could he? He wouldn’t let my father sell me to him like cattle…right? Right?

The man who was supposed to love and protect me turned to me. His hand felt heavy and sweaty when he put it on mine. “Go with him, sweetheart. Make me proud.”

“You’ve planned this all along.”

He nodded.

“How could you?” I choked out.

“Sweetheart…this is the N109 zone. It’s to kill or be killed. And you working for Onychinus? It will lift my reputation and respect tenfold. It won’t be too different from working for me, hmm?”

I should be surprised. Hurt. Heartbroken. And perhaps I was all of these things but instead, all I was able to feel was an uncomfortable numbness revealing to me what I had known for years without wanting to realise. My father had never truly loved me. I was a tool. A means to an end. Another mouth to feed that he was now finally rid of.

Sylus rose from his chair, flinging the coin in the air before catching it and letting it disappear in his pocket again.

“Come on, kitten. It’s getting late. Consider your name off my list. For now,” he added, addressing my father.

The twins approached me when I made no move to follow Sylus back outside and to his car. Their touch on my shoulders was surprisingly gentle. I wanted to cry. Wanted to ruin the makeup I had applied so meticulously only an hour before in order to please my father. Not a single tear was willing to escape my eyes though, not even when Sylus opened the door to the passenger seat for me and the all too familiar scent of his expensive car filled my nostrils. Moments later, we rushed through the streets as if we owned the place. In a way we did. Well, Sylus did.

I refused to take in the beauty and vastness of his home when we arrived. It reminded me of a gothic novel, one with mysterious counts and vampires luring in young women to keep them as playthings and living blood bags. Expensive art and antique furniture filled the place, our steps echoing all the way up to the high ceiling. I followed Sylus and the twins into what I assumed was both a lounge and a dining room.

Luke and Kieran placed the mysterious serum my father had retrieved on the table, removed the stopper, and gave it a little sniff before popping it back on.

“Now what?” I spat.

“Is it a fake, what do you think?” Sylus asked nonchalantly, ignoring my question entirely.

He… I gnashed my teeth. Why was he acting like I wasn’t even in the room?

“Looks genuine, Boss. We should have it checked though, just to be sure.”

Sylus nodded. “Leave it here for now. I’ll deal with it later.”

Three…two…one. I waited until Luke and Kieran had left the room before I all but threw myself at Sylus. This time, however, it was not to seek comfort and aid. This time, I was out for blood.

“You bastard!” I lashed out at him. “Why did you agree to this? Accepting me as a prize like I’m some sort of slave! I thought…I thought you were…”

Sylus’s reflexes were downright terrifying. He snatched my wrist before my palm got even close to his cheek, his red eyes darkening.

I gasped for air when he pushed me against the nearest wall and my back hit the golden frame of a painting, his large body pressed up against me and nullifying any chance at escape. Heavens, he was strong. I was well trained in martial arts, my father had insisted I learned to defend myself since my early childhood, but Sylus? Sylus could crush me. He wouldn’t even need to use his Evol for it.

“I agreed to your father’s proposal for your sake, kitten,” he growled. “Not for mine.”

“My sake? My sake? Am I supposed to believe that?”

“What kind of father bargains his own daughter away, kitten? You’re better off without him.” He paused, closing his eyes for a moment as if my behaviour was sawing on his nerves. “I have half a mind to send you back. You are acting obnoxiously ungrateful.” I…I couldn’t even tell if he was joking or not.

“How dare you?” I spat.

“Am I wrong? Your father doesn’t strike me as the type you say no to. What was your life like, I wonder? Running errands for him? Constantly putting yourself in danger like that first night we met, disregarding your own dreams, your own needs, all in order to earn the love of a man who was never willing to grant it to you in the first place?”

“Shut up! Just shut up!” I struggled against his steel grip, hot and salty tears now finally threatening to spill and stain my flushed cheeks. Sylus was right. He was right about everything and hearing him speak it all out loud was so painful my knees gave up on me. It all came crashing down on me like a landmine. My father’s betrayal, my services being sold like a pint of milk in the supermarket, Sylus…Sylus.

My attempt to shove him away caught him off guard long enough for me to slide to the floor the very moment he reached for the next best thing to steady himself—it was the dining table, the small bottle containing the mysterious Evol serum an inch too close to the edge.

Sylus cursed when it tipped over. The twins must not have stuffed the stopper back in properly, for when it did, its liquid contents spilled all over the smooth surface of his mahogany table and his long fingers. It sizzled when it made contact with his skin, throwing bubbles and emitting smoke before eventually drying into his pores in the blinking of an eye.

“What happened? What did it do? Are you hurt?” I didn’t want to show concern for this man. I ought to hate him, despise him, loathe him… I blinked my tears away. I just…I couldn’t. There was anger, yes. But…there was something else too. It was that feeling again. That very same feeling that had already filled me from head to toe the very night I had wrapped my arms around him begging for his help. It was security. Security and…protection. Like I could put my life in his hands and he would cherish it.

“I’m fine,” he grumbled. Sylus shook his hand out as if that would help remove whatever substance had crawled under his skin, salvaged what was left of the serum, and then, finally, sank to the floor so we were eye to eye again, propping one knee up and resting his underarm on it. His dark red gaze met mine. He appeared to be…fine. Perhaps my father had lied and the serum was a fake after all.

“I suggest…a ceasefire for now.”

I sucked my lower lip between my teeth, wiping my eyes. My palms came back bearing black streaks from my makeup but I couldn’t care less. Nevertheless…I nodded.

“If you don’t want me as your assistant…does that mean…I’m free to go?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

“You are not a prisoner here. Although, I would prefer to keep you around for a while longer. Your father will notice if you go straying again too soon, kitten.”

It took me a sharp inhale to process his words. Safe, a treacherous voice in my head whispered. You are safe with him.

“I wish you’d stop calling me that.” I wish you’d never stop calling me that. My heart skipped a beat whenever he did.

Sylus chuckled. “Don’t act like you hate it. You are…” He did not finish his sentence. My jaw dropped to the floor when he was suddenly stopped by a pair of fluffy brown cat ears springing from his white hair. They were quickly followed by a long tail of the same fur colour. Sylus tensed and gasped audibly.

“W-what is happening?” I choked out.

With one hand, he reached up to feel his ears, flinching when he realised that they were part of his body and…assumingly sensitive.

“So that’s what the serum does…” Sylus mumbled.

I gasped, covering my mouth with my palm to stifle a hysteric laugh.

“Who’s the kitten now, Sylus?”

Shit, this… This was all so…so absurd! All of it! This whole evening, me being here, Sylus turning into an Evol cat…could anything else go horribly wrong at this point?

My emotions turned into a bubbling cauldron full of uncertainty. It was overwhelming, to say the least. And I was getting tired of trying to figure out which feeling I wanted to give in to. Wiping the wet tears from my cheeks one last time, I sniffled and sat up, determined to not let fate get the better of me. I’d get through this. Somehow.

“I’m glad you’re amused.”

“You…you have no idea how much I needed this. You…you’re going to be okay though, right?”

“Of course I will. I just need to find out how to reverse the effects.”

“Why were you interested in this serum anyway? My father’s motivations I can understand, he’s in it for the money but you are…you are filthy rich already.” And the more I’m speaking to you, the more I’m realising you’re not the brutal and cold criminal I thought you were.

“There may be links to the usage of an Aether Core. That is all you need to know, kitten.”

I raised an eyebrow, half a smirk battling the sternness on my face. Truly, I couldn’t care less about Protocores. “I think you lost the right to call me that when you grew a pair of cat ears and a wagging tail, Sylus,” I said instead.

I paused, biting my lower lip. I made my decision there and then. I was safe. For now. And…I trusted him. I trusted Sylus enough to keep me alive and well and that had to suffice for now. I could deal with those strange butterflies awakening in my belly whenever he was near me tomorrow.

“I…I want to stay. And help you fix…whatever this is.” I reached up, scratching his left ear. My eyes widened when a little moan escaped his lips.

“That…is sensitive.”

Oh. Did…did he just growl?!

“You are welcome to stay, kitten. Nothing will happen to you here. Besides…I could use another assistant once I’ve sent Luke and Kieran off to find an antidote for…this.”

He whipped his tail in my direction where it wrapped around my waist. I cleared my throat. I was starting to feel a little cheeky now that I was certain that Sylus would keep his promise. Banter helped. Banter kept me distracted.

“I could be of great assistance indeed. I’ll clean your litter box every day, buy you fresh milk, brush your tail…and I’m more than happy to take you to the vet to get you checked for fleas.”

His gaze darkened. Evidently, my joke was not lost on him. Nor was the playfulness.

“You’re dancing on very thin ice, sweetie.” Sweetie? Now that was a new nickname. I decided I liked it just as much.

“I like to live on the edge. I… I hope you’ll compensate me adequately for my services though.”

Sylus crawled forward and pressed me closer against the wall with a start, almost as if his newly won feral instincts had taken over, ushering him into showing his affection by rubbing against me. I suppressed a moan. Being so close to him had my mind wander off into dangerous territory I was certain there was no coming back from. And to make matters even worse… Sylus’s crimson gaze now dropped to my slightly parted lips.

“Generously…” he whispered.

I’d gotten unlucky before. All my life, to be precise. Maybe today, the tables had finally turned.

[bonniepop]

atsumu opens the door to his house and is greeted by silence and a dark first floor. it’s to be expected; it’s nearly midnight, and he got stuck in traffic on the way back home from practice.

toeing off his shoes by the door, he leaves the keys to his car on the console table and uses the flashlight on his phone to help him navigate in the darkness. he climbs up the stars and hears muffled voices. it sounds like a movie.

the upstairs hallway is fairly lit, so he uses the sound to guide him to his child’s door. gently, he turns on the knob and pokes his head in. there’s a laptop playing a children’s movie on the desk, a flurry of toys on the floor, and a mother and child snuggled on the bed.

“hey, sweetheart,” he greets softly, grinning when he catches his daughter’s attention and she perks up.

“mommy,” she says, tiny hands tapping her dozing mother’s cheek. “mommy, daddy’s here.”

—

“mommy,” your daughter calls again, and your eyes blearily blink open. “mommy, it’s daddy!”

you twist your head and smile sleepily when your gaze lands on your husband. “hi, tsum.”

“hi, baby,” he greets, slipping inside and dropping his gym bag by the door. he moves to sit but his daughter stops him.

“no, daddy,” she whines. “you can’t go on my bed. you’re dirty!”

you snort while he blinks, and you push yourself up to sit.

it takes him a while to process what she just said. “i’m not dirty!” atsumu protests, placing his hands on his hips. “i’m clean! i changed clothes before i left the gym—”

“no,” she says, wrinkling her nose and pointing to his bag by the door. “you have to shower.”

“these clothes are clean—”

“nooooo,” she whines, slapping the cushion in frustration. “shower!”

“but mommy’s on the bed and i wanna be on the bed, too—”

“but mommy’s clean!” she whines again. “shower, daddy!” she extends the r of the word shower, baring her teeth in a scowl.

his jaw drops, then he turns to gape at you. “you’re not gonna say anything?”

you tamp down your smile and shrug. “it’s easier if you just do as she says. i had to shower before i even entered her room.”

“where did you learn this?” he asks, turning back to his daughter with disbelief. “i bet it was from your grandma, ‘cause your mom ain’t as much of a neat fre—”

“okay!” you interrupt him, climbing off the bed before your daughter could expand her vocabulary. “i’ll make sure your dad bathes, sweetheart.” you lean down to kiss your daughter’s forehead.

“thank you, mommy,” she says sweetly, kissing your cheek.

“what about my kiss?” atsumu asks, shouldering his bag and frowning.

“shower first,” his daughter says resolutely.

“jesus,” atsumu mumbles under his breath, low enough that his daughter can’t make it out, and you herd him to step outside the door.

you laugh when it clicks shut behind you. “it’s your bag, you know,” you mention, walking alongside him. “whenever she sees it, that’s when she thinks you’re dirty.”

“why? i spray this thing all the time with the little—” he makes a spritzing-like motion with his fingers. “what’s it called? the thing you gave me.”

“deodorizer?”

“yeah!”

“smelling deodorized and smelling clean are different,” you point out, then point to your bedroom. “go. shower.”

he sighs in dismay, but true to himself, he's not down for long. he wiggles his eyebrows in your direction. “care to join me?”

you roll your eyes. “nice try. i’m gonna put your gross clothes in the laundry room.”

he brightens. “i can do that! after we shower together, that is.”

you sour. “and let the stink simmer? no way.” you reach out your hand. “give it to me; i’ll do it.”

he pouts a little. “but it’ll be more fun if we shower together!”

“no.”

“come on! for me?”

it's almost emasculating, seeing him beg like this, but your gaze is stone cold serious. “no.”

he grumbles in defeat and hands his bag over. “fine. but just so you know, i’m not a happy husband right now and you’ll need to make up for the lack of love and commitment at some point.”

“i give you plenty,” you say with finality before turning on your heel and heading down the stairs.

“you promised for better or for worse and i am going to collect!” he calls after you.

"shower first, then we'll discuss my marital commitments."

[fairytsuk1]

Alex baby daddy pt3 😞🙏🏻

baby daddy alex pt.3

pt. 1, pt. 2

you knew the moment alex saw you, it was over. you’d been welcomed to the holiday party with open arms; alex’s family never shied away from reminding you that you were not only family, but, “¡eres la madre de nuestro bebe! debes ser con nosotros.” you’re the mother of our baby! you should be with us.

alex had no problem letting his mom talk his ear off on how to win you back. in fact, he had a couple ideas of his own. there’s just one small problem as his mother settles a hand over his, “todo va ser bien, mijo.” it’ll all be fine, my son.

“dejame un minuto,” he excuses himself and squeezes her hand before making a beeline towards you.

there you were, in his favorite red dress—the one with the slight frills at the bottom, the one that accentuated your waist and flared for your perky butt. yes, that one. and who was lucky person eyeing you up like a Christmas dessert?

his cousin, “a-and I said, I’ve never even heard of that brand! let alone seen in!”

he practically keels over from laughter at his own joke, heavy hand on your shoulder as you politely smile. no, no no no.

“ah, still telling jokes about why you got fired, huh?”

your eyes give him a scandalized look, but alex merely smiles and greets you with a kiss on the cheek, “buenas noches, mi amor.”

you blush and shy away like the fawn you are. there was something so alluring about you, from the way you crossed your legs as you stood to how your hair fell in perfect little ringlets around your face.

“hey! you know i just got my unemployment, and—“

he blatantly ignores his family member, and your gut stirs at the dark look in his eyes.

“i need to speak to you about itzel.”

“what, why? is she okay?”

“she’s fine,” alex’s sharp eyes flit over to his cousin in a death stare. “but we should go somewhere private.”

you weren’t expecting to be railed in the bathroom, fingers barely maintaining their grip on the counter as alex fucks up into you. he stares at you in the midst through the mirror; a bead of sweat rolls down his cheek as he presses his flushed tip against your fluttering walls to slide home.

“god—fuck. y-you come to my family’s party, like this? looking sososo fucking good, i couldn’t help but take you away, princesa.”

you choke out a moan, going on your toes to try and escape his punishing thrust. it’s futile with how alex flexes and brings your ass back to ‘pap’ against his hips, “i just, i-it’s a christma—aah! alex, fuck!”

“you’re still my wife. you might’ve, ngh, signed the papers but you’re still mine,” alex’s weeping cock stretches your gummy walls as he practically humps you. “shiiiit, can’t believe i’m fucking you here. had to give my pretty wife a gift.”

your breathing picks up as alex slams harder. your weeping hole gushes and floods his dick as you take all of him. he carves a spot in you and makes you his.

“alex? are you in there?”

his eyes nearly roll back and you can feel every pulse of him amidst your fluttering walls. he works his lip before replying, “y-yeah. what is it?”

“there’s starting to get ready for dinner—hey, man, i’m sorry if you felt like i was coming onto your girl or something. she’s pretty, a-and you’re divorced so i thought…”

alex’s sneaky hand rubs tight circles over your clit, your breath fogging the mirror as your eyes roll back in pure ecstasy. his balls churn with need and alex has to grunt with the force of holding back from spilling inside you.

“totally fine, man!”

he makes direct eye contact as he fills you with a hand pinning you down so you couldn’t move away. no, you were going to milk every drop of his cum; your pussy floods his cock and drenches his lower stomach. you desperately move your hips as you’re overcome with pleasure.

you know you and alex can’t stay any minute longer. your makeup isn’t too smudged and you’re shaky on your feet as you hastily wipe away remnants of your quickie.

alex fluffs his hair and sighs, before opening the door to greet his cousin with a wide smile. the man is shocked as he steps back, noting the two of you and your less-than-stellar appearance. alex clasps a firm hand on his shoulder, and the scent of sex is clear. alexis keeps an arm around your waist and his cousin can’t help but take in how your legs shake as you merely stand there, flushed and shy.

“she’s not feeling too well. we’ll eat upstairs. you’ll tell them, won’t you?”

a curt nod is his cousin’s response, the look of shock still evident on his wide eyes.

“thanks, man.”

[weirdsht]

Helooo :ppp

Would it be ok if we get more yan!cale. He makes me so thirsty dawg... 😞 Crazy scenarios will always be on top. Like what if they find out the reader has a weak ass heart (me) and reader's been fighting with them against war since like forever

Recuperation - Yan!Cale/Reader

a/n: i swear you guys took a peek at my notes and forced me to write prompts i've been procrastinating. this and that other req about isekai reader has been on my notes rotting. also i'm working on it but i'm still struggling to write yanderes

tags: reader's gender not specified, yandere Cale, confined reader, hints of gaslighting and manipulation

English isn’t my first language so there will be grammatical errors

Pls don't repost my work anywhere without my permission

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Navigation Masterlist

First, it started for hours, then it became days. Days turned into weeks, and before you knew it you have been confined in your room for months now. It’s not like you’re imprisoned inside your room, at least that’s what Ron tells you, rather, it’s for your safety.

You try to understand their point of view, you really do. But man does it get boring and tiring really fast. Especially when you know that the rest of the group is out there, adventuring everywhere.

It wasn’t like this from the start. You used to be part of the missions Cale leads. Used to practically not see the underground manor as you were too busy running here and there. In fact, before that day you used to be the person Cale trusted the most when it came to infiltration.

Then everything changed when you suddenly felt lightheaded before a mission.

“You okay?”

Cale asked as he looked at you with that nonchalant yet caring gaze of his. You held out your hand, asking him to give you a moment before answering.

“I’m fine, I just felt lightheaded for a moment. Probably because things had been so hectic lately.”

Your lover nodded and continued his preparation. However, he made sure to monitor you closely as he was still worried.

Turns out his concerns aren’t unfounded.

One simple lightheadedness turned into full-on dizziness. Then while on the mission you felt more out of breath than usual. You were also sweating more when the work wasn’t even that strenuous.  

You were showing clear signs that you were sick so everyone silently agreed to wrap it up quickly. And you were thankful for that because you barely managed to hold on while finishing the mission.

After that, you fainted and that’s when everyone started coddling you.

“Ron until when must I stay here?”

You looked at the old servant with pleading eyes. Of course that blasted geezer only smiled at you like he always does.

“The young master already told you that you are free to leave your room.”

With that usual calm and composed poise of his, Ron poured tea for you as you finished the last of your dinner. You took the teacup with grateful hands but still flashed a frown at his response.

Both of you knew that was not the answer you were looking for.

“Let’s ask Saint-nim to take another look at you when they come back and we’ll decide from there.”

The answer only made you frown more because you already knew that being as healthy as before is almost impossible. 

And so you tried to control your temper. Logically, you knew that it would only make your condition worse. Could trigger your heart to become erratic once more.

Nevertheless, a part of you has had enough. You felt dead, you felt envious of everyone else being busybodies while Cale wouldn’t even let you outside your room without a servant following your tail.

“We all know that won’t do anything! I already promised I would take better care of myself, why won’t any of you listen to me!? I’m tired… I’m sick and tired of being here! I feel so incompetent, it’ll be better to let me die in the Forest of Darkness!”

At the end of your shouting session, you were heaving and clutching your chest. Ron, already expecting this merely took the necessary measures to take care of you. As he does a knock sounded on the door before it opened revealing Cale Henituse himself.

He entered your room as if he owned the place, well he does but the point stands, and sat down on the side of your bed once Ron was done.

“I could hear you shouting from the stairs. I told you not to get worked up, it’s not good for you.”

That handsome face of his frowned before kissing your forehead. Still angry, you turned your head away from him. Cale’s frown deepened slightly but he let it go, he's not going to stoop so low that he’ll fight a patient.

Ron cleans up before leaving the room, creating privacy for you and your partner.

“How did tricking White Star go?”

You grumbled silently, still concerned about everyone’s welfare.

“It took longer than expected but we had fruitful results.”

“Everything could’ve been done faster if you allowed me to join the war.”

Cale didn’t answer for a few moments. Opting to caress your hair instead. It was as if he was gathering his thoughts. Trying to think of the best way to make you understand his side.

“You’re concerned, I understand… but this is jarring my love. I cannot keep living like this.”

As Cale can’t seem to find the words, you let him know that you understand.

“You won’t I promise, I wouldn’t do that to you.”

Cale let’s go of your hair to caress your cheeks instead. Each stroke of his hand conveys the concern he carries with him every day. He can’t help but worry even though you are in the safest place he knows of.

“So please just bear with it. Just until you stabilize or until we can find a solution of some sort.”

You nodded and that was the end of the conversation as you dozed off thanks to your lover’s doting. It didn’t take long for you to fall into a deep sleep as your heart finally calmed down.

When Cale noticed you were sound asleep he tucked you in before pressing a kiss in your temple.

“I’m not so cruel that I will imprison you, but I do need to find a way to monitor you no matter where you go. Need to make sure that you will be safe at every step.”

Cale stood up from your bed so he could turn off the lights.

“So just until I’ve planted people all over this world and beyond, please patiently wait.”

He walks towards the door to go to his. Usually, he and the kids would sleep with you, but you need some quality rest so they’ll do that another time.

“I’m doing all of this for your safety after all.”

With that, he shut the door behind him. Leaving you inside the little cocoon he has created for you. Unaware of the bloodbath he has been causing in the name of keeping you safe.

[sykesandskittles]

CHAPTER 5

Harlow

I DON’T HEAR anything else he says. I abruptly rise from my chair, practically tipping it over, and get the fuck out of that cafe as fast as I possibly can.

By the time I reach the patio, my chest is so tight, that I can hardly pull in a lungful of air. I feel like I can’t breathe, like I’m going to pass out, and my heart is beating so fast, I can feel it pulsing in my throat.

Fuck.

I know exactly what this is. It’s a panic attack–one of several dozen I’ve had in the last few months. But regardless of how often it happens, each time is just as scary as the last. It never gets easier or less terrifying.

I feel a hand on my arm. “Harlow , are you okay?” Noah. Of course.

I shake my head and struggle to take in big gulps of air. It’s not working. “Breathe, Little Rabbit. In slowly, then out.”

His voice is oddly soothing, but the fact that he thinks he can talk me out of the panic attack that he created is infuriating. I swallow and jerk my

arm out of his grip. “I’m fine. Just leave me alone.”

It takes everything in me to get those two sentences out, but I manage it. “I’m not leaving you alone when you’re obviously having a panic

attack,” he says.

Everyone is still staring at us–even more so now–and that just adds to my anxiety. I need to get out of here. Somewhere safe, quiet. I have a class in a few minutes, but I’m not sure I’ll make it. I have no choice, though. I’m here on a scholarship, which means I can’t afford to be bumped from any of my classes—and the first week is crucial. Each class is only allowed a certain number of students, and if I’m not there to claim my seat, it’ll be taken by someone else.

I force my spine to straighten, and I suck in a deep, strengthening breath. My heart still feels like a jackrabbit thumping against my ribs, but I do my best to ignore it.

“My next class starts in a few minutes. I have to go.” And with that, I turn toward the social science building without waiting for Noah to respond.

Damn. Day two and I’ve already been nearly assaulted, claimed by the campus king, and had a panic attack. I’m starting to think this school has too much drama for me.

But it’s the only school that offered me a full ride, so I guess I’m stuck here.

I book it to the social sciences building and find a seat in my next class. Once I’m settled in the corner, away from everyone else, my heart rate starts going back to normal. Thank God.

I pull my phone out to text Talia .

Just had a full-on panic attack in front of everyone at the cafe.

She texts me back immediately.

You ok?

I type out my response.

Yeah, better now. We were invited to a sorority party tonight. Come with me?

Considering my anxiety level, I probably shouldn’t be going to a party tonight, but I know it’ll cheer Talia up. Besides, with a couple of drinks in my system, I’ll be fine.

My phone pings. It’s Talia .

Sure. Sounds good. I have to meet someone after class, but I’ll text you later.

I shove my phone into my backpack and try to focus on the professor, who is introducing himself, and for the rest of class, I’m just kind of there. Present, but not really paying attention. All I can think about is Noah. Why am I so transfixed by him? He’s such an asshole, and not only that, he’s surrounded by other assholes. I don’t need that in my life.

The queen of bad decisions. That’s me. I should have told Noah to fuck-off last night. Well, I guess I did, but I didn’t follow it up with the vitriol he deserves—and that’s on me.

At some point, Skye texts me with the information for the party, and I forward it to Talia . One of my classes runs kinda late, so rather than have her wait on me, I suggest meeting her at the party.

It’s dark when my last class lets out. About thirty of us pour out of the social sciences building, dispersing in multiple directions.

“Fancy meeting you here.”

A familiar baritone cuts through the crisp evening air, and I shudder. Not from cold, but from awareness spiking in my veins. Noah Sabastian was waiting for me outside the building. This is the third time being accosted by him today.

I keep walking. “Oh, look. It’s you. How do you have so much time to follow me around? Don’t you have your own classes?”

“My building is next to yours,” he replies, keeping step with me.

The physics building. Hm. Maybe the guy is more intelligent than I give him credit for. Or maybe he’s buying his grades, which somehow seems more likely.

“Didn’t we kinda say everything we needed to say this afternoon?” I huff. “Why are you here?”

“It’s dark. We don’t want a repeat of last night, do we?”

I stop and turn toward him abruptly. “Didn’t you say you took care of that? I mean, the guy is in the hospital, right? Sounds like he’s going to be laid up for a while. ”

“You’re dating one of the Sacred Sons, Harlow . He’s not the only one who’ll come after you.”

“First, and foremost, we’re not dating. So let’s get that clear. Second, why would anyone come after me? Why? I’ve been here less than a week. The only questionable thing I’ve done was attend your stupid ceremony.”

And, seriously, I’m looking for less drama in my life, not more

Noah shoves his hands into his pockets and narrows his eyes at me. “Listen, Harlow , I know this campus. I know the people here. Anyone connected with the Sacred Sons will draw attention.”

I start walking again, and he follows. I’m walking toward my residence hall, which thankfully isn’t very far. “If you run this place–like you claim you do—then can’t you just tell people to leave me alone?”

“It’s not that simple.” His voice is tight. “The only way people will leave you alone is if they see us together. If they know you’re under my protection.”

Jezus. “This is beginning to feel like some weird mafia situation.”

We reach my building, and I open the side door. When he amoves to follow me, I turn on my heel and put my hand out, stopping him, “I’m good, thanks. I don’t think anyone is going to accost me in the time it takes to get to my room.”

Just as I turn back to walk through the door, he grabs my wrist. “Are you going to the party tonight?”

If I say yes, I know he’s going to insist on coming, too. Or at the very least, walk me there.

“It’s been a crazy couple of days, and I’m exhausted. I think I might just go to bed early,” I lie

He nods once and releases me. “Text me if you go out.”

Not a chance .

“Sure, whatever.”

When I get upstairs, I stop by Talia 's room and knock. No answer. Her roommate isn’t even around. Not that I expected Talia to be there. She

probably headed over to the party a while ago. She’d never responded to my last text, but she can be a little scattered, and sometimes she forgets to reply.

Emily is on her bed when I enter. Her side of the room is so much cuter than mine. A couple of days ago, both her parents came to help her move in. Her mom, especially, had fussed over her—helping her set up her desk, and arrange the pictures on her wall. Her dad had set her computer up and made sure she was connected to the wifi, and all that.

I’d watched it all with envy.

No one had ever taken care of me like that. Never. Everything I do, I do alone. I’m an only child, and I’ve lived with my grandmother since I was eleven. And my grandmother loves me, but she’s tired and has a lot of health issues. My dad is nearly nonexistent, and my mom doesn’t give a shit about anyone but herself. So yeah, she’s not coming here to take me shopping and make my side of the room cute. I doubt she even knows I’m here.

“Hey,” I say as I walk in, tossing my backpack onto my bed. “I’m headed over to a sorority party. You wanna join?”

Emily glances up from her laptop. “Um, I mean, I need to get some reading done for class…”

I open my dresser drawer and pull out a pair of jeans and a tank top. We have a shared bathroom down the hall that I could use to change, but going all the way down there is so annoying, so I decide to just dress here. As soon as I shuck the pants I’m wearing, Emily averts her gaze. I tug my jeans on and replace my baby-T with a plain white tank top.

I’m refreshing my makeup when I make my last-ditch effort to convince Emily to join me. “Are you sure you don’t want to come? It might be fun.”

Honestly, I don’t even really want to go myself, but Talia is probably already there, and I really don’t want to walk over alone. Not after what happened last night.

“We could always leave a little early, so you can get your reading done,” I add.

She hesitates for a second, then closes her laptop and sets it aside. “Okay. Maybe just for a little while.”

We’re both ready in about five minutes, and we start heading over to the sorority. It’s only a block away, so it takes us about three minutes to get over there.

The place is a fucking mad house.

The house is beautiful, two stories, and right on the beach. Inside is chaos, though, and as soon as we get there, I text Talia .

I’m here. Where are you?

She doesn’t text back right away, so I leave Emily out on the back patio with a couple of her friends and go in search of Talia .

This place is packed to the gills with hot guys, though, I’ll say that. These guys definitely weren’t at the Burning Crown ceremony last night— which is a point in their favor. The guys here have that chill, beach boy look, which is right up my alley.

Inside, bodies are crushed together, undulating to the rhythm of the music, which is blaring over the din of laughter. As I look for Talia , I grab a drink—a solo cup half filled with cinnamon-flavored whiskey. It tastes like a Red Hots candy and goes down really easy.

I’m three sips in, and already feeling relaxed as I hunt for Talia . But she’s not here. In the span of ten minutes, I’ve looked in every closet and dark corner. I glance at my phone for the millionth time, and there’s still no response from her. Where is she?

I try not to panic, though. She’ll be here. Maybe she met a new friend and she’s just running late, caught up in some random drama. Who fucking knows with her. She’s always been the life of the party, and pretty impulsive. I wouldn’t put it past her to tag along with a group of girls she’d just met.

I don’t see my new friend, Skye, either, so I’m standing alone, just finishing my first drink, when someone sidles up beside me. At first, I don’t even notice. But after a few seconds, I hear a male baritone address me.

“Hey,” he says. “Didn’t I see you at Rush House last night?”

I glance over to see a cute guy with wavy brown hair, dark eyes, and a sweet, wholesome smile. He’s wearing a blue polo and looks like he just stepped off a golf course. I nearly do a double-take, because he looks so out of place here.

“Hi,” I say with a smile, raising my voice so I can be heard over the music. “Yeah, my friend, Talia and I were invited. Are you a member?”

“I’m not supposed to say,” he says with a smile. “I’m Nathan Hearst.”

I nod awkwardly. “Harlow .”

He looks confused and leans in closer to me. His clean, eucalyptus scent envelops me. “I’m sorry, say that again?”

I inch closer to him. “It’s unusual, I know. My mom is weird.” I laugh a little to cut the awkwardness. “It’s Harlow . L-U-X.”

“Oh, Harlow .” His head bobs. “That’s a really cool name.”

“Thanks,” I answer, draining the last of my cinnamon-flavored whiskey. He notices my empty solo cup. “Can I grab you another drink?”

“Oh, thanks. I was drinking the whiskey.” I hand him my cup, and he leaves to refill it. He’s back in under a minute, handing me a fresh cup. I nod, and thank him again, taking a sip.

“You look like you’re searching for someone,” he says, watching the girls in the middle of the room as they twerk against each other.

“Uh, yeah, I’m supposed to meet my friend here. She’s probably on her way,” I say, glancing at my phone. Still no message from her.

“So what are you studying?” he asks.

I tell him what my major is, and we make small talk for a bit—all the while, I’m watching the front door, waiting for Talia to walk through it.

It’s so nice to have a normal conversation with a cute guy, though. I’d almost forgotten what that felt like. All the guys I’ve been involved with over the last couple of years have been both hot as fuck and crazy like a devil—Noah Sabastian included.

This guy is just…normal. And the longer we talk about nothing, the more comfortable I feel. Maybe my luck in guys is actually changing.

Nathan and I are just chatting about nothing when everyone in the house

—and I mean, the entire house—erupts into a roar of excitement. Everyone stomps their feet in a rhythm they all seem to know by heart .

What the…?

Nathan glances at me, and I get the sense he’s trying to gauge my reaction–which, honestly, is just confusion. “Now the party has officially started,” he explains. “The Sons have just arrived.”

[daisymbin]

vernon angst 46 please! any ending is fine 🫶

will do!!! thank you for requesting 🤍

request your own: full prompt list!

check out my masterlist! // hansol's m.list

angst prompt #46: "we can't keep doing this."

it’s late, too late, but you’re here again. the soft knock on the door was all it took for hansol to let you in, like he always does. his heart is a traitor; it betrays him every time, even when his mind knows better.

you’re standing in his living room now, avoiding his gaze, and he doesn’t know if he’s relieved or angry about it. the air is heavy, thick with unspoken words, the kind that choke him when he tries to sleep.

“you didn’t have to come,” he says, voice quiet but strained, hands shoved deep into his hoodie pockets. he doesn’t mean it, not really, but it’s the kind of thing he thinks he should say.

“i wanted to,” you reply, just as softly, but you’re looking at your hands, fingers fidgeting with the hem of your jacket. you’re always like this—distant but close enough to ruin him.

he takes a deep breath, the weight of everything between you pressing on his chest. “we can’t keep doing this,” he says suddenly, the words tumbling out before he can stop them. his voice cracks, just slightly, and it feels like he’s tearing himself apart.

your head snaps up, eyes wide, like you didn’t see this coming. maybe you didn’t, or maybe you just didn’t want to. “what are you talking about?”

he laughs, bitter and short, like the kind of laugh you give when there’s nothing left to say but too much to feel. “you know what i’m talking about. this. us. whatever this is.”

you flinch, and it hurts him more than it should. but he presses on, because if he doesn’t say it now, he never will. “you show up when it’s convenient, when you’re sad, when you’re lonely, but then what? you leave. every time.” his voice rises, not loud but enough to echo in the silence.

“it’s not like that,” you protest, but it’s weak, and you both know it.

“then what is it?” he snaps, the frustration finally boiling over. “what are we? because i can’t keep pretending this doesn’t hurt.”

your lips part, like you’re about to say something, but nothing comes out. your silence is louder than any excuse, any half-hearted apology you could give.

“do you even care?” he asks, quieter now, the fight draining out of him. “or am i just... someone you run to because it’s easy?”

“hansol, that’s not fair,” you whisper, but your voice wavers, and it’s all the answer he needs.

he shakes his head, running a hand through his hair. “no, what’s not fair is the way you look at me like i mean something, only to disappear the second i think i can believe it.”

you take a step closer, and he backs away instinctively, the space between you feeling both too much and not enough. “i didn’t mean to—”

“but you did,” he cuts you off, voice sharper than he wants it to be. “you always do.”

the tears in your eyes are the final blow, because he knows he’s hurting you, and he hates it. but he also hates the way you’ve been hurting him, over and over, with every fleeting moment you give him only to take it all away.

“maybe you don’t know what you’re doing,” he says, softer now, almost like he’s talking to himself. “but i do. i know what it feels like to hope, to think maybe this time it’ll be different, only to be wrong again.”

you’re crying now, silent tears streaming down your face, and he looks away because if he doesn’t, he’ll break.

“i can’t do this anymore,” he whispers, his voice trembling. “i can’t keep letting you in, knowing you’ll leave. it’s killing me.”

“hansol, please,” you choke out, but there’s nothing left to say.

he looks at you one last time, taking in the way you’re falling apart in front of him. it’s ironic, he thinks, how the person breaking him is the same one he wants to hold together.

“go,” he says, barely audible, but the weight in his voice makes it feel final. “just... go.”

you hesitate, like you want to fight, but then you turn and walk toward the door. the soft click of it closing behind you feels like the end of everything, and maybe it is.

hansol sinks onto the couch, head in his hands, as the silence wraps around him like a suffocating blanket. he knows he did the right thing, but it doesn’t feel like it.

it feels like losing, like ripping out a piece of himself and leaving it in your hands, knowing you’ll never give it back.

and as the minutes stretch into hours, he sits there, drowning in the quiet, wondering if you’ll ever come back—and knowing, deep down, that he hopes you don’t.

[aveadore]

Tumblr, hear out my Arcane thoughts. Some of it is slander, though, so don’t read if it’ll bum you out. In the end, I decided to go with one topic mostly, because I had too much to say.

Spoilers, obviously

Tw: suicide

The way the show handles suicide is SO irresponsible. Call it heroic sacrifice, if you must, but I won’t. The same song that played before, during Jinx’s attempts, played again, during her sacrifice, so the intention is clear.

Do they not realize that so many people that relate to Jinx in some ways are watching it? It’s like they are trying to say: “yes, your intrusive thoughts are right, you are better off not being there. It’s best for your loved ones, if you disappear.” So weird. And, fine, she’s probably not dead. But why hide it? Why not make her end be, openly: “sometimes, you can only heal if you cut everyone off and start anew” Fine. That would be way better. I just can’t believe that such a high profile show, in year 2024, uses suicide in such an irresponsible way. Makes it “cool” looking, gives vulnerable people a playlist, actually. Says “wait a minute, not yet”, and later LETS HER FINISH IT? Wft. Like it’s okay? Like it’s a good end for her?

Isha’s story is also part of this problem. I can’t believe her earlier end was not mentioned later. What was the point of it? Was it a good thing for a seven year old to sacrifice herself? You would think so, they way the show sidesteps the whole thing. The way Jinx is repeating what Isha had done, with no reflection on it. I also have no idea WHY Isha has done it. Was it a consequence of something someone else did, or said? Didn’t seem so. Jinx didn’t really fuck that one up, I think. I thought Isha was jinx’s foil, but it ended up not meaning anything. Was it going to show Jinx her own actions as a child, so she could find some empathy towards Vi? But Isha was not mentioned, so who knows what they were trying to say.

Summary of my other opinions, with no details as it’s too long already:

-I liked Victor and Jayce’s ending. Their relationship had enough time/buildup throughout the whole series to pull of the weight of it. It was a little bit rushed at times, but not as much as the rest of S2.

-I absolutely hated how they handled Cait, and she definitely ended up as my most disliked character.

-Mel was one of my favourites, but her story was the most rushed one is S2. I also wasn’t crazy happy that she also ended up mostly fighting at the end. I have no idea what the Black Rose lady was talking about with the whole empathy thing.

-I really liked episode 7, it was the best one from S2. Because they focused only on Ekko and Jayce, the story had time to breathe. The whiplash between their parts was crazy, but in a good way.

-The way they introduced the third faction, just so all main characters could unite was such a cop-out. The systemic problems were much too big to just be fixed by that, and the show just brushes it all under the rug. And the end is just fighting. Ugh.

-Well, it was obviously very pretty. Every frame a perfect picture and all that. Weird complaint, but some designs were “too good”. Too polished. Too much like a high-end commercial for a new skin that costs 200$. It was so distracting for me :P Especially with some Victor “outfits”

-The biggest, most pervasive problem was the time. So much stuff, so little time. It should have been three seasons. There was no time to breathe, no time to understand what’s going on. Characters running from one massive scene to next, with no build-up in between. Just so everyone can end up similar enough to their LoL variant. A bit disappointing.

[srslyblvck]

the devil you know, avengers

pairing: avengers x fem!reader

synopsis: the avengers seem really desperate as they come to you—the person who went under their skin like no one else to help them win against hydra. while they are walking on eggshells around you, you are having fun causing chaos.

warnings: mentions of y/n (maybe), blood, violence, gore, sexual assault

word count: 3.9k

chapter: 10/?

series masterlist

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ THE SUN WAS SETTING, casting long shadows over the quiet, empty road as you and Bucky drove on, the old Cadillac’s engine humming as it sped down the rural highway. The landscape was sparse, fields stretching on either side of the road, with only the occasional farmhouse breaking up the horizon.

As the car rounded a bend, you spotted two figures up ahead—a couple standing by the roadside, looking a little worse for wear and waving their hands in an attempt to flag down a ride. You instinctively tensed, narrowing your eyes as you watched them. Something about it felt… off.

“Keep driving,” you muttered under your breath, eyeing the couple suspiciously.

But Bucky slowed the car, giving you a sidelong glance. “They look stranded. It’ll be fine.”

You let out a quiet huff, still watching them closely as the car slowed to a stop. “Fine,” you muttered, reluctantly. “But keep your eyes open.”

The couple hurried over, expressions of relief plastered across their faces as they climbed into the back seat, each settling into their spots with quick, grateful smiles.

“Thanks so much!” the guy said as he jogged up to the car. “Our car broke down a few miles back, and my phone’s dead. We just need a ride to the next town.”

“Sure, hop in,” Bucky replied, giving you a reassuring nod as they settled into the back seat.

As he pulled back onto the road, you leaned back in your seat, watching the couple through the rearview mirror. They were sitting a bit too straight, their eyes darting to each other every now and then, like they were keeping up a silent conversation. Something about their body language felt… practiced.

The guy noticed you staring and gave a polite smile, but there was a glint in his eyes that didn’t quite fit the friendly image. You smirked to yourself and casually unbuckled your seatbelt, causing Bucky to give you a sideways look.

“What are you doing?” he muttered under his breath.

Ignoring him, you turned around in your seat, eyeing the couple with a grin that didn’t quite reach your eyes. “You know,” you began, voice low and calm, “for two people hitching a ride, you sure seem pretty unprepared for this.”

The woman’s eyes flickered with a brief flash of recognition. But the guy kept up the innocent act, looking at Bucky as if for support. “I—sorry?”

“You heard me,” you continued, your voice dangerously calm. “Two ex-Hydra soldiers with a knack for sniffing out trouble. One’s a super soldier, the other one controls shadows.” You leaned forward, your gaze sharp. “So, why don’t you tell me who sent you?”

The couple exchanged a quick, fleeting glance. Bucky frowned, clearly baffled by your sudden change in tone. “What are you talking about?”

“Just drive,” you said, keeping your eyes locked on the couple.

The man’s friendly smile melted away, replaced by a smirk as he leaned back, letting out a dark chuckle. “Our boss said you’d figure it out. Knew you’d recognize us.”

At that, Bucky’s jaw clenched his grip on the steering wheel tightening. “Your boss?” he repeated, his voice low and cautious.

The woman beside him grinned, pulling a sleek handgun from her jacket pocket and aiming it at you. Her partner did the same, two barrels glinting in the low light as the car kept moving down the desolate road.

You didn’t flinch. Instead, shadows coiled around your fingers as you reached out, controlling their shadows as they twisted up from beneath them, wrapping around their necks like tight, black tendrils. The guns fell from their hands, clattering to the floor, as they struggled against the suffocating darkness.

Your smirk grew wider. “Tell your boss to go to hell,” you whispered, grabbing one of the guns.

Then, without hesitating, you pulled the trigger twice, silencing both of them in an instant. Their bodies slumped, and the eerie silence filled the car, save for the low, continuous hum of the engine.

Bucky glanced back, face a mix of shock and confusion as he stared at the two bodies in the back seat. He looked at you, mouth slightly open as if trying to find the right words but coming up empty.

You wiped a stray speck of blood from your cheek with the back of your hand, giving him a look that was part exasperation, part amusement. “Did you really forget how Hydra plans things? They’re not just going to let us walk away without trying to stop us.”

Bucky opened his mouth, then closed it again, shaking his head as he struggled to process what had just happened. “You could’ve warned me,” he managed, voice barely above a whisper.

You shrugged, slipping the gun into your bag. “Thought you could use the surprise. Besides,” you added, a smirk tugging at the corners of your mouth, “I didn’t want to ruin the fun.”

Bucky let out a sigh, finally finding his voice, though it was edged with disbelief. “There are two dead bodies in the back seat.”

You met his gaze, eyes glinting with that familiar hint of mischief. “Guess we need to find a new ride.”

After a good half-hour of driving in silence, with the two bodies stiff and slumped in the back seat, Bucky pulled the Cadillac off the main road and toward an old bridge that spanned a shallow creek. The bridge was rusted, the wood on the sides splintered, and no one else was around for miles. Bucky parked and cut the engine, giving the car one last, almost regretful look.

“Alright,” he said, slinging his bag over his shoulder and glancing at you. “Let’s dump the car and get out of here.”

You nodded, grabbing the bag of supplies you’d picked up at the gas station and stepping out of the car, breathing in the cool, night air. The two of you pushed the Cadillac until it was just teetering at the edge of the bridge. With one last shove, it tipped over, crashing down into the creek below with a splash.

“Well, that’s taken care of,” you said, brushing your hands off. “Now, let’s find a way to blend in.”

A few minutes of walking brought you to a slightly rundown McDonald’s, its faded sign buzzing faintly. It wasn’t much, but the thought of greasy fries and a stolen vehicle to get back on the road was a relief.

“This place might be even sketchier than that car we just dumped,” Bucky muttered as you both approached.

You snorted, glancing around the empty parking lot. The one saving grace? No cameras. That was a small miracle. “Perfect. All we need now is a set of keys.”

As you walked into the McDonald’s, your eyes scanned the patrons, looking for anyone with a half-decent car and, ideally, someone who wouldn’t notice they’d been robbed until you were long gone. Then you saw him—a lanky, thin man sitting alone in the corner, scrolling through his phone and sipping from an oversized drink. His car keys were lazily dropped on the table beside him.

“That’s our guy,” you murmured to Bucky. “Stay put. I’ll take care of it.”

You strolled over casually, taking a long route around the tables before “accidentally” bumping into him, your hand brushing the keys off the table in the process. “Oh, sorry about that!” you said, offering an apologetic smile as you snatched the keys up in a swift motion.

“No problem, sweetheart,” the man replied, looking up with a grin that immediately sent a chill down your spine. He looked you up and down, a little too long, his gaze landing on your waist as he leaned in closer. “Though, maybe we could make it up to each other?”

Your polite smile froze, and you stepped back, already disgusted, but his hand darted out, resting on your lower back as he leaned into your ear. “You came over here for a reason, didn’t you?”

You fought the urge to shove him, trying to stay under the radar. “Back off,” you said, keeping your tone low but firm. When you tried to step away, his fingers closed around your wrist, holding you in place.

“Oh, don’t be like that,” he murmured, his grip tightening. “You wanted something from me, didn’t you?”

Just as your patience snapped and you were about to clock him across the face, a hand gripped the back of his collar and yanked him out of his chair, sending him sprawling onto the floor. You looked up to see Bucky standing beside you, his eyes dark with anger as he stared down at the man.

“Touch her again,” Bucky growled, his voice low and lethal, “and you’ll regret it.”

The guy looked up, stunned, and wisely kept his mouth shut as he scuttled back, putting as much distance as he could between himself and Bucky. Meanwhile, Bucky turned to you, his hand unconsciously resting on your waist as he guided you away from the scene. You barely noticed, too busy glaring at the guy as you left him to nurse his bruised ego.

Once you were clear of the crowd, you turned to Bucky, feeling a mixture of irritation and relief. “I was handling it just fine.”

He rolled his eyes, releasing his hold on your waist. “Oh yeah, you were doing great. Right up until he was about to assault you.”

You huffed, looking away. “Fine, thanks. Or whatever.” The words slipped out before you could stop them, softer than you’d intended. You didn’t mean for him to hear, but he did, and he stilled.

Bucky gave you a curious look, his brows furrowing as though trying to process the fact that you’d actually thanked him. But you quickly averted your gaze, pressing the button on the stolen car key fob to find the vehicle. Somewhere behind you, Bucky was still standing there, half in shock.

The sound of the car unlocking drew both of your attention to a sleek, black Jeep in the back of the lot.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” you said, raising an eyebrow, satisfied.

The black Jeep rumbled along the desolate road, the landscape gradually shifting as you and Bucky crossed into Michigan. You’d been driving for the past hour, much to Bucky’s visible discomfort, as he occasionally clutched the edge of the seat like it might save him if you veered off course.

“Relax, Barnes,” you muttered, smirking as you glanced at him. “I’ve got this.”

“Sure, because that last turn didn’t almost kill us,” he replied, his tone dry as sandpaper.

You waved him off, turning your attention back to the road. The tension eased slightly as the first signs of civilization began to dot the horizon—a tiny, rundown tourist shop with a weathered sign boasting MAPS, SOUVENIRS, AND SNACKS. You pulled into the gravel parking lot, killing the engine and hopping out.

“Alright,” you said, stretching your arms over your head. “Let’s get this over with.”

Bucky frowned as he followed you toward the shop. “What are we even doing here?”

“Mapping things out for the others, obviously,” you replied, rolling your eyes. “I can’t have them wandering around like clueless tourists. Well… not that they’ll find this place easily even with directions.”

Inside, the shop was as rundown as the exterior suggested. Dusty shelves lined with expired snacks and faded postcards greeted you, along with an elderly man behind the counter who barely looked up as you entered. You made a beeline for the map stand, grabbing three identical folded maps of Michigan.

Bucky raised an eyebrow as you grabbed a red marker from a nearby display. “What’s with the marker?”

“Watch and learn, old man,” you said, plopping the maps onto the counter and spreading one open. With quick, precise strokes, you drew a route leading to your safe house, marking each map with a red circle at the final destination. “Now everyone gets their very own DIY treasure map.”

“Very thoughtful of you,” Bucky deadpanned.

“Right?” you said with a grin, folding the maps and tucking them into your jacket.

As you walked outside, you scanned the area until your eyes landed on a red trashcan far enough from the shop to seem inconspicuous. With an exaggerated flourish, you dropped the maps inside.

“There. Done,” you said, brushing your hands together. “Now, all we have to do is wait for them to catch up.”

Back in the Jeep, you grabbed the walkie-talkie and leaned back in your seat, your voice cutting through the static.

“Hey, everyone. Just thought I’d point out that none of you seemed even slightly concerned about where the safe house is. Not a single word about it. Kind of hurtful, really.” You smirked, your tone dripping with sarcasm. “But since I’m a generous and very nice person, I’ve left you all a little present.”

The walkie crackled before Steve’s voice replied, cautious as ever. “What kind of present?”

“Oh, nothing major,” you said, dragging it out for effect. “Just some maps. You’ll find them in the trashcan at the tourist shop right after you cross into Michigan. Red trashcan, can’t miss it.”

Tony’s voice cut in, sharp and skeptical. “Wait, you made maps? And put them in a trashcan?”

“Yes, Stark,” you said with mock patience. “And I even used a red marker. It’s very professional.”

“Professional?” Clint chimed in, laughing. “You’re sending us on a scavenger hunt!”

“It’s not my fault you guys didn’t think to ask where the place is,” you replied, feigning innocence. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

Natasha’s voice came through next, calm but clearly amused. “I’ll admit, this is better than wandering aimlessly.”

“See? Nat gets it,” you said smugly. “Anyway, maps are there. Don’t lose them, or you’re on your own.”

“Noted,” Steve said, his tone dry.

“And hurry up,” you added, smirking as you leaned back in your seat. “Bucky and I might finish all the snacks before you get here.”

There was a pause before Sam’s voice came through, chuckling. “If you don’t kill each other first.”

You grinned, setting the walkie down and glancing at Bucky, who was giving you his usual unimpressed look.

“What?” you asked innocently.

“You really put the maps in a trashcan,” he said, shaking his head.

“Hey, it adds character,” you said, starting the Jeep again. “Now, let’s go. We’ve got bonding to do.”

Bucky groaned, leaning back in his seat as the Jeep rolled onto the road again. “This is going to be a long day.”

The Jeep rolled along the bumpy countryside road, the faint glow of the setting sun casting warm hues across the fields. You had your hands firmly on the wheel, the hum of the engine the only sound filling the quiet. Bucky, sitting in the passenger seat, looked out the window with his usual stoic expression, but his fingers tapped absently on his knee—a telltale sign of his irritation.

It wasn’t until the silence stretched into something a little too long that you decided to break it.

“So, Barnes,” you said, throwing him a quick glance, “you got any favorite road trip songs? Or do you just sit in silence, brooding like a moody teenager?”

He turned to you, eyebrow raised. “Brooding?”

“Yeah, brooding,” you repeated with a grin, keeping your eyes on the road. “You know, arms crossed, staring out the window, thinking about your tragic past or whatever.”

Bucky sighed, leaning back in his seat. “I don’t brood.”

“Sure,” you said, drawing the word out. “You don’t brood. You just sulk in a very manly way.”

He gave you a pointed look. “You talk too much.”

“Thanks. I try.”

You reached forward, flicking on the radio, and immediately regretted it as static filled the car. Frowning, you twisted the knob, cycling through channels until you found something halfway decent—a peppy pop song that instantly clashed with the rugged energy of the Jeep.

“Oh, this is perfect,” you said, cranking up the volume.

Bucky looked at you like you’d just committed a crime. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“What?” you asked, feigning innocence as you started bopping your head to the beat. “You don’t like it? I think it suits the vibe.”

“The vibe of what? A clown car?” he muttered, reaching for the dial.

You smacked his hand away. “Hands off. Driver picks the music.”

“Driver also nearly killed us twice today,” he shot back.

“Oh, relax,” you said with a laugh, swerving the car slightly just to mess with him. His hand immediately shot out to steady himself on the dashboard, his eyes narrowing in annoyance.

“You’re impossible,” he muttered, but there was a flicker of something lighter in his expression—a hint of amusement he didn’t bother to hide.

After a while, the two of you pulled into a tiny rest stop—a place that looked like it had been forgotten by time, complete with peeling paint and a vending machine that seemed more decorative than functional. You stretched as you stepped out of the Jeep, glancing around.

“Well, it’s not exactly five-star, but it’ll do,” you said, heading toward the vending machine.

Bucky followed, watching as you squinted at the dusty selection of snacks behind the scratched glass. “What are you even trying to get? Those things are probably older than I am.”

“Funny,” you said, pointing to a packet of chips. “I bet this bag’s fresher than your jokes.”

He rolled his eyes but didn’t argue as you fished some coins from your pocket and punched in the number. The machine whirred, the chips moving slowly toward the edge before stopping halfway.

“Are you kidding me?” you muttered, crouching down to glare at the stubborn bag.

Bucky crossed his arms, watching you struggle. “Karma.”

“Shut up,” you grumbled, shaking the machine. It didn’t budge.

With a sigh, you stepped back and gestured to him. “Alright, big guy. Time to put those super-soldier muscles to work. Get my chips.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously,” you said, crossing your arms. “Come on, Captain Metal Arm. Impress me.”

Bucky let out a low chuckle but stepped forward. With one casual push, he tilted the vending machine just enough for the bag to drop. He grabbed it and handed it to you, his expression unreadable.

You took the chips, opening the bag with exaggerated flair. “And they say chivalry is dead.”

“Next time, you’re on your own,” he replied, but the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, betraying his amusement.

As the two of you sat on the hood of the Jeep, sharing the chips and watching the sun dip below the horizon, the tension of the day began to melt away.

“You know,” you said after a while, tossing a chip into your mouth, “you’re not as bad as I thought.”

Bucky glanced at you, one eyebrow raised. “Gee, thanks.”

“No, really,” you said with a grin. “You’ve got this whole brooding, tough guy thing going on, but deep down, you’re just a big softie.”

He shook his head, but there was a trace of a smile on his lips. “You really don’t know when to quit, do you?”

“Never,” you replied, smirking as you held up the bag of chips. “Want the last one?”

He reached for it, but you pulled it away at the last second, popping it into your mouth with a mischievous grin.

“Child,” he muttered, shaking his head.

“Grump,” you shot back, leaning back on the hood with a satisfied sigh.

The quiet between you was lighter now, the kind of silence that didn’t need to be filled. For once, the weight of everything—the mission, Hydra, the constant running—seemed to fade, if only for a little while.

The Jeep creaked as it rolled along the uneven dirt road, kicking up small clouds of dust in its wake. The countryside around you gradually began to shift into something more picturesque—open grassy fields stretched endlessly on either side, dotted with wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. The sky above was a brilliant shade of blue, unmarred by pollution or city haze, and in the distance, you could see small cottages scattered across the rolling hills.

You pulled the Jeep to a stop near the edge of the village, cutting the engine. For a moment, neither of you moved, both taking in the view before you.

Bucky was the first to step out, his boots crunching against the gravel as he surveyed the area. His expression softened—confusion giving way to quiet amusement, and then to something almost admiring.

“This is it?” he asked, his voice low.

You stepped out, standing by the Jeep as the breeze ruffled your hair. “This is it,” you said softly, your tone carrying a hint of nostalgia.

Bucky turned, looking around with a kind of cautious curiosity. The place was nothing like he’d expected—serene, untouched, almost too peaceful for someone like him, or even for someone like you. He caught sight of a small group of children running across a grassy field in the distance, their laughter rising above the whisper of the wind.

“It’s… nice,” he said, his voice almost hesitant.

You didn’t answer immediately. Instead, you stood there, your gaze fixed on the horizon, where the sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting golden light over the landscape. The breeze shifted again, and for a moment, Bucky was distracted—not by the scenery, but by you.

The way the sunlight framed your face, softening the usual sharpness of your features. The rare, peaceful expression you wore, as if this place had pulled you into a memory too distant to touch but impossible to ignore. Your hair moved gently with the breeze, and the faintest trace of a smile played on your lips—one that was neither sarcastic nor guarded.

Bucky’s brow furrowed slightly, his confusion mingling with something he couldn’t quite name.

“This place… you’ve been here before,” he said, more a statement than a question.

You glanced at him, the momentary warmth in your expression replaced with your usual mask of indifference. “Yeah. A long time ago.”

He didn’t press, sensing that whatever history this place held for you wasn’t something you were ready to share. Instead, he looked around again, letting the calmness of the village settle over him.

“This is a good spot,” he said finally, nodding to himself. “Safe. Quiet.”

“Yeah,” you murmured, your gaze drifting back toward the horizon. “It’s the kind of place that makes you forget the rest of the world exists.”

The two of you stood there for a while, the silence filled with the sound of the wind rustling the grass and the distant clamor of life in the village. It was a rare moment—one where neither of you felt the weight of everything chasing you.

After a while, Bucky glanced at you again. “How long do you think it’ll take for the others to get here?”

“Knowing them?” you said with a smirk, leaning against the Jeep. “Probably long enough for you to fall asleep waiting.”

Bucky huffed a soft laugh, shaking his head as he leaned back against the Jeep beside you. The two of you waited, side by side, as the peacefulness of the village continued to wrap around you like a cocoon, keeping the chaos of the outside world at bay.

dividers by @dollywons

[imjustexistingtbh]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhahhhahhhaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

i’m so. imso. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[whoupkatingtheirbush]

Me: knows the most efficient way to recover from flu symptoms is chug medicine, watch too much TV, and sleep

Me: why am I not doing my essays? why am I not packing and tidying? why am I not making the Significant Effort meal I wanted to make? why have I not at least made art? why am I alone?

[mars-ipan]

i have my first infusion tomorrow and the Anxiety is kicking in and i am trying so so hard to keep it calm

[linguenuvolose]

Perhaps there were other reasons for me not hurrying to get my license other than not feeling the need to (I booked my first driving lesson and the panic and fear of driving rushed over me)

[condescending-jerk]

it’s the first of february and i can literally feel the emptiness inside me

[francisforever2014]

i have so much to figure out in so little time it feels like i’m just CAREENING towards a breakdown which i maybe welcome bc perhaps it could offer me some clarity

[goldenhypen]

hey so random and oddly specific question but does anyone have any handy dandy tips and tricks they can give to help your girl out for mri scans? 😭 i’m getting one for my back next week and to put it bluntly,, i’m scared 😭

[shadow-and-purgatory]

Had a crisis, am now sitting on the bathroom floor applying for jobs on my phone