#by the way this is for Orchard >:3c

[stormcried]

It wasn't too often that he visited Ponyville these days since a lot of his times he's spent in Canterlot with his adoptive family studying his abilities or just researching how to be a 'proper' all in all. Drake tried his hardest to blend in with everyone around him. He didn't want to come across as 'upper class'. He just wanted to be a normal kid, in a... semi normal world. And what better normalcy to thrive in then to spend his weekend in Ponyville... by himself... in a world where his kind doesn't exist. Fantastic.

So, Drake found himself wandering around the premises hoping he wasn't intruding on the property of the Apples. He just wanted to explore around here. The apple trees were in full blossom in this time of year in summer. Drake is glad to just experience something new. He's kind of made a name for himself in this town. 'Hairless Diamond Dog' people would call him. Close... enough?

"Gah!" Drake exclaimed in shock at the sudden appearance of Orchard behind him. Jeez... she really had a way to sneak up on him, huh? Drake eyes the other for a moment. "Uh, H-Hey...?" Drake greets meekly. Did this mare always do this?

[snow-system-wol]

Okay preemptively -- really wanna talk about this scene and yell about it in the context of snowverse BUT

Let's be clear in advance that this conversation simply did not happen like this in snowverse.

Ahh... This is a terrifying thing to speak into existence at level 84.

That's the issue, isn't it? And the reason why this conversation simply would not happen the same way. In the normal game here, G'raha is here to express his fears that The Finals Days will prove too heavy a burden, though he hopes to be wrong. In Snowverse, it'd be somewhat insensitive to say such a thing. "Your victories have come at considerable cost to yourself" -- it's true, and G'raha does not need to muse about whether the coming battle will be too much to bear, because S'ria already broke under the strain of MSQ some handful of quests ago.

It is highly likely it will all be too much -- but to acknowledge it like this would be unkind when there is no other option but to continue.

This is the only sentiment that directly carries over, but it is also something they've been saying to eachother throughout this expansion.

To end this post on a less serious note... I'm sorry but with modern uses of phrases this is the funniest way he could possibly... Look, yes S'ria is bringing a lot of trauma into your relationship, but perhaps commenting on the degree of baggage is a bit indelicate 😭

[mdzs-owns-my-ass-i-guess]

The 3 emoji prompts Masterpost

Rules: send me 3 emojis and I will write you a ficlet based off them.

Current status: requests closed

Estimated date for round 3: June 16th

Round One - April 16th

🪷🐇🌕 - lotus, bunny, moon -> Wei Wuxian tells A-Yuan a story from the Lotus Pier

🍓🐞💦 - strawberry, ladybug, water droplets -> the juniors go to a strawberry orchard after a night hunt

🎶🦷🐉 - music notes, tooth/teeth, dragon -> Wei Wuxian has questions from DragonJi

💀😈💋 - skull, smile demon, kiss -> Wei Wuxian laments about not having been a stereotypical villain. Lan Wangji is very into it.

🌠💞🌶️ - shooting star, hearts, red pepper/chili -> WangXian stargaze

🗡️ 🍵 🌨️ - sword, tea, snowstorm -> Wei Wuxian worries about his husband travelling in the cold

🍷🔥👀 - wine, fire, eyes/staring -> Wei Wuxian goes to the markets and brings Lan Wangji gifts

🃏🪭🦂 - joker, fan, scorpion -> Nie Huaisang asks Jin Guangyao to play a childhood game he and Nie Mingjue invented

🌈🍹🎆 - rainbow, cocktail, fireworks -> the rain ruins WangXian's beach day... or not

😄😁😣 - smiling, grinning, scrunched up -> Jingyi goes on a rollercoaster for a bet and wins

🌂⛈️🤝 - umbrella, rainstorm, shaking hands -> WangXian try to share an umbrella. It goes better than expected.

🥰🔁🔙 - in love, repeat, back -> WangXian talk about time loops

🎻🎸💋 - violin, electric guitar, kiss -> WangXian musician AU

❤💀👼 - heart, skull, angel -> WangXian play with a ghost girl

🐴🏔️🪕 - horse, mountain, banjo -> Little Apple doesn't like banjos.

♻️���🌱 - recycle, skull, plant -> A-Yuan's plant dies and Wei Ying uses it as a teaching moment

🎨💔🐇 - paint palette, broken heart, bunnies -> Wei Ying goes painting in nature

💇🍨☄️ - haircut, ice cream, meteor -> WangXian spend the end of the world together

👨‍👩‍👧🍛🌅 - family, soup, sunset -> Jiang Yanli, Jin Zixuan and Jin Ling spend an evening together

🪞⛸️🔦 - mirror, ice skate, flashlight -> WangXian ice skating AU

🧟🛁🍜 - zombie, bath, meal -> Wen Ning receives a spa day for his birthday

:3c ᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ Σ(-᷅_-᷄๑) -> the juniors talk about summoning demons

🦇 🐐 🍭 - bat, goat, lollipop! -> the juniors go to a Halloween party

🧋🍂🔑 - boba tea, leaves, key -> WangXian meet-cute as retold by Wei Ying to his bestie Wen Qing

🔥🩺💐 - fire, stethoscope, flowers -> Lan Wangji buys his son and his husband gifts. He never delivers them.

𐂂⚡🪢 - stag, lightning bolt, thread -> Ouyang Zizhen tells his friends an old legend from his sect

Total: 26 ficlets!

Round Two: May 4th

🌸🫶🏼🧑🏻‍🍼 (cherry blossom, hands forming a heart, person feeding a baby) -> WangXian adopt a little girl

🙏 📓🖖(praying hands, notebook, Vulcan salute) -> Lan Jingyi and Ouyang Zizhen try to cheat on senior Wei's talisman theory exam

🥀🔆💋 (wilting flower, sun, kiss) -> A-Yuan gifts Lan Wangji flowers

⛈️🧎��� (thunder storm, kneeling person, sunrise over mountains) -> Lan Wangji tells Madam Lan he's getting married

❄️🌡️🍲 (snowflake, thermometer, soup) -> Wei Ying takes care of his sick husband

⛸️🧋🌅 (ice skate, boba tea, sunset at the beach) -> WangXian take a romantic walk down the beach

☠️🏹⛓️ (skull, bow and arrow, chains) -> Wen Ning visits the old training grounds in Qishan

👻💥🍀 (ghost, explosion, lucky clover) -> lucky clovers grow in the Burial Mounds after the First Siege

💢👊👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨 (Angry symbol, an oncoming fist, and two men kissing with a heart) -> someone fucks around and Lan Wangji helps him find out

👻💔♾️ (ghost, broken heart, ‘infinity/eternity/forever’) -> Wei Wuxian reaches immortality but not the way he wanted

🫂💘👁 (hug, a arrow heart and an eye) -> Lan Wangji watches Wei Wuxian work

🏳️‍⚧️♨️🌌 (trans flag, heat/steam, galaxy/night sky) -> Wei Wuxian understands something about Mo Xuanyu's identity

🏮🏵️⚔️ (lantern, flower, swords) -> WangXian walk into a bar...

🍷🏩🌆 (wine, love hotel, evening) -> WangXian spend a romantic, horny night in a love hotel

☠️💄⚔️ (skull, lipstick, crossed swords) -> Wei Wuxian buys makeup for a disguise

🐇🎶😴 (bunny, music notes, sleeping emoji) -> Wei Wuxian asks his husband to recount memories of little A-Yuan that he missed

❤️🛣️🐈 (heart, road, cat) -> Wei Wuxian brings home a stray kitten

🚒 🐳 🐇 (firetruck, whale, bunny) -> a day at the juniors' kindergarten

🍶🌶️👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨 (wine, chili, two men kissing) -> Wei Wuxian misses his husband so much

🌾🪺🏯 (wheat, bird's nest, Chinese palace) -> Emperor Lan Wangji and his son fall in love at first sight

🤓🫦🥰 (emoji wearing glasses, lip bite, emoji surrounded by hearts) -> Lan Wangji gets glasses and Wei Ying reacts about it

Total: 21 ficlets

[helluva-hazbins]

@liecoris asked:

❛ you can kiss me, you know. ❜ ( luci :3c )

@liecoris

They had been out on his property which spanned acres of land, he'd wanted to show her the Orchards, seemed a fine day, in his mind for a picnic and she was the one he had sought out to invite. It'd been such a long time in-between the years that he actually felt like visiting his beautiful apple trees. It had all lost it's luster but thankfully, his fervor for enjoying life seemed to be slowly rekindling.

It was somewhere between babbling on and dropping information about the Hellscapes and the species variety of apples that he was stopped in his tracks.

His heart pounding, threatening to force itself free from it's fleshy, bone encasement of a cage.

But he's certain he'd heard it...

"You can kiss me, you know."

Brain set to radio static. Blank.

Finally, he shakes his head, blinking several times to regain some hold on the world that's been sent into a tailspin.

"Uhh—a-ha ha. I'm sorry, did you say something? I thought you—" as he attempts to ask his eyes catch hers and she is clearly exchanging a look within very close proximity that can't be read any other way. The flush of heat blooms across his cheeks to his ears and along his neck. He reaches for her hands, eyelids having grown heavier, without much more thought, the space between them closes as they meet. Lips to lips, gently pressing against one another. He can feel their fingers slowly slipping, further together, warm and interlacing as their bodies act solely on unspoken yearning, lips break only to meet again, much more eagerly. There's a deep set passion welling up from inside of him and he isn't certain he can stop what's been set into motion.

[prismatica-the-strange]

(oop, i just saw that it was soul mate f/o's only i can't read) HECTOR what's your favorite thing to do together? >:3c

Unfortunately, that bloodsucker is one of her soulmates. But he wishes he was as important as me.

I love just spending time with Adeline. It doesn't matter what we're doing.

Walking through the orchard with her hand in mine is a great way to spend time.

[limey-self-inserts]

scattered fluster thoughts <3 >:3c (all angor flavored bc yes) (yes meaning you're easy)

Angor n Avalon while just travelling through the "wilderness" n perhaps spotting an orchard, n Avalon being Avalon (you + extra spice) decides to get some apples bc good snacks. Except they can't reach, and get about 2 seconds into straining and looking for a different way before effortlessly being lifted up, two hands just. pretty much wrapping around their entire waist. Angor's not making a big deal of it bc obviously it's more efficient this way, but he does notice the hitched breath.

And then it just continues:

Small touches that start to linger.

An almost tumble and a steadying hand, fingers sprawled and hesitating just a moment before pulling away.

A leaf, carefully picked from hair, claws brushing past the scalp and very much noticing the shiver that elicits. The tilted head into the motion, the instinct to follow his palm as he moves away.

The Rituals™, as they continue, lingering in their conclusion, a knife against a throat, a daring lean against a trident, locked eyes and heavy breaths.

The growing reluctance of pulling away. Of falling back into distance, when it's so easy to close it. Never explicitly addressed, but privately acknowledged - walking closer to each other, shoulder bumping into an arm, or a hand brushing against one. Sitting closer to each other during moments of rest. Watchful eyes guarding sleep, no longer from across a fire, but right there, next to Avalon.

Just growing physical closeness as they travel together, to match the growing emotional closeness <3

I've been coming back to this with such regularity but it never fails to gut punch me in the best way

those small touches, the way they linger the more positive responses are noticed. how they don't flinch away. how gentleness and roughness can exist around each other. both sides winding closer and closer in person QAQ my heaaaaaaart

[eldritch-spouse]

Who would enjoy having an s/o who's a rancher? Like the whole nine yards, their own isolated land where they grow crops and have an orchard, as well as an assortment of animals they care for

(Bonus where they're surprisingly well muscled for their small size from all the activity required and like to show off a bit for their partner while working on things :3c)

Absolutely Morell, Nebul, Patches and Sybastian.

To Morell, this is his life back home all over again, except way better because it's just him, his piglet, the animals and hopefully your future kiddos. He loves this, and he's showing off for sure- Not just in terms of strength, he's a crafty son of a bitch too! Seeing you sweat under the sun though? For once, he's not eyeing your muscles like a butcherer, though he's certainty still hungry from the view. This ends up working perfectly, because Morell's entire family will accept you twice as fast if you have a similar lifestyle to them. To them, you've become a shroom. He's really proud of you.

You may think Nebul is a bit of an odd choice, but I beg to differ. The wraith enjoys peace and quiet, and there's nothing more intimate than the privacy of a plot of land. Plus, as an animal lover, he's having a great time all around. He may not be the best with heavy work, but a well-fed wraith is usually a good deal stronger than the average human. He does need to get around so he can find misery/memories to feed off of however. Putting that aside, you, Nebul and Purpur will be having a grand old time.

Patches is sold the moment you mention a plot of land. Somewhere he can experiment unhindered? Fuck yes! Plus, your crops will always be plentiful, the juiciest and most profitable by a landslide. Maybe make a little more space for that... If you have horses, you're also in EXCELLENT hands, Patches is a horse girl and his dullahan brain will literally not let him rest until he takes care of them all. Let's not even talk about how having a muscled firefly would make this sopping mess of a monster trip all over himself.

Sybastian honestly has no issue living in a more isolated land. Animals are fine by him and he can help with the work load just fine, even if he often would prefer to just laze around, or whistle at you while you work like a horndog. Putting the slight learning curve aside, Syb would love to bring some mimiclings around every once in a while, it's a safe place for them until they're old enough to branch off into the world.

[characternerdocs]

Heath reuniting with his moms for the first time, for the prompt. :3c

|| Prompt ||| @chickypoodoodloos ||

Well Heath has always seen his moms. Baby Heath grew up seeing Kat as she passed shortly after giving birth to Heath and his sister... like minutes after. So she's always been hanging around for him, or his sister. It's was clear which of the two was gaonna be the Keeper of the mark.

Sloan, on the other hand. Well that's a different story cause obviously someone had to raise the twins for a little bit as you have to give the kiddos some happiness before smacking them with the tragedy of their back story.

It was well past bedtime as Heath sat awake under the covers of his bed in the large sleeping hall. He and his sister had been here almost a month now. Neither of them really like it, the other kids were rude and not exactly welcoming to them. And despite all their best intentions, the adults weren't much better. Heath pulled his bear, Lord Pickleson closer to his chest as he turned his head to his sister's bed. She was already asleep while a cold blue ghost of a woman sat on the corner of the bed, watching her. Kat liked to watch his sister but it took Heath awhile to realize it was because unlike him, his sister couldn't see their momma. And neither could Sloan, even though she would often played along with him. He found it odd he was basically the "go-between" for the two of them; Or how their relationship worked before him if he was the only person who could see or hear Kat. "Momma?" Heath whispered, trying not to wake the girls in the long dormitory hall as he called for Kat's attention. "When's Mommy getting here?" As she turned to him, Kat's kind eyes framed but the heavy dark bags fell on her son. "Soon, hopefully. But we can't rush her. Mommy's been working really hard so you can see her." "Why?" Heath whimpered meekly. Kat stood up as she tried to find the right way to phrase the issue for Heath. "You know how some of the people you can see, they look rather frightening?" Heath nodded and Kat continued. "What happened to Sloan left her looking frightening. So she decided to take sometime before she um... appears to you so she don't look as scary. Understand?" Heath nodded again. "But why does it take so long?" "It's a hard process. It's not as simple as getting yourself dressed in the morning. Sloan was really badly hurt by what happened that night. I've been helping her, cause sometimes when a person passes away, particularly if it was traumatic, it can warp their perspective of themself. Then those negative emotions can make them look scary to you. If Sloan doesn't change her appearance before you see her, she won't be able to. She'll be stuck." "Why?" Heath questioned. Kat shrugged. "Don't know. One of those weird ghost rules, I guess." "Oh, okay." Heath paused a second as he looked around the long dark room. Anxiously he rung his hands tightly around Pickleson's neck as he was over come by his dislike for this unfamiliar place. Truthfully his vocabulary wasn't strong enough to have the right words to express his feeling so the place, so sad and sort of scary, would have to do. "Can we met Mommy in the 'happy place?'" "I don't know, Heath. If she's not quite ready. I don't want get her stuck in an appearance neither of you are comfortable with." "But I don't want to meet her here. It's not - I mean it doesn't feel right." Sighing, Kat nodded. She couldn't argue that having Sloan reunite with their son at an orphanage didn't seem like the best of settings. "Alright. Do you remember how I showed you?" Nodding as he pulled himself up against the bed board, Heath closed his eyes. "Alright, first you're going to focus on your breathing, a deep breath in." Kat demonstrated and Heath copied her. "Now hold for 1, 2, 3, 4, and breath out. Good, now as you breath start picturing Orchard Hill. The tracks of roller coasters and how they weave through the park. Think of the smells, that scent of fried dough as it cooks." "What going on here, Kit-Kat? Trying to put the kid to sleep?" Kat laughed. "No silly, Heath's trying to focus on the 'happy place' to see you." Kat paused a second as she did a double take. "Oh Sloan!" "Mommy?" Heath exclaimed as he bolted up in bed, eyes snapping open. And there she was, another ghost of a peachy-orange hue standing at the foot of his bed, her coy smirk slipping into a toothy grin as she saw Heath light up at her arrival. "Hey there, kiddo. Looked like you were about to pop off to bed there before I could show up." "No... No I just," Heath smile faded as he looked around the sleeping hall. "Hey,

[ghoulciifer]

Lol, aight, I'll bite. Shinsou, Bakugo and Shoto hcs for what they would do for you in animal crossing? Like, would they plant flowers for you, or help you meticulously plan your island? I kinda imagine Shoto becoming obsessed with the Stalk Market, originally to pay of all your loans but then it it becomes really fun for him... Something like that? :3c

hc: how Shinsou, Bakugou, and Todoroki play Animal Crossing with you.

tw: none

tags: fluff, animal crossing, me gushing over hitoshi and shoto

notes: hi anon, ty for taking my bait hehe i really had to think about this one and it was actually super fun to write!! idk why i’ve been in stuck on ac mode or what my obsession w thinking how hq or bnha characters would feel about it is but i’m glad you guys are feeding into that lol. as always ty for requesting, inbox is open, and ily dearly, nonnie. ❥

» out of these three i definitely think shinsou is the only one who actually owns the game and plays on his own island

» he’s a gamer boi, prove me wrong i fkn dare you

» so i think regardless if you two are hanging out with each other or not he’s always on your island or you’re always in his, switching back and forth between the two to help each other out

» i see him as an aesthetic player, he wants his island to have a certain vibe when his friends (literally just you n’ denki) come to visit or when he’s just chilling by himself, fishing with tex or smth idk

» so he’s always on the lookout for things to add, be it from nook’s cranny or design codes he stumbles upon

» he also cares about your island’s atmosphere so best believe he’s sending you shit left and right

» can’t even count how many times you’ve hopped on the game to find your mailbox full of things he sent you with a mix of cute n’ mean notes attached

» they range from “y r u so stinky >:(“

» to “i love you so fuckin much have this shaved ice maker”

» no in between

» also somehow pays off his loans WAY too fast, like where is he getting this fuckin much he spends so many bells on the two of you

» never fails to drop bags of them in front of your house before he hops off for the day

» you try to get him to take the bells back because you are an independent woman who don’t need no man jk pls love me ‘toshi

» but he just runs to the airport and shuts his switch off as soon as you start chasing him

» texts you not even 30 seconds later to say he doesn’t mind being your sugar daddy 🙄

» now I see bakugou as being someone who can’t be bothered by ac LOL

» not that he wouldn’t enjoy it bc i very much so think he would (though he’d never admit it)

» but he wouldn’t really make an effort to hop on every day, maybe doing so every once in a while to blow off some steam or kill some time

» he probably wouldn’t own his own switch either tbh so he’d be on your island as player two awe

» probably put his house way the fuck at the top of the map so no one could bother him LOL

» when you’re not on with him he’ll just do some housekeeping like picking weeds, selling overgrown flowers, watering any plants you were trying to grow, etc.

» just help out with the general upkeep of the island

» lets you do all the decorating and building because he likes your style much better than his own also can’t stick with an aesthetic to save his life

» wracks up a SHIT ton of bells from all the tree chopping, weed picking, bug catching and fishing he does (BUT DOES NOT SHARE WITH YOU)

» majority of your museums donations were from him because he just wants you to worry about making the island look nice

» he. is. a. villager. gatekeeper. WILL NOT let an ugly villager move in and if they do? he’s bonkin’ them with his net and sending them trash DAILY

» “GET THE FUCK OFF Y/N’S ISLAND YOU UGLY ASS RAT”

» you don’t mind tho because he’s uh, kinda right

» overall he’s just helping you out with the small, tedious things that come with your island. would never admit it but deep down he does it because he knows how much you enjoy putting things together to create your own cute little world

» always sends you post cards at the end of the day to tell you what he did and remind you he loves you <3

» i really had to sit and think ab this one because while i wholeheartedly agree with anon that he’d be into the stalk market, he would not understand why tf you play this game LOL

» honestly don’t even try to sit there and explain it because he’ll just stare at you like

» “?? you like being in debt to a raccoon ??”

» but i think once you convince him to give it a try he’ll KIND OF see the appeal

» especially, like anon said, the whole stalk market dynamic and how relatively easy it is to make bells

» another one who probably doesn’t own a switch so he plays on your island too, but he definitely puts his house RIGHT NEXT to yours, what a cutie

» he’s just trying to help out out the best he can. really likes putting whatever bells he makes during the day toward your loans or dropping them in your home so you can use them to relocate a building or smth

» surprisingly really into gardening ??

» when he complimented your flowers in front of resident services you told him he could have a whole lot to himself to make a garden, if he wanted to

» his face LITERALLY went 🥺 ‘n you almost cried from how sweet he looked

» so now your entire island is just covered in pretty flowers and shrubbery, a whole garden off to the side next to a waterfall and an orchard right beside it

» sometimes he’ll pick whatever flower matches your outfit the best and give it to you so you can put it on your character’s noggin’ HE IS SO CUTE

» you like to remind him how funny it is that he’s suddenly so invested in the game when he could not understand why you liked it so much

» “Well... it’s almost like I’m building another life with you, Y/N. Of course I like it now.”

» then proceeds to hold your cheeks in his hands when you become a blushing, blubbering mess from his words

[theloneliestshipper]

For the prompts, could I interest you in a Boba/Leia Regency era AU? :3c The lady being of a higher class would be an interesting angle

Believe it or not I did a Pride & Prejudice Proposal AU with Leia as Darcy but then I got thinking about Leia as a sort of Bridgerton-style duchess in need of a spouse and an heir and I wrote this and accidentally threw some supernatural elements into it so IDK WHAT THIS IS BUT IT AMUSES ME.

- + - + - + - + -

“Must I do this?”

“You asked me to find you a wife,” his father reminded him. 

Boba Fett kept his voice low, mindful that Prince Bail stood nearby. “Somehow I didn’t consider that I might find myself put out to stud for a duchess.”

“That’s not-”

“Is it not? Tell me again why a lady of the court who stands to inherit a fortune wants to marry the son of a horse breeder apart from the fact that his father has eleven sons.”

“Talk to her,” Jango insisted, grasping his shoulders and turning him towards the orchard. 

His betrothed waited for him, a slight, solitary figure in the midst of the blossoming pear trees. Duchess Leia Amidala Skywalker, the heir to her deceased mother’s fortune and the ward of Prince Bail Organa and his wife, Lady Breha. She was twenty-three, beautiful and wealthy and the fact that hadn’t succumbed to some nobleman’s charms by now made Boba more suspicious than flattered. 

If Jango had been born into a noble family he would likely be Master of the Horse for the king, but even that wouldn’t have put his third-born son on the same level as a duchess. 

“Mr. Fett.” She spoke first, with a marginal dip of her chin as she extended her hand. 

“Duchess.” He could hardly bow over her hand in these clothes. The prince had provided them. His younger brothers had laughed until they wept before Jango chased them off with threats to make them muck out the stables until sundown. 

“It’s not that bad,” Cody offered. 

“We do these things for the ladies,” Rex said with the preening wisdom of a newlywed. “You’ll get used to it.”

“Shall we walk?” The duchess couldn’t even make it sound like a question. It was a command. Boba offered his arm and cursed his fate. 

“People describe you as a practical man, Mr. Fett.” She glanced up at him. “Would you say that’s an accurate portrayal of your character?”

“I would.”

“People often describe me as ‘particular.’ They say I have a very fixed view of what I want.” 

He could feel the tension in her small hand even through his greatcoat. “And you want to be married.”

“Not in the least,” she responded quickly. “But I must be married to gain full control of my estate. And to keep that control I must have an heir.”

It was a relief that he was not expected to dance around the topic. Boba was never much of a dancer. “I am aware of my responsibility.”

Her discomfort was clear, but she did not pause. “That is what I wish to discuss. I do not actually wish to have children.”

“You said-”

“I cannot say so openly, because there would be all but open warfare among my relations to determine who would inherit the estate if I remain childless. Lord Palpatine, for example, would like nothing better than to add my lands to his.”

It was well known that Palpatine mistreated and starved his tenets for his own gain. Boba thought better of her for her intention to thwart him. “Who would you see inherit it, if not your son?”

She didn’t answer him. Her eyes dropped to the tall grass they walked in and for a few seconds there was only the noise of the footsteps and the buzzing of the honey bees. “There is a condition in my bloodline,” she said at last, quietly. “Some call it magic. Others, madness. It’s why my brother was sent away and it afflicted our father as well.”

“It affects only the men of your line?”

“Or perhaps it is more visible in the men.” She stopped walking and withdrew her arm. “By royal decree, my brother cannot inherit. But he is not mad. We correspond in secret.”

“You want your brother to be reinstated.”

“And I am fixed in what I want.” She took a deep breath. “If you will aid me in keeping up appearances, I will be a generous wife. You will have an annual sum to squander as you please, and if you want for company, I shall say nothing of any discrete alliances. I only ask that you not presume for yourself a place in my bed.”

Already she was far more interesting than he ever imagined, and Boba could also appreciate her skill in negotiation. She held all the cards save one, the rights to her body in the legal contract of marriage, so she sought instead to pacify him with money and dalliances. 

“My father once had a young stallion,” he said, reaching up above her head to break a twig from a pear tree. “A careless groom left the latch to his padlock open and he got into the mare’s enclosure. He picked a mare and tried to mount her, but the mare wasn’t in heat.” As he spoke he stripped the smaller buds and sprouts from the twig. “She so savaged him that the stallion had to be put down. And the groom who left the gate unlatched, my father took him to Brightview pier and let him go.”

The duchesses’ brows drew together. “He took him to the lake to dismiss him?”

“No, he held him off the pier and let him go. The man couldn’t swim, but lucky for him it was a dry summer and the water wasn’t so deep. He was also dismissed,” Boba added, bending the green twig into a loose knot. 

“I...I have heard that the Fetts have their own way of doing business.”

“The point is, I know well enough when a woman wants me and when she doesn’t. Unless you bid me directly to come to your bed and lay with you I will never presume otherwise.” He took her hand and placed the knotted twig in it, closing her gloved fingers over it. “It’s a tradition my brothers and I have. When you make a promise, you give the other person something to remember it by.”

As soon as he released her hand she opened it and looked down at the knotted twig resting on her palm. Her hand closed over it and she raised her eyes to his, a rosy hue in her cheeks. “I would never have thought so,” she admitted. “But at this moment I feel that such an invitation is not outside the realm of possibility.”

Her amazement was no less than his. He now craved that invitation. He wanted this determined little duchess to want him. “I will wait on your word. And there are acts we might engage in that wouldn’t result in children.” If she were willing and they weren’t so well chaperoned he might be tempted toward such acts now. 

“I am not entirely uninformed of this,” she responded, dropping her eyes. “And I am...encouraged that we are of one mind.” She made a visible attempt to compose herself, straightening her skirts and tucking the knotted twig into her sash. “I suppose we should inform your father and the prince that the marriage plans may proceed.”

Boba offered his arm again, and this time her grip was firm as she took it. Almost proprietary. “As my lady wishes.”

[girs-art]

I know it's way late, but I wanna show you my new gemsona :3c She's a Petrified Wood, called Oak (I like to think other Petrified Wood gems are from different trees and are are nicknamed as such). The petrified wood gems were originally used as deforesters, for harvesting the trees for lumber, making more gems, and clearing plots of land. After the collapse of homeworld, Oak decided she much rather liked growing plants than cutting them down. She owns a large orchard and garden :D (her hair is meant to look like leaves. It was originally green, but I much prefer the orange)

[pencopanko]

amber, ghost and orchard for the asks!

Oohh, starting off strong >:3c

Refer to this post!

Amber (an unpopular opinion that I may have): Just because you're queer and/or not white doesn't make you morally above everyone else. Nastiness does not discriminate so get down from your high horse, my guy

Ghost (somebody I miss): Hmm... besides my enstranged ex whom I'm way better off without, I do miss my classmates 😔

Orchard (what I would like to happen this autumn): More rain, my right foot healing properly, and having enough fruits and other ingredients to make desserts with

[gwoongi]

𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝖺𝗌𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗎𝗌 ✰ taehyung (2)

𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝖺𝗌𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗎𝗌 kim taehyung / reader genre: zombie apocalypse au words: 4814

“She did,” Taehyung assured, reaching an arm around your waist awkwardly, but tight enough for you to feel comfortable, and safe, all at the same time. “They did. We did.”

warnings: graphic content, death references, gore, swearing, dark themes

a/n: sorree if it feels a little bit slow paced!! i just want to make it realistic :D thank you for the positive (and small) feedback, it means a lot :”) mmmm the sweet smell of CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. i love slow burns lol :3c ((i also really recommend checking out the music playlist, especially listening to this + this bc. the last of us’ music is DIVINE))

01. denver ↝ 02. holiday with me ↝ 03. sad forever ↝ 04. surely ↝ 05. scorpion ↝ 06. shakespeare

As anticipated, the room connected to the rusted balcony was empty and upturned; the sheets stained caramel were tossed in bundles to the floor, bird feathers clinging to dried pools of rusted water and the smell of bird feces filled the room, overpowering the usual smell of dried sweat and blood.

Each step was meaningful and calculated as Taehyung stepped through the hotel room - because, it was indeed a hotel, as Taehyung noticed by the brass letters on the outside of each door, pulled off hinges and shedding tears of flaked paint. Leaving you behind slightly, Taehyung stepped out into the hall, staring in both directions to the end of the halls, where bodies lay rotting in sitting positions, blood-written messages praying one final time to God. He scoffed to himself.

“Find anything?” you asked, meeting him outside. He shook his head, turning to head in the West direction towards the stairs, knowing the elevator was most definitely down. An orange flicker of the light inside the pried open elevator showed a carcass, rotting and open, a putrid smell leaving through the cracks. You turned away before it sank in how affected the hotel was. Taehyung tugged at your sleeve when an open hotel door showed a bloody crib with barely moving mobiles.

Sticking to the plan you devised on the roof, Taehyung led the way, as if familiar with the hotel. A downfall of the elevator being out of use was the excessive amount of stairs, a waterfall of concrete steps running down to a square box trashed with shredded newspaper and articles of false hope: MILITARY ON THEIR WAY! VICTORY FOR HUMANITY!

Taehyung once believed in it.

The door was unlocked. Pushing it open, a cool breeze kissed Taehyung’s biceps, bare with his coat tied around his waist in a double knot. The foyer of the hotel was dark, only filters of lofty light pouring in from the windows, despite them being dirty and stained with handprints and splats of crimson. Moving away, Taehyung ducked underneath a fallen beam and stepped towards the main desk, checking for maps or papers or anything worth taking.

He leaned over, elbows on the wood, when he noticed a head of hair, facing the wall, arms outstretched and littered with red bites. Beside her, the cord to the telephone swung as if recently dropped, and the static of a radio could be heard louder when he rounded the desk to crouch before the body; it was a woman, with dark skin and brown curly hair, ripped clothing with exposed, shredded skin. Blood cried from her eyes and nose, and Taehyung sighed dejectedly as he pried away a Denver map from her hands.

The hotel was circled in a green pen - Merryweather Hotel. An arrow pointed to it, labelled City 10, Block 18.

“Shit,” he exhaled.

“What happened?” you asked, stepping over an open bag of luggage to approach him. He rose from his place, meeting you before you saw the body and the swinging mobile, or the cynical piece of paper reading, “May God Be With You”, written in Spanish, if he remembered.

Taehyung passed you the map. “Now we know where Block 18 is.”

You scanned the map, cursing softly when you noticed the markings. “The herd. Where’s the herd, then?”

“I don’t want to find out,” Taehyung replied briskly, nodding towards the doors. “Let’s just get out before we find out the walkers are behind the door to the basement, or something.”

Knowing your luck, it wasn’t entirely unrealistic.

Dampening your throat with hot saliva, you followed Taehyung to the double doors. As his fingers brushed the handle to leave, your heart thumped erratically; Taehyung had barely joined your group, and if he didn’t make it somehow...that would be on you. With little pride, you weaved in front of his arms, opting to take the lead. His gaze felt cold as you pushed in front of him, doing a slow and barely-audible countdown until Taehyung pushed the door for you, grabbing your hand in a swift and tight motion, pulling you into the room seconds before the count of three.

The door slammed closed at on 3, glass pouring to the floor with a loudness that alerted the herd before footsteps did.

The dead’s reactions were delayed, looking up from their meals to see the two of you speeding down the roads, the sound of your shoes slapping against the street echoing in the silence of the evening. Even as they begun to move, it was not fast and you were both able to make it back to the clearing where you had started at. Learning from earlier experience, Taehyung remained utterly silent, except for large gasps for air, and a string of foreign curses when the square was empty, missing Taekwoon’s ride.

They were gone.

“Fuck,” you muttered, mostly to yourself as Taehyung rushed towards a nearby car, shoved in front of the doors to a small convenience store once known as “TODD’S SHOP”. He slid into the driver’s seat, only to rush back out at the sight of a busted radio and torn apart insides, and the lack of steering wheel and pedals.

“It’s busted?” you asked, breathless, as he pulled you by the hand across the boot of the car, and into the desolate and destroyed interior of Todd’s once humble store. He closed the doors hurriedly, already working on fortifying defences.

“Completely useless.”

It’s surreal- you realise, as you scan the store and notice shelves torn off the walls, nails upturned and daunting, lights swinging, that the world can change so dramatically. Even when you try to pretend like most of the world aren’t undead and eating everything else, it’s hard to forget. Everything from the groans to the fallen stuffed animals is a reminder.

Somebody else had set up camp in the same spot. A small den had been made by pushing two display tables together, an L from the desk making a perfect sleeping station, already kitted with a cool gas lighter, and a thin and uncomfortable looking mattress and a hard pillow, stained slightly with a creamish substance that looked familiar to your high-school years. But, at this rate, anything would have to do.

“Over here, Taehyung,” you called, voice exhausted but loud enough to carry to his ears. He looked over his shoulder, briefly scanning the store as he walked robotically towards the makeshift bed. Dropping to a crouch, he craned his head to look at the bed, a frown of disgust evident on his features. But, being alive made him grateful, and he said nothing as he moved around you, occupied by your bag, to sit with his body on the edge of the mattress.

“I don’t have any food to share out,” you said quietly, but he remained unbothered.

“Don’t worry,” he replied, fingering your shirt from the back. “Maybe we can find apples on the way back.”

At that, you smile genuinely, fiddling with the gas lighter. “Apples?”

“Yeah. I saw an orchard on the way to your camp. Big green apples.”

With the flame lit timidly, you faced Taehyung with a small and vacant smile. “I like red apples more.”

“Me too. But, you can’t be picky when the world is ending,” he shrugged, and a chill slid down your spine. Masking your sudden somber mood with a faint smile, Taehyung stuck out an arm for a second pillow as you lay down beside him, facing away from the window. Taehyung leant over you, reaching to pull the blanket acting as a tent to block the auburn sunset and the thumping of biters outside the door.

“I’m sorry.”

Taehyung paused, moving his cheek across his own bicep to look at you, smushed against his arm.

“Me too.”

“I’m supposed to be the leader. I’m- I’m supposed to lead and set an example for the group,” you croaked out, feeling your eyes burn with dry tears. “You shouldn’t have come.”

A low hum left Taehyung’s throat. “Maybe. But then you’d be all alone and that walker would have got you.”

You scoffed, at that: “Jisoo would have been my partner.” A silence. “I hope she made it out.”

“She did,” Taehyung assured, reaching an arm around your waist awkwardly, but tight enough for you to feel comfortable, and safe, all at the same time. “They did. We did.”

You could barely remember the moment you woke up and left Todd’s old shop, just knowing that it was before the sun came up and in total silence. Fragments of thought- Taehyung sitting up with you still in his arms, a shake awake, and a quick jump out of the back window towards the forgotten trail into the thick woods. An avoidance, he had said, or something similar. To skip the walkers. You said nothing.

As expected, you rightly predicted that on foot, it would take nearly three days to return to camp. Sticking to the main road unless absolutely necessary, you found that you felt undeniably safe by Taehyung’s side; he walked several feet ahead, in a system designed by you, out of boredom on the long road home. You both walked along the dusty chalk-line in the middle of the road, looking forwards and to the left, backwards and to the right. Every sound was heightened in the silence, but the only thing to put you at ease was the familiar click of Taehyung’s gun, the occasional groan when his bat hit his knees and the comforting sound of absolutely nothing at all.

Cutting from the road to a trail in the woods, the sound of gravel and discarded beach pebbles underneath your boots became a familiar soundtrack as the pair of you walked along an abandoned train line, passing by a Caboose cabin on the way back home, fog slithering down the mountainous wall surrounding the Denver area.

Taehyung was right, too- on the way along the tracks, a big and blooming apple tree hung over the dip between the tracks and an ebony coloured stream of water, with giant green apples swinging in the breeze. Taehyung had helped hoist you up to pick four apples for the journey back, the first food of the day. The original sourness became a drug in your mouth, a taste so addicting that the four apples intended to last four hours lasted ten minutes. You simply tossed the cores to the side, hoping a tree would grow in the world that stopped working.

Further towards the warehouse, it became familiar enough to talk. Taehyung talked first, keeping the conversation clear and above the surface, mentioning his sister once again and the one time they went to Memphis for Spring Break and got lost. After almost dying alongside him more than once, it was impossible to fight the urge to know more about him. To debunk the mystery behind the new member who arrived with the gash in his leg, three cigarettes in his boot, and a stolen Scorpion-owned pistol covered in a crocodile skin protector.

Following the ancient-looking trail back to the warehouse, where the hills got steep, you could see the tops of the barbed fences enclosing the hideout, and a wave of relief washed over you. The atmosphere had changed drastically, and your feet moved quickly up the hill despite its efforts to deter you. Just a little bit further ahead…

Reaching the top of the hill, it took less than three seconds to recognise that something was wrong. The approaching puffs of air didn’t pull your gaze away from the swinging gates, very much open. Taehyung rested a hand on your forearm, confused. “Why’d you stop?”

His gaze lifted tenderly, noticing the opened gates and he hesitated, devoid of expression and breath. The wind stopped. Birds paused their singing. A cloud covered the sun.

Then, all at once, you broke out into a sprint, running towards the camp to see it in literal ruins. You had been gone less than three days, and everything had fallen apart without you. You should have noticed warning signals from the rising smoke on the way back home, but with a non-threatening camp just miles away from your own, it was always hard to tell the source. Part of the warehouse was alight, smoke stuck in the ceiling but nonetheless smelling out the place, and newspapers and colouring books fluttered like wings in the wind, carrying a smell of burning flesh with the familiar smell of oil and charcoal, burning paper, the smell of burnt toast. 

Majority of the vehicles were gone, except one small Nissan Versa in a decorative black, although now painted in ash. A pile of blood, and a trail of dragged red towards the spot where the cars once were made your stomach churn, and the sight of a hand sticking out from behind the dumpsters, a hand that was human, was enough to make you cry out, in agony, staggering towards the dumpsters to find the mauled and maggot-covered body of little Yena.

She was too young. Way too young.

“Y/N?”

Sniffing, and turning to Taehyung with tear-stained cheekbones, you met his somber gaze as he passed you a sheet of sooty covered paper. Your reaction was delayed, but you nonetheless turned from the sight of Yena mangled up and gingerly took the paper from his hands, feeling the comfort of his fingertips brushing your own, gaze distracted on the corpse by the dumpster.

Y/N.

I hope you’re reading this. I hope it’s you, and not somebody else. It needs to be you.

We arrived back to camp with every intention of coming to find you the following morning. As I’m writing this, we have very little time. I’m in the car while the others deal with the biters. They’re in. They got in. They got Yena by the gate without us knowing. We think she’d gone to get flowers from the meadow, and got caught by one on the way back inside.

Yena didn’t make it.

With what we have left, we’re heading to Georgia. While the group were gone, we got a signal. From a group of survivors who have a boat with extra spaces. We made connection and managed to guarantee us seats on the boat. With Yena gone, at least we’ll have room for us all to safely cross the waters to somewhere new.

We’ll wait for you for as long as we can. We love you, and I hope you’re safe. Taehyung, too. I hope you made it out alive. We left a car. I hope it’s there for when you come home.

Please come. May God be with you.

Or whatever you believe in.

Doyoung.

“They’re gone,” you said finally, your voice scratchy from crying. Without even knowing, Taehyung had lead you away from the sight of Yena and towards the car. He’d put a sheet over her, to keep whatever dignity she had left. He pulled open the door for you. “They’re safe.”

“I know,” Taehyung replied, gently pushing you into the car. ��Buckle up.”

The door shut, and instead of doing what he asked, you popped open the footwell, taking out a pen from the small leather pouch, drawing a wonky line from Colorado straight to Georgia. Pointing out the obvious, but enough to occupy the seconds alone inside the car. Taehyung moved into the seat next to you, closing the door and locking it for good measure. Thankfully the car was fully filled with petrol, and Taehyung sighed with relief when the engine started smoothly.

“Do you know how to drive?” you asked suddenly, and Taehyung looked at you with a deadpan expression, one eyebrow quirked.

“No.”

“Are you kidding me? No, get out, we’re switching. I can’t believe-”

“People are coming back from the dead and eating each other, and yet you can’t believe that I can’t drive?” Taehyung asked, almost offended. “Put your seatbelt on, Y/N.”

You scoffed. “I don’t fancy dying because you drove us off the road.”

“Why do you have, like, no trust in me at all?” he asked, a sigh in his voice as he reversed the car. “Just because I don’t have a license doesn’t mean I can’t drive safely. I got an Alton Towers drivers license when I went on holiday to England, so, it technically counts.”

“...Are you fucking with me?.”

“Deadly serious,” he nodded, smiling when he saw you grinning in the seat beside him. “I did laps around that track like my life depended on it, and I took the license to school and told kids I had passed my test.”

Leaning over to switch on the radio, you shook your head. “You’re full of surprises, you know.”

He shrugged. “I’ll take it. Which direction is Georgia?”

“That way,” you estimated, pointing an arm in the direction on the map. “You ever been to Georgia?”

“Six months ago, I’d never really been anywhere except for New York,” Taehyung replied. “You?”

“Nope. It’ll be like a holiday for us both,” you said, settling into the seat with the sound of a random jazz CD playing quietly. “Is that okay? Going on holiday with me?”

Taehyung pretended to think about it, and then looked over with a faint smile ghosting his lips, eyebrows quirked with an essence of playfulness. “I couldn’t think of anything worse.”

OCTOBER 27TH, 4 YEARS AGO. [x]

“What do you mean, you’re not going to Uni?”

For October, it was warm. Jiyong walked alongside you, his hands balled into fists in the pockets of his green bomber jacket, knees nude in the rips of his jeans. Just further ahead, Seunghyun led a trail of smoke towards an alley walled by chainmail fences, a lime-green light creating a path towards a low hum of chatter, his boots crunching on broken bottles and Autumn leaves.

You shrugged next to him, brushing against his shoulder. “I dunno, really. Can’t afford to go.”

“Uni’s do bursary now,” Jiyong said. “For people who don’t have a lot of money.”

“I appreciate it, Ji, but, I don’t think I’m fit for Uni,” you replied, exhaling a shaky laugh. The small group of high-schoolers made it to the end of the alley, stepping into the back-street submerged in a midnight silence, Denver lights creating bokeh effects in the after-rain landscape.

Minding the dark puddles, you walked in a short silence to a series of stairs leading to an abandoned subway line that expected construction months ago. Down them, students and late-nighters congregated near the train-lines, the familiar smell of weed and cheap Vodka in small dugouts in the wall, and you inwardly cringed as the three of you walked further down the subway station, towards a second staircase leading up, opening up into an abandoned street, where the hum of chatter became roars of excitement. Further ahead, bright nude lights outlined the buildings lining the street, and an accelerating vibration wriggled down the street, shaking the chains on fences, sending Seunghyun into an episode of excited dancing, cigarette slipping through his fingers and dying in the swimming pool of rainwater that flooded a nearby drain.

“Even Seunghyun is going to Uni,” Jiyong continued, irrelevant to the fact that you simply did not have the money to go. “You can’t leave us.”

“Sorry, Ji,” you said quietly, patting his shoulder gently. “It’s just not gonna happen.”

Jiyong watched as you left, his eyes lingering on the imprint left on his jacket. Stepping towards Seunghyun who was already steps ahead, he excitedly tugged at your sleeve, pulling you at a fast pace towards two large open iron gates, past bleachers and towards a once-alive-but-now-abandoned race-track, the type you saw on TV once, the type racers in the area used to practise for Formula tracks. By large barrels painted neon red, two parked race cars revved their engines, the crowd screaming with the bass-line of a song imported from Korea, courtesy of the star racer, Kwon Hyojong. Apparently Jiyong knew his family.

“What’s this about Uni?” Seunghyun asked suddenly, arm swung around your shoulders.

“Not you, too,” you groaned, removing his arm. “I can’t be arsed right now.”

“I’m just asking!” he responded, surrendering by raising his arms. To the side, Jiyong approached a group of girls you recognised from school. “I’m not here to lecture you like he will. He’s known you longer, so it’s part of his programme to mother you. Me, on the other hand…”

He trailed off suggestively, meeting your eye with a small and friendly smirk. Rolling your eyes, you nudged him to move, walking alongside him towards the barrier near the track. Across the road, the second racer, Johnny, took photos with some guys wearing glasses.

“I can’t afford it, after Mum, and everything,” you said, honestly, concentrating on the circles massaged into your skin by Seunghyun’s thumb. “But, it’s okay. I’ll still be in the area. You’re thinking of going to Denver Uni, yeah?”

He nodded, licking his lips once. “Still close enough to see you.”

“See?” came your voice, strained but nonetheless positive. Seunghyun smiled vacantly, hands on your body, sandwiched between the bar and his torso. “You won’t even realise I’m not there.”

“...Y/N.”

PRESENT DAY.

“Y/N.”

Jolting awake, your elbow slid off the door of the car, attention pulled away from the memory to the man beside you. Taehyung had been driving wordlessly, the radio quiet, the rain loud enough to send you to sleep. As the car passed the “WELCOME TO OKLAHOMA” sign on the left side of the road, his gaze had landed on your body, abnormally curled up on the seat.

Stirring, limbs sore, you rubbed your eyes clear of sleep, yawning. “‘sup?”

“Away out where the West begins, you’ll find Oklahoma!” he sang, a childish smile present as you groaned in annoyance.

“Already?”

He made a voiced confirmation. “Three minutes ago.”

Pulling the car into a slip-road, you straightened in your seat and took back the map that had slid into the footwell at some point during the journey. Taehyung looks after absentmindedly, his gaze heavy and content watching you scan the red lines on the map, oblivious to the empty road ahead.

“You mumble in your sleep,” he said finally, and you catch your tongue between your teeth suddenly, flinching towards him with a perplexed, and almost afraid, expression.

“I do?”

He nodded, humming. “Yeah. Little things like the weather. The Elvis vinyl.” He wriggled his brows, smirking.

Without realising, you sigh in relief. “Wish I could mumble out a way to cure this thing.”

Taehyung smiled a tight-lipped smile, his features giving away that there was something he wasn’t saying. To his relief, you didn’t notice; your attention was poured onto the map meanwhile he drove, silently, nearing a clutter of cars stained brown and ashy-white. He exhaled slowly, letting the car roll.

“We’re stopping?” you asked, looking up.

“I’m just gonna check something,” Taehyung assured, smiling once and pulling the keys out of ignition. The car jerked violently as it stopped, the radio cutting, the rain washing the front window. “Stay here.”

“Taehyung, no, I want to come with you-”

Without being rude, Taehyung opened the door and silenced your protests, locking it for good measure as you angrily pulled at the handle, glaring through the raindrops as he stepped, drenched by the minute, towards the barricade of cars blocking the road. He stood quietly, hands on hips, analysing the situation: if he moved the cars, it would clear the road, with the definite outcome of attracting walkers with the noise. Letting out a sigh, Taehyung looked around the area, noticing small community apartments lit with China lanterns, a banner with running ink reading: STILL ALIVE, but he couldn’t take any risks.

For now, at least, his own responsibility was keeping the both of you alive. No matter what it cost him.

Over the short ride across Denver, there was plenty of time for Taehyung to get to know you, to find out more about the leader of the group who took him in when nobody else would. He barely scraped below the comfort zone, only getting an age- the same as himself, aged 21- and a birthday, the name of a poem you wrote aged seven, the name of a family pet you had who passed away months before the outbreak. In return, you learned Taehyung studied Economics and Music at NYU and that he liked jazz music, which explained the torturous loop of whatever CD had been left behind in the car.

It wasn’t enough to start a friendship. But it would have to do.

Returning to the car, he sank into the suede seat and started the car back up, the lights switching on and the saxophone solo continuing.

“Nothing?”

Taehyung shook his head, reversing. “Nothing that wouldn’t cause attention. There’s a road, over there. I’m hoping it will take us right around the mound. Close your window- anything could pry it down.”

You didn’t argue. He knew what he was doing.

The car rolled silently, moving away from the barricade of cars and instead down a left-hand backstreet, cutting underneath a large junction, the old shed-sales company redundant and rotting with wet mould. The windscreen wipers cut away the stains of rain, clearing a view for Taehyung to manoeuvre around discarded bodies and open drains, the occasional biter trying to move from beneath a fallen lamppost, or groaning behind a fence too thick to bite through.

“Imagine how cool it would be inside an IKEA right now,” you said suddenly, staring at the large blue building just off the road, littered with biters in the car-park. Taehyung snorted. “I’m serious. Maybe we could pretend life was normal.”

“This is normal, now,” he replied, his voice quiet, as if afraid to be loud. “I don’t think I could get used to going back to how things were. Not after what I’ve been through.”

“I get that,” you nodded. “It would be nice to sleep on a real bed, though.”

“Ain’t that the truth.”

Further down the road, as the car cruised past an open alley looking outwards to a flooded stream littered with blood and guts, the atmosphere shifted. It was the type of moment where the air becomes clammy and it’s hard to breathe, even harder to pretend like nothing has changed. On command, the radio signal wavered, the smooth vocals of a singer you didn’t know crunched into incoherent static, and out the corner of your eye, you took note of the way Taehyung gripped the steering wheel tightly.

“Y/N, seriously, put your seatbelt on this time,” he said warningly, his gaze flickering to the shaking seatbelt that hadn’t been worn once during the trip. Sensing danger, you did what he said, putting your seatbelt in the slot.

Cautious of speed, Taehyung drove steadily down the road, ready to turn back onto the street when someone jumped in front of the car. She- it was clear enough to decipher that it was, indeed, a woman- slammed her palms flat on the bonnet of the car, eyes crazed and blood pouring from her lips. Unexpectedly, the car halted, making you thankful of the seatbelt.

“Please…” her voice said, quiet but loud at the same time. You glanced at Taehyung with a frantic gaze, noticing that his hand was ready on the gear-stick. “They’re gonna come for me. They gonna come. Take me with you. Get out, I’m takin’ your car.”

She moved in stutters, her body moving before her legs, like the shake of your body with a cough. Taehyung reversed slightly, bumping the tail of the car into a biter who had picked itself up from the corners of the abandoned shed company lot, its face sneering through the back window.

“They’re gonna kill me,” she repeated, but Taehyung didn’t budge.

“Taehyung- she’s-, we-”

“Get out the car or else I’ll kill the both of ya!” the woman screamed, violently lunging at the driver’s window, hands fisting the glass.

“Go!” you screeched, pinching the skin on Taehyung’s wrist as you gripped the steering wheel. “Please, go, go, go, go-”

Stepping on the gas, the car pushed forward at an alarming speed, a trail of thick black smoke blinding the biter but nonetheless drawing in more from the shadows, staggering and swarming towards the woman painted in crimson blood, her elbow white and exposed, the skin curling up with an infection, a bite on her neck.

Turning in your chair, you felt compelled to watch; the premium viewing experience, watching her get torn to pieces by her neighbours, a childhood best friend, a lover. Their grown fingernails scratching at her skin like needles to paper, the sinister sound of her screams attracting herds of biters from across the town, eager to taste. As Taehyung drove away, fast enough to avoid the mob but slow enough to save gas, it was harder to look away. Harder to look away from the beauty that was death.

NEXT CHAPTER.

[eggceereal]

maple, cider, orchard! 🍂

Autumnal asks

maple - is there a hobby / skill that you’ve always wanted to try but never did?

another skill is probably learning vietnamese/another language?

cider - a food that you disliked as a child but now enjoy?

mushrooms i think! i didnt like how they smelled or their texture when i was younger but now i cook them myself and i think that’s the only way i eat them now dfgsdf

orchard - share one thing that you’d like to happen this autumn.

i wanna... make apple cider... i tried it for the first time last year!! that or i wanna cook with something i grow out of the garden!

[ua-monoma]

.02.15.

ua-monoma

@ua-mirio​ YOU.

I have a bone to pick with youuu~.

ua-mirio

Oho? Can it be?

Final boss fight?

Though you're more Gowser Jr. than big bad Gowser.

ua-monoma

Excuse you.

FIRST OF ALL, I could absolutely be the big bad if I wanted to. If I put my mind to it. 🔥😈🔥 I would be feared by all...

SECOND OF ALL, I don't want to fight!!!! I want to talk!

About what you said! And how rude it was!!

ua-mirio

Pffft kid, I can kick your ass.

Rude?! I wasn't rude!

I was just making life more like a fairy tale for my little princess. 😇

ua-monoma

I'M SURE THERE ARE PLENTY MUCH MORE SUITABLE TO BE THE MONSTER AT THE END OF THE STORY.

It was meeeeeeeeeeeeeean.

ua-mirio

Well....you ARE mean. To others, I mean

So we are technically even! 😃

ua-monoma

... Tch.

Well, at any rate... I think I was successful in swaying Eri-chan's impression on me. But I ask you don't do that again.

ua-mirio

Nuh-uh. No promises here bud!

ua-monoma

Wh-

Why not!!? My reputation is at stake here!!

ua-mirio

Then I ask you to not be an ass to class 1A. Fair deal?

ua-monoma

THAT'S NOT FAIR AT ALL!!!

ua-mirio

 😜 no deal!

ua-monoma

But that's not fair! And that has nothing to do with this! A fair deal would be like, ahh... Me promising to always bring Eri-chan candy or... something like that! Something that had to do with the topic at hand!

ua-mirio

That would be bribing, young sir!

ua-monoma

Your point being...

ua-mirio

Being that I'm incorruptible!

ua-monoma

A likely story... Everything has something in the world that sways them...

ua-mirio

Really? Whats your something?

ua-monoma

... Like I'd tell you. You're the enemy here!

ua-mirio

I'm the enemy?! You're the evil. The scourge of UA.

ua-monoma

Now you're taking it a little far... What have I even done to earn such a title!?

ua-mirio

Oh you know.

ua-monoma

Obviously I don't since I asked!?

ua-mirio

Oh you know.

ua-monoma

Stop saying that.

ua-mirio

Or what?

😛

ua-monoma

😒

ua-mirio

Pfffftttt hahahahahahaha

You're too easy to poke at.

Don't take it personal, man! Eri gotta learn that some things that you do aren't what students at UA normally are

If she sees you as the evil of UA she will know that what she sees you doing she shouldn't do.

Kids are impressionable.

ua-monoma

"Don't take it personal"... Well, if you're going to throw around phrases like that, then you're obviously not going to understand why I'm taking it so personally.

So this conversation is pointless.

ua-mirio

I could understand if you told me why you do take it personal.

But fair warning, you attempted to bribe me!

In a way, it justifies my play pretend name for you.

ua-monoma

Oh c'mon, that was merely a jest~ Of course I wouldn't actually bribe a child...

You think so little of me.. 😔

ua-mirio

No no! You tried bribing me!

ua-monoma

Details..

ua-mirio

If you told me you'd bring Eri candy or toys whenever you saw her I'd be tempted to say yes everyone knows.

Pfft. I don't think little of you.

Here let me break it down what I think about you:

ua-monoma

Hah, oh no..

ua-mirio

First impressions: managed to sneak a touch on me but panicked so hard about phasing into the ground it made my right hook almost too easy.

Middle impressions: Why the grudge against 1A? You pick at them like a dinner plate full of greens.

Last impressions: You don't even keep it casual the grudge spreads! Even to the festival! I had to tell a questioning Eri something.

ua-monoma

I'M SURE YOU PANICKED THE FIRST TIME YOU NEARLY PLUMMETED THROUGH THE GROUND, TOO.

ua-mirio

Yes but frankly I was 5.

ua-monoma

DETAILS...

ua-mirio

But lesson learned ain't it?!

Dont cop a feel of what you don't know!

ua-monoma

Interesting phrasing,,

ua-mirio

I'm known for my language skills.

ua-monoma

😒 Right...

ua-mirio

😜

February 16, 2019

ua-monoma

Not cute. 😒🗡️

ua-mirio

So, wanna tell me why does it bother you?

ua-monoma

Like I said, it's a matter of reputation.

For a moment there, even if it was for a moment, she was scared of me! And I hated that.

To be seen as someone who is cruel or twisted or "dark" by a child... when I'm working so hard to become a hero... I want to be able to inspire people! To be their light! When all the cameras and lights are focused on me, I can't have my audience fear me!!!

Especially because... I'd gone all that way to try and help... it just made everything start off bad and it only got worse from there, really...

ua-mirio

She questioned why were you so....mean to Deku. She cares for him deeply. We both do.

Its easier to explain to a child you're just a bad apple in UA than try to explain....whatever the hell you go on about man, I don't know.

If you want a better reputation you gotta build it within UA.

ua-monoma

... Tch.

Fine... So the solution is something you're going to force me to work for, huh...

ua-mirio

I'm not forcing you to do anything!

Its entirely up to you. Either way Eri has met you personally and knows you are not that bad so.

ua-monoma

Yeahyeah~ I know a challenge when I see one~...

You'll see.... :3c  I'll become the best apple all of the orchards of UA has to offer!!

Hehehehehehehh....

ua-mirio

Everytime you are a butt to Deku remember : Darth Maulnoma.

Oooh that was a good one. High fiving myself.

ua-monoma

Is it? Is it a good one? 😒 Hmph!

ua-mirio

Hahahahaha!

Looking forward to see you be a good apple!

ua-monoma

Yeah yeah, don't enjoy it too much! I'm doing all this for Eri-chan, not you!

ua-mirio

Oh please. I know you can't resist my charms.

ua-monoma

I've resisted this long, haven't I? 😛

Though I'd hardly say you're all that charming...

ua-mirio

Oh come on now! Have you seen these muscles?!

ua-monoma

Hmm~ I may have caught a few glimpses, but it's been a while~~

You're welcome to show me again, though~

Might change my opinion~

ua-mirio

Pffft. Only if you're good like you promised! 😜

ua-monoma

Hahaha!!! So what you're offering is a reward, huh?

I suppose I can accept that~

ua-mirio

If it works as incentive, by all means!

Nudity was never a problem for me, as I'm sure you are aware.

ua-monoma

Hahaha~... Yes, I'm aware of that and other proclivities in that realm that don't seem to be a problem for you at all, senpai~

ua-mirio

Hm? Whatchu mean?

ua-monoma

Hmmm~ Well, I'm a good apple now so I'd better not say... Would hate to break my streak of goodness already by bringing up old gossip...  😇

ua-mirio

Old ...

....I'll let it slide...?

ua-monoma

Oh, you know... The whole debacle with Midoriya-kun... Haha! It was the talk of the town for a while there...

ua-mirio

...

ua-monoma

👀 Hm? Hit a nerve, have I?

ua-mirio

Talk of the town in the sense people bashed him or me?

ua-monoma

🤔 Both of you, if I'm remembering right. I couldn't tell you which of you received more criticism... I wasn't exactly taking notes at the time.

Though others were impressed... hehe.

Depended on who you were talking to.

ua-mirio

I can handle the gossip. People talk a lot of crap of what they don't know.

As long as Deku wasn't affected I don't really care, hah.

ua-monoma

They sure do.

Ahh, he was and he wasn't. Not my business to say.

ua-mirio

Hm.

ua-monoma

Hmmm?

ua-mirio

Nothing. Thanks for sharing though!

ua-monoma

Mm, of course~

[bosstoaster]

oh oh oh!! For 12 days of Christmas how about the shunkeith beekeeper/baker/orchard AU (can we call it the sweet tooth AU cause that seems appropriate) and Hunk getting trapped at the orchard with Shiro and Keith when bad weather closes the country roads, preventing him from getting back to the city :3c

"No state of emergency has been declared yet, but police are advising everyone stay home and off the highways for the next day," the weatherman said, gesturing behind him to the green screened map of the area.  "Especially everywhere west of 70, where we think will get the highest amount of snow.  We had some melt today when we briefly went over freezing, and that's already begun hardening back into ice-"

The TV muted suddenly.  Starting, Hunk turned to frown at Keith.  "Hey!  I was listening to that."

"It's the same as it's been since before dinner," Keith replied.  "Nothing is going to change.  And even if they did suddenly say everything was fine, you wouldn't feel comfortable driving back this late and in these conditions."

Groaning, Hunk scrubbed over his face.  "I know," he admitted.  "I just-  You know how it is."

"You're better off closing the bakery anyway," Keith continued, settling next to Hunk.  "You said so yourself.  There won't be any customers when it's this nasty out."

"We have people who live close enough to walk," Hunk muttered back, but he nodded again.  He'd spent all of dinner talking himself into a storm over if he should chance driving back home from the orchard.  Normally, Hunk didn't even like night driving, and the conditions outside were far worse.  But even if the shop was doing better lately, it was still a blow to have to take days off.  Lance was salaried, so he wouldn't regret the day off, but Hunk still had to pay rent and he had supplies in the fridge that were going to go back if the power was out, and-

Sighing, Keith soothed a hand up and down Hunk's back.  "Hey.  It's okay.  I promise you, you'll be okay.  If you want, when it gets better, we'll drive back with you and help with anything you need.  Alright?  And you said yourself business has been good.  One day off won't hurt."

"But what if it's not just one day?"  Hunk muttered back.

"It's supposed to get up to 40 on Tuesday," Keith reminded.  "And by then, the plows will have gotten through.  We don't get multiple snow days in this area, you know that."

It was true, just-

There was no 'just'.  Hunk was working himself up for nothing.  He couldn't seem to help it.

So he held out his arms, silently asking.  

(Read More)

Luckily, Keith had never needed words.  He slotted himself against Hunk easily, pulling him down so his head rested on Keith's shoulder.  "You're fine," Keith said.  "Everything is fine.  Lance will thank you for the day off, and once everyone comes out of hibernation on Tuesday, they'll all be craving some holiday treats.  Okay?"

"Okay," Hunk replied.  He wrapped his arms around Keith's waist, pulling him flush.  He was warm and solid, surprisingly sturdy and weighty for being so much smaller.  Like a rock in a rushing river, something to hold onto while he waited out the worst of it.  "Thank you."

Soft, dry lips pressed against Hunk's cheek.  "You're welcome.  More than.  That's what I'm here for.  Besides, it's not all bad, right?"

Hunk smiled into Keith's shirt.  "No, not at all.  I don't mind getting to spend an extra day with you two.  How are the hills for sledding, here?"

"They'd be pretty good if we had a sled," Keith replied, laughing softly.  "Maybe we can improvise something. It'll go easier if you can help me convince Shiro to join in."

Pausing, Hunk picked up his head, lips curled.  "Shiro's not a snow day guy?"

Keith rolled his eyes hard.  "You've heard him bitching about the cold, right?  He spent most of his formative years in LA.  He acts like cold weather is personally out to get him."

Huh.  "I heard him complaining about the cold being bad for the bees," Hunk admitted.  "Not bad for him."

"He's being good for you, probably," Keith replied.  "I bet that breaks down tonight, with how cold it's getting."

Well, the negatives were nothing to sneeze at.  Hunk had a lot of sympathy for Shiro's low tolerance.  He'd grown up on warm beaches, and snow had been a complete novelty the first winter he'd been in the city.  Since then, it was more of a bother.  He'd always wanted to enjoy it more, but it was never nice snow downtown.  Within a couple of hours it was a dirty, speckled, slushy mess.  Here, though, it was downright picturesque.

At least, it had been when it was light out enough to see.  Now, not so much.

As if summoned by their conversation, the backdoor opened.  Shiro stepped through, shaking his head hard to get the snow off his hat.  He had on several layers, including a thick winter coat and the hoodie he'd yet to give back to Hunk.  "Brrr.  Eugh.  Okay, the hives are all wrapped up.  That should help them.  They're all sizable and healthy, so they'd probably be alright."

"Whatever makes you feel better," Keith replied.  "So you don't run out at 2 AM again, and then shove your freezing feet in bed."

Shiro just grinned and pulled off his gloves.  "You're so warm, it's your own fault for being such a good heater.  Officially a no-go on heading back, Hunk?"

Nodding, Hunk picked his head up to watch Shiro undress.  "Yeah, at least tomorrow.  We'll see how it is Tuesday.  I might be able to open for the afternoon."

Once he'd shrugged off his outer gear, Shiro settled on the couch next to Hunk and smoothed up and down his back.  "I'm sorry you have to keep the bakery closed.  You alright?"

Hunk smiled back, squeezing Keith tighter.  "I'm better now."

"Good.  Keith makes for a very good stuffed animal, don't you, babe?"  He leaned over and pressed a quick peck to the top of Keith's head.

The flat look Keith shot back made Hunk laugh, pushing away the last dregs of his worry.

Shiro tugged slightly on Hunk's shoulder, until he turned to look at him properly.  Then he pressed a kiss to Hunk's lips, then under both his eyes, and finally his forehead.  "You're just fine," he told him, low and warm.  "And we're glad to keep you here for another day, even if the reason is unfortunate.  Want hot chocolate?"

Pausing, Hunk considered him.  "What kind?"

"Uh," Shiro blinked, as if confused by the question. "The kind with the little marshmallows in the packet?"

Hunk shivered.  "No.  You still have powdered cocoa from when I made those chocolate muffins?"

Shooting Keith a quick glance, Shiro shrugged.  "I haven't touched it, so I assume so."

"Good."  With that, Hunk finally let go of Keith and stood.  "I'll make hot chocolate."

Shiro's expression fell.  "I can make it," he offered instantly.  "You really don't have to, especially when you're the one upset.  I'll pay attention to it, just give me a few minutes to look up a recipe online, alright?"

Softening, Hunk kissed him back.  "No, I want to."  When Shiro opened his mouth again, Hunk put a finger on his lips, stilling him instantly.  "Seriously.  I want something else to focus on.  Hot cocoa will distract me for at least a few minutes.  Just let me."

"Alright," Shiro allowed, visibly relaxing.  "We still have another bag of the kettle corn you like, too.  We can do a quick movie.  Something holiday, since we're getting all this snow?"

Hunk relaxed further and nodded.  "Yeah, I'd like that.  Can I trust you with a bag of microwave popcorn?"

"I'm not that bad!"  Shiro's bottom lip stuck out in an exaggerated pout.  "You press the button on the machine, I can handle that."

Laughing, Hunk shook his head and stepped into the kitchen.

He had to admit, Hunk adored the set up here.  It might not have all of Hunk's equipment, and the appliances were nearly two decades old.  But everything in here was solid and a little old fashioned, built to withstand the ages.  Everything was made out of warm woods, scratched and dented and well-loved.

Smoothing his hand over the counter, Hunk started to open cabinets to pull out the right supplies, as he began to heat up the milk.

Just by the door, he heard Keith let out a yelp.  "Shiro!"

"What?"

"Your hand is freezing.  Both of them, but literally for one of them."

There was a long pause. "Oh, right."  The clatter of Shiro removing his prosthetic was almost soothing.  It was like hearing someone brush their teeth from the bedroom.  Comfortingly domestic, in a slightly intimate way.  "Better?"

"Still cold, but better."

Shiro wandered into the kitchen next.  Hunk's hoodie gaped loosely on his right side, and he gave a tiny wave with the stump.  At first, he'd been self-conscious of it, but there was only so many times they could sleep in the same bed without it before it became too normal.  With practiced ease, he moved to the pantry and ripped the popcorn packaging open with his teeth.  Then he tossed it into the microwave and it the popcorn setting.  "Ta-da."

Brows up, Hunk smiled. "Don't congratulate yourself yet.  It hasn't cooked yet, it can still burn."

"That was only once."  Despite his playful complaining, Shiro plastered himself to Hunk's back, hooking his chin over a shoulder to watch.  "The cocoa powder stuff is what's in the packets we have?"

"And a lot of sugar," Hunk replied.  "It's better when you can add a little dark chocolate.  I'll bring some next time.  For now, a dash of vanilla and a little nutmeg will do."

Humming, Shiro pressed his nose into Hunk's neck.  There was still a chill to his skin from being outside too long.  "Sounds good to me," Shiro replied.  He didn't move.

Hunk smiled at his pot.  "Are you only here because I'm warm and Keith is complaining?"

"No," Shiro replied, drawing the word out.  "Keith complaining doesn't stop me.  I pick you because I want to snuggle you."  He paused.  "And the oven is warm."

"There it is."

"But mostly because I love you."

Hunk smiled softly, the words churning warmly in his stomach as if he'd already chugged the hot chocolate.  "I love you too."

Shiro pressed a kiss to Hunk's jaw.  "Good.  'Cause coming all the way out here just for sex would be a lot of work on your part."

"I don't just do it for sex," Hunk shot back.  "I also do it for your honey."

Letting out a bark of laughter, Shiro pressed their cheeks together.  "I bet you do.  You want some sugar."

Hunk grinned, turning around to kiss him properly.  "Oh, that's a pretty good one!"

"It's not bad, yeah."  Shiro beamed at him, eyes warm and molten.  But the shrill alarm of the microwave made him jump.  "Oh, right.  That."  He wandered over and pulled it out of the microwave, holding it so the steam could vent.  "If I open the paper part with my teeth, will you be grossed out?"

"I'm a chef, so no.  I taste from the spoon I cook with, sometimes."

Shiro paused.  "You do?  That's kind of gross."  He considered.  "Does that mean we're technically kissing when I eat your food?"

Shrugging, Hunk turned back to the hot chocolate.  "I suppose so.  Does this mean you never taste anything you're cooking?  That explains too much."

Making a soft, wounded noise, Shiro put down the bag so he could get out a bowl, then took hold of one tab with his teeth to yank it open.  "You're very mean.  You seem all nice and sweet but you're secretly ruthless."

Hunk smiled back.  "That's me.  What movie did you guys pick out?"

"Uh-"  Shiro perked, eyes bright.  "Actually, you can help with that.  We've been arguing about this all week.  The Grinch - class animated version or the terrible Jim Carrey abomination?"

"I suspect this question wording might be biased."

Shiro stuck his nose in the air.  "My polling is all completely fact based.  I don't ask leading questions, just make sure you have full knowledge going in."

Considering him, Hunk tapped his finger on the counter.  "Live action.  Just because you're trying to push me."

"Hunk!"  Shiro groaned, dismayed.

"Told you!" Keith's voice floated back, purely smug.

Hunk laughed, openly amused at them both.  With a last check of the cocoa, he poured some into three mugs, and let the rest stay in the pot on the stove.  If they needed more, they could warm it back up.  "Ready?"

"Yeah, ready."  Shiro held up the popcorn as proof.  

Settling in on the couch, with Keith pressed smug and warm in one side, and Shiro a playfully sulking teddy bear on the other, Hunk settled in.

Between the two of them, he really didn't need the hot cocoa to stay warm.

(But that didn't mean he wasn't going to drink it.)