#contrary to your thinking dad i’m allowed to take a me day even while offering to look for wonton soup for you

[aeroknot]

don’t like being the caretaker who is also the target of my dad’s anger during his cancer fight. don’t like that thing. no sir

[lubdubsworld]

Change of Heart ( Taehyungx OC)

Pairing : Taehyung x OC Werewolf AU!!

Genre : Romance, Explicit Content.

Warnings : None. ( Some mild violence but mostly off screen ) werewolf sex, ruts, knotting etc

Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3/ Chapter 4

[ Summary :

Times are changing.

After years of being oppressed, werewolves are taking a stand against humans , demanding equal rights and fair treatment. Heading the movement is Kim Taehyung, the breathtaking heir to the Kim fortune and one of the few remaining Alpha werewolves in the country. His disdain for the human race is well known and well warranted. They killed his family after all…..

He wants to change the world , to put humans in their place but when his five year old daughter takes a shine to their very human neighbor , maybe he has to start with a change of heart , first.  ]

Chapter 5

I found myself breathing through my nose, woozy and incoherent as the doctor fussed over me. 

“This is looking pretty damn bad, Dr. Jeon...” He was muttering while Jungkook sat next to me gripping my hands. My throat went dry at the words, fear making my heart jackrabbit against my ribs. 

“The bullet’s hit pretty close to artery near the clavicle, she’s lost a whole lot of blood. “

“Seo Joon’s going to prison for this... “ Jungkook swore, stroking my palm as I tried to stay conscious. 

“Tell me I don’t have to stay in the hospital for a long time...” I begged, desperate. 

Jungkook rolled his eyes. 

“You got shot... It’s not a playground scrape, Mirae....” Jungkook sounded exhausted. 

I nodded.

“ Whats going on with my father? Seo Joon was pissed off about something with my father....” I said, remembering the reason the wolf had been so pissed in the first place. 

“We’ll talk about this later- You need to rest and-”

“Just tell me damn it!!” 

Jungkook sighed.

“Your father got called out for trying to sabotage the vaccine drive going on on the island and he played the whole, ‘ why would I sabotage something my daughter helped make...’ card on TV. It’s had an effect....” 

I swallowed.

“What do you mean by effect?”

Jungkook looked a little angry now. 

“Can’t we talk about this tomorrow...you’re bleeding and hurt ...you need to fucking rest...”

“What’s going on...?” I demanded. 

“The weres don’t want the vaccine anymore. They think...well they think you may have tampered with it....” He looked uncomfortable and I couldn’t comprehend what I’d just heard. 

I stared at him, my jaw going slack in shock. 

“I’m not.... I have nothing to do with the vaccine...that is so far above my paygrade..I’m a lab tech..... what even-” I was too outraged to even think clearly. 

“People don’t know that, Rae. All they know is that they have always associated your father with bringing harm to the were community and somehow his daughter is here working on something that has the potential to both hurt and heal.....”

I bit my lips.

“He’s not even my real father.” I choked out. 

Jungkook looked surprised at that. 

“What?”

“It’s true. He adopted me because he raped my mom and she fucking killed herself over it. I was eight years old at the time and the bastard did not want any loose ends...” The words came out , bitter and edged with anger but it was an old hurt. An old rage that had long faded into a blunt sort of ache. I had been so young. Too young to fully comprehend 

Jungkook looked completely stunned.

“Fuck, I’m so sorry....”

“He wanted me to marry one of his anti-were associates . That's literally all he raised me for. When I refused , he cut me off completely. I’ve literally been on my own for years now and my job is the only thing keeping me from dying on the  streets....”

I hissed when the nurse touched my shoulder , the physical agony of my shoulder somehow intensifying as the nurse moved to finish dressing the wound. I would have to wear a sling next but I couldn’t even fathom moving,   let alone sitting up for that ordeal. 

The nurse gave me a slight smile.

“Your ribs are bruised again , this time its going to take longer to heal because one of them actually has a hair line fracture.” 

Great. That explained the woozy breathlessness. 

“It doesn’t hurt much...” I said confused.

“That’s because you’re on enough drugs to fell a horse...I’m actually surprised you’re still conscious.” Jungkook shook his head. 

“It’s just the adrenaline...that and the fear of being fired.” I muttered. 

Jungkook laughed a little at that.

“Don’t worry about anything. Just rest for a while and we’ll talk tomorrow , yeah?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up to fingers in my hair, soft and gentle. 

My eyes fluttered open and I felt my breath catch when I saw who it was.

“Yuggie ??” I croaked out, my brother’s face coming into focus as I blinked back exhaustion.

“Welcome to the land of the living...” He said softly, keeping his fingers on my hair, stroking the strands back gently.

“What..... how did you get here so soon?” I whispered.

“You’ve been out for forty hours, baby....” He laughed a little and I blinked, 

“I....I got hurt.” I whispered bleakly. My shoulder was still throbbing and the pain in my rib was now a bit more prominent. I took a deep shuddering breath. 

“I’m glad you’re here.... “ I whispered, lifting shaky hands to hold his face. 

“Dad called me. He wants you to come back home.” 

I felt my entire body going cold, hands going clammy at once. 

“That’s not going to happen.” I said sharply and Yugyeom looked worried.

“He’s really upset , Rae. Kim Taehyung winning the election was not a part of his plan and he’s desperate to try and cover his ass before he gets carted off to prison.” 

I blinked at that.

“what do you mean by prison?” 

“We can’t talk about this here. He’s not allowed on the island. None of his cohorts are. So he’s been trying to get you transferred to a hospital in Seoul. Jeongguk was the one who called me. They’re holding off on the transfer but ....you know how dad gets.” 

I felt my head pound . 

“What does he want me for?” I whispered in disbelief. 

“I’m not sure. But I think you should at least go see him and find out what it is that he wants.”

I shook my head .

“I’m not going anywhere near him, I’m-”

The door swung open and I found myself jerking in surprise, the movement jostling my ribs and making me wince. I felt my eyes widen when I saw who it was, fingers scrambling to grab Yugyeom . 

“Dad...” He whispered, sounding terrified and I felt that familiar jolt of sickening fear . 

“There she is.... my precious little one.” My father’s eyes held no emotion as he stared at me, lips curled in a perfect smile. He looked so much like a good guy that it was nauseating. 

I took a deep shuddering breath. 

“the management here is terrible. I had to petition the fucking courts to get a permit to visit my own daughter.” He shook his head as he made his way over and I lurched away instinctively. 

“I’m taking you home now. Bout time you came back to me.” He smiled, chillingly and I shook my head. 

“No...thats not going to happen. I’m an adult, you cannot force me to...” 

“You are my daughter. And you will be my daughter till you live. Cha Eun woo is still single. He’s looking for a wife and you were promised to him a long, long time ago. “ 

“Dad.... she’s fucking hurt...she got shot like three days ago can you not do this right now...” Yugyeon had stood up, reaching out to actually shove my father away and he looked surprised for a second. 

He gave Yugyeom a glare but my brother didn’t back down, towering over my father easily. 

“Forgive me. I didn’t mean to sound insensitive but it just worries me that my only daughter is choosing to stay in an island full of beasts and getting mauled quite often . Isn’t this the second time you got attacked in that same cabin, by wolves?” 

“that doesn’t mean you can just offer me as a gift to one of your buddies.” I hissed. 

“He’s one of the richest men in Seoul....you should be on your knees thanking me for letting you so much as breathe near him.”

“Isn’t he a werewolf?” Yugyeom frowned in confusion. 

My father shrugged.

“I’ve since learned that your sister has a preference for them. Well if she’s going to spread her legs for an animal, better an animal I happen to hold the leash to....” He stared down at me with calculated cruelty. 

The crude words made nausea rise up in my throat and I almost dry heaved. 

“You’re not pimping me out to serve your own selfish purposes.” I shook my head. 

“He’s here. Outside. He’s going to stay here and he’s going to bring you back to his apartment in Seoul and you’re going to stay there with him. End of discussion. Yeom, I want you to come back to Seoul with me now. “

Yugyeom looked torn as he stared at me and I bit my lips. Yugyeom was still a kid, still in college. He couldn’t afford to antagonize my father.

“I’ll be fine. Go ahead.” I smiled. 

“I’ll send Eun Woo in.... “ My father nodded at me and then sighed. “ contrary to what you think, I don’t want you to hurt. I’m offering you a good life. Marry the fellow and spend your days lounging around in luxury. Thats hardly a punishment now, is it?” 

I turned my head away in disgust. 

Less than two minutes after he left, I felt a hand on my arm and I jolted.

“Mi Rae ssi.... I’m Eun Woo.” 

I glared at the man in front of me, barely looking at him. 

“I have no interest in being your wife.”

He looked bored at my outburst.

“I have no interest in indulging your  interests.  Your father is paying me handsomely to take you off his hands and that's all I’m doing. If you happen to be good at taking my knot, that's just gonna be a pleasurable bonus?” He pressed a thumb to my lips, stroking the skin in an almost gentle caress.  . 

A knock on the door made him pull away and I glanced up, relief flooding me when I saw it was Jungkook. 

“She’s going to have to rest now, Mr. Cha. Her father told me that he’s arranging her transfer to Seoul but that's going to have to wait for tomorrow at least. “ He was staring at the beta with narrowed eyes and Eun Woo bowed lightly. 

He shot me one leering glance before walking out casually.

“So...fiancee huh? You’ve been holding out on me...” Jungkook whispered thoughtfully and I flinched.

“Didn’t know he existed till five minutes ago..” I muttered. 

“Are you in trouble, Rae?” Jungkook looked worried and I hesitated, before shaking my head. 

“I’ll be fine. I can handle him. I just hate the thought of having to leave the preserve... even if its temporary. But I don’t want to annoy my dad right now... He’s... He can be irrational and i don’t want him to take it out on the Preserve and do something harmful to the research program itself , just to be petty.”

It was exactly the kind of thing he would do, too. My shoulder still had a lot of healing to do and it was unlikely that Cha Eun Woo would actually hurt me , at least till i got better. My dad, for all his anger was still rabidly protective of what he considered his. And i was definitely high on that list. 

“So you’re going then?” 

I caught the hint of disappointment in Jungkook’s tone.

“Aww....is my poor Jungkookie gonna miss me? If I weren’t sporting a broken rib and a messed up shoulder, I’d definitely, at least give you a handjob…” I waggled my eyebrows. 

Predictably, his eyes went wide , lips tinged fire engine red in a second. 

“Wha- Shut the fuck up, noona” He whined and I laughed. 

And then I sobered up when he sat next to me, linking his fingers with mine .

“I’m serious, Jungkook. I’m gonna be just fine. My dad’s upto something. If I stick close, I can at least figure out what he’s planning. I don’t want him to hurt you guys.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Right little firecracker his daughter is. So fucking pretty and man, those lips. I’d like to take a drink from that....” Cha Eun Woo gripped the shot glass hard, throwing back the whiskey with practiced ease. 

Taehyung struggled to keep his features neutral. 

“ Yoon Jae hyun’s daughter? From the preserve?” He had meant to sound casual but he sounded like he was being strangled. 

Eun Woo hummed.

“ Yeah....Her name is... Mirin....no wait ? Lirae? Mirae? ….. whatever. Poor thing. Apparently she has a tendency to get mauled by wolves too often. She was in bad shape when i saw her. “ 

Taehyung felt his heart lurch at that. He had wanted nothing more than to sink his jaws into Seo Joon’s throat, when he’d heard what had happened. If it weren’t for his abysmally packed schedule he would have rushed there as soon as he could. 

 As it was he had talked to a few of his acquaintances who were in prison. Seo Joon was going to go to prison and he wasn’t going to be coming out alive. 

“So, she just.,...agreed to marry you then?” 

“Not like she had a choice. The old man is going senile. Dude really thinks he stands a chance with his whole Reform Camps proposition. Wants to put weres in concentration camps.... What the fuck, are we in the middle ages..? He also thinks that betas are naturally resentful of Alphas or some shit. Kept feeding me crap about how you alphas want to subjugate the rest of us. Of course the fucker’s feeding into my Hotels and resorts so i just nodded along and agreed to his shit. Next thing I know he’s offering me his daughter in return to me being an ally in his campaign.. Figured I’d agree. See if i could get some inside dirt on him. I know you’ve been trying to bring him down for years, Tae...” Eun Woo gave him a reassuring smile. 

Taehyung felt a jolt of pride for the beta. Cha Eun woo had been a close friend of his from childhood and he knew he would never betray their kind. He had worked hard to earn his position as one of the biggest tech moguls in the country and he stayed true to his roots. Taehyung liked Eun Woo.

Admired him even....

But the idea of him touching Mirae.....

His claws nearly popped out at the mere thought of it. 

“And well if I get to fuck a nice little human bitch in the process, so be it right Taeh- Fuck!! “ Eun Woo jumped when Taehyung’s claw popped right out, shattering the beer mug in his hand and spraying both of them with the frothy liquid.

“Fuck...” Taehyung groaned and to his utter horror his fangs had dropped as well, his words slurring around the lengthened canines and he felt embarrassment flood his face. . When was the last time he’d popped a fanger in the middle of a fucking conversation....not since he’d been through puberty.

“Uh...you okay, pal?” Eun Woo looked worried now, beta eyes flashing green as he stared at him and Taehyung waved him off. 

“Be uh... Be careful with the daughter.” He muttered , trying to sound nonchalant. 

Eun Woo just waved him off. 

“Whatever , I know the type Tae. Likes a good, feral fuck from a wolf that knows how to give it to her good, you know?. Could smell her all over the alpha doctor who works there... Jungkook was it? Yeah... Girl gets around a lot, i could tell. And you can just tell that she’s going to be so fucking tight when you knot her you know, i mean human bitches always are but those hips just look like they-” Eun Woo stopped, stunned when Taehyung suddenly shoved the table away from him, hard. The older gripped the table and stood up on shaky limbs. 

“ I need to get going...” Taehyung fought the urge to shift, his wolf warring inside him, snarling at him to shift and leap across the table and devour the man across from them. To lock his fangs on the beta’s throat and rip his jugular out. 

 He’s threatening our mate...... He’s talking about what is ours....

The voice in his head was so clear and concise that he nearly blacked out at the very force of it. 

Eun Woo was saying something behind him but Taehyung was moving swiftly , stumbling to the bar where Jimin was taking one of the shifts.

“I need to go home...” Taehyung choked out. “ Call....fuck... Call my chauffeur.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Pre rut symptoms....are you fucking serious...?” Taehyung growled at the doctor taking his vitals. the man, long used to Taehyung’s intimidatingly deep voice, merely hummed. The man had been one of his father’s dearest friends. And one of Taehyung’s most trusted confidantes. 

“You’re body believes you mate is around. A mate you haven’t yet claimed. It’s reacting to it.” 

Next to him Ji hyun was looking disturbingly excited.

“It’s not you.” Taehyung snapped at the tall woman who recoiled in shock. Taehyung felt momentarily bad but the truth was he had been trying to break up with Ji hyun for a month now. The model was just so shamelessly clingy it was getting to him. and he most certainly did not want her around if he was going into rut. 

What he wanted was a luscious, chestnut-haired human with ebony eyes and a scent like heaven. 

Fuck... he was burning up and his skin felt like it was stretched thin. 

“You need to leave Ji hyun. I want to talk to the doctor alone.” He demanded and the were bowed, moving out of the room quickly. Taehyung turned back to the doctor. 

“So what do I do?” He demanded. “ I don’t.... my mate died two years ago. “

The doctor sighed.

“She was not your mate. I told you that already. She tricked you. She was wearing your mate’s scent but it wasn’t hers...” The doctor shook his head. 

Taehyung growled. 

“I fucking know that..... And I’m gonna fucking bury Yoon Jae hyun into the ground for what he did to me..... But I need to have my senses about me if I want to do that...Him and his entire drug cartel is coming down.....But. That's not gonna happen if i go into fucking rut  now.. so close to me taking over office. So tell me how to fix this. “ 

“Who is the girl?” The doctor said casually. 

“What?”

“the girl who smells like your wife. Like your mate. Who is she?”

Taehyung sighed. 

“Its Yoon Jae hyun’s daughter.” He muttered. 

Dr. Lee’s eyebrows shot straight up to his hairline. 

“Oh no... do you think he .... again?” 

Taehyung shook his head. He had distanced himself entirely from Mirae just to make sure he wasn’t being pulled into another fucking trap. But so far , from what he learned, the drug did not work on humans. There was no way a human’s scent could be manipulated to fool his wolf.

And that meant that it wasn’t a trap at all. 

His wolf really did find a mate in a fucking human of all things. 

God, he couldn’t believe the sheer irony of this. 

“it doesn’t work on humans. It is her scent. She’s... She’s the one I want.... “ He groaned. 

The doctor chuckled.

“ You mean, she’s the one your wolf wants?” 

Taehyung frowned.

“Isn’t that what i said?” 

“No, you said she’s the one you want and it makes me wonder.....do you perhaps....care for the girl?” 

Taehyung shook his head swiftly.

“I barely know her...she...she used to look after Luna. “ He finished. 

“Luna...? Interesting. “ The man’s words carried a hint of amusement and Taehyung felt his hackles rise. 

“ What does that tone mean?” 

“I’m just saying.... You don’t let people watch Luna that easily. You’re fiercely protective of your daughter. If you let this girl watch her, you must trust her at least.” 

Taehyung sighed. 

“I.. of course i trust her …. she’s a good girl.  A good....person...” 

“ I would suggest spending your rut with her. Claiming her if she’s interested. With you being you, I doubt she’s going to refuse.” The older man’s eyes fairly twinkled, 

“I’m not knotting her when I’m on my fucking rut …” He snapped. “ I’ll likely break her in two. “ 

The doctor chuckled. 

“It wouldn’t be a very pleasant experience for her, yes. But ….there's no reason why you can’t make it enjoyable for her. “ His tone turned gentle and more serious. “ Listen to me Taehyung-ah...… There is a reason wolves mate for life. We are not meant to be alone. If your wolf has found a mate, he’s not going to let you function till you claim her. That's just the way our body’s are built. You need to talk to her. Make some sort of arrangement. You have three weeks at the most before your rut hits and trust me you don’t want to be alone when that happens. “ 

Taehyung felt his insides churn at the prospect. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“No fucking shit.... You couldn’t have just told me that instead of letting me mouth off about her like that ? “ Eun Woo groaned , watching Taehyung with guilty eyes. 

Taehyung brushed him off. 

“It’s fine. I just.... can you just...keep her at your place till she gets better. I’m ...not in a good headspace right now and i don’t want to hurt her. she needs to recover.”

Eun Woo nodded.

“The doctor says three weeks and she’ll be fine. I’m a bit busy myself so I’ll just arrange for her brother to pick her up. Her dad’s busy meeting some suppliers. I sent the details to your men.... Did they get it?” 

Taehyung nodded. 

“The guy’s a bigger idiot than i thought. He’s actually met a few of these dealers himself. We just need one of them to ID him and he’s going to get locked up for life.” 

Eun Woo nodded.

“Everything by the book, Tae. We stick to the laws....no  bloodshed without cause and no one gets hurt. He likes to hide behind the fucking law when he’s trying to destroy our entire species , we’re gonna use that same ;law to rail him to the ground .” 

Taehyung grinned. 

“ Not just on the ground, Eun Woo. I’m gonna be putting him six feet under.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The recovery from my shoulder was surprisingly easy compared to the bruise on my ribs. Movement was difficult and it definitely hurt but my pain threshold had definitely gone up. It helped that Cha Eun Woo had stayed away from me and Yugyeom was on a three week break . We crashed out at his apartment and It was like being a kid again. 

We spent the days lounging by the indoor pool or playing video games. Yugyeom was a great cook and he liked cooking. 

Two and a half weeks after I had moved in, I was finally out of the sling. The physiotherapist visited me at the apartment and after making me move my hands well, she gave the go ahead to start my normal routine ahead. 

“I still want you to take it easy. Your ribs are healed and so is your shoulder but no roughhousing.... I’m only saying that because i know how it is i when siblings live together.” She smiled and I laughed, nodding. 

“I’ll make sure she’s resting well, noona.” Yugyeom said seriously. 

I closed the door as the doctor left, smiling as I watched Yugyeom trip over my sling on the couch, when the doorbell rang again.

Surprised , I turned back tot he door.

“ Did you forget something, Unnie-?” I froze in shock. 

Kim Taehyung stood leaning against the wall, looking like he had run all the way from his home across the city. 

“Taehyung-ssi?” I stammered out, taking in the untucked shirt, sweat drenched hair and flashing red eyes .

“I’m.... I fucked up.” He whispered, eyes fluttering shut. It took me a second to realize that he was falling and instinct made throw myself under him, holding my hands out to catch him. 

Pain shot straight up my shoulder as it took the entire brunt of his weight. The pain only lasted a second though, because Yugyeom was shoving me out of the way and grabbing the taller alpha by the waist.

“Holy shit....is this Kim Taehyung?” He looked awestruck as he stared at him and I felt my heart race. Taehyung seemed conscious but his breathing was raspy. 

I pressed my palm against his cheek and his eyes fluttered open .

“I’m... I need you.” Taehyung growled right at me. 

Yugyeom froze next to me and I felt my throat go dry. 

“I... sorry?” I squeaked out. 

“You...need you....under me... fuck...” 

“What the fuck, Rae?” Yugyeom hissed , face turning red as he tried to maneuver the alpha werewolf to the couch . 

I stayed frozen, having no idea what the fuck was going on.

Taehyung scrambled to a sitting position on the couch, gripping the cusions and he was paniting, his eyes wild as he stared right at me. 

“Mine.” His voice was ten times deeper than usual, fairly vibrating with power and Yugyeom went completely still. He was shaking as he reached for me, the terror evident in his face. 

“Oh, shit... Rae...is he....? Fuck , is he -” My little brother sounded terrified and I pulled him behind me. 

Taehyung’s eyes flashed red again and then they shifted to my brother. His gaze narrowed and his mouth opened. 

There was a split second when I knew exactly what was going to happen and I whirled around , grabbing Yugyeom and shoving him straight into the hallway leading to the front door.

“ YUGGIE, RUN!!!”  I screamed with all my might, and behind me Taehyung let out a vicious growl, pouncing across the room at my brother. Yugyeom managed to avoid him by a hairsbreadth and instinct made him move faster to the door but he stopped near the door looking terrified but torn. 

“ Rae...come with me,...come...” 

I stared at the alpha on the floor, my heart racing. 

Taehyung was clearly fighting against the wolf in him, trying to stay down, on his knees, fingers gripping the carpet to ground himself but the little growls that he let out told me that it was a fight he wasn’t winning. He looked up at me and there was so much pain and contrition in his gaze that I felt my heart break. 

“I’m...sorry...” Taehyung gasped out eyes fluttering shut. He was panting harder now, fingers clenched into fists around the carpet and voice ragged. i looked up at my baby brother and he looked so young and scared that I couldn’t stand it. 

“Its okay.... just go... I’ll be fine...he won’t hurt me... Just go...” I whispered desperately and Yugyeom shook his head.

“No... No... you’ve got to come with me... Rae...Noona....”

He never called me noona. I realized just how scared he was and tried to comfort him, but wary of going near him, lest Taehyung attack him again. 

“Yugyeom listen to me carefully. He’s on his rut. He’s not gonna hurt me, he just thinks I’m his mate. If you stay here he’s going to see you as a threat, so you need to leave..If I come with you he will hunt us down....I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself. You just need to go.” 

Yugyeom nodded, moving to the door and I turned back, feeling my stomach clench when Taehyung’s claws came out, tearing through our rug with ease. 

I heard the door shut behind me and I stayed perfectly still. 

Taehyung was still trembling and he finally looked up at me. Now that we were alone he was distinctly calmer. 

“I shouldn’t have come here.” He rasped out. 

I nodded. 

“So why did you?” I asked, staring at him as he stumbled to his feet. 

“You smell ....fuck you just smell like. ....like...”

“Like your wife, yes.” I muttered . “ So you want me to be stand in for your wife tonight?” 

Taehyung’s eyes shot up to stare at me. 

“My wife .... she worked for your father.” He choked out.

I straed at him, the blood running cold in my veins. 

“What?”

“Your father hired her.... to get rid of me. She... used a drug . A drug that confuses a wolf’s senses. Makes the wolf think he’s found his mate. Wolves cannot hurt or live without their mates. Its important to us.  She...She got pregnant on the night we mated and by the time I found out she was already carrying Luna and there was nothing I could do....I couldn’t...it wasn’t even a fucking bond.... I couldn’t sense her...couldn’t feel her...couldn’t muster any kind of affection for her but ... but she was carrying my baby and I just couldn’t bring myself to send her away......”

“Taehyung...” I whispered, remembering how Luna had talked about her father not liking her mother. 

“Its not natural for a wolf my age to be without a mate. But ....that scent ....I... I never picked up on it with anyone else till I... “ He sighed. 

“Till you met me.” 

“Till I met you.” 

I stared at the floor. 

“I’m not.... I’m not actually in rut yet. It’s still a day or so away. i didn’t want to come here but.... I’m supposed to be taking over the office in three days. When I do, I can finally use my position to bring your father down. He is using his drug dealers and suppliers to mess with our biology and its ...something sacred to us. Wolves mate for life and to make a wolf doubt his ability to choose his mate is the worst kind of sacrilege.....”

“What do you want me to do?”

He stared at me....

“If I go into rut and I don’t have.... my mate ...it’s going to fuck me up. I don’t wanna go into the gory details but I most certainly will not be able to take over the office. ” He laughed without mirth. 

There was nothing else to be said , was there?

“You have no right..... asking me to do this.....” I whispered , angry . 

“I know.... I know and if you say no, I will walk out this door and you will never see me again.” 

I laughed. 

“I think you came here because you knew. “

He didn’t respond.

“You fucking knew I wouldn’t be able to say no to you. “ 

His gaze was steady as he stared at me.

“I’ll take care of you.... I won’t...this isn’t a one night stand or a no strings attached thing, Rae..... You will be mine. I’ll be yours. “ 

“And yet, your eyes tell me that there is nothing you hate more, than standing here asking me to be your mate......” I said bitterly.

He didn’t deny it. 

“Will you come with me , then?”

I stared at his handsome face , the surreal beauty of it. And I thought of my father and how he wanted only to destroy anything that he didn’t understand. If Taehyung was going to bring my father down , I wasn’t going to be the thing that stopped him from doing it. 

“Let me get my clothes.” 

AUTHOR’S NOTE : IT WAS EASIER GIVING BIRTH THAN WRITING THIS FIC 

just kidding i love werewolf tae. Please let me know what you thought uwu

[plus-size-reader]

Blood pt.4

Stiles Stilinski x Plus size!reader

Word Count: 2589 words

Warnings: none 

Summary: The pack finally gets to meet this mystery girl of Stiles’ but that glaring secret of theirs just keeps causing problems. 

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3 

—————————————————————————————————

The table fell silent as you walked up to it, every single one of their attentions poised on you as if you were the most interesting thing they had ever seen in their entire lives. 

You hated it. 

For obvious reasons, werewolves made you really uncomfortable and as much as you wanted to trust that Stiles knew his friends well enough to know they weren’t going to freak out and rip you apart, you weren’t sure. 

You didn’t like them. 

Though, as Stiles became more and more aware of the fact that you were dragging your feet, his grasp on your hand tightened to help you remember that you weren’t completely alone.

“I’m going to be here the whole time, just relax” he prompted, hoping that his words were going to be enough to make you feel better about this whole thing while also knowing that wasn’t going to be. 

This was something you never wanted to do in your life, but if you wanted to live your life here, you’d have to do it. You had to find out if what he said about them was true, so that you knew that you could stay. 

It sucked. 

The only thing that made you feel any better about this situation was seeing how well your act had worked on Scott this morning. If you kept it up like that, there was a chance that they would never know what you were at all. 

Maybe you could just keep it a secret from them forever. 

You had done crazier things. 

By the time the two of you made it to the table, the entire group had shared knowing looks, shocked that the tall tale Scott had weaved about what he’d seen this morning wasn’t all one big lie. It just wasn’t something they ever thought would happen.

“Hey, there they are. I was worried you were playing hookie today” Scott grinned, addressing his words to his best friend, who only shrugged at his words. 

Not showing up at all today would have been a better idea, all things considered, but you’d have to answer the questions at some point. 

It was much better to just get it over with. 

“Could you blame me?” Stiles jokes, sitting down beside Scott at the table, taking you with him. You were stiff as you sat down, doing your best to stick in your own little bubble without drawing too much attention to yourself. 

Unfortunately, that was basically impossible given the circumstances. 

The two of them shared a laugh before Scott addressed a question to you, one that you missed completely because you were still trying to come to terms with the situation you had found yourself in. There was just too much going on at once, and you couldn’t help but be a little overwhelmed. 

You weren’t designed for this, after all. 

You should have never been afraid of anything, or had to answer to anyone but that had gone out the window when you decided to attach yourself to a teenage boy who was involved with a pack of werewolves. 

Just your luck. 

“Y/N, honey. You okay?” Stiles hummed, obviously addressing you that way for their benefit. Scott had asked you a point blank question and while he was well aware of what was going on with you, they weren’t. 

You had to get a handle on this. 

“Yeah, sorry. It’s just a lot at once” you shrugged, plastering that bubbly grin on your face that made you feel as though your cheeks could crack in two at any moment. It wasn't natural for you, but as you had previously decided, it was natural for this girl Stiles was dating. 

This girl that you were pretending to be. 

“It’s okay. We’re all friends. We’re just a little shocked at the news is all” Scott allowed, smiling at you in a way that was surprisingly genuine. It wasn’t like the werewolves you remembered from all those years ago, that were made up mostly of gnashing teeth and threats of violence. 

He didn’t look like he could hurt anything, or anyone, even if he wanted to. 

“Stiles didn’t tell you, did he? He can be so goofy sometimes” you laughed, bumping the male in question with your shoulder. The action was surprisingly natural for you, and Stiles reacted naturally as well. 

Pretending to be a couple was the easiest part of this whole thing, for both of you. 

It was real life that you were struggling with. 

“I just didn’t know how” Stiles decided, moving your two hands, that were still interlocked, onto the tabletop. It was a blatant display of the relationship the two of you were supposed to share, but you didn’t mind it. 

The more they focused on the show you were putting on, the less they could pay attention to you.

“Come on. Tell us more about it, how did you two meet?” another in the group, a redhead, prompted. She had a cheery demeanor, with eyes that held an intellect that you could have seen shining there a mile away. 

She wasn’t a wolf, but she stank like one just like Stiles did, that much you could tell. Of course, she wasn’t human either, but based on what you could get from her alone, you had no clue what sort of creature she was. 

“We sort of just ran into each other, and went to get a bite” you shrugged, not even bothering to hide the clever little nod to how you really met within your answer. 

If nothing else, knowing something they didn’t made this a little more entertaining. 

It was hardly the meet-cute that Lydia had been hoping for, but that didn’t mean she didn’t accept the answer you gave her. After all, it was clear that Stiles really had a thing for you and as long as he liked you, she liked you too. 

Contrary to what you would have thought, she wasn’t as tough a critic as Scott seemed to be. He just wanted to figure out what was going on right now, 

Stiles had never once had a girl over like that, and every time he’d ever gotten close, Scott knew about it. Sometimes, Stiles stopped talking to a girl to call him in the moment and let him know that he had talked to a cute girl. 

He just had to make sure you were legit. 

That was literally his whole job as his best friend. 

“So, you go to school here Y/N? I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before” he questioned, offering another comforting smile to you which you couldn't help but be a little tired of. Every time you looked at him, all you saw was your coven, torn apart and left for dead.

It was really putting a damper on this whole conversation. 

“I used to live here actually, a while ago, and now I’m moving back. I actually enrolled when I got here, but it's been a little difficult getting used to being back” you shrugged, not totally lying this time. 

Being around this many people, any number of whom could have walked in on you that day instead of Stiles, was hard to wrap your head around. You were so used to being alone; travelling alone, living alone. 

You were always alone. 

...But you had to do something, and if you wanted to stick around here for a little while, you knew that you had to build a life for yourself. 

“She’s gonna stay with me for a little bit while her folks get settled” he allowed, hoping that at some point, the intense line of questioning would come to an end. Even if you were just a girl he was seeing like they believed, this was a bit much. 

He’d never had this many questions for someone Scott was dating. 

Though, Stiles knew that it was just his friend's curiosity that was driving him. There is no malicious intent or suspicion behind it, that you would likely want to read into it later when it was just the two of you alone. 

This was just how Scott was sometimes. 

“Well, it’s good you two have each other then”

You expected more, more questions or pointed looks in your direction but the group seemed content with the backstory they had been given, at least for now. The more direct questions he had, Scott was just going to ask Stiles when they were alone. 

It would be easier that way, so that he didn’t make you super uncomfortable. 

There was definitely still something about the relationship you two shared that Scott didn’t fully understand but eventually, he came to the same conclusion that Lydia had. It was clear that the two of you liked each other, and for now, that was good enough for him. 

It had to be. 

After all, he had no reason to assume there was something wrong with you. You had only just met and deciding things like that took time. 

~

“They hate me” you decided, plopping down on Stiles’ bed as if you owned it. On the outside, your meeting them had gone fine but you just had this bad feeling about it. You hadn’t sold it hard enough, or maybe you had sold it too hard. 

In any case, it seemed clear to you that they were never going to like you. Just the way Scott looked at you told you everything you needed to know. 

They didn’t trust you, and they never would 

You were an idiot to think that you would just be accepted here, like you belonged. 

“What are you talking about? They loved you. You were great” he hummed, really not seeing where this was coming from. His friends had no reason not to like you, just like his dad was going to have no reason not to like you. 

This was all going to be just fine. 

All you had to do was trust him. 

“I’m not supposed to have to do any of this. I’ve lived lifetimes, and never had to worry about something so trivial” you grumbled, your voice muffled by the pillows and blankets of his bed, which you were still face down on. 

You didn’t want to do this, to pretend to be something you weren’t just so that you could live here but now that you were potentially in danger, you had to. 

You had to keep this up until Stiles found a way to tell Scott what you really were and even after he did, there was a chance it wouldn't go well and you'd still have to leave. There was just too much that was up in the air for you to relax. 

This wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Still, before Stiles could really get a chance to comfort you over the whole thing, your attention snapped up at the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. This time, it wasn’t accompanied by the terrible stench of dog, which meant it wasn’t Scott. 

Sheriff Stilinski must have been home. 

“Okay, this dinner is going to be a lot easier than at school. You just have to let me handle it” Stiles prompted, sure that you would be able to handle that much. If you could sit at a table full of werewolves, his dad wasn’t going to be a problem. 

In fact, he had every confidence that tonight was going to go perfectly because Noah was so easy going.

Stiles was a good kid, he did as he was told and never got into too much trouble, if you didn’t count all the supernatural business. If the most he needed to do was have a girl stay at the house for a while, he doubted his dad would mind. 

It wasn’t like he was home too often anyway. 

You nodded, not bothering to tell him that you were pretty sure you’d decided to just let him handle everything from now on and stood up, doing your best to keep calm. Though, as it seemed to be doing a lot lately, something went wrong. 

You couldn’t have dinner with his dad. 

Not only did you not eat, and wouldn’t be eating but as far as food was concerned, you were also starving. You didn’t have to feed super often but with all this stress lately, your system had just blown through the little bit of blood you’d had yesterday. 

If you didn’t get something in you soon, it wasn’t going to be pretty.

“Um, Stiles? Did you say dinner?” you clarified, though your comment served more as another gentle reminder that you weren't’ like he was. The male seemed to keep forgetting that you weren’t human like him, and that you couldn’t do the same things. 

You had other things you needed to attend to, like the hunger gnawing at your system as you spoke. 

“Oh, yeah-okay, change of plans. I’m going to have dinner with my dad and you’re going to stay here and lay low” he suggested, not really liking the idea of leaving you out. However, that was quickly remedied by the fact that you wouldn't have wanted to partake anyway. 

As much as you had enjoyed a nice hot meal when you were human, you weren’t anymore and you preferred to get your meals from a different source. 

“That sounds great, but what am I supposed to do about my dinner?” you asked, trying to be subtle about what you were going to have to do. There were some things about harboring a vampire in your home that weren’t pretty, and this was one of them. 

...but as much as you wanted to, you couldn’t just starve so that he would be more comfortable. 

He had to figure something out, or else you would have a repeat of the event that got you here in the first place, and you were pretty sure he didn’t want to deal with that again. You got blood everywhere when you did that. 

Besides, keeping you fed was in his best interest, considering you live in very close quarters with him now. 

“I’ll take care of it” he promised, pressing a kiss to your forehead and heading out before he could even think about what it was that he’d done. His glaring feelings for you could wait, because he had something much more important to take care of first. 

Thankfully, Stiles did have an idea. 

If his best friend didn't ask too many questions, there was a way that he could get some blood for you without having to hurt, or even involve, another person. He just had to hope that Scott was willing to help him. 

It was really a long shot, at this point. 

“Hey Scott, buddy. When you get this message, I need a favor” he prompted, speaking as plainly as he could into his phone and leaving a voicemail for Scott that he could only hope the other male would get and be able to be cool about. 

After all, what he was asking wasn’t exactly a normal thing best friends asked of each other, even when one of them was a werewolf. 

It was definitely going to come with a few questions. 

Stiles just had to hope that would be lucky enough to be able to lie his way out of those. He had been doing that an awful lot lately, but in his defense, he had a promise to keep.

[x0401x]

Jeweler Richard Fanbook Short Story #12

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Suit Story

If you went through Ginza’s Main Street from 7-chome to 1-chome, the change in the city’s atmosphere would shock you. Bulgari, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Chanel. Felt like you could play shiritori with these high-class brand names. It was a fun neighborhood to stroll around during Christmas season, as all the stores would come up with elaborate plans for the decorative lights, but it was currently autumn. The store most closely related to me in these vicinities was the long-established stationery store where I went to buy stationery. It was, however...

“Please raise your arms a little more.”

“All right.”

“Pull your chin back a bit. Yeah, that’s great.”

“Haah. Is this really right?”

“Of course. Might be hard, but please do relax.”

For whatever reason, I was across the street from the stationery store, practically in front of it, on the second floor of a branded men’s fashion store originally from England. On the walls of this mysterious-gentleman-themed space, which housed a bar counter and even a huge aquarium, there were clusters of business suits, pants and waistcoats with basting threads attached to them in conspicuous spots.

It was a place for taking measurements for custom-made stuff.

I couldn’t get over the feeling that this was some kind of mistake. Wasn’t this the stationery store? The place where you could buy vanilla-colored envelopes for 30 yen each? Or illustrated writing paper with seasonal vibes, or pens.

“Seigi, you are too nervous.”

“Nakata-san is such an imp, but so are you.”

Leaning against the bar counter, Richard shrugged his shoulders, indicating possibility.

Today was Thursday. Having been called by Richard, who said he wanted to ask me to do some odd job, I went over to the front of Etranger, and then we came to this store in the green jaguar. Just when I thought he was gonna make me hang with him for shopping, the man on the driver seat hastily took out his phone, showing me a video letter from my dad, Nakata-san.

“Seigi, congrats on your graduation. I wanted to go suit shopping with you, but I’m in Jakarta, so I’ll be borrowing Richard-san’s assistance for that. Seems like people are getting them custom-made lately. Make sure to buy a good one. Well, see ya.”

Richard had watched over me in the passenger seat as my eyes got wet, but the tears drew back in when we stepped into the store.

While talking lightheartedly about the difference between English and Italian suits, the young clerk, who wasn’t all too apart from me in age, smoothly took my body measurements with a measuring tape and showed me countless textures.

“You can also choose the lining. What should we do about the pockets?”

When I started getting dizzy, said man, who was like a page of suits, began giving me suggestions from behind. I had nowhere to run. I was really going to have my suit made here. As I picked a charcoal-gray suit with blue lining, Richard quickly told me that tanzanite cuffs would look very nice in it. Of course, I was thinking the exact same thing.

By the moment that the Onii-san finished the measuring and disappeared into the back of the store to take notes, I heaved a deep sigh. “This kinda stuff’s been happening a lot lately. All I ever do is receive.”

When I said that, Richard laughed, giggles ringing up his throat.

Richard had two types of smiles, and whenever he raised his voice while laughing, if I refused to back down, he’d often give me a word of advice of some sort. When it was a silent smile, I’d feel like he was telling me in some way to “reflect about myself”, which would make me a bit anxious, but I liked both.

Walking up next to me as I stood in front of the mirror, Richard grinned. “It is no longer guaranteed that your body will grow out of your clothes. Isn’t it fun to sometimes purchase slightly larger clothes and try to wait for your body’s growth?”

“Feeling like this talk doesn’t have the ‘sleep well and drink milk’ kinda nuance to it.”

The reply was a smile. How strange. Richard’s face was right at my left side, but the smile in the mirror was looking directly at me. Clad in a double-button slender silhouette suit, his figure was perfect no matter from what angle I looked at it, like an extraordinarily fine jewel, so my own figure as I tensed up beside him appeared even weirder.

“Hey, Richard, I kinda have the feeling that suits are like the base metals of jewelry.”

“Are you referring to the foundation parts of rings, earrings and such?”

I nodded. The base metal was the metal part that formed the foundation for attaching gemstones to jewelry. In stores, people would often memorize the materials and call them by their names, such as gold base metal or platinum base metal.

It was a part that never played the leading role in Etranger, which handled accessories with gemstones on them. But it’d be hard to wear jewelry on the body without it, and it was also a part that allowed people to express their particularities regarding the materials, durability and design. Whether they would be prominent or not depended on the basis. Erm, this was probably what a jeweler from Kyoto that I was acquainted with would say. The contrary was also possible.

“Gotta psyche myself up. If I don’t become someone that won’t lose to this suit, I’d feel bad.”

“This is my personal opinion, but there is nothing more tiring to look at than a jewelry in which the gem and base metal are at rivalry with one another. What you should emphasize is the harmony. Just because you use the finest high-grade eggs and milk as ingredients, it does not mean you will create the best pudding – is that not the same thing?”

“Ah...”

When I replied that, indeed, high-end ingredients were often strongly in demand, the beautiful man nodded with an “exactly as you say”. By the looks of it, those were the sweets that he was into lately. I hadn’t been able to take time some for it at all due to being busy, but I decided to make pudding again one of these days and offer to him. Despite having a wallet that enabled him to eat as many high-grade desserts as he wanted, Richard would always be delighted anew no matter how many of them I made, which made me believe that, as one would expect, he had a talent for pleasing people. I was grateful for his existence.

“Both suits and jewelry are goods that exist for the sake of their owners. The initiative is clear from the start. You must handling it skillful and comfortably, not fight against it. That is why it is custom-made.”

“So you’re also ‘skillfully handling’ the clothes you’re wearing right now?”

“Evidently. Enough that I do not know anymore at what point it ends and I begin.” With that said, Richard sleekly patted his suit. I wanted to try saying that too someday.

We exchanged glances not through the mirror but directly.

When the clerk Onii-san came back, the measuring recommenced. I got kind of embarrassed as he praised me, saying I was well-relaxed.

   “Seigi-kun, good work! Wow, that suit looks really great on you.”

“Thanks, Tanimoto-san. Uh, this print on your furisode, could it be—”

“I was told it’s a modern type of print, but yep, it’s kinda like...”

“It looks like a bismuth crystal!”

With a face that said, “I know, right”, a dandy crease formed under her eyes, which were just a bit more on-the-mark than usual. Her bob-cut hair was the same as always, her cream-colored hakama paired with a yellow-green and dark blue furisode, which bore a mysterious geometric pattern print. On top of being cute, it was unique. She said it was rented, but I got emotional upon finding out there was a furisode that was so much like her.

As for me, I was wearing a double-button English suit that fit my body extremely well. It was a little embarrassing, but the creatures called college boys were more or less the same kind of individuals as myself, so they weren’t too mindful of their male friends’ clothes. Only one of them, who had found employment in the apparel industry, said that “the suit Nakata’s wearing is so nice”.

It was the graduation ceremony of Kasaba University. We gathered in the excessively large auditorium for all but an instant, and once we had our diplomas in hand, it was the beginning of a rapid shooting party, where we took pictures with our preferred friends in spaces near the auditorium. Tanimoto-san came running over to the spot near the central library, where we had decided to meet up.

“Seigi-kun, really, congrats. Things might get hard from now on, but if it’s you, everything will definitely be okay.”

“Thank you. I’ll do my best. I don’t think I’m that big of a deal, though...”

“That’s not true. I know very well how awesome you are.”

I played around a little and bowed my head, also congratulating Tanimoto-san for her graduation, she laughed with a “huhuhu”, looking happy.

She had passed in teaching and she would officially be a middle school science teacher starting this April. She fulfilled the dream that she had told me about when we were in our second year of undergrad. So cool. She had laughed when I said I wanted to take her classes if it were ever possible, but now I knew her video communication address, so it might be that I could actually get to attend her lectures at least once. Even if I were no longer living in Japan.

“Tanimoto-san, the school you’re assigned to is...”

“In Okayama Prefecture. It’s famous for the Katsuta Group of vicarya fossils. Compared to you, it’s next-door.”

In a few days, my address would change from Japan to Sri Lanka. I was going to be a jeweler apprentice. I had been told that I would often have to move around in rough dress, so sure enough, I was going to dedicate myself to wearing formal stuff for the time being. It was a bit of a waste, but Nakata-san and Richard had probably given me a chance to wear this kind of thing because they knew about that.

I could hear a voice in the distance calling, “Shouko~”. It was apparently a friend of Tanimoto-san’s. She waved at them in response.

“Seigi-kun, y’know... I think I was very lucky to meet you in this university. Literally thank you. Thanks to you, university was always fun.”

“Those are all my lines. But Tanimoto-san, I only ever gave you trouble.”

“If you’re gonna say that, same goes for me. I feel like you’ve granted me many opportunities. Seriously, thank you.”

When she smiled, saying she was going to do her best, she looked really cute. Neither of us had any familiarity with Okayama, but surely, she would actively pave the way with her own strength no matter where she was. And on her days off, she would go out to the Katsuta Group to dig up fossils.

“From now on too, if there’s anything I can help you with, I want you to tell me. I’ll do anything. If you run into any weirdo, I’ll get on a plane and come give them a beating.”

“Me too; if anyone ever messes up with you, Seigi-kun, I’ll take my crack hammer and go finish them off. Look forward to it. Ah, Aki told me that a sniper rifle suits me better, apparently?”

“I-I wonder.”

After that, we talked for a while, seated on an inconspicuous bench, and when it was finally time, she told me to at least take care of my body, offering me her hand. I nodded and squeezed it back. Her hand was small but very strong.

“Take care of your body, at the very least. May the blessings of the stones fall upon you.”

“Thank you. You too.”

We bowed deeply, taking pictures with each other while we were at it, and once we were done with the commemorative photoshoot, in which the two of us kept a moderate distance from one another, we parted ways. Students here and there were hugging intensely and wailing, but neither she nor I were that type, and I didn’t think this would be farewell for a lifetime. We would definitely get to see each other from now on too.

However, this was our last time seeing each other while we were students. After the handshake, my angel waved her hand with a “see you”, even more brightly than an actual angel.

Later on, having finished looking around for the friends that I could call friends and going on a tour to tell them “thank you for everything until now”, lastly, I sent a brief text. Not to Richard. To Nakata-san and Hiromi.

“I was able to graduate from university without problems. Thank you very much, truly. I will be in your care from now on too.”

Rather than a greeting, it turned into a notice to announce my renewed determination. The stylish suit indeed gave off an extraordinary feeling of fittingness, but I couldn’t think I was fully used to it. Obviously. It finished being made just a while ago. It would start from here. If it would take on my shape the more I wore it, then I would make sure to wear it steadily to my own liking.

What mattered was the harmony, he had said.

While smoothly stroking the suit, which I still couldn’t deem as anything other than formal wear, as if I were stroking my favorite gemstone, I seared the contrast of cherry blossom petals against the blue sky into my eyes.

[mxpseudonym]

Just Good Business

Pairing: Tommy x Reader 

Reader Gender Expression: She/Her pronouns, feminine clothing descriptions

Summary: You are forced to marry Tommy Shelby, but that doesn’t mean you have to make things easy for him. 

Length: 1671 words (allegedly)

Warnings: Mentions of forced marriage. Otherwise Bad bitch, chaotic energy and some justified (non violent) rage. 

A/N: This was very fun to write! 

Also there’s going to be a NSFW part II because the tension? The sheer sexual tension?? Yeah, it needs to happen. 

Part II

--

Being a bit impossible to pin down is what you're known for, and you liked that. It was your grandmother who taught you how to be difficult. 

When they try to smooth your edges, rip the sandpaper. 

You didn't have a natural place in polite society, your family knew this. But your father wasn't going to let you into the family business, either. So he took your brother, your imbecile of a brother, and let him lead instead. Two years later, you're sitting at a dinner table in a fancy restaurant with your parents, your brother who can't look you in the eye, and two gangsters from Birmingham. You could tell they were gangsters because they smelled like new money, and had guns under their blazers. One was an older woman Polly Shelby, and the other was her nephew, Thomas Shelby. 

You thought it was any other business meeting, but your brother was fidgeting the way he did when you were younger, and he stole your necklace and broke it but didn't want to tell you. He was hiding something big. Luckily for him and unluckily for you, it quickly became abundantly clear. 

"Let's get right to it, we'll settle the debt, put in an accountant who will manage to unfuck you, and take 45% of the resulting profit," Tommy Shelby laid the cards on the table. Your face contorted in confusion. What debt? 

"Alright, it's done," your father said, a quiver in his voice along with relief. 

"What? That's a terrible bargain," you scoffed. The way your mother turned away, her eyes tearing up, and your brother practically quivering beside you. You met the eyes of Polly Shelby, and something about them told you to brace yourself. 

"Is your daughter still upholding the marriage to our dear Thomas?" Polly asked. For a moment, you thought you blacked out. For a moment, you thought you'd forgotten you had a sister. For a moment, you assumed it wasn't the 1920's but the 17-fucking-40's where you may have come with some livestock as well. 

"So this is it, huh? This is why you let me go to Paris with my friends last week, Mum? And why Dad said he'd buy me a car? And why Graham won't stop fucking fidgeting?" You asked, looking to your brother who just grimaced at you. There was no out, and you knew it. 

"Don't make a scene, y/n," your father told you, tired already as if he'd put up some great fight. 

"Well? Are we on?" Polly got us back on track. "I'll need to hear it from her." You looked down at your handbag until you saw the emerald color and not a blinding red.

"You'll take 10% of the resulting profits," you finally said. If you were getting given away, it was going to be at least a good deal. 

"40," the deep, Brummie voice of Thomas Shelby came to the party. Your eyes flicked up to meet his icy blue ones. 

"12."

"35."

"15."

"33%, and you can go to Paris as much as you'd like," he said his final offer with a smirk. If you weren't so fueled by anger, you'd appreciate it.

"18%, I go to Paris as much as I want, and I won't make your life a living hell. Maybe I'll even kiss you goodbye in the morning, my love," you said in the most charming voice you could muster, which wasn't very. He'd never tell you that's when he knew he liked you, but he didn't have to. You landed on an even 25%. You could go to Paris, he'd get his morning goodbye kiss and some peace from time to time, and you'd get a car that was better than anything your father had planned. You shook on it yourself. 

"Welcome to the Shelby's," Polly said when she grasped your hand. You grabbed your bag and turned to Tommy.

"If the car's not a Hispano-Suiza, 2% of that profit comes directly to me," you warned him before walking away.

You should've fucking known that it would be at least partially an adventure. At first, you were mad. You allowed yourself to be easily swayed in the wedding planning, saying yes to the most frivolous things.

"500 bloody pounds for a dress you'll wear once?!" Tommy all but shouted and threw down the receipt on the desk of his office. You sat unnerved in the seat in front of him.

"Once, on the most important day of my life," you said, giving a brief pout and nothing else. Tommy rubbed his chin as he went to refill his glass of whiskey.

"Stubborn, reckless, outlandish even. Sure, you're all of those things. But spoiled? That's a surprise," he said, almost disappointed. You rolled your eyes at his little act. 

"Come off it, Shelby. I have very little in this world, least of all a family I can trust. Everything I do have is about to belong to you because I'm a woman with nothing but familial debt. So don't stand there and lecture me about the rights and wrongs of acting out, Thomas. You and my father only listen to money." You stood and were halfway to the door when Tommy blocked your way. 

"You've threatened to run away if you had to live with your parents, so we've put you in a grand apartment in London. You have your parties there with all your friends. You spend all the money you'd like and more. When will it end?" He asked. You wondered if he actually cared about the stability of your coping mechanisms, or about you. His hand came up to brush your waist. It was all you needed to come back to your senses.  You took a breath and looked up at him.

"Until I'm satisfied," You decided. 

Polly was something between annoyed and amused at you. You were loud, as subtle as a cannon, and possibly more stubborn than her nephew. There wasn't a week that went by where Tommy wasn't talking about something you'd done. 

"Tommy, have you tried going along with something she says?" Polly suggested one day when you'd called not finding a proper wedding venue an "emergency." Tommy leaned back in thought, then picked up the phone. Perhaps his aunt was right... like usual.

"If this is kidnap, it's very ironic," you said as you stumbled along the gravel. Your ridiculous fiancé had taken you to an undisclosed location. Now, the only thing guiding you was Tommy, whose hand was over your eyes. 

"It's not a kidnapping. On the contrary, I've come to take you home," Tommy said before his hand lifted. You blinked the blur away to see a large house. Well, let's call a spade a spade. It was a mansion if you'd ever seen one. 

"Holy hell," you breathed.

"This is Arrow House, Ms. y/l/n. It's got everything you could need and hopefully what you want. Here's a map." He pulled a thick piece of paper from his coat pocket. "Let me know if I've missed anything."

Crying wasn't in your repertoire. Even the events of the past few months hadn't done you in. But, you made an exception and allowed a few to leak while you looked around. You could feel your betrothed’s eyes watching you take it all in, but it didn't matter when the home was breathtaking. When you came back to the foyer, you couldn't help but tweak an eyebrow at Tommy. 

"Have you got a crush on me, Shelby?" You asked, or accused rather. He just chuckled and grabbed your hand, leading you towards the door.

"Let's go see the stables."

The wedding was grander than was even sensible. Tommy didn't know how you forged the guest list or who most of these people were, but you told him if he helped you hang drapes, you'd explain your itemized list. Now that was a sight to see. You could only stand it for a bit and did what you usually did at parties. You found quiet place on a balcony overlooking the wedding reception turned memorable party that spilled into the large venue's gardens. 

"Well, we've done it, Mrs. Shelby," Tommy said, walking up from behind you with two champagne glasses. You took one with a broad smile. 

"Thank you, Mr. Shelby. I'd have to agree."

"Are you having a good time?"

"Sure, are you? This is your wedding gift," you said, motioning to the crowds.

"And how is that?" He looked over the railing with you. You started pointing people out.

"Over there is the Commissioner and his wife's sister. London police chief over there with his mistress. Lady Catherine Wilcox, one of the most influential socialites in the country, is by the fountain. She's been eyeing Arthur all night too. And so on." You nodded triumphantly. "At those parties I was having in London, I only said good things about you, which is annoying to admit but here we are. Thomas Shelby, your wedding is your introduction to the upper echelon society." He turned and leaned against the railing, and you followed his lead. 

"I guess I owe you a thank you," he said. 

"I’d say so. You’re on several guest lists and incredibly important customer lists now.” You cupped your ear and leaned closer. “Let's hear it.”

"Thank you, y/n." He rolled his eyes, then looked at you with a sigh. "Are you happy, then?" He asked.

"Better, I'm satisfied."

With a clink of your glasses, your relationship could begin. And when Tommy leaned in to kiss you, you didn't pull away. 

"This seems like a crush," were your first words when you parted.

"You're the one who made us late to the ceremony," he pointed out.

"No one even noticed."

"I think they did," he begged to differ. 

"You weren't supposed to come to find me before the wedding. It's bad luck," you tsked Tommy, taking another sip of the bubbling drink, which did nothing to help the heat creeping up your neck. 

"Just had to make sure you didn't run off." He shrugged but moved closer to whisper in your ear. "And I believe, Mrs. Shelby, the dress wasn't even on yet."

"Don't get your hopes up, it meant nothing." You waved it away, not convinced or convincing. Tommy nodded then kissed you again. 

"Right, right. It's just good business." 

--

Tommy Tag List: @soleil-dor

[shirebarbie]

Okay not to be okay (Maxwell Beaumont x Riley)

Author’s note: a random little fanfic about my favorite LI from the Royal Romance series on choices. please be kind :’)

Summary: hurt & comfort, Maxwell’s reaction to his father’s plan to take the crown princess away and Riley’s attempts to make him feel better.

After the horrible and shocking meeting, everyone from the friend group slowly started leaving the room, their faces confused and spirits low. The ones who voted in favor of the princess being taken away left quickly, probably in order to avoid more conflict with the ones who opposed the idea. Hana was one of the last people to walk through the door as she cast a sad glance in the direction of the princess Annabelle. Duchess Riley followed everyone out with her dark eyes, but she couldn't oversee the fact that her husband barely moved at all. Maxwell stood up from his chair for a moment, took a few steps, and then sat down heavily again with hanging shoulders on another chair. Olivia was sitting in that one, Riley thought, the only representative of the Great Houses that voted against Barthelemy's horrendous scheme.

Annabelle was sound asleep in her pram, her little face angelic and perfectly calm – she was lucky to be unaware of the recent events and their possible effects on both her childhood and her future. Riley cast a sad but loving look on her daughter as she slowly turned to face Maxwell who was staring blankly ahead with his usually smiling lips in a straight line, and his ocean eyes no longer friendly and mischievous. Riley crouched down so she could meet his face and she raised a hand to gently place on her lover’s shoulder.

“Max, are you alright?” she inquired carefully, although the answer was clearly written on his face. However, in his typical fashion, he quickly put on a braver façade and attempted something similar to a smile.

“Let’s not talk about me right now, we have things to handle and we need to come up with a strategy to get our baby out of this horrible- “

“Darling.” Maxwell’s ramblings were quickly cut off by his wife who knew him well enough to know he would put everyone else’s needs before his own, even when his little family was directly threatened by his own father. That was just the way he was, but Riley didn’t think that was the time to brush off something so serious.

“It’s completely okay to feel betrayed, hurt, or anything else you may be feeling now. He’s your dad, Maxwell, nobody could ever judge you for being upset with this situation.”

Before she even completed what she was saying, Riley saw Maxwell’s eyes fill with tears and his ruse was no longer. He was properly devastated, and he had no clue what to say at all. He knew Riley and Annabelle would support him and love him through everything, as they proved day after day, but he felt like he was failing them and like he could do nothing right, even though he knew nothing about his father’s malicious scheme beforehand. Through his flurry of thoughts Maxwell felt his wife’s warm hand squeeze his own, the wedding band secure on her ring finger, and her other hand reached up to stroke his cheek.

As she was looking at Maxwell, Riley’s heart broke just a little bit. She brushed away a stray tear from his right cheek while he was still staring into space, breathing becoming heavier.

“My darling angel,” she began, her soft voice dripping with love and worry, and she knew he would feel it too, “none of this is your fault to any extent. You have never done anything to endanger our family – quite the contrary – and I could never put any blame on you. For any of this,” she gestured vaguely and shook her head. “I love you and Annabelle loves you and we know you love us, which you continue to prove every single day. For goodness’ sake, you literally saved our lives once already, darling. I think that’s all the proof we could ever need about your feelings and intentions towards us.” Riley shuddered at the thought of that overwhelming night when their daughter came into the world, knowing that it wasn’t something any of them would get over anytime soon.

That one tear on Maxwell’s cheek was soon followed by many more, and quiet sobs started to ripple through his body. Riley reacted immediately and pulled him into herself, allowing one of her hands to slide into his soft hair. It was always incredibly hard to see him crying, because he was usually the happy one who saw the good in everything, but even people like that have their breaking points. Considering the overall situation, it was more than understandable that Maxwell happened to face his breaking point at that moment. Initially, when Riley hugged him close he left his arms down, but hesitantly he encircled his wife’s shoulders and waist.

“I’m a-“ he started, but the duchess knew in which direction his thoughts were flowing. “If you dare to say that you’re a royal screw-up, I’m banishing music on our next ball completely!” This made Maxwell stop talking immediately, and Riley thought she heard a faint chuckle cut through the quiet sobs and sniffs. “Good,” she smiled, but the man in her arms still didn’t seem to be doing better. With every little sob of his, her soul began to hurt a little more. Unsure of what to say next to alleviate some of the pain, the duchess settled on a gentle chorus of “it’s alright” and “we’ll be fine”, even though she herself wasn’t sure if she truly believed those words.

Maxwell was simultaneously feeling safe and scared, and after everything he had gone through with his father (and very much his absence, too) he certainly deserved to look after himself a bit, and focus on arranging his own feelings and thoughts first. Riley firmly believed that, but she knew that, no matter how tough the situation was, Maxwell would always put her and Annabelle first. She was extremely grateful for that the whole time, and she made her appreciation clear. However, it was high time for her to give better than her best for her husband now, in spite of the fear that was bubbling up in her heart.

“My sweet, sweet boy,” Riley eventually whispered as she rubbed Maxwell’s back, “if anyone in the world is trying their best for their loved ones, it is you, Max. Our friends would agree too, I’m sure of that. But it’s perfectly normal to take it easy every now and then, and look after yourself, baby. You need it.” Maxwell’s crying died down at least a little by that point, and he pulled away from his wife’s arms just a bit (he still adored her hugs and affection, and was always ready to soak all of it up, any given chance), so he finally attempted looking her in the eyes. The warmth and care that were so blatantly obvious on her lovely features almost made his heart stop for a moment. Even when he was a crying mess, she still looked at him as if he was the most perfect and precious human being in the whole universe. And he was exactly that to her.

Maxwell let out a slow, shaky breath, and he looked away again “I can’t… believe he would do something like that. To his son’s own family.”

“I know, my love, I know.” Riley bit her lip worriedly and rubbed her hands up and down Maxwell’s arms. “And I can’t even imagine how you must be feeling right now. But I do think you’re incredibly brave, unbelievably strong, smart, and loving, and I don’t have a sliver of doubt in my mind that we will manage to figure something out together.”

“You think so?” Her husband wondered out loud, his eyes regaining a slightly more hopeful and joyful look, which Riley grew to love very quickly into their friendship. He always saw so much good, and sometimes she couldn’t even fathom how and where. But that was just Maxwell.

“I know we will, Max. Just look at everything we have managed to accomplish so far, sunshine! What’s another epic fight for our amazing team, huh?” The duchess tried to offer her brightest smile, her hands still on her lover. “It has been scientifically proven that we can do anything.”

Finally, Maxwell cracked a little smile and squeezed his wife’s hands. “We are the world’s greatest superhero team,” he croaked out with a little sniff, and Riley almost melted right then and there. In her eyes, his smile was unmatched, and she wanted to be the reason behind it as much as she could. She was not sure whether she was right about any of the things she said, whether everything will really go the right way or completely awfully, and she didn’t know whether Maxwell believed her encouragements either, but at that moment what mattered was the fact that he seemed to be feeling better, at least momentarily, and that was a small victory she was willing to take.

“Maybe we should take our little sleeping princess to her royal bed,” Maxwell said in a voice that was barely above a whisper, nodding his head in the direction of his beloved daughter.

“Good thinking,” Riley nodded and finally got up from her uncomfortable position on the floor, and she extended a hand towards Maxwell. The second they were both standing up, he pulled her into the tightest hug possible and inhaled her comforting scent. “I love you,” Maxwell exhaled, some of the tension leaving his body, “and I love our little ray of sunshine too.” In return, Riley pressed a loving kiss on his lips which communicated all the love she had for him without having to say a word. They just knew.

Maxwell picked up Annabelle from her pram gently, but securely, and held her little sleeping form close to his body as the family of three exited the meeting room. More than once, as they walked to their private quarters, Riley noticed an unreadable expression on her husband’s face, but every time he glanced at their baby or she fidgeted a little, he seemed to brighten up too. It was normal – one can’t let go so quickly of something so painful and confusing. Maxwell needed time, hell, they both needed time, patience and strength to tackle the newest threat in the kingdom. Riley’s brow furrowed when she started putting the pieces together: after a mysterious coma that lasted for almost two decades, Barthelemy was suddenly perfectly well and had a very elaborate plan put together and already set in motion. Something didn’t seem completely right, but that was a conversation for another day – she couldn’t bear the thought of possibly causing Maxwell more pain and sadness than what he already had to put up with.

While Maxwell put Annabelle to bed, Riley went to change into something less formal and get something from the kitchen. In one of the halls she ran into her friend Drake, who seemed to be in an equally bad mood (to be fair, he often was, but not with that intensity). He looked at her with so much sadness that she felt like someone knocked air out of her lungs when their eyes met. When he spoke up, it was barely audible, as if he was scared of talking about the imminent threat too loudly – maybe it would make everything go down sooner.

“I’m really sorry you’re going through this,” he said. “Both you and Maxwell are really good people, and it’s high time you both got some rest and just, you know, enjoy life.” Drake chuckled humorlessly.

“Oh well, it seems like I am destined for drama. Me, and everyone around me too,” Riley shrugged, trying to stretch her lips out into a smile, at least a small one. “For now, Maxwell seems to be taking it much worse, which makes a lot of sense.”

Drake almost shivered at the mere thought of what his friend must be feeling at the time. “Hell, imagine getting such a horrible surprise from your own, supposedly dead, father.”

Riley just looked down in silence: it was extremely hard to find any appropriate words. Sensing the shift in her mood, Drake just awkwardly squeezed her shoulder as he started to leave.

“I really hope you guys get through this, and we will all help as much as we can. I know I will,” he said in a quiet voice, laden with emotion. Riley offered him a thankful smile and a curt nod before going to her daughter’s nursery. To her surprise, Maxwell was dozing off in the armchair next to Annabelle’s crib. He usually wasn’t the type to take naps – quite the contrary, he was unbelievably energetic half the time, but Riley let him be. There was enough on his plate, and rest was absolutely necessary. The duchess carefully covered him with a blanket that was thrown over the armrest, and after pressing a soft kiss to her husband’s forehead, she quietly exited the room.

[willowbird]

For the prompt thing, could you do 2 for au, 4 for trope and 5 for prompt with andreil?

Hogwarts au, meet messy, "you have the emotional capacity of a brick"

Dearest anon, how did you know that I have been literally aching for an excuse to do something with a hogwarts au?

For context, because idk if I'll be able to explain it in the ficlet, Andrew and Aaron have been raised by their real father, Joseph Minyard, and his wife, Betsy Dobson, since the twins were seven. Andrew instinctively retaliated against an abuser with magic when he was in foster care, bringing him to the attention of whatever the US's ministry of magic is called (I forgot). They found his dad, who is a British wizard, and also discovered Aaron's existence. The twins, upon meeting each other and finding out they were wizards, chose to stay together and go with their dad rather than risk potentially being separated in whatever system the US magic people has for orphaned magic kids.

(look, I've been thinking about this A LOT okay?)

The following scene would take place the summer before the twins' fifth year. They are fifteen, Kevin is sixteen, Neil is fourteen.

Please be aware that all these characters are a lot younger and significantly less traumatized. I mean, shit still happened to them, but they all get rescued from their abusive home lives a lot earlier than in canon.

---

Andrew Minyard had lost a bet.

It was a really shitty bet, and Andrew should have known at the time that he was being fucking set up. But, well - what was it that broody fucker always said? Oh. C'est la vie. Or something. Whatever.

Point being, Andrew made a stupid bet and then he lost and it was really his own damn fault. Now he was stuck going to stupid Kevin Day's stupid house to play stupid broom-ball over summer break when he could have been basking in the wonders of muggle efficiency like television and air conditioning. What made it worse was that his mom had been so damn delighted that he was going over to a friend's house, too, and Andrew didn't usually have it in him to smash her hopes and dreams when she was so genuinely happy for him.

So. Here he was, broom in hand (because if he had to do this he was at least going to suffer with the familiarity of his own fucking broom), staring up at obviously haunted creaky old manor house that Day apparently lived in.

"Great," he grumbled to himself. "Just.. great." Andrew did not like ghosts, did not like them one fucking bit. They always wanted to chat you up and had absolutely no respect for personal space.

The longer he delayed, though, the longer Day was probably going to force him to participate in his bullshit "training camp", so Andrew straightened his shoulders and trudged up the cracked stone staircase that lead up the hill to the front door of the house. The very second Andrew had both feet on the dilapidated front porch, one hand reaching for the knocker, the front door began to swing slowly open. You know, as they were wont to do in creepy old ghost-infested houses owned by wizards.

Without waiting for a welcome (because the door fucking opened for him, that was invitation enough), Andrew strolled inside. He didn't even flinch when the door slammed shut behind him.

(Okay, maybe he jumped a little bit. Just a little.)

No one was waiting for him in the foyer, because of course that would be too easy. At least the inside of the house didn't look as abandoned as the outside did. On the contrary, the foyer was well-lit and free dust and cobwebs. It opened up into a round sitting room that looked lived-in rather than haunted, personal affects strewn about here and there in vaguely organized chaos and family pictures on the mantle above the fireplace.

This, Andrew had learned quickly upon his introduction to the magical world about seven or so years ago now, was fairly common when it came to magical families living in and around muggle neighborhoods. Sure, there were wholly wizarding villages, but not a ton of them. Most of the magical community had to coexist or at least peripherally exist with the muggle one. With the work of a couple of charms and a heavy dose of aesthetic, a magical family could live comfortably without the muggles looking too closely - and even if they did look closely, it was the haunted old house at the end of the street so strange things were bound to happen around it, right?

Homey as it may be on the inside, it was still actually haunted, though. Andrew had a good sense about ghostly lairs and this was definitely one of them.

Heaving a sigh, Andrew moved through the sitting room and ventured deeper into the house. The sooner he found Kevin, the sooner he could leave.

The rest of the house, Andrew swiftly found, was an uncanny combination of the haunted image it presented to outsiders and the cozy haven of the front sitting room. The hall leading off the sitting room was normal when you looked down it heading away from the sitting room, but when Andrew looked back over his shoulder it was like looking into something out of a cheap horror film (of which Andrew had viewed many, much to his father and brother's chagrin, but his mother liked to critique them with him).

Andrew checked each door he came across. Some of them were locked. Some opened into perfectly normal coat closets and bathrooms. At least one of them opened onto an actual cemetery where a bunch of ghosts were playing croquet. Andrew quickly shut that door before any of them tried to talk to him.

It was when he came to the staircase, however, that he finally started to get somewhere. Voices could be heard when he hit the first landing, but they completely vanished when tried to move beyond it - either further up the stairs or out into the hall. Turning to inspect the walls, Andrew realized that one of them wasn't actually a wall at all, but an illusion -- his hand right through!

"This is getting ridiculous," Andrew grumbled to himself as he stepped through the goddamn fucking wall.

He found himself in a wide, clean hallway bathed in the bright sunlight that was streaming in from the skylights placed every few feet. From one of the open doors a bit down the hall, Andrew could finally make out the words of what was obviously an argument.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not going to your bloody school, Day?!"

"You can't just not go to school, Neil! The Ministry will have your wand, and then where will you be?"

"Oh come off it, do you really still buy into all that regulatory shit? They can't track me if I'm not a student unless they have an open warrant out on me. I could turn the corner store into a giant anthropomorphic pig that pisses coffee and they wouldn't know it happened until the story hit the local news, and even then they'd have a hard time tracking me down, considering those lazy twats barely even know how to read let alone track a rogue wizard."

"Galloping Gargoyles, Neil. Where in Merlin's name do you come up with this shit."

"It's called an imagination, Day. I was able to foster one while not being indoctrinated into the sheep-brain miasma that is Ministry-approved wizarding society."

This 'Neil' was getting more worked up as he spoke, spitting out his words like he was crafting a very pointed hex. There was the scuff of footsteps and a shadow fell across the hall as someone stepped toward the hall. "I'll be leaving now, thanks. Have fun being institutionally programed to fit the conservative mediocrity."

A larger shadow blotted out most of Neil's. "You can't just go, Neil!"

There was a scuffle, then a short kid wearing oversized robes stumbled into the hall. "Try and bloody catch me then, you lumbering infant of a Bandersnatch!" And then the kid turned and bolted down the hall -- right toward where Andrew had paused to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Now, Andrew was all ready to step aside. This was none of his business, after all. If this mouthy kid wanted to run away and join the circus or something, more power to him. He, also, thought school was a nightmare. But then Kevin stumbled out into the hall and shouted, "Andrew! Block him!"

And, well. Look. This was all fucking Kevin's fault. Kevin and his stupid cross-House quidditch club and his obsession with running drills. It was also Nicky's fault, for forcing them all to go so they could bond or what the fuck ever the purpose was. But Kevin shouted 'block!' and Andrew had spent two years as a beater and one year as a keeper and, well, reflexes kicked in.

He blocked.

Except, he had spent two years as a beater, and he was holding a broom. So.

His arms moved on their own, and it was a mighty, vicious swing. The next second the kid was flat on his back, gasping to try and catch his breath. Kevin loped over on legs too long, shooting Andrew an appreciative grin that Andrew kind of wanted to punch off of him.

"What.. the.. actual... fuck..." the kid - Neil - wheezed from the floor.

Now that he was officially drawn into this mess, Andrew allowed himself to indulge his curiosity and slung his broom up against one shoulder to approach the fallen boy. He felt a little bad (okay, more than a little), so he figured he'd offer him a hand up at least. Except, when he got to the kid and looked down he was shocked to find just about the prettiest boy in the whole Nimue-cursed universe.

(Andrew's gay awakening had happened when he was twelve years old. The keeper of the Gryffindor quidditch team smiled at him and told him he'd make a pretty good beater. Andrew had tried out for his own House team the very next week, and it had all been downhill from there.)

Andrew cleared his throat and opened his mouth to say something cool and unbothered, because that's what you did when you met someone pretty and wanted to impress them. Instead, like the utter dork that he was, he said, "Red hair and a hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley."

"What the fuck is a Weasley?" the sharp, pretty boy on the floor shot back through gritted teeth, pushing himself up into a sitting position.

Kevin's obnoxious shadow fell across the both of him and he sighed, putting his hands on his hips. "Don't mind Andrew, he remembers everything he hears and has a tendency to regurgitate random lines from other things when he feels awkward or anxious."

"Don't mind Kevin," Andrew followed up conversationally, "he's an insufferable know-it-all with a tendency to overshare and force people to play stupid broom-ball when they should be having a perfectly air-conditioned summer break."

"You emotionally wound me."

"You have the emotional capacity of a brick, don't try me Day."

Kevin rolled his eyes. Neil honed in on Andrew with eerie intensity. "You have an air-conditioner?"

Aha! Mission accomplished: cute boy impressed.

Andrew smirked. "Yup." He popped the 'p', feeling quite good about himself, his earlier bumble placed in the back of his head where he could obsess about it later.

Neil's narrowed eyes scanned him up and down, then relaxed, the blue of them bright and intelligent. He looked like he was figuring something out about Andrew but Andrew had no idea what or why. It took some effort, but instead of squirming he met Neil's gaze full-on. After a long moment, Neil seemed to have made a decision. He pushed himself up to his feet and nodded. "Alright then. You play quidditch?" He gestured to Andrew's broom with the jerk of his chin.

He hadn't noticed it earlier because he'd been so fascinated with the argument itself, but now that he could focus on Neil's voice, Andrew realized that there was something of about his accent. It wasn't that it seemed fake but more that it... it reminded him of his own, back when he'd been younger and had only been in England for a couple of years. He remembered being teased for it, and getting into a lot of fights because of that. Well, he remembered getting into fights because Aaron was also teased, and no one picked on his brother but him.

"I thought you were going to run off and join the circus." Andrew arched a brow.

Neil wrinkled his nose. "No. I'm still not going to your stupid castle school." He paused and looked from Andrew to the broom back over to Kevin and sighed. "But... one or two games of quidditch before I go can't hurt."

Kevin looked overjoyed. He grinned at Andrew and Andrew supposed that they really must be friends now, because he felt quite pleased about that.

"Great!" said Kevin. "Let's go! We should be able to get in some warm-up rounds before the others get here!"

"Others?" Andrew and Neil said with identical inflections of disdain. The sound of an echo startled the both of them and the looked at each other. Then, Neil smiled.

Andrew supposed a day without AC playing stupid broom-ball wasn't so bad after all.

Fun little prompt things

[snapeaddict]

Je t’aime jusqu’au bout des étoiles 

[Fête des Rois' tradition explained at the bottom]

‘Sit under the table. You can’t come out until everyone has been served, alright?’

Severus quickly vanished, crawling on all fours so he could easily get to the centre of the table, where he had a good view on his mother’s black boots and his father’s apple green slippers. He waited patiently as his mother carefully started cutting three slices out of the galette, picturing the scene in his mind as best as he could; Minerva was smiling slightly, for his excitement was contagious.

‘For whom is this one?’ she asked, casting Albus a complicit look as the boy started giggling.

Severus hesitated. ‘Dad!’ he finally decided. He paused. ‘But I hope it is big enough.’

‘It is, son,’ Albus replied. ‘Now, this one? It’s a big one.’

‘For me!’

Minerva put the slice down on his plate, this time while laughing too. ‘Of course it’s for you. Now, this one is for me then. You can come out!’

The galette des rois was a delicious thing, one of Albus’ favourite cakes, and he made it a point to honour the tradition every year. It was round and shiny, sun-shaped, decorated with geometric patterns and incredibly crusty – he was very fond of the almond paste, but Severus, on the other hand, was more interested in what may be hidden inside. The house elves had kept the shape of the fève a secret, but they always made thoughtful choices. He took a bite out of the cake. Minerva was eating with a fork: he had never been able to convince her a puff pastry cake such as this must be eaten using your hands alone. He was about to comment on it, as it had very much become a tradition too, when Severus let out a muffled scream.

‘Severus, your tooth! Did it fall out?’

Indeed the boy had just spit a bloody tooth out of his mouth, which landed noisily on his plate. Minerva rose from her sit, and in a few seconds she was back, pressing a white tissue against his mouth where a hole had appeared, right in the middle. But the boy did not appear disturbed by this at all, Albus observed: on the contrary, he was beaming with pride, certainly ignoring the pain in his lower jaw as he had bitten into the porcelain charm quite vigorously.

‘I got the fève!’ he exclaimed enthusiastically, opening his left hand. Albus picked it up carefully, holding it in the light so he could get a closer look.

It was a rather large one, representing the three wise men on their way to Bethlehem. They had told Severus about traditional nativity scenes, of course: it was very important that their child be as opened and educated as possible on religious questions, especially given Minerva’s muggle heritage.

‘It looks like the three of us, when we will be very old and still together’, Severus commented, protesting weakly as his mother whipped his mouth. She chuckled.

‘I hope I am not going to grow a beard when I am older, if you will allow this slight coquetterie.’

‘I hope I will,’ her husband replied, and he would, as then no one would ever remember him without his famous, perfectly white, much too long beard. ‘You see, Severus, they are on their way to find the Child at Herod’s command.’

‘They followed the star?’

‘Yes, and they found him. Isn’t it a nice story?’

Severus seemed deep in thought. He turned to look through the window: it had been dark outside for several hours now, even if they were having dinner rather early. A Scottish winter.

‘Can you show me the star?’

He took another bite of his galette, passing his tong through the hole in his teeth. He was experimenting with this new configuration of his teeth, which made him look remarkably younger; Minerva put down a golden crown on his raven hair. 

‘I can even teach you a bit of astronomy’, Albus offered.

Severus shily crowned his mother, whose blue eyes and dark hair, contrasting with the brilliance of the headwear, made her resemble the night sky. 

Stars were filling the darkness, shining silently above the lake; the surface of the water reflected their light in a blurred way, for it was far from being still, certainly due to the squib’s agitation. Albus pointed at the brightest star; Minerva lifted Severus in her arms so he could see it more easily. 

They were silent for a while. The air was cold, but strangely refreshing.

‘I am glad they found the child’, Severus eventually whispered, making himself comfortable against his mother’s chest. ‘It’s a nice story.’

‘I’m glad they found him too’, Albus replied, stroking his black hair affectionately.

‘Dad, your fingers are sticky.’

~

Er, I’m aware la galette des rois (king cake) isn’t a thing in the UK, the tradition is rather about a Twelfth Night cake according to Wikipedia? At least it really looks different but I prefer to write about things I know. Perhaps Sev’s parents wanted to introduce him to their friendly neighbours’ Epiphany tradition? I don’t think it’s the same kind of celebration everywhere, so here’s a wee explanation: we serve les galettes des rois from the 6th of January to the 12th (read: all month because it tastes amazing), flavoured with either compote de pomme (stewed apples? Apple sauce?) or frangipane (almond paste). Hate la compote, love la frangipane. Yes people in the South I know you also make a different cake but I’ll ignore you on purpose.

There is a fève (a little porcelain figure) hidden in the galette and if you find it, you are the king or queen and must choose your fellow sovereign. To be sure there’s no cheating someone must hide under the table while someone else cuts the slices and asks them who to give them to. If you find the fève, you wear a golden crown!

The song: Yves Duteil - Jusqu’où je t’aime

If you ever ask me

How much I love you

And if when you grow up

We’ll still love each other

If I had to tell you

All my love

Even with my arms wide open

It wouldn’t be enough

My love for you

I think it goes all the way to...

The end of the earth and of the sea

And of the sun and to the end of the stars

Beyond the depths of galaxies

In the infinity of the sidereal universe

As far as my heart’s gaze can go

To the end of the sky and to the bottom of happiness

I love you so far

This is how I love you

And it’s forever

It’s written in my very heart

Day after day

To take the measure

Make no mistake

It would take a bezel

So beautiful so big so large

That just by putting it down

It would surely go

To the end of the earth and of the sea

And of the sun and to the end of the stars

Beyond the depths of galaxies

In the infinity of the sidereal universe

To borders you’ve never dreamed of

Beyond the hours and into eternity

I love you so far

To the end of the earth and of the sea

And of the sun and to the end of the stars

Beyond the depths of galaxies

In the infinity of the sidereal universe

To the heart of the ice and to the bottom of the desert

To the end of the sky and into another universe

I love you so far

If you ask me

How much I love you

I love you so far...

[ironhusband]

5 Times Tony Said I Know A Place  + 1 Time Rhodey Said It

-1-

It started small, which, contrary to popular belief, is something Tony can start with. Maybe only when he was a fifteen year old kid with no experience or confidence, and not the billionaire persona Tony developed, but still. When it first happened, Rhodey and him didn’t know each other very well, but still felt concocted due to their early admissions and having to shout to be heard. But they weren’t best friends who knew each other so intimately back then. They were just roommates slowly going through becoming friends.

So it started with Rhodey frowning at his C.

“What’s the matter, sourpatch?” Tony asked, and unconsciously, Rhodey hid the paper away from his eyes. Tony glanced at the paper Rhodey hid. “You seem… concerned?”

“It’s nothing,” Rhodey dismissed, not wanting to admit to getting a bad mark, “do you want to get take out tonight?”

“It’s not nothing!” Tony ignored his question, “you’re upset!”

Rhodey pursed his lips, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Tony’s shoulders slumped, “oh. Okay.”

Rhodey folded the paper neatly and put it in his drawer, trying to put the mark and conversation behind him, “okay, so do you want take out?”

“Actually, I know a place,” Tony said and then offered him a hand for Rhodey to take, “let’s eat out.”

~~~

In the next half an hour, Tony actually managed to bring a smile to his face, “I can’t believe you took me to Chuck E. Cheese!”

“Hey, say what you want about my methods, but I get results,” Tony grinned back at him, “I-I get to see that beautiful smile.”

Rhodey couldn’t help but have his smile spread at Tony’s downright adorable attempt at flirting. Then his smile dimmed slightly, as he brought his hand to his mouth in curiosity, realizing what that meant, “you did this to cheer me up?”

Tony snorted, “no, this is where I bring all my dates to.”

“Shut up,” Rhodey shoved him but didn’t object to this being called a date, “why here?”

Tony shrugged, “it’s where my butler used to bring me as a kid when I was upset. Always managed to make me forget what made me cry. Thought you could use this place too.”

Rhodey shook his head. It didn’t make sense how Tony managed to effortlessly understand him. Some people might have forced him to talk about what made him upset or took him anywhere else that wasn’t used to cheer a child up. But not Tony. Tony knew just what he needed.

“You’re ridiculous,” is what he told Tony and brought into a one armed hug.

-2-

“Hey, you’re back!” Tony cheered, “how was the test?”

“Good, I think,” Rhodey shrugged, “c’mon, you know me. And it’s physics. I’m good at it.”

Tony stuck his tongue at him, “don’t rub it in.”

Rhodey only smirked in response. “Okay, I'm studying for chem now, so be quiet.”

“What did you just say to me?” Tony gasped.

Rhodey chuckled, “I’ve only got a window for an hour. I gotta use it.”

“You just aced a test and you’re studying again?” Tony shook his head and stood up detremindly, “unacceptable. We, Rhodey Rhodes, are going out to celebrate. And I know just the place.”

“Tony, I can’t-”

Tony put a hand over his mouth, “I won’t hear it.”

Rhodey rolled his eyes but didn’t try objecting again.

~~~

“No, you’re wrong, the pool is way better than the beach!”

“I can’t believe you’re standing in front of this beauty and saying this!”

Rhodey glanced at the beach, “but the water is salty.”

Tony snorted and he sarcastically drawled, “okay, you win.”

“You know, you should be taking my side,” Rhodey pointed out, “out of the two of us you’re more likely to get a visible sunburn.”

Tony bristled, “yeah, but waves.”

“That’s a con.”

“No, it’s not!”

Rhodey smiled at him, “I’m not having a yes no argument with you.”

“Okay, then I win.”

Rhodey laughed. Rhodey went on to ace both of his tests and Tony grinned and said, “I take credit for giving you a much needed break.” Rhodey pinched him playfully but didn’t tell Tony how he was running on only coffee at that point.

-3-

“Honeybear, you’re gonna love me,” Tony announced to him.

“I already love you,” Rhodey told him and showed his point by rubbing his nose against Tony and briefly pressing a kiss to his lips.

Tony giggled, and what a wonderful sound it was. “No, I mean really love me. Like trying out that thing I keep suggesting love me.”

“Impossible,” Rhodey said and dropped what he was doing.

Tony smirked and said, “I got us two tickets to Guns n’ Roses.”

Rhodey gasped, “no!”

“Yes!”

Rhodey lunged at him and cupped Tony’s face in his hands, “oh my God, I do love you.”

Tony pecked him, “told you.”

“But wait,” Rhodey paused, “they’re all sold out. I made my sister camp out. How did you…?”

Tony bit his lip, “yeah, about that...”

Rhodey looked at him suspiciously, “what did you do?”

“Don’t worry, I just know a place.”

~~~

Tony ended up finding them the best car to drive them to the concert almost halfway across the country. He told their teachers they were sick with a high fever. Rhodey chastised him for it, but it was still the best concert he ever went to so it was half hearted. He was forever grateful to Tony for letting him see his favorite band live.

-4-

Rhodey felt like crying his eyes out with frustration. His CO wouldn’t let him do anything important, his CO didn’t believe he could do anything important and most importantly, his CO wasn’t letting him prove he could do anything important. He didn’t know what to do and he felt helpless and at loss. Rhodey hated feeling like that.

He burrowed his face into his boyfriend’s neck, the safest, most comforting place on Earth, “will you still date me if I quit MIT?”

“No actually, I have three other back ups I know won’t flunk,” Tony quipped but at the way Rhodey’s hands tightened around his middle he said, “just kidding, honeybear. You know you’re the only one for me. MIT or no MIT.”

Rhodey hummed, feeling warmer at the praise, “what if I go to CalTech?”

“Don’t even joke, Rhodes,” he rubbed his hands comfortingly around the arms on his waist, “why do you think you’re flunking?”

“I’m not flunking,” Rhodey mumbled, “but my CO sure wants me to.”

Tony groaned, “that guy’s a jerk. He doesn’t know what he has in his hands.”

Rhodey smiled into his neck, but he didn’t feel any less frustrated or any more hopeful.

“Hey, I think I have something that might cheer you up,” Tony said, “I was saving it for your birthday, but I think you might want it now.”

“I’m not in the mood,” Rhodey grumbled.

Tony chuckled, “get your mind out of the gutter. I know a place.”

~~~

Tony took him to a small airport. All through the drive Tony teased him about wearing a blindfold, so to not ruin the surprise, which did not ease Rhodey’s anxiety one bit. But when they got there… Tony showed him the most amazing plane. “It’s your favorite model, right?” Tony asked, “you told me so.”

Rhodey started at him and then at the plane and then back at Tony, “you remembered that?”

“Course I did,” Tony scoffed at him, “I needed something for your birthday. Come, this isn’t all.” Then Tony took him by the hand and introduced him to the pilot, “he’s gonna take you for a spin.”

Rhodey couldn’t believe what Tony was offering him, and it took him a while to recover enough to nod and get into the plane. The pilot flew him, twisting and turning and going upside down with the aircraft, making Rhodey shriek in delight. When they were done, the pilot allowed any and all questions, even letting Rhodey touch the controls to “test fly” the plane while it was turned off.

When he came to land Tony told him, “you’re not going to flunk.” He cupped Rhodey’s face gently, “you’re going to pass ROTC with flying colors, go on to get an amazing position that will make your CO jealous and fly a plane just like this one day. Just you wait.”

Little did Rhodey know by then, but Tony was right.

Rhodey kissed Tony with a smile still stretched on his face, “I don’t think you can find another gift for my birthday to top this.”

-5-

Rhodey was homesick. He hadn’t seen his family in a long time and he was starting to miss them. What put him in an especially sour mood was when his sister got a part in a play she was excited about, and Rhodey couldn’t come and watch it.

“I hate you when you’re in this mood,” Tony complained, “just want to make you feel better.”

Rhodey sighed, “I know this is hard for you to understand because your dad is an asshole. But I don’t know… I just miss them. And Philly too. God, I miss Philly.”

Tony looked thoughtful before a grin showed on his face, “I have an idea.”

“Oh no,” Rhodey teased.

Tony stuck his tongue out at him, “I think I know a place that will cheer you up. You trust me?”

Rhodey wanted to say something teasing but what he ended up saying was, “with my life.”

~~~

Tony took him to the Charles Hayden Planetarium because Rhodey once told him it reminded him of the Franklin Institute back at home. They watched the stars together and Rhodey nuzzled his neck and told him, “the stars in your eyes are more beautiful.” By the end of the night, Rhodey still missed home but he felt he was just as lucky to be with his other home, with Tony.

-+1-

Tony wiped the tears from his face, embarrassed that Rhodey saw his outburst of emotional weakness. Voice shaky and watery, Tony looked away from Rhodey’s concerned gaze. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Rhodey didn’t say anything and Tony didn’t watch for his reaction. Eventually, Rhodey sat beside, pressed himself against Tony and nudged him gently. “I think I know a place,” he joked.

Tony laughed quietly, the laugh coming out broken. The line had long since become an inside joke for them, as Tony had a habit of repeating it too much. Rhodey usually wasn’t serious when he said it, but this seemed like more than a joke. He wondered what place Rhodey could be talking about. A burger joint? A robotics lab? Maybe a music store?

But instead, Rhodey brought him to his arms and hugged him tightly, hands on Tony’s back drawing comforting circles.

Tony frowned, confused, “what’s the place?”

Rhodey hugged him tighter, “right here,” he said, kissing the top of Tony’s head, “home.”

[keanureevesisbae]

Mister Cavill, your dog is kinda fat - Chapter 10

Summary: Veterinarian Olivia Tran has zero time for bullshit. After becoming a mom at age twenty three, the one thing she wants is a good life for her daughter Vanessa. Her ex didn’t want anything to do with her nor the baby and she decided that man are officially banned out of her life. But then she meets Henry Cavill at her clinic and her ban slowly starts to crumble apart. Henry on the other hand is looking for one thing: a family. And when he meets Olivia Tran, he finds just that.

Henry Cavill x Olivia Tran (ofc)

Warnings: None 

Wordcount: 3.5k

A/N: soooo, I have 174 followers and that is un-fucking-believable, since I had around 90 about a week/week and a half ago. Like... What is happening? I’m really confused, but also thanks? 

Masterlist // Previous chapter // Next chapter

A little more than a month has passed since Vanessa’s birthday. Henry isn’t even thinking about eventual acting jobs again. The only thing he that is on his mind, is spending his time with Olivia and Vanessa. Since Vanessa is in school and Olivia has to work, he spends his time in the gym, in the stores, reading a bit and cuddling up with Kal. People might’ve think it would be boring, but he is actually enjoying his time like this. For someone who thought acting would be everything in life, he sure doesn’t miss it at all.

Olivia is home earlier from her work, because he is straddled when he hears the front door shut. He is standing in her kitchen, trying out a new recipe. ‘Is that my apron?’ she asks him when she walks into the kitchen. She leans against the doorway and Kal whimpers, almost as he answers for his owner, causing her to chuckle. ‘Looking good, Cavill. Pink roses are definitely your go to pattern.’

He smiles, seeing the beautiful woman also smiling at him. ‘You’re home early,’ he says, walking up to her, to scoop her off her feet.

She lets out a squeal and says: ‘There were too many people in the clinic so I happily volunteered to go home.’ Olivia wraps her arms around his neck. ‘I sure missed you a lot.’

‘I missed you too, love.’

He places her gently on the table in the kitchen, gives her a kiss before he goes back to the counter. He lets her talk about her day, because it’s one of his favorite things to listen to. After she told him about the multiple anal glands, shots she had to give and the broken paws, she clears her throat. ‘I think you and I need to talk,’ Olivia says and he nearly cuts off his own finger.

‘What?’ he asks, turning around, panic rushing through his veins. What does she want to talk about? She sounds so serious. Is she not happy with him anymore? They are going too fast as a couple, that must be it. He doesn’t have any issues with that, but maybe she does. He should’ve stepped back a few times. God, this is such a—

‘But please take off that apron, I can’t take you seriously like that,’ she chuckles and now Henry is really confused. This can’t be a break up right? He does take off the apron and wipes his palms dry on his jeans. ‘We need to talk about your job,’ she says.

Henry is visibly relieved. ‘Oh thank God.’

She frowns. ‘What did you think we needed to talk about?’

‘I thought you wanted to break up or wanted to take at least a break.’

Olivia shakes her head, while she chuckles. ‘Oh honey,’ she says, holding out her hand. He hesitantly takes it and she pulls him to stand between her legs. ‘I’m sorry I scared you, but I can guarantee that I don’t want either of those things.’ She gives him a kiss and he relaxes against her body.

‘But why do you want to talk about my job?’

‘Because I just need to be sure that Vanessa and I aren’t holding you back. When I met you, you were actor Henry Cavill, but you seem to make zero efforts to continue in that line of work. I discussed it with your dad the other day and he said that he barely heard you about job offers anymore. I was just wondering if you don’t get job offers or if you don’t accept them because of us.’

Henry lets out a sigh. Though he doesn’t want to have this conversation with her, he does appreciate that she brings it up. She is not afraid to bring up conversation pieces that he has been trying to avoid and that quality alone shows she is an excellent mother and a partner. ‘I’m just taking a break.’

‘Why?’ she asks. ‘You have been taking one for more than a year now. You love acting, don’t you?’

‘I do,’ he says, ‘but… I’m scared I guess.’

‘Why?’ she asks. Her fingers are toying with the hem of his sweater, before she slips her hand underneath the sweater to touch his skin. He loves it when she innocently touches him like that. ‘Please, Henry, I’m only trying to understand you a bit better. That’s all. I’m not blaming you, trying to make you feel stupid or guilty, please don’t let your mind wander to those kinds of things.’

And without him even knowing it, he was doing exactly that. Those mother instincts sure do work. ‘I’m sorry,’ he whispers.

She shakes her head. ‘Wait,’ she says. She jumps off the table, turns off the stove, pushes everything to the back of the counter so Kal can’t secretly eat stuff and pulls him with her to the living room. She lays down on the couch, spreads her arms and says: ‘Come here.’

Henry can’t help but chuckle a little bit, thinking back to the time she was stressed out because of an operation that was very demanding and life threatening if she did something wrong. He simply laid down on the couch, spread his arms and held her.

He sits on the couch, before he lays down between her legs, placing his head on her soft chest. She wraps her arms tightly around him and he lets out a content sigh, feeling stress slowly leaving his body already. ‘Talk to me, Henry,’ she whispers. ‘Please.’

His hands pushes up her thick shirt and he touches her waist. Feeling her skin against his palms, helps him relax even more. ‘I’m scared of making another movie again,’ he admits. ‘What if that is a fail again?’

‘But would it be that bad?’ she asks. ‘Don’t you learn from failures?’

‘You do, but I don’t like making mistakes.’

‘My little perfectionist,’ Olivia whispers, pressing a kiss on top of his head. ‘Listen, it’s not that I don’t like you here. I love it when you are around and Vanessa thinks it’s great when you pick her up from school when I can’t. I mean, we don’t want you gone, don’t think like that, but I don’t want you to regret in a few years that you didn’t take a certain job.’

Henry places his chin on her chest, so he can look at the love of his life. ‘I won’t regret it. I like being here with you and Vanessa. It’s just that I need to feel in the right headspace again to think about starring in movies again and right now I only feel shame.’

‘Why? The movie wasn’t that bad,’ Olivia says and he cocks an eyebrow. ‘Okay, okay, the movie pretty bad, but… Lots of actors and actresses play in bad movies and that isn’t necessarily the end of their career, is it now?’

Henry sighs deeply. ‘I know, sweetheart.’

‘Look, again, I’m not forcing you out of my house. On the contrary, I want to force you to stay here and never leave, but please, for me, think about your choices, okay?’

‘Of course, my love. Thank you for bringing this up and I must admit: I really like laying down like this,’ he admits. He once found Vanessa and Olivia on the couch like this and it made his heart flutter. ‘I understand why Vanessa likes to be here.’

‘Shut up,’ she chuckles. ‘I can push you off, you know.’

‘But you won’t do that.’ He pushes himself up a bit, so he has better access to her neck. He presses open kisses against her skin and he feels her fingers run through his hair. ‘Thank you for looking out for me.’

‘You do the same for me,’ she says. She wraps her legs around his hips. ‘God, I love you like crazy, you know that?’

‘I love you too, love. How much time do we have left before we have to pick up Vanessa?’

She looks at the clock behind him and whispers: ‘Four hours.’

‘What can we do in four hours?’ he asks. ‘Multiple times?’

Olivia shrugs. ‘Finish that recipe that you were trying out?’

‘Minx.’

≫≫≪≪

The three of them (Kal is staying at home, since he isn’t allowed on the Christmas market) walk through the Christmas trees. Olivia told him that for years they only had a tiny tree, since she couldn’t afford a bigger tree and more decoration. Since she works shorter shifts, lives in a house, she has save money on certain fun activities, like buying a Christmas tree. To make sure this Christmas is unforgettable, he wants Vanesa and Olivia to pick out the tree they want.

‘Mommy,’ Vanessa says, ‘can we really pick out any tree we want?’

Olivia nods. ‘Just one, though, we’re not going to have a house filled with trees, okay?’

The little girl nods and she rushes through the trees, checking them all out.

Henry wraps his fingers around Olivia’s, as he stretches out his neck to see where Vanessa is. Before Olivia can say something, he raises his voice and says: ‘Vanessa, sunshine, stay close now.’

He feels Olivia looking up at him and he hears her laugh.

‘What?’ he asks, frowning a bit as Vanessa waves at them, a sign that she did hear him.

‘That was such a dad move,’ Olivia says. ‘You are actually such a dad, you know that?’

He doesn’t know what to say. This is the first time she mentioned that to him, though he has made some pretty dad like moves the past few weeks, ever since Vanessa told him that she loved him a lot.

She has been trying to push his boundaries a few times, but she knew when she needed to back off most of the time. He figured it was only normal, but the first time she pushed the buttons, he didn’t know what to do. Thankfully Olivia was there to tell Vanessa that stuff like that isn’t funny or nice, causing the young girl to listen.

But he had to be tough with her a few times. Telling her not to jump on top of him, knees first right in his stomach and she started to pout. Having to tell her that she can’t watch tv now, because they were going to eat and she kept sitting on the couch, sitting on top of the remote control. Helping her through a breakdown when she had a little bit of homework, since Olivia had to prepare a surgery.

Olivia would stand in the doorway, arms crossed in front of her chest and would watch the little debacle, not interfering, unless she thought it was necessary. Almost like she was evaluating him and he actually understood. If he was going to be a important part of their lives, become the dad figure he so desperately wants to be, he needs to show both of them that he is serious.

The other day, Vanessa kept screaming in the car and he said something to her about how she shouldn’t do that. ‘Why would I listen to you?’ she asked him, looking in the rearview mirror at him with a daring look on her face. He had never heard her speak like that, but then he realized: Olivia and her know each other like the back of their hands and only one look of Olivia, would make Vanessa listen immediately.

But Henry is new, he hasn’t been there since the beginnings. Of course Vanessa was the sweetest young girl when he met her, but now he is becoming a more frequent and stable part of their lives, she needs to push the limits a bit.

‘Because it’s my car and your screams make my eardrums tear,’ he retorted.

‘I don’t like you,’ she told him and that broke his heart.

‘Vanessa,’ Olivia said, without even looking over her shoulder. ‘Why don’t you like him?’

‘Because he is being mean,’ Vanessa said, crossing his arms.

He could see Olivia looking to the side at him and maybe the heartbreak was written all over his face. ‘Tell me exactly why you think he is being mean to you.’ Henry didn’t understand what she was going for, because did he want to hear the list of things that Vanessa maybe was going to make?

Vanessa opened her mouth and said: ‘Because he doesn’t let me scream.’

‘Do I ever let you scream?’

‘No.’

‘You think I’m mean then?’

The little girl sighed. ‘No.’

‘Why is Henry mean and I’m not when we say the exact same thing?’

Now Vanessa didn’t know what she had to say, so she didn’t say anything at all. Olivia let it slide, knowing well enough that she had made Vanessa think about her behavior. When the two of them got out of the car, she said to him that he should help the little girl out of the carseat.

Henry was scared, honest to God scared. He didn’t want to ruin their relationship, but certainly not force her into liking him. He opened the door, because he felt like being scared was not the thing he should do. He should get over it.

Vanessa looked up and when he unbuckled her seatbelt, she placed her hand on his arm. ‘I’m sorry, Henry,’ she said. ‘I should’ve listened to you.’

‘It’s okay, sunshine,’ he said.

‘Are you still mad at me?’

He frowned. ‘I wasn’t mad at you.’

‘What then?’

‘A little disappointed, that’s all.’

Vanessa sighed and pouted. He spotted tears in her eyes and that broke his heart even more. ‘I’m really sorry,’ she said. ‘I don’t know why I did it.’

‘It’s all okay,’ he told her. ‘I’m not mad and not disappointed anymore.’

‘You won’t leave?’

That was her biggest fear—him leaving. Maybe that’s why she was testing out the waters with her behavior. Maybe she was figuring out what she could do for him to leave and never come back. But that wasn’t Henry. He knew he was in it for the long run. ‘If I would leave because of this, I would be a big idiot, wouldn’t I be?’

Vanessa nodded. ‘Yeah, you would.’

He helped her out of the car, but she hugged his leg tightly and Olivia, who had witnessed it all, chuckled and mouthed: ‘See?’

The role of a dad, wasn’t something he feared, but sometimes he felt stress building up inside of him. Was he doing it right? What would Olivia think about how he handled it?

‘I’m a dad?’ Henry asks Olivia, as Vanessa is ushering them over, because she found the perfect tree.

‘You are,’ she says. ‘I mean, you are still figuring it all out and I totally understand, but remember: you’ll never do it perfectly. Parenting is something terrifying, but you’ve been holding up well.’

‘It will get worse?’ he says.

‘Well,’ Olivia chuckles, ‘Vanessa has yet to become a teenager and I can tell you that I was a pretty tough teen to handle. Maybe she is too, I don’t know, but they say the teen years are hard.’

Henry squeezes her hand. ‘Well, as long as I’m with you, I’m ready for it.’

‘Mommy, I like this one,’ Vanessa says and Olivia goes to stand behind her daughter, placing her hands on the tiny shoulders of Vanessa, as they look at the tree.

It’s moments like these where the two of them look so much alike and he still can’t believe that the idiot Wesley left her, before Vanessa was born. It might’ve been for the best, but Henry can’t seem to wrap his mind around the fact that that breathing moron walked away from the two greatest ladies in the world.

‘Why do you like this one?’ Olivia asks.

‘Because that branch looks heart shaped.’

Olivia looks over her shoulder. ‘Now I think that is a legit enough reason, but since Henry is going to pay for it, he needs to agree to it.’

Vanessa looks up, a hopeful look on her face and she folds her hands together. ‘Henry, please, can we have this tree?’

He pretends to think hard about it. ‘I don’t know,’ he says.

‘Please,’ Vanessa begs. ‘I really want this tree. It has a heart shaped branch.’

He lets out a chuckle, not wanting to put her in fear of not buying this tree any longer. ‘I think it’s perfect for us.’

Vanessa claps her hands. ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.’

When they are back at Olivia’s place, they set up the tree and he helps them decorate it. Vanessa sits on his shoulders, as she puts the pick on top. ‘What do you think, sunshine?’ he asks, stepping back, to admire the tree.

He feels her hands tugging his curls. ‘I love it,’ she says.

‘Well, we have to say thank you to Henry,’ Olivia says.

‘But I already said thank you for buying the tree, mommy.’

She nods. ‘I know you did, but did you thank him for buying the decorations?’

Vanessa audibly gasps. ‘Oh no, I didn’t.’

‘Well, hurry up then,’ Olivia jokingly says.

He lifts her off his shoulders, but lets her rest on his hip. ‘Thanks daddy, for buying the Christmas decorations.’

Henry freezes. Did she just call him daddy? She thinks of him as a dad? He looks over at Olivia, whose eyes have widened as well. ‘What did you say?’ he asks her.

Vanessa curls in her lips. ‘I’m sorry,’ she says. ‘You’re not my daddy. Thanks Henry.’ She wiggles herself out of his arms and mumbles something along the lines of going to her room.

‘Did she just…?’ he asks Olivia.

She simply nods. ‘Vanessa, baby, wait up.’ She rushes past him, up the stairs following Vanessa.

Okay, he needs to think about this. He wants to be her dad. That drawing she made for him, still hangs in his living room. He spends so much time with both Olivia and Vanessa… He is part of their little family, just like they are part of his. He sees Olivia as the mother of eventual future children and Vanessa as the big sister of them.

Then why is he still here and not upstairs comforting her?

He walks up the stairs and hears little sniffles coming from Vanessa’s room. ‘I’m so sorry, mommy,’ he hears Vanessa cry.

‘Don’t be.’

‘Is he mad at me?’

‘Why? Because you called him daddy?’

He doesn’t hear Vanessa say anything, but he figures she is nodding.

‘No, he was just surprised, baby.’

‘I don’t want him to leave, because I said that.’

He opens the door and says: ‘Vanessa, sunshine, I’m not leaving. Your mom is right, I was just a little surprised.’ Henry walks over to the bed, where Vanessa is sitting on Olivia’s lap, tears running over her red cheeks.

‘Why were you surprised?’ Olivia asks for her daughter and maybe a bit for herself.

‘Because I didn’t expect you to call me daddy. I… I figured you would always call me Superman or Henry.’ Henry places his hand on Vanessa’s back and he feels she is trembling and that makes him feel even worse than he was already. ‘I’m sorry,’ he says to her.

‘Why are you apologizing?’ Vanessa asks.

‘Because I made you sad,’ he says. ‘Listen: I love you a lot, Vanessa and I’m not leaving because of this. I would be a big idiot if I did that.’

She nods in agreement. ‘But do you want to be my dad?’ she asks. ‘I always wanted one.’

‘I would love to be your dad,’ Henry tells her. ‘I would be honored.’

‘See?’ Olivia says with a smile, kissing Vanessa.

The little girl takes a deep breath. ‘Really?’

‘Really, sweetheart.’ He wraps his arms around the two of them and he gives them both a kiss on top of their heads. ‘How about I make some hot chocolate for us?’ he suggests. ‘To celebrate this?’

Olivia chuckles and Vanessa starts to nod. ‘I would love that,’ Vanessa says and she has a telling smile on her face. ‘I love you, daddy,’ she whispers.

‘I love you too, sunshine,’ he tells her.

She rubs her nose against his and asks: ‘You like having me as a daughter?’

He blinks faster with his eyes, but a tear does escape. ‘I love having as my daughter.’

She wipes away his tear and says: ‘Good, because I like being your daughter.’

≫≫≪≪

Henry: Mom, I have great news!

Mom: Olivia is pregnant?

Henry: NO! Olivia is not pregnant!

Mom: Would’ve been great news though, another grandchild into our family.

Mom: Your father and I are not getting any younger.

Henry: I see what you are doing there. You can’t guilt trip me in knocking Olivia up. Where are your manners?

Mom: Well, if that wasn’t the great news, what is it then?

Henry: Vanessa wants me as her dad

Mom: That is wonderful news too, honey! Oh, I’m so happy for you!!

Mom: So, when are you going to make it official?

Henry: Make what official?

Mom: As in officially making her your daughter. As in adopting her?

[boycottyashahime]

Hello! Anti-Sessrin person here. You said if this couple becomes canon it will ruin Sesshomaru's character development. I would love it If you could elaborate on that because you're always so eloquent and smart. It's ok if you don't feel like it, though. Have a nice day!

I've actually been looking for an excuse to sit down and write out a cohesive post on my thoughts about this. Contrary to what the shippers want to believe, my interpretation of Sesshoumaru and Rin's relationship doesn't have anything to do with my moral objections to child grooming. I happen to think there's plenty of evidence for a filial interpretation in the text.

First, I'd like to preface my little essay here by saying I'm going off the manga alone. I haven't seen the anime in a long time, because I dropped it when I got a little tired of trying to reconcile the inconsistencies between the two mediums. So, if you read this and have an impulse to say, "hey, what about that thing in episode such-and-such...", keep in mind that I probably just don't remember what you're thinking of.

So, let's go back, alllll the way back, to Sesshoumaru's first appearance. Here's a guy who tears off a dude's head for no other reason than to get the attention of his subordinates to demand a boat. Here's a guy who's spent a long time looking just about EVERYWHERE for his father's remains, not to pay respects, but to plunder them. Here's a guy who feels ENTITLED to rob his dad's grave for treasure he deserves simply for being his father's son.

Sesshoumaru begins his journey as a selfish, spoiled, entitled brat. He doesn't fit the usual profile of a kid throwing a tantrum on the street because he wants the expensive toy sitting in the window; he's very posh and very reserved, but fundamentally, his motivation comes down to the simple fact that he wants Tessaiga. It doesn't even really have anything to do with respect and admiration of his father, otherwise he wouldn't have been so eager to rifle through dear old dad's bones to get at a sword when he had another heirloom right there at his hip. Only Tessaiga was representative of the sheer destructive force he wanted to wield, so he ignored the fact that his dad didn't seem to want him to have it.

This is important, because at first, Sesshoumaru doesn't seem to think of his father in terms of the guy's intentions or the steps he takes for the sake of his sons. Like most rich spoiled kids, Sesshoumaru views the Inu no Taishou in terms of his prestige and how that priviledge can be appropriated for selfish ends. Sesshoumaru wants Tessaiga not because he needs it, but because it's a birthright, and reinforces his legitimacy. When it's clear that Tessaiga seals Inuyasha's youkai blood, keeps him from going berserk, Sesshoumaru loses interest in Tessaiga - it's just a crutch for Inuyasha, and there's no prestige in taking it from him or using it for himself.

Sesshoumaru doesn't start to REALLY consider his father's intentions for the swords until later in the manga, when it comes out that Tenseiga was originally part of Tessaiga, and Inuyasha was meant to get the Meidou Zangetsuha attack eventually as well. It's at this point that Sesshoumaru starts to question if daddy actually HATED him, to give him a rather neat power disguised in a lame shell, but only to develop it so Inuyasha can have it instead, even after Inuyasha already got Tessaiga in the first place. It kind of looks to Sesshoumaru that Inuyasha gets all the powerful cool shit their father left behind, and that there might have been some favoritism coming down HARD on Inuyasha's side.

Above, you can see Sesshoumaru has two interlinked but distinct issues that are addressed throughout the story - his lack of compassion and empathy, and how tied his identity is to his father's favor and prestige. These two are somewhat separated in the narrative; there's a kind of pause in Sesshoumaru's development while a bulk of the middle of the story deals more with other characters and their development, but there is a little bit of a thematic connection between the two halves.

We'll start with the development of Sesshoumaru's compassion since, well, that's where the story begins working on his character. Right before Rin shows up, Toutousai let's Inuyasha's group in on the sword Sesshoumaru carries around and what it does, indicating that Tenseiga requires a compassionate heart to function. A bit ham-handed, but RT isn't very subtle most of the time, so we'll allow it. This sets up the next few scenes in which Sesshoumaru is unable to move and must play captive audience to a little girl doing the literal opposite of what he's used to. Sesshoumaru's habit is to show up and kill things, with no thought to the years of history, relationships, thoughts, emotions, etc that he's snuffing out. But while he's reclined injured in the woods, Rin demonstrates actual LIFE and the preservation of it, that part Sesshoumaru never gets to see. It's made all the starker by how BAD Rin is at caring for herself, let alone the strange monster she found in the woods. She does exactly nothing to help Sesshoumaru, despite how hard she tries, and is even injured by others in her attempts. She is the very picture of vulnerability, the opposite of the strong and capable Sesshoumaru.

This is a stark contrast, because anything less wouldn't be enough to create the necessary awareness of Rin's struggles that Sesshoumaru needs in order to use Tenseiga on here. And I know I've said this before, but I really cannot stress enough how obvious I think the symbolism is when Sesshoumaru uses Tenseiga for the first time; a phallic object gives life to a child, and the object's owner looks after that life throughout the rest of the story. He's not very good at looking after it, and it's clear that he's not sure about taking responsibility for Rin at first, because she pleaded for him to come back for her when he and Jaken left her behind to requisition a sword from Gaijinbou. To me, it's reminiscent of a teenager who knocked someone up, and ended up having to learn to give a crap about the result.

But, even if you don't accept that symbolism as particularly significant, Rin being a child, and human, and weak, unable to survive on her own, are important characteristics to how Sesshoumaru's compassion develops. Sesshoumaru is one of the strongest characters in the series, and he rarely has to worry about his own safety. And since he's in the habit of just murdering everyone he comes across if they're in his way, he's never had to worry about the safety of anyone else, either. When Rin comes into the picture, though, Sesshoumaru is faced with the uncomfortable reality of vulnerability in general. Through her earnest and incompetent attempts to foster survival in a world that can and does crush her, she's opened his eyes to how the disadvantaged, those without a powerful youkai lineage to rely on, have to struggle.

Rin herself has nothing to offer Sesshoumaru within this context of supreme vulnerability. She's not a friend, because she can't offer mutual support or use a skill to their benefit as a team. She's not a lover, because, well, she's a child and sexual/romantic attraction are conditions that wouldn't allow Sesshoumaru to extend his compassion beyond just her. As a mostly helpless kid, Rin has to rely upon Sesshoumaru and his power to survive, and Sesshoumaru employs his strength to keep her alive, getting nothing but a sweet smile out of it all. She gets all the benefits, he has all the obligations. This is PURE compassion - using one's advantages to another's benefit because you care about them, and not because you derive something from it as well.

This is why making Rin into Sesshoumaru's lover is a REALLY thoughtless take. It puts conditions on the compassion and muddies the message.

Moving onto Sesshoumaru's continued character development in the latter part of the story, the sword drama starts back up with slow, when Toutousai shows up and offers to reforge Tenseiga into a weapon. Sesshoumaru discovers that because he got angry enough to break his primary weapon in defense of Kagura's honor, he's triggered the next evolution of Tenseiga into something that can murder. Which is what he wanted at the beginning, yay! I want to point out here that Toutousai says Tenseiga noticed a change in Sesshoumaru's heart - anger for the first time for the sake of another. This implies that what Jaken said about Sesshoumaru getting tangled up in the fight against Naraku because Naraku kidnapping and using Rin to manipulate Sesshoumaru hurt Sesshoumaru's pride is actually accurate; he just really hated the thought of Naraku trying to use him, even if it was a failed attempt.

After going through HELL to develop the Meidou into a full circle (literally), Sesshoumaru then learns that the Meidou belongs to Tessaiga and Inuyasha, and that it's supposed to be handed over. Now, part of Sesshoumaru's angst over this idea, I think, is not just "did daddy love Inuyasha more?", but also the assumption that Inuyasha would have to KILL him in order to retake the Meidou Zangetsuha into Tessaiga. Thinking that your father meant for your little brother to kill you at some point to take your stuff is a pretty disturbing thought, to be entirely fair to him. This is why, when Sesshoumaru jumps into the meidou to take back control of the Naraku-possessed Tenseiga and breaks it deliberately, he spends the rest of the time in there moodily resigned to disappear. He genuinely believes that his father meant for him to die at this point, and even after they get out of there, he seems genuinely depressed.

This is Sesshoumaru's lowest point as a character. He's lost something he thought his father had meant for him, at his father's own wish, and he can't help but question why his dad would give him something just to take it away and give it to Inuyasha. It looks for all the world like favoritism, and since the Inu no Taishou is dead, there's no asking him what the hell the meaning of all this is.

This is all leading to one of the most infuriatingly ridiculous scenes I have ever seen in a manga - when Magatsuhi has crushed Sesshoumaru and everyone thinks he's been killed/absorbed, Magatsuhi is blown apart and rendered unable to reform by the shiny new sword clutched in Sesshoumaru's newly regrown arm. I could talk your ear off about how having Sesshoumaru stop being an amputee is erasure of consequences for his actions, or how being given back an arm is kind of a slap in the face for actual amputees, and where the mother f*ck did that sword come from anyway, but that's not what this essay is about, so I'll just keep all that to myself. The point of this is articulated by Toutousai when he says that Sesshoumaru had to let go of Tessaiga and his father's heirloom to stand on his own as a daiyoukai.

We've already gone over how Sesshoumaru is one of the most powerful characters in the series, who rarely has to worry about his well-being. He's just really strong without having to try. Sesshoumaru had already learned that he didn't need Tessaiga ages ago - he knew this when he learned that Inuyasha needed Tessaiga to keep from tearing himself apart eventually. But when he thought he had been passed down something from his father that was truly meant to be his, only to put all this work into it so that Inuyasha could have it, that embittered him again. It's not that he wanted the sword necessarily, but the thoughts and consideration of his father, who seemed to be putting everything he had into Inuyasha.

But his previous experiences protecting and considering someone (in some cases, multiple someones) weaker than him should have tipped him off. During the very battle in which he got his new arm and sword, he was actively helping those around him avoid Magatsuhi and keeping them close because he had a plan and the strength to carry it out. He was willing to take the extra step to protect Inuyasha and friends before trying to take care of Magatsuhi though, and that was the point. He put everyone else's needs ahead of his own, even Inuyasha's, and he did it without even thinking.

Toutousai just articulated what Sesshoumaru should have already intuitively known by that point. He never needed his father's heirlooms, the swords, his dad's power. They were unnecessary for him from the start. Inuyasha needed a leg up, because his own BODY could kill him after a while. But Sesshoumaru always had the capability of being great on his own. He just needed to finally separate his ego from who his father was and become his own person; stand on his own as a great youkai. While I don't agree with the execution, I can get behind the big lesson - don't rely on your daddy's wealth and influence to prop you up, and do the work to build a personality and identity of your own.

Which is ANOTHER reason why making Rin into a lover would be a thoughtless take. It would walk back Sesshoumaru's final lesson about being his own person apart from his father.

So, there you go. A comprehensive post regarding my take on Sesshoumaru's character development. I could add in a bit about Sesshoumaru coming to understand his father's consideration and the lengths he went to for the sake of protecting Inuyasha by having to give similar consideration to Rin, but I think this post is long enough, and that one statement on that aspect pretty much sums it up. Let me know if you would like me to elaborate on any of this, or if you would like to argue any of the points, I'm up for it. Might take me a minute to respond, mind you, but hopefully it won't take as long as it did to draft this behemoth.

Take care.

[dweetwise]

Hey, can I ask for a request where the reader is a survivor and is basically the mum/dad friend of the group? So they constantly check people are ok and heal them if they are injured, they lure killers away from more vulnerable survivors, check on the others if they are having a shitty day etc. and are just generally absolute cinnamons rolls that the others would commit felonies for? Idk where this was going tbh 😅😅

[dw i got you bby! hope these are ok!]

Survivors & mom/dad friend reader headcanons

Dwight gets flustered by your kindness, he doesn’t think he deserves it. He’ll blush and fumble but still remind you that he’s stronger than he looks. Really wants to prove himself to you and will be ultra focused in your trials together.

Meg will talk your ear off about anything and everything so think carefully if you really want to adopt this girl. “Meg I appreciate that you told me about your entire high school experience but I just wanted to know if you need this med-kit?”

Claudette is super happy to have another healer on board! She knows what it’s like to care too much and is more than happy to mother you when you get overwhelmed by the responsibility.

Jake doesn’t appreciate being coddled, so good luck with this one! Getting a complete sentence out of him is a struggle, not to mention a “thank you” if you save him.

Nea takes a long time to warm up to you, not used to your kindness. When she realizes that yes, you really are just that nice, she’ll make it her mission to bully the killer away from you if you’re ever in trouble.

David will give you shit if you even think about sacrificing yourself for him. He appreciates what you do for the group, but protecting more vulnerable survivors is his job, and yes, that category includes you.

Ace is definitely not used to getting so much genuine concern for his well-being. He’ll always laugh it off but is secretly really grateful to have someone that will always lend an ear.

Bill will be extra grumpy if you try to mother him. “Go pester some of the others, Dwight looks like he’s about to cry again.” That being said, he refuses to leave a trial before he knows you’re safe.

Kate loves your warm demeanor and is always requesting hugs that some of the more reserved survivors refuse to give. She’ll immediately try to become besties with you.

Steve finds you really approachable, so prepare for a lot of questions! “Do you really have handheld arcade machines in the future?” “People are openly gay in your time?” “What if you like both girls and boys? Uhh, asking for a friend!”

Nancy is pretty reserved and finds your openness refreshing. She’ll open up to you and cry on your shoulder about how much she misses Jonathan.

Quentin hates being babied and isn’t a fan of you constantly reminding him to sleep. He pretends to be annoyed by you, but your stash of med-kits mysteriously never seems to run out no matter how many you deplete.

Feng will make any killer’s life hell; if they dare to camp you, they’d better be prepared to be teabagged and “baby killer”d into oblivion. Feng also sneaks items from the other survivors and gives them to you as gifts.

Yui works really well with you in trials, pressuring gens while you’re healing the rest of the team, or taking a chase when she sees you going for a rescue. She’ll defend you to hell and back if someone dares to criticize you for being too altruistic.

Laurie ends up mothering you despite your best efforts to the contrary. She’ll even tell you you’re “allowed” to drop shack pallet to avoid getting hit, which in her book is the greatest honor.

Zarina appreciates your companionship and vents out a lot of her frustrations to you, but is still careful not to overwhelm you. She knows how important it is for the group to have someone like you who looks after them.

Cheryl will immediately adopt you as a parent figure. She’ll snark and sass but also look at you expectantly every time she does something good in a trial, grinning when you praise her.

Jeff vibes with your calm energy and is the cool dad counterpart to your caring mom/dad role. When some of the more rowdy survivors are pulled to a trial, he’ll sometimes flop down next to you with a cheeky “It’s nice to get a break from the kids, huh?”

Adam appreciates your concern for him but is a bit awkward when showing it. One time when you saved him during end game, he gave you The Pebble, and that’s when you knew just how deep his gratitude was.

Ash is like an unruly teenager despite his age. Prepare to use the phrase “Ash NO” a lot. If you’re determined to protect him it usually means throwing the entire trial because he gets up to so much shit, so eventually you just let him do his own thing and it mostly works out.

Tapp is happy to let you be the good cop to his bad cop. He’ll often lecture the younger survivors about reckless behavior and he appreciates that you’re there to offer a more sensitive approach so he doesn’t just end up calling them idiots and leave it at that.

Jane likes to act as a makeshift therapist to the group and will want to psychoanalyze some of the others with you. She’s more of a gossip than you and will often point you in the right direction when she thinks someone could use a shoulder to cry on.

[these just got gradually more cracky i’m sorry i ran out of juice]

[thing-you-do-with-that-thing]

Something More Than Friends

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader 

Warnings: None 

Squares Filled: Best Friends since Childhood for @spnfluffbingo​

Word Count: 1800ish (Yeah well we all know me and drabbling… rarely happens…)

A/N: This is my first fic for 100 drabbles to say I love you. Any SPN fics will be posted here while all Marvel related fics will be on my side blog @until-theend-oftheline​. You can find the masterlist with all the fics if you click on the link above. 

The prompt is: “Pull over. Let me drive for a while” - requested by @becs-bunker​ 

Betaed by: @blacktithe7​ - go check out her blog - she is awesome and sweet!

***My fics are not to be saved nor posted on any other sites without my express written permission.***

You sat quietly in the passenger seat of the impala with the window rolled down and your hand playing with the cool evening air rushing by as Dean drove you towards the setting sun. You were both quiet, listening to the tones of Led Zeppelin streaming from the car stereo. You were heading back home, to the Bunker, to Sam and Cas, but the truth was, you already felt at home. This car, sitting in the backseat behind the brothers or beside the older Winchester whenever Sam was off doing his own thing over the years, that had always been where you felt the most at home. 

Just like Dean, you had lost your mom at a young age, but unlike him, you didn’t have any siblings. Even if John Winchester wasn’t winning any father of the year awards, compared to your father, he had been the world's greatest dad. You didn’t feel sorry for yourself. You never had. You had your share of luck even in the midst of all the shitty cards you had been dealt. Your drunken father had gotten himself killed on a wendigo hunt when you were ten years old, and Bobby had found you in the cave in the middle of the woods, because of course your father had thought it would be an amazing idea to drag a little girl with him on a monster hunt in the middle of the Washington woods. 

Bobby Singer had been the beginning of your luck. He had taken you in, and after a few weeks after living with him, you had met 12 year old Dean and 8 year old Sam when they were dropped off in Sioux Falls for a few day, while their dad went hunting for a nest of vampires a few states over. 

It had taken a few days and giving Dean a bloody nose for him to take you seriously. You hadn’t been trying to get into his good graces. You had just been an angry little girl that was tired of living her life from the outside looking in, so when Dean had told you “no girls allowed” for the hundredth time when he and Sam had headed for their secret hiding place in the scrap yard, you had lost it. He was bigger and stronger than you, but even if he had held back, you had held your own. You could see that by the clear admiration in his eyes as he pressed the back of his hand against his nose, and you muttered a quiet “sorry.” You hadn’t meant to hurt him, but Dean had just smiled and shrugged, waving you along, telling you that if you could punch like a hunter, there might be hope for you yet. 

Dean had always been infuriating and stubborn, but he had quickly become your best friend. He was the one you called when you needed someone to laugh with, a shoulder to cry on, or an asskicking partner on a hunt. So when the brothers had found the Bunker, they had naturally asked you to move into one of the many rooms. You had hesitated at first. Things weren’t as simple as they were when you were children, and your best friend, while he still was that, had become more to you. 

Dean and Sam had been the two constants in your life, but while Sam had become like a brother, you felt something very different towards your childhood best friend. You had been in love with Dean for years now. You just never told him, and you were sure you never would. Your friendship was more important to you than anything, and you were sure Dean didn’t feel the same way about you anyway. You were his best friend on the best of days and an annoying little sister on the worst. You were sure that was how he saw you, and you could live with that as long as you got to keep him in your life. When you had come to terms with the fact that that was how things always would be, you had agreed to move in with the brothers and their recident angel. You loved having a home for once in your life, but being so close to Dean hadn’t made your feelings lessen. On the contrary, you loved him more deeply than ever. 

A loud yawn from Dean, pulled you from your thoughts and you smiled when you saw him shake his head a few times, clearly fighting to stay awake. It had been a long hunt, and Dean had been the one to bury the bodies while you had gotten in a quick nap before you left. 

“Why don’t you pull over? Let me drive for a while?” you offered, reaching out to run your hand over his shoulder trying to loosen a few kinks. 

Dean briefly looked over at you, giving you a tired smile. “While you’re the only chick I’d ever allow to drive Baby, we’re both tired. You could use some shut eye too, Y/N/N.”

You grinned, lovingly shaking your head at him. “And while you’re the only man in the world that will walk away with all his limbs intact after calling me Y/N/N, there are no motels for miles, and you are about to fall asleep at the wheel Winchester.”

Dean laughed, throwing you a quick wink, before suddenly turning off onto a dirty road, still at full speed, making you gasp and reach for the car roof to brace yourself. Dean laughed at your little jump, and you shot him a glare as he kept driving you into the middle of nowhere. 

“What the hell do you think you’re doing Dean?” You scolded, but he just smiled at you, pulling over next to a huge oak tree in the middle of the field. 

“Who needs a motel when we got Baby?” Dean grinned, jumping out of the car heading for the trunk. He left you frozen in your seat. Sure you had slept in the Impala before. You even slept on top of one of the brothers a time or two, but not for years, and not since your feelings changed, at least not since you had allowed yourself to see that they changed. 

You still sat there frozen when Dean opened the back door and threw in one of your duffle bags along with a few blankets, before making himself comfortable. 

“You coming?” Dean asked, looking up over the seat at you with a smirk, and your eyes widened in surprise. 

“You want me to sleep back there with you?” you asked, swallowing hard, and Dean pushed himself up on his elbows, shrugging. 

“Not like we haven’t before,” he reasoned before reaching out his hand, offering to help you climb over the seat. You wanted to punch him in the nose like when you were kids, only this time, it would be completely unjustified. You weren’t mad at him. You were upset, but it wasn’t about him, and you wanted to kick yourself for the mere thought of hurting him. Dean didn’t know how badly he hurt you, and you couldn’t tell him. Not without giving away your secret. 

You didn’t move, and Dean sighed, lowering his hand. 

“Y/N I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable these past few weeks, but nothing has to change. You’re still my best friend,” Dean muttered and your eyes widened. You had no idea what he was talking about. 

“Made me feel uncomfortable?” you asked, still not moving but looking straight at him. “You haven’t - what are you talking about?”

“You know, lending you my jacket, getting you that extra foam vanilla latte crap, making you pancakes…” Dean ranted, and you frowned. 

“Dean what are you talking about?” you pushed, and Dean groaned, lying back down with a scowl on his face. 

“Nothing. Forget it.”

You weren’t going to forget it. You were utterly confused, and Dean seemed sad about something. No matter what, he was your best friend, and you weren’t going to let the day end like this. You never went to bed with things unresolved between the two of you, no matter how big the arguments had been at times. You were always back to being friends before you closed your eyes. You had lost enough in this life. You couldn’t afford the last words ever to be spoken between the two of you to be in anger or pain. 

“No. I am not letting anything go, Winchester,” you huffed, crawling over the seat to sit between his bowed legs on your knees looking down at him. 

“Talk to me, Dean.”

“Goddammit Y/N! Don’t make me say it,” Dean roared at you in a way that would make most people jump, but not you. You knew Dean, and you knew his bark was way worse than his bite. Besides, Dean had never hurt you, ever, and you knew that he never would. He could growl all he wanted. You just crossed your arms, staring right at him as he glared back at you. 

You had no idea how long the staring contest lasted before Dean finally broke. 

“Son of a Bitch” Dean grumbled before sitting up, not leaving more than a few inches between you. “I’ve been trying to tell you… well show you… Goddammit you are an infuriating woman sometimes you know that?” 

You sighed at Dean’s rant, letting your arms fall back against your sides. “Just tell me you idiot! I got no idea what you are on about!”

“I love you,” Dean blurted out, and you both froze. 

You opened and closed your mouth a few times, just looking at him, while Dean looked as if he couldn’t breath. It was as if time stood still, and all you could hear was the wind, making the old car creak as the two of you sat there in silence, caught in a moment you weren’t sure if you wanted to run from or never have end.  

“You… what?” You blinked, and Dean finally managed to suck in a breath. He reached out gently cupping your face in his hands, and you felt your eyes well up. 

“I love you Y/N/N. I know I shouldn’t and that you probably don’t feel the same. Hell even if you do I still shouldn’t. It’s dangerous enough to be my friend let alone…” Dean ranted. 

“I love you too.”

Dean stopped, and it was his turn to stare blankly at you. “What?”

“I love you, Dean Winchester,” You laughed, wrapping your arms around his neck. “But I got no idea what you are talking about trying to tell me. You always make me pancakes.” You shook your head and Dean pouted. 

“They were heart shaped!” 

“I don’t know what shape they were but that wasn’t hearts,” you sassed, gasping as Dean’s lips crashed against yours. Your heart was beating, and your head was spinning as he kissed you, only breaking apart for air and muttering something about you being infuriating, but you didn’t care. You just grinned, kissing him again, not willing to ever let this moment go. 

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[here4theheartbreak]

Silent Night, Scales & Fights

✩ AO3 Link Here!

✩ Relationships: jinmin (Jimin x Jin)

✩ Genre/Universe: smut, angst

✩ Rating: Explicit

✩ Tags: smut, angst, child abuse, physical abuse, assault, homophobia, violence, blood, implied minor character death, family drama, spousal abuse, Naga!Jin, tentacle monster!Jin, soulmate au, double penetration, belly bulge, come inflation, toys, subdrop, subspace, blood, tentacles,bottom!Jimin, top!Jin, bottom Jimin

✩ Summary: Jimin decides that Christmas is the perfect time for his family to meet his soulmate. The only problem? His abusive father.

✩ Word Count: ~10.2k

✩ A/N: IThis fic fills the square Pumpkin Pie for @btsholidaybingo​. This fic is a sequel to Shared Souls & Snake Scales, published earlier in 2020. You may want to read that one first; there are some small things that are important to know in that one.

“We really don’t need to do this,” Jimin said for the fifth time as they drove along the snow dusted street. 

“You’re my soulmate, Minie,” Jin said patiently. He reached over and set his hand on Jimin’s thigh. “I want to do this. I want to know your family.”

Jimin shifted in the seat, sighing. He and Jin had been together for nearly a year, and Jimin had done his best to keep Jin away from his family. Not that he was ashamed of Jin – on the contrary, they were soulmates, and Jin’s magical nature was easily hidden. 

“I haven’t been entirely honest with you about them, Jin.”

“Do they not know you’re gay?”

“They know, unfortunately,” Jimin said. “My mom’s not too bad. She tries to be supportive. But my dad…”

“He doesn’t approve. Will me being there cause problems? I can stay back.”

“No, I think you not showing up would cause more problems,” Jimin admitted. “I already prepared them, told them I found my soulmate, that you were a boy.”

“Will they ask to see your tattoo?”

“Maybe. We’ll just go with the same story we tell everyone else, you’re weird and love sea creatures of a tentacled variety.”

“They are cute,” Jin defended. Jimin laughed, glancing over at him. 

“They are.”

“You still seem tense. Tell me about your father.”

“It’s not a pleasant history,” Jimin said. From the corner of his eye he saw Jin shift, the smile drooping off his handsome face. 

“Did he hurt you, Jimin?”

Jimin bit the inside of his lip. “He didn’t like that I like boys. Doesn’t – But he doesn’t try to change me anymore.”

“Change you?”

Jimin looked over at a stoplight. “Physically.”

“Jimin, he didn’t—Touch you—”

“No, no—Not like that,” Jimin corrected. “He was pretty good friends with a belt back then. And the Bible. Those things hurt when they’re hurled at your head,” Jimin chuckled. “A lot of verbal damage. It wasn’t a pleasant time at home for a while after I came out.”

“How long did it last?” Jin’s voice was soft. 

“I realized I liked boys when I was about fourteen… I came out right away because I was scared and confused and didn’t know if I was broken. My dad pretty much confirmed I was.”

“You’re not broken, Minie.” Jin reached over and set his hand on Jimin’s on the wheel. “You aren’t.”

“I know that now. I’ve had years to reason with myself and get used to it. My dad… He doesn’t do that anymore.”

“So he’s accepted it?” “I wouldn’t go that far. But I don’t get books thrown at my head, so…” Jimin shrugged. “I’m telling you this because I know things might be tense at the table, especially if Dad starts asking you things or coming at you. I want you to know where he’s coming from, so you don’t feel badly. He’s just not a friend of… Our kind of people.” 

“I won’t let him hurt you again, Jimin. I swear on my life that I won’t,” Jin said with enough sharpness that Jimin looked over, surprised to see a shimmer of his scales across his nose.

“Breathe,” Jimin said quickly. 

They’d learned over the months together that – while Jin could usually easily hide his true form, strong emotions – especially those related to the monster in him like anger and fear – tended to bring it out, like a slipping mask. Jimin could usually calm him, thankfully, but it was a concern.

Jin took a deep breath, his face returning to normal. He nodded and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Jimin parked and leaned over, pulling Jin into a deep kiss. “I’m so happy to have someone that loves me enough to get angry for me. I love you.”

“I love you, Jimin,” Jin whispered against his lips. He got out of the car and Jimin followed, stopping at the trunk to grab the gifts they’d brought for Jimin’s family. 

They stood at the doorstep for a moment.

“You ready?” Jimin asked.

“I should be asking you that.”

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Then I am too. Just…” Jin closed the gap between them and pressed a deep kiss to Jimin’s mouth, cupping his cheek as he did. 

The door creaked open suddenly, and Jimin jumped back gasping. He smiled sheepishly at his father, who stood in the doorway, large and imposing. 

“Get inside before the neighbors see that,” he hissed, grabbing Jimin’s shoulder and yanking him in. 

Jin followed close after, his mouth set in a fine line. 

“Sorry, Dad,” Jimin whispered. He bowed to his father politely. “Uh… This is my soulmate, Kim Seokjin. Jin, this is my father, Park Sungmin.” 

Jin bowed politely, offering a broad smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Sungmin’s eyes narrowed. He looked Jin up and down. He grunted softly and turned, walking into the sitting room. Jimin looked down, embarrassment coloring his cheeks a bright pink. Jin touched his neck, thumb soothing over the soulmate tattoo hidden by his turtleneck. 

“Are you okay?” He whispered.

“Yeah,” Jimin looked up, offering a smile he hoped was convincing. “Come on, my mother is probably in the kitchen.” He grabbed Jin’s hand and led him through the sitting room, not missing the glare his father gave at their connected hands. 

“Mom?” Jimin said when he was in the doorway of the kitchen. The food smelled delightful, and his mother was hard at work in the kitchen with his grandmother. She turned when he said her name, grinning. “Jiminie,” she cooed, rushing up and giving him a hug. Jimin’s smile faded as she approached. He hugged back tightly, then pushed her back gently, touching her cheek lightly. Even in the soft lighting, he could see a dark bruise over her cheekbone, covered as well as she could with makeup. She winced. 

“Mom… How did this happen?”

“You know how clumsy I am. Is it not covered well, I can fix it in a moment. How have you been?”

Jimin pouted a little. She was lying, and he knew it, but causing a fuss would do no good. “I’ve been good. Getting good grades, being social, just like you want. Mom, this is my soulmate. This is Kim Seokjin.” He stepped aside, allowing Jin to step forward. “This is my mother, Park Jiwoong.” 

He tilted his head a little at her before offering a huge smile and bowing low. 

“I’m honored to meet you, ma’am. I see now where Minie got his beautiful features.” 

Jimin smiled shyly. Jiwoong laughed a little. 

“Flattery will get you nowhere in this house, Kim Seokjin… Except maybe here.” She reached over and grabbed a small piece of dessert bread, passing it to Jin. He grinned broadly, taking it with both hands. 

“Thank you, I’m honored to be accepted into your home this holiday season.”

“Well, any friend of Jimin’s is welcome here… Especially a soulmate. I hope you’ll forgive me, I’ve had a long time to accept Jimin’s… Nature. But it is a bit startling, seeing the person he’ll be with forever.”

“That I’m a man?” Jin asked softly. She nodded. Jin nodded as well. “In our culture, our world, I can understand the difficulty. But Jimin and I share a soul, he’s a part of me. Regardless of our sex or gender – I would never let anyone hurt him. I support him and honor him in the same way that a girlfriend or wife would, and I am wholly devoted to him and his happiness. I hope that someday you’ll grow to see me easily as his partner.”

Jiwoong smiled gently, reaching out and touching Jin’s wrist. “Your honesty is refreshing. You seem like a very good man, especially for my Jiminie. If you’ll excuse me, I have to go touch up my makeup.” She slid past the two and disappeared down the hallway. 

“This the boyfriend?” Jimin’s grandmother croaked. He grinned and rushed up to hug her. 

“It is. How have you been, gramma? How’s your arthritis?”

“I’m fit as a fiddle and don’t you forget it.” She poked Jimin’s nose gently with her forefinger before looking at Jin. “That was a fine speech you gave my daughter, boy. I hope it’s true. Minie is my only grandchild and I don’t care that you’re strapping and young, I’ll still bend you over my knee and whoop you if I hear you made my boy cry.”

Jin’s smile was blinding. He laughed and nodded. “I expect nothing less, ma’am.”

Jimin smiled softly. He reached around his grandmother, grabbing a slice of fruit. She smacked his knuckles lightly with her spoon. 

“You wait until dinner.”

Jimin pouted. “I’ve been waiting all day, Gramma. Your cooking is the best part of the holidays.”

She smiled and shook her head. “You’re insufferable, boy.”

“I know.” Jimin popped the slice of melon in his mouth. His smile faded as he chewed. “Gramma… Mom—Is Dad…”

She frowned and nodded. “You know he is.”

“Did it pick up again? Has he been drinking?”

She shook her head. “No more than usual. I think the news…” She glanced over at Jin. “Well… He’s not been too happy. Your Mom loves you. She supports you.”

Jimin nodded, his heart sinking. “Thank you, Gramma. Can we help in the kitchen? Jin’s a great cook.”

“Thank you, but no. You boys go relax. Show him the house. No frisky business before dinner.” She shook her finger playfully and Jimin laughed. 

“Never.” He turned to Jin. “Come on, I’ll show you where I grew up. Make sure there’s no monsters in my closet,” he joked. Jin grinned at that.

“Oh, just one second,” Jimin held up a finger and headed down the hall into the sitting room. He put the gifts they’d brought under the small tree with a pile of others, glancing at his father. 

“Yes?” He asked when he saw him staring. 

“Nothing.”

“Yes, there is, I know that look.” Jimin rose and looked directly at him. “Say what you need to say.”

“Don’t be snappy with me, Jimin.”

“I’m not. I’m being direct. You’ve been glaring since we arrived. Am I not welcome here?”

“You are.” Sungmin turned and looked back to the television. 

“Is Jin welcome here?”

“He’s not my family.”

“He’s my soulmate. My partner. The man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.”

Sungmin snorted. He sipped his beer. “Unnatural.”

“We have a mark,” Jimin pressed. “It’s not unnatural. It’s our souls.”

“That’s all bullshit anyway.”

“Not for me, Dad. Seokjin treats me right. He loves me. Isn’t that what should matter to you?”

“No, what matters to me is the shame you bring the family being a faggot.”

Jimin closed his eyes, sighing. “Well you don’t need to take it out on Mom. It’s not her fault.”

“Well it’s not mine!”

“It’s nobody’s fault, Dad. It’s just how I am. So if you have to take it out on someone it should be me, not her.”

“She’s my wife,” Sungmin growled.

“That doesn’t mean she deserves your abuse.”

Sungmin rose, stepping up to Jimin. He was tall enough that Jimin had to look up a little at him, something he’d always hated. 

“Don’t you dare.”

Jimin set his jaw. “Get out of my face, please.”

“Or what? You’ll sic your dirty soulmate on me?” He snarled. 

“Jin isn’t a part of this. Dad, please. It’s Christmas. Don’t do this.”

“You’re the one that brought this on. We’d be fine if you weren’t a freak.”

Jimin lowered his gaze, nodding. “I know. That’s why I’m asking you to please… If you have to hurt someone, do it to me, not Mom.”

The strike wasn’t entirely unexpected, but still stung. It was open handed, leaving a burn on Jimin’s cheek as his head snapped to the side. Involuntary tears welled in his eyes. “I’m going to walk away now,” Jimin whispered.

“I wish you’d walk off a cliff. You brought so much horror to this family,” Sungmin snarled.

“I know, Dad.” Jimin bowed and slipped past his father, hurrying back toward the kitchen. 

Jin was leaning on the counter, laughing with Jimin’s grandmother when he entered. Jimin’s mood immediately lifted, seeing the two get along so well. Jin glanced over, and his smile dropped immediately. He rushed up to Jimin and tilted his chin up, examining where Jimin was struck, likely a vibrant red if the warmth in that spot was any indicator. Jin’s eyes glinted a dangerous purple, his lips peeling back.

“No,” Jimin whispered. 

“He hit you didn’t he?” Jin hissed. Jimin nodded. 

“It was my fault. I got in his face. Told him to stop hitting Mom. I’m okay.”

“You aren’t,” came a soft voice behind him. Jiwoong entered and hugged Jimin gently. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

“He hit you.”

“He has for a while, baby. It just increased a little after…” She glanced at Jin and shrugged, looking back at Jimin. “I have a secret, okay? I was going to wait until after the holidays to tell you… I’m getting a divorce and moving back to Busan. I know it’ll be farther from you, and I’m sorry for that, but I need to leave. I need to leave so you and I can both be safe.”

“Are you sure, Mom?”

She nodded. “I haven’t loved him for a long time. The only good he ever did was giving me you.” She stroked Jimin’s cheek. “Promise not to say anything?”

“Never. If you need anything – a place to stay or anything, please tell me. Jin and I will do whatever we can.”

Jin nodded. “Of course. You and your mother,” he motioned to Jimin’s grandmother. “You both have our full support.”

Jiwoong smiled and squeezed Jin’s shoulder. “You seem like a good boy for Jimin. Make sure he doesn’t do silly things like this anymore.” She brushed the red mark on Jimin’s cheek.

“I’ll do my best.” 

She pressed a kiss to Jimin’s forehead. “Now, go relax before dinner, okay? It’ll be done soon. Are you two staying over?”

“We’d planned to, as long as we’re welcome.”

“We have a spare room set up for you, Jin. I know you likely sleep together but with his father…”

“No, I entirely understand,” Jin said, nodding. “One night apart won’t be total agony.” He brushed Jimin’s hair back, and Jimin grinned, that all too familiar tingling flutter starting from his soulmate mark and rippling down his spine.  

“Come on, let me show you around,” Jimin said, taking Jin’s hand tightly. He pulled him out of the room and down the hall, moving fast past the sitting room and up the stairs. 

Once at the top, he slowed down. “Here’s my room,” he said, pushing at a half closed door. It was the same way it had been when he still lived there, decorated with musical stars and dancers, painted a soft blue and purple. The bed was large and comfy, and Jimin knew his mother likely had just washed and fluffed the pillows. He pulled Jin in and shut the door, kissing him hard.

Jin gasped, pulling back. “What’s gotten into you?”

“I don’t know,” Jimin admitted. “I just… Need you.”

“You heard your gramma, no funny stuff before dinner,” Jin teased, thumbing Jimin’s nose playfully. Jimin laughed. 

“Of course not. Just… Kiss me until I—” Jimin smiled. “Just hold me.”

Jin shut the door and wrapped his arms tightly around Jimin. Jimin’s eyes slipped shut. By now, he could almost sense the change as if it were his own body, the quiet shift and creak of Jin’s bones, the raspy, whispering rustle as his scales shifted into place, the feeling of both cool and warm as Jin’s torso wrapped completely around Jimin, encasing him in the smooth oil slick of his snake form. Jimin let himself relax into the coil, listening to Jin’s strong heartbeat. Jin coiled as tight as he dared to, a safety blanket for Jimin when he was having a rough day.

He looked up at Jin, smiling softly. “Thank you.” 

“Baby,” Jin cooed. One of his tentacles darted out, sliding over Jimin’s cheekbone like the caress of a lover. Jimin giggled a little, reaching up and grabbing it. He squeezed gently, letting the suckers move up his arm and around him, a third appendage to hold him in a hug. 

“Why did you confront him, Minie?” Jin asked softly.

“He’s hitting Mom. I can’t let that slide.”

“And him hitting you is better?”

“Than my Mom? Yeah.”

“No. Both are wrong. Neither of you deserve it.”

“I know. But she’s getting away from him and I—I have you now.”

“I’ll always keep you safe, Jimin. No matter what needs to be done.”

“I know.” Jimin kissed Jin’s mouth gently. He let himself relax further, resting his head on the uppermost coil of Jin’s tail. His legs sagged, knowing Jin would easily hold him up. 

The two stayed like that for quite some time, until the turmoil of emotions in Jimin’s mind soothed. Jin remained there completely, kissing over his cheek and neck and shoulder, hands and tentacles touching everywhere they could reach in an effort to soothe Jimin in every way possible. 

“I’m okay,” Jimin finally whispered.

“I know you are.”

“You can change back.”

Jin nodded. He shifted once more, scooping Jimin back into his arms when his feet were under him. He kissed him again. “I love you, Minie.”

“I love you too, Jin. Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the house.”

Jin nodded. Jimin opened the door, gasping when he saw his father almost directly next to it. Jin immediately stepped up, ready to move between them if he needed to.

“Why was this door shut?”

“No reason,” Jimin said simply. “I was showing him the posters on the back of it. Mom hasn’t taken them down after all these years.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“Well, it’s the truth. That and we hugged. Nothing funny. Gramma said not to, so I won’t.”

“Oh, she did, huh? You’ll respect her but not the one that owns this house? The one that raised you? I—” Jimin saw his hand forming a fist.

“We’re going now. I want to show Jin the rest of the house.”

“I’m not finished talking to you.”

“Nothing happened, Dad. And nothing will. Please.”

His father glared daggers at him, saying nothing. After a pregnant pause, he stepped out of the way, allowing Jimin and Jin to pass.

Jimin took Jin through the rest of the house, showing him different areas and telling stories of being a child. Every chance they got, Jimin touched, hugged, or kissed Jin as a silent, simple protest against his father. He was so tired of it - of the abuse, of the fear. It was only tolerable this day because he knew his mom was leaving the monster; and because he had Jin to keep him grounded. 

They were going through some of Jimin’s old yearbooks up in the attic when his mother called them for dinner. They hurried down, taking their seats side by side at the table. Jimin could feel his father glaring at the both of them. 

Jimin rose, helping his mother finish bringing out the food before sitting back down. He heard his father scoff, but ignored it, instead opting to direct his dinner conversation toward his mother; what she’d been doing over the past month, how some of her friends were, etcetera. 

It was about halfway through dinner when Sungmin set his utensils down with a clank. “I can’t. Who are you? What makes you think you’re welcome at this table?” His tone was sharp; gaze on Jin. 

Jin swallowed the bite he’d been chewing and politely wiped his mouth before setting his own utensils down. He laced his fingers together over his plate and offered a smile that – on the front of it – looked quite polite. Jimin could easily see through it though; Jin was seething.

“You seem to have questions about me. Or perhaps about my relationship with your son. I understand this is new and uncomfortable. But I welcome you with nothing but openness to ask what you need to ask so that you can be more comfortable with my presence.”

Sungmin glared. “Don’t you take that condescending tone with me, faggot.”

Jin blinked, clearly surprised by the slur.

“Sungmin—” Jiwoong whispered.

“No! I don’t understand how you can sit there like this is normal. Like we don’t have freaks at our table.”

“You have your son and his soulmate at the table, Sungmin,” Jimin’s grandmother said. “You recognize the importance of sharing a soul, don’t you?”

“Yeah, right, sure. How do we even know they’re really soulmates?” His tone was mocking, sending a pang of pain through Jimin’s heart. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a lie. Isn’t there some bullshit about tattoos appearing? I see no tattoos.”

“It’s on our backs,” Jimin whispered. 

“Likely story.”

Jin cleared his throat. He looked to Jiwoong. “I apologize for asking, but would it be alright if I showed….”

“Yes, of course,” she said. 

Jin rose and turned to face the wall, his back to Sungmin. He unbuttoned his shirt halfway, letting it fall from his shoulders just enough to expose his upper back, and the beautiful tattoo imprinted along it. He remained still for a few moments before pulling his shirt back up and rebuttoning it. 

“It’s so pretty,” Jiwoong said. “Yours matches, Minie?” 

“Yep, it’s the opposite but the same.” Jimin rose and repeated Jin’s actions, turning away from the table and lifting his sweater up until his tattoo was visible. 

“Are those tentacles?” Jiwoong asked.

“Mhm, Jin loves sea creatures.” Jimin smiled proudly as he dropped his sweater and turned back around. He sat down and looked at his father. “We have our marks. It’s not a lie. It’s meant to be, simple as that.”

“It’s disturbing. Mark or not. It’s unnatural.”

“Now is not the time, Sungmin,” Jiwoong said firmly. 

“You don’t tell me if it is the time or not. This is my house and my table.”

Jimin’s heart sank. He shook his head and rose. “This was a mistake.”

“Jimin,” Jiwoong whispered. 

“We shouldn’t have come. We can go.”

“No, you shouldn’t go,” Jiwoong said, glaring when Sungmin huffed. “You’re my son, and you found your soulmate. I’m honored to have you both at my table.” She rose and scooped Jimin into a hug. “Don’t go.”

“Mom… I don’t want to cause trouble for you.”

“Oh, quit bellyaching like this is some horrible house,” Sungmin growled. “Sit your ungrateful ass down and eat the dinner your mother and grandmother have been slaving away to prepare.”

Jimin looked at his mom, who smiled softly and nodded. He took a seat again. Jin reached over under the table, catching his hand and squeezing it firmly, a warm comfort to Jimin. He relaxed a little at Jin’s touch and picked his drink up, sipping it. 

The tension at the table was thick and heavy. Despite his insistence on Jimin and Jin remaining, Sungmin continued to glower at them silently throughout dinner. Jiwoong and Jimin’s grandmother did their best to lighten things, asking about Jin’s life and how the two met.  

Dinner shifted into dessert, and Sungmin rose from the table without any, citing being sick to his stomach. Jimin knew the reality behind that phrase; the sickness was likely nothing to do with the food and everything to do with him, but tried not to let it bother him. Instead he focused on the people that truly cared about him. 

“Well, one less plate to wash after dessert then,” Jimin’s grandmother said. She clapped her hands together. “Jin, you help me get desserts.” 

Jin nodded eagerly. He rose and leaned over, pressing a kiss to Jimin’s cheek before heading into the kitchen. 

Jiwoong reached over the table and grabbed Jimin’s hand. “I really like him, Jimin.”

Tears welled in Jimin’s eyes. “Really?” He whispered.

She frowned a little. “Why are you crying, baby?”

Jimin laughed a little, coughing back his tears. “This past year with Jin’s been the happiest of my life so far. I wanted nothing more than to share it with you guys. But I was so afraid. I knew Dad and… I knew it was weird for you. I don’t know that you can realize how much that means to me. You just liking him.”

Jiwoong smiled softly. “Come here.” Jimin rose and sank to his knees next to her chair, wrapping his arms around her middle. He buried his face in her stomach, letting himself cry softly as she embraced him, soothing his hair back. 

“He’s a part of you, Minie. And it shows. I wondered if soulmates were real, not finding mine – It seems like such a fairy tale. Seeing my son not only find his… But seeing just how beautiful the connection is, how perfect you two fit together… It gives me hope for so much. He’s a good man, Jimin. He loves you and he’s kind and he’s so well spoken. He’s your perfect match. Don’t think I didn’t see the way he was able to soothe your temper. The way just a touch relaxed you or made you smile. I love him too, Jimin. Just one day – and I can say with confidence that I love him and he will always be a part of this family.”

“Thank you,” Jimin whispered, hugging her a little tighter. He pulled back and looked up, laughing a little when she dabbed away his tears with a napkin like she did when he was a child. “Thank you,” he said again.

“Go sit back down now, Jin’s going to panic if you’re weeping when he returns.”

Jimin laughed a little and nodded, rising and heading back to his seat. 

Jin and his grandmother returned carrying the desserts, and Jimin hurried to clear off the dinner foods so they could set them down. Jin didn’t miss the moment to steal a kiss from Jimin as he set the pie near to his plate, offering a gentle smile. 

“Your eyes are red.” 

“Nothing bad,” Jimin promised. Jin nodded and settled back into his seat. 

“Do you think we should open gifts tonight or tomorrow?” Jiwoong asked as she dished up desserts for Jimin and Jin. 

“Let the kids open one tonight,” Jimin’s grandmother said. She tsked when Jin shook his head no to a slice of pumpkin pie, and Jin only smiled. “I’m quite full from your dinner, I’m okay, I’ll have some of the pudding though,” he conceded.

“We’re okay waiting until tomorrow too,” Jimin offered, taking his plate. “Dad might be in a better mood…”

“Oh, screw him,” Jiwoong said simply. Jimin’s eyes widened of their own volition. His mother – though not entirely timid – was rarely so blunt. “We’ll have dessert then go sit by the tree. You kids can open a gift or two and then we’ll do our gifts in the morning.”

Jimin laughed a little. “We’re in our twenties, Mom. We aren’t exactly excited kids.”

“Speak for yourself,” Jin said, swallowing a spoonful of the sweet chocolate dessert on his plate. “I’m ecstatic about Christmas. It’s such an interesting holiday.”

“Did your family not celebrate?” Jimin’s grandmother asked. Jin shook his head no.

“They were quite conservative and traditional. We didn’t do any sort of Christian celebrations.”

“Buddhist?” Jiwoong assumed. Jin confirmed. “I don’t have a specific religion now, but it was the way I was raised.”

“We’re not too strict here. No religious services. But the giving is nice and we love excuses to see family,” Jiwoong said. “Are you sure you won’t have pie? Surely you’re still hungry.”

Jin shook his head. “I’m okay, I promise. This dinner was delightful.”

“Glad you enjoyed it. I’m sorry for my husband…”

“Don’t be. You can’t control him, and you’re not at fault for his bad behavior. Jimin warned me that he likely wouldn’t be very welcoming. It’s okay.”

“You’re an understanding young man, Jin. What is it you’re doing? Are you going to school with Minie?”

“No. Right now I’m studying to become a chef. I love cooking. So I toil away at home with piles of food while poor Jimin studies his brain to mush.” Jin teased, and Jimin beamed.

“I get to eat all that good food after I get home from school. He’s making me gain weight,” he pouted.

“Good, about time you put on a few pounds,” Jimin’s grandmother scolded without much venom. “Finish your pie.”

“Yes, Gramma.”

“Are you and Jimin living together then?” Jiwoong asked.

“Yes. We moved in together pretty quickly after we met and the soulmate marks appeared. It felt like the right thing to do.”

“And you said you were living next to him?”

Jin nodded. “Yes, very close neighbors. We brushed hands one evening in the hallway and later that week discovered we’d both ended up with marks. Everything after that was a whirlwind.” Jin smiled fondly at Jimin and reached out, swiping a bit of whip cream from the corner of his mouth. 

“It’s a fairytale,” Jiwoong said. “And your friends, Minie?”

“Hobi and Tae love him. Tae was concerned for a bit, especially since he’s a bit older than me, but he grew on them.”

“Tae is a good boy. He needs to come with you to visit more often.”

“I’ll tell him you said so. I think Hoseok is going to propose to him soon honestly.”

“Oh that’s lovely. What about you, Jin? You going to propose to Jimin soon?” Jiwoong teased. Jimin groaned, his cheeks pinking up, but Jin grinned. 

“Someday.” He said simply. 

As the dessert moved forward, tensions lifted more and more. Jimin found himself laughing freely, and the conversation between the four moved along with no awkward pauses. He and Jin helped his mother and grandmother clean up, packaging up the food and portioning some into leftovers that they insisted the boys bring home. The four settled into the living room and Jimin got a fire started in the fireplace. 

Jin settled as close as he could to the warmth of the fire; even in human form the cold-blooded nature of his snake side made him seek warmth in any way. Jimin snuggled next to him, relieved that his Mother and grandmother barely blinked at the two’s intimate position. It felt natural and safe. It was just nice. 

Jiwoong poured them all a small glass of bourbon, insisting on it as she put on some soft music. They chatted once more, laughing as the alcohol warmed their insides just as much as the fire warmed their outsides. 

Jimin’s grandmother insisted they open a few of the gifts under the tree, pressing some boxes into their hands. They each received lovely scarves and nice sweaters, and Jimin was gifted a beautiful set of silver rings. Jin received a set of handmade soaps and other high-end self-care items, which he was almost comically excited about. 

As things wound down, and Jimin stifled more than a few yawns behind his hand, the four exchanged hugs and went their separate ways to sleep. Jin held Jimin for a few minutes outside of his door, and Jimin was grateful. Though things calmed down quickly after Sungmin had stormed off, there was still a weight on Jimin’s chest. Anxieties about the impending divorce, about even the next morning when his father would surely be back to his impossible ways, about spending a night without Jin – something he’d not done since they found each other. Jin departed only after kissing him long and hard, firmly enough that Jimin’s mouth ached after he left. He entered his childhood bedroom, changing into a pair of pajama pants and no shirt before curling up in the bed to try and seek some sleep. 

And it almost worked, until his door creaked open just an hour or two after he laid down. Jimin rolled over, smiling a little, expecting Jin. “Couldn’t sleep without me?” He asked, opening his eyes. 

The door shut and the light flicked on. Jimin’s father stood in front of the door. His eyes were bloodshot and Jimin could smell the alcohol seeping from his pores. 

“Dad—” Jimin sat up, his heart skipping a few beats. This was bad. “What are you doing?”

“You ruined my life,” Sungmin growled. Jimin rose from the bed, circling around it with his hands up.

“Dad, please – You’re drunk. Can we talk about this in the morning?”

“You ruined everything!” Sungmin repeated. He stepped forward, a staggered movement. 

Panic bubbled up in Jimin’s throat. He wanted to scream, or run. But screaming would do no good – and running wasn’t an option; his father was blocking his only safe exit.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” Jimin tried. Perhaps submission was the way to go. 

“You aren’t. You will be.”

“Please, Dad, I didn’t mean to make things hard. I’m sorry.”

Sungmin staggered toward Jimin once more. His hands went to his belt, the click of metal as he unhooked the belt as loud as a gunshot to Jimin’s panicked mind. His breath caught against the lump of bile rising in his throat. 

“Don’t do this. Please, I’m too old for you to beat on like this. I’m only here one night, then I’m gone, you don’t need to do this,” Jimin tried once more. It was a desperate final attempt. 

“You never learned your lesson, Jimin. I tried to teach you,” Sungmin said. He stepped forward again, forcing Jimin to take a step back. Jimin swallowed hard. He tried to dart around Sungmin, but Sungmin was too fast. His arm shot out and he grabbed Jimin’s throat, slamming him back. His feet tangled and he cried out as he went down, the hard wood stinging his tailbone. He scrambled to his feet, only to be met with a hard, open palmed strike against his cheek. 

“Please,” he whispered.

“I’m going to teach you again,” Sungmin growled. He yanked his belt out of the loops, the snap of leather bringing unpleasant goosebumps to Jimin’s skin. 

“Stop, please, Dad!” Jimin cried out. Sungmin slapped him again, snapping his head to the side. He tasted blood from his tongue, accidentally biting it on the strike. The next hit came without warning, a closed, meaty fist impacting Jimin’s jaw. He shouted, stumbling back as his vision greyed dangerously.

“Dad—”

The belt struck him like a whip. It hit his arm first, the end whipping around to strike his bare back. It began to sting instantly and Jimin whimpered. 

“Stop—” His plea fell on deaf ears as another blow landed, this one lower on his back. Sungmin lumbered forward and grabbed his arm, twisting and shoving him hard. 

Jimin stumbled and went down on his knees, crying out when Sungmin struck him once more with the belt three times in rapid succession. He heard the clink of the buckle and took the chance to flip over onto his ass, scrambling back as quickly as he could. His father had flipped the belt, the heavy, sharp edged buckle glinting as he wrapped the other end around his fist. His eyes were large and wild. 

“I’m going to make sure you never wreck things again,” he snarled. He raised it up and Jimin covered his face, bracing for the pain and inevitable blood. 

It never came. 

Instead, Sungmin shouted and Jimin heard a deadly hiss. His eyes snapped open.

Jin was in the doorway, his snake form fully on display. Sungmin’s arm was raised, held up by one of Jin’s thick tentacles, the belt dangling limply from his fist as the tentacle squeezed his wrist. 

Another tentacle shot out, wrapping around Sungmin’s throat and slamming him against the wall hard enough to shake it. 

“How dare you strike him.” Jin said, his voice cold and dry, a rasp that he took on only in his snake form. 

Sungmin struggled to breathe, his free hand clawing at Jin’s tentacles. 

“What—What are you?” He choked out.

“Your worst fucking nightmare.” Jin squeezed tighter. He yanked Sungmin forward and coiled around him, teeth bared as Sungmin struggled helplessly. Jimin heard the sickening crack of some of his less thick bones – likely ribs. 

“Let me go you freak,” Sungmin rasped.

“I’m going to rip your fucking throat out,” Jin snarled. “What gives you the right to hurt him?”

“He’s my son—” His defense was cut off when Jin’s grip tightened both on his throat and his body.

“He is not. You’re less than human,” Jin spat. Sungmin struck out with his free arm, clawing Jin’s face. 

He hissed, the rest of his tentacles shooting out and grabbing the struggling man. Jin’s torso shot forward and Sungmin screamed, only to be muffled as a tentacle wrapped around his head like a gag. 

Jimin struggled to wipe his tears and focus on the fight in front of him, but all he could see were tentacles and scales. 

A wet rip echoed though the room, like a strip of raw steak shredding. His father seemed to gag and gargle. A tentacle shot out, throwing the door to Jimin’s closet opened. The familiar portal opened, and this time Jimin could see through it. Whatever place was on the other side looked like a nightmare. He could see creatures with large, leathery wings, a deserted, reddish landscape, smoke and dust obscuring the portal every few seconds. Jin released Sungmin from his tail, holding him up with his tentacles. Jimin could see bright red blood dripping down his shirt, staining it a sickening crimson. The tentacles arched back, holding Sungmin’s struggling form as if it were nothing, and threw. 

Jimin watched his father get swallowed up by the portal seconds before it closed. 

Jin turned to him, and panic bubbled up in Jimin’s throat. He sobbed brokenly, scrambling backwards. Jin’s eyes were nearly entirely black, blood staining his face and chest. 

“Jimin— Fuck—” Jin shifted back into his human form quickly and sank to his knees, bowing low until his forehead touched the ground. “I’m so sorry, Jimin – Please don’t cry.”

“Don’t hurt me—” Jimin whispered.

“No!” Jin cried, looking up at him. “Never, Jimin, please – I’m sorry.” Jin looked close to tears himself, desperation coloring his voice. “He was hurting you—”

Jimin nodded, still shaking visibly. “He was going to kill me.”

“I heard you scream, I—I lost control.”

 “Jin—The blood—”

“You— You bit him…”

“I—” Jin hesitated. “It just happened. It’s the monster – Side of me, I’m sorry, I—”

Jimin crawled forward slowly, sniffling. He reached out for Jin, touching a spot on his cheek not covered in blood. 

 “Shift,” he whispered. “Hold me.”

“Are you sure? You’re scared, I can smell it…”

“I’m terrified,” Jimin admitted. 

“So—”

“Remind me,” Jimin said. “Remind me that you won’t hurt me.”

Jin nodded then, seeming to understand. He obeyed, the cool coils of his tail surrounding Jimin quickly. His tentacles cocooned Jimin as well, forming a loose, fleshy cage from the outside world.

Jimin was tense, but leaned into Jin’s touch. He pressed his head to his chest, listening to the rapid glug of his heart. His own heart began to slow down as the adrenaline wore down, and he was able to process through what he had just seen. He wrapped his arms around Jin, moving closer.

“How can you stand here,” Jin whispered. “After seeing me lose control like that—”

“You saved me, Jin,” Jimin whispered. “You saved me and Mom.”

Jimin looked up, smiling softly. “You didn’t need to bite him though… Still hungry? You should’ve had that piece of pumpkin pie.”

Jin hesitated for a second before laughing in a sort of desperate surprise. 

“You don’t hate me?”

“No. Thank you for coming in when you did,” Jimin whispered, hugging Jin once more. 

“I was coming in to lay with you, I couldn’t sleep. I heard you scream and I—I saw red. I couldn’t stop the change. I knew you were in danger, I—”

“He was going to kill me tonight, Jin. I know it. That look, I’ve – I’ve never seen it before.”

“He can’t hurt you now. He can’t escape there.”

The reality of what had just happened hit Jimin suddenly, and he sagged in the center of Jin’s coil. Tears blurred his vision and he began to sob, holding tight to Jin’s torso as he did. 

Jin said nothing more, only holding him and petting his hair down. He tightened his coil a bit more, keeping Jimin firmly against his body. Jimin felt an additional warmth spread over him, and he realized it was a blanket from his bed. Jin leaned forward, resting on his own coil as they embraced. 

Jimin’s sobs faded into soft whimpers, exhaustion flooding in and overruling the anxiety and stress of the previous few minutes. He shifted, resting on one of the thicker parts of Jin’s coil, almost like a seat. He didn’t want Jin to let go. And – if Jin’s closed eyes were any indicator – Jin didn’t want to either. But this wasn’t safe.

“We could get caught,” Jimin whispered.

“I’ll lock the door.”

“You’re covered in blood. And so am I,” Jimin explained. Jin opened his eyes and sighed. 

“I suppose you’re right. I’m not leaving you alone tonight, Jimin.”

“What are we going to tell my mother?”

“I can handle that.” Jin shifted back, reluctantly letting go of Jimin. “But you’re right; we should get cleaned up.”

“Give me your shirt,” Jimin said. Jin obeyed, stripping out of his bloodied white sleeping shirt. Jimin balled it up, wiping his chest and neck free of as much blood as he could manage. “I’ll be right back.”

He slipped out of the room and went to the bathroom, wetting the shirt with some soap and water. He tried his best to wash the blood out, scowling at it when it wouldn’t come clean. He washed himself in the mirror, making sure there was no more blood on his face or chest. He could see bruises appearing where his father had struck him, and a quick peek revealed the same on his back – long strips of bruising and welting where the belt had struck. He sighed softly.

He returned to the room, using the wet shirt to clean Jin’s face and neck. Once clean, the claw marks that his father had left on Jin’s cheek were more obvious. He touched them, wincing.

“It doesn’t hurt too bad.” Jin said, grabbing his hand and kissing it. 

“I can’t get the blood out of the shirt.” Jimin lamented.

“No concern.” Jin waved his hand, opening another portal and tossing the shirt in. “Problem solved.”

“One at least.” Jimin tried to remain calm, but his anxiety was getting the best of him. Seeming to sense this, Jin scooped Jimin close, kissing him hard. Jimin could taste a bitter, iron-y tang on his lips, driving home exactly what happened. “Jin—” Jimin whispered.

“Are you scared of me?” Jin asked.

“No, I…” Jimin drifted off. “Why did you bite him? Are you… I mean do you crave… That?”

“No. It’s instinct in fights unfortunately. But I’m not interested in eating people. I’m sorry I frightened you.”

“You didn’t,” Jimin assured him. “I just… Wanted to know.”

“I promise the only bite I’ll take of you is the fun kind,” Jin said softly. Jimin chuckled. He slid his hands over Jin’s arms. “Shift again. Lock the door.”

“Are you sure?”

“You’ve never hesitated before…”

“You’ve never seen that side of me before.”

“Fair enough,” Jimin said. “I am sure. I think I need it tonight.”

Jin locked the door and shifted, coiling around Jimin. Jimin began to stroke his tail, closing his eyes as he ran his fingers lightly up and down the smooth, cool scales. As he did, he could feel a gentle bulge building where he knew Jin’s cocks were in this form. He smiled a little and reached down, brushing his finger over the slit they slid from. 

Jin shuddered. “Jimin—”

Jimin dipped his finger into the slit, feeling Jin’s half hard topmost cock. He met his gaze. “It’s okay. I want to.” He withdrew his finger and began to grind against Jin’s crotch, kissing him gently as he did. Soon, Jin’s cocks slipped from the slit, bumping Jimin’s own hardening cock through the thin fabric of his pajamas. Jin nudged him to get him around, his hands shaking ever so slightly.

Jimin turned as well as he could in the center of Jin’s coil. He leaned on the topmost ring, absentmindedly stroking the smooth scales as Jin’s hands and tentacles made quick work of his pajamas. The all good familiar slick, dribbling from his tentacle, ran down Jimin’s ass. They never used lube anymore; this was all they needed. The two midsized tentacles worked his ass open with ease. He opened his mouth, and Jin slid his thicker tentacle in, the suckers tickling Jimin’s tongue as he sucked on it. 

Almost too soon, he was ready. Jin’s tentacles slipped free.

“One or both?” Jin asked. 

The tentacle slipped from Jimin’s mouth so he could speak.

“If I were a Naga mate... Would this be how we’d breed?” Jimin asked instead.

“Yes. You’d face me — But we’d be wrapped in our coils like this.”

“Would you use one cock or both?”

“Both. Maximum chances to mate.”

“Then use both,” Jimin said simply.

Jin groaned. The tentacles did the work, lifting Jimin just enough and spreading his cheeks to drop him onto Jin’s thick, throbbing cocks. Jimin squealed, shuddering hard. 

“And if I were a monster—“ Jimin asked, beginning to lazily wiggle and flex around Jin’s cocks. 

“My tentacles, as you know.”

“Better get them in me then,” Jimin smirked when Jin’s throat clicked.

“I am your mate. I want to make all sides of you feel good.”

“Fuck...” 

Jimin groaned when one thin and one mid-sized tentacle slid into his already stretched hole. The thin one immediately coiled around Jin’s human shaped cock, while the other snaked deep inside him until his body cramped. Only then did it stop and begin swelling, already pumping fluid slowly into his guts.

Jimin moaned. The tentacle curled around Jin’s cock had begun to shift.

“Are you jerking off inside of me?”

“Mhm... Do you like it?”

“It feels so good,” Jimin panted, slumping down further. “Keep going...”

The tentacle twisted, wrapping around both cocks. It stroked them in sync. The other midsized tentacle slid down Jimin’s throat as soon as he opened his mouth to moan, and his eyes rolled back in pleasure. He began to suck on it, grumbling happily when Jin’s second thin tentacle opened up, swallowing down Jimin’s cock like a hot, wet mouth.

“That’s it, Minie,” Jin cooed, wrapping his arms around Jimin. “Just let go, let yourself float. I’ll take care of everything.”

Jimin obeyed. His eyes slipped shut, focusing on the overflow of physical sensations all over his body. The tentacle deep in his body had swollen to its maximum, essentially acting as a plug while it pumped fluid in lazy drizzles. The one down his throat was also dribbling fluid, and Jimin swallowed with no thought.

And of course Jin’s body. The coils flexed and tightened, making Jimin’s heart skip a beat. In all the times they’d made love - they had never done so in this form. Jin was always too scared of hurting him. But here - this was perfect. 

Jimin barely felt himself come, despite his instinctive cry and shudder. His mind felt miles away, floating along as Jin used his body. It was unbelievable. 

Jimin lost track of the number of orgasms be had; and the amount of come and fluid Jin had released inside him. He was distinctly aware of his boated stomach, a sure sign that Jin was nearly done.

“I got you a present,” Jin whispered in his ear. Jimin could feel his cocks throbbing, spilling a load deep into him. The tentacle down his throat slithered out and Jimin dragged in a breath. 

“What is it?”

“I was going to wait until we got home... I hid it in your bag...” Jin shifted, making Jimin groan as his overextended stomach moved. Jin snagged his bag and dug around in a front compartment, pulling out a semi-bulky black box. He opened it to reveal a thick silver anal plug.

Jimin moaned. “Please—“ He begged. His biggest regret after their lovemaking was always losing everything inside him, feeling so empty after. 

“Just relax,” Jin whispered he began to push the plug in alongside his cocks. The tentacle slipped out, a little further. He began to pull his cocks free at the same time he worked the plug in. The plug popped in at the same time his tips slid out and Jimin cried out sharply.

“Good or too much?” Jin worried.

“Good,” Jimin panted. “I can’t— I’m gonna pass out,” he admitted, the floaty feeling still present.

“I’ll take care of you, baby.” Jimin’s body went limp in Jin’s arms. He was vaguely aware of Jin shifting back and catching him before he could fall. He scooped him into his arms and laid him in the bed, carefully lying next to him.

“Are you hungry? Thirsty?”

Jimin wanted to answer, but couldn’t find the strength. He closed his eyes, his face twisting of its own volition. Tears welled behind closed lids and he whimpered.

“Oh, Jimin,” Jin whispered. He pulled him close and held him tight, tugging the blankets over them. “Breathe.”

Jimin grabbed at Jin’s back, crying against his chest. He wasn’t fully aware of why he was crying. His father, maybe; the reality of losing him settling in. Jin’s love – even to the point of doing something otherwise entirely out of character for him… It was all so much. 

Jimin cried until his belly ached and he was so tired he couldn’t open his eyes. And Jin remained with him, stroking his hair, hugging him, no matter how he shifted or sobbed.  When he could do no more, he reached for a tissue, laughing brokenly when Jin presented one to him. He sat up and blew his nose, his mind and body finally feeling like they were in one piece again. 

“Do you want to talk?” Jin asked softly when Jimin met his gaze. 

“Not really.”

“That’s okay. Are you alright? Can I help with anything?”

“I just… I – I don’t know.”

“I’m going to walk away for just a few seconds, okay? I need to get you something to drink and eat.”

“Don’t go!” Jimin said a little desperately, grabbing onto Jin’s arm. 

Jin sighed, chewing his lip. “Well, alright, let’s get pants on you; you come with me.” He rose, letting Jimin hang off him, as he dug in his bag.

“Do you need the plug taken out?” He worried.

Jimin looked down, seeing the small bulge of his stomach, still present. “Probably… I should… Bathroom.”

“We’ll stop there on the way. Where do your mother and grandmother sleep? Could they have heard the noise?”

“Ground floor – I doubt it… Walls are thick.”

Jin nodded again. He grabbed Jimin’s boxers and handed them to him, heading toward the door. “They wouldn’t come up here right? You can make it to the bathroom without putting those on?”

Jimin nodded. He let Jin guide him out of the bedroom to the bathroom. Jin stood back by the door, letting Jimin head to the shower. 

“Do you want me to help?” Jin asked. Jimin shook his head no, a sinking feeling in his stomach. He desperately did – he didn’t want to be away from Jin for a second, but maybe a few minutes away could let his mind un-fog itself. 

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. In the few minutes that it took him to clean himself – and the tub – from the aftermath of their lovemaking – he was ready to start sobbing again. 

“Jin,” he called, hating the desperation in his voice. Jin was there in a second, leaning into the shower. 

“Are you okay?”

“Not really.” 

“How much did you wash? Where can I help?”

“Dry off,” Jimin mumbled. His arms felt too heavy to move, and all he wanted to do was curl into a ball and cry. Jin reached in and shut off the water, leaning over to grab a towel and help Jimin out of the shower. He dried him off without a word and got him back into his boxers. Gently, he pressed a kiss to Jimin’s mouth. 

“I’m right here.” Jin guided him down the stairs and into the kitchen, grabbing a small bowl and spoon. He doled out some of the pudding and other sweets before settling Jimin into a chair. He stroked Jimin’s cheek and scooped some up. Jimin grimaced.

“I feel like a baby.”

“Never. You’re just… You went through a lot today. I’m here for you.”

“You always are,” Jimin whispered. He let Jin feed him a bite of pudding. 

“We can talk tomorrow,” Jin said. “I know you might need to process things.”

Jimin nodded. He ate quietly, moving a little closer so his knee touched Jin’s as he did. He felt ridiculous, but knew Jin was right. He didn’t know how he was going to face his mother and grandmother tomorrow.

After eating, Jin washed the dishes and put them away, and guided Jimin back up to his room, lying with him. 

“Get some sleep, if you can.”

Jimin snuggled tight to his chest, sighing softly. Jin remained with him, holding him as he drifted off into a fitful sleep.

The next morning, Jin pressed a kiss to Jimin’s mouth as he woke. “I have to go back to my room now.”

“I still don’t want you to go,” Jimin admitted. 

“Are you still feeling how you were last night?”

“Yes and no. I think things have set in, but I don’t feel so … Weird and floaty.”

“Do you want to talk?”

“About?”

Jin blinked, seemingly waiting for Jimin to figure it out. The memories of Jin, covered in his father’s blood, slipped back into his mind. “Right.”

“I understand if you dislike me for what I did.”

“He was my dad.”

Jin nodded, guilt coloring his expression. 

“But he was trying to kill me. He was beating mom. If you hadn’t…. I don’t know what he would have done. He was my dad, but he wasn’t a good man. What you did was justified. But what do we tell Mom? Gramma?”

“Let me handle it.”

“What will you say?”

“He was beating on you. I came in and broke it up, he clawed me, I hit him… He ran off. Simple as that. No proof to say otherwise. We were the only ones in the room and he’s not getting back from that world. Likely… He’s not breathing at this moment.”

Jimin hesitated for a moment, letting the words sit and sink in. He nodded. “Okay. I’ll follow your lead.”

Jin rose. He kissed Jimin once more and slipped out of the room and down the hall to his own room. Jimin rose and dressed, heading to the bathroom to comb his hair. He grimaced at the bruise on his jaw, dark and angry, and wished he’d brought along makeup to cover it. He sighed a little and fixed his hair, trying all he could to draw less attention to it. He went down the stairs, met with the scent of breakfast. Quietly, he peeked into the kitchen, his heart swelling a little. His mother was laughing brightly, stirring something in a bowl. His grandmother was flattening patties of rice, nodding along to something that was said earlier. 

Jiwoong caught sight of Jimin peeking in and grinned. “Get in here, you. Come try this.” Jimin entered fully, and Jiwoong’s smile drooped, seeing his jaw. 

“So that was the noise I heard last night.”

Jimin’s own smile faded. He hung his head. “I—”

“Did he leave after?” She asked. 

“Jin—He came in hearing me shout. He was beating me with a belt,” Jimin whispered. He pushed him off and they fought and he hurt Jin but Jin… Punched him, hard. He ran off when Jin threatened the cops.”

Jiwoong sighed and then nodded. “Good. He won’t be welcome back in this house if he returns.”

“Isn’t it his? He always said…”

She chuckled. “This was never his house. Your Gramma and Grandpa purchased it for us when we decided to move.” 

Jimin’s grandmother smirked behind her. “She’s lucky I didn’t kick his abusive ass to the curb before then. Come on, let me see if I can find something for that bruise. Are you hurt anywhere else?” She asked, wiping her hands on her apron. 

“Some cuts on my back from the belt and Jin’s got a scratch on his face.”

“Alright, we’ll get those cleaned up too. Where’s your knight in shining armor.”

“Getting ready in his room, I think.”

She guided Jimin into the bathroom and settled him onto the toilet, setting about digging in some of the cupboards. 

“Is it difficult?” His grandmother asked.

“What?”

“Him not being human.”

Jimin’s stomach dropped into his bladder. “Wh—What? Who isn’t human?” He stuttered.

Jimin’s grandmother smiled knowingly. “You don’t need to pretend. I know he’s Naga.”

“How?”

“Nagas are different. They move different, sound different. I saw his scales too – across his nose. And he smells like a snake, even with his cologne. What made me confident was the tattoo… Your tentacles have scales on them, very faintly. I’m not sure why there’s tentacles, or if he really is just fond of sea life… But I know he’s not human. I also know your father didn’t leave last night.”

She tugged his shirt up. Jimin pulled it off. He swallowed hard. Tears welled in his eyes. “Gramma—”

“I won’t tell. Good riddance, in my opinion. How did he do it though? Generally after Nagas feast they are unable to change back for a while…”

“He didn’t eat him, he… Threw him. Into another dimension.”

“I didn’t know Nagas had that ability.”

“They don’t. He’s half… Monster. He was… I met him because he was haunting my room. In my new apartment. The monster in my closet… God that sounds insane.”

“I believe you. Is he okay?”

“He’s fine – He fits in perfectly. I just… How did you know?”

“When I was young… I met one of his kind. He was far less friendly, but I learned a lot. His secret is safe with me.” She began to apply ointment to the cuts on his back. 

“Thank you, Gramma.”

“Jimin?” Jin called. 

“Bathroom,” Jimin returned. 

Jin slipped in, smiling softly. “You okay?”

“I’m good. I let them know about Dad… But Gramma…” 

Jin met her gaze. “You know.”

“I do. I have for a while.”

“I thought you might… You looked at me strange the first time we met. Do you know then…”

“About what you did to that bastard my daughter married? Yes. And I thank you for it. They will both be better off. Come sit, let met fix your face.”

“Nah, I heal fast; probably by tomorrow. Thank you though. Is your daughter okay?” He asked. 

“She was so happy this morning,” Jimin commented. “Was it because Dad…”

“Yes, honestly. When that creature isn’t around, she is entirely different. You boys did good. He never would have left us alone, even in Busan. Come on, let’s get back out there to eat.”

Jimin and Jin followed her back out. Jimin walked up to his mom and hugged her tight. “We’ll be happy,” he whispered. “I know, baby. I’m sorry he hurt you.”

“It was worth it. Seeing Jin defend me…”

Jiwoong smiled softly, looking at Jin. “He’s a good boy. Sit down, eat some breakfast and then we’ll open gifts.” 

Jimin nodded and sat down next to Jin. He leaned over and kissed him gently. 

Breakfast went smoothly and without argument, but with plenty of laughter. Gifts were the same, lots of laughter and sharing. Jimin and Jin were passed a few of the gifts belonging to Sungmin, and if Jimin was being honest with himself… His presence was not missed even a little. He’d never seen his mother smile or laugh so much, and he felt free and able to be himself for the first time in many years in his childhood home. Instead of being eager to go home, as he usually was after family meals – Jimin found himself wishing he could stay longer. He understood what had happened; the reality of what Jin did had sunken in at this point. But he was alright with it. His mother was so much happier now, he felt happier. Though he’d lost a parent, he – and his family – had gained freedom. And it was all thanks to his soulmate.

[franklyshipping]

Careful Touches Are The Most Important ~ A Markiplier and Jacksepticeye Ego Fanfic

HERE WE HAVE A WONDERFUL ANON PROMPT WITH A CACOPHONY OF CHARACTERS, AND THOUGH IT GETS EMOTIONAL, IT’S ALL BE HAPPY IN THE END! LET’S DO THIS!

TAGGING: @anti-switch-glitch @ericleederekson @ericlee-derekson and @darkipli-ler

Allow me to state something to you that is completely indisputable: Eric Derekson deserved all the love in the damned world. I can think of no-one kinder, sweeter, or more selfless than this gentle gentleman. He was the definition of manners, and spontaneous acts of kindness, of innocent affection and a heart of pure, warm gold. That’s why it’s especially terrible, that this man suffers. It’s no secret that Eric hasn’t had the best experiences, with the loss of his siblings and mother thus leaving him in the “care” of his father. Affection stopped being a thing in Eric’s life at that point, and the way Eric perceived things he used to like changed drastically too. Affectionate things he used to like, like tickling for instance, were ruined by his father intermingling it with “character-building rough-housing”.

So even now that Eric was living with the rest of the egos rather than his father, all that stuff still stayed with him. Even when his heart ached when he saw his friends tickling each other, he couldn’t muster up the courage to try and join in, out of pure fear. He knew none of the egos would ever hurt him, since they all told him every day that they loved him to pieces, but that fear still remained. Like now. Eric had been wandering about the manor looking for company, when he’d heard some very loud squealing coming from somewhere, so of course he set off to find the source. When he found it, he smiled affectionately. In Dark’s study, Dark had Anti pinned down on his front on the rug and was tickling the hell out of his ribs, making the wild septic thrash and squeal and glitch as he laughed his head off.

‘FAHAHAHACK NOHOHO MOHOHORE!!’

Eric blushed at seeing Dark chuckle, before he let up and stood, allowing Anti to giggle residually and curl up on the rug like a slightly feral cat.

‘You should know by now that’s what happens when you mess with my things, glitch bitch.’

‘Bihihite me ehemo boy!’

Dark snickered and rolled his eyes, smoothing down his suit jacket, but then Eric very much felt like a deer in headlights. Dark had spotted him. The charismatic man smiled in surprise at seeing Eric loitering at his doorway, and immediately beckoned to him.

‘Eric? What a nice surprise, I’ve just finished teaching Anti a little lesson.’

Eric smiled a little, and held back a giggle when Anti blew a raspberry in the air up at Dark, making the suave man roll his eyes, before smiling to Eric again.

‘Please, come in, what brings you to my office?’

Eric smiled lightly, shuffling over the threshold as he replied.

‘I-I ah, I just heard the squealing and stuff, I-I wanted to see if e-everything was okay…’

Both Dark and Anti’s expressions softened with fondness, Eric’s sweet, loving heart never ceased to amaze them both. Dark replied to him with a grin.

‘Everything is quite alright Eric, I assure you. I was merely giving Anti what he deserved.’

Dark smirked to Anti, who glared back playfully at him as he retorted.

‘After what you just did, you’d better watch your back Darky.’

‘Ahaaww, it’s adorable how you think I could ever be intimidated by someone as ticklish as you, Glitchy.’

Anti admittedly did blush a little at Dark’s chuckly purr, before settling for sticking his tongue out at him. The whole thing made Eric smile because of how playful and sweet it was, and especially because it was coming from the two people who were often quite intimidating. Then, Anti caught Eric smiling, and his curiosity reared its head now as he gave his attention to the meek man.

‘Hey Eric….ya wouldn’t happen to be ticklish, would ya? Ya look like the kinda guy who’d be ticklish.’

Now Eric was blushing. Initially he felt a little twinge of happy flusteredness at the teasy question….however, as always, that soon diminished in favour of a far less pleasant feeling. Crippling anxiety hit him as his memories of tickling re-surfaced in his mind, thus making him bow his head, and reply quietly and shakily.

‘I-I am….b-but uhm…..i-it doesn’t make me f-feel great. M-My dad used to t-tickle me, but I always ended up u-uhm….n-not being able to breathe, and being achy all over. My dad sort of….did it t-to test my stamina r-rather than to play….’

Dark and Anti’s faces both went slack then, for they were both beyond enraged. It’s the kind if rage that’s so intense that it just makes you go all cold inside, and Dark and Anti felt sickened that Eric’s father had fucked up one of the most fun experiences in the world. They shared a look with each other, and silently agreed that they weren’t going to stand for this. Anti got to his feet as Dark took a step towards Eric, speaking gently.

‘I’m sure you know this Eric….but that is so far away from what tickling is meant to be like. It’s meant to take away pain and stress and anxiety, not cause such horrid feelings.’

As Dark spoke, Eric fidgeted with his fingers and handkerchief, nodding shakily before replying in his wavy voice.

‘I-I kn-know, a-and I w-wish I f-felt that way…..b-but I don’t know how….’

It was true, Eric truly wanted to be able to enjoy tickling, because he saw how happy it made others and he wanted to experience that too….but he had no idea how to even make the first step, or what the first step would even be. Luckily, he wasn’t alone. Meanwhile, Dark and Anti were repressing their natural urge to teleport away to find whatever hovel Eric’s father was in and completely destroy him. Eric was the priority here, and they were going to keep their focus on him. Dark was speechless, unsure of what exactly to say, but Anti luckily had an idea.

‘We….we could help ya. We could help ya feel better about it. If we were gentle with ya, just eased ya into the feelings super gently….d’ya think you’d be up for that?’

Anti’s voice was tentative and careful, which Dark found admirable, along with the idea itself, before he looked at Eric curiously to see what he’d say. Eric nibbled his lip nervously at the suggestion….but he knew what he wanted. He wanted to be happy, and he could see in Dark and Anti’s faces that that’s what they wanted for him too. He took a breath, and then another, and then another….then he replied.

‘Uhm….w-well…..I-I do trust you b-both…..you p-promise you’d be careful, a-and stop if I said s-stop?’

Anti smiled and immediately nodded, and Dark smiled affectionately to Eric as he spoke.

‘We promise. Contrary to popular belief, we can be very gentle. Especially Anti here, you should see how he babies little Robbie.’

Dark commented playfully, which made Eric smile, especially when Anti gave Dark’s shoulder a shove as he retorts indignantly.

‘Oh says you! You’d think you were secretly a monochrome Google with how much you baby Oliver!’

Dark and Anti now found themselves glaring at each other, honestly, the banter never stopped with these two! Until, that is, when Eric let out a giggle at their antics. That snapped them to attention. Dark and Anti looked to him, and Eric smiled bashfully when Dark purred.

‘Now that’s a sweet little sound….I’d rather like to hear it again, what about you Anti?’

‘Ooohhh yes please! Whaddaya say Eric? Ya want us to make ya giggle for a little while?’

Eric’s face got pinker at their teasiness and eagerness, and he bashfully nodded to them.

‘Y-Yeah….yeah I-I’d like that.’

They both grinned, and Dark offered Eric his arm as Anti giggled and rubbed his hands together excitedly.

‘Excellent. Now, let’s get you somewhere nice and comfy.’

Eric smiled, and linked arms with Dark as Anti bounded ahead of them both, and they decided they would head to Dark’s room since it had a King size comfy bed which would give all three of them plenty of room. They ended up all lying on it together, with Eric in the middle of the two s-called “intimidating” egos. Eric’s arms were folded across his tummy, and he was playing with his handkerchief only a little because of the comfiness of the bed making him feel more relaxed. Eric smiled at Dark and Anti gratefully, and as he did so the latter grinned and spoke in a teasy whisper.

‘Hey Eric….are you blushing?’

Eric averted his gaze, his smile widening adorably as he mumbled.

‘…..y-yeah….’

Anti giggled, damn Eric was cute. Then Dark grinned, and made Eric hum contentedly as he stroked one of his cheeks affectionately.

‘Are you already flustered Eric? Because you know that we’re going to tease you and make you our giggly darling?’

Eric giggled and wordlessly nodded, hiding his face in his handkerchief already. Anti and Dark shared a fond look, before Dark trailed his fingers down to Eric’s neck, tracing the skin with his blunt nails as he crooned.

‘Now tell me Eric, does this tickle?’

Eric gasped in surprise at the initial feeling. It was so soft, and yet it still tickled….and it was perfect. Eric’s arms were free, he could move, he could breathe….and he could giggle and actually enjoy the tickly feeling. He nodded sweetly, still hiding his face.

‘Y-Yehes!’

Dark smiled happily, and Anti smirked as he cooed softly in Eric’s ear.

‘Do you like it?’

Eric softly squeaked as Dark’s fingernails trailed up and down his neck, giving him sweet goose-bumps as he stuttered happily.

‘I-Ihihihi d-dohoho….’

Dark and Anti grinned happily, and Dark kept up his tickling as Anti decided to lean into the free side of Eric’s neck. Eric gasped when he felt Anti start to nuzzle against his skin as he mumbled playfully.

‘You’re so waaarmmm….’

Eric giggled even more now, but everything was still so gentle and enjoyable for the sweet, sensitive guy. Eric whined though, because Anti’s teasy was so flustery for him.

‘A-Ahahahantihihiiii sh-shuhuhuush….’

Anti giggled at the whine, and Dark chuckled and mused.

‘Oh Eric, the day Antisepticeye goes quiet is the day hell freezes over.’

Eric snorted, and Anti promptly flipped Dark off so he could carry on nuzzling into the crook of Eric’s neck. This made Dark chuckle again, and muse in a deeper, teasier voice.

‘Wow, you must be especially warm and nuzzlable if Anti won’t even take the time to retort to me…..I think I should investigate this myself.’

Uh oh. Eric soon found himself yipping, wriggling, and letting out streams of gentle squeaks as Dark now nuzzled his neck too. Both of them were gentle in their nuzzling, letting their scruffy beards do most of the work as Eric whined again cutely.

‘Y-Yohohohour b-beheheards a-ahare tihihickly!’

They both snickered, and Dark replied matter-of-factly.

‘That is rather the point, frankly its tickling prowess is the only reason I tolerate my beard.’

Anti let out a laugh as Eric continued to giggle his happy heart out. The pair of them kept nuzzling his neck for a few more moments, before deciding to let up, lean up and look down at Eric. They wanted to take the utmost care with the sweet man, and Anti grinned affectionately as Eric’s giggles carefully wound down.

‘How’re ya doin so far down there?’

Eric now tentatively moved his hands away from his face, and his ticklers thought they were going to combust in adoration at the sight of the bright blush and wide smile on his face as Eric replied.

‘G-Gohohood….y-you’re both uhum….r-really g-good ahat this…’

Anti beamed proudly, and Dark smirked and tapped the tip of Eric’s nose as he replied.

‘We do aim to please.’

Eric giggled at that, but then ended up gulping when Anti leant down towards him, and purred playfully.

‘Hey Eric….I noticed that you’ve got a tummy.’

Eric sucked in his tummy reflexively as he mumbled.

‘…..m-mhmm….’

Anti giggled at his reaction, before cooing.

‘I really reeeally wanna tickle it….you okay with that?’

Eric gulped again, but out of excited anticipation rather than anxiety. So he nodded with a sweet smile as his tummy started to tremble.

‘Y-YeahI’mokaywiththat….’

Anti gave Eric a soft kiss on the cheek as Dark crooned gently.

‘You are too cute for words, we should have done this so much sooner.’

Eric smiled bashfully at how tender they were both being, before his premature giggles started as his two tender ticklers shifted down to his tummy. Dark and Anti pushed up his t-shirt together, making him cover his mouth as he watched them smirk at the sight of his bare tummy, all ready to be tickled. Dark hummed happily as he placed one of his palms on Eric’s stomach, whilst Anti purred.

‘So soft and pretty….and I think it’s very, very ticklish.’

‘Oh I agree, we haven’t even begun and our little Eric is oh so giggly.’

Dark crooned, and Eric whined through his giggles; he couldn’t help it, he was just so flustered!

‘Ihi cahan’t help ihit!’

Dark and Anti chuckled fondly, before deciding thee had been enough suspense. Eric let out a delighted squeal as Dark and Anti used a hand each to softly scratch over his tummy. Eric’s giggles were high-pitched and more intense, but he was still incredibly happy, which Anti and Dark happily noticed.

‘Ahaaaww you sound like you really like thiiiis!’

Anti cooed, and by this point Eric’s hands were flapping in the air as he replied.

‘I-Ihihihit reheheally reheheheheally tihihihickles!!!’

His ticklers chuckled at that, still scratching away at his belly as Dark now cooed.

‘So your tummy’s quite the tickle spot? I like that, you can tickle a tummy in sooo many ways….’

Anti grinned at Dark then, because he always admired how fucking amazing Dark was a teasing, and the glitch giggled fondly when Eric squealed. Dark had decided to growl, lean down, and rub his bristly beard against Eric’s belly.

‘EEK! N-Nahahat the beheheheard!’

Eric squeaked adorably. Eric had never felt anything more tickly than Dark’s beard before, but he really liked it, there were so many bristles and they just tickled so much of his tummy all at once! Dark chuckled into Eric’s tummy, purring happily.

‘Ohohooo what a perfect, soft belly, Anti you really must have a feel.’

‘Don’t mind if I do!’

Eric’s eyes widened at Anti’s giddy reply, and before he knew it he was letting out a myriad of snorts and squeals as BOTH his ticklers now used their bristly beards against his belly. They were nuzzling him just like how they’d both nuzzled his neck, making him jump and tremble with ticklish delight as he sweetly babbled.

‘N-Nahahaha nahahat fahahahair! Y-Yohohou c-cahahan’t bohohoth nuhuhuzzle!’

They both snickered at that, and Anti whined playfully into his skin.

‘But you’re too perfect to resiiiist, ya can’t expect either of us to wait our turn! That wouldn’t be fair!’

Eric giggled harder, still flapping his hands about giddily as he exclaimed.

‘D-Dohohon’t t-t-teheheeease!!!’

Anti giggled with him, grinning brightly as his eyes gleamed teasingly.

‘Awww, can’t you handle it?’

Eric could only whine in response, his flustered embarrassment really reaching its peak. Then though, as Dark moved his nuzzling down to Eric’s waistline, the man bucked with a yelp and called out.

‘A-AH! NAHATTHERESTAHP!’

Anti and Dark immediately reared up and stopped, and Eric gasped and soon relaxed with a happy smile in place….because they’d both stopped when he’d asked them to. They’d kept their promise, and despite the happiness the tickling provided…..this was actually the most important part of the whole thing. Anti and Dark watched Eric patiently, smiling at him as they watched how he seemed to remain happy….and their smiles spread into grins of proper relief when Eric spoke softly to them.

‘Thahank y-you….’

The two of them immediately crawled back up to be either side of him. Eric let out a happy hum when Anti curled up into his side to snuggle him, whilst Dark gently stroked his hair.

‘You are very welcome Eric. We’re always going to be here to make you happy, whenever you need us to.’

Eric beamed, and replied through a cute yawn.

‘Thank you…..maybe next time I’ll last longer….’

Dark grinned at that, and as he draped his arm over Eric and they both closed their eyes, he heard Anti sleepily mumble.

‘That’s the spirit….’

The three of them then napped together, and none of them had felt safer or happier in their entire lives. Because I can guarantee you, that no matter the situation or hurt or pain or damage….you will always feel safest when you are not alone.

WOOOO HOPE YOU ALL LIKED THIS FIC LEMME KNOW IF YA DID WOOOOO LUV YOUS XX

[ofwolvesandbutterflies]

flaneur

Pairing: Lee Donghyuck x Reader

Genre: fluff

Tags: prince!haechan, baker!reader

Warnings: nothing severe, just jealous haechannie, unedited

day 29 of 30 days with NCT

Synopsis: in which the youngest prince hates his older brothers, his responsibilities, his title... everything except his late night chats with you. 

// only the best things define what you mean to me // (x)

--

[22:23]

“I hate Jeno. Like, Mark is okay and Taeyong’s okay, too… But it’s Jeno that I really can’t stand,” the youngest of the four princes in your kingdom groaned, pausing in his chewing to stuff another piece of some of your freshly baked bread into his mouth. “God, how is your bread so good?” An amused smirk quirked up on your lips when he released a satisfied groan. “I’m serious, Y/N. Why don’t you work in the palace? This is so much better than the stale buns they serve with every meal.” 

Crimson flames reached higher in the furnace behind you, casting a fiery color all over the walls, effectively hiding your rose colored cheeks. Every time since the first time he showed, Donghyuck never failed to compliment your baked creations. And every time since the first time, his compliments never failed to send your heartbeat racing towards the same unwarranted speed. “I’m flattered you think so,” came quietly from your lips as you pulled the dough out of the rising bowl. 

“No, I know so, Y/N. You have got to be the best baker in the kingdom.” A heavy set of dark brown eyes settled over your figure as you worked, punching the excess air out of the sticky mixture. While most times, you weren’t one to enjoy people’s gaze on you while you worked, the young prince was different. There was a strange glint of excitement in his deep irises, fascinated with the way your hands went about forming what was soon to be a loaf of bread. The self conscious smile on your lips grew. 

“But anyways, Jeno.” A terrifying scowl marred his previously pouting lips and the way the youngest prince said his brother’s name, so heavy with bitterness and distaste… it almost made you want to dislike the male as well. You shook the thoughts out of your mind and refocused back on the task at hand. You didn’t even know the guy. “My gosh, he’s the only thing I ever hear my parents talking about. At every social event it will always be, ‘ooh, duchess of x, y, and z, count of pizza or something... may I introduce you to my son, Prince Jeno? Yes, yes, he’s awfully handsome with his stupid, perfect hair and his stupid, straight nose that never broke in a riding accident-” 

“A riding accident?” A startled gasp left your lips and you nearly dropped the piece of dough you had been rolling out. “Are you alright? Was that why I didn’t see you for a fortnight last month?” 

For a brief moment, all the disgust covering his face melted into embarrassment when the nobleman realized his slip up. “N-not important,” he stuttered, waving the topic away just like that. You narrowed your eyes at your friend, taking note of the light dusting of pink covering his cheeks. 

“A-anyways,” he cleared his throat, swallowing another bite of bread. “Back to Jeno - oh man, this bread is beyond heavenly. I should really bring some home and make like a secret stash somewhere in my wing - all I’ll ever hear at any meal, at every meeting, every passing within a good 10 feet within my parents is, ‘Jeno won that fencing tournament’ or ‘Jeno has been learning Latin and French. Won’t you say something for us, darling? With that annoying accent you make’... it’s always ‘Jeno this’, ‘Jeno that’, and the occasional ‘Prince Donghyuck, why can’t you do the things your older brother does? That would improve your public image, don’t you think?” The rage in his eyes burned brighter than the fire in the oven and Donghyuck chomped down unnecessarily hard on the last bit of bread in front of him. 

You knew the life of a prince was nowhere near perfect. From what you had heard from the youngest prince, it was anything but. As a civilian, at least you were allowed your privacy. Donghyuck didn’t even have that. That was the reason, he admitted within the first month he began to confide in you, that he snuck out of the palace to visit you so often. That and that fact he appreciated the way you looked, concentrated, at peace, and breathtaking the way you sat and listened without any judgement. With your lips locked and dough rounded into rolls, you set them aside to rise again as you took a seat across from your regular visitor. 

“Like okay,” Donghyuck sighed, resting his chin in his hands. “Taeyong’s married and out in his wife’s kingdom most of the year and we just heard they’re expecting. Like ‘whooo’ great… another unfortunate child stuck in the position of royalty.” 

You frowned at this. It was no secret the youngest prince hated his title, at least not to you anymore. He hated the responsibilities that came with being in line for the throne, he hated the publicity, he hated the favoritism and the constant heavy eye of criticism. All you could do was rest a gentle hand on his forearm as he continued. “Mark is at the frontlines with the rest of the soldiers because he’s the only one my dad trusted with all the militia. That, and I think his fiancee got caught cheating with her bodyguard. So it’s been just me and Jeno for a while now. But he doesn’t even try to get along with me! Like every chance he gets, he’ll rub in all his accomplishments and how mother likes him better… It’s- it’s both mortifying to be related to someone who, for one, has never tasted your bread-” the two of you shared a laugh. “-and two, doesn’t know when to be humble. Like, okay, we get it, you speak three, different languages. Well, I can say ‘fuc-” 

“Donghyuck,” you giggled, offering him one of the rolls you had made earlier this morning. “You told me you wanted to work on cursing less.” A sound of acknowledgement left his lips and he took the tasty morsel from your hands, snacking greedily on it. 

In the brief moment of silence, you took the time to admire the young man that had made your late nights preparing for the hustle and bustle of the day much more meaningful. Though not much older than you, the young prince truly had a way of making you comfortable. The women of your kingdom would gossip to each other while shopping about how handsome the princes were, and while you never took part in these silly conversations you certainly held many of the same sentiments. However… contrary to many, you personally thought the youngest prince was much more handsome than his older twin. 

While you had only ever seen Donghyuck in the dim light of the fire, what little light danced across his features was enough to bring the deepest of blushes to your face. His skin was a much richer color than his three older brothers and his eyes - when they weren’t angry - were soft and childlike. The youngest prince had a unique voice, smoother than any honey and melodic in its own accord. His smile and his laugh was infectious, never failing to spark joy within you. And, while you had only heard of the physical well-being of his older brothers, Donghyuck was lean and muscular, much more skilled than the average commoner in the arts of self defense and swordsmanship. The wistful sigh floated gently from your tired lips. 

Oh yes, the youngest prince was the most handsome out of the four.

“Y/N?” his voice brought you out of your stupor and you blinked. The prince had already finished his fourth piece of bread that evening. “You’re staring, again. What were you thinking about?”

“Nothing,” you hummed airily, rolling up your sleeves to check on the rising dough. He paused in his loud chewing to shoot you a playful glare. You knew that he knew that you weren’t telling the full truth, but still you shrugged. “Just that you’re much too kind to deserve the indigestion you’ll get in the morning from eating all this bread.”

“Oh, hush,” he snorted, rolling his eyes. “I’ve never gotten indigestion from eating /your/ bread. The bread from the palace, perhaps. But never your bread. I think I’ll be okay if I eat another-”

You smacked his outstretched hand away from the basket of day old bread off to the side. “Don’t you dare, your highness. Those are for the poor and hungry.” A childish pout appeared on his lips but he retracted his hands.

“Fine.” After another few minutes of drawing mindless doodles in the scattered flour on the table, Donghyuck looked up again. “Oh right, Y/N. I wanted to ask you something before I head home for the evening.”

“Anything, my prince.” 

It seemed the young prince wrestled for a good, long moment with his thoughts as a lovely fuchsia dusted his cheeks… until finally, “I’ve been thinking about you a lot more and I was just... I wanted to know wh-what, like what would it take for me to convince you to come bake for me in the castle?” 

--

a/n: thank youu for being patient~