#curiosity: do you sneeze when you go into the sun

[savetheghost]

fuckin sobbing

achoo

[swannposting]

Jack (on a side adventure with Lizzie?) comes across some supernatural thing that even he isn't about to fuck around and find out about. Something insane like a wardrobe being guarded on a ship and he opens it and snow comes out.

♡ Hi, anon! Thank you dearly for this prompt. I had a great deal of fun playing with this today. ♡ -> askbox is open for prompts whenever

“We never should have sailed north of the Carolinas, Lizzie.” 

Shivering like a wet dog, Jack trudges along a rocky beach at the heels of his Captain. He rubs at his elbows for warmth and lets out an ostentatious sneeze. 

“You know I hate the cold,” he grumbles, his voice thick and snotty, “And the clouds. Where’s the sun? Feels like me bollocks are goin’ to freeze off…”

“Keep that up.” Elizabeth taps at the compass cradled delicately in her palm. She pauses, squinting at the twitching needle, and Jack catches up beside her.

“Huh?” 

“You are being thoroughly annoying,” she informs him, “It’s stopping the compass from getting distracted by you.” 

“Hm. Well, you’re welcome. Can we leave now?” 

Her eyes roll irritably in his direction and she just walks onward, leaving him stewing in his bad mood. Jack stumbles on the unfamiliar terrain as he hurries after her. 

“Do you truly think there will be something of value here?” he says, following her around the corner of a cliffside, “Seems like this rock is entirely devoid of anything shiny.” 

“The compass seems to think so,” she replies, “I suspect it’s got something to do with the chalices. I’ve been wanting them terribly.” 

“Compass doesn’t work like that.”

“Sure it does,” she says matter-of-factly, “When one learns to get a handle on one’s own desires, she can be incredibly responsive.”

Jack scoffs, unwilling to believe that Elizabeth could have mastered the compass that has been his uncertain guide all his life. They continue along the base of one of the myriad of cliffsides found in the scattered islands north of the British Isles until they come across a break in the rock formation. It is almost like a staircase of stone. It isn’t man made, but it looks simple enough to scale. 

“Allow me, dearie,” Jack offers, stepping forward to take the lead as they climb. 

“No, you stay behind me,” orders Captain Swann, hopping gracefully up onto the first ledge. 

Of course, he should have known. If he is to take the lead, Elizabeth will be unable to discern if the compass is leading her to the treasure they seek, or in circles, following her dear old Jack. That gives him something to grin wickedly about as they ascend into the cliffside. Distracted by his own celebratory musings, he walks right into Elizabeth. They have reached the top of the cliff, where the ground is patchy with grass, and their anchored ship is visible in the distance. The captain has halted to look out at what they’ve found. 

“Huh. A shortcut?”

Elizabeth approaches a large opening in the ground. She kneels at the edge and peers down, then takes a pebble and drops it into the pit. It sinks with a whistle of air, and a splash echoes upward. 

“You aren’t actually thinking about going down there, are you?” asks Jack from where he stands at a safer distance. 

“I was considering sending you down there.” 

“Contrary to popular belief, I do not enjoy exploring massive, unfamiliar holes.”         

Still, he cannot help his curiosity, and he steps forward to peer down as well. 

“This must be the cave that they spoke of,” Elizabeth says thoughtfully, “You can hear the tide within. Seems like the compass just took us on the most direct route.” 

As she contemplates the sea cave below, Jack is suddenly spurred by a spirit of mischief. He does not mean to push Elizabeth into the pit, really. When he jolts her shoulders, he is only trying to give her a lighthearted scare, perhaps providing more of that helpful annoyance she asked for. But she startles, and slips, and the fragile earth beneath them crumbles at the edges. Gasping, she grasps at his coat as she falls, dragging him down into the abyss with her. Their shrieks shatter the silence of the cave, surely alerting anything that dwells there of their presence before they splash into the water below. 

The water there is dark emerald, illuminated by what Jack first thinks are some kind of gemstones. Until the gemstones move, and he realizes that the glow comes from the eyes of several creatures swirling past him underwater. Bubbles escape his mouth in a silent shout. He swims upward at top speed.

“Selkies!” he cries as he breaks the surface. Treading water, he spins about, searching for Elizabeth. 

“I know!” Elizabeth calls back. Jack spots her a ways away, being guided to a dark shore within the cave by a large seal. “They’re nice!” 

“No, they are not!” Jack splutters through his breaststrokes as he makes for shore, “They’re like mermaids, ‘Lizbeth. They’ll trick you!” 

But she pays no heed to his warning, and ends up on the ebony sands just before he does. Several of her new selkie friends follow, and as they emerge from the water, their seal skin transforms into pale, naked, human forms. Their eyes, huge like saucers and darker than the Black Pearl, lock with Elizabeth’s inquisitive gaze. He hears her whisper, “Beautiful…”  as she extends a hand to one of them. 

If Jack was cold before, he is positively turning to ice now. Drenched from head to toe, Jack wobbles to his feet and hurries to Elizabeth, tugging her away from the spell of the selkies. They hiss at him, exposing razor sharp teeth. Elizabeth yelps. Dozens of selkies within the water and on the shore all begin to circle the small strip of land upon which they stand, shivering with cold. 

“Do you think they are guarding that?”  

Elizabeth points further back in the cave. It seems that a bit of sunlight has broken the cloud cover and now shines through a small opening in the roof of the cave. The sliver of light reveals the remnants of a ship, wrecked and run aground. 

“Lovely observation, Lizzie dear,” says Jack, checking that his sword is still strapped to his belt, “Now what do you say we leave them to their duty, shall we?” 

Instinctively, they side-step until they are back to back, ready to draw their weapons and defend one another should the selkies use their teeth for more than just an unfriendly hiss. 

“No!” Elizabeth protests in a near whisper, “I want to see what’s in there.” 

“I expect more things that would love nothing more than to kill intruders such as you and I.” 

“We don’t know that! They could be nice.” 

“You almost became dinner for these things a moment ago.” 

Jack groans, covering his eyes for fear of the sekies’ spell. He hears movement beside him and peeks between his fingers to see that Elizabeth is boldly approaching the creatures. As fond as he is for his darling captain, he considers making a break for it and leaving her to sort out her own questionable decisions. 

“Hello!” greets Elizabeth, cheerily as she can muster to conceal the fear that Jack sees in her shaky smile. She gives a wave and holds up both hands in a sign of peaceful surrender. “Lovely to meet you all! And thank you very much for helping me to shore. I am Elizabeth Swann, Pirate Lord of the South China Seas and King of the Brethren Court.”

The selkies exchange looks and start to whisper among themselves in an unfamiliar tongue. Elizabeth casts a nervous glance at Jack, who is becoming very distracted by the terrifying visions of beauty that surround him. Before he can run, two selkies slink out of the water and come up behind him, sliding their long, dainty arms around his shoulders. The tallest of the selkies, and perhaps the most stunning of them all, steps up to Elizabeth, who holds her ground. 

“A woman king?” inquires the selkie in a melodic voice. Briefly in awe, Elizabeth blinks a moment before answering. 

“Indeed, I am.”

“And this man here– We saw him push you into the water. Would you like us to kill him for you?” 

“That was entirely accidental!” Jack calls out, struggling against the creatures and their pointy nails, “An awful misunderstanding really! Now if you’ll just kindly call off your ladies we can—”

Elizabeth shoots him a glare and holds up a hand to silence him, then smiles sweetly at what might be the selkie clan’s leader. 

“That is very kind, but no, thank you!” 

“Oh. Is he your… consort?” 

“Yes. I- I mean– no. Not exactly. He is more like my second in command. And I would like to keep him around. I do apologize for our intrusion. I can assure you we mean no harm.” 

“A pirate that means no harm?” says the leader, tilting her head. The other selkies let out a chorus of taunting laughter that makes Jack squirm. 

“Yes,” Elizabeth insists, “We mean you no harm.” 

“In our experience, pirates are liars who befoul our homes and slaughter our children.” 

The selkie leader’s anger is palpable. Elizabeth takes one step back, shuddering as a cold wind blows through the sea cave. 

“Those pirates are not our allies,” says Elizabeth, choosing her words carefully, “And I will make certain that any pirate who lives by the Code of my Brethren shall never harm you, or any of your children...” 

Jack winces. That sort of grandiose promise does not sound like something that could be easily enforced. But perhaps these are just words. Perhaps Elizabeth has seen sense and, like him, wants to get as far away from these isles as—

“...All I ask is to be permitted onto that ship you guard.” 

Bugger. Jack drags a hand down his face and groans again. If he ends up gnawed to death by a gorgeous seal-lady, he swears he will have a nasty message for William when the Dutchman comes to retrieve his soul. 

“That  ship?” The selkie leader inclines her head toward the back of the cave. Elizabeth nods. 

“I believe there might be something there that I am seeking. That is all we have come here for.” 

A disarming smile graces the selkie’s face, and her red lips stretch over teeth like sharpened pearls. She advances on Elizabeth, and Jack holds his breath, fearing that he is about to watch the gruesome demise of someone quite dear to him. Instead, the creature takes Elizabeth’s face in both her hands. 

“You are a very interesting Pirate King indeed. Have you been blessed by the sea?” 

Elizabeth’s lips part and her eyelashes flutter. It might be magic that has her entranced, or she might just be enraptured by this supernatural beauty. Jack can barely hear her say, 

“In a way, I am married to the sea.”

Her response pleases the leader, who touches her lips to Elizabeth’s forehead. 

“Then you have our blessing as well.” 

As the selkie leader draws back, Jack sees that Elizabeth’s face is bright pink, either from the cold, or that blessing. She and the selkie leader share a saccharine smile that Jack does not understand in the slightest. 

“Whatever it is that you seek is none of our concern. That ship is all that remains of a crew of men who failed to defeat us. We do not guard it. It is yours to explore.” 

And that is that. The leader calls off her fellow selkies, who retreat into the water and into the darkened corners of the cave. Jack scurries after Elizabeth, who heads straight for the shipwreck after graciously thanking the selkies. Together they shimmy up a splintering column of wood and nearly collapse onto the first deck they reach, which seems to be a captain’s quarters.

“Well, that was—”

“What the fuck  did you do that for?” hisses Elizabeth, her teeth chattering now, “We were lucky enough that they d-didn’t kill us, but our wet clothes may very well s-send us to our graves!”

With trembling hands, she opens up the compass again. She gives it a shake and lets out an exasperated sigh. 

“It’s spinning like mad now. What I w-want m-most in this world is t-to get warm!” 

Jack wraps her hands in his and rubs them together. When that fails to generate any real warmth, he gently takes back his compass and she hugs herself. 

“Let me try…”

Though it wouldn’t surprise him if the compass’s needle pointed him in the direction of the equator. He told  her that he hated going north, and for good reason. Jack rises to his feet and starts to pace the dusty old cabin. The needle settles and he turns to where it points. 

“Ah! How about this for a heart’s desire!” 

He stands before a large wardrobe, and to his delight, it is unlocked. Some sort of clothing must be inside, he hopes. Anything dry would do them good for now. However, something strange seems to emanate from the knobs. He hears Elizabeth come up behind him as he tugs open the doors. He expects the wardrobe to be full of dust. What tumbles out is a shock, to say the least. Heaps of powdery snow avalanche out onto his boots, and a cloud of the stuff goes fluttering outward as though an icy winter wind has been released from the depths of the wardrobe. He turns to Elizabeth, his dreads and facial hair covered in snowflakes. 

“Captain Swann?” 

“Yes?” 

“May I suggest we get the hell out of here?” 

Blinking away snow from her lashes, Elizabeth nods fervently. Jack steps back, kicking ice and snow from his boots, and something catches his eye. 

“Oh…? What’s this?” 

The cold bites at his bare hand as he stoops to reach into the heap. There, glinting beneath this bizarre indoor snowfall, is one of the two silver Chalices of Cartagena. Precisely what they have been searching for. He hands it to Elizabeth for her to marvel at. Then he snaps his compass shut and kisses it gratefully.

“Incredibly responsive. Seems this blasted thing knew where she was taking us after all!”

[trashboatprince]

I would love to read something about your seamonster wives au, maybe them having a nice beach date?

Yay! I get to write for the wives! :D

Warning: mild transformation mentioned (so Crowley can look more human from her normal form)

On with the fic!

--

Crowley was excited about today. Aziraphale had told her that she had a special surprise for her and to meet her when the sun was at its highest, which she said was noon.

All morning Crowley had swam close to their little patch of the beach, where only they really occupied, and waited rather impatiently for her angel. Crowley loved when Aziraphale had things for her, and she had spent hours trying to figure out what it could be. She ran out of ideas a while ago and was now fretting, swimming in circles to try and burn off the feeling.

Then her ear fins fluttered, catching the sound of someone humming, approaching. It was Aziraphale, it had to be!

Crowley grinned and slipped under the water, making her way to the shore. She felt the shifting of her scales along her torso and arms, shifting and changing to appear more like human flesh, minus a few patches.

Her skull shifted, taking on a much more human appearance, her nose coming in made her sneeze, hard, and she threw her head back, breaching the water. She snarled and shook her head, water spraying everywhere. She felt more human, tapping down her face and looking at her hands. Yep, human-y, even though she still sported her long tail. That required more effort, and a bit of human blood, but none of that today.

She looked at the shore, seeing Aziraphale was there, setting down something on the sand and rocks, her humming continuing. Aziraphale hadn't noticed Crowley yet and this made her grin as she swam closer.

"Angel!" She shouted once she was close enough and Aziraphale let out a squeal, turning sharply.

"Crowley! You scared the living daylight out of me!" Aziraphale tutted, putting a hand on her chest, but Crowley grinned, deciding not to apologize as she rolled onto her back, looking up at her human.

"Surprise?" She asked, holding up her hands, making grabbing motions. Aziraphale huffed, but then smiled as she stepped closer, standing above her now. Crowley's grabbing hands took a hold of Aziraphale's long skirts, giving a small tug.

"What do we say when we want something, dear?"

Crowley blinked. "Now?"

"No."

"Please!" She grinned, showing her inhuman teeth.

This made Aziraphale smile more. "There we go. I have your surprise." She gestured to the shore, where a large square of cloth, made of many different colors and patterns, laid on the ground. A basket was sat on it and Crowley flipped herself on her stomach, crawling over and looked at the set up with curiosity.

It took her a moment to register what this all was. She had seen humans do these sorts of things over the years, and Aziraphale a few times. "A picnic? For my surprise?" She asked, making excited clicks in her throat.

Golden eyes followed Aziraphale as the human sat herself down, adjusting the large hat she was wearing today. "Yes, your surprise is a picnic date!" She said as she reached out, tapping Crowley's nose.

The chirps were loud and there were sharp, delighted whistles coming from Crowley, for someone's sake, she sounded like a bloody dolphin, but she didn't care! Her tails flat end slapped the water a few times before she pulled herself to sit right next to Aziraphale.

She excitedly reached for the basket and started to dig into it, hearing Aziraphale laugh as she pulled out dried meats. Her happy noises were louder now as she pulled out more treats, like cheeses and little chocolate things, and what looked to be a cake of some sort! Oh, it smelled odd, kind of spicy, she bet it would be delicious.

And there was wine! Crowley bit down on the cork and yanked it right out with her teeth, spitting it out, and almost took a drink until Aziraphale gently took it from her. Crowley watched as her angel removed two glasses from the basket and poured the tasty liquid into them, then held out one to Crowley.

Crowley happily took it and did what she had seen humans do before, tap the glass against Aziraphale's. This earned her a happy, pretty laugh from her favorite human, and Crowley preened, then took a long drink.

"Lots of tasty eats." She said, looking at what she pulled out. Her English was getting better, she might need to steal more words, but she liked learning from Aziraphale.

"Oh yes, I prepared the basket with what I knew you enjoyed! The cake is a spice cake, and I think you'll enjoy it. I made it this morning, frosting and all!"

Crowley didn't know what frosting was, but Aziraphale had made her a cake, and she couldn't wait to devour it. But dessert was for after the meal, and she had lots of delicious looking things to sample, especially what she knew was dried fish!

She picked up a rolled, flatted piece and devoured it with delight. She ate two more pieces before turning to Aziraphale, kissing her cheek. "Mmmm, good surprise, love dates with my angel."

Aziraphale's plump cheeks were turning red and Crowley grinned, kissing them a few more times as Aziraphale laughed, then she returned to trying out the treats from the basket.

--

Crowley's favorite human foods are cured meats and sweets, especially baked sweets.

And wine.

But that she learned to greatly enjoy from offerings back in The Old Days.

[misslisamiray]

Took me a little longer to get this chapter up than originally planned, but here's Chapter 4 of Down With the Rickness!

Newest chapter is also up on FanFiction dot net and Ao3, and I will share those links shortly.

Beth was sitting in her car outside St. Equine’s. It was still dark, but the sun was now beginning to rise. She checked the time on her phone. 5:45 A.M. With a sigh, she drank some of the extra large coffee she was holding.

“At least the sunrise is pretty. Not pretty enough to be up this fucking early, but pretty just the same. I wonder what’s going on at home. How Dad’s doing. By now, that transforming sickness must have cycled through at least a few more diseases. Morty’s there to take care of him. Oh, and Jerry too, of course. And Dad’s as tough as they come. I’m sure they’re fine. Still, I wish I knew more about these things.” Beth said to herself.

After a few seconds of thinking and a bit more coffee, something occurred to her, and she corrected herself, “Wait, maybe I know more about this than I think.” She grabbed her phone again and quickly dialed a familiar number.

“Hello?” Space Beth answered instantly.

“Hi. Hope I didn’t wake you. It’s stupid early here, and I have no idea if it is where you are, too, but we have a bit of a situation here on Earth.” Beth began to explain.

“Situation as in alien invasion? Situation as in Dad woke up some monster that’s been sleeping beneath the planet’s surface for a few centuries? Other? I need details. What happened, and how is it Dad’s fault?” Space Beth inquired. She was in her space station apartment orbiting Earth, and was studying a wall of weapons, ready to choose the correct ones for whatever mission her other self was about to describe.

“Actually, he didn’t do anything, per se. He’s sick, and he says it’s nothing to worry about, but I can’t help thinking that means I should worry more.”

“I wouldn’t. The way that man gets around, it’s doubtful this is his first intergalactic STD. He’s probably only even mentioning it to brag. And if that’s not it, then I assume he’s just more hungover than usual.” Space Beth scoffed.

In spite of herself, Domestic Beth laughed a little before replying, “No, it’s not that. Well, maybe a little of the second one, but that’s not the main issue. What do you know about Gloppydropian Mimicking Disease?” Space Beth raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

“I know that if Dad’s telling you that’s what he’s sick with, he’s lying to you.” she answered flatly.

“What?! How can you be so sure of that?”

“1, it doesn’t exist anymore. Dad, well not our Dad, but you know, a version of him – eradicated it almost 20 years ago. 2, even if it were still around, humans were never one of the species it was contagious to.” Space Beth explained. She then asked, “Out of curiosity, what kind of symptoms was he trying to blame on *Snort!* Mimicking Disease?” She was clearly amused by the situation.

“Well, all I noticed was a lot of sneezing and a nasty cough, like he has a bad cold…because that is exactly what he has, isn’t it?” Beth facepalmed as she came to that realization. Her badass sci-fi counterpart burst out laughing.

“Just to clarify, are you laughing at him, or at me for believing him?” Beth asked.

After taking a few more seconds to get herself under control, Space Beth answered, “A little of both. Naivete is not normally a quality I admire, but it’s cute on you. Mostly, I am laughing at Dad thinking he could pass off a cold as Gloppydropian Mimicking Disease.” She barely held back another wave of laughter.

“Seriously, what was his plan with that, and how did he expect to explain when the symptoms never changed? Why is he faking having an alien disease it is literally impossible for him to have, to hide having a cold?”

“I do not have answers to any of those questions. I do know Summer was onto him, and that’s why Dad sent her off with a huge list of errands like… going to Space Walmart.” Beth answered, wishing her coffee were wine instead. Space Beth had started laughing hysterically again.

Once she’d recovered her composure, she asked, “You want any help?”

“When I thought this might be something serious, yes. Now that I know without a doubt that it isn’t, I don’t want to waste your time. Dad, Jerry and Morty can handle this on their own for the day.” Beth replied.

“I wasn’t planning to drop everything and run to Earth to bring Dad chicken soup. But maybe Summer could use a hand with that errand list? You said it was long. I’m not doing anything today. If I go split the list with her, she’ll get home to keep an eye on the guys faster.” Space Beth offered. Earth Beth nodded appreciatively.

Back on Earth, Morty was walking back to Rick’s room, announcing, “Good news, bad news time. Good news is, I found a thermometer, and this almost full bottle of cold medicine. The bad news is, it’s expired by like, two years. But the internet says it’s still safe to take. It just maybe won’t work quite as well. Or it might work too well, whatever that’s supposed to mean? People on this one website were arguing about it, and it got pretty heated. I guess people really will be assholes to each other over anything online, huh? Then there was this one guy just screaming in all caps about how viruses aren’t real in the first place…”

Morty’s rambling cut off as soon as he saw Rick. Now dressed in only his boxers and a stained tanktop, he was sitting in the middle of the bed, two blankets wrapped haphazardly around him. He was currently taking a blood sample from his left arm. There was a microscope in his lap, and he was surrounded by petri dishes and empty vials.

“For fuck’s sake. Rick, what do you think you’re doing?” Morty asked, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

“I had an idea while you were gone, Morty! If I shrink you down and inject you into my bloodstream, you can negotiate some kind of peace treaty with the virus. Or just, y’know, nuke it. Obviously I’ll *Achoo!* send you in armed to the teeth.” Rick exclaimed.

“What?! Rick, no. I’m not doing that.”

“I figured you’d say that. Truth be told, I like the nuclear option best. It’d be quicker and more effective. But I admit, it might hurt a little more than I’m willing to deal with today. So, fine. Negotiation it is. *COUGH!* Obviously, I’ll have to make the germs sentient first. Otherwise, what good is talking to them going to do, right? That is going to add some time, but it should only be a few extra minutes.” Rick continued to rant. He removed the blood sample needle from his arm and emptied the contents into one of the petri dishes.

“No! You said yourself you can’t think straight when you’re sick, and this proves it! Making your cold germs sentient so you can inject me into your bloodstream to talk them into leaving you alone? Do you hear yourself, Rick? Of all the cornball, low budget sci-fi TV show ideas… It’d be different if you were like, dying and that was the only way to save you. But we’re not doing all that over a cold! You’re gonna take some medicine and go to sleep until it’s time to take more, and, ummm, whatever else normal people do when they’re sick. Got it?”

Rick looked back and forth between his grandson and the project in front of him a few times, thinking it over. Finally, with an exaggerated sigh, he grabbed his portal gun and used it to send the microscope and other equipment back to the garage.

“Fine! We’ll do this your way, Morty. *COUGH!* But I still say my way would be cooler.” he reluctantly agreed, scowling at Morty. He wrapped the blankets tighter around himself and pulled his knees up to his chest.

"That's more like it. Okay, Rick. Here you go." Morty sighed. He carefully filled the medicine's accompanying measuring cup to the top line and tried to hand it to Rick.

"I don't want it." Rick grumbled, waving it away.

"Seriously?! Why not?" Morty asked, exasperated.

"It looks gross. I'm too stuffed up to tell, but it probably smells gross, too. And I know it's gonna taste like shit. So no, I don't want it." Rick explained, stubbornly turning his head. Morty barely held back a scream.

"Are you kidding me?! I thought it was gonna be something about this stuff being inferior to anything you'd make, so you were like, insulted by it. But it's just that? Of course it's gonna taste bad. Doesn't all medicine? Just swallow it quick and get it over with." He held the cup in front of Rick, who shook his head and continued refusing to take it.

"Of course this would be the one thing in the whole damn universe you won't drink. Rick, come on! It's for your own good. Stop acting like a 4 year old and take it!" Morty argued, climbing onto the bed and shoving the small cup in front of Rick's face. Rick opened his mouth to argue further, which Morty took advantage of by quickly pouring the medicine in before the old man could react.

Furious, the second he'd swallowed it down, Rick began sputtering, "Ugh, that's even worse than I thought it would be! *Cough! Cough!*  What the hell, Morty?! Not cool! You can't force strange liquids down people's throats like that!"

"You think I enjoyed any part of that?! And don't be so dramatic - alI I did was make you take some cold medicine. Also, there's no way that's the most disgusting thing you've ever swallowed." Morty pointed out.

"Well, if nothing else, I can't argue that part. Still, that shit is foul. Yuck." Rick complained, still looking disgusted. He grabbed his flask and took a swig to wash away the taste. Morty considered saying something about that not being a great idea, but quickly decided it was a losing battle he wasn't interested in.

Instead, he said, “See. That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Rick just glared at him again, so Morty continued, “I’m sorry it’s gross. But that medicine should help you feel better. And that’s what we’re trying to do, right, buddy? Get you back on your feet.” An indignant shrug and sniffle was all he got in response.

“You uh, you need anything, Rick? If you’re good and just gonna sleep, I might *YAWN!* go back to bed, too. Or I can hang out here if you want.”

Rick thought it over before saying, “Morty, g-give me that medicine bottle.” Morty handed it to him, figuring Rick wanted to read the ingredients, maybe get a sample to synthesize more. Or see for himself just how expired it was. After giving the bottle a quick once-over, Rick proceeded to chug the rest of the contents.

“Rick, no! What the hell?! You can’t do that! Stop!” Morty yelled, trying to take the bottle back. Of course, it was already empty at this point.

“First you want me to take this disgusting medicine, now you don’t want me to take it? *ACHOO!* Make up your mind, Morty! I’m in no mood to try and decipher mixed signals today.” Rick snapped, shivering badly. He was still cold even with the two blankets, and the medicine did taste absolutely terrible. He quickly drank the rest of what was in his flask to get rid of the taste. Morty’s look of horror and disapproval increased.

“Not like that, Rick! You’re not supposed to take it all at once! It’s dangerous! Aw geez, do we know the number for Poison Control? That cannot be good for you, and… what am I saying? If anyone else pulled a stunt like that, they’d definitely need to go to the hospital. But it’s you, so it’s fine. Probably.” Morty answered, going from panicked to weary as he thought about the situation and who he was dealing with. Rick just shrugged, clearly not sharing Morty’s concerns.

[platinumrosetail]

Yandere shadowpeach dbk freenoodles sliktea Lbd and spider Queen traffic light trio x Godzilla fem child reader

Like she is Godzilla baby and some how get egg is knocked into LMK world and her egg is found by the chouple and the most responsible ( definitely not sun )

Find it and take it home and keep it warm or something and basically never leave it side and when we hatch or like a little humanoid baby Godzilla and when we sneeze and did our first war we spit out certain color flames ( like for sun golden flame or purple green for dbk that kind of thing and black and pink for shadowpeach)

And they take care of us and also making

Another Godzilla character? Alright! Though I’ll need to do some research for Godzilla like how I did with the x mothra!reader. Probably should of done it when I was making that one but I figured that I would forget by the time I get done with it and move on to this one.

Warning: noob author, female child reader, platonic yandere characters, dark theme, and others.

Characters: shadowpeach, dbk family, FreeNoodles, waterspider/silktea, lbd, spider queen, traffic light trio (redson, mei, and mk).

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

Shadowpeach:

Macaque is the one who had found you though it was almost difficult since your egg was in the shadow and considering how your egg shell was dark and could blend in shaded areas it was hard to find it if he was in human form but good thing he had his senses to tell where you’re at.

There was a thunderstorm yesterday and he was scouting the area for possible injured monkeys but found you in a shade surrounded by debris; the monkeys were fine but it was kinda odd to see a egg laying around and no possible signs of either living or dead parent figures, so he decided to take care of you for the time being and see if he can’t find your parents.

When sun first saw the egg, he at first thought it was a rock that was going to be used for something or some kind of geode and macaque would use the crystals to make matching jewelry for the two; though he was shocked to be told that it was an egg that macaque had found when he was making his rounds to see if every monkey was alright and no one was injured, which no one was injured thankfully.

They soon took care of you while you were still in your egg; reminded sun about how he was born from a rock, they made sure to get the necessities to take care of you when you hatched and the things to keep you nice and warm while still in the egg.

When you hatched it was through another thunderstorm, not as bad as the one you arrived and was found after but still bad enough to cause lightning to strike near them and vibrate through the earth’s wall maybe even carrying voltage directly to your egg none of them knowing that the storm was caused by you being ready to hatch.

(I don’t think this is how Godzilla or any of his possible offspring was born but it’s something right? And I guess you could say that I took some of the reference from the dragon prince when zym was born too.)

When you hatched they noticed how you sparked small bursts of lightning every so often which shocks and make their hair frizz up like if you would rubbing a balloon on your hair creating static reaction with it. They each make sure you don’t get to cranky or sad unless they want lightning going everywhere; they also notice on how you seem to have small bib like spikes that will grow as you do along with a spiky, but not as spiky now than it will be in the future, tail.

Dbk family:

You had appear in a portal literally made from lighting while still in your egg at the dinning table when they were eating they food that dbk made for dinner for his family. They didn’t know what you would be after you hatched but decided to keep you to find out what you are than to give you away and never figure out what you are and plus there curiosity and need for a new member to the family.

Redson mostly took care of you as he knows more about the biology of eggs from the animals that do lay eggs; and so he can be the first you see when you hatch, he also wanted to figure out what your species could be by taking samples from parts of the egg dna and go from there.

Pif didn’t really know what to do as she never took care of anything that was from an egg so she along with her son study those books about it together, she even went and got her old parental books from when she was having redson.

Dbk as well didn’t know what to do but stay near you in case something happened like kidnapping or possibly you hatching or even getting a crack in your egg by any bull clones who watches you while they go about finishing their work so they can spend more time with you.

They somehow had a epic black out and made them check on you first thing after making sure all three of them were alright; apparently you were what caused the black out with how you hatched from your egg and had created a lighting surge that malfunctioned the electricity in their home and around it.

They soon found out that you were a human like amphibian that can walk on both two legs and four legs and like with how you both appeared and hatched you seem you have electricity abilities that makes you go rouge and do what usually is Called nowadays zoomies.

(I tried seeing if I could find what species Godzilla was to use as reference but all I got was prehistoric monster so I just based it off from how Godzilla looks with how it looks like a lizard/dragon.)

You mostly eat meat but dbk somehow hidden those vegetables in your meat as to make sure you be healthy but when you found out about that you became skeptical of the things he put on your plate but still ate anyway since you become hungry just by looking at the food.

Freenoodles:

Tang was the one to have found you, he had found you when it was raining and storming outside on his way home from the grocery store after getting ingredients for his husband shop.

Pigsy was both shocked and weird out with how big the egg is and was worried on how big it’s going to be when it’s hatches.

They buy things to keep the egg warm and for when you do finally hatch out of the egg, though they may have gone overboard but that’s because they didn’t know what size you would be for the clothes and diapers; I mean, you could be small and was born into a big egg, or be medium, or big like the egg, so they decided to go the precaution route and get as much sizes of the stuff they can; not at the same time but at different times when they know they can spend that money for it, after all your a new family member and they want you to be as comfortable as possible.

Tang is the one mostly checking on you since he has a good bit of free time but on occasions pigsy and mk is able to get off work early and take care of you with him, sometimes mk would bring the others to spend time with you as well.

When you did hatch you apparently shocked and frizz up everyone’s hair as electricity surrounded the egg you’re in before it cracked open revealing you; a small lizard amphibian like human with your eyes closed napping on the multiple cushions and blankets that surrounds your egg.

Tang educates you on knowledge while Pigsy educates you on culinary knowledge. Those classes made you smarter and skillful in many genres as you grew to learn about them.

You mostly don’t go out much as you get the same feeling you get when you’re hungry and ready for food, which is another good excuse to keep you close with them.

Waterspider/silktea:

He found you when your egg had fallen into the sky and into the ocean water near his boat, he soon went after you as to save you from drowning even before you hatched.

He got you onto his boat and quickly warped anything that could keep you warm and cozy so you could hatch and not die from the cold waters of the ocean. Later he showed huntsman and that escalated to them adopting you and since he somewhat cared for the other egg minions of the late spiderqueen before he knows a good thing or two to make sure the egg is healthy.

His cats sniff your egg out of curiosity (lol) before getting used to you being there and snuggling up to your egg shell also keeping you warm.

The cats are the first ones to sense that you’re about to hatch plus with the fact that some cracks that had appeared glowing blue before your egg shells burst in a small distance and few electrical current carry out in the inside of the boat and made all the cats fur puff up.

You would eat everything he and huntsman get and make for you, one time you almost ate a cat if it weren’t for Mo stopping you and scolding you that you can’t and shouldn’t do that anymore.

When you learned to swim that’s basically all you wanted to do when you don’t have anything to do other than sun bathing and that gets boring in no time so swimming it is.

Sandy is glad that you’ll be able to tire yourself out by doing that and would join you as well; huntsman really get into the water that much with y’all unless the two of you pester him enough and even then he’ll only use a float to stay on some sort of land and just puts his hand in the water to feel the water and to stir the float.

Lbd:

(This is a new one.)

The not mayor had found you and brought to his lady to see what they should do with it since it’s not like any egg he has seen; maybe his lady would know what animal could lay and hatch this egg.

When lbd see her servant showing her the egg he had found she was quite interested and at first would keep it to use to build her world and destroy the current one that is thriving now.

But that would change soon as she soon liked caring for the egg and not even let mayor take care of it only guarding the egg and make sure it was protected.

When you had finally hatched it was before she made herself fully known to mk and his group, along with sun wukong. You had the egg surrounded by lighting and so she wasn’t able to get close as it seem your lighting had sticked and hurt her so much even if she’s a demon.

She would make sure that this world would be perfect for you to be raised in and if anyone goes against her or get to you to use against her she would severely make sure they never do it again and get the most horrific consequences.

The mayor made sure to take care of you and protected you from harm plus stealing some snack food for you to eat on if asked cause he’s the mayor! But would bring you with him or leave you with his lady just to make sure your curiosity don’t get to you and you run off.

Lbd makes sure that you were never seen when she began tricking the spider group and was satisfied when they were dealt with. She was also glad that she had sun wukong under control when that happened and made sure that both mayor and sun was guarding you when she couldn’t be with you and guard you in her own way.

Spiderqueen:

At first she thought you were some type of spider that she didn’t know of when her minions brought the egg you were in to her; she didn’t really care about species you were but was glad that they had brought you to her so she can have a heir for her to guide and raise.

She had syntax and huntsman take care of you since they most likely know how to make sure you’re healthy and would be able to hatch safely with know accidents while strong spider guard you when the others and her couldn’t at the moment.

She would knit you clothes from her web and make sure it’s just a blanket at the moment as she doesn’t know what you could be but do get carried away and make other clothing for you even if you wouldn’t be able to fit it.

You had created a lot of electricity when you decided it was time to hatch; destroying some of syntax computers and some of the minion eggs that spiderqueen has around the lair.

This made her even more overprotective considering how powerful you would grow up to be by just witnessing your hatching creating so much damage to her lair.

She would spend all her time with you, wether it’s to spend time with her new daughter and heir or to talk about strategy to through off this ‘sun wukong’ you don’t know of, and even if she explains what strategy she would use you still wouldn’t get it but love how you’re included and get to spend time with you mama.

With the others you mostly nip at them; strong spider mostly since he can take the amount of strength you have in your jaws at the moment, but he knows that he soon wouldn’t as you grown into a bigger and stronger being. Syntax takes care of you and make sure you have the education you need to properly rule next to your mother but doesn’t like how close you always seem to get with chewing the wires to his stuff. Huntsman will make sure that you’re fed and clean along with other stuff when spiderqueen and the others aren’t available to help take care of you, he even took you to his boyfriend for you to meet, which lead to you almost eating one of Sandy’s cats, which you apologized in your own little way with the help of huntsman who also apologized as well for the trouble.

Nezha:

When he found it was when he was able to finally take a break from guarding the map; which isn’t that much of a long break but he does cherish it and make sure to use it wisely, he found you in one of the gardens that he visits usually when he does take a break, this time with a surprise for him.

He was at a lost to see what appears to be a dragon egg almost and decided to go to the jade emperor.

That didn’t help much as the jade emperor had only said ask around if any dragon had lost a egg by accident and if no one did and it’s not claim then to either take care of it himself or bring it to the human realm and let one of the mortals take care of it.

When you did hatch it was while he was guarding the map which he was glad that it has a protective spell around it because it seem that electricity surrounds you and make you float in the air making the current of electricity go below where you had been laying before this happened.

The first thing you see when you hatched was a female with pink aesthetic and now declared her as your mama. When you were able to speak you started to call him mama which made him scold you saying that he wasn’t your mother or father but you kept on insisting that he ended up caving in just to keep you from making a fuss.

He tries to make sure you don’t cause to much trouble for anybody, or even leave his sight cause when you go missing disaster usually strikes; quite literally with how you have electricity abilities, and the fact that you get into all sorts of trouble when he isn’t looking sort of remind him on a certain monkey king.

He makes sure to educate you on the things you need to know and make sure to train you on your abilities while keeping you close to him as to not get kidnapped and used for the powers you have been birth with and to make sure you don’t cause as much chaos as you would have if he didn’t keep his eye on you.

Traffic light trio:

Redson is the one who had found you and was showing the egg to his significant others; mk and mei. He was wondering if maybe one of them could tell him what you could be because when he researched nothing came up.

When mk and mei saw what their mboyfriend had they grew both worried and happy; worried for what happened to the parents and happy to possibly found a new species before anyone else than the three and to make a new friend that they would take care of.

They made sure to keep the egg warm and cozy along with making sure you stay safe; they decided to use redson’s home as a base to take care of you since he has and can build all the things you might need. Mei made sure to get the comfortable and cozy blanket for you to use while you’re in the egg and for when you hatched. Mk loves to talk to you and tell you all the exciting things that the four of you would do when you hatch even if you can’t hear him yet.

When you hatched it didn’t really fazed them as much as it would when they would be before defeating lbd but they were amazed at the light show and stayed at a safe distance while eating popcorn with sunglasses, mk and mei mostly than redson.

They noticed how you are lizard like with some human features as well; and how you’re able to spark out lighting at such a young age with how you just hatched moments before, how they know is because you accidentally sparked redson which resulted in his hair frizz out and have bits of electricity weaving through his hair.

Mei would get you toys while redson would help with your health and education as you grow older, mk would spend time with you when the other two couldn’t and when they other two want special time with you and mk.

You like anything really but have to eat your vegetables which is hard for them unless they hide it cause you like your meat, though you sometimes catch bugs and eat them when they either go out to the city or to the garden mei and redson have which lead to a check up to make sure you’re alright and won’t get sick; you apparently have the capability to eat bugs like a lizard which is a good thing to know but also weirded out a little when you do decide to eat bugs, but quickly got over it.

(A/n: I hoped y’all liked it!! This has a bit more characters than I’m used to but I’m glad I was able to do it! Anyway like I said in the beginning hope y’all like it and have a wonderful day/evening/night!!😁)

(I had to quickly add the traffic light trio when I posted this as I had forgotten 😅😂🤣)

[josjournal]

Permanent Marks (Full Moon Ficlet #509 - Cup)

Written for @fullmoonficlet

Derek sat with a book on his lap. He kept his eyes on the page but ears and mind on the commotion behind him. He knew Stiles was up to something when he saw the door to the storage closet on the second floor open and a trail of glitter leading into the - as he discovered - locked library. Derek had knocked on the door, and Stiles told him to go away.

Shrugging, he’d sat on the floor outside the room with the book he’d already finished reading the night before, hence why he’d been heading into the library. He’d heard a couple of crashes and curses, and the smell of spray adhesive snuck under the door, and Derek’s interest was definitely peaked, but he was not going to give in to his curiosity. He would wait until Stiles came out that door and told him what he was doing.

Derek snorted. Who was he kidding? Rolling over onto his stomach, he pressed his cheek to the floor and tried to see under the door, but all he could make out were shadows that told him nothing. Frowning, he pushed himself to stand, leaving the book on the floor. He walked down the stairs and out the front door.

Walking around the house, he looked at the library window, using a hand to shade his eyes. The curtains were drawn on all the windows. His lips twisted into a grin. Stiles knew him too well. He decided distraction would be better than sitting around waiting, so he stripped down, shifted, and ran off into the woods.

The sun was setting when Derek reached the stream along the property's edge. He lapped at the cool water before turning around to head back toward the house, stopping when he saw Stiles coming through the woods, a bright smile on his face.

“There you are!” Stiles said when he reached him, sitting down on the ground and cupping Derek’s furry face in his hands. “When I found your book on the floor, I had a moment of panic. I thought maybe you’d been spelled and were running around 18th-century London or revolutionary Paris.”

Derek snorted and licked the tip of Stiles’ nose. “Then, as I was opening the curtains in the library, I spotted your clothes and figured you’d come to the stream for a drink.” Stiles moved and cupped his hands, bringing some of the water to his mouth. Derek bumped his hands, making the water spill before he could take a sip. “Yeah, I know, bugs and stuff, but you drink it.”

Derek snarled, showing his teeth. “Yeah, I know, the big bad wolf can’t get sick,” Stiles muttered. “Speaking of the big bad wolf,” he said, pulling out a bag Derek hadn’t noticed before. “Happy birthday!”

Derek’s birthday wasn’t until December, six months away. As he thought about it, exactly six months away. “Well, half-birthday, but you never get to celebrate much, sharing with Christmas and everything.”

Shaking his head, Derek shifted back and took the bag from Stiles. Glitter floated to the ground from where Stiles had covered the sides of the bag in gold glitter hearts. A bunch of it came off on Derek’s fingers, and he knew he’d find glitter in places it shouldn’t be for months to come. If Stiles didn’t look so proud of himself, he’d slap him with the bag.

Digging through the tissue paper, Derek’s hand hit plastic. Derek wrapped his hand around the strange object, and his senses were overwhelmed by spray paint and glue. Sneezing, he pulled out the gift and gaped at the golden…Derek wasn’t sure what he was holding.

“What?” His eyes spotted black block writing on the base that read, World’s Best. Trailing his eyes up, he took in the golden wolf sitting on what appeared to be stacked plastic plates and goblets. Squinting, he recognized the wolf as one Stiles had picked up at the flea market the previous week, but it had been an ungodly orange color then and was now shining gold like the rest of the - “It’s a trophy?” Stiles beamed. “You made this.”

“I sure did. I found some stuff online and thought it would at least make you laugh,” Stiles said. “I know you didn’t want any gifts, but I figured one that made you laugh would be alright.”

“You didn’t finish it,” Derek said, pointing to the writing.

“Well, you are the world’s best.” Derek made a face. “I couldn’t finish it until you answered one question for me."

Derek tilted his head, seeing Stiles’ lips quirk up into a smile, and he could hear the dog joke coming but didn’t try to stop him. Instead, Stiles moved to kneel in front of Derek, bringing their faces level and using one hand to cup his cheek while the other held up a silver and black ring with a howling wolf engraved into it.

“I wasn’t planning to do this while you were naked, but Derek Sebastian Hale, will you agree to put up with me for the rest of our lives and be my husband?”

“You’re an idiot,” Derek said, holding his hand out for the ring.

“So that’s a yes?” Stiles asked, laughing as he slid the ring onto Derek’s finger.

“That’s a write ‘fiancé’ on that cup, and let's go back to the house and celebrate,” Derek said, howling playfully, pulling Stiles to his feet.Stiles pulled a sharpie out of his back pocket, sticking the cap in his teeth and pulling to open it. Derek held the trophy while Stiles wrote fiancé next to the other words. Derek yanked the cap out of Stiles’ mouth and threw it over his shoulder before pulling Stiles into a kiss. He could feel the pen against his skin and didn’t even care. A lifetime with the man he loved was worth a few permanent marks.

Cross-posted to AO3

[toiletwipes]

and i'd give up forever to touch you

chapter eight. saturday, wait.

Summary: Will is waking up and smelling the roses, coming to grip and accepting that you're a huge comfort to him, though you seem to be in the middle of your own silent debacle.

ao3. ~1.7k. masterlist.

---

he wasn’t awake but he wasn’t asleep. in that middle part where it’s a floating feeling, as if you’re being lowered back into your bed after a night of flying dreams. not that he dreamt of flying, most dreams were incoherent and oftentimes, forgotten.

but he comes to as he tunes into the sounds of the waking world. a radio playing in the background, dishes clattering amongst other things, a soft voice humming, and feet shuffling against the wooden floorboards. and rolling in the soft, warm blanket, he finds himself reaching out beside him, looking for something, or someone, as his arm meets an almost cold space. as if someone had been long gone. taking a sniff, he doesn’t recognize the smell on the blankets or pillows and he begrudgingly opens the first eye, twitching till both of them are open fully.

it’s your bedroom, and the light is peaking in through the corner but your door is closed, as if someone had closed it after leaving him alone.

closing his eyes, he takes the moment to just cherish the way his bones melt in your mattress, sinking into the welcomed feeling.

and as the moment slows down and time seems to stop, he hears the front door slam and rosie’s voice echoing against the walls. “you won’t believe the shit that i had to go through this morning, guys.” guys? his curiosity peaked and then, as he looked the camera on your dresser in the eye and then the one tucked by the clutter in the corner, he decides he has to get up.

it was just the three of them when they got home- when they got here, wasn’t it? they hadn’t picked anyone else up, you were exhausted by the time you two entered the dorm.

had rosie invited someone over in the time you were gone? or, seeing as she just arrived, had she invited someone before she left? questions running through his head without so much as an answer for any of them, he tries to leave your bed before he’s shackled to the damn mattress with doubt.

tripping over his own shoes, he fumbles with getting a hold on anything before breathing heavily, and attempting to control it.

when he feels like he’s failed, he kicks the shoes away from him and out of the way, feet scuffling against the floor as he pulls the door open slowly, as if he didn’t want to be discovered leaving the room.

also failed at that.

“morning, will, you’re just in time for breakfast!” you cut off whatever rosie was ranting about, smiling at him as you wash some dishes from cooking whatever it was. seemed to be eggs and sausage and the bag of questionables rosie was holding in her tight hold, anger unknowingly festering.

rosie absently pulls out a chair next to him and waves him a hello.

he wants to tell his heart not to go wild at her actions but it’s already racing ahead, sitting himself next to the one girl he wants and tries to pay attention. and then someone sneezes behind him.

twisting his neck, he finds jared from the other day, curled under the thinnest blanket they had available, and his hair fashionably disheveled. not unlike how most actors wake up in a movie, he notes, as he turns back around with a wave of his own, acknowledging him.

jared. when did he get here?

“-so i’m telling this woman, who by the way has a tattoo of that baby from cloudy with a chance of meatballs on her wrist, you can’t just eat in here, this is the dressing room. and she has the audacity to tell me i’m not an employee so i don’t “have any authority” well, you should’ve seen her face when i brought the manager back there. they almost called the police because she was refusing to stop eating there. you should’ve seen it.” rosie finishes her story up as you begin to serve everyone, saving yourself for last as you lean against the counter, watching the two seated with careful eyes.

will swallows the first bite down with relative ease, and so do the bites that follow, eyes taking glances to rosie, who’s looking at her phone. and when he finishes, he moves to go wash it, ending up next to you, and you, you’re not even bothered, shoving an elbow in between his ribs as you give me a playful smile.

“hey, jared, don’t forget, we have to go pick up your mother!” rosie turns around to remind said college student, who groans and turns to smush his face into the couch, as if the couch absorbing him will save him from such a horror.

“why did she have to come visit now? it’s been barely a month!” will blinks, has it really? he turns to you as if asking you will confirm it, but you seem just as taken aback. both of you seemed to have lost time, but rosie seems confident in her time.

“yes, now get ready, i won’t wait for you, i do have to stream today,” she tells him as she swings off the seat, grabbing one of his surprisingly toned arms, and yanking on it.

he immediately whines, rubbing at his shoulder as he tried to bat her away, but she’s getting him on his feet, pushing him towards her room as she rolled her eyes. grabbing her keys, she tossed a hand up, waving as she passed them by, “i’ll be right back.”

silence sits for a few minutes as you two process what happened. and then he feels a burning gaze he doesn’t know if he wants to meet.

will swallows down something, not any of the egg or sausage, and turns to your prodding eyes, almost as if you’re looking for something inside of him, not particularly at him.

then pulling back, and turning around to wash your own dish, you bite your lips as if you mean to say something. but you end up putting your dish up and then turn to him with a smile he didn’t recognize, asking him if he didn’t mind doing homework with you.

and, well, he was in the same boat, but he didn’t exactly have his computer.

“my, my uh laptop is back at home, but otherwise i wouldn’t mind!” he answers, mind too scrambled from rosie next to him that he doesn’t know if they make any sense, and you nod.

“did you want to pick it up or did you want to be dropped off, or we could also go somewhere else entirely, just- it’s too early for me to make decisions,” you smile as you walk over to the couch, slipping some slippers on as he almost follows you, brain still ticking at a slow speed.

but he ends up making a decision, and as much as it’s a bad one, he can’t help but want to be back in his home and you make it yours like you’ve done everywhere you’ve been.

rubbing his palms as he thinks on it make him realize how sweaty they’ve gotten, so he pats them on his pants as he begins to speak, “well- what if we did our work at my place? i mean it would be much easier to do so, don’t you think?” he says, as if you were planning to decline his kind offer.

it lifts the edges of your eyes in your smile a little as you accept, moving past him with a mumbled sorry as you head back to your room, pulling out a backpack from behind the door. you grin as he gets his shoes, and as you two descend the stairs, you pass rosie and he notices the distinct smell on her and the smile she gives you two is different from the one five minutes ago.

“without me?” you joke as you call from the bottom of the second floor and she only laughs, and he knows. after all, it wasn’t that unfamiliar of a smell.

and then you’re running down the steps to the bottom floor and happily striding to your car, unlocking it and giving him a sliver of your smile, of your happiness.

though you don't see it getting in the car, he smiles to himself.

“to your apartment?” you say as you tuck your backpack in the back seat and he nods, leaning into the seat as you peeled out of the lot, turning the radio on as the sun slowly makes its way up into the sky.

the time passes by fast enough that he finds himself wondering if he had any trash in there as he was unlocking the door. it turns out not that dirty and you immediately sit yourself on the couch, pulling out your computer and asking for the wifi password.

and getting his laptop was the easy part. it’s taking the seat beside you, angling his body sideways as his laptop sits on his lap, unsure what will happen. he had closed it on the footage of you. with the sound on.

trying to breathe a regular amount, he opens it and immediately hits the mute button, watching as the screen lights up with the mute on and the image of your bedroom with rumpled blankets on them. just how you left them.

exiting the program, he pulls his classes up and internally screams at how much his professors hate him. and the time slips you two, typing fills the room and when it hits noon and you put your computer to the side, you ask where the bathroom is.

the real mess is in his room and he wonders if it's too much to ask to drive you to piss elsewhere, and that’s when he abandons all thoughts and just leads you through his bedroom, apologizing for the mess, and thanking whoever is in charge that it wasn’t as bad as he remembered.

sitting on his bed with his hands in his pockets, he wonders how much longer he’ll be glued to his computer till the workload diminishes completely when you open the door. you wipe your wet hands on the cloth on the sink counter when you turn completely to him.

“hey, will, can i ask you something?” you speak, and though you sound out of the blue, like you didn’t know that you were speaking yourself until you heard your voice, he nods, watching you and feeling like nothing bad could happen right now.

you were probably going to say that you’ve clogged the toilet with a huge shit, or something-

“do you like rosie?”

holy shit.

...

taglist: @fxnxtical @ghostburlovebot @ollie-overscore @marinaloveswomen @roygbivvie @beehive-syst3m @boiled-onionrings @mayempress @bringm3th3n1rvana @yui-san0 @comonlokbut2 @lurkey-lurker

[amintyworld]

Child of The Dome (SBI Rust Server)

Platonic Wilbur Soot x Reader and Tommyinnit x Reader. We got Dadbur and Big Broinnit... It’s all about the found family, folks!

A/N: *Gets a SBI Rust fic idea* *Looks up to see its not written and no one is interested in writing it* *Realizing YOU’RE the one who can write it into existence* As a reminder, this is all RP - THE RUST SERVER HAS LORE, GUYS GALS AND NONBINARY PALS! Also, reader is gender neutral. Enjoy! - Minty

TW: Murder, Major Character Death (Kind of, they can respawn?), Religious Themes, Cult-like behavior, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Cursing, child abuse (?), shooting/gun violence, sickness. (Let me know if I need to tag anything else!)

--------------------------------

Thunder and lightning roared outside of the Dome Church as Wilbur and Tommy sat inside, continuing their sermon to a few others despite the weather conditions. Just a few hours earlier, Sofa had objected when the rain began to leak through the roof, and was promptly locked outside as punishment, which seemed to quickly quiet a few complaints from the others. “Now, my people, you shall not live in fear of the storm for the Dome will protect all who preach and live its word!” Wilbur said, standing at the podium. “Persevere and the Dome will reward you!”

Murmurs of agreement seemed to sweep through the crowd as their feet shivered - bare, wet and cold. They rose to their feet slowly as Iamty began to play the piano and they hummed along with the tune, their spirits beginning to be lifted. Water seeped into their clothes and chills ran down their spine but nonetheless they stood as Seepeekay, the known Minister, began his prepared speech over the music. Tommy walked through the aisle, holding out a basket for donations as the churchgoers threw whatever they could think to offer inside. 

Suddenly a loud knock came from the door - panicked and urgent.

Wilbur grumbled at the interruption, weaving his way through the crowd and opening the door. “Sofa, you have to relearn the Dome’s ways before you can-'' Words died on his lips as Sophie looked to Wilbur worried, a small bundle in her arms. The baby’s cries blended with the thunder and lightning from above, and Wilbur’s eyes scanned the child’s in curiosity.

“Wilbur, I found them outside near the Dome, they’re freezing cold I dunno what to-!” Wilbur’s mind whirred as it began to put the pieces together, frozen in place and not knowing exactly what to do next. Tommy rushed up next to Wilbur, asking what was going on until his gaze landed on the baby as well. “...Wilbur?”

At this, Wilbur’s body quickly snapped to attention, taking the child from Sophie and turning, closing the door shut behind him and keeping Sophie outside. The baby’s eyes glimmered in the light of the torches, their hair a matted and muddy mess padded flat in a circular shape - a dome like shape, if you will. Slowly, he raised his hand to caress the child’s cheek, a fondness beginning to grow in his heart as their cries slowed to a stop, looking up to him in wonder. A loving smile stretched across his face as he booped their nose, sending them into a fit of laughter. Wilbur’s heart couldn’t help but begin to melt at the baby’s smile. He held them close, his own body warmth beginning to warm their small freezing body.

“The storm! It’s stopping!” Pebble shouted as he looked outside, noticing the sun begin to poke through the clouds as the raindrops began to slow.

“Messiah, I believe I have witnessed a miracle today.” Wilbur called as everyone turned to look at him. “This child… this child has stopped the storm, they have stopped the storm for they are a child of the Dome itself. The Dome has spared us for helping one of its own.” Wilbur held up the baby for the congregation to see. “This baby is a miracle and a blessing, a gift of the Dome to us, a gift we must not take lightly.”

“What are we going to do with it?” Scott asked. “Can we- should we just... take them back to the Dome?”

Wilbur couldn’t help the pang of selfishness that came over him at the suggestion. “Take the child back? Slop, the great Dome does not make a mistake. It has given us great gifts and now it’s given us this baby, and you want to rid yourself of them? Shameful! We shall embrace this opportunity, this gift. We’ll make them part of our great family.” Wilbur said, going back to the podium and cradling the child close in his arms. “Since I found them, I’ll look after them.” He moved to press his forehead against the baby’s as the rest of the church looked on in interest. “I dub thee… Dirt.” Wilbur smiled as the congregation erupted in applause.

----------------------------------------

Tommy at first objected to adding another person in their already cramped house, but eventually, though he wouldn’t admit it, he became attached to the kid as the months passed. On a particular cold winter day, your crib was stationed by the fireplace, Wilbur out gathering food and supplies. Tommy had one mission and one mission only - to teach you your first swear.

“Come on, it’s not hard. Just say ‘fuck’. You can do it.” Tommy encouraged as you sat in your crib and looked at him, head tilted slightly in confusion. Your small hands reached out toward him.

“Twoh-towh!” You babbled with a smile, and Tommy’s heart melted at the nickname as he sighed fondly.

“Yeah, Tom-Tom.” He agreed, as you reached toward him, wanting to be let out as he carefully picked you up and held you in his arms. Your hands found their way into his hair as they pulled and played with it, squealing happily. “You really like my hair, don’t you?” He asked, amused until you pulled a bit too hard, making the teenager wince in pain, quickly bringing you back down to sit in his lap. “Okay, you played with my hair for a little while, can you say ‘fuck’ now?” You looked confused, moving to pick up a small pebble on the ground instead. “Dirt, I know you can do it, okay?” He moved you so you sat facing him again, and you huffed slightly at the loss of your pebble. “Say ‘fuck’. Like this: ‘ffff-uck’.” He said slower, as if that could possibly do anything to help. Your head tilted again, confused at why Tommy looked so disgruntled at his wasted efforts. He sighed in defeat, moving to put you back in your crib again.

Anger bubbled inside your chest - you didn’t want to be put back in the crib, you wanted to play. “F...FWOA!” You shouted, making Tommy’s eyes glimmer with hope.

“That’s closer, come on, you can do it, Dirt-!” He said, pausing and holding you in mid-air.

Beginning to put the pieces together, you realized that saying the word will keep you from being put back in the crib. Determined, your mind whirred as it looked to Tommy in curiosity. “Fwok…?”

“Almost there, you almost got it…” Tommy encouraged. “Say ‘fuck’.”

“Fffwok, Fuok… fuck!” You managed after a few tries, and Tommy’s eyes brightened with glee.

“Yes, Dirt. Fuck.”

“Fuck!” You repeated, smiling as Tommy once again smiled, bringing you back to the floor. “Fuck.”

The excitement of the exchange slowly made you grow tired as Tommy shifted, leaning against the wall as you began to drift off against his chest, a tiny fistful of his shirt in your hand. Snow began to fall outside, quickly turning into a snowstorm. Feeling tired and not wanting to disturb the sleeping being on his stomach, Tommy slowly began to drift off, leaning against the wall. Only an hour later Wilbur burst into the scene, firmly closing the door behind himself and carrying three large bundles of wood. He looked around, pulling off the scarf around his face and internally awwing at the sight - Big Brother Tommy, who would have thought? Tommy’s hands never moved from supporting you against his chest, worried about you falling over. Not wanting to disturb the siblings, he quietly shed his snow-covered gear, grabbing a blanket and pulling it up around Tommy’s sleeping form, ruffling his hair slightly and carefully talking you from Tommy’s grasp. Your Dad quickly settled you back in your crib, giving your forehead a soft kiss.

“Goodnight, you two.”

----------------------------------------

You slowly awoke in the warm arms of someone, outside in the snow, and your three-year-old body shivered. Where was Dad? Dad always was there, if not Tommy, so where was he? You looked up to see a hooded figure with jet black hair and blue eyes. Whoever it was, that was not Dad or Tom-Tom, and you began to cry, getting scared and wanting to see them again. Tears ran down your cheeks as the hooded teenager looked panicked. “Shh, shh… please, you’ve gotta be quiet-”

“WA-BA!” You cried, failing your body as you wailed, crying more. 

“Uh, I…” He said, not exactly knowing how to handle the situation. “It’s okay, it’s okay! I know Wilbur, I know your Dad, okay? I’m… I’m taking you right to him, just please stop crying…” He begged. Your body shivered as you sniffled, and let out a sneeze. “Dammit, I told you to stop crying…” He cursed, pulling you closer to his cloak to keep you warm. “Just hold tight, we’re almost there.”

“Wa-ba... “ You sniffed, and the teen’s face shifted into one of… guilt?

“Fucking christ Wilbur what are you doing with a kid-?!” He mumbled to himself, frustrated. “All I wanted to do was check inside and leave, but no.. of fucking course you have a kid-!” You quickly approached a large house of sorts as your captor took a deep breath in front of the door, looking down at you. “Hey, it’s okay. If it goes well, you won’t feel any pain.” He nervously smiled, before looking into your eyes as the smile quickly fell. “Don’t look at me like that, okay? It’s not exactly like I have much of a choice here. If I didn’t return with you, they’d…” He trailed off, before slightly shaking his head of thoughts, pushing the door open and stepping inside. After a few tries, he firmly pulled the door shut, carrying you closer inside and next to a small fireplace that dimly lit the room. “Guys, I’m back. I got the kid.”

Your eyes filled with fear as two figures seemingly appeared from the shadows, smiling and wide-eyed. You quickly drove your face to hide in your captor’s cloak. One with blonde hair and brown eyes reached out toward you slowly, making you retreat further into your captor’s cloaked embrace. “I can’t believe the rumors are true.” The other spoke - much shorter than the other two members, with brown hair and chocolate brown eyes, sporting a green poncho. “The famous ‘Child of the Dome’.” He turned to your cloaked captor. “Much trouble with the wall, Krinios?”

“No, that special ax you gave me worked like a charm,” Krinios replied. Your eyes were fixated on the shorter man’s, noticing how similar to Tommy he looked - they were probably the same age - but something wasn’t right with his eyes. They looked cold and inviting, the light went from where it once had brought warmth and life to the teen - different from the curious scheming brightness of Tommy’s, or how your Dad’s eyes seemed to fill with laughter and love all the time. You didn’t like any of this one bit, you wanted to be back home in Wilbur’s embrace as he’d hum a lullaby, rocking you back and forth to get you to sleep. Not in this room filled with hungry stares and eyes locked onto your body like a wolf’s.

“Come on, little one… I just want to play a game.” The blond one ushered, and you shook your head ‘no’ violently, clinging onto Krinios’s arm tightly, not daring to let go.

“What’s… what’s going on here?” The shorter one asked, gesturing to the scene. “Did they imprint on you or something?”

“Look - I dunno Tubbo,” Krinios admitted, holding up his hands in a sort of surrender. “Maybe they got sick in the cold, they were crying a lot.”

“And you didn’t stuff a sock in their mouth?” The blonde one’s eyes stared down at Krinios’s intently. “I told you we needed the little shit quiet, what if someone heard you?!”

“It’s a baby, Hycei!” Krinios snapped, and Hycei’s mouth turned into a thin line.

“Good god, you feel sympathetic for it…” The blonde groaned before snatching you up forcefully as you let out a wail, grabbing for Krinios desperately. “This is the only way to send a clear message to that freak of a cult that calls itself a church, not to mention Wilbur. We show them what happens when they decide to fuck with us. If we don’t get even now they’ll just keep thinking they can get away with doing whatever they want to us because we won’t fight back.”

“It’s an eye for an eye, Krinios - for all the times they’ve killed us, taken our stuff… they’re bullies, Krinios. Bullies that won’t stop unless we fight back, and Fort Kickass isn’t cowards. Sometimes when you’re the bad guy, Krinios, the only way to fight fire is with fire. Besides,” Tubbo asked, his lips curling in a smile as he unsheathed his knife. “You wanted to try flesh right off the bone, right?” As Tubbo came toward you, you squirmed and tried to wail before Hycei clapped a hand over your mouth to muffle your sound.

“Wait… wait wait wait!” Krinios snapped to action as he thickly swallowed, getting between you and the knife. “What if the kid’s so sick, it affects the flesh? What if we get sick from it?” Tubbo’s cold eyes shifted from his friend’s to the knife in his hand. “I think we should just give it a day or two, you know… maybe this one isn’t the one to try out the new style of flesh thing. Maybe we shouldn’t change perfection, you know what I’m saying?”

“We’ve eaten rotten flesh, I think we’ll be immune to whatever they might have.” Tubbo responded, rolling his eyes. “Don’t forget that those Dome People killed you in cold blood.”

“Aren’t we doing the same thing?” He asked, as the other two’s faces filled with irritation, getting annoyed.

“We’re surviving, Krinios. If you haven’t noticed because of our ‘reputation’ on this server I haven’t eaten in days. I’m hungry.” Hycei said coldly. “Now isn’t the time to be taking the moral high road - do you want to not starve to death?!”

As Krinios hesitated, Tubbo shoved him aside as he approached. “We don’t have time for this.” He huffed, pulling your arm roughly and looking to Hycei. “Hold ‘em still.” You became hysterical, tears flowing freely down your face in panic and wanting to be as far away from that sharp object as possible. As it pressed down and began to cut you let out a shriek in agony as blood and pain overwhelmed your senses, and you bit down on Hycei’s hand, making them retract it and nearly drop you in the process.

He looked pissed. “Why you little-!” Within seconds, pain once again blossomed in your head, your vision swimming with tears. You wanted Dad, you wanted Tom-Tom, you wanted the pain to go away… Whimpering in pain, you curled in on yourself. Your prayers seemed to be quickly answered as the door burst open with two very ticked-off family members you recognized instantly. Wilbur pointed his gun directly at Tubbo’s head as the room began to build with tension, the two leaders just staring at each other. 

“Wilbur.” Tubbo said cooly, putting his bloodied knife back in its sheath.

“Tubbo.” Wilbur growled through his teeth. “Where are they? Where’s Dirt?!”

“Oh, is that what you decided to call them?” Tubbo asked, crossing his arms. “Or did your Dome God decide on it?”

“You’ve crossed the fucking line, Tubbo.” Tommy growled, his ax at the ready. “Dirt didn’t do jack shit to you.”

“Oh, I disagree.” Tubbo spat. “Being a part of your sick cult is enough for me. Even so, you can’t blame a leader trying to feed his people, can you? That’s all this is - survival of the fittest. Getting revenge on both of you, well… that’s just a bonus.”

“You’re a sick freak.” 

“You’re a scamming cultist.” Tubbo retorted, moving to take you from Hycei’s arms. “Question is, who’s worse?”

“Wa-Ba…” You sniffled as Wilbur moved closer, before Tubbo quickly pressed his knife up against your throat.

“Not another step.” Seeing this, Tubbo pointed his gun at Tubbo’s head, though the cannibal leader seemed unphased. “Kill me and I’ll kill them as soon as the bullet leaves the muzzle.”

“Bulllshit.” Tommy angrily shouted, moving forward next to Wil.

“Do you really want to take that risk?”

Wilbur breathed as his mind whirred to try to think of some kind of solution, his gun trained on Tubbo. “Tommy, get ready.”

“What’s it gonna be, Wilbur Soot?”

Quickly, he shot Tubbo in the leg, making him fall and lose his grip on you as Tommy rushed forward, snatching you up and kicking Tubbo in the face as he tried to grab you back. Hycei, on the other hand, rushed toward Wilbur, as the two fought and eventually Wilbur shot him in the arm, then quickly turned to train his gun at Krinios who held up his hands in surrender. When Tommy saw your injuries it broke his heart as he ripped off a bit of cloth and wrapped it around your arm wound temporarily, wrapping your body in warm blankets. He dried your tears as he rushed back towards Wilbur. “It’s okay, it’s okay…”

“You got what you wanted, just leave.” Krinios begged as Wilbur’s gun stayed trained on him. Wilbur, keeping his eyes on the man in front of him, handed the gun to Tommy as Tommy handed you off to your Dad, who carefully ran his hand through your hair, bringing you close and not planning on letting you out of his arms any time soon. 

“You scared me, oh god I thought I lost you…” Wilbur whispered. “It’s okay, it’s all okay now, I’m right here, I’m right here. Shh…” Your hands gripped his shirt and you buried your face in it, feeling comforted by his familiar scent of pine and burnt oak. Your body shook with fear as Wilbur ran his hand along your back in comfort as he turned toward the door. His gentle voice turned cold as he looked toward Tommy, his gun still trained on Krinios. Anger and sadness overwhelmed his heart as he looked upon the one who took you away from him, who tried to take you to your death. Vengeance never tasted so sweet. “Kill him.”

Krinios’s eyes widened. “Wait, wait wait let’s talk about this-!”

Tommy didn’t hesitate as Krinios’s body slumped to the floor as the two made their way back toward the entrance of Fort Kickass. Tubbo sat against the wall, breathing heavily from the pain, glaring at both of them. “This isn’t over.”

“You said you wanted to feed your people, I believe I just provided you with food.” Wilbur shot behind him as he walked toward the entrance. “As for Dirt, if you so much as lay a finger on them I won’t hesitate to take all of you out for good. I wonder who will revive you then.” His eyes glanced over the cannibal leader, making sure Tubbo knew he wasn’t bluffing. “Goodbye, Tubbo.”

[theravencawsatmidnight]

A Gift For The Engineer💚

Pt three

Tags. @weird-and-unusual @shy-ginger-in-the-graveyard @angeli-fucking-cat @needs-serotonin @iwasjustablur

The noise from the vent was still coming up making you shudder in your raggy clothes. What the hell was down there? And where were you? One minute you were hiking in the woods and the next..-

“SHUT YOUR FUCKING HOLE!!!!” a loud voice from in the vent startled you enough to make you fall out of your chair surprising the Lycan. He sniffed you, nudging your side checking to make sure you were okay and lightly nibbling at your shaking tail.

“Im.. im ok..” you assured the confused Lycan as you moved the hair from his face. “Your.. very nice..”

“Rr..!!” the Lycan scooted closer to lean on you sighing deep as if he was content. He was not a really roughed up Lycan; hsi chest was deep blue grey with some gashes but nothing too bad. Big alert eyes , some teeth missing and ripped pants that looked more like shorts. You pulled the overcoat close around yourself again sighing low. “Where am i …” you asked yourself. The Lycan flopped into your lap and the hat fell off your head. You picked it up looking at it, rubbing out the edges and dirt from it. “I guess.. “ you reached down to scratch the Lycans ear. “Monsters are real?”

“Rr..!!!!!” He hugged your hips, getting comfortable while you scratched behind his ear.

“Do you have a name?” you asked the interesting creature. He did not answer of course, hmm.. “Well.. how about.. Mm.. do you like Arthur? “

The Lycan licked at your stomach moving all around and you chuckled petting his head. “Okay, Arty it is.” you told the happy Lycan.

It was maybe an hour later when Heisenberg returned. The sound of heavy steps getting louder and louder woke you up along with Arty. You had laid down on the floor with the coat over you as a blanket with the hat next to you and Arty curled up on your side asleep. Heisenberg's eyes wandered around the room till they found you. You rubbed your eye sitting up looking up at this man. Arty sneezed himself awake jumping up to his feet in front of you to see Heisenberg, he moved to the side so the man could yank you up.

“Sleepy huh? I'm surprised you could sleep through all that ruckus.” he gestured to the vent. “Now then, your room is ready and ive got a present for ya!” he told you, letting you go to put on his hat and coat. “Cmon, cmon” he turned, moving back to the door making his way out.

“uhm.. Ok..” you pat your thigh getting the Lycans attention. “Cmon Arty”

“Rr!!!!” the happy lycan jumped to your side and Heisenberg looked back with confusion on his face. His brows bunched up in curiosity. “Did you name my Lycan?”

“Yeah.. i .. his names Arthur.. Arty for short..”

Heisenberg cocked his head at this; “did ya now? Well i hope you got more names” he tapped his hammer roughly on the steel bars alerting the many many more lycans all around you. “Cuz ive got a whole lot more!! Hahaha!!!”

“Heh,..” Chisel hurried up behind the humorous man following him up some stairs to a large empty room with one single door in the corner. Heisenberg taped on the reinforced walls with his knuckles. “Nothings getting in here. Except me of course. “ he swung the door open strolling in with his hammer on his shoulder and you behind him with Arty.

It was…. Well it was a room like he said but… it did not have much in it, well. Anything in it for that matter. You wiggled out in front of Heisenberg to walk around the room. It was clean at least but it had nothing in it. ..

“Like it?” he asked, putting his arm around your neck and his other hand on his hip.

“Uh .. well.. Yes but..”

“Hmm??”

“Can it have a window?”

“Haha!! A window!? Were under ground Chisel!! What cha wanna see? The bugs?!”

“N-no i .. okay…” you looked down at your hands seeing something shiny in the corner of the room.

Heisenberg pouted at the answer he got. Awww. fine fine fiiiiiineeeee “let me see what i can do , just for my Chisel, oh and. There's something for you over there” he pointed as he left the room.

Arty had made himself comfortable in a corner curling up just to stretch and roll onto his back then back to his side running in place til he got tired.

Chisel walked over to the corner kneeling down to see a metal collar staring at her. It had the name “Chisel” on it and a interesting crystal hanging off of it. “Is.. is he serious..” you picked it up feeling the goosebumps on your fingers. You managed to put the collar on adjusting it as best you could till you were comfortable. “Heavy.. “ you said to yourself touching some rusted scrap, poking at it. It fell over revealing what looked like coins to you. “Hmm?” you picked up the handful of coins reading them . “lei..?”. Before you could inspect further your neck jerked and your body moved up on its own and you were dragged to the door where Heisenberg was. The collar was sticking out into the air near his raised finger.

“Like it?” He dropped his hand and the collar fell too . you fell into him choking for a minute and he pat your back. “So how about a sun roof hm? Il move things around. And I guess i can look outside for a blanket or something.” he was rubbing your back now, in slow motions.

“Uhm.. okay.. Id.. like that.”

“Seee im not a bag guy eh?” he taunted walking out of the room bringing you with him. “I GUESS i can find clothes. Tsk tsk tsk, already costing me a fortune , Chisel. “

**

You were outside the factory now, Arty was running around with other Lycans and Heisenberg was throwing things in the air while he looked through his scrap and what not. You were wandering the grounds taking in the scenery; a huge factory.. A castle.. Waterfall and a.. Village? This was an interesting place...it has ot be some kind of magic right? Maybe other world? Supernatural..-

“WELL what do we have here?” said a jolly man in the distance.

You jumped looking over to see a carriage by the cliff. “Was that there.. Before?” you hurried over , the collar jingling around your neck . you saw a carriage and a large man sitting in it with a smile on his face.

“Chisel… nice to finally meet you”

“How.. how do you know..”

“I know many things! A Merchant must know his customers. Now then, those clothes look pretty tattered , fancy a look in my shop?”

You blinked trying to put this together, so this.. Uh. “whats your name?”

“You can call me the Duke,feel free to peruse”

The Duke had some clothes that were the perfect fit for you which was strange.. You offered the Duke the Lei you found and he happily exchanged with you. “Thank you for your patronage!”

The clothes you picked out were some boots, pants and a winter coat along with a long sleep shirt. It was nice to be warm… “uh .. thank you..” you came back around a rock to see the carriage gone. Instead you saw a bridge that was… not there before..

“y/n….. y/n….”

“..huh?” you stepped towards the bridge. “who..Wh whos ..”

You saw a figure on the other side of the bridge , they looked blurry and seemed to be waving.. “Cmon y/n… lets go home…..”

“Huh? Wait .. who are you!” you hurried making your way across the bridge , in the distance a laughing doll could be heard in the trees while Heisenberg was searching his grounds. Arty noticed you were not around and started barking.

“Mutt-!!.. Arty!!! SHUT UP-- .. Chisel?” all the metal around him fell and he whipped off his glasses seeing the bridge was up. “Oh shit.”

*

[raamyun-and-rambles]

Musings of an Alchemist’s Lover

Fandom: Genshin Impact Pairing: Albedo x Reader Summary:  Maybe you had a third eye somewhere you didn't know of, a horn that's grown out of you without you noticing or a tail that flicks behind you whenever you weren't looking. Whatever it was, certainly there had to be something noticeably different about you that attracted the alchemist's attention and your curiosity allowed your mind to wander.

-----------

Holding Albedo's attention for more than a few seconds was no easy feat.

Unless it was a topic that tickled his fancy or something of utmost urgence, Albedo would most likely only regard the unfortunate soul with a disgruntled hum, tuning out most of their words until he manages to somewhat catch onto the main gist of their spiel. He doesn't even do anything to hide his disinterest, eyes immediately finding purchase on anything else but the speaker in front of them, musing theories to himself that he'd sometimes let slip into a whisper. This certain trait of his has definitely gotten him into trouble more than a couple of times but Albedo could hardly care. Surely discovering the world's secrets is more important than helping the Knights look for Margaret's lost cat for the umpteenth now right?

Despite being Mondstadt's favorite person and with a reputation that precedes him, Albedo was surprisingly anti-social. He had little to no regards for social interaction and this is further proved when he made himself a makeshift laboratory in one of Dragonspine's cave.

It was quiet, deserted and had almost everything he needed for his studies. If he ever ran out of supplies then he'd be able to call for either Sucrose or Timaeus - or go down the mountain himself to make sure he'll stock up with more than the amount he needs so he can hole himself up for a couple of weeks on end. The scenery was an added bonus, if the amount of sketches he's made was anything to go by, it was safe to say that Albedo liked it as well. Thick snow carpeted the floor as far as the eye can go and streams glimmered under the light of the morning sun. The air was crisp and chilly, it nipped at his nose and made his cheeks burn red, but his cave offered a comforting warmth once he's sank in front of the hearth, nursing a cup of tea or hot chocolate.

Albedo was many things, that much you could tell.

A genius, an alchemical prodigy, a leader, a brother - and most surprisingly, even to yourself - your lover.

To be fairly honest you weren't entirely sure what it was that attracted the Chief Alchemist of the Knights to your side. You were hardly anyone special after all, simply just one of Lisa's many acquaintances who spends one too many hours in the library. You were of average height and build, with a face that you could only describe as forgettable. Neither you nor your parents were well-known within the walls of the city of freedom and you lived a mostly mundane routinary life as a baker until Klee had bounded into your humble store one rainy evening, soaked to the bone and sneezing from the cold. The poor thing was shivering and had asked to take shelter from the pouring rain. You didn't have the heart to turn her away and you were more than just a little familiar about the stories of Mond's most adorable but destructive spark knight. You allowed her into your home, giving her a fresh towel to pat herself dry and a cup of hot milk and freshly baked cookies. The child bounced in glee, thanking you and happily accepting the treats with a smile that could part the skies to make way for the rays of sun. You allowed her to phone her guardian after she had finished eating and you kept her company throughout the entire wait. You turned your attention away from Klee the moment the store bell rang and your (e/c) eyes had immediately met with bright turquoise irises.

"Thank you for taking care of her." Albedo said as he knelt down to assist Klee with wearing her infamous bright red coat and adjusted her mushroom hat so it sat snugly atop her head.

"It's no problem at all, she was lovely company. I'd be delighted to have her around again every once in a while." You chuckled, remembering how she had praised the treats you made for her.

"Albedo onii-chan Albedo onii-chan!" The spark knight excitedly exclaimed, tugging on his hand with each call of his name. "______ makes the best sweets! Her cookies are really good and the bread she makes are really fluffy! She let me help her mix the dough earlier and-"

"How about you tell me all about it when we get home Klee? It's late and I'm sure ______ has to close up shop soon."

Klee deflated a bit but was quick to understand, she turned to you immediately after and flashed you another bright smile.

"Thank you for today ______ nee-chan, Klee will come back to visit another time!"

You smiled at her enthusiasm and you couldn't resist the urge to pat her on the head.

"I'll be waiting for you here then."

Albedo stood up after the exchange and finally regarded you with his attention. "We'll be off then, have a lovely evening miss ______."

"And to you too sir Kreideprinz."

You watch them walk off down the cobbled street, Klee's joyous laughter and excited chatter filling the air despite the pattering of rain against your roof. They took a turn around the corner and disappeared from your view. A small smile tugs on your features and you immediately set to work with locking up the store for the night.

Klee had started coming over more often after that night, mostly dropping by before you close while she waited for Albedo to finish work. It was no surprise that Klee often talked fondly about her big brother, praising him and telling you stories you haven't heard from any of the other residents of Mond while you prepared for tomorrow's next batch of goods. Albedo seemed like a very busy man from the way Klee tells her stories but he always seemed to make time to pick her up, oftentimes buying some bread and sweets before leaving.

It surprised you a little when he admitted he enjoyed having something sweet while he worked. Albedo insisted that it was because it gave him a considerable boost of energy but a part of you thinks it could just be because he had a sweet tooth he just wasn't aware of.

Needless to say it was due to that chance encounter with Klee that had allowed you to meet the chief alchemist himself and your relationship had only continued to bloom from there.

He was - in simple terms - wonderful.

An eccentric, true, but wonderful nonetheless and you never would have guessed that you'd ever end up as his lover nor did you ever imagine you'd be holding him in your arms, sleep slowly overtaking him as you gently ran your fingers through soft platinum locks - much like the lazy morning you were both sharing right now.

Albedo had come home at almost 3 in the morning the other night, with a throbbing headache and eyes that almost refused to open from drowse. He had pulled all-nighters for several days now, refusing to leave his lab for even a moment as he fully threw himself into his work. Nothing could ever stop him when he was in such a state, filled with elation at the mere prospect of a new discovery. It was a side of him that you admired as much as you found it problematic, it was amazing how he could wholly dedicate all his time, effort and energy towards his research but it was a definitely a point of worry that he'd also forget how to take care of himself. The alchemist immediately headed to your shared bedroom, dragging his feet across the floor while he shed himself of his coat, letting out a long yawn before heaving himself onto the mattress' soft comfort. You stirred from your sleep as the bed dipped and knowing it couldn't possibly be anyone else other than Albedo, you immediately rolled to your side and wrapped your arms around his middle, nuzzling into his warmth as his arms found themselves around you to return your embrace. There was an exchange of sleepy mumbles before you both immediately fell back into sleep.

You smile a little bit at the memory, humming softly as you continue to softly card your fingers through his hair. It was more than just a little past the time you both usually woke, but you'll allow it for now. Surely the people could wait a couple hours more for their morning bread and the knights can surely make do without the Chief Alchemist for a moment longer. So long as Albedo was getting the rest he needed you figured a lazy morning in would be alright every once in a while especially after the sleepless hectic nights he had the past few days. The peaceful expression on his face immediately filled you with relief.

"Albedo?" You whispered, afraid you'd break the serenity of the morning.

The alchemist responded with a sleepy hum, lifting his head so he could look at you as his long lashes fluttered open.

A smile tugged at your lips at his sleepy visage before you gently pressed a kiss on his forehead.

"I love you."

He gives you a sleepy smile of his own, heart swelling at the affection before nuzzling back into the crook of your neck.

"I love you too."

His lips brushed against your pulse as he spoke and his breath tickled against your skin, feeling a little playful, you then decided to ask.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"But why?"

A question you've always been meaning to ask, brought about by a sudden spur of confidence.

"Because meine liebe," Albedo starts, once again pulling himself away from your warmth to hold you with his gaze - you once again think to yourself that his eyes has the most beautiful shade of green - "I love you simply because you are you."

"You're certain it's not because I have a third eye hidden away somewhere or some freaky mutation I somehow have no knowledge of?"

Albedo chuckled lightly.

"Certainly not love, and I'm sure if you do I wouldn't be the only one to take notice of it."

You hum, convinced and resumed patting his hair.

The alchemist assumed his earlier position and sank further into your embrace.

"Besides," he murmured, sleep lacing his words,

.

.

.

"I think you're wonderful just the way you are."

[redpandaramblings]

April's Fools. Denki x f!Reader

Needed to take a break from my main projects, so have a cute little drabble.

Content warnings- a LOT of swearing, pranks involving foods, mild pranking mentioned.

“FUCKING DICK!”

Your scream echoed from the communal bathroom, startling those in the hallway. Ochako poked her head in. “Are you okay, Y/N?”

“That MOTHERFUCKER filled my toothpaste tube with mayonnaise. Mayonnaise!”

“What?”

You shook the offending tube in her direction. “Mayonnaise! In the tube!”

“Who? How?”

You glared at the tube as you growled. “Denki…”

You and Denki were always on good terms. From the first conversation, the two of you had just seemed to click. You shared similar tastes in music, shows, and hobbies. Most unfortunately for everyone around you, you also shared a passion for one thing- pranking. When the two of you combined forces, chaos reigned. You had managed to get most of your teachers and all of your friends at one point or another. You worked so well together, you never had reason to turn your skills against each other. Except for one day a year. April first. On April fools day all bets were off, and all plays were legal. And this year, discount Pikachu had gotten the jump on you.

You shook your head. As annoyed as you were to have been pranked first, you tried to remind yourself that it wasn’t a race. After all, your retribution should be happening any minute now… “WHAT THE FUCK!”

Though faint, you could still hear your friend’s scream from the boys bathroom. A smile creeped up your lips. Vengeance was sweet.

Your grin grew as you heard footsteps thundering your way. Ochako jumped as the door to the girl's bathroom got kicked open, revealing a dripping wet Kaminari with only a towel wrapped around his waist to protect his modesty.

“Bullion?! Bullion motherfucker?!?!”

“Morning, sunshine!” You chirped with a wide grin.

“I smell like soup!”

Ochako looked between the two of you, obviously confused. “Bullion?”

You nodded, leaning nonchalantly on the sink. “Chicken bullion cube stuck in the showerhead. Dissolves as the shower runs, leaving the victim slightly sticky and smelling like something mama made.” You turned your head toward Denki, giving him a wink. “And you better get dressed, soup boy, unless you want to shower again and be late for class.”

With a frustrated groan, Denki took off toward his room. You grabbed your bag for class and headed out with a grin. Today was going to be a great day.

Today was, for sure, a day. You and Denki had clearly planned for a while and the pranks where being traded at a steady rate. He replaced your deodorant with cream cheese. You caused him to get a mouthful of ketchup instead of monster. He glitter bombed your backpack. You stuck googly eyes to the back of his head that he didn’t find out about until hours later. You got a plate full of toothpaste oreos. He got a donut box filled with vegetables.

So at the end of the day, when you found a post-it on your door asking you to meet him on the roof; you were expecting the worst. Regardless, your curiosity was enough that you made the climb. You found him sitting on a bench, kicking his heels as he watched the sun beginning to set. With a small smile, you sat down next to him, bumping his shoulder with yours.

“Must be getting old. Didn’t even try to prop a bucket over the door.”

He chuckled, bumping you back. “What about you? Coming up here in the first place? So obviously a trap.”

“Well, you know what they say about curiosity and cats. I just had to know. So what is it? Finally tired of my charms and planning on chucking me over the edge?”

Denki laughs a little breathlessly. “No, no. Not today anyway. I, um. I wanted to give you this.”

From his side, he pulls a slightly bedraggled bouquet of daisies. You take it cautiously, turning it over in your hands. You couldn’t see anything wrong with it. A delicate sniff didn’t reveal any sneezing powder. No glitter bombs, stink spray, itching powder… You look up, confused. “Denki? What is this?”

Denki doesn’t meet your eyes, wringing his hands. “Y/N… You, you get me. Maybe better than anyone else. Like today really shows we’re in sync, you know? And I decided this year that I want to do something about it. So, Y/N… Would… Would you like to go out with me? On, like, a date date?”

You slightly tremble as you pick at one of the daisies. “Denki… You remember the pranking rules, right?”

He looks over to you, blinking. “Yeah. Confuse, don’t abuse. Only prank people you know would be okay with it. Don’t joke about serious stuff like life events…” He trailed off, blinking as he understood. “I would never joke about this. I really like you, y/n.”

“Good.” You smiled softly. “Just had to make sure.” You leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I like you too.”

He smiled widely, wrapping an arm around you and pulling you closer.

“You know what would be an awesome prank, Y/N?”

“What’s that?”

“If we stayed together forever, reigning chaos on all our friends.”

You laughed, snuggling against him as you watched the sun slip below the horizon. “Yeah. That would be the best prank ever.”

And then the two of you had to spend the night on the roof because your dumbasses forgot the door would lock behind you. The end.

[tallstars-rewrite]

Chapter 1

chapter list / previous / next

A chill had descended over the moor, cold enough to make the hardiest cat shiver. The waving grass and heather was quickly becoming stiff, brittle, and brown, weighed down with a shell of ice. When dawn broke, it revealed a thin downy layer of dazzling white draped around the WindClan camp. The first snow that had stuck that leafbare. It set the warriors on edge, but the kits took no notice, instead choosing to be distracted by the new world of sparkling white around them.

Long tendrils of grass were weaved around the cozy entrance into the WindClan nursery. Two dark brown tom kits with their kitten fluff puffed around them had already gone streaking out of the small den dug into the base of a hillside, with their mother quick to follow suit. 

Tallkit remained behind, sitting alone inside the dimly lit nursery, impatiently shifting from side to side as tiny white flakes of snow danced in the air outside the warm burrow. Well, not completely alone. His mother was curled up behind him, but she was so soundly and quietly asleep, Tallkit felt he may as well be alone. Palebird was usually tired this time of day, but her kit was having trouble curling back up. Quietly as his wobbly paws would allow, he stepped tentatively over Palebird’s tail and padded closer to the den entrance. His thin black and white fur was ruffled and sticking up at funny angles but he couldn’t be bothered to smooth it down. Peeking outside, he had to flatten his large ears so they didn’t scrape against the grassy tendrils hanging down over the entrance, which were quickly turning into sharp icicles.

The world was so much different looking then the last time he’d ventured out, and his wide amber eyes narrowed against the bright glare of snow. His denmates Shrewkit and Briarkit were already out of view exploring the far side of camp, but although Tallkit looked after their tracks with longing to follow them, he had made a promise to stay close by until his father returned. A promise he was now starting to regret as his paws itched to dart across the expanse of camp and stretch his cramped legs. But as he caught sight of the sun's placement at nearly the highest point in the sky, a bright circle behind the misty white cloud cover, he knew he couldn’t go off running around the camp now. They’d be back any moment, and then Sandstone would come to fetch him. Until then, he just had to entertain himself somehow. As a kit born to be a tunneler, he probably wouldn’t be good at Shrewkit’s racing games anyway. It didn’t make the waiting any less boring, or the quiet of the nursery any less lonely in the meantime. Tallkit looked back to his mother, who slept with her back to him, a small pale white and black patched ball hidden deep amongst the soft mossy bedding. He thought about waking her and asking if she wanted to play, but Palebird wouldn’t want to be disturbed.

Despite his best efforts, Tallkit’s determination to keep his promise was quickly outweighed by his restless impatience. Surely he could step just outside, if he didn’t go too far. The positive side of being alone more often was that Tallkit was used to playing games by himself.

When he set his paws in the snow, he couldn’t stop the squeak of surprise as the cold hit him. The soft white cold went half way up his legs, and he backed up again closer to the nursery entrance where it had been padded down. But the uncomfortable cold aside, Tallkit looked around him in wonder at the dazzling brightness around him. When he had finally adjusted to the light, a soft fluttering object in the corner of his vision caught his eye. A familiar tattered red-brown chaffinch feather flitted invitingly in the cold wind, hooked onto a tangle of moor grass sticking out of the snow.

“You brought it back to me!” he purred, leaping after it. It was unmistakably the same feather he’d found the morning before. Brackenwing had asked him to put it back outside when he wouldn’t settle down to sleep, but now it danced playfully up and down, sparkling with flecks of frozen dew and the way it moved in the gentle breeze let Tallkit imagine it was being batted by an invisible paw.

Tallkit grasped it in his teeth. “Ok, try and catch me!” he squeaked to no one before bouncing away, clumsily sinking into the snow with each step in the divots where it was unexpectedly deep. When he fumbled, a soft breeze pulled the feather from his mouth and he turned to hook it again in his tiny claws, batting it to the side to an unseen waiting paw. He was so absorbed in his game he hardly noticed the soft brown lump he’d trodden over.

“Tallkit?” a stern but gentle voice said, “Should you be out without your mother in this weather?”

He turned to meet the molly’s soft blue eyes, looking at him with curiosity and amusement. Her cream and brown fur was a little damp with melted snow, and fluffed up against the cold. He’d nearly tripped over her crooked hind leg, which was stretched out limply in the grass.

“Hi Lilywhisker” he ducked his head “I wasn’t going to go far.”

She blinked at the feather under his paw “Who were you talking to just now?”

“I was talking to Finchkit.” Tallkit replied simply.

She frowned and looked at him with a mixture of concern and confusion. “Finchkit? Who’s Finchkit?”

“My littermate.” He mewed.

“You...don’t have a littermate, do you?”

Tallkit batted absentmindedly at the feather pinned under his paws. 

“Well, I did, she's just not here now. But I went to see Fennelpelt before, and he told me stories about StarClan--the cats that live in the lights in the sky when it gets dark. He said all the cats who aren’t here anymore live up there in the sky and they come down and watch over us, even if we can’t see them. Finchkit comes down and plays with me. She’s invisible, but Fennelpelt says it’s just like that. This is her favorite toy, she brought it back after I lost it yesterday.” He eagerly lifted up the tattered feather in his mouth for her to see.

Lilywhisker blinked “Oh! Oh I see…”

“Finchkit said hello to you!”

Lilywhisker twitched her whiskers as if she were considering her words, but then she simply smiled softly and replied, “Well, hello to her as well.”

 “Tallkit! Hey, you’ve come out!” Tallkit turned to see his nursery mates bounding towards him. Briarkit, a red-brown tabby with dark stripes curled around his face, waved his short fluffy tail in greeting as he trotted up in front of him, flecks of white dotting his ruddy fur. 

“Well would you look at that!” Came the second voice as Shrewkit skidded to a stop, kicking snow into Tallkit’s face and making him sneeze. He was a shorter tom with messy dark brown fur and a wild mischievous spark in his kitten-blue eyes, “The nursery mouse has finally come out of hiding!”

“I’m not a mouse!” Tallkit tried to growl, but his voice squeaked. 

Shrewkit snorted. 

Briarkit shoved his brother. “Don’t be mean!”

“I’m not being mean.” Shrewkit retorted, rolling his eyes.

Tallkit tried to pounce at him, but he couldn’t manage to bound over the snow like the bigger kits without tripping. A wrong pawstep into the snow, and he found himself buried in a drift. He tried to sneeze as icy water got into his nose, and  mewled in frustration as he flailed for a way out. Tiny teeth at his scruff made him squeak in alarm, and he immediately flattened his ears in embarrassment. Tallkit wished he didn’t squeak so much when he spoke, Shrewkit always made fun of him. He could hear him laughing now. 

Briarkit was pawing snow off of his head. “Are you ok Tallkit?” The question was concerning but Tallkit could hear he was stifling a purr of laughter. 

“He got lost in a mouse length of snow.” Shrewkit scoffed. 

“I was just trying to take a short cut,” Tallkit said, followed by another sneeze.

“Shouldn’t you have been able to tunnel out of that like a worm?” Shrewkit continued “You don’t have to be as fast as moor runners, but you tunnelers ought to be good at that!”

“I could have if I got the chance!”

“Settle down Shrewkit,” Lilywhisker scolded, as she pulled Tallkit closer to lick the snow from his pelt. “I don’t want to have to talk to your mother again about prodding Tallkit.”

“I wasn’t doing anything!” Shrewkit mewed indignantly.

Tallkit grumbled to himself, “At least Finchkit doesn’t make fun of me.”

“Who’s Finchkit?” Shrewkit had heard him,

“You know, the other one.” Briarkit whispered, “Tallkit’s told us about her before.”

“Oh, the dead one.”

Lilywhisker hissed, “For StarClan’s sake Shrewkit! Don’t speak like that.”

“What!?” he cried “That’s what mother told us!”

Tallkit sniffed, “Just because she’s dead now doesn’t mean she can’t still be around. That’s what StarClan is, right Lilywhisker?”

Lilywhisker blinked at him and got that look again like she didn’t quite know what she wanted to say.  “Well, yes, StarClan cats are still with us in a way, but it’s complicated.”

“Hawkheart sees StarClan cats,” Briarkit pointed out eagerly, “and he said sometimes clan cats see things from StarClan, because we’re special and we listen better than other cats. I thought I saw a StarClan cat once too-”

“No you just had a weird dream,” Shrewkit scoffed, “That’s not the same as seeing a StarClan cat in broad daylight.”

“Well I don’t actually see her…” Tallkit mumbled, suddenly feeling a bit self conscious, “I just feel like she’s here anyway. Why wouldn’t my littermate want to play with me?”

“I’m sure Finchkit is watching over you and your mother, Tallkit.” Lilywhisker said gently. But she didn’t sound like she really understood, it sounded like she just said what she thought he wanted to hear. Grown up cats always thought he couldn’t notice.

“You can come play with us too,” Briarkit offered. “We have less cats since Mistmouse’s kits are so close to their apprentice ceremony. Mother says Fallowkit and Fawnkit are too big to play with us. She’s looking for them now”

“Oh speaking of those furballs…” Lilywhisker sighed and stood up on her three good legs. “I’d better go help Brackenwing gather them up before Whitetooth finds them first and bites their noses off. You three go back inside if you start feeling cold, especially you Tallkit.”

When she’d limped away, Shrewkit leaned in and whispered, “I actually know where Fallowkit and Fawnkit are. They’re hiding out in the long grass behind the warriors' den. Fawnkit said they were going to pull a prank on Cloudrunner. Want to go watch?”

“I can’t go anywhere,’ Tallkit said. “I’m waiting for my father to come back.”

Shrewkit gave an exasperated groan, “Again? That’s always your excuse! Is he going to get mad at you if you have fun? Sandstone gets mad about everything.”

“That’s not true,” Tallkit said defensively, “He just doesn’t like you, because you’re a mouse-brain.”

Shrewkit promptly shoved Tallkit right back into the snow drift he’d just clambered out of.

“Don’t think I didn’t see that Shrewkit!” Brackenwing’s voice called out. The tall earthy brown tabby queen was there in an instant to lift Tallkit back out of the snow pile, who immediately spit cold water pointedly into Shrewkit’s face.

Brackenwing gave Shrewkit a stern look as she set the now very damp Tallkit down. “I can’t take my eyes off you two for a moment!”

Tallkit suppressed a shiver as a cold breeze blew through camp and quickly ducked back inside the nursery as Brackenwing scolded her son.  He perked his ears at the faint stirring from the back of the nursery and saw the white tipped outline of his mothers ears as she groggily lifted her head. Tallkit forgot about his chill and damp fur and trotted up to her with an excited bounce in his step.

“Mother,” he mewed, “it’s snowing for the first time today, come and see!”

Her tired pale eyes blinked slowly, as they focused blearily on her kit. “Tallkit, sweetheart, I’ve only just shut my eyes, why would you want to go out now?”

“Nu-uh the sun's up now, see? It’s been up for ages.”

She blinked again at the milky white daylight pouring into the nursery entrance, clearly surprised to see it. “So it is…” she murmured.  Palebird flinched and hissed when Tallkit went to nuzzle her chin. “Tallkit! You’re soaking wet!”

“Sorry,” he said, quickly stepping back.

“Oh Palebird are you up, dear?” Brackenwing poked her head inside “I hope my little one's scuffling didn’t wake you.”

“No it’s alright Brackenwing, I promised to be up by now,” she stiffly stretched out her legs and yawned again. “Tallkit didn’t sneak outside alone did he?”

“Shrewkit and Briarkit are big enough to go out in the cold I thought that meant I could too.” Tallkit argued.

“Briarkit and Shrewkit are more than a moon older than you, Tallkit.” Palebird pointed out, her voice still thick and heavy with sleep. She still sounded as if she were still half dreaming.

Brackenwing purred down at the little scrap of fur. “Tallkit will be alright, it’s much warmer during the day, and the snow has been melting fast since the sun came up. Besides, me or Lilywhisker are always around to look after him too.”

Palebird shifted uncomfortably and looked down, as if she were ashamed. “I don’t want to ask that of you both so often”

“It’s nothing to worry about love, that’s why we’re all here after all. You should stretch your legs with me for a while.” Brackenwing purred.

“I won’t get in any trouble, promise.” Tallkit pleaded.

Palebird looked doubtfully at her small kit, who tried to stand tall on shivering twig thin legs. “Alright but...You don’t want to be out too long, and stay where the snow padded down or melted. You remember what Hawkheart said about the cold not being good for you.”

Tallkit nodded, keeping his irritation at the mention of the medicine cat to himself.  Hawkheart had been to visit him plenty of times. When Tallkit woke up racked with coughing fits that frightened his mother, the bad tempered old tom always came in and made him swallow bitter leaves. It was hard to like Hawkheart, and Tallkit didn’t think Hawkheart liked him much either, but he’d been very firm that Tallkit needed to stay in as much as he could. Something about ‘bad luck having so many kits born in the cold.’ He hadn’t been out of the nursery very often until recently.

“You know, father’s patrol is coming back soon,” Tallkit mewed hopefully to his mother. “You could come out and meet him with me?” 

Palebird gazed out for a minute, still looking distant. “You go on ahead, Tallkit. I’ll catch up later.”

Tallkit swallowed his disappointment and didn’t press further. Maybe she didn’t want to sit still in the cold snow. It was certainly true that none of the warriors were as excited about it as he and the other kits were. Briarkit and Shrewkit had already run off again when he got back outside. Remembering what his mother said, he didn’t stray more than a few steps from the entrance, but to his immense relief, before the boredom could set in again he heard heavy pawsteps making their way down the slope into the camp, and a familiar booming voice loudly announcing their arrival. They were back at last! 

Sandstone was a big and very intimidating tom, at least the other kits thought so. He had a wide noble face, broad well muscled shoulders, and patchy scars through his short pelt as testaments both to past battles and seasons of hard tunnel work. He radiated confidence and surety, and every cat around him felt it. Tallkit couldn’t imagine a more impressive warrior existing in all of the clans, and he was beyond proud to be his kit.

He saw his father plowed through the frosty grass with his tunneler patrol following close behind him as always. Sunlight lit his pale ginger fur in brilliant gold, almost glowing where melted snowdrops clung to him. Tallkit leaped to his paws, hardly able to contain his excitement as he bounded towards him.

 Sandstone stopped his conversation with a large stocky gray-and-white tom when he heard his kit, and his dark amber eyes smiled warmly at him.

“Well look who it is! If it isn’t Tallkit, out and about on his own already?” He purred as he trotted forward to meet his son. Tallkit bumped his head on Sandstone’s legs as his father pressed his muzzle briefly to his in greeting, a warm purr in his throat that rumbled throughout Tallkit’s small body. He forgot the cold in an instant when he greeted him, as if Sandstone had finally brought newleaf warmth back with him.

“Hope it’s not too cold out for the little scamp.” The big tom beside his father meowed in concern.

“I-I’m not cold.” Tallkit insisted through chattering teeth.

“‘Course you're not cold! Takes more than a little leaf-bare chill to keep my son down.” Sandstone playfully ruffled Tallkit’s ears with his big paw. “So Tallkit, now that we all have the moment, it’s about time I formally introduced you to your future tunnel-mates!”

Sandstone talked of them all often enough, but Tallkit was confined to the nursery so often he’d never seen them up close. His father’s two companions were, like Sandstone, similarly stocky and broad. Muscles were visible beneath their dusty pelts from moons of working their forelegs to steadily carve out the burrows and tunnels that crossed under WindClan territory, a stark contrast compared to many of their sleeker and leaner moor-runner clanmates. 

Sandstone gestured to the dark gray molly and big gray-and-white tom in turn. “That there’s Plumclaw, and here of course is Woollycloud!”

 Tallkit dipped his head respectfully as he had been taught to do, but ended up getting kicked up snow in his nose.. Plumclaw he knew was his father’s old apprentice, who he often praised for her bravery, and Woollycloud his lifelong tunneling partner. The big tom was one of the best tunnelers in the clan. Except for my father of course. Tallkit thought to himself. Standing right next to them, Tallkit felt suddenly rather self conscious of his own scrawny, lanky frame, accentuated more than usual by his wet fur plastered to his sides.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you young one,” Woollycloud purred. “I hope to work with you in the near future. Your father tells me you’ve already got the makings of a great tunneler!”

Tallkit perked up a bit at the praise, and Sandstone nudged him playfully. “And he’ll grow bigger and tougher than ever, won’t you Tallkit?” he leaned down to speak softer to him, like he was telling a secret. “Between us, I’ve got plans to make sure Woollycloud here gets chosen as your mentor someday.” 

Tallkit looked up wide eyed at the stout tom. He was bigger than any cat he’d seen, even bigger than his father and Hawkheart, but his face was so kind and sincere as he smiled down at him that Tallkit didn’t find him scary at all. 

“If it all works out, I’ll greatly look forward to it!” Woollycloud said. 

Tallkit felt a rush of excitement. His apprentice ceremony felt so far off, but his paws were itching with anticipation. “Can’t I start being an apprentice now?” He asked.

 Plumclaw purred loudly in laughter “You’re nowhere near six moons, kit! We all had to wait our turn.” 

Woollycloud nodded in agreement. “All good things to those who are patient, little one. Your time will come before you know it.”

 The two cats then turned and started towards the prey heap. 

Sandstone nudged him. “Your enthusiasm is just another sign of what a great tunneler you're going to be. In fact, I’d say you’re right. You may not be a full apprentice, but no time at all like the present to start learning.” He paused for a moment and looked around “Where’s your mother at? Did she come out with you?”

“She just woke up.” Tallkit replied, “I think Brackenwing said they were going to go out for a walk soon.”

He looked towards the nursery with an unreadable expression and then gave a dismissive flick of his tail. “I see...Ah, I suppose it can’t be helped. Well, follow me then Tallkit. You’ve got a lot to learn today.”

chapter list / previous / next

[honeysofte-archieve]

only one.

Fandom: The Wayhaven Chronicles

Rating: T

Pairing: Female Detective/Ava du Mortain

Word Count: 1,776

Genre: love confessions hell yes!

i’m here a year later offering you a continuation to my first ever wayhaven fic: say your piece (or let her free) (18+, nsfw). excuse any clumsiness, this year has been THE WORST ever when it comes to writing. i hope you enjoy!!

Vesper knows, of course, that Ava would eventually ask again.

It is pretty much a certainty only biding its time and she is mostly fine with the thought of it coming up again. If their roles were reversed, she would similarly want to know the full details of the point of the matter— knowing her own nature she would be downright obsessive at getting true answers not shrouded by the delirious (although lovely) aftermath of sex.

But Vesper still hasn’t decided what she will actually answer when her time is up and her time runs out surprisingly soon as it’s not even a full day before Ava has seemingly gathered enough courage to ask.

“Detective,” Ava starts, but coughs and corrects herself immediately after Vesper shoots a pointed, even sharp, look over her shoulder. “I mean… Vesper Louise.”

It’s very attractive, hearing her own full name from the lips of the woman she loves and for a long, while both of them only smile at each other, a gentle blossom of a relationship cradled carefully between them, safe and sound, at least for now. Vesper is not optimistic enough to think that something like this, happiness above everything else, could last forever.

[ read at ao3 ♥ ]

“Better,” Vesper answers. Then she frowns and adjusts the temperature of the stove before flipping over the crêpe cooking, or burning, on the frying pan. “Though the Louise is a bit much, don’t you think?”

“It is a beautiful name,” Ava comments somewhere behind her. “You should not be ashamed of it.”

Vesper is glad Ava can only see her back or she would certainly notice the pleased flush on her cheeks. She clicks on the range hood and watches how steam begins to diffuse around the stove, clearing the air in a quick movement. The smell of already cooked crêpes is mouthwatering.

“I’m not ashamed,” Vesper answers with a shrug. She drinks a sip of her half-draught red wine sitting on the counter next to her. “I just think it’s a mouthful to use in everyday conversation.” She pauses. “But it sounds nice… when you say it like that.”

There’s a pinch of genuine curiosity in Ava's voice. “Like what?”

As if you loved me, Vesper thinks but is not brave enough to voice it yet. “Never mind,” she says instead and almost jumps out of her skin when there’s suddenly a strong pair of arms wrapped around her waist.

“I would like to ask you something,” Ava says quietly and drops one very cautious kiss on Vesper’s shoulder like she’s not sure whether it’s welcome or not. Vesper revels in it, feeling as if the kiss left an invisible burn mark through her shirt onto her skin.

“Hold that thought,” Vesper answers, a little too hoarsely, before quickly flipping the last one of crêpes on a nearby plate, snapping the stove off and reaching her small body across the counter to be able to rinse her hands in the sink.

Then she deftly hops on the counter and pulls Ava close by folding her arms around Ava’s neck. Now that Vesper is finally allowed to be physically affectionate with her, she won’t stop. She never will. “Okay, all done,” she says cheerfully. “What’s going on inside your head, baby?”

How curious it is that having the permission to use a simple pet name for someone can feel so ground-breaking. She also finds it a little funny calling a 900-year-old powerful vampire baby but so far Ava hasn't protested the nickname beyond a small frown of confusion.

Ava hesitates, her expression a deep frown. Vesper smooths out the wrinkles on her forehead with the tip of her thumb, smiling fondly at Ava who still slightly hovers over her, even like this.

“The station's rumour about you and the… the reporter man. Your former partner, I suppose,” Ava begins, her face scrunching openly with distaste, and Vesper can feel how her own expression falls in the moment of silence that cloaks them under. “Was it true?” Ava asks quietly, watching Vesper carefully under her pale eyelashes and making the other woman feel immediately like the world’s shittiest person alive.

Vesper sighs. She doesn’t want to be dishonest, but she also wouldn’t like them to linger on the topic of Bobby again. “Would it even matter if it was?” she asks, sighs very deeply again afterwards just for the sake of reprimanding her past self.

Vesper Louise Graves, you’re a fucking idiot, will be engraved onto her tombstone, no doubt. Feels exactly on-brand for her.

“I suppose not,” Ava answers after a long stillness of consideration, but she doesn’t seem to be completely sure about her answer. “Regardless, I simply find myself... curious, nonetheless.”

Vesper cups Ava’s rigid jaw onto her palm and presses a simple kiss on her forehead.

“It’s true,” she admits and is prepared for the shudder that travels through Ava’s whole body in the wake of the confession. Her breath quivers with hidden pain she’s gotten too good at hiding, her eyes pressed closed and throat gulping for breath.

“It didn’t mean anything, Ava, not like you do,” Vesper adds carefully, keeping her voice calm and kind. She rubs the corner of Ava’s unhappy mouth with her thumb, though it does nothing to hinder Ava’s crestfallen expression and Vesper feels painfully aware that her choice of words sounds like someone trying to console their partner after an act of infidelity.

Part of Vesper feels like that is what it was. That she betrayed a trust or some unsigned vow of devotion and oh, does she loathe herself for it more than anything. Rational thinking doesn’t help with bone-deep guilt.

"It was a mistake," she continues soothingly, trying to ignore the rapid banging of her heart, open for the world to see. "One made out of sleep deprivation and--"

Vesper quiets and thinks. Ava looks at her keenly and she's not sure what she should continue with for she doesn't want to make Ava feel even worse by admitting the overhead conversation with Nate that influenced the bad choice more than any other reason Vesper could come up with.

"I'm sorry," she murmurs instead, voice regretful and sad. She kisses Ava's temple, lets her lips linger on the sensitive skin longer than necessary. "I'm an idiot," she says quietly into her ear and Ava shivers at the sensation before pulling slowly away.

"You are not an idiot," Ava says, unimpressed. "You're a very intelligent woman as I'm sure you are aware of yourself."

Oh, perfect-- a clear way out. Vesper grabs it like a lifeline.

"I mean... I sure do love science," Vesper answers with a grin and it's not even remotely a lie. "It's kind of my speciality. Like, did you know that orcas are actually just big dolphins, but sort of whales at the same time? Pretty cool, right?"

"Vesper Louise," Ava sighs. She doesn't appear frustrated, but her voice just has a tiny flavour of kind impatience, like she knows how difficult this is for both of them. "You are deflecting."

"No kidding."

There's a long, pointed silence before Ava's brow arches, a tiny, almost mocking gesture. Vesper almost flips her the finger but she's beyond acting like a child. At least, she usually is.

"I just…" Vesper buries her face in the crook of Ava's neck, a place of warmth and comfort, almost. It helps if she doesn't need to meet her eyes. She swallows. Overthinks.

These words end up being true: "You scare the shit out of me."

Ava stills. "Scare you?"

Why does she feel like crying right now? "You scare me because…" Take a deep breath, Vesper Louise, and just say it.

"Because I love you so much I can barely stand it," Vesper finally says, the words that haunt her every waking moment she spends with Ava. It feels good and absolutely horrifying to finally say them aloud.

"I just… I don't know how to describe it any better. I feel like I'm dying, all the time, just thinking about it. About my feelings for you."

Ava is mute while she speaks and Vesper appreciates right now more than ever. Usually, the vampire's silence is frustrating, just another wall between them, but now it feels more like a comfort, a blessing in disguise.

And Vesper is crying now, failing not to, her eyes wet and lips trembling.

"I don't know what else to say," she murmurs. Ava's hand lingers on the back of Vesper's neck which reassures her that Ava is not going to escape, not this time.

"I was scared and hurt so I kissed him and it meant absolutely nothing to me. I don't have room in my heart for anyone else but you. That's all there is to it. I'm sorry."

Ava is still and quiet but remains relaxed in their embrace, her hand moving soothingly across the other one's back. After a while, she presses the smallest of kisses against the curve of Vesper's quivering jaw.

"Thank you," Ava whispers breathlessly and Vesper isn't quite sure what the words even mean. She's about to open her mouth to ask why when Ava tucks a few messy hair strands behind Vesper's ears and lifts her down-turned chin up with a fingertip.

"Please, do not cry, do not be scared," she whispers tenderly and with devotion. "I am the idiot one."

There's choked laughter and a sneeze against a shirt collar. "No shit," Vesper snorts, her eyes shining with happiness. She has never been in love like this, has never felt so protected and safe as she does every moment with Ava.

"You're my idiot, though."

The words are still questioning and hesitant but Ava smiles, smiles like a thousand suns for how bright it is.

"That I am," she says, her green eyes filled with warmth and gentleness, and dare one say it, love. "As you are mine. Always."

This is when Vesper grabs Ava's ears onto her hands and pulls her closer to kiss her with all that she is, with lips and tongue and teeth, because she can't not to. She's allowed to love and be loved, and be imperfect with faults and downsides, and still be someone of value.

Someone of importance to Ava du Mortain.

"Fuck Bobby Marks," Ava mutters darkly onto Vesper's lips when they part for breath, making Vesper's eyes widen in surprise at the crass language before she burst into giggles against Ava's mouth and kisses the frown between Ava's eyebrows away again.

That's right, she thinks.

Fuck Bobby Marks.

[morning-might-arrive]

Here’s the continuation of my last post. Thank you so much to everyone who liked and reblogged! This is becoming a lot longer than I thought, so there will be another part soon. Feedback is appreciated!

A series of misunderstandings involving a limousine and Spectra’s blog lead Jackson to the realization that he has way more friends than he thought.

Wednesday

Jackson sighed as he silenced his blaring alarm clock. 7:00 am. As he walked to the bathroom to get ready, he was suddenly struck by a memory.

“It’s nothing personal, normie. You just look like such a freak.” Manny told him as he shoved him off of the lunch table. Jackson looked towards the other mansters, but they said nothing. So they all agreed. Even Clawd. 

He cringed. He’d had to eat lunch in a bathroom stall that day. He looked at his reflection, desperately wishing he could change it. He sighed and got dressed. He had to leave early since he now had no car and his parents weren't home. He plugged his headphones into his phone. Holt had gotten them into this situation, only fitting that he deal with it.

Holt Hyde cursed under his breath as he walked to school. Although the weather was warming, mornings in March were still frigid. He sighed in relief as he approached Monster High.

“Heya there, sweetpea,” Operetta drawled in greeting as Holt waltzed through the front doors of the school. 

“What’s good, Oppy?” Holt responded, his usual loud and energetic self even at the early hour.

“Just peachy keen like always, hun. Say, you seen the Ghostly Gossip lately?” She asked.

“Nah, we usually stay away from that garbage ever since that story about us and Frankie. Humiliated the poor ghoul and almost tanked our relationship. It really ain’t cool what they're doin’.” He replied nonchalantly. 

“Oh. Okay. Well sugar, you know you can tell me anythang you wanna, right?” She continued.

“Uh, yeah, sure. Thanks Oppy.” That was kinda weird for the rough and tumble ghoul to say, but honestly Holt was just glad their botched attempt at dating didn’t mess up their friendship. Oppy was a cool ghoul. 

“What’s the word, cool cats?” Came a new voice.

“Johnny!”

“Johnny.”

Johnny spirit sauntered casually down the main corridor of Monster High, and students jumped out of his way as if he had the plague. He put his arm around Operetta’s shoulder. “Hey, babe.”

Holt snorted. “I’ll never get why everyone lets you float around like you own the place.”

Johnny shrugged. “Guess they don’t have a choice. Besides, I never see you doing anything about it,” he replied with a bit of challenge in his tone. Holt rolled his eyes.

“You know you don’t scare us, Spirit. Anyway, it seems like Oppy’s got you on a leash without our help.”

Johnny bristled at that “Y’know Hyde, I’m gettin’ real sick of-”

“Why don’t we scamper on down to the catacombs and finish that new song we been workin on, sugarpie?” Operetta cut in. She really didn’t want to deal with a fistfight this early.

The couple walked away and Holt made toward the auditorium. He found the symphony on stage setting up and dashed up to join them, plugging his guitar into its amp. Jennifire was nearby greasing the corks on her clarinet. He huffed and sat down next to her.

“Another run in with the phantom pianist?” She asked, not even looking up.

“That guy is such a jerk!”

She chuckled and shook her head. “You boys are so easily provoked; I may never understand it. My brothers were just the same. He has done not to insight your anger.”

Holt really hated to admit it, but she was right. Johnny really didn't scare Holt, and he knew a little better than to try that tough guy act on Jackson. Plus, it was kinda funny seeing guys like Heath and Manny faint when he walked past them.

“Your emotions run like wildfire, I am very impressed you came to terms so easily with your end.” She continued.

Wait. What. “My what now?”

“Of course, it must be so hard for you to talk about. I am sorry.” A tear fell from her eye and promptly turned to smoke upon hitting her face.

“Jen, are you okay?” Holt asked, facing her.

She smiled. “Yes, I will be okay. So kind of you to think of me.”

“Okay, Okay, enough chit chat. Places people!” The director yelled as he approached the stage. Well. That was weird. Holt took his place in the stool beside the amp and looked up as the director began counting them off.

After an awkward hour of rehearsal, they were dismissed to second period. Holt emerged out into the crowd of students in the hall. Jennifire was nowhere to be found, so he made his way toward the art room. His Spotify playlist suddenly changed to a song by Pierce the Veil. He pulled out his phone to skip it and saw he had a message from Jackson. He scoffed. If D-low had told him what was wrong, would he be asking? JJ could be so oblivious. Maybe it was just a normie thing. 

He took his usual seat in front of his canvas and continued his painting for this week. 

“Psst, Holt.” he heard a whisper. He turned and met the shiny magenta eyes of retired popstar Catty Noir. “We’re turning up at Cleo’s place on Saturday, you in?”

“Yeah totally- oh, nevermind. We can’t make it, we kinda got a...thing that day.”

“Oh,” she said, looking kind of taken aback. “It’s that soon?” 

“What was that?”

“ I said I’ll see you soon!” she hastily corrected herself as she got up and turned in her painting, promptly leaving the art room. Man, everyone's acting off today. He touched up his work and quickly followed suit.

He basically had the rest of the period to himself, so he decided to riff on his guitar for a little bit. He couldn’t do it in the building anymore ever since that one time Headmistress Bloodgood caught him, so he moved to the front steps and set his bag beside him.

“Hey Holt!”

Holt turned towards the front of the school. “Frankie Fine-Stein! Where have you been hiding?” Her skin glowed a light mint green and her eyes sparked in the sun. Just as bootiful as ever. She sat on the step beside him.

“I was actually just in the library. I found this book about the original Jekyll and Hyde. It was way harsh; It said that Edward Hyde trampled a child in the streets of London, is that true?”

“Nuh-uh! Those stuffy normie’s didn’t like that grandpa’s were different so they dragged their reputation through the dirt!” Holt declared passionately. “Some of the people they charged him with killing didn’t even exist in the first place! Then they made Dr. Jekyll out to be a complete basket case and threw them both in jail! That is until they got bailed out by our great-great-grandma, Lucy.”

“Oh, man. I didn’t know any of that!” Frankie replied. She actually knew all about it, she had heard the exact same thing from Jackson before. They were both incredibly salty about the smear campaign launched against their great-great-grandparents that made their family flee to America in the first place, and you could hardly bring it up around them without a passionate rant. Frankie felt a little bad about bringing up something she knew was a sore subjet for them, but she had to make sure Spectra and the other ghouls didn’t get caught. It was for their own good, right?

Her phone buzzed in her lap and she glanced down. “Spectra got something, meet us back in the library.” Clawdeen. Frankie jumped up. “Sorry, Holt, I really gotta go.”

Holt watched her go in curiosity. He checked the time and quickly jumped up himself and dashed back inside the building. The only way to not be late now was to go through Section C, the so-called “vampires only” hallway. It really irked them when other monster’s used it, but he didn’t really care when it was either that or detention. As he made his way through he felt someone glaring at him, and met eyes with a large group of the former prep-school vampires. He braced himself, but instead of giving him grief like they usually did, they just let him pass. They were acting weird, but so was everyone else. Oh well, he didn’t really have time to think about it now.

Holt’s third period was Chemistry 2 with Mr. Hack. No thanks. Science was never his strong suit. Plus, there was seriously something off about this particular teacher. He just took a little too much pleasure in the cutting open of living things for Holt’s liking. He pulled out his phone.

“Keep an eye out. Today’s been weird, Bro.” He typed the message out and then disconnected his phone from his headphones. The world went dark.

Jackson blinked a few times. What was that ringing sound? “Oh, shOOT!” He bolted through the closest door- which just happened to be the right one- and took his seat as the bell finished ringing.

Mr. Hack passed out a hefty amount of worksheets to the class. “Okay class: no whispering, no talking, no looking around, no coughing or sneezing, no you can’t use the bathroom, and if I catch you on your cell phone the whole class gets detention. You have until the end of the class to complete the worksheets or it's a 0 for today.”

Everyone groaned. Good old Mr. Hack. Charming and likeable. Jackson tried to ignore the stares and whispers in his direction as he did his work. He knows he’s different, don’t they ever get tired of reminding him? Were they all paying more attention to him than usual, or was it just his imagination? He blazed through his work in about 20 minutes, it was just some simple thermodynamics equations. He looked up and noticed that Mr. Hack was asleep. Typical. Half the class were on their phones and the other half were talking amongst themselves. He pulled his phone out and saw Holt’s message.

Huh. Maybe it wasn’t just his imagination then, everyone was acting a little odd. Granted, every day at Monster High was pretty weird. Last week they had lost their school crest in a rollerblading contest and the school nearly toppled over, so maybe he could just ignore whatever this was.

The bell finally rang for lunch. He set his work on Mr. Hack’s desk as he jolted awake and practically ran from the room. He shot Clair a text

“Okay, transportation is set and decorations bought. Am I forgetting anything?”

“Measurements, goofy.” She responded almost instantly.

“Oh, right. I can get a tape measure from the woodshop teacher and get them during lunch.”

“Have you told the other monsters about Saturday?”

“No. I just don’t know how they’ll react, y’know?”

“Aren’t they always telling you about how you don’t belong? So why would they care?”

“Yeah you’re probably right. It’s just a difficult situation.”

“Yeah, I hear you. Let me know how it goes.”

Looking down at his phone, he didn’t notice Draculara until he bumped her as he passed.

“So sorry!” He exclaimed. 

“It’s alright.” She reassured him as she walked away. She made her way to the library where her friends were already gathered around in a circle. Spectra floated in the center.

“What’s this all about?” Draculara asked.

“While Frankie had Holt distracted, Spectra looked in his locker.”

“Well what did she find?” Cleo demanded.

“Just this. It appears to be a receipt for some kind of car rental.”

Clawd glanced at his phone. “Heath says Jackson is in the boys locker room right now taking measurements of himself and writing them down.” He told the group.

“Then what Spectra said is true.” Fraknie finally admitted. The room fell into extended silence.

“Well we can at least show Jackson he means something to us.” Draculara spoke up.

“Yeah,” Frankie agreed, “we can do something nice for him and Holt.”

“What are we going to do? Hijack the gym and throw a huge party during lunch?” Cleo asked sardonically.

“You’re on a roll Cleo! It’ll be closed tomorrow, but we can do it Friday!” Clawdeen agreed.

Cleo smiled. Very well then. Friday would be a day for the monster history books.

[orphaned-kiirokero]

Redamancy (OT7)

Redamancy: The act of loving the one who loves you; a love returned in full.

Part of the Protect the Village! Oneshot Series.

Masterlist

Pairing: BTS x Reader (Yes, all seven,)

Genre/Warnings: fluff, a bit of angst, strangers to friends to lovers, a lot of mediocre humour, 

Note: The multiverse in this world just got more complicated. But I did it!

Summary: Seven men, all from different walks of life. Then there’s you, their best friend. Nothing good ever comes from loving those close to you a little too much, that’s what you think. Apparently they have another idea.

Word Count: ~12k

UNEDITED please forgive my illiterate ass. Might edit it at a later date. 

It started with Jimin. 

     Having just moved to the village, you were just barely on your own two feet. You thought moving to the small town full of, what? 200 people? Would be enough to give you that cottage lifestyle you always wanted. Away from others, on your own, nothing but you and the forest. Of course, living in seclusion wouldn’t be as amazing as the stories make it out to be. You knew this, so you settled on moving to a small village. 

      You grew up in the city all your life. And you hated it. You hated the sickly smell of trash and cigarettes. You hated the constant buzz of people no matter the hour of the day. You absolutely despised the people who lived there too. You never thought people could get so narcissistic. Yeah, there were friendly people there, but the selfish and rude ones drowned them out. 

     So because of your less-than stellar experience with people, you didn’t plan on making many friends. Maybe becoming acquaintances with the lady who walked her dog every day or being on a first name basis with the barista at the local coffee shop. You planned to keep to yourself. Stay confined to your house and small garden, work from home. But the universe, or a stubborn blonde-haired delivery boy, had other plans. 

Because it started with Jimin. 

     Today was like any other day in the oddly cheery village. The sun was out, there wasn’t a cloud in sight, and it was way too hot for you. “Ugh,” You groaned, flopping face first on your dusty couch that was fresh out of storage. You felt like you were sweating off pounds of your body fat. You were sticky and uncomfortable. But that wasn’t even the worst part of the day.

      It was only the third day of moving into your new cottage, and you were already done with it. You’ve sneezed more times than you could count, your muscles were begging for mercy, and the movers broke your bookshelf. You swear you could kill a man. Now you had a box full of books and no bookshelf to organize them on. 

      Sure, maybe it wasn’t as serious as you were making it out to be, but adding on all the additional stresses from the past week, it felt like someone just kicked your cat. Not that you have a cat... But the point was made. You were on the verge of a breaking point. 

     Reluctantly, you went to your bedroom and opened your laptop, searching the internet for a new bookshelf. You tried to lift your spirits by telling yourself that you could get one that matches your mahogany coffee table, but one look at the price tag quickly brought you back down. “This better be an heirloom for my great-grandchildren,” You grumbled, going to checkout and typing in your credit card information. 

      The new bookshelf showed up in 2 days. You would think that would be enough time to get your shit together, but it wasn’t. The past 2 days made you even more stressed as you found important things were either missing or hidden deep in odd boxes they had no business being in. Now you're not a sentimental person, not a lot of items you own hold much sentiment to you. But if there’s one item you treasure dearly, it’d be your mother's necklace. 

      It was an old silver necklace that wound around a small teal stone. The chain was chunky and a bit rusty. Though it wasn’t falling apart, just old. It was a centuries old heirloom. Your mother said it used to be painted gold, but that was when your great-great grandmother had it. How she knew that? You didn’t know, you never asked either. Your mom was always just an oddball. 

      But that wasn’t what caught people’s attention the most. It was the teal stone itself. It was an unnatural shape. It looked like it was split in 2 pieces down the middle, almost looking like a pair of doors. They were trapezoids laid on their sides, wider edges together. You asked your mom why they were carved into such a shape, but she always said the same thing. “Honey, the stone isn’t carved, it’s natural. You’ll understand one day.”

To this day, you still don’t understand. 

      And now you never would, because the priceless family treasure was missing. You could practically hear your mother tsking from her grave as she watches you upturn everything in your apartment looking for it. You were currently bending yourself in half, peering under the couch, when the doorbell suddenly rang. You jumped, bumping your head on the coffee table. “Ow...” You groaned, standing up to answer the door. 

      Opening the door, you saw a blonde man standing on your porch with a large box standing upright next to him. “Hello! I have a package for, um... Y/n?” He said with a smile. “That’s me,” You chuckled, trying your best to at least look like you had your life together. “Is that... Heavy?” You asked cautiously, intimidated by the box that was almost as tall as the man in front of you. 

      “Yeah... A little bit... Would you like me to take it in for you?” He offered, to which you graciously accepted. “You can just put it by the tv stand,” You said. He gave you a determined nod, carrying the box over to the living room while you snuck away to the kitchen to get him a bottle of water. It was a hot day; it was the least you could do. 

      “Hey, um, is this yours?” He asked you as you walked back to the living room. In his hand was the silver necklace you were painstakingly searching for. “Oh! Yes! Thank you, where’d you find it?” You asked, quirking your brow. “It was peeking out from under the tv stand, and I don’t think you meant to put it there,” He chuckled, his eyes upturning into crescents. You couldn’t help but thinking that it was cute. 

      You held the necklace to your chest, basking in the sense of relief it gave you. “Yeah, I was looking everywhere for it. Odd that it was in such a visible place,” Your browns knitted together as you asked yourself how you missed it. You almost upturned the entire house looking for it. “Mystery solved!” The blonde man chuckled, “I’m Jimin by the way. I couldn’t help but notice all the boxes... Did you just move here?” Jimin asked, expression showing nothing but friendly curiosity. 

     You sighed, looking around at the mess that was your house currently. “Is it that obvious?” You joked, causing Jimin to chuckle. “Well, welcome to Bangtan! Not many people move out here.” He pointed out. You shrugged, “It seems nice out here. Peaceful,” Jimin gave you a soft, kind smile, one which you reciprocated. “I hope you like it here,”

     As soon as he left, you’d quickly unclasped the necklace and put it on, vowing to never take it off again. It was the only thing you had left of your mother. You didn’t care if you weren’t a jewelry person; you were now.

It started with Jimin. 

     After that day, you would see him often. Whether he was zipping around main street, delivering inventory to the various shops, or he was bringing you a package. You once asked him if he’s the only delivery personnel in the whole village, worrying that whoever was employing him was running him ragged. “No, but we have our designated areas in the village. I deliver for main street and the forest houses. Aka the houses that boarder the forest... Aka you!” Was his explanation. 

      Besides the occasional run-ins, you and Jimin never really hung out. Until he came bouncing up to your doorstep, asking if you wanted to go to the arcade with him on his day off. You almost said no. Well, you said no... But Jimin practically begged you to come, so you gave in... Eventually. So, one Sunday afternoon, you got dressed and went to the arcade that Jimin was so excited about. 

He showed up, but he wasn’t alone. 

Because next it was Taehyung. 

      It was a nice day. Perfect temperature, lovely breeze, clear skies. You would’ve loved to sit in your garden, enjoying a nice glass of lemonade, but no. Here you were outside of an admittedly pretty, arcade. Waiting for Jimin to show up so you could kick his ass at some air hockey. 

      You picked at the invisible lint on your jeans. Tapping your shoes against the concrete. You don’t know why you dressed nicer than you usually do. Maybe it was because Jimin always saw you in sweatshirts and sweatpants and you wanted to prove that you weren’t the humanized version of a dust bunny. Maybe it was because he always looks like he walked off a runway, even in his work uniform. But now you're regretting it. Your jeans are a bit too tight because you haven’t gone clothes shopping in a while and your black shirt was attracting the heat of the sun. 

      “Y/n!!!” A voice yelled, and you instantly knew it was Jimin. Looking at the end of the street, your suspicions were confirmed when you saw his blonde hair flowing in the wind as he ran to you. It was odd to see him dressed in day clothes, but it was a welcome change. He had on light washed jeans and a plain white shirt hidden underneath a denim jacket. It was a simple look, but he rocked it. 

      He stopped in front of you, hands on his knees, gasping for air. “I wasn’t going anywhere.” You chuckled, patting his head patronizingly. “I huff was just puff excited to see you.” He choked out, taking a few more deep breaths before sitting upright again. You felt your cheeks heat up at his enthusiasm to see you, but you shrugged it off. “Well, you coming?” You asked, pointing your thumb towards the building behind you. “Taehyung’s not here yet.” Jimin said, nonchalantly. 

      You tilted your head, Taehyung? “Who’s Taehyung?” You asked, poking Jimin’s side. “He’s one of my friends! Best baker in town! Well... Only baker in town, but still. He has the day off too, I thought it would be nice for you to meet him,” He shrugged, “Is that okay?” His tone was a worried one, as if he was just now realizing that you could be uncomfortable with meeting others, but you just sighed. “It’s fine, Jimin. If he’s friends with you, I’m sure he’s pretty cool,” You said, and Jimin’s eyes lit up. 

      The two of you continued to talk about random things. What you did yesterday, your plans for the coming week... Jimin was currently telling you the story about one of his other friends being attacked by a giant squirrel when a deep voice called his name. “Jiminie!” The two of you turned to see a man waving at Jimin from the end of the street, jogging over to meet up with you. 

      You could tell that this man was a bit taller than Jimin, but not by much. He had short, light brown hair, like a honey blonde color, that almost reached his eyes. He had slightly tanned skin that seemed to glow in the sun and a boxy smile that showcased his perfect teeth. You wondered if all of Jimin’s friends were model level attractive. 

      The man, who you assumed was Taehyung, and Jimin hugged each other once they got close enough. It was a short but sweet one, and you could tell that they’ve known each other for a long time. “Tae, this is Y/n! Y/n, this is Taehyung!” Jimin introduced the two of you, and you gave him a friendly bow. “Nice to meet you! Jimin’s been blabbering on all the time about you,” Taehyung snickered, earning an elbow to the arm from Jimin. 

     “Oh, really? Only good things, I hope,” You raised an eyebrow towards Jimin, and he raised his hands in defense. “Only good things! Only good,” He chuckled, and you nodded your head in satisfaction. “It’s nice to meet you too. Taehyung,” You smiled, turning your attention back to the man next to Jimin. “Alright! Game time!” Jimin clapped, racing inside the arcade with Taehyung hot on his tail. You snorted at their actions, following after them. 

      When the 3 of you paid for your tokens, you instantly agreed on going right to the air hockey table. “Okay so... Tae and I will face off with each other, then the winner plays you, is that alright?” Jimin asked, looking between you and Taehyung. Taehyung nodded while you gave him a thumbs up. 

      The two of them went to opposite sides of the table, putting in their tokens and grabbing the strikers. “You're going down,” Jimin threatened, glaring at the man in front of him. “Jimin, you’re about as frightening as a newborn puppy,” Taehyung snickered, earning an exaggerated gasp from the blonde. “Asshole,” He murmured to himself, picking up the puck and starting the game. 

      To say watching Jimin and Taehyung play was funny, is an understatement. Every time Taehyung scored a point, Jimin would whine louder and every time Jimin would score, Taehyung would start the game as quickly as possible, cutting off Jimin’s little victory dance. “Come on, Jimin!” You encouraged, looking at the 3-point difference on the overhead scoreboard. “It’s only three points!”

      Jimin tried, maybe a little too hard, but ended up losing in the end. Jimin pouted, his lower lip protruding exaggeratedly. He came over and laid his forehead on your shoulder, whining to you about Taehyung being a try-hard jerk. You just chuckled, giving his back a light pat as you gently pushed him off and went up to the table. 

      “You ready?” Taehyung asked after you put your tokens in. You nodded, waiting for him to start the game. Immediately, Taehyung hit the puck hard and fast, the plastic disc ricocheting off the sides in a zig-zag pattern. It was too fast for you to properly stop it from going right into your goal. Taehyung laughed from the other side of the table, holding his stomach as he bent over, wheezing. 

      You looked at him, unimpressed, snatching the puck from the space under the table. “You looked so helpless,” He wheezed, and you quickly put down the puck and hit it right into Taehyung’s goal, making the score even. “Oh no, you looked so helpless,” You snickered, mockingly. Setting off a competitive fire between you and Taehyung. 

After Jimin it was Taehyung. 

      That day was full of laughs and friendly insults thrown back and forth in the heat of a competitive moment. After you won that air hockey game, Taehyung challenged you to everything after that. “I bet I can score higher on this!” or “I bet you can’t beat that,” To which you proved him wrong about 50% of the time, Jimin being your cheerleader for every game. Besides DDR. Nobody dares to go against Jimin on DDR. Unless it’s Hoseok. 

      But your interactions with Taehyung and Jimin didn’t stop there. Now Jimin felt more comfortable inviting you out, usually to Taehyung’s bakery, so you could get to know each other better. Sometimes you’d even go to Taehyung’s bakery (Aptly named “Kim’s Confections”) on your own, just to talk to him as he made his stock for the next day. 

     Jimin and Taehyung said they had other friends that would love to meet you, but they were just busy, so it would take time. They also told you that 2 were on a business trip and wouldn’t be back for another week while another was swamped with work and the others were just shy. You didn’t mind much; you’d meet them when you met them. 

Which apparently was soon.

Because then it was Namjoon. 

      It was a nice day out today. It was slightly overcast and there was a cool breeze blowing through. Perfect for you. Not so perfect to the sunshine people of Bangtan. Nobody was out and about today like usual. People were treating a slightly dim day like it was snowing. It was amusing to you. When you first got here, you’ve never seen so many sunny days before. It was disorienting. The chilly day was a blissful blessing. 

      But going out on a lovely day was only fun when other people were out on that lovely day. Despite your previous woes, you actually wanted to get to know the community that lived in Bangtan. Jimin said that they didn’t get many outsiders, but everyone here was delightful to you. There was even this old lady how gave you a Snickers! A whole Snickers!

      Instead of letting the lack of people get you down though, you opted to go on one of the nature paths that went through the forest that surrounds the village. Putting on a pair of jeans and a jacket, you grabbed your small backpack off the counter and headed straight for the forest that was behind your house. 

     When Jimin said you lived in a “forest house,” He really wasn’t wrong, the tree line was only a 2-minute walk from your backdoor. You love the fact that you can look out your window and see the wildlife running around, even if some of them look oddly larger than normal. But that was probably just your imagination. 

      Stepping onto a well-worn path, you began your walk. Listening to the songs of the birds and breathing in the earthy smell that surrounded you, it was like heaven. Maybe it was because you lived in the city for most of your life, but you really felt drawn to this place. The vibrant green trees, the lively wildlife, the calm atmosphere. It was all so... Nice.

     The way the wind blew through the trees, rustling the leaves in a peaceful harmony, made pleasant shivers run down your spine. You would playfully wave at the squirrels and birds that you encountered on your path, and they would oddly look back at you, making you chuckle. “Cuties,” You whispered to yourself, your shoes crunching against the dried fallen leaves that covered the path. 

      About 20 minutes into your walk, however, you felt goosebumps rise on your skin. Like a second sense you weren’t aware about. Curiously, you stopped, looking around the empty forest. Nothing but trees, fauna, and flora as far as the eye could see. But it was also deathly quiet. You didn’t notice before, too trapped in your own thoughts, but the birds stopped chirping, like the entire forest had gone still. 

      Shivers ran their way up your spine, and you didn’t dare move a muscle. Suddenly the once refreshing forest air turned dry and suffocating, and it felt colder than before. The rustling of leaves caught your attention, and you whipped around in search of the source. Nothing moved as it went silent again. Scared, you started walking down the path again, eager to get away. 

      You could hear your heart pounding in your ears as your palms became sweaty from tightly clutching onto your bag. But then the rustling came again, this time it was closer. You whimpered, picking up your speed into a brisk walk to a jog, the rustling still following you. You took the risk of looking behind you, and what you saw made you gasp. There behind you was a grey wolf, briskly following you like it had all the time in the world. It wasn’t necessarily threatening you in any way, but it was a wolf, and all you were thinking about was getting away. 

     You broke out into a run, trying to get as far away from the animal as you could. You logically knew that it could easily run faster than you, but you were running on pure adrenalin at this point. Well, you were. Until you slammed face first into what felt like a brick wall. You fell backwards with a thump, groaning at the shock of pain that ran up your ankle. 

    “Oh! I’m sorry!” A deep voice apologized, kneeling next to you. All thoughts of the animal chasing you vanished from your mind when you looked up to see a tan, muscular man. He had sandy blonde hair that was swept to the side and chestnut brown eyes that were filled with worry. His grey shirt was tight, leaving little to the imagination. He was very well built. “Hello? Oh no, did you hit your head?” His voice spoke up again, waving his hand in front of your face. 

    You blinked a couple of times before lightly shaking your head. “No- I’m okay,” You answered, and the man let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good, can you stand up?” He asked, you tried to stand up, but a piercing, sweltering heat shot its way up your ankle and you groaned in pain. “I think I twisted my ankle...” You whimpered, bringing one of your hands down to support it. 

      “Oh no, um... Think Namjoon think...” The man, who you presumed to be the Namjoon he was referring to, paced back and forth in front of you. You brought your backpack around in front of you, looking through it until you pulled out the mini first aid kit you carried. You opened up the small plastic box and got out the bandage wrap that came with it. “Um, can you help me wrap my ankle?” You spoke up, getting the worried man’s attention. “Y-Yeah!” He nodded, kneeling in front of you. 

     “I’m so sorry... Um, I can, uh... Carry you back to my home? I think I have an ice pack in the freezer,” He offered while he wrapped the bandage snuggly against your ankle... You raised your eyebrow suspiciously, not quite trusting the random woodsman you just met. 

      He caught on to what you were thinking, quickly holding his hands up and smiling awkwardly. “I promise I won’t do anything! And if I make you uncomfortable, you can like... Punch me or something,” He said, and you relented, knowing that he was likely your only way out of this forest since you seemed to have strayed off the beaten path. 

“I’m Namjoon, by the way,” He smiled, revealing a pair of deep-set dimples.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Y/n,” 

     After Namjoon wrapped up your ankle, he picked you up bridal style (After getting your permission) and carried you back to civilization. You made small talk along the way. Namjoon told you that he was the town’s mechanic and he lived in an apartment that was above his shop. You told him that you were new in town and you worked as a translator. 

      Soon, you arrived at a small store that looked very much like a smaller version of AutoZone. Namjoon carefully carried you up the stairs and set you down on his living room couch. “I’ll go get that ice pack,” He said, giving you a soft smile as he disappeared into what you assumed to be the kitchen. 

    You ignored the blush that made its way onto the tips of your ears, searching through your bag until you found your phone. Opening your messages with Jimin. 

Hey. I know I said I’d meet up with you later but I kinda messed up my ankle...

Chim: What?! How?

I went on a nature hike and ran face first into this dude Namjoon

Chim: Namjoon? The mechanic?

Yeah, he brought me back to his house and is treating it. Seems super worried. Chill guy though!

Chim: Sounds like Joon. Stay there, okay? I’ll meet you there. I’ll bring Tae too.

You know him?

Chim: He’s the guy I told you about, the one that knocked over the can display.

Oh yeah! lol

After Taehyung it was Namjoon.

      After you texted Jimin about your predicament, him and Taehyung showed up to gage how bad it really was. In reality, it wasn’t that awful. You only had to wear a brace for 3 days and stay far away from Namjoon’s clumsy tendencies for another 2. 

      Namjoon was surprised at first to find out that you knew the two men, and then they enthusiastically informed him that you were the Y/n that they’ve been telling everyone about. You don’t know if it was more embarrassing for you to find out you're a regular conversation topic, or for Namjoon who didn’t connect the dots earlier. Maybe it was both. 

     But besides your rocky first impressions. You and Namjoon bonded quickly. But instead of bonding over competition like Taehyung or frequent meetings like Jimin... The two of you bonded when you found out his love for books, especially old classics. It was only 2 days after your initial meeting. Jimin and Taehyung were busy, and you didn’t feel like being alone, so you visited Namjoon. (Much to his surprise)

      You were keeping him company in the garage while he worked on a car when you referenced a scene from “The Odyssey,” Namjoon had shot his head up and looked at you wide eyed, asking if you were a fan of literature. When you said yes, he couldn’t help but talk animatedly about his favorites as you playfully indulged him. Not minding one bit. 

      The two of you frequently met up to talk about books. Whether it be a debate about whether “To Kill a Mockingbird” Should be as hyped up as it is or deep philosophical conversations about the meaning of “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” But there was one day when you visited him that he asked if you wanted to go shopping with him. 

Which is how you ended up in a grocery store with cans rolling around on the floor. 

Then you met Hoseok.

      “Shopping?” You asked incredulously as you watched Namjoon emerge from his room with a fresh set of clothes on. “Yeah! It could be fun! Also, Jimin begged me to go with him and I don’t want to go through that alone,” He blurted out, and you laughed, hiding your face in the arm of his couch. 

      Namjoon huffed at your amusement, whining out a “Please?” That you just couldn’t exist. You sighed, getting up from the couch and slipping on your shoes. “Let’s go then, you know how Jimin gets,” Namjoon quickly followed suit, not wanting to deal with a nagging Jimin alone. “You’re right, let’s go!” He rushed, and you giggled, following him out the door. 

      It was another sunny day in Bangtan, meaning more people were out and about. You smiled as people on the street waved at you, becoming more used to your presence in the town. “How different is the city life to this?” Namjoon asked from beside you, hands stuffed in the pockets of his leather jacket. “Much different. People would usually bump into you, then sneer at you like it was your fault,” You snorted, earning a wide-eyed look from the man beside you.

    “People were that rude?” He asked, exasperated. “Yep,” You nodded, finding his distaste for people he’s never met somewhat amusing. Namjoon scoffed, mumbling a “Dumb people,” Under his breath, causing you to chuckle. “Namjoon, there's no need to get so worked up about it,” You poked his shoulder. Namjoon looked at you with pursed lips, “Nobody should be mean to a person like you,” He declared, looking at you with deep intensity. 

    “Guys!” A voice called, breaking through the moment you and Namjoon were having. You cleared your throat, wiping your sweaty palms on your jeans before looking up at Jimin. He was standing in front of the grocery store you often frequented. “Hey,” You greeted once the two of you got close enough. Jimin engulfed you in a hug, squeezing you tight, and you couldn’t help the giggled that bubbled their way up and out of your throat. But you missed the look of jealousy that crossed Namjoon’s face. 

      Once Jimin let go, he gave both of you and a cheeky smile. “So... I know Hoseok technically banned Namjoon from here after last time... But! Today is the day they restock the junk food” Jimin exclaimed, enthusiasm painted on his face. You forgot that living in such a secluded town meant that things like brand-named food went out of stock and stayed like that for longer than you were used to. It was one of the downsides to living here, but like, one out of five.

      “Hoseok? You mean the manager that seems to avoid me like the plague?” You asked, earning a sympathetic look from both of the men. You’re heard about Hoseok plenty of times from Jimin, Taehyung, AND Namjoon. You’ve even seen the dude when you shopped here sometimes, but he always hid away in the backroom when he noticed your presence. Not coming out until you were gone.

    You were convinced that Hoseok didn’t like you for whatever reason, but everyone told you it was just him. He was shy at first, then the loudest person you’d ever meet. “Y/n...” Jimin whined, and you playfully rolled your eyes. “Yeah. yeah. He doesn't have some sort of weird vendetta against me, I get it,” You groaned, walking past both of them. “Let’s just go, yeah?” You pressed, looking over your shoulder at the both of them. 

    The two of them looked at each other, then back at you before they followed you into the store. Jimin quickly took the lead as he guided you and Namjoon towards the candy and chips section of the small mart. “Ah, it’s beautiful,” Jimin sighed, grabbing a pack of spicy potato chips. “It’s unhealthy,” Namjoon mocking him, mimicking Jimin’s dreamy sigh.

    Jimin whipped around to glare at the taller man, not caring that Namjoon had to look down to maintain eye contact with him. “Look, not everyone eats leaves like you Joon,” Jimin hmphed, turning back to the shelf. You snickered, earning an exaggerated gasp from Namjoon. “I’m offended, Y/n,” He said, and you chuckled harder. 

    “That’s it, come here,” Namjoon threatened, reaching out for you to which you immediately turned and ran away. You say run, but it was more like a jog. You and Namjoon were laughing with each other while he tried to catch you. “Weak sauce, Namjoon,” You teased from the opposite end of the aisle from him. “You wound me,” He chuckled, lunging at you yet again. 

    But this time, you narrowly dodged his grasp. You jumped out of the way quickly enough for him to miss you, but he wasn’t quick enough to stop himself from running headfirst into a display of cans. How ironic. The cans sounded a huge crash as they fell to the floor in conjunction, Namjoon falling with them. He let out a groan of pain as he landed on a can, one of them hitting him on the head. 

    You let out a pained hiss, almost feeling the headache incoming. “Are you okay?” You asked, kneeling beside him. This situation feeling familiar before. “Yeah... I’m good,” Namjoon whimpered out, wincing at the pain in his back. Suddenly, the two of you heard rapid footsteps approaching you. “You idiots,” Jimin sighed, kneeling on the opposite side of Namjoon. “This is why Hobi banned you,” Jimin flicked Namjoon’s nose, the elder letting out a choked “Ack” sound. 

     Soon, you and Jimin helped Namjoon back up to his feet, the taller man resting a hand on his back for support. “Of course it was you, Joon,” A new voice spoke up, sounding amused. The three of you focused your attention on the approaching man coming down on of the isles, his eyes trained on Namjoon. 

     He was taller than Jimin but shorter than Namjoon, somewhere in between. He had brunette hair in a mocha-like shade that was a similar hairstyle to Taehyung. He had deep brown eyes and heart-shaped lips that were upturned into a slight smile. You recognized him as Hoseok, the store manager who avoided you like you had a flu and he was immunocompromised. 

    “Well... This situation seems familiar,” Namjoon chuckled, wincing when he realized that made his back hurt worse. “Yes, it is,” Hoseok sighed, looking at the dented and disorganized cans that were scattered on the floor. “Sorry about the mess,” You spoke up, Hoseok’s eyes finally registering on you. He seemed to freeze up, a nervous smile plastered on his face. 

    “It’s fine!” He said a bit too enthusiastically. Jimin snickered from the other side of Namjoon, giving Hoseok a teasing smirk. “Hobi! This is Y/n! The girl I’ve told you so much about!” Jimin smiled, and Hoseok’s cheeks reddened as he avoided eye contact with you. “Nice to meet you,” He coughed out. “You’ve seen me before... I’m not exactly shopping for food anywhere else,” You pointed out. 

     Hoseok looked up to you for a brief second before looking back down at his shoes. “Yeah! Yeah... Sorry you’re just, new,” He nervously chuckled. “I get it, I’ve heard not many people come to Bangtan. You just don’t hate me, right?” You asked cautiously, not knowing what you would do if the answer was yes. “No! I don’t hate you; I swear.” Hoseok cleared his throat, fiddling with his fingers. 

     “What Hoseok is trying to say is he doesn’t know how to approach new people. Like I’ve been telling you,” Jimin interrupted, giving you a “I told you so,” Look. “Whatever Jimin. But um, Hoseok? Could you do me a favor?” You asked, turning your attention back on the brunette. “Hmm?” Hoseok hummed, urging you to continue. “Could you take my place supporting Namjoon? He’s heavy...” You chuckled. Getting a laugh from Jimin, a complaint from Namjoon, and a soft smile of agreement from Hoseok. 

After Namjoon it was Hoseok. 

     When all of you arrived back at Namjoon’s apartment and threw him on the floor, you and Hoseok made quick work of getting him an ice pack and medicine. You got Namjoon comfy on the couch with some blankets and pillows, an ice pack on his back, while Hoseok got him some water to swallow the pills he gave him. 

     Namjoon fell asleep shortly after he took the medicine. Whether he was already tired or the pills knocked him out, it didn’t matter; he was out like a light. All three of you chuckled at the snoring man, even if he sounded like a train in the distance, you thought he was cute. Jimin eventually had to clock into work, giving you a wink as he waved goodbye and rushed out the door. Leaving just you, Hoseok, and a sleeping Namjoon. 

    At first, the air between you and Hoseok was quite stale. The two of you exchanging basic words of pleasantries to keep an awkward silence at bay. But “How old are you?” and “Where are you from?” can only get you so far. So when the conversation died down, Hoseok suggested that you should put on a movie. 

    You didn’t pin Hoseok to be a superhero nerd, but he totally was. If his simping over Spiderman was anything to go off of. You weren’t necessarily a Marvel or DC guru, but you let Hoseok talk your ear off once he got comfortable. 

    Jimin wasn’t wrong when he said Hoseok was shy at first, then the loudest person you would ever meet. Because after a few minutes into the movie, he couldn’t hold in his excited soliloquy anymore. Once he got more comfortable in your presence, he would make comments here and there on what was happening and eventually you joined in, asking questions about anything you were lost on. 

    Hoseok was very sweet about your lack of knowledge about the universe and even offered to switch to an earlier movie in that confusing connected universe. That kicked off an entire movie marathon of Hoseok explaining everything to you and you intently listening, genuinely interested in the weird, bizarre world of super heros. You even picked your favorite out of the enormous bunch. Ironically, it was Spiderman... He’s just so lovable. You couldn’t help it, he was too charming. 

    Eventually, after 3 hours of a lesson on superheros and some villains, Namjoon woke up, still sore, but better. He even joined you on your marathon, mostly because he didn’t want to get up from the couch, but he did pay attention! You, Namjoon, and Hoseok laughed, talked, and bickered over the lore and more trivial things for hours, but it was all in good fun. “You’re cool, Hoseok,” You remember telling the brunette. Hoseok sought out to be a friend you could have endless amounts of fun with after that. 

But the eventful day didn’t end there!

Because then Seokjin burst through the door.

      “Okay so... You’re telling me that there’s this ex-surgeon turned mystical time lord, and that’s canon?” You asked Hoseok incredulously, the brunette trying not to laugh at your disbelieving attitude. Because in this world radioactive spiders, literal gods of thunder, and a whole, invisible kingdom named Wakanda exists... But no! Time lords are too much! “Yes, Y/n. Doctor Strange is canon,” Hoseok chuckled. 

     You furrowed your brow, leaning back into the couch more and (unintentionally) leaning into Namjoon more. He doesn’t mind though, you’re warm. “What are like... The rules of this world? Things like time manipulation opens up a whole new can of worms,” You pointed out. Hoseok shrugged, popping a piece of popcorn into his mouth. “I try not to like about the logistics. I mean, it’s superheros Y/n! Not exactly a philosophical conversation starter about the possibility of multiple timelines and aliens.” 

     Namjoon chuckled as you nodded, seeing his point. “It’s like those fantasy books you like to read, Y/n,” Namjoon said. “I guess I can see your point. Guess I’ll have to discuss the possibility of a multiverse with someone else,” You playfully sighed. Hoseok snorted, opening his mouth to say something before Namjoon’s front door burst open violently. 

     “Joon! You are so dead!” A masculine voice shouted. You shrunk into the couch while Hoseok and Namjoon looked towards the source of the ruckus. “Jin? What are you-” Namjoon speaks up, only to be cut off by this “Jin” person. “Oh you know why I’m here! You were supposed to help me organize files tonight!” The unfamiliar voice complained, and you slowly looked over the back of the couch. 

     Standing in the doorway was a man about as tall as Hoseok, dressed in a pristine grey suit with a green tie. He had dark brown hair that looked almost black in the low light of Namjoon’s apartment in a similar hairstyle to Taehyung. He had thin-rimmed circular glasses that enhanced his pretty brown eyes, that were currently wrinkled in annoyance. He was strikingly handsome with his plump lips and smooth-looking skin. You were seriously wondering what was in the water at Bangtan that made all these men seriously attractive. 

    Namjoon gasped, sitting up to get a better look at Jin, swallowing the wince as the pain from earlier in the day hasn’t quite dissipated yet. “I’m so sorry! It slipped my mind... I kinda... Got occupied,” Namjoon scratched the back of his neck nervously. Jin quirked a brown, still not acknowledging your presence even if you were right next to Namjoon. “What?” Jin asked, crossing his arms. “I... Ran into a can display,” Namjoon muttered out, looking down at his hands. 

     “Before you say anything. Yes, he did it again,” Hoseok spoke up, giving Namjoon a cheeky smirk. “But he got hurt this time,” Jin looked Namjoon up and down, taking in the bump on his forehead and disheveled appearance, finally letting out a sigh. “Alright just, text me next time, okay?” Jin said. Namjoon nodded giving him a thumbs up before he turned to you. 

    “Oh! Jin, this is Y/n.” Namjoon smiled. Jin’s head now turned to look at you, his eyes widening. “Y/n? Oh yeah! The girl you texted me about!” Jin walked closer to you, holding out one of his hands. You awkwardly took it, giving it a shake before Jin smiled. “I’m Seokjin. But please call me Jin because Seokjin makes me feel old and like I’m back at work.” He declared, and you chuckled at his practiced introduction. “Nice to meet you, Jin,” You replied, giving him a smile. 

    Jin’s attention then focused on the mess of junk food that sat on the coffee table, his upper lip furling in disdain. “Have you guys eaten any real food yet?” He asked, looking at all three of you briefly before he started cleaning up the mess. “No... And stop cleaning. It’s my apartment, I’ll get it,” Namjoon whined, only to get brushed off with a “You say that every time. What would you do without me?”

    Jin continued to clean while you watched him and Namjoon bicker back and forth, turning to Hoseok for some sort of escape from how awkward you felt. Hoseok noticed your uncomfortable aura and chuckled. “it’s fine, they bicker like that all the time.” That made you feel a bit better. Knowing that you weren’t witnessing a rivalry go down right in front of you. 

     “You guys stay there and I’ll cook something that will actually give you nutrients, okay?” Jin called from the kitchen, but you quickly spoke up. “Oh no, you don’t have to count me in! I’ll just head home,” You said, standing up. jin quickly tutted you like a scolding mother with a “Nonsense! It’s nothing, really. Besides, I want to get to know you. What better way of doing that then over dinner?” You looked towards Namjoon and Hoseok, both of them shaking their heads, silently saying “There’s no use in arguing”

    You surrendered, sitting back down on the couch. You missed the smile that crossed Jin’s face when he saw you give in, declaring to himself that he’d make an extra tasty meal. You, Hoseok, and Namjoon continued to watch Doctor Strange while Jin clanged around in the kitchen. The scent of what seemed to be bulgogi wafting through the air. 

    Soon, Jin called all of you over for dinner, Hoseok helping Namjoon to the dining room while you helped Jin set the table. Once you all sat down, everyone grabbed their bits of food, the three of them putting more food on your plate when they thought your plate was too empty. Using the excuse of “Leftovers are a hassle,” to subtly shrug off their doting over you. 

    After the first initial bites of food were on everyone’s stomachs, Jin piped up to ask you questions about yourself, offering information and embarrassing stories about him and his friend in return. It was easy to talk to Jin, his dad jokes and open personality meant that you felt it was easy to open up to him. Never once did he make a face of judgement or disgust at anything you said and it made you feel welcomed. (Not that the other didn’t make you feel welcomed, it was just that Jin was easy to talk to,)

    “I love your necklace, by the way. Where’d you get it?” Jin asked, pointing to the old family heirloom that still hung around your neck. “It’s an heirloom, I have no idea where it came from,” You chuckled, fidgeting with the cool, teal stone. “Well, it’s beautiful. Seems oddly familiar too,” He commented, getting nods of agreement from Hoseok and Namjoon. You shrugged, stuffing the last bit of meat into your mouth. “Thank you for dinner. Jin,” You smiled. 

After Hoseok it was Seokjin.

    That night you went home with a full stomach and new contacts in your phone. All the boys you met so far sending you a goodnight text. Some filled with emojis, others declaring that you should hang out with them more. It made you feel all warm and gushy inside. The prospect of having friends that cared about you enough to send you goodnight texts was a dream a few months ago. Now you could send goodnight texts back. 

    The chirping of crickets and rustling of leaves narrated the walk back to your tiny cottage. Now that you were alone, you thought back to when you met Namjoon. That grey wolf you were chasing seemed to suddenly disappear once you bumped into him. Namjoon is tall. Maybe that scared it off? You didn’t know, who knows about the behaviors of wolves? Nature nerds. So probably Namjoon.

     Then again, it didn’t seem aggressive, just curious. What if it saw you and got curious? Just wanting to see what you were all about. That made you feel somewhat guilty. You probably scared the poor thing by breaking out into a sprint. That didn’t mean you’d walk up to one the next time you see one, but it just meant you’d probably be a bit less anxious. 

    And you were right, the next time you saw one you were very calm. Whether that was because the wolf was surprisingly domestic or it was the man you found petting it that made all sense of danger blank from your mind. But the calm wind that blew through his hair as he looked you up and down was something you’d remember forever. Because now, in the strangest way...

Yoongi entered your life.

      You decided to try a nature day again. A run in with a wolf and one sprained ankle isn’t going to stop you from admiring the beauty that is the forest of Bangtan. You were either brave or stupid. Probably a bit of both. Nonetheless, you grabbed your bag, slipped on your sneakers, and set off into the woods with a new sense of determination. 

    You don’t know what your end goal is; you didn’t plan that far ahead. All you cared about was appreciating nature, alone, with no interruptions. Today was a hotter day than before. The skies with nothing but blue as the sun beat down on the world below it. Luckily, the forest had a good canopy of trees to block you from being directly hit by the sun's rays. 

    It was another calming day of birds chirping and small animals scurrying about, no ominous rustling this time, just you and the odd animals of Bangtan forest. You kept up the joke of waving to the animals that would stop and stare at you, some of them taking a few steps closer, some of them tilting their heads, but none of them running away. It made you feel like a forest fairy that could talk to them, even if that was a ridiculous idea. 

    This time you were able to venture deeper into the forest, the trees getting thicker, and the animals seemed to get bigger. Not paranormally so, but enough to notice. “They probably just eat better deeper in the forest,” You observed aloud, continuing your walk as you stopped occasionally to smell the wildflowers that lined the path. 

     While you were busy admiring and smelling what looked to be chicory, a bump against your leg caused you to look down. Down at your feet was a large squirrel. The critter looked up at you with big beady eyes, its small hands holding an acorn. “Aww, hello!” You cooed, not moving in fear of startling the fuzzy creature. It ran laps around your feet a couple of times before stopping, looking back up at you once again. 

    You quirked your head to the side, chuckling at the squirrel's odd behavior. It did that routine a couple more times before you moved, taking a step back onto the path. The squirrel turned and ran a few feet down the path, turning around to look at you once again. The two of you stared at each other before it came back, circling your feet then heading down the path at the spot it was previously in. 

    Curious, you walked towards the squirrel. The fluff ball kept goes a few feet down the path every time you caught up to it, waiting for you before it continued that routine. You questioned yourself whether you were really blindly following a squirrel in hopes of it leading you somewhere important, but you just felt like you had to. 

     Soon the squirrel detoured off the beaten path, turning to look at you from the thick brush. “I’m not moving off the path, little guy,” You said, drawing this goose chase to a close when you felt like it could possibly endanger you. The squirrel didn’t let up though, it just went back to circling and bumping your legs, it’s eyes silently pleading with you. 

    Sighing, you decided that if it stayed straight, then you would follow it, thinking that it would be easy to turn around if this was really useless. The squirrel continued to lead you through the forest, staying on its own straight path before the forest opened up into a clearing. 

     The grass was a vibrant green and there was a thick oak tree standing on a hill, just slightly off center. But it wasn’t the odd natural phenomenon that caught your attention. It was the man and the wolf that were sitting under the tree. The squirrels bumped against your leg again, trying to get you to walk toward them, but you refused, slightly nervous. 

    But the wolf didn’t seem to give you a choice as it spotted you and bolted right towards you. You felt your heart jump to your throat as you tripped on your own feet, falling backwards on the ground. You prepared for pain. A bite. A scratch. Anything. But you only got the cold wet touch of its nose while it sniffed you and the soft tickle of its fur when it rubbed its head against your head. 

     Slowly, you lifted your hand up and the wolf took the liberty of putting its head under it. You pet the large animal with wide eyes, not noticing that the man from before had gotten up and walked towards you. The wolf curled up next to you, whining whenever you stopped petting it. “He’s a baby,” A sleepy voice spoke up beside you. 

     You whipped your head up to see a man with brass blonde hair and brown eyes. He seemed about as tall as Jimin, and he had a flower sticking out of his pocket. His face was stoic, looking at you with subtle curiosity. “W-What?” You asked, still a bit blown away by the sequence of events that just played out. “Holly, the wolf you’re petting,” He said, pointing down to the wolf that was now asleep. 

    “O-Oh... Yeah,” You said, perplexed, looking down at the sleeping canine. The man sat down next to you, petting Holly alongside with you. “You’re not from around here, are you?” He asked, looking you right in the eye. “Not really... I just moved here... I’m Y/n,” You answered. “I know. The others like to talk about you,” He shrugged, catching you off guard. “I’m Yoongi,”

    Ah, you’ve heard about Yoongi. The others described him as a quiet, old man, and you could see what they mean. Yoongi looked like the kind of person that knew all of life’s secrets but wouldn’t tell you because you “Didn’t ask,” He had an aura of mystery around him, but everyone else insisted he was a kind soul who you could tell all your problems to and he’d instantly make it better. 

“They really talk about me that much?” You chuckled, shaking your head. 

“Yeah, I’ve been excited to meet you,” He said, sounding very unexcited, but you believed him anyway.

“Have you been too busy to?” 

“No, I had to wait for the right time,”

     You tilted your head, furrowing your eyebrows. “The right time?” You asked. “I knew we’d meet, eventually. You’ll meet everyone eventually,” He responded cryptically, and you decided to drop the subject. The two of you sat together in silence, but it was a comfortable one. Neither of you felt to need to talk over the chirping birds or snoring Holly. 

You didn’t quite notice how Yoongi kept stealing glances at your necklace or the hopeful gummy smile that crossed his face. 

After Seokjin it was Yoongi. 

    After that day, Yoongi would invite you over to his flower shop more, insisting that you take a flower home every time you left. The two of you didn’t hang out as often alone as you did with Jimin or Namjoon, but you still became friends. Whenever you were upset, Yoongi would walk with you to that clearing, sitting with you under the tree while Holly rested his head on your lap. 

    The docile wolf used to weird you out, even if Yoongi explained that all the animals in the forest were friendly. You just couldn’t understand that an apex predator could shrug you off and even demand cuddles from you, but Holly was a sweetie, so you didn’t complain. Yoongi would often say weird and bizarre things, most of them very cryptic, but you learned it was normal and everyone just went along with it. 

    Yoongi would often ask about your necklace and your family. Asking where you got it, where your family was from, if they’ve even been to Bangtan. It was a bit odd, but you just chalked it up to Yoongi wanting to know more about you and your weird looking necklace. Besides, it’s not like the two of you didn’t have fun together.

    Sometimes he would sit and talk to Namjoon with you, he’d bake together with you and Jin, get dragged along to the arcade with Jimin and Taehyung, or put up with you weekly movie nights with Hoseok. Yoongi became a friend too, never failing to be a rock for you to lean on or a shoulder to cry on, and he didn’t seem to mind. Not one bit. He even soothed your worries about the youngest of the bunch not liking you. 

Cause then you finally met Jeongguk.

    “Are you saying you don’t like my cream puffs?” Jin gasped, pointing his spatula at the 5 of you currently lounging in Namjoon’s living room. Yoongi shrugged and Jimin stuck his tongue out in disgust, earning another gasp from Jin. “Don’t worry Jin! I like them,” You spoke up, giving the elder a smile. “Thank you, Y/n. You’re the only one I can rely on,” He playfully sighed, getting an eye roll from both Namjoon and Hoseok. 

    You watched Jin move around the kitchen for a few more minutes, “Why are you baking so much?” You asked. Jin lifted his head to look at you, giving you a small smile. “Gukkie’s coming home from the academy!” He exclaimed excitedly. After hanging out with all of them for more that a month, you came to realize that “Jeongguk” “Guk” and “Gukkie” was the same person. “The academy?” You questioned. 

     “Yeah! He had to go for his yearly training, but some seniors asked him to help train the rookies, so he stayed. He’s coming home today!” Jin continued his ministrations as you let out an “ohh” understanding why you’ve heard so much about Jeongguk but he never seemed to be around, even if Yoongi said him, Jimin, and Taehyung used to go to the arcade often. 

     You let out a sigh, laying your head down on top of Taehyung’s lap, closing your eyes. You failed to see the red that painted Taehyung’s face or the way he looked up to everyone else to see if they were seeing what he was seeing. They were. And you all wished they were Taehyung right now. Hoseok pouted, Jimin gave Taehyung a sly smirk. The eldest looking at your tired form with soft worry. They knew you had a long night; it was written all over your face. 

    You don’t know when you drifted off to sleep, but you were awoken with a start. The sound of happy cheers pulled you out of the sleep realm, Taehyung running his hand through your hair to ground you. You looked up with dreary eyes, burying your face into Taehyung’s stomach in an attempt to hang onto the threads of sleep that were slowly slipping through your fingers. 

     “Sorry,” Taehyung whispered to you, feeling his heart pound against his ribcage at how cute you looked. But his efforts of lulling you back to dream land were thwarted and Jimin dragged you off the couch, rambling something about Guk and backs. You didn’t know, you could barely stand at this point. 

     “Guk! Meet Y/n!” Jimin chipped while you rubbed the sleep out of your eyes. You opened your eyes to see a tall man with brown hair like Jins. He had brown eyes like the others, but his skin was tan like Namjoon’s, a little lighter, probably because of working out in the sun. 

    He gave you a shy smile that showed off his bunny like teeth. “H-Hello,” He stuttered out, the tips of his ears reddening. “Hi, nice to finally meet you,” You smiled sleepily, leaning your head on Jimin’s shoulder for support. “You too... You’re very pretty,” He chuckled out nervously, his bluntness caught you off guard. “Thank you,” You giggled, cheeks heating up before he got whisked away by his hyungs so they could catch up. 

    Jin stuffed Jeongguk full of the food he made while Jimin and Taehyung pulled him into annoying Yoongi. It was amusing to watch how well he reintegrated into their group, like he wasn’t gone for 3 months. The boys fit together so easily and naturally, like a perfect ecosystem in play. You wondered if you could get to that point with them. 

    Jeongguk was obviously influenced by his hyungs a lot. He had the love for superheros like Hoseok, the mischief of Jimin and Taehyung. He was physically built like Namjoon put had a soft nature like Yoongi, The only influence that wasn’t overtly obvious was Jin, but you could see the subtle caregiver tendencies like putting extra food on Yoongi’s plate. 

    All 8 of you talked over dinner, everyone else trying to push Jeongguk to talk to you. Which you did. Jeongguk told you about his time as a police officer and some of the odd stories that came along with it. The others occasionally butting in to embarrass him. 

    By the end of the night, Jeongguk and you had gotten to know each other well, with the help of the other, as all 8 of you feel asleep in Namjoon’s living room. Infinity War playing on the tv. You laid on Jeongguk’s shoulder and he laid his head on top of yours; the others cooing at the two of you. 

That was 2 years ago.

     It was a normal day in Bangtan. Sunny, clear skies, and a whole lot of ruckus. The boys decided to visit you for the day, saying that they needed a day to hangout with everyone together. You didn’t mind though; you were more than used to the impromptu visits that any (or all) of them would make to your house. 

    Jimin, Tae, and Guk were sat in your living room playing a game of Mario Kart while Yoongi and Jin helped you make dinner. Hobi and Joon talking to the three of you while they sat around your kitchen island. “Alright, Hobi. Time lords were right on the line. Purple alien dilf? Crossing it,” You laughed, cutting up some radish for the kimchi Jin planned to make with you tomorrow. 

    Hoseok gasped, while Namjoon wheezed with his forehead on the counter. “Okay I’ve heard a lot of things about Thanos. Purple alien dilf is a new one,” He cackled, his lips stretching into the heart-shaped smile that make your face hot. “She’s not wrong,” Yoongi shrugged, throwing some beef into an already prepped pan. “Just because she’s right doesn’t mean she should say it!” Guk called from the living room, obviously hearing every word that was spoken despite him being in another room. 

    You giggled, offering a piece of carrot to Hoseok and one to Namjoon when he whined about you picking favorites. In these past 2 years you’ve grown to really care about the boys who slipped into your life so abruptly, some more oddly than others. (Cough. Yoongi.) But they all just stayed. Every day you would learn more about all of them and they would learn more about you. I mean, you wouldn’t have guessed that Jin loved stuffed animals. But he does. 

    The only problem that came with leaning more about them was slowly turning that care into admiration. What you're trying to avoid saying is the word “love” because you refuse to let yourself feel something that could be detrimental to the carefully crafted friend dynamic all of you have built. But deep down you knew that what you felt for them was anything but platonic. 

   Friends don’t want to cuddle with each other under the stars. Friends don’t look at each other's lips and think about how soft they’d be against your own. Friends don’t think about living in a house together and eventually growing old while you watch your kids carry on your legacy. Friends don’t do or think about that. 

    However, it’s not that you have a crush on one of them. It’s all of them. That’s what confuses you and makes you push your feelings away. How was that possible? Loving all of them? How was is possible to think about getting morning kisses from both Jin and Joon? Was is weird to think about holding hands with both Jimin and Jeongguk while you went to go meet up with Taehyung for a quadruple date? What would they say if they found out you thought about having a picnic out at that clearing with Yoongi, Hoseok, and Holly by your side under the tree while the others play around? The possibility of them being grossed out by you was scary. So you suppressed your emotions.

     You ignored the way you would shiver when their skin brushed yours. You suppress the dreamy sighs every time you got stuck in a daydream. You forced a smile whenever jealously would bubble up in your stomach at the sight of other happy couples, wishing you could have what they have, but with all of your best friends. 

    “Our 2 year anniversary is tomorrow,” Yoongi spoke up randomly, very in character for him. “Random,” Hoseok snorted. “2 year anniversary?” Yoongi nodded, not taking his attention off of the cooking meat. “2 years since Y/n became our friend. We should celebrate,” Yoongi suggested, getting hums of agreement from the rest of the boys. “Wait a minute, I met you all on different days. Except Hobi and Jin. So technically there’s no date to pinpoint,” You pointed out. 

    But Yoongi merely chuckled, turning to you with a gummy smile. “I’m saying that the day you met Guk is the day that we all became friends,” Yoongi declared. “I don’t see why not,” Taehyung spoke up from behind you suddenly, wrapping his arms around your waist. You had to swallow the squeal that threatened to spill out of your mouth. “Maybe we can go to that clearing you and Yoongi are always seeking off to,” Guk said. 

    There was no room for arguments apparently since all of them eagerly agreed and they even gave you puppy eyes so you physically couldn’t say no. Soon enough, Yoongi and Jin switched to prepping food for tomorrow while Hoseok and Guk went to Hoseok’s mart to get some snacks. Namjoon pulled you away from the kitchen with the excuse, “We need to pick books to read tomorrow,” which made you playfully roll your eyes since Namjoon has raided your book collection 2 times already. 

    But you indulged them, letting them do their own things for tomorrow until eventually nightfall came and they had to go home. “We’ll pick you up and 8!” Hoseok called to you as they walked down your driveway. You watched them go from the doorway, heart in your throat as you thought about how amazing they were. 

    The youngest were always willing to cheer you up whenever you needed it. Yoongi was a shoulder to cry on. Namjoon and Jin were overprotective caregiver types that made your heart swoon. Hoseok could always whisk you away from stress and worries by distracting your overactive brain with silly movies and late night rendezvous star gazing. You wanted to cross that line between lovers and friends so bad. But you couldn’t. Because it was all or nothing and you’d never choose. 

    “Holly!” You cheered as the 8 of you broke through the tree line into the familiar clearing where the cheerful wolf was waiting for you. He always seemed to be waiting for you. Holly tackled you onto the ground, nuzzling his head into the crook of your neck before he got up and playfully jumped around you. 

“I still can’t believe you domesticated a wolf, Yoongi,” Jin commented.

“I didn’t,” 

    At this point everyone learned to shrug off Yoongi’s weird speech blips, filing them down as “Random Yoongi Things,” in your brains. Soon, a blanket was set up underneath the sturdy oak tree, you and Yoongi laying down on it, basking in the sun rays that peaked through the leaves. Jeongguk and Taehyung were playing with Holly while Namjoon read and the other three ate, the atmosphere one of comfort and content. 

     “You’ve been thinking about something recently,” Yoongi spoke up from beside you, turning his head to look at you. “You know everything, don’t you, Yoongs?” You snickered. continuing to watch the clouds blow by. “I’m serious Y/n. You seem... resistant. Are we making you uncomfortable or something?” He asked, looking at you with slight worry. “No... It’s not you,” You sighed, turning to look back at Yoongi. 

“Is it work? You know Jin told you about overworking yourself,”

“Nono, please don’t get eomma Jin over here,” You laughed, getting a chuckle from Yoongi.

“Then what’s up? You know you can talk to me about anything.”

    Anything? You thought. How am I supposed to admit to you that I’m in love with seven men when I can barely admit that to myself? You wanted to keep your mouth shut. You wanted to turn away and change the subject to the cloud shaped like a pizza roll, but you were trapped in the sparkling brown of Yoongi’s mocha eyes.

    Just as you opened your mouth, a giggly Jimin tackled you. He hugged you close, hiding you away from everyone else. “Chim!” You giggled, trying your best to wiggle out of his grasp. Soon, Jeongguk and Taehyung joined in on the dog pile, making sure not to crush you but also not afraid to wrestle you a little bit. “Hey! Cut it out! You’ll hurt her!” Jin spoke up in his eomma voice, successfully getting them to stop. 

    Your earlier conversation with Yoongi is forgotten as all 7 of them pass you around for a day full of them. You play with Holly and the youngest, then Namjoon sits and reads with you, Jin makes sure you eat, why you take a quick power nap on Hoseok’s lap, missing the very serious conversation they had with each other. 

“But what if your wrong Yoongi? What is she doesn’t want to be with all of us,” Jeongguk whined.

“She does, I can feel it,”

     “Yoongi, we’re your best friends and you do have freakishly good intuition. But Jeongguk’s right, What if you’re wrong and she leaves?” Hoseok sighed, petting your hair unconsciously. “Trust me, it has to turn out like this,” Yoongi declared. “Or what? The world will end? Yoongi, sometimes I wish you’d speak less like a story narrator,” Taehyung snorted, earning an eye roll. 

“Okay so, we all decided to man up and ask, problem is, how do we do that?” Namjoon questioned, an awkward silence following after.

“We just... Ask...” Jin suggested.

“Brilliant plan Jin. 10/10.” Jimin said sarcastically. 

“I’m serious! What if we sit her down and just talk out our feelings?”

“That could work, alright that’s the plan,” Namjoon settled, the rest of them nodding and planning what they wanted to say in their minds. 

    You rubbed the sleep out of your eyes, looking at the men who were lined up, sitting next to each other in front of you. “Okay, so. What’s going on?” You sleepily drawled, letting out a yawn. “We have something to tell you,” Namjoon choked out, fiddling with his hands. “Alright, go on,” You pressed, giving them your undivided attention. 

    Nobody spoke up, all of them either avoiding eye contact or finding the blanket really interesting. Suddenly they all blurted something out at the same time, looking at each other before trying again and doing the same things a second time. “Oh for goodness sake,” Yoongi groaned, lurching forward to connect his lips with yours.

    You gasped, eyes wide as the feeling of Yoongi’s soft lips clashed with yours. Your eyes eventually fell closed as you savored the feeling of Yoongi’s tongue dancing with your own, him sucking in your bottom lip, giving it a bite as you let out a small whimper. Your body felt feverish as your mind turned into slush. Nothing but the smack of your tongues and the warmth of his plush lips filled your thoughts as everything was solely just Yoongi. 

    “Yoongi! We were supposed to talk, not show!” Jimin complained, tugging at Yoongi’s sweatshirt. Yoongi reluctantly pulled away, giving you a chance to gasp for air, eyes lidded as both Yoongi and Jimin looked down at you with admiration in their eyes. “W-Wha..?” You gasped out, mind still struggling to pull itself back from the depths of passion. 

    Namjoon pushed them both to the side and he cupped your face in his hands. You leaned into his touch, looking up at him with flushed cheeks and swollen lips. “What we wanted to say was... We... We really like you. All of us. All seven. And I know it’s not the most traditional thing ever but we really want to be with you, all of us.” Namjoon spluttered out, trying his best to get his point across.

“How do you feel about seven boyfriends?” Jin asked over his shoulder.

     “Sounds like heaven,” You sighed, feeling like a weight had been lifted off of your shoulders. All of them broke out in smiles, pulling you into a big group hug full of kisses and sweet words that promised to take care of you and be the best boyfriends they could be. Soon, the enthusiastic hug settled more into a cuddle, all of you eventually laying down on the blanket, looking at the setting sun. 

      You slowly felt sleep clawing at your body, the eventful day mixed with the secure warmth of the cacoon the boys wrapped you in. “Does this mean we can hold hands, kiss, and cuddle now?” You spoke up hopefully. “Absolutely” Hoseok sighed, pulling you closer to him. “Um... Y/n?” Jin spoke up. “Hmm?” You hummed with your eyes closed. “Is... Is that normal?” He asked and you opened your eyes to see him pointing down at your necklace. Which was now glowing. 

From that day your life got a lot weirder.

And Yoongi made a lot more sense.

[ipromptography]

I’m sure most people are aware that FFXVI’s announcement has brought with it an onslaught of negativity so I wanted to do two things:

1) Remember to smile! Love what you want to love and don’t let anyone tell you you’re not allowed to.

2) I’ve written something of a love letter. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, and this is mine.

It’s 9pm on Wednesday 16 September, a mouthful of pizza has near been launched to the other side of the room. I’d opened this stream merely out of curiosity, only to have the Square Enix logo and giant yellow chickens hurled towards me the instant it begun.

I am absolutely off the shits for approximately the next five hours. I drive my unfalteringly patient significant other up the wall over it. I have never known anyone put up with my bullshit quite as well as him, but I really do think I tested this ability that night.

The next day, I’m still on a high. I hop on to Twitter only to see that Final Fantasy Fifteen is trending. Before I’d even plucked up the courage to look at the hashtag, I knew what waited beyond it, and it was that unsettling, sickly feeling in my stomach that inspired me to write this in the first place.

This game has been part of my life since the day of its release. While my first experience with it wasn’t quite ideal, it was the second, my playthrough of it, that singlehandedly made an impact on my existence more so than any other piece of media.

I don’t have a definitive number of hours spent playing this game across different platforms, but it is absolutely in the four digits. Throughout that time, there’s not been a single moment I didn’t enjoy it (apart from that time Prompto kept getting shot off the snowmobile and I was foaming at the mouth).

Of course, were it not for this blog, I would never have racked up that much time. This community, the people that love this game, drove me to keep loading up the game time and time again, playing the story over and over, taking thousands of pictures of these characters to share.

The purpose of this waffle I’m writing is not to fight people’s opinions, or to try and argue that this game is perfect. I simply wanted to share my personal experience with this game and the happiness it has brought me.

Final Fantasy XV was my first game of the series, and I am absolutely not ashamed to say that.  

As my first playthrough came to an end, I remember just how potent it was hearing the same song we’d heard as we pushed the Regalia towards Hammerhead. The same cheery dialogue that had started it all playing once more, beckoning me to begin a constant cycle that I’m not sure at this point will ever end.

After bracing that same ending over half a dozen times, it never fails to bring back that heart-shattering grief I feel, but at the same time, I feel an overwhelming amount of love for it all. Yes, this game has flaws, but they’re so minor for me in comparison to what makes it brilliant that I barely noticed them.

For me, it’s the little things. The immersion. I’m there with them. If Noctis says he’s too hot, you’re damn right I’m going into the gear menu to take his jacket off. If Gladio’s sneezing in the rain, I’ll think about putting his top back on.

It’s the tiny little details – the sighs, the yawns, the expressions, the exchanges between them. All four of them have such a connection between them that’s there right from the beginning of the game. It’s what makes the story, the ending, the whole premise of this game so powerful. They become so real to the player, developing this incredible sense of empathy for all of them in the game’s most difficult moments.

I never tire of these things, running laps around Eos, finding new places to take photos of our protagonists, admiring their every detail.

I’ve seen them called every negative adjective under the sun, picking holes in their personalities. Ansel opens you up to a whole other world that you don’t necessarily see in a normal playthrough. They all smile, they all laugh, they all show emotion. Not one of them is “boring” or “annoying”. I could witter on for days with what I love about each of them, but I will save that for another day, and I certainly won’t be leaving any heroines or villains out of that either.

There are times that I feel incredibly biased, and I am. I’ve defended every decision made about this game, never questioned it, I’ve accepted what it is and continued to love the game unconditionally. Perhaps that makes me a bad gamer, or just an idiot.

I loved going to the cinema to watch Kingsglaive the night before the game’s release. Even though, at the time, I wasn’t particularly excited for the game, I still found it exciting. It was there I was handed my very first piece of XV merchandise – a card holder. It’s been with me for four years. It’s travelled to the other side of the world with me. It’s filthy and it’s been taped back together twice but that’s just how precious this game is to me. I’d be more devastated about losing that card holder than the debit card it holds.

I loved learning a little more about each of our characters through the Brotherhood anime. It was refreshing to have content in a different medium, one where we were given rich dialogue and a deeper sense of their personalities.

I had no issue with paying more for the DLC, each had an extra two hours of content, unlockables and extras. It was hardly breaking the bank.

Even when the later DLC was cancelled, I didn’t get angry. I didn’t hate anyone for it. I understood it was a necessary decision for business reasons, and the people behind this game had already given us so much. Even when they gave us an alternative, the same content in a different form, the “fans” still threw their toys out of the pram.

To me, this game isn’t incomplete. It never was. I’ve always been happy with what we’ve been given and delighted that they would offer us even more.

People will compare this game to the next – they’ll either call it the game that Final Fantasy XV never was or shove it into the corner with their other gripes and disappointments, huffing and puffing until Square Enix give each and every individual the exact game that they want.

Whatever happens, XV will always be the game that stood by me in some of my worst moments. I hope that in years to come, people will pick it up for the first time and enjoy it for what it is, experiencing the same things that I love about it. And I hope those of us that really love this game will stick around a little longer too.

To everybody who worked incredibly hard to bring this game into existence, thank you.