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morallygreyyn · 2 years ago

Note

Umm so here I am requesting for a Hisoka fanfic~

Could you, good ma'am, please write about Hisoka and reader's first meeting + first date~?

I feel like it could be even really funny to write about but I personally have no idea what to expect so yeahh.. Anyways.. I'm ready beg for something spicy 😭🛐💦

the dream team (hisoka x reader)

description: you hadn't expected to meet anyone at the hunter exam, and you definitely didn’t expect to be partnered up with number 44. let’s just say your first date was a little out of the ordinary but then again, so is Hisoka so what were you expecting...

authors note: here it is! the first fic featuring my fav clown hisoka! okay so i kinda got so excited about this request that i just popped off...please enjoy slogging through most of the hunter exam arc before you actually get to interact with hisoka pls i was so extra with this

warnings: hisoka

word count: 5.6k (this took me sO LONG AND FOR WHAT)

requests are open!

The elevator dinged, signalling your arrival. All eyes turned to you as you stepped into the damp threshold, assessing the newest competition. You quickly scanned the area, ignoring the uncomfortable atmosphere. Most of the applicants left you unimpressed, however you could sense some powerful players hidden within the crowd. Grinning, you walked forward, eager to begin the process of the legendary Hunter Exam.

“Hello, please take a number! Keep it on your chest at all times and be careful not to lose it!” A peculiar, green fellow approached you, a badge outstretched towards you. You took the circular item, the number 406 was etched into the front. Attaching the badge to your shirt, you continued to look around. The tense atmosphere was building, murmurs and whispers echoing off the concrete walls.

“Hey there!” A voice called from behind. Turning around, you watched as a man clad in a blue robe greeted you, the number 16 on his chest. He was rotund and short and gave you the impression that he wasn’t worth your time so you whipped back around again and continued walking, ignoring his attempts to get your attention.

Everyone for the most part ignored you, and you ignored them in kind. You didn’t know anyone here, and you didn’t expect to know anyone afterwards. Besides, making friends with people you considered weak wasn’t something you did. You found a somewhat empty area to stand in which allowed you to think about your next steps. There were strong people here, you could sense their Nen and you were sure that they could sense yours too. You weighed the options of either using In to conceal your presence, making you a hidden threat. Or you could do nothing and let them know that there was another Nen user among them. Deciding to try out the former for the time being, you activated In. The other Nen users had probably sensed you when you entered and sensed you disappearing, but you liked that. It was like a game of guess who.

Just as you concealed your presence, a wretched scream reverberated throughout the dark hall. Quietly heading to the source of the commotion, you watched as a man’s arms disintegrated before your very eyes. That’s when you noticed him, your first real competitor, number 44. A red haired man with pale skin, peculiar clothes and an overwhelming sense of Nen. You grinned, this was definitely going to be an interesting game.

“Number 44. The magician, Hisoka.” You overheard the plump man from before comment to the group who had arrived just before you, also mentioning how the magician killed an examiner he didn’t like and automatically failed. Number 16 also quickly warned the group that no one liked him and to stay away.

Hisoka, you thought. An interesting name for an interesting guy. You would be sure to keep an eye out for him.

A rattling sound brought you out of your thoughts. Ah, it seemed Hisoka wasn’t the only interesting Nen user here. Number 301 rattled past you, his body twitching violently. You could practically taste the danger of his aura and you grinned again, adding him to the list of people to watch. If you had to guess, you would say that 301 was a Manipulator as you could sense the needles buried in his body held a concentrated amount of power.

Some time had passed, leaving you to think about the promising few days ahead. Excited and ready to go, your mind raced as an alarm sounded, gathering the attention of all applicants. Suddenly, the wall lifted revealing what you could only guess to be an examiner behind it.

Once the ground had stopped shaking, he began his greetings. You half listened, not interested in paying attention to things you already knew. You knew about the dangers this exam posed, not that you cared. Everything held danger so it wasn’t that impressive.

“Those who accept the risks, please follow me.” Was all you needed to hear as the man turned around and began marching through the seemingly endless dark tunnel. The group started walking behind him and you made sure to keep yourself hidden in the pack. No one paid you any attention, just the way you wanted it. You hadn’t noticed the examiner pick up the pace until suddenly everyone around you had begun to jog.

Ah, it clicked in your mind, this was a test of stamina and endurance. You learned that Satotz was the Phase One examiner and you assumed that Phase Two would begin whenever this tunnel ended. The examiner quickly confirmed your suspicions.

Around the two hour mark, you spotted Hisoka again. He looked positively cheerful as he ran, eyes closed and a smile on his face. How interesting. You couldn’t help but be intrigued by the red haired magician.

It was a fairly boring course, the landscape never changing with no ending in sight. Many applicants had already dropped out. You weren’t completely bothered, letting your mind and imagination take over as you continued to run. Every now and then you would steal a glance at Hisoka but his pace or expression ever changed.

As more and more applicants dropped to the ground, you were quite close to the front of the pack now. Number 301 was now visible and ended up running beside Hisoka. You absently wondered if those two knew each other. Four hours had passed at this point and you had run through your list of fake scenarios, the daydreams now becoming boring. Luckily for you, your boredom didn’t last long. There was now an endless staircase before you. Ah, you must be near the end. Hang on, you thought, did the pace just increase?

It seemed the examiners this year were really out for blood. People had begun to drop like flies around you, not that you minded.

Another half hour had passed and cries of joy had started to ring out at the sight of the exit. The white light grew bigger and bigger until you finally reached it, stepping out into the open air. A heavy mist surrounded the area, the perfect place for a mystery such as the Hunter Exam. Everyone around you stopped to catch their breath, gasping and wheezing being the only sound.

When the mist cleared, it looked as if you were in an area of grassland. Trees and mountains being the only thing you could see for miles. Numere Wetlands the examiner called them, a fitting name you thought, and to reach Phase Two you had to cross them.

It was as the examiner was describing the formidable creatures that called this place home when a random man appeared out of nowhere and started shouting nonsense about the man leading your group being an imposter. What really interested you was the cards that sliced through the man’s chest like a hot knife through butter. There was only one magician in the group that you knew of and this display had you itching to approach him. Hisoka stood there, shuffling his cards, having determined the real examiner.

What an impressive first impression. Many failed to leave any kind of impression on you and yet Hisoka had impressed you in every small encounter you’ve had with him. Excitement built up as you wondered what you would see from him next.

The examiner started to move through the wetlands, the pack running behind him once more, determined not to lose the leader within the thick fog. Water splashed wherever feet hit the ground, the sound filling the silence. As the fog grew denser however, keeping sight of the examiner proved more and more difficult, until you had lost sight of him completely.

However it didn’t take you long to find the examiner again and you weren’t surprised with how few people had managed to follow him. The closer you got to the finish line, the faster the fog dissipated. After a few minutes, your vision was clear and the sun met your skin. Once you had reached your destination, you scanned the area, looking to see who had made it this far. The only one you recognised was 301. Finding a nice spot underneath a tree, you sat down and watched as more and more applicants found their way to the meetup point.

Phase Two of the exam worried you slightly. A cooking challenge? Absolutely not. Catching the pig was easy, but that was where your luck ended. You had absolutely no idea what you were supposed to do with this carnivorous pig that you had killed so you looked around at the other applicants, trying to gather inspiration. It proved to be a wasted effort as the Phase Two examiners, whose names you didn’t bother to remember, failed every applicant. That was until an old man, the Chairman of the Selection Committee and the one in charge of the whole exam, dropped from an airship that had arrived overhead.

Now you were onto Phase Two 2.0. The exam was relocated to Mt. Split-in-Half where you had to catch and boil a Spider Eagle egg. Now this was something you could do. Waiting for a young boy’s signal, whoever dared to jump down onto the webs was successfully lifted up by an updraft. As a reward, you got a delicious snack afterwards.

Night had fallen, signalling the end of the first day. You had the luxury of riding in the airship to the location of the Third Phase. The applicants had been told that dinner was waiting for them in the dining hall so that was the place you headed first. The buffet laid before you was nothing short of extraordinary. All kinds of dishes had your mouth watering and you happily ate your fill of anything you could fit on your plate.

Once you were fed, you found a seat by the window and took in the view. Cities passed below you, lights glittering against the dark backdrop of the night sky.

You froze, sensing powerful auras approaching you. Making sure to keep facing the window, you watched out of the corner of your eye as Hisoka and number 301 passed by. That’s odd, maybe they were first acquainted outside of the exam?

You only noticed that you were staring when Hisoka caught your gaze and held it as he walked. A slight grin appeared on his face when he broke eye contact, disappearing from sight with his potential friend.

He knew. You were absolutely positive that Hisoka knew you were hiding your Nen. Unable to help the wicked smile that stretched across your face, you went to find a room to sleep in.

The next morning, you had successfully landed at the site for Phase Three which happened to be at the very top of quite a tall structure. Trick Tower it was called, and you were told that to pass you had to make it to the base of the tower alive within the time limit of seventy-two hours. Every applicant stood around in confusion, trying to figure out a way to get down the tower. Jumping was suicide and climbing down proved impossible due to the various beasties that patrolled the area.

It turned out that secret trap doors seemed to be the only way down the tower, many applicants disappearing as the minutes passed.

Stumbling upon a trap door, you quickly jumped through before anyone else could take it. It led you to a small, brick room bare of any decoration aside from one white pillar next to the wall. The second thing you noticed was that you weren’t alone, and the one other person in there with you was someone you would recognise even if you were blindfolded.

Hisoka stood with his back to you, head turned to the side as you met his sidelong glance.

“So it’s you.” He drawled, turning to face you fully. His smile was positively wicked.

“So it is.” You returned, assessing whether you were in any danger or not.

“It seems you and I are partners for this phase.” He pointed to the screen behind him, confirming what he said. You stepped past the magician towards the white pillar. The screen above read: The two of you must work in unison to make it to the bottom of the tower.

Huh, well that was unexpected. Looking at the pedestal, two stopwatches were nestled into it. Underneath the timer, which was counting down from seventy-two hours, there was some kind of sensor.

“I wonder what this does.” You muttered to yourself as you picked one up, inspecting the object. Hisoka moved beside you and picked up the last remaining one.

“I presume it’s to track our movements.” He dangled the item between two long fingers, holding it up to the light of the screen.

“To make sure we work in unison.” You finished his sentence for him, snapping the watch onto your wrist. “Whatever that means.”

Hisoka hummed, copying your actions. Suddenly a voice rang out from a megaphone hanging from the ceiling.

“That’s correct!” It cried, and both you and the magician turned to face it. “I am a prison warden here and the Third Phase examiner. Multiple routes through this tower have been prepared. You have chosen the path of unison. Perfect teamwork is essential if you wish to clear this phase of the exam. One person’s impulsive behaviour can derail your duo. The two of you must work in harmony to avoid failing. Best of luck!”

You laughed once the megaphone had shut off, thinking the examiner was some kind of matchmaker. “How interesting!”

“Indeed.”

Just then, a part of the wall moved, revealing a door. Marching forward, you tried opening it but it wouldn’t budge.

“Hm?” You tried again and had the same results. You looked at your companion and gestured to the door. “You wanna have a go?”

“Okay.” He sauntered forwards and came to a stop beside you. Even when he put his entire strength behind it, the door still wouldn’t open. Then an idea clicked in your mind.

“If I’m right about this, the next seventy-two hours are going to be a challenge.”

“What is it?”

“I think we have to open the door at the same time.” You gestured him forward. “Now get over here and let’s try this.”

“Oh my, you’re bold aren’t you?” Hisoka brought his finger up to his lips and you found the goofy side of your partner quite endearing. “I’m quite shy.”

You snorted as Hisoka placed his hand directly beside yours on the door. “Not in that outfit you’re not.”

Pushing at the same time, lo and behold, the door swung wide open.

“Yep, this is gonna be a challenge.” You smiled as you peered through the doorway. What greeted you on the other side seemed to be an endless spiral staircase, descending into complete darkness. Now that you completely distrusted. Walking forward, you applied light pressure on the first step to test it and sure enough, the step crumbled away beneath your foot, falling into the darkness.

“Don’t tell me…” You trailed off and looked at your partner. “When they said complete unison, they really meant it.”

“Quite an engaging first date.” Hisoka hummed as you both jumped and hit the next step at the same time. The step held firm, confirming your suspicions.

“Usually a casual dinner works for me.” You timed your steps with the magician, slowly descending down and being plunged into the pitch black.

“Duly noted.” His musical voice came from beside you.

You had both set a rhythm to keep in time with each other. It was difficult to see each other with the only light coming from your stopwatches, the dim green face was barely enough to show you where you were stepping.

The stairs were never ending, the only sound in the darkness were your rhythmic steps. You didn’t really know what to say to your newfound partner, he was rather unpredictable and, if he was anything like you, small talk would bore him to death.

The hours ticked by and the time was just about sixty nine hours before anything promising happened. Very slowly coming into view, there seemed to be a light the closer you got to the bottom. You could make out a single candle sitting above another door.

“That’s promising.” You mumbled, noting the way Hisoka inched closer to you. If felt as if he wanted to say something and you could take a guess as to what was on his mind. It would turn out that he didn’t have to wait long to get his answer, as when you reached the bottom and pushed open the door, your first fight began.

The door opened to a suspended platform in the centre of a cavernous room. It would be quite the long fall if you were unfortunate to go over the edge. A narrow plank connected from the door to the platform, and you could see it was the same for the otherside. You figured the opposite door was your goal here. However it seemed as if it wouldn’t be that easy.

Two prisoners stood before you, looking for all the world as if they craved a good fight. You were lucky that both you and Hisoka seemed to be unhinged enough to rise to the challenge.

They were twins you realised, identical twins, and of course every movement of theirs was also identical. The prisoners opened their mouths to speak but you held up a hand to stop them.

“No, no. Let me guess.” You said, and gave Hisoka a look which he met with unbridled manic glee. “We have to kill you in perfect synchronisation?”

“Correct.” They spoke at the same time, their lifeless voices echoing around the hall.

“And how do you expect us to do that considering we’ve never fought together before?”

“We don’t.”

Hisoka grinned, a wicked gleam in his eye. “My partner and I would like to request some time to come up with a plan?”

You nodded at the magician’s question, knowing that you would need to come up with something. As strong as you both were, it would be useless if you couldn’t pass the challenge.

“Go ahead.” They both pointed to the door you just came from. Whirling around, you and Hisoka sat at the foot of the door. Well, you sat and Hisoka crouched.

“How are we going to do this?” You whispered, more to yourself than anyone else. You were still using In so you doubted your opponents knew that you could use Nen. Realising that was a good starting point, you looked at your partner. “What type are you?”

He didn’t blink. “Gemini.”

You rolled your eyes so hard you thought they were going to pop out. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

Instead of answering your question, Hisoka leaned in, face inches away from yours.

“You’re a Transmuter.” He guessed and you couldn’t say you were shocked with his accuracy.

“How did you know?”

“I have a system. Transmuters tend to be fickle and hide their true personalities and intentions.” Hisoka grinned, leaning closer to your ear. “You and I are the same.”

Your answering laugh was high and insincere. “I suppose that makes us the best match.”

“Indeed it does.”

“I don’t need this anymore then.” You let go of your In, grinning as your aura flooded back.

“That’s more like it.” Hisoka mimicked your expression, eyes brightening.

“Back to the matter at hand, we have to kill them, but how are we supposed to kill them in sync?” Wracking your brain, you still couldn't come up with a possible solution. “I haven’t had any fun in ages, I feel like I’m losing my edge.”

“Well, well, we can’t allow that to happen, now can we?” Hisoka smirked and licked his lips. “The thought of killing this duo with you y/n is enough to get me on board with this nonexistent plan of yours.”

“Hey, I’m working on it!” You protested, staring at the dusty ground in concentration. “You could also come up with ideas, you know.”

“Hm? But it’s so much fun watching you struggle.”

“You’re going to be struggling if you don’t start helping.”

“Fine, fine.” He waved his hand and suddenly stood up.

“Where are you going?” You asked, watching him walk slightly closer to the centre platform.

Ignoring your question, Hisoka faced the twins and placed his hands on his hips. “You said we have to kill you in perfect synchronisation, correct?”

“That’s correct.”

“What about fighting?”

They stayed silent, giving Hisoka the answer he was looking for.

“They were hoping we would waste time by trying to fight them.” Slamming your fist against the ground, bricks shattered from the force. Of course, it was so simple. How could you have missed it?

Suddenly, the challenge got that much easier. You couldn’t hold back your manic grin as you stood, facing your opponents. Hisoka and the twins could sense the shift in your aura, all three pairs of eyes turning to you.

“Hey, Hisoka?”

“What is it?”

“Thanks.” You looked up, meeting his gaze. “I feel like I can have some fun now.”

Hisoka’s mania matched yours as you both turned to the twins. “I’m glad I could be of service.”

The next few minutes were a blur. Unfortunately, the twin you launched at didn’t see you coming until you were already on him.

“Gotcha.” You said gleefully, watching Hisoka catch the other twin. “That was far too easy. Were you supposed to be a challenge?”

“You’re insane!” The man below you tried to fight you off to no avail.

You tutted, shaking your head. “You broke your synchronisation.”

Looking at Hisoka, you nodded and you both killed your opponents with not even a nanosecond between. You heard a click and you lifted your head, watching the next door swing open. You stood, wiping the blood off of your face with your sleeve.

“How dull.” You moved your victim’s head with your foot, staring into his lifeless eyes. “I thought they would at least put up a fight.”

“It was barely worth the time.” Hisoka agreed, moving to stand beside you.

“Oh well.” You stepped over the body, moving to the door. “Maybe there will be better challenges further down the tower.”

“Hm.” Hisoka hummed, tapping his chin. “I did enjoy killing with you though.”

“Nothing like a good murder to bring people together.”

“What an ideal first date.”

You laughed, really enjoying Hisoka’s company. He didn’t speak much and you figured that, true to his words, he was in fact shy. However you noticed that the longer you spent with him, the more he conversed and joked around with you.

You stepped through the doorway, never once breaking your perfect synchronisation. It felt weird to have to be so in time with someone else that even your footsteps matched but you weren’t complaining, happy that the magician was you you ended up with.

Another door faced you, however this one didn’t need your unison to open it. The door rose as you approached, leading you into a dark, circular room. Candles on the stairwell flared to life, green flames illuminating the room. There was a man sitting at the base of the stairs, looking positively smug. You looked at Hisoka but his eyes were trained on the person before you.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Hisoka.” The man said, also explaining that he wasn’t an examiner but he was here for revenge.

“I suppose that means our challenge doesn’t apply to this.” You sauntered to the stairs, taking a seat beside a candle. “I’ll sit this one out then. Make it quick, Hisoka.”

You were only half paying attention when the two men began to have a conversation, the ex examiner pulling out knives in between sentences. It seemed to shock Hisoka when four knives were withdrawn, the man spinning them as if they were nothing but a baton. He charged at Hisoka, the intent to kill the magician was so strong you could almost smell it. You weren’t worried however, you had the utmost faith in your partner.

You watched as Hisoka dodged the knives, spinning mid air to avoid them. The way he moved was almost beautiful to you and, oh, he was flexible. Now that was much too attractive.

“I’ll have you writhe in pain until you die, Hisoka!” The man stopped once Hisoka had caught two of his knives, effectively turning the tables. Hisoka licked the blade and you watched every movement.

It didn’t take long for the man’s head to part with his body, both hitting the floor with the thump.

“Well, well, I imagine that didn’t quite go the same way that he had pictured it.” You stood, looking around for the exit. It seemed the only way to go was up which you found odd. Surely your objective was to go down the tower, not up. Nonetheless, you and the magician fell into the same rhythm climbing the stairs.

It was odd that you felt quite a bit closer to Hisoka and the silence between you was no longer awkward.

“Who was he?” You asked after a while, eyeing the injuries Hisoka sustained during the fight.

“Someone who didn’t qualify to be an examiner.” He answered simply with a disinterested tone. Then he grinned and brought a hand to his heart. “Asking about other men on our date, y/n? How rude.”

“My dearest Hisoka, you know I only have eyes for you!”

“Keep it that way.”

“As you wish, my one and only.” You quipped, loving this running joke between you two. You could tell that he was loving it too as his mood matched yours.

Eventually you reached the top of the stairs and entered into what only could be described as a mineshaft. A few candles were lit where you just entered from, allowing you very limited visibility but what you could see sent your excitement soaring.

“Is that a cart?” You were dumbfounded, looking at the rails that dived down into complete darkness.

“It would appear so.”

It was obvious what you had to do. Being careful to keep in sync, both you and Hisoka climbed into the cart. It was incredibly cramped, so much so that Hisoka was practically sitting in your lap.

“Enjoying our date at the carnival, sweetheart?”

He could only chuckle as the cart rolled forward, gathering speed as it plunged into the darkness. You involuntarily held onto the magician’s thin waist, trying to avoid his injury but desperate for something to hold onto as your new method of transportation moved with all the speed of a rocket. You don’t know how long the ride took you and you didn’t dare move your arm to look at your watch.

Eventually the cart slowed and rolled to a stop at the start of a seemingly never ending tunnel.

“Well that was the most fun I’ve had in this entire exam.” You inhaled, able to breathe properly again. You both exited the cart and you were curious at the feeling of missing Hisoka in close proximity to you.

“What is it?” He picked up on your mood change as you began the trek through the tunnel.

You waved a hand. “Just confused, I thought Trick Tower was supposed to be difficult.”

“Maybe we took the easy route.”

Laughing, you looked ahead, unable to see anything but the tunnel. “Maybe.”

The candles lining the walls flickered, sending your shadows in all directions. An eerie atmosphere hung in the air, the only sounds in the dark tunnel were your footsteps. It took roughly an hour before you could see the next door.

Once you reached the end of the tunnel, the door rose to reveal a circular room lit by candles.

“Number 406 and number 44, y/n and Hisoka, are the first applicants to pass the Third Phase. Total time, six hours and seventeen minutes.” A speaker announced as the door shut behind you.

“That’s it?” You grumbled, looking around at the empty room. “Surely that can’t be it.”

“It seems my dear y/n, that is, in fact, it.”

“What are we supposed to do now for the remaining sixty six hours?” You slumped against the wall, not looking when Hisoka sat beside you.

“Suffer with boredom I presume.”

“Say,” You turned your head to him, and he met your gaze. “Have you got a pack of cards?”

“Of course~” He sang, pulling out a deck. He began to shuffle, looking at you with his familiar smiling expression. “I take it you know how to play?”

“Of course~” You mimicked his tone, picking up the hand he dealt you.

You lost count of the hours you spent playing against your partner, him winning every single time.

“You’re cheating.”

“Maybe, or you’re just bad.”

Suddenly, a door lifted and in walked the other applicant you had your eye on since the beginning.

“Gittarackur, applicant 301, is the second to pass. Total time, twelve hours and two minutes.”

A rattling laugh emitted from the newest arrival as he spotted the magician. “I figured you already crossed the finish line.”

The ninja Hanzo then finished, the small room feeling ever so slightly more crowded. The two newest applicants eventually slumped down, realising that there was absolutely nothing to do in this small room. Perhaps this was the hardest challenge, waiting.

You weren’t a patient person and cards could only keep you entertained for so many hours.

“I don’t even know how many times you won.” You said as you stood up to stretch.

“Two hundred and nineteen, but who’s counting?”

“Smug bastard.” You grumbled as you sat back down beside him, ignoring his laugh. “Challenge me to a game of Snap. I dare you, you’ll stand no chance.”

“Let’s see about that.”

True to your word, you actually did manage to win quite a few games against Hisoka. You would never admit that it shocked you somewhat, but it did.

“It appears you weren’t lying.”

“Told you~” You sang, ignoring the fact that more applicants had arrived.

After a day had passed, a large metal shelving unit emerged from one of the many doors, holding multiple trays of food and drinks. Thanking everything you could that you could finally eat, you picked up two trays and sat back down next to your partner.

“Here.” You put his tray in front of him, too busy digging into your food to notice his response or expression.

The only good thing about having new applicants walk through the doors was that you knew how much time had passed and, more importantly, the time remaining.

You couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment you fell asleep. All you knew was that one minute you were leaning against the wall wondering what to do next, and the next minute your head was on Hisoka’s shoulder.

You blinked, your bleary eyes trying to focus.

“You’re finally awake.” A familiar voice came from beside you.

“I don’t remember falling asleep.” You lifted your head. “I’m surprised my head is still intact.”

“What are you insinuating?”

“You know exactly what.”

“As if I would kill the light of my life.” He teased, leaning in. “And on our date too. Shame on you for thinking such hurtful things.”

“My apologies. I have no idea what about you would give me the impression that you’re a murderer.”

“Tsk tsk.” He wagged his finger. “I’m a respectable man.”

You laughed at that. “Yes, about as respectable as me.”

At around the sixty two hour mark, Hisoka had taken to building card towers and you watched with bored fascination at how he placed them.

“Can you teach me how to do that?”

“Hm, this?” He asked, pointing to his creation. When you nodded, he knocked his complete tower down and began showing you where to place the cards to get them to stand upright. It took you a couple of hours but you eventually got the hang of it.

Having successfully completed your first tower, you were about to celebrate when Hisoka looked you dead in the eye and knocked all your hard work down.

He laughed sadistically at the face you made. “Mmhh, I love that expression.”

“You’re gonna love it even more when I knock your next tower down.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.”

A new applicant had finished, telling you that you had two hours remaining.

“Finally.” You sighed, leaning back against the wall. “What I wouldn’t give for another cart ride right now.”

“That was fun.” Hisoka hummed in agreement, turning to face you with a wicked gleam in his eye. “Especially when you grabbed onto my waist.”

“Where else was I supposed to hold?” You argued. “Your waist was ready and available.”

“I know another part of me that’s ready and available.”

You threw your head back in laughter, the sound echoing around the quiet room. “Good to know.”

Your banter with Hisoka continued on until the final five applicants had passed. You would never say it, but you had an inkling you were going to miss the magician when this was all over.

The speaker sounded for the final time.

“The Third Phase of this exam is over. Twenty six applicants have passed. One has died.” One final door rose, letting daylight flood into the dark room. Applicants were asked to leave one by one and you wasted no time in making sure that you were one of the first to leave.

Fresh air had never felt so good. You tilted your head back, loving the feeling of the sunlight on your skin.

“I suppose our date is over.” Hisoka’s voice came from beside you, as he stepped out into the breeze. “I very much enjoyed it.”

“Perhaps we can have another soon?”

Hisoka grinned, giving you a dramatic bow. “My dear y/n, I expect this is only the beginning of a wonderful relationship.”

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vgriffindor · 3 years ago

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Sapphic September

A colleague pointed out to me that it was #sapphicseptember, and while I’m not always one to jump on literary trends, I like the idea of this one. I firmly believe there’s a double standard in popular media that prioritizes m/m relationships, and that they’re shown as much more acceptable and family friendly, while w/w relationships are still somewhat hidden and/or fetishized.

So let’s fix that a little, shall we? Here are a few great reads that I’ve loved, some recent and some not, that feature wlw relationships at the front and centre of the story, to help you fill out your #sappicSeptember (or any other time of year, really) reading bingo card! If you’ve got more, reblog and add; wouldn’t we love to see a great reading list get traction?

THE MIDNIGHT LIE by Marie Rutkoski (YA, Fantasy, Magic): Lush, beautiful prose and enchantment. Nirrim is an orphan who makes a risky deal with the flirtatious and mysterious Sid. Together, they embark on an adventure through the luscious and prohibited world of the High-Kith, in order to solve the mystery of Ethin’s past. Lots of themes about facing your past and who you really are. Some deliciously steamy moments, and heartfelt ones, too.

ONE LAST STOP by Casey McQuiston (Adult, Time Travel, Contemporary): Definite Millennial vibes, and lots of found family as August, a young woman in her mid-twenties, moves to NYC and meets the charming and bold Jane on the subway. Everything about Jane seems perfect, but as sparks fly, they discover that Jane isn’t able to leave the Q Train - in fact, she hasn’t left it since the 70s. Fun and cute, and the romance is pure sexy, heart-rushing, sparkling exhilaration.

A MASTER OF DJINN by P. Djèlí Clark | (Adult, Fantasy, Steampunk, Mystery, Historical Fiction): Cairo, 1912. Fatma is one of the Ministry’s only female agents. She’s independent and tough, so it’s no surprise when she’s called to the city’s strangest case: a secret brotherhood is murdered by a mysterious man calling himself the dangerous and magical al-Jahiz, returned from the dead. Fatma and her clever girlfriend Siti must get to the bottom of the matter, and see if the imposter really is who he claims to be, before it’s too late.

THE PULL OF THE STARS by Emma Donoghue | (Adult, Historical Fiction, Nurses): Spend three days in a Dublin Maternity ward with the tough and compassionate Nurse Julia Power. Up to her elbows in life and death, she’s fighting alongside the women who are her patients, and the Great Flu of 1918 means that the hospital is overwhelmingly short-staffed. Assigned to Nurse Power is the young, bright, Bridie Sweeney, and though the pair is at odds at first, the next few days’ battles will bring them closer than they imagined. Tightly written, heart-in-your-throat atmosphere, and be prepared for intense emotion.

UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED by Sarah Gailey | (Adult, Speculative Fiction, Dystopian, Western): A quick, feisty and vibrant take on the Western. Esther is escaping the conventional life of marriage and expectations that her family wants for her. She stows herself away in the book wagon of the Librarians; a guerilla group of badass cowgirls fighting back against the corrupt government and distributing illegal materials and hope. Fresh and fun and packs a hell of a punch.

A LESSON IN VENGEANCE by Victoria Lee | (YA, Dark Academia, Mystery, Paranormal): Felicity and new girl Ellis are students at Dalloway School, and team up to investigate the mysterious deaths of five previous students, rumoured to be witches. Nice and haunted, great for back-to-school vibes, and, heads up, has quite a spicy scene.

LAST NIGHT AT THE TELEGRAPH CLUB by Malinda Lo | (YA, Historical Fiction, San Francisco Chinatown): During the 1950s, the Red Scare was in full force, and Lily Hu and Kathleen Miller are two young women who are facing the loss of everything to keep their love. Immersive and slow, but beautifully worth it. Makes you wonder when lesbian bars will see the light of day again.

WHY BE HAPPY WHEN YOU COULD BE NORMAL? by Jeanette Winterson | (Non-fiction, memoir): I don’t read a ton of memoirs, but if you’ve never read Winterson you’re in for the ultimate treat. This is a beautiful story of an author’s life (Winterson came out as a lesbian when she was 16), but also, you’ll be wanting to highlight just about every line in it; her writing is gorgeous. (My own copy is full of highlights and notes, and is actually currently on loan to a friend, which is why I don’t have a pic of it!)

THE MOON IS ALWAYS FEMALE by Marge Piercy | (Poetry): I know that Saphho is the obvious choice, but we already know her, so let’s come up with something a bit different. This is a small collection, and I’m not super into poetry but since the pandemic has messed with my focus, I’ve discovered a lot more of it. Piercy’s style is stunning; sharp and deep and lush, all at once. There are some beautiful hard-hitters, and “Limited but Fertile Possibilities are Offered by This Brochure” reads like a heart-pounding, wlw, rally cry.

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junowritings · 4 years ago

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Hello! Can I request hcs of the dorm leaders having a crush on reader please? Normally reader is a pretty shy and serious person. But one day, they see reader from afar (alone or with Grimm): Reader is acting happy go lucky and goofy, without a care in the world. How would they react? (Reader is the type to be silent and introverted in social situations but when they are alone or with someone they are comfortable with, they act bubbly and lively) Thank you!

dfghjhgfds okay so I really got carried away with this one and it shows - this focused less on the crush and more like moments between them so I hope that you like this hun~! ------

Riddle

♡ How someone so serious and reserved managed to wrangle Heartslabyul’s first years into an unlikely friendship is anyone’s guess, but it really didn’t take long after your appearance at Night Raven College before Ace and Deuce started hanging out with you and Grim. Riddle’s heard talk about you before actually meeting you for himself - it seems that even despite your shy demeanor, you’ve become fast friends with some of the other dorm members. Trey’s talked about you coming over to watch him bake, and how you were pretty adept at listening to instructions; and Cater often brings you up in conversation, bringing up some of the selfies he’s roped you into taking with him and showing them to Riddle, lamenting about how you seem to clam up at the mere prospect of large crowds. ♡ It’s because of this that he’s somewhat prepared when the two of you initially run into one another - if only the circumstances were better given the whole unbirthday party issue. Still, that doesn’t seem to ward you off, if anything, Riddle finds you visiting Heartslabyul even more often after that event ♡ All things considered, you and Riddle actually get along rather well - whilst you don’t talk much, preferring to let the people around you do that talking for you, you’re rather pleasant company to have around. You don’t know even a quarter of the dorm’s rules, but he recognizes your effort to adhere to them as best as you’re able when you come to visit, and for what it’s worth the effort doesn’t go unappreciated on Riddle’s part, especially on his journey to be a little more lenient. He’s not exactly sure when you start winning his favor, or when he starts paying attention to little details about you when you’re around, but he notices he seems to act a little softer during your interactions, though he swears to himself that’s an unconscious reaction to a friend and nothing more. ♡ He’s heard Grim mention that you’re way more outgoing when you’re at Ramshackle alone, and Riddle has to ponder on if it’s because you’re more comfortable being yourself on your own. He’s the first to recognize that you’re more bubbly and lively when you’re comfortable, but doesn’t see it for himself till later on. ♡ He’s walking through the dorm halls on his way back to his room, when he hears snickering coming from the common room. Nothing too unusual, but he finds himself idly wondering what’s going on in there, so he makes a small detour to double check, just in case there’s trouble brewing. Riddle walks past the common room, watches a familiar black furball go flying up into the air, and promptly backtracks to see what’s going on. He’s already preparing to chew what he assumes is some plucky first years making a mess of the common room, when he spots you, arms outstretched as Grim falls and drops on top of you, where you skillfully catch him. ♡ You’re beaming at such a simple action, scritching Grim behind the ears as you hold the monster back up; Riddle doesn’t understand exactly what you’re doing until he watches Grim go soaring back into the air thanks to you promptly tossing him up at the cat’s signal. The sight is weird - especially because he’s pretty sure that Grim could fly just fine the last time he checked, but you genuinely look like you’re having a lot of fun throwing the feline up into the air and catching him, getting progressively higher each time. ♡ It appears Grim must trust you more than he lets on to let you do this, either that or the head pats you give him every time he comes back down is enough of a bribe to go along with the little game you’re playing. It’s rather childish, and not something he expected to ever catch you doing, which is exactly why he justifies staring at the scene for as long as he does instead of stepping in. There’s something about the way that you’re acting now that seems almost carefree, nothing quite like the stern, solemn look on your face back when he’d first caught sight of you at the induction. In all honesty it’s an almost enviable expression, or at least, that’s the feeling Riddle assumes he’s feeling when a warmth starts welling up in his chest the longer he watches the two of you play together.

Leona

♡ Has no idea how he ended up crushing on you - you’re quiet, keeping to yourself most of the time unless you get dragged into other people’s problems. That honestly suits him just fine since it means you’re less of a pain to have around - he doesn’t have to concern himself with needless blabbering or deal with the stunts the more reckless ones of his dorm seem to have a field day trying to pull off.

♡ The longer you and Leona are around one another, the more he’s convinced that there’s more to you than what you’re letting on. Sometimes, he’ll see little flashes of something beneath your usual silent demeanor, especially during moments when you’re happy; it’s like you want to express yourself more, be more open with your feelings. But every time he sees those flashes they’re gone just as quick, which makes him start actively keeping an eye out for those little moments.

♡ One such moment is where he gets a proper glimpse at what you’re like when you’re truly comfortable. Leona was more focused on trying to nap rather than entertain guests, so he’d let Ruggie take care of you while he found a spot to get comfortable; he’s in and out of it, only half paying attention when the sound of giggling rouses him. With a grumble, unamused at being disturbed, Leona cracks an eye open to see what Ruggie’s up to now - fully expecting you to be the latest recipient of one of the hyena’s latest trick when he sees the two of you sat on the floor, legs crossed and facing each other.

♡ It’s easy to assume at first that Ruggie’s just using his unique magic on you to make you follow along with his expressions and actions, but the longer Leona watches the pair of you, he notices that your reactions are just a beat slower than Ruggies, as though you’re waiting for the hyena to move first and acting accordingly. If imitating Ruggie’s your game, you’re doing a pretty good job of it, but every time you mirror his expression Leona can see the pair of you physically struggling to stop yourselves from laughing, watching you bite your lip and seeing the corners of your eyes crinkle in an effort to steel your expression even as a smile tugs at your lips. Ruggie’s not much better, grinning like a fool as he works to make you pull the silliest expressions he can muster, making himself look equally ridiculous in the process.

♡ It’s a childish game, and you’re sure that you can hear Leona huff at the silly display, but that doesn’t stop him from watching the scene play out, easing himself up from his previous napping position into one more comfortable to keep watching. He’s more focused on you than he is Ruggie, watching your expression contort every which way before breaking out into that same grin when a snort of laughter ruins the otherwise quiet of the game. You don’t look as serious and timid as what he’s used to seeing, and you’re interacting way more than you usually do, even sticking Ruggie with some spicy retorts every time he snickers about how silly you look. It’s actually kind of refreshing, in a way, to have his suspicions confirmed that you weren’t just that silent stone wall that others had stuck you to be, so he finds himself looking at that grin of yours like he’s trying to carve it into memory.

♡ Leona makes a comment about your expressions, a little jab that you’re used to hearing by now after being around him for so long; but Leona’s surprised to find that you’ve got a little backbone this time around, sticking him with a defiant huff as you stick your tongue out at him. It’s bratty behavior, but he at least appreciates the cheek you have to pull that face at him before you whirl back around, hands excitedly patting your legs as you egg Ruggie to keep going with this little imitation show. You can’t see it, but that action earns you a raised brow before Leona shakes his head, running a hand through his hair as he flops back down, making you assume that he’s trying to get back to sleep as you continue playing - and he would be, if he didn’t want to keep listening to the sound of your carefree laughter for just a it longer.

Azul

♡ Azul knows better than to just assume that everyone shows their true personalities without hesitation - keeping your cards to yourself until it’s safe and avoiding moments of vulnerability around those you aren’t close to are traits that he knows all too well. And it’s precisely because of this that he doesn’t immediately judge you based on your initial shyness, instead opting to give it time and see how things pan out. Besides, after the events of that whole contract incident, the way you ended up handling it, and the things that have been thrown at you since, has piqued the dorm leader’s interest.

♡ Visiting Monstro lounge after hours has become a common occurrence, to the point where Azul’s more used to seeing you sitting somewhere in the lounge than he is not - there’s an unusual emptiness to the place on the days that you can’t make it, even if Azul’s not always interacting with you outside of the nod of acknowledgment and initial greeting. Whether you enjoy the quiet atmosphere or the company is anybody's guess, but when you’re visiting on your own you hardly cause any trouble, so Azul doesn’t mind you coming around in the slightest. Plus, you have a tendency to keep Floyd occupied when things get slow, which works out for everybody working there since he enjoys having you around as well. Today’s one such day where you’ve got his attention, as you’re helping to move some of the stuff people have left behind on the counter for the brother’s to pick up. Upon seeing the little collection of cups you’re making, Floyd doesn’t think twice about sliding one over to you, with little warning other than telling you to catch as he does so.

♡ You’d acted without thinking; all you’d seen was a glass coming at you from the corner of your eye and you swatted it back the way it came, almost immediately realizing your mistake as you whip your head around to watch the cup coast back over to Floyd. He looks down at the glass with a look of surprise as he catches it, but in the next moment that confusion is replaced with an amused grin and he nudges once again over to your side of the counter. This time you actually grab it, and after a second of skeptically eyeing the glass and Floyd you send it back at him; and, just like that, your new little minigame is afoot.

♡ The glass whizzes back and forth, getting progressively faster with each clink across the counter. And it’s that clinking that draws Azul’s attention, as the sound is enough to draw him into turning his focus over to the counter, watching the two of you play. You’re focused, tongue poking from the corner of your mouth as you focus on the glass as it comes back towards you; Floyd’s also thoroughly invested by the little game, and Azul can see his grin getting a little wider every time you have to lean over to bat it back over in his direction. It’s only a matter of time before something happens, Azul can see that clearly with how fast the glass is moving, but instead of calling out to the two of you to stop, Azul watches the exchange anyways, if only to wait for that moment to come.

♡ You must have underestimated the shot, as the next time that the glass goes whizzing towards Floyd it slips right past him and rockets off the counter. You both yell and make a grab for it even though you’re on the far end - Floyd just about falls off of the bar stool trying to snag it only to hit the floor hard enough to make the shelves rattle. Thankfully, Jade’s able to pluck it right from the air right before it hits the ground, sauntering back to the kitchen and carrying the leftover glasses from the remaining tables with him.

♡ Floyd pouts and mourns the loss of your playing glass, but you burst out into a cheer at the nice save, clapping for the Leech twin as he nods in your direction and offers you a smile as he disappears into the back room. The sudden outburst actually shocks Azul, who regards your shout with wide eyes; he’s never heard you yell before, much less that loud, so the sound catches him off guard. It seems that you catch yourself just as fast however, as the second you spot Azul looking at you, your face visibly flushes, embarrassed over him watching over the little scene, face only turning brighter when he flashes you a smile upon noticing you looking at him.

Kalim

♡ Honestly, the two of you couldn’t be more polar opposites to people on the outside looking in. Kalim’s good vibes personified, whereas you’re incredibly introverted and shy around people that you don’t know too well; it makes for an interesting dynamic between the two of you, but Kalim takes it all in stride! Regardless of whether you’re the shyest person in the world, or if you’re the most outgoing, Kalim has a way of finding the best in people and wants to be friends if you’re up for it. So when you first meet at the induction ceremony and you greet him, timid and nervous, Kalim’s really excited to greet you back, already armed with a slew of questions and things he wants to know - what can he say? He’s always interested in getting to know new people! And you’re no exception.

♡ You’re not much of a talker, preferring to let Grim or your other friends do the talking for you, but Kalim doesn’t mind in the least! Though he’s the kind of person that tries to take any and all opportunities to coax you into talking more, which can be very overwhelming during the first few weeks that you spend getting to know him. Fortunately, Jamil’s almost always there to rear him back and stop him from getting overly excited whenever he starts noticing that you’re getting uncomfortable or overwhelmed. It helps that Kalim gets Grim to warm up to him really easily, as seeing that your dormmate actually wants to hang out around him too makes you feel a bit more comfortable hanging out around him and letting loose a little more than you usually would.

♡ And Kalim’s not the only one excited for your visits. His magic carpet’s got a mind of its own and a playful streak that’s apparently only amplified whenever Grim’s in the vicinity - looks like the fluffy monster makes for a prime playmate. You, frankly, find that fact adorable, but Grim gets so miffed being constantly hounded by a magic rug that he actively goes out of his way to avoid it, even if that means swallowing his pride and hiding under or behind something until it’s gone (a fact that you love to bring up when it’s just the two of you - that’s gained you more than a few singed hairs). Unfortunately for your fluffy companion however, neither of you have really been good at knowing where exactly it is when you drop by Scarabia to hang out with Kalim, which means you either don’t have any interactions with it at all, or you do and…well, you get situations such as this.

♡ You’re walking in stride with Kalim, listening to him as he talks - he loves that you’re such a great listener, though that’s only an added bonus thanks to your usually shy demeanor (not that you’d tell him that, he looks so happy every time he gets to ramble you could listen to him talk all day). He’s mid conversation when you spot something whizz across your vision from the corner of your eye - you have no idea what it is, but you’ve got an idea of what it could be when you spot another flash of vibrant fabric.

♡ Unlike you Kalim’s completely oblivious to this, and you’re still not quite sure what you’re seeing till you finally watch a blur round the corner. The carpet spots Grim, and in the next second Grim’s gone from his spot and zipping down the hall on the carpet's back. His scream is abrupt and loud enough that your ears ring, but the sight of the cat clinging to the fabric and cussing up a storm of curses you didn’t even know he knew makes you react without thinking.

♡ You burst into laughter, throwing your head back before you can even stop yourself watching Grim disappear from view down the corridor. As soon as he hears you laugh, unabashed and unrestrained, Kalim just falls so hard. He’s seen you smile - he’s actually been responsible for making you smile on more than one occasion, and he loves that he’s been able to do so - but there’s just something about the pure joy in your voice, tinged with disbelief, that makes this moment different. It’s the type of laugh that has you leaning against the wall for support and clutching your side, and you only laugh harder when you hear Grim’s voice in the distance, shrieking at you to stop laughing.

♡ Your laughter is contagious, and it isn’t long before Kalim joins in laughing alongside you; that really doesn’t help calm you down, if anything it spurs you on into a spiral until both of you are laughing hard enough that you’re leaning up against each others shoulders every time you hear Grim’s voice carrying on the wind - it’s a moment to remember for sure.

Vil

♡ You’re shy, reserved and keep to yourself unless it’s something you need to actively get involved in, so perhaps it's exactly that reason that you fly under Vil’s radar for so long. Back at the auditions you had looked as though you’d rather be anywhere else rather than being swarmed by your fellow students, visibly shying away and keeping to your small little bubble of friends right up until the moment that the auditions started. Perhaps it was an act of mercy that you weren’t picked as one of the main performers, and he’d fully expected that to be the last direct interaction that he had with you and that fuzzy little thing that hovers around you all of the time.

♡ Only it isn't, even after the events of the VDC it's as though you’d resolved to go out of your way to visit Pomfiore, having gotten attached to your new friends and wanting to make the effort to keep them close even if it was through quick visits. Your self proclaimed task seems easier, given that little Epel has been unanimously adopted into your little gaggle of potatoes and you’ve gotten rather close to some of the other Pomfiore members since meeting them.

♡ It seems like you’ve wormed your way into the hearts of the Vil’s dormmates - Epel’s hanging around you just about every time that he’s spotted you on school grounds, and Rook is ever doting. Vil’s not really one to talk however, given that he’s the first person to greet you whenever you come to the Pomfiore dorm for one reason or another. This is one such instance - apparently one of your little group had decided to cook some desserts and had an abundance of fruits and treats leftover, so you’d brought a couple to share, with Ace and Grim in tow as you offered Vil a rather excited greeting upon seeing him at the door.

♡ An impromptu call had pulled him away from the group momentarily, and by the time the whole mess was sorted out he was already preparing for the chaos your friends must have caused in his absence (seriously, it’s like they go out of their way to nearly break something). However, as he comes to stand in the doorway, he’s accosted by the sight of what looks like a piece of fruit skimming through the air only to land in Grim’s mouth as the monster zips up to snag it. It appears that while he was gone you’d started up a little game of throwing food across the room for Grim to catch, and given the lack of mess on the floor it appears the monster’s been doing a fair job of catching what you toss. You’re biting back a chuckle as you reach for the next piece of fruit, aiming an apple slice in Grim’s direction and asking if he’s ready - in response he grins and rubs his paws together.

♡ You toss the piece, watching it move through the air and waiting for Grim to catch it. It looks like your trajectory was a bit off however, as it ends up sailing directly over Grim’s head and towards the windowsill where Rook’s sitting; your face immediately flashes to one of panic as you start to rise from your chair, the beginnings of a warning starting to form. It’s almost seamless how swift Rook turns his head, and before you can even blink he’s holding the apple slice between his teeth, flashing a wink before eating it and praising you for the impeccable aim.

♡ This is the first time that Vil’s seen you visibly brighten at the sight of a challenge, and he finds himself pausing in the doorway as he watches you straighten up in your chair, leaning on your knees as you reach into the pack for the next piece of fruit. This time you pull out a grape, and you shoot Rook a grin as you rear back, aiming the fruit over at his direction as he swivels around in preparation.

♡ This goes on for a few more tosses, and while Vil feels as though he should break up the little exchange, he can’t find it in himself to step in as he watches an orange slice sail across the room in a swift arc and Ace dives from his seat to slide across the floor and catch it, joining in on the fun. The moment he does a roar of triumph rips through the room, and you throw your hands up as you hollar and laugh at the successful shot; only to underestimate how far you’d leaned back and topple right off of your chair. You hit the floor, disappearing from sight, and your friends immediately make a move to check if you’re okay when they hear you laugh, still giggling to yourself by the time your head peeks back up from behind the counter.

♡ You’re disheveled from the fall, hair mussed and collar and tie left askew and loose - had this been usual circumstances, Vil’s first thought would have been to admonish you for letting yourself get into such a unkempt state and he’d have stepped in to correct the slight immediately; instead, his thoughts are trained on your expression, how different it looks from the carefully neutral facade you usually wore. How far that face had come since he’d first met you, now so warm and full of energy, it was as though you were alight with life with each little mark and awry hair only adding to your appearance. You looked...happy, imperfect but somehow...better than beautiful.

♡ Rook’s voice breaks him from entertaining that thought further, clapping his hands together and promptly announcing Vil’s sudden presence to the rest of the party. Vil watches the surprise cross your face, head ducking down so that only your eyes were visible behind the counter as you offer him a timid wave (though the reddening tips of your ears are enough to indicate your embarrassment). He’s swift to stride across the room, rounding the counter to where you’re still kneeling on the floor. You seem shocked when he offers you a hand, and Vil has to ponder just why you’re so shy in his presence as you eye the outstretched hand; you take the offer though, and honestly have to marvel at how soft his hand feels as it holds yours and tugs you up from the floor.

♡ You expect him to move away from you once you’re back onto your feet, but you’re hardly steady again when the hand holding yours moves to your shoulder, balancing you as he gives your disheveled state a once-over. He makes a noise akin to a hum before you feel a hand carding through your hair, smoothing out the otherwise untamable mess with precise fingers and you probably would have flushed under the attention were you not so surprised by the action. Instead of admonishment, Vil finds himself urging you to be careful - potatoes may be sturdy, but he’d rather not have this one getting hurt.

Idia

♡ In all honesty, Idia’s just as introverted, if not more so given his penchant for locking himself away from the world and sticking to the safety of his dorm room at any and all opportunities. So if there’s any chance of you interacting with him, it's either from pure luck, or because you befriended his brother - which given the circumstances, is definitely the latter of the two scenarios. Your shy and reserved personality around others and tendency to clam up in social situations reminds Ortho a lot of Idia, so after his first interaction with you during the Pomfiore auditions he makes an effort to get to know you! It takes you off guard, and Grim butting into the conversation every other minute to ask the boy something arbitrary really doesn’t help with your feelings on the situation; with time, and a little work however, you start opening up a little around him, and with the open and practiced way he approaches you, it isn’t long before the two of you actually become pretty decent friends.

♡ Idia just doesn’t know what to make of you when he hears of your first few meetings relayed directly through Ortho. It’s like you’re some kind of anomaly or glitch that slipped under his radar up until this point in time, and he doesn’t know what trick you’re pulling, but so long as you don’t have any malicious intentions he figures he can tolerate hearing about you. And boy, does he hear it - it’s like you’re involved in just about everything that goes wrong at Night Raven College one way or another, though it seems like it’s through no fault of your own if what he’s seen through the cameras is anything to go by. In a way he almost kind of sympathizes for you, being dragged around every which way by the other dorm heads and students looks exhausting, and you really seem to hate being around all the large crowds that all the school’s events attract. It’s like the only moment of respite you get is with your new flame-haired friend and that talking cat monster, Grim, but Idia doesn’t have much first hand experience when it comes to interacting with you.

♡ The first time you actually meet him face to face, it’s a complete accident. It’s not like he even knew you were going to be coming to the dorm because he hadn’t heard anything about it - it must have been an impromptu invitation, which is really unlike his little brother to do - so imagine his surprise when he rounds a corner and narrowly misses running headfirst into you. He knows what you look like, has seen it through his monitor a few times; hell, you’ve even greeted him through the tablet at dorm leader meetings once or twice when you were close enough to it. But seeing you through a monitor, and seeing you now in the flesh is so jarring that for a hot second he freezes up, looking at you with a baffled expression. You look so different face to face, and he watches you regard him curiously, head cocking to the side as though trying to size him up. It’s only when you give him a confused look and offer a quiet “uhhh,hi?” that Idia realizes what’s going on, and within the next moment he’s gone so fast that you have to double check that he was even there to begin with.

♡ Needless to say, not the best first impression, and Idia’s about ready for the earth to swallow him whole after that incident when you actually go out of your way to approach him the same day. You don’t try to burst into his room or demand him to come out like most of the others, instead you merely knock to announce your presence and mutter out a quiet yet surprisingly serious apology for scaring him back there, mentioning that you hope everything’s okay between you, afterall, you don’t to upset the person that you friend looks up to so much. And then just like that you’re gone, giving him some space as you go off to seek out Ortho.

♡ The friendship between you and Idia is definitely a slowburn, and often has Ortho as the middleman so to speak, being the more outgoing of the three of you when Grim isn’t following you around. Slowly but surely, you open up and start talking to him more, even asking him questions about his games and the kinds of things that he likes to tinker with - it’s a lengthy process, but as Idia spends more time answering your queries he realizes that he’s started to get used to having you around, even kind of looking forward to you coming over. ♡ Idia recognizes the beginnings of a crush, being able to distinguish that these feelings are different than just friendship, and he gets so worked up about it. A lot of his pining is done from afar, as he’d rather keel over and burn the dorm down before he admits his feelings out loud - he’s always thinking of the worst case scenario with social interactions, and just thinking about all the ways you could possibly reject him is enough to make him feel nauseous, so he sticks to just keeping it to himself and lingering on these feelings safely behind closed doors. He’s sure he can keep it to himself, convinced of it...until he sees what you’re like when you’ve warmed up to someone.

♡ He’d crashed in his bed after staying up way too long grinding for an in-game event, leaving you and his brother to play whatever multiplayer he’d dug up for the two of you to take a crack at; Idia’s the first to admit that sometimes he can sleep like the dead if he’s particularly sleep deprived, so it’s not a surprise that he doesn’t wake up till quite a while later. What wakes him up however is laughter - one voice is Ortho’s, he recognizes it immediately, but the other voice takes him by surprise, and he finds himself peeking his head out from the covers, mindful to keep his hair underneath lest he give away that he’s awake.

♡ Idia finds the two of you giggling to yourselves, with you laughing so hard that there’s tears in your eyes as you clap a hand over your mouth to muffle the sound. Ortho isn’t much better, thoroughly entertained by your laughing and trying to hide his own chuckles as you struggle to recompose yourself - it’s a bizarre scene to watch, and Idia has no idea what’s got you so chuffed until you compose yourself enough to inch back over to your controller. Upon looking at the screen, he sees that you’re still playing that game - there’s a cutscene playing, however it doesn’t take much to realize that the model looks wrong, some kind of bug giving them hilariously static poses that look awkward as the panels switch from scene to scene. There’s a split second where it looks like the bug’s corrected itself, and the laughter dies down into breathy chuckles as you move to click the button prompt. But then all Idia sees is the flash of a stock horse model whizzing across the screen and into the sky and Idia watches you and his brother just about crumple with a wheeze all over again.

♡ He’s never seen you even laugh like that before, much less act so ridiculously silly over something as small as a game glitch, but he’s practically glued to watching your reaction, watching this new, boisterous side of you with a rapt fascination. It’s hard to compose yourself while fighting off the giggles, attempting to imitate some of the bizarre cutscenes as you ramble excitedly about how weird and funny that whole thing was. Ortho also makes an attempt to follow suit, and that starts the pair of you off all over again. Idia would be hard pressed to deny that the sight of you and his brother, grinning without a care as your face flushes from all the yelling, didn’t make him ridiculously happy. If this is what you’re usually like, then does that mean he hasn’t unlocked that with you yet? He’s quick to shake away the thought, instead continuing to watch the scene unfolding in his room - he almost wishes that he could join in on the fun.

♡ Well, it looks like that wish comes true, as Ortho spots his brother out of the corner of his eye and greets him as he excitedly points at the screen, wanting to fill him in on what’s happened while he’s been resting. Your head snaps over to his bed, and he sees the flush on your face turn a deeper shade now for a different reason as you offer a timid greeting of your own, still smiling that bright smile as you apologize for waking him up. At being caught Idia doesn’t know what to say so he reacts without thinking, letting out a choked noise and diving back into his covers so you can’t see his face burning in embarrassment, though the way his hair flares up makes the action futile.

Malleus

♡ Malleus garners that you’re rather shy when you first cross paths outside of Ramshackle. He’d heard talk about what you were like, as Lilia had taken a particular interest not long after you’d first arrived at the school, having become what one might consider unconventional lunch buddies between breaks. Lilia spoke rather highly of you, though Malleus had yet to place a face to the name until he’d met you on the dorm grounds. He’s no stranger to others shying away from him or being scared in his presence, if anything, it’s the reaction that he expected you to have at the sight of him lingering within the grounds' poorly lit walkways. However, he’s quick to discern that the way you act in his presence isn’t because you’re scared of him, it’s rather just the way you usually act around others.

♡ This suspicion is confirmed the next time he sees Lilia and brings you up in conversation; at the mention of your name, Lilia’s expression practically brightens up, interested in the young man's apparent newfound interest in you, and doesn’t hesitate to pry into what Mal wants to know. When it comes to your unusually silent demeanor, Lilia’s quick to add that you aren’t always like that - just give it a bit of time for you to warm up to him, and he’s sure that Malleus might well see that there’s more to your personality than what he’s seen.

♡ Mal’s got no idea what Lilia means, but regardless he still finds himself coming back to Ramshackle - when his usual haunts become occupied he thinks little of finding another secluded location, but this time he finds himself returning. At first, you’d only come outside to check that it's him and not someone out wandering the dorm grounds, but after a handful of meetings, Malleus is intrigued to find you following in stride with him during one of his walks. You don’t give any explanation, nor do you bother with asking any arbitrary questions - which honestly suits Mal just fine - instead, when you cross paths, you just start to walk alongside him for a while. The nighttime strolls have no need for talking if you’re not the speaking sort, and he’s hardly the type to complain about trivial things like that - Malleus is fine simply having the company on what would otherwise be a solitary excursion.

♡ The longer the two of you spend these nights together, the more he gets tiny flashes of your warmer side. You begin opening up a little more with talking, making small comments about the weather or any upcoming events of note - it’s mundane things, but the small talk is...surprisingly endearing when previously you said nothing more than what you absolutely had to. Perhaps this is what Lilia was on about back then, is what Malleus thinks to himself; either way, it's just another little thing that keeps him coming back. Mal honestly doesn’t see himself having a crush just yet - it’s just that he enjoys the company, and the way you interact with him, shy but unafraid, intrigues him in such a way that keeps him coming back. That’s how he rationalizes it at least.

♡ His first glimpse of your more open personality is by pure chance. Usually at this time of night he would find you wandering somewhere around the Ramshackle grounds, either actively seeking Malleus out or looking for some fresh air to shake off the stress of the morning hours; however when he can’t seem to find you at your usual spots, he resolves to approaching the ramshackle dorm to search for you. Chances are you’re just late or you aren’t interested in accompanying him tonight - either way, he’d rather find that out for himself so he approaches the dorm with little hesitation. All of the lights inside are off barring one, and Malleus finds himself walking around to see if he can make out whatever’s inside, hoping that it’s you.

♡ And he finds you, but the sight he’s greeted with catches him off guard. He can hear the music through the windows, an upbeat melody that Malleus would never quite pin you as a fan of until now. And as he gets closer to the lights he can see you inside the living room, sliding into view. At first, he doesn’t have a clue what you’re doing, moving across the floor in a weird way that’s not unlike shuffling. After a beat though, Malleus soon realizes that you’re dancing, spinning and jumping around the room without a care in the world, belting the words out at the top of your lungs loud enough that he’s sure you’d wake up your dormmates if you had any, though he can hardly make out the lyrics from beyond the glass.

♡ The sight is...oddly mesmerizing, in a way, not because you’re particularly professional, but because of how lively you’re acting. You look so happy, so carefree compared to the shy and silent persona that you usually convey around others - it's a bizarre sight, to say the least, but at the same time it’s a welcome one, and Malleus simply can’t tear his eyes away. He doesn’t know how long you’ve been at it, but it isn’t long before you tire yourself out, whirling around a final time before you finally stumble and topple back onto the floor. You fall so suddenly that Malleus would have moved closer to check that you were okay were it not for your surprised shout filtering off into giggling once you shake off the shock. You’re frazzled, with hair askew and breathing hard, but at the same time you’re visibly giddy, lost in your own little world and grinning like a fool as you run your hands through your hair and rest your head back against the floor.

♡ Malleus has no idea why, but the sight of you smiling, so unburdened by the world outside has him entranced - it’s like you’re practically glowing with energy that he hasn’t seen before, and he’s transfixed to soaking in all the little details, as though wanting to commit this image to memory. He probably would have strayed a moment longer had you not suddenly moved, rolling off of the floor and scrambling onto your feet as you disappear from view, apparently called away by someone - probably Grim - and as the moment’s broken Malleus finally catches himself, cursing himself for getting so distracted.

♡ He ends up completely forgetting what he came over to do, and ends up taking that walk on his own. But he finds his thoughts during that stroll almost completely occupied by the moment, replaying the scene in his mind and thinking back on that vibrant, beaming smile that had lit up your face - the way you looked when you laughed and moved without a care in the world. A part of him is a little sad that you’re not like that when in his presence, but at the same time he finds himself understanding why you keep that side of yourself so closely guarded. Still, that doesn’t stop Malleus from entertaining the idea that sometime in the future he can see that vibrancy face to face, maybe even directed at him - perhaps there’s something he could do to reassure you that you can open up around him...

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sunflowersoonyoung · 3 years ago

Text

rekindled | wooseok

w.c ↠ 2.4k

pairing ↠ wooseok x fem!reader

genre/s ↠ smut, dom!wooseok, spit kink, office au!, exes to lovers au!

description ↠ after dreaming about your ex for months, it’s impossible to swallow your heated desires when he shows up at your workplace.

warning/s ↠ suggestive themes, unprotected sex, dom themes

a/n ↠ omg I haven’t written here in months, but here I am - surprisingly alive lol. I’m sorry it took so long ;-; study has been rough but I finally managed to find the time. anyway, this is pretty hot and I hope y’all enjoy it. requested by @bunnybunnywoo

“Please treat our newest arrival with kindness.”

You numbly observed as your manager ushered forth a tall, neatly dressed male. He offered the team a small smile, adjusting the collared sleeves of his white button-up. Your coworkers chattered quietly, particularly the girls - undoubtedly fawning over his pretty features.

Jung Wooseok hardly had to introduce himself to you. You recognised him without any doubt, even with the minor details he had changed. After all, you knew him well.

When you had dated him, his hair had grown past his ears. You had watched him tuck away the soft locks numerous times during those times. Now it was inches shorter, and his fringe no longer grazed his eyes. It had been approximately a year since you had broken up, so you had expected some change. You had probably changed too.

It was an alarming coincidence that Wooseok had shown up now, amidst a peak in your sex drive, when all you had dreamt of recently was him. It was outrageous that he had shown up looking so good, too.

As he stood before your small group of coworkers, he seemed to skip over your presence. His smile remained constant, his hands folded behind his back as he bowed his head politely. You failed to take in a single word your manager spoke, absorbing every inch of Wooseok’s figure with unrestrained desire. You had missed him desperately, and now he was here.

As his introduction came to a close, the intrigue surrounding Wooseok died down, and everyone’s attention gradually returned to their computer screens.

You, however, were still dizzied by his vicinity. You could not help but watch as he was shown around the small office, listening in as he introduced himself to each worker. The pair arrived before you, and you tried to mask your excitement.

“This is (F/n)-ssi. She works under marketing.”

Wooseok’s eyes met yours, sparking shockwaves that travelled across your skin. The arousal you had been stifling escaped suddenly, and now you could feel the heat throbbing painfully between your legs. It was almost deplorable how such a simple gesture set you alight - but you had been craving him for so long, so it was unsurprising.

You were somewhat disappointed to see him merely smile at you. Though, you could see the cogs turning in his head, small lights of recognition twinkling in his eyes.

He was gone as quickly as he had appeared, cycling through the remaining people with haste. The remainder of the day he spent learning his intended role. You spent it sneaking glances at him from across the room.

Five o’clock arrived at a languid pace, and staff members around you had begun packing up when your manager called for attention.

“I’ve reserved a table at the usual place to celebrate the arrival of our recruit.”

A swell of applause and appreciative murmurs passed over the room. There was nothing like exchanging shot glasses of soju and plates of hot meat after a day at work, and the opportunity was rare.

As everyone began bustling through the door to walk to our usual hangout just a block away, you attempted to catch Wooseok on his way out.

You cleared your throat, nervously hovering behind him.

“It’s good to see you, Wooseok-ah.”

He tilted his head towards you curiously, his irises turning gold in the warm sunset light. The tips of his hair shone a syrupy brown. You were dazzled by the sight of him, your gaze flickering from his eyes to his thick rose-tinted lips, to his tan collarbone revealed barely by the collars of his shirt.

Wooseok offered you an earnest smile, veiled suggestiveness shining through his expression. You struggled to read him, unable to process much outside of the feeling that you were melting into the ground.

You were still staring at him when he turned away, following the trail of excited staff. Your interest went southwards. His well-fitted black suit pants provoked your imagination. You began picturing him naked, and suddenly the urge to take off those pants spiked.

Steeling yourself, you followed Wooseok - waiting with the rest of the group as someone locked the door behind you.

The brief walk to the restaurant was anxiety-inducing. You spent it trailing a few paces behind Wooseok, trying to quench the fire of arousal in your belly. You hoped some small talk and some food would help take your mind off of him.

As you filed inside the restaurant behind the team, you gasped as you met a wall of heat. The room was hot, illuminated by tangerine light and lined with dark wooden walls, the air thick with steam from the kitchen. Everyone took their seats around a long table centred in the room, you included. You looked up to see Wooseok peering at you, seated directly adjacent to you.

Your mind immediately went blank with panic. There was no way you would be able to sit opposite him without staring at him for practically the whole evening.

Platters of hot meat and vegetables and bowls of rice and broth were spread across the table, and the stream of conversation was interrupted. You were concentrating on pushing heaps of steaming white rice onto your plate when a hand appeared in your peripheral.

Wooseok was offering you a dish, his owl-like orbs gauging your reaction. It’s a plate of spicy cucumber salad, a thick crimson sauce coating slices of cucumber.

It had always been one of your favourite side dishes. Perhaps it shouldn’t have, but it surprised you that Wooseok remembered.

You grew warm and dizzy, accepting his gesture with a shy smile. He seemed pleased, a soft grin gracing his lips. Your heart fluttered; you were trying desperately not to react externally, swallowing the dizzying thoughts surrounding Wooseok.

The remainder of the evening you spend trying to keep your eyes off of him, or at the very least from lingering.

The restaurant was humid, which was evidently affecting Wooseok. There was a film of sweat over his forehead, dark strands of hair sticking to his slick skin. His cheeks were flushed pink. To help with the heat, he had rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt, revealing his forearms.

His appearance was highly seductive. A different sort of heat was pooling between your legs, applying a throbbing pressure that made you increasingly dizzier by the moment. All of the dreams you had had of him over the past months were growing persistent. You were horny, desperate for Wooseok. Desperate to have him alone.

Your arousal is probably starting to become visible. Your breathing was staggered, sucking your bottom lip into your mouth and pushing your thighs together for some relief.

Abruptly, Wooseok stood, his chair scraping against the floorboards as he pushed it out from beneath himself.

“Thank you for dinner,” he spoke, bowing deeply, “is it okay if I head home early?”

A chorus of agreement passed over the table, and Wooseok bowed for a second time. His interest passed over you, a curious expression painting his features. It only served to make you even more hungry for him. Unexpected courage washed over your skin as you watched him leave. You stumbled onto your feet, clumsily excusing yourself as well.

“Wooseok-ah!” You called into the night, mouth dry with anxiety.

He was a few metres ahead, practically glowing in the dark atmosphere. Tasting the corner of his mouth with his tongue, he seemed to be contemplating something, so you hurried closer.

“I-I missed you,” You stammered, “You look really good.”

A gradual smile warmed his face, and he ate up the gap between you, affectionately cupping your cheek to press a chaste kiss to your forehead. Tingles explode across your skin like electricity - as if it was the first time he had touched you with his lips. You swayed on your feet, giddy.

“I missed you too,” he chuckled sincerely.

You hesitated, a question heavy on the tip of your tongue.

“I was wondering…”

Embarrassment crept to the tips of your ears as you began to speak, before Wooseok interrupted you and finished the question for you.

“Want to come home with me?”

You relaxed your head against his chest, nodding shyly in a wordless response.

Stepping inside Wooseok’s apartment, you were temporarily distracted by the familiar scent that wafted past your nose. Though it was a different place you were used to, it still belonged quite certainly to him.

Your attention swiftly shifted to Wooseok himself, who had closed the door behind him and was now advancing upon you. His tall figure was growing dangerously close, inky eyes boring into yours from above.

“Mm, you’ve hardly changed at all,” he mumbled, tilting his head towards yours, “it’s still obvious when you’re turned on.”

You exhaled a trembling breath, leaning on your toes just to close the space between your lips. You could feel Wooseok smile and purr as you finally made contact. It was a pleasant sensation, his deep voice dropping straight to the bottom of your gut. His palm met the wall behind you, promptly caging you in with his body.

His lips were full, and he had savoury flavoured saliva; somehow, it was better than you remembered. You could feel his humid breath against your cheek. He left you desperate for more as he withdrew, his cheeks flushed with colour.

“Not here,” he murmured, clasping his large hands over yours.

He led you through his entrance hall into a modestly decorated apartment, his long fingers interlaced with yours.

Gesturing for you to take a seat on his sofa, he awkwardly hovered before joining you, keeping consistent eye contact as if trying to read your face. He sat closely, his thigh pressing against yours.

Without much thought, you reached up and combed your fingers through his hair, which was almost impossibly soft. Your hand slid down his temple, resting on his cheek - which was warm to touch.

Wooseok leant forward, kissing you again, lowering his weight on you till you could not help but fall back against the sofa cushions.

His tongue teased yours, thumb gently pressing against your chin for better access. Your head was empty of thoughts except for him, how he tasted, how he smelt, the feeling of his chest pressing against yours.

Wooseok withdrew, a strand of saliva connecting your parted lips - replacing his tongue with his thumb. You sucked, tasting the tip of his thumb with your tongue and burning beneath the attention he was giving you.

“Open your mouth,” he hummed, and you obeyed. He grinned before casually dribbling a globule of spit onto your tongue. It tasted mildly sweet, and you made a show of swallowing obviously before offering him a devilish smile. A low groan bubbled up in his throat in response.

“I want to taste you,” you breathed, your gaze travelling dazedly from his beautiful features to his button-up shirt to his deliciously tight pants.

He raised an eyebrow, tongue running along his bottom lip.

“No need to ask, baby.”

You repositioned so that he sat on the sofa, legs parted with you seated on the floor between them. Your hands were trembling as you unzipped his suit pants, despite having been with him countless times in the past.

His cock was pretty with a glistening pink tip, soft but also not and warm between your palms. You could feel the drool collecting in your mouth as you gradually rubbed it, rolling the head beneath your thumb and feeling it grow slick. Wooseok moaned, lulling his head back against the back of the couch.

You knelt over him, easing the length down your throat till your nose grazed his lower belly, his cock meeting the back of your throat. It had been a while since you had given head, so you gagged a little in response.

“Don’t push yourself,” Wooseok hummed, running his fingers through your hair, gathering strands and pushing them off of your forehead.

Ignoring his gentle suggestion, you began to work him at a slow pace, swirling your tongue simultaneously. You gradually built up the speed, relishing every sweet sound that spilt out into the air from his chest. Painful arousal was throbbing between your legs; you could practically feel the moisture dripping into your underpants.

“That’s enough,” Wooseok was surprisingly demanding when he finally interrupted you, seizing a fistful of your hair and dragging your head from his lap. You’re still dizzy and flustered from the blowjob, barely able to recognise his intentions.

He bends you over the arm of the sofa, blood rushing to your head as you lean on your stomach. You feel the skin of your backside against the cool air as he flips up your skirt, your damp underwear cold against your dangerously hot pussy. Wooseok took a moment to admire your ass, his hands massaging the flesh before pressing his fingertips to your clothed clit. You groan in relief as he applies much-needed pressure.

“Please,” you manage to gasp, though the words are barely recognisable.

“Please, what?”

He’s teasing you, and it sounds even more enticing in his low voice.

“Please fill me up, Wooseok-ah.”

Wooseok was quick to respond, pushing your underpants out of the way and gently pressing the head of his cock against your pussy. An unrestrained exclamation escapes your lips as he slides his way inside you, utilising your natural lubricants to his advantage.

It felt incredible, shockwaves of pleasure bursting in your lower belly as he bottomed out inside you. Stress from months without sex began melting out of you, and you could feel yourself drowning in unadulterated excitement.

“Wooseok,” you huffed, leaning back into his pistoning hips, unable to control your body which he was practically throwing against the sofa.

“I missed hearing you say my name,” he growled, squeezing your backside with one hand. You could only assume how he looked right now - with sweat-thick skin, blushed cheeks and a gritted jaw. The mere thought of the image combined with the blood pounding by your ears drove you closer to a dizzying orgasm.

Every second seemed to pass too quickly. You buried your nails into the arm of the sofa as your pussy began to pulse.

“I-I’m going to-,” you couldn’t even splutter out the entire sentence before you came, spiralling into the most intense orgasm you had had for a long time. You could no longer distinguish Wooseok’s strokes, practically sobbing in pleasure.

He emitted a loud cry before pulling out, cumming all over your back.

The room was filled with both of your breathing, the desire to sleep weighing on your eyelids.

“Can’t believe you just came on my blouse,” you mumbled, barely able to muster up the ounce of disbelief in your tone.

“You can just wear one of my shirts.”

#pentagon #pentagon x reader #pentagon smut #pentagon wooseok #pentagon wooseok x reader #wooseok x reader #pentagon wooseok smut #wooseok smut #wooseok #kpop #kpop x reader #kpop fanfic #pentagon fanfic #wooseok fanfic #kpop smut

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sidespromptblog · 4 years ago

Text

Between the Mask: Part 1

Two, Three, and End

Warnings: Angst (Just general nothing too spicy), mentions of masking to an unhealthy degree, Logan is sad, Janus is sad, Roman is sad, food mention, and miscommunication via the light sides.

Word Count: 3015

Summary: Roman confronts Janus about how exactly Roman should act around him, after being told by the others that both being nice and mean to him is wrong. Only to discover that, after everything he’s been through Janus isn’t the person he portrays in front of everyone else.

AO3 LINK

All of it was driving Roman crazy.

Ever since his most recent interaction with Dece… Janus, the looks that he’d received from the others had slowly been driving him mad. Out of everyone he would have at least expected Virgil to understand where he was coming from, especially considering his seemingly rough behavior around Janus.

But no!

The moment that Patton had told Virgil just how Roman had reacted to the news of Janus’ he might as well have been dead to the anxious side, given the way that he had looked at him upon hearing the exact words that Roman had so carelessly spouted off. The snarl had curled on the anxious sides lips wasn’t one that he was bound to forget for a long time to come, especially when paired with the almost betrayed look that the other side had shot him. Roman got it, he really did. Names weren’t to be made fun of around Virgil, but with all the stress that been piling and piling since the wedding it had kind of...

Slipped out.

He hadn’t meant it, or maybe.. maybe he had. for whatever reason Janus’ mere presence had a way of making the truth slip right out of him without even giving it a second thought.

It was infuriating.

That wasn’t even the worst part, to top it off with Virgil avoiding him like the plague now, Logan virtually wasn’t even around anymore. He barely even saw a glimpse of him in the past week alone, in compared to the landslide of facts that always seemed to flow out of the nerdy side once he had something to show all of them. From the looks of it aside from when he was called into the conversation none of the others had been seeing him all that often either, or when he was just made to come down for dinner Logan was just… gone. In his room not backing Roman up in the slightest bit anymore, leaving him to battle a dying fight with no support.

He honestly didn’t get it anymore.

First they get upset at him for siding with Janus and wanting to give him a chance to speak, and then… Now they want him to be treated as if he hadn’t been a bad guy to begin with. Virgil had hissed at him multiple times, and that’s not even counting the times that Patton and him had screamed at him when he popped up like a little snakey weasel.

He just didn’t get it, it felt like no matter how he tried to resolve the issue he was always heading in the right direction, just at the wrong time when it came to the others.

So he was going to put an end to this turmoil once and for all.

“Deceit!” He practically roared as he slammed the door open more than a little dramatically, “I-“

Whatever words had been on his lips abruptly died all at once.

Whatever he had been expecting from Janus’ room... this most certainly was not it. Whatever cold den of debortuary he had been thinking of, this was definitely not it. The crackling of a warm fireplace surrounded by bookcases full to the brim with old dusty books, who’s spines had been well loved and taken care of. The rug under his feet was shaggy and equally as warm as the air, making Roman’s bare toes sink right into it. For a second he had forgotten just what time it was, as with the atmosphere of Janus’ room it felt almost timeless in a sense. Where it could have been anything from the middle of the night to the early early morning where the sun hadn’t even risen yet.

The drapes were a gorgeous deep maroon color that only served to make the room feel even warmer and cozier.

There wasn’t a single hint of yellow in the entire room.

Was this even Janus’ room?

“I believe,” A familiar voice drawled out from the side, “My name is Janus, not Deceit. Roman.”

Sitting nestled comfortably in a little reading nook was the side in question, a book sprawled out onto his lap and a simple cup of tea on the nightstand next to him and a tiny jar of honey next to it. He looked so.. so cozy sitting there among the fuzzy blankets sprawled all around him, and a pair of reading glasses on the tip of his nose. Had Roman only gotten a glance at him, he would have mistaken him for Logan just based on looks alone. But the coy smile smile said it all, as the mismatched eyes glimmered playfully behind those glasses.

“Well?” Janus stuck a loose bookmark in his book effectively halting his reading, and also showing that all of his attention was directed at Roman and Roman alone. “To what do I owe the please Princey? It is somewhat of a surprise given how our last meeting ended, come for revenge or perhaps just to throw more insults?”

Out of everything Roman was just at a loss, he had felt so sure as to what he was walking into. He was sure that whenever he busted down Janus’ door he’d find some creepy room that would almost certainly match Virgil’s for edginess. To see all this was certainly a surprise for him, if anything it left him feeling absolutely foolish as he once again judged one of the dark sides wrongly and was left to clean up after his incredibly long list of mistakes.

Even with all those thoughts rumbling around in his head it didn’t stop the words that left his mouth, “Are you sure that you’re Janus?” He suspiciously asked, narrowing his eyes at the comfortable looking snake side before him. “You seem too…”

Happy?

Comfortable?

Nice?

Not evil?

There were so many words that Roman wanted to use, and so many words that he didn’t exactly have the name for. He wasn’t exactly Logan, so there was no placing definitions to feelings here.

Not that Logan could help in that capacity even if he wanted to.

“Contrary to popular belief, but... How I act in front of Thomas is not how I am in real life. I do have hobbies and interests outside of your little gaggle of friends you know. You guys don’t exactly take up my every waking thoughts." Janus drawled, as he languidly stirred in a spoonful of honey to his tea before taking a long drawn out sip. “I do have standards.”

The long was more than enough sip for Roman to collect his thoughts.

Mostly he was confused, he hated being confused more than anything. It made him feel like he was back in middle school struggling to grasp the complicated problems that Logan seemingly had no issues with. It made him feel dumb. "So what do you really act like?" He felt like he was being more than a little demanding towards the side who’s time he had interrupted, but after the time he'd had after Janus' had come out with his name... He almost felt like he deserved to be, given the silence that had enveloped him in the past week. "Why act like that in front of Thomas?! Or us for that matter?! Why would you need to-"

"Would you have listened?" Janus' cool but comforting voice stopped him gently, leaving his mouth to gape openly for a moment at the loss of words. "How else was I going to be listened to? And not immediately turned away from all of you? Or worse… just ridiculed?"

And just like that Roman was struck with the sight of Logan's face.

His face with a brilliantly bright smile that had did nothing but dim to a scowl the longer they had been introduced to Thomas. Logan who hadn’t been around since Patton had skipped him, since he had chosen ignorance over whatever Logan was going to say, and since… just everything involving all of them. Logan hadn’t ducked out yet, since Thomas still seemed to be fine. But even if he did there wasn’t anyway for them to know if it would even impact Thomas at all, especially given that he had done it before with the fiasco that was going to Patton’s room.

It had been such a long time since Logan had come to him for Spanish lessons, and even longer since he’s seen Logan smile genuinely.

Logan still hasn't had that astronomy class that he had been promised.

Logan who'd felt the need to change who he was for Thomas.

Logan who had changed for all of them.

Something uncomfortable tugged sharply, like a shard of broken glass, in Roman's chest.

Janus' face was lined with scales and the dark shadows of sleepless nights that should have been avoided. His posture was one of exhausted dignity, that he couldn't even bother to uphold in front of Roman now that the others weren't in sight. He didn't even have his hat or gloves on, letting Roman see the speckling of scales on his hands as well as the scales that receded into his hairline. The smile on his face wasn't one of calculated resourcefulness, but genuineness.

He seemed so... so...

Relaxed.

That uncomfortable feeling tugged again, this time more insistent than before. "It's Thomas' fault?" He asked, not even sure as to what he was even asking about. He didn't want it to be Thomas' fault, but as the saying went.

One was happenstance, but two...

Two was a pattern.

"No no no!" Janus' rushed to quell his worries, hurriedly standing, sending the mountain of blankets into a landslide around his feet. His hands coming quickly to rest over Roman's, without even having to think twice about it. "I don't think he realizes it himself, but like with Virgil... He only listens once the problem gets bad enough. He shouldn't, but... That is the case for now. I'm trying to stop him from doing that." For the first time Janus' lips quirked into a sad looking frown. "No matter how he sees me, it doesn't matter. I just.. I just want to help."

Within an instant, Roman's hands found Janus' once again giving them a great squeeze. His heart felt so heavy and full he was almost scared that it would burst on impact.

Not only had he severely misjudged Janus', but he hasn't noticed the very thing that Janus was trying to help with.

If anything he'd made the problem worse in the beginning.

“Thomas… isn’t ready for the real me yet.” Janus murmured, gazing almost longingly down at Roman’s hands as he gave them a testing squeeze. “I don’t know if he ever will be honestly.”

And just like that, Roman felt the temperature of the room shift a little, getting colder as the warm comforting fire died down a little. As if to coincide with the feelings bottled up in Janus’ heart that couldn’t yet be said, and with the change in temperature Janus reluctantly released Roman’s hands in an effort to snag one of blankets to protect himself from the cold he knew so well. By this point Janus was used to the cold, he’d grown up in it and he’d received plenty of it when he’d made himself known to Thomas and everyone else.

This cold was nothing.

But still watching Janus swaddle himself in blankets in an effort to gather the warmth he had before, was almost heartbreaking.

“Is there.. is there anything that I can do to help?” He began, sounding almost like he was begging. “I can talk to Thomas, or even Patton! We can work something out, I can explain everything to Virgil and he’ll understand!”

Even to his own ears that sounded weak.

They both knew that Virgil was as stubborn as a bull, and had the temper to match when it came to anything involving Janus. The moment that Janus’ name left Roman’s lips he would have nothing to do with it. And Patton… he was still getting used to Janus’ presence, so asking him to do something this big would immediately scare him off for a long time to come, thus further delaying Janus’ plans. Thomas though… Thomas was even more standoffish against Janus being a part of anything, just getting Thomas to relax after the wedding had taken a whole day for Janus to manipulate things into place.

They wouldn’t listen to Janus, let alone Roman after the fight they’d had against one another.

Especially not so soon.

So was it just useless then? Was he just supposed to leave Janus here lying about who he was to everyone in the hopes that one day he’d be accepted enough to come out?

A deep frown tugged at Roman’s lips, “So you’re just going to keep masking around the others? Until what? Where’s the end for you? When will it finally stop? When will you be able to show them this place? Or just show them that you’re not who they fear you to be?”

Who was to say that the moment Janus came out with this, things wouldn’t immediately revert to how they had been before?

What then?

A deep sigh withered whatever spark of hope that Roman had left. “It’s okay Roman,” Janus placatingly told him. “It’s just how it has to be for a little while, and then things will get better… for all of us.”

No.

That was not going to stand.

No matter how comfortable Janus was with this, he didn’t want to be. Had he not stopped to question the back and forth of what exactly the others wanted… he likely would have started twisting himself to fit whatever fashion they wanted in the moment. Changing just so Thomas could be happy for the time being, even if it wasn’t what would benefit Thomas in the long run.

The fire in the room blazed a little brighter.

“No.” Roman sternly said, snapping Janus’ attention from the cover of his book that he had gone back to looking at. “I’m not going to just leave you now that you’ve explained everything. You aren’t happy, even if you’ve told yourself you should be. Just because things are better than they were before, doesn’t mean that it’s okay. It just means that you won’t notice when someone else is treating you wrongly.”

With that having been said, Roman turned on his heel his stomach twisting at the utterly shocked and baffled expression on Janus’ face, before he started marching towards the door.

“Where are you going?!” Came Janus’ bewildered call, the quick pattering of feet telling him that Janus was attempting to catch up quickly.

A hand snagged at his shirt attempting to pull him back into the room before he could leave to who knows where. Turning again though to face Janus at the other side’s question, he felt the other’s face solidly collide with his chest before a pair of hands seized his shirt so to not fall backwards from the impact. But not before the creative side looped his arm around the other’s back giving him a brief but very heartfelt squeeze, holding the dishonest side close enough to share his warmth.

As if that alone would stop all of his worries.

Roman treasured that one little second of contact.

“I’m going to get Logan, and were all going to talk like civilized people. We’re going to apologize to each other, and then…” Here Roman paused, taking in the look on Janus’ face. “We’re going to see what we can do to ensure that nobody gets hurt like we have in the past.”

Whatever cool relaxed composure Janus had before, it was gone, as he stared up at the creative side with what felt like a mixture between awe and shock. Out of everything that he had expected to come from Roman’s mouth when he had busted into his room, this.. this was not it. Sure he had expected shouting and yelling, but nothing like this.

A little blossom of pride bloomed within Janus’ chest.

His arms had no trouble finding their way back around Roman, pulling him in for another and much lengthier hug, relishing the warmth that came with it. “I don’t know if anyone has ever told you this before,” Janus mumbled into Roman’s chest, a giddy smile tugging at his lips as he stood on the tips of his toes. “But… you’re really smart. You know that?”

Roman was absolutely sure that he was going to cry now.

Seizing the back of Janus’ shirt, the only thing he could do was hug him tighter. “I think you could mention it a little more often.” He teased, a wet laugh leaving him as the creative side tried to hastily blink away his tears.

He could get used to this Janus.

After what felt like an eternity he pried himself away from Janus, hastily swiping his hands under his eyes before Janus could see the liquid that had started to run down his cheeks. “I’m going to go and get Logan,” He finally settled on, “I’m pretty sure that he needs help, even if he hasn’t said it. He hasn’t exactly been leaving his room lately, and I’m sure its due to how we’ve all been treating him, and how we’ve reacted in the past when his emotions get to be too much for him.” The guilt that tugged at his chest was less painful than it had been before, but still just as present. “I think he needs a hero.”

Janus only nodded, taking a step back into his room. The hearth was blazing behind him, Roman could feel the warmth radiating outwards even from where he was standing a good couple of feet away from the door.

He had brightened up Janus’ spirits towards the present as well as the future, just as he was supposed to do as the epitome of passion. The bright warm smile from the other side told him as such.

“Then go be a hero, Princey.”

#sanders sides fanfic #ts sanders sides fanfic #roman sanders #ts roman sanders #ts roman #ts janus sanders #janus sanders #ts janus #sanders sides fanfiction #platonic roceit #janus is hardcore masking #roman just doesn’t want anyone to be sad anymore #logan is also masking #which makes roman even sadder #he wants his best friends to be happy

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ibijau · 4 years ago

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I’m a fucking DUMBASS and I read a prompt wrong but only realised as I was just about to post it :D So enjoy this jzx/jc that nobody actually asked for, I guess :D

It was Jin Zixuan’s idea to go explore, mostly because he was bored out of his mind. Visits to the Lotus Piers were never particularly fun to begin with, of course, but this time Jiang Yanli was not well enough to deal with visitors, so Jin Zixuan was stuck with her boring brother instead.

At least, it was just her boring brother this time. The Jiangs had figured out that Wei Wuxian and Jin Zixuan really couldn’t get along, so he was always absent for one reason or another when the Jins visited. Which would have been great, because Jin Zixuan could be convinced to tolerate Jiang Yanli when nobody bothered him or teased him or upset him in any way, but she wasn’t there and now he was stuck with Jiang Cheng who everyone said wasn’t very bright or very skilled or anything, less good than the bastard Jiang Fengmian had taken in, anyway, and…

And Jin Zixuan hadn’t wanted to spend any amount of time alone with someone unskilled, so he’d suggested that Jiang Cheng make him visit the Lotus Piers and the town around.

It turned out to be more interesting than expected. Jin Zixuan had never really gone around the Lotus Piers, usually sticking close to his mother during visits, or having tea with Jiang Yanli. He had felt no particular curiosity, knowing that of course it had to be inferior to Carp Tower. His parents often said so, criticising the Lotus Piers for its relaxed atmosphere, for the way it was so accessible to common people, for its less showy aesthetics. But Jiang Cheng, proud beyond words of his home, explained why things had been organised a certain way, why the history of the Jiang sect had favoured certain choices. His usually dull and somewhat grumpy face illuminated as he talked about the Lotus Piers, glowing in a way Jin Zixuan never knew that people could do. He’d never seen anyone do that at home.

So Jin Zixuan listened, enraptured against his will, as Jiang Cheng explained the choices of his ancestor with a skill for lecturing that none of Jin Zixuan’s teachers ever had.

“And that’s why it’s important to Yunmeng Jiang to be easily accessible to common people,” Jiang Cheng concluded as they finished their tour. “If they have a duty to us, then we have a duty to them as well, so it’s only fair.”

“My father says if we’re too easy to reach, the commoners will forget their place and start thinking they can bother us with just all their problems,” Jin Zixuan retorted, less assuredly than he normally would be when quoting his father. Jiang Cheng’s arguments had been pretty good. Or maybe it was just the conviction with which he’d said them. Jin Zixuan wasn’t used to so much passion.

Jiang Cheng shrugged.

“Well, maybe the people of Lanling are lazy or stupid then. But here, people don’t usually bother us unless it’s really needed. Except old Liu, but mostly he just needs to be given something to eat and sent back to his house so it’s fine.

Jin Zixuan felt insulted on behalf of the people of his city, but he couldn’t really argue against that logic. It annoyed him though, because Lanling was the best place in the world, he’d always been told as much, so it stung to think that maybe the people living there could be trusted less than the fishermen and lotus farmers of Yunmeng.

There was a moment of silence after that, as Jin Zixuan tried to find a way to defend his home and his people. Even if he was pretty impressed with everything Jiang Cheng had shown and told, it was absolutely impossible to admit it.

“Do you want to go in town?” Jiang Cheng asked when the silence lasted too long for his taste. “I know where to get good candies.”

“We’ll need to find an adult to come with us,” Jin Zixuan protested. “And to ask for permission, and…”

“No we won’t,” Jiang Cheng retorted, throwing him a puzzled look. “The door’s right there, and as long as we stay on the big streets it’s fine. We’re twelve, who’s going to stop us from going around a bit?”

Jin Zixuan, who was barely allowed to visit even some part of Carp Tower without supervision, stared at Jiang Cheng as if he’d grown a second head.

The wise thing to do, of course, was to refuse this invitation. Jin Zixuan couldn’t say why when he refused, because Jiang Cheng was clearly used to far more freedom than him and would mock him for still being a baby who can’t do anything on his own. But it was clear that he had to refuse. His mother would absolutely murder him if he just disappeared like that, without warning anyone, without any grown-ups to look after him.

“Come on, let’s just go!” Jiang Cheng insisted, grabbing him by the arm as if they were close, something nobody would dare to do in Carp Tower. “It’ll be fun.”

Jin Zixuan should have protested.

He had to protest.

He did not, thrilled beyond words to be doing something forbidden.

Yunmeng was a very different sort of city from Lanling, a lot freer and noisier. Jin Zixuan wondered, briefly, if that was because the people living there just weren’t the same, or if it was because the people of Lanling made special efforts to be deferential toward Jin cultivators. Back home, nobody would ever have dared to shout at a junior disciple to come check their wares or try a dish, let alone shout at the heir apparent of the sect. But people were calling out Jiang Cheng's name as if he were just one of the other children playing in the street, complaining about how long it had been since he’d visited, teasing him about managing to get rid of Wei Wuxian for a day.

Jiang Cheng took it all in stride, glowing even more than he had done when offering a tour of his home. His face looked really different when he was smiling, and Jin Zixuan found himself wondering why Jiang Cheng didn’t smile more when it suited him so much better than his usual sour expression.

Not that Jin Zixuan had that much time to observe Jiang Cheng. The familiarity with which the other boy was greeted was extended to Jin Zixuan whenever Jiang Cheng introduced him as a visiting friend. People would ask him all sorts of questions about his visit and his family that he didn’t quite know how to answer, still reeling from Jiang Cheng calling him his friend. It was just easier than to explain Jin Zixuan was Jiang Yanli’s fiancé, of course, that was the only reason, but nobody had ever dared to presume they were Jin Zixuan’s friend before and he found it… nice.

Nicer than it should have been, for sure.

Nice enough that Jin Zixuan could tolerate being talked to so casually by merchants and street vendors.

It was fun, anyway, to be given so much food to try out. The candies that Jiang Cheng had mentioned as the goal of their little adventure were probably the most disgustingly sweet thing that Jin Zixuan had ever tasted, and he loved them even if they made his jaw ache. Most of the dishes were pretty nice as well, at least until Jiang Cheng made him taste a very red looking stew.

Jin Zixuan should have guessed, from the way Jiang Cheng and the vendor glanced at each other, from their barely restrained grins, that there was something fishy. But everything so far had tasted so good, and everyone had been so nice, and Jin Zixuan didn’t want to be rude. So he had a mouthful of the stew.

And nearly immediately broke into tears, his lips and tongue burning as if he’d swallowed fire. Jiang Cheng burst out laughing, the horrible little bastard, even though Jin Zixuan was in absolute agony. He’d never tasted anything like that, and he hated the heat clinging to every part of his mouth, refusing to cool down until Jiang Cheng took pity on him and paid for some white rice that surprisingly helped with the burning sensation.

“I trusted you,” Jin Zixuan hissed when the pain receded enough to speak.

“That’s your problem,” Jiang Cheng retorted.

“You! Is this how you treat everyone, or am I just unlucky?”

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, still grinning at the prank he’d just played, but he didn’t seem triumphant the way, say, Wei Wuxian would have been if he’d managed that.

Then again, Jin Zixuan would never have trusted Wei Wuxian in the first place.

“You’re just too dramatic,” Jiang Cheng accused, more teasing than anything. “Come on, I’ll get you some honey candies, it’ll help you.”

It did help, in fact. And while Jin Zixuan was a little more careful with tasting things after that, Jiang Cheng didn’t try to trick him again. In fact, he even warned him against trying certain dishes, explaining that these too were spicy, even if they didn’t look like it. For some reason, it made Jin Zixuan’s heart beat a little faster each time. He assumed it was the fear of nearly tasting something painful again, and was mildly grateful to Jiang Cheng for protecting him.

All things considered they had a great time in town together. It was probably the best afternoon of Jin Zixuan’s life, and he found himself wishing he could come visit Lotus Piers more often. It wasn’t so bad to spend time with Jiang Cheng, when it was just him.

#xuancheng #chengxuan #jin zixuan #jiang cheng #mdzs #I feel really super stupid ahaha orz #especially since I'd told myself that this would be my last prompt fill until I manage to take care of the two winter exchanges I'm part of #oh well there's never enough xuancheng in this world right right right?#jau writes #yeah no I just feel stupid orz

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eight-house · 4 years ago

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Turn-ons & Turn-offs of the Signs

Check MOON, VENUS and/or MARS

Aries

Nothing turns you on faster than a partner who takes you by surprise in the bed- room. Although ultraromantic when it suits your mood, you nevertheless enjoy a bawdy romp in the hay. Your idea of a turn-on is a passionate, exhilarating lover who challenges you mentally as well as physically. While emotional games are a no-no in the ram’s world, you adore intellectual and physical ones. In a game of Truth or Dare, you’re not afraid to own up to the truth, yet you can’t resist a dare. True to Aries’ desire to be first in everything, you enjoy making love early in the morning. You have no compunctions when it comes to trying new things; the more outrageous and exciting the innovations, the more you like them. You’re fond of little presents, especially sex toys specifically designed to increase excitement and pleasure. The head is your most powerful erogenous zone, so stroking your hair and rubbing your scalp relaxes you and heightens your sensations. You thrive on impulse and surprise, and the advances of a bold, inventive lover who catches you unaware provides a guaranteed turn-on. You’re a doer, not a dreamer. Your fantasies, if you have any, all take place inside your head and don’t seem like fantasies to you. Your tendency to dramatize your life and envision yourself as a mythological hero is not playacting, it’s an integral part of who you are. Sexy role-playing games hold little appeal for you, because the only larger-than-life character you care to play is you. For an Aries, sex for its own sake, without any personal connection, is a definite turn-off. You like sex, and want it to be spicy, exciting, and fun. Yet, even in the absence of grand passion and long devotion, you expect genuine warmth and a feeling of camaraderie between you and your bedmate.

Taurus

Taurus is arguably the most sensuous sign in the zodiac. You thoroughly enjoy the one-on-one aspect of a romantic relationship, and the affection and intimacy it provides. In private, you make an intense bedmate; one who is happy to have the sensual encounters continue all night long. Sexually, Taurus is the Energizer Bunny of the zodiac. You thrive on unhurried nights of love play, liberally punctuated with amorous conversation, erotic fantasy, and an occasional indulgence in food and drink. The bull craves a partner who is loving, yet strong and practical. The suitor who arrives bearing gifts and kind words easily wins your heart, since Taurus is responsive to both material goods and heartfelt compliments. Making you feel safe and secure is a smart strategy for any potential lover. What you want most is to live in a comfortable world and have a special someone to share it with. One-night stands are not your style. You regard lovemaking as an art; and when you go to bed with someone, it’s to make love, not to have sex. Elegant surroundings, sensuous perfumes, silky fabrics, soft music, and sex-play involving table delicacies such as whipped cream or chocolate are guaranteed turn-ons. You particularly enjoy being kissed around the neck and throat, and having your skin gently stroked sets your whole body on fire. For you, making love is a process that inevitably involves wooing and protracted foreplay. Luxury loving and pleasure- oriented, you take your time in bed. Your ideal lover moves in slowly, savoring every moment, and builds gradually to a powerful climax.

Gemini

There is no doubt that your major erogenous zone is located inside your head. Nothing turns you on faster, or more completely, than wit and charm, and you are aroused by erotic words and clever, evocative quips. Phone sex must have been vented by a Gemini. The same goes for the hot and heavy sexual banter that takes place in online chat rooms and via e-mail. Although you respond amorously to tactile pleasures, it’s sharing your erotic thoughts and dreams with your lover that re- ally gets you going. Lusty words (yours or your partner’s) engage your vivid imagination and inflame your libido. The Gemini nature is so changeable, that it is difficult to say exactly what you will like from one sexual encounter to the next. The twins’ aversion to boredom is legendary. You consider variety the most important ingredient in lovemaking and thrive on innovation and versatility. You equate sex with fun, and enjoy engaging in fantasy and role-playing games. Moreover, Geminis are fantastic kissers, and enjoy doing it. Restless and perpetually on the go, the typical Gemini has a somewhat nervous temperament. Sex play relaxes you, and soaking in a tub or spa with your partner prior to lovemaking helps sooth your jangled nerves. Since you were born under the most unpredictable sign in the zodiac, the only thing your lover can truly count on is that anything is possible. An adventurous lover, you long to please and be pleased. If you don’t know what your partner likes, you ask.

Cancer

The crab’s favorite fantasy generally includes good food and great sex. Any artful combination of these two sensual activities is virtually guaranteed to turn you on. Preparing and eating a luscious feast together with your lover evokes an atmosphere of voluptuous indulgence. A private encounter that begins in the kitchen, and ends with you feeding each other delectable little snacks in bed, can turn into an erotic free-for-all. The breast and chest are erogenous zones for most people, but this is especially true for those born under the sign of the crab. You enjoy having your chest stroked, and respond passionately to oral and manual manipulation of the nipples. Cancer’s fascination for moonlight and water makes a seaside outing, where you can hear the pounding of the ocean as you make love, the perfect choice for an erotic get- away. If a trip to the ocean is not feasible, playing a nature sounds machine in your bedroom can evoke many of the same feelings. The right atmosphere, replete with scented candles and aromatic massage oils usually does the trick. Deep down you long to be seduced and swept away on a wave of passion. Once awakened, your lusty libido will carry you and your partner to the heights of ecstatic pleasure. Cancer is a deeply private sign, and you need to feel safe before you reveal your- self. Nothing turns you off faster than a prospective partner who comes on too strong, or tries to push you into intimacy before you’re ready. You’re too sensitive and romantic to respond to a blunt sexual appeal. Even in a long-term union, you prefer the indirect approach, and rarely come right out and say you want sex. For you, a sense of physical and emotional well-being is a must. Without a partner who understands this, you’re likely to log a great deal of time inside your pesky crab shell.

Leo

Leo is the most ardent and attentive of bedmates, but you would rather be alone than involved with the wrong person. The royal lion is status conscious, and some- thing of a snob. You must be able to respect and admire the person you love, and your ideal partner is intelligent, dignified, and classy. More than anything, your lover must always remember who is number one, and act on this knowledge at all times. You’re a star in the bedroom, you know it, and want to be certain that your partner knows it too. The lion loves seduction and foreplay. For you, making love is an art form, and fulfilling your erotic fantasies is a major turn-on. Sensual, unhurried lovemaking in lavish comfort appeals to you more than grabbing a quickie before rushing off to the office. The back is Leo’s most sensitive area, and sweeping caresses over your back and spine sexually stimulate and excite you. You enjoy building anticipation for an erotic encounter by setting up the scene in advance. Sexy attire turns you on, as does dressing or undressing your partner. Although you usually prefer wooing or being wooed luxuriously (as befits your regal status), the freewheeling, spontaneous part of your love-nature is rejuvenated by unplanned moments. An occasional bit of impromptu, devil-may-care love- making can inflame your desires and keep your sex life fresh and new.

Virgo

You appreciate a bed partner who occasionally takes the lead and comes up with ways of making your sex life more exciting. The stomach area is very sensitive for Virgo; circular motion and gentle massages with the fingertips or tongue on your stomach area and around your belly button are guaranteed turn-ons. A provocative striptease also intrigues you, and can add a mood of delightful decadence to your lovemaking. Although the idea of trying new things such as sex toys may shock you at first, under the right circumstances they add a playful, slightly naughty aspect to your bedroom activities. With encouragement, your own hidden desires morph into a tempestuous passion. Inwardly, you may be shy and reserved, but a patient, thoughtful lover who draws out your controlled desires will be well rewarded. While bedroom drama doesn’t appeal to you, sexy role-playing fantasy games can be a major turn-on. You like variety and enjoy experimenting with different positions and techniques. After a grueling workday, an erotic massage with warm, naturally scented oils relaxes you and soothes your jangled nerves. Although you may need a little coaxing, your dormant passions ignite as you unwind. A true romantic, you enjoy courtship. You’re turned on by poetry, music, and dreamy moments of intimacy with your beloved. During a weekend getaway with your lover, your appetite for sensual pleasure is likely to erupt with passionate abandon. Leaving behind your practical day-to-day routines and going off for a change of scene with your partner revitalizes your love life. Even an impromptu overnight stay in a romantic setting can relieve stress and make you feel reborn.

Libra

A wise partner knows how to whet your appetite for lovemaking with subtle flirt- ing and mildly provocative suggestions. You get off on the sensual accoutrements of romance, such as sultry nightwear, silky sheets, and soft music. A few whispered words of desire speak volumes to you. Your lifelong fantasy of romantic courtship and ideal love inclines toward elegant sex, with nothing crude or tacky to offend your good taste and delicate sensibilities. Because you’re seeking perfection, you can create a bliss-filled fantasy in your mind that often seems more real than anything in the world around you. Your ideal lover discovers the details of your dream scenario and acts them out with you. Together you devise new ways of sharing and increasing your sensual pleasure. Since balance is important to you, you yearn for an intimate union with just the right degree of give and take. Making love helps you to feel complete, and you’re capable of putting your own needs on hold in order to please or accommodate your lover. Although there is little truly wild or abandoned in Libra’s nature, erotic teasing acts as an enticing turn-on that adds spice and heightens your sexual ecstasy. A sexy striptease, deep enticing kisses, and languid stroking with a feather raise your temperature to a fever pitch. The thought of using sex toys may shock you, but artfully employed they intensify your lovemaking. Your brain is your most sensitive erogenous zone, and talking about sex and reading erotic literature with your lover turns you on, as does trying the sexy stuff you’ve been reading about and discussing.

Scorpio

The red-hot sex drive and physical prowess of Scorpios is legendary. You posess a lusty libido, and thoroughly enjoy giving and receiving sensual pleasure. Any lover stepping into your lair had better be well prepared, because keeping up with you between the sheets is an absolute must. You require a lot of drama and emotional excitement in your love life; an intimate relationship that is too peaceful bores you. The scorpion’s fascination with sex in- spires numerous exotic fantasies of sultry seduction. Acting out these sexy scenarios with your bedmate is a guaranteed turn-on. Since Scorpio’s fantasies are often darkly erotic, a bit of mystery or a hint of danger whets your appetite and gets your motor humming. Something of an extremist by nature, you tend to equate lovemaking with power and control. With your lover in the role of obliging love slave, you revel in the ecstatic gratification of all your secret wishes and desires— and if your partner just happens to bring along sex toys and gadgets, so much the better. Scorpio responds to an uninhibited bed partner who entices with provocative verbal suggestions and teasing sexual games. Your sensuous nature makes any kind of massage an erotic experience for you. It can serve as arousing foreplay for steamy lovemaking, taking you to the very edge of intense sensual pleasure. How- ever, a loving, aromatic massage may also kindle your physical desire so strongly that you feel as though you can’t delay sexual gratification a moment longer. Since Scorpio is the most sexually charged of all zodiac signs, your nether regions are extremely sensitive. Any stimulation down below gets you incredibly aroused. Consequently, many a Scorpio bedroom massage has to be abandoned halfway though.

Sagittarius

Sagittarians relish the thrill of the chase. Once a relationship starts settling down, the archer strives to keep things exciting. Above all, you want to have a good time with your beloved. Although you express your sexual feelings easily and passionately, when the sex is over you want to move on to something else. You’re not into twenty-four–hour togetherness, but you thoroughly enjoy doing interesting things with your partner, particularly outside in the open air. Sharing physical activities such as dancing or working out together gets you pumped up for lovemaking. You also enjoy sex “alfresco.” Under the stars, the boardwalk, or the bleachers, you’re turned on by the carefree abandon of following your impulses, wherever they may lead. Although disinterested in emotional game playing, you do enjoy being seduced by sexy attire and other exotic enhancements to sensual pleasure. Spicy sexual banter liberates your quick wit and increases your anticipation of the sensual delights to follow. Fooling around with sex toys and naughty novelties stirs your imagination and energizes your libido. Erotic bedroom fun is your ultimate turn-on, and seductive teasing and touching wakens your desire and heightens the ensuing ecstasy. Since Sagittarius is associated with the hips and thighs, light stroking of your inner thigh inflames all your erogenous zones.

Capricorn

Capricorns are inherently cautious and less likely to engage in casual sex than other signs. The more secure you feel in a relationship, the more likely you are to cast aside your inhibitions and follow the impulses of your sensuality. Your dis- taste for public displays of affection helps you keep your powerful libido under strict control outside the bedroom. Even in private, it may take some encouragement from your partner before you loosen up enough to follow your wildest carnal impulses. However, once you get going, your approach to lovemaking is lusty and straightforward. Although basically conventional, the goat enjoys being courted and coaxed. Nothing turns you on as fast as a well-staged seduction scene with all the traditional trimmings: sexy attire, silky sheets, dim lighting, music, candles, and a properly chilled bottle of bubbly. The intensity of Capricorn’s sex drive goes through cycles depending on workload and various mood swings. Your ideal lover senses your moods and intuits your shifting needs. The legs and especially the knees are very sensitive in Capricorn natives. Light stroking on the backs of your knees is guaranteed to stir your slumbering passions. During low periods, your partner may reawaken physical desire by trailing a large feather or bit of fur over your skin, especially in these ultra sensitive areas. Although you don’t normally require a lot of foreplay to get in the mood, you enjoy being caressed and pampered when you’re feeling stressed. An erotic mas- sage helps you relax and sets the stage for lovemaking. Where love and sex are concerned, goats cannot be rushed. Quickies don’t really satisfy you. You prefer taking it slow–and getting it right. Endurance is Capricorn’s forte. Once aroused, you can keep going all night long. You’re proud of your sexual prowess, and satisfying your bedmate’s needs and desires is as important to you as satisfying your own.

Aquarius

As befits an Air sign, Aquarians approach sex mentally as well as physically. Your bedroom antics are greatly enhanced when you’re able to share your thoughts and ideas with your lover. Your natural curiosity inclines toward creative ways between the sheets. A delicious eroticism lurks beneath the surface of your outwardly controlled manner, and the partner who is able to tap into it can look forward to good times in your bed. Physically you are strongly sexed and passionate. However, your mind is easily distracted, which can cause you to ignore the needs and desires of your body. When this happens, a few verbal reminders of the delights you are missing are all it takes to inflame your lusty libido. Because your mind and imagination are your major erotic zones, you respond as readily to spoken intentions as to physical stimulation. Since you enjoy a bit of fun mixed in with your lovemaking, you like being with a bedmate who amuses you. Stylized role-playing fantasies and sex games can add a touch of spice and glamour to your love life. Aquarius can be wildly passionate one night, yet seemingly disinterested the next. The romantic fantasy that got your sexual juices flowing last night may have the opposite effect today. Aquarians are generally freewheeling, open-minded, and sexually liberated. Yet, despite that touch of kinkiness in your makeup, you truly dislike outright vulgarity. Whereas hashing over your lustful intentions with your lover is a genuine turn-on, you’re turned off by really crude or raunchy behavior.

Pisces

Sex for you is a beautiful fantasy in which you merge and blend with your partner to become one soul. The lover who inflames your imagination is the one mostly to set your libido on fire. Just gazing into his or her eyes doesn’t quite do it for you. You crave romance with a capital R. A romantic getaway for two is often the first step toward making your erotic dreams reality. You respond enthusiastically to lovemaking in a dreamy location, preferably one on or near a body of water. It doesn’t really matter if it’s a luxurious cruise or a single night at Budget Beach. Even at home, nothing turns you on like a sensuous bath or a spa soak with your beloved. Afterward, you like being toweled dry and dusted with powder like a baby. The feet are Pisces’ major erogenous zone. Most enjoy having their feet held, bathed, stroked, and massaged, and toe sucking drives them into a sensual frenzy. Pisces’ sexual cravings can be somewhat unpredictable, and often encompass a wide range of erotic fantasies. Driven by emotions as well as physical desire, you crave a bit of drama in the boudoir. When you get bored you may yearn for a dream lover to come and whisk you off to some wild and exotic love nest. Barring this, you get off on the fun and excitement of fantasy-inspired sex games. The lover who is able to surprise you with something new or different in the bedroom will continue to hold your interest. You are particularly fond of little presents, especially if the gifts are seductive garments or sex toys designed to increase pleasure and excitement.

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echoes-of-the-clockwork · 4 years ago

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Book One: Gold (Prompto x Reader) Chapter XVIII

A/n: As you may know, I don't do lemons. However, I don't mind doing spicy scenes. Hopefully I'm somewhat good at writing such scenes to add some more intimate moments in this series. Love you all!!! ••••••••••••••••••••

After securing rooms at the Leville, the group searched the city for Maagho. With help from some strangers, they hopped aboard a gondola and traveled the canals of Altissia until they arrived at their destination. Walking into the bar, they were greeted by the man behind the counter. "Welcome to Accordo, lass and lads. Cid mentioned you'd be dropping in. Weskham Armaugh, as you've gathered. Never would've expected you boys to be traveling with a guardian."

(Y/n) tensed slightly. She knew not everyone was welcoming to her kind and some would even shun them. "I hope I'm not unwanted."

The man shook his head, placing the glass he was cleaning down on the countertop. "Nonsense, my lady. Spirits are welcome here. In fact, a couple of my regulars are guardians."

The girl was relieved to hear she was welcomed at Maagho. Her tense muscles relaxed as she wandered around the bar, admiring its layout and peaceful atmosphere while Noctis chatted with Weskham. She found herself near the canal, looking out towards the beautiful city. It's been months since she and the others had been in such a large city.

The view was breathtaking and she was itching to explore. She tilted her head slightly, watching a gondola drift by with a couple on it. She immediately looked away when they began kissing each other. She placed a hand over her mouth, gobsmacked at how the couple didn't care who saw them kiss.

Suddenly, (Y/n) dropped her hand from her mouth and jumped slightly when she felt someone poke her side. Looking to her left, she spotted the culprit smiling at her. "I thought you'd be chatting with Weskham, Prom."

"The guys can handle that. Just wanted to see how you're doing," Prompto said.

"I'm great. The need to explore is becoming overwhelming and I'm itching to see what all Altissa has to offer."

"Me too! I am so gonna blow up my camera with pictures while we're here. I probably should've brought an extra memory card..." He looked across the canal for a second before crossing his arms behind his head. He tapped the heel of his right boot against the ground. "So, about our date..."

"What about it?" She inquired.

"Since the sun's already setting, how does tomorrow sound?"

"Sounds fine to me. Guess we'll "wing it"," the girl giggled.

"Aw, yeah! We're gonna have the best time!"

The sound of heels clacking against the hardwood floor caught their attention. The couple turned around just as a woman walks into Maagho with guards following behind her. Weskham greets her, knowing exactly who she was. "My dear Camelia, it's been a while."

"I heard about your distinguished guests," she explained.

"Ah, you've an ear for gossip."

Camelia then turned her attention to Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis. "Gentlemen, I won't waste your time. My name is Camelia Claustra."

Ignis was familiar with her position. "First secretary of the Accordo Protectorate."

"You should know we have Lady Lunafreya in our care. And the empire demands we surrender her."

Noctis' eyes widen at the news. "What?"

"Yet I am loath to acquiesce unless we stand to profit. Hence I've come to discuss terms...with the King of Lucis. If you've a mind to talk, come to my estate," the first secretary said. Her gaze moved away from the three and landed on (Y/n). She took note of the girl's slitted eyes and gemstone. "You're the guardian the empire is searching for."

Prompto tensed up beside the girl while Noctis stood up and asked, "There a problem?"

"None whatsoever. I'll pretend I never saw her." With that, Camelia left with her guards.

Once she was gone, Weskham addressed the group. "She can be oblique at the best of times, but I assure you her heart is in the right place."

Prompto was relieved, the tension leaving his body. "Oh. Okay."

"At any rate, you must be weary from your journey. Might I suggest you seek your beds for now and ponder matters anew in the morning?"

Noctis sighed in exhaustion. "Yeah, think we'll do just that."

They left the bar and headed back to the Leville. As they walked into the lobby of the hotel, they encountered Gentiana. (Y/n) was unfamiliar with the woman, but she had the same presence as Umbra. Prompto told her the woman was another divine messenger of the Astrals. After she shared her message about the uncertainty of the future, she vanished.

The spirit kept her gaze glued to where Gentiana once stood. She was so focused on the divine messenger that she didn't realize Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis already headed upstairs. She removed herself from her deep thoughts just as someone tugged on her hand. She looked over to see Prompto was trying to nudge her in the direction of the stairs. She smiled at him and they headed up to their room. The couple was grateful to have a separate room.

Inside the room, it was at that moment they realized they had yet to eat. Prompto took it upon himself to order them room service. They patiently waited for the food to arrive, their stomachs growling seemingly in unison. When their meals did arrive, it wasn't long before the food was gone.

After eating, (Y/n) headed into the bathroom to take a quick shower. She scrubbed the small amount of filth off her body before lathering it with soap and her hair with shampoo. Once cleaned, she stepped out of the shower and dried herself off. As she did, that's when she noticed how dirty her clothes were. She pouted, knowing she needed to clean her outfit. That's when her predicament arose.

Unlike the boys, she didn't have a spare outfit. An idea came to mind and she doubt Prompto would refuse. Poking her head out of the bathroom, she casted an innocent smile in the blonde's direction. "Hey, Prom? Could I borrow a shirt for tonight?"

Prompto's head snapped up. His brain was trying to process her question. "Borrow a...shirt?"

"That's what I said."

He flushed slightly before setting down his camera and searching for his spare tank top. When he found it, he walked over to the bathroom and handed it to her. His cheeks were still red, mumbling a small "mhm" to her minuscule "thank you" when she took the tank top from him. He returned to the bed as she closed the bathroom door.

With Prompto's tank top on, (Y/n) used the bathtub to wash her clothes. She hung them to dry after gently scrubbing the dirt and blood from the fabric. Before leaving the bathroom, she tugged the tank top lower so it reached just above her knees. Smiling, she strolled out of the bathroom and sat on the foot of the bed beside Prompto. She knew he was staring at her the moment she left the bathroom, but pretended not to notice. Gathering her damp (h/c) locks in one hand, she combed her other one through them while humming.

After suffering in silence for a couple minutes, (Y/n) built up the courage to turn and face Prompto. "So, about our date tomorrow. I know we said we were gonna wing it, but maybe—ah!" A yelp escaped her lips at the feeling of being yanked further onto the bed by her arm and pinned down on the mattress. She stared up into a pair of cerulean eyes, her breath hitching in her throat. The tank top she was wearing rolled up slightly from the sudden change in position, exposing her bare thighs.

Prompto was perched on all fours. His hands were on either side of her head and his knees were between her legs. He could feel a sudden wave of heat consume every fiber of his being from simply just seeing her in his spare tank top. His gaze was full of want and need, hands fisting the sheets. One of his hands gravitated towards her cheek, his fingers caressing her soft skin. His fingers trailed down her cheek and neck before coming to a stop near her collarbone. He bit his bottom lip, but he was unable to hold back the shaky breath he was trying to suppress.

Not once had he broken eye contact with (Y/n) as his fingers danced across her body. Removing his hand from her collarbone, Prompto placed it against her exposed thigh. His fingers traced circles along her outer left thigh before moving upwards. They snaked underneath the tank top and stopped just below the hem of her panties.

Her chest rose and fell as she enjoyed his gentle touch. She fought back a pleasurable moan when his fingers stopped dangerously close to her core. She swallowed hard, stopping any pleasurable noises that threatened to slip from her lips. "Wh-What's gotten into you all of a sudden?" She gasped loudly when one of his fingers slid into her panties.

Prompto ceases his actions to answer her question. "Do you even realize how amazing you look in my tank top? You're like a present that needs to be unwrapped. I should've let you worn it sooner." Using his free hand, he pushed himself up and sat on his knees between her legs. Removing his finger from her underwear, he snaked his hands underneath her thighs and pulled her closer. A shriek of surprise emitted from her throat as her thighs now rested against the sides of his hips. With his hands firmly grasping her thighs, he bent over to close the distances between their faces.

When Prompto's face was a few inches from (Y/n)'s, she raised her hands and cupped his cheeks. She trailed her thumbs across his cheekbones, smiling at him. "A present, huh? Maybe I should wear your clothes more often."

"Please do," he whimpered before kissing her passionately. His fingernails dug into her thighs, but not enough to hurt her.

(Y/n) tilted her head and slightly opened her mouth at feeling the warmth of his tongue protrude from his lips and trail across her own. As his tongue slipped into her mouth and danced with her own, she moved her hands from his cheeks to his hair. Her finger entangled in his blonde locks, tugging slightly as the kiss grew even more heated.

Breaking the kiss a minute later, both panted slightly as their foreheads rested against each other's. Because of the intoxicating kiss, both their bodies felt sapped of energy. It also didn't help they had a long day of traveling. Prompto leant forward too far when he tried to claim her lips a second time and cried out as his body fell. He tried to stop from falling onto (Y/n), but he couldn't do it in time. His body smooshed hers against the mattress, face buried against her chest just above her cleavage.

The girl wasn't in any pain and could only laugh. "You really are a klutz, Prom."

Prompto breathes out a sigh, his warm breath grazing her skin. He felt her shudder slightly and chuckled. "It's part of my charm."

"It sure is," she continued to laugh. Gently, she wrapped one arm around his back and used her other hand to cradle his head against her chest. "It's one of the many things I love about you."

Smiling warmly, Prompto felt a couple tears of joy fall from his eyes. "I love you, (Y/n)." He wound his arms around her torso and closed his eyes, nuzzling his nose against her collarbone.

She cranes her neck down a little ways and kissed the top of his head, stroking his hair in the process. "I love you too, Prom. Let's get some sleep."

Adjusting their position, they flipped to lay on their sides. Prompto's face was still buried in (Y/n)'s chest with his arms wound securely around her waist. She kept one arm around his back with her other hand cradling the back of his head. Within minutes, the couple was fast asleep.

<——————————————<<<<<

The next morning, the group was gathered in the lobby of the Leville. There, they discussed their plans for the day. Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis would head to Camelia's estate while Prompto and (Y/n) get to spend their free time together by exploring Altissia.

Once splitting ways with the others, the couple wandered around Altissia to see what the city had to offer. The first thing that caught their attention was the Leviathan Monument. The large piece of art was made from warped metal, appearing to be a horned whale. Prompto snapped a few pictures of the sculpture while (Y/n) wandered over to one of the vendors managing a stall nearby. He told her about the wishing tradition and handed her a paper bird, telling her to make a wish before attempting to throw it into the sculpture's mouth.

After making her wish, she carefully aimed the paper bird and threw it in the direction of the statue's agape mouth. She watched with bated breaths as it soared towards the sculpture's mouth, but groaned when a gentle breeze blew through the plaza and knocked it off course. "Dammit..."

Prompto, who'd taken a picture of her, rushed over to the vendor and got two more paper birds. With a smile, he handed her one. Together, they wished before tossing their paper birds. Both sailed through air and directly into the whale's mouth. (Y/n) sighed in relief while Prompto cheered. She nudged him in the side with her elbow, grinning. "You got lucky."

He poked her side, smirking when he heard a small giggle fall from her lips. "No way! That was pure skill!"

"You wish," she scoffed.

The couple exchanged a few more playful words before leaving to continue their adventure through Altissia. They walked down the grand staircase leading up to Leviathan's Monument and were promptly stopped by a young woman. She sat on the bottom step with her artwork on display, her supplies strewn about. "Hey, would you two like to get your portrait drawn?"

Prompto and (Y/n) exchanged glances before agreeing to have their portrait drawn. They stood a few feet away from the woman so she could get a good look at them while she drew. Without thinking, the spirit wound her arms around his left one, hugging it tightly. She rested her head against his shoulder, smiling blissfully. The sharpshooter smiled giddily, cheeks dusted a light pink.

After ten minutes, the artist was done. The couple stepped away from each other to admire the portrait. Prompto grimaced slightly when seeing how big his nose was. Lifting his hand, he traced over his nose. "Is my nose really that big?"

(Y/n) snorted with laughter. "Your nose is fine, Prom." She then turned her attention back to the woman. "How much do we owe you?"

"Oh, please, don't worry about paying me. You two lovebirds go have fun. Altissia has tons to offer," she smiled back at them.

The couple thanked the artist before leaving with their new portrait in hand. Folding it neatly, Prompto put it into his pocket and they wandered through the streets of Altissia. The marksman took tons of photos of the scenery, (Y/n), and even some of them together as they sauntered around the city.

Down one of the streets, they found a young woman running a stall. She was selling a variety of flowers, which interested Prompto. With (Y/n) close behind, he browsed the many types of flowers. The (h/c)-haired girl was entranced with the flowers after smelling one with (f/c) petals. "Oh, wow! That smells amazing! It's sweet yet refreshing. And the color is beautiful."

Hearing that was all Prompto needed. He handed over a small amount of gil for a single (f/c) flower. The vendor thanked him, hading over a single flower. (Y/n) watched her boyfriend closely as he snapped a portion of the stem off. "What're you doing, Prom?"

"This." Standing in front of her, Prompto combed a few strands of her (h/c) locks behind her right ear. He then placed the (f/c) flower in her hair, smiling gently at her. "Y'know, (f/c) really suits you."

She gently patted the flower before asking, "Should I invest in a (f/c) dress, then?"

He grabbed her hand, frantically nodding. "Please do! I've never seen you in a dress and I think you'd look amazing in one."

She chortled. "I'll think about it."

Hand in hand, their next stop was going to be Maagho. It was a little past one in the afternoon and neither of them had ate breakfast. They figured the bar they'd visit yesterday would be the perfect place to have lunch.

After filling their bellies with Weskham's delicious food, the couple decided to wrap up their lengthy date with a peaceful gondola ride around Altissia. As they were waiting for another gondola to arrive, they were approached by a strange man. He grabs (Y/n)'s shoulders and squeezes tightly, causing her two wince. "You have to leave!" He shook her, resulting in the flower to fall out of her hair.

Prompto saw the pain on her face and hastily intervened. He pried the man's hands off her shoulders and stood in front of her. "Whoa there, buddy! Can you not touch her?"

The stranger then grabs the front of Prompto's shirt. "You're her master, right? Please, you must get her out of Altissia. It isn't safe for spirits to be in the city."

"What're you talking about?" (Y/n) inquired. She examined his appearance and saw the ring on his finger. Just like Geralt's, it was black and cracked. Her eyes widen in shock. "You had a guardian?"

The man nodded his head, tears beginning to pool in his eyes. "Y-Yes... His name was Luca and we were going to get married next month. B-But those damned imperial bastards killed him! They didn't hesitate to kill him in front of me. Th-They took his body a-and fed it to some daemonic beast."

"Daemonic beast?" Prompto muttered.

"The empire's created a monster that devours the corpses of guardians. It consumes their bodies and absorbs their powers."

(Y/n) was becoming suspicious of the man. "You know an awful lot about this "monster". How do you even know about it?"

"I followed them after they dragged Luca's body away. Th-That thing's in Altissia!" He released Prompto and hung his head with a sniffle. "I-I still can't believe he's gone..."

The spirit stepped around her boyfriend and placed a comforting hand on the man's shoulder. "I'm sorry for your loss."

He lifted his head and wiped a few tears away. "Thank you for your kindness. I've taken it upon myself to search Altissia for any guardians. I want to warn them before what happened to Luca happens to them."

"Does this creature have a name?"

"The soldiers called it the "devourer"."

She smiled at the stranger. "Thank you for telling us. I admire your conviction to help my people."

He was able to smile through his tears. "O-Of course. Please, get out of the city before it's too late." The man walked away, running down the street.

When he was gone, Prompto couldn't help but worry. "You really think that monster exists?"

The guardian nodded. "I do. He was clearly distraught and worried about the whole thing. We need to tell the others about this."

"Aaand there goes our romantic gondola ride..." Prompto mumbled with a whine.

She kissed him on the cheek. "We'll have another date soon. Let's get back to the hotel."

Finding the others relaxing in the lobby of the Leville when they returned, Prompto and (Y/n) told them about their encounter with the distraught man and what he told them. Just like the couple, none of them were surprised at the extremes the empire would go just to get what they wanted.

"And that damn thing is here in the city?" Gladio asked.

"That's what the guy said," Prompto replied.

"Can you vouch for this man?" Ignis questioned.

(Y/n) nodded. "Yes. His ring bore the gemstone of a deceased guardian. And by how distraught he was, he was clearly concerned."

"What can we do about it?" Noctis inquired.

"Well...nothing. But at least we know of this daemon's presence and the possible danger it poses."

"This "devourer" only consumes guardians. You are the one at risk, (Y/n)," the strategist stated. "I recommend remaining in the hotel for the time being."

"But what about you guys?" She asked.

"We're just gonna do some exploring before coming back. And I doubt you'll be alone," Noctis stated, eyes roaming over to the blonde standing beside the girl. "Guess you two should just relax here until tomorrow."

"I'm down for that. With the whole rite going down tomorrow, we should relax," Prompto claimed. He grabbed (Y/n)'s hand and tugged her towards the stairs. "You guys have fun!"

"And you two better not have too much fun," Gladio retorted.

The marksman faintly blushed at the shield's words as he headed upstairs with the guardian. They entered the room and closed the door behind them. He flopped down on the bed with a heavy sigh while she went to enjoy the view from the balcony. The boy stared at her back for a few seconds before he lifted his right arm and admired the gemstone bracelet. He twirled it around his wrist a few times, his mind thinking dark thoughts. He imaged the gemstone turning from gold to black before cracking down the middle.

With a startled gasp, he flew up and checked the bracelet closely. Seeing it was fine, he sighed in relief and laid back down on his back. He placed an arm over his eyes, thinking back to what the man had told them earlier. "The devourer, huh...?"

"Sounds kinda creepy," (Y/n) said, sauntering back into the room.

"Sounds hungry," Prompto chuckled. "Just not for food."

"It is unsettling." The guardian sat down on the edge of the bed with a huff. "A daemon capable of devouring spirits and harnessing their power... If it truly has absorbed the magic from guardians, who knows how powerful it is. And it's somewhere in the city."

"Bet the empire has it hidden somewhere," the boy said.

"No doubt. They might use the rite as a distraction to lure out the guardians residing in Altissia. If all hell breaks loose tomorrow, then spirits will do everything they can to protect their masters. That'll make it easier for the empire to find them."

Prompto searches blindly around for her hand. When he found it, he squeezed gently. "I don't know what that thing is capable of, but I won't let it have you."

She smiled down at him. "Tomorrow will be dangerous, but we have each other's backs. We also have the others on our side. Whatever happens, I know all of us will come out alive."

He nodded. "Yeah. Whatever tomorrow brings, all of us will make it through."

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#ffxv #ffxv x reader #final fantasy xv #final fantasy xv x reader #prompto argentum #prompto x reader #prompto argentum x reader

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izaswritings · 4 years ago

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genshin fic: goodbyes in advance

Title: goodbyes in advance

Synopsis: The evening before the end, Zhongli and Childe have one last dinner together. (Zhongli/Childe | Chili, 2.6k, gen.)

Fandom: Genshin Impact

Note: This fic was written and posted before the 1.1 update, so some aspects may be a bit outdated, especially concerning what Childe does-or-doesn’t know about Zhongli. That said, I hope you enjoy it anyway!

AO3 Link is here!

It is a shame, Zhongli finds himself thinking as the food comes to his table, that Ningguang has summoned the Traveler so soon. His friend is gone, albeit reluctantly, and Zhongli holds no ill-will to the interruption: but there is food now at his table, and no one to eat it with.

It is a fine spread of food, too—truly, this place comes well-recommended. Zhongli taps his finger on the table, thoughtful, trying to think of a solution. A memory strikes him; he tilts his head, thoughtful, and then turns to the street.

“Childe,” he says, raising his voice just a little bit. It is hard to see the other man, but he is there, somewhere in the shadows. He has been there, three paces back, for most of the day, sneaking close by for almost as long as Zhongli and the Traveler have been running about the city. “How fortunate. I don’t suppose you’ve eaten yet?”

There is a silence, weighted. In the deep shadows of Childe’s hiding spot he is almost invisible, expression unreadable. Zhongli sits, patient, and meets Childe’s eyes without faltering. He waits.

After a long moment, Childe laughs. The sound is sudden and too abrupt, but Zhongli does not mind it. This is, he knows, simply how Childe is.

“Is this your way of inviting me to dinner, Zhongli?” Childe says, and at last steps out into the light. “You should have told me sooner! Or asked me out properly. I would have gotten dressed for the occasion.”

“There is no need for that,” Zhongli replies, simply. “This is not the tea house. There is no dress code that needs following.”

“Were you waiting for me?” Teasing, light; Zhongli pays no mind to the words, and instead watches as Childe sits beside him. Good: he has accepted the offer, and this food will not go to waste. Zhongli nods to himself.

“No,” he adds, belatedly, when he realizes Childe is waiting for an answer. What a strange question—but far be it for Zhongli to remark on another’s oddities, he supposes. “I had invited the Traveler out to a meal… but forces have conspired against us, it seems. For a moment I was worried I would have to eat alone. So it is good you are here.” He reaches for his chopsticks and then pauses at the look on Childe’s face. “Hmm. You look… have I said something strange?”

“No, no! Just… you are very blunt.” Childe laughs, though that doesn’t mean much. Childe is always laughing.

“I don’t know why you’re surprised,” Zhongli says. He takes some of the food, and takes a quick, neat bite; swallows, and adds: “You were watching us the whole day—surely you saw the Traveler leave just earlier?”

There is another silence, heavier now. Childe says, with that rare bite of coldness to his tongue: “Haha. So you noticed, huh?”

“Hm.” Zhongli tilts his head. “Was I not meant to?”

“…And you have no thoughts on it at all?” Childe sounds skeptical.

“Thoughts?” Zhongli echoes, and smiles a little. He has many thoughts on it. None are of import. Childe will one day bare his blades and seek to rip the gnosis from Zhongli’s chest, and this is a certainty as unchangeable as the tide Childe is bound to—nothing Zhongli thinks or says will bear weight against it. Childe is a name tied to a contract, and if there is one thing Zhongli understands, it is contracts.

He is not angry. He is saddened, perhaps, by the inevitability of it, but just as Zhongli’s words will not sway him, neither will Childe’s betrayal give Zhongli pause.

“I suppose,” Zhongli says, after some thought, “that I think I am lucky, for now you are here and we can eat together.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all.”

Childe laughs, a little disbelieving. “You’re bizarre.”

“That’s rather rude,” Zhongli replies, and takes another bite of his food.

He waits. Slowly, Childe reaches for his own chopsticks. He takes some food. He eats.

Zhongli smiles.

“Mm, this is good stuff,” Childe says, after a moment, and reaches for another plate. “Ooh! What’s this?”

“Ah, wine-fermented sweet rice balls. I ordered them for the Traveler, but…” He shrugs.

Childe snickers. “Aw, that’s right. They can’t drink alcohol, huh?”

“I have been informed they are, quote, ‘seventeen and three quarters, which is close enough.’ Unquote.”

“And instead you order them wine-fermented rice balls. That’s hilarious.”

Zhongli shrugs again and takes a sweet rice ball for himself. For a moment they sit in silence. The night air is biting with a coastal chill, and a low fog has started to drift out from the docks; their only warmth comes from the flickering glow of the restaurant lamps. It is a wonderful night. The crowds are thinning and the murmur of voices has gone soft. Childe’s eyes wander the streets, never settling—he takes in everything, the sky, the lanterns, the buildings and the people, the flowers blooming bright and blue. Zhongli watches him, in turn, watches the way Childe looks at this city, the way his eyes skim over it.

“Tell me,” Zhongli says, abruptly, “what do you think of Liyue?” At Childe’s startled and somewhat wary look, he adds, “Hold back no expense. I am truly curious.”

“What, where did this come from? Didn’t you ask the Traveler this already?”

“I have indeed. Their response was honest and heartfelt.” At Childe’s raised eyebrow, he hums. “They are fond of Liyue but Mondstadt holds their true affections.”

“You don’t sound upset at all.”

“No. It is not unsurprising, in hindsight, for a traveler to be drawn to a land of freedom.” He laughs, quietly. “I confess, I suspected it would be so—but I could not resist asking them. I have a friend in Mondstadt, and I suppose I hoped for something to tease him with for once… but it is no matter. I know their thoughts—now I am curious as to yours.”

Childe actually takes a moment to think about it, and Zhongli is grateful for it. He studies Childe’s face again as he waits, and frowns in sudden realization. There is the barest hint of shadows beneath Childe’s eyes; and the lantern light barely seems to catch in his iris at all. In this moment of silence Childe looks almost tired.

But there is no time to react, nor for Zhongli to even start to consider what to do about it, because then Childe snaps his fingers, one hand framing his chin, and says, “Ah, well—I don’t dislike it.”

Zhongli considers this. “But you do not…”

“I don’t know it well enough to say, I suppose,” Childe remarks.

“You have been here a while, surely.”

“As long as you’ve known me. So, say… three weeks? A month? Give or take.” Childe shrugs at Zhongli’s raised eyebrow. “Hey, I know how it sounds. It’s just…” He pauses, a little. “I don’t know. I guess I’ve just been so focused on the job I forgot to take a look at the sights… haha. Pretty sure there’s a saying about that.”

Despite everything, Zhongli finds himself disappointed. “You are that eager to finish the job?” he says, quietly.

Childe looks, for once, actually uncomfortable. “I—it’s really more that I’m eager to go home.” He fumbles with his chopsticks, posture terrible as always, and says, almost under his breath, “Can’t even really look forward to the fight anymore. Ugh, such a chore.”

Zhongli pauses, considering that. It is… not what he had hoped for, admittedly, but all the same is more than he expected. It is a disheartening thought, to realize that for Childe, Liyue is little more than a means to an end—but at the same time, a touching notion, that despite everything something about Childe’s time here has soured the deed he must fulfill.

Zhongli is no fool; he knows it will change nothing in the end. Childe will strike for Zhongli’s heart and Zhongli has no mercy even for friends-turned-foes: he will strike back with the same deadly force. But it is… something. Something he takes and tucks away in his memory, to recall in brighter moments. That something here has stayed with Childe. That perhaps his time with Zhongli has not been meaningless.

“Sorry,” Childe is saying. “I can’t imagine that’s what you wanted to hear.”

“It is not,” Zhongli allows. He pauses. “But it is… thank you, Childe. For your honesty.”

“Honesty,” Childe echoes, and laughs, and then reaches for the food like his own reaction has startled him. Zhongli watches him, a little saddened. He will miss this. He will miss him. “Anyway, on a different note. I’ve been meaning to ask, why the spread?”

“Hm?” Zhongli blinks, taken out of his thoughts. “Ah. It is nothing grand, just… we have finished preparations for the rites. I thought to celebrate.”

Childe grins. “And then your friend was stolen.”

“Summoned,” Zhongli corrects, dryly. “It is no matter. They could not have foreseen it, and you are here, anyhow—I am not dining alone.”

“Company makes food taste better, or so I’ve heard it said.”

“It does seem to hold true.”

“Haha, is that so?”

“Mm.” He breathes in deep, taking in the atmosphere: the luring words of the storyteller, the star-dotted sky, the dark night and dim-lit lantern glow and the warm, spicy scent of their food. “It’s been some time,” Zhongli reflects, “since I have been able to do this.”

“What, eat?”

Haha. “Eat with a friend,” Zhongli corrects, amused. “It has been…” He makes the mistake of trying to think about it, and finds himself trailing off. For a moment there is an echo of a memory that he—that he had not intended to recall, and it quiets him.

“A while,” Zhongli says, at last, and he is no longer smiling. He closes his eyes.

“A while, huh?” But Childe has read the mood; his tone too is subdued. He is silent. Then he sighs, heavily, and leans back in his chair. “Well, I suppose we’re the same in that regard.”

Zhongli opens his eyes, curious and a little pleased. He is truly lucky this night. It is rare for Childe to offer anything about himself, let alone his true thoughts, and Zhongli takes a moment to treasure the honesty. “You, as well?”

“Ah, not with friends, per say, but…” For a moment Childe seems caught—torn between the secret and the lie and whatever truth he wants to say—and Zhongli sips at his drink to buy him time. The words finally come. “My—my family. Back home.”

Zhongli blinks. “Oh?”

Childe makes a face, but there is a twitch at his lips that might be a smile. Zhongli stares, fascinated—is it true? Is it genuine? It is unlike any expression he has seen from Childe before; it must be. “Mm. My dear, chaotic little siblings.” He snorts, and for a moment he seems… warm, in a true way. Zhongli puts down his cup. “I’d make them dinner every night and they’d try and thank me by burning down our house for dessert. I mean, nothing against Liyue, but sometimes the meals here just feel like they’re missing the chaos, you know?”

“You must miss them terribly,” Zhongli says, blankly, taking in the warmth on Childe’s face and the quiet fondness of his smile, the distant look in his eyes as he speaks of the family left behind—or held hostage?—and for a moment Childe’s smile flickers, startled, at the remark.

“…I do,” he says, after a long pause. “But it’s no matter. I’ll see them soon enough.”

Zhongli says nothing. It is a sweet sentiment, on its own. But the implication is unmistakable, and all it does is remind him. Once again, once more: Zhongli is out of time. After this night, events will begin to spiral out of motion. Soon, the charade will end—their weapons drawn—and one of them will not walk away. One of them is not going home.

Something of his thoughts must show in his face, or maybe it is that the mood has turned too somber for his liking, because Childe’s next words are cheery and bright, almost jarring after their previous topic of conversation. “Anyway, where were we? Dinner? Man, on second thought, how much was this? I suppose I’ll have to pay for us again.”

Crass though the subject change may be, Zhongli can play along. Besides, he’s actually rather proud of this. He straightens in his seat and holds out a hand. “No need,” he says, taking a deep breath against the previous thoughts. He digs in his pockets and after a moment he places his wallet down on the table, triumphant.

There is a long pause. “Gods,” Childe says, looking a little wide-eyed. “It exists.”

“It exists,” Zhongli agrees.

“You could sound a little more self-aware. Just a touch. A minute dash of shame.”

“I truly don’t intend to forget it.”

“Uh-huh.”

“In any case, I remembered it tonight.”

“A monumentus occasion.”

Zhongli laughs a little, unbothered by the ribbing. “It is indeed,” he says, and smiles at him. “So celebrate and eat your fill, my friend.”

Childe doesn’t answer right away; his eyes are on Zhongli’s face, and his expression is neutral. Zhongli blinks, his smile fading. Childe looks away.

“I think I will,” he says, thoughtful and loud and silencing whatever Zhongli plans to say, and the moment passes them by, too quick to catch.

The conversation tapers off after that, lulled to silence by the good food and the storyteller and the things the both of them cannot yet say aloud. In the silence, in the moment when Childe looks away and cannot see him, Zhongli closes his eyes and breathes out a quiet exhale. Is this truly how it ends? Is this where they say goodbye? How many more days do they have—how many more nights—until it ends? It could be that tomorrow the ruse is up, and Childe dons his mask; it could be as soon as the dawn that these quiet moments become their final.

Zhongli has lived too long with regrets, has learned painful lessons of the ache that echoes when there is no time to say goodbye. He is aware enough to know that this goodbye, too, is unlikely to make it hurt any less—but even so, Zhongli thinks, such things must be said. At least once. Even if only ever once.

“Thank you,” Zhongli says, into the silence. Childe looks up. “For your company.”

He does not say, tonight. It is not just about this night. It is not just about the other nights, either. Perhaps he is thanking him for all of it. He wonders if Childe understands.

Childe’s smile flickers and fades, but it is not a loss. The expression he wears—neutral, tired, duller than his smile—it is not warm, but it is his. The true name, the true face: the friend, the one Zhongli has been getting to know in bits and pieces, the person he thinks he will miss when all of this is over.

“Yeah,” this person says, this friend with a name Zhongli doesn’t know. “Yeah. You too.”

It will not last, he knows: soon, so very soon, this illusion will shatter and all their debts come to call. But for now they are together, and even if tomorrow brings back the blades of war at least for tonight there is peace.

And whatever happens, Zhongli thinks. Whatever may come—

He simply hopes that one day, in some distant future, he and Childe can be together like this once again.

#genshin impact #genshin #genshin zhongli #genshin childe #genshin tartaglia #zhongli/childe #chili genshin impact #genshin fic #iza fanfic

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kayparker20 · 4 years ago

Text

Inner Turmoil - Chapter 6

I'm so sorry about the wait this time around guys. I threw myself for a loop with this plot and I've been struggling a lot to figure out what I want to happen next. I decided to focus on a minor issue while I brainstorm what happens next. It's a bit feelsy but it's not super dramatic. Also kind of realized it was almost too long so the next chapter will have a spicy start before the real plot happens.

Hope you enjoy this somewhat filler chapter!

Chapter 6 - Village Gossip

FFN | AO3

Ino sat at the front counter of her family flower shop, impatiently waiting for the jonin ninja in her store to get a move on. They would always come in, pretend to look around while gossiping, and never buy one thing. She hasn’t liked them since she heard them being hateful towards Kurenai-sensei, probably out of jealousy.

“Can you believe, of all the beautiful shinobi, he dates his former student?” The woman scoffed and brushed her fingertips over the petals of lilies in a bouquet. “I think I would have rather heard he was gay, before that.” Her long, charcoal hair was curled and flowing down her back in waves.

Another rolled her eyes. “Yeah, gay for Might Guy, even.” Fiery redhead, model body. “Of course, Hatake was too perfect to have no flaws, I just didn’t think it would be something so repulsive like fucking children.”

“Do you think she fucked her way into jonin level?” The darker haired woman speculated. She turned around and looked at some roses that had been to her left.

Ino had been idly doodling flowers on a piece of blank receipt paper before hearing the topic they had been discussing. Her hand stopped mid-petal at the last comment before she narrowed her eyes at the piece of paper.

“I mean, maybe. Must have been easy to become jonin when you’re the Hokage’s apprentice, and being taught by a legend.” She scowled. “I wouldn’t put it past her. I hear she’s quite the bitch at the hospital.”

She felt her mother’s eyes on her as she squeezed the pen, staring daggers meant for the women at the counter. She took a deep breath, reminding herself she needed to stay cordial and polite because they were customers, despite how abrasive and tactless they were.

She flipped her long blonde ponytail over her shoulder before addressing the women with a sarcastic smile. “Excuse me, ladies, is there anything I can help you find?” Her tone dripped with deviance through her smile. Her whole body felt tense with her anger as she forced herself to appear relaxed and helpful.

Two can play this catty game.

The women turned in her direction, both sporting smirks on their expressions. They both stared at her as if she were boring before cocking their hips to the side and giving fake smiles in her direction.

“We’re just admiring, but thank you.” The redhead shot back in a clipped tone.

“Are you sure? I think a bouquet of yellow hyacinths, lavender, and iris would go nicely with your hair.” Ino offered slyly.

She stole a glance at her mother, expecting to see an expression of disapproval, and was surprised to see the faintest smile spreading across her lips.

The darker haired woman narrowed her eyes, clearly catching the message. “You have something to say, girl?”

Ino kept her demeanor as she shook her head. “Oh no, I was just offering. Purple and yellow complement well, you know?”

Before either woman could snapback, the elder brunette cut in politely. “Ladies, it’s time for our lunch, and we must close for the next hour, so please take your pick. We can check you out for your purchase. We’re glad to give you your flowers before we find our meal for the workday.”

Ino’s mother sounded elegant and was the epitome of professionalism as she gave a gratuitous grin towards the women.

Both women huffed in defeat.

“No, miss, thank you for your time.” The darker haired woman gave a strained smile before she walked out, the redhead following.

As soon as the door shut, Ino let out an annoyed sigh. “Thanks…” She huffed before crossing her arms across her chest.

Her mother just shook her head softly. “Your cleverness and restraint amaze me sometimes. It was rather amusing.”

“It’s exhausting, not amusing. I much would have preferred to hit them. That was far from tasteful gossip.” Ino scowled. “How could they accuse Sakura of using sex to get rank! As if she isn’t a jonin level medic! Or uh, I don’t know, the medical director of our hospital! The disrespect!”

Her mother sighed. “People are going to talk, and you have to admit it’s at least a little scandalous. Those women are just jealous, and will say anything to make themselves feel better.”

“That doesn’t make it right!” Ino argued.

Sakura walked in then, smiling. “What doesn’t make something right?” She inquired curiously. “What gossip did you dig up now, Pig?”

Ino turned, her eyes wide to see Sakura. “Oh, uh, nothing!” She chuckled nervously. “Ready for lunch?”

Sakura looked at her surreptitiously. Clearly, something was up. “Spill it. Now.”

Ino crossed her arms, before giving her a defiant look. “And if I don’t?”

“Are you going to make me beat it out of you? Was it about me?” Sakura deadpanned. “You never refuse to tell me gossip unless it’s about me and it's negative.”

Ino hated how well she and Sakura knew each other in moments like this. They couldn’t hide anything from each other. She sighed before uncrossing her arms. “It doesn’t matter, I handled it anyway.” She said matter of factly.

Sakura stared at her friend before shrugging. “You’re telling me at lunch, come on. Off to get our dango and tea. Director or not, I still run on a schedule. And I got behind after being gone a couple of days.”

Ino lips spread into a teasing grin. “Behind because you were off saving my ass or behind because qualities like procrastination and tardiness are rubbing off on you?”

Sakura gave her an unimpressed look. “I was late one time. Definitely behind from saving your ass from our deranged classmate.”

They started walking towards their favorite cafe. It was nice outside even if it was a little cooler. Leaves lay around the ground, dry and crinkling under their footsteps. She could only wonder what Ino was all in a tiff about today, being as she saw the very same women she knew to leave the shop with all too knowing smirks. She was also slightly discomforted by them because when they saw her, their expressions suddenly turned downright venomous.

It wasn’t too uncommon for her to get those as the news of her and Kakashi spread, once rumors became truths. It made her wonder about Anko’s offhanded ‘sex god’ comment. Maybe they were a couple of those one-night stands? She frowned at the thought, not thinking Kakashi would have entertained such rude women.

“Aren’t those the women that you got upset at for talking at Kurenai some time ago?” She wondered to her friend aloud.

“Oh, yes.” She snapped back. “They’re worse than me for spreading everyone’s business and their bullshit two cents about it.”

Sakura couldn’t remember the last time she heard Ino sound unenthused about new gossip. Usually, it meant it was about someone she cared about, and that it thoroughly pissed her off. Even more so unusually, she would normally be more than ready to rant her pretty reddened lips off about said women being conceited and judgemental and downright horrible.

Yet today, her blonde friend was being clipped and avoiding discussing the topic. She decided to test it out again. “So what treachery were they discussing today?”

Ino hesitated. She didn’t want to tell Sakura the things people were saying about her and Kakashi. Her friend had been so happy. She seemed to glow this past month since she had started dating him. She didn’t need to be troubled by people thinking the exact opposite of a situation.

She smiled at her friend. “Oh, not much. I just hate how they loiter in the shop and force me to deal with their presence, yet never buy anything.”

Sakura just gave her friend a bored look and rolled her eyes. “Oh, I’m sure.”

“That’s her. Can you believe such a young girl is with a man like him?”

Sakura instantly frowned, refusing to look in the direction of the people they just passed. She tried to remind herself what people said didn’t matter.

“I don’t think I want Mika to have a male sensei. Do they all prey on their students?”

Her expression turned into a downright glare. How dare someone to accuse him of such horrible things? Why did they blame him? Why was it so hard to just believe they loved each other? Hearing the things people said on the street made her miss the way their friends easily accepted them.

“Must be easy to make jounin when you’re the Hokage’s bitch, and fucking one of the commanders.”

Ino watched as all the same bullshit those women had said in her little shop floated around them. Maybe she wasn’t really able to protect Sakura after all, but she’d be damned if she was the one who brought that sort of mood on.

“Don’t listen to it. They're wrong.” Ino said sternly, flinging hard glares directly at anyone who dared say something within their earshot.

“It was me those women were gossiping about in your shop today, wasn’t it?”

Ino snorted. “I told them rather professionally exactly how I felt about their false ass opinions.”

Sakura sighed. “I think the ones I hate the most are him being a pedophile, or me using him to get rank.” Her face contorted into anger. “I’ve been a jounin since before I even realized I loved him, for fuck sake!” Sakura growled out.

“Does she pine after her whole team? First the traitor, now the sensei. Jinchuriki and socially inept next? Maybe she just whores around for them all.”

Now that one was just funny. She laughed as she and Ino entered their shop. “Alright, as if! Did you hear that one?”

Ino raised an eyebrow. “Do you think Sai knows how to fake an orgasm like he does a smile? That’d be rather disconcerting. Being cute only gets you so far.”

They sat down at their table and ordered their tea and dango. The homey atmosphere of this place always put Sakura at ease. The place had always been so down to earth, and the staff here were so nice and she had known most of them for at least quite some time now.

She remembers coming to this little cafe for the time with her team as a genin before Sasuke left. He claimed it was a treat for doing so well on a mission, before disappearing when it came time for the bill to be paid. She remembered feeling so angry back then, how dare their sensei pull some sheisty trick like that! But now it was just funny, thinking about times when their lives hadn’t changed so drastically.

“Watch out, Team Seven’s Mistress, coming through.”

Sakura wrinkled her nose. “Okay, now that sounds like a scandal for sure. I could never even dream of taking Naruto from Hinata, let alone sleeping with him. And don’t get me started on Sai.”

“Shouldn’t she be here soon?” Ino inquired.

As if on queue, the bell rang as another customer entered, and it was their black haired Hyuga friend.

“Hina, over here!” Sakura called.

Hinata meandered over their table and sat next to Sakura. “Hi, guys!” She spoke softly, happy to see her friends.

“Tell Sakura here to ignore these stupid rumors jealous nimrods keep spreading,” Ino said blandly. “Well, at least the boring ones.”

Hinata raised an eyebrow. “There are ones that aren’t boring?”

Sakura rolled her eyes. “Apparently there’s one that I’m fucking my entire team.”

“Oh, now that’s just dirty! Who would do such a thing?”

“Which thing, fuck the whole team, or fuck Naruto?” Ino said in a teasing voice.

Their friend turned beet red. “I-I don’t either Sakura or myself would uh… Have relations with an entire team.”

Sakura slumped in her seat. “You’re right, but people think my sensei is a pedophile. Which hurts because he would never have thought of me, or any of young girls, in such a way.”

Ino and Hinata watched as Sakura looked so hurt. How do you tell your friend to ignore things she hears whispered as soon as she comes into a room, or simply a vicinity. No one had to deal with something like that. Then again, neither of them were dating men much older than them, or ones who had been their teacher. But why does that matter when they’re adults now? Sakura had been a jonin for two years now after she and Shikamaru had gotten promoted when the fourth war ended.

“They are just jealous that a younger, prettier, and more talented kunoichi took their eye-candy off the market.” Ino insisted. “Easier to keep their ego intact if they blame him for being gross, or you for using him.”

“I guess…” She sighed. “Look at me, worried about stupid gossip when my old teammate is hellbent on making me join him…” Sakura shivered at the thought. “Even now, there are three ANBU following me at all times.”

“Wait, even at Kakashi’s…?”

Sakura nodded.

“I bet they watch…” Ino smirked deviously.

“Ino!” Hinata squeaked.

Sakura just shook her head, more than used to Ino’s antics. She knew it would take her ‘innocent’ friend some time to get used to Ino’s crudeness, but she felt better being around both her close friends.

“Do you think people truly think that low of Kakashi? People think he would groom one of his students?” Sakura asked seriously.

Hinata shrugged. “You can’t expect people to necessarily think super well of someone who openly reads porn in public.”

“Hey, Icha-Icha is a wonderful series.” Ino piped in. “Even Sakura agrees with that.”

Sakura laughed at the comment. “It’s true, but I guess you have a point. No one sees that unless they’ve dared to read the beloved Ero-Sannin’s work. Lady Tsunade swears to burn every copy of those books, but she secretly has her first edition collection, signed by Jiraiya himself.”

“I guess society might accuse us of being molesters next, huh, Pig?”

Sakura frowned. “I sure hope not, considering I’m certain being a molester consists of much more than enjoying romance novels that might be slightly too pornographic at some points along with the good plot.”

Hinata giggled lightly. “I think anyone who had ever actually paid attention to you and Kakashi-sensei interacting would have realized you were the one going after him.” She smiled softly.

Sakura thought about that. She knew she never made intentional moves on Kakashi, but apparently everyone close to them knew they loved each other, or that there was at least something going on. She couldn’t help but feel touched at how accepting his friends were, even if Anko and Genma teased her relentlessly. Or made threesome jokes, which Kakashi bluntly shut down quickly. However, a large majority of people were the stark opposite.

She should have known that Ino’s ideals about them being shinobi bending morals a bit was closer to romanticism than what society thought in reality. She felt like she was just as much an adult as Kakashi and the rest, even in her 20s. She’s gone on deadly missions just like Kakashi, let alone with Kakashi. She’d been through a war. She’s damn near died, multiple times, and she had saved people’s lives and held the ones she couldn’t save.

Yet people dared to treat the situation like Kakashi was dating a child, instead of an equal? So what if he had trained her, it’s not like he ever made a move on her?

Hinata was right, she made the move on him.

“I knew what I wanted, even if I only got the courage to express it with a little encouragement from sake. At first.” Sakura crossed her arms. “But why do we have to justify our damn happiness?”

The waitress walked up to get Hinata’s order after that. “What can I get for you today, miss?”

“I’ll have green tea and a rice ball, please,” Hinata spoke softly with a pleasant smile.

“Sure thing!” She flashed a smile at them before striding away to take care of the order.

Ino sipped her drink before shrugging in response to the question. “I thought you already know people talk about anything we do, no matter what. Especially when they’re jealous, and you have plenty of things to envy.”

Sakura huffed before. “Yeah well, I didn’t get them without effort, and that especially includes Kakashi.”

The girls fell silent. Hinata and Ino could only say so much in attempts to make Sakura feel better. It’s not like you could ignore an issue when everywhere you went you were hearing whispers or receiving horrible glares sent in your direction.

The waitress brought Hinata’s order about and paused a moment. She looked like she wanted to say something, but seemed a bit nervous. She chewed her lip subtlety before looking at Sakura.

“Miss?”

Sakura raised her eyes to make eye contact with her and gave a polite smile. “Yes?”

“Is it true that you’re dating Kakashi now?

Sakura nodded, her smile fading slightly in fear of some directly aimed judgment. She came here often with Kakashi, he used to bring the whole team here.

“I just wanted to tell you I’m very happy for you guys. I’ve seen you guys together often, and sometimes I wondered if you were the one he bought the lattes for every so often. He’s come here for a long time, but he always seemed so…” She searched for the word for a moment. “Aloof. Always polite, but kept to himself.”

Sakura nodded softly. “He’s uh… He’s been through a lot, even more so than the average ninja.”

The girl gave a sad smile. “So I’ve heard. When he started bringing you and those boys here, he seemed to change. Like a spark in him ignited. Is it true that the blonde was his mentor’s son?”

Sakura’s smile turned a little less stiff as she nodded again. “The Fourth Hokage, yes.”

Hinata and Ino listened with small smiles, glad to see their friend getting some positivity towards her relationship from someone other than friends. Hinata’s face flushed slightly at the mention of Naruto as she thought of him distantly.

“I’m sorry about the things I’ve heard people say. Anyone who truly has been around you can see the chemistry you have, sometimes I wondered if you were secretly together. I have never seen him so relaxed around anyone besides you.” She smiled brightly. “He had friends of course, like those dashing men, Asuma and Genma. Or the….very lively Gai.”

Ino wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know if I’d consider Asuma-sensei dashing.” She muttered softly under her breath.

Sakura's eyes widened softly. “Thank you… It’s nice to hear someone say something nice about it.”

“Sakura, it’s almost the end of your lunch break isn’t it?” Hinata wondered aloud, catching the time on the clock. She gave a soft smile before

“Oh, look at that, it’s the rank climbing whore with her flower bitch of a friend.”

I guess that’s one way you could refer to Sakura and Ino, at least within the last month. She couldn’t imagine how upset Ino would be if she would only ever be remembered as her ‘flower bitch of a friend’. She would probably be remembered as Ino-Pig, and she hates that nickname.

She could attest to the fact that she hated being referred to as a ‘rank climbing whore”. Didn’t have to sleep with multiple men or do something dirty like have an afraid to fall under the description of whore? She had only just lost her virginity to Kakashi a month ago…

She sighed and reminded herself that these women wouldn’t care to hear technicalities and that it would probably only antagonize them to carry on with more horrible accusations and scornful comments.

The waitress instantly frowned at the woman. “I can ask them to-”

Sakura shook her head. “It’s whatever, don’t scare off your business. Thank you for your kindness.”

Ino instantly slid her gaze towards the nasty tone, sending daggers. “Are you even acutely aware that Sakura was made a jounin almost three years ago?” She spat. “Pretty sure she only got with Kakashi roughly a month ago, now carry on with your trivial lives.”

Sakura sighed and rolled her eyes, hoping the sting that suddenly arrived would go away with them. “Right, I need to go back to work. I’ll catch up with you guys later.” She stood from the table and turned for the door.

“Oh, did I hurt your feelings? Are you gonna go run and tell mommy Hokage?”

Sakura’s eyes twitched as she started gathering chakra into her fists, ready to shut them up herself. How much disrespect could someone dare to have? Was this really out of pure jealousy?

She kept telling herself none of this was worth getting this upset over. She couldn’t figure out if she wanted to cry from the humiliation or punch them through the wall of the restaurant. She had never felt so ridiculed before, and it was infuriating.

“I’ll bet my old student would be an easy target to get some action from when I was bored. Especially from emotional types like yourself. Just a few sweet words and you probably melted for him.” The other woman cackled.

Sakura bit her cheek before she left briskly, ignoring the shrieking she heard from Ino, or how Hinata tried to run after her. She felt stupid for letting those women get under her skin, but she couldn’t help it.

This is what people were saying? What else was there? Did she seem that naive, that her sensei could take advantage of her? She knew there would be talking about this, but she never expected those sorts of accusations. She expected disapproval and even some daunting glares.

She went straight for her office and buried herself in the paperwork she had to catch up. It was a decent distraction. Verifying shinobi physicals, signing them with her approval. Later they would need to be given to Tsunade. She signed paperwork regarding the children’s clinic she was opening with Ino, mainly financial documents for the grants involved in the program. More paperwork was needed to be signed for hospital grants for unfortunate patients.

Kakashi was walking to the cenotaph, feigning ignorance to all the looks she was currently receiving from the majority of the people he passed. Many whispers went about. Mostly about wretched of a man he was, accusations of pedophilia and grooming. Some against Sakura for whoring herself into rank, which didn’t make even a lick of sense if you asked him, considering she was made jounin after the fourth great war.

He sighed softly. There were much bigger issues now that these people couldn’t even begin to think about. If he ever thought that beginning a relationship with Sakura would have put her in danger, he wouldn’t have indulged in the idea no matter what, if it had meant she would have been safe.

Granted, it was starting to be believed by Tsunade that Sasuke was coming for her either way because he did Orochimaru’s bidding. And healing arms isn’t related to Sakura’s love life. Sasuke was bothered by the fact that Sakura was with somebody else, but was it that she moved on, or that she was with Kakashi in general? That was the question that was begging to be answered in his mind at the moment. No matter what, she would be safe. She might not have any special jutsu, but she had quite the punch with her chakra latent strength, so even in the event he wasn’t there, she believed in her to protect herself. Not to mention the three ANBU guarding her at all times, and he knew one of them was Genma, though she didn’t.

His mind wandered a bit as he walked from the cenotaph to training ground three, the same one he always used with his beloved team. His thoughts were everywhere, mainly on just how happy he had felt.

Nothing felt more right than when he laid in bed at night with Sakura in his arms. Her hair splayed about the pillow, her face buried against his bare chest. Her skin felt so soft against his, even with the few scars she held in comparison to his body. Listening to her breathe lulled him to sleep every time she spent the night at his home. She was so warm and inviting, and she always clung to him.

She still had nightmares. Sometimes she just trembled in her sleep, others he woke up to her sobbing into his shoulders or screaming his name with so much agony in her voice it ripped his heart out. He couldn’t imagine what she was seeing, he didn’t like to think of the ways Sasuke may have conjured up to murder him. He always held her close and tried to comfort her, but this had never been his strong suit. He stroked her hair and told her how much he loved her. It seemed to work well enough most nights, and he was glad because he didn’t know what else to do and it made him worry.

The copy ninja expected to find the training ground empty, but what he found was craters and cracks all over the landscape, along with uprooted trees. Usually, this is what you found when Sakura was training.

Or when she was coping with emotional stress which she has plenty of at the moment.

Was it Sasuke, or has the ridicule finally reached her? His clenched as he thought of everything he has heard whispered the past few days or the actual direct comments. Mostly from jealous women, some from other jounin who didn’t know a lick about them.

He meandered along, following the scent trail of jasmine perfume, as well as listening for either the next impact or the sound of her voice. He followed it well into the woods of the grounds. It seemed the damage done lessened the further he went, which concerned him. It felt like the anger was fading and turning into something more morose. He moved faster through the forest, catching a glimpse of a porcelain mask he recognized.

What he found was far from angry, at least now. She was kneeling on her knees, still in her hospital uniform. She was covered in dirt and green stains from nature she decided to take her stress out on. Her hands covered her face, covered in blood, dirt, and scrapes; the telltale sign she had been too far in her emotions to protect herself or even think about putting her gloves on. Her shoulders shook and as a choked sob escaped her throat, his heart just couldn’t take it anymore.

This wasn’t the first time he found her like this, and it wrenched him every time. But it was different this time because it felt like it was his fault to some degree. He never wanted to be part of something that could hurt her so deeply.

He approached her slowly, giving her all the time to notice his presence. When he came up to her, he crouched down and ran his fingers through her messy hair, letting the pads of his fingers drag against her scalp. She shuddered softly but didn’t say anything. He slowly sat down behind her and slinked his arms around her waist to pull her back snug against his chest.

She tried to force herself to calm down in Kakashi’s presence, but it only seemed to worsen. She reminded herself he wouldn’t judge her, that he’s never judged her. Wasn’t that one of the things she loved most about him? She still felt so stupid for getting this upset over some stupid bigoted opinions, from people who didn’t know a damn thing about her and Kakashi.

Then again, was that the only thing that hurt so much right now? It’s not like Sasuke hadn’t just kidnapped her best friend or threatened her team leader, that she just started dating. That Sasuke hadn’t shown her just how he might wish to make good on his threat to kill her lover.

The feeling of his fingers running through her hair made a shiver run through her and she let out a shaky breath. She felt him sit behind her and the safeness of his arms pull her close. Her chest hurt and swallowed another sob, still feeling this dumb need to act strong in front of him. If he had found her here, clearly he saw the damage she had dealt to the poor training ground before her anger morphed into pain. She turned her body into him and rested the side of her face against his chest. The silent tears soaked into his shirt but she couldn’t stop them.

“Sakura…”

She wiped her eyes hastily before the sob she’d been holding back ripped through her. The sound of his voice undid it and she was clinging to him desperately.

“I’m here for you,” He placed a chaste peck on her forehead before tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ve got you, Sakura. I always have, you know that.”

He held her tightly before beginning to stroke her hair. “I know there’s so much going on right now. This stuff with Sasuke, and the talk around the village. Your nightmares. It can’t be easy, on top of continuing to work full time.”

The sound of his voice was a thread she clung to. Hearing the rumble in his chest when he talked, alongside his heartbeat gave her something to focus on that wasn’t Sasuke, or horrible gossip, or Kakashi being killed in some way or another. She took a long, deep breath. Everything felt so heavy.

She had just wanted to be with the man she loved, and she finally got that. Why did all this other stuff have to happen? Right as things started to get better, a wrench had to come in it. She knew that she still was with Kakashi, and she had high doubts he was going to leave, but she just wanted to enjoy it.

“Sakura, it’s going to be okay…”

He took her face into his hands and guided her to make eye contact with him. Her aqua hues were shining with tears that were still flowing down her cheeks. He wiped them gently and smiled softly at her.

She huffed and slid her fingers into his mask, dragging it off his face. “Better.” She muttered under her breath.

Kakashi chuckled softly before pecking her lips with his now bare ones. “Oh, I’m sure you think so. Just think, you’re the only one who gets to see me like this.” He held her tighter. “Who gets to have me like this, all to yourself.” He pecked her cheek.

“I know…” A small smile spread across her lips. “Ino keeps saying to ignore it, that they’re just jealous.”

“Hm, she may be on to something. I’m quite the looker.”

She rolled her eyes before sniffing once more. “Oh yeah, if only they knew what was under the mask.” She huffed. “Maybe some of them do…” She grumbled.

He shook his head, chuckling at the clear jealousy coming off of her. “Oh no. Not a single one night stand had ever seen my face. They would try, no doubt.” He pinched her ass playfully. “Only medics, who usually were too busy looking at the life-threatening issue on my body, and close friends have seen my face.” He smirked as he whispered in her ear. “Some medics are much cuter than others, and I might have let them drag my mask down and kiss me when I was drunk.”

She raised an eyebrow at him before a smile broke out across her lips and she giggled. “Better only be one of those.”

He nodded sincerely before pecking her lips. “Now, you’re smiling again and able to talk. What lead you to wreak havoc on this sentimental training ground of ours, and then break down?”

She averted her eyes instantly, not willing to fully pull her face out of his hands when they were so warm against her tear-soaked skin. Great, now she’s going to look ridiculous.

“Do think they’re right? That I used you to climb rank?” She mumbled.

He frowned. “I think that no more correct than me being a pedophile, considering the last time I check you were twenty. People twist things as they want to make reality appeal to them.”

“Ino said something similar. A bunch of women took offense that you found someone prettier, younger, and more talented. If they blame us, then their ego is still intact…” She almost laughed as she remembered another one. “Did you hear the one that I’m fucking my whole team?”

Of course, she found the humor in that one. “Whoever started that rumor must be oblivious because you’ve chased Sai and Naruto through the village with your chakra fists of wrath.” He laughed before pressing his nose against hers.

“Now, what is actually bothering you? Because I know that you don’t truly care about anyone thinks unless it our friends or Tsunade, who have all expressed happiness for us, with threats to my life if I hurt you here and there…”

He was meant with silence.

He sighed. “I’m the one who taught you to look underneath the underneath, and I especially know you’re bothered by way more than some gossip we knew would come.”

Sakura sighed and hugged him tightly. “I can’t stand this. I’m being guarded like a dog, all because Sasuke suddenly decides I matter because his snakey sensei put it in his head he needs me. I think I liked it better before when he was cold towards us.”

He ran a hand through her hair. “I know. But it’s best to keep you safe, and are you going to complain that you have to sleep with me at my house.”

She blushed lightly. “I gave no complaint about that part. More about this part.” She gestured her hands before pointing.

“One.” In a tree a few yards back.

“Two.” Leaning against a tree in the opposite direction.

“Three.” Right above her in a tree. “Which I believe I learned is Genma, because awhile a senbon just fell in front of me before a curse was muttered by that one.”

Kakashi looked up, noting she was right, that one was Genma. Shame on him for losing his anonymity so easily, but it wasn’t like Sakura hadn’t known who most of the ANBU were from treating them anyway. It’s a given he was the only one brave enough to be that close to his fiery little pinkette when she was at such an emotional high. He never knew when to leave anyone alone. He was one of the only people other than Sakura that insisted on ‘being there for him’ when he was having bad days.

“I also hate that I used to feel safe at home, and now I’m paranoid. All the time. He made it into the village without anyone knowing, all the way into my office! And he got out with Ino the same way!” She looked at Kakashi with an annoyed look.

“That bastard could be watching me right now, and I’d have not a single fucking clue!”

He didn’t know what to say to that. He felt all the same, except he was the one who had figured out he was in the village, and he hated the lack of action he had taken then. He should have done something right then and there. But he gave his former student too much credit.

And that’s how he feels like this is all his fault. But saying that wouldn’t help her. There wasn’t much he could do to change what was done, but he’d be damned if something happened again.

“Let’s go home and get you cleaned up, okay? I bought you some books while you were at work before I came here.”

She smiled softly. He always tried, no matter how hard he felt like comforting was. Whether he knew it or not, he always made her feel better. As he stood up and put his hand out for her to grab, she grasped it tightly as he pulled her up. She inched up on her tiptoes to give him a chaste kiss before his hands gripped her hips and held her there to kiss her back.

“Thank you, Kakashi.” She smiled softly before pecking his cheek. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’d probably tear up all the training grounds, not just ours.”

She giggled softly. “Probably, but you didn’t have to say it.”

He let go of her, just to grab her hand and start walking towards the end of the woods in the training ground. “Come on. Asuma and Kurenai said something going on a double date, and I think you might want to look a little less haggard for that.” He smiled.

She glared at him. “Haggard? That’s a bit extreme!”

He chuckled as he dodged the fist he knew was becoming before he sensed it. “I love you, too.” He gave an eye crease as he pulled his mask back over the majority of his face.

“Hinata?” Naruto called out softly from his couch as he heard his door open.

“It’s me, Naruto!” She called back cheerily.

“How was lunch with Sakura? Is she… Doing okay?” He asked timidly.

Hinata sighed. “She’s… doing alright. The gossip around the village bothers her but I don’t think that’s really it.”

Naruto thought for a moment before sighing. “I don’t understand why he would do this. I thought his main goal in life was to gain power and kill Itachi, so what does Sakura have to do with that?” He grumbled. “She was so happy before all this. I just want to see her like that again.”

“Me, too,” Hinata said before sitting on the couch. “Ino said he acted possessive and jealous over the fact that she was with Kakashi. Do you think he’s always felt some way about her? Like maybe he’d come back for her once he killed his brother?”

Naruto frowned. “I think that’s what Sakura used to hope for, honestly. That he just had to do this one thing, and then he’d be able to come home. To love her, to be a family with our team. It’s what we all hoped for… in a sense. I think Kakashi was able to accept it sooner than we ever could that Sasuke was probably… never coming back.”

Hinata nodded, reaching over to grab his hand. “I know this is hard for both of you…”

He just nodded as he continued to frown at the floor. “Whatever hopes those were, they were ruined. I’ll never believe he loved Sakura if he was willing to cause her so much pain, whether it was over jealousy or whatever.”

“You should go train with your team some. It always helps me when I’m being bothered by something going on in life. I think it would be healthy for all of you.”

“You’re assuming that Sakura hasn’t gone and destroyed our favorite grounds yet.” A smile slowly spread across his lips. “Kakashi is the only one willing to go anywhere near her whenever she’s that upset. Sai and I prefer to stay far away from her chakra enhanced attacks.”

He thought for a while on that. It had always been that way. She and Kakashi were always there for the other. Just like most people left Kakashi alone when he was at the memorial, they left Sakura alone when she was destressing in training ground three. Yet, they both never left each other alone. He thought about how that’s what love is, what Sakura should get to experience. Not the way she felt for Sasuke, just this endless devotion with nothing in return.

She deserved the way Hinata always made him feel, and hopefully how he wanted to make her feel in return. A relationship with trust, admiration, sincereness, and respect was what anyone deserved. He wanted that for Sakura, and he still believed that Kakashi was where she got that from. He had never seen anyone look so happy as they did when they finally got together.

It was so hard not to preach at anyone that said so many ill things about his two teammates within his earshot. It angered him to see their happiness brought down the way people were judging them. Granny Tsunade already warned him it would do no good, but he knew if someone dared say something bad about Sakura close to her, a chakra infused from the Hokage herself was coming their way. So why couldn’t they get mouth load from him? Seemed unfair if you asked him, but he wasn’t in the mood to anger her with arguing.

“Kurenai-sensei and Asuma-sensei were planning a double date with them. I think they are trying to make Sakura feel better about the...dissent around the village.”

“Maybe that’ll be good for her. I don’t understand what the deal is anyway, I mean so what, he was our teacher? We’ve been in equal rank with him for almost three years now. And I couldn’t give a damn about some age difference when she could die tomorrow at 20 years old. Any of us could, right? We’re adults. It’s not like we’re kids anymore.” He huffed in annoyance.

Hinata sighed softly. “Just because we see it that way, doesn’t mean other people do. However, I’ve noticed most of the people spreading the rumors are women that wanted Kakashi themself. Ino said they’ll blame them to keep their ego intact.”

Naruto raised his eyebrows. “So basically a bunch of women Kakashi’s age is mad because he hardly gave them anything past a one-night stand. And that’s they were one of the lucky ones in the last decade, and now he’s with Sakura, who is youngers, prettier, and probably ten times the kunoichi they ever would have been…?”

Hinata giggled softly. “Yes, pretty much Ino’s exact words. Like typical, they’re putting down our friends to make themselves feel better.”

“Leaf shinobi are supposed to be better than that.” He grumbled before getting up from the couch.

“Not everyone has the same ideals as you, Naruto. But your ideals are one of the things I love about you, that so many people love about you, and why you’ve inspired many others. It’s one of the reasons why one day you will make a great Hokage.”

He smiled. “You believe in me, don’t you?”

“I always believed in you, even when I didn’t believe in myself.” She smiled tentatively.

He pulled her up by the grip he still held on her hand before kissing her softly, winding his arms around her hips. “I love you, Hinata,” He mumbled against her lips, pulling her against him.

She smiled before pulling away. “I love you, too.”

“Maybe we should plan a double date with them. That’d be awesome, wouldn’t it?” He grinned at her before pressing his forehead against hers.

“I think it's a good idea, and I’m sure they would enjoy it too.”

Kakashi brought Sakura a cup of tea and sat down next to her, handing her the hot drink of peppermint. She took it from him, instantly taking a sip from the cup.

He watched her closely. She was curled against the arm of his couch with her knees against her chest. Her pink strands just barely fell around her shoulders, perfectly framing her face. Her face was still stained with tears, but she had changed into one of his shirts and a pair of her shorts she had brought here. She seemed a little more relaxed, not so overwhelmed by the anger and pain. He could still sense how uneasy she felt, and he just wanted to make her day better. He hoped the dinner with Kurenai and Asuma would help lift her spirits some, a positive in all the negatives.

He loved her so much, and he couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. He’d heard everything the village had to say, some of the things he had once thought about himself. That he had been disgusting. He hated himself for it.

But now, he couldn’t think of life without her. Without being able to hold her at night, or to kiss her. Without being able to see the way she smiled whenever he told her he loved her. The warmth she held for him in her beautiful green eyes whenever she looked at him. He didn’t want to think of a day when his bed no longer had the faint smell of her jasmine perfume.

“Kakashi…?” Her voice sounded soft and hesitant.

It pulled him from his thoughts instantly. “What is it?” He asked softly, looking up to meet her eyes.

“You’ve got that distant look you get when you’re thinking about something sad…” She set her tea down on the coffee table.

He tried to smile lightly to shake off her concern. “I’m okay, it’s nothing.”

She rolled her eyes before shifting over to his side of the couch. “Okay, sure. I’ll pretend to believe that. Now lay down...”

He shifted so that he was laying on his back, and watched her curiously as she crawled over his body. She laid between his legs, resting her cheek against his chest. He shifted slightly to get more comfortable before wrapping an arm around her back. She let out a contented sigh before closing her eyes.

He ran his free hand through her hair gently as a smile spread across his lips. He kissed the top of her head. “If you wanted to cuddle, you could have just said so.” He spoke softly, a little surprised she had demanded affection.

He thought she might get distant from him, too bothered by some of the things people dared to say, maybe even think they were true. He should have known she wouldn’t believe them for a second, but it didn’t stop him from preparing for the worst. He played with the ends of her hair, twirling the strands loosely around his fingertips. Her body felt warm against his, and it was a comfort he never realized he needed until the first time he held her so intimately.

“Does any of this gossip bother you at all?” She wondered aloud.

Her voice sounded so small to him. It was rare she sounded so unsure. She was usually so confident these days. He wasn’t surprised to see that it bothered her, even if she felt it was stupid. He knew what was going to happen when everyone found out, but it didn’t mean he liked it or that it didn’t bother him. He used to listen to all the things that were said about his father, so the village dissent wasn’t new to him. Minato had urged to learn to ignore it long ago, but it did seem more difficult to ignore these, at least the parts where he was accused of some things he couldn’t even dream of.

“Some of it does…” He sighed. “I can’t act like people just assuming I’ve always had a thing for you doesn’t upset me. I also fear that you might feel they’re right, and it’s not true.” He tightened his arm that had been around her.

He tried to figure out what to say that didn’t seem accusatory, but also still be honest with her about his concerns.“I don’t care what they think, but I worry about how what people say will affect you, and your view of me…”

He watched her closely as she lifted her head to look at him. “I love you, and nothing anyone says will make me think any different of you. I just hate… It angers me that they just instantly assume you’re this gross creep when it was ME who initiated this relationship.”

She huffed before resting her chin against his chest. “If anyone should have ever felt harassed, it was you… But no, they just automatically assume you’re just this lecherous man that groomed me from the time I was twelve.”

“Well, I do read porn in public, so people have the right to believe I’m lecherous…” He smirked. “Not everyone knows it had some real plot to it, or care to know.” He brought a hand to her cheek and stroked her cheekbone with his thumb. “Just like they won’t care to know the real story behind us…”

She was looking into his eyes, at his face, before she bit her lip. “So, you don’t think I just used you and clung around you to climb the ranks as some of the women are saying?”

He scoffed. “Don’t tell me some jealous sluts are making you doubt your real abilities as a kunoichi? How would you have ever charmed me into giving you jonin rank? I was tough on you guys, not to mention I’m not the one to credit for your abilities.” He kissed her nose and then her Byakugou seal. “Tsunade is to credit for all your skills, not me. I’m not even the one who gave you the recommendation. I wasn’t allowed to be a proctor for your exam either, because you were my student and it leads to bias- negative or positive.”

He pushed some of her hair out of her eyes again before smiling at her. “You earned jonin, and I’m damned proud of you for it. The other jonin kunoichis are just pissed because you’re better than them and they know it.”

“Mmmm, and maybe because I have Konoha’s number one bachelor all to myself?” She grinned, blushing softly at his words.

“Well, of course. Thank gosh, because the ‘hot-ake’ pickup lines at bars were becoming rather boring. And now, when a girl doesn’t know how to take a hint, I can just ask her if she likes chakra punches for a drink?”

Sakura burst into laughter, burying her face into his chest. “Oh, yeah, that’ll make a great reputation for us to have.”

He sat up, taking her into his arms. “Team Seven already has quite the rep, I doubt that’ll change. Now, go shower for that dinner with Asuma and Kurenai. It’s my job to make us late, not yours, remember?” He carried his slender pinkette into the bathroom and set her on the edge of the sink.

She was beaming at him as she placed her hands on each side of his face. “I love you so, so much, Kakashi.”

He gazed into her eyes, thankful for the happy glow returning to them. “I love you, too, Sakura. I always will…” He gave her lips a quick peck.

As he stepped back, she slid off the bathroom sink counter until her feet were on the floor. She began to strip before her eyes widened with sudden realization. “What the hell am I supposed to wear to this dinner on such short notice?”

“Oh, I got that covered. Dress in the bedroom. I hope you like it…” He gave a sheepish smile before leaving the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

He chuckled at the tinge of pink that spread across her cheeks. He wasn’t sure how that was worth blushing over, considering all the other things they’d done lately. He picked up her teacup from earlier and walked into the kitchen to put the dishes in the sink for later. When the shower turned on, he moved onto the bedroom, gathering up things he had grabbed from her house while she was at work.

He’d seen her go out in various settings enough in the past few years to know that his favorite person took care to do her hair and makeup. He had grabbed her makeup box, along with both her straightener and curler. He almost forgot the hair dryer at her house but had turned around at the door to get it. He wasn’t exactly sure what shoes she would want to wear. Looking back on past conversations he had overheard, this was supposedly a difficult task, according to Ino. He just grabbed the black, ankle high boots that had a buckle(which he realized was just for looks), and a small heel. Surely, those went with anything, right? Hopefully.

He grabbed a few more things before taking them back to the bathroom. He hung the dress up on the towel rack, as well as some underclothing he bought for his own eyes later. He looked around the bathroom. Never once had it ever felt small to him, but now he was wondering where the hell he was going to put three new additions. Did women need both a straightener and a curler?

“I think I’ll need to invest in shelves if you’re gonna be here forever.” He said in mock annoyance.

“I’m using your razor, just in case your mind, but it’s too late if you do…” Sakura said languidly, clearly paying more attention to her legs at the moment. “And what are you talking about?”

“You’ll see.” He smiled before pulling the shower curtain aside. “Your lotion is on the sink when you’re done. If you need my help, I’ll gladly lather your legs with it for you.” He gave a wink before leaving again.

“Oh god, we’d never make it dinner if I let you do that.” She mumbled affectionately as she finished the last stroke up her leg.

He stared blankly at the curtain once it was closed, wondering just how the hell Kakashi knew what lotion she even used. She shrugged it off, not putting it past him to look rather odd sniffing random lotions in the store until he found a scent he recognized. The thought made her heave with laughter as she rinsed the excess shaving cream off her legs.

She stepped out of the shower, and her mouth fell open in her surprise. She quickly realized what he meant by needing to get shelves, as there was nowhere to put all her hair tools besides the straightener on the sink, hair dryer on the back of the toilet, and the curler on top of his medicine cabinet. Her lotion, which was the same bottle from her house, was sitting next to the cup that held his toothbrush.

She grabbed the towel on the hanger, to see the dress hanging there, and her heart was full.

It was a dark emerald green a-line dress. It had a sheer lace overlay that had floral patterns stitched into it. The lace continued over the chest into long sleeves, completely see through around her shoulders and arms, the solid colors would frame her chest. It was so dressy but simple all at once. Pretty but not too much, it was perfect.

And then there was the navy blue lingerie set next to it that just made her turn rosy-colored all over again as she started to dry herself off even quicker.

“Kakashi, you bought lingerie?!” She screeched in embarrassment.

He laughed, having finally heard the response he had expected. “Sakura, I buy porn in public, I don’t think buying lingerie for you is that shocking.” He came into the bathroom. “I also noticed you were severely lacking any.”

She huffed and pouted in his direction. “Oh yes, because I had so much reason to wear it.”

He raised an eyebrow in her direction in surprise. “You don’t need a ‘reason’ to wear hot things.” He stepped behind her and reached for the garments.

He held them to her form as he spoke against her ear. “This navy will look stunning against your smooth and light toned skin. It’s strapless, so it won’t show through the sheerness of your dress. The woman said this lace is comfortable. And I honestly just wanted to see your ass in thongs. I am a pervert afterall.” He kissed the side of her head. “I’ll hook the clips for you if you’d like.

Sakura stared down at the blue fabric. She’d seen plenty of Ino’s lingerie, having been made to help her blonde rival choose which to wear on particular occasions. She had never felt the need to buy any. Ino seemed to only wear it on dates, and she never even bothered with those. Not to mention, it’s not like she even had all that much to show off. She bit the inside of her cheek before turning to face Kakashi. “Uh… Sure.”

He frowned. “Is something wrong? You don’t have to wear it if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“N-No! It’s not that. I love them, I just… don’t have the body for it.”

Kakashi looked at her dumbly for a moment before turning her body to face him. “Sakura, I promise you, you do. If you didn’t have the body for it, they wouldn’t make your size, which I had to ask Ino for before you ask.”

“Oh, god! I’ll never hear the end of how romantic or hot or whatever it is that you bought me underwear that...might feel slightly more appealing than cotton.”

“Much more appealing than cotton.” He corrected her with a smirk before tilting her chin up and kissing her.

She returned the kiss before pulling back. “Okay, fine. Much more appealing. Now, get out so I can get ready. Your lips are way too enticing.”

“My kisses or the fact you can see them in general now, hm?” He teased.

Damn him.

“Both, now go before we’re late! You have to get ready too, don’t you?” She playfully pushed him towards the door.

“I won’t take anywhere near as long as you.” He shot back as she effectively pushed him from the bathroom.

When he heard the hair dryer turn on, he looked at the time and realized maybe he should start getting ready. He lazily walked back to his room. He pushed through the hangers that had old, worn out ANBU uniforms hung on them. He wondered if they would ever be used again. He found the smoky gray long sleeve button shirt he had been looking for. He couldn’t remember the last time he had even worn this shirt. He vaguely wondered if it had been the funeral service for Jiraiya.

He stripped down to his boxers before grabbing the black slacks on the hanger behind the shirt and slipping them over his form. He grabbed the shirt and the tie, laying them over the bed. He pulled a white t-shirt from the drawer and pulled it over his lithe form. He grabbed the button up and slid his arms through the sleeves. He buttoned it up to the top, leaving it open. He glanced at the tie, debating if it was necessary to wear. He tucked his shirt and buttoned the pants. He adjusted everything until it felt comfortable and wasn’t pulling one way or another. He grabbed the dress shoes from the floor of his closet, and her boots before walking back to the living room.

She came out of the bathroom to see Kakashi folding up the sleeves on his shirt, which was a much hotter sight than she thought it could have been. She smiled lightly before sitting down next to him.

“Thank you for the clothes… And bringing all that from home.” She spoke softly.

He nodded as he looked over, finding her as beautiful as always. The dress had gone to the middle of her thighs. He could see the difference in her wearing the bra instead of wrappings in her chest which was an appreciative sight he hoped for. She had put on some shimmery gold shadow and smooth liner along her lashes that ended with a small wing. Her lips were tinted pink and shined with gloss.

She looked gorgeous.

“Nobody would ever think you were kunoichi if they didn’t know the only pink haired person in Konoha was none other than my lovely Sakura Haruno.” He smiled before kissing her cheek. “That dress looks way better actually on you than it ever did on a hanger.”

She smiled before leaning against him. “I like it. I’m kind of excited to go on a double date with them. It’ll be fun, right?”

He cracked a half smile. “I’m sure you’ll make it fun.”

She smiled before slipping the shoes and standing up. “Well, let’s go!”

She was brimming with excitement. She couldn’t remember the last time she had even worn makeup, let alone fully dressed up. She grabbed Kakashi’s hand as soon as they got outside of the apartment complex, and had not let go of it since. The subtle click of her heels as she glided through the streets to the park they were supposed to meet their friends at was enough to draw everyone’s attention to them.

He followed her idly, almost being dragged as she insisted on walking so much faster than he ever did. The way her eyes shined with happiness, and the way the light from the streetlamps caught the glitter in her shadow, was mesmerizing to Kakashi. She didn’t look like that for anyone, but she had done all that for him. He never thought she needed makeup, but the gold went well with her eye color.

She didn’t seem to notice anyone looking at them as they walked together. When she looked back at him, all he saw was pure love and joy, and it made his heart clench. That’s all he ever wanted to give her, no matter what.

“You look beautiful, Sakura…” He gave an eye crease and squeezed her hand lightly.

A light blush dusted her cheeks before she looked away and walked to the gate of the park. Asuma and Kurenai were already there.

“Hey, guys!” She grinned.

“What do you know, Kakashi did wear something other than the jounin uniform.” Asuma said in a defeated tone. “I guess I owe Genma twenty bucks now.”

“I told you.” Kurenai said as she rolled her eyes.

“I still can’t believe he’s with her, of all women.”

Another woman sighed in annoyance. “Clearly, you don’t know what life is like as a ninja. Sakura is one of the most caring people in the village, and that vet was her sensei but only for a short time, she was mainly trained by Lady Tsunade.”

“She’s a child!”

Sakura turned her head towards the conversing women, surprised to see someone she didn’t know defending them. Curiosity shone in her eyes, and she felt Kakashi pull her towards him, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“Don’t worry about any of that tonight.” He murmured into her ear. “I’m not having some random opinionated people ruin your excitement.”

She turned to him and smiled. “You’re right, I guess.”

“Kurenai said the women are being more brutal about this than they were when we started dating.” Asuma chuckled.

Kakashi scoffed. “Oh, trust me. I’ve heard enough for a lifetime, and it’s not even the only scorn I’ve dealt with, however, it’s for sure the worst.”

Sakura leaned up and kissed his mask cheek, leaving a slightly sparkled spot on the fabric. “Blame Naruto for convincing us to confess.” She giggled.

He looked down at her before sliding his hand down to rest on her hip. “Sure, why not. But I don’t regret it either way.”

They walked alongside their friends into one of the fancier restaurants and sat down in a booth. They chatted idly for a while about anything and everything. Kakashi mostly watched Sakura, just happy to see her smiling nonstop. Happy to think it was things he did that made her smile and feel so happy.

He watched her lips as she talked, starting to understand a little bit why she wore the lipstick in the first place. She always had pinker lips, but the red made them more prominent and seemed to demand his attention. He moved his hand to rest on her thigh, a bit surprised by how warm her skin was.

“Wait for a second, you don’t even know who the ANBU that are assigned to guard you are? I mean I know anonymity is their thing, but usually, in guarding situations, at least the person being guarded knows?” Kurenai shook her head in disbelief.

Sakura shrugged. “I wasn’t told. It must not be that dire to hide who they are, because I doubt Genma would be careless enough to accidentally drop a senbon in front of my face.”

“The other two don’t know you outside of being Tsunade’s apprentice, my former student, and now my lover who is being threatened by a missing nin who was formerly your teammate.” Kakashi said lazily as he blinked a few times to focus back on the conversation.

“In other words, they probably don’t see a reason to reveal who they are if they don’t already know you.” Asuma affirmed.

“I picked who was watching you. I would have preferred Tenzou and Genma, but he’s still on our team and not with ANBU anymore. So just Genma will do, but I trained the others myself. They also think I’m a pervert.” He gave an eye crease.

Sakura rolled her eyes. “Overprotective? I’m pretty sure Shishou would have chosen decent candidates. I’m almost her daughter, according to Shizune. And that’s because everyone knows you are one.”

“Nope. She asked me to choose.”

“Ino keeps insisting the ANBU watch you guys fuck, and I insisted that there’s still privacy in guarding, especially when the last person she is getting guarded against is Kakashi, contrary to some of the villager beliefs here.” He added with a chuckle. “However, now that you mention Genma is there, I have some serious doubts.”

Sakura’s complexion instantly heated up into a cherry shade. “You don’t actually think-”

“Shizune threatened before I did, apparently.” Kakashi said with a chuckle.

Sakura stirred her miso soup a little more before taking another bite. “I sure hope it worked.” She mumbled.

She thought loosely about this moment, just out on a date with their friends. She had always wanted something like this. Just comfortable and genuine, just love. His hand on her thigh was surprising at first, but comforting. She didn’t miss the gazes that were pointed toward their table, or how people whispered, but she forced herself to focus on the date.

Which wasn’t that hard as she kept stealing glances at Kakashi dressed more casually. She definitely could get used to him wearing clothes that fit his form a little snug compared to the standard jounin garb. She enjoyed the way the fabric moved over his well-toned figure but was still loose enough to only just barely give an outline of the muscles that flex under it.

She felt Kakashi’s hand slowly moving across his thigh, and she dared to glance at his face, which looked perfectly normal, and nothing like he was stroking her skin under the table. She gulped as she crossed her legs over his hand in an attempt to hide it from others. His fingers felt cool against her heated skin, and she was trying to fight off the building arousal. He only squeezed her thigh in response which led to her stifling what would have been a small moan.

It was awfully hard to focus on anything people could have been whispering about them when she was trying to keep control of her pleasure, and she wondered if that was his goal. Or if he was just being the pervert he was and enjoying toying with her, having known how sensitive she is to even only his touch. Judging by the imprint of a smirk under his mask she could see if she squinted, it was probably both.

“I don’t think even Genma is stupid enough to test Kakashi on that matter.” Kurenai flashed a comforting grin. “So, how did you two finally figure out you both loved each other?”

Sakura smiled in return. “Well, drunk us shared a kiss, but he got all “this isn’t right” and I told Hinata about it a couple of days later.”

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. “Naruto came to my apartment ready to beat the breaks off of me because she didn’t just tell Hinata, she sobbed to her about it.” He corrected her as he removed his hand from her thigh, letting his fingers slowly slide off her skin.

She shivered slightly before huffing with a pout. “I’m sensitive.”

“Oh, I know.” He gave her an eye crease. “I tell Naruto I love her and some other sappy shit, and he tries to convince me to tell her but I won’t. And he ended up convincing her to tell me.” He pulled her against his side and brushed his lips against her temple. “And now here we are.”

“Is this part where you skip me finding you two together?” Asuma asked with a knowing grin.

“I had suspected you had some type of feelings for her before the bar. I knew she did because she never smiled as much as she did around you. After the way you threatened the guy at the bar, I was for sure about you.”

“Now just what made me so obvious?” Kakashi furrowed his eyebrows.

“You, well you with three careens of sake in his system, acted more like a jealous boyfriend as opposed to a protective team leader. Right down to openly wrapping your arm around her waist and stroking her hip.” Asuma deadpanned as if that was a stupid question.

Sakura’s cheeks dusted pink once again. “Ah, so that part didn’t go unnoticed by everyone else like I thought it had…” Her voice was quiet and timid as she felt Kakashi rubbing her hip through the fabric of the dress in the same manner as the night before.

Kurenai laughed softly. “Kakashi hardly ever got involved with women, so when he does we pay close attention. Anko was the first to point out that he was way more touchy with you than any other one before.”

“Wait, really?” Sakura asked as her curiosity became peaked before amusement shone in her eyes. “Well, no wonder why every freaking woman in the town hates my existence right. now.”

Kurenai and Asuma both laughed at her amusement at that new fact. Their plates were about finished and it was seeming to be the end of the night out. They all said their goodbyes before heading back home for the night.

The whole walk home, she couldn’t help but wonder how Kakashi was rumored to be phenomenal in bed. Well for her it was far from a rumor now. But how did he have that when he didn’t want to be touchy with the women? He would touch and stroke and kiss every inch of her body whenever they made love, and she couldn’t picture him being any other way. It seemed like it was half the fun for her. Then again, she’d never had sex before Kakashi, let alone casual sex. Maybe that was the difference?

#kayparkerwrites #kakasaku fanfiction #kakasaku #kakashi hatake #sakura haruno #kakashi x sakura #inner turmoil #fanfiction #naruto #naruto fanfiction #ino yamanaka

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deltas-writing-corner · 4 years ago

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Warmth: Prologue (3/3)

Fandom: Ikemen Sengoku

Disclaimers: Besides the prologues, I will be posting the first 1000 or so words of every new/next chapter. There will be a link to my AO3 at the end of the post, where the full chapters are at!

Warnings: none

Masterlist: (coming soon)

By the time the council for you is ready, you're retrieved from your wooden cell and escorted down the unfamiliar halls of the castle. It was night time once again. You're eventually brought to a large room, a dais on the opposite side of where you enter. On the platform sat Nobunaga, armor no longer being worn and now clad in lighter, casual clothes. The guards sent to retrieve you practically shove you into the room before sliding the doors behind you and leave you for the slaughter.

Besides Nobunaga were familiar faces. Hideyoshi and Mitsuhide sat to his right and left respectively. Next to Hideyoshi, Mitsunari and a man with blond hair and green eyes that you hadn't yet met. Masamune was the lone person next to Mitsuhide. You wonder which is the judge, the jury, and the executioner. The role of executioner is quickly assigned to Mitsuhide.

"Don't just stand there," Nobunaga broke the silence. "Approach me."

You obediently walk forward until you were a respectable distance from all 6 of them before lowering yourself on the tatami. You try not to shake under their scrutinizing gaze.

As soon as you're seated, Nobunaga speaks again. "Now that you've had time to relax and reevaluate the situation, I will ask once more. Who are you, and where do you hail from?"

You're compelled to tell him that he technically knows the answer to the first part of his question. Unfortunately, being a smartass would just make things worse for you. You did reevaluate your choices during your trip to Azuchi and in your cell. You concluded that remaining silent would no longer help you, but in fact hurt you. You doubt they would believe the truth of you hailing from the future, which could potentially make things even more worse. Even if you prove the validity of your claims, you don't have enough information about the people before you to determine whether or not they would use the fact you're from the modern age to their advantage and what that advantage would entail.

You certainly weren't going to tell them you were a god. That would no doubt put you in immediate danger. The power of healing is an attractive power and so is the power over death that your rival-turned-ally just so happens to embody. In conclusion, you couldn't tell them the truth. There were too many negatives that outweighed the few positives you could think of. You couldn't tell them, but the least you can do is explain to them why you can't.

"I'm sorry. I can't tell you." Hideyoshi makes a move to protest, but you cut him off by continuing. "Not to say that I don't want to. I want to tell you all my situation, but it would be extremely dangerous for me if I do."

The blond one rolls his eyes and scoffs, "That's a rather convenient excuse."

"It is," Hideyoshi nods, eyes never once leaving your person. "This woman is clearly untrustable and a liability no doubt. We should send her away and be done with this, my Lord."

"I'm sure our Lord would gladly send her back home. The only problem is we still don't know where her home is," Mitsuhide says. "I have my doubts about her claims of being in some sort of danger, but until we can figure out where it is we should send her, we're unfortunately at a bit of a deadlock."

Hideyoshi looks like he wants to disagree with Mitsuhide, but he reluctantly agrees with everything he said.

Nobunaga speaks your name and you sit up straighter. "Whatever threat is keeping you from speaking, you may consider yourself in safe hands. Tell us the names of those who wish to harm and you have my word that they will be dealt with."

It was relieving to hear that if some sort of third party was threatening you, they would keep you safe and even get rid of the threat. Such an offer was unfortunately unfulfillable. They were threats too.

you shake your head. "You don't understand. If I tell you my truth, there's a chance you all might turn against me. That you might string me up like a puppet and pull my strings until my limbs tear apart. You can sit there and promise me of never doing such a thing. However, the fact that chance exists is enough to make me bite my tongue."

You were on the verge of tears. Never in your life did you hate being a god as much as you do now. No matter how many lives you save, you will always be under threat by the very beings you heal. Maybe Kuro was right in wanting to mark mortals for death. Maybe you were in the wrong this whole time by wanting to reverse their ailments and give humans a second chance at life. For gods' sake, you had to spend 50 years on your lonesome just to restart your life among society, time after time because you felt, and still feel, like you cannot trust anyone with your secret.

You were never trying to play at being a god. Truly, you were trying to play at being human. You will never be one no matter how well you got along with humanity. You felt cold. Cold, alone, and scared of the mortals that sat before you and looked down on you as if you were the biggest inconvenience to them.

Perhaps I was nothing but a burden to my-

As if sensing the downward direction of your thoughts, Kuro does the only thing he knows will grab your attention. He bites you, the hardest he ever has. The pain was so excruciating that you had to grab hold of him by his jaw and throw him off of you.

Mitsunari is the first to break, swiftly making his way towards you despite Hideyoshi's protests. He pulls you back towards him and holds you steady. "Are you alright?" he asks you, concern engulfing his purple eyes.

At this point, a few tears had been shed and your voice was warped from the rising sadness within your throat. "Y-Yeah. His biting stopped my thoughts from spiraling."

You give a thankful nod to Kuro. He nods in return as thanks for you continuing to cover for him.

You turn back towards them, "If..If you want to get rid of me I can leave without making a fuss. I can get by just fine on my own."

No one agrees with or protests your offer. The sight of you, clearly distressed and out of your element, makes them all feel somewhat shameful for treating you as if you were some dangerous criminal up until now. You clearly meant no harm. You didn't even want to burden them with your presence. You were scared and on your own against a group of men you didn't even know.

Nobunaga calls your name once more, This time with much more gentleness than the times before. "I see now that, despite how young you are, you've been through your fair share of ordeals. You clearly cannot muster within yourself the ability to trust anyone due to circumstances. Henceforth, I will allow for you to reside in this castle in exchange for your services to me, until you feel you are ready to come forth and divulge in us the names of those who seek to do you harm."

The tension in the room begins to dissipate. You all but fall to your still scraped knees with relief. This is perfect. You would be granted sanctuary and still maintain a veil of secrecy, within reason no doubt. The others clearly have their reservations over the arrangements, but seeing you no longer on edge lightens the atmosphere significantly. Kuro, no longer presented with a reason to continue lunging at the others, relaxes his tightly wound body for the first time since coming here.

You stretch your palm out towards your companion and he crawls on you without protest, situating himself around your neck once again. Strangely enough, you've grown used to having him in your person in the past day. Now that you two have an alliance of sorts you feel a bit more trusting of him. Maybe this time traveling ordeal will result in you two coming to some sort of understanding with one another. It would honestly do you both good if you worked together than fight all the time.

"I have yet to hear your answer. Will you accept my offer?" Nobunaga asks.

You vigorously nod. "Yes! It's a definite yes. I'll gladly offer whatever services I can give in exchange for lodgings."

He smiles at your enthusiasm. "In that case, I assign you as my chatelaine."

Chatelaine. That's a caretaker of a large house. Sounds like a simple enough job.

"That is an excellent idea," Mitsunari congratulates you. "I will provide you with all the support you need!"

"I'll be counting on you," you tell him.

As you all begin to discuss further details of your arrangement, an uninvited guest sighs in relief at the turn of events from the ceiling.

________________________________________________________________

Once the meeting concludes, you're escorted by Mitsunari to what will be your new room. You didn't expect it to be so large, beautifully furnished too. You would have been fine if they gave you a wooden box for all you care, but that would likely be a dead giveaway. You're painfully reminded of the fact that you won't be living alone anymore or with some distance from other mortals.

You'll have to put in extra effort in order to blend in. That would mean you would have to start eating and sleeping again. You haven't eaten or slept in nearly 300 years. You don't even remember the difference between sweetness and spiciness or what your favorite dishes were.

"Are you alright? You've been frowning this entire time," Mitsunari, ever the angel, looks at you with concern.

"Sorry! I'm still in disbelief. I honestly thought the night would end with me being thrown out onto the streets," you sheepishly say.

"Our lord would have never treated you so harshly, even if he chose to send you away. He can be intimidating at times, I admit. Underneath his tough exterior he is a very generous, but fair, lord."

You find it hard to believe, but the switch in his demeanor from earlier is sufficient evidence to prove the truth in Mitsunari's words. He seems to be the top dog around here. If he was able to exercise leniency to you despite your mysterious origins then you can surely get by alright. You would just have to meet in the middle and become a positive addition to the people here. You've had decades of practice on blending in. You can do this!

"Hey, can I ask you something real quick?"

Mitsunari halts his search for your futon and turns to you. "Anything at all!"

"As chatelaine, what am I expected to do?"

Mitsunari thinks for a moment. "We haven't had a chatelaine before, so I unfortunately can't provide any sound examples. Most likely, you will care for the needs of the castle and residents here as the maids would."

That sounds doable. "Could you introduce me to the maids tomorrow then?"

"I would be honored to! I do have my own duties to attend to though. Hideyoshi is close with most of them, so if I'm unable to retrieve you myself I'll send him in my stead."

Hideyoshi. He's Nobunaga's right hand. He's the one Kuro lunged towards back at the camp. Despite Nobunaga giving his permission for you to stay, he clearly had his own opinions. Understandable, really. You'll have to remind yourself that any harshness towards you from him will be within reason. Hopefully he can learn to tolerate you, and you of him.

"It is late. I will leave for tonight and allow you to rest. It is an honor to have you with us. Sleep well."

Mitsunari gives you one last smile before he exits your room and you're finally left to your own devices. Before you can fall back into the plushness of your futon, you hear a shuffling above you within the ceiling.

"Don't be alarmed," a voice calls out to you. "I'm going to jump down from the ceiling. Is that alright?"

You can't pinpoint the exact source of the voice. Normally, you should be alarmed. Yet even when its muffled, that voice sounds very familiar. You look down to Kuro and he nods. If anything goes wrong, he'll handle it.

"You may," you try to keep your voice down to not draw attention but to also allow for whoever was in the ceiling to hear you.

One of the wooden panels is quietly moved from its place. A person, another man, jumps down and lands in complete silence. Impressive.

"Sorry for the intrusion. Before I begin to explain my reason for visiting at such a late hour, may I ask if you remember me?"

He lowers his mask to reveal his face in full. You do remember him. It was the same man you encountered at the monument. He wasn't wearing his lab coat anymore. His clothing was more in style to the garments everyone else wore. His attire looks as though it allows for better mobility. "I do. From the looks of it, you seem to be better adjusted. Did you perhaps arrive earlier than I did?"

He's shocked that you've deduced the situation so quickly. You were calm as well. He took this as a good sign.

"You're spot on. My name is Sasuke Sarutobi, post-graduate astrophysicist-turned-ninja."

After you introduce yourself to Sasuke. He wastes no time in explaining the circumstances of your apparent time travel. It was hard to grasp even his simplified version, but you were able to figure out that a phenomenon (the storm) is what sent you two back in time. He explained his arrival was 4 years prior to yours and that he's been on the lookout for you while still fulfilling his duties to his employer and adjusting to life here. "I apologize for dragging you into this-"

You cut off his apology with the lift of your hand. "I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm sure you'll argue that, even then, there was a chance I could have ended in more dangerous situation. I didn't and that's all there is to it. You have my gratitude for worrying about my well-being for so long."

You bow to him and he accepts your thanks with a bow of his own. Before he can right himself up, he takes notice of Kuro.

Please don't freak out!

"Is that...a snake?"

You nod. "He's my...he's a friend. He won't bite if you leave him be."

"I see. I will keep that in mind. What's his name?"

"Kuro. Unoriginal, I know."

He laughs at your admittance of poor naming skills. You give Kuro a pat on the head. He seems annoyed at your touch but doesn't try to shake you off or hiss at you. You view it as a start towards a better relationship between you two.

"I have one more thing to say. Since this time period was, or rather is, ravaged with war, it's best you remain here until the next wormhole reopens in three months."

"We'll be able to return to our time then, right?"

"Yes. I've estimated the time of its appearance, but not its location. I'll try to have that information as soon as possible. Is that alright?"

"Take all the time you need. I wish you the best until then."

He smiles, "I'll be sure to stop by every now and then to check on you. Until we meet again."

He jumps up with ease and back into the ceiling. The panel is placed back in it's spot and the room is quiet once again. Finally, you're alone for real this time. You're surprised how worn out you feel for once. Deciding now would be a better time than ever to get back into the rhythm of sleep, you crawl under the covers of your already made bed. Kuro follows suit, coiling into himself on top of you.

"It's pretty chilly. Here," you get up, "I'll lend you my sweater."

Mitsunari went out of his way to keep watch over your bag. You make a note to find a way to repay his kindness before you leave in 3 months. You unzip your bag and pull out your wool cardigan, slightly creased from being folded for so long. Hopefully this will do as a bed for Kuro for a while. You make yet another note to make Kuro some sort of proper bed when you get the chance.

Even if work turns out to be boring here, I have a bunch of personal obligations to keep myself busy for a while.

Kuro finds his spot within the sleeve of your cardigan. You giggle a bit, seeing the long bump he made from underneath the fabric. You blow out the light from your lantern and situate yourself back under the covers. You close your eyes and relax each part of your body one at a time. Starting with your toes and ending at the tip of your nose.

You fall asleep within the familiar black nothingness, feeling warm once again.

________________________________________________________________

Previous chapter

Finished the prologue and want to read more? Click here!

#ikemen sengoku #ikesen #ikemen series #otome #ikemen sengoku writing #ikemen sengoku fanfiction #ao3 fanfic #writing #ikesen writing #ikesen fanfic #fanfic: warmth #reader insert #reader insert fanfiction

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letsbenditlikebennett · 4 years ago

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The Killer in Me || Ariana & Athena

TIMING: Evening of July 12th SUMMARY: Ariana and Athena go to Red Dragon for dinner. Some very truthful conversations happen and incorrect conclusions are drawn. PARTIES: @athenaquinn & @letsbenditlikebennett

Initially, Ariana had been worried she freaked Athena out with all the werewolf and hunter stuff. If it had been too much for her, Ari could hardly fault her. She was born into this and lately some of it was starting to feel like too much for her. Most mornings, it was easier to get up and face the day again, but every so often, a dream of Celeste would slip in and just make her want to cling to her blanket for the remainder of the day. Athena had become somewhat of a bright spot in the midst of the grief that kept trying to creep up from below the surface. The kids at camp were great and so filled with energy, but seeing Athena every day brought a certain amount of excitement. She was positive they’d been flirting, even when chatting online, but getting to see Athena with the kids often left her speechless with admiration. They all seemed to look up to her and how could they not? It was enchanting to watch and it only made her more eager for their night out together. She was pretty positive it was a date which only made her more excited. She’d even put some extra effort into curling her hair and even shot Blanche a photo of her outfit to make sure she wasn’t totally clashing. Normally, she didn’t mind too much, she could always attribute mismatching clothing to being colorblind, but she wanted to look nice tonight. This would be their first actual date and she wanted to impress. With confirmation from Blanche that her outfit was in fact worthy of a few fire emojis, she made her way to the Red Dragon to meet Athena. She spotted her from across the dining room and of course her hair was perfectly in place. She smiled and waved as she approached, taking the seat across from her. “Hey,” she said, smile beaming, “You look amazing. If you ever decide to share your hair care secrets, I’m 100% calling first dibs.”

She’d liked the time she spent with Ariana and she’d liked getting to know her. There was rarely a time when Athena felt as though she’d been equally matched in her soccer playing, and she thought that she’d found that with Ariana. So of course she had to go and be a werewolf. The reveal had been like a punch in the gut, and the fact that Athena didn’t want to kill her left her feeling the need to put even more hours into training and into solo runs. Ariana had told her so much all at once and had it only been everything other than the fact that she was a werewolf, Athena would have managed. If she allowed herself to think about it for more than a few seconds, she would have acknowledged that Ariana was pretty attractive too, and that her admission of liking Athena wasn’t as alarming as she knew her parents would have wished for it to be. Then Orion had gotten on her case about everything and that made Athena’s blood boil. Which meant that she was absolutely going to tell Ariana that they were both hunters. She didn’t know why she felt like she owed the girl honesty, but she did - and she was angry at her brother, which meant that if she had to lose a friend, she would mess things up for him as well. After all, she was a warden and he was a beast hunter. Ariana deserved to know that. Even if her brother wouldn’t even hurt a fly. So she’d dressed up nicely for the dinner - pulled her hair into a half ponytail, thrown on a purple dress and a nice pair of flats. She arrived early and grabbed a table, and was just paging through the menu when she spotted Ariana arriving and grinned. “Hey! You look great too.” I should just get this over with. Either version of this. “Thought I’d wear a dress that matched your hair, since not all of us can pull off the colored hair look.” She motioned for Ariana to sit down. “So, what are you thinking of ordering?”

There was no hiding the beaming look on Ariana’s face as Athena told her she looked great. Then Athena’s dress intentionally matched her hair which only somehow made her smile even wider. She wasn’t even sure how that was possible, but it left her with a floating feeling. A certain lightness she hadn’t ever remembered feeling before. It was a huge contrast to how the heaviness of loss that seemed to paint her day to day life since she’d lost Celeste. She quickly shook the thought. Tonight wasn’t about that. It was about spending time with a girl she admired and getting to know her better. She took the seat across from Athena and responded, “Thank you. I have to say, I did the whole hair and dress matching thing. It’s totally a look.” One that made them look cute… together. She could totally get behind that. At the mention of food, she realized she didn’t do her usual glance at the menu online before arriving, but she usually went for something with red meat no matter the establishment. Unless it was Veggie Tables or she was sharing with Layla. She glanced down at her menu and asked, “What do you recommend? I usually go for some sort of beef stir fry, but I’d love to hear what your favorites are.” She’d take note of them for the future. Maybe one of these days she could surprise her with a nice lunch or something. She worked so hard and did so much for others, it only seemed right someone should look out for her every once and awhile, too. She took in the atmosphere and appetizing smells of the restaurant. “It smells great in here. I can see why it’s one of your favorite spots. Definitely good for scheduled relaxation.” She said the last part somewhat teasingly before adding, “I’m really glad we’re doing this though. We haven’t really gotten the chance to hang out one on one since our run and I know everything I told you was a lot to unpack. I’m happy I didn’t totally scare you off or anything.”

If Ariana had only told her that she like-liked her, all of this would have been far easier. However, she’d told Athena that she was a werewolf and now Athena had to deal with that. Which was hard - admittedly even harder than when her parents had asked her to kill a former teacher. She could see the teacher’s body on the floor, feel her blood against her lips when her father had stepped in instead. She could see Ariana there, if she closed her eyes. Some twisted combination of that night and her and Rio’s eighteenth birthday. Athena shook her head, forcing herself out of the thoughts as she flashed Ariana another smile. “I dig it too, it’s a good look.” Maybe it was a mistake, but she didn’t want Ariana to go running before she had the chance to tell her everything. In a little while. At the other girl’s question Athena gave pause. “Well, the potstickers are famous for a reason. We could do chicken for that. My Little and I share them sometimes on study nights.” She thumbed through the menu, “any lo mein is good, but if you want a good stir fry I do know some folks who like the beef. I have to admit, they make a killer spicy green beans as far as sides go. Feel free to order anything you want, I’m paying, and it’s worth trying a few things. I sometimes do the sesame chicken. That is excellent, especially when I mix the spicy green beans in.” Despite everything, she had to grin at Ariana’s comment, “what better place, right?” She flipped her menu shut. “You know, I should probably start expecting things like this more often, given that I’m from this town. I am truly sorry about your sister - we don’t have to talk about it, but if - well, if there’s anything I can do to help honor her, let me know.” Not that you’ll want that after what I’m going to tell you, probably. It was the polite thing to offer, though. Fit very well with her ‘tutorial-perfect hair’ and practiced smile. “Don’t worry, takes a lot more than that to scare me off.” The waiter appeared by their table just then and Athena glanced over to Ariana. “Ready to order?”

As far as Ariana was concerned, it was a good sign that Athena liked matching with her. It gave her hope that maybe she found someone that she liked and was actually able to accept what she was. Not that she had really told any past crushes about what she was. Athena was different. For one, she somehow already knew about the supernatural. Not the most shocking thing for someone growing up in White Crest. Before moving here, there was no one she could have possibly told she was a werewolf without thinking she was insane. It was kind of freeing to like someone she could actually be herself around. She just smiled and agreed the look really did work for both of them. She listened closely as Athena told her all her favorites on the menu. Everything sounded delicious. “We could totally share the postickers. I like chicken, too,” she suggested and added, “Maybe some of those spicy green beans, too?” She found she was pretty hungry and everything Athena mentioned sounded delicious. The atmosphere was relaxing, too. Despite the hint of nerves that came with a first proper date, she found she was feeling more and more at ease. She rested her arms on the table and grinned, “No better place and no better company.” When the server came over, she asked for a Thai iced tea and some potstickers and green beans to share to start. Once he walked away, her full attention returned to Athena. “I don’t think anyone could ever expect half the stuff White Crest throws at them. Like even being in the know my whole life, there are some truly crazy things here… like the mimes. I still don’t get the mimes.” Her tone was a bit joking, trying to keep things light. Plus, the mimes were pretty ridiculous even if they were dangerous. The mention of Celeste caused her to look down at her hands momentarily. While it was easier to get through each day, it still felt like a huge piece of her was missing and she doubted that would ever truly go away. “Maybe one day we can do that. I have a little memorial tree for her-- I go and talk to her sometimes. Can’t really do anything to properly honor her since I can’t really tell everyone about it. I don’t know, I just… I keep trying to be someone she’d be proud of to honor her. Keep her alive in a way, I guess.” She stopped herself from going on about it too much. She didn’t quite feel like crying when they were supposed to be having a nice time together, “I do appreciate the offer. It’s incredibly sweet of you.” She contemplated reaching out to touch Athena’s hand, but she didn’t want to push or make her uncomfortable in any way.

I should have invited her to another run, just made this over and done with. The thoughts wouldn’t stop racing through Athena’s head. Coupled with the thoughts of what her parents would do if they knew that she was out to dinner with a werewolf. That she’d likely flirted online - halfway, but she hadn’t pulled away, and that would have perhaps been the worst part of it all. “I find chicken to be highly versatile when it comes to cooking. Yes, we can share both of those.” She wasn’t entirely sure how much she’d be eating anyhow - or when it was best to tell Ariana about her and her brother. He didn’t care about her anyhow, no matter how much she loved him. No matter what she did to keep him safe. She was born to help better the world and she was supposed to help keep her brother safe. He didn’t want that though, and she squeezed one of her hands into a fist, doing her best to regulate her breathing. If he didn’t want her to protect him, then she wouldn’t claim anything after she told Ariana what they were. Even if under most normal circumstances she would have thrown out a comment about how her brother shouldn’t have even counted as a hunter. “No better of anything.” Lips curved into a smile. With the server’s arrival she ordered a Thai iced tea as well - why not, after all? It’d give her something else to focus on, and she had to appreciate the fusion of cuisines that the Red Dragon had. “Nobody gets the mimes. Trust me. Lived here my whole life and I don’t get it.” Maybe bringing up the whole dead sister wasn’t the best way to go, but Athena had rarely been good at true sympathy, even if she did feel sick at the idea of another hunter dying. Even though she’d known other hunters who had died, it never felt any easier. “I think working to keep her alive in your own way is well worth it. The tree idea is nice - gives back to the world too, in a way,” just as she did, even if she adopted you - adopted a werewolf. She looked over to Ariana. “Thank you. I just figured it was the good thing to do.” I could even take some droplets of silver and put them in your food. You still could just deal with this without telling her. So why did Athena feel some sort of obligation to out herself? Luckily, the waiter arrived back with their teas just then and Athena grabbed hers and took a quick sip of it before placing it on the table. The waiter asked if they were ready to order and Athena gave a small shrug, before asking for the sesame chicken before she let Ariana order and sat back in her chair. “I’m super sorry if I’ve asked you this before - but do you think you’re in White Crest for the long haul? I know you’ve moved around some before now - but do you think you’ll stick around here?”

Ariana found that things with Athena just felt natural. As different as they were as people, they shared a lot of hobbies. It was a balance that she found made being with Athena so easy. It had taken the other girl a bit to process everything Ariana had told her, but she could hardly fault her for that. It was a lot. Most days, it still felt like too much for her to truly wrap her head around. Now that they’d both had some time and talked some more, everything just felt right. “I get that,” she answered truthfully, “Chicken pretty much tastes like how you season it. Makes it easy to pair with well.. Anything.” She smiled, thinking over a few different chicken dishes she could make for Athena. She made really good Tennessee Hot Chicken and it was something that made her still feel somewhat connected to where she came from. She couldn’t help the playful smirk on her lips as Athena agreed there was indeed no better company or anything else. It quickly delved into head shaking when they spoke mimes. Stupid croissant tasting jerks. “I hate mimes,” she stated plainly. “I thought they were cool and mysterious at first. Quickly learned otherwise when my mime twin tried to kill me.” And turned into a werewolf… but that was a bit too crazy of a story. Athena had seemed to be warming up to the whole werewolf thing. Didn’t need to make it even crazier. She nodded along. Keeping Celeste alive in the same small ways she tried to keep her parents alive. “I think so, too. Carrying her close to me even when she can’t be here just feels…as right as her being gone can feel.” When Athena asked if she intended in town, she nodded her head yes. Celeste had stayed her with her and fought on her behalf so they could finally have a longstanding home. Plus, her ashes were spread here. She couldn’t imagine leaving now. Between Celeste’s resting place and the pack she’d made, she couldn’t leave now. “Yeah, definitely here for the long haul. I’ve always wanted to be able to settle somewhere.” She just wished it was with Celeste. She sipped at her iced tea and asked, “What about you? Planning on going away for med school or staying local?”

“Yep. Plus, it’s in so many different cuisines. Chicken Tikka Masala is a favorite of mine.” Athena gave another small shrug. Let her gaze fall on Ariana’s lips for a moment and she bit her own before she grabbed her tea and took a small sip. If it had only been that Ariana thought she was hot, Athena would have been more than happy to deal with that. Heck, she’d flirted online, even if unintentionally at first. “You had one of those too? Gee, I’m super lucky I didn’t. I think that was when I literally lost my voice though.” She made a face. “Yeah, I mean, one of them also might have flirted with me, which, weird, but I’m not a fan. Of the mimes.” For all of everything else, there was at least one thing - besides soccer - that the two could connect on. Clearly caring deeply for a sibling, albeit in different ways. “That makes sense. I am glad you are able to keep her close by.” Here for the long haul unless something happens to you. She pushed the thought out of her mind for now. Whatever was going to happen tonight, she had to be level-headed and level-minded. “Settling is nice, but so’s travel. I mean, I’ve never even been outside of Maine.” She fiddled with the cross on her necklace. “Hm?” She blinked a few times. “I’m not sure. I mean, I’d like to do Harvard or Johns Hopkins but I’ll see.” See what my parents want, what is best for the greater good. “Sometimes I think I might have a good reason to stay here.” She let her lips curve into a conspiratorial smile. “I’ve still got another year until I’d be going, so I guess we’ll see! Are you excited to start your trade school program?”

It was hard for Ariana to ignore the small flutter in her chest when she realized Athena was staring at her lips. That was supposed to be a good sign, right? All of this was still pretty foreign to Ariana. She’d never really gotten a chance to stay somewhere long enough to develop an actual relationship with anyone with all the moving around. She decided not to dwell too much on it. Athena knew how she felt, if she wanted to act on that, she could. Ariana didn’t want to do anything to make her uncomfortable, especially considering what Orion had told her about their parents. At the mention of a mime flirting with her, Ariana cocked an eyebrow and smirked. “Do I need to fight another mime? Because I’ll totally fight another mime,” she joked, “You’re way too cool to date a mime.” Not really wanting to talk more about Celeste, she nodded and glossed over the statement. It wasn’t that she wanted to forget Celeste, but right now, it still stung too much. Instead she focused on Athena’s own musings about staying and traveling. At the mention of never leaving Maine, Ariana gasped and said, “You haven’t been outside of Maine? You definitely have to do some traveling then.” She smiled and went one, “As a permanent way of life, it can get exhausting-- not having roots or somewhere to really call home, but it’s awesome to see the world.” She paused briefly, wondering if she should really extend the invitation on such a personal trip, but it’d be nice to have her there. “I was actually planning on doing a little road trip to Tennessee toward the end of the summer. Smoky Mountain area. It’s where Celeste and I were originally from.” She’d save the sniffing out other wolves and potentially finding some living family parts. “Harvard or Johns Hopkins? Both awesome medical programs, right? I’m sure you have the GPA for it. You should do a tour of them both or something. See which one feels right,” she encouraged even if it meant she’d be further away for medical school. Following her dreams seemed much more important than proximity. “Is that so,” she asked, not quite sure what to make of Athena’s grin even if she was mirroring it herself. “I’m pretty excited about the trade school program. I’ve actually been helping build the cabin I’ll be living in every day after camp. It’ll be cool to learn new techniques and get creative with it though. There’s no shortage of property damage in White Crest so I think I’ll be set job wise.”

“Gee, no. Not worth it.” Athena gave a half-hearted shrug. “She’s mostly left me alone and fighting mimes? So not worth it. There are far better ways to spend one’s time.” She let out a light giggle at Ariana’s next remark. “Thanks, same goes for you. The whole being way too cool to date a mime. Besides, talk about boring. Personally, I like to be able to have some level of verbal conversation with anyone who I go on a date with.” She gave a small shrug at Ariana’s query about never having been outside of Maine. “I mean, it is a big state. My family’s here, so no - I’ve never been anywhere else. I guess sometimes I’m curious, but I’m so used to where I’ve grown up, so it’s not so bad. Someday maybe I’ll go somewhere else.” I should just tell her and get it over with, she thought to herself, but then Ariana was telling her even more about her past and a vacation she had planned for later this summer, if my parents don’t find out about you first, “oh yeah? That seems like a nice sort of thing to have planned. Have you ever been back before now, or will this be the first time?” Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear she nodded. “I’ll see about touring them - and yes! They are two of the best in the entire country. Not that the one here is bad, but I don’t know, it’d be nice to go somewhere with a name attached to it.” Convincing her parents would be a whole other thing. Being away in medical school meant not being in town to do what she was born to do. The very reason she’d invited Ariana out, anyhow. “It is so.” She grinned, nodding along, “oh, absolutely. This town does seem to invite not only property damage but creative property damage.” The waiter arrived with their appetizers just then and Athena spooned a few of the green beans onto her plate before grabbing a potsticker. “Try it,” she motioned toward Ariana with a chopstick. “Tell me what you think.”

Fighting mimes was actually kind of fun, but Ariana wasn’t going to touch on that. Definitely wasn’t going to say they tasted like croissants. “You’re probably right,” she agreed. Outside of Ulfric, she wasn’t sure many would actually appreciate the anecdotal tale of turning a mime into a late night snack. “It is a lot more fun when you can talk to your date,” she added with a wink and smirk curling up on her lips. “Maine is a big state. Don’t get me wrong, I’m totally ready to stay put for a long time, but there are some truly beautiful places throughout the country and I’m sure beyond.” Her own planned road trip was a bit hard to explain, but she answered, “Yeah, I’m excited for it. It’ll be nice to see where I came from. You’re welcome to come along if you’d like. I was probably going to camp though. Not sure if that’s your thing.” As the food arrived, she took a moment to appreciate the different aromas. A comforting savory smell with spice and herbs peeking through. She reached her chopsticks out for a potsticker. She blew on it before taking a bite. She let out a small “mmm” to indicate it was in fact delicious. After trying the green beans, she replied, “Yes, this is definitely all delicious. I can see why you enjoy this place so much.”

She did her best to not focus on the wink or the smirk that covered Ariana’s face. Athena wasn’t quite ready to process whatever those might mean; not right now, at least. Or acknowledge and process. “Yes, talking is quite essential in order for me to enjoy my time out with someone.” She gave a small nod, “Oh, I bet. I mean, I was and am a bit of a whiz at some geography, so I’m aware of the extraordinary world out there.” Then Ariana was inviting her on this road trip and Athena raised her eyebrows, doing her best to remain calm. “You’re really nice to offer! However, my parents can be…” particular. Not willing to let me go anywhere with a werewolf. Not letting me go out of town with a girl, either, possibly. Picky. “Strict,” she answered. “I’m actually pretty handy in the outdoors, even if camping’s not super my thing.” She didn’t know when she was going to tell her. Maybe once the rest of the food came. She could feel the pressure of her silver rings against her fingers. Could feel them calling to her, could almost hear her mother at their most recent training. “Can’t go wrong with this kinda thing, I think. Plus, they’re good at knowing my allergies and since I don’t have the peanut one going for me, it’s easier to avoid in this sort of food.” She took another small bite of the potsticker and flashed Ariana a smile.

Ariana nodded in agreement. The whole silent thing with mimes was weird. Yeah, it was supposed to be a performance, but the mimes in town… well, she didn’t think it was a performance for them. It’s just what they were. She took a few more bites from the green beans on her plate. The spice on them was nice and balanced-- it wasn’t overbearing by any means. She found she quite enjoyed them even though she was eager for her beef lo mein. After making a vegan lunch for herself and Layla, she found she was missing the meat. It was nice enjoying one of Athena’s favorites though and she found things were flowing easily. They always seemed to talk without much difficulty. Well, aside from that one time she told her about being a werewolf and her sister being a dead hunter. Given, that was a lot. She frowned slightly, but respected the thing with her parents. She’d gotten as much from Rio. “I totally get that. I’ll get some awesome Smoky Mountain view pictures to send your way then,” she responded calmly. It was probably for the better. If anyone were going to join her, it should probably be another wolf. She joked, “Of course you’re handy in the outdoors. Is there anything you’re not good at?” Having lots of allergy friendly options was always a plus. Ariana was personally always looking for places that had good meat and vegan options. “I get you, it’s good to have a place where you have good options that won’t you know… set off an allergic reaction.” As the waiter brought the food over, Ariana took in a deep inhale. That smelled delicious and looked so as well. She was ready to ravenously dig in, but refrained from letting her wolf-like appetite totally take over. She took her first bite and gave an approving nod. “Okay, definitely taking any future restaurant recommendations you have because this is fire.”

“You’d better.” Athena raised an eyebrow. “I know my Little’s planning to study abroad next year and she says she’ll send me postcards. If I can’t go somewhere, a photo or a postcard’s the next best thing!” She was being overly enthusiastic. Somehow, it felt different than usual. “I don’t know, maybe? I’m not the best at art. But I still help with my sorority’s banners for Rush and we do have the best ones on the row, so…” she shrugged. “When my brother and I were little, I used to figure out some of his Boy Scout activities and show him how to do them, so….” She trailed off, cutting into another green bean and taking a careful bite. “Always a plus in my book. I’d like to, you know, not die.” Especially not from some allergies. Completely avoidable so long as she took proper care of herself. Glancing up, she saw the food arriving. Giving a nod of thanks to the waiter she served herself a bit of chicken and some rice - and couldn’t help but smile at Ariana’s reaction. “Well, I do know my way around town.” Rio’s going to mess this up for me anyhow so I might as well do this. Besides, I shouldn’t care, I shouldn’t feel remorse for telling a werewolf that I am a hunter. “By the way,” her lips curved up into only half a smile. “Did my brother ever happen to mention that he’s a beast hunter?” She dropped her fork onto her plate, raising an eyebrow. “Only he got those genes. I’m not,” even though I’ve killed more wolves, different shapeshifters, and other beings then he has, “I’m a warden.” She stabbed her piece of chicken with her fork, taking a small bite. “Figured you should know, given,” she nodded between the two of them, “all of this.”

“I’ll for sure be taking a lot of photos so I can manage that,” Ariana replied excitedly. She couldn’t wait to be camping in the mountains she was born in. Connecting to a part of her past that was once too dangerous to explore. It all made her giddy and it showed. At the mention of not being the best at art, she laughed. “Being not the best at art and terrible at art are two totally different things.” She was decent enough at sketching, but being colorblind didn’t lend much help to other forms of art. Then again, Ulf specialized in blank ink work and his art was dope as fuck. She listened to Athena talk about her outdoors experience and the like as she shovelled lo mein into her mouth. She’d been about to respond when Athena asked her next question. Did she know Rio was a beast hunter? What? Her fork dropped, clanking against her plate. Her face went pale and she struggled to find her words. Then Athena said she was a warden. Slightly better for her current predicament, but Rio was a beast hunter? He killed werewolves and she thought they were for real friends? She suddenly felt very sick. “I--,” she started. What the fuck she was supposed to say? “He, You’re-- What? He never said anything. We’ve talked about all this stuff and he never even--” She swallowed back a lump in her throat and placed clenched fists in her lap. “So you hate werewolves then,” she said plainly. Either they did or they didn’t. She needed to know.

“Good. That’s good.” Athena replied. “Well, hey, you know, I call it like I see it. I wasn’t lying about you rocking your hair the way you do, or the fact of how I matched my dress to your hair.” She heard Ariana’s fork clink against her plate and something in her - small, miniscule, hardly noticeable - felt tight. Like maybe she shouldn’t have done this. Not because of her brother. He’d made her mad enough - but for Ariana. She had considered the other girl a friend, and she hadn’t stopped the flirting or whatever had been going on. “He doesn’t exactly advertise it. He’s interested in it.” None of that was false, but she didn’t have the heart right now to outwardly deny any of this. It wasn’t like Rio wouldn’t have painted her in the worst light possible. Even if some of what he said held certain truths to it. “I don’t hate you.” Athena pushed her plate to the side. “It’s complicated.” Fiddled with her rings, a couple on each hand. Rings that would easily burn Ariana if she so chose. She held her hands back, dropped them into her lap. “Fae? Not a fan of those.” Though she’d been raised to find all supernatural beings abhorrent, fae would always be top of the list. At least no other being made her feel physically uncomfortable. She was grateful for her abilities - always would be, but it did make fae even less appealing than they already were. She could hear her mother’s voice again - ask her to come outside, just get it over with Athena. No pet names. All formal. “I just figured I should be honest with you. I’m sorry my brother hasn’t been.” Glad he didn’t get to you first.

It was hard to feel that same joy over matching each other when her head was spinning too fast for her to come to terms with. Ariana could feel her heart beating faster yet somehow her chest felt tight. The air in the restaurant suddenly seemed thick. She had unknowingly befriended someone who wanted to hunt her and had let herself have a crush on someone who would hurt Deirdre without second thought. At least with Kaden, she had known where they stood from the moment they met and Celeste had somehow mended the gap there. She wanted to have that same ability-- to bridge the hunter world and supernatural world so there was less death all around, but she felt blindsided. She’d trusted both of them and she felt so stupid for it. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, unable to really hide her emotions. “He’s interested in it…” She trailed off, her voice had still been quiet but she imagined Athena could hear her. Did that mean he planned on hunting her? Oh god, he knew Layla. Did he plan on hurting Layla? The thought made her fists instinctively want to punch anything, but they were still at their table. God, was this over yet? She wanted more than anything to leave. Athena was still being nice enough to her, but the mention of hating fae still made her stomach do summersaults. While she had some potentially fae related concerns, she doubted they were all bad. She loved Deirdre and Kaden was dating a fae? They didn’t deserve to die on that basis alone. “I’m glad you don’t hate me.” It rang hollow. At least that meant one of them didn’t want to kill her. “Not a fan of fae, got it.” She’d have to make sure she and Deirdre never met. It was good Athena had been honest with her, but it still left her feeling sick and wanting to run out of the restaurant. Run to anywhere but here. Her voice was monotonous as she replied, “Thank you for telling me.” I can’t believe he didn’t. I can’t believe I stayed with them and he never even mentioned it. Oh no, what if he’s the one who picked up our bounty? It would have been so easy. I told him everything.

“I mean, he reads a ton, so I figure?” Athena shrugged. “He’s big into research.” She pushed a piece of chicken around on her plate. No longer hungry. No longer certain exactly what she was feeling. The girl in front of her was not human. She was precisely the sort of person - the sort of being - who Athena killed. Yet she’d never tried to hurt her. It still wasn’t right, though. “I won’t - I do not hate you.” Even if you are everything I am supposed to hate. “I have had far too much trouble with fae.” This wasn’t the point right now. “I figured I should.” The chicken was getting cold. She didn’t care. She could feel her mother’s gaze on her - impossible, because they weren’t near Harris Island. Yet somehow, her mother was there - or her thoughts were; every word she’d spoken about werewolves running through Athena’s mind. They are all vermin. We kill them, Athena, you know this. She knew over a dozen ways to do it, too. She looked over to Ariana - felt her throat go dry. “I suppose I can answer a question or two if you want.” She grabbed her fork, turning it in and between her fingers. She needed to hold onto something. To quell her gut instinct. The very fact that Ariana knew what she was was dangerous. Even if she seemed far less of a threat than Deirdre. She might know someone else. This wasn’t like Winston. They were human. Ariana was not, even if she looked it sometimes.

“Right, yeah, he does have all those books,” Ariana nodded. The plate in front of her still had entirely too much food and she felt sick. She’d given a beast hunter everything he needed to know to pick up her bounty. If it was him, all of it was her fault. But he’d been surprised. Then she remembered he also acted surprised when she told him she was a werewolf. It wouldn’t have been a surprise. He could have sensed her just like Celeste and Kaden had. Her stomach lurched again. Rio was supposed to be her friend and here she was being completely blindsided. She contemplated picking up her fork again to try and keep up the illusion of dinner, but even the smell was becoming too much. The air was starting to feel too thick. She longed to be back out in the fresh air with the trail home flying beneath her feet. “I don’t hate you either.” She just wasn’t who Ariana thought she was, but at least she was honest. Her attitude on fae wasn’t all that comforting, though. She loved Deirdre. Though remembering her last encounter with Lydia. No, she thought, you don’t even know what she is. You just need to see Ace again. At the mention of questions, she somehow blanked. She usually had a million questions, but right now, Ariana was sure she didn’t want to know the answers. Her mind was already reeling. “Could that be a standing offer? I’m kind of drawing a blank right now.”

“Well, he’s a nerd.” Athena shrugged. Somehow speaking ill of her brother even if she was mad at him felt wrong. Even if she hadn’t said anything other than the truth. Ariana was permitted to make her own conclusions. If her brother had gotten to Ariana first he would have painted her in a far crueler light. She was being honest - and wasn’t that just what her brother always asked of her? She found that she wasn’t hungry anymore. Apparently inviting people to The Red Dragon spelled disaster on some level. First with Winston and now with Ariana - though at least the latter- at least the present situation was one she’d brought on herself. “Good. You - you do still look good. Your hair, I mean.” I’m going to have to shower and throw out whatever I’m wearing - like before, after the run. In case mom somehow can pick up that I’ve been spending too much time around a werewolf. Willingly. “Yeah.” She bit her lip. “Besides, there’s some things that should be discussed in private.” Part of her thoughts crossed to how easy it still might be to get the other girl alone. “Or, you know, at least not in the middle of a restaurant.” You shouldn’t offer this to anyone, much less a wolf. “I mean, it’s not like we’re not going to not see one another. I’d like it if you didn’t drop out of that. Plus, not really sure how we’d explain that, since we’ve been having a great time and the kids love you.” She raised an eyebrow - a small smile beginning on her lips though not present as it had been in the beginning of their dinner.

The comment on Rio being a nerd didn’t bring Ariana any comfort. She knew he was estranged from his family, which could mean a good many things, but it didn’t sit well that he’d kept so much from her. Clearly, she knew nothing about either of them and she just laid her own story out bare for them. At least Athena had been honest. She didn’t like what she did, but some degree of trust had been maintained. “Right,” she said hoarsely. Her hand slowly rose to touch the ends of her own hair. Athena still thought she looked good and she wasn’t sure what to say. She couldn’t see it anymore. Not knowing she was an active hunter. They could be friendly, but she couldn’t see herself with someone who believed in killing others she cared for. “Yeah,” she choked out, “Yours too.” The air only seemed to get thicker and thicker and her palms were sweaty in her lap now. She just couldn’t shake away the anger that Rio hadn’t told her about all of this. She’d been open with him from the get go and something didn’t feel right. “That’s true.” Ariana, you have to use your words. None seemed to come. As she spoke of camp, she assured, “Oh yeah, I love the kids-- I wouldn’t quit camp just because of this. You were honest with me-- that’s…” More than she could say about Rio. The thought that maybe she’d just given out the information that was needed to kill her and Celeste wouldn’t go away. “Rio not telling me isn’t sitting right with me. He’s--” She swallowed back the sob in her throat. “I should go. I’m sorry, I’m just not feeling so good now. It’s not-- It’s not you, okay? Thank you for telling me, really.” She gathered up her bag and tried to remember to take deep breaths like Celeste had always reminded her.

It would have figured that the first time she found someone who seemed to truly care for her - well, outside of Winston, that was - that person had to go and be not human. Athena brushed her own hair to the side just as Ariana did. Why did this feel weird? She wasn’t supposed to feel remorse for anyone other than human beings or human beings with extra abilities - who were still technically human. “Thank you.” She’d known that there would be a shift, but instead of being afraid of her she was nearly silent and Athena felt a new sort of weird feeling. “The kids love you too.” She said. That much was completely honest. Ariana had a certain sort of magnetism with the. Even Sasha had grown incredibly fond of her. “I think honesty is good to attempt when possible.” When useful. “That makes sense. He just doesn’t like to talk about it, so I guess that’s why. Though he should’ve, if you two are hanging out so much.” Ariana stood up and Athena bit her lip. Why do I want to comfort her? Her hand found the knife again and she held it tight. This would be better to use. “You’re welcome.” She watched Ariana leaving. Called the waiter over and asked for the check. Spun the dull knife around in between her fingers before stabbing it into the chicken. She wasn’t hungry for leftovers anyways.

#the killer in me #athena #wickedswriting #everything is fine #nothing to see here

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