#his character truly clicked for me when i let him take control for serious reasons and he ended up getting drunk getting a lapdance

[verved]

I love when a game has you truly grow along with the character you play. Legit fucking hated Johnny's guts for the first half of the game because he's Like That, but I kept trying for the bare minimum civility with him because despite slashing people with a katana at every opportunity I'm also trying to play a decent person with a modicum of compassion in this shitty world I've been thrust into. And by making those choices, slowly Johnny warms up to me. I start to see the cracks in the "I Don't Give a Shit Fuck Everything" front he puts up. Half of it isn't even a front. I see how filled with hate, how deprived of any deep relationship with another he was by his own shitty attitude, and now by being forced to interact with me, be in my head, letting ME be the one calling the shots, he mellows out some, sees Night City through new eyes, literally. I start to resent his existence less, we have our bonding moments, and now 80 hours into the game I'd fucking die for the bastard that's destroying my brain and he'd do the same for me. 10/10 character development on all fronts.

[flightfoot]

Top Ten Completed Miraculous Fics Of 2024

So here it is, my top ten list for the year. I'm gonna be adding this as a bookmark subcollection inside of the full collection. That way, people will still be able to see which fics I recommend most highly for the year, even if they can't find this particular tumblr post.

I've got a real range in popularity here. The most popular fic has over 2000 kudos, while the least popular hasn't even hit 20 yet, at the time of my writing this. Just goes to show that popularity doesn't necessarily track with quality, especially for fics that have more niche appeal to begin with.

All of these are over 40K this time. Longer fics just have more going on, so they dominate lists like this. Which is one reason I have the regular lists that are separated by wordcount, to let fics of every length have a chance to shine.

A lot of the lower entries here bounced around in placement. The top five remained pretty stable though, once entered.

Here's the subcollection I set up for them!

10.

Each Hum And Click by @echo-has-queries

Kagami thought her understandably high standards for a match in marriage would mean she could avoid being paired with a man by her mother. That she could keep perfecting her flying-machine skills and eventually take over her mother’s place in leading the Tsurugi steam engine manufacturing company without having to defer to a man. She would have thought that when her mother told her to test the Agreste boy as a marriage match she had been kidding - if her mother ever kid. But she was serious and there truly was no fault to be found with Gabriel Agreste's son - except for the small detail of course, that he was not human. So Kagami must turn to the only fine mechanic she knows in Paris to find a solution to this new dilemma. But perhaps the dilemma could turn out to be the solution itself. Written for the AU Roulette Challenge 2024 with the prompt: Steampunk AU

So this fic is entirely from Kagami's POV, and it is a treat! It's an Adrigaminette fic, which you slowly figure out from reading the fic, if you didn't check the tags - Kagami may have tried not to like Adrien, but he grew on her regardless, and then a few chapters in you find out about hers and Marinette's failed relationship. I loved slowly finding out why the two of them broke up, when there are clearly still strong feelings between them, and how it ties into Kagami's character arc and the overall themes of the story: standing up for yourself, breaking free from those who would control you, and forging your own path.

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9.

Do You Read Me? by @19thsentry-blog

The problem with being a Couffaine was the hereditary bits. The stubbornness. The weird need to pick a fight with authority for no reason besides the principle of it. The way being a Couffaine meant falling in love, fast as a car crash, and just as deadly. It ruined you forever.

So basically, this takes place a few years after Season 5, in the post-Wish world. Luka takes over as the Ladybug Holder, battling Chrysalis in Marinette's place. It's causing him some strain, since it's hard to hold down a job when you need to vanish randomly for long periods of time while on the clock, and it doesn't help that Chrysalis is a lot sneakier than Monarch was.

That's not the core of the story though. No, the real story starts up at chapter 3, when Luka suddenly wakes up in 19th century London, supposedly having always been there, and talking to a 19th century version of Max. From there, he soon gets escorted to Felix, who is a detective around those parts and agrees to host him for awhile.

This is a Sherlock Holmes inspired story, with the setting ripped straight out of those old stories, and I think it does a great job of that! Felix feels natural as Sherlock, with his deductive abilities, and the mystery really does read a lot like a Sherlock story. Though of course, the ultimate cause is more magical in nature.

I love Luka's perspective in this story and his and Felix's dynamic, it just feels very natural and well done!

I was satisfied with how the mystery wrapped up, 19thsentry did a good job of making things make sense at the end, and it felt satisfying. If you want a story with some great characterization for Luka or Felix, or just feel like a mystery, this is the story for you!

8.

A Breach In The Brooch by @piromina

Ladybug and Chat Noir are the heroes of Paris. Hawkmoth is Chat Noir's father. Chat Noir is aware of this. Hawkmoth is not.

So this is an interesting spin on the classic "Gabriel recruits Adrien early on to help him" plotline. Mostly because Adrien is still Chat Noir in this AND still helping Ladybug as a superhero - Gabriel has no clue about his secret identity.

Plagg, unsurprisingly, isn't thrilled about Adrien refusing to tell Ladybug what he knows about Hawkmoth's identity, and that Adrien keeps following Gabriel's orders, even when he knows they're wrong. Though he figures out before Adrien does that Adrien's compulsion to follow his father's orders isn't just a psychological thing...

I really love Plagg in this especially, he's the MVP. He knows what it's like to be compelled to do or not to do certain things, so he's good at comforting Adrien over it and at finding loopholes for him.

---

7.

Phantom Pains (and other hints of you) by @buggachat

She couldn't remember anything. Not where she was going, where she'd been, why she was in this stairwell, or even her own name. But as she watched the blood pool at the base of the steps, she at least knew one thing for certain: the corpse was hers. Getting used to being dead was going to have its growing pains. — “Well, unlucky lady,” Chat Noir greeted with a bow, “Can I get your name?” “Didn’t we just talk about this? I told you, I don’t remember it.” “And I told you,” he reminded, “that you can just pick whatever fits you best.” — Ladybug and Chat Noir may not remember who they once were, but at least the two lost souls can find comfort in each other's company. But as Ladybug starts uncovering more and more memories of her life, letting the past go doesn't seem as easy as Chat Noir claims it to be.

So this is a beautiful, sweet, tragic love story of two lost souls wandering around with each other, yet with Ladybug still desperately wanting to be found, to remember who she was - and wanting to know why Chat so adamantly wanted to stay amnesiac. It's got some neat worldbuilding, and some fantastic prose. It's just a really nice little story!

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6.

A Small but Stubborn Fire by @cardiac-agreste

What if you were the parent of a teenage superhero, but didn't know they were? All you know is the nightmares, the panic attacks, and the bruises. She's missing school, she's disappearing on you, and she's not telling you anything. So you assume the worst: Assault. Depression. A permanent rift in the family. And what do you do when you realize you weren't thinking dark enough? Because your fourteen-year old daughter is the hero who flirts with death on the nightly news. -- Come inside and read about one mother's struggles to raise her daughter in a dangerous world while avoiding the mistakes her own mother made with her.

This is a more serious take on the consequences of Hawk Moth's war on Paris, with actual bloody, painful deaths as a consequence of many akumas, and Parisians developing PTSD because of what they've gone through. Ladybug can fix all the physical scars, but not the mental ones, including her own.

I love the focus on Sabine here. She's not just presented as being a mom - though of course that IS an important role she has. But she's explored as a character in her own right, one with a lot of emotional baggage as a result of her abusive mother, and trying to not fall into her mistakes, but sometimes doing so anyway out of fear for Marinette's safety. She's a really fleshed out, humanly flawed character, sometimes admitting that she would do something selfish if it means protecting the people she cares most about, like her daughter, even if its at others expense. She grows and changes a lot throughout the course of the story, her perspective on many matters changing multiple times as a result of getting new information or seeing the consequences of her previous approaches, and adjusting as a result.

If you want a fic that more realistically explores the dark consequences of Miraculous's setting, that fleshes out Sabine, or just develops a character in a complex way, then I highly recommend you check "A Small but Stubborn Fire" out!

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5.

Finding A Way by @uptoolateart

Collège is nearly over! And what better way to celebrate than a class trip to Costa Rica? But with only a month left to tell Adrien she loves him, Marinette is feeling the pressure. Then – an accident at sea leaves them stranded together on a tropical island…alone. Or are they? Because those footprints in the sand don’t resemble any bird they’ve seen before. And what’s that roaring sound coming from the jungle? ‘Adrien…where ARE we??’ ***** A Jurassic Park / Camp Cretaceous AU that’s been kicking around in my head for over a year

I love the sense of danger permeating this fic, it really feels like Adrien and Marinette are stranded on Jurassic Park (well it's called something else in order to integrate it better into the ML universe, but it operates like Jurassic Park). They're making the best of it though, doing their best to survive - and along the way, getting closer together.

I like that it's not JUST them though, Gabriel and Nathalie find out where they ended up pretty early on and go to rescue them, with Alya and Nino stowing away. It was cool to see that side of things as well.

Oh yeah, this fic is rated M for violence and gore. It's because dinosaurs eat people alive and leave their body parts everywhere. If you can handle the Jurassic Park movie (or presumably the book the movie was based on, but I haven't read that), then you should be just fine.

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4.

Boulangerella by @aidanchaser

Once upon a time, magic was wild. The two princes of the kingdom have been tasked with choosing their brides by the end of their 21st birthday celebrations. Crown Prince Adrien Agreste will have to choose between a woman who can protect his kingdom, a woman offering the power to wake his sleeping mother, and the woman he has loved and admired for the past year. Then there's also the seamstress that he is suddenly falling for. By the time he realizes he doesn't have the power to choose at all, it may be too late.

I love a good fairy tale AU, and this is no exception. Aidanchaser started writing it before Season 5 came out, so it's wrong about some things. Most notably, Felix's posthumous father was a good and decent person here, and one of the twin rings is Felix's Amok while the other one is Adrien's Amok, instead of both of them being Adrien's Amok.

This was a well-crafted tale, with kwamis operating as Fae: they can give power, but only if the wielder gives something up to pay for it. For temporary usage of their power, it can be something small and innocuous, such as giving Plagg cheese in exchange for his help. More expansive uses of their power requires greater sacrifices however, even sacrificing more nebulous things such as memories or hope.

The kingdom's currently being terrorized by this unknown villain, Hawk Moth, as in the show. Ladybug and Chat Noir emerge to battle him, but for some reason (*cough, cough*), King Gabriel isn't fond of the superheroes and wants them captured.

Gabriel isn't the only threat out there, Lila's skulking around, hinting that she knows how to wake up Emilie from her mysterious illness, if only Adrien marries her. And she's not about to take no for an answer.

If you've been wanting a fairy tale/fantasy Miraculous AU, I recommend giving Boulangerella a shot!

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3.

He Couldn't Remember (Falling For Her) by @purpleautumnvision

"If I was given a choice in who Chat Noir would be, I would've chosen you." "And there's nobody else in the whole world I'd rather have as my little bug." Without secret identities in the way, Marinette and Adrien get to live out their love story and put their heads together to discover the identity of Hawk Moth... but an unforeseen twist puts the Miraculouses in Gabriel's hands. When he makes his wish for a world where his wife never became sick from using the broken Peacock Miraculous, the universe requires someone else to become sick in order to maintain balance. Who better than his greatest enemy, Ladybug herself? Adrien, with his memories rewritten by the wish, wakes up in a world without superheroes, without Hawk Moth, without Marinette, without friends, and without a clue as to why everything feels so wrong. Something's missing, but he's gonna find out what. Then he'll put his world back into place.

So this was a fascinating scenario, with Adrien waking up in a world where Marinette was dead while his mother was alive, a world that as far as he knew had always been the case... but having weird feelings he can't explain. And not just him, I love how much focus Alya gets here as well! Turns out that the memories are kind of hidden, but still present, and since Adrien and Alya never got to meet Marinette in this universe (she died just before the new school year began, at the same time that Emilie did in the normal universe) AND Adrien and Alya were her closest friends in the previous universe, their feelings towards her are closest to the surface and least impacted by the memories from this universe.

The other people in this universe... well, the class isn't taking Marinette's death well. It's fascinating to see just how much her death effects them, to see how it haunts them, and I loved seeing their reactions to Adrien's weird behavior about their dead classmate who he never got a chance to meet, it shows how strange some of this can look to the outside, and it doesn't help that these are grieving kids.

Just... this is a great fic, I highly recommend checking it out!

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2.

Symbiotic Whiskers by B1ackout

Adrien Agreste aka Cat Noir was given the cat ring miraculous to help Ladybug in protecting Paris. But something had found him first, a silent companion that granted him strength and power he never knew existed. Bonded with a symbiote, Cat Noir faces Paris alongside Ladybug without even knowing that someone left a magical ring in his room. (Canon Divergence)

This is a phenomenal fic that deserves more attention. It's kind of funny how he just goes "hey I've got superpowers, she says that the thing we have that gives superpowers is called the Black Cat Miraculous and that the being that gives them is called a kwami, obviously that must be what I have!" though that gets stretched more and more as Adrien's experiences with the symbiote contradict what he's heard about how kwamis work, and Tikki gets increasingly worried about "Plagg's" weird behavior. It's a dark, somewhat brutal fic (people die permanently, and they're not always villains), and it's absolutely worth a read, this is an excellent crossover!

1.

Withered Wings by @11jj11

Nino wasn’t sure if anyone had ever willingly took the akuma butterfly before him, but with his mind completely open to this apparent son of Hawk Moth he knew that he couldn’t turn him away. Not someone that was so afraid, not someone who would be left at the mercy of Hawk Moth.

This fic is amazing! Just... some absolutely stellar Adrino, with some nice Alyanette on the side, AND it's one of the best Enemies AU (well, sort of. Adrien's on Hawkmoth's side, but Nino isn't, exactly), in the fandom! I love how much we get of Nino's perspective, his determination to save this boy who's been thrown into these battles, who clearly doesn't want to hurt people but is compelled to do so, while balancing it with trying to prevent damage to anyone else as well. He has to be the one to look after Adrien, because no one else will do so.

I also love the focus Alya gets here, as Marinette's partner. She does an amazing job in the role, with every Miraculous she gets, even though she isn't a perfect wielder.

That's something else, I like the bits of worldbuilding this adds in, with people who fully embody the aspect a kwami represents being able to transform more fully. That does not mean, however, that an imperfect match is a bad thing, the kwami and wielder can still be very strong together and get along well, even if they don't perfectly align.

I adore how Nino had to balance his roles in this, helping Adrien without hurting others, even fighting back against the heroes as needed, as much as he didn't want to. And how understanding people were when they found out the full story of what was going on. It's a truly fantastic story that anyone who likes Enemies AU, Adrino, or just want to read a good Miraculous fic should check out.

I do want to warn that Gabriel and Nathalie are significantly OOC in this. Gabriel's even more abusive and colder than he is in canon, and Nathalie is WAY worse. This fic started before season 5, so it wasn't known what Nathalie's red line would be. As a result, Adrien's more downtrodden than he is in canon, since the consequences of disobedience are worse than being cut off from friends, or even being made to sit in a blank white room indefinitely.

[alirhi]

...goddess help me...

This fucking episode. *deep breath* This... This episode is where I'm expecting to get some serious hate. Let me just get this out of the way right up front:

I. Hate. Zemo.

I do not find him sympathetic, or funny, or charming. I find him creepy and annoying. I did not like him in CA:CW and I do not like him in TFATWS. If you are pro-Zemo, you are not going to like my version of this show from here on out. Just find something else to read and don't bother me about it. You've got the actual canon, so go enjoy that.

Got it? Good. Now, on to the main event!

Episode 3: The Power Broker

First of all, Sam doesn't let Bucky walk in there alone. No matter Bucky's (flimsy and nonsensical) argument, Sam's like "hell no. I go in with you, or you don't go in." The main reason for this isn't to keep Bucky from breaking Zemo out of prison (with decent writing, he would never do that) - it's so that Sam witnesses Zemo taunting Bucky with/about the trigger words. because Zemo is a piece of shit.

Since he doesn't know the full story, Sam is confused, but he files this interaction away to ask Bucky about later. He's listening to Zemo acknowledging that Bucky was "not conscious for most of [his] imprisonment" (which, yes, clearly refers to the time he spent frozen, but can also mean while he was under their control as TWS/"The Asset" - also, key word: imprisonment) and when he calls Bucky a means to an end, Sam scowls, looking ready to go off on him, but he waits. They've got more important issues.

Neither of them entertains the thought of breaking Zemo out for even a nanosecond. He does that shit himself. And literally the only reason I'm sticking with him getting out at all is because I want to address some truly egregious moments linked directly to him in the show. Zemo makes them think he's setting them on the trail when really he's just sending them to his motor pool. Bucky and Sam are confused until they see Zemo in his stolen guard uniform, then they're both angry and want to ship him right back to prison, but he strikes a deal with them: "My help for my temporary freedom. Creating super soldiers cannot be allowed to continue; let me finish my work, and then do with me as you will." He has no intention of going quietly back to prison, obviously, and they're not stupid enough to believe otherwise, but they believe they can keep him on a short leash, so they agree for now. Anything to bring down the Flag Smashers and whoever created them.

After the title, we cut to Raynor on the phone in her office. She's agitated, fiddling with things on her desk. "No, sir," she's practically growling, "it was disrupted. - Walker did! - It's not my fault your new attack dog got off-leash!" She pauses, huffs, and says more calmly, "No. Of course not. I'm sorry. - Well, I don't see how, with the new Cap strutting around barking orders! - What am I supposed to do? Tell Captain America in front of a dozen witnesses that he can't have his predecessor's favorite pet because we're not done reprogramming him? I didn't see that going over too well. I made a call. - No. No, no, no, we can still use him. The work's not finished, but he still trusts me. He'll be back." A pause as she listens. Angry again, she snaps, "What do you want me to do, shove a tracker up his ass? He'll be back, and we'll pick right back up where we left off! - Don't worry, sir, the Asset will be fully compliant and ready to use soon. I'll make sure of it. - Yes, sir. You, too." She hangs up and tosses her phone on the couch, grumbling, "Dick."

Cut back to Sam, Bucky, and Zemo getting going on their trip to Madripoor. On the plane, Sam wants to talk to Bucky about what he's learned so far, but doesn't want to bring it up in front of Zemo... until the notebook incident reminds him that Zemo already knows more about Bucky than he does.

After Zemo's line about the list, Sam angrily corrects him: "You mean people HYDRA used The Winter Soldier to hurt." When Zemo shrugs and his response is basically along the lines of "what's the difference" Sam is like "oh hell no."

"Those words you were reciting at him," he reminds Zemo, "what were they, Russian? They clearly meant something. They were supposed to do something. What are they?" "Sam, let it go," Bucky pleads, unable to look at either of them. "It's nothing." "You wanna drown in your guilt, that's fine," Sam snaps, "but make sure it's for the right reasons." He turns back to Zemo, who's smiling at this exchange because he's a monster and thinks Bucky's suffering is fucking funny. "I asked you a question, Zemo. What did those words do?" "They activate the Winter Soldier programming," Bucky grudgingly admits. He doesn't want to talk about it, but he's sure as hell not going to let Zemo speak for him. "Or, they did, before the Wakandans got all that shit out of my head." "It's a shame," Zemo says with a smirk. "Imagine the possibilities that come with perfect obedience." "I think you mean 'slavery'," Sam growls, "and I think you're in the wrong crowd to be looking so pleased about it. Remember that we can send your ass back to prison any time." "Of course," Zemo agrees, but with an arrogant smile that shows he doesn't believe for a second that these two have any real power over him. Still, he bides his time and sits back quietly, watching Bucky fidget with the notebook. Sam turns back to Bucky, seeing his discomfort; he won't let the topic go, though, not yet. He just softens his tone. "So, they 'activated the Winter Soldier'? What exactly does that mean?" Bucky shrugs, still not looking up. "Pretty much what he said - perfect obedience. What little consciousness they left me between cryo and the chair was squashed down, locked away. And I did whatever I was told, exactly the way they told me to." It finally clicks. He'd had his suspicions before, of course, but now Sam gets it. Visibly horrified, he stares at this quiet, broken man, and finally sees the truth of what he'd been through for 70 years: "They stripped away your autonomy. Shit, Bucky, they didn't even let you be a person. That's..." He swallows, looking like he'll be sick any minute. "That's awful, man. I'm so sorry." When Bucky tries to shrug it off and downplay it again, Sam gets angry. "Look at me!" He waits; it takes a few seconds, but Bucky reluctantly looks up and is surprised to see just how upset Sam is on his behalf. "It wasn't your fault. None of it. When Steve said you didn't have a choice, I had no idea... You really, truly had no choice; not even the ability to choose. That's horrifying." "I doubt it would make much difference to the people he's killed," Zemo points out snidely. "Or their families. Let's ask Tony Stark, shall we?" "You shut the hell up," Sam growls. He watches Bucky flinch and make that face - the face he's starting to really fucking hate - that says he agrees with Zemo. Bucky still can't see things the way Sam does; he still feels the guilt and shame, and even when he himself pointed out his lack of agency under HYDRA, it didn't click for him that Sam is right, not Zemo.

It's too much, too soon. Sam sees that and decides to change the subject, to give Bucky some time to process. He nods at the notebook, and they have their little Marvin Gaye debate, where Sam is over the top about it on purpose, because Bucky needs the distraction.

Of course, Zemo ruins it by opening his big mouth again and reminding Bucky of more trauma: his time fighting in WWII. That's why Sam latches onto the bit about Madripoor; to keep the focus not only on the task at hand, but off of Bucky's past that he clearly still can't cope with.

"James... You will have to become someone you claim is gone." Sam is officially ready to throw Zemo out a window. 😂 The only reason he doesn't jump to Bucky's defense again and basically tell Zemo to fuck himself (in a PG-13 way 🙄) is because Bucky's, as Sam pointed out in ep2, a grown-ass man, and because he's just learned how few decisions this poor man has been able to make in his life. Sam doesn't want to come across as another "handler," deciding everything for him, even if he does think this plan is stupid and needlessly cruel.

At the bar, when asked if he wants "the usual", Sam just casually waves the bartender off like "nah". Zemo already said they had business to attend to, so it's not like anyone would be suspicious that now's probably not a good time to be doing weird shots lol. (wtf even was that? I'm not sure I want to know, but...what part of the snake did he drop into that drink?)

Sam's not an idiot (I'm really so sick of this trend of turning intelligent characters into morons because the writers can't think of any other way to move their plot along) so his cell phone has been off this whole time. No sudden call from Sarah to put them all in danger. There was really no point to that, anyway; Sharon likely would have killed Selby for talking about Nagle with or without the excuse of "saving" Sam and Bucky. I mean, it's not like they know who fired that shot, ever.

"They cleared the Bionic Staring Machine," Sam still jokes, but he follows it with, "and they think he's a mass-murderer." "They think?" Sharon stares at him incredulously. "Didn't he kill pretty much everyone he's ever met?" "Wow." Sam glances back at Bucky. "She really is awful now." To Sharon, he adds, "You met Steve; do you really think he'd have defied 117 countries to protect someone evil?" "He did it for Bucky," she points out. "Let's face it - Bucky could blow up half the planet, and Steve's loyal-to-a-fault ass would still take a bullet for him." "You know I'm sitting right here, right? I can hear you." "Look, I don't think you're evil, Bucky," Sharon assures him. "But I know you killed a lot of people for HYDRA." "I'm not denying it." "He didn't have a choice," Sam snaps, glaring at them both. "But we're not getting into that right now. My point is, the government's afraid of Bucky, and they still pardoned him. All you did was steal something. I'm sure they can be persuaded to see reason." "The day the US government sees reason," Sharon quips, rolling her eyes, "is the day I sprout real wings and fly off into the sunset." "Careful, Icarus," Bucky mocks with a smirk, "the sun and brand new wings don't exactly go together." Then he shrugs and glances at Sam. "But she's not wrong."

At the party that night, it takes a few minutes (grumpy old man Bucky's not sure how to feel about the music lol) but a peek of pre-war Bucky comes out to play: they were told to "blend in", so he dances. At first he's just bobbing around alone looking stoic and out of place, but soon he's smiling and dancing between two attractive people - one male, one female. Sam is surprised, but before he can tease him for it, Sharon comes to get them all. Even she's a little "wait what?" at Bucky having a little fun lol. (recovery is not linear, guys. trauma doesn't mean "perpetually miserable, no fun, doesn't even know how to smile." in my TFATWS, Bucky gets his lighter moments; real ones, not humor at his expense)

When they find Nagle, Bucky's the one who notices and opens the secret door, while Sam keeps an eye on Zemo. Bucky catches Zemo trying to grab that gun; closes the drawer on his hand before opening it and taking the gun away. "Nice try." Nagle tries to get away while there's only one person watching him, but Sam catches him and forces him back into his seat. With a bruising grip on the back of Zemo's neck, Bucky drags him back over to where he and Sam can both keep an eye on him. Nagle is killed in the shootout as they're trying to escape; Zemo still runs off, blows shit up, and comes back with the stolen car so he's not totally useless.

I had no problem with Zemo being the one to kill Nagle; Nagle was the worst and def had to die, and Zemo has never had an issue killing anyone. Where I took issue with this scene was Bucky and Sam being dumb enough to let Zemo wander and get his hands on a gun. Nope. Not happening.

Anyway, shootout! Explosions! Funny banter! The seat thing, which is my favorite nod to CW ever lol... And then the conversation on the plane...

"You okay?" "Yeah." Sam sighs. "Just thinking." "About how to get Sharon that pardon you dangled in front of her?" He shakes his head. "About how Nagle referred to 'The Winter Soldier Program" like it was some kind of after school club; like you weren't standing right there. And 'the American test subject' like... Like Isaiah wasn't even a real person." He turns to face Bucky, looking angry and weary. "Makes me wonder how many times... How many times are we gonna run around in the same circles before people learn? And how many people need to get crushed underfoot in the meantime?" "Did you really just equate me with Isaiah?" Bucky frowns, not sure how to react to that. "That man is a hero." Sam opens his mouth to say something, but his phone goes off and Zemo approaches at the same time, effectively cutting off their conversation.

When they get to Riga and Zemo tries to guilt trip them over Sokovia, Bucky deadpan reminds him, "Neither of us were involved in that fight." "I doubt you'd have been much help if you were." He shrugs. "Probably not. But I like to save my guilt for events I was actually present for. It's a thing." Zemo laughs. "Fair enough."

Bucky goes on his walk, and meets up with Ayo.

[ordinaryschmuck]

What I Thought About the First Season of--

Salutations random people on the internet who most likely won’t read this! I am an Ordinary Schmuck. I write stories and reviews and draw comics and cartoons.

When I first saw the sneak peek of--

...I...didn't...think it would be anything all that special. I love animation, and I love superheroes, so it would go without saying that I would love an animated series about superheroes. But the animation looked a little too stiff for my liking, and aside from featuring J.K. Simmons, there wasn't anything grabbing me when it comes to this show.

Then I heard some s**t goes down at the end of episode one. So, letting my curiosity get the better of me, I binged the entire series in a day to see what the fuss was about. And, um...Yeah. Holy s**t.

This is a series that will very much make you uncomfortable in all the right ways. However, it is a gigantic gorefest at times, so if you get queasy after a single drop of blood, DON'T WATCH THIS SHOW! Trust me, you will not be prepared for what this series has to offer.

At the same time, I highly recommend you watch this series before reading this review. I'm going to spoil major plot points and characters so I can appropriately discuss what I think about the season, so trust me when I say you should click away if you haven't watched it yet. It's one of those series that are better to go in as blind as possible. You can call it a cheap way to appeal to shock value, but I call it one of the best reasons why--

...Is a contender for best-animated series of the decade--That bit with the title card isn't going away anytime soon, is it?

WHAT I LIKE

The Guardians of the Globe vs. The Mauler Twins: This is the best possible way for the series to begin. The first fight scene is bright, colorful, and kinda fun. Thus setting the ultimate expectation subversion in making audiences think that will be the series staple. However, just because it has the energy of a harmless superhero fight, there is a sense of intensity as the Guardians give their all in saving others. Like that moment with Darkwing (Not the duck) as he rescues that woman without hesitation, despite knowing he might die because of it. Or Green Ghost, who just barely rescues all those civilians from that falling debris. It shows that you don't need intense scenes of violence to make a fight scene thrilling to watch.

Diversity Wins: I don't know how diverse the comics are compared to the show, but I'm impressed with how inclusive this series is. So many members of the main cast are people of color, with the main lead being half-Korean. And it's not just different races that the series shines a light on, as we also get the rare, but very much welcomed, animated male gay character. Who's thankfully isn't cliched in ten ways to Sunday...for the most part. It really does seem like writers are starting to grow up and that it's better to be as inclusive as possible instead of pretending certain people don't exist for the sake of "convenience." It might not solve oppression in general, but it certainly makes certain people feel better, even if it is briefly.

Mark Grayson: Mark is a pretty solid super-protagonist if you ask me. Sure, at first, he comes across as whiney...and even more so in later episodes, but he's really an endearing character at times. Mark nails the role of the relatable everyman that's also inspirational with his determination since he never gives up until beaten to the inch of his life. Seriously, while he might not entirely be--

...I guess that bit with the title card really isn't going away.

Anyways, while he might not entirely be invulnerable in the literal sense, he is very much so in the figurative sense. Mark, in so many ways, refuses to call quits once he finally gets the hang of being a superhero, which is what makes him so inspirational. Plus, it's funny seeing how much of a rookie he can be to the gig at times. Mark is far from a perfect lead but is still charming to a fault, and it's nice seeing him grow more heroic each episode. I hope to see him develop more in future seasons, as he has the potential to be ranked higher up as one of my favorite superheroes (it's hard to compete with Spider-Man and Batman, but he'll make me consider it).

Debbie Grayson: This is almost what I expect a mother and wife of superheroes would be. 

Your son is constantly crash landing in your yard? Tell him to knock it off because he's past his curfew. 

Your husband disappeared into another dimension to fight off invaders? Shrug it off and expect that he'll be late for dinner.

It's a ton of fun to watch, and I adore how supportive she is of Mark, despite how much danger he could be in as a superhero. But, what really endears me with Debbie is her complicated feelings with Omni-Man. There's not a doubt in my mind that she loved him with her whole heart, but she also isn't an idiot. She is quick to pick up how unheroic her husband can be at times, often scolding him for it when necessary. And when she finally starts investigating if he really did kill the Guardians, I love that she instantly comes up with every single plausible excuse she can, despite knowing the truth. Because she believes that she knows who Omni-Man is and refuses any possibility that he might be a supervillain. So when she finds out that there really is no other explanation and hearing him call her a pet (big ouch when that happened), you wanna know what she does? She cries. Not because the man she loved is gone forever, but because the idea of him is. And it's that level of emotional devastation that comes from those complicated emotions that make me think Debbie Grayson is the most complex and endearing character on the show. And I. Will. Stand by that.

Seeing the Guardians of the Globe on their down time: Wow, what a cute collection of scenes that are charming as much as they are heartwarming! A set of scenes that show how human these characters are with their close relationships with friends and family! I sure hope it's not followed up with a brutal emotional gut-punch of a scene that will be even more devastating after thinking back on these! Especially with that bit with Martian Man and the little girl, cause OOO-WEE, would THAT tear me up inside!

Omni Man destroying the Guardians of the Globe:...I'd follow through on my joke here, but holy s**t.

That's really the best way I can describe all of this. It is a brutal, I repeat, BRUTAL scene that will stick with you hours after watching it. Not only that, but it's one of the few instances when I was damn near speechless because I couldn't think of anything else to say other than, "Holy s**t." The only time another superhero property did that was Avengers: Infinity War, except with that, the only difference is that the characters come back. Here, except for The Immortal, the Guardians stay dead! There's no magic amulet or alternate versions from another dimension. No, they die and never come back. Thus setting up how serious the show can be. Because if these superheroes can stay dead, then so can others.

Plus, what makes it more impactful is how throughout the entire fight, there was a glimpse of hope that the Guardians can beat Omni-Man. I heard he got nerfed for the sake of drama, and I approve of that decision. Because if he was really--

...If he was really unbeatable, then the fight doesn't have weight to it. There wouldn't be a point in rooting for these characters to win when we already know they're going to lose. But, by showing there's a chance that they could win, it becomes all the more intense watching the fight and even more tragic seeing them lose. It is a masterpiece of a battle that proves once and for all: Batman is right. You need contingency plans.

Omni Man: J. Jonah Jameson has become the one thing he hates the most: A masked MENACE...Ok, I know Omni-Man doesn't wear a mask, so the joke doesn't work as well as it could. But it was served to me on a silver platter, damn it! I had to take it!

In all seriousness, though, Omni-Man might give Homelander a run for his money on best evil Superman. Because while Homelander might be terrifying in his own right with his style of evil, Omni-Man takes it a step up a notch with the mystery behind WHY he killed the Guardians of the Globe. We know right away that there's something off with him, but up until that point, we see multiple instances of Omni-Man doing the right thing rather than the wrong. Sure, he might come off as cold when interacting with people, but so does Batman and other great superheroes in comics. That doesn't mean he's evil. So when he does do something so incredibly heinous, we're left with this mystery as to why. Because there has to be a reason for it all, right? Like, maybe mind control or his family was threatened. Something and anything that means he was forced into killing the noblest of people. So when it turns out that his actions were intentional, it is already pretty devastating. But when we find out why he does these things, it paints how truly evil Omni-Man is, given how little respect he has for human life.

Plus, as terrifying as Homelander is, Omni-Man is ten times more of an engaging villain. With Homelander, what you see is what you get: A narcissist with a god complex. For Omni-Man, it's more or less the same thing, but it's something fed to him because of the conditioning from his planet. There is a tiny, molecule-sized part of him that genuinely cares about others. It doesn't change what he does, nor does it mean he deserves forgiveness (far from it), but it hints that maybe he's not evil because of his own ego. It's because of how he's trained to be. And judging by his pained expressions from Mark's words and the single tear he sheds when leaving everything behind, there's a chance that he might be willing to fight back that mentality.

Or he will stay evil, and that he'll return to do worse things in the future. I don't know. I haven't read the comics. But I feel like I don't need to read anything to tell you all that Omni-Man is up there as one of the most intriguing comic book villains of all time, and I can't wait to see what happens with him next.

This show is f**king Violent: I mean, I refer you back to that scene where Omni-Man destroys the Guardians of the Globe. But, unlike other shows that use violence to force that mature rating, I feel as though In--

...Title card. You were cute the first time, but now your novelty has quickly worn thin.

Anyways, I feel as though this show...uses gore more appropriately. More often than not, death and carnage get treated as a literal joke in adult cartoons because people are sick bastards, I guess. But with...the current series I'm talking about, it all has an impact. No one dies or gets mangled for the sake of shock value or for a laugh. Instead, every instance of this type of violence is to either make a point, set the tone, or prove just how dangerous a specific character is. It makes...the series more mature than most adult cartoons you'll find because it actually brings a worthy discussion for its violence rather than milking it to give the illusion of maturity. And I gotta respect the writers for doing that.

Cecil: This man is basically Nick Fury if he was overpowered but in a good way. There is just something about a man who knows superheroes are needed in the world but also trusts a "hero" like Omni-Man as far as he can throw him. Not only does Cecil have contingency plans for his contingency plans, but the guy also knows to send the right heroes out for the exact missions that require them. Plus, a man is an instant badass when he's stone-faced about a demon saying he'll go somewhere worse than hell and is calm when being face-to-face with an angry Omni-Man.

I don't make the rules. I just abide by them.

The title card gets bloodier with each episode: This is just a really cool gimmick. It proves how intense this show can really be and how the stakes get higher and higher with each installment. Also, I like to think the amount of blood that splashes over the title card reflects how brutal the episode will be, especially with episode eight, 'cause holy hell.

The plot structure: The way the story works is very similar to how a comic book series handles its overarching narrative. Even though the writers begin a new arc that continues for a handful of issues, the overall main plot still develops in the background of the current adventure the hero goes through. That's basically how--

>Intense inhale<

>Calm exhale<

That's basically how THIS SHOW operates. Each episode can be seen as its own story that's given a ton of room to develop with its forty-five-minute runtime (which blew my f**king mind when I started binging it). Despite that, there's still a great sense of continuity. Everything involving Omni-Man and the mystery behind his murder of the Guardians gets fleshed out throughout the season, even when it takes the background of Mark's escapades. It really does feel like sitting down and taking the time to read an entire volume of comics, which I like to believe is the intention. After all, what's the point of making a series about superheroes if you don't make it feel like a comic book at least once?

Dark Blood: I desire a series based on this character alone. I know it's probably just Hellboy, but I want it. 

The idea of a demon solving murder crimes to work off his debt in Hell is too much of a remarkable concept to strictly be a c-plot in one series. Give Dark Blood a spin-off, damn it!

The Realistic Portrayal of a Superhero world: Unlike certain superhero properties--*cough* DC *cough*--it's--

>Huff<

>Puff<

>HUFF<

>PUFF<

>HUFF<

It's. This. F**KING. SHOW! That really does an excellent job at portraying how much it would suck to live in a world of superheroes. Sure, you got the cool battles and awe-inspiring heroes with incredible powers, but do you know what else you get? Hundreds upon thousands of people dying from the very threats those heroes fight against. Not to mention all the realistic physics that come from people like Mark trying to save others. Just look at how mangled that old woman looked when he attempted to help her. It, uh...It sure did not look great. Don't get me wrong, I love superheroes and the worlds they live in. But when watching a show like...this one, it really makes me appreciate how I don't live in those worlds with them.

It’s Still Funny: This is something I appreciate the most. When most superhero shows go for the realistic approach, they go with the doom and gloom route, making everything so melodramatic about how serious the world is. But here's the thing: Superheroes are f**king stupid.

Don't tell me they're not because they are. Superheroes have cornball hero names, bright costumes, and logos on their foreheads, chests, belts, and what-have-you. Taking a superhero too seriously is the worst mistake you could make, which is why I love the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Say what you want about Marvel having "too many jokes," but at least they know it's for the best to laugh at themselves and embrace the weirdness. It's something similar with...you know what. Because while the series tells a serious and realistic story about superheroes, it's still a story about superheroes. So it tells some jokes and some pretty funny ones at that. Because while it's essential to include some drama in a story such as the one in...you know what, it's just as important to never forget to have some fun.

“Earth is not yours to conquer.”: Such a great line that gains an even greater meaning once we fully know who Omni-Man is. The main creditor for how effective it is goes to J.K. Simmons for making the line sound explicit yet implicit at the same time.

Allen the Alien: ...It is an absolute crime that this character only has about six minutes of screentime. Allen is such a bro, partially because of Seth Rogan's performance, that I would honestly be upset if he doesn't show up more often in later seasons. Seriously, bring him back for more.

The Mauler Twins: Thankfully, these characters get as much attention as they deserve. The banter between the Mauler Twins is always entertaining, often being the comedic highlights at times. On top of being funny, they also work as efficient villains who can come across as threatening at times.

But what I love most of all about these two is the explanation behind the cloning process. The reasoning of why neither character remembers which one is the cone is a brilliant idea that I'm surprised no one else did in the past (to my knowledge). It also provides some excellent fruit for thought in wondering if it really is better to live your life not knowing if you're a clone or not. The whole thing is great to watch, and it makes me really glad for their inclusion...too bad they had to be forced into a story that makes a character look like a reckless superhero and an inconsiderate jackass to his friend. Seriously, what was up with that?

“That Actually Hurt”: This just might be my favorite episode of the first season. Machine Head is both equally hilarious and devious, Titan might just be my favorite character due to how intriguing his allegiances and motivations are, that final fight was the perfect amount of brutal, and we get the biggest hint of the man Omni-Man really is. Having him simply watching Mark instead of flying in to help him actually shocked me the first time seeing it. It's not until we learn what a Viltrumite really is that it becomes clear as to why. He doesn't care about saving his son but instead seeing Mark reach the same potential Omni-Man did during that smash fest the planet went through to reach perfection. And something tells me he felt more disappointment than sadness after seeing his son get nearly killed by Tony the Tiger (I know he has an actual name...but this is funnier to me). It's such a solid moment with great implications that just so happens to exist in an even greater episode.

Eve deciding to just help people for the heck of it: I actually love this idea more for the potential it has rather than what actually happens so far. Because the main reason why heroes don't fly around and solve every little minute problem people have is that they need to learn how to act without help. If you suddenly make food appear out of thin air or stopping forest fires, you're doing good, but there's also potential harm that comes from it. I think back to that episode of The Powerpuff Girls, where the townspeople are so idiotic and complacent with having their heroes solve every problem that they really can't think or act for themselves. A similar thing can happen with Eve if she's not careful. Even worse, if she keeps trying to end famine for farmers, because she might get into a Supergirl situation with people building a cult around her. And, you know, that's not going to be fun.

But again, that's just the potential that this presents. We--Or the people who haven't read the comics--don't know if Eve will actually face this issue. Regardless, we still get some solid moments that proves just how much Eve is a true hero in this series as she has no other motive to help people other than she just wants to. And I actually think that's pretty cool.

The Immortal’s rematch: I gotta hand it to the guy. Not a second after being brought back to life, and The Immortal's already flying off to get revenge on the bastard who killed his closest friends in the world. Or, globe, I guess.

I respect that, to be honest.

(As a bonus, The Immortal causing Omni-Man's eyes to become bloodshot adds to how evil he'll be in the last episode)

Mark trying to snap his dad out of mind-control: Oh, I felt that.

I'm pretty sure we all felt that.

Ow...Big ow.

The Train Scene: ...This is the most horrific thing I have seen in entertainment. Seriously, while Omni-Man annihilating the Guardians left me speechless, this is another level. Because him using Mark's body to kill a train full of people ramming into them, leaving Mark all the more helpless to stop it, makes a scene that is so...so hard for me to describe how effectively f**ked up it is. It's one of those moments where just by seeing it, you know why it's awful in all the right ways. And I will never forget the look of shock and horror on my face when it reflected onto my laptop's screen after the scene briefly cut to black soon after the carnage. Because if that doesn't explain how unmerciful this moment is, I don't know what will.

Saving Mark after the fight: I really love this because as it flashes between still images of people carrying Mark away after his brutal fight with Omni-Man, it really feels like you're reading a comic from panel to panel. It’s pretty neat. I won’t lie.

WHAT I DISLIKE

The Animation isn’t that great: Now, in terms of action, the animation is fantastic. You feel the impact of each attack, there are some creative uses of powers, and the gore is better implemented because it's all animated. As for everything else...yeah, it kinda sucks. Movements are a little stiff at times, the CGI backgrounds could use a bit more polish, and don't get me started on the CGI crowds of people. I understand the shortcuts that need to be taken to make everything else more effective, but man, this series needed a little more time in the oven before being shown to everyone. It's never too bad, but it can be pretty distracting at times.

Amber: F**k Amber. Just f**k her. Everything people tell you that is wrong with her is one-hundred percent on point. She is easily one of the worst love interests, and to me, it has everything to do with the fact that she knows Mark is--

...That she knows Mark is--

...

...

...ThatsheknowsMarkisInvinci--

--BECAUSE IT INVALIDATES ANY POINT SHE HAS, GOSH DANGIT! I don't give a single S**T if she's upset that he's late all the time! If Amber was always unaware of it, then I would understand. But having her know means that she thinks her issues are more important than Mark, oh, I don't know, SAVING THE PLANET! I mean, the girl helps feed the homeless! You would think she would understand.

But fine. Maybe Amber's just upset that Mark's lying to her. Sure. That's understandable...BUT WHAT THE F**K IS UP WITH HER BLOWING UP IN HIS FACE FOR NOT HELPING ANYBODY AT THE COLLEGE WHEN SHE KNOWS HE'S HELPING EVERYBODY!? Even if it's her giving Mark one last chance to tell her the truth (which is a mile of a stretch, and you know it), did she really expect him to reveal his secret with tons of people watching? That is a crazy expectation that no one should live up to!

Amber is quite possibly the worst thing about this show. She was fine at first, and her chemistry with Mark was on point, but MAN, did she get worse later on.

And if I see one mother f**ker calling me a racist because I don't like this character who just so happens to be black...I'm going to be upset, not gonna lie. Because that is a cheap shot to dismiss any criticism, especially since her race has NOTHING to do with why people hate her...Or, at least, most people.

Edit (5/27/2021): Disregard the above. The long and short is that I don’t like Amber. She just doesn’t sit right with me for the reasons that her anger towards Mark just never felt entertaining to me in comparision to everything else. But saying her thoughts and arguements are invalid is not cool, and I’m sorry to both any readers who are black or especially female who would be upset by this.

Rex-splode: I understand the point behind Rex. He's a character who we're supposed to hate, so it becomes so much more satisfying seeing others s**t on him. But those characters are hard to get right if you’re not careful. Make them too irritating, then any suffering they go through will seem too little. Make them not annoying enough, and their punishments can be too harsh. Rex fits into the "too irritating" category. It's satisfying to see Monster Girl wreck his s**t after he started commenting how ineffective she might be, but with what he pulled with Dupli-Kate, I feel as though he might deserve worse. Although I will admit Rex gets slightly better in later episodes, showing at least a smidgen of character development. But I don't think it's enough to make his a**holeness worth it. Still, I hope he at least becomes above decent in the next few seasons, which is way more than what I can say for Amber.

(Seriously, writers, if she just disappears without an ounce of an explanation in the season premiere, I won't question it. You have my word.)

Edit: I no longer agree with what I crossed out, but I won’t delete it either. I want people to know the mistake I made so I can prove that I changed in the future.

Robot cloning himself to be with Monster Girl: ...Nope! 

Nope!

Changed my mind.

I am NOT touching that.

I will touch a lot of things, but I will not touch--That came out wrong.

Please forget you read anything.

Thank you, and goodnight.

Let’s move on

Transitioning to the title card: Here it is! The nitpickiest of all nitpicks! But, seeing how it happens in every episode, meaning that the writers have no choice but to commit to it, means it's one of those things that viewers are forced to get used to. And boy, is the transition to the title card hard to get used to! Oh, you thought it was annoying how it kept happening in this review? Well...fair enough. But trust me when I say it's much more aggravating in the show.

The funny thing is, I had no problem the first time it happened. It was a cute way to introduce the character as well as the title of the series. But having that be the basis for transitioning to the title card every time was a gimmick that got old real quick. Especially since every time that a character says the word--

--it always feels forced. What's even more annoying is that sometimes it interrupts characters as they're saying invin--

LIKE! F**KING! THAT! Because interrupting someone before they say something is one thing, but doing so as they're saying it shows a sense of bad timing. Not even that, because this is something that I feel like could have been the easiest to change in the series by having someone go, "Hey, maybe we should edit out this single second."

It's laziness that doesn't happen often, but it still grinds my gears a bit. Plus, is there really no other smoother transition the writers could come up with? Did they really believe this is the best way to do it?

Think, writers! THINK!

It's fine to have a gimmick, but this is one that really shouldn't have any follow-through on.

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

That's about all the issues I have with the show. It's far from perfect, but still, an A- is pretty impressive work. The stuff that this series does right not only outnumbers the mistakes but also heavily outweighs them. Besides, no show in the history of creativity has ever been perfect in its first season. There are always dents that need to get buffed out and improve upon for the subsequent seasons to come. Only then can a series truly be Invincible from all criticism.

...

...Oh, sure. 

SURE!

NOW it lets me say it!

GOSH, DANGIT, I HATE THAT TITLE CARD!

[alia-turin]

It has been three whole days since I have told you about my love for Caranthir, right?? Here comes another story for fairly young Caranthir

I’m continuing on my quest to get there some backstory, because no one else will do it for me. Couple of big thank yous come in here. 

@challengeofthedark I know you prefer to lurk, but I’m calling you out because you are great for bouncing ideas and you also did the beta. So yeah. 

Also @mentoskadraws for your AMAZING art being such an inspiration, I have no idea how I will do physical descriptions without you. 

As always thank you for reading.

Fic Name: Hold Me Closer Fandom: The Witcher (Aen Elle) Characters: Caranthir, Avallac’h, Imlerith Pairing: Caranthir/F!OC Warning: Angst, character death  AO3: Click  Summary:  Young Caranthir falling in love for first time thanks to a small prank from Imlerith. He is still too young and even naive about certain things.

Imlerith was bleeding in his hands, Caranthir had just a second to think before he opened a portal and moved them right in the healer’s room in the castle.

“What…” Orin, the old healer was not there, the voice was of a young woman who dropped the bandage she was holding as Caranthir walked through the portal barely supporting Imlerith. “Bed, now.” the woman ordered and he didn't question or protest at the urgency in her voice.

“Where is Orin?” Caranthir asked as he looked around, the man was the best healer they got and he did not know the woman.

“Help me remove the armor.” the woman ordered, ignoring his question, Caranthir raised an eyebrow, but obliged. He took his helmet and his gauntlets off and started pulling the straps of Imlerith’s armor.

“I think I’m about to die because Orin turned into a beautiful woman…” Imlerith groaned as they managed to pull his armor off.

“Where is Orin? He needs a healer.” he repeated himself looking at her this time, her eyes still focused on the blood coming out of Imlerith's side..

“I heard you the first time, I’m a healer, now sit down, and stop being in my way.” she told him with a very flat angry tone, as she grabbed some things from the nearby shelf.

Caranthir took a deep breath. No one spoke to him like that. Not since he was a child. He opened his mouth to tell her exactly what he was then he closed it just as fast. Up until now he had not truly seen her. He had seen she was a woman, but he was too busy dragging Imlerith’s dead weight and taking the armor off. She had red hair tied up and green eyes that pierced him like ice. He made a step back until his legs hit a chair, he sat and covered his face with the hood of his coat.

“Orin never had ass that nice.” Imlerith’s hand was on her legs sliding up as she was trying to clean his wound. Caranthir stared until the other man screamed and pulled his hand away. Caranthir smirked at himself knowing no one could see under the hood how satisfied he was with his little burning spell.

“What was it?” she asked and looked at Caranthir, his eyes were somewhere on his shoes making sure she didn't have a good view of his face.

“Striga.” he said and looked up again only when he sensed she was not looking at him. Imlerith was staring at him, his eyes narrowed. The man smiled, seriously smiled as he was being patched and tried for her ass again but Caranthir shook his hand. Imlerith’s face was glowing as if he just discovered some secret.

“I thought you Red Riders are good.” she said teasingly as she was closing the wound.

They were, they were also drunk and made a bet they could kill the striga bare hands, no magic no swords. Caranthir was not going to admit his stupidity.

“He will live?” he asked as he got up.

“He is a big guy, he will live.” she said and turned toward him, but Caranthir was already on his way out through the door.

“You should see what else is big on me…” he shut the door as he didn’t want to hear the rest of Imlerith’s sentence. He walked straight to his room, trying to think about...stuff. Anything really but all that was in his head was bright green eyes, the way she had looked at him.

He didn’t even touch the door, he opened it with magic, he closed it with magic. He just stood in the middle of the room breathing heavily, not really sure what to do with himself. He started pulling his armor just because he needed to occupy his hands with something.

He had to calm down. Nothing happened; he didn’t even know why he was freaking out. As he was pacing eventually he found himself in front of the only mirror in the room, covered by a bedsheet. Caranthir pulled the sheet and looked at the mirror, slowly removing his hood.

That was why he was freaking out. He could only hope she never actually saw his face. He ran the events through his head - he was wearing his armor when he came in, then she was busy, then he had his hood covering him, nothing happened. He pulled his hair back, revealing the scar on the right side of his face, it was staring just above his ear level and running down his cheek, to his jawline, trailing down his neck, to his collarbones. Another scar was starting just under the tip of his nose and cracking his upper lip in two, his lower lip was broken on the side from a scar pointing at his chin. There were also smaller cracks just above his left eyebrow and the left cheek, but nothing was as nasty as the right side of his face. He let his hair fall over again, that covered most of the mess that his skin was, but the scars on his lips were still there, the damage on his neck was still visible and some of the other pieces, but at least he could pass for somewhat acceptable with all that. He forced his lips into a smile, the way his scars pulled his lips made that smile look like a dog snarl in his mind, there was a reason he always smiled just with the corner of his mouth.. He grabbed the sheet in anger and tossed it over the mirror again.

Why was he even worried? It was not as if...he liked her or something. The world was filled with pretty girls. Every world was filled with pretty girls and he had access to all of them with just a wave of his wand.

Caranthir crawled in his bed, clothes still on, he didn’t care. He simply stared at the ceiling, thinking of her...it was a new feeling. He had been physically attracted before. He had women in his bed, but he never really cared about any of them. It was very physical, even animalistic. He had done what he needed to do and there was that. Unlike now. No, now it was different, and no matter how much he wished he could deny it, he knew. He had been in her presence just a few minutes and his heart was racing in a way that he had not experienced before.

On the next day he went to see Imlerith, he felt guilty for leaving the way he did yesterday and he also felt as if he should have not listened to the other man when he suggested they fight something drunk, no weapons. Imlerith was known to take stupid risks only to make his blood run faster, Caranthir alwasy felt that he was supposed to be the smart one between the two of them. No, he was the smart one between the two of them, he just...sometimes did stupid and rash things.

He made sure she wasn’t there when he walked into the room, Imlerith was already sitting on the bed looking better.

“I was hoping you were dead by now.” Caranthir said with a smile.

“That lady healer has a touch.” Imlerith chuckled and made a motion with his tongue against his cheek. Caranthir stared, clenching his jaw so hard his teeth hurt.

Imlerith’s expression suddenly became serious. “I’m just joking, stop looking so grim, don’t turn me into anything unnatural.” Imlerith got up and stretched, his hand on the bandage that was wrapped around his abdomen. “Now if you hurry you will find her in the garden waiting for you.” Imlerith chuckled again.

“Find who where?” Caranthir pretended he didn’t know what he was talking about. In fact for all he knew Imlerith probably wasn’t talking about her, but Caranthir had been thinking about her all night and every second since he woke up. She was in his cursed dreams and that was...exciting.

“Her name is Riona, we spent a lot of time talking about you. She said she thinks you are cute. I told her everything about you. How you are the best mage that was ever born, how strong you are…” Imlerith gave him a very cunning grin.. Caranthir didn’t like that, people usually died once his friend smiled like that. “I also told her you will take her on a date and she should wait for you in the garden.”

“You..what?” it wasn’t typical for him to raise his voice, he never shouted, even when he felt anger it was more of a silent storm in his head. Now all sorts of emotions ran into his brain and he just couldn’t control how loud he was.

“I suggest you hurry before she decides you don’t like her.” Imlerith chuckled.

Caranthir turned and rushed out of the room. He had no idea why he was running, he could just open a portal and he would be in the garden, but his brain had just one thought in mind. ‘She is waiting for me’, every idea of rationality was gone, every sense of what he could and could not do was also gone, all he needed was to get in the garden.

It wasn’t difficult to find her there, she was kneeling next to a patch of herbs, her red hair just standing out compared to everything else.

He cleared his throat as he didn’t want to talk, he had been running, he was breathing heavily, she didn’t need to hear him trying to form sentences when he was short of breath.

“Hello to you too.” she turned around with a smile and Caranthir almost forgot why he was there or his name for that matter. He could just stare at her smile for days and he would be happier than he had ever been. He had no idea what was going on with him..he barely knew her. No, in fact he did not know her.

“I’m sorry, I just spoke with Imlerith, he told me he promised you I will take you on a date, and I want you to know, I never asked him to do that, but I also would love to do that…'' he closed his mouth. At first her expression was full of surprise, then she smiled and covered her mouth to hide a laughter. Caranthir started rolling the events back in his head. Imlerith was..smiling and laughing. Imlerith had said he talked to her about him, Imlerith used the word date. He took a deep breath realizing he was an idiot. Imlerith would never set him up for a date. An orgy maybe, or some random encounter...date was not something Imlerith was familiar with. He was pranked. “Imlerith never spoke with you about any of that.” He wanted to open a portal under his feet and just disappear.

“I asked him about you…” she offered with a shy smile. “He said you have a stick so far up your ass you choke on it.”

“Of course he did.” Carathir couldn’t believe how stupid he was. He was going to find that big sack of shit and turn him into a frog and then toss him in the desert.

“Well...I wouldn’t mind...you know. Going somewhere with you.” She said as they both stood in silence for a moment, Caranthir too busy wondering if he would have the ability to kill Imlerith before he killed himself and just put an end to this shame. Her words made him look at her, green eyes just staring at him, shining in the daylight. There was his chance. He could salvage that. He could impress her and look less of an idiot than he did right now. He opened a portal and made a sign with his hand to her. “Well, follow me.”

They found themselves on an island in the Aen Seidhe world. He discovered that place a couple of years ago by accident, it was a small piece of land, you could see from one end to the other with ease, nothing lived here, just a number of palm trees and tropical plants. It was calm, only the sound of the sea and the wind. At first he had thought of taking her somewhere in the mountains, but that somehow seemed out of place for her. She just seemed like the opposite of him, and as much as he loved the snow and the storms, that wasn’t what he wanted to show her. She was like the summer in his eyes.

“Where are we?” she walked to the water and he could see her eyes just drinking the picture around them. “This water…'' That was another thing he liked about the island. The water was colour like he had never seen before. The type of blue and green that was absolutely unique.

“The Aen Seidhe world. It’s an island I found a couple of years ago.” he didn’t care about the island or the water, he was just watching her marveling at the view.

She walked the beach in front of them and then walked back to him. “You certainly know how to make an impression.'' She sat down on the sand and he followed. “Sometimes I wish I had the power to just go to a different world.” she said with a smile on her lips. “Not to escape. But just to see other things. To see what you have seen. All the beauty.”

Caranthir looked at her uncertain what to say. He had never...looked at it in that way. He had been curious about other worlds and his curiosity had been satisfied to an extent, but he rarely saw the beauty in other worlds, it was mostly ugliness. He knew about places like this one and he cherished them, but he saw other worlds as tools, means to an end.

“You are not a talker are you?” she asked him and he realized he had been silent awfully long.

“I don’t think I have much to talk about.” he pulled the collar of his shirt up covering the scars on his neck. She had probably seen most of them by now, but he didn’t need to put them in her face.

“Are you serious?” she looked at him, her eyebrows raised, her whole face bright and shining. “You, the Navigator of the Red Riders, a man who has seen worlds without count, who can move a whole army just by waving his staff, has nothing to talk about?” he smiled with the corner of his lips at her words, he knew he could do all that, but hearing she was impressed by it stroked his ego to a level that he had not felt before which was rare. He knew who he was and he was proud of his skills, Avallac’h had called him arrogant, but somehow next to her he felt like a child who can barely dress himself.

“Fine.” she finally said and reached for his face, he almost jumped back. “Tell me about these.” her hand was cupping the side of his face, right where his scars were, and her thumb was brushing against his lips.

“Not much to say about them, I was born with them as far as I know.” he grabbed her hand and moved it away from his face, allowing his hair to cover the place where her warm fingers had touched him. He didn’t let go of her hand, so small and delicate in his.

“You are ashamed of them.” it wasn’t a question, it was a statement, if someone else had told him that he probably would have been angry, but the way she looked at him...it wasn’t pity, he had seen too much of that, it was..concern. That shocked him. Nobody ever had expressed concerned towards him, at least not on that raw level.

“It’s not a pretty sight.” he smiled, not sure he could explain to anyone the collection of feelings he had about his face and body, but not being pretty was a good way to summarize all that. It did cover most of what was behind it.

“I think you are handsome.” he just stared at her as she said that. If anyone else would tell him that he would accuse them of lying, wanting something from him...but he didn’t care if she meant it or not. He didn’t want to care if she meant it or not, he was going to take it and even if that was a lie it would be the best lie he had heard in his life.

Caranthir didn’t answer, he leaned toward her and pushed her on the sand, his lips crashing against her, his body trying to be as close as possible to her. She kissed him back, her soft lips against his, her tongue in his mouth, she tasted amazing, he realized he had never touched anything that made him feel so...alive. She moaned in their kiss and he knew he could lose himself in this moment. He pulled away from the kiss, realizing that was his last chance to stop, any second later and he was going to abandon any rational thought his brain ever had..

“What’s wrong?” she asked him, disappointed.

“Nothing, you are perfect.” he ran his fingers through her hair. “I just...I don’t want it to be just that. I didn’t bring you here to fuck you.” he pushed himself off her. “I really want to, believe me, but I also like you. I don’t want it to be just that.” he had never felt about a woman, or another person this way. Sex has alwasy been that, just sex, a need he had to satisfy or something he needed to get out of his system. There was a lot he needed to get out of his system right now, but...as stupid and childsih as that sounded he wanted to make love to her, not to fuck her and that would be a first in his life.

“I wouldn’t hide it, I’m a bit disappointed.” she said as he got up and gave her hand to help her as well.

“That just means you would want to see me again.” he smiled when he saw the excitement in her eyes.

“Well..” she looked around. “Since you want to be romantic and what not, why don’t you show me this world. I want to see how the humans live. I know they control this world.”

Caranthir opened a portal, there was a town he knew about, there were elves in the region so their presence wouldn't be completely surprising.

He walked behind her as she looked at the buildings, observing with the same marvel she did when he brought her to the island. Humans passed them and ignored them or gave them nasty looks, but Caranthir didn’t care, not today anyway. They were nothing and his attention was somewhere else.

“It is...not what I expected!” she looked excited, like a child who had just discovered some special secret nobody else knew.

He was about to respond but a familiar unpleasant feeling made his skin crawl. He looked around in panic, trying to figure out the source of magic. Did someone sense him?

“What?” she must have seen the concern in his expression. In that same moment the wall next to him exploded, stone and dust flying all over. He started casting a spell, but before he could finish the world went into darkness.

When Caranthir opened his eyes it was complete chaos. Fire, people screaming, a woman in front of him holding the corpse of a child and crying. Nothing had sound, he could see but everything he could hear was the combination of bells and millions of bees just buzzing in his head. He touched his face and his fingers were covered in something sticky, he looked at it, just blood. He ran his fingers through his skull, he couldn’t feel any terrible gashes so he concluded that he would live.

Slowly he pushed himself up, dust was covering his body. He looked around, his hearing slowly coming back to him, people screaming and more destruction could be heard somewhere else. Magic, there was a lot of magic nearby and he could feel it, two sources. He looked to his right and then he saw her.

“These sorceresses will kill all of us!” a woman cried nearby, running as far and fast as she possibly could.

More humans were talking around him about magic and sorceresses and wizards, but he didn’t really pay attention, the only thing in front of him was Riona, her body limp, an arm twisted in an unnatural way, her neck broken so bad that he could see the bones rearranged under her skin, her beautiful face almost crushed by a rock.

Caranthir had never felt grief in his life. He knew what grief was. He had felt sadness, pain, physical and emotional, but grief was something he had never experienced. He was pretty sure he wasn’t feeling grief right now either. His whole body was possessed with anger, that was a familiar feeling. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His blood was boiling and his body was shaking. When he opened his eyes, everything around him was gone. No more humans, no more trees or houses. Only dust, the whole town turned into nothing just with a thought...then the snowstorm started.

Avallac’h was reading in his study in Tir na Lia, it had been some time since he had allowed himself to come here. He raised his eyes from the book, eyebrow lifting up as he felt something familiar. He got up slowly and walked to Caranthir’s room, almost convinced that he was imagining it.

He was not. The man was sitting on his bed, just staring at Avallac’h as he walked in. Caranthir’s hair and face were covered in dried blood, the blonde and silver hairs were painted in brown, black and red, stuck together, his clothes were another mess of blood, dust and mud. His pale eyes were just looking somewhere past the Sage, not even at him.

Avallac’h walked out of the room and quickly got some bandages, rags and water. Part of him wondered why on earth was he even bothering, Caranthir had obviously made his choices, he wasn’t his father, nor mother so why did he even feel worried? He ignored that and rushed back in the room where Caranthir was just as he had when he left.

“That happened on a hunt? Eredin?” Avallac’h asked as he started cleaning the other man’s face.

“Eredin?” Caranthir finally looked at him confused as if he had no idea who Eredin was.

“Do you know where you are?” Avallac’h looked at the cold eyes, there was focus, but also confusion and something he had not seen in the younger man before. He had, however, seen it in the mirror.

“The Tower where I grew up.” Caranthir answered with slight offence at the question.

“Do you know who I am?” Avallac'h was trying to clear the gory mess that was on Caranthir’s head to see how bad that wound was. He looked at the man, his fingers still working, the cut wasn’t deep but needed to be cleaned.

“A prick with inspirations to be a god.” His voice was flat, no emotion, but that wasn’t really abnormal for him. Caranthir either hid his emotions or expressed them all at the same time, something Avallac’h thought was dangerous given the boy’s power. No, not a boy, a man, he had to remind himself that.

“What happened to you?” Avallac’h ignored the taunt. They haven’t really spoken in years, not since Caranthir found his study. There have been one or two bitter comments, if he had to be completely fair from both sides but they had kept a certain distance between each other. Avallac’h felt certain guilt about how things had developed and he had wondered if he had been more open about what he was doing...maybe Caranthir would have never chosen Eredin and...well that was done now was it? Water under the bridge.

“In the Aen Seidhe world. Humans using magic, what do you know about them?” the young man continued with these random disjointed sentences as if they were having two different conversations.

“A human did that to you?” Avallac’h couldn’t believe that. Caranthir was strong and in the last years he had only grown stronger. How could a human do that to him?

“No...two human mages were having a go at each other. Then a wall exploded next to me.”

Avallac’h didn’t respond to that, nothing Caranthir said made any sense, the way Caranthir looked the least of it.

“Why were you in the Aen Seidhe world?” he decided to start small. “Did Eredin make you go there?”

“No.” Caranthir suddenly snapped out of whatever was bothering him, the spark in his eyes came back. He slapped Avallac’h’s hand away as if just remembering he disliked him. “I met a girl, I took her there. She wanted to see how the humans live. I showed her, but then these two mages were fighting and...I should have paid more attention.”

“Where is the girl?” Avallac’h was afraid he knew the answer.

“She is dead.” again that flat lifeless tone. Caranthir had never been about sharing his feelings or expressing them for that matter, but Avallac’h was surprised by the lack of emotion in his voice. He had taken some poor girl to the Aen Seidhe world, that couldn’t be just one of the usual entertainment he indulged in with Imlerith. That sounded like...effort.

“The mages killed her?” no answer followed. “Caranthir, that was not your fault.”

“What?” the confusion again in his eyes, as if he just snapped from a dream. “Of course it is not my fault, it was an accident. Killing the humans was my fault, but that just felt good.”

Avallac’h hesitated for a second. Whatever was happening in Caranthir’s head was something new. For years now he knew that the boy was gone and the man he had turned into was not someone Avallac’h approved of, but he had never heard of him to be vicious or cruel. The mess of words and short sentences did not reveal the full picture of what had happened, but he could guess. At the very least he knew that Caranthir had killed people not even as part of a Hunt and it seemed like there was no reason for killing so many. He knew Eredin would be a bad influence, but was he wrong? Had he created something more dangerous than he had ever imagined…

“When she died...I was angry. I just wanted them all to die. The mages, the people around...everything.” The scar on Caranthir’s lip made his smile crooked and evil. “I don’t feel bad about any of them. I only regret I couldn’t watch the mages as they died.” silence again. Avallac’h just stared, not sure what was going on in his former student’s head. He wasn’t scared, but the state that Caranthir was in was unnerving. Dangerous. “I will find every fucking bitch sorceresses in that world and break their bones.”

“Caranthir, whatever happened was an accident.” Avallac’h tried to calm him, but he knew that was a fruitless effort. “Whatever these mages were doing was not personal to you.”

“No, it wasn’t.” the younger man admitted. “But whatever I do to all of them will be very personal.”

[godkilller]

@izzabizz139

I wanna hear you rant about the Gin vs Hitsugaya anime fight bc I love seeing your pov and you clearly write better than whoever extended that scene :) pretty please

          out of character.  DON’T ENABLE ME SO MUCH !!  No but I cackled when I first saw this ask because oh my god, clearly you saw a taste of my annoyance about the anime adaptation -- no, adaptation implies it was accurate, I’ll say the anime’s take was “inspired by” the manga’s quick run-in. I’ll start by saying this moment is supposed to be a bit important considering, via the audience’s point of view, THIS IS THE FIRST WE SEE OF TWO CAPTAIN-RANKED SHINIGAMI CLASHING. The only other captain-involved fight we’ve seen thus far in the manga is Kenpachi  ( who is an outlier and should not be counted... no, I joke... but, still, Ichigo was not an equal to him, his sword was sliced through like butter. )  The whole reason I enjoyed this encounter between Toshiro and Gin was simply this; it wasn’t some fancy multi-chaptered fight. IN THE MANGA, THERE ARE ONLY TWO BLOWS MADE. One, by Toshiro, to begin the fight. The second, to end it, is Gin’s strike.

          I want you to know that I’ve rewatched this specifically to answer this ask, and only due to this, as I wouldn’t have ever sought it out otherwise. HONOR MY SACRIFICE.

          Read more for length. I’m merciful.

          In the anime, they monologue at each other, and it’s mostly a combination of Toshiro making three separate death threats  ( he starts this off by saying “I’ll kill you before Hinamori arrives” and then goes on rewording it each time, and then also repeats the death-threat he gave Gin prior to this conflict about “I’ll kill you if Hinamori bleeds” )  and then also Gin and Izuru talking about how truly powerful and amazing Toshiro is -- no, this isn’t me being bitter or petty, I literally shit you not, Gin has a line that is legit “AS EXPECTED FROM HITSUGAYA TOSHIRO, CAPTAIN OF THE TENTH DIVISION, A CHILD PRODIGY OF TH' SORT THAT ONLY COMES ALONG ONLY ONCE EVERY FEW CENTURIES. HOW VEEEERY DANGEROUS. YOU’RE SERIOUS, AIN’T YA?” like don’t get me wrong, love a good sarcastic little shit comment like that, but the amount of times the anime pumps Toshiro up like he’s their shinest new cash cow ( and he is, at this point, it is not even 50 episodes into the series and they’ve realized everyone likes him and he’s jumped to high ranks in popularity polls... earning him filler spotlights, and eventually his very own non-canon movie )  so everything coming out of Gin’s mouth feels like more bullshit than necessary. Izuru’s already literally monologued, internally, how powerful and amazing Toshiro is anyways. Why this ?

          Not to mention that, prior to saying that long-winded shit, Gin’s haori changed length three times  ( and once it was longer than his entire body by several feet, and no not in a ‘to show motion’ way )  and most importantly Shinso was drawn, consistently, at katana-length for the duration of their little spat where the following, too, happened: Gin frog-leaps after doing a backflip, Toshiro gives Gin two (2) haircuts, Gin ruins some floorboards and gives Toshiro at least one splinter in his arm, Toshiro whilst wearing socks lands on Shinso’s blunt edge and pushes the sword down with his footsie because that’s how that works, there’s another backflip somewhere in there that Gin doesn’t need to be doing, twirl, twirl, and ballet, Gin’s face elongates until his chin is bigger than his face, Gin spends ten+ seconds purely dodging very close strikes to his face as Toshiro is the only one making breathy growly and ‘tsuuaaah’ sounds, there is a brief moment of no gravity as Toshiro keeps hacking at Gin midair and Gin blocks it over and over again but they still stay in the air but they’re not standing or jumping or using reiatsu they’re just like, momentum-locked I don’t fucking know, Gin frowny faces as he blocks because like somehow this kid who doesn’t even have more reiatsu than him, whose arm strength should not be an issue, is like. making him nervous?? as sword sparks fly. if you know me at all you know I hate when they fuckin’ firework sparkler-ify swords clashing.

          Anyways, all of this happens whilst Shinso is the wrong length and Gin’s hair is getting purpler by the second and this entire thing is somehow a big jack-off to Toshiro’s immense strength even though he’s screaming and wailing at Gin like a child and Gin’s just a vessel at this point to Enhance Toshiro, which, fine, okay, but at least be more accurate with it god damn. ANYWAYS,

          THEY JOUST. They literally run at each other, swords centered, and run past / to the side of one another. Jousting. “Cause that’s how that works. No slashes, no cutting motion. Just swords centered, because the animators were like “no worries guys I know swordfighting basics that’s a legit pose” yeah it is WHEN STATIONARY. Not rUNNING IT DOWN.

          And then Gin’s sleeve is cut, somehow, from the Jousting, because wow Toshiro wow wow wowowowow, and then Toshiro comes back and starts wailing at Gin again and Gin blocks it, again, and it’s all very annoyingly repetitive, and Gin’s frowning and sparks are flying and Gin’s using Shinso, the katana-length wakizashi I guess, with two hands because like I said, the animators knew basics and basics are “katana are used two-handed” like. Okay, you’re not wrong, but I cannot stress this enough: SHINSO IS NOT A KATANA. It’s shorter and meant to be used single-handed!!!! sTop!!! So then Gin rips off the tattered part of his sleeve and throws it at Toshiro, who swipes it away from his face using his Zanpakuto because that’s intelligent and a piece of cloth was definitely threatening enough to use your sword to bat it away  ( btw, Hitsugaya wasn’t holding his sword with two hands at this precise moment, so he could have just... used his other hand )  and then Gin goes in for the classic “stabby stabby rapidly at you while the animation gets a little breather because we repeat this cycle a few times with flashy bgs and phew money made” ... WE ARE FOUR MINUTES AND THIRTY SECONDS INTO THIS FIGHT BY THE WAY. Gin does this for seventeen (17) agonizing seconds straight. Yes, I counted. That was sixteen and a half too many seconds for me, personally.

          Toshiro somehow lassos Shinso whilst Gin is stabby stabby-ing with Hyourinmaru’s chain component. I say component like it’s somehow some type of beauty guru’s lipstick holder, but really am I that wrong ? When else has he ever used this feature ? Anyways, he lassos Shinso because yeehaw I guess, god I’m falling apart at this point can y’all tell????? I need a drink.

          and so, because now Toshiro has Gin’s sword somehow trapped with chain even though it’s just looped around it, he backflips over Gin for a cool trickshot, no blow issued, just vibes, and Gin uses a big brain moment to tug Shinso and the chains slide off. okay now what. We’re past five minutes into this fight, nonstop.

          SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD TIME FOR GIN TO PAUSE AND APPRECIATE TOSHIRO AGAIN! “I see, I shouldn’t have underestimated you, HItsugaya Toshiro” I’m starting to have a feeling Gin’s VA was told to just wing these lines because the amount of times he fills silences / Gin’s mouth movements with Toshiro’s long-ass name is astounding, he’s definitely drawing blanks here but he sure as hell knows one thing: that damn ice-boy’s name. He continues by saying “I suppose I’ll end up regretting it afterwards.”

          Toshiro says that’s not enough, and it’s really dramatic and cool. His eyes even glow all icy and blue and pretty, like his flowy reiatsu. Aesthetic points were gifted entirely to Toshiro’s animations in this scene. Gin was finished in MS Paint and each new scene they had to draw Shinso from memory and try to remember what hue of purple his hair was at gunpoint. Toshiro lets off a big wave of reiatsu and then it vanishes, and he jumps up reaaaally high. like this guy’s flying. his eyes arent glowing anymore that’s sad. Bring Back Glowing Eyes For Strong Shinigami 2k21.

          Toshiro releases his Shikai, and it’s badass, the sky darkens, Izuru looks distinctly more worried than usual, and Gin’s frowning with his teeth out like Bugs Bunny’s having a bad day, all is right in the world. Toshiro and his released Shikai have a nice moment for the Pics, and a big epic freeze frame blur moment happens with it all coiled and swirling around him. Wrow!  ( click the ‘wrow’ it’s a link to my exact reaction )  Izuru narrates for the third time about how powerful Toshiro is, his reiatsu, his Zanpakuto being a deity who is only unlocked every few centuries. The strongest ice-type sword. Pardon the pun, but that’s... you could say, so cool.

          It can even control the weather. So hey, next time it’s rainy, cold, icy, or snowing and you’re unhappy, it’s time to direct a big fuck you at Toshiro.

          Gin dodges the first dragon, and blocks the second with Shinso because blocking water and ice with a sword makes sense right? This actually takes a solid amount of seconds as Gin cuts through the entire length of this ice dragon noodle. Things dissipate, and pause, too, to really drag this out. Surprisingly, this reveals that Gin’s made a boo-boo, his left arm’s frozen, which doesn’t even mean anything because Gin is right-handed, and Toshiro teleports himself behind Gin in true fighty fashion.

          We have arrived at seven minutes and just under twenty seconds of this fight, and Gin turns, DOES THE UNTHINKABLE, gasp! He opens his eyes. His red, dull, evil, gray-eyebrowed with purple hair eyes, and shoots Shinso through its hideout spot behind his haori. This nearly takes off Toshiro’s eye and upwards of his head, but the little guy dives down fast. The rest happens in slow motion, supposedly, because it takes an eternity and people talk entire full sentences in its span of time.

          Gin asks Toshiro if he’s sure he’d like to dodge that  ( it’s a little late for that ) and says that Momo’ll die if he does. SHINSO SCRAPING ALONG AGAINST HYOURINMARU STRANGELY MAKES NOT A SINGLE SOUND. Mute. Even though before they had no problem animating and adding sounds to them smacking blades earlier. There are soundless sparks though, so there’s that. Yay. Can you tell how exhausted this’s made me? I need a nap.

          Shinso is already more than halfway towards Momo, still unconscious, she most definitely has a serious concussion via Toshiro backhanding her midair consider she’s been unconscious for longer than ten minutes. Toshiro has time to get up off the floor where he dropped to dodge, realize with a shocked gasp, turn, shout her name, and watch as Rangiku arrives in a random glow of gold which never happens ever again and blocks the attack with Haineko. Haineko almost cracks on the impact, and continues growing in damage as Rangiku holds Shinso there, implying that she’s stopped it from reaching one-hundred sword’s lengths to pierce Momo. Yes I’m including that implication / note in here because we love to see Rangiku succeeding in life and being Not-Helpless, all while potentially damaging Haineko severely if it wasn’t able to hold him off. Yikes, Gin!

          Rangiku threatens to join the fight if he doesn’t withdraw his sword. Gin smiles, withdraws it, and then Shunpos away.

          Whatta mess. Oh, and the anime fight was pretty fucked up, too.

          This is a long post, but here’s the manga version:

Toshiro leaps into the air,

This is where the fight actually starts between them:

And end. 

Five pages. Two blows. Does not equate to ten minutes of non-stop fighting and monologues. Sometimes, and I mean this in the most unbiased way possible, less is more.

[sol-korolevas]

—𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐨 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭

pairing: rk900 x gn!reader 

words: 8.2k+

summary: “there you are, the wound. the warning. what am i, then? the breach?” 

warning: super mild violence (for now)

note: gosh writing dbh brings me back to the days where i habitually upload at least one fic to the tag. it’s been several months since my last fic so i’m gonna need to rectify that :3c this work is inspired by a previous fic, but i added more meat into this one. rk900 is such a bastard in my book and i hope i do his bastardness some justice so enjoy!

Never show weakness. 

Weakness can be controlled and manipulated. It leaves you vulnerable to the mercy of the enemy; it’ll kill you. But weakness is also a human facet that’s ingrained into the mind. And it’s a remembrance to humanity’s mistakes and proof of the existence of humanity. 

Someone told you weakness cannot be shed, but you can tether it and guard it with your ferocity. 

And, they said, ferocity is precious. 

Wear it like a crown of fangs. 

Hold it as a gun, heavy and warm on the flesh of your hand.

“What did you do?” 

All of a sudden, you feel the oppressive stare of RK900 pushing down on you. When once you can easily respond in kind, you now feel at a loss. 

Control everything, even your weakest emotions. 

And yet, you still lost control. You pulled the trigger too early, believing that you had won. After the explosion comes reality, the world shatters, bending forward until it's weight pushes you down onto your knees. The gun in your hand slips out and clatters onto the ground beside you - now just a deadweight. The ringing is loud and you’re not sure if it's from the aftermath of the shooting or from your own mind. You cannot block out the noise no matter how close you press your palm to your ears. Suddenly, you have no idea where everything is anymore. All you can think about is the ‘why’s ‘and the ‘how’s’. 

“[Name]!” a familiar voice calls to you and you turn your gaze towards it, eyes watching with a pathetic plea for help. RK900’s icy stare run chills down your spine, even more so when he’s standing tall and looking down upon you like the wraith he is. 

He crouches then, setting his gun beside him, his body blocking away the sight behind him as he takes your chin and tilts it up. The gesture is tender, if not for the blankness of his stare. 

You sometimes forget he’s incapable of the fundamental kindness humans have. Within his barren heart is just the life force that keeps him moving. 

The void in his eyes stare back and you panic, reaching towards his wrist with both of your hands so you can wrap them around it. 

He doesn’t let go. 

“Why did you shoot the hostage, [Name]?” he murmurs, but the venom in his words is clear. “You were supposed to save it and you failed.” When you don’t respond, he squeezes your chin and, out of instinct, you attempt to stand, almost falling to the ground before RK900 grabs your shoulders and pushes you down.

“Don’t move,” he says. “Just answer my question.”

The flicker of emotion in his words terrifies you and it further reminds you of the catastrophe laid out in front. 

“I-I lost control of myself—” you choke out, eyes following RK900’s movement as he stands and walks toward the fallen android. 

Time becomes still. The ocean doesn’t smell like an ocean anymore as the scent of red and blue blood bloats the air. Even the gull birds’ cries have been swept away by the chill of the aftermath. Shadow drapes over the cargos; the area you are in is illuminated by dim lights - the strongest of which is cast over the pile of bodies. 

The only sound left is the click of his pristine shoes and your heart beating through your ear. 

Your body falls forward, elbows keeping you from fully meeting the ground, as you watch him crouch down and take out the thirium pump. There are black wires still connecting it to the android before RK900 rips the pump away. You see the red LED light on the fallen android’s temple blink rapidly until it goes blank. 

“What are you doing?” you ask in horror. 

“Cleaning up the mess you made, [Name],” Rk900 says, throwing you a brief glance over his shoulder. His words quickly silence you, the brevity of it all coming back after the initial shock of seeing RK900 doing this. 

He then takes the kidnapper’s gun and shoots the android in the forehead, before replacing the gun back into the kidnapper’s hand and once more into its chest. The skin on his arm is dissolved - a safety precaution. 

The light of his LED circulates yellow and orange as his skin eventually returns. You watch as RK900 begins to search for something, before finding it - a bullet - and picks it up. 

He’s feeling the weight of it, moving it around in his hold as if studying the shape. “I’ve wiped the cameras and cleared the android’s memory cache, now no one will know what happened.” 

“No, this is wrong,” you quickly say, scrambling up. But before you can move properly, your body tips forward from the fatigue. And RK900 is there to catch you, gripping your waist with one arm. Immediately you rip your gaze away, not wanting him to see you at your most vulnerable anymore. 

But in the end, RK900 wins - he always wins - as you turn your gaze to him. You notice the corner of his mouth twitch as if he’s going to smile. Instead, he says,“ ‘This is wrong’? Would it be better if I tell the command what you did then?” 

The numbness in your mind stops. 

Some sense finally floods in as you disassemble his words. There’s nothing but a grim reality for you if word gets out. If he speaks - if any of you speaks - then the years behind you will truly be lost, forever. And you’ll be marked by the sin you just committed. 

But this is no less criminal than what you just did. 

And despite it all, the naively moral person in you still wouldn’t relent. “Unfix all of this, RK900.” 

“You can’t tell me what to do, [Name],” he says, pressing the hand containing the bullet against yours., “Not when I am saving both of us.” 

There’s no ‘but’s’ and ‘if’s’; no hesitations either. It’s either a shaky road ahead or punishment. 

You must accept this and with acceptance, you slump your shoulders. But the grip on your waist tightens and you squeak, feeling soreness everywhere on your body. 

“So now it’s a secret, and we lie,” you manage to say, forcing yourself to look into RK900’s eyes. But it’s not easy with RK900, despite having a hand in this. The look of superiority so natural to him diminishes all hope of sympathy for your plight. Although you’re not looking for that; you’re now looking for a semblance of peace, more than ever. “Unless—” 

Your breath hitches as he tugs you closer, his pale lips brushing too close to the shell of your ear. 

“Unless you are not doing what we all agreed to,” he tells you, voice calm and collected. This is now personal to RK900, you can hear it by the hush of his words. He sees some kind of chance, some kind of reason to do what he did.

Except, he has no sense of monetary or material value. You know because he always plays by the book - he’s a military and police assistance designed to assist human officers. 

He wants one thing and one thing only. 

“You want me to continue to work as a police detective.” 

You watch as he chuckles, eyes creasing with a hint of pleasure glimmering underneath his stormy gaze. But the brief look of human emotion feels foreign; it’s a mask he wears. Underneath the light, he looks far more like a fiend. 

The thick blocky letters of his name fizzle in and out as you mindlessly cling onto the fabric of his shoulder. 

“Absolutely, but you’ll listen to me without question. No more rebellion, no more excuses- you’ll learn from me and build your profession with my assistance.” 

You open your mouth to speak, but nothing manages to come out. In the past, he had always made it hard for you. You came in late, he scolds you; you forget a deadline, he scolds you; you talk too much with a coworker, he tells Fowler and then returns to mock you. To RK900, you’re too careless and naive - vastly different from the perfection that he is. 

To anyone else, RK900’s condition can be easy - normal even. But you know, underneath his request, is another demand. 

Absolute obedience. 

But now, everything is better than being fired. 

“Think of this as a punishment for you, [Name],” comes RK900’s voice. He still doesn’t release you, knowing that you hate unnecessary contact between himself and you more than anything in this world. You sense a certain kind of twisted pleasure forming in him, from the smugness in his tone to the way he looks at you. “And think of this as a lesson too, on why you should think before you act,” he adds. 

If you have a clearance of mind and of a stronger character, you would’ve argued back and taken control of the situation. Especially since you are his superior in both name and title. And under normal circumstances, you will absolutely rebel against him.  

He’s supposed to be underneath you, not the other way around. 

Sucking in a deep breath, you say, “Okay, I’ll work harder and accept your input.” 

It’s hard to keep sarcasm away usually, but this time you’re serious. 

A part of you still doesn’t feel right. It feels like you’re closer to corruption - the opposite of what you want to be. Your cheeks are heating up and there’s a tremble to your limbs. The ringing in your ears is still present. 

“Very good, I know we can somehow come to a mutual agreement one day.” RK900 finally lets you go before passing a thumb across your cheek. You flinch and move away as far as you can. He knows you hate the agreement as much as he enjoys it. 

When you see him turn his back on you in the distance, you open your hand. The bullet is deformed. There’s a chance that no one will even know this bullet is shot by a different gun. You still have your gun with you. 

RK900 could’ve easily mentioned this and gave you peace of mind. 

And he must’ve transferred the memory cache into himself before wiping it away from the android. 

You’ve always thought he’s trying to work his way above you. 

Now you think he succeeded

“Detroit’s first android ambassador.” Fowler’s words are heavy and thick as he paces around his office. You and RK900 both watch in silence, standing side-by-side in front. The screen behind him flashes the news of what happened two days before. Every once in a while you see the frozen features of the android you shot, looking back at you. There’s no life in those empty-looking eyes. 

Nothing that gives a hint of it being once alive. 

Immediately, you look away. 

In one corner, you notice a small video screen with the leftover remnants of Markus’s rebellion speaking at a podium. It cuts off to Fowler speaking at a press conference, but the words are muted. 

You fucked up, you fucked up so bad and they don’t even know the other half of it. 

“Do you know the name of this android you’re saving, [Last]?” Fowler asks, nodding towards the screen where the android’s face appears. You want to look away, but you know it’ll only force you to dig a deeper grave. Fowler isn’t stupid; he knows all the tics in you from the moment you joined. There’s a reason why he’s here in this position. But Fowler doesn’t wait for an answer, because he says, “RK900, tell [Name] the name of the hostage that was supposed to be saved.” 

“Victor, sir,” RK900 says without hesitation. He doesn’t look at Fowler, instead, he keeps his gaze to the floor with an emotionless look on his face. He seems so passive and subservient; you couldn’t even hear the coldness in his voice. You’re not sure whether you like him like this or if you’re envious of Fowler because of RK900’s difference in demeanor. 

“Victor—” Fowler sits down on his office chair and brings his fingers together, his elbows resting on the desk— “Android-kind’s hope to rectify a long, long period of scorn and hate from the society that built them.” 

He sighs, huffing out a breath. “At least there are still other ambassadors willing to meet us.” 

You look up from your gaze on the floor, noticing the way Fowler’s shoulders sag as he picks up a picture frame. There’s a brief flash of tenderness in his eyes before he sets down the frame and looks back at you. 

“I’ve asked Hank to make sure the other android ambassadors are all safe - put them in witness protection if need be.” 

“That’s a very good plan, sir,” RK900 replies. 

Fowler is still looking pointedly at you, his face unwavering in the seriousness of the situation. You know your face is cracked, splitting between guilt and remorse. To the unknowledgeable outsider, they would think it’s from the failed hostage extraction. 

Silence slowly brews and Fowler is awaiting a response from you. RK900’s knuckles brush against yours in an effort to make you talk without verbalizing his intentions. 

You know you need to speak - you want to speak - but all the words catch in your throat. Even your mind is in chaos; it wants to justify what you did while putting in caution to not let slip of what really happened; it wants to come up with ways to make some kind of amendment, some kind of solution to all this. 

But, none of this can rewind time and bring Victor back. 

“Why did you allow the kidnapper to shoot the hostage?” 

You tense, suddenly hearing the gunshot ring inside your ear again and the painful feeling of your knees hitting the ground. But amidst the chaos, RK900’s footsteps going towards the pile of bodies echoes with clarity. You still remember all the words he said, the promise he made to you, and the promise you made to him. And then, when you finally find yourself coming up with an explanation, you realize you couldn’t. 

Years before you promised yourself not to fall into the depths of corruption - as both a civilian and as police. 

But, oh, how the tables turned. 

“I-I won’t lie, we did fail, and—” you pause just as you feel RK900’s hand bump into the back of yours. It’s a deliberate act; it’s him warning you not to tell. And you look at him - at his face - and see the faint furrow of his dark brows and the set of his jaw. He doesn’t look back, but you can already feel his voice playing against your mind. 

Keep quiet.  

RK900’s hands are now folded behind his back as he takes one step forward. “We tried initiating contact with the kidnapper as diplomatically as possible, but when he saw us, he struck. I believe he meant to kill the hostage anyway; it was merely a game for him.” He spoke with such calmness that Fowler must believe it. 

And Fowler does - you watch him shake his head, his eyes looking to a spot beside your leg. “So it seems as if he’s playing with you - only to end up killing Victor and then himself.” He inhales sharply, before breathing out as he gazes back at you. “And I suppose you were the one who shot the kidnapper?” 

“Yessir,” you say, words slurring a little - a lack of eloquence and professionalism as RK900 would put it. You briefly look away, fingers picking at the fabric of your dress shirt. 

“Captain,  [Name]’s safety was also important - especially when they’re still new to all of this.” 

The words sting more than they should. Most because you know in some way RK900 is hiding his own opinion of you underneath a fake tone of sympathy and concern for you. In the end, he’s still the dominant voice and the dominant mind. 

You can tell Fowler right now about the degree to which RK900 made you obey him and work until he is satisfied. You once thought about lying to Fowler that you suspect RK900’s a deviant - despite being assured he cannot deviate. But you’re neck-deep in a lie right now and you don’t suppose RK900 will let you off this easily. 

And Fowler may not trust androids completely yet but he seems to have full faith in RK900’s responsibilities to assist you as both partner and mentor. Regardless of how many boundaries crossed, Fowler will not be able to regulate that because RK900 isn’t human. 

“For now I can look past your rookie mistake, but if the higher-ups question it, I’ll be forced to bring you back into this office for a thorough investigation. Mark my words, [Name], count your blessings now because I damn hope nothing comes out of it.”

This is the kindest Fowler has ever said to you in your work environment. 

“Thank you for your words, Captain,” you say, straightening your back. 

He nods his head, saying, “I expect a report from you by the end of your shift tonight, [Name].” He then reaches for something, a picture frame, before pausing. “You know, I sense a change in you. You’re not like who you were when you were younger.”

You understand Fowler is expecting an answer from you, but you feel trapped by what he said. A part of you feels confused, wanting him to explain. 

You then take a look at RK900, briefly wondering if he’ll say something. He’s looking at you instead, icy eyes watching you back, that telltale sign of condescension glimmering in his gaze. You immediately look back, staring at the group of picture frames on Fowler’s desk. 

“Yes, I understand,” is your only response, but you know it’s not the answer you nor Fowler wanted. 

You thank Fowler again and leave his office, the burdening feeling of something amiss follows you.

“I work better without someone hovering over me.”

You don’t feel the movement behind you or the heavyweight of RK900’s gaze sliding away. The intensity of his presence continues focusing on you, eventually forcing you to stop typing and push your chair away from your desk. 

“I believe right now would be a perfect time for you to work,” comes his smooth response. He’s standing beside you, stiff and straight. He’s a thoughtless being who’s realistically programmed to act and do a certain way. But now he looks as if he’s hiding away his thoughts as you look at him. You try not to glare at RK900; it’s unprofessional. But your annoyance isn’t well-hidden either as you return your focus back onto the screen. 

The DPD is empty except for you, Fowler, and RK900. Everyone else has their usual schedule of nine-to-five. It’s been such a common occurrence for you personally to be here earlier that you’re now used to it. 

“And within ten minutes the others will arrive,” you say, picking up a pen, “You can’t expect me to finish this report by then, won’t you?” Your attempt to sound less biting fails; if it is any other person speaking you would’ve been kinder. 

At least, you want to believe it so. 

“Do you even know how to write a status report?” His words are sharp and blunt as ever. Much to your abject horror, he’s reading the document. He doesn’t need to physically control it to do so; he can hack. You watch him narrow his gaze, eyes scrutinizing every word you typed. 

Silence folds over you as you pick at your thumb, now childishly put into a corner and unable to speak. You know you hold yourself accountable for your lack of attention to the finer aspects of reporting, but as RK900 begins deleting and re-editing your current progress, you know he’s trying to get underneath your skin. 

“Use what I wrote as a guide,” he finally says, stepping back for you to read, “I assume the police academy never taught you how to write.” There’s a teasing lilt in the last of his words, but it means so much more than that to you. 

Leaning in, you begin to type, using what he wrote as guidance, just as he directed. You’ve written reports before, for your high school classes and some of college. And it’s not that which is hard; it’s him, all him. 

“I understand you loathe my being here, but we agreed to it, [Name].”

You stop typing once more, feeling the familiar ring pulsing in your ear. “I don’t need to be reminded.” 

He never said you have to be formal to him. And in some way, you still want to show him his true place. 

RK900 raises his chin, his arms clasped behind him. He’s really looking down on you in the most literal sense. “I’m also doing what I’m programmed to do.” RK900’s tone is surprisingly soft this time as if his response is intimately between you and him. “And if you can’t write something simple as a report, then I would suggest you take remedial classes somewhere so you can.” 

“I thought you’re going to assist me, RK900.”

“With police work, not writing,” comes his terse response. 

“No more rebellion, no more excuses- you’ll learn from me and build your profession with my assistance.” 

He takes his duty of being your partner and guide to a much higher level than you had anticipated. And you fully understand that RK900 was built like this. 

Except—

The need to hide and destroy evidence wasn’t - no, shouldn’t be - programmed into him. 

Many times you’re not even sure you know what RK900 is. Time and time again something tells you he’s a deviant, but the high collar of his uniform and the promise by Cyberlife attests to something else entirely. And his strict adherence to serving humans far exceeded his capabilities of free-thinking. 

Just the simple thought of his role in that makes you shiver. 

But as you start typing again, you feel the tip of RK900’s fingers settle on the back of your hand and you turn your face towards him, silently asking for a reason. 

“Except for that little bit of rebellion back there, you’re doing wonderful,” he tells you, voice soft. The smugness returns as a vague smirk plays on his lips. You furrow your brows and ignore him, steadily keeping your eyes on the monitor as your fingers resume the typing. 

“Would you like me to tell the rest not to bother you?” 

Before you can respond, you hear footsteps coming into the precinct. 

Swiveling your chair around, you see Gavin first, his hands slipped inside his jeans, followed by Chris in his uniform, and Hank walking behind. And Connor, much to your disappointment, must have finally made his decision to leave the DPD. 

“Why you gotta upstage us again, Rookie?” Gavin says, holding his hands out. 

You are then greeted by Chris and Hank as they take their seats. Except for Gavin, who is still waiting for you to respond. A side of you is relieved he’s here; as annoying as he is, he brightens the place. But, on the other hand, RK900’s still here too. 

And before you can react, RK900 is standing firm beside you. A look of displeasure is on his face, lips thin and eyes pointedly looking at Gavin. “Detective Reed, my partner has a name you should use.” 

You reach for the cuff of RK900’s sleeve and grip it, pulling it against his wrist. “Don’t meddle, please.” 

Despite your attempt to keep your words between you and him, Gavin hears and reacts with a smirk. 

“Yeah, ‘don’t meddle’ you stone-faced robot,” he says, sneering. The look of ill-disguised contempt washes over his face as he crosses his arm. “This conversation is between me and Rookie, yeah?” His last words are directed at you, brown eyes flickering over to you, silently asking for input. 

“It’s—” you look back up to RK900, figuring that in the end, it’s better to placate him than Gavin— “I shouldn’t talk while at work.” Your words suddenly feel foreign and you want to sink into your chair. 

Meanwhile, Gavin stares at you, one eyebrow raising as he places his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Huh, you sound odd today.” He then waves his hand out and scratches the back of his neck. “Well, whatever, you do what you gotta, I guess.” 

You and RK900 both watch as Gavin takes his seat near the entrance. 

Then, RK900 moves until he’s blocking Gavin’s entire desk and figure, a motion that doesn’t go unnoticed by your eyes. 

“Unrefined wretch - his immaturity will cost him his reputation as the face of Detroit.” 

“You have no business judging him,” is your response. You lean back into your chair and cross your legs, partially relieved that the tension has subsided for now between Gavin and RK900. Yet still, another remains, hovering in-between RK900 and you now. Your lips press together, heel rubbing against the tile floors, attempting to strike down the budding irritation in you. 

“RK900—” you turn your chair until you can fully face him— “Why do you hate everyone so much? You respect Captain Fowler but only because of his status, right?” 

Strategically, it’s uncouth of you to ask such a question, especially during work-hours. You aren’t privy to the notion that anyone can hear you discuss this, or that RK900 himself might be displeased with the question. And true to your thought, he is, as his mouth curls into a frown. 

“They are all nobodies to me,” he says, words cool and even. But his eyes are an unbridled storm of hard edges. He lowers himself, bending at one knee as he looks you straight in your eyes. “You may have a good standing with them, but not me - I’m only programmed to work with them.” He presses three fingers on your knee and stands up. 

“Do with it as you will, [Name], but I am your partner.” 

You blink, but silently you acknowledge his response.

RK900 is right, however. He cannot develop relations with others aside from a strict work code. And there is a contrasting clash between him and people like Gavin, whose casual and carefree manner doesn’t adhere to the serious business professionalism of Rk900. Thus, easy enmity flourishes and that in itself surrounds every other individual RK900 meets. 

Hank and Chris now only ever talk to you outside of work. 

You feel just a bit more out of touch with everyone, but it’s not your place to argue when you should be putting those extra time to do your duties. 

RK900 left for maintenance after you finished your report. 

With his absence comes a peace that feels surreal, almost fake. His access to your phone and personal computer means he can send you case files and even message you if he finds it necessary. But knowing he’s going for maintenance means he won’t be able to do any of that for a few hours. 

And hopefully, nothing changes during that time. 

The last thing you need is someone finding the stored memory cache of that night. 

“Don’t think about it,” you tell yourself as you slip on your messenger bag. 

Before you can leave, Chris stops you. “Hey [Name].” 

He looks around, then says, “I was going to tell you this, but RK900 was there and I don’t want to end up like Gavin.” You see a nervous look on his face when he mentions RK900, which you wouldn’t fault him at all for. 

“Don’t worry, RK900’s in CyberLife headquarter now,” you tell him, adjusting the strap of your bag. 

“Oh, that’s a relief!” Chris answers, sighing. “Connor wants to meet you, Hank’s supposed to be the messenger but he got work to do. You can find Conner at the old playground - you’ll know which one.” 

There’s a beat in-between, before he adds, “Best not to mention it to RK900.”

“—and I cannot believe the process of finding an apartment,” Connor says, leaning against the black railing with a smile on his face. “But it’s liberating, there’s so much detail that I can decide for myself. Hank helped too; he argued with the agent and he must’ve worked something out because the next thing I know, he’s handing me the key.” 

He smiles and rubs his hands together. 

“It sounds like you really liked the experience,” you tell him. You watch as his shoulders shake, but he’s not laughing. Smile pulling into a frown, you touch his shoulder and say, “Are you cold?” 

“Yeah, my internal system sometimes gets sensitive during cold weather - I’ve replaced it with older parts.” He doesn’t look at you, instead, he keeps his focus onto the view ahead, where the ocean stretches until it hits the coast. Dark clouds curl from the factory chimneys in the distance, reminding you of the days spent bicycling through the empty streets, wanting to go inside one of those factories where your parents worked. 

And you don’t miss the way Connor’s tone changes when he utters those last words. It’s been a year since he left CyberLife and ever since then, both good and bad changes have come for him. Freedom for the exchange of degradation and a life of half-scorn and half-hope. 

You gleaned some of Connor’s experience from Hank. But you never had the chance to fully understand. 

A part of you doesn’t want to; comforting words isn’t something you can effortlessly gift to someone. 

“You think I can make it through this year?” Connor asks, clasping his hands tightly. He’s looking down, face full of solemnity and a vague sense of defeat. He doesn’t speak much about this kind of worry to anyone, so you are left struck with the realization that he trusts you enough to say this to you. 

You suddenly feel burdened and undeserving of that trust. 

You shake your head, silently gazing at the space between the two chimneys in the distance. The material of your scarf’s able to hide your mouth, but it cannot hide the frown from your face. “Of course you will,” you tell him, placing your hands on the railing, “You won’t break - I promise.” 

The phone in your pocket vibrates and you place a hand over the pocket and hesitates. 

Connor turns to face you and tilts his head. “[Name], is something wrong?” 

The voice in you wants to answer him that yes, something’s wrong. It’s RK900 calling, because it’s always him that cares too much to call you when you’re off work. No matter how much the deafening voice is telling you now to answer and yell at him, you can’t. Connor is here and this moment is for him. 

“Yes, but it’s there’s always a little wrong if you’re me,” you say, chuckling. 

His gaze softens and you don’t miss the way he smiles fondly at you. And despite the problems he’s facing, it’s always easy to see him do that. You’re not certain if he’s just like that or if there’s something you don’t know about it. But this is the Connor you’re most familiar with and you terribly miss having him in the DPD. 

And since he’s here—

“Would you ever think of coming back to the DPD?” 

Surprise appears on his face, taken aback by your abrupt question. He doesn’t respond but the LED blinks rapidly in orange. You don’t want to make it too serious of a question to worry him so you look away and pretend he said no. Connor deserves a break - a long one anyway - and it’s not like there are no androids like him out there who can fill in his space. 

Once upon a time, you thought he would be a good replacement. 

“If you don’t want to, I understand, but—” you stop yourself, taking in a shuddering breath as you attempt to collect your nerves. It’s unsavory - perhaps even pathetic - of you to want Connor back. But it’s the wishful knowledge that you can see his warm smile in the DPD rather than just the cold gray eyes of RK900 is a thought of comfort. 

You feel uneasy and you begin to adjust the strap on your messenger bag. The weight beside you is a welcoming right now. 

“No, I would like that,” Connor says, smiling. And you can see it, the flicker of hope in his honey-brown eyes. “I would love to work with Hank again, and I would love to work with you on a case together,” he adds, placing his arm behind his back. Then the grin on his face settles back as he looks to the ground. 

“But—” 

“But you can’t,” you finish for him, trying to sound as gentle as possible. Both you and Connor know this, that it’s an unspoken rule in DPD that Connor cannot work anymore. He’s ineffective, old, and useless according to his makers and the numerous flaws on his body has rendered him incapable to be on most cases anyway. 

But there’s another truth that overshadows everything else. 

“My presence isn’t particularly well-liked there.” He laughs, but it’s forced and absent of his usual light humor. You know he’s upset about this - it pains him to not be able to do something he truly loves to do. 

“It’s RK900, isn’t it?”

Connor looks back up at you and he frowns. He’s still for a moment, the wind brushing through his dark brown hair. Stray strands linger across his forehead, hiding the LED behind them. “My successor will be the first to have objections. I don’t think Detective Reed would like me back either, considering our last meeting involved my fist to his face.” 

“Fuck RK900,” you say, voice louder. You feel the sole of your boots digging into the thin trace of snow as you step forward. “He doesn’t own you and even I have more jurisdiction than him. Gavin’s long forgotten about that incident and I’m damn sure even he would rather it’s you in there than him.”

The fierceness in your words doesn’t betray the way your hands shake. You know it’s wrong to force Connor to come back. But your own selfishness far outcries the sensibility within you at this moment. 

Connor blinks, taken aback by your sudden response. You feel the creep of warmth through your cheeks the more time passes, especially when you realize he’s assessing you. That is something Connor will never part with, that instinct-like need to observe first.

But before you can talk more, a pair of footsteps, heavy and deliberate, breaks the silence between you. 

Immediately, you feel the warmth that had risen a moment before ebb back into a cold void. In the same moment you attempt to step forth, you decide to step back instead. Cold eyes stare at you, but you couldn’t find the previous energy you had to even look properly. 

“RK900.” And it’s Connor who said the first word, calling to his successor in the same clinical manner Rk900 would speak in towards everyone around him. All of a sudden, the [person] who spoke with tenderness is gone, his entire facade now hardwired into that of a near-emotionless being. 

And RK900, who up until now has been looking at you, turns his gaze toward him. He’s not in the Cyberlife issued white and black uniform but in a black turtleneck sweater and dark fitted jeans and polished black oxfords. Even so, the entirety of his form recalls the usual coldness of his existence. 

You’re aware that the same situation as this morning will happen again. But that was different; the one in front of him had been Gavin. 

This time, it’s Connor and he’s—

“A deviated failure, how quaint,” comes RK900’s venomous words, but it’s only concealing the darker intentions underneath. You’re not sure who to push back or who to tell to stand down. 

But you know who is more likely to act first. 

“RK900, that’s enough; we’re leaving.” In your attempt to break the dangerous tension, you wedge yourself between him and Connor, before pushing yourself against RK900. The uncomfortable closeness only makes you nervous, but the need to separate them far outweighs your own distress. “This is an order!” you add, realizing that RK900’s not moving. 

Neither Connor nor RK900 has said anything about your involvement, although they may be too focused on each other to care. This is dangerous, you know, because if they clash then no one - not even a military-trained soldier - can break them apart. 

The last time someone tried, it broke their arm. 

And that someone was you. 

You’re not certain you want to mentally live another day if something like this happens again. 

Suddenly, you feel a palm on the back of your shoulder. RK900’s glancing down at you and you look up, desperately trying to plead to him to go. 

Don’t make the same mistake, don’t harm him. 

“Is this why [Name] wants me back? Because of you?” 

You freeze, realizing this will never end unless one of them relents. You can still remember the first time, but now is not the time to relish in the past. And now that Connor has spoken, you know RK900 will make sure he gives him an answer. 

Turning your gaze, you see his jaws tense and the glimmer of hunger in RK900’s eyes. A tightness forms in your chest as you change your position and attempt to pull him by his arm. It’s useless; RK900 is as much a stone as he is a war machine. 

“Oh, worry not, we don’t miss you—” he breaks, eyes flitting back to you with a look of heavy disapproval on his face— “And certainly not [Name].” The last of his words are also for you, but well-hidden enough that only you know. 

Connor’s hand curls into a tight fist and no doubt is he thinking of using it like he did with Gavin. You can see it in the tenseness of his jaws, the wrinkle of flesh between his brows, and the narrowing of his eyes. The potent hostility between them only builds and builds despite the time in-between their previous meeting. 

And RK900 sees this, it makes him sneer in a show of dominance. 

“Are you really sure you want to fight me here? In a discarded playground?” The mocking tone in his voice is strong enough that you know it’s meant to enrage Connor. 

It’s working too. The red on Connor’s LED is flashing dangerously underneath the strands of hair covering it. 

As much as you want to see RK900 defeated, you know you cannot let Connor pull the punch first. 

“We’re leaving now, RK900, or I promise you I’ll tell Fowler about this,” you whisper, uncaring now of what happens in the future between you and him. 

“And what then? Don’t make me remind you of your position right now,” is his response. 

You see Connor looking at you, concern written across his face. “What does he mean by that?” 

For a moment, all eyes are on you as you attempt to come up with an answer. Once again you feel like a prey underneath the oppressive eyes of RK900. Still, you stand your ground and keep your hands on his arms. “Nothing, there’s nothing really.” A fake calmness is in your voice, one that you know Connor must’ve seen through. You tug once more at RK900’s arm, uncaring whether or not it’s too harsh of a gesture. 

“[Name]—” But before he can finish his sentence, RK900 has turned, finally allowing you to pull him away. “[Name] wait!” You hear Connor walking forward, attempting to stop you. But you throw him a look, a silent plea for him to not come. 

Not long after, the playground’s out of your line of sight. 

You’re going home, the waning frustration having worn away any semblance of peace in you. But the budding anger feels like fangs gnawing at the back of your mind. You don’t think you’ll get any sleep tonight and be able to wake up tomorrow either. 

But you also cannot go home, because RK900 is following you even though you’ve walked and walked. The feeling of his cold stare is like a knife stabbing at your back. So you stop, having walked into an alleyway that’s a detour to your apartment, and you turn to face him. 

He also stops, standing just a few feet away, eyes settling upon your own. The longer the seconds tick by, the more irate you become and the more nervous you feel. So many times you feel like you’ve been cornered by him. Now that you’re physically cornered, the hair on the back of your neck is slowly standing stiff and a sharp coldness runs down your back. 

“I’m off work.” The calmness in your tone surprises you, but you know that calmness will quickly subside the moment something snaps. The glance you give him is only a warning; hell, it’s a learned reaction from him. But, you’re not finished and the flame within you is blazing stronger and stronger still.“And don’t you think it’s unprofessional of you to try to antagonize an ex-coworker?” 

“I never regretted my decision,” RK900 says, clasping his arms together behind his back. 

“And the first time it happened?” 

“That was a mistake.” 

You almost laugh, knowing all too well the pain that coursed through your arm when it got broken. Everything was so muddled back then, your memory, that is. So you’re not sure who was the one that broke your arm. You want to blame RK900, but you don’t want to bend that low. 

“We all make mistakes, [Name],” RK900 says, sharp gaze stubbornly holding yours, neve letting you go. 

We all make mistakes. 

Right. 

“It’s a bit late now, isn’t it?” you say, words harsh but, in your mind, appropriate. And it’s not like it has a singular meaning. Your own bitterness towards yourself is still there, etched into the very words. Whether or not RK900 notices this is his problem. 

And you’ve run out of patience to wait for him to respond.

You turn and continue making your way out of the alley and into the street, where fluorescent lights decorate each shop. There are only a few civilians out, the distinction between whether or not any of them is an android or not now blurred by their lack of uniforms and LEDs. 

This time, you remain en route to your apartment, wanting nothing but the comfort of your bed. And when the familiar off-white color of the building appears in your line of vision, you walk faster. 

But before you can fish out your keys and unlock the double doors, a hand on your shoulder stops you.

“Why are you following me?” It’s easy now for you to tell apart his hand from others - there’s always a strength to it. You also don’t miss the intrusive warmth behind your back. 

This time, you turn out of your own will. The sun hasn’t set yet and you can see RK900 staring back at you, face blank - almost serene. 

“I have a question for you, and I hope you may answer it,” he says, voice low. 

“A question for me,” you say, sounding out each word slowly. Again, the nagging feeling of wanting to laugh, to scream at him, gnaws at the edge of your brain. You just want to go home and he’s not even giving you that luxury. 

RK900 seems to sense it too because for a moment you notice the way he frowns before he reigns his expression back. “If you had answered my call, I wouldn’t have to chase you down like this.” 

“Thought you were in maintenance.”

“I can still access the phone application installed in me - you should already know that.” 

You press a hand to your face and slide it down hard. You do, you do know he can call you whenever he pleases. It’s not like that was the first time he attempted to do so. 

But sometimes it’s easier to lie. 

“Okay,” you say, fully giving up now. “I’m all ears.” 

You think he’s going to talk about Connor, again. But, no, he doesn’t because you notice there’s no trace of displeasure on his face, yet. Instead, he says, “No matter what, I want to remind you all that I did and am doing is for you, [Name].” He closes in, his body now just inches before you. Thankfully no one’s walking the street right now except for a few passing cars. 

Your hands are up, ready to push him away, but you stop, letting them linger in the air. “You could change, you know. Be nicer, be better.” It’s hesitant, the way you say those words, and perhaps naive in the way you told it. 

“And why should I?” he asks, leaning closer. “Would kindness protect you from the world? Wasn’t it your own kindness that left you injured?” He’s glaring down at you, attempting to trap you in a corner again. You cannot take a step back, the door is right behind you. 

“I know you wanted Connor to replace me, I’ve known since you first met him,” he adds, sensing that you wouldn’t be responding any time sooner. 

He’s right. And although you question how he knew, you realize it’s too late to find out. But do you even care if he knows? It may be better for him to know he’s not all that superior if he’s second at best. 

“That doesn’t mean I won’t honor our agreement,” is your response. “And I only wanted Connor back in the DPD and not as my partner.” You take in a deep breath, mind now burning with the need to stray away from this, all of this. 

Your attempt to sound confident in front of his presence only makes you seem like a trapped animal even more. Yet still, you place your hands on his chest, holding him at a distance. RK900 reacts with a chuckle, much to your relief, as he stays. 

“Even if the broken one comes back, he will never make you a better version of yourself. Remember [Name], your dream? You told me about it when we first met; you said you wanted to become a police lieutenant at least. You want to earn it through hard and honest work. You have a powerful dream, [Name], and I fully intend to see it happen.” 

The conviction in his words shatters you. You know RK900 is incapable of lying, maybe hide facts and manipulate it, but never outright lie. At least, not to you. And you do remember what you told him before. That wide-eyed new member of the DPD, staring at their future android partner and telling it their wish. That was all you. 

But to know he knows of your dream baffles you. He’s efficient, merciless, and stoic - a well-built machine. And to think he remembers something as insignificant as your dream makes you want to believe he’s something more. 

RK900’s hand suddenly drapes over your own, causing your shoulder to stiffen. 

“Kindness is a choice [Name]. ” 

He’s slowly pushing your arms down. 

RK900 then steps back, his focus still lingering on you. “I see it, from time-to-time, but it should be directed elsewhere. If you can use something more efficient, I believe you’ll make it.” 

And he puts his hand up and waves briefly at you. Wordlessly, you wave back. 

“And [Name]–” he stops himself, eyes searching for something on you— “I forgot to mention this, but if you don’t need me anymore, I will be forced to deactivate and taken apart. They will see into my memory cache if it happens; remember that.” 

RK900 doesn’t wait for your response. 

Seconds pass and you feel yourself slumping against the door. 

This is all a ploy, one could even admit to saying it was a selfish act of benevolence. 

But it’s still not right. You want to believe RK900 is still an android, too crude and unrefined to be anything more than what he already is.

He’s only doing this because that’s what he’s programmed to believe in. 

Unconsciously, your fingers touched the back of your hand. 

You can feel the phantom warmth of his hand, urging you to comply. 

Your phone vibrates with an incoming call. It’s Saturday and you’re off, but the chance to be called on-duty is enough for you to rouse yourself. Sluggishly, you lean over and grab your phone. Several empty cups of ramen fall down before you find it. 

Looking at the screen, you notice that it’s not a number in your contacts. 

Surely it belongs to a telemarketer. 

But right after you slide it close, the same number calls you again. 

This time, you answer it. 

“Hello?” 

“Hey, [Name].”

You feel your heart drop. “Markus?” 

note: YIKES i hope you guys like this. i’ve never experimented with long chaptered fics before and as a writer in general i’ve been rusty. i don’t fully intend to make this story any longer than 2-part unless i get some neat ideas going. plus, if you haven’t known, i suck at updating multi-chapters ^^; 

[scandalousfemale]

Ch. 4 Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Chinese!OC x Kelce

This wasn’t supposed to happen. Zombies were meant for apocalyptic movies and TV shows where one could binge watch for a day and return to their mundane life. But something happened, a lab test went wrong and suddenly the outbreak started. This story takes place exactly three weeks after zombies slowly started to take over the planet.

Series Masterlist

WC: 5,320

Warnings: Violence, a whole lot of violence. Violence involving knives and guns. It’s a zombie fic, this chapter have zombies in it! I tried my best not to get too gory but at the same time, it does kind of go there. Main character deals with PTSD. I think that’s all the warnings right now. Like I’ve mentioned before, violence. Please, do not read if you’re not comfortable with that topic.

A/N: This was a harder chapter to write because of the fighting scenes and trying to get Kaili to spend them with characters so that you as a reader can also experience these characters in this universe. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it! I know that the support I get from this fic is amazing and keeps me going, thank you so much for taking time out of your day to read this. Also... how do you think Kelce will feel about the end of this chapter?? 

“Fuck,” Kaili cursed. The air escaped her lungs as her body hit the ground for the second time in a minute. Rafe had dragged her out of her room at first light, telling her that for her to have breakfast, she’d have to fight her way back in. At first, she thought he was joking, surely the boy couldn’t have been serious. But the minute she laughed, her eyes still half shut from sleep, he stepped in front of her with his arms folded across of his chest.

All sleep escaped her when he pushed at her shoulders to try and knock her off her feet, which wouldn’t have been that hard to do, considering he was a whole foot taller than her and probably a hundred pounds heavier. At that point, she wiped at her face and told him that he'd lost his mind, trying to evade his grasp as she stepped sideways from him. As big and bulky as Rafe looked though, he was fast. And he was able to push her back again, causing her to fall this time. They went on like this for maybe half an hour. Until Kaili started fighting back, throwing a punch that he blocked twice. The third punch landed solidly on his cheek but it was almost like it didn’t faze him, he continued instigating her.

Of course, he wasn’t quite doing this out of pleasure, even though Kaili would beg to differ. The group of kids had promised each other that they’d train the other in what they were good at. Seeing as the situation is only going to get worse from here on out. So, training began. Kelce promised her shooting lessons, Kiara had offered her cooking lessons, Rafe offered up his fighting skills (which, when she had asked where he learned, the younger kids in the group seemed to have a couple of things to say), JJ offered lessons on how to make weapons out of practically anything. And of course, Pope had offered her a lesson on pretty much anything boy scouts related; such as how to tell which direction she was going in and how to start a fire.

She didn’t expect anyone to go easy on her, she didn’t need them to, but Rafe seemed to be the type to give tough love more than he praises. Every time she learned one step or studied his movements, like learning when to move back when he showed signs of moving forward, he’d tell her to do better. He’d always find another flaw. His reasoning was a valid one, of course. He was punishing her for almost getting JJ killed.

Rafe was adamant that if she was insistent on running into the face of danger then she should be able to hold her own. In which she reminded him, in the nicest way possible, that she did, as she pointed to her knives. But he did make a point, on the off chance that she didn’t have her blades, she’d lose. And so she found herself, in the crack of dawn, on the ground panting and hoping that she could knock Rafe off his feet just once.

“Get up,” Rafe had said harshly as he wiped the sweat off his face with the back of his hand. His height more intimidating now as she laid on the ground, trying to catch her breath. 

“No,” she breathed out, her hand coming up over her face as she blocked the rising sun from her eyes. Suddenly in the shade, she knew he had taken a new spot over her. 

“What did you say?” Rafe grit through his teeth and she wondered if this man had ever relaxed in his life. 

“We’ve been going at this all morning!” She groaned as he gripped her forearms and yanked her up to her feet. 

“The next guy to come at you is not going to give you time to take a breather,” he reminded her.

Kaili didn’t say anything back, only narrowed her eyes at him because he was right. Again, Kaili had taken a deep breath in and quickly reached out for his arm, intending to twist it behind his back but she must’ve gotten the grip wrong because, in just two moves, he had her against his chest with her hands trapped against her chest and his arm. The scene was far too similar to the one the guy at the camp had set her up in. Without realizing it, Kaili had tensed up completely, clenching her eyes shut as she tried to block out the feeling of the man violating her.

She felt sudden darkness come over her vision, her ears ringing, and all she could think about was that she needed to get out of his hold. Suddenly, she was kicking her heel to his shin, thrashing in his arms as she threw her elbows back. Maybe she was even screaming because when she came to, Rafe had her on the floor again, one hand over her mouth as his legs pinned her arms down. She blinked the cold and dark night away, the image of that man’s blood spilling out to the floor as her blade was stuck in him. Slowly her vision was returning to Rafe’s wild eyes and his moving mouth. She couldn’t grasp what he was saying but the panic of not being able to move her arms freely was bubbling back up inside of her.

She closed her eyes again, trying to calm down before she had a complete meltdown at the immobility of her arms. That’s when she finally could focus on what Rafe was saying, he was telling her to stop. All he kept repeating was the word, “stop”. As she laid there, unmoving, she felt her wet cheeks underneath Rafe’s hands. Slowly, he moved his weight, lifting his body from her arms. She let out a sob then as she hugged her arms to her chest before quickly going up to his hands on her mouth, trying to peel him off her. 

“If you scream again, the zombies will hear you and come our way. If they haven’t already fucking heard you. Promise you’re not going to scream again,” Rafe’s tone was much less aggressive than it was throughout the whole morning.

Kaili only nodded, quickly backing away from him when he finally removed his hands. Still sitting on the ground, she had hugged her arms around herself. Embarrassed and confused at what had just happened, why she reacted that way, and why that man is living in her memories when she wanted to forget him.

“I’m sorry,” Rafe knelt in front of her, his tone apologetic and sincere. His hands carefully placed beside her so that she saw them in her line of sight but not close enough to touch. “I didn’t know— didn’t think you’d have PTSD from… whatever that happened to you,” he threaded carefully and Kaili reminded herself that he wasn’t there to see it happen. He didn’t know. “I also didn’t think you’d go fucking batshit but now I know, I won’t touch you like that again.”

Kaili just shook her head at him as she used her shirt to wipe the tears and the sweat away. Wanting to laugh at his comment and hit him in the mouth at the same time, she just leveled her eyes with him, “that guy I killed at the camp, he had me in that hold,” she explained soberly. She could tell the second that her words clicked with Rafe because apologetic and slightly annoyed turned into realization, which quickly turned into anger. He glanced at her wrists, the purple bruises that decorated it, and then back at her face. His lips pressed into a thin line before he wiped a stray tear from her face and sat down across from her if only to watch her back, as his long legs stretched out on either side of her. 

The silence between them wasn’t awkward, nor was it truly comfortable. Rafe glared at the spot between them and then released a long exhale. “I didn’t think about how that could’ve affected you before I dragged you out of bed today,” he began, still not making eye contact with her. “I was just so angry at the situation you’ve put yourself in. The one you put us in. That I made it a mission in my head that you wouldn’t put anyone in danger again by worrying about you if you just knew how to fight. I didn’t think that was how the bruises were caused.”

“It’s fine,” Kaili assured him but her voice was distant, “I didn’t even know I’d react that way. I’m sorry.”

Rafe’s hand was immediately on her knee, as his eyes met hers, “don’t apologize for how your brain deals with trauma. Trust me, I’d know. It’s not something you can control,” and it’s almost like he said it was a snarl but he was trying to be nice. Or at least Kaili believed he was. 

“How old was your cousin?” He inquired, seemingly lost in the thought that had upset him.

“She’d just turned sixteen,” the girl replied, noticing how his grip tightened for a second on her.

“Not so much older than Wheezie then.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat as she shook her head, “had her whole life ahead of her, you know. All it takes is one little mistake. A lapse in judgment. A second. Then it’s all over.”

“I think that’s why I’m so angry all the time,” his voice barely audible as the morning sun rose and the noises around them started to stir. She never noticed how loud everything truly sounded when she’d gotten used to the silence and company of just one other. “It’s not fair to her. She had her whole life to live and now she’s trapped in this nightmare. I’d go through it alone a hundred times if it meant she didn’t have to,” he kept his voice low, his furrowed eyebrows and angry eyes scanning behind her as he noticed the noises of the neighbors and their housemates, himself. 

“Trust me, I know the feeling,” Kaili put her hand over his, trying to comfort him but it doesn’t seem like her words or actions can get past the boy’s anger. “I’m sorry…for your sisters.”

“Yeah,” he said as he took a look at her, “and me for you.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. I didn’t know your cousin. It sucks but I can’t say I care much about her death. But I do care about you and how it’s affected you. How it still affects you and for that, I’m sorry.”

It took a bit for Kaili to digest his words. She had to rearrange his sentence and fill in the empty areas herself as she tried not to be offended that he had just said that he didn’t care that her cousin died but also, he was right. He didn’t know her cousin. He couldn’t have known how incredible she was and how much the world was missing without her. “You’re right. You’re shit at this comforting thing.” Kaili settled on a response.

She didn’t expect to make the boy laugh, the hardness in his eyes softened if only for a moment before returning. Shaking his head as if to get a thought out, he was suddenly serious again. “You know if it ever came down to it. I’d rather die than turn into one of them.”

“Well, technically you’d already be dead.”

“No, for real, before I turned — before anyone of you even turned. I’d pull the trigger for you. I hope someone will do it for me.”

Kaili processed the request and then nodded, “I think if the time comes, which I hope it won’t, you’d have a whole group of people here that would do anything for you.”

Rafe shook his head as if he didn’t quite believe that but he didn’t comment more on it. Moving his hand from underneath hers, he stood up, pulling her up with him. “Come on,” he said as they both started towards the house again, “wouldn’t want Kelce to think we’ve fallen in love and ran away together.” He teased, as her cheeks flushed, trying not to think about what Wheezie had also said the night before about Kelce.

——-

Four days have passed since the group arrived at the house. Kaili truly only kept track of time through how much food was left in their inventory...which on the fourth day, was almost out. Even when she and a couple of others were skipping their portions to make sure that John B could eat because he was healing and Wheezie could eat because honestly, they didn’t want to hear her talk about how hungry she was.

A trip to the store was starting to feel inevitable, even though no one was volunteering to be the one who went. JJ offered the idea to raid the houses next to them but Kiara pointed out that there might still be families holed up in their houses, too afraid to leave, and it would be unfair to strip them of their hoard. Yet even when she inserted her input, she wasn’t keen on being the one to get the food herself either.

Kaili, out of necessity and annoyance, had stalked up the stairs into what is now her room and had gotten back into her first day outfit. The one that they had found her in; the black long-sleeved shirt, tucked into her black jeans, that were tucked into her combat boots. The weapons belt neatly secured around her thighs and her hips but now she had a newly added gun to her waist. Kelce has been teaching her how to shoot while she had been giving a masterclass on first aid and knives.

Once Kaili had arrived down the stairs again, Kelce was already meeting her, wrapping tape around the cloth wrap he’d put around his arms to prevent anything from biting through. Kaili would’ve said that his thought process was sexy and the fact that he ripped the tape with his teeth was even sexier but he’d been avoiding her ever since the first time she fought with Rafe.

Okay, maybe avoiding isn’t the right word because it’s not like he left the room when she walked in but what he did was worse. He didn’t meet her eyes. She’d try to talk to him and all he’d do was hummed in response or reply to her question and shut down again. She was getting irritated since nothing that she had done had brought this on but she also didn’t want to confront him because he must’ve had a lot on his mind and maybe he wasn’t doing it purposefully. So, she allowed it to slide. 

“Where are you going?” She couldn’t help but be snippy at him when he attached the long automatic gun onto a sling and put the strap across his body.

Looking at her as if she had asked the most obvious question that he couldn’t believe he’d have to answer to, he replied slowly, “with you.”

“Uh, I’d rather go with someone who’d communicate with me out there,” she said, forgetting that she was going to let his silence slide, as she leaned against the kitchen counter with her arms crossed. “At this rate, you’d probably let a zombie kill me just to avoid looking at me.”

In a blink of an eye, Kelce had her boxed in with his arms on either side of her, gripping onto the counter as his eyes met hers. Something about the intensity in his gaze made her want to just push him onto the floor and have her way with him but she didn’t. Instead, she just rolled her eyes at his actions, looking irritated at their current position. 

His eyes searched hers as if he was trying to come up with the right words to say but couldn’t settle on one. “Have I been avoiding your eyes? No, look at me because it seems like you have something to say. Have I ever once ignored the hundreds of glances you’ve thrown my way and thought I hadn’t noticed?” 

“Yes,” she breathes the word almost immediately. She wasn’t prepared for where this conversation was headed nor was she prepared for his confession that he made seem so unimportant.

“I’ve got a lot on my mind,” he explained. Which didn’t make Kaili feel any better and in any other situation, with any other person, she’d feel claustrophobic between his arms — though he hadn’t touched her once. 

“All the more reason for you to stay,” her tone trying to sound indifferent as she stared at his necklace that was dangling between them. 

He chuckled humorlessly, “staying isn’t going to change anything for me. Besides, I’m not going to stay here while you’re out there.”

And maybe Kaili was imagining it but it felt like he had gotten closer to her as if his mouth could have grazed hers but he had walked off before she could even make sense of it. As the boy met up with Rafe in the living room. Kaili shook her head at the interaction, now was not the time for a distraction.

Rafe had decided to come along with Kelce and though others might’ve used him as a buffer for the situation that had just happened, Kaili had decided that the best route was acting like it never happened. It was simple enough. JJ had secured them a compact car that they could use and as they passed the fourth hoard of zombies when they had gotten into town, she was starting to become very thankful for him. Kaili hated the sight of them. Their greenish and gray bodies jerking about as some lacked their body parts. One of them, she could’ve sworn, looked right at her. The zombie’s one eye trained on hers as they drove by. The other eye dangling from its socket like some cheap Halloween costume. Kaili wondered if her cousin was now one of them if she could handle seeing her like that.

Her heart thumping in her chest as they pulled up to the grocery store, a couple of people running in and out of the store. Even as she saw the scene, she didn’t trust them. Humans were just as bad as zombies, if not worse. She wiped the sweat off the palm of her hands onto her jeans. As the car pulled into a stop. Rafe looked back at her from the driver’s seat, as if to ask her if she was ready. She wasn’t but she nodded regardless of her emotions. As she exits out of the car, she noticed that the atmosphere around them was a chaotic silence. People with shifting eyes, wiping their heads back and forth as they whisper to their company instead of trust their voice to be low enough not to get attention from the flesh-eaters. 

“I’ll take care of the water, you go for the first aid and some nonperishables,” Rafe whispered to her, and then to Kelce he had instructed him to find any type of meat they could cook if there were any left. If not, then canned foods were never a bad idea.

Kaili walked into the grocery store and dug her nails into her palm as images of Wei popped into her mind. No, she had a task and she was going to complete it. She didn’t have time to get lost in her self pity, not when there were other people’s lives at risk. Looking up at the signs above her head, she started walking to the correct aisle, sticking any food she deemed useful in her currently empty backpack. Not five minutes have gone by until she heard this blood-curdling scream from outside of the store. In the wake of her panic, she had zipped up her bag and clutched it in her hands before peeking through the end cap, towards the entrance. 

Her knees locking themselves in place as more people started screaming and running, she couldn’t tell if they were running in or out of the store. Hell, her fight or flight didn’t even kick in until she spotted a little girl in the middle of the entrance just crying. Now, the smarter option would’ve been to keep hidden, go out through the back as all the flesh-eating creatures ripped through the victims who were waiting there for them but she couldn’t. Kaili pulled the backpack straps on her back as she ran towards the girl, sliding on her knees as she scooped her up and began for the other side of the store.

“Where’re your parents?” She asked the girl as people ran by her and blood splattered onto their shirts. She couldn't get the girl to calm down as the shelves began being toppled over in an attempt to crush the creatures but all it did was create more noise.

“What are you doing?” A female voice was shrill as she ran down an aisle, “that’s my daughter!” The woman said as she picked up the little girl and cling onto her. 

“Then don’t leave her alone,” Kaili snapped at the woman, pulling the gun out of her waistband and firing two shots right behind the lady and her child, as the zombie was getting too close to them.

The woman had run off with her child, with no sign of even a simple thank you. Kaili didn’t think too much about it though, her main concern being that she needed to get out of here alive. Fuck, she needed to find the boys. Putting the safety back on the gun, she decided that it would probably be best to keep her bullets and use the machete instead and so she did.

Hearing a growl behind her, she quickly turned around, only to be knocked down by a drooling zombie who’s missing a jaw. It crawled on her with the jerking movement and she could hear its bones popping with every single move. She had moved her blade up between them and tried to move the creature off her with that, so she would get better leverage in the fight but it didn’t budge. Its tongue moved around in her line of sight, the top row of teeth mimicking the motion of snapping the jaws together if he were to have a lower one. Pulling her knees up, she was able to kick off the zombie, not thinking that her shoes had just touched the exposed ribs. Scrambling to get herself up quickly, she jumped onto the zombie with her blade in its forehead. She had cleared off some zombie necks as she made her way through the aisle, suddenly realizing how many dead people were around her, soon to be undead.

The urgency to find her friends has kicked in. In the midst of it all, she had sliced her hand on a sharp corner of a shelf. Finding a woman screaming for help, she was able to push the zombie away from her and jump on the creature to stab him in between his eyes. Before she even pulled the blade back from the oozing brain in front of her, she was met with a snapping noise near her ear. Instinct had pulled her back but that was before she noticed that the snapping monster wasn’t advancing towards her, that it couldn’t. With the overwhelming smell of human flesh from the creature spitting at her as it tried to bite into the air next to her, she recoiled back away from it. There was a hook around its neck and at the end of the handle, Rafe was holding on tight to it and flinging it off to the side. The thing was too brainless to get up by itself anyway. He had pulled her up quickly and grabbed her hand as he led her towards the entrance of the store, not stopping once to help the rest of the people who were still fighting the zombies. 

Kaili wanted to pull back but she willed herself not to look around, knowing that she wasn’t alone and it was about priorities. She wasn’t going to kill Rafe because she wanted to help someone she didn’t know. She concentrated on not tripping over the bodies and obstacles in her way that Rafe barely even saw as a hardship. Dragging her out of the doorway, as if he’d been in and out a hundred times before, he swung a bat that she hadn’t even noticed was in his other hand to clear a pathway. Kaili, seeing that they were heavily outnumbered, even if there were other people in the parking lot fighting these zombies as well, began swinging her blade next to him. Before she could even get the words out that she was looking for Kelce, a car had turned a corner and screeched as it zoomed towards them. Rafe pulled her steady to his side as the zombies were knocked over like bowling pins, the sounds of bodies hitting the floor forever etched into her mind.

Seeing Kelce through the driver’s window, they had quickly loaded themselves into the car and drove away. Neither of them said anything at first or even acknowledged what had happened until Kelce fixed the rear view mirror so that he could see her from the front seat as he drove, “are you okay?” 

It was a dumb question, of course. She wasn’t okay. Who could be okay after that? 

“Yeah,” she replied, hissing when she tried to grab onto her wrist to ease the pain of her palm bleeding but then accidentally gripping her bruise.

“Were you bit?” Rafe turned suddenly from the passenger seat, staring at her intensely as if he’d be able to make her crack if she was lying.

“I wouldn’t have gotten into the car if I was,” she spat at him, irritated that he had even asked that question. As if she’d put all of them in danger because she was too scared to face her death. No, that’s the thing about it, she wasn’t afraid of dying. She was more afraid of watching the people she loved die. Though at this point, she felt like she was getting used to it. “I cut myself.”

“You should’ve been more careful,” Kelce inputs his opinion into the conversation, definitely not reading the room that the girl in the backseat didn’t want to hear what she should and shouldn’t have done.

“Gee, you’re right. Next time I’ll make sure I don’t accidentally hurt myself...on purpose.”

“Okay,” Rafe raised his voice, sounding annoyed at the exchange as he tore his shirt off over his head and wrapped it around the gushing wound, the way that Kaili had shown him how to. Honestly, she didn’t think he was even listening when she was showing the group how to do it and now she couldn’t help but feel a little impressed. He knew the look on her face immediately and flashed her a smile, his eyes still dead as ever.

When they had reached their temporary home again, Wheezie had rushed out of the house to greet them but quickly ran back into the house when she saw the state of the car. The blood that covered it and the random torn arm that was stuck underneath the car, Kaili figured it must’ve been a grizzly sight for someone her age. Someone who’s never been face to face with a zombie.

Once they were all showered and bandaged up, they were sitting in the living room, Rafe had taken over as the speaker of what had happened earlier that day. Though he had embellished some parts, including the part of the story where he saved her from the zombie that was trying to eat her face off. Kelce didn’t like that part of the story much and Kaili didn’t attempt to correct Rafe that it wasn’t entirely like that. It was the only time that she saw his eyes shine in excitement so she let him tell it how he remembered. She did joke with him about it though, serves him right if he was painting her out to be the damsel in distress.

“All in all, I’d rate the rescue a six out of ten,” she said casually as she shrugged her shoulders, a smirk playing along her lips.

“I saved your life,” Rafe reminded her, his eyes about to pop out of their socket.

“Yes, but you also told us to split up in the first place. Honestly, Rafe, that’s a rookie mistake, to begin with,” and with that, the whole group had started talking over each other. As they finished their dinner. The first real one in a while.

____

After Kaili had cleaned up everything and made sure her bleeding stopped, she made it known to the group of people that were still chattering that she was headed to bed. She wasn’t at all that tired but she needed space to decompress. It was hard for her always being around people but even though she was grateful that she was with them and not alone, she needed to clear her head from the day that had just passed.

She closed the bedroom door and made her way to the window, overlooking the neighborhood, the lights in some houses were on while some people chose to patrol the streets with their big guns for a show as if that would scare off the looters but everyone knows that those desperate enough to loot already have nothing else to lose.

Finally curling up in bed, Kaili wrapped the blanket around her body and drifted off to sleep. Her slumber only lasted about an hour before she was awakened by someone shaking her. She jolted awake, knocking the intruder on the floor and jumping on top of him.

“Are you planning on fighting me with your eyes closed?” a familiar voice whispered and she tried shaking the sleep off of her, rubbing at her eyes to see JJ below her.

“I’m sorry, what happened? What’s wrong?” She said hurriedly as she got off him and made her way towards the door but JJ pulled her back and pushed her back towards the bed.

“Nothing’s wrong, relax,” he whispered at her and then paused, “well, something wrong happened in my room and in my bed but that’s why I need to stay here tonight. It was either you, Topper, or Kelce, and you are the nicest of the three.”

Kaili eyed him, now more curious, “listen, if you’re a bed wetter, you gotta tell me now.”

“No!” JJ denied almost a little too loud, which made Kaili purse her lips to the side and crawled back underneath the covers with suspicious eyes. “Pope and Kiara are like...fucking next to me. Typically I wouldn’t care if someone did that but it was in the same bed and they wouldn’t even let me join.”

At that, Kaili couldn’t help with how hard she laughed. Knowing him, he was probably serious. So, she patted the space next to her, “jump in Romeo,” she instructed as she yawned and turned to her side.

“Thank you,” he said the words so fast, they sounded like one. He jumped into bed next to her and spread out on his side of the bed, she guessed that must be more comfortable than sharing a bed with three people. Especially if those two were a couple.

“People need to get their priorities straight around here,” JJ mumbled, sleep taking over his voice as his eyes drifted close.

“Tell me about it,” Kaili couldn’t have agreed more.

Tags: @rafej-cambanks​ @downbytheouterbanks​ @anxietyandtacos​ @bedazzledbanks​ @millyelliot​ @stargazingstarkey​ @stfukie​ @jellyfishbeansontoast​ @rafecameron​ @queenk00k​ @kindahavefeelingskindaheartless​ @thegreatestofheck​ @starlightstarkey​ @spideymyluv​ @tomfreakinghollandneedsaoscar​ @pogue-writings​ @pankowrudeth​ @deathcompass​ @butgilinsky​ @cutiecolbsss​ @bricksatanakinswindow​ @outerbankslut​ @jiaraendgame​

[thebladeblaster]

Rebirth of the Samurai (Part 1)

Summary: This fic is a what if scenario to SMT4 Apocalypse. I would go into more detail, but I don’t want to spoil too much of what this fic entails. If this fic gains traction I may continue the story on from this one-shot. Warning: This is a long one.

This may be the last I write for awhile with college right around the corner. I won’t stop completely, but it will become a lot slower.

Two pairs of boots solemnly clattered down the road. The young men wore brown peasant garbs with ponchos. They both had fair skin. One had a brown ponytail and brown eyes. The other...had a black ponytail with striking green eyes. No sound came from the two except their boots. The air of silence was becoming overwhelming. They had failed...in their lifelong dream of becoming samurai before it ever even started. The brown haired man seemed the most shaken of the two. The black haired man was saddened definitely, but not quite to the same extent as his fellow. They were in what seemed to be a medieval city.

“Isscharr everything will work out. We might not have become samurai but...Uhh...things will get better.”, the black haired man tried to assure his friend, patting his back.

“...I can’t believe I have to go back to that accursed place! I don’t...I don’t want to be a farmer my whole life, Flynn…This...This was supposed to be our out...”, Ishacarr replied, in a disheartened tone.

“Hoy there.”, the two men stopped as a heavier man in baker’s garb ushered them over.

“I’m afraid we probably can’t afford to buy anything.”, Flynn said in a timid tone, rubbing the back of his head looking away.

“Oh no, it’s not that. Have you two by chance ever heard of literature?”, the baker asked them.

“I don’t believe so...have you Isscharr?”, Flynn asked, looking over to his fellow.

“No…”, Isscharr responded in a quiet tone only further concerning his fellow.

“Literature is very interesting, it's very different from the stories we know. They are about people in great turmoil. It has completely opened up my mind to the problems with society. As I read it I started to realize I have lived in darkness and ignorance up until now. It is adversity that develops a man’s character. After partaking in a sabbath and reading these books, I understand more fully...You see, Luxurors truly think little but their own convenience. Everyone speaks of equality, but that is a ruse we Casualries have been subjected to...”, the baker told them, pulling out the literature and placing it into Flynn’s hand.

The books read “No Longer Human” and “The Dancing Girl”.

“Ooh...but we can’t read.”, Flynn said as he looked down at the unassuming book shuffling awkwardly.

For some odd reason he felt a sudden chill down his spine as he held the literature. Ishacarr raised his head and looked up at the book.

“That is no issue you see by attending a sabbath you can gain the ability to read.”, the baker explained, making Flynn give him a skeptical look.

Isscharr’s eyes widened at the prospect, looking very interested. Flynn clicked his tongue as he felt that chill again. He placed the literature back in the baker’s hands.

“Sorry, but we’re not interested.”, Flynn replied, much to the baker and Isscharr’s shock.

Isscharr’s mouth was agape at Flynn’s response. His fellow wasn’t normally so assertive. “H-hoy don’t speak for me Flynn!”, Isscharr said.

“The sabbaths he mentioned sound extremely shady. The very idea that you can suddenly gain a skill that takes years of education is just ridiculous. Like a deal a demon would try to make with someone in a fairy tale. We’re leaving.”, Flynn replied sternly, very insistent on the last part.

Isscharr sweated nervously.

“Who the hell are you and what have you done with Flynn?! Flynn can’t even say no to his mother!”, Isscharr thought.

Something felt different about Flynn the moment the literature was mentioned. It’s almost like he shifted into a completely different person. The change worried Isscharr. Flynn grabbed Isscharr’s hand pulling him away from the baker with surprising strength.

“W-wait! Stop Flynn! I wanna check it out! This may be a chance for us to be something more than just farmers!”, Isscharr said.

Flynn turned to Isscharr looking at him from the side. There was a strange edge that appeared in his eyes that made him jump. The feeling in Flynn continued to grow more powerful.

“Isscharr, we’re going!”, Flynn insisted.

“No! It might be easy for you to go back to Kiccigiorgi with a family that actually accepts you and doesn’t act like you're a nuisance! You can go back! But...I’m not going back there! Not to those people!”, Isscharr yelled as they started to cause a scene.

“Then where will you go?! Where will you live?! Like it or not Kiccigiorgi is our home!”, Flynn questioned.

“Anywhere else!”, Isscharr answered, making Flynn snicker at his fellow’s stubbornness.

“You can’t be serious...you’ll worry you’re parents.”, Flynn replied, rubbing his temples in annoyance.

“Why am I getting so heated like this? T-this isn’t me...what’s going on?”, Flynn thought, genuinely confused at his behavior.

He felt like he could hardly control himself. This feeling that crept inside him before felt like it was...consuming him. Something in his mind just tells him that he cannot let Isscharr attend a sabbath at any cost.

“I don’t care about those assholes!”, Issachar yelled, making their growing gasp.

Flynn visibly flinched upon hearing Issachar curse his parents.

“You may not, but I’m sure they care about you. I believe their only do hard on you because they care! I’m trying to bring you back because I care about you!”, Flynn replied which made Issachar scoff.

“So, you're taking their side? Just like everyone else! You think I’m weird too! A freak!”, Issachar accused.

“Don’t be childish! There’s no sides! You think I would stick by you for all these years if I thought you were a freak? You're just throwing a childish tantrum! Think Issachar think! Do you really believe you can just run off on your own and do who knows what? We have responsibilities!”, Flynn replied, back sounding far angrier than before at his fellow’s accusation.

Issachar snickered, pulling his arm out of Flynn’s grip and starting to walk away.

“Where are you going?!”, Flynn questioned, as the poor baker looked frantically between the two squabbling fellows not expecting such a fight to break out.

“You might be content being some obedient servant your whole life Flynn. But I’m not! Pfft! A mama’s boy like you probably wouldn’t have made it as a samurai anyway...You're better off returning alone!”, Issachar replied with venom making Flynn shake.

Flynn gripped his fist so tightly they nearly bled. They shook like crazy as Flynn looked down at them.

“Why the heck did I say all of that? What am I supposed to do now?”, Flynn thought, looking back to Issachar’s retreating form.

Flynn prepared to run after his fellow.

“Don’t bother following me! Go home like you obviously want to!”, Issachar replied harshly.

Flynn froze, putting a hand over his heart which felt pierced by his fellow’s words. That hand formed a fist which shook again.

“H-hoy!”, the baker called out nervously, but he was completely ignored by the two fellows who walked off in opposite directions.

The crowd scurried away as Flynn and Issachar walked through. Flynn's eyes were shadowed and he gritted his teeth. Issachar’s gaze briefly drifted over his fellow whose head was lowered he could tell was hurt even from far away. He jerked his gaze away from Flynn not wanting to turn back from his chance to become somebody.

After Flynn got far enough away he collapsed against a wall lowering his gaze further. Men in blue uniforms patrolling the streets looked over to him thinking he was drunk. He flinched as another strange feeling struck him, but it was different from before.

“You alright there sir? It’s a bit too early to be drinking isn’t it?”, the blue uniformed man said.

When he got closer they noticed tears dripping from Flynn’s eyes.

“...I’m not drunk…”, Flynn said, sadness evident in his voice.

Flynn picked himself off the wall and strode past the man. As if to make his situation worse his head was throbbing for some indiscernible reason. The feeling that suddenly struck him only worsened his headache. He continued walking, not knowing where he was going. It was most certainly not back home. Not without Issachar. He thinks maybe they just need space for now. When he got himself back together he would find Issachar and drag him back home. Flynn felt even more miserable when another feeling struck him again. He felt his mind getting increasingly hazy.

“Why is Issachar so stubborn?! Why won’t he let me save him!”, Flynn thought, raising his eyebrow afterward completely puzzled by his own thoughts.

“Save him? What am I talking about?”, he thought.

The pain in his head only increased, making him wince.

“Some people are just too stubborn to deter away from their own folly. You of all people should know that...but together we can save them all. We can save all of mankind.”, a voice said, causing Flynn to stumble.

Who was that? Was he imagining that voice right now or? Flynn looked around for the source of the voice he heard only to find nothing, but people going about their business.

Even as Issachar continued on and found out the location and time of the sabbath from the baker he couldn’t help but think about Flynn. How bizarrely he acted and how he left him. He had this feeling he really shouldn’t leave Flynn alone like this in the ‘condition’ he’s in. It felt like something more was happening to Flynn and he had to save him from...something? What was he saving him from? Being a doormat? But, still Issachar could not drop this intense feeling of dread. Like he may lose Flynn forever...he was just being silly! He had to be. He didn’t know why his thoughts were being so melodramatic.

The sabbath was to be held at midnight. He’d have to be careful due to the country’s curfew. Just another way the Luxurors controlled the Casualries. Issachar was determined to break that control. Perhaps this was what he was meant to do? The leash of control even controlled his best friend to the point he’d snap at him like he had before. He walked into an unassuming carpentry store.

“I’m here for the sabbath.”, Issachar said as the carpenter looked him over.

He led Issachar over to a carpet which slipped away to reveal a secret room. He steeled himself as he walked into the darkness of the room. It was much bigger than he expected. It was packed to the brim with people. Issachar looked in wonder seeing mystic relic lights all over the place. There was also strange demonic statues. Some people were engrossed in the literature, trading books or...Issachar blushed intensely as he looked away at what some others were doing especially on the statues.

“Is this your first time?”, a feminine voice asked.

Issachar turned to the source of the voice nearly jumping when he saw the source. It was a woman covered head to toe in strange black and red armor with eerie red eyes.

“Who are you?”, Issachar asked.

“I am the one people call the black samurai. I am the one who has been distributing literature all over the kingdom.”, the black samurai introduced.

“I see uh…”, Issachar said, looking over briefly before turning his gaze back to the black samurai still flustered.

“It’s not like anything you’ve seen right? That’s why you’re so shocked at what you're seeing here? Everyone is like that at first. These sabbaths are about the spreading of knowledge and breaking free from the strict norms of the kingdom.”, the black samurai said.

“Yeah, definitely...this is all just shocking. I heard that I could learn how to read here. Is that true?”, Issachar asked.

“That...and much more.”, the black samurai said in a seductive voice which made him nervous.

The strange woman led him to where a few people in luxurious clothes were tied up.

“Are those Luxurors? What are you going to do with them?”, Issachar asked.

“Their going to be sacrifices.”, the black samurai said in an abnormally casual tone which made Issachar pale.

Flynn rubbed his temples again as he tried to get to where he heard the sabbath was being held. Combined with the samurai patrolling the streets and his roaring headache getting there was proving difficult for him. But, he would persevere! This was for Issachar! He had to get him back even if it landed him in trouble with the authorities. By the time Flynn made it to the store he was breathing heavily. He looked around the store for wherever the sabbath was being held. He found it bizarre how strangely empty the store was despite the fact a sabbath was apparently being held there. Flynn left no stone unturned as he checked the store. He flinched as he could faintly hear a muffled scream. He ran over to the direction where he heard it throwing off the rug and revealing the secret door. Flynn sweated nervously as he could now better hear screams coming from down below despite that Flynn descended without hesitation.

Blood dripped from the hand now claws of that black samurai who had now revealed her true form as a black vine like demon in a feminine shape. She had a white face and chest along with horns and wings along with a long pointy tail. Her feet were little pincers.

The Luxurors laid dead at her feet while Issachar was still frozen in shock.

“It’s not a true sabbath without blood and we demons love blood. Now, it’s time for you all to become demons!”, the black samurai declared, frightening many in there and garnering confused murmurs.

“Flynn was right! It was a demon deal!”, Issachar thought as the black samurai held out a book to him.

“You can read now. Take full advantage of the knowledge you gain to tear this kingdom asunder!”, as she said that many of those attending’s bodies shifted and morphed in a horrifying manner.

The sounds of their transformations were blood curdling. Issachar trembled as he looked down at the book, briefly cracking it open to see if the words she spoke were true. They were indeed. Issachar could now read at the sacrifice of another’s life...he tried to control his shaking as this all sank into him.

“Don’t feel remorse towards your oppressors. They don’t deserve it now...you can take your destiny into your own hands.”, the black samurai said.

Issachar stil trembling nodded as he started to read the book starting from the beginning. The more he read the more sense her words and the bakers made to him! He could shape his own destiny! He could destroy their tyrannical system and create a truly free world! Bile started to rise up from within him.

“Issachar!”, Flynn called out his voice full of worry.

His friend’s voice broke him out of his thoughts. He looked over to Flynn who looked beyond worried for him especially as he saw the room was full of demons. He was about to call out his name when everything suddenly went black…Snap!

Flynn was speechless when Issachar’s neck shifted unnaturally and he heard a loud snap. With it Issachar’s body went limp...Flynn’s breathing got heavier as his vision was clouded in red. Something within Flynn snapped as well.

“Those worms are far beneath you, destroy every single one of them...kalki then we can lead them to their salvation.”, the voice said in Flynn’s mind.

The black samurai froze when she felt an aura of supreme blood lust coming off of Flynn along with magical power far exceeding master samurai. The other demons quickly turned their attention to Flynn noticing it as well. They gasped as Flynn seem to disappear only for blood to splatter on the wall and a cluster of limp demon bodies. The rest backed away from the man nervously. Flynn held a broken broom in his hand he had gotten from the wall using it as a makeshift blade. It dripped with the blood of their fellow demons.

“C-come on! He’s just one human and we’re all demons! He doesn’t stand a chance!”, a bulky demon with red skin and sharp teeth said.

However, he completely lost the will to fight when Flynn turned to him. There was a dangerous glint in his eyes. All his demon instincts yelled at him to run.

“Fall.”, Flynn said, in a much deeper and menacing tone.

He seemed to disappear again as fire suddenly completely engulfed the red demon. Others shrieked away in fear and some charged at Flynn. However they never stood a chance. He easily evaded their attacks and struck them with various elemental magics they were weak to. The black samurai was completely stunned not expecting any of this. All she knew is that she had to stop Flynn before he killed her too. By the time she broke out of her surprise most of the demons had been completely decimated leaving only a few fearfully hiding. She couldn’t help but flinch when Flynn turned to her as primal fear creeped up inside her. She shot a Maziodyne at Flynn only for her to let out a pained gasp as his hand clamped around her throat. His eyes were filled with unbridled hatred and anger. Something she’d be glad to see especially in such a powerful individual if it wasn’t leading to her own demise. She wondered if this was Gabriel’s doing. No...it had to be someone much more powerful. Before she could finish her though she paled as she felt the highest tier almighty spell charging up, Antichthon. She had no idea how he knew such a powerful spell, something no one in Mikado should know. Either this was the doing of an angel more powerful than Gabriel or that man won the lottery and shifted into a demon far stronger than even the archangels. A devilish smirk formed on Flynn’s face as he saw the fear in her eyes. She hastily tried to claw out the man’s throat before she was completely vaporized. However she couldn’t…

Issachar gasped as he looked around, suddenly regaining consciousness. He was sure he had died after all his neck snapped somehow. He looked extremely fearful as the first sight that greeted him was his best friend covered in blood and grinning like a madman. He paled when Flynn started laughing, noticing he didn’t sound like himself at all. His voice was distorted much deeper than normal. He noticed Flynn’s normal green in his eyes was now replaced with an unnatural glowing golden.

“He’s been possessed.”, was the first thought to cross Issachar’s mind.

Everything started to make sense now...Flynn’s strange behavior before...that odd feeling he had...oh no, something has taken over his best friend! He remembered how hurt Flynn looked before he left saddened and confused. Had Flynn not been in control of himself then either? It made sense considering how out of character he was. He trembled as an immense power radiated off Flynn and he was engulfed in a white light which shook the entire building. Issachar covered his eyes before desperately calling out his Flynn’s name.

When the light cleared what stood was a taller being with armor-like ebony skin. Bits of gold lined it’s body and it was adored with a fancy ebony robe on his lower half lined with gold more lavish than that of any Luxurors he knew. It had a long black cape which fluttered despite the lack of wind. It wore some sort of strange head piece unlike anything Issachar had ever seen keeping the same theme as the rest of its body. In its hand was some odd pink flower which he had never seen before either. He had an impressive physique that put any samurai he had seen to shame. The whites of its eyes were red and its eyes were gold along with the bottom part of its eyes. He recognized the hair as Flynn’s though it was now draping down his shoulders.

“Flynn?”, Issachar questioned, barely able to form words.

He could feel the presence before him was much greater than anything he’s ever felt in his life. It felt godly. It was very terrifying, but also made you want to bow before it and worship it. It felt extremely dominating...this thing wasn’t Flynn it was something else which had taken him over. He tried to calm his shaking when his attention fell unto himself. The sinister smirk on his face lessened a bit, becoming something more human.

“Issachar...We will save you all.”, he said in a deep godly voice sounding like he was in a trace.

“Hoy Flynn! Snap out of it! This isn’t you!”, Issachar called out.

The smirk didn’t leave the strange being face as he looked down at him.

“Flynn is mine.”, the being said with Flynn’s distorted voice.

Those three simple words made Issachar shake. They confirmed his fear that something truly had taken over Flynn. Despite his fear Issachar found the strength to stand before the almighty being. Even when he was upset at him and the horrible things he said to him Flynn still ran to help him without hesitation.

“L-let him go, you demon! Flynn you're the kindest person I know and your loving parents...No everyone is waiting for you to come back to Kiccigiorgi! You can’t let this monster swallow you up!”, Issachar called out to his best friend desperately.

The being fidgeted slightly as if Flynn heard him, but quickly returned to its former demeanor.

“I am no lowly demon. I am a god, one who shall save all of humanity from its vile creator. I will bring salvation even to a lowly undead being like yourself.”, the being said, making him angry.

Issachar was struck by his words and a horrible realization fell upon him. He had died and turned into a zombie.

“Salvation my ass! All you have done is made my friend kill all these people! We don’t need or asked for your salvation and Flynn doesn’t want it either!”, Issachar yelled.

He heard a low growl from the being which sounded like roaring thunder. He shook, but stood his ground as anger radiated off the being.

“I am what’s best for him. He must give in to me completely and he will be saved.”, the being replied.

That statement implied for Issachar that Flynn was still in there. He hasn’t completely given in to this thing yet. Anger bubbled up inside Issachar at the being’s arrogant words.

“It just sounds like you want to control him! You're no different from the Luxurors who have been trying to control us our whole lives thinking ‘you’ know what’s best for us! Something like you has no idea what’s best for us! Now, let go of my friend demon!”, Issachar yelled, throwing a punch at the being.

When the blow impacted the being it didn’t even flinch. Though there was a loud crack of Issachar’s bones snapping as his arm bent in an unnatural angle. Issachar saw something flicker in the being’s eyes, concern. The being fidgeted again growling lowly.

“Flynn, stubborn man!”, the being growled in annoyance as it twitched, losing control as its hand reached out for Issachar.

Strong arms wrapped around Issachar protectively. Flynn’s concerned gaze lowered down to his broken arm. Flynn lifted up the strange flower and a pink light emitted from it completely healing his wounds. Issachar rubbed his now healed arm which was good as new.

“Don’t waste your effort! He will only be saved after we create our new world, kalki!”, the being said from Flynn’s lips.

“Shut up! I will never create your world and I will never be your godslayer! Now, get out Krishna!”, Flynn growled.

They stumbled back from Issachar making him reach out to them. Flynn grabbed his head as he struggled to regain control over his body.

“Hoy Flynn, don’t lose to him! You have to beat him!”, Issachar yelled.

Light engulfed Flynn’s body again as he returned to normal and fainted. Issachar caught Flynn before he could hit the ground and held him close to him. He hurriedly ran out of the building and scurried away to the road outside of the capital leading to Kiccigiorgi. He slashed at all the samurai who jumped in to stop him with his claws and escaping. Flynn was still unconscious over his shoulder. Issachar didn’t stop running even as he felt like his legs were decomposing from all the running. The sun felt like it was trying to purify his unholy body. It burned like crazy and he panted heavily. He could see it himself but the whites of his eyes were blood red. He could no longer feel the presence from before inside Flynn; he seemed to have completely returned to his natural human self. He even smelled human. Perhaps because it was possession Flynn was able to turn back? Why he wasn’t stuck like him, who had briefly embraced the demonic and transformed? He just hoped that thing was gone from Flynn, Krishina as he called it. Morning dawned by the time they made it back to Kiccigiorgi. He had put some water from lake Mikado on their clothes to wash the blood off them.

Flynn stirred as he started to regain consciousness. He looked around to see he was now back in Kiccigiorgi draped onto Issachar’s shoulder. He blinked repeatedly and his mind felt slurry. His green eyes seemed cloudy though as he blinked the cloudiness left.

“Hoy Flynn, are you alright?”, Issachar asked.

“W-what happened? When did we get back? I remember we had a fight and I was acting strange then everything gets blurry from there…”, Flynn said in his normally timid tone, he put his hand on his temple.

“You can’t remember Flynn? You don’t remember the sabbath?”, Issachar asked.

“Sabbath? We went to the sabbath?”, Flynn questioned with confusion and concern.

Issachar was stunned that Flynn really didn’t remember anything that happened. It must have been a side effect of his possession by Krishina. His eyes had returned to normal as a fellow villager walked over to them.

“Looks like you two didn’t get to become samurai. Hoy Flynn are you alright over there?”, the woman asked, noticing him leaning on Issachar.

“I-I’m fine. My head just feels so loopy I can just sleep it off later.”, Flynn replied.

“You don’t seriously intend to work in your condition do you?”, Issachar questioned.

[lancermylove]

My One and Only (Part 2/2)

Fandom: MLQC

Pairing: Kiro x Fem!MC (Reader)

Warning: Contains a little angst

A/N:  Part 1 can be found here. This didn’t quite turn out the way I wanted but hopefully, it’s okay. 

Word Count: 1616

———————————————

Kiro was starting to feel suffocated with so many people surrounding him, so he made his way out to the balcony. 

'What a quiet and peaceful night.' As Kiro gazed at the shimmering gems in the sky, he heard footsteps approaching him. 

"Hi, Kiro," a pair of frail arm encircled him from behind, "it has been a while since we have spoken to each other." 

He recognized the voice right away. "Hollow, what do you want? Don't touch me." The singer spoke in an annoyed voice as he pushed her arms away.

"Ouch. Kiro, why are you always so mean to me?" She said in a fake, cute voice while batting her long eyelashes. "Oh, but I know a way you will be nice."

"I will never be nice to you, no matter what." Kiro replied, trying hard to hold back his anger. He started to walk towards the tinted French doors that led into the party room, but Hollow blocked his path. 

"You should learn to listen to others when they're talking to you, especially when the most beautiful woman in the world is talking to you," cooed Hollow as she played with Kiro's shirt sleeve. "As I was saying, you should go out with me and leave MC."

"Don't take her name from your foul mouth, and I have no reason to leave her." Kiro's anger was slowly starting to get the better of him. This was not the first time Hollow had attempted to win Kiro's heart, and frankly, he was getting tired of it. 

"You need a reason? Well then, I must say your girlfriend's song is very commendable. I was very impressed when I read it." 

"How - How do you know about the song? What do you mean you read it?" Kiro snarled as he curled his fists into a tight ball. 

"Now that caught your attention, didn't it?" She snickered. 

Kiro grabbed her shoulder and shook her, "Where is that song? What did you do with it?" 

"Oh, the song is with one of my close friends, and he is so tempted to shred it to tiny pieces-" Hollow was cut off by an angered Kiro. 

"Don't you dare!" His grip on her shoulder was getting tighter and tighter. 

"Relax, Kiro. I will not do anything to the song as long as you agree to date me and leave MC," she spoke while freeing herself from Kiro's grip, "let me know your final decision by the end of tonight." 

Hollow pecked Kiro's cheek and walked away triumphantly. Kiro remained paralyzed, and all he could hear was the clicking of her heels as she vanished into the party hall. 

'This can't be.' 

'Where did Kiro disappear to?' MC had been searching for a while. She let out a deep sigh and walked out to the balcony to get some fresh air. To her surprise, Kiro was standing in the middle of the gallery, completely frozen.

"Kiro, I have been looking for you everywhere." MC marched up to him with a pout, "Why are you standing like a statue? Kiro? I am talking to you."

MC poked his cheek, but Kiro ignored her and walked to the edge of the balcony.

"Hey...what's wrong? Did something happened?" MC whispered as she approached him and hugged his arm.

"Don't touch me," Kiro said, pulling his arm from her hug. For a second, MC was shocked as she gawked at her boyfriend.

"D-Don't touch me? My dear boyfriend, are you drunk?" She furrowed her eyebrows and placed her hand on her hips, "How many times do I have to remind you to go easy on the drinks?"

"I am not your boyfriend, and I am not drunk." He replied in a sharp voice, causing MC to wince a little.

"You are not my boyfriend? You're definitely drunk." MC took hold of his arm and tugged on it, "Come on, let's get you home."

"I said, don't touch me!" Kiro yanked his arms with force, causing MC to lose her balance and fall onto the marble floor.

"Listen carefully, I am not your boyfriend, and don't dare to come close to me, ever again." Kiro's actions and words were out of character, and MC was at a complete loss of words as she could only stare at him with tears in her eyes.

"You and I are over." With those harsh words, Kiro stormed towards the party hall.

MC jumped to her feet and ran after him, grabbing hold of his shirt. "You are b-breaking up with me? Did I do something to hurt you?"

While MC was pleading for him to answer her question, Kiro was holding back the tears that were threatening to fall. He swallowed a lump in his throat and spoke in a drained voice, "You haven't done anything wrong. I am just tired of you."

Kiro freed his shirt from MC's grip and sluggishly walked into the party hall. He made his way to a quiet hallway and rested his forehead against the nearby wall.

'I am sorry, MC. I can't let Hollow destroy your prized possession. I love you very much and...I am sorry.' Kiro balled his fist and punched the wall, trying once again to hold back his tears.

"So, you abandoned her?" Hollow's taunting voice rang through Kiro's ears. "Good, now it's just you and me."

"Where is the song?" He asked in a low voice, controlling the rage pent up inside him.

"It's safely returned to her house." She said playfully, "Now let's go!"

Kiro let Hollow drag her away from the party, but little did he know that MC was watching them from the balcony.

~~~x~~~x~~~x~~~x~~~

(Narration change: MC’s POV)

Two long years had passed since my breakup with Kiro. I had tried hard to fix everything between us, but he refused to talk to me, and at one point, he even ended up blocking me. It was hard getting him out of my mind and heart, so I eventually gave in to my heart and quietly admired him from afar.

I sat in the cafe that Kiro and I often visited. 'This coffee was his favorite. Kiro...I miss you.' 

The TV was playing in the background, but for the most part, I was ignoring it until the reporter's words caught my undivided attention. 

"Now for the latest breaking news," the lady reporter blared in an excited voice, "the story about Kiro and the solo artist MC." 

'A story about me and Kiro?' I glanced at the TV screen. 'How did they even find out about that? Kiro's fans are not going to be happy.' 

"We have found out that superstar Kiro and MC had been dating two years ago. According to their close friends, they loved each other, but one day they suddenly broke up. No one knows the reason behind their breakup, but our leading investigation team has gotten their hands on valuable information. Suzuki san, please tell us what you have learned." 

I waited patiently for the reporter to finish the story while taking a sip of my hot coffee. 'They know the reason for our breakup?'

For a brief second, my mind went back to the moment on the balcony. 'You haven't done anything wrong. I am just tired of you.' 

"Our trusted source informed us that the reason behind the breakup was Hollow, the famous online celebrity." 

'Hollow? W-What is she talking about?’ My mind was rushing like crazy, making me feel dizzy. 

The field reporter continued, "Hollow was responsible for taking one of MC's composition and threatening Kiro with it. To prevent the song from getting stolen, Kiro dumped MC and began dating Hollow.”

After hearing those words, I had no idea how to react. 'Kiro wanted to save my song? How did Hollow even know about my song? What is going on?'

As I sat still, drowned in my thoughts, my eyes moved about the cafe and caught sight of a familiar figure. I arose from my seat and made my way to his table. 

His eyes were glued to the coffee cup he held tightly in his quivering hands. I quietly took a seat next to him and studied his face. Though he looked just as handsome as before, his usually bright eyes were dull, and his skin had grown pale. 

"What the reporter said - is it true?" I tried to sound serious, but my voice cracked as soon as the words left my lips. 

He didn't reply. 

"Ki-" I stopped midway, realizing that we were in a public place, "Mr. Chips, is that the real reason you left me?" 

I tenderly touched his hand, and though Kiro didn't reply, his downcast eyes told me everything I needed to know. 

"Your reason for leaving me was the song? I could have written another one. Why didn't you tell me?" I couldn't believe that he would sacrifice our relationship for my song. 

"Y-You said the song meant a lot of you. It was your first song and-" Kiro mumbled, letting his words trail off. 

My heart was in turmoil, and without thinking once, I embraced Kiro. "You meant more to me than anything." 

"Meant?" He sniffled. 

"No, Mr.Chips. Nothing is more important than you. You are my one and only love." I pecked his cheek and squeezed him tighter. 

"I am sorry, MC. Please forgive me." Kiro cooed and returned my embrace. 

"How could I not forgive you? After all, a wise man once told me that if a woman truly loves a man, then she would forgive him for the mistakes he makes."

“That man sounds smart.” Kiro chuckled before pulling me into a deep kiss. 

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

➣ MLQC Masterlist ➣ Buy me a Ko-fi or Commission?

[hs-devote]

3. G E S T U R E

Moodboard // Content // Masterlist

Disclaimer:

All characters and situation in this story are fictitious. Resemblance to any person living or dead is only God knows.

Previous chapter :

Y/N remembered the accident with Harry the other day, where she was robbed and Harry throwing some good punch to the robber. Then, she just realise that she didn't get any call from the police who was took some clarification from them. Until this time, the police never called her. If they did follow up on that case, her or Harry should have been asked to be willing to be witnesses, right?

3. GESTURE

Harry is back to the office. He looks better than yesterday, his good mood has returned, proven by he was smiling back to Y/N and Madeleine when he was arriving his floor then go straight to his office. Y/N was thinking to bring him a coffee for his nice gesture earlier. With a cup of his favourite Americano in her hand, she scanned her access card until the door open. Harry was signing whatever documents he sign when she walk in. His hand quickly signed every single documents piled on his desk. Y/N notice his cross tattoo in his backside hand, near the thumb. Makes her think Harry might be a religious person.

“Good morning, I bring you a coffee.” She smiled, closing the door. Harry lifted his head, giving his signature smile to his assistant. He leaned back, crossing his arms. “What occasion?”

“You just had rough days lately, so I think a cup of coffee will cheer you up.” She shrug, putting down the cup.

“Thank you.” He sigh, “I'm sorry for.. well, my bad behaviour these past few days. I know it was inappropriate, so I'm really sorry.”

“I understand, everyone had their bad days.”

Harry shake his head, “But still, I should have a total control over my temper. And oh, how's your wound? I didn't make it worse, did I?”

“Oh,” Y/N mumble, moving her arm. “It's getting better everyday. Maybe when I get back home, I can remove the patch. No need to worry.”

Suddenly, Harry's office phone ringing. He pick it up with the loudspeaker on, “Yes, Madeleine?”

“Mr. Styles, the Telegraph's team is here. Do you want me to send the to your office or meeting room?”

Harry glance at Y/N, raising his eyebrow – waiting for her answer. After all, she was the one who prepare the meeting. “They're supposed to be three people only, I've prepared a meeting room in the corner if you like.” Harry just nod, “Send them to the corner one. I'll meet them in five.”

“Right away, sir.”

Sipping half of his coffee, Harry smoothed his suit jacket and fixing his tie before getting up from his seat. Leading them both to meet the guests. Y/N smiled, letting him go first. Walking together with Harry, made Y/N feel this confident boost towards her body. It's like Harry transferring his confidence to her. She feels powerful next to Harry. As long as Y/N work together with him, Harry likes to give her encouragement, he was the one who builds trust in herself. Unlike the first time she felt insecure working together with him.

She thanks him for opening the door for her, letting her in first. There, three people already waiting. On the far left, sitting a bald man in his forties. Next to him, a young man with black jet hair. And the last, a beautiful, very beautiful –she thinks– woman in her burgundy attire, her strike blonde hair fell until her back.

Y/N greets all of them with firming hand shake. Offering refreshment at the table. Meanwhile, she could feel Harry stiffen in his place, right when he wants to shake the woman's hand. The atmosphere is a bit awkward, but he quickly get over it.

The woman with name Victoria, not saying much during the meeting. Y/N could say, she just staring at Harry for the whole time. She bet Victoria didn't listen at all, the way she stutter when the bald man, Mr. Gogh, asked her one time – clearly prove it.

The meeting ended quickly, there was no serious discussion, just an introduction that Victoria will be the one who associated with Erskine, replacing the last in charge.  When everyone had left meeting room, in the corner of Y/N eyes, she saw Victoria entered Harry's office, while the man himself trailing behind her.

If they want to talk about the company, at least the other two man didn't go back first. Y/N assumed they both talked about something else. And she was sure, they already knew each other before from the way they act. Before Y/N taking step back to her office, her phone buzzed.

Messages– Now ; Harry Styles.

Could you do me a favour? Bring me hot chocolate, and a camomile tea for my guest.

Sure, coming in 5 mins. She text back, sprinting towards the break room.  Digging into the shelves, she take the Twinings box first, and Charbonnel et Walker later. Starting to make drinks and ready to deliver it. Y/N pushes the door open effortlessly since it wasn't locked. Harry beams at her, while Victoria in front of him throwing a death glare.

“Thank you, darling.” Harry said, sneaking his arm around her waist. His thumb drawing a circle in her side while Y/N putting down the drinks. Y/N just gave him small smile before excusing herself. For a moment, she was wondering why Harry was showing affection in front of Victoria, but she choose to shake it off.

“Is she the one?” Y/N could hear Victoria's snide comment when she was closing the door. With Harry's voice still dangling in the air, “Is it important to you for know?”

“I don't believe she has the courage to show up here.” Y/N hear Madeleine murmured under her breath,  while she gathering her stuff off in her desk. “Oh, hey Y/N. How's the meeting?” She asked, tucking her hair behind the ear.

“It's good. But it looks like Ms. Selley still has some business with Mr. Styles.”

“Victoria Selley? Oh no wonder. That snake always have her own way.” She scoffs, “Hey, do you want to grab lunch? I need to tell you something since the Telegraph's will be the one of the clients who like to visit.”

Y/N nods unsure, “Sure. Let me take my purse first.”

. . . .

“You have to be careful with Victoria Selley.” Madeleine spoke with her mouth munched her burger. Picking up her fries, Y/N looking at her cautiously “And why was that?”

Y/N isn't a big fan of fast food, but this time she decides an exception. Before Madeleine open her mouth, she choked on her food. Y/N give her a drink right away. Madeleine just laugh after sipping her coke, “I'm too excited. Victoria is not as nice as you saw. She's.. pretentious. Do you know her and Mr. Styles used to be dating?”

“No.”

“Yeah, they used to be dating, around a year ago for five months. She always bragged about it. She's kinda dumb, and her attitude is blah. I don't know why they split but I think Mr. Styles finally realised her bad behaviour. The one of many reasons I don't like her is.. she always bragging about their sex life – which I think it's private thing . How good he was in bed, how fast Mr. Styles can make her reach her orgasm.”

Y/N crinkles her face in disgust, her appetite gone instantly. “Okay, can we not talk about THAT thing? I feel.. nauseous.”

“Well, just imagine her and her wide mouth talking about it in front of the employees. But the worst part is when she came back after the split, trying to tempt him to have.. intercourse in his office.” She added, “The exciting part was when Mr. Styles barking at her, his voice heard up to several floors down. He dragged her ass out, throwing her underwear off. Amazing..”

“Underwear?!” Y/N shouts lowly in shock, she truly could feel her eyes about to pop out.

“Yeah, but I think they didn't do it. Maybe she sliding down her underwear before had the chance.” Madeleine muttered, “If I were her, I wouldn't have the face to come back, let alone meet him. It's surprising she works there.”

Y/N leans back, too much thing she should know today. “And why we are talking about this? I mean, their history wouldn't impact their work. They have to separate work and personal life, right?”

“I do believe in Mr. Styles, but not with Victoria. We won't know how smart she is if she will take advantage of  this situation.” Madeleine shrug, “I just hope we won't be fired for gossiping him.”

The food was delicious, they really want to stay longer but work couldn't wait. Their floor was quite was usual when they arrived. Mr. Styles' office is shut closed, the man himself is nowhere to be found. Y/N take the sign as he might be having lunch.

Stepping inside her office, she plopped down the seat. Turning on her screen and moved the cursor to downloading some emails, her eyes was set off to an invitation to a gala dinner in the next two weeks, obviously addressed to Harry Styles.

From: Bentley, Betty <b.b@britishchambers.org.uk> Subject : BCC Busines Dinner 2019 To: executive_asst@erskine.co.uk, hstyles@erskine.co.uk

British Chambers of Commerce proudly presents The Annual BCC Busines Gala Dinner

To Mr. Harry Styles and his plus one You are cordially invited to attend our annual BCC Business Gala Dinner 2019 Friday, June 14th  – 7 pm The Langham 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London, GB W1B 1JA

RSVP to Joyce  44 (0) 20 7636 1000 or click here by June 10th

“Y/N?” Y/N flinched when someone call her name. It was Harry standing in her door, grinned sheepishly. She's blinking her eyes, “Yes, sir?”

“Did I shock you? I'm sorry. I just want to give this to you.” Harry handed her a bundle of document, and putting a small cute box from Lola's onto her desk, “That must be done in three days”

“Well noted, sir.” She take them and make a quick glance of it. “And, this?” while pointing to the box, when she saw it, she immediately knew that it was cupcakes.

“When I drove back here, I saw them and then remembered you. So.. yeah.” He said while scratching his neck, avoiding eye contact with Y/N. “Besides, I was happy because the Commonwealth thing is doing well after all, nothing to worry about. Lucas told me we possibly win the bid.”

“Ah, that's great. Thank you for the cupcakes, anyway.” Y/N smiles, “Actually, sir. The council of British Chambers just sent you an invitation to their annual Gala Dinner two weeks from now. Do you want to come? I have to send your reservation and the plus one immediately.”

“Err, yeah. Of course. Put my name and yours for the reservation, please.” He nodded, staring deep directly at her eyes. His words makes Y/N stop typing, “Pardon?”

“I don't have anyone, you know? So, I think you will be a good companion, if you don't mind.”

Y/N stunned for a moment, didn’t expect Harry would invite her. “Oh, of course, I won't. I am very honoured, thank you.”

Harry just winked at her. Y/N giggling right after closing her door, never think would be attending such an exclusive event with her boss. She's blushing when she remembered the way Harry wink her.

. . . .

For years her life, Y/N never been dreaming she could get amazing things at the age of twenty-two. Maybe for some people, at the age of her, there are more people with better achievement than her. But for Y/N, she's already grateful to be at this point. Maybe, maybe if she try even harder, who knows in a few years she will earn highest job. Not coming from a rich family, little Y/N was struggling to  reach her goals. Experiencing a childhood nothing like any other child had, Y/N had to still protect herself. Showing everyone that she can.

Especially to her big family, who always throwing snide words toward her family.

Even the grandparents always dragging her father whose jobs were not as high as those of her uncles. Sometimes, her older brother, Connor, has to against their words, and end up with him locked up in his room.

Until someday, when all families gathered together at Easter, Y/N was proud to announce that she was accepted into King's College Business Management programme with full scholarship. Ended everyone with mouth hanging open. Three years later, she got her degree with honour.

Her father is regular employee at local publishing house, while her dear mother is stay at home mum. Connor himself, being paramedics in NHS.

Lurking around her apartment barefoot, Y/N couldn't find the cheese block that would be use to cook dinner. She decided to go out to buy the cheese, and doing a little grocery shopping. After all, the grocery just down the road.

The cold night welcoming her when she pushed the door of her apartment building. Not many people outside, she walk slowly with both hands in the pockets. A few step to the grocery, she feels like someone follow her behind. She had to look back a few times, but no one to be found.

Taking a few cheese blocks, some late night snacks, and the others essentials, Y/N hurried back home. To be fair she still feel being followed and it scares her. Passing the end of the road, she hear a faint groan. Goosebumps getting on her. She wants to leave but that voice.. asking for a help. Venturing herself, she walk into the dark alley where the voice came. Her step stopped, seeing someone lying on the ground, clutching his neck. In front of him, a man standing tall. Slowly, very carefully, Y/N step closer. Her hand covering her mouth, the lying man was strangled with a belt around his neck. His voice become clearer and heartbreaking, as the belt became tighter in his neck. He begged forgiveness from the person who strangled him.

Y/N heart dropped when the culprit – was wearing all black – , turn his head towards her. Their eyes collided with each other. And there, her breath stopped. The pair eyes she stared at, it's Harry's.

She run as fast as she could. All the thing she know is to run as fast as possible. She couldn't process what she just saw. Slamming her door closed, Y/N make sure to locked it securely. Her panting breath is all she could hear. Those eyes. Darker green irises belongs to Harry, that she usually see when he was in anger. It's belong to him, isn't it?

She couldn't be one hundred percent sure. Half of his face was blocked by darkness, the rings that was Harry's usual essentials, she couldn't find them on his fingers. All she can recognise was.. the eyes.

If that's really him, what was he doing there? And most importantly, why did he do that?

“No.. no. That's not Harry. That's not him. Your eyes just playing tricks on you, Y/N. It can't be Harry.” Y/N murmurs to herself. After all, there's so much people have dark green eyes, right?

. . . .

During the meeting that day, Y/N's mind wandered everywhere. Still thinking about what happened last night. Harry even had to called her out several times for being caught spacing out, not paying attention at all. He didn't look angry, but was worried.

“Are you okay? You were spacing out.” Harry asked after the participants left the room.

“I'm so sorry about that. I'm fine.” Y/N assured, her hands playing with her pen. As in disbelief, Harry moved his chair closer, looking at his assistant closely, “Are you sure? Your face is pale, you know.”

Y/N gulped, her sweating palm stroking her thigh. “Yeah, just.. just having a lot of thoughts.”

She encourage herself to slowly looking at him, just want to convinced her mind that .. the man from last night, was not her boss. The eyes she was looking at this time, are bright green irises. The greenest she's ever seen, sparkling, looking like heaven. The more she looks into his eyes, the more she dragged into.

“You have the most beautiful eyes.” She's not consciously whispered.

“Yeah?”

She nods in agreement, “Mmhm.” Keeping the eye contact, Harry's finger caressing her cheek. Delicately, down to her lips. In her daydream, she saw those eyes first thing in the morning when she open her eyes from sleep. Then the eyes turn darker along with Harry's sinister laugh echoed her ears.

Jumbling in her spot, she moved away. Y/N could feel her face redden. “I'm sorry, I don't mean to.. I think I need a drink.”

“I think you should go home, Y/N.” The void emotion in his voice, make her heartbeat quicken. Her feelings become null, “No no, I'm sorry Mr. Styles–  I'm promise I won't do it again. Let me get my tasks done. They should be ready by tomorrow –”

“Y/N. It's fine. You're pale, and you're sweating, you have to rest well enough. I'm sorry for getting you overworked. The papers can wait. After all, they agreed to change the contract. I will ask Ethan to re-done it, he was the one who drew up at the first. It's okay, Y/N. I'm not angry. I'll be more upset if you fell sick.” He give her reassuring smile.

“I'm fine, Mr. Styles. Really. I just need a drink, and rest a bit. And I'll be fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Don't worry.”

“All right, you can go rest and come back whenever you can. Need me buy you certain medicine?”

Y/N shake her head slowly, getting up from her seat. “Thank you.” Turning her back, she walk out from the room. From that moment, she just knew that the dark eyes last night, was not Harry's. She choose to going to the break room instead of her office, imagine of a glass of fresh juice making her drool. Good things, the are several choices of fruits there, she would go with the guava.

“Hey, what's wrong. You were spacing out for five minutes straight?” Madeleine pat Y/N shoulder, taking a stool next to her. When she was walking into the break room, she saw her co-worker sitting alone with hands twisting her half empty glass.

“Um, no. I'm fine, just.. having minor headache. Mr. Styles dismissed my presence for a couple hours ahead, I think?” Y/N spoke unsure. Madeleine giving her questionable look, “Really?”

“Apparently he thought he made me overworked because I was spacing out in the meeting.”

“Why not lay on the couch. As long as his guests doesn't see it.. he won't be mad.”

“My headache it's not that big deal, it's just I have this assumption running around my head. All I have to do is.. clear my mind.”

“If it's because of work, you don't have to be too rigid, let a loose. Have a little fun if you have time. Mr. Styles once told me that, working in here you are required to do everything right, but don't be stressed. If not, in a short time you will have this feeling that you can't stand this.”

Y/N was speechless, never thought Madeleine could talk like that. “Very nice of him, but actually it's not about a job or working here.. It's –”

“Oh, so this is about someone. Isn't it? Do I know him?” Madeleine squeals, grinning like a fool.

“How can you be sure it's about a person? Let alone a male?”

“If a female spacing out in her work, fifty percent of surveys proves it is due to male problems.”

“And how do I know the validity of them?”

“Because,  you're now talking directly with the surveyors.”

Y/N scoffs, “I think you need go to back, you know. Mr. Styles will be pissed if he knows you weren't on your desk.”

“Well, he left fifteen minutes ago. He just said to keep an eye for you while he was away. I think he headed to some expensive – well known brand designer galleries. He was in call, talking about measurement and gala next week.”

“I didn't know someone busy like him took the time to come there, he could have told them to come to him.”

“I think he wants to surprise his date. Keeping all secrets. Who knows?” Madeleine shrug, chugging her milk. Y/N turning her head, “A date?”

“My cousin is one of the organizer, and she spill the tea that.. his reservation inclusive his plus one. She doesn't want to tell me who, but she said this is the first time he will come with date for the past three years. He'd always come alone by himself, even when he had a girlfriend. He wouldn't do that.”

“Not even his past assistant? I mean, they obviously would fit into conversation.”

“Nope.” She said, “I remember one day when he was dating Victoria, she begged to accompany him. But he declined. Said it wasn't suitable for her and she would not understand if he chatted about the business. Don't asking me why I knew, because she was begging in the lobby.”

“Well, I will go back to my desk. Have a nice rest. Just don't fall asleep in here, I can't carry you if Mr. Styles hasn't returned yet.” Both of them laughing, Y/N giving her a thumb. Suddenly, her phone ringing.

Mum

“Hi, mum? How are you?” Y/N greets her mother with smile.

“Hi, pet. How are you? How is London?”

“I'm good. London is great. How are you and dad doing? Everything OK?”

“Yeah, we are fine. Just missing you and Connor at all. Any plan to come home in the near future?”

“I wish I have. If I want to, I have to ask Connor too. But I'll figured it out. Have to find the right time with C.”

“Ah, I see. Sometimes I just think why don't you live with Connor? You both live in London. Now, I think that you two barely talk to each other.”

Y/N laugh, “Mum, you know that he's not really live in London, Watford to London will take fifty minutes. I can't live that far from my office, besides he's living with his friends. There's no way I live with them. But yeah, the last time I talk to him was like.. two weeks ago? He's very busy with his job.”

“I just don't like to know my baby living alone by herself.”

“Well, half my life I spent in London. I mean, when I was in college, I stayed in London. Now, I move to London again.”

“Yes, it's like your success is all in London.”

The rest conversation is a good talk with her mother, not a lie it sometimes make Y/N homesick, and almost make her wants to cry for holding her longing of her parents.

“All right pet, I have to hang up. Not want disturb your work.”

“It's all right, mum. Promise.”

“Good then, good bye pet. I love you.”

“I love you, mum. Tell dad I love him too!”

“Will do.”

. . . .

Friday the 14th.

4.15 pm

“I will send my driver to pick you up around 6, is that all right? I will text his name and the number plate, so you don't get the wrong car.” Harry said while his finger pressing the lift button.

“It's okay. I'll make sure he won't wait too long.”

“Take your time. It doesn't matter if we are a little late.” Harry ensured that Y/N going home on time that day so she could prepare for the Gala. He also even gave not too much assignments. The lift ride didn't take too long until the door open when reached the lobby. The lobby in main building was not  too crowded by people. Only a few employees are seen going to home.

“Later, darling.” He smiled while patting her head. Leaving Y/N stunned in her spot. Luckily there were only two of them in the lift, no one caught them. If there was even one person, someone would have started the gossip. Before falling to another spacing out, Y/N hurried out. Wanting to get home quickly.

Thirty minute-ish ride to home, Y/N urgently placing her bag carelessly along with her heels. Pulling her towel, she rushed to take a shower. She made sure her teeth were clean and her breath didn't smell. She even shaved! Well, she want to look presentable for Harry of course.

For this special occasion, Y/N pulled all black attire. Her choice fall on black spaghetti strap dress. Backless with split side open, showing off her back and long legs. She finishing her look with light make up, and simple hair bun. She just hope she looks appropriate for this such an event.

Strike at 6, her phone buzzing. Mr. Grint, her chauffeur tonight, letting her know that he just arrived and will wait outside her building. Glancing at the number plate on the screen, Y/N lock her door and remembering the number along the way.

LF19 EYD

Her eyes were fixed on a black Tesla a few meters in front of her after closing the door entrance of her building. Someone appeared from the driver's door, looking dapper with grey attire. He opened the passenger door with kind gesture, he must be Mr. Grint.

“Ms. Y/L/N? Good evening. Mr. Styles is waiting for you.”

“That's me. Thank you, Mr. Grint.”

He closed the door for her the walking to driver's seat. Y/N glance around, admiring the interior for a bit. She wonder how many expensive cars Harry's has – well she's sure this is one of the many he has.

“Do you want to drink? I have some cold drinks if you want.” He ask calmly, his eyes fixated on the road.

“No, thank you Mr. Grint.”

“I'll drive you to his house first, then you and Mr. Styles will go together.”

“Oh, I thought I'll meet him at the hotel?”

“No, ma'am. That would be silly if you both arrive separately, right?”

The car stopped after forty minutes drive at very fancy building in Chelsea Waterfront. The cool air hit Y/N's face immediately right after Mr. Grint helped her open the passenger door. Her eyes could see the Thames and the shimmering light across the infamous river.

“I'll escort you to his penthouse.”

Y/N trailed behind Mr. Grint, walking to the West Tower, the highest residential building in the complex. Some of receptionist staff in the lobby greeting both of them before going upstairs by lift. Mr. Grint pressing the 31st button, Y/N assumed that where Harry's floor. Reaching the floor wasn't take too long, until the door open, two large oak doors welcome her on the left.

“Suzanne, it's me.” Mr. Grint talking to the intercom after pressing doorbell. In thirty seconds, a not so old lady show up behind the door, smiling warmly with wrinkles in her eyes,“You must be Ms. Y/L/N. I'm Suzanne.”

Y/N nods, “Good evening, ma'am.”

Mr. Grint excusing himself before Y/N gets in, disappearing behind the lift. Suzanne open the door wider, letting her in. “Have a seat, darling. Harry's getting ready, should I make you a drink while waiting? God knows how long he dressed up.”

She smiles, clutching her purse. “No, I'm fine.”

“Right, I'll clean the kitchen. If you need something, just call my name.” Suzanne grinned, waltzing to the kitchen. Taking the seat in front of large glass door, Y/N could see clearly London night panoramic, before looking around Harry's massive penthouse in awe. How much cost this place spent?

Ten minutes passed, Y/N heard key jiggles behind her with approaching footsteps. She turn back, finding Harry was talking to Suzanne, seems unaware of her presence. From this far distance, she can smell his perfume. A fresh smell that she's unfamiliar with. The perfume is rich in spicy smell, but sweet with vanilla and a bit cocoa.

“Y/N?” Too engrossed in enjoying his perfume scent, she didn't realise that Harry was standing beside her. The scent going strong. So sexy, so soothing. Strong reminiscent of an English gentlemen's club.

“Hi, Harry.” Smiling, her hand smoothed her dress while getting up from couch. His look tonight was something else. Harry opted for fitted black suit with a striped white t-shirt which sat low, flashing his toned chest and ink. The cross necklace dangling around his neck.  He also donned a pair of maroon shoes with a gold buckle on the front for the event.

Harry was spacing out for a second, adoring this beauty in front of him. The delicate of her collarbone, the perfect dress suited her body, and her legs showing from the split.

“Did you wait long? I didn't hear you come, well couldn't find my key either.”

“No, no problem. I just got here.” She ensures him with small smile.

“Are you ready? Shall we get going now?”

“We shall.”

“C'mon.” He murmured, placing his palm behind her bare back. Lead her out.

“You look beautiful. I like your dress.” Harry said as the lift door closed, going down slowly.

“Thank you, you look astounding.” She smiling shyly with red face.

“In a good way?” He teased, coming by laughter from her. “In a handsome way possible.” The lift stops when the screen show an underground parking area. But Harry didn't stop at one of the cars, stepping further until they arrive in private area with sign showing 311, his penthouse number.

Well, he has his own parking spot for.. his five fancy cars, Y/N count. Not including the Tesla earlier. He stopped at a black Audi TT. Unlocking it doors, Harry opened the passenger door for Y/N. “Watch your skirt.”

“Thanks.”

Thirty minutes drive, they spent with light chatting. Sometimes singing along together of whatever music played. The conversation make them get to know each other. Y/N talked about her college live, letting Harry know that she had lived in London before. While Harry talk about his application was declined by one of Ivy League universities for his bachelor admission, so he stuck in England for that reason. But Stanford accept his application for his master programme.

Drop off area was crowded by new arrived guests. But the valet quickly approaching the car to help Harry park his car. Seeing blinding lights from a few photographers lined up along the entrance, making Y/N's stomach churn. Sensing her discomfort, Harry squeezed her clothed thigh, “Don't be nervous. This is just dinner after all, nothing to worry about. C'mon.”

Y/N exhaled as Harry stepping out from his seat, then quickly opening her door. She grab Harry's hand as he once stretch out for her to take. Harry gently put his hand on her waist, lead her in. Some men and women greet them when they entered the grand ballroom, wishing them a pleasant night. Before they get the chance to go to their table, the one and only Victoria Selley, bright and radiant in her lilac dress, walking to them with a glass of wine in her hand.

“Hi, Harry.” She smiled sweetly, and turn bitter towards Y/N. “Well, hello there. I don't know if you are invited?”

Ouch.

“Evening, Victoria. I don't know either if you are supposedly invited. Let's get our table, love.” Harry murmured, taking Y/N hand and looking for their table with help of the staff. Once he found it, he pulled a seat for her. The other four seat still vacant.

The magnificent  of the hotel and the decoration amazed her. Seeing the crystal chandeliers, the waiters passing by with dapper uniform, some women with diamonds in their bodies, she instantly knew that this was not a regular event. She could see the staff organizers help other guests find their seats – don't want to give the impression of being unprofessional.

When she sees Harry, she can say that this is his nature. Surrounded by professionalism, luxuries, a prestige.

“You look pissed with Victoria.” Y/N asks, then thanking waiter for filling up her drink. He shrugged, “She's still bad person from the last time I met her.”

“So, you already know her?” She ask curiously.

“We kinda.. had a story together. But not quite pleasant way. That's why, if you noticed the day we had meeting with her, I kinda shock. Never think will meet her again.”

“She must be horrible girlfriend at that time if you said that. Not shocking. I don't like her too.” Y/N murmurs, her gaze was divided between Harry and the host who just started the event.

Harry chuckle, his dimples on full force. He didn't denied the girlfriend thing. He talk about her openly like it's nothing, nowadays not many people still want to discuss their ex-lover, most of them would shut the question immediately. “Why?”

“You could see the true colour of people from the way talk. As easy as that.”

“Harry?”

A male voice interrupted their talk while sitting next to Harry. A man who seemed to be the same age as Harry, his ocean blue eyes piercing from the glasses he wears. Harry grinned, giving the man a bro hug.

“Hey, Niall. What are you doing here, mate?”

That Niall guy giving him his one million dollar smile, “Eh, representing the hospital council. No biggie.” His deep accent catch Y/N's attention. He doesn't sound like Brits. “Are you coming yourself?”

“Well, not this time. Y/N, this is Niall Horan – my best friend, he works for Nuffield Health. And Niall, this is Y/N.” Harry introduce the two. Niall smiled, shaking Y/N's hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Niall.”

“Did I miss something? The traffic is quite shit tonight.” Niall ask. Harry shake his head, “Not at all. The council just delivered a speech.”

“Oh, Harold. When will you schedule the next session? You just said that it might get worse. Should I give you additional prescription until you get your shit together?”

Niall's words caught her off guards. She doesn't misheard that, does she? Prescription? Is Harry sick? But he looks fine. While Niall stared at Harry questioningly, Harry just froze at his seat, while shooting a glare to his friends. But seems Niall doesn't understand.

“You're sick Harry?” Y/N asks slowly. “No, no darling. I'm fine.” He answered, but Y/N could sense uncertainty in his voice. Niall widened his eyes, understanding this situation. “He just need his vitamins and supplements, nothing to worry. You know he's very busy man.” He added.

“By the way, thank you for the donation, Harry. It really helps the hospital, you know.” Niall change the subject, “Erskine still hold the highest donors position to Nuffield, not surprised.”

“Ah, it's nothing than the company's revenue tho. As long as we can, why not?”

“So, you work as a doctor, Niall?” Y/N try to join the conversation. Niall looks like a nice person to talk to.

“He's one of the doctors at Guildford Hospital, if you want to consult with him, you must make a special appointment. Very busy doctor.” Harry teases, with a laughter coming from Niall, “Hey, don't be like that! But yes, my job every day is examine patients.”

Their conversation was interrupted when waiters offering the main course – indicates the council's speech is over. Niall jokingly ask to them if he could have all they have to offer. Harry shoves his shoulder immediately. “Watch your calories, I don't want you to confide to me if you gain excess weight!”

Y/N laughs, they seem really best friends from the way they were joking, even she can comfortably talk to both of them like old friends. Dishes was fantastic, the ambiance really makes Y/N do not want to leave, could stay a night in their hotel room if she could. She's sure will spend a lot of money if she wants to treat herself here.

“All right, Harry. See you later! Don't forget to call me right away.” Niall hug him before heading out, the event end ten minutes ago but the three of them too engrossed in conversation.

“Sure, drive safe mate!”

“See ya later, love.” It's his turn now to hug Y/N in friendly way. She smiled, “Bye, Niall. It was nice to meet you.”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. You both look cute together.” He winks, grabbing his suit jacket in his chair, then heading out. Both Harry and Y/N just chuckled, waving their hand to Niall.

“He's nice.” Y/N mumbled, taking her purse off the table.

“The most easy going lad I've ever met.” Harry nodded, while leading her out. “C'mon.”

“Hey, Harry!” Someone shouted when they were waiting for Harry's car from the valet. Harry pretended not to hear, but Y/N patted his shoulder . Her eyes on someone who was approaching them. A tall man dressed in velvet green tux, grinning with his arms open wide. Y/N could see Harry's facial expression change.

“Hey, I didn't see you earlier. Where were you hiding?” This man spoke in sneering tone, both his hands in pockets.

“What do you want Dale?” Harry ask lowly, his eyes ignored the man he called with Dale. Dale smirked, eyes seeing a woman next to Harry.

“I don't know you've got new girl here, the media hasn't reported anything yet. Feeling just yesterday that I saw you in a magazine on steamy vacation with a model. What's the name?”

“Dale, if you want to talk a gibberish like that. I'll never ever listen to your bullshit.” Harry growled, staring to glare at Dale. Y/N doesn't know what happened between them. Never meet let alone hear his name before. Seems Harry was having bad blood with this guy from the way he talk to him.

Dale ignore Harry, he instead coming closer to Y/N. His fingers inappropriately touching her chin, “Hello, beauty. What's your name?”

Before Y/N could respond, Harry quickly pulled her behind him. His hand grabbing Dale's lapels. Y/N gasps, swiftly trying to separate them. Fortunately, there aren't many people here, only a few who were busy with their own business.

“Harry, don't.” She begs, her hand on his waist and the other hold his shoulder.

“Don't touch her with your grimy hands. Who do you think you are?” He fumed. In a blinking eyes, his eyes grow darker, hands still on lapels, his veins poking out.

“Well, I think you keep her because she's good in pleasing you in bed, doesn't she? You have never been like this before with your.. whore.”

“Harry!”

His fist punched Dale's face along with Y/N's shrieking. Dale's fell to the floor, with Harry keep giving him some good punches on the face. Some people watching with curiosity.

“Harry, no – please!” Y/N's hands trying as hard to separate them. She could see Dale's swollen face, but Harry's hand look fine. Like he didn't do anything.

“Let's go, H. He doesn't deserve your attention.” She murmurs, rubbing his chest to calm him down. Sneaking his arm around her waist, Harry lead Y/N to his waiting car.

“Calm yourself or let me drive this beauty. We don't want to drive in anger, do we?” Y/N ask cheekily, trying to soften atmosphere because she still could feel Harry's panting breath. He said nothing while snatch the key from valet, walk quickly to the driver's side. Y/N huffed, smiling apologetically to the valet.

Silence fill the air during the drive, making Y/N a little worried. Even Harry doesn't turn on music as usual. Her worries getting worse when Harry start driving recklessly.

“Harry..” She try to call him, looked at him carefully.

No response.

“Harry, you're scaring me right now.”

His expression still raged, eyes on the road, knuckles hard on the wheel. He was silent like he's only one in the car, like she was not there.

“Jesus, Harry!” Tires screeching loudly when he hit the brakes in sudden motion. Y/N body was pushed forward, but held back by the safety belt. Y/N breathless for a second. Before she wants to throw a tantrum to Harry, she realised he was avoided another speeding car by getting out of the way.

Harry rest his forehead on the wheel, with his hands gripping tightly.

“Harry, it's okay.” She squeak, her hand rubbing his shoulder slowly, fingers feeling his stiff muscles. Slowly, stroking his hair, “Do you.. do you want to talk about what happened.. earlier?”

Five minutes passed until Harry open his mouth, “You know Machtig?” head still on the wheel. Keep stroking his hair, Y/N nods “You once told me before.”

“That fucker is working for Machtig. He was a friend from my school's day. And I.. I really.. really don't like him because of what he did to me years ago – even now. Seeing his face made me sick.” His deep voice spoke quickly, unlike he does usually.

“But,” Now, Harry lifted his head. Staring deeply at her, still with dark irises. “He's one of the people who made a Harry Styles like this.”

Y/N frowned, “You told me, Machtig was sold by your father's friend, didn't you? Is he related?”

Harry laughed, leaning his head on headrest. “I don't want to know. Not my fucking business. Every time Erskine was invited to a bid, Machtig always come along with that piece of shit as the negotiator.”

“I just hope that accident earlier wasn't taken advantage by him.”

“Don't fucking care.” He hissed, fingers tapping on the wheel. Then, his eyes bored into hers. Y/N start to feel awkward when he's hesitant to break his eye contact. “What's wrong, Harry?”

“You're so beautiful.” He whispered, thumbs stroking her cheeks.. then jaw.

“Thank.. you?” She stammered.

“He's very.. very lucky.”

He?

Harry's finger still wandering around her face, thumbs caressing her lips slowly. The air started to feel getting more intense, while Y/N began to be allured by Harry's soft touch. He slowly leaned in, pulling her chin until his lips touch hers. Y/N froze, eyes blinking. His hand cupped her jaw while the other still on her chin. She slowly closed her eyes, kissing him back, trusting him. It's getting way too intense while her arms grabbed his neck, deepening the kiss.

Harry bit her lips with hand rubbing her exposed thigh wildly. Y/N let out a soft moan when Harry was stroking her inner thigh, another hand caressing her bare back.

The car feel so hot as well as their body. One thing they knew, this could be lead to another way.

.

.

[chilly-territory]

K Case Files of Blue 2, chapter 3 (part 3 out of 3)

I’ve finally remembered about this one, hooray!

Case Files of Blue 2 by Miyazawa Tatsuki

Chapter 3 (part 3/3) (volume 2, pages 168-196)

† The headquarters brimmed with activity. When Akiyama and Benzai were walking along the hallway, briskly marching ordinary troops passed them by. They had been sent off to different regions on Benzai's orders, and now, as the respective situations in them were finding their resolution, the operatives, too, had started to come back one by one.

"...The Coin Toss theory, huh. Its power certainly is fearsome," murmured Akiyama, and Benzai nodded. "Not only was it used to scatter all those strains across different regions, but the false charges against you were apprently fabricated via its application, as well."

Akiyama's face turned miserable. "But why did they have to choose to falsely accuse me of molesting, of all things? I'm sure there were plenty of other methods if they wanted to put me out of commission."

If he absolutely had to be entrapped by the enemy, he would have much preferred to be abandoned on an uninhabited island like Fuse, or sent on a trip through various regions unable to return like Benzai - those kinds of pretexts, in any case. Sure, his innocence had been proven and he was able to come back, but there was no small chance that he would've been finished socially had something gone slightly wrong. That's what he'd become firmly convinced of after hearing about everyone else's respective situations from Benzai.

"Captain said Kounomura was going to make the truth come to light eventually in any case though, but..."

Akiyama nodded to Benzai's words. Strangely enough, he could believe it. Kounomura had no wish to make anyone miserable through his actions, Akiyama was sure. And their adversary had definitely made sure to prepare more than a few safety nets to that end.

"Well," said Benzai calmly, "it's just probably that he thought that against a guy who is too serious for his own good like you, this kind of ploy would be the most effective, you know?"

Akiyama's expression turned bitter. Indeed, even if it was no more than a ploy, he had to admit that Kounomura had succeeded with flying colors. His approach had really proven exceptionally effective.

"And there's another thing." Benzai gazed at Akiyama's profile. "As a result of catching the real culprit, the girl who handed you over to the police has come forward saying she wants to apologize to you for mistaking you for a groper. What will you do?" "..." Akiyama was in thought for a while, before replying: "There is no need. That girl is just another victim. And since I doubted the authenticity of her claim about groping to begin with, I still have a lot to learn, myself. The reason for what had happened was my ineptitude, and that girl is not to blame for anything."

That attitude, manifesting in him being able to declare such a thing without batting an eye, could be seen as truly manly, but at the same time it could also be called bigoted. Either way, it was just like Akiyama. Benzai found himself smiling at that.

Akiyama continued. "Besides, no matter what people said, I knew no one at Scepter 4 doubted my innocence. And that's more than enough, I'd say, no, Benzai?" "Yeah. Yeah, you're right." Benzai looked away. For some reason, he felt sorry for Akiyama that it was hard to look him in the eye. "Hm? What's wrong, Benzai?"

But before Akiyama could press him about it, there came a welcome interruption in the form of the bright voice of an office clerk Yoshino Yayoi who stood in front of the Captain's office.

"Oh, Akiyama-san! It's so great that the false charges against you have been dropped! Congratulations!" "Yes, thank you." Akiyama smiled.

With that, Akiyama and Benzai accompanied by Yoshino all pushed through the open door to Munakata's office.

Inside, there already were the members of the special ops squad, including Fushimi, Fuse, Doumyouji, Enomoto and Hidaka, along with some ordinary troops, people from accounting, general affairs, and even Zenjou Gouki from the archive room, which was a rare sight.

The Captain's normally fairly spacious office was now packed with people in blue uniforms. And in the center of that mass, Munakata Reishi himself was seated. Chin on his joined hands, he was smiling with a composed smile.

When Akiyama and his companions who'd just made it through the door caught his attention, he announced, "...With this, we have more or less everyone essential present. I apologize for my recent absence." He rose. "Also," looking at Akiyama, he smiled, "Welcome back, Akiyama-kun."

Akiyama gave his king a sincere bow. "I apologize for causing you trouble, sir."

Munakata dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "No need. You are not to blame. The blame is mostly on me, for letting myself be led astray with Kounomura-shi's illusions."

He strode forward to stand in front of his table and cast an eye around to take in all the present.

"That, however, is no longer an issue. Ladies and gentlemen," joining his hands behind his back, Munakata declared, "from this moment onward, Scepter 4 will work towards arresting Kounomura-shi. We're going to teach that good sir who has been amusing himself with games entirely unbecoming of his age and status a lesson. No objection, I trust?"

Noises of approval filled the room. Among the agreeing faces, there was one that didn't look enthusiastic in the slightest, and that was Fushimi's, who then raised his hand.

"...So, Captain, I take it you've figured out where Kounomura is hiding right now?" "No, I have not yet," Munakata confessed flatly. "But," he continued, "in another 24 hours I will because I have extracted enough source information from the routes you had brought me." 'Oh, that,' Fushimi nodded, seemingly satisfied, but the rest could only feel perplexion at that reply.

Munakata beamed. "First, let me explain certain things. To trap us, Kounomura-shi used a strain who could read people's minds and through him, thoroughly analyzed our psychology. Isn't that right, Fushimi-kun?" "Yes." In contrast to his usual fed-up face, Fushimi's report that followed was exhaustively accurate. "Marumoto Keiji, 21, an aspiring photographer and a strain with the ability to read minds through the lens of his camera. Although my efforts to that end are temporarily suspended at the moment, I'm pursuing him - that sickening shit-eating asswipe!" he must have recalled something unpleasant because he slammed the fist of one hand on the palm of his other with a resounding bang.

Munakata, utterly unperturbed by Fushimi's outburst, thanked him for the information. "Thank you, Fushimi-kun. A strain capable of reading minds. Although lacking an immediate offensive ability, he proves quite a hassle when antagonized." Fushimi clicked his tongue especially loudly at that and turned away.

"Fushimi-san looks royally pissed off, no?" "Did something happen between him and that strain, I wonder?" Enomoto and Fuse whispered between themselves, but when Fushimi glared daggers at them, they held their tongues.

Meanwhile, Munakata continued. "That Marumoto character is not the only such opponent. Kounomura-shi had employed even more astonishing means to accumulate the psychological data on us and cause malfunctions in our headquarters' systems. I assume you have already heard about it. He had dispatched a strain with a perception manipulation ability to infiltrate us and had him masquerade as Gotou-kun."

A turmoil rose among the present. Someone who they thought was their collegue was, in fact, a brazen impostor. They couldn't hide how shocking it still felt.

"Captain." Fuse raised his hand. "If that's the case, then where was the real Gotou all this time? Is he okay?" The last sentence sounded tinged with worry. Munakata slowly shifted his gaze from Fuse to Hidaka. "Hidaka-kun. As I recall, you are currently in change of that man's interrogation, are you not? Does he know anything about Gotou-kun?" "Uh, well..." Being the focus of everyone's attention made Hidaka feel a little uncomfortable, but he braved on, "Yes, he speculates that Gotou might be held prisoner in the same facility as Lieutenant Awashima. He also stated that measures had been taken to ensure Gotou's safety."

Fuse nodded. "Well, yeah, considering how they've been going about it until now, it must be true. It was the same when I was stranded on that deserted island, too... But still... That freak was among us for quite a long time now, yes? Yet we all were none the wiser... Damn!" His voice dripped with self-condemnation and frustration.

Munakata's next utterance was put in no uncertain terms. "That is exactly what is so terrifying about strains with perception manipulation abilities. They influence and confuse the brain directly. If you know about the existence of such a strain around you, you might have a chance to break the illusion, but when you don't, you lack any means to resist from the start." "Umm, may I add something, sir?" Hidaka spoke up after raising his hand. "It's something else that guy said. Apparently, he'd avoided running into you as best as he could because there was a high chance you'd discover his identity. Supposing he still had to see you, it was only allowed after the situation was under Kounomura's tight control, as per his plan." "I see." Munakata stroked his chin. "How prudent of him." "Also, as to why Gotou was chosen as the target for the switch on Kounomura's orders. According to Kounomura's comprehensive analysis of the special ops squad, among all the members Gotou was the one most likely to notice tiny changes, that's why it was him that guy'd switched with." "Hmph, reasonable judgement." Hidaka's words made Munakata smile. Many of the troops gathered there nodded in agreement.

Indeed, it rang true. Gotou Ren was a strange guy, to be sure, but he also had a certain keenness and discerning sensitivity about him. A sort of intuitive something that went beyond Akiyama's dependability or Fushimi's brilliant brains.

"Still, we've got to give credit where it's due for the job well done. To think that someone would actually succeed in impersonating a member of the special ops squad right in the middle of Scepter 4... Naturally, it was only possible due to the extensive research on us done beforehand, but the person who managed to pull off something as nigh impossible as this must be quite capable in his own right regardless." "That's true. It seems he's a former police officer himself. That said, there are a few things he turned out to be surprisingly careless about."

Having said all that, Hidaka suddenly remembered himself and fell silent. He had noticed he had touched upon a mildly offensive topic, but was left no route to backpedal and just pretend nothing had happened. All the gazes were focused on him now, and what's more, Munakata himself looked highly interested, even leaning forward a little.

"Erm, well, to explain... you see, we manage something called "Archive E" jointly..."

Enomoto squeezed his head between the hands he put on his cheeks, his face silently but eloquently begging Hidaka to stop, though it really couldn't be helped. After all, it had to do with the case in question. They had a duty to provide all the information they could.

"He apparently misunderstood, thinking "Archive E" is some sort of treasure-chest of classified documents, so he raided the storage site to steal it."

In the end, having learned that that abbreviation stood for something as trivial as "erotic", he flew into rage and disposed of it right in the back yard. That was the cause behind the mysterious disappearance of the erotic book archive that everyone pitched in to collect.

Now that the truth was out in the open, it really was quite silly. For that reason, half of those who happened to be present to hear it wore fed-up expressions on their faces, while the other half snickered despite themselves. In particular, Yoshino Yayoi's half-lidded coldly-looking eyes bore into Hidaka. Who, in turn, was so ashamed he wished for a hole to crawl into. The other members with a connection to "Archive E" were no better, all looking quite uncomfortable, too.

"Hidaka-kun." Munakata suddenly called out to his subordinate with a serious face. "Y-yes, sir?" Hidaka was stiff as a board. "Show me that archive of yours some time." Raising his thumb up, Munakata showed his pearly whites in a grin. "Certainly, sir! Any time!" responded Hidaka eagerly. What a blessing it was to have an understanding superior.

It took Zenjou casually clearing his throat to put the discussion that went off on a tangent, back on track.

Munakata resumed his explanation. "In short, thanks to the spy in question and the aspiring photographer in the person of Marumoto-kun, intelligence on us was gathered and our activities disrupted, while Kounomura-shi analyzed our actions, set traps and nearly paralyzed our work. It's said the world is big, but I suspect this personage might be the only one on the whole globe who could manage a feat of this magnitude." He nodded to himself. "However, like I said a minute ago, now it's our turn. The day after tomorrow we're going to raid the place where this good sir is hiding and apprehend him. And then lecture him with all sternness not to do anything like this ever again."

Under the bombardment of everyone's gazes, Munakata added: "Well, in truth, finding the legal basis for punishing Kounomura-shi presents a slight problem. However, judging from that good sir's personality, I believe defeating him at his own game should prove enough to dissuade him from interfering with us ever again. With that in mind, I would like you to get ready, ladies and gentlemen." "Captain, sir, may I ask a question?" It was Enomoto who timidly raised his hand. "We've been searching high and low all this time, trying to locate Kounomura. Despite that, we couldn't find a single clue to his whereabouts. So my question is, how are you going to pin it down, sir?" "Oh, it's easy." Munakata declared nonchalantly. "We shall simply do what he did and apply the Coin Toss theory, too."

That caused a buzz of agitation to run through the crowd. Fushimi folded his arms and shut his eyes.

"I pulled a few strings and borrowed a super computer that's currently in the process of analyzing Kounomura-shi's activity. We are lucky that he is a celebrity. There is a veritable mountain of data on him in newspapers and magazines that could serve as clues, and there is also an archive of our contacts with him to date. With all of that as the base, we will have an answer in 24 hours."

Most of the present stood there in blank amazement.

"Excuse me, sir," said Benzai. "This is something I've asked before, but it still bothers me. Captain, when exactly did you have an opportunity to familiarize yourself with that theory in detail? I would think the particulars are top secret business information for the Coin Toss company..."

Munakata shook his head slightly. "As a matter of fact, that theory is so complex that even experts in life science mathematics and chaos theory find it difficult to comprehend, so it is out of question for a layman like myself to achieve an understanding of it. Only..." he paused, "I have commissioned an experimental program that applies it solely in the field of pinning down a person's whereabouts." "Commissioned? Whom, sir?" Akiyama tilted his head to the side a little. "America. At present, the FBI is researching and developing an analytical program applying the Coin Toss theory that's limited strictly to criminal investigation. For that reason, technically it's not the same "Coin Toss" as Kounomura-shi used." "Oh!" Akiyama exclaimed before he could check himself and whirled to Fushimi.

Fushimi stood there with an unruffled air and firmly shut eyes.

"That's right," Munakata said. "It was one of the gifts that Fushimi-kun brought back from his business trip, short though it was." Fushimi opened his eyes and let out a sigh. "You gotta take into account that I had to supply them with all sorts of intelligence in return, so it's not really a gift. Besides, the case in point aside, this theory ain't really ready for practical application yet." "What do you mean by that, Fushimi-san?"

It was Munakata who answered Akiyama's question in Fushimi's place. "To start off, terrible cost-effectiveness is the most glaring issue. Obviously, there exist very few supercomputers that could perform such an analysis, nevermind that running it takes a whole day and costs 10 million yen. What's more, trouble pertaining to collecting enough data for such an analysis to even become possible is nothing to make light of. With the above in mind, the tried and tested approach of simply assembling enough man power to handle the task is a better and faster alternative. This time it's a viable option only because we're dealing with a personage as unique as Kounomura-shi, and because the expenses allotted to us in order to catch him are almost unrestricted." "I see," Akiyama nodded deeply.

But Benzai posed yet another question. "But you did manage to catch Tamada, didn't you, sir?" "As the officer who was in pursuit of him, I assume you already know it, but by nature, he's an anarchist and an aspiring artist. You may not tell it at a glance, but he has revealed quite a bit of information about himself through his blog, publications in fanzines, poetry anthologies and such. Furthermore, he had received psychological counseling several times during the reign of the previous Blue King. There are not many criminals with a track record like that though, wouldn't you say?" "No, I suppose not," Benzai replied thoughtfully.

Speaking of, said Tamada, perhaps having embraced Munakata's mysterious aura, swore to turn over a new leaf after serving his prison time. Apparently, once he got out, in order to get employment at Scepter 4, he was intent on sitting for their exam.

"So in short, we're finally gonna do battle with them, right?" Doumyouji chimed in loudly. The reason why he'd kept silent until then was due the lack of sleep he'd been suffering from lately. "Alright! Can't wait!"

For some time now, he'd been forced to do work that contributed greatly toward building his frustrations. And now, at last, his moment to shine was coming.

"But is it really okay?" Akiyama wondered worriedly. "The opponents have a task force consisting of a fair number of strains, no doubt. And one of them in particular, that man named Nakamura Gouki, is apparently skilled enough to give even the Lieutenant a hard time in a fight. Naturally, if you make your appearance, Captain, we're not likely to have much unforeseen trouble to worry about, but in case it does come down to, say, street fighting, some collateral damage might be unavoidable." "Oh, that shouldn't be an issue," Munakata denied resolutely. "I'm quite positive Kounomura-shi only surrounded himself with strains that could be deemed combat-ready troops, like Nakamura Gouki." "Huh?" came the collective noise of puzzlement. Even Fushimi frowned his brows, dubious. "What do you mean, Captain?" asked Akiyama playing the crowd's representative. "Well," Munakata started, "allow me to ask you a question in return. Akiyama-kun. What makes you think Kounomura-shi has a strain task force at his disposal?" "Uh, well..." Akiyama momentarily stopped to think. "Seeing as they took over our duties, even if it was only temporary, they must have a number of people to---" "That was only deception." Not waiting for Akiyama to finish, Munakata interrupted him. "We fell under a certain preconception. Since we are well aware that the job we do on a regular basis is by no means easy, we tend to think that in order for someone else to accomplish it, they'd have to have about the same number of equally skilled people. But as it turns out, that is not necessarily true."

In a sense, it was a statement that utterly denied the very essence of Scepter 4's work. And it was no wonder that those who'd heard it couldn't help being doubtful in its wake. Even Zenjou stared at Munakata in astonishment, like he was seeing him for the first time.

Munakata waved his hand cheerfully. "Oh no, please don't get the wrong idea. I did not mean to disparage our work, I assure you. What I'm saying is the issue to consider is the underhandedness of some of those on the side of justice."

For the majority of the present, those words didn't hit home, but the expressions of Fushimi and Zenjou changed to reflect their understanding, the same as if they'd have said "Oh" or "I see".

Munakata went on. "What in our job is of the utmost importance, in your opinion? Let's see..." Without warning, he pointed at Doumyouji. "What do you think, Doumyouji-kun?" "Erm, the most important part of our job, huh?" Doumyouji looked troubled. "Aw, shucks. Hmm, what might it be? Maybe upholding justice?" "And what is necessary for that end? On what do we spend the bigger part of our time and effort?" "We, uh, maintain public order, catch bad guys... and ummm, sow the good, I guess?"

At that vague answer, those around couldn't help wry smiles raising on their lips along with a warm feeling in their chests, while Munakata shook his head in no uncertain way. "No, that's not it. Unfortunately, you are wrong." In reply to the baffled looks on his subordinates' faces, Munakata elaborated. "The hardest part of our work, requiring the most effort, is to deal with each and every thing in a law-abiding way. This is what unfailingly presents a challenge to us."

Akiyama's mouth formed an "Ah" when he heard that. "...I see. That's what it's about," he was heard muttering under his breath.

Munakata continued his explanation. "In other words, if we were to set out to catch wrongdoers, foregoing the formalities and simply doing what it takes to get the job done, like Superman or Batman, there wouldn't a need for a large scale organization like ours to start with. Coordinating with the police, finding a working balance with the court, negotiating with local residents - it is on those tasks that we spend most of our time, wouldn't you say?"

Doumyouji was still making a face that said he didn't get it.

"When Superman or Batman handle a case, they don't bother going to the courthouse to complete the official procedure, neither do they work on a loan to the police. They don't have to obtain a formal approval from anyone or calculate their exact expenses and fulfill corresponding paperwork. You never see them drawing up reports that have to be submitted to the superior or filing documents pertaining to an investigation, do you?"

With Munakata's elaboration, Doumyouji's face brightened. Seeing as he always endured hellish suffering when it came to his paperwork, to him, that explained everything.

"If I were to put it as bluntly as I can," Munakata added, "simply catching criminals by using illegal means like Kounomura-shi did, such as hacking security cameras or obtaining intelligence through spies, is not really a job especially difficult to do. And that is why I said what I did earlier: from our perspective, the heroes of justice are quite underhanded." "But, in that case," Fuse sounded very frustrated, "wouldn't guys like them always have an edge on us when it comes to accomplishing something? Making us who earnestly jump through the hoops look like fools?"

Munakata didn't wait for him to finish, talking over him. "We have the greater cause to defend. They don't. That's the difference, Fuse-kun." His tone was soft, but at the heart of it was steel-like strength. "And that is precisely why I always say whenever the occasions arises that "our cause is pure". Isn't that right, Fuse-kun?" Fuse was in thought for some time. "Indeed. That's right. We and them have different goals. Now I see," he murmured soon after as if letting the thought sink in deeply into his being.

Munakata gazed at Fuse warmly for a while, then stated, "Everything was but an illusion cast by the schemer extraordinaire Kounomura-shi. Having only a small number of allies makes it easy for him to transfer hideouts, while also minimizing the risk of an information leak. As an added bonus, it certainly helped confuse us and lead us astray. Meanwhile, the actual work was done by Nakamura Gouki and but a few of our adevrsary's most trusted confidants, I assume." "But Captain," Hidaka voiced, "the strains that've been captured all attest it was multiple people that did it?" Munakata's answer was immediate. "And what is the ability of the person you are presently in charge of questioning?" After a moment of vacant silence, Hidaka's eyes went wide. "I see!"

Munakata nodded. "That's right. He made the number of captors appear more than it actually was - every time when a crime committing strain was seized, at that. As a result it looked like there was a whole multi-person force moving at the scene. Let me reiterate: what they were doing looked the same as our work only on the surface, and that is the sole reason why it was even possible. Everything was no more than an illusion created with figurative smoke and mirrors."

For a while, everyone present seemed to be absorbed in his or her own pensive thoughts on the issue.

Watching them with a smile, Munakata commented. "Eventually, we will pin down where our adversaries are hiding. And every false image they have shown us will also come to light." When he continued it was with glee that almost gave one the creeps. "It's finally time to put our opponents in checkmate. Kounomura-shi is already as good as stark-naked before us."

It was then that Zenjou, who kept his silence until now, raised his only hand. "There is one thing that bothers me though." "What might it be, Zenjou-san?" Munakata inquired, unperturbed as ever even at something as uncommon as Zenjou speaking up. "At present, we still have several missing people, starting with Awashima Seri, who have yet to come back. And I think we can't disregard the possibility of them being used as hostages come the worst case scenario."

His words made Munakata fall silent for a while - for the first time today. But then, the Blue King declared: "...I believe Awashima-kun and the others will be back with us soon enough, each having overcome their respective obstacles."

Zenjou's eyes narrowed sharply. "All according to your plan, that included, then?" Munakata shook his head slowly. "No, it is not," he said pensively. "If I had to find a word for it," he smiled, "it would probably be 'faith'."

†

About 2 days before Scepter 4's meeting took place, Gotou Ren, whose place the impostor had taken to infiltrate Scepter 4, was on the sea more than 600km away from Japan. Next to him, a bullet ricocheted with a metallic ching.

"!@#$%^&*(!"

Next, yells in a language he couldn't quite determine could be heard. Which, in turn, was followed by demands to surrender in some broken Japanese with English mixed in.

"Anata no, okasan, naitemasu." //T/N: equivalent to something like "Ur mama cry" Gotou sighted, muttering in a light tone, "My, my, what a pickle."

English wasn't his forte. Due to the fact, he bet on body language as his chosen means to make his resistance apparent.

He stuck his head out a little from the catwalk. "Hey. Me, go back, Japan. Don't jama shinaide!" //T/N: "Don't stand in my way"

With that, he hoisted one middle finger up high in the air. A moment later, he got a response.

"FU*K!" It was accompanied by the sweeping fire from a machine gun.

Gotou panicked, getting on all fours and crawling to hide behind an iron pole. There, he grumbled again in a voice, still lacking any urgency, seemingly oblivious to what unmistakably was a provocation on his part, "My, my, that's why quick tempered foreigners are such a pain."

Presently, he was aboard an enormous ship, the Nefertiti. The overall length of it was 175 meters, with the width being 25 meters. The total displacement tonnage measured at 8900 tons. The highest speed it could achieve clocked at 23 knots, with its crew counting 130 members. It was an imposing military transport vessel capable of transporting 2 helicopters, 30 large trucks and 25 tanks.

Its owner was a private military company called 'SPT' - a multinational enterprise that, among other fields, also engaged in paramilitary activities regulated by a treaty signed in Toronto by 24 countries. A so called Mars-Mercury agreement was enacted between the USA and the EU and designed to keep Japan's economic growth in check. To counter that, in the last 20 years or so, international laws had been developed allowing active operation for a number of private paramilitary companies, with Japan playing a central role.

And this was what Kounomura Zen'ichi resorted to when booking the vessel in question and its crew for the period of 1 month as a private individual. The mission he gave the crew was to reliably keep Gotou Ren away from Japan. He'd certainly gone out of his way to arrange for a military ship just to keep Gotou under house arrest and strict supervision, and then, to be doubly sure, even make said ship put a considerable amount of distance between itself and the mainland Japan. All of which exhaustively proved the utter importance Kounomura attached to Gotou Ren's custody as one of the keys for the success of his plan.

Incidentally, said Gotou Ren was currently on the run from the armed guard units after having broken out of the prison designed exclusively for him by escaping through a door 1 meter thick and locked with an electromagnetic lock that required multiple passwords and a fingerprint of the supervisor to open.

At first, his jailers were quite amicable, but after Gotou punched their platoon leader's lights out, blew up sewer pipes, made three or so of them take a plunge into a septic tank, and two more wallow in wheat flour, their rage had reached the boiling point. Calmly carrying out such acts with a disinterested air about him was what it meant to be Gotou Ren.

The way he went about his breakout was also unusual. For about 2 weeks, he did nothing at all. He seemed perfectly content to just sleep, play smart phone games on the phone supplied to him as a present or paint pictures in isolation, making even his jailers question with concern if he'd even understood his current situation. Still, they had directions from Kounomura to let him spend his time as pleasantly as possible under the circumstances.

Only, Gotou wasn't doing all of the above without a reason. Those drowsy eyes of his kept meticulously watching and observing. And, having found a blind spot, a momentary opening in his guards' defenses, he attacked it and freed himself. And just now, he wasn't just randomly angering his guards. He used their reactions to deduce where on this ship were the most crucial areas.

In the process of running around from his pursuers, he'd arrived at the ship's vast hold.

"Huh?" With his pursuers closing in on him from behind, Gotou leisurely inclined his head. "This is strange. I thought this should be the engine room or something equally important." He ran while compiling a map of the ship in his head, but it seemed he went wrong somewhere. "Mn, I still have a lot to improve on, I guess."

Not sounding especially regretful, Gotou approached a strange cube placed isolatedly in the middle of the hold. He found himself oddly curious about it.

"...I wonder what is this?"

It was then...

"Haaaah!"

...that a tremendously loud scream had issued from inside the construct, making Gotou instinctively take a step back. He had a feeling he might have heard that voice somewhere before.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"

This time the war cry managed to pack even more fierceness; cracks, one after another, started running across the surface of the cube as a result, and then...

"Phew, finally it breaks."

...Awashima slipped out of it, twisting her body to fit in through a slender crack. For some reason, she was dressed in a scarlet dress.

"..." "..." For a while, Awashima and Gotou simply stared at one another.

"Why are you here, Gotou?!" Awashima broke the silence first. "...I could ask you the same, ma'am. No, actually, I'm more interested in asking you why you're decked out like that. Lieutenant, are you getting ready for a wedding or what?" "D-Don't be absurd! It's just this was the only piece of clothing provided to me."

Both of them looked mightily confused, but the moment their ears caught the sound of Gotou's pursuers' footsteps from the passage he'd taken to get here, the two donned composed faces.

Gotou briefly outlined his circumstances to Awashima. In short, having taken him prisoner, the chances were the ship was now a long ways off from Japan. Awashima was quick to get a grasp on the situation, and even quicker to make a decision.

"Understood," she said as if it was the most trivial thing in the world. "Let's commandeer this ship."

That took even Gotou by slight surprise. "...We'd be up against more than 50 armed soldiers though?" "Oh?" Awashima smiled charmingly, working on rolling up the sleeves and shortening the hem of her dress to make it easy to move in. "Does that really count as 'many'? You and I are both the Blue King's clansmen, don't forget." "I see." Gotou had found his resolve. Smiling without a trace of tension, he added, "Seems like an appropriate number in that case." "True." Awashima fixed her gaze on the entrance from which the soldiers were likely to appear. "We've got to go back to the Captain's side as quickly as possible, and to that end, every second counts. I have no doubt he's waiting for our return even as we speak."

Gotou nodded in agreement, cracking his fingers.

It was 4 hours later that the ship made a sharp U-turn and started heading back to the far away Japan it had previously departed from.

[all-of-the-imagines-for-eve]

Awkward ~ Embry Call

A/n: I love this one, it makes imprinting feel so natural aw :’) Unfortunately because there's so much information already given to this character I decided to just make her an OC. Too much I had to apply to her to make this an x reader :/

Additionally: Should I make a part two? If it's not requested I won't do it but I could if y'all really wanted me to. Okay peace out ✌🏼

Word Count: 4215

Warnings: Angst. A lot of angst. Some fluff too :) You know the regular stuff.

Faceclaim: Michelle Rodriguez

MASTERLIST

As long as Embry Call and Quil Ateara had been friends, Quil's sister Nina and Embry had been an interesting pair. Quil thought his sister endlessly annoying and often attempted to exclude her from anything and everything they did together. The problem was, she was stubborn and often liked to do things just to because she was told not to- especially if it meant annoying her brother. They were twins, similar in looks and family but also in personality. The Ateara twins were both loud mouthed and goofy and playfully aggressive- they'd been rough housing and arm wrestling and shoving and tripping each other so often for so long that even before they were wolves everyone used to joke they were like playful pups rolling around in the dirt. Embry got along with both of them and Quil hated it.

People always joked that Nina and Embry would grow up and get married but neither had even considered it in a serious way. Not even dating or kissing or even crushing on each other. The two just clicked, friendly and familiar right off the bat. When Quil was absent at school, in a bad mood, sick, or otherwise busy, Embry spent the time with Nina. The one time they'd both been unavailable had been such a sucky, boring day that Embry was glad he had Nina as a back up for Quil's off days.

There were little moments, though. Tiny things that threw them off of the casual friendship they both secretly held so dear.

One example was when they were thirteen. Nina had been asked to a dance so she'd gotten all dolled up and waited outside her house for the boy's mom to pick him up. Except he never came. Quil finally came outside and told her to come in. It was Embry who had been able to convince her though. The boys paused their hang out that night to cheer her up, Em and Nina cuddling on the couch as Quil was unavailable while he made snacks and picked the perfect movie. When it was time for bed Nina had fallen asleep so Embry decided ti just sleep with her since she was on top of him and Quil shrugged and walked away.

Another example, when they were ten, was when Embry was riding his bike and hit a rock, scraping the crap out his knees and hands. Quil complained loudly while Nina jumped into action immediately, smoothing Embry's hair out if his face to make sure he was okay, kissing him on the cheek like her mom did to her when she needed comfort. Embry found jumself blushing at the contact, not sure if the reaction was from her kiss or the adrenaline rushing through his system. She then proceeded to patch him up with the home made first aid kid she had packed in her backpack when they had headed off. She let him grab her arm as she cleaned out the scraped, shooting him apologetic, soft expressions every time he hissed when it stung a little too much. She had been so gentle and caring and attentive that even at such a young age, he watched her for a few seconds after she finished. She was so familiar and comforting... That held up years after.

When they were fourteen, Embry's girlfriend broke up with him because she was moving and they didn't want to date over s long distance. Embry had been distraught and only Nina had been able to calm him down and bring him comfort. She was with him every step of the way as he came to terms with losing her and moving on. It was easier than he had expected it to be with Nina around. With Nina's smile, that reminded him of sunlight, and Nina's laugh that sounded like home.

When they turned sixteen Embry had pretended to be Nina's boyfriend to make an annoying boy with a huge crush on Nina go away. It had almost been too easy but when the boy left, deterred, and Quil had spent the rest of the day groaning and whining about how weird and gross it was and how they'd ruined his birthday (he'd mostly been joking- he just thought the idea of his best friend and his sister dating was majorly weird), they'd brushed off the sparks and tingles and the thread that seemed to pull them towards each other again and again.

Later that year though, Embry would get sick. Nina would be by his side, mothering him just like she always was. His mom didn't need the help but she let Nina in every day after school anyway because despite what the two kids believed, there were some things moms knew that kids didn't and this was one of those things. Nina and Ms. Call would make him soup and the trio would watch movies, often joined by Quil as well. Quil came less and less though, slowly coming ti terms with the same realization that Embry's mom had had. Nina would bring Embry his homework and they did it together. Nine would play with his hair to make his headaches go away and take his temperature and far too often have to change the wet rags she gave him to put on his skin to try and cool down his ridiculous temperature. He always refused to go to the hospital and Nina and his mom didn't force it because any doctor would he as boggled by the numbers as they were. Despite the heaviness of feeling so helpless, Nina was there every step of the way...

Until she wasn't anymore.

Embry played no games. First it was his mom telling her she couldn't come in. Sam Uley had come over the night before and now he had come back and Embry and him had been out all day. He was better but Sam had been very strict about him having no visitors until they were sure. After a few days of Embry going completely AWOL even with Quil and Jake - no calls or visits or letters or texts; NOTHING - Quil went over. He came back saying that Embry didn't want to hang out with them anymore.

"He looked me right in the eyes and said he didn't want to be friends anymore." He looked at Jake and Nina. "With any of us." After extensive questioning from the other two he finally admitted, "He was different. He'd cut his hair off, super short, and he was taller. Like way taller. I don't know it looked like'd he'd been working out- and- and he had some sort of tattoo..."

The trio was silent for a second but they all knew what had happened. It had happened before. "Sam," Jake seethed. That was the only clarification anyone needed.

And so there was three.

Working together they managed to eradicate Embry from their memories, banding together to close their wounds with force and put on smiles and keep going with the same ease their ex friend seemed to be using. They were doing very well, even when things got more serious between Jake and Bella. They became a quad again, Bella slipping into Embry's place even if she didn't even begin to fill it the same way.

Then Jake got sick.

He seemed the same kind of sick Embry had been but they all brushed it off and Nina showed up to take care of him, Quil accompanying him this time. Jake swore again and again that it wasn't like what it had been with Embry. He wasn't going anywhere near Sam Uley and his gang. Ever. Just as they were assured, Sam paid Jake a visit. First no visits, then no calls. Then dodging and lying and avoiding until Nina pulled Quil to her one day, needing his comfort. Suddenly Bella was gone too and it went from four to three to four again, straight down to two. The twins were distraught for weeks, but they always took comfort in each other.

And then Quil got sick.

Nina was silent as death as she took care of him. They exchanged no words about it ever, not trying to make jokes as the very real fear sat forever present in the house. It was the exact same sickness Jake and Embry had both had. The fever was unmistakable.

When Sam Uley came to visit, Nina refused to let him in. "Nina you need to let me in."

"NO!"

A sigh. "Nina please, there are things you don't unders-"

The door flew open and Sam stepped back, startled by the fire and ice swirling in her eyes as she experienced wrath and agony at the same time. "You've taken EVERYONE FROM ME!" Her face was so twisted that Sam didn't even try to stop her, knowing she needed to get it out. "You took E-" She still couldn't say his name. She whimpered, blinking and then skipping the rest of te letters. Sam's face softened, only sorrow manifesting. "You took Jake, and Bella. You can't take Quil from me! HE'S ALL I HAVE! I WON'T LET YOU!" He stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. She blinked and her tears began falling. "Please," she croaked, her voice hoarse and weak and cracking with emotion. "Please don't take him away too."

Sam was truly regretful. "I'm sorry Nina. It's not something I can control." And then he brushed past her into the house and while she waited outside, frozen and terrified as there was conversation inside that she could not hear. Her mother was at work so she was alone when Sam returned outside after a long time to see her in the exact place and position he had left her. "I'll be back tomorrow."

"I'm sure you will," Nina seethed. Sam sighed before leaving.

Nine was gone when he came the next day and she avoided Quil for a while, eyes still hopeful even though she was terrified to see him and know for sure. When she ran into him as she was headed in and he was headed out, she froze. They locked eyes and she took in his sheered hair and exposed torso. He was taller and leaner, more muscular. He had a tattoo ok his shoulder and her eyes watered. "Nina-" he began. She pushed passed him into the house, desperate to avoid whatever he had to say to her in excuse or reason or apology.

And so she was alone.

She stayed alone for a long time. She watched her brother and friends get along just fine without her, bonding with Jared Cameron and Paul Uley, forever under Sam's rule. She saw them at school and at parties and at the beach. It was too painful so she started to avoid them. If she wasn't hidden in the confines of her house she was hiking or sitting on the beach. She had taken drawing up as a hobby and though she wasn't great at it at first she picked it up pretty well. She became quiet, wearing grey and black hoodies to blend into the background. Quiet and invisible. The boys wouldn't admit it but they could always see her and every time their gazes landed on her, they each grew silent and somber.

Nina was quiet and lonely and a cliche edgy art kid now, but her grades kept up. It kept her busy while she drifted through an otherwise empty schedule. She couldn't go to parties and she didn't have friends so she turned to homework to eat up her time. For a long time it was like that.

Then Victoria made the newborns.

Nina missed a day of school due to a fever. And then another. She got suspended after getting in a fight with a kid in the hallway who had pushed her a little too far and the entire week she was gone she spent attached to her bed. She wasn't sick really. She was angry and incredibly hot- like her blood had turned to fire. Her mom was worried about it and when Quil asked what was going on and she told him, he recognized the symptoms and went to Sam immediately, filled with hope. Just like he always did, Sam went to the Ateara house one night to visit Nina. This visit didn't go anything like his other ones had, though.

He came to her house to see her outside, in a tank too and shorts, her hair tied in a bun as she closed her eyes, feeling the cool night on her skin as she tried to cool down. Sam sighed, approaching her. He didn't get a single word in before she sneered, "Leave."

Sam rose an eyebrow. "Nina-"

Her eyes flew open. "No." Her voice was so hard and cold that the Alpha felt threatened. He could see the aggression and the heat in her and he wanted to help. But she had known she was coming and she blatantly refused. "NO." She moved from her post on the balcony to right in front of him and he solidified his stance to seem bigger, stronger. But she had grown taller too, stronger. And she wasn't backing down. "You-" she began. Her breath came harsher, faster, and she blinked as her vision flickered oddly, the coloring different than she had ever seen the world before. "You have taken everyone," she began again, softer as she trued to compose herself. "You don't het me. You don't get to steal from me and shut me out and hurt me and then add me to your ranks." She blinked as her chest constricted and Sam reached out for her. The second his hand brushed against her skin she growled. Growled. But she was suddenly far too angry to care about that. "NO! You! YOU! You and Quil and Jacob and- and-" Her face hardened. "And Embry. You are not my family anymore! You don't get the right to worry or care about me! ANY OF YOU!" she screamed, the words garbling into something that sounded like snarls and growls more than actual human speech.

Suddenly there were people running to Sam's aid from the woods as Nina shoved him, wanting to start a fight Sam refused to engage in. Nina hunched over, eyeing the new threats. She was beginning to become more a caged animal than anything. Sam held up a hand. "Everyone back and calm down!"

That almost worked. "GOD!" Nina barked. "You follow his every word don't you? You little puppy dogs."

Paul stepped forward. "You don't know anything about us."

Nina's face twisted even more. "YOU don't know anything about ME." Her voice was low and dangerous.

Her eyes leveled on Sam and she took a step forward only to immediately be intercepted by someone. Quil. He pushed her back and began, "Nina no!" But then push set her off and she was suddenly coiling and twisting, her anger exploding as her skin itself seemed to lose purchase and slip and slide and stretch, her bones morphing into a new form. She hunched forward, her hands hitting the ground as- as paws.

Her confusion and hurt and anger changed from her new form to Sam again. She was blinded by hate and pain and all she could think was that she wanted nothing more than to tear Sam Uley to shreds. The boys turned and Nina growled as she faced down the five wolves. She would take all of them, looking them straight in the eye to communicate her vehement hatred without using the words that escaped her outside of her human form. Then her eyes met a familiar pair.

Somehow she knew it was Embry.

The world, already discolored and different, shifted and they both froze, eyes widening. There was suddenly a chord between them that tied them together, thick and undeniable. Impossible to ignore and hard to resist as it shortened, demanding them to be pulled closer.

Hearing Embry's thoughts and seeing Nina's shift, the other wolves backing off to give the two some room. Embry stumbled forward as if he was pushed but Nina collapsed in the spot she was in, her different eyes closing tightly as she hung her head. He was immediately by her side, nudging her and whining to make sure sue was okay.

Nina? Nina what's going on in that brain of yours. Please let me hear you Nina.

Hearing his voice after so long was terrible and wonderful at such intense levels that she recoiled from him. On top of that, hearing it in her head? Hearing it like she was peeking into his thoughts?

She couldn't handle it. She stood up on all fours and stumbled away from him. Her eyes were wide and her thoughts were scrambled and loud and chaotic, becoming even worse as they realized she could hear them now that she was initiated into the pack when she'd imprinted on Embry, even if she had resisted it at first. It was too much for her though and she howled, the others cringing away from her as her thoughts became hysterical bloody murder screams. She turned and ran.

After they got over the stunned shock they ran after her, causing her to run faster.

Nina stop!

Slow down!

Wait!

LEAVE ME ALONE!

They pulled back and left her alone as she asked. The further she got from them, the more it hurt her and Embry both.

She ran all night, only showing up back at the house in the morning, still in wolf form. Quil came our of their house with a folded up outfit in his hands. He offered them to her awkwardly, unsure where to go from there. She looked between him and the pile before he sighed, jogging towards the woods. She followed him, not looking over as she padded along his side. He lead her a ways in before setting the pile on the ground and then turning around and jogging back to the house. They didn't need to speak for her to know the plan he had in mind. She shifted back to human - something she'd had to work on for quite a while the previous night - and then got dressed, joining Quil back at the house. She still didn't look at him, going to pass him. He caught her arm and she went stiff. "Let. Go of me."

Quil did as she asked, deflating. "Nina-"

"No," she snapped.

Her brother watched her continue, attempting to go inside. "Sam's holding a meeting tonight. You're part of the pack. We have answers and I'm sure you have questions. Please, come?" She paused at the door. "We can be together again. You, me, Jake. Embry." She flinched at the last name as if Quil had burned her. He frowned, seeing his sister so upset. He had always been able to help her when she was upset. But she had never been this messed up and she had never shut him out so aggressively. "Please," Quil begged, his voice only a whisper.

Nina didn't look at him. "The length of my hair. Is that why you guys keep it short?" After a second, Quil hummed in confirmation. She went inside without another word and Quil sat in the steps, closing his eyes and lacing his fingers into his hair in frustration. She came out again a few minutes later but she only brushed past him, ignoring him despite him shooting to his feet and reaching out to her.

Hurt and worried and completely unsure of what to do next, Quil just headed to Sam's.

Night came and hours passed with no sign of Nina. Just as they were about to call it a loss, they all tensed as a familiar smell hit their noses. Quil and Embry were scrambling to the front door before Nina even got close enough to knock. They were surprised by the state she was in.

She seemed firmer, her eyes dark and hard and her hair cut short like Leah's, maybe a little shorter- where Leah had first cut it, maybe. She had worn it very long since the beginning of time, whining and complaining every second of even the monthly trim her mom took her to. She HATED to have her hair cut. She hated having it shorter than to her waist, loving to brush it and do it in all kinds of fun hairdo's. Now it was too short to do anything with.

She brushed past the two boys without acknowledging them except when she paused a split second when Embry's fingers brushed her arm. It was obvious she wanted to cave in and have him touch her again but she swallowed it, forcing herself to keep walking and hardening her expression. Embry and Quil followed after her. She stopped in the middle of the room, across from Sam. The two boys continued past her to Sam's side, Embry taking another chance to touch her arm as if it had been on accident. They both knew it wasn't. Sam faced her. "Quil said you had answers."

Sam nodded. "What do you know?"

"The legends are true," she stated simply. "We're shape shifters. Werewolves. Skin walkers- whatever. The Cold Ones...?"

"Vampires," Sam supplied.

Nina nodded, her face not changing. She was unreadable and even Jacob was struggling with how different she was than how he knew her to be. "Vampires and werewolves," she mused quietly. Sam nodded. "Why did I... change?"

"When more of them come, more of us awaken to combat them." When she didn't speak again, he continued. "Bella Swan. The Cullens are vampires." Nina nodded. "Newborns, new vampires, are hunting Bella down. We're not sure why yet. Bella has a thing with Edward Cullen so we're working with them to protect her." Nina rose an eyebrow but she didn't have to voice her confusion for Sam to add, "The Cullens don't eat people. As long as they feed off if animals as they promised, we don't come for them. We have a treaty."

Nina nodded again, pausing. "Am I still mortal?"

Sam softened a little as her voice became less cold. "Yes. We're still susceptible to injury and death, though we do heal VERY quickly. We can't undo what's been done and as long as you continuously shift, you don't age. If you stop shifting then you can become normal, aging and everything."

That seemed to make Nina relax a little. "And it's a choice to change? No full moon chaos?" Sam nodded. Nina's eyes shifted to Embry and her stony expression gave way to fear. "What happened?"

She hadn't meant to say it out loud but now that she had, she looked back at Sam, vulnerable. He didn't have to ask what she meant. "You imprinted on each other," he told her. She seemed confused. "It's when we find our.... other half. Soulmate is the best word we've found so far. You find someone that completes you in some way and you strive to give them anything and everything they need. A brother, a friend, a protector-"

"A lover?" Nina asked. It had slipped again and Quil coughed. She blushed.

Despite himself, Sam smiled. "A lover," he confirmed.

There was a pause as Nina looked away. She nodded once more and then turned toward the door to leave. "WAIT!" Embry called. She stopped. "Stay? Please?" She didn't respond. "I know... I know we have a lot to work out. But- please? I can't lose you again. Please."

She turned to face him, her eyes sad. "You left."

"I didn't have a choice," Embry agonized. "You can ask anyone, I've been miserable. I was so excited when we found out- maybe even more so than Quil, who was torn because he didn't want you to be like us. But I knew, I knew you'd be the most badass wolf and I've been dying to see you again." He took a step closer to her, his hands reaching for hers. She watched his fingers, now facing him even if she didn't move past that. "I wanted it to be you," he whispered. "And it is. It was always you. Please stay." Their eyes met and Nina actually managed a smile.

A sudden loud, obnoxious groan came from someone. Everyone looked over to see Quil pretending to gag. "GREAT!" he complained. "They imprinted on each other. Now I'll have to deal with the sappy thoughts while we're wolfed out. And the kissing." He rolled his eyes, his nose scrunching up.

The mood shifted instantly, Jake shoving Quil joking. "You're just jealous."

"Am not!" Quil argued. "I'm disgusted- big difference."

Nina moved to Embry's side, taking his hand shyly. They both smiled, finally standing in peace as they were finally reunited. Everyone knew where life would lead for the two, even if they didn't know the little details. Even fate knew that they were destined to fall in love. It felt so right that for a second, the time alone faded away and nothing mattered- not pain or regret or vampires or fear or danger or the chaos and danger facing. Not even Quil's loud, annoying complaints and jabs and fake gags.

Even if it would make things a little awkward...

-

FTL: @chipster-21 @bitchyseawitch @alexa-playafricabytoto @wolfgirlxslytherin @justanotherdaydreamersoul

[reddielibrary]

Til Death My Love

prompt: Murder Mystery AU

written by: Shannon | @richiefuckfacetozier

Art by @slashpalooza

word count: 2,319

*click title to read on AO3

Characters:

Butler Richworth - Richie

Mrs. White - Patty

Miss Scarlet - Audra

Mrs. Beaver - Beverly

Professor Plum - Mike

Colonel Bird - Stanley

Mr. Spaghetti - Eddie

Revered Hay - Ben

Mr. Boddy - Bill

Richworth heard the door ring and he was off to collect the last member of the night. There were to be 7 guests for Mr. Bill Boddy’s feast. He opened the wooden door to reveal a short, brown-haired man, “Mr. Spaghetti.” he greeted with a slight bow.

“Richie...I mean Richworth.”

Richworth took a moment to admire the blue suit Mr. Spaghetti wore, he looked uncomfortable in the outfit even though it fit him perfectly. There was a pink colored pocket square that Richworth plucked out quickly. “Hey!” Mr. Spaghetti reached for the small cloth. Richworth grabbed his wrist to bring it toward his mouth for a chaste kiss. He glanced up at the red face of Mr. Spaghetti, who gulped visibly as his mouth parted a little.

Richworth let go and straightened up, “The other guests are already here and in the dining room.” Richworth led the way toward the decorative room. There were plates, silverware, and glasses set up for a 3-course meal. A meal they would never get to enjoy.

“Why are we all here?” Miss Scarlet said in frustration to Richworth the second they entered the room. “Some of us have jobs you know.”

“What job would you have that involves working evenings?” asked Colonel Bird.

Mrs. White leaned toward the Colonel, “I think we can all guess exactly what kind of job she has.”

A look of pure loathing flashed across the beautiful face of Miss Scarlet. She flipped her red hair dramatically, “At least I have a job, better than being a widow with several husbands, who all seemed to mysteriously kick the bucket.”

Mrs. White stood up, “I will not sit here and be insulted by some harlot!”

“Oh sit down and shut up for god’s sake.” Mrs. Beaver took a long drag of her cigarette and blew out smoke rings. Her short straight red bob was in complete contrast to Miss Scarlet’s long curly hair. Freckles scattered around her skin like dust, more than one person in the room considered how they practically represent the souls of past victims who’ve crossed her. “You are disrupting my calming aura.”

“Don’t disrupt the aura,” said Professor Plum in his low voice. He wore a green tweed suit that accented his dark skin perfectly. His brown eyes were trained on the red wine sloshing around in his glass. “Wouldn’t want to upset that.”

Mrs. Beaver glanced across the table at him. The red pointy glasses she wore were on the tip of her nose so her eyes focused on him unnervingly. “If you have something to say, then say it, Professor Plum.”

“There’s no real science behind aura’s and you know it.” He stated, swishing his red wine and sipping it. “You bring your own positive or negative energy. No one is controlling it for you.”

She opened her mouth to argue just as Richworth rang a mini gong. The sound vibrated through the room quieting the group instantly.

“Now that we have gathered, Mr. Boddy would like to greet you all.” A smile spread over his face like he knew something they didn’t, which in all likelihood he knew everything they didn’t.

A man with slicked-back dark red hair entered the room. Everyone let out some noise of anger, surprise, or horror. There stood Mr. Bill Boddy wearing a designer suit and holding a briefcase attached to his arm with handcuffs.

“You!” Miss Scarlet rose to her feet. “Why are we here?!”

“All will be explained, me dear,” Bill said in a quiet firmness. “For now, please sit.”

She stood her ground a moment longer before the calming touch of Reverend Hay was placed on her elbow. Miss Scarlet looked at him and without saying a word, she sat back down. He patted her hand lightly then returned it to his lap.

“Richworth, please tell our guests why they are here.” said Mr. Boddy, taking a seat at the head of the table.

Richworth started at the head and slowly walked around as he said, “Reverend Hay, Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum…” He continued to the other side of the table, “Miss White, Colonel Bird, Mrs. Beaver, and Mr. Spaghetti.”

Richworth stopped beside Mr. Spaghetti placing a hand on his shoulder. The man stiffened in surprise then calmed down. “As you all know, Mr. Boddy here has been blackmailing each of you for months.” This news was met with tight lips, glares, and a bitter smirk from Mrs. Beaver. “In his briefcase is all the evidence on each of you, the only copies of the evidence. Mr. Boddy plans on giving these over to the police which could incriminate everyone seated at this table. IF you don’t do exactly as he tells you…” Richworth took a pause here, then removed his hand from Mr. Spaghetti, “Or you can reach under your chairs…”

Bill Boddy glanced at Richworth, “What is the meaning of this?” All the guests started reaching under their chairs and pulling out different weapons - knife, gun, wrench, rope, candlestick, lead pipe, metal trophy.

“Everyone has a weapon capable of killing Mr. Bill Boddy. Now's your chance to take back your lives.” At these words, the lights went out. The sound of weapons being dropped or thrown, a gunshot noise, a thud, then nothing.

The lights flickered back on and there was Bill Boddy’s body limp on the ground. Miss Scarlett let out a scream.

Richie bent down to check his pulse, then slowly rose. “One of you is the killer,” Richie pointed to the body of Bill as he looked out toward the sea of guilty suspects. “I suggest you figure it out because I called the police earlier.”

“You what?!” Mrs. White screeched.

“How dare you! What exactly do you do?” Professor Plum accused.

“I am the butler,” Richworth replied lazily, “I buttle if you will.”

“Why…” Mr. Spaghtti asked weakly, eyes trained on the body. “Why would you give us weapons then call the police?”

“Because I wanted him dead and knew you all would get the job done. Now, how shall we figure this out folks?”

-40 minutes later -

“Come on, Mr. Spaghetti! They are coming for us!” Richie gripped his hand. Their feet were loud on the wooden floors as they ran down the hallway together.

“Richie wait!” Eddie wheezed uncomfortably. “I can’t run.”

Without letting go but slowing down significantly he said, “I’m not Richie, I’m Richworth your secret lover and accomplice.”

“No seriously, Richie, I can’t fucking breathe.” He let go and they both stopped. Richie placed his hands on Eddie’s shoulders. “You ok Mr. Spaghetti?”

“I hate that Bill…” he took a deep breath, “Gave me Mr. Spaghett in his murder mystery.”

Richie laughed, “At least your name isn’t a play on your father’s: Richworth...Wentworth...kill me. There’s a reason dad didn’t want me to be junior. Terrible name.” He stared at Eddie with unease. “Didn’t mean to overwork you.”

Eddie waved a hand dismissively, “Don’t worry. It’s been super fun tonight. I didn’t think I’d be quiet about being the murderer for as long as I did. But of course, you got it out of me.”

“My card said I’d assist the murderer but didn’t tell me who it was just that I had to protect my love who was being blackmailed, who would be wearing a pink handkerchief.” Richie looked around as he heard the noise of people coming after them. “Quick! Hide!”

“We need to get back to the dining room. They won’t expect us to go back to the scene of the crime.” Eddie suggested still clutching his chest.”

“They think I’m the killer, I should just sacrifice myself.” He said in complete seriousness. This was a game but Eddie had no doubt Richie would do this in a real situation.

Eddie launched himself at Richie and kissed him fiercely. They were like lovers who truly had killed someone together, this was the last kiss before they were separated for life. Richie pushed him up against the door off the side of the hallway. He reached behind Eddie and opened the door, they stumbled into the small closet. Their mouths barely parting, deepening with each uncertain moment.

Eddie’s hands went down Richie’s chest, feeling the silkiness of the rented butler suit. He smirked into the kiss laughing a little.

Richie broke the kiss asking, “What are you laughing at spaghetti head?”

“I buttle if you will. I think the whole room was two seconds away from bursting into laughter when you said that. This group has never had to be so serious for so long.”

“The roleplay has been the best part.”

“You are so natural. Bev too, I was legit scared of her at the dinner table.”

“DID ANYONE SEE WHERE RICHWORTH WENT?!” Came the yell of Mike.

They both held their breaths and remained completely still. Eddie’s heart was beating frantically. If the others found them, they would know they were working together. That couldn't happen.

Footsteps stopped right outside the door. “We should just keep running down the hall then start checking rooms." Came Patty's voice. "He has to be here somewhere.”

“Maybe Eddie tricked him into following him like he said he would.” Beverly suggested. At this Richie’s body tensed and he looked down. Eddie shook his head, eyes meeting steadily and mouthed ‘I tricked them’. Richie hugged him closer.

“Well,” Stanley’s annoyed and out of breath voice broke through, “Let’s go onward then.” Their footsteps trampled down the hallway, allowing Richie and Eddie to relax.

“I’m playing double agent my dear Richworth.” he said pleadingly, flowing back into character. “I would never betray you.”

“I know my love,” Richie bent his head to kiss Eddie chastely. “Let’s go.”

The two held hands as they quietly hurried in the opposite direction of their pursuers. They took the steps of the stairs two at a time and ran toward the dining room. When they entered the room, Bill was sitting in a chair smiling at them excitedly.

“How’s the dead life, Billy?” Richie asked with a smirk. He raised his hand and zipped his lip. “Oh right, once you’re dead you can no longer talk. Right, Mr. Spaghetti?” There was no answer. “Eddie?”

Richie turned around to see Ben holding a knife to Eddie’s throat. “Reverend Hay...put down the knife.”

“You two were in it together.” Ben said in a shaky voice.

“Not very godly of you to kill a man.” Richie stepped forward. Ben brought the knife closer to Eddie’s throat. “Put it down.”

“No! WE ARE IN THE DINING ROOM!” Ben screamed. “They are going to come and you two will be taken into custody.”

“I can’t let that happen.”

“Richworth,” Eddie shook his head. “Go, while you can.”

Richie’s eyes stayed trained on the knife. “I’m not leaving you.” His eyes flickered to the gun still on the table. “Til death my love.” He picked up the gun and aimed it at Ben’s head. “Lay down the knife.”

Ben let go of Eddie, who immediately ran behind Richie.

“You wouldn’t kill a man of god.” Ben sobbed. 

“I’m an atheist.” Richie pulled the trigger, the noise of a gun went off and Ben hit the ground dramatically.

Richie stared at his body for a minute before Eddie took the gun from him. “You were so brave,” he whispered laying a kiss on his lips slowly. “I can’t believe you killed for me.”

“I would do anything for you.” Richie responded leaning down to kiss him longer.

“I know you would.” Eddie took a step back a slow smile forming on his face. Except there was nothing sweet about it, the grin was a victorious one.

“Mr. Spaghetti?”

“Til death my love.” Eddie raised his arm and pulled the trigger. Richie fell to the ground.

The rest of the group entered the room, gasping and yelling.

“Richworth killed the Revered and Mr. Boddy. The murder is dead.” Eddie said to the room. Everyone cheered and hugged each other.

“And that’s the end of the game!” Bill said excitedly.

Richie rose from the ground quickly. “You little bastard! You lied to me!”

Eddie began to laugh, his laughter filled the room.

“What are you talking about Rich?” Beverly asked in confusion.

He frowned at the still giggling man, “Eddie was the fucking killer! He played triple agent!”

“That’s what my card said to DO! I had to trick you and kill you in order to win!”

“I was supposed to protect you from all weapons...oh my god. Damn it, Bill.” Richie turned on him. “Couldn’t have given me a little more of a tip there?”

“You let your guard down.” Bill shrugged. “But holy shit the final showdown was awesome.”

“I wish we could’ve seen it!” Audra went over to Bill and kissed his cheek. “Great writing hun.”

“Can we please do this every weekend?” said Patty with excitement.

“I couldn’t handle this every weekend. Far too stressful” Stanley groaned. “Maybe in a couple months.”

“Such a grump.” Patty poked his stomach playfully.

“Does that mean we all lost?!” Mike asked in annoyance. “Since our objective was to figure out the murderer.”

Bill grinned. “Correct. You are all a bunch of losers. Except for Eddie!”

“What else is new,” Ben grumbled. “Richie fucking killed me. I’ll never forgive you, man.”

“Awww,” Beverly went over to Ben and gave him a hug. “Poor baby.” She teased as the room laughed.

“Well,” Eddie nodded toward the door. “Shall we go check out this giant house we rented for the weekend?” The group agreed and left the room.

“Can’t believe you killed me,” Richie complained. “You got to be such a badass.”

Eddie laughed, “I’m always a badass.”

[highglossfinish]

Irken Propaganda Film

Do you know, I actually went into this wondering if maybe, just maybe the interim between now and the time we last checked in on them had taught them something.

That was funny of me.

I see the screen! Thebes Excellent! Hit the leave button at the top, then, click join or whatever That's what I did Ah! It works! It's just up there next to the settings button FINALLY. SUCCESS God, is this how this kid sees himself Good! We're clearly off to a great start. I have a theory--when I first clicked the link, it said I was already here and asked if I wanted to "rejoin the party" or something.  I guess it had to be reset Do you think the Autobots' human pets have similar fantasies? I'd be astonished if they didn't. I can't imagine it's out of character for them God... the flies.... Has he showered in the past two years You know he has not. even once *shudder* How is he alive? You heard him.  They've just been shoving food in there. Does he...does he realize Irkens aren't good at anything? At all? Ever? Clearly he is under the delusion that the Irken threat is a serious one. He didn't even *disguise his skin.* Most of them disguise everything. At least the rain is probably washing away some of the filth not enough. Never enough. At least the Zim creature is enjoying himself. Do you see now why we don't talk about the Irkens? *Do you see?* Maybe. That's just.  So gross So I have to ask, are Irkens like... deer are to humans? Way too many of them getting in the garbage and denting vehicles in their horrible verminous flailing? I have questions but I don't want the answers. That's the most apt description of Irkens I've ever heard. I meant about "chair Dib", but hey would've compared them to insects but insects are actually a threat, deer are the ones that only damage property or stand around creepin' people out with their horrible diseases. "Let me just take a BIG sip of soda" They will also, in deer-like fashion, try to colonize your yard if they think there are snacks there. I like how the purple one wasn't the one drinking anything. hahahahha Nice to know their leaders are clearly still fragging. Yes. Is nice the word you truly want to use? I like their jaunty ceremonial outfits. THAT was long overdue tHE HOSE, i MEAN. THE HOSE IS NOT ENOUGH. It will never be enough. Also why the fuck did Zim express order a jaunty lil' facehugger Did Dib get some steroids Eh, I'll settle for "nice." It'd be a little disquieting if they weren't. By the Core, he's so tiny even by Irken standards. He's a tiny... thing. Oh dear. You could pick him up. As a human-sized being, at that. I mean, you'd get stabbed by flaily mechanical legs, but it'd be pretty damn funny to watch him rage He's kind of a bad scientist, really. Apparently it's hilarious to pick them up when you're Cybertronian. The screaming would get tiresome, though. god How are either of these two alive? ...That pile wasn't there before IS THIS HOW IRKENS PUPATE INTO THEIR MATURE FORMS OF UTTER SUCK? IT'S ALL MAKING SENSE NOW. His poor, broken spirit. Now talk about making a disection video Ahh, so it's *that* kind of rivalry. No one ugly cries like a failbug whose delusions have been shattered There are logistical reasons why the whole planet hasn't been razed by now, but I wonder if the rest of the universe doesn't simply feel sorry for them. Didn't Zim raze the planet himself? And they bounced right back. You have to admit, they are a species that does not let a little being destroyed every now and again get them down. I imagine that just. happens. periodically. Like how some cities on Earth have burned to the ground more than once ...Did his visualization include the goop? His concept of science would make Shockwave weep. CAN Shockwave weep? Weep controlled, logical tears. No. Shockwave is never happy unless the science involves monsterous horrors. This is what I mean about the Irkens never having conquered a world that mattered. Hey. They'd either get on immediately or Shockwave would short out with rage. Fatalities minimal. This is a train wreck. Did one fall into the volcano? Just her shoe. Ohhh. Look at him go. Ha, remember those universes where somebody, can't quite recall who, decides to bring Cybertron to Earth for some reason?  Thi s is like that, but in reverse! You could almost believe this will be successful and won't turn to suck .... I remember. I remember it vividly. :) It's almost like it's a universally completely stupid plan When a plan is too stupid for the Irkens, that's when you *know* it's a stupid plan. It wasn't -my- plan. It's okay.  We know. I feel as though Megatron would want a throne like this. I can picture it, honestly. He wouldn't, but Megatron never was any good at fun. Your Megatron never thought it was a good idea to train elephants to 'hail' him.   That sounds like a HILARIOUS story. It would have been more funny if I did not have to deal with him personally. Okay, granted. It's always funnier from a safe distance. Funnier from a safe distance describes most Irken shenanigans too, from the sound of it ...Oh. I'm sure he's fine. The Dib is surprisingly durable. He's made of rubber. Okay, that was good. WELP, THAT PLANET'S DOOMED Membrane Labs has a very harsh downsizing policy That is about right. Why did he think it would be a good idea to teach it to love? Flying by the seat of his ass, there. You think Zim is capable of good ideas? Point, point. doggos ...Well! That certainly was a whole lot of... Yes! Indeed. And now the Tallest are in hell, apparently. Couldn't have happened to a nicer ruling body I haven't heard any breaking news from their corner of the galaxy lately. It's possible they just snacked it off like they usually do. Hah. I'll ask Bee. That's about all I've got on offer for tonight, because you really can't top the Irkens. You really can't! Fair enough. Their nonsense truly is top-tier. Thank you for hosting, and... I guess I'll use the leave button instead of just closing the tab. Goodnight! Good night! Thank you all for coming! Thank you for hosting. Until next time... Until then! thank you, and good night!

[kdramafacination]

So. dramafever shutting down still has me worried about other drama sites closing, but I can’t let that rob me of my love for my dramas. 

I started watching 2007′s “Que Sera Sera“ a few nights ago. I’ve had it on my queue for a long time, but the reviews on dramafever worried me enough to keep me from actually starting it. After dramafever‘s disappearing act  I went somewhere else and saw the drama available there. I started reading reviews and saw that there were a couple that said Que Sera Sera wasn’t that heavy. I love Eric Mun, and since I had waited and waited to watch this drama, that review was all I needed to launch me into watching it. I finished it last night and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I’m a sucker for melodramas. I always intend to watch something lighter but my true self steers me towards melodramas like magnet to metal. 

This drama sort of nearly killed me. I DID love it.

I meant to take screenshots of every episode but  didn’t because I was WATCHING it too much to be able to do that. 

Eric Mun  and Jung yu-mi shine in their acting. Lee kyu-han and Yoon ji-hye are just as good in their second male lead and female lead parts, and the rest of the cast is good. I hesitate to use the terms “second leads“ though, because this is a multilayered (and yet very up front one dimensional) drama. But really there is never any doubt who the main players are regarding love, with a capital L. Eric Mun, as Kang Tae-joo is slick, yet rough, and when we first meet him and over the next few episodes, he (shouldn’t be) isn’t likeable. But of course this is a drama, and one of the main reasons I love and watch them is so I can like male leads I shouldn't like. 🙂

I liked Han Eun-soo, the female lead. She was sweet and thoughtful and innocent without being irritating, and she was a little odd which is always endearing. I think Jung yu-mi played the part perfectly.

Cha hye-rin (second female lead, if you will) is played brilliantly by Yoon ji-hye. I felt sorry for her because of her would be relationship with her step brother, and I also wanted her to stop all the damage she was causing to herself because of that love. I felt her hurt and anger and the fact that she couldn’t control things. She really excelled at showing her panic and hurt and anger. When the time finally came for Kang Tae-joo to tell her “lets just stop while we can" it felt like she WAS the character she was portraying.

Han Eun-soo’s feelings for Kang tae-joo at the beginning are tangible and convincing, going from serious crush to love, and that never changes. At one point early on, she says to him brokenly that she “is filled with him to her fingertips” and you can see how badly she’s fallen for him even though he’s the way he is. 

Joon-hyuk started out by gaining my sympathy as the adopted son, and stepbrother to Hye-rin, a stepsister and stepbrother who are in love, but can’t be together because the parents don't approve. But he also made me angry for not being willing to be as strong as Hye-rin, and throw his fears and greed away and go for it. In the end I disliked him yet still felt badly (a little) for him. But I liked the kind Joon-hyuk from earlier in the drama far more than the sarcastic scheming one later on.

Even though Hye-rin is strong and strong willed enough to defy her parents (and friends and the public’s) with their disapproval, Joon-hyuk is not. When he repeatedly tells her that there is no hope, she turns to Tae Joo  and asks him to be her fiancée. She knows his past, knows he’s pretty much a gigolo, or at least willing to date for some perks. Usually fast cars, watches, vacations, you get the picture. But he doesn’t agree, he’s pretty choosy and doesn’t like messy entanglements, plus he has no desire to sleep with her. Already here I think, the seeds of Eun-soo love are growing, but because of added glitz to Hye-Rin's offer, and his own nature, in the end he does agree, and they embark on a scheme to fool everyone around Hye-rin, especially her family, and especailly the man (Joon-hyuk) who she really loves. Hye-rin hopes her fake fiancée will make her family stop trying to marry her off and that her fake engagement will get her some peace from forced arranged dates, but her parents do not like Tae-joo although her father admires his ability to reign Hye-rin in. What Hye-rin really wants is to make Joon-hyuk  so jealous that he is willing to make a go of it with her in spite of the opposition from her mother and father. She wants him to see that if she can make her parents accept Tae-joo, then she can convince them that Joon-hyuk would be even better, and her parents wil be relieved she's with Joon instead of this loser Tae-joon. She's trying to make Joon-hyuk be willing to fight for them. Then she will throw Tae-joo aside, and he was only a pretend fiancee anyway.

Tae-joo is a pawn in her game, not only a consort. He doesn’t know that she and her stepbrother Joon-hyuk were in love, and doesn’t know that hye-rin is using him to make Joon-hyuk jealous. He only thinks it's to fool her parents. He does find out the truth before too long though.

Meanwhile Eun-soo is heartbroken. She had grown on Tae-joo. He had agreed in a way (like someone indulging a kid) that they were "dating (two meals, a kiss, shared elevator rides, you get the picture) but also because tae-joo, even though he barely realized it yet, had begun to like her. But that only lasted about two weeks, and then along cane Hye-rin with her offer of money and position, and off our fickle Tae-joo went. I think inside he didn't want to acknowledge that the steel cool Tae-joo could actually fall for someone, much less an innocent like Eun-soo. Eun-soo is perfect in her confusion and betrayal, and ultimate acceptance that she simply wasn’t the type of girl for a man like Tae-joo.

Hye-rin’s father’s Shopping Mall is the background for a lot of the drama because it’s where all four main leads end up working. Needless to say, Joon-hyuk meets and falls for Eun-soo, which only enrages Hye-rin who knows that Tae-joo really does care about Eun-soo as well. So now both of "her men" are in love with Eun-soo, only Tae-joo refuses to admit it to himself, or Eun-soo.

However....

Tae-joo cannot deal with seeing Joon-hyuk and Eun-soo become a couple, but Eun-soo, even though she still loves Tae-joo, finds comfort with the kind Joon-hyuk. But by now Hye-rin has stopped loving Joon-hyuk, and really does fall for Tae-joo, who is losing his mind over his feelings for Eun-soo.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

When (episode 9 and 10 wow!!) they finally get together it's so perfect. When they return home to face Hye-rin and Joon-hyuk, and Eun-soo's mom as well....I knew it was too good to be true.

Hye-rin taunts Eun-soo that it won't last because Tae-joo won't be happy and then Hye-rin gets her father to tempt Tae-joo with money and power. Eun-soo's sister is sick and they need money for the Drs, and suddenly everything goes south and Tae-joo leaves Eun-soo again. So stupid.

Lots of sorrow, anger, episodes of angst. Tae-joo never stops loving Eun-soo but those episodes! 😪

In the end it felt to me that Hye-rin and Joon-hyuk hadn't come out better for the fire they had been through, but Tae-joo had. He wasn't living for money anymore, he had truly fallen in love with Eun-soo and her only. He accepted that he lost her and was a better person in his life. Eun-soo doesn't really change, she is still sweet and she hasn't become bitter. She is sorry she hurt Joon-hyuk and she is still trying to be a good sister and daughter. And she never stopped loving Tae-joo.

I'm glad we had a happy ending. 😌

I think the actors were perfect for their characters. It’s definitely filled with a rollercoaster of emotions.  I would finish one episode and click on the next one immediately. I think I dreamed about it.

There are plot twists, romantic and not that I didn't see coming. There were several times when I covered my mouth with my hand and was like "no way!" And those moments are what make this drama (to me) one that stands out. I really enjoyed it. Ok I was obsessed with it.

I wasn’t sorry to see it come to an end. I was ready to see how it was going to resolve itself and what was going to happen to the people I’d become so obsessed with. I was so afraid of what the ending would be.

Now that I can breathe easily and I know what happens, I will watch it more slowly just to enjoy everything. The first time I was on the edge of my seat so much. I honestly plan to watch it back to back and this second time around I'll savour it and just immerse myself in the story without the worry.

This older drama wasn't and isn't for everyone. I'm sure a lot of people don't like it. But I really did/ do.