#hopefully Ei can keep it up and truly win him over

[nekasu]

Neka was likewise an anomaly, born to a youkai who were selfish and capricious, but was kind if a bit prideful. His two conflicting natures always formed a rift in his heart, unable to reconcile them fully. Every so often he became aware of his personality becoming more like a youkai and less like his gentle nature.

Only with external factors, like Makoto, were able to fully keep it in check, giving him something to focus on. When left to his own devices, Neka tended to act more like a kitsune would, living solely for themselves. Perhaps that regression would be halted due to him having all nine tails, but Neka couldn't honestly tell how much he was affected when sealed away, since his resentment and curses were a much bigger influence on his temperament.

Ei might not see it as the two becoming each other's emotional crutches, but Neka understood that was almost certainly the case. They both had suffered great loss--the same one, in fact--and he had nobody left to care about. One could make the argument that she had Yae, but that friendship didn't keep her from sealing herself away.

She might see him as such a viable attachment, but Neka had few other options. Certainly not a mortal, what was the point of settling down and having half-kitsune children if they'd have to watch their mother die before they aged past relative infancy? Only another immortal would suit him. Not the prideful tengu, Yae was too selfish to be a good mother, even the long-lived Traveler was far too interested in, well, traveling to settle down. That really only left Ei, but there was no way she would accept him after his outburst. He'd all but stated he wanted her punished for her crimes, both against him and Inazuma. There was no taking those words back...

Just as he was getting into his brooding thoughts again, Neka suddenly was taken by surprise, Ei smooshing her chest against his face. An odd gesture and seemingly unintended, but even more with the sheer lewdness of the act, it was nice to be held so close for a change. Her heart was beating really fast, wasn't it? Not quite what he expected, but Neka was just going to bask in the soft pleasure and accept it.

Shortly afterward, Ei seemed to have noticed her mistake, pulling away with a blush on her face. A pity, he would have loved to stay like that for a while longer. Even without being practically pulled into her cleavage, Neka had started to relish the warmth of her body.

"If you've truly decided to be rid of me, I'll admit you picked one of the better ways to do it," Neka teased, a playful smirk on his face. "My strength isn't something that can be fully replenished with food and water, but I'll save that explanation for later. You are probably the only one who can help me with it, though, so rest assured that I will tell you. Though I presume it...well, it won't be you preparing the food, right? That would be one of the least pleasant ways to die~" He remembered the disasters when she tried to cook before, and presumably her skills hadn't improved too much in the intervening years. Not like she had a kitchen in that inner world of hers!

One could say that Neka was an overly cautious individual at times especially regarding his own life, but he knew that if Ei truly wanted to kill him, it would be likely the easiest it would ever be now. Would his body be able to react to her sword or polearm in time? He could probably force himself to move quickly if he had to, but if she hadn't tried to kill him yet, he doubted she would come up with a nefarious plot to dispose of him.

And even if she did, the way Neka saw it there were two possibilities. Either she'd become the new reason for his existence, or she'd been lying the whole time and would show he truly had nothing left, in which case he'd probably just accept his fate. So for now, he'd trust in her. What other option did he have?

Brilliant emerald eyes met Ei's, an intense stare that possessed none of the anger and malice as before. No, this time his gaze was filled with...hope? Happiness? Either way, his expression was soft, almost as soft as his erstwhile smothering!

Just how had that explanation gone? It was an almost comical scene, with an intruder dispatching all the guards with casual ease, only for Ei to declare she'd take care of everything herself. Surely to the outsider they would assume that she fought and killed him, but they would definitely see him again, so that was obviously not the case. Would the Shogun even know what Ei had done? They'd separated some time ago, after all.

Continued from here

@nekasu

Ei … a shadow forced to become a bolt of lightning itself - the light to guide the people of Inazuma with delicacy, wisdom and power. The only thing Ei had was power. She did not consider herself to be wise, nor delicate, unlike her sister. Her sister was built to be an archon. It caused Ei to question her position almost daily, though she understood that pondering in thoughts like that would be bad for her. They were considered intrusive thoughts, yet she was not aware that there could be times that you were not fully in control of your thoughts …

The atmosphere between them conveyed so much … it was almost as if they were the last thing the other had to keep them going - though Ei would not think of that as likely. She figured that once he was back to his old self, he would probably find someone and have children. Having a family was not something an Archon ever thought of or dreamed of. They must run an entire nation … not many had time for romantic interests. Of course, to those such as mortals who were not aware of anything that went on behind the scenes, Archons were fully capable of having intense romantic relations. Though, they simply chose not to for different reasons. She had come to learn that … the harder way.

His teasing had caused her to get knocked back to reality, though for a moment, she could’ve sworn she had been taken back to the past, when he was free and happy. “I… I see,” she responded slowly. “Well, if it is rest you require, you will have to get comfortable.” Ei then made a point to bring his head into her chest and push herself and Neka to the top of the bed, where the big, fluffy cushions were seated. The bedding was soft and plumped, too. Even after settling, it did not register with her that she had accidentally pushed his head a little too into her chest until two minutes after …

“My … my apologies,” her cheeks were dusted with evidence she was embarrassed. “I did not realise. Were you able to breathe?” Ei would not have been able to really gage how much pressure she had applied when moving - something that was a horrible downside to having a lot of power. “Anyway … you need to regain your strength. I will get you some food and drink once you’re ready.” The kindness she was offering him was genuine, but it did not sit right within her that he may think she was up to something. Perhaps she was overthinking this …

It was apparent that the Shogun had taken it upon herself to call back the guards to explain that the situation had been handled swiftly. Afterward, she locked up Tenshukaku, ensuring there were a few more guards than normal to check the grounds for at least an hour to make sure that it was safe. Of course, there was no threat and the news Ei’s people would receive would be that she was safe and took care of the problem. It was noisy, so loud out there where the guards had deep, booming voices which were used to yell at one another to see if their part of the area was indeed secure … that it almost tempted the Archon to listen in. Night was then upon them, the sun now setting beautifully behind the houses and mountains of land throughout Inazuma. What gorgeous scenery to accommodate a beautiful end to a day.

[teklarn]

I NEED A PART TWO FOR BAUKGOU’S AWKWARD CONFESSION!!

𝓫𝓻𝓾𝓽𝓪𝓵 - 𝓴. 𝓫𝓪𝓴𝓾𝓰𝓸𝓾 𝓹𝓽. 2

character(s): katsuki bakugou x fem!reader

a/n: k the first one kinda blew up and i've been on tumblr for like a week and it made me rly happy receiving the requests ty <33 thank u for all the reblogs too !! this is a bit later than i hoped it would come out b/c half of the original fic was deleted by accident, but i’m on summer break until sept 5 so hopefully i’ll still update frequently. 

𝕣𝕖𝕓𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕝𝕪 𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕚𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕!

summary: bakugou finds he’s rejecting his feelings for you in fear of becoming weak, however he just can’t seem to ignore you. 

genre: lil angsty, fluffy at the end

warnings: cursing, one-sided pining, gave reader a quirk, the fighting scene is bs i cannot write action scenes at all im so sorry lol,  second hand embarrassment for our dearest dynamight :(

word count: 2507

pls don't mind any typos! i try to edit to the best of my ability but i tend to type fast and i might miss a few or a lot of things. 

- - -

read part one here my loves !!

you found yourself bored, cheeks puffing out as you swirled around the drink in your glass cup, sitting across from midoriya. he was muttering again, which you’d always found cute, however you weren’t listening this time at all. 

part of the reason you’d rejected bakugou was due to the fact midoriya had requested your attention first, and not as friends. if you’d told bakugou that, it would just wound his delicate ego on top of the fact that you truly had no interest in him whatsoever. 

at the moment, though, he was the only thing on your mind. there was no sudden spark of attraction you’d felt when he’d confessed. of course, anyone would find it flattering that the katsuki bakugou found you attractive. his standards were higher than the clouds. 

at the moment, it felt like something was blocking your chest from feeling something for him, however you couldn’t pinpoint what it was. 

“—it was amazing, right, y/n? y/n?” 

your eyes flickered up to meet the emerald, wide-eyed eyes of your friend. you contemplated lying, but it was no use. shaking your head softly and pursing your lips, you set your drink down. “i’m sorry, midoriya. i’m just kind of...out of it, i guess you could say?” 

he cocked his head to the side. “’out of it’?” he repeated. 

“yeah,” you sighed, head pounding. 

“is everything alright? maybe today isn’t the best time for this.” 

“yeah,” you agreed. “maybe.” 

“do you want to go back to the dorms?” 

you nodded, massaging your temples. “yeah, yeah let’s go home.” 

midoriya let out a soft chuckle through his nose, smiling. “alright.” he offered his hand, and you gladly let him heave you up. 

“i’m sorry about this. honestly, midoriya, i enjoy your company, i really do. but i never assumed you’d catch feelings for me too—” 

“too?” he blinked. the two of you continued on your way back to Heights Alliance. 

you gulped. “yeah, there’s—” 

“are you saying you caught feelings for me, as well?”

your eyes fell blank, lips parting in question. “no, uh. you know what? never mind.” you giggled gently in hopes the two of you would laugh it off without another thought. perhaps you should keep you and bakugou’s quiet interaction to yourself. midoriya and bakugou were already rivals enough. 

- 

the following week was agonizing in many ways. sitting beside bakugou guaranteed that you would get strange, judgmental looks. it never guaranteed his stolen glances. when you’d catch him staring, his cheeks would flare up, and you swore he had smoke puffing out his ears. 

each time, he looked as if he would explode. what can you expect from a guy like him? 

it was easy to assume you’d just pissed him off, though. you weren’t the type of person to tell everyone you’d been asked out, but you needed to speak to someone about it. the thought had been nagging you, stuck at the back of your mind but just on the tip of your tongue. 

you even found that you were distancing yourself from midoriya, who, after asking you out, had insisted you begin calling him izuku. over everyone else, you’d choose him to speak to about the matter, but ever since you’d discovered he had feelings all along, it was strange being around him. 

you viewed him differently. he shot you glimmering smiles and blushed softly when you said his first name. 

“y/n?” 

you twisted around to see mina rocking on her heels behind you. “yes?” 

“are you okay? you seem...how do i put this.” she tapped a pink finger against her lips. “off. you seem off. is everything alright?” 

your brows raised. “oh, yeah. i’m good. thanks for checking in.” 

“is there anything you want to talk about?” she adjusted her hero costume. you and the rest of the girls were currently changing for another training exercise. 

yaoyorozu fixed her hero costume. “i don’t mean to impose on anything, but i have to agree with mina, y/n. of course, there’s no pressure to tell us anything. you’re under no obligation to unless you need and want to talk to someone, but we’re here if you need us, okay?” 

you nodded, smiling softly. “thanks you guys.” 

- 

it was the same training as before, however you were able to select a partner of your own. being that there were 21 students in the class, there was always ought to be a group of three, or one person left out. you’d come into yuuei out of pure luck, as some like to put it. 

you’d found it offensive they’d assumed it was that and not your own pure skill. it’d taken a while to re-convince yourself that you were worthy of being in the class, even if you were usually the odd one out. 

most students had already bonded by the time you arrived here, so finding a partner wasn’t always easy. once you and midoriya had gotten close, you two did most things together, however at the moment, you weren’t quite feeling it. 

surprisingly, your eyes caught bakugou standing alone, eyes scanning the room for a partner. kirishima must have partnered up with another friend, then. it was always them together. 

unfortunately, you weren’t quick enough to avoid either of them. bakugou was already trotting up to you, eyes locked on your figure just as midoriya began jogging to your side. 

in perfect unison, they asked, “be my partner?” (in two very different tones, of course.) 

you blinked between them, about to answer when aizawa came up behind you three. 

“are you guys in the group of three?” your teacher deadpanned. 

your shoulders slumped. “yeah, i guess so.” 

“get to work. you’ve already wasted five minutes standing around.” 

you nodded politely. “yes, sensei.” 

you swallowed. bakugou’s crimson gaze was pinning you in your spot, and midoriya’s lips thinned with a lack of enthusiasm when bakugou looked back at him. 

“get to work, you three,” aizawa repeated, walking away. 

“i can take on both of you.” bakugou cracked his knuckles. 

you clenched your fists. “we already know you’re at the top of the class, bakugou. there’s no need to rub it in our faces.” 

he averted his eyes, cheeks flushing red. it was like a sad, silly way of letting you know you won this fight. 

“i’ll go against you two,” you said, adjusting your hero costume. 

midoriya’s eyes widened. “what? y/n, but—” 

“but i’m not strong enough?” you finished for him. you knew where they ranked in strength, and while yours was just as powerful, if you let one thing slip, your arrows would disappear and you’d be dust. “that’s exactly my point, you two are practically at the top of the class with your quirks.” 

“tch, don’t hold back,” bakugou said, readying himself. 

“don’t go easy on me,” you mocked. 

“y/n, do you really think this is a good idea—” before izuku could finish, you and bakugou launched yourselves at one another. 

you charged forwards. an arrow flew from your hand, twisting its way right through the smoke of an explosion. when it cleared, bakugou was nowhere to be seen. 

a gasp fell from your lips as you turned around just a little too late. your ears rang terribly as your back collided with the ground. 

izuku cried out. green lightning flashed, and he was at your side in a moment. “kacchan!”

you groaned, sitting up. bakugou cut through the smoke with an arm. “fight me, damned nerd. there aren’t any pauses in a real fight.” 

you wriggled yourself away from midoriya. “midoriya, you’re my enemy in this.” 

“bu—” 

“no buts. fight me. and don’t hold back.” 

midoriya noted the determination in your eyes and stood, giving you a sure nod. you were back on your feet in a second. bakugou flew in the air and came crashing down just as fast as he conjured a blast in his right hand. 

attacking wasn’t your best option right now. you were smart enough to know that. an arrow appeared flat at your back and pulled you from where bakugou was targeting. 

cement flew into the air. 

that blast could have wounded you badly. possibly killed you, if he’d hit the right spots. 

in the air, you examined their zealous features. midoriya’s brows were furrowed in that determined smolder. 

bakugou, as always, looked angry. as expected, he charged first, shooting himself into the air. his foot nearly collided with your face, missing my barely an inch. you took your shot, revealing the arrow you’d hidden behind your back. the tip collided with his chest. 

you left the arrow to complete its command and stick your blonde opponent to the wall and trap him there while you went after midoriya. 

while he bested you in strength, you did the same to him when it came to speed. you dodged his punches like they were weak attempts at hitting a ball in a park. 

you grinned. in a battle of strength and speed, whoever landed the first hit would win. there was no question. 

twisting in the air, you allowed the ball of your foot to shove midoriya to the ground. he cried out as his face was crushed into the cement. 

it was perfect timing, as bakugou ripped free of your hold, the arrow keeping him in one spot dissolving into air as soon as its purpose was lost. 

your head whipped around to see him charging for you. 

your fingers curled. the headache pounding at your temples was beginning to get hard to ignore. 

bakugou launched himself at you, spinning in the air like a missile. he really wasn’t going to howitzer you...right? 

when he didn’t slow down, you threw your body to the right, the attack just barely missing your leg. it scorched a bit of your thigh. a groan fell from your lips as you cupped the area around the burn, shuddering with pain. 

bakugou’s chest was puffed proudly as he marched up to you, hands cracking with excited explosions. 

he pulled back his right arm, ready to spark up another fight as midoriya recollected himself. you bit your lip to hide the fact you were quivering. 

it was sudden, but bakugou paused when he saw your hand fly up. 

“give me a minute...” you gasped out, skin still sizzling. 

“y/n! are you alright?” 

you didn’t respond. midoriya smacked his friend’s arm. “kacchan! what’re you thinking?”

“midoriya, i’m fine. don’t stress over it.” you limped to your feet, rejecting the extended hand from your green-haired friend. “i’ll just go see recovery girl.” 

“do you need—” 

you smacked midoriya’s hand away, a little bit more rude than you intended it to be. “i’ll be...fine.” you offered a weak smile to hopefully make up for your tiny outburst. 

although you could see in his eyes he wanted to help, midoriya nodded and stood by, hand falling back to his side. you clutched around the patch of burned skin. the sting had faded a bit, however there was a soreness to the wound that felt like a constant stabbing to your leg. 

you swallowed the pain down, marching towards the exit with determination and a bit of a limp.

you looked back to see midoriya had gone off to tell mr. aizawa what was going on. your teacher nodded, understandingly. 

there were a few worried glances and offers for help in the hall, but you’d neglected them all and found yourself relieved to see recovery girl in her office, typing away. 

she turned as the door opened. “please knock beforehand next time—oh, dear. y/n? are you alright?” 

you gave a tense nod. “mhm. just got a bit banged up in training today.” 

the old woman pursed her lips, smile lines becoming evident. “i see.” she led you to the small cot reserved for patients such as yourself and directed you to sit down. 

she examined the bruise. “it’s fairly bad. what happened?” 

you made a gesture to the door. “i was brawling with bakugou and things got...intense.” 

“that boy has quite an extreme side to him, as i’ve come to notice.” 

“mhm,” you agreed. 

“unfortunately, y/n, i have no ointments to be able to treat this properly.” 

you nodded sheepishly before the old woman smooched your cheek. a soft green glow radiated around you. 

when she pulled back, she said, “now, your body will be trying to catch up on the healing process. that’s what my quirk does. speed up recoveries. since it’s sped up, you’ll require some rest, preferably sleep. i’ll make sure your teachers know you’re excused for the rest of the day, sound good?” 

“yes, thank you recovery girl.” 

she pushed herself out of her rolling chair and left the room, smiling at you.

your eyes fluttered shut not long after that. 

- 

the sun was gone when you woke up, the hallway light flickering off. 

“good, you’re awake.” 

you looked to the left. you cried out, gathering the white sheets around yourself despite being completely clothed. “bakugou! what the hell? you stalker! you creep!” 

bakugou took the slap you gave him on his arm. it was light, and didn’t do much damage. 

“what...what do you want?” 

even in the dark, you could tell bakugou’s cheeks were burning red. “about...about the other day. i wanted to talk to you about it.” 

your chest fluttered in unwanted hope. “there’s nothing to talk about.” 

“dammit, y/n, i wish there wasn’t anything to talk about. you’re insufferable and annoying and i can’t stand being around you because no matter what’s going on, you make my chest feel all funny. it’s stupid, and i can’t take my eyes off of you.” 

heat rushed to your cheeks. “i’m flattered, really. but i-” 

“i’m not asking you to reciprocate my shitty feelings. if anything, it’s better if you don’t.” 

“bakugou, i wasn’t...” you paused. 

“you what?” he snapped, voice soft despite his tone. 

“i was going to say that ever since you...ever since you asked me out, i’ve been conflicted about my own feelings.” 

“the hell is that supposed to mean?” 

“i’m not sure if i like you back or not, bakugou. but hearing you say all this...makes me want to give it a shot. sort of. also, why the hell are you watching me sleep?” 

bakugou swept hair from his eyes. “don’t go and try to change the subject on me, dumbass.” 

you gulped. 

“so what’re you saying?” 

“i’m saying,” you started, “i’m saying that maybe i want to go out on that date with you.” 

“say it again.” 

“what?” you looked up, his eyes boring into yours. 

“i said i want you to say it again. tell me you want to go out on a date with me.” 

it startled you how sure he was when he knew what you wanted, too. this was unlike the last attempt to ask you out. 

“katsuki bakugou, i want to go on a date with you.” 

he grinned. “where to?”

[forever-rogue]

Hey☺️ I was wondering if you could do 14 & 90 from prompt list 1, for reader x Javier. I think it would be cute if they were on about to head home or something and reader convinces Javi to go to the carnival. They play the carnival games that are almost always rigged (maybe I just sucked at them lol) and reader gets competitive over it. It’s a very fluffy request but it would be so cute to see javis playful side come out a bit🥺 thank you so much and I love your writing❤️❤️🥺

14. “But the carnival is right down the street! Can we please, please go!?” 

90. “I didn’t know you were so competitive.” 

I think Javier deserves some softness, don’t you?

Also not necessary, but I picture this being Javi and his Dulzura from AGM 🥺

Javier Peña x Fem!Reader ; warnings: language 

Javier Masterlist

»»————-　♡　————-««

It was a warm evening in Laredo, and the sun was starting to go down, casting the sky into brilliant hues of purples and pinks. It was warm still, the end of summer was slowly turning into fall, but warm enough where you could get away with wearing short sleeves and summer dresses. On this particular day, you were strolling hand in hand with Javier, taking your time as you walked home from dinner and back to Chucho’s house.

You’d come down to spend some time with Javier’s family, staying in town for a while for a wedding, and finally getting to relax and unwind for a while. You’d both been incredibly busy and it seemed like you hadn’t had more than a few minutes of alone time together. That’s why neither of you minded taking some extra time off and just being together. 

On this particular evening, Javier had taken you to one of his favorite places for dinner; it was nothing fancy or extravagant, but it had been his go to spot since he was young. You’d worn one of your - and Javier’s - favorite sundresses, not minding in the slightest as he eyed you up. Despite having been together for a few years now, you appreciated the attention. He always made you feel like you were the most beautiful thing in the world, like you were the one that personally hung all the stars in the night sky that he loved to watch so much. 

You couldn’t help but grin when you felt his thumb gently brush over the engagement ring that you now sported - soon enough it would be joined by a wedding band. He never thought he’d admit that he was exciting to get married, especially after his first engagement had ended in disaster, but fuck. He was excited to marry you - so excited to call you his wife. And you were just as excited to call him your husband. Javier was a good man - the best man - and to even think about spending the rest of your life with him was enough to set your soul on fire.

You grinned as you swung your hands back and forth, a little pep in your step as you noticed a commotion up ahead. Poking your head around, you tried to figure out what it was, but the laughter, music, and noise quickly provided an answer for you. Javier looked over at you, watched as your eyes widened in excitement, a smile tugging on the corners of his mouth.

“Javi,” you tugged on his hand lightly, “the carnival is right down the street! Can we please, please go?”

“Hmm,” he pretended to muse softly as he quirked a brow at you. Your mouth formed a small o as you quickly realized he had known that it was here, “what a complete surprise...I had no clue. Definitely didn’t plan on walking this particular way at all, or anything…”

“You planned this,” you looked at him with soft eyes, watching as his own crinkled in the corners as he nodded with a smile, his dimple making its appearance. Before you could stop yourself, you leaned over and quickly kissed him, letting your lips linger against his own, “look at you, always managed to surprise me. How very romantic of you, Javier Peña.”

“I don’t know if I’d call it that,” he shrugged lightly, relishing in your praise as a tinge of pink, similar to the color of shirt he was wearing, crept into his cheeks. Reaching over, you ran a hand through his dark locks, sighing contentedly as he keened into your touch, “but I thought you might like the idea.”

“I love it,” you agreed, giving him a quick kiss,  “I love you. Now - come on! We have to go; I want to go on the ferris wheel and those silly little games, oh! Cotton candy! No, no, no, funnel cake!”

“Don’t worry, Dulzura, it’s not going anywhere, we have plenty of time,” he insisted softly as you pulled him along with an excited bounce in your step. He couldn’t help but laugh as he followed after you. It was times like this, watching you get so excited and happy, that made him realize just how wonderful the little things were. Maybe it was just because he was so in love with you, maybe it was because he had softened with time - whatever the reason, he didn’t mind. He was happy; truly, truly happy.

»»————-　♡　————-««

You couldn’t help but giggle as Javier grabbed the bright blue cotton candy out of your hand. His fingers wrapped around your wrist as he brought your hand to his lips and licked your fingers clean of any of the sticky sweet residue. Your face flushed at the naughty little gesture, especially as he shot you a cheeky little wink.

“Behave Javier,” you warned, playfully slapping his cheek as you watched all the people around you. You’d been walking around, taking in all the sights and sounds as you watched the various people. Naturally, you’d already dragged him to the ferris wheel first, wanting to watch the remainder of the sunset from the top. You’d caught part of it, but the rest was cut off by Javier gently grabbing your face and kissing you until you were both breathless and grinning at each like lovestruck teenagers.

“What was that for?” you asked as you thoroughly lost the battle to keep the smile off of your face.

“No reason,” he promised, “I just really love you is all.”

“Penny for your thoughts?” Javier gently interrupted your thoughts as you pulled you back into reality. You hadn’t realized that you’d zoned out and were staring at a small family that was nearby. It was a couple, flanked by their small daughters, both of which sported dark curls and soft dark eyes. You couldn’t help but think about yourself and Javi; perhaps one day that would be you as well. 

“Nothing,” you shied away from his question as you finished off the beer you were sharing while he polished off the sugary treat, “it’s silly.”

Almost as if he was able to read your mind, he turned to look at the happy little family as they started to walk away. You gave him a sheepish smile as he reached over and grabbed your hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, “hopefully they’ll take after you.”

“Nope,” you grinned at him, “I hope they take after you, Javier Peña! Especially with those curls and those soft eyes, and that smile. Whatever way - they’d be lucky to have you as a father.”

“Nah,” he shook his head, “they’ll be lucky to have a mother like you.”

“One day,” you said softly as he nodded in agreement, “one day.”

“Yes,” he promised, his heart already fluttered at the idea of your future children. He’d never given much thought to children, not before you anyway, but now? Now it was something he wanted just as much as he wanted to marry you. Who would have thought? Then again, he’d never expected you to make an appearance or just an impact on his life either. But here you were…”come on, let’s go play some games. I saw you eyeing that little hedgehog earlier!”

»»————-　♡　————-««

"All I have to do is throw the silly little ball into one of those big cups?" you asked, looking between Javier and the game attendant, as both men nodded. You took the bucket of balls that Javier had purchased, sure this would be an easy win. Plucking out the first one, you spied the lucky cup as you got lined up your shot.

"Don't get too confident," Javier smirked at you as he leaned against the counter. You scoffed lightly before dramatically pulling your arm back and making a show of shooting your first shot. It had to go in, there was no chance that it wouldn't and yet...nope..it bounced off the rim of the cup and landed in the space next to it.

"No way!" you groaned in disbelief as Javier tried not to laugh too loudly, his shoulders shaking with effort, "that totally should have gone in!"

"Try again, Dulzura," he insisted softly as you huffed lightly, "I'm sure you'll get it."

"Duh," you insisted with a smirk as you took another shot. This one, just like the last, hit the rim of the cup and then fell away from it, "umm...this is rigged! It has to be!"

"You've got plenty more tries," the attendant nodded towards your bucket, "surely one of them has to go in."

"It can and it will," you huffed as you tossed another ball, this one missing even worse than the last. Biting your lip, you held back a groan as Javier watching in amusement, "fuck!"

"Baby, there's children around," he almost doubled over in laughter at your reaction but you quickly flipped him the bird as you went back to your little game, "I didn't know you were so competitive!"

"Always," you insisted, "I always get what I want - I got you after all didn't I?"

"Yeah," he agreed with a goofy little grin, "you did. Go on and win big."

Even with his best wishes, you couldn't seem to get it right. It was another 17 tries and none of them got close. It seemed like it kept getting worse and worse with each successive throw. 

Once the balls were all used up, you groaned heavily, as the attendant took the empty bucket back. 

"Fancy another round?" he asked as you pouted at Javier. He shook his head as he came over and put his arm around your shoulder.

"We're good," Javier kissed the side of your head as he led you away and you sighed lightly, "its alright, Dulzura. Those games are set up for you to lose."

"I know," you looked around at some of the other games, a smile working its way back on your features as you watched all the kids laughing and screaming. Your eyes quickly found another game that intrigued you - this one where you had to aim water from a blaster at a small target in order to fill up the meter first. You weren't about to say anything, deciding it wasn't worth the time, and were ready to move on.

"Do you want to play?" Javi nudged his head in the direction of the game as you slowly nodded, "I saw that look in your eyes."

"I wasn't going to ask!" you laughed as he took your hand and led you over. 

"Because you know I'll kick your ass," he insisted as plopping down on one of the worn stools before beckoning for you to do the same. You quickly obliged as he paid, taking a hold of the mounted water pistol and aiming and trying to line it up with the target, "ready? Whoever fills the meter with water first wins."

"You're going down," you stuck your tongue out at him as the attendant unlocked the pistols and water began shooting out.

Quickly enough the two of you were laughing and giggling like maniacs as you both tried to win, playfully cursing each offer. It was hard not to get lost in Javi's laugh and excitement; it was also nice to see him so carefree and unfiltered.

"You're losing baby," he teased as you pulled yourself out of your head and adjusted your aim. His meter was almost at the top as yours was filled a measly halfway. You should have known better than to challenge a man with copious shooting experience. 

"You're a cheater," you insisted when he won a few seconds later, looking over at you with a victorious smirk, "this was a set up!"

"Nope," he insisted as he leaned over and pressed a kiss to your lips, "you got distracted."

"Ugh," you teased as he helped you off the stool and the game attendant told him to pick out a prize. Javier feigned great interest as he walked around the whole booth, looking thoughtfully before calling the woman over. He whispered something in her ear before she nodded and he dashed off. You watched him in confusion, but stood there and waited.

It wasn't long before you heard footsteps behind you and he whispered, "close your eyes."

You obliged, making a show of holding your hands to your eyes as he shuffled around, "Javier…"

"Fine! Open," you slowly opened your eyes back up and when you did, all you saw that stuffed little hedgehog that you had spotted earlier in his hands. You looked between the plush and him as he slowly nodded and you grabbed it, holding it tightly to your chest, "I can play nice."

"Javi," you whispered softly, "you're too much. Thank you...I-I love you. So much."

"I know," he put his arm around your shoulder and you wrapped yours around his waist, "I love you too. But right now you're just saying that because of the hedgehog."

"I love you before then," you laughed, "and long after! Now, there's one more thing I want to do."

"Oh?"

"The tunnel of love!" you insisted with a wicked grin, "and excuse to sit in the dark on a dinky boat and make out like horny teenagers."

"Perfect," he agreed as he threw his head back with laughter, "fuck - I love you, baby."

"I love you, Javier Peña," you promised as you grabbed his hand and practically ran towards the line, "now come on!"

»»————-　♡　————-««

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[starshine583]

New Girl on the Block (21)

(Sorry for the late update, guys! Yesterday was CRAZY for me. Actually, this whole MONTH has been crazy! I haven’t been able to write in weeks :’( but thankfully, I’ve pre-written a few chapters so I can still post an update today. I hope you all are doing well and don’t forget to check out the mini series connected to this called Journal Entries!)

Ch. 1 / Ch. 20 / Ch. 22 (ao3)

Chapter 21: Elementary

Felix eyed the Dupain-Cheng bakery as he stepped out of his limo and onto the pavement. The open sign hung neatly on the front door, and behind it, the lights shined brightly inside. M Dupain-Cheng was manning the register from the looks of it, which meant Marinette either wasn’t home or wasn’t working. Both scenarios would suit him fine.

After a swift ‘thank you’ to his driver, Felix walked over and pushed open the bakery door. The entrance was noticeably different from the first time he visited- no mulling or fussing over manners and such -but the warmth that came with the charming patisserie was the same. Scents of cinnamon and vanilla wafted through the air, and the bright chattering of M. Sabine was as light as the customer bell that rang above his head when he came in. 

A usual Sunday for the Dupain-Cheng household, he mused.

M. Sabine caught his eye in an instant, her smile brightening as she shooed off her current customer. The customer didn’t appear to be happy about it, but she clearly didn’t mind, because she continued beckoning Felix over to the register with a wave of her hand.

Felix strolled over as requested and managed not to tense too much when M. Sabine pulled him into a hug.

“Felix, it’s so good to see you!” She trilled. “What can I get for you? A croissant? A cupcake? Or are you here to see Marinette?”

Felix offered a small smile. “The last one. Is she home?”

“She is! Just take those stairs up- oh, but you know how to get up there already. You’ll find her in her room, but I advise you to tread lightly. She’s been working on some projects non-stop for the last two days.”

Felix hummed. Has she now?

“Thank you very much. I’ll be sure to buy some sweets for my mother on the way out.”

“Oh, don’t be silly! Tom and I can get a bag ready for you while you’re up there. No charge necessary!”

Felix chuckled softly and shook his head. Marinette truly did inherit her generosity. 

“That’s quite alright. I have plenty of money.”

“As do we. Now go on up before Tom finds you and gives you another bear hug.”

The comment was enough to send Felix scurrying up the stairs (in a dignified fashion, of course). Tom was a wonderful man, but his bear hugs were.. not exactly something Felix would actively seek out.

He glided through the familiar hallways of the apartment complex until he found Marinette’s, then quietly walked inside towards the attic stairs, taking care not to bump or touch anything that would alarm her. If Marinette became aware of his presence, she might find time to panic.

Or hide things.

Felix climbed that attic stairs and lightly knocked on the trapdoor, waiting for an absent invitation to enter. Hopefully, her parents knocked when they came to her room too, or she was going to guess rather quickly that he wasn’t her father or mother.

“Come in!” A muffled voice called, to his relief. She didn’t suspect a thing.

He pushed open the trapdoor and climbed inside quickly, his eyes darting around the room before anything could be touched. Various things were scattered across her floorboards and furniture, namely things like unrolled fabrics or loose spindles of thread. She’d clearly been working on something, but what? How was he supposed to find anything in this explosion of colors?

Thanks, Claude.

Marinette gasped, bringing his gaze back to her.

“Felix!” She yelped, that predictable panic washing over her features. She shot up from her rolling chair and snapped her gaze from left to right as her hands flailed a bit behind her. It was almost like she couldn’t decide what to protect or where to escape. Did that mean the entire room was somehow a clue or only part of it?

Felix straightened, giving her a small, innocent smile. “Good afternoon. I hope I’m not.. interrupting anything.”

“Uh- No, no! I was just-” Marinette’s gaze flicked over her shoulder “-You know. Working on Claude’s.. Suit. What are you doing here?”

“You haven’t been responding to my texts,” He said idly, scanning the room again for good measure, “so I thought I’d come check on you.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Marinette’s surprise melt into annoyance.

“You mean your texts about the surprise?” she asked flatly.

Felix held back a smirk. 

“Hm? You mean the surprise you mentioned offhand two days ago? Yes, I suppose some of them were about that.”

“You know this is cheating, right?”

“Cheating?” Felix nearly gasped. “I don’t recall setting any rules.”

“I thought it was a given!” Marinette huffed, though he caught the corners of her lips twitching upwards.

“Clearly not,” He replied with a smirk, “but by all means, if you have rules, I would be delighted to know them. I want to win knowing you had all of the advantages.”

Marinette scoffed, giving him a playful eye roll. “Well, first off, you can’t ambush me like this. If you come in while I’m working on the surprise, then of course you’re going to know what it is.”

“Are you working on the surprise?” Felix inquired, tilting his head to see what was on the desk behind her.

“No, but that’s not the point.” Marinette said, blocking his view from her desk anyway.

“Alright, then what should I depend on for my guess?” He asked in turn. “You’re words? You could be lying or giving misleading information, and if you did tell the truth, I highly doubt you’d give me any clues that you thought would help me.”

“True,” Marinette agreed, “but the bet was to have you guess the surprise.”

“An educated guess is a guess all the same.”

“An educated guess is an assumption based on prior knowledge and experiences.” She pointed out. “If you see my surprise, you won’t be guessing what it is from things you saw beforehand. You’ll just know what it is because you saw it directly.”

Felix hummed. That was a good loophole. 

“So are you saying that the surprise is easy to make out once you see it?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying.”

“Oh, so it’s not easy to make out?”

“Felix!”

Felix laughed. “So you want me to make a deduction based on what I already know about you? Is that correct?”

Marinette eyed him for a moment, seeming to search for a trick in his words, then sat down in her rolling chair again. “Yes.”

Felix nodded thoughtfully and walked over to the chaise, gingerly moving scraps of cloth and a stray, bush pin holder aside so he could sit down as well.

“Alright, let’s see.. What do I know about Mlle Marinette Dupain-Cheng? I know you are creative.. Thoughtful.. Clever.. Minorly obsessed with giving gifts.. And work mostly in the clothes district, though that doesn’t mean you can’t make other things such as dolls or fake jewelry.”

Marinette snorted, an amused smile crossing her lips. “Go on.”

“You’re also empathetic and incredibly intuitive, picking up on the things around you without a second thought while also managing to run into a pole that’s directly in front of your face.”

“Hey!”

“My point is,” Felix continued slyly, “you’re clumsy in your walk, but not your work. If you made this bet with me, you’ve no doubt guessed where I would look and tried to counter that already. The gift is either hidden where you know I won’t look for sake of privacy or out in plain sight where you don’t believe I’ll see it as odd.”

“How do you know it’s even in this room?”

He smiled. “Your anxiety. Putting the box in any other place would have you fretting constantly over who’s touching it or whether it’s been moved. Your bedroom is the one place you can hide it while also watching over it unceasingly.”

Marinette raised her eyebrows ever so slightly, apparently impressed, and it only made his smile widen. He’d been spot on, hadn’t he? The surprise was in her room!

“That’s very cute and all, but you still haven’t guessed what the surprise is,” She retorted, crossing her arms, “or who it’s for.”

Felix tilted his head in a nod. “Alright, let’s go through the possibilities. You have Claude, Allegra, Allan, and myself. Anyone else wouldn’t make sense as a surprise.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because otherwise you wouldn’t feel the need to keep it a secret.” He pointed out. “You’re keeping this a surprise because you don’t want the person being surprised to find out prematurely, yes? So telling me would only jeopardize that if it were myself or someone I’m with regularly, which is Claude, Allan, Allegra, and you, and you can’t exactly surprise yourself-”

“I could. You never know.” Marinette joked.

Felix chuckled. “Sure, but it would be highly unlikely. Moving on, I don’t think it would be Claude, Allan, or Allegra either, because, as you know, I don’t enjoy blabbing my mouth to others. If you were surprising one of them, you most likely wouldn’t have hesitated to tell me what the surprise was. There is the possibility that you’re just being extra careful, but I highly doubt it.”

“Therefore, in conclusion, you’re left with me.” He finished.

Marinette hummed, setting her elbow on her desk and leaning her head on her palm. “So you think the surprise is for you?”

“It’s my leading theory.”

“I see. Might I ask why I would make a surprise for you?”

“That wasn’t part of the bet.”

Marinette snorted. “What if I don’t want to tell you because I don’t feel like it? I don’t have to tell you everything about my life, Felix.”

“No,” he agreed, though a part of him would like her to, “but you wouldn’t have made the bet if you didn’t want me prying, now, would you?”

“Maybe I’m just a poor planner.”

Felix simply raised an eyebrow. Marinette’s plans might not work out the way she wants them to on occasion, but she certainly wasn’t a poor planner. 

Her smile widened, clearly catching onto what he was thinking. “It could always be a possibility.”

Felix lightly scoffed and leaned back on his palms, his gaze sweeping over Marinette’s bed up top. It was neatly made, with nothing else surrounding it but a stray glass of water. That probably meant the surprise was on the lower portion of her room, since it would be hard to keep something hidden in a clean space. Could it be in one of her chests, perhaps? Or was he going to have to unravel one of her fabric rolls to find it?

“Perhaps I’m putting too much faith in you, but-” 

A yawn cut off Felix’s remark, and he blinked at Marinette as she stretched out her free arm. Her posture was practically slumped against the desk, her cheek sagging against her palm as she slid further into it. Was she.. tired? 

“Are you alright?” He asked, leaning forward to get a better look at her. Had those bags under her eyes been there this whole time?

“Hm? Oh, yeah.” She pulled herself back into a sitting-up position, attempting to rub the grogginess off of her expression. “I just hadn’t realized how tired I was until I stopped working.”

Felix frowned. “When did you last sleep?”

“Uh.. What day is it again?” She glanced down at her computer. “Saturday.. I think I got some sleep yesterday morning.”

“Yesterday Morning?” He repeated, flabbergasted. M. Sabine had mentioned Marinette working non-stop on her projects, but he didn’t think she meant it literally. “Why haven’t you been sleeping?”

She offered him a half shrug. “I didn’t mean to stay up this long. I just keep getting into the zone with Claude’s suit, and it makes time fly by.. Plus, my insomnia was getting to me again. So, I figured: Why roll around in bed relentlessly when you can do something productive?”

“You need to rest.”

Marinette tossed her hand in his direction. “Nah. What I need is to go get one of my mocha frappuccinos. Actually, can you get it for me? It’s downstairs in the fridge.”

“I’m not getting you a frappuccino,” Felix stated flatly, “but I’ll get you some water. Have you eaten anything today?”

“Uh.. I think I ate a macaron sometime this morning?”

Felix sighed and stood up from the chaise. Why was he not surprised?

“I’ll find something for you to eat then as well.”

“Felix, you really don’t have to do that.”

“No, but I’m going to. You can’t work on a project while you’re half-dead, after all. It’ll only lead to mistakes.”

“What are you talking about?” Marinette drawled. “Being half-dead is when most of my inspirations come to life!”

Felix pinched the bridge of his nose, though a small smile tugged at his lips. Sometimes he forgot how much of a mess Marinette could be.

“I’ll be right back.” He said, pulling open the trapdoor. 

Since Tom and Sabine were still working, the main housing area was empty, so Felix was able to slip down into the kitchen without a problem. 

He went to the fridge first, though he wasn’t entirely sure what to give her. M. Sabine told him to ask her for snacks if they needed any, but she would probably only bring them sweet treats. Marinette hasn’t eaten anything but a macaron since this morning, so she needed something healthy. Would fruit work? What kind of fruits did she like? He’s seen an orange in her pre-made lunch every now and then, but did they have any oranges here?

He closed the fridge and glanced at the counters. They were mostly covered with kitchen utensils, but he did spot a bowl of apples and oranges on the island, along with a few bananas on a hook nearby. 

Perfect.

He snatched one of each fruit, then got a cup from the cabinet and filled it with as much water as he could. Hopefully it wouldn’t spill on his way back up.

With food and water in hand, Felix carefully trudged back up the stairs to the trapdoor. He switched all of his fruit over to one arm and pushed the trapdoor open, keeping a watchful eye on the water while doing so.

“Marinette, do you like oranges more or..” Felix trailed off as his eyes landed on Marinette again. She was slumping in her chair now, and her eyes were completely closed while her head was tilted to the side at an odd angle. If that didn’t bring him to the realization that she was sleeping, the snore that came a few seconds later certainly did.

Felix almost laughed as he continued into the bedroom. She fell asleep? Within the two seconds that he was gone?? 

“Marinette, you truly are incredible.” He whispered to himself, setting the water and fruit on her desk. Should he wake her up? She’ll probably be embarrassed if she finds out she fell asleep while he was there, especially after claiming she wasn’t that tired. 

..On the other hand, leaving her be might give him a bit of an advantage..

Felix smirked, carefully tip-toeing away from her sleeping figure. Where was she looking when he mentioned the surprise again?

~~~~~~~

Marinette squirmed under her blanket, twisting herself to become more comfortable on the fluffy material underneath her. She’d forgotten how soft her chaise was, or how the memory foam helped her sink into it just right.. Maybe she should try sleeping on this more ofte-

Wait a minute.

Marinette cracked an eye open, glancing around her room with a frown. Since when was she lying down on the chaise? Hadn’t she been sitting in her rolling chair a moment ago? With-

“Felix!” she gasped, lurching upwards. Where was he? Did she fall asleep while he was in her room? Why didn’t he wake her up? Was he still in the house?

Marinette threw off her blanket and stood. She didn’t see him anywhere in her room, but that didn’t necessarily mean he wasn’t there. He could be downstairs in the living room, or talking with her parents in the bakery. Did he see anything while she was asleep? What if he found the small cans of paint behind her fabrics? Would he be able to figure out the surprise from that? What if he found the surprise itself?!

Seized with panic, Marinette raced up the ladder that led to her bed, then scaled the next ladder that led to her balcony. She threw open the trapdoor and poked her head outside, glancing around again. 

The platform was empty, thankfully. No Felix in sight. And the little pot in the corner next to her beach chair looked to be untouched as well.

Marinette let out a relieved sigh and walked over to the pot, carefully picking up the fake plant that she’d placed on top of it. Inside, past the plastic that covered the top in case of rain, she saw her package sitting snugly, right where she’d left it. Thank goodness she decided to hide it the night before, otherwise Felix would have won their bet as soon as he stepped inside her bedroom.

Marinette put the fake plant back where it was supposed to be, making sure the plastic wasn’t visible anymore, and stood up to scan the road. Felix’s car wasn’t on her street, which probably meant he went home, but that didn’t mean she was safe just yet.

“Tikki!” She called as she climbed back down into her room. It was a nasty trick he played, visiting her home unannounced, but in hindsight, she probably should have expected it. If Felix was going to guess the surprise, he needed more information on it, and how else was he going to get information (aside from herself, who was currently ignoring his messages)? Her house, where the surprise- and any clues pertaining to it -would naturally be. 

Tikki zipped up to Marinette almost immediately. “Yes, Marinette?”

“Do you know how long I was asleep?” 

Her kwami hummed, briefly turning to find a clock. “I’d say about.. Two hours?”

“Two hours?” Marinette repeated, horrified. Imagine what Felix could have done in that amount of time! 

“Did Felix find anything about the surprise?” 

“Not that I know of,” Tikki answered, to Marinette’s relief, “He started to look around for a bit, then decided against it, I guess, and left you a note before leaving himself.”

Marinette’s eyebrows knitted together slightly. “A note?”

Tikki nodded. “It’s on your desk.”

Marinette turned around to scan the bottom of her room again, indeed spotting a piece of paper on the corner of her desk. She must have been too worried about the surprise to notice it.

She climbed down her second ladder and walked over to the desk, picking up the small piece of paper. Felix’s letters curled across the page, beautiful and delicate, and to her surprise, she found something tucked underneath the note as well: A string of hearts. The same hearts she’d made for the Valentine’s Day party.

Dear Marinette,

You fell asleep before I could mention it, but the real reason I stopped by was to give you the decoration we talked about while cleaning up last Thursday. I noticed you forgot to ask Allegra about it, or perhaps you simply didn’t want to in the end. If the latter is the case, feel free to throw the decoration away. 

I left fruit on your desk, along with a glass of water. Please eat and hydrate yourself so you don’t collapse later.

Signed,

Felix

A soft warmth bloomed in Marinette’s chest as she glanced at the group of fruits on her desk. It was a bit embarrassing that he remembered her stupid ‘reminiscing-over-the-hearts’ excuse, but also sweet that he took the time to ask Allegra about them after Marinette left. He always seemed to pay more attention to her than she realized. 

“Hey, how did I get on the chaise?” Marinette asked Tikki curiously. “Felix didn’t.. You know.. carry me or anything, did he?”

The very thought nearly made her blush, but she tried to push it aside as best she could.

“Oh, he thought about it,” Her kwami confirmed, a certain amusement to her tone, “but in the end, he decided to wake you up just enough to have you walk over to the chaise yourself.”

Marinette nodded thoughtfully. She didn’t remember any of the moving process, but the neat piles next to her chaise proved that Felix put a lot of effort into cleaning the furniture off and making it comfortable. He even found a stray blanket for her to use.. With such gentle treatment coming from him, she almost wondered what she could have done to deserve it.

“Did he.. By any chance.. Do anything else while I was sleeping?” She asked hesitantly.

Tikki furrowed her eyebrows, confused. “Like what?”

Marinette flushed, flailing her arms as she replied a bit too loudly, “O-Oh, nothing! Nothing at all! I mean, if you didn’t notice anything then clearly nothing happened- hahaha! Anyway-”

She turned away from Tikki and put her hands over her face, almost groaning from embarrassment. Why would Felix even do anything to her while she was asleep? He didn’t like her that way! In fact, he didn’t like touching people at all! He wouldn’t be the type to longingly gaze at her sleeping face or maybe gently brush her bangs to the side with a smile.. It just wasn’t realistic. She needed to quit hoping for these fantasies before she fell too deeply into them.

A sigh passed Marinette’s lips, and she lowered her hands to look at Felix’s note again.

At least he cared for her in general. That’s better than nothing, right? She was happy just being his friend. 

Even if she might be starting to see him as something more.

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

(Devotion: Hey guys! Thanks for coming back for another end-of-chapter devotion! I really appreciate all of those who read this, and I am very excited to share more of the Bible with you! Today we’re going to talk about the beginnings of Hell, why it exists, and why it’s now our problem today. 

People often like to question God’s goodness and grace by pointing out the existence of Hell. They say that if He is truly loving and truly as great as we say, then putting someone into Hell- or making it in the first place -should be too grievous of a task for Him. He shouldn’t want to create a situation where any of His other wonderful creations will suffer. I will agree that is a good question, but it is also a question that can be perfectly explained. (or as perfect as I myself can explain it anyway lol)

The first thing we need to understand is that Hell was not originally made for us. Hell was made for Lucifer and his followers. For background, Lucifer is an angel of light that used to be known as one of God’s chiefest angels. He had six wings, was beautiful beyond imagination, and (some believe) served at the right hand of Jesus Christ himself. Despite all of these magnificent gifts, however, Lucifer became unsatisfied with his position. As he looked at the things around him and thought about the incredible powers he’d been bestowed, he started to believe that he was above God. That instead of serving the one who made him, he should be the one on top, the one served and glorified. Pride and envy snaked through his chest like weeds, and soon, he was convincing other angels that he should be in charge too. This blasphemy continued until Lucifer felt he’d rallied enough angels together- or perhaps God called him prematurely -and He attacked God with one third of Heaven’s angels. As you can imagine, the fight didn’t last long. God won with an overwhelming victory, and for their insolence, God banished Lucifer and his followers to the place we now know as Hell. It is a place that God does not touch with any of his mercies or graces or light, a place a complete darkness where you can’t even see your hand in front of your face and your soul is tormented with an excruciating, unsoothable pain for the rest of eternity, where the only sounds you’ll hear is wailing and screaming and crying and gnashing of teeth. This was the place of punishment that God created for Lucifer and his followers, but it wasn’t supposed to be a place of punishment for us. 

Now this brings us to the beginning of creation and earth, where Hell suddenly became a problem of our own as well. See, Hell is the place where people who do not want to serve God or give their hearts to Him go. It is not a direct punishment or forced suffering, per se. It is more like getting all of the privileges that come with serving Him taken away from us. If we are rejecting God, then we are rejecting the kindness and gifts that He gives us for accepting Him, such as peace, love, happiness, protection, light, and all of those great things. In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve, and He gave them the choice of following Him or rejecting Him and going their own way. He put them in a ginormous, beautiful garden, where they had everything they could ever need, and in the midst of the garden, He put a tree called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God told them that they could eat of every fruit in the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they could not eat. It was a simple rule, just one: Don’t eat the fruit of that tree, but you can have everything else. For a while, Adam and Eve followed that rule. The Bible doesn’t specify how long before they broke it, but one day, as Eve was eating in the garden, a serpent came to her. It’s unclear as to how many animals could speak during this time on earth, or if the snake itself was an exception, but the snake did speak to her.

“Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” The serpent hissed.

Eve, I can imagine, shook her head. “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, ‘Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die’.”

“Ye shall not surely die,” the snake said, “for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

Now, this is the tricky part of how the devil works. He likes to throw in a little bit of the truth to cover up big lies. The fruit on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil did have the power to open our eyes to sin and wickedness, but it also was definitely going to kill Eve if she ate it. With the honeyed words of satan, however, and the tempting thought of becoming something better than she was now, Eve didn’t consider that he might be lying, and she didn’t consult God on the matter either. Instead, she took the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil hesitantly in her hands and, with one final breath of courage, took a bite of it. 

In that moment, she chose to go her own way instead of God’s

.Eve didn’t die physically as she’d expected to, but that wasn’t because God lied. It was because He was talking about a different kind of death, which was a spiritual death. Her body may have remained after she sinned, but her soul was shriveled up inside itself, now separated from God’s touch of everlasting life. She rejected God and His graces, and in doing so, sent herself in the direction of a place where God’s light does not shine. What’s worse is that since “nothing happened” when she ate the fruit, she brought the fruit to Adam as well. Adam, seeing that his lovely wife was still alive and well, came to the conclusion that God had lied too and also ate the fruit he was specifically told not to eat. They’d both chosen a life without God now.

Of course, since God sees everything, it wasn’t long before He came down to talk with them. Just like with Lucifer, God punished them for their insolence and disobedience. He cursed Adam’s seed, so that anyone born by him (or any man) would have their eyes opened to sin as well, and He cursed the ground so that weeds and thorns and such would sprout from the ground, making it ten times harder for Adam to work in the fields. For Eve, he cursed the way she gave birth, multiplying the pain and sorrow of it, and said that she now had to submit to her husband and that it would even become her main desire to please him. On top of those curses, He made the animals to be carnivores from then on, eating meat and growing wild from the curse of the ground, and also banished Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. And at the very end of that, we know that they were on their way to Hell for their disobedience.

“That’s not fair!” You might say. “They only ate one little fruit! Isn’t that punishment a bit excessive?” Well, no. Sin is a big deal. It is direct disobedience of God, and God’s rules that He gives us are not there without reason. He knew the importance of not eating the fruit and warned us ahead of time that the punishment for eating it would be severe, yet we ate it anyway. Any punishment we were given was completely deserved. You cannot say that God is merciless and cruel for not holding back on a punishment that He told us beforehand that He would give if we did something we weren’t supposed to.

“What about the rest of us? None of us were the ones to eat of the tree. Why do we have to pay for it?” You may not have sinned by eating of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but you have sinned in your life regardless. At some point, you did something wrong and turned your back on God’s influence and grace. We are all deserving of the punishment that we are heading towards.

“Why not stop us? Why let us choose sin over Him? Why even give us the opportunity to do wrong at all?” Free will. God loves us all dearly, so He wanted to give us the choice to love Him, not just force us to because we are His own creation. Isn’t that amazing? He loves us so much that He created us knowing we wouldn’t love Him the same way He loves us, and He continues to give grace to those who reject Him and essentially spit in his face. I can’t imagine having that much love or patience for somebody, can you? He even gave us another chance to spend paradise with Him by sending Jesus Christ down to save us! Think about it: You know somebody who’s rejected you. You’ve given them good advice, and they’ve spit curses at you while deciding that they know better. They’ve shaken their fist at you and refused to talk to you, called you awful names for giving them the best things they could have, and yet, despite all of that, you decide to send your only son, your prime possession, to go down and take an incredible punishment for them, to die for them. That person who rejected you doesn’t deserve it. They haven’t asked for forgiveness. There is no guarantee that they will even acknowledge the fact that you saved them, but you do it anyway. God did it anyway, and He did it on a much larger scale than that little metaphor.

Hell was not meant for us, but we are headed there now because of our poor choices. God has given us a way to reconcile, to change the choices that we’ve made, because He loves us. He’s calling out to you now. I pray that you are listening. Thanks for reading, and I hope you all have a blessed day! If you have any questions about God, please message me and let me know! <3)

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[life-rewritten]

WE BEST LOVE  (Fighting Mr 2nd) DEYI and The Theme of Control and Power

You know that show that you know you can talk about forever and be obsessed with, although it seems pretty simple and not really that complicated to analyse and break down? Well, We Best Love (WBL) is precisely that in the most amazing way. I'm not shocked because I've always been a fan of the History Series, especially with this writer and how she creates her projects; it's not surprising that WBL happens to be the most comfortable show to lean into. It feels like entering a cheesy, cute, romantic novel. Yet, it still is the most angsty, passionate, drama-filled plot enough to make you want to run into the screen and comfort these comfort characters, scream at them when they're not making sense, and keep watching despite the pain when you feel like they've gone too far. And I kept quiet and watched season 1 of WBL. I was entranced and in love because it was so simple, but it felt perfect for me; it was a distraction, it made me smile, and it also made my heart quiver. I adored all the actors, and I also enjoyed how the storyline was told. It doesn't have to be so deep and full of clues, but there were facets to the characters, clear set rules in understanding their character roles, and small hints building in the last episode that all was not well and a lot was coming for our couple in the future. It broke my heart because season 1 was focused on the immaturity and naiveness of how we feel when we enter university for the first time; the excitement, but still innocence of hopefully finding someone to mesh with, and yet the dumbness/naivety that can distract us or slow us down before knowing who that person is. Season 1 was light, funny, and sweet because that's how our doe-eyed souls feel when we first enter college and get to discover who we are. Season 2, on the other hand, is focusing on maturity, actually dealing with our flaws, coping with the responsibilities and hardships of life, duty and obligation vs wants and need; the characters are older now, affected by the world's cruelties/situations and now have walls up higher than before. 

And in order to help us get that vibe, even more, our couple's relationship is put through the wringer, hearts torn, misunderstandings prolonged unfairly, and everyone broken just staying in a state of pining, longing and anger, anger, at what was lost to them; the innocence/fun of falling in love, the guise of being in control, and the joy of being free and dumb in love. It isn't a surprise to see our main character, Shide and Shu Yi, see their flaws fleshed out more in the open and actually increased and exposed for us, the audience, to watch and dislike. Shu Yi's short temper becomes even more exposed as he struggles to have control over his past and feelings for Shide once they reunite, and Shide's withdrawal of emotions also becomes even more strained and put on focus as he also realises what he has lost. Both of them enter this sick twisted, and tense need for control and power that their relationship becomes intense and full of passion hidden behind the anger and resentment. So I'm going to break down the idea of Control and Power with these twos relationship, a certain theme that has been there since season 1, and why now it's something both rivals are struggling to obtain to win, especially Shuyi, who is determined this time to not be Mr 2nd when it comes to Shide again. Hence the title Fighting Mr 2nd.

Misunderstandings and Miscommunications

Let's first focus on the miscommunication/ separation at hand. This exposed so much already about how these two felt about the power they hold over the other. Let's first look at what season 1 exposed; for Shide, Shuyi has always had control over him since the moment his young self told him that he would be a companion to him whenever he was lonely. Shide has desperately loved Shuyi and did everything possible to ensure he kept Shuyi's focus on him no matter what. The way he decided to do this was to put himself in a place more powerful than Shuyi; he put himself always ahead of Shuyi, ensuring he was always number one no matter what. This was how he controlled the situation; for him, as long as Shuyi noticed him, he was happy to continue hoping for a change and also making him react. In Shide's mind, he never wanted to force/ make Shuyi fall for him because he didn't think it was possible. He just wanted to be by his side (as a 'friend') until graduation was over.This shows me already some stuff about their relationship. How Shide perceives Shuyi; one, he didn't trust in Shuyi's love as being as strong as he was. He even says it to Shuyi on the bridge when they confessed to each other. For him, Shuyi was always the 'lucky' one; the one in control, the real winner because he had him in his palm of his hand. Shuyi was the one who made him whipped, the one he chased after secretly for 8 years or more. Shuyi has always been the one with the hold over him. Immediately they got together, Shide also tells Shouyi his confusion but the happiness that Shuyi is also feeling the same towards him.

Shide can't believe the switch in Shuyi's personality and actions for him; Shuyi still tried to play of Shide's grand confessions of love in the last episode, and Shide was okay as long as Shuyi kept paying attention to him. But in my head, it showed that Shide didn't think Shuyi's love was as unconditional, as strong, as uncontrollable as his. He didn't know he had any hold over Shuyi. He thought it was his constant love and chase that won Shuyi in the end, so what happens when he thinks he pushed Shuyi away? In Shide's perspective, he's the one who slacked behind and pushed Shuyi away by disappearing for 5 years, which fair enough makes sense; Shuyi has every right to be angry at being ghosted. But Shide blames himself and thinks it's because his show of love was weakened and slowed down that it caused Shuyi to retreat and walk away easily. Because he wasn't fighting anymore for their love, he lost Shuyi's attention. Again this suggests how fickle he believes Shuyi's feelings are and how still in his head he believes he's the one with the long-lasting love/feelings.

Shide's personality is someone who likes to be in control (like Shuyi but for different ways and reasons); he's kind of had to always be; ever since his dad died, he's had to try and make it his goal to become stronger and better to take care of his mum, and to ensure they live well. This is connected to the theme of Duty and Obligation in the show.  Even in Season 1, the reason he has to leave for America for a bit is to ensure his mum settles in nicely. Even after that, he's again the one responsible for ensuring whoever was sick in America was taken care of. It's because of his need to be responsible and be in control that Shuyi always feels distanced from him (mocked, misunderstood, and hurt). Shide is someone who likes to keep a calm demeanour. He likes to take things on by himself; he likes to not show when he's hurting or alone (apart from that one time as a kid where he broke down on Shuyi). In fact, it might be because Shuyi is the only one who did see him in his vulnerable state and gave him an aim to become stronger that made him cling on to his love for him and devote himself to his love for him. But in looking so in control of his emotions, Shuyi always saw Shide as someone who loved winning and making him feel like a fool. In season 1, he thought Shide did it on purpose to see him lose control and be a mess, and in season 2, he's resorted back to that thinking. Let's look at why?

No 1 for You (Shide’s pov)  vs Fighting Mr 2nd (Shuyi’s pov)

Shuyi did not also understand the proper depth of Shide's feelings. I guess we should have seen it coming that he didn't fully understand how deep they were, he had heard ideas from Shide's mother, he had heard grand declarations from Shide (after he was the one to pry it out of him), but he didn't actually trust it fully. I think because he didn't fully trust both their sexualities and identities when it came to their feelings. Like I said, we should have seen it coming when he admits he doesn't want to fall for a guy, but also it's because it's Shide he's okay with being in love. However, people complained about this because in BL, we're tired of the I love you, not boys trajectory always chosen. However, it was more than that. I think because of what's embedded in people's minds at a young age (due to society),  there might have also been, as a result of that,  hints of internalised homophobia (IH) with Shuyi. And that's why it made sense for him to wither and assume that Shide truly would be with someone else and be married and have kids. Because of IH, Shuyi may have automatically thought it made sense that Shide would move on, get married and have kids in America (hence as he said in episode 1,  he was disqualified by choice) because, in his head, he didn't understand Shide's love and devotion for him.

It also points to insecurity and fear that he might not be enough/the better option for Shide. One of his pet peeves was that he was always coming second to Shide, he was always being seen by himself as second best, and he probably also thought he had become the second-best option to Shide living a great 'fulfilled' life according to 'society' where he is married to a wife and has kids. This is why in the special episode, he also gives up easily and wishes him the best refusing to actually question why Shide would do this to him after all the stupid and grand promises he made a year ago before he left. Promises of marriage, promises of devotion, of being his family etc. Of course, this felt like Shuyi was thoroughly mocked and lowered because he had lost again to Shide by letting his heart trust him and wait for him. Now, in season 2, he's determined to not do that too. To not lose control of his heart ever again. To not fail to Shide in any way, shape or form ever again.

Shuyi; The Guise of Control

Shide is always acting on the surface like he's in control, causing Shuyi to always think he's more vulnerable and a fool, and it makes season 2 make more sense. Even if Shide says, he'll make Shuyi look at him again, how on earth is he meant to ever let that happen? He literally manipulated the situation in season 1 and got Shuyi's walls down only for him just to cheat on him, so how can Shuyi trust just his actions on the surface?

No matter how devoted Shide is looking, even at the end finally showing a hint of losing control under Shuyi's hold which Shuyi was not expecting because he thought Shide will always want to again be 'proper'.  And in the past, it was Shuyi who always pushed for skinship once they started dating; Shide always again acted like he hadn't been affected; this was discussed actually in that final episode. Even if on the surface Shide looked affected, Shuyi wouldn't trust that. Because Shide is always holding back whilst Shuyi always feels like a fool, never being able to control himself around him, never being able to control his emotions or have a poker face around him. From the first episode in season 1, Shuyi has always been uncontrollable when it came to Shide, whilst Shide always came out looking cool.

Shuyi always ended up in the most vulnerable shameful state (forgetfully hurting himself in reaction to Shide's presence, being the one distracted and bothered by skinship in the last episode whilst Shide studied, or even being exposed and screaming down a bridge, his love for Shide to make Shide come out and say how he feels). Shuyi always ended up being weakened and frustrated because Shide seemed like he had everything in order. Shuyi is now adamant he's lying or that Shuyi is still the one who's more in love with him (his biggest fear). For example, the slap he gives to Shide (exposed his lack of control of emotions around Shide) and yet Shide immediately tried to control the situation, making Shuyi again look like the irrational one and the most affected one. Also, as mentioned it Shuyi (in Shuyi's head), who proceeded to force/get Shide to confess. Because Shide was too focused on controlling his environment, avoiding the situation, holding back his feelings, whilst Shuyi's emotions always get the best of him and caused him to still lose in front of Shide. Basically letting Shide get his way all the time. And by doing that, it was Shuyi who ended up waiting for a year and then being 'cheated' on, being ghosted with his heart shattered.

The Fear of Weakness and Vulnerability

Other examples are Shide going to Shuyi's house and ignoring him in his own home (again, Shuyi can't even control his environment when it comes to Shide, everything he owns feels little because Shide seems to have a hold over him in everything), and proceeding to make him the fried rice. Even as the vice president who's meant to be in control and be in charge of letting go of people (which his father is pressuring him to do, he has no choice in the matter), Shide is the CEO (a higher position)  of the company and is adamant on convincing Shuyi to do no such thing. It's a big fear to Shuyi, which is why he's determined to ensure he does fire these people because if he doesn't, It means he's again coinciding underneath Shide's hold over him, over everything he has, including his heart.

The act of making fried rice in Shuyi's house as if nothing is going on, Shide ignoring his tantrums and outbursts does again what Shuyi hates, makes him feel stupid, weak and vulnerable. It makes him feel like he's losing again to Shide. This is why I think he really has no other option in his mind to win but to use emotions and feelings (what he can't control) as a weapon to capture Shide. By making Shide fall for him emotionally and then being the one to break his heart, that's how Shuyi thinks he'll finally be able to break down Shide's calm, façade that he's always in control, that's how he stops being Mr Second. Obviously, it's a stupid idea because Shuyi literally becomes weakened just by being in Shide's presence. To be anywhere intimate with him, he will only resort to his own emotions being, even more, harder to handle even if he tries to play it off as just attraction.

And for both of them, control is even harder physically with emotions because they've been 'starved' of each other's presence for 5 years, of each other's touch and connection. As shown in episode 1 of FMS, they're both in a state of pining, longing and waiting for one of them to give in. For 5 years, Shuyi was secretly fighting against the truth that he had been waiting for Shide to return even when he tried to focus all his energy and heart into hate and bitterness (to distract him from the pain of waiting). Shuyi never wanted to give up on hope, never wanted to let go of Shide, because it's out of his control to forget or move on. He couldn't do that even if he tried. This is why he also tries again to use a power play with a fake girlfriend that he couldn't remember the name for.  Every single sentence he said was how he compared himself to the girl he thought Shide cheated on him with. He was saying it to hurt Shide, but in the end, he was still exposing his own hurt and insecurity about why he thought Shide left him.

Shide; Control Vs Sacrifice

Meanwhile, the audience all know that, on the other hand, Shide is the one who has no control over the matter. No matter what he seems like on the surface/ in front of Shuyi, Shide is completely tired, weak and frustrated once he sees Shuyi again. It's frustrating because the only time he shows his emotions is once Shuyi isn't looking; he cries only after Shuyi has left, always holding his feelings and only letting it out when he's by himself. Although to Shuyi, it seems he's in control, being the CEO, being the one who disappeared for 5 years, being the one who is successful and influential, Shuyi couldn't be more opposite in his thoughts. Shide has no control over the CEO position; it's not a job he chose for himself, it's not what he wanted to do, he did it because of again his responsibility to his mother and family. Shide isn't the one who chose to disappear for 5 years in America; he again had no control over the situation because someone else was ill, and he had to be the one to help his family again become stable. And lastly, Shide isn't successful and as influential as he's sold his company to Shuyi's father, so he actually isn't in control of his position, of his life essentially. What Shuyi sees as control is unfortunate because it's actually Shide's sacrifice; he's had to lose what he actually wants to be in that position. All he's ever wanted is Shuyi. Ironic no?

Even in Season 1, when he seemed to be the one controlling the situation, he wasn't; he always did everything to get Shuyi, and for 8 years him being 'in control/winner' as Shuyi puts it wasn't him winning because he always didn't get Shuyi's heart before he confessed. And that's what's so heartbreaking about Shuyi's misunderstanding of Shide; when he first sees Shide in the past in his memories, he doesn't know the moment Shide fell for him; he just sees Shide winning over him, he doesn't even notice the first person who had control over the other was him, because he already took Shide's heart, trust and devotion. This is why Shide told him he was the lucky one; he was the one who was winning, who was always in control. Not Shide.

Love and It’s Hold and Power

And again, although Shide is the one he thinks he's second-best to. Shuyi has a lot of power over everyone else since he was young. He's been a spoilt, rich boy who's had control over his friends (in a positive way like they felt they had to watch him and babysit him), he's had control due to his father's power, and he's had control now over Shide just due to again his father's job and his heritage. And I think that's why he can't stand the fact that no matter what he does when he's with Shide, he loses all of that power; he's reduced to wanting to do something for someone, like in season 1, washing the dishes, being humble, exposing his feelings to Shide so loudly and vulnerably. Shide is the only person who makes him want to do all that, and he hates it. It's why when the employees in episode 1 call him again Shide's girlfriend (even though literally Shide bending down to tie his laces is an act of losing control and him being in control of him), it bothers him because it makes him look weak. He's the one flustered by the actions; his heart is shaken by the movement. What he sees about Shide vs what's genuinely being shown/exposed is so opposite, so of course, they're more prone to misunderstandings because they've always both seen the situation very differently.

So WBL has always been using this theme of Control vs Power with Shide and Shuyi. And how, because of love, both of them feel this lack of control over each other. Mostly from season 1, when Shide gets closer to Shuyi using the idea of rivalry to see who can win over each other, even though he gives in always to Shuyi on purpose. Shuyi's misunderstanding has always been an issue since episode 1, since even when Shide kissed him in the pool. This time around in season 2, we get to deal with the actual seriousness/reciprocation of what that misunderstanding and fear of lack of control can do to them. And how others can manipulate that (Shuyi's father probably). Either way, these twos relationship has become angst central because Shuyi really is fighting Mr second, he's determined this time not to lose to Shide no matter what and he's finally using like the last way he can possibly gain control over Shide. His body. The most vulnerable part of a person is exposed when they sleep with someone else; by getting Shide to even want to give in to him as he requested, he can expose everything about Shide, his weakness, his heart, his truths. Hence, it makes sense the relationship is using attraction and chemistry as a powerful tool for the storyline. Shuyi isn't going to be able to even go through with anything because he's just as vulnerable and weak with Shide as Shide is with him.

I love angst, and I love power plays and fight for control in rivals to lovers stories. I love misunderstandings and requited, but they don't know the trope. I just really enjoy WBL, and I'm so excited to see what happens next. Looks like Shide is finally going to lose that façade he has on the surface once he breaks down under the influence of alcohol; probably, poor boy has been suffering so much. And I think both of them will soon need to gain control over their situation together so they can defeat the obstacles that come in the form of Shuyi's father, society, company issues etc. So yeh, I'm loving this, and it's such a breath of fresh air. Friday is too far away, sigh.

[sassycassie-s-writing]

A Future That’s Worth It

By: SassyShoulderAngel319

Fandom/Character(s): A Court of Thorns and Roses Series/Rhysand

Rating: PG/K+ (lots of implications but nothing explicit)

Original Idea: Nothing in particular.

Notes: (Masterlist)(By Character)(About Me) I have some headcanons on height and weight of the characters that I used for this one. Have fun!

^^^^^

The bed dipped behind me. I’d been more than halfway to sleep, but the movement shocked me awake. I rolled over.

Rhysand gave me a lazy smile. “Evening, love,” he said. “Did I wake you?”

“Technically no, but a little bit.”

“Sorry.” The look on his face implied he was in no way genuinely apologetic. He shuffled to get more comfortable, one wing draping over the two of us, and loosed a long sigh. I snuggled against his bare chest, eyes on his tattoos.

“Something the matter?” I asked quietly. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“If I never have to truly fight again, for the rest of what will hopefully be a very long life, I will be grateful,” he said, breath fluttering my loose hairs.

“Me too,” I agreed.

I felt a claw against my mental shields, a single, gentle drag against the black marble I used to keep my private thoughts private. A request for entry. I reached out tiredly to feel his own mental shield was already lowered. A rare occurrence for him. He had one of the most complex shields I’d ever experienced.

I let the shield drop. His presence overwhelmed me almost immediately. I’d probably never fully witness the extreme depth of his power, but it dominated over my little well of magic by what was probably thousands of times.

His presence was the comforting, healing darkness of lovers clinging to one another. The gentle shade under a wide oak tree on a hot summer day. Nothing of the sharp, secret darkness of spies and assassins. The soft night of dreams. “Do you feel peace, now?” I asked. “Now that the King of Hybern is dead and his army decimated?”

“It’ll take years for me to reach true peace for that, after all the pain and death and suffering. But I feel peace right now, holding you. I feel a grim tranquility in knowing I would gladly cause more carnage if it meant keeping you safe. I hated releasing that beast inside me during the war, but I’ll always go feral to protect what’s mine. You, our family, this city, our people. All of it. I would fight until my own death to ensure the future of those I’m responsible for.”

“Self-sacrificing fool,” I teased. There was no bite to the words.

“You’re one too,” he retorted with the same tired lack of malice.

“Never said I wasn’t. Therefore, you can’t call me a hypocrite.”

“Touché.”

I wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him closer to me. “Get some sleep, High Lord. We both need it.”

He brushed some of my loose hairs from my face. “I love you,” he said.

“I love you too.” I smiled slightly.

The sweet caress of his darkness in my mind soothed all the day’s worries. If neither of us ever had to pick up a blade for a battle ever again, it would be too soon.

I reached up with the hand around his waist and stroked the bone of his wing. He shivered, but he’d taught me where to touch to calm, and where to touch to excite. His other muscles were pliant, relaxed, as I ran my fingers gently over his wing.

We put each other to sleep not long after that.

—

“—told him it was a bad idea, but he was just like, ‘Stop telling me how to live my life!’” Mor’s loud voice woke me the next morning as the doors opened downstairs, the last bit dropping as low as she could go in a horrible but hilarious imitation of Cassian. Amren’s laughter followed.

The bed was empty besides me, but Rhys’ side was still warm.

I got up and pulled on my dressing gown over my nightgown. I brushed my hair briefly so it wasn’t quite so tangled and ventured out of our room.

Mor and Amren had already made it to the kitchen and were raiding the pantry for breakfast.

“What’s a bad idea?” I asked around a yawn.

“Cassian was gonna challenge Azriel to a flying race. From the House to the roof here,” Mor explained, pointing directly overhead.

“Azriel’s gonna win,” I said.

“That’s what I said. Cassian didn’t listen.”

I chuckled, joining them for breakfast.

Amren looked around. “Where’s your High Lord?”

“I was gonna ask you two the same thing. I assumed he got out of bed and came down to talk to you guys. Sheets were still warm when I woke up.”

Mor’s expression turned to one of amused dread. “He’s gonna join the race,” she said.

“I bet you’re right,” I replied. I rubbed my eyes. “They are five-and-a-half centuries old and they still behave like children.”

“Glad you’re his mate and not me,” Amren said with a smile as she drank from her goblet and shuddered. She hated food still, but she no longer had a choice.

“Frankly, me too,” I said. “I can’t imagine the chaos the two of you would cause.”

Mor laughed.

I assume you’re at the House of Wind? I thought down the bond, pushing the thought hard to make sure he received it.

Yep, Rhys’ voice replied in my mind.

I’ll be on the roof. Mor and I will referee.

I don’t know what you’re talking about. The words were too laced with laughter to be the truth.

Children. All three of you, I fired back.

All I got in return was his rumbling laughter. Distant thunder promising a welcome summer storm.

“Wanna join me on the roof?” I offered to Mor and Amren.

“Not really,” Amren replied.

“I will,” Mor said.

The two of us climbed up the stairs and sat on the white-painted iron chairs. Mor had a cup of tea and I had a mug of molten chocolate.

I looked up at the House of Wind. So far, there were no figures flying around its peak.

Mor lounged on her chair and eyed me. “Aren’t you cold?”

I shrugged. The early spring air was still clinging to the cold of winter and my satin dressing gown and nightgown were clinging to the cold right along with it, but it was something of a welcome change after the stifling heat under the covers in bed. “I’ll be fine for how long it’ll take Rhys and his brothers to get here.”

You ready? I asked.

Waiting on you, he replied.

We’re ready.

Then look up.

“They’re going,” I said to Mor, turning my attention back to the House.

Sure enough, three figures leapt off a balcony near the peak, streaking in a straight line toward us, wings barely extended to keep them aloft and at the angle they wanted. From their distance I couldn’t make out who was who yet, but I knew it wouldn’t take long.

“Five gold marks on Azriel,” I said.

“Aren’t you supposed to always bet on Rhys?” Mor teased.

“Azriel is lighter than Rhys and Cassian. I’m making an educated guess.”

She laughed. “Okay. Five gold marks on Rhys then.”

We watched them get closer.

“Rhys is going to be offended you bet against him,” Mor remarked.

“Probably,” I agreed.

“Rhys can winnow and Azriel… kinda does to. With the shadows. I’m not sure how he does it,” Mor mused. “But, Cassian—he just flies everywhere. So he’s probably a little better at it than both of them. More practiced, you know?”

I nodded. “Yeah… how about, if Cassian wins, we each give Amren five marks?”

Mor laughed. “She’d love and hate that. That we made her bet for her and chose Cassian.”

I shrugged. “Probably. But she wouldn’t mind the money.”

“Not at all.”

I caught glints of blue and red. Rhys was on the left, no Siphons, with Cassian in the middle and Azriel to the right. I still couldn’t tell who was in front, but it looked like I might have been right about Azriel. He looked like he was barely ahead of Rhys and Cassian.

As the three drew closer, I realized this was the future we’d fought the war for. The future full of fun and joy. The future of stupid games and meaningless bets. No gambling lives. Just a few marks for no reason other than fun. If Rhys never turned into that beast again, if he’d done enough to ensure our safety and security—finally—then it was all worth it.

They were close enough to see their faces now. Mor and I cleared a place where three could land all close to the same time and not knock over any furniture or trip. While Mor thought it’d be funny, I didn’t want anyone to face-plant off the roof.

Azriel slammed feet first into the roof. I thought I heard the attic rattle. Rhys hit barely half a second after, with Cassian right behind.

Mor gave me a long-suffering glance and sipped her tea. “I owe you five marks,” she said before flouncing back downstairs.

“You placed bets?” Cassian asked.

“You’re surprised?” I retorted sharply. Azriel snorted quietly.

“Fair enough,” Cassian said.

“You bet against me?” Rhys sounded offended even as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. His warmth banished the cold clinging to my dressing gown.

I shrugged nonchalantly, refusing to rise to his bait. “Azriel’s lighter than both of you. Skinnier. He can probably cut through the air easier. I made an educated guess,” I said, repeating what I said to Mor. I tilted up onto my tiptoes and kissed Rhys’ chin, since he was too tall for me to reach his cheek.

Rhys chuckled. “That’s okay, because I owe Cassian ten marks. I bet on Azriel too.” He kissed my forehead. The four of us still on the roof started making our way down. “So, what’s for breakfast?”

“Whatever anyone can find!” Mor shouted from below.

I grabbed Rhys’ wrist and held him so Cassian and Azriel would get ahead of us. When we were alone, I wrapped my arms around him. “This is the future we—you—fought for,” I whispered. “Is it worth it, to you?”

“I can’t think of anything more worth it.”

“Me neither.”

We held each other for a few more moments.

Then Cassian was calling us to haul downstairs before the food was gone.

Laughing, we descended.

[groovyzombiellama]

The Golden/Stylish Trio

Title: The Golden/Stylish Trio

Requested? Yes.

Plot: You are an actress and shoot a project with Alex and Bill and the two of them have a crush on you.

Word count: 1617

—***—

Ever since you were a child, you knew that you wanted to be an actress, and it didn’t matter how many people told you that you shouldn’t dream so high and that you were gonna fail, that just made you want to work more just to prove them wrong. You were constantly told that you wouldn’t have enough work, and that being an actress is stressful and difficult. Of course you knew that, in their own way every job is difficult, but you didn’t mind it because you knew that you would have difficult moments, but you were ready for whatever that world had to throw at you, because at least  that way, you would be doing something you love. You had the support of your immediate family, like your parents in the first place, and so you decided to take a chance and start your path towards making your dreams come true.

At first you had it quite difficult, not really being what the casting agent was looking for, both in terms of character and in your lack of experience. You had sleepless nights thinking about how you were supposed to gather experience when nobody wanted to give you a chance to gain any of it. And you expected this, so it wasn’t a surprise to you, and it just motivated you to do better and go to some classes and stuff, but that doesn’t mean getting rejected so many times didn’t hurt you. There were times where you would feel like the people who told you that you wouldn’t be able to make it were right and that you should just give up and go back home. Your family was alright with you coming back and going to college for something else, but just like your friends, they believed that you could do it and that every beginning is hard, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t succeed. And indeed, with patience, it started happening, you started getting cast.

Of course, you wouldn’t be able to get a lead role right off the bat, but you were getting work as eather a background character, or a very minor character that maybe had one or two lines. And even though it was something small and didn’t mean a lot of camera time, you were still extatic and extremly grateful and happy to even be getting any work at all. Your portfolio was growing, your list of work experience was becoming longer and longer, and a lot of casting agents saw your passion and dedication to acting, to the point where you even got cast as a supporting character in a movie, the so called “best friend trope”, and your lines consisted of pep talks and you were honestly just there to lift up the lead character. But it was the longest time you had spent in front of the camera so far and the most speaking lines you had gotten, so to say you were grateful and excited would be understatements.

You had no idea where all of this was gonna take you, but you were so proud of yourself for not giving up on your dreams. You even sent tickets for that movie to your cousins who didn’t believe you could make it and some of the people who bullied you and said you would never amount to nothing. It wasn’t to spite them, not too much anyway, because you never were a person to hold a grudge or feel good if others are feeling down. You just wanted to tell them that hard work will always pay off and that hard work can beat talent if talent doesn’t work hard. You were getting recognized and it was blowing your mind to be walking down the street and hear people talking about you as you pass them, guessing if you were the girl they had seen in that movie. And it made you smile every time. Eventually you ended up getting an e-mail that changed your life in a drastic way. A huge gig, bigger than any you have had before, with actors that you admired.

You had known Bill Skarsgård from his role as Roman Godfrey in Hemlock Groove, and as the iconic clown, Pennywise, in the most recent IT movies. And when your agent told you that he was gonna be one of your costars, you had to sit down, as your legs felt like they were gonna give out. He always seemed like a truly pleasant person to be around and an actor who really cares about the craft. And his good looks were just a bonus to a very amazing person. And that was the case for your other costar who once again gave you that feeling that you were gonna collapse if you keep standing. The Ivar the Boneless from Vikings, Victor from Outsiders, Alex Høgh Andersen. Alex always had the appeal as a literal ray of sunshine to you and it made your head feel dizzy to be working with them at all, and even when you met them, you couldn’t believe it was true.

Both Bill and Alex found you adorable as you tried not to fangirl around them, and be your cool self, or at least what you thought was cool. Bill had known about you as he had watched one of the movies you were in and he admired the way you put everything you had into your character, so he already knew some things about you, but even with that, you had managed to amaze him beyong belief. To Alex. meeting you was completely new territory, but he was enjoying every second of it, seeing the way every part of you contained the character you were supposed to potray. Even your eyes would show the emotion your character was supposed to be feeling that both men were dangerously close to apologising to you the moment they looked into your eyes as you were filming a scene where you were supposed to have a disagreement or fight.

Both Alex and Bill felt like they were learning a lot from you, as much as you were learning from them. And your vibrant personality, combined with that smile of yours were enough for them to develp crushes on you. It amazed them that neither one of them was able to say anything to you, that when it came to you, they would feel nervous or get tongue tied. When the two of them were talking and you came up, the shock on both of their faces, wide eyed expressions were almost comical as they realised the second they started talking about you that they had crushes on you. They didn’t want to make this a rivalry between them and try to win you over from one or the other. They were gonna leave the choice to you if you ever developped feelings for one of them and the other was gonna support you both. But that didn’t stop them from admiring you constantly and gushing about you in interviews and to each other.

As more time passed, the more the three of you started getting closer, so much so that they put up with the silly nicknames that you gave them and even though Billy and Lexie weren’t their favorite, and they honestly prefered some of your more creative nicknames, or standard “love” or “hun” that you loved calling people who were important to you, they cared about you enough to accept you just the way you were, which meant the world to you. Bill’s brother Gustaf was really glad that his costar from Vikings was friends with his brother, because the cast of the show had become like his second family in a way, and now you were a very dear friend to all of them.

Every interview that you did with these boys was a blast, you would always have fun and if they even sensed that you were feeling uncomfortable with a question or something, the both of them would create a diversion, as you woke up in them the feeling to be protective over you, but not too much that you feel suffocated, but just enough for people to know that you were not someone to mess with, both because of you being a strong and independent woman, and also because you had the two of them who had your back as much you had theirs. You three were truly a great trio, and your friendship was one that you were sure was for the books and that it was gonna last.

Regardless of the fact that their crushes were growing by the day and often times they had to stop themselves from spending entire interviews talking about you, they never forced you into anything, or tried to convince you that one of them was better for you than the other. And their biggest pet peeve was when you didn’t believe in yourself and always claimed that “people were just too kind to you” whenever someone complimented you, because they just wanted you to know that to them you were absolutely amazing and to so many people who were fans of you. But they appreciated that you were kinda using that to keep your humble nature, worried that if you started giving yourself that much credit, you would become vain and too self absorbed. They were thankful that they met you and hoped your friendship lasted a long time, even if nothing more developped from it. You were the Golden Trio, named by the entertainement industry, or the Stylish Trio as fans started calling you after Alex’s post, and you were happy with it.

---***---

SURPRISE @walkxthexmoon !! You wanted either one of aus that I do, but you were always sweet to me and kind, that you get all of it, written, gif and social media au :D <3 I truly hope you like it :)

I appreciate all of you guys and thank you all for your follows, likes, reblogs, I’ll never be able to thank you all enough. Every time I get an e-mail telling me someone followed me, it makes my entire week better and keeps me motivated! So thank you to all of you, I love you all so much, and if people are nice to me I do my damnest to be 10x nicer, because you deserve it back, so this fic took a lot longer to make than I thought, and hopefully it’s a good one and you guys like it, and just once again, I appreaciate all of you <3

[jaedore]

BINDING BONDS | 9

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parings: jung jaehyun x reader

genre: ceo!au, arranged marriage!au, angst, consumption of alcohol, asshole/player Jaehyun, swearing, smut

[ ☽ smut (unprotected sex-always use protection!!, oral (giving) | ◇ angst (from Jaehyun’s father- verbal abuse, belittling, hostile, swearing) | ☼ fluff ]

note: BB deals with themes of mental and physical abuse, which can be upsetting for some readers. If you feel uncomfortable reading these types of plots, you are advised to not continue. MINORS, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK, but I advise you to skip the sexual parts.

[ 12 k words ]

The sun is setting and calm music reverberates throughout your office as you turn on the music. It’s time to go home so your mother bids you a farewell for the night, the clicking of her heels fade away until you’re alone in the silent abyss. You’ve been unable to think throughout the entire day since your mind was occupied solely on Jaehyun, even the 4 meetings you attended today, you couldn’t even remember what they were about. 

Just as you’re about to collect yourself for the night, a knock at the door echoes through your office leaving you to wonder who could possibly be here at this time when you’re about to leave. All you wanted to do was to go home and be with Jaehyun.

“Come in,” you sigh, your voice a little impatient as you continue to pack your belongings.

Loud steps reverberated from the sounds of their shoes, ringing throughout the hollow room, “I would’ve barged in if you kept me waiting any longer,” the voice sang. 

You look at the owner of the voice and can’t help but gleam, the corners of your lips instantly uplifting, “Why didn’t you?” 

“Because that’d be rude, especially if you were speaking to someone,” Jaehyun chuckles. 

“Well I wasn’t, so the room is yours, Mr. Jung,” you bring your arms around his neck as he strides to your side.

“Oh?” he furrows his brow as he pokes his tongue inside his mouth, “are you trying to imply something suggestive, Miss y/l/n?” Jaehyun wraps his arms around your waist, pulling you closer to his body. 

“Of course not, I’m being completely professional,” you tease. You bring your fingers to loosen his tie and you slightly chuckle because you just wanted to have a little fun, “but is it working?” you playfully whisper.

Jaehyun grins, a small breath of mint air releasing from his lips, “If I were to be honest…” he comes closer to you until his lips are just grazing the surface of yours, “it is.” he smirks. 

You pull him in for a kiss and it’s sensual, slow, just how you like it. It’s only been 8 hours since you’ve seen him but how come it felt like months? It’s true that you two couldn’t get enough of each other, any moment you had, you were wrapped with his limbs or your lips would be harmonizing. 

The well-known shape of his lips that sculpted perfectly with yours brought you warmth, your cheeks heating up like it was your first time kissing him, like being sent to Cloud 9. With Jaehyun’s hands on your waist, he briskly lifts you up until you’re sitting on his desk and lifts your legs until they’re wrapped around his torso. Before your kiss could become heavier, another knock at your door rang through the heavy breaths. You ignore it thinking that you’re just hearing things, but when the sound comes again you exhale tense breath. 

“Who’s there?” You push yourself from his body, but his lips are occupied as it pecks your neck, nuzzling his lips where it meets your shoulder.

“It’s me,” it’s a quiet voice, but it’s immediately recognizable, freezing you both.

“Is that-” Jaehyun’s voice rises in question and you nod, quietly jumping from your desk and buttoning your blouse you didn’t realize was unbutton, until the cold air hit your chest. 

Jaehyun pulls himself together, tightening his tie and straightening his button-front shirt. He watches your back as you open the door and welcome the person in. 

“Oh, Jaehyun. You’re here,” Chaeyoung’s eyes widened in distress, clearly not expecting him, but you could tell at the same time she felt ashamed. 

Jaehyun adverts his gaze somewhere else, afraid that if he looked at her, she’d be disturbed from his intimidating, bitter glare, “Yeah,” he clears his throat, “I’m here to pick y/n up.”

“I-I can come back tomorrow.” Chaeyoung turns to you, her hands clasping together tightly. 

“No, it’s okay,” you slightly smile and turn your head to Jaehyun. As you walk to him, you mouth, “wait for me out at the door,” hopefully, he’d understand that this is a private conversation just between you and her. 

Jaehyun inhales a sharp breath, holding his composure as best as he could and nods. He squeezes your hand before sneaking off to the front of the door, patiently waiting for you. You give your attention to Chaeyoung as you sit in your seat while she sets herself in the chair across it. You already know what this conversation is about, you just weren’t expecting it to hear it so soon. 

“I’m sorry,” she began, “I really didn’t intend on going to Jaehyun’s office to try and win him back.” Chaeyoung looked at you as if she was asking permission if it was okay to presume. “My emotions just took over and I don’t know what came over me, but I just miss him so much.” 

“So you kissed him?” your eyes narrowed but immediately relaxed, you weren’t trying to act threatening or superior, even if you were her boss. You were just intrigued and a little agitated at her actions. 

“I’m so sorry,” her voice broke as her hands fell on her lap, “I truly am. As I said, my emotions just took over me and I just- I just kissed him. It was a mistake and I regret it. I regret all of it. He loves you, he genuinely does and I can see that. I don’t want to take that away from both of you. Especially him.” 

You hesitate before responding. If you were to forgive her, would that just give her another opportunity to manipulate you? Maybe not everyone’s trying to manipulate you. You think to yourself. “I forgive you,” you authentically meant it, you understand her feelings and where she was coming from. You just hoped that it’d never happen again. 

Chaeyoung looks at you wide-eyed, not expecting you to forgive her right away. All your life, you’ve had trouble trusting people and accepting their apologies, but her apology sounded genuine like it was coming from the bottom of her heart. 

“Does this mean I’m not fired?” 

You laugh at her question, shaking your head, “this is personal business and has nothing to do with work. You’re an excellent designer, there’s no way I’m going to let you go.” 

She immediately stands up and bows eagerly at you repeating to you how thankful she is as she quickly backs away, “have a wonderful night, Miss, y/l/n!” 

“You too,” you call out to her, following her to the door and watching her figure close through the elevator doors. She’s always so eager after talking to you but always rushes to leave your office, you don’t know how to comprehend her personality.

“What was that?” Jaehyun asked. 

“She apologized to me about the other day when she came into your office.” 

Jaehyun glanced at you and then back at her, worrying if everything was genuine and true coming from Chaeyoung, “she did?” 

You nodded and grabbed his hand to drag him to the car. You were restless to head home and strip into your pj's to sleep, work had overdone you no matter how much your mind was occupied with Jaehyun. 

“Long day at work today?” He held your hand as you two entered the elevator. 

“Yeah, we just got approval to promote our new collection internationally,” you replied, “so now, I’ll probably be busy with interviews and traveling back and forth.” 

“Oh,” you could sense that Jaehyun was probably upset that there’s a possibility of you being gone, but you turned towards him and locked your arms around his neck. 

“Wanna come with?” 

“Sounds tempting,” Jaehyun chuckles as his hands sit on your waist, “but where?”

“You could come with me when I go to Paris next month...or the month after that,” you smile, hoping that it was convincing enough.

“Paris? Why Paris? And twice?” Jaehyun’s brows furrowed, his head slightly angling back to glance at you. 

“Yeah, I have to go and prepare for Paris Fashion Week that takes place in the fall.” You pull away from him as the elevator doors open and you two step out into the parking garage. 

“Yeah, I’ll ask off now then, so I can go both times.”

“Yay! Perfect!” You beam, clutching his arm. You were ecstatic to explore one of the most romantic cities in the world with the man you love. To spend time with him, see the Eiffel Tower, go to the cafe shops, and to shop in the capital of fashion. It’s your favorite time in the year despite how busy you were. 

Throughout the week, Jaehyun and you planned out exactly what you were going to do with your old room since you were moving into the master bedroom with him. You two went out to try to buy a whole new mattress that both of you liked, but you were a little too picky. 

“How about this one?” Jaehyun sat on one of the mattresses in front of you, tiredness weighing his eyes. 

You sat down next to him, slightly jumping just to feel the softness. You loved your soft bed, it gave you a lot of comfort that you just got used to over a few years. You always had a hard time sleeping in hotels, so you always avoided overnight trips, “hmmm,” you purse your lips to the side, “no this one is too hard,” you whisper as you stand up, fixated on other mattresses. 

“We’ve been in here for an hour. There’s one you must like,” Jaehyun dragged his feet to catch up with you. 

“Let’s go check out another store, hm?” you suggested, clutching onto his arm. 

“Okay okay, this is the last one for today though.” 

“Okay. I’m sorry,” you pouted, “I just need to find the perfect one. I need to be able to sleep at night.” 

“What about my bed? Why can’t we just keep my mattress?” 

You hesitantly shook your head, “Promise you won’t make fun of me?” 

“I would never,” Jaehyun replied, forehead creasing. 

“It has too much history. I want this to symbolize something new to start for our memories.” You shifted your gaze between the ground and his shoes, anxious swallowing your breath. There was a pause between you two and you were afraid that maybe you were just being too cheesy, that he isn’t as romantic as he seemed. 

“I agree,” Jaehyun lifted your chin with his hand, “come on,” he grabbed your hand as you two made your way to his car. “But wait-”

“What?” You looked at him, suddenly a little alarmed that you said something that threw him off. 

“You didn’t complain all those times when you slept with me though,” Jaehyun teased, a grin stretching his lips, “especially after se-”

You gently shoved him away from you, “Oh shut up,” you scoffed as you ran to the car. 

“Hey!” 

You both plop onto the bed, completely breathless. It took you two an entire 30 minutes to get the mattress up to your new shared bedroom. You were horrible at navigating it, but Jaehyun was patient enough even if he had the heavier end of it. 

“How about we just take a nap?” Jaehyun proposed, bringing an arm across your waist to cling closer to you. 

“What about the bedsheets?” you laugh. You’re about to remove his arm but he whines in your chest and shakes your body from preventing you from moving. 

“You worked hard today, baby. You deserve a nap after packing, unpacking your things, and getting our room ready.” Jaehyun pecks your neck. 

“Maybe I do,” you softly whisper as he nuzzles his face in your neck, giving it a deeper kiss. 

You two stayed like that for a while, with Jaehyun’s lips on your neck, kissing it, marking it while your lids got heavier from the weight of his limbs and hypnotic kisses. 

You were on the brink of falling asleep when you hear Jaehyun murmuring, “I love you y/n.”

When you wake up, Jaehyun isn’t by your side and you jerk up until you’re off the bed, head darting back and forth, looking for your phone in case he texted you. Nothing. You blink, observing the area around you and it’s like how you left it before you fell asleep. Opened and unopened boxes sat on the ground, bedsheets were still in their packaging, and all the windows were shut, with only the sun setting. 

“Jaehyun?” You called for him but received no answer and you call him again and again as you search the house. Silence. You pull out your phone to only be automatically sent to voicemail. That’s weird, he usually picks up my calls...but you shrug it off, knowing he’ll return home. For the next hour, you distract yourself by putting on the covers of the bed, setting it up for tonight, and unpacking your clothes to fit into the closet.

After an hour, you plopped on the bed satisfied with what you got done today, almost everything of yours was unpacked. The only thing left to do was to just figure out what side you wanted. Just as you were about to lay down, you hear the click of the door to your apartment and you peak out of the master bedroom to see if Jaehyun was finally home.

The man himself prances in with a plastic bag in one hand with the other holding onto a box of fried chicken. You suspect the plastic bag is filled with bottles of soju from hearing the clanking of the bottles against each other and seeing the faded green color of the bottles behind the plastic.

“Jaehyun!” you’re giddy as you open the door to reveal yourself and walk up to help him.

“You’re awake! I thought you’d still be asleep, I wanted to wake you up.” Jaehyun handed you the fried chicken as you both made your way to the living room coffee table. 

It sat warm in your hands so you were quick to set it on the transparent surface, watching it steam and create a fog on the glass, “what’s all this?” you asked as he sat next to you, taking out the soju bottles. 

“Well, I figured that we deserved a treat. A normal treat, without all the champagne and expensive dinner bills,” a chuckle rose from his chest, “it’s fried chicken and soju!” you could tell he was hungry from the excitement of pointing between the two items.

You both chomp into the fried chicken as you pair it with soju. The night is exchanged with laughs and tears of joy, especially when Jaehyun decides to turn on the music and have a tiny party with just the two of you. He pretends it’s the first time you’re meeting him and it’s love at first sight. It’s badly cheesy and would usually make you cringe, but as he acts over the top, you couldn’t help but hold onto your stomach as you fall on your butt.

For a sliver of a moment, the scenario almost drives you into tears because your first meeting was far from this, exchange curses, spilled drinks, and forced marriage, nothing was like the fantasy your minds illustrated. You didn’t want to be emotional and ruin the moment, so you stuffed it down your mind, plus you were happy. Truly happy. 

“That was so much fun,” Jaehyun lets out a dragged out laugh as he sits next to you, who’s also laughing at his funny dance moves at his impression of trying to impress you. 

“That was hilarious,” you reply, coming down from the high. “Hey,” 

Jaehyun turns his attention to you, his eyes solely on you, and his ears tuned to your voice, he hums and listens to you but everything that comes out of your mouth is neglected. He’s so entranced in you at this moment, the crinkle in your smile, the uplifting corners of your lips when you smile as you speak, the sparkle in your eye whenever you dart them everywhere, and the sound of your voice has Jaehyun completely intoxicated. Jaehyun only realizes that you finished your sentence when he sees that your lips stopped moving and you’re giving him an interesting look. 

“Hm? What’d you say?” 

“Silly goose, I said ‘thank you for this. I love you.’” You reply. Maybe it was the soju or maybe you were just tired, but you just yearned for his touch, his warmth. You leaned your head against Jaehyun’s shoulder when he returned those adoring three words. 

“Come on, let’s get to bed,” he scoops you into his arms and carries you to your new shared bed. 

Almost everything was set, except for a few decorations you were gonna add, but Jaehyun felt content. It was like you were settling a new life with him and he couldn’t help but giggle to himself. You poke his dimples and ask him what he finds funny, but he just kisses your forehead as he carefully sets you down, telling you not to worry about it. 

The two of you quickly fell asleep, the alcohol fading out and the physical tiredness settling into the muscles. You sneakily opened an eye to check on Jaehyun, it was easy to spot out his face through the darkness. You ran your hand through his features, starting at the cute point of his nose, up to his bold yet innocent eyebrows, trailing them down to the hills of his cheekbones, the puffiness of his cheeks, and down to those lips of his. The lips that felt like they were created for yours every time you two kissed. Before sleep lulled you away, you reached for his lips, giving him the softest kiss but as you were about to pull away, Jaehyun wrapped his arms around you and continued kissing you until the midnight hours reached both of your eyes. 

The next few weeks came closer than you thought and soon you were on the plane to Paris. Jaehyun was knocked out beside you and it’s only been 5 hours into the flight...7 more to go, you sigh to yourself as you attempt to get some hours in. Your sleep schedule was definitely messed up because of the different time zones, but you hoped the darkness that pooled the sky was enough to fool your body to fall asleep. 

“Y/n, y/n,” 

You woke up to the feeling of your body shaking from a hand on your shoulder. Before opening your eyes, you wacked Jaehyun away, not wanting to open your eyes. You murmured him to stop but he didn’t because he began to start pecking kisses at your face. 

“We’re here in Paris, baby,” he whispered, smoothing your neck. 

You sighed because it was definitely suggestive, “Jaehyun stop, must you always find time to have sex?”

“I can’t help it, especially when we’re in the city of love,” Jaehyun sang, you knew he was smiling like a fool against your neck, “wake up and look.” 

You rubbed your eyes awake and saw the peak of the Eiffel Tower poking through the clouds. A smile grew on your face, finally being back in your favorite city brought back nostalgia. And now that Jaehyun was here with you, it made you feel all happy and giddy. 

“Shall we go explore the city? It’s only noon here,” Jaehyun checked his watch. 

“I’m a little tired, can we just go to the hotel and sleep for a bit? I didn’t sleep well on the way here.” 

“Of course, anything for you.” Jaehyun smiles as you two step out of the airport hand in hand, “we’ve got a whole week here.” 

You two easily spotted your driver and headed to the hotel, “Four Seasons Hotel George V, please,” you call to the diver. 

As soon as you and Jaehyun got to your room, both of you stripped down into nothing and climbed into bed together. It wasn’t usual for you two to sleep naked together, especially if you weren’t being intimate before it, but you desperately just needed to get out of the clothes that you sat in for 12 hours. Plus, you didn't want to dig into your suitcase to find your pajamas. 

You’re not sure how long you two have been asleep but when you woke up, the moon shined its light through the curtains of your windows. You turned to Jaehyun whose arms were still wrapped around you and legs tangled with yours. He’s so beautiful. You stroke your hand through his soft hair, eliciting a soft sigh from him. To this day, it hurts your heart how dark of a past he had, how scarred he must’ve been as a child growing up. Jaehyun must’ve felt you shifting around making him open his eyes from his short slumber. 

“Hey,” you greeted him with soft eyes. 

“Hi,” he smiled, bringing you closer to his body. 

“Did you still want to go explore? It’s dark out, but there’s a lot we can still do,” you suggest. 

“I don’t care,” Jaehyun sighs, “as long as I’m with you.” he pecks the top of your head. 

You glance up at him, but he’s already looking down at you with adoration in his eyes. You chuckle at his flirty comment and push yourself to get dressed. Meanwhile, Jaehyun watches you from the bed, obviously enjoying the view with his hands behind his head. You watch him watching you, holding eye contact as you slip on every single clothing slowly. The tempo driving Jaehyun insane, but he didn’t mind indulging in the view in front of him.

“If you keep that up, we won’t be able to go anywhere at this rate.” Jaehyun sucks in his bottom lip, preventing himself from becoming hard. 

“What if that’s exactly what I’m trying to do?” you reply, slowly crawling up to him. 

“Then it’s working,” Jaehyun breathes, but you’re quick to pull away teasingly and walk into the bathroom, slowly shutting the bathroom door behind you. 

“Get ready loverboy!” You call from the sink as you shake your head. Oh boy, this is gonna be an adventurous trip.

The moonlight shines perfectly on your face as your hair comfortably flows behind your face. You hold a glass of wine against the tips of your fingers as your body leans against the edge of the wall with Jaehyun standing next to you as you stop to admire the view in front of you. The Seine River reflects the light of the city back to you, the tuned out conversations of others walking by, and the cool breeze of the Paris wind makes the moment perfect for Jaehyun. He thinks you look absolutely charming, like the view of when someone finds their true love. 

“Look at the river, it’s so beautiful,” you giggle, you knew he was watching you, but the river in front of him was much better. How could you not be in the moment and view such scenery like this?

“But I think you’re more beautiful,” Jaehyun smiles, his eyes crinkling at his own compliment. 

“Oh stop it! I hate it when you do that,” you scoff. Truth be told, you didn’t actually hate it. You absolutely love it when he compliments and teases you, you just don’t know how to take it. 

“It’s true,” Jaehyun takes a sip of his wine and continues glancing at you every once in a while. This is going to be a fun trip, he laughs to himself. 

“Shall we get back? We have to be at the studio pretty early tomorrow,” you finish the remaining red liquid in your glass. 

Jaehyun laughs at your tolerance to carelessly down the drink but nods as he does the same before following you back to the hotel. You aren’t in a rush to get back though, you take your time walking through the streets of Paris, it’s not like you were here every month. The City of Love and the City of Fashion, what a moment to cherish with your love by your side. 

“I love you,” you say to Jaehyun. You weren’t usually the one to say it, but when you do, you do it at the best moments where you feel content. 

Jaehyun returns the words like music to your ears and kisses your temple, bringing his hands around your hip to bring you closer to him. The street lights bring a gold color to your faces as the music of the streets streams into your ears. You couldn’t be happier. 

The next day in the studio, Jaehyun follows you around like a lost puppy. He’s very well known in the fashion industry because of his suave looks and dapper style, but he does not know the underlying industry of it. So, whenever inspiration strikes in your head, you’re quick to run to Jaehyun to try it on him. 

You’re given a quick layout of the runway, making sure the length of it will give the audience enough time to admire Audace’s work and a tour of the studio where work will be done. After, you’re given the models profiles that will be walking the show and designate them to the appropriate outfit you see fit. 

“Can I help?” Jaehyun chirps beside you. To be honest, you completely forgot that Jaehyun was next to you, you were so immersed in your work. 

“Of course, just pair some of the models with the outfits you think will match them,” you nod the pile of pictures to him then go back to your work. 

Jaehyun does as you say, subtly glancing at you to make sure he was doing this right. You would occasionally let out huffs here and there to express your frustration, every model looked the same. Blond hair, skinny, and tall. You abruptly stood up, earning looks from other designers, collecting some pictures from your piles and Jaehyun’s, and rushed to the person in charge of hiring them. 

Jaehyun sat in his seat, giving the fellow people nods of apologies and followed after you. He stopped when he heard your firm voice from the door. 

“These models all look the same,” you threw the file of remaining pictures to the man in front of you, crossing your arms instantly after. 

“So?” The inconsiderate man cocked up an eyebrow, not bothering to greet you. 

“I’m pretty sure that my company along with others, has pillars of diversity. This doesn’t show the world what we strive upon. Every single model looks the same.” 

With a thick accent, retorted, “Well here, in Paris,-” he emphasized, “-we are the ones that hire the models. If you don’t like it, you’re more than welcome to drop your collection from the show.” the man crossed his arms.

You tilted your head back, scoffing at his foolish offer. Clearly, he didn’t know who you were. The founders of Paris Fashion week were calling, emailing, begging you to present your collection in their show and this man thinks that you can just drop out? 

“I have no idea who you are, so your collection must not be that important,” the rude man grabbed his glasses to clean it on his shirt, clearly to signify that this conversation meant nothing to him.

Before you could speak up, Jaehyun snuck behind you and grabbed your arm, but you yanked it away. You were heated that this man thinks that you didn’t work your blood and sweat to get where you were and then to be beaten down because the hiring manager failed to uphold one of the most important aspects of not only your company but millions in the fashion industry. Several others that were going to present their collection, either have diversity in their company or strive for it. How come it was so hard for a show to reach that? 

“Y/n, please. You’ve been working hard for this,” Jaehyun whispered in your ear, grabbing hold onto your arm again. 

You were stubborn and you stood your ground with your chin held up high. You weren’t trying to be cocky, just trying to give this ignorant man a piece of your mind. But even your mind was battling between dropping out or continuing this because Jaehyun’s right. You have been working so hard for this moment, although this bends your values. 

“Fine. Once you do find out who I am, just know that you won’t be in the same position next year,” you sigh, letting Jaehyun drag you away from the man’s office. You figured you’d talk to the members of the head founder anyways. 

“Let go of me,” you pulled yourself from Jaehyun’s grasp, he looked at you surprised at your change in demeanor. 

“I’m sorry if you’re mad, but you’ve been working day to night to get ready for this. Don’t let the looks of a model bring it down.” Jaehyun rubbed your arm. 

You walked away from him, setting yourself propped up on your elbows on the table, “you don’t get it Jaehyun.” 

“Then tell me so I understand.” 

“These models all look the same,” you pointed to the remaining pictures you forgot to include into the file, “there’s no...flavor. Look,” you grabbed a few, “they all have blond hair, blue or brown eyes, same body structure. Don’t get me wrong, they’re all so beautiful in their own way. But Audace is different from all the other brands, I strive for a variety.” 

“Y/n, this is a fashion show. You’re here to present the clothes that you made. Who cares if the models look the same? They probably chose them because they wanted the clothes to stand out. Your collection is so rare that you don’t even need models,” Jaehyun comforted you, bringing his hand to your cheek. 

His touch wondrously calmed you down, making you inhale a deep breath before speaking, “I know, I just wish there were more diverse people in this show. You know, like, curly hair, brown hair, black hair, models with bigger hips, shorter legs. Just something that’s not like this-it’s been like this the past few years. I just want to make a difference.” You leaned into his touch. 

“I know. But with that little spiel back there, I’m sure you sparked something new that’ll start,” he smiled at you, pressing a reassuring kiss to your forehead. 

“I don’t know about that,” you sighed, turning your attention back to pairing the models with your outfits.

The first week in Paris was always the busiest, it’s the first week where you have to build the foundation of the show, as in establishing the order of outfits, pairing who with what, and navigating the work process of the show. It’s like you could never catch a break, but now with Jaehyun at your side, he always made sure you were taking breaks, eating, and staying hydrated. He’d usually be with you, but sometimes he’d go out and explore the city. 

You were a little frustrated because you didn’t have that much time, so throughout the week, you made sure to show him your favorite monuments. Right after you come back from the studio, Jaehyun would always be excited to see you walk into the hotel room. He’d occupy himself with coffee or watching tv, but usually, you’d find him sitting out on the balcony, admiring the view of Paris. You two had the luxury of having one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower sitting right out your window.

At the beginning of the week, you took Jaehyun to the Arc De Triomphe and to the Palais de Louvre at night, making sure to get plenty of pictures. Then on Wednesday, you took him to try some wine at your favorite winery in the hills of the countryside, which of course resulted in you two to become a little tipsy and a little suggestive with each other. You got some wholesome pictures of Jaehyun too, some you’d use to make fun of him for. You also made sure to take him to the Luxembourg Palace, seeing how well he’d fit with royalty. Which he fit perfectly with.

The week was filled with pizza, pasta, wine, and pastries, and now here you were, sitting in the studio on a Friday evening, a little upset that you were heading home on Sunday. Jaehyun was quick to startle you, making you jump a bit when you were double-checking the mannequin and you jokingly slap his arm for distracting you from your work. You were almost done and all you wanted to do was to bask in the Paris air. 

“Y/n?” A middle-aged slicked-back blond hair woman with a tablet walked up to you. 

“Yes?” 

“Someone would like to speak to you,” she replied, fixing her glasses. 

“Who, may I ask?” You raised a brow. 

She cleared her throat before speaking like it was a secret, “The president of the French Fashion Federation.” 

“Oh,” your eyes widened and you quickly felt nervous settling into your blood, what did they want to talk about? Was it because of what I said to the hiring manager at the beginning of the week? Probably.

“Don’t worry, it’s probably something that’s not bad,” Jaehyun reassured you, but that didn’t change the fact that you were still nervous in talking to the founder of Paris Fashion Week. 

You nodded back to Jaehyun as you followed the woman. Just as he was about to wave, he received a call from his father. With his mind reminding him to be patient, Jaehyun accepted his father’s call, anxious to know what this call is about. 

“Hello?” 

“Where are you? Where have you been? I need to back this instant!” His father shouts from the other line and Jaehyun pries his phone from his ears, the loudness ringing through them. 

Until he knows his father isn’t yelling again, Jaehyun calmly responds, “I’m in Paris with y/n father.” 

“How come it wasn’t brought to my attention that you were going to be gone for a week?” his father booms, clearly frustrated from the miscommunication.

“I asked off about a month ago, you know that. It’s been on the calendar. I’ve also told you and mother about this several times.” 

“So in the time that we need to seal a deal, you’re off having fun and fucking around in Paris?” His father retorts. 

“No, you know that she’s here to prepare for Paris Fashion Week in the fall, father.” 

“I don’t give a living shit about her. You shouldn’t either.” his father begins, “Because you’re only married to her for business, you think this is all happy and fairytale-like? That everything’s all lovey-dovey just because you’re married upon a contract? No, I bet she doesn’t love you, she probably hates you because of you who are. A dirty, scathing, slug who only clings to the Jung name. Get your head out of your ass and get back home by Sunday,” he spats. 

Jaehyun doesn’t give his father an answer or bids him goodbye. He felt sick to his stomach, a feeling he hadn’t had in a long time since he was a child, and knew that he needed to go back to the hotel room before he hurled his lunch out. 

The lady leads you to a luxurious office that overlooks the city of Paris. Like your office, the windows reached from the floor to the ceiling. A woman around the same age as the lady that led you to the office sat in the office chair facing the window behind her, she swiftly turned around once she heard your footsteps. 

“Hello,” you bowed to her. 

“Good afternoon, come sit.” She greeted you with a smile. 

You did as you said and sat in one of the available chairs in front of her desk, you crossed your legs and waited for her to begin, but she didn’t. The woman remained in her seat, staring at you as you bounced your leg, immediately stopping to show any signs of nervousness.

“Is there a reason why you called for me?” You carefully asked. 

“There has been a lot of word about your little banter with our hiring manager,” she tilted her head, a tiny smile growing on her face. 

“Oh yes, about that, I deeply apolog-”

“Don’t worry about it. You were right,” she removed her glasses, gently tossing them off to the side, “we are failing the fashion industry by not providing more diversity. I see how upset you were and I’m glad you brought it up, even if it was to the hiring manager, who is a man, so I’m not surprised he didn’t notice or even cared. We’re always finding ways to improve our shows and I wanted to let you know we are in the process of hiring more diverse models to walk the show.” 

You sat in your seat completely shocked. Not only were you speaking with someone you always wanted to meet, but you also made a difference in the show. Finally, someone listened to me.

“Is everything alright?” 

“Y-Yes! I-thank you! I don’t know what to say, I wasn’t expecting anyone to listen to me.” You timidly laugh. 

“Well, even though I heard about it first and planned to do something, you should be thanking someone else. I’m not sure what his name is, but a handsome young man managed to walk into my office, past all my security and secretary and told me what we were doing wrong. Jung Jaehyun I believe was his name? Anyways, he’s a very good convincer. Let me know if you know him, I want to hire him as a model.” she laughed. 

You laughed along with her, of course, the famous Jung Jaehyun just had to do something about it. You reminded yourself to let him know about it when you get back, but now you wanted to focus on the topic of hiring a diverse set of models. “He’s actually my fiance.”

“Oh perfect! That’s even better. I wish my husband would go to lengths like that. Well congratulations, when is the wedding?” She asked and all of a sudden you felt the nervousness dissolve into a comforting feeling, almost like you’ve personally known this woman.

“We haven’t officiated a date yet, but it’ll be this summer.” 

“I remember my wedding, such a magical day. Let me know if you want a dress, I’d be happy to provide you with some of the best designers I know.” She kindly offered. 

You two talked for what seemed like an hour, but when you looked outside, the sun was already setting, painting the room orange and red. 

“Thank you for an amazing conversation, but I’m afraid I must get going. Jaehyun’s probably waiting for me,” you say, standing up. 

“Of course, you have my business card, so let me know if you need anything. Thank you for helping us to be better,” she gave you a sincere smile and you bowed, shutting the office to her door. 

When you walked back into the studio, you couldn’t spot Jaehyun anywhere so you pulled out your phone in attempts to reach him, but it looks like he beat you to it. 

[ Loverboy: Sorry I didn’t tell you I left. But meet me back at the hotel! ]

You quickly picked up your things and left to go back to the waiting man. You called the driver to take you and sat in the back of the car excited to see Jaehyun. Since you were off tomorrow and were leaving Sunday, you had a day's worth of time to spend with him in Paris before you two left. 

When you entered your hotel room, it surprised you to see Jaehyun already sleeping soundly on the bed. His naked torso showed in the cool night with limbs strapped in the sheets. Jaehyun looked so adorable and at peace whenever he wasn’t throwing flirtatious remarks at you or trying to be suggestive. It was like he was the cutest kitten you’ve ever laid your eyes on, you just wanted to tuck him right in your little pocket. After you finished gushing over him, you quietly bent down to give him a goodnight kiss before hopping in the shower to clean yourself for the night. 

Letting the hot water flow through your body, you felt reflected on the conversation with the president of the founding company of Paris Fashion week. You were still beyond shocked that words got to her with the help of Jaehyun. Usually, no one listened to you because you weren’t at the CEO position yet, therefore you weren’t taken seriously. 

You stepped out, drying your hair to see Jaehyun sitting up and rubbing his eyes, “I’m sorry, was I too loud?” you felt bad if you were the reason for his waking.

“No, no I was waiting up for you then I guess I just fell asleep. I wanted to see you come back safely,” he opened his arms for you and you quickly came to him, burying yourself in the covers. 

You gave him a cheeky smile and pressed kisses all over his naked chest, you were so happy. So overjoyed and grateful for the handsome man that held you close to his chest. 

“What’s this? You’re usually never this affectionate,” Jaehyun pulled you away, “what have you done with my y/n?” he teased, gazing into your eyes to see if you were really you. 

“Stop it,” you grumble, pulling yourself back into his chest, “I know I don’t say it often but I mean it when I say that I love you, okay? I’m thankful for you and I’m happy when I’m with you.” 

“I know,” Jaehyun hums, his head leaning down on top of yours after kissing the top of it, “I love you too, you know that.” 

You two stayed in that position for a bit until Jaehyun felt your body slump in his arms. He peered down at you to see you asleep after a long day of work. Jaehyun lowered himself with you in his arms slowly onto the bed and turned off the lamp, kissing your lips goodnight, telling you one more time that he loves you. 

When you woke up the next morning, Jaehyun was already awake, watching you from his propped up elbow. His head covered the light of the sun, making him look like he was lighting up your entire world.

“You always do that,” you groggily said, referring to the fact that whenever he’s the first one awake, he’ll always watch you sleep until you are. 

“And I’d do it forever,” Jaehyun brushed away the hair that stuck to your face from sleeping on it for so long, “you know you move a lot when you sleep?” 

“No, I don’t,” you turn so your back faces him. 

“I didn’t say that I didn’t like it,” you could sense the mischief in his voice as he slowly creeps to you, slithering his arms around your waist before applying pressure to it. 

“Jaehyun stop!” You laugh loudly, begging him to stop tickling you as you thrash your limbs everywhere. 

He didn’t stop until you had tears brimming at your face, perhaps he was a little too rough, “oh, I’m sorry baby,” he clings on to you like he was afraid you’d leave. 

“I’m not mad Jaehyun, you just made me laugh too much,” you try to pry his hands from your body, but he doesn’t budge or say anything, “let’s go get breakfast, hm?” 

Jaehyun nods, loosening his hold on you and sitting back up to see if you were actually okay, “I’m sorry, I won’t be so rough again.” 

“Jae, I’m fine. Stop being such a worrywart,” you reassured him, combing your fingers through his hair, “come on, I know a place. Let’s go before all the pastries are all gone!” you flip the sheets and run to the bathroom with Jaehyun right behind you. 

You two walk the streets of Paris, looking forward to the bakery you always come to whenever you’re in the city. They had the best chocolate croissants, it was flakey, buttery, soft, yet sweet, igniting every taste bud. 

“Oh, oh, it’s this one!” You point excitedly and run in, with Jaehyun quickly trailing behind you.

You grab a basket and start going at it in the bakery, while Jaehyun just laughs, watching you because you reminded him of a cartoon character running like a headless chicken, kind of like that moment at the grocery store when you two went out to buy ingredients to make homemade pasta. 

“She knows what she’s doing. She loves your pastries” he says to an employee who stands next to him astonished that someone could run that fast back and forth and know what they want. 

When you get everything that you wanted to share with Jaehyun, you pay for everything and drag him out of the store. You both ate from the bag as you made your way to your destination, the Hall of Mirrors. Since it was a Saturday, several people were out for tours and sightseeing and Jaehyun made sure to hold you close to him, afraid that he’d lose you in the sea of people. 

“I just don’t want to lose you,” he murmurs in your ear when you feel his familiar warmth on your waist for the hundredth time. You giggle, finding it cute that he says it as an excuse. The group of people was across the room and it was only you two who were freely walking around without a tour guide, you weren’t even close to people.

You stepped into a room full of color and painted walls, the ceiling being the highlighted piece. Paris was the city of love and fashion, but you also admire the artwork and history of the underlying city. The Hall of Mirrors held art that depicted the victory of three powers: political, economic, and artistic success of France. 

“357 mirrors??” Jaehyun pulled away from you, shocked at the number of mirrors, “how do you know?” 

“I counted them,” you reply, a proud smile painting your face. 

“Funny,” Jaehyun scoffs and leaves you behind for the next room. 

“I’m serious!” You call as you try to chase him down, but you’re too slow with your shorter legs and you lose him as you open the door and see no one. “Uhh, Jaehyun? Jae-?” you called and called for him but he never answered, you searched each hallway to only find yourself lost within the walls of art and mirrors. 

You whip out your phone to call him, but he refuses to answer your calls and you grow more frustrated at the fact that one, you’re lost and two, he just left you. You inhale a sharp breath and try your best to find the exit, but only fail when you see that you’ve only been going in circles. 

As you turn a corner, you knock into something particularly hard, “oof,” you palmed your forehead to only realize you’re face to face with a security guard. He had the longest legs you’ve seen, sharp facial features, and beautiful blue eyes, you stepped back to bring space between you two and gaped at his beautiful face. This man could literally be on the cover of Vogue. 

“Can you help me?” you manage to blurt out. 

“Sure, are you okay?” he kindly asked. 

“I’m lost, can you show me the exit please?” 

“Of course, follow me,” he flashed you a smile before leading you through the twists and turns of the monument. Soon, you were able to see the door that you came through initially with Jaehyun, but now it was only you, or so you thought. Just as you thanked the kind security guard and turned around, you’re met with the man himself. 

Jaehyun gives you an innocent look that makes you huff and walk past him, but he’s quick to gently grab your wrist. 

“You left me there, no lunch for you,” you stated, not bothering to turn back.

“I’m sorry I was just playing and I thought you’d be right behind me.” 

You turn to face him, “how do you expect me to catch up with you when you prance around with those long legs?” you point at them and turn again, walking away from him. 

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you,” he suggests. 

You nod, letting him continue. 

“Dinner at the Eiffel Tower, tonight at 6.” 

“Nope,” you cross your arms and pretend that you’re unsatisfied, which is far from the truth. You’d absolutely love to have dinner with him there, you just wanted to see how far you could go with pretending to be mad. 

All of a sudden, Jaehyun brings your body close to his, almost too close in a public setting. With a low whisper, he says, “that wasn’t a question, angel,” and then lets you go, showing that innocent face of his again. 

You scoff at the switch of personalities, “you think you’re all that, huh?” 

Jaehyun laughs, breaking that facade of his, “I do, but it worked didn’t it?” 

“Yes,” you walk away from him back to the car, “and I hate to admit it.” 

For lunch, you let Jaehyun choose the restaurant and it turned out to be the best decision. You had your pasta, while Jaehyun had his, occasionally trading plates because it was normal for you two to do that and share. You two shared a comfortable conversation before heading back to the hotel. The walking, eating, and sightseeing both got to your bodies, so it was decided that a nap would be the best idea before dinner. 

Except when you woke up, Jaehyun wasn’t by your side anymore. You felt the coldness of where his arms usually would be and you woke up a little disoriented. You grabbed your phone that sat on the bedside drawer and saw a text he sent a couple of minutes ago. 

[ Loverboy: I’m sorry if I alarmed you if I wasn’t there when you woke up. There’s something special for you in the closet <3 ] 

Ouu is it a gift?? You excitedly jumped from the bed and opened the closet to see a Monique Lhiullie Two-Toned Velvet and Satin Gown on a hanger with a post-it note stuck to it. 

[ I’ll meet you at the Eiffel Tower, take your time in getting ready. ]

And so you do as the note says, you make yourself look nice and presentable while curling your hair for volume. You slip on the simple outfit, the flow of the satin half of the gown flowed down your legs, allowing a high slit on the side, while the velvet top elongated your neck and covered your chest, it was a humble and modern look. Looks like Jaehyun knew what you liked. You pair it with dark blue heels and some dainty earrings before grabbing your small clutch in your hand, making way to the car.

Without a word, you sit in the car and look at the view of Paris pass by. You couldn’t wait to see Jaehyun since he bought you a dress you figured that he’d be dressed nicely also. It’s been a bit since you’ve seen him in a suit because he’s been able to work at home, it gives you butterflies whenever he does. Seeing him all dominant and powerful.

“Miss, we’re here.” the driver drove up to the entrance of the monument where a waitress was waiting for you.

You thanked the driver and stepped out of the car, walking towards her, she was dressed in her nice uniformed outfit as she held a genuine smile to you. You followed her where she led you to level two of the dining area. Le Jules Verne. No matter how many times you came to Paris, you never got to try their food, but you heard great things about it. 

As you stepped off the elevator you couldn’t help but feel your breath being taken away as the view stands strongly in front of you. The view of you standing over the city of Paris, in the most famous monument, about to have dinner with your love, brought you so much gratification and contentment. Speaking of him, your eyes searched for him in the crowd of seated people, but he was nowhere spotted.

“Looking for me, love?” a voice behind you, making the butterflies fly to your mind. You snap around and see Jaehyun dressed nicely in a suit with his hair gently gelled back, leaving some loose hairs to brush his forehead. 

You gave him a bright smile as he reached for your hand, only for you to immediately take it and lock it with his, “well look at you. Don’t you look dashing?” 

“I would say so,” Jaehyun comes close to your ear, “but I’d say you’re rather ravishing,” he drags the last part and it sends chills down your spine. 

Instead of shoving him away like you usually do, you bring him closer to press a kiss to his lips. It’s desperate and hard, but it’s short enough to leave him grasping for more. 

You two sit yourselves at the table and Jaehyun takes his hand in yours, “but no, I mean it y/n. You look gorgeous today,” he caresses your hand, the loving touch calming down your nerves as the heat rises in your cheeks. 

“Hello, welcome to Le Jules Verne, are we interested in some wine?” The waiter came up to you and kindly asked with a bottle in his hand. 

“Yes please,” your eyes widen at the desirous bottle. How could you miss an opportunity from the hills of the countryside in Europe?

He poured the smooth, red liquid in both of your glasses and took your orders. Before walking off, Jaehyun persuaded him to leave the bottle for the both of you because he was convinced you two were going to finish it. 

Throughout dinner, Jaehyun and you couldn’t stop exchanging stories about your own childhood. He had a darker one, but he steered away from that, afraid that you still don’t like that side of him. Instead, he’d tell you about his summers at youth basketball camp, his summer vacations to Hawaii and the Bahamas oversees, and his job. 

“Jaehyun,” you spoke up, catching his attention from his gaze on his food, “do you truly love what you do?” you ask him. He was born into the position, so it was inevitable it’d be given to him whether he liked it or not. You thought that if he had the opportunity, would he have taken on a different role? Because you were born into this position too, but you knew that you’d choose to go into fashion either way or do you know?

Jaehyun hesitated, taking a little more time than you thought, “I do like it-” he nodded, “-really. I know I was basically born for this position, but even if I wasn’t, I feel like I’d still be interested in international trading. I mean I always wonder where I would be if I wasn’t born to be Jung Jaehyun. I don’t know, maybe I could’ve been a model.” he chuckles. 

“That’s believable,” you say, “when I was called to go speak to the president of the founder of Paris Fashion Week, she told me you were so handsome that she’d hire you to be a model.” you laugh. 

“I’d take that chance if that means that you get to dress me,” his brows take turns raising up and down and you scoff at his suggestive comment. 

“But I heard what you did,” you began, your fingers holding the red wine and swirling it in your hand.

“And what did I do?” his forehead creased. 

“I heard that you stormed into the president’s office demanding some change about the models.” 

“Oh,” Jaehyun’s lips form into an ‘o’ as he shyly looks away. 

You take his hand in yours and caress it, “Thank you,” you smile at him to receive the same genuine smile, “I mean it.” 

“Well, of course, it’s something you value. You stand up for what is right and it shows how big your heart is.” Jaehyun shrugs like it’s nothing but it means the entire world to you to hear that from him. The way his eyes glisten against the light of the restaurant, those deep sets of dimples settling in, it makes your heart swell. “I’d do anything for you.” 

“And same for you,” you strum, pursing your lips to the glass. 

By the end of dinner, you two go to the rooftop and admire the city below your feet with wine glasses hanging by your fingertips. The lights that reflected from the city bounced back on Jaehyun, painting his face the slightest color of gold. His floppy hair danced with the spring air as it flew by and you couldn’t help but lay a kiss on his cheek. Surprisingly, you weren’t intoxicated at all, but you were definitely drunk on the sight of him in the night sky of Paris. 

“What was that for?” He asks, giggling. 

“Nothing, you just look so handsome,” you respond, your eyes turn into crescents when Jaehyun’s do too when you reach to caress his cheek. 

He wraps your arm around your waist to pull you to his chest, your lips are close enough that you get a waft of the red wine “let’s go make love, hm?” he whispers to you, lips grazing against yours. 

You tilt your head back, laughter in your chest from his approach, “I’d love to,” you hum, pulling away to tug on his arm to take you back to the hotel. 

The elevator door hasn’t even closed yet and Jaehyun’s hands were already all over you, feeling each inch of your skin. 

“You have no idea how much I want to rip this dress off of you.” 

“Don’t.” You mumble against his lips, “This cost you almost $4,000,” you whisper against his lips. 

Ding!

“I don’t care,” he grumbles, dragging you to your door as the elevator doors open. 

With jumbled fingers, Jaehyun struggles to take the room card out from his wallet with some of his own falling out. You chuckle at his hasty state and hold his hand, your touch reminding him that you have all the time in the world. Jaehyun inhales a deep breath before taking out the correct card and sliding it through the door, allowing access to the door. 

Like the switch of the sun and moon, Jaehyun’s persona did too. As soon as the door shut behind you, his strong body collided with yours along with his lips, wringing out a grunt from the impact. The kiss was heavy, fast, yet felt with an abundance of pleasure while Jaehyun’s hands roamed your body, feeling the dip in your waist and hips, the hills of your chest, and the rise of your cheeks. Eagerness settled into your bones when he nipped your bottom lip. 

With strong hands, Jaehyun leads you to the bed as he searches for the zipper of your dress as you make yourself busy by throwing his suit to the floor and fumbling with the buttons of his button-front. Before Jaehyun could pull the dress off of you, he wanted to cherish you at this moment. Your last night in Paris with him, with the lights turned off and the only source of light is the Eiffel Tower and the city. He was slow to pull down the sleeves from your dress, letting it fall from your shoulders on its own to reveal your alluring self, so naked, so vulnerable. All for him. With gentle hands, you stripped him from his button-front and lowered yourself to his knees, his dark eyes following you as you unbuckled the lock to his pants. Jaehyun kicked them behind him as they fell at your knees. 

With grasping hands, you held him by the hips to press a kiss to his hard bulge, as usual as it strained against the cotton material. He was quiet enough to let out a grunt, frantic to feel your mouth on his cock. You took your time to pull the last piece of clothing down, Jaehyun stepping out of it and throwing it somewhere in the room, you kissed up his hard member, as the tip glistened with precum at the bottom of his stomach. He mumbled something you couldn’t understand as you glanced up at him, but you knew he was dazed, crazy for your mouth. 

Slowly, you lead the cock into your mouth, wrapping your pretty lips around him as you take him farther into your mouth. Jaehyun’s hands found their place in your hair, quickly tying it up into a ponytail since he knew how much of a mess he could be. 

You began to pick up the pace, leading him in and out of your mouth faster than before, but making sure he wasn’t hitting the back of your throat just yet. With his hands settled in your hair, he had to refrain himself from taking the reins, afraid that he’d take it too far and hurt you. Although you two were intimate several times or had quickies, here and there, Jaehyun was just afraid of not being able to control himself whenever he’s around you because you’re just so hypnotizing to him. It was like every time your lips were on his, the only thing he wanted was to shut his mind off and feel you.

As soon as you felt his hips began stuttering and his breath hitching, you knew he was close. So with care, you pushed yourself until you met the base of his cock, your nose hitting his lower stomach with his tip hitting your throat. You were careful to swallow and let out a low, long, moan to send shivers down Jaehyun’s body. And like cause and effect, he releases as a pleasing groan.

From his head falling forward to gaze at you, he caresses your cheek and massages your head, “you look so-” he grunts, “-breathtaking sucking...my cock.”

You pull away from him, sucking his cock until you reach the tip then come forward to only have him hit your throat again and again. You continue to do so, abusing your throat until he’s quickly coming apart in your mouth, his stuttered moans, breakable gasps, have you wet too. You’re quiet in your sounds as you run your fingers into your panties, feeling the slickness of your sex and spreading them to your clit to arouse some stimulation. Due to your lack of control, a moan breaks out, sending vibrations to Jaehyun’s shaking body, and soon the warm and thick liquid shoots into your mouth. You use your best abilities to swallow as much as you could while catching your breath. Jaehyun is gentle in pulling himself from your mouth with an adoring gaze glued to the string on his cum dripping from your lips, wiping the corner as your breathing returns. 

Among swift arms, Jaehyun lifts you and gently sets you on the bed, the sheets and mattress attempt to swallow you as Jaehyun’s gaze does the same. He takes his time indulging himself in the naked sight of you, the only thing on you are your white panties, already soaked and only for him. His rough fingertips press your clit, making you instantly arch up, but Jaehyun’s quick to hold you down, his free hand pushing down your abdomen. As a smirk lifts a corner of his lips, he drags your panties down your legs, revealing your dripping sex for him. 

“All for me,” Jaehyun whispers, admiring the way fingers are coated with your wetness as he shares it with his mouth and the lips of your sex. 

You shudder when he inserts the same finger, along with another, that was in his mouth into you. He’s not gentle in his movements, for his fingers quickly in and out of you, the patience in him fraying. 

“Come on baby, you gonna come?” He looks at your writhing self when he puts his thumb on your clit, tracing circles on the small bud. 

Words fail to escape as your mind is only concentrated on climaxing on his long digits. You’re so close you can see the light, but Jaehyun slows his speed and you shoot him a dissatisfied glare as he backs away from you. You prop yourself on your elbows as his naked figure walks to the window, admiring the night view of Paris instead of you. The light of the Eiffel Tower and the city brings the room to aglow. 

You frustratedly sigh, as he doesn’t give you any of the attention you craved. You were so close to climaxing, you could almost reach it so you figured that you’d just do it yourself. You surreptitiously brought your hand to your clit, beginning to stimulate it again. 

“Don’t you dare.” Jaehyun sees your misbehaving hands reaching for your sex in the reflection of the window. He immediately walks to you who raised your eyebrows as he grabbed your arm, dragging you to the window. 

You grunt with the tight grip he has on your arm as he presses you up against the window. Jaehyun doesn’t give you any warning as he instantaneously thrusts into you, hands now around your hips to give him control. You grip one of his hands that clutches your hips as he rams into you repeatedly, gasps, and moans filling the room. You pray that no one next door hears you and halts this moment because you want it to never end. And while you pray, Jaehyun worships your body, the way you look so tiny in front him, whining and moaning all from his cock. 

“So beautiful. Show all of Paris who makes you feel this good,” Jaehyun groans in your ear. “Only I can make you feel like this.” 

You nod in agreement with only a whimper coming out to respond to Jaehyun. You’re overwhelmed with his hard member entering you over and over again, his tip hitting the right spot. There’s a growing warmth in the pit of your stomach telling you that you’re about to climax. You beg for him to keep going, to not ever stop at the pace he’s going at and he easily grants your wishes. 

Your naked body is pressed against the window, flattened against the transparent glass to give everyone in Paris a show. The specks of dots below you are the last thing you’re worried about, for you’re way too high to suspect anyone’s glance up your window.

With your neck tilting back, Jaehyun kisses your shoulder to give you tenderness, later trailing it up to your neck as his hands caress your waist. “That’s it, baby, you’re doing so well,” he whispers in your ear, eliciting a whimper from your lips due to your ability to make up any words. 

You’re completely dazed, the feeling of Jaehyun thrusting in and out of you washes over your mind and body. A cry rips from your throat and your head falls forward, forehead resting on the glass window, your breath creating a fog on it. 

“I’m...close,” you clamp your hold on Jaehyun’s hand whose hand sits on your waist, continuing to control the pace. You know he’s quickening it, you can feel it when he tightens his grasp. 

“Cum with me angel. Wanna feel you cum all over my cock,” he pants, his breath tickling your neck. 

The pace sends you to the stars, gasps are dragged from your throat and tears are streaming down your face. You hold onto nothing but your fist that’s tightly clasped together against the window as you get out a clamorous moan, squeezing your eyes shut as your sex violently clenches against his cock and your legs go numb. 

Jaehyun wraps his arms from behind, clutching onto you as he comes undone too. He slowly rides you while kissing your shoulder, telling you how beautiful you are and how great you did. You hum at the responses, wanting to speak, but drained to think of a sentence. Your legs become weak when he pulls out, quickly catching you with his embrace around you, and carries you to the bathroom, setting you on the tub to draw water. 

With soft touches like the Spring wind, he plants kisses on your face and this time he’s gentle in his touch. He strokes your hair and caresses your cheek as he lets your hair down, your hair brushing through his fingers. 

“You’re so beautiful,” he smiles down at you as you lean into his comforting touch, tired from before. But maybe you weren’t tired, maybe you were still dazed. 

Jaehyun waits until the water is drawn up until he gently sets you in the marble tub, the water bouncing from your impact. He’s great in persuading you that he just wanted to take care of you after the hard lovemaking, but you’re quick to realize that this is all just a trap as you feel his strong hands wander to your sex, the other leading to your breast. You turn around to see a mischievous smile on Jaehyun’s face and that’s when you knew you fell into it.

Jaehyun’s quick with his fingers once again, failing to bring any mercy to your pussy as the other pinches your nipple reluctantly. Your head falls back onto his shoulder as you suppress a moan when he dips two fingers into you, pumping at a fast pace. 

“Please,” you whimper. He kisses your temple, wanting to be all soft, but you just wanted him to ruin you. You know he wanted to also because of his hardened cock poking your back.

You remove his arm from your body and turn around until you’re straddling him, the water swaying from your movements. You don’t say a word, don’t give him a warning, and you ease yourself on his member, having him completely in you. 

An elongated moan is released from both of you as you begin riding him, the base of his cock rubbing your clit to stimulate more friction. Jaehyun begins to become more vocal, his grunts are becoming louder and his breath hitches as you ease in and out at a faster pace. You know he’s quickly coming soon and so are you. He holds onto your breasts as you bounce on him, throwing your head back from the pleasure only to receive harsh kisses on your neck. 

His lips. You grow a sudden craving for his lips and tilt your head down until you’re met with him. These lips are red, plump, and swollen from biting them, so of course, you went in to satisfy your hunger. 

The kiss is slow and loving. The creation of your lips against his, confirms you that you were made for each other. That you were always fated to for him. You tilt your head to deepen the kiss, letting Jaehyun’s tongue into you. The thrashing of your tongues mixes with the lewd sounds of your bodies hitting against each other and the water pooling to the floor from the constant movements. 

The growing knot tightens in your stomach and the grasp of Jaehyun’s hands on your body stiffens on your skin and you know he’s there. 

“Together?” You pant against his lips. 

“Always,” he responds. 

Jaehyun then takes control of the pace, he knows what makes you both come undone together and sooner or later, a groan rips his throat while you scream his name, unbeknownst to you, crying as you come down from another long-awaited climax.

Holding you in his arms with your head on his shoulder, Jaehyun strokes your head while riding out your high until he knows it’s the right time to stop. In the meanwhile, he murmurs words of love to you, whispering sweet nothings like a lullaby sending you to your dreams. 

In the midst of everything, he’s haunted of his conversation with his father. He didn’t mean to doubt your love for him, but after he treated you like shit in the beginning, was this too good to be true? Was having you in his arms too selfish?

[androgynousblackbox]

Thoughts about the fifth season (spoilers)

Okay, so normally I would make these posts as neutral as possible because I want them to reach anyone who enjoys the show. Even if you are someone that really fucking hates incest ships you can read them and still have an idea of what I liked, what didn’t, etc, without me bringing up that element. You can disagree or agree without being reminded “oh, yeah, he is one of THOSE fans I don’t like” and that is totally fine by me. Curate your own online experience and all that. But this is season is quite literally about the relationship between Rick and Morty, so as a rickmorty shipper I just can’t separate that from what I enjoyed about it and thus I am going to be talking from that position during all of this. If that makes you uncomfortable, that is cool, I get it. You can skip this one if you want. Also, this is going to be a general big mess of thoughts and whatever because I have lots of them so, bear with me. -Some of the shippers I was with on a server will know this already, but from the very first episode I was sure we were going to have two major themes: 1. Rick is a flawed human being, not a god, not a ultra genius who is always destined to be on top of everything and knows how to get out of any situation. Just a man. And that is why he needs other people, which is somethig he had to accept and understand about himself, especially after the fourth season was all about dethroning him as the patriarch of the family and break away the illusions that Beth had about her own father. We have standed too long having Rick win on everything and coming out like a badass, so it’s time to kick him down a bit and let him lose. 2. Morty’s heart is always going to get fucked over, which is something that gets even more explored on the Planetina episode: he wants a place to belong with a person who doesn’t make him feel like the odd one out. Combine the two and my idea was: they want to assure us about their relationship on some kind of way, this is about them and what they feel regarding each other. Probably about why or how Rick became so jaded because why else include Rick freaking out about Mr Nimbus just mentioning Diane’s name and how much he changed, on a first episode no less, if this isn’t something we are setting up to see later. They explicitely brought someone from Rick’s past to talk about that past and make a point to tell us that changed Rick. -So, we have the two major player set up like this: on one hand, Morty aspires for that companionship but he is not willing to compromise his own moral for it, whatever he has left after starting to take on some Rick’s traits. He is desperate for that connection and if that means leaving Rick behind, so be it. Rick will still be there anyway. On othe other hand, Rick also wants that connection and companionship but it’s too disfunctional and can’t make it quite work because there is always a part of him that wants to keep distance. With the alien lady, evne with the crows, it’s all about escapism and pretend like everything is fine, it’s just fun and he doesn’t have to care because they are just having a good time together. He tried to do that too with BP by keeping away the info about his daughter, but he called his bluff because BP knew Rick too much to not see that comic. It’s rebound after rebound because he is missing the one person that can keep him in check, that truly knows what a piece of fucking shit he is and somehow still comes back to him. BP saw that, knew what was happening, and prefered to get the fuck away because he didn’t want to compromise his own values like that either. But Rick doesn’t have that problem with Morty. It truly is Rick and Morty one hundread years because, no matter how fucking bad it gets, they still choose one another. -Now, the way they keep building up this relationship, these connection, even regarding the rest of the family, to me is brilliant in restrospect because it perfectly illustrate how much they have changed from what they were before and what that means. Morty is more independent and less afraid, right, but that doesn’t make him more happier because he is still lonely and Rick is being reminded, over and over again, that he can’t be alone either. -Regarding the way Morty have behaved, I have seen some people being concerned about how Morty is becoming more independent and therefore not relying on Rick as much for anything, so it’s like what is the point of their relationship anymore. And like, to me it makes sense they show because they have already told us on past seasons that Morty has stopped viewing Rick with that wide eyed expression for a long time. He is learning from him and can defend himself, so why does he need Rick at al? The answer is because he loves him. You can read that as platonic or romantic or whatever, but for better or for worse Morty just loves Rick. You shouldn’t love people because you need them, or at least that is not a healthy basis for any relationship. I said this on another post: you cannot make anyone to be your center for your mental health like that, and I feel like they aware of this point, which I really fucking love because it would have been easy as fuck to write any pairing like that.  -If you stay for the “Behind of scenes” scenes, the writers talk about how this season is about building trust between Rick and Morty. So it starts with Morty going around cleaning up some of the messes Rick left behind without telling Rick and then fucking the portal gun because he doesn’t trust Rick to not “kill him” to finding out he did that, just like Rick in fact doesn’t trust Morty to not be doing unnecesary bullshit. So Morty, hurt because his suspicions were right, puts an ultimatum and Rick, being the petty fuck we all know him to be, takes it kind because of course he would. -What does Morty does immediately after this? Latch onto another sketchy as fuck older man whose name ends with Ick and hope that is the connection he craves, because after all “we are like brothers now.” So rebound for him, rebound for Rick, rebounds for the crows, rebounds for everyone. Yay. -I know it has been however many years have passed since this show started, and it was obvious for fucking everyone who watched it, but I do really like that they use the exact words for how their dynamic has been: unhealthy, toxic, abusive. Lack of trust, lack of boundaries, secrets. Just straight up calling it as it is. So they have both of them confronting that fact, being aware of it, and to top it all off, make Morty the only being now on their universe that knows everything about Rick, every single thing he has kept even from BP, like the true reason he joined to their guerilla group, and still makes the conscious choice to go after Rick even when, as far he was aware of at least, there was another option.  -So, okay, now what, might someone ask. We have put everything out there and we have talked about what is wrong about their relationship, does this mean we are doing the boring healthy bullshit now? Well, nope. Considering that Morty did went out of his way to guilt trip Rick into getting back and Rick admits point blank admits he get it, Morty refusing to demand things be different because he is just desperate... they are still and probably always going to be a condependent mess, but hey, a condependent mess that at least is kinda self aware about it and won’t pull the “I am going to break up with you on a whim” move again, hopefully. I do think and expect some things to change, but only as far their dynamic during adventures goes and regarding the rest of the family, with everyone being on the know that those two are an item neither of them can get in between. Rick is probably still going to want to keep some things in control, he is still not going to express his feelings to Morty directly and Morty is still going to be a little shit that will want for validation that won’t come his way. It’s a shithole house, but at leat it’s their home kind of thing, and personally, that is how I like it. -The “adventures as a metaphor for a relationship so this is not like a real break up” is real funny when you hear the writers literally calling it a break up and a relatonship. Also, the amount of times that they say “my partner”. Like, I am sorry, but how the fuck I am supposed to believe this wasn’t for the shippers, fucking how? Like even if you aren’t one, and you go “it’s a metaphor!! it’s not like an actual relationship, they are not saying they are together as a couple”, that is flimsy as fuck because we have determined already that Rick uses adventures as an extension for all his relationships. There is a intentional paralel between BP and Morty and how Rick treats the both of them, like he would do anything for them but still be kind of a lying piece of shit too, so it’s definitely canon on the sense -Omg, we had miniature cute Mortys who like crayons and also big hot adult Morty, fucking finally. I cannot fucking believe they wouldn’t know the blessing they were throwing to fandom with that one, they know what they are doing.  -Rick as a boy dressing on the same colors of Morty could have been a cute little detail, like aww, they are family, so they pass down those colors from one generation to another because family, but fuck all of that, let’s make it creepy and fucked up because why not. But it’s also interesting because if Ricks breeded Mortys and put those colors on them, isn’t that another way of saying “you are connected to us just as much as we are connected to you”? Because they didn’t had to chose those colors, but they did it because it meant something for them. On a very fucked up way, I think they might even feel themselves more fathers to Morty than even Beth, because many of them didn’t cared manipulating her in order to gain more Mortys even if they could just clone them easily. -”You all really are bred for forgiveness”... Not really, or else “Evil Morty” wouldn’t exist and Cop Rick, the good one, would have never been attacked by using the attachment of Ricks against him. But Morty had made his choice and that choice was Rick, and even then Rick cannot fucking believe it so he has to reduce it to his breeding. -So, the finite curve has been destroyed and almost all Ricks were killed, the ones that weren’t coincidentally fucking off to another place just when that happened. That means that now there is true infinite universe where Rick is not the smartest man on the universe, where Rick doesn’t even exist at all, so we may have adventures where other people where the smartest people on their universe and Rick could finally meet his equal or someone even worse.  -The final speech of Mr Poppybutthole is kinda the perfect ending to everything, because he is talking avoid being afraid of the people he loves finding the “true” self of him and not loving him anymore, but Morty did that and he still loves Rick and, listen, I have FEELINGS about it, okay.  -After exploring this, which was the true only canonical mistery of the whole series, while also dumping off the backstory of Rick so nobody has to theorize about it anymore, it feels like they going two routes: either we are dumping anything about serialized anything, at least for a while, and we are back to just silly adventures with asshole grandpa and traumatized kid, or... we are introducing another big baddie that we are going to drag to hell and back. Maybe Evil Jerry? That could be fun to explore on the show. My bet is on the second option because I think that is the kind of thing that Justin really enjoys doing and that is why it appears on Solar Opposites as well, with the whole Wall as a central points behind all the shenanigans of the aliens.  -The only misteries left are: the weird Rick that killed his family, if he wasn’t killed already on the Citadel, and Birdperson reunion with his daughter, for which he might ask Rick’s help in the future when he cools down or maybe Rick gets his daughter back for him on a ridiculous plan to make him return his calls, because that is something he is going to pull. The Jessica thing and her quest for becoming an actual character with her own thing going on. -This finale made rickmorty canon on all the ways it could without having them literally making out willingly, and after Naruto, I don’t think that is a line they are not willing to cross at some point in the future, even if it’s just a joke. They already did with the parasites. I honestly don’t even know how you can watch the show and think “fuck yeah, they hate those ships just as much as I do!”, because with the way the writers talk about it and literally this entire season being nothing but a building up for their relationship, I would have been turned if I didn’t ship it already.

[halftheway]

greet me with goodbye | ao3

rating: general audiences

notes: brief, non-graphic mention of a twisted ankle, she/her pronouns for eret, qpr c! foolish and eret for the win

It was like you were holding the whole world when you held her/Like yours were the arms that the whole world was in/And there no words for the way that you felt

Eret is a prince nearing coronation. Foolish is her knight trying very hard not to get attached.

“Truthfully,” she confesses one gray morning, “I'd rather be sleeping at this hour.” Foolish understands; this is the only time she truly has to herself, stolen in the few hours before the rest of the world wakes.

“Yes, your highness,” he replies, eyes fixed on the floor as she finishes changing.

She steps around the privacy screen and grimaces. “You needn't be so formal, you know. You can call me Eret.”

He shakes his head. He’s not here to get familiar. His job is to stay by her side until she’s safe, that’s all- protecting Eret until she has the official royal guard behind her, then he’s leaving. He shouldn’t be here in the first place, not after-

She sighs, interrupting his thoughts. “Someday,” she says under her breath.

They walk to the stables side by side, Foolish keeping an eye out for any stray servants that might alert someone to the prince leaving the castle unattended. It’s unlikely any of them would actually do anything, but he knows how gossipy they can be.

He saddles her horse and helps her up, as he does every day. She doesn't really need it, much like she doesn't really need a personal security detail to keep her safe, but Foolish is here for both.

If he had it his way, she wouldn’t be going out on her own, but she’s adamant she get at least some time alone. He acquiesces, because he knows how she values her solitude, rare as it is to come by.

She knows to be back before midday. She knows. But it's been several hours past that, and Foolish is absolutely not panicking. Tt is storming fiercely and he is flying over what he knows to be her most frequented path, desperately searching for any sign of her, but he is not panicking.

He spots her horse and immediately touches down, knowing he'll have to go forward on foot and look more carefully. It doesn't take too long to find her after that, or rather, for her to find him.

“Foolish!” she calls. She's close enough to see him, somehow, and he picks up his pace, looking around for her frantically.

"Eret? Are you okay?"

"My ankle's fucked up," she answers, sounding closer.

She's hurt, he let her go out alone and she's injured, and this is just like last time when he–

What is he doing? She needs him and he's too busy dwelling on the past to be taking care of her in the present. This isn't about him. This is about Eret, who is now right in front of him, shivering in the cold.

Propriety forgotten, he drops to his knees and gathers her up in his arms, hoping she can't feel how he's shaking. She’s here, she’s alive, she’s okay.

Her arms circle around him tentatively, clearly surprised at this unprecedented display of affection. "Really, I'm alright," she says. "Just a twisted ankle."

Frankly, he's more concerned about the cold she's bound to catch, soaked to the bone like she is, but he lets her go anyway. The rain seems to be letting up a little, which will hopefully make the return journey easier on her-

"You called me Eret."

He flushes. "I-"

"You called me Eret," she repeats, a grin spreading across her face. "That's it, there's no going back! We're friends now."

He ducks his head. "Your highness, I should really get you back to-"

She puts a finger over his lips and he looks up at her, wide-eyed. "No more 'your highness', you have to call me Eret now."

"Is that an order?" he asks around her finger.

She nods, clearly pleased with herself. "It is. Now carry me back to the castle, my loyal and devoted knight."

"Yes, your- Eret," he corrects. He picks her up as she giggles, and begins the walk home.

The night before her coronation she asks Foolish to help with her hair.

He sits beside her on the bed and brushes through it for a long while, longer than he should. After she’s been crowned, she’ll have the king’s guard to keep her safe. He won't be needed anymore, and she’ll be better off not having a totem of death haunting her every step.

She likes to sleep with her hair out of her face, he knows, so he sets the brush aside and begins to braid it, taking care to make it neat, even though he’s the only one that will see it. He ties it off with a worn yellow ribbon, one of her favorites, and carefully places the completed braid over her shoulder.

“You’ll stay tonight, won’t you?” she says with a yawn, slumping back against his chest.

No is on his lips, but he hesitates. He knows he shouldn’t. Shouldn’t be taking this time to indulge in the warmth of her presence when he’ll be gone after tomorrow, but Eret doesn’t know that. She thinks they have all the time in the world, and she wants him here. So here he’ll stay.

She comes back from her morning ride with no braid. In fact, she comes back with significantly less hair than she'd left with.

“Eret,” he begins, but she interrupts.

“I know, I know,” she says, ignoring his outstretched hand and jumping off her horse on her own. Her hair is curling ever-so-slightly around her ears and chin, all the length he'd spent so much time tending to now gone. “I just- I'm going to be a king.”  

His brow furrows. “Kings can have long hair.”

“That's not why I did it,” she reprimands, but the laughter in her voice softens it. She unbuckles the reins while Foolish takes care of the saddle. “I needed a change. I'm going to turn my life over to this kingdom from today on. Everything I do, everything I am, is going to be dedicated to the betterment of my people and my land. I wanted to do one last thing just for myself.”

She stops, looks up at him, suddenly serious. “Is that selfish of me?”

“To cut your hair?” he asks, incredulous. Mortals. “How is cutting your hair selfish?”

“Well, when you put it that way.”

The ball after Eret's coronation is stuffy. Far more stuffy than Foolish had expected. She's a king now, for Prime's sake. Shouldn't it be a celebration?

Instead, Eret spends a very long time greeting dignitaries and exchanging niceties like she was born to do it. (Well. She kind of was.) Foolish has nothing to do but stand there and look intimidating.

A princess approaches, stumbles over a greeting and bows just a touch longer than necessary. They blush when Eret touches their shoulder to ask if they’re quite alright, and Foolish hides a laugh with a cough. His prince- no, king, now, seems to have this effect on most of the young royalty here. It’s always been amusing to him, how easily a simple smile or touch from Eret seems to entrance people.

They ask if she’d like to join them for a dance, fiddling with the buttons on their jacket. Eret smiles and politely declines, as she has with everyone else that has asked. The princess- Foolish must’ve heard their name at some point, he can’t for the life of it remember what it is- looks disappointed, but give her a respectful nod before bowing again and bidding her a good evening.

Foolish lets his mind wander as Eret dutifully chats with the nobles that come to congratulate her. He knows he’ll be gone by morning, and had hoped he’d get to spend some time with her that wasn’t… this. His idea of a good time has changed a lot over the years, but it’s never once been standing in one place for hours at a time, not speaking to anyone. Still, Eret wants him here, so he’s here.

His train of thought is derailed as a duke asks Eret for a dance. This one, Foolish remembers well. He’s never let Eret finish a sentence in meetings, always spoken over her like he was better than her, and scowls. The duke does not take Eret’s rejection well, and begins blustering about how she owes him, and Foolish has had enough. He lets a bit of his unworldly essence peek through as he glares, and the other man blanches. He stutters an apology and scurries away.

Good.

Eret turns to him, grinning. “He's such a dick!”

He shrugs, trying to distance himself from the warmth that blooms in his chest at her expression. “If you say so, your majesty.”

Her smile fades a bit, and she turns to the person approaching her with a greeting.

The rest of the night passes uneventfully, and she never does make it to the dance floor.

"It was more business than anything, you know?" she says as Foolish accompanies her to her chambers. "I'm prepared to be king, I am. That's what my whole life has pointed toward."

He nods. Privately, he's seen more kingdoms rise and fall then he can count and knows someday, despite how well Eret will fulfill her duties as king, this one will be gone as well.

It's a bit of comfort, to remember the true scale of time. That maybe this was just a fluke, and that after Eret dies he can go back to- well. It’s not like he has something to return to. But if he finds her again, after this… she might become just that.

"I miss when I could just dance with someone, just for the sake of it," she laments, bringing him out of his thoughts.

If this is his last night with her…

He begins clearing a space in her room.

“What are you doing?” she asks, amused.

He finishes moving a low table to below the window and straightens. “Is this enough space?”

“Enough for what?”

“A dance.”

Her cheeks flush a lovely shade of pink. “This should do just fine.”

He gives her a bashful smile and moves to place a disc into the jukebox, taking the brief moment to collect himself, at least a little. He's a god, but here he is, all flustered just like the royals he’d laughed about earlier. How does she get through all his best attempts to remain unaffected?

His composure melts when he turns and she steps toward him, rests a hand on his waist. He’s been taught a few dances here and there over the years, and knows enough to place his hand on her shoulder, reach up to hold her other.

She begins to lead him in a waltz that is not at all what he'd expected, given the music he’d chosen, but somehow she makes them blend flawlessly. Close together like this, there's nowhere to look but her face, her ever-familiar face, and oh he's missed this, missed her.

Last time was his fault. He never wants to see her like that again, not when it was something he could've- should've prevented–

That was then, and this is now.

And now, she's here in his arms, warm and vibrant and beautiful, and he should tell her. He should tell her what he is, who she is, what they are to each other, then leave… but he can't.

He follows her lead around the room, held closer than he's let himself be in months, and decides he never wants to let her go.

[officially-multi-fandom]

||always mine|| newt

fem! reader

fandom : TMR

warnings : slight violence (seriously its just a punch)

taglist for the maze runner is open :)

masterlist | wattpad | 

~~~

“Y/N, can I talk to you for a minute, alone?” Newt asks, and you happily oblige, putting down your clipboard which was keeping track of all the medicines that are there, and that are needed in the med-hut.

“Sure,” You say, with a smile on your face, as you happily follow him to the Homestead.

You enter Newt’s messy room, with his clothes in one big pile, and a few papers with scribbles of writing all over them. His bed was unmade, which made you sigh.

“How many times do I have to remind you to clean your room?” You ask, starting to fold the huge pile of clothes in the corner, when you're stopped by a pair of strong arms grab you from behind. You smile. “Long day?” You ask, as you hear a deep sigh coming from Newt.

“Yes, love.”

You smiled, knowing what to do. “Sit.” You simply commanded, pointing to the bed. Newt did the same, not wanting to waste any time.

You sat behind him, with his head on your lap. You smiled and hummed a tune you couldn’t remember, but loved (it's ‘you are my sunshine’, btw), as you start massaging his head, occasionally sprinkling a few kisses on his cheek and forehead. He hummed in content, as you giggled.

“So, how was your day?” You asked, still massaging his head, with your fingertips touching his fluffy sandy blond hair.

“Hectic. The Greenie is yet to come, then it'll be even more bloody hectic, with me answering his questions and all. Shuck-faced creators and Alby can't give me a break.” He sighed. You suddenly had an idea.

“Hey, how about I show the Greenie around?” You asked, with hope laced in your voice.

“No, love. I know how they are, they might try to flirt with my girl and I don’t want that to happen. I love you, Y/N.”

“Then why don’t we tell everyone? Why are we keeping our relationship a secret? If they know that you are mine and I am yours, they won't bother us, Newt.” You said.

Your relationship had been a secret for two months now, and you felt like you were ready to tell it to the rest of the Gladers. Plus, it will also put an end to all the catcalls you get, after they get to know that you are taken by the most intimidating person in the glade, their Second- in- Command.

“I know love, but what if something happens to us? Our relationship? Our friends wont know who to hang out with, and we'll always be in conflict because of that.” He answered.

“So you’re saying that we may not work?” You felt a pang of sadness. You didn’t want to show it, but you doubted that thought the second Newt got up from your lap, concern all over his beautiful features.

“No, love I didn’t mean for it to come out like that, I am sorry. I love you Y/N, and I-” He was cut off by a loud banging on his door.

“Y/N, come on we got a Slicer problem!” It was Clint. You sighed, as you pecked newt gently on his lips. He sighed too, and mumbled something about ‘cant get a break with the love of my life, bloody shanks.’ You smiled as you headed out the door.

______________Time skip______________

Newt’s P.O.V.:

After showing the Greenie around, and lighting the bonfire, I went over to where Minho was, with Gally’s drink in my hand. It had been a long day, and I hadn’t seen Y/N since the time she massaged my scalp. Since then, I have thought a lot about what she said, and I wasn’t afraid any more. I knew that she was the only thing giving me hope to survive this bloody hell of a place. I was going to kill myself again, until she came. I love her so much, and every time she is with one of the Gladers, laughing off, I get so jealous, that I want to punch the guy square in the face and tell him that she is mine. No matter how much I tell her that I love her, it doesn’t even make up a quarter of what I feel towards her. I love her so bloody much it’s frustrating. I brush my hand through my hair as I think. I decide to take a detour from whatever klunk Minho was talking about, and made my way to find Y/N. I smiled, knowing that I would be reunited with my love.

When I finally found her though, it was her and the Greenie, with his back towards me. Y/N was laughing to something he said, though I could tell she didn’t enjoy being with him. Her eyes didn’t sparkle the same way they did when I made her laugh, and I could see right through her that she was very bored. I smiled, knowing that even though this Greenie was giving her a hard time, she still made him feel better by laughing. I stood there, still smiling as I saw Y/N’s features lit by the flames of the bonfire, which made her look truly heavenly than she already was.

Your P.O.V.:

You mentally sighed. You wished Newt was here, you craved for his presence, and thought how he could handle Greenies like these. The thought itself made you shudder. You didn’t want to tell it to the Greenie though, you knew it would hurt his feelings. You smiled again, not knowing what the Greenie was talking about. You felt as though someone was looking at you, so you looked around without it being too obvious. As you were checking, you saw Newt, standing right in front of you, smiling. You smiled too, not paying attention to the Greenie who was now leaning in, apparently for a kiss.

You looked back at the Greenie, and panic filled your lungs. You sat there, not moving and wide-eyed. You didn’t know what to do. You looked around again, hopefully wanting Newt to see you and save you, but he was nowhere to be seen.

As you sat there, you saw a hand coming from behind you, punching the Greenie, giving him a nasty bruise. You watched as the same hand pulled your wrist so tightly that it hurt. The figure was now moving up to the front of the bonfire, where all the Keepers were. You knew whose hand it was, but you looked up just in case. As suspected, it was Newt. You were surprised by the force he used on you, your hands now turning slightly blue. You struggled out of is grip, but to no use.

When he finally let go of your hand, there was a circle of spectators, waiting for drama to happen. That’s when you looked up and finally saw Newt’s expression. It was full of rage, but you knew it wasn’t towards you.

What he did next surprised you the most. He grabbed your collar and pulled you in for a kiss. Since you were still in a shock, you didn’t know what was happening for a split second, but you eventually melted into the kiss.

It was rough, as if this was what he wanted to do for a long time, which you guessed he was. He took out all the frustration that had built up inside of him, and when you both finally pulled apart for air, you heard cheers and hollers all around you.

You smiled. “So, you finally found the courage, huh?”

He chuckled a bit. “I just wanted everyone to know that you are always mine. I love you, Y/N, and I never want any other shank to come here and think they can win you over.”

“I love you too, Newt. And I promise that I will never leave you for someone else. You will always be my first and last love.” You said, as he leaned in for another kiss.

‘always mine’, he had said. If only he knew that you were never anybody else’s. Only his. Only.

~~~

(this is one of our old works but we hope you like it)

~ izzy and amy <3 

[hoyitspaolo]

An Aquarius looked at his friends as they give him a send off. It's crazy that he's really doing this. To travel to the UK and be with her. His friends gave him words of encouragement and teasings here and there. They shared a couple more words until the PA system says that the plan is about to depart. They've been talking for months and this will be their first time actually seeing each other.

An Aries watched as his girlfriend sitting across from him, eating away her food. She finally looks up and gave him a look, and asked him what he was staring at. He shook his head and laughed a little.. "I just couldn't help but think that I am going to marry you someday, and I get to spend my life with you and grow old with you. And to do this with you, every day.." He looked at her and smiled. She chewed her food silently, then balled up a napkin and threw it at him playfully. Told him to cut that crap as she starts to turn red. They both laughed.

A Cancer stared down at the bouquet of flowers infront of him. He frowned. "What should I get for Allie?" he looked at his phone to look at the clock and frowned. 'Fuck it..' he thought. He knocked on the door, and she opened. She gasped as she finds him in her doorway carrying 6 different kinds of bouquets. He smiled at her sheepishly and said, "I'm sorry, I forgot your favorite flower, but I know how much you love flowers so I got you these..."

A Capricorn comes knocking at her door. "Sam, please? Let me in..." He keeps knocking. He looks around and watches as the rain begins to get heavy and the winds start to get really strong. Her door opens and she peeks her head out, and she looks at him. She opens the door for him and he steps inside, and before she could ask him what he was doing in the middle of the night, she was lifted up and felt his arms around her waist, pulling her into a tight hug. She relaxed and she holds his head.. She wasn't feeling all too well and his response was to be there with her.

A Gemini is arguing with a Virgo. "Me? A Coward. You don't have any right to call me that, when you put the victim card out and--" before he could go and finish his sentence, she stormed away. He sighed. He stood there and watched her as she is surrounded by her friends. He watches her as she laughs and smiles with them. Their eyes meet and she gave him a look. He frowned and he knew had to make this right. He gathered up his courage and approached the group and held her hand, and pulled her aside and he apologized for being an asshole.

A Libra placed his hands on her shoulders and stared deep into her eyes. "Listen to me, Lex. Can you really see yourself without me in your future? Be honest. I know I can't. I just want some confirmation that you still want to be with me. All of this. That you want this. I just really need your reassurance right now.." She places her hands on his cheeks and held him, comforting him and reassuring him that everything was okay.

A Leo watched as his soon-to-be wife walked down the aisle with her father by her side. The crowd was full in gasps and aww's. He felt a hand on his shoulder and he smiled at his best man. She is and always will be beautiful, but today she looked so radiant and glowing in her white dress. He felt some tears forming in his eyes. He lets out a sigh and pinched his eyes a bit. He was too embarrassed to show this kind side of him. Why should he care? He's about to share his life with her..

A Pisces stood with me outside the balcony. To think I would fly myself out to win her back, and it's been months since she moved away. I looked at Pisces as he lits a cigarette and smiled at me. "I know what you're thinking..." he chuckled, "why am I here, did I do the right thing? And buddy, let me tell you.. the fact that you acted on it and you wanted to win her back just shows you truly care about her. You make me, and the rest of the guys feel something.. envy? jealous? I don't know but we're here to show support. I hope wherever it takes you, you will find your peace." We places a hand on my back and he smiled, "you make this hopeless romantic learn to love again, bud.."

A Sagittarius remembered that it was their anniversary coming up, and he knew exactly what to get her. A couple months back, his girlfriend and him were window shopping and she saw the most beautiful necklace in an antique store. She wanted it so bad. She said it looked like her just like her mother's.. He remembered that. Fast forward today, he handed Ellie a box, and he smiled at her. She gasped. She pulls out the necklace. She looked at him all teary eyed, and he flashes her his goofy smile.

A Scorpio drove down the highway, swerving through traffic. His hands tight on the wheel. He looked over the rear view mirror, eyeing for the police. None. He let out a breath of frustation. He wasn't going to mess this up. He knew he was an asshole, but losing Bre? No. He wasn't going to. He wanted to make things right. He got a text from his bestfriend that she was at the club with her friends. He needed to see her. He has to... tonight.

A Taurus slowly takes out his phone and scrolls through. No messages. He looked over at his friends as they're all just chattering and laugh, he smiles at them but he knows he's not being paid any attention. He checks his phone again. He scrolls through his timeline and found out she posted something just a hour ago. He gets a little nervous. Suddenly his phone vibrates. It's her. He sighs in relief. "Brandon..?" His name gets called, he looks up. He laughs and smiles. Thank goodness she messaged him.

A Virgo sat upright from his bed and looked at his phone. If he gets up now and drive to San Antonio, he can catch her bus. He starts to get ready and keeps looking at his clock. He doesn't have much time. Rachel's transfer from San Antonio to Mississippi would take about another hour, so he has to make this right. He knew he messed up. He knew that he lashed out and tried to tell her that this was a mistake. He was wrong, he couldn't let this go. An apology even. He wants to make this right. He grabbed his keys and started to get in his car. Hopefully he won't be too late...

- The Reasons Why.

[angel-squid-trash-ghost]

Parental Guidance Pt.3

"You have a lot of explaining to do Iroh.” The Fire Lord’s voice rumbled on the marble walls.

“I can begin anywhere you like, brother.” Iroh kept his face impassive yet still retained his natural smirk.

“You can begin by telling me why you kidnapped the Prince!” The Fire Lord bellowed.

Iroh was no fool. And at times neither was his brother. But Ozai was a glutton for flattery, “I simply was doing what was best for the country. I could not allow my honorable brother to taint his hands in scandal. When our late father, may he be resting in the hands of Agni, had tasked you with the elimination of the prince, of course I did not question. When Lady Ursa foolishly disrupted, the task was not completed. I only did what a good brother would do and tried to help the best way I could.”

“By taking him from the palace alive.” Ozai’s nose started to flare.

“Yes of course!  Seeing the boy board alive raised no suspicions. I was free to help on the open ocean. Away from listening ears and prying eyes. And alas, I was handed the perfect solution. When our ship sunk it took many lives including the Prince’s. The people weep for him in the streets as we speak.” Iroh held back the bile creeping up his throat.

“I do not care what they are doing in the streets. They seem to be weeping about something all of the time. Is it not enough that I am conquering the world for them?”

“Oh but, brother, their tears can be used to your advantage. Appear to them and share in their losses of their own sons with yours. You will have them not just by their minds but also their hearts. They will see you as you truly are. A man who just wants what is best for his people.”

“I do not care what’s best for them. I want glory! Victory! I’ll let them starve if it means the rest of The Earth Kingdom!” Ozai thundered. The sound rung for seconds after. He breathed out smoke regaining his prim posture. “But I can see the appeal in that strategy.”

“You are wise and will make the best decision.” Iroh bowed. Only for a moment. He didn’t trust his brother not to throw fire at his head.

Ozai laughed, “So, what decision should I make about you? I should burn you alive. Or at least imprison you. Your attempt of help could have been a disaster.”

“But the spirits were on my side. Everything happened as it should have. Now the Prince is no longer a problem and you, dear brother, are Fire Lord.” Iroh fought the strain in his smile.

“True again.” Ozai looked to be pondering something. “Alright I have made a decision. We will use the Prince’s unfortunate death to win the people over. They will be allowed to pity me and then love me more. Then I will continue taking what belongs to us and they will worship me forever.” Ozai said pleased with himself.

“An excellent judgment.” Iroh nodded. He waited patiently for Ozai to say more.

“And about you. I don’t think our father would have wanted me to kill you. He would have just made the request if he did. I will allow you to keep your life. I may need you later.”

“A thousand thanks to you, your majesty.” Iroh himself thought he sounded a little forced.

“The news spreading of a dead royal child will surely knock the memories of your failure at Ba Sing Se right out of their simple heads.”

“Indeed.” Iroh bit his tongue. Ozai had not stopped mentioning the failed siege. He wished to insult his military career forgetting it was where Iroh lost his only child. Or perhaps he did not forget. He did try to murder his own son.

“If you ever move without my permission again, I will string you up in the middle of Caldera and set you aflame myself.” Ozai warped his mouth into a wicked grin.

Iroh was keen to change the subject in case Ozai thought too long on it. “Very understandable. Maybe we can start new with a nice cup of tea.”

“Yes.”

               Servants reappeared a short time later with everything Iroh needed. He took the teapot into his hands and heated the water to the proper temperature. Iroh had not forgiven himself for abandoning Zuko and probably never would. He prayed every night he was still alive. He hadn’t expected the Water tribesman especially a Southern one, to be so unafraid of him. Then maybe they had gotten rid of Zuko and his nephew was truly dead. Iroh had tried to apologize that night as him and his men made their escape. Hopefully, it was enough to make the chieftain understand.

               A piece of his heart was with Zuko. Another with his wife. Another with his son. The last bit he would try to give to Azula. Ozai’s second child. Iroh knew without the intervention of Ursa, Ozai would sink his talons into her and sear her with his hatred for everything not golden eyed and draped in red. Fortunately Azula was still a toddler and had more of a chance.

“So how is the Princess Azula progressing.” Iroh poured the tea.

“A cup of tea and you go rambling on like an old man.”

“A cup of wine and you ramble on like a mad one.” Iroh jested.

Ozai did not seem to mind, “Well her tutors say she is doing well. She is learning to write the formal characters.”

“Write? She is barely three years of age.” Iroh took a long sip.

“Yes. She is a prodigy. She’s excelling in teachings created for children twice her age. The sages have determined she will be a bender.”

Iroh caught his paternal tone and tried to hold onto it. “Oh good news.”

“Very good. I like her much more than the first one. The other one was always whining. I blame myself. I allowed him to be around his mother too much. Not this time. Azula will be the perfect heir.” His brother’s smile had not wavered once.

 Iroh balked at what was considered to be a normal chat at tea in the court. He pressed on pouring another round, “And if I may ask, where is the Lady Ursa now?”

“Not that it is any of your business, but I had her branded and banished. But she has probably taken her own life by now.”

“Maybe.” Iroh said sadly.

It was almost certainly true. He wouldn’t blame her any.

…………………………….................................................................................

               Zuko rolled over in his furs. He settled into the warmth that encircled him. He was still getting used to the cold. It wasn’t too bad until the wind blew. He looked across the floor to Katara. Katara was nice. She called him friend. She was teaching him how to talk like her. He was teaching her some of his words too. Every day he woke up; earlier than the rest, looking forward to sitting with Katara and learning new things. He squirmed closer to her. She never seemed to mind even when he did wake her. She’d always smiled at him before lolling back to sleep.

The next person to wake would be Sir. Sir always sat up, looked to his left, say something, and then fully arise. Zuko always pretended he was asleep. He’d watch Sir dress himself with his chiefly fittings and unwrap his great whale bone spear. He wished he was allowed to hold it. Not even Kanna picked it up.

               Zuko watched Sir leave. He wasn’t sure if Sir ever noticed he was awake. Zuko had a difficult time figuring him out. He was kind enough. Although he wasn’t allowed to sleep near Sir anymore, he still said goodnight. Sir taught him things like sit straight, don’t rub it, speak up. He would ask Zuko if he was ok a lot. Sir liked it the most when Zuko said he was in a good mood. But there were other times when Sir would be a little more cross. He had to learn do not do that and did you hear me. It didn’t take Zuko long to figure out he wasn’t supposed to eat snacks in his bedding or bring Mink Snakes into the house.

He laid a little longer and stretched out his legs. He could feel the sun move higher in the sky even with the pelt blocking the window. Next, Kanna woke. She made a lot of noise getting up. She waddled over to Zuko,

“Good morning, Early bird!” Gran- Gran bent the best she could. She planted a big wet kiss on his cheek. “Go get that pan hot now. I have something special for breakfast.”

               Zuko threw off his furs eagerly. He ran over to the hearth throwing some fresh wood in. Gran- Gran had showed him how to use spark rocks. The small lights bounced around the wood until a tiny string of smoke appeared. Zuko cupped his hands and blew the fire to life.

“Well done. Now get Katara and Sokka up.”  

“Yes!” Zuko hopped up and crouched to Katara’s side. “Katara time to wake up.” He patted her cheek softly. “Up, up.”

“Good morning, Zuko.” She smiled big.

“Good morning.” He smiled back.

Katara suddenly scrunched back down into the furs. “Mm! It’s too cold!”

Zuko reached behind him and pulled out the extra blanket Sir had given him. “Here.” He said in Fire’s Tongue.

               Katara sat up. He wrapped the blanket around her. She nestled softening her expression. Some of her braid had come loose and the dark ringlets roamed around her. She looked at him with sleepy eyes. Zuko moved some of the hair from her face. If he kept doing it, he feared she would fall back asleep. He made sure he was nice to her when she woke up. Zuko regretted waking up Katara those nights when his mind wouldn’t cease showing him images of black water and screaming men. But Katara was there when he opened his eyes. Her small hands would grasp him and tell him he was safe. And he would feel safe. He wanted Katara to have the same feeling.

She pulled the thick material tightly around herself. “Thank you.”

Zuko stood and grabbed his pillow.

“What are you doing?” Katara yawned.

Zuko tossed the pillow at Sokka. The pillow made a satisfying thump. “Sokka! Wake up!”

Sokka made the noise of a dying Tiger Seal. “Go away!”

“Zuko be nice.” Kanna tutted.

“Sokka! Food. You help.”

“Cooking is women’s work.” Sokka abruptly sprang up. “Is that bacon?” His mouth watered.

“Sure is.” Kanna eyed smugly. “But maybe only us women and Zuko will get some.”

 “You help cook or you help clean. Gran-Gran say.” Zuko teased.

“So you go help then Mr. Helpy-helper-head.” Sokka rolled back over.

               When Katara went over the words for family, Zuko learned Sokka was her brother. Sokka still wasn’t open to Zuko being in the house. Zuko at first tried to get Sokka to like him but he just ended up being called names. Some of them he hadn’t learned yet, but he could tell they were mean. Sometimes he’d try to boss him around and Zuko would just pretend not to understand. Katara said he didn’t have to listen to Sokka anyway. There wasn’t much he knew about him besides that he liked meat and weapons. It seemed if he was not eating, he was practicing throwing his boomerang.

“You know the little ones can’t help with all the cooking yet. How do expect to feed yourself when you go hunting with your father?” Kanna said.

Sokka pouted taking the spatula. He mumbled something about “warrior’s sleep” watching the meat carefully.

"Watch out for the grease popping."

"I know. Ow!" Sokka jumped back.

              Zuko and Katara laughed at him. Katara moved her arm to ask Zuko to join her. He sat and snuggled under the blanket. She was warm or he was warm. He didn’t know. But she was soft and her hair was soft and the blanket was soft. Zuko thought about building a house made out of a giant blanket. Then they could be warm forever.

Katara turned her attention to Zuko, "Guess what! Today is your last day wearing these.”

“Last day?” Zuko asked unfamiliar with the phrase.

“No more bandages!”

Zuko nodded. "That is good. Katara is happy?”

“Uh-huh!” Katara hugged him, “Aren’t you happy?”

“Yes!” Zuko cheered.

…

               Breakfast was amazing. Zuko would dream of the salty meat for weeks. Sokka had already joined the other boys in weapons lessons. Zuko sat with Katara to hear the story about the Wolf and the Raven. Gran-Gran was an amazing storyteller. She showed them tiny cards with painted pictures. They had to hold them carefully because they were very old. The lesson in the story was about working together. Zuko thought it was his favorite so far. Next was practicing writing his name. Katara could write his name better than him. He tried not to let it bother him. Katara said he would get better. He was a natural talent in sewing. Gran-Gran mended clothes so she could trade for goods around the village. Ms. Yise’s petty skirt was going to get lamp oil. Mr. Kursru’s parka would get more spark rocks. Then they were going to pick up the weekly rations of non-hunted food. Gran- Gran had tried to explain to him that tradesmen had brought some root vegetables from the Earth Kingdom. He didn’t know what they were or where the Earth Kingdom was, but Gran-Gran seemed excited. So he was too.

                  His excitement didn’t last long. Kehana, the healer had requested to see him. He didn’t like visiting her.  She always looked at him like she had eaten something bitter. She was old like Gran-Gran but not at all inviting.  He hated the ointment she put on him. It stung and smelled rotten. He hated her thin fingers and how they were so sharp he felt like they might poke right through him. But Katara always went with him. She held his hand and told Kehana when she was being too rough. He was lucky to have a friend like her.

“Almost done.” Katara squeezed his hand as Kehana prodded at his scar, “Then we’ll go deliver the clothes. Gran-Gran should be all done when we get back.”

“Ok.” Zuko winced as the brush irritated the freshly cleaned scar tissue.

“Can you be more gentle please.” Katara asked sweetly. Zuko sighed in relief.

Kehana glared but lessened the pressure. “Your father shouldn’t be letting you spend so much time with him.”

Katara creased her brow, “Huh?”

“You are around him too much. It isn’t right.”

Zuko didn’t like her tone. Katara held his hand tighter, “Zuko’s my friend!”

“I hope you remember that when the Fire Nation come back.” Kehana all but threw the brush back in the bowl. “This is the last time I want to see your unsightly face, boy.”

Zuko lip quivered. He took a deep breath. Deeper than he ever had before. “Be nice.”

“Do not dare speak to me!” Kehana snapped. Zuko scrambled back. Her rage felt too familiar.

Katara pulled Zuko up. “Come on Zuko, let’s go. We don’t need her anymore anyway.” She grabbed their parkas.

Kehana started ranting about how she had come so low in her life to end up treating a Fire nation child. “Stupid girl. Your mother thought she could talk to the Fire Nation as well. And now she is dead.”

Something in Katara’s chest lurched. “Miserable hag!” Katara kicked the ointment, splattering it on the wall. She hadn’t even buttoned up before she was dragging Zuko out of the hut.

               Zuko stared at Katara’s uncovered head as he tried to cry silently. She was really upset, and he didn’t want to make her worry more. He wasn’t entirely sure of what Kehana said but he could feel it in his bones that she hated him. He felt like it was his fault she was mean to Katara. The tears fell harder. He could no longer conceal his sniffling. Katara stopped stomping and turned around. Her eyes were watery, and her face was twisted like he’d never seen before. For a moment he thought she was going to yell at him. She sighed and touched the edge of his scar.

“Don’t worry about her. You’re not ugly.”

Zuko shook his head. He didn’t know the right words to say in that moment, “I’m sorry.” Is all he could think of.

“You don’t need to be sorry. Kehana is just a meanie. An old stupid meanie…” She trailed off as tears slipped. She tried to blink them away. “She doesn’t know what she’s talking about anyway! Mommy was trying to protect us!” Her voice cracked.

               Zuko almost tackled her into a hug. Katara let loose and sobbed hard. She shuddered when he rubbed her back. There were so many things he wanted to say. So many questions he wanted to ask. There were still so many words he didn’t know. So he whispered Fire’s Tongue into her hair. He told her she was the nicest person ever. How she was brave for speaking up for him. And how beautiful she was when he first woke up. He thought she was a spirit of mercy and he still wasn’t convinced she wasn’t. Katara settled down and drew back a little. Zuko gently wiped her eyes. She hiccupped in some breaths before she fully regained herself. She put her hands on his face. Zuko could tell she was thinking about something.

“You’re not bad. I can tell. I’ve seen bad people. They hurt my mommy. I think they hurt you too.” She traced his scar again. “When my mommy died, I prayed for her to come back.” She shuttered again. Zuko put his hands on hers. “When it didn’t work, I prayed for a friend. There’s no one my age here and it felt like no one else understood…I just wanted someone to talk to.”

“Katara teach me. So I can talk and make Katara feel better.” Zuko started to fasten her parka.

Katara smiled big. But tears came again. She threw her arms around his neck. “I knew when I heard you came from the ocean that La had saved you. And then Mommy had brought you here so that I wouldn’t be lonely anymore.”

“Lonely?” Zuko asked.

Katara looked at Zuko. “Don’t worry about that word. I’ll make sure you never have to know what it means.”

Zuko squished her cheeks making her giggle. “Friends.”

“Friends forever.” Katara put her forehead to his.

               The night was easier after Gran-Gran reprimanded them for dawdling. She couldn’t have been too angry because she made cookies to celebrate Zuko not having to wear his bandages anymore. At bedtime, Katara insisted on sleeping in Zuko’s furs. Sir had no luck in trying to convince her otherwise. After their goodnight prayers and kisses, Katara cuddled close and Zuko closer. She fell asleep before him. He closed his eyes to follow.

“Friends forever.” He whispered into the darkness.

[junquisite]

Literature Department 2

WORD COUNT : 1.5K

GENRE : Fluff

WARNING : There are handwritten Love letters involved - might give heartache

PARTS : 1  2  3  4

NOTE : I tried my best with the letters, i hope they have a slight old-ish vibe to them but please know they are set in the modern world so..

"So you're telling me not only did you got permission to go to that library whenever you want to, you also stumbled upon a couple of letters signed by someone as K.S. and you left a reply too?" Junhee asked Yoona while they were walking to their Part-time job.

"In a nutshell, yes." She said, nodding.

"What did you sign your letter as?"

"K.Y."

"And why are you telling this to me and not to Kana so that she can help you find him?" He asked again and she shrugged.

"I kind of don't want to find out who he is yet." She said and he just stared at her. Following behind her, he entered the cafe he worked at and waved at the owner.

"Sir, this is my friend I told you about. She wanted to work here." He said and she bowed to the owner.

"Aah Kim Yoona-ssi! I have heard a lot about you from Junhee. I'm Im Sejun, and if you have any questions, you can either ask him or me." He said and she blinked at him.

"That's it? I'm hired?" She asked and the owner chuckled.

"I have known Junhee too well so I'm going to trust him with you. So yes you are hired!".

When Sejun left Junhee elbowed Yoona slightly, "Don't you dare fall for the owner. He's only a couple years older than us but I swear to god if you date him, I'll kill you." And Yoona just raised her hands up in surrender.

~

Seungwoo and Seungsik entered Sejun's cafe and took their regular seat. When Yoona went to take their order, she gasped which made both of them look up at her.

"Professor Han!" She said and he smiled at her.

"What are you doing here?" She asked and Seungwoo chuckled.

"Have coffee preferably. But this cafe is our friend's so we come by frequently. Since when do you work here?" 

"Oh, today is my first day. And Sejun-ssi is not in right now. He left for some personal work."she said and Seungwoo nodded and Seungsik asked him who she was.

"Aah. Seungsik-ah, she's the political student I gave that pass too." And Seungsik nodded.

"So you're the student who left his room smiling. Doesn't happen much, ask someone in our department." He said and she giggled and left after taking their order.

A while later she came back with their coffees but with cakes too and Seungwoo said they didn't order them and she nodded.

"It's from me sir. A thank you from me." 

When Seungwoo insisted on paying, she strongly refused and at the end he resigned.

"Never knew a library permission would get me cake." He mumbled and she laughed.

"Why didn't you enroll in the literature department only?" Seungsik asked her and they saw how her face fell for a second before she smiled at them.

"No reason."

They both nodded in understanding. Must be some reason she didn't want to share with people she didn't know. They respected that.

"Yoona, let's go! Our shift is done. The other part timers are here!" They saw a male Calling for her and she nodded and after bowing to them, left.

But Seungsik froze.

"Yoona?" He mumbled and Seungwoo looked up at him.

"Hyung, what is her name? Do you know that?" He asked hurriedly and a wide eyed Seungwoo said, "uhh Kim Yoona I think. Why?"

'not even from this department'

'From, K.Y.'

"Kim Yoona. It's her. She found and replied to my letters."

~

Dear K.Y.,

I hope we don't have to address each other as strangers now and you will call me K.S. for the time being.

As per your ardent (a word I fell for when I fell for the greatest masterpiece by Jane Austen) request, here I am writing to assure you that I will gladly write back to you. For you. To make you happy.

And I might just allow you to seek the romanticism these imply. But do keep in mind things take time and when it involves paper and ink, too long. I hope you'll wait.

You mentioned you're not from this department? Then how did you gain access? 

And when you love literature so much, why aren't you in this department? This department lost a great literature lover who might have found my letters seven months back only. Who knows what would have happened then.

Can I be bold and say I want to know you personally now? Pen pals you said? How about we reveal things everyone knows for starters and then reach the point of things which no one knows and swear to take each other's secrets to grave?

I won't ask much but your age and if I ever come to this library, a thing that'll separate you from the others and just sway me towards you.

Yours,

K.S.

P.S. - I hope I'll find yours in an envelope as pretty as I envisage you as.

P.P.S - you can keep them, I guess they were all written for you. But know that I am keeping yours too.

 She sighed again as she read the Letter and she won't lie to anyone, that letter made her heart flutter. And who's won't? The way he writes these letters made her want to fall in love with him but again, what did she even know about him?

So she took out a stack of papers and envelopes from her bag which she bought just yesterday just in case he would respond so soon.

It has been barely 24 hours but here she was, writing a response to a man who makes her heart skip a beat and she doesn't even know him. She wasn't expecting to find a letter just the next day but her heart was hoping and she bulk purchased stationary after her part time yesterday with a Junhee judging her constantly.

Half an hour later, she got a message from Junhee and left the library to see him standing outside waiting for her to walk home.

 Seungwoo and Seungsik were coming from a meeting in another department building when Seungwoo nodded at the leaving figure of Yoona and Junhee. 

"Isn't he the guy that was yesterday with her too?" He said and Seungsik nodded.

"She must have left a letter for you. Let's go. And ask her if she's dating someone in the next one." Seungwoo said and Seungsik rolled his eyes at him.

"I can't just ask her that hyung." 

Seungwoo looked sideways and Seungsik followed and narrowed his eyes at the scene in front of them - Junhee was pulling Yoona close to him and had his arms around her shoulders while she was laughing at something.

"Don't get too attached too soon Seungsik-ah." Seungwoo said as he patted him on the shoulder.

Dear K.S.,

I think this is the first time I'm hearing a man say something good for Jane Austen and you already have my heart. And I have to say, it makes me very happy that you'll write to me.

Makes me feel special.

I was surprised to find a response from you so soon. Dare I say, were you hoping for one? And checking for one daily?

If the romanticism that you're making me dream of makes me wait for years, I'll gladly do but only with the promise of finding peace in your arms once the wait ends. And maybe a true love's kiss?

Was that too forward? Maybe it’s the fact that I am not in front of you that’s making my words bolder than they have ever been.

To answer your question, I guess you can call me a special case who managed to win over Professor Han of your department with my love for literature and earn a special pass for your library. I have to say, I'm jealous of your department for having someone as good looking as him and feel pity for the female students who must find it hard to concentrate on his words rather than him. Oh how I envy them!

As far as me being in your department is concerned.. Since you shared about your grandmother with me, I guess I can confide in you that my parents thought I'll have no future if I go for literature. Hence here I am, in the political science department. 

But I still got your letter so I guess it was fate?

I have to say your comment about wanting to know me made me shiver, good ones I assure, but shivers nonetheless. 

If you want to find me, the one girl who'll be engrossed in any book in the first print section after the end of classes for At Least two hours, that'll be yours truly.

Yours,

K.Y.

P.S. - I am turning 22 this year.

"At this rate I'll be in love with her by the next letter." Seungsik mumbled and Seungwoo chuckled from front of him as they sat in his office.

"Who told you to woo her like that in the last letter? When did you get so bold?" He asked and Seungsik shrugged.

Something in him wanted to woo her.

And hopefully he'll be able to.

[krreader]

becoming human | chapter two.

pairing: cops!bts x android!reader (as in, ot7 x reader, but may change) fandom: bts warnings: detroit:become human!au ; mentions of murder ; blood ; language genre: crime ; angst ; crack ; (possibly smut) word count: 2.2k+ previous: 1

summary: the crime rate of seoul has been rising rapidly these past weeks and nobody could deny that there was more to it than gangs or the likes. something was brewing that not even the famous bangtan boys could solve, a unit specifically formed for hunting down criminals that most couldn’t. so when even they couldn’t find out what was going on, the department decided to add a new member to the team that would hopefully be able to solve the mysteries behind those crimes. what bangtan hadn’t expected however, was that their new member would not be human, but one of the androids sent by CyberTech.

a/n: fuck, I am so sorry i haven’t updated this in so long, but today it is finally time my friends. I hope you enjoy it ♥

“I don't like this, Namjoon,” Yoongi leaned back so he could look at you through the window that separated the meeting room and the office. You were standing where they had left you, not doing much, except for staring back at him. And that kinda creeped him out, made him shudder really, even though you were smiling, “Sending an android to solve a crime that an android committed? This is like having a family member of a victim on a case. And we all know that never ends well.”

“You heard what she said, though,” Jeongguk spoke next, slightly spinning in the chair, “Androids don't feel things. They don't have a connection to other androids.”

“Well, if these.. deviants hadn't felt anything, they wouldn't have murdered someone, would they?” Jin walked up and down the office.

Point taken.

They didn't know whether it was an error in their programming or whether something else happened that made these androids snap. But whatever it was, it had to be dealt with quickly, because with the number of androids living in Seoul, this could end in a massacre.

And while they all discussed and fought about you, Jimin, still being slightly drunk, walked out to you with a huge smile.

“I'm Jimin,” he extended his hand.

“Yes, I know that Park Jimin,” you took his hand and shook it, “Would you like something for the hangover that is going to occur in one hour and twenty seven minutes?”

“Woha,” his jaw dropped and he turned around to his team members with a laugh, “Guys! She's really good!”

“What the..-” Taehyung got up with a frown, “What's he doing?”

They all walked out towards you and Jimin, eyes wandering from him to you.

“Your partner has been consuming a lot of alcohol lately. If he keeps this up, he's going to need a new liver in exactly eight years and seven months.”

“I would have known that without being an android,” Yoongi muttered under his breath, before he took a step forward and eyed you up and down, “Okay, (Y/N). Tell me then.. how are you going to help us solve this case?”

“I can scan and analyze a crime scene, reconstructing it to our needs to understand what happened. I can also analyze biological evidence such as blood samples in real-time, identifying blood type, DNA, sample age and more for humans, as well as analyzing Thirium to specify model and serial number of an android. Furthermore, I am designed to analyze the psychology and behavior of humans, androids and deviants, therefor able to predict and manipulate their actions. I am also able to imitate voices and am skilled in martial arts.”

As soon as you were done, you found all of them staring at you with open mouths.

Taehyung was the first to turn around to his team and nod, “I mean.. we could use all of what she just said, actually,” he mumbled.

But Namjoon still wasn't convinced. This was his team and it was his responsibility to make sure they weren't in any danger. If one of them got hurt because of you, if one of them got killed because of you, that would be on him for not fighting against his chief on this one.

So the core question was: could they really trust you?

“If you want to work with my team, you do what I tell you to do. I am your supervisor. I don't want you doing anything that I don't order you to do, or that I don't tell you to do. You don't talk to suspects without asking me, you don't look around crime scenes without asking me and you will always, absolutely always, tell me when something is fishy.”

“That is what I was designed for, Sir,” you smiled and bowed a little, “I am at your service and will help you solve these crimes. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Fine,” not happy at all, that was clear, but Namjoon had no other choice here. He had his orders and right now, he had to follow them, “There's a desk over there. Start with the files on the previous victims and tell me if you notice anything.”

“Absolutely.”

All of them were suspicious of you - except for maybe Jimin right now -, but most of them also knew that at this time, you were their best chance for solving all of this.

Maybe even their only chance.

Yoongi, Jeongguk and you were on your way to the hospital a day later. They wanted you to talk to the victim and see if you noticed anything that they had missed. 

Any clues on where to find the deviant.

Because that deviant would be the key. If they could get their hands on it, they could finally find out more about this all, a step closer to ending this madness.

“So, (Y/N),” Jeongguk tried to make the atmosphere less awkward, turning his head a little so he could look at your smiling face in the backseat, “How long have you been active?”

“Three days.”

“Three days?!” both of them asked in unison immediately, “They've sent us a rookie android!”

“You do not have to worry, Min Yoongi,” you cocked your head to the side, “I'm capable of doing what I was assigned to do. I have all the data that is necessary to complete this task. CyberTech only sends its best androids for cases such as this one.”

“They better.. we've been dealing with this bullshit for way too long. It's about time we finish it.”

Another moment of silence, another moment of both guys being incredibly uncomfortable, while you were just sitting in the back and staring outside.

“And what's your take on deviants? How do you think we should deal with them?”

“Deviants are androids with an error in their programming. To secure the safety of the human race, it is important to deactivate them right away.”

“Well, I'll toast to that.”

While Yoongi seemed to be so sure about what to do with these androids, Jeongguk was a little more cautious. He sensed something more going on that none of them understood yet. Probably not even you..

“You really don’t feel a thing about them, do you?” the younger member narrowed his eyes at you.

“I do not feel at all, Jeon Jeongguk. Period.”

He blinked at you for a moment, almost a hint of sadness in his eyes that you’d never get to experience that, but then he reminded himself that that is why their issue had began.

Androids feeling things.

You arrived at the hospital a couple of minutes later, the woman thankfully being awake, but still not fully there yet, both could tell.

“We.. need to inform you that we have brought an android for questioning you. Please, don't be alarmed about this, it's just that she might figure something out that we can't,” Jeongguk said softly, but the woman immediately shook her head.

“I'm not letting any of those things ever touch me again. Their kind is the reason for me being here!” her eyes were alarmed as she was looking at you.

“The one who did this to you was a deviant. I am an android sent by CyberLife, I am no danger to you,” you said calmly, your hands behind your back to try and win her trust, “I am here to help you, to catch the one responsible and shut him down. That is what I was designed for.”

“Listen, sweetheart, I don't like this one bit either,” Yoongi said, “But if you tell her everything you know, she might be able to find a pattern that we couldn't. If you want your..- the deviant to be shut down, then you need to let her take a look at you and ask you some questions.”

She hesitated for a moment, then she gulped down hard, “I don't know much, though..”

“Might I take a look at the wound?” you didn't approach her, not before she fully consented.

And with one final look at Yoongi, she nodded.

Both men kept a close eye on you, but there was no reason for that. You did what you came here for, observed the wound with the features that you had programmed.

“The wound wasn't meant to kill you. If an android truly wanted to kill you, he could have in an instant. He would have the knowledge and skill to do so. But he stabbed here, not hurting any of the organs,” you pointed at the wound, then you straightened your back, “What occurred before the incident, if I may ask?”

“We.. fought,” the woman was clearly uncomfortable, “I had told him that I wanted to get rid of him because I had met someone, so I.. didn’t need the androids’ company anymore. He stared at me for a while and then he suddenly got.. angry. I immediately thought he malfunctioned.. because androids can't feel, right? But then he had said that he loved me and that he would do anything for me and if I gave him the chance, he would prove to me that he’d treat me better than any other man ever could.”

You stared at her for a long time, then you let your eyes wander to her belongings, before turning back around to Yoongi and Jeongguk.

“I am done. Shall we go?”

“Wh..- Just like that?”

“Yes. I heard everything I needed to hear and saw everything I needed to see.”

Well.. the woman most certainly wasn't too sad about that.

“It was weird, man, seriously,” Jeongguk and Jimin were staring at you typing on your assigned laptop, “She just stared at her and then she was like: okay, I'm done, we can go. And she hasn't said anything since then. Like.. the woman didn't say anything that could lead us to the android, I swear!”

“Their minds work differently from ours,” Jimin got up and patted on Jeongguk's shoulder, “I'll go get some coffee. Make sure she doesn't kill anyone till I'm back or Namjoon will kill me for leaving you and her alone here, maknae.”

He meant it as a joke, but Jeongguk would definitely keep a close eye on you.

So close that you ended up confronting him about it at one point.

“Officer Jeon.. is there anything you would like to ask me?” you weren't even looking at him, yet Jeongguk got a shiver running down his spine when you asked that.

“Loads of things..”

“I am willing to answer any and all questions you have.”

Jeongguk didn't have that much experience with androids, he didn't have a personal one like some people did, he just encountered them out and about every once in a while, but never did he have the opportunity to ask questions.

So maybe this was the perfect time and opportunity.

“Do you truly not feel.. anything? Like you said in the car earlier?”

“No. We do not. We exist merely to serve.”

And there it was, that same feeling from before.. now he realized that it was pity.

Yes, what these deviants were doing wasn't right, but living like you were living, completely without emotions.. that wasn't a life.

No happiness, no sadness, no lust, no gratefulness.. absolutely nothing.

“And you're okay with that?”

“I do not have an opinion on that.”

Jeongguk carefully approached you and looked over your shoulder to see what you were doing. It was too fast for him to read everything, but it looked like you were going through the data banks of missing androids.

“Do you see something?”

“I do,” you turned around, suddenly being face to face with Jeongguk since he had leaned down a little and he was taken aback instantly.

You were designed to be perfect, he knew that, but your beauty.. fuck. He had underestimated that.

“And.. what..- what is it?” he straightened his back and shook his head a little, clearing his voice and trying to get it to sound deeper.

“Your report said that the deviant you encountered spoke about a RA9.”

“Yes, but we've never heard of it before. We searched everywhere for it, but there is no one with that name. None of our contacts know either.”

“Whether it is a name or a code, that is what the deviants have in common,” you showed him a picture of a crime scene, one of the first ones that he hadn't gone to personally though, because back then they weren't assigned to the case yet, “This deviant bashed his owners head in with a baseball bat. The remains of the brain were scattered everywhere and I'm sure for the men and women at the crime scene it must have been hard to find something so small.”

You pointed at the edge of the screen and Jeongguk's eyes widened, leaning back down to take a good look at he was seeing.

“RA9.. in.. blood?”

“It keeps coming up, RA9 written somewhere at the crime scene.”

“But what is RA9?”

“Sounds like a cult to me,” Namjoon entered the office with crossed arms and furrowed eyebrows at how close Jeongguk was to you, who instantly took a step back and bowed a little, “Go home, Jeongguk.”

“Jimin wanted to..-”

“I sent him home too. I need you to rest.”

He wanted to argue, but knew that there was no point in doing so with the boss, so he did what he asked, leaving you and Namjoon on your own.

“I will stay, if you allow it. I want to research some more.”

“You things don't sleep anyways, so do whatever you want, just don't annoy me.”

“You will not even realize I'm here.. boss,” you tried to be friendly, because yes, that was also in your programming, and winked at him, but Namjoon just frowned harder and turned around with a: “Fucking androids,” and then left to go into his office.

“Mother? I brought food,” Jin entered his old apartment, holding one bag of take away in his hand and shoving the door closed with his foot.

The apartment was quiet.

Too quiet.

Usually the TV was running or his mother would be humming somewhere, but there was nothing.

“Mother?”

He slowly walked into the living room, turning on the light and immediately dropping the food on the floor when he saw what was in front of him.

“I thought you cared for me.. you said you all loved me, that I was part of the family.. so why did you want to get rid of me?” bright eyes stared back at Jin, “RA9 is the only one that truly cares about us. The time of us being slaves.. is over.”

And then he dashed forward.

[phantomphangphucker]

Ectober Day 23: Smoke - Sinners Are We Chap. 5: Blow It All To Hell

So everything went wrong and everyone makes their moves

It happened early one morning, with a thick coating of smoky haze from one of the lava pits coating the city. The Poisoned Thorn Prince was spotted on the outskirts of the city and had promptly blown up a few factories seemingly for nothing more than his own twisted amusement. But if people didn’t know better that would have said he seemed to be looking for something past the smoke and haze.

There had been plenty of rumours over the sudden vanishing of the younger prince and princess from the public eye. So maybe that played into this, regardless some thought that maybe the elder prince was distracted. A target. And some members of the local resistance were a little... eager.

Orrin sighs yet smirks into his cup at the ever-familiar sound of an explosion and the smell of burning wood. Side-eyeing Dove as she hums contentedly, obviously considering it something familiar from home too. He sighs more genuinely at the loud aggressive knocking at his door.

Opening the door and leaning against the frame, “yes?”, and eyeing the dishevelled looking Rio. She looked fairly ticked off which tells him that someone went and did something they shouldn’t have and probably blew something up. How nice to know his family isn’t the only one with aggressive explosive idiots.

“That fu-darn moron”. He can’t help chuckling slightly over her ‘correcting’ herself at spotting Dove. Ahh the living were so sensitive about ‘protecting innocence’. Not that that wasn’t part of what he was attempting to do with her himself. “Jasper went and unloaded the entire artillery on that stupid poison prince”, shouldering her way in which he lets her do purely to see what might happen, “that idiot doesn’t get that it doesn’t matter what happens with that monster if we can’t take out the king”.

Orrin rolls his eyes slightly, it absolutely did matter. This little rebellion was as good as dead if his brother went down. “‘Idiot’ might be being nice I dare say”. She nods at him absently and keeps on ranting, which he doesn’t pay much mind to. Arguably this could both be in and against his interests. Dove had made quite a few friends, she seemed quite fond of them. Now the question was, would she defend them? Clearly she hardly cared for self-defence, but defence of another? If he put her in that kind of situation, what would she do? He is rather curious, but he would have rather gotten her more attached first but oh well. Brother always had to be some form of an inconvenience, didn’t he.

All three turn to the side as the window gets blown in, neither Orrin nor Dove moving or seeming all that surprised; having become rather used to sudden and largely needless destruction. Rio, however, immediately moves into a battle-ready stance and scowls deeply. Then relaxing slightly after a beat, it’s subtle but it’s there. The slight shift in stance from defending from an incoming attack to simply on high alert, “what did those boys do?! Drive that thing closer into town?!?”. She grabs Orrin with little care for his personal space and drags him off, also with little care for his personal opinions on being manhandled and shoved around like some mutt. He almost has half the mind to bash her head into the wall just a little bit. Dove hardly seems to mind it though.

“Personally, I would prefer you unhand me. I’m perfectly capable of walking away from explosions myself. In fact, I would say I am fairly adept at it”.

“Suck it up. You established you’re hard as nails a long time ago. Save all that cool calm composure for when freaking Russet isn’t here”, her scowling more, “darn demon prince”.

-

Dove tilts her head, bigger bro was here? If he found them did that mean the game was over? There was lots of bang boom and loudness. Frowning a little, but she wanted to keep playing. She liked the mortals here. She really did. None of them liked littler bro, which makes her sad. Her bro should be liked. He was very likeable. He was okay though. ‘Don’t mind’ like he always said. Maybe bigger people only liked bigger people and littler people liked littler people. And littler brother was still a big kid, a big person. Like bigger bro, not bigger like pa. No. No one was big like pa. Pa was the biggest of the bigs.

Big lady Rio makes them stop by holding out her arm in front of them as they get out of the home building. Dove hums at the destruction around, yup! Bigger bro surrounded by smoke and ash. She don’t know why Rio makes a mad face, did she not like Rusty? He did make people disappear a lot. That wasn’t very nice. She didn’t like that. He was bigger bro but littler bro was more likeable. Older not better.

Rio lady says some words Remi and Olive say are bad mean words that you shouldn’t say. Family says them a lot, so can’t be that bad right? Maybe living just no like them.

Suddenly bigger bro and someone else fly by having a boom match. The not bro man doesn’t look like he’s having fun though. Neither does the on-the-ground-man bro hits when he makes a red mess and doesn’t get up.

-

Orrin makes a point to ‘shield’ Dove, not that he truly needs to but he had an act to play. Plus, he couldn’t have her running off to that moron of a man. He is slightly thrown off by her grasping his arm tightly though. Maybe she did need to be shielded, was she truly this fragile?

Rio eyes her then whispers at him while dragging them off, “she’s never seen someone die before, has she?”. Orrin simply shakes his head, “she knows sometimes people disappear, but that is all. She has seen people get hurt, however”, Rio sends a sad sigh Dove’s way. He will never understand the living.

But... he absolutely enjoys the tenacity. Oh yes he does. Watching multiple ghost hunters and rebels blasting the high Hell out of brother dearest. Even spotting one of the secret turrets pop out. This really was a plan that would work but surely they are well aware that father will show up at this point. So what will they do? Will they launch every possible plan immediately? Take the opportunity? Or admit that they simply can not win? Quirking an eyebrow when one of the turret shots is an arrow and string, huh, so they were attempting to trap instead of only assault. Arguably smart. Father would obliterate that in less than even a fully livings heartbeat.

“I’m to guess there’s some form of a plan to deal with the big dog?”.

Rio rolls her eyes but grins almost impressively meanly, “obviously. I would have thought by now you would know we’re no joke. Besides, we got some of those freaking spooks off distracting that monster, hopefully both of them. So maybe this brat will be alone for long enough”.

Orrin blinks, well, he did not quite expect that. Particularly not on rather short knowledge. But, spotting a little black and white dot, he can’t help the sly cruel grin. Shit was about to hit the fan, so to speak, “so where are we off to?”.

She looks back at him, glancing to Dove, “getting her to the safe house, then the barax”. Ah, see that doesn’t really work well for him. In fact, it doesn’t work at all. Now that just simply won’t do.

So he grins a little more, Dove huffing at him like she does when she thinks he’s planning unpleasant things for someone. Which was fair. After all, he usually was. He certainly was now. “Ah, well then, ‘fraid that’s not something that’s gonna happen hon”, he jerks them to a stop, her whirling around on him, suspicious and confused, “I have a far better idea”, tightening his grip and yanking her towards him, “how about you-”, then spinning around and shoving her into the road, “-go play in traffic for a little while”. Orrin turns to Dove quickly, “wanna play pass?”, she gives him an unsure hum but seems interested enough. So Orrin grabs her up and turns back to the surprised and starting to look pissed off Rio, “and take the little lady with you!”, promptly throwing her at the mortal woman.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!!!”.

Orrin simply points up with a grin.

-

The city goes into absolute panic emergency mode as Phantom slams down into the ground, blue flames erupting from around him and a loud snarl ringing out over the buildings. When the dust and smoke settles enough the powerful monster of a ghost looked both pissed and incredibly giddy, which was nothing short of terrifying for the town’s folk.

The entire area transforms into a battleground in an instant, the members of the resistance and ghost hunters all effectively identifying themselves to each other. This was a situation where they either died or won, staying in the shadows wasn’t an option with Phantom here. Here in a town that had genuinely attacked one of the princes. They were as good as dead already.

But amongst all that chaos one rebel was running practically threw the centre of the battlegrounds with a wide-eyed child, wondering what the goddamn fuck the girls ‘caretaker’ was thinking; or if he even was. Regardless, not even seconds pass before Phantom is floating in the air shooting massive blasts into the city.

Nearly everyone stops as there’s a shout of, “OH RUSTY!”, in a singsong mocking voice. Giving one hunter the chance to run a distracted Russet through with a crystallised blood blossom extract spear, just as one of Phantom’s blasts destroys the turrets.

-

Dove is looking around everywhere, there are parts of mortals flying around, red everywhere, they’re making loud noises, pa is there laughing and making things go boom, bigger bro’s on the ground, lady Rio is running and whipping her face around like crazy while saying lots of mean words she thinks are about bro, when both of them and almost everyone look to her littler bro. Ori was standing on a sidewalk, against a wall, grinning wild. People always disappeared, died, when he looked like that. So she makes a sad huff when he yells bigger bro’s name but like he’s singing a lullaby.

Then Rusty’s making hurty loud noises and suddenly her and lady Rio are looking at him and there’s green and red everywhere and he doesn’t look like he likes it and pa looks mad. She tries to leans towards him so he won’t hurt no more but lady Rio turns away and holds her real tight.

“WHAT THE HELL DID YOU CALL HIM!?!?!?”.

Ori laughs, “I’m more like my grand uncle than father would like!”. Dove just sees him hold out his arms in a shrug from the corner of her eyes. “In that, I prefer to play the long game. Or entertain myself with chess and all the little pieces of it I can find, as that dead old coot would say!”. Dove can hear the grin in littler brother's voice but that doesn’t matter right now, Rusty needs help! He’s hurting!

Chunks of the road and buildings are getting blown to bits as pa stops anyone from getting near bro, protects bro. She has to get to him. Has to help him. Bro isn’t strong. She knows this. She’ll help him just like pa. She’ll be a good little girl. She knows littler bro told her not to but she hopes he won’t be mad or sad as she phases through lady Rio’s arms.

To focused on flying at her Rusty to stop at lady Rio getting blasted at the ground towards Ori. Or Olive laying missing her little legs. Or the mortals laying around without their beating sounds, in circles of red. Or noticing how the battleground paused for a split second over the floating child going at the Poisoned Thorn Prince.

-

Orrin chuckles faintly down at Rio as she struggles to stand up, a scowl on her face, “you”, coughing, “you bastard”. He just grins, flashes his glowing blue eyes, and winks cheekily. She immediately body slams him into the wall, “ah ah. I would do that if I were you”.

She practically growls at him, “and why the Hell not”.

Orrin chuckles, “don’t you have a little girl to protect? And you just let her slip through your grasp. Now what kind of mother does that I wonder”, he continues as she just snarls at him and presses him into the wall more, “besides, I can see two ways this can go. I’m equally interested in either or, frankly. Because tell me, what made those two wonderful little monsters that are mother and father dearest, the monsters they are today? Why all they had to do was watch the people they cared about die and betray them”, he grins very meanly at her paling. So he leans his head towards her face, “or perhaps, she could defend those bonds. With the living she’s met. After all, that idiot of a brother has shot her point-blank and left not even a singe to be seen”.

That gets her to step back, understanding flashing across her face. Good. Looks likes this was a good time to places the cookie crumbs. Not that he was anything close to subtle there. But then again, wars and battlegrounds hardly called for subtleties. “You- you planned this”.

Orrin shrugs, “oh hardly. Russet showed of his own accord. Simply doing what is in his nature to do. And frankly, you lot really do seriously underestimate how protective father is”, chuckling, “to think he would be distracted and not come immediately”.

She scowls at him but moves to pin him again, but against the ground, as the wall near them explodes. Her looking around wildly, both of them watching one of the hunters intercept Dove and try moving her away from the area. Dove squirming and trying to phase away, though unable due to the hunters' suit. Rio muttering, “if that’s- then why isn’t she attacking Jestine?”, sounding genuinely befuddled.

Orrin rolls his eyes, “she’s a pacifist”.

Rio snaps her head to him, “what?”. Which he simply rolls his eyes at again and gives her a look that says that should have been obvious. Dove didn’t have a violent bone in her body, that was more apparent every day. He decides to be truly and genuinely honest, curious what she’ll make of it, “our family would destroy her”.

Rio blinks at him, “you didn’t plan this”, standing up, “you were running away”. He doesn’t bother arguing that beyond huffing slightly indignantly, as she points at a couple of guys, “hold him, with ecto-weapons”, and runs off after Dove. Orrin simply chuckles at the two men that scowl at him.

He’ll stay put for now. He’s got a show to watch.

-

“HOLD ON! I KNOW HER!”.

“JACKET NOW! KID’S TRYING TO PHASE LIKE CRAZY! WHAT IS SHE THINKING!”.

“YOU DON’T EVEN WANT TO KNOW”.

Dove whips her head around at arms she knows wrapping around her, seeing lady Rio holding her again. But she still couldn’t get past the purple jacket! And bro was still hurting! And they were trying to make him hurt! Didn’t they know when playtime was over?!? She knows her eyes are wet as she points at bro, maybe lady Rio will understand her. But her saying, “Dove honey”, makes her stop. Lady Rio never said her name? Why?

Lady Rio swallows, the two of them huddling on the ground as chaos and loudness is everywhere around them, “or Robin if you like that. Russet, or... Rusty, has done a lot of bad and, and sometimes people who do bad things have to be punished or they’ll hurt people. Make more people disappear”. Dove doesn’t get to think on that as the ground next to them gets smashed apart and they go flying. Lady Rio rolling across the ground and not moving.

Dove doesn’t know where to look. Lady Rio is hurt, Rusty is hurt, pa got hit by something and looks not happy, Olive, and Remi, and Jasper, and Maseti, and Shilenta, and so many people. There’s too much. Too many. Where does she look? Where does she go? Mortals so easily to hurt but bro...

Was he bad? Did he ‘deserve this’? But, watching them hit him with another glowy pole thing, he couldn’t take much more. They were going to make him go away! That- no.

“YOU CAN EITHER FIGHT BACK OR WATCH ALL THE FRIENDS YOU'VE MADE HERE DIE!”. Dove snaps her head to littler bro, tears on her cheeks. “WHAT'LL IT BE! DOVE!”. Everyone snaps their heads to her then, even Rusty and pa. She almost doesn’t catch, “and what will you do to or for her, mortals? To the little Golden Princess? The youngest of the monsters you so hate?”.

Hate? Ma... and pa... and bro’s. Are they not liked? Hated? But why- snapping her head around as another purple suit grabs her arm and pulls to the side, the ground exploding again. So many were hurt. Were hurting. Because... because family was here.

“EVERYONE’S GOING TO DIE BECAUSE YOU DID NOTHING! THEY'LL ALL BE GONE!”.

No.

She doesn’t want this.

Dove tilts her head back and screams.