#how come the war criminals are the prettiest -_- | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

reesespeanutbutterfuck · 2 years ago

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mon ange analogique

long list of headcanons of YJH with an s/o who radiates the same energy as him and reciprocates his evilness

pairing: jeonghan x reader

word count: 3.1k

warnings: VERY SUGGESTIVE, goofy ahhhh writing, fem!reader, reader is implied to be masc and more dominant towards jh lol, established relationship, intentional lowercase, messy keyboard core, cursing, implied smut, mentions of svt members as extras, TOUCHY JEONGHAN, JH AND READER ARE CHAOTIC EVILS

heheheh so you're dating THE yoon jeonghan? good for you

so you alr know this man is annoying but in like, a very charming way

the members totally were on ur side everytime you banter coz they've had enough of jh terrorizing them that they were so glad he finally got a taste of his own medicine

KARMA IS A BITCH

"jEoNgHAnNie, nUgU aEgi?"

ಠ_ʖಠ

tf did u just say

dw he gives you the response you want :D

you once played mafia together in a group, with u as a mafia (unbeknownst to him) and him as a citizen much to his dissapointment

as lovers, of course you instinctively trusted and tagged along with each other

BUT WHAT HE WASN'T EXPECTING IS FOR U TO KILL HIM FIRST

his jaw drops to his feet with the turn of events

BOMBASTIC SIDE EYE, CRIMINAL OFFENSIVE–

HE TRUSTED YOU.

HE ACTUALLY THOUGHT YOU WERE TOGETHER IN THIS HOW COULD YOU

like i said, karma is a bitch

it all came back to bite him in the bum

he knew you were something else, your personality that mirrors his own is very amusing in his eyes, he was enamoured by how you acted

very head-over-heels for you

whenever you bully or prank him, all the times when he pranked his members flash before his eyes as he finally gets a taste of what it's like on the receiving end

he looks at you like you just committed a horrendous crime in front of his eyes

oh you're bullying HIM now? how dare you

of course his competitive ass gets revenge on you afterwards bcs THIS IS WAR

of course your banters and pranks on each other are always lighthearted, he wouldn't do or say anything out of the line purposely to hurt you, and you wouldn't do the same either

however if it somehow happens that you hurt each other, which is a very rare occurence, it would always come to healthy resolve because you both talk it out immediately

you value each other's boundaries

he would pull your wrist and wrap your arm over his waist as he settles you on his chest

"there, there, i'm sorry jagi, i won't do it again." he gazes down on you and gives you a soft smile, his long hair framing his face beautifully

even if he's usually frolic, he knows when to take things seriously

besides, he'll never do anything he knows you wouldn't like (!!!)

humiliation for the sake of pranks is a big NO. that's just horrible

having ideas for dates and what to do while spending time w/ each other were never a problem, considering the fact that both of you have the same hobbies and tastes!

you want to try this ice cream bar downtown? he's been eyeing the same shop too!

he wants to build legos? sure, you're sitting beside him in an instant while reading the instruction manual

you're bored and you want to play chess? he immediately whips out a chessboard

your habits are very similar

he cackled when he found out you also keep plastic knives in your bag

and you like taking care of each other and the ppl around you

everybody loves mom mode jeonghan and fears mom mode y/n

this also results to the both of you thinking the other is prettier than each other

he doesn't just think you're prettier than him, he KNOWS you're prettier than him

whilst you also think he's the prettiest. you would always tell him he's prettier than you

while the members also say all say you're a lot prettier than hannie (in which hannie wholeheartedly agrees on), you're actually equal in terms of this

he will throw himself at your feet if you're fem

but jeonghan also loves it when you express your masc side

he will call you "handsome" if you're masc

you don't have to worry if ever you're insecure about how you're too masc or too fem or both

because he knows what it's like ;)

he believes everyone is free to express themselves

bcs he embraces his feminine side too <3

in conclusion, it doesn't matter if you're masc or fem or BOTH he is in LOVE with YOU

jeonghan is WHIPPED whipped

sometimes he's like a female friend when you're in dates lol this is so fukin cute

he'll clasp your arms together like besties while you're recommending each other skincare products inside the mall

and bribe shopkeepers tgt for discounts while you're at it

he'll ask someone to take your picture while he poses like the female lead in kdramas

he closes his eyes and intertwines your hands and leans his cheek comfortably on your shoulder

it's cute

when he's feeling a little more giddy he either latches on your arm and basically climbs on you to make you his human monkey bar while he howls in laughter

or HE'LL STRAIGHT UP WRAP YOU IN EVERY LIMB OF HIS

you do these to him a lot too LOL

when it's him in the receiving end he welcomes and accepts your coddling you with open arms

he'll even willingly submit to you and offer himself if only you asked

e.g when you suddenly corner him and close all possible distance while backing him against the wall, wrapping your leg around his waist and burying your face on his neck

he isn't even fazed because he's alr used to it he just resumes what he was doing before (like fiddling on his phone) for a few moments before he turns it off and completely focuses on you

instead of being shocked he pulls you even closer with an arm on your back as he smirks in satisfaction

anyway

in public places, you alone can already make men AND women's heads turn

then jh comes in

he's behind you in a poker face while he protectively wraps his arm around your shoulder as he towers over you

"THAT'S HER BOYFRIEND?!"

it's either in shock

bcs THE BOTH OF YOU R SO HOT TOGETHER WHAT THE FUCK

or dissapointment bcs you're taken

BUT THEY CAN NEVER RLLY FIGHT HIM TO GET TO YOU BCS OH NO HE'S HOT TOO

BI PANIC ALERT 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

and they see how much you were alike in the littlest things

u two are so versatile and expressive

although having said all these, you never clash personalities

u two r so compatible

jh would clown you for literally anything

but he would also absolutely trade anything for your affection with 0 hesitation

he even claimed that he would sacrifice shua and cheol's lives for him to have your hand in marriage, to you also because you're the devil

NO, U

"you dumbass" but affectionately

in games when you're in the opposing teams, when you're playing against each other, you're mistaken if you thought he would go easy on you

he knows what you're capable of and it'll take the same amount of plotting to take you down

however when his teammates accuse you of sinistrous intentions, he will defend you

he'll even encourage your cheating lol

"SEE THAT? MY JAGI TOTALLY WHOOPED YOUR ASSES"

minghao who was in the same team looked at his hyung, (who was fkn CHEERING for YOU. YOU, FROM THE OPPOSING TEAM) in disbelief, as if hannie was an embarrassment to nature

he'd be like like "dude, which side are u really on ????"

he would let you cahoot with '95 liners cheol and shua against him

the three of you would gang up against him tgt bcs it's payback time for how many times he's wronged y'all

it's comedic how he can manage to stay calm under a lot of pressure and come at you like it's nothing, but he gets agitated when the members r stealing your attention from him LMAO

sk caught hannie pouting and slacking off while looking at your figure from afar

"how dare they ??!#?#@!?!" insert comical shouting text bubbles on the top of his head

cue angry snowball face

he would straight up walk to your side of the team nearing you with the intention of retrieving what's rightfully his.

he throws his arms around you and drags you away to his post on the other side, and you're like "hannie why are you dragging me here my teammates are on the opposite side"

you're only opponents but you're still his

squishing your cheek with his own while his arms were wrapped all around your waist and shoulders, smothering you with kisses

you're very competitive yourself. so when the game gets heated and you're in your serious mode, the two of you get worked up going against each other

y/n: "let's do this instead. jeonghan would think we wouldn't go for the simplest way, so that's exactly what we're going for."

y/n: "jeonghan would try to ambush us from the other side because he knows the way around this course. let's go this way and corner him from behind and use his own dirty trick against him 👹"

what adds more to the challenge is the fact that you thought you both know how each other thinks

but you actually DON'T.

you two are very unpredictable

you're good at reading his tactics tho so he almost never escapes from you.

taunt and mock him when he loses and watch him FOLD

EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

watch out tho bcs he'd be coming for your ass on the next game/round

you once betrayed your team just to face him head on

at the same time, jh did the same to his team cs he won't back away from you challenging him

ending, it turned to a match between the two of you

you both love mind games, which is why as much as it's hard for him to defeat you, it's hard for you to defeat him too

he gets scared of u sometimes lol

he thinks he's not the biggest enemy there exists in society, YOU are.

you're the alas of the team you're in. they know they're covered when they have you

altho it's funny when you think about how you're rivals in games but you sleep by each others head at night with limbs tangled LOLOL

BUT IF IT SO HAPPENS THAT URE IN THE SAME TEAM IN GAMES

OH NO NO NO NO NO EVERYONE HIDE AND SAVE YOURSELVES

💥💥

jeonghan jumps in joy when he found out he's teamed up with you

everyone makes a commotion

"oH NO NOT THE TWO THEM TOGETHER–"

everyone knows they're doomed the moment it's set

yk how in gose svt purposely keeps mingyu, cheol, and hannie away from each other in separate teams?

they do the same thing to you two, forcing you away from each other

bcs everyone also wants you in their team/s

i mean who wouldn't ???

"JEONGHAN-HYUNG GET AWAY FROM Y/N-NOONA! IT'S NOT FAIR!"

cue dino and jun pulling your arm but your body is being coddled by hannie at the same time, as he hoarded you to himself

dk get on his knees and clasps his hands as he practically BEGS you two to at least have one of you in the other team

"no can do 😚" jh wraps a leg around your hip while he shields you from his members

you're insufferable together

CHAOS CHAOS CHAOS CHAOS

they all call you "the devil duo" 😈

bcs HELL unleashes when you're working together

very partners in crime type of rs

you're like the chuuya to his daza–

ahem

with both of your analytical sense and strategic thinking merged together, you're invincible

you can defeat multiple member teams with only you and hannie's alliance

jokes of "let's dominate the world together, jagi 👹👹" every now and then

yes you two go and RULE THE WORLD

DON'T BE SHY SET THE WHOLE CITY ON FIRE–

he calls you the queen and labels himself as the king

roles can be reversed tho, the both of you don't mind

"jagi, i'm the queen and you're the king, okay? 😏😏😏" he leans to your ear and gently whispers while tauntingly looking at the glaring members from the other side as you two were sitting tgt

be careful tho, bcs there are still circumstances wherein he turns his back from you in games

in short, he might betray you to win

i mean he's still jeonghan after all

the key is to betray him first before he betrays you :D

or just strangle him

W option

the members are always very hooked on watching how you beat hannie in his own game

bcs he totally deserves that

everytime the scene unfolds they immediately "😎🍿"

let me tell u this,

hannie fkn loves when you outsmart him

he'll look at you with heart eyes, flabbergasted, yet at the same time astounded when you do

heart eyes heart eyes

you might have had unknowingly turned him on a little tho–

he has a lot of respect for your ability and intelligence

and INTELLIGENCE IS HOT AS FUCK

but then that loving smile slowly turns into a sly smirk as he is in the middle plotting a new strategy to outsmart your outsmarting

which results to you outsmarting his outsmarting to your outsmarting

a cycle that never ends

*/inserts "finally, a worthy opponent"

he loves how intelligent you are. you're even most likely to be more intelligent than him

he loves his plotting smart-mouthed little devil, y/n

he's very thrilled, there wasn't single boring moment in his life since the moment he met you

PILLOW FIGHTS !!!!!!!!!

he cheated once and used a blanket to capture and immobilize you, and you fought the urge to slam his head on the headboard

"you– you cheating freak!" you wiggled out of his arms as he squeezes you in a hug

"oh but you love this cheating freak 😏😏" he wiggles his eyebrows

the members openly babbles about how you were their "sacrificial lamb"

bcs hannie's annoying mischievous ass gradually toned down thanks to you, because most of his pranks were all darted to you now

and so the "let's sacrifice y/n [to jeonghan]" became an inside joke between you and the members

everytime han's evil tendencies dart to the members, they whip you out and place you in front of hannie as a human shield

THESE LIL SHITS

because ure the only one who can take hannie's bs and u actually fight back

jeonghan would galdly accept their sacrificial lamb tho 😏😏

from his own words, just who is he to refuse you?

we all know how clingy hannie is

lingering touches here and there, your touchy, affectionate nature applies when you're together

but not in a overexaggerating or overwhelming way (always rmmbr that it's ok to be clingy as long as u still respect your partner's space dawg)

he can and WILL bite your fingers when you're off guard

one moment he's fidgeting with your hands

and then he CHOMPS on your long fingers

you jumped in your seat and glared at him the first time he did this and the brat only laughed at your reaction

very funny

when u make out, expect a lot of biting

will bite your lips, your jaw, the plush part of your neck, your collarbone, EVERYWHERE

and i tell you when he bites, he bites HARD

mHmmm

he loves it when you do it to him too

pls DO IT TO HIM

there was a time while you were hovering on top of him and kissing his neck, you look up to see his disheveled state with his mouth agape and half lidded eyes, an arm holding your waist while the other covers his mouth with the back of his hand as he huffs in pleasure

😳😳😳

*blushes like a sl–*

I'M ABOUT TO COMBUST INTO FLAMES 🚒🚒

hannie's clingy ass can never keep his handsy handsies away from you

everytime he sits beside you he chooses to scoot to you as close as possible on purpose, even if the sofa had more room and space for him to need not to squeeze you in the corner

he sprawls his limbs everywhere on you on purpose. on your thighs, stomach and face

sometimes he even pretends to "accidentally" sit on your lap, putting all of his weight on you like you were a part of the fuckin sofa

"oh, sorry, it's your lap's fault for looking a little too comfortable 😏😏" unapologetically

there was one time you had enough of him doing this everytime so you kinda just accepted him sitting on u

you leaned forward and hugged his waist in place on your lap while he hummed in satisfaction

what he didn't expect was when he was off-guard, you leaned toward his neck and pecked a kiss on the exposed skin and BOY

HE JOLTS LIKE A HOT KETTLE WHISTLING FROM SUPPRESSING HOW HOT HE FELT, HIS FACE TURNING REDDER THAN A TOMATO BECAUSE THAT WAS SO ???????? 😳😳😳😳😳😳😳

his little friend immediately went ↗️↗️↗️ iykwim

he's shinggi banggi boong boong banggi'ing his way out of there and shutting himself alone in a room somewhere🚪🏃

he couldn't sleep for NIGHTS

he also felt something shift in him the first time you meaningfully called him "hannie"

"you're such a wuss, hannie~" you looked up at him while exchanging banters and

his grin grew wider, grazing his hand on your jaw, "that's the first time you called me that. say that again."

he tends to miss u a lot

one time in a beach somewhere in jeju during a summer vacation with svt, he was quietly chilling on a lounger seat with his dark, almost black shades on, while the members were noisily playing beach volley not very far from where he's sitting

he can hear sk and soonyoung's distant yowling everytime they miss the ball

he's not interested in playing because there's no "you" as his opponent

there's just 0 thrill when you're not there

he snorts as he imagines you intentionally spiking the ball at his face

hannie wondered what you're up to at that exact moment

he loudly sighed, "i miss y/n..."

"you'll see her again soon when you go home, hyung."

"you're right." he props himself from the lounge chair and grabs his phone while putting on his beach slippers

"where are you going?"

"i'm going home 👹"

"what?! jeonghan-hyung, NO–"

"jeonghan-hyung, YES."

the members held him down and almost tied him up on the lounger chair

that night in the hotel room, he fills the void of longing for you by facetiming you

the members wanted so bad to stuff both your mouths with pillows from how noisy you are while laughing with each other late at night on screen

of course it's done as a joke they love seeing you and jh having fun together

and the both of you are only doing it on purpose just to piss them off, you stopped immediately and let them sleep in peace after

the two of you are still mindful when and when not to fool around after all <3

they can never really get mad at u two

coz how could they? you two r literally their parents

hannie labels you as second mom of svt, the first one being himself

"make sure drink your meds, wonu-ya ^^" hannie gives wonwoo his medication "thanks, jeonghan-hyung."

cue you walking past them, your attention somewhere else, casually handing wons a bottle of water to help him with downing the medicine, while your eyes were on dino, nodding while listening to the story he's enthusiastically telling you

dino is obviously your favourite child

"dino, nugu aegi?" and he'll willingly answer "y/n-noona's baby <3"

"how about me, dino? u don't love me anymore? only y/n? 🥺" hannie asks with a pout

all the svt members grew very attached to you that they can't even imagine hannie without u anymore

u and hannie are a package deal ^^ so cute

you're rlly made for each other

hannie gives you weird ass compliments that you would've found endearing if only it made sense

he would leave you confused as fuck

while he's in his pajamas sitting on the sofa beside you with one of his knees folded to his chest, the tv remote on his hand, he turns to you with a flat expression

"y/n if you were a dinosaur, you would be a velociraptor."

you respond with a perplexed "why is that?" and he turns away from you to go back to watching tv without another word like nothing happened, and without further elaboration following his statement.

he wasn't even watching a show related to dinosaurs

ಠ_ʖಠ ????

that's an oddly random hell of a compliment

was that even a compliment?

"yes" -hannie

one time on his birthday party somewhere in paris, after the bustling party ended, you spoke to him in private in your shared hotel room to finally give your birthday present

still bejeweled and dolled up in your black dress, you put on a blindfold on his eyes as you led him inside the dim-lit hotel room

the blindfold you put on him covered the entirety of his vision steadily

"i didn't know you were into this kind of thing." he teases you

you narrowed your eyes and glared down at him despite knowing well he can't see you

when he took off the blindfold to open his eyes, he was welcomed by the sight of a whole life sized figurine lego set of iron man

he was in awe, he thanked you and asked you to help him build it together, which you agreed on

"this is the second possible best birthday gift for me, love."

"what's the first?"

"you." he grinned meaningfully, it's the same mischievous grin he usually displays when he's plotting something

you sensually ran your hand through his silky hair and responded to his suggestive comment

"i'm sure you'll eventually get that second birthday gift of yours later." while fondling his necktie from the button-down shirt under his tux that he wore at the party.

he contained his laughter and once again latched himself to you, "i love you."

you hugged him back, "no. i love you."

hannie always likes adding a spice of a little mischief to every situation, so he used that opportunity to catch you off guard and dip his finger on the frosting of the vanilla cake on the coffee table behind you to smear it on the tip of your nose

you widened your eyes and chased him all over and around the hotel room

"YOU'RE DEAD, YOON JEONGHAN!" you chased him acting like a vixen trying to catch a rabbit, jumping over furniture

pls manhandle him

hannie likes strong women

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

yoon "i want a woman to kiss me and hug me😚🥰but at the same time, like in the bedroom... just ROCK MY SHIT U KNOW🏋️‍♀️just BEAT THE FUCK OUTTA ME👹U KNOW🤯coz i deserve it😇" jeonghan

you wanted so badly to punish him

an idea he wasn't against at all—in discreet

after wiping your nose, you tackled him on the floor when you caught him

he looks up at you, taking in your beautiful features, not missing the evil grin on your lips non-verbally saying "i got u now 😏"

he tucks your unkempt hairstrands behind your ear

"can i claim my second birthday gift now, y/n?" he tilted his head, looking up at you and staring at your lips, his eyes shining from the dim light

you wanted to punish him, you say?

let's just say... you did get what you want that night, with the help of his tie, and the flimsy blindfold you left lying on the floor.

napipopetake him to heaven 🔝

best bday ever

hanniehae <33

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fluffalpenguin · 1 year ago

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⬅[Prev] Day 1: Introductions

@ygoc-week Day 2: Family

There's a bit of Day 1 mixed in here because I'm dropping a bunch of context i.e. background for them, yay!!

Everything started because I thought to myself, "haha wouldn't it be funny to have a pair of ARC-V OCs that are Fusion/Xyz Enemies to Lovers where the Fusion guy got (rightfully) beat up so badly he's traumatised and post-canon he ends up working at the same place as the guy that whooped him so badly he stopped being a war criminal and so he spends the next few months hiding behind pillars in the LDS lift lobby to avoid bumping into him?"

Having never known their parents, Fuschia is both older brother and de facto guardian for his two siblings, roles that he carry out with pride and joy. Part of why he worked so hard at carding people during the war was due to a monetary bounty the Professor had offered, hoping to use it for the benefit of his siblings. (He also loves money)

He always makes sure to return to the Fusion Dimension by nightfall, so he can prepare dinner and help the twins with their homework. Basically he's the ultimate malewife <3

"Look at the face on this one!"

Fuschia's big brother levels are too high, so he extends his aura to anyone he meets, including an Obelisk Force member dressed in all-white that insists on working alone that he keeps coming across while wandering in a certain part of the Xyz dimension. The two eventually strike up a bond and sometimes spend their down-time comparing their catch of the day.

Fuschia used to be in Obelisk Blue, but when his siblings came home crying one day after being bullied for being placed into Slifer Red, he swapped jackets the next day. Recognising that his precious little sister and brother could not possibly thrive in the harsh meritocratic system of Academia, Fuschia started to lay plans for emigration to another, more kinder dimension.

He was doing pretty well too, until...

The Vedelle siblings used to be a trio as well, but Viol and Arte only had each other left after the waves stole their youngest sibling (Noelle, belonging to @shshshotsz) in a tragic incident.

The two spend their weekends at the beach after the incident, hunting down the prettiest shell "to give to Noelle when we see her again!" as their younger sibling had been hunting for seashells that fateful day.

Unbeknowst to Arte, Noelle had been looking for a seashell that day after a comment Viol had made about Arte resembling one, and she had wished to present it to her older sister as a birthday gift.

When the sun sets, Viol and Arte toss the shell back into the ocean.

Arte was then carded around the start of the war and spent most of it as a card in Viol's possession, who carried her everywhere even as he hunted down Fusion soldiers that had wandered off by themselves as he demanded for answers on how to turn her back.

Little did he know he was in for an unexpected reunion when he volunteered to find and take down the rumoured Fusion soldier dressed in white that was single-handedly decimating their forces...

Post-canon is hijinks time, because the two end up being the teacher for the other's siblings!

After a series of events and happenstance, the two get reacquainted (highlights include Viol barely even remembering who Fuschia is because Fusion rats are all the same to him and Noelle asking Fuschia to give her driving lessons, etc) and eventually the two families come together and fuse overlay this joke is not working assimilate into one, with the Vedelles frequently going over to the Lents for Fuschia's homecooking.

(To be continued in Day 4: Relationships)

➞[Next] Day 3: Decks

#yugioh oc week 23 #pasu makes ocs #yeah we got that red gay blue gay thing going on #so excited for tomorrow but also (agony) because there's so many i haven't drawn their ace for #edited added the seashell lore

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bysaber · 1 year ago

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Saber presents…

31 Days of Ficmas by Saber!

Starting on December 1st and ending on December 31th, I’ll be posting a fic per day – Holidays themed.

All themes (and characters) are listed below, but since I’ll write the stories as the days passes, warnings won’t be added until the fic is up!

What you will find? Fluff, smut, crack, and a sprinkle of angst.

I hope you can enjoy this beautiful season with me. <3

Reblogs are appreciated. ^_^

STATUS: FINISHED / NOT COMPLETED

Day 1 – Ice skating with Katsuki Bakugou

An ice skating night with your boyfriend ends with a nosebleed and a contusion. (796 words, fluff)

Day 2 – Picking the perfect tree with Obito Uchiha

Obito Uchiha, an exiled war criminal, doesn’t understand why you’re so obsessed with a tree. (807 words, fluff)

Day 3 – Having a neighbor rivalry with Satoru Gojo

You and your neighbor keep bickering about who has the most beautiful Christmas-decorated house in the street. (1.3k words, fluff)

Day 4 – Decorating the house with Kento Nanami

Kento Nanami indulges your love for Christmas and helps you decorate your shared house because there isn’t a thing he wouldn’t do for you. (1k words, fluff)

Day 5 – Being Santa’s prettiest Elf with Toji Fushiguro

Toji Fushiguro takes his son to meet the local Santa, and one of his elves catches his attention. (824 words, smut)

Day 6 – Meeting a pretty stranger with Kakashi Hatake

You’re feeling down after all your Christmas plans got canceled when a dog wearing elf clothes jumps on you. (1.1k words, fluff)

Day 7 – Seeing snow for the first time with Ryomen Sukuna

Your long-lived boyfriend doesn’t see the big deal about snow. (465 words, fluff)

Day 8 – Singing in a choral with Suguru Geto

In a world filled with curses and tragedies, Suguru Geto hears the most beautiful voice of his damned life when he least expected to. (629 words, angst)

Day 9 – Traveling to see your boyfriend with Megumi Fushiguro

After years of online communication, you surprise your boyfriend by showing up at his door to celebrate Christmas together. (560 words, fluff)

Day 10 – Missing your partner with Levi Ackerman

With the Holidays coming, you can’t help but miss your husband, who’s away on a mission. (333 words, angsty)

Day 11 – Going on vacation with Kento Nanami

You and your lover, Kento, decide to spend the Holidays in Malaysia. (329 words, fluff)

Day 12 – Losing something valuable with Levi Ackerman

You lose a bracelet that means a lot to you a few days before Christmas. (707 words, fluff)

Day 13 – Breaking up with Satoru Gojo

You break up with the love of your life a few weeks prior Christmas. (1.2k words, hurt/comfort)

Day 14 – Getting stuck in a cabin with Megumi Fushiguro

After a ski trip with a group of friends, a snowstorm traps you and the only person in the group you barely talk with, Megumi Fushiguro. (1.6k words, smut)

Day 15 – Baking with Itachi Uchiha

Itachi doesn’t know how to bake. (headcanons, fluff)

Day 16 – Getting caught under the mistletoe with Yuji Itadori

Trying to find a way to confess to the guy that you love, you find yourself under a mistletoe with him.

Day 17 – Bringing light to your loved one’s lives with Kakashi Hatake

Kakashi Hatake is a busy man. When he spends the day in his office on Christmas Eve, forgetting what day it is, you decide to show up with something.

Day 18 – Understanding others' feelings with Dabi

Dabi hates Christmas and becomes gloomy on the Holidays, so you show him he can have a good time even though it’s his least favorite day of the year.

Day 19 – Meeting a nice barista with Megumi Fushiguro

The barista who had to work at night on Christmas Eve finds himself interested in the only person at the café.

Day 20 – Fake dating your best friend with Yuji Itadori

You bring your best friend to your family Christmas party, pretending he’s your boyfriend so your crazy aunts won’t bother you further.

Day 21 – Meeting his family with Shoto Todoroki

Shoto Todoroki finally gathers the courage to introduce you to his family.

Day 22 – Having to work on Christmas Eve with boss!Tomura Shigaraki

Tomura Shigaraki, your torment and boss, forces you to work on Christmas Eve. But of course, he’s there, too.

Day 23 – Dancing alone on Christmas night with Satoru Gojo

You and Satoru enjoy Christmas in your own way, with the lights out and in silence.

Day 24 – Exchanging gifts with Ryomen Sukuna

Finding a gift for the King of Curses – and receiving one in return – feels like a binding vow.

Day 25 – Receiving a letter from your lover

On Christmas day, you receive a letter.

Day 26 – Christmas morning together with Obito Uchiha

You wake up to a delicious smell and your loving, devoted, and caring boyfriend.

Day 27 – Christmas traditions with Itachi Uchiha

All the things you and Itachi do on Christmas, year after year.

Day 28 – Gathering between friends with Yuta Okkotsu

You and your friends gather together to celebrate the Holidays, but Yuta is anxious to have a moment alone with you.

Day 29 – Escaping from your home with Dabi, pt. 1

Your best friend and roommate don’t like it when you hang with Dabi, you always listen but on New Year’s Eve, things are about to change.

Day 30 – Having a blast on New Year’s Eve with Dabi, pt. 2

You break free from who you were – with Dabi by your side.

Day 31 – New Year’s Kiss with Yuji Itadori

After an amazing night with your best friend, you decide you will kiss him before the year ends. But you only have a few minutes left.

#s23ficmas #saber.navi

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earlgraytay · 2 years ago

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Why do you like Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn so much? Please infodump!

okay so there's a lot of reasons and I could be here all night just talking about them but to understand this, I gotta set the scene:

Radiant Dawn was my first Fire Emblem game. I didn't play Path of Radiance, I didn't even know that this game was part of a series. I was like 14 years old, this was one of the first anime-styled things I'd seen.

And the game opens like this:

youtube

A cool mysterious white-haired girl who does light magic out of a book! She gets saved by the prettiest boy, who's COOL and has KNIVES and does BACKFLIPS! The guards are chasing them through a ruined city! There's shenanigans afoot!

I fell in love instantly.

The kids are part of the Dawn Brigade, a plucky group of freedom fighters going up against an evil occupying force. they're trying to defend the common folks of their homeland. you've got your standard anime archetypes on display - your gentle healer waif, your thief with a heart of gold/overprotective big brother, your plucky swordsboy, etc.

and if that was all that the story was? If it really was the story that the game presents on the surface? It would have been fine. I probably would have remembered it with the same kind of fondness that I remember Vampire Knight or Rave Master- like, yeah, this is a bit shit, the characters are a bit flat, but it brings back happy weeb memories.

but the story is not the one the game presents on the surface.

see, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn is the second game in a subseries. the first game, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, follows most of the beats of your Standard Fire Emblem Plot- a Hero winds up befriending the Lost Princess Of A Small Nation that is Under Attack By An Evil King. through the power of friendship, dubious political alliances, and extreme violence, the King is brought down. There's more to it than that, but that's the gist.

...in Radiant Dawn, the starting cast of characters are ordinary people who live in the Evil Kingdom.

the Dawn Brigade is living in the aftermath of the scenario the heroes of Path of Radiance caused. the PoR protags made an alliance with a corrupt theocracy, Beignon, to save their homeland.... and now, Beignon is occupying Daein, the Dawn Brigade's homeland. And Beignon is treating the people of Daein with the exact same brutal oppression that the armies of Daein treated everyone with in the first game.

so even before the story really kicks off, we've already got a measure of moral complexity on the table.

And that's before our group of wide-eyed idealists makes the moral compromise of allying themselves with the deposed king's son and his father's pet war criminal. And before one of the first game's major antagonists comes back to protect the cute light mage. And before the international politics get ugly, and before the first game's protagonists become playable characters again.

This game tackles concepts like "sometimes everyone in a war can be a Good Person doing what's Best For Their Country and they're still causing untold human suffering."

concepts like "bigotry is nearly always caused by elites who want to exploit a group of people." while ALSO going into how having other people be prejudiced against you can have you make awful decisions based on what's good for you and yours. (though admittedly, not as thoroughly.)

or a storyline about corruption in the anime-Christian church, that isn't just "what if... the anime pope... was evil?" the entire church organization is completely wound up with the state. the anime pope-empress that we meet is a child and a puppet. this goes exactly as well as you think it it will.

concepts like "is conflict an inherently bad thing?" (and it's a more complicated answer than the answer you'd expect!)

"how do you come to trust other people again after being abused/neglected/surviving unspeakable horrors?"

"what is the ideal relationship between Gods and humans?"

yeah. the big stuff. in, again- a Fire Emblem game.

The game's not perfect. In particular, there's one plot device that you will either love or hate. there's some unfortunate Effeminate/Predatory Male Villain Stereotypes (I mind this less than I otherwise might, because this game also includes some understated gay representation. Yes, really!) , and if you're used to 3 Houses/3 Hopes, a lot of the supporting characters will seem a bit... flat by comparison.

But it's a fantastic game. It has my entire heart. It showed me dimensions of storytelling I wasn't aware were even really possible- much less in a video game. You can see its fingerprints all over my writing, and it's always going to have a special place in my heart.

#fire emblem #fe tellius #fire emblem radiant dawn #fe9/10 #fe10 #radiant dawn #tellius #long post is long #i love this game so much you don't even know

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kaizokuou-ni-naru · 4 years ago

Text

The Voyage So Far: Wano (Part One)

east blue (1 | 2) || alabasta (1 | 2) || skypiea || water 7 || enies lobby || thriller bark || paramount war (1 | 2) || fishman island || punk hazard || dressrosa (1 | 2) || whole cake island || wano (1 | 2)

shirahoshi seeing the sun for the first time is really a relatively minor and understated thing, among all the chaos and revelations of reverie, but it strikes me as one of the most meaningful little moments in the arc.

i LOVE the luffy fanclub. i love that a meeting of the world leaders winds up being a who’s-who with assorted friends of one of the world’s most notorious criminals, and it brings me SO much joy to see them meeting each other and being able to connect. i feel the same way about coby and rebecca meeting.

in general, and i think i said this at marineford too, i love that the one piece world is developed and interconnected and alive enough to allow for these sorts of interactions.

fucked up that this was almost a hundred chapters ago and we still have no clue what the fuck was up with this, isn’t it?

i do find the introduction of im fascinating. up until this point we’ve had two presumed final villains- blackbeard and akainu- who were first established pretty far back at jaya and enies lobby (in robin’s flashback) respectively. meanwhile, im isn’t even seen until chapter nine hundred and something. it feels very late-game, but at the same time, their existence doesn’t contradict anything previously established, and in fact jives pretty well with a lot of information more recently revealed in dressrosa.

in any case, when in doubt i do trust oda knows what he’s doing when handling his story, and i’m very excited to see what he does with this.

wano is SO PRETTY. i mentioned this before in fishman island, but i think wano is definitely the prettiest setting in the series to date. i think it’s obvious oda was both very excited to draw it and put a lot of work and research into his depiction of it, and wow does it pay off. wano is so bursting with life and detail, and frequently looks like an ukiyo-e painting come to life, and just- wow wow wow.

i love zoro and luffy’s reunion so much... i love how happy they are to see each other. it’s only been, what, a couple weeks in-universe? but luffy is pulling the full tackle-hug like he did for sabo at dressrosa. i love them.

i really like the outfits in wano, too!! zoro’s ronin look in particular i think suits him very well, and i also love luffy’s patchy yukata and robin’s geisha getup and they’re just very cool. this also applies to the non-strawhat wano characters, for the record, and kind of ties back to what i was just saying about wano being so full of detail. it has a very specific look, and everything from the outfits to the way things like the fire and the waves are drawn folds very neatly into that aesthetic.

as i’m writing this i just finished on the paramount war posts, so with that fresh on my mind, i have to say i really like the way ace (or rather, his memory) is incorporated into wano. he’s not really a major presence- that is, the fact that he was there before luffy has no real bearing on the plot. but there are people who knew and cared about him and remember him fondly, tama and yamato, and it just really helps add to this feeling that ace was a person and his life and death had real and lasting affects.

and it adds, too, to the fact that even if it took ace way too long to realize it, he was so thoroughly loved everywhere he went.

i have a lot of thoughts on the intersection of food and heroism in one piece (i keep trying to compile a coherent meta post on the subject and mostly failing). but i’ll settle for saying that in wano luffy is a hero by his own definition, as someone who shares food with others, and i doubt he realizes that, but i think it’s really interesting.

i know luffy’s fight with kaidou is kind of controversial in fandom but i love it, personally. it feels like a logical outcome for luffy to get his ass kicked the first time he tries to go up against a yonkou singlehandedly! he got wrecked when he tried to throw down with a shichibukai the first time, too, and this is just the next logical step from that.

luffy’s always been an underdog starting from nowhere and working his way up and up and up, and i love that for him. of course he’s going to get messed up the first time he tries punching an entire order of magnitude above his weight class. and then he’s going to get up and try again, and again, and again until he wins.

the act structure of wano is really neat, i think. it helps such a long and complicated arc feel a lot more structured and less interminable than it might otherwise, and it also gives specific breaks where we can cut away to the story happening on the outside world.

honestly i really like the whole udon prison segment. it’s fun! i like it for similar reasons i like the colosseum mini-arc in dressrosa, honestly, which is that there’s no real stress because we know luffy is the scariest person there by a country mile so we can just watch him go ham, and that’s fun. it consistently cracks me up that absolutely nobody is worried luffy’s in jail. they’re all just like “yeah, he’ll be fine.” and they’re right! he’s having the time of his life!

wano’s cast is fascinating, because almost nobody is who they first appear to be. almost everyone is wearing masks, whether literal or not- fitting, for an arc structured after a kabuki play. everyone is playing roles, from hiyori to denjirou to kanjurou to yasuie, and everyone lies.

this entire sequence at orochi’s party is one of my favorites in the whole arc- in fact, it was my favorite, until we reached a certain part i’ll get to in the next post. everything from komurasaki standing up for toko and slapping orochi to denjirou “killing” her to robin getting caught by the oniwabanshu and dissolving into petals to nami calling down a massive lightning bolt to cover their escape- it’s really good.

i’ve written extensively before about the smile fruits and the themes of smile and laughter in one piece and how important the freedom to feel and express emotion is. suffice it to say that for all the atrocities orochi commits against the people of wano, it’s feeding the smile fruits to the people of ebisu town that is his greatest crime, and the revelation of just what happened to those poor people ratchets up the tragedy of wano tenfold.

i do think it’s interesting to think about how if denjirou had been just a little less committed to his role, zoro would’ve killed orochi right here. it really drives home that orochi is nothing- he’s weak, he’s cowardly, he’s just lucky and clever and cruel enough to be able to get much more powerful people to do his work for him.

it’s infuriating that someone like him has been able to hold such power over the lives of the people of wano and ruin them so thoroughly, and that’s exactly the point.

wano is the arc where oda says you Will care about the supernovas and i’m like yeah

hey, another of my all-time favorite luffy panels!! i honestly just think this one sums him up as a character in a line more than almost any other- “i’m always free.”

just look at the detail on kidd’s metal hand holy shit holy shit. on occasion certain panels jump out at me that remind me that oda really is just, a genius at drawing on a technical level, even setting aside his writing and storytelling chops, and this is one of them.

oda is really, really good at creating the sense of a darkest hour- a time when all hope seems lost. the other best example in the series is in water seven, when the crew seems to be falling to pieces, merry is marked for death, robin’s gone, and the aqua laguna is coming. here, too- nobody comes to meet the akazaya nine, and the one chance they’ve waited twenty years and staked their lives on seems in danger of slipping through their fingers-

but the point of making it so all seems lost is so that when hope does appear, it shines all the brighter, and feels all the more triumphant. it’s always darkest before the dawn, and we all know how wano has been waiting for the dawn.

#the voyage so far #arc: reverie #arc: wano kuni #one piece #opmeta #not japanese #long post

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vrishchikawrites · 3 years ago

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I think you might be the first person I've seen who's simply said they don't jive with XY due to canon events. I've seen too many fanon takes on XY and how misunderstood he was which tend to completely ignore the mass killings of innocent people or even what he did to Song Lan or Xingchen.

I find Modern AUs very hard to read because WWX's and LWJ's characters always feel a little skewed but weirdly enough I can read about XY because I simply cannot whitewash his canon actions.

There's also the take the XY and WWX are similar people that I've never completely understood. Because XY is an angry character. He's angry at the world, at the people, and enjoys causing harm, even to those who would try to help him. and the fanon says WWX would be the same if he kept living on the streets and I don't see it. I feel like at his most violent he would be like a Jason Todd character. Someone who would murder and be a vigilante.

Bt the kicker is the opposite actually. The fandom says that WWX would turn out like XY because these two characters are so alike but I don't see the reverse happening. XY would have never born Madam Yu's abuse or Fangmain's half-hearted support or JC's love/hate. He'd probably murder Jiangli himself considering Xingchen in canon. He also would not save the Wens or go that far.

WWX is a hero. He is good. and I don't see how the fandom substitutes him so easily for a serial killer who did unspeakable acts of cruelty and death for his own amusement.

Um- Hiya, anon, you introduced me to things about this fandom I wasn't really aware of.

People compare WWX to XY??

*takes deep breath* oookay.

So I watch a lot of true crime documentaries. And, I happen to have studied in psychology in college. (not criminal psychology, mind, but still). A bad background doesn't necessarily make a killer. It can be a factor, but even people raised in perfectly normal households tend to become s*rial k*llers.

In the case of XY, his actions are so overthetop, his reaction to insanely vindictive, that you have to assume that something beyond his background drove him. Living on the street doesn't make children killers. It can be a factor, you can't lay blame on the circumstances alone otherwise we'd have billions of people just murdering others.

Remember, this guy broke XXC's spirit. His soul was shattered. Not a single character in MDZS is as twisted as he is.

Comparing XY to WWX means people aren't looking beyond the surface. Arguably, WWX's background is also bad. He is jaded in many ways and it shows in how ruthless he can be when provoked. But from the very beginning, we see his character's capacity for kindness and compassion.

A simple example: when JC threatens wwx with dogs during that first night at the Lotus Pier. WWX's response is to run away, not complain about JC to his parents. When they're forced to explain themselves, WWX doesn't blame JC. That is a nine year old child, chased out of a home he has just been offered after living for years on the street, threatened by a thing he most fears, and he acts compassionately.

Street children are very smart. They're sharper, wilder, and more ruthlessly practical than children raised in homes. WWX, when he entered Lotus Pier, wasn't like that. He lived for years on the street and forgot all of that when he was safe.

XY chose to do everything he did. He made a conscious choice to kill ruthlessly, to torment a good man, kill harmless priests/monks (of all things), trick someone and make them kill their best friend.

This level of maliciousness... it doesn't just pop up due to bad circumstances. There's a mental/character component you must factor in. I'm not saying XY didn't suffer, I'm saying that his circumstances aren't an excuse.

In character, WWX and XY are night and day. They may have cunning and playful personalities, both XY doesn't have the kindness and compassion that's the very essence of WWX's character.

I keep saying this: WWX very first instinct is to protect. He leans very naturally towards compassion. It comes up again and again and again in the series. He goes through horrible shit as a child and as an adult but till the very end, he isn't resentful or hateful.

There is absolutely NO WAY WWX being left on the streets would turn him into something similar to XY.

Now, if XY was raised in a more nurturing environment, would he be better? Likely, yes. Could he still snap and murder people for kicks? Likely, yes.

Can I imagine WWX ever acting like XY? No. This guy survived experimental surgery, childhood abuse, torture, being tossed into hell on earth, war, betrayal, another stint in hell on earth, mental torment, death, and resurrection. And his response to all of that BS was to shrug, say whatever, marry the prettiest cultivator of their generation, and spend time teaching kids.

I have absolutely nothing against people who like XY and believe he can be saved. I believe he can be.

But let's not fool ourselves into believing he and WWX are alike or would react similarly to the same triggers.

#reader asks #i... idk with this lol

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laufire · 3 years ago

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I can't decide whether to ask Supernatural or Wynonna Earp for the fandom asks, so you pick!

[Caption: "Both. Both. Both. Both is good." reaction gif from The Road to El Dorado.]

SPN

the first character i ever fell in love with: way back when, when I watched some episodes of season 3 with a friend, it was Ruby in 3x01-3x02. I was intrigued by her and then she was revealed to be a demon and I went 😍😍😍

a character that i used to love/like, but now do not: tbh with this character isn't as easy as stopping loving/being interested in them lmao (especially since my head is in multiple seasons simultaneously, between rewatching to make gifsets, or writing fic set in older seasons, etc. So, I really hate late seasons Dean, but I think of other times and am just as interested as I was initially. I can’t stand Sam after he got Jack trapped in the box, but I write about s4 Sam and adore him. Etc. etc.). I'm gonna say Crowley, who just was never as good as he was in season 5 IMO.

a ship that i used to love/like, but now do not: not really given my mixed feelings, but I will always say Destiel got worse with Carver's, then Dabb's era lmao. It peaked in s6 afaic tbh. Sastiel also gets worse in the last batch of episodes, sns (first putting Jack in the box, then the attitude towards Castiel in early season 15... smh).

my ultimate favorite character™: Castiel, tragically xD. Bela and Ruby are also on Stanning Levels, especially the more I write about them.

prettiest character: there were sooooooo many pretty women in this show... but you all know Rowena is at the top for me LOL. Before her it was Meg 2.0, who has one of the prettiest faces I've ever seen.

my most hated character: Dean, although again, It's Complicated xD

my OTP: Megstiel.

my NOTP: John/Mary. Fuck cupids.

favorite episode: The Man Who Would Be King is the first that comes to mind. 4x16 or 5x10 are strong contenders too.

saddest death: *lists every beloved female character evah*. Bela and Meg's are very very sad, while Ruby's mostly annoyed me because of the wasted potential, for example.

favorite season: I am obligated to say season 3 because it had Bela AND Ruby (plus the plot with Dean's slow death is really, really good). The misogyny jumped out even more than usual in it though ¬¬

least favorite season: season 14. I had to implement a reward system to myself to get me to finish it lmao.

character that everyone else in the fandom loves, but i hate: Dean is the one I get as far as hate (also love. Again, complicated). Although I must say there are a lot of fandom darlings I'm either indifferent to or even loathe. For indifferent, see Charlie or Benny. For loathing, see Victor Henriksen, who was misogynist AND tried to pressure Dean and Sam's lawyer to break privilege ¬¬. The fact that this fandom calls him cinnamon roll is proof that some people just want ~progressive fandom points without actually paying attention to the writing rme.

my ‘you’re piece of trash, but you’re still a fave’ fave: Dean xD. And I mean, I guess Castiel is a war criminal and Ruby had kinda inconvenient goals from humanity's point of view xDD

my ‘beautiful cinnamon roll who deserves better than this’ fave: Jack :))) and Kevin. Also Claire. All the Wayward girls lol. Alicia and Max. And so on lol.

my ‘this ship is wrong, nasty, and makes me want to cleanse my soul, but i still love it’ ship: Samruby I guess, but I feel no guilt. Dean/Alastair is also yikes, but I find it compelling sooo.

my ‘they’re kind of cute, and i lowkey ship them, but i’m not too invested’ ship: idk if I'm capable of this, whenever I think about a ship I'm lowkey interested in for too long I get invested LOL. Lately I've thought often about Castiel/Mary because of how hilarious I found the concept from a crackfic point of view (imagine Sam & Dean's reactions LOL)... but now I'm like hmm. Could be nice though. I partially blame @angelfishofthelord ¬¬

WYNONNA EARP

the first character i ever fell in love with: it’s been a long time but it was likely Wynonna. I think it was on the pilot, when she was completely disarmed when Dolls talked about demons like it was nothing after all she’d gone through (up to institutionalization) whenever she talked about it. I Felt That.

a character that i used to love/like, but now do not: n/a. My likes were constant lol.

a ship that i used to love/like, but now do not: n/a.

my ultimate favorite character™: Rosita is My Everything.

prettiest character: Rosita is pretty but MY GOD did the styling department did its best to hide that lmao. Waverly was gorgeous too. And Wynonna was hot.

my most hated character: I didn’t hate him, but tbh I never cared for Doc. I could tell he was getting more and more space and that was part of why I dropped the show: I just wasn’t interested in that.

my OTP: Rosita/Waverly.

my NOTP: n/a, really, but I also never cared for Doc/Wynonna.

favorite episode: the one with Rosewaves’ kiss or the alternate timeline one :DDD

saddest death: Willa’s :(((

favorite season: season 2.

least favorite season: I didn’t watch it but I’m gonna say s3 on principle xD

character that everyone else in the fandom loves, but i hate: again: not hate, but I really don’t get the hype about Doc. He is, also, Just A Guy xD

my ‘you’re piece of trash, but you’re still a fave’ fave: frankly I wouldn’t call any of my faves trash here, even jokingly. They’re good or have very limited choices!

my ‘beautiful cinnamon roll who deserves better than this’ fave: frankly, Willa deserved better. Waverly is obviously the cinnamon roll lol, but Willa’s storyline is so tragic and frankly, poorly handled.

my ‘this ship is wrong, nasty, and makes me want to cleanse my soul, but i still love it’ ship: none, really, but I’m gonna drop a mention to Rosita/Wynonna, since they did a couple fucked up things to each other xD. Glad they ended in a good place with that hilarious s4 cameo, though :P

my ‘they’re kind of cute, and i lowkey ship them, but i’m not too invested’ ship: n/a.

#casa neurotica #replies #talking to the void #my thoughts #spn thoughts #wearp thoughts #wearp #supernatural #thank you!

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ficklepicklefandoms · 5 years ago

Text

in dublin’s fair city ~ t.h

Pairing: Tom Holland x Reader

Requested: no

Word count: 2,537 (my longest one ever!)

Warnings: Binge drinking, swearing, Irish slang and pure Dublin shenanigans.

Hi guys! I’ve had this in my drafts since July which is highly criminal if you ask me! There’s a lot of things that I love about my fair city of Dublin (nickname comes from the song Molly Malone. Listen to this classic!) and I am so excited to be able to share lots of them with you through this one shot! Here comes the bad news... I have final exams in June and need to study hard to get the points I need for my university course. I’m hoping to get some things out to you guys before then but it may be Easter break before anything comes your way. Thank you for your constant support and love with my writing. Please make sure to request things in my ask box for the future! Love and hugs as always xx

My friends and I sat around a small table in The Temple Bar Pub nursing our third or fourth pint of the night. It was nearing 8 and I’d lost count of how many drinks I’d had. The Irish trad music lilting through the air and the harmonious laughter of my friends reminded me my pint was slowly emptying. It would fill up soon without a doubt on earth.

“Ah here now, would you fill your glass before you embarrass us!” My friend Faye called out to me with a large smile adorning her face.

“Well, my drink is nearly gone too so if you’re going you better fill mine too,” Jess called out to me. The rest of our large group agreed and knocked back their drinks.

“Only if you’re buying.” I hit back wittily, knocking back the remainder of the liquid and feeling the tiniest burn on my throat. I held out my hand and she placed a fifty euro note in my hand. I laughed knowing she was being scaldy and reached into my pocket to pull out another fifty euro note.

“Pints again there Y/N, you’ll need at least another two before you get a fella.” Emma laughed loudly and I rolled my blurry eyes. I scooted past Max and Sammy in our booth, collecting the empty glasses before Alannah followed me to help me carry the pints.

“John, we’re gonna need another round,” I called out to the barman. He sauntered over and took the money out of my hands. I placed the empty glasses on the bar and Alannah stood against it

“I assume yous all want the same again. Orchard Thieves or Heineken?” He asked with a chuckle, his accent thick and warm.

“What do you take us for, fecking eejits? Orchard Thieves, ya bollocks.” Alannah laughed and John moved to pull the pints.

Our group was quite large. We all kept in contact after school ended and it was rare that we were all together like old times.

John had pulled the first two pints and Alannah took them over to the table. I waited for the next two and did the same. Alannah collected her last two and I waited for my pint to be pulled. John handed me back far too much money for what we got but I accepted it, knowing it’d be a lost war.

I picked up my glass and began to head back to the table until my journey was disrupted by a body colliding into me.

“Ah swinging Jaysus watch where you’re heading!” I exclaimed as my pint went all over the floor. I silently cursed more in my mind as I was known in this pub for constantly spilling drinks. John never minded pouring me another on the house but I always felt guilty.

“I barely understood that but I sincerely apologise and I’ll buy you another pint.” A British accent spoke apologetically. I sipped what was left in the glass before meeting the eyes of the English man in front of me.

“Holy Mother of Mary I’m bloody locked if I think I’m seeing Tom Holland.” I choked as my drink got caught in my throat. Tom’s hand came in contact with my back gently as I coughed.

“You’re seeing Tom Holland love, don’t worry about being locked or whatever you called it. What’s your name?” Tom said with a slight chuckle in his voice. His hand left my back and I felt the remaining warmth

Just then, Faye came running over. She was drunk and probably thought I’d left in her state.

“Y/N, sweetheart you need to be more careful with your pi- OH MY GOOD JESUS IS THAT THE SPIDERMAN FELLA?” She shouted. Tom looked alarmed and he seemed to be looking for someone. I hit Faye a smack on the arm and she rubbed it gingerly.

“Faye head back to the table I’m getting a pint with Tom. I’ll be back in a minute.” I ushered her quickly towards the group and she began gossiping as soon as she sat down. The boys at the table bounced excitedly in their seats, wanted to meet the movie star.

“So, that pint?” Tom laughed as we walked to the bar beside each other. “What’re you drinking Y/N?”

“Thieves,” I said waving my hand to John. “It went on the floor John, you’re gonna need a mop.”

“Ah, it’s grand love don’t be worrying. The same for your fella as well?” He smirked.

“Um yeah, can we get three pints?” He asked politely as he shifted from one foot to the other. I looked at him sightly funny as he ordered the three. “Harrison should be here somewhere, MATE!” He shouted as he spotted him. Harrison walked through the crowded pub and greeted his friend. I could feel the alcohol taking effect and I could hardly believe that Tom Holland was buying me a pint.

“Who’s the girl Tom?” Harrison asked as our pints came and Tom paid.

“Y/N, Tom spilt my pint and he owes me one,” I said with a wave as I began to gulp down the cider. “My mates are at that table over there, do yous want to join us?” I asked feeling a bit confident. My mind was buzzing Tom Holland had just bought me a pint and I wasn’t going to lie to myself and say I wasn’t attracted to him. And I also quietly thought of Max and Sammy, the Marvel geeks who’d kill to chat to the web-slinging hero.

“Drinking with the prettiest girl in the pub? How could I say no?” Tom said as Harrison patted his back. I let out an embarrassed giggle and led them to the booth where my friends sat staring at us.

“Hey Y/N, the pretty girl with the short blonde hair, what’s her name?” Harrison asked as we made our way through the crowd carefully.

“Her name’s Alannah. She’s studying human nutrition in Queen’s up in Belfast. Slide in on her I doubt she’d mind,” I whispered quickly. I saw Alannah glance our way and Harrison waved softly.

“Tom and Harrison are drinking with us tonight, no objections. Tom and Harrison, the gang. Gang, Tom and Harrison. Play nice you wallys,” I said plopping down beside Tom after Harrison took a place beside Alannah, introducing himself quickly.

The group began chatting, Sammy and Max asking Tom about Spiderman and the sort. Alannah and Harrison seemed to be hitting it off quite well. Soon enough Tom and I started having a chat of our own. We talked about life, my law course at uni and his acting career. We had scooched closer together after the second pint, the cosy pub creating a homely atmosphere.

“So Y/N, where is one place I have to visit while I’m here? I know about the Guinness Storehouse and all that jazz but what’s your favourite place?” Tom asked me quietly as the group chatted around us. Without hesitation, I answered.

“The Iveagh Gardens without question. It’s so beautiful. We’re heading to a concert there tonight if you and Harrison want to tag along, Emma will get you tickets in minutes.” I said with a wave to Emma. She nodded her head and began texting on her phone. “She’s owed a favour by the lads at Aiken.” Tom smiled widely and placed his arm around my shoulders. I felt my body stiffen at his touch but I rapidly moulded into his body, enjoying the heat it provided.

“I’m sure it’s beautiful but I doubt anything I see will ever be as beautiful as you.” He whispered into my ear. My cheeks were already quite red from the pints I’d been drinking but I swear at that moment I was officially a tomato.

“Y/N, polish off your drink there it’s nearly 10. Gates are opening in fifteen minutes. It's not too far a walk but you know what we’re like.” Max spoke to me across the table. He completed his pint as the table began to finish up their drinks and grab their coats.

My pint remained virtually untouched, Tom’s stunning eyes distracting me from it. Me being myself, I couldn’t let a good and full pint go to waste so, I did what any good Irish girl would. I decided to neck it.

“Hey Y/N watch it!” Tom laughs as he watches me intently.

“Don’t worry about her, she’s done it more than once.” Jess laughed. The girls started playing a drumroll on the table as I continued to knock back my pint. Tom’s eyes glinted with something I couldn’t quite place but he clapped loudly with the others as I slammed my glass onto the mahogany table.

“Right darlings, let us head to the gardens of Iveagh to hear the kings play,” I announced as I tugged on my leather jacket and grabbed my bag.

“The Kings? Are they some cool Irish band or something?” Tom asked as our group began to leave the pub.

“No silly, I just call them that. It’s a benefit concert for the homeless and there are tons of great Irish artists playing the gig. Walking On Cars, Keywest, Inhaler, Kodaline and the greatest band to come out of Dublin City, Aslan.” I waved goodbye to the barmen and John as the warm July air greeted me.

Tom looked visibly confused as we followed the group out onto the cobbled streets of Temple Bar.

“I’ve never heard of them before. Are they any good?” He asked curiously as we began our walk to the park at the back of the group. I could see Harrison and Alannah chatted animatedly and smiled to myself. I was hoping things would go well with the pair.

“Well you see, they were huge in the eighties. My ma was a huge fan of them and ended up becoming mates with them. She and her friends used to get all-access passes to the gigs in The Towers in Ballymun and they’d have a mental time.” I finished quickly with a sigh. My cheeks burned as Tom’s gaze held mine as we trudged up Grafton Street, the sound of buskers and their music made my heart warm.

“If they’re any good I might become of groupie myself.” Tom laughed as we passed by the gates of St Stephen’s Green.

“Luas! Quick leg it!” I shouted as the tram began to move along the tracks. MY group of friends yelled loudly as they rushed to get the other side of the tracks in one piece. Seeing that Tom had no idea what I was on about, I grabbed his hand and pulled him across the tracks with me, the two of us laughing loudly as we broke our hands apart to have a spontaneous race to the top of Harcourt Street.

We finished our race out of breath with Tom winning by the skin of his teeth. I want to emphasis that strongly. Skin. Of. His. Teeth.

“Not bad at all. But please tell me we’re almost there, I could use a drink.” Tom laughed as his body heaved, begging for air to enter his lungs.

“It’s a two-minute walk but we’ll need to wait for Emma. She has the tickets and I’ll have to name drop so we can get barrier.” I breathed, placing my hands on my knees as I gasped for air with a smile.

“You are one of a kind aren’t you Y/N.” Tom grinned as I looked up at him from my defeated position.

“Mr Holland, what in the world do you mean by that?” I let out a schoolgirl’s giggle and silently kicked myself in the arse. I’d known this handsome man for no less than three hours and was slightly tipsy but that was beside the point. As I stared into his eyes, my heart began to burn with a feeling I hadn’t ever felt before.

“What I mean is, you don’t meet a girl like you ever Millenium. You’re unique and funny and seem to have the coolest life. I don’t want this night to end. Ever.” He replied. My cheeks flushed with an unknown feeling. My heart was fit to burst and I finally had the strength to straighten myself into an upright position.

“I’ll have you know that the night hasn’t even started yet. Our little group is on our tail so we’ll be in the gates where our night will begin in a matter of minutes.” I smiled. He stared back at me with a mixture of relief and happiness. “And this is completely off record, but when the night officially starts, I don’t think I’m going to want it to end either.”

He let out a breathy chuckle and took my hand in his as the group caught up to us. Alannah and Harrison were snuggled closely together thanks to Harrison’s arm perched around her shoulder. She sent a giddy smile my way and my heart exploded with pride. She had truly grown up now.

Our group seemed to be louder than the whole queue combined and it was no different when Emma flashed the tickets to gain us entry into the beautiful park. I had to become a storyteller to try and convince the lovely security man, Declan, to let us in to get barrier, but it turns out I didn’t have to.

“L/N? As in your mother is Y/M/N? Christy has you all sorted don’t worry. Take it as the babysitting money.” Declan smiled at me. I let out a laugh and thanked him graciously before he led us into the park for prime standing room.

“Whatever you need, just ask. Drinks are free. Christy’s orders. I’ll grab yous all some pints and I’ll be back in a few.” Declan smiled. We all shouted our thanks and stood to wait for the band to come on.

The 10 minutes came and went. Soon enough Aslan’s set began and I truly had an out of body experience. Tom kept his arm gripped around my waist as the set went on. I felt warmth and safety with his arm around me.

“Oh my god, this is my favourite song!” I let out a loud yell as the chords of their song Crazy World were heard out of the speakers. Tom laughed as I wiggled out of his grasp to down my pint and start dancing. Everyone in the park could feel the cosmic energy that the band emitted as they played their most famous song.

Tom joined me in my dance, spinning me around and acting the eejit as I screamed the lyrics at the top of my lungs. When we locked eyes through our hazy, adrenaline-induced vision I felt like home could be anywhere as long as I saw his eyes.

“What would you do if I kissed you right here, right now?” Tom shouted over the noise as my breath caught in my throat. My mind went completely blank as I let my ‘fuck it’ mentality kick in. I did what any good Irish girl would do. I kissed him. Pure. Bliss.

In that very minute, Dublin became even fairer. And I had never felt more alive.

#tom holland imagine #tom holland #tom holland x reader #harrison osterfield #harrison osterfeild imagine #harrison osterfeild x reader #dublin #writer #writing #imagine #imagines

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invisibleanonymousmonsters · 5 years ago

Text

Non-Sequential [Ch. 19]

Pairing: Pre-Serum Steve Rogers/Steve Rogers x Reader

One night, Steve Rogers met a beautiful dame named Y/N. He hadn’t intended on letting her get away. But fate had other ideas. Y/N appeared and disappeared in his life so hauntingly that Steve started to wonder if she was an angel meant to watch over him.

Word Count: 3,114

Chapter 18

It really didn’t matter that Steve wanted to meet so early. Y/N hadn’t even fallen asleep. It was partly from still recovering from her trauma and partly from her anxiety of meeting up with Steve. She knew it was ridiculous. They had been dating for over a year, known each other since their teenage years.

So, why did Y/N feel like she was going on a first date?

Y/N put on a little makeup, mostly to cover the shadows under her eye. The last thing she needed was to show proof to Steve that she was barely sleeping.

With one final look in the mirror, Y/N sighed. That was as good as it was going to get. A part of her didn’t know why she bothered. Steve had seen her at her best and her worst. Even when she didn’t have a stitch of makeup on or had the flu, he still told her she was beautiful. Even more importantly, he made her feel that way too.

Y/N opened her bedroom door and jumped when she saw that Steve was already waiting on the other side.

“Jesus, Steve!” She gasped and put a hand over her heart. “How long have you been standing out here?”

“I just got here and was about to knock on your door. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He really did look sorry.

“It’s fine,” she told him. Then she shifted her weight. The awkwardness of the whole thing quickly returned.

“Ready to go?” He asked her.

She nodded.

Steve started leading her through the palace. For someone who hadn’t spent much time in Wakanda, he walked with confidence when it came to directions there.

“Sleep OK?” Steve asked, trying to make conversation. But he knew better than to ask her anything real. She wasn’t a morning person and he knew that.

“Mhmm,” she hummed and added a nod.

Steve knew that was her attempt at lying without actually lying. But he didn’t push it.

Eventually they found their way outside. The sun was just about to come up, making the sky the prettiest shades of pink and lavender.

Y/N was so busy looking at the sky that she didn’t notice there were two palace orderlies holding the reigns of two different horses. It took her a moment to process that these horses were for her and Steve.

“Is that a look of confusion or a look of fear?” Steve asked nervously.

Had he made a mistake? Was this a terrible idea?

But Y/N caught his worried tone and immediately adjusted.

“Neither. I was just surprised. Are we going horseback riding?”

Steve looked nervously between the two horses. He had already grabbed the reigns from the two orderlies and thanked them, sending them on their way.

“Is that OK?”

Y/N finally smiled. It really was like a first date. Steve was nervous as hell, as if he didn’t already know her inside and out. “Yes, Steve, it’s OK.” She finally laughed.

Then she grabbed the reigns of one of the horses and immediately started petting it.

“I just didn’t know you knew how to ride horses,” Y/N teased without stopping her petting or looking away from animal.

Steve had the audacity to blush at that. “During the war, the Howlies and I got stuck behind enemy lines. They couldn’t pull us out, so we just started walking. Halfway through the trek, we came upon a dozen horses. You learn how to ride real quick when it’s life or death.”

Y/N finally looked up at him with a sheepish grin. “No matter how many times it happens, I’m always surprised by how the man who’s lived so many different lives also seems to be good at everything.”

Steve blushed and bowed his head. “I’m not good at everything,” he muttered under his breath.

“Only people that are good at everything say that,” she shot back with a smile.

Steve would take Y/N’s teasing of her ignoring him any day. Hell, he’d sign up for a roast on national television, hosted and starring her, if it meant getting back on her good side.

Now he saw her eyeing the saddle and looked a little unsure of herself.

“You know how to mount?” He asked carefully.

Then it was her turn to look embarrassed. “I’ve always had a little stool when I do this…”

Steve gave her a small reassuring smile, making sure she understood that it was nothing to be embarrassed by.

“Here. Let me help you,” he offered before walking over.

Any other person would cup their hands together and tell her to step in as they lifted. But not Steve. He told her to put her foot in the stirrup and then, with his hands on her waist, he lifted her high enough that she could swing her other leg over the saddle.

Every once in awhile, Y/N forgot how strong Steve really was. Then she was reminded at times like these and it usually left her all hot and bothered.

Steve kept a hand on her thigh longer than necessary. But in his mind, he was just making sure she was seated safe and sound.

Once he was convinced that she was okay, he moved to his own horse. And, of course, he mounted like he had been born to ride horses. Y/N almost rolled her eyes at the sight.

“You good?” Steve asked, which was just his way of asking if she knew how to ride without sounding patronizing.

“Yeah, I’m just glad you didn’t bring the rhinos to ride.” She replied before digging her heels slightly and urging the horse into a walk.

“Wait, what?”

“Exactly.” Then Y/N looked back at his face and couldn’t help but giggle.

Steve smirked at the sound. Her smiles and laughter were few and far between. He’d take any that he could get, even if that meant that they came from mocking him.

They eased the horses into a slow walk. Steve knew what trails they should follow and Y/N let him lead the way. They kept the conversation light. Steve didn’t dare ask how she was recovering in Wakanda. Bucky had already enlightened him on the turmoil of Y/N’s life since he had abandoned her.

Y/N had to offer up that information.

But Steve did tell her where he had been, what he had been doing. He answered all of her questions and made sure to be as specific as possible. It was sensitive information – being on the run from basically every government and all. But there was no one he trusted more than her.

Y/N asked how everyone was doing. She had grown so close to them through her relationship with Steve. They were her friends and her family.

Steve explained that Clint and Scott had made a deal with the government so they could return to their families. Y/N frowned when she realized the “deal” was staying under house arrest.

“We’re doing OK, Y/N.” Steve finally added softly after he saw how she was getting more and more distressed about the team.

“I saw Tony…before I left,” she suddenly told him. “Apparently he made quite the scene in London, trying to bring me back to the medical wing of the Compound.”

With the mentioning of Tony, Steve’s jaw clenched and he narrowed his gaze to the horizon in the distance.

“I’m not sure he’ll ever forgive me,” Steve muttered under his breath.

Y/N’s heart broke at such a statement. She was a witness to the two men’s friendship. Yes, they bickered. Yes, they argued. Yes, they had a different way of seeing justice, and even right and wrong. But they loved each other. They were practically brothers.

“Do you know why he dragged me back to the Avengers’ Compound?” She asked him gently.

But he just looked at her, waiting for the answer.

“Because he wanted me to have the best care. And he did that because he knows how much I mean to you.” She sighed. “It doesn’t matter what’s happened between the two of you, because he proved that he would still do anything for the people you love, Steve.”

His face softened at the concept. But then he gave her a little side smirk. “You’re missing a big piece though…”

Her eyebrow quirked. “What?”

“He doesn’t care about you just because I love you, Y/N. You’re family to him too. Has nothing to do with me. I’m just the one that introduced the two of you.”

Y/N smiled at that. But then a thought was nagging in the back of her head. “He’s basically there all alone. Rhodey is constantly traveling for his job. And from what you’ve said, Vision is just constantly looking for his next chance to see Wanda. I don’t know if him and Pepper ever worked things out.”

“That’s what I was worried about,” Steve sighed.

A moment of silence passed between them.

“What are we going to do, Steve?”

He bowed his head, but said nothing. He wasn’t going to lie, because he knew that he had no idea what they could do next.

“Are you going to be on the run for the rest of our lives? Are we just going to live in Wakanda? Are you really OK with being labeled a criminal from now on?”

Steve looked into her eyes with the most heartfelt and apologetic gaze. “I don’t know, Y/N. But I promise I’m figuring it out.”

Y/N nodded and glanced down, petting her horse’s neck. “Guess it doesn’t really matter though, does it?”

He narrowed his gaze. “What do you mean?”

She looked back at him again. “As long as we’re together, nothing else really matters. We’ll have each other.”

Steve swore his heart stopped at her words. He stared into her eyes, making sure she knew that he understood and, even more importantly, agreed.

Eventually, he had to tear his eyes away from her. Then he pulled his horse to a stop. Y/N followed.

“This is why I made you get up so early,” Steve pointed ahead of them.

They had stopped their horses at the edge of a hill, allowing them to clearly see a ravine below with all its hills and valleys. But what Steve pointed to was the rising sun.

“I’ve heard Shuri and T’Challa talk about the sunsets here… but they’ve never mentioned the sunrises,” Y/N said in awe as she took in the beautiful colors.

Steve nodded silently.

After a few minutes, Y/N finally managed to tear her eyes away from the scene. Steve was already waiting for her gaze.

“Thank you…for doing all this,” she told him softly.

He just gave a modest grin and then dismounted.

Steve was no fool. He knew he had to do more than just horseback riding at sunrise to win her back.

He reached for something that was on the other side of his saddle.

“Come on. I brought reinforcements.” Then he held up what looked to be a large thermos and a bag.

“What’s that?” Y/N asked.

“Coffee and some pastries – I think they’re called vitumbua?”

Steve was already at her side. He didn’t offer his help when she dismounted, but he stayed close by just in case.

Apparently Steve had thought of everything, because he spread out a blanket for them to sit on as well.

They laid down, drinking coffee and eating.

Y/N couldn’t remember the last time she let this relaxed feeling wash over her. It seemed Steve was the only one to help with it.

They didn’t force conversation, because they didn’t need to. When either of them had something to say, they said it. But they weren’t afraid of comfortable silences.

“You should’ve brought your sketchbook,” Y/N told him, leaning her head on his shoulder.

Steve hummed in agreement. “Next time,” he promised with a quick, whisper of a kiss to her forehead.

“I’ll bring my camera,” Y/N added with a dreamy smirk.

“There was this small village we were hiding out in a few months back. It was in the countryside of France, right by the border of Switzerland and Italy. The entire time I was there, I just kept thinking about how much you would’ve loved it. You’d be taking so many pictures that I wouldn’t even be able to get a glimpse of your face – your camera would be blocking you from me the whole time.”

Y/N took in a deep breath, admitting to herself that it sounded like a lovely concept.

She turned to him. “Maybe that’s what we should do.”

“What?”

“Find someplace beautiful. Small population. Somewhere no one will recognize you. No internet connection. Minimum connection to the outside world.”

“Easier said than done,” Steve pointed out.

Her shoulders slumped, realizing he knew better than she did.

After a couple of hours, they figured it was time to get back to the palace.

But they took the long way home, choosing a different route so they could see even more scenery of the Wakandan countryside.

Steve didn’t realize how close to the border they had come. Not too far away, were the first people, besides farmers in the distance, that they had seen during their ride.

But they must’ve seen the couple first, for they were already riding in their direction.

Steve squinted and shielded his eyes from the sun, his super-soldier sight being able to see clearer than Y/N’s.

“You weren’t kidding about those rhinos, were you?” He thought aloud.

30 seconds later, they were surrounded by half a dozen men. Two of them quickly dismounted from the rhinos while the other four remained seated in their saddles. However, all of them eyed Steve and Y/N with weary glares.

One of them spoke in Wakanda’s native tongue, even though they were clearly dressed like outsiders. Wakanda may have officially just opened its borders to the world, but the people of Wakanda still did not trust foreigners.

Steve dismounted from his horse. However, he was put on edge when Y/N did the same.

“What brings you to the border?” The same man asked the same question, now in English. His accent was still thick.

“We’re friends of King T’Challa. I’m sorry… have we offended you in some way?” Steve asked when he saw the men’s hands hovering over the spears or knives buckled to their waists.

“King T’Challa?” The man spat as if it was a terrible lie. Then he turned around and started talking to his men, anger and irritation clear in his tone.

Steve moved closer to Y/N, stepping forward so he could easily move to shield her if need be.

“Steve, this is the Border Tribe,” she muttered quietly.

“Yeah?” He obviously didn’t fully understand what that meant.

“They were the group behind the civil war. They suffered a great deal when Kilmonger tried to take the throne from T’Challa. Now is not the time for them to welcome outsiders,” Y/N warned him.

The leader turned around again and got in Steve’s face. “Who did you steal these horses from?”

Steve held up his hands, trying his best to keep the peace. “They belong to King T’Challa. I told you, we are friends of the King. We mean no harm. We were only going for a ride – just passing through.”

Suddenly one of the men had grabbed both of the horses’ reigns and pulled them roughly away from Steve and Y/N.

Next thing they knew, one of them was grabbing Y/N.

Her entire body went hot. She could hear her own heartbeat pulsating in her ears, making it impossible to hear anything else around her. Her entire body started trembling. She couldn’t breathe. There was suddenly a tightness in her chest, like 500 pounds was pressing on it.

Y/N was having a panic attack.

Everyone had been so careful about invading her space and touching her. But the trauma of Hydra was still far too fresh.

She was getting flashbacks of being stuck back in time, getting tortured every day.

The panic attack could’ve lasted seconds or an hour. She couldn’t tell.

All Y/N knew was that when she came to, Steve was clutching her face and telling her over and over again that she was OK.

Y/N blinked and looked around. All of the men had been knocked off their feet, clutching various injuries and looking at Steve with utter fear.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Steve muttered to Y/N as he pulled her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her protectively.

Then there were sounds of someone running to approach them. Y/N felt Steve’s entire body tense and shifted so he was blocking their view of Y/N. He was already prepared to defend once again.

But it was one of the Royal Guards. He must’ve been stationed in the village after the civil war to assure there were no more rebellions conjured up.

“Captain Rogers, I apologize. Had I known they had come to address you, I would’ve made sure they knew who you were,” he told him with the bow of his head.

Steve relaxed, but kept Y/N in his arms, rubbing soothing circles on her back and arm.

“Please, can you contact someone to bring us back? She can’t ride.”

The guard immediately nodded his head and took a few steps away to contact someone with his kimoyo beads.

But Y/N had not stopped shaking. Not even Steve’s body warmth could stop it. He quickly grabbed the blanket from his saddle and wrapped it around her.

“You’re OK. I got you,” he murmured to her. “Just keep taking deep breaths.”

It was strange to think the man who tried to comfort her so gently now was the same man who could’ve easily killed those six men in seconds.

But this wasn’t about Steve’s fierce protectiveness of Y/N.

This was the first time Steve had actually witnessed Y/N’s trauma for himself. All it took was a few men to invade her space, to touch her, and her mind and body were thrown back to place of torture and fear.

“I-I’m OK,” Y/N tried to lie through her trembling.

Steve clenched his jaw, not having any intention of addressing that it was obvious how not okay she was. At least…not yet.

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

Chapter 20

A/N: I know this took me awhile. Honestly, things have no been great. This summer has just been...pretty terrible TBH. So writing and finishing this series has not been easy. That’s not be looking for attention or help, just wanted to be real about why these updates are less frequent than my other series.

#non-sequential series #non-sequential chapter 19 #steve rogers x reader #captain america x reader #steve rogers reader insert #steve rogers angst #steve rogers fluff #marvel reader insert #steve rogers series #steve rogers fic #steve rogers x you #captain america x you #pre serum steve rogers #pre serum!steve rogers x reader #pre-serum!steve rogers #non-sequential part 19

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melwritesbadly · 4 years ago

Text

With Wings in All Black

After a tragic turn of events, Kazama Kaori , AKA Hex, has her investigation swept out from under her by the #2 Pro Hero. Reluctantly she joins Hawks in the pursuit of justice. On top of trying to solve the biggest case of her career, Kaori is still a young woman struggling to find her place in the world. Life is turned upside down as her professional and personal lives start to blend.

Rating: T (subject to change)

Content Warnings: mild language, implied violence/death

________________________________________________________

Missing Person

Name: Sakata Naomi

Date(s) of birth used: April 17, XXXX Place of Birth: Otsu, Shiga Prefecture

Hair: Brown (may have been dyed red) Eyes: Brown

Height: 167.3 cm Weight: 60.6 kg

Sex: Female Race: Japanese

Quirk: Painless

__________

Three for Communion

After the welcome departure of June, the rest of the meeting was spent going over everything she had acquired investigating on her own with Duke, and Hawks.

All those missing were convicted of some crime at one time or another. All were relatively young, Takei Kenji being the oldest. All under-educated with dead-end jobs linking them to large crime syndicates. Strangely, after their disappearances the area noticed a steep decrease in reported criminal activity.

“At first I thought it was Vigilantes,” spoke Hex physically piecing together the evidence on the large table in the conference room “But then Kenji reappeared. According to his mother he was acting differently.”

“People change.” offered Duke “Maybe he cleaned up his act?”

“Maybe so.” Hex paused shifting through her notes “But then this name came up.” she pulled the paper she had written ‘The Bard’ on.

“Who’s he?” asked Hawks, plucking the tab of the can he was holding. This was the first he was hearing about this mysterious figure.

“No idea” Hex shrugged. “I was hoping to catch some audio of Kenji talking about him at the bar last night but well.. you know…”

“Poor bastard” commented Duke shaking his head.

“You’re the one who found him right? I haven't read the report yet. How... did he die?” her voice dropped off.

Hex didn’t have much experience with the dead. She had been to one funeral in her life but her Deda had passed naturally, slipping away in the night. He had looked peaceful in a strange sort of way.

Hex doubted Kenji was at similar peace.

“Not the prettiest picture. Looked like he had been dumped where I found him. Very much like a statement but I’m no detective.” Duke leaned back in his chair clasping his hands on the table “Anyway, he was nearly in pieces, strangely enough, whoever did him in left the hands.” He held his own up in a macabre example.

“Damage from the quirk is similar to the injuries a U.A.teacher sustained from a member of the L.O.V. when they attacked their training center last year.” added Hawks.

Nasty, Hex reminded herself to mentally brace for the pictures once she did get the postmortem report.

“So much for his quirk.” Hawks took the last gulp from his can then zoomed it towards the bin at the other end of the room with a feather. His tone equally normal and used to such violence.

Hex frowned, she never wanted this to be normal for her. But, those were thoughts for later. Now... new thoughts and possibilities ran through her mind.

“If the League is somehow involved...” brushing a hand through her hair tilting her head in thought.

Her seemingly random encounter with the number 2 Hero made a little more sense now. It would certainly help people feel at ease knowing that someone like Hawks was on the case but Hex doubted that word of Kenji’s death, or the other disappearances, would ever be publicly released.

If she didn’t know any better, and she did, Hawk’s involvement had to be something else. She sighed.

“And here I thought it was altruism that brought you to the case. If The League is involved of course the HPSC would have their best on cleanup duty instead of someone like me.”

“So jaded Hex.” Hawks chimed “A woman after my own heart. I know it’s not pretty but let’s make the most of it yeah?”

“Yeah yeah.” she shuffled through her notes once more looking for her quick looks at each missing person.

“So why kill Takei?” asked Duke

“You said it yourself, it looked like they were making a statement. Maybe if we can cross reference those missing with known league activity?” she paused, eyes darting back and forth between the papers trying to find the connection.

“Turf war?” she muttered to herself tapping her finger to her lower lip.

“I’ll have Mr. Condor look over these. If there’s a connection he’ll find it. The police are pulling the phone records for that burner. Should have those by tomorrow.” Hex assumed Mr. Condor was another one of Hawks’s sidekicks.

“Then we can start knocking on doors and knocking heads!” added Duke punching his palm. Hex nodded, feeling useful and confident for the first time since she started looking into this matter.

---------

She parted with the Hero’s some time later and posed to meet Mayu for a promised dinner with her advance pay June, her new manager, provided her.

The two sat at their table picking at their food and sipping their drinks.

Kaori listened to Mayu go on about a woman who kept coming to her bar and asking her out. She simply nodded and continued to listen to her friend go on about her much simpler life compared to her own.

“It’s going to be so weird without you around.”

“I’m barely at the apartment anyway. Just a few days here and there. Just like a regular 9-5 In a weird sort of way I guess.” Kaori chuckled. “I’m a commuter now.”

“Only you’re a commuter who kicks bad guy butt!” Mayu punched the air, “Seriously though. I know I’ll miss you, but like... Are you ok with this?”

Kaori sighed

“Not ideal, but it’s a means to an end.” She paused “Better get used to the idea of Hero reporters skulking around the apartment though.”

Mayu rolled her eyes and drummed her hands on the table.

“It’s not going to be that bad, besides,” she flicked her hair “I’m always ready for the paparazzi!”

Kaori laughed.

“Yeah you thrive off the attention. You’re like the neediest houseplant.”

“All the more reason for you to hurry up in Fukuoka and come home and drown me with your affection and company!” Kaori playfully kicked her friends legs under the table.

“If you're going to be that lonely, invite a friend over.” shooting the bluenette a coy look.

“PB! How spicy of you to suggest” May shimmied her shoulders but then dropped them “To be honest, I’m in a bit of a slump.” pouting, rolling a bit of napkin into a tight ball fiddling with it between her fingers.

“Well what about that girl you were talking about earlier? The one from the bar, you said she’s cute and you seem interested?”

“I don’t know.” she sighed “She’s said she’s just visiting- so nothing long term.”

“When has that stopped you before, Yu?” Kaori smirked, gnawing on the little straw in her drink. Mayu grinned in return.

“It hasn’t, but…I just-with my quirk she just seems so… it’s all muddy with sharp angles.”

“You really shouldn’t be using your quirk on strangers without their consent.” shooting her friend a stern look.

Mayu scoffed and held her wrists out.

“Arrest me then Hero.” Kaori swatted them away.

“Just do go prying where you shouldn’t be. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

“Ah, I’ll be fine. If it gets that bad you’ll come save me right? Hero?” Mayu flicked the napkin ball at her best friend.

“Always, you brat.” Kaori tutted and tried to hide her smile.

“That’s me!” Mayu chirped “Think of the headlines PB!” another giggle.

“Local Hero saves hopelessly horny romantic who doesn't know how to leave well enough alone. More on page 3” Kaori sips her drink.

“Ha! Sounds about right. Oh!” she excitedly bounces in her seat “Then, then- the local tabloid will get hold of it and cast us as lovers. Our passionate affair revealed for all to see.”

“You have too much time to think of stuff like that Yu.” Mayu shrugged cupping her cheeks in her hands.

“Well someone has to. I could be like your media guru. We should make you a twitter!”

“Ah pass.”

“Get with the times Hexy baby, all the pro’s have a twitter. Endevor has a twitter- your mom has a twitter!”

“Wait, seriously?” Kaori bobs her head back “How do you know my mom has a twitter?”

“We’re mutuals” she makes a little heart with her hands “Who else can I talk about my PB with?” Kaori sighs feeling her good mood sour.

“You mean spy on me.” Mayu puffed up her cheeks and threw another napkin ball at her.

“Not spy, just talk. She misses you. Maybe you should…” Mayu trailed off knowing how gloomy Kaori got thinking about her parents. She watched Kaori press down her feathers at her neck then pinch her nose, eyes fixated on the condensation on her glass.

“I should call them huh?” Kaori seemed far away, Mayu knew to tread carefully.

When she had first met Kaori she had felt so buried. She’s certain her family hates her. But how can they? How can anyone hate her when she always tries her hardest. Even if she’s hard on herself too.

Even with her quirk, Mayu doesn't know much about the situation. All she knows is that Kaori feels selfish and guilty about whatever happened.

“Well, I mean, yeah that’s a good idea!” Mayu encouraged “That way you can warm them to not reveal your adorable baby photos to the press!”

“I bet my mom would totally do that.” Kaori snorts leaning her elbows on the table and messes through her hair.

“You can tell them the good news too!” Noting her friends pessimistic, but open, demeanor.

“Well I wouldn’t call it good news Yu.” Mayu waved her off.

“It is good news PB. You get to work with the number 2 Hero!”

“Hooray.” Kaori dryly cheered, not anywhere close to as excited as Mayu was on the subject.

“That’s the spirit PB.” Mayu laughed, used to Kaori’s glib humor but noted the strange far off look in her eyes. “Hmm? What’s up?”

Kaori blinked, regaining her focus.

“Just, thinking I guess. You’re right Yu.” Mayu beamed.

“I’m always right PB, ‘bout what?”

“My parents, I should call them. I’m sure dad already knows but…” she trailed off continuing to mess with her hair as Mayu looked at her expectantly “It’s nothing, it’s fine I’ll try to call them in the morning.” Kaori fumbled with her words not really sure how to articulate her feelings on the matter.

Mayu reached over and clasped her hands around Kaori’s.

“Personal growth, proud of you PB. Ooo, I’m so excited for you! You’re going to be the next big thing! I know it!” she let go of Kaori’s hands and clapped her fingers together, giddy,

“Pshh, yeah sure. ‘Introducing your new number 1 Hero, Hex!’” Kaori mocked in a dramatic announcer voice “No thank you.”

“Well maybe not number 1 or 2…or 3-” Kaori cut her off.

“Your confidence in me is humbling.” That caused Mayu to laugh.

“ All I want is your first piece of merchandise, OK? Remember I wear a ladies medium.”

“Oh jeesh, I don’t even want to think about stuff like that.” Kaori sighed “I bet the manager is already cooking up insane publicity stunts to make my life miserable.”

“It can’t be that bad?” Kaori made a scrunched up face.

“Well, I didn’t make the best impression and came out swinging. She is determined to brand me.”

“Brand?” Mayu tilted her head. “like cattle? Weird...”

“Err, uh, It’s Hero jargon. She wants to market me because I fit the aesthetic of the agency.”

“Ah, because bird.” Kaori nodded at Mayu’s simple but accurate reasoning “Oh that reminds me! I was looking up bird facts this morning.” Kaori rolled her eyes.

“Oh this’ll be good.” waving for her friend to continue.

“Did you know, “ Mayu started putting her most matter of fact face on “that crows and the red-tailed hawk are natural enemies.”

“Oh, I know.” Kaori responded in a knowing lilting tone. Recalling how her inner instincts itched at her brain last night to flee or call for backup at being alone and ambushed on the rooftop with a predator Hawks. But he was more man than bird and was decidedly not a threat to her. Annoying, yes. Intimidating, no.

“But!” Mayu started up again an even more exciting bird fact bubbling forth “But, ok. So red tailed hawks eat crows, poor babies. But a red shouldered hawk will work with crows to take down larger birds like owls and other birds of prey!” Mayu grinned and fluttered her eyes giving Kaori a coy look causing the dark haired woman to shake her head.

“Fine, I’ll bite. Which one is Hawks?” knowing that is where her friend was going with this entire line of thought.

“No clue, you’ll have to ask him for science.” she shrugged with a grin and a wink.

“Biology.” Kaori pointed trying to hide the small smirk hiding at the corner of her lips.

“Biology is still science! But I guess it doesn't matter friend, foe. Either way sounds fun, though I personally would prefer being devoured.” Mayu rolled her eyes blissfully and Kaori felt a small flush on her neck kicking her friend's shin causing Mayu to laugh.

“And which would you prefer, Miss. Chickadee?” referring to the text she had spied that morning.

Kaori groaned and pressed her fingers to her eyes.

“Death.” Mayu cackled.

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

A woman wearing an American Hero Association pin on her collar sits going over her notes of her time in Japan. This cyclitic system changes nothing. The flaws and cracks crumbling its foundation. Yet it persists…

She was sent here to learn, to find the best way to expand their influences over Hero society.

Every mask she had come into contact with was so trusting. It was too easy to get them to talk, so easy she didn't even need to use her quirk to loosen their lips.

It was boring.

Boring, but still- Hakon needed her.

The front office buzzer signaled a visitor at the door. The hour was late but that didn’t matter. Her door was always open to any lost souls.

“Mr. Darma, please show our guest in.”

Ben Darma did not have an AHA pin on his collar, instead he sported one with an indigo triangle on it. His hair was much shorter than it was 7 months ago. He filled out his clothes much healthier and he felt-

He felt...

He felt!

He felt

Content.

He had been so lost, so wayward. Now he had everything he needed. Ben wanted to give other people what they deserved, what they needed....

Ben Darma has never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bard.

Soon. Ms. Alice promises. He was so close to ascending to the next level. Just a bit more dedication then his true potential could manifest.

“May I help you?” Ben had opened the door revealing a tired young woman. She was anxiously tapping her foot as she finished off her cigarette. She was skinny, tired, but notably used.

By society, by others, by her own vices. She was perfect for Bard’s teachings.

“Err uh,” Naomi paused mid drag. Honestly she wasn’t expecting anyone to answer. She had felt foolish giving in a bit to her own despair tonight. Sick of bruising her knuckles in alleys, sick of dodging the police, her family.

The sweet lull of a new life, a better life was too hopeful a promise to beat down into her subconscious tonight.

“Are you lost, miss?” the tall, well dressed man asked her.

“No, uh- I’m looking for Kenji? Is he here? He said he would be.”

The man before her was a foreigner though he spoke naturally. Sharp features that Naomi found attractive though his eyes were...unsettling. The hair at the back of her head stood up as she met his dull drooping gaze. Kenji had similar eyes though his were not so dark.

“Did Mr. Takei happen to give you his card?” He asked, unblinking. Naomi took another nervous drag from her cigarette and fished the now slightly rumpled business card out of her back pocket. The man took it from her and quickly pressed out the folds in the card.

“Very good, would you like to come in miss?” the man finally moved out of the doorway and held a hand out gesturing her inside the dark office space.

Stomping out the butt of her cigarette Naomi stepped inside.

Kenji had called his organization a type of charity but this place didn’t look like any soup kitchen or halfway house she had ever seen. Her escort brought her through what looked like an office towards a woman who was standing next to a desk. She was tall, lean with straw blond hair and the bluest eyes Naomi had ever seen.

“Welcome, are you lost?” the willow of a woman asked Naomi and she squinted pressing her lips into an unsure line. The question set her hair on edge again.

“No, not lost. I told your friend here, I’m looking for Kenji. He said he’d be here?” Naomi nervously tugged out her pack of smokes smacking the pack against her palm. The man stood behind her hands folded neatly and the blond woman eyed the pack of oral vices with an annoyed crease in her brow.

“Stop that.” the blond ordered and Naomi did.

How rude of her fidgeting like she was. She was a guest in this place, she would need to be taught better manners. She found herself thinking with a strange buzz at the back of her head.

“I’m sorry Kenji isn’t here at the moment but you are welcome to wait for him.” the AHA woman motioned towards a door at the back of the office. “There is food in the back as well as some medical supplies if you’d like to fix your hands.” Naori subconsciously brushed along the cracked skin and smatterings of dried blood(some hers, some not).

Naomi didn’t like the way her brain was fizzing. Her instincts were telling her something that she wasn’t quiet listening to.

“Ah, no thanks. Just wanted to talk to Kenji. It’s late anyway- I’ll come back tomorrow.” Naomi turned and was met with her tall angular faced escort.

“It’s no bother, please, stay.” Her mind buzzed again. Naomi thought they had invited her in despite the late hour. Such hospitality should be respected and pursued to its fullest. How thoughtful.

“I-I suppose I could wait for a few minutes…” she turned away from the man and shuffled towards the woman who placed a hand on her lower back.

“Very good. Now, what’s your name, lost little girl?” the blond asked sweetly. “My name is Alice.”

Don’t be rude Naomi, Alice was being so polite and friendly it’s only natural to do the same.

“Naomi.”

“Well Naomi, Mr. Darma here will take you to get something to eat while you wait for Kenji, how does that sound?” Naomi opened her mouth as if to protest but Alice saw her eyes glaze over as her quirk worked and simply nodded.

“Mr. Darma, speaking of Kenji, he hasn’t checked in has he?” asked Alice as she went through the motions of unlocking the deceptively complex lock. Ben nodded.

“Correct ma'am, he is still working on the outreach mission you sent him on.”

Alice hummed ushering in both Ben and Naomi and closed the door behind them snapping the locks into place.

Alice supposed she should be concerned. After all, a lot of resources and effort went into making Mr. Takei presentable and useful for their needs. If she really needed to know where Kenji was she could always contact Hakon. But if she did that… her little passion project would be exposed and the punishment severe.

Such delicate deceptions took time.

She had to be confident that Mr. Takei’s mission would be successful, he would be back soon. Alice organized her notes and quickly cleaned her desk, done thinking about Kenji Takei for the evening.

Besides, she had a new project waiting to be shaped and molded.

Smoking was such a bad habit,

Alice smirked once again going through the motions of unlocking the door slipping into her workshop to find her new medium.

But such an easy one to break.

_______

End Notes: oooo, very spooky. Anyway, I still have some stuff going on. If you follow me on tiktok I kinda explain a tiny bit what’s going on. But I hope you enjoyed this chapter I am unsure when part 4 will be up. I’ll try and post something to kind of fill the gaps until then though. Thanks for sticking with me.

Other notes: Deda is a nickname for grandfather in Russian.

Masterlist

#wwiab #bnha hawks #hawks bnha #mha hawks #hawks mha #hawks x reader #hawks x oc #keigo takami #takami keigo #original character #boko no hero academia #my hero acadamia

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not-the-cleavers · 5 years ago

Text

Target II - Chapter 5

I’m back with another chapter - still on alert for evacuation here but writing takes my mind off all the anxiety around this fire.

Underneath the chapter I have a little snippet of pure friendship that came up while writing this chapter!

Tags; @adrenaline-roulette and @amy-brooklyn99 - if you would like to be tagged just let me know

Pairing; Four x Eight (female reader) Fandom; 6 Underground Warnings; Swearing, smoking, drinking, reader kissing a girl (read that how you’d like in terms of sexuality), mentions of sexual acts (including non-consensual but only briefly I promise), mention of arousal and hinting at masturbation. Word count; 1.6k (total so far 7.9k)

Also I used an answer from this Ben Hardy interview in this chapter!

Summary; The team has moved onto their next target after dealing with Rovach Alimov, a war criminal named John Dough. Eight has just joined the team and is dying to show how much she deserves to be there

Catch up; Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4

“You first, your number is lower than mine” I laughed. Four ran his hands through his hair again as a smile broke out across his face. “Alright I’ll start easy. What’s your favourite movie or movie series?” he asked. “Super easy! I love the Saw franchise” He laughed at my response “Hey I know that it’s not the best horror series but I love them” I said pushing his shoulder a bit. “If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?” “Led Zeppelin ‘Thank You’ because it’s a beautiful love song, and everyone loves a beautiful love song.” “That’s kind of adorable” I sighed, why did he have to be so damn cute? “It’s super adorable I’ll have you know!” he laughed After a few easy questions surrounding hobbies, he blurted out “Tell me about your first kiss” “Not a question, but I’ll roll with it” I said gently mocking him “I was 14 at it was at a school camp a bunch of kids all entered our cabin and we played spin the bottle…” “Oh so a pretty boring story” Four interrupted “Will you let me finish? Mary King spun, and it landed on me, I thought she would just spin again, as were the rules laid out by the boys in the room, but instead she pulled me up and we kissed.” The look on Four’s face said it all. His mouth was slightly open and he looked like he was far off in thought. I waited patiently, sipping at my drink until he snapped out of it, finally he shook his head slightly and downed the last of the beer in his bottle before cracking open another one. “Tell me about your first kiss” I said lighting another cigarette, not giving him time to say anything in regards to my story. “Um, well, I was 15, down at the pub back home with some mates, drinking and smoking, being stupid kids really. In walked Ashley Reid, she was easily the prettiest girl in school and I had the biggest crush on her. We started dancing and having a good time and then all of a sudden she kissed me.” He said with a shrug, seemingly past the whole I kissed a girl thing. “What was your first sexual encounter?” he asked hesitantly, maybe testing the waters to see how I’d respond. But seeing as I’m a woman with zero shame I had no issue answering him. “Do you mean sex or messing around, those are two very different things.” “I guess just messing around” he shrugged. “I was 16 and I was at a high school party, I had been chatting with Scott Davis for quite some time and one thing led to another and I ended up giving him a blow job in the bathroom of this persons’ house.” I said sipping my drink, leaving out the fact I was blind drunk and he had basically taken advantage of me, I was trying to keep things as light as I could. “So…you’re not gay?” he asked, again very hesitantly “No” I laughed, ‘you have a shot with me’ I thought to myself. “Same question right back at you” “No, I’m not gay” he replied, laughing when he saw my pissed off expression. “You know what I meant” I half yelled, his laugher only making me angrier “You need to be specific love, and now you’ve lost a question” he patted my leg “Did ‘Jack and Jill’ ruin Adam Sandler’s career?” he asked, trying to calm me down by asking a pointless question. “Did he ever really have a good career?” I replied with a grimace, I couldn’t stand the guy. “Wait that’s not my next question!” I shouted, not about to lose another question to a technicality. “Good point, I guess you’re right there” he laughed. “Now you can ask the question you really wanted me to answer.” “Alright, have you ever done anything sexual in public?” I asked, slightly changing the question to catch him off guard. “Honestly, Ashley Reid when I was 15…” “C’mon don’t fuck with me, you can’t be serious” I slapped his bicep but his face told me he was in fact, being serious. “Yeah, after she kissed me we danced some more. When we got tired we sat down in a booth and she gave me a handy under the table. I had to run to the bathroom shortly afterwards and ditch my boxers. Went the rest of the night commando” he said jerking his head to the side slightly before taking another sip of his beer. Honestly was not expecting that response.

We kept going back and forth asking each other questions, going well and truly over the twenty question limit, but we were having fun. Our questions kept getting sexual and then easing back into being light hearted and funny and then back again, but as we got drunker the sexual questions became more heated. I could see Four was holding back so I piped up “I can see you have a question, I have no shame so go ahead and ask me” “Alright, do you have any kinks?” he asked, his eyes darkening slightly just waiting for my response. “Domination, tie me up and choke me…” I started rattling off a few things bound to get me hot and bothered while looking at my hands. I felt Four shift slightly to reposition himself on the bed next to me as I talked ‘am I turning him on?’ “Oh and I’m into pegging” I joked, which caused him to tense up. “Oh…” did he think that last comment was serious? I wonder how far I could take this, so I kept a straight face and asked him “what about you, what gets you going?” “Uhhh…” he scratched the back of his neck, seemingly considering whether or not to answer “You don’t have to say if you don’t want to” I told him, rubbing his arm. I didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable. “No it’s not that. I just haven’t really developed any kinks. I’m a pretty vanilla guy” he said shyly, his cheeks flushed in embarrassment. “Well there’s still time to work on that” I told him, trying to put his mind at ease. “How? I’m dead remember?” “There’s some people out there into that” I joked, causing us to collapse in a fit of laughter. My side felt like it was on fire but I didn’t care, I felt a complete sense of relaxation with Four that I had never felt with anyone else in my life. I found myself leaning against his chest, my body seemingly melting into his chiselled one. I had never noticed just how muscular he was, he was always wearing his hoodies, hiding his figure.

He eventually stopped laughing, and I felt his hand find its way under my chin, lifting it up so I was looking straight into his jade eyes. My eyes darted towards his lips right before those exact lips gently collided with mine. My hands flew up and my fingers knotted themselves into his blond locks. A slight moan escaped his lips. Without him breaking the kiss, he started to slide his leg underneath me and leant backwards so he ended up on his back. I rolled on top of him so that my chest was flush with his. His hands played at the hem of my hoodie, and I became acutely aware that I still had no shirt on underneath, but even with this sudden realisation, I didn’t stop him from snaking his hands underneath. The rough calloused skin on his hands felt unusually comforting against my hips. He only broke the kiss long enough for us to catch our breath and allowing me to steady myself above him, before crashing his lips back into mine. His urgency grew at the same rate as mine, and then I felt it, right against my thigh through both of our sweatpants, he was hard. His hands started to slowly travel up my back and I was loving every moment, that was until his hands made their way to my sides, causing one to land right on my healing bullet wound, causing me to jolt in pain breaking the kiss. “Fuck!” my eyes stung and the room felt like it was moving, I sat upright and moved myself off his lap. Four took a moment of realisation, before scurrying to check I was ok. “Shit Eight I’m so sorry, I don’t know what came over me” he said hurriedly, hiding his head in his hands, his face turning bright red in embarrassment. “Y/N” was my only response. “Sorry?” he lifted his head to search my face for some kind of clue. “That’s my name, I think we’re well beyond calling each other our numbers” I laughed weakly “Billy” he introduced himself “and I’m sorry, I crossed a line” he said sheepishly “Don’t be sorry, it’s just this fucking bullet wound. I was having the time of my life” I winked at him, causing his eyes to darken. “Look I, um, I think I should call it a night” Billy stammered. What the hell was he talking about? One quick look out the window confirmed that it was indeed late. “Holy shit, alright” I planted a quick kiss on his cheek “sleep well. Come see me again soon” I muttered. Within moments he was out the door, probably needing to go ‘take care’ of things.

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

And that’s chapter 5! I promise there will be more about John Dough in the next chapter, and again I don’t know when it’ll be out but I’ll release it as soon as I can! I hope you enjoyed this little chapter all about Four and Eight getting to know one another, maybe a little more than they were expecting! I’d love to hear from you guys!!

Also huge props to @adrenaline-roulette for all her help and for this glorious moment when I realised I’m shit at 20 questions!

Also yes I forgot the term “straight people” and went with non bi, you are allowed to judge me for that - also before anyone asks, the best way to describe my sexuality is Bi or maybe Pan (I don’t fucking know honestly, everyone is attractive to me!)...Anywho...This post has gone on for long enough, enjoy and I’ll catch ya in the next chapter!

#ben hardy #ben hardy fic #ben jones #6 underground #6 underground fic #four x reader #four x eight #billy/four #four fic

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taekookismylifeline · 4 years ago

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Title: Collateral (of love and bullets) Pairing: Yoongi/Hoseok Synopsis: Jung Hoseok may not be as successful as he wished to be when he was younger. Instead of being a dance instructor in his own dance studio, he worked full-time at a local supermarket – but at least he is happy, living with his boyfriend of two years, Min Yoongi, in a not-so-crappy apartment in the city. However, when he gets caught up in a robbery at his bank and his boyfriend disappears, his happiness is challenged, along with everything he thought he knew about the people he holds dear.

Chapter: 1

Chapter Two - digging out the bullet and holding it up to the light

Yoongi had left a note, but Hoseok found that he could scarcely run his eyes over it let alone process it. The exhaustion had caught up with him and was tugging at his eyelids, slumping his whole body.

Although his mind was racing, his body couldn’t keep up. He felt he should have been fraught with nerves, but instead he found himself melting into bed, turning onto his side to face where Yoongi would have been sleeping and curling his arms around himself, falling asleep within seconds.

His panic mode must have set in as when he woke up, the sun was streaming through the blinds and the time on his alarm clock told him it was a little past one. His stomach growled. Being held at gunpoint had sure made him hungry.

The kitchen was empty, as was the rest of the apartment. Yoongi must have visited his brother, something he always did without much warning. He didn’t like to talk about it but Hoseok had always assumed that Seung had fragile health.

The note only confirmed Hoseok’s theory as he read it over a meagre breakfast of leftover rice. Gone to be with S, be back soon. I love you - Y.

Hoseok he sat on the couch, the TV on as background noise. The apartment was too quiet with the sound of Yoongi warming up on the piano or humming something under his breath absentmindedly as he got changed or shaved or had a shower. Everything seemed muted without Yoongi.

He had no phone to check for messages or waste time on, and even if he wanted to contact Yoongi, he knew he wouldn’t be able to. Every time Yoongi visited his brother, he left his laptop and phone at home. Hoseok had always assumed it was because there was no connection out there, or Yoongi’s brother was in such critical condition that there was no time to be spared on electronical devices.

So Hoseok was left watching the TV. He had just booted up his laptop when a news announcement wedged itself between the break and the programme he was watching.

The bank flashed across the screen, a serious looking news-reporter displayed in the corner. Hoseok watched, immobile, as the image of police roaming around the same building that his very life was threatened.

Four hostages. A late night break-in. Over fifty-thousand stolen. No casualties. A familiar trend in robberies stemming back five years. A gang, known as the Blackouts, possibly reassembling for the first time in two years? Security on high alert around the Daegu banking district. No suspects as of late...

Hoseok turned off the TV, his ears deafened to the resounding silence of the apartment.

His laptop sat on his lap, the fan whirring captured his attention. His heart leapt into his throat, his eyes landing on the smile on Yoongi’s face. His background was a picture of Yoongi’s twenty-sixth birthday, a few seconds away from where Hoseok had accidentally dropped the cake onto Yoongi’s lap.

He had been so cute that day, even with icing smeared up and down his jeans. He had been even cuter without the jeans, when he gazed up at Hoseok with half-lidded eyes and flushed cheeks, whispering in a heavy voice that he wanted more, wanted Hoseok more than he had ever wanted anything.

When Hoseok reminded him of it the next day when the two woke up at noon, still wrapped around each other, Yoongi had blushed yet again and turned his head away. But he hadn’t denied it or claimed that he couldn’t remember.

In that moment Hoseok remembered thinking that Yoongi was the prettiest thing he had ever laid eyes on.

He missed Yoongi. He needed Yoongi, but there was no way of reaching him. He had never written down his brother’s number nor address, so Hoseok had no idea how to find him, and neither did Hoseok want to bother Yoongi if his brother was in critical condition.

Physically, Hoseok was fine, and he knew that he was beyond lucky. If the ‘Boss’ hadn’t ensured that the rookie’s gun had been lowered, he would have had suffered a quick death hours ago.

Hoseok almost bit through his tongue dwelling on the memory of a black mask, eyes void of anything but darkness and a voice cold and spitting.

He tried to shove the image away, focusing on opening his inbox and composing a message to Yoongi. Even if Yoongi hadn’t brought his phone with him, hopefully he would have access to a computer, and he would get it almost right away and reply.

Hey, Yoonie. If you got my texts and replied, I couldn’t get them, my phone’s broken. Stay with your brother, he needs you. When you come back we can order takeaway and watch that weird movie about the crow? I love you. Seokie xxxx

He waited as an hour crept by. He played around on an online game, losing every round. He watched some uninteresting videos about zany TV hosts and waited some more. Two hours.

He received a call on the landline, and he jumped at it to discover it was the police department calling him in for that follow-up interview. He didn’t want to leave the apartment, and yet he couldn’t bring himself to stay inside. He took the train to the police station just to answer with more or less the same answer.

How many of them were there? I couldn’t be certain.

Did you hear any of their conversation? Not really. I couldn’t make out what they were saying.

Do you have any affiliation with any street gangs? Any reason that this particular group would spare you? No. I don’t know.

When he returned home, he discovered he was restless, his mind racing. He hadn’t gotten any more information from the police, and neither them from him. He went for a quick walk around the block which turned into a brisk jog, and then a hurried run as if he was being chased. He took another shower before a disappointing lunch of undercooked noodles. Three hours.

Evening rolled around and he switched the TV back on, pulling Yoongi’s blanket over himself and burying his nose in the material. He couldn’t make it to midnight having received no reply. He forced himself into bed, wrapping the duvet around himself.

He flitted around between the realms of sleep and being awake for too long. He felt cripplingly empty and too full at the same time. He clasped Yoongi’s pillow to his chest, catching a whiff of Yoongi’s honey shampoo and his natural sweet scent. The pillow became sodden after a while, his shoulders heaving and his body shaking with the effort of holding himself together.

Fatigued, he fell asleep, although he woke up restless during the night. He forced his eyes shut and when he next opened them, the birds were chirping, and he heard the sound of cars below. The bed was empty, save for him, just like the apartment. His inbox was devoid of new messages.

With shaking fingers, he typed out a new message, barely having the will to do so, before he sent it off. He couldn’t bring himself to wait for a reply either, so he shut his laptop and turned on the TV.

The news was uninteresting, speaking of foreign diplomats and the rising price of supermarket stock. Nothing, nothing, nothing, and then-

The victims of the bank robbery gave their statements and they matched the appearances of the members to be those of the Blackouts. Six suspects, one leader and five accomplices. Security on high alert...

Hoseok knew little about gangs, but even he had heard of the ‘Blackouts’. Ruthless criminals aspiring to make money fast. When he had lived at home, there had been an infamous shoot-out in the Philippines, and the next day his classmates had talked about the gang’s kill streak.

Their hierarchy was built upon who had the most kills, apparently, and the ‘Boss’ was supposed to have executed over one-hundred. It lined up with everything the rookie had said, about how infamously terrifying the leader of the Blackouts was supposed to be, and yet… He had spared Hoseok’s life.

He didn’t want to dwell on it. He didn’t want to risk thinking that the ‘Boss’ had any remorse for human life. Hoseok was just one casualty they couldn’t afford in their limited time span.

He hadn’t known that it had been the Blackouts to threaten his life. Did that make him a war hero of some kind? Most likely not. It wasn’t as if he had fought back. He was ready to comply to the gun, to give into death.

The Blackouts. What an awful name. It suited their image though, cold, dark and hopeless. It gave him a new feeling of fear, spiking through his system.

He wasn’t held at gunpoint by just any robbers. He had almost faced death due to a group of experienced thieves, burglars, murderers.

Hoseok turned the TV off once more, resolving not to switch it on until his mind was somewhat clearer. He supposed all he could give it was time and some sort of distraction. And he found the perfect distraction in the ringing of the doorbell.

“Jung Hoseok, you open the door right now!” A familiar voice yelled out.

Read the rest on AO3!

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rotten-sourberry · 5 years ago

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Of Faith And Fairy Tales, a Sasusaku AU

feudal Konoha AU one-shot , inspired by a picture of Sasusaku I saw(I will post it bellow) . If anyone knows the artist❤️ please tell me so I can properly credit them:)

Rating: K I guess

Also I started using AO3 under the name rottenSourberry,if anyone is interested. 😄😘😘

It was her wedding day. Every girl should be happy on their wedding day, at least that's how she imagined it since she was a child.

But here she stood, looking the prettiest she had ever looked, dressed in an expensive white gown, numb if not miserable.

The tears had stopped since last night, her eyes dry, her face frozen without feeling.

'Stupid girl' she thought to herself, 'how could I ever think fairytales can come true'.

Sakura took a deep breath. She was going to to to to to walk down that isle smiling, she decided. And she was going to look at that man, at her husband with all the love she had.

The love that was not meant for him.

Sakura's love had a different face, stoic , almost unreadable. His hair was darker than a raven's feathers, his eyes more black than the starless sky in a moonless night. His voice was cold yet burning with undying flames.

The man she was marrying was not the man she longed for, the one that haunted her, consuming her every thought. But he was a good man, honorable, hard working, who cared deeply for her. He was a lord of a nearby land, an ally to her country.

His land hadn't much of a military power, but it was rich with crops and full of peaceful people.

Sakura's marriage was the contract between the two countries. Konoha's most beautiful flower, the best healer of her generation, and even though the Haruno family wasn't one of the noble clans of her land, she had inherited her title from her teacher, princess Tsunade, and with it all the responsibilities it held.

The war had started before she was born, but there were a few quiet years, when she was a child, when the countries tried to form new alliances.

But a new superpower had risen and war spread once more.

Sakura had seen the suffering first hand. It was engraved in the bodies of those she healed, in the eyes of orphaned children, in the wrecked cities and burned fields.

She wanted to end that war, she knew she could help, she could fight for her people.

But they only help they asked of her was to make sure the alliance would be unbreakable from now on and in the years to come.

Sakura thought of her love. Sasuke. A boy when she first met him, stricken by fate. His clan, the Uchiha, one of the noblest in Konoha, slayed by his own brother when they tried to overtake the power in the country, left a young Sasuke all alone, and his only alive sibling banished.

But he had grown up, strong and disciplined, with a certain type of kindness he rarely showed, but was definitely there.

There was a time when he was thought to be an enemy of Konoha, although he turned out to be a savior.

And on his nineteenth birthday, Sasuke had made a promise to her, a promised sealed by a kiss.

"I'll be back Sakura. I don't know when, but I'll return to you... I promise" he then, had moved his lips on her, their kiss clumsy, passionate, full of love.

The next morning he was gone, continuing to wander in between the lands, helping those in need, and stopping bandits and war criminals.

Five years had passed. Five years and she was still waiting upon his arrival, thinking of him every day. But her village insisted she should be their gift to the kind young man who helped them, a man she had saved three years ago on a battlefield. Since then, he had tried to court her multiple times, always kind and sweet.

She knew he loved her, but it was the love left from a man who lost his bride to be in the war. A pretty girl, his first love, but tragedy strikes even the kindest of souls.

"Sakura, I think you and me can end this war, if we are together. I know you love him still, and I love her, but it's for the best" he had said on a sunny evening.

Tsunade had agreed they should wait one more year for Sasuke's return but if he wasn't back by then, she would have to fulfill her duties.

That year had passed, and nothing changed. The never heard of Sasuke, not in a long time, his hawks had stopped coming for three years. Many thought him dead but she knew he was alive. She could feel it.

Sakura had a feeling she would meet him again maybe early in a spring morning, when the wrinkles on her eyes are deeper, with her kids by her side. He would pass by, still handsome and serious and he would stop only for a fleeting moment before disappearing in the shadows.

"Sakura, it's time", Tsunade interrupted her thoughts as she walked in to see her.

"That I'd grow so young to see you get married" she laughed pointing her youthful appearance despite her old age.

She wiped a tear from Sakura's cheek.

"You know, I could postpone the wedding for a few months. Maybe you came out sick suddenly. .." she offered a solution to her misery.

"No, everyone will be mad, if we call this off last minute" Sakura said and rose to her feet.

She pushed all her thoughts and started counting. The steps she took, the faces she saw in tha grand garden where the ceremony would take place, the flower bouquets that made the scenery fairy tail like.

Then she saw her future husband, handsome with a sweet smile but her heart didn't flutter at her chest.

No more than thirty feet until she reached him. No more than twenty minutes until she would have to say ' I do '.

Suddenly the crowd made a gasping sound and Sakura was swept of her feet by some force.. no by a man.

Was this an ambush? Her mind made a hundred catastrophic senarios in under two seconds but then she turned to face the man who grabbed her so unexpectedly a moment ago.

"No.. no this can't be..." tears filled her eyes "if this is a dream please let me wake up now, my heart can't take this".

"Sakura" it was his voice, her love's voice there was no mistake. "I am sorry" his magnificent eyes the same even though his face was more mature now.

Before she even knew it, he had run to the outskirts of Konoha. He let her down carefully, taking a step back to admire her beauty.

"I am home" Sasuke said.

Her heart felt as it would burst any moment. Happiness. She had almost forgotten what it felt like.

She touched his face, making sure he was real, once more.

"Will you stay?" she dared asked.

"No."

The tears came in an instant but Sakura fought to keep them back. Her happiness starting to fade away.

"Sakura, I am taking you with me this time." he smirked, eyes shining.

She was speechless, frozen. It was like her prayers had been heard by a caring god, her wishes finally granted.

"When do we leave?" her smile could light up an entire universe.

"Right now."

Her fairy tale was about to start...

#my fics #sasusaku fanfiction #sasusaku fanfic #sasusaku #uchiha sasuke #sakura haruno #sasusaku au #ss fanfiction #mine #please help me find the artist #also comment if you find any mistakes #two more sasusaku fics to come soon:)

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sebbybooks · 5 years ago

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Somewhere in Paradise (PT3)

Sebastian Stan x Fanfiction ~18

Warnings: Language, Smut

Tagged for updates🍓

@spideyhoecoming @bashfulshy @blueenemy24 @asguardiansoftheavengers @mightiestheroes @ladifreakingda

A/N: I’m back!💕💕🌻🌻💋💋💜💜🌈🌈Life has been busy lately. It’s taken me a while to update and I wanna say a quick thank you to those who have stayed updated with this story. In the beginning I mentioned how I intended on making this just one part, then it sorta spiraled out of control. This part you’re about to read has probably been my favorite to write. Due to the cliffhanger, yes there will be a next part if anyone is still curious to see how it all ends. Believe me when I say there is an ending!🖤

“Promise me you’ll never forget me,

because if I thought you would,

I would never leave.” -A.A.M

Chills ran down my spine.

I’m not sure how long I had been standing in the middle of his hotel room when the realization of what I had found finally sunk in. Sebastian was the one who had stolen my journal this entire time and had been lying to me for days on top of it. I didn’t want to believe what I was seeing, but the proof was right in my hands. I couldn’t overlook the fact it was the same color and that on the bottom lefthand corner my name was etched across in gold calligraphy. I sucked in a tortuous breath inhaling slowly, that nearly got trapped in my airway. Which could have easily strangled me. Well maybe not in real life, but in a literary emphasis it definitely could have! Do I even hear myself? I’m editing my reality to make it sound like a work of fiction that I would write! Un-fucking-believable.

I started to walk but my feet turned to heavy lumps of lead. I physically couldn’t move and that worried me the most. Something inside of me was fighting against my better judgment. It wasn’t just one thing keeping me molded to the floor, there were many. I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of emotions that attacked me from all sorts of directions. I was furious with Sebastian. He had taken a tangible piece of my soul to probably use for his own twisted personal gain. He had confessed to me that he knew in the beginning who I was and what seeing me meant to him. But who knows that could have been a lie! So why would he go out of his way just to pretend to like me? As soon as the doubt entered my thoughts it suddenly dawned on me that maybe his intentions were clear as day and I just refused to see them.

Shame on me for letting Sebastian kiss me in the first place my first night here in Capri. It was the lone ripple effect that led me here. The second he pulled away he looked at me like kissing me was freeing, but equally a reminder of his pain. I started to laugh hysterically at the idea that he might’ve even felt something for me. For a hot second in the cave it sure as hell felt that way. There was something about him that intrigued me more than I thought possible. Like a phantom feeling I could still feel Sebastian’s hands grappling my body for dear life. Seconds ticked away in a tortuous silence as Sebastian eyed my parted lips in anticipation of him. The hairs of his short beard brushed lightly against my face before he finally put me out of my agonizing misery. Feverishly kissing him back, I ran my tongue through the small entrance to meet his.

His mouth meticulously explored mine with desperation that I nearly couldn’t keep up with. Almost as if he was trying to memorize the shape of my lips. My hands were strained against his back, pulling at the material on his soddened shirt. Sebastian palmed the back of my head to deepen the kiss. Whatever came over me in the blue grotto was beyond me. It was as though my entire body all of a sudden lusted after his. I acted briefly like he was someone I could have and I kissed him back as if I was searching for something that only Sebastian could give me.

This trip was something that I was suppose to do on my own. I realized I had been caught up in my own world of storytelling that I stopping living my reality. I needed something new and fresh to shake up my creative senses. I didn’t ask for this in return. Sebastian was just a detour in my mind. I was never meant to come here with him. I just needed to remind myself that next time I think about sucking faces!

He was the most closed off person I had ever met. Which in return was equally frustrating. Who by the way was still visibly in mourning. I was just a casualty in his journey through his grieving stage. I wouldn’t be able to fill Bianca’s shoes even if I wanted to, which to be clear I don’t. The best thing I could do for myself was to pretend like this was a really bad dream. A bad draft during my editing stage. Revise, rewrite, start over. I could salvage my trip but first thing first was to find my room key that he took and then get the hell out of here.

I had to be quick about my search, but my dress felt like it kept tackling on pounds and it made it harder for me to walk around in. I kept tripping over my own two feet every time I walked forward. I searched around his hotel room looking through every single dresser drawer in sight. I checked under the bed, and in his duffel bag where he clearly kept his contraband. My heartbeat at that point was beating so loudly in my ears. It was like all my worst fears came to life. I couldn’t find my hotel key anywhere and it felt like I was existing in a scene out of a cheesy horror flick, starring me Natalie Foster the dumbstruck damsel.

I looked back towards the bathroom to check to make sure the door was still closed. When I turned back I stumbled into a table leg stubbing my toe painfully hard. Who's idea was it to put that that there and why am I such a klutz?! I grunted out a string of curse words as the pain slowly subsided in my foot. I heard the water turn off as Sebastian’s voice filled the room. “You okay out there?”

I didn’t answer him. My voice failed to work. I decided to forget the room key altogether and leave. I would just go back to my room to pack my bags and find somewhere else to stay. I was halfway to the door when I felt Sebastian’s presence behind me. Damn he was quick. I froze in my tracks unable to walk through the door. I was mortified at the situation I somehow tangled myself in. Scenes like this usually end bad. I turned around afraid to see a murderous look behind his eyes. When I saw his face to my surprise there was only worry.

“I heard a loud sound so I came to check on you to make sure you didn’t see anymore bugs.” A slow lopsided smile formed across his face as the memory of what happened on the boat tried to squeeze at my heartstrings. Sebastian was gripping a white towel that was barely held together around his well defined waistline. His body looked like someone took a carving utensil and created hard and detailed grooves over his abdomen. The towel was hanging dangerously low. He clutched on to it careful not to take his eyes off of me. I drank in the vision of his bare chest that was still soaking wet from his shower. The tiny anchor pendant that he wore around his neck which Sebastian never took off dangled against his chest. My fingers were just itching to trace along the polished silver on the aged charm. Until I quickly forced myself to snap out it.

This wasn’t the time to develop wandering eyes but if his greatly physiqued body would be the last thing I would see then I gladly give thanks to the universe for sending me this final gift! His body glistened with droplets of water that fell all the way down to the happy trail of dark hair going south. Stop, stop, STOP! I scolded myself for not taking this more seriously. I am obviously trapped in a ghastly predicament and I’m drooling over a thieving criminal.

“I found this.” I said hazily. Patience certainly wasn’t my strong suit and I don’t know where I dug the courage to speak, but I procured it. Sebastian looked back at me with a raised brow that showed no indication of what I was talking about. I held my journal up and his easy going smile disappeared.

ONE YEAR LATER

I looked out at the sky and watched as tiny stars began to appear across the water. I had never stopped to take the opportunity to marvel at how transcendent it is to simply watch the sun kiss the moon goodnight. I had it in my head that it was a love affair between two entities that could never truly exist together. No matter how close in proximity they may have appeared up close if you really payed attention it was all just an optical illusion. They never touched and they would never last for much long.

“I took a wild guess and knew I’d find you out here.” The warm and familiar voice made the ambience even more peaceful somehow. Despite the sudden sinking feeling I felt in my chest.

“Prettiest view on the island.” I sighed. I scooted to the end of the bench to make room beside me. He picked up my hand as he sat down and kissed the side of my head in an endearing gesture. We both turned our heads back to gaze at the shimmering moon.

“Are you going to open it?” Alessio's voice was barely above a whisper. I didn’t understand what he was talking about until I noticed the white envelope he covertly placed in my lap. I was most definitely confused by it because while it was addressed to me. The letter was from no other than Bianca.

“Natalie I can explain.” His tone was laced with a calmness I didn’t expect. I had heard those words before from him. Sebastian probably already had an excuse ready to recite. An I didn’t give him the chance to act out his performance.

“You know you almost had me fooled.” I stated in disbelief. “Just tell me Sebastian what were you going to do with it? Did you read it for shits and giggles or were you planning on selling it?” I asked bluntly, my voice was starting to shake.

“Is that what you think I would do?” He asked tightly.

I was at war with myself over that question. My stomach flipped erratically from the way he looked at me. I had every intent on being the one with the upper hand in this situation. Sebastian’s bemused expression caught me off guard. If any thing he was the one that looked offended.

“I honestly don’t know what you would do!” I said in wary voice. “That night I asked if you had it you looked me in the eyes and blatantly lied to my face. I know it must be an insignificant object to you, but it’s important to me and you stole it! You must look at me and laugh at how gullible I am.” I said breathlessly.

I waited to see if the armor of guilt would shed. His piercing glare was almost too intense to stand in front off. I expected him to grovel and beg for my forgiveness while offering some sorry ass apology along with it. “So you figured it out then huh?” Sebastian laughed unfeeling.

Sebastian moved a little closer to me, his face had changed to a stony expression. By the way he was assessing me made me tremble under his scrutiny and it wasn’t from fear. Nothing about his intimidating presence screamed dangerous. I was more terrified that I would do something stupid.

“What else am I suppose to think? I found it hiding in your bag and you said nothing!” I swallowed back nerves that felt never ending.

Sebastian’s overcast blue eyes narrowed on my face studying my reaction as I gripped my journal down beside me. From the looks of the situation from a third eye’s perspective I should’ve been a little apprehensive about being alone with a half naked man that I met a little over two and a half weeks ago. We were both visibly seething with pent up frustrations for one another and yet I couldn’t seem to leave well enough alone.

“It's rather insulting that you think so little of me and assume I would ever do anything to misplace your trust.” His expression softened like I had wounded a part of him.

The entirety of the situation was enough to give me whiplash. I didn’t know whether to slap him or wish that damn towel would magically fall off. For now I was stuck wanting both. “You can’t honestly blame me! It was in your bag!” I repeated sternly.

“Do you remember the morning after breakfast the day you lost it?” Sebastian asked, but he didn’t wait for an answer from me. “I spent all morning helping you look for it. Together we retraced our steps all the way back to Alessio’s restaurant. When our search came up empty right before we left I asked him to keep an eye out for it just in case it turned up.” As Sebastian talked I started to recall the moments when we nearly spent the second half of our day in Capri looking for my journal.

“None of that explains how it came into your possession.” I said defensively. Unsure of how the story would play out I had a feeling I would be eventually swallowing my tongue by the end.

Sebastian spoke up quickly cutting through my accusations. “This morning I had got a call from someone at the restaurant. One of his bartenders was reading it when he was suppose to be working. Alessio recognized the name on the journal and he remembered that you had lost the exact same one. He had someone bring it over to the hotel right before I went to your room. I had every intention of giving it back to you over dinner tonight as a surprise.” Sebastian sighed in exhaustion.

Sebastian’s words were hitting me like a ton of bricks. I had a hunch that weasel no scratch that! Son of a bitch (much better phrasing Natalie) took my journal the second he didn’t want me looking around the bar! I was too preoccupied tossing back limoncello shots to notice that when he wasn't mixing drinks he was also a kleptomaniac! My heart quickly started to sink in my chest. I wanted to be a giant bubble that would at any given second pop.There was an awkward pause then Sebastian said, “Well?” He gave me a pointed stare.

“Well what?” I asked feeling a thousand percent embarrassed. I had just accused him of stealing and for as long as I’ve know him he hadn’t given me reasons to think otherwise. Which frankly isn’t long at all.

His eyes closed and the muscle in his jaw worked profusely. “Why didn’t you give me the benefit of doubt Natalie? It was like you were ready to believe the worst in me.”

I began to move forward but stopped in my tracks. The damp fabric that clung to every particle on my skin was the most gross feeling. I had to control my teeth from chattering I was so cold.

“Answer the goddamn question Natalie!” His demanding voice was rasped. My body sagged with guilt and I shrugged my shoulders unable to give him the answer he wanted. Sebastian regarded my silence as a way of saying what he needed to hear. He bit down on his bottom lip shaking his head vehemently, and started to walk backwards leaving me.

“Wait.” I reached forward not thinking as I grabbed ahold of his wrist. Sebastian stared at my hand like it had scales. Clearing my throat I quickly released my firm grip on him. “If it were you in my place how would you have reacted? I don’t know that much about you apart from you being someone who takes too many risks and doesn’t think twice about anything.”

Tilting his chin as if I had just said something amusing. “If only you knew the whole story .” He said with a pained expression. There was a weird pull between us. One minute we were arguing the next I would be dying to know why he looked like someone just died. No shit Natalie. . .someone did die.

“Tell me then.” I asked quietly. I watched Sebastian’s chest rise and fall as if he just remembered to breathe. His body was taut, but his eyes started to soften.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. I wrapped my arms around my body in an attempt to shield myself from the draft wafting over me. I could feel goosebumps rise up over my skin. Sebastian’s cold stare was long gone but still his silence was every bit chilling.“Maybe this was too soon too fast.” He shook his head.

“What do you mean?” I asked knowing damn well this wasn’t about something as minuscule as a journal anymore.

“This!” He growled low. Sebastian’s voice was uneven, I could hear the brokenness in the one word alone. It wasn’t exactly from anger, but from sorrow. "There's no real point in me coming out here anymore. I just did it for her. I always did.” He whispered.

I wanted to say something anything to just stop his bleeding heart. There wasn’t a single word I could produce to offer him a shred of comfort. Knowing that broke my own heart. “Did what Sebastian?”Sebastian didn't respond right away. “Sorry, you definitely don’t have to tell me. I shouldn’t have asked.”

Expelling a shaking breath he continued. “She’d deny it if you said but Bianca was a adrenaline junkie.” A frustrated sigh escaped him. “Nothing scared her, apart from confinement and her greatest fear was not living life to the fullest. I don't know what she saw in me I was nothing like Gabriel. Now me on the other hand I was more reserved. I wouldn’t do a damn thing solely based off a whim. ” Sebastian explained.

Unable to stop myself I let out a snort at that confession. The Sebastian I met seemed like a daredevil in disguise. A person who lived and breathed for the next unconventional adventure. I quickly brought my hand to my mouth feeling apologetic at what I just did. Sebastian didn’t seem to care.

“I know what you’re thinking and yeah I’m just as surprised as you are.” He said. “We would travel all over the world but she always ended up doing the craziest shit on top of it. Mountain climbing on El Capitan, deep sea diving with hammerheads in the Maldives, kayaking through glaciers in Vancouver. B was a thrill seeker and because I loved her with every breath in my body I thought I would be holding her back if stopped her.”

Sebastian stared passed me focusing on something other than me as if to keep himself calm. “She needed a rush to feel alive. I think she did it on purpose to feel closer to him.” His shoulders stiffened and his tone turned bitter. “Turns out it was the very thing that killed her.”

How did we get here? Oh right I put my fucking foot into mouth and asked him. The conversation goes from theft to death how much morose can this get? The silence is thick and almost unbearable. All I wanted to know was how he came to posses my journal. Somehow it opened up an unrelated and unresolved issue billowing around his recently deceased girlfriend. I didn’t want to force him to carry on. He didn’t have to explain in detail what happened to her. I shifted uncomfortably in my soaking wet shoes not sure to make eye contact with him or not. I wanted to put the pair of us out of this excruciating silence. As if sensing my awkwardness reluctantly his eyes met mine. Sebastian’s lip curled up but it wasn’t a smile. “Of all the things she did it ended up being a freak accident when her cord broke while bungee jumping.”

Swallowing the lump in my throat felt like tiny pieces of glass shards. The sadness that omitted from him clung on to me and wrapped its dispirited tentacles around me. “I’m so sorry.” I whispered. For everything, but only I could hear the rest of the tiny voice in my head. I especially didn't know how to ask him who Gabriel was.

“Want to know what the worse part is?” The answer was obvious, but I didn’t have the guts to say no. The look he had in his eyes was insistent and yet almost stalled by a sense of fear he struggled with. “No matter how hard she tried to convince me I could never follow through with it and for that I will always regret.” Sebastian took a long and deliberate slow breath before releasing it.

“Contrary to what you might think of me Natalie right now being here with you is me finally taking that risk. I don’t know what the hell is happening between you and me. An I know you feel it too, yet you were about to walk away from what this is just because you’d think I would stoop so low and take from you. “ Sebastian leaned forward trapping me with his pained stare.

Internally I yelled at myself to say something, anything that would stop him from looking at me like I had just told him I was Lord Voldemort. Just twenty minutes ago I was jumping to the conclusion that he stole from me. Now I felt like the biggest jerk in existence and I suddenly have gone mute. “I’m going to finish up my shower. I really do hope the rest of your stay here is pleasant and you finally get the chance to live your own story for a change.”He didn’t bother to steal one last glance as if looking at me any longer would burn him.

Time ticked by me slowly after he left. I walked over to the bed and tossed my journal onto it, not wanting to hold it any longer as if it were a bad omen. In that moment I realized that I had two options. Two decisions no matter the choice I make I’d eventually regret not choosing the other. My feet started to move before my mind could catch up. I ended up standing on the other end of the bathroom door.

I pushed it open and steam from the shower filled my nose alongside Sebastian’s mouthwatering scent. I took baby steps into the bathroom not knowing what I was going to be greeted by. I peered around the shower and saw Sebastian standing with his head drawn back letting the water from the shower head pour down into his face. His attention suddenly snapped to me when he noticed I was standing behind the fogged glass. Without thinking I mindless started to pull back the sliding glass door, feeling the water spritz my already soaked clothes.

Sebastian who was gloriously naked stood still and watched me as if I was an apparition. My hand lifted to the straps on my dress letting them fall halfway down my shoulder. Lifting up the ends of my damp hair I turned my back. “Can you help me with my zipper. . . again?” I asked casually. I must’ve been felling all kinds of brave today.

I could hear the weariness in Sebastian’s voice. “Natalie.” Sebastian huffed out my name as if it were either a plea or a prayer.

“Are you going to help me or not?” I asked feeling flustered, my voice was unsteady. I don’t know what came over me. I rarely acted on impulse, but my blood ran cold when he wasn’t around and runs hot when he’s near. I’d never given myself to someone so easily who could effortlessly crack open and expose my heart. There was a long contemplated silence that followed my question. His hands gripped the back of my dress grabbing hold to the material, unzipping it in one quick motion. My back was exposed and I stood still waiting to see if he would make the next move. Just as I felt the rejection swallow me in its huge embarrassing jaws. Sebastian’s warm and wet hands tightly gripped at my sides, his fingers firmly pressed through the fabric on my drenched dress. Expectations was coursing though me until he abruptly loosened his hold that I almost lost my balance from lost of contact.

“You coming in?” I could feel the outlines of his chest rising and falling against my back. Those three little words were indelicate and like molten hot lava trickling down my spine. The air in the bathroom turned humid and beads of hot water splashed on my back. I don’t know why my heart was pounding out of my chest. I willfully barged into his bathroom like a woman on a mission. The panic started to rise in my chest when I realize that maybe this isn’t something that he necessarily wanted. I’m practically asserting myself onto him like some creep. One that I vividly remember telling him I was leery of him being back at the airport. Yet I am the one standing in his bathroom with my clothes hanging off of me ready to jump his bones. He must think I have lost my mind. I’d have to agree with him if he did.

As if hearing my thoughts he chimed in. “If we are going to stand in the shower all afternoon I’d at least like to look at your face.”

Swallowing down the lump of insecurities I turned to face him staring directly into his anxiously waiting blue eyes. I could tell he was allowing me to be the one to take the lead. Sebastian in all aspects was giving all the control to me. I lifted myself out of my shoes without taking my eyes off of his. I placed my hand on the glass in order to gain steadiness before I walked completely inside. On the inside of the shower it was more than enough space for the two of us. The interior was made up of ash gray marbling with an antiqued gold brass shower set. It looks like it’s made of the same material as the giant gold mirror in my room. For. Fucks.Sake. I’m even rambling in my head!

“Breath Natalie.” A slow smile had spread across his face. Sebastian’s thumb gently brushed my damp cheek in small circular motions. Last time he said that to me he told me I looked like I was walking the plank. I wondered if I looked like that now? Standing in his shower with my clothes still on yes I can confirm I look out of place.

“I don’t know what I’m doing.” I managed to say. We were standing nearly nose to nose. The air he expelled I breathed it in. I concentrated on the light feel of Sebastian’s warm hand holding my face like it was precious glass that would break if he should let go. The touch of him shouldn’t calm me as much as it does. He was someone I didn't want to get use to, but I don’t want him to let go in the meantime.

“Well neither do I.” Sebastian’s back was taking all of the direct contact of the water from the shower head above us. Water pooled down around his hair and face. He stood unaffected as if it didn’t bother him. Being naked and drenched from head to toe was a good look for Sebastian. That maddening fragrance of his skin was making it very hard to have restraint to refrain me from bury my nose in the crook of his neck and breath him in. But that’s exactly what I want to do. “If you’re scared just be scarier than whatever is scaring you.” A shiver traveled over my skin as I met Sebastian’s gaze.

A slight chuckle rumbled out from his chest. “So you’re stealing my lines now, Thumper? And isn’t that from Bambi?”

“If you are inclined to ask then maybe you’re not worthy.” I took another step closer to him not breaking eye contact, moving into him as close as I could get. He stared down at me and I could feel the slowest trail of heat travel up my thighs. I wanted him to kiss me.

Within an instant the air between us changed and his expression turned to something unreadable. “I’m not.” His voice rasped. Sebastian’s head swooped down, his mouth finally finding my cold wet lips.

He took no time getting reacquainted. Good to know that we were on the same page here. With ease he carefully guided me backwards until my back pressed against the cool tiles. His mouth parted over mine with a slight exchange of air. I breathed him in before I slipped my tongue in tasting droplets of water that invaded his mouth. Sebastian devoured my mouth with small nips and rhythmic kisses that fell in sync with one another. We kissed with a tortured slowness that was nearly unbearable. Familiarizing our lips and tongue over and over, memorizing every inch until my jaw went sore. Still it wasn’t enough. Sebastian’s hands clasped around my waist to steady himself as if he were in need of an anchor. Yet I was the one growing weak at the knees. Rubbing my body against him created a sensuous friction that made me wonder why was I still clothed. Lust rippled through my bloodstream as I gripped his neck tighter urging him for more.

A frustrated groan slipped from my mouth as I arched up against him. I was desperate to get this dress off of me. Sebastian’s palms went up my back and up the column of my neck, until his fingers tangled around damp strands of my hair. His tongue steadily plunging into my mouth, pulling on the bottom of my lip with his teeth. I reared my head back needing air to fill into my lungs.

“Why haven’t you taken my dress off?” My eyes fluttered opened. I panted for air I’d gladly let him keep stealing. Sebastian looked back at me with musing curiosity. His gaze grew less fierce and he swallowed back his own growing need.

“Is that what you want me to do?” He swiped a wet strand of hair off of my forehead. The answer to that was simple. Yet, when Sebastian asked he made the question feel more complicated than it should have been. On my own accord I shimmied out of my dress , letting it fall around my feet. I stepped out of it and kicked it off to the side. I was left standing in nothing but my light blue cotton underwear. Bravo Natalie you packed the most unsexiest underwear you could find. Sebastian’s eyes never drifted below my neck. I could see the pulse in his throat thrumming rapidly. I didn’t know what to do with my hands they stayed down my side anxiously balled in a tight fist. His silence was going to be the death of me.

“S-Say something.” My teeth chattered together through my sex filled daze. For as long we were standing there the water was turning cold and it showed. Sebastian was too perceptive to have not noticed my exposed breast.

“I don’t want to rush things with you Natalie.” He stared down at me with half hooded eyes. His lips were blood rushed from being thoroughly kissed. A sliver of self doubt weaseled its way into my head.

“You want to stop?” I managed to keep my voice leveled. I wont deny the disappointment I felt. “I clearly did not read this situation right.” I started to ease away from him to make a mad dash to leave the confinement of the shower, but Sebastian stilled his hands on my face. He rubbed the pads of his thumbs over my damp skin in. I tried to back away from his hold. We always seemed to pick the most awkward moments to go quiet. Sebastian kept my face locked between his hands. Unexpectedly he captured my mouth against his. Kissing me with a deliberate slowness that made my brain got to complete mush. “If you think I don’t want to fuck you then you read me all wrong.” He ran his fingers along my neck I could barely feel that his touch was there.

Well Shit.

Words, Natalie, use your words! Licking my lips in nerves still tasting him. I was too taken by surprise to reply. I wouldn’t necessarily describe myself as shy or a bashful person. I’m in his shower with my nipples pressing against his chest for crying out loud. But in more ways than one I am finding myself constantly taken off guard by him. I’m in a constant state of not knowing what to expect around him and frankly I think I enjoy it too much. Blinking rapidly to keep the water from going in my eyes, I placed my hands on his chest to keep him a few inches away to keep some of my self control. “But?” It came out of my mouth more like a aggravated sigh.

Sebastian voiced echoed my own in a low murmur next to my ear. “But.” The corner of Sebastian’s mouth kicked up allowing his smile that I was quickly becoming enamored by take up his face. I impatiently waited for him to finish whatever he was about to say. Stalling at best Sebastian pressed an openmouthed kissed under my ear following a path down my throat. “I meant what I said Natalie.” He paused, he kissed alongside the nape of my shoulder. His tongue moved across my skin, Sebastian’s grip shifted lower to my ass lifting me higher against his chest. My legs voluntarily locked around his waist.

Sebastian shifted his body inward almost cocooning mine into his like a shield. Trailing kisses down my bare chest. I wrapped my hands around his shoulders and my hips started to move as if having their own agenda feeling his erection brush against my inner thigh. “I said I’d risk just about everything to be near you, but I want to get know every part of you first.” He said, his mouth still lingering over my chest between kisses.

“Oh.” I answered breathlessly. Sebastian’s lips were leaving chills in its wake. “I want to know the first book you read that made you want to become a writer.” Actually it was a movie called Stand By Me that made me love stories. Though I couldn’t seem to verbally string together a coherent sentence for the life of me. I lost all ability to speak.

Sebastian clearly didn’t care by the way his left hand teasingly traced the curve of my breast. “I want to hear all about where you grew up and if you played a pointless musical instrument.” Nashville and the Glockenspiel which depending on how you look at it technically doesn’t count because I’m pretty sure everyone in elementary school dabbled in it.

“I want you to tell me that the craziest thing that you have ever done does not involve you jumping out of a plane. Because Natalie I want you and it’s making me scared shitless.” He said right as his mouth hovered over my nipple before roughly capturing it in his mouth. Sebastian’s tongue toyed with it at a languid pace, grazing his teeth around it. I drew in quick breath, inhaling in his scent that permeated through my nose and dammit if doesn’t smell delicious enough to eat.

“I think your definition of slow might be misconstrued.” Another gasp escaped me as my head fell against the wall. My hands fumbled in his hair pulling him closer, I wasn’t exactly complaining by the directness in contact. I’m pretty sure my body would have wept at the thought of him not finishing what I clearly started. Sebastian was clearly hell bent on delivering the sweetest torture while holding me.

“Believe me this is slow.” He reassured me, though I wasn’t entirely convinced. With carefulness he guided both of my legs back to solid ground. I kept myself pressed against the shower due to the fact the sensation consuming me whole was weakening me in the best way possible.

Without warning or hesitation Sebastian lowered himself to the floor our eyes locked on one another. He watched me as if he was waiting for a flicker of doubt from me. I peered down at him while he hooked his fingers under the straps of my underwear on both sides gradually rolling them down my legs. Sebastian eyes never faltered ,he released a ragged breath as he gently lifted my ankles to guide my legs out of them. He was no longer shielding the water from the shower.

My brain suddenly decided to unleash a wave of unwanted emotions to run ramped though my mind at the most inconvenient time. I didn’t know what tomorrow would look like or even next week when I boarded my flight back home. It just now dawned on me that he also has a home to get back to as well. He had somehow entered my bloodstream and I didn’t know where to begin to get rid of him. Apart of me hoped there wasn’t a cure. Still I wondered if I was just a distraction from his grief. There was a high chance Sebastian was emotionally unavailable and I was a vulture claiming him as my own. He belonged to someone else and she took Sebastian’s heart with her. There was no chance in hell he had any left over for me.

Having a channel to my thoughts with an impossible slowness be pried my knees apart before leaving chaste kisses on the sides of my legs. “Do you ever give that beautiful mind of yours a rest?”

“I consider Saturday and Sunday my off days, but you never know when inspiration strikes and then I’m spending my entire weekend scribbling over notes in my journal all day long. Then doing outlines on my laptop.” Wishing I could swallow my fucking tongue! Saving me from my own rambling. Sebastian abruptly silenced me for good when his skillful mouth eagerly found the one spot my overactive brain wasn’t connected to.

That was by far the longest and most raunchiest shower I have ever had. I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop and for realization to sink in so that the guilt and awkwardness could take turns tormenting me. I waited and I waited but the feelings never came. Instead I felt dizzy. My head wouldn’t stop spinning and the embarrassingly dopey grin I was sporting was enough to make me feel like the ground would crumble beneath me. I wouldn’t care because the cloud I was drifting on would catch me. On the miraculous chance I was having an extremely vivid dream, no one pinch me.

In the midst of my non alcoholic haze I somehow ended up on the private balcony outside Sebastian’s room. We were laying on a hammock that I was convinced was not meant for two. Sebastian thought otherwise and now I found myself laying practically on top of him. Not to mention I had on one of his long sleeved dark blue t-shirt that looked liked a baggy mini dress on me. On the front it had the words “Property of NASA” written across in bold white letters. Again not my idea to wear his clothes. But I did not complain.

“The view around us is incredible and yet the way you’re studying the moon I would’ve sworn you have never seen it before.” Sebastian’s voice was the ice breaker to the comfortable silence that fell over us.

“Why are you watching me?”I questioned, as I readjusted myself so that I could get more room on the hammock. I lifted my self up a little to shift my body so that I could be on my side. Sebastian, who I was quickly learning was very hyperaware of everything I did. He moved his right leg to hang over the hammock and scooted himself closer to the edge so that I could fit my entire body in the crook of his arm.

“What can I say I like looking at what I’m holding better.” The palm of his hand was right above my ass. I could feel the tip of his index finger draw mindless shapes over my hipbone. Apart from listening to the rhythmic sound of the dormant sea. I could hear the sound of Sebastian breathing in and out, as if he was having to control it. When I tilted my head up his mind looked far away. He looked at me like it was the first time he saw me. I couldn't settle the butterflies metamorphosing inside my stomach. I found it almost overwhelming.

“When I was little my mom moved us around a lot, she’d always grow bored of our surroundings. Which would eventually result to moving on to the next state. The only thing that stayed the same for me was right up there. To remind me some things don’t have to change, plus I thought it followed me and I’d always make up stories about it. I know it’s cheesy, but in my defense I was six and it sorta just stuck.” My mouth turned downward in my typical embarrassed fashion. I had no where to hide my face so that I wouldn’t have to see his reaction. I glanced away. I felt a firm yet gentle grip around my chin pulling my face up closer to meet his. Sebastian stared at me no longer than three heart beats. Yes, I counted.

“So the reason you’re all the way here in Capri is to see if the moon is the same?” His voice was deep. The way he was concentrating on me I couldn’t tell if he was joking or being serious. I expected laughter to ensure at any second.

“Of course not. . . I read about it.” I stated, my voiced already laced with self consciousness. Yet, for some unexplained reason I kept babbling on. “According to Homer when Ulysses was sailing along the coast of Capri here is where he first heard the beguiling voices of Sirens. Regardless of the fictional elements I still wanted to see this place for myself.”

Sebastian smiled before turning his attention towards the night sky, letting my face go. “You’re something else Natalie Foster.”

“I could say the same about you.” I said matter-of-fact.

Sebastian made a sound, I didn’t know whether he was agreeing with me or dismissing it. “No,” He exhaled. " I'm the guy who came here to visit the parents of the son my recently deceased girlfriend was madly in love with."

"What?" I said loudly.

"You already met Gabriel's father." Sebastian said nonchalantly, as he swayed the hammock back and forth. I twisted around so that I could lay on my stomach to face him. Recalling back to the people I met here was our guide Ian and Alessio. Unless Ian drank from the fountain of youth my guess is with Alessio.

My eyes widened. "Wait. What?" I repeated looking at him quizzically, still unable to follow along with what he was saying.

"Long before Bianca met me she was head over heels for this guy she met while in the Peace Corps. She told me they bonded over their passion to do humanitarian work in different countries. Bianca had a huge heart and when she loved something she was all in." Sebastian says, giving me a weak smile.

Not knowing if I should prompt him to say more, because talking about her looked like it was cutting open a fresh wound. I definitely didn't want to be the one to add to his misery. Though after what just happened between the two of us I'm sure he could let me in just a tiny inch. The line I drew regarding our friendship was already blurred and definitely crossed. "What happened to Gabriel?" I asked slowly.

"The two of them had a lot of goals they wanted to accomplish together. Remember when I told you earlier she was a bit of a thrill seeker?" I nodded my head at his question.

"Well they were one in the same. She told me they wanted to do all kinds of outrageous shit before they got married. Gabriel caught pneumonia before they could ever make it to the alter. His immune system just got weaker and weaker. Intent on keeping their promise Bianca never stopped. She'd visit his parents from time to time and when we started going out I wasn't going to be the one to stop her from coming out here. Once I really got to know Alessio and Nina they became really good friends of mine. . .so I thought." His voice trailed off.

"He seemed so nice last time I saw him talk to you and if I heard correctly his wife wanted you to visit them." I was propped up to face Sebastian genuinely interested and taken by surprise at how the truth was shaping out to be.

Sebastian’s eyes evaded. mine."Alessio didn't show up when we searched for your journal and he was brief with me when I spoke with him on the phone. I hadn't even heard from Nina. I think without Bianca being here it's weird for me to even still visit them. Their son was going to marry her and she never really could let him go. The shittiest part is I was the one robbed of a last goodbye. Her folks claimed Bianca wouldn't have wanted a public service." A devastating wave filled the air around us. For a few seconds I stayed motionless trying to comprehend it all. Everything Sebastian just told me was gut wrenching. I had never known anything like it and I felt even more horrible that in the beginning I had made everything about me.

Tensing, he said, "I didn't mean to ruin your night and you sure as hell didn't sign up for this."

"You're absolutely correct." I stated flatly, scooting up closer so that Sebastian and I were at eye level. "On the top ten most exciting things to do in Capri the travel blogger didn't include you on the list." Bending down I placed a tender kissed alongside Sebastian's lower throat. His eyelids fell shut and he exhaled a deep breath. I couldn't begin to fathom the heartache I'm sure he felt for her. I just hoped liked hell I wasn't making it worse.

"Thank you Natalie." Sebastian cleared his throat speaking in a more vulnerable tone.

"For what?" I asked.

"For reading The Odyssey." He looked like he wanted to say something else but he didn't. He steadied his protective grip around me hugging me close to his bare chest like I would fall out of the hammock. I sighed. I knew I could stay here forever. Sparks went off in my chest. I was in over my head ,that I was certain of. I bit the inside of my cheek to suppress the laughter bubbling up inside.

"You know what we need?" I said with a tenor of determination. I wanted to do something to change the solemn mood that seemed to have taken over the atmosphere. Sebastian suddenly rolled over on his side pinning me under him, pulling my bottom lip with his teeth. "More of this?" He asked suggestively.

I shook my head while grinning wide. "Gelato." I said, my voice breathless.

"Gelato?" Sebastian repeated like it was a foreign concept. When the word rolled off his tongue it sounded a thousand times better. I said it before and I'll say it again his voice made everything sound sexier.

"I think the hotel restaurant is still open. I can be back in twenty minutes top." I told him.

"Make it ten." Sebastian ordered.

"You never really pegged me as the bossy type." He leaned forward so that he was completely hovering over me. I could've imagined a thousand scenarios of how my trip would've gone, laying underneath a man as gorgeous as this one was not on my itinerary. Perhaps he was thinking the same thing as well. A bashful smile ghosted Sebastian’s lips. "I just like being near you." He said in a hushed tone.

I was ashamed to admit that I was easily affected by him. I forgot everything that I was about to say, because suddenly I felt Sebastian's mouth nip at the soft skin covering my hip and I yelped in surprise. Which caused me to come down from the hammock. I'm dangerously ticklish and my flailing limbs are lethal. I pushed my shirt back down and tiptoed backwards as I walked back into the room. Sebastian, who remained unbothered by my lack of poise eyed me in amusement. "I...need...pants."

"I have some sweatpants in that duffel bag behind the closet door." He exhaled a quiet laugh. I scurried off to go find a pair. Riffling through nearly a dozen pair, even his clothes smelled like him. I settled for black ones that I quickly got into, pulling the drawstrings as tight as they would go so that they were secured around my hips. I couldn't walk around the hotel barefoot and I draw the line at wearing his shoes.

I grudgingly slipped into my dampened shoes. Looking down at my ghastly assemble I knew I was a fashion victim. I couldn't muster the courage to steal a look at my reflection when I went inside of the bathroom. I was able to comb through my knotted hair with my fingers and created a side braid. Walking back out I caught Sebastian with his arms rested behind his head still in the hammock looking up at the moon. Sensing my near presence like a magnet he turned to face me.

I shifted uncomfortably at the weight of his longing stare. "I know I know," I sighed ruefully. "I look..."I racked my brain for the right synonyms; horrible, disarrayed, a hot mess.

"Breathtaking." Sebastian said, cutting through my thoughts.

While I walked through the main lobby that is exactly what I wanted to keep in mind as I passed by people who were dressed as if they stepped right off of the runway. I didn't mind the few stares I got along the way to the restaurant. I knew my eye sore of an outfit was out of place, but I no longer cared. I followed the trail of bodies coming and going in a direction that led me straight into the luxurious restaurant located on the terrace overlooking the Marina Grande and the Bay of Naples. Every time I caught sight of the enchanting deep blue sea at night filled me with a serene calmness. Too bad it was going to be short lived.

I assumed the kitchen was still open by the way people waited for their reservations to open up. The seating area was discreetly arranged. Sitting at a table I assumed made guest feel like they were in their own private sector. Fenced in by an intricate metal railing that was wrapped in a florescent deep red bougainvillea plants that twisted into it.Tall black umbrellas with wooden poles canopied over the tables covered in crisp white cloths. Chilled bottles of wine sat at every table alongside glass pitchers of water. Tiny flicker of flames was trapped somehow in the center of the table which kept the individual areas dimly lit. Trees that were nearly half the size of palm trees had full bloomed branches that hung high above my head. The leaves were curved inward almost making a cloud of greenery, and tiny lemons were dangling from it.

My shoes slapped against the wooden floorboard making me also be seen and heard. Yippie. I spotted a woman frantically tapping away at touch screen monitor wearing khaki shorts and light blue polo with the hotel logo on the front. "Is there some sort of dessert menu I could look at? Also if possible could I charge my order to my room?" I asked her kindly. It had dawned on me that my pockets were empty and I forgot my wallet. I was internally hoping she would not judge me because of my appearance.

When she looked up at me a genuine smile broke out on her face. "Yes we do. I'd be happy to provide you with one." Her saccharine accent was so lovely to hear. Taking a quick look at her name tag pinned to her shirt. Elisa handed me a rectangular menu with only the names of various desserts and drinks. My eyes quickly scanned over it looking for any mention of gelato. I squinted my eyes in effort of trying to adjust my vision on the tiny words. No glasses or credit cards I came so unprepared. Ah ha! I found it! The gelato....not my glasses.

The happy dance I was doing was thankfully in my head, because someone was now beside me. I gave Elisa my order, almond honey butter for me because why the hell not? For Sebastian I chose a safer flavor and just went with chocolate. "I'll just need a name so the charge can be made."

"Natalie Foster." I told her, as I leaned over to pass the menu back to her. I quickly pulled back not realizing I was hovering over someone seated in a wheel chair.

"Wow." She stated in disbelief. I turned to face her with an apology fresh in my mouth before she spoke up again. "You're Natalie Foster?" Her voice wasn't laced with anger, if anything she sounded excited.

"Forgive me I should've looked before I moved into you personal space! That was ill mannered of me. I'm sorry." I don't think I exhaled once while talking to her. She frantically waved her hand in the air as if to dismiss me. Which caused her glossy black hair that was cut into a bob that was longer in the front and short in the to bounce around her face. The way her dark green eyes lit up, you'd think I just told her she won the lottery.

"I am a huge fan of your work!" She moved the wheels on her chair so she could swivel it around to face me. When I looked down that was when I noticed both of her legs were casted in thick silver metal braces all the way up to her kneecaps. I didn't know what to say usually not many readers of my books recognized me enough to come over and talk to me or they did and just didn't care.

"Thank you!" That was all I seemed to be able to think of.

"I'd ask you to sign something, but I only own digital copies of your books." Her smile only grew bigger and bigger. If I had to take a guess we were probably around the same age and she was hands down amongst one of the prettiest people I have ever seen. My confidence yeah it was dissipating.

"I'm just grateful there are people out there who still enjoy reading." I said, meaning every word. Feeling the admiration I extended my arm out to shake her hand. "What's your name?"

Returning the gesture she was happy to tell me. "Bianca Jagger!"

A burst of soft laugher came out of my mouth. "No way?"

Bianca laughed along with me. "My parents clearly thought they were being funny. Wait till you hear my mother's maiden name."

I raised my eyebrow in anticipation of her answer. "‪Diana Ross‬." A beat of silence passed between us before we both started laughing. To others we must have look absolutely insane. Right on cue Elisa returned carrying two cups of what I knew was to be heaven in a cup. Bianca watched my movements like I was someone to actually be enamored by.

"I better get going it." I said, I turning around ready to get back to Sebastian.

"Of course I don't want you to keep him waiting. It was really nice meeting you." Her voice cracked.

"Likewise!" I chirped, mindlessly unaware. I walked in the same direction that I came in and the other shoe I was waiting to drop finally came down. Right down into my gelato that hit the floor.

No, it couldn't be.

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