#i also had my silly red tinted glasses but only in the morning

[muirneach]

save a bike ride a cowboy cyclist. or whatever

[90spumkin]

Masterpiece

Summary: Who knew art could lead to an awkward meeting that would later lead to beautiful relationship.

A/N: I know I said I would post this Friday, but oh well here we are. All inserted pictures are from Pinterest. I absolutely loved writing this so please send me your feedback.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Artist! Reader

Warnings: swearing, implied/slightly descriptive smut, mention of alcohol and addiction 

Word Count: 2.8K

Spencer doesn’t know how long he had been zoned out not listening to a word Emily said to him. They were standing in an obnoxiously long line at their favorite coffee shop. Spencer was admiring the art in front of him, the way the yellows and oranges flowed together was mesmerizing. They were so mesmerizing that Spencer didn’t realize the art was on the back pocket of the stranger’s shorts standing in line in front of them.

It wasn’t until Emily nudge Spencer’s shoulder, “Quit looking at that girl’s ass!” Spencer saw where Emily was pointing as she spoke. As he went to say, “I was not checking out her ass.”, the stranger with the mesmerizing art on her ass turned around to see the raven haired woman pointing down at the lower part of her body and the tall curly haired man blushing as he was caught in the act.

The woman smirked at them both and said, “Well my shorts do say ‘this butt is art’ so I guess technically you were just taking in all its beauty.” This made Emily snort and Spencer stutter. He tried to stutter out an apology, but by the time his brain allowed him to access words again Emily’s phone rang loudly.

She answered quickly and hung up just as fast, “I have to go to a meeting apparently. Sometimes I hate being the boss. I’ll catch up with you later, Spencer.” And with that she was gone, leaving Spencer there with the still smirking woman.

“You know the least you could do is buy my coffee to make up for this adorable fiasco.” She said causing Spencer to blush. He nodded his head and said, “Yes of course. I’m really sorry about all that. I’m Dr. Spencer Reid by the way.”

She smiled at him as he went to stand beside her in line, “Oh doctor, fascinating. I’m y/n.”

Once they had finally gotten their coffee and found a small table, conversation between the two flowed so effortlessly. “So, doctor, huh? Care to share with the class what kind?” Y/n asked as she took a sip of her dark beverage.

Spencer chuckled, “I have PhD’s in mathematics, chemistry, and engineering along with BA’s in psychology, sociology, and philosophy. I’m not a doctor who works in a hospital, but one who works in the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit.” Y/n smiled at him over her cup, “That kind of makes sense you look like a very intelligent man. Plus, you look way better in a cardigan than you probably would in scrubs.”

Their conversation went on without a hitch, no moments of awkward silence. They talked about their careers, y/n explained how she was an artist and Spencer adored the way she lit up as she talked. They constantly were bouncing ideas and questions off one another. The conversations stretched over many different topics, each just as interesting as the last. Y/n even listened and question Spencer on several of his fact dumps.

They both seemed to have forgotten the outside world existed until Spencer happened to notice the sun setting through the coffee shop windows. As he admired the colors in the sky he said, “The sky is always so lovely at sunset, but I hate that it could mean the end of this.”

He looked back at y/n who was smiling at him. “Okay I don’t usually invite strange men to my home, but would you like to come see some of my art that I’ve been working on?” Spencer smirked and narrowed his eyes, “You think I’m strange?” Y/n laughed, “Only in the best way.”

The first thing Spencer did when he entered y/n incredibly spacious apartment was admire all the art lining the walls. He had thought the art displayed on her jean shorts was mesmerizing, but the art that was in front of him now was simply breathtaking.

Spencer walked the walls, admiring and analyzing each piece. Y/n stood beside him as he smiled at the painting of a cow. She laughed softly as she spoke, “There is always a story behind each of my paintings. Some are silly, some are painful. However, this one happens to be my favorite. I grew up on a farm and I had a cow named Milky” She looked at Spencer who was trying to hide a laugh, “Hey I was 8! Anyways she was my best friend. It was funny when I first started to draw and paint, I would always use her as a model. Sometimes it seemed as if she was posing for me.”

Spencer didn’t take his eyes off y/n the whole time she was talking. Once y/n finished her story she looked at Spencer. Both of their smiles growing bigger. He looked back at the painting and said, “You know in another life I would love to be a cowboy with cows and other animals on a small ranch somewhere.”

Y/n giggled, “Would you name one of your cows Milky?” Spencer looked at her fondly and said, “For you, I would.”

Spencer turned his head to the right and noticed a canvas with several different shades of red bleeding into one another, there was broken glass scattered across it. He made his way closer, he turned towards y/n and asked, “What’s the story behind this one?”

Y/n’s eyes held a hint of sadness as she drew in a deep breath. She was hesitant at first but finally explained, “The glass is broken beer bottles, I was- am an alcoholic. I am currently 5 years sober, almost 6 now. I made this to remind myself of all the hate and pain drinking brought to my life” Y/n turned towards Spencer expecting him not to understand, but instead he reached into his pocket and pulled out a sobriety chip.

Y/n’s eyes started to tear up at the fact that someone finally wasn’t judging her but understanding her. She too pulled out a chip and both y/n and Spencer let out laughs full of pain but also full happiness. Spencer reached out a hand and placed it on y/n’s cheek. His thumb ran smoothly across her face to wipe a tear that had escaped.

When Spencer spoke again his words were soft, “Out of all this art, I think you are the one true masterpiece.”

One minute they were staring into one another’s eyes, and the next they were getting lost in the feel of the other’s lips neither one really sure when they had made it to y/n’s bedroom. Spencer held y/n against him firmly, but it felt delicate all at once. His fingers traced over every edge and curve of her body bringing sounds of pleasure from her beautiful lips.

Spencer planted soft kisses across y/n’s body as if he were painting and her body was his canvas. With every roll of Spencer’s hips, flashes of color seemed to blind him. When y/n arched her back, Spencer let her know she was more beautiful than any art piece.

The next morning, Spencer woke up to the sun shining through the windows. He felt y/n stir next to him, he couldn’t help but take in how lovely she looked. The sun seemed to only amplify her beauty.

Y/n opened her eyes to find Spencer staring at her. She smirked and closed her eyes again, curling up closer to him, “You’re staring.” Spencer chuckled causing vibrations to run through his chest making y/n giggle. “I’m admiring.” Spencer told her.

Y/n sat up to stretch, the sheets falling around her making her look like a sculpture of a goddess. She smiled down at him and scrunched up her nose “Yeah yeah yeah. Whatever you say.”

While they started to dress, well y/n was getting dressed Spencer was still looking for his shirt, he noticed the shorts y/n was putting on had art on them just like the ones before. However, these were not shades of yellow and orange. These shorts had little planets painted on them.

Y/n turned around to see Spencer’s eyes once again focused on her ass, “Why are you smiling like that?” At her question Spencer let out the laugh he was holding in as he said, “Ummm- well- it’s just that- your ass is out of this world.”

Y/n snorted and threw a pillow towards Spencer who actually caught it, “Oh the doctors got jokes this morning.”

Spencer spotted his shirt in the floor and as he bent over to get it, he said, “Not jokes, facts.” This only made y/n smile more.

Y/n watched the muscles in Spencer’s back flex as he fixed his shirt to put it on. Right before he put it over his head she asked, “Can I- can I paint something on your back?”

Spencer stopped all movements to look at y/n, he noticed the blush tinting her cheeks. His heart seemed to scream with emotions. Spencer through his shirt back on the ground and asked, “Where do you want me?” Y/n giggled and pointed to the bed.

Y/n had been straddling Spencer’s back for about 15-to-20-minute minutes when he no longer felt the softness of the paintbrush against his skin. Y/n had been humming while she worked and with the gentleness of each stroke of the brush, Spencer kept dozing off.

Y/n removed herself from Spencer causing him to turn his head to look up at her, she was smiling so brightly Spencer never wanted to look away. Y/n was staring down at the work on Spencer’s back and jumped slightly when he asked, “Can I see it?”

“Oh yes! Of course!”, she rushed to put down her paints and brushes. Y/n grabbed Spencer’s hand and pulled him towards the full-length mirror hanging on the back of her bedroom door. Before handing him the handheld mirror she said, “Close your eyes. I’m going to count to 3.” Spencer just chuckled and nodded.

“1…”

“…2…”

“…3”

Spencer opened his eyes and let out a gasp. The art that now covered his back was simple but so pretty. There were no defined lines, the colors overlapped in some places which just made it all the more beautiful. He looked from the mirror to y/n to see her hands clasped together and held against her mouth. She moved her hands slightly to ask, “So, what do you think?” Spencer looked back at the mirror and said, “I never want to take it off.”

After the time Spencer spent with y/n he was scared he would never see or talk to her again. Right after she revealed the painting she had done on his back, Emily called him with a new case. He ran out of there so fast he didn’t have time to remove the paint or give y/n his number. The plane ride was slightly uncomfortable with his clothes sticking to the paint.

However, it turned out the universe was on his side. They were leaving one case going straight to another, so Spencer’s spirits were kind of in shambles and his mind was consumed with thoughts of y/n. His sadness was starting to take over his mood when his rarely used cell phoned chimed, signaling that he just received a text.

Hi, doc. It’s your favorite artist. I hope it isn’t weird I’m texting you. I got a call from someone named Penelope. She said Emily thought you would like to hear from me.

Spencer looked over towards Emily who was smirking as she read over the case file, she knew who was texting him. Spencer just shook his head as he typed out his response, smiling the whole time.

Hello, y/n. That would be my best friends medaling in my life. Luckily, this time they were right.

Y/n response came back fast, and Spencer chuckled softly imagining the teasing look she was probably making as she asked-

This time?

That is a story for another time.

Over the course of the several weeks Spencer was gone, Y/n and Spencer texted every chance they got. A lot of the times Spencer would be too busy and would see messages from y/n he had gotten through the day.

--

I was running late this morning due to me having terrible time management skills and well- I went to brunch with paint completely covering my clothes.

--

Ha look what I did. I’m starting to think I’m the real genius here. click here for image

--

SPENCER REID. DID YOU REALLY HAVE PENELOPE GO BUY ME THIS AND BRING IT TO ME?!?! I love it! Thank you! click here for image

--

Spencer would always laugh and respond every time he got the chance. One night he was actually able to call her.

“Hello?”

“Are not sure how to answer a phone or are you questioning if I’m really calling you?” Spencer teased.

“Well, isn’t someone feeling sassy today.” Y/n laughed; she was overwhelmingly happy to hear his voice.

They spent most of the night just catching up. Y/n never once asked about the case and for that Spencer was thankful. Spencer saw the sun start to rise and realized what time it was.

“I should probably try and get at least a few hours of sleep.” Spencer said into the phone. He heard her gasp and then frantically started apologizing, “Oh my goodness! I am so sorry! I was just so happy to talk to you I didn’t realize. I-“

Spencer cut her off with a “Hey. It perfectly okay. I love talking to you. If it were possible, I would never sleep if it meant I could talk to you forever.”

Y/n couldn’t stop smiling, “Well guess what doc. You’re kind of stuck with me get ready for me to never stop talking.” Spencer laughed softly, “I am definitely okay with that.”

As soon as the jet landed, Spencer texted y/n to let her know they were back. What he didn’t expect was for her to be standing in the bullpen with Penelope. Spencer couldn’t help but practically sprint to her, ignoring the knowing looks from his teammates.

When reached her, he wrapped her in a hug. Y/n giggled as she hugged him back. When they pulled apart Spencer asked, “What are you doing here?” Y/n shrugged and looked towards Penelope who had left her side to join the others and said, “Reasons.” She looked back at Spencer and winked. Spencer laughed and shook his head as he wrapped her in another hug.

Spencer and y/n left with Spencer promising to finish the paperwork first thing the following week. Once they were outside y/n turned to Spencer and said, “Okay so the main reason I couldn’t wait any longer to see you is I want to ask you something?”

Spencer turned his head and squinted his eyes, “Should I be scared?” Y/n barked out a laugh and grabbed Spencer’s hand. He stared where their hands were joined. Y/n must have thought he didn’t want to hold her hand because she noticed him staring and let go.

Y/n became a little nervous as she asked, “I- I wanted to ask you to be my plus one at an art show tomorrow. This will be the second art show my work has been in and I’m extremely nervous and would love for you to be there.”

Spencer smiled, feeling beyond flattered that she would want him there. He grabbed her hand the same way she had before and said, “I would love nothing more.”

That following night at the art show Spencer knew for certain he was completely consumed with feelings for y/n. He couldn’t help but to admire how her face lit up every time she talked about her work with other guests. It fills him with pride every time she would turn away the champagne that is offered. What really sets his heart ablaze is how y/n would reach for his hand every time she moved on to another art piece or to speak to someone else. It was as if y/n wanted, needed him. Whether it was for comfort or confidence Spencer was happy to be either of those things for her.

Towards the end of the night Spencer and y/n had finally found a moment to be alone. They stood in front of a painting that kind of reminded Spencer of the mermaid from that one Disney movie Penelope made him watch.

Y/n must have thought so also because as she looked at the painting she said, “You know I am really glad you have become a part of my world.” Y/n turned her head to look at Spencer there was a gleam in her eye. Spencer responded by saying, “Is there any way I can always be a part of your world?”

Y/n responded by kissing Spencer, putting ever amount of emotion she felt into it. The kiss was more vibrant and meaningful than any art she could ever dream of creating.

*

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[btssmutficslovingfan01]

How to Dream About Your Crush

Summary: You’re gonna go into your crush’s dream and that’s not all, you’re going to make him fall madly in love with you, only in seven days.

Genre: Fluff, Angst

Pairing: Jungkook x Banshee! Reader

Words: 9k+

Warnings: No correlation to the wikihow article, wattpad got nothing on me, references to HYYH era and the ‘Save Me’ webtoon, Mentions of Suicidal Thoughts, Death, Pretty PG rated overall except for some suggestive parts

💌 A/N: This is the longest Jungkook ff I have ever written. Also, happy valentine’s day!

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“Who are you?” He asked you as you turned around, your long red dress flowing freely behind you as he ran towards you. “Your future.” You gave him a half smile and everything faded to white, that’s how the dream ended. You woke up with a smile on your face, feeling quite well rested. You weren’t, however, ready to face Jungkook after that little stunt you pulled. Yoongi was glaring at you as you trudged to the kitchen.

“There’s a reason why we don’t use the dream dust on humans, you know?”

“I know, I know. But he’s the cutest boy I’ve ever seen in my entire life, and you know I’m the equivalent of a newborn even at 22.” Your superior lets out a sigh.

“Yes, I suppose I understand why you did it. I just don’t like it, is all. Our kind isn’t known to humans. Even though we blend in well, we cannot mix. Some are just too smart for us to sneak past.” Yoongi finishes whipping up the last batch of his potions for the next week and a half.

“I know you’re salty because once they thought you were a ghost when you went out to go buy a t.v. It doesn’t help that they made a horror movie about it either.” You laugh at the memory, your eyes twinkling with mischief as your older brother glares daggers at you, again.

“We’re the laughing stalk of the 4th dimension, Y/N, how would you feel if a human mistook you for a demon and decided to give you a silly name like, “the crying woman?” or “the girl from the ring?” You just narrowed your eyes at him.

“Those things already exist. Besides, I think it was a good thing that you got caught. Humans fear us so they’ll stay away. Even if they’re wrong about the ghost part, we still have a cool name.” Yoongi buckles his satchel before putting his brown bag over his shoulder and going out for the day.

“For the record, Banshees are cool. Banhees are not.” You rolled your eyes at him as he left, finally locking the door behind him. You loved spending time alone, as you have been for the last quarter of a century. It felt like an eternity, all that time cooped up in your house that you were assigned to stay in with your superior, Yoongi. Over a period of time, he became like a brother to you, that’s why it’s easier to refer to him as your brother, even though you aren’t biologically related to one another.

Your world operates similar to the human world, the only difference is that ghouls don’t get into fights over silly things and there’s no concept of racism because the entire population consists of different types of people and it's not like you deal with the same species. Instead you consider yourselves a single population of just otherlanders. There are others like you, but their existence doesn’t affect yours in any shape or form.

You worked for the factory that you were born at, the same factory that sent you and Yoongi to the human dimension. This way, you could do good deeds without bothering anyone. You were born into a complicated situation. Your entire family was under arrest when you were still in utero, and you were born in a factory jail cell. You were sent to an orphanage as an infant and when you were around 18 years of age, you were sent to work at the factory. That is also where you met your 110 year old superior.

Others didn’t protest, even though it was odd for such a young Banshee to be traveling to the human world and completing tasks meant for elders. Yoongi luckily looked after you, and you became used to the workings of the human world. Your job was easy enough: Look after the souls who you have been assigned to and help them through their dreams.

It was an easy enough task, except for the fact that you couldn’t directly intervene in their lives. You had to go into their dreams and Jungkook Jeon just happened to be one of the lucky humans you had the pleasure of helping, at least that’s what you like to believe. Yoongi got assigned to him instead, but once you got a peek of that bunny-toothed smile, you just couldn’t resist! That boy was just too cute.

To Yoongi’s dismay, you started appearing in his dreams, whether they were dreams or nightmares. You also couldn’t risk him seeing your body, because the lifeless skin with a light blue tint would be a dead giveaway that you weren’t human.

All you needed was a picture of him and some dream dust, the unfortunate part was that Yoongi was the only one who could make it, as he knew the recipe by heart and refused to give it to you until you learned how to be a responsible Banshee and do your job. For your family, who you barely knew.

Later that night, you find yourself in the middle of a road. All you can see is darkness, except for the road with clear yellow lines separating the two lanes. A strange feeling forms in the pit of your belly as you look past your field of vision and you see the road cut off. When you turn around, you see Jungkook, who looks shocked to see you in the middle of his nightmare.

He shuts his eyes and covers himself with his arms, as if he would be shielded from whatever danger just because he can’t see it. Before you can ask him what he was doing, a blinding flash of light stops you, and you feel the impact of the car as glass shards go flying everywhere. It was in slow motion, but you could see Jungkook’s horrified face as you stare back at him with lifeless eyes. He was so startled that he woke up before you did, leaving you alone on the dark road again, only shards of glass and a smashed car to keep you company.

It seems Jungkook’s trauma runs deeper than his memory. When you were flying through the air in slow motion, your vision came back into focus. The blinding light hadn’t reached your eyes yet, so it gave you time to peer into the window. You didn’t see a driver, no face, no body, no hands. It was like the car was driving itself.

You also noticed that the car was driving in the middle of the road, not on either side so it didn’t give Jungkook an opportunity to move out of the way. You getting into an accident was not your fault either, you weren’t meant to be there in the first place. Now that you know, you can avoid this in the future by pulling Jungkook aside or pushing him out of the way. Even though it was a dream, you still felt pain from the incident. This was a downside to being a creature of the night, you remember dreams vividly and never forget pain. That’s why there were a small number of Banshees in your world, because people remembered the pain of giving birth, they stopped reproducing. 

It was about 9 in the morning when you awakened from your slumber, after recounting the events in the dream world by yourself after Jungkook woke up, you stayed there alone. Sometimes, a girl just needs to have that peace and quiet.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Yoongi!” You gasp, sitting up on the bed, clutching your blanket with one hand and your dream journal in the other.

“I thought I told you to stop going after that Jungkook boy. He’s my assignment, after all.” You pout as Yoongi shuts you down again. 

“Yoongi, how many times do I have to tell you? I can’t let him go. He’s special.” Yoongi rolls his eyes.

“How many times have I heard this before? One, two, three? They were all different names, different partners too. Ah, how it feels to be a teenager.”

“I’m not a teenager. Not in our dimension, anyways.” Yoongi doesn’t know whether he should laugh or cry at your naive remark. All he can do now is take care of you and get you home in one piece.

“I know that.” He clicks his tongue but you still look more perplexed than ever.

“We’re partners, but this assignment has to be done alone. If you screw this up for me, I can get fired.”

“I understand, sir yes sir,” You salute him before flipping through the pages of your dream diary. “I won’t mess this up. In fact, I think I even found the root of his trauma.” Yoongi shakes his head at your thoughtless comment.

“There is no such thing as a “root” of trauma. Normally, people are mentally scarred during their childhood and they grow up to have problems during their adult life. In Jungkook’s case, he is not a full adult yet, we’re just lucky we got here in time before it started taking over his life.”

“Yoongi, when can I have my first assignment? They said we were partners and sent us here so we can complete missions together but it feels like you just want me to stay out of it altogether.” Yoongi furrows his brows. He puts his fingers to his forehead, pressing down and rubbing his temples for relief. He looks tired and grumpy, like an old man.

“I can’t teach you if you won’t listen to me. When I told you to let me handle this alone, I meant that I wanted to be the one to open the gates to the dream world and let you through so you could observe from a distance.”

“Oh yeah? And how’s that coming for ya?”

“So far? Not so great.” He sighs, plopping onto the green couch with a thwack.

“Tell me what’s the matter.”

“You. You keep messing everything up. I bet you can’t even do your job right even if I assigned you the task.” Your eyes widen at his playful comment, which was a complete 180 from his authoritarian behavior from before.

“I bet I can do that, and make him fall madly in love with me while doing it.” The corners of his lips twitch upwards and into a strange mix between a grimace and a smirk. It takes you a moment to realize that he was trying to smile, something that Yoongi doesn’t do very often. 

“In a week?” Yoongi adds. “If you fail, you have to buy me a Maxi size blanket from Max-Mart.” You reach out to shake his hand but withdraw quickly, realizing that you forgot to decide his punishment.

“And if I win, you have to give me the recipe to Dream Dust.” He scoffs. “Deal.” You shake on it.

Day 1

You wipe your sweaty palms on your pajamas as you prepare for another night in Jungkook’s Dream World. The first thing you needed to do was confront him. Unlike Yoongi, you believed in doing things head-on. Much to your company’s dismay, there were no specific rules stating that you can’t do so. You can’t interfere in the waking world, that’s all.

“It’s you.” Jungkook is in the middle of a floating pile of laundry, which piles higher than any mountain you’ve seen before.

“How’d you get up there?” You ask, trying to change that topic since dream logic allowed you to skip over the meaningless greetings and get to the point. Jungkook didn’t notice, giving you what he thought was a sensible answer but instead the letters came out jumbled and he said something about Alpaca parkas.

“That’s a lovely scent. What kind of detergent do you use?” Jungkook shrugs as you help him out of the pile, not minding that you flew up to do so. “Are you an angel?” He asks finally, when you set him down after flying him back down to safety.

“If that’ll help you sleep better at night, then yeah, I guess so.”

“I’ve seen you before, you’re the one that ran away from me the other time...but that was a dream. Oh my god, am I dreaming?” Jungkook’s smile makes your heart melt. You never thought you would meet a human that made you feel this way, much less a boy. If he belonged to your world, he would be an infant, same as you. But he is technically older than you, since you were only 22 and he was 24.

“Can you tell me who was driving the car?” You shift topics easily but Jungkook’s dreamscape looks murky. It’s like he’s having a thousand thoughts at once but you can’t hear any of them, as he’s keeping them to himself, even in his own dream. Technically, the dream plane is a place where people can share dreams if their connection is strong enough, but you forced your way into his dreams, with the dream dust. Another strange rule about the dream plane is that if he didn’t truly want you here, you could be cast out of his dream. Of course, that’s never happened to you before since you only watched Yoongi do this from afar and never interfered with it directly.

“No.” Again, the horn of that very same car warns you from behind as Jungkook watches the light with wide doe eyes, waiting for the impact that never comes.

He looks at you with confusion as you make the car swerve past you into a halt, something that Jungkook himself can never do. He always gets hit in the end, and then wakes up in his bed in a cold sweat. It’s not really a pleasant feeling, as his heart would race and he would have to get up to drink water or go to the bathroom to calm down his nerves.

“How did you do that?” His dreamscape changes again, to something more serene. A golden-orange sunset near the beach. You can feel the sand between your toes as the waves crash onto your feet and swipe it away. The change is drastic to the empty road in the darkness that always ends in a car crash. You can tell Jungkook still has no control over it, the car just hits him every time and instead of moving out of the way, he waits for the collision, like he’s supposed to get hit.

“I didn’t do anything. It’s your dream, after all.” You try twisting the situation around, since in the dreamscape, you can say or do anything and it will make sense to the person dreaming at the time.

“But you’re here. I know I’ve never met you in real life...so why do you keep appearing in my dreams?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you caught a glimpse of me somewhere and now your subconscious is presenting me as the answer to your problem.” Why did you say that? Now you’ve really gone and done it.

“How can you possibly be my “cure?” The car was just a coincidence. Let’s just say I was so taken aback that I stopped it from crushing you. What good does having you by my side do for me? Are you supposed to be my miracle?” You decide to play along, just for now. If Jungkook thinks he needs you, and you give him exactly what he wants (because it’s a dream), then in the waking world when you run into him, you can directly help him heal and overcome his fears. It’s a win-win situation! Although, Yoongi won’t be very proud of you for doing the latter.

He doesn’t believe in doing the work himself, he says making the humans come to a realization is much more satisfying than directly trying to fix the problem. He calls it pushing things into place, you call it laziness.

“Again, it’s all up to you. I’m just here for the ride.” You’re vague on purpose, as Jungkook comes close to you, practically bumping noses as his breath fans on your lips like a cool breeze of air. You don’t know why, but your heart races when he steps even closer to you.

His lips are almost touching yours, when he suddenly pulls away.

“I don’t even know you.”

You wake up in a cold sweat. Yoongi is flipping through a book, smirking as he sips some coffee while watching you struggle after your return from Jungkook’s dreamscape. He doesn’t think you’ll be able to get any further than angering Jungkook for prying into his most personal thoughts through his dreams.

You make yourself some coffee before starting the day, peering out the window to watch Jungkook as he exits his apartment in a rush, with a guitar case in hand. You know exactly where he’s going, too.

You decide to make your first encounter with Jungkook a mere coincidence. A chance-meeting. Two people meeting on the street only to meet later somewhere else. You were playing with destiny. 

Your physical body has noticeable differences from a human’s body, which means if Jungkook gets too close, he could discover you’re not like him. You opted to wear a simple brown trench coat and some brown boots, but you keep your face covered until you drop a coin in his guitar case.

His eyes widen when he sees you, and you give him the sweetest smile you think a human girl can possibly muster. Quickly, you turn around and disappear around the corner, leaving Jungkook to busk again by his lonesome. He does it everyday, for two hours. After that, he heads down to his workplace which is by a supermarket. 

You don’t go to that supermarket to buy groceries, since it was far away, compared to your local supermarket.

“You know, if you don’t think you can do this, you can give your bag of dream dust to me and I can—” “No!” You interrupt Yoongi, with tearful eyes. “I don’t care about your stupid bet. I just want Jungkook to get at least one night of rest. This may be a game for you, but he’s a real person, you know? He is more than an “assignment.” Yoongi, I’m asking you for a bit of humility.” Yoongi sighs before setting his book down on the table, putting a hand on his chin as he speaks to you.

“And so it begins. Your first mission,” You look at him with bewilderment; Had he meant to piss you off from the very beginning? “The same thing happened to me on mine, and my grandfather’s father. The key to a successful mission is realizing that your assigned humans are human.” You were at a loss for words.

Yoongi helped you? This one is definitely going in the book of reports.

“What difference does it make? Jungkook doesn’t want my help. He doesn’t even know me.”

“But you know him,” Yoongi’s eyes glimmer with flecks of gold, his irises naturally brown with a yellow undertone. You always found his eyes captivating, mirroring the very essence of his soul. He’s wise and monotonous, with a microscopic piece of warmth seeping through the cracks. Rarely does he express any kind of emotion at all. Yet this was one of those rare moments in which he displayed emotion. “So help him.”

Day 2

Jungkook’s dreamscape had taken a turn for the worst. This time, you found yourself in the middle of a crime scene, Jungkook watching himself bleed out as his double sinks into the white-tiled floor, fresh scarlet blood pooling around his head. You stood on the far side of the island, not wanting to be found out.

Jungkook walks past the body suddenly, making a beeline for the back door. You watch the scene around you shift once again, and suddenly, you’re in the middle of a party. Is Jungkook reliving memories? Seeing vivid nightmares because those memories haunt him? You know he was involved in a car accident, and that left him unable to dance. He still can’t exert force on his leg to this day, even though it’s been 5 years.

You follow Jungkook’s mop of dark brown hair, taking in his man-bun for a second before walking behind him as quietly as possible. The party itself isn’t loud, the strange dream logic allows Jungkook to drown out any noise. He probably doesn’t realize he’s doing it, but that’s how dreams work, subconsciously. You follow him along a dark corridor, your eyes going wide when you realize this is a make-out corner, and then to your horror, you see him kiss someone. You can’t tell if it’s a man or a woman given the crappy lighting, but you can see that whoever it is, they’re really into the kiss.

Jungkook suddenly pushes them away, running towards the bathroom, and when you go to see what’s the matter, someone from his dreamscape runs past you to go help him. You peer in through the door, only opening it half way to find none other than Yoongi himself assisting a half-dead Jungkook on the ground. His labored breaths resound through the room, as you watch him grip the edges of the toilet seat.

“Jungkook-ah, I’m here now. Let’s get you home.” You’re quick to realize that’s not your Yoongi, although the two of them bear a striking resemblance.

“Hyung, do you love me?” You hear Jungkook croak out, the innocence in his voice suggesting that this was one of his early memories from school.

“Of course I do. Do you think I’d come all the way here if I didn’t?”

“I kissed her. Your girlfriend.” Instead of becoming upset, or dropping Jungkook, he just lets out a chuckle. You feel instantly jealous of Jungkook for getting such an expressive Yoongi. Your Yoongi is broken. Not to mention now, he has black hair. The Yoongi that’s helping Jungkook out of the colorful club restroom has mint-green hair.

“That’s fine. You know I’d even share her with you, if you asked.” You gawk at the boys as they walk past you, Jungkook oblivious to even you at that moment. It seems like he is the closest to Yoongi, even though you know for a fact Yoongi has never even gone out to bars in the human world. He’s a stickler when it comes to rules. This man is most definitely not someone you know.

You’re sure about one thing, though. He’s got to be the key to healing Jungkook. Yet, you have no idea where to even begin. For now, you settle on following Jungkook from a distance and approaching him when the time is right. This time, when the scene fades, you’re in the middle of a graveyard. Oh hell no.

You see none other than Yoongi, at least his picture, resting on the tombstone. You were so taken aback, you woke up out of shock, like an amateur.

“What? Can’t sleep?” He mocks as he flips to the next page of his book.

“I just saw you. Your past life, it was you!” Yoongi is quick to put his book away, standing up and walking towards you to check your temperature.

“Tell me what happened.”

“You had mint green hair. Jungkook was a close friend of yours, he even went to your funeral. I think he was reliving a memory.”

“But that’s not possible! Five years ago I wasn’t even in the human realm! How could this happen?”

“I don’t know. But I saw it on your tombstone. Yoongi Min, 1993-2016.” Yoongi mutters a couple curses in latin under his breath before turning back to you. “There was a human version of me living at the same time as a Banhee version of me?”

“It looks like it. I was going to seek him out but it doesn’t look like I can anymore.”

“Maybe the one upstairs willed it.”

“You mean to say God actually made it like that so you can help me out with the current situation?” He nods.

“Precisely. We have the same first names, different surnames, but we are most definitely identical. Here, I found a picture of him online. Don’t we look like twins?” You hate to admit it, but it looks like Yoongi will have to help you with this one.

“Creepy.”

“Let’s put a halt on that bet. It’s not fair to either of us if I help you out by pretending to be this Yoongi person,” Your lips curve upwards into a smirk. “But this Yoongi has mint-green hair.” Yoongi shakes his head, grabbing your hand as you reach up to mess with his hair.

You make a quick trip to a beauty store to collect some things like bleach, hair dye, and some makeup just for you. Yoongi glared at you since he was the one paying for everything but it’s not like he does any “obscure human jobs” as he would call them. You’re paid in human money, but all of your pay is collected by the facility that’s holding your family. You’d have to work for 50 years to free them, so during that time you have to depend on Yoongi for money. He gets an average of $3000 per month, plus the money that he’s been saving since the 1920’s, and luckily since the Great Depression only effected the “stupid humans who don’t know how to handle their money,” Yoongi only made more money in the end, racking up tenfold of his pay. The value of his money went up, and he was a millionaire now so it didn’t matter. 

He just hated spending money, is all.

You spent the rest of the night dying Yoongi’s hair, bleaching it first before waiting so you could add the mint green dye. Yoongi reminded you of how much he hated you every second of the way.

By 8 am, he was dyed and ready. His mint green hair looked resplendent. You licked your lips and sent him out, not realizing that it was already the next day.

Day 3

Yoongi bumped into Jungkook, breaking his own rules with the “coincidence.” You made sure that it was just a run-in though, something that will make Jungkook’s subconscious mind think about his Yoongi again. Yoongi was determined to help you now more than ever, since it seemed there was a human double of him born with the same name, but he was only a few years older than Jungkook, as opposed to being nearly a whole century older than him.

You knew this would mean Jungkook would dream of Yoongi tonight, and your Yoongi could slip unknowingly to find out more. You needed to know, it seemed as if Yoongi was essential to solving the problem behind Jungkook’s nightmares, the same ones that creep in during the day, leaving him restless and stroppy in the morning.

When night fell, you were ready to hide under the nearest tree you could find. It looks like today, Jungkook is thinking about his friend’s death. Some things remained unclear, as Jungkook fell flat on his face and began sobbing, stirring your own emotions as you empathize with him. Never have you ever felt this way about an assignment before, you only observed from a distance. Seeing Jungkook’s tears roll down his cheeks and his eyes turning puffy only made you more encouraged to help him. Yoongi watches you from his hiding place, smiling as you wipe your own tears, and wait for him to make the next move.

Yoongi walks up to him slowly, after what felt like an eternity, he is directly in front of him.

“Stand up, old friend.” Jungkook’s face lights up at his voice, and his cheeks have retained a lovely rosy hue that you’ve never seen before. He’s just so adorable, the way he chats away with your superior, believing him to be his long-dead friend. 

“I miss you a lot these days, you know?” Jungkook turns back to him with a sad smile as he observes his features. “Your green hair was truly iconic. Actually, I think you might have been the only person in Korea to pass away with mint-green hair.” He laughs along with Yoongi making sure to play his part and gain the intel you needed to execute the plan.

“Enough about the green hair. I’m here to check up on you. Heaven has really bad reception so I couldn’t connect to Earth.” Jungkook stifles a laugh at his joke, quieting down when he sees that Yoongi isn’t laughing along.

“I’m leaving this place soon, too,” 

Your face turns pale at his words. He couldn’t mean that he wanted to...there was no way. “I’m dying, like a flower blooming in reverse.” It sounded beautiful, when he said it. A part of you wanted to see it for yourself, a flower blooming in reverse. In this case, it seemed that Jungkook was the flower. And a flower can’t possibly turn back into a bud. The only thing it can do is shrivel up and die. You certainly didn’t want to see that happening to Jungkook any time soon.

“It’s called wilting. And also, what do you mean?” Yoongi puts a hand on his hip. You can tell he’s growing impatient.

“I’m losing my will to live. What’s the point of life if there’s no one to share it with? Jimin won’t even come visit your grave because he’s still in denial that you’re gone, Jin is living his dream in America in broadway doing shows, and everyone that we knew before is busy. They moved on with their lives, forgot about you, and us, we were the dream team.”

“That’s a part of life, Kook. I’m sorry if you feel that way now but just because I’m gone it doesn’t mean you should just put a halt on your life. We were the dream team, but now it’s just you. You have to put in an effort to move forward and carry those past experiences with you.”

You never knew the weight of a heavy heart before now.

You resisted running forward as well, letting Yoongi handle this as he was always meant to.

“It’s not that easy, you know? I’ve changed. It’s hard for me to even get a decent night’s sleep with all of the nightmares I have.” Yoongi realizes quickly that Jungkook hasn’t recognized that he is dreaming yet. It is common within humans not to understand that, even when it’s so obvious that their subconscious is altering their dreams while they are in the dream.

“Why don’t you try going to sleep now? I’m sure you can sleep well if you let go.” Yoongi gestures for you to come forward when Jungkook takes his advice and he goes to “bed.” You were in the middle of his bedroom, while he “slept” soundly on a bed. A dream within a dream. 

“What do we do? We’ve never tried to help someone like this before.” Yoongi shrugs.

“This way, if he gets too excited and wakes up, he will still be dreaming. It’s a simple banshee-dream surfing hack.” You roll your eyes, relaxing for only a minute before Jungkook begins to stir in his bed.

“Now, put your hand on his forehead. You are going to go inside his dream and confront his problems next to him.” You nervously look up at Yoongi, before putting your hand down on his forehead. Even his forehead is hot. Does this man have to be so sexy all the time? 

You were back on the empty road. Except this time Yoongi was there, but it wasn’t your Yoongi. This Yoongi was human, bleeding bright crimson blood, and he was as good as dead. You felt a rush of fear for a moment, having to remind yourself that the real Yoongi is watching you from outside, as you were inside a dream within a dream.

“Please, wake up.” Jungkook desperately shakes his friend, crying as he lies limp in his arms.

“He’s gone, Jungkook.”

“Why are you here again?!” He snaps, and all you can do is wonder how to save yourself the trouble of an explanation.

And then he wakes up.

Day 4

“Since you screwed up so bad yesterday, I wanted to ask you if you’ll stay out of trouble and avoid interacting with Jungkook unless you absolutely have to.”

“Yes sir.” You salute your mentor as you drink a glass of milk before curling up in your comfy bed.

Yoongi was going to join you again in the dreamscape, this time making Jungkook show him the answers without asking. He was a master of deception, making sure to lure his assignments into a false sense of security before making them face their biggest nightmare only to make them realize that they were their own enemy all along.

It was surprising how most of the time, things turned out exactly the same way, with there being a 99% chance that the reason why a person isn’t able to move forward in their life, it is due to their own fears of failure. One should never be afraid of the unknown, as the possibilities for success are endless.

All that he had to do was show Jungkook what could happen if he would just let go of his friend’s death.

He is standing in the middle of a dark and desolate dreamscape, as you duck behind a dead tree only to see that flowers bloom at your touch. This could only mean one thing: you were starting to creep into his subconscious, his deeper thoughts as you appeared many times in his dreams before and now he was actively thinking of you.

You felt flattered at first, before you realized that this could potentially ruin the entire plan.

You stay hidden and watch Yoongi as he bends and controls the environment to his will, showing Jungkook a vision of an ideal family. His future if he learned to let go. His picture-perfect (faceless) wife and two kids, his furnace burning bright as winter came early, and a little golden retriever puppy.

“This isn’t right. I should be married to her,” Jungkook mutters to himself, but it’s still loud enough for you to hear. You see Jungkook create a different version of you from his memory, but since it is a dream it isn’t perfect. You know it’s you because she’s wearing the same red dress you wore when you were fooling around in his dreams before the bet even started in the first place. “She’s the only one for me.” You feel something similar to an earthquake, as Jungkook’s dreamscape shakes violently. You come flying out of your hiding place, Yoongi’s hand reaching out to you a smidge too late as you face Jungkook.

“Who are you?” He inquires, once again reaching out to you as you gaze into his deep brown eyes, admiring his handsomeness before being yanked out from the dream by your superior.

You sit up straight in bed, as if you had just walked right out of the dream realm. Your awareness was intact, and Yoongi was sitting beside you, in his prized rocking chair. You knew with whatever you were planning now, you needed to involve Yoongi.

“Yoongi, do you know where Banshees come from?” Yoongi groans as you ask him the same question all the little ones back in your world ask you.

“No. As I told you before, there’s no exact science.”

“Then does that mean everything I am doing is for nothing? I’m helping my supposed “family” by doing this job but I don’t think I really understand who it is I’m helping. As far as I know, my parents didn’t raise me. They could be dead.” Yoongi sighs, putting a hand on your shoulder as you tell him about your worries.

“While some of that may be true, I know that you are the closest thing that I have to a sister right now. Even if you feel doubt about your birth family, stop thinking about them. I’m the loneliest creature on this planet. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a partner and I’m glad they chose you. You keep me company, and the house feels more lively with you. So what do you say? If you won’t do this for your real family, do this for me?” How could you possibly say no to him when he puts it like that?

“You are my real family, dummy. And who said I was quitting? I just don’t know if I can pull this off yet.” You share an embrace before running off to make yourselves some hot coco.

Meanwhile, across the street when Jungkook wakes up in his bed, he notices the couple running around in their apartment, and upon closer inspection, he noticed that you bore very similar resemblance to someone he saw in his dreams. He didn’t get a good look at the guy, but he also looked familiar.

Jungkook tucked the thought away in the back of his mind, planning to investigate it later, after work. He hops out of bed to get the day started, only thinking of his ideal girl and Yoongi. His past was starting to matter less and less to him, so he felt like he could accomplish a lot more today.

Maybe you were starting to make some progress on him.

Day 5

Jungkook’s dream started off a nightmare again. The recurring car crash scene played out before him, but instead of colliding with the glass and flying through the air in slow motion, he stopped it by holding out his hand.

“I knew it, I’m dreaming!” You and Yoongi share a look of fear as humans who are aware that they are dreaming are not to be messed with. If either of you exposed the magical world to a human, the kind of trouble you would get in is far worse than life in jail.

“We have to get out of here.” Whispered Yoongi as you met in the clouds. It was the only place you could hide, since Jungkook had awareness and it was a bad idea to be seen while he was in a state to make sense of things.

“How?”

“We need to wake him up somehow. Maybe we should trick him!” 

“Yoongi, what are you thinking of doing?” You ask as he stands up, preparing to jump down from the cloud.

“I’m gonna try and wake him up. With my true form.” You shake your head at that, trying to grab onto his legs as he floats down.

He turns an ugly shade of blue, his pale skin an unnatural shade of white, the same white that corpses turn after spending hours at the morgue. His hair turns black, and grows out just a little too long. His legs become crooked, bending an unnatural way as Jungkook turns around to face him.

“AHHHHHHH!” He wakes up immediately, pulling you and Yoongi out of your dream sequence.

“Good going. Although, I can never figure out how to make my legs do that.” Yoongi shrugs, before hopping out of bed and leaving you confused.

“Wait, you slept next to me last night? I don’t remember that…” He ignored you as he quickly got out his phone and started going through emails he had received from HQ in the human world. Who would’ve thought? The fancy software company uptown was a cover for all of the monsters working in the human world.

“Oh no, they’re asking me for a progress report.”

“So?” You didn’t know why he sounded so stressed all of a sudden.

“By now he shouldn’t be having that car nightmare. What are we gonna do?” He grips your shoulders as you comfort him with patting his hands.

“There, there. Don’t cry. I think we can do this in three days. We have to use Yoongi, though. The one from Jungkook’s memories.”

While you were busy with Yoongi in your apartment, Jungkook was groveling in his own place, remembering the painful events from the past which led him here. 

Yoongi tried killing himself, multiple times. But he saved Jungkook when he was about to get hit by a car. It wasn’t just him. His friends were there too. They came running to find them in the corner of an alleyway after Yoongi had been run over and Jungkook was too shocked to speak.

He was closer with Yoongi than any of the others so when he died, a part of himself died as well. Yoongi was depressed after his last girlfriend left him. They were so close but then out of the blue she ghosted him and blocked his number and everything. Jungkook couldn’t do much to help except play piano for the man when he asked. While Yoongi smoked on his ugly green couch, Jungkook would play.

The same song which haunts him to this day.

Day 6

“When will I see you again?” Jungkook asked as he reached out to the apparition of Yoongi.

He disappeared, turning into smoke when Jungkook tried to touch him. “Why am I so lonely?”

“You’re not lonely because he left. You’re lonely because you miss him.” When he turned around, you were standing before him, in your red dress. Just as he remembered seeing you the first time.

“You’re the girl who’s been appearing in my dreams every night.” You looked down at your gown, deciding to own up to the fact that you’d been showing up in his dreams.

“At first, I thought you were just a cute boy with a troubled past. But I see your past is a lot more than just that.” You sit next to him as he sits down in an empty patch of grass, surrounded by a beautiful garden at his feet.

“How did you get in my head? Surely I would remember what my own crush looks like.” You shake your head. At first, making him fall in love with you was your ultimate goal. You didn’t want to continue deceiving him like this, pretending that you were some angel when you’re not.

“I’m not anyone you know. I’m just here to help and leave after I’m done.”

“What do you mean?” With the way he was looking at you right now, you were a sure goner. His long, black curls forming a natural halo around his head as his face...his soft cheeks blush a light pink. Under the sunset and the dreamy atmosphere, Jungkook looks unreal. It didn’t take long for his lips to connect with yours.

When you woke up from the excitement, you knew you were screwed. There’s no way you could come back now.

“Yoongi!” You called out for your partner as he continued fixing hot chocolate for you. “I need to meet him in real life. Every time I get too close, he just wakes up. Dreaming isn’t going to help anymore, I need to take action in the real world.” 

“But Y/N, I can’t let you do that. He’s a human and if he even sees you, he’ll know you aren’t an ordinary girl.” You look at your own skin, dreading how you looked at the moment because you were no greek goddess when it came to looks. You just had control over what you looked like in the dream realm so you appeared human.

“I need to try, Yoongi. Maybe I’ll hide my face. My eyes give it all away. Or maybe I could get contacts like you.”

“No contacts. And no going out alone. How many times do I have to tell you? It is against the rules to initiate contact with a subject directly if not in the dream realm. Even then, you have to keep a distance because there’s a rule about that too.”

“Screw you and your rules! I’ll do what I want. This dream dust is mine.”

“Y/N, no!” Yoongi called out to you as you sprinkled the last of the dream dust on you, drifting off to sleep just to arrive at a party.

“Where am I?”

“You’re at our frat partayyy! Could you do me a favor and go make out with our newest recruit over there? It’s part of our initiation to kiss a girl before being sworn in.” You walked over to the direction the guy pointed you in, seeing a frightened Jungkook sitting alone.

“Hey, are you Jungkook?” You pretend like this is the first time you’re seeing him, since he didn’t know he was dreaming and a lot of dialogue is very scripted in these kinds of dreams as well.

“Yeah.”

“Come with me.” You pulled him towards the closet, making it so that when you entered, you would enter a different place.

“Where are we now?”

“Our first date. Cotton candy?” Jungkook didn’t question you, but he had his doubts as you headed to the Ferris Wheel. You were in the middle of a fair, but Jungkook didn’t seem to be enjoying himself at the moment.

“You’re the dream girl!” You whacked his arm, smiling sheepishly like you were having a natural reaction to what he said even though you kissed a couple dreams ago.

“Aw, I didn’t think I was your ideal type. I guess we got lucky, huh?” You kissed his cheek as he stayed completely still, blinking a few times as the world around you started to crumble. He was about to wake up, but you didn’t want to be present when he did. You quickly used your power to lull his dream self to sleep, putting him down under a safe place before going into his dream within his dream.

“Jungkook! What are you doing here?” He was currently sitting with a group of people, around a campfire as you ran towards him in a new outfit so it looked like you randomly stumbled upon this place.

“What a coincidence. I was out here toasting marshmallows and I found you.” You felt a pang of guilt in your heart from lying to him but you couldn’t disclose your identity so quickly! You were keen on healing him.

“Do you wanna get out of here?”

“No way, I’m not ditching my friends.” You waved your hand behind your back, making the people disappear.

“Too bad, because it looks like they already left you,” You giggle as he groans, before grabbing a stick for you to toast. “Thank you.” You snack on the marshmallow as he asks you some things.

“So are we a thing now?” You nearly choke on your stick as Jungkook awaits an answer.

“I guess. I never really liked labels though, how about we just call it “us?” It’s a lot easier when we don’t have to explain it.”

“You’re right,” Jungkook stays silent for a bit, making the entire exchange feel almost...normal. “You like me, right?” You stay silent for a few seconds, enjoying the calm environment for once.

“Yes.” 

When you wake up this time, It’s a lot more clearer and satisfying. You finished your dream, and now Jungkook trusts you. You knew it would be only a matter of time before Jungkook was fully healed.

“Are you happy now? You went back into his dream and threw the rulebook out of the window,” Says Yoongi as you feel a slight pain in the back of your head. “Oh, and I didn’t try to move you from your spot because you just looked like you were sleeping peacefully.”

“Jerk.” You get up, dusting yourself off and glaring at your “partner” before going off to change. You liked wearing different clothes around the house because it made you feel like time was moving forward. Or else everyday just feels like the same day repeating over and over again.

You also put on some makeup, forgetting in between that you had some lipstick on so you ended up swallowing some products but it was okay because nothing was too harmful. Monsters ate all kinds of trash back in your world, anyways. The foundation gives you a more natural look since your skin was an ashy shade of blue and very pale without it.

You went about your day like normal until a doorbell rang, alerting you and Yoongi. “I didn’t see any emails about a dream inspector checking up on us today.” Yoongi whispers as you stay completely still.

“Maybe it’s a surprise visit?” You hoped no one found out about your selfish actions while you were in Jungkook’s dream. Kissing him was already a huge breach of the rules.

When you open the door, you’re at a loss for words. Jungkook was standing before you, looking at you and Yoongi like he had seen a ghost. Before he could say anything, you pull him inside the apartment, shutting the door behind him.

Day 7

You put Jungkook to sleep before saying anything else, silent as mice as he rested on your multicolored retro bean bag. Yoongi paces back and forth, flipping through his handbook and nursing you internally.

“Dammit. There’s nothing about this in the rulebook.”

“That’s because regular people solve these things with their heads. You have a brain, so use it!” You knock some sense into him before kneeling down to take Jungkook’s pulse.

“Let’s go into his dream and see what it is that needs fixing. Maybe when he wakes up I can sprinkle him with some five-minute forgetting powder.”

“Do you think that’ll work?” You ask with worry as Yoongi rushes to look at all of the beakers filled with magical potions and fairy dust and other things he might need to make dream dust. You still didn’t have the recipe.

“I don’t know. But I trust you and after seeing how you handled most of this on your own, I’ll let you finish it. Alone.” You squeak in excitement, staying quiet as Jungkook snores lightly and turns over in the beanbag.

“Hurry, he’s gonna wake up.” Yoongi panicked and spilled some sleep powder on him, that’s why Jungkook was unconscious but he wasn’t in such a state where he would dream. It was a temporary formula, meant to last only a few minutes before he woke up again. Unless Yoongi doused him in dream dust. You got ready to follow him into his dreams again one last time, as Yoongi held the bag of dust over your heads, making sure you were snuggled up beside Jungkook in the bed before sprinkling you both with dream dust. 

“I must be dreaming.” Jungkook blinks twice as you come into view. He was currently standing in your apartment, the same one he visited before he passed out. Except Yoongi was nowhere to be seen, it was just you.

“Would you like some tea, coffee, water?” You offer, acting like you were another figure in his dreams.

“Water is fine, thanks,” You watch him swipe his fingers through his long, curly hair. He looks so dreamy, sitting before you on the breakfast bar where you eat with Yoongi everyday. You wouldn’t mind spending every morning with him. Jungkook seems like the ideal husband. Yet the idea of settling down with a human scares you, you would never be allowed to expose your true self to him. Even if you dated him, you’d have to end up leaving him one day. It’s the only way to protect your world. Humans can be dangerous and destructive creatures. Who knows what would happen if Jungkook went to the news? You would be called a freak, or even worse by local news stations.

You got lost in your thoughts for a moment before Jungkook brought you back. “Why did you move here? To this town, I mean.” Jungkook knew this city was relatively tiny and all of the people knew each other.

“I wanted to get away. From responsibilities, my old life.”

“Did your boyfriend want that too?” You nearly spit out your drink at that, Jungkook thought Yoongi was your boyfriend?

“I’m sorry, I don’t have a boyfriend. Only an older brother, if I have to label him that.”

“Oh, I see.” Jungkook sips his water in silence, watching you with those innocent doe eyes.

“What’s troubling you?” You ask him as he suddenly looks sad, morrow filling his gaze as he continues to stare at you.

“I’m all alone in this world.” He sighs, as you put a hand on his shoulder.

“No you’re not. You have me, and your memories of Yoongi.” Jungkook’s breathing turns shallow.

“You’re just an extension of me. As much as I want you to be real I can’t even remember what your face looks like,” With all of your might, you try to make your surroundings more detailed just so Jungkook could remember the dream better when he wakes up. “What is your name?” He asks after careful consideration. 

“Y/N.”

“What a beautiful name.” He kisses you ever so slightly, leaning in after you backed away momentarily.

“You’re a distraction.” You shut your eyes tightly as he places the most tender kisses on your exposed neck.

“What does that make you?” He grins, cheekily sliding his tongue over the surface of your lips.

“I’m only a woman.” You give into your desires, kissing him full on the lips after realizing that you don’t care about the consequences to your actions. You want to kiss him, dammit!

“You make me feel less lonely.”

“Here, take this with you.” You press a picture into his warm palm, leaving him to wonder why you were acting so hasty.

“Why? What is it?”

“When you feel lonely or sad, just look at this picture. It’s a picture of me.” Jungkook looks down for a moment, to examine the item you gifted to him.

“Why are you acting like we don’t have much time together? You’re gonna keep visiting me, right?” You wipe your nose. You and Jungkook were never meant to be.

“Goodbye, Jungkook.”

“Y/N, wait!”

When Jungkook woke up, he felt something sticking to his palms. He was alone, but he could have sworn he felt another warmth. In his hand was a polaroid picture of a girl smiling at the camera. He felt comforted just looking at the picture, and turning it around he found a message on the back.

“I’ll always be with you- Y/N.” Jungkook smiles, looking at the bright afternoon sun as it blinds him through the sheer white curtains. It looks like he was able to meet his dream girl after all.

[yeochikin]

chamomile & strawberry. | p. seonghwa

a/n: thank you so much for requesting, @exosnoona29​! i’m sorry it took a little while so thank you for being patient! i hope you like this ✨💖 also, tagging @hwanami​ since i know she’s whipped for hwa 🤠

the smell of freshly baked pastries mixed with a tint of brewed tea leaves wafted in the air and into your nose. the sounds of birds cheerfully chirping created a little melody featuring the small wind chime right at the arch of the doorway your hand reached up to wipe away the thin sheet of sweat forming on your forehead from the sweeping you did. with both hands on your hips, your eyes scanned throughout the entire room for a few seconds, making sure no spot was missed and tables all clean, you beamed to yourself afterwards once everything was neat. with a quick fix of your messy hair, it was time to open your little tea house.

living in a small village just at the outskirts of the nearby city, you never figured that your tea house would make quite an attraction. everyone would always refer to you as the residential tea maker, admiring the way you would pour different scented teas into a cup that was paired with a matching teapot and saucer. maybe that was what interested everyone in this small town you lived in. though you would have to admit, with the amount of various themed tea sets you have, you would be sitting in the tea house as well to admire them. but of course, you would always think that it was because your grandmother had passed this tea house. 

ever since your grandmother had passed on, you were the one who took her place as the tea maker. she had always been the one to take care of you since you were little every time your parents were too busy with their work, sometimes having to spend a night or two, depending how busy they were. you remembered watching your grandmother brewing your favourite chamomile tea when you had a nightmare, sometimes even letting you help just to take your mind off of the bad dream you had. you were always found sitting near the window of this exact tea house to talk with the customers stopping by the tea house, a chatterbox was what your grandmother had called you, not wanting you to disturb the customer yet they couldn’t help but to see you as an endearing child. you had promised your grandmother that one day, you wanted to be a tea maker just like her when you grew up, even wanting your own tea house in the city. and fast forward to the present, you had fulfilled your promise. despite not being in the city, you were content with what you have.

your hands were busy cleaning the shelves filled with jars of tea leaves until a sudden ‘ding’ rang into your ears, indicating someone had stopped by. you blinked a few times in confusion, not expecting a customer to come by so soon just a few minutes of opening up. without wasting time, you made your way to the door to greet your first customer of the day with a slight jog in your steps. standing near the counter, you noticed a tall person curiously gazing around the tea house of yours with his back facing you. he must have heard your voice before turning around, causing your breath to hitch in your throat. 

there, a pair of gorgeous dark brown irises held your gaze, a honey-ish tinted hair styled in a slightly messy manner yet somehow still looked good on the male standing in front of you, his lips a bit pinkish that reminded you of the lingering colour after eating a fresh strawberry flavoured drink. somehow, he managed to pull off a loose white shirt and washed denims so effortlessly stunning on him, topping it off with a chain-like earring on one of his ears and a few rings adorning his long fingers.

you must have been staring at him for a little while since the said stranger waved a hand, albeit awkwardly with a little smile on his lips, making it seem as if he was in a cross between confused and awkward. With a shake of your head, you returned the smile with your own out of sheepishness, bowing your head ever so slightly.

“s-sorry, welcome to the tea house!” you managed to say, already hitting yourself in a number of times from the slight stutter in your words. a low chortle soon resonated in your ears, though a tinted red from being flustered, you looked up at the man. he merely shook his head and reassured you that it was alright, but instead, apologising for making you startled since he mentioned how frozen you were for a bit, effectively making you want to bury yourself in a hole as to how obvious you were and quickly coming up with an excuse.

“i was just surprised at how i could have a customer already, considering that i just opened up.” you retorted.

“ah, is that so? I happened to come across this place from my morning walk, and i guess i couldn’t help but to admire your tea sets that are on display.” he said. You couldn’t help but to notice how it was rather deep yet had some type of calmness in the timbre of his voice. It was then, a sudden thought came to you. Come to think of it, you had never seen this man before from the years of living in this small town outside of the city. 

“are you perhaps.. new around here? i haven’t really seen you around before.” you decided to ask with a slight tilt of your head. you watched as how his expression perked up as if he had realised something, immediately bowing his head to apologise for not introducing himself sooner. 

“sorry about that, i’m seonghwa. park seonghwa,” the ma- no, seonghwa, greeted before he continued, “i am new here, i just moved into town just yesterday evening.” 

your lips formed into a small ‘o’ then replacing it with a gentle yet welcoming grin as the first mental answer you had was correct. “it’s nice to meet you, seonghwa. my name’s y/n, y/n l/n” you introduced.

“if i’m not being a bit too nosy, what brings you here? moving here, i mean.” you asked. 

it was very well known of you to be curious of things around you ever since you were a little girl. you had to admire how your grandmother was always patient with your questions ranging from the questions that had a simple answer to questions that seemed so silly anyone who heard it would surely laugh out of amusement from your curiosity.

“ah, well, i got a new job here at the town’s kindergarten,” seonghwa trailed off, resting his weight on one of his feet. your eyes widened slightly before clasping your hands together in amazement. 

“is that so? i'm sure the kids in this town would love to meet their new handsome kindergarten teacher.” you exclaimed, grinning brightly over at the male. 

seonghwa, on the other hand, could only raise an eyebrow at the certain word he had heard from you, one of the corners of his lips lifting up into a small smirk out of amusement. “ah, you think i’m handsome?” he asked, cheekiness lacing in his tone as he spoke which caused you to momentarily freeze in your place.

you could feel blood rushing to the apples of your cheeks at the slip of word as your hand quickly came up to cover your lips, apologising for accidentally blurting the word out loud. seonghwa couldn’t help but to release a light laugh from the strings of apologies along with almost incoherent words coming out from a flustered you, waving a hand in a dismissive manner to reassure you that it was fine.

“to be fair, i find you cute.” he casually added, a wink in the end that only made you grow more sheepish.

“sir, i’m gonna have to ask whether you wanna order something or i would have to kick you out for flirting with the tea maker.” you joked, which of course made seonghwa chuckle as the two of you could feel the awkward ice slowly melting away.

“as far as i remember, you called me handsome first. i only returned the compliment.” he retorted as a matter of factly, raising his eyebrows as if to emphasise his point, to which made you jokingly roll your eyes at him. 

from there, the two of you seemed to get along quite well. it was not a surprise as to how seonghwa was able to get along with the other townspeople from how friendly and humble he was. not to mention, he was also surprisingly good with the children in the nearby kindergarten yet of course, knowing when to pull a strict teacher act whenever they misbehaved yet not to the extent of having them completely fear him. It was safe to say he is the town’s favourite at this point. 

seonghwa is always seen standing near the park’s playground while making sure the kids were safe as they played with each other, occasionally joining in to play as the ‘monster’ while they played tag. when not at the playground, he can be found in your tea house either relaxing with a cup of tea while reading his book or just stopping by to have a conversation with you.

it would be a lie to say that you weren’t thankful that your tea house was not busy on most days of the week, knowing that you get to talk to this handsome kindergarten teacher. two of you would mostly talk about how your days were, you amusedly listening to seonghwa telling you about the children’s antics during his classes, or how you would excitedly tell him the new tea set you have been wanting for so long finally being able to be ordered. more often than not, seonghwa would wait until you close up the shop, helping you out by cleaning the place as to which you were thankful with the extra pair of hands. 

your hangouts always happened in the days after your first meeting. which then changed to weeks and then, to a few months.

and today, was like any other day. seonghwa was sitting near the window checking his students’ works, his glasses hanging on the bridge of his nose with brows furrowed in concentration, while you were wiping down the cups you had washed earlier. your eyes glanced up at the wall clock to check the time, noting how you had a few more minutes before closing time. yet seeing as though there weren't any more customers coming by any time soon, you decided to start cleaning up the place a little earlier and made quick work of placing the cups away in the cabinets. seonghwa, hearing the rustling around, looked up. he then placed his glasses down and closed the last workbook that he was examining before getting up to help upon seeing you struggle with putting some cups away. 

“a little early today, mm?” he inquired, looming over from behind to help you place a teapot safely in the cabinet you had trouble reaching, hand on your waist.

the sudden voice and action made you jump in place from shock, only to relax afterwards when you only realised it was seonghwa, despite feeling warmth creeping up its way to bloom on both of your cheeks due to the closeness between the two of you yet you kept your calm demeanour. you turned around to face the man and only then, did you feel a huge lump suddenly appeared in your throat

seonghwa was staring down at you with an unreadable expression. your gazes were on each other while silence enveloped the both of you. it felt as if time had suddenly slowed down as well. what is in his mind? what is he going to do? so many questions were running through your mind that you didn't notice the large hand coming up to your head, only noticing it when you felt his slim digits picking at something in your hair.

“chamomile, how can you not notice some of the dried tea leaves in your hair?” his deep voice rumbled, showing the said leaves in his hand as an amused simper was shown on the male’s lips. the nickname was enough to somehow make your heartbeat increase its pace. 

“i guess i was just too busy. though, you shouldn't say that to me considering your hair is a mess too, strawberry.” you retaliated, reaching a hand up to fix the stray strands of his locks, remembering how you've seen (or watched) him run his fingers through his hair numerous times while examining the workbooks.

recently, seonghwa has been calling you with that certain name out of nowhere. when you asked why he had called you as such, he simply mentioned that he had noticed that you tend to drink your favourite chamomile tea even if there was a variety of flavours. hence, him calling you chamomile which led you to calling him ‘strawberry’ as you found him taking a liking to your strawberry tart.

with the names being exchanged and the frequent hangouts in your tea house, some of the residents would claim that the two of you would make an adorable couple. for instance, the middle aged ladies who tend to stop by at your little tea house for their daily gossiping would loudly coo at the sight of the two of you whenever seonghwa would usually send you his playful wink, to which you responded with a flying kiss to balance out the flirty energy. but of course, you would always deny it.

it wasn't because you didn't like him. it would be a lie to say that you do not have a small crush on park seonghwa, the town’s heartthrob. how could anyone not? you wouldn't say he's perfect, considering that everyone has their own flaws. even seonghwa himself had confessed his concerns about himself but.. but that's what makes him, well, him. 

you had unexpectedly developed such feelings. could it be because of how he waited for you to close down the tea house and walk you home despite being tired from a day of dealing with misbehaving children? could it be from the way he would usually stop by in the morning to get a freshly brewed cup of peppermint tea before heading towards the school? or was it because of how seonghwa would always send you flirty pick up lines and winks while you were busy tending to the customers of the tea house just to make you clumsily stutter over your words once he caught you off guard by doing so?

you don't know. 

but what you do know is that you like him. you like him so much that the smell of strawberries reminded you of him. 

yet, like any other person with a crush in mind, you would try your best to shrug those feelings away. who knows? maybe seonghwa was just the flirty type considering how the ladies in town seemed to love this heartthrob, no matter what age. or perhaps that you were just scared that if you confessed or even hinted that you like him in the most possible way, seonghwa would shut you out that the two of you would go back to being strangers.

“chamomile?” seonghwa’s voice called out, making you snap back into reality. you hadn't noticed that the said man was already pulled back to look at you, eyes full of concern from the sudden quietness coming from you.

“h-huh?” you asked, a slight stutter in your voice.

“i asked whether you are ready to head back home, it's getting dark.” he said, switching his gaze to the window where the sun was slowly being swallowed by the night sky. you couldn't help but to admire how the last golden rays from the sun had kissed seonghwa’s smooth skin, the warm light only making him seem more ethereal than usual. no wonder all the ladies were gushing over the male.

with a shake of your head to stop your wandering thoughts, you cleared your throat to hide your flustered side. “oh yeah, definitely! let me just make sure things are good.” you said. and with that, you made sure that everything in the store was in check and in good condition before heading outside to meet up with seonghwa. 

pushing himself off of the wall he was leaning on, he smiled down at you once you were done locking up the door. by the time you two started to walk back home, the sky’s canvas was already painted a deep shade of some type of dark blue with a few specks of crimson here and there, your eyes filled with the swirls of wonder and awe upon seeing the colours mixing in together in such a uniquely beautiful way.

seonghwa, who was a couple of steps behind, watched as you admired the dark sky. he couldn't help but to feel the increased palpitations of his heartbeat from the serene look painted over your visage. for some reason, it happened every time whenever the two of you stopped briefly in your walk home to watch the final appearances of the daylight before being succumbed into a starry night. just like you, seonghwa was scared to admit his feelings.

it seemed as if you weren’t the only one pining over someone. how could he not when you looked so adorable all concentrated trying out new flavours of tea, laughing to himself at the sight of your nose scrunching upon not liking a certain taste to it? how could he not when you looked especially endearing while dancing slightly in place to the beat of a song from your favourite playlist? how could he not when you looked so.. at peace as soon as the last bit of daylights were slowly fading off into the night sky? 

truly, the male had already grown smitten over you yet whenever he has tried to ask you out or admit his feelings, he somehow would always feel as if a little person would tug at his vocal chords so he wouldn’t be able to speak. instead, seonghwa would stand there fumbling with his words in front of you, watching as you tilt your head in question, finding it as a habit of yours whenever your curiosity was painted over the features of your face.

“seonghwa?” your voice intruded his thoughts, his eyes snapping back to instantly focus on your face. 

“yes, chamomile?” he answered, swiftly walking up to your side.

“i was wondering..” you continued, motioning for the two of you to continue walking with a nod of your head, to which seonghwa accepted. 

“..since tomorrow is my late grandmother’s birthday, would you..” you trailed off once again making seonghwa gently rest his hand on your shoulder to give it a gentle squeeze, as if to tell you to take your time in choosing your words, knowing how much your grandmother meant to you from the little stories you had shared with him.

“would you like to come with me? to celebrate it?” you asked, eyes looking everywhere except for a certain kindergarten teacher right next to you.

seonghwa could only stare at you in a dumbfounded manner before emitting a low chuckle, your endearing way of asking was enough to tug at his heartstrings. with a hum, the male swiftly pulled his phone out of his pocket to check at his schedule, making sure in case he didn’t have any plans or teaching during the said day, the corners of his pinkish lips tilting up into a little beam before nodding his head.

“i would love to, i’ll come by your place to pick you up at.. 9?” he offered, you looking up at him with wide eyes, a clear indication that you weren’t expecting him to really agree to go with you.

“oh, yeah, sure! definitely, 9 in the morning, yup.” you rambled on, and wondered as to why seonghwa wouldn’t cover your lips with his hand from how much your mouth is running. instead, said male just stood there with an amused beam at how you were acting. 

with the mutual agreement being shared and a few other short jokes being told followed by your laughter mingling with each other as the both of you walked, you had finally reached your place, much to your silent disappointment. unlocking your door, you turned around to face seonghwa to mumble a low ‘thank you’ for walking you home for the day. it was when you were about to head inside that seonghwa had suddenly called out your name, causing you to spin around to face him once again.

“i..” seonghwa started, lips opening and closing like a fish struggling to breathe. your eyes stared at him in anticipation, heart thumping into your ears to mask the silence surrounding the both of you underneath the now starry night sky.

‘damn it, just say it!’ the voice inside seonghwa’s head yelled out yet he was frozen, hands feeling clammy and the butterflies fluttering nonstop in his stomach at the way your irises curiously gazed over at him with a particular�� glint in them? he can’t quite figure it out. 

“i.. goodnight, chamomile.” he managed to say, much to his disappointment. 

your face fell momentarily yet you quickly sent him your usual bright smile in return to his bid with a nod of your head, “mm, goodnight, strawberry.” and with that, you entered your house and shut the door behind you.

on the other side of the door, seonghwa stood there. his hand reached up to rest above his chest, just where his heart was located, as an attempt to calm the rapid beating. his face was burning and his mind was cursing at himself from how cowardly he was being. With a frustrated sigh leaving his lips, seonghwa took a few more seconds to look at your house before turning away to walk off back to his place.

----------

“good morning to you, chamomile.” a certain man greeted. 

true to his word, seonghwa was already outside your house at 9 in the morning once you heard a knock on your door while you were preparing the stuff you needed to take with you for the special day today. you couldn’t help but to admire his choice of clothing for the day as well. he’s wearing a loose fitting cardigan over a dark thin shirt underneath it, paired with black jeans. it was a simple look yet you are convinced that whatever seonghwa chose to wear, he looked like he was on his way to a fashion show. heck, you could even make him wear a potato sack and he would still look great. 

“here to say i’m handsome again, y/n?” he joked with a raised brow, effectively pulling you out of your thoughts and warmth going to your cheeks, sticking a tongue out at him.

“from all the time of seeing you almost every day? i’m starting to get used to your appearance, seonghwa.” you retorted, rolling your eyes at how the tall male in front of you feigned hurt by placing his hand on his chest dramatically, the two of you laughing afterwards.

while laughing, seonghwa took the brief opportunity to look at you. the light yellow shirt you wore matching your cheerful attitude, matched with washed denims. he had also noticed  what seemed to be a small picnic basket hanging off of your arm. the man felt his smile growing at the pretty little white trimmings adorning the basket. 

“i was thinking that once we are done visiting the cemetery, we could go near the playground for lunch?” your voice suddenly reached his ears, making him perk up instantly with a nod of agreement. 

“that would be lovely. oh and i brought flowers as well.” seonghwa said, showing the two beautifully wrapped bouquets in both hands.

of course, anyone would have noticed them by now. but you couldn’t help but to admire the tall man in front of you that the bouquets seemed to grow unnoticed. though, your eyebrows creased ever so slightly in confusion. “i’m sure one bouquet would be enough, no? grandma loves all types of bouquets anyway.” you questioned, which earned a low chortle coming from seonghwa. 

“actually, the other one is for you.” he sheepishly replied, handing out one of the bouquets to you. your eyes widened ever so slightly at the sudden act, reaching out to take the bouquet into your hands. Looking down, you emitted an almost inaudible gasp. 

the bouquet was filled with fresh chamomiles and a couple of sunflowers were in between. It was a small gesture but it made you feel all warm and giddy inside. ever since you were little, you had never received a bouquet from anyone outside of your family. so to receive one from seonghwa was enough to make you think that it was a sign that today will be a good day.

“i was at the florist earlier and noticed they had chamomiles. you mentioned that you had a liking towards them so i got you this bouquet and for the sunflowers well..” seonghwa trailed off, a hand reaching up to rub at his nape. 

“they reminded me of you, considering how you are always bright.” he continued, a nervous chortle leaving his lips. why is it suddenly hot? could the sun be this warm already? seonghwa merely cleared his throat and looked away as if to make himself busy to shove the flustered side of him away.

“i like them a lot. thank you, hwa.” you grinned in a sheepish manner as your foot kicked against a small pebble.

“are you ready to go?” seonghwa smiled, offering his arm for you to take, which you accepted by linking yours with his. 

and with that, the two of you set off on your way to the cemetery.

“hi, grandma. happy birthday.” you whispered, into the air once you arrived at the designated tombstone, hoping that the wind would carry your words to the skies or wherever to reach your grandmother. 

seonghwa, on the other hand, let you do your own thing quietly. his pools of dark brown swirls watched as you carefully caressed the name engraved on the tombstone, offering a hand when he noticed you cleaning the grave from the dried leaves and threw away the dried flowers that were previously placed, and being replaced with the new ones he had gotten. he quietly stood behind you as you sat in front of your grandmother’s tombstone, talking to her as if she was really there with you.

“today, i brought someone with me. his name is seonghwa, park seonghwa!” you said, his name that you called out instantly making him bow out of politeness.

“it is nice to meet you, i heard so much about you from your granddaughter, ma’am. quite a chatterbox she is.” seonghwa teased, earning a playful glare from you.

“he’s the new kindergarten teacher of the town, everyone loves him.” you chimed in afterwards.

once again, seonghwa stood next to you the whole time there. his expression growing softer by the minute as he watched you talking so.. cheerfully to your grandmother’s grave. momentarily, his eyes looked up at the sky and shut his eyes. a low humming from a sudden gust of wind was suddenly heard as a feeling of tranquility wrapped his whole entire frame. the rustling of leaves echoed around the two of you, followed by you telling your memorable moments from the days of not visiting the place. 

needless to say, the two of you spent your time at the cemetery just reminiscing past memories and recently made ones, laughing at a joke or two being made, until it was time to go.

“i will visit you again soon, grandma. i love you.” you bid goodbye, not before staring at the engraved name before running up to seonghwa’s side.

despite the usual bright grin over your lips, seonghwa silently noticed how your eyes had a slight glossy look to them as a flash of sadness appeared on your visage yet he didn’t comment on it. instead, he mustered up the courage in him to sling his arm around your shoulders, giving it a gentle rub while the two of you walked. of course, you were a little surprised yet you couldn’t help but to lean against him, finding comfort in his gesture. 

----------

“one, two!” the two of you said in unison, placing the plaid picnic blanket on the spot you both had chosen right underneath a large tree just a few feet away from the playground.

“i made us sandwiches, and made some rice balls as well. i didn’t really know what you would like.” you sheepishly admitted and placed the food right in the middle of the picnic blanket, taking out a couple of cups along with a bottle filled with what seemed to be iced peach tea. seonghwa looked down at the food, and pursed his lips to let out a sound of amazement.

“they look great. thank you for the meal!” 

and with that, the both of you started to eat while enjoying the view of children playing with their friends in the playground, parents standing at the sidelines to make sure the children won’t hurt themselves in the process, while some townsfolk are just out on a walk. 

“hey, y/n. there’s something that i wanted to ask.” seonghwa asked. 

you, not expecting for him to sound serious made you cease the subconscious twiddling of your fingers. you straightened in your seat and tilted your head, indicating for him to continue. in front of you, seonghwa visibly gulped, swallowing the huge lump in his throat that was about to form. it was now or never.

“do you.. do you have anyone in mind?” he asked, eyes focused on his hands folded in front of him.

the sudden question caught you off guard as questions filled your mind rather than answers to his question. why was he suddenly asking you this? is he just genuinely curious? or perhaps… perhaps he has someone in mind? shaking the thoughts away, you wouldn’t know what it is about if you kept overthinking things. you cleared your throat and shifted in place, now hugging your knees as your back was resting against the tree behind you.

“i used to not have someone in my mind.” hearing the words from you made seonghwa sighed internally. “but-” he suddenly perked.

“but lately, someone’s in it. been there for a little while now.” you continued.

at this point, the both of you could feel your heartbeat just racing in your chests. you wondered if it was the appropriate time to tell him. wondering if it would really be the right choice. while seonghwa, he wondered if he’s finally going to say it. wondering what your reaction would be. 

“should.. should we say who we like together?” you suggested. seonghwa could only nod his head, shutting his eyes momentarily to gather all of the courage he needed.

“on the count of three.” he whispered.

“one.” you started, turning to the side to face him properly, heart beating in your chest that you swear seonghwa could hear it too.

“two.” he continued, now looking at you, feeling the familiar fluttering feeling in his stomach.

“three!” now.

“i like you!”

“i like you!”

silence.

silence enveloped the two of you as the both of you stared at each other in shock, both of your eyes widened. your mouth opened and closed repeatedly as you tried to say something, yet not even a whisper could be heard from you. while seonghwa… the poor guy looked like a deer caught in headlights.

“you like me?” the both of you asked at the same time.

“i mean-” you guys started again.

“it’s just-” and again.

both of you were about to do it again until seonghwa quickly covered your lips with his hand, your words muffled by the man’s palm.

“yes, i like you too. have been for a while now.” he said, slowly removing his hand away from your lips to let you speak.

he watched at how you dumbfoundedly stared at him before reaching up to gently pinch your own arm as if to see whether this was a dream or not, grimacing at the sight as you emitted a quiet hiss from the sting against your skin. this was definitely not a dream. without another word, your arms were suddenly thrown around his neck to pull him into a tight hug, seonghwa grunting at the sudden weight and caught you in his arms, making sure that he could balance the both of you so he wouldn’t end up falling down from the sudden hug, his own arms wrapped around your frame as he buried his face against your soft hair. though none of you were talking, it was enough to let seonghwa know how you felt. and somewhere in the back of your mind, you knew that you were right. 

today is a good day indeed.

----------

the sudden chime of bells ringing reached your ears, making you look up from the tea pot you were using to brew a fresh batch of chamomile tea, an indication a customer has walked into your tea house. walking over to the door, you were about to greet the customer until your eyes met a pair of dark brown ones. the same dark brown eyes that curiously gazed around your little tea house. the same white shirt and washed denim jeans that made him look so effortlessly stunning. the same honey-ish strands that make you want to run your fingers through them at how soft it looked. 

park seonghwa smiled over at you, despite the slight tiredness in his eyes from almost a day spending his time at the kindergarten. you made quick strides towards the male and enveloped him into a tight hug, to which he returned almost instantly. with a soft kiss being placed against the top of your head, he pulled away slightly just enough to have a good look of your face. only then, a low chortle rumbled against his chest as his hand picked at something in your hair.

“i’m starting to think that you like it whenever i pick the dried tea leaves off your hair, chamomile.” he teased, showing you the dried tea leaves between his fingers.

“and i’m starting to think that you forgot your girlfriend is a tea maker of this tea house. obviously i would have some dried tea leaves on me occasionally.” you retorted with a laugh.

it has been almost a year since the two of you ended up together. the first couple of dates were a tad bit awkward, clearly shy once you had entered the next level in your relationship. yet, you would always silently thank seonghwa for being able to melt away the awkward ice between the two of you. 

of course, like any relationship, the two of you had your ups and downs. the fights you had could range from playful bickers to serious ones but not to the extent of it getting too serious. at the end of the day, the both of you knew that relationships require a lot of teamwork in many ways possible and sometimes, disagreements could even happen. so instead of about to yell at each other’s faces, one of you would leave the room to cool down for a bit before words that are thrown without even meaning to, be released. once either of you have calmed down, it was either you or seonghwa that would approach the other to apologise, finally making up and discussing your disagreements so the other would understand.

“is that chamomile tea i smell?” seonghwa asked, to which, you nodded with a little smile on your lips.

“mm, and i also made some strawberry tarts for us. don’t think that i ever forgot your favourite dessert.” you giggled as soon as seonghwa pressed fleeting kisses all over your face, knowing how much the man loves the said dessert. 

“you’re spoiling me, my chamomile.” he whispered, lips brushing against your own.

“as you should be with how hard you work.” you chuckled and planted one last kiss on his lips before pulling him further in your tea house.

“now, come on. let’s talk about our days, hm?” 

you never would have thought the stranger who had walked into your tea house during his morning walk turned into your significant other. but you wouldn’t have it in any other way.

as long as you are with park seonghwa by your side, you are content with what you have.

[neocity-sarai]

Tattoos Together

❈ main concept: childhood best friends to lovers!

❈ pairing: mark lee x reader

❈ alerts: fluff, angsty angst, language, parties, mentions of drinking/smoking, mentions of the dreamies/other idols

❈ song reference: “tattoos together” by lauv

Vancouver has always been home. Since you were a child, Vancouver has been the place to be. Years of dinners in the city, biking around Granville island, and field trips to the Victoria gardens were the norm, just little secret spots you go to when you want a getaway- an escape from school, work, whatever it is you’re doing. At age 15, the Lees moved into the light blue house next to yours, the one with overgrown weeds in the yard. The one with the crooked, leaning mailbox in front of it- daisies painted on the rusty metal. A young girl, an artist, used to live there until she moved to Paris for her next exhibit- leaving the lonely, periwinkle house behind. That day the Lees moved in, your parents baked more muffins than usual (on purpose) so they could welcome our new neighbors by enticing them with food. The saying goes that a way to a person’s heart is through their stomach right? When dad is done packaging them up into a neat little box, he shoves it into your hands, “Y/N. I hear the Lees have a son about your age, go introduce yourself.”

Glaring at your father, you set the box that was tied with a small yellow ribbon on the table before saying, “I’m sure they can manage just fine without the muffins. Why do we have to go greet them now? they’re probably tired from moving.”

Mom gives you a stern look, her jaw tightening, “Don’t be silly, it’s a nice gesture. Come back before dinner is ready.”

Before you can even protest, your parents are shoving you out the door, still careful not to crush the perfectly wrapped box. Stepping over the stairs, you finally manage to make it to the door. Here goes nothing? The cherry red door swings open lightly after you linger my finger-tip on their doorbell, opening up to a pretty woman- her facial features defined of asian descent. Her dark hair is tied into a loose braid, her pink sweater tucked into the waistband of her culotte pants. The woman smiles at you, the corner of her lips upturned, “Ah- you must be Y/N. I just got a call from your mother.”

You try to hide the shaking of my hands, handing her the box of warmed muffins, “Uh-hi Mrs. Lee. My parents made some muffins to welcome you to the uh- neighborhood.”

The woman’s eyes crinkle until her eyes stretch thinly, “That’s so nice of you! Thank you, I’m sure Mark will enjoy these!”

You question,“Um- Mark?”

Her laugh is light and airy, “My son-Mark! Wait here, I’ll get him.”

You wave my hands at her, motioning my refusal, “No worries, I-I have to get going for dinner..”

She doesn’t wait to listen to my words before turning away from the door to scream Mark’s name. A few minutes later, a boy wearing a dress shirt over his black t-shirt comes stumbling down the stairs, a pair of black headphones hanging off his neck. His glasses rest on the bridge of his nose as his jet-black hair sits as a messy pile on his head. It looks like he hasn’t combed it in days. Mark shouts, “What? What did you need mom?”

Mark’s mother clutches him by the arm, shoving him into my view, “Meet y/n. She’s the daughter of the family next door.”

At first, no words come out of Mark’s mouth, his doe, boyish eyes as wide as saucers. Mark’s mother hits him in the back, causing him to cough abruptly, “Uh-yeah-my name’s Mark. W-what’s your name?”

Mark’s mother laughs again, leaning down to whisper into his ear, “I already said her name is y/n!”

Redness creeps up to Mark’s cheeks, his nose tinted a slight shade of rose as his dark irises bounce everywhere but at me.

You smile anyway, “It’s y/n.”

He gives me a small smile and a nod, eyes set on the ground. His mother speaks up again, “I’m really sorry y/n, my boy’s really shy around pretty girls…”

Mark lightly hits his mom in the shoulder, “Mom! Don’t say that! You’re embarrassing me!”

His face is as red as a tomato, glasses sliding farther down his nose only for him to push them up with the tip of his index finger. I laugh at their cute relationship, holding out a hand to Mark, “It’s nice to meet you. I hope we can be friends?”

Mark stutters once more, his eyes wild with energy, “I-i’d like that very much-h, yeah.”

After you tell Mrs. Lee goodbye, you give Mark a nod before turning back on to their driveway. The both of them stand in the doorway, Mark’s voice reprimanding his mom in the house behind me. Maybe it wasn’t so bad meeting the Lees after all. That night, you go to bed, replaying the vision of Mark’s embarrassed smile in your mind.

Age 18  (senior year)

The next several years breeze by. Ever since Mark Lee enrolled into Everlane high, he wasn’t as shy of a freshman compared to the day you met him all those summers ago. Over the years, he grew a lot taller, his face a lot mature, yet still adorably awkward at the same time. He became a smart student, one favored by many of the science teachers- causing his friends (Jeno and Jaemin) to roll their eyes playfully whenever Mrs. Scofski would praise Mark for solving a chemical equation on the white-board. Mark was a basketball captain along with his best friend Hyuck, the two always tag-teaming during the school’s games. Due to Renjun’s forcing, Mark joined the student body as a reputable member. He became a biology tutor for kids who had found science class difficult or just fooled around without paying attention (Jisung and Chenle being two of those kids). Quickly, Mark was showered as Everlane’s golden boy, your neighborhood’s ideal son. He was doted as smart, popular, and mr. perfect to all the girls in the area- no matter how much he always denied it when you told him so. After your first meeting, your parents would frequently eat together, alternating households. The Lees also force Mark to walk you home from school, in fears that you would be kidnapped by a random stranger. At least he was good for one of many things- telling you that he’d swing his basketball at any person who would come even close to you.

Most days after your homework sessions, you’d plan new adventures with each other. your week went like this: on Mondays, you went walking along the water, skipping rocks on the bay until the sun went down and could see the glitters of the city sky-line. In the spring, the sky would melt from a tangerine orange color into a musty silver. On Tuesdays, you’d get clam chowder at Phil’s on 2nd avenue, Mark always ruined his shirt ( you would forbid him to wear white on Tuesdays) and then you’d sit on this abandoned rooftop above an old department store. Up there, the air always felt cold so that you would have to blow your warm breaths into your hands, lean your heads on each other’s shoulders as Mark let out his high-pitched laughs. On Wednesdays, it was maple waffles before school in Gas town, the steaming clock chiming delicate music by the hour. Thursdays were meant for taking stupid photos, listening to dusty mixtapes, and hanging out with the rest of your friends. Last Thursday, you would all go to the Capilano suspension bridge and sit on a treehouse’s edge- causing Hyuck to scream from the heights. Jaemin always quieted him down with a bone-crushing hug or a playful kiss, earning a look of disgust from Renjun. You always wanted gelato after that. On Fridays, all of you would stay in for a movie night at either Mark’s house or yours- Jeno punching Chenle to stop him from making fun of the ghosts in the horror movies you’ve been watching. It never works. Saturdays were like Mark’s public appearances at Everlane high’s party scene, one call and you all would be at someone’s house party. You’d never really enjoyed them though: too many people, too much dirty dancing, and the burning stench of vodka stung your nose. The only reason  you would stay is for Mark and the boys. Sundays, your family and Mark’s get together for either dinner or lunch- switching off every week. Your parents would even play a betting game to choose who gets to wash dishes, Mark groaning every time his family loses rock-paper-scissors. Spending time with the people you loved made the days go by faster as you never particularly had bad days in the extreme. Piles of homework and grumpy teachers didn’t hold a candle to what you’d get to do every day- if it meant spending time with Mark. When you go to bed each night, you would feel content- happy, even.

Monday

You still think back to the moment when the boys were eating lunch in the cafeteria, like you did everyday. Chenle was talking about how he’d earn himself detention because he was messing around with chlorine in chemistry in order to make Jisung laugh.

“You’re such an idiot, Chenle. That’s going on your record, you know?” Jaemin scoffs.

Holding his sandwich in one hand, Jeno sweeps his coffee-colored bangs out of his eyes, “What do you expect? it’s Chenle- it’s like he’s powered on candy all the time.”

Chenle slurps up his gummy worms in an exaggerated motion, “I’ve already been through 6 packs of these since this morning. I feel so sick.”

Narrowing his eyes, Hyuck rests his chin on the palm of his hand as he pouts his lips, “Poor baby, eat more and you’ll be blowing up the toilet in no time!”

Chenle squints his eyes at the blond-haired boy, tossing a gummy worm at him, “Hyuck! Stop it!”

Hyuck continues to laugh as he clutches his stomach, Jisung stealing the candy from Chenle’s fingers before stuffing it into his mouth. I pull Hyuck up from his side, “Hyuck, you’re going to fall, sit up!”

Due to his lack of breath, Hyuck stares into my eyes, his golden irises gleaming, “You’re here to catch me though.”

You push him back down, palming my hand onto his face, “Stop reading cheesy rom-com lines. It’s so not cute, cringey at that.” Before Hyuck can finish whining, we’re interrupted by Mark plopping his food tray on the table. Jaemin says, “Someone’s late. Where were you?”

Mark looks like he’s out of breath, heaving and panting as he cards his fingers through the crest of his raven hair. “You guys aren’t going to believe this but, I think Cassandra likes me.”

Jaemin raises a skeptical eyebrow, “You mean Cassandra as the cheerleader who got kicked off the team for drinking last year?”

Suddenly, you stop paying attention to the conversation anymore. All you feel is the weight of your heart sink, my limbs feeling heavier at your side. Hyuck looks at you, noticing your fallen expression before clutching your hand under the table, giving it a comforting squeeze. It seems like Jeno sees it too because he glances from you to Mark as Mark excitedly explains his story. “Yeah, I was just finishing up some tutoring with Roberto from last period and Cassandra gave me her number after that! Isn’t that sweet?”

Jaemin nods disinterestedly, “Yeah, sweet I guess.”

Among the group, you have only ever admitted your feelings for Mark to Hyuck because he cornered you about it one day. Yet, it seems like Jeno, Jaemin, and Renjun have caught on from their pitied faces. Mark drones on about how “totally cool” and how athletic he thinks Cassandra is. The difference is you don’t play any sports and you don’t slap coats of makeup on your face every-day before school,  nothing like Cassandra. You shake your head at the ping in your heart- a small glimmer of hope that Mark would ever feel the same about you. By the time lunch is over, classes feel longer than usual. They drag on, your teachers’ words in one ear and out the other. You text Mark that you have to stay over for school so he can walk home without you- a blatant, utter lie. Instead, you opt to put my headphones in and take the long route home. Plopping on to the surface of my comforter, you hear the familiar ring of Mark’s text tone.

[2:55 P.M.] (Marcus Lee <3) Y/n? Did you get home okay?

[2:55] Yeah, I did. Thanks Mark.

[2:56] (Marcus Lee <3) Hey, are you okay? You seemed a bit down today? Like you know you can tell me anything right?

[2:56] Yeah. I know. I’m just a bit more tired than usual. Stayed up last night writing Mr. Gillion’s paper..

[2:57] (Marcus Lee <3) hahahah ewww. That doesn’t sound fun… Do you want to go into town and get churros later?

[2:58] I think I’ll pass today, I got some homework to finish. I hope you have a good day though :)

[3:00] (Marcus Lee <3] hahaha okay. I guess I’ll have to take my mom on a churro date then hahah. See you tomorrow! ;)

You’d be lying if you said you didn’t want to hang out with Mark. Still, you couldn’t forget about the way Mark’s eyes sparkled when he talked about Cassandra, the way his voice cracked from the excitement of talking about it. How can you expect him to know? To reciprocate? It’s not like you were dating, you have no right to be jealous of Cassandra- a pretty girl, someone who had football players falling at her feet. Even if you had told Mark the truth, what if he didn’t feel the same? It would make these awkward, not to mention with your friend group. You shouldn't.

Tuesday

In all honesty, you had forgotten about yesterday’s lunch conversation. That was until the reminder hits you like a slap to the face when you see Cassandra’s arms wrapped around Mark’s neck as he laughs into her shoulder. Renjun and you had been walking to art class, the crack in your heart widening by the second. They fit so well, the way Mark’s basketball jacket matches Cassandra’s cheerleading uniform, the way his teammates and her friends hang out together in a pack. Renjun whispers to you, “Are you okay?”

You nod at him, trying to conceal your emotions, “Just fine, let’s head to class.”

When you pass Cassandra and Mark along with their cluster of friends, Cassandra’s voice comes out in a squeaky tone, “Hey, y/n.” When you turn to look at the pair, you see Cassandra’s hand daintily resting on Mark’s stomach, his eyes wide as saucers when he realizes you and Renjun are in front of him. You hear Renjun mutter an ‘ugh’ after curtly waving to them. Mark leaves Cassandra’s grasp, motioning towards you both, “You guys going to art? I’ll walk with you-”

Before you can answer, Cassandra wraps her thin arms around Mark’s waist, “We have to go help Felix with the party stuff remember?”

Mark scratches the back of his neck before glancing back at her and you with Renjun, his mind in a state of conflict. To make it easier for him, you smile at him, “You go, looks like you’re busy.”

Walking faster, Renjun drags you by the arm as we breeze past the crowd of athletes and cheerleaders. Renjun rolls his eyes again, “I don’t get why he likes her so much, they haven’t even been friends for that long and you’re right-”

You cover a hand to his mouth, “Renjun, it’s okay. I’ve accepted it by now.” You try to convince yourself at the very least.

After art class is done, lunch time seems to come in a hurry. Everyone takes their usual seats, Hyuck on your right with Renjun on your left. Jeno, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung sit around you three in a circular formation. Jaemin speaks first, “So, what, are Mark and Cassandra dating now?”

Jeno shrugs his shoulders before stuffing a quarter of a cookie into his mouth, “Don’t know and don’t care.”

You say, “Looks like it, they were pretty intimate in the hallway this morning.”

Renjun and Hyuck make disapproving faces, Renjun quips, “I don’t know. I feel like this is happening so fast and he told me that he really-”

“Shut up!” Hyuck screams at Renjun, throwing a limp french fry at him.

“Ew, what the hell was that for?” Renjun’s eyebrows are furrowed with disgust, patting the fabric of his white denim jacket from any salt crumbs.

Hyuck’s eyes go wide  as he makes a zipping motion on his lips, his blond hair gleaming under the dim lights, “Don’t say it- she needs to hear it from him!”

Renjun shoots back, “But it’s so obvious, what difference does it make?”

“What are we talking about?” Chenle’s face contorts with confusion, Jisung looking at him for any hints.

Jaemin glares at the pair, “Shh, let’s just all move on.”

You say, “I’m with Chenle, what are we talking about?”

Hyuck places a firm hand on my shoulder, his honey blond hair casting shadows on his forehead, “Nothing, it’s not important.”

As you eat, you spot Mark walking over to all of you, his black backpack slinged over one shoulder before setting his food down. “Hey, guys. We can squeeze in two right?”

Hyuck looks at Mark, his eyes furrowing with bewilderment, “Two?”

“Hey guys!” Cassandra’s preppy figure pops out from behind Mark. She looks more done up than before: red lipstick, long platinum-streaked hair in a slicked pony-tail, and the tightest cheer-leading uniform she could fit herself into. She plops herself down in between Mark and Hyuck, taking off the container of her salad before looking around our table. I sense Renjun and Hyuck give me a look while the other boys continue to eat in silence.

“So what did you guys do today?” Mark asks. Jaemin gives him a short response while Jisung explains how the class pet mouse made it’s escape during second hour, earning a chuckle from Mark. You get an odd feeling in your stomach when Cassandra looks at Mark so lovingly at your lunch table. The boys’ dynamic seems almost disrupted every time Cassandra butts in to say that she doesn’t think Jeno’s jokes are funny. As lunch finishes up, the school bell reverberates through the cafeteria walls- a signal for the next class period.

The next class is statistics with Mr. Midas. Out of the group, Mark and Jaemin are the only ones in the same class as you  but it doesn’t help that they’re seated as farway as possible. On the bright side, you’re seated next to Chan, one of Mark’s basketball teammates. Over the course of the year, Chan has always been a kind deskmate by helping you when you’re confused with a problem or sharing his study guide with you. Sometimes you notice he scoots closer to explain a formula and asks you if you’re uncomfortable with his sudden closeness, to which to his relief, you always reply no. Chan is just as handsome as Mark, someone well regarded in the school. No one could resist his flirty charm, the way his chestnut hair curls to one side of his forehead and the way his hoodie falls past his waist a bit. You discover how Chan is really passionate about producing music and running your high school’s channel as a radio dj. When Chan smiles, it makes you happy to see how his eyes crinkle into crescent moons, and how his teeth gleam white when he smiles about the flower you drew him at the corner of his notes.

“Are you doing okay, y/n?”

You give a reassuring nod, “I’m doing okay Chan. Thanks for asking.”

He quirks up his brow, a scar slashing it at the end, “You don’t look okay though. Listen, if you don’t want talk about it, you’re all good, I just-”

Pausing him with the hold of your hand,  you continue, “if you don’t mind, I’d like to talk about it.”

He gives you affirmation, you say, “Have you ever felt unrequited love?”

Chan shakes his head no, leaning back in his chair, “Maybe when I was younger but not now? I’m truly sorry y/n. Whoever it is, anyone who doesn’t see how funny and beautiful you are doesn’t deserve you period.”

You hold your tongue for a bit due to the fact of Chan’s comment catching you off guard. Freezing, he realizes the bluntness of his words, “Oh man, you just said unrequited love and I biffed it right? I didn’t mean it that way-no, wait. You are funny and very pretty so, uh-yeah.”

Bursting into laughter, you put a hand to your mouth causing Cassandra and Mark to look at you from across the room. Soon enough, you tear your eyes away from the students staring at you to focus your attention on Chan. He’s laughing too, his voice full of brightness and mirth. You respond, a light cloud of pink floating your cheeks, the room feeling a bit warmer, “I really appreciate that Chan. Thank you for making me smile today.”

A smirk graces Chan’s face as he says, “Happy to do it, whenever you want really.”

Statistics goes by extremely quickly when you’re sitting next to Chan- it’s like he’s telling you a couple of jokes and then it’s over. As the bell rings, Chan nudges you with his elbow as he packs up his bag, “So, I uh-this friday, we’re having our championship game and this party after? I was wondering if you want to come?”

You hesitate, thinking you might have plans with Mark, yet you decide he would probably hang out with his girlfriend over you anyway.

“I’d love to come. On one condition.”

Chan raises his eyebrows, “And what’s that?”

“You have to win the game.”

Chan throws up his hands almost hitting you in the process, “Well, duh! I’m not going to let you down, I promise.”

Friday

For the past couple days, you haven't heard from Mark. No texts, no calls, and no plans out in the city. You were hurt that the boy you’d call your best friend would ignore you just because he got a new girlfriend, your years of friendship overlooked just like that. When Friday rolls around, you attend the Everlane versus Brisbane championship basketball game. You decide that you’re there to cheer on Chan, the boy who’s taller than the rest, his purple jersey hanging against his muscular frame. You spot Cassandra giving Mark a kiss on his cheek on the court, you have to look away at the sight. By the next hour or so, you’re surprised at how long Chenle, Jisung, and Jaemin have been screaming. Each of them held a poster for each Hyuck, Jeno, and Mark- their jersey numbers adorned with dollar store glitter and messy handwriting. When Mark makes a slam dunk in the basket, the crowd goes ear-deafeningly wild, cheering out Mark’s name like a repeated mantra. Shortly after, Hyuck makes an attempt to pass the basketball to Mark; the ball missing Mark’s hands before Chan dribbles it to their opponent’s basket. The cheerleaders dance to the thrum of the crowd screaming Chan’s name over Mark’s, causing Mark to grit his teeth with irritation. For a while, the back and forth of swaying bodies goes on until the Everlane team makes the last shot before the final countdown. When Jeno makes the last point, you’re certain you’ve lost your hearing by then. The cheers ring in the gym, causing the alarm to blare with victory. After everyone exits the gym, you see Mark, Chan, and Jeno being tossed into the air in a sea of fellow players and short-skirted girls as pompoms explode upwards. You decide to wait with Chenle, Jisung, and Jaemin in the empty parking lot, waiting for Renjun to pull his car around. Jeno and Hyuck jog to you all first, their basketball duffels hanging from their hands, bodies are drenched with sweat. Chenle says, “That’s some fine work out there gentleman if I do say so myself.” Hyuck does his signature handshake with Chenle, a reckless grin smeared across his face, “I knew we’d win. Brisbane can’t take down the undefeated.”

Jeno gives him a firm nod, slinging his arm around a pleased Jaemin. You smile at the boys, “Congratulations guys, you all killed it on the court.”

Hyuck and Jeno smash you in a sweaty hug, “Aw, thanks y/n. You did well cheering for us.”

You laugh, “Get off, you guys are sweaty!”

Before Hyuck can smear his sweat onto your shoulder playfully, a voice stops you in your tracks.

“Y/n!”

It’s Chan. A damp towel hangs off his neck, his nike headband wrapping his forehead under his bangs. “You ready to go?”

You shout, “Just give me a second!”

Hyuck and Jeno give you a knowing look, “Where are you going with Chan?”

You reply, “Oh, we’re just carpooling to the party at Felix’s house.”

Renjun asks, “Also, where’s Mark?”

Hyuck shakes his head in contempt, “He’s heading to the party with Cassandra.”

Jaemin mutters, “Of course he is.”

Of course he would. Mark is one of the captains on the team, why would he be excluded from the after-party? The ache in your heart pings again, you feel sick from the thought of Mark making out with Cassnadra at some gross party. You wouldn’t be able to handle the tears.  Though, Chan had invited you, not Mark- who he didn’t even mention it to you, the least you could do is be courteous. What kind of person gets invited to something and cancels so last minute?

You say, “You guys get to the party and I’ll meet you there, okay?”

Renjun’s eyes crease his concern, “You do know that Mark and Cassandra will be there though right?”

You nod, “Yes. But we won’t mind them, let’s just go have fun tonight.”

After parting, you jog over to Chan who’s tossing his duffel into the trunk of his silver Lexus, his hair damp from the game. He turns to you, grinning, “you ready?”

You smile at him, telling him yes before launching yourself into the passenger seat. Chan turns the ignition, his car interior smelling like cherries from the air freshener that hangs above his head. As Chan drives, the street lamps glow on the side of the road as the moon peeks between the rainy clouds. He rolls your window down, your skin shivering at the cold chill of the night. “So, there was something I wanted to ask you?”

Turning to him, you face the chestnut-haired boy, “You remember stats class a few days ago?”

You reply, “I do?”

“Mark was looking at you the whole time. When you guys hadn’t texted in several days, he asked me if you and I were a thing during practice.”

You quirk your brows up in surprise, “And what did you say?”

Chan smiles to himself, letting out a breathy chuckle, “I said no. But, I was definitely interested.”

You allow yourself to feel nice, to feel like Chan likes you for who you are around him. Chuckling at him, you flip your hair in a sassy manner, “Well, I’ll definitely keep that noted.”

When you arrive at the party, the small two-story house looks like a sight straight out of one of those coming of age movies. The small house is jam packed with people, some hanging out on the lawn as they sip their drinks as music shakes the walls. You spot Renjun’s car from the side of your eye, meaning that your friends had gotten there before you and Chan. Upon entering the house, it’s like a warzone within it. Some people are peacefully talking by the lounge area as they feast on snacks. Some are in the kitchen mixing a plethora of colorful drinks together while also playing a form of beer pong. Girls run up and down the stairs with their friends, some with boys trailing behind them with a trance in their eyes. Some are grinding on each other on the dance floor, sensual music thrumming at the source of the boombox.

The first thing you see are your friends sitting in the corner by the backyard door, Mark on the loveseat with Cassandra practically on his lap. You instinctively grab Chan’s hand so you don’t break down right there. He gives you a surprised glance, “y/n? What’s wrong?”

Instantly, you let go of his hand as you cast your eyes down towards the floor. When you don’t answer, he sees a view of your friends laughing along with Mark and Cassandra. You feel a large hand cover yours which causes you to look up at Chan, “It’s okay y/n. Just stick with me.”

You nod, leading him to the drink table in the kitchen. When he leans down to sniff a large bowl full of sour juices and cubes of fruit, his nose scrunches in disgust, “ugh, jungle juice.”

Out of random courage, you swipe an empty cup from the tower as you shove the metal ladle of jungle juice into it. Downing it despite Chan’s protest, you feel a surge of electricity light your lungs on fire as the beat of your heart quickens from the liquid courage. He laughs, keeping his hand on the small of your back, “You surely make reckless decisions when you’re bothered by something.”

You giggle back at him, “You drink something too, you’re a winner tonight after all.” Chan reaches from a glittery purple bowl that pops with bubbles, “a toast to that, y/n. A toast to that.”

before he downs the liquid in one go. You feel his body jolt from the energy too, a smirk plastered on his face, “Wanna go play a game with some of the boys? Only if you want to, we can talk upstairs too.”

Shaking your head in refusal, you hang on to Chan’s shoulder, “Let’s go have fun.”

Chan grabs your hand, his metal chain bracelet cool on your wrist as he leads you past your friends, Mark, and Cassandra before opening the backyard door. Mark moves Cassandra off his lap, her eyes as cold as ice before she angrily gets up to get another drink. The rest of your friends sit in their circle in awe, glancing down at Chan’s hand enclosed on top of yours. Coolly waving to them, you say, “I’m outside if you need me.” before you meet eyes with Mark- his lips pressed into a frown, his irises shot with hurt. You ignore the ache that grows on the wall of your heart. You tell yourself, Mark’s ignored you all this time because he doesn’t feel the same way and never will. After being outside on the patio for a while, you meet some of Chan’s radio-club friends as all of you play a game of sorry. For a moment, Mark and the others aren’t on your mind, just the fact that Chan is pulling you into an enthusiastic hug after winning a round. You turn to Chan, “Hey, I’ll be right back. I have to use the bathroom.”

Chan smiles at you before he presses a lingering kiss to the crown of his head, “Sure thing. I’ll be here.”

You’re not even surprised that Chan kisses you, whether or not it’s the alcohol, you don’t mind it. When you head back into the house, you feel an arm grab your wrist and spin you around. Your friends are still sitting where they had when you passed them except Mark is the one boring his eyes into yours as he grabs your shoulders, “We need to talk now.”

Before you can say no, he pulls you to the quieter part of the kitchen, you say with bitterness, “What do you want Mark? I have someone waiting for me.”

Left without any patience, Mark lets out a huff, “Are you and Chan together?”

You sigh, casting your glance at him, “Seriously? It’s none of your business. Second, it’s not like you told me that you were with Cassandra.”

Mark uses his hand to comb back his black hair, making it even more messy, “Y/n. That’s because we’re not together, it’s just complicated and I haven’t had the time to tell you why or how we-”

“Stop right there. You ignored me for days Mark! You never texted or called! What was I supposed to do? Pine after you when you’re chasing Cassandra around?”

Mark’s doe eyes flash with pain, his hand tightening around the sides of your arms, “No! That’s not it! I didn’t mean it that way, I’m just trying to figure out what to do..” You shove Mark off you, his hands sliding off your arms, “Well save it. I’m done with you playing around with my feelings!”

Mark calls after you, tears streaming down your face as you try to make your way to the bathroom without being stared at. It takes all three minutes of some Chris Brown song for you to stop heaving. You feel sick to your stomach, so much for a fun night. You text Chan to meet you outside in front of the house, avoiding the corner your friends were comforting Mark at. Chan finds you leaning against his car, “Oh my god, are you okay?”

Giving him the only smile you can muster, you explain, “Listen, I’m so sorry. You invited me to this party and I just-I’m here being a cry-baby and everything. I’m just going to walk home now. I’m sorry.”

Chan shakes his head in definite refusal, “Nonsense. I’m driving you home. I’m about done anyway.”

You ask hesitantly, “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.”

The night drive back to your neighborhood gives you peace of mind. Chan rolls all the windows down as soft music plays from his radio, slowing the bounce of your heartbeat. He’s got one hand on the wheel and one hand rested on yours by your knee, you feel comfortable with Chan. It’s the same feeling that flutters in your stomach when you’re close to Mark and right now, you hate the thought of the black-haired boy that consumes so many of your thoughts. Before Chan’s tires screech to a stop in front of your porch, he turns to you with concerned eyes, lips pressed into a pout. “Come here, y/n.”

You waste no time collapsing into the space on his wide chest, his hands stroking your hair down. Resting his chin on your head, you close your eyes to the rhythmic beat of Chan’s heart as the soft patter of the rain is enough to drift you to sleep. You pull away from his chest, looking up at the shadows in Chan’s eyes, his hair falling near his eye-lids while he glances at your lips before looking down to his lap. He says apologetically, “I’m so sorry. I’m not trying to take advantage of your feelings right now. I’m really not-”

You cut him off with your hand pressed to the curve of his cheek, “Can I kiss you?”

He doesn’t waste time to grip the back of your neck, kissing you harshly as he bites the bottom of your lip. You sigh into him, fisting the fabric of his jacket when he moves in even closer to twist a hair behind your ear. When you detach from him, you can’t control the burst of tears that shakes your body. The alcohol blurs the vision of Mark and Chan together as your mind throbs from the effect, leaving you dizzy. You apologize to Chan over and over again, wiping the tears that fall from your eyes. Instead, he kisses his lips to the side of your temple as he urges you to get some sleep. Like the gentleman he is, he walks you to the front door, draping his basketball jacket over your shoulders. Your home is dark- due to the fact that your parents are out of town on a business trip in Toronto so you just flop onto your bed in defeat. Mark’s ringtones shoot off from your phone, notifications of several apology texts and missed calls. Not wanting to check any of them, you toss your cell phone into the grey trash bin that sits by your desk. Going to sleep feels especially difficult when alcohol still surges through your veins and you can’t control the sobs that erupt from your throat. You hear Mark’s car pull up on his driveway, not wanting to see him whatsoever. On your bed, you almost feel him looking up at your window to check if you’re awake- for once, you’re glad it’s curtains are securely shut.

The next few weeks are pretty miserable besides the fact that you’re getting closer to Chan. You don’t acknowledge Mark’s presence anymore. By Hyuck and Jaemin, you’re told he comes by to the lunch table to check if you’re there. You still hang out with your friends separately rather than in your usual group- the web that connects you slowly falling apart. It’s difficult when you have art with Hyuck and Renjun, stats with Jaemin, and ceramics with Jisung, Chenle, and Jeno- as you try to take paths opposite of Mark at the same time. Later on, you explain everything that’s been going on between you and Mark to Chan. He takes it surprisingly well by comforting you and listening to your anger, how he’s willing to let you heal before you two start anything. How could Chan be so patient with you? He says it’s because he really likes you and would rather be there for you as a friend first. When you get home, your parents give you a lecture about starting things with Mark, how they want to have dinner with his family but can’t. Of course, they feel sorry once you explain to them what really happened.

Now, the weather outside seems a lot sunnier, yellow pollen from the peonies float in the air as you make your way out of the double doors. The time is nearing for spring break- a well needed barrier from Mark, from everything. Before you walk your way home, you’re stopped by Hyuck and Renjun. Renjun holds an envelope in his hands before giving it to Hyuck, both of them trapping you, “Y/n. We’ve been looking all over for you.”

You say, “I’m going home now, can we talk tomorrow?”

Hyuck narrows his eyes at me with contempt, “No, of course not. Just hear us out.”

Renjun speaks up too, “Do you have plans for spring break? I’m assuming you don’t because you mentioned a few weeks ago that you didn’t. We’ve got 8 tickets to Victoria island.”

You reply, “And.. your point is?”

Hyuck crosses his arms, rolling his eyes, “The point is to make up. Our group is in shambles because of all this lovesick drama. A trip is a perfect opportunity to mend things.”

Laughing, you cackle at his suggestion, “If you expect me to go then that’s hilarious. I’m not going.”

Hyuck throws up his hands in frustration. “How can you kick it if you don’t even know what will happen?”

Raising your eyebrows defiantly, “Do you remember what happened when Mark and I were in the same room? Hyuck, it’s not happening.”

Renjun grumbles, flicking the envelope in my face, “Fine! We won’t invite Mark then! We just want you to come with us and then we’ll see what happens from there okay?”

Hyuck socks Renjun in the shoulder with a fist before shouting, “How can we not ask Mark?”

In response, Renjun shoots a frigid glare at Hyuck as if he’s threatening him with his eyes,  “We’re just not going to ask him! Y/n, will you come?”

You pause for a moment as you stare back at the pair. You raise your voice to make yourself crystal clear, “I will only go if Mark doesn’t. Simple as that.”

Renjun bobs his head in agreement, “Deal. No Mark.”

When you walk away, you still hear Hyuck berating Renjun for his decision only to be shut up by some snarky comment that comes through Renjun’s lips. The sound of their voices falling away.

First day of spring break

By the time spring break begins, you find yourself standing in front of Renjun’s van with your suitcase packed full of your things. You’re greeted by Renjun, Hyuck, Jaemin, and Jeno first. Of course, Jisung and Chenle are seen scampering across the school parking lot with their duffel bags messily unzipped, some shirts hanging out of the top.

“Didn’t I tell you to pack the night before?” Renjun scoffs at the pair.

Chenle pokes his tongue at the older boy, wrapping his arm around Jisung’s broad shoulders. Jeno holds his hands up in the air before bellowing, “shot-gun!” straight into Hyuck’s ear- causing Hyuck to throw a whiny fit. Once our suitcases are in the back of Renjun’s car, he leans on the side of his van as if he’s waiting for something. Jaemin says, “Okay, isn’t that all? Why aren’t you closing it?”

Renjun has a wicked grin plastered all over his face, “Not everything and not certainly everyone.”

You all turn to face Mark, circles under his eyes, his hair unruly as if he hasn’t gotten sleep in 3 whole weeks. Shoot a menacing face at Renjun, you whisper at him, “You told me Mark wasn’t coming.”

Renjun gives you  an evil, sinister smile, “I crossed my fingers behind my back.”

Having the extreme urge to strangle Renjun on the spot, you ponder about Renjun’s extreme lengths to reach his goal of making up. Before you can walk away from the car, Hyuck drags your hand back to the door of the van, “Ah-ah- y/n. You’re not going anywhere.”

The whole car ride to the ferry is awkwardly silent due to the fact you’re mercilessly squished between Hyuck and Mark. Personal boundaries don’t exist in the car, your legs are practically on top of each other as Mark steals side glances at you from the corner. Getting to the dock port seemed less stressful than you’d imagine it to be. Renjun had parked his van at the base garage of the ferry before unloading everyone's belongings.

Just as easy as it was to get on to the boat, it was easy getting off too. You’d make your way down to Renjun’s car,  Renjun driving it down a ramp and into the pathway that opened into Victoria island. You have to admit to yourself, Victoria island looked even more gorgeous than you had remembered last time you came with your family. During springtime, all the beautiful flowers in Butchart gardens would bloom pinks and purples, the greenery would turn a lush, healthy evergreen, and the city would stay lit for the tourists. It was the perfect place to have a vacation, one with friends at that. Jaemin and Renjun booked a small cottage house for everyone to stay in, one straight out of a fairy tale storybook. The cottage ceiling looked like it was made with hay and lime-green vines, beams of cedar-wood reinforced the walls of the structure. It had a white picket fence that surrounded a small rose garden near the entrance; white lilies floating in an old, peeling fountain. Finally entering the house, you were amazed by the impeccable interior:various paintings of Victoria island, a kitchen that was big enough to seat 10, and bedrooms slacked with ivory/gold wallpaper. Like ants scattering into their units, the boys jumped on their beds that they ‘claimed’ while you and Mark stood in the middle of the hallway. Watching all of them make a clamorous reaction over who got the best room was like watching families seize their buttons during family feud. By observing them, you’ve come to realize that there were only 7 rooms instead of 8. Realizing this, you glance over at Mark who was in turn staring back at you before racing towards the end of the hall- flying to the surface of the bed. Both of you landed on it at the exact same time, faces extremely close together. Hastily, you sit up in an attempt to push Mark off the bed that you claimed first, “Mark Lee, get off my bed now!”

He incredulously stares back at you, “Your bed? This is mine!”

You exclaim, “You’re trying to take my bed now? I clearly jumped on it first!”

“No, you didn’t!”

Bickering back at forth, you and Mark don’t even realize the rest of the boys practically flailing in the doorway, Hyuck saying in a sing-songy voice, “Or.. you could shareee!”

In unison, you and Mark shout, “Hell no!”

You get up first, shoving a pillow at Mark, “Fine, you have it! I’ll room with Hyuck.”

Hyuck clicks his tongue, “Oh no you’re not, y/n. Nada. No bueno.”

Before you can argue with Hyuck or chase him out of the room for that matter, you hear Mark speak up from behind. His voice is shy and quiet, his face a shade of beet red, “You just take the bed. I’ll take the floor.”

You turn to face him as you’re about to reprimand him for such a stupid idea until you realize that it’s probably the best decision to make at the moment.

After dinner that night, everyone had settled into their respective rooms. You had changed into a hoodie and sweatpants after you had showered. You sat on your bed, texting Chan goodnight before shutting it off to charge on your nightstand. Mark had stumbled into your shared room with one pillow and a thin fabric cover-(hardly a blanket) before setting it down on the carpet. Seeing Mark in this state, it reminds you of the old days. The way that his headphones sat comfortably on his ears, his black hair matted with drops of water, and his toned frame covered with black pants and a black tee. The hollows of his cheeks make his face more prominent, his lips the color of a strawberry slice. In one swift motion, he wraps the thin cover around his body before turning on his side, “Good night, y/n.”

Unable to say anything, you shut off the lamp- casting darkness all around you. “Good night, Mark.”

You almost forget that Mark’s there in the room with you until you hear the tick of his teeth chattering and the breathy huffs from how cold it is. You sit up to take a look at his shaking figure, the thin material doing no justice as a blanket. You believe that the air bnb manager hadn’t put extra blankets or control instructions for the ac system as you had all looked for them earlier. Deciding to wrap one of the thicker blankets that’s draped over your legs, you almost trip towards Mark’s shuddering body before patting it against him. Before you turn to go back to your bed, you feel a hand curl around your fingers, Mark slightly opening his half-lidded eyes at you. “y/n?”

Pausing, you touch your hand to Mark’s cheek, “Mark, you’re freezing. You should have told me, this blanket cover isn’t any better than a piece of paper.”

Mark shifts his body closer to face you now, his hands still wrapped around yours, “i-i didn’t know.”

“Do you want more of my blankets? I’m kind of used to the cold.”

Mark says, “No, if I take them, you’ll catch a cold.”

“Mark, I’m fine, really.” You insist on letting you help him, the boy shivering from the icy temperature.

His eyes become stern, his muscles stiffening, “y/n, I said no!”

Pausing, retract your hand from Mark’s as the warmth slowly is replaced with cold air. You give him a gentle nod this time, “I-okay.” Mark sits up from his place, fingers running through his messy hair, an earbud still plugged into his left ear, “What I mean is, I don’t want you to get sick. It’d be my fault.”

Instead, you walk back to your spot on your bed, “Look, don’t take this the wrong way but, you can come warm up for a little. Just before you go back to sleep, I promise- I won’t touch you.”

In the dark, Mark’s eyes glint like swirling, black orbs as he nods at you, getting up to take a spot next to you on the bed. He leans back into the pillow by your head, the coolness of it feeling like a cold cloud. Sighing with content, he submerges his body under the warmth of the comforter, careful not to over step his boundaries with you. When Mark lies next to you, you can seem to shut your eyes. Instead, your heart beats out of your chest when you hear Mark whisper. “y/n?”

“Yes, Mark?”

He says with a heavy heart, “I miss us.”

Propping my elbow on your pillow, you turn to face him, “I miss you.”

You choke on your words, your head throbbing with dizziness when you realize what you had just admitted to Mark. You seem visibly gulp, his eyes tracing the crease where the flowery wallpaper meets the ceiling. His voice comes out shaky, “y/n..I-I like you.”

Mark’s earbud sings the words of a beautiful, familiar tune:

Said I never fall, i’d never fall and then I fell for you mhm

Back against the wall, against the wall, and against the wall, that’s how it felt with you mhm

When those words fall from Mark’s lips, all the oxygen from your lungs makes an exit and threatens to not come back in- you’re left stunned. Mark turns his face to you to see your reaction and you stare back at him, eyes widened. Before you have the chance to say anything, Mark presses his lips to yours, rising from the pillow as his nose knocks against yours lightly. You find yourself kissing him back, harder than when you kissed Chan the night of the party. The kiss is full of yearning, almost full of struggling sadness to trap the right feelings- Mark’s hand snakes a hand around your jaw in order to stabilize you. He keeps kissing you aggressively, his eyes squeezed shut in pleasure as his tongue swipes your bottom lip. You pull away first, fire thrumming in your lungs as you place your hand on his chest, “Mark, you have a girlfriend. We can’t.”

Mark shakes his head slightly, “I’m not dating Cassandra.”

You make a face at him, “What do you mean? Because if I’m a rebound, I don’t want to be.”

Mark chuckles, a smirk snaking on his swollen lips, “Trust me, you’re not a rebound. And, I meant what I said about liking you.”

“Mark, you can’t just tell me you like me and then kiss me like nothing’s happened. I saw you and Cassandra with my own eyes.”

Mark sighs before gazing back at you with his obsidian-colored eyes, his skin glowing from the moon that shines slightly through the window curtains, “I’ve liked you since the day you brought those muffins to my house. I thought you would never see me as more as a friend and I tried to use Cassandra to get over you. I never wanted to burden you if you didn't feel the same. Clearly, it didn’t work. Not even partially. I’m sorry.”

You press your forehead against Mark’s, pressing a lingering kiss to the shape of his lips as you use one hand to pull the hairs on Mark’s nape- causing him to groan before reciprocating.

You whisper to him, a beautiful sound to his ears, “Why are we so difficult? We’re such idiots.”

Placing your head on Mark’s chest, both of you collapse on to the bed, sleep washing over your minds. You hear Mark giggle before putting his right ear bud into your ear, the sound of a man’s voice humming:

One weekend in Portland, you weren’t even my girlfriend

We were walkin’ and talkin’

Then somebody said.. let's get tattoos together, something to remember

If it’s way too soon, fuck it, whatever

Give me shapes and letters

If it’s not forever, then at least we’ll have tattoos together

Mmm, ‘cause I love you

Mmm, ‘cause I love you

When you wake up the next morning, you and Mark are greeted by Jaemin and Renjun cooking breakfast in the kitchen as Jeno, Hyuck, and Chenle play mario kart on the old television in the living room. Jisung is setting the table with eating utensils while also stopping to look at his Nintendo switch every few seconds. Aside from reddened faces and teasing, the boys had already suspected of your making-up based on the blush that coats both of your faces. That afternoon, you call Chan on the phone through facetime, letting him know that you and Mark had made up. Chan tells him how happy he is to hear it, telling you that he’s always known how much Mark had liked you and that he didn’t hold a candle to how Mark would talk about you to the basketball team. You apologize out of worry that you’ve hurt Chan but like the gentleman he is, he tells you that you’ll always be good friends especially when he’s good friends with Mark.

The next few days are like dreams. Together, you, Mark, and the boys go gallivanting across Victoria island through the sea towns made of floating boathouses and seafood restaurants. You bring your polaroid camera with you, capturing memories of Hyuck dropping his ice cream, selfies with Jeno and Jaemin, and seagulls chasing Renjun- all in a few frames. Even one morning, all of you had the spontaneous but rather, stupid decision to get matching commemorative tattoos, each of them a different flower on your wrists to commemorate your friendship. Each afternoon meant picnics at the Goldmere Provincial Park or whale watching tours out on the cobalt waters that were foaming with white. Other days you’d all visit the aviation museum or opt to sample the best chocolate fudge at Roger’s after a small hike.

On the last night of your trip, Mark had made sure that he wanted to take you down Tiffany avenue before meeting up with the boys for dinner. He’d told you to dress nicely in which you all did, leading you by the hand down the shopping street as your tulle skirt wavered behind you. When the both of you came to a balcony that overlooked the water,  the ocean looked so vast like it could swallow you into the great swirls of turquoise and aquamarine as white ocean spray crashed on the sharp rocks. The sky turned a lavender shade that bloomed into a twilight pink, the sun barely touching the tips of the mountains. Mark had placed an item in your hand from his pocket, a pair of cherry earrings he had bought in a souvenir shop when you weren’t looking. It reminded you of the song on Mark’s playlist from several nights before:

Yeah, your cherry earrings are my favorite

It looks so good I had to save it

I’ve been hopin’, prayin’ we last forever

‘Cause there’s nothing better than you and I

A week ago, you told Renjun that in any circumstance, you would never go anywhere if it reminded you of your feelings for Mark, of your friends, of everything that had happened. Now, you’re glad to be able to let go, you’re able to feel the cold wind on the cliffs- Mark right by your side. Being wrapped up in the tight security of your boyfriend’s arms, (yes, Mark had asked for real this time) along with your best friends, you’re careful to not let go of them now. There’s no place that you’d rather be.

[wrinkledparchment]

snake eyes;

Summary: Growing up with one normal, human eye and another as that of a serpent’s as a result of your soulmate, you grew to be self-concious of your eye and hid it from the world. When you’re forced to reveal it, what will happen? 

Word Count: 2,151

A/N: This was NOT meant to be this long but my absolutely-in-love-with-Crowley ass really jumped out and decided to go hard so, uh, yeah. Have fun y’all. 

Warnings: Hella Angst, Blood, Descriptions of Injuries, SOULMATE AU

Taglist:  This is for that one anon and also! @rk900 because Soulmate AU! Crowley makes my heart soft and you wanted me to tag you!! // @obsiidio annabelle i’m love u

you’d already tried to convince yourself it was worth it; it was absolutely not.

they’d call you snake eyes, with no regard for your real name at all. ostracized all your life by everyone, you’d stare into the mirror for no reason at all. one of your eyes was yours, hopefully, and it was quite striking. a beautiful color. 

your eye got no attention at all. your left eye, the one your soulmate harbored, was that of a snake’s.  golden yellow and crested by a fiery, somewhat deeper shade with black slits. they were terrifying, something of a nightmare. 

all your life, you’d wished you could manage to hate the person--or rather, thing--that had cursed you with a snake eye, and you had gotten very close. you’d changed schools numerous times as a youngster, wore sunglasses almost every day, and the only people involved in your life as of now that knew of your snake eye was your parents. 

but now, as you stood in front of your armoire, eyelids puffy and irritated from your crying, you had broken the pair of sunglasses. they laid on your marble countertop--which had a few shards of tinted glass scattered about--in half. 

you wanted to stop hiding, you wanted to find them, and though years ago, you’d wished so only to give them a piece of your mind and scurry off with your normal, human eyes, you understood. 

maybe they were ostracized too, perhaps they weren’t human and having a very obviously human eye caused others to be disappointed, or scared. 

they were your soulmate. even with their serpentine eyes, they were meant for you. and that had to count for something, right?

but god. they were your soulmate, and their serpentine eyes were hellish. they haunted you, around every corner, in every place you walk. that, was the real issue. 

it wasn’t what you thought, or what they thought, or hell, what your parents and friends thought. it was what your soulmate was. 

frightening . . . hellish . . . demonic.

your soulmate wasn’t even a fucking human. 

what if they were a dragon? for all you knew, they could be an alien race and you wouldn’t even meet them, ever. you’d be stuck with this snake eye and it’s consequences for your whole life and you wouldn’t even get to meet them. 

in a moment of confusion, pent-up frustration, and fiery, pure rage, you thrust your fist and straightened your arm just enough to punch and shatter the mirror of your armoire. 

pain seared through your knuckles as fractals of glass dug into your skin and scattered over the marble countertop. you didn’t even flinch, and besides the resounding echo of a crack heard in your bedroom, the only sound was a single drop of crimson landing on one mirror shard. 

you pulled away your hand slowly, careful not to move your feet so you wouldn’t step on a sliver. there was another red stain on the mirror, and not only two seconds after you’d punched it, you regretted it. 

you had smashed the mirror, hard, and you’d need tweezers and a steady hand if you’d actually like to get the splinters out, and even then it’d still be a miracle if you didn’t have dotted scars all over your knuckles. 

you wouldn’t be able to drive, and the nearest urgent clinic was on the other side of the village. there was, however, a hospital that had been burned down about eleven years ago and was partially used as a paintball course, but it would do.

hastily slipping on sandals, you walked with your wallet in your working hand to the hospital. you let your head fall down to the ground, remembering halfway there that you had broken your only pair of sunglasses. 

snake eyes--of course.

you heard machine gunfire, obviously coming from the paintball fight currently going on. being cautious of getting shot with paint (hopefully, it sounded menacingly real), you kept your eyes down before entering the hospital. 

hearing soft voices down a hallway, you followed them, all the while managing to keep your head down and hopefully not bump into anything. “Master Crowley!” you heard Mary speak, and without thought, you lifted your head and called for her. 

“mary?” with a start, she twirled around suddenly and moved slightly to the left, revealing a tall man in dark clothing and sunglasses that looked just like your old, broken pair. 

instantly, it felt like everything in your world clicked. though his face wasn’t quite visible, it was chiseled and he had auburn hair that shone in the light of the partially broken window. the hand you’d been clutching with your other fell to your side, and immediately mary, your old friend, rushed over to you. 

“what happened to your hand, [name]?” she questioned and picked it up to examine, seeing the shards of glass stuck in your skin as blood still trickled out of your open wound. 

“i punched a mirror,” you mumbled, still not taking your eyes off of the man who hadn’t turned away from you. only until a shorter, blonde man cleared his throat did you look away, though you’d gottten lucky, as crowley hadn’t gotten a good look at you yet.

he had a tan coat on, and was a lot less... dark than the other who, based on observation, seemed to be named crowley. quickly, after looking to the other man, you remembered your eye. 

looking back down to your hands, which were being cradled by mary’s, your stomach churned. this was the first time you had been out in public without your sunglasses for some time, and you immediately felt uncomfortable. 

“you punched a mirror?” she repeated, raising her eyes up in attempt to meet your own. obviously, she had a clue why. mary was not completely oblivious, though almost always anxious, so she knew it had something to do with your soulmate’s eyes. 

you refused to meet her gaze, ashamed of what you’d have to show her if you did, so you closed your eyes instead. “that’s what I said; it was just a silly mistake. if you could, can you grab some tweezers and bandages and help me out?” 

mary turned back to ‘master crowley’, still not letting go of your hands, before nodding and walking back to her office, leaving you alone with the two strange men. Open your eyes, you opted to stare at the floor, mumbling a small hello. 

the man in a nicely kept, unwrinkled tan coat stepped forward. “hello [name], i’m aziraphale, and this is crowley. Were you--perhaps, are--a nun of the Order that used to operate here?” 

“i wasn’t, but mary was. it seems you already knew that, though? Uh, sorry for interrupting, i- it’s nothing I just needed mary’s help with something-” you began to stutter, obviously feeling the tension in the air as you brandished your hand and still didn’t raise your head to make eye contact. 

“why in hell would you think it’s a good idea to punch a mirror?” crowley suddenly spoke up, effectively putting a stop to your ramblings. his voice, for some reason, shockingly put you at ease, despite his harsh words. 

“i didn’t, it’s just- i’m very self-conscious about my eye, or rather, my soulmate’s,” you explained as if that wasn’t obvious. there was hum on aziraphale’s end, as if he understood very well. 

“that’s why you won’t look at me, then?” crowley asked, knowing the answer, before you nodded your head dumbly. 

“normally, I wear sunglasses but i broke them this morning,” you explained, again, though they didn’t need to know. before you could stop yourself, you continued with a mumbled: “on purpose.”

mary walked back in quickly, and as an instinctual reaction, you raised your head to look at her, making eye contact. She dropped the whole box of first aid with a loud crash, and you hid your eyes quickly again. “goodness me, [name].”

“now you understand why you’ve never seen me without sunglasses,” you stated, voice falling sadly. The air felt heavy in your lungs, and you turned to leave, just like you’d done every other time someone had seen your eye. 

mary, though, was quicker and had picked back up the First AID kit, and grabbed your hand, yanking you back to her with a harshness you didn’t know she had. “[name], look at me.” 

you turned your head, looking over your shoulder before she took your chin into her hand gently, and turned it towards her. you squeezed your eyes shut, refusing to look at her. “please,” she whispered. 

it was soft, gentle, and friendly, and the two outsiders couldn’t help but watch. aziraphale nearly teared up at the scene, as your eyes suddenly flit open. crowley swallowed down a gasp, because he immediately recognized those eyes. 

because your left eye, the one that was supposed to be your soulmate’s, matched his right; your right eye matched his left, and though he’d made eye contact with you for a millisecond, he had sunglasses on. eyes would only switch back when true, unfiltered eye contact was made. 

you, a girl who had just walked into a paintball facility with a hand of bloodied knuckles, who had just supposedly punched a mirror, was his soulmate. on top of that, he was in the middle of trying to find the antichrist, and, chances are with how many issues you had with your soulmate’s eye, you hated him.

“you’re more than just a set of eyes,” mary murmured, and he saw a single tear slip down your face, before mary could wipe it away. “your eye is something beautiful, [name], and it’s not permanent.”

you nodded, and mary then set down the first aid kit on the windowsill, searching through it before she picked out some tweezers and a disinfectant wipe. crowley, though, decided to step forward. 

his stomach churned, making eye contact with aziraphale, as they both knew what this meant. “mary, I can take care of it,” he stated, plucking the tweezers from her hand and stepping closer to his soulmate. 

before he began though, he took off his sunglasses and his eyes met yours. With an audible gasp, you saw each other, truly saw, before going completely blind as your eyes squeezed shut in pain. 

doubling over, your bloodied hand grasped for his calloused one, squeezing as hard as you could. you saw stars in your shut eyes, showing only an all-black yet somehow colorful vision. There was a resounding silence in the previously burned-down hospital hallway.

crowley opened his eyes, his vision slowly returning normal as he murmured, “darling, you probably shouldn’t be holding my hand, you’ll get the glass deeper into your skin.”

you stood up straight now and opened your eyes. his eye set was now complete with both snake eyes, fiery amber with two black slits. yours, in his vision, were also completed; puffy, red and irritated from crying but still captivating, still starry and wonderous. 

without a warning, crowley looked into your eyes and could infer everything about having a demon’s eye. he was sure that you’d been bullied, that you were insecure, that you’d been through hell and back.

there was a painful, nauseating twist in his gut. guilt. “i’m sorry,” he murmured quietly, breath fanning over your face. your eyes welled up with tears again, and you shook your head. 

“don’t apologize, my dear.” Crowley didn’t look convinced, his eyes, despite being serpentine, held remorse, and sadness. You had never felt something quite like the swelling in your throat at his desperate look, never felt more pained in your life. “There is no need to apologize.”

“I wasn’t even supposed to have a soulmate, I’m a demon, and demons don’t have souls. I shouldn’t have. It’s my fault for wanting a human body.”

“Well, I want a soulmate, and you’re it. You’re the one stuck with me,” you mused, attempting to lighten the mood. Crowley gave a feeble smile in response and you closed your eyes and looked down again. 

“We’ll see about that,” he smirked, suddenly light again too. He picked up your intertwined hands, sliding his own out from under yours as he carefully picked out the glass with his tweezers. 

Through your eyelashes, you looked up at him as his brows furrowed in concentration, and for the first time, you felt wanted. You felt cared for, and your swollen throat suddenly no longer felt so swollen, and the worries of tomorrow, your twisted gut, even the pain in your bloodied knuckles floated away. 

Crowley, a man you’d just met, your soulmate, hadn’t made you fall in love with him yet. You barely knew him still, but you felt comforted and safe. Crowley, you decided, would be stuck with you. 

Even his frightening, serpentine eyes held love, and you knew that yours did too.

[thewritingstar]

Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince (Chapter 1)

Pairing: Blossutch (Blossom x Butch)

Fandom: Powerpuff Girls

Rating: M (drug use, mature themes, it’s butch do I even need to explain??)

Summary: An Ivy League school and a plan in place, Blossom has everything in order. But when a person from her past suddenly shows up, she wonders if her plans could be slightly rearranged.

I hope you all enjoy this new Wip that I am determined to finish!!! Enjoy!!! Also I’m on mobile so I’ll put the keep reading thing once I get on a computer sorry for the long post lol

———

“Bubbles, please stop crying.” Blossom patted her sobbing sisters back. She let out a laugh as Bubbles finally pulled away and squished her cheeks. 

“But I'm going to miss you!” The tears were coming again and Blossom pulled her into one last hug. 

Buttercup only huffed as she placed the last box on the ground. “Bubbles she is going to a college only three hours away from ours. We can fly in less than twenty minutes to see her.” 

It was true. Blossom had gotten into every single college she applied to, no surprise there and only the ivy league schools would be suffice for her. On the other hand Bubbles and Buttercup were attending the same college on the opposite side of the city, Buttercup on a full ride for sports and Bubbles in one of the top art and fashion programs around. Their sister almost went to that school but after a smack to the face and yelling about going to the best school, Buttercup made sure her sister only got the best, afterall who was going to brag at Thanksgiving dinner? 

“I know. I know but it just feels weird.” She shrugged before opening up a compact mirror and fixing her makeup. it closed with a pop. “I mean we all haven’t really been apart like ever.”

The thought did startle Blossom but that’s degree plaster on her wall protected by glass was the goal and if she had to be away from her sisters for a little bit, then so be it.

“She’s going to be fine Bubs.” And after a few more minutes of a goodbyes, Blossom was left alone in her apartment. 

Her sisters got roomed together but Blossom knew she was a fragile person to live with. It was better to live by herself than try and work out a routine with a random stranger, plus the dorms were right next to all the frat houses and Blossom cringed every time she went near them. 

How could such a presteigne school allow such juvenile behavior? She would never know. 

It only took an hour for everything to be in place thanks to her super speed and pre-planning of the layout. It was a simple apartment. One bedroom with a small kitchenette and a living room, nothing fancy but had a few places to study and get work done, perfect.

Not to mention her bulletin board that already had her schedule up with prime study times and library hours, this was gonna be fun.

By the time she was done and took a shower, her stomach grumbled and she knew she should eat. It was no secret that Blossom wasn’t the best in the kitchn. Okay it was known that she was the worst but she knew how to boil water and use the microwave, but eating at all the small local cafes seemed much more appealing. 

With her purse in hand she made her way out. 

“Um excuse me?” A voice came just as she was locking her door. “You must be Blossom”

Blossom wanted to turn back around and go into her room. Yes she might have been one of the most famous people on the face of the earth but the girl was one for her alone time. She put on a smile and was ready to meet the fan, she loved meeting fans she was just hungry.

She looked up at the girl with bright blue eyes and long brown hair. A gasp leaving her lips and she squealed. “Robin!”

Her childhood friend who sadly moved a city over during middle school was now staring back at her. “Hey Blossy.” She giggled as she was pulled into a hug. “I would say I am surprised to see you but I’m not.”

Blossom could hardly contain her excitement as Robin wrapped an arm around her own, a little trait that she did with everyone, and they walked down the hall. “Dinner time?”

“Absolutely, we have so much to catch up on.” Blossom smiled back. 

--

“I can’t believe you actually had to fight a monster on prom.” Robin laughed as she bit into her sandwich and Blossom rolled her eyes playfully. 

“Really? I'm not.” 

In that moment Blossom was thankful that Robin was there. Out of all their friends in school, she had always been the most genuine. Never once did the girls status affect their relationship and she never worried about any information about them getting leaked, unlike some of their classmates. 

To be honest she was afraid to be on her own. Her sisters were still together and she had no one. She was a peoples person but not in the way Bubbles was. It was hard for her to deeply connect to people unless it was intellguiet. 

“Soooo.” Robin started. “Did the boys go to high school with you?” She asked eagerly. 

It took a moment for Blossom to process it. The boys? And then it hit her. Robin had been a fangirl, like most, when the boys had joined the school system at the age of 16. Of course she was gone before that had happened and only knew them as the counterparts who tried to kill the girls every once in a while but it didn’t stop her from eyeing them. 

“They went to the rival high school.” Blossom said unenthusiastically as she patted her mouth with a napkin. “We all got along fine, just slight teasing.”

“Did you date any of them? I always thought you and the red one, Brick was it? Would end up a thing.” 

“Why would you think that?”

“Bubbles and Boomer did. I followed her on social media and saw all the cute couple posts about them but someone.” She looked at Blossom. “Didn’t have social media.” 

Blossom could see how everyone thought Brick and her would end up together. But to everyone dismay, they were only friends, maybe. And well, he was more occupied in the boy population than the girls. Of course she was one of the few to know that and they spent just as much time arguing about Shakespeare as they did bonding over the hottest member of boy bands. 

“I have a private instagram that you can have. Brick and I are just friends, well he’s more like my best friend” 

“That's too bad, I always thought you would end up with a ruff.” Robin laughed as she took Blossom's phone and plugged in her new number and every single social media she could find. 

She got her phone back after a minute and dropped some bills on the table. “Sorry to disappoint but he doesn’t swing that way.” 

“Oh really?” This surprised Robin. 

She laughed a little. “Actually we tried to date.” Robin almost spit out her drink. “He took me on a date and when he kissed me it felt wrong, no spark, nothing. It was werid since we are counterparts but afterwards he told me that he was gay and was just making sure.” 

“That's sweet.”

“So now we just braid each other's hair and judge people while complaining that we are single.” 

“What about the green one?” Robin eyed her. “I don’t think Buttercup was into him right? But you could be. Imagine it, the bad boy and the good girl.” Robin was practically blushing.

“Absolutely not.” Blossom almost laughed. “I don’t even think he would go to college and plus, we don’t have anything in common.”

The brunette shrugged and picked up her jacket. “Don’t worry Bloss, this is college. We will find you a hot piece of ass to match with your fine ass.” 

A loud laugh left her lips. “Thank you Robin. Now I heard there is a bakery near here that is to die for.” 

“Oh you and your sweets.” 

----

By the time her alarm went off, Blossom had already been on a morning run, ornginzed her books and ate at the small bakery that had the most amazing danishes. Unlike most people, she lived on the thrill of first days of school. 

She made sure to double lock her door as she strutted out of her appartment and took in the fresh autum air. There was still about an hour before class but so she could walk as slow as she wanted. 

The leaves where starting to tint to a rustic brown and crumble underneath her pumps, she was always a show fantaic and adored walking in heels even though she was already 5′6. There was something about being taller than most of the girls around her that provided a staggering connfiedcen in her, plus it made her more intrmidating against villains. Sometimes she wore 5 inch heels just to be 6 ft tall for the hell of it. 

The walk to the main campus buildings took her past the majority of the socail houses. She eyed one of the frat houses that she wouldn’t bother knowing its name and a glare and bad taste formed in her mouth. She wondered why people even bothered going to college if they were just going to mess around and not do their work. 

She huffed. She didn’t have time for those silly parties and games, she worked to damn hard to be the top of her class and she was determine to conquer this school too. And the school for her masters and eventally doctoral. She was going to be a leading chemist after all and follow in her fathers foot steps. He nearly cried when she said she wanted to work in his lab one day. 

By the time she got to class, and stopped for a tall iced coffee, extra vanilla for her sweet tooth, class would begin in just ten mintues. 

She was thrilled for her class. Professor Keene was amoung one of the smartest and well known chemists in the contry and when Blossom found out she was going to be learning from her, she almost blew up the house from exictemnt. 

She took a seat in the middle row of the lecture hall and was happy that she wasn’t the only student in there. The class began to fill in but she was engaged in her book so she didn’t notcie anyone who was shuffling in the seat behind or around her. She thought about turning around and intrducing herself to other students. She felt a little bad about how stand offish she could be but she was a famous superhero so not wanting to be the center of attention was something she strived for. Unless it was for grades, then she would gladly take her crown. 

Her phone buzzed quietly in the pocket of her skirt. A small smile came to her lips as she read the text from her sister group chat. 

Bubbles: Hope you have a good day at school sis!

Buttercup: i hate this already 

Blossom: Miss you!

She placed the device away as her closed her book and took out her text book. 

“Hey can I borrow a pencil?” A voice came from her right and she reached into her bag and grabbed one without hesitation. 

“Here you go.” She smiled brightly and as soon as her eyes locked onto his, she let out a gasp and nearly choked on air. 

A smirk appeared on his face as took the pencil from her hand, their fingers touched and she felt a jolt of electriy run through her body. Those dark green eyes that she knew all too well pierced through her soul as she gaped at him. 

“Butch?” 

“The one and only.” he winked and she only narrowed her eyes at him. His being in his prescne had set a shiver down her spine and she thought she wouldn’t see him again, espcecially not at a place like this. 

“How the fuck did you get into college.” She blurted out. She never meant to be rude but could you blame her? 

The smirk fell instantyl as he raised a brow. “That wasn’t very nice.” His smirk reteruned quickly. “When the fuck do you cuss Pink?” He disregearded the isnult and instead leaned closer towards her. “Its pretty hot babe.” 

Ugh those winks made her mad. Remindered her too much of there teenage years. 

She wanted to yell at him for the use of the pet name but soon the professor walked in and Blossom almost forgot that she was in class. She shot him a glare and he only laughed as roll was being called. She could feel his eyes on her occsianlly and wanted nothing more than to freeze his hand and punch him in the stomach.

Her eyes stayed glue to the board and her ears listened delicatly to the lecture. she ignored every time he poked her with a pencil or said something that only super hearing could pick up. 

“I could squash him like a bug.” She mumbled under her breath and she knew he heard, and was proabbly smiling and thinking dirty thoughts. Ugh. 

“Alright that wraps up day one. I am cutting class shorter so that you all have time to get settle and situated.” And with that she packed up her breifcase and made her way out. Blossom admired how she held herself so well, all she saw was a image of what she wanted to be. A respectable woman of science. 

Blossom looked down at her notes and smiled proudly at how neat they were. she had spent all of high school learning differnt technquies for optimal note taking and she had mastered it like a sience. 

“So Pink.” Butch intterupted her thoughts and she turned to look at him, she almost forgot he was there...almost. 

“What?” 

“Wanna hang out?” He asked innocently. He even batted his eyelashes for an effect and Blossom fianlly finished packing up. The room around them had cleared out so they were the last two in the room. 

“No not really.” 

He scoffed at her and dramatically leaned in his seat. “Come on babe.”

“Don’t call me babe.”

“You never yelled at Brick for saying it.”

She turned and rolled her eyes. “First of all Brick is my best friend, secondly, he calls me Toots.” 

“So that's why I’m claiming Babe.”

“No!”

“Don’t tell me Boomer has that one? Because thats not fair, hes got Pigtails already, you should learn to share.” He was acting like a child. 

“Ew no Boomer calls me nothing and neither will you.” She got up from her seat and left class, of course he was hot on her heels. 

She didn’t bother walking fast as he would just catch her anyways and she had a feeling he wasn’t leaving her side any time soon, great.

“I like those shoes Pink.” He whistled. 

“Stop staring at my legs.” She knew she should have worn black leggings instead of nude, fuck, it didn’t even matter, boys would find a way to make an outfit sexualized anyways. 

He fake scoffed, he does that alot she noticed. “I would never look at your long goddess like legs and wonder what they would feel like wrapped around my waist as I-” 

She hit him on the side of the head as he opened the door to exit the building. “In your dreams perv.”

“You better beileve in my dreams.” She ignored him and it was well past noon, she should get food. 

“Wanna grab lunch?” He asked as if he read her mind. She probably should say no but she was too hungry to even care. 

“Fine.” She’ll be “everything nice” for now. 

--

Everything nice her ass. Sure she was a sweet girl but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t put her foot down on bad behvior. Actually yes she would, she was Blossom after all. Bossy Blossy is what Buttercup always said. But scolding Butch, who is 19 mind you, for chewing with his mouth open was not being bossy, just a decdent human being. 

“So high school? Did you graduate?” She asked him with a teasing tone. 

During their high school years, the boys went to one on the oppsite side of town, probably for the fact that middle school was spent trying not to kill each other. I mean when you are born to kill someone, takes a while to get over it. 

As the crime rate for the RowdyRuffs died down, and ya know the whole Boomer and Bubbles hooking up thing, they all decided to be civil with each other. Butch had taken up the sport of ‘flirithng with every girl he sees and pissing of BC because he felt like it. And Brick just wanted to beat Blossom in all things academic, they always tied. 

Butch shurgged. “Nothing to tell, got to graduate, almost failed doing so too but I had my share of fun.” 

Blossom took a sip of her lemonade. “How did you get here then?” 

“Oh that. Yes how did I, Butch Jojo end up at this ivy league school? Well babe-”

“No”

“Yes. I am what you called, athetically inclined. Buttercup got a full ride on that basketball scholarship and I got the same, kinda of a greens thing.” He winked and she thought it over. It made sense that he would get a sports schaolrship but why here. 

“Aren’t there other schools with better sport programs?”

“Sounds like you don’t want me here.” He gave her a pout.

“Not thats not it-”

“Relax babe, im teasing.” He stole one of her fries. Bitch. “I got them from all over but I didn’t want to go where Buttercup and the lovesick puppies were, I’m never living with Boomer again, superhearing is a curse when Bubbles is over.” He made a face and Blossom nodded as she emeber that one time she caught them-ew nevermind. 

“So not there, what about Bricks school.”

“And have him up my ass constantly, no thanks. I needed to breath fresh air, plus the frat that I joined is top notch.” 

She almost gaged. “Frat?” Why was she surpised? 

He notced the hint of disapointment but brushed it off. “Yep. Apprently four other guys got the schalrship from that fraternity alone. If you get it and accept, you have to be there for at least two years, which means party, booze and babes.” He winked and it was her turn to scoff. 

She stabbed a piece of lettuce from her salad. “Well you must be enjoying yourself then.” She had lost her appetite suddenly. 

“Aww you’re the only girl I have eyes for doll.” That didn’t make her feel better and it shouldn’t have anyways.

“I would say don’t do anything stupid while you’re there but we both know thats not possible.”

“You flatter me Pink, thinking im the dumb one when blueberry boy is the offical Dumbest of the Dumb.”

“I’d be careful Butch, he passed high school with good grades.” 

“And yet im at an ivy league school and hes not.” 

“Touche” 

“So which frat did you get into?” She asked out of politeness but that smirk that showed his slightly sharper than normal teeth already had her regretting it.  

   ---

She shouldn’t have been shocked. No really. The fact that she was staring at the notorious frat house wasn’t even the worse part, it was how she didn’t connect the dots sooner. Of course he was in the highest ranked frat, Alpha Alp. 

“Welcome home babe.” He winked and her eyes widened before offering her most polite smile, ya know the ones reserved for the press.

He hung an arm around her shoulder and lead her up the path way to the front door. Her eyes turned to the lawn, which was scattered with beer cans, cigarette buds and oh my, is that underwear? Why is she not surpised. 

The house itself looked like it had alot of money invested in it and the boys who lived here were all proabbly from rich familes where daddy was sending them for a bussiness degree and to fuck around. She hated it. 

Frats to her were the lowest point of college. Everyone here didn’t even work to get in, well not everyone, and they just got to party and spend money. The amount of horror stories that came from this house alone made her shutter. 

There were handprints made of paint lining the wooden deck, presumabley of all the past members and a dark green print with ‘Butch’ sctarched in looked to be apart of the newest batch. She found it oddly charming in some sort of sick twisted way. 

He opened the door with a loud slam and she knew that if he was back home, Brick would have yelled at him for being obnoxious and brash. She couldn’t blame him. 

“Hey boys.” He yelled at the five guys surrouding the tv with more booze on the table. It was only a little bit past noon. 

“Sup Butch. Ooo got a new toy and its only the first day!” One of them cheered and Blossom instantly scoffed and glared at him. 

Butch sensed the disconfort immediately. “Actually boys.” He sneered with a smile. “This lovely lady is just an old friend who is smarter than all of you dimwits combined.” Blossom was now being pulled towards the right side of the house and up a flight of stairs. 

That was a smart move Blossom thought. He knew better than to piss of a red. Sure the greens were the toughest and the blues could cry and throw the worst tantrums but the reds, making them mad was a death wish that only few had endorsed and would like to keep it that way.

They passed some more of his frat brothers, each giving them a wolf whistle, wink or a high five and each one made Blossom shiver. Before more things could be said Butch had closed the door of his room, ignoring all the hooping and hollering. 

He let out a sigh and turned to Blossom who was sporting a frown. 

“Sorry about that Bloss” He smiled lightly and she only shrugged. 

“I didn’t expect anything less.” She replied as she turned to absorb the atmosphere

It was a simple room. Two beds, she assumed there was a roommate, dark oak furniture and a suitcase thrown on the ground. Clearly he hadn’t finished moving in. However when she turned to his desk there had been a sign of clear drug use. 

“Did you snort cocaine before class?” She asked. 

“Would you believe me if i said it was a pixie stick?”

“No.”

“Okay then.” He shrugged and plopped onto the bed. “So Pink, whatcha you wanna do?” He wiggled his eyebrows and she glared.

—

He had won this round of Go Fish. Of course she had already beat him five times but he said she couldn’t leave until he had a taste of victory or a taste of her lips, she chose the first one obviously.

“In ya face Pinky.” He flicked her bow and she rolled her eyes. He liked the bow. Even though it seemed childish to wear it, it screamed power and authority. Ever since he was a kid, he waited until he saw that flash of velvet red before starting a duel between the groups.

“One against five isn’t very good odds.”

“Maybe not but it just shows that I don’t give up. Now how about some poker, we can make it strip poker if ya like.” Again with the winks.

She shook her head. “The day I play strip poker is the day hell freezes over.” She looked out the window and saw the golden sky. “I should probably go, it’s getting late.”

It just registered that she had been here since noon and now it was almost 5 pm. How?

He frown and she thought he looked cute. No. He looked fine, not cute. Not cute.

She stood and slipped back on her shoes. Her eyes now level with his. She didn’t realize how tall he was compared to her. Sure she was only 5’8 in these shoes but she wasn’t used to someone being taller than her, specially since all the other Puffs and Ruffs fell below her.

He finished shoving the cards in his nightstand which probably had a stash of weed, cigarettes and snacks that again, probably laced with weed. He was lucky that the chemical x in his body reversed any damage those caused or else she would have scolded him more than usual.

“Well we can get dinner, there’s this really good place that has the best pizza.”

She thought about it and almost agreed. “Well pizza sounds good but I promised Robin that we would have sushi and movie night.”

“Can I-“

“Sorry Butch, it’s ladies night.” She shrugged and finally managed to get out the door before his puppy eyes showed up.

She ignored all the stares and teasing that the other frat house mates made as she walked out the door. The green ruff was right behind her and even though she couldn’t see him, she had a feeling that dark glare was being pointed in their direction.

“You don’t need to walk me home, im a big girl.”

“I know I just felt like it.” He clicked his tongue. “Ya know babe.” She shoved him. “This is the longest time we’ve ever hung out, jusy the two of us.”

“What are you implying?” Her voice was cold.

“Nothing doll. Just, it’s nice.” He fell silent after that and took in the fresh air.

The walk to her apartment wasn’t that far but when she arrived at the steps, she was a little sad.

“I’ll see you tomorrow Butch, do your homework.” She slightly scolded.

He leaned against the handrail. “Are you gonna punish me if I do bad?” That smirk again, ugh.

A dangerous thought got into her head as she leaned closer to him, their noses barely touching and she could see his eyes slightly widen and pink dust his cheeks.

“Maybe.” And as soon as he blinked, she was already walking up the stairs to her apartment.

His eyes blew wider than before as he realized just how close she was and that damn smirk. A smile grew on his face as he pushed off the rails and headed back to his own place.

“Game on Blossy.” He whispered to himself.

—

Robin was finishing the last of her food when Blossom told her about today.

“It’s not a big deal but we’ve never really hung out before.” Why did she feel weird.

“Is he hot?”

“Robin”

“Hey I haven’t seen him since middle school and if he was a hottie back then, imagine him now.”

Blossom didn’t want to admit that Butch was hot, but he was. Slightly tanned skin with dark raven hair and of course he was ripped and tone. She saw the way his arm flexed every time he grabbed a new card and yeah maybe he was attractive, so what?

“He’s fine.” Liar. “You would probably kill over if you saw him so it’s best to keep your distance.”

A laugh bubbled out of Robin and Blossom finished her own food.

“But it’s nice to have him around, much different from Boomer or Brick. Carefree and fun, dare I say.”

Robin nodded and the girls fell back into a comfortable silence as the movie played.

“Would you date him?” She asked out of no where. “I’d bet he date you.”

“He would date anything that moves.”

“Anwser the question Bloss.” Robin was now playing with fire. Blossoms love life had never been a top priority and now with the added stress of college, it may never be.

She thought about it and shook her head. “No.”

Robin only shrugged and became engrossed with the film again. Blossom sat there wondering why she didn’t believe herself when she said no.

She pushed those feelings aside and watched the screen as the man brought the woman into a passionate kiss with a beautiful sunset behind them. Deep down she wanted that to be her.

————-

Ahhh first chapter of my newest PPG fic!!! This is dedicated and practally for all the lovely people in the fandom!!!

[joaquinfeed]

Then, He Met You (Theodore Twombly x Reader)

Prompt: Theodore and Reader have been dating for a few months. He’s still insecure and worried about your relationship. Jealous!Theodore.

The scene in front of him was all too familiar to Theodore. Despite his brain telling him he was being irrational, he can feel the sliver of jealousy running through his veins like poison.

You laugh—God, he loves your laugh—and you blush, and you run your fingers through your hair. His eyes stay on you, hoping they can catch yours between the crowd, but they never do.

Anger wasn’t something that Theodore felt often. Happiness—sometimes. Sorrowful, regretful, apathetic, lost—often. But anger? Only a few times in his life had he ever let himself feel angry.

For a brief period, his mind wanders to Samantha. There were times when he questioned whether he would ever move on from her. He used to be tied down by the weight of his heart and felt nothing could ever set him free again.

Then, he met you.

You crashed into his life—quite literally—with your dazzling smile and alluring personality when you collided with him outside his workplace, Beautiful Handwritten Letters.

“I am so, so sorry!” You exclaim, already shoving your sweatshirt sleeve up against his button-up shirt to wipe off the coffee you just ‘threw’ at him.

Theodore just stares at you, not knowing what to say to the beautiful stranger who’s currently rubbing his chest. He lets out a small, nervous chuckle while reaching up to adjust his glasses.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

“Are you sure? You look like you’re headed somewhere important,” You say, eyeing his tucked-in shirt and slacks.

“Just work. I have work,” Theodore gestures to the office building, and you follow his hand with your eyes until you’re peering at the tall establishment. “I just write letters.”

You turn back to him. “Letters?”

“Uh, yes,” He chuckles. “I write them for people who want to express something to someone, but they’re not exactly Shakespeare.”

“So, people pay you to write love notes and such? Doesn’t someone else writing it kind of, like, defeat the purpose?”

“I don’t think so. People are the ones feeling the emotions in the letters. All I’m doing is helping them write it out.”

You nod, a hint of a smile playing on your lips.

“Oh! Hey, what about your shirt?” You ask, suddenly remembering the events that led to this conversation.

He waves you off before moving to walk towards the office building.

“I don’t even like this shirt that much. I should probably be the one apologizing to you. Your coffee probably costs more than my shirt.”

“Maybe you can write me a letter to apologize.”

Theodore pauses outside the entranceway of his workplace to look at you with a curious gaze. A thoughtful smile makes its way onto his face before he says, “Maybe I can.”

Thinking about that experience usually brings a smile to his face. Still, as he stares at you across the room, he feels a new kind of feeling wash over him— jealousy.

Theodore agreed to come to this work party with you. So, he couldn’t understand why he was not at your side being introduced to the man that currently held your attention. All he could see was your hand softly touching the guy’s arm as you continued laughing at whatever the jerk was telling you.

On the other side of the room, you stand with—what was his name again?—trying to look for a reason to move on to other conversations without being rude. You’ve been talking to your coworker for a while, and your mouth is starting to feel numb from the number of times you’ve forced a laugh.

Normally, you would have left by now. But the man in front of you had the power to either promote you in your career or let you go. So, you’ve become accustomed to acting a little extra careful around him. This is precisely why you agree to leave the party to go grab a coffee with him. You pray this is the promotion talk you’ve been waiting for.

“I hate to leave, but I better get back to my boyfriend. He’s around here somewhere. After I talk to him, I’ll meet you out front, and we can go grab that drink,” You say, glancing around the room for Theodore. When you spot him, you wave to your coworker and quickly make your way over to him.

“Theo!”

He looks at you over the wine glass raised to his lips, barely acknowledging your existence. This makes you frown. Since when does Theodore not want to talk to you? Granted, it’s only been a few months since you started dating, but there hasn’t been a moment of it where he hasn’t wanted to talk.

“Is everything okay?”

He lets out a small ‘mmhm’ before continuing to drink from his glass.

“Okay… I don’t believe you. But I’ll let you tell me on your own time. So, I’ve got good news, baby.”

At this, Theodore perks up a little. He knows how important these parties are for socializing, and he hopes just as bad as you do—if not more—that you’ll be able to progress in your career.

“I think I’m going to get that job that we talked about! Think about it, Theo. By this time tomorrow, I could be making twice as much as I do now. Not only that, but this is another huge step towards my dream career.”

“That’s- that’s so great,” He smiles genuinely at you before engulfing you in a tight hug. “I’m so proud of you Y/N.”

“I don’t have the job yet, so don’t be too proud.”

“Don’t be silly. I know you’re going to get it.”

“Well, wish me luck tonight then,” You smile.

“Tonight?”

“Yep! I’m about to go grab coffee with that guy-“ You point over to your coworker, who you’re pretty sure is named Josh. “And we’re going to talk about the promotion. Hopefully.”

Theodore’s eyes land on the man from before, who he recognizes to be the same man that made his blood run cold just a few minutes prior.

“Are you sure you want to get coffee with him? You don’t seem sure that he’s going to promote you,” He reasons.

“Yeah,” You breathe out. “But I think, even if he doesn’t give it to me tonight, this could still help my chances later on.”

“Do you want me to come with you? Just in case he tries anything,” Theodore asks, and you chuckle slightly.

“No, no. He’s harmless. We’ll be fine.”

“Oh, okay. Well, I could still join you guys if you want.”

“Thanks, babe, but really, it’s okay.”

He nods, somewhat dejectedly. “I guess I’ll just walk home. Will I see you tonight?”

“Not sure. It might be pretty late when we leave, so I might just go back to my place. I’ll text you and let you know.”

It wasn’t until later that night when Theodore checked the time on his phone—1:34 AM—that he realized you weren’t going to text him after all.

The city lights glowed through the bedroom curtains, and it saddened him to know you were out there with someone other than him. Theodore sighed to himself; for just a brief moment, he wishes Samantha was here to talk to. Despite their grim and abrupt ending, he missed just how simple life was with her. She certainly wouldn’t be out with some guy talking about a job promotion.

He shook his head, trying to rid himself of these thoughts. He owed you the basic respect of not comparing you to his past partners; he has never done it before, and he does not want to start now. 

He clicked your name on his phone and sent you a couple of texts ranging from, “If you need me, you can call me,” to “just checking in.”

When Theodore woke from his restless sleep in the morning, he checked his phone only to see that you never responded to his messages. He didn’t want to come off as obsessive, but he was your boyfriend, and he’s allowed to be worried about you.

After getting ready in his usual attire, he races outside to start his walk to your apartment. By the time he exited the elevator to your floor, his hands were sweating. He knocked on your door before wiping his palms against the front of his slacks.

“Hey Theo,” Your eyebrows crease in confusion, but you shoot him a smile nonetheless. “Did we have a breakfast date planned?”

“No, no. I just wanted to check in, see how your night went last night,” He reaches up to adjust his glasses nervously.

“Oh. It went okay. We didn’t really talk about career stuff, but I did let him know that it would be something I’m interested in. So, maybe he’ll remember that,” You shrug. “Also, I got your texts. I was going to call, but I haven’t really been up all that long. We stayed out pretty late, so I had to sleep in a little extra this morning.”

“Sounds like you both had a lot to talk about.”

“Yeah. He just knows so much about my line of work, and you know how much I love what I do,” A hint of red tints your cheeks as you chuckle. “We actually had to come back here because I talked up until the coffee shop closed.”

Theodore wanted to laugh at that. He wanted to laugh because he knows first hand how much you can talk when it’s something you’re passionate about. But he doesn’t laugh. All he could hear was, ‘we had to come back here.’

“Here? You mean, your apartment, here? Why, uh, why did he do that?”

“It was only to finish up the conversation. He didn’t stay long,” You brush it off, grabbing Theodore lightly by his collar. “Also, how come I haven’t gotten a good morning kiss?”

He looks slightly torn before ultimately leaning into your touch and pressing your lips together. The kiss is slow and sensual, and he almost, almost, pushes you back into your apartment so he can give you a real good morning. He only decides against it when a thought pops into his head. What if that guy showed you a real good night?

With that thought infecting his brain, he didn’t even notice when you stopped kissing him.

“What is going on with you? You’ve been acting kind of weird since last night.”

“Yeah, I…sorry,” He scratches the back of his head before moving that same hand through his brown locks. “It’s nothing. I guess I’m just tired.”

You raise an eyebrow, not believing him for a second. “You’re my boyfriend, Theo. Don’t you think I can tell when you’re lying to me? C’mon, tell me what’s really going on.”

“I miss Samantha.”

“You—what?” You gaze at him, not really knowing how to respond. Of course, you knew all about Samantha. Just thinking about her, and what she put Theodore through, made your hands shake with anger. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“She was… easier.” 

You scoff, not believing your ears. You manage to keep your voice steady as you drag him into your apartment and shut the door.

“Again, what is that supposed to mean?”

“I never had to worry about her—not like this. In hindsight, I should have been worried. She was seeing more than six hundred people, and yet, the possibility of you seeing one somehow hurts worse.”

“Seeing…who? What are you talking about, baby?” You ask, genuinely confused. Your heart breaks into a million pieces once you see tears well up in Theodore’s beautiful eyes.

“The guy from your work. He was here last night.”

“So? Christ, Theodore. That doesn’t mean I slept with him. Who do you think I am?”

“You didn’t text me back. You told me you would let me know, and you didn’t. The only reason I heard from you at all was because I came by today.”

“I told you I slept in!” You raised your voice.

He matched yours, gesturing wildly. “Because you were out late!”

You groan. “We cannot keep having this same fight. A few weeks ago, you were worried about that bartender and me talking. Except you didn’t even give me a chance to explain to you that he was gay, and currently asking my advice about his relationship with a male. And this week, what? You’re worried that I’m sleeping with my fellow employees?”

He stays silent, looking everywhere but your eyes.

“Theodore, if this is how it’s going to be…we’re not going to make it very far in this relationship. You can’t be scared of me. I’m not Catherine, and I’m not Samantha.”

“You’re better.” He whispers, finally locking eyes with you. “You’re so fucking better, Y/N. I remember telling Samantha that I had experienced all the emotions I was ever going to feel—everything from then on out would be lesser versions of what I’d already felt. But that was so wrong. I have never felt such happiness, such jealousy, such overwhelming love for anyone else. And I am terrified of losing it. Of losing you.”

He pauses as you both wipe the tears that have fallen from your eyes. He gently takes your hands, continuing,

“I’ve never been anyone’s first priority.”

That hits you like a freight train, and you move to embrace him with all the strength left in your body. If there’s anything you want—no, need—in life, it is for Theodore Twombly to know how head over heels in love with him you are. Sure, it’s only been a few months. But you know he won’t mind hearing it this soon. In fact, you know it will probably be the only words that can truly comfort his heartbroken soul.

You tug on his hands that are still latched onto yours, and pull him down into a soft kiss.

“I love you,” You mumble against his lips.

“I love you too,” He gently runs his hands through your hair, before lifting your chin so that you’re eye to eye. “I’m sorry for saying that I miss Samantha. I’m lucky to have you, and that was out of line.”

“It was, but I understand,“ You sigh contently, before smiling at your boyfriend. “I’m sorry for staying out late last night and worrying you. I promise I’ll text next time for sure.”

Theodore nods, deciding it’s probably not the best time to overanalyze the ‘next time’ comment. Instead, he simply smiles at you and leans down to kiss you again. Yeah, he thinks to himself, he’s pretty lucky indeed.

A/N: Request fanfics if you want. Anything Joaquin related.

[falseroar]

Is This Your Card? Part 11: About Dave

((The Colonel takes the District Attorney outside, to talk in private. He’s been watching the attorney, and thinks it’s time to share a few things, including the full story of what happened to his former army buddy, Dave.

Warnings: This part of the story talks a lot about zombies, death, and coming to acceptance with dying.

Link to the previous part, Part 10: Something in the Air.))

“I thought that it was about time that we got to know each other,” the Colonel said as he led the way out of Mark’s bedroom.

You weren’t eager to follow him, even if it did mean you could get away from that godawful cologne that filled the air in the room. There was something about the way he spoke now, his deep voice hitting on just the right words to suggest a threat—or maybe because this was the second or third time he had completely taken you by surprise by somehow entering a room without you or seemingly anyone else noticing.

“Some place far, far away from the prying eyes of…anyone else.”

No, it definitely had something to do with his choice of words.

The Colonel turned to look at you with those last words, his expression hidden by the shadow in the hallway before he gestured and said, “Come with me.”

He walked to a nearby set of doors and opened them, revealing the stone patio that ran around the house and the still gray, overcast sky above.

“Wait,” you said, stopping short. “Weren’t we just on the second--?”

“Bit of fresh air will do us both some good,” the Colonel said, and indeed he did sound far more relaxed out here as he turned once again to face you, walking backwards with confidence. “That room didn’t take well with you, did it?”

You realized you still had your handkerchief pressed to your face and cautiously lowered it. You did catch a whiff of fresh air, but it was marred by the scent of copper, and when you looked down at the handkerchief you realized it was stained red.

“Oh dear, that won’t do,” the Colonel said when he spotted the blood on your face. “Be right back.”

“It’s fine, I think my nose stopped—”

You didn’t even get to finish your sentence before he was back again, wet rag in one hand and a napkin bearing food in the other.

“Wh—how did you—”

“Just nipped into the kitchen while the Chef was distracted.”

That…didn’t answer your question at all, but you took the offered rag and used it to clean your face off. It couldn’t do much for your raw and sore throat, but some fresh air would help.

“What is it you wanted to talk about?” you asked once the Colonel led you to a bench near a stone pool.

“You and the mayor know each other, don’t you?” he asked. “Damien was quite worried when he saw you and the hunter missed breakfast—or technically lunch I suppose, so I thought I’d bring you a bite to eat.  Busy sniffing out clues no doubt, although I think you might have overdone it.”

He handed you the napkin, on which was piled up a couple of large, fluffy biscuits. Biscuits which, upon closer inspection, at one time contained sausage.

The Colonel shrugged at your accusing look and said, “Food delivery tax, I don’t make the rules.”

“Thank you,” you said all the same before taking a bite out of one of the biscuits, unable to hide your delight. It was so good, only marred slightly by the realization that no one bothered to tell you and Abe about the food. You didn’t think it had been that long since you saw the Chef at work in the kitchen, but with one thing after the other you wouldn’t be surprised to learn you had completely lost all track of time.

“Yes, well, that silver did make it hard for you to enjoy last night’s meal, no need for you to miss another.”

The Colonel gave you a hearty thump on the back when you nearly choked on your biscuit, and waited patiently for you to stop coughing.

“You…I mean, I don’t…what?”

“Well, it’s rather obvious that you’re a werewolf, isn’t it? Not sure how anyone could have missed it.”

“Would you—lower your voice, please?” Your already strained throat made your plea into a whisper as you looked around to make sure you two were really alone before trying, “And where would you get that idea, I’m not a…”

Behind the Colonel’s tinted glasses, you could see his eyebrows shoot up. “Oh, really? My mistake, say, you wouldn’t mind holding this silver medal for me, would you, the clasp is a bit—”

He reached for one of the many medals on his jacket, only to wink when he saw you flinch.

“Wish I could have been as good at calling your bluffs last night at the poker table,” he said. “Now now, don’t give me that look. I’m not here to scare you or tell anyone—quite the contrary!”

The Colonel fully turned toward you, one leg resting on the empty space of the bench in between you, and there was an earnestness in his voice as he leaned forward and said, “I promise you, I didn’t know anything about those silver bullets or that silly card until this morning, and I would certainly never shoot anyone just because they happened to be a werewolf!”

“Will you just—shush!” Heart hammering, you stared at the Colonel and tried to process what he was saying. “Why are you telling me this? What do you want?”

“Want?” The Colonel seemed surprised by the question, and in a slightly lower voice said, “I just wanted to let you know…Well, that I wouldn’t hurt you or anyone else without a good reason for it, I suppose. I mean, I’m the last person who should be waving guns at people just because they’re not, strictly speaking, human.”

“That’s…great?” You stared at the Colonel, who was becoming harder to understand by the second, and tried for a joke. “I guess you don’t include the undead in that, huh?”

“Yes, well, about that.” The Colonel looked away, staring at the small false waterfall that fed into the pool as he said, “While we’re talking about potentially ruinous secrets, there is something I should…come clean about. I thought you might have already noticed, but perhaps not?”

He looked to you for confirmation, but by this point you were well past the point of guessing.

“I may not have told you the whole story, about Dave. Do you remember him?”

“He’s the soldier you told me about, died from blood loss.”

He was also the name on the Colonel’s second card.

“Yes. We were separated from the rest of our troop you see, ambush caught us unaware on the way back to camp, chaos, undead, running for our lives, the usual story. We still thought horses were a good idea at the time, which they were for most things until something’s trying to take a bite out of them. Poor Dave was thrown right off, and I was the only one to see.”

The Colonel sighed.

“Ran to help him, of course, he would have done the same thing for me. Had to carry him on my back, but I couldn’t just leave him there, and I had seen an abandoned building on our expedition that wasn’t far away. To look at us, we were really behind the eight ball, but all we had to do was last until the troops sent scouts out looking for us. I patched up Dave as best I could, told him he was a lucky man. Why, he had been in the middle of a horde when I picked him up, and he didn’t even have a single bite on him.” The Colonel unbuttoned and rolled up the sleeve of his jacket, revealing a set of undeniable scars, deep and vivid against his skin despite having healed over. “Which is more than I could say for myself, as it turns out.”

He held the arm out for your inspection, and you reluctantly ran your fingers over the scars, feeling the tight knit of the badly healed bite marks.

“But you don’t…you don’t smell—”

You paused and the Colonel smiled.

You had come across dead bodies before, you knew what death smelled like. You knew the stench of rotten meat, the decay that followed dead and undead alike. But the Colonel, he smelled…human, minus a faint whiff of something dry, like old paper.

“Plus, zombies don’t carry on conversations, they don’t just show up for parties and get seriously drunk or just carry on like nothing happened!”

“Your average homo necrosis, no, they’re just an appetite on legs, all they know is eating and spreading to others.” The Colonel withdrew his arm and unrolled his sleeve, covering the scars once again. “I’m more of what you would call a smart zombie, homeosapeo zombifus if you will. I’ve found that as long as I keep up a steady diet of meat, I don’t seem to get any worse.”

You looked at your half-eaten and until now forgotten biscuit and the missing meat. That would explain why the Colonel was raiding the fridge last night, although that opened up even more questions.

“How much meat? And is there a particular…”

“Oh, I usually round up enough on my hunting trips to tide me over for a while.” The Colonel nudged you with his elbow as if sharing a joke. “Haven’t had to resort to anything humanish yet, if you’re worried about that.”

“…Colonel, what happened to Dave?”

His smile fell and the Colonel stilled, his fingers locking together. “Right. Dave. Well, I didn’t tell him of course. I thought, at the time, that if I stayed I could protect him long enough for help to come and then, well, ask one of the others to take care of it. Maybe use what time I had left to write a few letters, see if they could send those back home for me.” The Colonel shrugged, as if such thoughts were part of normal life, and admitted, “I never sent those letters, of course. Didn’t even finish the first one before we realized Dave was in worse shape than we thought. I tried, I really did, but within a few hours he was just gone.”

The Colonel took a sharp breath and exhaled before continuing. “It just didn’t make any sense, it wasn’t fair, I was the one bitten, but he…And I remember thinking it was all mad anyways, so why not a little more? Why not give Dave even just a few more minutes, if it meant maybe he could—could write one last letter, have at least that much too.”

A chill settled in your spine that had nothing to do with the shadow of the house that you two sat in, or the waiting storm overhead.

“You turned him into a zombie.”

The Colonel shook his head. “No. Turns out, once someone is dead, even a bite from an infected won’t bring them back. Or maybe I just don’t have what it takes to spread it, I don’t know. Either way, I buried what was left of Dave behind the building the next morning, marked it with a sign so someone would know who was there and just…waited, thinking I knew how my story would end. Only it didn’t.”

You and the Colonel sat in silence for some time while you tried to take all of this in. All of this hidden behind the caricature of a boisterous blowhard of a man.

The Colonel broke the silence first.

“Please don’t tell Damien.”

“What? He doesn’t know?” You weren’t sure why that surprised you so much, beyond just knowing that the two were close friends.

“When did you decide to tell him about yourself?” the Colonel asked.

“…It’s more like he found out by accident,” you admitted, and the Colonel nodded knowingly.

“There’s never really a good time to tell someone, is there? No, you’re only the second person I’ve told—I guess we both needed someone to keep us this side of sane. I had hoped she would help me find a cure before it ever became an issue but...” The Colonel chuckled, but he didn’t sound happy. “As if it wasn’t bad enough, there’s a missing body on top of a murder, so if your hunter friend finds out…”

“Then why tell me?” you asked. “I didn’t notice, and you can’t know I won’t tell someone else.”

“Because I want you to believe me,” the Colonel said, his usual force returning with his words. “I didn’t bite Mark, I have nothing to do with his missing body, and I didn’t put those silver bullets in my gun!”

He rose to his feet and walked a short distance away, hand uselessly flailing against the wind with his words. You stood up as well and followed after, finally managing to get a hand on his shoulder and his attention.

“Colonel—Colonel, listen, I know you didn’t bite Mark. Abe even said there weren’t any bite marks, remember? And…and I won’t tell anyone what you told me, not unless you make me.”

Knowing that he could just as easily turn around and tell everyone you were a werewolf made that promise a lot easier, but at the same time you also knew far too well what it was like to live in fear to dismiss how hard it must have been for him to tell you all of this. That didn’t mean you had to trust him completely, but as long as you didn’t have a reason to believe he was an immediate danger to anyone…

Showing that he was still completely capable of taking you by surprise, the Colonel spun around and pulled you into a bear hug that briefly made your feet lose touch with the ground.

“Please stop crushing the lawyer,” you gasped out.

“Sorry, sorry.” He abruptly dropped you and tousled your hair before his attention shifted. “Oh, the pool hasn’t aged a day! Did I bring my bathing outfit?”

And just like that he was gone, switching gears just as rapidly as he had the night before, as though he didn’t have a single care in the world.

If only it were that easy.

((End of Part 11. Thank you for reading. And, yeah, it starts going downhill from here. Sorry. On the plus side, the Colonel’s the first one to successfully pull off a hug in this story, so good for him.

Link to Part 12: Just Missed Him.

Tagging: @silver-owl413 @skyewardlight @withjust-a-bite @blackaquokat @catgirlwarrior @neverisadork @luna1350 @oh-so-creepy @weirdfoxalley @95fangirl @lilalovesinternet-l @thepoolofthedead @a-bit-dapper @randomartdudette @geekymushroom @cactipresident @hotcocoachia @purple-anxiety-blog @shyinspiredartist @avispate @missksketch))

[acelikesturtles]

“Crushed”

Prompt: #2 (Childhood Best Friends AU)

Warnings: Mention/Experience of Childhood Bullying, Angsty

Word Count: 2,201

A/N: This is from this ask game that I posted a while back and just now was able to fully get around to. This is a little more angsty than it is fluffy at first, but the end result is kinda cuddly and fluffy if you ask me lol. I obviously took quite a few creative liberties with the interpretation (because this is an AU prompt) and the set up was rather heavily inspired from the vibe/aesthetics from the now abandoned fanfiction I wrote back in 2013/14. It was nice to be able to get back into that headset again, I miss that fanfiction a lot actually. That may be why it took me so long to get this finished? Reminded me a lot of what once was and it was healthy to be able to reflect on some of those old creative notions and get some of that out.

The moment Mikey stepped onto his balcony and into the crisp, early summer air, a gust of cool wind hit his lightly freckled cheeks and carried the smell of freshly roasted marshmallows, smoke, and melting chocolate through the breeze. As of only a few hours ago it was officially summer vacation. For Mikey, seeing his three best friends gathered around a small propane fire pit pelting marshmallows at each other gave him a sense of zen that his mother would not be able to sympathize with given the mess and the ruckus unfolding on their balcony that the landlord would surely complain about the next morning.

“Ow! Raph that could’ve cracked my lenses!”

Donnie frowned and removed his glasses to wipe the powder and mess from the right lens with the sleeve of his dark grey hoodie. In an act of childish revenge and in solidarity for the quietest of the group, Leo grabbed a handful of marshmallows out of the bag in front of them and threw them at Raph, only for the quarterback to catch a few sugary bullets in his mouth instead of allowing them all to go to waste on the concrete beneath them.

“Nice try, fearless.” Raph laughed through a half-chewed mouthful of marshmallows.

Mikey sat down on the remaining patio chair, the squeaky green one that he usually reserved for Leo just to annoy him, and began snapping graham crackers over his paper plate while Leo handed squares of chocolate out.

"How was your last day, Raph?" Leo asked, dropping the chocolate square onto Raph’s paper plate. Raph was too busy trying to finish the unintentional 'Chubby Bunny Challenge' he had started. With one clearly painful swallow which almost provoked the turtle to tears followed by a couple hard fist pounds on his plastron, he cleared his throat before giving an unceremonious shrug of his shoulders.

"It was alright. Mrs. Barkley wanted us to write a letter to our future selves er somethin' stupid like that. Kinda lame if you ask me."

"Hey, I thought that was fun, dude, don't ruin the vibes!" Mikey pouted. Even though Raph and Mikey happened to share the same teacher, that didn’t mean that their experience in her class was at all similar to one another. This was in part because Mikey was often pulled for extra assistance and missed some of the in-class instruction. This didn’t annoy him most of the time since he was typically pulled during math class and numbers never failed to make him exceptionally sleepy. "Did you even write anything?" He asked, swatting at a mosquito that had landed on his thigh.

"Yeah sure," Raph waved his hand at him nonchalantly, then leaned back in his patio chair so far that he almost tipped himself over. "Nothin special, just words, you know."

Leo clucked his tongue and shook his head. He was smirking. Leonardo carefully skewered a marshmallow and held it over the gas flame before looking back up at Raph. He had leaned forward in his chair again and was digging in the marshmallow bag for the biggest, puffiest marshmallow that he could find. "Yeah, and what are you gonna do when your mom wants to see it?" Leo asked in a challenging tone.

"Who said she's gonna?" Raph countered back as he stabbed his marshmallow rather aggressively onto his skewer.

While Raph and Leo continued yet again to engage in a pointless discussion about the value of doing busy work, respecting elders and all the other boring stuff that Leo learned from his dad’s dojo, Donnie and Mikey were left to fend for themselves with their friends' arguing voices serving as a backdrop like it usually did. Mikey looked up at Don’s particularly well adapted technique for marshmallow roasting and did his best to try to subtly imitate it. By slowly rotating the skewer in his hands, Donnie would undoubtedly get an even roast on his marshmallow and the perfect, ASMR-inducing crunch when he placed his graham cracker on top. Don had been noticeably quiet for the most part, focused on cleaning his glasses after Raph’s earlier ambush. At first Mikey didn’t think much of his quiet demeanor since, at times, this was normal for him; sitting back and listening to everyone else was more mutually beneficial than blabbing on and on about what he did in his gifted extension classes, especially since the only details and stories that Mikey and Raph found interesting included local “hottie-of-a-teacher” Ms. Carlton.

What made this period of quiet different was how glazed over Donnie’s eyes seemed coupled with an unusually tired expression for a day that was supposed to be nothing but fun with friends. There was some sort of tension bearing weight on Don’s shoulders that Mikey wanted to relieve, even if it meant just being a comfort.

“Hey Don, how was your day?” Mikey asked, breaking the turtle from his trance. Donnie blinked a couple of times before pushing his tortoiseshell glasses up a little on the bridge of his nose with his index finger. He made a face, one that expressed some combination of anxiety and unspoken discomfort over being confronted, then tried to shrug it off.

“It was alright. We didn’t do anything like what you or Raph did.” He said. A light smile tugged at the corners of his lips but it still seemed more tired than it did genuine.

"Course not," Raph chimed in. He had broken away from one pointless discussion for long enough to insert himself into another to escape from Major Lieutenant Leo’s endless lectures. "You probably made like, a rocket ship or somethin'. The USS Nerd-Brain, right?” He joked and nudged him with an elbow playfully.

“No, that was last month's project. Today was just final project presentations, everybody had to do one.”

“That’s what you made the solar energy converter thingy for.” Leo acknowledged.

Donnie resisted the urge to correct his terminology and nodded. “Yep, I got the best grade.”

“Then why do you look so uncomfortable talking about it?” Mikey asked. It was the obvious question that had likely been on Raph and Leo’s minds too now that he had drawn attention to it, but Mikey was apparently the only one with the balls to bring it up so nonchalantly as if it wasn’t going to trigger Donnie to metaphorically slink back into his shell and never come back out again.

A silence fell over the group only punctuated by honking horns and distant ambulance sirens. All eyes had turned towards Donnie who was now fully thrust under the spotlight. He swallowed. After about ten seconds with no response from him other than the appearance of the slightest red tint on his cheeks, he cleared his throat and removed his marshmallow from the flame and set it onto his graham cracker.

“It was Grant. You probably don’t know him, he-” He froze in the middle of a thought and sighed through his nose in defeat. “We...got into an argument.”

“Why?” Raph asked, scrunching his nose up in disgust. “Do I gotta hit this kid?”

Don snorted. “No, I handled it myself. Sort of...ish.”

“Sort of? Donnie, what exactly happened?” Leo frowned.

At first he wanted to dodge the question but he knew that the more he put off answering, the more poking and prodding at the subject matter would result. He closed his eyes, scrunching them up really tight while gripping and lightly massaging his nose right beneath the bridge for his glasses. With his other hand, Donnie grabbed his now completed s'more and took a single bite, feeling that sweet, sugary relief wash over him that had notably been absent before.

"I was presenting my project and there was this girl—is this girl, Lucy," He corrected himself. "You probably also don't know her but, she's kinda pretty and—"

“Woah woah, how pretty we talking?” Mikey butted in. His investment in this story had suddenly peaked. “On a scale of “cute” to “total babe”, how would you rank her?”

“Brunette?” Raph guessed. “Not a brunette, okay. Redhead? Blonde?”

“Totally a blonde.” Mikey snorted and gestured towards Donnie’s face, which despite his best efforts was still managing to grow redder by the second from embarrassment. “Am I right or am I right? She’s a blonde, isn’t she?”

Donnie brought himself back into the focus of his own conversation rather than answering what felt like a silly question given his circumstances. "Listen, I'm not her type."

"Says who?" Asked Raph.

"Says Grant, who told me I'm on his turf." Donnie grumbled under his breath.

"What, he knows what she's thinking?" Raph snorted.

“No, but-”

“Then go for it!” Mikey cheered.

“You don’t-”

“Grant isn’t the boss of you Donnie, you should talk to her.” Leo joined in.

There was a faint ringing in Donnie’s head that grew louder and louder the more he listened to their voices merge into one, all chanting for him to do what he felt like he just couldn’t, drowning out his words amidst a sea of voices that were louder and prouder than his was. It was only a matter of time before the feeling of being ignored became too much, and he had had enough. “Don’t you understand?” Donnie snapped. “Grant doesn’t want me on his “turf” because I’m a mutant!” He took a deep breath in, then slowly released it through his nose, to try and calm down. “She probably thinks I’m a freak.”

Everyone paused and yet again another quiet came over them. Mikey’s eyes drifted down towards the concrete beneath their feet, mind busy with thoughts that he had always kept in the back of his mind that were now plaguing him again. He never liked to think about the fact that their status as mutants hindered their ability to find friends or someday fall in love, but Donnie was saying it too. If the smartest one in their little posse was falling prey to the same cycle of thoughts that he often had before falling asleep at night, what did that mean about the validity of those thoughts?

“Do you know that for sure?” Leo asked, breaking the silence with a calm and collected tone that was so characteristic for his zen demeanor.

Don shook his head. “But Grant does. So do his friends, I mean look at me--look at us.”

“So, we’re mutants,” Leo sighed and pulled his marshmallow from the gas flame. It was perfectly toasted to an even golden brown on all sides and oozed out the sides of his s’more when he put another graham cracker on top. “I don’t believe we’re freaks though.”

Raph gave Leo a look, then laughed. “How do you figure?”

“Well, my dad always says that we can create our own truth,” Leo explained, earning an eye roll from Raphael who again seemed caught in a never ending cycle of lectures that Leo picked up from his dad. “So even if Grant thinks that we’re freaks...we have the final say on whether or not we feel that’s true.”

“Yeah, and what if this Lucy chick thinks that he’s a freak too? No offense, Donnie.” Raph said, patting Don on the shoulder in consolation. “You can’t just make that not true, genius.”

“No, that’s not the point,” Leo countered, then turned to Donnie. “What Grant says doesn’t matter because he doesn’t control how we think about ourselves or what you think is true. You do.”

Donnie blinked once. Twice. He looked down at the concrete again and shuffled his feet around beneath him, feeling a little silly that he had wasted his last day of 8th grade feeling gloomy and sad while looking at Lucy with wistful eyes that felt they had no chance on earth of ever meeting hers in a way that wasn’t just as friends. Was what Grant said actually the truth, or was he just allowing it to be the truth like Leo was suggesting? Would it be easier to stay away from Lucy and let Grant take his swing at her then risk a lifetime of heartache if he was rejected by her for being what he was?

Without warning, two arms wrapped around his slumped over shoulders and he looked up from the ground to see that Mikey had gotten up from his squeaky chair and was fully latched onto Donnie’s side.

“Its okay bro, I think you’re pretty awesome.” Mikey mumbled into Donnie’s shoulder.

“Me too, for the record.” Raph joined in, giving Donnie a playfully affectionate punch on the opposite arm.

A sigh escaped through Donnie’s nostrils chased down by a genuine smile. It was a gradual process, but he was beginning to feel a little better. Maybe Lucy did think that he was a freak like Grant had told him, or maybe Grant was just making it all up. His chances weren’t completely gone yet, and he had the whole summer ahead of him to have fun and forget about people like Grant and focus on more important things like science camp, gifted extension applications for the next semester, and then...maybe working up the balls to say something to Lucy.

Yeah, maybe that was what he would do.

[svft2jae]

‘icy secret‘;

➵ genre: fluffy fluff, i guess-

➵ pairing: ice prince! jaemin x knight! reader.

➵ warnings: none, just probably a bad writing sorryhbfvbgj

summary: “wherein y/n still struggles on denying the heart inside to burn through the breastplate.”

➵ songs rec.: ice queen - baekhyun ; moonlight - wavycake feat. navy, nathania.

[5:19 PM]

tiny snowflakes touch the fresh ground through your walk besides captain of guard! jeno with the more you get closer to the castle, both of you coming back together exhausted from your daily training, in the time he so called as "when afternoon waves goodbye".  you kept your footsteps by his side steadily marching, just as you tried your best all the time to pay attention to what he was saying, about things that made him glad in today's exercises and fight simulations with the knights, but it was barely impossible for you to control your mind which kept on flying away, filled with thoughts of the prince — about yesterday when he sneaked in all disguised through your window at the dorms, for the fourth time this month, with his big white cloak full of gold details and his breathtaking, dazzling smile. you remember about his eyes just like the luck of hot chocolate and hazelnut in the winter, in contrast to his long, icy lashes hitting the snowy white skin, as inviting as his husky but soft like vanilla petals voice, calling you to go out with him on another adventure to the other side of the river which bordered the castle area. this time on the pretext of wanting to see the newly arrived auroras with what he claimed to be a "truly competent" one to protect him.

— at first you refused, saying that even if you were there to accompany him whenever he wanted, you were afraid of it ending up like the last time when you two almost got caught. but it didn't take long for him to convince you with his sweet requests and large hands covered by gloves holding yours, nervousness mingling with sweat between your fingers by the way he squeezed them all the time unwillingly to let go. soon you were already running outside tripping a little as he guided you extremely excited on the secret path you two always went for and just before you think both of you were already under the auroras, surrounded by the beauty of them. "how... beautiful." you let out, looking around completely amused, trying to even touch some of the dancing lights passing by, but stopped embarrassed as soon as you realize the prince's wide pearly smile, who somehow was trying to capture the colored rays in a glass but had stopped to watch you, his extremely fluffy white-blond hair just like sunbeams hovering over his forehead, innumerous fanciful ideas coming to meet him under it. “did you know you can get on a higher beauty level than theirs? i bet they must be jealous now.” he whispered playfully, cold air coming out from his rosy lips, chuckling while only a stutter sound came out of you in response, heat all up your cheeks at once. "i want to show you something. come with me.” you followed him, wondering why he went behind a rock where there was nothing but some pieces of grass with flowers and another part of the river, even more so when he just stood still and began to take off his gloves, asking you to hold the crystalline pot with auroras. “this is my secret, which will as well be ours, ok? everyone in the castle already knows but, i want you to keep it for me too.” you nodded vehemently although not having any clue of what it could be, promising loyalty to the overflowing gaze deep into yours. suddenly you saw the prince's hands get both filled with brilliant designs going up to his nails as soon as they got exposed, his skin had turned translucent as ice and snow smoke came out of it, all while your jaw simply was left dropped with the sight, eyes widened in pure wonder as you watched him shocked. the prince then made a cold breeze which took the pot from your hands and blew your hair lightly, as if stroking it and slowly smiled a little awkwardly when he noticed your stunned, practically speechless expression at what you saw, and without delaying asked what you thought of it, a small hint of fear in his tone for some possible rejection. "it's, it's... simply wonderful... just like fairytale- how, how do you-??" you stuttered, earning another soft giggle from the prince who got to feel relieved seeing the way you wanted to touch his hands, curious. “i don't know, i guess i was just born like this. but yeah i also think it's nice, like a super power. do you wanna see what it can do?” he said excitedly, a certain mischief taking over his tone, what immediately made you want to decline the offer, but as curiosity consumed your heart you accepted smiling. then just before you knew it you two already had two huge flake-decorated ice forts, snow angels on the floor, sculptures and handmade giant slides, both of you laughing loudly running after each other with countless snowballs, him of course with his own. so far you can't forget how much fun you had that afternoon, less even it’d be like that, one more time next to the prince — just while he was showing you some things he could do with his special ability, such as when he froze temporarily a part of the river to teach you how to skate, when he made ice arrows for target shooting or the high ladder across the oak to see more of the pink-tinted horizon, you also played, jumped, ran a lot, and even fell like two children in their blooming childhood, without caring a single bit about the world around. yet you also couldn't forget the way he looked at you that kept on making your heart flutter so much, the downy touch of his cold fingers when he complied your request to draw some flakes on your face, or especially when you were both already tired and he called you to sit beside one of the forts, saying he wanted to show you one more thing. “can you give me your hand?” he asked extending his own, holding your hand by its back when you gave it. you watched him carefully as he began to draw lines on your palm with his thumbs, making a small snowflake in the shape of what looked like a heart. your eyes kept watching every move of his until you couldn't help but get them widened to see him out of sudden take the small form by your hand and kiss it, but before you said anything you noticed it made the little thing shine and levitate over your palm, just like a star. “woah- i, i can't believe you can do that too!” you exclaimed with a giant smile taking over your lips, the prince as well grinning all happy as he saw you trying to play with his creation. "of course! where do you think all the decoration in the palace comes from, hm?” he smiled playfully again, you immediately looking at him surprised at what he had just said — so this is was how the castle always kept covered with really thin snow and absolutely stunning, delicate details and iced arts, monuments, chandeliers, flowers, and designs you always admired and thought they looked more like actually made by some millennial fairies than built by human hands, just like it was also why jeno sometimes complained about how his best friend from the royal court spent so many mornings on one of the castle's rooftops for no reason or explanation. again you looked at him speechless, disconcerted by how incredible he was, as if it wasn't already enough to be so brave, righteous, kind, exceptional in practically every combat and sword fight, a strong and exemplary prince and leader, also owner of a fantastic ability, besides being able to make your heart run countless marathons in the simplest actions, just as in that moment. “it's for you. i hope you’ll like it, and you’ll remember me every time you look at it. just as i do remember you every day.” he let out in such soothing words like an embrace. just in time you turned your gaze back to him, again not believing what you had just heard, but before anything you’d do in response he sighed lightly and leaned in to you, touching his velvety lips on your cheek in a kiss which lingered a little until he pulled away, sighing again as soon as your eyes met, asteroids and comets crashing into the vast skies that were his pupils. —

almost immediately as you bring your fingers to the spot on your cheek he touched you feel it flush, your pulse barely to explode just by thinking of the simple but tender contact. quietly you let out a deep breath while you put your hand in the pocket of your red tunic underneath the breastplate to remove the glowing heart-shaped gift, your thumb a little shaky holding the object that didn't get out of your hands through the entire sleepless night before yesterday, passed with just the image of the graceful boy in your mind. “y/n? planet earth calling y/n?” you hear jeno's voice abruptly bring you back to reality, worry in his expression until you shove the small form back to your pocket and turn your face to him, eyes wide as you get startled, making him let out a sigh of relief. “you know, i think you should stop reading about astronomy for a while y/n, it's already the millionth time this month you go out of orbit.” he laughs amusedly, showing up his so characteristic, gorgeous eyesmile. you look at your best friend still bewildered, but soon smile at his silly joke, reaching your hand out to ruffle his golden hair based with an undercut. “you little goofy- and you now turned into my control tower to bring me back all the time." both of you laughed at the same time, jeno even more when you started tickling him, running to the side to try to get away from you. "but yeah i'm sorry, i really didn't pay much attention... my head has been indeed full lately." “it's fine, i was just blabbering. i just wanted to understand what goes on in your head, seriously. you even look like jaemin staring at nothing and giggling alone." jeno laughs again, shaking his head in disbelief, not realizing you froze beside him when he mentions the prince's name, a wave of thoughts hitting you again and nervousness coming all up. "don't worry, it's nothing... i-it's just the training stuff, of this tough knight routine..." you try to build an answer, shaky words coming out. "i know, i know i understand you perfectly. and you know you can count on me whenever you want, that i'm always here with you, right? afterwards that's what friends are for." he said, a warm smile now taking over his face along to his hand going to rub your back, making you relax and smile back, comfort filling your chest. "thank you jeno. im always here for you too." you pat him on the back, adjusting his sword which was falling a little. "tomorrow on the way back home i'll buy you that fried fish stick you like so mu-“ "and as i once said and repeat y/n my buddy you're such a wonderful being, just tell me if ever there's someone bothering you and i‘ll come quickly to throw one right, one left, ha!" he exclaimed cheerfully, simulating a fight with his silver sword giving kicks and punchs in the air at an invisible enemy as you laugh nonstop watching him, jeno doing just so. “y/n! jeno! thank god i found you two! i, i need help! arf..." right in the time you and jeno get interrupted hearing someone call out loud, almost breathless. soon you see royal advisor! renjun coming close as if he had just run a marathon, so both of you immediately go to hold him by his hands so he wouldn't get dizzy, worried about what could be happening. “what happened, renjun?! are you ok? where‘s the prince? wait, take a deep breath-" “i, i'm ok, it's all fine, it‘s just that, just... aH no, no nothing's fine! he ran away! he ran away again! just because the lord was going to bring the new clothing for tomorrow's ceremony, aHh but when i catch him-" you try to calm renjun down while he fists and simulates punches, jeno already going back to laugh nonstop just by imagining the kind of situation familiar enough going on, having in mind some of the prince's typical tricks. “no need to explain anything anymore, i already got it- ahh jaemin i swear to god-" “but, but what‘s going on?? i can't understand anything." you ask. “don‘t worry y/n it's nothing, just another episode of the prince giving daily headache to his royal adviser.” jeno tries to contain his laughter, hugging renjun by the side who was now much calmer yet still a little upset. “it‘s just that, he always does this, y/n- he always runs away when it‘s time to choose the linen and colored pieces for any upcoming special occasions, he says he doesn't like them because they're just ridiculous and that he doesn't need them, that he feels so much better in his usual weekly clothes he‘s always wearing to do practically everything and that always comes up with some smears of whatever possible on it, and simply goes like this every time right in front of the ancients council! then there always lasts for me the noble women's commentaries, about me not teaching him things right so this is why he does what he wants- aHh but this time i can‘t admit it! that's why i was looking for you two everywhere so i'd ask you to help me find him and bring him back." renjun explained sounding kinda sulky, jeno going forward to squeeze his cheek lightly and you smile nodding with your head to sign to him you did understand everything, not even much surprised since it all just fits the prince so much. “alright then, let‘s look in separate parts. y/n goes to the gardens at the west, renjun goes to the surroundings of the castle and to the adjoining areas at the east, and i go to the chambers, galleries, throne centre and all of the rooms where he usually goes. if we don't find him after all we shall go to the city entrance and meet there to enter together, ok? let's go, before our injunnie start malfunctioning." jeno explained his plan, all of you saluting like a real team as he went for renjun's neck and ruffled his hair, the shorter brown haired boy complaining in his own adorable way while you giggle to yourself watching them walk to the opposite direction, a high blow of confidence raising up your chest. you adjust your belt and tighten your knee pads, then getting ready to stick a step forward filled with attitude when suddenly two gloved hands cover your eyes, causing your shoulders to fall along to all your courage and nervousness take over. "but who-" "guess who it is." you feel your heart begin to pound crazily again at the sound of that voice, air hitching in your throat feeling how close it was to your ears. "p-prince?" almost at the same time he sighs a little and gently removes his hands from your eyes, going in front to look at you, his long, flavescent cloak moving in the process. "hey... i remember i've said you don't have to call me like that. i just want you to call me by jaemin." he did a light frown and pouted cutely as he played with your hands, what makes your stomach flutter immediately. "a-ah yes... pardon me your highne- i mean, j-jaemin" you stutter, seeing his face soon lighting up again, his charming smile shows almost like a cupid's arrow ready to hit. "you know, if you want you can also call me by jae, or nana. it'd make me really happy too- oh and please come with me, there's something i really wanna show you." he said, pulling you by your hands again, just as excited as in that day. "what- wait!" you try to process his words but as always before you could ever do anything you were already running beside him, letting the prince once more guide you, now on a new route apparently to the outer staircases of the palace. "renjun, jeno and i were looking for you! you shouldn't have run away, what are you going to say to him now? you, you have a ceremony tomorrow and he's afraid thinking of how you're going to look there." you said apprehensively, hearing him chuckle like a carefree young boy in response, giving your hand a little squeeze as you continued to go through the stairs steps. "don't worry about that it's all ok, i'm fine the way i do everything, renjun just worries too much but im sure he'll understand it soon. i've told him several times how important it is to not to pay attention to people's comments all the time and just be yourself. he knows if it weren't for that he'd probably still have his biological restoration ability inactive till now." he talked through both of your paces slowed down by the weariness of the stairs, your own mouth now agape at what he had just told. “renjun can… heal?!” you let out, jaemin nodding with another smile, melted with the innocent way you asked. "yes. actually it was because of him my lungs didn't end up literally frozen once in my childhood... we owe each other's lives in fact, so that's why for our friendship too, i can never leave his side. just like i can’t from yours..." you feel comfort in your chest again as you listen to him until the material inside it stops for a second when you realize his last sentence, and you could swear you've clearly seen reddish hues blooming in the prince's so niveous face when he looked away at the same time he said it. later on he hastened his pace a little to where the stairway led, then out of stopped, saying you were already in the exact place, which was nothing more than the inaccessible rooftop at one of the farthest points of the castle, as in the moment you set your foot there you couldn't help but feel just the same way of when you came close to the auroras at that day, completely enchanted. “oh my… god.” you exclaimed, grinning widely as your eyes light up with fascination seeing each of the beautiful works around you — paintings, small sculptures, handcrafts, various forms, many colored by auroras and several other shining ones like the one he gave you, everything made of snow and ice, organized like real stars in a sky studio. "remember when i said that thing, about the palace's decoration? i was thinking and, wanted you to know the place where i do what i like the most on earth, since you showed me the knights' training camp before..." he said hiding his hands in his pocket, you watching and trying to touch the pieces one by one, the prince's frosted lashes yet only focused on your reactions he cherished so much. "i think i'm in heaven." you take one of the little forms in the shape of a levitating cotton cloud in your hand and look at him smiling joyfully, his eyes sparkling perhaps as much as yours when he looks at you like you were so precious as a rare gem, what made you blush violently in the second you noticed it. he then smiles disconcertingly at you, some snowflakes coming out of his mouth while he coughs a little and covers it with his hand trying to hide his already reddened face again, looking to the side at something that caught his attention. "there's one more thing- you need to see." he exclaimed quickly, pulling you with him to another part ahead where you came across a wide view of the whole kingdom covered by the warm shades of the sunset magically coloring the horizon, snow falling like invisible crystals over the forests and around the city. a calm wind stirs your hair when one more sigh escapes you, the prince slowly going to sit on an iced marble support and guiding you to take place right by his side, all while you couldn't take your eyes off the scene before your eyes. "it's amazing, isn't it... i've been trying to reproduce some of these colors since i‘ve found this place." his voice echoes softly, for a minute you look at him and notice what appeared to be a hanging painting beside him with lots of orange and pinkish sketches, every one of them too delicate and well made. "but tell me, how do you feel now? i, hope you're not upset because i brought you here, instead of letting you do your job... anytime you want we can go back and meet jeno and renjun." you watch him kick his feet against the marble and lower his head a few times, as if he was somehow ashamed. "no i, i'm happy. all of this is just so incredible, like a dream. now i understand why you spend so much time here... oh and the boys- they won't mind too much, let‘s just not stay too long and go soon." you giggled jokingly making him smile too, the prince's expression filling up with joy again. "if you're happy then i am too..." suddenly he approached you making your heart pound to almost jump out of your mouth and rested his chin comfortably on your shoulder, doing what seemed like nuzzling into it as his arms come to wrap around you gently as if asking for permission. you felt the extremely soft, cold skin of his cheek brush agaisnt your warm one at the crook of your neck, silky blond strands also caress your face and the prince takes a deep breath, his hug tightening slightly. "thank you for trusting me, for always being with me. you don't know how much it means..." he says almost like a hesitant whisper and for some reason you can hear a bit of his loud heartbeats, your stomach fluttering at the same time jaemin pulled away to look at you, just as loving as you swore you never saw anything in your life. “you deserve everything, y/n…” your chest burns with the prince's cozy and so sincere words as well as his deep eyes and the touch of his cold fingers on your hot face once more but simultaneously to your flourishing feelings a hint of desperation runs through your head, causing you to no longer watch your own words. “b-but, majesty… i don't—” you go away a little but stop when you realize what you just called him, seeing his brows frowning and him sighing deeply with what he heard, looking a little disappointed. some few seconds of silence take over until you decide to say something, but jaemin breaks it up first, turning his face back to you already with a small smile at the corners of his lips. "you know what? from now on every time you call me like that i'll kiss you. sure now you'll stop.” the prince still tries to contain his smile but fails right after seeing your wide eyes and cheeks just like he thought of as two of the elegant roses from the royal garden and the rare, hard to get red auroras. “you look so cute when you blush… it's unbelievable.” jaemin just lets himself smile, captivating and gracious like a mirage, reminding you of when he first jumped into your window taking off the hood of his cloak from his forehead to let you see who he was — right in time you quickly put the back of your hand in front of your face, but a boost of courage rises to the flush coloring your ears and you remove it, resting it on your knee. “and you're just so beautiful… outside and inside… everything about you, everything you do or create is. you're just, loving… and although we're so different, my heart always feels so warm when i'm with you.” silence settles in for a while as you let out the last word, lowering your head for a moment before you look at him again. now sweat forms through your palms when you notice the prince's smile fading, replaced instead with his lips getting slightly parted and his chocolatey irises as bright as they never were locked in only you, untold feelings screaming in his chest every second thoughts of you and your words filled his head more and more. "that was, so sweet i could kiss you right now..." he says almost like a whisper, breath fastening little by little just like yours right when you heard him. “p-prince-” you let out again without noticing, your nervousness speaking louder again as your eyes widen in disbelief at what you have just done, but jaemin only smiles tenderly when he realizes your mistake, internally grateful to his soul for it. but before you could do anything, once more, the prince had already approached enough so his puffy yet gelid nose could touch yours, his large gloved hand comes to hold yours and your heart seems to burn away feeling how close he was, however you can't help but come up with any reaction except to just lower all your guards to the one that since the start has been filling your dreams. “i warned you… now suffer the consequences.” you heard him say out like in a playful tone for a moment, his other hand going to tickle the red fabric part under your breastplate, causing you to instantly laugh out of control along to him, both having fun at the same time you try to stop him, until all out of sudden he meets your foreheads and with his right hand touches your face as if caressing it, another beat skipped out of you when your eyes meet up again. “i'm in love with you y/n. since when i first met you… i don't know how to be without you anymore.” he confesses softly, catching every nerve in your body by surprise like time just seemed to stop with the sound of his husky voice and his small confession in your ears. but almost in the blink of an eye the prince leaned in and closed the space between you two, his delicate rosy lips, how you've always seen them, now pressed gently on yours, sealed in a kiss so sweet, and so genuine like your true yet hidden feelings for each other. and albeit your nervousness always came for the fact that yes, you two were indeed like fire and ice — you've been always afraid of the distance he had from you high like a castle, and the danger of what could happen if you two got too close — now you could do nothing but cast your burning heart in place, with him.

then as your eyes shut tightly and your sweating, shaking hand goes to cup jaemin's cheek, without you noticing the spot warms up with your touch and it turns red, making the prince feel like losing his breath for a second and open his lips a bit more to deepen the kiss, nibbling softly into your own — after all through it had never been iced, his heart was always there melting, and getting tinted by you, each by each day he got to jump your dorm's window.

[queenmorgawse]

loving you is my gift tonight

missgoneril : there’s so much going on in that pic i don’t even know where to start fearthedeer : you gotta be more specific. is it dima? his parents in a two-person sweater?? the piglet in a fluffy hat they put on the armchair??? missgoneril : i missgoneril : the holy kingdom of faerghus has actually been on crack this whole time, in this essay i will -

or, some good old-fashioned holidays fluff ft. dimiclaude in modern fodlan.

READ ON AO3.

The envelope arrives a week or so before Saint Cichol’s Day. It’s made of creamy, off-white paper and sealed with an actual wax seal bearing the griffin knight of Faerghus, because royals apparently have to be extra even with something as mundane as sending holiday cards.

It’s actually addressed to Claude’s mother ( President Juliette von Riegan, the envelope reads in elegant, swirling script), but as First Son of the Leicester Alliance, Claude considers himself plenty qualified to snatch it up from the pile of holidays-related mail and whisk it off to his room.

He flops down onto his bed before breaking open the seal. The card inside is just as fancy as the exterior, done up in dark blue and silver highlights, and it’s the funniest thing Claude’s seen all week.

Now, the Faerghan royal family has been sending Saint Cichol’s cards to the von Riegans since the beginning of his mother’s presidency, so this is nothing out of the ordinary. It also doesn’t say anything special, besides Merry Saint Cichol’s day & best wishes from House Blaiddyd in embossed letters.

What is new, however, is that this time, it doesn’t have  one of the Blaiddyds’ formal state portraits front and center. Sure enough, King Lambert and Queen Patricia are posing, flashing toothpaste-ad-worthy smiles at the camera, but there the resemblance comes to a brutal stop.

The photo features Dimitri, clad in possibly the gaudiest holiday sweater Claude’s ever seen. As per ugly sweater tradition, it sports an unholy amount of red and green, but nothing can dethrone the roaring lion’s head emblazoned over Dimitri’s torso, myriads of multicolored lights haphazardly sewn into its mane.

And he still manages to look like Prince Charming straight out of a collector’s edition of Fódlan’s Fables, because Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd is unfairly photogenic like that.

Seiros, life is unfair. Or maybe it isn't, because it’s given him a boyfriend who miraculously still looks good while looking like he’s been hit and run over by a garlands-filled truck.

Because he’s the most loyal best friend anyone could ask for, Claude sits up, holds the card to the lamp on his bedside table, snaps a picture and sends it to Hilda. Her reply is almost instantaneous.

missgoneril : there’s so much going on in that pic i don’t even know where to start

fearthedeer : you gotta be more specific. is it dima? his parents in a two-person sweater?? the piglet in a fluffy hat they put on the armchair???

missgoneril : i

missgoneril : the holy kingdom of faerghus has actually been on crack this whole time, in this essay i will -

fearthedeer : LMAO

fearthedeer : fr tho i think it’s sweet

missgoneril : you have them rose-tinted glasses ON i see

fearthedeer : bold words coming from miss hilda ‘do you think dimitri’s hot blonde bodyguard will text me back?’ goneril

You can no longer send direct messages to this person.

Claude snorts and taps out of the conversation. Not a week goes by that Hilda doesn’t block him at least once. Whatever the reason - from posting their kindergarten playdates pictures on the Golden Deer group chat to that time he jokingly hit on her brother -, she always ends up unblocking him within the hour.

In the meantime, there’s someone else he wants to talk to. Claude flips to the second topmost conversation on his phone, lays back and starts typing.

fearthedeer : on ur way to light up all of fhirdiad by urself i see

hrhdima : I take it you’ve received our holidays well-wishes.

fearthedeer : it’s the BEST how did you not tell me about this before

hrhdima : Mother and Father wanted a ‘fun’ photo to go with our usual ones. I didn’t know they would actually use it for anything official.

fearthedeer : give whoever made that decision a raise bc they just made my entire week

hrhdima : You don’t think it’s silly?

fearthedeer : well.

fearthedeer : yes i do

fearthedeer : it’s definitely dorky

fearthedeer : but since it has you in it it’s dorky cute

fearthedeer : why are u not saying anything

fearthedeer : i told u u gotta learn to accept a compliment!!

hrhdima : Thank you, my dear. I had to take a few moments to compose myself.

fearthedeer : SEIROS

fearthedeer : HOW ARE YOU SO FUCKING ADORABLE 😭

hrhdima : 😳😳

fearthedeer : if i were here you BET i’d be kissing your cheeks

fearthedeer : but alas, the day’s just started for ur local first son

hrhdima : What’s the first thing on the list?

fearthedeer : visiting a kids’ hospital i’m pretty sure! hilda and i have some Clownery planned so i sure hope they’ll laugh

hrhdima : I’m sure they will. If you end up filming, I’d love to see it.

fearthedeer : eager to see me embarrass myself huh

hrhdima : Claude! Of course not!

fearthedeer : flames, i was kidding!! of course i’ll send u the vid!

hrhdima : Oh.

hrhdima : Good luck with...the clownery?

fearthedeer : thanks, good luck with what you have to do too <3

hrhdima : Thank you. Speaking of which, can I call you later? Ingrid’s banging down my door about the holidays address right now.

fearthedeer : sure!! have fun at rehearsal, romance that sweet sweet mic for me 😘😘

hrhdima : Claude, please.

fearthedeer : u love me

hrhdima : I do.

hrhdima : I wish we could see each other more, especially at this time of the year. I miss you a great deal.

fearthedeer : wtf you can’t just say stuff like that

hrhdima : We’re quite literally dating.

fearthedeer : STILL

fearthedeer : anyway don’t you worry your pretty royal head over it

fearthedeer : it’s time for a secret scheme >:)

hrhdima : Claude. What does this mean.

fearthedeer : ;)

hrhdima has sent a vocal message.

Hi Claude, this is Ingrid. Sorry for interrupting you guys, but Dimitri has an address to practice, so I had to take his phone away for the time being. Will give it back when he’s done. Say hello to Hilda for me!

fearthedeer : dedue wouldn’t do this to me

---

missgoneril : SWEET BABY SEIROS SHE SAID WHAT

---

“...And with that, my dear citizens, all that's left for me to do is wish you a Merry Saint Cichol's day. Hold your loved ones close, so that they might share the holidays' cheers with you. I know I will.”

Dimitri flashes the camera another bright smile before the operator signals to him that they're done filming. From the treshold, Sylvain gives him a thumbs-up, and Dedue an approving nod. Only then does Dimitri allow himself to relax, shoulders slumping ever so slightly.

It isn't the address that bothers him, nor the ever-present fear of slipping up in front of millions of Faerghus citizens on live television. He's been groomed in protocol for public appearances, virtual or not, since he was old enough to walk. No, it's the creeping realization that, year after year, he gives a little more time to the people, and keeps a little less to himself.

It's selfish, which is precisely why Dimitri's only vaguely mentioned it even to his closest friends. They'd whisk him off to some holiday destination at the speed of light if he asked, he knows, but it doesn't feel right to shirk his duties — even though Sylvain wouldn't call it shirking, only giving himself a well-deserved break.

After a few minutes of idle chatter with the camera crew - Dimitri's made it a habit to try and get to know everyone he works with, to the point he can now ask after some of the operators' children by name -, he finally steps out of the royal office requisitioned for the occasion. When he idly checks his phone, the screen flashes with half a dozen notifications : a picture of Felix and Ingrid on St Cichol's shopping (presumably for Glenn), some last minute recommendations from both his father and Duke Fraldarius, and…

fearthedeer : hey hey hey

fearthedeer : dima

fearthedeer : u should go get some fresh air 😜

fearthedeer : (front gate. hurry!!!)

fearthedeer : i see u typing. why don’t u walk faster instead

Dimitri picks up the pace, until he’s almost flying past the castle’s front gates and into the main courtyard. At first, nothing seems more out of the ordinary : the gatekeepers even shoot him perplexed looks as their crown prince stares out, half disheveled, at the snow-covered cobblestones.

Then a nondescript black cab pulls up, somehow unbothered by security checks, and everything suddenly pieces itself together.

Dimitri’s down the staircase before anyone can stop him, right as the cab’s door open and a silhouette clad in a vibrant yellow sweater steps out. Claude’s barely finished handing the driver a tip when Dimitri comes to a brutal stop just a few steps from him, heart beating wildly against his ribcage.

They exchange pictures pretty much everyday, but there’s an inherent brilliance to Claude a screen can’t capture. It’s something, Dimitri thinks, in the way his smile blooms first over his lips then reaches all the way to his eyes. Every time, it’s like watching the sun rise.

Claude opens his arms. Wordlessly, Dimitri lets himself be drawn into his embrace, curls around him and breathes in the fresh scent of pine needles.

Eventually, he finds it in himself to step back. His hands stay firmly planted on Claude’s shoulders, grounding himself in the other’s presence. “It really is you.”

Claude grins and tips an imaginary hat at him. “The one and only.”

“Flames, I—” Dimitri takes a deep breath in an attempt to compose himself. “How...when did you get here?”

“On a plane this morning. And before you ask, it wasn't on taxpayers' money,” Claude quips.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m delighted to see you, but why now?” Dimitri’s brain frantically cycles through their relationship milestones. Their anniversary’s in early summer, and Claude’s birthday isn’t for another few months, and⎯

Claude gently takes his face into his hands, tiptoeing a little to rest their foreheads together, and Dimitri’s mind comes to a standstill.

“Hey, calm down, okay? You’re overthinking everything again.” Claude pauses, breathes in, breathes out. “Would you believe me if I said I’m a little late for your birthday?”

Oh. It’s true. His birthday, a national holiday. How did it slip his mind again?

As if able to read his mind, Claude chuckles. “Really, I just wanted to see you again. In person. I already meant it to be a Saint Cichol’s surprise, and our texts the other day were just...additional motivation, if you will.”

“You’re amazing,” Dimitri says, as earnest as he’s ever been. This time, it’s Claude’s turn to blush, a rosy flush creeping up his neck and onto his cheeks. It offers a nice contrast to the paleness of the snowflakes that have started accumulating in his hair, dusting his dark curls with white.

It occurs to Dimitri that perhaps they should have had this conversation inside.

“Come,” he tells Claude, slinging an arm around his boyfriend’s shoulders to steer him back towards the castle’s warmth. “You must be freezing.”

Claude snorts and tucks his chin down into the collar of his coat. “Only because your country considers negative temperature to be mild weather.”

“It’s only starting to get chilly, really⎯” Dimitri cuts himself off when Claude shoots him a half-exasperated, half-fond look.

Before he can fumble himself into another clumsy explanation, Claude tugs him down by the lapels of his jacket and presses a kiss to his lips. It courses through him like lightning, all the way down to the tips of his toes, and it lingers even after Claude pulls away.

“Well, you’re here to keep me warm, aren’t you? Lead the way.”

Like this, his love is bright and lovely, the great hall’s flickering hearth painting him in broad strokes of honey and gold.

Dimitri takes Claude’s hand, and follows.

[acciophile]

Best Mistake

Title : Best Mistake Pairing : George Weasley x Reader || Fred Weasley x Reader Word Count : 2,061 Writer : JW. Notes : I’m just gonna ask this ahead, should I make part II?

It has been almost a year since the most devastating war the Wizarding World has ever known for happened. The crumbles of life that were once shattered on the ground are now collating back in a painfully slow pace. Still, it’s better than nothing.

Suppose, one would need some time to recover, too.

You pull down the blinds and turn the welcome board aside. Calling it a day as you pile back the chairs to its tables. The cafe’s all you have left now. With your family gone from the battle, the only anchor to keep you sane would be this business your parents indirectly passed on to you.

“My apologise, but we’re not seeing any—,” you say as you hear the doorbell rang, frozen as you face the person “Guests,”

He flashes a weak smile. The same disheveled hair, couple eye bags and frowzy outfit. Reckon some things are just never meant to change, ever.

“Ron,”

“It’s been a while, ___,” he greets softly, looking rather glad to see you yet something in his eyes tells you something rather implicit “How have you been?”

“I-I’ve been well,” you say with a little stutter, still not believing your eyes from the sudden visit of an old friend “Have a seat, please,”

The cafe never felt much alive ever-since you step in behind the wheel. No matter how busy it gets, how many costumers, how crowded the place gets, it just never feels the same. There’s still an invicible hollow somewhere in the set that you just can’t seem to load.

Just when you thought it can’t be much colder than this, it did.

“How’s Hermione?”

“Right as rain, she is,” he answers after taking a sip of the hot coco “She’s been visiting The Burrow even more frequent now. It’s like there’s no pause for her rants, really,”

“You love her nonetheless,”

“I love her nonetheless,” he repeats shyly with a light tint of blush “Perhaps I could use another nagging woman in my life other than Mum,”

You chuckle lightly.

“George misses you, you know,”

The light turns dim once more.

“He’s been wondering about your being all this time,” Ron says carefully, noticing the sudden change of your facial expression “You left right after the war. No owls, no words. My brother’s demented without you,”

“Ron—,”

“I know you lost your family in the battle, ___. But you’re not the only one with an open wound. George’s lost Fred. He lost his other half. You were the only thing he could ask for support for. Don’t you think you should pay him a visit sometime in a while?”

You stay silent, circling your mug as you try to think it through.

“You don’t know how hard it is to watch George every morning, wandering aloud if you’ve also departed from the war like Fred. He always argue with the fact that your body’s unfound, but— Sometimes the thought wouldn’t suffice. The nightmare’s just too daunting for him,”

Silence.

“You have to let him know you’re still alive, ___,”

“No,” you say fast, standing from your seat in reflex “I-I can’t, Ron. I’m not ready yet,”

“How much longer should my brother wait, ___? It’s been almost a year,”

“I just—,”

“All I’m asking is for you to let him know your being,” he says fast, coming to you as he holds your shoulder “Please, do my family a favour, ___. He’s been a human with no soul for an awful period of time,”

You try to fight the tears that are forming on your eyes as you locking your eyes to Ron’s eyes. The plea on his orbs were screaming for your help. A help that a broken soul in doubt could provide for.

“I’ll think about it,”

You let out a nervous sigh as you arrived at your apparated destination. The grip on your small purse tightened as you take a few steps closer to the store. The store that once were the only beating heart of Diagon Alley is now as dim as the light in your life.

It hurts to know that you’re partly in fault for it.

Arriving at its front door, you open it ever so carefully as if it was as fragile as your broken heart. Coming to the store, as ironic as it is, in a way feels like entering the soul you tried to steer clear of.There would be no coming back to what you’re approaching to and you can’t ignore the loud thumping of your heart over it. Yet in a way, you know that this is the right thing to do.

“George?”

“I’m sorry but the store is—,” he appears from behind the stairs, looking rather rumpled as if he hasn’t taken nap in years “Closed,”

“I-I was wondering if I could get some pucking pastiles,” you say nervously with a mere smile “I notice the blinds are down but— I’m willing to pay twice the price,”

Without a word, he storms to you for a hug. The embrace feels as if it could tie all your broken pieces together, just the right thing you’ve been longing for all these times. His body heat, his protective arms, hell— just the smell of his scent feels like it brought you back to life, awaken your long asleep soul back.

“You’re alive,”

“I’m alive,”

“You’re here,”

You laugh softly, “I’m here,”

“You’re alive,”

Your hands eventually find their way to return the hug. The least you could do is to try and glue back the shattered pieces of his soul. You could only hope that your hug would do just the same magic as his.

“I can’t believe you’re here,”

You reply with a smile, taking a sip of your hot tea.

“I’m just so glad that you’re alive,”

“George,” you call his name, feeling like it’s time for him to know the truth “I’m really sorry but— When the battle was over, I didn’t come and see you because I thought— I was wounded. I lost everyone and—,”

“it’s fine, ___. We were all wounded,” he replies with a bitter smile “I thought I’ve lost you too,”

You could see the pain he’s been trying to live out of. It was evident from the thick dark undereye and how gloomy his face is. His smile doesn’t even reach his eyes, they don’t show the wrinkles you love seeing. His voice sounds so fragile like speaking actually hurts his body.

The shop looks very dusty and dark. It might be the only shop left in Diagon Alley that hasn’t been open yet. Everyone is already on their journey to raise back from the devastation the war brought. But it’s no race. Everyone has their own recovery time.

“Do you think we can ever get over it?” you ask, staring at a picture of the Weasley twins “Do you think we can live with his ghost?”

George forces a smile, “He loves you. I don’t think he would want to see you broken for a long time,”

“He loves you, too. You’re his twin,” you say “Fred would hate to see you crushed like this. He’d hate to see you bitter like this,”

“He would, wouldn’t he,” George smiles to himself before coming closer to you, holding your hand “I guess we’d just have to keep living for him, then,”

It has only been 2 days since the reopening of Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes yet the both of you had felt like you’ve been working for years with no rest. Children and pretty much everyone are welcoming the trick shop as it is the best gate-away to avert their minds from the pain. What could be better than Weasley’s little prank tricks, right?

You have been living in the shop, along with George, for a few months now. The both of you figured it would be best to keep each other close in order to find the will to move on. It was hard at first, seeing the resemblance of your passed boyfriend in George, yet it gave you all the more motivation, feeling like you didn’t lost him at all. Like you didn’t lost Fred at all.

George had made you feel comfortable under your own skin after the long period of sorrowful grieve. He’d treat you warmly, acting like the very friend you need. Sometimes you’d even feel too comfortable with his companies that the thought of Fred would fade in your mind.

“Cheers,” George says, lifting a glass of wine. The two of you are celebrating for the successful start of new life “For good life ahead,”

You smile, “For good life ahead,”

The shop becomes so quiet after all the chaos the day had brought. Ron had excused himself, saying that Hermione needs some assistance with their newborn baby. Sometimes it feels like the shop is too enormous for only two people living in it.

“Alright, we can’t have too much of this. Tomorrow would require another hard work, we need to rest,” George says as he places the wine bottle away “I’ll clean the dishes,”

Following George to the kitchen, you can’t help but to wonder how your life would’ve been if Fred was still here. You two would be living together, probably having your first child by now. He’d always talk about how he’d marry you after the war after all. You both were one of those conventional couples. Your ideas of happy ending would be marrying Fred and to have happy little red heads running around the backyard of your petite house.

You were drowned in your fantasy that you didn’t notice bumping into a plate. The loud sound of shattered glass snapped you like a lightning bolt, “Bloody hell,”

“Hey, I’ll clean it,” George comes fast, squatting down to help pick up the pieces “Are you hurt? Did it cut you anywhere?”

“I’m fine,” you chuckle softly at your silliness “Somethings just stay that way forever, don’t it? Me and my recklessness,”

George didn’t response. He kept silent. Something that he’d never done before— Not giving out childish goofy comments to your actions.

When you turn your face up, you notice how close his face was to yours. The dimmed light from the fireplace lit his face, highlighting his facial features. His deep brown eyes are burning through your soul. His intense gazed made you flushed. The inside of you is turning upside down from the warmth of his breath.

This is not right.

Softly, George leans in and seals your lips with his. He was gentle but bold at the same time. Like he fear to scare you but still wanting to give a statement. The kiss was very velvety, delightful. So sweet it would give you diabetes.

“Fuck,” he curses as he pulls away “I shouldn’t have done that,”

The sudden change of his action and voice surprised you. He’s right, he shouldn’t have done that. But there really is no reason to overreact. You both were just too drowned in the moment.

Right..?

“I’m sorry, that was a mistake,” he sates, running his hands through his hair in despair “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry. I just— I’m sorry,”

His tone changes fast to wrath and despair. Never in your life time had you seen him in this state. George wasn’t one to burst out and spat all dirty words in anger. But it is what you’re witnessing right now and you have no idea how to calm him.

“George, it’s okay,” you try to calm him, afraid to say wrong words “It was a mistake, it’s alright,”

“No it’s not! It’s not alright! I kissed you, ___!”

“I know, but it’s okay, we didn’t really mean it. It’s alright,”

He shook his head, “It was a mistake. Having you here is a mistake,”

You were taken aback. How is it your fault now? You both settled to live in together to help each other move on. Hell, he was the one to beg for you to move in. And you were sure it wasn’t you who leaned in for a kiss. How is this your fault in anyway?

“It’s not right,” George says once more “I shouldn’t have done that,”

And with that, he stormed out of the room.

[uas-fics]

Title: Lego Butterflies

Summary: Tweek is so excited to join a lego house contest with his friends Jimmy and Timmy. Nothing could ruin his day! Except maybe Nathan and his schemes of revenge against Jimmy!

Rating: G

Ships: Mentioned Creek. 

Other: For @tweekweek, day 2 Talent. I have no idea if this Red Cross idea would even work but you know what, it's just a setting and conflict set up sooo..... *shrug* 

Also, disclaimer, I didn't have time to do as much research as ASL as I should have, so the wording of Timmy's dialog isn't perfect, and I apologize. :( 

Read on Ao3

---

Tweek bounced in his seat, a goofy smile on his face. The weekend didn’t come fast enough. Since Wednesday, Tweek hopped into bed early in an attempt to force time to move its butt along so Saturday’s event could finally happen. 

Jimmy sat to his left and Timmy to his right. They shared his excitement. 

Jimmy was the one who brought Tweek the flyer, shoving it under his nose during recess. 

"The South Park Red Cross's first annual building contest: An event for children thirteen and under to show off their building skills and have fun!" The flyer proclaimed in Comic Sans font. "Come by and bring your kids for a lego brick contest with plenty of wonderful prizes for the best entries. Lunch and dinner will be provided. starts at 10 am ends at 6 pm. 5 dollar entry fee with be required in advance. For more information call the South Park Red Cross office or email us at SPRedCross@zmail. net." 

Jimmy explained that it was a creative competition where a group of up to three kids are given a lego kit and had the day to make the building, but with their own creative twist on it. The first prize winners received gift cards to the local Dairy Queen. 

Tweek didn't care about the prize. He was just excited to build with his friends and have fun. He didn't even expect to win, but Jimmy proclaimed he knew they would since Tweek was so amazing at building with legos.

"You have one of your builds on display at the library!" Jimmy reminded. "The one that looks like a b-b-bo-boat? You're a natural. We'll win for sure."

His parents donated his boat to the library without his permission last summer. Though Tweek had planned to recycle the bricks into another project, he couldn’t help but feel pride every time he saw his name on that piece of card stock in the shiny display case.

Tweek looked around the Red Cross building at the other tables. He knew some of the other kids here, but most were younger than him and he couldn't put a name to a face. He knew two of the kindergarteners in the corner. Kyle Broflovski's little brother and the youngest member of the goth kids looked less than thrilled to be there as their parents chatted a few feet away. 

Kenny and his little sister and older brother on the other side of the room, Karen speaking animatedly and Kenny nodding along while their brother had a chair pulled to the wall and dozed. 

Some girls from his class chatted near the door. A few kids from the special education class that Tweek didn't know waved to Jimmy as they walked in.

"Oh my Gosh!" Jimmy beamed. "There sure is a really big crowd out tonight, huh?"

"Yeah, this might be a fun competition," Tweek agreed. 

"Of course, it will be." Jimmy leaned over and picked up his bag from beside him. He unzipped it before taking out some peanut butter crackers and juice boxes. "My mom packed me these, but we're being fed lunch, so I thought we could have them as a pre-build s-s-snack."

Timmy nodded, reaching in front of Tweek for a pack of crackers. His fingers wrapped around a juice box, only for his nose to wrinkle up in disgust when he read the flavor. He tossed the juice box back before snatching up a different one.

Jimmy cocked his head to the side to read the flavor. He stuck his tongue out.

"I a-agree with you there, Tim Tim." Jimmy faked a gag. "Kiwi-Orange is the w-worst flavor. I keep asking mom not to buy this kind, but she a-al-always forgets."

Tweek's mom buys the same brand, and he knew its store-brand juice and the cheapest available at the local market, but he didn’t point that out. Instead, he took the Kiwi-Orange for himself, leaving Jimmy with Peach. 

Of the Tropical Explosion flavors, Kiwi-Orange tasted best to him. It was tangy with just the right amount of kiwi. He didn't understand how anyone couldn't love it.

"Well, well, well," A snide voice intoned, "look what the cat dragged in."

Nathan marched up to their table with Mimsy right behind him like a giant shadow. Nathan set his palms on the tabletop and leaned forward a little too far into their space.

"Oh! Hello there, Nathan!" Jimmy chirped, completely unfazed by how close Nathan's tinted aviator glasses were to his face. "You too, M-Mimsy. Good morning!"

"Heya, fellas," Mimsy replied with a wave.

"So, what brings you two here? Jimmy? Timmy? Are you here for the contest?" Nathan nodded to the front of the room where the adults from the Red Cross were pulling out craft supplies from some boxes. 

"We s-s-sure are." Jimmy wrapped his arm around Tweek. "Tim Tim, me, and Tweek here are all one group. Isn't that gr-great? Too bad we can't have a group of five, though. You and Mimsy would make great additions to our t-t-team."

Nathan scrunched up his nose like he just stepped on a wet turd with bare feet.

"Oh," he gave Tweek a hard look over the top of his glasses, "really?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Tweek watched Timmy grip his crackers so hard, they crumbled in the wrapper. He glared at Nathan as if daring him to say something.

If Nathan saw, he didn't respond. Instead, he shrugged and stepped away.

"Good luck, there, Jimmy, Timmy...Tweek."

Tweek shuddered at how Nathan said his name. It reminded him a little too much of a cartoon super-villain with a long mustache about to capture the hero with a complicated contraption.

Timmy must not have like how his name was said either since he flipped Nathan off behind his back. Jimmy, on the other hand, seemed unphased completely.

"Good luck to you, too! I know we'll all do f-f-f-fantastic!" Jimmy encouraged. Nathan scowled as he turned around and went to another table.

Mimsy almost followed him, when he paused, taking a look at the box of juice in Tweek's hand.

"Is that Kiwi-Orange? Oh, boy, it's my favorite flavor. Do they have some here?" Mimsy grinned.

"Really?" Timmy signed, sticking out his tongue.

Tweek smiled back at him. "It's my favorite, too. It's yummy."

Jimmy looked into his bag. "Ah, darn, sorry, Mimsy. Mom only packed enough for my team. Maybe I can bring you some at school on Monday."

Mimsy's face fell. For someone with a large and imposing a frame as Mimsy, when he got disappointed, he looked no more threatening than an upset puppy.

Tweek offered his unopened box. "Here, you can have mine. I brought my own drink." With his free hand, he lifted his ever-present thermos from between his feet, still warm with the mid-morning’s coffee. 

Mimsy's eyes grew wide. His mouth went slack as he took the juice. "Really? You'd give me the best flavor? Just like that? No fight or nothin'?" Mimsy stared down at the juice box as if Tweek just handed him the Hope Diamond to keep.

"Uh-huh. I'm ok with it, if you don't mind, Jimmy." He turned a questioning look to him.

Jimmy shook his head. "No, it's fine. Our teachers always tell us sharing makes for the b-best friendships."

"Good, there you go, Mimsy. Good luck. I hope you have lots of fun today." Tweek smiled again.

 He didn't know Mimsy well, other than he hung around with Nathan all the time, but he didn't have anything against him. Mimsy seemed like a nice kid. He didn’t give bad vibes, unlike Nathan.

Mimsy looked at the box, then at Tweek, and blushed. "Golly, that's swell of you. Thanks a lot, Tweek." He giggled as if Tweek just told him a silly riddle before making a beeline for Nathan.

After the three finished their juice--or coffee in Tweek's case--and crackers, Jimmy gathered up the trash and took it to the trash can before heading to use the restroom.

Once Jimmy was out of earshot, Tweek turned to Timmy with a frown.

"Are you alright? You seem...uh..." he gestured to the crumbs covering Timmy's shirt, "upset? Is this about Nathan?"

Timmy brushed the crumbs off with his face set in a scowl. He looked around before leaning in close. 

"Do not trust Nathan," he whispered, keeping his hand movement small and close to his body.

"Why?" Tweek covered his mouth with the side of his hand. Nathan and Mimsy sat across the room, so they couldn't hear him but better safe than sorry.

"He is a dickhead." Timmy cringed. "Jimmy is too stupid to understand Nathan hates him."

"He hates him? Jimmy sure seems to think they’re friends." Tweek frowned. 

"He is clueless!" Timmy rolled his eyes. "Nathan hates him. He tries to trick him all the time or get him in trouble."

At Tweek's raised eyebrow, Timmy went on to explain some of his experiences with Nathan that ranged from switching out Jimmy's pencils with colored ones for tests and tripping in him in the lunch line to dumping soda in his backpack and spreading rumors.

When Timmy started to explain something that happened during summer camp, he started moving his hands so fast in his anger that Tweek couldn't understand him. 

"Alright, alright, I get it! Nathan is a huge dick." Tweek grabbed Timmy's wrists when he was in the middle of signing what Tweek thought was 'Space-Racist.'

Timmy pulled his hands to his lap. "Be careful today," he warned, leaning over to shoot Nathan a glare. 

Tweek peeked over his shoulder. Nathan had his head turned, so he didn't see Timmy's glower. Instead, his gaze was fixed on Jimmy, who was speaking with some girls at a nearby table. His hands balled into shaking fists.

Tweek snapped his head forward. His stomach twisted into knots. Timmy was right. They had to be super careful today.

---

Jimmy, that asshole, flirting with those girls right in front of him! He was just doing it to rub it in his face that, for some reason completely unknown to Nathan, the girls seemed to like him. 

He didn't understand what anyone saw in Jimmy. Nathan was much more handsome and charismatic than Jimmy could ever be!

But the girls tittered and fawned over him like he was the best thing since sliced bread! 

Nathan gripped his hands into fists. 

"Mimsy, we're going to win those gift cards," He growled. "Even if I have to smash their entry myself."

Mimsy looked up from the empty juice box in his hands. He had been staring at it like a dolt since he finished sucking it dry. What was the big deal? It was just a juice box. It wasn't even a good flavor. Only some weirdo like Mimsy would like Kiwi-Orange.

"Ah, I dunno, Boss," Mimsy fingered the box, "maybe we should just try our best to win on our own. We don't gotta cheat."

"Don't you see, Mimsy? Jimmy is cheating! Us cheating would even the odds." Nathan waved his hand towards them. "He brought that Tweek kid with them to help."

"What's wrong with Tweek?" Mimsy's voice pitched up when he said Tweek's name. A small blush grew across his cheeks, eyes drifting down to the juice box.

Nathan pinched the bridge of his nose. "He's an expert with legos, Mimsy! He has something he made shown off at the library! How is that fair to the rest of us?"

Mimsy craned his head around the room a moment. "Well, why don't we ask Colette." He pointed towards her. "She has a lego project displayed at the library too, and it looks like she's all by herself. We can ask her to join us!"

Nathan winced. "Hell no. She's ugly. I don't want an ugly girl on my team." He was trying to win the gift cards so he could get pretty girls. Girls love free chocolate-dipped cones. He would have a whole bunch of girls clambering for his attention when he won those gift cards. Then Jimmy would cry like a baby now that the girls saw who the real man around was.

Mimsy cocked his head to the side. "Well, Boss, maybe you should put your misogyny and bias against women aside this one time and work towards your goal so we can win honestly and you can take real pride in your win."

Nathan stared dumbfounded at Mimsy. Where did Mimsy get these ideas? Probably some dumb cartoon or something.

"Mimsy, shut up."

Mimsy turned his attention back to his juice box with a shrug. "Ok, boss."

---

The rules for the competition where simple: build the lego house from a kit and decorate it with the supplies from the craft table.

The house kit was a simple model, only twenty bricks high with four window pieces and a door piece and a premade slanted roof.

Even if Tweek hadn’t built it before, it was an easy task. He took up the job of putting it together while Jimmy and Timmy gathered supplies and refined the plan.

They had decided to turn their project into a gingerbread house with lollipop trees and candy stuck to the roof. They would use paint to add icing accents and cotton balls as cotton candy lining the outside like bushes.

As Timmy wrapped cellophane plastic around foam balls to make hard candy and Jimmy used a marker to color the cotton, Tweek stood to stretch.

"I'm going to the restroom. Be right back." 

Timmy grabbed his sleeve, holding up a sheet of cellophane. 

"Get blue," He told him before lowering his head back to his work. 

Once Tweek finished his business, he stood over the craft table shifting through the mess of stickers and papers for a blue sheet of cellophane. Most of the stickers had a faint yellow tinge to them and several of the sets of markers were missing colors. If Tweek had to guess, he would say a lot of the supplies were donated from a granny’s leftover scrapbooking supplies. 

Tweek glanced over his shoulder at a nearby team’s house kit box. Given how yellowed it was, maybe more than just the stickers came from someone’s backroom.

He set some brown felt aside before a flash of shiny, translucent blue caught his eye. 

With a noise of satisfaction, he reached for it, only for another hand to grab it at the same time.

Tweek looked up and met eyes with Nathan himself.

"I saw it first," Nathan snapped, snatching the cellophane.

"We need it for ours," Tweek countered. 

All of Timmy's stories played through his head. He needed to be very careful with what he said. Jimmy might be optimistically oblivious enough to overlook Nathan's malice acts, but Tweek sure as heck wasn't.

Nathan attempted to reply, but Mimsy stepped behind him and cut him off.

"Heya, Tweek!" He swung his hands side to side. "Gosh, isn't this fun? We's nearly finished half our house. It's going to be a summer house with a pool and palm trees and--"

Nathan shoved a sheet of craft felt into his mouth.

"Shut up, Mimsy! Don't tell our enemies the plan." He glared over the top of his glasses at Tweek. "He might steal our ideas."

"We don't need your ideas." Tweek reached across the table for the corner of the felt in Mimsy's mouth. He pulled it out then pushed it into Nathan's hands, making sure that the part covered in spit touched his skin.

Nathan dropped everything in his arms back on the table with a yelp. As he wiped his hand on his pants, Tweek snatched the blue cellophane. Before Nathan could make a bigger scene, Tweek took a pair of craft scissors and made a wavy line down the middle of the sheet.

"Here. Problem solved," Tweek set half on the slobbery felt. 

A snarl ripped from Nathan’s throat as his upper lip rose. Tweek froze like a rabbit staring down a pet dog. 

Oh, shoot! He had let himself get overconfident! Nathan was going to kill him, right there in the Red Cross building, in front of everyone! 

Mimsy put his big hands on Nathan's shoulders and turned him.

"That'll be enough blue, dontcha think, boss? I think so. We just needed a little. Ain't it real diplomatic to share like that?" Mimsy jabbered on as he forced Nathan towards their table.

Tweek's body relaxed. Mimsy glanced over his shoulder at him.

"Thank you," he mouthed at him. Mimsy turned forward instantly, the tips of his ears burning pink.

---

Nathan crumbled the blue cellophane and threw it on the table. He was upset, but Mimsy didn't know why. They got more than enough for their pool.

Maybe if his head wasn't so light and spinny, he could figure it out, but right now he felt as though his feet weren't even touching the ground. 

Tweek was so nice. He gave him his juice box. He shared the cellophane. He even said thank you for taking Nathan away to cool off. 

Tweek was wonderful.

"--msy?" 

Mimsy blinked. 

"Huh? Oh, yeah, what were ya sayin', Boss?"

Nathan pinched the bridge of his nose, pushing up his glasses. 

"I said we have to get those punk-ass jerks Jimmy, Timmy, and Tweek. We can't let them win!" Nathan picked up a pair of scissors and cut the crinkled cellophane to shape.

Mimsy twiddled his thumbs, taking a seat. "Do we have to? I don't think Tweek deserves us destroying his hard work."

Nathan paused and looked up. He fixed Mimsy with a look before he scowled.

"Mimsy, what do you care about that blond twitchy kid?" Nathan asked in a slow, careful tone.

Mimsy picked up a button he had painted to look like a life-ring and twisted it between his fingers. "Oh, well, ah...Tweek just..." He felt a silly smile grow on his face and couldn't make himself look up at his best friend as he continued, "He gives me butterflies, ya know, boss? In my tummy, and I just don't wanna cause him no trouble."

He didn't really want to cause Jimmy or Timmy trouble either, but Nathan had his heart set on being better than them, so Mimsy tagged along and helped him out however he could.

"Oh, for the love of..." Nathan dragged his hands down his face. "You know Tweek has a boyfriend, don't you? Shit those butterflies out already. You don't have a chance."

"I don't wanna chance." Mimsy picked up a lego brick and attached it to another brick. "Just knowing Tweek’s happy makes me happy. I wanna be his friend." 

Be his friend, sit together at lunch, even, hold his hand at recess a little, that's all Mimsy wanted. He just really, really wanted that wonderful person to like him and he didn't think ruining his project would make that dream come true.

"Mimsy, you have the brain of a chicken." Nathan shook his head.

"Ah, geez, thanks, boss." Mimsy smiled at him. Chickens are really smart. Their class watched a show on them once. Chickens can count and do basic math! Nathan was such a swell guy for using inside information to compliment him.

Nathan opened his mouth then shut it with a groan. "Just finish building the house and stop pining over Tweek. I'll come up with a plan in the meantime."

Though his stomach twisted with worry, Mimsy nodded. Nathan wouldn't steer him wrong, would he?

---

Lunch was sandwiches, a snack pack of chips, an apple or orange, and a drink. The adults ushered everyone out to another room to eat, so Tweek's group stood with Kenny and his siblings as they ate.

In the ten minutes since Karen started talking to Tweek, he was pretty sure he counted her take a breathless than fifteen times.

"Since it's a kitten's house," Karen explained, "it'll have a pen outside for mice she can eat anytime she wants and--"

"Karen," Kenny cut in, "looks like they're letting people have seconds. Go get some. Get me another too."

Karen looked at her half-eaten sandwich then back up. Kenny shooed her with his fingers and a nod. 

"Mom let us come for the free food, sis," Kenny reminded her, taking a big bite of his sandwich. "We'll put the extras in Kevin's bag."

"But, I was telling Tweek about our project." Karen sighed, but pushed her chair out anyway and headed back towards the serving table.

Jimmy laughed, slapping Tweek's shoulder. "Wow, I thought she would t-talk your ear off."

Tweek blew a breath out. "Thanks, dude.” He told Kenny. “She's really excited, huh?"

He raised a shoulder in a half shrug. "It gets her out of the house to play with glitter glue and stickers. Of course, she's excited. I don't think we'll win, but she's having fun, so it's ok by me if we lose."

From across the table, Kevin snorted. "We'd better win. Girls love being treated to a dipped cone," he muttered, more to himself than the conversation between the fourth graders. 

Kenny rolled his eyes as Karen came trotting back up. Chips and fruit ladened down her arms. Several sets of eyes from the nearby tables turned towards theirs when she dropped everything down with the thump of hard apples and oranges and the crinkles of plastic chip bags.

Karen beamed proudly at her plunder. "That nice old lady gave it to me when I told her my last name." She waved towards an elderly woman sitting behind the table. See Karen acknowledge her, the woman waved back before returning to her conversation.

Kenny's cheeks blushed red. He averted his eyes and pulled his hood strings a little. Even Kevin slumped down a little farther in his chair.

As is his nature, Jimmy quickly changed the subject before the heavy silence grew too awkward. 

"So, w-what else is everyone doing for their e-en-entries? Do you know? Colette is sitting next to us and is making a fairy castle. It's r-r-r-really neat!" Jimmy waved his hands out, drawing the attention to himself and shielding the McCormicks while Kevin unzipped his backpack.

"Yeah, um, oh!" Tweek moved his arms out as well, though not as wide. "Mimsy told me he and Nathan were making a summer house. Isn't that cool? Errr--It has a pool even."

"A pool?!" Karen gasped. She grabbed Kenny's arm and shook him. "Can ours have a pool? I know cats hate water, but I don't think this kitten would. It can be a special cat pool!"

"Huh? Yeah, sure, we can put fish stickers inside," Kenny replied without looking up from his and Kevin's work.

"I want the pool to have pink water," Karen continued, wrapping her arm around his. "It's fancy rose water. We have some extra paper flowers we can put around it, and we can even make an innertube floatie!"

"I bet you can make the best p-pool ever," Jimmy told her, finally lowering his arms to the table. "I think we have some extra pink plastic wrap you can use. If you make a paper c-c-cir-circle you can cover it for your pool."

Karen released Kenny's arm and darted around the table to squeeze in between Tweek and Jimmy, bombarding Jimmy with questions for more ideas. Feeling claustrophobic, Tweek slipped out of his seat. The instant he did, Karen plopped down. 

Kenny set a hand on Tweek's arm. "Thanks. I owe you one,” he whispered, his cheeks still tinged with the red of embarrassment. 

Before Tweek could reply, another hand grabbed his arm and pulled. He spun around to see Timmy staring at him with a determined expression. He tugged Tweek away to talk privately in the corner.

"I saw Nathan and Mimsy." He nodded towards the door to the other room. "They snuck back in."

"What?" Tweek squawked. He craned his head around to make sure no one heard him. "What?" He repeated, much quieter. "When? Should we tell an adult?"

Timmy shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe? Or..." He flashed a wicked smile, "we catch them."

"You want to sneak in there? How? You're not exactly..." He gestured to Timmy's wheelchair. 

Timmy frowned. "I am sneaky." 

"You are, but, eeer," Tweek chewed his lower lip. "There are too many people. We have to open the door completely to get you inside and..."

"You go!" Timmy rolled closer, pointing at Tweek’s chest. "You go in after Nathan."

"Why me? We should tell an adult." Tweek took a step away, but Timmy rolled his chair in front of him, blocking his path. 

"You go. In ten minutes, I will tell someone." He promised, crossing his heart with his finger.

Timmy had that determined look on his face. It was the same face he had when he argued with Cartman about changing his superhero from Iron Maiden to Doctor Timothy. Unless Tweek wanted to make a powerful enemy of Timmy, he had no choice.

"Alright, fine..." Tweek heaved a sigh. "We still need a distraction though."

Timmy smirked, wheeling himself back. "That is my job."

Before Tweek could stop him, he spun his chair around and surged it forward. In the middle of the room, he slammed the brakes to a stop and fell out onto the ground. He threw his arm up dramatically with an anguished cry that reminded Tweek a little too much of a soap opera character.

It took seconds for all the adults to gather upon Timmy.

 Tweek seized his moment and dashed towards the door. He slipped in and turned his eyes to a horrendous scene.

Drops of red, yellow, and blue paint rolled down half-finished walls and stained cuts of cardboard paper. Stickers had been ripped from the lego bricks on some and whole parts of the buildings taken away on others. Swear words were written along roofs in white glue. Glitter covered every surface.

And the end of the line of crafting carnage stood none other than Nathan himself, gluing marker caps to lego bricks with glitter glue.

"Hand me the buttons," Nathan held out his hand behind him without looking up. "We're going to put a big penis on this house. We'll use those stupid colored bushes as hair on the--"

"STOP!" Tweek shouted, rushing forward. He knew it was too late to save his or any of the other projects, but he had to try to save what was left!

With a rush of adrenaline, he dove at Nathan. Marker caps and buttons clattered across laminate as Nathan gasped and struggled under Tweek. 

Nathan smacked Tweek across the face with the back of his hand, but Tweek was able to pin one of Nathan's hands down by the wrist.

With a sneer, Nathan aimed the bottle of glue in his free hand at Tweek's face and squeezed. A line of liquid glue hit him right above the right eye.

Tweek recoiled back, desperately trying to wipe the glue away with his sleeve. Nathan shoved him off. He rolled back, knocking into another table. 

The folding table's leg gave way, dumping all the projects on it. Legos, stickers, paper, paintbrushes and shallow dishes of water all dropped to the floor. One of the houses hit Tweek on the top of the head. Stars swam across his vision.

"NO!" Nathan screamed. "My project!" 

Tweek looked to his side and saw the remains of a lego house with a styrofoam sun glued to the top. The house crushed a paper water bowl with blue cellophane inside and several palm trees made of construction paper.

"Why you!" Nathan snarled. "Mimsy, grab him! I'm going to put a bottle of glitter glue down his throat!"

Tweek tried to scramble to his feet, only to slip on the loose pieces. Mimsy loomed over him.

 There was no way out now. He was blocked by Nathan to his left, the other table to his front, the fallen table to his back and Mimsy to his right.

Tweek didn't think he would die today, but here he was about to meet the reaper.

 All in all, he had a good day up until all this started with Nathan. He and his friends had lots of fun building the lego house and adding the decorations. 

Too bad he couldn't say goodbye to everyone. Where were his parents supposed to find a new busboy on such short notice? Craig would be annoyed, too. They had a date planned for next week. 

Accepting his demise, Tweek clenched his eyes shut and waited...and waited...and waited, but nothing came. 

He opened his eyes to see Mimsy staring at him, face red and conflicted.

"Mimsy! Do as I say!" Nathan ordered.

"But, Boss! The butterflies," He whimpered as he grabbed at his shirt. "Can't we just go? Please?"

Nathan let out a cry of frustration. He set one foot on either side of Tweek before grabbing his chin. He held the glue up threateningly.

"If you're going to be useless, I'll do it myself," Nathan muttered.  

He squeezed Tweek's cheeks into a fish pucker, forcing them apart. Tweek gritted his teeth. 

A pair of hands fell on Nathan's shoulders. He blinked and looked up just in time for him to be thrown back into the opposite table. That one fell backwards with a crash, destroying all the defiled projects atop it.

Mimsy's lip quivered. "I asked ya to stop, Boss. I even said ‘please’..." 

As Mimsy wiped away tears on his arm, the door opened. 

"What is going on in here — Oh my Gosh!" One of the adults gaped at the scene. 

Nathan scrambled to his feet, jabbing a finger at Tweek. 

"He tried to come and break everyone's projects," He accused. "We came here to stop him from ruining everyone's fun. Tweek is a big cheater!"

"That's not--argh! That's not what happened!" Tweek countered though he didn't try to stand. His head hurt too much. Hopefully, his mom remembered to put the ice pack back in the freezer since Tweek smashed his elbow at the shop. Tweek was going to need it for the lump growing on the top of his head.

Slowly, adults and kids trickled in, looking on the destruction. Some of the younger kids started crying. A few of the adults already had phones out, preparing to call parents.

"Yes, it is, ma'am," Nathan said in his most sympathetic voice. "Tweek came in and was doing awfully naughty things to other people's projects. When Mimsy and I came in, he pushed me down.”

"No, he pushed me," Tweek snapped. "Please, Timmy! Timmy saw these two come in here, didn't you? Tell them!"

The adults turned to Timmy, who nodded once, glaring at Nathan. 

"See!" Tweek gestured. 

The adults still didn't look convinced. One walked right past Tweek to Nathan, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you hurt, sweetie?" She asked.

"A little bit, ma'am," he whimpered. “I have a scrape on my elbow. I might need stitches.”

"I'm telling the truth!" Tweek tried to stand, but the world spun too much for him to stay up.

Mimsy chewed his lip. His hands rubbed his stomach before he took a long, slow breath.

"Missum?" Mimsy tugged on the back of her shirt. "Nathan's lying. You see, we was gonna come in and ruin half of everyone's projects, so no one could tell we really were trying to ruin Tweek's teams, but Tweek came in, and Nathan pushed him and tried to put glue in his mouth. I’m the one who pushed Nathan."

Nathan growled. "Mimsy, you fucking traitor," He snapped. "See if I let you sit next to me at lunch now."

"Young man!" the adult gasped. "What did you just say?"

Nathan winced as he realized his mistake. She grabbed his shoulders and marched him towards the door. Mimsy twiddled his thumbs, uncertainly, before the adult yelled at him to follow her as well.

"Mimsy?" Tweek called. "That was really cool and brave of you. Thanks a lot."

Never before had Tweek seen a face light up as fast as Mimsy’s did at that moment. He giggled to himself before following after Nathan, almost skipping the whole way there.

---

Tweek slumped down against the table. His head still hurt, but at least the room stayed still when he moved. Timmy patted his shoulder as Jimmy sat down across from them.

"Nathan's parents just came to drove him and M-M-M-Mimsy home. They're in big trouble for this. They have to p-pay for the house kits they broke and aren't allowed at any R-R-Red Cross events for a whole six months." Jimmy cocked his head to the side. "I just don't get it. Why would Nathan do something so mean and nasty?"

Timmy slapped his palm to his forehead and dragged his hand down his face. 

"He is a dick bag," Timmy reminded him. "Remember camp?"

"Those were all just unfortunate accidents," Jimmy countered. Timmy rolled his eyes and let the topic drop. 

"And, anyway, Tweek. How are you f-feeling?"

Tweek shook held his head. "I'll be ok. I'm just glad I'm not in trouble, too. It's too bad we couldn't win the prize, though. Did you hear what happened to the gift cards?"

Jimmy nodded. "Yeah, they decided to judge the ones left standing and pick a winner from those, but open the contest again in a month for everyone else who got their projects wrecked."

"Who won?" Timmy asked.

A smile spread on Jimmy's face. "Kenny and his brother and s-s-sis-sister," he explained. "I saw their finished Kitten Dream House, and it was c-cool and creative! Better than our silly g-g-gingerbread idea by a long shot."

"Will you join us for the next contest?" Timmy wanted to know from Tweek.

Tweek winced. "No, thank you. I'll play by myself at home where no one is going to try to make me eat glue."

"Ah, that's a s-stinky spirit to have," Jimmy chided.

After all that had happened today, Tweek didn't care one bit how his spirit smelled. 

If even a fraction of what Timmy said was true, then he had to be very careful until Nathan's anger cooled--or turned back towards Jimmy. Who knows how long that will take!

But if Nathan was upset with Tweek, he was positively pissed at Mimsy for betraying him. 

Tweek pursed his lips then nodded to himself. 

Monday at school he would ask Mimsy if he wanted to join his table for lunch. It was the least he could do. Besides, as far as Tweek was concerned, Mimsy deserved a much better friend than Nathan, and he was willing to step up and be that friend.

---

AN: Shout out to my friend @najti-nightmare for help with the fic and title!

[kayrogers]

animal ][ s. rogers

we’re sick like animals, we play pretend

Paring: steve rogers x agent!reader 

Inspo: animal by neon trees

Word Count: 3000+

Warning(s): SMUT... again because reasons and yes, oh also a lil angst ;)

Part: part one | part two | part three | part ??

A/N: none

Your eyes struggled to open as sunlight poured through the windows of the bedroom. You woke up with a strong, firm arm wrapped around your waist and heat emitted from an even larger body latching onto the left of yours. After blinking a few times, your head turned over to reveal the sleeping face of Steve Rogers next to yours. A smile immediately graced your lips, his features making him seem more at peace than he ever had in his life. Your mind didn’t even spin like it was supposed to. There were no thoughts of ‘oh shit! I slept with my best friend. What the fuck do I do?!’ It was as if you wore rose-colored glasses and all you knew was that  last night was one of the best sexual encounters you had in your life and that gorgeous man was still with you now, on an island far away from the rest of the world. Rest of your usual lives anyways.

You sat up, fully acknowledging just how naked the two of you were, and his arm fell to your legs. He groaned at the movement and tried nuzzling into you before his eyes shot open. Steve sat up as well, staring at you as if you were a mirage. Perhaps he had these glasses as well, because his smile mirrored yours. 

“Hey,” you greeted in a sleepy voice and watched as his eyes ran over your face and body.

“Do you wanna-“ he started but you interrupt him.

“Talk about it? No. I think... I think we just live it for now. We’re in Mykonos, let’s be in Mykonos.” You didn’t want to lose those glasses, you didn’t want to think about your relationship (whatever it was now) or work.

All you wanted was to be with him in this moment, as silly as it was.

“Be in Mykonos... yeah, I can do that.” You could see his face contorting in thought but those features soon relaxed to show a tired smirk.

“Now I’m gonna go take a shower-“ you paused, stomach doing a flip as he sat up and the sun hit his muscular torso, “join me if you want.”

Getting out of bed, you sent him a wink and boy did he wake up quick. 

The two of you spent the morning together in possibly the most domestic thing you’d experienced... after that shower of course. He cooked you a surprisingly delicious breakfast with the few ingredients your contact left in the kitchen and you both actually took a nap. You couldn’t remember napping unless it was due to exhaustion or being injured, but this was just because you could. 

After that the two of you went out into town, Steve worrying about putting on a disguise in public. Not that his disguise of a baseball cap and sunglasses would really do much. You took him shopping, knowing the two of you only had clothes from your previous mission and they were not the cleanest. He let you dress him in a blue button-down and white swim trunks that hugged his ass in a way which nearly made you swoon. You, on the other hand, bought a black bikini and distressed booty shorts which favored your own in the same way. 

The rest of the day was spent on the beach and you could swear you never saw the super soldier have so much fun. 

“Oh my god, you’re too perfect. Like a goddamn Ken doll,” you commented, watching him bask in the sun with his new shirt discarded.

His blonde hair was already lightened by the sun and small freckles dotted his nose.

“Ken doll?” His cheeks were tinted a slight pink at the compliment but nothing could hide the confusion on his face.

“Oh shit- Barbie wasn’t made till later, was she? Eh. Don’t worry, grandpa, I’ll explain it later.” He scoffed at your comment.

“Grandpa? You weren’t calling me grandpa last night... or this morning,” There was a golden smirk on his face that made you roll your eyes with a smile.

“Oh? You’re being cheeky, now?” He laughed, his hand moving to his chest in response.

“Guess you could call it that.” You huffed and laid back down to tan, Captain America was more of a tease than anyone in the world could guess.

“Say.. Doll? You really haven’t gotten in the water yet today. Have you?” You felt your body go rigid at his question, knowing the charming, mischievous tone to his voice too well.

“Rogers, I swear to God.” You warned, sitting up to see him doing the same.

“You shouldn’t swear, Doll. You’re hanging out with a 90 year old man, after all.” He joked and got up.

You took off before he could make a move towards you. Your feet stumbled below you in the sand but running from him of all people was pointless. Steve could outrun cars if he needed to, you were no match. And this was proven true as you were scooped up by two incredibly large arms and tossed onto his shoulder like you weighed nothing.

“Steven Grant Rogers!” You scolded, attempting to squirm out of his grip as his direction moved towards the waterline.

“Use my full name all you want, I just think you were looking a little hot there, [Y/n]. If anything you should be thanking me!” He continued to tease while you struggled to get your body away from his.

He was at the water by now and you could feel splashing coming from how fast he waded into the water, all with you yelling at him to put you down. Steve just laughed and stopped when the water got up to his waist, by now half of your legs were covered.

“Put you down? No problem!” He tossed you off of him without a problem while you yelled and fell into the cold water.

You got up with wet hair and a determined pout. Spitting out a bit of salt water that got into your mouth, you stared up at him and for just a moment you almost stopped being mad at him. Steve was laughing with a large grin covering the bottom half of his face, looking like a whole Poseidon with the sea at his hips. But that was a big ‘almost’ because you immediately tackled the super soldier with a yell which caused both of you to tumble into the water. 

You both came back up quickly and his laughter was shared with yours while his arms naturally wrapped around your waist, hugging your body against his own with your cackles. There was just something fantastic about how easily the two of you melded together, bodies curving as if you were always meant to be like this. His hand moved up to your face, palm cupping your cheek as you both calmed down. The blue in his eyes reflected the water as they bore into your own, if time could stop you’d never want this moment to end. But it quickly did when they dipped down to your lips before he brought his down to your own. Your’s and his own lips tasted of salt water, but that soon changed to just his usual taste that was all his own as the kiss got deeper. Your tongues moved in a familiar dance that developed very quickly since your first kiss, it was almost too easy for you to fall in rhythm with him but you wouldn’t trade it for anything.

The two of you left the beach about an hour later around 6, taking to the town yet again. You fell in step with him, walking and talking through rows of cute boutiques and cafes before deciding to stop at a cute restaurant that overlooked the coast. You ate and drank like normal people would, both of your usual tactical instincts taking a break for a second. Steve’s vision was not looking all over for possible assailants and you weren’t counting every object you could use as a weapon in your mind; you were both just focused on each other.

“So.. is this a date?” He eventually asked and you felt your eyebrows raise.

“Yeah, I guess you could say that. Wow- I haven’t gone on one of these without doing it for work in a long time.” You thought out loud and he nodded.

“It’s the first successful one I’ve been on. Not easy to find a dame as Captain America.” You took a sip of your wine, feeling the liquid finally affecting you as it had been your third glass.

“No I don’t imagine.” You chuckled before continuing, “I just don’t date. With the job... relationships are hard. They’re dangerous. I could only imagine anyone I’d end up with being dead.” You admitted in a blunt manner.

“Relationship. Is that what we have?” And there he was cracking those rose glasses again.

“Ah! We’re being in Mykonos right now, remember? Those questions are for America Steve and [Y/n].” You leaned forward, dragging your foot up his leg under the table.

Your hand moved to touch his and he could tell what you were doing. He wished he could do it too, but the man was the very definition old fashioned. You didn’t want to bring in the real world, the gravity of your situation. You just wanted him.

“Are you trying to distract me right now?” He smirked and you mirrored the expression easily.

“Maybe. Is it working?” Your fingers crawled up his hand and arm, “What can I say? I have a way with words, Captain.”

Your voice drawled out with the use of that nickname, one which you learned turned him on quite quickly. And it was obvious that it worked as his Adam’s Apple bobbed up and down and his body went rigid.

“I’d say your working with a little more than words right now, Doll.” He chuckled but his cheeks turned red as your foot moved to his inner thigh teasingly.

“Want to do something about it?” His jaw clenched at your suggestion, eyes moving around the restaurant.

“The House is a bit aways from here.” You tilted your head, lips curling into a sultry smile.

“Who said we had to go back there? There’s a bathroom about twenty feet away.” He rolled his head back before meeting your eyes.

“God you are good at that...” he pulled cash from his pocket and placed it under a wine glass on the table, “we gotta be quick though. Don’t know what would happen if someone caught Captain America in a compromising position.”

“Don’t worry, I can be quick.” You sent him a wink and grabbed his hand before getting up.

Your heart raced in your chest as you led him to the single use bathroom, closing and locking the door behind the two of you. He immediately backed you against the door, lips locking in a needy fashion. You were fast to get to work though, hand moving down his pants to palm his already hard bulge.

“In a rush, are we? Captain?” You pulled away from him to see his eyes darkened with a lustful look that made a heat pool between your legs.

“What can I say? You get me, Doll.” His voice was heavier with desire.

You kissed him once more before lowering down to your knees, pulling his shorts and boxers down with you. His cock unfurled for you to gage hungrily before you began to pump it in your hands, immediately making him groan and press a hand against the locked door behind you. 

“You’re sure you want to-“ he began to question in a way that made your heart swell.

It was just a certain amount care that made you feel safe every time you were with him. More care than any one night stand you experienced, more connection. You didn’t even given him a verbal response, nodding before licking up and down his length and taking the head into your mouth.

He gasped, his other hand getting tangled in your hair. You began slowly getting deeper, hollowing out your cheeks as you sucked him off. His moans were heaven and at this point you didn’t care if the whole world heard the sounds happening in that restroom. Steve tried to keep quiet but when you began deep-throating him, all bets were off. Your mouth began to get sore from how you worked on his dick but that only pushed you further.

Your pumping got faster and you felt his cock twitch in your mouth as he tightened his grip on your hair, beginning to thrust into your mouth.

“God, [Y/n]...” he groaned out your name and you wear nearly dripping, pussy getting wetter as he began to come undone.

You let him take the reins, your hands gripping his legs tightly as he fucked your face, your name dripping from his lips like whiskey. And it wasn’t long after that that he came, the salty liquid filling your mouth and you swallowed it down. God, you sucked him dry, pulling your mouth off of his cock with a pop that made him even more weak in the knees than he already was. You licked your lips before feeling his hand gently stroke your face before tilting up your chin. He stared down at you before lifting your head up with his fingers, your body moving with the action until you stood before him. You never broke eye contact.

“If this is being in Mykonos then I don’t want to go home.” His eyes crinkled up with the smile on his face and he brought your lips to his own without a second thought.

You never thought giving a blowjob could turn you on so much, but right now you were wetter than the Atlantic Ocean. His hands ran down your waist before he pulled his face away, those hands were fire against your body.

“Me too, Cap. Me too.” You giggled and he pulled his pants up.

You stepped away from him to look into the bathroom mirror. Your [Y/h/l] hair was in knotted beach waves and your cheeks were flushed. His reflection stood behind yours and he joined you, immediately placing his body behind yours and nuzzling his head into your neck. He left kisses along your skin that made you purr. Steve moved up carefully assessing which spots made your breath hitch in the slightest before finding one and sucking on it till you moaned out loud. “Don’t start anything you can’t finish,” his hands snaked around your waist, one trailing down to your shorts and teasing you through the fabric.

You gasped, his reflection quirked up a corner of its lip. 

“I only want to return the favor, Doll. Something tells me I’ve already started something anyways,” Steve whispered into your ear making you grip the sink in order to suppress a moan.

“For only being a virgin yesterday, you catch on quick.” You teased.

“Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks,” he quipped in return before slipping his hand into your shorts.

It was warm and he immediately rubbed circles into your core. You let out a breathy moan.

“Doll, we have to be quiet, remember?” He whispered again but still continued his actions.

You nodded and unbuttoned the shorts, letting them fall at your feet. With the freedom to move he took the opportunity to go deeper, slipping a finger into your sex and pumping it in-and-out of you.

“I really did start something, huh.” Steve said in a low chuckle.

He pulled his hand out for a second, using the hand wrapped around your waist to spin you towards him before picking you up and placing you on top of the sink. You whined at the loss of contact but he was quick to make up for it, pushing two fingers inside of you. You gripped the edge of the sink and his shoulder tight while his head rested in the crook of your neck. One of your hands moved to cover your mouth as you couldn’t contain the dangerous noises he pulled from your lips. His thumb played with your clit and you thought you were seeing stars until his head and body slowly started to move down. He took his hand out and hooked it on your panties to flick them off, then spreading your legs as he knelt on the floor in front of you.

“Are you- are we really doing this?” You were grinning like an idiot and Steve nodded his head.

Damn, if he wasn’t a fast learner.

“Anything for my Best Girl.” He shot you a wink and got to work.

His tongue slipped inside of you which elicited a high-pitched gasp from you. Your hand covered your mouth again and you could tell that you were already dripping for him. His hands gripped your thighs tightly, keeping you in place for him. Your hand that no longer held onto his shoulder was now tousled in his blonde hair, pulling at it as Steve hit those little spots in all the right ways. Head thrown back and back arched at this point, you were already coming to the edge. The way his tongue moved inside of you was purely sinful and soon enough your moans turned into screams that your hand could barely cover. His hands grew tighter on your thighs and there was sure to be bruises but you didn’t care. Your mind couldn’t even process how he was this good, but it was like he knew your body in and out. He so easily slipped into the places that made you shiver and soon enough your breaths were quickening, eyes closing tight as he ate you out. You wouldn’t be surprised if your wetness was on the floor by now because you were coming for him like no tomorrow, releasing an orgasm you never even realized you could feel. He licked up what he could before looking up at you, taking pride in your exhausted form which sat slumped on the sink.

“You’re too good at that, Rogers.” You hopped off and got dressed, giving him a quick peck on the lips as you did so.

“Hey… I can do this all day.” He joked with a smirk and you felt yourself laughing ridiculously.

The two of you wiped down what you could, feeling bad for doing the things you did in a public bathroom. No matter how sexy it was. And then you slipped out of the restaurant with red cheeks, hoping to god no one heard the things coming from in there.

You both walked back to the house, stopping to grab two pints of sorbet at a corner store before getting to the place. Was this what normal was? Just two people spending the day together to come back to the same place? You knew this was only Mykonos, a vacation, but part of you began wondering what would happen when it was over. Your feelings for Steve were dangerously huge by now and you weren’t sure of what to do. Those rose-colored glasses had finally slipped off and you dreaded ever leaving that island.

Steve sat in the living room and you grabbed spoons from the kitchen. You stepped out to see his relaxed from lounging on the couch, eyes on the tv the two of you still hadn’t managed to use.

“Wanna watch a movie?” You asked and plopped down next to him with desserts in hand.

“Here’s your vanilla, Oldie.” He took it from you with a chuckle.

“I’m a classic man, sue me. But yeah, I’m good for a movie. You’ll have to pick it out though cause I would probably accidentally find the worst movie I could.” You nodded and grabbed the remote, sticking your spoon into your raspberry sorbet.

You were searching through the on demand list when Steve’s phone began ringing. It didn’t take much to guess who it was and you frowned as he picked it up. The real world was coming back too soon. He rubbed a comforting hand o your shoulder before standing up with the call. It was fifteen minutes before the call ended and you felt your stomach sink.

“That was Fury. We have a mission back home... he sent a jet for us.” Steve got out in an almost monotonous manner and you groaned but got up from the couch as well.

“Well at least we got a good 24 hours.” You commented as you headed back to your bedroom with Steve in tow.

He walked into his own across the hall and the two of you were ready to leave too quickly. This felt abrupt to you, already going back for missions with your mind slipping into the same defensive mechanisms it always did. What would happen between you and the soldier? You knew that a genuine relationship would be a bad idea. People in your line of work never had relationships, they were too messy and dangerous. And with your partner nonetheless! The idea scared you. You would both have two very physical weaknesses in the eyes of your enemies, and now you couldn’t imagine what you’d do if Steve was ever hurt. You cared too much and it terrified you.

After cleaning what the two of you could in the place, you locked it up and followed him to a small jet that rested on the beach. Steve was just as quiet as you were so you assumed his mind was in the same state. You both amble on and sit across from each other in the cabin. It’s silent as the jet takes off and you bite your lip before grabbing his hand across the aisle.

“Steve... what are you thinking? About this... us I guess.” You never felt so small.

You didn’t know what you wanted him to think. If he agreed with your thoughts of ending it, it’d be easier to get over it but at the same time you also naively hoped his feelings for you were just as big.

“It wouldn’t be smart for us to do the whole relationship thing, would it?” He looked at you with those serious blue eyes and you felt your heart break.

“Mykonos stays in Mykonos, then?” You kept a straight face, work instincts taking over.

“Yeah, Partner. Mykonos stays in Mykonos.” He gave you a false smile and you let go of his hand feeling a sudden coldness in your chest you couldn’t describe.

But this seemed like the best decision. You both couldn’t get hurt if you didn’t start anything real. There was a part of you that was concerned though. If you were to continue working together, knowing how well your bodies fit together... would you be able to resist him? The way the two of you moved, it was instinct and natural. You were animals. 

And you didn’t know how long you’d last fighting against that.

[video-killed-the-radio-host]

My Love, Come and Save Me ch 3

I know I promised this like a week ago and I’m hella late but seeing as time isn’t real, I’m actually on time!

@lady-dmaris

———————————————————————

Cecil wakes with a dull ache in the back of his head. He has been held captive for a week at this point, or so he thinks. Kevin and Charles do feed him but Cecil doesn’t eat much after the first night due to it being drugged. He was sure nothing had happened while he was out so he assumed it was a sedative but he didn’t want to take any chances.

He sits up and looks around the unchanging blue room. He was starting to hate the color.

Swinging his legs over the side, Cecil stands and slowly makes his way over to the vanity. Looking in the mirror, he almost didn’t recognize the face staring back at him. Despite only being there for a week, his face was nearly colorless and he had deep bags under his dull eyes. He pushes the roughly cut hair from his face and sighs before resting his forehead on the cool glass of the mirror.

“Good. You’re awake.” A smooth voice said behind him, making Cecil squeeze his eyes shut before turning around. He forces a smile onto his face.

“Good morning,” Cecil says softly. He leans on the dresser when a wave of nausea hits him. “H-“ he clears his throat. “How are you?”

Instead of answering, Charles approaches him. Cecil stumbles back a little, back hitting the window sill. “We are going to take a trip today. You, me and Kevin.”

“We are?” Cecil asks before wincing. He didn’t think he was allowed to speak.

“We are. But first we have to go see a friend of mine.”

“Where are we going?” Cecil asks softly, praying Charles couldn’t hear the shaking in his voice.

“Out. Don’t worry. You’ll like it. I promise.” Charles touches Cecil’s cheek before pulling away. “I have to go make a call so Kevin will be along to help you get ready soon. If you behave he won’t need the needle.”

Cecil swallows thickly. “O-okay.”

Charles gives a smile and leans closer. Cecil freezes, holding his breath. Charles was close enough that Cecil could see the flecks of hazel in the other man’s icy blue eyes. Cecil’s heart beat so loud in his ears he was sure Charles could hear it. Charles puts his index finger on Cecil’s bottom lip and pulls it down just a little. Cecil gives a soft whimper and starts to tremble like a wet dog.

“You are so…..so beautiful.” He whispers before standing up straight. “I will see you soon.” He smiles before turning on his heel. “Don’t disappoint me.”

Cecil stares after him. Me? Disappointing you? He thinks bitterly. You’re the one holding me captive!

——-.——-

Kevin wakes up with a smile and rolls back up in the comforter. He hummed and closes his eyes again. He feels the bed dip behind him and a warm hand settle on the back of his neck.

“Kevin. It’s time to get up.” Charles says, leaning over and kisses Kevin’s temple.

“Mm. Fuck off.” Kevin responds and turns over.

“Kev~ I need you up please.” Charles tried again.

“I don’t wanna.”

“Please? I need you to get Cecil ready to go see Roxxi and Ellie.”

“Suck my dick.” Kevin groans, once again burrowing under the blankets.

“Will that get you up?”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“I make no promises.” Kevin mumbles as Charles turns him flat on his back.

“Hmm.” Charles pulls back the blanket back and gently pushes Kevin’s knees apart.

Kevin lets his legs fall open as he gazed down at Charles lazily. He runs his fingers through the older man’s hair.

Charles wastes no time pushing up the oversized shirt Kevin wears to bed and settles between them. The skinny man was nude under the shirt so Charles wasted no time bracing himself against the bed and wrapping his mouth around Kevin’s soft cock. Just a few touches got the other man’s body to react. Charles smirks around him and sets to work.

It doesn’t take long for Charles to bring Kevin over the edge. It was always easiest in the morning because Kevin was always horny in the morning.

Pulling away, Charles wipes his face on the back of his hand. “Kevin!” He sighs as Kevin turns over and closes his eyes again.

“I’m up I’m up.” Kevin grumbles, sitting up. “Hi.” He smiles softly.

“Good morning beautiful.” Charles smiles back and leans forward, kissing him softly. “We’re taking Cecil out today so I need you to pick something nice out for him to wear. We will need to take him to see the girls first.”

Kevin purses his lips but smiles. “I know exactly what to do.”

“I know you do Sunshine. You’re amazing like that.”

“Of course I am.” Kevin beams. “Now I have work to do.” Swinging his legs over the bed, Kevin stands. “Move.”

Charles puts his hands up and steps aside. “I gotta call Roxxi anyway.”

“You do that.” He stops long enough to press a kiss to Charles’s temple. “See you soon.”

——-.——-

Cecil looks up as the door opens again and he pulls his knees up to his chest to make himself smaller. Pressing himself against the headboard, he looks at the door. Kevin enters the room wearing a yellow polo and dark jeans.

“Good morning Cecil!” Kevin sing songed.

Cecil offers a shaky smile. “Hello.”

Kevin’s expression softens and he sits down on the edge of the bed after softly closing the door. “I need to tell you something.”

“O-Okay….”

“I’m not going to hurt you. I’m just like you.”

“You are nothing like me.” Cecil says coldly.

“Please...just listen to me.” Kevin looks down. “I’m just like you. One of his victims.”

Cecil is quiet for a moment, his gut saying not to trust but he couldn’t help it. He wanted to trust that he wasn’t alone here.

“How long?” He whispers.

“Six years.”

“Why did you...if you’re like me, why did you drug me?” Cecil forced himself to look up at the dark eyed man.

“I noticed that if you play along to his sick games no one gets hurt. It was for your own safety.”

“I don’t want to be here.” Cecil whispers.

“Well it’s not so bad once you get used to it. Just do what he tells you and he won’t hurt you.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about.”

“So maybe we can figure out how to get out. Together.”

Cecil nods a little before licking his lips. “Do you know where he’s taking me today?”

“Oh! We’re just going out is all. Public so he won’t hurt you. But we need to get you dressed.”

“can I wear my own clothes?”

Kevin giggles. “No silly. These are your clothes now.” He opens the wardrobe. “Now let’s see…..how about this?”

Kevin turns around with a black button up in hand.

“Fits my mood.” Cecil mumbles.

Kevin giggles again. “Put it on. And these. He isn’t a patient man so hurry.” Kevin pulls open the door and looks into the hall before stepping out and leaving Cecil alone again. He stares down at the shirt for a moment before Kevin’s warning rang in his ears. He pulls off the shirt he was wearing and puts the black one on before quickly changing his pants. He looks around and finds his shoes, the one thing he was allowed to keep. He puts them on before opening the door, surprised to find it unlocked. Outside the door, Charles was leaning against the wall, Kevin draped over his chest, the two locked in a deep kiss.

Feeling his face heat up, Cecil takes a step back. Despite trying to go unseen, Charles sees him and breaks the kiss with a grin. “You look good. Ready to go?”

Cecil gives a silent nod. “Y-yes. S-sir.”

“Sir?” Charles taps his chin. “I like that.”

“He learns fast.” Kevin looks over Charles’s shoulder at Cecil with a smile.

“Good. Good. Now let’s go. They’re waiting for us.”

——-.——-

Cecil follows quietly, afraid to set Charles off. Once outside, Cecil squints in the harsh sunlight. He’s headed into a car and then the door is shut. The windows on the car were heavily tinted so no matter if Cecil tried, no one would see him. He was trapped. So he sits quietly, listening to the soft words from the couple in the front seat but not really registering any of it.

The car ride is about ten minutes long and the Cecil is being pulled out again. “Inside.”

Cecil obeys, following Kevin up the stairs.

“Just do what they say okay?” Kevin’s tells him softly. “It’s the safest thing to do.”

Cecil bites his bottom lip and nods. “Okay.”

Kevin nods and opens the door, ushering Cecil inside. Once inside, Cecil looks around. The lavish house was decorated comfortably and Cecil found himself admiring it,

A pair of heels against tiles catches his attention. He turns and sees a woman with long dark red hair dressed in tight black pants and a low cut blouse.

“Roxxi!” Kevin beams.

“Hello Kevin. Charles. Who's your friend? Doesn’t seem like you guys’ type.” The woman-Roxxi- remarks as she gives Cecil a once over.

“We’re working on breaking him in.” Charles says, wrapping his arms around kevin and pressing his cupped hand against the skinny man’s crotch. Kevin giggles and squirms in the hold. Roxxi smirks a little and looks back at Cecil, who was being held onto by Charles’s free hand. He could feel a bruise forming already.

“I see. And what brings you to our humble abode?”

“Cecil here needs a Makeover.”

“Ah. I know just the thing.” She turns her head and yells. “Babe! You’re needed!”

Cecil winces at the yelling but forces himself to stay quiet. He’s herded off to another room and pushed into a chair. His wrists were bound, which he expected. Cecil turns his wrists, feeling the plastic rub at his skin.

Another set of footsteps makes Cecil look up again. Another woman had entered the room. She was dressed in a dark green sundress and a black leather jacket. She also had red hair but it was carrot colored compared to Roxxi’s maroon hair.

“Cammie tased a guy. Got to rough again.” The new woman says, ignoring the three men in the room.

“That girl needs a raise.” Roxxi says with a smirk.

“I know. She’s my best girl.”

Charles clears his throat and makes the woman turn. “Ellie, this is Cecil.”

So this is Ellie and Roxxi. What are they going to do to me? Cecil thinks as he forced his eyes up to look at her.

“He sure is pretty. I could make a lot of money off of him.” Ellie purrs, pulling a pen from her pocket and tilting up Cecil’s chin. Cecil swallowed thickly.

“Not for you El. We just need your magic touch is all.” Charles speaks up. “Dye his hair and maybe trim it up?”

Ellie hums. “Alright. But he would make a good whore. If you ever get bored of him send him my way.”

Ellie’s words make Cecil cross his legs self consciously and flush lightly.

“What color are you thinking then?” Ellie asks, pulling a tub from seemingly nowhere. “He’s a blonde so any color should take.”

“Mmm…..what do you think Kevin?”

“A dark brown would go nice with his skin tone.” Kevin answers.

“Dark brown it is then.”

“I don’t have a permanent. All I have is the twenty four hour stuff.”

“That’ll be fine.” Cecil could hear Charles smirking. “I only need it for today.”

“Alrighty. What are we shooting for?”

“I’m thinking a high and tight? Something neat.”

“You got it.”

Cecil jumps when her voice was suddenly next to his ear. “Sit still pretty boy or I’ll cut your ear off.”

Cecil freezes as he feels cool metal against his ear. Slowly more hair is cut away from his head as the others make small talk around him. He doesn’t register any of the words as he tries to force down a panic attack. He doesn’t understand why they haven’t killed him. Why Ellie doesn’t just jab the scissors into his neck and be done with it.

The sound of a shaking can brings Cecil from his thoughts. A moment later, a cold mist hit Cecil’s head. He just closes his eyes and wishes for t to be over.

“Alright. All done.” Ellie pats Cecil’s shoulder.

“Perfect. Thank you Ellie.” Charles says, his voice making Cecil jump again as it was so much closer than last time. “Now we have to get going.”

The binds on Cecil’s wrists were cut away and then he was grabbed and hauled to his feet. “Come on.”

Once again, Cecil was pushed into the car and they were driving again. The drive was much shorter this time and soon they were parked outside of an upscale restaurant. Before Cecil could move, Charles was out and yanking open his door. Cecil flinches back. A pair of sunglasses were then shoved onto his face.

“Okay here’s the rules beautiful. You are to wear these the whole time. You will not speak a word or make any signals. I have fifteen of my men inside and if you say a word I will blow his balls off and then personally kill every student you have ever taught.”

Cecil pales. His students were completely innocent in this. He nods weakly.

“Good.” Charles gives a charming smile. “Let’s go.”

Cecil follows them with shaking legs and watches as Charles speaks to the host. He glances around, wondering who all were Charles’s men. Looking back at Kevin, Cecil notices the other man seems excited. Maybe this won’t be so bad.

Cecil follows them through the restaurant, weaving through tables before coming to a stop. As soon as he sees who’s at the table, Cecil’s blood ran cold.

Carlos.