#i also kept forgetting i was not using a pixel brush
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myogi-nightkids · 2 months ago
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New theme new icon; i loved it when mogi said it was mogi time and mogi'd all over the place :p
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Original screencap as well
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lowkeyjustvibing · 4 years ago
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Fic time again
Pairing: Truce poly + Reaper and Epic
Prompt: Just some chaos
Also! We have:
Enby Nightmare, Reaper, and Horror
Neopronoun Error (string,strings,stringself)
aro/ace Ink and ace Reaper
Also human versions ‘cuz    y e s
*CRASH*
“YOU BETTER NOT HAVE BROKEN ONE OF MY VASES INK!”
“You’re legit dead, bruh.”
“Shut up and run before they see us!”
Nightmare stormed down the hall, their tentacles thrashing wildly and just barely avoiding breaking some things themselves. Things like this (Which were once a rarity) had become quite common ever since the truce and the events that occurred as a result. In short, after peace was finally brought to the multiverse, both the Star Sanses and the Bad Sanses both realized just how dull life was without the other group present in their lives. 
The solution? Get everyone to live in the same house.
And since Nightmare was the only one in possession of a building big enough for all of them to live in, the Star Sanses just moved in. It was difficult to get used to the sudden change in living arrangements. Fights would break out on a daily basis over small things and it would be up to someone else to keep the peace. However, once they all managed to get used to each other, things went a lot smoother.
Or rather, smoother than before.
Nightmare finally reached the living room, sighing as they saw the shards of porcelain covering the floor.
“And this was one of my favorites too.” They muttered, picking up the shards.
Thankfully, one of the nice things about being covered in sentient sludge is that it works as great glue. In a few seconds, the vase looked back to normal (If you ignored the subtle cracks covering it).
“Now where’s that clumsy squid?” They mused, scanning the room.
At that moment Dust walked in, probably having heard all the commotion as well and coming to see what happened. When he saw Nightmare, he gave a small wave before flopping onto the couch and curling up under the blankets.
“Hey!”
Nightmare jumped and Dust practically flew off the couch, immediately grabbing the pocket knife he carried, manifesting a few blasters, and pointing them at the now wriggling blankets.
Nightmare just sighed, signaling Dust to calm down, “Ink, come out from under the blankets.”
After a few minutes of silence, the artist was heard quietly cursing before sheepishly poking his head out from under the blankets, “Um, hey Nightmare?”
Suddenly, another person emerged from the blanket as well, “It’s his fault, bruh!”
Nightmare just sighed again, pinching their eyebrows, “What have I told you about roughhousing outside of the gym and your own rooms?”
“Not to...” Epic and Ink responded simultaneously, both staring at the floor.
Dust just snickered, de-summoning the blaster and putting away his knife, “What is this, the seventh time you guys have broken something just this week?”
Ink stuck his tongue out at the other, getting rewarded with a similar action. 
“That doesn’t matter,” Nightmare said, “Ink, Epic, you two are doing extra chores this week.”
“What?!” Epic cried, “I didn’t even do anything, bruh!”
“Yes, because Ink decided to break the vase with no prompting.”
Epic just huffed and folded his arms, grumbling something unintelligible. Ink looked equally annoyed but seemed to accept what Nightmare said. 
“Oh yeah, Nightmare.” Dust suddenly piped up, “I think Error wanted you. Heard string say something about Reaper harassing strings.”
“Not again...” Nightmare muttered, walking off and leaving the other three to do their own thing.
On the way to where they believed Error was, Nightmare passed Dream’s room where he was helping Horror read a story Killer had gotten them for their birthday. It had taken a while for Horror to be comfortable asking anyone to help them read. They felt embarrassed that they couldn’t read on their own due to not only being slightly dyslexic, but also having poor vision. It always Nightmare happy to see somebody helping them. After a few moments, Dream looked up and saw Nightmare. He waved, smiling brightly and Horror glanced up, waving as well. Nightmare returned the gesture before continuing down the hall, they had a job to do.
“HI NIGHTMARE!”
Nightmare jumped, their tentacles instinctively sharpening and pointing towards whoever scared them.
“OH!” Blue cried before lowering his voice, “Sorry, I forget how loud I can be sometimes.”
After recovering from the shock Nightmare smiled, ruffling Blue’s hair, “It’s fine, you just surprised me.”
Blue beamed, giving them a hug, “OK!”
They returned the hug, giving the shorter and giving him a peck on the cheek before letting go, “Forgive me for my abruptness, but I have something to take care of at the moment. See you again later.”
And with that, they left a very flustered Blue standing in the middle of the hallway. Now, to finally find Error. They thought, a determined glint in their eyes. No more distractions.
“Sup Boss.”
Nightmare just barely suppressed a groan, “Damn it.”
Killer scoffed, “Well, I didn’t realize how little you liked my presence.” 
“You know I didn’t mean that.” Nightmare responded, continuing down the hall with Killer now practically skipping along behind them.
“Then what’s got ya’ so riled up?” Killer asked.
“I’m trying to find Error but I keep getting distracted by people.”
“Why ‘re ya’ trying to find strings?”
“Dust said something about Reaper harassing strings and I want to make sure Error doesn’t kill them.”
At that, Killer instantly tensed up, though he quickly hid his reaction, “Oh, you got any idea where string is?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
Killer didn’t respond, only speeding up and quickly overtaking Nightmare. In turn, Nightmare began speeding up as well to keep up with him. They expected Killer to become worried once he found out Error was even mildly inconvenienced. Dust and Horror were also very protective of the glitch. They all saw strings as a parental figure of sorts (Along with Nightmare). 
“Calm down Killer.” Nightmare said, reaching out and grabbing his shoulder.
Killer flinched and seemed to calm down a bit but he still radiated worry and anger, “Sorry, I’m just worried about strings.”
“I am too but you just need to calm down.” They responded, “It’ll be OK.”
Killer grumbled something but agreed following right alongside Nightmare.
“I wonder where-” Nightmare was cut off by a glitched out shout of frustration followed by a surprised yelp, “Found them.”
Killer broke into a run and Nightmare just walked along after him.
“Killer! Get away before I touch you!” Reaper cried, instantly stumbling backwards upon seeing the other.
Killer just scoffed in response and turned to Error who was still glitching slightly. It was obvious string was just frustrated with the pesky god, passive aggressively turning away from them.
Reaper finally steadied, brushing themselves off, “Well, that was an unexpected turn of events.” after regaining their composure, they turned to Error and did a dramatic bow, “Forgive me for my insolence my sweet cherry blossom.”
Error ignored strings blush and the fact that parts of strings were pixelating in and out of existence, “ץєคђ ฬђคՇєשєг, ןยรՇ ๒คςк ๏ŦŦ ๒єŦ๏гє เ ๔๏ ร๏๓єՇђเภﻮ ฬє ๒๏Շђ гєﻮгєՇ.”
Reaper took that as a win and grinned, spinning on their heel and walking down the hall, “I look forward to our next encounter beautiful~!”
“Sƚυριԃ ϝʅιɾƚყ Ⴆαʂƚαɾԃ.” Error muttered, though string wouldn’t deny the smile that tugged at the corners of strings mouth.
“You OK Error?” Killer asked, careful not to be too close without permission.
String nodded, “Yҽαԋ, αʅʅ Շђєץ ԃιԃ ɯαʂ ριʂʂ ɱҽ σϝϝ. Nσƚԋιɳɠ Ⴆιɠ.”
“They’re lucky I can’t touch them or else they’d be in danger right about now.” Was all he said, scowling at the floor.
Nightmare finally stepped forward, having just been watching the interaction, “Well, I’m glad nothing too bad happened.”
“Eαʂყ ϝσɾ ყσυ ƚσ ʂαყ σƈƚσρυʂ.” String responded.
Nightmare rolled their eyes, “My goodness, I thought we were over the whole octopus ordeal.”
“Never will be goop lord!” Killer said, instantly going from brooding to playful.
They sighed in disappointment before picking Killer up with a tentacle and motioning for Error to follow, “Anyways, it’s movie night.”
“Is it my turn?!” Killer asked, swinging his legs though being careful not to kick Nightmare.
“No, Cross.” 
Killer groaned loudly, “Oh come ON! You know full well he and Epic are gonna’ make us watch the Bee Movie again.”
Nightmare just shrugged, “I don’t make the rules.”
“YES YOU DO!”
“Irrelevant.” 
Error snickered quietly at their debate, “ʏօʊ ȶաօ ʄɨɢɦȶ ʟɨӄɛ ǟռ օʟɖ ʍǟʀʀɨɛɖ ƈօʊքʟɛ.”
“Bold of you to assume we aren’t.” Killer retorted.
“I’m pretty sure we all are.”
“Whatever.”
They walked in silence for a moment before Nightmare turned and rapped loudly on a nearby door, “Epic, Cross, stop making out and come to the living room. It’s movie night.”
After a few moments of frantic shuffling from inside the room, Cross opened the door, looking quite disheveled, “H-hey Nightmare, we’ll be out in a minute.”
Somewhere inside the dimly lit bedroom a frantic voice whispered, “Close the damn door, bruh!”
Killer burst out laughing, Error barely kept stringself from glitching out from laughter, and Nightmare chuckled before closing the door in Cross’s flushed face. 
“Oh they are NEVER living this down!” Killer wheezed and barely managed to pat the tentacle holding him, “H-here, just put me d-down, I need to go tell the other two.” he wheezed out.
Nightmare set him down and after a few moments of trying to catch his breath, he was off, jogging down the halls and calling for Horror and Dust. After he was out of sight, Nightmare turned to Error.
“So,” They started, “Are you SURE you’re OK?”
Error looked at them in confusion for a moment before nodding, “Yҽαԋ, ʝυʂƚ ɠσƚ ƈαυɠԋƚ σϝϝ Ⴆყ Rҽαρҽɾ. I'ɱ ϝιɳҽ ɳσɯ.”
“Alright,” Nightmare responded, giving strings a soft kiss on the forehead, “but if they ever make you uncomfortable just tell them to back off. They’re a clingy flirt but they know to respect boundaries.”
String was now a blushing mess and Nightmare reveled in that fact, deciding to fluster strings more. 
“I hope you know I love you.” They mumbled, moving closer to Error (Who thankfully didn’t move back)
String was glitching hard, not from how close the other was, but from how flustered strings was.
Nightmare decided to continue, embracing strings in a loose hug, “You’re so wonderful, I could never live without you.”
“₦-₦ł₲Ⱨ₮₥₳ⱤɆ...” Error responded and upon hearing how bad string was glitching, Nightmare backed off slightly.
After a few moments, string pulled them back into another hug, burying strings head into their shoulder. Nightmare was caught off guard but smiled and proceeded to hum quietly while holding the other. They occasionally gave more compliments just to see Error get flustered again while they both stood there in the empty hallway. After some time, Nightmare found themself wanting to make the other all the more flustered, just to see what would happen. They lifted a hand to strings cheek and moved strings so that they were face to face. The only warning Error got was a mischievous look in Nightmare’s eyes before their lips met. It was brief, nothing too long so as to not cause Error to crash, but Nightmare savored the brief moment.
After a few minutes of stunned silence, Error’s cheeks began to burn. String glitched sharply, trying not to crash as Nightmare began to regret the impulsive decision.
“Are you O-” Nightmare started but was stopped as Error, in a similar moment of impulsivity, kissed them again.
Now it was Nightmare’s turn to be caught off guard but they weren’t about to waste this. They kissed back and absentmindedly began fiddling with strings hair. 
That was until they heard the sound of a phone camera clicking and snickering from a bit down the hall. They both instantly looked over and saw Cross and Epic snickering as Epic pointed his phone at them. The effect was instantaneous. Error crashed, scratchy dial up noise filling the hall and Nightmare’s tentacles sharpened and pointed towards the other two as their cheeks turned bright red.
“Go.” Was all they said and Cross instantly grabbed Epic and sprinted down the hall, cursing as he ran.
Nightmare uttered a few curses themself and turned back to Error who was still rebooting. It took a minute but string eventually finished, blinking a few times to clear the lingering pixels and error signs.
“₮ⱧØ₴Ɇ Ⱡł₮₮ⱠɆ ₳**ⱧØⱠɆ₴!” String cried, the glitches returning for a moment before calming down.
“Calm down Error.” Nightmare said, barely retaining their own composure, “It’s not like they can even do much with that picture anyways.”
String muttered something incomprehensible before just groaning and resting strings head on Nightmares shoulder, “ƈǟռ ʏօʊ ǟȶ ʟɛǟֆȶ ƈǟʀʀʏ ʍɛ? ɨ'ʍ ȶɨʀɛɖ ռօա.”
“Of course.” They responded, doing something similar to what they did with Killer and carrying strings in their tentacles.
They had discovered that while physical contact still caused strings to glitch occasionally, somehow their tentacles didn’t seem to trigger it. So, of course, whenever Error crashed and was too tired to walk much, they would always carry strings in his tentacles. As they walked, Error sighed contentedly and buried strings head in the mass of pure negativity. Nightmare couldn’t help feeling proud that they found a way to practically smother Error while not hurting strings, something very few could accomplish. They eventually got to the theatre room where everyone was either chatting amongst themselves or engaged in the giant pillow fight occurring in the middle of the room.
“Are we watching a movie or...?” Nightmare said, their voice seeming to magically project to every corner of the room and quelling all the chaos.
“I’ll get popcorn!” Dream said, jumping to his feet and running to the kitchen as Blue and Horror followed. 
Nightmare sat Error down gently on the couch, making sure string was comfortable before moving around the scattered cushions and sitting next to strings. It took a few minutes for the other three to get back and by then, the movie was already chosen. As expected, it was the Bee Movie. Everyone was either howling with laughter or completely enraged by this development. The popcorn bowls were distributed across the couch and floor where everyone was sitting and the movie started. No one was watching the movie. Instead, they were all either talking or cuddling with the nearest person. Nightmare did the same and cradled Error in their tentacles along with Blue, who just happened to be sitting nearby, and reading a book.
The thing that snapped them out of the world of the thick novel was loud snickers coming from one side of the room. Killer, Horror, Cross, and Epic were all just barely keeping from bursting out laughing at something Ink was showing them. Out of curiosity, Nightmare reached out with a spare tentacle and snatched the sketch book, earning an indignant shout from Ink. They ignored it and opened the sketchbook, skipping past a few other, incredibly well done, drawing to what the other four were looking at. 
So to say that they were shocked upon going from a drawing of a forest the looked like it was a picture and not hand drawn to some horrible amalgamation of Barry B. Benson and Shrek was an understatement.
Error (Who just recently woke up) and Blue saw the drawing and started snickering as well. Nightmare just stared at it in disgust and confusion.
“I don’t understand why you waste your incredible talent on such horrendous things.” Was all they said before giving the sketchbook back.
“Whatever Mr. Grumpy Pants.” Ink huffed, holding the book close to his chest as if someone else was about to take it as well.
After the laughter died down they all returned to what they had been doing. It was still odd to many of them. The fact that some were sitting side by side with who used to be their mortal enemies was still a foreign concept but it wasn’t unwelcome. 
“Love you guys.” Dust whispered and everyone in the room looked at him in surprise.
After a few moments of Dust feeling incredibly self conscious about the fact that everyone was staring him down, Error responded.
“ʟօʋɛ ʏօʊ ɢʊʏֆ ȶօօ.” String said, cuddling closer into Nightmare.
A chorus of “Love you”s Rose from around the room as they all relaxed, enjoying the feeling of peaceful quiet. Well, at least until tomorrow when they were all reenergized and ready to cause more trouble.
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I FINALLY FISHING FINISHED OH MY GOSH
This took SO long to do (Almost completely because I procrastinated so long-) and I’m glad I finally finished it! 
I hope this makes yalls as happy as it made me while I wrote it :)
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krreader · 4 years ago
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the wrong victim | chapter 4.
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pairing: jeon jeongguk x reader fandom: bts ; mentions of exo warnings: gang!au ; non idol!au ; language ; blood genre: angst ; fluff word count: 2.3k+ previous: 1 ; 2 ; 3
summary: in which jeongguk accidentally kidnaps the wrong person and begs you to play the part of the one he actually had to kidnap, just so he could become a member of the famous Bangtan Boys. And, well, you were always a sucker for boys with a tragic past.
a/n: I can’t believe it took me nearly two years to update this, I am so fucking sorry, but writing a new part now made me realize how much my writing style developed over the years and I am pleasantly surprised tbh. anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this ♥
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“How is he?” everyone got up when Jin finally walked out with bloody hands that he wiped on a cloth, then brushing the sweat off his forehead with his arm.
“He's stronger than you all give him credit for. He's going to make it.”
Everyone in the room let out a relieved sigh, you plopping back down on the couch and brushing your hands through your hair, shutting your eyes so tight that you began to see stars.
What the hell were you doing?
You just got into a fight and shot someone - that deserved it -, to save the guy that kidnapped you, then afterwards, promising to stay with that same guy, just because you were afraid that it might be the last thing that he'd ever hear.
This was getting out of hand and what started as an action made out of the kindness off your heart had put you in a position that you didn't know how to get out of anymore and that scared you. And not just that, but you weren’t feeling guilty for what you had done. It was like... it had come natural to you. And that surely wasn’t a feeling you should be feeling after having hurt someone.
“By the way,” Jin looked at you, waiting for you to do the same, “He's asking for you. Might be nice for him to see his girl.”
Taehyung started laughing, Yoongi whistled, while the rest just smirked.
You didn't give any of them much attention, simply did what Jin had asked and walked into the room.
He had shut the blinds, one lamp in the corner of the room illuminated it only so much that you could see where you were going and where he was.
He was awake, but his eyelids were heavy. Though, despite all this, he smiled when he saw you.
“Hey..-”
“Don't you fucking hey, me,” you said angrily, “What the hell were you thinking? These guys were ten times taller than you and you just walk in and get yourself nearly killed?”
Jeongguk blinked at you a few times, then he chuckled, though quickly stopping and furrowing his eyebrows when that hurt his body, “You were worried.”
“Worried for my sake,” you lied, though at that time, you still told yourself that it was the truth and that you were worried merely for selfish purposes, “If you had died, it would be ten times harder to get away from here. And while we're having this discussion..-”
“You said you'd stay,” he interrupted you straight away, looking at you with wide eyes, almost disappointed already that you were thinking about breaking your promise.
“Listen to me,” you let out a heavy sigh and sat down on the bed next to him, “I don't know what kind of fucked up fantasy you have began to develop in your mind about me and you being in this criminal relationship..-”
“..-it's not about that..-”
“..- but it won't happen,” you crossed your arms in front of your chest, trying to act serious for his, but also your sake. It was like you had to tell him, but also yourself, “I said that because I didn't know whether or not you were going to make it. This has gone way too far and you know it,” you shook your head, “You got what you wanted, you're part of this wonderful gang that will definitely get you killed one day. I helped you, now you help me get out of here and get back to my boring life that I miss.”
“But do you actually?” he asked, then carefully sat up when you didn’t reply right away, “Because part of me thought you were actually beginning to enjoy this.”
You snorted, “Don’t flatter yourself.”
But this was the problem, wasn’t it? He could see right through you, despite not knowing you for that long. 
It’s not a life that you ever thought would suit you, but maybe..-
Before you could think about this much further, the door got opened and the rest of his members walked in.
“You two done fucking?”
“I hope that's not what you did, that's surely going to open up the stitches,” Jin said disapprovingly.
You simply gave Jeongguk one last look, then got up and walked out, leaving them alone with him.
“Oh, oh.. trouble in paradise?” Jimin sat down where you had just sat, “Is she mad that you nearly got killed?”
“Yeah.. something like that.”
“By the way, who is (Y/N)?” Hoseok asked with a cocked head, “It's what you called her back at the scene.”
Yeah, of course they wouldn't let that go.
“It's just a nickname,” Jeongguk lied as he shrugged.
“That's... a weird nickname, because it sounds like a normal name.”
“Why is that weird? You guys all picked western names too,” Taehyung crossed his arms in front of his chest, “She's just like the rest of us, so I don't see an issue.”
Taehyung would always come to his rescue and Jeongguk gave him a grateful smile for that.
“Yeah.. like us,” Namjoon repeated as he watched you sit down at the couch outside of Jeongguk’s room with a smile. A proud smile, “Maybe we were wrong about her after all.”
“Whatever. Right now, Jeongguk needs to rest,” Jimin smiled and ruffled his hair, “Sleep, kiddo.”
And even though he was out of danger now, he could not find any rest the entire night. 
Deep down, he knew that he had to get you out of here, rather sooner than later, before this could escalate any further. Because instead of looking at you disapprovingly, Namjoon had actually smiled at you before.. proudly, so. And even if Hoseok had said that he doubted Namjoon had meant it when he had said you were part of the gang now, he might begin to consider it now that you've proven yourself to be a good shot and saved one of his members.
And getting you out then would be ten times harder.
On top of that, there was still the matter of your mother. If you didn't show up eventually, she'd file a missing persons report and then once that reached the cops, it might lead back to them and then they'd all be in deep shit.
Bad enough that the cops had a pixelated picture of you stealing something, but Yoongi would be able to fix that, he always did and led the cops into a different direction.
But once your mother would file that missing persons report... there might not be such an easy way out anymore.
And so reluctantly, Jeongguk pushed aside the covers, keeping pressure on his wound to be able to walk steadily and make his way outside, but stopping when he heard you talk to... Taehyung? Who he was sure you hated?
“Here,” he handed you a glass filled with what Jeongguk assumed was alcohol, “You look like you need it.”
“I never understood why you're so nice to me when I've been nothing but an ass to you.”
“You're nice to Kookie, so I feel like I need to be nice to you,” he shrugged, “That boy has been through a lot, you know? And I know he's labeled as this playboy guy, but you might actually be the first girl that he has real feelings for.”
“Don't be ridiculous,” you snorted into your glass.
“No, I mean it. The way he looks at you and back in the car, it seemed like all that kept him alive was the thought of seeing you again. He didn't have anything or anyone before us, but now he has more to lose than just six gang members.”
“In case you forgot, he kidnapped me.”
“I think YOU are the one that forgets that sometimes,” he got up from the couch, “From what we've heard, you've never quite had the cleanest slate yourself, as much as you'd like to pretend that you did. There is this rumor.. Namjoon never told me anything, but I overheard him talking to Yoongi hyung. EXO wanted you for a reason. They heard about your talents and wanted to recruit you. And not just them. Any rivaling gang had their eyes on you. We just got lucky that we got to you first.”
“You make it sound like you think I'm here for good.”
“Sooner or later you're going to understand that this gang life with us isn't the worst thing that can happen. I heard about the dump you lived in before, but here? You could have everything you want. You could be everything you want to be. And most importantly... you could be with who you want to be. I know that Namjoon won’t keep you here forever if you truly don’t want to be here, so as soon as he’s sure that you won’t tell on us, he’d let you go. But I don’t think that’s going to happen, Soomin.”
And with that, he walked away.
You didn't see him, but Taehyung did and he winked at Jeongguk who had hid behind a wall when he passed by him.
He thought you might yell something like your usual: 'You're full of shit' after him, but you didn't. You just sat there and stared into your glass, before downing it in one go.
Because see, when someone calls you out on the things that you've been lying to yourself about, it was time to reflect.
And you had a lot of that to do.
Because as much as you hated to admit it... shooting the balls of someone that had deserved it, after years of watching the news and seeing what kind of assholes were out there... it made you think that maybe it was time to change sides.
That maybe, you were on the wrong side of the law.
And that maybe, your boring life that you so desperately claimed that you wanted to get back to, was actually just a cover-up for the truth.
That maybe, you did want to be a part of this.
But admitting that to yourself... it made you sick. Because you tried to tell yourself that you weren’t like that. Like them.
But what if you were?
Jeongguk slowly approached you, not wanting to startle you.
“If you want to leave... then I'll get you out of here.”
“What?” you furrowed your eyebrows, turning around to look at him, “So suddenly?”
“I was naive to think that you might actually stay with me and maybe you were right, maybe I really did make up this fantasy in my head,” he sat down next to you, noticing how your hand immediately reached out to help him, but then you pulled it back once you realized what you were doing, “But it just felt like my life was finally complete now. I had my six brothers and then destiny decided to put you into my life and suddenly I went from having nothing to having everything I could have ever wished for.”
You didn't respond to that, simply let out a heavy sigh.
“I'm sorry for everything that happened, (Y/N), truly.”
“Jeongguk. Can you give me my phone?”
“Wh..- What?”
“You guys took it from me when you brought me here. But I'd like to have it back.”
He wasn't sure this was a good idea. In fact, he was sure it was a terrible idea. What if you were going to call the cops now? Would serve them right, but.. could he take that risk?
“Why?”
“Please. Just give it back to me.”
It didn't seem like you were going to elaborate on what you were going to do with it, so after a few more moments of hesitation, he finally got up, walked away and came back a few minutes later with your phone in his hand.
Before letting go of it, though, he said: “Please don't take my family away from me.”
And then he slowly, very slowly, walked back into his room, hoping to hear whatever you were going to do next.
What you did do, however, surprised him.
“Hey mom. I know, I know, yell at me all you want, you have every right to do so. I am still alive, I'm well and I'm sorry I haven't called earlier. I actually have... good news! I got a new job! Yes, I know! It's a little farther away from the city so I had to commute and I was just so stressed and tired and didn't get a chance to just sit down and call and I know I should have but...- no, it's a good job, really! The co-workers are really nice and the boss... well, he's a boss, you know? Can be a bit of an asshole, but oh well. Anyways, I'm not sure if I can stop by on the 23rd like we agreed on, depends on my schedule, but if I can't, I'll definitely call again. Yes, mom. I promise. I won't go as long as I did now without calling. Okay. Yeah. I love you too. Bye.”
And as you ended the call and stared at the screen, you knew that he was still there.
He looked at you with wide eyes and an open mouth, not believing what you had just done.
Then you said: “Here's the new deal. I will stay... for now. I will however not be your maid anymore or whatever the hell that you brought me here for in the first place. I will do what I want to do. I will call my mother whenever I want to and I will be able to go out whenever I want to. I will not be a prisoner here anymore. If you want me to stay, then don't treat me like a kidnapped anymore.”
“Then... what do you want me to treat you like from now on?”
You got up, brushing over your clothes to straighten them out and once you did and stood tall again, you confidently said: “Like a member of your team.”
You just hoped that this was the right decision.. because like Jeongguk, if you decided to go down that path, there was no going back anymore.
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vegalocity · 3 years ago
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Comforting Hugs and (platonic) kiss on the cheek. Min Yi falls and gets a boo boo so Huntsman has to Comfort her, much to his discomfort. Cause what you wrote with Uncle Goliath was adorable so now it's Uncle Huntsys turn. - Pixel Anon
Affection meme
4. Comforting hugs
8. Kisses on cheek
Whoops i tripped and it turned into feels how'd that happen
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Huntsman had never wanted kids. He didn’t like kids, he didn’t trust kids, Kids always seemed to be more of a pain than they were worth.
Which was why he wasn’t particularly excited when everyone found out that Syntax had a kid. Some little wannabe detective whom was barely old enough for grade school yet somehow believed she was capable of solving any mystery handed to her but still needed to hold hands with a grownup while crossing the street.
Another thing he didn’t like about kids, they didn’t even have the skills to back up their egos.
The only positive thing he could scrounge together about Syntax's Daughter for a long time was that she seemed to be a rather tough kid. Always tripping and falling and scraping herself up in ways he was (pretty sure) a lesser child would have stopped everything to cry about, brushing the dirt off of her clothes and going back to whatever she was doing. At times Syntax or her aunt needed to pull her away and tell her to bandage up her injuries first and she’d protest over it.
So he’d give her that. She was tough.
That in no way meant he was alright with babysitting just because he was the only one without any plans tonight.
He’d be completely fair and say that he expected it tpo be a quiet night. The brat was in between ‘mysteries’ and was quietly working on one of her arts and crafts projects. He’d figured they’d have no real reason to interact until she’d tell him it was about dinner time and they’d… order in or something, he didn’t know what kids liked to eat.
But that didn’t mean he was okay with it just happening to him to be stuck with the brat all night until Syntax got home from whatever tech-related insanity the Monkie Kid and his ilk had pulled him into.
Though when he heard a yelp of surprise and pain, he’d assumed it was something like, the little gremlin tripping on her own socks or something and falling face first onto the floor or whatever. So he didn’t give it any mind as he continued to sharpen his lucky blade.
Though he didn’t hear any grumbles of annoyance as she continued on with what she was doing, or even laughter at her own clumsy actions. Then she was a little blur of black hair and pink jacket as she darted from the kitchen area to the bathroom, passing by as quickly and quietly as possible.
Now… That was… probably something….
The bathroom door shut with a thud, but he could pick up on sniffling and upset whimpering noises among the sounds of bottles clattering, every so often punctuated by more yelps of pain.
Then he smelled burning. It was coming from the kitchen and sure enough there was a skillet that had fallen to the ground, and a pair of eggs half sprayed along the stovetop, some parts very quickly turning to charcoal.
What had happened put itself together rather quickly and he cursed under his breath at the idiocy of children.
When he returned to the bathroom the whimpering had ended and was replaced entirely with the sniffling, and the rummaging of bottles was replaced with the running of the faucet.
“What are ya doing in there?”
“Nothing!”
“Bull. Open the door kid.”
“It’s okay! I’m okay!”
“Open the door before I break it. Minyi.” The child’s name felt weird on his tongue, but she had to know he was serious.
There was a pause, and then the door creaked open. The kid stood there, moving her hand from the doorknob to wipe at her eyes, the other hand held behind her back.
“You’re really gonna be a stupid kid and hide it from me?”
She rocked back and forth on her heels, her glasses were missing, probably dropped them when she ran in here, so she couldn’t hide her face like she usually did.
After another long pause where Huntsman debated what sort of threat he could make to a six year old without her father finding out about it and finalizing those vivisection plans he was sure he had squirreled away somewhere but constantly denied, the brat relented and held out her hidden hand, and sure enough the sleeve was rolled up to the elbow and the outer side of her hand front he base of her pinky all the way down to her wrist was an angry red.
“Dumb kid.”
She whimpered again and a fresh set of tears began to bubble out of her eyes and he rolled his. “Sit down. I’m not risking your Aunt’s wrath by not patching you up after you did something stupid.” The kid quietly did as instructed and sat on the edge of the bathtub as he opened the medicine cabinet. The burn cream was far too high up for her to have been able to reach.
She had started to cry properly now… Stupid kids crying their eyes out over dumb things.
“Please don’t tell Daddy or Auntie.” she squeaked out when he finally crouched in front of her, holding out a hand for when her own was placed in his.
“Why? You scared of admitting you burned yourself trying to make your own dinner instead of being the rational and smart kid they both keep saying you are?”
The brat kept crying as he finished wrapping up the wound until the entire area was covered over her left hand.
“I can’t cause any problems…” That… gave him pause.
Sure kids want to be good. They might be little shits but they rarely WANT to be bad kids. So if she’d said that she ‘wanted to be a good girl’ or whatever that would have made sense. But… ‘cause problems’?
“What are you on about?”
“Daddy and Auntie have enough problems, and I can’t be one too!” she looked up at him then, sniffing pathetically and hair falling in her face at her vehemence “I gotta be no problems at all! Cuz Cuz… I’m a trooper! And clever, and a delight to have in class!”
….damn here he thought obsessive perfectionism wouldn’t kick in until teen years.
“You’re six years old is what you are.” UGH… he knew what adults were SUPPOSED to do around crying children.
Didn’t mean he had to like it.
Huntsman offered his hand to the kid again, and she didn’t hesitate before sliding her uninjured one into his. He tugged her forward, and she stumbled until her little body collided with his. And to keep her from escaping he placed his other hand on her back. “Who ever told you you ain’t allowed to be a damn kid, huh?”
“Nobody…”
“Kids don’t just pick up ‘delight to have in class’ from nowhere, I'm guessing it was a teacher?”
“No!”
“Then who's messing with the development of clan young? It’s been decades since this clan has had any young, and if our only child in thirty years has had her development messed with…” the kid let go of his hand and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“...Nobody has to… people are always sayin' stuff about how scary it is that me an’ Auntie are the only humans in our family… that you an’ Uncle Goliath eat people… That Daddy used to be handsome but now he’s just….i forget the word… The teachers wanna keep an eye on me, they keep saying that ‘demon behavior’ might rub off on me. And it’s stupid!” She pulled away to look at him again and she’d stopped crying, her face pinched in a pout. “It’s stupid cuz you an Uncle Goliath are super cool! And Daddy is Daddy! But they’re all scared and they shouldn’t be. But…” she looked away again and Huntsman took the opportunity to lift her into the air to steadily walk them back out into the living room. “But if I start bein’ a problem then they’re gonna think its your guys fault. It’s not, but they'll think it. And they're gonna do bad things cuz they’ll think they gotta and It’ll be my fault because I made problems and I can’t make problems!”
….huh….
“Maybe I should show those grownups how right they are about how dangerous I can be, if it upsets you that much.” The kid looked back up at him and he made sure to bear his fangs properly. She’d probably get scared too and he could remind her how he and Goliath were actually in fact quite dangerous, and while her father would never dream of hurting her, those ladies probably had the right idea, too.
And then the little shit laughed at him.
“You’re silly.” But just like that her mood was better. She leaned in and before he could tell her to buzz off or drop her she pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thanks for bandaging me Uncle Huntsman. But I messed up the eggs still so I gotta make another dinner.”
“If you really don’t wanna cause problems-” he dropped her, she landed on the couch harmlessly. “-Just tell the grownup in the room that you’re getting hungry. Don’t just assume you know what you’re doing.”
She fingered the bandages on her hand again when she sat down properly in the seat. “Okay. Sorry Uncle Huntsman.”
“Just because you don’t want to cause problems doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. You’re literally a child.”
“Okay Uncle Huntsman.”
“Now out on one of your damn movies while I see if there’s anything edible left in this place.”
“Okay!”
More rebound than a beach ball apparently, that kid. Observant too, if she could connect probably idle chatter that… either teachers or parents of friends… would whisper about to not only her and hers, but also deduce the danger of her family being considered ‘scary’ and what she should do to combat it (whether it was a good idea or not)
He wondered how many of those scrapes she acted like she didn’t even notice were just her putting on a brave face because being seen as weak was suddenly something she thought she couldn’t afford to do.
… Minyi really was a tough kid, wasn’t she?
--
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thisbrokenmask · 5 years ago
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00:00
Title: 00:00
Pairing: Taehyung x reader
Genre: Fluff
Warnings: N/A.
Word Count: 2.2k
Song inspiration: 00:00 (Zero O’Clock)
A/N: It’s been a long time since I’ve written fanfiction, and this is the first time I’ve ever posted any of my writing on tumblr, but I hope people enjoy this and anything else I might post. I wanted to take part in ficswithluv’s Bulletproof Bingo Event as I used to write a lot of my old fanfiction in accordance with songs, so this is right up my street in terms of how I write. I also wanted to get back into writing again during the lockdown, and this gives me something to work to. I have my list at the ready, so we’ll see how many I can get through!
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No matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t get comfortable.
Your blanket felt too restrictive, curling around your ankles and clinging to the skin of your feet, yet a phantom breeze seemed to ghost over them when you tried dangling them over the edge of the bed. The pillows propped up between your back and your headboard seemed to vengefully slouch every time you got them just right, causing you to try and blindly rearrange them before you eventually let out a huff, turning around to push them back into place. The warm white light coming from the lamp on your side of the bed struggled to reach the pages of the book rested on your raised knees, but sitting even an inch closer made the printed ink glisten to the point of almost disappearing.
You knew you were tired. Your eyes were acting up even with your glasses on, refusing to focus on the words you were reading or pass them onto your brain, forcing you to reread the same sentences over and over to get them to register.
Your tiredness was just the latest addition to a long list of emotions that you could feel coursing through your body. The significance of today had been having more of an affect on you with each day that it had grown closer, and now that it was here it was hard to comprehend just how you were feeling. You were excited but nervous, relaxed that it was finally here but tense that something, somehow, might go wrong in some way. You had felt it all day in the way that a dull ache had slowly spread through your back and your jaw had gotten tighter with each passing hour that you’d been at work that day.
You glanced over the empty side of the bed next to you to check the clock that sat on the bedside table, trying to push down the clench in your heart at the sight of the undisturbed comforter and undented pillows.
23:09
Not long now, you think to yourself.
At some point in the next hour, Taehyung would be walking in through the front door and would make his way up the stairs and down the hall to the bedroom in which you now sat, and there he would fall back into your arms. After three months of video calls and texts that came through at all hours of the day, a consequence of his constantly changing time zone, it was safe to say you were both looking forward to seeing each other.
If you could stay awake, that was.
You shook yourself awake when you felt your eyelids start to close. Sitting up and stretching your arms above your head in a bid to give yourself that extra boost of energy you so desperately craved, you let your mind wander to consider what might happen in that moment that you saw each other again.
You knew there was a very good chance you would cry. As much as you’d assured him you were fine while he was away, you knew you’d been miserable more often than you’d admitted to Taehyung. Sure, you’d told him about the bad days at work and that time you’d forgotten your umbrella two days in a row and gotten caught in a downpour on both occasions.
But you’d kept from him the days when you’d just been sad. You knew it would break his heart to know you were sad and he wasn’t there to comfort you, to cheer you up any way he could, so you’d constantly assured him that you were fine; missing him, but fine. You could manage with the video calls and the selfies he sent you and you had plenty of pictures of the two of you together to look back on when you just really needed to see his face. Pixels were better than nothing, especially when he couldn’t just come home.
He’d worried enough already before the tour had even been mentioned that his career was too much for you, that he wasn’t able to give you the relationship he thought you wanted due to how time-consuming his job could be. He had grown so scared of losing you that he’d almost begun avoiding you, somehow believing that every time he saw you would be the time you’d call it quits. It had taken the rest of the members to get him to see sense, Jin firmly but lovingly telling him that he was pushing you away even more by trying to protect himself. You’d been together then, both of you in Seoul and seeing each other regularly, so there was no way you’d let him doubt your relationship when he was on the other side of the world.
You knew he must have known anyway, but the two of you seemed to have an unspoken agreement that you wouldn’t talk about it for fear of opening floodgates that couldn’t be closed again. You didn’t tell him about the day during his third week away when your manager called you into his office because even your colleagues had noticed the change in you. You’d been so sure that your ability to pull off a believable fake smile had almost been perfected by that point that you were surprised to hear the genuine concern in your manager’s voice. Of course, they didn’t know who your boyfriend was - if they had, it might have made much more sense to them - and so you’d tried to explain as truthfully as you could while still being vague enough to not give anything important away.
A quiet rattling of keys from the other side of the apartment broke your reverie, your book tumbling off your lap and down to the floor, immediately forgotten. The muscles in your legs twitched as you heard the door close again, debating whether or not you should run out and meet him when you heard the gentle shuffles of him putting his bag down and taking off his shoes as quietly as he could.
He probably thought you’d fallen asleep, you mused, 23:49 blinking back at you when you glanced back at the clock. You hadn’t realised you’d been lost in your thoughts for so long, but the building excitement in you made it easy to forget you had even been restless less than an hour ago.
A shiver ran up your spine and danced across your shoulders as you picked up on the sound of padded footsteps approaching. You couldn’t move your eyes away from the bedroom door if you tried, your mouth slowly curling up into a smile when you heard him hesitate outside the door.
He definitely thought you were asleep.
You saw his hair first, or at least the bright red cap that sat backwards over it and the tufts of blond that poked out from underneath as he slowly peeked his head around the door. That alone nearly brought a squeal into your throat, the reality of him actually being here hitting you full force, but it was silenced the moment his eyes met yours.
As soon as he realised you were not only awake but sat up and looking at him, he straightened up and pushed the door open wider to bring his body into the room, his face immediately breaking into a grin. You felt like you were shaking with the giddiness that was running through your veins, your mind so clouded with the thrill of him being here in front of you that you weren’t able to think about what you should do or say.
As if Taehyung even gave you a second to do anything anyway.
Pure joy bloomed in your chest when you heard his giggle as he threw himself onto the bed, his hands immediately finding your waist and pulling you into him. His face was buried in the crook of your neck before you’d properly wrapped your own arms around his shoulders, your legs immediately folding around his back to pull him in even closer to you. You could feel the sting of tears in your eyes despite the way your cheeks were already hurting from the size of your smile, your fingers desperately roaming to feel as much of him as possible, to prove this was real.
It was the first press of his lips against your neck that made the first tears fall as you looked up at the ceiling, one hand pushing the hat from his head and sinking into his hair and the other clinging to the back of his shirt. Your legs were already tangled up with his, all four limbs unable to keep still in their urge to feel as much of each other as possible.
Your shuddering breath caused Taehyung to pull his face away from your neck to finally look at you in close quarters, and when the lamplight hit him you could see how brightly his eyes were shining.
“Hey, baby,” he whispered, a small smile on his lips as he withdrew a hand from underneath you to gently wipe away a tear before slipping down to cradle your neck.
“Hey,” you managed back, laughing slightly as you wiped the right side of your face to catch the tears there.
“I missed you.” His eyes searched yours and a small crack threatened your heart when you realised he was nervous that this tour had been too much, too long for you to stay wanting him.
“I missed you, too,” you assured him, bringing your hand from the back of his shirt up and over his shoulder to gently cup his face, his eyes closing as he leant into the sensation with a sigh of relief. You took a moment to simply take in his appearance, noting how his jaw seemed a little bit sharper, the skin under his eyes a little bit darker. He’d been working so hard and you could feel an inexplicable swell of pride in your chest as you held his face in your hands at the knowledge that he did it all out of a love for his fans and his members.
“I love you,” his lips brushed against your hand as he spoke, his voice barely more than a breath as his eyes opened ever so slightly to gaze down at you.
“I love you, too,” you whispered back without hesitation, your right hand ghosting through the hair at his temples while the other came to rest at the nape of his neck. You noticed the tears threatening to fall from his eyes as he seemed to desperately take in every single millimeter of your face, as if he couldn’t quite believe he was finally back with you in the same bed, so you gently pulled his face towards yours to place a gentle kiss to his lips.
No matter how many times you’d thought about this moment over the last three months, even your strongest moments in your imagination could never mimic the feeling of absolute peace that washed over you when your lips met with his. It was as if you’d been holding your breath for the last three months, from the moment he’d last placed a kiss to your forehead in the airport up until now, and now you could finally breathe again.
“You okay?” The concern in Taehyung’s voice caused your eyes to drift open again, the immediate blur of light and hair alerting you to the fact that you were crying, just as you’d known you would. You let out a short laugh at yourself, feeling ridiculous as you tried to wipe your tears away. At the same time, Taehyung started peppering butterfly kisses over your face with a low chuckle, knowing that you were as overwhelmed as he was that the two of you were finally reunited. “I love you so much,” he murmured, nuzzling his nose against the crook of your neck in the way he knew tickled you, grinning proudly when you started giggling through your tears instead.
You desperately tried to escape his grasp as he started to tickle your sides, rolling away and into the side of the bed that had been untouched for so long, but Taehyung followed you unforgivingly, his own laugh growing louder the more you helplessly tried to wriggle away from his hands.
It wasn’t until a quiet ‘please’ escaped between your laughs that he relented, a smug grin on his face that he could still beat you in a tickle fight so easily, and he settled back into your arms with his head against your chest. You relaxed into each other, your breath recovering from your giggles and calming down into an easy rhythm that caused Taehyung’s head to gently rise and fall with your chest.
“I’m so glad I finally get to start a new day with you,” he murmured against your tummy and you couldn’t help the slight tip of your head as you looked down at him, confused, but he was looking away from you. You followed his gaze to look at the clock just as it ticked over to 00:00 and smiled, looking down at your boyfriend once more as your hands found his hair again.
“Me too, baby. Me too.”
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cosplayinamerica · 6 years ago
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A rather funny thing that happened while we were at AWA. We had just finished with a small photo shoot in the main lobby of the hotel when a police officer walked over to us and asked if we could come with him. At first, we thought maybe we had done something wrong, maybe we had stood in the wrong place or something. The officer led us to the front desk of the hotel where we learned we weren’t in trouble but instead, the desk clerks had wanted to get a closer look at the armor. Just about gave us a heart attack!
Jason, my husband, is actually the one who decided to give making a full suit of armor out of foam a try. I had recently roped him into playing Monster Hunter Generations on the Nintendo 3DS and he seemed to instantly fall in love with the game.
As we played the game together we kept talking about how neat it would be to create one of the armors in real life. After playing the game for a few months and getting the Zinogre armor, Jason told me that was going to be his next cosplay. If I remember correctly, I actually laughed when he said that. Ha, ha. I honestly thought he was joking since we had never made anything like the Zinogre Blademaster before.
Sure, we had done armor for me recently but, it wasn’t head to toe and the source material was all pixel based so we had to come up with a lot of the design ourselves. Jason was talking about making a full suit of armor and making it as accurate to the source material as possible.
After a few minutes of talking it over and realizing that he was dead serious I jumped onboard with the idea. We’ve been together long enough now that I know when Jason sets his mind to something, especially something artistic, it is going to turn out well and he is going to go all out on it.
We had just finished making armor out of Worbla for me and although we both liked how it turned out, we both knew that we could do better with a different material.
After doing a lot of research and looking at how other cosplayers had created amazing suits of armor, we decided that EVA foam was the way to go. All of the armor pieces, including the small finger pieces, are made of EVA foam. Jason created all of the patterns, I cut all the pieces out of foam, Jason then sanded all the pieces and used a Dremel tool to carve the organic detail into the foam. Once that was done, Jason glued all the pieces together that needed to be glued at that point before I began priming everything with several coats of Flex Bond.
After all the priming was finished, I put the base coats on all the pieces before handing everything back off to Jason for the beautiful detailed paint job. While Jason was working on that, I braided all the cord for the armor and also brushed a thin wash of brown fabric paint into the “grooves” of the braids to make them look more weathered and tarnished. Since everything was being hand painted it took much longer than we both had expected to finish the paint job.
To ensure that we could finish in time I got Jason to show me how he had started sewing the fur and took that on as my next mini project. It took a long while, and there were certainly points where we both just had to take a short break from the build, but we finally got it finished. When everything was finally completed we sealed it with non-yellowing spray varnish to ensure that the paint didn’t rub off.
Putting this armor together was an adventure. Thankfully we have always worked really well together and know that we can depend on each other to get a project finished. Oh! I did forget to mention one small detail. As Jason put it, the entire armor is held together with “snappy-doodles”, “thing-a-mabobs”, and “whatchamacallits”. Ha, ha. As you can tell, we pulled some late nights to finish the project.
The response we got at AWA was absolutely amazing and humbling. Jason couldn’t walk more than five to ten steps without being asked for a photo. We both were super happy with how the armor had turned out but hadn’t really given much thought to how it would be received at the convention. To say that we were blown away by the response would be an understatement. We love to create, so being able to see people react to what we have created in such a positive manner was great and really uplifting.
To anyone who stopped for a photo or to just ask us questions about how we went about making this armor, thank you. All of you made this AWA absolutely fantastic!
Cosplay has impacted my life in two major ways. Like most people, cosplay has helped me to open up. Growing up I was extremely shy and it was near impossible to get me to say anything around strangers.
After cosplaying for a few years I’ve noticed that I’m nowhere near as quiet and shy as I used to be. Cosplay has also impacted my life by allowing me to work with my husband on fun, artistic projects. Jason and I met in college and we used to work on projects together all the time.
Once we graduated and had to find work we had less time to work on things as a team. Cosplay has let us get back to working on big projects together and honestly, that’s the most fun part of cosplay to me. If I couldn’t work on cosplay with my husband it wouldn’t be anywhere near as fun and I’m not sure if I’d still be cosplaying.
If you are interested in cosplaying jump in and start. Don’t let the thought of, “I’ll never be as good as so and so”, keep you from cosplaying. We had several people at AWA tell us that they wanted to cosplay but were afraid to because they would never be able to create something like the Zinogre Armor.
We all start somewhere and if you saw our very first cosplays you’d see that we’ve come a long way. Just like anything in life, it is just a matter of practice. So, as long as you keep working on cosplay and always have fun with it you’ll be able to create an awesome cosplay.
---- https://www.instagram.com/sombrasuzaku/ and https://www.instagram.com/foster.jasc/
photo: https://www.instagram.com/gbghcosplay/
Shopping on Amazon? Use my affiliate link : https://amzn.to/2TG2ioU
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producerguk · 7 years ago
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pendulum
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→ pairing: jeon jungkook x reader 
→ genre: angst.
→ warnings: swearing.
→ word count: 3,5k 
:: the one where you get your heart broken after some rumours. 
→ a/n: this is the first piece of writing i’m sharing. i would also like to thank @kathrynwynterbourne, @btsflufflysmut, @pinqaliqo, @blueliab, @rilakoya and @jimins-light for helping me during the process. i hope you enjoy it.
→ playlist
 Sitting alone at the table designed for eight, you'd lost count of how much wine you had. You weren't a lightweight, far from it, but lately, wine was the only drink that could calm you down. And boy, did you need to be calm.
It's not like you hadn't been warned. In fact, from the moment you announced his name to your parents, you knew you were doomed. Of course, a flicker of recognition appeared in their eyes, just to assume the darkest tone you'd ever seen less than ten seconds later. 
 But you were young and completely enthralled by the way he'd looked at you across the room, his doe eyes shining brighter than any star in the night sky. He made your stomach flip when he touched you, his warmth sending shivers throughout your whole body. You were completely in love with the way his hands ran through your hair in the middle of a movie marathon, his chest so still and comfortable under your head, much better than any pillow you could ever buy.
You loved the way he sang while making breakfast, swinging his cute butt to the beat playing in his head, with nothing but sweatpants on. Or the way his eyebrows scrunched together when he was in deep thought, a little pout forming on his sweet lips, that never failed to stop time.
You fell even more in love when he would notice that you weren't fine as soon as he saw your face, asking right away what was wrong but not pressuring you into telling him, just bringing you closer and wrapping his arms around you, letting you sob into his chest. Even more when he came home and would just throw himself around you, in any way he possibly could, as if he’d been gone for years and not just a couple of hours, not letting go until he was dead-ass hungry or something.
You didn't even fight often but when you did, it was over silly things like who would get the last serving of food, who had cheated on the game or who loved who more. You were happy when your parents abandoned their judgments and opened their hearts to the man who had yours right in his hands. And it didn't take long until he had theirs as well.
So you just couldn't wrap your mind around what had happened or why. And that's why you were fighting to keep your eyelids open after so much alcohol and so little food. You needed an answer and the only way you could get through with the confrontation was if you had no filter on.
Your butt was already numb from sitting in the chair for so long, but you only moved to the couch when the wine ended. Your heart was broken and you were butthurt, but you’d be completely damned if you spilled a single drop of the red remedy on your recently bought white couch.
You turned the TV on just to check the time since you had thrown your phone right into the wall when you read the rumours, smashing it as if it were your own head instead. Because you were told that would happen sooner or later, and yet you chose to stick with your feeling.
Your eyes locked on the white pixels, making your heart race. It was a little past three in the morning and you hadn't heard a single thing from him since all hell broke loose right on your doorstep, not even two days ago.
“I’m so fucking stupid,” you mumbled to yourself, throwing your head back on the arm of the couch and curling up into a ball, letting all you kept inside rush out on your face through tears.
You cried yourself to sleep that night, with nothing but the white noise of the TV to keep you company.
You were awakened by the smell of recently brewed coffee and bacon, but you didn't open your eyes. The sour taste on your mouth reminded you of all the bottles of wine you had chugged alone and the reason behind it, quickly setting that awful weight on your chest and over your shoulders, even though you told yourself you were already numb. The sound of footsteps soon followed until it stopped right beside you, although you kept your eyes shut in an attempt to delay the inevitable.
Cold fingers soon ran along your scalp, while his other hand brushed soft patterns on your arm, his cologne intoxicating you and his warm lips leaving soft kisses on your face. For a moment, you almost smiled. For a moment, your heart raced, with the warm feeling on your belly causing shivers to run through your body.
“Hey, I made you breakfast,” Jungkook said when he noticed you had opened your eyes, subtly rejecting his warmth as you clung more to the fabric of the couch than his embrace.
“Thanks,” you murmured, bringing your knees to your chest while he offered you the mug of coffee, an anxious look painted on his bare face.
You took your coffee strong and without sugar, so anything slightly different from that could ruin your whole day. He knew that from the first time he dared to surprise you with breakfast in bed, the drink so sweet that it almost had you spilling it all over your white bed sheets. Now, anytime Jungkook would decide to make you a surprise involving coffee, he’d watched expectantly to see if it was to your taste. He loved to see you close your eyes and inhale the scent as deep as you could, the warm drink settling in your stomach and eliminating any trace of sleep left.
Jungkook let out a breath he didn't know he was holding when you eagerly took another sip, unaware of how badly you wanted to get rid of the sour taste.
“Your friends were here yesterday?” he asked softly, wiping away the stains of mascara under your eyes.
“What?” you asked, cocking an eyebrow at him.
“The bottles of wine left on the sink”, he explained, giving you a sweet smile. “I mean, I know you could drink it all and probably not even get a bit tipsy, but you don't have any reason for that, right? It just makes more sense.”
You could nod and give him a smile and a made up excuse your friends certainly would back it up. You could pretend nothing ever happened and keep yourself happy, on the same routine you had grown so fond of. You would get over it eventually, you knew you could.
Jungkook was offering you a way out of all the heartbreak and pain. You both knew that. His eyes were still wide, and he couldn't stop biting his bottom lip. His anxiety wasn't over the coffee. He knew you were aware of what happened and that didn't surprise you one bit; it's not like you had been hiding it, anyway.
“You wish, huh,” you mumbled, giving him a half-assed smile that didn't meet your eyes.
You could, but you wouldn't.
It wouldn't be fair to yourself to live a lie for someone else. It wouldn't be fair because it was against everything you believed in. It wouldn't be true.
“So, when were you going to tell me?” you asked, putting the mug down on the rest table. He didn't say anything, locking his eyes on the wooden floor. “Or you weren’t going to? Because you didn't.”
“I didn't mean it, I-”
“You what, Jungkook?” Your tone was higher, but you didn't mind. “You fucked her by accident? You were forced? For fuck’s sake, just take responsibility.” His head snapped at you, his eyes filling with tears, gulping hard at your words.
“Can I explain?” he asked, mimicking your position with his knees close to his chest.
“Go ahead, there's nothing I want more,” you said, not even flinching when his eyes met yours. You were numb, despite what his touch and caring led you to believe.
He took a moment to arrange his thoughts, but you didn't take your eyes away from his figure. You should’ve guessed this was bound to happen, no matter what he led you to believe. Jungkook was much more than you could’ve had. He was beautiful, talented, successful and gentle. Heads turned every time he walked into a room, eyes fixating on his every move as if just blinking could tear them away from never-ending happiness. He just had this aura of peace around him, that seemed to embrace everyone around him, even if in situations like this one. He could make anyone drop to his knees with so little as a tilting of his head. He could have anything he wanted handed to him in a matter of seconds. Jungkook could have anyone.
You should've known better.
“I’m not going to give any excuses,” Jungkook started, shifting on his seat. “And I don't want to hurt you more than I already did, so please, if it's too much just tell me to stop and I-”
“Get this over with,” you interrupted him, ignoring the uncomfortable warmth on your chest. “I don't want to know everything, but I deserve to. It's the least you can do.” He flinched at your harsh words, not failing to notice your cold tone.
“I thought I didn't love you anymore.”
His eyes didn't move away from yours, watching attentively to your every reaction. It was your turn to flinch, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Biting your tongue to not cut him off again, you tried to ignore the tight grip his words left around your neck.
“I thought I didn't feel the same anymore. We saw each other every night, fucked every other day and that was it. You didn't talk to me like you used to, or-,” he sighed, trying to sound as distant as he could.
“We talked about everything, Jungkook. Don't try to blame me for your fuck ups,” you interrupted him, voice filled with anger. “Or did you suddenly forget about all the nights I sacrificed my sleep to listen to you rant about how fucking awful it is to get paid to live the dream?”
“It’s not about me, though,” he continued, ignoring the way your eyes carved holes in his head. “You never talked to me about anything. Every time I got the chance to learn about your day, you’d shut me out. I wanted to go out, but then you’d be sleeping like a fucking bear. I wanted to be with you and you were out with your friends; and you didn't even bother to invite me.”
“How could I invite you when you’d fall asleep five minutes after you got home? Did you want me to fucking overwork you? What the fuck, Jungkook.”
“It's not about that!” He screamed, staring at you wide-eyed, his chest rising and falling rapidly with his erratic breathing. “I thought you didn't love me anymore, so I didn't want to love you at all! I fucking begged Jimin to take me with him to one of those motherfucking clubs he's always at. I drank more than I probably should and I found a girl completely different from you. She wore those dresses that are supposed to be sexy, but it ends up leaving half of her ass uncovered, and she bit her lips like it was supposed to be fucking hot, though it was pathetic, at best. And she was everything you would never be.”
You didn't interrupt him this time. You were too busy fighting your own tears to try to fight him. His words lacerated your heart. They tugged so deep into your heartstrings that you weren't sure you could ever recover.
“So I went and I fucked her. In the bathroom, on Jimin’s car and at her house. I wanted to get you out of my system because I was sure you already had me out of yours,” he didn't stop when tears traveled down his face or when his voice cracked, almost as if he was the one being choked and not you. “But I couldn't because you were on my mind all the fucking time. I didn't even cum once, for fuck’s sake.”
“Stop,” you begged, your voice not louder than a whisper over your sobs. “Please.”
You were both crying your hearts out in front of the other. You wanted nothing more than to close the distance between you and feel his warmth against you, his arms wrapping so tightly around you as his way of telling you he would not, and he could not, let you go. You wanted to kiss him and to apologize for ever letting him think you didn't want him. You wanted to embrace him and promise him that everything would turn out okay, that you both could get through that and grow together.
But the only thing you did was hug your own knees and drop your gaze to your jeans, not able to hold his and your own feelings anymore.
You didn't know how much time had gone since you begged him to stop, but by the headache threatening to settle, you figured it had been a lot. The silence between both of you wasn't in any way uncomfortable or unbearable, despite everything. It was probably because he was still there, you thought. If you stretched out a hand, he would take it. If you closed the distance, he would take you. If you kissed him, he would kiss you back. If you said that you loved him, he would tell you he loved you just as much. If you said it was okay, he would never let you go.
You knew why he did it, even though you didn't want to acknowledge it. You knew you had shut him out after he came back from tour because you felt you could never be enough for him, although he would stay up all night, despite the time zone he was in, talking you out of your worries through FaceTime, just so you could see he meant every word he said.
But when he came back beaming with happiness and so full of stories and passion for everything he’d seen, you couldn't help but feel disposable. You could never give him such happiness. Then, you believed he could never love you as much as he loved his job.
So you went back to going out almost every weekend with your friends, filling the emptiness you felt with alcohol and food and came home to an empty bed, because he was still working for the comeback. On his free days, you were too busy with paperwork that you willingly let accumulate, or going through awful hangovers that kept you within a foot of the toilet, and a teasing Jungkook to take care of your mess.
He never questioned you once. Instead, when you were too drunk to make it to the bed, he got up and took you, making sure to give you pills for headache and a whole bottle of water, cuddling with you after you succumbed to sleep. So you thought he didn't care that much with the way things changed. You chose to believe he didn't mind at all.
But now, hearing his sobs and staring at his swollen face, you wanted to beat yourself up for it. Because you were just as much at fault as he was. Yet, you couldn't bring yourself to say something.
“You saw it on TV?” he asked, his voice raspy and cracked, wiping his tears away.
“Your fans mentioned me like crazy on a tweet and then Yoongi texted me saying he was going to beat you up.”
“He tried to,” he said, with an embarrassed smile. “But Jin cut him off and took me out of the practice room before anything happened.”
“I would’ve told him he didn't need to, but I smashed my phone before that.” You told him, looking back at the wall that had to face your anger.
“I’m not surprised, you were always hot headed,” he smiled, truthfully this time.
“You're not wrong, but come on, if you were in my place you would've done worse.”
“She snapped a photo of me, somehow. I didn't see when she did, but then Jimin broke down the door of my studio shoving his phone at my face and then all hell broke loose.”
“What was her name?”
“I don't know,” he said, scratching his neck. “I don't think I asked.”
You were doing good, so far. It amazed you how you could still keep a civil conversation with him. The tears on your face had dried and although it felt like a weight had been lifted off your shoulders, the air surrounding you didn't resemble harmony.
Would he have ever told you if he hadn't been taken by surprise? Or would he have let things go on like before he had fucked her?
“I was trying to figure out a way of telling you when Jimin almost broke half of my shit. Taehyung almost hit me, too.”
“Yeah, it's not like you didn't deserve it,” you laughed, taking a sip of your now cold coffee. “But it shouldn't have happened.”
“None of it should,” Jungkook said, sitting more closely to you, throwing his head back on the couch.
“It did, though,” you reminded yourself when he took your hands in his.
You were so weak for him, and he fucking knew that. Jungkook could probably shoot you and you would forgive him, jumping in his arms at the first chance you got. His lips were red after all the crying, and yet all you could think about was to drown yourself in them, in him.
He leaned down to press a kiss against your forehead and the uneasiness settling in your belly made you remember no matter how badly you wanted him, you shouldn't.
Had he done that to her, before he left her house? Jungkook said it’d been just a fuck, but did his heart race when he was fucking her? Did he leave marks on her body? Did he moan for her like he did for you? Did he remember how she moaned his name? Did he fuck her like he fucked you?
The hands wrapped against yours had roamed her body, touching her everywhere. The lips still pressed against your forehead had been on her lips and god knows where else.
You backed off, not able to shrug the feeling. Jungkook seemed so broken when you got up, his hands still where yours were supposed to be. You found yourself fighting the tears back once more.
“What can I do to make it right?” He asked, his voice cracking.
“You can't,” you forced yourself to sound certain.
You wouldn't be able to live with yourself around him, no matter how brief their encounter was. He had been with someone else and that fucking broke you. You would see the faceless woman every time he touched you. His warmth was what could heal you, but how could he touch you without bringing her ghost back to haunt you?
“____, please, there must be something I can do,” Jungkook begged, getting up from the couch. “I’m so fucking sorry. I’ll do anything, please!”
“I can’t do this to myself,” you let out, wiping your tears away angrily. “I’m just gonna see her every time you’re around me and I already have too many ghosts haunting me to hold yours too.”
“You won't do it alone, I love you,” he tried, leaning against the wall. “I’ll do everything I can to make you forget this, I swear.”
“I love you too, but I have to love my sanity more, Jungkook,” your voice cracked and you weren't able to look at him anymore.
“I love you more than anything, please,” he begged once more, his voice no louder than whispers followed by choked sobs.
“You can sleep here, I’ll stay with one of my friends,” you were desperately trying to find your wallet, cursing your drunk self when you found it on the dining table.
“I love you so fucking much.”
“I’ll have my things out by the end of the weekend, okay?” you announced, opening the door.
“Please.”
“I don't hate you, Jungkook,” you said, trying to comfort him while forcing yourself to get out of the place you used to call home. “But I can't do us anymore.”
You wanted to say you understood and you forgave him. You wanted to say you loved him and nothing he did could ever change that. You wanted to say he would be okay.
“I’m sorry,” was all you said, before closing the door behind you and allowing yourself to collapse in tears outside, fighting for air.
The vision of him leaning against the wall with his arms wrapped against his own frame and ugly tears staining his face fucking killed you. You couldn't deal with having caused him such pain.
You forced yourself off the wall and ran out of the apartment complex because you knew you were on the verge of knocking the door down and taking him in your embrace.
 “It's gonna be okay,” you mumbled to yourself, hugging yourself.
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askeeveelutions · 6 years ago
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A friend asked how I made those little sprites (I kept forgetting to re-do) so I decided to make a tutorial on how I do my sprites and post it here for others to see as well! For this tutorial, I’ll be using Paint Tool SAI... which you can get right here if you don’t have it yet! (It’s a download link and instructions!)
First things first! You wanna start off with a 100 x 100 sized canvas for your sprite.
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Perfect! Now for the next step. You then draw a sketch of your character choice in this tiny little box!
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It’s Cube! Here’s the brush I used just in case anyone wants it! Make sure the brush size is tiny too!
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Next you’re going to outline the sketch by using this binary brush! Here’s the settings for this as well.
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To erase those pixels, click this thingy to erase!
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Your sprite should look like this now!
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Now color it in!
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Perfect! Now for the talk frame. It’s very simple! Just add in a few pixels, color in the mouth, and that’s it!
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Next up is the blinking animation!
This one is also simple to do! The way I do it, I don’t use each individual pixel to lower the eyelids. Instead, I go down one pixel then skip the rest to close the eyes. (Terrible explanation, I know. I wasn’t sure how to explain this part!). I’ll show each frames on how I do it for anyone who wants to use this as a reference! The bars next to her eyes is a reference to see how many pixels I skipped/used.
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First frame. (None skipped/used.)
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Second frame. (One pixel down.)
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Third frame.This is the frame where the eyes close! Easy right? Now time to put these frames together! Don’t forget to save each frame into .png format AND clicking this option to make them transparent!
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Time to put these frames together to make a gif! I use this website here. The frames are organized like this. [1st Frame > 2nd Frame > 3rd Frame > 2nd Frame > 1st Frame > 1st Frame until there’s 25 frames all together] Make sure the animation speed is 100! Everything should look like this!
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Save this as a gif and you’re done! It should look like this.
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Time for the talk animation! This one is also easy. The format is like this. [1st Frame > 1st Frame > 2nd Talking Frame > 2nd Talking Frame > 1st Frame > 1st Frame > 2nd Talking Frame > 2nd Talking Frame > 1st Frame > 1st Frame > 2nd Talking Frame > 2nd Talking Frame > 1st Frame until there’s 25 frames all together] (Sorry if there’s so much!) Don’t forget to make the animation speed as 100! You can throw in a blink animation in there while you’re at it too! It should look like this.
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And that’s it! I hope this tutorial was simple enough to understand!
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mollymauk-teafleak · 6 years ago
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my heart is hitting the ground (Chapter One)
An urban fantasy/college Widomauk AU! Many many many thanks to the wonderful @minky-for-short for getting me into this podcast in the first place and workshopping this fic with me. Also enormous thanks to the amazingly talented @rabdoidal whose fantastic art this fic is based on but I could honestly write a multi-chapter fic on every bit of fan art he’s ever done, it’s all that great. 
Please consider reblogging and leaving me some feedback!
Ao3 | Ko-fi
Caleb Widoghast isn't the kind of guy who blows off studying and goes out a lot. He isn't the kind of guy to get too drunk at the gig for some college band he's never heard of. He isn't the kind of guy to fall hopelessly in love with the tiefling singer of said band and flirt with him after way too much whiskey.
Caleb Widoghast wakes up to find that, last night, he did exactly that. And now he has to deal with the fallout.
The night before came back to Caleb in pieces, each one worse than the last.
The dry mouth. The pounding headache. The fact that he was still wearing jeans under the covers but no shirt at all. The ringing ears.
He moaned and pushed the hair back from his forehead, wrinkling his nose at the almost immediate reek of whiskey. Why the hell was he drinking whiskey, he never…
And then the last piece fell into place. And Caleb seriously considered diving back down underneath his blankets and never emerging again.
“Good morning!”
Of course, no knock preceded his bedroom door flinging open with a bang that made his eardrums throb, the only person it could be was Nott and courtesy wasn’t her strong suit. They’d known each other too long for that.
“I am…struggling to see what’s good about it,” Caleb groaned, pulling a face as the sound that came out of him sounded more like the last gasps of a dying squeaky toy.
Nott smirked at him from the cavernous hood of her sweatshirt, “M’kay, before you ask, let’s just do this all in one. Yes, you did get horrendously drunk. Yes, it was bad. And yes, Beau has video.”
Caleb slumped back into the tangled mess of his bedding, whimpering pathetically, “That’s it. I’m done with civilisation. I’m going to live in the woods and be a hermit and never speak to another person ever again. They will tell tales of me…”
Nott snorted, scrambling up on the end of his bed, “Aw, don’t be so dramatic. Beau had a few herself, it’s all shaky, you can barely see anything,” she took a sip of her tea, “Jester’s the one that got the really good shot…”
Caleb moaned again, louder as if making a point, dragging one of the pillows over his head.
His roommate couldn’t contain her giggles, though she tried to discreetly direct it into her mug, “The night wasn’t a total waste. You really seemed like you were having fun after about the third whiskey and coke. And you were really digging the band…”
Caleb threw his arm from his protective nest of blankets, accusatorily, “No! No, we are not talking about that!”
Nott held up her hands, “Hey, we all thought it was adorable! The way you kept ordering drinks so you could stand closer to the stage, I don’t think you ever heard a word anyone said…we knew you liked that kinda grungy, indie shit but we didn’t know you liked it that much!”
“Nott, I swear, I will kick you off this bed,” Caleb tried to snarl but it came out as more of a whimper, “Can you please take pity on me and make me some coffee?”
“Wish I could, big guy, but we’re all out,” the young goblin shrugged regretfully, “I think you used the last of it to get you through your last deadline.”
Caleb gave another miserable, frustrated groan, now at the world at large rather than Nott. That was just typical.
“Fine…fine, I’ll go get some,” he mumbled, trying to make his head stop throbbing long enough for him to tell up from down and roll out of bed, “Fresh air. it’ll be good for me. I think.”  
“There ya go, positive attitude,” Nott grinned her ear to ear smile, hopping lightly back to the floor, somehow not spilling a single drop of tea to the carpet or, at least, what of it was visible beneath the piles of clothes and notebooks.
Her large ears pricked up as Caleb’s phone gave an annoyingly bright chirp, her smile turning playful and crooked, “If you need a refresher on what happened that night, I bet that’s it.”
Caleb frowned, pawing on his dresser until he found his phone, squinting blearily at it. Sure enough, there was a flurry of messages from his friends, a few pictures that seemed to show nothing but blurs and vague shapes that maybe could be him twirling around lampposts and trying to climb up onto a table. And a video. A few videos actually.
He felt his heart twist with that familiar and unpleasant acid of embarrassment as he studied the thumbnail of the first one. The purple tiefling, the singer, in all his colourful and coiffed glory, somehow still looking as drop dead gorgeous as he had the night before, even when recreated in blocky pixels. He was leaning against a large stacked speaker, an unmistakeably bemused expression on his face while some bedraggled, stooped hobo looking guy clung to a table for balance beside him. Caleb pinched the bridge of his nose and tossed the phone over his shoulder (though he was tempted to aim for the window) as it sunk in that it was him.
He hadn’t meant to go over and actually talk to the guy. He’d been perfectly content staying squeezed in between Fjord and Beau, subtly drooling and moony eyed over the front man who alternated between yelling his expletive filled song titles over the clamour of the close, smoky darkness of the bar and singing in a rough, low growl that had done things to Caleb that he really wasn’t ready to admit to. That would have been a perfect plan, maybe he’d daydream about him for a few weeks and months after before accepting that the tiefling was so far out of his league that it wasn’t even funny and sinking back into school work and vague loneliness.
But Caleb had found himself drifting back to the bar, where the view of the singer (Mollymauk, that was his name, Caleb wasn’t likely to forget it any time soon) with the spotlight hitting his exquisitely tattooed chest just right, looked like something from a goddamn renaissance painting. Instead of his usual half pints of what his friends insisted were pretentious hipster beers, Caleb had found himself ordering jack and cokes, eventually graduating to straight whiskeys after a while, hoping that the singer might notice and think him some cool cowboy type rather than the nervous exchange student in rumpled flannel that he was, who could launch into a full-on lecture about the benefits of different brewing techniques if given the slightest nudge.
Caleb blamed the whiskeys and the urging of his friends for the incredibly bad decision that followed the end of the set. He didn’t remember his words exactly, he just remembered a powerful need to go and tell this Mollymauk of the beautiful voice and extravagant dress sense just how much he’d loved his music. And he really had. He’d loved the rawness of it, the clever twists in the lyrics that sent the song suddenly careening in a direction no one would have guessed. He loved its simplicity, just that voice echoing through the underground bar and a simple guitar accompaniment from a very tall woman who’d had Beau staring in a very similar way to Caleb (he wondered why she wasn’t getting any shit for that…and then quickly realised it was probably because she hadn’t made a colossal ass of herself afterwards and because Beau getting heart eyes over a woman she’d only just met was nothing new). Caleb had never, ever found any music that had spoken to him like this stuff did; it make him feel less alone, less broken, less of an outsider. It had been a stronger magic to him than anything he read about in his schoolbooks and he’d fallen for it, hard and devastatingly.
All that would have been a great thing to tell Mollymauk, when Caleb had come staggering over from his table to where the tiefling was packing away his microphone. Unfortunately, what had come tumbling out of his mouth, as far as he could remember, was something about his music being so good that it had ‘given him a boner in his heart’.
Caleb thanked every god he’d ever heard of that he didn’t remember Mollymauk’s reaction, feeling a sickness in his stomach that had nothing to do with his hangover.
“Did you get the one of you doing Singing in the Rain in German?” Nott chirped happily, still in the doorway, swaying in her sweatshirt so long it brushed her knees, the one she always wore, “I never knew you had such a good voice.”
Caleb grumbled at her, glaring with bleary eyes, waving his hand dismissively, “Go. I need to shower…why do I need to shower so bad?”
“Oh,” Nott shrugged, “Probably because you climbed into the dumpster thinking it was the cab.”
Caleb dragged his hand through his long hair, which had taken on the consistency of a reddish brown, greasy birds nest, “Do us all a favour, Nott, and just leave me in the gutter next time. This was an absolute disaster.”
His roommate gave him a look he didn’t understand before disappearing around the corner, “Are you sure?” she called behind her.
That look and those words continued to confuse Caleb until he was in the bathroom, wondering if he should just burn his clothes and have done with it, when he caught sight of his own reflection above the sink. Not a pretty sight on any day and even less now in Caleb’s opinion, but his aching eyes were distracted. By the series of numbers written on his forehead in a flourishing hand, in thick black Sharpie.
Ah. Now Caleb remembered pressing the pen into Mollymauk’s hand, asking him to write his number on his head so he wouldn’t forget it. The wizard slumped, letting his head knock against the cold porcelain of the sink.
Being a forest hermit was sounding more and more tempting every second.
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hydrus · 3 years ago
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Version 461
youtube
windows
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macOS
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linux
tar.gz
I had a great week doing a lot of background cleanup work, and I also fixed some things and improved some quality of life.
highlights
I brushed up last week's .clip file metadata parsing. Some clip files were getting too-small resolutions and thumbnails due to a 'canvas unit' issue, basically some clips store resolution in mm or inches etc... rather than pixels. Thanks to a user who also provided some great examples, we managed to pin down a solution to get actual pixel resolution, and I also figured out duration and number of frames for animated clips. All clips will reparse again on update and generate nicer size thumbs if they need it.
Also, if you ever got a webm that seemed normal except it somehow had a crazy 7 hour duration, I think I figured out the problem here too. All superlong-but-actually-small files will be reparsed on update and should get a more accurate duration.
When you right-click on tags in the taglist, the 'search' submenu now provides actions to require/exclude 'namespace:anything' if your selection all shares the same namespace.
Also, as a little test, I am trying out a new quiet shortcut on the file selection taglist. If you now hold down control when double-clicking or hitting enter on tag(s) here, they now go up to the search negated. Double-click = 'add tag to search', ctrl+double-click = 'add -tag to search'. Of course ctrl+click is awkward since it can cause a deselection, so I think this could do with some more work, and eventual integration into the shortcuts system so you can change it as you like, but let me know what you think. A user recommended adding the +/- buttons as you see on some boorus, so this is my interim step towards that.
When you paste query texts into the edit subscription dialog, if any of the texts you paste are already in the subscription and currently DEAD, the dialog now revives those subs (basically the same as 'check now'). I have personally wanted this for ages and kept forgetting to add it. The sub will just do another quick check on what you paste, just in case that query started getting things again recently, rather than swallowing your input as forevermore DEAD.
I moved some autocomplete options from 'gui pages' options panel to 'search'. If you are a Linux user who has trouble with the floating autocomplete dropdown window, check it out and see if 'embedding' the dropdown works better for you.
full list
misc:
the text on the animation scanbar is now center-vertically aligned and should look better on taller and thinner scanbars (issue #998)
the scanbar now reports better frame number and current time for the mpv player when the current video is very short or has very few frames. screamer gifs should now report 2/2 frames if you scan to the right, not like 97/2
fixed using the mpv player with an embed button (it previously was staying hidden even after embed was clicked) (issue #999)
the 'search' submenu when you right-click on tags in certain locations now shows add/exclude namespace:anything if all the selected tags share the same namespace
as an experiment that I think will be bulked out into proper shortcuts later, and maybe actual +/- buttons like you'll see on a booru, if you activate the 'selection tags' listbox (double-click or enter key) while ctrl is down, it now excludes the selected tags from the current query
when you paste query texts into the edit subscription dialog, those queries already in the sub _and_ DEAD will now be revived (it does a 'check now' on them). the dialog reports this
when editing subscriptions, the way it waits for the current subs to stop running is improved. it is now separate from the global 'pause subs' variable, so big delays here (e.g. waiting a long time to open the dialog, then hitting 'pause' on the network menu, which was secretly a logically messy unpause) should be less able to run into trouble
watchers now sort DEAD and 404 separately when sorting the status column (previously they were sorted by their now-defunct 'next check time')
I think I improved the speed of the new subscriptions guaranteed shutdown. I think I also fixed a shutdown hang on some lagging async jobs. there are a couple of reports of hanging shutdown, so let me know if this changes
I moved the autocomplete options from 'gui pages' to 'search', and I brushed up the layout and tooltips there generally
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file parsing:
clip files with canvas size units in mm, cm, inches, or points are now parsed correctly! thanks to the user who helped here! turns out a point is 1/72 (two grossths :^)) of an inch
clip animations now get the number of frames and duration of the first timeline!
all clip files will reparse for fixed resolution and duration and make new thumbs as needed on update
hydrus file parsing should now detect the duration of video and audio with 10 or more hours duration
hydrus now gets a more accurate duration estimate for files with bonkers duration/start_offset pairs, for instance "Duration: 127:57:31.25, start: 460633.291000". if you ever saw a 7MB webm with 5 hour duration (and actually 18 seconds), it could have been this. hydrus now counts frames manually when you get this sort of thing
any file with resolution > 360p, a duration over an hour, and size less than 64MB will be scheduled for a file metadata reparse on update
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client api:
/get_files/file_metadata now has an optional boolean parameter, 'hide_service_names_tags', default False, which will hide the old 'service_names_to...' tag Objects
a unit test tests hide_service_names_tags
client api help documentation now talks about hide_service_names_tags
client api version is now 22
.
boring code refactoring and cleanup:
tl;dr: about 60KB total code moved out of client database!
moved most combined sibling+parent database code to a new 'tag display' module
moved autocomplete counts cache database code to a new 'mappings counts' module, and refactored a whole lot of of misc old a/c table creation and reference code into that module, cleaning things up
the 'mappings counts' module is plugged into new repair code and on error repopulates itself as efficiently as regen code currently allows
moved tag cache code to a new 'tag search' module, and similar related decoupling refactoring
the 'tag search' module is plugged into new repair code and on error repopulates itself very efficiently
the 'local tags cache' module can now regenerate itself on boot
regenerating the local tags cache now works a little faster and takes less memory
I _believe_ client.caches.db can now regenerate all of itself automatically, with no subsequent user actions needed
the boot database repair notifications have some quality of life improvements. modules now say whether they think they can recover everything, and there is more guidance on what to do in the different situations
during various heavy database work, a common analysis tool now saves a lot of time on regeneration vs generation
pubsubs now go through the transaction wrapper, meaning modules can pubsub
emergency boot messages (like database trouble) are now printed to the log
next week
More small work and bug fixes, and I really want to get my teeth back into multiple local file services.
0 notes
daisy-chain-gardens · 7 years ago
Text
Exchange Romance - Chapter 18
A/N: Hey guys, me again with an update finally. You may have noticed that I've added another chapter because, well, I felt like it and you'll soon find out why. I'm not sure when I'll be updating next because I'll be travelling for the next two weeks (I'm finally going home) but I hope (for your sake) that it'll be soon.Huge enormous thanks to Jenna (@allskynostars) for reading over this and helping me plot and to Simren (@wonderrful) for letting me tease her mercilessly.
Read it on AO3
“God it’s good to see you,” Betty breathed out as soon as the grainy image of his face filled her laptop screen.
“Betts, it’s been two days,” Jughead said through a soft laugh, that lazy smile she loved so much resting on his lips.
“I know but … well, I missed you.” Her voice was quiet as she looked down at the keyboard and brushed away some imaginary fluff.
“What’s up babe?” He would give anything to be able to reach out and touch her, brush that lone strand of hair out of her face and tilt her chin up, let himself get lost in the depths of her green eyes. But he couldn’t, something he had to remind himself of every day when he reached for his phone to see if she wanted to walk to school together or ask if she was free that weekend.
“I … I had another attack.” Jughead reached over and turned up the sound on his computer, her voice so quiet it was getting distorted as it poured out of his crappy speakers.
“Mum was yelling at me again. I can’t even remember what it was about but it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. I tried to call Polly afterwards but she wasn’t picking up and then I went to call you but time zones are a bitch so of course you were asleep and I know that you’ve had trouble sleeping so I didn’t want to wake you up or end up waking up Archie and Kevin was busy and I felt so … alone. I felt like there was no one around me that I could talk to and then on top of all the assignments I have to hand in next week and all of this stuff with my mum I just sort of freaked I guess. I don’t know, it sounds stupid now that I try and explain it.”
“Betty, there’s nothing about that that’s anywhere near stupid, okay? You have a lot going on at the moment and it’s normal to be feeling stressed about school, especially with the pressure you put on yourself to excel at everything you do. Throw a crazy mum in the mix and I’m surprised you haven’t snapped sooner. Don’t ever feel bad about having a panic attack,” Jughead reassured her, catching her eyes through the screen and refusing to break his gaze. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know Jug,” Betty choked out, brushing the tears out of her eyes. “Everything is so hard and I miss you so much and just … these last three months have been hell without you Juggie. I need you,” she said softly, letting her tears flood her face as they refused to be stopped by her attempts to control them.
“I miss you too Betts.” Against his better judgement, Jughead reached out and ran his fingers over his screen, his fingers tracing her pixelated outline. “You do know that you can call me anytime. The fact that I have trouble sleeping means that you should call me when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed or even if you just want to talk. Don’t worry about waking me up. I will gladly lose an hour or so of uneventful sleep if it means I get to talk to you.” Betty took a deep breath and nodded slowly as Jughead sent her that damn smile that he knew made her weak in the knees and agree with anything he said.
“Besides, you know that Archie is impossible to wake up once his head hits the pillow so you can’t use that as an excuse,” Jughead joked feebly as he cocked an eyebrow in jest. Betty let out a weak laugh and sighed once more, revelling in the warmth that spread through her chest at the sight of him. Whenever she was with him she felt like everything was okay but then as soon as the screen went dark she was plunged back into reality, reminded that everything around her was slowly unravelling.
“What are you looking at Betts? Do I have something on my face?” Jughead asked as his fingers flew up to play with that rebellious curl that always fell over his forehead.
“No, I’m just … looking,” Betty said cheekily, a smile playing on her lips. Jughead let out a content sigh, happy that he was able to make Betty feel even the slightest bit better.
“Jug! We’re gonna be late for school if you don’t stop flirting with your girlfriend. Hurry up!” Archie called out from the bottom of the stairs, his voice barrelling through the open door.
“I guess that’s my cue. Please please call me whenever you need to, even if it’s three in the morning.” Jughead pleaded as he started moving around the room, throwing books into his satchel haphazardly.
“I promise Jug. I love you.”
“Love you Betts, talk to you later.”
--------------------
“Would you mind if I killed Veronica accidentally on purpose?” Jughead asked casually as he accepted Betty’s video chat request.
“That depends. I’m gonna say yes because she’s basically my sister but I’m sure I could be persuaded otherwise,” Betty teased, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Things had been slowly getting better over the last few weeks. Betty had kept her promise, waking Jughead up a few times so he could help calm her down and avoid another panic attack. It was getting better, but they were getting worse.
Some days it felt like it was suffocating her; the homesickness she felt despite technically being back home. She missed him so much it seemed like a weight she had to carry around, a constant elephant in the already crowded room that housed her thoughts. She never realised just how much she missed him until she saw him on her screen, taunting her, making her feel like they were close enough to touch despite the thousands of kilometres between his lips and hers. It was always so easy between the two of them but she could tell that the distance was beginning to take its toll on him, on them.
She could hear it in the words he had started choosing carefully, feel it in unfamiliar expressions he sometimes wore when she would look at him for just that moment longer. It was starting to fall apart, they were starting to fall apart, the physical distance finally beginning to show in the prolonged silences and the awkward pauses.
But then they would have conversations like this one, the conversations that flowed so easily that she felt like they were sitting on the banks of Sweetwater River, or curled up in an armchair in the Lodge’s library, or tangled in each other as they fell asleep in her bed.
“She stole my laptop Betts! I mean, I know that I may have sort of purposely spilt part of my milkshake on her but stealing my laptop is just too far,” Jughead exclaimed, throwing his hands about expressively. Betty let out a small giggle as she watched his outburst, thinking that he looked adorable with his hat slipping down his forehead as he paced back and forth within the view of the screen.
“Do I want to know why you spilt your milkshake?” Betty asked teasingly, unable to hide how ridiculous she found the situation.
“Her and Archie were making out in Pop’s again and I swear I was aiming for Archie but then I just happened to tip my glass over exactly as Ron climbed onto Archie’s lap so technically she should be blaming Archie because it’s all his fault.” Jughead finished with a flop, falling onto his bed and shifting slightly so she could still see him.
“I think you need to go full ‘Home Alone’; set up booby traps all over the house, steal Archie’s phone and send her a text to come over, and then sit back and enjoy the show,” Betty suggested, trying so hard to be serious but not quite succeeding.
“Babe, it’s not even November, why are you already watching Christmas movies?”
“Who said I watched it recently?” Betty asked as her eyes narrowed with curiosity.
“Because last year you told me that movie is your guilty pleasure and the one Christmas movie you’d watch all year around and that you watch it whenever you’re in a crappy mood,” Jughead pointed out. Betty opened her mouth to deny it but Jughead cut her off. “And I can see the DVD case open on your desk.” If anyone ever needed the perfect example of a smug expression, all that they would have to do is take a photo of Jughead in that exact moment.
“Fine, you win. Yes, I did watch it last night but I still think that would be a great way to get back at V.”
“I think Archie would kill me before letting me use his phone. Also, you said you watched that movie last night, is everything okay Betts?” Jughead tone changed from joking to serious in a second and it caught Betty off guard.
“Same old, same old. I don’t know really. There isn’t anything specific I was just in a crappy mood last night and needed something to take my mind off … well, off everything really,” Betty said casually, knowing exactly what Jughead was going to say but not wanting him to make a big deal out of it.
“Babe, why didn’t you call me?”
“Because you’re not here!” Betty practically yelled and was suddenly grateful that her parents were out of the house. “Because, Jug, you can’t do everything for me. I can’t ask you to fix all my problems or indulge my every need as soon as I feel less than one hundred percent. You’re not here and I have to learn how to do some things for myself.” The line went silent and Betty would have thought he’d hung up if she couldn’t see Jughead’s broken heart etched across his face.
“Sorry Jughead. I didn’t mean to yell at you like that. I’m just … tired,” Betty muttered as she ran her hands over her face. They both knew that she wasn’t talking about sleep.
--------------------
Betty was in her room on a Friday night, the blinking numbers on her alarm clock were tauntingly reminding her of every second that passed, every second he was late.
How could he forget?
Those words kept spinning around and around in her head, tripping over each other and breaking through every other blossoming thought.
How could he forget? How could he forget? How could he for-
Her intrusive thoughts were cut off by the sound of her phone buzzing on her desk. She leapt off her bed and hurried over to it, simultaneously tapping in her passcode and tripping over the sneakers she’d abandoned on the floor.
“Say hi to Betty for me,” Archie voice trickled out of her phone as the image waited to load.
“Say hi to her yourself.” The first glimpse she got of Jughead was the back of his head as he yelled at Archie over his shoulder. He turned around to face her with a goofy grin as Archie’s heavy footstep became louder and louder.
“Hey Betty!” Archie said enthusiastically as he leaned over Jughead, almost squishing him. “How’s it going?”
“It’s … it’s going good thanks Arch.” She pulled her lips into her best Cooper smile and her hands automatically flew up to her hair, smoothing it out and tightening her ponytail. She knew that Jughead had noticed the motion but she was hoping he wouldn’t call her out on it in front of Archie. He must have read her expression and said nothing but continued to look at her as if she was some strange animal he’d heard about but never actually seen in real life.
Archie must have noticed the heavy silence that was settling over the two of them and slowly backed away from the screen, shutting the bedroom door behind him.
“What’s going on Betts?” Jughead said tiredly, his hands reaching up and tugging his hat off his head before throwing it somewhere off camera. His hands started running through his hair, the habit he only ever feel back into when he was dreading something or feeling uncomfortable. How ironic.
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about,” she muttered bitterly as the plastic persona she’d slipped into moments ago fell away, leaving only the shell of her behind.
“Betty, don’t do this,” he sighed, collapsing onto his elbows and looking straight at her.
“Don’t do what Jug? What is it that you don’t want me to do?” She knew that she was overreacting but she couldn’t stop herself. Everything had started making her feel so numb lately but this, this was breaking through the bubble she hid herself inside. It was making her feel something and she couldn’t help but let herself indulge in just this one thing.
“Don’t cut me out Betty! We’ve talked about this. If this is going to work then we can’t keep secrets. We can’t lie to each other.” He sounded defeated and Betty almost felt bad that her words had caused that broken tone but at least she was feeling something.
“We both know I’m not the only one breaking promises around here.” She thought he wouldn’t hear. She thought she’d mumbled it quietly enough that her tiny microphone and his tiny speakers wouldn’t pick it up.
“Come on, what’s that supposed to mean?” His hand were in the air and his back was straight, almost as if he was trying to get away from her.
“You were three hours late Jug! You left me sitting here for three whole hours just waiting for you to call without so much as a single message to say you were running late or doing whatever the hell you we're doing.” Jughead’s face fell. Now he was looking at her as if he’d seen a ghost. Maybe that’s what she was to him; a lonely ghost, a whisper of a memory he could barely remember despite them only being apart for six months. She could feel the tears pricking at her eyes. She wasn’t going to turn into the girl that starts crying because her boyfriend forgets to call. She wasn’t. She wasn’t. She wa-
“You were waiting that whole time?” She could hear the pain in his voice, but it was a mere whisper over the sound of her tears as they came rushing down her cheeks. She nodded quickly and cast her eyes downwards, focusing on the ruined nail polish that coated her nails instead of the breaking boy on her screen. All that she wanted was to be in his arms, to feel him wrapped around her as she watched the world melt away while he made everything better.
But he couldn’t make it better this time because he was the one causing her pain, a pain that felt ten times worse than it should have after those long weeks of feeling nothing. She curled into herself and let her phone fall onto the bed in front of her, her knee covering the camera.
“Betts, I’m so so sorry. I was at Pop’s with Arch and Ron and we lost track of time. I didn’t realise until about an hour ago and by then I figured you’d be doing something else so I waited a bit until I saw you were online. I’m so so sorry Betts.” She could tell he meant it. Logically, her brain knew that every single word that came out of his mouth was completely and utterly sincere.
Her anxiety begged to differ.
What’s stopping him from doing that again? How do you know he didn't just forget? He could so easily be lying to you. What if he had something better to do and he just … didn’t call? What if -
“Betty? Babe, are you alright?” The voices in her head kept getting louder and louder, blocking out everything and everyone else as a familiar tightening sensation started spreading through her chest.
“Betty, I need you to take a nice deep breath. Can you do that for me?” His voice was soft and tempting, the only sound to break through the storm clouding her mind. She managed to take a shallow breath, feeling it shake as it made its way into her lungs.
“Well done Betts. Can you take another breath?” She closed her eyes and focused on his voice, letting it pulling her out of the darkness as she took another breath, letting it go slightly deeper. She managed to find a rhythm and kept going, breathing in and out and in and out until the toxic words began to numb and melt back in with everything else.
“Can you move the camera so I can see you Betts?” His voice was still gentle, almost as if he was careful not to break her. It dawned on her that maybe he already had. Betty reached for her phone and repositioned it so she appeared on the screen, trying to keep her hands from shaking but failing miserably. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw her, grateful that she’d managed to avoid another panic attack and trying not to focus on the fact that he was the cause of it.
“Are you alright? I’m so sorry that I bought that on. I really didn’t mean to be so late calling you and if I had’ve known that you were waiting I would’ve left Pop’s sooner a-”
“Jughead, stop.” Betty’s words cut through his like ice, her tone frigid despite the shaky quality it possessed. “Just … just stop.” The tears came back for another round, obviously not getting their fair share the first time. “I can’t keep doing this anymore. It’s dragging us both down and I … I don’t want to say goodbye Juggie, I really don’t, but I think that’s what we need at the moment.” She couldn’t tear her gaze from her nails, couldn’t look up into his eyes because she knew the storm she would find there and the darkness her words would bring.
“Betts, Betts what are you talking about?” Jughead sounded frantic, the soothing quality his voice had just possessed disappearing without a trace.
“You can’t seriously think that this is healthy!” She screamed before taking a deep breath and forcing herself to calm down a fraction. “You forgot we had a call and that’s not even the first time,” Betty said with a slight chuckle, forcing herself to find some humor in this situation because she knew it would end in another panic attack if she didn’t.
“And then I almost had a panic attack over it which means that this is one of the many things in my life that is becoming more of a burden than a pleasure.” She knew that would sting, knew that would help convince Jughead to admit what they’d both known for longer than they cared to admit.
“If this is what you really want then I’ll support you Betty, you know I will.” His words were barely audible as they filtered out of Betty’s phone.
“I guess that’s it then,” she mumbled, finally forcing her eyes up to the screen. They both let out a sigh as they soaked each other in. She couldn’t believe she was doing this, couldn’t believe she was letting go of one of the only lights in her otherwise dull existence.
“I still love you Jug.” Her voice was still shaking as the words fell from her lips before her mind could process them. “And I think I always will. But I can’t … this is becoming a chore and I don’t want for you to become a chore for me. I want you to be someone I can come to for anything an-”
“I still am that person, Betty. I’m still here for you, even if I have a crappy way of showing it.” His fingers we're running through his hair again as his eyes locked on hers through the screen, pulling her in and refusing to let her go.
“I’m gonna miss you,” she whispered as she let herself get lost in the digital recreation of him which filled her screen.
“Trust me when I say I’m not going anywhere,” he mumbled with a smirk, bringing his trademark humor into an otherwise heartbreaking conversation.
“I’ll talk to you soon Jughead,” she said as she reached across to end the call.
“I love you Betts.”
The screen went black. And so did everything else.
30 notes · View notes
xyliane · 8 years ago
Text
lawfully unwedded
summary: they get married fourteen times. well, they never get officially married—there’s never been any paperwork filled out, and after the third time, most people are convinced it’s just an excuse for them to have a massive party, and they’re not wrong. (knuckle still cries every single time.)
notes: I’ve been working on this thing off and on for months now, but now it’s done! it’s a very very belated birthday present for @wuzzyletoastermac who is an amazing friend and has amazing ideas. (and I am borrowing ari who is wuzzy’s wolfgirl pup and is adorable) G, killugon throughout the years, featuring friends and family and some ocs and some headcanon about parenting for killua and gon. this work is rated F for Fluff. 4400 words.
also on ao3!
The first wedding is an accident. Well, mostly. It isn’t planned, it isn’t intentional, and it never is an actual wedding. In fact, neither Gon or Killua realizes anyone would take it as anything more than a joke, not with the obvious ridiculousness of Aiai City and Greed Island providing the backdrop for an image sent to Alluka.
Their now-regular meet up with Leorio proves their judgment to be slightly flawed.
“What do you mean you got married?” Leorio demands, half of the people trying to eat their lunch at this restaurant spinning at the noise. “You’re seventeen!”
“I’m eighteen, Killua’s seventeen,” Gon says. “A summer wedding is always nice, right?”
Leorio attempts to pull his hair out, knocking his glasses askew. “You can’t get married at seventeen!”
“Age of consent here is sixteen, Leorio! I wouldn’t even need Aunt Mito to sign for anything.”
Killua rolls his eyes to try to pretend he’s not blushing. “We didn’t actually get married,” he says. “There wasn’t any paperwork, it was just some asshole in a stupid hat that wanted pictures. I don’t think anything on Greed Island is really all that legal, anyways.”
Leorio brandishes his phone, said picture zoomed in to the point of being pixelated and blurry but not disguising the glimmer of rings on their fingers. “Then what are those?”
Gon grins and digs out a square of rumpled gold foil from his pocket. “Chocolate rings,” he says. “The photographer gave them to us as payment for helping with his project. Killua ate both of them.”
His boyfriend—partner—husband—best friend chokes on air. “You kept that?”
“Well, of course!” Gon says, a far too innocent glimmer in his eyes. “It was our first wedding, after all.”
“First?” Leorio and Killua say, Leorio still trying to wrap his head around his friends and wedding being in the same sentence, and Killua with a look of oddly enthusiastic dismay.
Killua takes Gon’s hands, pale thumbs drawing circles across the callouses on his knuckles. “You know, we don’t have to get married, right?” he says, cheeks turning pink. “I don’t…you know. It’s not important to me.”
“But you’re important to me.” Gon presses a kiss to Killua’s cheek, smile widening in direct correlation to how red Killua turns. “Do you wanna get married? I’d rather do whatever you want, Killua.”
If they weren’t almost sickeningly adorable, Leorio would throttle these two kids. Kids. “Are you two getting married or not?”
The two teenagers exchange a look Leorio can’t read, and Killua shakes his head. “Not now,” he says slowly, eyes still on his best friend, who smiles.
Gon adds, “We have our whole lives, right? We can live them together however we want. It’s more fun that way.”
Killua just about bursts into flames, and Leorio can’t bring himself to be annoyed anymore. That they love each other is nothing new. They deserve each other. But some amount of revenge is worthwhile. “Well, if you’re both so intent on this. It’s time someone told you about sex.”
Both boys squawk and try to flounder out of their seats as Leorio brings up a set of diagrams on his phone, a smile growing on his face that is not at all evil or the result of years’ worth of vengeance for his friends being reckless idiots. “First off, condoms.”
The resulting screeches get them all kicked out of the restaurant.
The second wedding is more complicated. 
Leorio’s interrogation-turned-sex-talk (a conversation Killua vehemently insists never happened and makes Gon turn curiously silent whenever it’s brought up) is only the tip of the iceberg once Alluka “accidentally” sends the photo to her brother’s friends. While funny for the first few weeks, it gets frustrating to have to explain to every single person they know that, no, they’re not married, no they don’t have plans to get married anytime soon if at all, and for fuck’s sake Knuckle please stop crying, it’s embarrassing to everyone.
Which is most of the reason they’ve ended up in front of a flowered archway and a brightly colored canopy, forcibly cleaned and shoved into matching tuxes before being physically deposited in front of what feels like hundreds of their friends and family. Judging by the quantity and quality of baked goods, Killua suspects Palm as having a heavy hand in the proceedings, and Gon can easily identify Zepile’s handiwork in the eclectic but well-made decorations around the garden.
For some reason, it’s Morel who’s been enlisted as the officiant. The only thing preventing him from openly sobbing are his sunglasses.
Both Gon and Killua glance at each other, feeling incredibly uncomfortable. The only reason they haven’t bolted is because no one’s given them a proper explanation, and Killua refuses to leave without sampling the massive chocolate fondue fountain visible all the way from the other side of the garden. Gon says, “Thanks for all of this, Morel, but…”
“This is bullshit. We aren’t married. We’re not getting married,” Killua says. He grabs onto Gon’s hand as a lifeline, and Gon latches on just as tightly.
Morel sniffs and wipes his eyes. “I had a feeling,” he says, voice stuck in his nose, and waves to a few people from the crowd.
Alluka, Palm, and Knuckle are led up to the front by a bemused Leorio. “I tried to tell them this was a bad idea,” Leorio says.
Palm scowls, the gem on her forehead glinting in the sunlight. “What do you mean, a bad idea? Do you see how many people are here for these two? How many people helped us put this all together?”
Knuckle is in a similar state as Morel, eyes watering and nose running but lacking any sunglasses to hide behind. He manages to say, “No shit, Palm. It’s Gon and Killua! Alluka asked, and how could we say no? These punks deserve the wedding of a lifetime, and that means people show up for it.”
This makes both of the not-quite-grooms flush. “But we’re not getting married,” Gon says as gently as he can.
“If we were getting married, we’d decide on it,” Killua snaps. He’s been taller than Knuckle for a few years now, and it’s still weird to glare down at him. Glaring down at Alluka is only weird because of how betrayed he feels. She beams sunnily back at him, an expression that wouldn’t look out of place on Gon, reflected by the beads in her hair like a halo of grins. “Alluka, what the hell were you thinking?”
Knuckle swipes at his head, enhanced open-handed slap severely messing up Killua’s slicked-back white curls. “Don’t talk to your sister like that!”
“Fuck off, asshole!”
Before they can start actually fighting, Morel steps between them with a placid smile on his face, earning glares from everyone. “Miss Zoldyck?”
The girl in question casually brushes off her skirts, a flurry of lace and colors that bring out her eyes. “Yes, Morel?”
“Why are Killua and Gon getting married?”
Her smile widens. “For the party, of course!” she says.
The entire wedding party, attendees and grooms alike, seem to pause. “The…party?” Leorio asks into dead silence.
Alluka looks entirely pleased with herself. Herselves, more like, because Killua would eat his rented tux if Nanika isn’t also involved in this mess. “I know Brother and Gon aren’t getting married,” she says. “But they didn’t have a party the last time they didn’t get married, and Brother keeps forgetting about his birthday, so I thought this would be a good way to make up for that.”
Killua’s mouth open and closes without any noise coming out.
“And I couldn’t rent the chocolate fondue fountain without having a party,” she adds.
Gon makes a noise that might be choked laughter or might be a frog being tossed into a pond.
“Can we still celebrate them getting not married?” Ikalgo calls from the front row. He’s wearing a top hat, a blue rose tucked into the band for the occasion. Some of the people around him echo his call, clapping and whooping from the crowd.
Alluka peers up at Leorio through her lashes, a smirk on her face that looks far too much like her brother for Leorio’s comfort. Killua’s still somewhat in shock, so Leorio just shrugs. “Sure, why not,” he says.
Morel clears his throat. “I think I have the final say on this?” he says.
Gon and Killua stand straight as though electrified. “We’re not—” Gon starts.
Morel taps his pipe on the ground twice, the sound echoing like a gavel and silencing the entire garden. “I am happy to pronounce you not married,” he says solemnly. “You may now kiss each other or however you would like to celebrate.”
Gon grins brightly and before Killua can think to object, dips his best friend into a kiss. Killua makes a muffled protest against his lips, the sound lost to the cheer erupting from the crowd.
Morel and Knuckle burst into identical sobs, as do Bisky, Palm, and Zepile. If Killua had noticed, he would have yelled at them for being saps. But he’s preoccupied.
Gon pulls Killua back to his feet, both of them a little breathless. “Ready for this?” he asks.
Killua nods seriously. “Chocolate first,” he says, and drags Gon out of the canopy.
Wedding three features a second attempt at the chocolate fountain. It goes about as disastrously as at the second wedding, although Gon manages to rescue Killua early enough that no one is injured this time. Alluka rules that there is to be no more fondue until certain people can control themselves.
The fourth wedding isn’t supposed to be a wedding. It is supposed to be a party for Killua, though. Killua and his daughter Inedal.
It’s the only thing Aunt Mito’s asked in exchange for her help with the adoption process, that she and the rest of Whale Island be allowed to celebrate the adoption as well. From what Gon understands, between what Aunt Mito tells him and Killua doesn’t, Killua showing up on the island with a five year old blonde girl hanging onto his arm is much less worrisome now that any attempted assassins sent after Killua and Inedal met with an unexpected thunderstorm over open water. That there were assassins at all has more to do with who Inedal was, but Killua refuses to give her up, and Gon gets the feeling that Inedal refuses to leave just as fiercely. 
Gon’s here because Killua asked. He’s not comfortable with any of this--with having a kid, with Killua having a kid, with being anything close to a dad. But Killua asked, for Gon to be here and for Gon to help, not as a dad but as Gon, and for Killua, Gon will try.
It’s not like Gon’s good at turning down Killua if it’s something he wants. Killua asks for so little, it’s the least Gon can offer to say yes.
Aunt Mito takes advantage of Gon’s presence to make him in charge of carting all of the massive tables and platters down to the beach, helping the sailors and handiworkers and whoever else Aunt Mito’s bribed or wrangled into the job. The party is in full swing by the time Gon is able to sit down for food, wolfing down what might be four people’s worth of fish and rice before pausing long enough to take a breath.
People from all over the island are coming up to congratulate Killua and Inedal, small things from unfamiliar faces just here for the food and drink and massive baskets of chocolates and sweets from old friends that recognize Killua from the first time he came to the island, twelve and nervous about visiting his best friend’s home. But people also keep coming up to congratulate Killua and Gon. And by the time Nui the woodcarver drops off a fruit basket with a wink and vanishes before Gon can ask what’s going on, it is becoming clearer and clearer that this has nothing to do with any adoption process.
Inedal looks between the two of them, the growing pile of gifts, and then back at Aunt Mito. Her mouth opens in a little “o” of comprehension. “I thought this was my party,” she says.
“Well, it is, sweetie, for you and your dad,” Aunt Mito says. Gon’s close enough to his best friend that he can feel Killua vibrate at the sound of being called Inedal’s dad, especially by someone like Aunt Mito. She’d know if someone weren’t a good enough parent, and she knows Killua is more than good enough. There isn’t much Gon can add to that, so he laces their fingers together and squeezes.
Inedal shakes her head, pigtails bouncing arrhythmically. “But it’s their party too, right? They’re getting married.”
Gon and Killua nearly knock over the table in shock, Nui’s basket tumbling into the sand. 
“No, Inedal, we’re not…”
“Fu--Godda--Inedal how the he--heck did you get that from this?”
“The nice ladies selling sweets in the fish market were talking about how it was ‘damn time someone made an honest man out of little Mito’s kid,’ and that means marriage.” Gon does his best not to choke on air, but Aunt Mito suddenly develops a coughing fit. The little girl crosses her arms in front of her chest, legs planted and chin set with a stubbornness that is identical to Killua’s in intent if not expression. “Old man, you’re too old to get married. You’re almost eighty!”
Somewhere in the world, Gon’s sure that Leorio is laughing.
Killua strangles what sounds like a half-dozen curses in the back of his throat. “I’m twenty-five!” he screeches. “Gon’s older than me! How many times have I told you that?”
“Then why’s your hair white?” she asks. Gon bites his lip to try to keep from cackling as Killua’s face starts turning purple in a mix of betrayal, amusement, and mortification. Inedal glances at Gon through errant strands of blonde hair. “Sorry, Gon, I don’t know if you noticed. You’re too cool to see stupid things like that. I don’t know why you’re marrying this geezer.”
Killua doesn’t actually try to throttle his newly adopted daughter, but it’s a near thing. Nor does it help that the elder that runs the pharmacy and her grandchildren in the government office get wind of the “wedding” from the ladies at the fish market. Both Priya and Mata are wholly unapologetic, and they gift Gon and Killua with massive rings of flowers despite (or maybe because) of their vehement insistence that they are not and have not been and will not for the foreseeable future be getting married. Before the end of the night the party has sprawled into an unintended but not unwelcome celebration for Gon and Killua’s lack of desire to get married, the whole island turning out for dancing and a feast. If Aunt Mito gets a little teary eyed, Gon pretends to not notice.
Killua dances with Inedal almost half a dozen times, spinning her across the dirt with a smile on his face so bright it makes Gon’s chest hurt. The girl laughs, pigtails askew and flowers scattering out of where they’d been tucked behind her ears or in one of her hairties, and Killua looks like he’s flying with his feet still on the ground.
Killua dances with Gon twice, and neither of them step on each other’s toes. The second time, Gon reaches up to kiss his best friend, and it’s almost impossible to hear the music over the cheer and the blood rushing in his ears. Inedal promptly pries her dad away, informing Gon that he’s cool and all, but gross.
Shortly after, Gon is taking a break from dancing and singing and fending off well-wishers when Killua dumps a giggling Inedal onto him. “She wants to dance with you. She won’t ask, and I’m the adult so I guess I have to,” he says, face flushed and voice sounding almost drunk with laughter, happier than Gon’s heard in years.
So Gon takes her and flips her in the air, relishing how she giggles on the way down as both Killua and Aunt Mito protest, with varying levels of amusement and annoyance, that this isn’t dancing. 
Killua passes out before sunrise, not waking even when Gon carries him back to Aunt Mito’s and tucks him into bed. Inedal, who insists on walking back with her hand tucked into one of Gon’s, doesn’t resist when Gon clumsily loads her into the bed next to Killua. She passes out almost instantly, snuggling into Killua’s side.
Gon kisses Killua on the forehead and, after a moment’s hesitation, gives Inedal the same. 
The sixth wedding is cancelled because Fen gets sick. Fen’s only been with Killua for a few months, but it’s enough to decide that Pa is an appropriate term for the adult-shaped person in charge of food and welfare when he’s not training a pack of students the fine art of punching each other in the face, and that Gon is an excellent jungle gym with ample protection from Pa’s wrath. But for all Fen’s enthusiasm, and Inedal’s well-intentioned but ill-practiced attempts at healing-via-chocolate, his illness just won’t go away, and neither Gon or Killua have gotten any sleep in days. It’s not until Alluka and Kurapika show up, boxes of not-wedding gifts in hand, that anyone remembers there had been something planned for the weekend other than a sick child. This turns out to be something of a stroke of luck, because the wedding party is coming in town anyways and all of them are more than happy to keep an eye on a nauseous but rambunctious seven year old who is already starting to take after his Pa in using his cuteness for chocolate.
Gon and Killua are sent to the honeymoon suite as a “wedding present” even without the wedding, a move Killua protests because it’s his kid that’s sick, he should be taking care of him. Not that it works when he’s physically carted off to the hotel by Bisky, Gon not even bothering to hide how hard he laughs. They spend the entire weekend sleeping, playing video games, and eating pancakes, enjoying the arsenal of pillows in a bed as big as their bedroom for a knock-down, drag-out war that is interrupted briefly when they get a call from the front desk asking if two pro Hunters could help them with a thief. 
It’s a good weekend.
By the time their ninth wedding rolls around, some years after the Hunters-only party-turned-miniature-war of the seventh wedding and the relatively tiny dinner that made up the eighth, Killua doesn’t so much have kids he’s adopted as ducklings that’ve followed him home, mingling with his trainees and eating all of his chocolate. Dura and Lu, he found in the fighting rings in Begerose, twins in desperate need of a sensei and attaching to him like leeches. Ari, Mevera, Fen—sometimes they just hang onto him like monkeys, giggling as the static in his aura shocks them and stands their hair on end. And there’s Inedal, who’s been with him since he didn’t even know he could be a dad, who’s his and he’s as protective of her as she lets him be.
All of them love him, and he loves them just as fiercely.
What he doesn’t expect, months after the last time he sees Gon and burying the all too familiar ache of loneliness beneath work and training and the kids, is his oldest to use all of her admittedly formidable skills to kidnap him in his sleep and deposit him in front of an altar, a tux and rings and everything already at hand.
“Old man, I know you have a thing about getting married,” Inedal says, a look on her face that says that the thing could be either how much he never wants to be married or a thing that she never wants to consider her dad doing with his partner. Killua, older and more knowledgeable than she ever will be, merely raises an eyebrow and tries to ignore how he’s standing at an altar in his boxers.
She sighs. “Look, the twins found out you got married before but it didn’t count, and they told the rest of the trainees, and now they all want to watch. And I knew if I asked Gon, he’d say to ask you, and you’d say no. So I kind of. Planned a surprise wedding.”
Killua’s eyebrow arches up even higher. So that’s what she’d been sneaking around with the trainees for. Sure enough, he can feel their auras flickering nervously in and out of zetsu from the foyer. He feels an odd burst of pride. It seems like she’s wrangled all of his students plus his kids, a skill Killua himself doesn’t have most days. But as their trainer, there are some things he can’t just let slide. Sloppiness is one of them. “Four hundred extra push ups for everyone outside!” he calls, and Fen curses loudly. “Now, dumbasses, or you’re running laps for the next three hours!”
“It’s a surprise to me too,” says a voice that might as well be electricity and sunshine and home all bound up together. Killua turns to face his best friend, who’s covered in something that might be the insides of a swamprat hive, who scoops up Killua in a bear hug before he can protest.
He gives himself a moment to relish this, to rest his forehead against Gon’s and breathe. “I missed you,” he says in a tone that means I love you.
“I missed you, too, Killua.” Gon chuckles, the rumbling felt straight through Killua’s chest. “You should probably put pants on, though.”
Right. That. He takes another deep breath, then turns back to Inedal. “You didn’t kidnap him in the middle of the night, did you?”
She stares defiantly back at him. “Gon’s too cool for that, geezer. I just told him you’d meet him here now that he’s done with work for a bit.”
Killua stares at Gon, who goes a little red. “You just believed her?” he says.
“I didn’t think there was any reason not to!”
Killua flicks him in the forehead, because they might be nearly in their forties but Gon is still an idiot. Killua loves him because of that, sometimes. “Have you already forgotten the mint wire incident? Or the thing with the cheese foam?”
Inedal huffs, arms crossed over her chest and shoulders hunched inward. “Look, I’m sorry, alright? It’s not like I get to see my dad happy all that often, and I thought this would. Be okay.”
Any semblance of irritation Killua is still feeling dissipates with the words my dad. He extracts himself from Gon to place a hand on his daughter’s shoulder, causing her to look up at him. “It’s okay,” he says. His voice sounds oddly stuffy to his own ears. “It’s more than okay.”
She smiles hesitantly and hugs him, arms tight around his waist. He hugs her back as best he can. It doesn’t last long—he understands all too well not wanting to deal with emotions at seventeen, even if it was a lifetime ago—but it’s more than enough. She says, “You don’t have to get for real married. Knuckle offered to officiate—something about having called dibs last time? He knows you two are weirdos.”
That earns a laugh from both men. “He’s weirder than both of us put together,” Killua says.
“It’s not so bad. And I get to see you all dressed up,” Gon says, trailing a warm hand down Killua’s back, nails scratching at his muscles. He grins lazily and stretches a little at the touch.
Inedal makes a face like she’s bitten into a lime and found prune juice. “Gross,” she says, and Gon laughs because she sounds exactly like Killua. So Killua reaches back to ruffle Gon’s hair, grimacing at the swamp sludge coating his hand.
“You are gross. I’m not not-marrying you if you’ve got bog juice up your nose.” He wipes his hand on Gon’s jacket, which only makes the mess worse. But it gives him an idea. “You need a shower.”
Gon looks wholly too innocent at that suggestion, especially compared to what his hand’s doing. “Probably,” he says. “You know where we can find one?”
“I have some ideas.”
“Ialsoinvitedallyourfriendsthey’llbeheretonightbye,” Inedal says in a loud voice, and flees for the door before Killua can attempt to throttle his daughter who he loves very much and who certainly does not have a death wish.
(The wedding goes off without a hitch, the problem kind or the actual-marriage kind. Gon showers and Killua does not actually get married in his boxers. He pretends to get cold feet at the last minute, so Dura and Lu take it upon themselves to physically drag him up to the altar, where Gon’s laughing so hard he falls over. Knuckle doesn’t get through the vows because he starts crying again, which sets both Bisky and Leorio off, and Killua can’t get Gon to stop laughing long enough to make these idiots stop sobbing. Under the direction of Inedal, Killua’s kids uniformly declare this a resounding failure to get their dad Actually Married and go off to the party.)
“Hey, Killua.”
Gon’s brown skin has wrinkles, laugh lines so deep they might as well be canyons carved next to his eyes. Killua traces them as gently as he can, ignoring how his hands ache with old scars, content to simply lie on their bed counting the stars they can see out the window. “Hmm?”
“Do you wanna get married?”
He hasn’t heard this question in years. “That would be, what, our fourteenth wedding? Fifteenth?” he says. “Why, do you?”
Gon’s laugh is still the same it’s been since he was twelve, loud and carefree even with the weight of decades that have turned his hair almost entirely white. “Not really,” he says. He catches Killua’s hands with his own, bringing knuckles to his lips. Brown eyes dance as he asks, “Do you, Killua?”
Killua smiles. “Nah. I’m happy with us.”
“Me too.”
“But we should have a party anyways. I’m sure if we pretend we’re actually getting married, Alluka will rent that chocolate fondue fountain again.”
They should be too old for a pillow fight, but Gon smacks him with a pillow anyways. Some things never change.
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c-e-d-dreamer · 8 years ago
Note
Hi, I'm a big fan of your writing! You were one of the first people I ever followed on tumblr! If you are still taking prompts I would love any fake dating Larry possibly with some bed sharing? Thank you
Oh my gosh you are just too sweet! I’m also sorry you’ve been following me so long because I am lowkey 100% a weirdo and this blog is 100% a mess sometimes! But please enjoy this fake dating drabble! It got hella long, but I wanted to be sure to include your bed sharing request :) 
“You’re bringing your boy home for Christmas hols, right, H?” 
Harry’s eyes snap away from the pasta he’s making and back towards the laptop he left abandoned on the counter-top. His mother and sister’s faces are still up on the Skype screen, looking at him expectantly. He’s pretty sure his mouth is hanging open lamely, and he has to forcefully will himself not to bring his hand up into view and fidget because it’s a tell both will zero in on in a second. Instead, he turns back to the stove, using the reprieve of having his back turned to try and stutter his lungs back into working. His brain is even slower with kicking back into gear. 
“Um...” 
“Oh please say yes!” Anne chimes in. “I want to meet this Louis!” 
“I’ll um ask him I guess?” 
“You two haven’t talked about what you’re doing from Christmas?” Gemma asks. 
“No...?” Harry turns back around, takes in both their suspicious expression through the pixelated screen, and is quick to add on, “but I’m sure it’ll be no problem. We’ll both probably be there.” 
“Oh wonderful!” Anne claps her hands, a wide smile pulled across her face now. “I can’t wait.” 
“Yeah, me either,” Harry mutters. “Anyways. I have to go. See you both soon! Bye!” 
Harry barely lets his family get out their own goodbyes before he’s closing his laptop screen and letting his head fall against the counter-top. The cool granite feels nice against his skin, but it does little to soothe the dreadful panic stirring in his stomach. He’s screwed. 
~ * * * ~
Harry stands outside the coffeeshop, his hands stuffed in his pocket and his mind running in circles. He can see Louis behind the counter through the window. His eyes are bright and his smile is wide as he chats to a woman while preparing a drink. The yellow lighting of the coffeeshop paints his skin more golden than usual and leaves strands of his hair glowing. Harry can’t help the sigh that pulls its way past his lips, and he contemplates just smashing his head against the window. 
Instead, he pulls the door open and puts on his best smile. It becomes a bit more genuine when Louis offers a smile right back. 
“Hey, Harry. The usual?” Louis greets.
“Yeah...” Harry says, sidling up to the counter and pulling out his wallet. 
Louis sets about making his drink, and Harry fiddles a bit with the packaged sandwiches in the cooler in front of him. He has to clear his throat a few times before he finally finds his voice again. 
“So um have any plans for Christmas?” 
“Not really. I spending Christmas alone unfortunately because my family is going on a cruise without me.” 
“Oh...” 
“You know I always thought those online contests were a scam. Thought they just wanted you to enter your email so they could add you to a bunch of email lists and send you a bunch of spam, but my mum actually won! Can you believe that? And now she’s taking my whole family on a cruise except me because I couldn’t get the time off.” 
Louis shakes his head, but there’s still the soft edges of a smile there. He hands Harry his drink. Harry takes it with a grateful smile, but he stays rooted to the spot, picking at the protective sleeve nervously. 
“Would you um maybe want to uh maybe you know uh cometomyhouseforChristmas?” 
“Sorry?” 
“It’s just...” Harry sighs. “You’re going to think it’s stupid.” 
“Harry,” Louis says, his tone gentle and encouraging, and somehow it causes the words to coming pouring out. 
“It’s just that ever since I moved to London, my mum and sister kept giving me flack about going out and meeting people and finding a nice boy and I just couldn’t take it anymore, so I told them I was seeing someone, just to get them off my back, but then they asked for a name... and well, I had just come back from here, so I had my tea in my hand and I looked down at the cup and...” 
“And my name was the first name that popped into your head.” 
“And your name was the first name that popped into my head.” 
A silence falls between them, and Harry lets his eyes drop to the floor, not wanting to see what expression might be painted across Louis’ face. He curls his toes in his shoes and holds his breath for the subsequent laugh or scoff he is sure to come. 
“Well I guess I should be flattered.” 
“I told you it was stupid. Just forget I said anything.” 
“But I’m going.” 
“What?!” Harry’s eyes snap back up to Louis’ face. “Louis, no. I’ll just tell them we broke up or something.” 
“You can’t do that! They’ll hate me. I’ll be that bloke that broke up with you right before Christmas.” 
“Louis.”
“I’m going, Harry. I’m an accomplice to this crime now.” 
Harry sighs, but it’s fond and he can feel a smile tugging it’s way across his face of its own accord. 
“But you’re driving. I hate driving long distances,” Louis adds with a teasing smile. 
And that’s how Harry finds himself in his car, Louis sitting in the passenger seat with his feet propped up on the dash, heading north. 
“So what’s your favorite color?” Louis asks. 
“What?” 
“Well if we’re going to pass off this whole fake dating thing, I’m going to need to know more about you than just your tea order.” 
Harry thinks about the piercing blue of Louis’ eyes, the way they seem to change shades with his different moods and the gold flecks that hide in those seas, and has to readjust his grip on the steering wheel. 
“Blue,” he mutters after a moment. 
“Really? Mine too.” 
By the time, they make it to Harry’s family home, it’s late, and Harry is grateful to learn that Gemma has already gone to bed. His mother is still awake though, and she greets them both at the door with a tired smile and warm hugs. 
“Oh, Louis it’s so nice to finally meet you.” 
“You too, Anne,” Louis says, pulling away from her embrace. “I’ve heard so much about you.” 
Anne smiles again at the comment, but then she’s herding them towards the stairs. 
“Now I’m sure you both must be exhausted. Off to bed. You’ll be staying in Harry’s old room.” 
Harry’s steps stutter to a stop at that. He turns to look back at his mother, trying to keep his voice teasing and devoid of the actual panic clawing inside his chest. 
“You’re not going to make Louis stay in the guest room, mum?” 
“Oh don’t be silly, H. It’s not the 1900′s. Besides, I’m sure Louis stays over at your flat all the time anyways.” 
“Great,” Harry mutters under his breath, turning back and leading the way up the stairs. He hears Louis snicker from where he’s following behind, and if his mum wasn’t still watching the two of them, he’d reach back and whack him for it. 
Once upstairs, Harry shows Louis to his bedroom so they can drop their bags before pointing out the bathroom so Louis can brush his teeth. Harry is digging through his own bag when he hears the snick of the door closing. 
“Let me wear one of your shirts to bed,” Louis says. 
“What?” 
“When your mum comes to wake us in the morning, it’ll really sell it if I’m wearing your shirt.” 
Harry looks up from his bag then, turning a baffled look on Louis, but the barista just crosses his arms and cocks his head. 
“Have you ever been in a relationship, Harry? This is like dating 101.” 
“Ha ha,” Harry says indignantly, reaching into his bag and grabbing a simple tee. He throws it directly into Louis’ face, who splutters in annoyance, before returning to trying to find his toiletries at the bottom of his bag. He hears the shuffle of clothes, but Harry pointedly keeps his eyes down.   
“Wow. This is so soft. What detergent do you use?” 
Even though Harry knows what to expect when he turns back around, the sight still causes him to almost choke on his tongue. Harry’s always liked his shirts a size larger, and with Louis tugging on the hem, the neck line gapes and exposes the sharp lines of Louis’ collarbones. The way the shadows of the low lit room lick at the skin doesn’t help, and Harry’s tempted to let his own tongue follow the lead. 
“How attached are you to this shirt? Will you be mad if I don’t give it back?” 
Harry has to clear his throat, tightening his grip on the bag with his toothbrush and face wash in it. 
“It looks better on you anyways,” he mutters as he leaves the room. 
When Harry returns from the bathroom, Louis is already curled up in bed, only a mess of hair peeking out from under the duvet. Harry has to take a deep breath and swallow hard, but then he switches off the light and trudges over to the other side of the bed. 
As Harry lays there, counting the speckled swirls in the ceiling, all he can think about is how the next five days might actually kill him. 
// Send me Larry or Andeil prompts! //
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elles-choices · 6 years ago
Text
Part 4: Say You Won’t Let Go  (TRR AU, Liam x MC)
Tumblr media
Pairing: Liam x MC (Catherine)
Words Count: about 2900
A/N: This story contains reference to violence -- readers discretion advised! The case portrayed in this story is based on a real case - some details were modified. Children, please, look away.
PS: For part 1-3 please look below :)
Summary: Catherine Spencer returns to New York after her fall from grace in Cordonia. She left the love of her life behind and all the dreams she had dared to dream. Now she has to pick up the pieces and move on but her past has a way of finding her.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Choices by Pixel Berry
----------------------
„When you looked over your shoulder
For a minute, I forget that I'm older
I wanna dance with you right now
Oh, and you look as beautiful as ever
And I swear that everyday'll get better
You make me feel this way somehow
I'm so in love with you
And I hope you know
Darling your love is more than worth its weight in gold
We've come so far my dear
Look how we've grown
And I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old
Just say you won't let go“, Say you won’t let go, James Arthur
------------------------
Catherine stands on the stage of the University of Cordonia’s auditorium, in front of a crowd of students, visitors and faculty members. She is nervous, not because of the people in front of her but because she is back to his country and it reminds her of everything she has tried to forget.
After a round of applause, she walks up to the microphone and starts her speech:
„The story I came to tell you today is one of the most harrowing stories I have ever encountered in my years as a lawyer. Our client was only 19 years old when war broke out and a religious extremist terror group took over her village. She, a university student just like most of you here, was forced to watch all of the men in her community, including her father and brothers, be marched off to their death — 600 of them being killed in one single day. Her mother was killed together with other older women and disposed in a mass grave. Our client… she was only 19 when she was traded from one terrorist to another, forced to make herself pretty every time before she was raped — sometimes, raped until unconsciousness by a group of men. She was beaten and burned with cigarets.. She was one of 8000 women and children, some of them as young as 11, taken by this group to be sold in a sex slave market, sometimes for as little as $20.
These perpetrators bragged online about killing the men, conquering the women and wiping their religion from this world. Make no mistake, what I am describing you today is genocide — and it is still ongoing. Yet, only a handful of these men have been prosecuted in a court of law for crimes committed against this religious minority. And with every day, evidences are being lost and destroyed and witnesses are being dispersed or disappearing.
States are failing to punish and condemn these crimes whilst girls are having their body sold and used as battlefields. Yes, military actions are being taken but this is only part of the response. You can’t kill an ideology with bombs. But you can expose their crimes, their brutality and corruption through trials — trials that are in line with our values and our standards. The survivors of these crimes are seeking justice and the opportunity to face their abusers in an international court and we cannot deny them that (…)“
—————
After a couple of hours of discussing this case with law professors and answering a few questions from the public, the session comes to an end. Catherine stands in the hallway talking to her colleague and a member of the faculty, when she hears a familiar voice calling her name, „Spencer!“.
She turns around to find Drake, Hana and Maxwell standing a few feet away. She excuses herself and with a big smile on her face she walks up to them, hugging each one of them warmly, „I can’t believe you guys came!“, she says surprised.
„Are you kidding? We couldn’t wait to see you, Katie. And now look at you being a badass lawyer! And this story… ohhhh boy, this is sooo sad…“, he pauses for a few seconds, „But, hey, I am so happy that you are here. Is it too soon to say that we should celebrate your return to Cordonia with a bash!?“, Maxwell looks at the others showing his excitement of seeing his friend after so many years. Everybody laughs but Drake looks at him making an annoyed face.
Hana takes Catherine’s hand and squeezes it, saying: „We tried to call you a few days ago but I guess you changed your number again. Hopefully, you can stay with us for the weekend“.
Catherine smiles, „I got a new number a few months ago. I’m sorry, I guess I forgot to send you the text“, she picks up a business card from her bag and gives it to Hana, „Here you go and my email is in there too, just in case you guys want to get in touch“. She then looks at Maxwell and says: „About this bash thing… sadly, I am flying back in the evening. But we could spend sometime together until I have to leave“, she smiles, looking forward to catching up with them.
Drake clears his throat, „Hmm, Liam was here too, Spencer. He left a few minutes ago to take care of a few things“. When she hears his name she feels her heart sinking into the pit of her stomach. „But he left an invitation for you to join him at the palace. There is a car waiting for you outside…“.
Catherine takes a deep breath, „I don’t know if this is a good idea, Drake… Also, I am not really in the mood to cross Madeleine’s path and to deal with old drama“.
„Madeleine won’t be a problem, I guarantee you. We won’t force you to go, but Spencer, you guys should talk somethings out and you know that“, Drake says it, giving her a serious look. It took her some convincing, but Catherine finally decides to go see Liam at the palace.
After exchanging a few words with her friends, she leaves the building and heads to the car. As she enters it, she sees a bouquet of red roses with a small card lying on the seat next to her. She looks at it and smiles, recognizing Liam’s handwriting:
„Dear Catherine,
I can’t wait to see you… it’s been far too long.
Love,
Liam“
She knows, she shouldn’t feel like this but she has butterflies in her stomach. She looks out of the window nervous, knowing that she is minutes away from seeing him after such a long time. It is incredible that he still makes her feel this way… incredible and scary. He is right, it’s been far too long, but after their last talk, she hoped for a long time that they would never cross paths again.
—————
 4 years ago…
Catherine stands in the doorway and looks at Liam sitting at the table, covering his eyes with his hands.
„So, that’s it? You are going to marry her… did you came here for what? Get my blessing?“, Catherine asks angrily.
„Don’t say that, Katie. It’s not like I have a choice… I am begging you to come with me. I can’t do this without you“, he looks at her, tears streaming down his face.
„I don’t get it, Liam. Why can’t you just call off the wedding? Instead, you want me to hold your hand whilst you are getting married to her?“, she shakes her head and starts crying. 
He stands up and walks over to her but before he can hold her in his arms, she says firmly: „Get out!“, she looks into his eyes „If you are going to marry her, you should leave now… there is nothing to be said anymore!“. He stands there, looking at her for a minute before walking out of the living room. There is so much he would like to tell her now, but she would not listen to him. He opens the front door and looks back to see her one last time. She turns to him and says: „If you go through with this, don’t you dare come back for me!“, he sinks his head and turns away from her, leaving the shards of their love scattered over Catherine’s apartment. Catherine falls to the floor, tears bursting forth like water from a dam and she knows, this is the end.
—————
The black Mercedes stops in front of the palace and Catherine is greeted by Bastien, who asks her to follow him into a path she knows too well. They are heading to the maze and Catherine can’t help feeling some mixed feelings about it. This place brought her so much happiness but it also caused her so much pain. A few feet away from the center of the maze, Bastien asks to take care of the flowers for her, telling her to go ahead.
Catherine walks slowly, feeling as if her heart was going to burst. She takes a few deep breaths before she reaches the center. Looking over, she sees Liam pacing around, as nervous as she is and she smiles — he looks just the same, as if nothing had changed. 
Suddenly their eyes meet. He sees her in her black sleeveless mid dress, her blond hair kept in a ponytail and he feels his heart skipping a beat. To him, she is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen and having her finally there, in front of him, woke up something in him that he thought was gone. „Catherine…“, he walks up to her with a big smile on his face, „I can’t believe you came…“, he embraces her.
„Hi Liam, it is really nice to see you“, she says a little unsure of how to react. He looks at her again, takes her hand and brings her to under a tree, where there is a blanket with a picnic basket and some cushions on it, „Wow, it feels kind of surreal to be back here with you“, she smiles and they sit on the blanket.
„I know… you look stunning as always, it feels as if time stood still“, he takes her hand and brushes his thumb over her knuckles. He stares at her smiling for a few seconds not believing she is there with him. 
Catherine blushes and looks away for a moment, saying under her breath, „And yet four years have gone by…“, there is a sadness in her voice.
„Four years, two months and 23 days…“, he whispers, kissing her hand and causing Catherine to wonder how he could know this so precisely. After a short moment of silence, he opens the basket, saying: „I took the liberty to choose an American dish for us… I hope you still love Sloppy Joes!?“, she laughs in disbelief that he remembered the time they spent in New York together before he left to the engagement tour — she actually taught him how to make her mother’s recipe. He hands her a plate and napkins. „So, tell me more about your life. You are doing an impressive job and I’m so proud of you!“, he says smiling at her.
„Thank you, but I’m only doing my job and I’m not doing this alone, it is a team work and I am really grateful for being able to be a part of it. As you can imagine, my life has been busy. I am glad I have a few days off coming up, before the craziness starts again…“, she takes a bite and says: „Ohh, this is really good! Compliments to the chef…“, he smiles and offer her something to drink.
„I’m glad you like it, I spent the evening cooking this“, he laughs thinking about how the kitchen looked liked afterwards. 
Catherine looks at him in disbelief, „What? You made these?“, she laughs „I guess I have seen everything now… and for the looks of it, the palace is still standing, so congratulations!“
Liam laughs, „Well, I cook it every now and then. Drake loves it and, well… there are a lot of good memories attached to it.“. She smiles at him and he says: „But apart from work, what have you been up to? Are you… are you seeing someone?“, he looks at her hand, blushing and shaking his head „I am sorry, I used to be good at this kind of conversations, but I haven’t put it into praxis in a while“. 
Catherine giggles, thinking his reaction is adorable, „No, I’m not seeing anyone. I haven’t had a relationship since… since I broke off my engagement a year ago. I just don’t have the time for a relationship right now“, she takes a sip of her drink.
„Ohh, I see…“, he smiles discreetly „I heard about your engagement… I’m sorry it didn’t work out“, he says looking at her.
„Nope, you are not really sorry, are you?“, she laughs „But how did you know? Did Hana tell you?“, Liam’s face falls as he explains:
„When I divorced Madeleine, 15 months ago after we found Tariq and he finally cleared your name, I went to New York. I wanted to talk to you… I couldn’t wait to see you and tell you the news. Bastien found your new address, but he also found out that you had a fiance. I wanted to tell you the news so bad… but when I saw you with him, I just couldn’t… you seemed happy, so happy with him and I felt as if I would be intruding in your life again“, he sighs, staring ahead. „I was happy for you but it killed me inside that I wasn’t the one by your side and it was all my fault. I shouldn’t have married Madeleine… I should have broke it off and dealt with the consequences. I have regretted my choice from the moment I said ‚I do‘ until today“, he takes a deep breath, „And now having you here, I can’t help but imagining what could have been. All I know is that not a day went by that I didn’t miss you, Katie“, he says lowering his face.
Catherine can’t believe he went back to New York to see her. They both have been through so much but she knows how difficult it might have been for him to let her go. She gets closer to him and leans her head on his shoulders „I knew about Tariq, Hana told me everything, but I never knew you got divorced…“. He puts one arm around her waist and she continues, „What happened that day in my apartment in New York really hurt me, Liam. But I know that, in a very twisted way, you were trying to be responsible and to be the best King for your country… you put your duty before your feelings, hurting both of us“, he pulls her closer to him and kisses her hair.
„I really hope you can forgive me one day, Katie. I don’t deserve it… I really don’t but I never stopped loving you…“, he looks at her deep blue eyes „Do you still feel anything for me?“, he takes her hand and kisses it. He is nervous, unsure if he can take the answer.
Catherine looks away for a few seconds, then back at him „I forgave you years ago, Liam. But my life is just chaos right now, I don’t have the time to put the effort into a relationship… if this is what you want to know“, she looks away again, spending some minutes in silence. She stands up, she seems distant as if some old walls have come up again, „Anyway, thank you for the walk down memory lane, but I really should get going. I have a flight to catch in a few hours and I still have a few things to do“. 
Liam stands up as well and locks his arms around her, pulling her against him, „You didn’t answer my question… do you still have feelings for me?“, he rests his forehead against hers.
„Do I really have to say this?”, she sees his baby blue eyes pleading for an answer, “Okay… I… I never stopped loving you either, Liam. But it doesn’t change the fact that I don’t have the time for this. There is no more you and me, this is part of the past now and we have to leave it there“, she puts her hands on his chest, pushing him gently away.
Liam closes his eyes feeling the pain of her words and whispers, „Are you happy? Because I have been miserable… I would do anything for you, anything you want from me just for one chance of a happy life with you, Katie“, he looks deep in her eyes „You say you don’t have time for this, then let me do the work this time, Catherine… let me be the one to put the effort and fight for this, the way you fought for me… please. I am not the Liam that left you alone in that apartment anymore, I want to show you that“.
Catherine shakes her head slightly, „I don’t know if I wanna go there, Liam. I don’t wanna go through a pain like that ever again… I don’t know if I can survive this one more time“, she turns around slowly but he lightly grabs her hand and gently pulls her towards him into a passionate kiss. Her eyes widened as she felt his lips colide with hers but she soon relaxes into his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck and pushing him harder against her. The kiss lasted moments but they found themselves breathless as they parted. She gazed at Liam’s face and he knew she felt it too — the four years have not erased one bit of their love and passion for each other. 
„Spend your time off with me… we can go somewhere only the two of us. And if you still think it won’t work, I’ll accept it… but please, let me try!“, he kisses her forehead.
She cups his face, looking into his eyes, „I promise I will think about it, Liam…“, that was all she could tell him for now. She rises up on her tip toes and gives Liam a peck on the cheek, slowly brushing her hands on his muscular chest. He smiles hopeful and watches her making her way to the car.
(To be continued…)
For more chapters go to my MASTERLIST in my bio.
—————————–
The Royal Romance Liam x MC Tag
@gardeningourmet @bella-ca @coldcollectornight08 @elbenmond @marywrites-things @furiousherringoperatortoad @hopefulmoonobject @annekebbphotography @give-me-ernest-sinclaire @topsyturvy-dream @sharon6713 @classychoicesaworld @3pawandme @fanfictionrecommendations-com @cordoniaqueensworld @carabeth @boujeechoices @thatspicegirlssong @jared2612 @umccall71
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elles-choices · 6 years ago
Text
Part 6: Water Under The Bridge (TRR AU, Liam x MC - NSF*W)
Tumblr media
Pairing: Liam x MC (Catherine)
Words Count: about 3500
PS: For part 1-5 please look below :)
Summary: Catherine Spencer returns to New York after her fall from grace in Cordonia. She left the love of her life behind and all the dreams she had dared to dream. Now she has to pick up the pieces and move on but her past has a way of finding her.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Choices by Pixel Berry
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„If you're not the one for me
Then how come I can bring you to your knees
If you're not the one for me
Why do I hate the idea of being free?
And if I'm not the one for you
You've gotta stop holding me the way you do
Oh honey if I'm not the one for you
Why have we been through what we have been through?
It's so cold out here in your wilderness
I want you to be my keeper
But not if you are so reckless
If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge“ Water Under The Bridge, Adele
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Catherine looks through the can window, wondering where the driver is taking her. Liam called 30 minutes ago telling her that his meeting was finally over and she should come meet him. However, he didn’t want to share any further detail as it was supposed to be a surprise.
The black Mercedes stops in the entrance of the marina — the same place where Catherine won the ceremonial race a few years ago but for her it seems like ages. She feels an uneasiness in her stomach… how many times had she hoped Liam would just send the other ladies home because he knew exactly who was the one for him; instead, he would repeat many times how he ‚should be fair to the other women‘ — she takes a deep breath and repeats to herself ‚but that was then and this is now‘. 
One of the King’s guards open the car door to let her out. She looks around looking for Liam but all she sees is a group of men in black suits, part of Liam’s security team. The man who opened the car door says: „Lady Spencer, please follow me“. She nods and they walk down the docks towards gate D where she sees an impressive-looking yacht. „His Majesty the King awaits you inside, my Lady“, he bows to her and leaves. 
Catherine embarks the yacht slowly, looking for Liam but there is nobody in sight. She walks up to the flying bridge and finds Liam studying a map, „Hello, Captain!“, she smiles and waits for him to turn around and see her.
„Hello, my love“, he walks up to her, pulling her into an embrace that lasted for a few seconds, „God, I missed you so much!“, he leans in for a slow, smooth kiss full of love.
„Hmmm“, she says when his lips leaves hers letting him now how much she enjoyed his taste, she has still her eyes closed. „These were the longest 5 hours in my life…“, Catherine says.
Liam puts his arms around her waist and chuckles, „I could barely concentrate, Kate. I kept looking at the photo we took this morning, flying back to Cordonia“, he looks into her eyes, „I could get used to this, you… here. Seeing you after a stressful day makes my life worth living“, he rests his forehead against hers. „I cleared my schedule for the week so we can do something special“. Catherine smiles, looking at him curious, „We will take the royal yacht, drive a couple of miles out into the Mediterranean Sea and spend these five days alone out there, just you and me. What do you think?“, he smiles, lowering his hands to her butt. 
„It sounds nice but I thought you hated boats?“, she says cupping his cheeks, „Also, I didn’t bring my luggage with me…“. Liam takes her hands into his and says:
„Well, I may be coming around… with the perfect company and a scenic background it is the perfect place to be“, he kisses her hand, „And your luggage should be in our master cabin“. Liam turns around and takes her to the map, „Tomorrow we can drive to the French Riviera but now you should go get ready for dinner, while I drive us out. We don’t wanna miss the sunset…“, he kisses Catherine gently and says, „Go all the way down, it is the only door to the right“, she excuses herself and makes her way to their room.
———————
Catherine walks into the cockpit and sees Liam leaning against the railing, looking into the horizon. She observes him attentively for a minute until he realizes she is standing there looking at him. His eyes widen and a smile grows over his lips when his eyes meet hers. She looks like a bride, his bride, in a white fitted, sleeveless mid dress in satin with a v-neck and narrow straps crossed at the back. She moves her blond hair to one shoulder and walks slowly to him. His eyes sweep over her body, with a look that is slow and lingering, stopping at her bold red lips.
„What did I miss?“, she smiles looking at the setting sun, „Wow, this is stunning…“, she says stopping by his side.
„Yes, indeed… I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life“, he says looking at her. Catherine glances at him and realizes that he was talking about her. He gets closer pulling her into a fervent kiss and she feels an electric charge, a surge of power going through her body… it is intense, it is primal and incredibly familiar — it’s the way only Liam can make her feel and she knows whatever happens to them, she will always have this… his love and desire for her. Liam draws back, savoring her taste on his lips with a satisfied smile. He holds her in front of him and they watch the spectacle together for a while. „I never thought I’d feel this happy ever again… and it’s all because of you, Catherine“, his hands roaming her curves, trying to memorize them as he kisses her neck from behind. She is his soulmate, his present and future, his weakness, his strength, his happiness… she was divine, he was sure of it from the moment she breath life into his being, healing his deepest wounds.
She turns around holding him tight, listening to his heart beat and feeling his chest raise and sink with his breathing.  „Thank you…“, she says, looking up at him, „for not giving up on us“. She sees a single tear leaving his eyes and she brushes it away, kissing his cheek, „I love you, Liam. All this time… it has always been you!“, she rests her head on his chest and feels so vulnerable. It is undeniable now that she can’t fight this feeling anymore, her heart belongs to him… he is the solution for everything.
———————
After dinner, they cuddle in the luxurious sky lounge. His hand brushing her arm as he kisses her temple. He sighs deeply and she asks:
„What is it, honey?“, she turns to look at him.
„We should talk about a few things that happened throughout these four years“, his expression is serious and thoughtful. „I don’t wanna feel like I’m hiding things from you…“, he holds her hand.
„You are scaring me, Liam…“, she looks at him unsure of what he means.
„Don’t be, sweetheart. I’m here with you…“, he squeezes her hand and breaths deeply. „The first thing I need to tell you is that although Tariq came forward taking all the blame for the scandal, he wasn’t the conspirator… unfortunately, my father was…“, he looks down feeling the pain of this betrayal.
Catherine shakes her head in disbelief, „What? No… it can’t be…“, she takes a deep breath, „But why would he do that?“.
„He abdicated because he had an aggressive cancer and only a few months to live. He knew I would have chosen you to be my Queen that night and thought you would weaken the monarchy standing because of your courtly inexperience…“, his eyes meet hers, „I never forgave him and I will never forget what he did to us. He changed our lives and because of him, we almost lost each other forever“, his eyes fill with tears.
„His ways may have been twisted but your father loved you, Liam. Trust me, I’m not happy about it either but he was more to you than just that. You have to let it go, you can’t carry this anger and rage with you forever“, she caresses his cheeks.
„You amaze me every time… Why do you think he deserves our forgiveness?“, he looks at her confused.
„He doesn’t but this is what forgiveness is about. He is gone now, Liam… it is okay to grieve the father you loved and admired your entire life. His mistake was one chapter of his life, it was a desperate decision of a dying man trying to make sure his son would survive in a dangerous world“, she gives him a gentle kiss on his lips, „Don’t let these feelings consume you, turn his actions into a reminder of what you don’t wanna turn into. One day you will have a family of your own and you will understand the kind of love that drove him to do this… he was wrong, very wrong by not trusting you but nobody can denies that he loved you“, she holds him tight in her arms and they stay like this in silence for a few minutes.
„Thank you…“, he whispers, „for making me a better person“. Catherine smiles with so much love for him that he feels his heart skip a beat. He kisses her cheek and says: „There are still a few things I want to address though…“.
„Oh God… I don’t know if I can take more of this, Liam“, she smiles unsure.
„This was definitely the worst news, my love“, he brushes his thumb over her knuckles. „Remember when I told you how difficult it was for me to accept losing you?“, she nods, waiting for him to continue, „I got involved with some women but I want you to know that it wasn’t serious… it was just sex and I don’t want you ever wondering about it“.
„Well, I wasn’t until you brought it up again…“, she says a little annoyed at him for bringing up the topic. „Look Liam, four years passed for you and for me too. We made mistakes, we learned from them… I don’t really wanna know about your sex life during this time because in the end it doesn’t matter. Today, I am the one by your side and tomorrow, you will be the one waking up in my bed“, she feels awkward, she has never been the jealous kind but she knows she won’t handle this talk too well if he goes on.
„You are right… but there is something I have to tell you“, he sighs closing his eyes, getting ready to share the upsetting news.
„Please, don’t tell me that you have a kid…“, she buries her face in her hands.
Liam laughs and says: „No! Oh, God, no… I was drunk but not too drunk to forget using protection!“. Catherine breathes deeply in relief. „Most of these woman were not from Cordonia and I didn’t know much about them but…“, he pauses and watches Catherine opening her eyes waiting for the blow, „One day I was in Lythikos with our friends. It was late, most of them had gone to bed and it was only me and Olivia. I drunk too much, she made advances and we almost did it…“. She looks at him as if her head was going to explode. „I was too drunk to actually do it. We talked about it the morning after but now we just pretend it never happened… she won’t be a problem since she and Drake are exploring their options. However, I don’t wanna hide it from you“, he kisses her hands.
„Please excuse me, I… I need some air“, Catherine stands up and leaves. She leans against the railing, looking at the lights of the capital. It doesn’t take too long before she feels his hands touching her back.
„I’m sorry for hurting you…“, he holds her from behind and they stay there for a few seconds.
„I’m not mad“, she says, „It’s just… Olivia? Really? She used to be one of your best friends and you knew she always had a thing for you, Liam… why would you go there?“, she shakes her head.
„I was too drunk to think straight, Katie. I apologized to her afterwards. We agreed that this was a mistake… I do take responsibility for what happened but I want you to know that I wasn’t myself at that time…“, he kisses her head and tightens his embrace.
„Does Drake know about it?“, she says under her breath.
„Yes, he does. He understands that it was before they even had feelings for each other, we just don’t talk about it. I was too drunk to even remember exactly what happened“, he kisses her softly down her neck and bites her skin gently, causing her to shiver with pleasure.
She turns around and says: „Okay… if it didn’t mean anything to you, I am sure I will get over it sooner or later…“, she hugs him, closing her eyes, „I don’t have any right to be mad at you, Liam… maybe we should leave the past in the past and figure out how we want to move forward“, she looks at him and he kisses her gently on the lips, smiling as his lips leave hers.
„I’d like that“, he looks into her eyes shinning bright like two aquamarine gemstones, „I don’t deserve you. I don’t know if I ever will but I know I wanna become the best man I can be, for you“, slowly his lips move towards hers, getting so close she can feel his breath. He touches her lips like a whisper at first, so gentle and lightly sending shivers of desire through her body, causing her to gasp in delight. Then, suddenly, he greedily takes every inch of her mouth, leaving her breathless.
Catherine pushes him gently away, making her way back into the sky lounge and leaving him puzzled for a second. She stops at the entrance, lowering the straps of her dress and opening the concealed side zip. She trows him a glance over her shoulders, „Are you coming?“, letting the dress fall to the floor and making her way to their master cabin.
Liam bites his lower lips as he watches her swaying her hips as she walks. He looks at her tight ass and swallows hard, feeling his trousers getting tighter by the second. He moves quickly after her, holding her from behind — one of his hands massaging her bare breasts while the other slips under her tiny underwear. He closes his eyes and kisses her neck while his fingers slowly circle her bundle of nerves and she moans, sticking out her ass against his hard cock. „You are so wet, love… I want you so bad…“, he says with his husky voice.
„Then take me, Liam…“, she whispers and he turns her around, grabbing her butt and lifting her up, she wraps her legs around him. Carefully, he walks down the stairs and enters their room. He kissed her with a heat, letting her know that he wants her. He lowers her onto the mattress and licks her body back up to her chest. She helps him with his clothes until he is only in underwear. She slips her hand inside his boxer briefs and starts stroking his 8 inches long cock, he groans her name:
„Catherine…“, he kisses her passionately for a few seconds before spinning her around on the bed. He kisses the back of her neck, down her spine and she pushes her butt against his cock, „Do you want it now, love?“. He takes his underwear off and throws it on the floor.
„Oh yes, Liam…“, he lifts her a little and slips a pillow under her belly, canting her hips higher. Opening her legs, she leaves her sex wide open to him. Slowly, he guides himself to her slick folds, rubbing his thick member through her wetness, making her beg him to finally fuck her. Liam grabs her hip with one hand and glides himself into her and she purrs. She moves her ass as he thrust like there will be no tomorrow. His fingers find their way to her clit, massaging her as he thrusts harder into her, „Oh God, Liam…“.
„You feel so good, beautiful!“, he says. He pulls her up to him, both still kneeling and she nestles tightly with her back to his chest. She hugs his neck with one hand and he caresses her breasts, kissing her shoulders. He slows his pace a little, enjoying the sensation of her pussy. One of his hands reaches down and gently massages her clit. He turns her head to him and she holds his gaze for a while — this moment is so unique and intimate to both of them, they can clearly feel the deepness of their souls' connection. „Come for me, love“, he whispers and she moans, leaning forward, her hands grabbing the sheets and she moves her butt up and down while he thrusts harder into her. She moans his name and he feels her muscle tightening around him. He groans reaching deeper into her and they reach ecstasy together.
Liam lies down and pulls Catherine into his arms, he is exhausted but can’t stop smiling. She rests her head on his chest, „This was… incredible!“, she giggles.
„I love you, Catherine… I adore you… I don’t need anything in my life but you!“, he kisses her head and she looks up smiling.
„I love you too, Liam“, she kisses him one more time before they fall asleep in each other’s arms.
———————
The days have gone by so quickly and Catherine will return to London the next day. They have never felt as close as they feel now. She feels more secure with him, they laugh together again and things seem to be heading to the right direction — Liam knows that his decision of taking the week off to spend with the love of his life was one of the best he has ever made. They reconnected and they are so good together.
Catherine sits on Liam’s lap as he checks his emails, she waits for him to get it done so they can finally enjoy the sun. Suddenly, her phone rings and she looks at the caller id, „Oh, it’s my work. I gotta get this!“, she kisses Liam’s cheek and disappear inside the sky lounge. Liam watches as she leaves, not thinking too much of it and getting back to his email. After 10 minutes she comes back and takes a seat in front of him, she looks a little unsettled. 
„What is wrong, love?“, he looks at her worried.
She shakes her head and tries to smile, „Nothing, really… I have a working trip coming up. I just found out about it“, she says looking at the horizon. 
„Oh… when is it? How many days will you be gone?“, Liam reaches for her hand, squeezing it.
„Hmm, I’m flying out in two weeks and I’ll be gone for three…“, she looks into his eyes.
„Three days is not that bad… and when you are back I’ll come see you! There is no need to be sad“, Liam smiles and brings her hand to his lips.
„Not days, weeks. I’ll be gone for three weeks… but I will really miss you!“, she smiles but there is a sadness in it.
„Wow… three weeks is a long time!“, he brushes his thumb over her knuckles, „I can visit you then. Where are you flying to?“, he smiles.
„No, it’s fine… we can talk every day and Skype“, she smiles but he doesn’t buy it.
„Where are you flying to, Katie?“, he looks at her, serious and arching a brow.
Catherine looks away, „I can’t share this information with you… I am going with a few of my colleagues in a UN mission to gather information, conduct interviews and try to find witnesses in refugee camps“, Liam lower his face holding his head with his hand, „I don’t want you to worry. It’s going to be my third time flying there… It just... it has never been this long“.
„You don’t want me to worry?“, he whispers, „You are going to the Middle East and I should not be worried?!“, he raises his head looking at her, shaking his head. „You are not going, Katie… this is a fucking war zone. I can’t let you go… this is not happening!“, he covers his mouth with his hand.
„This is my job, Liam. How do you think I get to the informations I need for court? I can’t just go to my boss and tell him that my boyfriend, the King, doesn’t want me to go. They will replace me in a heart beat“, she tries to explain. ‘Boyfriend’, she said it and he noticed but he can’t feel as happy as he thought he would. Not when his girl is leaving putting her life in danger.
„This is too dangerous, Catherine. I don’t care where you are going to… I know it is too dangerous and I don’t want the most important person in my life to be exposed to this danger!“, he tries to convince her.
„I’ll be flying from Rammstein to a Peshmerga controlled zone far away from the front. It isn’t as dangerous as it sounds“, she stands up, walking behind him and hugging him.
„Fucking Iraq? You are going to fucking Iraq!? This is insane… please don’t do this to yourself, please don’t do this to me“, he closes his eyes and one tear runs down his cheek.
„I have to…“, she buries her face in his shoulders.
(to be continued)
For more chapters go to my MASTERLIST in my bio.
———————
The Royal Romance Liam x MC Tag
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@elbenmond @marywrites-things @furiousherringoperatortoad
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