#i have a list of places i need to go. specific shops and hotels he knew as a young man that still exist

[handweavers]

i haven't ever actually been to ireland despite being technically a citizen but i was raised by a man from letterkenny and in his old age his memories of ireland are the strongest and so he talks at length about the geography of the north and all the little towns and villages he used to spend time in both in donegal and derry and together we recite the names of the rivers and lakes and mountains across donegal and i got him some prints of paintings of malin head and lough swilly and the beaches at portrush and i feel like i know that entire area like the back of my hand even though, again, i have never once stepped foot there. i have been there countless times with him in his memories and seen it all through his eyes but i will never see them with him in person. images of the geography and towns around letterkenny and derry often come to me in dreams and i can picture the main street in letterkenny and the royal school at raphoe where he went because he couldn't afford the lodgings at trinity in dublin or foyle college in derry (and even still, his scholarship was paid by one of the anglican priests at the raphoe diocese because he couldn't afford to board in raphoe either) and i can picture all of it as it looked in the 1940s so clear in my mind

[iu-xo]

"Like we've always hated each other"

Tantrum.

intro part 1 part 2 part 3

It took much less time than expected! I hope it's enjoyable to read, god this is so slowburn, so they still hate each other! But... do they really?

The sun... the sun that comes through the window... the fucking sun.

The most recent being to move into the hotel after its restoration, he was fighting a battle to the death with nothing more and nothing less than the sheets of his bed, nothing new for the king to say the least, In his mind it was the eighth time he told himself he would get up, And this was the real thing, he thought for the eighth time...

When he heard a door suddenly open, and even though he loved his daughter with all his heart, he couldn't wish for anything other than that she would leave him for another hour to rot for a little longer in his nest of depression and procrastination, Which didn't happen that way.

-DAD! I'm sorry to bother you... I know you were still sleeping and stuff! despite being past noon.. But your help would reeeeaaaally help me a lot rigth now!

Even though his body betrayed him and made him want to sink and become one with the mattress, knowing that his daughter needed something from him gave him enough motivation to sit up in bed.

-Whatever you need honey..

His voice was still hoarse and sleepy, revealing his little to none desire to exist at that moment, but surely when he did something he would feel better... he hoped.

The princess gave a happy squeal to take out some notebook pages with lists and colorful crayon drawings, and grabbed one in particular which she put on her father's nightstand while she put the rest away with some clumsiness.

-Today I have an activity planned but I mixed up my schedules with next week's, so I have nothing to start with!

The blonde looked very worried about this problem she had, and Lucifer thought that maybe she would ask him for things to buy and he could just magically appear them, piece of cake.

-So while I fix this I wanted you to put these flyers in the businesses that already gave me permission!

Wait. What?

the angel really thought He could get away with doing this quickly with a little magic trick, but he really had no way of appearing flyers in specific places which he had no idea where they were..

-erm.. Dear.. Can't we just put them in... I don't know... everywhere?

-Nop! Because today's topic is... consent!

She said while making a rainbow in the air with her hands , Therefore, the little angel had no choice but to personally walk through the disgusting streets of the pride ring... his ring. While he was hanging little pieces of paper on the windows of the shops of the ungrateful sinners that owned them. But... it was for Charlie... so how bad could it be, He stopped thinking about how bad it would be and instead saw Charlie's smile explaining how she wanted to deal with today's topic, he saw her eyes full of sparkle and got out of bed.

-Count on me char-char, I'll take care of it!

Charlie smiled from ear to ear and hugged him, leaning down, he had taken Lucifer a little by surprise but he gladly reciprocated

-Thank you.. means a lot.

They both felt a silence after that, it wasn't awkward, it was like they were telling each other without words that they were trying to heal something, And even if it couldn't happen overnight, they were trying, Charlie knew they would make it, Lucifer... he could only hope so.

But after that charlie decided to left the room to let her father get ready, she also had too many things to do, time was against her and she wasn't going to waste it.

-Well.. see ya!

She said goodbye with her hand, while her father did it in the same way, Once she was outside, the angel walked slowly to his closet, looking for something more casual, but ended up wearing his usual outfit but without his white jacket, he rolled up his sleeves and headed to the bathroom to fix his hair, he saw himself in the mirror for a moment, a wave of melancholy drowning him for a few moments, He saw himself worn out, tired.

He washed his face with cold water as an attempt to wash away the draining thoughts, it just... everything used to be so simple for him, at least sometimes... He left the bathroom and opened a window in his room, looking to breathe something other than his own self-loathing, A burst of sulfur aroma was what he found, he sighed, At this moment he missed the aroma of fruit and freshly wet grass... he may not be missing the regime of heaven but... that garden and it's smells sure were something else

He realized that he had gotten quite lost in thought, so he washed his face one last time Seeking to return to reality, and avoiding the hassle of seeing so many faces at the reception... he opened a golden portal under his feet that left him at the exit of the hotel, now he only had to...

walk.

Lovely.

•~•~•~•~•~•~•

-WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE YOU LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT.

A demon twice his size was shouting at him in the middle of the street, the lamb-like demon had bruises he was bleeding and holding the demon's hand that grabbed him by the neck while lifting him off the floor, he didn't seem scared, in fact he didn't feel the slightest bit of fear despite the dangerous situation he found himself in, as if he believed that at any moment one of his exterminators would arrive and take him out of there, or simply as if it didn't enter his head that he wasn't untouchable.

-F-FUCK YOU.. YOU.. FUCKING PUSSY!

He tried to get free even with less oxygen than required, he increasingly gained strength to kick his attacker into the pit of his stomach, leaving him breathless momentarily and falling to the ground, he took a deep breath and before the opponent could notice Adam was half a block away, he may have been out of shape, but he managed to ran into an alley and lean against the wall, while he saw the idiot run past him.

-SHIT- FUCKING- DAMN IT!

He dropped to the floor sliding down the wall, wiped the blood from his nose, then saw the blood on his hand..

Red.

His blood was... Red. Did he feel.. anger? No.. sadness? Of course not.. he was not a pussy.. He felt... To hell with what he felt all this was bullshit and he shouldn't be going through this! He shouldn't be here! He Should not.. he shouldn't be here...he was the first man...God's most beautiful creation! Fuck..he couldn't be rotting in this shit hole together with all these pieces of shit! They all came from him. where is his respect..

Interrupting his internal monologue bar existential crisis, he heard footsteps and unconsciously clung to the wall with his new claws, since he had arrived he had already escaped from five guys who were looking to kick his ass, perhaps a sixth could be avoided.

Humming a catchy melody, a familiar face passed by looking for something, looked at a sheet of paper, then at the shops, Then he approached the window of the establishment and stuck a flyer on it, without realizing the stare he had on him, Although of course, many people had looked at him since he left the hotel, he had had to send a couple flying, so it wasn't something especially peculiar

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

of all the habitants of hell... IT SHOULD BE FUCKING LUCIFER THE FIRST FAMILIAR FACE HE SEES?! This day, this place and all of this it's nothing but a stupid damn joke!

What the fuck is he doing? Hanging ruffles? Last time he tried to sell him that he was such a big deal, what was he doing hanging fucking pamphlets in the disgusting streets full of shit?

The gaze that Lucifer felt on his shoulder felt heavier and heavier, when he looked out of the corner of his eye he noticed a sinner looking towards the flyer he puted on the glass, and an idea crossed his mind, what would be better than advertising the hotel? Well, make it work of course! He could do this, it was just... talking to a stranger! Perfect, and the bad thing was that... he had to talk to a stranger. come on morningstar! For your daughter's approval!

-Heey you.

They both remained in total silence, panic could be seen on Adam's face, had he recognized him? It seemed like no... everything pointed to no, but that didn't stop his brain from wanting to run away and leave him alone in that moment, Lucifer had an ackward face and it shows in the way his eye twitched that he regretted his decision ever since the words left his mouth, but there was no way to take it back now, meanwhile Adam considered the possibility of just running away.

-I see you... watching from there! You can... read it. You know.. it's a pamphlet. They are for... reading-

He could easily smash his hand against his face in an exaggerated way, but this wasn't the time for that, if he brought a guest to the hotel today Charlie would be so happy! he can do it, it was like selling, It's not that he knew how to sell things... but how hard could it be

Meanwhile Adam looked at him with a disappointed face, his communication skills were as deplorable as they had always been, but he glanced at the pamphlet, of course, their fifth class hotel.

-It has everything! You should tell every person you see in hell about it.

Adam's disgusted face spoke for him, while Lucifer sighed, obviously it wouldn't be that easy to bring someone to the hotel in one day, but for Adam everything was going wonderfully since at least he didn't know it was him.

The feeling did not last too long, as he felt a figure forming behind him, heat emanating from near his back, the lamb-like demon feared the worst, and unfortunately he was right.

-To claim to be the first dick you are quite the pussy.

Said a demon behind him, twice his size, Shark-like, It was the guy from before for sure, shit-

-wait. what was that first thing you said?

before the words had a chance to come out of the angel's mouth in their entirety, He felt a gust of wind pass by him but as far as he was concerned, the wind doesn't scream.

As he turned around at the speed of the wind itself, he could briefly see his future guest crashing into the brick wall at the hands of the stupid demon who had interrupted his negotiation attempt, in a moment six wings came out angelically from the sovereign's back to place himself just in time between the two demons with a flutter of his wings, whit one hand he stoped the inevitable punch destined to hit Adam's face.

-Nobody taught you not get into the grown up's conversations... right?

He said this while a grin formed in his face, showing sharp teeth which this guy would remember all his life, Lucifer released the guy's fist to hold his wrist and with a twist of his hip he easily sent him to the other side of the pentagram.

-now. where did you get that phrase from?

When the angel looked behind him he could see nothing more and nothing less than two hooves walking away two meters away

-Shit shit shit shit shit SHIT!

Although Adam's intention was to lose sight of the small man following him, when he looked back all he could see was his imminent arrival to the ground, receiving a tackle from Lucifer, they both fell rolling around as if they were two little children fighting in the school garden

-SPEAK FILTHY CREATURE

He demanded, standing on top of the lamb, despite it being half his size and looking humorous, the truth is that Adam couldn't get out of his grip no matter how hard he tried.

-STOP BEING SO DAMN DENSE BITCH!

Oh God. He recognized that voice, he recognized that stupid self-nickname, and worst of all, he recognized that stupid tantrum.

-how the hell. are you here rigth now.

-Why should I say that to you, huh?!

-maybe because YOU DON'T HAVE ANOTHER OPTION?! MAYBE??

Both continued to struggle with each other, one to escape and one to have answers. Lucifer was afraid of letting him escape and that he could cause some trouble, although thinking about it carefully... he looked at his lamb's ears, his hooves, his eyes and his teeth... now he was a simple sinner, There wasn't much he could accomplish even if he tried, he'd probably be screwed, he may already had taked a few beatings even.

-Well, I have no idea! I hope that helps sucker!

He said and spit in his face, something he didn't thought about properly, or didn't thought about at all, The ruler's face was irritated, as if he were putting up with a spoiled child, well... that's practically what he's doing.

-That's all, Let's go.

He cleaned his face whit his sleve and grabbed him by the collar of his clothes and began to drag him along the sidewalk, he had an exhausted expression as if he didn't have what it took to face this situation today, although he probably wouldn't any day.

-the FUCK. ARE YOU DOING?!

He said, fluttering his black wings everywhere, managing to irritate Lucifer by obstructing his vision, forcing him to stop, to which he grunted in annoyance.

-Well. taking care of you! What else am I supposed to do! It's what I should always do! because it seems like your entire existence is made to cause me problems!

Adam's gaze could be nothing but anger, he struggled away from Lucifer's grasp, which was curious to see due to the difference in sizes, once free he turned around to look at him from the front

- YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, I WAS MADE TO BE FUCKING PERFECT! YOU LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT.

-If you were as perfect as you say, how do you explain this eh! How do you think this happened?! You are not in this putrid pit for being the dick of the dicks PAL!

The lamb growled in exasperation as he stamped on the ground with his right hoof, after pulling his hair looking to escape from his angryness he lookef at the little one in the eye.

- IF I DON'T CARE, WHY THE FUCK SHOULD YOU CARE, YOU PIECE OF CRAP!

He felt a lump in his throat, but not as painful as the lump in the throat of the king of hell himself, Why should he care? Why the fuck should he care??

-Oh then i saw You die a fucking WEEK AGO. and You expect me to see that You are alive and let you wander through hell knowing that any demon is out there KICKING YOUR FUCKING ASS?! A THANK YOU WAS ENOUGH!

Lucifer screamed as his eyes turned from yellow to red from how infuriating he found having to argue with this idiot, he was never particularly reasonable but right now he was more irritable than normal and had no idea why

- THANK YOU?! OH SURE THEN YOU THINK YOU CAN TREAT ME LIKE A CHARITY CASE FOR YOUR BRAT'S SHITTY HOTEL HUH!? Well I have news for you DUDE!

Adam He kicked dirt from the street, dirtying Lucifer's clothes, who coughed in response to the cloud of dust

-im not your fucking guinea pig.

He narrowed his gaze in disgust, looking down literally and metaphorically at his contrary.

-Are you allergic to kindness? or why is it that you can't accept a fucking favor!?

Adam's Contemptuous face became one of intense anger and he took a step forward and brought his face closer to the angel's.

-from YOU? Of course. Good joke.

Lucifer had enough, he wouldn't wait to know where this reunion could go, It's not even worth wasting his breath on... Adam. Or at least that's what he thought.

-you know what? It's fine with me. It's not like you're not used to everyone leaving you, stay like that, as always, stay alone.

The king shook his clothes to remove the dirt, with one hand he snapped his fingers and as he arrived he left, Adam was left with an unreadable expression, he didn't move from there, he just stood there.

still and quiet.

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

The golden portal opened above the hotel's front door, since he had avoided greeting people in the morning he assumed he could say hello in the aftern.. nigth, it was nigth.

Well, anyways, he would greet them at night then.

Opening the door abruptly without worrying about whether it was timely or not, he stepped into the hall.

-HEELLOOO everyone! How does the night treat you all?

From there you could easily see the bartender behind the bar along with the little maid sitting at the bar playing with some dead bug, on the sofa lay their most exotic guest and a certain deer showed no signs of being close, much to the king's liking.

-we have been better short king, But nothing that a drink can't fix, rigth wiskers?

The feline rolled his eyes but smiled at the end, and began to mix different liquids, When he looked in the direction the king was his eyes widened in surprise

- wow. It looks like you were hited by a truck.

Angel Dust looked in the same direction realizing what the bartender was referring to, It really looked like they had made him crawl on the floor, well, in fact something like that happened-

- someone played too rough whit ya~?

Husk put his palm to his face as Nifty leaned over the bar counter

- I like rough.

She said, sketching a sinister smile, to which Lucifer reacted with a certain degree of displeasure, and Husk put a donut from the bar counter in her mouth to make her shut up for a little bit

- umh.. rigth. Well no, I wasn't hit by a truck, and no! Neither, the other thing. I just ran into a few issues. Nothing to worry about.

While this small exchange of words was going on, footsteps could be heard in the distance approaching faster and faster, ending with a hug from behind to Lucifer's surprise.

-DAD! What happened? It took you hours to come back!

-Oh come on, come on... it's nothing at all! A few small issues, a few hours! But everything is fine now.

While the angel convinced Charlie that it was nothing, sounds of static reached everyone's ears, covering them in the act, everyone anticipated the arrival of you-know-who, it was nothing new for him to arrive in such a dramatic way, especially if the king was there prior to his arrival

-How interesting... I would swear it would take more than a few small matters to delay the big boss.. a couple hours.

The one who had just arrived in the room exclaimed very arrogantly, with a smile from ear to ear per usual , Charlie watched him appear on the spot and waved happily, only to receive a greeting from the deer-like demon in return.

-oh oh oh If you only knew You little shit.

Lucifer smiled evilly knowing that if Alastor ran into Adam again the last thing he would do would be act with that arrogance so characteristic of his

-Honey there is someone at the door.

Vaggie entered the room and to the conversation to warn her girlfriend about the presence of someone outside, so charlie left the two old men arguing to answer the door

-Oh but tell us your highness, what were these "issues" then.

-Nothing that your walnut-sized brain can understand piece of-

Two brown hooves entered, stepping on the red carpet that covered the hotel's entrance hall, to which Charlie said very excitedly and taking small jumps until they reached the area where everyone was, her girl on one side of the stranger and her on the remaining side.

Lucifer's sight changed from being fixed on Alastor to seeing the newcomer and although the king was already prepared to smile at the person to receive them, when he looked at him carefully, the only thing that came out of his mouth was..

-FU- ADAM?! THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE.

When everyone heard who he was talking about, they stayed cold and glued to the floor. With his new demonic form, no one would have guessed that it was the leader of the exorcists in person, or rather... in demon.

-ADAM?!

-adam??

-THAT ADAM?!

-OH OH estás muerto CABRON!

-Mhhh..

After the domino reaction Adam with lowered ears tried to talk keeping his dignity and pride, not very successfully, with a stupid smile on his face he speak

-heey bitchees.. so.. what's for dinner?

You could swear there was the sound of a cane breaking in the background followed by a static sound.

[britt-kageryuu]

A bit of Road Trip!

(A.K.A. Part One of a Convention Series) | Part 2

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

The guys were loading up the Turtle Tank with the supplies they need for this particular trip.

And while they were calling it a road trip, they were really going to a smaller convention outside New York, if only to throw off anyone who thinks they would only go to a local con.

The reason they were taking the Tank, and not just portaling there, was because they needed a cover for the very annoying nosy people who might just question where they kept everything. Plus they would portal anything else they need in to their hotel later.

And any questions about the legality of said tank were just show a Oddly Specific Modded Vehicle Permit. The wonders of knowing someone in the government, who might've been unwilling adopted into the family.

The Purple Dragons were also coming with in a large van carrying extra equipment, and product that they would be selling.

Yes, they planned to have a booth, which would be selling their merch including the usual t-shirts, prints, stickers, acrylic stands, keychains, some plushies, and after getting proper permits, Caffeinated Turtle products.

Though Mikey was going to be in the Artist Alley selling his own stuff that he does under a different Alias, because people aren't supposed to know he's Mandarin.

Donnie was going over the checklist again, "Alright, we have everything that is necessary for now. Everyone get in, and I'll contact the Dragons to meet us in an hour, and remember to keep your cloaking broaches on at all times." They say as they walk over and give Splinter a stack of papers, "And Papa, here's where we will be, extra contact information incase you need to get ahold of us, and a reservation for your favorite Yokai Resort and Spa. Yes, we also want you to have some fun while we're gone. And we will miss you aswell."

While Donnie is listing this off the boys, April and the Caseys also say their goodbyes, Mikey hands him a travel bag, and Raph gives him a 'Happy Birthday' card. April also gives him a kiss and some of his favorite snacks, and the Caseys gift him a new Robe.

"Have fun, and relax Dad. We didn't plan this on purpose, things just lined up weird." Leo says while holding the portal to the resort open. "Just call us if you need anything, and we'll probably drop everything to help ya."

Splinter while a little upset at first, was very happy to be getting away from them, and practically ran through the portal right after.

"You'd think he didn't love us with that kind of hustle." April joked while they piled into the Tank.

The drive out of New York was fairly uneventful, though meeting up with the Dragons was a little tricky, given the traffic, and slightly jumble directions, but they agreed to stop at a few specific places on the way to make up for it.

One of those places being an apparently popular roadside attraction that was worth the hype. They got some kinda tacky things from the gift shop, took some pictures that will be posted like a week after the con, and got some gimmicky snacks for the road.

It was going to take a few hours or so to reach where the Convention was taking place, so there was alot of road trip games planned, and maybe a movie playing to pass the time.

From what Shelldon was relaying from the Dragonete drones, the Dragons were making plans to check out some things going on in the area when they weren't needed at the Con. Like some game tournaments that were being held, or a small tech place nearby.

The group as a whole hope things go well, and they don't get 'discovered' and 'revealed' by some random fan. But at least there was supposed to be some guests that they wanted to meet, and get at least a picture off/with.

Here's hoping at least.

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

Masterpost

So I have this only kinda planned out, and even then I really don't know where to go with this.

I might just summarize a bunch of stuff, or I might try writing out the guys doing different stuff, and post them as their own separate things. I really don't know yet.

I am open to suggestions, and critics!

I honestly forgot that Twitchcon was this weekend, and I honestly had a Convention Post Series planned for months. I just originally wanted to draw stuff to post along with them, but I will shelve that for later.

[heyitsspiders]

Lucifer x Transmasc! Reader - Falling for the Fallen Angel - Chapter 4

Errands

Charlie asks you to run some errands and things don't go as planned

Graphic violence in this chapter

a/n: moving all of this to tumblr is taking forever considering there are so far 8 chapters

Ever since that day Lucifer came around everyday. He’d always be talking to Charlie about something you just couldn’t make out and when you got too close he’d see you, smile, and hug you. It was adorable but very frustrating. What were they talking about? You knew it was none of your business but that didn’t make you want to know any less. 

However, you never pushed for information. Even if you didn’t know, it did cause Lucifer to come over and you liked seeing him. He got in the habit of joining you while you were cooking and he’d talk with you about whatever he could think of, giving you soft kisses as you worked which always made you very flustered. He’d also help you set the table once the food was done. You had fallen hard and it was nice to know it was mutual. 

Today he and Charlie were talking once more. Lucifer spotted you and did his usual greeting of “Hello!” and hugging you with that big smile of his. He was warm as you hugged him back, breaking away as Charlie nervously walked up to you.

“Hey, Twist, do you think you could run a few errands for me? I’m sorry for asking out of the blue but I have a lot of things I need to do-” She rambled.

You cut her off with a smile, “Of course! What do you need?”

She sighed with relief and handed you a list she had made, along with the money to pay for everything. She thanked you again and you were off. You would have asked Lucifer to join you but he had things to do as well. Oh well, you’d just have to make do alone. 

You walked down the hill the hotel sat on and wandered into the bright, loud city. It was as busy as ever as you slid past people and made your way down to the market. You looked over the list again, Charlie wanted quite a few things that included some vegetables, fruits, and cleaning supplies. Seems you were just helping restock, easy enough. 

You hummed as you walked, shoving your way past the crowds of people and finally entering the shopping district. You looked through the windows to see if any of the places held what you needed and stopped at a decently sized grocery store. You walked in, the bell above the door dinging as you did. You grabbed a basket and walked off to the produce section. You shifted through the vegetables, grabbing the ripest ones in each section and did the same with the fruits. Your basket already felt pretty heavy as you walked across the store to the cleaning supplies. Seems you just needed some paper towels, window cleaner and soap. Your eyes glossed over the shelves, looking for the aforementioned products until the white of the paper towels caught your eyes. You grabbed them and planted it in your basket, changing your search for the other two items.

Once you finished your scavenger hunt across the store you walked up to the registers and checked out. The total seemed impossibly high but you paid with the money that had been given to you and you walked out, the bags weighing heavily in your hands. You set the bags on the ground and checked the list again, double-checking you had grabbed everything. While reading over it you noticed an item you had neglected to get, which were… Children’s books? She listed a few specific titles she wanted, all of them seeming to revolve around loving one another and being kind. Yeah that checks out. 

You picked up your bags and looked around, there had to be a bookstore around here somewhere. You started down the sidewalk, really wishing you had some sort of car as the bags dug into your hands. Look, you had done enough ‘one-trips’ to get you the strength to carry these bags, but after a while the bags became like knives to your hands so you stopped at a nearby bench to let your hands recover. 

You flexed your hands as the deep lines on your palms slowly faded. You sighed. You needed to get out more. You watched the demons pass you, all in a hurry to their own destinations. 

After your hands recovered and you regained your strength, you picked up your bags and continued your search. If there was a bookstore they were doing a damn good job at hiding it. All the streets started to blur together and you had no idea if you were walking onto new streets or the same one. Eventually you saw a store sign with a book decal and you nearly melted into the concrete with joy and relief. Next time you ran errands for Charlie, you’d ask for directions.

You walked over to the store and went inside. It was rather empty, maybe no one else could find it either. You rummaged through the books on the shelves. None of them were the ones you needed. You sighed. Was this not the right place? You groaned as you defeatedly walked back to the door.

“Hey!” A demon from behind a register called. “You better pay for what you took!”

You looked at her, confused. “Ms, I didn’t take anything, I wasn’t able to find what I needed.”

She glared at you, “Uh-huh, that’s what they all say. Now pay up before I call security.” 

“Wh- what? But, I didn’t take anything!” You replied frantically. “You can search me if you want!”

“You wish! As if I’d ever put my hands on you,” She growled.

Was she being serious? You didn’t have time for this. You groaned again and walked over to her and handed her cash. “Here, I don’t know what I took but take this, it should cover anything I ‘took’.”

She grinned as she pocketed the money. She waved a hand at you, “now shoo, I don’t want to see your filthy face here ever again.”

That was fine by you, you didn’t want to be here ever again. You stomped out of the store, your blood boiling. You grumbled to yourself as you continued to walk around the endless city. You were near ready to give up when someone bashed the back of your head with a blunt object. You fell on your hands and knees, the skin on your hands getting scratched off as you landed harshly on the concrete. You spun around on the ground just in time for another blow to hit you, this time in the face. You could feel your nose pour blood and you blindly kicked at the demon. You heard them hiss as you made contact with one of their knees and you scrambled backwards, trying to stand up. The demon, who you now saw looked like a werewolf of some sort, pounced on you, grabbing your hands and pinning them to the ground. A butcher knife materialized in your hand as you thrashed, trying to stab them. Lucifer had taught you that all sinners have their own demonic powers and he had shown you how to use it. Yours just so happened to be cooking related. 

The dog was stronger than you were and your attempts to get your hands free were failing. You kicked at their stomach with both of your feet, which allowed you a moment of freedom. You took this moment to move your weapon into the hellhound’s shoulder, which caused them to recoil and hold their shoulder. You scrambled to your feet and ran. You heard them growl and they ran after you. They were gaining on you quickly and you had no other choice. You flapped your wings, desperately trying to lift yourself in the air. You had never tried to fly, you didn’t think you could but you had to try. Your feet started to lift off the ground and you beat your wings, trying to get away.

Just as it felt like you were getting away a sharp pain shot through your left wing and you came crashing down on the asphalt. He had used your own knife against you, your weapon piercing your wing. Adrenaline fought back the pain as you tried to crawl away. You could hear the dog howling with laughter as he got closer. They crushed your ankle with his foot, stopping you. You cried out for help as the demon chuckled. You flapped your wings desperately, pain shooting through your body.  The hellhound growled and gripped your wounded wing.

“Still trying to get away? Tsk,” their grasp tightened. “Let’s see how well you can fare without one of your precious little wings.”

Your eyes widened in horror as you took in his words, his claws tearing through the membrane of your wing and yanking a good portion of your wing off. You cried out in pain and agony, gripping the concrete. 

They threw the useless chunk of flesh in front of you so you could see it. They barked out a laugh, “pathetic.”

You choked back a sob as they plunged the knife into your side for good measure. You gritted your teeth as you tried to summon another weapon but failed. Your strength was fleeting as you bled out. 

The demon laughed from behind you. “Good luck, bitch!” They called out, walking away.

You waited until you couldn’t hear them anymore before you tried to move. You grasped the concrete with your nails as you used all your strength to move your body along the sidewalk, leaving a trail of blood behind you. You gave up on begging for help, it was clear no one was. The anger and spite that bloomed within you gave you enough strength to grab onto the side of a wall and pull yourself onto your feet. 

You hobbled your way back to the hotel, focusing on just putting one foot in front of the other and fighting to remain conscious. Your vision felt fuzzy, the edges slowly fading to black but you fought it off. You couldn’t collapse in the middle of the city, you’d surely die. You gritted your teeth and continued, fighting back the sobs in your throat as pain rang throughout your bleeding body. Your knife still laid within your side, taking it out would only increase the bleeding so you left it in. It clawed painfully against your insides as you did your best to walk. 

You could see the glowing lights of the hotel in the distance, you were headed the right direction, thankfully. Your vision blurred as you made your way closer to the Hazbin Hotel. Relief coated your pain, you’d be fine soon. You’d be safe soon. You just had to keep walking, one foot in front of the others. You could do it, you’d survive. You would live.

You failed to notice the sidewalk ending and stumbled onto the grass. You groaned. You couldn’t stand back up, you’d have to crawl up hill. Your nails dug into the ground as you shoved your body forward. You cried out for help, hopefully they could hear you now.

“Lucifer! Help! Someone, please! Please help me!” You sobbed, clawing at the grass.

You could faintly hear the doors open and a few voices. You then heard someone sharply gasp. Before you knew it someone landed by your side.

“Twist! Are you alright? What happened?” It was Lucifer. He was looking down at you, his yellow eyes scanning your body in a frantic manner. 

He gently picked you up and six wings sprouted from his back as he flew you into the hotel. You melted into his arms. You had made it. You were safe. Your vision grew darker as more voices spoke up around you. You couldn’t help in your loopy state to feel guilty, Lucifer’s white coat was now stained with your blood. You looked up at him as he carried you into a room, his pupils now slits as he focused. 

You finally gave into the pain and closed your eyes. You were in safe hands. You’d be okay.

[sweetiesicheng]

wonwoo - shopping #2

word count : 557

please ignore how i’ve written two wonwoo shopping writings. clearly i don’t check the list of stuff i’ve written.

-

"oh, we need that," you said, pointing to a bag of chips on one of the shelves.

"this one?" wonwoo asked, putting his hand on a different bag of chips.

"no, that one," you said to him.

your boyfriend sighed, "get out of the cart and grab it yourself," he said to you.

"but i like it in here."

wonwoo leaned against the cart, giving you a blank expression.

"can you get the barbecue flavored ones?"

both of you started laughing at each other. wonwoo pecked your cheek before grabbing your bag of chips along with other bags of chips for the party him and his roommates were hosting.

"this would be so much easier if you were out of the cart so you could grab what you want," wonwoo said to you as he pushed the cart. you moved the bags of chips around as wonwoo went into the next aisle. "how much soda do you think we'll need?" he asked as he stopped pushing the cart.

"a lot."

"i should've known you would've said that," he replied to you and started grabbing boxes of soda. he placed the boxes on the shelf beneath the cart but had to stack some in the cart next to you because of the limited space.

"it's getting crammed in here," you mentioned, holding bags of chips in your arms.

"you really should get out of the cart," wonwoo said to you as he pushed the cart down the same aisle.

"make me."

"we can get ice cream."

"stop moving."

wonwoo stopped, and you got out of the cart, leaving the chips in the cart. your boyfriend rolled his eyes at you and started walking again with you by his side.

"do we need to get alcohol too?" you asked while going into another aisle.

"mingyu and vernon are getting stuff," wonwoo mentioned. "do you want anything specific?" he asked you.

you shook your head, "nah, i'll just drink whatever's there," you replied before looking at a sign. "two for one!" you shouted and opened the freezer door, revealing the tubs of ice cream you were wanting.

"hey hey hey, get them later. they'll melt if we get them now," wonwoo said to you, pushing the door closed. "we have more stuff to buy. come on, look at the list on your phone," he said to you and started dragging you away.

"my ice cream..."

"we'll get it later, promise."

-

"happy now?" wonwoo asked as you sat on the countertop in his shared kitchen with the tub of ice cream in your hand.

"mhm," you replied. "want a bite?" you asked him.

he nodded and walked over to stand in front of you. you fed him ice cream.

"good?"

"mhm," he hummed. "now, can you help me out everything away?" he asked, glancing over at the plastic bags and boxes littering the front door area of the apartment.

"you have roommates for a reason."

"and are they here? no."

"listen, i don't live here. i'm a guest."

"yea, a long-term guest. are you saying this is a hotel or something?" he asked you before you fed him some more ice cream.

"i mean, basically."

"just help me put all of this on the table at least."

"but my ice cream."

"it's not going away, doofus. i already bought it."

[dragon-dicks]

Pinned!

🔞THIS IS AN 18+ BLOG ONLY!🔞

I *WILL* block those who are not 18 who try to follow this blog!

I wanted this URL for years and only now after the porn ban do I finally get it. God thinks he's funny like that.

Hellbent/Bentley/Bent, if you must call me anything. 21+.

If the icon of a shopping cart full of tiny Bad Dragon dildos didn't give it away, this is a sideblog for NSFW content (even if site staff and payment processors are damn determined they're stronger than the Almighty Horny).

The kinks are probably tame by Tumblr standards, but this is still a place to be anonymously foul and down bad in peace without normie interference or judgment.

My main is...none of your business. If you do know what my main is, *mind* ya damn business. My exact gender and sexuality is also none of your business, either, you don't need to know my alphabet.

I don't intend to be so abrasive, but I just want to enjoy my horny corner in peace and it's so hard to do that on the modern internet these days.

Anyway, here's some common tags/kinks and also a hard no list. Subject to be changed over time.

HARD NOs: Pregnancy, birthing, or baby-related content of ANY kind, scat/shit/coprophilia, vomiting, DDLG/CGL dynamics (I realize the irony of me saying that, when I have what is basically a daddy issues kink, but those specific dynamics have strong ties to age regression and littlespace, which is *not* my thing, so that's why), father-daughter incest, diapers, bimbofication or other forms of forced feminization, misogyny and patriarchy kink, feederism/feedee/weight loss or gain-based kinks, obviously no IRL depictions of bestiality/necrophilia/snuff/gore/incest/pedophilia.

(Note: Some gender play might still go on, but it generally won't be aligned with overt feminization or feminine stuff. Also using derogatory terms like "whore, cunt, bitch, etc." is fine, again, it's only in the specific context of misogyny/patriarchy shit I don't want it.)

#not dragon dicks: Meme shit or other things barely or not even remotely related to horny shit. #get bent bentley: Original posts made by me. #tie a hoe down: Usually has to do with bondage in some way. #forgive me father for I have sinned; I've sinned a lot: Priest and otherwise religious kink. Didn't think this would actually be a frequent one but uh. You learn new things about yourself everyday. #dragon dicks: In case the blogname wasn't obvious, we fuck dragons here. #monstrous lovers: ...Among other, not-dragon creatures and monsters. The non-dragon furry and teratophilia shit, basically. #bark at the moon: This one's specifically for transformation and/or lycanthropy and werewolf tropes. Yes, it's different. #that is not medicine: Various things under the medical kink umbrella. May include gore, snuff, that kind of content. Be wary and make sure to blacklist appropriately. #a bit of the old ultraviolence: Non-medical blood, gore, violent acts such as beatings and cannibalism. Again, be wary and make sure to blacklist appropriately. #I'm a thirsty little flower: Piss kink. Mind the splash zone. #do you want to make love to a sad old man?: The tag for DILFs and a very specific kink that a group of friends and I coined called 'saddy kink.'

What is a saddy, you ask? A saddy should ideally have several traits:

OLDER. A saddy needs to be 30+ at absolute minimum, 35+ preferred, 40+ even better. A 20 year old anime twink is not a saddy.

Miserable. This is the 'sad' part of the saddy. Needs to reek of divorce and alcohol, preferably both.

Fatherly vibes. He doesn't necessarily need to be a GOOD caretaker but he needs to at least be trying when it comes to kids/younger people.

Examples: Joel Miller (The Last of Us), Booker DeWitt (Bioshock Infinite), Shane (Stardew Valley), John Lowe (American Horror Story: Hotel)

Anyway, let's have some fun here. I swear, I don't bite...often. 💚

[xaloncat]

!!PLEASE READ!!

Hello there I am xalon, your friendly neighborhood certified silly dude and father to around 110 people

Here's some info you might wanna know bout me

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

Starting off with basics

I am a minor! [Won't be specific on age but let's say somewhere around 13-16] I have AUDHD and severe anxiety (and suspected to have some kinda personality disorder) I'm Transmasc, Pansexual, on the ace spectrum (cupiosexual). Currently in a queer platonic relationship!! I use He/They so please no feminine pronouns, Also I tend to use parentheses, tag tones and end my posts with some form of 'lol'. Just a habit of mine idk-

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

Policy on ~communications~

If you are my mutual, feel free to reach out! I get anxious about starting conversations but I'm happy to receive dms, asks ect from mutuals :)

I'm also fine with getting asks from non mutuals, but if you aren't my mutual, please do not dm me. That's my boundary and I hope you can respect that.

I also do not mind if you vent when talking to me. My entire branding is being my followers' father, and it spawned from me wanting to just be there and comfort some of my younger friends! If you need to vent I don't mind if it's to me, though I will say I'd prefer if only or mostly mutuals did so as I struggle with interacting with people I don't know well.

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

DNI LIST! [oh boy this is gonna be longgg]

Queer/LGBTphobic people (homophobic, transphobic aphobic ect) || Zoophiles|| Proshippers || Solar-Moon Shippers || Abelists || Right Wingers || Racists + Xenophobes || Anti Furs || Anti Alterhuman || Anti-CBC ||

On the contrary, this is a safe place for almost everyone not included (almost cuz I might have forgot some stuff) but especially LGBTQ+ People, Therians, Furries and people on the autism spectrum and other forms of neurodivergency :)

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

Interests!

- TSAMS/The Sun And Moon Show

- Starter Squad

- Lego Monkey Kid

- Welcome To Dreamworld

- Lego Ninjago (first hyperfixation check)

- KinitoPet

- Hazbin Hotel + Helluva Boss

- Percy Jackson

- Warrior Cats

- Wings Of Fire

- Dragon Adventures on roblox, I'm only a little obsessed (<-- me when I lie)

- Roblox Pressure

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

Follower Count - 39 (rookie numbers I know)

Birthday - May 9th :D

Art Requests? - Open on my sideblog (@xalons-emote-shop)

Art trades - Open!

Commissions - OPEN!! (please comission)

Fanart policy - Always feel free to! Mutual or not I adore fanart. No NSFW or suggestive art please but otherwise, art Refs are on my unvale, go ahead and draw my blorbos :D

My mutuals :3

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

Gonna start doing blog spesific tags, here they are :D

Art Tag - #Xalons Art

Reblog Tag - #Bowtie Reblogs

Ref Sheet Tag - #Xalon Art Refs

Ask Tag - #Ask Jumpscare

Fanart Tag - #Hehe Fanart :3

Text Only Posts Tag - #Xalon Rambles

Vent Tag- #Xalon venting

Posts Past midnight Tag - #Xalon Get Some Sleep

(Warning - tags don't work at the moment, trying to fix them)

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

Other Links!

Youtube (I post animatics and timelapses here!)

Toyhouse

Cardd (Extra Info :D)

Unvale (OC info WIP adding all characters)

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

[sfb123]

Autumn Adventures

Book: The Royal Romance/The Royal Heir/The Royal Finale

Pairing: Liam x Riley

Liam and Riley, as well as bits and pieces of dialogue belong to Pixelberry. 

Summary: Liam and Riley spend some time with Riley’s family, taking part in traditional fall activities. Liam encourages Riley to face one of her fears. 

Rating: PG-13

Warning: Adult language, mild innuendo. 

Word Count: 4431

A/N: This took me way longer than I anticipated. This all started from a conversation I had with @burnsoslow over a month ago. She said she needed this fic, so here it is. I hope it was worth the wait. 

Some parts are great, some parts suck, but I can’t keep obsessing over it, I need to just get it out there. 

I was hoping to get this out for day 18 of @choicesoctoberchallenge​, but I’m a couple of days late. The prompt was corn maze.

A/N2: Shout out to @phoenixrising308 & @txemrn for pre-reading and listening to my utterly terrible title ideas. I was extra needy and annoying during this one, and for that I apologize. 

Tags: As usual, tags are below. I’m in the process of a tag list cleanup. I’m still using my old tag list for now, plus those of you who have asked to be added (which, BTW, thank you so so much for that!). I will be removing anyone who does not hit me up by 11/1 asking to stay. So if you’re sick of me and my stories, I promise you’ll be rid of me soon!

“Liam, come on. They’re almost here, we’ve got to get downstairs.” Riley called from the sitting area of their hotel suite. 

“Sorry, just adding some finishing touches.” Liam said as he exited the bedroom, stopping to pose in front of her. “Well? Does it meet your approval?” 

The royal couple had been in New York for the week. They had some business to take care of in the city, but extended their trip for a few days so that they could spend time with Riley’s family. On this particular day, they were going to go to a local farm with her sister Danielle and her wife, Sophie to take part in some traditional autumn activities. Riley had always told Liam how much she loved the season, she explained it as being at her most basic, because she was a sucker for any and everything fall; so when Liam suggested they stay a couple of extra days to partake in a few of those activities, she couldn’t agree fast enough. Riley had taken Liam shopping the day before to make sure that they were dressed appropriately for their excursion. She told him there was a very specific dress code for fall outings. 

She smiled as she looked him up and down: he was wearing an olive green sweater under a brown leather jacket, a pair of jeans and casual brown loafers, he looked like something out of a fashion magazine. She didn’t know if she was happier about the job she did picking out the look, or the fact that she got to walk around on his arm.

“Absolutely perfect.” She reached up on her toes and kissed him sweetly on the lips. 

“Excellent, let’s go!” He turned and walked toward the door. 

Riley pouted and placed her hands on her hips. “Hey, wait a minute!”

He turned and gave his wife a confused look. “Is everything alright, love?”

“No, you didn’t compliment my outfit.” She held her arms out and spun in a circle. Allowing Liam the opportunity to take in her red and black flannel shirt, distressed jeans, and black UGG boots.

“The outfit is lovely.” He said as he approached her, placing his hands on her hips. “The woman wearing it, however, is positively stunning.” He leaned down, bringing her into a deep kiss.

“Mmm… you really think so?” She purred as his lips moved across her jaw and down her neck.

“I’d be happy to show you just how much I…” He was interrupted by the ping of Riley’s phone. 

She pulled herself from his arms and took her phone out of her back pocket, checking the new message. “They’re here. Fall awaits!” Before Liam could protest, or make his case for running a few minutes behind, she grabbed his hand and pulled him out of their room and to the elevator. 

They stepped out of the hotel, and Riley broke out into a sprint when she saw her sister’s car. Liam chuckled at his wife’s excitement and followed behind her. Once she got to the car, Riley opened the door, grinning when she noticed the pile of junk sitting in the seat. “Seriously? You knew you were picking us up and you still didn’t move the stuff so we’d have someplace to sit?” She said in mock offence as she cleared room for herself and Liam in the backseat.

“I never have before. Why would I now?” Danielle responded nonchalantly.

Once everything had been moved and rearranged, Liam and Riley got into the car and Riley quickly fastened her seatbelt. She turned to Liam, who had not put his on. “I would suggest you strap in. Fast and Furious over here is kind of a psycho behind the wheel.”

“I’m not a psycho, I’m just a quick and efficient driver.”

“Last time I was in a car with you, you almost flipped it trying to make a turn you missed.”

“Because I needed to go that way!”

“The GPS would have rerouted you!” 

The pair started laughing as Danielle put the car in drive and pulled out of the parking lot. Liam knew he was in for a long day. This was a typical exchange between the two: they would bicker back and forth and often speak in references and inside jokes that only they would understand. Sophie had been around longer than Liam, so she had started to pick up some of them, allowing her to mostly keep up, but he would likely spend most of his day not understanding what was going on. He didn’t mind though. He just wanted Riley to be happy and enjoy herself. This day was about her reconnecting with her sister. 

“PS: hi, Sophie.” Riley leaned forward and patted her sister-in-law on the shoulder. 

“Hi. We got you guys drinks.” She reached back, handing Riley a caramel apple spice. “Liam, we weren’t sure how basic you wanted to get, so we just got you a regular coffee.” She handed him his cup.

“Thank you, that’s perfect.” He turned to his wife, “What did they get you, love?” 

She took a long sip of her drink, closing her eyes to enjoy the warmth that spread through her at that first taste. “Caramel apple spice.” 

Liam smiled and placed his hand on her knee. “Ever the Cordonian queen.” 

“Yeah, or just a weirdo that doesn’t like coffee, and refuses to drink hot chocolate before November.” Her sister chimed in. 

“Hot chocolate is a winter drink, it has no place in fall!” 

The rest of the car ride was spent laughing and catching up. Even though Liam was the odd man out, they made sure to keep him involved in the conversation. Riley would pause to explain their references, which lead to stories of Riley and Danielle’s childhood. 

When they arrived at the farm, everyone got out of the car, and Riley pulled her sister into a hug. “Thanks for hanging out with me today, Dani.”

“Of course, Riles. I miss you too, you know.” Danielle gave Riley an appraising look, examining her outfit. “New flannel?” 

“Yup, got it special for today.” 

“What happened to the last one?” Danielle smirked, referencing the black and white flannel she had worn last time.

Riley wrapped her arms across her chest, annoyed at the question. “I retired it. Last time I wore it, you called me Beetlejuice and kept saying my name three times when you wanted to get my attention.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right!” She replied. She had known, she just wanted to hear Riley say it. 

“You know, I’m the big sister. I’m supposed to be the one giving you a hard time. You’re supposed to look up to me.” 

“Why? Because you’re the ghost with the most?” Danielle asked. 

Riley sighed in frustration. “Fuck it, can we just go in already?” 

Liam came up to Riley, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her on the temple. “And I thought Leo gave me a hard time.” He chuckled as they followed Danielle and Sophie to the farm’s entrance. 

The group enjoyed the day taking part in all of the traditional activities that come with spending time on a farm. They visited the animals in the petting zoo, spent way too much money at the farm store, and did some apple picking. Even though they weren’t Cordonian Rubies, Liam enjoyed it. He did take the time to explain his country’s love of apples, and offered to have some sent to Danielle and Sophie so they could try them for themselves. Riley told him that it would be a much better experience for them if they had them fresh next time they came to visit. What she really meant was that it would be a much better experience for her, because she knew her sister would hate it, and she wanted to see, and probably film, her face when she took that first bite.

During a hayride around the property, Liam noticed people running in and out of large corn stocks. “What’s that?” He asked. 

“Oh, that’s a corn maze.” Riley answered, attempting to keep her tone neutral. 

“That sounds like fun. We should do it.” 

Riley and Danielle shared concerned looks. “No Liam, we don’t do those.” Riley stated, matter-of-factly. 

Liam carefully watched Riley’s face. He sensed some hesitation, possibly fear in her expression, but he couldn’t understand why. So much of their love story took place in the garden maze at the palace. He would always set up special dinners or rendezvous for the two of them at the center. It couldn’t be that she was afraid; there had to be something more going on. 

He took her hands and looked her in the eye before asking, “Love, why don’t you want to go in the maze?” Riley tilted her head to look at her sister, but Liam brought a hand to her face, moving her eyes back to his. “Riley, look at me. Tell me why.”

“Um… well, we’re kind of… afraid of them.” Riley stuttered, knowing it was an embarrassing fact to admit, especially to him. 

Liam coughed to hide his laughter, he didn’t want to make her feel bad about being honest with him. “But love, we go through the garden maze all the time.”

“Do you remember the masquerade ball, the first time you took me there?” She asked.

Liam and Riley walked arm-in-arm through the gardens. It was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. She didn’t know places like this existed in real life.

“It really is beautiful here at night.” She smiled up at him.

“I wish I could take the credit, but the gardens out here were my mother’s vision. I think it was her last wish before… well.” Riley gently squeezed Liam’s arm to comfort him. “Sometimes when I stroll this garden at night, I think of her…” Liam looked up at the stars, shutting his eyes in an attempt to keep his emotions at bay.

They came to a stop in front of the entrance to the maze. Riley turned to face Liam, placing her hand on his shoulder. “I’m sure she appreciates that.”

Liam opened his eyes, and looked into Riley’s. He couldn’t help but smile when he saw the kindness in her expression. “Thanks. This garden holds a lot of good memories as well.”

“Well sure, I mean, maze tag.”

“Yeah, you probably think it’s silly, don’t you?” He dropped his gaze to the ground, slightly embarrassed. Why did he want so desperately to impress her? 

“Not at all. Now, wanting to run away and live in a tree like some cute little elf prince? That’s a little silly.” She chuckled. 

Liam laughed. He couldn’t help it; her happiness was contagious. “Would you like to see the elf prince’s former residence?” 

“Oh, you mean like actually go in the maze and walk to the center?” Liam nodded. “You know your way around that thing pretty well, right?”

“Like the back of my hand.”

“And there’s nobody else in there? It would be just us?” She turned to look at the entrance, and took a deep breath, trying to mask the worry that had come over her. 

“We would be completely alone.” He responded softly in her ear, as his hand grazed her lower back. 

Riley paused for a moment, weighing out her options. It was still too early in the relationship for her to start showcasing her crazy fears and quirks. She took a deep breath before finally breaking the silence. “Sure, lead the way.”

“I just thought you were just overwhelmed. It was your first night in Cordonia.” Liam said.

“And you didn’t think it was weird that I asked you if there was anyone else in there?”

Liam smirked. “I just figured it was because you wanted to… you know...” He gestured back and forth between the two of them. 

“Oh no, for sure, it was about us making out too.” She laughed.

“Gross, TMI.” Danielle chimed in. 

Riley casually lifted her middle finger in her sister’s direction as she continued talking to Liam. “See, it’s not just getting lost in the corn maze.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “The full, totally irrational but also very real fear is that we will go into the corn maze in the daytime, and get lost long enough that it becomes a haunted corn maze. You know, where people are dressed like monsters and jump out and scare you? Then you have the panic of being lost, on top of the scares that I already can’t handle on a good day.”

By this point, the hayride had returned to its starting location, so everyone began exiting the wagon. Liam used this opportunity to gather his thoughts, and come up with a response. He did think it was a bit of an exaggerated scenario, but he would never tell her that. He wanted to help her conquer her fear. He was determined to get her in that maze.  

They convened at the entrance of the farm store, and Liam turned to Riley. “I think we should do it. I’m sure it can’t be that much different than the garden maze.”

“Liam…” Riley warned. 

He pulled her close, placing one hand on her waist, and the other on her cheek. “Riley, do you trust me?”

“Sonofabitch.” Riley mumbled. He had gone for the kill shot. He knew that asking her meant that she would say yes, and agree to whatever he wanted to do. “You know I do.” She sighed. He smiled and brought her in for a tender kiss. When they pulled away, she turned to Danielle and Sophie. “Come on, we’re doing the stupid maze.” 

Danielle held up her hands and shook her head. “We’re not. You guys are. He’s your husband, that doesn’t work on me.”

“Fine. Sophie, are you coming?” Riley turned to her sister-in-law. 

“No.” She replied softly. “I’ll probably just stay here. We’ll meet you in the café when you guys get out.”

“If you get out.” Danielle added. 

“Ugh, you guys suck.” Riley took Liam’s hand and they started walking toward the maze. 

Before they got out of earshot, Danielle called out to them. “Hey, there are other people in this maze, so please don’t make out in there!” 

***

Liam and Riley stood at the entrance to the maze, and he could sense her apprehension. He took her hand in his, lacing their fingers together and offering a reassuring squeeze. 

“You’ll stay with me the whole time, right?” She asked nervously. 

He brought their joined hands to his lips, kissing the back of her hand. “Until the end of time.”

“No, I know like in life or whatever. And I appreciate you being sweet to try to make me feel better, but that’s not what I need right now.”

Liam smiled, doing his best to hold back his laughter. “I will stay with you through the entirety of the maze, my love.” She nodded in response and they stepped forward, walking over the threshold. 

As they took the first few turns, Riley’s tension was evident. They kept their hands linked, and Liam would occasionally run his thumb across her knuckles to sooth her. “It’s okay, love. See, it’s not that much different than back home.” Just as Liam finished speaking, they came face to face with their first dead end. “We’ll just hit a couple of dead ends.” He chuckled. 

“Right, it’s like being home.” Riley reassured herself, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. 

They continued walking, passing families and other couples. Children were running and laughing through the maze. Riley couldn’t help but wonder what it felt like to be able to feel so carefree in this situation. She closed her eyes and thought about the garden maze at the palace, and some of her favorite memories there; the first kiss she and Liam shared in Cordonia, confessing their love for each other the night of his coronation, the countless dinners and dances they’d shared. 

Suddenly, her mind wandered to their wedding reception, and being lured to the maze by Gladys so that Anton and the Sons of Earth could abduct her and hold her hostage. Even after that traumatic experience, she would still visit the garden maze without a care in the world. Why was this so different? 

“Riley?” Liam’s concerned tone brought her out of her thoughts. “Are you alright?” 

She looked around, noticing the split path in front of them. “Yeah, sorry, I zoned out for a minute. Which way do you want to go?” 

“I thought you should choose this one.” He smiled softly at her. Maybe if she helped choose the path, she would realize the maze was nothing to be scared of. 

“Oh, um… are you sure?” 

He nodded and kissed her forehead, “Absolutely, love.” She tentatively pointed to the left and they made their way further into the corn stocks. 

As their journey progressed, Liam noticed that Riley was starting to relax a little more. He was so focused on her, and making sure she was comfortable, that he wasn’t paying as much attention to the path as he should have been. When they hit their third consecutive dead end, Liam paused and took a look around. “Hmm… that’s interesting.”

Riley tightened her grip on Liam’s hand. “What Liam? What’s interesting?” 

He smiled at her, bringing their joined hands to his lips. “It’s nothing love, don’t worry, I just feel like we’ve been through this section before.” 

“We’re lost?” Riley gasped, “Liam you promised me, I told you I didn’t want to do this, and you promised me.”

Liam pulled Riley into his arms before she could spiral out of control. “Shh… it’s alright Riley, don’t worry. We’ll be out of here before you know it.”

“Why did you have me pick turns? I knew I shouldn’t have. Now we’re lost.” Her voice was muffled against Liam’s chest as he continued to hold her close.

“Hey,” He pulled back slightly, tilting her head up so she was looking him in the eyes. “We are not lost. We are in a corn maze in New York, we know exactly where we are, and we are going to be out of here enjoying fresh apple cider donuts before you know it.” He brought his lips to hers as he moved his hand to cup her cheek. 

As the kiss broke, she leaned into his hand, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. “You owe me big time for doing this. You know that, right?”

Liam smirked and down to whisper in her ear. “I plan on keeping you up all night to repay my debt.” He placed a soft kiss on that spot just behind her ear before pulling back, delighting at the slight whimper that escaped his wife. 

“Okay, so how do we get out?” Riley asked, trying to keep her mind on what would happen once they got out of the maze, rather than on the fact that they were currently lost in the maze. 

Liam led them a little further through, checking the map that they were given when they entered. Always a fan of a new challenge, he was hoping to find their way out without using it. However, he knew at this point he was on borrowed time and that he needed to get Riley out of there before she got any further into her panic. 

“Are you using a map? I thought you were a master at horticulture mazes?” She teased, arching her brow at him. 

“I’ve come to find that corn mazes are quite different from what we have at the palace.” He replied sheepishly. Liam was glad that she was at least in good enough spirits to give him a hard time; that was a very good sign. 

They walked a bit further, Liam consulting the map and checking his surroundings trying to match their current location to the paper in front of him. Riley stayed close, linking her arm through his. “Liam, it’s getting dark. I don’t know if they do a haunted corn maze at night or not, but I’d rather not risk it.”

“I know, love, I know.” He placed a kiss on the top of her head. “I think I have it figured out, I just need to ask one tiny favor of you.” She looked up at him with wide, scared eye, knowing exactly what he was going to ask. He turned to face her, cupping her face with one hand, running his thumb along her cheek. “It will be alright Riley. I will be back before you know it, and then we will be out of here.”

“Liam, you promised. You promised you wouldn’t leave me alone in here.” Riley began to panic. 

“Riley, I think I’ve found the way out, I just need you to stay here so I can track where I came from. It’s the only way this is going to work.” He spoke calmly, hoping it would keep Riley at ease. 

“So leave one of your shoes here or something. Fuck it, I’ll leave one of my shoes.”

“Love,” Liam kissed her forehead softly, “it can’t be something that can just be picked up and moved. I know that you’ll stay right where you are and you’ll wait for me to come back.”

“If you come back.” She mumbled under her breath.

“What was that?” He asked.

“I don’t like any of this, Liam.”

He pulled her close, rubbing his hand in soothing circles on her back and kissing the top of her head. “I know Riley, it won’t take long, and I will be back for you. You know I would never leave you here.” His voice was muffled as he spoke into her hair. 

Riley reluctantly agreed to stay where she was. It wasn’t like she was going to venture off and try to find her own way out of the maze. She was only there for Liam, she wasn’t going to move an inch without him. 

Liam had been gone for a couple of minutes, and Riley was beginning to get worried. She looked around, taking in her surroundings, and trying to remember which turn Liam had taken. She couldn’t. She noticed that the sun was setting and it was starting to get darker, that only added to her worry. If they couldn’t get out before dark, she hoped that Liam would at least make his way back to her before then.

As the time continued on, Riley’s panic was increasing. She took intentional deep breaths, trying to calm herself. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Before she could process what was happening, she spun around, swinging her fist. 

“Woah!” Liam ducked, narrowly missing his wife’s punch, and quickly placing his hands on her shoulders to center her. “Riley, it’s me, calm down.”

Riley’s eyes went wide when she realized she had nearly knocked Liam out. “Liam oh my god, I am so sorry.” 

Liam chuckled at the worry in Riley’s face. “Love, you’re fine. You didn’t get me.” He smiled at her, instantly diffusing her panic. “I’m glad to see your self defense training worked.” 

“Yeah well, fight or flight I guess.” She shrugged. 

“Indeed.” He kissed her tenderly before continuing, “So I did find the exit, if you’d like to get out of here?” 

“One thousand percent. Lead the way.” She said, as Liam turned  and began walking away, she reached out and grabbed his hand. “But do not let go of my hand.”

“I promise.” He squeezed her hand gently while taking one last look at the map. When he looked up, he noticed she was looking at him with an arched brow. He sighed, trying to hide the amusement in his face. “I promise Riley, I will not let go.” 

She nodded and followed him as he walked confidently through the final twists and turns of the maze, quickly reaching the exit. Once they stepped out of the maze, Riley breathed a deep sigh of relief, taking a look around and realizing they were finally out of there. “Thank god.”

“See, that wasn’t so bad.” Liam said lightheartedly. 

Riley glared at Liam. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

Liam laughed at her reaction. “I was, actually. I’m sorry that we got stuck in there for a bit. It was significantly more challenging than what we have back home.” 

“Because you’ve known your way through that maze your whole life. Of course you would be able to get through it without an issue. This however,” she waved her hand toward the path she just came from, “will never, ever happen again. Do I make myself clear, Liam Rys?”

“Crystal, Riley Rys.” He smiled, that smile he knew she couldn’t resist, and brushed a stray hair out of her face. “Can you find it in your heart to forgive me, my queen?”

Her eyes narrowed at him. “You’re going to have to earn it.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem.” He pulled her close, and brought her into a lingering kiss. She sighed against his lips, and he knew that any frustration or anger she was feeling toward him was gone. He rested his forehead against hers. “Are you ready to get back to the others?”

“Not yet.” She kissed him, deepening it instantly. 

They stayed like that for a few moments, before they realized that they were surrounded by families, and this was probably not the most appropriate setting for their public display of affection. They separated bashfully, and headed to the café to meet back up with Danielle and Sophie. They proceeded to order a round of fresh apple cider donuts as Riley and Liam recalled their harrowing journey through the corn maze. 

As Liam was defending himself for having to use the map, Riley looked around the table. Despite that one hiccup in their day, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had this much fun. She was so grateful to Liam for making sure that she stayed connected with her family, and her life as an American commoner, despite her hectic schedule as queen. She placed her hand in his, interlocking their fingers. He looked over to her and smiled, bringing their joined hands to his lips and placing a kiss to the back of hers before turning back to her sisters and resuming the conversation. They spent the rest of the evening around that table, talking, laughing and telling stories in the crisp fall air. 

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One Shots:

@bebepac​ @darley1101​

[yandere-flower]

Hi I'm currently on a long road trip and I have a question. Can please list your OC'S from worst to best to be on a long trip with?

Can I just say I absolutely love your guys questions that are like "I am currently engaging in a activity and I need to know if my yan of choice would be absolutely terrible to do it with so I'm going to ask you to rank all of them in hopes I get the best one, even though I know I won't" it's like just a shared experience amongst all of you that you live in fear about your yan being terrible and yet I'll never know and the fact that nobody follows up with who their yan is just confirms my former statement. Beautiful.

Anyway, here we go, from best to worst. also bonus what their go to drive thru is:

Cliff - This man is a professor, former frat bro, AND a dad he's got you covered whether you wants a quiet podcast trip, a drinking trip, or a nice bonding time trip with antics. Also will drive the entire time and you get to see his messy hair curls and casual style. Perfection. Likes Wendy's but does that dad thing of telling you he can make multiple stops if you want different things. Buys you expensive drinks at Starbucks, and boy will you go to starbucks often.

Zara- Honestly is good or bad depending on your preference. Is very picky and will veto most of what you say, however you get to ride in a luxury vehicle, eat at great restaurants and stay in beautiful hotels and get to look at Zara's hot summer road trip bod and ten different swim suits. Will not allow others on the road trip. Prefer driving but will take a break. Will prefer sit down restaurants but is a sucker for Raising Canes and Starbucks combo.

Olive: Instagram esque roadtrip, so be prepared to make a tons of stops for pictures. But honestly, it's all fun stuff, like landmarks or a pretty setting so it's really not to bad. Lots of chattering from gossip to work but it's all light hearted and fun and she lets you talk about anything and just goes "ooo tell me more" and is so interested. Shares driving responsibilities but is honestly not a good driver. A little picky about food choices but will let you convince her. Needs to pee often. Chipotle bowls for the win, Jamba Juice for a "snick snack"

Antonio- Curated playlists, specifics things to see, a few make out sessions in the car. Has a very specific mindset on how things will go and will get a little pissy if it does not turn out that way. Kinda forces you to do things you're not up for but "come on babe it's meant to be fun". Handsy at the wheel and will drive a majority of time. Go to drive thru is Wendy's because this man is hands down his daddys son.

Ezra - Makes prepared foods and snacks but kinda gets insecure if you prefer a drive thru over his perfectly prepared food. Probably listens to t-swift and harry styles albums so take that as you will. Very talkative and takes turns driving since he's a bitch who can't go beyond the natural limits of his mortal body. Average. Doesn't have a preferred place.

Margo: Kinda boring tbh. She's very good at making a plan, but also anxious about a lot of things. You will need to drive, and make executive decisions. Have fun listening to true crime podcasts and getting her expert forensic opinion on decaying bodies. Cannot listen to loud or pop like music. Likes Shake Shack or a Culvers.

Mizu - Obsessed with making things on time, has an itinerary and will veto many food choices. Do not eat in his car unless he give permission. Does not like driving however and prefers to back seat drive. Has fairly good music taste, and at least is good at planning. Doesn't mind Mcdonalds or Auntie Anne's but you need to eat in the building.

Desmond - Terrible, drives the entire time, will make you sit in the back seat, does no allowed snacks, gets calls from work constantly and prefers complete silence. Awful. Man likes a Jimmy Johns or a sandwich shop, but will berate you if you suggest Subway. Will drink Starbucks only because it's his only decent coffee choice on the road.

Sawyer: Don't. Please don't. He will drink and drive and insist you do to because "driving engages your brain so you body just beats the alcohol". Trashes your car, both on the inside and inevitably on the outside when he hit's a curb leaving the 3rd Taco Bell of the trip. Does not have his own car so it will be yours or a rented one. Will take 20 detours and you will not arrive anywhere close to on time. Spends 30 minutes talking to the cashier at the 7-11 about cryptids and insists you go hunting for mothman, will leave you in the forest if he gets scared. Passes out at the wheel once before your scream wakes him up. Don't.

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers LUNATIC PARADE ;; Shuu Route ー Chapter 3

Monologue

“To heal Riegel-san’s heart,

broken and closed off to others

from losing his beloved.”

That was the goal we set in mind,

when preparing for this party.

I want it to be held at a place,

where Riegel-san would be able to relive,

vivid memories of himself and his late wife.

I am willing to go through great lengths,

to accomplish thisーー

ー The scene starts in the hotel room

Yui: ( First things first, we need to secure a venue. )

Shuu-san.

About the party venue, don’t you think we should hold it somewhere memorable to Riegel-san and his wife?

Shuu: Yeah...In that case, it’d have to be on a gondola, no?

Yui: On a...gondola...?

Shuu: If the information we gathered through the Familiars is correct, that is where Riegel and his wife tied the knot.

Coincidentally, it happened during the Parade as well.

If you want to make it memorable, now’s the perfect time, no?

Yui: You’re right...! I’ll go negotiate right away. Please wait here!

Shuu: ...Oi, hold your horses.

ー Shuu approaches her

Shuu: You’re going by yourself?

Yui: Um...Knowing you, I figured you’d rather not move...

Shuu: Yeah, I don’t. It’s a drag after all.

But...I’ll make an effort for you. (1)

Yui: Are you sure?

Shuu: Yeah. Let’s get going before I change my mind.

ー The scene shifts to the gondola docks

Yui: ( The reflection of the light on the water makes the surface glitter...How lovely. )

I’m sure meeting each other at such a lovely place must have made for a wonderful memory.

Shuu: ーー Well my bad that our meeting wasn’t all that ‘lovely’.

At first, you were just terrified the whole time after all.

Yui: T-That’s, well...You’re right, but...

Right now, I consider all of them good memories.

Shuu: Well, I guess that works. Haha...

ーー Anyway.

If we want to use this place as our party venue, we have to talk to the gondolier in the back.

Yui: Yes, I know.

( Here goes nothing! I’ll try and ask him. )

ー Yui approaches the gondolier

Gondolier B: Welcome! A ride for two?

Yui: Ah...Oh. 

I’m sorry. Actually, we came here to ask for a favor...

Gondolier B: A favor...?

Yui: Yes. 

You see, we are hoping to hold a party and...

We would love to organize it here.

Gondolier B: Eeh!? A party, right here!?

Yui: Yes. We want to hold it here no matter what.

Gondolier B: That’s easy for you to say, but the Parade is when we get most of our customers and when most of the money comes in.

I can’t just easily give you permission to use it.

Yui: Right...

( I guess we’re being pretty unreasonable. )

( However, I can’t imagine Riegel-san would prefer any other place over this one. I wonder if there’s really nothing that can be done...? )

Gondolier B: My bad, but we’re expecting a lot of people today as well. So I’d like to ask you to hurry up and leaーー

Shuu: ...Pwaah.

Gondolier B: ...! Y-You are...Karlheinz-sama’s...!

Geez! You should have told me that sooner!

Gotcha! Go ahead and organize whatever you want on the gondolas! My bad for being so unwilling earlier.

So...Please give my best regards to your Father.

Shuu: If I feel like it, I guess.

Yui: ( ...W-Wow...I’m not sure if I should say I saw this coming or what. )

*TIMESKIP*

Shuu: Haah...That concludes it for the venue.

So, what’s next on the list?

Yui: Um...

We can’t hold a party without food and drinks, huh?

It’d be nice if we could rely on the hotel as our main catering service but...

I’d also love to prepare a specific dish which was his wife’s favorite.

Shuu: If I recall correctly, the report we got from the Familiars described her as having a sweet tooth.

Yui: Exactly. For example, she was particularly fond of what we’d call a ‘Galette de Rois’ in the human world...

How about we go to a sweets shop which might be able to make it for us?

Shuu: ...I’m not too thrilled about this, but sure.

Yui : ( Fufu, I’m glad he’s still willing to come with me despite his complaints. )

ー The scene shifts to the Sweets Shop ‘Saphir’

Female Vampire A: Woah, looks delicious! As to be expected from Saphir, the number one sweets shop in the Demon World!

Female Vampire B: I don’t even know where to look first. I want to try them all...

Female Vampire C: In that case, we’ll just have to buy the entire line-up and take them home with us~

Yui: ( Wow...This place is packed with people...Just getting around the store seems difficult... )

Shuu: ...

I’m leaving the rest up to you. I’ll be...resting in the back.

ー Shuu walks away

Yui: ( Ah...He retreated to the eat-in area.... )

( Actually, I do feel a little bad for forcing him to be amongst such a large crowd. )

( I hope I can talk to a member of the staff soon... )

*Thud thud*

???: Hey, you! Move aside, move aside! Coming through with the cake!

Female Vampire A: Ah, it’s the owner! This scent...Aah, irresistible~ 

Yui: ( So that guy’s the owner! Okay, I should try and have a word with him...! )

U-Um! Excuse me!

Sweets shop owner: Hm? What do you want? I’m in a rush, so move aside!

Yui: I’d like to have a small talk with you! There’s a dessert I’d like to order by the final day of the Parade...

Sweets shop owner: An order by the end of the Parade? Not happening. Right now we are especially busy, I can use all the help I can get. (2)

Aah, so busy! I don’t know what to do first!!

Yui: ( No way... )

I-In that case...

Let me help out! I’ll try my hardest!

Sweets shop owner: No, no! There’s no way I canーー

ー More and more customers come in

Sweets shop owner: Hey, you! If you’re willing to help, then get to it!

In regards to what you asked earlier, depending on it, I might consider it.

Yui: Eh? Y-Yes! Understood...!

( I-I just have to give it my all for now! )

*TIMESKIP*

Female Vampire D: Please give me three more of these cakes.

Yui: Y-Yes!

Female Vampire E: Excuse me!? It was my turn first! Give me four of these first!

Yui: ( O-Oh no! It’s super busy...! )

Shuu: Nn...

Pwaah...

Yui: ( Ah...Seems like Shuu-san’s awake. )

ー Shuu walks over

Shuu: ...What are you doing?

Yui: As you can see, I’m helping out in the shop.

Female Vampire A: Hey, miss staff member! You’re in the way!

*Thud*

Yui: Wah!

*SHATTER*

Yui: ( Aah!? The plate broke! )

Shuu: Helping out? Like this?

Yui: ( Uu...E-Either way, I better clean up! )

ー Yui cleans up the shards

Shuu: Good grief...I can’t watch this...

Yui: ( Huh? Where is Shuu-san going...? )

Female Vampire A: Hmー If possible, I’d like at least one pie which isn’t too overly sweet...

But I have no idea which one to pick...

Shuu: ...In that case, I would recommend this. Not only does it cut back on the sugar, in turn it allows for the natural sweetness of the fruits to shine.

Female Vampire A: Oh dear, you seem very knowledgeable.

Yui: ( Wow... )

Female Vampire A: Right...In that case, I’ll take your recommendation and buy this one.

Shuu: You’re welcome.

ー Shuu returns to Yui’s side

Shuu: Well...There you have it.

Yui: You’re amazing, Shuu-san! The customer was delighted as well!

Shuu: Let me tell you, I’m not doing that a second tiーー

ー More customers approach them

Female Vampire B: We heard there’s a clerk who is especially knowledgeable on cakes here, but who could it be?

Female Vampire C: Anyway, I want to get a recommendation as well~?

Female Vampire D: Could it be the young man standing there!?

Female Vampire E: It has to be!

Yui: ( Ah...They found us. )

Shuu: ...

Seems like...I won’t be able to go for another nap.

Yui: ( Ahaha... )

*TIMESKIP*

Sweets shop owner: Honestly! Thank you so much for today! You helped me out a ton!

I don’t want to simply call this a way to return the favor so...

Please allow me to accept your request from earlier.

Yui: A-Are you sure?

Sweets shop owner: Yeah!

Doesn’t matter when you want it, I’ll make sure to fulfill my duty as the owner of this shop!

Yui: ( Hooray! )

Sweets shop owner: So? What kind of sweet treat is it?

Yui: Umーー

ー Yui explains

Sweets shop owner: I understand what you want very well.

You’ll have something to look forward to on the final day of the Parade!

Yui: Thank you very much!

ー The scene shifts back to the main street

Yui: It’s all thanks to you, Shuu-san! Thank you so much

Shuu: That was the first and final time I’ve done that, okay? ...Haah...

ーー So? What should we do next? We’re not done with all preparations, are we?

Yui: Um, I was thinking we should tackle the decorations for the gondola next.

Since we actually get to use it, I figured we might as well dress it up nicely.

Shuu: In that case...Reine de Aji’s shop could work, right?

Yui: Reine de Aji...?

Shuu: You’ll understand once we get there. Follow me.

Yui: ( ...? )

ー The scene shifts to general store Reine De Aji

Yui: ( Waah! There’s so many beautiful decorations out on display...! )

( I don’t know where to look first. )

How do you think we should decorate, Shuu-san?

Shuu: Anything works. I don’t really have a specific preference.

But well, personally, rather than the decorationsーー

*Thud*

Yui: ( Ah...They’re even selling antique violins. )

Shuu: I believe the music is what makes or breaks a party.

Yui: You might have a point.

Ah...Since it’s such a good opportunity, how about you play one song as well?

Shuu: No. Too much work.

Yui: ( Ahaha, I figured he’d say that... )

...I’d love to hear you play since it’s been so long though.

Shuu: ...

Yui: Is that too much to ask?

Shuu: Haah...Just a little, okay?

*Thud*

Shuu: ...

ー He starts playing the violin

Yui: ( What a beautiful melody... )

*THUD*

Shuu: ...Who’s there?

???: ...

Shuu: Aji, is that you?

Yui: ( So this is Aji-san. )

Reine de Aji: ...What exactly brings the eldest Sakamaki to my establishment?

Shuu: I don’t owe you an explanation. It’s none of your business, is it?

Reine de Aji: Hmph...If you don’t feel like answering my question, then I don’t feel like selling you anything either.

Yui: ( O-Oh no...! )

Aji-san! We’re actually planning to hold a party for a certain someone...

We came here to purchase the necessary decorations.

Reine de Aji: ...I see...

Well, in that case, you made the right choice by coming to my store.

After all, my line-up is rather extensive. On top of that...

I have a great offer.

*Rustle*

Reine de Aji: Voila.

Yui: A locket pendant...?

Reine de Aji: It’s not just your regular old pendant.

It’s a bewitched object which makes the wearer take the appearance of the person whose picture is put inside the locket.

Yui: W-Wow!

( Then...If we were to put a picture of Riegel-san’s wife inside...! )

Reine de Aji: Well then, this isn’t a demonstration. Better put it away again...

Yui: Ah! P-Please, wait! Could you please let us borrow that pendant?

Reine de Aji: This?

You make it sound so easy, but...

Yui: Is it too much to ask...?

Reine de Aji: ...

Under one condition.

In return for borrowing this pendant, you have to show me something good.

Yui: ...Entertain me...?

Reine de Aji: If no, it’s a no-deal. What will you do?

Yui: P-Please let me! I’ll try my best!

ー The scene shifts to Aizen Alleyway

Yui: ( I replied in the spur of the moment but... )

What do you think we could do to please Aji-san?

Shuu: ...

Yui: Shuu-san?

Shuu: Say...Do we even really need that pendant anyway?

Yui: ( Seems like he’s not too happy about the idea. But... )

I’m sure it’d make Riegel-san happy.

Shuu: ...

...Well, if you insist, fine.

Anyway, let’s try asking the people in town about whatever may catch Aji’s attention.

Yui: Y-Yes...!

ー The scene shifts to the main street

Male Vampire A: Hm...You’re kind of catching me off guard with the sudden question.

Yui: Anything will do. No matter how trivial...

Male Vampire A: ...

Yui: ...Ugh.

Male Vampire A: I’m sorry, I don’t know. Please ask someone else.

Yui: ...Okay...Thank you very much.

Male Vampire A: Bye.

ー The Vampire walks away

Shuu: ...That was our tenth try...What will you do? Give up already?

Yui: ...No. Why don’t we test our luck somewhere else? If we do, I’m sure we’ll...

( Gotta keep trying and not give up! )

ー The scene shifts to the wagon area

Yui: ( It’s even more crowded than earlier. One of these people might know something. )

( Okay...! I’ll try asking that person over there first. )

Excuse me...! I’d like to ask something...

Male Vampire B: ...Oh dear, what could that be?

Yui: Do you happen to know the person who runs a store over in the other street called Aji-san?

Male Vampire B: I do know her.

Yui: Actually, we want to make her happy somehow and...We were wondering if you knew any good ways to do so?

Male Vampire B: ...

...Hmー...

Yui: ( This time for sure...! )

Male Vampire B: My apologies, I doubt I’ll be of much help.

Yui: ...I see...

Male Vampire B: ...

If I had to name something I know about her...The only thing I could tell you is that she enjoys flora.

Yui: ...Flora...You say?

Male Vampire B: Yes. ...Oh, I made plans to meet up with someone, so you’ll have to excuse me now.

ー The Vampire walks away

Yui: T-Thank you very much!

( Flora, huh...? )

Yui: Um, Shuu-san? Why don’t we try giving her a plant she might like?

Shuu: ...I’m not sure. I can’t tell you whether that’ll actually please her or not.

Yui: But I don’t think we have much other choice but to rely on the information we just got...

Are there any stores selling plants nearby?

Shuu: I mean, there are, I guess.

Yui: ( Okay...! Let’s go take a look! )

ー The scene shifts to the garden store

Yui: This is the place...

( There’s so many plants I’ve never seen before! Guess I should have expected as much from the Demon World... )

...Amazing...

Shuu: Not really. They’ve only got plants which are commonly seen around the Demon World. I doubt any of these will please Aji-san.

In short...I feel as if we’re only wasting our time here?

Yui: S-Sorry...

( Hm...What a shame. Seems like we’re back to square one. )

???: ...Hm? Are you customers, perhaps? Welcome.

I’m the owner, so if you are looking for something, please ask away.

Yui: Thank you very much.

Garden store owner: My extensive knowledge on the flowers which grow in the Demon World is the one thing I pride myself on.

Yui: ...I see. In that case...

Which flower would make a person the happiest if they were to receive it as a gift?

Garden store owner: Everyone has different tastes.

But...A flower which can please everyone, can only be ‘that’.

Yui: ‘That’?

Garden store owner: Exactly. ‘That’ flower which only blooms in the mountains.

Yui: Only grows in the mountains...Then where exactly are these mountains?

Garden store owner: Don’t tell me...You want to go pluck one?

Yui: If it’s a flower which can make any person happy, then I’d like to if possible.

Garden store owner: I see.

I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I doubt it’ll work out.

...Well, I’m sure you’ll find out once you reach the mountains. I don’t mind drawing you a map.

Yui: ( I wonder what he means? )

ー The scene shifts the entrance of the mines

Yui: ( Um...I’m pretty sure we have to go right here...Then left at the next corner... )

ー The scene shifts to an underground lake

Shuu: Oi...We’re still not there yet?

Yui: P-Please wait. I’m pretty sure we’ve reached our destination...

According to the map, there should be a cave closeby.

Shuu: A cave?

Couldn’t it be that one over there?

Yui: Ah...!

Shuu: Good grief...You’re getting way too caught up in the map instead of actually looking at your surroundings.

Well, that being said, I’d rather not get ourselves lost again from walking around aimlessly.

Come on, let’s get going already.

Yui: Y-Yes!

ー The scene shifts to the Selenite Crystal Cave

Yui: ( Wow, it’s glittering somehow... )

What are these...?

Shuu: Selenite, right? Seems like the entire cave is made up from them.

Yui: ...I see...

Shuu: Oi, this isn’t the time to be captivated by them. Let’s look for the thing we came for.

Yui: Right.

( The shop owner didn’t tell us anything about the actual flower, did he? )

( ‘You’ll be able to tell straight away’ is the only hint we have... )

...Um...

*Flash*

Yui: ( ...? )

*Flash*

Yui: ( I’m not...imagining this, right? )

Shuu: ...Oi. Don’t you think that could be it? There’s been flashing lights coming from the back.

Yui: Let’s go look.

Monologue

What we found at the end of the path,

was a mysterious flower.

Covering the whole surrounding area,

they spread a warm light across,

shining amidst the dark like fireflies.

Their beauty is simply out of this world.

I subconsciously extended my hand towards the stem.

Howeverーー

*WOOSH*

Yui: ( I-It disappeared... )

Shuu: This must be the Ghost Flower.

Yui: Ghost Flower?

Shuu: Yeah, just like actual ghosts, you aren’t able to touch them.

Yui: ( So that’s why it vanished. )

( But...It was really pretty. I think I understand why anyone would be happy to see these flowers. )

( I’m sure Aji-san as well... )

...Um, Shuu-san? Can’t we get this flower to Aji-san’s store somehow?

Shuu: ...Haah...

Doesn’t seem like you’ll give up any time soon, so why don’t you try out some things?

Yui: ( Um...He’s basically saying he’ll stay here with me for now, right...? )

( F-For now, I’ll just try anything which comes to mind! )

*TIMESKIP*

*WOOSH*

Yui: Aah...Another fail...

( No matter how gently I touch them, it’s no use. Trying to pluck them from a different angle didn’t work either. )

( I guess it really is impossible... )

Shuu: ...

Yui: ( Shuu-san appears to be listening to music, but he seems bored. )

( But...There’s one more thing I’d like to try. )

( They disappear upon contact...So basically I have to avoid touching them, right? )

( I wonder if digging them up together with the soil would work then? )

( It’s all or nothing...Here goes...! )

*Thud thud*

Yui: ...! Shuu-san, look! The flower didn’t vanish...!

Shuu: Looks like it.

Yui: We can take it back with us to Aji-san’s store like this...! Aah, I’m so glad!

Shuu: ...

No, it’s too early to rejoice.

Try waiting a little like that.

Yui: ...?

*TIMESKIP*

Yui: ( I wonder how long I should wait? I’d guess about five minutes have passed by now. )

Shuu-san, what’s the point of thiーー

*WOOSH*

Yui: Ah!

Shuu: ...I knew it.

I figured that if all you had to do was scoop it out with soil and all, then the people from the garden shop would have long been doing that.

Yui: You...do have a point...

( There’s no way we can make it back to Aji-san’s shop in just five minutes. )

I wonder if it’s really impossible...

Shuu: ...No, that’s not true either.

Yui: Eh...?

Shuu: Let me ask you once more. ...You really want to borrow the pendant, right?

Yui: Well...Of course!

Shuu: Okay then.

ーー Oi. Dig out that ghost flower from the ground once more.

Yui: S-Sure.

( What could he be thinking? Anyway, I’ll just put faith in Shuu-san for now... )

*Thud thud*

Yui: Done.

Shuu: Okay. Now I just have to do this...

Yui: ( Why did he pick up a pebble...? )

Shuu: Thereーー!

*Swoosh*

*Thud*

*Flap flap flap flap flap*

Yui: Wah!? B-Bats!?

( They were startled by the sound of the rock and jumped out! Where did this many of them even come fromーー!? )

*Rustle*

Yui: Shuu-san!? What is this about...!?

Shuu: They can carry us to Aji’s store in under five minutes.

Yui: I seeーー

*Flap flap flap flap flap*

Yui: ...Wait, eeeeeh!?

Shuu: Wake me up when we’ve arrived.

*Flap flap flap flap flap*

Shuu: ...

Yui: ( Geez, Shuu... )

( O-Okay! I have to just let myself be carried. )

Monologue

I made up my resolve.

And decided to keep still,

as I let the bats carry me.

When taking a quick glance at the ground below,

I could see,

the ongoing Parade.

If I hadn’t gotten my heart stolen, then perhaps right now, 

Shuu-san and I would also beーー

Such thoughts flashed through the back of my mind.

I shake my head, getting rid of those thoughts,

while continuing to pray,

that the Ghost Flower in my hands would not disappear.

ー The scene shifts to Reine de Aji’s store

*Flap flap flap flap flap*

Yui: ( W-We somehow got here before the Ghost Flower vanished. )

Shuu-san! Wake up, please! We’re here!!

Shuu: Nn...Pwaah...

That’s pretty fast. I wouldn’t have minded snoozing for a little longer...

Yui: More importantly, we should hurry up and find Aji-sanーー

*Flap flap flap flap flap*

Reine de Aji: W-What is this ruckus about!?

Yui: Ah, Aji-san!

Reine de Aji: You lot...! Are you trying to destroy my shop out of spite for not getting the pendant!?

Yui: N-No!

Take a look at this, please! We wanted to make you happy, so...

Reine de Aji: T-This is...Could it be, a Ghost Flower...?

The legendary flower, and the one flower in this world I had yet to see...

*WOOSH*

Yui: ( Aah, it vanished... )

Reine de Aji: ...

Yui: ( Oh no. The shop’s a mess because of the bats... )

( I guess...We failed to please her... )

Reine de Aji: That wasn’t an illusion just now, it was an actual Ghost Flower. I...

I’ve always wanted to see it here in my store, even if only once.

You did all of this just for me?

Yui: I just thought it’d be nice if it would make you happy...But I’m sorry you were only able to see it for such a short time.

Reine de Aji: Don’t sweat it. You made me plenty happy.

Furthermore, the fact they wither is exactly what makes flowers so beautiful.

ーー Thank you. I’m very pleased.

Yui: ( T-Thank god! Then... )

Reine de Aji: As promised...

*Cling*

Reine de Aji: I’ll lend you this pendant.

Yui: T-Thank you very much!

( We did it! )

Reine de Aji: Hey, you...Sakamaki.

Shuu: ...

Reine de Aji: I’ve written you guys off as lost causes for the longest time.

But you did all of this to make me happy. Especially this young lady over here.

...She’s quite the catch.

You chose your partner well. I suppose we should have expected as much from the eldest son of the family.

Shuu: Thank you.

Yui: ( I guess...she complimented me? It’s a little embarrassing but I’m happy. )

ー The scene shifts back to the hotel

*Cling*

Yui: ( If you put a picture inside this locket and put the necklace on, you can turn into that person...Huh? )

( Reevaluating it, it really is a mysterious thing. )

Anyway...We can hold the party without any trouble now.

Shuu: Yeah.

But...You’re forgetting one important thing.

Yui: Important...?

( What could that be? )

We’ve settled on the location, the cake and even got a surprise prepared...Which leaves...

Shuu: ...

Yui: Which leaves...?

Shuu: ...

Yui: U-Um...What do we still have left to do exactly?

Shuu: Good grief...

ー Shuu steps closer

Shuu: ーー Show your gratitude.

Yui: Excuse me?

Shuu: Show your gratitude to me.

Who’s to thank for making it this far into the preparations?

Yui: ( S-Starting with the gondola, I guess none of this would have been possible if Shuu-san hadn’t been there with me. )

Shuu-san, thank you so much for today.

I’m sorry for not saying this sooner.

Shuu: Just words won’t suffice.

In that case, let’s see...I wonder what I should ask from you instead?

I guess I should pose you the question for once.

Yui: U-Um...

( ...Something I can do... ) 

Selection

→ Give him a massage (☾)

Yui: ...Ah, right!

How about...a massage?

Shuu: A massage...

Yui: ( Uu, I feel like he’s appalled. )

I figured you must be exhausted, so I thought it wasn’t a bad idea...

Shuu: Haha...I guess it wouldn’t be bad every once in a while. Guess I’ll let you do your thing then.

Yui: Y-Yes...

*Rustle rustle*

Shuu: ...Oi. You can’t call that a massage. Put in a little more effort.

Yui: Okay.

*Rustle rustle*

Shuu: ...Phew...

*Rustle rustle*

→ Write him a letter of gratitude

Yui: In that case...How about I write you a letter of gratitude?

We can frame it and hang it on the wall at the manor, for example...

Shuu: ...

Yui: ( H-He looks disappointed. )

Shuu: Haah...Guess I’ll take the sentiment at least.

Yui: Yes...

( I guess it would have been way better to offer him a massage or something... )

( I’ll do that next time. )

*TIMESKIP*

Yui: ( Anyway...I’m glad preparations for the party went smoothly. )

( Ah...But... )

( Shuu-san didn’t seem too stoked about the idea of the pendant. )

( I wonder why? )

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

Translation notes

(1) The てやる or ‘te-yaru’ construction implies that he is doing something for the sake of someone else. 

(2) Literally he says ‘I’d even be willing to accept help from a cat’. This idiom is used when someone is so busy, they will accept any help, even from someone who might not be the best.

← RETURN TO CHAPTER 2

→ PROCEED WITH MAIN STORY [CHAPTER 4]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #1 [W/ SUBARU]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #2 [W/ RUKI]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #3 [W/ KOU]

[the-bau-quinjet]

With you, he wants it all.

Part 2!! You can find all the info about why this is such a mess in Part 1! Also, I totally meant to post this earlier but Taylor Swift’s new album wrecked my plans. 

Summary: Reader is a famous singer with a murderous stalker. Spencer has to go undercover to protect her. 

warnings: mentions of murder, anxious reader, stalker

Word Count: 9972

The next time you wake up, the room is significantly brighter. You feel around in the cold bed, realizing Spencer isn’t there anymore. You have to force yourself to open your eyes to combat the overwhelming urge to roll over and sleep for another twelve hours. The clock reads 12:07. You can’t help but think you deserve more sleep as you force yourself into a sitting position. Once you finally sit up, you hear someone shuffling around, whispering in the other room. It’s too quiet to try to make out the voice, but you definitely heard something. Without too much thought, you quickly jump out of bed, grabbing the only thing you can find that even remotely resembles a weapon- the bible from the hotel drawer.

Slowly, you push the door open, getting ready to make a break for the door to the hallway at the first sign of danger. Remembering everything from yesterday has you on edge as you move toward the kitchen area, looking for anything out of place. You duck around the pillar separating the kitchen from the living room only to find it empty. As you finally let your guard down, you feel a hand on your shoulder. Without thinking, you turn around getting ready to slam the book into whoever is touching you.

 Spencer catches your arms before you hit him. “Hey, hey. It’s okay. It’s just me. You’re safe.” You breathe out a sigh of relief, dropping the book and hugging Spencer.

 “I’m sorry! I just heard a noise and you weren’t in bed anymore and I wasn’t sure where you went and I wanted to make sure nobody else was in the room, but I-“

 “It’s okay. Just breathe.” Spencer is rubbing soothing circles on your back as you cling to him as if your life depends on it. A few minutes pass, before you calm down enough to pull out of the hug. You run a shaky hand through your hair, moving to the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee.

 “I put the coffee on so you can grab some when it’s done. I’m going to get dressed so we can figure out where we want to go for inspiration today!” You wink at Spencer before heading back into the bedroom to shower and change. You throw on a pair of jeans and a light sweater after squeezing the extra water out of your hair. You like to let it dry naturally on days like this.

 You make your way back into the kitchen only to find Spencer has already changed into a navy and white plaid button down, khakis, and a navy cardigan. He is sitting at the table drinking his coffee when you enter the room. You immediately put the kettle on, reaching into the cabinet to pull out your tea collection.

 “No coffee for you?” Spencer asks, gesturing to the half full pot on the counter.

 “Oh, nope. Not for me. It’s only palatable if I add way to much sugar and then I get all antsy. I only have coffee if I have a really good reason to stay up.” You chuckle as you add the teabag to the mug you set on the counter. You sit on the counter, swinging your legs as you sip your tea.

 “So, where do you want to go?”

 “For what?” Spencer pretends to not know what you’re talking about.

 “It’s time to start writing silly!” You grin at his deer in a headlights expression. “Spencer, I told you not to worry. We are just looking for general ideas right now. Anything that could potentially lead to a song. It’s more fun to observe others during this part of the process because the ideas are less specific.”

 “I don’t even know where to start!” He actually seems nervous about this.

 “Spence, let’s just go to your favorite coffee shop. And don’t tell me that you don’t have one. You’ve already drunk half that pot of coffee.”

 “Why my favorite?” He actually looks taken aback at the suggestion.

 “Well, for one because I’m not from here, so I don’t know where to go.” You try to backpedal, but you’ve started a list. Something he is all too eager to point out. “And two?” He’s got his brows furrowed, a look of pure confusion adorning his face.

 “If it’s your favorite, then you’ve been there before.” You say it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. 

“Well yes, but your point?” The confusion is still present, but his words are laced with exasperation.

“You might just be comfortable enough in your surroundings to suggest a song idea.” You shrug as you say it, trying to make it feel more casual.

 “You considered whether or not I would be comfortable?” He seems genuinely surprised now.

 “Of course. I want you to help me, so I gotta butter you up.” You try to cover up your blush with a joke.

 “Thank you.” HIs words seem surprised, but the two of you move on. Spencer grabs his satchel, and you your jacket, as the two of you exit the hotel to head to the café. You opt for walking since the weather is not too hot. You don’t say much during the walk. After the moment in the kitchen, you feel a bit nervous. A few fans stop you along the way for a picture or an autograph, but mostly you just enjoy each other’s company. Nobody pays much attention to Spencer, rather opting to ignore him to get your attention. Every time someone comes up to you; you make a point to say excuse me or smile at him before addressing the fans though. You just don’t want him to feel left out or like he’s not important.

 You finally make it to the café. Spencer opens the door before guiding you in, again placing his hand on your back. You thank him as you make your way up to the counter to order. You order a chai latte for yourself, gesturing for Spencer to order his when the barista asks you if you need anything else. You make sure to add two scones to the order before sliding your card into the machine before Spencer has a chance.

 “It’s my fault you’re here with me, so please. My treat.” He shakes his head slightly, a small smile forming on his face.

 “How many times do I have to tell you, none of this is your fault?” He gives you a look as you two move to find a table after accepting the scones.

 “I know.” You don’t sound sure as you take your seat. He doubles down the staring as you continue. “I promise. I know. It was just a joke.” You sound more sure of yourself that time, earning another smile from Spencer.

 The barista brings you your drinks as you settle into the corner booth. You set your phone up on the table, pulling up the recording from yesterday. You pass Spencer your headphones from your purse so he can listen to what you’ve already come up with.

 You take this time to really study him. The sun’s rays are streaming in through the blinds on the window, causing slight shadows to drift across his features. You take in the sharp lines of his jaw as he turns to look around the café, listening to the various melodies and lyrics you sang for the team. His brown locks appear golden as the sunlight reflect off the highlights. He’s sporting a slight stubble from not shaving for a few days. His hazel eyes drift across the faces of everyone in the room, not settling for long on any one person.

 You shift your attention to his hands. He has one draped across the table, lightly tapping along as he listens. His long fingers are mesmerizing. You begin to recognize he is tapping out the melodies as if he were playing the piano. The other hand is wrapped around his coffee cup. You bite your lip as you think about all the things those hands are capable of. Your mind wonders as you stare. You are staring so intently at the way his hand grips the cup, you don’t notice when he removes the headphones.

 Spencer clears his throat to catch your attention. “That was incredible. How do you come up with ideas so fast?” He looks like he knows exactly what you were thinking, but is too kind to bring it up. He’s just doing his job, and this isn’t a date. 

 “Oh, um thanks. I guess the BAU is just full of inspiration. The song writing process is a little different every time, but sometimes I can think of random lyrics and melodies.” You try to smile as you force yourself to focus. “Think back to a time where you felt an emotion really strongly. It can be whatever emotion you want. Then, try to put it into words. I like to use common phrases or metaphors because it can be fun to twist it into something new.” You close your eyes as you think back to how you felt the moment you understood there was a man out there killing people because he is obsessed with you. Maybe it’s a little too soon to write that one out. The idea does give you another way to explain it to Spencer. “It’s kind of like therapy. You can talk out your feelings and share them with people. It’s just a bit more public.” Spencer looks like he’s contemplating his entire life as you sit in this coffee shop.

 “Spence,” you say it lightly to draw him out of his own thoughts, “don’t worry about it. You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to. I just wanted to get the ball rolling. Why don’t we try something else?” He looks grateful as he nods. “Great. Pick out someone in the coffee shop, preferably part of a group.” He looks around before his eyes settle on someone.

 “Okay, now tell me what they’re thinking about.” He looks confused, like a lost puppy. “It’s called people watching. Just make up a story about what they might be doing here.”

 You and Spencer discuss ideas for the next few hours. He picked out a young man, maybe about 19 years old. He was clearly here with friends trying to catch a break from studying if the backpacks on the floor were any hint. Spencer noticed all of that immediately of course, being that he is a profiler.

 His story sounded just like the profile Hotch told you yesterday, although much less horrifying.

 “White male, late teens to early twenties. He is likely a STEM major. This is the first time he has let loose in a while, normally choosing to forego the party life for studying. He likely has immense pressure on him from his family to succeed and do well in school.” You nod along, not having any idea where this information is really coming from. He sounds so confident, you can’t help but ask how he knows all that.

 “You’re incredible. How did you figure all that out?” You stare in wonder at the man across from you. He doesn’t meet your eye, but responds nonetheless.

 “His age is fairly obvious to observe. His bag is fuller than the others, indicating a major that requires more coursework. He keeps checking his watch, almost as if he knows he is wasting time that could be spent working toward a goal. The family pressure can be inferred by the other behavior. It is more likely a young adult is studious due to a strict upbringing with a focus on work ethic and goal-driven activities.”

 “Amazing.” You sigh as you look around the room. “My turn.” You point to a couple sitting a few tables away from you. “Those two are exploring the possibility of taking their relationship past that of friendship. They obviously like each other and are too nervous to say anything.” Almost as if to prove you aren’t a profiler, the two lean across the table for a kiss. You laugh it off, knowing it’s just a game for you.

 “Or maybe not. Either way, their song would be about new love. Something slow and pretty.” You smile as you turn back to Spencer. “Your turn again!”

 The two of you go back and forth a few times. His stories were really just profiles, but after a few tries he leaned into the fun, game-like nature of people watching. Of course, his last story didn’t stray too far from profiling, but it was much more dreamlike in the way he presented it.

 “The woman sitting by the window,” he said, subtly pointing to an older woman at a table alone, “she’s waiting to see her grandkids for the first time in years. Of course, she’s excited to see them again, but she’s nervous. What if they don’t like her? What if she can’t patch things up with her… I’m guessing daughter?” You smile brightly at the story. Family moments were usually the most inspiring for generic song ideas.

 “Good job, Spence! What would the song be about?” The question clearly caught him off guard. For the past few stories, you asked how he came to those conclusions. It was so fascinating to hear how his mind works. This time though, you thought he could really be on to something. You give him an encouraging nod, as you set your phone up to record again.

 “It could be about- about family.” He states it so firmly; you know he wants to say more. “She is sitting there thinking about the memories she has with her own parents and grandparents, so the song could be a reflection on days spent enjoying their company. Maybe future memories they can make together.” He smiles, albeit shyly.

 “That is a really good idea! It fits with the vibe of the lyrics I came up with for Rossi.” You see the moment it clicks in his head. I don’t know why all the trees change in the fall, but I know you’re not scared of anything at all. Don’t know if Snow White’s house is near or far away, but I know I had the best day with you today.

 He actually seems pleased with himself now. “We could work on that one tomorrow. We should get up and walk around though, we’ve been sitting here for hours.” You reach for his hand as you scoot out of the booth, pulling him along with you.

 You stuff your hands in the pockets of your windbreaker as you head outside. You feel an overwhelming desire to be close to him, but you don’t want to overstep. The early evening crowd is out and about, bumping into the two of you as you walk back to the hotel at a leisurely pace.

 “Why don’t we go order some room service and just hang out for the rest of the night? All that people watching was exhausting.” You turn to grin up at him as you continue walking. He hums in response, looking down at you in return. You swear you can feel the mood shifting, but the moment is broken by a tap on your arm. You turn to examine the source of the interruption only to find a little girl who couldn’t be more than 10 years old.

 “Hi there!” You squeeze Spencer’s arm before ducking down to talk to the little girl. “Are you parents here?” She nods turning to look at a couple a few feet behind her, slightly out of breath, as if they just chased her down the street.

 “Carly! Honey, you can’t run off like that! You could have gotten hurt!” The man scolds her, but is clearly relieved she didn’t get away from them.

 “Sorry daddy! I just wanted to say hi to Miss Y/N! She sings my favorite song ever!” You wave at the parents before turning your attention back to the little girl.

 “Hi Carly, it’s nice to meet you! You really do need to be careful though. You should always stick with the adults so you don’t get lost.” Your voice is playful, but your expression is serious. The only way to truly convey that message to a child you have no parental claim to. She nods in response.

 “Mommy! Take a picture!” You pose with the girl as her mom takes a picture.

 “We’re so sorry for interrupting your date! She just saw you and took off down the sidewalk.” You blush at what the woman is implying about you and Spencer, not daring to look at him.

 “No worries at all. I’m always happy to meet a fan. Have a good night!” You wave goodbye, linking your arm with Spencer’s as you start to walk. He gives you a curious look, but you just laugh before joking “What? It’s so I don’t get lost.” He chuckles at your childlike behavior, but shifts so you can hold him closer.

 The rest of the walk is peaceful. You don’t see any more fans, which is good because you aren’t paying enough attention to anything at the moment. You keep picturing the look on Spencer’s face right before the little girl interrupted you. What was about to happen?

 Before you know it, you and Spencer are back in the room. He steps into the kitchen to call Hotch while you call to order dinner. You change into the FBI sweatshirt from yesterday and a pair of sleep shorts before settling on the couch to wait for Spencer. A few minutes later, he joins you on the couch after he hangs up. “The team has ruled out all the performers. It’s not surprising as the unsub wouldn’t be brave enough to perform for a crowd. They are still working through the lists of vendors and crew members.”

 “Good. That’s progress. Progress is good.” You nod to yourself, trying to convince yourself everything is normal.

 “Talk to me, what’s going on inside your head?” Spencer reaches out to take your hand while you stare at the ground.

 “I don’t know. I guess it’s just hard. It’s hard to have such an amazing day and then think about how it only happened because people are being killed. I guess I feel guilty.” You keep going before he can interrupt you. “I know it’s not my fault that this guy is out there doing horrible things, but I still feel bad for enjoying myself while it’s happening.” You don’t have any tears left to cry. You look over to Spencer to find him staring back at you.

 “Y/N, you are such a selfless person. There isn’t anything else you can do right now. We haven’t had any more victims, likely because nobody has posted about how excited they are for your shows since we still have 13 days before the next one. We are going to catch this guy.” You form your mouth into a soft smile before nodding at him. “What movie do you want to watch?”

 You smile at his attempt to distract you. “You pick. Anything that will take my mind off things, but not require too much thinking.”

 Spencer is racking his brain for a movie that fits your description when you hear a knock on the door. “Must be the food, I’ll get it.” When you return with the food, you find Spencer still thinking over movie choices.

 “Okay, how about this. What do you like to watch when you really need a pick me up?”

 Again he looks surprised that you would take his opinion into account. “Um, usually Doctor Who, but that’s not a movie it’s a-”

 “TV show. Right. Is that the one where they fly around in a telephone booth?”

 “First of all, it's a police box, not a phone booth. Second of all, Doctor Who started a quarter of century before Bill and Ted even went on their bodacious adventures. So really, they should just call it Bill and Ted's excellent rip-off, I mean at least then...”

You listen as he rambles about why people always think it’s a telephone booth. You can’t help but smile at how cute he is when he’s talking about something he’s passionate about. You don’t realize he asked you a question until he clears his throat with a confused expression.

 “Sorry, I was rambling again.” He looks dejected, and you would do anything in the world to make him smile again.

 “No, I’m sorry!” You scoot closer to him to convey your point. “I was listening at first I promise. It’s just, you looked so happy I got distracted. Let’s watch Doctor Who.” You turn to face the TV before you say anything else that makes you feel like a complete moron. He sorts through the food as you find the show online, setting it up to play on the TV. There’s random free episodes on demand, so you end up staring with the 11th doctor.

 You are completely captivated by the show. Every so often, Spencer would comment on a theory about what one specific prop could mean only to have you cover your ears and warn him about spoilers. During an episode about creepy angel statues, he goes on a tangent about how Amy could have avoided the whole situation. Once he starts mentioning characters you haven’t met, you actually have to reach your hand up to cover his mouth to get him to stop talking. His words putter to a stop, eyes widening in shock as he stares at you.

 “Spence, I absolutely love how passionate you are about Doctor Who. But it doesn’t matter how adorable it is when you ramble on about something. If you spoil one more thing before I can actually watch the whole show through, I will not hesitate to smack you.” You stare right in his eyes the entire time, watching as they widen with each word. You had to get a lot closer to him to actually reach his mouth. He had moved forward, animatedly waving his arms around as he talked about various plot points, so you were basically sitting on his lap to avoid being smacked in the face.

 You drop your arm from his face slowly, as if any sudden movement would break the spell you were under. You lean forward, connecting your forehead to his. You take a steadying breath as you close your eyes. Your about to close the gap when his phone rings. Again, the moment is lost. You only move enough so that he can reach into his pocket for his phone. As he answers the call, you shift in his lap to cuddle into his chest.

 “Morgan, what do you need?” Maybe you’re imaging it, but he almost sounds the slightest bit annoyed. You can just make out what Morgan is saying on the other end of the phone.

 “Calm down, Pretty Boy. We might have a lead, Hotch and Emily are tracking it down now. I’ll meet you at the hotel in the morning to go over it all with you and Y/N.”

 “Okay, thanks for the update.” He sounds so normal now, you think you must have imagined the annoyance earlier. He hangs up the phone, tossing it next to him on the couch. He wraps his arms around you before shifting so you’re both laying down.

 “Let’s just relax and watch more Doctor Who. Morgan is stopping by in the morning to talk about the case.” You nod in agreement, turning to face the TV. A few episodes later, you and Spencer are drifting in and out of sleep. Neither one of you really wants to interrupt what you’ve got going, instead opting to just fall asleep on the couch.

 --

 You hear the faintest knocking noise that pulls you out of your slumber. It takes a few minutes for you to recognize you are on the couch, wrapped up in Spencer’s arms. He must have pulled a blanket over the two of you last night after you fell asleep. Before you can get up to evaluate the knocking, the door opens and Morgan comes rushing in. The concern on his face is quickly replaced with a knowing smirk. You blush, jealous that Spencer is somehow still asleep.

 “Hi Morgan. Sorry to alarm you. We must have fallen asleep watching TV last night.” At the sound of your voice, Spencer slowly begins to wake up. He smiles sleepily at you before realizing your attention is elsewhere. He practically throws you off the couch in his effort to sit up when he realizes Morgan is in the room.

 “Sorry!” Spencer looks at Morgan, then back to you. “I’m so sorry!” You laugh as you stand up.

 “Don’t worry about it.” You settle yourself in the chair, gesturing for Morgan to sit next to Spencer now that he isn’t sprawled across the entire sofa anymore. Turning to Morgan, you ask about the case “What did you want to talk about?”

 “We have been focused on going through the people who work for the tour. It makes the most sense for them to travel with you, otherwise it would require a lot more planning.” You can feel the nerves growing in your stomach. “Garcia found a name we wanted to run by you.” He hands you a picture before saying the name. “Ryan Moore. He works-“

 “On the instrumentals. I know. He usually runs the sound booth during the shows. I don’t know him that well, but we’ve talked a few times.” You think back over your past conversations. “It couldn’t be him.” You are 100% sure he is not the unsub, and the agents don’t fail to notice the conviction in your voice.

 “What makes you so sure?” Spencer is flipping through the case file Morgan brought with him. He doesn’t even look up when he asks the question, too focused on memorizing every detail about this man’s life.

 “Well, Hotch told me the unsub wouldn’t be able to talk to me right?” You look to Morgan for confirmation.

 “Yes. He wouldn’t approach you or seem confident when talking with you if you approached him.” Morgan confirms what you’re thinking.

 “Great. So it can’t be him.” You smile to yourself for actually contributing to the case. “Last week, right after the Columbus show, he asked me out. The unsub wouldn’t be brave enough, right?” The utter joy in your voice startles Spencer enough that he finally looks up from the file.

“Alright then. He’s likely not the unsub, but we’ll finish the investigation into him just in case.” Morgan settles back into the chair he’s sitting in, making no move to leave even though the conversation is clearly over. There is an obvious smirk on his face as he looks at Spencer.

 “Well, I’m going to make some breakfast, feel free to watch TV or something.” You smile awkwardly at the two men, unsure of why there is suddenly a strange tension in the air. As you move into the kitchen, you connect your phone to your Bluetooth speaker. Listening to music while you cook has always been calming for you. You honestly prefer baking, but eggs and sausage with toast sounds perfect right now. You pull out the ingredients, humming softly as you dance around the kitchen. You can just barely hear that Morgan and Spencer are talking in the other room, but not enough to make out what they are saying. It just sounds a bit more intense the conversation you just had.

 You choose to ignore it and give them their privacy instead focusing on cooking. You end up making scrambled eggs the way your mom taught you, by mixing in some chive and onion cream cheese. You pop some English muffins in the oven under the broiler while you place the eggs and sausages in dishes. After turning the music down, you move all the food to the table. You’re about to invite Spencer and Morgan to have some food when you hear their conversation.

 “I’m telling you man. She likes you. You should go for it.” Morgan is clearly trying to encourage Spencer, but he won’t hear it.

 “Morgan, it’s not like that. It’s probably just transference because I’m here to make sure she doesn’t get hurt. Plus, you saw the smile on her face when she talked about Ryan asking her out. She was beaming.” He sighs, almost wistfully as you consider what he’s saying. Surely you are capable of separating your feelings for him from the situation. Would you like him if you had just run into him on the street? Plus, what does Ryan have to do with this?

 You move back to the stove to remove the English muffins before they burn, putting them on a plate as well. Ultimately, you decide to try to straighten out your feelings for Spencer before making a move. You want to be sure. If there is even a shred of doubt in your mind, Spencer will surely be able to see it on your face. Stupid profilers.

 Their conversation died down while you were dealing with the muffins, so you walk back to the other side of the room. You mumble out “I made food, you’re both welcome to have some” before returning to the table. You have a lot to think about and the last thing you want to do is lead Spencer on if you aren’t sure. He deserves better than that.

 The conversation over breakfast is nice. Nothing too heavy or serious. The three of you are just talking about your lives. Morgan asks you what it’s like to be famous. You ask him and Spencer what it’s like to be in the FBI. You realize just how different your career paths are. The only thing you can relate to is travelling. Neither Spencer nor Morgan have family in the area, but they mention how hard it is for Hotch and JJ.

 “That I can understand. The travelling, I mean. Of course, I travel to perform, not to track down killers.” The room is quiet for a few minutes as you think about what to say. Morgan and Reid being profilers know you haven’t finished your thought, so they give you the time to think it over.

 “Thank you.” You say it softly, but firmly at the same time. This is the first time you’ve seen either of them look surprised.

 “Wh- for what?” It’s Morgan who speaks up. Spencer has a familiar expression on his face. It’s the same look he got when you asked his opinion for coffee shops and movies.

 “For everything. For protecting me. For catching bad guys. For giving up so much to do this job. You two, and the rest of your team, you all sacrifice so much to keep people safe. I mean, I’m sure the people you save and the families you give closure to are grateful, and you deserve that. But, you also deserve to have everyone be thankful for what you do. You get into the minds of these people. It must be exhausting to have to think like that all the time. I’m barely dealing with it now and it’s only be on my mind for 2 days! I just can’t even fathom the number of people you have saved, people that you’ve never even met, by doing this. So, thank you. For being strong enough to do it. For being you.”

 You spoke every word with every ounce of sincerity you could muster up. You were looking between them as you said it. The shock on Morgan’s face slowly morphed into a small smile. Spencer’s expression didn’t change, but somehow looked more sincere when you were done.

 Neither one of them knew what to say. Morgan rose from his chair to pull you into a hug. Patting you on the back, he uttered a soft thank you before saying he should get back to the office to help the rest of the team. You locked the door behind him, turning to see Spencer staring at you from the table.

 “Spence? Are you okay?” You were nervous that your impromptu speech made him uncomfortable. He rose from the table, slowly making his way across the room to you.

 “I’m, I, I just… that was… thank you. You amaze me.” He barely says the words, practically breathing them into existence. You reach for his hand, squeezing it.

 “I meant every single word. Promise.” There is nothing more you want to do than kiss him right now, but all you can hear in your head is Spencer talking about transference. You hug him quickly before pulling back again. Without some distance between the two of you, you won’t be able to control yourself. “Do you want to go to another café today? Or somewhere with a piano so I can finally see you play?”

 “We can do what you want today. You let me pick the café and the show yesterday, so it’s only fair.”  You grin, knowing exactly where you want to take him.

 The two of you get ready in near silence after that. Both of you want to calm down a bit before spending another day together. After you’ve both showered and changed, you drag Spencer down to the SUV. The weather outside is perfect for where you want to go, but the park is just far enough away that you want to drive. You pull up directions on your phone, hiding the address from him. Spencer protests the entire time. He keeps mumbling about how he would know how to get there if you just told him where you were going. Then something about how mobile phones are a distraction, so it would be safer for him to drive anyway.

 You just let him ramble on about the many DC streets. Your grip on the wheel tightens when he starts listing off statistics about car accidents.

 “More than 38,000 people die every year in crashes on U.S. roadways. The U.S. traffic fatality rate is actually 12.4 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. An additional 4.4 million are injured seriously enough to require medical attention. Road crashes are the leading cause of death in the U.S. for people aged 1-54.” With every passing word, your knuckles get whiter, your heartbeat gets faster, and your breaths get shorter. Spencer is too caught up in reciting the statistics to realize anything is wrong until he turns to look at you, his next sentence dying on his tongue. “Seatbelts reduce the risk of dying by…” His brow furrows as he takes in your appearance.

 “By what Spence? Don’t leave me hanging?” You try to joke with him to calm yourself down, but he obviously sees right through it.

 “45%.” He continues before you can even comprehend the number. “Y/N, what’s wrong?”

 “Nothing. I’m totally fine. 100% A-Okay.” You try to take deep breaths to calm yourself down. Having arrived at your destination, you pull into a parking spot.

 “Y/N, talk to me. What is it?” You take a steadying breath as you turn to face him. Honestly, you are embarrassed more than anything else. You were the one who decided you had to drive.

 “Spence, really it’s not a big deal. I just get nervous driving sometimes. I don’t have to do it a lot, and I’ve never felt like I was particularly good at it. It doesn’t matter though, we’re here.” You move to get out of the car, but Spencer reaches across the car to stop you. His face is only inches from yours as the realization dawns on him.

 “And I was rambling on about how dangerous driving is.” He says it more to himself than to you. “Y/N, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you stop me? I really need to learn how to shut up. I just get so caught up in the statistics-“ “Spencer. I love when you ramble. I’ve already told you how calming it is… normally. I’m fine, I promise. You just have to drive us back to the hotel later. Deal?”

 “Deal.” You’re both smiling as you get out of the car to walk around the park you brought him to. He doesn’t ask why you picked this place and you don’t offer up a reason. He’ll figure it out soon enough. You talk about random things from childhood as you lazily stroll through the trees. There’s something so calming about wandering through so many trees when you know you’re in the middle of a bustling city.

 Before long, the two of you have crossed the park. A few feet away stands an upright piano in front of a park bench. You glance at Spencer as he looks at the piano, realization gracing his features as he discovers why you chose this particular park. You beckon for him to sit down next to you, asking him to play you a song.

 He blushes as you whisper pretty please in his ear. The cherry on top does him in. Soon enough, you are hearing the beginning notes of Bach’s Prelude in C. You just sit and listen, watching his fingers gracefully move above the keys. He’s not the most passionate of piano players. You can practically see the gears turning in his brain as he moves his hands efficiently across the instrument, as if he really is thinking about the math behind it all. Still, you lose yourself in the music, swaying lightly. You find yourself leaning on his shoulder, closing your eyes as you think about everything you’ve been feeling.

 You studied music for a few years when you were young. That’s how you started writing, with lessons to learn to play both the guitar and the piano. You took to the guitar more than the piano, but you remember learning about the emotion behind every classical piece you were taught to play. You can’t help but think back to those lessons as you listen to Spencer. This song is always reaching forward, yearning for the next note. It plays into the idea that life is simple and pure. Even good at times. But there is something lurking just below the surface. It’s weirdly fitting of your current situation, but you choose to just be glad he chose the major over the minor.

 You feel the breeze in your hair as Spencer finishes the song. For a few moments, the two of you sit listening to the leaves rustling in the wind. Eventually, you look around the park once it is quiet again. It’s mostly empty given that it’s 2 pm on a Tuesday, so there aren’t many people around to witness this moment. You slip your phone on the piano to record before you take over, playing that all too familiar melody that reminds you of Spencer. Neither of you say anything as you let the music and your emotions guide you through the song. You can tell it’s not perfect, but it just feels right.

 After that, you and Spencer brainstorm lyrics for Rossi’s song for another few hours. The park begins to fill up as school lets out and the workday ends. A few fans recognize you, asking for pictures. After a particularly strong gust of wind, Spencer drapes his cardigan over you as you walk back toward the car, both of you blissfully unaware of the figure watching you from behind the trees.

 --

  The next few days pass in much the same fashion. Spencer takes calls about the case, trying to narrow down the massive list of crew members on your tour. You and he work on lyrics for Rossi’s song, as well as JJ’s. She’s just so pretty, the words flow right out of you. You can tell Spencer agrees. You believe him as he swears up and down that the two of them are just friends, but you can’t help teasing him just a bit.

 “Honestly, it would be weirder if you didn’t think she was pretty. The woman looks as if she were sculpted by Michelangelo himself. A living embodiment of Aphrodite.” He nods in agreement, a faint blush on his cheeks.

 --

 No matter how much you try, you just cannot come up with anymore good lyrics for Spencer’s song. It could be that he is sitting right next to you all the time and knows the song is for him that’s causing the writer’s block, but it’s still frustrating.

 One night, he’s working through the case file for the third time in a row when you interrupt his thoughts with a seemingly random question.

 “Spence, can you tell me a story?” He looks up at you, brow furrowed and eyes confused. “I just need inspiration for the lyrics. Everything I come up with sucks.” You pout until he finally gives in. “Yay! It can be anything, even a memory. Just make it overwhelmingly happy.”

 Spencer stops looking through the file as he thinks back on his life experiences for an overwhelmingly happy memory. The faces of his team members instantly flood his mind as he sorts through the many good times they’ve had. He keeps circling back to one event, ultimately deciding it is happy enough to fit your standards.

 “This is actually the story of JJ’s wedding.” You lean forward, a wedding story could be just what the doctor ordered. “Will wanted to marry her for a while, but she was hesitant. She said everything was perfect as it was, she didn’t feel the need to change anything.” You were honestly a little confused as to where the happiness was at this point, but you let him continue anyway. You could listen to this man talk for days on end without complaint.

 “We ended up working a case with Will. It was a bank robbery turned hostage situation. It was a rough case for all of us; bombs, secret partners, kids at risk. I won’t bore you with the details,” he chuckles at your thankful expression, “but it all worked out in the end. Will, he could’ve died. When JJ went to see him in the hospital, she told him to ask her again. She wanted to get married then and there in the hospital chapel. Will wanted to wait until he was actually out of the hospital though, and not wearing a hospital gown.” You couldn’t help but smile at the thought of loving someone so much, you were instantly ready to marry them.

 “Rossi, he overheard everything. So, he started planning. He called JJ’s mom, told her to fly in and to bring her wedding dress. We threw her a surprise wedding the next day. It was such a beautiful moment, to have such a joyous event after everything that we had been through. JJ looked wonderstruck as her mom walked her down the aisle. The lights were sparkling. It was enchanting.” He spoke with such awe about the whole event. He told you stories about doing magic for Henry and Jack, who you came to know as Hotch’s son. It was so easy for you to picture the fairy lights and purple flowers. The team seemed like such a close-knit family, it only made sense that they would share this memory.

 The chorus of the song hit you like a ton of bricks. You didn’t even warn Spencer as you jumped from the couch and ran to the piano. He followed behind you, curious to see what would happen. He watched with wonder as you placed your phone to record on top of the piano and started playing the family melody you first hummed while thinking about him.

 “This night is sparkling, don’t you let it go. I’m wonderstruck, blushing all the way home. I’ll spend forever wondering if you knew, I was enchanted to meet you.” The verses didn’t pour out of you in quite the same way, but the general storyline of the song came to you in the next few minutes. You rushed to get it all out, speaking directly into the phone.

 “The first verse can be about feeling out of place in a room, faking laughter, forcing smiles. Then it all changes when she sees him. It’s as if they have a conversation with only their eyes as they float across the room to each other. Then the chorus. The second verse can be about her wondering if he felt it to. 2 am who do you love? Chorus again. Then the bridge can be about hoping that the one night wasn’t it for them. That she’ll see him again and hoping he isn’t already in love or with someone.” You’re so pleased with the song idea, you don’t notice the shifting expressions on Spencer’s face. After your explanation, you turn to him, the biggest smile he’s seen yet on your face.

 “What do you think?” He’s so shocked he doesn’t know how to respond. After a moment of silence, your face begins to fall. You can’t stop your brain from thinking the worst.

 He must hate it. Oh god, he’s just trying to find a way to let me down easy. Why do I have to be so stupid? Sure, go ahead. Write a love song about the man who’s sitting next to you. That won’t be weird at all. Oh god, oh god…

 Suddenly, Spencer is pulling you into a tight hug. “It’s beautiful. It will make a wonderful song.” He’s whispering in your ear. The feeling of his lips brushing against you is too much. Everything you’ve been pushing back for the past few days comes roaring to the surface. You can’t stop yourself.

 You pull back slowly, only to pull his face to yours so rapidly you’re surprised you didn’t get whiplash. In less than an instant, his lips are moving gracefully against yours. His hands slide down your body to your waist as he pulls you even closer to him. Your arms move up around his neck, your fingers running through his hair. The hunger and passion is slowly taken over by the need for oxygen, the two of you separating just enough to pull air into your lungs.

 He kisses your forehead, and you kiss his nose. A few minutes later, and you’re still standing there with your heads pressed together, arms wrapped around each other. Every so often, one of you places a light kiss on the others mouth, just to make sure this is real.

 “I know what you’re thinking.” You are still out of breath from kissing him, but you can just tell his mind is moving a mile a minute.

 “I’m not sure you do.” He sounds nervous.

 “I think I might surprise you.” You can’t help but tease him a little before continuing. “You think its all transference. That I only think I like you because you’re here to protect me. Some sort of white knight bullshit.” You can’t stop yourself from sounding mildly annoyed about it. Although, the look of shock on his face helps. “I heard what you said to Morgan.” He sighs before moving to pull back.

 “No, Spence. Listen to me. I heard what you said to Morgan.” You wait for him to follow your train of thought back a few days.

 “But that was four days ago?” He looks more confused than ever.

 “I know. I wanted to make sure that what I feel is real. I didn’t want to lead you on if I might not actually want this. But I do. More than I’ve ever wanted anything before. Spencer, you are a light in my life and not just because you’re here to make sure I don’t get murdered. Although that certainly doesn’t hurt. I feel like I can tell you anything and you won’t judge me for it. That I can truly be myself without worry of letting you down.”

 “Y/N you could never let me down. I just don’t want you to wake up one day and regret anything. I don’t want you to regret me.” He looks crestfallen.

 “Spencer Reid.”  You move your hands to his cheeks to gently push his head up to make eye contact. “I could never regret a single moment spent with you. I have loved every single one. I loved watching you listen to the songs about your friends. I loved listening to you talk about things you love, like Doctor Who and statistics. I loved sitting next to while you played piano. I loved talking to you about anything and everything. Spencer, I love how I feel when I’m with you and I know for a fact I would feel the same way if I met you walking down the street.”

 “Y/N” the way he says your name is music to your ears. “I love how I feel when I’m with you too. I loved listening to you sing about my friends, capturing the essence of who they are. I loved watching you experience the things I have grown so accustomed to doing. I loved the feeling of you leaning on my shoulder while I played Bach. I loved hearing you come up with an entire storyline for one song in a matter of minutes just based on one story. I have loved every single second I have been with you since I first saw you 7 days, 2 hours, and 32 minutes ago. Even if I didn’t say a word to you until after you woke up in the hospital.”

 The two of you laugh as you pull him to the couch to cuddle. You put on more Doctor Who, sitting with your legs across his lap and playing with his hands. It’s nice to just be close to him without having to worry. You find yourself getting wrapped up in the show. Spencer is quieter this time. You think he might have something on his mind, but you decide to wait for him to share. Between the third and fourth episode, he speaks up.

 “Y/N, are you and Ryan… are you together?” You look up to see a nervous expression once again on his face.

 “Ryan who?” You are genuinely confused as to who he could even be talking about.

 “Ryan Moore, the sound booth guy.” You look even more confused than before.

 “Not even a little bit. I politely declined his offer to take me out. Is that what’s been bugging you for the last three episodes?” You smile at his pout.

 “Maybe. You just seemed so happy when you mentioned that he asked you out. You were practically glowing with how big your smile was.”

“Spence, I was happy because I could actually help you with the case. I only have eyes for one guy.” You shift to straddle his lap.

 “Yeah, who’s that?” He pulls you even closer.

 “Matt Smith” You say it with the best deadpan expression you can manage in the circumstances.

 “Wow, your standards must be pretty low to settle for the 11th doctor. He’s not even in the top three best doctors!” He plays along with your joke, although he doesn’t have to act incredulous sat you preference for the 11th doctor.

 “Well, my number one doctor isn’t really on TV.” You bite your lip, leaning in until you connect your mouth to his.

 Right as you’re both about to take it one step further, your phone rings. “Fuck.” The word is barely a whisper leaving your mouth as you pull back from Spencer trying to catch your breath.

 “Hello?” you don’t hear anything on the other end of the phone. “Hello? Anyone there? Hello?” Suddenly the line goes dead. You turn to Spencer. “Well, that was weird.” Spencer frantically moves you off his lap as he stands up, taking out his phone. Without telling you anything, he is frantically dialing a number, mumbling under his breath.

 “Garcia! I need to you to figure out who just called Y/N’s phone.” He waits a minute, presumably listening to her reply. “Yes, it just rang and when she answered nobody said anything. Thank you.” He hangs up, swiftly moving back to the couch to pull you into a hug.

 “What just happened?” You can feel your heartrate speeding up.

 “It might be nothing, but that might have been the unsub. Garcia is tracking down the number that made the call right now. If it’s possible to figure out, she’ll have it done by morning.” He rubs calming circles on your hip with his thumb. “Why don’t you go to sleep? Try to get some rest?” You nod, rising from the couch.

 “Spence, will you lay with me?” Your voice is small and scared as you ask the question. He simply nods, both of you changing into pajamas before meeting in the bedroom to lay down. You snuggle up close to him, trying to breathe in the same pattern as him until you fall asleep.

 --

 When you wake up, you can hear Spencer in the living room, talking on his phone. You want nothing more than to go back to sleep, but not if you can’t cuddle with Spencer while you do it. Throwing the covers off of you, you get up so you can actually see Spencer. He’s got his back to you when you open the door, so you sneak up behind him. He jumps a little with a surprised gasp when you wrap your arms around his middle.

 “What? Oh, uh… I’m fi-fine. Everything’s fine. I was just surprised.” He spins around to hug you, giving you a slight glare. “By, um, a beetle. Yeah, there was a beetle.” The lie is so obvious you can’t help but laugh as you bury your head into his chest.

 A few minutes later, he finally hangs up. “What did they find out about the phone call?” You mumble the question into the fabric of his cardigan.

 “Less than we were hoping for. It was a prepaid cell, so Garcia can’t trace it back to the owner.” You squeeze him tighter, glad to have him with you through all of this. After a few minutes of standing with him, you reluctantly pull back.

 “Well, we should get to work. These songs are not going to write themselves!”

 You and Spencer retreat to different parts of the suite to get ready for the day. As much as you would love to jump his bones, it doesn’t feel right to take up his time with that when he could be working. At least if you were working on songs together it was part of the cover.

 You ultimately decide to just sit in the park across from the hotel today. Normally, you wouldn’t even leave your room at this point in the writing process. You just don’t completely trust yourself to be alone with him at the moment. At least in public you can control yourself a little bit. Yet, the many people walking around the park do nothing to stop you from grabbing Spencer’s hand and playing with his fingers while thinking particularly hard about a certain lyric.

 A bright flash of light draws you out of your reverie. You already know how the picture is going to look. You are laying across a blanket, knees in the air. Spencer is sitting beside you, reading messages from the team on his phone. His other hand is still between yours as you run your fingers over his knuckles. You are absolutely sure there is look of complete adoration on your face. You can’t bring yourself to care that the paparazzi took the picture. You have nothing to hide.

 After the shock of the bright light fades, you notice a familiar face behind the few photographers in front of you. The shock of seeing someone for a second time floods your brain while you try to remember the profile Hotch told you that very first night. Without thinking too hard, you fling yourself into a sitting position. You gather everything you brought with you to the park, dragging Spencer along with you. He clearly doesn’t understand the shift in your behavior, but he’d gladly follow you anywhere.

 It’s not until you reach your room that you look at him. He can see the fear in your eyes before you even open your mouth. “Baby, what is it? What happened?” He begins recalling everything from the moment the first flash went off, trying to figure out what made you so scared.

 “I saw him.” You can barely hear yourself over the sound of your heart beating in your chest. “I saw the unsub. I mean, I think I did. He held the door open for us this morning when we left the hotel, and then he was in the park when the paparazzi were taking pictures. Hotch… he said to tell you if I saw anyone more than once in a day.” The words escape your lips in a hurry, trying to keep up with your flying thoughts.

 “Okay, breathe. I’m right here. I’m going to call the team. Did you recognize him from anywhere else?” You try to picture the face in your mind, and suddenly you are seeing him everywhere. In the coffee shop that very first day. Behind the trees in the park with the piano. If you and Spencer were there, so was he. Just, normally you only caught a glimpse of him for a second. Definitely not twice in one day.

 You rush to tell Spencer what you’re remembering. At this point, you don’t even know if it’s true. Maybe your mind is playing tricks on you. Just filling in this man’s face on other people’s bodies to fit the story that he is the one behind it all. Nonetheless, you give him the description of who you saw. White, probably 35ish, brown hair. You didn’t see his eyes, but they looked evil. The expression on his face just screamed serial killer. Maybe that’s in your head too. Who knows?

 “I know I’ve seen that face before, I just can’t remember where. God, I’m useless. This man is hurting people and I can’t even remember where I’ve seen him before. Think. Think. THINK.” You’ve started pacing the room, trying to figure out who it could be. Spencer doesn’t say anything else to you until he’s finished the phone call. Even then, he’s more so humming and shushing you than really talking. He pulls you into a hug, trying to calm you down yet again.

 “Y/N. You are anything but useless. You noticed he was there. That’s a step in the right direction. We are going to find him, and he is going to go to jail for a very long time.” Somewhere, deep inside, you knew Spencer couldn’t guarantee that, but you also knew it was better for you to listen to him than to force yourself down a rabbit hole you couldn’t dig yourself out of.

 A few calming breaths later, and your asleep on the couch, wrapped up in Spencer’s arms.

 --

 It’s still dark when you open your eyes. You can hear someone moving around, but it’s too dark to see. Spencer isn’t with you on the couch, so it could be him, but something feels wrong. Why would Spencer be up in the middle of the night wandering around in the dark?

 “Spencer?” Everything goes still at the sound of your voice. Yeah, that was not the best move you could’ve made… Before you can say anything else, you are knocked out cold. The sound of a lamp smashing over your head is that last thing you hear.

tag list:

@mac99martin , @wecouldbreakthedistance , @spencerhotchner , @girloncorneliastreet , @itsametaphorbriansblog , @moonshinerbynight , @meowiemari , @justanotherfangirl  , @im-so-wonderstruck , @eevee0722 , @raining13lemonade​ @dilaudidwinchester​ , @silverdagger69 , @thatsonezesty13

[youvegotmailpdf]

hiiii!!!! 9 + 23 + 34 for the writer asks if u please!! <33

!!! hello <333

9. Do you believe in ghosts? This isn’t about writing I just wanna know

i mean i have googled are ghosts real on several occasions so. do with that what you will

23. Describe the physical environment in which you write. Be as detailed as possible. Tell me what’s around you as you work. Paint me a picture.

ill list several environments and rate them actually:

my room (6/10): most of my work happens here but i mean... its boring and sometimes it sucks all the creativity out of me. so its either (a) on my twin bed (white sheets with lil purple hearts & white comforter with one teddy bear and one huge plushie monkey) with coffee on the bedside table next to my current read, the dusty bibles i haven't touched in a really long time (i live in a catholic household haha) the jewelry i just took off (either dangly earrings or a necklace), emotional support water bottle i need to wash, and coffee or (b) my desk with the wooden bookshelves my dad and brother put up for me, the old test papers ive been hoarding for two years and i still haven't thrown out, textbooks for ib bio and ib chem (which i dropped two months in lol) and binders and notebooks, the first newspaper i ever bought lol, pens notebooks etc

starbucks 1 (8/10): i love the outdoor seating in that place. some of my best writing has happened there: there's the rickety circle table with the ashtray, my coffee, optimal for people watching, and its in a town where the weathers always pretty breezy i LOVE it. i knocked two points off bc ive run into ppl from skl on several occasions and it sucks ass bc i hate small talk.

starbucks 2 (7/10): it's in an area too hot to sit outdoors and they crank the ac up so it becomes too cold to sit inside unless i have a jacket. however the inside area is a bit cramped and it tends to get crowded bc its right next to this shopping center but on the plus side ive never accidentally crossed paths with someone i know there. leathery couch, wooden table, coffee smell(!!!!!!!), and one time i sat next to a 30something dude who was just drinking his coffee and sketching with a pencil before going off to his corporate job (he was in a suit so i made an educated guess).

airport gate (infinity/10): i miss traveling cant wait to do it this summer

school library (4/10): would've been a 10/10 (the bookshelves, if i lose inspiration i can just look at books for a bit and get the zing to keep writing, plus its got all these big windows and its flooded with natural light (but not sunlight just this foggy atmosphere) and its the only room with proper heating during the winter) except its got ppl i went to school with so. i never got the actual vibe i wanted. i hope this doesn't happen when i go to uni lol

hotel cafe (10/10): no one bothers u and u get to people watch its perfect. this isn't about any specific hotel bc ive been to many but its always pretty similar: coffee smell, couches u just sink into, ppl coming and going, nice jazzy music, etcetc (i got sick of describing sorry <33)

34. Thoughts on the Oxford comma, Go:

must be used at all times in academic settings. idc. however in prose/poetry settings u can do whatever the fuck u want with it bc like artistic license or wtv

weird questions for writers

[kpophubb]

Hey~ it's me~

Your Hee Annonie !

Firstly, the way we both just made an entire fic based on that Hoon edit 😩🖤 Secondly, your posts ?? Just ✨️ I just keep finding myself binge reading them. Shopping dates with enha, skinship with Jakehoon, the recs list ? 🤝💓

Also here are soft (?) hour thoughts for you 🤭

So keeping the personality of the intimidating-reserved-confident! Y/n but also make her dominant (NOT IN THAT WAY🧐) (unless 👀)

But I'm not sure who would fit this scenario the most. Or who would enjoy being with someone like her the most in the hyung line 🤔

A non-sexually dominant y/n! Yknow whenever she and enha member walk on the footpath, she always pulls the member towards the inside. At first they're just like ":O???" Because what just happened ? Like ummm very flustered and loved it but also shouldn't they be doing this ??

They try to bring you to the inside part of the footpath, but you just cut them off by putting you hand around their waist, continue walking and change the topic.

The Boys : 😳😧😮🥵😵‍💫🥴

Don't even get me started when you do that. When you put your hand around their waist while walking or standing ...or even cuddling?? The guys just feel like they have ascended to heaven.

One time you wore heels 👠 that made you slightly taller than them (idk about you but I am like 5"11 so if I wore a high heel, I'd be taller than them or the same height at least....) ANYWAY

You wore heels, you two wearing walking towards a restaurant or smth, when you pull him on the inside part of footpath and snake your arm around his waist protectively. You BET YOUR MONEY the boy's legs were shaky.

Legs? shaky. Heart ? Melting.

Brain? Not working. Hotel? Trivago.

OH OH OH

Not to mention how MUCH the member LOVE (maybe Jake and hoon specifically)(actually even Hee would seem to enjoy it) (Jay too tho???) (Idk you tell me) when you are protective.

You're not a jealous person. It's just out of pure protectiveness and care. Its just a lot of little things that make them super super blushy and mushy.

Bringing them flowers, calling them your pretty boy/ my boy/ my fav. Your hand around their waist. Fixing their tie for them. Always pampering- not necessarily expensive gifts. You tell them you're going to your workplace/college somewhere (totally unrelated area to a grocery basically) and an hour or so layer call them asking how many bottle/can of their fav juice do they want for their stock up or like snack stash.

They'd be like "weren't you in class /at dentist (or smth)"

And you'd just go "yeah, but I figured I'd stock up your stash while I was out..." And they just ??? Melt?? You always go OUT of your way to make them happy.

The protecting their head from bumping into stuff, grabbing them from their belt loop, fixing their collar, buying groceries FOR THEM, giving flowers.

They're just. Down bad. So bad.

Also also

How are you ?? I hope you're doing well ✌️ how is the scene with Med school going? 🏫

Stay hydrated for clear skin 😌💝

It’s HEE HEEE HEEE! Without a doubt in my mind, I know heeseung would love this dom y/n so freaking much! He himself said that he’s not very emotionally strong and at secret places like home, he’s actually the youngest and needs the most love & affection. He needs to be cared for constantly and he gets really lonely easily. So I’m sure he would be head over heels for this kind of girl who will be super caring and responsible without him having to ask for it. Keep him on the other side of the road, hold his hands and walk infront of him, do his hair and help him get dressed and shower him with love and you will see how he melts before your eyes.🥺 non-sexual dominance or sexual dominance, I have a feeling heeseung will be down bad for this type of girl the most!!

Next, I think Jake would love this y/n the most? He is very affectionate and clingy and no doubt that he loves people who love him and care for him. So if his girl feeds him, gives him forehead kisses, pats his head and treats him like his baby, I’m sure this loyal puppy will cling to your torso 24/7.🥹 (totally imagining myself here lmao bc I’m that type of person) AND AND as for being possessive? Don’t even get me started THE WHOLE HYUNG LINE would LOVE A PROTECTIVE S/O and find her so cute when she’s being jealous. Hee will immediately melt into your arms and bask you in kisses and call you cute, jake would blush so much and become extra loving with you and secretly hope there are more cases where you get jealous and possessive of him, jay would smile so much and liquify on the inside and constantly reassure you that he’s yours only and hoon?? Oh boy he will be instant K.O. Lmao. Fireworks and bazooka exploding in his chest right there! And his precious eye-y smile and smol dimple will appear in 0 seconds. 💘😳 but let me tell you, he loves to tease people so much so there’s no doubt he will tease you and get you to be possessive more, only to fall in love with your cuteness even more!

Now, coming to you, oh my god girl your imagination is just >.< 💯 your imagines always make my heart flutter so much and I smile and blush and laugh when I read your asks. They’re so long and adorable, and I always take out time to answer each and every line that you say!💖 and WOW 5’11?😳 THAT IS SO COOL AND JUST WOW!! Now I really wanna see you and hug you fr haha. I’m 5’5 inches, bc after all, god made me for my man who’s 5’10 :p (obv talking about jakey here) I’m sure hee would love it when you wear heels and wouldn’t mind at all even if you’re the same height as him. If anything, he loves to feel that cause I just know he loves the feel of someone who loves him and protects him!! Jay would find it real cool, but uhm won’t let his s/o look taller than him bc it might hit his pride lol😆 as for jakey, I feel like he wouldn’t mind and would love everything about you but another one who’s gonna whine if you look taller or the same height as him. Loves his girl feeling tiny in his arms! <3 and SUNGHOON?? Ah boy you’re definitely hoon’s girl. Wear heels with him and he will also wear heeled shoes and sneakers ahaha, and show you off to the whole world how y’all the power, strong couple 😏 help I always imagine you with sunghoon and this type of y/n istg. You definitely give off that attractive, confident, independent y/n vibe for me who HOON WOULD BE A SECRET SIMP FOR!

Lastly, coming to me 😛 I’ve recently applied for visa since my university is overseas. Lmao, my lazy ass is on a vacation for 6 months before staring uni, I intentionally chose the semester next year. Cause life will become really hectic once I get there, and to live in an unknown place where I know nobody will be harder 😣! Ofc being independent and successful is one of my biggest life goals, but something bigger than that is to be happy and make others happy💖 so I’m on a break and making fun memories and doing everything I want to do. Watching dramas, reading books, going out w my best friend, spending time w family, going to the gym, enjoying kpop comebacks and being here on tumblr etc etc. ofc I stay hydrated, I’m very skin conscious bahah I have a whole routine for it :p and I hope you stay too!💘 in case you needed to hear it today, I really love your presence here on my blog sm. you’re so appreciated. Thank you for brightening up my smile with your lovely asks. ಥ_ಥ ♡ I’m so happy you like my fics, I can recommend you my fav written ones if you’d like <3

[lunarmessenger]

May I request headcanons for the RFA + V & Saeran as yanderes? Also, I feel like your work is really underrated, and I wanted you to know that I love you and your writing so much! I hope you have a wonderful day/night :)

YANDERE RFA, V + SAERAN

warnings: mentions of violence and death.

of course you can sweetie! thank u for feeding my yandere obsession mMF YES. Oh my gosh thank you???? I’m so glad that you enjoy my writing!!! T_T that means so so much to me, and I hope you’re enjoying a beautiful day/night as well! this ended up being a little long sorry HAHAHA - luna xx

Zen

• You were both at a local tavern together with the rest of the RFA to celebrate another successful performance of his

• People who were fans of his came up every now and then asking for pictures and autographs and of course you didn’t mind

• Both of you actually enjoyed when his fans would come up because it showed his constant growth and that he was getting closer to his dream every day

• But with his popularity rising, so was yours

• You didn’t have fans necessarily, just admirers that thought you were rather pretty

• One of those admirers happened to be at the tavern and they approached you, a slight tint of red on their cheeks

• “Hello! I really don’t mean to interrupt but, I just wanted to say that I think you’re amazing with all of the help that you do with those amazing parties.”

• You were touched, and while you thanked them while giving them a brief hug you hadn’t noticed that Zen’s mood darkened instantly.

• They had long walked away from you both, and after about an hour Zen gave you a kiss to your forehead while smiling that same sweet smile

• “I’m going to go get some air for a moment, princess.”

• “Are you okay, Zen?”

• “Oh of course, I just wanted to go have a smoke.”

• You disapproved but allowed it anyway, giving him a peck on the lips as he walked away

• You had no idea that he’d singled out that admirer of yours, luring them outside into the alleyway

• He was on them, arm pressed against their neck in the shadows as he pinned them to the wall, eyes dark with jealousy as he growled at them

• “Who gave you the right to talk to MC, hm? Looks like you need to learn a few things...”

• When he came back inside you noticed that his knuckles were slightly bruised, but he still had that same smile that you’d always felt safe with

• “You’re okay...right Zen?”

• “Of course, princess. Nothing to worry about.”

Yoosung

• The epitome of a yandere

• You had decided to drop by at his college to bring him some home made lunch since he’d been a little stressed

• He was sitting with his study group outside on the grass, all of them furiously writing down their notes with their books open

• “Yoosung~ I brought you some stew! You’ve been working so hard.”

• His face instantly lights up as you stroll up, holding out his lunch as you kneel down next to him

• “MC! This is so sweet! Thank you so much!” You were met with endless quick kisses to your face, earning groans and playful complaints from his group

• You kissed the top of his head then walked away, and as soon as you were out of sight his friends just lay it on him

• “Honestly though Yoosung, I’m super jealous. MC is very caring, I wish I had someone like them.”

• yandere mode activated

• He asked that specific friend to help him with a certain subject for just another hour while everyone else packed up

• While they were walking to their classroom together to put away their books Yoosung suddenly grabbed them by the neck and dragged them into an empty classroom

• “You think that you can talk about MC that way? Understand that they’re mine, and don’t you ever forget it.”

• He choked them until their eyes rolled into the back of their head, only letting go when they’d stopped struggling so much

• They were left there, passed out on the ground while Yoosung walked away and went home

• There you were waiting for him, dinner already set out on the table as you grinned at his entrance

• “Honey you’re back!” He smiled, dropping his book bag as he opened his arms for you

• “My precious MC.”

Jaehee

• She was always rather protective of you

• Working at C&R showed her both the good and bad sides of people, especially those involved with business

• So when you’d both gotten to finally have that coffee shop together she’d noticed that the owner of the entire strip was getting a little...too comfortable with you

• They had even mentioned to Jaehee now and then how fun it would be for all of you to “hang out” and that was enough to get them on her blacklist

• You were oblivious of course and that was okay because she was going to take care of it

• “MC, would you mind going shopping for some supplies for the shop? I forgot to grab a couple of things, I’ll meet with the landlord myself to discuss any changes of rent, so don’t worry.”

• Of course you didn’t mind, but you were a little discouraged because it would take you at least an hour to get everything that was on the list she’d handed you

• And, that’s what she was planning on obviously

• She drove to the leasing office after making an appointment with the owner a couple of weeks prior, long hair shaping her face and chest as she purposely tugged down her shirt a little more

• Within minutes the owner was interested, though was still making comments about you and how “sweet and innocent” you were, almost as if describing a toy

• That was enough to make Jaehee grab them by the shoulder and toss them to the ground, hand pressing hard into their chest as they gasped for air, eyes empty as she stared them down

• “MC is not a toy, and you shall treat them with proper respect. They are my partner, and are not open to being with anybody else. Is that understood?”

• The owner was terrified, and just to make sure she didn’t come to them again offered to have you both not pay the rent for the rest of the lease until it was renewed

• “Jaehee! I don’t know how, but we suddenly have enough money to take that trip you wanted to go on! I guess profits have been really great this year!”

• She only smiled, coming up to you from behind and wrapping her arms around you into a warm, yet tight hug

• “It’s all because of you, MC. Without you I would still be lost. Never forget that I love you, and I would do anything to make you happy.”

Jumin

• Also another yandere type man

• He’d invited you along on a business trip in Dubai, and of course you were excited to go just because you were going to be with him

• After a meeting he’d offered to take you to the beach and you were beyond excited, leaving him in the sand as you ran for the ocean

• He watched fondly as you stripped off your bathing suit cover and waded in the water

• He had never seen anything more beautiful in his entire life, and he was thoroughly proud of himself for deciding to take you along with him during a trip

• That is until you were walking back up to the cabana he was under, his brows furrowing as he noticed that you were crossing your arms over your body

• “MC? Is everything alright?”

• You slowly shook your head, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around your body as you sat down on his lap and leaned against his chest

• “I just felt a bit uncomfortable...when you’re done with that glass of wine, can we go back to our hotel?”

• It was then that he looked up in the direction you were walking from, a couple of men staring at you as they chuckled and laughed at themselves while making inappropriate gestures

• He immediately grabbed your shoulders, gently pushing you away so  you could meet his eyes

• “Did they touch you, MC? At all?”

• You shook your head, but he knew that they came pretty close to it from how violently you were shaking just from thinking about it

• While you were resting in his lap he brought up his cell phone, texting the head of his body guards a couple of orders before placing his sunglasses up on his head to look those men in the eye

• Within minutes those two men had been discreetly grabbed and walked off the beach, their eyes full of fear while Jumin smirked as they walked away

• Later that night after you’d fallen asleep in the hotel room he slipped out of the room, adjusting the tie as he took the elevator down to the basement with his escorts

• He was led to a private room, those two men from the beach sitting on chairs in a dimly lit room, faces contorted in fear as Jumin emerged from the shadows

• He gave a heavy sigh, shaking his head as he rolled up the sleeves of his suit, leaning in close as he clicked his tongue

• “You gentlemen have no idea who you’ve messed with. You’ll never see the light of day again.”

• By the time he was back up in the bedroom it was day light, his clothes a bit rough but not enough for you to notice due to the groggy feeling you had from sleep

• “Jumin? Where did you go, honey?”

• “Just an emergency meeting, kitten. Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe.”

• You hadn’t even noticed the slight hint of blood on the back of his neck...

707

• He’d noticed that you were feeling a bit off for the last couple of weeks, and he’d finally decided to address it with you

• That’s when you told him that you were dealing with your ex partner, who’d recently began to message you non-stop

• The breakup had been extremely messy, and now they were asking for you back

• His eyes clouded over as he asked you to see your phone, and of course you obliged

• He was happy to see that you’d mentioned endlessly that you were with somebody else, going so far as to send a picture of you and Saeyoung so that they would get the hint

• “Can you just block them, Saeyoung? I don’t want to deal with it anymore.”

• He beamed at you, bringing you in for a soft kiss as he hugged you close

• “Of course. Anything for you, MC.”

• And he blocked them of course at your request; but he also decided to take a step further

• He’d found the location of your ex, slipping out in the middle of the night while you were fast asleep

• Bringing Vanderwood with him stating that it was a mission from the agency, he had reached your ex within a few hours, breaking in quietly

• “Why are we really here, Luciel?”

• “Shut up Vanderwood. We’re here to get rid of filth.”

• Your ex slowly woke up to see Saeyoung standing over them, eyes wild as he leaned in close and let out an unhinged giggle

• “You should have left MC alone when you had the chance.”

• Within moments Saeyoung had grabbed them and dragged them out of bed

• He grabbed their head and twisted quickly, a horrifying snap resounding through the quiet bedroom

• “Luciel are you...Luciel?”

• Vanderwood looked shocked at how quickly he hadn’t hesitated, Saeyoung standing over their lifeless body as he looked at his long time partner in crime

• “You do not speak a word of this to MC. Do you understand?”

• Vanderwood agreed without question, and with that the two men drove home in silence

• When you’d awoken Saeyoung was in bed with you, shirt off as he slowly ran his fingers up and down your arms

• “Good morning, Saeyoung. I haven’t heard from my ex for the past few hours; thank you for blocking him.”

• He kissed you softly, running his hands through your hair

• “They won’t bother you anymore, MC. Don’t worry.”

• He smiled.

V

• The two of you had gone to a gallery where he was showcasing his work, the area extremely crowded since he never hosted such events for himself

• His arm was around you all night, except for a brief moment when you’d separated to go use the restroom

• On your way back you were bombarded by reporters, asking all sorts of personal questions while you tried to decline

• V kept his life private for a reason, and while it was very much public information that you two were together, both of you agreed that the public didn’t need to know every single detail about you

• That’s why when he’d noticed the commotion he was immediately engulfed with rage, shoving through the crowd as you tried to protect your eyes from the endless flashes from the cameras

• “Please everybody, back off! Give them some room!”

• He almost snarled, brows furrowed as he took off his suit jacket and wrapped it around you to hide your face

• One particular reporter happened to trip over someone’s feet, shoving you even further into V as you yelped from the contact

• All it took was for V to look at them, and instantly they stumbled backwards, promising that they never purposely tried to hurt you

• Later that day when you’d decided to visit Jaehee to talk about what happened, he took it upon himself to contact that reporter offering an exclusive interview

• The address that the reporter found themselves in was enough to make them regret taking up the offer, waiting outside of an abandoned building

• Before they knew it they were knocked unconscious, V holding an old rusted pipe as he tossed it aside and grabbed the reporter

• He dragged them inside, tossing them into a deep hole that was filled with old rusted metal pieces

• Some were jagged enough that they’d gone right through the reporters limbs and chest, puddles of blood pooling around the now lifeless body as V wiped his nose

• “That will teach you to touch my darling MC.”

• He picked you up from Jaehee’s after taking a shower at home, smiling at you from inside the car as you slid into the passenger seat.

• “Feeling better darling?”

• You nodded, leaning your head against his shoulder as you sighed with a small smile

• “I love you V. Thank you for understanding that I had to get away for a bit.”

• He returned your smile with a slight chuckle

• “I love you too, darling. Glad I could make you feel better.”

Saeran

• He had taken you on a date at the local botanical gardens, the two of you holding hands while he explained every type of flower’s meaning

• It was the perfect day, the sun shining on the two of you as you lazily strolled around

• He thought that absolutely nothing could ruin it

• That is, until one of the employees accidentally bumped into you while holding a few roses, one of the stems brushing against your arms

• “Ouch!”

• You’d cried out, a couple of thorns from the stems sticking out of your skin as you hissed and reached to pluck them out

• “Darling! Oh darling, are you alright?”

• Saeran was immediately fussing over you, and while you were distracted tending to your small scratches the employee immediately looked down in shame and panic

• “I am so so sorry! It was an accident!”

• When you weren’t looking Saeran glared daggers at the employee, taking notice of their name as he told them to leave you two alone

• “Are you sure you’re okay, MC?”

• You looked up with a small smile, shrugging your shoulders as you grabbed his hand

• “I’m fine, Saeran. Oh, did that employee leave already? I wanted to tell them that I was okay...”

• After so much reassurance you both continued on with your day at the garden

• Saeran mused that he had to use the restroom so you promised to wait at one of the benches under the shaded trees in the garden

• While you thought that he was on his way towards the employee’s only sections, having snatched a hat from one of the employees when they weren’t looking and making his way towards the break area

• There he’d found the employee that had bumped into you, standing at their locker; alone.

• He was behind them in minutes, shoving them into the lockers and pressing hard as he let out a deep menacing giggle

• “Found you.”

• He was back to you within twenty minutes; asking that you two finish the day with some ice cream before going home

• Of course you didn’t object, and while you were riding in the car you had heard a slight bump in the back

• “What was that Saeran?”

• “I’m not sure, MC. Let me check and see if something might have fell in the trunk.”

• He pulled over, leaving the stereo on as he got out of the car and opened the trunk

• When he was sure that you weren’t looking he leaned in close, the employee looking up at him with tears in their eyes and duct tape over their mouth

• They were bound by utility wires, squirming in fear as Saeran grabbed the tire iron and grinned down at them

• “Didn’t I say to keep quiet? We’re almost home.”

• With one hard swing the employee was unconscious, Saeran tossing the iron back into the trunk and slamming it closed

• “What was it, Saeran?”

• “Oh, nothing my princess, the spare tire just came loose. Let’s go home, darling.”

[theimpossiblescheme]

sleep to you who wander

(As far as I’m concerned, The Castle of Cagliostro already has a perfect ending, especially for what’s supposed to be Lupin III’s final adventure.  But what happens after our heroes ride off into the sunset and life continues for them, anticlimactic as it might be?  I wrote this after pondering that very question, with help from @dying-suffering-french-stalkers and her reference to a simiilar scene in The Princess Bride, where the ride off into the sunset doesn’t go quite so smoothly.  We’ve had a looooot of DM conversations on the topic, and this was the result--I hope you guys enjoy it!)

“Did we lose ‘em?”

Meeting Jigen’s eyes in the rearview mirror for a second, Goemon glanced out the back window.  There was a reassuring lack of sirens on the road behind them.  “We lost them.  Fujiko must have headed them off at the border.”

Lupin let out a quiet chuckle from the passenger seat.  “Oh, so she wouldn’t share the plates, but…”  He trailed off and sank further down, tempted to tilt the seat back, but not wanting to scare the poor unsuspecting samurai sitting there (not that ending up in a blushing Goemon’s lap wouldn’t be nice…)

Besides, they’d have to make a pit stop soon, anyway.

“Hey, Jigen?  As soon as we find a petrol station, pull over.”

“We’ve got plenty of fuel still.  And don’t tell me you gotta take a leak—”

“Just pull us over, all right?  I gotta take care of something.”

A pause.  Jigen and Goemon’s eyes met again through the mirror.

“… Get me some cigarettes while you’re in there?”

“Done.”

The last of the Cagliostro countryside turned into the Italian countryside, and the back roads turned into the streets of Ventimiglia, Italy.  So many people were out on the sidewalks, perusing shop windows and outdoor stands, lined up across each block in herds, almost drowning out traffic… what day was it?  Lupin realized he hadn’t even been keeping track—the only indication he’d had of the time passing was the newspaper clipping of the Count’s failed wedding.  The fashion markets happened on Fridays, right?  He remembered Rebecca mentioning that to him… how long ago now?  It couldn’t have been too long, could it?  Maybe if he watched the crowds now, he could catch a glimpse of long blonde hair streaked with blue (or maybe she’d gotten bored of that color and switched to pink or purple or something.  Women did so love changing up their hair), but he couldn’t twist that far without a rib digging directly into his lung and making him gasp.

Where the hell was a petrol station when you needed one?

It took about fifteen minutes of Jigen honking furiously at pedestrians and growling for them to “share the goddamn road” before they were moving at full speed and finally pulling in beside one of the pumps.  Jigen emphatically buried his spent stub of a cigarette in the ashtray, driving his own point home.  “You promised—”

“Don’t worry, I’m good for it.”  Lupin tried to reach for the First Aid kit under the seat as nonchalantly as possible as he opened the door and rose to his feet…

Jigen was too quick on the uptake.  Grabbing his wrist and twisting his arm just so, forcing Lupin to look up at him?  “Whaddya need it for?”

“C’mon, it’s not a big—”

“What do you need it for?”

… Well, right now, the last thing Lupin needed was to have the truth choked and yanked out of him.  Even sighing made his chest hurt.  “Get my jacket off for me, would you?”

Jigen obeyed, pulling it off carefully by the arms and draping it across the back of his own seat.  At the same time, Lupin unbuttoned his black shirt until the wrappings and bandages underneath were showing.

There was actually less blood than he’d expected.  Maybe he hadn’t torn everything open… just enough to make a mess, though.

Over his shoulder, he heard Jigen hiss in shock and the back passenger door open as Goemon bounded out.  “Why the hell didn’t you tell us?” came Jigen’s choked voice as he almost jumped out of the driver’s seat, letting Lupin’s head fall back against it.  Lupin almost made a joke about how he’d been cheated out of laying in two very choice gentlemen’s laps, but it died in his throat as he let his back fully stretch out for the first time in hours.

“Wasn’t really the biggest thing in on my mind,” he admitted, unable to keep from wincing, but forcing himself to relax more as Goemon knelt and inspected his wounds.  “We had a wedding to stop, a princess to rescue, a treasure to uncover, a Count to defeat… kind of a packed schedule, even for us.”  Still, getting into a fight in a clocktower and then plummeting several hundred feet into freezing cold water on top of that didn’t exactly do wonders for multiple gunshot wounds and a concussion.  Who would’ve thought?

“You still should have told us you were in pain,” Goemon replied somewhere near his waist.  He lay one cool hand over where one of the bandages had come loose, a warning and a request, and Lupin nodded and gritted his teeth in anticipation.  “We could have helped you when you first came back.”

“Yeah, I know… I just had a lot of my mind.”  Goemon went slowly and gently as he tightened the wrappings, occasionally mopping up the blood with a paper napkin from the glove compartment along the way, and Lupin tilted his head back for any friction to distract from the sting and pull in his skin.  Normally when he was being treated like this, he would either playfully swoon over his wonderful nurses and how good they were with their hands, or he would rail loudly at how unfair it was and that he couldn’t be slowed down like this.  Right now, he didn’t have the energy for either.  His chest was still tight, and it had nothing to do with the bandages.

“If you ever need help, just let me know.  I’ll come running from anywhere on earth to save you.”

Just don’t need me yet, kiddo—I’m not in the best shape for it right now.

“You gonna be okay?”  Jigen’s voice again.  The seat right above his head dipped, and Lupin looked up to see him crouched right above him, his knee almost grazing the top of his hair.

“Oh, yeah, I’ll be fine.  You know me—it’s gonna take a lot more than this to knock me out of the running.”

“Says the guy who was knocked out for three days straight not that long ago.”

“But isn’t that why I have you?”  Lupin tilted his head further back and shot Jigen the brightest, most charming smile he could manage.  “To gallantly nurse me back to health when my strength fails?”

Jigen didn’t answer, but he did mutter something that sounded like “smug little prick” before raking a hand across Lupin’s head, fingers digging through his hair into his scalp.  Lupin shamelessly leaned into the touch—it was enough to make up for the lack of Goemon’s hands after he tied off the last of the bandages and buttoned Lupin’s shirt back up to the collar.  He still couldn’t tie a necktie, but Lupin didn’t want to bother with it right now.

“Do you know where we’re heading next?” Goemon asked, offering a hand to help Lupin straighten up.

“Not a clue.”  He tried to pass it off as casual, his usual devil-may-care recklessness, as he rose to a sitting position in the passenger seat once again.  “You guys have any ideas?”

Jigen shrugged as he climbed back in behind the wheel, but Goemon hesitated, still kneeling right outside with the First Aid kit in his lap… ears going slightly pink.  “I… may have one.”

“Oh?”  Now Lupin was extremely alert.  “Well, you know I’d loooove to hear it, Goemon!”

“I would like to go back to Japan--Suminawa’s village, specifically.  I have… some loose ends I’d like to tie up.”

No sooner had those words left his mouth than Jigen let out a knowing cackle.  “You’re wanting to see Murasaki again, aren’t ya?  Isn’t it about time you made an honest woman of her?”

Goemon’s extremely pink face was answer enough for both of them.

“Hey, that sounds great!”  Lupin leaned forward, shifting just so he could sling an arm around his partner’s shoulder.  “Tell you what—we’ll make a road trip out of it.  Just the three of us.  We’ll just drive until we need to find a ship across, and if there’s any place you guys wanna hit along the way, we can do it.  Doesn’t even have to be a heist—if you guys wanna go sightseeing or shopping or anything at all, just let me know!”

It felt a bit like stalling, and maybe it was.  Maybe he just didn’t want to let Goemon go just yet.  Maybe the prospect of him settling down (even if it was with a nice girl like Murasaki) felt a little too much like never seeing him again.  But he’d already left way too soon after the three of them hightailed it out of Monaco, and as nice it was to spend all that time on the road with Jigen… the Fiat’s backseat did feel pretty empty.

And there was still that tightness in his chest he wanted to put off dealing with for as long as possible.

To his relief, Goemon nodded.  “That does sound nice… as long as you don’t get us lost on the scenic route through Russia on the way.”

“Hey, that was one time!”

“And the only time, right?”

Before Lupin could say anything, Jigen was cackling again and actually aiming a gentle kick right at the small of his back, forcing him to his feet.  “C’mon, dumbass—you’re still on cigarette duty before we hit the road.”

***

He had planned for a couple of heists along the way.  Just a couple—there weren’t many places Lupin hadn’t already stolen from or at least had a memorable encounter therein.  At some point over the campfire, he’d dug out a collection of old roadmaps and traced the many annotations he’d left in it.  Every continent, every large metropolitan area in every country.  X-es and checkmarks over where he’d been, notes scribbled in the margins.  Lists of traps to look out for, supplies to bring with them.  Lather, rinse, repeat on every page.  Sheafs of hotel stationery tucked into the bindings with diagrams and estimated floorplans and arrows mapping out everyone’s positions, including Zenigata’s.

(Where was Pops now, anyway?  Was he still out there looking for them?  Had he given up?  Hell, there was a chance he’d stumble across their little campsites any second… in which case, Lupin was tempted to just offer him a sausage and tell him to take a load off.)

Very little empty, unexplored space left on any of them.  That, too, sat heavy somewhere in Lupin’s chest.

But he did want to eke out a handful of smaller jobs.  Mostly second tries at treasures they hadn’t quite managed to steal, moving from one museum to another.  The Faberge Museum had apparently found more eggs to display, and what the hell, it might be nice to have something pretty for the hell of it (and they’d lost their old haul somewhere in a Moscow hotel the last time) …

It seemed only appropriate that Fujiko beat him to it.

The Fiat had parked overnight along the Moyka River Embankment, nestled inconspicuously among the other cars.  The engine was running just enough to leave the heat on, and Goemon was sitting upright in the backseat, head lolled gently against his chest, while Jigen had tipped his own seat all the way back so that his head nearly rested on Goemon’s knee.  Lupin had spent the past six hours driving, and his jacket was actually buttoned for once so he could burrow into the neck, trying to force himself to sleep.  Jigen’s snores didn’t usually bother him, but right now they were unnecessarily loud.

He'd almost mistaken the rumble of Fujiko’s bike for another snore.

But as he leaned his cheek against the window, there it was.  And there she was.  Still blonde, her surplus military uniform traded for her old red biker’s gear.  Goggles pulled up over her forehead as she sidled up to the car, eyes finding Lupin’s and giving him a slight, amused smirk as he could only blink at her at first before rolling down the window.  She’d been so far ahead of them… how had she caught up?  Or rather, how had they caught up with her?

“Nothing there that we haven’t already picked over, unfortunately,” Fujiko said, hefting a large satchel into her lap.  “Still… I did manage to come away with a few little beauties.”  With some effort, she lifted out a large golden egg latticed with starbursts and topped with a diamond the size of an eyeball.  And when she cracked it open, a miniature red coach, also studded with gold and propelled by golden wheels, tumbled gently out.

Lupin couldn’t help but whistle.  “Very nice… I don’t suppose I can get you to share, Fujicakes?”  He pressed his hands together under his chin like a child praying at Christmas, tilting his head up and exaggeratedly batting his eyelashes at her.  “I’d settle for just the coach, y’know.”

“Not a chance.”  Fujiko quickly tucked the treasures back into her satchel.  “I know appraisers who would pay in blood just to touch the Imperial Coronation egg.  And last I checked, you came away from Cagliostro empty-handed.”

“Hey, I was the one who uncovered the Roman city underneath the lake—that has to count for something!”

“But you can’t exactly carry a city, Lupin.”

“Well, not with that attitude.”  As if he couldn’t still picture it perfectly, even after so many weeks.  Or months—had it been months since they started?  It felt like hours since he’d been there walking the ruins, jumping across causeways Clarisse couldn’t reach so he could catch her on her way over.  He’d stolen San Marino, he’d stolen Paris, he’d stolen New York City more than once, and now he had this little piece of Cagliostro… there was something romantic about that.  Something suitably grand for the world’s greatest thief.  Lupin the First would definitely approve.

Fujiko just hummed skeptically and let it go, repositioning her bike in preparation to drive away.  “So where are you all off to?”

“Back to Japan—Goemon wanted to patch things up with Murasaki, and I told him we’d make a trip of it.  What about you?”

“Mmmm… I haven’t decided yet.”  There was a note of wistfulness in Fujiko’s voice, in her eyes… Lupin always found that particularly beautiful.  Not that she wasn’t a knockout when she was confidently conning her way through droves of men, himself included, with that hard set in her face and that edge in her smile—lesser men had died just for a glimpse.  But these spare moments of uncertainty, especially in the dim light when she still had some plausible deniability, were that much more precious.  Lupin had missed seeing them, now that they weren’t in such close quarters anymore.  “I know at least one dealer in France who would pay pretty handsomely.  And I haven’t been back there in a while… you know, I actually miss it.”

“Even with all the bullshit from last time?”

She actually laughed, if only just a little.  “Even with all the bullshit from last time.”

“Hey, say hi to Ami for me.  And save me a reservation at the Ritz—we could catch up.”

There was something oddly final about this, too.  Maybe he was just overthinking things; after all, this was Fujiko, who couldn’t be bothered tying herself to any one city or any one man or woman.  They’d see each other again someday.  It was almost inevitable.  That was why he didn’t bother giving her a date—maybe it would be months, maybe even years, but at least that table would be there, waiting.

Still… he pictured this going differently.  Maybe after one more grand heist, one more merry chase through the hallways of some huge museum or manor house before they emerged onto a balcony and Fujiko leaped onto the ladder of a waiting helicopter, leaving him with empty hands and tingling lips once again.  Or maybe one last tumble, for old time’s sake (not that there was room in the car for that, and Jigen would bawl him out if he dragged them all to a hotel just for her).  This felt… weirdly anticlimactic in comparison.

Maybe that was only fitting.  It wasn’t really an end per se, or at least it didn’t have to be.  Nothing ever really ended between them.

Fujiko smiled.  “We’ll see how things turn out.”  And she started to turn around to leave…

“Oh, Fujiko?”

She stopped midway through lowering her goggles.  “Hmm?”

Lupin was tempted to ask for a kiss, or even to just take her free hand and kiss it in farewell.  But neither felt right at the moment, and on the chance she’d refuse he didn’t want them to leave on bad terms.  So instead he just gave her a smile.  “See you around.”

Her own smile brightened, and she gave him a wink in return before revving her engine and riding off down the road.  Lupin watched her go until the motorcycle was a dot in the distance before sinking back into his seat, not even bothering to roll the window back up.  There was a breeze coming in from off the river.  Beside him, Jigen had backed nearly all the way up and off the passenger seat toward the back, still laying flat with his hat over his face, but nearly on top of Goemon, who barely registered his presence.

It was a nice night.

***

It was a nice night when they finally dropped off Goemon as well.  They’d long since lost track of how long they’d been on the road--the Fiat had lasted several dozen tanks of gas, two flat tires, one fussy engine that Jigen had taken multiple attempts to jumpstart, and a barge across the Sea of Japan.  By the time they reached Murasaki’s village, the air brushed coolly through the open windows, the caps of snow on the mountains nearby had grown whiter, and the trees rustled red and gold.

The world had been green when they started out, Lupin noted.  Maybe he just hadn’t noticed the change.

Halfway through a familiar glen, where a small roadside garden stretched slowly into view, Goemon motioned for them to stop.  “I can walk the rest of the way.”

“You sure?”  Lupin pulled over to one side and parked, but didn’t kill the engine just yet.  “We can drop you off right on her doorstep, it’s no problem.”

“I think I would rather talk to her alone when I get there.  We’ll have a lot of ground to cover… since I’ve been gone so long.”  Climbing out of the backseat, sword in hand and travelling hat tucked under his arm, Goemon came to stand in front of them.  “So we can say goodbye here.”

Oh, to hell with that.  The second he and Jigen climbed out after him, Lupin reached out and took Goemon’s hands and, when he seemed receptive to that, swept him into a hug, one hand on the back of his hair.  There was so much he wanted to say… most of it variations on thank you.  For putting up with his nonsense, for coming through every time they needed him and every time they didn’t, for staying by his side even when Jigen couldn’t, for being so absurdly loyal and brave, for making him laugh and feel alive even from the moment they met, for letting Lupin make him laugh when he thought he never would again, for letting him be a part of his life at all… they’d be here all night if he kept counting the reasons.

For now, one quiet “Thank you” would do before he pulled out of the hug and gave Goemon a kiss on each cheek.  “You take care of yourself, okay?  Her, too.”

Goemon nodded, throat suspiciously tight as he moved onto Jigen, who wrapped him into his own tight hug.  “Don’t be a stranger,” Jigen murmured before dropping his voice and whispering something only he could hear into his ear.  Lupin didn’t try to listen, tempting as it was--he just stood back alongside them, hands in his pockets.  When Goemon finally stepped away, his jaw stuttered with the beginnings of half a dozen parting words before snapping closed as he gave them both a nod.

“Travel safe, you two.  I’ll… I’ll be in touch.”

Lupin gave him the same smile he’d given Fujiko, feeling it pull even more at his lips this time.  “We’ll hold you to that, y’know.”

And with that, Goemon turned, let in a deep cleansing breath that eased the remaining tension in his shoulders, and started off down the road.  His partners watched him go until he, too, was only a dot disappearing around the bend in the wake of a tiny indoor light glowing yellow and drowning him out.  Saying goodbye to Fujiko had felt strangely unsatisfying, but somehow just right.  This… this just felt right. 

Didn’t stop his eyes from burning against the dark, though.

Lupin hadn’t realized how dark it had gotten--how long they’d been standing there--until Jigen nudged him, a fuzzy indigo blur in the shadow of the car.  “C’mon.  Let’s find a place to sleep.”

Neither of them moved for a few minutes after that.  Even with nothing left to see but the fireflies in the grass.

***

“You can take that off now, you know--it’s starting to creep me out.”

Lupin grinned behind the mask of Zenigata’s face.  “Hey, maybe Pops’ll take the hint and join us for a breather.”  It had been almost a year since they’d seen hide or hair of the good inspector (hell of a thing to process), and Lupin was starting to miss him.  And after all, no matter where he was in the world, there was no better way to summon him than somebody reporting a false sighting.

Jigen rolled his eyes, but patted him on the shoulder as the elevator landed and he peeled back off down the hotel hallway.  “Yeah, well, you go change.  I’m gonna go check out our room--they better have been serious about the bar.”

Once he was alone, Lupin ducked through the doorway to the courtyard, glancing around him before pulling off the mask and tucking it into the pocket of the great brown overcoat before slinging it over his shoulder.  There were still a few weeks left before the snow stayed down in drifts, so for today the sky was blue and clear, and piles of grey slush clumped around the remaining patches of grass and the little patio that had once been surrounded by summer flowers…

He’d almost walked right on past, but his eye finally caught the figure sitting on the sofa.  Surrounded by large antique suitcases, flanked by an old man in rough-hewn gardener’s clothes and  two hulking security guards the size of professional wrestlers.  A petite figure in a purple dress, red hair pinned elegantly at the nape of her neck and hidden by a wide-brimmed hat.

Lupin recognized her in an instant.  She recognized him, too--as she rose and rushed over to meet him, her arms went out as if to hug him, but at a start from one of her bodyguards, she resisted and forced them back down to her sides.  Instead, she held up a hand for him to kiss, as befitting a proper young lady, but as he did so her voice was breathless with excitement.

“I knew… I just knew we’d meet again someday, Mr. Thief.”

And the ache in Lupin’s chest yawned so fiercely he feared it might swallow him.

***

Their hotel room did not, in fact, come with a bar.  With much grumbling, Jigen had taken them to the one across the street.  It was admittedly a very nice place--the staff were friendly, the drinks were great, and the in-house jazz band had the tact to slow things down after a certain hour and more than a few patrons needed cut off for the night.  Right now they were playing a melancholy piece for saxophone and piano, more of a reflection than a true song.

It gave Lupin something to focus on… the ice in his glass was melting and the condensation leaving rings on the table, but he couldn’t bring himself to drink.

“Been doin’ an awful lot of sighing there, buddy,” came Jigen’s voice beside him, slowly nursing his own glass of scotch.  When Lupin didn’t rise to the bait, Jigen heaved a long-suffering sigh of his own.  “Look, I’m not gonna choke it out of you in front of a buncha strangers, so you might as well tell me now.”

“All, right, all right…”  Where did he even start, though?  It was all a disorganized jumble in his head, and that bothered him more than anything.  That, and the stupid lingering anxiety of how Jigen might react.  He raised his melting glass and downed it, desperately drawing energy from the burn in his throat.  “You’ll never guess who I ran into earlier when we first checked in.”

“Better not have been Pops--at least not while you were still wearing his face.”

“Nope.  Clarisse.”

Jigen’s face softened a bit.  “No kidding?”

“No kidding.”  Lupin wanted to smile, but he only managed a slight upturn of his lips.  “She’d snuck into Japan to ask for help establishing a tourist program for Cagliostro.  She was just on her way home, though, so we… we didn’t actually get to talk much.”  But there was so much more to the conversation, short as it was, that Lupin wished he could go into.  How Clarisse had dedicated so much to dismantling the tools of her family’s corruption and making public statements to the world about undoing the damage.  How she was personally helping to convert the underground printing press into shelters for the poor.  How she’d spent her seventeenth birthday touring her kingdom and getting to know her subjects, even taking the afternoon to make tea for an old woman and her grandchildren.  How Christopher was still a good friend, how Karl was still lively as a puppy even as “an old man in dog years.”  How healthy she looked now that she was no longer a prisoner in her own home, how she wore the poise of a queen when she was still so young.  How much difference a year had made for her.

How much it hurt to say goodbye to her twice.

“Glad she’s doing okay.”  Jigen’s voice was soft, as if intuiting everything Lupin wasn’t saying.  “She’s a good kid.”

Lupin nodded, staring down into his empty glass.  He was tempted to ask for another, but the way his mind was now, it would only lead into a dark drunken spiral, and he didn’t need the additional static in his head.  This was a conversation he needed to have sober.  “I don’t know how I’m ever gonna top it.  Cagliostro, I mean… we saved a princess, we saved a whole kingdom, we uncovered this whole conspiracy, we found the city under the lake… kinda hard to go any bigger.”

Jigen tipped his head in agreement.  “Not to mention how often you almost got yourself killed.  More than usual for you.”

Oh, if he only knew… there had been a split second, right before he and Clarisse hit the water, that he thought if he were to actually die--not just faking it for the sake of a scheme, but for real--it wouldn’t be a bad way to go.  Foiling the Count, shielding her from the impact.  Being the hero for once.

A few more drinks, and he might wonder if it was a shame the fall didn’t kill him after all.

“What haven’t we done at this point, Jigen?”  He knew how tired and pathetic he sounded and couldn’t bring himself to care.  “We’ve been on the road together for how long, and now it’s just us… what else is there left?”  He thought back to his collection of maps, how many checkmarks and X-es marked where they’d all four stayed and stolen.  How many places they could never go back thanks to bounties on their heads and warrants for their arrest, how many people they’d left behind.  It was hard keeping in touch when you were constantly moving around; so many unopened letters and dropped calls from Rebecca, Ami, Maki, Laetitia, and he’d lost track of how many others sat waiting for replies that would never come.  Before it might have felt freeing, but now it was just lonely.  Especially with Goemon and Fujiko gone and the roads ahead of them drying up.  The world felt so much hollower.

It took a few minutes for Jigen to answer.  The saxophone wailed plaintively from the bandstand as he drained the last of his scotch and sat contemplating, leaning heavily forward with his arms crossed over the table.  “You remember a couple years ago in Paris?  I told you to consider retiring now that things were getting more complicated?”

Lupin looked over at him.  “You still think I should?  Just… pack it in for good?”

Jigen gave the briefest of shrugs.  “It’s an option.  If you ever wanted to.”

It was strange to even think about now.  He’d joked about it on plenty of occasions, and Jigen had promptly barked at him to shut up and not treat the topic so lightly.  And he’d taken breaks before, usually for the sake of a woman who’d caught his eye and even once for Fujiko.  But the idea of well and truly retiring… how would he even spend it?  His grandfather had still taken undercover jobs on the side--as a tutor, a museum curator, a Minister of the Interior, even as a private detective.  That might not be a terrible idea; Lupin had rather enjoyed his last stint at solving a mystery rather than causing one.  And even if he didn’t go with that, he’d still promised that girl Marie he’d ask after her someday after she’d helped him.  He might actually have time for that now.

His father had died in a train crash that left only two survivors.  Even as a teenager watching the last car go up in smoke, Lupin had promised himself that he’d never die like that.  Every close call, every false alarm since then had simply been to head off what everyone said was inevitable at the pass.  To steal himself more time.  And now, for once, he had an abundance of it.

At least until he looked in the mirror one day and found more wrinkles under the makeup, more grey under the black.  He’d cross that bridge when he came to it.

For now, he managed a small, humorless chuckle.  “Honestly… it’s the one thing I still haven’t done yet.”

“Figured out what you wanna do?”

“Not yet.  I might stay here for a while, make a few calls until I do.”

“Well, you’re not gettin’ rid of me, I hope you know that.”

“... What?”

“You heard me.”  Jigen tipped back the brim of his hat, exposing his eyes and the total honesty therein.  “I know we’ve been having this whole farewell tour, but… where you go, I go.  I meant it then, and I mean it now.”  A few years ago, there might have been some flicker of uncertainty in his voice, as if afraid that Lupin might turn him away, but now that fear was gone, replaced with a gentle conviction.  Offering reassurance instead of asking for it.

Lupin wanted to cry.  He hadn’t even begun to plan how he would say goodbye to Jigen, even on the way to the hotel.  Nothing seemed like enough, even the wildest, tenderest night of passion before they parted ways.  Knowing his track record so far, it might have been something unremarkable, a final cigarette or meaningless conversation in an alleyway before Jigen exited one way and Lupin another.  Either way, one last goodbye in this endless series seemed inevitable.

But here was Jigen still.  Until the end of the line.  Sparing him any more.

He still felt unbearably tired, but he let that fatigue sink comfortably into him as he leaned against Jigen’s shoulder and slipped a hand into his.  “I’m glad.”

[vallkyr]

June: What a view

Stray Kids take a little vacation and Minho has a plan for how he and Jisung can pass their time.

Prompt: surreal mountain landscape

Characters: Lee Minho, Han Jisung, Bang Chan is mentioned

Pairing: Minho x Jisung

Rating: Teen and up audience

Warnings: mild wearing, thunderstorms

Genres: Romance, Slice of Life

Tags: Fluff, Established Relationship, Cuddling & Snuggling, Minho and his obsession with butts (especially Jisung's), very vaguely set in the Alps because why not, Jisung can’t say no to Minho for the life of him

Word Count: 3.809

Writing Workshop Masterpost July: A morning at the pool

Hello, dear people. I've started doing a writing work shop with a few of my friends and will try to post my result here every month. I have no idea what the fics will be about since we take turns picking prompts. I hope you'll have as much fun as I do!

“Jisuung.” Oh god. He wants something. Minho always gets that specific tone when he’s about to ask for something he knows Jisung would otherwise turn down. Damnit, they just had breakfast with the others. Jisung was hoping for a quiet day in bed and a movie or two, but he highly doubts that’s what Minho has in mind. Minho wouldn’t use his please-I’ll-do-anything voice for being lazy in their hotel room. Jisung looks up from his phone, finding Minho kneeling on the bed right next to him and looking at him with a way too sweet smile. Mr. resting-bitch-face is up to something big. Fuck, this is going to be a tough one.

“I told you, I’m not holding your phone while you video call your cats. Get a tripod or something.”

As expected, the joke breaks Minho’s façade a little: he rolls his eyes “First of all: how dare you? My children will hear about this. Secondly, that is not what I was going to say.” Jisung raises his brow but decides to believe him. One horrible request is off the list, thank fuck. Feeling generous now that he knows he won’t be used as a stand, Jisung puts his phone aside. Whatever Minho has on his mind can’t be that bad, right? “I would like to go hiking with you.” Boy was he wrong.

“No.” And just like that Jisung is back on his phone. Fucking hiking. That’s what Minho is using his persuasion tactics for? This is supposed to be a little vacation for their group to get some rest after the tour. They came here to relax with their friends not to walk around without an aim for hours on end. How Minho ended up with hiking on his list of hobbies is beyond Jisung’s comprehension. Isn’t fishing already boring enough?

“Please?” With that Minho is back to his cute smile and honey dripping voice and Jisung can already feel his resolve crumble a little under the weight of Minho’s warm eyes.

Jisung groans. No, Minho is not going to wear him down on this. “Can’t you go with someone else?”

“I want to go with you,” Minho stresses and takes Jisung’s hand into his. “Isn’t it obvious? I want to see you move your sweet ass up the mountain.”

Does he really thing compliments are going to help him with this shit? “Chan-Hyung has a sweet ass too.”

Suddenly, Minho breaks into a laugh. Oh fuck, his laugh is way more effective at softening Jisung’s heart than all of Minho’s persuasions. “You want me to go hiking with Channie-Hyung and stare at his ass? Did you really think that one through?”

Okay, yes, well played. “I did not,” Jisung admits while starting to laugh himself.

“Does that mean you’ll come with me?”

For fucks sake, Minho. “No, it’s boring and I hate moving.”

“It’s relaxing!” Minho tries to argue. It’s cute when he tries to convince Jisung of doing physical activities with wildly inaccurate opinions like that.

“If you think very hard you might be able to come up with a relaxing activity that doesn’t require us to go out into the middle of fucking nowhere.” For emphases, Jisung lets the fingers of his free hand slide along Minho’s thigh. Minho hitting his arm cannot stop Jisung from grinning. Considering the amount of time Minho spends with his hands on Jisung’s ass, he should really be able to take a dirty joke.

“Okay, how about this: You go hiking with me and when we get home again, I’ll make you a chocolate cheesecake.”

“Now we’re talking.” Jisung puts his phone down – it’s not like he had been paying attention to it anyways – and leans into Minho’s space. “When you say chocolate cheesecake do you mean chocolate mixed into the creamy part or do you throw chocolate chips into a regular cheesecake?”

Minho blinks at him. The little smile on his face tells Jisung Minho knows exactly he’s about to win Jisung over. Honestly, a chocolate cheesecake might just do the job. A little trip with his boyfriend can’t be too bad anyways, right? “I was going to make a regular cheesecake but with chocolate crust and put chocolate glaze over it.”

Fuck, that sounds good. “You’re a genius.”

“I’m aware.” Minho grins and leans even closer. “So do we have a deal?”

Jisung ponders on it for a moment. He still thinks hiking is going to be boring as fuck. Besides, he’d definitely prefer staying in their room, having dinner with the others and watching a movie together afterwards plus maybe some relaxing activities. But Minho seems really insistent on this. Maybe hiking will be somewhat bearable together with him. Plus, the cheesecake sounds amazing. Why stop at one cheesecake though? Minho might even agree to two if Jisung plays his card right.

“I don’t know…” Jisung turns his head to the side, away from Minho.

“Please?” Minho places his hand on Jisung’s cheek, turns Jisung’s face towards his own and puts on that same sweet smile again, which makes Jisung feel weak in his knees even if he doesn’t want to admit it. “We could watch Spirited Away afterwards, you know? Please Jisung…” Yeah, okay. He can’t say no to Minho’s smile. Jisung tries to lean closer and kiss Minho but is stopped by a hand on his chest. “Answer first.” Of course Minho wouldn’t let his guard slip.

“Okay. I’ll go.” Minho beams at Jisung before going in for the kiss. Yup, this is a good deal. Cheesecake, Spirited Away and a content boyfriend, what else could Jisung possibly need?

🏔️🏔️🏔️

“I should have demanded way more than a fucking cheesecake,” Jisung grumbles while fanning himself with his – Minho’s – shirt. Obviously he put on Minho’s shirt for this. He’s not going to get his own clothes sweaty for Minho’s nature kink.

“Come on.” Minho pats Jisung on the butt before continuing on without mercy. “Get your act together, we’re almost at the summit.”

Asshole. Why did he want Jisung to come along so badly? He really should have known Jisung would only slow him down. “You say that like we won’t have to go back home after that.”

“Well, we can spend some time at the top and rest a bit. That’s kind of the point, you know? Relaxing, enjoying the view and all. It’ll be nice, I promise.”

Yeah, sure, nice for Minho. “Not if I die before we get there. You’re way too fast for me.”

Jisung doesn’t have to see Minho’s face to know he’s rolling his eyes. Pretentious country folk. “Crybaby.” And now he’s insulting Jisung too. Really, Jisung should just turn around and leave. But he doesn’t have the energy for that and would probably get lost on the way back, so he quickly ditches that thought.

“Can’t you give me a piggyback ride?”

Minho turns around and raises his eyebrow at Jisung as though he just said something crazy. It’s ridiculous for him to react that way. By now, Minho should be used to far more obscure ideas. They’re part of the all-inclusive deal of being in a relationship with Jisung. “You’re too heavy.”

“Oh come on! Why the fuck do I date a person who willingly spends time at the gym if they don’t even carry me?”

“Are you saying that you want me to stop going to the gym?”

“Don’t you fucking dare!”

Minho laughs at that and finally stops. He turns around and beckons Jisung over. As soon as Jisung is close enough, Minho grabs his shirt and pulls him in for a kiss. It’s surprisingly sweet after all the bickering. Usually Minho just slaps his ass or gives him a quick kiss on the cheek after an “argument” like that. Jisung enjoys the little treat though. He lifts his hands to Minho’s hips and pulls them closer together, which lurs a little giggle form Minho.

After a while Minho ends the kiss and leans their foreheads together instead. Jisung sighs contently when Minho suddenly caresses his cheek. “Just a little longer. Okay, baby? I promise the sight is worth it.”

A little grin tugs at Jisung’s lips. “Maybe I like the sight right here better.”

“That’s it. I’m going alone.” Without any bit of hesitation, Minho turns around and starts walking again. As though their kiss never even happened. What a dickhead. Just when Jisung thought this trip was getting nice.

🏔️🏔️🏔️

“What a sight.” Minho beams while looking out into the mountain range. Finally, after what felt like a small eternity to Jisung, they arrived at the mountain top. After all the hassle, Jisung feels obligated to follows Minho’s gaze. Despite his earlier reservations, he has to admit Minho was right about the nature. He lets his eyes wander over the jagged mountains, the deep green conifers filling the valley, the lush grass underneath them and the little flowers scattered across it like stars in the night sky. Jisung has never seen anything like it. And he had no idea air could be this fresh. He closes his eyes and fills his lungs. Soft gusts of wind caress over his skin like silk. Jisung takes another deep breath and feels his entire body relax. Maybe Minho was right about that part. When Jisung opens his eyes again, Minho still looking at the nature. His smile is so bright as he enjoys the sight in front of them. Honestly, seeing Minho this content is really making the strenuous way up here worth it.

“Usually you say that while looking at my butt.”

Giggling, Minho turns away from his beloved sight and looks at Jisung. “And I mean it.” Minho pulls Jisung closer and kisses his cheek – the one in his face – before tugging at his hand. “There should be a table up there. We can take a break and eat lunch.” Jisung lets Minho pull him along. Sure enough, they soon come to an old wooden table with benches on the sides. The whole thing looks a little shaky from years of being exposed to the elements, but Jisung figures it will survive a simple lunch. He sits down on the bench cross-legged and watches Minho unpack everything. At the very least, his boyfriend had the decency to carry all their food since he already talked Jisung into this exhausting trip. Jisung hadn’t realized just how hungry he was until he sees the food.

Jisung doesn’t know whether it’s the exhaustion or the breathtaking view, but the food tastes incredible. He leans his head onto Minho’s shoulder as they enjoy their lunch and the view. Sadly, they’re soon done eating and Jisung is already dreading hiking all the way down again. “Can I take a nap here?”

“No. I know your type of naps and I’d like to go back to the hotel before it gets dark.” Jisung would love to protest, but Minho does have a point with that. Which doesn’t mean Jisung is about to give up.

“You’re so damn cruel. You’re really going to make me go home without a nap?”

“Unless you feel like staying here all by yourself.” Damnit. It’s useless, Minho isn’t going to agree to a nap. Of course, they’re going to stay here for a while longer, but Jisung doubts the bit of rest will charge his batteries enough to survive the descent. How can Minho still be so unbothered? It’s like the hiking didn’t phase him in the least. No, Minho has energy for two. Jisung smiles when an idea hits him. He holds onto the table while moving to straddle Minho’s lap and sitting back on his thighs.

“What are you trying to pull?” Despite his obvious suspicion, Minho holds onto Jisung’s waist and gently caresses Jisung’s sides.

“I’ll earn myself a piggyback ride home,” he announces with a grin. Minho may be good at persuading Jisung, but the same is true the other way around.

“Not happening, Jisung.”

“You say that now…” He’s about to kiss Minho when he feels something wet on his back. For a moment he considers if Minho tried to purr water over him, but then more and more drops seem to land on his body. “Is it seriously starting to rain now?” Jisung glares up, finding a dark grey cloud right above them. “We should find somewhere to take shelter.”

“Knew it,” Minho mutters while squeezing Jisung’s butt. “Your ass is made from sugar.”

Jisung sighs. Shitty weather isn’t enough, of course Minho has a dumb comment to add. “That remains the worst pick up line you ever pulled and excuse me for not wanting to catch a cold.”

“Relax, I’m sure it will pass soon.” Of course, Minho stays completely unaffected. He pulls Jisung closer and nuzzles his face into the crook of Jisung’s neck. “Whatever happened to earning your piggyback ride?” Jisung tries to ignore the rain and go back to kissing Minho, which seems to work for barely a minute. The occasional rain drops become bigger and bigger and more frequent until a cloudburst breaks down on them and drenches them to the bone. They gather all their stuff accompanied with muttered curses of ‘What the hell.’ and ‘Fucking shit.’ As soon as everything is inside their backpacks again, they make a run for a group of trees, hoping that it will keep at least some of the rain away from them.

“That much on ‘It will pass soon.’ Fuck!” Jisung tries to shake off the water, which proves rather useless. They’re completely soaked. “What do we do now?!”

“Sit here and wait?”

“Are you fucking kidding me?! I knew we should have stayed in the hotel.” Jisung crossed his arms. Hiking sucks by itself and now they’re stuck up here in the rain? Shit. This is what he gets for not being able to tell his boyfriend no. Stupid handsome face and sweet smile.

“Maybe we should have checked the weather forecast…” That idiot really didn’t check the weather? Jisung can feel Minho’s gaze on him, but he refuses to turn around. Minho sighs behind him. Suddenly Minho’s strong arms wrap around Jisung’s body and Jisung finds himself trapped in a hug with Minho pressed against his back. “Baby, are you mad at me?” Yes, Jisung most definitely is.

“You’re going to need way more than Spirited Away and a chocolate cheesecake to make up for this bullshit.”

Minho hums in thought and snuggles even closer. “Ponyo and a chocolate cheesecake?”

“No, you idiot. Howl’s Moving Castle and a chocolate cheesecake.” Jisung can’t help but smile when he feels Minho tremble with laughter behind him. Fuck, he can’t be mad at his boyfriend when he’s adorable.

“This certainly explains why we saw so little people on the way up.”

Jisung groans. “How come we never realized that?” Now that Jisung thinks about it, it really should have struck them as weird that not a single soul was up here.

Minho leans over Jisung’s shoulder to kiss him on the cheek. “I’m sorry, baby. Next time I’ll definitely check the weather forecast. Now come on, if I remember correctly there’s a hut a bit further down the path.” They shoulder their backpacks and get going hand in hand. As though this shit wasn’t enough yet, lighting starts to flash in the distance. Just great. They go from walking to running, which makes Jisung’s hood bounce around his head. He laughs as he grabs it and tries to keep it in place while running behind Minho. More and more water splashes around his feet as they run, but at this point it really doesn’t make much of a difference.

Luckily it doesn’t take too long until a wooden hut comes into view. The final spurt towards it drains the little bit of energy Jisung still had. They almost crash into each other under the roofed over entrance. Jisung leans his head against Minho’s shoulder and tries to catch his breath again, which is difficult when both of them are laughing. With all the noise and his eyes closed, Jisung almost misses the rattling of the door.

“Closed,” Minho comments with a pained laugh.

“Of fucking course it is.”

“Stay here.” As if Jisung even considers moving. He leans against the closed door and watches Minho snoop around, lifting the doormat and pushing potted plants around until he triumphantly raises a key in the air. “Knew it!”

Jisung raises his arms and cheers as he watches his boyfriends unlock the door. They trudge inside and get rid of their backpacks. “By the way, are we even sure this is legal?”

“Would you prefer going back into the thunderstorm?”

Just in that moment, another lightning flashes outside. What a nice way to avoid decision making. “Fuck it. We’re staying.” Jisung throws the door shut.

Minho laughs before grabbing Jisung by his jacket and pulling him into a kiss. It feels a little like kissing in the shower with how wet they are. Except they’re usually far less dressed when they shower together. Minho pulls away with a smile. “I’ll see if we have towels or anything here.”

Though a little hesitant, Jisung lets Minho go and starts to get rid of his soaked clothes. There’s a small table pushed against one of the walls with three chairs around it. The perfect place to spread out their clothes. Hopefully they’ll dry until it’s time to leave.

When he hears footsteps, Jisung turns his head only to freeze right away. Minho is staring. He doesn’t bother with being subtle in the least. Well, Minho never does. Especially not if Jisung is almost naked. Minho fucking grins and wiggles his eyebrows at Jisung when their eyes meet. “There we have the sight again.”

“Shut up, give me a towel and get out of those clothes you’re going to catch a cold.”

“So demanding,” Minho complains. He gives Jisung one of the towels and slaps his ass as soon as his hand is free. Jisung wraps himself up in the towel and returns the favor of blatant staring while Minho sheds his clothes.

“Oh what a sight,” Jisung mimics his boyfriend, laughing when Minho starts to make a show out of it. Minho puts on an exaggerated sexy expression while stripping down piece by piece. In the end Minho even throws his shirt over to Jisung, who catches it and starts clapping. “We should get caught by rain more often.”

“I don’t need rain for this.” Minho grins before putting the towel around his shoulders. “We should probably let the others know we aren’t coming back any time soon. With how much it’s raining, we probably wouldn’t make it home before dark.”

“You’re planning to stay?”

“I could imagine worse than spending a night in the mountains with my boyfriend.” Minho places a kiss on Jisung’s cheek before getting his phone. They quickly call Chan to let him and the rest of their friends to tell them everything is fine and that they’ll return tomorrow before slipping into bed. There’s no wood to make a fire, so they snuggle up against each other underneath the blankets. Because he’s so tired, Jisung feels sleep clawing at him faster than usual. He fully wraps himself around Minho – almost like a koala – and closes his eyes.

“Good night, cheesecake-maker.”

Minho chuckles quietly. He sounds tired too. Very softly, he runs his hand through Jisung’s hair and kisses his forehead. “Good night, my favorite view.”

🏔️🏔️🏔️

Jisung groans and tries to turn away from the light that stings in his eyes. It’s way too early to wake up. At least, Jisung supposed that. He has no idea what time it is. What he does know is that he isn’t even close to being rested enough to get up and hike down this fucking mountain.

“Minho, can you close the curtain or something?”

Minho unlocks their legs and removes his arms from around Jisung’s waist. For a moment, Jisung thinks he’s actually going to stand up and close the curtain until he hears a low, rough voice from beside him. “You’re free. Go do it yourself.”

“Asshole.”

“Love you too.” Jisung pouts when Minho does a kissy face into his direction with closed eyes. Fuck, the asshole is cute and Jisung still can’t say no to him. Jisung immediately misses the warmth and comfort of the bed and Minho’s embrace when he gets up. Damnit. Just hurry and close the fucking curtain.

Jisung has already grasped both of the curtains and is about to pull them close when his gaze falls out the window. Is this really the same mountain range they saw yesterday? It looks like an entirely different world. The mountains emerge from thick layers of fog. The sun is just peaking out from underneath it, coloring everything in a beautiful pink-orange glow.

“Minho!”

“No.”

“You wanted to get a view so come here and look at it!”

Minho grumbles and rolls out of bed while keeping the blanket around himself. Of course, Minho would never willingly abandon the warmth of the bed. He waddles over to Jisung. He can barely keep his eyes open against the sunlight, but obviously he’s immediately able to locate Jisung’s ass and give it a firm slap before stepping up behind him.

“Woah…”

“Yeah.”

Minho brings his arms around Jisung from behind and wraps both of them up in the blanket. A little smile dances over Jisung’s lips while he snuggles back into Minho’s body. This is what heaven has to feel like. It’s so peaceful in this cabin. Everything is quiet and bathed in the golden sunlight of the morning sun.

“Maybe, but really just maybe, hiking wasn’t a bad idea after all.”

“Oh?” Minho places a soft kiss on Jisung’s neck. “Does that mean I don’t have to bake that chocolate cheesecake after all?”

“You don’t have to, you should want to. You still forced me to hike and caught me in the rain, you know?”

“I’m deeply sorry.” Minho sounds sly, amused, smug and anything but sorry, but Jisung can’t be bothered to get annoyed by that. There’s something soft and magical about the moment, about the scene stretching out in front of them like a door into a whole new world.

“Is this real?” Jisung whispers while letting the tips of his fingers dance over his forearm. “It doesn’t feel real.”

“Starting reality check.”

Jisung yelps when Minho suddenly pinches his ass cheek. “Ouch! Asshole!”

“No actually, that’s a bit more to the left.”

Jisung blushes. “Shut up. Please just shut up.” Of course Minho only grins stupidly when Jisung slides his hand into Minho’s neck and yanks him into a kiss. He’s a fucking idiot, but Jisung would give him or his weirdness or his stupid plans for anything in the world.