#i just stepped outside and it was slightly warm w a grey sky and thought to myself “hmm clockwork prince.......”

[garvalhaminho]

me the second i start to feel the autumnal shivers and the sky is slightly gray: ah yes........time to reread the infernal devices......

[portfolio-of-dreams]

your love is a gravitational pull | chifuyu matsuno + gn reader

warnings: fluff! just some poetic love about falling in love with Chifuyu

w/c: 1.3k

a/n: I wrote this listening to "this is how you fall in love" by Jeremy Zucker on repeat. I love this piece a whole lot, it is 100% authentically me and my writing style. Thank you to @spookydraken for beta reading this for me. You have all my love. <3

“This is how you fall in love, let go and I’ll hold you up. So pull me tight and close your eyes. Oh, my love, side to side"

Sunday afternoon, rain crashed heavily against the windowpane. A symphony of sounds on the outside, the melancholic melodies of water infiltrated your ears. Overwhelming stormy clouds accentuated the sky as rolls of thunder and cracks of incandescent gold light a fire through the slated greys. Sitting on the sage green futon, which was passed down from your grandmother, it wasn't that pretty but it was comfortable. You watched the droplets roll down the glass with a cup of warm matcha tucked between your hands. Swirling the liquid in circles with your finger, it rippled against the sides of the old navy mug that had a few cracks at the top from microwaving it too many times for too long. Lost in thought, in the breathings of old memories, drowning in waves of unsaid words, only startled by the rattling of the doorknob as a key jingles against the metal and clicks open.

A blonde-haired boy steps into the room, shaking off a black umbrella, slightly rusted metal strips line the inside and creak when closed shut for a few are bent out of shape. Strands of hair slightly out of place and sprinkled with iridescent pearls on the ends. The white cashmere sweater he wore drizzled from the bottom of the sleeves, making small puddles in his wake as he sauntered towards you. Gemstone like emerald eyes, so bright, like a perfection you haven't yet fathomed, locked on your seated figure.

“Hi baby, I didn’t know you'd be home today.” his words rang through your ears and consumed all outside sounds.

He sat next to you, the weight making the cushion sink down and force you closer to his body. Sandalwood and nicotine waved through your nostrils. He had just gotten off work and it must have been a stressful day to have cigarette smoke lingering in the threads of clothing and staining his breath as it fans over your lips. Leaning in and connecting for a kiss, molding and moving in perfect sync. It was soft and warm, like the lights of fireflies floating in and out of tall grasses of whimsical fields. The way Chifuyu came into your life, climbing your rib cage like a ladder, settling into your heart and creating a home, it felt so natural. It was always supposed to happen this way, you were falling in love like falling asleep, fast and free. It was like gravity, inevitable and forever alive in the universe.

“Hi sweet boy. Yeah, I decided to stay home today. It hasn’t been a good morning for me.” you gave him a soft smile before dropping your head and leaning against the arm of the sofa.

He knew exactly what you meant, like creating stoned passageways into your thoughts and sprouting roots into your memories. He pulled you into his side, his hand softly placed at the crown of your head as you snuggled into the crevice of his shoulder. A large hand ran through your hair as calloused fingertips drew light shapes into your thigh. Humming symphonies of loving words, sweetly speaking infinites, his tone draws you in as though you are a ship and he's the lighthouse on the rocky dunes. It’s almost frustrating how easily he can calm you down, protective and safe in his arms. You peer up at him through dark lashes taking in the beauty that is Chifuyu Matsuno. His sharp jawline perfectly chiseled into soft round cheeks and plump pink lips etched into a smile. His eyes were closed, just enjoying the silence in your company. The silver hoop that hung from his left ear caught flecks of light from the burning candle on the dark wood coffee table and illuminated refractions against your skin. His right index finger slightly twitched, he’s dozing off, breathing in your scent with touches so delicate the angel's cry. You are undoubtedly in love and hallelujahs sing in dream-like lyrics. You giggled as his head rolled over and sat atop yours as the stars fought to gain perspective in the dusk of day.

You attempt to reach around to place your mug, now cold, onto the small stool beside him without waking him up. He stirs a little but pulls you into his warmth that blankets you like a high afternoon sun, your body melts into him as you start to close your eyes. The dim ivory curtains are drawn but you can feel the glare of the crystal moon spotlighting your entangled figures through the fabric. Falling asleep as swift as an autumn breeze collects leaves that crunch under your step, entranced in this love you share.

“It’ll be okay, I will love you, tender and sweet, always.” he speaks under his breath in a dream you couldn’t wait to share.

A place of wanderlust and ecstasy where you can chart secrets in constellations, a beaten path lined with streetlamps that only lead to him. This life, you’ll never feel alone again drowning in your own solitude. His laughter replayed in your fluttering heart as it became an essence of you. Floating on clouds of fantasies as low huffs escape your parted mouth leaving shadows of drool on your chin. Hours felt like minutes when you woke up in your shared bed. Black silk sheets tucked around your figure and the scent of chocolate chip cookies and hot coffee dusted your senses. Leaving the bedroom to find your boyfriend pulling a tray out of the oven as fresh coffee brewed in the pot on the granite counter on his left. The vintage radio played as “At Last” by Etta James rang, slightly distorted, through the speakers.

“Dance with me Chifuyu, please?” you cooed at him as he took off the mitt that protected his hand from the heat.

He snickered but held his hand out anyway, which you took into yours, and he twirled you towards him. Falling in step, the rhythm of the chorus controlling your movements, swaying from side to side. His emerald eyes glistened as he caressed your cheek in the palm of his hand. Time slows as your arms wrap around his neck and his find purchase in the small of your back. Your forehead drops resting in his chest as he pressed a kiss into your hair. The atmosphere of the kitchen dissolved into pastel violet hued skies where the sun hemmed itself into the horizon and the slow breeze moved the flowers, so they danced along with you. You could feel his bangs tickle your cheeks. Before you could register what was happening, he picked up bridal style in his arms and spun you around the laminate kitchen floor as one of your red plaid slippers fell off your foot. He stopped when you almost kicked the tray of cookies off of the stove and planted a wet kiss on your shoulder, his gaze holding you captive.

“I am in love with you more than I was yesterday. You are the piece that was always missing in my life. I’ll never let you go.” His words are ever flowing through your ears and ringing through the hollows of your bones.

Your lips collided with his in slow harmony, igniting fires through your veins as luminescent green eyes invaded your every thought. You could write stories, every page filled, with the things that make him laugh and the way he makes you feel; Loved in moments of fright and in between the sheets of the bed, on the front doorstep and laying on his lap on the oak bench in the park surrounded by sap greens as canary songs infiltrate the space between you.

Chifuyu Matsuno and you, a love that crept from underneath sorrow and worries, and blossomed into beautiful bouquets of soft kisses, warm touches, and something so fathomable you could almost reach out and grab it. These feelings, you hope, you’ll be able to hold tightly etched into the corners of your heart as two, no longer lonely hearts, beat as one.

tags: @kennyb0y @bxnten @crybabylisa @crybaby-mv

© please do not post my work anywhere. <3

[admiringlove]

𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐲: fukurōdani academy

愛してる: 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏.

— we invite you to celebrate the brewery’s first valentines’ day, with freshly brewed sweet drinks, to honor the day dedicated to love. click for valentines’ day special menu!

↳ 梟谷学園 — fukurōdani academy.

credits for image @ roarzoro on twitter.

akaashi keiji

as we all are aware, akaashi keiji is a reserved boy. he doesn't speak up most of the time unless it's absolutely necessary, so his confession is a little reserved, shy, quiet, and unconditionally adorable. 

he watches you in class because you sit next to him. he befriends you almost instantly when you join the volleyball club as a manager. he tries to be closer to you—which is his way of saying, "let's be together", or "i want to spend some time with you."

his blushes are only slight, because akaashi keiji doesn't show that he's in love. he's not one for grand gestures, because his love is subtle. it's the quiet glances, the small stares in the library(but looking away when you notice because it makes him flush irrationally), the bringing you recommendations for novels, or studying in the library together(and sitting in a way where your legs brush together, making his heart afloat with wonder).

he looks forward to the weekends. because that's when you tend to invite him to places. but, sometimes, the two of you show up to places without planning that you are going to meet. like last weekend, when akaashi was browsing through the romance section in the library, and you pulled a book from the other side of the shelf, making instant eye contact with the cerulean eyed boy. 

so, since akaashi has this little infatuation with you, he decides that it's gotten to an extent where he has to tell you no matter what. 

his heart paces up every time you're around. he loves the way you ruffle his hair before going into your house(the two of you walk home together), his mind is always thinking about you, and he can't even shake you away in his dreams. 

and so, begins the confession. akaashi keiji, being the smart and collective boy he is, confesses to you with a letter. 

+

you were heading home, and it was quite late in the evening. your part-time shift at a local bakery had just ended, and you were tired when you stepped outside, locking the door with a slight huff. you turn around, to see your best friend waiting there, as you slightly flinch back, making the messy-haired boy chuckle.

"keiji!" you said, a hand over your heart, "how are you, this fine evening?"

he chuckles at the way you greet him, gesturing for you to walk alongside his figure as he muses, "i'm doing spectacularly well, m'lady. here, i brought some tea to refresh you as we walk home."

you beam, taking the flask from his soft hands, and bringing it to your lips. the aroma of the clove, cardamom, and other spices immediately in your senses as you excitedly ask, "this is chai, isn't it?"

"yes it is," he replies as you take a long-awaited sip, sighing after you do as the hot drink travels down your throat, clearing it almost instantly. you grin as you look up at the already velvet night sky, specks of joy littering the navy hue across the horizon. tonight feels pleasant to you—the company of your best friend, who always tends to make your heart swell up like a balloon, was quieter than usual tonight. he didn't speak much, wore a black face-mask to cover his overwhelming flustered state, and his reading glasses perched up onto the bridge of his nose that he kept pushing desperately.

"keiji, is there something wrong?" you ask, placing a hand on the blade of his shoulder. he flinches suddenly, his eyes looking up at you in worry as he says, "we're here."

"yes, but-"

"don't say anything tonight, [y/n]. i need to do something," he mumbles, shoving his hand inside his bag and pulling out a small envelope with a wax stamp. he holds it out for you to take, which you do gratefully as he says, "open it when you're inside, okay?"

"keiji, is there something wrong?" you murmur, but he only shakes his head, ruffles your hair, and begins to walk towards the direction of his home. you sigh, opening your front door and take off your shoes, immediately tearing through the envelope and reading its contents.

your eyes begin to moisten as you read the small moments that akaashi describes in the letter—which you thought made something bloom in your heart, but you weren't sure if he felt the same. you stop, eyes widening in the realization that your best friend is outside, and probably overthinking to an extent where his brain is probably going haywire.

you run outside, not heeding that you only have socks on as you find your friend merely blocks away. he's about to enter his own home when you yell out his name, letter waving in your palm in the air, "oi, keiji!"

he turns to look at you, the outside light reflecting his glassy blue eyes with his mouth partly open. you stop, panting as you shove the letter in his face and say, "why couldn't you give me this sooner?"

"w-what?" he whispers, his voice stuck in his throat as his mind thinks at a pace of a million miles per hour. why are you here? you're supposed to be at home. you don't like him back—wait, do you?

"if you had given me this letter sooner, dummy, we could've celebrated valentine's day together in the library instead of me doing it out at a coffee shop with my friends!" you huff, engulfing him in a warm embrace as he blinks away the confusion. his heart calms down, as he returns the hug with grace and hums into your ear indulgently, "i love you."

"i love you too, nerd."

bokuto kōtarō

bokuto needs to double-check everything with his more mature, sophisticated, and intelligent best friend, akaashi for confirmation that he actually does like you.

he's going on-and-on about you. he doesn't intend to stop anytime soon, but akaashi is fed up. although the setter doesn't want to admit it, he thinks that the small infatuation with you has gotten to a level where it's either annoying or adorable to listen to bokuto ramble. and right now? it was annoying, because bokuto is supposed to be focusing on volleyball. 

akaashi stops bokuto after practice, leading him to a quieter place outside the gates where the two spend some time(again, bokuto is talking about how neat your notebook is, or how kind you were when talking to him—akaashi had tuned him out at this point) when the blue-eyed boy finally snapped. 

he tells bokuto that he should probably confess to you because talking to akaashi about his infatuation is probably not going to help your relationship develop into something more serious. till now, you were only friends with the ace; a friendly classmate whom bokuto loved talking to and partnering up with for projects. 

bokuto thinks about it for a few days, his mind completely clouded by what akaashi had said. he even consults kuroo during the weekend, and finally comes to the revelation that no matter what, he has to confess his feelings to you. and of course, since valentine's day was on a sunday this year, he would ask you a day before. 

but, the ace is left dejected when you come to school one day with a few roses and chocolates in your hands. his hair deflates, eyes disheartened and he sulks into his seat behind you. you're concerned, but you continue paying attention to class. 

after school, bokuto realizes that there isn't volleyball practice today. how is he supposed to distract his mind now? you were right behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder as he flinches. 

+

"ko-san?" you mumble, "are you okay? you haven't been talking to me the whole day."

bokuto's amber eyes soften at the nickname you had given him, as he shakes his head and chuckles dryly, "oh, no. not at all, [y/n]. i'm completely fine."

"you do realize, you're a really bad liar," you giggle, pulling his coat sleeve along as you begin walking out the gates. the school was fairly empty, you had waited to talk to bokuto, because today was the day you had decided that you would finally confess. but he had been behaving strangely, and he avoided you even in recess—which was when you were about to tell him your feelings, but he ran away after getting only a glimpse of you.

"ah, i'm sorry. i was just a little upset that volleyball got cancelled today," he mutters, a hand on the back of his neck as he averts his gaze from you. you chuckle at the awkward ace, who's usually booming with joy and radiant with his obnoxiously loud persona. you attempt to give him a head-pat after getting on your tippy-toes, but alas, it doesn't work out(come on now, the boy is huge).

he begins laughing at your pout but continues to bow down to your height so you could run your hands through his hair. you feel chills run down your spine when bokuto smiles at you after you do it, as you accidentally blurt, "you should continue smiling. sulking doesn't suit you."

"you think?" he asks, a slight blend of a smirk and a grin plays itself on his face as mutters, "i think you should smile more too."

"really?" you ask, "oh yeah, do you want to come to a coffee shop with me?"

he looks up at you almost instantly, and blurts, "i thought you had someone to do that with now."

"what?" you widen your eyes, stopping in your tracks as you laugh, "wait, you mean the little chocolates and the roses?"

he blushes, covering his face with his hand as his grey hair shines—but you laugh more, because of how adorable the scene unfolding in front of you was.

"me and my friends exchanged valentines' day chocolates with each other," you chuckle, "i'd rather go out with you."

you shrug lightly, your eyes fixed on the pavement below your feet(because grey is such a complex color, right?) as you wait for a response from the grey-haired boy. he sighs theatrically, and the next thing you know, two huge arms are wrapping themselves around you, and a voice utters into your ear, "i'd go out with you too. i was about to confess today but... i got sad after seeing you with valentines' gifts."

you laugh, looking up into his majestic yellow eyes as you peck his nose softly, "that's adorable."

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[whenisitenoughtrees]

to be honest, capable (of holding you) (part 1/3)

He walks forward, crouching over the snake, and when it doesn’t stir at all, he works up his courage and pokes it, just a little. Its scales are warm and smooth under his fingertip, and he resists the urge to stroke them. He doubts he could get away with that.

“Janus?” he asks, trying to keep the somewhat hysterical laughter from his voice. “That you?”

Thomas didn't know that Janus could turn into an actual snake, but he's glad to hang out with him regardless. More than glad; ecstatic, even, because he's been trying to figure out how to befriend him for ages, and this seems like a good first step. What he can't figure out is why human-Janus is being so weird about it.

(Alternatively: Janus doesn't trust easily. He wishes he could stop trusting Thomas— it would be so much less terrifying.)

Chapter Warnings: brief fear of strangulation (no actual strangulation occurs)

Chapter Word Count: 2,926

Pairing: platonic Thomceit

(part 2) (part 3)

(masterpost w/ ao3 links)

It starts with the snake in the sunshine.

Thomas supposes that’s not entirely right, because in order to be truly accurate, he would have to acknowledge that ‘it’ started a long, long time ago, when he was a kid, or perhaps even when he was a baby. He’s not certain; he’s never thought to ask any of the sides when, exactly, they developed. And he’s also not certain when they became… the way that they are, instead of just being regular, non-sentient parts of his personality like literally everyone else on the planet is made up of, when his heart became someone called Patton, his logic someone called Logan, and so on. But he doesn’t think that any of that is particularly relevant for this specific situation, so for all intents and purposes: it starts with the snake in the sunshine.

He spots it when he’s coming down the stairs, and promptly stops up short on the third to last step, because, snake. In his apartment. And he knows that things like this happen in Florida, knows that wildlife has a tendency to encroach on human settlements (and he has heard enough horror stories about alligators in people’s backyards to last a lifetime, thank you), but it’s never happened to him before, and he’s not sure what to do about it.

It’s lying in the sunlight slanting through the window, coiled tightly, unmoving. It is white, with dappled yellow patterns all across its back, though there appears to be some kind of black marking on its head. It’s fairly large, too, far larger than any snakes he’s seen outside of a zoo, and he briefly entertains the notion that this might be a zoo escapee, though he’s not certain of how that would have happened. Or of how it got into his apartment in the first place. He definitely would have noticed it sneaking through the door, right?

He manages to overcome his initial fear, carefully dismounting the last few steps and approaching cautiously, sure to stay out of striking range. He doesn’t know much about snakes, doesn’t know how to tell if this is a venomous one or not, and he’s not taking any chances. Though, isn’t it something to do with the shape of their heads? Don’t venomous snakes have pointed heads? That sounds right. And this snake’s head doesn’t look particularly angular, so perhaps he’s safe, though he still doesn’t want to get bitten, venomous or not. The next step should probably be to call animal control and let them handle this.

Something about it seems off, though. Something in its markings, perhaps, that particular shade of yellow, or that odd blot on its head—

Wait. That can’t be right.

He stops. Takes a few steps forward, squinting. Goes so far as to rub his eyes, because perhaps there is a spot in his vision, fooling him into seeing something that doesn’t exist.

But no, it’s still there.

The black spot on its head isn’t a natural marking at all. He’s still not entirely sure his eyes can be trusted, but for all the world, it appears as though there is a tiny black bowler hat perched between this snake’s eyes.

And just like that, everything clicks. All the fear rushes out of him at once, leaving him breathless with relief. He can’t say that there is no apprehension about this new set of circumstances, and a healthy dose of confusion is steadily building, but this is far better than there being an actual, real snake in his apartment.

He walks forward, crouching over the snake, and when it doesn’t stir at all, he works up his courage and pokes it, just a little. Its scales are warm and smooth under his fingertip, and he resists the urge to stroke them. He doubts he could get away with that.

“Janus?” he asks, trying to keep the somewhat hysterical laughter from his voice. “That you?”

Slowly, the snake lifts its head, looking up at him with slightly glassy eyes. For a few seconds, they both participate in what has to be the strangest staring contest of Thomas’ life. Thomas loses, because the snake that is probably-almost-definitely-Janus doesn’t seem to blink.

Snakes don’t have facial expressions. Thomas is fairly certain of that. And yet, he gets the distinct impression that Janus is waiting for something; it’s in the gleam of his eyes, the slight tilt of his head, almost like he’s issuing a challenge.

“It’s totally cool if it is,” he clarifies, raising his hands. “Uh, you can feel free to stay there as long as you want. But uh, I just wanted to make sure that it was you and not some random snake.” He smiles, casting about in his mind for something to say. He’s not yet sure how to talk to Janus, not sure how to interact with him now that he’s offered up his acceptance, but he’s certainly going to try his best. He wants to get to know him, wants to understand him better. He deserves nothing less. “There’s only room for one snake in this apartment.”

Janus stares at him for a while longer, and then nods, a fluid, intelligent motion that is slightly disturbing coming from something that looks like an animal, but Thomas can deal. If his sides can shapeshift into his friends, and puppets, and giant frog monsters with abs, he can cope with his snake-like side becoming an actual snake. It’s hardly the weirdest thing he’s ever seen.

Janus returns to his coiled up position, apparently intent on taking a nap, and frankly, Thomas can’t blame him at all. A nap sounds great right about now. He’s not entirely sure why Janus has chosen to do so here, rather than in the mindscape; he’s certainly never seen any of the other sides sleep in his apartment. But he’s hardly about to make Janus leave, even if he’s bemused and a bit discomfited, so he wanders off to grab a snack and get back to editing, leaving Janus to sleep in the sunlight.

He’s gone by evening, and Thomas isn’t entirely sure when he left. It’s a few days before he shows up again, in the exact same spot, in the exact same sunbeam, and Thomas greets him but otherwise leaves him be.

From then on, it sort of becomes a thing. On cloudless days, Janus pops up as a snake to sun himself in the living room. Sometimes Thomas will chat with him, making idle conversation that he’s not sure is listened to, and sometimes he stays silent, content to do his own thing while Janus does his. It turns into a comfortable habit, on his end, at least, and he hopes that Janus is comfortable with it too. He thinks he is; at least, he never gives any indication otherwise.

He’s still not sure why exactly this is happening, but he hardly feels the need to complain.

But then, Thomas walks downstairs one day to find Janus staring directly at him.

He pauses, thrown by the change to their routine. Most of Janus’ body is curled in on itself, like usual, but his head is reared, and as Thomas watches, he sways back and forth slightly, a constant, seemingly automatic motion. His tongue flickers in the air, but he makes no sound, neither hissing nor speech, and though Thomas isn’t sure that he’s capable of talking while he’s like this, he’s heard him hiss a few times, so this silence is unnerving.

“Hey,” he says uneasily. He gives a half-hearted little wave, which he regrets almost instantly, feeling like an idiot. “Uh, is something the matter?”

Janus looks pointedly to the window behind him, and then back to Thomas again. It only takes Thomas a few seconds after that to realize what the issue is.

It’s raining.

And not a light rain, either, not the kind that casts grey shadows over the world and taps gentle, soothing rhythms against the windowpane. This is a storm, dark and furious, wind whipping and tearing into the trees and sending gust after gust of the torrential downpour against the glass. It is late afternoon, but it may as well be night for how dark the sky is. There is certainly no trace of sun poking through, and thus, no light for Janus to lie in.

He walks closer, though hesitantly. “I’m not sure what to tell you, buddy.” He winces as soon as he says it; ‘buddy’ doesn’t fit Janus at all, feels too presumptuous, like he’s assuming a closeness that doesn’t yet exist. He’ll keep trying. “I can’t control the weather.” He pauses, looking back to the snake, who has drawn up slightly, his head now almost level with Thomas’ waist. “Um, is there not anywhere in the mindscape that you could find some sun?”

Janus hisses, loud and sharp, opening his mouth to flash some fang. Instinctively, Thomas takes a step back.

He’ll take that as a no.

He rubs the back of his neck. “Well, I’m not sure what to do, then,” he says. “It’s supposed to be like this all day.”

Snakes cannot look disappointed. They cannot glare. They are literally incapable of those facial expressions. So how Janus is managing to convey angry dejection is absolutely beyond him. And he doesn’t know how to comfort him, doesn’t know if comfort would even be welcome; in a way, Janus is a lot like Virgil, not that he would ever dare to speak that opinion out loud. They present themselves entirely differently, but at their core, they are both proud, stubborn and guarded, if in varying ways. Thomas has learned Virgil fairly well by now, knows how to slip past his walls, but Janus is a different story.

But still, seeing him so disappointed doesn’t sit right with him. So he reaches out on instinct, running a finger down the scales just past his head in an attempt to offer comfort through touch, and he doesn’t realize that this may have been a mistake until Janus stiffens, going completely rigid and still. He pulls his hand back hastily.

“Sorry!” he says. “I should’ve asked first, I’m sorry.” He frowns, glancing from Janus to his finger and back again. “You’re really cold. Is that normal?”

Snakes are cold-blooded. He does know that much, knows that they rely on external factors in order to maintain their body temperatures. He just never thought that such a restriction would apply to Janus, considering that he is, in fact, an imaginary snake and not a real one. But if he’s wrong, if Janus truly does need an outside source of heat in order to stay warm himself, then that would explain his distress.

Janus hisses at him again and ducks back down, curling into himself until he resembles a convoluted knot, his head nowhere to be seen. It’s almost upsettingly cute, not that Thomas would risk voicing such a thought. He crouches down instead, considering his options. Would Janus accept his help, if he offered it?

There’s only one way to find out.

“Hey,” he says softly. “Um, look, I can’t turn on the sun for you, but you look super uncomfortable, so if you wanted, you could… wrap around my arm, or something? Body heat would help, right?” He hesitates; Janus is fairly long, probably about five feet, possibly a bit longer, so the logistics might be a bit tricky. But he’s sure they could figure it out, if Janus would be amenable. Slowly, he stretches a hand out again, placing two fingers on Janus’ scales and stroking them with a feather-light touch. He really does feel cold.

Janus uncoils himself, hissing loudly, but he leans into the contact in a way that almost seems like desperation, like he’s trying to steal all the warmth he can from Thomas’ fingertips. And after a moment, the hissing stops, and he regards Thomas with an almost wild stare.

“Really,” he presses, unsure of what Janus is thinking. “I wouldn’t mind. Unless it’s not something you’re comfortable with, in which case, that’s fine, we could figure out something else. I… might have a heated blanket?” He casts back in his mind, trying to figure out if he does, in fact, possess a heated blanket, or if he just used to have one and is remembering incorrectly. If he doesn’t still have it, he’s not sure that he owns anything else that would help; snakes like heat lamps, he thinks, but he definitely doesn’t have one of those. Could he turn on the oven and set Janus in front of it? Would that work?

He is jolted out of his thoughts by the sensation of Janus’ head rubbing into his hand, like a cat seeking attention. He freezes, and so does Janus, and for a long moment, they have another one of those staring contests. Then, Janus sets his head primly on the back of his hand, still staring, as if asking for permission. Something bright and warm blooms in Thomas’ chest, and with his free hand, he gestures to his arm, trying to suppress the grin that wants to spread across his face.

Janus hesitates for a second longer. Then, he slithers up and around Thomas’ arm, and Thomas shivers at the sensation of frigid scales sliding across his skin. At first, it seems as though this won’t work, that Janus is simply too big to settle comfortably, but Thomas watches in fascination as Janus begins to shrink, landing on a much smaller size, perhaps two feet long, a length that can wrap around his arm with ease. Somehow, throughout the process, the tiny bowler hat remains perfectly balanced.

And just like that, there is a snake looped around Thomas’ arm.

“Alright,” he says, trying not to sound as giddy as he feels, because this is the closest he feels like he’s gotten to making a personal connection to Janus in months. “Okay, cool. Um, I was planning on getting some more editing done, so you can just hang out while I do that, I guess. Feel free to hiss at me or something if you get uncomfortable.”

Janus remains silent, which he will take as a good sign. In fact, he remains silent for the better part of an hour, lazily regarding the computer screen as Thomas attempts to wrangle his filmed material into something worth posting. He ends up doing most of the work with one arm so as to disturb Janus as little as possible, but he finds that he doesn’t mind. After a time, he almost forgets that Janus is there at all, becomes accustomed to the chilly weight of his scales on his arm, the slight movements as he shifts in place every now and again.

But then, those slight movements become bigger movements, and Thomas stills, tensing as Janus uncoils and begins to slither his way up his arm and under his shirtsleeve. His breath catches, and chills shoot down his spine; Janus is warmer than before, but still cool, and the sensation as Janus moves across his shoulder and emerges from his shirt’s collar is odd, unfamiliar. He exhales shakily as Janus continues to move, looping himself around his neck several times, just tight enough that Thomas is very aware of his presence, of the fact that there is a snake coiled around his neck, and as much as he knows that Janus will not physically harm him (and probably couldn’t, even if he tried), there is an element in his hindbrain that is gibbering at him, insisting that everything about this situation is a very bad idea, and that he needs to remove the threat.

God, he hopes Virgil isn’t paying attention to this. Except, judging from the way he’s feeling right now, judging from the almost audible oh god oh god get him off get him off, he definitely is, and Thomas is very surprised that he’s held back from showing up in person.

And then, Janus lets out a whistling breath and tucks his head between the coils and Thomas’ neck, and all the tension leaks from Thomas’ body as his rational thinking catches up to the situation. The way Janus is gripping him is nowhere near tight enough to cut off his airflow, and it never was, even though he seems to be pressing up as close to his skin as possible. But why--?

Was his arm not warm enough?

“You good there, Janus?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper. He receives no response, neither a hiss nor any additional motion, so he tries again. “Are you, uh, asleep?”

Again, no reply, so it’s probably safe to assume. He smiles, wide and unrestrained, and powers down his laptop. The storm outside has calmed to a softer rainfall, pattering against the windows, and other than that, the world seems quiet and still. It’s earlier than Thomas usually goes to bed, but he actually feels like he might manage to fall asleep if he tries, and a little bit of extra rest never hurt anyone. He’s been working in bed already, thankfully, so while he can’t lie all the way down without dislodging Janus in some way, Logan won’t lecture him too much if he falls asleep where he sits.

He reaches over to the lamp at his bedside and turns off the light.

“Goodnight, Janus,” he murmurs. Predictably, he receives no response, but Janus’ scales still press against him in the dark, a comforting presence as he drifts off.

------

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[a-libra-writes]

A Dragon’s Fire - Daenerys x Red Priestess!Reader

heyo! this was requested by an anon who originally wanted an assassin w fire magic, and i compromised w a red priestess who was an assassin but decided not to hurt dany (bc that seems neat!) but ive been in the shit this week so ... i wrote something fluffy instead. I know, im a big fail, lol. I hope yall enjoy it anyway

Summary: Dany has a big gay crush. That’s it, that’s the fic

“Is she everything you hoped for?”

Y/N did not answer the man behind her. She focused on the flames in front of her, dancing in the brazier into familiar shapes. She had seen them for many years. It’s why she was chosen by the priests, and since the red comet fell from the sky, they whispered if she listened close. Here, in the dragon queen’s palace, she could hear the fire inside the dragons. 

The bear knight’s metal armor and annoyed tone was not enough to distract her. Y/N reached her hand into the fire, it shaped into a dragon that sat in her palm. She didn’t feel the fire, but her red silk sleeve was burning. 

Jorah disliked her silence, but he disliked many things about Y/N. When he first saw her fire tricks, he thought they were illusions, but the heat of them said otherwise. Then there was the first time she set upon Drogon…

He suppressed his shiver and set that memory aside. “The khaleesi wants to see you.”

Y/N closed her palm, and the dragon slivered out, flying back into the brazier. The flames glowed blue for just a fraction of a second. She waved her hand over them, and the fire smothered itself. Smoke rose out of the hot coals, but those too began to rapidly cool. 

She wondered if the knight was still unsettled by her magic. Even the khaleesi had moments of awe and uneasiness, although she was fond of watching. Y/N stood, her silk robes gently scraping the marble floor. Jorah was already walking away, and she made no effort to run to catch up to him. She knew where Daenerys was.

The chambers Daenerys set aside for her council was well-lit and had an impressive, engraved table at the center of it. Its legs used to be harpies made of carved marble and ivory, but she had them removed for dragons made of onyx and rubies. Y/N liked the change, and how they glittered in the light. Perhaps she was biased - her own ruby hung around her neck, although it was far larger and smoother than any gemstone Daenerys had seen before.

The girl’s purple eyes lit up as Y/N entered the room. Y/N couldn’t help but return the sentiment, giving her khaleesi a smile. She was pleased there was no one else in the council room. “You wished to see me, khaleesi?”

“Yes. Jorah, you may leave us.”

Jorah didn’t protest, but he did shoot Y/N a look before he left the room and closed the doors. Y/N noticed there were no Unsullied in the chambers, either.

“I talked to him about what he said the other day,” Daenerys said after a moment of silence. “Ser Barristan, as well. They don’t … In the Seven Kingdoms, your sort of magic is seen as a dream. Unreal.”

“As unreal as dragons?” Y/N tilted her head, and Daenerys tried not to focus on how her hair slid across her bare shoulders. When Y/N first entered her service, she wore modest robes that covered nearly every inch of her. Since then she had adopted a more elegant, free style, at Daenerys’ subtle suggestion. She was pleased with the result. 

Daenerys set her thoughts straight. “True. The reason I called you here was to locate Rhaegal. I haven’t seen him flying overhead in some time.”

“Nor have I.” Y/N touched the ruby that dangled by her collarbone. It was held with a simple gold chain, and anyone could have missed the way it seemed to flicker. It could have been a trick of the light, but Dany knew otherwise. “Would you like me to find him?”

Of course Y/N knew how to do that. She knew how to start and stop fire, how to dream about it, how to see into it. It was only logic that she could find it. She once told Daenerys that the dragons were beings of fire, swirling and living heat. She looked at them like …

… Well, not how others looked at them. It was hard to puzzle out Y/N’s expressions and thoughts. You could ask her something directly, and she’d have some sort of strange answer, or she’d just stay quiet. Daenerys could tell when Y/N was thinking something over, at least. Her pretty eyes would lower, and she’d touch that ruby - was it hot to the touch? It seemed like it - and she would be gone. Sometimes she stayed very still for hours, staring into fire, or staring into nothing.

But she’d always have an answer eventually.

Daenerys’ knights warned against Y/N’s counsel, telling her not to listen too closely to the words of a strange woman of a strange religion. Even Missandei had commented on the followers of Rhllor’s intent to convert King Robert and other places, and the strange magics they could possess. They warned her as if she did not know how to think for herself.

It upset her, but Y/N took such words in stride. She often seemed to know what others thought and said about her, and she did little to stop it. Missandei had warmed to her, Ser Barristan did not think she was any real threat, but Ser Jorah remained unconvinced and wary. Grey Worm did not like talk of magic or priests, but he had no real ill thought of Y/N, and Daario liked to ask her all sorts of ridiculous questions for his own amusement. 

“I have found him, khaleesi.”

Daenerys couldn’t believe her thoughts had drifted again. Y/N often had that effect on her. “Where? Can we ride to him?”

“We could. He is in no danger, he is simply occupied with…” A soft smile came to Y/N’s red lips. “Something he has not seen before. That’s why he’s been away.”

“What could possibly interest him for that long? He’s been gone for days.”

“Shall we find out, your grace?”

Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah would warm her against this, ask her to take one of them or the Unsullied on the trip. Grey Worm would ask to escort them, Missandei would worry and send guards after them anyway. Daario would want to come along. Daenerys looked to the open, blue sky. There was still plenty of sun left.

“Let’s be quick,” She said, already giddy even if they hadn’t stepped a foot outside of the palace yet. “Missandei will keep them busy. Do you want to share my horse?”

Y/N was not an adept rider, but she still said, “That is alright, khaleesi. I can ride my own.”

Daenerys tried not to feel disappointed.

The danger outside the protective walls of Meereen was real, but Daenerys comforted herself with the fact that Drogon and Viserion often flew about these hills, and no one had seen them leave. Y/N said it would not take long, that they’d return toward the end of sunset.

Why do I keep believing her? Daenerys asked herself. She glanced aside, watching the woman reposition her reins. Her normally serene facade was broken everytime she rode a horse. She was not afraid of the creatures, but she had only recently learned to ride, and the beasts weren’t always fond of her.

“If you keep moving like that, you’ll make him nervous,” Daenerys said. “There’s no need to clutch the reins so tightly, either.”

Y/N nodded, and tried to relax her posture. Luckily, she picked an agreeable horse. Daenerys recalled the saddle sores and aches she received when she learned to ride. Her handmaidens gave her a balm to ease the pain. Maybe she could find that for Y/N.

I’ll ask someone to deliver it to her. I couldn’t give it to her myself - no, who says I can’t? But what would she think…

It was hard to tell exactly what Y/N was thinking, but sometimes she slipped, like now. Her brows were slightly furrowed as she righted her posture, and once she was satisfied with it, she kept glancing down at the ground, or at the horse’s ears. Y/N pet his soft neck, then slowly reached up to scratch between his ears. She jerked her hand back as her horse shook his head and made an annoyed sound.

“He didn’t like that,” Daenerys laughed, and it was adorable how Y/N gently laughed, too. She was usually so subdued, so quiet, so … what Daenerys used to be. 

“But his ears are so cute,” Y/N went back to petting his neck, which he much preferred. “Doesn’t it make you think of a cat.”

“No, not at all.” 

“Not even a little? There were some strays I’d feed at the temple. Their ears would twitch when I came by. They could smell the food in my pockets.”

Sometimes Y/N would speak of the temple she grew up in, or the other Free Cities she had travelled to, the friends she had known. Perhaps if she showed this side to the others, they would trust her more, but Daenerys was happy to have it to herself. 

The grass thinned and made way for rocky hills and in the distance, orange and yellow canyons. The sun was beginning its descent, and soon the sky would match those oranges and yellows. Y/N stopped her horse. 

“We can walk from here. Do you hear him?”

Daenerys stopped her own horse and listened. There was the slightest breeze, some distant bird calling, the sound of her horse’s nicker and … 

She shook her head. “If he’s close, we would have heard him by now.”

Y/N dismounted with some inelegance, but she fixed her clothes and just smiled. “Maybe you will when we get closer.”

They tied the horses to one of the few trees in the dry area, and Daenerys followed Y/N’s lead. 

It could be a trap. She could have men waiting there, or there could have been someone following us …

The thought was fleeting, and Daenerys fell in beside her. They both changed to more practical clothing, but Y/N still had a shimmering red cloak tied around her shoulders. As they walked, Daenerys began to hear something strange. It was faint, but as they came closer…

“Water?” She looked at Y/N.

Y/N’s sweet lips curled upward. She often smelled of smoke and spice, and Daenerys wondered if she tasted that way, too. 

They came to the edge of a small canyon, which could be better described as a deep ravine. Water glistened at the bottom of it, and more importantly, the deep green scales of her dear Rhaegal. He lifted his wings high and water spilled on his back.

“What is he doing?” Daenerys asked, but she was answered just a moment later. Water spewed up from the ground in a huge geyser, all at once, and Rhaegal happily opened his mouth and snapped at it. The water fell in thick droplets all around the dragon, the ravine and the two of them.

Y/N pulled her red hood over her head. Daenerys wiped her brow. “You didn’t tell me to pack a hood.”

“Apologies, khaleesi.” Y/N giggled. She peered downward. “If we’re steady, we can walk down to him.”

Rhaegal’s long tail lazily swung back and forth in the water. He was resting, and it only submerged his arms and legs, but he was content. Daenerys noticed all the charred bones scattered around the ravine. She wondered how much was in the water. Her feet found stability, and she carefully followed a natural, steadying path downward. Y/N was just ahead, although she wasn’t as confident in her descent.

They came to a small landing and had to stop there. The rest of the way was simply too steep. Rhaegal seemed to just notice them then, and Daenerys’ heart swelled as her child lifted his head and gazed at her with his sharp eyes. They weren’t merely brown, but bronze, with all the steadiness and strength that metal held. She touched his nose and muzzle, marvelling at how much he had grown. 

His eyes quickly flashed toward Y/N, and Daenerys felt his growl vibrate underneath her hand. She frowned and quickly said, “No.”

She remembered Y/N’s first encounter with Drogon. That was also the day she had taken the strange, beautiful priestess into her court.

Just like with Drogon, Y/N showed no fear. She stepped forward, but she didn’t make an attempt to touch the dragon. She lowered her hood, and Rhaegal’s long, black pupil tightened.

Daenerys felt the heat of his breath as he snorted through his nose. She tensed, forcing herself to stay calm as she repeated her order. “No.”

The geyser blew again, and Daenerys didn’t flinch. Rhaegal watched it rise in the air, then pulled away from his mother to open his jaws at the water again. His black teeth glittered in the setting sun.

Daenerys looked to Y/N. The priestess was so calm and steady, so unaffected … except Dany caught how her shoulders sagged in relief.

“He isn’t like Drogon,” Daenerys said, remembering that day. “He wouldn’t have hurt you.”

Y/N replied simply. “Drogon did not hurt me.” 

Had you been any other woman, he would have killed you. Except ... 

It took days for the servants to remove the char marks on the marble, and some of the melted pillars were still being repaired. Daenerys was half tempted to leave them like that, as a warning to any potential enemies, but it was unsettling to think it may have been Y/N that was burned away.

Except, she didn’t. Her red robes and long hair did, but her necklace and body remained unharmed. Daenerys and her court watched as the fire arced around her, singing away everything but skin and metal, and that ruby she never removed. Y/N looked Drogon straight in the eyes, even as they were obscured by his fire. 

His temper always was the worst. She had done nothing but approach Daenerys too quickly. Jorah was the one who pulled her back behind one of the pillars, and Daenerys remembered how the heat licked her arms as it tried to reach around the marble. Daario had pulled Missandei to cover behind the other pillar. 

Drogon almost never came to the palace, he always wanted to be in the sky, yet he came down on that day. And when the fire cleared and the floor was charred black except for a small circle … He stood back, and Y/N still looked at him. She only trembled slightly. 

She isn’t any other woman.

The geyser blew again, and rained down upon them. The water’s heat didn’t bother her, but all the dust from the ride was stuck to her skin, and the water didn’t clean it off. She had dust in her hair, too, and probably some stray pieces of grass. 

She smiled. It had been some time since she was properly dirty after a ride, and she looked forward to a perfumed bath and brushing her hair when she got back. Daenerys glanced to Y/N, who was occupied with watching Rhaegal. She also had dirt on her cheeks and neck, and some in her hair, and maybe if she wanted a bath afterward, too…

Daenerys reached forward and tried to rub some of the dirt off her cheeks. It didn’t work, but Y/N’s pretty eyes went wide. She didn’t pull away. “Khaleesi?”

Daenerys stepped forward, gently moving her palm so she had Y/N’s whole cheek. Just as she thought - as she dreamed? - the priestess’ skin was flushed and warmer than anyone she’d touched before. 

“You can say my name,” Daenerys said. She tried to tease, but her beating heart and their closeness made her breath catch. She thought Y/N was wearing color on her lips, but perhaps they just always looked like that? 

“Daenerys.” Y/N tried it out, and the dragon queen felt like a girl again, feeling her heart soar at hearing her name on those lips. She leaned in, bringing Y/N closer to her. Their foreheads brushed, and the warmth between them turned to heat.

A piercing roar broke through the sky, and cut straight between them. Daenerys recognized the sound at once, and it distracted her as Y/N jumped away. The woman’s cheeks were as red as her cloak.

Above them, Viserion broke through the clouds and bellowed down at his brother. The first cry was for Daenerys, and the second was probably a command for Rhaegal to move aside. The green dragon made room for his brother, and the water reached the top of the ravine as Viserion splashed straight into it. Y/N pulled Daenerys back before the muddy water could splash all over them.

Daenerys was far too overheated and flustered, and the sight of her children amusing themselves only gave her a little relief. At least Rhaegal was alright. 

Y/N had pulled her hood back down, and it was a shame. At least her lips were still visible through the shadow, although looking wasn’t as good as tasting.

“We’ve been gone for a long time. Let’s ride back.” Daenerys led the way out of the ravine. Y/N said nothing until they were back to the horses, who were understandably spooked from the dragon that flew overhead not fifteen minutes ago. Y/N held her horse’s reins and tried to soothe it, and Daenerys helped, touching the priestess’ hands perhaps more than was needed. 

Y/N didn’t pull away, and that gave Daenerys the courage to kiss her cheek. The soft dyed linen brushed her own cheek, and she caught a whiff of perfume.

The priestess giggled, and it was a better relief than the breeze that was slowly blowing across the hills. “Please, Daenerys. I’m covered in dust.”

“I am, too. Let’s wash up when we ride back - together?”

She caught Y/N’s bright eyes under the hood, and they sparkled as she blushed and tugged the hood further down. “Yes, that would be lovely.”

So it was decided. By the time they reached the gates of Meereen and entered the Great Pyramid, Y/N had dropped her hood and her easy, serene face had returned. She disregarded the suspicious looks, she gave an easy nod to Missandei, who returned a tentative smile. As far as anyone knew, Y/N’s mind was wrapped in her usual visions and prayers.

Until Daenerys brushed her dirty hair aside and smiled at her, then Y/N’s cheeks blushed and her eyes widened in that adorable way. She let the khaleesi take her hand, entwine their fingers, and guide her to the great baths. Y/N’s red cloak fluttered behind her, drawing attention to them. Some Unsullied guards probably saw, and surely others, but Daenerys didn’t care. 

She’s like fire, and I am a dragon - how could she bring any harm to me?

[your-wings-of-freedom]

“Mom?”

Authors Note: Levi Solo (Sorry x Reader lovers!) This was going somewhere and then it wasn’t. It’s been stuck in my head so I wanted to get this out of the way before I get to my requests. This was actually such a challenge to write TT^TT Words: 1,905 Summary: If Levi had a chance to speak to his Mom again.

‘…What the hell?’ Steel grey orbs cast their gaze over a set of shelves that had a nice display of different matching sets of teacups and teapots, as his eyes continued to sweep across the room, on the wall opposite was a set of shelves that housed a decent array of tea leaves. ‘What is this?’ He seemed to be in an empty teashop. Not a bad place to be if you asked him. But how did he get here? What the hell was he doing here? Had he died? Is this what the after-life looked like? Tch. He couldn’t decide whether it was a decent replacement of ‘heaven’ or not. A quaint teashop didn’t sound all that bad… but it still begged the question of what the hell was going on? Is this a dream? It feels different than a dream. His dreams…well… he didn’t dream. He had nightmares. He glanced down and found his was still in his uniform, minus the green cape that proudly wore the emblem they stood for, and the heavy weight of the ODM gear. Still, he wore the brown jacket with the Wings of Freedom patches proudly on display on the upper arms of the jacket. Even without the ODM gear, he still wore the straps and boots that came with the uniform, signature cravat too. Luckily for him, he was in pristine condition; not even a speck of dust on his uniform. Impeccably clean.

 “Hi Baby.” 

His head snapped up from inspecting his uniform, grey eyes widening at the sound of a voice behind him, lips parted as a shaky gasp fell past. It can’t be. He knew that voice. He spent quiet moments in the late hours of the night (or early hours of the morning) fearing he was beginning to forget what that voice sounded like. But he could never forget. It was full of what this world was robbed of; purity, sweetness, beauty, comfort. Head still face forwards, his orbs travelled sideways, managing to catch a glimpse of a long flow of raven locks. While it couldn’t exactly confirm anything, there was no denying that it only added to the list of key factors. He was too scared to turn around. Heh. Could you believe it? A boy who lost someone he loved so much, had the opportunity to talk to them, and now he couldn’t find it in himself to turn around. Could you blame him though? The shit that he’s seen, that he’s gone through… this almost feels like it’s a cruel joke. That he’s going to turn around and find someone else, or something else. The rapid beating of his heart worked in overdrive as his lungs stopped working, unable to breathe, he swore he could hear the blood rushing through his veins in his ears as he finally turned around and his steel grey eyes rested upon one of the most beautiful women who ever graced his life. “Mom?” a man in his thirties asked the question like a scared a little child. The woman, his mom, let out the softest, sweetest sound of laughter he’d ever heard. Genuinely having forgotten what her laughter had sounded. He watched as her eyes closed when her smile reached those twinkling orbs, lips that produced one of the most beautiful smiles were pulled back to show a set of gleaming white teeth, long locks of raven hair swayed slightly with the sound of laughter from her. “You’ve grown into quite the handsome young man.”   Part of him wanted to run to her, touch her, hug her, make sure she’s real and not just a figment of his imagination, or some cruel trick. But he stayed where he was, and she made no attempts to move closer to him, sensing the hesitancy within him. A mother’s intuition never dies.

He glanced around the tea-shop, taking it in before his eyes cast back on the woman before him. “…Am I dead?” Her smile of laughter dropped to a more gentle smile, “No, baby. It’s not your time. You’re only dreaming.” He’s dreaming of his mother in a tea-shop of all places? The hell? Why here? Why not in a field of flowers where there’s blue sky and a warm sun? The thing he longed to be able to give his mom and yet they were still stuck in a room full of walls? He took a few steps to glance outside the window of the teashop, surprised to see a blue sky up above them with the odd bird flying by. So, they weren’t in the underground then? Good. It’d be a really shitty dream if that were the case – to have his mom here still stuck underground. His gaze dropped from looking at the sky to resting on the street before them, though not really focusing his gaze on something in particular. She was quietly watching him, always having all the patience in the world with him. He really has grown into quite the handsome man. Not exactly the hairstyle she would have chosen for him but it suited him well.

“You look sad Levi.” Her soft voice pulled him out of his thoughts and his eyes cast back over to her. He stared at her for a good few moments. The waves of emotion crashing in those grey orbs of his; trying to remain suspicious of his ‘mother’, thinking it’s nothing more than a cruel joke – almost expecting a titan to appear, but quickly losing the fight because he just wants his mom. Then there’s so much he wants to say to her but he can’t find the right words, and so much has happened – the majority of it comes from a copious amount of lives lost beneath his command and - “Don’t, sweetheart. Don’t do that to yourself.” She suddenly interrupted his train of thought, reading him like a book. “Do what?” It was probably stupid to play dumb but he did so anyway. He didn’t want to worry her, or fill her with all the negative shit he deals with on a daily basis. This is his mom. He didn’t want to drag her down. Steel eyes hardened as he tried to cover up the wave of emotions washing over him, but failed to do so under his mother’s gaze. “Blame yourself. None of it was your fault.”

 His lips parted to argue against her but words failed upon him. Especially when his gaze met his mother’s and she knowingly stared back at him. He couldn’t help but buckle beneath it. So he chose to remain silent, knowing if he didn’t, his voice would give away just how much he was truly struggling. “I’ve watched you make some of the toughest decisions, Levi. I’ve watched you force yourself to do things you didn’t want to do for the sake of achieving a greater success. No regrets, remember? Isn’t that what you said? I’ve watched you lose people and carry the weight of that burden upon your shoulders. You feel their loss and you carry it heavily in your heart while putting on a strong face. No one else has that kind of strength. I watch how you still manage to carry your comrades through it all, despite all of what has been lost. ‘Humanity’s Strongest’ – I believe it.” This earned Levi’s typical ‘Tch’ scoff, which made his Mom smile slightly in amusement before it softened to a genuine smile, “I’m proud of you Levi. I’m so, so proud.” His eyes had long since trailed off his Mom as he stared at one of the chairs, listening to her words, but they snapped up when she said she was proud of him. What the hell was there anything to be proud of? And out came one of the deepest fears he carries with him on a daily basis. “I couldn’t protect them. I couldn’t protect you!” “Oh sweetheart…” Narrowed grey eyes watched as his Mom moved from where she was standing, now that Levi didn’t seem overly suspicious or hostile, and walked over to him, cupping his face in her hands. His eyes widened at how gentle and soft her touch was. Not realizing, until now, just how much he had truly missed everything about her.

“I wanted to get you out of that wretched place. I wanted you see the sunlight, feel it on your skin.” She smiled softly at him, her gaze adoringly held his. What did she do to deserve such a kind-hearted son? Her thumb softly caressed his cheek, “I do, Levi. Every time you ride out and look up at the sky, I see it through your eyes. Don’t ever stop cherishing those small moments. You suffer so much pain, I don’t want you to lose sight of the little moments that matter.” She pulled him into the warmest embrace he’s ever felt - then again, he’s not exactly the hugging, physical-affection type of guy, but in this moment he melted beneath her embrace. His arms wrapping around her and burying his face in her neck, where she also tucked him in, her cheek resting upon his raven locks. His eyes fluttered shut at the warmth and peace that enveloped him. The smell of jasmine overcoming his senses, was this his Mom’s preferred smell? She never had such luxuries like perfume. If she smelt like Jasmine… he must start remembering to keep an eye out for some. He felt his Mom’s arms tighten ever so slightly around him. Suddenly everything felt alright. Safe. He’s never had that feeling before. “…I miss you Mom. I wish you were here.” He whispered, fingers gripping her a little bit tighter, too scared to let her go. He felt her move ever so slightly as she pressed her lips to his head in a tender kiss, whispering back, “I’m always here baby.”

 A lone tear slid down his cheek. He missed her. He missed her so much. He often wondered whether his Mom would have been proud of him, or disappointed in him. But she was nothing but supportive, loving, encouraging, empathetic. Just how he remembered her to be. She may not have had the most glamourous job underground, but that never stopped Levi in believing her to be one of the most graceful souls he’s ever known.

 Light faded to dark as he stirred awake, feeling the tear slip down his cheek. It wasn’t often he fell asleep for a long period of time to the point where the candle was almost dying out. Still, it made a nice change to dream about his Mom rather than be riddled with nightmares. Rubbing his sleeve against his cheek to the wipe the tear away, he stood up from the desk and stretched his limbs out from being slumped over the desk too long. Suppose he was lucky that the dream didn’t last too long otherwise his Mom would’ve reprimanded him for his bad habits. Probably even worse when it came to the shit that comes out of his mouth sometimes. And also how he could be a little more lenient on the kids.

He walked over to the window and leaned against the wall, arms crossed, as he glanced up at the night sky where the stars shimmered like diamonds and the moon shone brightly. ‘…Every time you look up at the sky, I see it through your eyes….’ 

Okay Mom.

End Note: Might do one for Petra. Have Levi tell her he loves her or whatever. Depends on how well-received this fic is and whether or not readers consider it slightly too out of character (which I won’t take offence. I tried to keep him in character but he’s also quite complex).

Also my lil HC is that Jasmine reminds him of his Mom. I imagine that she wouldn’t have a lot of access to any nice smelling perfume underground, or if at all, but IF she did, I feel like Jasmine would have been her scent.

Reviews/thoughts would definitely be appreciated ^^”

[shimmeringclouds]

Choromatsu - A Gracious Green

The ticking of the clock grew louder and louder with each second passing, causing Choromatsu to jog his leg up and down in his seat without thought. Sweat had accumulated at the back of his neck, but he didn't bother wiping it away. He knew it would just continuously make its way back.

His father was getting old. All his brothers, including himself, knew deep down that they couldn't mooch off of their parents forever. And with Matsuzo collapsing in the middle of the day and being hospitalised for the next few weeks, the sextuplets had a very scary and stern wake up call. They had to start working, for the sake of their parents.

...However, it didn't make the process any easier. Choromatsu's nerves were through the roof, evidently shown by the crumpled look on his face. He began to wonder if he should even be sitting in that room, waiting for someone to inevitably call his name so that he could begin the interview.

He was scared. So terribly scared.

Just then, the sound of a door opening beside him made him jolt in a panic. Whipping his head towards the source of the sound, he saw a woman, making her way over to the seat directly in front of him. He couldn't help but stare (as he did with any other female he had ever encountered).

Your hair was slightly disheveled, leaving you to run a shaky hand through your locks in an attempt to straighten them out. Your clothes looked slightly wrinkled, and he noticed a few small stains on the side of your white shirt, which were almost entirely covered by your black blazer.

When he finally got a good look at your face, he paused. Your face looked thinner than most. There was a hollowness in your cheeks and sunken eyes, rimmed with dark circles from what he assumed was many restless nights.

"Hello!"

With a squeak, Choromatsu averted his head towards the ceiling. He had been so busy staring, he hadn't realised you were looking right back at him with a smile.

"H-H-Hello!!" His voice was a lot louder than usual. He cursed his nervousness.

"Are you also here for a job interview?" You began a conversation with him, seeing as he was the only one in the room with you. Why you wanted to talk to him, though, the Matsuno would never know.

"Ah, yes! I am!" There were too many voice cracks in that short answer. Clearing his throat, he tried again.

"I'm Choromatsu Matsuno. It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too! I'm [Y/N] [L/N]," you placed your slightly tattered bag onto your lap, crossing one leg over the other. "Is this your first interview?"

"N-No, I've worked before. But, it's been a while..." He rubbed the back of his head, quickly glossing over his lazy NEET lifestyle. Just as he was about to continue the conversation, his name was called, instructing him to enter the main office. He stood shakily, busying his hands with the material of his tie.

"Good luck, Mr Matsuno!" you beamed towards him, causing a blush to spread over his face. He responded similarly, throwing you a timid smile before disappearing behind the large oak doors.

»»-----　♔　-----««

Choromatsu sighed heavily, slouching over as he stood just outside the office building. Another failed interview. How long until he could find somewhere to work? What if his father's condition grew worse? It would be too late to do anything. He would be a failure.

A deep sigh coming from his right snapped him out of his downwards spiralling thoughts. Glancing over, he saw it was you, from earlier. You were slouching over just like he was, a crumpled look of defeat plastered onto your face.

"... I assume you didn't get the job, either?" Choromatsu asked softly, startling you.

"Mr Matsuno..."

"Please, call me Choromatsu," he quickly corrected. Giving a slight nod, you straightened yourself back up.

"I didn't think there would be so many requirements... It sounded like a simple enough job," you whined, rubbing the back of your neck in confusion.

Choromatsu hummed in agreement. A moment of silence came over the both of you, the distant sounds of cars whizzing past filling up the air. He looked up to the sky, noting how the sun was beginning to set, painting the clouds in soft hues of oranges and purples.

"Would you, maybe..." He started, trailing off nervously as you tilted your head towards him. Swallowing thickly, he continued: "Well, what I mean is, w-would you like to.. get a drink? It'll be on me."

He fidgeted in his place as you continued to stare at him in bewilderment. Your fingers tightened around the worn straps of your bag, and you nibbled your lower lip in thought.

"Y-You don't have to say yes if you don't want to!" Choromatsu babbled suddenly, his cheeks a heavy shade of red. You only chuckled softly, turning fully towards him.

"I wouldn't mind a drink, Choromatsu."

"Sure, I'll just head home now, it was really weird of me to- ... What?"

"I said yes," you laughed, moving to stand beside him. "I don't know many places around here, so you'll have to show me the way."

The Matsuno stood in shock, eyes wide with a slight sweat running down the side of his temple. Slowly, he took a step forward, muttering for you to follow him in a daze.

Streetlights flickered on gently as you made your way down the sparse pavements, the both of you opting to simply walk in a silence that gradually grew more comfortable. The local bar that Choromatsu and his brothers frequented finally came into view, gesturing for you to go inside first.

You chose a table towards the back corner of the room, which gave you a nice view of the darkening sky just outside. Glancing around, you noticed the place was empty for the most part, aside from a single sleeping figure in a grey suit a few tables down.

"Do you come here often?" you asked Choromatsu, who had sat in front of you. His smile faltered slightly as he gave it some thought.

"Yeah, but my brothers almost always tag along. It's nice to finally have a drink away from them for a little bit."

"You have brothers? That must be nice!" you beamed. He only frowned at that.

"Not if you have five identical faces..." he muttered, although you didn't hear him as a waiter came around to your table with a notepad and pen.

"Welcome! What can I get you to drink?" He asked politely, even though he was already eyeing Choromatsu with a wary look.

"I'll have the usual," the waiter nodded, but didn't write anything down.

"And you, miss?"

"Uh... Just a glass of water, please," you ordered. When the waiter had left, Choromatsu raised a brow at you.

"You don't have to get water. I don't mind buying you something else." You averted your gaze from him to your lap, crossing one leg over the other and smoothing out the wrinkles of your skirt.

"No, it's.. it's okay. I can't really afford anything other than water, anyway." You tried to dismiss the topic with a shaky smile, but the action only caused Choromatsu to lean in closer.

"But drinks here are extremely cheap, only around three hundred yen. Surely you can afford that, right?"

"I-I really.. can't. Even if it's just three hundred, I can't risk it."

The air between the two of you became tense as Choromatsu studied you carefully. He may seem dumb most of the time, but he wasn't stupid. He could see something was wrong - very wrong - with the way you were answering his questions.

His eyes wandered down to your clothing and bag, then to your thin face for a split second before something clicked.

"You... You don't have much money at all, do you?" He almost whispered, face paling as you barely nodded your head.

"I'm.. living on my last pay check.." you hesitantly revealed. More silence, until Choromatsu pressed on.

"When did you get that?"

"... A month ago."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. You couldn't be any older than him, and you were barely living?

"Please tell me you at least have somewhere to live..?" His tone was desperate as he clutched the fabric of his trousers.

"I don't have anywhere to go, Choromatsu..." you took a deep breath to calm your nerves, "That's why I really needed this job, or any job I can get. But every time I go, I keep getting turned away. I... I don't know what else to do..."

Your face was buried into your hands as the stress finally crashed down on you like a bucket of cold ice. You tried your best to hold back the tears, but as a few slipped through, you found it hard to catch your breath.

You were sure that Choromatsu had left now after not hearing anything from him since you spoke. However, the thought was quickly thrown out the window as you felt a presence beside you, a warm hand resting itself onto your shoulder.

Hesitantly, you peered through the gaps of your fingers to see him offer you a smile once more, a look of understanding in his eyes.

"You don't need to worry, [Y/N].." he boldly brushed away the tears from your cheeks with the pad of his thumb, keeping your gaze fixated on him. "I can help you."

He stood from his seat and grasped your hand, tugging you upwards and began leading you out of the bar, ignoring the mad yelling of the waiter from behind you and instead quickening his pace.

"I would offer you to stay at my place, but my shitty brothers would make everything worse. Luckily, though, I think I know someone else who can help."

"W-Wait! Choromatsu!" You dug your feet into the ground, stopping you both in your tracks.

"I don't understand what you're talking about.. Where are you taking me?" Your voice wavered dangerously, but you forced the next surge of tears down.

"Ah, sorry! I guess I didn't explain things very well, did I?" He ruffled his hair sheepishly before turning to you, only to avert his gaze to the ground. "I know we just met, but.. I'm worried about you, [Y/N]. I know someone who will definitely let you stay at their house until you're able to get by on your own two feet again. That is... If you want to?"

He felt your fingers tighten around his slightly clammy palm, then a sniffle. He shot his head up to find your cheeks stained with tears, your lips formed into a wobbly but grateful smile.

"Y-You'd do that... for a stranger?" You mumbled tearily, a huff of laughter escaping you. In an instant, you wrapped your arms around Choromatsu's torso, burying your face into his shirt.

"Thank you... So much, Choromatsu..."

"I-I-It's no problem!" He squeaked, gently clinging his twitchy fingers onto the back of your blazer. He wished he could revel in your warmth pressed against him for a little longer, but he really had to get you to Totoko's.

Besides, he had a bit of a growing problem that he really didn't want you to see.

[acotartogfan]

could you do #2 Rowaelin por favor??

Baby, You’re Like Lightning in a Bottle

Inspired by: ‘I Like Me Better’ cover by Jaehyun.

Prompt: You’re just as bad as the rest of them.”

I recommend listening to ‘Best Part’ by Daniel Caesar, ‘Electric Love’ by BØRNS, ‘Welcome to New York’ by Taylor Swift, and ‘I Like Me Better’ by Lauv. (in that particular order, although I don’t know how fast y’all read.)

“Psst, Rowan. Wake up,” Aelin gently shook her partner-in-crime awake. Said male muttered something unintelligible and rolled away from her, legs becoming tangled in the sheets. Aelin wrinkled her nose in annoyance and shook him harder.

“Aelin, what do you need? It’s─”

“Do you want to climb the Brooklyn Bridge with me?”

“It’s one in the morning, Aelin. What business do you have climbing─”

“Okay, it’s settled. We’re going. ” she chirped.

Rowan groaned.

A half hour later, Aelin pulled a sleepy Rowan out of their apartment, jamming the button on the elevator. He muttered a low string of curses.

“Where are we supposed to get breakf─”

“I have them packed in my backpack, here.” Aelin turned around and patted said backpack cheerfully.

Rowan only scrubbed at his face tiredly. “Do you happen to have coffee with you?”

Aelin reached into her backpack and pulled out a thermos that looked way too big for the size of the backpack. Rowan gratefully accepted it, flicking it open without any preamble and gulped down the warm drink, feeling the liquid stream into his throat. Aelin’s voice snapped him out of his listless state. She pulled him by the arm into the elevator forcefully, almost causing him to choke on his drink.

“Wait─”

“Let’s go.”

Rowan couldn’t argue as he allowed himself to be dragged into the elevator, and back out again once they had reached the ground floor. Aelin skipped happily in front of him while he stumbled out, nearly managing to trip on his feet while doing so. Two hours of sleep could do that to a person.

Aelin practically threw open the doors to their apartment building, and a cold wind swept through the foyer, whooshing into Rowan’s lungs. The opened doors revealed a cacophony of sounds, blurring lights, and the wide expanse of the night sky.

“Ready?” Aelin took his hand, looking back and beamed, her expression brightening up the dark room. Rowan’s mood instantly lifted─ she was like his personal brand of serotonin. She brought joy.

“As I’ll ever be.”

New York was called the Sleepless City for a reason, Rowan realized now.  The city truly, never slept. Even in the early hours of the morning, (or what Aelin liked to call morning), there was no shortage of cars speeding on highways and no hesitation to honk loudly at others.

Hand in hand, Aelin and Rowan strolled through downtown, eating croissants Aelin had packed for the road. The hazy light from the overhead street lamps illuminated the sidewalk enough that the pair could see where they were walking. The cold night breeze ruffled through Rowan’s hair and he closed his eyes, breathing in deeply.

A voice interrupted his reverie. “What are you thinking about?” A curious voice beside him asked.

“Oh, nothing really. It’s nice to be outside at this time of day.”

Aelin hummed in agreement, then realized he was joking. She shoved his arm, and he fell to the side, his laughter ringing throughout the empty sidewalks. “Ugh,” she rolled her eyes and Rowan chuckled. “Stop it,” she laughed, despite herself and this only made Rowan laugh harder.

Eventually, they both ended up gasping for breath, clutching their chests and laughing some more at random intervals. Once finally having regained their breath, they continued along, occasionally pointing out personal landmarks. “See there,” Aelin pointed to a dimly lit bench by the riverside. “Remember that really good donut we had?” Rowan chuckled. “And then that seagull snatched it out of your hands.”

“That was an accident! It happened in a split second! I had no control whatsoever.” she squawked indignantly.

Rowan cracked a smile.

The pair chatted comfortably, with, of course, occasional bouts of laughter filling the space. Aelin suddenly skidded to a halt. The wall of buildings had finished, leaving only the riverside, and, the Brooklyn Bridge. “There it is!” she pointed. Its lights were shining brightly, the river’s reflections rippling and bouncing its light back and off. Cars and freight trains honked loudly on its belly, all while the bridge stood mighty and strong. It was truly a sight to behold.

Aelin beamed at the bridge and raised her head to breathe in the crisp night air.

Her smile alone brought him joy. He felt the corners of his mouth twitch upwards involuntarily.

Aelin turned around, laughing─ and grabbed Rowan’s hand before he had a chance to react─ pulling him closer towards the bridge.

Rowan laughed along with her and let himself be dragged to their destination.

The pair arrived, breathless, at the start of the bridge. Aelin purposely stepped onto the divide between the concrete of ground and the cement of the bridge, where there was a clear line between the two shades of grey. A smile graced her lips.

Rowan followed her movement. Clasping hands, they gazed towards the top of the bridge. Dazed by adrenaline, he asked, “How are we going to get up there?” He was expecting a practical answer.

Aelin, being Aelin, simply responded with: “We climb.”

Rowan’s eyes bulged out of their sockets. “W-what?”

She had to be kidding.

“Yep! I did this once in graduate school,” she answered confidently. “It’s easy.”

“B-but-”

“No if’s, and’s, or but’s! Let’s get going!” She skipped ahead.

There was no way this was happening. “Aelin, slow down. Let’s think this through. Be reasonable-”

“Why be reasonable when you can be impulsive? It takes all the fun out of it!” She laughed.

Aelin jogged ahead, leaving Rowan to trail behind. She raised her head to look at the cables supporting the bridge, counting them, apparently, as she walked.

“I remember it was the 11th cable from the start…”

“Aelin…” he tried.

“Or was it the fourteenth?” She paused to think for a second. “Ah, nevermind. I’ll just call her.”

“It’s two in the morning!”

The phone was already ringing. Rowan sighed and shook his head.

Aelin raised the phone to her ear. A sleepy voice answered from the other end. “Aelin?”

“Heyyy! How’ve you been? Remember when we climbed the Brooklyn Bridge in graduate school? Do you remember which cable to start climbing from?”

Aelin didn’t leave any time for the other person on the phone to answer her questions.

Rowan pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes.

“Uhhh… I believe it was the eighth one. Be careful, please.” The person on the other end sounded flustered at first, but seemed to collect themselves quickly.

“I will! Let’s catch up for coffee sometime! It was nice talking to you again! Goodnight!”

Aelin hung up. “So she said it was the eighth cable.” Walking a little further, she reached it. “Oh! Found it!”

“I really don’t think it’s a good-”

“Trust me! It’ll be fun. You won’t regret it, I promise.” She winked at him.

Rowan felt something flutter in his chest.

And, all of a sudden, Aelin was climbing.

Realizing nothing was going to stop her, he followed. “Wait for me!”

Rolling her eyes, Aelin looked back from where she was already standing on the wires. “Well, hurry up then!” she huffed. An unexpected wave of excitement swept through him, leaving him slightly breathless.

Rowan rolled his eyes. “I’m coming.”

Turns out, climbing the Brooklyn bridge was a lot easier than expected. They ascended quite quickly, climbing the three large metal poles that connected the frames of the bridge together. There were even “railings” as Aelin liked to call them, on either side of each pole so they could hold on to them. It was like the bridge was made for climbing. The idea shocked him. He sounded like Aelin.

Eventually, they both reached the top of the bridge, breathless and wide-eyed. Rowan inhaled a shaky breath. He did not like heights. And it didn’t help that Aelin liked to tease him about it every chance she got. He rolled his eyes involuntarily at the thought of it.

The chilly night air blew about the two, and they stepped off their respective poles and sat down together on the flat surface of the bridge’s frame. Aelin produced a giant blanket from the inside of her backpack, leaving Rowan to wonder how she got it to fit in there in the first place and still have room for other things.

“Here.” Aelin patted the spot beside her on the blanket. Rowan hadn't even realized he had zoned out. Now, they finally had a chance to gaze upon the spectacular view of the city. It was truly breathtaking.

The city that never sleeps.

New York City held true to its name.

The city spread out like a fan, lights twinkling for as far as the eye could see as cars raced loudly below them. The large expanse of the night sky seemed to keep watch of the city and all its twinkling lights. It was almost as if the difference between the sky and the city was undistinguishable. At least, that’s how it seemed to him.

Rowan inhaled a lungful of crisp air. “The air is so much cleaner up here.”

Aelin giggled softly. “Away from all of the pollution down there, I guess,” she mockingly gestured with distaste to the honking cars below them.

Rowan laughed, the sound filtering through the air. The city seemed so far away, yet only a hands-breadth away. Adrenaline hurtled through his veins. Turning his head to look at Aelin, he caught a glimpse of her grin. A radiant smile was the one she currently wore and it alone shone infinitely brighter than all the city lights combined.

“Your smile is…” he trailed off in loss of words to describe it.

“Radiant? Incandescent? Bioluminescence?”

“Bioluminescence? Aelin-” he broke off exasperatedly.

“Ugh. You’re just as bad as the rest of them.” She waved him off and he laughed. “I know.” She finished exasperatedly. “I was just toying with you.”

A beat of silence passed. Then, the inevitable question. He was the first to ask, this time.

“Did you bring any food?”

“Of course! I’m not an animal.” Aelin rolled her eyes at him and dug through the contents of her backpack.

“You must’ve packed everything but the kitchen sink.”

“How could I not?” Rowan could hear the smirk in her voice. “Here,” she produced two cups and a mystery box. “Root beer and muffins.” Rowan opened the box happily.

“ Oh! And I have hot chocolate in a thermos and sandwiches for later, if you want.” She added, as an afterthought.

Rowan raised a single eyebrow at her in question. “Rootbeer?” He held the two-litre bottle up.

She shrugged in deference. “I had it last time I came up here. It reminds me of that time. I really like it.” Aelin smiled fondly at the memory.

They ate their food in pleasant silence, letting the wind whip through their hair and clothes. Rowan adjusted his beanie.

“I feel like I could reach and touch the stars.” She blurted out suddenly.

“Me too,” he said softly, a smile creeping onto his face.

Aelin giggled, the sound escaping her suddenly. Her giggles turned into sudden fits of laughter and soon, Rowan found himself laughing, too.

Aelin was still wiping tears of laughter off her face when he asked, still breathless, “What’s so funny?” Another little laugh escaped him.

Aelin turned to look at him. “I just had a wild idea.”A devilish smirk rose up on her face. “Wanna watch the sunrise with me?”

PS: I don’t know anything about New York’s geography and I’m too lazy to really do extensive research on it so I apologize if things aren’t entirely accurate. Hope you enjoyed!

Taglist: @afifthofvodka @sjm-things

[yonaih]

en route II - [ doc x lion ]

posted on ao3 as aIIegro (capital i’s in username)

word count: 2.2k

a/n: it’s shorter than the last chapter, but i really wanted to put this one out lol. ALSO IF YOU WANT TO BE TAGGED IN FUTURE TAGS, SEND ME AN ASK OR MESSAGE !!!!

Much like the eye of a hurricane, serenity came from deep inside Olivier as he stepped into the pristine, dimly lit office. It was much less luxurious than Gustave’s office area at the infirmary. Mounds of finished paperwork crowded the right side of his desk, but the enormous pile of unfinished work loomed above the rest of the cluttered space. It was almost cartoonish. The fluorescent lights overhead gave the cramped room a dingy look and made Gustave appear gaunt and even more tired than usual. Apart from the white lab coat hanging from a hook behind him, the walls were rather sparse. A small wooden cabinet tucked in the far corner had a cluster of small, well cleaned picture frames, filled with people Olivier couldn’t quite see or recognize. Not looking up from his rapid typing, the doctor flipped a page in a file and asked in his heavily accented voice, “Who’s there?”

“It’s Olivier,” Lion said hoarsely, still strangely calm. The storm of rapid fire thoughts had greatly subsided, leaving him stranded with no coherent train of thought. He ignored Doc’s darkened gaze that pierced a part of his soul and radiated suspicion. 

“What do you want—”

“I brought you coffee.” Weakly offering the sad, still steaming cup, Lion fought valiantly to soften his neutral expression. Almost a smile. 

“I see” was Gustave’s response. His tone was emotionless and steady, but he couldn’t hide the curious glint in his typically stoic eyes. Lion’s behaviour was absurd, to say the least. In fact, it was quite the opposite of his normal self; he was actually rather amiable. Gustave couldn’t just swear him out like usual when Olivier wasn’t even doing anything to provoke him. “Merci beaucoup.” Standing up, he reached over his desk as Olivier handed him the cup. 

“You like espresso still, right?” Shifting his weight onto one leg, Lion leaned against the doorframe and tried to gauge the medic’s reaction. 

“I...yes, I do,” Doc responded, his voice slightly strained. Immense confusion raged inside his mind, leaving the doctor with a surplus of unanswered questions. “You remembered?” Sipping carefully, he kept his eyes on Olivier, still unsure of how to respond to the sudden act of kindness. 

“Oui.” Olivier’s murmured reply was almost too soft for Gustave to hear. Doc remained silent as he sat, both looking and not looking at the other operator. Lion was internally celebrating his first little win, waiting for the other man to dismiss him. His shoelaces have never seemed more interesting, and he was suddenly aware of the lint on his pants. 

“Are you going to sit down or not?” Motioning with his free hand, Gustave nodded at a single, tiny plastic chair across from him, giving Olivier an owlish look. 

Shocked, he sat down quickly and without objection. He couldn’t have been more surprised by the vicissitude of Doc’s attitude towards him. What do I do? Lion was in a panic, and Gustave could tell, even if he himself was just as clueless. Both were equally lost. Neither could figure out the motivations of the other, and the proximity without toxicity laid the first, pitifully small, stepping stone in a bridge that could remedy the divide between each other. Olivier was still driven by the mysterious yearning for something less like forgiveness and more like a compromise, a treaty. Or at least, he thought he was. Neither spoke until Gustave had finished his coffee and did some finishing touches on one of the folders of work he had completed. 

“Was it alright?” Olivier, anxious once more, squirmed a little in his seat and tried to read Gustave's expression. The doctor pushed the finished folder aside and looked at him, his expression void of emotion. 

“It was.” In truth, it was too sweet for him, but Olivier had always been one to put in too much sugar. He puts sugar on his buttered toast, Doc suddenly remembered, a pang of nostalgia running through him. He brushed it off. 

Taking advantage of the peaceful waters between them, Gustave asked, “What do you want?”

“I…” Olivier started. “I wanted to talk.”

“About?”

“Us. Or at least, what happened in Africa—“

“Get out.” It was abrupt, to say the least. Suddenly guarded, Gustave looked...odd. There was something different about his normally neutral expression. His eyes? Lion didn’t fail to notice how Doc glanced at the picture frames beside him. Was he still bitter over his colleague? Who was it?

“What?” He was surprised. Didn’t Gustave want to get along with him? Was Gilles lying? “Kateb—“

“Leave.”

“I—“

“Now.” Gustave was glaring holes into his own hands, clasped tightly on top of his desk, not meeting Olivier’s eyes. 

In the blink of an eye, Olivier found himself outside the tiny office, the door slamming behind him. Even through the haze of confusion and slight anger, Olivier could tell that Gustave didn’t act out of hatred; he was nursing a wound deep inside him. Lion couldn’t understand why, though. Still in shock, he texted Montagne, hoping for an answer. After a few minutes, he got a reply asking to meet him in their dorm. Gilles later confirmed that Gustave was, indeed, caught off guard and kicked him out in defense. The two met in the communal living room, since the other three GIGN operators were off in a training simulation.

“That didn’t go too well, did it?” Gilles gave him a sympathetic smile, sitting on a couch across from Lion. The fireplace crackled softly behind him, casting a warm glow on Olivier’s face as he distractedly eyed the wall behind him.

“Non.” Shifting in his seat, Olivier kicked his legs up onto his chair and sprawled out on the cushions. “It did not.”

“It’ll be okay, mon ami. Africa is still a touchy subject for him.” “You talked to him about it?”

Pausing for a moment, Gilles thought hard about his answer. “I have before. He’s very unwilling to acknowledge it, from what I’ve seen and understand.”

Olivier scoffed, still instinctively bitter about the mention of Gustave.

“Look, he’s not the best at feelings and neither are you. I know you’re just as upset about Africa as he is.” “No shit,” he snarled, starting to get up from his chair. “But he acts like I’m just fucking fine. I’m not peachy keen on having these fucking nightmares about...about Africa, alright? The people that died? I see them, alright? He acts like it’s nothing, always playing the damn victim card! He doesn’t give a shit about how I feel about it.” He punctuated his words with a jab of his hand. 

“Hey,” Gilles responds evenly, raising a hand in surrender. Olivier sat back down, still giving him a vaguely hostile stare. “No one said you were perfectly okay or that he’s the one that is right, but I’m just trying to remind you that both of you aren’t always complete opposites of each other. You have similar goals.”

“Hm.” Olivier looked away, thinking.

“You both value lives, just in different ways.”

“Okay. I know.”

“Do you want me to talk to him about it again?”

“Yeah.” A brief lull in the conversation gave both operators a period of reflection.

“Consider it done.” “Merci,” Lion replied grudgingly. He was secretly grateful.

“I’ll leave you be now. See you at dinner?” “Yeah. Bye.”

“Gustave will come around,” Montagne reassured, smiling at him. “And Em is making filet mignon. Don’t be late.” Olivier hummed absentmindedly, vaguely watching him leave. Once the man was gone, Olivier turned to watch the cloudy sky outside their little bubble of a base. It was unusual for him to be this still, but he couldn’t help but concern himself with a seemingly endless amount of possible scenarios in which he could talk to Gustave.

Gilles marked it as a win in his book. Olivier was still mildly upset by Gustave’s outburst in his office, but he was determined to finish what he had started. Picking at some lint on his grey pants, he considered bringing the medic another cup of coffee. After all, they couldn’t beat around the bush that was their past. At least, not for long.

Almost instantly, Lion found himself reliving the Ebola incident all over again. Too late to pull himself out of the hole he had unknowingly dug himself into, Olivier hoped his godforsaken memories brought back something good at least. 

He was wrong.

It started long before anything in Africa. His friendship with Gustave, that is. Almost two peas in a pod, they were partners in the GIGN. Olivier still remembered some of the little details about the other man. He remembered the times where they would hang out in a secluded area of the barracks so they could work on the original stim pistol, staying up late to perfect the firing mechanism. He recalled the exact number of iterations and prototypes they had gone through. Seventy-two. As far as he could tell, the current stim pistol design hadn’t changed since then. They spent a little over a year together in the same unit. He knew Gilles was there too, but he had no memorable moments with Montagne. He could easily recount every time Gustave burned his hand soldering. Eighteen. The pictures and scenes in his head were grainy and dim, but he could remember it all.

Most importantly, he remembered his feelings for Gustave. In Olivier’s eyes they probably weren’t reciprocated to begin with, but, to him, it was a trivial qualm compared to the insurmountable wall that came as a result of their last mission as a unit. 

They were sent to Africa to keep a quarantine. 

Lion shuddered just thinking about it.

Any good that came out of that operation was dashed by the shitshow that was the protocol that Lion had regrettably committed to. What else could he have done? He didn’t remember what he did or what protocol he even followed, but he saw what happened during and after. Olivier didn’t even know if he couldn’t recall the protocol because he had never needed to follow it again or because he was simply repressing it. 

Somehow, he couldn’t repress the smell of rotten flesh and charred bodies, nor could he forget the cries of anguish resonating through the haze of something detonating. 

None of these flashbacks were new. He had lived through these again and again before, but this time was different. He could remember something else, something faint. This emerging memory wasn’t tangible, but he tried his best to reach as far deep as he could, just to brush the tips of his fingers on the wisp of a fading scene. 

The memory came back, as vivid as anyone could imagine. It was more of a picture than an event. A snapshot of time. He couldn’t move, couldn’t hear. He could only see and pray. Nothing seemed to be moving; everything was frozen. Grimly, Olivier focused on observing what was in front of him, desperately struggling to get a grip on what he saw. 

It was Gustave. It had been quite some time since the memory took place, but he looked so young here, his head void of any white hairs, surrounded by debris and splatters of blood. A single, deep red drop was caught midair, falling from an unseen cut on the back of his hand. Breathless, Olivier continued to soak up any of the details he could hold on to, despite all of the pain it caused him. There was dirt mixed in with Gustave’s own blood all over his face, dust hanging lazily in the air. His hair was a mess, and his uniform looked faded because of all the sand that clung to its navy blue fabric. He looked defeated.

In his arms was a young child, limbs mangled and hair matted with blood.

There was a lot more blood than Olivier had anticipated.

Almost like taking a step back, he saw the bigger picture. The scene was almost serene, painted like a Renaissance painting. Doc was standing in the middle, cradling the body, his entire self backlit by the gaping hole in the roof of the tent that once served as the medbay. He really did look like an angel, but there was still all of the blood. 

And Gustave’s eyes.

A twisted feeling of anger, betrayal, and sadness clouded his expression. His balaclava was almost entirely torn and shredded in places, revealing numerous cuts and scrapes. Still frozen in time, he regarded Olivier with an overwhelming sense of resentment and internalized grief. Eyebrows knitted together, mouth twisted in contempt. The child was still dead in his arms.

It felt like hell again.

Why now? Why would he remember it now?

Gustave’s words screamed at him, but they were too fuzzy, too muffled. It made Lion feel worse. He couldn’t remember what Doc had said.

“I’m sorry,” Olivier mouthed, the view before him dissipating. He found himself in the same position in the chair he was sitting in, the fireplace still crackling merrily in front of him. No one was there to see or hear him as he choked back sobs.

“Olivier?”

He recognized that voice.

[therainroguefanfiction]

⁂ Spare Time (Jin Akutsu)

Genre: Romance, Fluff ☁

Word Count: 1,380 ☁

Pairing: Reader x Akutsu ☁

World: Prince of Tennis ☁

Author’s Note: This was originally a set of six drabbles, but since they are so short, I decided to combine them and just separate them into segments.

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➤ Thunder

You could hear the thunder clapping outside, rattling the windows with each boom. Objects inside the house shook, almost as if there was an earthquake happening. You heaved a sigh as you stared out the window.

Rain was rolling down the glass, the room illuminated by the flash of lightning that went off every so often. You had been lying there for two hours now, just listening to the sounds of mother nature.

The arms around your waist tightened. “Go to sleep,” Jin muttered, still half asleep himself.

You smiled, resting your hand over his as your eyes slid closed.

The sound of your boyfriend’s voice and the feel of his arms around you made you forget about the noise, lulling you into a peaceful sleep.

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➤ Book

“Che. Do you have to read that stupid book?” Jin complained, his gold eyes narrowed into a glare aimed at the defenseless object.

“It’s not stupid, Jin.” You scowled, eyes never leaving the pages, “I’ll have you know that this is a very interesting and good read. Maybe you should try it sometime.”

“I’d rather not.” His eyes moved back to the TV. “Reading’s not my thing.”

“Right~ I forgot,” you chuckled, sending him a teasing grin, “Your thing is getting into trouble and smoking.”

“Damn straight,” he smirked, grabbing your hand away from the book and lacing his fingers with your own. It was hard to hold the book with one hand while turning the pages, but as long as it was Jin that occupied the other, you were willing to deal with it.

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➤ Tiger

“Why the hell are we at the zoo?” Jin scowled, glaring at your hand wrapped around his wrist.

“I want to see the tigers, Jin!” You answered excitedly, not bothering to spare him a glance as you followed the path towards the tiger exhibit, tugging on his wrist. This just pissed him off more.

Another growl escaped his throat, gold eyes glinting dangerously.

You were either completely oblivious or were just ignoring him as you leaned against the railing, eyes focused on the family of tigers down below. Some were asleep, others were playing and a couple of them were even swimming. To you, tigers were the best animals in the world! You had no shortage of tiger-themed merch in your house.

Your eyes lit up as you watched them, face broken out in a smile.

Seeing you so damn happy made Jin’s annoyance die down slightly. It was still there, of course, but he refrained from unleashing it upon you. With a scoff, he moved to stand behind you, arms wrapping protectively around your waist and his chin resting on your shoulder.

He would definitely make you pay for the trip later, though.

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➤ Snow

You smiled as you stared at the window, watching the white snow falling from the sky. Your favorite season was winter and when it snowed, it only made you love the season even more. Glancing over your shoulder at your sleeping boyfriend, an idea struck you. What Jin didn’t know wouldn’t hurt, right?

With a grin, you slipped outside soundlessly, closing the door behind you. You knew that he’d be mad if he saw that you were going out into the snow with nothing more than thin jeans and a tank top on, but in your eyes, you couldn’t appreciate the weather all bundled up from head to toe.

After twenty minutes, you managed to build a snowman just a bit taller than yourself. Stepping back, you grinned in satisfaction, putting your gloved hands on your hips.

“What are you doing?” a voice growled from behind you. Whirling around, you came face to face with a very angry Jin. His gold eyes were narrowed, arms crossed over his muscled chest.

You sweatdropped, rubbing the back of your head, sheepishly. “W-Well, you see, what happened was – ”

You didn’t manage to finish your excuse. Akutsu had slammed his lips against yours, his arms bringing you against his warm chest. You blinked in surprise before closing your eyes and throwing your arms around his neck.

The snow fell silently ontop of you both.

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➤ Ice

“Ugh. It’s so hot~” you whined, leaning against Jin so you could feel more of the fan that sat in front of him. “I hate the summer so much,”

“Che. Stop whining,” he grunted, annoyed with the heat that radiated off of your body, making his own body temperature rise. “You should be used to this by now,”

“It seems to get hotter every summer! How can I get used to that?” You moved again, your head resting in his lap, taking even more of the cool air that blew out of the fan.

This made Jin grow even more annoyed. He pushed you off of him and left the room.

You blinked, staring at the doorway that he had disappeared through. Had you really pissed him off that much? You frowned.

Akutsu came back a few minutes later, carrying something in his hand. “Here,” he dropped the item onto your forehead before sitting on your stomach, one leg crossed over the other and arms folded.

You blinked up at your boyfriend, eyes questioning. “Why did you just put a bag of ice on my head?”

“To cool you off. Now stop whining,” he closed his golden eyes, leaning back against the couch.

You smiled, closing your eyes. Knowing that Akutsu did in fact care despite the fact that he rarely showed it was more than enough to make you happy.

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➤ Jealousy

Jin growled in anger and annoyance as he watched you talk and laugh with the Yamabuki’s heartthrob, Kiyosumi Sengoku. He wasn’t sure if it was the fact that you were acting that way with another guy or the fact that you were acting that way with a playboy like Sengoku that had him so pissed off, but his anger was boiling and he wanted nothing more than to smash the orange-haired male’s face in.

His fists clenched at his side and his gold eyes narrowed at his back. It took every inch of him not to go and attack the other male, but he knew that you would be angry with him if he did, and that thought was the one thing that had him chained to his spot. That pissed him off even more.

You waved goodbye to Sengoku and turned around, walking towards your boyfriend. You noticed his evil aura as soon as you got close to him. You blinked, looking down at his clenched hands to his shaking form before going back to meet his narrowed eyes that glinted with hate in the sunlight. “Are you… are you okay there, Jin?” you questioned, cautiously, reaching out for his arm.

He backed away before you had a chance to touch him. “Che. Why don’t you go spend some more time with Sengoku,” he spat, his voice filled with venom at the mention of the other male.

You blinked again as his words sunk in. The corners of your mouth turned up in a soft, knowing smile, which made his glare intensify.

“What?” he spat again, watching you closely.

You chuckled, moving to wrap your arms around his torso. He tensed under your touch but made no other movement. “Idiot. Are you jealous of Sengoku?”

He scoffed, glaring at the ground. “Why the hell would I be jealous of that idiot?”

“That’s a good question,” you mused, making the towering male look down at you. “You have no reason to be jealous of him. Do you know why?” He didn’t respond. “Because you have something that he will never have. Do you know what that is, Akutsu Jin?”

“No,” His golden orbs locked with your own. Where were you going with this?

“Me,” you smiled, reaching up and pressing your lips to his.

Akutsu smirked, responding instantly as his arms snaked around your waist to pull your body flush against his own. His tongue ran across your bottom lip and you parted your lips, granting him entrance. Your tongue’s danced as your hands found their way to his soft grey hair. He pulled away, lips ghosting over your own.

“You are mine, and mine alone,” He said in a husky voice before claiming your lips once more.

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📜 Read more by checking out my masterlist 📜

[moirai-au]

Timeline: arc 6 - Aftermath, about a week after the Orator is defeated

Warnings: shippy, Davil, vague mentions of alcoholism and self-harm

Taglist: @immabethehero @bupine​ @tabbynerdicat @i-maybe-exist @its-ethan-bro @sandinthetardis @honestlyitsjustkenna @taikeero-lecoredier @idkwheresanti

if any of yall (18+ only for the love of god please) wanna see the ns*w version, it’s over here.

“And you still won’t tell me where we’re going, or what we’re even doing.”

“Nope! That’s the whole concept of a surprise, babe.”

Cecil pursed his lips, unamused. He closed the book he’d been finishing just a moment prior and set it aside, on the growing pile of useless volumes right next to the desk. It wasn’t as big or as comfortable as the one in his own apartment, but it made do. “You do know I still have three other idiots to take care of here, right?”

“They’ll be fine, trust me. Charlie can take care of himself, Mars barely does anything but sleep for now, and Ollie’s watching over him. You can leave for a few hours without the mansion burning to the ground, you know.”

Cecil raised a brow. “...Were you even here for the last month and a half?”

“Painfully present, yeah,” Dave chuckled. “Remember the smell of the oven melting? I still don’t understand how the kid pulled that one off.”

The older man groaned. “For someone who wanted to reassure me, you’re not doing a very good job of it.”

“Oh c’mon! It’s gonna be okay, I’m sure of it. Besides, you really need a break.”

“I do not!” Cecil protested, distractedly scratching at his appearing stubble. Dave peered up at him with a deadpan look, considering his wrinkled clothes, his emaciated face and the dark rings under his eyes. “...Really? You know what, it doesn’t matter,” he shook his head, his blue eyes hardening. “This is me putting my foot down, not a negotiation. I’m not gonna sit here and let you run yourself into the ground like this. You’re coming with me, and that’s final.”

 The doctor stared at the younger man, taken aback- he’d never heard him use this tone before. it was firm, confident, and evidently left no room for complaint. “...Fine.” he heard himself say before he even realized it. Verdammt. Maybe he was more tired than he thought, giving in that easily.

Or maybe Dave just had this natural sense of authority Cecil had never seen before, because he’d never actually needed it. It actually made sense, considering he was a father.

Thinking about it now, it was obvious. Cecil could’ve hit himself.

“Great!” David beamed, his previous sternness gone as fast as it had arrived. “Just lemme grab a few things first, and pack warm clothes. I’ll get my car.”

“I- your car?” the doctor repeated, his confusion growing- just how far was Dave planning to take them? The smaller male only winked in response, an impish grin on his tanned face. “You’ll see.”

 ***

 It was an abnormally warm night for mid-december.

Well, warm as in… not freezing. Enough above zero that you could stand outside comfortably with a thick enough sweater kinda warm. When-even-are-seasons-anymore-climate-change-is gonna-kill-us-all kinda warm.

“I don’t get it.” Cecil mumbled as they exited the car, making a valiant effort to tone down his annoyance. “Why have you brought us here?” There truly was nothing here, other than miles and miles of rolling hills, some train tracks a few yards away, and a forest somewhere East.

Dave didn’t respond- he just smiled up at him, a hand holding the strap of the backpack he’d brought along. A giddy smile that made Cecil’s stomach flutter a little. Then he silently pointed upward, looking at him expectantly.

Cecil frowned, nonplussed, reflexively following the other’s movement; what was he-

What… was…

 He was looking up. Up, up into the endless sky. And he kept on looking, jaw growing slack, arms falling to his sides.

Because there was just so many stars so many stars more than he’d ever seen in his entire life, it was like he was ten all over again looking up through the window and babbling about rocket ships and aliens and how he was going to see it all one day-

 “You okay in there, hot stuff?”

Cecil snapped out of his stupor, looking down to see David smirking smugly at him- he was holding a thermos in each of his hands, and there was a blanket laid on the grass, big enough for the two of them. So that’s what he’d packed in his bag. “How-” he cleared his throat, “How did you…”

Dave only winked, tapping a finger against his temple. “...Oh.” the doctor realized. Right. They’d all been in each other’s heads.

“It’s mostly faded by now,” Dave shrugged, setting the warm containers on a corner of the blanket, “Those are your memories, and nobody should snoop through them… but that one stuck with me. And I- I really wanted to surprise you, y’know?”

Cecil nodded, not the slightest trace of anger or annoyance on his features. He just looked up again, silent, pale moonlight lighting up his milky white skin.

Then he looked back at him and Dave was pretty sure he was going to die on the spot.

 Cecil was smiling. Not the cocky, arrogant smirk he sometimes wore. Nor the small, timid one he managed to draw out of him once in a blue moon.

An actual, genuinely happy smile that went up to his grey, dark-rimmed eyes, crinkled up and sparkling with joy. Oh, fuck me, he thought.

 Could one fall for the same person twice?

 “Thank you,” Cecil breathed out, his voice uncharacteristically unsteady. “I… You… I’m sorry. For- for getting annoyed, I know I shouldn’t, you don’t- you deserve better.”

Ah, shit. This tall motherfucker was actually going to make him cry at this rate. “Shit man,” Dave choked, stepping closer to Cecil. “Just- c’m’here.”

He wrapped his arms around the taller man’s middle and pulled him close, tilting his head up to welcome the German’s lips on his own, the older man’s slender hands settling on both sides of his face. The kiss was slow, tender, yet filled with latent intensity and passion. They somehow ended up on the blanket, sitting ever-so close and filling the chilly air with wanton sighs and hums, carried away by the cold breeze.

 They eventually pulled back, catching their breath- they were both flushed, eyes slightly glazed over, as they looked at each other with gentle devotion. “I must say…” the doctor murmured, still a bit lightheaded, “This is… quite the break.”

Dave chuckled fondly, before pecking playfully at his lover’s forehead. “Told you you needed it. You’re running yourself ragged Ceec, no wonder you’re on edge.”

“Still, I shouldn’t keep taking out my frustration on you. It’s not right.”

Dave hummed. “Yeah, I know. But you’ve gotten better at it, really. Just gotta keep going forward, yeah?” He tucked a strand of greying hair behind Cecil’s left ear. “ ‘sides, you know I won’t just stand there and take it if you really start to be an ass.”

Cecil snorted. “So I’ve seen. You’d probably snap me in two.”

“Damn right I could! Look at that scrawny ass, I could kick it into the sun.”

“Mmh, I don’t think so. You like it too much, as you keep telling me.”

“Aw shit, he figured it out,” Dave fake-whispered, before they both broke out into laughter. “Oh, also,” he gasped when the hilarity subsided, “this isn’t just a break. S’also a celebration!”

“A celebration?”

 Dave smiled, holding out a thermos to the older man. He looked proud of himself. “Happy one month clean, handsome.”

It took him a few seconds to understand, but when he did, he reflexively rubbed at his arm, feeling his face warm up significantly as he accepted the offering, taking a sip. Mmh, black coffee, no cream and no sugar. Just how he liked it. “Ah… yes, thank you.”

“And I’m almost three months sober!” the father cheered, wrapping an arm around his partner’s neck to pull him closer. “Man, look at us. We’re doing amazing, sweetie.”

Cecil chuckled, a little smile gracing his lips as he looked up at the inky skies above. “I… guess we are.”

 They laid down next to each other, their shoulders bumping together as they huddled under the extra blanket Dave had brought along. Alone, together on that grassy hill more than an hour away from the city, they tried to find as many constellations as they could while Cecil offered trivia and anecdotes on each of them, like the Earth’s sky map had been burned into his brain at a young age. 

But then again, with the doctor’s photographic memory, it might’ve just been.

 Ursa Major. Altair. Alpha Centauri. Supernovas. Nebulae. His eyes shone with almost feverish enthusiasm as he talked, making him look so much younger, so alive, as Dave listened with rapt attention.

Then, as the older man was going over the specifics of the supermassive black whole at the center of the Milky Way, Dave rolled them over, coming to a stop to stand on all fours above Cecil, smiling lovingly.

The German stopped rambling and blinked up at him- with his hair uncovered and framing his face in auburn curls, his deep blue eyes crinkled up in amusement, and the myriad of stars surrounding him, David looked like he belonged in a Van Gogh painting. Beautiful. Almost ethereal, yet so real, so… tangible. Oh how he wanted to frame the moment so he could keep it forever.

He gulped. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Before he could stop himself, his finger mindlessly started to trace invisible lines between Dave’s freckles, drawing a surprised giggle from the man. 

 His very own milky way. Full of constellations for him alone to name. All within his reach.

 “Shouldn’t you look up? The stars are up there.” he mumbled, thoughts not quite straight. Dave laughed, clear and deep. “Don’t need to. I can see them in your eyes. That’s more than enough for me.”

Silence. Cecil huffed. “That was the corniest thing you’ve said yet.”

“C’mon, you know you like it. You’re blushing.”

“Shut up and kiss me again, you dumm.”

 Dave happily complied.

***

It would be dawn soon. As they stared at the endless space above them- mostly void, partially stars- sipping hot tea and coffee from their respective thermoses, huddled together under a thick woolen blanket to shield themselves from the chilliness of that winter night… they felt like they’d brushed with eternity.

“Hey.” Dave whispered, breaking the comfortable silence.

A quiet hum of acknowledgement.

“Do you.. regret not going? Up there.”

“Mmh. F’course, a little still. T’was my dream.” the German mumbled, words slurring together. Right. Of course he did, dumb question. “But…”

The father blinked. “But…?”

“Wouldn’t have met… Mars. ‘liver.” A pause, an intake of breath. “Met you.”

 Dave bit his lip, his heart thumping loudly in his chest. Ba-dump. Ba-dump. He wiped at the wetness at the corner of his eyes, smiling so hard it almost hurt. “Y-Yeah. I guess so.” He squeezed his lover’s hand underneath the blanket. “Ceec…?”

 A quiet, soft snore was his only reply. Dave chuckled quietly and turned his head- Cecil was out like a light, lips slightly parted, his usually sharp features smoothed over and relaxed.

The smaller man gently reached out to cup the other’s sleeping face, his thumb slowly stroking over his cheekbone- just watching. This wasn’t a sight he was graced with often; they might have been sharing a bed for a few weeks now, but the doctor always went to sleep later than he did, and always got up before him, by the pale light of dawn… that is, when he even bothered to sleep at all.

That was the main reason why he’d dragged his partner out on this little trip- Cecil had been working himself to the bone again, going over piles and piles of old books in search for an explanation, for any information on Mars’ abilities and his newfound… condition. To no avail so far, which was driving the older man even more frantic. Between this, trying to cater to everyone’s physical and mental wellness, and the logistical nightmare that was the latest addition to their little group- an honest-to-god time-traveler… well, he looked like the slightest breeze would knock him over.

In short, he’d been in need of a break. Badly. Preferably the kind that would knock some sense into that big brain of his. Since they both had gotten together, Dave had been trying to get Cecil to take better care of himself, to stop skipping meals, to finally sleep a decent amount each night… hell, he’d started to see some actual progress before Mars was kidnapped and everything had gone to shit. 

He couldn’t let his efforts go to waste, especially not now. Not in such a delicate time, when they were all still recovering. And now, looking at Cecil, sleeping deeply and peacefully for the first time since the kid had disappeared almost a month ago… Dave was glad he hadn’t given up.

 And that he’d filled that thermos with decaf, but Ceec didn’t need to know that.

 Dave sighed contentedly as he snuggled closer to the other, burying his face in his chest and drawing the blanket higher over them both, letting himself be lulled into a comfortable drowsiness. Their backs would probably be sore from sleeping on the hard ground... but that was a problem for future them.

[exodusmc]

Blue Iris

Genre: Angst

Words: 4704

Paring: Sehun x reader

Warning!: Major character death, blood, hospitalization, visiting a grave, illness

a/n: This is really angsty.. and just so everyone knows, I’m not a doctor.

Trees whispered in a soft wind, branches moving to dance over your head. Spring blessed the earth with new life and light, warmth basking over your skin as you walked over the gravel path. You couldn't believe he was gone, no longer breathing or in flesh for you to hold. He had been your love, the one your heart fought to keep. But life was unfair and it took him from you, sending him to the heavens, for him to soar in the sky and take the moon's place. You were close to crying again, the promise weighing hard around your neck. Fate had decided for him to go fast and you couldn't do anything about it, just remember and you did, you remembered it all stopping before him. Soft blue irises in the number of three landed by him and you smiled, smiled like he was really there. 

-

“I’m ill…”you blinked slightly, removing your head from Sehun’s chest, peering into the depths of his umber eyes. Confusion dragged over your face, a fright curling in your stomach. 

“With what?”the question was dumb, you knew it, because his whole demeanour was serious and it scared you, made your peace so fragile.

“With an autoimmune disease... I’m dying”he spoke the word which shattered your heart so gentle, like a soft caress of his fingertips and not a slap.

Stars shone outside his window and you missed the quietness you both had been in. Sehun had been holding you in his arms, breathing fanning over the crown of your head. You had been happy and relaxed by his side, love blooming in your chest but you knew how life alway came crashing down, how it took what it wanted. Tears were close to falling from your eyelashes, shining like diamonds. 

“I’m sorry I didn't tell you sooner, I’m sorry I made you like me...I was selfish and greedy but I tried, I really did, to let you go so you wouldn't hurt when I left..”he held your gaze while a thumb came to stroke over your cheek, trying to rid you off your pain. This was what he was afraid of, hurting you and killing the sun like smile which had captured him in the beginning.”I don't want you to be in pain but I couldn't bring myself to let you walk away, you made my life too bright, you made me too greedy…”

Staring at him had you realizing that he was what you wanted, even if he may not stay for long. Laying in bed with Sehun made your feelings clear as water and agony burning you whole. You could sense it, how your world would crash and he leave but you liked him, no you loved him too much to let go, to let him run free. Hand clutched at his familiar shirt, nose buried in his neck as you took breaths of him. You would stay by his side until the end came. 

“It’s okay..W-we will get through th-this..You’re s-strong, you’ll survive and I’ll stay by your si-side”you hated how broken your voice was, how sobbs made you say word twice. Sehun held you over his chest, trying to keep his own tears from falling.”I’ll never leave..”

“Thank you…”he whispered in your hair, kissing it.”I didn't want to fight before I met you, life seemed so grey and I felt like a disease for the doctors to figure out but you came and made me a human again. I could feel emotion, I could think. You made me happy again”

He didn't make it easy for you to stop crying, heart swelling with every word. Sehun held you close, his anchor to the life on earth but both knew about the pain which slowly drifted towards you, death in forms of angles and smiles. 

“I love you”the words you never spoken before to him felt heavy but oh so true, like the only reality you had. The held everything you wanted to tell him and he had to know before he flew to dance in the sky. Sehun tensed slightly under you but you felt his mouth turn up into that smile which was warmer than the core of earth, finger making you gaze at him, tears forming again.

“I love you too..”he kissed you, sealing your fate.

-

“Quiet class! We have a new student today! please give him a warm welcome.”everyone shut their mouths, curious eyes peering at the tall lean boy who walked to stop before the board. 

He looked pissed, lips sealed shut and black eyebrows pointing down. You wondered about him the instance he had stepped inside, looking all but pleased to be here. The boy rolled his eyes before finally speaking, rude tones making his words harsh. 

“My name is Oh Sehun and please don't talk to me.”you saw how everyone became shocked, he himself never moving a muscle. Sehun clearly didn't care about the other students and you smiled at him, it never faltering when he glared at you.

He may be harsh but you knew something else laid under his facade, something warmer, something like his eyes. 

“Uh...Well thank you Mr Oh, please sit down by Jongin”

Getting up from your seat, your friend sent a judging glance at the new boy occupying the seat to your right, the distance between your two tables small enough to hold hands. She huffed slightly, already disliking Sehun. 

“He is probably some rich brat..”she mumbled still inside the classroom and maybe close enough for him to hear.”I really don't like rich brats.”

“I don't think so..”you frowned slightly at her, looking at him with a small smile.”I think he is nice and a good person”

Sehun watched you, the warmth you knew he had, swirling inside his eyes, something everyone else dismissed. You hope he heard you, hope he realized you wouldn't judge him before he got his chance to show you who he was, which colors he had. 

“You’re too nice...You have too big of a heart”

-

Stopping with your hand on the front door, you knew something was wrong. Dread filled you to the brim, eyes emptying as you merely stared. Inside your own home would your world be destroyed, you knew it, that Sehun would be hurt or dead, dead, gone and too late for your say goodbye. Hands shook violently as you pushed the door open, dropping your bag. Your mother came from the kitchen, her eyes confirming everything thrashing inside you, tears forming before she opened her mouth.

“I’m so sorry sweety…”your mother’s hug was warm but you still felt like ice.”Sehun got worse...He’s in the hospital now”

Her words hit you like a truck, tears flowing down soundless but he was alive, he was breathing and it was all that mattered. 

“T-take me to him..”she nodded, kissing your forehead before grabbing her keys.

You cried the whole ride to the hospital but outside his door, you collected yourself, drying tears and hoping your eyes weren't too red. If Sehun would fight, would you too be strong. A smile spread over your quivering lips, ears numbing to the beeping of the heart monitor. He laid in the bed, skin pale and usually black shining hair wet because of sweat, sticking to his forehead. His lips seemed redder than before, like there was some blood lingering on them The reality of your and his situation suddenly hit you, opened your eyes which you had kept shut, machines connected to him so he could survive. 

“Was this really necessary?”you asked with a light tone, smile trying to fight the tears.

Sehun smiled back to you, weakly. You had never seen him like this...so fragile. He had always been strong, holding you and not the other way around. A small movement of his hand made you walk over to it, holding it. He didn't have the strength to lift it but you felt a light squeeze, knees on the floor beside him and his drifting eyes. 

“Not really..”Sehun whispered, voice low. You felt him relax, face dropping in sleepiness.”I’m sorry..I have made you cry..”

“No no it’s okay…”you couldn't hold them in anymore, feeling awful as you let the wetness slip down your cheeks again. Pain intensifying at the guilt in his eyes.”It’s okay, everything will be okay…”

You brought his hand to your mouth, kissing it before placing it on your cheek, shivering at its chilliness. Sehun tried to dry your tears but he couldn't keep up the pace, a sigh escaping his swollen bloody lips. 

“It’s okay..I’ll be fine..”whisper was all you could to right now, hold him tight.”It’s okay..Sleep. I promise I will be here when you wake up.”

Sehun smiled one last time, fighting to stay awake by your side but failed, lulled to slumber by your breathing and warm skin. He slept soundly before you as you cried your whole heart out, spilling agony through your eyes. The boy looked peaceful when he slept, like nothing was wrong but you knew, he knew, the world knew, he would be far from peace when he woke again. 

Laying by his side, not in his bed but a hospital bed, you drew circles over his chest, trying to ignore the sounds which meant he couldn't survive on his own. Night laid cold outside the building, clouds hiding the stars and moon, heart beating against you ear. Sehun’s hand was on your waist, sometimes twitching, scared that you were gone. 

“You know..When you get out from this place..”you stated out in the silence, wondering if someone was listening, maybe a god who could save him, save you.”..I want to go on a trip with you...I don't know where but I want to spend time with you”

A small grumbled of content rumbled through his throat, chin resting on top of your head. He wanted that too,spend time with you without white walls and death around the corner. Sehun was still walking a line between keeping you close or pushing you away but he couldn't chose the latter, no matter how much he tried because the promise of your warmth made him fight a little more. 

“I’d like that too...maybe a trip to Paris. I’ve heard it’s nice there”his voice was raspy from sleep but still  nice to listen to, soothing your nerves slightly.

“I didn't know you were a romantic.” giggling, you finally felt lighter, leaning into him and breathing in his scent, a scent which still held him but tinted with hospital.”I never would have thought that about you back then..”

“Oh you don't know how much of a romantic I can be. Just wait...I’ll show you”he too laughed inside the darkness, moving so he could peer down at you.

“Sehun..I love you, never forget that..”you felt his breath over your lips, filled with life force. 

“I love you too Y/n..Never stop smiling”

His mouth was soft against yours, a kiss promising something which shouldn't be promised. Hurt would only follow it but hope grew wings in your chest, flying into the sky with freedom. You felt hope and for a meek second like everything was normal. 

-

Scribbling down on your paper, fingers ached from the long paragraphs they had written. The library was quiet, only breaking when someone turned a page or moved their chair. You were so focused on your assignment you didn't notice the boy sitting down in front of you. His dark orbs regarded you for a long time, the small frown of concentration between your eyebrows. He still remember how you smiled with one tooth slightly crooked, smiled even when he frowned, speaking rude words. Sehun had heard your friend but your answer had stirred something in his stone heart, in his diseased body. Clearing his throat, your head snapped up, surprise shining bright through the hues in your gaze. 

“Hello?”that smile was fast on your face, warm for him to melt and he knew he did something bad by sitting down with you, by letting himself be selfish. 

“Hello…”he grumbled, realizing it was stupid to act like he was indifferent to you when he was the one to sit down. 

You, however, was content with his answer, the word being more than you expected. Silence slipped around you again, pen laying neat by your paper, lips grinning to him. Sure, you were confused as to why he was there but you wouldn't lie and say that you disliked it, no, more finding him intruding with his dark eyes and expression.  

“My name is Y/n and it’s nice to meet you”it all spiraled down from there, his heart beating like crazy when you took his cold hand. 

Life bloomed before his gaze and he felt guilt when you gave him new hope, hope which would not only him but you as well, burn in heaven and hell. He wasn't diseased anymore, he was normal and he had you, an anchor to the earth you danced on, dragged him along with. Sehun cursed himself, hexed by your life force but oh so euphoric with new found warmth, the warmth which had left him long ago. 

 -

Pushing his hospital door, like so may days the past weeks, your heart stopped. He no longer looked like a ghost, maybe not as warm as normal, but he had some rosy color on his cheeks, eyes clearer than the night before, hair fluffy on his head. Sehun smiled to you and you could cry, only from a whole different reason this time. He looked better, he looked happier and your hope burnt bright. Arms couldn't wait to hold him, so you ran inside, throwing yourself around him, tears flowing like waterfall, rainbows painting himself in your eyes. He laughed, he actually laughed, not panting out the sound but having int rumble through his chest and fill the air. Your were shaking, kissing every inch of his face, making Sehun whine after a while. Doom hung over your heads but in the moment was everything flying into the right direction of a long future with him. You believed you would spend a much longer time with him than you actually got.  

Sehun sat up more, smiled more. He moved around slightly, no longer strapped to the bed and every time he did something, were you close to crying. Things had turned, he was getting better and you couldn't wait for the times with him no longer in a hospital, instead by a forest or the sea, dancing around with youth and energy. He was warm again, intoxicating in a way you new was dangerous but oh so addicting. Sitting close to him outside, still by the hospital but not inside, made you happy, similar to the beginning, before his health decline. Sehun held you, humming lightly as you stared at the frostbitten gras, knowing you should take him inside but the smile on his face made you linger. A smile which remained you of his grin when no darkness hung over your life. 

-

“Sehun!”you gasped, arms circling in instinct around his neck, sudden fright of the lift turning to glee. 

His eyes were half moons, laugh ripping through him as swirled you around. He had decided that it was enough with homework for the time and instead more fitting with a hug, affection pouring from umber. You grinned down, a grin which fell when your eyes trailed down to his lips. The want to kiss the plush of his mouth made you blush, shyness making you hide your face where his shoulder met his throat. 

“Y/n…”he had noticed where your gaze had been, a slight heat spreading over Sehun’s cheeks but a cockiness with it. He wanted to kiss you too and was determined to do it.”Look at  me”

You peered up at him, the depths of his eyes holding a galaxy bigger than earth’s, stars not just white but in all hues. He was unreal, an angel among humans, your angel. The thought so ironic…

“Can I kiss you?”his question made butterflies move in your stomach, hold lighten, blush deepening. 

“Yes”

He stole your breath with the soft kiss, dragging your air into his own lungs while giving you wings to fly wherever you wanted. Fingers came to thread through the hair by his nape, lips moulding to fit each other. Sehun felt intoxicated, kissing you more and more, but you answered with the same desperation. Hands couldn't keep of, had to make sure the other person wouldn't disappear. However, the lack of oxygen made itself remained, so you parted, panting hard. Sehun stared down your eyes, marking your soul as his and you his as yours. 

“Thank you..”he whispered, you didn't know why back the but you do know. 

“No thank you…”

Even if it was an Monday, did you two spend the whole night outside, stargazing and stealing kisses. You basked in peace with him by your side and Sehun didn't intend to let you go for the whole time, needing you close, your lips against his. In the moment was everything okay, great, and you swore you found the one, the one you would fly with. In the moment was everything okay, great, and Sehun swore he found the one, the one to forever hold his heart. 

-

“Y/n!”you turned around, surprised to see Jongin running your way. His eyes were scared but he covered it with a smile. You recognised him from class and as the only friend Sehun made, besides you.

“Yes?”you grinned at him, that feeling katastrofy brewing inside your heart.

“Hi, how are you?”

“I’m fine, you?”the gaze he gave you was asking you for the real answer, for your answer about what was happening to Sehun, but you didn't take back your answer. You believed he was getting better, a stupid strong hope clawing at your soul. 

“I’m good...Well I just wanted to tell you that if you ever want to, you can talk with me.”he smiled wider, guilty eating him up because he knew the hope swimming in your eyes, the same which had been in Sehun’s eyes until he started to throw up blood again.”See ya!”

“Bye”you didn't know then but Jongin did, he knew an end was coming closer and time was slipping between your fingers. He hated himself for not telling you about Sehun but he couldn't do it, break your eyes again, see the hollow of your cheeks come back. He could only hope Sehun and you got to say goodbye one last time, before it was too late. 

Sehun laid in the hospital bed, smiling as you came in, already whining over a teacher, making life mundane. He took your hand as you sat by his side, frowning slightly when you continue talking about the unfairness of assignment. His smile widened when you suddenly blushed, realizing he had been staring lovestruck at you. A shyness came over you again but he sat up, proceeding to drag you down on the bed. 

“Well I hope I can make your day better”Sehun kissed you cheek, taking out a small bouquet with seven deep blue Irises, the flowers scenting the whole room. Your eyes expanded, taking the arrangement in your hands, finding the petite box inside it.”Happy one year”

“I’m so sorry I didn't get you anything”he just grinned at your distress, pushing you to take the present, to open the small thing. And you did, a silver charm shaped like the flowers he gave you stared back at you. It was beautiful. 

You asked him to help you get it on, hugging him tight when he was done. The tears threatening to escape your eyes was blinked away fast, happiness taking over. Sehun held you tight, knowing time ticked too fast. 

“All I’m asking for in return is your smile”he mumbled in your hair, kissing your temple before hugging you back onto his chest. 

“I’ll smile forever for you.”please do smile forever, even when I’m not here. 

-

You squeezed Sehun’s cheeks, laughing at his pissed off expression as it morphed from your hands. He had just gotten back from the bathroom, Jongin sending you two a disturbed glanc, making you smirk. 

“Look! Isn't he cute!?” you giggled, turning Sehun’s face so Jongin could see the way his lips puckered out, like a duck. 

Sehun tried whining while Jongin laughed, proceeding to take picture of you two. The images contained some weird stuff but in between the made faces was a few where you were just holding him, smiling while he did the same. Looking at you, or at the camera. Jongin was nice enough to send you the pictures, which is why you were currently gazing at them, grinning while feeling light. You never thought he was the one, with his frowning, but his smile was something else, the thing capturing your heart. Sehun groaned from your bed, calling you over so he could cuddle. 

“You’re so soft Sehunnie.”you cooed as you slipped under the covers, letting his hands find you waist and his nose you neck. 

“Only for you…”

-

Everything was fine a week after Sehun gave you the necklace, his cheeks still colored but it turned, hope falling flat. The day had come, the day you dreaded so much. You had been sitting by his side, talking about something which weren't important, when he started coughing. Sehun held a hand over his mouth, concern forming in your eyes. Fright filled you the second he took away his hand, blood covering it. 

“Sehun?”you got up, rubbing his back as he coughed more, more and more. Tears welled in your eyes without you realizing it. 

“Help! Someone help!”you cried out, seeing the crimson liquid escape his nose as well. 

His eyes widened and doctors bursted through the door. They screamed things you couldn't hear, panic filling your ears with white noise. Sehun held your hand in a vice like grip, not wanting to let go, face paling fast. They tried to separate you but you shrieked, crying so hard your head spinned. No! no! no! This can't be happening! He was getting better. Your world crashed as a nurse snatched your hand from his, holding you back. Caos echoed around you, tearing everything down piece by piece. Sehun reached for you again and you could only think about doing one thing as your soul knew what was happening, that he was teared away from you, from life.

“I love you Oh Sehun!!”you screamed through your tears, falling to your knees and even in all the panic, all the noise, was his voice loud and clear, killing you more. 

“I love you too Kim Y/n!!”

You wailed out, a soul wrenching sound, and cried more. Your whole body was shaking, shaking for his warmth and love. Sehun would never hold you again, never let you kiss his lips. He was gone, you knew it before anyone could tell you. The soul inside of you felt it, when his own slipped away from your hand, fingers gracing each other for one last time as he flew to the sky, taking his place by the moon, as the moon. 

“It’s going to be okay...shh..everything is going to be alright” but it weren't true, it weren't Sehun saying the words, it was something, something which lied about what was happening. You screamed loudly, the air in your lungs trying to find his so you could give him life again. Nails dug into your skin, clawing at your heart. You didn't want it anymore, just your soul to be whole with him, with Sehun. Echoes of life swirled around you and darkness slowly clouded your sight, thrusting you into nothingness but not before you could see Sehun standing before you, smiling and not blood covered. He reached for your hand lulling you one last time, whispering a sorry. You didn't want to let go, life is just too unfair to let your wish be granted, too unfair. 

-

He was gone, no had told you but they didn't have to. He died yesterday on the operating table, growing wings. You sat in your bed, knees against your chest and memories surrounding you, Iris almost choking you with the promise you made. Sehun had lost and you could do nothing to change it. Still some hope lingered, just to be crushed as his mother walked into your room, eyes red as yours, swollen as yours. She smiled but soon broke, a lone tear slipping down her cheek while you had cried all yours, now merely empty.

“I’m so sorry...I’m sorry you had to go through this”she sat down by your bed, holding your hand and staring into your hollows to eyes.”But I am forever grateful to you, for what you did to Sehun..”

Her hands shook as she hugged you, trying to sooth the agony away, the agony of losing your soul. All she wanted was for you to understand what you did, how you was the reason Sehun smiled again, wanted to live again. 

“You don't know but I still remember how my son came home smiling, how he couldn't stop talking about you..He was so happy and you did something neither I or his father could do, you made him want to fight..”she grabbed your cheeks, making you looking into her umber eyes, just like Sehun’s.”You gave him the best year of his life, you made his last year happy...and I’ll never forget that. Thank you, Thank you so much Y/n for everything..”

She kissed your forehead, holding you close so she could help you, keep what she promised her son. You wouldn't stop smiling, Sehun had begged her that when he got bad again, and she would do everything to grant it, wanting to see the sun in your eyes again. 

“You’ll find him again...I’m sure of it because it’s meant to be, you and him...Never forget”

How could you? Sehun was clear in your mind but as you gaze into his sad eyes did you know you had to smile again, for him, for you. It was he wanted and you too. He seemed to realize your turn of lips, a smile tugging at the corners of them, as he grinned back at you one last time, slipping away when you finally smiled so bright like he remembered, the smile which had captured him in the beginning. You would be okay because you had hope and memoirs of euphoria.

-

Trees whispered in a soft wind, branches moving to dance over your head. Spring blessed the earth with new life and light, warmth basking over your skin as you walked over the gravel path. You couldn't believe he was gone, no longer breathing or in flesh for you to hold. He had been your love, the one your heart fought to keep. But life was unfair and it took him from you, sending him to the heavens, for him to soar in the sky and take the moon's place. You were close to crying again, the promise weighing hard around your neck. Fate had decided for him to go fast and you couldn't do anything about it, just remember and you did, you remembered it all stopping before him. Soft blue irises in the number of three landed by him and you smiled, smiled like he was really there. Sehun’s grave was well kept and you were happy it was, finger following the etches of his name in the stone. He was gone too soon but you were grateful for what you got, the love he made you feel, and now were you smiling, just like you promised him one late night while stars shone.

[legendofzeldaalinktothepast]

Pathetic, Clinging Poetry - Chapter 13 (of 25)

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I wonder if I'm doing this right. Are my kisses too long, my words too strong, My grip on your hand too tight? I feel so silly when you're near; I laugh too hard, blush too red, And scoff at all of my fears. 

* 

Rain pattered against the roof of the house, and a flash of lightning lit up the grey evening sky. Pearl tightened her grip on Amethyst's hand, bracing herself for the roar of thunder that would soon follow, yet she still flinched when it came. Amethyst turned her gaze up towards Pearl, looking a bit concerned. "You alright?" she asked.

"Just not a fan of thunder..." Pearl sighed, feeling somewhat silly about her irrational fear.

"Poor girlie." Amethyst said, gently rubbing Pearl's back in an attempt to comfort her. "Is this okay?"

"Mhm." Pearl slipped her arm around Amethyst's waist, adjusting her position just slightly so she could lean more comfortably against her shoulder. She turned her gaze back towards the TV, trying her best to focus more on the animal documentary they were watching and less on the storm roaring outside. "I hope Jasper's driving safely..."

"She's driven on the highway in the middle of a blizzard." Amethyst said. "She can handle a little rain, I promise."

"I suppose." Pearl twirled a strand of Amethyst's hair around her finger. It wasn't like she was late or anything, and she knew Jasper was a safe driver... But worrying was what she did best, as Peony had always told her.

'Speak of the devil.' Amethyst thought as she heard footsteps on the porch. With a groan, she sat upright and pulled her hand away from Pearl's lower back -- but not before giving her a peck on the cheek -- and leaned away from Pearl's side of the couch. Pearl tried her best to hide her disappointment, but she understood why it had to be done; not because they feared Jasper's reaction, but because the ambiguous state of their relationship wasn't a conversation they were ready to have with her just yet. Hell, they weren't even ready to have it with each other.

"Sup, butthead." Amethyst greeted as Jasper stepped into the entry room. Pearl rolled her eyes; even though Amethyst and Jasper had been talking more over the past few days, and most of those conversations had been relatively civil, the semi-affectionate, semi-rude name-calling still wasn't sitting right with her. 'At least Jasper doesn't seem too bothered by it.' Pearl remarked, noting the tired but unaffected expression on Jasper's face.

"How was work?" Pearl asked, hoping to set a positive example for Amethyst.

"Didja cut any people open?" Amethyst asked. If she was sitting any closer, Pearl would have jabbed her with her elbow. 'Her mouth really needs a filter...'

"Nah, not today. Mostly just talked with patients and shit like that." Jasper said. She dried her boots off on the doormat before unlacing them, lazily tossing them onto the shoe rack.

"Aww, lame." Amethyst teased.

Jasper shrugged, running her fingers through her hair as she made her way towards the kitchen. "That's what it's like having a job. Most of the time it's lame." she said. Pearl could tell she was biting back the urge to make a jab at Amethyst not having one.

As soon as Jasper was no longer in sight, Amethyst leaned back against Pearl's shoulder again. "Ughh, I was dying over there. Pierogi withdrawal..." Amethyst whined.

Pearl giggled and cautiously wrapped her arm around Amethyst's shoulders. "Drama queen." she teased. Feeling daring, she pressed a gentle kiss to Amethyst's forehead.

"You're the drama queen." Amethyst whispered back, pecking Pearl on the cheek.

"What's this?" Jasper called from the kitchen, and Pearl instinctively shoved Amethyst away, bonking her nose in the process.

"What's what?" Pearl called back, whispering an apology to Amethyst as she rubbed her nose.

"This paper I found on the table." Jasper said, entering the living room with the coloring page in her hand.

Pearl turned her gaze towards Jasper, her smile fading just a hint once she saw what she was holding. "Oh! That's just a coloring page I got from one of the kids at the library, heh..."

"Oh, I know that; I'm taking about what's on the back." Jasper said, turning the paper towards Pearl.

"Oh! Um..." Pearl nervously wrung her hands. "We just got invited to a little get-together with one of my friends, that's all!"

"Who's we?"

Pearl bit her tongue; even with all of the lying practice she got back when she lived with her mother, she still struggled to do it when Jasper was involved. She turned to Amethyst for support, but the latter simply shook her head. Pearl turned her gaze back to Jasper; oh boy, this probably seemed suspicious. "W-well, initially was just me -- but she said I could bring along friends if I wanted to! Friends in plural, so you could come along if you wanted to, but..." Amethyst was only shaking her head even harder, but Pearl wouldn't acknowledge it. "I'm not sure... you'd want to, is the thing."

Jasper stared blankly at her; from her standpoint, Pearl probably sounded like a crazy paranoid person. "Uh... if you don't want me to come, it's not a big deal--"

"I don't not want you to come!" Pearl interrupted. "T-trust me, I really don't want to make it seem like I'm leaving you behind or anything, just... There might be a reason why you won't want to--"

"It's Rose." Amethyst finally blurted out. "That's why Pearl's acting all weird about it." She turned her gaze towards Pearl. "There, I saved you from another twenty minutes of babbling."

"Amethyst!"

"What? You're a shitty liar and listening to that felt like I was eating glass."

"But you didn't have to tell her!"

"I'll go." Jasper said.

"No no no, please don't take it that way--"

"No, I mean I'll go with you guys." Jasper clarified. "If... you want me to." she added, her expression looking somewhat uneasy.

"...Oh." That wasn't the answer she was expecting to hear from her, but she certainly wasn't complaining... "Alright! Are... are you sure?"

"Uh... not really. I mean, I might change my mind later, but I think I wanna go." Jasper said. "Like, I'm not gonna get over myself by avoiding everyone who's ever pissed me off. And you guys really don't gotta walk on eggshells around me, either. Seriously. I'm not gonna get pissed off if you say her name around me."

Feeling rather foolish, Pearl cast her gaze towards the ground. "Ah... perhaps I shouldn't have assumed you wouldn't want to go."

"It's fine." Jasper shrugged. She dropped the coloring page on the coffee table, turning and heading towards the stairs. "Anyway, I gotta shower."

Once Jasper was gone again, Amethyst let out a sigh of relief. "Well, that went better than I expected."

"Right? I was expecting a trainwreck..." Pearl sighed. "But you know what? I'm glad she's coming with us. It seems very... out of character for her, but... maybe it's a sign that she's working on herself?"

"Maybe." Amethyst shrugged. "Or maybe she wants an excuse to kick Rose's ass."

"What? That's horrible!"

"Sorry, sorry, that was a bad joke." Amethyst said.

Pearl laughed nervously. "No, no, I just thought you were being serious."

"Still, though." Amethyst reached for Pearl's hand again, a smile spreading across her face. "Apology kiss?"

"Aw... of course." Pearl blushed, and Amethyst leaned up and softly kissed her on the lips. 

* 

Rose's house was surrounded by what looked like a forest of bushes; most of them were roses (ironically), but there were moonflowers, hydrangeas, and dogwoods among them as well. The steps of the front porch had little frog statues sitting on each end, some of which were chipped and faded from the sun, and a flowery wreath with a "Welcome!" sign in the middle hung on the front door. Pearl rang the doorbell, and not a moment later the door creaked open.

"Hey there!!" Rose greeted as she rushed out onto the porch, lifting Pearl up into her arms and spinning her around. Her bright pink hair, with blonde roots beginning to peek out, was tied up into a neat bun; she wore a silver crop top that showed off her pink navel piercing, and a pair of black jeans. "I'm so glad you made it! And you even brought along some friends!" After placing Pearl back on the ground, she extended a hand to Amethyst. "You must be Amethyst! Pearl told me all about you." Rose said with a wink as Amethyst shook her hand. She turned to Jasper, and her expression turned from enthusiastic to a softer, yet still warm expression. "And... Jasper. I haven't forgotten about you, either." She kept her hand extended for a moment, unsure if Jasper would be willing to accept her gesture, but the latter reached out and gave it a firm shake before she could shy away. "Neither have I." Jasper responded with a straight face. "Nice to see you again, though."

Rose held Jasper's hand in her own for another moment before casting her gaze back towards Pearl. "Ah, let's get inside, shall we? Steven's been so eager to see you again!" She held the door open for Pearl, and Jasper and Amethyst followed.

Pearl was immediately greeted by a massive, plump orange cat rubbing his face against her leg. He wore a neon pink studded collar that read "Lion", and it wasn't heard to guess how he'd earned that name. Steven pattered into the room not a second later and latched onto Pearl's other leg. "Pearl's here!!" he giggled, gazing up at her with his dark brown eyes. "Pearl Pearl Pearl!"

"Hey there, sweetie!" Pearl cooed, giving him a gentle hair ruffle. Noticing Pearl was feeling slightly overwhelmed by all of the sudden attention, Amethyst decided to deal with half of it and scooped Lion up into her arms with a grunt. "Oof, you're a heavy boy, huh?" she remarked.

"I was just about to start setting up the games!" Rose announced. "You guys can make yourself at home in the family room!"

Pearl led the way into the living room and seated herself on the loveseat. Amethyst sat beside her, allowing Lion to get comfy as he curled up on her lap. "What a cute little guy." Pearl cooed, scratching him behind the ears. After a few moments she glanced up, noticing Jasper hadn't sat down quite yet; she was wandering around the living room, glancing over the array of family pictures and various photography hanging on the wall. Pearl felt a slight twinge of anxiety; 'I hope she's not feeling too shy...' she thought, but didn't allow her mind to dwell on it for too long.

"I wanna sit with you!" Steven exclaimed, snapping Pearl out of her worried little daydream.

"What was that magic word I taught you, honey?" Rose called from across the room, still digging through the closet for the board games.

"Oh, right." Steven folded his hands politely. "Can I sit with you, please?"

"You sure can!" Pearl said, and scooted over so Steven could sit between her and Amethyst.

"Yay!" he said, and climbed up onto the loveseat, seating himself right where the two cushions met. He reached over to pet Lion, and then looked up at Amethyst. "Why's your hair purple?" he asked.

"Because I like purple, so I colored it." Amethyst said.

"Oooh." Steven tilted his head in curiosity. "My mommy has pink hair because she's a fairy. Don't tell anyone, though, it's a secret!"

"Alright, I'll be sure not to tell any total strangers like you just did." Amethyst burst into laughter.

"You're not a stranger! You're mommy's friend." Steven said.

"Oh yeah? Then what's my name?" Amethyst smirked.

"Am... Amber?" Steven said.

"Close enough." Amethyst ruffled Steven's hair.

Soon enough, the board games were placed on the large glass coffee table in the middle of the room, and Rose's husband, Greg, brought in a huge bowl of popcorn for everyone to share. Rose and Greg sat down on the couch across from Pearl, Amethyst, and Steven.

"So, we have Operation, Jenga, and Candy Land for tonight..." Rose said."How about we let our guests decide which one to start with?"

"Ooh, Operation!" Amethyst remarked. "Jasper's a surgeon, so she'll probably kick all of our asses at that." she said. Pearl shot her a glare and gestured to the child sitting between them. "Oh, sorry; kick our butts." Amethyst corrected.

"Operation! Operation!" Steven chanted. "I won't let Jasper kick my butt!"

"What do you think, Jasper?" Pearl asked, only to realize she was nowhere to be found.

An awkward silence filled the room. "Maybe she... went to the bathroom?" Amethyst suggested.

Rose, however, looked rather concerned. "Ah... one second. Greg, you can start the game. I have to go check something really quick."

"Huh? Oh, if you're sure..." Greg said. Before anyone could say anything else, Rose vanished just as quickly as Jasper had. 

* 

'Fuck.' Jasper splashed her face with water from the sink, taking in a deep breath. 'Why the hell did I think this was a good idea? Now I can't leave, and God knows how long Pearl will wanna stay here...'

A knock at the door made Jasper jump with surprise. "...Hello?"

"Jasper?" Rose called from the other side of the door. "Ah, may... May we talk when you're finished in there?"

Letting out another sigh, Jasper wiped her face with the hand towel and turned off the faucet. "Door's unlocked." she said.

The door creaked open, and Rose closed it behind her once she was in the room. "Are you alright?"

Jasper leaned against the sink and shrugged. "I dunno. I came here on an impulse and if I'm gonna be honest, I'm kinda regretting it. Nothing personal, just... ya know. Not sure I'm ready for this kinda thing."

"Understandable..." Rose sighed, gazing down at the floor. "But... since you're here..." she stepped a bit closer to Jasper, finally meeting her eyes. "I... I don't know. I don't think either of us are going to be able to relax until we... talk about what happened."

"Pearl told me all about it. You don't have to." Jasper said.

"But -- but that doesn't count. That isn't fair to you, and... And I feel awful for making her apologize to you for me. I mean, who does that?" Rose sighed deeply. "Jasper... What I did to you was terrible. There's no words for how sorry I am..."

Jasper fought back tears, cupping a hand over her mouth and turning away. "It's fine. I'm... over it, okay?"

"You're clearly not." Rose said. "I... I did so many horrible things back in high school, Jasper, but what I did to you was probably among the worst. I abandoned you when you needed me the most, all because I felt guilty about Pearl... It was just plain cruel. I'm so, so sorry..." Rose's voice cracked, and she finally broke down.

"Ugh..." Jasper sighed, wiping a tear from her face. "Come on, you don't gotta cry..."

"I know, but..." Rose sniffled, reaching for the toilet paper and tearing off a piece to wipe her mascara stained face. "You don't have to forgive me, but... These past few years, I've been trying so hard to undo all of the hurt I've caused. Not just to you, but... to other people as well. I at least want you to know how sorry I am. Pearl told me how much this has been eating at you, and... you don't deserve to feel that way anymore. I may not have talked to you in years, but... the Jasper I remember, at least, is a wonderful person, who deserves so much better."

An uncomfortable silence filled the room as Rose sobbed, while Jasper tried (and failed) to fight back her own tears. After a few minutes passed, Jasper finally drew in a deep breath. "Rose... you want me to be honest with you right now?"

Rose turned her gaze up towards Jasper. "What...?"

"We both look like we're wearing clown makeup." Jasper said with a teary eyed grin. "I say we wash our faces, re-apply our eyeliner, and get back to out there before anyone starts speculating."

Rose let out a sigh of relief and burst into laughter. "We do, don't we? This almost reminds me of our first homecoming dance!"

"Oh, don't even bring that up."

"Aww, but it's true!" Rose teased. "You cried your little freshman heart out after some boy dumped punch on your dress, and I was crying because Pearl's mom wouldn't let her come... And we redid each others makeup as we comforted each other in the girl's bathroom."

Jasper snorted. "Oh man, fuck that guy. Just for reminding me of that, I'm gonna tell your man about all the times you wore cat ears to school and ran like Naruto in gym class."

Rose gasped. "You wouldn't dare!" she cackled.

"I sure would!" Jasper responded, and pulled Rose into a tight embrace. Rose immediately returned it just as tightly, sighing with content.

"Guess I deserve it, after all I put you through, huh?" Rose giggled against her shoulder.

"You bet your ass you do." Jasper sniffled, giving Rose a playful nudge once she pulled away from the hug. "Now get me something to clean off this clown makeup, bitch."

"I'm on it, hold your horses." Rose huffed with amusement, opening up the cabinet and pulling out a bottle of makeup remover and an eyeliner pencil.

As she waited, Jasper leaned against the counter and ran her fingers through her hair. "Man... In all honesty, the main reason I came here in the first place was because I knew I'd feel worse if I didn't. Pearl's really the only friend I've got lately, and you know... I'm dealing with a lot of jealousy and shit. I'd probably spend the whole night moping if I knew she was hanging out with you and I was still alone... Guess my bullshit ended up helping me in the end this time, huh?"

"I guess so." Rose said with a smile. She dumped a few drops of makeup remover on a cotton ball, wiping away the makeup stains from her pale face. "But... I'm glad you came. And not just because it gave me an opportunity to apologize to you. I've really missed you, Jasper, and... if you'd like it, perhaps we could rebuild the friendship we had back then. I know it won't be the same, but..."

"Aww..." Jasper began, dabbing her face with a little bit of makeup remover. "You absolute fucking sap. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it too, though."

Rose smirked. "At least I'm not the only one." she remarked, popping the cap off of her eyeliner. "I wonder what everyone thinks we're doing right now..."

"I guarantee you Amethyst has made at least ten jokes about us having sex or some dumb shit." Jasper snorted.

Rose giggled childishly. "Ah, she's one of those types, huh? She seems like a pretty funny gal."

Jasper smiled awkwardly, glancing to the floor as she finished up her makeup. "Yeah... I guess."

"Well, let's not keep them waiting." Rose said once she was finished as well. "Ready?"

"Yep."

And with that, the two made their way back to the family room. 

* 

"There you are!" Amethyst remarked as soon as Jasper and Rose returned. "I thought you two had gone off to Narnia."

"No, we just had a little chat... We had some catching up to do is all." Rose smiled warmly. Jasper looked far more comfortable than she did before, to Pearl's relief. 'They must have talked things over...' she thought with a smile.

"Jasper, we need your doctor skills!" Steven exclaimed. "We keep trying to save this man, but it keeps going 'bzzzzzzzzt'!!"

"I forgot how bad I was at Operation." Greg said with an awkward laugh, handing the metal tweezers over to Jasper. "We've all had our turn, so you're next!"

"Alright, I'll give it my best shot." Jasper grinned, sitting down on the couch beside Greg. With a focused expression on her face, she reached in for the "funny bone", and plucked it out with ease.

"Yay!!" Steven cheered, running up to Jasper and holding his hand out for a high five. "You did it! You're the best!"

"Aw, uh, thanks kiddo." Jasper awkwardly high fived his tiny hand. "Your turn, Rose."

Rose seated herself on the other side of Jasper and reached for the tweezers. With Steven now sitting on the floor by his mom, the gap on the loveseat between Pearl and Amethyst was now empty... Pearl found herself scooting a little closer, and Amethyst did the same. The only thing stopping Pearl from reaching for her hand was the slight chance Jasper might look their way, but for the time being, Pearl was content with sitting just a little closer to her, now. 'Things are going to be alright.' 

[carrotcouple]

@akatsuki-no-yona-angst-week

Day 1: Loss (AO3)

Warnings: Canon typical violence

The first thing that occurred to Abi was darkness. A strange feeling. He hadn’t known true darkness since he had first drank the blood of the Seiryuu. The second thing that occurred to him was the feeling of some kind of heavy numbness, not quite unlike his backlash paralysis. Convinced that this was a post battle thing and that someone (probably Shuten) had draped several thick and heavy blankets over him and thus keeping him in the dark, Abi lay there, waiting patiently for the tingle of feeling in his limbs to come back. He strained his ears to listen for someone but was met with nothing but silence and what sounded like rain outside of his window.

The door opened and Abi heard footsteps. The footsteps weren’t heavy enough to be Guen’s and they were too consistent to be the flighty and jumpy steps of Shuten. Zeno? A doctor? The queen? Prince Yakshi?

“Seiryuu, how are you feeling?” 

That was Zeno’s voice.

How did Zeno think Abi was supposed to answer from beneath all those stupid blankets?

Wait.

Why was Abi able to hear Zeno at all if he was underneath a pile of blankets? How was Abi even breathing so easily?

“Ouryuu? What’s going on?” Abi asked. He was confused. Something was horribly wrong and it was starting to terrify him.

“You’ve been put under a lot of medicine to erase pain so you might be feeling numb.” Zeno explained. Abi felt the mattress dip ever so slightly underneath him and Abi guessed Zeno had sat down. 

But that still didn’t explain why he couldn’t see.

“Ouryuu, I need you to carefully explain the situation to me,” Abi said slowly.

“How much do you remember?” Zeno asked.

“How much do I-” Abi cut himself off, running through his memories. The dragon blood, meeting Hiryuu and his fellow dragon warrior brothers, battles, blood, paralysis, laughter, teasing, fights, Hiryuu’s smile, Hiryuu’s death. Abi sucked in a sharp shuddering breath, the pain of Hiryuu’s death washing over him anew. 

They had cried. The queen had cried. Prince Yakshi and his sister had cried.

“Our King...is gone…” Abi rasped.

“Yes…” Zeno’s voice was soft and gentle. Patient and understanding in a way that Abi really wouldn’t have expected from their youngest. But Zeno had mourned Hiryuu’s death as well. So he knew. He understood. “What else?”

“W-what else?” Abi stammered. Dreary days in the palace. Nothing had seemed right. Although the sky had been bright and the land was beautiful, everything had looked grey to Abi. Skirmishes that they had to settle despite their mourning. Stupid humans being selfish, like barbarians they craved nothing but war. And then Abi had fallen on blood stained soil and a hand had reached for him.

A hand that wanted to harm him.

Abi’s breath quickened and he broke out into a cold sweat, terror coursing through his veins. 

“O-our-ouryuu…” Abi rasped, his heart pounding against his ribcage. 

“I’m here,” 

A hand wrapped around Abi’s. Warm and gentle fingers.

“M-my ey-eyes-” Abi gasped, trying to suck in air desperately.

Silence.

“Ouryuu!” Abi cried.

“They’re gone. I’m sorry.”

Abi stopped breathing. He wanted to raise his hands to his throat and claw it open to let air in, but he couldn’t move a finger. His head reeled and he wanted to cry, but his eyes only burned. Burned in a way he had never felt before. 

Because they were gone.

They were gone. Gone, gone, gone.

His eyes, the eyes of the Seiryuu, his bond with the dragons, his bond with his King.

Gone.

He vaguely was aware of someone shouting something and being pulled up and into someone’s arms, but he couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see.

My King, my King, my King. I am no longer one that would stay by your side.

I am no one.

Abi lost consciousness, and fell into a darkness that would never leave him. 

My King.

------o------

They had taken a knife. A slim and cruel knife. Pressed fingers under his eyelids and raised that shiny, ice cold metal into his sight. Be careful, they had said. They couldn’t damage his valuable eyes with that knife. Carefully, slowly, painfully, cut out his eyes. He’s paralysed, they had said, he can’t move. Cutting his eyes out is easier this way, but still. Be careful. They carved out the flesh around his eyes so as to not even for a moment bring that knife near his precious and priceless eyes.

Guen and Shuten had killed them. Brutally, viciously and full of unforgivable rage. They brought back his eyes. But what could Abi do with them? There was no way to bring them back. Abi couldn’t even see them. Zeno had cried, offered to see if his blood would help. The horror of learning Zeno’s power from that had made Abi pull away from the pain of losing his eyes. Abi told Zeno not to. Zeno’s power was his alone.

Someone had to accompany Abi everywhere. Abi who used to be able to see far into the distance and find where Shuten was hiding couldn’t even see the slight elevation of the floor that was at his door. How did one go from super sight to no sight at all?

Zeno would hold his hand, lead him across halls, cheerfully talk about what Prince Yakshi had been doing, warn him of stairs. Guen sometimes straight up picked him off the floor. Abi wished he could protest, but he didn’t. What use was protesting. As if he had any right to? As if he was anyone at all? Shuten held his hands once (Abi thought he pressed his forehead to his hands) and begged forgiveness for coming to Abi’s aid too late.

Abi told him it wasn’t his fault.

Because it was his.

When the medicine wore off, Abi would feel pain. The place where his eyes had once been would burn, a fire that he felt would never go out. His body would ache and his mouth throb. They had beaten and kicked him after all, pleased to be able to attack one of the dragon warriors. They had kicked his mouth too, to make him stop pleading for them to not cut out his eyes.

Without his eyes, Abi was truly no one.

Just some fallen soldier that was receiving immeasurable kindness for even being allowed to still stay in the palace.

Abi was no longer Seiryuu.

“Lord Seiryuu, can I offer you some tea?” an attendant asked.

“No thank you,” Abi said.

“It was brewed by the-” the attendant continued.

“Get out,” Abi said.

“I’m sorry?” the attendant stammered.

“Get out,” Abi repeated harshly.

“Y-yes!” 

I want to see my King.

Hiryuu had a way of comforting them all. He had once brushed Abi’s hair in the middle of the night when he found Abi roaming the palace halls at night, homesick. Hiryuu would know what to do with Abi. He would give Abi value.

I want to see my King!

Abi shot up as soon as he could no longer hear the attendant and stumbled towards his room door. He tried to remember paths and little bumps in the halls he had been attempting to memorize. His body hurt and his eyes burned. He needed to go to the King’s mausoleum. 

Please. Please. 

Abi tripped and fell. He heard something crash. His entire body hurt.

It was dark.

It was so dark.

That world of unexplainable and beautiful light he had seen by his King’s side was gone.

Abi wanted to cry, but no tears would ever come to him again.

“Seiryuu?!” Abi heard Guen’s voice. 

Abi curled up.

I’m no longer Seiryuu.

[catyo90]

The Hunt: Chapter 36

As the elves helped Y/n to the healing house the sight was something unlike any she had seen before, elvish statues graced the hallway as clear white curtains blew through the air, the beds were far bigger than any need for her as carved wood and title laid beneath her as the wind blew a few leaves causing the scenery to become more expressive as they waved into groups of red, orange and yellow. Y/n helped onto one of the beds of the healing house as one of the handmaids went to fetch a rag and some water. She overheard one of the women ask for Kings Foil. Lindir spoke with one of the women but left as he bowed his head to her. The women brought her attention back to Y/n as she examined the wound, she was quite fair as her skin was a pale as Y/n hair but her eyes are what caught Y/n off guard, at first she thought she was blind but they appeared to be naturally grey. Her hair reached past her back as black as onyx gems. Y/n thoughts drifted off as the pain from the wound grew. She felt the elf raise her leg up and place it on a pillow as she took off the bandage ever so carefully. 

“Lay still, young one. The pain will ease.”

Y/n felt her cold hands placed over the wound seeing a very small tint of white light appear. She tried to speak but the exhaustion of running from the wargs made her fall back down into the bed. The elf looked at Y/n with worry as one of the maids brought a bowl of warm water and a rag. The elf smiled at her and gently placed the rag in the water as she started to wash the dried blood away. The wound was not as bad as Y/n believed, it was about an inch deep the length had only reached to the middle of her leg to her ankle as it curved to her heel which luckily was not damaged. The elf brought her hand up as she started to crush the herbs in her hand and then placed it in the water, it slowly started to turn a lighter green. The elf looked at Y/n and gave a light smile. 

“It will only hurt for a moment. I promise.”

Y/n nodded her head as she gripped the bed preparing for the pain. It was true, it only lasted for a moment as she felt a spreading warmth up surround the wound. She managed to catch a glance at the wound to see it closed up but in turn, a slightly visible scar could be seen. Y/n managed to sit up to examine the wound even closer. Almost in an instant, the pain left as the elf cleaned off her leg. Y/n was impressed by the wonders of elvish magic but she never thought she would ever have the chance to see it up close.

“T...Thank you. I never knew magic like that was possible.”

Y/n said as she examined the scar more intricately, she stopped her hand as she brought it toward her examining it. The elf looked at her a little curious.

“What is it?”

“I once had that magic but It’s been such a long time since.” 

The elf looked shocked at such a claim, nothing Y/n could blame her for. Dwarf magic especially healing magic was quite rare, then again she was no normal dwarf. The elf placed a hand at the end of a few strands of her hair and smiled.

“Your an Omega? How rare to see one like you.”

Y/n looked up at her with a shocked expression.

“How did you?”

“My mother was one as well.”

Y/n saw her eyes sadness in her eyes at the mention of her mother. The elf shook her head as she helped Y/n up from the bed. Y/n was surprised to see that her leg was mended so quickly and was already healed enough to walk on. 

“My goodness, this...this is such a strange feeling.”

To both of their surprise, Y/n fell back on the bed. It seemed that even though the wound was healed she was still too exhausted to move in any way. The elf laughed a little as she helped Y/n lay down on the bed with a light blanket over her. 

“Why don’t you rest for a little while. You will need your strength.” the elf said as she started to clean up after herself. She stood up and started to leave Y/n to herself.

“Wait. W...What's your name.”

The elf looked over her shoulder and gave her a huge smile.

“Arwen, Daughter to Lord Elrond.”

Y/n was stunned at what she just heard. She was justed healed by no normal elf but the famed daughter of Elrond. She would have said something but she couldn’t figure the best way. She simply bowed her head.

“Thank you, Lady Arwen.”

Arwen looked at her and gave her a small nod, she stopped in her tracks for a moment as she saw Thorin walking up the steps. She smiled as she walked down meeting him halfway. Thorin saw the bloodied rag and for a moment a wave of fear covered him. Arwen smiled at him as she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“She’s resting but you are free to see her. I will inform the others to not interrupt you, as well as tell your company of her condition.”

Thorin said nothing as he breathed a sigh of relief. He bowed his head with respect as he continued to enter the healing house. Once he arrived he couldn’t help but rush to her side. He placed a gentle hand on hers as she reached out to his face. With a deep voice, he spoke.

“Are you alright? I was so worried I couldn't even think straight, I left the others in the middle of dinner.”

“I’m alright, really I am. I think I just overexerted myself. Heh...We dwarves are not natural sprinters.”

He smiled at her until his gaze caught the view of her leg, the scar sent shivers up his back. He was glad that he managed to save her but he couldn’t help but blame himself for the injury. Y/n placed a hand on his cheek and turned him so he was facing her. She shook her head as his eyes told her everything.

“You were very brave my love. It was not your fault...if anyone, it was mine.”

Thorin placed a hand over hers and brought it to his lips leaving a gentle kiss on her knuckles. She blushed at the gesture as he looked up at her to see her blushing. It always made him smile, it never took to much to make her embarrassed when he did such gestures. Y/n giggled as she scooted a little bit over as she patted the bed for him to join her.  Without question and laid next to her as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders bringing her closer to him. The bliss of the moment caused her to stir in his arms until they were both comfortable. A little while afterward, Y/n felt a small shift in the bed, she awoke to see that Thorin had fallen asleep. She smiled at the sight, she swore it would never tire to her mind. She grasped at his hand giving her a sense of security, the small tip tap of footsteps brought her attention outside of the room. She heard distant voices, as quiet as she could she stood from the bed. When she walked through the archway she started to smell smoke below her to see the rest of the company camped underneath the stairs. The smell of sausage and chicken enveloped her as her stomach rumbled ever so slightly. She walked down the cold stone steps to be greeted by Kili and Fili.

“Y/n!”

Both of them yelled out loud as they jumped up and embraced her. Both of them so happy to see her hadn’t noticed they were hugging her too hard. Balin snuck in between the two of them.

“You alright lass. You had us worried.”

She smiled as the others started to gather around her. Bilbo rushed up behind them and managed to squeeze through the others. 

“Y/n. Your...your walking on your own. How extraordinary.”

Oin placed a hand on Bilbo’s shoulder.

“That is the wonder of Elvish magic, a sight that is quite rare to witness.”

Y/n looked at them and started to smile to herself until her stomach rumbled again. Everyone looked at her and before she even asked everyone rushed over to the camp asking what she would like to eat. Bofur and Bomber offered her some sausage and a bit of bread. Kili and Fili offered some fruit, far too sweet for her but still good. Ori warned her.

“Don’t eat the green stuff. It’s tastes like rust.”

“Ori...how...how do you know what rust tastes like.”

Dori stood up and offered her some water. Y/n was parched as she quickly gulped down the cool drink.

“When he was younger, he thought that rust was honey.”

Kili and Fili started to laugh as they offered Y/n some utensils, though they were a bit dirty. As she ate, she had noticed the sky growing darker and more stars blinking through the clouds. After her thirst and hunger were satisfied, she couldn’t help but notice Bilbo wandering past the group up toward the healing house. Her curiosity got the better of her as she followed him. He seems to be listening to something, what it was she wasn't sure. Until she noticed him looking over the balcony. She saw Gandalf and Elrond speaking, about Thorin.

“It is a dangerous move Gandalf.”

Y/n stood next to Bilbo listening. Bilbo looked away to her and looked like a child who was caught.

“It’s alright Bilbo...I didn’t see anything.”

She said as she looked over to them. Bilbo noticed her face showed only worry and a bit of anger.

“Oh come. The throne of Erebor is Thorin’s birthright. What is it that you fear?”

“Have you forgotten?! A strain of madness runs deep in that family. His Grandfather lost his mind, his father succumbed to the same sickness. Can you swear that Thorin Oakensheild will not also fall?”

Bilbo believing this conversation was not for him turned around but stopped at seeing Thorin behind both of them. Bilbo tapped Y/n on the arm. She turned around as Bilbo resumed to listen to Gandalf and Elrond. Y/n brought a hand to Thorin’s cheek as she stood in front of him. His eyes filled with sadness and fear. Bilbo looked over his shoulder but quickly looked away when Y/n noticed him. 

“Thorin...”

Y/n brought her forehead to his as she held his cheek in her hand. Thorin closed his eyes as he leaned into her touch. As soon as the voices of Gandalf and Elrond trailed off Bilbo coughed causing Y/n to look up at him. Thorin looked at him but he said nothing. 

“I’ll...I'll leave the two of you alone.”

As Bilbo fled to the safety of the others, Y/n sighed as she looked up at Thorin who looked at her with sorrowful eyes. She brought her hand from his cheek to his own and started to lead him to her room. Once they were by the bed Y/n laid down to bring him with to lay down next to her. She started to comb her hand through his hair as he rest his head on her chest. She started to hum a sweet tune to him. One that he had never heard before. The drowning thoughts in his mind began to fade away as the sound of water flowing through the river as the silence of the night made her voice echo. The room was colored in the moonlight as the small sound of the company could be heard with a small bit of orange light seen past the stairs. As Y/n sang to she felt Thorin’s hand brush against her as he brought it to his lips, placing a gentle kiss. The gesture made her smile as she laid her head down by his.

“You sure we shouldn’t check on them,” Kili said as he looked toward the stairs to see an embarrassed Bilbo blocking the way. Fili seemed to be able to comply with Bilbo but Kili seemed worried.

“Do you want to face against your uncle while he is tired and angry? Not to mention enjoying Y/n’s company.”

Kili quickly looked to Fili for some help but merely received a shrug as the rest of the company prepared to get some well-deserved sleep.

[oh-so-scenarios]

ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛɪɴɢ ᴀʀʀᴏɢᴀɴᴄᴇ [1]

Word Count: 3.3K

Genre/Warning: Angst, fluff, Jungkook x Black Female Reader, Prince AU, Royalty AU

A/N: Please excuse the errors.

⇾ Y/n Djan, Princess of Ghango, didn’t think much fun could come out of this trip to Korea. But oh how wrong she was.

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People look at rain in two different ways. At least that's what I've noticed. This separates people into different categories. Some people see rain as a hindrance. Rain kills people's plans and brings a grey cast on the day. While there are others who find the rain relaxing and peaceful, those same people often listen to rain sounds to sleep or sit by the window with a book in a cliche manner.

Then there's those like me. I believe I am at my best when there is rain falling from the sky. My mind is clear, my heart is lighter and my thoughts flow better. The rain speaks to my soul, whether it's a faint drizzle or violent thunderstorm, the rain speaks to me.

My mother often says it was raining the day I was born, though I can't say I believe her, seeing as everyone's recollection of that day differs. However, moments like this are what I appreciate the most. Sitting out on my balcony watching the rain falling from the sky in a strong and direct force. A cold wind like mist sprays my way, where I sit just out of reach of the raindrops. My red cedar swing bed swaying with my every movement. I only break out my daze when the music in my ears changes. The music switches from Sam Smith's soothing voice to the booming 808 of an afrobeat hit by Davido. The music in my ears was just background noise. Or at least it became background noise when my brain focused on the book in front of me.

Now the blaring afrobeat love song with repetitive lyrics was a distraction, conflicting with the tame and quiet atmosphere the rain was creating. At that moment, my urge to read disappeared. I closed the book, taking note of the page I ended on. Though, I highly doubt I'll remember it. I'll probably wind up reading the same chapter again.

I stare at the cover of the book, not really sure what made me pick this title from my father's big but old book collection. 1984 by George Orwell was the title and frankly while gazing at the torn cover, with pieces of the image chipping away, I made a mental note to find a different book to read. The premise and concept of the story leave me uneasy and uncomfortable.

There isn't too much disturbing about the plot of the book, but rather the self-placement I constantly do when reading a novel. The thought of being set in such a world as the one created by George Orwell in this novel leaves me irritated.

There's a saying that there can't be much growth without discomfort and that saying is true. But I know from experience, that forced growth brings even more discomfort which causes one to shrink away. Which is why I've stuck to reading sappy love stories that involve some generic and basic catch. Cause that's where I'm comfortable.

I chuckle at myself. Where exactly am I comfortable? In my own mind probably, in which I make everything seem less annoying and less burdensome. I set the book on the swing beside me, and proceed to stare out at the layers of rain pouring forward. Once again, the music becomes background noise as a ping echoes from my iPhone. I look down in time to see the notification for a text message.

(7:23 PM) Glaids: Y/n.

I can't help but feel irritated by the single text, but it's just so Gladis. I can't be mad since I know Gladis. Gladis' personality cannot be translated over text message. Being as she is my older sister, I've spent enough time with Gladis to get used to her ways, but it's often that I get tired of her simpleness and strictness.

Who needs parents? I had Gladis. Everything my parents were lenient about, Gladis made up for it. I always saw her as more of a nanny than a sister, and can't say our relationship is any more than that. I can't say I know much about her as a person. Sounds cold, doesn't it?

I don't know her favorite color, favorite food or even what she likes to do in her spare time. My parents began shipping me off to different countries for school, and she wasn't one to call or check up on me. The few times we did speak over the phone, it was a stiff conversation.

"How are you?"

"I'm good."

"Well, that's good. Are your classes okay?"

"Yeah."

That was about it. It was awkward, but straying outside those things brought discomfort, so I never bothered to reach out to her.

I type back, Yes?

I stare at the text conversation for a few moments, expecting a quick response and I was right, The bubble with three dots appear quickly and a text bubble appears with the words, We're needed in the dining room.

My face scrunches up in confusion. The dining room? My parents usually don't call for dinner till 8pm. Have things changed in the time I left? That's what being sent to study abroad for years will do to you. The norms of your home are suddenly foreign and small changes seem to trigger a feeling of missing out or loneliness.

I pull the earphones out of the phone, standing up to smooth out my black running shorts. I take my phone in my hand and slid the glass door open to enter my room. My bare feet are greeted by the soft and expensive feeling carpet. I close the glass door behind me and slip on my house slippers.

My long sleeve mustard gold crop top rode up as I walked to the double doors that led out to the long hallway. I step out, unable to suppress the shiver that passes through my body. Unlike my room, the hallway had the AC blaring. The cool air harshly smacks my bare legs and gains the reaction of goosebumps instantly. I stroll down the wide hallways of the palace, the same red and gold carpets spread all about. The tacky dark green walls haven't changed, though I wish they would. I make a turn down the hallway and see a group of servants and maids huddled up, giggles ripping through them.

My steps slow and my ears tune into their conversation.

"Did you see her?" One of them chuckle, "she hasn't changed a bit. Stiff, quiet and angry looking." She crosses her arms over her chest as she speaks.

"You don't know that!" one protested, "Maybe London did her some good."

"Be real Jewel," Another maid exclaimed, "nothing could get that girl to open up. Everyone in the kingdom knows the only reason his highness sends her abroad is to get her to lighten up. There is no one in all of Africa willing to wed that guarded prick Oli-"

"Princess Y/n!" Another maid chimes in panic. She looked up and locked eyes with me, shouting out a greeting to conceal any other careless words that were spilling from her peer's lips. I could almost physically see the sheet of terror floating onto the servants and maids. They froze and their shoulders become stiff.

They slowly turn around and show me faces of embarrassment and fear.

"Ms. Y/n," The one called Jewel says, curtsying slightly, "I-I...w-we-"

I yawn casually and cut off her words, "have you seen Gladis around?"

They throw glances at each other and shake their heads, "No. we haven't." Jewel answers. It seems that she is the leader of this clique.

She is a beautiful girl. Jet black box braids twisted in a fancy updo that compliments the shape of her face. Dark flawless skin without a pore in sight and though her eyes were tired, it didn't take away from her beauty. She can't be any older than 19, what is she doing being a servant?

"Any idea why I'm being called to the dining room?" I ask another question. They all shake their heads no and I sigh.

"Thanks anyway," I say beginning my stroll past them. I am contemplating whether I should say a sly remark, but before I know it I'm too far away. I continue down the hallway, glancing at the same painting and pictures that haven't moved so much of an inch since my absence.

Paintings of relatives and those who came before us. Though all the portraits are of family, I can't say I recognize a single face. My face sure isn't on there and I don't expect it to be. What impact have I left on this country?

My thoughts are cut off when my body crashes into something warm and unmoving. My phone falls out my hand and tumbles onto the ground. My gaze drops to my phone before looking up to see what cause they clash.

"Princess Y/n," A kind voice says while familiar eyes gaze at me. My lips turn up in a genuine smile and I take a small step back from the tall man towering over my 5'4 stature. I bend down and scoop up my phone, shoving it into my pocket.

"Uncle Kwame!" I exclaim. I move to hug him but notice the books and papers that filled his arms.

"Princess Y/n! I heard you've been back for a few days now! My, how you have grown." He smiles that same smile of his and I snicker.

Kwame has been assisting my father since they were children. Though my father has the power and assertiveness, he never really had the brains. Kwame was the brain behind my father. Every decision and choice my father makes is run by Kwame first. He has wisdom beyond his years, being 5 years younger than my father, he looked older.

The stress of his job turned his black hair grey and his smooth skin to many wrinkles with bags under the eyes that won't disappear no matter how much he sleeps. His hairline has receded some and he now suffers from weak knees, made clear by his urge to sit down while groaning. He often unconsciously rubs his knees while he face scrunches up in discomfort.

"Yes, I've been around." I reply simply, "But I haven't seen you. Where have you been hiding?"

He chuckles as if remembering a funny joke, "I've been on vacation because my wife gave birth."

My mouth opens wide in shock, "Wow that's wonderful! I didn't know she was pregnant, congratulations."

"Thank you, Princess, we are thankful for our healthy baby boy. We certainly were not planning for another child."

I laugh, "I'm sure you weren't. But that's good to hear that he is healthy."

"Oh excuse my rudeness, how was London?" Kwame askes. I let out a tight sigh.

How was London? Ugh I want to say awful, but I don't want to worry Kwame. It's always like this, it's always been like this. The question stays the same and the places change. How was America? How was Germany? How was Sweden? Now it's how was London?

I can say I've been studying abroad more than I've been at home in Ghango. Started with a few years in New York where I stayed with some distant family for a few years of elementary school. I was back home for a summer before being sent to Germany from elementary to my second year of middle school. I started and finished high school in Sweden and just graduated from a university in London. Despite all the time I've spent abroad, my accent when speaking is still slightly noticeable.

Now here I am, back home or a place that is supposed to be home. My father's excuse was always that he wanted me to have a more global outlook, but what is the youngest daughter of a King going to do with a global outlook? Am I not just going to be married off to the prince of another African country?

"London was good. I've returned with my bachelors in English and World Languages and it's so good to be home."

"I'm sure it is. Now if you'll excuse me, Princess, I have travel plans to make." Kwame takes one step forward, but I quickly step in his way.

"Travel plans? My father is traveling?" My brows furrow.

"It seems so."

I roll my eyes, "Another pointless meeting?"

Kwame shrugs, "Who knows? I must be on my way, Princess." Kwame swiftly leaves making me groan in annoyance. Not at Kwame, but at my father.

"What a fool," I whisper to myself.

For a man that wants his daughter to be global, he sure wishes the opposite of his nation. Ghango is a country sitting on the west coast of Africa.

A country of many resources. Gold, diamonds, coal, cocoa and much more. We have been blessed to have land that is fruitful in its results yet my father, like his father before, refuses to share this with any nations. The country of Ghango does practically no exporting or trading.

My father does not trust countries within or outside of Africa, so we fend for ourselves and provide for ourselves. My father speaks of how he will not export to any country because they do not and will not offer him what he wants. I can't be sure I know what he wants.

However, my father, King Anthony Djan decides to entertain meetings with various country leaders although his mind is already made up. Wasting people's time and money is what I say. His narrow thinking will get this country nowhere.

Yet, he wants me to be global? For what?

I hope my eldest brother Kofi will be that one to change such a stiff policy.

I walk ahead to the double doors that lead into the dining room. I push them open and find Gladis and Kofi already seated at the table, that was lacking for by the way.

"Hey, Kofi. Gladis." I greet as I entered the room, walking further in and taking a seat across from Kofi at the large rectangular table. He sat beside Gladis who showed me a small smile.

Kofi has changed so much in the last four years, though I saw him when I initially arrived days ago, I still cannot bring myself to believe that this tall man in front of me is my older brother. He's gone from looking like a young man to a full grown King.

"You know," He begins, "For someone who has been gone for years, it doesn't seem like you've missed the family at all."

I roll my eyes at his childish tone. "Oh yes! That's right! I called every week because I can't stand you poor people of Africa with thick accents and dirty hands! I think I am above!" I let my sarcasm ring through the dining hall earning a snicker of amusement from Gladis.

Kofi leans back in his seat with a small grin. That grin hasn't changed much. Kofi was always the perfect balance. He was kind and fun when needed and serious and focused when needed. With him being the oldest child and the only boy, he was always loved more. No matter how my father denied it, there was no doubt about it.

From birthdays to treatment around the palace. It was clear he was favored not only among my parents but among the people of Ghango.

The doors swing open and my mother and father proceed inside. This is about the 2nd time I am seeing my father since being back. I don't have much to say so I simply watch him with void eyes.

I caught my mother's eyes and grin widely at her. My mother has been the one to call me every chance she got, send me letters and gifts on my birthday. She has been in my face since I've arrived back and was kind enough to give me this day to myself.

We spoke no words because nothing needed to be said.

They take their seats and we sit in silence for a moment. My father, thin grey beard and all, turns to glance at me. I almost expect him to say something. A hello or "we've missed you, Y/n." Although I know better than to expect such treasure from him.

He looks forward, his eyes trained on nobody in particular as he speaks.

"As the royal family of Ghango, we all have a duty. We have a duty to the people who respect us and even those who hate us. It is our job to do what is best for Ghango and to continue to see the growth of this wonderful nation." He spoke in our native language.

"It is our duty to do our parts, whatever they may be, to raise this country to up to its greatest potential."

Where is he going with this?

"I want nothing more than the best for all you. You are my children after all. I want all of you to take part in molding Ghango for the generations ahead of us, I don't want any of you to be spectators, simply watching as change happens. You all will be active participants in any way seen necessary." He pauses, glancing at my mother who nods encouragingly.

"I am considering trading with South Korea." He says.

His words echo in our minds for some silent moments. The first giggle escapes from my brother before Gladis and I follow suit. Our laughs ring through the room as our father watches in serious silence. Our laughter dies down and my father grimaces before sighing.

"I am being sincere this time. King Hyungsik Jeon has been able to sway me." He announces.

"Wait," Kofi says, "seriously?"

"Very seriously," He confirms.

"So you'll be traveling?" I ask before I could think about it. Of course, I already know he's traveling, Kwame told me so.

My father sets his eyes on me, "No. You will Y/n."

My heart dropped at his words and my shoulders sunk, "What?" My voice comes out shaky with anger.

"You can't be serious, I just got back home!" I protest.

"I will not trade with just any country, Y/n. I need to know the people of the nation, the royal family of the nation and just how society is in that place. South Korea's King has made a good offer. So you and Gladis will stay in South Korea for six months to-"

"Six months?" I shout, "Isn't that a bit much?"

"And why do I have to go too?" Gladis' voice was steady and calm but anger was burning in her eyes.

My father stays quiet for a second after our outbursts, "You and Gladis will stay in South Korea for six months to fully understand how the people of the country are, how the royal family functions, and just what the country stands for. After those six months, you will report to me. You and Gladis will ultimately be the ones to decide the fate of this deal. You'll leave in a few days."

I scoffed, "So this is why you made that fake deep speech about all of us shaping this country for future? So you could ship me off again?"

"Y/n!" My mother hisses. I shake my head, laughing humorlessly.

"This is an important deal for your father, so he wants to make sure he is taking the right steps." My mother explains.

"Then he should send Gladis or Kofi! I just got home, why do you all hate having me home so much?" My voice grew thin and strain while tears started to burn my eyes and blur my vision.

"Kofi has his place here." My father says sternly.

I stand up from my seat, "And I don't?"

"Y/n, it's not like that." My mother pleads.

"Your mother is right," My father says, "you're taking this wrong."

I shake my head in disbelief and walk towards the door.

"Just say I'm your least favorite child and get it over with." I spit before opening the door and storming down the hallway.

A/N: I am also posting this same Fanfic on Wattpad, except on Wattpad, there is a OC in place of Y/n.