#i think one of them would physically rise and attempt to throw hands over the table

[oneluckygoose]

Ok, guys. A lot of people have their fan casts for a Rat Grinders spinoff series, but hear me out.

What if season whatever of Dimension 20 was with the intrepid heroes, but Brennan didn’t tell them what their characters were. They get into the dome, The background is the normal Fantasy High background. The DM screen is the normal Fantasy High DM screen. They all sit as if they would for their Fantasy High characters. Brennan does the introduction, everybody’s smiling everybody’s happy, then he starts with the first scene.

But Nobody has a character sheet nobody knows who they are. “Strange, how do you play if you don’t know who you are playing?” A sentiment throughout the six heroes. The scene moves on, and he does it through one of the players perspectives, and it becomes clearer and clearer, slowly, that that person is playing their Fancy High characters antithesis from the Rat Grinders. Brennan hands them a character sheet.

The scenes go on, each hero getting their own. The character sheets are handed out. Horror: screams are heard throughout the dome, yells and shouts for Brendan to do unspeakable things. All the players are befuddled. All the players are filled with wishes for revenge.

The Intrepid Heroes, beloved of the characters they play called The Bad Kids, now play what they hate the most.

They are the rat grinders.

[chaconnehoonie]

Wet- L.HS

☼ Lee Heeseung x Fem Reader

Synopsis- As temperatures rise, so does Heeseung’s dick.

WC: 4k+

Warnings: smut, one(1) food play-ish scene, water gun fight, cursing, nothing too extreme it’s just pwp

Smut warnings: Verbal and physical teasing, kissing, oral(f), unprotected sex, creampies, voyeurism and they (kinda) get caught, pool/outdoor sex

This is fiction and the scenarios are completely fake and from my brain, none of the characters are accurate in real life, MDNI!

A/N: This was originally supposed to be written for Sunghoon but I can’t get over that picture of Heeseung so I changed my mind. Enjoy!

You’re so hot

The summer sun warms the exposed areas of skin, but your water soaked shirt keeps you cool in the one hundred degree weather. God damn the sun and its harsh rays—cursing the land with heat waves and rising temperatures that force you and your friends to find ways to cool off.

Heeseung can’t help but stare.

Even as he feels a stream of water hit the back of his head, he can’t keep his eyes off of you. Especially when Jake takes aim and pulls the trigger of his water gun to shoot straight at the center of your chest. God bless the sun.

“Alright, pervert! You got me.” You run a hand through your wet hair, laughing to yourself as you make your way towards your friends and knock water guns with Sunoo as a small celebration.

Jake shoots you one last time, whining about how unfair you play. “Seriously, how did you even get back there? I swear I checked thrice! I want to switch teams!” You poke the muscle of bicep that’s outlined by his own soaking wet shirt, teasing him for his terrible skills at his own game.

“Maybe you should’ve checked better.” With a click of your tongue you prance towards the pool, placing a palm upon the hot pavement to determine the heat. Heeseung watches as you stand up and pull your shirt off of yourself, back arching and neck rolling back as you peel the sticking fabric off of your body to reveal your bikini.

He admires the way you swiftly throw your shirt to the side, grabbing your beach towel and placing it next to the pool to sit on. Plopping yourself onto it, you dip your freshly painted toes into the water and splash them around.

“Why don’t you just ask her out?” Jay startles Heeseung from his trance, snapping his head to see the younger is now the only person standing next to him, a quirked eyebrow following his question. “I can’t.”

Heeseung replies simply, turning back just in time to notice Sunghoon handing you a small ice cream cone. He’s unable to focus for long as his attention is caught by Sunoo loudly laughing from the pool, where Jake is swimming around with an open mouth, begging Sunghoon to at least attempt to throw his own cone into his mouth from where he stands next to you.

“I don’t think Sunghoon would like that.” Heeseung sighs, shaking his head and deciding his own fate is to watch you from afar. To admire you from a distance.

But Jay wouldn’t let that happen. He doesn’t call himself “Heeseung’s number one wing man” for no reason, which is why he encourages his friend to go after you. Even if Sunghoon seems to be the only guy in your field of vision.

Of course, you’re just friends. At least that’s what you both claim. Heeseung doesn’t believe it though, in fact, he believes you two have been keeping it on the low. He’s created a whole fantasy relationship between his two friends— a fantasy that he isn’t a part of.

“Your first problem is not Sunghoon.” Jay brings up the topic once they’ve made their way into the cool house, alone. “The problem is you thinking there’s something going on between them.” Heeseung scoffs, taking a beer from Jay then turning his head to look at you through the window.

Your ice cream cone is melting in the hot sun, creamy liquid running through your fingers and down your forearm and Heeseung shivers. He’s always known he has a strong imagination, but with the visual stimulation right there; the suggestively colored desert leaving trails of itself down your arm, he can only imagine how his is own cream would adorn your body.

“Are you even listening?” Jay smacks his friend’s head, snapping him out of his scandalous fantasy. “You need to make a move. And I promise you Sunghoon won’t care. Sure, he’s a little protective but he’s your best friend too—he knows what’s best for both of you.”

Heeseung only pays attention to the first half of Jay’s rant, falling back into a trance as you finally lick a long stripe up your forearm, swapping your ice cream cone to the other hand to suck on your messy fingers. He only looks away when Sunghoon grabs your wrist and forces your fingers further down your throat and you gag for a second, then bring your ice cream and spit covered hand to the back of Sunghoon’s head, pushing him into the pool with Jake and Sunoo.

“You’re so right.” Heeseung’s voice is barely audible to Jay. “What-”before Jay can even question him, the older is patting him on the back and muttering a quick thanks you’re the best and rushing outside. Jay stands there for a second, sighs, then quickly entertains himself with an unopened bottle of vodka. He’ll pay Sunghoon back later.

You move your attention from the pool to the house just in time to see Heeseung sitting down next to you. You note that he looks nervous, maybe even shy, but you don’t say anything to humiliate him. Yet.

“Hi, Hee. What’s up?” You chirp out before bringing what’s left of your ice cream to your lips, licking a sensual stripe along the side. You don’t break eye contact with Heeseung as you twist the cone between your fingers, coating the entire expanse with your tongue.

Heeseung gulps, adam’s apple bobbing as he watches a drop of melted cream land on your chest, then can’t help but follow it with his eyes as it glides down your skin over your right breast, then between your breasts, and finally landing somewhere in the covered area of your bikini top.

As if he wasn’t just ogling your body, he looks back up to see you staring at him in amusement, and finally answers your question. “Nothing.”

You nod, smirking to yourself and quickly glancing towards all four of your friends now in the pool. “Nothing, huh?” You repeat and he nods eagerly.

“So what about that?” Your gaze drops to his lap, and only then does he realize how hard he’s gotten over this short interaction. “That seems pretty up to me.” You tease, letting out a giggle before abruptly standing up and stretching out the hand currently holding your ice cream.

Heeseung grabs the cone, confused but so love-struck that he’s barely processing anything at the moment. You push his hand closer to his mouth, watching as drops land onto the crotch of his swim trunks and he once again follows your gaze.

Grabbing his cheek with one hand and pushing the ice cream past his lips with the other, you smile widely at him. “Finish for me, yeah?”

.☼.

If yesterday really happened, then Heeseung is in a slight dilemma. After arriving home last night, he did finish for you. At least, he hopes that’s what you meant by finish. Perhaps you really did mean the yummy treat but he knows you. He knows your double meanings and your teasing jokes.

But this makes his situation all the worse. To anyone else, these interactions would have confirmed your requited feelings for Heeseung, but it’s you. You’re so confusing.

With the way you’re so teasing with everyone, and the way you show affection in questionable manners. Even the way you openly treat all and any of your friends as if they’re your boyfriend.

Heeseung remembers when Sunoo complimented the scent of your lip gloss, so in return you kissed him for a solid five seconds, stating that you “just wanted him to taste it”. Yeah, sure.

Or the time Jake wanted you to clean up his eyebrows for him, which resulted in you sitting in his lap for fifteen stiff minutes applying your entire skin care routine on him.

Whatever you have going on in your head, it confuses Heeseung. Which is why he decided he’s finally going to man up and ask you on a date at your daily pool hang out.

At least, he’s going to try to. Hopefully if you’re not wearing his favorite red bikini. Hopefully if you somehow magically forgot the events of yesterday. Hopefully if he just grows some balls and lets his feelings free for the first time in years. Probably not.

.☼.

It’s safe to say, you did not forget the events of yesterday, you’re definitely wearing Heeseung’s favorite red bikini, and he has not at all grown any balls to even make eye contact with you yet.

He’s been here for an hour. One whole agonizing hour of watching you climb onto Jake’s shoulders and wrestle Sunghoon who is on Sunoo’s shoulders. Thankfully, Sunoo has thighs of steel and is able to keep Sunghoon steady while you push and pull all in an attempt to knock him over.

Heeseung’s jaw clenches and his eyes don’t leave your hands— your hands that are currently touching up every part of Sunghoon’s body. He contemplates leaving now and skipping out on the guy’s night he and his friends hold biweekly.

Your fingers grip Sunghoon’s biceps before making their way to his chest, nails scratching their way down his ridged stomach, letting out frustrated groans as you poke and poke at Sunghoon’s body.

Oh, how Heeseung wishes it was his body you were touching. He can’t take it anymore, standing up quickly and pushing his lawn chair back, where it hits the floor with a loud crash before making his way into the house just like he did yesterday.

The crash distracts you and Sunghoon takes this as an advantage as he swiftly loosens your harsh grip on Jake’s shoulders and pushes you down into the water.

From outside of the pool, Jay sighs to himself before following Heeseung back inside, finding him snooping through Sunghoon’s home bar.

“She’s not going to fuck you if you’re not sober, you know.” Heeseung jumps at the sound of Jay’s voice, almost dropping one of the expensive bottles of alcohol.

He shrugs and continues snooping. “Who said anything about fucking?” His reply is nonchalant but his best friend can see right through his act. “Your eyes say everything I need to know.” Jay laughs to himself but Heeseung doesn’t find it funny.

“Whatever. She’s not into me like that anyways.” Heeseung speaks like he’s trying to convince himself, but Jay can hear the hopeful tone in his voice. “Trust me. She was eye fucking you earlier when you weren’t looking.”

Jay barely gets the sentence out before Heeseung is visibly perking up. “Really?!” His face is bright and his eyes are glossy and wide. “Relax, man. Don’t pop a boner in front of me.” Jay teases his friend and Heeseung rolls his eyes in embarrassment, because he definitely would grow stiff at just the mention of your name.

Jay heads back towards the sliding door but turns back to Heeseung before he opens it. “By the way, Hoon invited her to stay the night with us also.” He smiles to himself before continuing his sentence. “So please try to keep it down if you do happen to make it past first base.” With that, he makes his way back to the pool and leaves Heeseung with a heavy problem in his swim trunks.

.☼.

Heeseung opens his eyes to the sound of obnoxious snoring echoing throughout Sunghoon’s living room. He’s not sure how long he’s been asleep but by the looks of it, everyone else seems to have knocked out by now too. Closing his eyes, he decides to try to fall back asleep. Until he’s startled awake-

“Heeseung.”

Shooting his eyes back open, he sits up from his place on the couch and looks around the dark room. With his eyes adjusting to the lack of light, he can only barely make out your figure kneeling next to him on the floor. “What the fuck are you doing?” He whispers a little too loudly and you stand up, a palm covering his mouth swiftly as you take place onto the couch next to him.

Heeseung is a big man, meaning he already takes up most of the space, leaving you only a small sliver of cushion to sit on. So, you climb up onto his lap to get comfortable— because of course you would. Stiffening up from under you, he makes eye contact with you the best he can with the dim lighting, only the moonlight peeking through the curtains.

“I couldn’t sleep.” You whisper, slowly taking your hand off of his mouth and trailing it down his chest and stomach, finally resting it at his side. Your thumb swipes comfortably there, almost as if you’re reassuring him, letting him know that this is real. “And I’m bored.” You lean in closer to him, your hand now coming up to his chest and pushing him to lay flat underneath you, his head landing softly on the armrest of the couch.

He gulps, big doe eyes looking up at you almost innocently. But you know that’s not the case. You’ve seen the way he watches you when he thinks you’re not looking. Seeing him drool over you is one thing but seeing him think he’s being slick with it? It, makes you way more aroused than you’d like to admit.

However, it’s taken too long for him to act on his desires, so you decide to do it for him. “Wanna help me?” Your voice is sultry and low, and Heeseung’s tummy feels warm as it stirs with excitement when he nods. Leaning down slowly, you stop as soon as the tip of your nose brushes Heeseung’s. Nodding your head slightly, you rub your nose against his almost domestically, before leaning in and lightly pressing your lips to his.

The kiss doesn’t last long, as you’re quick to pull away and smile. But Heeseung isn’t pleased yet, instead cupping the back of your head with his hand and pulling your face back towards his. Your lips smash together almost painfully, but you’re distracted quickly as his tongue immediately pushes its way into your mouth. It’s warm and wet, strong as it glides against yours in a teasing manner.

You catch his bottom lip between yours, sucking on it for a second before biting it softly and pulling away, watching as it bounces back now glossy and red. Heeseung expects more, but to his surprise, you just jump off of his lap and quietly walk to the door that leads outside.

Looking back, you watch his silhouette as he runs a hand through his hair and sits up again. You turn back to unlock the door, already taking your shirt off to expose your bare torso before turning to him one last time. “You coming?”

.☼.

If anyone had told Heeseung two days ago that he would be not only skinny dipping at 2am with you—but shoving his tongue down your throat as well, he wouldn’t believe it.

But, lo and behold, he currently has your back pressed to the edge of the pool with your legs wrapped around his naked waist, lips locked and swollen.

It all happened in a rush, between you stripping to nothing in front of him to him following your lead and ending up intertwined, he suddenly finds himself in a dream-like state.

Was this really happening? The girl he’s been craving for years is finally giving him a chance? Heeseung feels like happiest man on earth right now, and judging by the little moans you let out every now and then, he thinks you may feel the same.

“Heeseung.” You practically whimper as he drags his lips to your neck, nipping and sucking at your warm skin. His lips kiss down your chest softly, landing on one of your hard nipples. He pecks it so so softly, almost afraid of hurting you, but you want it to hurt. Grabbing the back of his head and pushing your chest forward, you encourage him to take your nipple into his mouth and he easily gets the hint.

He’s barely done anything and you’re already shaking in his arms, gripping his biceps and throwing your head back with a loud moan. “Heeseung- I need you to fuck me.”

He stops immediately, then slowly detaches his mouth from your nipple and looks up at you. “Yeah? Want me to fuck this pretty pussy?” He thrusts his hips up, his movements slowed by the water but his cock still manages to brush against your folds. You bite your lip, nodding your head eagerly and Heeseung smiles. “Let me get a taste of it first.”

Without waiting for your response, he lifts you up and places you at the edge of the pool, your pussy sat deliciously in front of where he keeps himself afloat.

He almost drools, noting the way he can still see your slick drip out of you despite your whole body being drenched in pool water. Heeseung wastes no time, wrapping his arms around your thighs and pulling you closer so his tongue can lap at your slit.

The pleasure sends a shock through your body, your back arching almost painfully and your hips push themselves harder against Heeseung’s face. He’s forced so close into your cunt that you can feel each feature—his nose stimulating your clit as his tongue teases your entrance and his plush lips sucking almost obnoxiously all while his chin is already slippery with your arousal.

“Ah-fuck!” He’s only been at it for a few minutes yet you’re already so close. But this isn’t want you want. No, as much as you want to release all over his pretty nose, you didn’t seduce him just to finish so quickly. So, you use all of your strength to pull him off of you and scoot away. “Need you to fuck me, now.”

That’s all it takes for Heeseung to lift himself out of the pool, pick you up, and then throw you on the nearest lounging chair. Thank fuck for Heeseung convincing Sunghoon to buy these at the start of the summer. Otherwise he may have opted for fucking you on the itchy grass.

Grabbing his face, you pull him down, kissing him with a sloppy force while you grow more impatient by the second. “How do you want it?” He’s so polite as he asks, but just the idea of him caring about your pleasure is so arousing. You turn around, placing your cheek on the cushion of the pool lounger and wiggling your ass to taunt him.

It works, of course, and Heeseung takes his place behind you. He slaps his thick girth on the crevice of your ass, feeling the heat between your bodies mix with the humid summer night air. “Hurry, please.” You whine but he just shushes you, dropping his cock to gather your slick on his tip.

You’re tired of waiting, pushing yourself back only slightly to feel him enter you just an inch. “Oh, God.” You gasp, caught off guard by the stretch of just the head. He fights the urge to fully push himself in, instead gently sliding in more, your walls clenching tighter and tighter as each inch stretches you out, a tingling feeling fluttering in your stomach.

He fully bottoms out, standing still with his hands on your hips for a second, before somehow pushing even deeper. You squeak, brows furrowing as you try to ignore the pain of the threatening size currently stuffing you full. You open your eyes, looking back to see his bottom lip caught between his teeth and his eyes shut.

You reach your hand back and tap his own hand, letting him know he can finally move. He nods, leaning forward a bit to hover his body closer to yours. “I’m going to make you feel so good.” You smile at him for a second, but it’s quickly replaced by an open mouthed moan as he pulls back a few inches, then slams himself back in.

Building up a steady pace, he thrusts a few times before finally letting out his first moan. And God, was it beautiful. “Yes-yes let me hear you, baby.” Your voice is weak as his thrusts push your whole body against the chair, your breath unsteady and shaky with each meet of your hips.

It feels amazing, but you can’t help but feel that Heeseung is trying to be gentle with you, which you don’t want. Pushing yourself back again, you meet his thrusts with quiet hmph hmph hmph noises that catch his attention. “You need more? Yeah? My cock isn’t enough for you, needy baby?” He coos at you but you know he’s still holding back. “Please, Heeseung. More.” Your fragile voice ignites something in him, and you’re suddenly being picked up by your hair.

Heeseung grabs your wrists and pins them to the top of the lounger, romantically intertwining his fingers between yours before aggressively snapping his hips against your ass. You let out an almost-too-loud moan, but it only fuels Heeseung more. Your bodies are close and he can’t pull back fully, so instead he fucks into you at a fast, almost blinding pace.

He watches your ass jiggle as it meets his pelvis, the bouncing fat sending him to an almost trance like state. The only thing that snaps him out of it is your whiny voice. “Harder, Heeseung, harder!” He pulls out fully, not giving you time to process his actions as he sits down on the lounger and pulls you on top of him, slipping his cock back into your heat easily.

Thrusting up once, twice, then a third time, he watches your thighs tremble as you try to hold yourself up for him. He finds it cute, how you’ve teased him for so long only to end up too cock drunk to even ride him. He wraps his arms around your body, pulling you flat against him so you’re chest to chest with your face in his neck.

He slowly drags his cock out of you, then fully shoves it in, a loud squelching noise following. “So fucking wet. So fucking noisy.” He grits his teeth, clenching his jaw as he fucks up into your cunt in an almost inhumane pace. “Ah ah ah, shit! I’m cumming, Heeseung!”

Your warning barely falls from your lips as you clench impossibly tight around him, body stiffening for a second until your toes curl and you feel the knot in your stomach releasing with a tingling sensation spreading throughout your entire body, which then goes limp against Heeseung’s.

This encourages him to thrust harder, chasing his own release that he can already sense creeping up on him. His fingers dig into your ass, nails leaving indents as his hips don’t slow down. The sound of your release mixing with the slapping of his balls on your ass is all too much, and he finally lets himself go.

“Gonna cum in you, baby. Gonna cum so fucking deep-fuck!” He bites down on your shoulder as he cums, hips stilled and cock stuffed so deep inside of you, you’re sure you’ll end up pregnant even on birth control.

He slowly lowers his hips, caressing your back soothingly as if he’s apologizing for his harsh treatment before. “Was that okay? Did I hurt you?” He cups your cheeks to look into your eyes, only to meet your fucked out expression and lazy smile. “That was the best I’ve ever had.”

That was enough to almost have Heeseung stiffening up again, if not for the sound of the sliding door opening and Jay’s pissed off voice. “Brought you guys some towels.” He walks out with a hand covering his eyes and the other holding out two beach towels, which he throws on the floor carelessly, then walks back to the door. “I told you to keep it down if you got past first base.”

[merbear25]

For the event, Maybe kid (one piece) for #3. SFW and fem or gn is fine.

Hey, hey! Thank you for sending in this request! I haven't written much for him, so I hope I did alright. Hope you like it 💜💜

A love worth fighting for

CW: SFW, fem!reader, some angst, some fluff

You'd always been told to be less brash, that such behavior was unbecoming for a lady. Such comments made you scoff for you had no interest alligning with what others expected from you. Standing out from the crowd wasn't always looked on fondly; the glares from the crowd would morph together, not a single individual among them.

When you crossed paths with the Kid Pirates, their personalities were unlike anyone you'd ever met. To add to their uniqueness, the captain, Eustass Kid, was quite the character. Your encounter gave you something worth while, to strive for. Luckily for you, your boldness and abilities caught their eye, which led to Kid extending an invitation for you to join them.

With your time onboard extending, you'd earned your keep. Rubbing elbows with Kid came with flirtatious exchanges, steamy nights, but also flare-ups of anger and jealousy. The man had you in an iron grip, ringing out the heart you'd put on the line for him.

You'd had your fair share of problems when it came to your confusing relationship with him. You both had been dancing around the possibility of being exclusive for what seemed like forever; the hope you had was being dragged along, becoming tattered.

Yet you were drawn to his resilience, and despite the fact that he often acted before thinking, you could admire the passion which accompanied his recklessness. He was captivated by your unwavering devotion and even though you were frustratingly stubborn at times, you knew what you wanted and were goal-oriented enough to push for it.

That night was a rerun: a rehashing of old arguments, picking at each other's insecurities further snowballing towards the inevitable clash of your personalities. However, with the storm came the calm when you found yourselves wrapped up in the whirlwind of shared passion.

You felt torn on how you should continue this give and take with him. On one hand, he ignited a flame that, at the best of times, seemed it would burn for eternity. On the other hand, he was the only one to cause the world around you to come crashing down. Regrettably, you were leaning towards calling it quits, although the thought of it pierced your heart.

You bore your heartache to him, and uncharacteristically, he panic washed over him at the reality of you slipping away. He was noticeably distraught from your words, yet still attempted to push down any physical clues alluding to his innermost fears.

"You can't leave me."

"What do you mean I can't?" When he didn't respond, you doubled down, "It's not like this is going anywhere. You don't feel the same way as I do."

"That's not true!" The anguish and want he had for you mixed as he shouted, "I love you but I can't say those words."

His chest heaved at the raw display of his own vulnerability. "Do you have any idea how crazy you make me? How hard it would be to lose a woman like you?"

"Why are you just now telling me this?" The lump in the back of your throat was becoming more painful as you pushed through, "Now that everything has become so distressing between us."

Taking a brief moment, you attempted to shove the rising strife aside, "You must know what you do to me, you idiot." You couldn't help but let out a chuckle at your tear stained insult.

He brushed off the name calling, being able to pick up on the affection laced around it. Motioning towards you, he yearned to hold you closely but was still unsure how to properly comfort you.

Looking at him with dried tears speckling your cheeks, you gave him a quivering smile. Such a gaze made him throw away his prior hangups as he tugged you into his lonely arms.

As you stood there holding the other, the previous rows grew distant and time held no meaning―getting the chance to reveal your love for one another shook you to your cores. That being said, it was a risk worth taking for anything that came afterwards paled in comparison. Knowing where the other stood would serve as an indefinite source of faith, while you faired against all odds hand in hand.

[amomentsescape]

What if Stu Didn't Kill Anyone?

Stu Macher x Reader

Summary: (Y/N) finds herself losing the love of her life more times than one.

Warnings: Foul language, angst, pregnancy

Word Count: 1,138

A/N: This is a more in-depth version of @stu-machers-girl 's request. You can find the shorter version here. I hope you enjoy!

"This wasn't what we fucking agreed on!" Stu shouted.

Billy simply shrugged. "Change of plans."

He attempted to step closer to (Y/N), but he was immediately blocked by the taller boy.

"You kill Sidney. That's it. My girl's got nothing to do with this!"

(Y/N) instinctively wrapped her arms around her stomach, feeling the rising tension build even more.

Kill?

She didn't know what the fuck was going on. How did a day full of excitement and news to share turn into this?

"She's just another mouth to keep shut. We can't trust her," Billy spat.

The boys were slowly getting closer and closer to one another, and without even thinking, she jumped in between them.

"Stop!" she screamed. She didn't want Stu to get hurt.

However, he immediately pushed her back behind him, not trusting what Billy could do in that moment.

"This is your damn plan. Do what you want, but (Y/N) and I are leaving."

Stu grabbed her hand and began to pull her to the exit, only for Billy to take this opportunity to pounce.

Stu fell to the floor as Billy began to throw punch after punch at him, his anger being felt through each blow.

(Y/N) screamed and kicked her foot up in the air, her shoe colliding with Billy's nose.

He rolled over and groaned, red liquid beginning to spill all over his clothes and the carpet.

(Y/N) ran over to the boy and kept kicking him, the fear of losing Stu clouding her better judgment.

However, that short moment was all it took for her world to be turned upside down.

Sidney had gotten out of her bindings, and she sprinted towards the TV before the other girl even had a chance to notice.

(Y/N) finally broke out of her angered frenzy when she heard the loud smashing sound of glass breaking and the sizzling of electricity crackling.

Her heart stopped in that moment, her eyes glossing over at seeing her love motionless under the weight of a broken TV.

Her throat burned as the screaming began, hot tears leaving messy trails down her cheeks.

She began running towards Sidney, her body colliding with the girl's as they both tumbled to the floor.

(Y/N) began to scratch, punch, hit, anything she could think of to cause as much damage as possible. She never thought she could be any more angry than she was at Billy just moments before, but now she understood that things could always get worse.

Sidney found a moment of clarity where she raised her fist and punched the other girl in the nose as hard as she could.

This dazed (Y/N) for a moment, just enough time for Sidney to push her over and run out the exit, wanting to get as far away from this house as possible.

(Y/N)'s sobs began to increase as she drug herself over to Stu's lifeless body. She threw herself on top of him as she continued to scream and cry, not knowing what else to do.

It didn't take long for the paramedics to arrive however, and they had to physically restrain (Y/N) away from Stu so they could take a look at his body.

(Y/N)'s voice continued to yell, but no sound was coming out anymore. Her voice had been broken by the sound.

---

It had been three weeks since the incident, and (Y/N) couldn't find herself in better spirits.

Stu had survived.

By some fucking miracle, he had managed to live. His face was still swollen, his skull was healing from its fracture, but he was alive. And he was happy.

(Y/N) had finally told him the good news that she was wanting to share with him that fateful night.

She was expecting.

Stu's face had broken out into a huge, but painful, grin. If he hadn't been in so much pain, he would have jumped up and swung the girl in his arms, planting her face with hundreds of kisses.

Stu had always wanted a family. And this desire only increased once he met (Y/N). She was the one for him, and the idea of them raising their own flesh and blood up together made his heart warm.

They could finally have the life they always wanted.

But happiness doesn't last forever.

Now that Stu was able to be released, the law decided to step in and take their chance.

The police came in later that day and arrested him. Stu was being charged for several counts of murder.

Billy had been killed after his attempt to leave the house that night. And with Sidney still being alive, it only made sense that she would turn in the killer's best friend.

Stu hadn't killed anyone though. He knew about Billy and his desires, but he didn't step into the Ghostface persona with him.

He couldn't risk that. Not after falling in love.

But it's not like the police cared. The community wanted justice, and he was their best opportunity at getting it.

(Y/N) screamed and sobbed through a broken voice, realizing that she had once again lost him. And this time, it might be for good.

---

She went to every court hearing. Every single chance she had at talking to Stu through that stupid dirty glass, she did it.

There was no way she would ever leave his side. He was innocent. She argued and fought for his innocence over and over again to the point that she risked putting herself in jail.

But she knew she had to think of their child. She wasn't going to lose them too. So she tried her best to be patient, but every day was filled with pure fear.

During the final verdict, (Y/N)'s heart was going a mile a minute. She felt sick to her stomach as she awaited the judge's next words with bated breath.

Guilty.

Stu's eyes immediately met hers at this, those same eyes immediately began to water as he realized that this was it for him, for them.

His child was going to grow up without a father. His true love was going to always be out of reach, his body forever being separated from her's by metal bars.

Part of him wished that TV would've just killed him that night. Then he wouldn't have had to go through this pain.

(Y/N) was screaming and crying at him, the guards pulling Stu up from his seat and taking him away.

She tried to rush up to him, but strong hands pulled her back as she collapsed to the floor.

"I'LL WAIT FOR YOU!" she yelled. "I'LL WAIT FOREVER IF I HAVE TO!"

She clutched her stomach as the door finally shut.

He was gone.

[desolatespring]

CW: implied kidnapping, yandere themes, slight religious imagery, gender neutral reader

The scent of worn pages gently seeped through sandalwood as the incense dwindled down to its last few embers. There were no windows but the weight of your eyelids told you it was night. Not that it truly mattered. Time had lost its meaning, each day muddling into the next to repeat its due process. By now you’d assume the search parties had long since ceased, resulting in another cold case. It wasn’t the fear of being forgotten that bothered you most about this thought, instead you worried your family and friends would think you’d abandoned them.

You try picturing how your mother looked while she’s questioned about your disappearance but your train of thought screeches to a halt when you can barely piece together her face. Was that freckle under her left or right eye? What side of her lip quirked up more when she smiled? Is she anxiously smoothing her favorite blouse as she frets it’s her fault you’re gone? What one was her favorite again?

A cold hand pulls you from your reverie.

Jerking your head up you turn to the man responsible for all this. Despite being the one to cause all your problems, you’re grateful for the distraction. Maybe it’s better if you just forgot about family, living as a condemned man would be easier if you had no memory of freedom.

Chrollo looks you over before speaking. “What’s on your mind?”

Instead of ignoring him or blessing him with a snide remark you decide to be honest. Choosing to live by your new philosophy and embracing whatever he throws your way. Hope and mental tranquility your only sense of solace in the mechanical repetition that has become your life.

“My family. They probably blame themselves for my leaving.”

He mulls it over. “Truthfully, yes probably. Your mother always seemed to feel guilty, like she could’ve raised you better.”

You nod, seeing no need to disagree. Giving into your emotions you lean over and rest your head on his shoulder. Whether it was Chrollo or not, physical comfort is still comfort and there’s no need to make yourself suffer.

You can feel his eyes on you, contemplating if there’s any ulterior motive on your part. When he doesn’t pick up on it he wraps an arm around your waist and pulls you slightly closer, his hand then reaching up to gently rub your arm. It’s not often you initiate physical contact with him and he plans to take full advantage of the opportunity you presented.

After a moments silence you finally speak. Asking the question that’s been plaguing your mind since day one. “Why me?”

You can feel Chrollo’s chest rise as he takes a deep, steady breath, seemingly searching for an answer. To your surprise he seems almost hesitant. Failure to be introspective was not a fault of his, you knew he’d asked himself this question countless times before, and it was no revelation you’d one day seek his reasoning. Then why was it taking him so long to respond?

“I feel drawn to you, bound by Ariadne’s thread. I live vicariously through your existence. Simply put, there is no I without you, and I don’t wish to find myself again.”

The words don’t sink in at first, then the selfishness and grandiose nature of them cause your head to spin, leaving your stomach an empty pit. So much for embracing whatever he throws at you.

“That… that’s it?” Now sitting upright again you look at him bewildered. “You need a therapist or, or medication. Anything that’s not me.”

The hand he still had around your arm is pulling you back to him despite your attempts to pull away.

“Oh but darling, I couldn’t do this with a therapist.”

You huff and resign yourself to your fate. Closing your eyes you hope when you wake up he’ll be gone.

[violetlunette]

The Ramshackle Un-Birthday Interview: What do you intend to do this year?:

Summary: Yuu shares his goals for the year and ponders Grim's future.

Notes: This is part of the Un-birthday interview for my Yuusona, who is Twisted from the Mad Doctor.

What do you intend to do this year?:

Yuu smirked, and others felt nauseated already.

“Well, it’s less what I intend to do and more who I intend to do.” As he said this, the other groaned.

“See, that’s why you’re always getting tossed into a wall.”

“Oh, come on! I have to be forward of Silver will never know I like him!” The madman had a point. Silver was so oblivious to things that, unless they were directly spelled out to him, he could never pick up on the emotions of others. (And even then he would get them wrong, as he would always gravitate to the too pure for this world mindset.) As front and center as he was, even Silver couldn’t miss the fact Yuu liked him.

Yuu fanned his hair out, and the others could practically see the sparkling hearts appear around him.

“And why hide my desires? Isn’t relationship about honesty and communication?” Ace couldn’t deny that logic.

“I guess you have a point. Though you go too far with that.” Yuu smirked, angling his body in what he suspected to be a sexy pose.

“Just you wait!” he proclaimed. “Before the year ends, Silver and I will be officially dating!” Deuce sighed.

“Well, I’ve always admired your confidence,” he said kindly. Grim scoffed, folding his arms.

“Hmph! I can’t believe I have such a pitiful henchman!” Then he grinned just as confidently as Yuu.

“Unlike my henchman here, I have no such lofty goals!” he announced. “This year shall mark my rise to greatness as the greatest sorcerer in the world!” The reaction he got wasn’t the one he wanted.

“Uh-huh…” The other three said in unison, looking away from the cat.

“HEY! What with those disbelieving looks?!” he demanded. The other two were kind enough to remain silent, but Yuu was not.

“Words without proper action are just static. You want to be great, but you constantly attempt to ditch classes, earning the rep of a slacker and a failure due to your low grades. Such as in history, science, and math.” Grim flinched.

“Those—”

“Affect your reputation and our ability to remain here.” Yuu stood sauntered over to the window. He folded his hands behind him and rocked on his booted feet, watching as the outside turned gray. When he spoke, it was in song, as if each word were a song without rhymes.

“I’ve told you countless times; whether you care about the class or not, they affect your reputation. As a dire beast, people only see you as an animal. A wild, wild beast that needs to be leashed.” That’s why Grim was given to Yuu, after all. And it was why, whenever Grim did something, Yuu was the one blamed. Because to the world Grim was just a pet.

The way this angered Yuu could not be described.

“If you want to change that you have to make them see you as a person. And the way to do that is to do better than all of them, in magic and intellect.” The latter was most important of all.

Power was great to have, but without the brains to match them, Grim would still be categorized as a beast. And he couldn’t just be smart; he had to be—as Scrooge McDuck would say—smarter than the smarties. Otherwise, he would just be an intelligent creature.

“Your magic’s improved with your physical since we first came." This was because Yuu’s activities often placed the duo in a near-death situation where Grim had to improve or die. Plus, Yuu convinced Dr. Hornton to help him out. “But intellectually, you are still stagnated. If you can’t change that, then your power won’t matter. To the world, you’ll still be just a dumb animal.” These words frazzled Grim.

“I—I’m not dumb!” he cried, though his voice shook. Ace and Deuce thought Yuu was going a bit far, but Yuu spoke before they could.

“Prove it. Next exam, make it to the top ten,” Yuu challenged, throwing a wink and a grin the cat’s way. “If you think you can.” Grim rose to the challenge immediately.

“I can! Just watch! I’ll be number after our next exam!”

“Uh-huh. Try to do it without making any deals this time!”

“Shut up! I learned my lesson.”

“Wow, in that case you’re smarter already.”

The bantered a bit, but by the end, Grim was fired to start studying.

Satisfied that they were done, Ace closed the notebook.

“Okay! Now that the interview’s over, let’s go to our dorm. The courtyard’s all ready for you.”

“We’re having it at Hearts?” Yuu questioned. After yesterday, Yuu thought Riddle wouldn’t allow them to return for a week, at least.

“Well, we had to convince Riddle--” Deuces tone indicated this wasn’t easy at all. “But most people are too creeped out to come here after the attack of the killer tomatoes.” Yuu rolled his eyes.

“You are all such babies. One vegetable uprise, and you’re all skittish around the salad bar.” He and the other walked toward the door.

“I thought tomatoes were fruits,” Deuce said.

“Technically yes, but I’ll be damned before I put tomatoes in the same category as apples.”

They bantered a bit before making their way to the party.

As they all left the Ramshackle grounds, Yuu saw a black puddle on the ground. This brought his mind to the experiment that not even Grim knew about—the phantoms that he had locked far below the school.

The phantoms held secrets and powers that even this world was unaware of—ones that Yuu was determined to discover after hearing their voices in STYX.

‘And there’s also Mickey.’ Mickey: The mouse in the mirror whose dreams seemed to connect to the overblots and the great seven. How? He wasn’t sure—yet.

‘Just wait,’ he thought. ‘I’ll have my answers before the year’s end.’ His curiosity may kill him, but it was like that old saying: Curiosity may have killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.

It was just a matter of time.

~end~

*Yeah, Yuu's basically flying a kite with a metal key in a storm as he sits under a metal pole when it comes to the Phantoms. But the reason we love him is his lack of common sense.

Still, he's more likely to become the new Phantom King then get that date, lol.

[thetantiger]

Every Day Forever

Word count: 1,537

Characters: James (he/him), Frissionas (he/him), Tiao (he/him

Major TWs for emotional and physical abuse ahead.

James’s head was forcibly slammed into the table in front of him. Behind him, an elf Knight in plated armor snarled at him through his fangs. The fury in his voice offered no remorse for the throb of pain in his temples.

“What the fuck was that, James?!” Frissionas sneered, demanding an answer. “You think I didn’t see you eyeing that fucking draenei up?!”

“I don’t- ngh- know what you’re talking about,” James replied through gritted teeth, trying to wriggle out of Friss’s grasp.

“Ohohoh, yes you do, you absolute piece of shit. Don’t play dumb with me.” Friss yanked him by the hair and threw him into a bookshelf.

James hit it with a grunt, hearing a few books topple over onto the floor. “Friss, shit, I swear I wasn’t-“

“Do you realize what I can do to you?!” Frissionas grabbed James by the arm and twisted. James felt the need to shout but tried to withhold the noise as much as possible, resulting in an airless whimper. He knew it’d only make it worse if he was loud. “Think, you worthless fuck. Nobody in the Blade is ever going to give a shit. They don’t know about us, they might kill the both of us if they ever did.” Friss continued on, throwing James to the floor and raising his boot to stomp on his knee, earning a shout that James quickly tried to quiet with his hand. “They’re never going to care about some bruises and broken bones. We’re part of the process. Part of the machine. You think they’re going to believe you, when you try to tell them about me?”

James writhed on the floor, trying to get himself to his hands and knees in an attempt to crawl away before Frissionas kicked him hard in the ribs.

“I own you, James.” Friss’s face was contorted into an enraged scowl, his lichfire eyes dark with intent. “You have nobody else. You’re alone without me. I could kill you here and now and no one would miss you. I could just as easily give the Blade an excuse. You were defective, and I put you down.”

“I’m sorry,” James wheezed out. It’s all he could do; beg and appeal to Friss to get it to stop as soon as possible. Dark blue blood trickled from his mouth and onto the floor. “It won’t- it won’t happen again.”

“It better fucking not. You think people won’t laugh at you, for letting a smaller elf take charge of you? You’re mine, and I swear to god if you ever lose sight of that again I’ll show you what I can really do. You need me. Nobody will ever love you like how I do. Don’t forget it.” Friss crouched to his level and grabbed him by the back of the head again, forcing James to look at him. “Now cooperate and fucking kiss me.”

It was a bleak and meaningless routine for James at this point. He shut his eyes and tried to ignore the ichor rising in his throat. Friss kissed him with fervor, elven teeth and sly tongue forcing himself against his own. He couldn’t feel anything. He was numb to it anymore.

Frissionas pulled away from him with a huff. “You better have a good explanation to those guys in the Fleshwerks. They’re getting tired of your shit.” With that, he apparently had nothing more to say, rising to his feet and turning to leave. His slender form whisked out the door as his cape followed suit, and then it was quiet.

Then, James was alone.

With a grunt of effort he slid along the floor to prop himself up against a wall. He’d noticed the leg that Friss stomped on had gone limp and tried to set it back into place. Undeath allowed him pain resistance but it was pain nonetheless, and he grimaced when his knee popped loudly and clicked into position. He was bleeding from somewhere on his head, he noted, tapping at his hair and seeing grim blue sickness on the end of his fingers.

He pulled his knees to his chest and sighed. This was it. Over, and over, and over again.

Frissionas was right. Nobody would ever care. Nobody would ever love him like he did.

He’d have to lie and say he fought some Scourge again today.

…

“James? James!”

James felt his body jolt with a start. Suddenly, the dull dark grays of Acherus exploded into sunny skies right before his eyes. Cherry blossoms shed their delicate flowers into the wind, crystal-white snow decorated the carefully paved stones, and large, Pandaren structures guarded against the mountain winds like fortress walls.

“Sorry, I tried to get your attention but you didn’t respond.” A warm, gentle hand was on his shoulder, and a presence moved to sit next to him on the cold bench. Something about it seeped into James’s soul and soothed him piece by broken piece.

“Oh- sorry. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.” James smiled at Tiao, feeling rejuvenated by the way the Grandmaster looked at him. Brew-colored eyes examined James over with a meaningful glimmer and he nodded slightly, that ridiculous hat moving with him.

“Yeah, I figured.” Tiao’s hands moved to rub at the Knight’s shoulders, a gesture he greatly appreciated, sinking into the monk’s touch and smirking to himself. “You told me that your talk with that dragon struck a nerve. You looked pretty tensed up—and pretty lost in whatever you were thinking about.”

“It doesn’t matter now,” James replied earnestly, leaning in to rest his head against Tiao’s chest. The rhythmic, lively beating of his heart and the gentle heat emitting from the man was comforting in a way he hadn’t known before. “But thank you for checking in on me.”

“Always,” Tiao murmured, slowly wrapping his arms around the Knight and encasing him in them. This was far from when Frissionas would grab and throw him, or hold him down to spit in his face; rather, the strength in Tiao’s arms indicated a unique sense of safety and protection, even if James was more the type to leap at an opportunity to fight for someone instead of the other way around. The brewmaster’s gentleness did not indicate a lack of ability to inflict harm—James had seen the man crack through three blocks of concrete with just some measly wraps upon his knuckles and not even break a sweat—but he knew it wasn’t for him. They were a defense, just as these walls around them were.

“…You’re right, though,” James pointed out. “About where my mind was. He was black and blue all over, and Sebastian.. He looked so broken.. It- it felt familiar.”

“That is past you now,” Tiao reminded him, tilting James’s chin up to look at him. “That elf is dead. Extremely dead. And nobody will ever do something like that to you again—not on my watch.”

James smiled softly. “If I didn’t know any better, my ego would be hurt. I’m pretty certain I’m the one that saved you.”

“You have before, and you will again,” Tiao said with a smile of his own. “I’ve no doubts about that.” With that, Tiao’s hand on James’s chin beckoned him softly, and the Knight responded, leaning up to kiss him and savoring the soft glow of living warmth, the brush of mustache, the slow and methodical and tender care in every minor movement. Tiao was far from foreign to savagery, James had learned, but unless granted explicit permission he was mindful to be chivalrous.

“Thank you,” James breathed out as a frosty whisper. Around them, the snow began to pick up.

“Is that you, or the mountains?” Tiao seemed amused, stroking his fingers through the back of James’s hair. The memories of Frissionas were far away now, foggy, irrelevant--but he could’ve sworn his scalp was still a little sore.

“Unsure. Probably both,” the Knight replied bluntly. “Something something, I’ve been told I have ���big feelings.’”

The brewmaster cracked a large, wide grin. “I’ll say.”

“Wha- Tiao!” James cackled and pushed him away, earning a hearty laugh from him. “You dirty dog. Get back to whatever you were doing earlier.”

“Not unless you join me,” he retorted. “I’m making chili. I know it gets too hot for you so I’m chilling your bowl in the freezer like you asked.”

“Oooh, chili.” James was suddenly interested, perking up and rotating to lift off the seat. “What, so you’re just letting it burn in there?”

“It’s gotta sit for a while, but you looked lonesome anyway.” Tiao’s expression was kind and attentive. “You should come inside. It smells really good.”

“I suppose I could be convinced,” James said, standing upright and walking next to Tiao towards the building. “Can’t waste good chili.”

“Bruuk and Puli are swinging by for some, by the way.”

“Well why didn’t you say so? I would’ve already been inside if I knew that!”

Tiao laughed. He always laughed big—maybe he got it from hanging around dwarves and pandaren so much. A heartfelt, contagious belly laugh almost every time.

James grinned ear to ear. This was nice. 

He could do this every day, forever.

[sonicstorybook]

The King’s Champion

A SatBK AU where Shadow is the one sent to Camelot and Sonic is the doppelgänger- the one and only King Arthur!

Chapter 2/?

Summary: Arthur the Hedgehog pulled the legendary sword Caliburn from the stone, and he became King Arthur, the ruler of Camelot. Shadow the Hedgehog appears in a flash of magic in the middle of his banquet hall, and he becomes Arthur’s problem. As the sun rises over the kingdom, a pre-dawn conversation between both hedgehogs also helps them reach... well, not quite a mutual understanding, but progress is progress! 

(Shadow doesn’t know where he is, what’s going on, or why he’s there- but it doesn’t matter. He’s Shadow the Hedgehog, the world’s ultimate life form, and he’s going to play this weird game by his rules.)

Contains: Pre-relationship/platonic Arthadow (Arthur the Hedgehog x Shadow the Hedgehog)! 

Rating: G

Word count:   1,453

Note: Having a terrible time formatting this story on Tumblr, soooooo I'm gonna be splitting this thing in half. Possible into thirds? IDK. It's all up on A03 under the same name and username, tho, if u cannot wait! C:

Arthur looks between Shadow’s face and his offered glove with growing trepidation, regretting his impulsive words. Shadow was mysterious, and for all his sad brittleness, this dark hedgehog definitely had a deadly edge. While it didn’t seem like Shadow meant him or Camelot any harm… Well, King Arthur long learned that couldn’t put his trust and life in others the way Arthur the Hedgehog might.

“I thank you, sir, for your most generous offer,” Arthur says slowly and carefully, trying to find a polite way to decline the unexpected offer in a way that doesn’t embarrass him or offend his prickly guest, “But... the stairs to the tower are short and narrow. There is barely enough space for one hedgehog, let alone two, and I fear it would be most uncomfortable and cumbersome.”

“Who said anything about stairs?” Shadow snorts dismissively, leaning over the edge with an alarming recklessness to point at a silver chain further down, “This will be faster.”

Arthur is not sure what the exact distance from the top of the tower to the chain is, but it is significant. Even Sir Lamorak the Hawk with all his feathers would think twice before throwing himself down from this height! Shadow is mad to even suggest such a thing! It’s foolhardy and reckless and ill-advised, not something a respectable and wise king would consider-

But Arthur’s treacherous heart longs for adventure.

It is a very sturdy chain… and Shadow seems very confident in his abilities… and the potential danger just makes it more exciting! His heart beats with eager anticipation so quickly it feels as though it might burst. Perhaps…

It takes all his will power to look away, and Arthur forces himself to take two agonizing steps towards the trap door, “The stairs-“

Arthur jumps as he feels Shadow grab his wrist to physically stop him. It’s been a long time since he’s been spontaneously touched like that. Most wouldn’t even dare to be in his personal bubble, let alone try to restrain him in any capacity... It’s a good thing they’re alone up here- Shadow would undoubtedly lose that hand if any of Arthur’s more hot-tempered knights saw his daring.

Shadow lets go quickly, though, obviously only attempting to get his attention. The other hedgehog crosses his arms over his chest defiantly, tone accusatory, “Why do you expect me to trust you if you won’t trust me?”

‘Trust is the first step on the path to loyalty,’ Sir Hector’s voice rings in Arthur’s head, ‘Prove your worth through deeds, no words.’ 

Arthur takes a deep breath, pushing his reluctance and uncertainty to the back of his mind and steeling his nerves. If a runt of a boy was able to mold a lawless, violent time into the dream of Camelot, then King Arthur could certainly handle throwing himself off the top of his castle’s tallest tower with a recklessly bold hedgehog.

“All right,” Arthur holds out his hand out, palm facing downwards, as though offering it for Shadow to kiss. He meets the other hedgehog’s eyes with determination and focus, voice sure, “I trust you, Shadow the Hedgehog.”

“Good,” Shadow smirks at that, viciously satisfied, and uncrosses his arms. His smirk isn’t as nice as the smile, but it’s playful and confident and much better than his more usual apathetic frown. 

Shadow takes Arthur’s hand in a grip that is strong and confident. It feels like he won’t let go for anything in the world, “Here we go.”

Shadow jumps backwards, pulling Arthur off the ledge with him, and is meanly delighted as the king’s eyes widen in surprise.

“Whoa-!”

Arthur’s stomach lurches as they’re in free fall, and it’s exhilarating . The wind ruffles his quills like an old friend, tickling the insides of his ears. Arthur is one with the fast moving colors around him and his heart sings in his chest. 

For the first time in a long time, Arthur feels free .

“Haha!” 

He focuses on every sensation, hoping this moment never ends. Arthur’s cloak billows behind him violently, twisting and turning as the wind pushes and pulls it until the clasp holding it in place finally breaks. He watches his cape shoot up into the sky as it fills with air and he feels like he may float away with it-

But Shadow’s hand on his forearm keeps him grounded. The dark hedgehog is looking down and gives a terse nod of his head, “One foot in front of the other. Don’t fall.”

Arthur barely has time to process those words before something hard is crashing into the bottom of his sabatons. 

“Merlin’s beard!” Arthur instinctively throws one hand back as his body sways, trying to keep his balance on a chain that feels too thin. The momentum of their fall propels them forward, and the world moves around them at a dizzying speed. 

The ghastly shriek of metal grinding on metal is barely audible over the heartbeat thundering in his ears. It’s fast and dangerous and reckless- and Arthur can’t remember a time when he was happier. 

“Whoo!” He cheers, laughing in delight. Shadow’s grip is reassuring, a constant and warm pressure that doesn’t let him tip too far to one side of the other. Arthur feels safe with him, laughing breathlessly, “This is amazing!”

“Legs further apart,” Shadow instructs, more focused on Arthur’s posture than the direction they’re going. The chain is connected to another tower that is coming closer and closer. He tugs Arthur’s body to the right, angling him into a more stable position, “Bend your knees. Lean backwards to speed up next time.”

Next time? Arthur doesn’t have time to ask before Shadow scoops him up and holds him against his chest. The white patch of fur is soft and ticklish against Arthur’s nose, and Shadow’s lean muscles are taut under his hand. (Arthur feels small like this, even though he knows he’s taller.)

Shadow uses their momentum to skate along the side of the tower, feet as confident and sure as though he were running on the bare ground. Shadow jumps off the side of the tower, half-curling on himself and pulling Arthur closer as they fall again.

Shadow’s unusual sabatons come to life with a dull roar, expelling heat and air that slows their descent. They could probably simply float down like this, but Shadow surprises him once again by riding the air currents. 

Somehow, Arthur’s strange companion is able to see the wind gusts and use them as though they were solid objects. Shadow moves as though he’s dancing, gracefully twirling and turning as he follows the wind’s lead. Arthur has never seen anything like it before. 

It ends too soon. With a last little flourish like he’s bidding his aerial partner goodbye, Shadow lands on the cobblestones of the courtyard lightly.

Arthur’s heart continues to pound with excited adrenaline, and he gives a disbelieving laugh, “Incredible!!”

He notices he has had his arms looped around Shadow’s neck this entire time, so he lets go as the other hedgehog puts him down on his feet, “Are you a sorcerer? It’s like you can control the wind and use the gusts as stairs! How do you do that?! Can you teach me?”

“Hmph,” Shadow tosses his head with an arrogant smirk, preening at the praise, “That’s nothing! You’ll soon see why I’m the ultimate life form.”

Arthur doesn’t understand the explanation, but he can’t dwell on it for too long. Their dramatic entrance didn’t go unnoticed, and there is a clamor from the far side of the courtyard as the door is thrust open.

[oohnotvery]

Throwing Good After Bad (Chapter 12)

Mulder

If Mulder is brutally honest with himself, he didn’t expect to see Scully this morning. The part of him that stayed up all night blinking helplessly at the ceiling was sure the Black Sands had already killed Scully. The part of him that considered shooting out the windows and doors and clambering out of the house to find Scully firmly believed that the last time he would ever touch her was that night in the jungle.

And that wasn’t even real.

The only thing that kept him slightly persuaded of her safety was the fact that the full moon was still one night away.

That, and the fact that he did try to shoot out the window. Placing a roll of towels over the barrel of his gun and instructing Lydia to run the shower to drown out the noise, he shot at the glass.

And it didn’t even budge. Who the hell has bulletproof glass in their home?

“Cult groups who routinely imprison unwilling human sacrifices,” Lydia answered, and he actually snorted. Her sense of humor was improving.

“Think I should try the door next?”

She shrugged a little. “They’ve got to let us out sometime, don’t you think?”

He honestly didn’t know. He was going on so little information about the Black Sands’ next move. All he really knew was that he had to get to Scully, and soon.

Because of that, he did try shooting the door, and although he clipped off part of the lock, he and Lydia were astonished to find that a more formidable padlock prevented the door from fully opening.

“I think it’s clear more than ever that we’re being held prisoner,” Mulder quipped as he stared at the impenetrable door.

After that, Lydia convinced him to try to get some sleep, promising him that if in the morning they still weren’t freed from their dungeon, “I’ll let loose my entire round until that window explodes.”

But all his fears were unfounded, because now they’re at breakfast in the lodge, and Scully is here. To his relief, she looks completely unharmed, although her hair is wet and stringy. He wonders if it’s from the shower or from the unrelenting rain.

He physically restrains himself from running to her, instead using Lydia as a proxy, grabbing her hand in relief. Lydia glances gratefully at Scully and Joe and gives him a big squeeze in return. He knows she didn’t get any sleep either, though neither of them has mentioned it. But sharing a small bed in a creaky old house doesn’t lend itself to privacy of any sort, and she tossed and turned all night.

Mulder approaches the dining table and instantly meets his partner’s eyes, boring holes in them for answers. Are you safe? Do you feel uncomfortable? How are we going to get out of here?

But all he says is “good morning. How was your night?”

“Fine,” she answers, smiling behind a bite of toast. Her eyes dart warily towards the end of the table, where Jules and Harlan sit. Taking her cue, Mulder slips onto the bench across from her and nudges her shin under the table. Are you really okay? She nudges him back. I’m really okay.

He’s about to ask her very subtly about her sleeping arrangements—an issue that has been bothering him just slightly less than her general safety—when Evan walks over.

“Floyd, Lauren? I think it might be more polite if you two sat with your hosts this morning.” At Mulder’s blank look, Evan pauses. “You know, to express your gratitude?”

Mulder swallows and meets Scully’s eyes. She shrugs very slightly and he rises slowly, Lydia getting up with him.

They eat in near complete silence across from their hosts Sandy and Ed, who don’t seem too keen on having any kind of conversation. Rather, the older couple keeps their eyes on their plate of eggs and beans while Lydia attempts to strike up some sort of pleasant conversation. Eventually she just gives up.

He’s watching Scully refill her glass at a water station when he notices Grace sidle up to her. The blonde woman touches her elbow gently and bends over to whisper something in his partner’s ear. What he wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall. The whispered conversation takes less than half a minute before Grace is skittering away. Seeming to forget about her empty water glass, Scully turns slightly on her heel.

Their eyes lock instantly, like a compass always pointed at true north.

Her mouth parts and he sees the concern pulling at her brows. He immediately starts to rise to go over to her. Fuck politeness.

And then Evan is on her, firmly clutching her elbow and escorting her out the door to the lodge. Behind him, Jules and Harlan follow with Joe. Mulder scrambles from the table and starts to follow them when someone yanks at his arm, dragging him away. It’s Sandy, who has a very firm warning look etched on her aging features.

“The storm is coming in hot and heavy,” she announces. “We’d better get back to the house.”

“But—”

“This way.”

The rain is too thick and he can’t see Scully anymore out the window. He glances quickly at Lydia and she, too, looks worried as Ed brings her over.

“What do we do?” she whispers.

He glances at their hosts. “Where are Scul—where are Danielle and Jack going this morning?” he quickly asks. “I was hoping we’d get some time with them. That was kind of the point of this whole vacation, you know. Quality time with our best buddies.” He shoots them his most charming smile, which Sandy returns with one of her own.

“No worries, dear,” she says easily. “We were planning to meet up with them for afternoon tea. If the storm lets up, of course.”

He blinks. “Of course.”

**

They spend the day cooped up in the house, resigned to reading, board games, and card games with Sandy and Ed. The only time they’re left alone is when either of them declares they have to use the bathroom. Mulder disappears to the bathroom so often that Sandy eventually stops refilling his water glass.

He pretends to shower again just so he can radio Kersh, but he’s unable to get a signal due to the storm. Cursing, he almost flings the damn machine across the room but stops himself from doing anything too foolish. When two p.m. arrives and no one has mentioned afternoon tea, Mulder pries Sandy for answers.

“The weather is just too bad,” she says with a disappointed shake of her head. “But I did prepare us some herbal tea. It’s nice on a day like today.”

Mulder sips at his tea moodily, staring out the window and concocting the final stages of his grand escape plan. All he needs to do now is get Lydia alone and give her the details.

He’s imagining the combined force of their weapons blasting a hole in the windows of their bedroom when he starts to feel it.

Queasy. Sick. Drained. Dizzy.

He glances down at his teacup and is astonished to notice his hand suddenly seems ten miles away. In horror, he looks up at Lydia, who seems to be reaching the same conclusion as him.

Drugged.

“What did you put in this?” he tries to shout at Sandy, but the words come out garbled and slurred. Lydia slumps over in her chair before the full effects of the drug hit him. With half-lidded eyes, he watches as Sandy and Ed stand and begin to gather up Lydia in their arms, moving her . . . somewhere. She’s going . . . somewhere.

Is she going where Scully is?

“Scuh-lee,” he moans, and Sandy’s head flicks his way. He musters all the rage he can and chucks the poisoned tea at the damned woman. It misses by several feet.

I’m an idiot, he repeats to himself, over and over and over again as he fights to stay awake, as he fights to stay upright in his chair. Such a goddamned idiot. And Scully is going to die because of me.

[aries-rp-corner]

After the meeting with Lord Ghetsis, King Durai returned to his base and waiting for him was Queen Ozul. “How did it go my dear? Did he at least gave up some to you?~” She asked with curiosity as he only chuckled in response, now looking over to his beloved wife.

“As expected, he wants to play complicated.~ Although, thanks to our actions he is breaking down mentally and physically. I can sense a growing illness within him, tainting his blood unfortunately.” He spoke disappointingly, yet eager for the night approaching, walking up to his wife as he embraced her along with a kiss. “Tonight is now!~ We shall rain hell over those hogs with our mighty blades, my dear Ozul!~” He chuckled along with Ozul who returned her embrace to her husband.

“I couldn’t agree more.~ Those pests will pay for disrupting my hunt. Let alone my mission to at least capture one of our targets. Sadly, my last two attempts have been….distasteful….” She sighs deeply with disappointment, still feeling she let her husband down. Only to feel hands gently cupping her head as she sees Durai with a soft concern look.

“You’ve done the best you can my dear, even scaring them to submission…they didn’t budge. You held your own there with such bravery, they’ll get what’s coming… mark my words.” He growled out, as he now held her shoulder upon remembering Ozul returned with a slash mark from the Witch’s Silver burning her. It took days for her to recover from such a wound. “I’ll drain everything that Witch has within her after what she did to you…and we will rain their ship with red…no one, hurts you.” He growled out as he reassured his wife, placing his head on her as the two kisses.

Ozul breaks free as she was blushing hard, but sweetly. “Thank you dear… Oh my! I need to calm down after that!~ Eek!~” She spoke as she pulled away while holding her cheeks, making her vampiric husband have a cat-like smug on his face. Sadly however, it faded as a new thought occurred… “Dear, what if we fail…and she managed to…eliminate us. Are you certain both Kane and Mira are ready?…” She asked worryingly, making Durai’s smile fade and replaced with deep thought.

“They are, and I’ve prepared something to make sure they themselves are FULLY capable of taking our place. I do trust your worry my dear Ozul, if we do fall, let Cipher carry our legacy through Kane and Mira. Come, we must call them to our domain…” He soon noticed Ozul looking ashamed for speaking such a thought, he held her hand close as comfort. He hated seeing his wife this down and not her eager dark self. “Everything will be okay, no matter where we go…we are bound for eternity…” He smiled warmly, making a smile appear back on Ozul’s face.

After the two summoned their two Commanders, both Kane and Mira did look worried…yet, Cobalt was mostly scared for Mira. He didn’t want anything to happen to her, as more thoughts flooded his mind. “Have we done something that is not in their liking? I know we have messed up… but the Witch is not making it easy for us all…. Are we gonna meet our end? No! Mira has to live! I would fight-” His thoughts ended as he felt Mira’s hand holding his for comfort. Cobalt looked over to her with worry as she saw a worried…yet a calm face? “Mira…” He called her quietly. “Dear, I will admit I am nervous…but mostly for you.”

“Same for me, Kane. I believe we are thinking we will fight to the very end to protect each other, no?” She gave a soft smile to him, he was surprised from hearing that she to wanted to protect him. “Come, I don’t want to keep them waiting.” She spoke, ready to face whatever both Ozul and Durai will throw at them. Cobalt was still nervous, but seeing her confidence rising; he nodded as he followed her to meet the King and Queen.

The doors opened as the Commanders walked in, taking a knee with a head bow. “You both came, very good. No, the two of you are not in trouble we only wish for a talk is all.” Spoke out Durai, surprising the two Commanders as they look up with confusion. “I apologize for the worry we may have caused you to feel. But rest assure, it’s only a small meeting and chat.” He spoke calmly and collective as he joined his Commanders.

“Sir, I’m just…surprised…the both of us are just surprised, is all. Of course we were worried, but I am grateful to have a meeting with you. May I ask what it is about?” Cobalt asked with curiosity as the two commanders looked at each other, and then back at their leader.

“Why, just anything really. We have declared that tonight is the night we strike Neo Plasma!” Durai barked with pride, while making the Commanders jump in surprise. It’s already time?! “Of course, you all have been preparing nonstop, so I want to chat with you two before we head off to prepare more. Have you two enjoyed your roles as Commanders?”

“Yes sir. It’s been a great honor working with you and Lady Ozul. Although…I do regret the times we failed the two of you.” Mira spoke, she indeed looked ashamed. “But we are not going to stop until our mission is a success! We will even eliminate those who gets in our way!” She huffed up, but quickly deflated and calmed herself down. Before she was about to apologize, Durai chuckled.

“You both are something!~ And I’m glad that I and Ozul selected you both, Archie, and Veda… but there is something I and Ozul are concerned about…if anything ever happens to us, are you both willing to take our places and legacy to keep Cipher alive?” He asked with a soft worried look, making the two concerned of what their leader just spoke.

“Of course! We are not ready to see Cipher fall a third time! We’ve been working our own souls away to make sure of it! We will do anything to keep Cipher alive…but also you and Lady Ozul… isn’t that right, Kane?” Mira looked over to Cobalt who instantly nodded.

“Sir, we are not ready to let you and Queen Ozul go. Not this soon, however if it has to be done…we will not argue with you about it.” Kane wanted to protest more, sadly he couldn’t, it would be talking to a very sturdy iron wall if he tried to. “If that ever comes, we will continue both Cipher’s, your and Queen Ozul’s legacy for the rest of our lives.” Kane stood proud along with Mira. Durai noticed a reflection of himself and Ozul when they took charge of Cipher, making the man smile with pride and relief.

“I am proud of you two…but…” He looked saddened as Durai stepped back. “There is one final thing you must also inherit…this will only be the half of it…if I and Ozul parish…you shall inherit our full dark abilities.” The two commanders looked extremely confused, until the ground below them glowed. Delivering a painful energy into their bodies, making the two yell out in pain. “I apologize for the painful experience… I truly am! Let this energy snake through your veins and bodies. Don’t fight it off, embrace it fully.”

“STOP IT! PLEASE!! IT HURTS!!” Mira howled out, looking over to see Ozul with the same painful look. Even though she didn’t want to do this, but Ozul knew it had to be done. Both Mira and Kane felt this new dark energy begin to crawl into their bodies, making the two fall in pain as it kept clawing its way up. Mira looked over to see Kane struggling to stay awake and not pass out from the pain…but this was too much for the man as he fainted. Allowing the dark energy to consume his body in a shadowy cocoon. “KANE!!” She cried out to her husband, now crawling over to him as she held the cocoon he was in. “My love…I’m here…if we do die…you won’t be alone…Not this time…” She felt her gaze fogging up until finally, she gave in as everything went dark.

After the dark energy consumed their bodies, the dark cocoons shattered to reveal the two Commanders again, looking normal…but the leaders knew the two were now hosts of Dark Magic. “Will they be okay? Durai, I think that was too much for them to handle!” Ozul was worried for her commanders as she ran up to them to see if they had any pulse…to her relief, they did.

“They’ll be okay…I’m sorry…to the three of you. However, this was necessary... Mira and Cobalt won’t remember any of this sadly…come, let’s bring them to the infirmary…they’ll only need rest…I’ll ask Veda to watch their vitals. If they are near death…I will give them my blood.” Durai felt ashamed for harming his own Commanders in such a way, sadly it had to done…let alone, now both Mira and Cobalt are now holding Dark Gifts within them…

[goldentalent]

The Ethereal Ball is done, but as you're leaving, you see flocks of people making for a barely-trodden little footpath leading partway down the mountain. Should you follow it, the sound of music and hollering would begin to swell, until you are greeted with a barebones but extremely lively party with a large bonfire and no shortage of entertainment. Dancing, singing -- both far more boisterous and free than anything the Ball offered -- is plentiful, and it only seems to be getting started. There’s even a fun axe-throwing game set up between the trees. Better take advantage of the party now - those clouds overhead look ready to snow. [Grants Axe +1]

It was a terrible shame she'd missed the ball but it would be a true tragedy if she missed the afterparty too. What a pitiful party it would be without Goldmary's effervescent, shining presence? She sticks close to Lapis, not for her own sake but for the younger woman's. The pair of them are irresistably charming, herself more so of course but she would never deny her friend's brilliance. With a touch more confidence, Lapis could be downright dangerous to the hearts of everyone at Garreg Mach.

So it really is no surprise that, despite being positioned at the edge of the dancefloor, they attract no end of attention. It's flattering, really, although Goldmary does spare a fleeting thought for the other students being outshined. It must be simply terrible.

"Chin up, Lapis. They can't take their eyes off you," Goldmary encourages her rose-haired friend as she accepts another glass of lightly sparkling orange juice. Naturally she stuck to healthy drinks, juices to leave her skin glowing and hydrated, lest her shine be dulled. The attention was mostly welcome, a reminder that her beauty would never falter. "Not that I can blame them. One lovely lady is a gift but two? Why, I'm sure they must be thanking their goddess!"

The only problem with attending an elite, foreign academy is the entitled attitude of some of the nobility. Their crass attempts to seduce her only earned a roll of her beautiful, glittering gold eyes. Why on earth would she waste her time with someone who only cared to hear himself speak? Who coveted her beauty yet put no effort in complimenting her perfection?

"Come on baby, watch me throw these axes. Show you what the arms you'll be in tonight can really do." The boy - truly he must be a child to think such a line would work, who has been buzzing around her all evening croons in a tone that makes her physically recoil. His friend titters in amusement before placing a hand upon Lapis' arm. In an instant, Goldmary snaps, taking Lapis by the hand and pulling it away from the sleazeball. "If I wanted to see someone show of their strength, I'd simply watch myself in the mirror. As if you could impress someone of my skill and talent!"

Goldmary strides over to the axe throwing game with a swing of her hips, taking the heftiest one she can get her hands on. Perhaps it's a little too weighty for her to throw comfortably but there's no way she'll admit to that. Praying she won't sweat too much as that would obviously break the hearts of so many here, Goldmary lifts the axe above her head, swinging as she spins and let's it fly through the air. It lands on the ground, almost half way across the alley that had been roped off for the game.

Goldmary's throw: Roll d20 = 8! Annoying NPC 1's throw: Roll d20 = 3!

"I'm just warming up, of course. Don't get cocky, it simply takes effort to be this strong and elegant." Goldmary complains with a hefty sigh. She deserved much better of course, surely the wind must have been blowing against her or the axe weighted unevenly! Immediately a man in the crowd scurries away, returning swiftly with a glass of water and a lovestruck smile. How sweet. Her eyes are sharp and narrowed as she watches her would be suitor rise to her challenge. Or fall for it, really. Her own throw had not been her best, sadly, but his is pathetic. Goldmary finds herself gleeful as he embarrasses himself not only in front of her but the rest of the partygoers. "Lapis, darling! Come show these boys how it's really done. I almost feel sorry for them, trying to compete with my-- no, our perfection and grace."

@rockroselazuli

country girls make do

[volleychumps]

Heyy! Can you do one where Osamu, kuroo, akaashi and Tsukishima, say something mean to their s/o and their s/o avoids them for days? When they finally get ahold of their s/o, their s/o just sorta cries because it hit their insecure spot? Fluff in the end🥺

Listen, I can’t not write this. 

Irrevocable Words. 

- the one in which they accidentally make you give them the silent treatment because of their lashing out. -

~ Osamu Miya, Kuroo Tetsurou, Akaashi Keiji, and Tsukishima Kei~ 

TW: Cursing, angst to fluff, timeskip! for Osamu, 

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

Osamu Miya

“Those are important files, ya know?” 

“Samu, I’m sorry. You should’ve told me you needed last month’s earnings and I would’ve looked for them before we came this morning.” The hand you tried to settle onto Osamu’s bicep was shaken off as your movements faltered. 

Your voice wobbled at the sight of your stoic fiance, an annoyed glint in his eye as he rummages through his files. Osamu felt a flare in his stomach, a lack of sleep contributing to his impatient state. The day had been a busy one, Osamu deciding that he needed this particular file for his business call tomorrow before the two of you headed home for the night. 

“I told ya not to move anything back to the place.”

“I didn’t.” You bit the inside of your cheek. “Here, just let me help-” 

“Don’t touch a goddamn thing, I’ll do it myself.” There it was. The lashing out that was bound to happen occurred with a pointed tongue as he refused to look at you, rummaging through his file cabinets. “As I do everything else.” 

He closes the cabinet sharply. “The least ya could do is try your best not to be a nuisance-” 

Osamu flinches at the slam of one of the office desk drawers, chest sinking when he sees the tears threatening to spill from your eyes. The paper he needed is thrown on the desk carelessly as you shove your jacket on, wetness slipping down your cheeks.

“And I’m not your goddamn secretary. I’m heading home first.” 

“Y/N-” 

“And don’t worry, I promise I’ll manage to do this by myself somehow.” Your voice cracks bitterly, the bell by the door jingling mockingly in Osamu’s ears as you exit, the chef hanging his head with a sigh and regret tinging his chest.

He was wrong to pray this would blow over, not expecting to wake without your warmth by his side. You avoided him on the way to the restaurant, cleaning quietly while giving vague answers to his questions, shifting out of his attempts to embrace you with apologies. 

Deciding to give you space, he softly tells you to take the next few days off, unprepared for the tired look you had given him, simply nodding in response as you slipped into your side of the bed with your back turned to him.

“Where’s your pretty girlfriend?” 

“Fiance.” Osamu forces a smile at his two elderly regulars two days later, the wife’s smile widening at his correction. 

“Oho! Cherish each other while you youths still can, she really does brighten this place up, doesn’t she?” 

You do.

Osamu’s eyes feel hot as he does a messy job of cleaning up the restaurant, closing up shop early and stopping by your favorite bakery to pick up the ridiculously expensive cake he only ever buys for your birthday. 

Throwing the door open to your shared apartment hastily, you gasp at the gray-haired man’s sudden entry, dropping the spoon you were about to use to taste the dish you were making on the stove.

“Samu, y-you’re home early-” 

“What’s all this?” He tries to steady his breaths at the sight of a nicely prepared table, something you hardly ever got to share ever since the night shifts overtook your lives and caused a rift between the two of you. 

You’re silent for a second, looking away from his warm stare as you shift under his gaze. 

“...I miss you.” Dark eyes widen when you begin to hiccup over your words, tears threatening to spill down your cheeks. “But I didn’t wanna be a nusciance-”

“Oh god, darlin’ no.” You’re pulled tightly into his chest as you cry, whole body shaking with tremors as Osamu’s inner turmoil merely increases.

If Osamu could go back in time and punch himself he would, unknowing of the torment he caused you over the past few days, thinking you just needed space. 

“I want to marry ya Y/N, I’m so sorry.” 

“I love you so much Samu.” You sniffle into his chest, causing him to smile softly, a hand sifting through your hair to hold you tighter to him. 

“I brought cake.” 

You laugh through the onslaught of tears. 

“And I made dinner.” 

“Then what are we waitin’ for?” 

“Just hold me like this for awhile?”

“Y/N.” He kisses the top of your head, finally feeling at ease with your figure in his arms. Osamu whispers a confession he hardly shared with you, wanting those words in particular to be special as he bridged the gap between the two of you.

“I love ya so much more, don’t you go forgettin’ it.”

Kuroo Tetsurou

“I said I was sorry!” 

“Is sorry supposed to just fix everything, Tetsurou?” 

“Tetsurou? Are you seriously withholding me from my nickname privileges?” 

You cross your arms at his attempt to make you laugh, thoroughly angry with the mess your boyfriend made of things as his smile fades at your peeved stare. 

“Look, what was I supposed to do?” 

“How about not leaving my parents waiting for you at the restaurant that you invited them to for another one of your spontaneous volleyball practices?” 

“I texted you I had to cancel!” 

“That was a half hour before we were supposed to meet, Kuroo! They were so excited to meet you they got there early. God, why can’t you ever take things seriously?” 

“You’re right.” A bitter chuckle slips Kuroo’s lips as you falter at the sudden tone change, the volleyball gym seeming bigger than ever as his next sentence makes your lips tremble.

“Since I can’t ever take things seriously, then I must not need my serious girlfriend then, right?” Your eyes widen. “I can just find somebody else who won’t fucking hound me all the time.”

His cat-like eyes widen as the words slip his tongue, unintentionally coming out crueler than he intended. To make it worse, you simply stayed silent, your body physically backing down and away from him as you turned on your heel. 

“Wait, I didn’t-” 

“Do it then.” His chest just about shatters as your shoulders tremble, refusing to turn back around as your voice takes on an uncharasterically defeated tone. “I hope they make you fucking happy.” 

Kuroo runs a hand through his raven hair frustratedly at the way you rushed out of the gym, throwing a stray ball so hard at the wall before his vision becomes skewed with heat. 

He should have expected the next week to be utter hell. You left class before he could catch you by escaping to the bathroom with all your things, leaving school another way instead of the exit you always took together before he had to start club activities. 

“Kenma, what are you doing?” 

“You can’t come in here.” 

“I’m missing class for this. Let me through.” 

“She doesn’t want to see you.” Kenma shrugged, eyes on his handheld. “I told her I’d watch the door so you can’t surprise her during our breaktime.” 

“I’m her boyfriend. And you’re not her guarddog.” 

“No, I’m her friend.” Kenma’s eyes narrow at his childhood friend. “And last time I checked, you’re on the search for someone who isn’t her.” 

“So she told you.” 

“Dick move, by the way.” 

Kuroo’s calls go straight to voicemail, his emotions affecting his playing with each passing day. He leaves little notes in your shoe locker to meet him, heart sinking more and more with every time you stood him up. 

And it wasn’t until he saw you smiling again at a joke Yaku made that he truly felt like he was losing you. 

“Go home.” 

The sight wasn’t one you were expecting to see, Kuroo sitting on the steps to your house with his hands shoved deep in his jacket pockets, the dark bags under his eyes sparking worry within you. 

“It’s probably better if my parents don’t see you-” 

“I’m sorry.” His eyes seem to have lost a little of their glint, regret swimming in the tall boy’s pupils as your guard softens. “I’m so goddamn sorry I ran my mouth and said shit I didn’t even mean-” 

“Tetsurou-” 

“And I hurt you in the process. I hurt the one thing that matters to me the most, and I’m sitting here playing the creepy ex that stalks the girl he loves-” 

“You love me?”

“Doesn’t matter, does it? You’re done with me, and I deserve it-” 

He’s cut off with the sight of tears hitting the wood in front of him, lifting his head to see tears streaking down your cheeks. On instinct, he reaches out softly, rising to his feet to cup your cheek, astonished when you curl into his touch. 

“I’m so fucking mad at you right now.” 

“Noted.” Kuroo laughs somberly, a wave of emotion hitting him as you do something you hadn’t done in days. 

You look him in the eye, tugging him closer by the sides of his jacket. 

“But I love you too, you absolute idiot.” 

Kuroo grins into the kiss you press onto his lips, heart lifting in weight as he pulls you closer. 

“Does this mean we can go back to Tetsu?” 

“I’m going back to ignoring you-” 

“No.” Kuroo’s tone turns serious as he holds you a little tighter. “I can’t do that again.” 

You smile as he presses a kiss to your temple lovingly. 

“Being away from you was complete and utter hell, sweetheart.” 

Akaashi Keiji

“Tell me how to make this right.”

“Right, Y/N.” Akaashi refused to meet your eyes as he loosens his school tie, not slowing his pace for you to catch up with as he throws the doors open to the volleyball club. The usually put-together setter had an angry glint in his eye that silenced his awaiting teammates. “Let’s just go back in time before you agreed to be his partner.”

“Hey hey, what’s going on you two?” Bokuto jogs up, his worried tone making your lips tremble even more at the sight of Akaashi’s turned back.

“I came to you as soon as he made a move! I didn’t let him-”

“There shouldn’t have been an opportunity for him to make a move in the first place.” Akaashi’s jaw clenched as you shuffle in place.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, you think I wanted him to try to kiss me?!” You fight the waver in your voice, standing your ground. “It was a project for class. I didn’t know his intentions-“

“I told you what his intentions were, but you never listen.” Akaashi turns hastily, startling you and causing you to stumble slightly backwards into Bokuto.

“Akaashi-“

“Stop defending her. She never listens to me, and then comes crying to me when it turns out I’m right.” Akaashi snips at his best friend, ignoring the silent stares from his quiet teammates. “Why can’t you get it through your head, Y/N? I’m not your goddamn babysitter-“

“You’re right.” You interrupt, fingernails biting into your palms as you choke back a sob. “You’re not, you’re my boyfriend. I just wanted to respect you by coming to you with something like this, but it turns out I’m just a hinderance.”

Akaashi falters for a second, blue eyes widening a fraction at the angry heat that fills your eyes as regret begins to bubble in his stomach at his harsh words.

“Y/N-“

“Give me some space, Keiji.” You say softly, patting Bokuto’s arm to let you through as your shoulders sink in a defeated manner. “I promise I won’t come crying to you about anything else.”

Your steps echo as you walk out of the gym, Konoha breaking the silence first when the door shuts behind you.

“Hate to say it, but that was well-deserved, man.”

Akaashi closes his eyes, head falling back towards the ceiling as he tries to steady his breathing, pretending like he wasn’t scared of you slipping through his fingers. He willed himself to not allow himself to chase after you, his anger directed towards you fading as he forces himself to respect your wishes. 

It was obvious you were avoiding him. Akaashi had blinked when Bokuto had self-proclaimed that he needed you as his “study buddy” during breaks when you weren’t even in the same year as the owlish boy. It got worse when you seemed to panic when Akaashi willed you to talk to him, eyes refusing to meet his watery blue ones as you pushed him further away.

So he gave you your space, wilting with each passing day. It wasn’t until he accidentally bumped into you a week later, the setter turning hastily on his heel to walk in the opposite direction before a soft tug on the back of his school shirt wills him to stop. 

“Keiji.” Your wobbly voice makes him turn back around immediately, a soft palm already cupping your cheek gently. “I’m s-” 

“I’m sorry for being cruel.” The words are whispered against your forehead, Akaashi’s heartstrings tugging in the worst way possible. “I was angry at the situation, my love. And that sorry excuse you call a classmate. Please,” 

His grip tightens just a little more as he feels wet warmth drip into the palm that was cupping your face.

“Forgive me.” 

“I told you I wouldn’t come crying to you-” 

“I want it all, Y/N.” Akaashi pulls back slightly, voice cracking slightly as blue stares intensely into your irises. “I want all of you. Tears included.”

You swat his chest playfully as Akaashi manages a soft smile, hand threaded through your hair as he presses you against his chest.

“Do you still need space?” He murmurs, and you smile at the sound of his hearbeat picking up as he awaited your answer fearfully. 

“Nope. The exact opposite, please hold me?” 

His embrace relaxes immediately, and your heart skips a beat at the sound of his relieved sigh, his slight nod making the weight lift off your chest. 

“Good, now I can take care of your classmate-” 

“Keiji-”

“Nope, my love.” He tucks a strand of hair behind your ear, Akaashi’s eyes swirling with devotion. 

“No one gets to try anything with you so long as you’re safe with me.” 

Tsukishima Kei 

“So I’m the bad guy again.” 

“Do you want the honest answer, Kei?” You exhaustedly run a hand through your hair as Tsukishima’s scowl deepens, his long legs easily catching up with you in stride as he tugs on your wrist as the rambunctious court gets further and further away. 

“It’s not my fault you’re insecure.” 

You flinch. “Well maybe you shouldn’t let the girls in the stands cling to you after your matches. They were all over you, Tsukki! And you didn’t seem to mind it one bit.” 

“What?” Annoyance brims the blonde’s voice as he takes another step forward, clenching his jaw when he sees the quiver in your lip, distrust filling the atmosphere between the two of you. 

“Afraid that they’re prettier or better than you’ll ever be?” 

You feel as if the wind was knocked out of your lungs, breath catching in your throat at his insinuation. His guard slackens almost immediately, clicking his tongue before turning away, too proud to apologize for the words he regretted as soon as they slipped his tongue like venom. 

“Yeah.” You laugh humorlessly, making brown eyes dart over to your expression immediately. “You’re 100% correct. I am afraid you’ll find someone better than me in all aspects. Because I love you, you absolute asshole. Is that what you wanted to hear?” 

The silence that befalls the two of you in the deserted hall is broken when you flinch away when Tsukishima tries to take a step towards you. 

“I didn’t-” 

“You never mean to do anything, Kei.” You say in a hushed tone, turning your back on him in an attempt to shield the hot tears slipping down your cheeks. “But you somehow always manage to.” 

The win for Karasuno didn’t mean much to the blonde that night, hoping that this would just go away and things would be back to normal. However, it was anything but. You didn’t look his way once in class, disappearing when it was over. Your voice trembled as you had avoided his seemingly stoic eyes through his frames, simply stating that you wished for some time away from him. 

He was fine. Or at least pretending to be on the outside. In truth, he would never find better, because you were it for him, words that you would never catch slipping his mouth. So he put on a front, pretending that your absence had zero effect on him whatsoever. Pretending the brush of your body against him in the hall as you pass each other didn’t make the blonde want to cave. 

It was the smile you shot at Hinata during one of your breaks that caused him to. The first glint in your eye in awhile, and it had been caused by him of all people, prompting the tall middle blocker to tug you by the forearm into the corridor.

“Tsukishima-” 

“I hate this.” 

You falter for a second, guard back up in a flash as your back touches the wall. “What did I do?” 

“You didn’t do anything, and it’s pissing me off.” 

“I don’t follow-” 

“I was wrong.” His forehead touches your shoulder as you stiffen before relaxing against his familiar touch. “I don’t care how many times I have to apologize. You win, okay? I’m sorry.” 

“This is a rather aggressive apology-” 

“Y/N.” Tsukishima lifts his head so it’s level with your height, unprepared for the way tears brimmed your eyes at the proximity, your guard diminishing. 

“What if you do find someone better one day, Tsukki?” Your voice cracks, inner fears trickling to the surface. “Do I need to prepare myself to lose you-?” 

You gasp as Tsukishima’s jaw ticks before kissing you intensely, his hand touching your lower back to pull you closer. 

“No. You don’t need to do something stupid like that.” His eyes were slightly glaring at you, a flush across both his cheeks. “Because there is no one better than you, okay?” 

It was your turn for heat to flood your cheeks as your eyes widen a fraction, his breath tickling your ear as you stutter. “Kei-” 

“I love you too. I said it, are you satisfied now?”  

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

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[motthe]

the house call

i’m still on hiatus but i’ve been watching arcane so here *throws fic and runs*

summary: Viktor is often left yearning for his soulmate, aching to know what makes them so bright and energetic. Thanks to Jayce, he gets to find out.

trigger warnings: none

Viktor x nb/gn!reader

lumen - the physical embodiment of your soulmate.

lumens take on the form of a small ball of light and vary in color from person to person. when you meet your soulmate your lumen will emit a bright light and upon brushing with your soulmate’s lumen they both will give off a flash of light.

It’s nearly four in the morning when he nods off, cheek weighing on lean fingers as the pen stops trailing across the paper. Strands of hair fall over his brow, kissing his lashes as they flutter close only to blink open as something nudges his jaw. The faint golden glow gives you away.

Beams of light stretch out over his desk as you rub under his chin, supporting his head as he lets his hand fall from his cheek to your soft form. You make yourself at home in the curve of his palm as he lifts you to his lips, whispering a soft, “I know.”

Your luminance pulses, a likely deterrent. He can hear your voice whisper back, more an echo than a response, “Go to bed.”

If you had heard him that was a rarity in and of itself. Emotions can pass over fairly easily, painting a clear enough picture of what you are attempting to get across. Voice messages are few and far between with lumens, but he clings to them when he can. Your words are all he ever wants to hear most days.

Sighing, you brush along his face and he smiles because that is your favorite spot—nestled right up against the flat side of his angular nose. He also thinks you prefer it for location’s sake; you want to be his center of attention but never in the way of his work. It makes his heart ache.

“All right, all right,” he breathes, a ghost of a chuckle in his tone as he scoops you away from batting against his skin. You’re growing upset for every minute he remains cognizant. “I will go to bed now, little ram. Quit your bashing.”

He pushes you away with two fingers, far enough so that he can grab his crutch and rise from his chair without any interference. As soon as he drops his hand you drift right back to him, taking up residence in the crook of his neck as he stretches. He had been sitting in that hunched position for far too long.

Bending over his work desk and ignoring the monstrous mess of papers scattered across it, he switches the lamp off and allows you to light his way to the door and from there, home.

Your brilliance always astounds him, especially in the dark confines of his little apartment. Some days he can’t believe he was ever ashamed of it. The time where your light had been too much for him—where he had been embarrassed by peers complaining his lumen posed too much of a distraction in class. He had taken to hiding you away in a shirt pocket or even his satchel. It was only when you had begun to dim that he realized how much he was hurting you. One of his biggest regrets, by far. He wouldn’t dare hide you now. If you wanted to light up a room, he would be there to watch the audience go blind.

“Thank you,” he murmurs as you hover near the keyhole, his key having missed the first few times. “You’re very observant for a floating ball of light.”

You blink at his comment and run circles up his arm as the door opens. It pulls a laugh from his dry throat.

“Always with the energy. I wish for even half of it.”

He wonders what could you possibly be up to at this hour? How could you stand to be so high-spirited when the sun you mirrored still lay asleep far below the horizon? Did you prefer to stay up late? Or did work leave you laboring on into the early morning as often as he did?

He doesn’t bother to wash off, he is too tired, too worn. Barely does he manage to change into sleepwear, weakly pulling the cotton pants up over his legs as you glide back and forth across the bed. You lull at times, floating low enough to roll across the sheets before rising back into the air. It takes maximum effort or so it seems.

“Perhaps we both should be in bed, yes?” His voice beckons you closer as he slides under his covers, setting his crutch between the bed frame and nightstand as usual.

Turning on his left side, he lets his body melt into the mattress as you sidle up next to him. He watches you, grinning as your light flickers and softens. You are the one nodding off now.

Taking you into his palm, he murmurs sweet nothings into your downy spirit and tucks you safely against his heart. He hopes some piece of his words reach you wherever you are.

You wake with a start, heartbeat erratic as white encompasses your vision. Clawing at your face, you rip the paper off and stare at the incomprehensible handwriting—you really shouldn't try to write notes half asleep—as the phone rattles on in the background.

Pushing away from your desk, you stumble out of your chair with a groan and rush to answer the call. Your bare feet thunder across your cold wooden floors, slipping on one page lying in wait to strike. The world shifts as one leg goes sliding. You stub a toe on the corner of the table in the process.

“Shit!”

Your hand slams on the wall as you bring your foot up, holding the wound as you fight back tears. The angry bite of a sting wraps around the entire toe; an inflamed fury.

Screaming in your throat, you take a deep breath and grab the handset, pulling the telephone free of its cradle and raising it to your face. You manage to get out your name and a short, “Who’s calling?”

“Hey, it’s me.”

An aggravated sigh escapes before you can catch it.

“What? Not happy to hear from me?” Jayce laughs over the line. “I’m hurt, Doc.”

“Shut up. You gave me a heart attack—I stubbed my toe because of you!” you hiss. You could feel it thumping and prayed it wouldn’t swell. “What is it?”

“Listen, I know it’s your day off—”

“I swear, Jayce, if this isn’t something important you’re dead.”

“It is,” he promises. “Look my friend is feeling under the weather and refuses to go in for a check-up. Will you make a house call with me?”

You lean your cheek against the wall, expression scrunching up. “How do you know it’s serious?”

“He wouldn’t skip a day at the lab with a common cold let alone the flu.”

You hum, glancing over your shoulder and doing a double-take at the soft ball of umber lounging there. One look at the clock on your wall has your jaw dropping. There was no way in hell he was still asleep this late into the morning. Your lumen was always active by seven in the morning at the latest.

“Look,” Jayce sighs through the receiver, pulling you back to reality, “he left a message last night after I left early and he just sounds bad. Can you help?”

“Uh, sure,” you say, staring down at your feet and beginning the mental search of where you last left your medical bag. “I’ll meet you there as soon as I get freshened up. What’s the address?”

You fumble for a pen, nearly pulling the telephone wire off the wall as you scramble to write down the location. If your memory is correct, it’s within walking distance. Ten, maybe fifteen minutes. Jayce gives the go-ahead; there is no real rush, he’s just concerned as any friend should be.

“You better give me a big tip, making me run around on my free day.”

“C’mon, you’ve missed me. I’ll buy you lunch.”

“Deal. I pick the place.” You hang up before he can argue.

Stomping back towards your desk, this time careful of the hazardous papers on the floor, you carefully nudge your lumen until his warm glow purrs to life. His usual copper radiance is weak. Clicking your tongue, you carefully roll him onto your hand and caress his form, giving him a kiss for good measure.

“You’ve been staying up too late this week. Guess it caught up with you,” you say, keeping him close as you went about getting ready for the day.

One quick shower and “a-ha” moment later, you are retrieving your medical bag from its place in the kitchen and rushing out the door. Five steps down the hall and you turn around, hurry back to lock the door, then you are officially off.

The sun is bright outside, warming your skin and fighting off the chill your wet hair brings with every breeze. You should have dried it better.

Some neighbors and a few of your clients wave as you pass, a few wishing to stop and chat, but with a quick excuse, you are on your way again. You remind your clients to keep up with their medications or ointments or whatever ailments you are attempting to fix as you retreat. With all of them, a lumen sticks close, all various colors and fairing far better than yours.

You brush over him, his warmth huddled in the collar of your shirt. He was strong enough to cling to you, at least.

“If you’re this bad tomorrow, we’re gonna have a problem on our hands,” you mutter, worry creeping higher and higher.

Hearing your name, you turn and smile as Jayce beckons you across the street. You get to the corner of the side you are on and wait for a break in traffic before jogging across, tools and the like rustling in your bag. You jump over the gutter and land on the sidewalk with no accidents.

“Long time no see, nerd,” you laugh, pulling your childhood friend into a hug. He returns it, arms strong and sturdy around you. He smells of rich cologne and a spice his mother used in all her home cooking. You never can remember it.

“You spent more time in school, you know. Think that makes you the bigger nerd here.”

His smile encompasses his entire face just like you remember when you pull back, his eyes glittering in the sunlight. You give him a quick scan when you step out of his embrace. He certainly looks good and healthy. Was he going to the gym now?

“I’m not the one that’s sick, Doc,” he says, his hand sweeping behind you to land on your back and direct you towards the building you stand in front of. “Save the ogling for Viktor.”

“Keep joking,” you hum, patting his shoulder and strutting ahead. “There are plenty of five-star restaurants nearby calling my name.”

He grins, eyes only slightly fearful as he leads you inside. “You're just too fun to tease.”

“So, his name’s Viktor?” you ask, sidestepping a girl as she rushes through the entrance. From her clothes and briefcase, she’s running late to the office. The door slams shut with an empty echo around the lobby of the apartment building. You shiver from the breeze created.

“Yep.”

“Have any symptoms to report?”

Jayce’s brow furrows, thoughts loud on his face as you both enter an elevator. You motion to the fifth level and he gives the go-ahead to press it, silent in his deliberation.

“He’s always needed a crutch for his leg, so don’t let that surprise you,” he warns, gesturing down to his right leg. “But I catch him coughing a lot. He’s been doing it more often recently, even left the room a few times when it wouldn't die down.”

“Did you ever ask him about it?”

Jayce chuckles, rolling his eyes. “Calls it a dry throat or choking on spit half the time. I didn’t want to push any boundaries.”

“How thoughtful.” He glances at your mischievous smile, breaking off into laughter as you wiggle your eyebrows at him.

“He’s not my soulmate,” he answers straight. At that, his own lumen pops out of his vest, the rose gold hue vibrant in the dull grey interior of the elevator.

“Any luck with that?”

“Nope,” he sighs, taking his lumen into his hand to hold. “You?”

You raise a hand to cover where yours lies in the crook of your neck, frowning at his feeble wiggle in response to your touch.

“Nah,” you mumble. “Maybe someday soon. His color is always vibrant.”

“Yours and mine both. They’re somewhere in this city, just gotta find ‘em.”

The elevator doors open with a ding and Jayce waves you on, always the gentleman. “He’s at the end of the hall.”

Your footsteps echo softly as you walk, eyes drawn to the windows as you pass by. The street below is still bustling with life. You spot a comfy-looking cafe and your stomach growls at the prospects.

“Damn,” teases Jayce. You swing your bag at him and let it hit him square in the chest, smiling as he grunts and stumbles back. “What are you carrying in there?”

You shrug, pausing to look back at him. “The usual.”

Shaking his head at you, he marches by. You don’t miss him fixing his vest as he comes to a stop at the last door. Keeping near the window to take in the sights again, you keep an ear out as he knocks.

You look down even though you can’t see your lumen in his spot, bringing a hand up as he jumps against your neck.

“What?” you croon, cupping his form. Had something scared him?

“Viktor? It’s Jayce!” You turn, frown still weighing your lips down as you watch Jayce knock a second time. “Listen I know this is a little forward, but I brought my friend to check on you. They’re a doctor—”

“He didn’t know I was coming?!” you shriek, whirling around completely. “Jayce!”

The man waves his hands around his head, clearly stressed. “He’s stubborn!”

“Well, I’m not gonna treat someone without their consent! Unless he’s on death’s door—”

A lock clicks, your focus shifting to the door to the apartment as you hear it creak open. You can’t see into the apartment from where you are standing by the window.

“No one is on death’s door, thank you,” a heavily accented voice says. You purse your lips at the tone of it, something tickling the back of your mind. He sounds familiar.

“Holy shit,�� Jayce breathes. You glance at him, giving him a confused look as his eyes zero in below your chin.

“What are you staring at?”

“Your lumen,” he says pointing towards your shoulder, “it’s…”

You gasp, dropping your back to grab at him. “Did his light go out?!”

You should have been paying more attention to him. What if he was so weak because he was in trouble?

“No, he’s—”

You bring your lumen away from your neck to find him beaming, his usual coppery light something warmer and the strongest to date. Still, he refuses to float.

“Is everything all right?”

You look past your lumen to see a man leaning out of the apartment, a crutch holding him upright as he peers around Jayce to meet your presumably awestruck expression. He has the same color hair as your lumen’s luminance, long and a bit unkempt.

On his shoulder, his lumen shines just as brilliantly as yours. By the quick glance between your hand and your face, he has connected the dots as well.

“It’s you?” he asks, stepping out further into the hall. You don’t want to assume, but he sounds hopeful, at least. You really should have dried your hair, you look like a mess, you bet.

“I think so, I—” You shrug, tongue-tied and clumsily motioning to his lumen. “Yours is looking really bright, too. You didn’t notice?”

He tilts his head towards his shoulder as his lumen drops off and spins circles around him. You feel heat take hold of you, trying to stamp down your excitement. If that really is you, you are way too ecstatic.

He huffs, eyes crinkling in the corners as he shakes his head and meets your gaze. “You are always this bright.”

Your heart stutters and the golden lumen all but darts around the room before zipping towards your hand where yours stays settled in your palm. Gold hovers around umber as if tiptoeing. When they brush a light flashes by and you just know; he’s yours and your his.

“Well, guess you’ll be getting that check-up,” Jayce says to Viktor (it was Viktor, right? Did you remember that correctly?). You completely forgot your friend existed in the same space for a moment there. He claps Viktor on the shoulder. “Hope you feel better and congratulations you two!”

He pats you on the back as he leaves and you fight with yourself to not stop him. Yearning to meet your soulmate is one thing, actually being alone with them for the first time was another. He flashes you a thumbs-up from the elevator as the doors slide shut.

“Would you like to come in?”

You twirl around, squeaking, “Yes!”

His chuckling has you trembling in embarrassment as you shuffle towards him, then backtrack to grab the bag you had dropped. He moves to the side to allow you entry and you steal another look as you go by, biting the inside of your cheek. He has a beauty mark under his eye, his chin, too. Gorgeous side profile, sharp jaw, and you adore his nose, big and angular. A strange thing to like, you’re sure, but you do nonetheless.

“I wasn’t expecting company, so it’s not the cleanest, I’m afraid,” he says.

“Oh, Gods, mine either,” you laugh, careful as you walked further into his apartment. The walls were barren but there was an office open on your right just as messy as your own, various tools and papers haphazardly placed. “I actually slipped on some paper this morning when Jayce called.”

You can hear the amusement in his hum and mentally cringe. Why did you tell him that? There was no reason to bring up how you were prone to accidents.

Wandering in further, you find the living room just as bare with a coffee cup or two placed on the table with some thick books--textbooks, more like. The window lights the entire room, sunbeams reveal dust particles in the air. Here there is a still existence; a lack of presence. There may be a mess, but you doubt he spends a lot of his time at home. This is more of a rest stop than a residence.

“Are you and Jayce close?” you ask.

“We work together, yes. His Hextech piqued my interest so I assisted him somewhat in getting it up on its feet.”

“That was you!” you gasp, spinning around and clearly catching him off guard. Your lumen, well, his lumen you should say since it is hir reflection, it jumps in your hand and you wince. “Sorry, I just… That explosion that happened, it really discouraged his studies and he told me about you and how you helped with the council and everything--”

“You seem close.” His eyes rove to the floor for a moment before rising back to yours. “Childhood friends?”

You shrug, “Pretty much. We studied together a lot in school, then kind of split ways with me going medical and him with all the tech and gadgets and all...that. But we stayed in touch. His mother is one of my client’s, actually.”

“And how is that? Being a doctor?” He waves a hand to the couch and you make to sit, moving his lumen to your shoulder. Yours is still floating around the room, carefree and incessantly bright.

“Busy, uh, could I take a look at you?” you ask, getting your thoughts back on track. “I heard you haven’t been feeling well.”

The corner of his lips stretch as he shakes his head. “It’s only a cough.”

“Well, your lumen over here says otherwise,” you say, brushing a finger over the weak piece of him. “Hasn’t floated once today and his light was dull.”

Viktor shrugs. “I am dull person at best of times.”

“Funny.” You pat the free cushion next to you. “I won’t bite, come on.”

He sighs but relents, limping closer and lowering down next to you. The crutch goes against the couch as you pop your bag open and grab your stethoscope, flashlight, and a fresh new stick to check that throat of his.

“How long you been coughing for?” you hum, scooting closer and bringing the bell to his chest. He tilts his head down to watch you, eyes darting up when you tilt your head at him, waiting.

“Comes and goes,” he says as you find his heartbeat. It’s strong. A little fast, but that’s to be expected. No concerning sounds or erratic rhythms. You stand to get around to his back, waving a hand when he moves.

“Take some deep breaths for me, yeah?” You slide the bell down over his lower shoulder, searching for that sweet spot to hear the lungs. He does as he is told as you fiddle with the diaphragm.

“Hmm, not the best sound to hear,” you murmur, searching for your pen to jot down some notes. Sitting back down on the couch, you flip to a fresh page in your miniature handbook. “Coughing up anything lately? Phlegm? Dare I say blood?”

“What is your name?”

You raise an eyebrow, turning your head to look at him. He is intent on you when you do. You notice, then, that his eyes are a soft honey gold in the sunlight. They are his softest feature with chapped lips and a face sculpted with exhaustion and perhaps malnourishment. You feel your doctor instincts rising within, wanting to ask him what his diet is, his sleep schedule.

You want to take care of him.

“Answer my question first,” you whisper, “and I’ll tell you anything you want.”

“Anything?” he asks, mischief somewhere in the weak grin tugging at his lips.

“Well, I want to make sure you’re healthy,” you excuse. “Besides, isn’t that the next step here? Getting to know one another?”

“Do you want to know me?” You blink at him, confused. He makes a small noise in his throat, eyes escaping to the corner of your room. “I would not be surprised if you were…disappointed.”

“Viktor,” you breathe, holding back a laugh as your eyes go wide, “did you not see me fumbling out in the hall?”

“You are energetic.”

“I’m a mess,” you guffaw. “You’re incredibly handsome, you know, and here I am with damp hair and rumpled clothes—”

“You are perfect.”

Your face feels hot. The fact your lumen comes barreling into his chest to rub against his neck makes you want to sink into the floor.

“Also, I am still in my pajamas.”

At the statement, you look down to take in his attire for the first time. The striped pants are awfully cute.

“Well, I didn’t even notice. You still look pretty put together.”

He hums and you scratch behind your ear, attempting to recall the last question you had asked. He was a little too good at distracting you.

“So? Blood? Phlegm?” you squeak, focusing on your notes.

“…There is blood sometimes.” You pause, concern creeping as the list of possible reasons hammer through your head. “It is never much and does not occur often.”

“Okay…” You note it, underline it.

“Your name?”

You tell it to him, voice soft. He repeats it and you find you love his accent more and more. “Have you ever been in for a check up?”

“Maybe if I had we would have crossed paths sooner,” he teases, dodging the question.

“Viktor.”

“I said so at the door,” he tells you, sure of himself, “I am not on death’s door.”

“And I would like to keep it that way.” You lean closer. “Can I draw some blood?”

He grins and your chest flutters as he mirrors your movement, nose millimeters from yours. “How brazen. I prefer dinner first, you know.”

You laugh deep in your throat, shaking your head as you begin to pack your medical tools.

“You know, the way Jayce talks about you, I thought you’d be more…reserved.”

“I am very reticent, yes.” His brows raise as he tilts his head off to the side. “You are just too fun to tease.”

“So I’ve heard,” you sigh, shutting your bag. “Are you free for lunch? If you’re feeling up to it?”

“I wasn’t feeling particularly sick,” he explains, “I overslept, which rarely happens, and Jayce has a tendency to worry.”

“You're telling me. Calls me on my off day.” You get to your feet. “I saw a cafe across the street and I’m starving. It’s not dinner, but it’s a start.”

“It is perfect,” he says, following you up off the couch. “Just give me a few moments to freshen up, yes?”

“Take all the time you need,” you assure him, grabbing your stomach as it growls. “Ignore that.”

His laughter is full and warm and for the first time that day, his lumen topples off your shoulder to dance around yours.

[writemywaytoyourheart]

Aim For The Heart | Chapter 26: Judicium

Pairing: hitman!jungkook x female reader

Genre: romance, drama, angst

WC: 10.2k

Warnings for this chapter: strong language, blood, bullying, past physical/emotional abuse, guns, knife, slightly (?) descriptive murder, anxiety attacks, implied past suicide attempt, depression, ptsd. Again, pls let me know if there is something that ought to be a warning and I forgot. 

This chapter is heavy guys...

summary; Jeon Jungkook is an infamous hitman, known for his inability to fail at whatever job is thrown his way. At least, up until now. Y/n, a kind-hearted and full of life teacher, is his newest target. Jeon isn’t sure who would put a hit on this seemingly innocent girl, but fortunately, that isn’t his problem. All he has to do is pull the trigger.

Previous > Next

"You lied to me... Why?"

Jungkook is frozen in his place as he stares at the images of your sweet smile.

When he finally drags his eyes up to Taehyung, he sees the hitman breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling as he tries to control his rage.

"Why did you lie to me?"

Taehyung's voice shakes with his attempt at staying calm.

"I knew you would kill her if you found out I didn't," Jungkook says quietly.

"Why the fuck didn't you kill her?"

His voice is still eerily calm.

Jungkook swallows the lump in his throat.

He doesn't know how to answer that.

He's sure that the truth will infuriate him even more.

But lying doesn't seem like such a good idea right now either.

"Answer me."

"I don't know what you want me to say," Jungkook speaks honestly.

"I want the truth."

"I think you already know the truth."

Tae drops his head into his hands as if Jungkook just shattered his last sliver of hope.

"You're a fucking dumbass," Taehyung hisses.

"I know."

"Fucking bastard."

Jungkook drops his gaze back to the images on the ground.

Then he freezes.

What-

He crouches and slides an image out from under another one.

It's the picture of you and him when you got matching bracelets.

When you told him to make the peace sign. 

You're hugging his waist with a huge smile on your pretty face as you look at the camera.

"Where did you get this?" Jungkook breathes.

"What? Tae takes his hands from his face.

He scoffs when he sees the image he had been staring at for hours.

Jungkook stands up with the picture, "This was on her phone, no one could've gotten it."

"Clearly, your little whore is playing you-"

Tae flinches when Jungkook grabs his collar and yanks him an inch from his face, "I asked you a goddamn question, not to run your fucking mouth."

Taehyung glares fiercely at him, then he grabs Jungkook's hands and rips them from his shirt.

"How the hell am I meant to know where it's from? I got the pictures in the folder, that's fucking it."

Jungkook's mind is spinning.

How the hell did they get that picture?

He takes a step from Tae, trying to collect his thoughts.

Mina. 

Mina is back.

She must have something to do with this.

Taehyung sees the wheels turning in Jungkook's mind.

Jungkook turns to leave but feels a tight grip on his arm.

"You don't need to worry about Mina," Taehyung says lowly, "She isn't the one that's going to kill her."

Jungkook looks at his friend like he's lost his mind. 

"I told you to fucking kill her, Jungkook."

"Tae, you wouldn't-"

"I told you to kill her months ago!! Why did they have to seek me out to finish your fucking job?!"

Jungkook yanks his arm away and reaches for the door, but his shoulder gets grabbed and he's yanked back roughly, then shoved so he's falling onto his ass as Taehyung stands over him.

"Stay out of it, Jungkook."

Jungkook is on his feet in an instant and lunging at Tae.

The older hitman meets him head-on. 

"Why are you doing this?!" Jungkook screams, trying to get past him to the door.

"I'm doing this for you, you dumbass!!"

Jungkook doesn't stop struggling, he throws a punch, connecting his fist with Tae's lower stomach and causing the young man to double over with a groan.

Jungkook bolts around him and grabs the door handle, but before he can open it, he's body slammed into the door, the breath knocked from his lungs.

In his moment of weakness, Tae grabs his shirt and pulls him into his chest, wrapping an arm around him to keep him in place as Jungkook takes a few deep breaths.

"Let me go," He rasps. 

"I can't do that, Jungkook."

Jungkook squirms, trying to maneuver his arms so he can slip them out and elbow Tae in the fucking throat.

But the older boy's arms tighten, practically crushing him.

"Fuck, let me go you fucking bastard."

"I can't-"

Tae's words are cut off when Jungkook throws his head back and cracks their heads together violently, smashing the back of his head right into Taehyung's nose.

Even as his head spins, he brings a leg up and kicks his captor in the knee, causing them to both fall to the ground as Taehyung groans in pain.

Jungkook scrambles out of Tae's arms and crawls for the door, his head still spinning.

A hand on his ankle makes him kick out, trying to kick his opponent away as the room sways.

But Taehyung avoids it easily and drags Jungkook back.

"Why are you fucking doing this?!" Jungkook yells angrily, kicking at Tae easier now since he's on his back.

"I don't want to hurt you, Jungkook," Tae rasps, blood pouring from his nose as he straddles Jungkook's hips, successfully pinning him to the floor.

Jungkook can't think straight. 

He's in a state of panic. 

All he can think about is getting to you.

Or at least not letting Tae get to you.

His strength is doing nothing for him when he can't think clearly enough to use it.

His best friend. 

His own best friend is trying to kill you.

He knew Tae would be able to kill you months ago, but now?

He knows Jungkook fell for you.

How can he kill you now?

"Let me the fuck go!" Jungkook squirms enough to get an arm free.

Tae grabs it and tries to wrestle it back down, but Jungkook is finally starting to come to terms with the fact that he needs to hurt his best friend.

And he needs to use his strength to do it. 

A well-placed punch causes blood to start pouring from Jungkook's nose as his head drops to the ground and he coughs.

Tae grabs his arm again, but Jungkook is ready this time.

He pulls his arm toward himself, which leads Tae's hand that way too.

Jungkook bites down hard on Tae's hand. 

"Ah fuck!" 

Tae punches Jungkook again, effectively freeing his now bleeding hand.

He throws another punch out of spite.

"Stupid bitch," Tae looks at Jungkook's bleeding face as the younger coughs violently, his heart pulling in his chest at the sight.

Then he crawls off of Jungkook.

He grabs his gun off of the coffee table and slips it into the holster on his waist.

"They told me to kill you, Kook," Taehyung gasps at the pain in his hand, "Idiots don't know who they're dealing with...You need to run Jungkook, get out of Seoul, get out of fucking Korea, I don't know. I can take care of things, after she's dead they'll calm down."

Jungkook groans, a bloody mess on the floor.

Yin watches fearfully from under the bed as Jungkook gasps painfully.

"Tae-"

"Jungkook, for once in your goddamn life, listen to me."

Taehyung limps to the door. 

He's a step away when Jungkook tackles him from behind.

Tae yells angrily as he flips over and grapples at him.

But the bloodied young man is too slippery as he scrambles to his feet.

Tae gets up too and lunges.

The force of his body against Jungkook's causes them to stumble into the dining table, knocking it to the floor as they fall haphazardly on top of it.

Tae is up first and grabbing a chair. 

He smashes it on the ground, splintering it until he's got one of the legs separated.

Jungkook heaves in a breath, watching Tae as he stands over him.

"I'm going to knock you the fucking hell out if you don't pull your shit together," Taehyung growls, gripping the leg of the chair threateningly.

Jungkook swallows, "No, you won't."

"Don't test me."

Jungkook catches Tae off guard by lunging for his legs, taking him to the ground easily.

Tae lashes out with the splintered wood, hitting Jungkook in the shoulder hard enough to leave a bad bruise.

But Jungkook barely feels anything. 

His adrenaline is through the roof as he punches Tae over and over and over again.

Tae brings his knee up and smashes it between Jungkook's legs.

That buys him enough time to knock the younger man off of him, watching as he lies on the ground, moaning in pain.

Tae stumbles to his feet, holding a hand to his spinning head.

"You can't beat me, Jungkook. You never could."

Jungkook is curled in a ball, breathing deeply. 

Yin mews helplessly from under the bed as he watches his beloved person cough and roll around.

Jungkook's eyes flutter open and he sees Yin's green eyes shining under the bed, watching him fearfully.

That gives Jungkook enough strength to stand.

Taehyung rolls his eyes as Jungkook gets ready to fight him again.

"Give it up, JK."

Jungkook shakes his head, ignoring the blood dripping down his face as his steps falter.

He lunges at his lifelong best friend and there's another tangling of limbs as they both try to force the other to the ground.

It's all a blur of blood and punches and tangled limbs.

Then there's a loud popping sound and Jungkook screams as he crumples to the floor, his shoulder flaring up in white-hot searing pain.

Oh god, it's dislocated.

Taehyung watches Jungkook grab at his shoulder, his eyes pinched shut as his arm sits at an awkward angle.

He hesitates for only a second, then he swallows. 

"I promise I'll make it quick and painless," He whispers before turning and heading towards the door.

Jungkook looks up in despair. 

Tae is almost to the door. 

As Jungkook watches him, he sees an image of Tae when he was eight years old, taking the place of the brutal hitman now.

The small Tae turns and looks at Jungkook, his boxy smile on full display.

"Come get me, Jungkookie."

Jungkook takes a deep breath and forces himself to his feet, a shout of pain passing his lips as he does. 

He takes a step forward. 

One more step. 

Oh fuck, it fucking hurts.

"Tae," Jungkook calls out to him.

The only reason the hitman turns is because of the sound of his voice. 

It sounds so small and broken. 

Taehyung bites his lip, tasting his own blood.

Then he turns to see Jungkook standing there, covered in blood, his chest heaving in breaths, and his arm dangling unnaturally as he clutches his shoulder.

His eyes are brimming with tears.

"Tae."

"What?"

Jungkook falls to his knees at his best friend's feet and Tae knows it isn't because he's weak.

Jungkook looks up at him, "Please, Tae."

He's begging him.

On his knees.

Tae watches as Jungkook blinks back the tears and swallows, "Tae, I'll do anything. I'll do anything, please don't hurt her."

He's never seen Jungkook so...desperate. 

He sighs, "Jungkook, I'm doing this for you."

"I don't want you to, I don't need you to!"

Taehyung grows frustrated as he runs his hand through his hair, "I'm trying to protect you-"

"I don't need you to protect me anymore! Look at me, Tae."

He looks at him.

"I'm not a little boy anymore. Tae you can stop this, you don't have to do it anymore-"

"What the hell are you on about?"

"You don't have to keep killing," Jungkook whispers, "You can stop, it's okay."

Taehyung grits his teeth and his hands ball into fists.

"I only ever did it for you!"

Jungkook feels a horrible stabbing in his heart at his words.

"Tae-"

"You did this to me! And now you're giving me permission to stop?" Taehyung yells in disbelief.

Jungkook swallows, the guilt of ten years suffocating him as Taehyung laughs bitterly.

"You did this to me," He says it quieter this time.

"Tae, I'm-"

"It's Judicium."

Jungkook's heart sinks to his stomach when Tae says his hitman alias.

"No, no it isn't," Jungkook says desperately, "It's Taehyung. Tae. My best friend. Please, please be my best friend again, Tae, please."

"I tried," Taehyung's voice shakes, "I tried to be your friend and you kept shutting me out and hurting me all over again."

Jungkook's voice gets caught in his throat. 

He only ever shut him out because the guilt was so consuming, he couldn't live with it.

Tae is grabbing at his hair in frustration now.

"I-" His eyes harden and he looks at Jungkook angrily, "I only ever did shit for you! Fuck! You turned me into this!"

__________________________________

15 years ago...

*tap tap tap* 

Jungkook's eyes pop open at the small sound. He glances at the clock.

12:01 

He sits up in bed and looks towards the window to see a small figure outside of it.

Then Jungkook looks to his bedroom door that's cracked open.

He slides out of bed and creeps to the door, shutting it as softly as he can.

Then he hurries to the window and pushes the curtains out of the way to see Tae smiling at him. 

Jungkook unlocks the window and opens it, the cool September air kissing his cheeks.

"Tae, what are you doing here?" He whispers.

Taehyung just gives him a toothy smile, "What? You think I'd miss being the first one to say happy birthday? Move."

Jungkook steps out of the way so Taehyung can crawl into his room.

The nine-year-old boy fits through the window with ease.

It helps that he's got a smaller build than his classmates.

Jungkook looks toward his door anxiously.

A touch on his shoulder brings him back to look at his best friend, "Don't worry, Kook. He won't wake up."

"How do you know?" Jungkook whispers, wringing his hands.

He already got the switch earlier and he'll probably get more tomorrow anyway.

Tae smirks, "I slipped him a mickey."

"What's that?" Jungkook breathes. 

Tae shrugs, "I didn't really. I don't know what that is, I just heard it in my grandpa's movie. But I got one of my Nana's sleeping pills and put it in your dad's water, she won't even miss it. He drank the whole thing," Tae has his hands on his hips proudly.

Jungkook's heart shoots to his throat. 

If his dad ever found out, he'd kill them both. 

"Don't worry, he won't find out," Tae pats his shoulder comfortingly, reading his mind.

Jungkook gulps but nods anyway. 

"Soooo," Tae nudges his shoulder, "You're finally eight! Such a baby," He gives Jungkook a cheeky smile.

Jungkook smiles shyly. 

Tae can't contain his excitement any longer and wraps Jungkook in a big hug.

He pulls away when Jungkook gasps and flinches violently.

"I- I'm sorry, did I hurt you?"

Jungkook shakes his head, looking ashamed.

"Did...he hurt you?"

Jungkook nods slowly.

Tae lets an angry breath out through his nose.

"Let me see."

"No, it's fine."

Tae gives him a look, so Jungkook reluctantly takes off his shirt, which sticks painfully to the cuts on his back, and he winces.

Tae turns him around, frowning at the sight of his beaten and still bloody back in the light of the moon.

"You didn't clean them yet?"

Jungkook shakes his head, "N-No, he sent me to my room and I fell asleep."

Tae knows that means he cried himself to sleep, but he says nothing about it.

"He hasn't found it yet, has he?" Tae asks, walking over to a corner of the room.

Jungkook shakes his head. 

Tae bends down and lifts one of the boards, looking through Jungkook's stuffies that they hid under the floor so Mr. Jeon can't throw them out.

Then he pulls the little first aid kit out from under the stuffies.

"Ok, sit on the bed."

Jungkook does as he's told, climbing onto the bed and sitting cross-legged as he waits for Tae.

His best friend joins him on the bed after flipping on his tiny nightstand lamp, then he's sitting behind him.

"It's going to hurt, Kook."

"I know," Jungkook says in a small voice, "You say that every time."

Tae pulls out the alcohol swabs and gets to work cleaning the deep cuts in the boy's small back, wincing whenever Jungkook jumps.

"Sorry."

"It's okay."

Tae cleans them as carefully as he can.

"Was it the switch or the belt today?"

Jungkook gasps at the sting of a particular wipe, "Th-The switch."

Tae nods. 

Normally, he wouldn't think it was the belt, but he knows sometimes Mr. Jeon will hit Jungkook with the metal part on the end, and it's caused this amount of damage before.

Jungkook is whimpering by the time his back is all cleaned up.

Tae sighs at the bloodied alcohol wipes in his lap, then he stuffs them into his pockets. He knows he can't leave any trace of them behind, or Mr. Jeon will find them.

"Do you want me to bandage it up or no?"

Jungkook shakes his head, "No," He says weakly, "He might see them and find out you were here."

Taehyung sighs again. 

They sit there for a minute, then Tae climbs off the bed and walks over to grab the package he climbed in the window with.

Jungkook hadn't noticed it at the time, he was too anxious about his dad waking up.

Tae crawls back on the bed, sitting in front of Jungkook this time.

"Open it," He whispers with a smile as he hands it to the young boy.

Jungkook takes it excitedly and carefully tears the wrapping paper.

He's always careful when he unwraps presents.

Tae used to ask him why, then he realized one time that Jungkook had wrapped a birthday present for him with the used paper.

Jungkook’s mother didn't have enough money to buy wrapping paper.

Tae stopped asking after that. 

Jungkook's big brown eyes grow even bigger when he sees the stuffed bunny squished into the box.

"Oh," He breathes as he pulls out the white floppy bunny. 

Taehyung grins at Jungkook's watery eyes. 

"You like it?" 

Jungkook nods, his eyes still wide with awe.

Then he hugs it to his chest, squeezing it hard.

"I love it," Jungkook smiles at him, "Thank you, Tae."

Taehyung's smile turns shy as he nods.

Jungkook ends up naming the stuffed bunny Bomi and Tae immediately approves of the name.

They sit and talk for a little while until they're both sleepy.

It's almost two in the morning by the time Tae sneaks back out of the window and wishes Jungkook a happy birthday once more before disappearing into the night.

Jungkook brings Bomi to the floorboard, lifting the loose piece of wood and gently setting the bunny inside.

Then he crawls into bed and closes his eyes.

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

"JK!!"

Jungkook turns to see Tae running full speed towards him, his boxy grin lighting up the whole street, his backpack bouncing around crazily.

He smiles at the giddy boy, "Hey, Tae- oof-"

Jungkook's breath gets knocked from his lungs when Taehyung slams into him, wrapping him in a hug.

Jungkook laughs and hugs him back before Tae is pulling away and rambling about this new game his grandpa got for him.

"Nana says I can't play it yet, because it's rated for eighteen and older, but Grandpa says I'm close enough."

"Tae, you're fourteen," Jungkook laughs.

"So? Gramps says yes, so here I gooooo!" He swings his arms in the air happily.

Jungkook shifts on his feet then follows behind Tae as they make their way to school.

"What's wrong?" Tae asks at Jungkook's silence.

"Oh nothing, I just-" Jungkook scratches the back of his neck, "I was just wondering if I could play too?"

"I don't knooow," Tae drawls, "You're only twelve."

Jungkook glares at him and he bursts into laughter, "I'm kidding! Yeah, you can play! Can you come over after school?"

Jungkook shakes his head sadly, "No, it's cleaning day."

"Oh."

Jungkook looks straight ahead, "I'm surprised he let me go to school today."

Tae doesn't say anything to that, he doesn't really know what to say. He's just glad Jungkook gets to be with him today, for a few hours at least.

The day goes by quicker than either of them would have liked, the best part being the short recess they had. Taehyung sat with Jungkook under their favorite tree and went on about his gaming collection while Jungkook drew pictures.

After the dismissal bell, Taehyung hurries through the school, ignoring the people that yell at him.

"Hey, look where you're going, short ass!"

"Look it's the alien. Hey! Hey alien boy! Over here!"

Tae hikes his backpack up and slips through the crowds easily. Then he sees Jungkook at his locker, slowly packing his stuff. 

"Kook!"

Jungkook turns to see Tae hurrying over to him and a smile spreads on his face, "Hey."

"Can I walk home with you?"

Jungkook nods, "Yeah, just need to do it like usual."

Tae nods sadly at that. 

They always have to separate and meet up at the same spot, because Jungkook's father is always watching from the porch.

He doesn't like it when they hang out.

Jungkook swings his backpack onto his back, but the action causes one of his long sleeves to hike up and Tae sees a nasty bruise on Jungkook's skinny wrist before the boy pulls it back down.

He says nothing. 

He doesn't know what to say at this point.

Jungkook has begged him on his knees not to say anything to anyone, that the only money going to his mother's treatments is from his father.

A big secret.

Too big for boys their age to carry.

But Tae does it anyway.

They walk towards the front of the school together.

Jungkook has a bit of a harder time ignoring the comments people throw at them.

Taehyung just walks like he doesn't hear a word they say.

Jungkook wishes he could be more like Tae.

He wants to be handsome and cool like him. 

It doesn't matter that no one else sees how awesome Tae is, Jungkook sees it, and he wants to be that.

A boy in Tae's class that's almost twice the size, bumps into Jungkook as they pass.

"Hey, you little runt!"

Jungkook moves closer to Tae on instinct, "Sorry, I didn't see you."

The boy scoffs as Taehyung steps in front of Jungkook.

"What're you gonna do to protect him, huh? You're nearly as tiny as him," He sneers.

Jungkook feels his cheeks flush at the insult. 

He knows he's small, but his mom tells him over and over again that he'll get his growth spurt soon.

Tae stands proudly though, four inches taller than Jungkook and a heck of a lot braver in Jungkook's eyes.

"What're you gonna do, Jeong? Hit me? Do it and see what the principal has to say."

The older boy scoffs again, then he looks at Jungkook.

"He can't protect you forever, punk. You're just a fucking accident, can't even grow properly."

Jungkook looks at the ground.

Tae takes a step forward, "Walk away, Jeong."

The boy laughs in his face before calling them a few more names, then he struts away down the hall. 

Once he turns the corner, Tae turns to see Jungkook's eyes watering.

"Just ignore him, Kook."

"He's right though," Jungkook sniffles and wipes his nose.

"He isn't-"

"Look at me!" Jungkook cries, gesturing his arms out to display his small body.

Tae feels a lump in his throat. 

The halls are empty now, only the sound of Jungkook's tears echo through the corridor.

"I'm just a stupid little runt, just like people say," Jungkook wraps his arms around himself.

Tae can't tear his eyes away from Jungkook's floppy clothes that ought to fit him by now.

"It isn't your fault, it's your dad's fault."

Jungkook scoffs, wiping his tears, "That makes it worse. Poor stupid little Jungkook can't grow because his dad doesn't love him, and he gets most of his meals from his best friend."

He says it so angrily and mockingly, but Tae can hear the hurt in his words.

"I'm pathetic," Jungkook chokes out, looking away in shame.

Tae sighs and puts his arm around Jungkook's shoulder, leading him out of the school, "Someday you'll be really strong, Kook. You'll be even stronger than me."

Jungkook gives him a doubtful look.

"I'm serious. You'll be able to beat me to a pulp someday."

"Why would I want to do that?"

Tae shrugs, "I don't know, but you're missing the point. Your mom is right, you'll get your growth spurt and they'll all be sorry. Then you'll have to be my bodyguard."

Jungkook wipes away the rest of his tears, "I hope so."

Tae gives him a big squeeze, careful not to be too hard.

He doesn't know what kind of injuries Jungkook is hiding today.

"Do you think you can come over and play tomorrow?" Tae asks, "It's Saturday."

Jungkook shrugs, "It depends on whether he decides to go to work or not."

Taehyung grumbles and kicks at a stone on the sidewalk.

"I swear one of these days I'm gonna kill him," He growls.

Jungkook laughs, "You couldn't hurt a fly."

"I could."

"Could not. You're too gentle, Tae."

"I could for you, Kook."

Jungkook smiles at him, grateful for him beyond words.

They reach their special spot and Tae grumbles some more. 

Then he gets cut off when Jungkook wraps his arms around him, "Thanks, Tae."

"What for?" He asks in surprise, hugging him back. 

"For everything, but especially for being my best friend."

Tae smiles sadly and pats Jungkook on the head when they pull apart.

"You're a softy, Kook."

"Am not," Jungkook grumbles.

Then a look of fear flashes across his face and he turns to start running, "I gotta go! Bye, Tae!"

Taehyung waves to him until he's around the street corner, then he kicks a stone and starts walking in the same general direction, towards home.

-

Jungkook runs until his lungs can't stand it for another second, then he walks for a moment before running again.

His stomach sinks when he sees his dad on the porch, holding a can of beer up to his lips as he observes the neighborhood.

Jungkook runs up to the porch and up the stairs, trying to breathe steadily.

"Get inside."

"Yes, sir."

He turns and hurries in, going to his room to drop his backpack, then hurrying back out to the living room where his dad is now manspreading on the couch.

"What are you doing just fucking standing there? Get your shit."

"Yes, sir." 

Jungkook returns a moment later with a trash bag full of stuff and sets it in front of his dad. 

He put it all together last night to save time during cleaning day.

The man looks him up and down distastefully, then he sets his beer down and rips the bag open.

"This is it?"

"Yes, sir."

He dumps the bag onto the floor, Jungkook's clothes and a few figurines spilling out.

"Where did you get these?" He holds up the hero figurines.

"From Mrs. Cheng, on my birthday...sir."

"Trash."

Jungkook nods, his heart in his throat.

The burly man rummages around in the pile for a bit longer, until all Jungkook is allowed to keep is enough clothes for a week.

He can wash them and use them again, his dad says. 

All of his figurines and the rest of the clothes go into the trash.

"Put the rest of this shit away," He kicks the clothes toward Jungkook, "Cluttering this fucking house," He grumbles.

Jungkook gathers it up and brings it to his room. 

Thank goodness he didn't make him empty his pockets today, or else he would've been in for a beating.

He forgot he brought something to school this morning.

Jungkook takes the tiny iron man figurine from Tae out of his pocket and hides it under the floorboard as quietly as he can.

-

"Die! Die! Die! YES!!"

Jungkook laughs as Taehyung jumps off the floor and does a little dance.

His father did in fact, go to work today, so he came over to play Tae's new game while Taehyung's grandparents are out shopping.

"Did you see that, Kook?? I got a headshot!"

Jungkook nods excitedly, "I saw it, it was so cool!!"

Tae settles back on the ground, "Let's do another round, do you want to do teams again?"

Jungkook nods, "Yeah, I like being on your team."

Tae ruffles his hair like he always does.

They play a few more rounds before going to the kitchen and eating a bunch of snacks.

Tae's grandparents end up coming home while they're snacking, so they aren't able to go back to the game.

"Well, hello Jungkook!"

Tae's sweet grandmother comes over and kisses Tae on the head, then she walks over and cups Jungkook's face, squishing his cheeks and laughing at the chocolate on his lips.

"It's so good to see you, baby," She says kindly, patting him on the head before moving to put the groceries away.

"Heyyy, my favorite duo!" Tae's grandpa walks in and laughs heartily when he sees the snack wrappers on the table.

He claps both of them on their shoulders, "You boys have fun?"

He sends them a wink while Nana's back is turned and they nod, fighting the giggles.

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

"Damn it, Jungkook."

"What?"

Tae sighs and looks away.

Jungkook grows irritated at his lack of explanation.

"What? Why are you mad at me?"

"I want you to go with me!"

"I can't!"

"You're thirteen years old, Kook! Make your own decisions!"

Jungkook kicks a stone, "I'm not going to leave her!"

That shuts Tae up.

"I- I'm sorry, Kook. I forgot, I- I can't believe it slipped my mind...I'm sorry."

Jungkook sighs, "It isn't your fault."

"I should've thought through my words more."

Jungkook looks at the fifteen-year-old boy in front of him.

He's finally gotten taller and he's filled out a tiny bit.

Jungkook still has a long way to go to catch up with him.

Why can't he be more like Tae?

Jungkook looks down and kicks another stone.

"I want to go, I really do. But what about your grandparents, anyway?"

Tae shrugs, "They'll kick me out eventually when I get older anyway. Why not just leave now? We could make it, Kook. You would be free."

"I know...but she wouldn't."

Taehyung sighs, "You're right, I’m sorry. We'll just have to pray for a miracle."

"I've been praying for a miracle my whole life. There's no such thing."

That was the last day Jungkook walked home from school with Taehyung.

That was the last time he ever went to school at all.

His dad called him in the next day. 

And the next. 

Jungkook had pissed him off when he went to visit his mom over the weekend without his permission.

He paid for it over the next two days.

On the third day of Jungkook missing school, Tae began to get really worried.

He thought Jungkook might have been sick the first day.

But not the second.

And certainly not the third.

*tap tap tap* 

Tae waits anxiously outside of Jungkook's bedroom window late that night.

But he gets no answer. 

He stands on his tiptoes and tries to see inside, but Jungkook's curtains are drawn tight.

-

Jungkook sits in the middle of the living room floor, curled into a ball, to protect his face mostly.

Another kick to his back makes him bite his lip.

Mr. Jeon grabs his hair and yanks him up, making him uncurl from himself.

Then he grabs the boy's shoulders and shakes him violently, screaming obscenities in his face, his breath reeking of alcohol, the stench making Jungkook gag.

He shoves him to the floor and Jungkook crawls to a corner, hugging his knees to his chest.

His father is about to grab him again when there's a knock on the front door.

Jungkook's blood runs cold. 

Please don't be Tae. 

Please don't be Tae. 

It isn't Tae. 

It's a man dressed all in black. 

He greets Mr. Jeon and says he's from some company Jungkook doesn't know of.

Mr. Jeon immediately lets him in.

The man walks in and sees Jungkook right away.

Jungkook stays cowered in the corner, shaking.

The man's face is mostly covered with a black mask, but his dark piercing eyes are full of emotion as he stares at the young boy.

Then Jungkook sees his eyes crinkle.

Did he just...smile at him?

The young boy just stares back at him, unmoving.

His dad plops onto the couch.

"Have a seat, Mr. Reum. Don't mind him."

The mysterious man takes a seat on the couch, making himself comfortable.

"I think we ought to do business elsewhere," He glances at Jungkook again.

"I said don't mind him. He won't talk, not if he values his life."

The man nods, dragging his eyes back to the burly man on the couch.

"You know, on second thought. I don't feel like wasting my time today, I'm a bit tired."

It all happens too fast for Jungkook to react. 

The man stands up and reaches for something on his side. 

Jungkook looks on in horror as he pulls out a knife and proceeds to stab it into his father's chest. 

He does it again. 

And again. 

And again. 

Jungkook covers his ears and pinches his eyes shut.

His father never even fought back.

He mistakenly trusted the man and was tricked too fast to comprehend anything.

Jungkook screams when he feels a wet hand grab his arm and drag him to his feet.

"Shh, quiet kid. I'm not going to hurt you," The man in black whispers into his ear.

Jungkook stops screaming and opens his eyes, his whole body trembling.

"W-W-Why did you-"

"He was a bad man," The guy whispers, "I just saved you. Did I not?"

Jungkook can't stop shaking.

The man lets him go and Jungkook falls to the ground in a terrified heap, his arms covered in his own father's blood.

Jungkook looks at the couch where the sight of his father's bleeding corpse is.

He turns and immediately retches, gagging and coughing until there's nothing left in his stomach.

The man crouches next to him and Jungkook flinches.

"Look, I'm sorry you had to see that."

The boy can't look his father's murderer in the eye.

The man in black grabs Jungkook's wrist and forces his hand open, places a card in it, then puts Jungkook's hand back to his chest.

"If you ever need anything, call this number, ok? I can take care of it."

Jungkook just watches him fearfully as he gets up, looks at the boy once more, then disappears out the front door, into the night.

Then he looks back at his father, which causes him to start gagging again as he crawls to the corner and huddles there.

"Jungkook?"

Jungkook lifts his head when he hears Taehyung's horrified voice.

He looks between Tae and the body on the couch, "I- I- I d-didn't do it! I swear!"

Jungkook bursts into tears as Tae stares at Mr. Jeon's remains, his face drained of all color.

"Oh fuck," Tae takes a deep breath to calm himself.

Then he runs over to Jungkook.

"Get up, get up right now."

Taehyung puts his hands under Jungkook's armpits and lifts him off the floor, "Get up, Kook. Come on, buddy, please listen to me."

Once the boy is somewhat on his feet, he drags Jungkook out of the house, locking the door behind them.

Jungkook is sobbing as Tae runs, dragging his hysterical best friend behind him, a vice grip on his hand.

By the time they get to Tae's house, Jungkook is hacking up a lung right before he gets sick all over Nana's rose bush.

Taehyung lets him finish, then he drags him inside and to his bedroom.

"Tae, honey?"

"It's me, Nana! I'm going to bed!"

He shuts the door and puts his back against it, sliding down to the ground.

Jungkook is curled up by Tae's bed, shaking like a leaf, his eyes wide with horror.

They sit there like that for almost two hours without speaking a word.

Then Tae crawls over to Jungkook and wraps his arms around him, "It's okay, Jungkook. It's okay."

"I didn't do it," Jungkook whimpers, hiding his face in Tae's shirt.

"I know you didn't."

Jungkook pulls away, "You believe me?"

"Of course. Jungkook, I know you hated him, but I also know you would never kill someone."

Jungkook wipes his eyes, "I don't understand why it happened."

With some encouragement and coaxing, he tells Tae exactly what happened.

Taehyung looks thoughtful for a minute, then he sees Jungkook open his hand, showing him the card from the man.

It's got some of Mr. Jeon's blood on it.

That makes something click in Tae's brain and he gets up, "Take your clothes off."

Jungkook looks bewildered, "Why?"

"We need to burn them. Put on some of my clothes."

Jungkook's stomach sinks to his feet.

"You were here since school got out, we've been together since school got out, do you understand that?"

Jungkook nods numbly.

He understands now. 

When they find his dad's body, he will be the first suspect.

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

6 months later...

"Hello?"

"Tae, I n-need help."

"Jungkook? Are you okay? Where is your halmeoni? Is Beomgyu there?"

He hears Jungkook's shaky breathing as the boy tries to stay calm.

"I'm not at home right now."

Tae's stomach sinks to his feet.

"Where are you?"

-

"Jungkook, what's going on?""

I- I messed up, Tae."

Taehyung stares at his best friend, concerned.

"What did you do?"

They're sitting on a bench in the secluded part of the park, Jungkook's knee bouncing as he chews on his bottom lip.

"I- I called the number..."

At first, he has no idea what Jungkook is talking about. Then he remembers.

"The number? The number of the guy that killed your dad?"

Jungkook nods. 

Tae stares at him, "Why?"

"I don't know I-" Jungkook puts his head in his hands, then he lifts it, "He saved me and- I don't know."

Tae tries to understand, he really does. 

But the guy is a murderer regardless, Jungkook was lucky to have walked away that day.

What would he have done if this was all a setup and this guy just wanted to kill him?

"Ok...I get it, I guess...what did he say?"

Jungkook bites his lip nervously.

"He said he could help me."

"Help you...what?"

Jungkook looks at Tae, his eyes looking frightened and lost, "Help me pay for my mom's treatment."

Tae's chest tightens at his words.

"Jungkook-"

"Don't."

"Don't what?"

"Don't give me that look!" Jungkook stands up angrily, "I'm not going to sit around and watch her die!"

Tae stands too, holding his hands up, "I'm not saying that you should Kook. How did this man say he could help you?" 

Jungkook looks away.

"How did he say he could help you?" Tae asks again. 

"He gave me a job."

"What kind of job?"

Jungkook keeps gnawing at his lip anxiously.

"Never mind, I should never have called you."

Jungkook turns to start walking away, but Tae grabs his arm to stop him.

"Jungkook, let's talk about this. Let's think this through."

"I don't need to think it through."

"What job? Does your halmeoni know about this-"

"She isn't my real family," Jungkook snarls, ripping his arm out of Tae's grasp, "The only family I have is dying in the hospital, and I'm not going to lose her."

He walks away before Tae can say anything else. 

-

He doesn't hear from Jungkook until two weeks later.

Taehyung is lying in bed, scrolling on his phone and worrying his head off about Jungkook, when a call from the boy himself comes through.

Tae shoots up in bed and answers, "Hello? Kook? Jungkook, I'm sorry I should've listened better-"

"Tae-"

Jungkook's voice is strained as he chokes on his tears.

"What is it? What can I do?"

"Help me, please. I'm scared."

"Jungkook, where are you?"

-

Taehyung runs up the concrete steps of the abandoned apartment buildings not too far from his neighborhood.

He has no clue why Jungkook is in this place, but he's going to save him.

He takes the stairs two at a time, running to the room Jungkook said he was in.

"3C, 3C, 3C..." Tae repeats it aloud as he runs down the hall of the third floor.

He sees the door. 

Tae slams his body against it and it flies open, causing him to stumble inside.

Inside the room, is the last thing he would expect to see.

There's a man, lying in the corner, on top of a pile of splintered wood.

He groans in pain. 

Then he lifts his head and reaches a bloody hand out to Taehyung.

"Help...me..."

Fear shoots through Tae's heart as he wonders where Jungkook is.

Then he hears a sniffle and he whips around to see Jungkook curled up against the opposite wall.

There's a gun lying in front of him.

"Kook," Tae runs over, "Did he hurt you?"

Jungkook shakes his head.

The man drops his head with a humorless and strained chuckle, "Me? He fu- he fucking shot m-me, fuck."

Taehyung looks back at Jungkook, who looks at him with wide eyes.

"I had to," Jungkook whines, "I have to kill him," Tears pour down his soft and dirtied cheeks. 

Taehyung's heart stops.

"Jungkook, what the hell is going on?"

Jungkook wipes his eyes, "The man t-told me to, Tae! He- he said I have to kill him and they'll give me money for mom's medicine," Jungkook starts bawling as he reaches for the gun.

"Jungkook, stop," Tae grabs the gun, "Stop it."

"Help me- help me, Tae." Jungkook grabs at Taehyung's shirt, fisting it in his hands with a look of terror in his big brown eyes, "She'll die if I don't do it."

The older boy's blood runs cold at Jungkook's words.

He looks back at the man that's panting now, blood seeping from his leg.

He stands up, still holding the gun.

"What did this man do to be killed?" Tae whispers.

"They said he hurt women, I don't know!"

Tae closes his eyes, his stomach turning to rot.

He can't do it. 

No matter what happened, he can't do it.

Jungkook continues to cry loudly as Taehyung stands frozen in his place.

"They're gonna kill me if I don't do it, my mom's gonna die," Jungkook rocks back and forth.

Tae can't move.

He can't speak. 

Then suddenly the gun gets ripped from his hands and he watches in horror as Jungkook steps forward and holds the gun out, the whole thing shaking as he tries to steady his hands.

"Jungkook..."

He watches the fourteen-year-old boy bite his lip harshly, a tear slipping down his cheek as he puts his finger on the trigger while he aims.

"Jungkook, please..."

"I have to..." Jungkook chokes out, his hands shaking so hard he can't even hold the gun properly.

Jungkook pinches his eyes shut, a few more tears slipping down his cheeks, trailing through the dirt there.

"Tae," His voice shakes, "Help me, please."

Taehyung gulps.

How is he supposed to help him?

Tae touches Jungkook's cold hand, bringing it down until the gun is pointing at the ground.

"No. No, no, no," Jungkook sobs, "They're gonna kill me, Tae."

In the next second, Jungkook stumbles as Tae shoves him harshly, keeping a hold of the gun so it slips out of the younger's hand.

Jungkook falls on the ground, wincing at the harsh impact.

"Tae-"

"Stay there."

"Tae, no, no I can do it-" He gets to his feet frantically but Tae holds a hand up to stop him.

Jungkook freezes, his heart thundering.

Tae looks to the side and smiles at Jungkook softly, "Cover your eyes, Jungkookie."

That was the last time he ever saw Tae smile at him in that way.

Jungkook steps away, bringing his hands to his eyes, shaking so hard he's going to be sick.

Tae looks back at the man, seeing that Jungkook only shot him in the leg.

He raises the gun and aims it at the man's head. 

Then a single tear slips down his cheek, sliding down and dripping from his chin.

*Bang!*

Jungkook flinches violently at the loud sound, too afraid to uncover his face.

"Tae," He cries, still hiding.

"Get out," Tae's strained voice says, "Go, Jungkook."

Jungkook turns, uncovering his face only enough to see where he's going as he runs out of the room. 

Tae's arm drops, the gun hanging limply at his side.

Then he slowly turns and follows Jungkook out.

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

Taehyung was never the same after that day. 

He would lock himself in his room, curling up on his bed as his body and mind withered away.

Jungkook tried. 

He tried to get him out of bed.

He tried to make him eat.

He tried. 

But Taehyung wasn't interested in anything or anyone.

-

Jungkook was able to pay for one of his mother's treatments with the money.

But he couldn't bring himself to celebrate it. 

He never went out anymore either, except to see Tae.

To sit outside his bedroom door and beg him to let him in, crying for hours as Taehyung's grandparents looked on in worry.

They couldn't figure out what had happened to the two of them.

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

Two months after the incident, Jungkook drags himself up the steps to Taehyung's house.

He knocks on the door. 

Tae's grandpa answers it, his brows creasing when he sees Jungkook's sunken face and bloodshot eyes.

"Can I see Tae, please?" Jungkook asks for the hundredth time, his voice cracking.

Taehyung's grandpa looks confused as he reaches out and gently touches Jungkook's shoulder, "He said he was going to see you, about half an hour ago."

What?

Oh god...

Jungkook turns and bolts away before Taehyung's grandfather can say anything more.

He runs until his lungs feel like they're about to explode.

Please, Tae. 

Don't do it. 

Oh god, he knew it.

He sees Tae sitting on the edge of the abandoned bridge.

He runs to him, screaming, "Tae! Tae, please don't!!"

Taehyung looks up, his eyes void of any emotion as Jungkook throws his arms around him.

"Please don't Tae, please," Jungkook sobs hysterically.

Tae sighs, "Go home, Jungkook."

"I won't, I won't go home. I'll never leave you again," Jungkook hugs him tighter as Tae looks straight ahead, staring at the scenery.

Such a beautiful place to let go.

"Don't leave me," Jungkook's voice is weak with tears, "Please, don't leave me alone."

A tear falls from Tae's eye, dripping onto Jungkook's arm.

Jungkook finally manages to move Tae off the edge, then they curl up on the ground together, sobbing in each other's arms.

They stay there for hours.

"I'm sorry, Kook," Tae cries, "I won't leave you, I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do to make it stop."

Jungkook holds him and cries harder, "You can't leave me, you can't."

"I won't."

Jungkook thought that was the worst moment in his life.

He was so wrong.

Not even minutes later, one phone call would change their relationship for good.

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

"Taehyung-"

"Leave me alone," Tae says darkly as he stares at the images of his grandparents smiling, surrounded by flowers.

Quiet cries fill the room crowded with people in black.

Jungkook bites his lip and steps back. 

The hatred he held for himself grew stronger in that moment.

He really was useless. 

The guilt he would carry on his back grew to be too much, but still, he held it.

He held it for years. 

It grew when Taehyung told him that he wanted the man's number.

He knew Jungkook was in contact with him still. 

He just hadn't done any more hits yet. 

Jungkook only agreed if Tae would let him do it with him.

The guilt grew when Jungkook stabbed his first real hit in the heart, if only to make sure Tae didn’t have to do it.

It grew with each bullet Taehyung buried into the heads of men and women that had money up for their murders.

Tae would simply give the money to Jungkook for his mother's treatments.

The guilt grew on the nights that Tae would vow to kill every despicable bastard in the world until he found his grandparent's killer.

Taehyung quickly grew to be one of the most infamously brutal hitmen in all of South Korea.

Judicium. 

Nothing could satisfy him.

Jungkook was terrified.

He didn't know what to do.

So, he followed.

But he never forgot.

He lost his dearest friend.

And in his place, he had created a monster.

____________________________

"I only ever did shit for you! Fuck! You turned me into this!" 

Taehyung's words swirl around and around in Jungkook's head.

"I-"

"Shut up, Jungkook. I don't want to hear it."

Jungkook hangs his head, the pain in his shoulder and the panic in his mind making it hard for him to breathe.

"I'm sorry, Tae."

Taehyung sighs, "I told you I don't want to hear it."

"I'm going to say it anyway," Jungkook swallows, his face contorting in pain, "I'm sorry."

Tae scoffs, "You're only sorry because you don't want me to kill her."

Jungkook shakes his head.

"I've been sorry since I called you that night."

"Jungkook, don't-"

"I should never have called you."

"Shut up-"

"I broke you."

Tae steps toward him, "Shut the hell up," He growls, "No one broke me."

Jungkook swallows the tears threatening to spill.

"I'm sorry, Tae-"

"Shut! Up! You're just trying to get me not to kill your stupid- just- shuddup!"

Jungkook looks up at him desperately, "You can stop, Tae-"

"Have you?"

Tae's question is cold, void of anything but anger.

"I-...No, but I'm g-going to... I think. I don't know-"

"So you're going to leave me..."

Jungkook looks at him in confusion, "What do you mean, leave you?"

Tae scoffs and Jungkook can hear the hurt in his voice.

"You got me into this shit. And now that you found someone that claims to care for you, you get to leave. After all I fucking did for you."

Jungkook's breath quickens. 

He's losing him. 

He knows he is. 

He can see it in Tae's expression.

"You don't need me anymore," Tae whispers.

"That's not-"

Taehyung's eyes turn hard as he leans down and gets in Jungkook's face, "You know what? Fine. I don't need you either. I don't need anyone. Fuck you."

"Tae-"

Taehyung straightens up, his eyes never softening, but Jungkook can see the slight quiver in his bottom lip before he bites it.

"Go ahead and leave. Get out while you can, fucking traitor."

"Listen to me-"

Tae turns his back on his old friend and heads for the door.

Jungkook is panicking, then one word comes to his mind.

"Bomi."

The hitman freezes at the name tumbling from Jungkook's lips, his hand hovering over the door handle.

He turns to glare at Jungkook, "Why the hell-"

"I still have him."

"Stop fucking around with me."

"I'm not."

Taehyung scoffs, "You expect me to believe you still have a stuffed bunny from fifteen years ago?"

Jungkook swallows, "I do."

"Why?" Tae asks coldly.

Jungkook looks at him desperately, "Because my best friend gave him to me, and it was the best birthday present I ever got."

Tae's gaze falters for a moment before he shakes his head, "You're pathetic, you know that?"

Jungkook nods, "I know...but I do need you Tae."

"No one needs me-"

"I do. I need you. Please, please don't leave."

"You-"

"Please, Tae. I'm so sorry, for everything that happened. I've hated myself for so long for what I did to you. I don't deserve your friendship," Jungkook takes a deep breath, the pain in his shoulder increasing, "I hate myself for what I did. Please forgive me, Tae."

The infamous hitman stands there, speechless as his younger friend hangs his head in shame.

"Please forgive me."

Tae swallows the lump in his throat.

Jungkook hears a thump, and he lifts his head to see Taehyung kneeling in front of him, his hair hanging in his face as he bites his lip harshly.

"I-" Tae's voice gets caught in his throat.

When he looks up and sees Jungkook's big brown eyes staring at him, he cracks.

"I'm sorry, Jungkook."

Jungkook stares at him in confusion, "You have no reason to apologize to me-"

He gets cut off when Tae wraps his arms around him, holding him like he used to when they were small.

"I was so angry at you, for so long," Tae confesses, "But it wasn't your fault."

"It was my fault-"

Taehyung pulls back to look him in the eye, "It wasn't. I made the decision to pick up that gun and shoot. You didn't force me to do anything. I decided to continue because of revenge."

Jungkook swallows as Taehyung hugs him once more.

He lifts his right arm to put it around his best friend, seeing as his left isn't usable right now.

"I missed you, Tae," He whispers.

He feels Tae's grip tighten for a second, then he pulls away.

"Don't get all mushy on me now," He taunts.

"You're the one that hugged me first," Jungkook protests.

Taehyung raises a brow, "You're the one that kept a stuffed bunny I gave you when you turned eight."

Jungkook's face turns red as he drops his gaze.

"Word of this gets out of this apartment and I take it all back, I'm blowing your head off," Taehyung threatens.

Jungkook laughs then winces at the pain in his arm, but Tae doesn't notice.

The older boy sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, then he looks back at Jungkook.

__________________________

You carry Pumpkin into your apartment and she leaps out of your arms immediately to start exploring.

Mina lugs in your suitcase right behind you, huffing and puffing as she sets it by the couch.

It takes a little while for you two to grab the other bags and carry them up the stairs, but eventually, you're all settled back into your own home.

It feels like forever since you've been here...

"So, what should we do?" Mina asks as she helps you unpack.

"Um, I d-don't know."

Mina sighs, "You're being weird, ____."

No, you're the one being weird.

"S-Sorry, just t-tired."

"I get it...should we watch that drama where we left off?"

You nod, trying not to act uncomfortable.

_________________________

"It's going to hurt like a fucking bitch, so try not to scream too loud."

Jungkook nods, biting his lip as Taehyung grabs a hold of his left hand.

"One, two, thr-"

"Wait! Holy fucking shit wait a second."

Tae sighs, "Stop being a baby and just let me put it back."

Jungkook death glares his best friend, "If you hadn't dislocated my goddamn shoulder in the first place, we wouldn't be in this situation."

Taehyung shrugs, "You shouldn't have lied to me, and I wouldn't have beat your ass."

"If I hadn't lied to you, you would have killed her months ago."

"True."

Jungkook sighs, then he starts panicking as he starts to lose the feeling in his left hand, "Shit, I can't feel my hand. You gotta put it back, quick."

Tae takes his hand again firmly, then he looks Jungkook in the eye.

"You ready?"

"...yes."

"You gotta be sure dude, I can't have you passing out on me like a wimp."

Jungkook looks at him fiercely, "Put my fucking shoulder back in place right now so I can punch you in the damn nose."

Tae chuckles, "Three, two, one-"

He yanks as hard as he can.

*crack*

"FUCK-"

Jungkook's string of expletives gets abruptly cut off when Tae slaps a hand over his mouth.

Taehyung winces when he sees Jungkook pinching his eyes shut as the younger boy takes deep breaths, trying not to lash out at his friend.

The two of them are quite the sight; the two most infamous hitmen in Korea kneeling on the floor of Jungkook's apartment, bloodied and bruised and shaking as one keeps his hand pressed to the others' mouth.

When he's calmed himself down enough to where he won't rip Taehyung's throat out, he pulls away from Tae's hand, panting as the pain continues to flow through his shoulder.

"Sorry, dude."

Jungkook shrugs as he pants, "I get it. You were just trying to protect me."

Tae nods, then he looks over to see Yin creeping out from under the bed.

Yin walks over to Jungkook and sniffs at him, his eyes wide and full of worry.

"Hey, I'm okay buddy," Jungkook says softly as the cat rubs his head under the boy's chin.

"mew."

"Oh don't be so dramatic, I didn't hurt your dad that bad," Tae rolls his eyes as Yin turns his back on him and brushes him with his tail.

"I told you not to call me- fuck- that," Jungkook winces as he grips his shoulder.

Tae rolls his eyes again, "Whatever, JK."

Then he stands up and winces at the pain in his own aching body, "Where do you keep your medicine?"

"Kitchen cabinet."

Tae goes on a search for the pain meds while Jungkook pets Yin to calm him down as he continues to cry and rub himself against him.

"Alright, take it."

Jungkook looks up to see Tae holding his hand out to him, a few pills in it.

Jungkook takes them and puts them in his mouth, then gulps them down with the water Tae hands to him.

A minute later, Tae comes back with a makeshift ice pack (a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel).

Jungkook chuckles as he takes it and presses it to his shoulder, "Thanks."

"It's the least I could do for dislocating your shoulder."

Tae sits on the ground next to Jungkook, "I really am sorry."

"Don't apologize anymore. It makes me feel weird," Jungkook grunts as he sits on his rump to be more comfortable.

Tae nods as he sits there and thinks. 

"We can't do nothing."

"I know."

"They'll get their way even if it isn't you or me who kills her."

Jungkook turns to him, "Who is it, Tae?"

"I don't know."

"You have to know something."

"All I know is that Mina is involved."

Jungkook's chest tightens as he nods, "I figured as much, but I couldn't be sure."

Taehyung sighs, "I can't believe you talked me out of a hit."

Jungkook holds the ice pack to his shoulder tighter, "Me neither."

"Damn it, Jungkook. You're lucky you're my best friend."

Jungkook nods, "I know."

They sit there in silence for a minute, then Jungkook speaks up, "I'm going to ask Namjoon Hyung for help. He said I could call him this week, he couldn't talk last week."

Taehyung nods, "If anyone can track someone, it's him..."

Silence falls over them again as Yin climbs up and curls into Jungkook's lap.

"Tae, you'll help me, won't you?"

"Help you protect her?" 

Jungkook nods, biting his lip as the pain in his shoulder flares up again.

Taehyung sighs, "I guess I have no choice."

Jungkook sighs in relief, even though he didn't sound too thrilled.

"She isn't what you think she is, Tae."

Taehyung raises a brow, "She isn't someone that got a hit placed on her and is plain as hell? Because that's all I'm seeing."

Jungkook scowls at him, "She isn't plain as hell, you're just shallow."

Tae shakes his head, "And you're whipped as fuck."

"Shut the hell up."

Tae suddenly smirks and leans closer to Jungkook, "Did you two...?"

"What?" Jungkook looks at him in confusion.

"Ya know...do it...?"

Jungkook just stares at him, completely lost.

Then it hits him and his eyes widen, "What the fuck Tae?!"

"Ah, so you did."

"We did not!"

"You hesitated."

"I didn't know what you were referring to! Fucking pervert!"

Taehyung shakes his head as he chuckles, "I'm kidding around with you. You're not brave enough to make that move."

Jungkook's scowl deepens, "It isn't the right time, I'm not going to ask that of her. That isn't why I like her, Tae, I'm not looking for that."

Taehyung shrugs, "Suit yourself, I was just curious."

"Well stop being curious, it's none of your business."

Tae puts a hand to his chest, offended, "Excuse me? My best friend's girlfriend is none of my business?"

Jungkook groans, "She's not my girlfriend, idiot."

That shocks him as he looks at Jungkook curiously, "What the hell do you mean? What the fuck have you two been doing this entire time?"

Jungkook looks down at Yin and pets him gently, "Just-...I don't know! Stop asking me stupid questions-"

"Dude, have you even kissed her yet?"

The silence that follows is deafening. 

"W-What makes you think that's any of your busi-"

"You did!"

"Shut up."

"You fucking kissed her! You son of a bitch," Tae claps his shoulder, "You finally had your first kiss, huh?"

Jungkook's glare burns into Taehyung's gaze, "I told you to shut up," He growls.

Tae just laughs, "Well, I guess I'll really need to protect her now, you're dead-ass serious about this girl."

Jungkook sighs, feeling extremely exposed and not enjoying it one bit.

Tae stops laughing when he sees the look on Jungkook's face.

"Sorry, I'll stop."

Jungkook just keeps petting Yin, smiling softly when the cat starts to purr.

"I do have a serious question though."

Jungkook hums, "What is it?"

"Do you love her?"

______________________________

"Hello? ____, are you okay?"

"I'm o-okay, sorry I d-didn't answer earlier."

Jungkook smiles, "Don't worry about it. Did you get sucked into another drama?"

"Mhm."

He laughs, "I thought so. Are you feeling lonely? Should I come over with Yin?"

"Uhm, n-no, I'm pr-probably going to eat dinner and th-then go to b-bed."

"You must be tired, it's still early."

"Y-Yeah, really sl-sleepy."

"Ok, well I hope you get some good sleep. Can I see you tomorrow? After work?"

"P-Probably."

Jungkook frowns, you're not really acting like yourself.

But he lets it go, "Alright, sleep well."

"G-Goodnight, J-Jungkook."

"Goodnight."

The line cuts and Jungkook frowns as he looks at his phone.

Just then, Tae comes out from the shower, his hair dripping wet, no more blood to show what went down between them.

All that’s really left of the fight is the splintered chair that Jungkook already gave Tae an earful about breaking. 

"Are you sure she's safe?" Jungkook asks, still looking at his phone.

Tae sighs, "Yes, Kook. I was the one hired to kill her and I'm right here. We need to come up with a plan, but she's safe tonight. Besides, didn't you say that Jimin guy is with her?"

Jungkook looks up at him, "He won't be back until tonight."

"Well, like I said, I'm the one you would've needed to worry about. She's safe."

Jungkook nods, worry still making his stomach turn. 

-

It's around ten at night when Jungkook is awakened by the sound of his phone ringing.

He and Tae spent the last few hours going over things and coming up with a few different plans just in case something unexpected were to happen.

He sits up in bed and sees Taehyung sitting up from the couch, rubbing his eyes.

"What the hell is that?" Tae asks blearily. 

"My phone," Jungkook croaks as he reaches over and answers it.

"Hello?"

"Jungkook, she's gone."

That wakes him up.

"Jimin? W-Where is she?"

"I don't know," Jimin says desperately, "I just got home, and she isn't here, none of her stuff is here either."

"Did you call her?" Jungkook is out of bed and pulling on his sweats as he hears Jimin sigh anxiously.

"Yes, a million times. She won't answer. I think I'm going to go to her place-"

"I'll meet you there, okay?"

"Alright, see you in a bit."

They hang up as Jungkook pulls his shoes on. 

"What's going on?" Tae asks sleepily.

"____ isn't at Jimin's place. We think she might've gone home."

"Why would she do that?"

"I don't know, but I'm going-"

"I'll come with you," Tae jumps off the couch and runs for his shoes, yanking them on, "Okay, let's go."

_____________________________________

a/n: baby tae and kookie :(

Tag list; @hopekookies @moonchild1 @barbellastyles98 @teresaisla @ggukkieland @mwitsmejk @scuzmunkie @jaebeomsblackgf @sugaslittlekookies @moon-asia @bangtannie7 @yoonchrisgull @njkbangtan @higashikatasgf @jksbbyfacebunny @sweetonkookieandtae @voidswan-recs @sadxaries @shadowmoon21 @jinfused @taehyungiev13 @gaeguuliii @kimnamjoonluvbot @jungkooook @mutterseelenalleinn @surilirani @patpus @yukiehyukie @crypticsabbat @ohyeahjk @steffiiirose @the-falling-star @telepathytae @erenkook-blog @rosiekoo @neverthefirstchoice

[writing-reaper]

Bound through the Force

The Bad Batch x f!OC Mara

Description: Healing is a process. Physical wounds are one thing, but emotional wounds are another. Mara’s still learning, still healing, but she knows that she’ll never escape the past.

Note: a shit ton of dialogue

Warnings: trauma, alcohol, harassment

Part one — Part Two (Here)

Mara wasn’t asleep for very long, seeing as she woke in a sneezing fit. The upstairs area was gross, covered in dust. If she was going to continue to stay up here, it would need cleaned.

So, for the next 3 hours, that’s what Mara did. She cleaned the bedroom, the bathroom, and the kitchenette. Looking through her old stuff, she found a jar of credits and her armor. The sight of it made her freeze.

Memories plagued her mind: screaming, bloodshed, her trials…

The sound of a knock removed her focus from her past and to the present. Before she could move to get to the door, it opened and Cid came in with a plate of food.

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t thank me. Just eat then come downstairs.” She said, distracted by a datapad, setting the plate down before leaving once more. Mara smirked slightly, chocking down a laugh.

“Thanks, Cid.” She whispers, walking over to the plate as her stomach growled. Food was a good distraction, especially since she hadn’t had a full meal in a few weeks.

Mara ate until she felt she couldn’t handle it anymore. She moved some boxes in front of her armor before taking the plate and cleaning it off. Finally, she went downstairs to the parlor.

Arriving at the bottom, Mara shifts uncomfortably in the slightly wet clothes. She needed to get some new ones and exchange her old republic credits with the new ones. Mara went to knock on Cid’s office door, but paused when she heard she was in a meeting.

Instead, Mara took a seat at the bar to wait. She made a list: talk to Cid, get some clothes, come back and change, then get started on cleaning. Perhaps she could watch some bartending videos on the holonet as well.

“Mara!” Omega cheers, running over to the woman and giving her a hug.

“Morning, love.” Mara greets, placing a hand on her back and running her fingers through the child’s hair.

“Ew, why are your clothes wet?” Omega asks, pulling away at the odd feeling of slightly damp, cold fabric.

“Well, I was trying to wash them, but there’s only so much a bit of water and soap can do. But I’m going to get some new clothes so I can throw these out.” Mara answers, shrugging her shoulders. An attempt was made and she hadn’t entirely known what she was doing in the first place, never having been the one to do laundry.

“Sorry to interrupt, but we are trying to leave.” The man with half a face of ink interrupts. Omega nods before gasping excitedly.

“Oh yeah! I’ve been going on missions! Just like you used to!” Omega informs the woman excitedly. Mara pauses, unsure how to react. She looks at the men, not finding an answer, then to Cid who just entered the room. Cid rolled her eyes. Omega frowned. “Is something wrong?”

“Uh… no. I’m sure you’re a great help. Just be careful.” Mara answers her voice awkward, not very confident in her words before looking at the people around her for approval of her response, to which she found no reaction.

“I will!” Omega answers, her excited energy returning. Mara smiled and waved goodbye as Omega rushed out with the bigger guy.

“What was that for?” Cid questions, absolutely dumbfounded by Mara’s response.

“How was I supposed to respond to that?” Mara questions, sounding conflicted.

“Honestly, I was slightly hoping you’d talk her out of it.” The half mechanical man answers, looking at Mara with a slight frown.

“I don’t know what it even is you’re doing.” Mara answers. “It’s not like you’re intentionally putting her in harms way. I don’t think I could talk her out of it regardless.”

“Well… she’s not wrong.” The one with grey hair comments. “Omega does it to herself.”

“That sounds like Omega.” Mara agrees. “Well, take care.”

Mara rises from her stool and heads back with Cid. She pauses in the office doorway and watches the four leave. As soon as they were gone, Mara enters the room and sees a disapproving glare on Cid’s face.

“Smooth, Mara. Real smooth.” Cid says with a scoff. Mara knew it was supposed to be an insult, due to her tone, but Mara felt she handled that well despite not knowing what to do.

“I’m not good in social situations.” Mara answers. “Besides, most clones were raised to fight. I was raised to kill. It’s not like she’s doing what I actually did, is she?”

“No, I doubt she’s going to kill anyone. The boys, maybe, but definitely not her. At least for a while.” Cid takes a seat at her desk, intertwining her fingers. “So, what do you need?”

“I was hoping you knew how to exchange the old credits for the new credits so I could get some new clothes and maybe some food for upstairs.” Mara answers, setting the jar of credits on the table.

“Yeah, let me count these and I’ll give you what you need.” Cid answers, dumping out the credits and beginning to count. “You see your armor?”

“Yeah. I… I don’t know if I’m ready to put it back on yet.” Mara answers, brushing her hair behind her ear while the other side of her hair falls into her face.

“Well you better figure it out, cause I can’t get you any more armor. Besides, you already have a name to that armor and that’ll make you even more feared.”

“I know.” Mara answers. She falls silent, a frown in her brows as she stares blankly at the credits.

As soon as Cid finished counting, she brushed the credits back into the jar. Pulling out a case filled with the new credits, she counts them out and gives Mara the matching amount.

“Have fun. Don’t start any fights.” Cid says, waving her off. Mara nods her head before leaving out to the clothing part of the market.

By the time the group returned, it was dark. Mara was cleaning, wearing an off the shoulder sweater and pants. It was odd to her, seeing as she was used to tight clothes or at least form fitting. These were loose and strangely comfortable. They brought Mara’s guard up, afraid to relax in case she missed something.

“Mara!” Omega cheers, running over to Mara who easily picked her up, earning a giggle.

“Welcome back.” Mara answers, tapping her lightly on the nose, earning another laugh. “Glad to see you’re all safe.”

“Thanks.” The bigger of the men answer. Mara cringed at her inner dialogue, suddenly realizing she had yet to learn any names.

“So… you all know my name. What are yours?” Mara asks, earning a confused look from a few of the clones.

“Wrecker!” The big one announces, punching his fists together. Mara nods then looks to the next.

“Hunter.” The one with half the face tattoo answers.

“Tech.” Another answers, adjusting his goggles.

“I’m Echo.” The one with the scomp states.

“Crosshair.” The grey haired man answers before putting a toothpick in his mouth.

“It’s nice to, officially, meet you all.” Mara nods with a lopsided smile.

Omega leaned into Mara, resting her head on her shoulder. Mara’s brows furrowed in a wince, but she ignored the pain.

“How was the mission?” Mara asks, shifting her weight to carry Omega easier.

“It went better than the last two. All we had to do was get some information from an imperial outpost.” Omega answers, messing with Mara’s hair.

“Well, that sounds fun.” Mara answers, that awkward tone back in her voice, like she didn’t know how to respond.

“What did you do?” Omega asks, looking around the parlor. “Besides cleaning.”

“Oh.” Mara looks around. “I think all I did was clean. Not a lot of people came in, but I think that was because of the bounty hunter.”

“Bounty hunter?” Hunter questions, sounding defensive.

“Yeah, he wasn’t very strong.” Mara answers, shrugging her shoulders. “He was looking for someone here, apparently one of Cid’s regulars.”

“Where is he now?” Wrecker asks. Mara tightens her lips in a frown.

“He’s in the medical center.” Mara answers, Omega starts laughing.

“Did you do to him what you did to the volunteer?” Omega asks, still giggling.

“I didn’t mean to. I hope he plans on staying a bounty hunter, cause I broke more than his nose.” Mara answers. “At least the blood came off the bar easier than my clothes.”

“That’s gross.” Omega answers.

“Sorry.” Mara answers, setting her down carefully. “I watched some bartending videos. Cid wants me to work the bar till my injuries heal.”

“And when they are healed?” Echo asks.

“I don’t know. Might just go back to what I did before I went to Kamino.” Mara answers with a shrug. “I’d need to reconstruct my blades and figure out a few other things, but other than that, probably need some better competition than an unsuspecting bounty hunter.”

“Don’t go fighting them, they’re the only other mercenaries I got! I don’t need you accidentally hurting them like you did that bounty hunter.” Cid cuts in, waddling over to the group. “Where’s the intel?”

“Right here.” Tech answers, handing over the datarod.

“Great. I’ll get your payment.” Cid answers, walking back off into her office.

Mara ducks behind the counter moving aside a few glasses before finding a box. She takes out the box and sets it on the counter. She removes a key from her pocket and opens the box.

Inside was a necklace, the symbol sent a shiver through her and she grit her teeth. Mara had sworn she had thrown it away, but maybe it was a good thing it was there. She lays the necklace back inside and pockets the box.

Cid came back out with a small case and hands it to Hunter. Mara hops up on the counter and reads through the bottles, she tries to memorize the order and remember the things the video talked about. She knew she’d just end up playing it again, but a part of her wanted to try to remake a drink from memory, though she didn’t know how comfortable she felt drinking in the presence of so many others.

“Mara! Get off the counter.” Cid scoffs, hitting her staff on the ground. Her body tensed up and she got down, but something was off about her heartbeat and her breathing.

Hunter found her reactions strange. She was odd, to say the least. Of course, he didn’t want to say anything in front of Omega. Mara just seemed… unstable. He knew the others felt the same, perhaps just more cautious of her due to Omega.

He did have to admit, Mara was better with Omega than any of them were, perhaps because she’s known her longer or maybe because of something more maternal. Maybe they’d just need to get to know her better to see what Omega saw in her.

“We’ll be back!” Wrecker announces before him and Omega run off, much to Mara’s confusion.

“Why don’t you boys get a few drinks. See if Mara can handle this bartending thing.” Cid suggests before walking into her office.

That left Hunter, Crosshair, Tech, and Echo alone with Mara. Crosshair was the first to order, just wanting a few shots of spotchka. Tech and Echo ordered their own drinks and Hunter got some water, knowing that when Wrecker came back he’d try to drink his body weight.

“So, what did you do on Kamino?” Hunter asks, watching Mara clean off the glasses that had collected dust from not being used.

“Well, besides training under Shaak Ti, I helped with training the cadets. I worked with the ones that were about to do the test thing for a bit but we didn’t get along too well.” Mara answers, keeping her eyes down.

“That’s alright. We never got along with the regs either. Except Echo of course.” Hunter replies, giving Echo a light nudge.

“Regs?” Mara questions. “Regs as in regular?”

“It’s just an abbreviation.” Tech says, raising a brow at the woman.

“Right.” She answers quietly. “And why don’t you get along with the… regs?”

“Because of our deviant nature we never received respect from the regular clones.” Tech answers once more. “I can’t see how you would fail to get along with them, you’d appear to be a Jedi if you had a lightsaber.”

“I didn’t get along with the most of them because I’m not very social. A lot of them just liked to talk and I guess they just thought I was ignoring them.” Mara answers with a shrug.

“What’s the other reason?” Echo asks, taking a sip of his drinks.

“That I always beat them in sparring.”

“Sounds about right.” Crosshair speaks up. “They always did tend to have a sensitive ego.”

“Speak for yourself.” Tech scoffs with a grin, earning an eye roll from Crosshair.

The parlor was silent as Mara continued her cleaning and the brothers exchanged glances in a way to silently communicate. A few people came in and Mara helped them out when she could. Some just asked for directions, others asked for a drink or the bathroom.

Overall, they found she was friendly, just odd and a little too vague. When she was out of ear shot, the group agreed to just drop it with the personal questions and start keeping things vague until she’d choose to open up. If they really needed to know something, they’d ask Cid or take a look upstairs.

Eventually, Wrecker and Omega came back while Tech was info dumping how the prize machines worked to Mara, who looked very invested in his words. Crosshair even said something about her looking more invested in what he had to say than anyone else.

Wrecker began his shots as soon as Omega was distracted and away from the alcohol. Hunter went to spend his time with Omega, who, of course, went more toward trying to speak to Mara.

“— and then the rock fell and made a loud noise. So Wrecker had to kick a rock at one of them.” Omega rambles on about their experience with the Zygerrian traders. “I unlocked the rancors cage to make a distraction, but then it turned out that Muchi was the rancor!”

Mara smiled at the child and nodded as Omega went on and on. Hunter smiled slightly and took a seat beside the child.

“Oh! You should see my room on the ship! It’s perfect! It reminds me of your room back on Kamino.” Omega exclaims. “Because it’s the gunners mount it has a big window and I could just sit there and listen to the rain like you did.”

Mara smiled and nodded, reminiscing on the time, looking fondly at the child as she continued. Omega talked about Muchi, Hera and Ruby. All the new friends she had made from the missions. Hunter noticed whenever friendly words like “friends” or “family” came up, Mara’s smile turned neutral.

“One time I had to stay behind so me and Cid won a lot of bets playing Dejarik!” Omega explains excitedly. “Then I beat Hunter in a match!”

“Really?” Mara asks with a wide smile, looking over at Hunter for confirmation.

“She’s a smart kid.” Hunter answered.

“I learned from the best!” Omega gleams. “Mara used to beat everyone at Dejarik!”

“I don’t think that’s a fair comparison, most of the people I played with didn’t know how to play the game.” Mara comments.

“You won all those bets against that bounty hunter.” Omega reminds. “He said he was a champion on Coruscant.”

“Considering that his first play was always defensive, I highly doubt that he played against anyone who knew how to play the game.” Mara scoffs. “You don’t reuse a strategy your opponent already knows. Unless you’re actually going to do something different.”

“Excuse me, miss?” A man beckons, appearing beside Omega at least two seats down.

“Yes?” Mara answers, stepping over to the gentleman.

“Glass of whiskey please.” Mara nods and pours the man a glass. “What’s your name, pretty lady?”

“Mara.” She answers before falling silent once more.

“Beautiful.” The man winks, but Mara didn’t respond. “How long have you been in town?”

“Yesterday.”

“Ah. New to the area? Or have you been here before?”

“Three years.” Mara answers before furrowing her brows and shaking her head. “I-it’s been three years since I lived here.”

“Well, I’m sure they’re glad to have you back.” He takes a sip of his drink. “Where you from?”

“Somewhere.” She answers, looking at Omega and Hunter with a shrug.

“Well obviously. But where?”

“The outer rim.” She answers once more, getting a girl who approached the counter a new glass.

“I take it you like danger then.” He winks at her. “Why work at a bar? Why not play with fire? Or are you too scared to get burned?”

“I’ve spent my whole life playing with fire.” Mara informs, a glare darkening on her face, officially annoyed by the man. “And I have the burns to prove it.”

“Care to show me sometime?” He answers in a husky voice. Mara gave this man a once over.

“No visible scarring, sipping whiskey, a knock off necklace, no weapons, and cheap clothes that just look fancy enough for someone to take one glance at you and assume wealth, but a second to see that you’re nothing more than a common scumbag who’s too focused on looking pretty than to ever participate in a fight.” Mara says, her glare breaking the man down even more than her words did. “Scars tell a story, and you have none to show. So, no. I will not be showing you mine ‘sometime’.”

“Stupid bitch. You’re ugly anyway.” He retorts, leaving a couple credits before storming off without even finishing his drink.

Mara shrugs, collecting the credits and putting them in the drawer before disposing of the left over whiskey. She turned to see Omega with a large frown.

“Well that was rude.” Omega huffs.

“I thought he wanted to play with fire.” Mara answers, looking up at the two of them. The three looked to a girl who came over laughing.

“That! Th-that was amazing.” The woman laughs. “You’re just a scary lady in pretty clothing, aren’t ya?”

“Can I help you with something, miss?”

“Scary lady!” The woman winks.

Eventually, the bar had to close. Omega had left hours ago, along with her brothers. Mara cleaned up the customers messes, finding it kept her up another hour or so.

She found that sleep continues to evade her, her mind refusing to rest. The bedroom still felt too dirty, the mattress too soft. Her body was too tense. There were too many things. Things and more things and her things.

Mara finds herself sitting in front of her old things, a lazy shrine of the past. She folds her legs and she closes her eyes and lets the force guide her through the night. 

Taglist

@mybigfatspoonielife

[comfortbucky]

I’m so happy your requests are open because your writing is so amazing! I’d love to request something with fluffy long hair Bucky. Honestly I’ve been thinking about him being so lovesick while the reader is off on a mission for months and he’s mainly focused on how much he misses them that he doesn’t notice that his hair is getting extremely long because he always keeps it tied up. But when the reader comes back and they are cuddling he realizes how much his hair has grown and how it gets in the way of him kissing the reader when it’s down, so he runs and grabs scissors to cut it back to shoulder length immediately. I feel like this is definitely the himbo type of move that Bucky would make and I just miss long haired Bucky rn (TFATWS Bucky is hot too but I do love Bucky with the good hair haha.) if this isn’t something that inspires you to write this request then no hard feelings either I totally understand! 💖

hi !!!! sorry i’m getting to this so so late🥺 also thank u for ur compliment 😭💗

𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘂𝗻𝘇𝗲𝗹 ⋆｡˚ ☁︎ ˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆ ｡˚ ☁︎ ˚｡⋆｡˚ ⋆ ｡

pairing: civil war!bucky x gender neutral!reader/avenger!reader

tags: soft!bucky, himbo!bucky, absolutely fluff, at home haircut

A/N: once again i am SO sorry for getting to this late🥺 but i hope u enjoy!! 🥰

word count: 1.3k

my masterlist!

completed requests!

He'd never noticed how big his bed was until you left.

It was a 4-month long mission, the longest mission you had ever been assigned to and although Bucky was immensely proud of you, how far you had come as an Avenger, he hated the idea of you being gone for so long. Despite his pleas, Tony refused to let him go along with you, much to his chagrin.

You both had your own individual bedrooms in the tower, but Bucky became attached to you, fast, and his room quickly became yours. So even though you weren't physically there with him, Bucky was able to find comfort in the little bits of you that you left behind. A drawer in his dresser that never fully closed shut because it was stuffed to the brim with both his and your clothes. You were the last one to sit on the lounge chair in his room, the throw blanket left exactly how you left it, half of it flipped over with part of it hanging over the armrest. Bucky never considered himself to be a superstitious person, but he couldn't get himself to tidy up that space, believing that he had to leave it untouched in order for you to return.

Bucky had become so used to sleeping next to you in bed, he could barely get any sleep the first night you were gone. With time, he was able to sleep a little longer every night, but he still longed for your being. His bed had become both of yours, each of you claiming ownership by referring to it as "our" bed when speaking to others or each other. But without you in it, it felt like it was becoming just his bed again, and he hated it.

So preoccupied with your absence, Bucky barely spent any time looking after himself. He tried anything and everything he could think of in an attempt to make his room feel full again. To try and make the bed feel less empty, he bought dozens of pillows to take up space, only to feel overheated and overwhelmed, kicking them all off by the end of the night. Nat jokingly suggested to him that he buy a body pillow but later that night he ordered one online. When it arrived, he tested it out and immediately sent it back. It didn't feel right, nothing fit in his arms like you did, perfectly made for him.

Which is exactly why when you came back, the first thing he wanted to do was cuddle. He was ready to cuddle you, clad in dirt and grime, but you were able to convince him to let you shower first before cuddles.

You felt like you had shed an entire layer of skin by the end of ur shower, watching the brown sludge swirl down the drain. After changing into comfy clothes, you stepped out of the bathroom, immediately being swept up in Bucky's arms.

"Can't wait any longer," he said, causing you to chuckle, carrying you to his bed and gently setting you down. Bucky quickly climbed into bed next to you, engulfing you in his arms right away. Facing each other, you both simultaneously let out a sigh of relief, finally feeling at peace in each other's arms.

In an instant, his lips were on yours, kissing you with thirst and hunger that you both had been craving for months. Neither one of you wanting to break away from the kiss for oxygen until the very last second, allowing the other to take each other's breath in exchange to keep your lips together for as long as possible.

When you finally pulled apart from each other, panting, Bucky immediately cupped your face in his hands and pulled you in for another kiss. This time, the softness of his lips was obscured by strands of hair. You pulled your face away, just enough to run your fingers through his hair and push it out of the way. As you brushed his hair with your fingertips, you realized a difference in how far back you ran your hand.

"Didn't know I was dating Rapunzel!" You chuckled, teasing him. Bucky's face flushed red in an instant.

"Is it—Is it bad?" Before you could answer his question, he leaped out of bed, making a beeline to the bathroom. Nervous you had crossed a line, you followed after him, the sight of him in the bathroom making you gasp audibly.

Bucky was standing in front of the mirror, holding a pair of scissors open, about to chop off a decent length of his hair, that currently ended slightly below his collarbone.

"What are you doing?" He lowered his arm and turned to face you.

"Cutting my hair," he chuckled nervously, shifting his eyes down to look at the ground. His voice softened as he continued. "Forgot to do it while you were gone. Too busy thinking 'bout you." You felt heat rise to your cheeks and smiled softly at him, gently taking the scissors from his hand.

"I was just teasin' you, Bucky," you said, placing the scissors on the counter. Holding his face in your hands, you gently moved the strands of hair that had fallen to the front of his face. "You don't have to cut your hair if you don't want to."

"I want to," he quickly replied. "It's getting in the way of our kisses." You chuckled at his comment, smoothing his hair back, and kissed his forehead.

"Do you want me to cut it? Might be easier." He nodded in reply and left the bathroom briefly to grab a stool, sitting to face the mirror. Picking up the scissors, you moved to stand behind him, planting a kiss on his head, before starting to snip the ends of his hair. "How much do you want me to cut off?" He looked at you in the mirror, thinking for a moment before speaking.

"Cut it to how it was before; before you left," Bucky said, whispering the latter half of his sentence. You nodded and proceeded to cut his hair.

As you gently combed your fingers through his hair, Bucky closed his eyes and hummed at your gentle touch. You smiled softly and continued your actions, occasionally stealing glimpses of Bucky in the mirror. His entire face had softened, the corners of his lips curved upwards in a smile. When you had finished cutting his hair to be shoulder length, you continued brushing through his hair for a moment longer, soaking in the view of how content and at peace, he looked.

"All done!" Bucky's eyes fluttered open and his face lit up as he studied his reflection in the mirror. He turned to face you and cupped your face in his hands, pulling you in for a kiss. You smiled against his lips and chuckled softly as he pulled away.

"It passes the kiss test." You chuckled at his comment and set the scissors down on the counter. "Now it's time for the cuddle test!" Bucky swiftly picked you up, taking you back to bed as you giggled in his arms.

He set you down and you turned on your side to face him as he wrapped an arm around you, pulling you close to him.

"I missed you so much, honey," he sighed, resting a hand on your cheek, his thumb brushing against your cheekbone. You smiled softly at him.

"Missed you too, Bucky. Thought about you every night."

"Thought about you every day, every second of every day." Bucky chuckled softly. You laughed softly as he pulled your body as close as he could to his. Resting his head in the crook of your neck, Bucky spoke, his voice muffled. "Don't wanna let you go again." You caressed the back of his head, speaking softly in his ear.

"I'm staying, I'm all yours, Rapunzel." Bucky chuckled and nipped at your neck in response, causing you to break out in giggles.

With you in his arms, the bed, not his but collectively, yours, felt full again. Whole.