#i thought it was going to be some kind of building in the crossroads but the fade is close enough

[redlyriumidol]

the solas's tragic lonely cup and plate thing is sending me. truly hoisted by his own petard, trapped in a prison of his own making. solas you could have been doing shots with the inquisitor but no. instead I shall party hard with all my friends (because i have those) on the dusty bones of your failed hopes and dreams

[winterzsurprise]

Change My Mind [4]

Pairing: BTS x reader

SUMMARY: As a make-up artist, you were expected to glamorize your clients with brushes and products that cost a week-worth of food, not to befriend them outside of work, let alone have them save you from dates yet here you are five years later as one of their closest confidants.

Being a stylist of the world's biggest boyband is no easy feat, someone is doing flips, someone can't stay still and one's asleep but its fine, you can work around their chaos but then one day, you find out they're all your soulmates, a whole different can of chaos you don't think you can handle.

Tags: Soulmates AU, Friends to Lovers, Eventual Smut, Not Beta Read, Slow Build, Polyamory, Attempts at Humor

Words: 7.1k

nothing much to say this time but this is not beta read, my friend who was supposed to read it is unfortunately unavailable, idk if the argument makes sense in the end cause I personally run from confrontations so idk how to write good arguments so yeah.

ANYWAYS, Happy reading!!

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TAGLIST: @wildestdreamsblog @canarystwin @prettywheenicry @jmnscutie @sassy-snassy @misuguru @11thenightwemet11 @yoongibaybee @rinkud

___________

In all of your years working for Bangtan, as one of their staff and the youngest stylist, you've been included in every life events and celebrations there is. Birthdays, first wins, comebacks, everything there is even something as important as family dinners. You've never skipped or forgot a single member's birthday, period.

But as Guwon stands before you, a plane ticket to Jeju in hand with the departure scheduled tomorrow and returning just a day short before the tour, you find yourself at a crossroad. It’s Jungkook's birthday tomorrow and Jimin has planned a small party tonight at their dorms before the formal celebration at the company the next day.

While you've been trying to rectify the awkward air between you and the maknae since his confession by starting conversations, the maknae only replied to you with silence before promptly vanishing in two seconds flat.

But despite the strain in your relationship, you could never think of not attending his birthday. You'd never thought to be petty enough to return his energy. His present was already wrapped in a pretty bow under your bed for a week now for Christ's sake!

“I-I can't… It's one of their birthday’s tomorrow.”

“Oh.” His smile falls. “Can't you just give your gift today? Surely they can party for one night without you.”

It was a genuine question, logical and true but for some reason, his tone raised concerns within you. You swear to the highest heavens you could hear a bit of irritation hidden beneath dejection.

You winced. “I can't, I'm really sorry… I-I can pay you back what you've spent for the trip. I'm really sorry, I just never missed any of their birthdays. I swear I'll make it up to you next time!”

Guwon's shine dulled the further you went on and your heart twinged with guilt. In another universe where some humans gained animalistic features, he'd have dog ears pressed to his skull, staring at you with wide and glistening eyes.

You waved off the image immediately, disturbed.

“It's also my fault for not asking for your schedule. The tour is next week and then you'd be away from me for months so I kind of… panicked. I'm sorry.”

He should've known better than not to do research on your bosses , a voice at the back of your head scoffed and you waved the thought away as you put a hand over his. 

“I should've notified you as well. Tell me if those are refundable or not, I'll pay you back.”

He waves you off. “Cute but I've been raised well to know not to ask a lady to pay for my mistake, so don't worry that pretty head of yours about not being able to go.”

The date continued and thankfully, no dead air remained and conversation eased out of the both of you. Guwon sorted out his reservations early on, he'd stopped eating every once in a while to pick up his phone to either receive a call or respond to an email.

With how often he answered the chimes of his phone and how long it took for him to finally put it down, you figured he must've prepared a lot for the week and it made you feel more guilty every time he did it.

Today, he brought you both to an indoor park he rented for an hour for a picnic. It was on the outskirts of Seoul and he also cooked most of the food placed between you both, his mother however, was responsible for the side dishes.

Speaking of mothers, yours called earlier to congratulate you on whatever it was she was adamant on keeping secret but you already knew what it was and you were glad Jungkook’s mother gave birth on such a perfect day almost 21 years ago.

Guwon was planning to propose to you during the trip.

It left a bitter taste in your tongue. Sure you had expected to be married to him at some point but you barely knew the man outside of his colorful stories, and knew none of his actual behavior in his home. You haven't even visited his house yet for a vibe check so why is he rushing too fast?

Despite the guilt in your heart, relief is more palpable knowing you'd have more time to figure out if you truly want Guwon in your life.

Your phone vibrated in your pocket and you took a glance at it.

           [17:29] Jinnie: I'll pick you up at your apartment by 6.            [17:29] Jinnie: please be prepared😊

Seeing the t̶h̶r̶e̶a̶t̶e̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ friendly smile attached at the end of his message, you're suddenly reminded of the present. You hadn't told any of them of your date today, something that had drawn out longer than you thought it would. You frowned, fingers drumming on the side of your phone as you pondered on what to reply.

You had promised to help with the food yet here you are, out of town and on a picnic date inside a garden observatory.

“Who is it?” Guwon asks, seeing the frown on your face. Your mind immediately picks up the odd tone he has.

“Their oldest, Jin. We're supposed to cook together before the rest comes home.”

He furrowed his eyebrows. “I thought the birthday was tomorrow?”

“Oh, we're planning a small party before it, just his closest friends.”

Guwon nodded, eyes distant and thoughtful as he took a bite of his sandwich before continuing. “What time are you expected?”

“Their eldest said he'll pick me up at six.”

He looked at his watch and frowned deeper. “It's already 5:30. Maybe I can drive you to their dorm instead?”

You immediately shook your head. Remembering the promise you had with Jin and Jungkook. The maknae had recently begun to look at your direction again yesterday after Hoseok had talked to him, inviting Guwon would ruin the smallest progress you’ve had. 

Not to mention, you can't reveal their dorm location even if he is to be your husband. Company rules and you've signed an NDA.

“Company rules, can't reveal their location.”

“If we're going to be a couple soon, I'm going to need to know more about these guys you're hanging around. I don't trust them.” He says as he turns to the picnic basket to take another sandwich out, unable to see the twitch in your eye. 

“Well, you have to learn how to, they’re my bosses and my best friends.”

“I’m having a hard time believing that. I mean,” He scoffed. “Did you notice how they look at me whenever I’m around? That rapper—Yun–Yoonmi stared at me like I’m an insect he stepped on.”

Anger boils deep within your soul and you’re sure it's visibly contorting your face at this point but the man didn’t notice it and continued chewing on his food.

“Besides, their location is pretty well known already, no? Just a couple searches away, why be so secretive about it?”

You refrain yourself from frowning and it takes all of the energy within you to not react as wildly as you would’ve. It was amazing how the illusion of something good could shatter with only a few words and you set down the sandwich in your hand.

There's something terribly humbling upon realization that the man you're talking to is indeed, a man.

Noticing the shift in the air, he set down his cup of coffee with a slight raise to his brows.

“Why are you looking at me like that? It's true though, I just think it's pointless to try to hide it when some people already know, so what's the use of trying to hide their dorm?”

Where's Jimin and Taehyung at times like this?

You dreaded the conversation you're about to bring up to your mother once she calls, and could hear her scolding you for having such high standards. Guwon being indifferent to the possibility of being stalked, and your boys’ privacy being breached immediately raise red glaring flags over his head.

A lawyer himself who shrugged at the threat of crimes, the joke just writes itself.

“Don't look at me like that, I'm just… trying to understand why you didn't want me to interact with them after our second date. It makes a man overthink, know?”

Whatever thread you were holding onto, a sliver of hope that you might've misheard or misunderstood him, decayed within you and you picked up your phone to stuff into your bag.

You had hoped, wished, that after your deep talk on the night Seokjin had scolded your ass to the nines he'd understand your dynamic better with the boys or at least try. You could already hear Yoongi's drawl out ‘I told you so’ as you packed up, even imagine him bringing up Namjoon’s statistical analysis and how I should've listened to it.

“If you're implying what I think you are implying then I don't think we should meet each other anymore.”

Tossing the food back into the basket carelessly, you slung your bag over your shoulder and stand, only for his hand to shoot out to grab your wrist in an iron grip.

“Wait, I-I'm sorry! I just got… jealous, that's all.”

Even with the apologetic look displayed clearly on his face and the fear swimming with them, nothing could bring back to life the trust you had on the man and you pushed his hand away.

“I can't stay with someone who can't understand why those boys are important to me, sorry Guwon but we're over. Don't you ever contact me again.”

“You can't possibly be breaking up with me because I said what I felt? Over them? Really?!”

You don't even recognize the man sitting opposite you.

He knew, he saw how close you are with them and even sat through the stories you told him during your dates. Guwon knew you cherished every single boy in the group yet he disregarded it all because of jealousy? If that isn't a warning, then you might be blind.

“It's like I never even knew you at all.”

He scoffed. “Same with you. Can't believe I actually believed your words telling me you were friends but I saw how those boys treated you!”

Sure your relationship with your bosses is unusual but it was built from hardship and loneliness from being taken away from home and surrendering their time for a glimpse of fame in a field where they're at a huge disadvantage. It was special in ways not many could fathom because in their head, what reason would there be for a man to befriend a girl other than having the intention to fuck them?

It was the mindset of the old and “ wise” and it had infuriated you to the nines.

For him to reveal himself as one of those old cogs when he expressed himself as a gentleman and be convinced by his act of kindness, even the word disappointing could express how greatly upset you are.

“Bet you've slept with all of them at least once, hell, I don't even know why your mother bothered when you're already busy whoring yourself for seven men.”

Anger flooded your veins, it was hot and rampaging under your skin. Before your mind could even register your actions, your hand had already moved, making contact with his cheek in one swift motion. The slap echoed like a clap of thunder in the silence of the observatory.

Even after seeing the angry red mark beginning to mar his skin, your anger remained.

“Goodbye Guwon, I hope we never see each other again.”

Walking away was easier said than done.

You got picked up by Guwon earlier and since you've run far enough from the indoor garden, away from your supposed ticket back home, you're now waiting for an uber at a small library sequestered between towering and loudly designed buildings. You had half a mind to ask your friends that lived nearby for a ride but decided against it.

They might be busy with their own family. 

Unlike you.

As you sit there waiting for your ride to come, your mind takes you to your mother and her genuine glee at the thought of you getting married. Ever since your second date, she had been sending you photographs of weddings for inspirations, links to event places and tailors, and flower shops where you could have your bouquet arranged. She was beyond ecstatic, if she heard what had happened, she would be devastated. 

A loud, exasperated sigh left your lips, the volume catching the attention of the bookkeeper who was quick to shush you.

As you waited longer with only the deafening silence of the library to accompany you, doubt began to form at the back of your head. 

Was breaking up with Guwon really the right choice? 

An angry, louder voice screamed at you for doubling down on your decision. You knew your boys longer than you knew him, if the trip had gone through, Guwon would've proposed to you despite the short time you've known each other. Something you didn't want. Not to mention, he would've gone through the idea while contemplating on your loyalty.

So yes, it was the right decision!

But you were to be married .

Your mother was so happy to have finally matched you with a guy you attended three dates with. The thought made your heart clench, she was excited to see you on the altar and has most likely spread it around your town with pride. She was about to have three married children.

Gods, you don't want to imagine the conversation later on, she'd be distraught.

Your phone buzzed and you dreaded looking at the screen to see your mother's name. Luckily, it was Jin instead.

           [18:01] Jinnie: where are you?            [18:01] Jinnie: knocked on your door but the neighbor said you were out.            [18:02] Jinnie: you're late😒            [18:02] Jinnie: I'm going to have them deduct your pay this month for making me wait            [18:03] You: I'm sorry your highness for disappointing you, please forgive this servant of yours🤧            [18:03] You: was on a date            [18:03] You: not that it matters anymore, I broke up with Guwon            [18:04] You: does it even count? I mean, we weren't official, he didn't ask me to be his girlfriend yet.

You paused, face souring as you realized what you've just typed. 

Guwon hadn't asked for your hand officially even after three dates, he had the chance on your second date during the stroll but he didn't. Despite this, he went and asked your parents for their blessings when he hadn't even asked you first.

           [18:04] You: wow I just remembered that            [18:04] You: then he had the audacity to propose to me!

There's a pause in between his usually instant replies and you had an inkling he's already spreading the gossip around the group somehow.

           [18:08] Jinnie: wow there's a LOT to unpack there            [18:08] Jinnie: but worry not            [18:08] Jinnie: I'll have Jimin get us the strongest drink there is for later            [18:09] Jinnie: we'll drink that sorrow away and you're going to tell me what the hell you meant by proposing while not being official             [18:10] You: I don't think I should tell you that…            [18:10] You: considering… ya know            [18:11] You: also don't you guys have an early schedule tomorrow?🤨            [18:12] Jinnie: bold of u to assume I don't want hear how massive of a failure he is            [18:12] Jinnie: nothing better than hearing your enemy’s downfall😌            [18:13] Jinnie: also what do you mean ‘you guys’???             [18:13] Jinnie: you're literally our make-up artist!

You scoffed at the message but before you could type up a reply, the notification from your uber app popped out to inform you about your driver now waiting outside the library and you walked out.

           [18:23] You: and just because I'm your make-up artist, doesn't mean I should let you all get away with this            [18:23] You: and I won't even drink much :pp            [18:24] Jinnie : if I ever see you stumbling around the house, you owe me 100000            [18:25] You: WOW            [18:25] You: AREN'T YOU RICH ALREADY????            [18:25] Jinnie: money is money😌            [18:26] Jinnie: just get ur ass over here already before I add more zeros to the bet

The smell of Jin’s cooking, both spicy and something savory, welcomed you first before the sound of sizzles did. At the sound of the door closing, Jin appears round the corner with an apron hung from his neck and a tong stained with red bean paste in the other.

Despite the disappointed look he's going for, reminiscent of a mother who caught her daughter coming home past curfew, the relief you feel upon seeing his handsome face after earlier was palpable and the knots in your stomach loosened.

“I should have your pay deducted for showing up late.”

You winced. “Sorry boss, can I appeal for a heartbreak discount on that?”

“Only if you give me a hug and cry on my shoulder.” 

He opened his arms wide, plush lips widening into a smile when you approached to wrap your arms around his torso. The fabric of his sweatshirt was soft and the scent of new laundry overtook his usual scent of freshly baked cakes and gentle vanilla perfume, it almost made you boneless in his hold. Moreso when he started stroking your head while the other ran up and down your back with his palm, fingers still wrapped around the tongs.

He didn't pull away despite the awkward position with him bending down and practically melting against your smaller form. In your years of being friends, you could never recall Seokjin being the first to pull away from a hug and once more, you're grateful for that.

“You wanna talk about it?”

“I’ll do it while cooking, we might burn whatever you're cooking if I told you all about it here.”

He shook his head, his rubbing motions on your back turning into gentle pats. “We can just order it online if it does, I even bet that they'll still eat it even if it was. Hoba was relentless today.”

His nails raked through your scalp and you resisted the urge to shiver. 

“He was being an ass towards you guys. Then when I defended you all, he accused me of sleeping around.”

His first instinct was to curse the man down to his ancestors who bred with each other until he was born, but stopped himself when he realized what he's about to say and cleared his throat.

If his arms coiled tighter around you, you only leaned into him further.

“Normally I would say "I told you so" but I know Yoongi has it covered later. So I'll just say—"

"Don't you dare. Jin don’t you dare finish that sentence."

"I knew it."

He let out a cry when your hand slapped his arm but it quickly dissolved into a fit of squeaky laughter and he pushed your head back under his chin before you could even continue hitting him. Hand continuing their petting as you let out an annoyed groan.

“My mom was so excited! God. I hate that bastard for disappointing me and her. She was sending me links to wedding planners and dressmakers because apparently he was supposed to take me to Jeju tomorrow and propose.”

He stills in your arms, the hand in your hair stopping its motion as his breath hitched in his chest. It took him a moment before he recollected himself and continued to pat your head, pressing a kiss on top of your crown.

“I'm sure auntie will understand, I know that she would've wanted you to find a good man like she and your sister did.”

A voice at the back of your head told you he was referring to himself but you threw the thought away as soon as it went.

“Personally, I would've taken the ticket and ditch him.” He laughed and you hit his arm with a barely concealed grin. “All I'm saying is that free things should be used and if it's gifted then better! You get to decide how to use it so refund it!”

“I don't think it's that easy.”

“Just say Kim Seokjin of BTS asked for a refund and they'll immediately accept it.”

Pulling away, you playfully rolled your eyes at him, earning you one last laugh as you walked to the kitchen where the sizzles of the food being fried on the pan had long been muted. Jin followed you with an onslaught of words spilling from his lips, justifying and detailing how he would've done in your place as you placed your bag down on the island counter before reaching for the spare apron.

Hearing his rants filling the silence made it easier to relax, made forgetting how upset you were at Guwon a walk in the park.

It was familiar and his voice, despite his fiery indignation, was oddly comforting.

Soon enough, your conversation halts and you both position yourself over the counter, following his orders mindlessly; which is mostly dicing the vegetables and the slabs of meat he marinated last night in soy sauce and spices. 

You found the repetitive motions of chopping soothing and silently thanked the man now hovering over the saucepan, gently stirring the seaweed soup. 

As if sensing your eyes boring holes on the back of his head, his ears reddened and he looked over his shoulder to meet your gaze.

“W-what is it? Wh-why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just admiring how huge your shoulders are and how reliable you are.” 

You recalled how dearly he cared for his group despite the exhaustion from practicing singing and dancing the whole day. Despite being the youngest in his family, Jin took on the mantle of the oldest brother in the group easily and selflessly provided for his members alongside Yoongi and Namjoon. If it were anybody, you were sure the boys would've been sick or had long given up, especially when the company was about to file bankruptcy in their earlier years.

From the bone shattering dances, exhausting practices and routines stretching from dawn till dusk, you were thankful Seokjin was there to catch the others when they fall.

It was a hard task nobody would've assumed since selfishness is a built-in trait of a human yet Seokjin proved you wrong when he stayed up every night despite the muscle cramps and exhaustion weighing his bones to cook for his members, taking the role of the eldest like it was a second nature despite being the youngest in his family.

He barked out a half-hearted laugh as his red ears brightened from the compliment. “I already know that of course!”

“Thank you for everything, Jin.”

His face crumpled when he laughed bashfully, the bright hue in his ears crawling to dusk his cheeks as well. It didn't take long before he recovered and like clockwork, in reaction to being flustered by compliments, he got defensive and raised the saucer threateningly at you.

“Ya! If you're planning to compliment me, at least be original! I'm done hearing about how wide my shoulders are from ARMY and how reliant I am from the others! We've been together for years, do better and be original with your compliments!”

It was a joke, obviously.

But staring at the older man childishly brandishing his cooking utensil like a bludgeoning weapon, you couldn't help but ponder about what truly pulled you into him only to realize that you've never truly dove deeper than surface level details. It was disappointing to find out how shallow you've been when expressing your appreciation for the man.

Like he said, you've always pointed out how reliable he is but never have you pointed out the small things such as the warm food he claimed have been extras and the hot soups sectioned off for you on cold days.

He was the first to approach you on the first day despite being the member who mostly kept to himself, asking you if you wanted to celebrate their Rookie of the Year win with them instead of the rowdy staff behind you. 

The first one to build a bridge leading to this deep companionship you had with the rest of the members, have you really never thanked him for that?

“You're so caring and humble despite your background and where you are right now. If it was anybody else, they would've left the boys to fend for themselves once they were able to yet you didn't stop cooking for them, for us. I don't think I have ever met a man so down to earth and as loving as you are,” You paused. “Well, except Jimin but if you want something more original I'd say I love your hands even when you think they're weird because they—”

You didn't even realize Jin crossed the distance between you both until his hands clasped around your lips, silencing you completely.

Unlike earlier with only his ears blushing, his cheeks now glowed red, the flushed skin spreading down to his neck, continuing past the collar of his dark blue pajamas. When your eyes meet, you find his glistening with unshed tears no doubt touched by your hastily put together declaration of your appreciation for him. 

When it was clear you wouldn't continue your rant, his arms fell to your shoulders and pulled you into a tight embrace. 

His violent heartbeats thudding against his chest was the first thing you've heard before you registered the stuttered exhales and his gentle saccharine scent filling your senses, clouding your brain completely. For a moment, it was just you and him in the kitchen, hugging a little longer than friends should be.

But then again, since when have you guys ever drawn the line on how platonic touches should last?

“God… You gotta stop doing that.”

“I'm just following what you told me like a good dongsaeng and I think I did exceedingly well on it. Does that guarantee a deduction on my pay deduction?”

There's an odd, invisible weight that lifted off of you, something you didn't even realize you were carrying. But there's also a tinge of guilt pinching the edges of your heart.

Jin was the first to approach you, and the first to confess four years ago. He was all shy looks and sweet smiles, his sweet words accompanied by a bouquet of flowers that must've cost him more than he could've gotten from being an idol of a new group. 

When Jin loves, he gives his all and doesn't think twice to give half of himself as well. In a way, he and Yoongi were alike, just with different approaches.

He was open and unapologetic while Yoongi was subtle and often silent.

His laugh twinkled in your ears but it dwindled later on, as if he remembered something towards the end of his mirth. “You're driving me crazy, how am I supposed to move on when you're this lovely?”

Hearing him confirm your suspicion about his crush—is it even called that at this point?—relieved you from an unknown anxiety most likely sparked by Jungkook's words a few nights ago. Why are you even relieved hearing him still liking you when all you've done is hurt him?

“You're such an idiot, you know that?”

“Love makes you do the stupidest thing but I don't think I've ever regretted ever falling for you.”

He pulls away, a gentler, softer smile now tugging his lips up.

“God, you made me sappy! My god, my soup!” 

Even without the warmth of his embrace, you could feel it radiate in the small space of the kitchen. You continued your work as Jin fuzzed about the seaweed soup behind you, bathing in the domesticity of it all.

Your phone vibrates loudly in your bag on the island counter. Wiping your hand on your apron, you opened it to see Jimin’s messages.

           [18:56] Mimi: seokjin hyung told me to buy the strongest alcohol             [18:57] Mimi: any idea why he’s being weird?            [18:57] You: I’ll tell jin that you called him weird            [18:57] You: but yes            [18:57] You: I’ll tell you all later why            [18:58] Mimi: 🤨            [18:58] Mimi: not if I get you drunk in the first ten minutes            [18:58] You: I’d like to see you try, pretty boy

Your phone vibrated again. Namjoon had texted you, seeing the preview you rolled your eyes.

            [18:59] Joonie: Seokjin hyung didn’t say but I already figured it out             [18:59] Joonie: You'd hear enough from Yoongi hyung later but            [18:58] Joonie: I told you so            [18:58] You: I hope you trip and fall on shit🥰            [18:59] Joonie: Love you too, noona😁            [18:59] You: blocked🚫

“I'm not seeing enough chopping, young lady. Get back to your station!” Jin jokingly scolds. With a laugh, you return to your spot.

By the time some of the boys arrived—except Jimin, Jungkook and Taehyung, no doubt pre-gaming somewhere—it was already ten and some of the dishes were plated, ready to be eaten in the dining room. If it wasn't for both your and Jin's advanced thinking to ready the bowl of rice and their plates beforehand, they would have starved to death as Yoongi dramatically puts it before blaming Hoseok for draining them out the whole day.

The man in question just laughed in response before shrugging and rebuking their ‘accusations’, saying it wasn't even that hard. To this, Yoongi grumbled under his breath and Namjoon rolled his eyes.

A few minutes later, the maknaes entered, cheeks all flushed except for Jimin who was holding up a bag full of canned alcohol as if it was game from an all-day hunt.

You thanked Jimin silently for drinking the birthday boy tipsy enough to make the dinner energetic instead of the awkwardness you thought it'd be due to what happened a few days ago. There's fleeting eyes you've caught in between jokes he made, either pouring with adoration or longing, you tried to not to pay it much mind.

But of course, the alcohol pouring could only go for so long before you're all lounging in the living room to talk about anything that comes to mind. It was half an hour short from the clock tickling to twelve, signifying Jungkook's actual birthday.

The conversation started off tame with Taehyung questioning the animals who sleep standing to something more elaborate with Yoongi asking everyone's opinion about some decrypt conspiracy theory surrounding the rich of the west. It was all fun and games when Taehyung, lost in his own mind running with the most random thought, sluggishly pointed at you and asked:

“Wh-why aren't you checking your phone? G-Guwon hyung haven't been texting you yet?”

Many heads turned to you who was practically boneless in between a tipsy Hoseok and a still sober Yoongi. You didn't even need to look to know the look of concern Jin was throwing your way.

But everything was hazy, your head throbbing from the alcohol. The words slipped past your lips before you could think about it.

“We parted ways… He accused me of sleeping around when I said I didn't want to go on a trip with him tomorrow ‘cause I didn't want to skip Jungkookie's birthday.”

Hoseok patted your shoulder and Yoongi nodded, face indifferent as usual. Despite the reaction of the boys on both sides, not everyone in the circle held the same opinion it seems.

“You didn't have to decline it, noona. You-you’ve been with us for years, missing one wouldn't hurt me much.”

Jungkook's voice was softer as if he had sobered up from the revelation and you waved him away.

“What are you saying? I couldn't leave when we weren't alright.” You glimpsed at Jin before continuing. “Besides, he was planning to propose and I'm glad he couldn't anymore.”

In your drunken mind, the information didn't carry much weight but the pin drop silence following your words did, you guessed that it must've been. However, it didn't last long when Taehyung jumped up to his feet and punched the air as if Korea just scored the final score in FIFA.

The boys look at him with wide eyes, shocked by his reaction. Jimin recovers and tries to tug him down but a drunk Taehyung is determined, with a will stronger than a monk's resilience and patience, no one could stop him from doing what he wanted.

And that was bumping his glass on your forehead, a little harder than it should've been if he was sober and you reel back, a hand over your forehead.

“Noona! you're free again! Do you know what that means?!”

“Ok that's enough for you tonight. Let's get you to bed.” Jimin says, chuckling awkwardly as he stands behind his best friend, wrapping his arms around his waist before dragging him away.

“Why? Can't I just congratulate noona from recognizing something was off instead of ignoring it like most do? Noona,” He turned to you, bottom lip jutted out. “It's not bad that I'm celebrating right?”

Seokjin’s laugh was nervous when he rose to usher the man away as well. “Alright, lets all calm down so we don't accidentally say something while drunk.”

“Fuck yeah! I-I don’t even know why I even believed his lies, he’s a lawyer for fucks sake!”

“Not that it ever stopped you before. I still don't understand why you couldn't have married one of us instead.” Jungkook cuts in, suddenly irritated.

Somehow, the tension in the room grew tenfold and everyone sits up, alert and ready to interfere if their youngest decides to let the alcohol take control of him. Your brain clears once it registered the annoyance in his voice, heart dropping to the soles of your feet.

“Jungkook—”

“I just think it's a bullshit excuse and you know it. You told that to Jin-hyung four years ago and have repeated it ever since. We’re all adults now, we can handle a little rejection and who’s to say we can’t date when we’re the only idol running the company. You say it's because you don’t want to choose but aren’t you just instilling false hope in us?” 

He stood as he grew more agitated but Jin pushed him down, eyes stern as he stared down at their youngest. Seeing the conflict brew between them, the growing guilt built by years of spending time with them reawakened.

It tied your stomach in a knot and felt like a building had dropped onto your heart.

As if sensing your emotions, Yoongi’s hand found your shoulder to give it a squeeze.

“You’re not thinking straight so stop it,” Jin excuses as he turns to you with an apologetic smile. “He’s just drunk, he doesn’t—”

“I know what I’m saying and I think you’re being too biased here hyung!”

“Jungkook…” Hoseok calls from next to you, voice low, a warning.

“You too! She’s also your friend, why aren’t you pointing out how she’s just playing with us? Why are you only calling me out?”

“Because you’re being a stupid drunk right now, Jungkook. Stand down .” Yoongi ordered, voice firm and warning. His arms are crossed as he stared their youngest down but the maknae wasn’t intimidated by it, if anything, the fire in the older man’s eyes only fueled the anger boiling within him.

In years you’ve watched over them, never once has Yoongi scolded their youngest past Run BTS contents, leaving the reprimanding to their oldest and leader. For him to call him out and seeing them grow agitated by each other’s presence, dread loomed over you with your nightmares threatening to come true. 

This isn’t how tonight’s party was supposed to go.

“Isn’t there anyone who’d agree with me at how absurd all of this is?!” His head snapped at Namjoon who’s watching with a careful eye. “Hyung, surely you can also see it!”

Throughout the exchange, Namjoon had sat back and watched the interaction from the sidelines instead of interfering on the first hint of a fight breaking out. Even when the situation becomes a little aggressive, he stays silent but you don’t doubt that he’d be the first to stand if the disagreement becomes volatile and inching towards physical.

That's what he always has done, observed and let the high rise of emotions eventually tides down to a calm on their own. He's a leader, he's supposed to be fair and to do so, he must first understand both sides before taking action. He also trusts his own team to temper their own ire after years of being together.

But now that he's forced to join the argument, he sighed and stood. Seokjin stepped away as he approached their youngest with both hands placed on his shoulders to sit him back down. 

Obediently, Jungkook follows.

“While I do see where you’re coming from, I think it's a bit unfair that you’re blaming her for being scared.” Jungkook opens his mouth but a firm shake of Namjoon’s head shuts him up. “Don’t start again. There’s a power imbalance here kid. If her choosing someone could cause a problem, we’d get off scot free but not her. In the eyes of the company, she’s disposable—”

“But she’s not.”

“She is. In their eyes at least. By having her around causing problems for us, she’s nothing but a thorn in their side that they should remove. If she had dated one of us and eventually broke up, it would cause an awkwardness and riff between guys especially if it ended on a bad note and BigHit won't stand for it. You know how important this job is for her, right?”

They stared at each other for a long while, both unrelenting in silence. You all waited with bated breath, Namjoon was the only one who could diffuse the situation and if he fails, then who else could possibly calm the maknae down?

Turning to the clock, you bit your lip at the time.

It was nearing Jungkook's actual birthday, three minutes short before both hands ticked to twelve.

Which meant it would have to start during the denouement of an argument. The thought planting discomfort in your stomach. Such a happy celebration shouldn't be welcomed like this.

In the midst of raised voices and pointing fingers, Taehyung has completely sobered up from where he sat between Jimin’s thighs, staring beady eyed at the situation in his friend’s arms. Sensing your gaze, he turned to you with a sheepish, apologetic smile when Jungkook's heavy sigh broke through the silence.

His head fell to his chest as Namjoon removed his hands from his shoulders yet his eyes remained on their youngest’s hunched form.

“You get what we're trying to say now, do you?”

“Y-yeah…”

“Anything you want to say, gguk?” Namjoon was talking to him like he was a kindergarten teacher and you both were kids who fought on the sandbox for the shovel, warm and understanding but the disappointment in his tone is clear as day.

Jungkook doesn't reply but he shoots up to his feet, surprising Hoseok next to you, with eyes still trained on the floor.

When he did look up to meet your gaze, it was brief and cut off by a deep bow. You reached your hands out, trying to stop him from doing so but Yoongi took one of your hands and pinned them down between his and your thighs.

Jungkook never had to bow for you and it felt wrong seeing him bent down to apologize.

“I-I’m sorry noona, I—” He trails off.

In his speechlessness in a room full of people who��while understanding where he comes from—stood behind you, he clams up and then in a flash, he’s gone, bolting from the living room and skipping up the stairs. The sound of his heavy footfalls echoing like the clock ticking down to his birthday.

The argument has been dissolved, yet it left a bitter taste on your tongue, it made you feel queasy having everyone back you up without reprimanding you as well. It was true, what Jungkook said. 

Weren't you practically leading them on by not choosing anyone? No matter how unintentional it must be, if he thinks that way then maybe everyone else in the group does, just silently.

You turned to the clock again. A minute closer to the next day.

Frustration made you want to pull your hair out but the long, lithe fingers that have entangled with yours in the middle of it all, forbade you from doing so. As if he could hear the internal debate between logic and emotions, Yoongi gave you a comforting squeeze.

But it didn't feel right, you shouldn't be sitting on your ass while Jungkook blamed himself for expressing his own opinion, sure it was a bit aggressive but you understood his frustration.

“Jungkook!” You called out, rising to your feet to follow him when Yoongi tightened his hold on your wrist and shook his head.

“He needs time to process, leave him be.”

Yet despite this, you shrugged his hold off and followed the youngest’s heavy footfalls upstairs and presumably into his room. You caught onto him in the hallway, with the door to his room opened and half of his body already inside.

“Jungkook, let us talk.”

“I-I don't want to see you right now, noona please.”

The desperation to correct the wrongs gives you a short burst of energy and you catch his wrist.

“Jungkook please, I—”

You heard the joyful chime of the clock downstairs before you heard the sweet jingles of bells.

Then you felt it.

Electric jolts shoot up from your connected hands, waking every cell and your mind awake and you almost keel over from the wave of relieving warmth washing over your body. There’s now a low hum accompanying the bells chiming in the background, the soft harmony between them sending shivers down your spine. 

You've thought of first meetings like those scenes in Hollywood movies where a kaleidoscope of colors explodes behind your eyelids, like fireworks celebrating the precious moment where the protagonists finally meet and fireworks shoot up to the sky. They talked of a brief moment of reprieve from reality, the world slowing down and feeling the most calmed you've ever been with your soulmate in hand.

Like your soul finally recognizing its pair and suddenly, everyone became a blur in the background.

Yet when you stared back at Jungkook's mirrored astonishment, your stomach bottomed out.

Because no way in hell, after all this time, you're soulmates.

[felassan]

Snippets. 🐺💜 DA:TV spoilers under cut.

When the Community Council played the game, in the working version they played, it sounds like when the 'no dying' mode was turned on, when the player's health gets low the screen turns red (but you don't then die, of course) [source]

Caitie of Ghildirthalen shared that everyone that she talked to from the Community Council really liked the gameplay. "They were all into it, none of us had any complaints about how they were doing the gameplay, we all thought it was solid" [source]

The Lighthouse isn't literally an actual lighthouse by the sea. It's in the Crossroads. It's "like a bubble in the Crossroads, kind of like what Morrigan brings you to" in DA:I. "It's its own little bubble, it's not actually the Crossroads, it's like its own little bubble of reality." "It's not really in the Fade, but it kinda is, but it's kinda not". "It's so cool, I loved it so much [...] it's very comfy". It used to belong to Solas and "as you walk around there, you will see, like, stuff, that kinda shows what Solas has been up to for the past couple years" [source]

"They say in the [Game Informer cover] article that [The Lighthouse] like looks gaudy, and stuff, and like it does, in like an ancient elven way, but it's not like going to grandma's house which has that 2005 Tuscan kitchen feel." It sounds like there are a lot of frescos made by Solas in there. "It's kind of like, sad, too, 'cause it's a little bit like, ancient elven bachelor pad that he's been too busy to really keep up with it". "I think it's the coolest hub [in a DA game] by far" [source]

After the gameplay reveal video, Solas essentially gets trapped in the new prison he was trying to build for Ghil and Elgar'nan. "I don't think they explain it well in the [GI cover] article what happens, like, lore-wise, like how this connection between Solas and Rook one, works, and then two, like, how it's done. [...] From that [Community Council participation and talking to devs], I have a better understanding of this link, and I do think the explanation given [in-game] is good, and is satisfying to me. They're just not explaining it well in the article, I do think they give a better reason in the game"[source]

Caitie shared that she doesn't know why marketing for the game keeps saying/trying to say that Rook isn't a Chosen One as a talking point. "Maybe [Rook] wasn't chosen, [they] just happened to be there, but now there is a connection there, like [they] can't just leave, [they] have that strange Solas connection that nobody else has". "In this game Rook was just at the wrong place at the wrong time, or right place right time, depending on how you look at it, and it could have been anyone in that scene, that's kind've what they're trying to say" [source]

Photomode is something the devs expressed to Community Council that they want to include in the game [source]

User: "many of us would love to see cosplay kits again of the new companions. Just thought to throw that out into the ether" Trick: "Agreed! Definitely bring that up to official BioWare accounts. I think it's a great idea." [source]

John: "at this point my brain is about 70% DATV and 30% everything else" [source]

User: "I keep looking at that horn [Taash's blue one], thinking: 1. What -is- it made of?" Karin Weekes-West: "If only we knew!" [source] User: "If this turns out to be some high-value gemstone or crafting mat, I can't promise I'll be able to suppress certain... larcenous urges." Karin: "How very Lords of Fortune of you! :D <3 It really is SO PRETTY, isn’t it? Our art team is so good. :)" [source]

User: "I need to know if Rook gets their own room CAN WE DECORATE" Carly: ":^)" [source]

User: "anyway they [Neve and Harding] are both in this concept art. next to each other even. this has to mean they are both alive after the prologue. right? right???" Carly: ":^)" [source]

Kala: "the overall UI is very nice" [source]

Kala: "I remember the sliders [in CC] having pretty good range tbh, so probably pretty tall and pretty short" [source]

Kala: "I can't wait to learn who the VAs for Rook are! I know one and I know people will be really excited for this person to join the Dragon Age family 🤫" [source]

[tainsan]

misfits XI

⇥ pairing: ot8 ateez x fem! reader

⇥ warnings: mentions of suicide, mentions of therapy, self deprication, mature scene but it's not crazy

⇥ word count: 9.5k

⇥ a/n: okay i know you have all been looking foward to this chapter, it is an intense one and i hope yall finally enjoy some much needed romantic tension ;-;

⇥ this chapter is for my wife @l0vetiny, ilysm!!!

⇢ masterlist ⇠

previous chapter ⇠ ⇢ next chapter

--- THIS IS AN 18+ FANFICTION MINORS DO NOT INTERACT ---

Resting in your room, you stand at the crossroads of your emotions, torn between the familiarity of cherished friendships and the allure of a potential romantic relationship. The idea of taking that leap excites and terrifies you, as it means venturing into uncharted territory with people you've known and admired for years.

Whenever you look at your group of friends, you can't help but feel a tinge of envy towards their popularity. They seem to effortlessly navigate social situations and grab attention wherever they go. Would you be able to handle the spotlight that inevitably comes with being associated with them in a romantic capacity? You know about their jealous fans, and the attention you would most definitely receive upon starting a relationship. Not to mention the rumours and bad words that would be spread once someone finds out you aren’t just in a relationship with one of them, yet all of them.

Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and you know that building it anew on different grounds will be a crucial step. In the depths of your heart, you yearn for something more with them, to explore a connection that goes beyond friendship. Their laughter, the inside jokes you share, and the way they understand you have always made your heart skip a beat. Yet, the fear of jeopardising your bond keeps you hesitating, wondering if you can afford to risk what you already have.

You battle with your own insecurities, questioning whether you're ready for the rollercoaster of emotions that a romantic relationship might bring. Are you enough? Can you handle the weight of their expectations? The prospect of letting them down frightens you, and you're afraid of losing not only a romantic partner but also your close friends.

The truth is, you think you want this relationship, yet you acknowledge that timing is everything. The decision weighs heavily on you, and you need to be certain in your heart before taking the plunge. You owe it to yourself and to them to be genuine, vulnerable, and ready to embrace the changes this choice will bring.

You decide to step away from your bed for a moment, feeling the weight of your emotions overwhelming you. Making your way to the bathroom, you start your nighttime routine, pausing for a few seconds to look at the bottle of moisturiser, bringing a flood of thoughts of Yunho to your head. 

Yunho has changed so much since the day you first saw him in the kitchen. His transformation has been quite remarkable. You can't help but reflect on how he's evolved since your trip to the store for your moisturiser. Initially, he appeared rude, his demeanour shrouded in a kind of icy reserve. It was almost as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

However, as time passed, you noticed the shift in his demeanour. When you went to the furniture store together, it was like the walls he'd built around himself were slowly coming down. Yunho's newfound warmth towards you is reminiscent of the time from your high school days, when you sought refuge from the troubles at home and found peace in the warehouse, where he discovered you alone.

Back then, you were both navigating the challenges of adolescence, and life had already presented you with your fair share of hardships. It was in those moments of solitude, away from the chaos of your respective lives, that you forged a unique connection. Yunho, with his quiet strength and understanding, had become a source of comfort and support during those difficult times.

The memories of those moments still linger, etched in the corners of your mind. Now, as you both find yourselves facing the complexities of adulthood, it's heartening to see that the genuine care and compassion that existed between you during those formative years has resurfaced.

Since the heart-to-heart conversation in the kitchen, where the weight of secrets were finally lifted, Yunho has transformed before your eyes. He's become someone almost unfamiliar to you, but in the most delightful way.

It's as if the depths of your conversation unleashed a new side of him, a side that perhaps he had kept hidden or hadn't fully embraced until now. The Yunho you're getting to know is a true gentleman, a man who takes the time to say sweet things to you, even if his cheeks and ears turn a delightful shade of crimson in the process.

Shaking off the thoughts you look into the mirror, peering at your reflection with a mix of uncertainty and self-doubt. As you gaze at yourself, a flood of insecurities surfaces. You scrutinise every detail, the lines on your face, the curve of your lips, the way your eyes crinkle when you smile. Negative thoughts swirl in your mind like a tempest, questioning whether you're worthy of love from such amazing individuals.

You wonder if they see the same flaws you do, if they'll be disappointed when they look at you more closely, or if they'll realise you're not as perfect as they might have thought. It's a daunting prospect to believe that someone could genuinely care for you, especially when surrounded by a circle of friends who seem to radiate charm and confidence.

The fear of rejection and judgement gnaws at you, threatening to sabotage the happiness you yearn for. You can't help but compare yourself to them, feeling like you're an outsider in their world of popularity and allure. It's as if a little voice inside your head tells you that you'll never truly belong, that you're not good enough to deserve their love and affection.

Tears blur your vision as you try to silence the self-criticism, the lingering doubts that seem to echo through your mind. You question whether you'll ever be ready for a relationship with them, wondering if your insecurities will push them away, destroying the friendship you hold so dear.

Moving yourself from the bathroom, you attempt to find a moment of peace to collect your thoughts. Finding refuge in the comfort of your bedroom, you close the bathroom door behind you and sit down on the floor in the centre of the room, feeling the weight of hesitation settling upon your shoulders.

Taking a deep breath, you're confronted by a flood of thoughts about your mental health issues, trauma, and the complex needs you carry within you. The struggle with anxiety, the lingering effects of past experiences, and the emotional scars that sometimes feel too heavy to bear; they all come rushing back, demanding your attention.

In the midst of this emotional whirlwind, a surge of doubt grips you. You begin to question if the boys you have grown to love, who seem to have it all together, would truly be capable of handling the intricacies of your mental health journey. Would they understand when anxiety creeps in, leaving you paralyzed with fear? Could they be patient and supportive when the shadows of your past cast their long shadows over your present?

It's an agitated storm of self-doubt, wondering if your needs might be too much for them to bear. The fear of burdening them with your struggles gnaws at your heart, and you find yourself grappling with the thought that you might not be deserving of their love and care. You so desperately wish to be happy, and the happiness you feel when you are around the boys is stronger than you have ever felt before. You definitely need to talk to Jisung about this, his advice always seeming to relieve the pressure off your heavy heart.

Today you only expected to confront the eight men about the past, finding out answers and you seem to have got more than you bargained for. One part of you is glad you know their affections towards you, yet one half is torn from having to make the decision.

With your room being shrouded in darkness, the only source of light being the faint moonlight filtering through the curtains, you try to relax on the floor, your knees pulled close to your chest, surrounded by the whirlwind of emotions swirling within. You know you should be getting to bed, sleeping for the next day which holds lectures withholding important information. Time seems to stand still as you replay the heartfelt words spoken by the eight men. 

Amidst the turmoil of your mind, there is a sudden knock on your door. Startled, you glance at the entrance, your heart pounding in your chest. Hesitating to answer, the door slowly creaks open for you, revealing the silhouette of Seonghwa standing there, his expression mirroring the same restlessness that is keeping you awake.

“Can I come in?” Seonghwa quietly asks, scared to be turned down, yet as he sees the gentle smile and nod cover your features, accepting the invitation, the man makes his way in. Stepping into the room and closing the door behind him, his presence brings both comfort and a further storm to your heart, as the confession resurfaces in your mind.

"Mingi and I just got back from managing the bar, but I can't sleep," Seonghwa says softly, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

His honesty only deepens the emotional turbulence inside. You are grappling with the same uncertainty, the same fear of what the future may hold.

“Come sit with me,” you say, hoping he will relax next to you.

As he settles down beside you on the floor, there is a moment of silence, both of you lost in your own thoughts. The room is filled with a mixture of emotions – the lines of friendship blurring before your eyes.

“You don't find it weird do you?” Seonghwa says breaking the heavy tension that suddenly coated the room.

“Find what weird?” You question, not sure as to what Seonghwa is asking.

“Us being together, as nine.”

You realise Seonghwa is inquiring about the group's dynamic and relationship. 

“Not really…” you start, not knowing if you should disclose your worries with Seonghwa, yet when you see the pleading look on his features, you feel your walls breaking, “honestly I'm just worrying whether I'll fit in, you guys are so close. I don't know if I will be able to be good enough for you guys.” You admit, feeling slightly embarrassed to be admitting such information.

“___,” Seonghwa says your name softly, feeling awfully upset you would even think you weren't good enough to be with them. “You are perfect for us, you don't need to worry about anything. There is nothing you could ever do that would make us think you don't belong with us. If anything, we don't deserve you. The kindness you have shown us, despite the rumours, despite everything has shown us enough. Whether it is with us or not, we just want you to be happy, you deserve to be happy.”

Gently, you cast a grateful glance towards Seonghwa, feeling a rush of emotions as his words wash over you. They bring both comfort and solace, embracing you in a tender embrace of understanding and support. It stays silent for a while as you let his words touch your heart. 

“I’m doing better…” Seonghwa says, once again breaking the silence and you wonder as to why he suddenly uttered those specific words.

When you shoot him a perplexed glance, Seonghwa responds with a soft chuckle, sensing your confusion. He then proceeds to clarify his statement with a reassuring tone.

“Back when you found me on the rooftop…” Seonghwa trails off as he sees the way you hold your breath reminiscing the night, he relaxes slightly as you nod at him to continue, ignoring the sudden surge of negative emotions clouding your vision. 

“The boys encouraged me to seek help. I was feeling so lost and overwhelmed, like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. But I took that first step, and it changed everything. My therapist helped me understand myself on a level I never thought possible,” Seonghwa pauses, trying to gauge your reaction.

“I’m so happy for you Seonghwa, truly. That is amazing.” Seonghwa helping himself, becoming better and finally feeling alive truly brings happiness to your soul. 

“When I heard you were in this school, I was really nervous at first, I was scared you were going to see me as the guy from high school who was constantly bothering you.”

Seonghwa huckles along with you, the shared laughter carries the weight of old memories and newfound understanding. You can't help but reminisce about the times when Seonghwa would follow you around school like a loyal companion, a testament to his friendship, even if it did sometimes border on being a little bothersome.

“I was worried you were going to be a different person completely, but when I saw you again for the first time in years, even though you have changed physically, you were definitely still the same.”

“What do you mean?” You question, not sure what his words mean.

“Your laugh, your voice, your humour, your kindness, your eyes. They are all the same as back then. But your eyes, they are brighter now, happier. You are just as, if not, even more, beautiful.” Seonghwa admits, “I don’t think I can lose you again.”

Silence falls upon the two of you as you let the tender words of the man in front of you sink in. The words of love play with your heartstrings, making your end decision even more daunting.

"I don't know what to do," you finally whisper, your voice breaking and Seonghwa immediately realises you are speaking of the confession and proposition, “I like you, all of you, yet it just seems so fast, so new.”

Seonghwa listens to your confession and when he senses the depth of your reciprocated feelings, a whirlwind of emotions engulfs him. He feels like he's floating on cloud nine, as if he's on the brink of something incredibly special and profound. Your words have touched him in a way that nothing else ever has. It's a feeling of euphoria, knowing that the person he cares about so deeply shares those same sentiments.

However, beneath this elation, he also senses the subtle undercurrent of fear and hesitation in you. It's completely understandable after so many years of being apart. The prospect of starting a new chapter, especially one as significant as a romantic relationship, can indeed be daunting. Seonghwa empathises with your feelings entirely.

Yet, despite the uncertainty and the challenges that lie ahead, he can't help but yearn for your affection and the chance to call you his own. The connection you share, one that has spanned years and endured the test of time, is something he cherishes deeply.

In Seonghwa's chest, his heart beats with a mixture of excitement and patience. He knows that these things take time, and he's willing to take it one step at a time with you, ensuring that you both feel comfortable and secure in whatever path you choose to explore. For now, he's content with the knowledge that the feelings are mutual, and he's looking forward to seeing where this newfound chapter of your connection will lead.

Seonghwa instinctively reaches for your hand, his touch warm and reassuring, yet as you remember the confession once more, the action of affection makes your reaction extreme, your cheeks heating up, your heart racing faster than usual. 

"We don't have to figure it all out right now," he says gently. "Let's take our time. We'll figure it out together."

“It’s just… I’m still trying to process that you guys are still alive, now I have something else to think about, it all seems too much.”

Seonghwa continues to listen to you and he can almost feel the waves of unease radiating from your very being. It's a raw and vulnerable moment, and he wishes deeply that he could find a way to ease the emotional storm surging behind your eyes.

Unconsciously, his fingers begin to play with yours tenderly. It's a small, comforting gesture, a silent reassurance that he's here, he's present, and he's ready to support you in whatever way you need.

At this moment, Seonghwa isn't focused on any hurry or pressure to define your relationship. Instead, he's fully attuned to your emotions, your concerns, and your hesitations. He knows that sometimes, the most valuable thing he can offer is his patient understanding and unwavering support.

“I’m sorry for not finding you sooner.” He finally speaks, his voice starting to break as he feels his throat tighten up, “I was so lost without you.”

The moment Seonghwa utters those words, you can hear the raw emotion in his voice, and you can see the sincerity in his eyes. His admission that he was lost without you hits you deeply, and it's impossible not to feel the depth of his emotions. The warmth of your touch is a silent reassurance, letting him know that you understand that you've also carried your own share of longing and uncertainty.

"I'm here now," you say softly, your voice filled with understanding and compassion. "Sometimes life takes us on different paths, but we find our way back to the people who matter most."

Seonghwa's eyes glisten with unshed tears, and he nods, his thumb caressing the back of your hand. In this moment of shared vulnerability, you both find comfort in each other's presence, knowing that the past is behind you and the future is filled with possibility.

“Seonghwa,” You begin to call the man’s name, recognising the way he is starting to succumb to his emotions.

“There is not a single day that went by without us regretting leaving you. We just had to make sure it was safe for you before we came back.”

His heartfelt words pierce your heart, leaving your mind a mess.

“It’s okay, I’m here now. I won’t leave you, any of you.”

In the hushed stillness of the room, you raise the hand that was resting underneath his, to delicately caress Seonghwa's cheek, cupping it tenderly. Your touch is gentle, like a soothing relief to his heartache. With a soft stroke of your thumb, you wipe away the tears cascading down his beautiful face, a gesture of comfort that speaks volumes.

When you reach your other hand to cup his entire face, the sensation sends shivers down his spine. The tenderness of your touch makes his heart race with a mixture of emotions. It feels like it has been an eternity since he felt the warmth of your hands on his skin, and in this moment, it feels like an unsaid accomplishment, a connection he had yearned for, an action he has only seen in his dreams, finally being a reality brings warmth to his entire soul.

Tears continue to fall from his eyes, but your presence, your touch, makes him feel seen and understood in a way he has never imagined, yet he no longer knows if the tears are from sorrow or pure happiness. It's as if the weight of his emotions can finally be shared, knowing that you are there to offer solace and support. In the quiet intimacy of this moment, he finds himself silently thanking fate for bringing him to your room tonight.

The world seems to fade away as Seonghwa places his hands gently on top of yours, his touch sending a rush of warmth through your entire being. In this tender moment, you become highly aware of the intimate proximity between the two of you. Your faces mere inches apart, and as you lock eyes with him, time seems to stand still.

Despite the urge to move away, your body seems to have a will of its own, keeping you locked in this position. It's as if the universe conspired to bring you together in this moment, and you find yourself unable to resist the magnetic pull drawing you closer to him.

The softness of his gaze, the way his eyes seem to hold a world of unspoken emotions, leaves you captivated. In this delicate embrace, you feel a sense of vulnerability, as if a barrier that once separated you has been lifted, allowing your hearts to commune in a profound and intimate way.

The air around you is charged with unspoken desires and untamed emotions. Your heart races, torn between the familiarity of friendship and the allure of something more. There is a soft tension in the air, like a dance between two souls on the precipice of a love that has been silently blooming.

Continuing to gaze into each other's eyes, the depth of your connection becomes undeniable. It's a moment of reckoning, where you know you must confront the feelings that have been swirling within you both. Yet, in this suspended moment, the fear of the unknown fades, replaced by serene acceptance of the present.

In this captivating scene, you allow yourself to be immersed in the depth of your emotions, knowing that there is also beauty in the uncertainty, in the uncharted territories of the heart. As you share this intimate space with Seonghwa, you feel a sense of wonder, a willingness to explore the unspoken desires that have led you to this enchanting moment.

As the air crackles with unspoken desires, a gentle breeze seems to sweep through the room, carrying an air of anticipation. Neither of you can deny the magnetic pull drawing you closer, and in this intimate moment, you both surrender to the unspoken feelings that have been lingering between you.

“____,” Seonghwa calls your name softly, gazing deeply into your eyes, “I don’t know if I can live without you.”

Staying silent, you aren’t too sure how to respond, the heaviness of the confession making you too flustered to respond.

“You don’t have to say anything, I just needed you to know.”

Seonghwa's hands remain atop yours, his touch a comforting anchor as you lean in ever so slightly.

“Hwa.” You catch the man’s attention with the old nickname, making his heart race even quicker in his chest. Feeling confident, you slowly start to close the gap between your lips, until they are just a breath away from each other. 

“Can I…” Seonghwa begins before taking a deep, nervous breath in, “kiss you?” Seonghwa whispers, centimetres away from your lips. It takes you less than a few seconds to reply, even though your heart is beating out of your chest, you gently accept. 

With a mix of nervousness and excitement, you close your eyes, savouring the tingling anticipation that courses through your veins.In this suspended moment, time ceases to exist as your lips finally meet in a tender kiss. It's a soft and hesitant exploration, as if both of you are testing the waters of this new intimacy. The touch of his lips against yours sends a quake of delight down your spine, igniting a warmth in your heart that you can't quite put into words. His lips are soft as they move slowly against yours, testing the waters, seeing what you are comfortable with.

Instinctively your bodies draw closer, seeking relief in each other's embrace. The world outside fades away as you lose yourselves in the intoxicating taste of his plump lips. Finding yourself getting drunk off of the way his lips feel against yours, you hesitantly pull away, scared that you will fall in too deep, or make Seonghwa uncomfortable with the sudden rush of love and lust that you begin to feel.

Pulling away, your eyes meet once again with Seonghwa’s brown ones, and you are shocked by the sight. His usual round, soft eyes, now blown out and hooded, an indescribable emotion coursing through his veins.

Before you can utter a single word, you find yourself enveloped in Seonghwa's embrace, his strong arms securely wrapping around your waist as he effortlessly lifts you onto his lap. Your legs settle on either side of his body, the soft carpet cushioning your knees as your chest presses flat against his. The closeness of your bodies sends a surge of electricity through you, and yet, there is an overwhelming sense of comfort in this intimate position.

Gazing into Seonghwa's eyes, you see a mix of desire, lust and tenderness reflected in his gaze. He's careful to gauge your reaction, making sure you are comfortable with this new closeness. Without hesitation, you offer him a reassuring smile, your heart pounding with excitement and anticipation.

When his lips find yours once more, and this time the kiss is less gentle, Seonghwa’s tongue poking at the entrance of your mouth, and you feel an unspoken longing and passion. It's a connection that feels natural and familiar, as if your souls have been searching for this closeness all along. The way his warm lips caress yours is powerful, and you find yourself melting into the embrace, savouring the sensation of being so close to him. The kiss becomes messy as you allow his tongue to enter your mouth, dancing together as you press your body closely against his. Instinctively, you wrap your arms around Seonghwa’s neck, tilting your head to further deepen the intense kiss.

Seonghwa's arms encircle you, holding you close as if he never wants to let go. The world around you seems to fade away, and all that matters is the intimacy of this moment and the way his lips fit so perfectly against yours, the way his touch makes you feel cherished, adored, and hot, so hot.

As the kiss deepens, the boundaries between friendship and something more blur, and you realise that this is a connection that goes beyond labels and definitions. It's a love that defies explanation, a bond that has been quietly growing between you for years.

Seonghwa's touch ignites a fire within you, and you find yourself craving more of his affection, his warmth, his love. It's a feeling that is both thrilling and comforting, like coming home to the one person who understands you in a way no one else can.

His arms begin to rub up and down your back, gently passing underneath your night shirt and landing on your bare hips, gently caressing the bare skin. The warmth of his hands causes a small gasp to emit from your throat, jolting you slightly, making your hips rub gently against Seonghwa’s crotch.

“Fuck, angel.” Seonghwa's low groan reverberates through both of you, the sudden nickname sending shivers down your spine, straight to your core. The way he pulls you even closer, wrapping his arms, still underneath your shirt, tightly around your waist, creates an intoxicating sensation that leaves you breathless. Your skin pressed against his feels like a perfect fit, as if you were always meant to be in this embrace. The raw intimacy of the moment leaves both of you feeling lost in a whirlwind of emotions and sensations.

Seonghwa pulls away from your lips, and you are about to protest, yet the complaints die in your throat as his lips trail to the curve of your neck causing your heart to race, your senses heightened by every touch. He peppers small kisses down the curve of your neck, gently nibbling on the flesh.

The world around you fades into the background, and all that exists is you and Seonghwa. His hands explore the contours of your body with a gentleness that contrasts with the intensity of his desires. Every caress and every whisper of his breath against your skin ignites a fire within you, and you find yourself surrendering to the passion that courses through your veins.

“Seonghwa,” you whisper, your voice almost getting caught in your throat.

“Yes, angel?” Seonghwa mutters against the skin of your neck.

Unconsciously, the nickname causes you to move your hips against the males, desperately wanting a reaction from him. The deep groan that reverberates from his throat leaves you both satisfied and craving for more simultaneously.

“___,” Seonghwa stutters out, the sudden boldness of your movements leaving his head spinning, “we should stop,” 

Pulling away slowly, you give him a worried look, hoping dreadfully you haven't crossed a boundary. Seonghwa gently chuckles at the cute look on your face.

Pinching your cheek softly, he speaks again, “we just started, I want to take my time with you.”

Seonghwa's statement washes over you like a gentle wave, stirring up a delightful mix of excitement and nervousness that sends butterflies fluttering in your stomach. Without hesitation, he draws you close once more, enveloping you in a comforting embrace that radiates warmth and affection. As you rest your head in the crook of his neck, you find yourself basking in the tender intimacy of the moment, cherishing the precious connection you share.

“You should get to sleep, we are going shopping early tomorrow.” Seonghwa’s deep voice reverberates in your ear, sending shivers down your spine.

“Are we going shopping?” You question, feeling a sudden rush of sleepiness overcoming your senses. 

Nuzzling your head even closer into the crook of Seonghwa's neck, you sense the gentle thump of his heart escalating, mirroring the accelerated rhythm of your own. Although you can’t see it, Seonghwa’s cheeks are a blazing hot shade of red as he tries to calm himself from going further. He realises that pushing you to do something when you're already confused is not the right option. As much as Seonghwa wishes to take you, claim you right here, like he has been dreaming for years, he waits patiently, not wanting to overwhelm you. The lingering effect of the shared kiss intensifies the moment, making it all the more electrifying and unforgettable.

"Let's get you to bed, angel," Seonghwa whispers tenderly, his hold around your waist tightening as he firmly presses your body against his own, lifting you both effortlessly from the floor. Your legs instinctively coil around his waist, and as he carries you towards the bed, the red blush intensifies on Seonghwa's cheeks, his heart racing with every step. The intimate closeness and the warmth of the moment leave him adorably flustered, but his focus remains on ensuring your comfort and care.

Tucking you in the blankets, he sits by the side of your bed, watching your weary form with a violent blush  and a wide smile covering his entire face. 

"Goodnight, Seonghwa," you mumble softly, settling into the cosy embrace of your pillow. Witnessing your endearing gesture, Seonghwa feels his heart swell with affection, amazed at how he could fall even deeper for you, a feeling he once thought was impossible. As he watches over you, he can't help but feel grateful for the precious moments shared and the special connection that continues to grow between the two of you. With a gentle smile, he lingers for a moment, savouring the sight of you before finally whispering his own goodnight, his heart full of fondness and admiration. Departing from your bedroom with a satisfied smile on his face, Seonghwa heads straight for his bathroom, desperately needing a cold shower to calm his thoughts of you situated in his lap, looking so pretty. He definitely needs to clear those thoughts before he finds himself running back to your bedroom.

----

The soft morning light gently filters through the curtains, causing you stir from your slumber, a warm and blissful feeling spreading through your entire being. You can't help but smile as the memory of the tender kiss you shared with Seonghwa last night floods your mind, filling you with a sense of giddiness and butterflies in your stomach. The way his lips touched yours lingers in your thoughts, leaving you feeling loved and cherished.

With a contented sigh, you stretch your limbs beneath the soft sheets and sit up, the room enveloped in a soft glow that seems to match the radiance in your heart. You can't wait to see your roommates, to share the joy of this morning with them and bask in the warmth of their presence.

Getting up from your bed, the floor feels cool against your feet, contrasting with the warmth in your heart. You take your time getting ready, savouring each moment as you brush your hair and wash your face. There's an air of excitement and anticipation building within you, eager to embrace the day ahead and the company of your dear roommates.

Making your way to the kitchen, the aroma of breakfast fills the air, and your senses are treated to a delightful feast. To your delight, all eight of your friends are gathered at the counter, and you can't help but notice that they all look particularly handsome today, their smiles radiant and welcoming. You aren't sure if it is because of their confession yesterday, or if they always look this good, but something has changed. The sight of them all waiting for you warms your heart, and you feel a mix of gratitude and affection for each member of the group. It's a feeling of belonging and togetherness that washes over you, reinforcing the deep bond you share with them.

Unconsciously, you gravitate towards Seonghwa, the events of last night still at the front of your mind, who beams at your approach with that charming smile that has a way of melting your heart. His eyes light up when he sees you, and the affection in his gaze makes you feel like the most cherished person in the world. 

When you get close to him, he wraps an arm around your waist, pulling you into his side, causing a small yelp of surprise to leave your mouth, the action catching you off guard making you feel awfully warm in the face.

What surprises you is that neither of the seven men around you even flinch, though they send a questioning look to Seonghwa who just gently shrugs, an amused, smug expression gracing his features as he holds you close to him, addicted to the way your body feels against him. 

Unbeknownst to you, yesterday night was very difficult for Seonghwa. In the quiet hours after your time together, his thoughts were consumed by an intense longing. The memory of your closeness lingered, and his yearning for the touch of your body against his became almost overwhelming. Throughout the night, a compelling desire took hold of him, urging him to find any possible way to feel your presence once more. 

He found himself on the brink of leaving his own room multiple times, his heart urging him to seek the physical connection he so deeply carved from you. Each time, he would pull back, reminding himself of the boundaries and the need to respect your space. It was a struggle that played out repeatedly throughout the night, a battle between his longing and his determination to be patient and considerate. Yet now you are here, with your consent, he doesn't feel the need to hold back, wanting to touch you in any way possible.

When you take your seat at the counter, you can't help but notice a bowl of your favourite breakfast waiting for you, a thoughtful gesture from Wooyoung that fills you with warmth. The gesture speaks volumes of the care and consideration your friends have for you, and you feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such loving and attentive individuals.

“I hope it tastes nice.” Wooyoung says, a shy tone to his voice that has you surprised, wondering where his usual flirty, playful self is.

"I'm sure it's lovely, Woo," you reply with a playful tone, using the endearing nickname that sends delightful shivers cascading down Wooyoung's spine. The affectionate term fills his chest with pride and joy, revelling in the fact that you chose a cute name to address him. The sweet exchange between the two of you leaves Wooyoung with a heartwarming sense of happiness and admiration for you.

Munching away on the food, you allow yourself to completely relax as the flavours of the food warm and caress your tongue.

"Are you coming to the mall with us today?" Yeosang is situated on the other side of you and asks in a hushed tone, his eyes filled with hope as he awaits your response. Meanwhile, the other seven members are deeply engrossed in a somewhat serious yet lighthearted debate about whether butts are considered as two or one. Despite their lively discussion, Yeosang remains focused on your answer, eager for you to join them on the outing.

"Yes, I think so. I desperately need some new clothes," you reply with a smile, feeling the warmth of Yeosang’s undivided attention as he turns his entire body towards you, clearly focused on your words. The genuine interest he shows in your plans for the day brings a sense of connection, making you even more eager to spend time with the group. Excitement builds as you look forward to the fun outing with your friends, hoping it will be a memorable day spent together.

Yet something suddenly nags at your mind, causing you to feel a little vulnerable. “Aren't you worried about being seen with me in public? I don't think people would be happy with me being around you.”

“We don't care what people think, you are one of us.” he says, his tone soft as he peers at your flustered reaction, a smile graces his face.

You feel a rush of flustered emotions as you notice Yeosang's gaze lingering on your lips before returning to your eyes. The memory of the kiss shared with Seonghwa last night briefly crosses your mind, sparking curiosity about what it might be like to kiss the others. However, you quickly push those thoughts away, not wanting to get carried away and get your hopes up too high.

Yeosang, seemingly pleased with your reaction, gently smirks before turning back to the group. Little does he know, his actions have left you feeling even more flustered. As you watch him, you can't help but wonder how he might flirt with you and what that could lead to. The possibility of such interactions excites you, but you also remind yourself to be cautious and not read too much into it.

In his own silent moment, Yeosang decides to take some pointers from Wooyoung on flirting, hoping to make you smile and blush like this forever. The prospect of seeing your cute flustered face becomes a delightful goal, one he can't wait to achieve.

----

The late morning sun casts a golden glow on the bustling streets as you and your roommates step out of the white house. Due to the large shopping mall being a short walk away, the nine of you decide to walk there to enjoy the warm sun, the excitement in the air is palpable. You had mentioned that you needed some new clothes, and the eight men were more than eager to join you on this shopping adventure.

Walking to the mall turned out to be quite the amusing experience. As the group strolled along, you found yourself at the back, flanked by Wooyoung and San, who adamantly refused to let anyone else take their spot next to you. Their sweet insistence brought a warm blush to your cheeks, and you couldn't help but feel flattered by their attention.

Seonghwa and Mingi, not ones to back down easily, bickered with Wooyoung and San, each vying for the chance to be by your side during the walk there. The friendly competition for your company added a playful dynamic to the group, and even Hongjoong couldn't resist getting involved, trying to mediate the situation.

In the end, Hongjoong managed to calm the playful dispute, promising Seonghwa, Mingi, and the others that they could take turns to walk with you on the way back home. Although the rest of the group may have been sulking slightly at not being able to be next to you now, they all understood the importance of sharing the time with you and were happy to have their chance later.

Arriving at the grand entrance of the shopping mall, your eyes widen in awe. The place is massive, with countless stores, boutiques, and displays that promise a shopping experience like no other. You are not able to contain your excitement and feel a flutter of anticipation in your chest.

Strolling through the mall, the group seems to split into smaller clusters, each one of your roommates offering to accompany you to different sections based on your fashion preferences. 

“Are you guys sure you don't need anything?” You question for the third time as they refuse to look in any shop that you walk past.

Upon hearing a chorus of playful "no's" filling the air, you can't help but roll your eyes with a mixture of amusement and affection. Their stubbornness to stay by your side, despite knowing it makes your heart race, only serves to make you appreciate their care and attention even more. It's endearing to see how much they value being with you, and while their determination might fluster you, it also warms your heart to know how cherished you are within the group.

When you reach a particular clothing store, which you usually shop at, you are happy to see they have sales on a lot of clothes. Making your way in, you giggle at the way the eight aimlessly follow you in. They disperse slightly, looking at many different clothing racks, searching for something that would suit you, or something they would like to see you wearing.

Wandering through the racks of clothes, you notice Wooyoung seems particularly focused. He keeps scanning the dresses with a determined expression, occasionally pulling one off the rack to examine it closely. It's clear that he's on a mission, and you can't help but wonder what he's up to.

"Hey, Wooyoung, find anything interesting?" you question, curious about his intent.

Wooyoung turns to you with a mischievous grin, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh, just looking for something special," he replies cryptically.

You raise an eyebrow, intrigued by his mysterious response. The boys exchange knowing glances, clearly in on whatever plan Wooyoung has hatched. It seems as if they have a small mission in their minds.

A little while later, Wooyoung finally emerges from the racks of dresses, triumphantly holding one up for you to see. "Look! This would look stunning on you," Wooyoung, exclaims, holding up a beautiful black dress that caught his eye. It definitely isn't your style, so you wonder as to why he would ask you to try it on.

You examine the short, form-fitting dress that Wooyoung kindly offered, you realise it's not your usual style, and you feel hesitant about trying it on, especially since it's on the sexier side and not something you'd typically wear. Before you can politely decline, San appears at your side, expressing his agreement with Wooyoung's suggestion. He wraps an arm around your shoulder in a tender gesture, encouraging you to give it a try while also assuring you that it's entirely your choice.

Touched by their compliments and support, you gently accept the dress, feeling grateful for their thoughtfulness. With a slightly doubtful smile, you make your way to the changing room, and to your surprise, you notice that all of them follow you eagerly, clearly invested in how you'll look in the dress. 

“Guys you don't all need to come.” You exclaim, chuckling at their eagerness, “it’s just a dress.”

“We have never seen you in a dress before,” Mingi replies, an adorable pout on his face, the others agreeing with him. Chuckling again, you turn around to walk into the changing room. Inside the changing room, you slip into the dress, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. You realise this must've been their plan and you chuckle to yourself at the thought of them conspiring for this very moment. It gives you a boost of confidence knowing they are eager to see you dressed up nicely.

Standing in the changing room, you find yourself struggling to reach the zipper on the back of the dress, you let out a small groan of frustration. You contemplate taking the dress off and giving up on the idea of trying it on. However, in that moment, a mischievous idea crosses your mind, and a playful smirk appears on your face.

Deciding to have a little fun with the situation, you poke your head out of the changing room, leaving the zipper undone deliberately and you see eight faces waiting patiently. 

You gently call out to the men outside, "Hey, I might need a little help here."

San, Wooyoung, and the others glance your way, and their eyes widen when they notice your insinuations. Instantly, they catch on to your playful game, and a mischievous glint appears in their eyes as well.

Wooyoung quickly volunteers, stepping forward with a grin, "I'll help!"

The others slightly grumble, falling back into their seats as you allow Wooyoung to make his way into the changing room, where you hold up the dress with your arms. Noticing the way Wooyoung's eyes are chasing your form up and down, you feel a surge of confidence rush through your body. Maybe trying on this dress wasn't such a bad idea after all. 

With a teasing smile, you turn around, allowing Wooyoung to reach for the zipper. As his fingers brush against your bare back while he gently pulls up the zipper, a shiver runs down your spine, and you can't help but exchange a knowing look with him through the mirror. When his eyes meet yours, you notice the dark look coating his eyes, making your knees feel weak. 

“How does it look?” You whisper, suddenly feeling a little insecure at how tight the dress is. 

Wooyoung's fingers glide slowly from the zipper of the dress to your hips, where he gently pulls you closer against his body, his chest now pressed against your back. The proximity between you two sends a shiver through your body, and your heart races with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

His hands gently massage your hips, and Wooyoung can't help but revel in the sensation of your touch against his skin. The way your bodies fit together creates a warm and intimate connection that has him feeling drunk off of your touch. He suddenly feels immensely grateful that you trusted him to come into the dressing room, along with letting him see you in the dress first. 

“It looks amazing,” Wooyoung whispers in your ear, his lips brushing your earlobe, he continues, “You’d look better without it.” His words cause another shiver to ripple through your body, the insinuations of his words has your head spinning.

“Wooyoung, behave.” Hongjoong’s authoritative voice sounds from behind the curtain of the dressing room and you realise that the seven on the other side must have heard what Wooyoung uttered.

Playfully rolling his eyes, Wooyoung reluctantly moves away from your body, grumbling under his breath. Once the curtain opens, you turn around to face the group, playfully twirling in the dress, feeling a newfound confidence and excitement. 

Emerging from the fitting room, you're greeted by a symphony of reactions from your roommates. Mingi and Seonghwa’s expressions border on awe, their mouths hanging slightly agape as they drink in the way the dress contours your figure. Yeosang and Jongho, aware of their own reactions, quickly avert their gaze, trying to avoid any obvious signs of their appreciation for the dress on you.

Yunho and San's widened eyes trace your silhouette, an unspoken admiration evident in their glances. They want you to feel comfortable but can't help conveying how striking you look, their stare piercing you. Hongjoong, known for his unreadable demeanour, studies you intently, his features carefully neutral. When your curious gaze meets his, he raises an eyebrow in a challenge, his lips curling into a smirk as he openly checks you out.

In a playful move, you send a teasing wink his way, a side of you he rarely witnesses. The effect is immediate, causing a noticeable flush to creep up Hongjoong's cheeks. His eyes widen slightly in surprise at your flirtatious gesture, and you can practically see the wheels turning in his mind. Your unexpected action has triggered a shift in his usually composed demeanour, stirring a rush of thoughts and feelings that he's unaccustomed to.

The contrast between your usual innocence and this unexpected flirtation leaves Hongjoong's heart racing and his mind aflutter with indecent notions. Your playfulness has caught him off guard, and it's evident in the way his cheeks continue to heat up. The dynamic between you two has shifted momentarily, and the lingering effects of your flirtatious exchange are bound to make the day even more interesting. 

"You look stunning!" Mingi exclaims, his eyes bright with admiration.

"You were right. This dress is perfect for her," San chimed in, his eyes not leaving the dress hugging your body.

“I’ll go pay for it,” Hongjoong says, getting off the chair he was comfortably resting in. 

“What? No, I'll pay.” You insist, trying to chase after Hongjoong, who just sends you a sweet smile before heading towards the exit of the fitting rooms. 

“Bring it to me when it's off, love.” he says before turning away to walk off, yet he stops and quickly turns around to meet your eyes again, swiftly he looks you up and down, before smiling again, “you look beautiful.” 

Once again, Hongjoong moves to the exit, some of the others following him, not before glancing at you one more time, to make sure the image of you in the dress stays in their minds. You attempt to follow him, not wanting him to pay for something like this. Yet, Wooyoung, who is still in the changing room, swiftly grabs your hand,  gently pulling you back into the cubicle.

“He likes to pay for things, it’s how he shows his affection, amongst other ways…” Woooyoung trails off and you can’t help but wonder what he is implying, “now, do you need help taking it off too?” 

“Wooyoung.” It is San whose voice sounds this time, causing Wooyoung to playfully roll his eyes.

It's just this dress, you tell yourself.

Unbeknownst to you, a pair of eyes diligently observes your every gesture from across the expanse of the clothing store. A faint scowl adorns their features as they take in the scene playing out before them. Arched eyebrows frame their intent gaze, as they persist in their scrutiny, trying to think of where they've encountered you in the past. Curiously, the sight of your seemingly contented presence among the group of eight men evokes an unease within them. Finally they have found Ateez, yet they are extremely unaware as to who you are.

As the day wears on, you notice that your friends seem to be going out of their way to impress you. They help you find the perfect clothes, hold doors open for you, and even sneak in small gestures of affection, like stealing glances or offering gentle touches on your arm. Seonghwa skillfully manoeuvres his arm around your waist as the two of you walk side by side, gently tugging you closer to his side. His touch creates a sense of intimacy. Resting his chin on your shoulder, he conveys a silent closeness, a shared moment of connection that transcends words. The warmth of his body against yours and the weight of his chin on your shoulder create a comforting sensation.

"Wait, this sweater looks so cosy. You have to try it on!" Jongho insisted, handing you a soft, knitted sweater that looked like it would be perfect for chilly evenings.

"And these shoes! They would go perfectly with that dress you tried earlier," Yunho adds, bringing over a pair of elegant black shoes.

Continuing the shopping spree at the large mall, you can’t help but be flattered by their attention and affection. Every time you pause to admire an item for a little too long, one of the eight men would quickly grab it off the rack, insisting on buying it for you. It was both endearing and overwhelming to see their determination to spoil you  with gifts, no matter how hard you try to protest.

Trying on each item, you can't help but marvel at how well your roommates know your style and preferences. Their attention to detail and the effort they put into finding clothes that suit your taste makes your heart swell with gratitude.

The more the shopping bags pile up, the more you protest, telling them that they do not need to buy everything you like. Alas, your roommates are insistent, assuring you that they want to spoil you and show their appreciation for your presence in their lives.

During a quick break at a coffee shop, you find yourself sitting next to Yunho, who has been rather quiet this entire trip, it seems as if there is something on his mind, bothering him. When you look over to him, you notice he is peering at you with a fond expression. He takes a deep breath, as if he is gathering the courage to say something important, the tips of his ears turning a dark shade of red.

"Hey, I just wanted to let you know that... I really care about you," he begins, his voice hushed, soft and earnest , the traces of nervousness evident in his tone. The abrupt confession momentarily leaves you in a state of astonishment, as the unexpected display of affection from him causes your heart to quicken its pace. 

Throughout the day, you've been consistently taken aback by the sudden surge of affection from every man. Normally, the casual slight flirting is something you’ve become accustomed to, but now it has escalated to an intense level, and the realisation that there are deeper emotions beneath their words leaves you feeling light-headed and in a perpetual state of fluster.

"Later, can we talk, one on one, just us two? You deserve an apology and an explanation for my behaviour." Yunho continues.

“I’d love that Yunho.” You smile at the man, who looks exactly like a puppy as his eyes light up with happiness.

His confession leaves your heart pounding in your chest, and before Yunho can respond, Jongho approaches the two of you with a smile on his face. "Don't forget about me," he says playfully, though there is a hint of sincerity in his eyes. "I feel the same way. You're truly special to all of us."

Their sincere words have a profound effect on you, causing a rush of warmth to spread throughout your being. The honesty in their expressions and the depth of their feelings touch you deeply, leaving you unable to hide the telltale signs of your emotions. Your cheeks flush with a gentle heat, the emotions swirling within you.

When the day draws to a close, you leave the mall with bags filled with new clothes and hearts full of cherished memories. Realising that you are indeed fortunate to have such incredible people in your life who love you so deeply.

Making your way home, arms laden with shopping bags, you feel an overwhelming sense of happiness and belonging. The affectionate gestures of your roommates have touched you deeply, and you know that you are truly surrounded by people who care for you. In the end, it wasn't just about the clothes or the gifts; it was about the love and warmth that flowed between you. Settling back into the house, you can’t help but smile as you look around at your roommates, each one beaming with happiness. 

“I am going to put all this stuff away,” you exclaim, announcing your short departure.

"Hey, just so you know, dinner will be ready in about an hour or two," Yunho calls out to you as you busily move the numerous bags into your room. With a quick thumbs-up in his direction, you respond in a light-hearted manner, before disappearing behind your closed bedroom door. Your actions prompt a soft chuckle from him, finding your response quite endearing and cute.

Alone in the quiet of your room, you take a deep breath, attempting to steady the rising tide of anxiety that threatens to engulf you. Today had been a day unlike any other, filled with warmth that had, for a fleeting moment, lifted your spirits. The kindness and affection of the boys had been a balm to your soul, enveloping you in a sense of belonging that you hadn't felt in a while.

Reflecting on the day's events, you're struck by a poignant realisation – it was indeed one of the best days you've had in a long time. Laughter, shared moments, and the genuine care of your roommates were woven together to create memories that you'll treasure. And yet, despite the joy that had enveloped you, a shadow of apprehension had loomed over the day, casting a veil of unease over your experience.

The sensation of being watched, the lingering feeling that someone was trailing your every move, had been a constant presence in the back of your mind. It had woven its way into the fabric of your day, colouring even the happiest moments with a sense of discomfort. The weight of someone's presence, real or imagined, clung to you like a second skin, refusing to be shaken off.

Her face was everywhere and the worst thing is, you feel like you’ve seen it before.

---

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[zapreportsblog]

Hi, so, I'd like to request a one shot with Billy and Stu x Reader who looks cute and innocent, she can even trick them into thinking she's a sweet lamb, they are kinda friends? Like, the boys like to hang around her house, since she's almost always alone, and they watch horror movies together and all, Billy being creepy as always and Stu weirdly cute. Anyways, she looks so sweet and innocent, but, in reality, she has some dark thoughts and when a guy from school treats her bad or something like that (I'm think of her bing like a hidden Pearl) she kills him, but no one knows, after that she starts to go into a killing spree and the boys get worried she'll be a victim of this new killer, until they catch her killing, being stained with blood. I'd love if you could write it, so thanks ❤️ (English is not my first language, so sorry for any grammar error)

Oh no this was perfect so even if English isn’t your first language I got what you had in mind

↳ devil in disguise ↲

✭ pairing : billy loomis x reader x stu macher

✭ fandom : scream

✭ summary : billy loomis and stu macher befriend the new girl, there something about the innocence in her that has them wanting to keep her close, but what they don’t know is that underneath all that innocence is a psycho killer watching and building up.

✭ authors note : this will be pretty fucking long let’s be honest but I hope you enjoy :)

Appearances can be deceiving, a truth that resonates throughout the intricate tapestry of human nature. In the complex dance of life, the most innocent of individuals often harbor the potential for both light and darkness, a duality that echoes the very essence of existence.

Beneath the gentle facade of a kind smile, the spark of laughter, or the softness of a touch, lies a spectrum of emotions and desires that can lead down paths both virtuous and treacherous. Each person is a canvas painted with shades of morality, their choices a brushstroke that can create beauty or chaos, depending on the journey they choose to undertake.

The predator lurking within, the shadow of primal instincts, is a reminder that human beings are products of evolution, shaped by eons of survival instincts and genetic predispositions. In the heart of every individual, there exists a part that craves power, control, or fulfillment, a yearning that can manifest as ambition, passion, or even obsession.

Yet, it is important to recognize that the coexistence of light and darkness within us is not inherently sinister. It is a reflection of the human experience, a reminder that every choice is a crossroads, offering the potential for change, growth, and transformation. The predator within can propel us forward, driving us to achieve our goals, protect our loved ones, and forge our destinies.

In a world where appearances often mask the intricacies of the human soul, it becomes crucial to acknowledge the duality that resides within each of us. By embracing both our capacity for kindness and our susceptibility to darker urges, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and those around us. The predator lurking within can serve as a cautionary tale, a reminder of the importance of self-awareness, empathy, and the conscious choice to channel our instincts toward the betterment of ourselves and society.

Ultimately, the dichotomy of light and darkness within us mirrors the complexity of the world we inhabit. It is a testament to the richness of the human experience, the endless potential for growth, and the ever-present opportunity to shape our narratives, whether we tread the path of the predator or harness the power of our inner light.

The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting its golden rays over the idyllic small town of Woodsboro. In the heart of the town, the high school's courtyard was a hub of activity, a place where friendships were forged and teenage dramas played out against the backdrop of lockers and laughter.

Stu Macher and Billy Loomis, the quintessential charismatic duo, leaned casually against the fountain. Their respective girlfriends, Tatum Riley and Sidney Prescott, stood nearby, laughter and conversations weaving a tapestry of youthful energy.

"Hey, ladies," Stu greeted with a grin, his bleached-blond hair catching the sunlight.

Billy's dark eyes sparkled as he echoed the sentiment, "Looking good as always."

As the quartet exchanged banter and shared glances, a figure caught their attention. Randy Meeks, known for his encyclopedic knowledge of horror movies and his perpetual enthusiasm, approached with a wide grin that stretched from ear to ear. At his side was a girl who looked almost ethereal—a new face in a town where everyone knew everyone else.

"(Y/N), meet the gang," Randy said with exuberance, presenting the girl to the group.

(Y/N) stood shyly, her presence an aura of innocence and warmth. Her eyes were like open books, wide and filled with curiosity as she took in her surroundings. A white dress, loose yet gracefully hugging her figure, accentuated her delicate beauty. The boys, Billy and Stu, exchanged glances that spoke volumes—here was someone who radiated innocence and gentleness.

"Hey, (Y/N)," Tatum greeted with a friendly smile, extending a welcoming hand.

Sidney's eyes held a soft kindness as she added, "Nice to meet you."

"(Y/N)," Stu's voice was friendly, his grin never faltering.

But it was Billy who couldn't tear his gaze away. In his eyes, (Y/N) appeared as if she could do no wrong—a portrait of purity in a world where darkness often lurked. Her eyes reminded him of Bambi's, wide and open, untouched by the harsh realities of life.

"Hi," (Y/N) responded, her voice soft and sweet, as if her words were a whisper carried by the wind.

As the introductions and pleasantries continued, a sense of intrigue filled the air. The new girl was like a breath of fresh air, and the boys found themselves captivated by her presence. Billy's heart stirred, his curiosity piqued by the enigma that was (Y/N).

As the days stretched into a week, the dynamic between Billy, Stu, and (Y/N) began to evolve. To the casual observer, it seemed like the boys were constantly bothering her, popping up unexpectedly and causing her to jump with exaggerated "scares." (Y/N)'s jumpy nature only seemed to fuel their amusement, and they reveled in the opportunity to tease her.

"(Y/N), you really need to work on your reflexes," Stu teased, a wide grin playing on his lips.

Billy joined in, smirking, "Yeah, seriously, what are you so jumpy about?"

Inside, however, their thoughts took on a darker undertone. Each little expression that flickered across (Y/N)'s face was dissected in their minds, and they toyed with the idea of involving her in their sinister games. But deep down, they couldn't shake the notion that she was different, that her innocence was genuine, and that she deserved more than the fate they had planned for their victims.

One night, as they lounged around in Stu's living room, the topic of their potential victims came up, their voices hushed as they spoke of Ghostface's next target.

"You know, man, I've been thinking," Stu mused, his tone contemplative.

Billy's eyes met Stu's, curiosity gleaming within them. "About what?"

"(Y/N)," Stu replied, his voice surprisingly serious. "I mean, yeah, we've joked about her being our next victim, but... I don't know, there's something different about her."

Billy's brows furrowed in thought, his expression mirroring Stu's. "Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing. Her innocence... it's real, isn't it? I mean, it can't be faked."

Stu nodded, a somberness settling over them. "She's the only one in this school who doesn't put on a facade. I mean, just look at her. She's not trying to impress anyone or play games. She's just... herself."

As the two friends contemplated (Y/N)'s genuine nature, a decision began to crystallize within them. The idea of involving her in their deadly plans felt wrong, as if they were tainting something pure. The darkness within them seemed to clash with the light that (Y/N) exuded.

"Maybe she's the exception," Billy mused. "Maybe she deserves something better than what we had planned."

Stu's gaze was resolute. "I agree. We can't touch her. She's... untouchable."

And so, in the midst of their twisted games and hidden motives, (Y/N) emerged as a beacon of authenticity, a figure they couldn't bring themselves to tarnish. Their dark thoughts and desires were held at bay, overruled by the recognition that some innocence was too pure to be tainted.

As the days continued to unfold, the bond between Billy, Stu, and (Y/N) deepened, shaped by unspoken understanding and the realization that appearances could indeed be deceiving. In the shadows of their minds, they grappled with their own darkness while protecting the fragile light that (Y/N) represented—an innocence they couldn't bring themselves to shatter, even in the midst of their sinister games.

The bond between Billy, Stu, and (Y/N) deepened with every passing day, an unspoken connection that drew them together. As the days grew longer, they found themselves gravitating toward her house, seeking her company whenever they could. They had adopted a role of self-proclaimed bodyguards, protecting her from a danger she didn't even know was real.

"(Y/N), you seriously need to upgrade your horror movie tolerance," Stu laughed one evening, sprawled on the couch as a horror movie played on the TV screen.

"Yeah, seriously," Billy chimed in from the armchair, his eyes fixed on (Y/N) with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

Despite her jumping at some of the movie's more intense scenes, (Y/N) laughed, trying to play it off. "Hey, don't judge me. I'm just not used to all this scary stuff."

Stu grinned, an idea forming in his mind. "You know what would be fun? A horror movie marathon. We'll toughen you up."

Billy's eyes gleamed with a sinister amusement, his gaze lingering on (Y/N) as he added, "Yeah, that's a good idea. Get you ready for the real thing."

Unbeknownst to (Y/N), their intentions were far from innocent. In their twisted minds, they envisioned her as the ultimate victim—the damsel in distress they could play out their darkest fantasies with. Billy's creepy stares and Stu's vivid imagination blended seamlessly with their supposed role as protectors.

As the marathon continued, (Y/N) did her best to keep her composure, laughing off her jumps and enjoying the company of her friends. She glanced at Billy and Stu, both absorbed in the movie, their expressions revealing something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Hey, you guys aren't actually planning to scare me for real, are you?" (Y/N) quipped, a playful glint in her eye.

Billy's lips curled into a charming smile, masking his true thoughts. "Of course not, (Y/N). We're your protectors, remember?"

Stu's grin was genuine, his gaze softening as he added, "Yeah, we're not gonna let anything happen to you."

Despite the odd tension in the room, (Y/N) felt a genuine warmth emanating from them. The camaraderie they shared was precious to her, and their presence was a comfort amidst the backdrop of uncertainty.

As the days turned into weeks, (Y/N)'s interactions with Billy and Stu continued to deepen, their friendship a blend of innocence and darkness that seemed to mirror her own conflicted thoughts. Beneath her sweet exterior, a hidden pearl of darkness lay dormant, waiting for the right catalyst to awaken it.

One day, after school, (Y/N) found herself crossing paths with a guy from school who had treated her with disdain. His words had been sharp, his actions cruel, leaving a lingering bitterness within her. As she walked away, her fists clenched and her thoughts turned dark. Anger simmered beneath her surface, and a newfound resolve began to take hold.

That night, the moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the town. (Y/N) moved with a determination that belied her innocent appearance. Her actions were swift, her thoughts cold and calculated as she carried out a plan that would forever change the course of events.

The next day, news of the guy's death spread like wildfire. Whispers of foul play and shock resonated through the school corridors. Nobody suspected the innocent new girl, the one with wide eyes and a demeanor that seemed incapable of harm.

As the days turned into weeks, the incident faded into the background, but (Y/N)'s newfound darkness lingered within her. She grappled with the conflicting emotions that surged within, a duality that remained hidden from the world.

Billy and Stu watched from the shadows, unaware of (Y/N)'s secret but sensing a shift in her. They continued their roles as her protectors, the twisted bond between them growing stronger. Little did they know, they were not the only ones harboring darkness.

The trio continued to spend time together, their connection both genuine and unsettling. (Y/N)'s thoughts were a storm of conflicting desires, her actions a reflection of the hidden Pearl within her—a darkness that had tasted blood and now hungered for more.

In a town where appearances were often deceiving, (Y/N) navigated the delicate balance between innocence and darkness. The lines between right and wrong blurred as her hidden thoughts and actions remained shrouded in secrecy, while the world continued to see only the sweet, innocent new girl who could do no harm.

As (Y/N)'s dark inclinations grew, so did the trail of bodies left in her wake. The once-hidden pearl of darkness had been fully awoken, and her actions took on a chilling rhythm. Each victim was carefully chosen, their lives extinguished with a methodical precision that sent shivers down her own spine.

Billy and Stu, the twisted duo who had unknowingly played a role in (Y/N)'s descent into darkness, began to notice the change in her demeanor. Their concern grew as they realized that the one they had deemed untouchable was now capable of unspeakable acts. The irony was not lost on them—the protectors were now the ones who feared for her safety.

"(Y/N), are you okay?" Billy's voice held a note of unease as he approached her one afternoon.

She smiled sweetly, her eyes glinting with a hidden intensity. "Of course, Billy. I'm fine."

Stu's eyes were sharp as he added, "You seem... different lately."

(Y/N)'s laughter was almost melodic, a stark contrast to the darkness that seemed to dance within her eyes. "Oh, just exploring new aspects of myself."

As the bodies continued to pile up, news of the new killer on the loose spread throughout the town. Fear and paranoia took hold, and Billy and Stu's concern for (Y/N) grew exponentially. They watched her closely, trying to discern the truth behind her smiles and the shifting shades within her gaze.

One evening, as they gathered at Stu's house, the topic of the killer came up once again. "(Y/N), have you heard about this new killer?" Stu asked, his tone casual.

She feigned innocence, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Oh, I've heard. It's terrible what's happening."

Billy's voice was strained as he pressed, "You haven't seen anything suspicious, have you?"

She met their gaze, her eyes a storm of hidden secrets. "Oh, nothing suspicious. Just a town gripped by fear."

The tension in the room was palpable, a silent recognition passing between them that (Y/N)'s dark thoughts were far more than they could have imagined. In their quest for power and control, they had inadvertently unleashed a force they couldn't fully comprehend.

As the days turned into nights, the town continued to reel from the new killer's actions. While the trail of bodies grew, (Y/N) remained a step ahead, her innocence a perfect mask for her true nature.

Billy and Stu's worry for her safety intensified, their twisted roles as protectors becoming a desperate attempt to shield her from a danger they were unaware she posed herself. In a chilling dance of fate, the lines between predator and prey blurred as (Y/N) navigated her dark path, leaving those around her to grapple with the realization that appearances could indeed be deceiving.

The tension in the air was thick as the night sky hung like a heavy curtain over the town. Billy and Stu's concern for (Y/N) had reached a fever pitch, each body that dropped heightening their anxiety. Their roles as protectors had been twisted beyond recognition, their concern evolving into a fear they dared not admit.

In the midst of their own murderous pursuits, the two boys stumbled upon a sight that shattered their perceptions. Moonlight cast an eerie glow on the scene before them—their sweet, innocent friend standing amidst the remnants of a fresh kill, her hands stained with blood.

Frozen in their tracks, Billy and Stu stared at (Y/N), their breath catching in their throats. A palpable tension hung in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the darkness that now bound them all together.

Stu was the first to break the silence, his voice a mixture of confusion and desperation. "What... What the hell, (Y/N)?"

(Y/N)'s gaze remained steady, her eyes holding a mix of defiance and something deeper, something that Billy and Stu struggled to grasp.

"Billy, Stu," she said softly, her voice carrying a weight that belied her innocent exterior. "I know you've been worried about me. But you don't need to be. I've always known what I am."

Billy's voice trembled as he managed to speak, but it wasn’t from fear. No, it was something else he was feeling his heart pounding in his chest. "What are you talking about, (Y/N)?"

A knowing smile tugged at the corners of (Y/N)'s lips, her eyes glinting with a chilling clarity. "Predators and prey, Billy. It's the natural order of things. Carnivores feed on herbivores. But there are also omnivores—predators that feed on both."

Stu's confusion was etched across his face as he demanded, "What does that have to do with anything?"

(Y/N)'s gaze turned piercing as she took a step forward, her presence exuding an aura of both danger and inevitability. "I'm an omnivore, Stu. A predator that feeds on everyone and everything. It's just the way I am."

The stand-off continued, a twisted tableau of secrets, revelations, and darkness. The boundaries between their roles as predators and protectors had blurred, leaving them all to confront a reality they had never anticipated.

Stu's hand trembled as he reached up and pulled off his Ghostface mask, his expression a mix of vulnerability and confusion. "Why, (Y/N)? Why are you doing this?"

(Y/N)'s smile was haunting, her words carrying the weight of centuries of history. "Because, Stu, it's survival of the fittest. The world is full of predators and prey, and I've chosen to be a predator."

Billy's fingers gently grazed (Y/N)'s cheek, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. His eyes were filled with mischief as he moved her hair to the side, tucking it behind her ear. With a smirk playing on his lips, he leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You enjoy that, don't you?" he said, his words dripping with anticipation. "The thrill of killing."

(Y/N) stared up at him, her Bambi-like eyes wide with a mixture of fear and excitement. She nodded slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. It was a dark secret she had kept hidden from the world, a part of herself she had never fully embraced until now.

Stu, having observed the exchange, stepped forward after a moment of contemplation. He moved silently, his presence sending shivers down (Y/N)'s spine. As he stood behind her, his body pressed against hers, an unexpected warmth spread through her veins.

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. The embrace was both comforting and electrifying, a mix of tenderness and danger. (Y/N) found herself leaning into him, her breath catching as she surrendered to the darkness within.

Together, the trio began to explore the depths of their twisted desires. A newfound bond formed, fueled by their shared secrets and the thrill of the unknown. They reveled in the chaos they created, leaving a trail of darkness in their wake.

As the nights grew longer and their actions more audacious, (Y/N) realized she had found her true family. In Billy and Stu, she had discovered kindred spirits who understood her in ways no one else ever could.

Their connection went beyond the realm of friendship. It was a dark and wicked love, forged in blood and mayhem. They would stand together, united in their pursuit of chaos, forever entangled in each other's embrace.

And so, (Y/N) embraced her dark side fully, relishing in the exhilaration of the hunt, and finding solace in the arms of those who shared her twisted desires.

[tonythr]

Floating platforms in Hollow Knight are weird, lore-wise

Soooo I haven't seen anyone actually talk about this, but those things just keep *bugging* me.

These things.

Why did Team Cherry put these particular platforms in the background?

Ok, there are numerous floating platforms in this game, of course, because the player needs them to traverse big spacey rooms vertically. They're not even an issue lore-wise, because their existence can be explained by them being attached to the fourth wall, which is what the player looks at the Knight through. It's basically a game construct that we are not supposed to think about as a part of the suspension of disbelief.

BUT THOSE THINGS are not attached to any wall! They're just. Floating. There. In the air. Without any support. And THEIR existence can't be explained by the game wanting to provide the player some convenience. The Knight can't interact with them, we never see anyone else use them or even acknowledge them, so they MUST be something that TC put there for lore reasons, as a part of that beautiful thing that we call environmental storytelling... Right?

That or they just put them there without really thinking about the implications that this anomaly creates. But that's a boring and very unlikely explanation, so I'm just going to discuss what that might mean for the game's lore, assuming they're put there intentionally.

So, I have several thoughts on why those platforms might exist as a part of the in-game universe.

First theory. Hallownest is literally frozen in time

Ok, so this is probably the most obvious one. Throughout the game we see some evidence of the Kingdom being literally put on hold with the intention to keep it alive indefinitely.

This is pretty much what is implied in the tablet in the Pale King's workshop - that PK was trying to literally pause Time itself, so that the inevitable Dawn would never Break.

(Quite an interesting theme, actually - the idea of avoiding the inevitable not by trying to actually avoid letting it happen, but by delaying it by an infinite amount of time. It deserves its own post, really)

So, with Time itself being literally frozen, it's pretty safe to assume that this is exactly the reason as to why some parts of the Kingdom are literally stuck in one place, right? I mean, it's pretty much a trope to have floating rocks and buildings in a place that is stuck in some kind of time stasis. I'd say this is a pretty solid assumption, but when we actually look at some of the other parts of Hallownest we see that it's pretty lively for a place that is frozen in time. The rain is pouring, the stalactites are falling, all those machines in the Crystal Peak are still working...

Some of that stuff can actually be explained by either the Radiance's influence or the Knight's movement. The Infection is presented as the inevitable force of change that resurrects everything and moves it towards Light. The air thickens, the bugs arise from the dead, the Infection takes over the Crossroads, the Moss cultists get turned into mush, and so on. Meanwhile, other creatures possessing a Will are also capable of bringing change to this land. The Knight constantly breaks things, forces the ground to crumble beneath its feet, and overall just brings destruction to Hallownest, bringing the world closer to its natural end. It's no wonder that the stalactites start falling conveniently right as the Knight passes underneath them.

BUT there are still many things that can't be explained so easily. Like, if the Kingdom is supposed to be frozen in time, then why is the rain still pouring? Why is the Wyrm's ash still falling at the Kingdom's Edge? Why is the sand still falling from the ceiling? Why do larger things seem to be fixed in place, while smaller things are seemingly unaffected by the Kingdom's stasis?

That and the fact that at no point we see these floating platforms being acknowledged by the game's lore in any way other than those two places makes me think that this theory is probably incorrect, unlike the next one.

Second theory. Those two particular places are just that special.

The only two places where we actually see floating platforms being a part of the background (if I'm not missing any) are located near some of the most mysterious places in the whole game.

First, we have the ones that are located near the Colosseum of Fools. To be honest, even the interactable platforms there just seem useless, as some of them don't even protect us from the Bellflies. They all look like some kind of decoration (alongside with those strange thin pillars with circles on top of each) leading us along the road towards the corpse of a huge beast which the Colosseum is located inside. What even is this creature? Is it a higher being? Is it a Wyrm (don't mossbag me, he's wrong about those things being its claws because we see a third one in the foreground lying aside from the main structure, detached from the body)? Is the Lord Fool its reincarnation? Is it connected to the Ancient Civilization? How are there so many warriors there? Why does it still thrive after everything that happened to Hallownest? There are so many questions about that place left unanswered that I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the magic of the Colosseum actually affects time and/or space around it, making it possible for the floating platforms to exist.

Second (and this is the most important one), we have the platforms that are located inside and outside the Hive. As far as I know, this is the only place in the whole game that has this many floating platforms located in the background.

This basically confirms that this is absolutely NOT a coincidence and is a part of the intentional in-game lore. The whole place is floating!

The Hive seems to be in its own kind of stasis, probably due to its isolation. Vespa says that going against nature is a folly, so this anomaly is probably something... natural.

And you know where else floating things are a natural occurrence?

The Dream Realm.

So, the Hive and the Dream Realm are both places that are tied to the Light, which is a kind of force or energy that can alter reality and even create new realities, which are not necessarily bound by the usual laws of space and time. The Hive is not located in the Dream Realm, and it's safe to say that it's not some kind of in-between-the-worlds situation like with the Lifeblood Core, so the stuff that's going on there is less crazy than what we see in the Dream Realm, but it is also the only material place that is connected so heavily to the Light, so it is safe to assume that the anomaly that lets the platforms float is directly connected to that mysterious force.

The only thing that I can't understand is how the Light in those places connects to the Colosseum of Fools. It's not a well-lit area, and even inside the arena the only source of light is just regular fire. Could it be that this mysterious force is not defined by the Light itself, but by something more... incomprehensible?

I wonder what that force even is. The Radiance is definitely not the only source of it, and we know we're gonna see some really shiny stuff in Silksong. I personally hope for more platform lore.

[satureja13]

Tiny Can gathered the Boys for the first meeting to solve the case of Jack's death. They need to figure out who's going to log in first to not destroy valuable evidence and loose crucial hints. Possible starting points:

Investigating the crime scene. To do this, Jeb needs to log in for the first time since his NPC version seems to be Lou's friend and lives nearby (Saiwa and Ji Ho are too far away/have no access to the location where Jack got killed and Jack gets kicked out because he's dead.)

Ji Ho has to find out what Greg's crossroads wish has to do with Jack's murder as long as he's still in Saarburg with the Queen

They discussed this back and forth. Time only passes when one of them is logged in, but it will pass for all of them. So if Ji Ho logs in too late and his NPC version already left Saarburg, they'll maybe never find out what happened at the crossroads. And if they leave the crime scene unguarded, someone might find Jack's corpse and destroys possible evidence. A dilemma - and a race against time. Since Ji Ho is only a few steps away from the crossroads and Jeb is going to need some time to find his way around in the unknown game/world - and Jack's corpse - they came to the decision that Ji Ho will quickly log in and search for evidence in Saarburg.

Jack already stuffed his beloved whiteboard with all kind of (useless) information about what effects his death has on them.

Evidence 1: A clueless person Evidence 2: The good looking and beloved victim (and 'a friend') Evidence 3: How angry we are about his murder Evidence 4: How determined we are to find the murderer Evidence 5: How shocked we are about his murder Evidence 6: How confused we are about what had happened...

Saiwa: "Ehm - first, I don't know if I'm still 'a friend' of yours - and what kind of evidence is this supposed to be?" Jack: "What evidence this is supposed to be? The murderer is in one of these photos! It's Greg - obviously! The Queen and him are not together ingame. She surely does not want him after she'd seen me fighting and being all strong, handsome and cool. So he wanted me out of the way. I can think of no one else. Then he made a deal with a crossroads demon to get me out of the way. Case closed. Let's throw him into the dungeons of the Castle so he never sees the light of the fullmoon again." Saiwa: "Just because you hate Greg and you're jealous he's with Noxee and not you doesn't mean he's your murderer. I bet there are a lot more people who want you dead ;) " Jack: "Tch."

The 'detectives' ended the meeting for today. They'd already been down here for hours. Saiwa and Tiny Can went to the new room for the Therapy Game devices to set everything up for the next sessions and to make a few improvements. The corner store was just an interim solution.

Ji Ho and Kiyoshi planned the next sessions. They tried to remember every police series they'd ever watched (not many) to not make any mistakes. They still have no internet here in the Otherworld. Maybe Noxee can send them some books or an USB stick about proper police work, crime investigations and securing a crime scene and evidence...

And while the others are busy, Vlad and Jack sneaked out to prepare another surprise.

Poor Jeb needs some comfort food ^^' It's stressing him a lot that Jack got killed ingame. And imagining that it could have happened to Saiwa is killing Jeb. At least he has his appetite back since Saiwa is back home again.

Half an hour later, they called Saiwa and urged him upstairs to his room. Saiwa is always wary when Jack is involved: "What have you two been up to again?" Jack: "Just you wait and see, 'my friend' ;) "

Oh! They made him a balcony beach! Saiwa is speechless. Jack not: "Since you can't log in for a while to heal on your island, we thought we'd build you one here ^^' "

Saiwa was glad his tears are hidden behind the dark sunglasses: "I love you, 'my friend'. And you too, Vlad." Jack: "We know." Haha such expressions of affection embarass Vlad ^^' He's the tsundere kind of guy.

Jack: "We are going to solve the case in no time and you can go back to Flamingo Island and heal. You'll see. And until then you can heal here. We won't disturb you, promised."

And then they left Saiwa on his island. He really hopes they will solve this soon and that they can go back ingame - safely. Poor Jack and Ji Ho need their therapy the most. Jack had been so close being painless...

Saiwa is happy that they are back together again, even it had such a severe cause. Who knows how long they would have been hiding at the beach house. Delaying their return because they'd been afraid of the confrontation. They will solve this together and find back together again.

'One love (hear my plea) One heart (whoa) Let's join together and I'll feel alright One love (oh, Lord, have mercy) One heart I tell you, let's just salsabrate (let's join together) And I will feel alright (and I'll feel alright) Let's join together and I'll feel alright'

One Love - Bob Marley (TMI: After I posted 'Killing me softly' from the Fugees in one of the last posts, I researched a bit, as always, and did you know that Lauryn Hill, their singer, was together with Rohan Marley, Bob Marley's son? They have 5 children together.)

The Therapy Game Master Post with the sessions and places so far is -> here

From the Beginning  ~  Underwater Love ~  Latest Current Chapter: 'Who killed Jack?' from the beginning ▶️ here Last Chapter: 🕹️ 'The One' from the beginning ▶️ here 📚 Previous Chapters: Chapters: 1-6 ~ 7-12 ~ 13-16 ~ 17-22 ~ 23-28

[talking-books-n-spice]

Regalia City - Club Honey

This is the first story in my Regalia City Series!

Plot: Your friend dragged you out to the newest club that's just opened, and through pure circumstance you meet the owner, who appears to be a charming Fae male...or is he?

First Person Female Reader POV NSFW

TW: Implied mind control/magical influence (if there's more, please let me know in comments or DM)

A/N: If you spot any spelling mistakes, please let me know! <3

At 27 you would think I’d know better than to let Lindsey talk me into going out on the town by now.

It was my first weekend off from work in two weeks, and Lindsey thought the best way for me to spend my hard earned money was to check out the newest club that had opened earlier that month.

The Hive.

It was apparently a 25+ only club on Sunday nights, which would eliminate a lot of the Regalia Tech students and the usual overly rowdy crowd.

There were protests to this ruling (of course), but since Friday and Saturday night were normal nights, their complaints fell on deaf ears. The police and lawyers of the city had even taken the club’s side, as it kept drug distribution and drunken disorderlies on the lower end.

Much to Lindsey’s protest, I’d chosen to wear my most comfortable and cute green dress for the night. I had to remind her that unlike her, I wasn’t actively prowling for a bed buddy. I was joining her at the club to keep her drinks safe, and to have some fun myself.

The club had been built on the corner of Marine Way and Bedell Street, putting it right in the crossroads of the Warehouse District and Late Night Row.

As we got in line behind a half-orc and his human boyfriend, I could feel the bass from the music through the walls. From here you could just barely catch a few beats of the song playing.

A cooler breeze blew by, making me shiver and dance in place.

“I always forget how cold it gets at night this time of year.” I mumbled, rubbing my hands over my bare arms to keep them warm.

Lindsey shifted back and forth on her feet, “I really need to stop wearing open toed heels.” When I gave her a tiny smug smile, as I’d advised her to wear her spiked books instead of the heels, she gave me a hard swat on the arm, making me giggle.

We kept ourselves distracted from the cold by catching up on our respective works’ weekly gossip.

Being the only human assistant manager at a clothes’ store tailored towards Naga, Lindsey usually dealt with the worst kinds of customers and coworkers. If she wasn’t of the “Out Crazy The Crazy” mentality, she’d have quit ages ago. Instead she trucked on, and helped bring in the best sales the store has seen since its opening.

By the time we got to the door, we were having to speak a bit louder in order to be heard over the music that was barely being contained.

The bouncer, an orc standing at 7ft with shoulders wider than the doorframe, gave our IDs a quick check, then gestured for us to go inside.

When I stepped over the threshold I felt as though I’d walked through a sheet of jell-o, raising goosebumps on my arms and legs. Lindsey pointed to the doorframe, “They’ve got this place juiced.”

Looking to where she pointed I saw runes carved into the wood of the doorframe. I couldn’t tell which language they belonged to, but they were clearly active as they were softly glowing in a golden hue.

“Maybe it's an age repellant? You can’t get through if you’re not the right age?” I suggested as we continued down the carpeted stone steps.

From outside, the building had looked like just another warehouse that was in better condition than the rest. If not for the neon yellow honeycomb shaped sign that hung outside the door, no one would know where this place was.

The stairs took us down two flights, then leveled out into a short hallway. Strobing rainbow lights and the silhouettes of dancing bodies beckoned us forward.

The scene we stepped into was something you could truly only find in Regalia City.

The warehouse had been dug down deeper by two stories and divided into two floors.

We entered into the lower floor, which was specifically for the dancers.The floor beneath our feet was designed to look like honeycomb carved from amber, and with each step you took, the section of comb beneath your feet briefly lit up in muted rainbow tones. It was somehow working with the strobe lights overhead, creating just enough lighting that you could see where you were going and who you were standing next to.

The second floor held the stage and equipment for the DJ, and a walkway built into the walls of the warehouse above, connecting to a larger section filled with tables and booths for people to sit and drink.

“This place is bananas!” Lindsey yelled over the music.

Unable to resist I yelled back, “I think you mean, its the BEES KNEES!”

“I hate you so much right now!�� Lindsey cackled and towed me towards the bar that I’d missed with my initial sweep.

There was a bar built into the wall just to our right, and I couldn’t quite see it from the lower level, but I thought I could see the edge of another bar on the upper level as well.

We got a couple shots, tossed them back, and went to the dance floor.

~~~*****~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple hours, and a few drinks later, I was up on the second floor sitting at a table and sipping some water.

Tequila and excessive jumping around to music do not agree with my stomach.

I’d lost track of Lindsey at least an hour ago when she’d started shoving her tongue down a Naga’s throat. She’d given me the thumbs up behind his back, our basic signal that she was still conscious of what she was doing and that I didn’t need to follow them back to his place.

The DJ was playing a remix version of a song I knew, but couldn’t remember the name of. Each time the beat dropped, and ramped back up the dancers went nuts. Earlier when I’d first come up to the upper level, I’d looked over the railing and watched the dancers.

It was almost hypnotic to watch all their individual bodies moving in time to the music. Groups that had come to the club together would slowly sync up their movements, and you’d see these clumps of people moving in tandem just slightly against the rest of the floor. Add in the honeycomb lighting and it gave me a really strong impression of actual bees in a hive communicating.

Thinking back on that notion, I swept my gaze around the booths and tables.

If this was a kind of beehive, then there had to be someone here who was something of a Queen.

“...OMG is that?”

“No way, what are the odds?!”

“Can you get a pic?! No one will believe us if we don’t have proof!”

There was a group of women in the booth just next to mine, and they’d been relatively calm a second ago, now they were practically clambering over one another to peer over the top of their booth.

Following their line of sight I was able to spot who they were watching.

Over at the bar, a man was behind the counter speaking with the bartender. I’d guess his height to be about 6ft, in his yellow long sleeved shirt, and black slacks, I could see he was lean but not in the skinny sense. 

I had to wait for the white strobe lights to flash some white in his direction to see the rich gold of his hair which was styled in what I think is called a wolf cut.

With another flash of white light, I caught sight of movement just behind his shoulder.

‘Wings!’

“Rue! Can we get a picture?! Pretty please?!” 

One of the women in their booth must have had just a bit more to drink than her friends, as she’d gotten onto her knees on the seat cushion and started hollering at the man while waving her hand to get his attention.

Her friends were trying to get her to sit back down, nervously giggling and whisper yelling at her.

Fully immersed in the entertainment that was happening, I tried my best not to break out laughing and draw attention to myself. Lindsey was going to be so jealous she missed this, (or not, considering she’s probably getting her rocks off with the Naga.)

To my amazement, as well as the women’s, Rue must have heard her over the music. He said something to the bartender, who laughed, and he came out from behind the counter and made his way towards the group of women.

As he got closer the women subtly adjusted their push-up bras, skirts, and hair to further enhance their best assets.

Sipping at my drink I couldn’t stop watching.

I had no idea who Rue was, but I did know he was quite handsome, and he was most definitely a Fae. 

I got a better look at the wings that fluttered and twitched with each step he took, their shape was almost like that of a bumblebee’s, except the rounded curves drew out into points. 

When he reached their table and turned to the side, I could make out a honeycomb pattern in the membrane.

Between his clothes and wings, I had a sneaking suspicion as to who he was.

“Good evening ladies. Are you enjoying your time here?”

Even from where I was sitting, I could hear the honeyed tone of his voice in each syllable of his words. 

A flush of heat tickled over my skin, and looking at the other women, I could tell they were just as enamored as I was. A couple of them had their mouths slightly open in a gape, while the woman who had initially called him over looked ready to rip his clothes off.

They giggled and chirped their replies about loving the club.

Rue’s lips drew back in a pleased smile, “Glad to hear it. Now what was this about wanting a picture?” His head tilted the slightest bit as he leaned in a little closer, and I swear I heard one of the women gasp.

‘It’s like watching a porno’s opening.’ I thought, still amused.

They all spoke at once and scrambled to dig out their phones from their tiny purses.

There was a bit of squabbling about who’s phone they would use and who would take the picture, since the one taking the picture would need to be the furthest from Rue to get everyone in the shot.

Rue’s smile stayed in place, and I wondered if he was amused or simply used to this scene happening.

His wings gave a small flutter, and his head turned in my direction.

There had still been a decent bit of distance between my spot and where he’d stopped to talk to the group, so I hadn’t been able to tell what color his eyes were.

Now as they locked with mine, I could see they were a vibrant shade of amber with a thicker black ring around the iris.

I was grateful I hadn’t taken a drink of water just then, as I would have surely choked.

Having his full attention on me was electrifying. ‘No wonder those women were losing their minds just to get a picture.’

Rue lifted his hand and gestured for me to come over.

I didn’t hesitate, or even consider declining. I was out of my seat and walking over to him.

“Hi there, I’m sorry to inconvenience you, but would you mind taking a picture for us?” 

Rue’s honey voice dribbled into my ears, and that flush I’d felt before turned into a wave of heat.

The women in the booth immediately latched onto the idea, and implored me to help them out, even offering to buy me my next drink in exchange.

Again, I didn’t even consider turning them…him…down.

“I don’t mind at all. In fact you’ve asked just the right person. I’m a photographer by trade.” 

This got me a burst of excited exclamations from the women, and Rue’s smile somehow managed to shift into something just a touch more interested.

Or was that just my imagination?

One of the women offered me her phone, which they’d agreed was the better to use as it had the best camera.

I had Rue sit dead center and had two women sit on each side of him. I took a couple pictures in this arrangement, then asked them to switch so everyone had a chance to be center. 

The smiles the women gave me were full of gratitude for giving them each a chance to have that moment. While Rue’s smile remained the same for every single picture.

It was just genuine enough to tell me he didn’t mind being surrounded by beautiful women, but it didn’t quite bring the shine of happiness to his eyes that I could see in the womens’. It was most definitely a rehearsed smile.

When I gave them back the phone and they crunched in close to look at the pictures, they squealed and giggled.

Rue leaned in to get a look and his brows rose, “If that’s the quality you can get with a camera phone, I’d love to see what you can accomplish with a proper camera.”

The women all agreed and asked if I had a social media account, and if I handled weddings and other special events.

Ever prepared for new potential business, I had a couple business cards on hand that I gave out.

To my surprise, Rue snagged one of the cards before I could put the rest away. He read over the information then asked, “I’d hate to take up any more of your time tonight, but could I interest you in a business proposition?”

From the corner of my eye I saw the other women try to cover smiles and eyebrow wiggles.The one that had called Rue over even gave me a subtle thumbs up and mouthed, “Do it for us!”

Who says us ladies can’t offer each other support?

“I was actually going to head home shortly, so I don’t mind at all.”

“Excellent, let’s go talk in my office.” Rue pointed to a door that was behind the bar and labeled ‘STAFF ONLY.’

In any other circumstance, I’d be politely excusing myself from the situation or suggesting a time and place that was more out in the open.

I couldn’t be certain if he was using magical influence, or he was just that charismatic, but my mind and body were completely drawn to this man, and I accepted the invitation.

Following behind him, I was able to get hints of his scent. It was earthy, sweet and floral all blended together with an undertone of something that must be his general musk, and it was making my mouth water.

‘I wonder if he’d taste sweet.’ 

The moment the thought crossed my mind, his wings gave a particularly strong flutter and he gave me a glance over his shoulder that was undeniably heated.

Everything I knew about the Fae came from my required history lessons in high school, and the odd bit of gossip I caught every now and then. One such thing I vaguely recalled was mention of some Fae being able to sense or know when someone was thinking about them, especially if it was something amorous, as it called to their darker nature.

The heat that had settled along my skin turned into a deep flush of equal parts embarrassment and arousal. As he apparently hadn’t minded the idea.

We passed through the staff entrance, and down a small hallway that led to  washrooms and a change room for the staff. At the very end of the hall was an unmarked door. 

This was the door that Rue opened and gestured for me to enter.

Stepping over the threshold I got that sense of walking through a layer of Jell-o again. Glancing at the doorframe I didn’t see any runes, and guessed that these were a different kind designed for security.

The inside of the office was much more spacious, with a light wooden desk, black pleather chairs and a couch, and walls that were designed with even more of the honeycomb pattern.

My curiosity overcame my etiquette, and later I would just play it off as drinking too much, “I apologize if this comes across as rude, but I’ve been wondering since I got here. Why the beehive theme?”

“Let’s just say it’s personal preference.” Rue teased as he took a seat at one end of his couch and invited me to join him.

I’d expected him to sit behind his desk in his sleek looking office chair, what with this being a business talk.

My mind noted that the door was still open, and the heat I’d glimpsed in his eyes a minute ago was gone.

I sat at the opposite end of the couch and practically melted into the soft synthetic material. ‘I might just steal this couch.’

When I appeared to be settled Rue went right into it, “First let me properly introduce myself. My name’s Rue, and I’m the owner of this establishment.”

Finally having that suspicion confirmed I replied in kind. I didn’t bother with a nickname or just my last name, as was a common safety practice when dealing with Fae, since he’d already seen my name on my business card.

“As you know, we’ve only been open for the last month. Our numbers have been good, and with the rotation of our designated nights, I can’t see our customers thinning out in the long run.” As Rue spoke of his business, the honeyed layer I’d heard from his voice before was more subdued. He was also using hands and his eyes were shining, making it clear how proud he was of his club.

“An idea I’ve been toying with is creating an Instagram for the club to better spread the brand. We’ll eventually be offering merchandise online, such as branded shot glasses, shirts, and keychains. For the Instagram account I was thinking of sectioning off a part of the upper level for a photo op area.”

Realizing where he was going with this I asked, “And you’re wanting to hire a professional photographer to work the area?”

Rue’s smile broadened, clearly pleased that I’d followed his trail of thought, “It wouldn’t be every night of the week, but at least once or twice a week for each of the designated nights. Guests would be able to take their own photos with their phones, or they could pay a small fee to have a professional take the photo as well as have it posted to the Club’s Instagram page.”

It was a rather brilliant idea, and not one I’d heard of other clubs doing either. Sure it was common practice for people to take selfies and pictures of the clubs and tag the business, which was great for publicity, but if that person was placed in the club’s feed, it was just as good as the old fashioned Wall of Fame restaurants tended to do.

“That’s a rather smart approach, and as someone that knows the field, I’m sure any photographer that deals with people would jump at the chance to have reliable income.” I deliberately phrased my words this way so it would open the conversation to a proper offer.

The man had only seen a couple pictures taken on a camera phone, he couldn’t possibly want to hire me for such a coveted position based on that.

Rue’s emotions were apparent as he went through confusion then amusement, “I was rather hoping you would be the photographer to jump at the position.”

“I’d be more than happy to take the job, but are you sure you’re wanting to hire me for it? You’ve only seen one picture from a camera phone. I’d be more convinced if you’d gone through my portfolio first.”

Was I fishing for compliments? Maybe just a little. It wasn’t every day a gorgeous man offered a golden work ticket to someone they’d just met 10 minutes ago.

And there was still that heated glance he’d given me earlier.

Some kind of magic had to be at play, as Rue’s eyes warmed, making the vibrant amber change to the color of liquid honey and his voice returned to that deeper, smooth tone, “I could tell from that picture how good your technique is, and I could tell from how you interacted with those women that you’re goal is always to give the customer the best memory captured in the moment. Am I wrong?”

I was so entranced by his voice, I didn’t notice when he’d shifted closer. The space left between our bodies suddenly felt charged, and heat returned to my skin.

“That’s…pretty accurate.” I was having a hard time getting my brain to think of words, as it was more focused on his eyes, and the more potent presence of his scent. I gently cleared my throat, “You’re deceivingly perceptive, you know that?”

Rue laughed, and the sound of it had my heart squeeze in giddiness.

“It's an effective bonus to my magic. Which reminds me…”

It was as if I’d blinked, and the distance between us was gone.

One of his arms was draped over my shoulders, and his other hand held my chin, allowing him to brush the edge of his thumbnail along my bottom lip.

My breathing stuttered and my brain practically flatlined as it tried to process what had just happened.

“...Just what were you thinking about earlier, my flower?” 

Even if I had the ability to control my blush, I doubt I would have been able to do so now. It burned along my cheeks, chest and neck, and where he touched me felt as though my skin was going to burst into flames.

He’d just been offering me a job, and now he was trying to make me admit I’d been having inappropriate thoughts about him.

“I…um…don’t think I should say, since you’re going to be my boss.” 

There was a shift in the air around him as his smile edged into the smirk of a cat that was about to eat the canary, and to my awe I saw the black edge of his iris spread out thin lines across the white of his eyes that interconnected into a honeycomb design. 

It was a startling and enthralling sight.

Rue must have seen my eyes widen, and his gaze lowered to my lips which had parted to release a small gasp. He seemed to give me a moment to react, as if he were expecting me to try and pull away. When I didn’t do any such thing he inched a little closer, “You’re not my employee just yet, and I think you’ll find the work environment rather lax in that regard.”

The hand that held my chin grazed up along my jaw to cup my cheek, a means to keep me in place and make room for his lips as they came down to meet mine.

The moment his lips captured mine, I heard the door swing closed, and every inhibition I had about this behavior left me.

There was no easing into things.

Our kiss was frenzied, as were our hands as our fingers searched and tore at the fastenings of our clothes.

I vaguely felt the clasp of my dress scrape across my scalp as he pulled it over my head, my own hands popped two of his shirt buttons off in my rush to tear it off him.

Lust allowed me to take a moment to scan my eyes over his chest, and every inch of it looked delicious. Particularly the golden hair that started below his belly button and descended beneath the waist of his slacks.

Desperation and curiosity joined forces and propelled me to taste him. 

My mouth trailed kisses from his lips down to his throat, nipping and biting as I went, continuing further down to swipe my tongue over one of his nipples. I felt and heard Rue’s groan, encouraging me to do it again before continuing down.

I moved off the couch and Rue eased himself back, our physical connection never breaking. I wouldn’t let it, my hands or lips needed to keep contact with him. The tang of his skin had the slightest hint of sweetness to it, and that sweetness was the most addicting thing I’d ever tasted.

When my lips reached his treasure trail his hands made quick work of removing his pants. His cock sprang free, and my urgency doubled.

I dragged my nails down his hips as my teeth nipped his skin down to the base of his cock. Rue’s whole body shuddered as he let out another groan. His hands went to my hair to tug on the strands and urge me closer in unspoken encouragement.

Not that I needed any, as I was more than eager to drag my tongue along his cock’s length, giving it a rough flick along the small vein just below the head. Rue hissed a word that wasn’t in English and his grip on my hair briefly tightened.

A bead of precum was already waiting for me along his slit, and I swiped it off with my tongue. I hummed in delight as my taste buds found this to be the strongest hit of sweetness yet. My mouth watered just imagining what his cum must taste like.

My self control held on just enough to make sure I eased him into my mouth, and sucked him in a bit at a time in order to allow my throat to adjust to his girth sliding down. His hands held my head in place and his hips began to snap forward, “My beautiful flower…fuuuuuck your mouth feels so good…so good for me, my flower…”

Over and over his honeyed voice praised me and cursed as he chased his pleasure through the use of my mouth and throat. I’d never been skull fucked before, and in this moment it was the hottest thing I’d ever experienced. I could feel my panties soaking through and the desperation for my own pleasure built to a point that I began to whimper and moan.

“Yes, yes, yeeesss my flower.” Rue’s voice rasped and his hips gave a sharp thrust forward, nearly causing me to gag. He held me in place and I felt the base of his cock engorge forcing my mouth to ease back. There was a strong twitch and a gush of warm, thick liquid surged along my tongue and down my throat.

As I’d hoped, his cum tasted of pure honey with a salted undertone. I swallowed and sucked him dry for every drop.

Rue had to gently force me off his cock, which I did with a pitiful whimper. Lightly coughing and panting hard I moaned, “More…Need more, tastes so good.”

“You’ll have more my beautiful flower, but not until I’ve had my fill of you first.” Rue cooed to me as he pulled me off the floor.

In a daze of pent up need, and still tasting hints of his cum on my tongue, I didn’t even register his fingers pulling off my bra and panties until his mouth latched to my nipple and his long slender fingers stroked between my folds.

I was so sensitive, that touch had me quivering and nearly collapsing to the floor.

He tugged me forward, making me straddle his hips. I arched against his mouth as my hips twitched and thrust against his fingers.

He curled one of them along the edge of my entrance, and I nearly wept in frustration when he didn’t push it in.

Drawing his hand up he showed me the coating of slick that covered his fingers, “Look at this delicious nectar.” He marveled before putting the fingers in his mouth. His honeycombed eyes remained locked with mine as his tongue extended past his lips, showing me that it had changed as well.

It was much longer and more narrow, the edges curled upwards forming a tube that wasn’t completely closed. It twisted and curled between his fingers to lap up every last drop of the slick, all the while a deep, vibrating hum of pleasure came from his chest.

Somehow I could feel that vibration against my core, stimulating me further and with no friction I felt my inner walls clench almost in pain. My hands clutched into his shoulders as I begged, “Rue…Rue please…I need it…Please, please.”

His tongue drew back into his mouth as he smiled in a way that my mind should have registered as wrong. Instead the heavy haze of lust distorted it into a good sign.

Reaching down Rue took hold of his still engorged cock, and ran his head between my folds, “My beautiful flower begs so prettily, of course I’ll give her what she needs.” He pressed the tip just at the edge of my entrance, then drew back his hand so he could take hold of my hips with both.

Without any warning, he shoved me down onto him, and at the same time he thrust up as hard as he could.

Where pain should have been, only overwhelming pleasure blanketed my mind. My climax was so brutal I wasn’t sure I even made a noise, as my lungs couldn’t seem to let out the air.

As soon as the pleasure began to ebb back, my lungs let out a keening moan and an assortment of curses and praises. Rue chuckled, kissing and nipping at my throat and breasts as he began to thrust into me.

My first climax had barely receded as I felt the next beginning to creep up, “Rue…oh Gods…don’t stop…Don’t stop!” 

Rue’s only response was to use my hips to move me in rhythm with his thrusts. I didn’t resist or attempt to help other than to keep myself upright. I let him use me as he wanted, as which brutal thrust granted me another surge of pleasure.

I felt my second climax fast approaching, and Rue sensed it as well. He must have, as he did just as I’d asked him not to, and he stopped!

Freezing in place with me lifted off him, his tip barely piercing into me, I whined, “No! No no! Please, was so close!”

Rue’s eyes bore into me as he leaned in close and placed a feather light kiss against my throat, “Does my flower want more? Does she want me to fill her with my seed?” His voice was just as light as his kisses.

My nails scratched along his shoulders, as I felt my climax and the high of my pleasure begin to recede, I was so tightly strung and ready to release I felt as though my skin would break open, “Yes, Gods yes I want that.”

“Does my flower promise…” He kissed the underside of my jaw, “To come work for me…” then the middle of my throat, “and  to join my garden?” His lips grazed over the juncture of my throat and shoulder as he whispered this.

Had I been in my right mind, had I not been intoxicated by the effect of his magic (something I came to learn later on) I would have realized the trap and immediately ended things.

But I wasn’t in my right mind, and all I could think of was how it would feel to have him cum inside me.

“Yes,I promise! Please, please just fuck me!” 

“Such a good flower for me.”

His grip on my hips clenched, and his cock thrust into me harder and faster than before.

My climax crashed through me harder than the first, leaving me breathless and barely staying up right.

“So good, so so so good for me.” Rue didn’t stop thrusting, not even as the base of his cock became engorged. I felt it press my walls open even further, sending an extra thrill of pleasure into the mix that was consuming my mind.

With a single hard thrust he sent his cock in as deep as it could go just as he began to cum.

My body shuddered from the inside out, as though it were enjoying the sweetness that his body could produce without the use of my stomach.

As the high began to calm, and I was left with the body strength of a cooked noodle, Rue eased me off his softening cock and laid me down on the couch.

The haze lifted from my mind as my breathing slowly came under control, and I gradually realized what I’d done.

Horrified by my wanton actions, as well as his encouragement and influence of it, I tried to muster a glare in his direction.

Rue gently tsked as his hands gently slid along my legs, “Now now, there’ll be plenty of time to be upset later. I still need to get my fill of you before you sleep.” 

I was so weak, I didn’t have any strength to resist when he pushed my legs back open and hooked one of them over his shoulder.

Realizing what he wanted I feebly protested, which he ignored and leaned in towards my now saturated and sensitive cunt. I could feel some of his cum already leaking out, which was what he darted for first.

His tongue flicked out, the tip which was somewhat split lapped at the fluids.

From this position I watched his wings stand erect and vibrate, creating a low buzz that accompanied the pleased hum from his chest.

“Just as I hoped, your nectar tastes even better this way.” He sounded entranced, his words were spoken in such a reverent way.

His tongue continued to lap at the moisture along my skin, flicking out and sucking in the droplets into his mouth. Pressing in closer it slid into my entrance, and despite its narrow shape, my walls still registered the intrusion.

Flickers of pleasure played in my mind, and if not for the sensation of warmth being drawn out of me, I would have given into it. 

He was sucking his cum and my slick out of me, drinking it up through his tongue.

I had no words to express the shock and terror this was instilling in me. I had no strength to push him back and make him stop.

More concerning, was the lack of will I had to even try either.

Rue had made me promise to be “part of his garden” and I was getting a terrible idea of just what that meant.

FIN.

[blueberrypancakesworld]

New environment - Chapter 3

warning : slightly angst , fluff , emotional , comfort , making friends , nervousnes , feelings

next chapter , masterlist

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She could feel that it was no longer the earth on which she was. For this, the environment was too different, too pure, too nature-laden. It was completely pure, untouched and not as dirty as the earth.

The first step was hesitant and she held onto Jake's shoulder before moving her cane in front of her. ,,This is incredible," she murmured, and Jake let his gaze wander as well. ,,Yes, the machines are truly incredible," she heard him marvel and shook her head. ,,If you say so...what does it look like here?" she asked, trying to picture it somehow.

Besides a large stone area and some kind of wall because the noise was thrown back a little she couldn't make out much. ,,The base is big, there are machines and combat robots everywhere. It looks like a metal city with soldiers, mercenaries, vehicles... in front of it and it only takes a moment, the base is a well metal building" he explained tersely and she nodded. ,,And Pandora?" she asked but stopped when Jake stopped and a loud vehicle like a truck drove in front of her.

She felt him tense for a moment as if he had seen something that frightened him. ,,Is everything all right?" she asked him, but Jake just shook his head. ,,We'll be right there," he encouraged himself and her before they continued on their way. The comments of two soldiers were not lost on either of them, but they ignored them for now. Trouble was the last thing they needed for now.

Jake opened the door and Y/n helped him hold it open so he could get through. ,,We can take the masks off," she explained and they both took a deep breath. ,,It doesn't smell so clean anymore" she thought, slightly concerned, sniffing the slight smell of metal, oil, deodorant and science.

Even if the latter was not a real smell, she knew that they would both be right here. Walking side by side, Jake seemed to be amazed as far as she could feel. ,,At least someone feels comfortable" she thought and felt the metallic ground under her ball at the front part of the staff. Everything here seemed to be made of metal.

However, she also knew that it was better that way. A small hole or crack and they would all be dead in four minutes. An unpleasant thought as probably everyone here feels.

They went another piece before they arrived at a crossroads with different ways. ,,Sorry, but I have to discuss something about my brother. Do you think you can find your way to the introduction? I'll catch up with you," Jake said and rolled over to her so he was in front of her. Alone through here she heard her thoughts and looked around.

But the colors were dimmed not dark just not as bright a clear difference from outside. ,,It's okay, I'll manage, I'll ask if I need to," she said and gave him an encouraging smile before they stopped listening to his rolls.

Only when he was gone did she sigh and try to hear something. But it was too much to tell where. Well then, the old fashioned way she thought and started moving around hoping to find the hall or room.

She decided to go to the right, a path that led her further in. Not only was there less light from outside, but the smell of metal increased. This is not the science area, she reminded herself, trying not to bump into anyone.

What landed her on the search only conditionally. If she bumped into someone, she apologized, but most of the time they just answered with a quick ,,I'm sorry" or not at all. She was not stupid, she knew that here were not only halfway honorable soldiers but also mercenaries and other people with whom one did not want to mess. But she was not discouraged, even if it was ridiculous.

And it could not protect her from the dangers out there, maybe it gave her a little respect. With her free hand she went to her neck and pulled out the dog tag so that it was visible over her top. Maybe someone here knows him? the thought crossed her mind before she continued. Her hopes went up even as her surroundings became a little quieter.

Where it was quieter, there could only be the canteen, the sleeping quarters or the meeting rooms. A chance of three but she would have to take the risk. Going further through it, she quickly realized that it was not the canteen.

There was no smell of food in the air and no loud talking. Only the chambers and the meeting rooms remain she thought and ventured further ahead. Soon it was so quiet that she thought she had arrived at the base in the basement, if there was such a thing.

Her free hand moved along the wall and after a few more steps she had a first doorbell in her hand. Taking one last deep breath in and out, she slowly opened the door and stepped inside. ,,Hello, is this where the new arrivals are being briefed?" she asked, trying to guess what was waiting for her.

It was a medium sized room, there was definitely a window and the colors were a little brighter. It smelled of leather and wood as if someone had made something. Before these smells mixed with an aftershave.

An interesting smell that aroused her interest but slowly she doubted that this was the meeting room. ,,Hello is-" she wanted to ask again when she bumped into something hard with her cane. Astonished to stretch out her hand, she had hardly noticed how the smell had become stronger.

Slowly, fearing to touch something wrong, she felt fabric under her fingertips and the warmth of a body underneath. ,,You are more than just wrong" she suddenly heard a male voice say and she felt the muscles under the clothes tighten slightly.

Looking up slightly at the man, she took her cane away. Her expression showed surprise and her heart beat faster for a moment as the colors in her vision shone brightly.

It was not the same as when she was outside talking to her mother or teaching. No, it was completely new and she didn't know why she was seeing it so brightly. The light blue mixed with white and green. That's how she perceived him and couldn't quite interpret it.

Slowly she held out her hand to him. Before she said, ,,Excuse me, I hope I'm not anywhere I'm not supposed to be. I'm new here and well, I'm looking for the briefing, I'm Y/n" and gave the unknown a slight smile. He must be at least a soldier she thought, still seeming to feel his muscles. But where exactly was she? Suddenly, the unknown man grabbed her necklace and pulled it towards him.

Involuntarily, she took another step towards him to prevent the chain from breaking. ,,You did not serve," he stated, sounding more disappointed than pleased. ,,No I didn't, my father did, I'm a biologist" she defended herself and reached for the dog tag. She felt him open his hand, making it easier for her to accept. She hated it. ,,Thank you," she said snappishly and gave him a warning look.

But he ignored it rather than taking it seriously. ,,You're the new one from the crazy ones," he said amusedly and walked past her. ,,The crazy ones?" she echoed and turned to him. He's just leaving, she thought indignantly, biting her tongue to keep from grumbling at him.

A sigh crossed his lips before he opened the door. ,,The biologists, doctors, nature lovers," he enumerated and she rolled her eyes before walking towards the door. ,,Oh, and to answer your question, Colonel Miles Quaritch, the man in charge of your security," he said, holding the door open for her, which she would have otherwise hit on the way out. She didn't have to look at him or say a word to realize that he was grinning at the whole situation.

She would have loved to fly straight back to earth. Wordlessly she walked past him, but as soon as she was standing in the corridor she knew she had to rely on him. Sighing, she unfolded her blind staff and walked next to the colonel to finally get to the place where she originally wanted to go. The two remained silent.

On the one hand she didn't know what to say and on the other hand he thought the same. ,,How long have you been here?" she asked when the silence became too uncomfortable. ,,It's called Colonel for you long enough to know that if you go out of it you die," he warned and she heard his dissatisfaction about his unnamed title clearly.

,,If you say so...Colonel. Besides, I made it here from Earth, I don't give up so easily," she said and looked at him for a moment. Before she continued to walk beside him and they walked along the corridors to the large room. She could hear the acoustics changing and people talking.

But as soon as she got closer, the voices stopped, and she realized it wasn't her fault, but rather Quaritch's. He's tense, she thought with a grin as she leaned against one of the tables, ignoring the looks of the others. A slight smile was on her lips as she closed her eyes for a moment to take in the sound.

Quaritch walked up and down the tables. He talked about the dangers of the planet, the inhabitants, the new environment. Not everyone wants to kill you, she thought, looking up at him, unable to ignore the fact that she had never seen her colors glow so brightly since she had been in the room with him. Maybe it's just the environment, she thought, but her inner self told her otherwise.

Taking her eyes off him, she heard the sound of rolling and looked to her left and recognized Jake. The colors much darker than Quaritch's she gave him a smile. ,,Hey" she said softly and Jake nodded before they both listened to Quaritch until the end.

But all the time she couldn't deny that no matter how long or short she looked at him, the colors were always so beautifully bright. ,,You made it here after all," Jake noted happily as the two made their way toward the lab area.

Past the many seemingly endless soldiers that came towards them. ,,Yeah, you could say that," she said, avoiding his gaze. ,,Why did something happen?" came the question almost as quickly and she thought that he would raise an eyebrow. ,,I'll tell you some other time," she said and was about to continue talking to him when she suddenly heard a voice behind her. ,,Jake wait" said a man and although she wanted to stop Jake continued his way.

,,I'm Norm Spellmann" he introduced himself and somehow tried to find a place next to the two without running into the other soldiers. ,,I'm Y/n," she said curtly, looking reddish and brown tones as she looked at him. ,,I knew your brother, we were at Avatar training together," he said, and she was surprised that Jake had left that out of his conversation.

Even though she found it a bit tactless to bring up these sad memories again for her friend. The three of them walked a short distance until she heard a door open and she got Norm's confirmation. ,,The bio lab is our new home and the place where we will probably spend most of our time," he said happily and began to introduce herself to the others.

Jake and Y/n also looked around and the colors changed to a bright white and gray. Medically laboratory sterile, she thought with a grin, and walked behind the two of them, careful not to knock anything over.

It was much quieter than in the hallways, a pleasant atmosphere for her ears and eyes. ,,That's where the connection chambers are," she heard Norm say, but walked behind Jake, who turned left into a larger open space in the lab. ,,Wow, they're really big," Jake said in amazement, and she wished she could see what he meant.

,,What's there?" she asked them both, feeling around with her hand before touching cold glass. ,,These are our avatars, created from our genes and samples from the original inhabitants," Norm said, and now she knew approximately where she was. She had read and heard about the Avatar program.

She knew it was a highly expensive and yet extraordinarily fascinating project. ,,What do they look like?" she asked, looking at Jake who was next to her and also looking at the tank. ,,Blue and big," he said, but Y/n shook his head. ,,No, I mean do they look like you?" she put it right and Jake looked at his avatar.

She said sadly, and she put a hand on his shoulder. ,,No believe me Jake he looks like you that's your avatar now" she heard Norm say who had come to them with a doctor.

The four of them stayed with the avatars for a while before they all continued on their way to the linking chambers.

She heard a whirring or routing sound and carefully groped around and felt capsule-like beds next to the railing to her right. She heard how apparently one of the capsules opened. As soon as a woman shouted, ,,Where are my damn cigarettes?" before someone ran up quickly and apparently gave the woman her cigarettes.

A moment later, she smelled a faint odor of smoke before she knew who was standing in front of her, Jake, Norm and the doctor. ,,Doctor Grace Augustine, it is an honor to make your acquaintance," she said, holding out her hand to the doctor. ,,Doctor Wilder your work has been interesting but I doubt we need you and this Marine" she said and Y/n knew the older woman could be more than brusque and pulled her hand away.

,,Besides you Marine I don't need you I need your brother and you Doctor Wilder are welcome to get to work examining the plants" she said and was about to leave when Jake approached her. ,,I can't do that, he's dead, I'll take his place" he explained curtly and seemed to have convinced Augustine.

,,All right, I want you to be here tomorrow at eight o'clock and let the biologist find her way around first, I don't need anyone ruining my samples," she said before heading for the door to talk to the leader.

,,She doesn't seem too pleased," Jake obviously noticed and the others nodded. ,,We'll just get on with it," she muttered, looking around before using her hand to identify and feel the objects around her.

The entire lab was large and it took her several hours to find her way around the connecting chambers. Although she did not yet have the people and everything else in her head, a picture slowly opened up in her mind.

Jake and Norm also helped her and told her how things looked here in case she didn't calculate something. It was nice help, help among colleagues and maybe even friends. Quaritch she thought and her hand clasped her necklace.

No, he had helped her because he thought she was weak and helpless. She knew that as soon as one saw her stick or looked into her eyes there were two possibilities. The first, and for her, the most common.

People were uncomfortable with her as if she were an alien. Some didn't talk to her at all, helped her too much, or talked so loudly that she couldn't understand if they knew the difference between blind and deaf.

The other rarer kind were those who took it, ignored it and helped her only when she asked. It was a simple relationship between her and the second faction. She did not feel helpless and yet she felt respected.

,,Y/n are you coming to dinner in the cantina?" she heard the voice of Jake, who was waiting for her with Norm at the entrance to the junction chamber. ,,Yes, I'll be right there," she called, rising from her seat before turning off her dictation machine, on which she left her impressions for her studies and walked slowly to Jake and Norm.

On the way to the kanteen, she folded up her cane and oriented herself by the sounds of the two men.

Much easier and more efficient as long as it didn't get too loud. But that changed in the Kanteene it was filled with talking, laughing and eating sounds which is why she put herself between Jake and Norm to get a little more security.

The three of them coordinated themselves into one of the last tables in the back rows and sighed when they finally arrived. ,,This reminds me of the sacrifice time in high school," she heard Norm quip, and she could hear a certain amount of pain.

,,Yeah, but we're the cool ones now, believe me," she said, giving him an encouraging smile. ,,Was high school that bad for you?" Jake asked, getting a confused look from Norms. ,,Were you the athletic guy or the class clown?" she countered, taking a bite of her food.

Jake ran his hands over his hair, slightly embarrassed. ,,Well, more like the truant and helpful justice seeker," he confessed, and the three of them smirked.

She let her gaze wander dark tones before her eyes which was due to the soldiers. ,,Are the higher-ups sitting here too?" she asked, taking the last bite before looking at them. ,,No, they wouldn't sit with us here, they probably have their own room," said Jake, who had more experience than the others in the military.

The meal continued quietly, but they talked for a long time until the three of them went to sleep. To their surprise, the science team seemed to get really small rooms.

In contrast to the normal sodalists and mercenaries who slept in raised beds in large rooms, she had a small room. From what she had met and explored she had a relatively large comfortable bed. A desk with a chair that was connected to her research and on which was her data.

A closet and a shelf. Her favorite thing about the whole thing, however, was the adjoining bathroom, which bordered her room through a sliding door. A more or less spacious shower, toilet and sink with a mirror. ,,This is quite good" she said and began to unpack her things and slowly settle in.

Or to make herself a little more comfortable for the time she was here. She didn't know exactly how much time had passed as she reached for her sleeping shirt. A few hours probably and yet she was not tired.

The feeling of success in her dreams and wishes was satisfying. Pandora...I am really on Pandora the thought went through her mind and she looked at the photo on her small nightstand next to her bed. The photo that showed her with her mother and father together.

She was about to undress when there was a knock on her door. Who is it? she asked herself and put the sleeping shirt on her bed before she went to the door and opened it. ,,Miss Wilder, I'm sorry to disturb you so late, but I'm supposed to take you to your recruiters," she heard the familiar voice of Quaritch.

The colors brightened and she couldn't hide her surprise and yet this small joy that was in conflict with the reluctance. She leaned against the doorframe and said, ,,Quaritch, I didn't know you were a gofer," she joked, deciding to tease him a little. She had not forgotten his action with the chain.

,,Colonel still Miss and I'm here to make sure you don't get lost again" he did the same and the two of them looked at each other for a moment before she walked past him and the two of them started to move. ,,What is it about?" she asked after a short while due to the silence that fell between them.

,,It's about the promise to see again" he said and looked at her. ,,My eyes" she said and also looked at him slightly upwards. ,,I will see again" was just one of the many thoughts that went through her mind. ,,Do you know which model?" she asked and Quaritch shook his head before realizing that she didn't see it.

,,No, now get in here, we're here," she heard the commanding tone before he opened the door again before they stepped into a larger room. She heard the whirring and beeping of a machine.

She knew the sound from somewhere, but she couldn't remember it. ,,Wilder, glad you're here," she heard the voice of her actual recruiters. ,,Why all this fuss about eye models or a check for an operation I could have picked up myself," she said, folding her arms in front of her chest.

Despite this, her heart was beating fast with anticipation. When silence fell between the people, she gulped. ,,Is it not an operation or a model...how am I supposed to see again?" she asked, taking a step toward the two men.

,,Your father Y/n never wondered why the government or the RDA never paid you and your mother proper compensation" he started talking and she didn't like where this was going. ,,They paid for my studies, that's all, what does this have to do with my father?" she asked, looking from the recruiter to Quaritch.

,,He knew of her passion, but also of her suffering," he continued, and at the word suffering she tensed slightly. Suffering, the word kept echoing in her head, she hated it. ,,Get to the point," she demanded, looking at them both in warning of what they were not telling her.

,,Your father wanted us to give you something you always wanted instead of money or other help". ,,Now tell me," she demanded and took another step towards him. ,,Your own Avatar," he said, and it hit her almost like a blow.

In disbelief, she stepped away from him and clutched her necklace. ,,What?" she muttered, looking back and forth between Quaritch and the other, confused and upset. ,,Come," Quaritch said, putting a hand on her shoulder before taking her further into the room.

It was warm, yet his grip was heavy with a hint of command. She felt goose bumps coming on her skin. But whether it came from the colonel or the things she had just experienced, she didn't know.

The whirring and beeping grew louder until she reached out and moved her hand in front of her. It's a tank, she realized in shock as she touched the round glass and felt the slight chill behind it. ,,Why me?" she asked, still confused and upset, her grip on the chain tightening.

,,We were going to give them protheses for the protocol, but someone was convincing," she heard the soldier hiss, and she looked at Quaritch, who had been watching her the whole time. Quaritch...he stood up for me, the realization flashed through her mind.

And the colors as they looked at him seemed so incredibly close. She would have liked to thank him. ,,It would be a waste of resources, and I'm tired of leading you through this," she heard Quaritch confess before she realized that he had given her her avatar.

She felt her emotions surge through her body, her hand trembling slightly as she still grasped the chain and leaned her other hand against the glass.

Tears had gathered in her eyes as she saw bluish colors as she looked to her avatar. This small hope in her was painfully shattered by him. The thing with her father, her avatar. It seemed too much to take in.

And yet she cursed herself for her naivety in believing that she would not be a burden to the colonel. ,,Fortunately for you, I will be able to see again tomorrow," she said warningly, but the pain and fragility of her voice was clearly audible before she walked past them. ,,Thank you Colonel," she said as she stopped at the door before opening it and walking out.

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Taglist : @mooniequeen , @drinking-tea-and-be-obsessed

[dracopias-bloodbag]

Bewitched By Bloodlust | Dracopia x F! Reader | V

Chapter V: So Bold, So Sweet

Finding yourself at a crossroads, you feel like your entire life is hinging on this moment. Copia wants you to stay with him, and all you want to do is accept his offer. As a result of your decision, the tension that had been building between the two of you reaches a breaking point that neither of you can turn back from.

chapter content: 4k words. MDNI 18+ ONLY, smut, enemies to lovers, slow(ish) burn, canon divergent (see masterlist for details), dom!copia, dry humping, grinding, biting, blood drinking during sex, p in v, teasing, fingering, praise, degradation, creampie, spanking, glove kink, blood kink

Recommended Listening:

Darkness At The Heart Of My Love – Ghost

Previous Chapter ☽𖤐☾ Next Chapter (Coming Soon)

Masterlist ☽𖤐☾ Read on Ao3

Did you hear him correctly?

Your chest is heaving, your eyes wide as you stare at him, frozen in place as his words rattle around in your head for a moment. 

‘Then stay with me.’

Did he really just say that, is he serious?

“Not as my prisoner but… something more.” He steps closer to you, his hand still outstretched. “You can join us, commit yourself to our dark lord, to our Ministry…. to me.” 

You hesitate as your eyes scan over his painted face, suddenly every line and crease of his face looks perfect to you, like he was carved from marble. Some gorgeous, perfectly macabre statue modeled after some kind of god.

“You can’t possibly be serious, I tried to kill you.”

“But you didn’t.”

“You stopped me.”

He chuckles softly. “Even so, your heart wasn’t in it. You were doing what they wanted you to do.”

His outstretched fingers flex, almost as if they’re itching to feel your touch.

“I can see right through you, streghetta.” He coos. “At your core, you have a gentle heart.”

“I’m sure the rest of The Ministry won’t see it that way.”

He shakes his head. “You don’t have to worry about that. What do you want, piccolina… what does your heart say?”

Everything inside of you is screaming at you to be honest with him, to lay bare the thoughts that had been plaguing your mind. The thoughts that made you realize you were starting to feel more for this  enigmatic man whom you were supposed to hate. Your eyes flit between his hand, and his eyes, and the way he’s looking at you is enough to make you throw caution to the wind.

Your hand slips into his and his fingers immediately close around yours.

“I want you.”

His eyes remain fixed on you and a muscle in his cheek jumps when he clenches his jaw as he tries to process your words.

“Please, I know you feel it too.” The way his hand feels around yours makes you dizzy, and yet it gives you a confidence you didn’t realize you possessed. “I knew from the moment I first saw you, that night in the forest– I knew I was absolutely fucked.”

His fingers tighten around your hand at your words.

The next thing you know, he’s tugging you closer and suddenly every fantasy, every fleeting thought you ever tried to push out of your head while you laid alone in the dark comes rushing back to you. But just as soon as they reappear, they’re gone as his other hand cups your cheek and he pulls you in towards him. 

His lips are on yours in an instant, muffling your surprised gasp as he releases your hand and instead trails his fingers down your body. His gloved fingers grasp at your hip as he pulls your body flush against his. That’s all it takes before you’re practically melting under his touch. You wish you could go back in time and tell yourself to give in sooner, to stop being a stubborn idiot that blindly followed a bunch of lonely old hags. 

You pull away from him briefly, your breath ragged against his lips as apologies begin to tumble out of you. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have let them convince me of some stupid prophecy when you didn’t even know who we–”

He presses a finger to your lips.“Basta così, that’s enough of that piccolina.” 

You nod, and there it is, you’re giving him that same, desperate, doe-eyed look from before. He has to bite back a growl as he moves his hand to cup your jaw. He traces his thumb over your bottom lip, his eyes honing in on the way your lips instinctively part at the contact and you let out the tiniest breath as your eyes flutter shut at his touch.

His thumb is still pressed against your lips when you open your eyes again and before you can second guess yourself, you part your lips and gently lave your tongue up the length of it, keeping your eyes on his the whole time.

He hisses like a fucking animal, and the look in his eyes actually scares you for a second as he grabs you roughly, shoving you back against the bars of the cell. You yelp as the cold metal digs into your back, but it's quickly forgotten when he leans forwards and brushes his lips against yours.

“Puttanella,” He practically snarls, his brightly mismatched eyes boring into yours before he leans forward and grazes his fangs against your lips. He nips at your lower lip, pulling on it with his teeth and savoring the pathetic noise you make. “Where’d you learn to act like that, hm?”

You gasp as he grabs your chin, forcing you to make eye contact with him. He can feel the way your body is practically trembling underneath him. Even like this, when you’re desperate for him, even when you are completely at his mercy, you are still terrified.

He pulls back to look at you, his pupils blown as his eyes trail down your body. The way your corset hugs your form, the way your breasts are damn near spilling out of the top makes him hum. He releases your chin and trails his hand down your neck, tracing his fingers over your collarbone, down your sternum, over the slopes of your breasts, down between them and over your stomach.

“Bellissima.” He purrs.

His hands trail further down, past your hips and down to your thigh before he hitches your leg over his hip and presses himself closer to you. Your eyes widen as you realize you can feel him. His clothed cock is throbbing against you. Even through those ridiculously distressed pants he wore you can tell he’s more than well-endowed, and the thought alone makes you grind your clothed core down against it.

He growls at that, his fingers digging into your hips as he pulls away from the kiss to trail more kisses down your jawline, and you just know he’s surely smearing black paint on your bare skin. He nips at your neck, marking you exactly how he wants. Your eyes flutter closed as you throw your head back, relishing in the feeling of his lips on you. 

Fucking finally.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this,” He grits out as his hands grip at your ass, desperately and impossibly trying to pull you closer, even though he is already pressed up so close to you that the bars of the cell are digging into your spine. 

“I watched you for so long… I knew I needed to kill you, yet there was something in me that was infatuated with you, needed to know you.”

“I kept thinking, how could a sweet, innocent little witch like you be so dangerous?” His chest rumbles as he chuckles, his eyes darkening as he spins you around so that your front is pressed up against the bars of the cell.

His fangs graze your pulse point, and it makes you shiver as you instinctively crane your neck for him to allow him easier access.

“When I finally tasted you, I knew I was done for.” The whine that escapes you at his words is pathetic. Every nerve ending in your body feels like it’s on fire as he nips at your earlobe. His breath is hot against your neck, and you can feel how tense his whole body is, like he’s fighting against every natural instinct to make sure he doesn’t accidentally break you in half.

“And then I noticed the way you reacted to me every time I fed off of you. Cazzo, the way you would whine and writhe under me was enough to drive me mad.” He’s rambling at this point, practically shaking as he recalls all the times he fed off of you and could feel your back arching against him, your pulse quickening and the most pathetic noises falling from your lips.

“Please…”

He growls and sinks his teeth into you. It’s just as painful as all the other times; only this time you’re too distracted by the way he’s grinding himself against you. He’s damn near dry-humping you as his hand trails down your side before hiking up the hem of your long skirt. His gloved fingers skim over your clothed core. You’re positively soaked already, and he groans at the realization as he drinks from you. The way he’s pressed against you just right ensures that you can feel him growing impossibly harder against your thigh. 

The realization that he’s getting off from simply drinking your blood is enough to make any sense of shame or embarrassment you may have been harboring dissipate from your mind. You finally beg him to do the one thing you had refused to let yourself daydream about for so long:

“Fuck me, please. I need you.”

He practically snarls as he rips himself off of your neck, “Is that right? Look at you–  begging the very monster you were sent to kill to fuck you.” He rolls his hips against yours and tangles his fingers in your hair before tugging on it, causing you to arch your back under him, as you let out the most pathetic little gasp.

You hate that he’s right, this feels so wrong yet so right. Sure, you had just accepted his offer to stay with him before practically throwing yourself at him. But before now, your entire purpose was to make a martyr out of him. Yet here you are, practically drooling at the feeling of him pressed up against you.

“Please… Papa.” His title feels odd on your tongue, but at this point you’d call him anything he wanted you to.

“Copia.” He corrects, his fingers moving your panties to the side as he runs them through your soaked folds, hissing as he feels how easily the leather of his gloves slides through them. The cold leather on your throbbing core sends a shiver through you.  

“Wh- What?” 

He spins you around, pulling you away from the bars of the cell before shoving you onto your hands and knees. You cry out as your knees hit the floor, but you don’t even get a chance to protest further before he gets down on the floor of the cell with you. His hands roughly shove your undergarments down to your knees and he skims his fingers over your cunt.

“My name, little one, use it.” He grits out as he slowly pushes one of his leather-clad fingers inside of you.

“F-fuck… Copia!”

You arch your back, your hands clawing at the stone flooring underneath you, arching your back as he presses it in. It’s thick, the leather of the glove making it stretch you out so deliciously that your head feels like it’s spinning. You’re a trembling and whimpering mess underneath him.

“Sei così bagnata.” He growls as his finger bottoms out, the heel of his palm resting against your ass. “You’re soaked for me, strega. Why is that, hm?”

He reaches down to grab you by the neck, pulling you up against him so that your back is pressed flush against his chest, causing his finger to press against that spot inside you that makes you cry out, your noise strained as he squeezes your throat.

“You’ve imagined this haven’t you? Probably spent night after night down here imagining what it would be like to have me inside of you, si?”

You whine, a pitiful little noise as he sinks a second finger into you.

“That’s it, open up for me little witch. I know you can take it.”

The noise that escapes you is more guttural as his second finger breaches you, your soft mewls turning into deeper, primal groans as he begins to thrust his fingers in and out of you. He grunts as he feels your walls spasming around his fingers, trying to draw them deeper inside you. He can feel how hot you are even through the thick leather, and suddenly his pants are much too tight. He releases his grip on your neck, making you fall back onto your elbows as his eyes focus on the way your cunt is spasming and throbbing around his fingers.

“I bet you never thought your sacred mission would end like this, si? Never in your wildest dreams did you imagine you’d have me deep inside this little cunt, did you?”

You shake your head, throwing a glance over your shoulder at him and the sight alone is enough to make you tremble. His eyes are practically glowing in the dim light. His white eye is so fucking unsettling this close and for some reason, it thrills you. The paint around his lips is smeared, the black and white mixing with the streaks of your blood that drip down his chin in thick, crimson lines as he looks at you with such an intensity that makes you almost completely unravel for him.

He curls his fingers inside of you then, making you gasp and claw at the floor under you as he strokes that soft spot inside you that makes your legs shake. It's so much better than you could’ve imagined, and he seems to know exactly what to do to have you shaking and clenching around him. The fact that he’s doing everything he can to make you feel good, to have you shaking and begging for more makes you dizzy. He’s not greedy like most of your past lovers, he’s taking his time tearing you apart piece by piece, and you love every second.

“Copia, p-please–” You cry out, tears springing into your eyes as you feel that familiar feeling building inside of you far too quickly.

He chuckles then, the sound is dark, almost sadistic as he watches you.

“Please what? What do you want, piccolina?”

Your face flushes, the words are on the tip of your tongue, but you’re too distracted by how he’s curling his fingers so fucking perfectly inside  you. But a sharp slap to your ass pulls you from your thoughts as you gasp and arch your back against him.

“Tell me.”

“I- I want your cock, please.” You beg.

“Good girl.”

He withdraws his fingers from you and you whine at the loss of contact as he moves to unlace the front of his pants behind you, damn near ripping them open in a desperate attempt to free his leaking cock. 

You glance behind you, watching as he pulls it out and you whimper at the sight. He’s thick, bigger than anyone you’ve ever taken, the head red and swollen and already leaking with precum. He takes it in his hand, slowly rubbing the tip along your swollen cunt, making you bite your lip as you push your hips backwards, trying desperately to get him inside of you.

He grips your hip with one hand, while taking his cock in the other and guiding it to your weeping cunt. His hand steadies you as he slowly sinks himself inside you. Somewhere over the sound of his groans, you think you can hear your high pitched whines. But the feeling of him inside of you is too overwhelming for you to care. He feels so much bigger, the stretch of it makes tears spring into your eyes, but it’s the feeling is fucking delicious as his hips come to rest against your ass.

“Cazzo, your little cunt is so fucking tight for me, cara.” He’s damn near trembling behind you, his fingers digging into your hips as he holds you in place, giving you a second to adjust to him. 

“Copia.” His name is a broken sob on your lips as he slowly pulls out, before bottoming out again, and you can feel the head of his cock kiss your cervix, and it makes your walls squeeze around him. 

“Prendilo tutto.” His voice is hoarse as he fucks into you. He’s already an absolute mess behind you, your now dried blood still staining his lips as he throws his head back, groaning at the feeling of your walls fluttering around him. His pupils are blown, his hair falling in his face as he looks down at where your bodies are connected.

He doesn’t hold back, fucking you so deeply that it makes your toes curl inside your boots. His thrusts are poignant, precise, and the way his cock curves up allows him to hit that spot inside you with every thrust, making you fall forward so that your cheek is pressed up against the hard stone floor. The noises he rips from you are downright deplorable, your mewls echoing off the walls of the dungeon as his cock sinks in and out of you. Your entire body feels like it’s on fire, every nerve ending singing at the feeling of him inside you.

A searing pain blossoms across your scalp as he takes a fistful of your hair and pulls you up so that your weight is being supported by your hands. Before you can question what he’s doing, his hand wraps over your mouth, muffling the yelp that leaves your lips.

“Quiet, piccolina. We can’t have someone hearing you.” He punctuates his sentence with a particularly hard thrust, making you groan under his palm. “You have no idea what I’m risking for you, for this.”

You want to focus on his words, but it's nearly impossible when his cock is hitting that spot so deep inside you that it makes your eyes roll back, but when he tugs on your hair again it snaps you back to reality.

“No one, except my ghouls know that you’re here. The Clergy wanted me to kill you, so I gave them the proof they wanted. No one even suspects that I kept you here, all to myself.”

You groan at his words, the thought of him lying just to keep you around sends a shiver down your spine, and you roll your hips just so that it makes him growl, the low rumble reverberating through his chest.

Copia’s grip on your hips is bruising as he pulls you back onto him, guiding your hips towards him as he watches you. You're desperate, your movements hurried as you fuck yourself back onto him, trying to match the rhythm of his thrusts as you feel the tension in your lower belly slowly starting to build.

“Sathanas, I wish you would have just bent over for me that first night in the forest.” He growls, half to himself. “Maybe then, you may have had a chance at killing me, no?” He lets out a breathy chuckle at that, and you can only whimper in response.

“This little cunt would have bewitched me, I would have been incapacitated, completely at your mercy.”

You cry out under his hand as he shoves you back down so that your face is pressed up against the floor.

“And you would have let me, wouldn’t you?”

You nod desperately under him, or at least try to as much as you can under his grasp.

“F-Fuck, yes. Would’ve let you do any– fuck– anything to me.” 

He hums in approval at your words, before grabbing your hips with both hands, the leather of his gloves creaking as he digs his fingers into the delicate skin there. His pace quickens, his thrusts bordering on animalistic as he fucks into you. He’s slamming into that spot inside of you that makes your whole body shudder as you cry out - but it's cut off when he yanks you back against him again, this time pinning your upper body to his chest. He wraps his hand around your throat, making your groans sound broken and raspy.

“I. Said. Be. Quiet.” He growls against your ear, punctuating each of his words with a thrust. It’s not an order, its a fucking warning, and it makes your entire body tremble.

“I’ll never forget the way you looked at me that night, pathetic, terrified, yet so… awestruck.” His lips part as he moans hoarsely, squeezing his eyes shut at the feeling of your cunt contracting around him as he reaches down. His fingers easily find your clit, giving it a hard pinch, before he starts rubbing it exactly how you need it, eager to get you closer to your end. 

“Looked so fucking innocent, I wanted to ruin you.”

He’s fucks up into you with wild abandon as his noises turn from growls to groans as he recalls the way your eyes has widened and your heart rate quickened under his gaze. 

“Now look at you, practically falling apart around my cock.” 

His thrusts begin to falter and you can tell he’s nearing his end, his gloved fingers still working your clit, the cold leather making you shiver as you feel your orgasm tumbling towards you.

“Sathanas, I’m so close streghetta…” 

You let out a whine in response as you roll your hips, biting your lip as he growls hoarsely in your ear. You work yourself back onto his cock, your walls clenching around him as you desperately chase your own end while trying to help him reach his.

“Please.” You whine softly, your voice weak.

The hand around your throat tightens as the other one grips your hip so tight you’re sure it’ll bruise as his movements become staggered. He gives one last harsh thrust, stuffing his throbbing cock inside of you until it's pressed against your cervix and you feel the delicious, wet heat of him spilling inside of you. He seems to lose all control then, and suddenly you feel his fangs plunge into your neck as he drinks from you at the same time.

The feeling of his hot cum filling you paired with the pain of his bite is enough to make you reach your end with a wail of his name. The oxytocin from your orgasm coursing through your veins makes your blood taste sweeter, making him let out the most obscene, guttural growl as he shudders behind you as he stuffs you so completely full. You’re rolling your hips, tears pricking at your eyes as you shudder through your orgasm, your cunt spasming and quivering around him as your combined juices begin to leak out of you. 

Your chest heaves and your muscles shake from the overexertion as you start to come down from your high. He’s still holding you up, his breath ragged against your ear as he removes his lips from your neck, swiping his tongue over the bite and sealing it off with his saliva before pressing a kiss there.

“La mia bella streghetta.” He whispers against your skin. “Perfetta.”

He trails his hands over your sides as he slowly loosens his grip on you, his touch impossibly gentle and soothing as the leather of his gloves brushes over your trembling form. It's a stark contrast to the way he had just been handling you, but you welcome it as he slowly lowers you back down to the ground. You whine as you feel his cock slip out of you; your ass is still up, and he groans at the sight of his spend leaking out of you. Without a word he reaches out to gather it up before pushing it back inside of you. You can’t help but gasp and whimper pathetically, your overstimulated nerves lighting up at the contact as you tremble underneath him.

You’re practically limp on the ground, your limbs heavy as he pushes your underwear back up over your hips and pulls the hem of your skirt back down before tucking himself back into his pants. You roll over onto your back, looking up at him through dazed eyes, your cheeks flushed as you struggle to catch your breath. He swipes his hand over his mouth, wiping away the fresh remnants of your blood from his chin. So much of the black paint has rubbed off that you get your first glimpse of his pink lips underneath. His gaze remains locked with yours as he runs a hand through his hair, and you shudder at the possessive look in those gorgeous eyes of his.

Yeah.

You are definitely fucked.

There it is, the one I know y'all have been waiting for, I had so much fun writing this chapter and honestly I'm so proud of this one. Stay tuned to see where these two idiots go from here.

Thank you as always for reading, I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I loved writing it!

Comments, kudos, and reblogs are always appreciated! ‪‪❤︎

Translations:

piccolina – little one

strega/streghetta– witch/little witch

basta così – that’s enough

puttanella – little whore

bellissima – beautiful

sei così bagnata – you’re so wet

cazzo – fuck

cara – darling

prendilo tutto – take it all

la mia bella streghetta – my pretty little witch

perfetta – perfect

[sungbeam]

𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 — act I, scene iii

nonidol!hwang intak x f!reader

when summit poster boy hwang intak's car breaks down in the school parking lot, it sets off a chain of events that leads to you, someone he was perhaps always meant to find. the only problem is that the two of you are far from the ideal couple, and your peers are apt to keep that status quo.

▷ genre, chapter warnings. s2f2l, classism and discrimination, forbidden romance au, minimal swearing, angst, humor, kind of gray morals

▷ word count. 3.6k

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a/n: i've realized this has been pretty fast-paced but it's only cuz i wanna get to the good parts 😭💀

SUMMER (RISING JUNIORS).

YN stepped into the cooler, darkened building of the repair shop and immediately reached for her towel sitting on the front desk. As she swiped away the sweat dripping down her face and neck, she guzzled down as much water from her bottle as she could intake at once. It was a hot day out, and usually there were fans set up in the garage area, but the electricity had stopped working three hours ago.

The door flew open, and Jongseob's sopping wet head of hair poked inside. "Hey, lover boy messaged you."

She rolled her eyes. "Stop snooping, Jongseob."

He smiled with a shrug. "Tell that to your notification sound."

"And his name is not lover boy."

For some reason, that made Jongseob's smile grow wider, but before she could question it, he ducked back outside. She knew that if she appeared immediately after him, he and Soul would never let her live it down, so she continued to take her time drinking water and patting herself dry. As usual, it was a relatively slow day at the shop, and her mom had left the three of them there to watch the grass grow. She wasn't supposed to be in any hurry.

When she finally stepped back into the garage, she was greeted by a wave of heat that almost knocked her over. She felt the sweat drip down the side of her face again, despite having cooled down inside just seconds ago. Jongseob's playlist of r&b hits filled the space along with the familiar sounds of metal fixings.

Soul and Jongseob were both at their respective stations, so she made her way over to her own station and picked up her phone. Sure enough, there were messages from Intak sent about five minutes ago.

tak: *sent a picture*

tak: one of my friends just got back from his trip and we're at the roller skating rink in the crossroads 👀👀👀 maybe i'll see u here later??? wink wonk

Yn smiled to herself, but tried to suppress it for the sake of her own ego and pride (and the two others blatantly watching her from their stations). She had changed the contact name from "jae" to "tak" a couple days after first reaching out to him. It had seemed natural to let go of the contact name and bring in something new; it was an attempt at moving along in the grieving process, if you would.

The image Intak had sent was a selfie of him in fuschia-toned lighting, most likely from the neon lights in the Crossro-ller Rink in the Crossroads community halfway up the hill. His black hair was tousled just slightly in an effortless sort of mess, but he wore a plain black T-shirt and a chain collar, his lips pursed at the camera. He didn't show which friend he was with, but it wasn't like she would have paid attention to him anyway.

"Awwwh, Soul look! She's blushing!"

Yn rolled her eyes again and blindly flipped Jongseob the bird over her shoulder. His cackles of delight echoed in the garage, accompanied by Soul's softer laugh.

yn's phone: i have to give it to u, i think ur getting better at this "being smooth" thing

yn's phone: but i have to work, sorry buddy wink wonk

The thought did cross her mind, even for a split second, to ditch the shop and go to the roller skating rink. Intak would never know who she was—just another poor girl crawling up from the gutter to skate around. The thrill of it energized her though, and she set her phone aside to get back to work with just a hint of a skip in her step.

Jongseob peered out from under the car he was tweaking. "You're so whipped; it's insane," he teased with a feigned gag.

When she stuck her tongue out at him, her phone dinged to announce another incoming message. And another. And another—

"Are you gonna get that or should I?" Jongseob gestured to her station table with one oil-stained hand. He grinned at her scowl. "You're so touchy, sheesh. Fine, but if it's important and you miss it…"

Yn grumbled under her breath and stomped back over to her phone. "You're so stupid."

"And you're stupid whipped!" He cackled, then ducked out of view.

tak: r…. r u mocking me or were the winks genuine…..

tak: wait where do u work :0

tak: ur missing out tho yk 😋

tak: *sent a video*

tak: wait wdym u THINK? i AM GOOD AT BEING SMOOTH

The new picture looked like the saved recording from a Snapchat story. It was him and Yoon Keeho skating around the roller rink beneath the combination of a sparkly disco ball and rainbow neon lights. He still looked as good as he did in the picture, and the video gave a top view that was angled downward over the two tall boys' heads. Yn had definitely seen Keeho and his head of dark blue hair around school before. From what she had heard through the grapevine, he had an awful lot of sass and character stored up in him.

yn's phone: that's confidential :l

yn's phone: looks like a lot of fun! haven't been up there in awhile tbh but i'll think about going soon maybe (^^ゞ

yn's phone: whatever helps u sleep at night tak 🤕🤥

The smile on her face slipped as she read her own messages back, though. Her eyes caught onto one phrasing in particular—the words "up there" yelled at her from the screen with about a dozen sirens blaring. She slapped a hand to her forehead. "Fuuuck."

Her friends peered up from their projects, eyes wide with curiosity and concern. "What? What happened?"

"I said to him 'up there' in relation to the roller rink. There's no way he doesn't know I'm from the Hollows—" Her words were cut off by Intak's own replies.

tak: "tak" 🥰😩😗🥺🫂 someone hold me that's so cute

"I guess not," Jongseob said as he peered over her shoulder at the message, Soul leaning over on her other side. "Man, that's disgusting. Even he's fluffy."

Yn scoffed and waved him off. "Oh, shut up you."

yn's phone: ur friend can hold u lmao

tak: u don't wanna hold me? 😔

yn's phone: if u figure out who i am, then sure ;]

tak: game on.

Though there was a part of her that wanted to get to know Intak like she had his brother, she knew there would be consequences. If he found out her social standing, it could lose her Intak, for one. Even though his brother didn't believe in following the foul classism and bullying his peers up on the hill participated in, that didn't mean Intak felt the same way. (Though, she wanted so badly to believe the opposite.)

It wouldn't matter anyway, right? Losing him? If he discriminated against her based on her income and where she lived, then he could screw off.

(It wasn't like she wasn't used to losing people anyway.)

"Oh my god, who is making you blush so hard, dude?"

Intak's head shot up from where it had been buried nose-deep in his and Yn's text chain. He subtly moved his brother's phone screen out of sight as Keeho came to sit down next to him on the leather sectional. The two of them had come back to Keeho's house about an hour ago from the roller skating rink, legs and backs and behinds aching from hours of skating. It had been a breath of fresh air, getting out of the house. As vast as the Hwang estate was, it was never big enough. Intak had always felt suffocated, and perhaps that was partly because his father shared a living space with him.

"Hm?" Intak mentally willed his heart to calm down.

Keeho eyed him strangely, but his smile was teasing. He reached for the remote to unpause the movie on screen. "Are you still purging Jae hyung's phone? You've been pretty occupied with it ever since the last few weeks of school." Keeho tossed a piece of popcorn into his mouth, and Intak cautiously reached for a handful of the buttery treat for himself.

If "purging" meant keeping in contact with one of his older brother's old friends, then yes. Because of Yn, he probably spent more screen time on Jaehyuk's phone than on his own device. "Yeah, I guess you can say that. Just lots of stuff I didn't know about him."

Intak sunk into the couch and tucked the phone away into his pocket, albeit reluctantly. It almost seemed unfair that Yn knew more about him than he did about her, but he was sure there was a good reason for it.

Well… especially if his hunch was correct.

The movie on screen wasn't very interesting, to be completely honest. Intak had seen it about a dozen times before, but it was the movie Keeho had chosen randomly with the Amazon fire stick thing, and he pretty much stuck with it because he didn't know what to watch either.

Intak suddenly cleared his throat. "Can I… ask you a question?"

Keeho glanced over at him. "Of course. What's up?"

"What do you think about the Hollows kids?" He asked slowly, choosing his words carefully. He tried to pose it as neutrally as possible; he had never really gotten a clear stance from any of his friends about what they thought about the people who lived down the hill from them, but generally, they never seemed against the Hollows kids. At least, they never went out of their way to "show them their place." Those were the obnoxious people from their social class whom Intak was pointedly not friends with.

Come to think of it, Intak hadn't gotten a direct answer from his brother either. But then again, Jaehyuk had never been much of a bully sympathizer or bystander.

Keeho raised his eyebrow as if surprised by the question, which wasn't completely unexpected. "Uhhh—I think they're fine. Like the whole community discrimination is a little stupid, but…" He shrugged, "They can bark as long as they don't bite, y'know."

Intak pursed his lips together in a slow nod.

"Why do you ask?"

"Oh—uh, no reason." Intak shifted. What did that answer even mean? "Just curious."

His friend bobbed his head. "Okay… well, if they look at me funny, I'll look at them funny, too. I dunno, dude. It's hard to explain, but if I don't have to get involved, then I won't. You know it's complicated."

Intak supposed he could… live with that answer. It wasn't like he fully accepted it either. After all, he didn't even know what his answer would be... Right?

If faced with the opportunity to befriend someone from the Hollows, would he follow his damn heart or succumb to peer pressure?

This felt illegal.

Intak sat behind his desk at home, hair damp from his recent shower, his laptop opened to a new web browser. He was searching for car repair shops in the Hollows region, something that had been poking at his brain since the roller rink. He didn't know if Yn had even realized she had said "up there" in regards to the roller skating rink, and to be honest, it wasn't until the third time he read the message that it finally clicked in his brain. (Sue him, he had the nickname "Tak" stuck in his head like some fool.)

It didn't really make sense that Jae would have gone all the way down to the Hollows to get a luxury, vintage car repaired and maintained, but because Yn and Jae had met over the phone, it was just a little more plausible. There were a few holes in his theory, clearly, but it was all logical. Actually, the more Intak thought about it, the more it made sense.

There were a couple repair shops in the Hollows, but only one of them was family-owned and not a chain. The name was something along the lines of Ln's Auto Repair—simple and to the point.

He was seconds away from whipping out the academy yearbook.

yer a wizard yn!: ayo r u alone rn?

Intak bit his lip in a poor attempt to hide his smile.

jae's phone: oh so u wanna get me alone?

yer a wizard yn!: u said u almost got caught by ur friend AGAIN earlier õ_ó

jae's phone: and she CARES!! 😩🙏

yer a wizard yn!: smh T-T

jae's phone: admit that u deflect my flirting bc ur flustered

yer a wizard yn!: u were flirting????

jae's phone: that's so hurtful.

yer a wizard yn!: plus, i bet u get flustered easier than i do, hwang intak

yer a wizard yn!: i bet ur blushing so hard rn 👀

He instinctively pressed the back of his hand to his cheek—and goddamn, it was hot. He wasn't about to admit that though.

jae's phone: not the government name 🙁

yer a wizard yn!: ahh look who's deflecting now 🤭

jae's phone: … touché

He paused, biting his lip. Hey, btw…|

No, he thought to himself, spamming the backspace button with his thumb. But why not? He was already searching it up—it didn't feel right without asking her first.

jae's phone: okay i don't wanna come off as stalkerish but…|

Before he could finish his text, Yn's own popped up.

yer a wizard yn!: anyways the reason i came to bug u was bc i m bored :l

A small laugh fell from Intak's lips. Omg ur finally reciprocating my feelings?? :')

yer a wizard yn!: bro what feelings 😭😭

jae's phone: ur literally so mean to me 😔 y am i here to suffer huh

yer a wizard yn!: dunno dude it's cuz i'm cool B)

jae's phone: not w that emoji ur not 💀 what r u? 60???

yer a wizard yn!: experience-wise, yes

jae's phone: and humor-wise 🤕🙁

jae's phone: a little concerning tbh

jae's phone: but ur bored? lol i thought ur usually w ur friends?

He was usually the bored one because his own friends were with their own families and away from this damned place. Intak technically knew a vast sea of people, but it didn't mean he really knew them. He hadn't smiled while talking to someone new like he did with Yn since he first met his three best friends. Crazy how one could feel so alone in an ocean of people.

yer a wizard yn!: they had to go home to help their families w some stuff lol so im just here ig

yer a wizard yn!: my mom's busy w work rn too so i have the house and it's so quiet haha

jae's phone: r u trying to make moves on me rn 👀 insinuating that the house is empty ;))

jae's phone: JKJK IM SORRY IF THAT MADE U UNCOMFORTABLE KSFBJEBFJRJF

yer a wizard yn!: dude do u just flirt w everybody is this a reflex or something 😭😭😭😭

jae's phone: n,,no just u :')

yer a wizard yn!: tak, honey, r u stuttering thru text T-T

Intak leaned back in his desk chair with a soft giggle.

jae's phone: yes my honey bunches of oats 😚 i did stutter

yer a wizard yn!: damn ??? okay 😭 (honey bunches of oats huh 🤨)

jae's phone: do i make u speechless, snookums

jae's phone: or how about sweet lemon drop daisies

jae's phone: lovey dovey partridge in a pear tree?

yer a wizard yn!: HELLOAKDJKS 😭😭

jae's phone: hUH? WHATS THAT? U LIKE THE NAME SNOOKUMS???

jae's phone: i'd change ur contact name to snookums, but i like the hp reference :/

yer a wizard yn!: i don't think i've laughed that hard in awhile tbh 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

yer a wizard yn!: where tf dID U GET ALL THOSE ???

jae's phone: wdym snookums :(( they came from my love for u

He unconsciously raised his hand to his face and felt the scorching hot skin there. Yeah, he was so far gone. Maybe a glass of ice water would do him well.

yer a wizard yn!: okay,,, i think i've calmed down now 🤧🤧

yer a wizard yn!: were u doing anything interesting before i interrupted 🤩🤩

jae's phone: yes yes very important stuff o7 top secret info

yer a wizard yn!: who's the vague one now :// lol jkjk

Intak's eyes moved back to his laptop, of which the screen had faded to black. He moved his fingers over the trackpad to wake the device up and display the page for Ln's Auto Repair again. This felt like—was—an invasion of privacy.

jae's phone: okay uhm… don't be mad

yer a wizard yn!: uhhhh haha that's not very reassuring 😅 what'd u do lol

jae's phone: okok uhm im so sorry but i promise i don't stalk people for fun and i was really curious and i noticed that earlier u said that the roller skating rink was "up" from where u were and i figured u were prob in the hollows, so i looked up the auto repair shops in the hollows… and i think i might have found yours?

jae's phone: ik this was an invasion of privacy, i feel so bad

jae's phone: pls don't be mad

Intak dropped the phone onto his desk with his eyes pinned to the screen, waiting for her answer. He bit his lip, knee bouncing frantically. The dots would appear and disappear, then reappear again.

Finally, he watched Yn's reply come in.

yer a wizard yn!: it's… actually kind of relieving ? in a way

yer a wizard yn!: i actually noticed my mistake earlier too but i figured since u didn't say anything about it, u might not have noticed, but ig i shouldn't have underestimated u haha

yer a wizard yn!: so,,, this is it then?

Panic seized his chest, and he picked up the phone so fast it almost fell right out of his hands.

jae's phone: WOAH WOAH WAIT

jae's phone: hey what's wrong? no this isn't **it**

yer a wizard yn!: well u know im from the gutter now right lol

jae's phone: and?? y should that matter to me

jae's phone: yn i don't care that ur from the hollows like u literally don't care that im from the hill right?? and my brother didn't care either and u had no problem being friends w him too

When she didn't respond for a couple of minutes, Intak felt the furrow in his brows as his thumbs raced over the phone keyboard to type out another message.

jae's phone: call me?

He pressed the button to send the message and left the phone on the desk, waiting for the phone to ring. His knee would not stop bouncing to save his life, and so he turned the phone screen off and busied his hands and eyes by looking through his mess of an email inbox. Every few seconds, his eyes darted to the phone, however, the screen remained dark and still. No answer, no phone call.

Just silence, and the palpitations of his nervous heart.

He screwed up, hadn't he? He had just scared her off—and that in itself messed with his head.

He was about to give up for the night—maybe resort to finding a drink downstairs and curl up with a movie—until the dull vibration of the phone jolted him out of his chair. He fumbled with the slim device, and somehow managed to accept the call.

"Hello?" He answered, almost breathlessly.

Yn's throat cleared on the other side, voice low. "Hey. Sorry it took me a couple minutes to call. I think I was just nervous." Her throat cleared another time and it sounded like it was accompanied by cracking knuckles.

Intak relaxed a little into his seat. "No, no, don't worry about it. I—" I was dying, "—take your time. I get it. I was just worried I scared you off." He laughed a little at the end as if he hadn't just experienced a self-induced heart attack.

"No, don't worry," she rushed to reply. "You didn't scare me off. I think I do a good enough job at that already."

He turned on speaker mode and placed the phone on the desk so he could fidget with his fingers. "Ah… if it makes you feel better, I feel the same way—scared, I mean. And I really did mean what I said… with the not caring about you being from the Hollows."

A beat passed. "Thanks, Intak. That's… really cool of you."

He nodded. "Right, yeah. Just the...the bare minimum," he said quietly with a flippant flick of his wrist. And it was the bare minimum, but in a community like theirs, bare minimum was a high standard when it came to classism and discrimination. "So—we're cool, right? We're cool?"

She hummed. "Yeah, of course."

A smile crawled onto his face and tugged at the corners of his lips. "Good. I'm glad." He leaned forward to rest his elbows on the desk with his cheeks leaning on the palms of his hands. "Listen, Yn... you can be comfortable with me, I hope. I—I hope you can feel safe with me like you did with my brother."

His heartbeat thundered in his ears almost as loud as the volume of the call, and his cheeks were aflame beneath his palms. It was a marvel how one person could make him feel this way. Hearing her voice sent a course of tingles down his spine, made his toes curl. It was a feeling not entirely foreign, yet completely new at the same time.

"Thank you," was her soft reply. "I hope so, too."

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[sjsmith56]

Two Steps to the Left - Part 3

Summary: With the serum in hand, Bucky heads to the secret lab to undergo the full super soldier treatment. Once there he meets his future counterpart who was the voice that guided him.

Length: 6 K

Characters: Bucky Barnes (WW2 and Modern), Steve Rogers, Colonel Phillips, Peggy Carter, Bruce Banner, Howard Stark.

Warnings: The elephant in the room - Steve leaving Modern Bucky behind.

Author notes: Hope you like this.

<<Part 2

⚡️ ⚡️ ⚡️

Transformation

The four of them were in a staff car, Colonel Phillips, and Bucky Barnes in the back, Peggy Carter and Steve Rogers in the front, heading towards a secret installation.  In the trunk, inside a strong case, was the supply of serum that Steve and Bucky liberated from the German concentration camp. 

"You know, Dr. Zola asked to be there when we put you through the treatment," said Phillips.

Bucky looked at him, surprised.

"You told him no, didn't you?"

"No, I said we could come to some sort of arrangement," he answered, then he smiled.  "I lied.  There was no way in hell I was letting that mad scientist anywhere near you, Sergeant.  Has your voice indicated anything about their arrival?"

"No, I told him where we were going, and he said they would be there."  Bucky looked out the window.  "Thank you, Colonel."

"For what, son?"

"Believing me.  I didn't think anyone except Steve would, but you and Agent Carter did.  I just hope that the treatment you used for him works for me."

"I had my doubts about Rogers," admitted the Colonel.  "I always thought we needed the strongest, meanest sons of bitches to defeat the Nazis, then HYDRA.  But Dr. Erskine proved that you need the right man.  From what I know of you and Captain Rogers' personal history, you're two of a kind.  I think you'll be just fine, Sergeant.  I believe that you are the right man."

He nodded his head at Bucky then looked out the window.  Bucky looked at Steve, driving the vehicle and Peggy sitting next to him, looking at him.  Every so often Steve would look at her in a way that Bucky knew meant something.  They were in love.  That was certain.  He smiled then looked out the window himself.  Never did he ever think Steve would find the right girl before he did.

"Turn right at the next crossroads," said the Colonel.  "Then turn left at the sign that says William's Dairy Farm."

"Yes, sir," answered Steve, slowing down at the crossroads and turning right. 

About a mile beyond that they saw the dairy farm, with black and white cows spread out on the lush green fields like something out of a painting.  A sign on the left indicated the next turn was into the farm and Steve downshifted, turning onto the gravel road.  As he pulled into the space between two buildings a man in farmer's clothes came out of one of the buildings, a barn, approaching the window on the driver's side.  By the time he reached it he had a gun in his hand.

"Colonel Phillips, Captain Rogers, Agent Carter and Sergeant Barnes," said Steve. 

"Identification cards, please," said the man.  He looked carefully at all of them, then nodded.  "Drive inside the barn and leave the vehicle.  You will be shown where to go.  Mr. Stark is already here."

He stepped back, the gun mysteriously disappearing and Steve drove inside the barn.  They stepped out and he opened the trunk, picking up the case.  Two armed soldiers appeared from a doorway and approached them.  They waited for a moment then walked through another doorway which led to a hallway.  At the end, a pair of doors opened, and they entered what appeared to be an elevator.  The two soldiers stayed outside but closed the doors.  Slowly, the elevator descended until it opened into another hallway.  Two armed soldiers opened the doors for them, then escorted them to a single door and set themselves up to guard it.  As they entered the large lab, a number of technicians that Steve recognized from his procedure looked up then returned their attention to their work.

"About time you got here," said a loud voice and Howard Stark approached them, wearing a white lab coat.  He gestured to the box.  "Is that the serum?"

"Yes," said Steve.  "We took as much as we could, but Dr. Zola said we needed less."

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't believe him," said Stark.  "Based on the figure he gave the Colonel there was no way that amount of serum would do the trick.  I suspect he wanted to be here to watch you fail then offer his expertise, making up an excuse to get Sergeant Barnes off to a HYDRA lab."

"How do you know this, Stark?"  The Colonel was not amused.

"Because Dr. Banner here knows his stuff."  Howard gestured behind them.  They turned around to the sight of a large green skinned man in glasses and a lab coat.  "They arrived just after I did, directly into the lab via something they called a portal but won't explain to me.  Dr. Banner, may I introduce Colonel Phillips, Steve Rogers, who you knew in a different time, Agent Peggy Carter, and this time period's version of Sergeant Bucky Barnes.  The modern one is sitting over there watching all of us."

It was rather amusing to see how gently Bruce Banner shook hands with all of them.  His calm voice and manner surprised all of them.  Modern Bucky came forward.

"May I introduce you to the voice in your Bucky's ear, James Buchanan Barnes," said Bruce.

Younger Bucky stared at the older version of himself.  "How old are you?"

"By the calendar year, 108 years old," replied Bucky.  "Based on my memories of when I wasn't in cryostorage I'm about 39 years old.  It's good to see you again, Colonel, Peggy ... Steve."

"What's this about Zola's calculations being wrong?" asked Colonel Phillips.  "I thought I had him telling me the truth."

Bruce smiled.  "Truth is relative to a man like that.  We had the SSR records of Steve's procedure, including the dosage and that was with the serum that we consider the purest.  Zola's serum was based on the imperfect version given to Johann Schmidt and should be considered a copy of a copy.  You lose effectiveness at each level away from the original.  The amount he calculated for you wouldn't have been enough to lock in the serum.  Not only that, but it would also have resulted in Sergeant Barnes still being susceptible to brain reconditioning if HYDRA ever recaptured him, which is what we think Zola was planning.  It's a good thing you brought extra as we think we're going to need it all.  But first, I wish to examine Sergeant Barnes, height, weight, preliminary blood work, that sort of thing."  He noticed the look on their faces.  "I am an MD plus I have seven PhDs.  I worked on a super soldier serum myself, which is why I look the way I do as I didn't get it quite right.  I'm not inclined to allow anything bad to happen to Sergeant Barnes."

Bucky looked at his counterpart who nodded and he relaxed.  He and Bruce went to another room along with a nurse for his physical examination.  Stark took the box to a team of technicians who tested the contents of one vial then showed Bruce the results.  With his approval they began transferring the contents into a series of vials that were sized to be used in the pumps attached to the radiation chamber.  As he surmised, the amount brought was barely enough.  Only two of the original vials were still unused. 

While Howard continued to work on the settings for the chamber, the Colonel, Steve, Peggy and modern Bucky relocated to where he had been sitting.  He offered Peggy his chair, which she took then leaned against the counter with his arms folded.  The Colonel noticed he wore gloves, staring at them.

"I fell from the train in my timeline," said Bucky.  "Survived the fall but lost my left arm in the process.  HYDRA gave me a new one, a monstrosity with only one purpose ... to kill.  When I finally escaped, I lost the arm in a fight with ... another individual who didn't believe I had been their weapon unwillingly.  I was given sanctuary in another country who undid the programming done to my brain and they gave me a new arm.  It's certainly nothing you would see now so you'll excuse me if I keep it covered to avoid contaminating this timeline.  Our presence here is doing enough of that."

"Why did you come then?" asked Peggy.

He smiled softly at her, amazed at how the real woman was just as beautiful as he remembered her.

"It was a lot to ask of your Bucky to believe me," he replied.  "When more of this timeline became known to us and we realized what Zola was planning, Bruce offered to come and oversee the procedure, being somewhat familiar with the details.  He felt uncomfortable coming alone, so I agreed to come with him.  Everyone here has to swear not to tell anyone of our presence."

"Why did you contact Sergeant Barnes in the first place?" asked the Colonel, his face stern.

Bucky sighed and looked away for a moment.  "Bucky will be needed to make sure Steve survives an upcoming mission.  Then both of them will be needed to join a multi-universe task force against a formidable enemy who threatens all timelines.  That's why we're doing this and it's also why we've been permitted to do it, with limitations.  That's really all I can tell you at this time.  It is for the greater good, Colonel and if it works, everything should continue as it would have, with the exceptions that certain individuals will have a different future, like Bucky and Steve, for example."  He shook his head, slightly dismayed.  "See, I almost said too much there.  Please, let's take this one step at a time and get Bucky through the procedure."

He walked away from them, relocating to another quiet corner of the lab and sat on a stool, avoiding eye contact.  After a few minutes he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.  Colonel Phillips huffed a little, then asked a passing technician if there was something to drink.  The man led him to an office, pointing out the bar against the wall.  Steve and Peggy stood where they were watching the hustle and bustle of the people in the lab, while occasionally glancing at modern Bucky.

"He carries a great burden," she said.  "Whatever he went through in his timeline is with him still."

"Yeah," replied Steve.  "I'm just surprised that he hasn't said anything about me in his timeline.  What happened to me?  I would have thought with something this important I would have been involved, yet other than saying I was there, he hasn't said anything else."

She shook her head.  "You could ask him, but I don't think he would answer.  He's changed from the man he was.  It's sad, really."

As the time passed, they both relocated to the office, deciding to relax in the more comfortable chairs there.  They each had a drink, sipping it quietly.  Finally, modern Bucky appeared at the door.

"They're ready," he said.

The other three got up out of their chairs and came into the lab.  Younger Bucky was sitting on the edge of the bed portion of the radiation chamber.  His feet were bare, his shirt was off, and he wore a pair of loose hospital shorts.  Bruce was attaching some small strips to him, placing them in certain positions on his body.  He turned slightly as the others approached.

"I brought some modern technology with me," he said.  "These will monitor the changes he is undergoing inside the chamber from the moment the serum is injected through the application of the Vita-Ray radiation.  It will tell me if he has achieved maximum serum efficiency so that we don't accidentally overdose him with the radiation.  No offence, Howard, but your dials aren't the most accurate.  It was the technology of the time, but you could just as easily have killed Steve when you dosed him during his procedure."

Stark raised his eyebrows slightly.  "How will those little strips tell you all that?"

Bruce reached inside his lab coat and brought out a small device, calling it a tablet computer.  Immediately, Howard put his hand out wanting to examine it, but Bruce held on to it. 

"Sorry, it's too soon for this type of technology and it only works because it is configured directly to these strips.  All I can tell you is that it will be about 50 years before society begins to develop this."  He looked at the younger Bucky with concern.  "It's going to hurt, a lot.  I know that based on what my timeline's Steve told me about this procedure and what Bucky told me of his.  Your treatments were spread out over months but were always accompanied by electroconvulsive therapy, which was applied at a level that we now consider barbaric.  But that was HYDRA.  They didn't care about hurting you because they were always pushing your limits to see how much pain you could withstand and how long it took you to recover from it.  It turns out that you withstood a lot.  The difference here is that the moment the monitors show that you are at maximum I'll signal to cut the radiation.  If at any point before then if it's too much for you, you can stop it, but we can't repeat it after.  This is an all or nothing procedure.  Do you understand?"

Bucky nodded then he smiled and offered Bruce his hand, shaking it.

"Thanks, Doc.  I wish more doctors were like you.  You explained everything and I appreciate that." 

Bruce smiled at him and stepped away.  Steve placed his hand on Bucky's shoulder and nodded.  Peggy touched his hand and smiled at him.  That left modern Bucky standing there.  They had barely talked since their arrival. 

"You can do this," said the older version.  "Bruce is a good man, and he won't let anything bad happen to you.  When you're done, you and I will go someplace quiet and have that drink.  I brought something special from the future that has a bit of a kick.  I think you'll like it."

"Okay, I have lots of questions," answered the young sergeant.  He looked past him at Steve and Peggy.  "Do they get married?"

He was puzzled at the flicker of pain that appeared in his counterpart's eyes then the older Bucky smiled.  "Yeah, they get married.  If you get through this and the next part, they can get married sooner."

He took the glove on his right hand off and shook hands with his younger version, then joined the others behind a barrier with a small window of thick glass at eye level.  A technician came, placing a pair of dark goggles over Bucky's eyes, then helped him lie down.  A series of pumps, attached to the larger vials they transferred the serum into lowered themselves onto Bucky's body.  There was one on each side of his chest, each arm above the elbow and below the elbow, and one on each of his thighs.  The lights were dimmed in the lab, except for a spotlight on the chamber.  Bruce, wearing the goggles around his neck, stepped forward and called out to each station, asking if they were ready to proceed.

"Bucky, we're going to inject the first batch of serum then switch to the second batch.  It's going to burn like hell but it's important that you stay as still as possible.  You good?"  Bucky gave him a thumbs up.  "Ready for first infusion of serum in three, two, one.  Activate the pumps."

The pumps began injecting Bucky with the first batch of serum.  Immediately, he could feel the increase in temperature in his skin then deeper as the serum was absorbed by his muscles.  The burning sensation started just before Bruce called for the second batch to begin.  As the serum was forced into his body, the sensation of burning alive increased exponentially and Bucky braced himself, clenching his jaw.  He became aware that the moving parts of the chamber were shifting into position to enclose him.  Desperately he filled his mind with everything and anything he could think of; baseball statistics, the plot of the last movie he saw, dancing with different girls at different dances.  When it became too much he yelled, and Bucky's voice sounded in his head.

"Steady.  They're just applying a hose to the chamber to increase the pressure while the radiation is applied.  You've got a couple of minutes more to do this and you can see it through."

The sound of a gas entering the chamber was followed by a sensation of being pressed into the cradle that held him then the chamber began shifting to an upright position. 

"Radiation being applied now.  Keep your eyes closed." 

Even with his eyes closed and wearing the goggles Bucky could see the light as it filled the chamber.  The pain levels amped up even more and he yelled for all that it was worth.  Then the light powered down and he could hear Bucky's voice in his head.

"It's done.  Bruce said you peaked exactly where he expected, and he stopped the procedure.  Just relax as they shut everything else down."

Breathing deeply, Bucky kept his eyes closed.  The pumps were pressed uncomfortably into his skin, then were suddenly released and raised as he felt the cool air of the lab flow over him.  He opened his eyes, but the goggles were so dark he couldn't see out of them.  Then a hand took them off and he blinked at the bright light focused on the chamber.  A chorus of murmurs audible to him were jumbled at first, but he could hear individual words then phrases as his ears adjusted.

"Perfect."

"Unbelievable."

"My goodness, he's magnificent."

"Buck?" It was Steve's voice, spoken softly, and he looked to his friend.  "Hey, how are you?"

"Not sure.  It feels strange, like everything is magnified."

"Yeah, your senses have increased.  You've grown as well."

Bucky looked down, noticing first of all that his legs were incredibly muscular but were in proportion to his now definitely longer limbs.  Steve offered a hand to him, and he noticed his forearm was also more muscular and the veins in his arm more defined.  When he stepped out of the chamber, he realized he was back to being taller than Steve again and couldn't help but laugh at that.  As he looked down, he was surprised to see that his physique was leaner in the waist but also more muscular in the chest and shoulders, and he definitely wasn't a welterweight anymore.  Bruce stood in front of him, making him feel small again but he smiled at the doctor.

"I'm good?"

"Yeah, perfect response," said the green-skinned man.  "The level of serum was enough, and you absorbed all of it.  In fact, you should already be hungry so let's get some measurements down, and the basic tests, then get some food inside of you.  How do you feel?"

"Good, like I could jump like Superman." 

"We'll test that, along with your strength, flexibility, speed and endurance, but I'm pretty sure you and Steve are pretty equal now."

Bucky went with him back to the examination room with a nurse following them.  Howard was already distributing glasses to everyone and filling them with scotch, finishing with the Colonel, Steve, Peggy and modern Bucky.  He raised his glass to them.

"Here's to Sergeant Bucky Barnes, America's second super soldier.  He'll need a catchy name and a promotion.  Captain Brooklyn.  Captain Manhattan.  The Brooklyn Boxer.  We'll come up with something.  I'll have to come up with a new uniform for him and find another shield.  If only I had more vibranium."

Bucky shook his head and looked at Steve, raising his eyebrows.  The blond smiled, sipping his drink.  Then he gestured to Bucky, and they stepped away from the others.  Nothing was said at first then Steve cleared his throat.

"Can I ask you a question?"  Bucky nodded.  "Why are you doing this and not me?  Am I not alive in the future?  I mean, I just thought if the threat was as bad as you say I would be part of this ...."

Immediately Bucky sighed then wished he could take it back.  He took several moments to choose his words. 

"You were around but then you made a decision and now you're not.  I don't want to say more with so many ears around because it is need to know.  I promised Bucky a talk and a drink with a kick.  I think you should join us so I'm only saying it once, just to you two."

Walking away without looking back he rejoined the Colonel and Peggy.  Steve looked at him for some time, wondering what happened in the future that made him ... leave.  His thoughts were interrupted by the younger Bucky's return to the lab, dressed in fatigues.  Two technicians and Steve were to accompany him to the surface to test his speed and strength, then he would return to the lab for the remaining tests.  While he was gone, Bruce and Howard spoke about some improvements that could be made to the chamber and serum delivery system.  They returned to the others and the older Bucky insisted that the existence of the two remaining vials be kept secret, known only to those staff who were there in the lab, to continue the work of Project Rebirth.

"If HYDRA, Army Intelligence or the CIA gets wind of these vials they'll try to steal them," said Bucky.  Noticing their confusion at the term CIA he explained further.  "The OSS became the CIA.  They'll become more secretive over the years, establishing their own network of spies that aren't always going to be doing the right thing.  There's one other thing."  He looked at Bruce who nodded his agreement with Bucky's disclosure.  "You need to find another soldier.  His name is Isaiah Bradley, a sergeant, and he's part of the other super soldier program that will be run by Army Intelligence and the CIA."  Colonel Phillips frowned.  "Yeah, they'll tell you it doesn't exist, but it does, using black soldiers as Guinea pigs for a serum that should never have seen the light of day.  He's the only survivor and he deserves to be treated with respect.  He was sent after me in 1951 and almost killed me.  They kept him imprisoned for 30 years, supposedly for the security of the country but it was their way of keeping a good soldier in slavery.  Promise me you'll find him and make him part of the SSR as an equal super soldier to Steve and Bucky."

"I promise," said Phillips, solemnly.  "You really can't trust some people to tell you the truth, can you?"

"No sir, you can't.  Give your trust out sparingly.  I'll give you a list of names of military personnel and others with a HYDRA connection before we return.  Remove them from power and make sure they don't do to this timeline what they did to mine."

As they waited for the younger Bucky to return, the older version wrote that list down.  Bruce and Howard kept conferring, with the former refusing to answer many of the latter's questions about future technology, saying he would just have to wait or discover it for himself.  After about an hour, Steve, younger Bucky, and the two technicians returned, appearing enthusiastic about the results of the physical testing.  A meal was laid out in a conference room, which they all took advantage of, then Bucky presented the list of names to Colonel Phillips, allowing him, Peggy and Howard to leave and begin their investigation of the people he identified as HYDRA supporters.  Closing and locking the door behind them, he brought out four glasses, then produced a small flask.  Bruce smiled.

"You're sure you want to give them that?" he asked.  "Once it's gone, they won't be able to get anymore until you know who shows up."

Bucky shrugged.  "They can save it for very special circumstances.  Might cut through any misunderstandings that might arise when they meet him and show him the flask."  He looked at his younger counterpart and Steve.  "This is Asgardian mead, once made on another planet until it was destroyed, and their surviving people took refuge on Earth.  Their champion is a Demi-god named Thor, and yes, he's the Norse god.  He'll become a friend of our planet and at some point, will stand with you to protect it against a being who would destroy the universe.  Take it sparingly, as even the stuff they make on Earth has a kick, and you will definitely get drunk if you have too much."

He poured out a finger's worth in each glass then, then took the smallest of sips, watching their reaction as they picked up their glasses.  Bruce downed his in one gulp, explaining it had little to no effect on him.  Cautiously, Bucky and Steve took a small sip, reacting positively to it then looked at the two modern men for what was coming next.

"In a few weeks, you're going to attack the base where Red Skull is," began modern Bucky.  "I wasn't there, so I only know what was filed in the mission reports.  Us being here may change things but ultimately what has to happen is Bucky, you have to make sure that Steve survives.  I don't know how you're going to do it because the chance of both of you being on the aircraft is unknown."

They looked confused, so Bruce told them what the history books in their timeline said about the attack on Red Skull's fortress, the battle in a giant aircraft between him and Captain America, and the decision by Steve to ditch the airplane into the Arctic to keep the bombs on board away from populated areas.  Then, he told them how Steve was thought to have been killed in the crash but the discovery of the wreckage in 2011, led to the unthawing of his body, and the miracle of him waking up with all of his attributes and faculties intact.  From there they told them about the formation of the original Avengers and their defence of Earth from alien invaders. 

"So, I survived to help the future against these beings," stated Steve.  "Won't they need me then, in that future timeline?"

Modern Bucky and Bruce looked at each other, then Bucky shook his head.  "No, because there's more than one universe.  In fact, there are many thousands of them, and the being who was originally behind that invasion, a Titan named Thanos, exists in many of them.  He used another being for that first invasion but when the Avengers defeated the invading force, he began to look for other ways to get what he wanted from us.  When he did finally invade us himself, we lost, and he basically wished away half of the population of our universe.  I disappeared for five years, along with trillions of others, all randomly disappearing.  When Steve and the remaining Avengers found a way to undo that, an earlier version of him found out and appeared, only this time with the goal of destroying our universe completely and rebuilding it the way he wanted, without anyone challenging him, especially the Avengers.  This time we were successful, and the lost people reappeared.  There's another version of Thanos who found out that we defeated him and he's rallying all his versions, in many timelines.  We're doing the same, rallying all of the super soldiers, all of the versions of Thor, Bruce, other past and future members of the Avengers, trying to bring them together sooner.  If Thor is successful, you could be meeting his counterpart in this timeline soon.  Another champion called the Black Panther will approach her grandfather Azzuri and try to convince him to make himself known to you.  He's the King of Wakanda, and the vibranium in your shield was stolen from there, so it may be awkward, but he has super soldier abilities.  There are others, and if they begin coming out of the woodwork then it will be you two who will connect with them and form the Avengers that you'll need to defend this timeline.  A soldier named Isaiah Bradley will be needed but he hasn't become a super soldier yet, so you have to wait until he is and make sure he's part of your group.  Even if the danger appears over, you still need the Avengers because HYDRA wasn't defeated.  They just hid in plain sight, although the list I gave the Colonel will root a good portion of them out.  There will always be a need for someone to protect the planet and you two are the beginnings of that.  But first, Bucky, you have to make sure that either Steve doesn't go down with the aircraft, or you find a way to get to him after he takes it down.  We can give you the coordinates of where to find him as it's common knowledge in our time.  I wish I could tell you more about the how, but at least you have the advance knowledge and the strength to make it happen."

Both younger men nodded their heads and sipped their drinks then Steve cleared his throat.

"What happens to me in the future?  You said I'm not there."

Older Bucky's jaw clenched, and a muscle twitched slightly until he breathed out.

"After all that you had been through, starting with the realization that HYDRA was still around, plus other things that really don't matter now, you chose to return to the past so that you could have a normal life.  I'm not going to lie and say I was okay with it because I wasn't.  I was still a mess after all my years of being a prisoner and unwilling weapon of HYDRA.  You gave up a lot to help free me, and I thought you were going to help me get used to living in the 21st century, then you just left and went back to 1949, back to Peggy.  You didn't look for your younger self, you didn't look for me, you told no one about HYDRA.  The person who provided the portal says it was because there are rules in time travel, rules about changing the past and it was explained to that Steve that he couldn't interfere, so he didn't."

"But you're here," said younger Bucky.  "You're changing this timeline.  Why is that permitted?"

"Because Thanos has already destroyed several timelines and those whose job it is to keep the timelines going aren't strong enough to deal with him, because he's attacking them too.  He's going to destroy everything they pledged to protect, and they need our help.  So, we were permitted to make changes, like making sure Bucky didn't fall off the train, and putting him through the full procedure now so that HYDRA won't be able to change him, ever.  Whatever consequences those changes make in your universe will be dealt with by that authority.  When you're needed, you won't get much notice.  A portal will open wherever you are and whoever comes through will say these words, "Time to go."  You drop everything, get ready, and when the portals reopen you go into them.  If it appears that you won't be successful in that timeline, another portal will allow you to return and the original members of that timeline will destroy it, taking that Thanos with them before he can do it."

"And if it's our timeline that is under attack?"  Steve looked at all of them.  "Who do we call to bring in help?"

A portal opened at that moment, and a woman with a bald head walked through, ignoring it when it closed behind her.  Her appearance was otherworldly, as she wore intricate robes the colour of saffron, but her face was both young and old at the same time.  She gazed kindly at all of the men before speaking.

"That would be me or my successor," she said, calmly.  "My name isn't important, but I will know before you do and will have raised the alarm.  James is the emissary of his time and when you two join the battle in another timeline you will be amongst many versions of yourselves, as well as other versions of Bruce, and anyone else who is either an enhanced or regular human who have the skills and desire to help protect that timeline.  No world will be alone to fight against Thanos, I can promise you that.  Until then you live as normal a life as you can.  You can marry, and have children, as they will inherit your abilities and will carry on your legacy, and you prepare for when you are needed."

"You're a wizard," stated the younger Bucky, a look of wonder on his face.

A ghost of a smile appeared on the woman's face.  "A sorcerer but it's just semantics.  Even we have been challenged by this threat to all universes, but we will do our part along with others to stand united against it."  She turned to the older version of Bucky and Bruce.  "It is almost time for you to return to your original timeline.  I will let you take your leave of the others then open a new portal for you."  She looked at the younger pair of men.  "Until I see you both again."

With a shifting of her hands, she opened a portal and disappeared into it.  Pushing the flask towards the two, Bucky and Bruce stood up.  Before they got to the door, Steve called out one more time.

"I'm sorry," he said to the older Bucky.  "I'm sorry for leaving you behind."  He looked at both the younger and older version.  "You know I love her."

"I know both versions of you did," said the older man.  "You didn't come to the decision lightly.  I was gone for five years with all the others, and you blamed yourself for that.  You thought we were all dead, just as you thought I died when I fell from the train and thought it was your fault.  I think you just reached a point where going back seemed to be the only chance to be happy.  It was good to see you again, but it still hurts."

He opened the door and left without looking back, followed by Bruce.  The Colonel, Howard and Peggy were still examining the names on the paper that modern Bucky prepared for them but left that task recognizing that the two men from the future were preparing to leave.

"We've told Steve and Bucky what they need to know," said modern Bucky.  "They can fill you in."  He turned to Peggy and smiled softly at her.  "You're just as beautiful as I remember but you always had eyes just for Steve.  Marry him, as soon as you can.  Your bond is strong, and it will bring him home."  He faced the Colonel.  "You're a stubborn old man but that stubbornness helped win a war.  Now the war here is against HYDRA.  Don't ever give up that fight."  Finally, he faced Howard Stark.  "When you get married and have children, make sure you make time for them.  They'll be just as much a legacy as your inventions will be.  Money isn't everything."

Bruce just shook hands with all of them, then he and Bucky stood away from the others.  The circle of sparks appeared out of nowhere and the two of them entered it as soon as it was large enough.  When they left, the others were silent, each of them contemplating what they had learned.

Part 4>>

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[void-ink-studios]

Myth of the Wishmasters - Part 1

Alrighty folks, here we go.

Part 1 of the finale to Wrath of the Wishmaster.

It's been a really wild ride writing this fic for y'all. Honestly, it's the most fun I've had writing fic in a long time. But, I don't want to keep pushing to the point of me hating it. So, I'm going to give this fic the send off it deserves, and let it be my first truly complete work.

Will I come back to this?

Probably.

But I can't keep writing 2,000+ word chapters every day. I'm out of ideas for now, and I'm not going to force it. If I come up with more ideas, I'll happily come back and write them as one-shot accompaniment to this series.

Until then, as always, I hope you enjoy this and the next chapter. It's been a fun go around.

Full credit to @realmofthefirebird for inspiration. Go check out their comics, they're flipping awesome.

Word Count: 3,000

They speak in legends, in tomes, in myths, of the one called the Wishmaster.

At the beginning of it all, in the Age After Nothing, there emerged the one called the Wishmaster.

In the center of everything, in the center of nothing, there is the Time Room, keeper of the one called the Wishmaster.

In a place at the center of time, in a place where time cannot touch, there is the one called the Wishmaster.

It is a god of no equal. It is a god of many names, in many forms. But it is always the one called the Wishmaster.

How one meets the Wishmaster may very. It takes something powerful, something capable of building a bridge into the void. But all require a piece of the Eternal Dream, for it is the Dream that is the threads of the Void. Objects with fragments of the Dream are the most reliable vector to crossing into the Void.

In its current form, it calls itself Prismo. The Almighty Prismo is a kind spirit. An aloof one. He does not exist in the way you or I may think of it. For he is not a being of physical form. No, the Almighty Prismo has no need for physicality. For he is but an extention of the Time Room itself. He is the Time Room, and the Time Room is he.

He is the walls and floors, the ceiling and corners. He is everything, and he is nothing. He is everywhere and nowhere. He is infinite, and he is nothingness.

The Almighty Prismo can almost be mistaken for someone mortal. He does not act with malice to those who seek him, but he will give little favor. Those who do, the most powerful and persistent amongst mortals, might find themselves communing with gods.

The Almighty Prismo, the one called the Wishmaster, offers the same bargain to any who find his domain, his domain of the Time Room.

One wish, anything your heart desires, you may ask of him. And he will make it so.

But do beware, wish makers.

Realities may warp or split or merge, people and objects may shuffle through time and space, memories, lifetimes, erased or rewritten forever. But he will make it so.

For while Almighty Prismo is not a cruel god, he is a tricky one. Any wish lacking detail, he will fill the gaps. And lapse in thinking, and forgotten factor, and unforeseen consequence, he shall consider. To those he favors, he may advise. To those he doesn't?

Well, you will receive what you wish for.

Whether or not you can live with that is not a trouble for the Almighty Prismo.

He is the crossroads, the boundary, the space between it all.

And when the name Prismo grows tiresome, it will be cast away, and the one called the Wismaster will take a new name. For the Wishmaster is eternal. For the Time Room must have a Wishmaster.

The Wishmaster is the era is Prismo.

Who it shall be the next?

Only the Dreamer can decide.

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

Prismo had long ago accepted that he wasn't meant to be a being a wants.

He thought about what it'd be like to want things. It was his job to grant the wants of others, it was only natural to wonder what he would do in their position.

Some wished for power. They wished to be kings or queens or emperors. They wished to be at the top of their pile, unstoppable, unquestioned. They wished to be the one sitting at the top of the tower, smiling down at all the peasants, waving in smug satisfaction.

Prismo had no desire for power. He had everything he'd need right here. He could conjure almost anything he could think of. He was already near the top of the pile if how everyone talked about his was any indication. The only ones who could override him were the Higher Ups, Golb, and the Boss themselves. And well... he had no desire to usurp or overtake them. Just listening to the Organizer describe even a part of her job exhausted him. All powerful Wishmaster or not, he still had a mortal brain. It was incomprehensible to him, to be a Higher Up. Honestly, it was a big mind boggling even being in this position.

So, no, he wouldn't wish for power.

Some wished for wealth. They wished for mountains of gold or jewels. They wished to be head of the greatest company ever conceived. They wished to never have to worry about the cost of life ever again, and then some. Most wanted it as a ticket to power.

Prismo liked gold, that was true. He liked decorating himself with jewelry when he got the opportunity, he liked how it sparkled and glittered. But, he could just conjure it. He had no real need for wealth. Gold was meaningless to him, except in how it was pretty. He knew, even as a mortal, he'd never need the amount of gold that these wish makers were asking for. It was more than could be spent in a lifetime. More than could be spent in several lifetimes, even. And he didn't see the appeal.

So, nope, wealth wasn't it either.

People wished for so many things. Power and wealth were the most common, but they certainly weren't the only things.

People wished for love, they wished for family, they wished for health. Some wished for noble reasons, like Finn, trying correct a great evil, trying to save millions. Some wished for the pettiest things imaginable, like cursing a rival with sickness or pain.

And then there was Prismo.

A god who wanted nothing. Or, did he?

He never dwelled too deeply on the thought. It was a pointless endeavor, after all. His role as Wishmaster excluded him from wanting things.

So, he chose not to think too hard about it.

Until a certain roommate challenged that.

Because Scarab... Scarab made him want things. Prismo wanted Scarab, wanted his affection. Scarab made him think about what he wanted.

Prismo wanted to be friends with good people. He was done with being "everybody's pal." He was only that because he didn't want anything from anyone. But, now he wanted something. He wanted kindness. He wanted compassion. And he found out how little of it there was to go around within the pantheon.

Scarab made him think about what he wanted from his space. The unchanging Time Room had completely transformed with Scarab's help. Prismo felt... good in here. He felt good to call this place home, because now it actually felt like home. Because Scarab made him realize there were things that's make him more comfortable.

Prismo, the person, not the Wishmaster, wanted things.

And he realized he had everything he could want. At least with Scarab there, in his arms, chirping and purring in a warm bundle, in the soft glow of the magic clouds above them.

A small ring interrupted the quiet calm. A familiar sound, of something being conjured.

Prismo cracked an eye open, a single letter on the ground in the center of the Time Room.

"Lovebug" the Wishmaster whined.

"Hmm?"

"There's mail."

"So there is."

"Can you go get it?"

Scarab scoffed, rolling his eyes as he dislodged himself from the blanket pile. He picked the letter up, but froze as he read the address.

Prismo tilted his head.

"Lovebug?"

Scarab was frozen. Eerily still.

Okay, now Prismo was worried.

"Scarab?"

Scarab finally seemed to return to himself, looking at Prismo with wide, uncertain eyes.

"...It's from the Boss."

Prismo felt his stomach drop out from under him.

"...Excuse me?"

"It's from the Boss. Prismo, why are we getting a message from the Boss, what did we do?"

"I-I don't know man! Come here, open it!"

Scarab's hands were shaking, slowly opening the letter, with starkly simple writing.

To Prismo the Wishmaster and Caretaker Scarab,

Caretaker Scarab's position has been altered due to exceptional work and recommendation from a superior.

Caretaker Scarab's title has been updated from Time Room Caretaker, to Assistant Wishmaster. Responsibilities now include occasionally granting wishes under the supervision of Wishmaster Prismo. Continue upkeep of Time Room. Majority of wishes are still expected to be granted by Wishmaster Prismo. As a guide, for every 10 wishes granted, one may be granted by Assistant Wishmaster Scarab.

Assistant Wishmaster Scarab will remain in the Time Room until further notice.

The Organizer has advocated for this position change. While unorthodox, she does not petition me often, so I am inclined to believe it is after thoughtful consideration. I will be surveying your progress.

Do not make me regret this, Scarab. There has never been two Wishmasters at a time. Consider this a trial run.

Good luck,

-The Boss

The two gods stared at the piece of paper.

An unassuming piece of paper that just upgraded Scarab to one of the highest positions in the pantheon.

Granted, it was assistant, not full, but still!

"...Scrabby...?"

Prismo could see Scarab's form shaking, before he let out the loudest, most energetic chirp the Wishmaster had ever heard come from such a small body.

Scarab seemed to be honest to Glob dancing, hugging the piece of paper close to his chest. He turned to Prismo, eyes so wide, to match his smile, before running up and nearly flinging himself into his partner's chest, practically vibrating.

Prismo chuckled, catching the bug and holding him close, smiling and kissing the top of Scarab's head.

"PRISMO! PRISMO, I... I-I...!"

"I know, Lovebug, I know! You earned it, baby, you deserve every bit of it!"

Scarab seemed a bit lost in his own excitement, almost ready to cry, before his shoulders seemed to remind him of humility. He groaned as he rubbed at them, but not even that seemed to put a damper on his good mood.

"I'm so happy for you, Scarab. Two Wishmasters, hmm?"

"I-I know! It's unprecedented! It's never been done before, not even since Time began! I'd know, I checked." Scarab seemed to pace, his shell buzzing with excited energy.

"Tell you what, Lovebug. It said in the letter that in every 10 wishes, you should grant one. So, how about I grant the next nine, just to show you the ropes, and then you grant wish number 10! Give you some time to study, maybe start thinking of your own wish granting style before you give it a go. Sound good?"

Scarab considered before nodding sagely.

"Wish granting style?"

"Well, yeah. How you chose to interpret wishes. Most people who pass through here leave gaps in their wishes. It's up to the Wishmaster to fill in those gaps. How you choose to fill them sets the tone for who you are as a Wishmaster."

Scarab hummed, giving Prismo a studying look.

"Well... What is your style then?"

Prismo scooped Scarab up to let the beetle perch on his shoulder as he flipped on the screen wall.

"Well... I tend to approach it with a Monkey's Paw deal. The example I like to give is... What if you wished for a back rub? Who's giving you this back rub? An actual masseuse, a random sweaty guy, a bear? If the wish maker doesn't specify, I tend to fill in gaps in ways I find funny, mostly. Next question, where does this masseuse come from? Do I just spawn someone out of the either? Do I pull some random dude out of his reality, away from anyone and anything he knew? How is that universe's timeline effected with him gone?"

Prismo flipped through a few realities made from his wishes.

"This Farmworld here. It was made with good intentions. Finn wished for the Lich to have never existed. He didn't specify what exactly that meant for his reality. Did he mean the Mushroom War never happens? Did he mean for the Catalyst Commet containing the Lich to miss Ooo? The way I try to think of it is to preserve as much of the wish maker's original timeline as possible. Something that world altering gets separated and made into its own reality. I interpreted the wish as the Lich never getting to leave the Mushroom Bomb, as that leave most of the timeline intact, up until the 1000 years after the Lich's emergence. Keeps the threads more intact, rather than rewriting 65 million years if the Catalyst Commet missed, or rewriting that realities interaction with the cosmic timeline by deleting Catalyst Commets entirely."

Prismo turned to look at Scarab who was utterly transfixed.

"Make sense?"

"Yes, I think I understand your logic... Interpreting the wish in such a way that makes reality rewrite itself as little as possible."

"Exactly. Even then, it still needed to be isolated into a new reality. A lot of things happened in Ooo over those 1000 years, all of which are because the Lich emerged."

Prismo flicked through a few more timelines, explaining how those wishes were interpreted and the knock on effects they had.

"Prismo. Do you have something you'd consider a perfect wish?"

The Wishmaster thought.

"Hmm... Perfect wish? If it did happen, I wasn't Wishmaster when it did. 99% of the wishes that come through here are too simple. Too filled with gaps to ever go the way the Wish Maker intended."

Prismo thought a bit longer, pausing on Scarab's intense expression.

"I think... the most complete wish I ever granted was... actually a bit sad. They wished to be removed from their reality. Completely. They got pretty much exactly what they wanted. No one in their time line remembered who they were, all of their future accomplishments were distributed to other people, and they ceased to exist as a person, turning into some kind of... non-sentient cosmic wind I think. It was the most specific wording I've never gotten for a wish. Fewest gaps to be filled. But... I'm not sure I'd call it a perfect wish. It just seemed so..."

"...Depressing?"

"Yeah..."

The two sat in silence for a long moment. Scarab seemed to be in deep thought before nodding his head.

"Thank you, Prismo. I hope to learn a lot from you."

Prismo smiled, lightly nuzzling the side of Scarab's waist as the beetle purred.

And so, Prismo carried on, not thinking much of it. A perfect wish? It probably wasn't possible. Not in his tenure as Wishmaster at least.

So, he continued to teach.

He had to admit, Scarab was an avid learner. He took diligent notes, studied through countless realities Prismo had created, breaking down where and how the gaps in wishes were filled.

He watched, carefully, as Prismo granted the first wish since the new change.

The Wishmaster kind of felt bad that Scarab's first real observation was one of the most boring types of wishes. This one wished to be famous. No details on how that fame would be achieved, or if that fame was even positive.

Prismo wasn't malicious as a Wishmaster, but he wouldn't lie and say a little bit of bias didn't slip in depending on the Wish Maker's attitude. This one treated Prismo like an object rather than a person, and was very smug about even making it here.

So, Prismo granted the wish alright. He was certainly famous. Maybe it was for the most embarrassing speech and presentation of all time, but it was fame. His name would live on for a long time, that was for certain.

"I don't like how that one treated you" Scarab chittered from his corner.

"Yeah, well, you get some good ones and some bad ones. The bad ones I just send on their way. No real skin off my nose."

"...Does it not bother you when they don't seem to see... you?"

Prismo shrugged.

"I mean, what am if not the Almighty Prismo, the Wishmaster. No one sticks around long enough to care, so why should I?"

That didn't seem to sit well with Scarab, but the beetle dropped it for the time being.

As time ticked by, more and more wishes poured through.

A wish to make sure their town never went hungry again.

A wish to become king of the solar system.

A wish to make the love of their life never feel despair again.

All had their faults. All were granted accordingly. And Scarab was there, taking notes on it all. He observed, commented when the Wish Maker left, and noted on Prismo's explanations.

A few Wish Makers commented on Scarab's presence. The ones who were nice to the beetle might have found themselves with slightly more favorable interpretations, but no one needed to know that.

A wish to bring back a loved one from the dead.

A wish to be the most irresistible thing on the planet.

A wish to gain all the magical knowledge of the cosmos.

A wish for the ability to turn back time.

All came and left. All decided their own fates. Prismo had eventually forgot about Scarab's inquiry into what he'd consider the perfect wish.

Until the last wish before Scarab's trial run came and went. A bit anticlimactic in his opinion.

A wish to never die. Poor bastard didn't know what he was asking for with that one.

Scarab was quiet, his usual commentary suspiciously absent.

"Well, you think you're ready, Lovebug?"

Scarab hummed, tapping a pen onto the notebook, clearly deep in thought.

"Scarab?"

"Hm? Oh, yes, I think so. But... well, I have one more question for you, Prismo."

The beetle was slow to rise, flicking through his notes one more time, before putting it all down.

"You remember, how I asked you if you had ever had a perfect wish?"

"Oh, yeah. Like I said, and like you probably saw, most of the wishes aren't super exciting. Was hoping for something a bit more... I dunno, showy for your first set, but not like I control what other people want."

"Right..."

Scarab seemed to hesitate.

"...You alright, Lovebug? Looks like you're about to pop, you're thinking so hard." Prismo chuckled as he curled around the beetle, nuzzling him softly.

But Scarab had a look. A dead serious one. He looked up at the Wish Master with... a conviction. A scary kind.

"...Prismo. What would you wish for?"

[felassan]

This post contains a transcript/text version of the dev commentary in the IGN 22 Minutes of Gameplay Video. the transcript was written and put together by Bluesky user Kiranox, they kindly sent it to me with permission to post it (thank you!!).

the post is under a cut due to length and containing what some peeps may consider spoilers.

KB: Kat Bailey, IGN CB: Corinne Busche, BioWare JE: John Epler, BioWare

The transcript also contains a note of dialogue from the game. these are included in this post as images.

---

KB: What's up everybody I'm Kat Bailey and this is our extended look at Dragon Age The Veilguard's gameplay I'm here with BioWare lead developers Corinne Busche and John Epler. Corinne, what are we looking at today? CB: Hey y'all so today we're going to be helping out one of our companions, Davin. This is part of his personal arc to rescue the griffons, long thought extinct. We're going to take a quick journey through The Lighthouse, your base of operations. We're going to head into the crossroads and make our way to the dark swamps of Hossberg wetlands JE: So you're in the lighthouse as Corinne mentioned, this is your base of operations that you inherited willingly or unwillingly from Solas. It is located in the fade, it's where Solas was able to start planning his rebellion against the Elven Gods millennia ago. Right now you and your team have occupied it, started to build it, started to shape itself around your personality. As Corinne mentioned we are going to go talk to Davrin which is who is located up above Each of these spaces kind of shapes itself around your companions as they live - as they basically spend their arcs in those rooms CB: And we see here the glowing light above indicates Davrin's ready for us. Let's check in with him

JE: So earlier in Davrin's arc you were introduced to his nemesis the Gloom Howler, a creature that's been hunting and stalking wardens for quite some time. It has kidnapped a bunch of other griffons and Davrin has been trying to track it down, now he's got a lead so we're going to go find this and go track this thing down CB: Now Davin he prefers the direct approach we're going to choose a tough response and see if we can get his approval

KB: Have to say that I find the griffon adorable JE: And very importantly, I know this is a question on everyone's mind -- yes you can pet Assan KB: Well thank goodness for that. And all right what are we going to be doing next?

CB: Alright we're going to finish getting this information from Davrin on the Gloom Howler and we'll be off to Hossberg and the Crossroads

KB: So, I assume that Assan can be helpful during the gameplay? CB: Oh, absolutely, in fact a lot of Davrin's abilities revolve around calling Assan in the heat of battle. I in particularly love when you're going against enemies and you see Assan swoop down -- especially if it triggers a combo between your companions JE: As Corinne mentioned earlier one of the interesting fun things we've done is if you see the lights on in a room, companions have something to say. You can see Harding up in that space there, Neve behind you as well and Bellara, but we have a mission ahead of us. We're going to go find the Gloom Howler if we can and we're going to go through the crossroads in order to do that. And -- the crossroads if you've played previous Dragon Age games - Trespasser in particular - is a location in the fade that contains a number of eluvians, allowing you to travel across Thedas in a matter of minutes. But at this point the crossroads are under assault by the other Elven Gods, it's a dangerous place and we are going to be in for a bit of a fight CB: And this eluvian, the vi'revas, is the central focus point of the lighthouse. This is going to take us to Solas's pocket area of the crossroads and it might look a little bit different from what you've seen in Trespasser KB: Can you tell us a little bit about the role that the crossroads plays in the structure and the gameplay? JE: Yes, so the crossroads is -again- it's the area that you spend a lot of time traveling through as you go from area to area. It's also a space that has at one point served as Solas's main base of operations and training ground for his rebellion against the Elven Gods. So as you go through it you're going to find fragments of the past, things that Solas had done previously that are going to give you a bit of insight into Solas as a character, but also into the Elven gods and their motivations

CB: Some of my favorite content that you'll find if you go exploring in The Crossroads is these opportunities to actually relive some of the memories Solas had during his rebellion. You actually get to take part in this ancient rebellion JE: And here we have the Caretaker, a mysterious spirit that was actually here before Solas was and started to help Solas with his rebellion, but also to turn this into a safe haven for spirits

JE: Again, as I mentioned before, the gods are assaulting the crossroads so it's no longer the safe haven it once was, but you're going to work with this caretaker through quite a large amount of ancillary content to rebuild this into that safe home for these creatures, that if anyone knows Solas, he has a tremendous amount of affection, for spirits CB: Alright, now we're going to get into combat here and this time we're playing as a mage. Now, mage is one of my favorite classes to play, it's primarily a ranged attacker and when we're surrounded by swarming darkspawn I really have to use a variety of strategies to control the battlefield. I'm going to use my heavy charged attacks to knock down these ghouls, get them out of the way and of course darkspawn are vulnerable to fire, so we made sure to equip our fire staff and have our fire abilities on hand JE: You may notice something about the darkspawn is that they look a little bit different than they have previously and part of that is because Ghilan'nain, who has always been focused on using the blight as essentially a "crafting material", a way to alter life itself, has been enhancing and changing these darkspawn as part of her army KB: Corinne, I noticed that you were doing a combo opportunity. Can you tell us a little bit more about how the role that plays in the actual combat? CB: Yes, so the combat system in this game, the deep strategy behind it, is really to manage the various abilities your companions and Rook have in concert. So in this case Harding has a combo opportunity with "shred". It's going to apply the sundered effect and deal a high amount of "stagger". Now you'll notice I can combo that with Rook's ability "Spirit Bomb" that's going to cause a detonation combo

JE: So again, one of the things you'll notice about the terrain here is it's very snowy, very mountainous. The crossroads is a realm that reflects the waking world, in this case it's an amalgamation of all the real world spaces that are tied to it. In this case we've got Hossberg, we've got other mountainous regions, so it's kind of this mix of the swamp and as you'll see, as we move towards these eluvians, the architecture around them very clearly reflects what's on the side we're not going to spoiler and tell you exactly what's on the other side, but you can maybe make a few guesses based on what you're seeing KB: Do I have to do the crossroads, or can I just fast travel right through? CB: So it depends how you progress through the game, the first time you go to any of the new regions in the world, you'll traverse the crossroads to get there. Subsequent times we of course support fast travel, but it behooves you to actually go back and explore the crossroads, as some of the deepest secrets lie within JE: So now you're in Hossberg Wetland, it's an area that has been almost completely consumed by the blight. The grey wardens have set up an outpost here, again, if you know anything about the grey wardens, they fight the blight anywhere they see it and they're noticing something strange is going on here. The blight is not behaving as they expect it to and as it historically has so they've set up shop in this place called Lavendel and you are here to work with them, help them out and help them find an answer to the questions about the blight that they're asking

KB: Tell me a little bit more about this area, it looks a little bit like a hub where you can get a lot of quests and things like that? CB: That's right so here we find one of the bases of the Grey Wardens so you'll see they've really built up a small fighting force here to hold off the darkspawn. What's more, the Grey wardens are a faction we're going to be working with throughout the game. We've got Holden, one of the Grey Warden quartermasters, we're actually going to upgrade his shop and see what items he has in store for us, see if maybe it gives us an edge in combat JE: And the Grey Wardens are much like the other factions, they understand the stakes of the Gods being out they want to help you, but you need to help them first. They have -again as Corinne mentioned- they're holding off the darkspawn here, they have other priorities, so getting them more powerful allows them to more meaningfully contribute to your fight against the Elven Gods

KB: So where are we going next? CB: All right, so we're heading out of the Grey Warden Fortress into the small town of Lavendel. Now this used to be a beautiful place full of life, flowers and you can see what effect the blight has had

CB: But the residents are still here, they're trying to make the most of their lives and you can see there's plenty of opportunities to help them, in fact we're going to quickly check in with Flynn The Physician and see what he has in store for us JE: So Flynn -again one of the focuses of this game is characters not causes

JE: And Flynn is a warden who you will do quests with. We wanted to make sure that the side content of dragon age the veil guard felt as meaningful and tied to the overall conflict of the game as anything else you do. We don't want to you to just go off and do random tasks. Everything needs to feel meaningful either contributing to your fight against the gods or contributing to the growth of your companions and the factions that you need at your side to stop the gods

CB: All right so we picked up a couple of quests in Lavendel, but we're here to help Davrin, so we're going to make our way through the perils of Hossberg and try to get to this Warden fortress of The Cauldron KB: Seeing a lot of - kind of organic matter, I suppose that's the blight? JE: Absolutely. So the blight at this point -as mentioned before the wardens understand it's changed, it's become a lot more organic, a lot more alive. You know, back in Dragon Age 2, Inquisition, Origins, the blight -while it was a slow moving wall. It didn't have this almost thought behind it and obviously we've talked about how the gods that are out are blighted, that probably has something to do with it and it's made this area far more dangerous than it would have been before CB: And you might notice as we get into combat with some of these darkspawn that they do look a little bit different than before and that's very intentional. Ghilan'nain the god of monsters. She uses blight like a medium to sculpt and warp the darkspawn to do her bidding, to suit her purposes JE: So right now you'll see a couple of Hurlock, uh one with some pretty disgusting growths on its back -again the idea that the darkspawn and the blight is an organic weapon, they're not just coming out and you know making swords, making armor. They're using the blight to augment themselves so they can more effectively defeat you and also give the gods the world that they desire CB: All right now I'm actually going to switch to my orb and dagger on the mage and those of you that were a fans of the Knight Enchanter in Dragon Age Inquisition, you might feel right at home with this. This is a more melee focused, more agile version of the mage. One of the main mechanics here is you can use this elemental orb to apply stacks of elemental damage to the enemy and then unleash them with your dagger to detonate them JE: So -again you'll notice that there are blight pools, the darkspawn aren't just coming out of nowhere, the blight is spawning them. Again, part of Ghilan'nain's attempt to turn this into an army for the gods is to use these darkspawn not just -again whereas you have the Venatori and the Antaam, one case representing magical power in the other case representing physical strength the darkspawn are representing overwhelming force KB: That was a pretty clutch heal a little earlier by the way CB: You know we've talked at length before that our fans have asked us "where is the healing magic? Can you bring it back?" and Neve in this game is happy to oblige with a kit of healing spells JE: So one of the interesting things that I love about our companions is each of them, their abilities, the way that they're built, they're very thematically appropriate to the character. They're very focused on making sure that the gameplay and the narrative are as close aligned as possible in the case of Neve versus Bellara versus Emmrich, our mages, each of them has a healing ability that is thematically appropriate to them, makes sense when you know them as a character

KB: Watching you play I'm struck by sort of the size and the scope of this particular area. It seems like there's a lot of explorating that I can be doing right here CB: That was really one of our goals with these areas, of course we are a mission-based game but we really emphasize player autonomy. You can revisit these spaces, they're full of secrets, puzzles, some pretty incredible bosses and treasure. And of course as we saw earlier in Lavendel, some really narratively rich side quests JE: One thing that's interesting is you'll find we're going on a quest for Davrin, but Davrin is not currently in our party. That's because Davrin has gone ahead of us and is waiting for us at The Cauldron. This is - again we want the followers, the companions to feel like they have autonomy and while they won't complete the quest on their, they will go ahead and get things ready so when you get there you can talk to them, you can have a conversation with them and it feels like they're as invested in the success of their journey their stories as you are KB: This looks like a pretty contiguous zone, is that right? CB: It is yes. So it's full of branching paths, different areas to explore and what I love is the more content you do in the area, the more shortcuts you're going to discover, you're really going to have a lot more flexibility in how you navigate between your remaining missions and quests JE: What I think is something really interesting too about the way that our team has built these spaces is there's this idea of each space has its own story to tell and while those quests - you know we talked earlier about those quests and side quests being narratively relevant they also contribute to a more of a meta narrative, meta story about the space itself. So in the case of Hossberg, we talked about how this is an area surrounded by blight and you're kind of getting to the center of what exactly is going on in Hossberg and Lavendel and these quests that you do and the content Corinne is currently engaged in helps to tell that story CB: All right we can see our companions are up here attacking this darkspawn on their own, let's give them a quick hand - all right, now I love positional gameplay making use of the environment to your advantage KB: And I just saw that you could do a takedown move, so it's kind of a finishing move?

CB: You can, now in this particular build I'm really focused on using necromantic energies to siphon life force, but if I for instance wanted to go the Stagger route I could go a full takedown build if I like. It's a really powerful heavy hitting style of gameplay

JE: All right so you'll notice Davrin is waiting for us, so let's go see what he has to say … Assan flies in

JE: So something tore through the gate that's probably not great, looks like we should probably get moving

JE: So because we don't have Davrin in our party he's going to move ahead and wait for us while we bring Neve and Harding along to clear a path for ourselves to find Davrin and get to where he is KB: Can you talk a little bit about how Nev and Harding uh sort of synergized during thecombat? JE: Yeah so Neve and Harding. Neve is a mage, Harding is a rogue and each of the classes -and you can build a party entirely of one class if you want- but the idea is that the classes synergize and they can set up and detonate each other's abilities in a very interesting way. Now because you have a lot of freedom in how you build your character you can - again as said - you can have all Rogue party, all Mage party, all Warrior party, it still works. But in this case Neve and Harding are very effective at setting up and detonating in this case, as Corinne's going to show CB: So we're in danger here and this is really what I love about the tactical layer of combat: if you get in that clutch situation where you've got this devastating incoming attack, great time to pause game play weigh your options and in this case I'm going to go back to our combo here and see if I can just quickly get out of the way … All right, you can see I've applied siphoning to these enemies so I'm actually going to be leeching their health when I use my mage beam Now you'll notice there's blight boils throughout the area and that's part of our philosophy on the combat encounters. If I don't destroy these blight boils, ghouls are going to continue to emerge. So I'm really focused on "what targets do I take down first?" this enemy is a little bit weaker, I think I'm going to have my companions focus on them while I deal with this grenadier that's giving me some problem JE: Yeah I will say Corinne is much better at this game than I am CB: As you say that! [Corinne nearly dies] JE: Well most of the time, yes, 100%. But each enemy - again really leaning into the organic - what I love about the grenadiers is they basically rip off pieces of themselves and throw them at you which explode as blight and again really leading to the idea that the blight is organic and disgusting KB: One thing that I'm noticing is that the combat encounters can get pretty intense, you'll end up fighting a lot of different enemies, you can absolutely die if you're not careful CB: Yes and this - as we mentioned earlier - this is well into the game so combat counters have really ramped up and it really shows the importance of positioning using your companions wisely and looking for those synergies and combos. [Corinne dies] Now this is interesting. We just went down. We've built our companions to be able to come to our aid, so we're actually going to use a revive here and Neve to the rescue! JE: and as Corinne mentioned, this is later in the game and Hossberg itself is what I would consider a later game area and the encounter is a little bit more challenging. It's a more dangerous space, this shows up in the encounter but it also shows up in the visuals the storytelling here. This is a place that you don't want to be, you don't want to be in Hossberg, it is full of darkspawn full of blight and generally not a pleasant place to be KB: Well we'll be able to explore more of The Cauldron when Dragon Age the Veilguard comes out on October 31st. In the meantime we are going to be continuing on with our IGN first coverage of Dragon Age for the rest of September and for everything that's great about games and RPGs keep it locked on IGN

(end transcript)

[source]

note: this transcript was written and put together by Bluesky user Kiranox, they kindly sent it to me with permission to post it (thank you!).

[fuckyeahtransformersfanfic]

Pairings; Skystar, MC: Either Starscream or Skyfire (Jetfire), Continuity: anything but live action or idw2, long fic.

Sorry for the delay everyone! Getting active again!

💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠

My instant thought is Kiyoko_Michi's two fics: Tangled Destiny and Crossroads. Both are kind of role swap AUs for G1 in different contexts.

Tangled Destiny by Kiyoko_Michi

Fate is a fickle thing. Sometimes, all it takes is a little push, and everything changes. Skyfire didn't crash in the storm- Starscream did. The war continues on.

SkyStar | G1 | T | Complete | 140k+ | 31/31

Mainly Skyfire's point of view and very interesting take on how he would have handled the build up to the war and being in Starscream's role.

Crossroads by Kiyoko_Michi

After decavorns under the ice, Skyfire wakes up to a very different universe and struggles to survive in a war he doesn't understand. Alone. Meanwhile, in the Autobot ship, a certain Seeker is recovering from his own stasis... (An AU in which both Explorers crash in the storm and are discovered by different factions. Based on a prompt by officialbumblebee)

SkyStar | G1 | T | Complete | 85k+ | 87/87

This is literally one of my favorite G1 SkyStar fics and the first one I had ever read. The point of view switches between Starscream and Skyfire each chapter.

Baird Crevan's SkyStar/JetStar fics are also excellent.

Exchanging Fire by Baird Crevan (@bairdcrevan)

Starscream discovers that Jetfire is actually from a parallel universe that is a mirror opposite of his own. He decides to enlist help from the mirror dimension to take him down and bring his Skyfire home, only the shuttle is reluctant to leave. Starscream x Skyfire, former Starscream x SGJetfire, SGJetfire x SGStarscream.

SkyStar/JetStar, StarStar | WFC & SG | M | Complete | 54k+ | 20/20

This one is definitely a bit darker than the other two so far given it is WFC Trilogy AND Shattered Glass also has some Starscream/SG!Starscream if that isn't your cup of tea. Overall I really enjoyed it though.

All's Well That Ends Well by Baird Crevan (@bairdcrevan)

The war is coming to an end but Starscream is being an aft about it. He threatens to start the war up again, so Megatron arranges to have him conjunxed to an Autobot to undermine his power. Of course, falling (back) in love with the Autobot would be ridiculous. Right?

SkyStar | G1 | E | Complete | 21k+ | 15/15

I can't not mention the arranged marriage SkyStar. It is a requirement.

skystar on earth Series by fascinationex (@cardio-vore)

An Au where Starscream and Skyfire stay on Earth the entire time and have no idea about the war until it lands there.

SkyStar | G1 | G-E | Ongoing | 12k+ | 6 Works

An Attraction to Shiny Things (And Shuttles) by ambustested (@ambustested)

When Skywarp is framed for a murder he didn't commit, Starscream decides the only way to prove his trinemate's innocence is to go undercover looking for evidence to exonerate him- by working as a cat burglar for the biggest underground rare metal/gem ring in Cybertron. His next hit is his largest, Skyfire of Altihex, famed geologist who often donates his findings to museums all across Iacon and is rumored to have an extensive private collection.

SkyStar | T | Complete | 17k+ | 3/3

Great addition from an author I just enjoy in general. And it is a Big Bang and has fantastic art from @starsh0ck.

[cheeriecherrymain]

Incorrigible Flirts And Besweatered Men [Chapter 1]

Pairing: TA!Viktor x Fem!Reader Warning: reader being an incorrigible flirt, Viktor being shy as hell Rating: T (so far) Summary: Your Professor’s assistant is cute as hell, which sucks for him, because you’re going to eat him alive (in a good way).

You’re out of breath and confused, and anxiety is beginning to bubble up in your chest. You’ve been walking around the area for more than half an hour - darting between buildings and scrutinizing your surroundings - to no avail. You’d left twenty minutes early in preparation of needing to locate the building your class would be held in, but you were still going to be late.

You’d printed out the map and directions provided by the school, and you had google open on your phone! And you were still lost - though not according to any of your resources.

According to the school map, there should be a building in front of you, and not inconsequential in size: made of dusty brown brick, with industrial windows lining the exterior. But you see no such thing. It’s even more baffling, because according to google, you were right where you were meant to be.

You glance around again, and scoff. You’re standing in the middle of a bricked crossroads, in the center of the campus’ older quad - the vintage sector, as some liked to call it. You’d been running willy nilly around the same area for the last four years, both attending classes and sneaking around after parties, and never, in your entire time of being there, had such a building existed.

“Pardon me?”

A quiet voice behind you startles you out of your thoughts. So badly, in fact, that your phone flies out of your hand and lands face-down on the concrete with a sad thunk.

Immediately, the man behind you starts to apologize, but you just stare at your phone for a second before reaching down to grab it.

“It’s fine,” you say, blowing a little bit of dust off the screen. “I’ve repaired and upgraded this stupid thing like eleven times now. If it’s not bulletproof, then I clearly need to keep working on it.” You glance up at him with a reassuring smile, showing him the unharmed device while you get a good look at him.

He’s cute, you decide. Tall, slender, with soft-looking hair and the kind of warm, brown eyes that you’d always been a sucker for.

“You didn’t get my attention for nothing, though.” you continue, “Was there something I could help you with?”

The man seems to come out of his own thoughts, and takes a couple steps closer to you.

“The opposite, actually,” he says, his gaze darting down to the map in your hands. “You seem lost. I thought I might be able to offer directions, if you need?”

Your shoulder sag in relief, and you’re quick to show the somewhat-crinkled, blurry image to the kind stranger, who regards it with a miffed expression.

“Ah, I’ve been saying for years that the maps of the science quadrant need to be updated. You’re one of Professor Heimerdinger’s students, no?”

Your smile further widens, and you nod.

“If you’ll follow me, then. I can take you there,” he says, and starts off in a direction that you’d walked several times before.

You debate going after him, since surely it would be of no consequence to you…but a tiny voice in the back of your mind encourages you to wait.

The man pauses about ten feet from you, and turns back when he isn’t able to hear your footsteps. You fidget a little bit under his gaze, even though you don’t feel particularly judged or scrutinized. You’re even about to offer an explanation, when a look of realization suddenly dawns across the man’s face.

He immediately comes back to you, digging around in his pockets along the way. By the time he comes to a stop at your side, he’s already producing his student identification card, as well as his teachers aide ID.

“My name is Viktor,” he explains, as you study the cards he’s given you. “I’m Professor Heimerdinger’s assistant, and one of his teaching aides.”

You nod, pleased with not only the information you’ve garnered, but also his willingness to give it to you.

“Sorry,” you tell him, handing his items back to him. “It’s not that you seem untrustworthy or anything like that. You just… can’t be too careful, y’know?”

When Viktor starts walking again, you’re quick to follow.

“There is nothing to forgive,” he promises. “Our campus is safer than most, but I have… heard horror stories. As you said, one cannot be too careful.”

Your heart warms a little at his understanding, and you keep pace at his side instead of trailing just behind him.

You chat idly with him as you walk past buildings you’d seen dozens of times, asking him about his school life and what he found enjoyable about teaching. Eventually you start to pass buildings you’d never seen before, but he walks with purpose and familiarity; even when the little voice in the back of your head springs up again, you’re quick to quiet it down and continue following.

The pair of you round the corner of an old lecture hall, and you pause. There, nestled in amongst shrubs and ivy, is the building you’ve been searching for.

“What the hell is it doing all the way over here?” you ask, not of anyone in particular. “Did they just- pick it up and move it???”

Viktor answers with a quiet huff that you’re pretty sure is a laugh, and says, “Yes, actually.” Leaving you to flounder for a couple seconds in surprise before darting to catch up to him.

“You know,” he says again, “I am surprised you haven’t asked me about Heimerdinger’s teaching methods yet.”

The two of you come to a stop outside a heavy metal door, with a keypad and card reader set up beside it.

“You are aware of his reputation amongst the student body, no?”

You watch as he pulls out one of the cards he’d shown you earlier, and swipes it through the reader to unlock the door.

“I’ve heard everything by now,” you reply, helping him tug the door open enough for the two of you to slip inside. “The stories get more convoluted every year - like failing entire classes on multiple occasions, and having the highest dropout rates among the entire faculty.”

“And yet, you do not seem to have any worries?”

The hallway Viktor leads you down is one of the most nauseating spaces you’ve ever been. Worn linoleum flooring, and faded yellowish walls with a multitude of cracks, water stains, and the occasional cobweb. With a crinkle of your nose, you ask, “Do you meet many fifth-year physics students who are willing to believe information without checking the facts first?”

“You would be surprised.”

“It’s a miracle they haven’t been weeded out by now,” you sigh, realizing that you’re definitely going to have to cope with annoying classmates. “Since you asked, though, I don’t like to leave my decision-making up to other people - I’d rather try something first, and discover for myself that it’s not working out.”

As you and Viktor near a modern, out-of-place-looking door at the end of the hall, he asks, “What if everyone around you says that your tribulations would end in failure? Would you still try?”

“Yes,” you answer immediately, and honestly.

Viktor seems pleased with your answer, though he doesn’t voice his thoughts; a quirk of an eyebrow and the barest hint of a smile is all he gives you.

“Plus,” you say, amplifying the mischief in your tone as you push open the door to the small lecture hall. “I had Heimerdinger in my second year. I’m well aware that he can be a hardass at times, but he’s a good teacher, and I learned a lot from him.”

You gently trail your hand over Viktor’s arm as you pass him - a friendly gesture to anyone who might be watching - and give him your cheekiest smirk. You manage to catch the slight widening of his eyes, as well as the near-immediate pink that dusts his cheeks, and you’ve definitely decided: he’s cute as hell.

—

The rest of the class goes off without a hitch, and is about what you expected it would be: it’s a three-hour class, and you’re more than grateful that you don’t have any other sessions scheduled on the same days. The syllabus seems hefty - although still doable - and you know for a fact that your stress levels are going to be through the roof throughout the semester.

You know that the workload is only to discourage students who aren’t serious about learning the material, but it still seems an ineffective way to rule out unmotivated individuals. You were still there, after all, and you were five years in.

At one point, Heimerdinger steps out of the room to make a phonecall, and leaves Viktor to continue speaking on his behalf. Explaining expectations that everyone will have implemented on them, as well as writing down and iterating office hours and contact information.

At one point, when Viktor’s gaze falls on you for the umpteenth time, you shoot him a coy smile, and delight in the way his face lights up pink again. 

Such a sight keeps your spirits up as the professor returns to the lecture hall, and announces your first assignment.

—

You stand up in your seat after everything is finished for the day, stretching with a pleased squeak, until your spine cracks and you’re able to breathe again. It doesn’t take long to pack up your things, as they currently only consist of a notebook, a binder, and a bunch pf pretty-coloured pens, but by the time you’re heading towards the door, most of your classmates are already gone.

“Ah, Y/N?”

You pause mid-step when you hear the soft lilt, and turn towards Viktor.

“Yes?” you wonder sweetly, and move a little closer to him.

It’s as if your very presence is flustering him, with the way he starts and stops his sentences several times. “That’s technically the staff entrance,” he finally manages, “It was closer than walking around the rest of the building, earlier, since there’s a fence blocking the shorter route to the main exits, and class was about to start-”

You wait patiently while he collects himself.

“All this to say; you would get in trouble, if you were to be caught in the wrong place.”

Your eyes quickly flick towards the Professor, who is thankfully in the middle of an animated conversation with a pair of other students.

“I don’t mind a little bit of trouble,” you say cheekily, slinking closer to him until you’re nearly touching. “It’s always more exciting to be somewhere off-limits, isn’t it?”

Viktor looks like he might combust if you take your flirtations any further, so you continue, “Besides, I don’t actually know where the proper entrance is.”

You note the way his shoulders droop slightly - though you’re not able to tell if it’s from relief or disappointment - as he begins to rattle off directions.

“You’ve seen how terrible I am with directions, Viktor.” You’re unable to help yourself, entirely enticed by his sweet reactions to your instigations. “Maybe you could show me? If it’s not too much trouble?”

—

Once the two of you are outside again, you take a deep breath of fresh air. The lecture hall itself wasn’t terrible, even if it was old, but the hallways were vile in everything that they were - from the colour of the walls, down to the distant stench of stale lysol.

“Thank you, Viktor,” you tell him, “I’d still be wandering around in there if not for you. Like some weird variation of the Backrooms.”

He looks puzzled for a moment, before shaking his head. “It’s nothing. It’s my job as one of your teachers to make sure you’re learning as much as you can.”

“That includes the layout of the building?”

“Yes,” he confirms, and the smile he gives you makes the butterflies in your stomach start fluttering.

You stand there for a couple moments, neither of you really sure how to say goodbye for the day, unsure if you even want to go your separate ways yet.

“Hey, do you have a phone?” you ask suddenly, and Viktor nods.

“I do,” he says, pulling the little device from his pocket to show you. “Why?”

You make grabby hands towards it. “Unlock it, so I can add my contact information.”

If you thought he’d been blushing earlier in the day, you’d have been sorely mistaken. His face erupts in red the moment he comprehends your request, and he looks as though he’s become acutely aware of the fact that he has hands.

Adorable, you think to yourself.

“I’m in off-campus housing, and most days, the internet is pretty spotty,” you explain, taking pity on his slightly-panicked state. “I…don’t really want to have to walk twenty minutes to the nearest starbucks to send an email saying I won’t be attending class. Or to ask a tiny question that doesn’t warrant an office-visit.”

Viktor nods quickly, as if you hadn’t just pulled your reasoning out of your butt - your internet was, in fact, fantastic - and hands you his phone.

You, in return, hand him yours, and the two of you quickly punch in your info. You decide to keep yours professional, despite how you’ve been teasing him throughout the day, and make sure to add your class details in the event that he forgets who you are.

You still put a smiley face at the end of your name, though.

When you hand your phones back to each other, Viktor finally bids you a good afternoon, and disappears back into the building. Your heart flutters again, and you find yourself suppressing a childish, giddy smile. You knew for a fact that it was against the rules for teaching assistants to have relationships with students from the classes they were teaching, not to mention it was a social taboo.

But then, you were both adults, and he seemed to at least find you attractive. There was no harm in flirting, and if anything more came from it? You were both aware of the rules, and if Viktor chose to escalate things, then who were you to stop him?