#i was like 'i wanna draw something simple now' and then proceeded to background

[incineraryperiphery]

the modern cultivators' peanut gallery to the riveting battle of shizun vs any decision that doesn't involve killing something

[bonny-kookoo]

Carrots and Whiskers (JJK x Reader) 💜🔞🐾

🥕 Pairing: Rabbit!Jungkook x Wolf!Reader

🥕 Genre: Hybrid AU, fluff, smut because why not amirite-

🥕 Warnings: stereotyping, mild mentions of past bullying, fluff, oh god they’re so cute, Dom!Jungkook despite being technically food for Sub!Reader, Dirty talk, it’s sweet though he ain’t calling his baby a hoe don’t worry, unprotected sex because in this hybrid universe they’re unable to conceive due to their different species, please keep that in mind thank you, sweet sweet lovemaking, aftercare, buff boi JK, Big dick JK but what’s new I guess, yeah I’m done now

🥕 Summary: He’s the prey and she’s the predator. So why does she feel like the roles are reversed?

This is a oneshot! If you have any ideas for future content in this universe, feel free to send in asks or requests!

A reputation could easily define your entire life it it was bad enough.

Both sides knew this; Jeon Jungkook, being depicted as the cowardly prey hybrid he was, and Y/N, the bad bad wolf with always malicious intentions. However, none of these depictions were actually true.

Jeon Jungkook was an actually pretty rough and brave young man, never really backing down from a challenge, uncaring on who was in front of him. He got into trouble often as a kid, as a teenager, and now as a young adult.

Y/N was soft spoken, a caring yet quiet hybrid who liked to stay hidden, the spotlight being more of a fear than a goal for her. She loved the simple things in life, liked to be by herself or surrounded by people she trusted and loved.

And she also got a major crush on the bunny in her art and music class.

It was quite cliche really, yet it also wasn't- it was as if she was stuck in a bad joke, never to make it to the punchline. She knew for a fact that he probably didn't even knew who she was, and the worst part about it was that she couldn't even blame him. She loved to not be seen, after all.

"Uhm, excuse me?" Said the voice, forcefully hitting her as she looked up, her own eyes meeting the big brown orbs of-

wait.

"I eh, we're supposed to choose partners for this project, and I know for a fact that you can draw so eh, wanna be partners?" He asked, and she simply stared. Was he- talking to her? "I mean, Its okay if you don't want to-" He started, the squirrel hybrid girl behind him already perking up at her chance, making her swallow a bit.

"N-no, I uhm.. I'd like that." She squeezed out, voice quiet, but he thankfully still heard her. He smiled, brightly and so awfully cliche as his bunny-like teeth showed, sitting down next to her as he pulled out his sketches. "So uh, what did you have in mind.?" She quietly asked, and he talked away, as if he'd always known her.

"Well since we weren't given much other than the theme and colors, I made some small sketches. You know, I get Ideas that are pretty neat sometimes but then I forget them easily, so I have to draw or write them down right away, otherwise I'll wanna bite my own ass later on." He rambled on, gently moving the rough sketches towards her, his eyes watching her as she looked at them, carefully studying his lines.

"This- this one would fit, I think.." She mumbled, tapping on one of his more detailed drawings. He grinned again, nodding, seemingly in agreement. He attempted to say something as the bell rang, students around them both scrambling up to get out as soon as possible, either to catch a bus or to drive home on their bikes.

"Hey do you-" He stumbled, his foot catching on a stray chair as he almost fell. "Do you wanna meet up on the weekend? That way we can finish faster, you know, time to sleep in class." He said, and she simply nodded, until he held his hand out. Her head tilted to the side, ears flopping a bit as he chuckled, mumbling. "cute. Your phone, so I can give you my number?" He explained, and she blushed, stepping back a bit as she placed her bag down on the table next to her, pulling out her phone, charms on the device dangling, making him smile. She really was adorable. "Alright." He said as he took it after she'd opened the phone app, his fingers typing away, before he gave it back to her. "Do you take the bus home?" He asked, and she nodded. "Oh really? I thought the pink bike outside was yours actually." He chatted away as she walked next to him, now a bit shy.

"I actually.. well, I can't, you know, ride a bike, so.." She mumbled, and he laughed for a moment, until he went quiet, sensing that she was serious.

"I eh, I could you know, teach you, if you want?" He asked as he unlocked his own bike. "I mean, not now but like, this weekend?" He asked, and she looked a bit hesitant. "I mean, you don't have to. But I promise I won't let you get hurt." It seemed odd maybe, for a prey hybrid to say that to a predator, but for her, it seemed like the most cheesy and romantic thing she'd ever heard. So she smiled, and nodded. "I uhm.. I think your bus left-" He pointed out, making her ears droop as she watched the vehicle drive off without her. "I can bring you home. It's kind of my fault you missed it, after all." He said, scratching the back of his neck as he suddenly rumbled in his backpack, pulling out a zip hoodie, before folding it, and placing it on the bag of his bike. "My'lady." He offered, and she giggled, making his ears flinch in excitement.

She'd been unaware of him for long enough, and after a talk with his fellow friend Taehyung, he'd decided to finally act on his interest in her. Even though he did get some odd looks from his classmate Jimin, he didn't care about what she was- he cared more about who. Her drawings were always so detailed in a way that would show exactly what she'd though while creating each line, something he always found remarkable. She also had a talent for photography, a hobby he had for himself as well.

"Hold on tight okay?" He said, and she nodded, her arms moving around his waist, redness creeping onto her cheeks as she felt his toned body underneath his thin shirt and loose jean jacket. She held a bit tighter as he finally pushed the bike forward, paddling at a decent pace that made her hair flow a bit with the wind. She couldn't help but enjoy the moment; the way his smell calmed her, the scenery around her, and the fact that it seemed like everything was finally working out for her.

"I'm gonna let go now and you'll just-" He started, but she suddenly grew anxious, her wide eyes immediately finding his.

"no no don't let go I'm gonna fall-" She scrambled out, scared as he simply laughed, one hand on her back as he kept the other on the bike for now.

"I promised, didnt I?" He hummed into her ear, and she blushed at the gentle tone of his voice. He was everything she never thought a prey hybrid would be; he was cunning, brave, and confident in himself. He wasn't after attention at all, simply trying to live his life yet he pulled everyones gaze on himself wherever he went simply by nature. His ears seemed too soft to be legal in her opinion, black and white tuft of fur that was his tail seemingly completely out of place; the rest of his body was toned. It showed that he knew how to take care of himself, it underlined the way he held himself wherever he went.

He was the complete opposite of her it seemed.

She liked to hide in oversized clothing, hybrid features the only thing really giving away that she wasn't just a mouse in disguise.

To him however, it was an entirely different story.

She was so sweet, always trying to help, and always trying to not be a burden. She had so much talent, a unique way of seeing the world, and a gentle way of always looking out for others. It also didn't ease his crush on her that she was absolutely beautiful in his eyes; shorter in statue than him, surprisingly, but he was pretty tall for a rabbit hybrid, he had to admit. His mother had once told him about the different subspecies of wolves when she'd noticed his crush on the girl; her best friend having been a wolf hybrid as well when she'd still been in school. Apparently there were different subtypes for them; alphas, betas and omegas. He guessed that the girl on his bike was an omega, maybe, as it would explain all her characteristics.

"You're doing so great!" He said, bunny smile making her feel more confident as she noticed he only held her by her back; she was actually riding a bike. "See? You can do it!" He happily exclaimed as he helped her off, seat a bit high for her to get down herself. "Lets sit down there and exchange some sketches, yeah?" He offered, and she nodded with a smile, walking next to him as they both sat down on the grass, after Jungkook had put down a small blanket he'd taken with him. "Okay, hit me." He playfully shot her way, as she pulled out her sketchbook, simply sliding it towards him as he opened it, looking through the pages she'd opened for him. "Uah, these are great! I'd use a bit more color on these ones, but the rest is awesome!" He mumbled in thought as he proceeded to change the page, his eyes widening at a familiar pair of eyes, when two delicate hands held his wrist in place.

"Pl-Please uh, that's not for the project eh-" She stuttered, panic evident in her voice as her red face and tilted ears gave away her embarrassment. He simply stared for a moment, before his other hand simply loosened her grip on his wrist, freeing himself without much force. He slowly turned the page, revealing multiple rough sketches of..

Him.

It was him, not very detailed, but clearly visible. Small scenarios were drawn on the page, him staring out the open window of the classroom as he talked to friends, him at the sidelines of his basketball game as he'd taken a break, or him asleep on his desk during class. He studied the drawings, noticing how she'd not cared much about his clothing, or the background; even the desk or the window weren't really drawn very realistically, simply a fast sketch. What did stand out was.. well, his face. The way the sun reflected in his eyes, how his ears had been slightly damp from the slight rain outside, or the tiny things he would've never thought she'd notice about him, like the tiny beauty mark under his lower lip, the slight scar just above his cheek, or how the sides of his eyes crinkled when he laughed, nose scrunched up.

As he looked up she was looking down, hair hiding her eyes as her ears were flat against her skull, tail in her hands, which nervously fiddled with the fur. "I-" He started, before he began to open his own bag, ruffling around in it as his own ears lowered themselves while he tried to find something. "Hah!" He exclaimed in victory, hands sliding off the rubber band of his own folder which kept his messily organized sketches and finished works. He rummaged through them, before he started to lay some of them out in front of her, one by one. Slowly, her ears turned, attention on what he'd put down in front of her.

He always had a different way of drawing things, not really putting a lot of effort into the outlines or sketches themselves; but he had a way of coloring things, a unique style that made things feel almost alive. In every picture, he'd dedicated most of his effort to color the fur of her hybrid features almost perfectly- he also payed special attention to her postures in every picture. He never drew her eyes however- which she noticed. "I uhm.. I've never got the chance to see them up close, so I had a bit of trouble with them.." He explained. "I've noticed you pretty early when we shared our first classes together.. But I never really got around to talk to you. You and Namjoon-Hyung always seemed so close, I thought.." He revealed, scratching behind his own ear as he suddenly felt a bit bashful.

"You.. I mean, Joonie is a good friend but we uh.." She started, voice a bit low as she laughed a bit.

"I know, I know, he told me-" Jungkook answered, now chuckling. "Thats why I immediately took my chance when they'd announced the group project." He said. "It gave me a chance to you know, get to know you better. Get closer, you know?" He explained, and she nodded. "So uh.." He mumbled, before he smiled at her hopefully. "Wanna uh- get cake together today? Like a date?" He asked, and she nodded, making him suddenly jump up as he fist bumped the air, making a passerby elderly couple laugh. "Yes!"

"Carrot cake?" She asked, an almost teasing smile on her lips as he looked at her.

"What? Don't judge puppy!" He said, making her scoff scandalized.

"Hey, I'm a wolf, not a dog!" She explained as she stirred her milkshake with her pink straw before grabbing the spoon from her small metal plate.

"And I'm a rabbit, not a bunny. So guess we're even." He said, before his smile faded a bit, eyes stuck to the spoonful of whipped cream which made its way inside her mouth, tongue darting out to lick her lips clean before she noticed his gaze. He snapped out of it, suddenly the one growing a bit shy. "You uh.. wait, lemme just-" He mumbled, hand moving to wipe the corner of her mouth as he licked his finger clean himself, making her eyes widen before she mumbled a 'thanks' under her breath. He grinned.

"So uh-" He asked, pushing down his small cake fork to pick up a piece of cake, holding it out towards her. "open up?" He asked, and she hesitated a bit, before leaning forward a bit, lips parting. He placed the piece into her mouth, watching as she closed her lips, accepting his offering of food before she nodded her head approvingly. "See? Don't judge before you try!" He exclaimed, and she giggled at that.

He was right.

"I'm absolutely beat." He suddenly exclaimed, falling down onto the mattress laying on the ground in the corner of the new, unfurnished bedroom. The wolf hybrid sat down next to his sprawled out form, gently moving his blonde tipped hair away from his eyes. He'd dyed it months ago, his roots more than visible at this point, yet he'd simply decided to let it grow. "Come here~!" He playfully demanded, hands reaching out for her as he pulled her down with him, happily humming when she was laying on his chest. "Can you believe we're actually gonna live together from now on?" He asked, and she shook her head, moving around a bit so she straddled him, sat on his thighs as he suddenly watches her with hooded eyes, hands on her hips as his thumbs move in circles over the skin underneath her sweater- his sweater. "Hm.. I mean.." He offered, suddenly moving to sit up, changing position as she's now underneath him, his hair tickling her face slightly when he begins to kiss against her pulse. "I was about to ask if we should at least put up the bedframe, but having a mattress on the floor.." He started, hands wandering underneath the clothing of his she wore as he continued in a low voice. "..means I can't break the bed this time." He said, and she giggled at that, remembering the time their time together had been roughly interrupted by the weak frame of his old bed breaking. "Oh, my puppy thinks that's funny?" He wonders, making her grin as he kissed her deeply.

Moments like these made her almost forget the stereotypes she'd grown up with during her live- since Jungkook was nothing like the typically depicted rabbit hybrids. Because right now the roles seemed completely reversed, as he mouthed at her neck, feeling her pulse race as he continued to map out her body with just his hands, no need to watch where they were, able to seemingly paint a picture of her by touch at this point. Clothes suddenly seemed to tight, itchy, as if bitten by a mosquito. She whined as he chuckled darkly, helping her out of his sweater as he immediately grabbed her breasts, kneading them before he continued to undress her, making quick work of her shorts as he pulled down her underwear as well- her already glistening center clinging to the damp fabric of her underwear as she squirmed, making him humm in appreciation. He pulled his own shirt over his head as well, revealing his body to her as the sun outside painted glowing stripes onto it, the blinds drawing patterns on her skin as well. He finally freed himself from the confines of his own underwear as well, standing proud and ready as she became restless.

"Hm, puppy wants to be filled up yeah?" He asked with a teasing undertone, proudly making use of the privilege to be able to call her that- since she hated it when others did it. It was the same the other way around however; typically, being called a 'bunny' was an absolute insult to him, but for some reason it seemed like a cute nickname coming from her. Maybe he was just whipped. Or maybe she was just privileged as well.

He entered her slowly as he sighed alongside her, not wasting any time as he fell into rhythm, hips thrusting forwards as her hands reached for his, intertwining their fingers as he felt his soul warm up at the gesture. He felt so loved, so cherished, it made him fear for his heart, as he swore it stopped every time he was close to her like this. He felt complete, like he'd found his soulmate, his other half- it didn't matter to him what she was. Sure, his parents were a bit dissapointed since they couldn't have kids naturally because of this, but they both could always adopt in the future. Thinking about it made his heart swell as he thought about her, caring for their kids, making this small apartment into a family home one day. Maybe it was instinct, but he'd already been driven nuts by the way she'd helped him choose furniture and wallpaper for the small living space they'd be sharing; the simple fact that she wanted to make their apartment into a home feeding his inner instincts to build a home to keep her safe in.

He felt her legs shake a bit as he shifted a bit, making her whine as he suddenly picked up his pace, sweat already slowly beginning to coat his skin as he didn't seem to notice how the sound of skin against skin still echoed in the almost empty room since it lacked furniture- but it didn't matter for now anyways. They'd both fill it with things and memories of the both of them, and he couldn't wait for it. He huffed a bit as he moved, leaning down a bit to rest his forehead against her neck as she bared it for him, a natural instinct of hers to submit to him even if he was of another species with no need of such gestures. He'd adapted to it however, gently biting the skin as he felt her shiver underneath him, a sign that she was getting close. "Hm my baby wanna cum?" He asked, gently beginning to tease her as she nodded, eyes closed in bliss. "You want a knot huh?" He asked, and she shook her head no, as he chuckled. He'd felt a bit insecure the first few times around as he knew how things worked for canine hybrids, worried that he maybe couldn't give her what she wanted or needed, yet she'd always reassured him. Now it was more like a teasing thing for him, and a way to tickle a praise out of her- a way of reminding himself that she loved him just as much as she did her. "No? You don't?" She shook her head again, her fingers holding his hands tighter. "What do you want then, huh?" He asked with a grin as she whined.

"You- you, only want ngh.. only need Kookie-!" She pressed out, and he hummed approvingly, his thrusts beginning to grow sloppy as he neared his end.

"That's right, only me, only mine, yeah?" He asked, and she nodded, suddenly opening mouth as her head buried itself into the mattress below her, clenching around him as he groaned out, burying himself deep inside her as he spilled. "Thats it, take it like a puppy- good girl!" He praised, making her whine as he leaned his body down, kissing her neck, her throat, and then her lips as they both calmed down from their highs, breathing slowly growing more and more even as he moved a bit to grab a box as he slid it towards him, rummaging through it before he took out a roll of kitchen towels, grabbing a few as he slipped out of her, carefully catching his release and her own juices as to not make a mess. He had a gentle smile on his face as he carefully cleaned her up before he stood, walking towards another box where he pulled out a large pillow and a few blankets, instincts taking over as he began to cover her now rapidly cooling body in soft fabrics before cuddling up next to her, pulling another blanket over his own form as he made sure his partner was comfortable. She slipped out of her makeshift blanket burrito to invite him in, making him grin his signature bunny smile as he held her close, skin on skin as he closed his eyes, the only light in the room the streetlamps outside.

This already felt like home.

[writethehousedown]

And the Livin’s Easy Chapter One (Multi) - Zyan

a/n: me? doing yet another multi-chapter for the challenge? how original. this idea came to me while i was watching hawaii five-0 and i just ran with it. i have no actual knowledge of how the surfing world works, i’m a simple kick boxing fighter, so please bear with me and the in-accuracies you’ll find. the rest of the characters mentioned in the summary will appear in the next chapter :D my sideblog is @chachkisalpaca - oh, and also, frey is an absolute angel for beta-ing this. hope you enjoy!

Summary: The surfing season in Honolulu is at its peak, with every surfer, old and new, having their eyes on the big prize of the Hawaii Surf Association annual competition. As the day of the competition comes closer, Crystal tries to not get distracted with a certain Californian girl, Vanessa swears she’s over Brooke, Yvie tries to seduce the hotel’s lifeguard and Jaida is just witnessing everything go down as she sips on her piña colada.

It’s summertime and the beach is packed.

Crystal doesn’t expect any less, honestly; the summer season is at its peak, plus Honolulu is always a famous tourist spot. No wonder there’s barely a spot to stand in O’Ahu.

The waves are good today and Crystal engages in a playful banter when she encounters some of her fellow surfers while training. There’s a surfing competition next week, a very important one at that, and every surfer and their grandma wants that prize. To think of what she could do with the money — Crystal might just layback for the rest of the season and enjoy some very well deserved vacations before going back to Missouri for yet another college year.

She finds it sad that the waves last only during the summer, because she’s capable of surfing them even when the water temperature is below 0 and would catch a cold for the mere act of standing too close to the water (“Colds start with the feet,” her mother has been telling her since she was a child, and it just stuck.)

But she doesn’t have to worry for the winter that’s still months away; right now she just lets the Sun burn her skin as the water soaks her entire body.

She feels lightheaded, like she’s capable of doing anything while she’s on her surfing board.

“You getting’ better, Glass,” Vanjie shouts, while riding the same wave as her.

Crystal laughs loudly, the nickname ‘Glass’ still sounding so wild to her, she sometimes wonders why and how did Vanjie ever come up with that one.

“What do ya wanna bet that I’ll beat your ass next week,” Crystal yells back, and Vanjie cocks a brow, focused on keeping her balance.

“Fuck off, I bet you won’t even last the rest of training without falling.”

“If I make it through training without falling you’re buying me a drink at Sal’s.”

Vanjie meets her gaze for a brief second and laughs shortly.

“Es más fácil decirlo que hacerlo, but you got a deal, bitch.” She winks at her and Crystal takes it upon herself to win that bet.

“Veamos si puedes conmigo, perra.”

*

Gigi is, decidedly, not a beach person.

She gets it; the water looks pretty under the Sun, the palms make a good background for an Instagram picture, and her bathing suit fits her like a glove, drawing attention from both men and women, but despite all this — she just can’t take how crowded it is, the children running around and yelling like banshees, how cold the water is, the dirty people that leave their trash behind, and a long etcetera.

Brita’s been so kind to invite them to their family’s house in Honolulu for a few weeks, Gigi is very much aware of it, which is why she tries not to be a gigantic bitch while they’re on the beach; she doesn’t want Brita to kick her out, basically.

Besides, Honolulu is very pretty. One of the most beautiful cities she’s ever visited, actually. She doesn’t mind the rest of it; it’s this specific part of the city that she dreads. She’s also very aware of the irony of agreeing to go to a place that’s famous for its beaches while hating beaches, thank you very much.

She applies a generous amount of sunscreen to every inch of her body, still sitting under the umbrella and ignoring her friends’ pleas for her to join them in the water. Gigi merely says that she’ll meet them in a moment, and though they’re not very convinced by it, they still run towards the sparkly blue water.

Gigi clearly lied; as soon as they’re out of sight, she pulls out her phone and thinks for a moment about taking photos for her Instagram — if she’s going to spend most of this trip at the beach, she might as well take advantage of it and take some cute pictures for her feed. She didn’t pack so many bathing suits for nothing.

She’s scrolling through her DM requests —deleting the men, replying to the women— when there’s a sudden uproar from the people sitting around her. They’re cheering for something or someone. Gigi looks around, confused, until she lays eyes on the sea in front of her and the waves crashing against the shore; there are surfers in the waves, naturally, but these seem like the skilled type.

Gigi decides to film it for her Instagram Stories, because why not, they are talented, and Gigi can barely float around in her parents’ pool in a donut floatie without rolling over and drowning.

One of them falls, and the crowd gasps, though Gigi isn’t all that interested in it. Her friends wave at her from the sea and Gigi scrambles to find an excuse not to join them.

*

Crystal can’t stop laughing, even when they arrive at the shore and all Vanjie does is shout at her, saying that she bewitched her or something, because there’s no way she fell instead of her.

“Get over it, Vanj. You owe me now.”

She sticks her board into the sand, taking her hair tie off and rearranging her hair in a ponytail. Her hair is soaked, clearly, and Crystal’s hands are already tired at the thought of having to shampoo the sea water off it.

Crystal doesn’t mind though, it’s worth it.

Vanjie shots Crystal a deadly glare and rearranges her own hair, groaning slightly as she does so.

“I’m only paying you because a bitch keeps her promises,” she says. “Also, on the note of having drinks, you wanna grab a smoothie before going on with training? But you’re paying for your own drink, ho.”

Crystal laughs wholeheartedly with a nod. She goes to look between the pockets of her bag for money and asks one of her friends to watch her board for her; it’ll just be a moment.

They’re talking about their plans once the competition is done and what would they do if they get the prize money. Vanessa says she’ll pack up her stuff and go back to Puerto Rico for the rest of the summer even if she loses, and will chase waves on her hometown beach. Maybe teach a few of the little ones in her family to surf, if she has the time and patience for it.

“Y’know, the little shits are getting bigger and bigger, and they barely remember their aunt Vanessa! My girl Julia, bless that one, still remembers me — but, bitch, she did her first communion already! Damn, last time I checked she was still five,” Vanjie rambles, and Crystal definitely feels her on a spiritual level.

This is the part she likes about being friends with Vanjie, the fact they both have similar experiences with their Latin families and understand each other in a way most people wouldn’t. Her favourite part of summer is getting to spend it with her.

Crystal says something about her little nephew Mateo —who Vanessa adores, despite having not met him yet, just because his name matches with her surname— and how he’s gotten so big in the blink of an eye, already reaching Crystal’s hip, when she bumps into something.

Or rather, someone.

There’s a gasp and Crystal is wet yet again, though this time it’s sticky and it smells fruity.

“Well, there goes ten dollars,” a voice snarls, and Crystal finally pulls up her gaze to meet the asshole that just spilled their drink all over her.

She finds a woman with long auburn hair, skin pale as snow, think as a rail, with pink plump lips and a pair of icy blue eyes staring right back at her. Crystal thinks it’s a shame that she’s an asshole, because she is really pretty.

“Watch where you walk, pendeja,” Crystal bites back and the woman rolls her eyes, avoiding her as she goes on with her way. Vanjie and Crystal briefly look at her before proceeding with what they were doing. “At least I can wash the stickiness off once we hit the waves again,” she consoles herself, resigned to smell like fruit until she gives her bathing suit a proper wash.

*

“I hate the beach,” Gigi declares, settling at Jackie’s side with a huff and her arms folded. Jackie quirks an amused eyebrow, barely stifling a laugh, and Nicky casts a side glance at her.

“Why’s that?” Nicky asks, her gaze still glued to her phone.

“Some idiot cost me ten dollars, can you believe? I didn’t even have a sip of that smoothie!” Gigi complains with a whine that’s rather childish. Jackie just laughs, patting her friend’s back.

“If you join us now, I’ll buy you another smoothie later.”

“Fuck off with that motherly tone, Jacqueline,” Gigi says with a laugh, Jackie gasps offended and swats her arm playfully.

“That’s not the way to talk to your friends, baby Geeg!” Jackie scolds her, only making Gigi laugh louder.

Jackie is the eldest of them all (though, to be fair, she’s only a couple months older than Brita) and she’s naturally the mom friend. She’s pulled them out of the bar, called cabs, helped them through heartbreaks, more than Gigi can count (though Gigi isn’t good at counting). It’s only fair she gets to do these jokes.

Gigi pouts and puts on her puppy eyes, locking her hands. “Do you promise to buy me a smoothie, though?” She asks, in a tone so high-pitched she annoys herself.

But never Jackie, she’s got the patience none of them have, so she just nods with an over the top sigh and forcefully drags her to the water.

Gigi hates what the salty water does to her hair, though to be fair — Jackie did buy her a smoothie once they came back to their spot.

*

Sal’s Shack has grown to be Crystal’s favourite place on the island.

She discovered it when she was a little girl and came to Honolulu for the first time, after her parents saved up for a whole year and her father pushed as much as he could for a promotion at his job. It isn’t just a restaurant or a bar; Sal doesn’t like labels, so he never put one on his establishment.

It’s whatever you want it to be, though it does become a bar after midnight, that title going away once the Sun is up.

When Crystal met Vanjie, almost five summers ago, she took her to Sal’s Shack, and Vanjie was so in love with the place they kept on coming back, with or without the other.

Sal immediately smiles upon seeing them enter, even if the place is already getting crowded, Sal tells them he’d be able to hear Vanjie’s voice from a mile away.

“What can I get you tonight, girls?” He asks, with that warm, kind smile that reminds Crystal of her childhood years.

“I’m in the mood for your spicy meatballs sandwich,” Vanjie says dreamily, prompting Sal to laugh wholeheartedly. Crystal follows her suit by saying she wants a burger, and tells Sal not to be shy with the sauce.

They get settled while they wait, talking about how their college careers are going and how much they want the summer to be endless.

There’s just something about this city that makes it magical, Crystal likes to think. She’s had a few summer flings there, never seeing them again once she packed up her things and came back to Missouri, but each one of them had something special that made Crystal feel as if it wasn’t just a summer fling.

She wonders if she’ll find someone new this time around too, though it isn’t high up in her priority list.

*

Brita takes them to her uncle’s restaurant-bar-whatever, saying they have to visit it, not only because they serve pretty good cocktails, but also because there are always some hotties hanging around.

Though the idea of a summer hook up is attractive to Gigi, this isn’t Los Angeles; she doesn’t have any cab numbers, she still can’t properly manage herself around, and would consequently get lost trying to come back to the house. She tells herself that she’ll wait a few days until she’s a little more familiar with the place, just in case.

They arrive to the bar —Gigi’s decided to call it a bar for her own sanity—, and much like at the beach, the place is full, and she can’t see a free table.

“Don’t worry, girls,” Brita says, “I called my uncle and told him to save us a table, follow me.” So follow they do. They absentmindedly link hands and elbow their way through the place. The music is blasting through the speakers, there’s a couple of people dancing, and a lot of others just standing with their drinks and nudging on them.

Gigi has to admit Brita was right; there are some attractive people around, and it takes all of Gigi’s willpower not to stare. Perhaps sticking to the rules she’s just imposed on herself won’t be that easy.

They make it to the end of the bar and Brita smiles widely upon seeing her uncle, breaking the chain of hands and launching herself into his arms. The girls stand there awkwardly until they finish their conversation.

“He looks like Brita, but as a man,” Jan comments in a whisper, making Gigi and Nicky laugh. Jackie shushes them, though she agrees under her breath.

Brita introduces them one by one with a wide smile, and Gigi has to admit the resemblance between them is scary. Brita’s uncle gives them a warm welcome and tells them to call him Sal before guiding them to their table. It’s in a corner of the place and they can see everyone and everything, plus, they’re a few feet away from the bar. It’s a nice spot overall.

They get settled and Sal leaves them a few menus with the drinks options, including non-alcoholic drinks, and leaves to go back to work, telling them to look for him if they need anything.

Gigi briefly looks at the menu before setting it aside and looking around the bar, trying to find a face that stands out from the rest — instead, she hears a voice that breaks through the noise and makes a few heads turn around.

They voice comes from a few tables away, right in front of them. There’s a woman with dark, curly hair waving her arms around and talking with her friend, while the other woman sitting in front of her and facing Gigi is dying with laughter.

Gigi squints, finding her face oddly familiar, until it clicks.

*

Crystal throws her head back as she laughs, bracing her stomach as Vanjie grows louder and louder during her speech.

“And the fucking bitch had the AUDACITY to call me a fucking liar! Can you believe?” Vanjie slams her fist on the table and Crystal is hollering with laughter. She knows she shouldn’t have brought up the fact that her ex is also coming to the competition, but right now Vanjie is too worked up to back down.

For the longest time, Crystal thought Canada didn’t have any surfers — with such a cold weather, how could someone even want to enter the water? But it turns out that Vanjie’s ex, Brooke, is Canadian and a surfer, and she’s going to be competing alongside them. She found out, because she follows Yvie Bridges’ socials, and she posted a picture with Brooke, captioning it with “Excited to be reunited with my sister in Honolulu!” Except with a lot more exclamation marks.

Vanjie quickly tries to backpedal her entire rant by saying she’s not bothered at all by Brooke’s presence, because she’s over her and she’s seeing this girl, Kameron, who she met in a competition in Puerto Rico and is a sports photographer.

Crystal cocks a brow and before Vanjie can further prove to Crystal that she’s not over Brooke at all, she asks her if she wants another round of destornilladores. Vanjie nods effusively, tossing bills to her.

She heads to the bar and perches herself on it, waving at the barman. She places her order and when there’s a seat available, she takes it without hesitation.

Crystal is watching the barman as he mixes her drink, when someone slides into the empty seat next to her. She casts a quick glance over them and has to do a double take when the woman’s face is familiar.

She blinks repeatedly; this is the woman that threw her smoothie at her earlier that day.

It seems that Smoothie Girl recognizes her too, because she stares at her for a moment too long, and somehow Crystal finds the courage to speak up.

“You’re the asshole that threw their smoothie in my bathing suit,” Crystal finally speaks up.

“And you’re the asshole that threw herself into my smoothie,” she shots back, cocking one of her perfectly painted eyebrows, and Crystal has to admit that was a good one.

The barman places her orders in front of her; Crystal quickly pays him and Smoothie Girl takes advantage of his presence to place her own order. Crystal searches for Vanjie’s eyes among the crowd, and she finds her with her stare glued on her. She smiles when she sees their drinks, but frowns when Crystal points at the woman sitting beside her.

It’s her, she mouths, but Vanjie tilts her head, confused. Smoothie Girl, she mouths this time, and Vanjie looks surprised. She starts to mouth things Crystal can’t catch, but she guesses it’s a combination of get your ass over here, and that bitch.

“I’ve been thinking all day about what you called me,” she says, attracting Crystal’s attention again. She frowns, confused.

“What? Pendeja?” She asks, and Smoothie Girl nods. “Oh, that’s Spanish for asshole.”

Smoothie Girls snorts, cocking a brow. “What’s the Spanish word for ‘you owe me ten bucks’?”

“That would be ‘in your dreams,’” Crystal retorts, the brunette rolls her eyes.

She knows Vanjie is watching them closely, her stare burning a hole in Crystal’s neck, in case hands need to be thrown. But she has a feeling she won’t be needing Vanjie’s hands — not that she can say the same about this woman.

The barman leaves a drink in front of Smoothie Girl and she pays with a coquettish smile, Crystal thinks her drink smells way too fruity.

“That smoothie left my bathing suit smelling like fruit even when I washed it three times,” Crystal comments, trying to sound nonchalant. The woman cocks a brow as she sips on her drink. “What flavor was it, anyway?”

She seems surprised by the question, though she’s quick to answer.

“Uh, mango and peach, I think,” she replies and Crystal scrunches up her nose.

“Ugh, that sounds hideous.”

“It’s not! Had you licked your bathing suit you would know it’s very tasty.” She laughs at her own joke, and Crystal finds herself laughing too.

It’s weird how just moments ago they were calling each other assholes and now they’re laughing like nothing happened.

Crystal scoots herself closer in the chair, their knees practically brushing as she tries to catch her gaze.

“You got a name, Smoothie Girl?” She inquires in a casual tone. Smoothie Girl finally meets her gaze, and her blue eyes aren’t as icy as the first time they ran into each other.

“Genevieve, but everyone calls me Gigi.” She offers her hand to shake and Crystal gladly takes it. “And you?”

“I’m Crystal. Some people call me Crys, others Cryssie — and that dumbass over there,” she discreetly points at Vanjie, who’s typing away in her phone, trying to act as if she hasn’t been staring at them for a long minute now, “calls me Glass. Don’t ask me why, she just does.” Crystal shrugs, and Gigi laughs.

She feels some sort of pride blooming in her chest at making Gigi laugh.

“So, Crystal,” Gigi begins. “Do I have to assume you’re a surfer? I mean, what you were wearing when you ran into my smoothie looks like something a surfer would wear.”

Crystal nods enthusiastically, proceeding to tell her that she’s been surfing on and off since she was just thirteen and how she comes to Honolulu every year, rarely shifting her destination for the summer.

In return, Gigi confides her that she’s from California and it’s her first time in Honolulu, saying that her friend —Sal’s niece, apparently— invited them and she just couldn’t say no, even when she isn’t that much of a beach enthusiast. She hates them, in fact.

Upon hearing this, Crystal lets an over the top gasp that makes Gigi go into a fit of giggles, apparently already expecting that reaction.

“What the fuck? Dude, you can’t be serious,” she exclaims, and Gigi continues giggling.

“I’m deadly serious,” she assures her, twirling a strand of hair around her index finger.

“You don’t even like the food or ice cream?”

“I do, I hate the dirty people that leave their trash behind, though.”

“What about the kids? They’re always so cute — running around with their water guns and getting excited over everything. Some remind me of my own little cousins.”

Gigi visibly scrunches up her nose, doing a disgusted face.

“I hate kids, actually.”

Crystal folds her arms in a huff, intently staring at Gigi.

“No, there’s no way you’re that much of a… Beach Grinch,” she blurts out, the embarrassment flooding over her as soon as the words come out from her mouth. Gigi cocks a brow.

“Beach Grinch? Now that’s original,” Gigi says, leaning in closer to Crystal, a wicked smile painted in her lips. “Y’know, though I find the beach extremely boring, I can’t say the same for the people that like it.”

Crystal grins; she’s played this game far too many times, but something in Gigi makes her think this time it won’t be as easy as with the other ones.

Just when she’s lining up a witty reply, Gigi suddenly scoots back, a bashful smile where there used to be a wicked one.

“Sadly, I don’t have the time to think too much about it, ‘cause I’m here to have a good time with my friends. Later!”

She hops off from her chair, bringing her drink with her, and makes her way back to her friends, swaying her hips as she walks and making her skirt fly with the movement.

Crystal takes a moment to realize what Gigi just did, and when she finally pulls herself back together to walk over to Vanjie with their drinks, she tries to convince herself that maybe Gigi is another one of those straight girls wanting to “experiment.” It’s what she says to herself to make her cheeks cool down several degrees.

Vanjie says they can cash the bitch outside if she wants to fight, but Crystal just dismisses her with a wave of her hand.

After they finish their drinks, they hang around at Sal’s for a little longer, dancing when there is a good song playing and talking with strangers, and just before they leave, Crystal looks through the crowd for Gigi’s eyes, and she finds her staring right back. What she sees in her eyes makes her stomach twist.

‘If she’s playing hard to get, then it’s on,’ she thinks, and the next thing she thinks is that Gigi can read her mind, because the wicked smile is back into her face before Crystal withdraws her gaze.

[underatedcharactersunite]

A Tale of Two Souls; Meeting Jaskier

Summary; As Geralt and Y/N continue to journey to their next location, they come across a Bard named Jaskier. From that moment onwards, Y/N's life is turned upside down. Her life is no longer envolving around fighting Monsters and exploring the world. Jaskier draws out emotions that she buried a long time ago. Who knows what's going to happen.  Pairing; Jaskier X Female Reader WordCount; 3,234 Warnings; A couple of swear words. Angst, Fluff 

Series Masterlist

Travelling with Geralt was a unique experience. On one hand, it was extremely rewarding, being able to travel to many beautiful and adventurous places, on the other hand, it often entitled getting covered in some sort of creature guts.

Apart from that Geralt's company was rather pleasant. Contrary to people's opinions about Witcher's; Geralt was not heartless nor a Monster instead, he could be kind and often put other's before himself. Over the years, Geralt had become like a brother to you, a very overprotective, menacing brother, who would willingly kill anyone, who ventured to mess with you.

"The Tavern is not too far from here. We will stop and have a drink." Looking ahead as you rode on your horse Tarot, Geralt was right, in the faint distance you could make out the Taverns silhouette.

"You mean I'll drink one while you attempt to drink the entire Tavern dry." You taunted. You were fortunate with Geralt, while he was not a massive talker, he was never easily offended. So ridiculing between the two of you was light and playful.

"You should learn to be quicker if you want more than one cup." Grinning, the two of you proceeded in silence as you made your way up towards the Tavern.

Entering any location with Geralt always had to be approached with caution. Any stranger was a potential contender for inherent conflict. The ancient tales of Witcher's had left everyone with a bitter attitude. People will often quick to require Geralt's services, yet the moment he entered the territory they deemed theirs they suddenly. considered it their right to throw stones and insults.

It occurred almost every location, the two of you visited. It disturbed you how willingly they were to ask Geralt to kill the Monster, but the second he required a place to eat or sleep they wanted nothing to do with him.

Tying up Roach and Tarot, you pressed a loving pet on Tarot's head. In the background, you could some sort of music a bard trying to get paid perhaps. Entering the Tavern, your suspicions were correct. As long as he frained an attempt to bother the two of you, he would be fine.

Taking a seat at the table in the darkest corner that was spare. You called the women over who was passing out the beverages. It was easier for you to ask, less eventuality for conflict. Removing two from her tray, you presented her with some coin to pay for them.

"You didn't have to do that."

"Geralt, I thought we already spoke of this. We take turns in paying for things. We are equal in this friendship. That means paying for things equally." Taking a sip of your mead, you acknowledged your surroundings. The Tavern wasn't all too bad. You and Geralt had frequented worst places, this by far was one of the finer ones.

"We'll have these and then go, try and find a place to camp for the night." You nodded, staying in one place was never a particularly wise idea. Besides, while the two of you stopped anyway, the two of you weren't able to find anyone who needed your services. 

Meanwhile, the Bard continued to sing. Unlike most Bards you previously encountered, this one could sing. His voice soothed your aching mind as you focused on the mead in the cup in front of you. The regulars who frequented the Tavern didn't seem to match with your opinions as they very quickly began to chuck bread rolls at him.

You attempted to force down the laughter that strived to leave your lips. Geralt's eyebrow raised as you forced your cup onto your lips to stifle your laughter. It was all fun and games, until out of the corner of your eye did you witness the Bard travel across the room over to you both.

"I love how you sit in the corner and brood, am I interrupting something?" The Bard questioned as you glanced over to Geralt. You had observed the expression on his unreadable face many times before. If only the Bard was as clued onto Geralt as you were. 

"We do not wish to be disturbed." Geralt explained, turning his head away from the Bard, while you decided to take a proper glance at him.

The Bard's eyes were a gorgeous shade of grey contrast to his brown hair which framed his face attractively. You didn't miss the thick patch of chest hair that threatened to escape his peaking from his jacket. Overall, the Bard was attractive.

"Good, yeah good. No one else hesitated to comment on the quality of my performance. Except you two. Come on, you don't wanna keep a man with bread in his pants waiting. You must have some review for me, three words or less." Observing Geralt's signature eye roll, you knew the Bard was going to deal with Geralt's coldness.

The bard seemed unphased as he took the seat right next to you, anxiously anticipating Geralt's thoughts. Geralt was unpredictable, and you had no sign on how was going to reply to the Bard.

"They don't exist."

"What doesn't exist?" The Bard appeared genuinely confused, but you knew exactly the point Geralt was about to make. Taking a sip of the mead as you observed the conversation unfold. The conversation unfolding in front of your very eyes had been the most entertaining one you'd encountered in a while.

"The creatures in your song."

"Yeah, and how would you know.” 

"Oh fun, white hair, Big old loner, two very very scary looking swords. I know who you are." As Geralt stood to remove himself from the Bard, you quickly understood it was time to go. Picking up your sword and your bag, you threw it over your shoulder and followed Geralt.

"You're the Witcher? Geralt of Rivia. So if you're Geralt, then you must be Y/N, the enchanting Shieldmaiden. I must say words cannot truly describe your beauty. Called it!"

Within moments, you recognised that while the Bard was gifted in singing and flattery, digression was not one of his gifts. A simple rest top turned into work. One of the patrons named Netty, needed a Devil killing who was stealing their grain. Knowing well enough that the creature they had witnessed was not actually "The Devil" you didn't know quite what you meant to be searching for.

Walking besides Tarot, you followed Geralt quietly. At least the two of you had seemed to rid yourself of the Bard. Although the damage had been done. You presumed it was better than having stones thrown at you, or being chucked out. Besides a job is a job after all.

"Need a hand. I've got two, one for each of the Devil's horns." Out of no-where, the Bard came running down the hill. Perhaps walking away was not a distinct enough hint that Geralt was not willing for company.

"Go away."

"I won't be but a silent backup. Look I heard your note, and yes maybe real adventures would make better stories and you Sir smell choc-full of them amongst other things. I mean what is that Onion, it doesn't matter. Whatever it is, you smell of death and destiny. Heroics and heartbreak."

"It's onion."

"Right yeah. Oh, I could be your barker, spreading the tales of Geralt of Rivia, the butcher of Blaviken. What about you, my sweet lady? Surely you could tell me the many tales that the two of you have shared."

"Geralt it appears you have finally have a fan. Road life does not place well for a Bard. Go back to the Tavern. We'll deal with "the Devil"

"Jaskier, my name is Jaskier." Giving Jaskier a gentle smile, you quickened your step.

"It was lovely to meet you Jaskier, come on Tarot."  Walking away, you got several paces in-front of Geralt before he stopped. I thought he was trying to get away from Jaskier. As Geralt turned and glanced at Roach, you had a sinking feeling. This wasn't about to be pleasant.

"Come here."

A horrific thud, and a rattle of Jaskier's lute, he hunched over in agony. If that was not bad enough, Jaskier landed onto the ground with remarkable force. Credit it needed to be given you observed, Jaskier attempted to get up straight away. Against your better nature, you let go of Tarot's reigns to check on Jaskier.

"What have I told you about punching Bards? And you were my polite warnings not enough. Also, why do I get the feeling, you being punched happens a lot." Running a hand through your hair, you bent over to check on Jaskier. Surprisingly Jaskier was nothing but a little winded.

"He was following us, what else was I meant to do?" Setting eyes on Geralt, you cocked your eyebrow.

"I don't know perhaps telling him to leave us alone."

"Wasn't that exactly what you were attempting to do? With excellent failure might I add." Frowning at Geralt's words you rolled your eyes, while you directed your head to Jaskier, you did not miss the small twitch of Geralt's lips. At least someone was amused.

"Jaskier, as you have just experienced. Travelling with a Witcher is dangerous, especially to Bards. Now please return to the Tavern, where you will be safe from everything, including Geralt." Turning away from Jaskier, you mounted Tarot just like Geralt had done with Roach expecting to leave the Bard behind.

"Reading between the lines and the gut punches. Chum, I'd say you have a bit of an image problem. Were I to join you, on this feat to defeat the devil of Posada, I could I relieve you of that title. All the North would be too busy singing the tales of Geralt of Rivia the white wolf or something."

"Butcher is right." You frowned when Geralt said that. You were there when Geralt encountered Renfri you knew he had no choice. They forced him into a decision that was cruel and unfair.

"Geralt, we both know what happened that day was not your fault."

"Do you mind if I hop on there with you, I'm not exactly wearing the right footwear."

"Don't touch Roach." Several paces later, Geralt hoped off of Roach, tying her to a nearby tree. Following Geralt's actions, you joined Geralt by the tree.

"Stay alert and watch the Bard. We don't need a dead Bard on our hands." Agreeing with Geralt, you lightly touched his arm. Geralt never liked being touched, but he understood sometimes you needed to reassure him without saying anything. Following Geralt, you forgot Jaskier had recently joined the two of you.

"Geralt...Y/N...Geralt...Where are you going? Geralt, Y/N, don't leave me? Y/N I thought you were better than him. Hello. What are we looking for again?"

“Blessed Silence,”

"Yeah, I don't really go in for that." Laughter escaped your lips, walking silently alongside Geralt.

"Have you ever hunted a devil before Geralt?"

"Devil's don't exist."

"Then what are we doing?"

"Sometimes there are monsters sometimes there's money rarely both. That's the life."

Out of no-where, something darted past your head. Your senses heightened. Something or someone was out there, and they knew you were there.

“Shit!” Geralt yelled, examing Geralt understanding that as the unknown object darted past you, it had skimmed Geralt's forehead.

"Act two begins. What was that it looks like a tiny cannonball. Oh my gosh, Geralt it is a Devil. Oh, I have to see this magical this mythical-" Jaskier didn't get to finish his sentence as something hit him directly in the forehead and once again he hit the ground with a thud.

"Jaskier!"

"Stay with him I'll deal with Monster." Closing your eyes for a moment, you studied at Geralt.

"Geralt, I thought we made a deal." You contested, but Geralt was already marching away when he decided to stop and shift back to you.

"I agreed to stop hitting Bards."

"The other deal. The one where we deal with Monsters together. So neither of us die."

"I agreed to that when we didn't have to protect the Bard. That is your job. Long ago remember what we promised each other?"  

"To make this work, we needed to trust each other." With a hum, Geralt continued marching away, leaving you to deal with Jaskier. Kneeling beside him, you sighed.

"I did warn you in all fairness, but of course you didn't listen. Which means that you'll probably be staying with us, lesson one in being Geralt's companion. If something is thrown at you duck because they never throw only once."

"Lesson two, don't enter someone else's territory." An unknown voice broke your gaze on Jaskier's face. Something hard and heavy smacked your face, knocking you out.

Waking up, my body felt constricted. What happened? One moment you were giving an unconscious Jaskier his first lesson, the second you remember nothing but blackness. It didn't help someone else was trying to escape also.

"This is the part where we escape." You heard Jaskier's voice, at least he was awake, on your other side, you glanced down at the familiar black armour.

"This is the part where they kill us."

"Who's they?" A young female elf came out of no-where, kicking you directly in the face. The main was excruciating, as you opened and closed your jaw trying to get some feeling back into it. She was quick to kick both Geralt and Jaskier, not leaving anyone out.

"Elves."

"Hey that's my lute, give that back. Geralt, do ya Witchering"

"If it's that simple, do you think we'd be all tied up right now?" You snarled, trying to think of a way to get you out of this situation. Receiving another round of kicks, you glared at the female elf if you got free you swore she was going to pay for this. With the female elf speaking in Elvish, you translated it perfectly.

"Oh my elvish speech is rough I only got part of that."

"Humans shut up."

Jaskier spoke back in Elvish, and at that moment, you truly wanted to punch him.

"Do you wanna die right now?" The female elf spoke, turning in Jaskier's direction, trying to make eye contact with him.

"Jaskier, I will buy you a new lute if you just shut up."

"As opposed to later." Geralt snarled. You were beginning to wonder, how you were calm, while the other two were terrified.

"No please not the lute." All of you received another kicking, yours this time aimed perfectly at your chest.

"Leave off he's just a Bard, and she's just a young woman." Unfortunately, the female elf didn't take too kindly to Geralt's words, punches began hitting him repeatedly in the face.

"Leave him alone! What did he do to you? Nothing. We were just walking through, enjoying the scenery." The female elf stopped punching Geralt, turning her focus directly onto you.

"You don't deserve the air you breathe. Everything you touch you destroy." The female elf began to punch after punch directly across your face, but you kept still. Each punch caused the other elf in the corner to snap the lute. Throwing her knee up until your face, you hissed.

"You hide in your golden palaces, beat a bound man and a woman too scared to even look at them in the eye," Jaskier yelled as you rested your head back, working your hands to find his. This was never meant to be his problem to deal with.

"Do you like my golden Palace. Hmm, does it live up to the tales you humans tell?" As she gripped Geralt's jaw, he took the time to headbutt her. She landed a distance away from us, fair enough for the beatings to stop for now.

"Wait what's wrong with her?"

"She's sick."

"Oh, who's this?"

"He's Filavandrel, King of the elves."

"You were stealing from them." The Devil looking creature, explained the situation between the elves and the humans. How they were forced out of their homes, and have to use a Slyivian to do their bidding.

"No-one was supposed to get hurt."

"What's three humans in the ground? When countless elves have died."

"One human, the other's complicated."

"Thanks for that Geralt."

"Let them both go."

"Then Posada will know that we've been stealing. Humans will attack, many will die on both sides."

"The lesser evil. No matter what you chose, you'll come out bloody and hating yourself. Trust me." Geralt's words stung. Knowing that after all this time, he was unable to see himself just as you saw him hurt you in unimaginable ways. "Well that's the problem, I can't, and this is necessary."

"I understand, as long as you understand that it won't be long before you follow me in death."

"Yes, because they pushed us from viable soil, even chaos is polluted. Synthetically enhanced so humans can make magic."

"Chaos is the same as it's always been. Humans just adapted better."

"You say adapt, and I say destroy."

"You are choosing to starve, your cutting off your ear to spite your face."

"You think this is about pride. My elders worked with humans and got robbed of all they had. When they fought back, they were slaughtered. The great cleansing humans called it. I called it digging a mass grave. For everyone I loved. Now the humans proudly watch these fields, grow. Our babies fertilizer for their grain. I don’t wish to bury anyone else. I was once Filavandrel of the Silver towers, now I’m Filavandrel of the edge of the world. If I bring my people down from the mountains, it would mean bowing to humans. They’ll make slaves of us”

"Then go somewhere else. Rebuild, get strong again. Show the humans that you are more then what they fear you to be."

“Like you Witcher.”

"Not too long ago, I felt like you. I was angry at the entire world, the situations I was placed in. The way my life turned out. I saw the good in no-one. Until Geralt found me one day. Geralt taught me to accept everyone, no matter what they have done to you in the past." You informed Filavandrel only the top of a very long and complicated story.

“She's right. I have learnt to live with them. It wasn't easy, but I realised to live,I needed to learn to deal with them."

"Please my King there are others a new generation, of us that wish to fight. Let us take back what's ours. Starting with now." Filavandrel released his knife never in your wildest dreams could you imagine did you imagine dying with Geralt and a newfound Bard.

"Wait, the Witcher could have killed me, but he didn't. He's different. Like us." Torque was shoved aside by Filavandrel.

"If you must kill me. I am ready. But the Slyivan’s right, don’t call me human."

Hearing Geralt so willing to die, broke your heart into smithereens as you stared down in your lap to prevent anyone from the tears that escaped your eyes. You didn't need to look at Geralt to know he was currently staring at the blade. Waiting anxiously for your fate, in a way you were almost glad that Filavandrel had decided to kill you all. It was better than dealing with Geralt afterwards.

One.

Two

Three.

Thud.

[uptownbabyfanfic]

Prologue.

*Flashbacks*

Chevaugn

*2 Years Earlier*

    “Fuck,” I mumbled shaking my head as I watched the ball bounced off the rim for like the tenth time in a row. 

“Aight pause,” my pops called out after catching the ball. “Come talk to me Chevy,” he motioned for me to come over where he took his seat. 

“Wussup pop?” I asked, grabbing my water I sat next to him watching as he shrugged his shoulders. 

“You tell me, you’re missing shots you can make in your sleep which is crazy to me,” he paused, clearly frustrated. “With tryouts right around the corner how you gon make JV playing like this?” He asked

“Chill dad, it's just a few missed shots, let's run it again,” I stated trying to get him to get off this topic. 

“Hell no, and it’s not even about the missed shots, you've been off the whole time we've been out here & we’re running basic ass drills. What’s on ya mind boy?” he questioned looking over at me. 

“Nothing. Why something gotta be on my mind? I’m fine pop,”  I said lying through my teeth. 

“I’d believe that if you weren’t my son, but you are and as ya pops you should already know I know for a fact when something is bothering you,” he paused making us laugh a bit. 

“We ain’t getting back to this till you clear ya mind so talk,” he said I sighed, shaking my head. Something is in fact heavy on my mind but I don’t exactly know how to express it to my pops especially since this is a problem we thought was finally over.

“It’s mom,” I paused looking over at him “What about ya mother?” he asked curious

“She’s using again and she thinks I don’t know,” I said, shaking my head.

“You know this for a fact?” he asked me, I nodded he breathed out shaking his head. 

“You have any idea where she's getting it from?” he asked me

“Yea. Dre,” I answered referring to my moms boyfriend, which is the main reason I ain’t wanna mention this to my pops in the first place. My parents aren’t together and even with the way they ended things, my pops always managed to keep things on a respectful level or at least tried to. 

“Dre?” he questioned, shaking his head I nodded. “I thought they broke up,” 

“So did I, but they’ve been back together for awhile. I just didn’t want to tell you to avoid any drama between y’all,” I said making him laugh a bit. My pops and Dre have known each other since they were kids but as they got older things changed. Dre made an enemy out of my pops and made things worse when he got with my mom. He caused problems he shouldn’t have been able to, the main one being the custody battle my parents went through a few years back. He’s the reason why I can only see my pops every other weekend.

“You don’t have to worry about that, you could have told me,” he said I waved him off. 

“I do though pops, I may be young but I understand a lot for my age and everything we go through when he’s in the picture is too much,” I paused, shaking my head.

“I hate it when he’s around and I don’t understand why or how the judge granted mom full custody because living with them ain’t fun,” I stressed 

“Is something else going on you tryna protect me from? Cause if that’s the case you need to tell me,” he said h

“No. It’s just the simple fact that he ain’t my pops and serves no purpose in my life, I just rather live here,” I expressed he sighed

“I've been trying like hell to get full custody with everything that has happened over the years, but you know with my record & the shit your mom be pulling it’s hard as hell,” he sighed

“I just need you to know despite what the judge say I’m not gon turn you away if you wanna come here, you my son so I could give a fuck what anybody gotta say,” he said pulling me in Ismiled shaking my head. 

“I know that pop but honestly I just don’t want you in any more trouble with the law. I don’t know how this will work if you ain’t here,” I said he nodded. 

“I appreciate that son but ain’t nothing I wouldn’t do for you, besides I’m here for good. You ain’t losing me, I can promise you that” 

“Thanks pop, & I just might take you up on that offer too,” I said standing to my feet grabbing the ball from him. 

“You got keys right,” he said, making us laugh. “Can we get back to work now,” he smirked and I nodded, bouncing the ball. 

“Let’s go and watch how I lock you up,” I joked setting myself up on the court

“You can’t lock me up boy, I taught you everything you know,” he said waving me off.

“Lamar the cops out front,” my aunt yelled running in the yard.

Dropping the ball I watched as a bunch of police officers swarmed the backyard and approached my pops. It was like something out of a movie, I’ve never seen them grab somebody up so fast in my life. I tried to follow after them to get answers but my aunt pulled me back. 

“Stay with ya aunt Chevy, I’ll be home sooner than you think,” my dad called out from the back of the car but little did me and my pops know he wouldn’t be coming home no time soon.

Lanay

    Placing the phone up and away from my face I waited patiently for him to appear on the screen. After the many failed attempts for my mom I thought I’d try cause only lord knows if I come in the house with food for everybody but him all hell will break loose so for his own good he better answer cause I won’t be ringing his phone off like my mom. 

“Wussup Lala?” he answered looking at me through the phone 

“Oh wow look who finally decided to answer the phone,” I joked, shaking my head. 

“Nah I was doing something, I tried to call mommy back but she ain’t answer, she home?” he asked 

“Not yet she should be home soon though,” I informed him he nodded

“Wussup though you good?” he asked I nodded. 

“I’m going to buy food from Ms. Cherry’s what you want?” I asked him as I placed my sneakers on.

“What I usually get, but get rice and peas instead of macaroni and see if they have fried dumpling get like 2 or 3,” 

“You asking for a lot,” I said shaking my head as I walked out of my apartment

“Just buy it big head. I'll give mommy back her money,” he said but I shook my head. 

“Nah this is my money, so Ima need that back plus interest,” I smiled he laughed waving me off. 

“Whatever. Yo La that tiger & puma head mix you drew was so fire, that might be the piece I get tatted for my 18th birthday,” he said making me smile big. 

“Word? Okay that was the draft Ima draw it better for you,” I said he nodded

“Cool and put ya signature on it too, like at the bottom or something,” 

“I got you, but you know mommy gon be mad when you finally do this,” I said as we laughed

“She’ll be fine, Ima get her face tatted so she can’t be mad,” he said I waved him off. 

“I need my face too, that should be the first one honestly,” 

“Here you go,” he said shaking his head as his boys started making noise in the background. 

“Tell mommy I’ll be home in like an hour or two, keep my food warm Autumn,” he snorted, making me roll my eyes. He knows I hate when people call me that. 

“Whatever, bye lil Lucky,” I laughed quickly hanging up before he could respond. 

“Why you laughing?” my best friend Jordy questioned as I walked out the building. 

“Lucky,” I replied, placing my phone in my pocket as we walked to the Jamaican restaurant. 

“You were talking to my man, where is he?” my other best friend Sky questioned eagerly. Since the girl was old enough to fully understand and grasp the looks of boys she’s been crushing on my brother and as we get older and closer in age I need to keep it at just a crush. I love my girls I do, but my brother is off limits and it's for their sake honestly.  

“Bye Skylar, my brother don’t want you,” I said, waving her off. 

“You don't know that Lala, freshman year will soon start and we gon be seeing each other everyday,” she squealed, causing us all to laugh.

“Yea you and every other girl in school checking for his ass,” my other best friend Krissy chimed in I nodded. 

“Exactly,” I said as we approached the restaurant. 

“Whatever, when we get married I don’t wanna see any of y’all at the ceremony hating asses,” she waved us off as we burst out laughing and proceeded to order our food.

____

“Yea but Lala I’m serious, let me know if you want me to do ya hair for the first day of school,” Sky said as we walked in my apartment. 

“I got you, cause mommy talking about wash n’ set but it’s honestly too hot for all that,” I said as we laughed a bit. 

“Lucky what’s the problem now?” I heard my mom ask as we walked in the kitchen. 

“In the bookings for what? What did you do?” she asked in a slight panic which had me worried. I just got off the phone with my brother so what could he have possibly gotten himself into 20 minutes after hanging up. 

“Ma what’s wrong?” I asked her but she just placed her finger up at me. This isn’t my brothers first go spending time in the bookings and it’s usually never anything serious. It’ll be for something minor like the cops shutting a party down, or just acting a fool with his bros but this time around with the look my mother has plastered over her face it seems like something more. 

“Just explain it to me when I get there, I’m on my way now. I’ll be back Lala,” she said grabbing her keys I nodded watching her leave. 

“La,” Krissy called out. 

“Yea,” I answered, facing her. 

“I don’t know if this has anything to do with Lucky but Tati just posted that her brother got locked up. She said the cops bust in her crib and it went left from there,” she said referring to a friend of ours from school who’s brother runs in the same circle as Lucky. 

“I highly doubt it,” I said, shaking my head. I don’t want to believe my brother is a part of that because as I said before him being locked up can mean anything. 

“Ima just wait for Ma to call and tell me what’s up, besides I already know they gon come home,” I said, but little did I know that phone call would be the last time I see my brother for a very long time.

[scatterpatter]

15 w Corren!

15: What is your characters background story?

OHOHO, so I’m going to leave One Detail Out because there’s one part of his backstory I don’t wanna spoil for Jazz yet, but... >:3c

Also it’s under the cut because i totally infodumped and then some OOPSIE

oh also cws: serious illness, death, domestic violence, depression

Corren Hartwell grew up the youngest of 3 siblings, the oldest being his big sis Mila and the middle child being his bro Julian. Their parents were pretty detached emotionally, but that’s pretty par for the course where he was from, and they provided for the kids so it really wasn’t all that bad. Not a perfect family, no fam ever is, but they were happy.

His race’s culture is super inclined to intelligence and studying technology, the mind, etc, so Corren spent his childhood being a total bookworm. Studying history, arcana, all sorts of stuff... he never really minded it, though. He was actually quite good at what he did! 

Mila was a spellcaster- I honestly forgot what school of magic she was in OOPS, and Julian dual-classed as a Necromancer and Bard! Jules and Mila were both pretty close in age, and they were like besties on top of being siblings, and they’d often team up to do small adventuring jobs: hit up the help wanted board in town and take care of short deliveries or a monster stalking a farm or something like that- both for the thrill and to also earn some extra gold for the family. They loved Corren, but they couldn’t take him with them because it was too dangerous for him since he was still just a little kid. Still, Corren admired them and wanted to be just like them(better, even?) when he grew up! ... Oh yeah I always forget this detail but Corren’s totally trans XD He came out pretty young but his family was chill with it so like... ayyyeee

Though one day, Mila started getting sick. Corren doesn’t really know what it was, but for whatever reason she wasn’t able to heal from it with simple healing spells. It was a slow process, but she was just getting worse instead of better, and one day she passed. The family was a wreck, understandably. The issue is... Corren and Julian had... different ways of grieving. Corr was still young, the equivalent of like someone 10-12 in human years, so he didn’t fully grasp the concept of death just yet. He retreated into himself a lot, had trouble grounding himself to the present and really struggling with depression. Julian, about the equivalent of someone 16-18, had a better understanding of what was going on, but he was wrecked. He wanted their sister back, and was so upset he couldnt do anything... but he wanted to try. He ended up doing something rash, and... well, spoilers ;) (dont worry he didnt hurt Corren or anyone else, but... he Fucked Up in what he tried doing)

Things quickly went downhill from there for the Hartwells. There was often a lot of fighting between Julian and their parents, or Corren would be chided for being unable to focus, like, at all, and... Corren and Jules never really fought, but there was a clear rift between them after what happened. They still loved each other, but it was so obvious their relationship would never be like what it was when Mila was still around, and that hurt both of them so much.

A few months later, things reached a boiling point and Julian was kicked out of their home. Before he left, though, he found Corren and gave him something: a small amethyst pendant on a necklace chain, something Julian used to always wear. They made a promise that this wasn’t gonna be goodbye, that they’d find each other again, and then Jules was gone. It was just Corren and his mom and dad.

Things were still strained, and Corren just did his best to keep to his studies to distract himself from everything. Not wanting Corren to end up like his brother, his parents forbade anything necrotic in the magic he learned. The problem was... Corren still loved Julian. And still wanted to be like him, to a point, so... he would study necromancy in secret. It was kinda like his little lifeline like “hey Jules is still here to an extent if I know the spells he does”, and things seemed to be going okay, for the most part

Well uh... one day his father caught him practicing his necromancy and... well, was far from happy about it. An argument quickly erupted between them both, a lot of yelling back and forth, and before Corr could react properly, his father grabbed something from the desk and struck him with it, giving him a pretty bad cut across his right eye(the smol scar I always draw? Yeah...). In a panic, Corren’s flight of fight kicked in as he cast a magic missile at his father in retaliation. Corren isn’t sure if his attack just stunned, knocked out, or killed his father, but the flight of fight-or-flight kicked in as he just ran from the situation. He had no idea what he was to do or where to go, but he just knew he couldn’t go back home after that.

SO this poor kid, probably the equivalent of a 14-15 y/o, is out on his own now... and he sure does his best. He mainly spends his time hopping from town to town, taking up small jobs to get some gold in his pockets, and is just... focusing on surviving. Going from this sheltered lifestyle to suddenly on the streets was a wake-up call and then some, but he found ways to make it work. Luckily his background of studying all the time gave him enough intelligence to take up tasks others weren’t as capable of, but it was still... far from easy. But he made it work!

One day he’s in a city known as Lilenthemar, just taking a break in one of the town squares, when an Elven man takes a seat on the bench next to him. They both sit in a comfortable silence for a while... but the elf then strikes a conversation. Corren, socially awkward like no tomorrow, tries to keep up the conversation... key word tries. The man introduces himself as Jethro, and I imagine the conversation took a turn like this:

Jethro: I don’t see many Marelienths around here, are you new in town?

Corren: Yeah, just passing through I guess. ... Gotta say, wasn’t expecting to see the Dragon Saint of the Green as I came here, though.

Jethro, laughing: Ah, yes, Raerose. Don’t worry, he’s a kind dragon. Though, it’s certainly surprising to those who are new to the city.

Corren: Oh, no, I know all about Raerose and his connections to this city and the Edgewoods. I just wasn’t expecting to... you know, run into his path as quickly as I did.

Jethro: Oh, so you’ve done your research, I take it?

At that point, Corren does what any neurodivergent would do when asked about his hobbies: Infodumps the hell out of what he knows. He’s far from a great scholar, considering he’s only the equivalent of someone 16-21ish at this point and spent quite a few years away from studying in favor of surviving, but he was still very intelligent and knowledgable about what he talked about. Jethro, picking up on this, decided to offer Corren a temporary position as a Family Historian. Jethro was actually a noble, something Corr somehow didn’t pick up on, and not only could’ve used the help... but also, he kiiiinda picked up on the fact that Corren looked like a kid who could use a place to stay for a while. Corren, not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, immediately accepted the offer.

Now, Corren wasn’t intending to stay for long. A few months, maybe a year or two... but. He realized he was building a pretty stable life by having a consistent job for the elf- it didn’t make much sense to just leave that in favor of hopping from place to place with no purpose. Not to mention, he was actually growing quite close to his boss. They’d often spent time together during off-hours, sitting in a comfortable quiet, just taking comfort in each other’s presence. Jethro’s actually the only one Corren ever opened up to about his past, and over the years Corren really grew to love him in a strong platonic way. They both struggled with their own grieving, Jethro with his passed wife and son he hadn’t seen in years, and Corren with his passed sister and brother he hadn’t seen in years, which only helped them grow closer, since they understood each other’s pain, in a sense.

He still struggled with depression, but overall Corren was doing pretty damn well in life. ... Many years later, Corren being 44(idk which human-equivalent this would be. Mid-Late 20s? Early 30s?), actually gets to meet Jethro’s son, Jericho, and the party he traveled with... called the F.U.C.K.s. ... I couldn’t make this shit up even if I tried. They needed help getting to a place called the Menoa Tree, which Corren happened to have studied for a long while, so he offered to help the party. ... They totally broke him with their antics. He proceeded to have a mental breakdown in front of them, and essentially went “FUCK THIS IM GOING HOME AND TAKING A NAP”. Jethro got a laugh out of the furious rambling Corren came home with.

... But despite that, something stuck with him. He just couldn’t quite get the party out of his mind. Something about them, as frustrating as they were, was almost... magnetic? ... Well, weeks later, word came to Lilenthemar about a war that had been raging on for years now... but specifically of a battle at a city known as Joshua, the forces being lead by Jericho alongside many others. Jethro was of course worried about his boy... and Corren... well, something in him changed. He wanted to know more about the FUCKs and just WHAT their deal was, and he wanted to ease Jethro’s worries, so... he grabbed a sniper rifle and decided that he’d go help protect Jericho and his friends as they fought. 

He eventually caught up to the party, convinced them to let him help, and after many battles... the war was won(Corren kinda came in at the tail-end of it all). The only thing is... after that, Corren didn’t really want to go home just yet. He actually enjoyed spending time with the party... and then it clicked: They were powerful adventurers who were totally crazy, stupid, and had no sense of self-preservation... they were just like Julian. And Corren loved it, even when they drove him crazy. He felt alive, which is something he realized he hadn’t felt in a long time... and quickly grew attached to his party, Alistair now taking the reigns as leader as Jericho retired from adventuring. And, well, he’s stuck with them ever since!

He still has Julian’s amethyst, as they’ve yet to reunite(yknow, assuming Jules is still alive even), but... certain events are causing some concern with the story I’m telling. Mainly... Corren is slowly facing Aboleth Corruption(he doesn’t know this yet, but is starting to suspect there’s something wrong with him), and that’s causing parts of his memory to be... patchy. Certain things aren’t lining up, and there could be more(or just different altogether) pieces of this story than what I’ve just told... but we’ll have to wait and see until we get to the quest that deals with that before we find out what’s REALLY going on ;)

... HEY UM I HOPE YALL DONT MIND THE IMMENSE INFODUMP IF YOU MADE IT THIS FAR THEN THANK U FOR CARING ABT MY BOI ;-;

[altonajitzu]

Mailbox 1401 (Pt. 1)

Tick tock, sounded the clock hanging on the far side of the room, the only sound in the otherwise dead silence.

Park Jihyo, a third-year student, sat at the counter, watching the clock hands slowly move with practiced patience. There was once a time where she thought books, mobile games, or online chatting would provide sufficient distraction from this depressing time of idle, but as time went by, all those activities proved to be even more of a chore in comparison with sitting still and watching the clock. Eventually, Jihyo abandoned all attempt of doing anything, opting for just thinking while her unfocused eyes drift to any noteworthy object beside herself- which, in this case, was the clock counting towards the end of her shift.

It was a quarter to five, which meant there was fifteen minutes left before she could leave the job for her band practice. Despite the excruciatingly bland job of hers, Jihyo was actually the leader of a quite successful university band named TWICE. In their two years of existence, they had garnered attention by partaking in various inter-school music competitions, and while they did not always win, they had for themselves quite a number of fans in the region where they lived. As expected- but not adequate, she always thought, of students currently enrolled in JYP- the country’s most prestigious music academy. Only by continually telling herself and her friends-slash-members that they were yet to live up to the school’s expectation could they get out of complacency and keep on practicing.

Jihyo’s part-time job at the mail room, where she was currently lounging, entailed sorting all incoming mails into respective mailboxes and, should it be packages too large to fit through the hole, giving them to the recipient directly when they showed up. It was by no means an interesting task, but it provided a steady source of income, and she need not do anything that might affect her stamina. Taking into account the amount of energy required for both schoolwork and band practice, it was the most fitting job she could find. That’s why, over time, she had come to appreciate the resting time she had, just sitting around staring at the ticking clock.

Still with that in mind, a human mind was not designed to endure boredom without a meaningful purpose. Jihyo knew that, and she had it covered already- hers was about to arrive any minute now.

The bigger hand on the clock eventually reached five, signaling its arrival with a resounding bell ring. As if on cue, the heavy wooden door on Jihyo’s left swung open, and in came a slender figure with long flowing brown hair. The girl meandered towards the towering rows of mailboxes, seemingly unaware of Jihyo’s stare fixated on her. She stopped after a dozen steps, reached for one upper box with little more than a slight tip-toe (she was tall, Jihyo noticed, most students would otherwise have to use the chairs). With practiced precision, she rotated the dial on her lockpad until it clicked (she brought her own too, the default ones must have failed her tastes), and pulled open the steel door. Jumping up a little, the unknown girl snuck a peak inside and, upon finding it empty (as expected, probably by both people present), promptly slammed the door shut. 

Quietly shuffling out of the mail office, the girl stopped at the door, and looked back at Jihyo with a hesitant glance. Jihyo smiled at her, shooting her a small wave. She nervously responded with the lightest of smiles before quickly departing, and Jihyo was alone again. This scene had repeated itself like a broken record, and for all her dedication and commitment, she had always left empty-handed; no letter, no postcards, not even a magazine.

Her name was Chou Tzuyu, and her locker number was 1401. That was all Jihyo knew of this girl.

Still, as time went by and their silent exchange continued for an entire semester, Jihyo decided she needed more than that.

_____

“Jihyo-unnie, I can basically draw an accurate picture of your five-o’clock girl by now, you don’t need to tell me anything else.” Dahyun sighed. Jihyo pouted at her dongsaeng’s lack of enthusiasm.

“Well sorry for ranting on about the only interesting thing in my afternoon Tofu.” She stuck her tongue out at the pale rapper. “Anyways, I have a plan.”

They were gathered in their dorm, where all eight members of TWICE resided together. It had been only Jihyo, Jeongyeon and Nayeon- the eldest among them at first, so they all stayed at their respective homes, only meeting up for practice and occasional hangouts. But when they got together with a dancing machine of a Japanese students- Hirai Momo, as well as the young rapper Kim Dahyun who asked to join TWICE as soon as they enrolled, they decided to move in a common dorm room. It was a miracle how quickly three groups of disparate backgrounds and personalities clicked together, and only then did the notion of TWICE become serious. That did not mean though, that every meeting of theirs had to be professional and strict.

Like now, when Momo was taking a nap on the couch and Nayeon was out somewhere on a club-related errand, the remaining members were just lounging around, idly watching TV or playing with their phone when Jihyo came up with her ingenious scheme.

“A plan to do what exactly?” Jeongyeon inquired curiously.

“To make acquaintance with this girl of course!” Jihyo answered with enthusiasm. “She’s clearly not the type you can just walk up and strike a conversation. Especially when we’ve been seeing each other everyday for a semester already, it’d just be weird if I talked to her now. That said, I need a proper plan, and I probably need all your help.”

She proceeded to tell her bandmates of what she had in mind. When she was done, both Jeongyeon and Dahyun looked at her with disturbed looks.

“Jihyo-unnie… That was strangely elaborate, yet so stupid at the same time.” Dahyun finally found her voice to comment. “Why would you wanna go that far just to talk to her? Did you fall in love with her already?”

“No! It’s just…” Jihyo hastily denied. Jeongyeon gave her a questioning look.

“Why then? Going through all that, while you can just walk up to her and say hi.”

“Um…” She trailed off, not sure of what to say. Her friend’s question was understandable; to other people’s eyes, she was making things overly complicated for something so simple. Kill a fly with a sledgehammer, so to speak. Yet no one understood the invisible connection they’d had.

Truth be told, she was afraid. Terrified even, to imagine the cold rejection should she walk up to the girl named Tzuyu and say “Hey, so we’ve been seeing each other for half a year now and I’m getting bored of that, so let’s be friends”. While it was essentially no big deal, seeing as they never knew each other in the first place and she was not to lose anything, Jihyo knew she would not want this to fall through just like that.

After all, preparation was always better than impulse.

_____

“… You want me to do what now?” Somi looked up from her paper work, and she stared at the sheepish Jihyo with annoyed disbelief.

“Yeah… I think you are able to pull it off?” She replied, with considerably less confidence than when she entered the Student Council office.

The first step of her grand plan, Jihyo figured, would be making the letter-writing club official. So she went on her merry way to call in a favor from her old friend, Somi. The half-Canadian girl was, alongside Nayeon and Jeongyeon, was the starting member when the band first started, yet Somi decided she had more proclivity towards office tasks than the stage. It had been a shame to see her leave, but they had parted with no hard feelings and- most of all, she and Jihyo remained fast friends, something the band leader was always grateful for.

Somi moved on to be an errand girl in the Student Council, and she wasted no time climbing up the hierarchy. Right now, she was sitting at the table as the glorious president, who- luckily, had a soft spot for her old bandmates. So she made Twice an official and exclusive club of the university, with full benefits and then some.

For one, they had a secluded clubroom for themselves. Which was a privilege in itself, since most clubs have to share their operation space due to the lack of available venues.

Another perk would be that, they could come to her for the more political aspects of their work, such as organizing events or mini-concerts. The half-blood beauty practically doubled as their manager, and they had taken to coming to her for whatever shortcuts the Student Council President had access to. Which was a lot.

Apparently, such shortcuts could not be applied for this case.

“You do know that there’s more to register a club than just writing the name down onto some kind of roster right? You have to undergo a lot of processes, like presenting authenticity, membership, legitimizing the activities, so on and so forth.”

“I’m not asking you to really make a new club. Wouldn’t it be fine just to double our clubroom as that of this new club?”

“You mean, use our clubroom as a return address for a letter to a girl neither of us knows personally, that’s from a club that doesn’t exist.” Somi deadpanned. The way the girl referred to the room as ‘our’ did not go unnoticed by Jihyo, and it made her feel a little glad inside.

“What if this Tzuyu girl gets suspicious and decides to investigate on this… ‘Anonymous Correspondence’ then inevitable discovers that no such club is recognized?”

“Come on Somi-yah, you’re acting like every single club on campus needs to be sanctioned by the Student Council to operate. There are many clubs that are just too small or too new, you know?” Somi sighed, knowing Jihyo was right. “Why can’t it be the same case here?”

“… You’re forgetting the part that once this gets reported, you’re dead.”

“Yes, but no freshman in their right minds would do that. If they don’t feel like responding, they will just ignore the letter altogether, not track it down to the roots.” Jihyo was winning the argument and she knew it.

“Come on, just give me the okay on this. You’ll never have to hear about it again, I promise.”

Somi sighed and brushed a stray strand of hair off her face. “Sorry Jihyo-ah, but I don’t like how risky this is. I think I’d rather not get involved.”

Jihyo couldn’t say she hadn’t expected so much resistance. There was too much at stake for Somi as president, and it was understandable of her to be wary of overstepping her boundaries. Still, taking into account the fact that she still bothered to argue about Operation Anonymous Correspondance, Jihyo considered that she still had a chance.

Time to bring out the big guns.

“What if… I gave you Chaeyoung’s mailbox number?” Jihyo asked conspiratorially, lowering her voice.

Somi’s stern expression shattered. “W-What? Why would I want that?”

Jihyo did not answer immediately. She opted for a mini staring contest, making sure she had a knowing smirk on. As expected, Somi’s stubborn attitude began to crumble just as her facade did.

“You’ve been meaning to ask her out, no? It’d be sweet to send her something first.”

Somi’s cheeks visibly reddened.

“… No, that wouldn’t be right.” She stuttered, not bothering to even deny the notion. “I’ll just go and talk to her.”

“Oh, and her birthday’s coming up too. I bet she’d love to get a card from her sunbae~” Jihyo said in a sing-song tone.

“I’ll just… email her something.”

“Really? I’m sure she’d appreciate an actual card a lot more…”

“Hold on,” Somi cut in. “Alright, I know what you’re trying to do here Jihyo. You can do whatever you want.”

Bingo. “Thanks Somi-yah, I know I could count on you.”

“But, if this girl you’re writing to doesn’t like this, you’re taking full responsibility for it, alright?”

“Definitely. Like I said, she would come to you to ask for the clubroom’s address, and you’ll redirect her to us, absolutely nothing else.”

“… Fine. You can use the room for your little… whatever it is you’re planning.” Concluded Somi with another sigh.

_____

The next step would be recruiting ghost members. Luckily, Jihyo was anything but unpopular.

She proceeded to go to the singing sisters, Chaeyeon and Chaeryeong, her childhood friend Eunsuh, as well as a Thai exchange student who went by the name Natty. Overjoyed at the notion that they would get to hang out at Twice’s curb, none of them disagreed.

“There’s something not quite right about Jihyo.” Nayeon muttered when she saw the aforementioned girls flooding the clubroom. “Oh well, it’s gonna be fun.”

Nayeon shook her head to clear off the doubt. It was not her business after all, and they were always glad to talk to their fans. For better or worse, at least Jihyo’s plan succeeded in livening up the clubroom for a while.

_____

“Jihyo, you mind turning off the light and go to sleep already?” Jeongyeon called out in an irritated voice.

“Yeah, sorry Jeongyeon-unnie. Just a minute.” Came Jihyo’s distracted reply.

Knowing the next bedcall would come soon, Jihyo took the little time she had re-reading the letter she had just spent the whole night mulling over.

Dear Tzuyu,

How are you? I’m writing to you on behalf of Anonymous Correspondence, our school’s letter-writing club! You probably haven’t heard of us, since we’re a fairly new club, but we still hope to spread the traditional joy of sending and receiving written letters to students all over the university.

So, please tell me a little about yourself! Your major, which classes are you studying, your hobbies, anything! Our goal is to get people more involved in the postal system, thereby encouraging the handwritten way of communication in the old days, so anything you’d like to write back is welcome. Receiving mail is also part of the fun, so I’ll be glad to read and reply to anything you choose to respond with. And since confidentiality is highly important to all, your information will not be shared to anyone else without your consent. Of course you can choose not to respond at all, that’s fine too. We understand that students are quite busy, so don’t feel obliged to write back if this doesn’t interest you. I just hope you enjoy receiving a letter, and that you’ll have the opportunity to write to your friends and family and spread the joy of mail.

Hope you have a good day!

Thomas, junior member of Anonymous Correspondence

Jihyo looked over the content once more, then smiled with satisfaction. The letter conveyed exactly what she wanted- an overall friendly and inviting tone, all the while keeping it relatively anonymous. The wording itself was formal enough to be official, but she made sure to use a lot of singular first person to lend a bit of familiarity.

The next morning, she found herself standing by the metal row of mailboxes. In front of her, about a foot up, was the number 1401.

“Here goes nothing.” Taking a deep breath, Jihyo muttered. Tiptoeing as high as she could to reach upwards, she inserted the letter into Tzuyu’s mailbox. She was bypassing conventional procedure, that she knew, but she had full right to do it- after all, her part-time job entailed putting letters into their recipients’ boxes, so it was not exactly against the rules to do this.

She turned on her heels and headed out. For now, she had done all she could do. 

All that’s left was wait.

[j-t-k-moved]

I've finally done it. I've finished my Trollsona. Me as a Troll. This took much more effort than I thought it would be tbh. Anyway this is gonna be a long post tbh. Also if you wanna like draw my trollsona pls do

Name: Scmare Ttieer [Seh-mar Tear] Origin of her name is unknown.

Age: 7.85 Alternian Sweeps [17 Human Earth Years]

Height: 5'6 feet tall. [Not including horns which are around a foot long]

Eyes: |See picture 5|

Gender: Female

BloodColour: Sapphire Blue |See picture 2|

Theme: Space

Quote From Her: "id rather StAy NEUTRAL on thE SituAtion. lEss ChAnCE of ConfRontAtion."

Symbol: |See picture 6|

Lusus: She didn't fully know what it was. It was a strange creature, not related to any of her interest or any creatures located on Alternia. She cared for it all the same.

Weapon: Double ended scythe |See picture 4| [Weapon is around 4 feet long]

Clothing: Black tank top coated in small white specs (represents stars), her symbol on the shirt in her blood colour. Sapphire blue button up over shirt. Black mid thigh shorts. Black boots.

Hair: Thick black hair. Rests just on her shoulders. Usually up in a high ponytail with a Sapphire blue bow.

Interest: Fiduspawn, singing, reading, drawing, crafting, astronomy and dancing

Dislikes: Confrontation, large groups of people, loud noises, herself

Face: Round in shape. Scar across the bridge of her nose. Square thick glasses covering her eyes. Only make up being some black eye liner |See in picture 5|

Body: Chubby body. Muffin top stomach with thick thighs and arms. Stretch marks on stomach and thighs. Weight is probably around 195 pounds.

Horns: |See picture 3|

Teeth: |See picture 1|

Powers: Aura reading, The ability to perceive energy fields surrounding people, places and things. If she focuses hard enough on person she can see colours surrounding their body. These colours can mean multiple things, from how they're feeling to if that person is inherently evil or good.

Troll Tag: dysfunctionalCosmos

Typing Quirk: Capitalizes letters that are in her first name (except when she types her actual name). But when it comes to the word "Neutral" she caps the whole word. Uses & instead of the word 'And' [Sample of a message she has sent. To whom is unknown:

gREEtingS & SAlutAtionS, My nAME iS Scmare Ttieer. It'S niCE to MEEt you. So uM...i dont hAvE MuCh tiME i nEEd to go finiSh SoME tRAining todAy. My LuSuS will SquAwk At ME if i dont, MAinly bEcAuSE i fEEd hiM AftER & will foRgEt to if i dont tRAin. I hopE wE cAn MEEt AgAin... ]

Hemoloyalty: She does not treat trolls of lower blood caste any worse than she would treat a troll of a high blood caste. Though, she does understand her place on the hemospectrum and that unless she wants to get culled she needs to show respect to highbloods. Describes it as being neutral, even though she doesnt approve of the way low bloods are viewed.

Hive: A very simple Hive, even if a bit futuristic looking.. Made of metal, the whole hive in a circular shape. An observatory located right in the middle of the building on the roof. Used for her interest in studying space.

Respiteblock: Messy room with clothes and tools on the floor. Posters of movies and videogames on the walls, along with some of her shitty drawings. Husktop located on a desk in the back of the room. Recuperacoon is located in a far right corner by a window.

Quadrants: None of hers are filled [Unless you count my self shipping, which can be explained elsewhere]

Ancestor: WIP |Will add link when she is finished|

Dancestor: WIP |Will add link when she is finished|

Basic Personality: [For this I have answered 20 questions to help you understand her personality. Hopefully this helps everyone get a clear grasp on what she's like. Since she is me anyway]

1: Is the character generally approachable or does she keep to herself? Why? A: She usually keeps to herself though she's not completely unapproachable. She finds approaching others to be difficult and usually waits for someone else to make the first move.

2: Is the character a hard-worker, or does she take it easy? Does this nature vary for any particular activity? A: Despite being a blueblood she more of a take it easy kinda troll. Though when she puts her mind to something she can work hard and get it done. Of course if she likes the activity, she is more likely to finish it quickly.

3: Does the character give plain answers to others or is she mysterious? A: Plain answers. She prefers to get to the point of what she means.

4: How does the character feel about pets? How about wild animals? Does she have a favorite animal/pet? A: She loves animals. Though she's afraid to go around them due to her strength. Being a blue blood she had a great amount of strength and hasn't learned to control it well. She worries she will hurt the animals and admires them from afar. She doesn't have a favourite as of now.

5: What is the character's religion? Is the character very religious? How does she show it/observe his religion? A: She is questioning her religious beliefs. She cant decide if she believes in a higher being, or if she thinks that too far fetched.

6: How does the character feel about the local ruler? A: She prefers not to take a stance, she doesn't love or hate them.

7: Does the character have any off-putting habits? A: She has a habit of biting her nails as well as biting skin off her lip. Only does this when nervous or bored.

8: What does the character do to relax? A: To relax she will read or sing. These activities calm her nerves the most.

9: Does the character have any unusual voice or speech pattern? A: Besides her typing quirk she doesn't have much trouble speaking clearly. Sometimes she can be too loud when excited about something, or too quiet when upset. She also tends to ramble when talking online and in person.

10: Why was the character given the name she has? A: She doesn't know where her name comes from or what it means. She believes there is no definition for her name, and that it is just a name unlike how other trolls names have meaning. She quit looking for a answer to it long ago.

11: Does the character have a nickname? What is the source of the nickname? Is it flattering or not? How does she react to it? A: Not being the most social Troll in public, she doesn't have many friends to give her nicknames. She was once called Krem online before and found it cute. So if she were to want to be called anything besides her name it would be Krem.

12: Has the character had issues with the law? A: She has never gone against the law. She doesn't like confrontation. Though she might end up having to.

13: Was there something unusual about her childhood? A: Besides her strange Lusus nothing was too weird for her at least.

14: Does the character have a mentor? A: She would consider her mentor her Lusus.

15: Does the character have a scar or some mark? What was the cause? A: The most obvious scar Is the one she has across the bridge of her nose. She got it when she built her first robot that ended up attacking her and cutting her nose. Smaller scars litter her body from accidents when building.

16: What does she consider her greatest achievement? A: Even though the robot attacked her, she considered it her greatest achievement. It was strong, hard to destroy and packed a punch. She was young when she made it, 4 sweeps, and to build something so sturdy at a young age surprised her.

17: Is she able to kill? Under what circumstances does she find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable? A: She is very much able to kill. But she only sees it fit if it is in self defense. She will not attack unless attacked first.

18: Does she believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love? A: She does, she believes even the most evil people have one.

19: How honest is she about her thoughts and feelings A: She tries to keep a lot of her feelings to herself in fear of being judged. Opening up emotionally like that is hard for her.

20: Does she care what others think of her? A: She does, she finds herself getting nervous out in public. Thinking other Trolls are judging her.

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The next part is a story the explains her background leading to present time.  Backstory Time.

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[BS] You: Be the strange girls Trollsona  ======>

 You are now, Scmare Ttieer

You enjoy SINGING, DANCING, ASTRONOMY, CRAFTING, READING, DRAWING and a Alternia game called FIDUSPAWN. You are a quiet Troll, even if sometimes you enjoy BREAKING things loudly, who keeps your nose in your own business but opening up when you become close friends with someone. Close enough to fill the Moirail quadrant at the least.

You were hatched on the 9th bilunar perigee of the 1st dark season. Skipping your blurry wiggler days, you were chosen by a strange Lusus after passing your trials. You and your custodian then proceeded to build a secluded hive made of metal in a circular shape.

 You spent most of your younger days learning to build and studying outer space. Your fascination with planets and beings outside of your world was never disturbed by your Lusus, so you learned quickly that there was other life forms out there besides Trolls. You vaguely know of a Alien species called 'Humans' but have not gotten far in your studies.

 Next to that, You tried to learn how to control your strength and violent thoughts. As a blue blood, you has a incredible amount of strength even if your body doesn't look like it. You once busted a hole in the wall of your Hive that took you days to fix (your repair skill were still in development). Being in your blood caste, these things were expected of you, you were to become a solider after all.

 You don't know if you wants that though.

 You always had a strange opinion on the hemospecturm. After studying the history of your Dancestor and Ancestor you learned of the ways they reacted to it. You try to incorporate both of their ways into you view, in hopes of doing what they failed at, which was not dying because you have a opinion. Because of this you remain what you call 'Neutral'

 This means you are trying not to pick a side, in hopes of avoiding confrontation which could end in death on either side. You don't like treating low bloods like they are lesser than you, you never even called another troll a low blood. You also understands that going against a high blood could end in a culling, so you don't speak against them.

 The whole thing is confusing, even for you. Why can't you just make up your mind and fight for what you believe in! Well that's the thing you don't want to fight. Maybe one day you'll figure it all out, you are only 7 sweeps old after all.

  At  4 sweeps though, you made a robot. Your first one. You don't remember what its exact purpose was, but it definitely wasn't to attack you like it did. Which is how you got the scar across your nose. You had won the fight with a bit of damage, your Lusii didn't seem Impressed though.

 That was basically all of your past, building, training to control violent tendencies, doing activities you liked. Your Lusus was your only friend for a while, before you got into the online world one sweep ago. Talking to other Trolls is a lot easier when your behind a husktop. You mainly just play games and maybe have a conversation or two with some others playing with you.

 Even gained the nickname 'Krem' from someone you once talked with. You can't remember who it was or where the name came from, but ...you liked it.

 Now a days you haven't been online much. You'll be a adult soon, become a solider like your supposed you. You might skip out on that though.

 In case of the inevitable to try to go out more, to make friends but its not working. Its not just that you're shy and have anxiety (it mainly is though), its also becase of your Aura reading abilities. Because of this hard to explain power you can tell if a person if bad or good. Angry or happy. You tend to stay away from the Trolls with bad auras.

 Its also takes a lot of focus (since you have trouble focusing on anything for a long time in the first place) to see someone's Aura. So when they catch you starring at them its hard to talk to them after wards and explain why you were looking at them like you were trying not to explode.

 Anyway that's all there really is to say about you. Not too special you see. You live a simple life which is what you wanted. You hope it can stay simple.

 [BS] You: Quit being the Trollsona and go back to scrolling

[darkhymns-fic]

The Value in an Ending

Being a judge can be tiring (especially when you're swindling the government), so Sans always makes sure to visit the bakery down the street for some good food, some bad laughs, and the lovely voice of a nice friend.

He wants to make sure to keep this happy ending.

Fandom: Undertale Characters/Pairing: Sans/Toriel, Flowey Rating: G Mirror Links: AO3, FF.net Notes: This was written as a response to my boyfriend's most recent story, Murder with a Side of Lies, part of the Detective Papyrus series. Takes place after that story's events with a lot of references to it, and it's a super-fun read anyway that you should check out. *hint hint* 

Everyone knew about Toriel’s Bakery café that was huddled between the barber shop and the small fruit market down on Old Abode Lane. Even if you didn’t know it by name, the scent of her famous butterscotch pie was hard to ignore when you passed by. The waft of golden, flaky bread and the tinge of cinnamon spice would make its way through the air, unhindered by the constant storms and showers that took over the dreary skies, enticing the curious, the hungry, and those with a weakness for sweets.

Sans didn’t fit any of those categories (indifferent, no stomach, and he preferred food of the greasy variety), but the scent of that pie made him go to her shop anyway.

There was a sign over the door. It was printed boldly and clearly for all to see, along with a useful design of a clock. ‘Will be back in exactly 1 hour. We are sorry for the inconvenience.’

Nah, that’s alright.

He pushed open the door, the bell atop tinkling as he entered. It was good to get out of the rain, and him being the numbskull that he was, he didn’t bring an umbrella or a hat to cover his shivering bones. Well, usually the rain didn’t hit him- it just always seemed to miss him at the right moment. But this time, Sans didn’t try to cheat out of it. After all, it was okay to get dunked on once in a while. And hey, this way, his skull was now shiny and clean.

Pink slippers placed themselves on the welcome mat, which was both simple and elegant, if he had to describe it. The ‘Welcome’ on it was stylized in cursive, printed against a violet background with pretty designs of curls and columns that resembled architecture. It was also large enough for the feet of the biggest of monsters. Sans, being the opposite of that, felt quite engulfed within the mat’s confines.

“yo, tori,” he called out, but she wasn’t present. It seemed no one was in the shop right now. (Guess that sign was for something). He walked towards the displays of cakes and cookies, pies and pastries, and the special snail creations counter. It was midday and items from each section had been sold to prospective customers, except for the snail treats. A shame, really. The snail pie wasn’t so bad if you put enough whipped cream on it and ignored the crunchy texture of shells between your teeth.

Sans then went through the little open space between the shop counter, heading straight for the back door.

Can’t break with tradition.

“knock knock,” he said, rapping bare knuckles against the wood.

He heard two distinct sounds then; the airy laugh of that sweet old lady, and the sigh of a certain bud of his.

He was hoping the kid would be taking his nap right about now. Oh well, can’t have everything.

“Who’s there?” spoke the kind voice.

“ice cream,” he answered.

“Ice cream who?”

“ice cream if you don’t let me in.”

He basked in her laughter, which was only slightly ruined by another’s groan and frantic whisper of, “Come on! That was lame!”

Hearing plates clink from beyond the door, his joke buddy then spoke out, “It’s open.”

Sans was greeted to the sight of the shop owner known as Toriel. She was tall and poised in her posture, hands clasped delicately on the dining table within the room. She was seated among a pie tin that was placed within the center of the table, several slices already having been cut from its shape. Sans saw his own plate – the one with the ketchup bottle next to it. On the pie slice was a red-drizzled drawing of a skull. Aww.

A bit further off from the condiments and sweets, the other side of the table had different objects; namely books, some paper and pencils, and a hat with a grumpy-looking, golden-petaled flower on it.

“I was just helping him with some of his homework,” Toriel explained as Sans made his way to his seat. “Right now, we are on algebra.”

“Math is dumb!” Flowey declared. He held a pencil in his leaf, albeit with some difficulty.  “Who even uses this trigonometry junk in real life anyway?”

Sans looked at the flower. Man, this was good to pass up.

“you use it all the time, kid. triangle shapes are all around you. why, it’s as easy as pie.”

Flowey narrowed his eyes at the skeleton, particularly at the way Sans’ jacket was still sopping wet from the rain outside, damping both the carpet and seat. “That was stupid. You’re just stupid!”

“Flowey, that is quite enough,” Toriel chastised. She gave a little tap on Flowey’s head, making the plant flinch. “Please behave yourself when we have a guest.”

“no sweat, tori. he just hasn’t discovered math’s inner sweetness. it’s the reason pie even exists.”

Flowey threw down his pencil. “No, it’s not!”

“kid, would i lie to you? you ever hear about the worst thing about getting hit with pie?” Sans grinned wide. “get this. it’s because pie…” He turned his eye sockets to Toriel.

She finished with, “It never ends!”

Flowey groaned and growled and pushed away his math assignment. “I still don’t get it!!”

“oh yeah, tori. got, uh, a message for ya.” Sans took a crumpled-up note out of his pocket, though that was being generous. It was practically wadded into a paper ball, down to the size of a nickel. He tossed it over to Toriel, who deftly let it bounce upon her palm.

“…Sans, usually your letters are a bit more… well-prepared. Though I supposed this would have been difficult to mail.” Despite her words, she didn’t sound annoyed in the slightest. She smiled at the skeleton, and went to work on the paper ball as if it was a gift ready to be unwrapped. It was a challenging exercise for her large hands, but she was determined to see it through!

“now you know i like the snail mail we have going on between us.” Sans’ voice was light as he spoke. He watched as Toriel untangled the crinkled paper, and then looked away. Eye sockets wandered back over to the bakery shop section, back to the glass door, the bell above it, and the sign hanging over the front. The rain continued to pour, and the faint sound of thunder muffled through the skies.

“but it ain’t my message exactly.” He turned back to her. “big guy wanted to pass a word along.”

That made Toriel’s hands pause.

Flowey looked from both monsters, his dark eyes swishing around the empty space that was his petaled head.

Then a grin formed.

“Oh! Did Daddy say hi to me?”

Toriel didn’t say anything. Sans shrugged at the flower. “can’t tell you, kid. he didn’t mention hi or low of you.”

Flowey scoffed. “You know that’s not what I-”

“Asriel.” Toriel raised her head. The ceiling lights glinted off her eyes, highlighting the crimson that swirled within their depths. “Please take your homework and go upstairs to your room. Try to finish the rest of your assignment and I will come along to check it over.”

“What?!” The plant quivered with impatience. “But I wanna know what Dad said! And I told you that my name is Flo-”

“Asriel,” she repeated. Her mouth was set firm. “I’m not asking you again.”

The air felt hot, despite the cool rain outside. The flower wilted.

“…Ugh, fine.”

Was an interesting sight to see a houseplant try to cradle both a heavy-bound textbook and a sheaf of written-on papers in their leaves, all while holding a pencil in its mouth. “think you can handle all that, bud?” Sans couldn’t help but ask. The little weed predictably growled and tried to yell, but only ended up dropping the pencil and some spit onto the table.

Toriel glared.

“…I still want my pie later!” Then the flower nabbed the pencil with his teeth, and hopped off the chair to the floor, still attached to that hat that Toriel usually wore. Toriel’s home didn’t pave the way for a dirt floor, so the flower stumbled a bit, all the way through the living room and up the stairs, making sure to grumble all the way. “And don’t let him eat it!” Flowey shouted down before a door slammed.

Sans leaned back on the chair, shrugging in the most innocent way possible. “don’t know what the kid’s talking about. i already ate his slice five minutes ago.”

Sure enough, Flowey’s plate was cleared off except for a few crumbs.

He saw something then – the quirk of a smile that tugged at Toriel’s lips. But it faded fast the moment her attention went back to the crumpled letter.

“i can come back later if you want.”

“No, no, you do not need to.” Toriel took a breath, finally unraveling the letter. She stood up from her chair, reaching for a pair of reading glasses that she kept on her dress. “I will just be a moment.”

Sans resigned to that. He pushed away his own pie plate that was just as empty as the other.

It was probably weird watching her as she read the letter, he figured. But it’s not like he had anything much better to do. Besides, it was a good way to identify her tells – how her muzzle twitched like so when she was annoyed with something, or how she absently toyed with the blunt of her horn when she came across a mental obstacle. He noticed that same thing when they would both solve the crossword together – or more recently, the horoscope. (His cool bro’s suggestion).

At one point, her glasses seemed to steam up and, wait, was it getting hot in here? Having no skin made it hard to tell these things. But Toriel had removed her glasses then. She neatly tucked it back in her dress pocket, then proceeded to fold the letter into a nicely-shaped square. (Sans would have done that the first time, but it wasn’t like ol’ fluffybuns even asked him to. No need to do extra work like that). She stared at the letter with casual disinterest and walked over to the trash bin that was placed neatly by the door that led back to the bakery shop.

Then the letter immediately combusted into flame, illuminating the room harshly before extinguishing, all in a matter of seconds. The ashes fell into the trash.

Sans blinked. “guess that got you pretty heated.”

She didn’t smile at his joke this time. The fire was still in her eyes, before it dulled to a cautious warmth. “He wanted to know of my… progress.”

The skeleton was absently playing with the ketchup bottle. The opening of it was clogged over with some crust. Bummer. “yeah, guy’s a bit nosy, huh?”

“Sans,” she spoke to him seriously. “You are the judge. Is not inquiring over the affairs of his previous business in violation of his current sentence?”

“eh, probably.”

“…Did you tell him that?”

“think i mentioned a word or two about that.” Sans finally picked away the gross crust stuff, and was able to take a nice, refreshing gulp of the processed condiment. “but, uh, he’s pretty good at wording things just the right way, you know. making it legal and all that.”

Toriel sighed. “I must say I am not surprised. Asgore and his loopholes.”

“yeah.” Sans saw how Toriel stared at that trash can, the ashes already disappearing among the crushed bits of snail shells. “said he just wanted to ask how you were.”

“Yes, that sounds very chivalrous of him.” Toriel had to edge herself away from the trash to go back to the table. Her hands made as if to go for the pie, but she stopped herself, laying them clasped together on her lap.

“tori, ya know i’m the last person that’s going to judge ya for binge-eating.” He drank another swill of salty ketchup. “it’s a favorite pastime of mine, after all.”

There was a giggle this time from her – and it wasn’t totally forced either. He could appreciate that.

Toriel lifted her hands to place them on the table. Her claws tapped against the utensils. “It has been very busy lately.”

Sans nodded. “heard the family business was tough.” Especially when one was head of said The Family – the volunteer-run group of monsters that sought to help out all monsterkind with fundraisers, social work, and the like.

Toriel breathed in gently. “That’s a bit of an understatement. Just this week, a very curious, armless monster child had run away from his home. Said he got lost trying to find a job to help his family. It took quite a while to locate his parents.” She rubbed a hand against her temple, then gave a little sigh. “We were able to offer them some occupation, to help out with the home construction on the west side for the vulkins. They really do quite amazing work just using their feet.”

“good ol’ charity work.” The skeleton favored her decision with a wink. “we all knew you’d be great for the job though.”

“You mean the only one for the job. Certainly no one else was grabbing for it. Especially not after the reputation that Asgore had left it with…”

Yeah, having a criminal record over killing another monster probably had something to do with it.

Well, allegedly.

“you don’t have to stick with it though.”

“Yes, I do, Sans,” Toriel nodded. “I’ve run away from my responsibilities long enough… And someone has to clean up the mess.”

Sans didn’t have much to say to that. But he did have another thing to mention. Seeing Asgore on his weekly judicial visits (which really consisted of playing checkers and having chamomile tea) made him remember again.

“oh yeah, and the kid’s doing just fine. don’t know if fluffybuns mentioned that.”

He could hear Toriel hold in her breath. “He made a passing mention of them, yes.” She paused. “They are not safe with him.”

“don’t gotta tell me twice.”

“Apparently I do.” Her tone suddenly had an edge to it – one that was rarely pointed at him. “You know what he is capable of, and yet you allow this.”

And the thing was, Sans knew he didn’t have much of an excuse, except for…

“frisk is a pretty determined kid, you know. not much i can do against that.”

One reason he didn’t hang out with humans much. Or trust them either. Never know what weird stuff they were capable of.

Asgore must have thought the same thing.

She didn’t look convinced, and he didn’t blame her, but having her angry eyes on him was putting a damper on his mood. “kid looks healthy though. not hanging out on the streets anymore. knows how to brew a good tea – and can bake, too. and, uh, someone’s gotta do the big guy’s shopping since he’s under house arrest and all.”

“And why can’t that someone be an adult?”

“no adults were willing.” Not even Undyne, which he thought was weird. Guess she really wanted to let the past be. Maybe he could learn from her, someday. “and legally, can’t let past business associates have contact with him either. but you know, the kid’s been smiling lately. seemed real happy hanging out there… kinda creepy, actually.”

Toriel still huffed at the explanation. Sans tried another avenue. “ya know, being legal guardian and all, i’m sure you can talk to ‘em and they’d come running back.”

She finally relented and went to cut a piece of pie for herself. The tin clinked against both knife and fork as she brought a slice onto her plate. “I don’t believe they will, no. I was hoping… you could talk some sense into them.”

“ah, tori.” He leaned back against the chair, hands in his pockets. “you expect too much of me.”

She didn’t deny that.

Sans will always remember when he first met Toriel. It had been another rainy day, a quiet one, with the cars swishing by on the pavement as nightfall descended. She had been there on the sidewalk, umbrella in hand, her fur slightly matted from the rain. Despite the weather she wore a wide-brimmed sunhat, topped with a flower that even had a kinda-smiley face on it. She had been the first person to even look at him that day.

Oh, and he had been begging her for money.

“spare some change, lady?”

The skeleton had picked the perfect spot for his shtick. Just right by the mailbox underneath the lamppost, across the street from this adorable-looking bakery that always had the best smells. He wasn’t really a pie and pastry kind of guy, but he liked the aesthetic of it.

Seating his behind on the wet sidewalk, she had been looking down at him. Not condescendingly or anything like that, just literally looking down, especially at her height. He had to crane his neck bone to meet her eyes.

“Oh? Have you met some misfortune, young man?”

“yeah, haven’t had a bite to eat in weeks. now i’m all-bones.”

An unexpected laugh had bleated out of her at that – which was surprising. He couldn’t remember an audience that responded so well to the warm-up jokes.

Through stifled laughter, she gestured to him. “But then, why do you have a nice cream cone?”

Sans shifted his gaze to said nice cream cone, held within his right hand’s grip.

“…beats me, actually. but hey, it’s nice, huh?” Usually, he could think on his feet when it came to his stuff. (But then again, he wasn’t standing anyway). He was also a bit distracted by the way her long ears framed her face, and the sheer snow-whiteness of her fur.

“You know what goes great with nice cream? A hot slice of butterscotch pie. Oh! Or do you prefer cinnamon? Or perhaps both?”

“well, i’m more of a ketchup and fries guy myself.”

That wasn’t even really a joke, but she laughed anyway and hey, that was nice.

Then he heard a groan. “Who is this loser? Can we go home already?!”

Sans craned his neck some more. “heh, didn’t see you, bud. how’s the weather up there?”

Toriel poked the complaining flower, then smiled apologetically. “Please excuse his behavior. He’s just shy around new people.”

“I’m not shy around trash- ow!”

Okay, Sans had to laugh. Something about a goat lady scolding a plant was hilarious.

It was a real bonus that she seemed to like bad jokes, too.

After Flowey was made to mumble out an apology, Toriel pulled out a few coins of monster currency, laying it within Sans’ empty palm.

“I wish you the best of luck in your future. My bakery is just across from here, and I would love for you to visit when you have found your way. I will give you a pie slice on the house!”

“What?!” the flower shouted, absolutely mortified. “Don’t do that!”

First thing Sans thought when he heard that: alright, some freebies.

Second thing: this lady seemed very nice and genuine. It was hard to tell the real genuine folk of this town, even from other monsters. But not this lady.

“careful. i might take up on your offer.”

She smiled even wider at that. Perched underneath her umbrella, and dressed in a long, swishing dress, she looked like she brought spring with her wherever she went. Just have that flower on her hat smile more often, and it’d be perfect.

“I cannot wait until then,” she said to him, then proceeded to cross the street. He heard the flower grumble more, until they were both out of earshot.

He kept the change she gave him. In his back pocket, always just out of reach from his other coins.

You don’t give away gifts.

Sans will always remember how he first met Toriel.

And he will always remember just what she asked of him only moments before.

He tried not to think too hard about that, already fiddling with the radio that was set up on a small coffee table. Static kept interrupting the sound waves, morphing the voices coming out of the speakers. Toriel didn’t have a television set – too high tech for her tastes – but it gave Sans a great excuse to rest his eye sockets when they listened in on the latest radio drama. Maybe catch a few Z’s here and there.

“heard metts’ switching gears now. literally and figuratively, heh. wanna catch his latest show?”

Toriel was gathering up the plates and pie tin, her back to Sans as he laid back on her plush sofa. “I must now get back to work, Sans. Perhaps next time.”

“aw, come on. sure ya can’t just leave the shop closed for an hour? this one sounds really good.”

“…and then I told him, “That’s not my engine coolant, that’s my wife!” Cue the canned laughter, along with brief interruptions of more static. “Oh, thank you, beauties and gentle(fzzt!) Remember to call in now to get the chance to speak with your favorite (schzt! fshhh!) and everybody LOVES me!”

“killer new song,” Sans commented.

Toriel turned toward the stereo sound. “Oh, it does sound quite fun, though I should have that antenna fixed. But I really must get going. Hopefully they will do a repeat of it later tonight.”

Sans reached out to reluctantly turn off the radio. Too bad, he could snooze easy to this.

“Alphys, darling, you’re talking (rrrek!) again. Game of Bones is not of any relevance to this program.”

“B-but the mangaka is not even writing anymore and-and (tshiig!) o-opened a f-film studio to waste even more time (rrek fzzzt!) st-stupid sell-out and a h-hack!”

“Oh my god, just play a record already-!” Click.

He edged off the couch, watching quietly as Toriel made her way to the kitchen. “it’s pouring pretty hard out there today. more than usual. might not get many customers.”

“Actually, someone is helping take over the afternoon sales. I have other matters.”

“oh?”

Disappearing through the kitchen doorway, Sans didn’t expect much else. Then she stepped out again, leaning backwards with a grin, the dirty plates still held within her arms.

“Yes. Family matters.” Then she winked, and vanished once again.

Sans choked on air. Did that joke even made sense? Who cares? His bones were light from her delivery.

It wasn’t long before Toriel’s bakery replacement came in. The buff bunny monster was a bit eager for his shift – he was already wearing the pie-patterned apron and everything. Though he no longer wore the pin-striped suit, he still had his hat on, which shadowed most of his face.

“Yo! I’m like, here to help, boss lady!” he called out from the front. The shop looked ludicrously small with this bench-pressing monster standing within the middle of the place.

“Oh, he is here quite early.” Toriel, having already finished her washing, was now dressed in a more business-casual outfit, it’s colors muted instead of the brightness that was her sundress. Atop her head, she wore a pillbox hat, it’s surface absent of patterns and sentient flowers. “I supposed that gives me a head-start.”

Sans walked her to the front, eyes latched onto the purse she carried. Very elegant, with golden clasps. And the way she walked spoke of a regal authority that was awfully familiar. “what’s on the agenda today for ya, queen tori?” he asked her naturally.

Toriel blinked at the royal address – yeah, he didn’t know where that came from either – but she answered him still.

“Another monster family was unfairly kicked out of their home. Apparently, their human neighbors complained and cited a housing violation. I will be going to the regulations office for a meeting. I am hoping we can reach a sort of mutual arrangement for equal housing.” She tsked, already gesturing for the buff monster to take his place behind the counter. “It is not the poor monsters’ fault that they are completely made of fire.”

“yeah, grillbz has the same problem. guess his landlord just can’t stand the heat.”

Toriel stifled her laugh, but it came out as a hiccup, which only made Sans grin even more. “Yes, well, if your friend needs help, he can come over for a chat anytime.”

“i’ll make sure to pass it along,” he said, kinda meaning it.

Toriel was back to instructing her worker. “There are several loaves of bread in the oven there. Be sure to check on them. Oh, and Mrs. Waters will be here in about an hour to pick up her cake. It’s right there on the left shelf.”

“Gnarly prep work, boss,” said the bunny monster, openly admiring the cake’s decorative work. A birthday cake, clearly, with fanciful ribbons, rainbow rosettes on its sides, and a neatly-written ‘Happy Birthday, Joel!’ written with the neatest and florid of penmanship… or pipesmanship. (Because using a cake piping and all. Only cake aficionados would truly get the joke. Sans thought it was probably best to leave it out of his set).

Once the bunny dude was set-up, Toriel and Sans left the shop. The rain was still pouring heavily outside, washing the sidewalks clean. They both stood under the awning of the bakery, hearing the raindrops plunk against the material.

“Ah, and there is my car ride.”

Sans looked to his left and, sure enough, a fancy-looking blue car was parked just a little upwards of the bakery. With a squinting of his eye sockets, he could see the other half of the buff duo that Asgore once employed in his flower shop. The dragon-looking monster was still dressed in his pinstripe suit, from what Sans could see through the constant shower from the skies.

“I am sorry to leave so abruptly today, Sans.”

“no worries, t.” He shrugged. “i still got a free meal out of it. why would i complain?”

Just as she was about to laugh again, he saw her eyes widen curiously. “Oh my! You’re missing one of your adorable slippers!”

The skeleton looked down and, what do you know, he was wearing only one of the things. The other was living free in the rain, toe bones planted against the pavement. See, if he had skin, he could avoid these mishaps.

“how about that? must have left it on your couch. i’ll get it later.”

“Sans, are you admitting you put up your feet on my upholstery?”

“naaah.”

Another smile from her. He could do this all day. He wouldn’t mind it at all.

But she had to go. Though the car horn didn’t beep, her chauffeur kept staring at them in intervals. Toriel then hurriedly made her way to the car, one hand holding onto her hat, the other clutching her purse to her chest. Even so, she made sure to turn to him with a wave of goodbye. “Please come back tomorrow. I will make sure the radio is properly tuned this time!”

“wouldn’t dream of missing it,” Sans said, fully meaning it, as he always did.

He remained underneath the awning, watching as the car drove down the street. Though it was only mid-afternoon, the lampposts outside were already lit. They casted pools of light on the streets. The car passed underneath one such light, it’s coat looking to nearly shine from the washing it received from the rain. Then the car made a right turn, leaving Sans with nothing more than an empty, noir-painted street.

Welp. Time to get back his footwear.

He didn’t feel like going through the front door again (boring) and just walked straight into the living room. There was the turned-off radio on the coffee table, his ketchup bottle in a cup holder, and a pink, fuzzy slipper laying on a couch cushion.

Also Flowey was there.

“She’s already gone, you idiot,” the flower snapped. He was perched within a little flower pot this time, one that was situated squarely in the middle of the coffee table. Yeah, soil was probably an important thing for this kid.

That and manners.

“nice seeing you again, bud. betcha finished that homework, huh?”

“Hmph!” Flowey pouted, crossing his leaves together, as if leaves had elbows and joints and all that. “since you’re so interested, why don’t you just finish it for me?”

“ok.”

Flowey sputtered. “Wait? Really?! You’ll do it?”

“nope, just messing.”

He juggled his unworn slipper in his left hand, too lazy to put it on. “see ya.”

“Wait!”

He didn’t really want to, so just kept walking forward. The walls to his right shifted. Plaster cracked, leaving little shards on the floor. Vines extended from the damaged walls and floor. Wood boards were torn in half from the strength of it.

Flowey’s face hovered before him, features stretched to nightmarish proportions. Sadistic intent played out in the plant’s eyes.

Sans stood where he was, slipper still in hand. “you know i’m gonna tell your mom.”

The flower flinched. His elongated eyes and sharp-toothed mouth reverted back to normalcy for a second, before reaffirming themselves. “L-like I care!” he shouted, his voice’s tone distorted and low, but also having cracked there for a second. It had been a really weird sound, basically.

“i mean this is cute and all, but papyrus has a plate of expired spaghetti waiting for me that i need to figure out how to miss.”

“No!” The abomination of a flower stretched out his stem, grinning wide, opening his maw that was only blackness and despair. Or, at least that was the impression Sans figured the kid was trying to do. He wasn’t paying all that much attention to be sure. “I know… I know that- that you know! And that you know that I know… that you know! You idiot! Ha!”

“wow kid, you’re really bad at this.”

“Shut up! I’m not going to let you get me like-”

“hey. look. why don’t we sit down and forget all this?”

“Don’t interrupt me!” Flowey shrieked, his malformed voice now high-pitched. Amazing the bunny monster didn’t hear any of this. Asgore sure knew how to pick ‘em. “I’m going settle things with you, and then-”

“kid.” Sans dropped the slipper to the floor, putting it back on his foot with the laziest of motions, his skull angled downwards to better see. The continued casualness of his tone stopped Flowey in mid-gloating. “how about we take a breather?”

Just a moment of hesitation before the flower tried again. “I’m not done!”

Sans raised his head. He opened his eye sockets.

“Y e s  y o u  a r e.” A pause, to lay on the effect. “N o w  s i t  d o w n.”

Sometimes you need a professional.

The flower shrank back then, fangs hidden away, eyes reverting back to the normal dots.

Sans remained where he was.

The flower then started to shrink, his winding vines disappearing, though leaving a mess behind. Eventually, the flower was in the middle of the floor, planted in his flower pot. Flowey grimaced, looking almost ready to cry in frustration.

“see?” Sans shrugged. “if you wanted a chat, should’ve just asked.”

The flower grumbled some more.

“but hey, we all get a little grumpy when we’re young. you’re like in your terrible two’s, right?”

“Shut up already.” Flowey wouldn’t look at him. “I… changed my mind. Just go.”

“heh, okay then.” Sans walked around the plant, heading for the kitchen for some reason.

Then he stopped.

“one thing though, bud.”

The flower timidly angled his head towards Sans, nothing but venom in his eyes. No joy or thrill. Good signs. Maybe he won’t make these same mistakes if they bring him nothing but headaches.

“i don’t know what you’re assuming, but i don’t know nothing. and that’s all well and good, right? as long as things stay nice and normal.” He paused. “just a good time for everybody.”

Flowey flinched.

“capiche?” Sans winked. “here, go buy yourself a soda pop.” Sans took a coin out of his back pocket, still reflecting that light like it once did out in the rain. He tossed it towards Flowey who caught it with a fumble.

But he let a thought slide. Easy to catch wind of when you were magically-inclined, like a certain talking flower.

So don’t mess up the happy ending we got.

At that, Flowey shot out of the flower pot, straight into the upended floor. Sans watched the ground upturn as the flower ran off to his bedroom. (Which meant the stairs were slightly broken afterwards).

Sans was never that great with kids.

Now as the only monster judge available, Sans had to make… good judgements. And the only way to do that was to keep an eye on people, and observe them routinely.

Or in lamer terms, spying.

Sans had already done so with Asgore before the whole court trial, and even then, for a huge furry goat monster, the guy was rather sneaky. Sans couldn’t keep up half the time, which was why he was glad on having a cool bro help out with said case. Asgore had a lot of shady dealings – some downright killer even – and Sans wasn’t a big fan of surprises. He hoped that would be the last.

Besides, barely competent spying was really all he could do anyway. Whatever wards Asgore had set up back then, they were strong, keeping the skeleton out of the inner space of his home, where he knew those souls stayed contained. It was enough to make his shortcuts just really long detours back home instead. Probably Alphys’ handiwork, that poor nerd.

Too bad really, that those missing kid reports had to stay missing.

Now that Asgore was under house arrest, and his pursuit of souls to harness their power for a long-dead son was out of the picture, it made Sans’ job easier. He could just perch himself up on a fire-escape and keep spying for hours instead of following the guy from place to place. No room for error. Just the best scenario all-around for him.

On that same fire-escape, hood of his blue jacket pulled up over his skull, he watched. Along with his basketball shorts, he did not fit with the…atmosphere, and he knew this. But he was here, and that was good enough.

What would Papyrus do in this situation though?

Oh yeah, the whole detective reporting shtick. Well.

There was that kid again, still wearing their striped shirt, and their hair barely combed. They were seated on the floor in Asgore’s living room. A tea cup was cradled in their hand. And across from them, the big guy himself was seated too. He was hunched over, his burly body looking too big for anything. But Asgore persevered, holding his own teacup between thick fingers. His great horns bobbed along with his head as he nodded and spoke to Frisk.

And Frisk was smiling.

Weird.

Sans wouldn’t stay long. (Cold plate of spaghetti? Cool bro Papyrus, remember? Keep up). But he noted some other strange things before he would leave. Like an illusion kind of deal. Where a color would shift, and the rain would mute itself. Sans couldn’t really tell what it was all about exactly, and honestly, he didn’t feel comfortable anymore.

Still, it was worth keeping tabs on. Gotta keep the happy ending, after all.

Besides, Tori had asked him.

“Watch over them, will you not?”

The kid’s smile was a small thing, gentle and understanding. That was a good thing, but…

Eh, he just needed some sleep.

“you expect too much from me, t,” he said out loud.

But he was looking forward to tomorrow still.

With a sigh, Sans laid back against the fire escape grating. Then he was gone.

Meanwhile, both human child and big fuzzy pushover continued to chat with each other, late into the afternoon.