#i'll drop it if he turns out interesting/good but right now he hasn't given me a reason

[forcebookish]

it's not enough to be a top apologist, i'll kill for him

[yuriko-mukami]

His Possession Dark 10

"Good grief, what a useless daughter you are! Such disgrace!"

Yuriko lowered her head. No matter what she said nothing got through to her father. Keisuke just didn't listen to her. While he had every right to blame Ruki for taking her away, Yuriko found it difficult to stand the accusations.

"I… we… Nothing happened. He only took care of me while I was sick."

It wasn’t the truth, not truly. Heat covered Yuriko’s face when she remembered what had happened during her stay at the Mukamis. The bath… and the night of the full moon. She had no idea… It had never occurred to her that the moon would have such an effect on vampires.

"After seeing your neck, do you really expect me to believe you? It wouldn't be a wonder if he had you knocked up already!"

"But Dad!"

Ruki hasn't even kissed me! Though he did… Better not talk about that…

Yuriko shouldn't have even thought about such things, yet she couldn’t stop it. Repeatedly the events from the last couple of days played in her mind. The way Ruki had… touched her… The promise she had made to him.

"You have dirtied yourself and shamed me! You are no use to me if you have given yourself to a monster."

"Ruki isn't—"

"He is."

"Then me…"

"A daughter of a monster. I wanted to give you a better life, but it seems you don't deserve it."

Yuriko stared at Keisuke, gasping. Somehow, she had thought that things would be different when she got back home… but the hate that lingered in the air was stronger than ever.

"I'll go to the grocery store…" Yuriko mumbled and turned around.

"You aren’t going anywhere!"

"Yes, I am!"

“Get back here right this instant!”

But Yuriko didn’t. She tugged her feet into the shoes and dashed out of the door. The conversation she had with Ruki earlier kept playing in her head.

“That man is not worth your attention,” Ruki said, his voice being as emotionless as ever. The gaze in the steel-blue eyes didn’t give out any information either. It was like negotiating with an iceberg. “I cannot trust him to take care of you.”

“Umh… I have been taking care of myself for quite a while now. I can still do it… and it’s not like I can just run away from home. It’s disrespectful. I know how much that kind of action can hurt someone.”

Ruki was quiet for a moment. Something changed behind those icy eyes as if Yuriko had succeeded to pierce through.

“If I may continue… umh… I appreciate everything you have done…” Well, maybe not everything but the things you did to help me… “And I want to pay you back somehow, but Dad… he is blood-related family and I have obligations… and I want to believe that he… cares about me. He is just… bad at showing it…”

Cold fingers reached for Yuriko’s arm, pulling her closer to Ruki. Digits of another hand pushed her hair aside as he leaned in, whispering directly into her ear.

“Do not forget who your master is,” Ruki said. “You belong to me and only to me. I will not hand you to anyone else, not even to your father. You may go back home today, and you will discuss with him this matter. I am a patient master, but I will not wait forever for you to realize what is in your best interest, especially now that I know what you are…”

Yuriko stiffened as cool lips brushed her earlobe. A tip of Ruki’s nose traced her neck, making her swallow just before the lips near her skin parted, revealing the pair of yearning fangs. Everything else disappeared as if the time itself had stood still in the moment before Ruki penetrated through the sensitive skin just below her ear.

A moan left Yuriko’s lips and her eyes closed. Ruki wrapped his arm around her, holding her tenderly against his body when he savored every drop of her blood, he made run so hot to his mouth.

“This kitsune blood of yours is indeed intoxicating… Now, be a good girl, and let your master taste a little more of you…”

"Yuriko?"

A familiar voice made Yuriko return to reality. Startling with a scorching face, she turned around and saw a tiny dark-haired girl from their school. What was Elizabeth doing in front of Yuriko’s apartment building? Yuriko didn’t know but seeing her friend suddenly raised a small smile on her lips.

“Elizabeth!”

Yuriko swayed a smile on her face, knowing perfectly well it wouldn’t reach her eyes but hoping that the other girl would be so considerate that she wouldn’t ask about it. Elizabeth didn’t disappoint her, though Yuriko could see a small frown between her brows.

“You and I should go for a walk,” Elizabeth said and smiled back in the same false manner as Yuriko.

It was Yuriko’s turn to frown. She had no idea where and why Elizabeth had suddenly come to ask her for a walk but since she was already out and in no hurry to get back there was no reason to say no either. That way Yuriko could avoid her father a little longer. So, she ended up nodding to Elizabeth’s suggestion.

Why do I feel everything is like a game?

“Where would you like to go? To the center or perhaps to the park?” Yuriko asked.

Elizabeth looked at Yuriko with slightly open eyes like she had been confused by the question.

“Hmm… I let you choose. I don’t know my way around this town very well yet.”

Neither did Yuriko, so she pondered the question for a while. She had to go through the park when she went for a run but maybe Elizabeth wasn’t interested in parks. The city center could be a better option in that regard, there were many kinds of things to see.

“Do you have a special interest?” Yuriko asked as the girls started to roam through the streets.

“I think we should pick a place as we go.”

That was an odd answer, but Yuriko decided to go with it. The girls wandered forward, talking about school. Yuriko avoided mentioning her cold and how she had been skipping school because of it, nor did she say anything about Ruki or her father. Unfortunately, Elizabeth seemed a little hesitant to answer any kinds of questions, so Yuriko was afraid they would run out of topics rather sooner than later. Until she mentioned sweets and suddenly there was a spark in Elizabeth’s eyes.

“I’ve tasted mochi and it was really good. Have you tasted it?”

Yuriko had to hide a genuine laugh. Of course, she had tasted mochi many times but maybe it truly didn’t occur to Elizabeth. So, Yuriko told her how much she liked the ones with red bean paste in them, and since Elizabeth seemed to be curious about different kinds of Japanese sweets, Yuriko ended up taking her to a sweet shop she had located recently. It was right next to a bookstore she had already visited a couple of times. The one that was anything but modern and had the most curious books in it. But this time Yuriko pushed that shop out of her mind and let her legs carry her toward a traditional sweet shop.

When the girls stepped in, a fragrant smell of candies and cookies hit their noses. The display window was full of different kinds of snacks starting with konpeito all the way to the mochi.

“Yuri-Yuri, look! These are the very same mochi I’ve tasted! I didn’t know there are so many different flavors!” Elizabeth cried out, eyes glimmering.

Yuriko who had gazed the other way now turned around and glanced at her friend with a confused face.

“Yuri-Yuri?” she repeated. “Elizabeth… Did you just… give me a nickname?”

Elizabeth’s face flared with all shades of red as her eyes widened. Hastily she lowered her head.

“I didn’t mean to offend you with that, really.”

“Oh… oh? But you didn’t offend me! Of course, you didn’t! I was just… surprised… The thing is… I don’t have that many friends… and the people I know here don’t use nicknames…” Well… they don’t use nice nicknames at least. I can’t count Livestock, M-kitsune-chan, or Vixen as friendly names… “Umh… anyway… I truly like Yuri-Yuri. You can use it. Do you have a nickname, Elizabeth?”

“I should have asked your permission,” Elizabeth said but lifted her head with a smile again. “Many people tend to shorten my name because it’s so long. I don’t care how it is shortened, so you can call me whatever you want.”

“Okay then... Would ‘Eli-chan’ be alright with you? You are right that Elizabeth is quite a difficult and long name to say... though it’s a very beautiful name.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I don't mind. More importantly, we came here for the sweets. What would you suggest we try first?”

The girls made their order of various mochi and other sweets before sitting down at the corner table, chatting away. While Yuriko was enjoying her mochi and this peaceful moment, her mind still tried to wander. She kept going back to her conversations with Ruki.

 “You are awake again. How are you feeling, Livestock?”

The steel-blue eyes pierced Yuriko in the instant she opened hers. Everything was hazy as she sat up, but Ruki pushed her glasses into her hands. After putting them on, Yuriko glanced at him with a quivering smile that she struggled to hold on to.

“Umh… I… feel better…”

Cold fingers brushed Yuriko’s forehead, pushing aside the strands that she purposefully kept on her face. An index finger traced her temple and cheek until it reached her chin, tilting her face up as Ruki sat next to her.

“Our conversation was interrupted before,” Ruki said, making Yuriko swallow when memory jumped back into her mind. “Now that you are awake, you should tell your master what this true nature of yours is.”

“I… It’s complicated. I don’t know much…I don’t know if you even believed it…”

The eyes said it all. It didn’t matter if Yuriko was worried or not, Ruki wanted to hear her words. No, he was ordering her to tell him.

He never asks… He only assumes he is entitled to know everything, to have everything he yearns for. I should tell him off… but…

“No matter what is it I will not let you go, you will not lose me. I will not leave you like your mother or treat you in the way as your father. I am your master, and I will take care of you… Yuriko.”

Such gentle words, probably the gentlest Ruki had said Yuriko so far. He even used her name again… and more importantly…

Does he truly mean it? That he won’t go away…? Everybody always leaves, and nobody stays with me. My friends… Haruko… Mom… Everyone started to hate me and left me… Would Ruki stay?

“Really?”

“Do you truly need to ask that, Yuriko? Have I not told you repeatedly that you belong to me?”

“You said… that my blood is yours.”

“Your very being is mine forever.”

So, he won’t go away? He will stay… I can have someone who doesn’t leave… Someone who cooks for me… His soup is so good. I can stand the other things if I don’t need to be alone anymore…

“I… was honest. I don’t know much but I think I might be partly…umh… a fox demon, kitsune.”

Ruki’s words keep coming back, how he still after Yuriko’s revelation had told her that he wouldn’t leave and how he had said that she should move in with him to be with someone who could help her understand the hidden supernatural side of hers. He had even promised to figure out the parts Yuriko didn’t know.

Ahhh! I can’t think about this now! I need to focus on Eliza– Eli-chan!

"Umh… Eli-chan? What… How did you happen to be on my home street? Were you going somewhere?" Yuriko finally asked.

Suddenly Elizabeth’s gaze was everywhere but at Yuriko. She shifted in her chair, still holding the strawberry mochi she had been about to eat.

"Well…"

Yuriko put her hands against the table and tried to keep her breathing steady. Lately, there have been too many odd things going on. Her temples throbbed when she thought about it. She was sitting here with a zombie in broad daylight, but her biggest worry was…

I don't actually know… but I'm not afraid of Eli-chan. I just have an odd feeling.

"I really enjoy these sweets and your company," Elizabeth said. "And I would like to spend more time with you…"

"Umh… I enjoy your company too but that doesn't answer my question…"

Elizabeth was quiet for a long time. She stared at the mochi in her fingers, fidgeting with it constantly.

“Erh… well…”

Before Elizabeth was able to form an answer the door of the shop opened, letting fresh air sail in but Yuriko smelled something else with it. Her head turned instantly, and her eyes darted to a young man who walked straight to the cashier, ordering every choice of sweet that had nuts in it.

The very same young man who Yuriko had met in the forest weeks ago.

So, he survived…

“Shin from special class…” Elizabeth mumbled, and Yuriko gazed at her friend again. There was an odd pink tint on Elizabeth's face all of sudden. Was it because Yuriko had been so demanding with her questions? She hadn’t meant to be, but she just truly wanted to know what was going on.

“You know him?” Yuriko changed the subject of the conversation with a very quiet whisper, swinging her hand slightly toward the male that was waiting for his order with an inpatient expression lingering on his face.

“... erh… kind of…” Elizabeth said, leaving Yuriko pondering what she didn’t mention. “I have talked with him a few times at school, that’s all.”

Elizabeth’s fingers scratched her neck as she squirmed in her chair while Yuriko couldn’t help but notice tiny, almost faded… Were those…? Or maybe Yuriko was just imagining things now…?

Abruptly Elizabeth grabbed the mochi and stuffed it into her mouth. Yuriko frowned, not knowing what to think anymore. Carefully she glanced at the counter where the salesperson just handed a paper bag to the young man who took it and turned around.

The single golden eye stopped at Yuriko, squinting a little. Right next to her Elizabeth sank into her seat, looking even tinier than usual. Yuriko opened her mouth but suddenly she had no idea what to say. There were people in the store; no way she would be able to talk about injuries, blood, and wolves now without getting all of them into trouble.

Ahh, all this is too much for me to handle! Why did I get caught in this world of terror?!

But Yuriko didn’t even have a chance to say anything when the young man turned around again and left with his sweets. Elizabeth sighed loudly and straightened up.

"Your boyfriend said… that someone should take you out today. He told me he couldn't come and didn't want to send his brothers,” she said to Yuriko, speaking so fast that the words tangled with each other.

For a moment there was nothing but emptiness in Yuriko’s head that was still all worked up with a sudden meeting with the young man with a single golden eye.

My boyfriend? But I don't…! Oh? What? Why?

"Ruki…"

"Yes. I have known him for a while… Well, I know about him more likely. He recommended me a book once when I saw him in the school library.” Elizabeth moved again. "I'm sorry, Yuri-Yuri. I truly wanted to see you… but I shouldn’t have fooled you like this. He said it was for your own good."

"I think… I should go back home… We'll see each other again at school, Eli-chan, but now I must go. This was nice though. I'm glad that you came to see me today."

Yuriko rose from her chair and said goodbye to Elizabeth, hurrying to the street. She had an odd feeling that something was going on behind her back.

When Yuriko arrived home, she stepped quietly inside. The peculiar feeling didn’t leave her, yet she didn’t feel like letting her father know that she was back. Taking off her shoes, she sneaked to the corridor, listening to the sounds of home. The radio wasn’t on, and neither was a tv, but she could hear the voices coming from Keisuke’s study.

“You are a monster, they are monsters. There is no difference between you…”

Who is a monster? Mom?

“But she is valuable to me… No, you won’t do anything. I have contacts.”

What is he talking about…?

“My plans for my daughter are none of your business!”

Yuriko blinked a couple of times. It was like Keisuke was talking with someone, yet she couldn’t hear another person. Maybe he was on phone? Yuriko sneaked closer to the study as quietly as she could, trying to hear more.

“Hey! You aren’t going anywhere before we finish this!”

So, there is someone with him!

Yuriko took the last steps to the door of Keisuke’s study, grabbed the door handle, and pulled the door open. Her father turned around, alone in the room, and stared at her with furious eyes.

"Get into your room! You are grounded until I tell you otherwise,” Keisuke said, his voice shaking.

"But…!"

"Get into your room!"

The eyes Yuriko met were colder than ever. Even when her father had found out about the school skipping, he hadn’t looked at Yuriko like that. The gaze hit her directly into the heart, piercing it with an icy spike without any mercy at all as if she was something nasty, something her father could barely look at, something disgusting.

Yuriko turned around and roamed into her room, sitting on her bed. A bit later she let herself fall down and reached for her fox plushie. Hugging it tightly, she pressed her face against it. Had Ruki been correct? Would Yuriko be better off somewhere else than in her own home?

Beta read by @ruki-mukami-dl

[teebarnes]

✨ | A Bad Day

Click [100 Followers Fic] for the rest of the 100 follower fics :)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Fem!reader

Summary: You had a bad day at work and Bucky knows that, so takes this chance to brighten your bad day.

Word Count: 2k

Warning(s): Fluff, crying... I think that's about it.

A/N: Thank you for 100 followers! Plus, I mean, who wouldn't want Bucky to comfort them after a bad day? (GIF isn't mine)

⤑ Click here for my taglist to be notified when I post my future fics.

Any Likes, Comments & Reblogs are super duper appreciated :))

Locking the door behind you, you lean yourself against your door, sliding to the floor. Tears flowing down your face, you pike your knees up you to the chest, wrapping your arms around them. It was another one of those awful days at work, your face hidden in the nook you made. You slowly sobbed to yourself, trying to express the bad day you had quietly into your house as if it could listen.

The quietness of your rural home thickened the sound of your tears; you sigh deeply into your knees, attempting to catch the breath you longed for. Then, calming yourself, you wipe the tears with the end of your jumper before hearing your phone ring. A few sniffs holding the fact you were crying, you check your phone to see it was your best friend calling.

"Yellop", you softly chime to your best friend on the end of the other line. You can hear an audible laugh. "Yellop doll, how was your day?" The voice you always long to hear at the end of your days. "U-usual", you softly chocked out before continuing ", how about you, old man? How was your day?" You giggle slightly at your remark.

A long pause extended your conversation with him before he broke the silence with a soft laugh through his nose, "usual, same since we last spoke", you smile, getting up, taking the conversation to your couch. Hearing his voice had taken away any sadness you had before you even picked up the phone. "Hey, I'm coming over. I need your help," he says, which piques your interest.

"What does a 107-year-old man need my help for? I'm sure you have all the life experience you need," you joked; Bucky gasps ", ouch, my feelings… they're hurting because of you", he laughs, causing the two of you to roll your eyes at each end of the line. "May I ask what you need help with?" You sat up from the couch, eagerly waiting for his reply.

A steady silence homed their conversation for a few seconds "a date y/n… there is this beautiful woman I want to ask on a date." He sighs.

Your face drops slightly, tears rushing down your face again like the ones before. Quickly wiping the tears, you answer, so Bucky doesn't worry "a date, huh? Since when do you socialise" you half-laughed to yourself sadly. "well… doll. You see, I don't if I'm honest," you both laugh, waiting for him to continue. "But… she is amazing, beautiful, the most incredible person I've met", he boasts to you over the phone.

You couldn't help but wallow in your thoughts for a bit, wishing that it were you he was talking about. But you knew that you two were just made to be the best of friends; despite how you felt towards him, you knew he could never feel the same. It took you a while to collect yourself when Bucky spoke again, breaking your train of thought. "Doll?" Your eyes focus again on your surroundings, coming back to the reality that you wanted to run away from right then and there. "Doll, are you there?" He asks again; you clear your throat "yes! yes… sorry, yes I am." You coughed.

"I am happy for you, Buck! She will be so lucky to have you." You stand up from the couch walking into your kitchen. "I am the lucky one, actually…" he replies softly. You smile at his reply only to realise the context of the conversation before answering back to him, "Well… are you sure you need my help? I feel you have all of that covered. I don't think I could be of much help to you, Buck." You held the phone between your shoulder and your ear as you opened the fridge up to check what was for dinner tonight. "I most certainly do doll. You are a vital part to getting this right," he excitedly says; you could never turn him down.

Even after being his friend for over ten years, you still couldn't say no to him. "Geez, Bucky, you really are serious… I'll have you know, though. I haven't had a boyfriend since I met you, so I'll only be able to give you basic pointers," you laugh to yourself. "Doll, don't worry about it… as long as you're there, that's all I need." He swoons. You couldn't help but laugh, "see, buck, with that attitude, I think she will say yes." You lightly say, "plus, have you asked Steve? I'm sure he has better advice to give," you question. "Yeah, I did… no help there", he laughs.

"Okey dokes, well I'm going to take my shower n stuff… you've got a key so you can let yourself in, alright?" You say, continuing to push through the built-up tears and emotions that halted at your throat. "Okay, doll! See you shortly," he says "see ya, Buck" you smile, hanging up.

Not knowing it, but your world fell before you; you didn't want to lose Bucky to a woman he hasn't even told you about. Then again, you cared for his happiness, that is what he needed after all the trauma he had been put through. You shook off the tears sucking up the pain into your stomach, heading to take a shower.

~

Bucky’s POV

"How do I tell her, Steve?" Bucky groans, pacing around the living room, "I love her so goddam much, but I am afraid to lose her. What if she doesn't like me and only sees me as a friend-"Bucky is cut off by Nat, who is sitting on the other side of the couch reading a book. "Bucky, I am going to slap some sense into you soon. She is head over heels for you." She sighs, getting up to leave the room. Bucky continues to pace again, with Steve closely watching.

"Ask her on a date Buck. Go from there," Steve lightly says, leaning back into his seat. "Hey doll, I know we've been best friends for ten years now, but I just wanted to let you know that I've fallen in love with you since the day we met", he frustrates into the palm of his hands. Steve chuckles a bit, "sounds about right", he snorts. Bucky wide-eyed to his oldest friend. "Ahaha, so funn-" he is cut off with a buzzing in his left pocket.

Reaching in, he picks it up "oh, it's just Sam" he rolls his eyes, answering, "what's up, Sam?" Sam sighs "have you talked to y/n recently?" He asks, which immediately makes Bucky furrow his eyebrows "no, why? Has something happened?" A pause before Sam speaks, "Can you check on her, please. She had a rough day at work. I have a feeling she is not at her best at the moment." Bucky's eyes dull hearing that the woman he's in love with is sad "okay, on it. Thanks for letting me know, Sam", he let out a sigh. "I've given her the week off, but please check." He sternly asks. "You have my word Sam" Bucky hangs up, turning to Steve.

"She had a bad day at work…" he frowns before plopping himself on the couch. "Well, buck, this may be a good opportunity to take her out on a date? Or even have a sneaky film night?" He stands up, patting his friend's shoulder. Bucky gives a slight grin, nodding, "Thanks, pal".

Steve walks out of the room, leaving Bucky alone with his thoughts, "okay okay okay, I can do this, I can do this." He hypes himself up, taking his phone pressing your contact that he had on speed dial.

"Yellop" Bucky hears on the other end of the phone; he couldn't help but melt to the sweetness of your voice. It was one he loved so much. It wasn't unusual to call each other; it was a religious routine for the both of you. If one didn't call, the other would. But this time, it was different; Bucky was nervous; it has taken him ten years to work up the courage to ask you out. But he still couldn't, not without seeing your face, not without being able to hold you as he said he loved you and not without comforting you first. He knew you didn't want to burden him with your troubles, so he took it upon himself to make up an excuse just to see you.

After the call, Bucky knew that you'd been hiding your emotions just to have your usual conversation with him. He felt even guiltier when he went on and on about you but never had the guts to tell you that he was talking about you.

Bucky packed a night bag from his room, packing it onto his motorbike before making his way to the local supermarket that was on the way to your house.

He picked up some of your favourite snacks and a bunch of your favourite flowers, securing them on his bike before riding to your house. Then, turning his bike off, he left it parked in your garage, heading inside. He closed the door behind him, walking into the kitchen laying the snacks on the table before heading down the hall into your room. He could hear the shower running and knew you were still in there.

He could hear you singing a soft melody of your favourite song; Bucky smiled, took his shoes off, and set them at the door in the hallway. Bucky flopped onto your soft bed with the flowers he had for you hidden on the bedside away from the bathroom door so you wouldn't be able to see them when you'd come out.

Finishing your shower a few minutes later, you wrapped your hair in a towel. Drying yourself and popping on your oversized henley, the same one Bucky had given you all those years ago when you had nothing to wear the first time you slept at his. You put some undies on and Van's socks. Using the dryer to dry your hair, you fitted your thick hair into a messy bun with your black scrunchy. "Alright", you took a deep breath before heading out to see Bucky lying on your bed.

"Oh, Buck! Hey," you smiled at him. His head was comfy on the bedsheets; he turned to see you, a bright smile upon his face. "Hey, doll," he noticed straight away that you weren't wearing any pants, something he was used to but not used to at the same time. You'd always make a fuss over going to bed with pants on; you hated wearing pants to bed. So you just opted for socks. "So", you sigh, flopping on the bed next to him. "Who is the girl?" You asked, turning your body to the side facing him. He chuckled, rolling over the edge of the bed, coming back to meet you, your favourite flowers in his hand; you both were face to face.

"You"…

~

You look at him, jerking your face back a bit in surprise but totally melting seeing the flowers. "M-me?" You reply; Bucky smiles, brushing the hair from your face nodding, "It's always been you y/n." His arm caressed your cheek, and you couldn't help but rest yours on his. You kissed the inner of his hand before taking the flowers leaving them on the bedside table.

"You know how long I've wanted to tell you that I love you" you smiled almost in tears; wrapping his metal arm around your waist, Bucky pulled your body close to his "And you know how long I've wanted to say the exact same thing" he rested his head against yours "I am in love with you y/n, I've loved you ever since I met you". You sniffled, cupping his cheek before leaning in, kissing his chapped lips; he leaned into him, kissing back "and just when I thought I was going to have to let you go, you prove me wrong," you chuckled through your tears.

He chuckles with you. "I couldn't tell you on the phone. I had to be here. Plus, Sam told me you had a bad day, so I wanted to be with you." You smiled, giving him the biggest hug. "Thank you, Buck. Thank you for doing this" he kissed the top of your head.

"You're welcome, love", he smiled.

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Sebastian Stan's Taglist: @buckyswintersoldiermask @lharrietg @buckyfan12 @afraid-to-be-me @fairityretro

[jd-loves-fiction]

➤”I’d like one order of Mando adventure angst with a side of fluff and a dash of spicy bickering. Enemies to lovers or friends to lovers flavor (whatever’s on the house) and a nice hot bowl of ‘there was only one bed’

Give my compliments to the chef”

➤ genre: Fluff, Adventure, Comedy(?), Enemies to Partners, Angst

➤ wc: 4.9k (holy shit might be my longest request🥴)

➤ 🌙 Requested: @batarella ❤

"Listen, buddy, I got here first." You attempt to reason with the wall of beskar currently pointing his blaster directly at you.

Maybe not the smartest thing to say when first meeting someone of his reputation, but he can only be doing this for one reason. 

He's after the bounty squirming nervously at your feet. And you're in the way.

Why else would he be out here, in the middle of a rocky desert on some faraway planet?

"Step away from him." The voice you hear startles you with its modulated dept. It's more surprising that he even spoke at all, given what you'd heard of the Mandalorian. Although his stature and the silent tension he brings with him is no doubt intimidating, you will not give up so easily after following this bounty so far out from the nearest town. “No.”

His visor tilts to the side, like a frustrated twitch, at your answer. “Maybe.” You rectify, which makes him raise his head in interest. “Do you have a fob?”

“No, I don’t.”

Not that it matters anymore considering yours is broken, but at least now you know he can't follow you if you make a break for it with the bounty. 

“How did you find us?”

“I have my ways.” You nearly roll your eyes at his cryptic response, not like you expected anything else from a Mandalorian.

“Do you know why they sent you?” Knowing your employers, you had a clue on what the reason was. They got impatient.

They’d been pretty determined to get a maximum time needed out of you. You’re almost sure you overstepped it.

But to send a Mandalorian? Seems like a bit much.

“They were afraid you’d run off. That you gave the bounty away to the Resistance.” Of course, those bastards can barely trust themselves, let alone a foreigner.

“Well I didn't, and I won't. So you can lower your blaster and we can do this together.” You offer amicably, not yet loosening your grip on your weapon upon his lack of movement.

“You’re out of time. Your deal is off.”

“That’s just-!” You're cut off by a shot buzzing past you.

"Last warning."

Your jaw drops. How can someone be so damn cold?

You raise your finger assertively, about to give him a piece of your mind, when you notice something move by his hip.

And it's green. With gigantic ears. And huge dark eyes that blink at you curiously.

Your head tilts, mirroring the creature. The Mandalorian follows your eyes to find you looking at the child he’s supposed to be caring for.

“Huh. And who is that cutie?” The blaster already pointed at you raises from where it had begun to slouch, alert and cautious. Noticing this, you readjust your grip on your own weapon.

You and the creature continue to study each other, until the Mandalorian pushes the brown bag to where it rests behind his body protectively.

“Are they yours? I mean, doesn't look like the ears would fit.” You speak just to make conversation, stepping closer with miniscule steps. His gloved hand tightens around his blaster, hoping to remind you that he can still shoot you point-blank.

But he hasn't.

"Can you really do much in front of a kid?" You challenge smugly, still advancing slowly. 

"He's seen me do worse."

"That right?" Another step. "You planning to shoot me today or would tomorrow work better?"

"Are you always this difficult? Just put the gun down-"

You jump towards him, hooking your foot around the back of his knee which makes him fall to the rocky ground immediately, dropping his blaster. Unfortunately, taking down a Mandalorian is no easy task, so he takes you down with him.

He throws his satchel to the side in the nick of time, it lands on a sand pile. His other arm grabs hold of you to pull you down with him.

You point your blaster at him as he lays beneath you, except it is no longer in your hand. Shit. He punches you in the face hard enough that something will turn black soon enough.

As you fall to the ground he gets on top of you, or tries, as you place your feet against his firm chest to keep some distance. You kick him in the helmet, silently thanking the stars your shoes are steel toed.

Your hand only scrapes against dry, red, sand covered rock as you search for a blaster, either would serve. Despite your momentary advantage in light of the Mandalorian’s confusion after being kicked, his hands quickly come down to cover your throat. You feel the creases in the leather as they’re pressed against your skin, and the beskar over the back of his hands against your chin.

But you still attempt to reach a weapon, a rock would do at this point.

Your arms flail wildly with no real direction, only the need to stay conscious, as if movement would help it. You do, however, notice that he’s purposely avoiding your traquia.

He still does not want to kill you. How sweet. Probably just wants to take you back to the bastards who hired you. They’d surely kill you, and much faster too.

Just as the spots in your vision start becoming overpowering, his grip loosens. You inhale greedily, desperately, gasping and coughing at the released pressure. 

You can see his visor move to and fro, searching for something. Once you look to the side, you the child safe in its pile of sand, so it can't be that. 

"Dank farrik! He's gone." The bounty. Right. Shit. 

"Now," you pause, heaving as your lungs struggle to fill up again, "what?"

He places his hands on his hips, thinking for a moment, before turning his visor to where you lay clutching your sore - but not yet bruised - neck. "I'm going after him."

"I'm sorry-?!" You cut yourself off with a cough as you sit up, feeling grains of sand make their way inside your boots and other places. "You're going after him? This is my bounty! I had him, and I would've been fine if you hadn't shown up."

He keeps his stance, probably glaring disapprovingly beneath his helmet. You huff at his unyielding silence, getting up in his personal space and jabbing a finger into his chest plate.

"I'm about to give you a piece of my mind, so you better listen very carefully. I had it! It was my catch. And from what I can tell, it still is. So you better back off, Mando." Venom drips from your lips as you glare at the tin can on his head as if you could put a hole straight through it.

He relaxes, raising his hands again peacefully, palms up, "Alright, I get it. But do you think they'd take him from you now? Let alone later when you actually catch him? They seem pretty vindictive."

"Well, what do you suggest? You're not going on your own."

"And why not?" He scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest as he leans towards you.

"You don't have a tracking fob." You retort, leaning towards him as well with your hands on your hips.

The Mandalorian pats himself down where he believes to have stored the small device, only to find all those pockets empty. "You little thief!"

"And you're a liar! Plus, you think I'd just let you take my credits? Come on, with your reputation, you should know better than that." You shrug and suddenly Din is acutely aware that the beeping now comes from your hip instead of his.

"Alright, fine, let's do it this way. We'll look for him together and once we catch him, I'll hand him in and we'll split the reward." He explains slowly, carefully, afraid to set you off. 

"Seems good to me." You speak resolutely, thrusting your hand forward firmly, expecting a handshake. 

His helmet tilts down slightly as he looks down at your hand, before he reaches out with his own. Just as the leather meets your skin - in a now less life-threatening way - a coo sounds from somewhere at your feet, making you both look down to see the little green creature looking between the two of you curiously.

You look back at it, mirroring it once more, before it smiles wide revealing its tiny little teeth and, oh, your heart might just actually melt. 

It's large eyes move down from your face, towards your hands.

You suddenly realize neither you nor the Mandalorian had let go of each other's hand and that a large grin has formed on your face due to the adorable baby. It is promptly wiped off as you pull your hand back just as he does. He looks away while you shrug at the child's inquisitive stare, unaware that the bounty hunter had been watching you and marveling at the bond you'd both formed already.

And so you set out together to look for your target, back towards town, where you had begun your chase.

He can't have gone far or in any other direction, not with the unbearable heat and certainly not while handcuffed. He'd die for sure, you just have to hope he's smart enough to know that. 

You walk through town with the fob in your hand, just out of sight. No need for unnecessary attention. The town is tightly crowded, much to your chagrin, so you move slow and are barely able to see over the moving bodies. There’s just too much going on, too many people moving back and forth, shoving past you rudely. If it’d been anyone else - not an experienced bounty hunter - you would have probably been knocked down by the last two men that had scurried past you in a rush.

Without warning, you feel a hand grip your bicep. You immediately ready yourself for a fight, before you realize it belongs to your associate. Once he has your attention, Mando nods towards the edge to the street, against red stone buildings, urging you to follow him. You do, nudging anyone out of the way as you walked against the crowd’s stream.

You’re about to shout over the noise to ask just what the hell he pulled you aside for, considering you’re running out of time, before you follow his visor. Right to a wanted poster of a very familiar scoundrel. From the Resistance? Wanted alive for 8,000 credits?

“That’s one big fish, huh?" You continue to shout in order to be heard over the crowd, which you immediately regret, looking around, paranoid. "Must be important." You comment to yourself. 

You look up to see the Mandalorian's back disappear behind the corner. You quickly follow, catching up to his long strides, "What are you thinking?"

He ignores your inquiry, continuing to practically stomp his way through town. "Hey. Hey!" You call out to no avail. Well, you asked for it.

You reach out, grabbing the man by the back of his cape, tightening it around his neck and making it so he had to lean back to follow your hand in order to keep breathing. Your heart beats faster at the rush of power you feel for a moment. "You better tell me what you're thinking, or this is not gonna work."

He taps your hand repeatedly until you let go, rising to his full height and you're back to feeling slightly intimidated as he stares you down, silently.

"I'm thinking that with a price that high you might actually take the bounty yourself."

"Why-?"

The tracking fob. The small object suddenly burned a whole in your pocket. 

"Oh come on! You were trying to kill me!"

Your voice raises, arms flailing about. You know you're making a scene, considering this street is so much emptier and therefore quieter than the main one, but for the moment, you don't care. Right now, all you want is to put Mando in his place. Something you know is foolish given that he nearly killed you before and could actually do it this time.

"Yes, but it's still stealing." He spoke with that know-it-all, I'm-better-than-you, tone that just gets on your nerves. Bastard.

You raise a finger in the man's direction, fully intending to continue this conversation and clear your name in his eyes - the reason why is unknown even to you - when a shrill giggle cuts through the air. You look to Mando's hip, where the creature (who's name you have yet to learn) sits, pointing ahead to the entrance to the cantina. 

Right at the man of the hour.

What? How?!

The man looks back at you and Mando for a moment, eyes widening as he recognizes you and the fact that this might be it.

Before he takes off running. 

You start running before Mando does, easily catching up to the stout man, who's no longer in cuffs. As you get too close to his liking, he takes out a blaster (that you know isn't his) and tries to shoot you in the head. Only to miss and hit your forearm instead. 

Hurts like a bitch, but it's better than death. 

Out of the corner of your eye you see a steel rope of some kind shoot out and wrap around the fugitive's leg, sending him stumbling face first onto the ground. 

Mando walks over to him, barely winded, standing over the panting man and blocking the sun with his body. You can only imagine the man's terrified expression. 

You quickly take care of your wound as Mando ties the man up enough that he can't move, wincing as you look at the damage made on your skin. The burning nearly stops the bleeding and it hurts so bad you can barely process it, so you don't think about it, you simply level your breathing while wrapping a cloth around the wound and hope for the best considering it's not too big. 

You clutch it to your chest as Mando approaches, pointing at your arm, intending to ask you if you're alright, but you move it to your side before he can. "Are you-"

"We should give him to the Resistance." You speak resolutely, holding back from wincing as your injury rubbed against your pants. It hurt even from beneath a (barely) protective cloth.

“I said ‘we’, so don't you start giving me shit, alright?” You tell him sternly after he crosses his arms, probably getting ready to call you a thief again. “You can't give him to the Resistance because they’ll arrest you, correct?” He nods.

“Well you know bounty hunting isn't exactly legal.”

“You don't have to tell me that, Mando.” You remind him firmly. “So, if we give him to them, we can ask for them to clear your name! And we’ll get double the reward. Two birds with one stone!”

“Do you really think they’d just do that?”

“If someone’s paying 8,000 credits for one guy and specifying they want him alive, then I’d bet they’d do anything to get him, even something as seemingly insignificant as clearing your name.” You explain, gesturing avidly as you do.

A long moment of silence passes before a modulated sigh crackles through Mando’s helmet. “Fine. I’ll go get the Crest.”

“Wait, woah woah woah. Why are you going? How do I know you wont leave me out here?”

“How do I know you wouldn't?” You take a moment to consider his words. He did lie to you, but you did steal from him in a way.

You look down in contemplation, eyes meeting the creature’s. Right, Mando has the kid, who probably isn't fit to be out in this heat for as long as it has.

“He got a name?” You point to the child, who smiles and giggles gleefully.

“Grogu.” You nod, sighing and rubbing your temples. Stars, it’s so hot it feels as if your brain is melting and you can feel a headache coming on.

“You can go. But I want you to swear on your,” You pause for a second, searching for the right word, “honorable code. Swear you’ll come back.”

“You-” The Mandalorian starts, before giving up on protesting at your determined stand, crossed arms and raised chin. “OK, alright. I swear that I’ll come back for you and the bounty. That we need.” He whispers the last part.

“Get to it then. I’m sweating bullets in this heat!”

You sit, back against a nearby rock, searching for as much shade as possible. You don't want to move the bounty back into town for a multitude of reasons, so now you’re stuck just outside of town. Sweat making your clothes stick and it gathers while the headache gets worse and more blood soaks your makeshift bandage, but at least it's silent. That's what you thought about 20 minutes ago, now, you’ve changed your mind.

“The hell did you do to get 8,000 credits on your head?” You ask suddenly, seemingly startling the man who seems to have accepted his fate already.

He sighs, probably just as bored as you, “I have some information they want. That's why they want me alive.” You purse your lips in interest, humming in understanding, before silence falls over you two once more.

Stars, it's hot.

You could cry from relief once you hear the sound of a loud engine getting closer and closer. The 'Crest', as Mando had called it. 

You grab the bounty by the shirt, hauling him to his feet rather roughly and shoving him towards the flying hunk of metal that had just landed. 

The ship. Mando doesn't come out to greet you. 

As the ramp closes and the air is blanketed in a sheet of silence, your mind starts to wander without your permission. You know he has to be handsome under there, what with his broad shoulders and slim waist, deliciously thick thighs and a wonderfully smooth and deep voice that seems to caress your very soul as you hear it. You caught a glimpse of his skin when you pulled at his collar, delightfully tan just begging for you to sink your teeth into it. 

Must be the heat. Surely that is the sole reason why you're fantasizing so vividly about a man whose real name you don't know, whose face you've never seen and oh, a man who tried to kill you. But didn't. 

Sick of your own thoughts and the loud snores of the bounty, you rise to your feet, climbing the ladder that leads to the cockpit. You wince as you put part of your weight on your injured arm, deciding to climb the rest of the ladder one handed instead.

“Are you decent?”  You shout through the thick metal door, hoping Mando can hear you inside the cockpit. When the heavy doors hiss and open, you’re sure he must be.

You sit down in the passenger seat silently, looking up at the stars above for a long moment. The mesmerizing, endlessly dark sky is all that you see at first, from being partially blinded by the fluorescent lights inside the Crest, before the stars come to you, bright speckles that dust the planetary systems all around you. Breathtaking. 

You look back in front of yourself to find Grogu already staring at you, head tilted with a smile that shows the slightest hint of tiny teeth. You smile, leaning forward with a raised brow. He leans closer to you, eyes lingering in the side of your face, the one already darkening from Mando’s blow, before dipping down to the arm you hold close to your chest. You let go of it immediately as he does, wanting to shield him from seeing the blood you know can be seen through the cloth.

The child steps closer, as far as he can while up on the dashboard. Mando has to be avoiding you, before he would've seen that movement otherwise.

It reaches out his small hand, squeezing his eyes as tightly as possible while the green limb twitches. You furrow your brows in confusion, what?

The ache on your skin lessens gradually, as if the wound was being lifted from your skin. You can feel it on your arm, it tickles as your skin connects itself around the wound while the burn disappears as if you’d just placed ice over it.

At some point, your eyes close, lulled nearly to sleep by the lifting of the pain, the feeling left behind makes your skin tingle with energy just beneath, your head feels light for a second, as if the blood moved from there down to heal the wounds.

When you open your eyes, you’re met with Mando’s visor trained on your face, silent in a way you can tell he’s speechless. “Eyes on the road, Mando.” You tell him cheekily, voice cracking unexpectedly.

He turns back forward, pausing his steering to pull Grogu forward and away from the edge, before his hands return to the commands. “So, is it far still?”

“No, just a few more hours. The closest Resistance base is just on the next planet.” His fingers flick switches and pull levers, before he seemingly puts the vehicle on autopilot and turns to you. “You can take the cot, you must be tired.”

You blink at him, “And what about you?”

“I’ll be fine.” He answers gruffly, not sparing you a glance.

“No, it’s gonna be a few hours, and you’ve been awake for about as much as me so if anyone is taking the cot, it’s you.” You argue back firmly.

He sighs, loosening the cape around his neck as a way to calm himself down, you and your selflessness.

“Alright. No promises that I’ll sleep though.” He acts like it’s a huge burden, as if it pains him deeply.

He takes Grogu in his arms and towards his sleeping nook. The small child smiles at you from over his guardian’s shoulder, and you smile back.

Once he’s safely put away and the bounty checked on, Mando leads you to a space just off the main hull space, where a bed - with the thinnest mattress you’ve ever seen - is pulled from the wall. Oh boy, you can already feel your back aching, but it’s better than sitting in the cockpit on those hard chairs.

So you lay down your weapons while he takes off the bulkiest of his armour. You lay down, curled on your side and away from him, knowing he’ll have to cuddle close to fit. You feel his warmth against your back, but you don't feel his touch quite yet, only the ghost of it. Your gut tightens with pity as you know he can’t take his helmet off. That has to be very uncomfortable.

The lights are dim enough that there is no shadow from your bodies on the wall. You can tell by the space he’s put between you, that he’s about to fall off.

“Are you scared of me, Mando? Can I call you Mando?”

“Sure and no.”

“Which one?” You ask mischievously, smirking to yourself while knowing full well what he meant.

He sighs in exasperation, so you let him be. For only a moment before you're back to being snarky. "Surely you've been this close to another human before, perhaps in a more compromising context."

"Yes and it's usually quieter." You think he might not realize what he just said.

You snort, "Must mean you're doing something wrong."

"That's not-! Just, get some sleep." He says tiredly, giving up on the banter you're pushing. You do as he asks, closing your eyes as you feel the heat of his body move closer to you.

You wake up to a rough whisper of your name and a shaking of your shoulder. Eyes open slowly, squinting against the light shining right at them, before something blocks it and eases your discomfort. The large hand on your shoulder doesn't yet move from its place, gently perched and waiting for you to wake up fully. 

You look up to see Mando's helmet over you, seemingly way too close (not that you're complaining), as you can clearly hear him breathe through his modulator. "We're here and we need to talk before you go in."

You follow him to the hull without question, stopping just before the door that leads to it. You rub the sleep from your eyes before blinking up at the bounty hunter, trying to nonchalantly fix your messy hair. 

And though he'd never tell you, he thought you looked adorable in that moment. Rosy cheeks, a faraway gaze, lips pursed to hold back a yawn as you brushed down your hair. He was certainly thankful for his helmet in that moment, considering the heat he felt crawling up his neck and settling on his cheeks. 

"Plan?"

You clear your throat before speaking, "Right. So, it's easy." You raise a hand to his face when Mando sighs deeply. "Simple, really. I go in, tell them I have the bounty and ask for a little something as compensation along with the credits. See? Easy and simple!"

"Do you think they'll take it?" It doesn't sound as skeptical as you would've expected from him. It's sort of hopeful. Even Mando has to admit to himself that getting chased around and having to avoid and run from x-wings at every turn, got pretty exhausting. 

"Let's try it before we start getting doubts." You tell him, determined. "Besides, nothing to lose if you stay hidden, right?"

The planet you landed on is small and green - perfect cover for a Resistance base. You walk along the dirt path leading to it and away from the Crest, coming up to a clearing where you can see the humongous metal doors of the base which seemed to have been dug into a small mountain. 

"Stop! State your business." A voice says through a speaker once you get close enough. 

"I've come to deliver a bounty!" You keep it simple, no use even attempting to be charming with these folks.

Not long after, the doors part to let someone through, who you presume is a general or something of the sort given their intimidating presence and the flock of guards with their weapons trained on you that follow them. 

"We have your credits. Thank you for bringing him to us." You keep your face neutral even as it urges to tremble beneath the pressure of their gaze. You feel the man in question squirm against the arm that grips his bicep. Must really not be a fan. 

"That is not all I want." The supposed general, no need to try and figure that out considering you don't want them to remember you more than necessary, raises a delicate brow. "I would like for you to clear someone's name."

"That is not what we agreed on."

"Yes, well, I didn't agree to it myself, so." You shrug, impressed that the general's face remains stone cold, especially considering how much they probably would like to dispose of you given you're dragging out this exchange for longer than what's really necessary. 

"You are in no place to make demands." One soldier tells you, pulling out his blaster and pointing it at you, getting more of a reaction from the bounty than from yourself as he flinches. 

"Oh, I am in the perfect place to be making demands." You tell him venomously, grip tightening on the man's arm.

"We have you surrounded."

"Just the way I like it." You respond with a wink just to hear the person's stuttering over the modulator on their helmet.

"Very well." The general calls out in order to gain their minions' attention, "Just tell me what name they might be under in our system."

"The Mandalorian. Mando for friends."

Epilogue

"Fuck! Shit, fuck! What was I thinking?!" You yell out in frustration, standing before what remains of your ship, the rest most likely taken by Jawas, who must be long gone by now. "Of course someone would take it apart, why not?! Oh, stars." You wail miserably, crouching into a ball in search of some comfort. 

"Hey, it'll be alright. Don't panic." Mando tells you gently after pulling you to your feet and grabbing your shoulders tightly to ground you. "There's two ways we can do this: we go after those Jawas, get your pieces and fix the ship or," Mando hesitates for a moment, fingers drumming along your skin as he turns the words over and over in his tongue until he feels as if he'll get them right once he says them. "you can come with me until you get enough credits for a new one. 4,000 might not be enough yet, but it's a pretty solid start."

His rare optimism brings a small smile out of you and makes your anger settle down almost completely. You'll no doubt have an even deeper hatred for the little shits, but you don't feel as if you'll punch the next living thing you see.

"I guess catching a ride with you can't be so bad, huh, Mando?"

[everafterkeiji]

Song: Easy to Forget Me by Cimorelli

Pairings: Tobio Kageyama x fem! reader

Word count: 2.8k

Summary: When the king's queen was out of his grasp before he can realize

Warning/Genre: angst, toxic friendship, anxiety attack

Symbols: Italics=flashbacks

A/N: um- im very much hurt

Kageyama pants as he runs, pushing his limit with his eyes scanning the street ahead of him. His chest heavily coming up and down with sweat dripping down his skin. Mind empty but theres a certain feeling in his chest that was urging him to come back to a certain period in his life or a certain someone.

As he passes by a certain store, he suddenly stops. The feeling of his legs as if it they were holding him back, restraining his every move along with a voice lingering in his head like a broken record.

"She wasn't there."

Like a rock thrown to glass, his heart shatters, the sharpness of it scattering around his body making him weak to his knees as he stares at the shop that brought back memories he should've cherished. Maybe he should've gone with you when you asked him, maybe he should've took interest in your stories that had you smiling for days.

Maybe he should've chosen to remember.

"Tobio! Please don't push me away." Y/N begs, as Tobio disregards your words as he locks the door, slamming it in front of you. It was right after the match of Kitagawa, where his teammates claimed him the King, leaving him stranded.

"Please.. I'm here. I'll stay with you, I promise." Y/N says, head leaned on the door as she desperately tries to talk to the boy who've built such high walls a person like her can never reach. Kageyama can hear her pleas through the door but only one scene was repeating in his head-the moment the ball dropped, not even a soul was willing to save it for him.

"Kageyama.." she whispers sliding down with tears in her innocent eyes, scared for the condition of the boy, even more scared of what was bound to happen to their closeness.

The door creaks open slightly, and she was off her feet wiping away her tears as she turns around to see the broken boy clutching his shirt. He collapses into her arms and she gladly takes him, both sat on the ground with her hands running through his dark locks. Tears in each of their eyes, Y/N holding onto him while he questions himself. All the words that slipped through her mouth was nothing but sweet whispers and promises, reassuring him that he was no king.

Just a prince surrounded in a kingdom he didn't deserve.

-

"T-thank you for yesterday. You're the only one I can..count on." He says through the phone and you immediately smile at his words, surprised he believed in your promise. You let your hand rest on top of your heart, gripping on your shirt feeling that your heart was too big to fit into your body with how your emotions were overwhelming you just because of one boy. You wonder how long it'll take for you to break under him, under the kings command.

"It's nothing, Tobio. I'll be here whenever you need me."

-

"Kageyama! Good morning!" You say as you gladly bring him his usual choice of milk. He nods to you as a sign of thank you, and you smile at him. You walk with him silently, admiring the pleasant air between you two. It was a coincidence you two entered the same school, or was it really just your instinct and you chose it to protect the boy?

"I heard about this new store. Do you wanna come with me? I've seen photos of it everywhere!" She rambles on yet it fell on deaf ears as Kageyama was only delighted about being back on the gym, able to play his passion. When he turned to her, even if she was talking, his slightest care couldn't be given to her. He'd only nod every once in a while to make it seem like he'd understood.

If your heart knew that he didn't care, maybe then you would've realized.

-

We're in the same town

But you're nowhere to be found

"She hasn't been around for days. Do you think she'll make it to our game?" Hinata asks as Tanaka hands him another ball. Tanaka sighs as he looks over to the empty bench. It was funny how they were all concerned yet one boy couldn't care less. The second year looks over to Kageyama who spiked the ball perfectly, seeing him cheer at his success.

"Worry less about Y/N, she probably has her own problems. We all know that she could never miss our game, especially when Kageyama is playing." Daichi says, looking over to the younger boy. Daichi can feel how cold the atmosphere was with just a glance. He tries not to interfere with whatever happened between you two but after the match no one saw you again. Yet he sees Kageyama, perfectly back in his mindset and not an ounce of suspense as to why you weren't present.

"Plus we missed her birthday! Can't we buy some gifts for her? She doesn't really seem okay to me." Sugawara say and Nishinoya jumps at the idea agreeing completely.

"Seems like he shouldn't be invited." Tsukishima says, pointing at their other setter. Hinata sighs beside him, before shaking his head, in denial of the tension.

"Let's just go after practice!"

-

He walks inside the record store, seeing a variety of albums and vinyls. He lets his slim fingers run over the texture of each album, wondering which drew his attention. The atmosphere of the store was enough to leave a weight on his shoulders.

It's you, isn't it?

He eyes a poster on his left, enjoying how the colors were spotlighted by the sunlight that was peeking through the window. All the soft hues, having a dark gradient at the bottom he couldn't help but feel how familiar everything was. He carefully listens to the song that was playing, concentrating on every lyric as if he was trying to find a connection.

This is her world.

He watches how everyone in the store was occupied in conversations. Conversing about their interests, debating about different eras, even singing in different aisles. He can only feel sympathy, alone in her world he didn't bother to acknowledge. He should know by now what music you like, what album you first bought, which band poster was hung on your wall, but when he tried he could only hear murmurs and whispers.

I wish I listened.

-

Do you ever miss me?

You wonder as you sat in your room, knees to your chest in the far corner, listening to the song playing in your earphones. You stood up, walking to your window and opening it, greeted by the cold air. You let you hands dangle from the window while your eyes landing on the night sky creeping a smile on your face at how comforting it was.

The moon stares down on you, feeling helpless for the girl who thought numbness was the right choice. She couldn't even mask the way her world was slowly loosing color. To her, music would always paint her skies with color. All she can do now is envision the colors but in reality they were all desaturating with every passing day. There's pretty smile set on her lips yet feels like a tug of force knowing it was hard to act civil when her heart lost the battle.

-

"This place is so cool!" Hinata exclaims, eyes sparkling at the sight of the vivid posters and overall aesthetic and aura of the store. Nishinoya joins him on the excitement. Daichi turn to Kageyama who looked like a lost puppy, eyes wandering everywhere. Sugawara taps Daichis shoulder quite cutely holding up a vinyl in his hands.

"This looks like something she'd like!" He says with a smile and Nishinoya joins the conversation, holding out his own album waving it in the air claiming it was more her type. Asahi laughs at the two while he continues to view the albums that were in front of him.

Kageyama glances at his seniors along with the second years. He sees the genuine care they have for her but why is that he feels empty? Like he was numb to any feeling. He did miss her birthday, not even bothering to greet her, focusing on doing better for the next matches.

Hinata notices the dismay from the boy but his lips form a thin line, knowing exactly why Kageyamas clueless. He wonders about the feeling of neglecting a person that's been by your side for years. Kageyama seemed like he was a pro for such things. He always took notice of how Y/N would look whenever he's decline her offers, the way she walks to class disheartened but when she sees the setter, she instantly lights up at the sight.

Seeing her cry that day was enough for him to keep a distance.

How can he even comfort her? The moment she turned her back to Kageyama, she had a hopeless smile on her lips, tears continuously rolling down her puffy cheeks. He could see the way she collapsed that way. How the queen finally let go of her duties from the king.

-

Kageyama laid on his bed with earphones in, hands to his chest focused on the melodies. It was ironic how he wanted to badly catch up on what he's lost. He was badly trying to find the trail back to you but he was unfortunate. It seemed like he was the one that changed everyone's destination.

The moment she stepped in the gym, so bewildered at the different personalities they had. Hinata was the first one to approach her, asking her questions about their "friendship." The following months went by and Hinata found comfort in her and so did the rest of the team, favoring her for her endless support, always hearing her cheers at each game. After every match, she'd always encourage the others, being the brightest sun to cast upon the team who was discouraged.

Yet he found this unnecessary?

He bites his lip at his old thought. He hated himself for thinking how useless of a habit that was for you. He believed that Daichi was enough to lift up the spirits of his teammates so the team really didn't need you. It's opposite for the others though. They truly appreciated each of your compliments, each pat on the shoulder or head. Even if you wanted to do the same for him, he'd always walk away before you could even reach him. Hinata and Yamaguchi would always try to make you forget how harsh the boy was.

He lets his eyes close for a while. For a second, he was at peace but then words started resurfacing.

"How could you just walk away?"

He tries to ignore the tone of her voice, trying to drown it out by increasing the volume, but his heart was panicking at the memory. Even if he tightly shuts his eyes, all he can imagine was the sight of the last time he saw her. He wanted to sit up, to avoid the anxiousness that was crawling under his skin, but his back remained on the bed, struggling to escape the encounter.

"Is it that easy to forget me?"

Y/N.

(TW! Anxiety attack. Do not proceed if this makes you uncomfortable)

He calls out to her like a whisper, clutching his pillow as he stares wide eyed at the ceiling. He feels the room swirl around him, the walls caving on him as every insult and memory came to him. He sits up and desperately tries to walk but he collapses on the floor, hands quickly reaching the hem of his shirt bringing it over his shoulders. Panting incredibly with his sweat covering his forehead as he tried to calm himself down but each second he was reminded of a moment in his life he could never change.

"Hey..Kageyama it's okay." Y/N tries to reach for his shoulder but he harshly grabs a hold of her hand, gripping it tightly in his as he stares her down with his dark eyes, locking on her terrified ones.

"We fucking lost! To Aoba! To Oikawa! How can you act like this when we lost?!" Kageyama shouts at her and she winces at the volume but she lets her other hand rest on top of his, trying to make sure her eye contact reminded him that everything was going to be okay.

"Tobio- Karasuno will come back and win again.. You have to trust that everything isn't set in stone. Failure-"

"FAILURE? I don't have any fucking time for more failures Y/N! You simply don't know what that feels cause all you've been doing is tagging along and being useless." He spat and you felt your smile crumble at his words. He removes your hands from his as he frustratedly runs his hands to his hair, feeling as if pins went through his hands, blaming it for their loss.

"Kageyama..you don't m-mean that. Stop. I know you're angry-"

"I'm disappointed Y/N for fucks sake! I could've done better! We could've won if I didn't slip up. Stop acting like you can fucking solve everything and leave!" She takes a step forward to him as he extends out a hand, blocking her from moving any further. The gesture completely draining the life out of her, her heart growing more and more in her chest, the admiration for the boy trying to erase his negativity.

"K-kageyama-"

"Fuck Y/N! Can't I have a day without you talking to me? Or even being around me? I don't need you. The team doesn't need you. No one else does.. so please just leave already."

He stares at her for a while before rushing off, annoyance and pride feeding his heart and mind. She sees him getting more and more distant as she lets her last smile fall on her lips. All the love and joy was erased from her heart, feeling how shallow and dark the atmosphere was inside it. It began to feel like every heartbeat was slowing down as her tears painted her a trail as she walked. The tears continuously flooded her cheeks as every function of her body was weakening with every action.

She feels the tension that there was in the bus, while she was stuck in the corner, silent.

Silent but the Kings poison consumed her.

Happy birthday to me then. She thinks bitterly.

She looks at the scenery beside her, appealing dull. She allows her heart to cry at the sharp pieces that went through it, as if it was like a balloon being popped or like the light from a fire was blown out.

There was a certain part of her that died that day. She wonders if it was her entirely, or just her ability to feel anything apart from the harsh reality. It was the mere feeling of hearing him say the exact opposite of the words you were badly used to. As the person who he counted on even back at Kitagawa, you should've believed it. But every word he threw were all words that should've never been brought to light. You were back to zero to say the least, back at the darkest corner of your mind. Touching in with your negative emotions drowning you with every replay of of his words.

Then she glances at him.

She lets her eyes linger on him for the last time before she sighs, hands forming a ball, nails digging through her skin.

I don't know you anymore.

Kageyama opens his eyes slowly, hands reaching for his phone as he dials a forgotten number. He was panting furiously, desperate to hear the sound of your voice he was late to miss. He dreaded the silence the surrounded him, he wished the silence would be killed by your voice, assuring him that all was forgiven and you were ready to come back to him so he can apologize for everything he's done.

On the other end of the line, you sighed sadly. You the see way your phone lit up the dark room, seeing a name you've yet to see in months. You carefully place the phone in your hands, trying to find the feeling in your chest when he was around. The feeling of excitement to see or hear him has vanished yet you wished that you had the ability to feel for him again.

Love has faded, no evidence, not even a trace.

So you put the phone down, done waiting to be found.

Kageyama hears the way the sound of the phone stopped, seeing his wallpaper flash in front of him. He lets the tears fall from his eyes as he calls out to you one more time, even if you broke your promise, still holding on to it but there wasn't a chance for him anymore.

And the queen left the kingdom, leaving the king to rule by himself.

[ku-ro-kai]

Lethal lust

You are taken away to be the maid of a demon although you didn't know what you were getting yourself into

What can I say, u have three holes for a reason

TW; manipulation fluff, angst,blood,monster kink,blowjob,breeding kink,anal,jealousy, non-con,f

You don't remember how you ended up being the apprentice of a fire demon, he picked you from the streets one cold night saying "you'll do good, have you done any work in your life?"

You replied back "no", you couldn't see his face but he was big, least standing at 7'1,he huffed out a sigh "you will work for me,I'm only teaching you once, you fail, you die, you complain, you die got that?" you nodded your head "good, now what's your name mortal"

"(Your Name)" he murmured something under his breath before sending you into a deep sleep.

You aware of the chatter going on around you, sounded like three of them, you couldn't tell who it was, at the end it all sounds the same.

"She's beauty dabi, you couldn't have stolen her off the streets"

"Long as she abide by my rules, she should be easy to work with"

"What's with the broad, you usually kill them"

"She is not to be eaten"

"A human really? What if she gets the wrong idea and kill you"

"No need to worry I have that under control"

After the you went back into your deep sleep

Dabi had awoken you to give you a sleeveless kimono with a flashy obi,vibrant colors leaving small diamond shapes to your waist, it was the emblem he wore on his chest.

You finally seen his face,staples pulling his face together and the skin on his arms, his kimono was open revealing staples holding him in the middle of his abdomen, was he waiting this whole time just for you to wake?

But what you gain so far, the demon named dabi lives in a large Minka,floors covered in Tatami wood and doors that slide when you open them, you've also learned he works with two other demons,keigo takami the Hawk demon, he's lures his victims in by his charming looks -he only prefers women since they have more "fat" stored.

Then there's shigaraki tomura, a decay demon, they don't have a preference when it comes to eating, he likes to watch his "food" suffer in pain from his claws piercing in their lower abdomen, what a painful way to go.

Dabi has given you many warnings about those two;specifically not to piss them off. On the other hand you doubt you could do that, they rarely come to the house , dabi doesn't ask for your help that much furthermore he's been frequently inviting women over, you can't tell the difference if it's moans or screams coming from his room but your sure those women come out with quivering legs.

Peaceful day-you guarantee nothing can ruin it,no concerning moans, no blood soiling the paper walls, no pestering demons,you let the sun dance on your face, the koi fish were swimming without a thought on their minds. You took a sip of your tea watching the trees blow with the wind. Dabi left a note with terrible written kanji,he went out to get more staples, he will be back around midnight you assumed.

"There you are, you look more pretty when your awake" you heard a low soothing voice behind you,didn't even notice the flapping of his wings?

"Oh master Hawks! master dabi didn't tell me you were coming home" you got up from your spot and bowed

"Just refer to me as keigo, never caught your name"

" L/N Y/N" you looked down at the floor, playing with the wrapping on your kimono. He was eye catching, no wonder women were risking their lives just to be in his presence,his dirty blonde locks dripping wet,his golden orbs were gleaming, wings colored a maroon red,his kimono colored in fabrics of honey gold, it was almost see through,the black strikes in the corner of his eyes,hair soaked with water droplets, he must've just came from a bath.

"What a timid little thing you are" he clicked his tongue, his eyes were staring at you like you were prey, you could show a little more skin additionally some makeup should be suggested, dabi was never hard on women, probably to avoid ruining your heart, have you come to him every night in more of him and your needs. But unfortunately dabi was put on a pause, keigo saw this as a perfect opportunity to take you apart, get under your skin, satisfy your every need, you would be great in his harem.

"Master Hawks? Are you alright"

"Yes of course -can you warm some tea up" he watched you bow again, heading into the dining area, a smirk rising at his lips

After giving Hawks his tea, the sun was coming down from it's long day of shining, you heard something crash with a few glasses shattering, "Y/N get over here quickly!" it was the voice of dabi, you ran to the first floor.

Jesus.

He was covered in soot and ashes,smelt like a dead corpse, blood soaking his forehead,Hawks laughed on the side of the door with his arm crossed

"Your not a sun demon remember that dabi!"

"Shut the hell up you chicken basterd" he turned in your direction "y/n prepare a bath for me"

__________

__________

The view was nice but it felt like a close one you'll share with your loved one, dabi was not a close one at all, he was leaning back with a small towelette on his face, well at least all of that blood he was drenched in is off.

You left a bottle of sake by him and he said you can leave for now.

You rested your back on the paper walls of the room dabi was in, your so tired from cleaning the remaining ashes on his hair, a bit of white was starting to appear but you ignored it

You felt a small shoulder tap,"yes master dabi?" turning around in shock, you found yourself facing keigo, his lips were so close to your forehead, of course he was giant too,you were never this close up to him,you could feel his soft breaths fanning against your skin. "You look really tense, has he been stressing you out lately?" he sounded so caring, his talons rubbed gentle hooks on your cheek, he looked at your hands, your palms were covered in scratches from the staples you had to pick out from dabi skin.

"You poor thing, let me heal you up" a feather lifted you up by the thick sashes of your kimono, while he took another hall and few sharp turns "is this new to the house?"

"Of course not, just closed off to you unfortunately dabi forgot to tell you about it, at some point he's gotta share his little cute apprentice with us"

Don't forget y/n he's a complete flirt but the way he's going out of his way to help you is so unlike of demons.

He stopped at door, above it was written in kanji.

Takami.

He opened the door walking over piles of gold and coins,the color of honey gold suited him, the room was covered in jewelry, beautiful silk covered pillows alongside gems and crystals.

"You like to collect a lot master keigo"

"Not exactly these are gifts from the humans I've spared or the treasure for my women" his feather dropped you on his bed, with a swift hand gesture, the feathers moved around the room picking up all the treasure and trinkets.

Keigo took your hand in his grasps, with a few pokes in your palm, the cuts disappeared.

"Good as new"

"Thank you-but I promise there was no need to use magic on me"

There was just words of mumbles to him, keigo was more interested in your chest, the curves in your waist, your birth giving hips.

"You put up with so much from dabi, the talent you show when keeping the house spotless, you deserve a break for all your hard work " he gave you a charming smile

"It just seems like you have a weak spot for me now" you were surely flattered but now keigo was coming off as flirt like you expected with the tone he used, you just pray dabi doesn't come in.

"Aw that's too bad,I'm just speaking my mind " he took your chin in his hands,his talons were so sharp, your almost surprised that he hasn't cut you"your so pretty, you shouldn't be doing treated like this at all " he pecked small kisses at your jaw,going further down on your chest "dabi treating you like a bird locked in a cage" his other hand reached over to rip the obi off your kimono"he has the right idea,I wouldn't share you either"

"Keigo this is a forbidden taboo-"

He placed a kiss on your lips, you could feel his fangs against your tongue,his feathers removed the last of piece of your clothing "what humans and demons having intimacy? You don't really think there isn't such things like half demons" he chuckled at your worried face

"What about master dabi?"

"Who gives a rat's ass about him, he's a pain in the neck and I guarantee he's probably drunk on his second black out"

You couldn't contain the laugh you let out, you covered your mouth in hopes of it not being so loud

Keigo saw the right opportunity to go in for it,he turned you on your stomach, throwing your torn apart kimono on the floor, showing your undergarments, there a feather played with your clothed pearl.

"I prefer your fertile cunt but your not ready for breeding yet.." he placed kisses on your lower back, your small whines were driving him up the wall, his talons gripped down your waist.

"breeding?" what does he mean by that?Hawks ripped your undergarments off in one swift move, licking a long stripe on your bare pussy. Keigo tongue wriggled his against your other hole while his thumb moved in soothing motions on your clit, "prep for you when you are ready for my harem" in the corner of your eye, you saw his kimono fall to the floor,catching a glimpse of his size, you understand why prep was needed,he was big, you arched your back as you felt him nudge against your ass

You let out a painful whine,convulsing down on him out of the uncomfortable intrusion, "I know baby" he cooed while gripping down your marked up waist "Anal can be difficult but you'll get used to it, you don't have choice since I'll be here just for my prize possession after all" with that you felt his groin pull away from your ass and slam back.

He's so rough with his strokes, it was challenging containing your moans, keigo was biting down on your shoulder, his groans were so passionate yet rough, the pain was fading, the pleasure was slowly building up.

Keigo begin snarling, stuffing you with two fingers, you were so close but so far, his fangs pierced your skin leaving you with blood running down your chest and back, he covered your mouth with his other hand to muffle your scream, the pleasure mixing with the pain left you in awe. Your climax hit you hard, clenching down around his length,keigo came right after you,biting more on your weakened shoulder,your visions was starting to become blurry.

Keigo finally stopped took his fangs out of your shoulders, licking some of the blood off your lethargic body, "you did well y/n,such a shame we can't go for round two" he smiled but it hid a wild aura behind it "but I won't lie, your blood tastes magnificent, your definitely the right one for me" afterwards you blacked out.

"I can't wait for you to be my wife, tummy full with my seed, stealing you from dabi has been lingering on my mind since you stepped foot in here" he wrapped your shoulder up with badges before he kissed on your bosom"these are mine" he stopped, looking at his door with a shadow hiding behind it.

"Your more of a creep than I thought" keigo covered your naked body with his feathers, "don't you think you have enough human wives?" his voice was dry,scratcy like he had a cold, he the sliding door opened to shigaraki.

"You look a little jealous, not hard to tell from your hard on" keigo pulled a feather forming a sword, pointing it at the blue haired man"how long were you watching.."

"Since you claimed her with that bite mark" he walked closer "I'm not surprised your fucking food, why not eat her" he chuckled

"I'm not a sick fuck like you" he looked at your sleeping body then looked back at shigaraki "now get the hell out... And don't jerk off to my woman".

A sharp pain awoken you, you looked over to see keigo, his lips were a soft red from your blood, it was really dark or his wings are covering you in a bundle. You couldn't let dabi find you like this though you couldn't really move your legs much, you hoped for the best and went back to sleep.

There was familiar feeling on your skin, it was light and dense, you turned to find your staring at keigo's crimson feather.

"Ah your finally up, you were such a good girl last night that I went out to the market and brought you new kimono, it has sleeves and the collar can hide my markings" the kimono he held out was a pretty marigold color although the bottom was short,”I went a little rough on you so you might not be able stand up straight “ can you even called that a little? You have his bite mark still lingering on your shoulder with multiple marks on your waist and hip,little my ass

Keigo helped you out of bed just to try your new kimono on,he even went as far to do your hair and makeup,”keigo this is too much,how am I supposed to repay you for this,I love it but I can’t afford this,I’m just an apprentice “

“Who said anything about repaying “ he wrapped his arms around your waist taking in your scent “your more than some apprentice,remember your my prize possession, mine and only mines” you were catching butterflies in your stomach.

“Hey I’m a pretty good hairstylist” admiring your beauty in the mirror,”you wish!” He started getting red “I tried okay!” Putting on a whimsical smile, “don’t go near shigaraki “ expression changing with the voice he was putting off,his eyes were almost hawk-like, his smile disappeared,he was holding you tighter like he was gonna lose you”what’s so bad about him?”

He raised an eyebrow “he only see’s you as food “ he lets go of you to look at his wing,pulling out a dainty feather and latching it around some gold string”touch it if your in need of my help” with a few clicks here and there it was on your neck.

_________

_________

Keigo was in a hurry to go, seemed like he had to go to his harem.

It was pouring down bad, you lit some candles up to avoid walking in the dark doing laundry,completely forgetting that the demons you lived with have special eyesight to let them see in the dark,it freaked you out when dabi's blue eyes was glaring at you in the dark"Move over-I have a headache" dabi laid out on your lap, groaning in irritation. "You really need to stop drinking every night" you took some clothes in your hand to fold.

"Don't start nagging about my drinking ,anyways what's with the makeup?"

You didn't wanna tell him keigo did it,along with him fucking you last night so just tell a lie!

"It was just sitting in my room, didn't wanna let go to waste"

He hummed in response

".. How long do you think it's gonna rain?"

"Don't know- don't care.. Mmh wake me up for dinner" he pat your thigh to let you know he's dozing off

You finished folding clothes so you went to grab a blanket to throw over dabi, you knew he wouldn't need it but just for safe keeping. Walking around in search of the kitchen was frustrating, you open a door that looked sealed away, you could hear faint breathing somewhere, you couldn't tell where it was coming from because the room was pitch black

"Wrong room dummy" shigaraki peeked out from the dark "um sorry- it's just so dark I didn't know"

Every step he had taken made you take another step back, his skin was ashen color, blue hair swaying each time, standing at the same height as dabi,you could see a few scars on his lips, his damp loose pants showing his v-line,beads of sweat rolling down his abs, this was the Shigaraki.

"I'll just leave now."

"You interrupted my training, your in no position to leave" he yanked you by the obi, watching it turn to dust in a instant, you reached to cover your body "I suggest you stop that or your little pretty face is next"

He slammed you into the wall knocking the air out of your lungs," I hate when people play with their food" he moved his hair out of the way, his eyes staring at you through your soul "that fucking bird loves taking humans and turning them into brides, I hate it so much it sickens me to my stomach" grabbing a handful of your hair, "then you play stupid with dabi pretending your the perfect apprentice, giving him attention like the little whore you are" he pulled you up against the wall "your supposed to be mines"

Putting up a fight wasn't even worth it,his claws are deadly and dangerous, if you even make the slightest wrong move your done for, you wished keigo was here. You felt a harsh thrash against your ass "look at me",now your legs were on his broad shoulders,you looked at him and his face just splayed confusion in it

“You never done this before have you..”

“ I have!” There was taint pink flushing his face, he was definitely a virgin

“You haven’t and that’s okay“ you opened your legs a bit more to get him in the right position "after all the eavesdropping you did, I would've thought you learned a thing or two"

"Shut up” he moved closer to your mound,out of anticipation his serpent like tongue swiveled around your folds,watching your slick swell on his tongue,finally he thrusted into you without warning,your mewls and whines had been muffled by shigaraki animalistic groans. His tongue was hitting spots that you didn't even know existed,your climax was rising closer.

His tongue came back to his mouth dwelling on your juices “why.. you stop” your pants started

“I just needed a taste..” that’s it?! He did all that just to get a taste!?

You picked up your shredded up clothes,limping back to your room praying keigo hasn’t made it back aswell as dabi still being asleep, luckily shigaraki didn't kill you but he did look like he was upset about something

_________

“Keigo keep it down they’ll hear us”you nuzzled in his lap while picking at his feathers,keigo was too excited about the gifts he brought for you although he’s been out too long and wanted a bath so he suggested you accompany him,”there’s gonna be blood moon tomorrow,I got you the perfect outfit just for it!” he started placing kisses on your back "sorry if I've been gone all day, the girls were feeling down today". You've wondered how many wives keigo has and why he wanted so many, though it wasn't your concern, you didn't wanna upset him if he brought up great news also you didn't confront him about shigaraki.

"Where did these bruises come from?"

Oh he's talking about the one from you being slammed into a wall.

"I fell doing laundry, it's just a small one no need to worry"

"You won't be doing laundry until then, don't even think about cooking, your getting rest for now"

The day was ending, keigo fixed dinner instead of you since you needed rest, it was rare a occurrence when demons ate human food,he brought you food, put you in beautiful silken nightgown. Shigaraki ignored you ever since he pushed you out of his room, dabi was clueless as always.

You went to go get a drink to shut down for the night, gaining more details about them, keigo went to bed early since he thrived in the sun more than the moon, as for shigaraki? This was his time to go find lost humans he could feast upon and for dabi this was usually his moment to get drunk. Too boot seeing him in sober manner and frustrated mood was not what you were expecting.

"The hell are you still doing up"

You looked away from the bulge showing from his kimono, he was sexually frustrated and you weren't doing anything but making it worse on him"I just wanted a drink before bed"

"I'll give you a drink" he grab harshly on your risk, taking you to his room, you fumbled all through the hall.

"Don't you speak this to anyone, especially when you've been whoring around their backs, now we wouldn't want that right y/n?"

"Yes"

"Yes what?" his voice had anger in it

"Yes master dabi" just because he was a demon doesn't mean your gonna let him treat you like this so you add the same tone in your voice

He scuffed rolling his eyes, why did you have to come in on his bad side, he layed down on his bed”on your knees” you got down on the floor waiting,he pulled closer to his groin,he was rutting against your face,was he really that packed up?

Soon as you took his cock out,there was a low growl coming from him,he was painfully hard and already leaking precum ,you gripped the base ,starting with the tip first,working your way down was the easy part but dabi didn’t approve so he pushed you down further until you reached his cervix.this rough assault on your throat had you choking , in shock there was a warm liquid inside your mouth.

His tail wrapped around your waist pulling you to him,he sat up sweating with his smug smirk “open” you opened your mouth as he ordered, his seed pooling on your tongue “perfect”

Thank you for reading❤️ follow me for more!

[fritae]

The Missing Piece (Chapter 8)

Anxiety.

gang! au / ceo! au

characters: dabi x female oc, lov, other original characters

status: ongoing

read on ao3 here.

I'm sure Mr. Lane has seen me.

With a groan, I take Dabi aside.

"You can go ahead, sir." I tell him quickly, glancing behind me to see if they're watching me.

Dabi looks over my shoulder.

"Is that what's-his-face?"

I shoot Dabi a look and gesture toward Aliyah. We may be friends but I didn't tell her the real reason I left NNTV. She thinks work became too stressful and I needed a break.

She doesn't know about the argument me and Mr. Lane had after I discovered his support of the Todorokis. Or about his cutting my salary and threatening to fire me.

Besides, bad mouthing a former employer is horrible professionalism.

"It's Mr. Lane. Go, go," I try shoo-ing him away. "I'll see you tomorrow sir."

But Dabi doesn't budge.

His eyes are trained on mine.

"I don't like that look on your face."

I groan. "What look? Sir it's just-"

"Like you're uncomfortable."

The comment catches me off guard and I quickly avert my gaze.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," I say quietly. "These are my friends."

But that only seems to make him more determined. Dabi turns to face me completely, his feet firmly planted in the ground and his hands tucked coolly in the pockets of his pants. He doesn't look interested in listening right now.

"What are you worried about?" He asks. "Is it him?"

I run an anguished hand through my hair. "Sir please. Please. What happened to not asking about our private matters?"

I don't want Dabi and Mr. Lane meeting. Especially considering how our last conversation went. I didn't tell Mr. Lane I was working for the Blaze, and considering how salty he was that I left after all these years, facing him once again fills me with anxiety.

"Alright I won't ask you," Dabi ignores me. "I'll find out from him."

My eyes widen and I pull him back before he could make his way toward Mr. Lane. Aliyah went to bring Mr. Lane to say hi. I feel my chest get tighter when I see him getting closer.

"See? I don't like that." Dabi eyes me with concern. He tsks and pulls a box from his back pocket. He tries to hand me a cigarette but I shake my head quickly.

Mr. Lane doesn't know I smoke.

And with the amount of anxiety pooling in my gut, it wouldn't even help.

Dabi shrugs, no longer facing me.

"I'm here," He says. The ice in his voice from earlier is gone. I look at him once more before Mr. Lane gets within earshot.

He gives me a small nod and reaches for me, his hand brushing against the small of my back in a way that sends electricity up my spine. "He's not your boss anymore. He has no power over you."

I nod and plaster a fake smile on my face as the short man approaches us.

I hope it's enough to hide my thundering heart.

"Ms. Aoki," His voice sounds as insufferable as ever. "Fancy meeting you here."

I nod my head in respect. "Mr. Lane. It's nice to see you so soon."

As if!

But already, his attention is off of me. Instead, he eyes Dabi up and down.

"Is this your partner?" He asks.

My face heats up immediately. "Oh - no sir. This is my, um - my new boss. Mr. Dabi?"

Just as I expected, Mr. Lane's expression darkens immediately.

I expect Dabi to extend a hand out for formalities. But his hands remains in his pockets. He merely gives him a nod in acknowledgement.

"So you've found a new company after all." Mr. Lane comments coldly.

"Yes. Yes sir."

"What's the name of your company, Mr. Dabi?"

"The Blaze." Dabi says. "I do luxury trading. Rina told me she previously worked for a broadcasting company - what was it called again?"

Mr. Lane's face hardens. "NNTV. We're a leading force in the industry-"

"Right, right. That company that always underperforms?" He asks apologetically.

Me and Aliyah gasp, glancing cautiously at Mr. Lane.

"I have a friend that works at CBS, you see."

There's a smile on Dabi's face.

"I haven't even heard of your company," Mr. Lane quickly counters, evil in his eyes. "When Ms. Aoki abandoned us in such a manner, I assumed she'd join a better known business."

"I'm not surprised you haven't heard of us," Dabi sighs, that same mocking tone in his voice. "You see, we cater to a highly exclusive audience."

Aliyah mouth drops behind Mr. Lane, looking extremely amused. I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes the subject of tomorrow's lunchtime gossip.

"I see," Mr. Lane smiles at Dabi but it is anything but friendly. "Anyway. Careful with this one." He tells Dabi. "She's loyal to the - " He rubs his fingers to his thumb to indicate money. "It doesn't matter how well you treat her, if she finds a better offer she'll run off on you. Looking at you now," Mr. Lane sizes him up. "it probably won't take long."

I didn't leave because of money you piece of shit! If you actually saw me as a person, you'd know that!

I feel Aliyah's eyes on me in surprise.

Great.

Now she thinks I'm making more money and keeping things from her.

I don't face her.

"Hm," Dabi says. "What do you define as a better offer? Because we certainly don't pay-"

Don't say that! I think frantically.

I clear my throat.

Dabi looks at me quizzically. But he understands soon enough.

"...her what she's worth. With how well she's driven up sales this past month, she certainly deserves every penny."

"With all due respect," Mr. Lane smiles apologetically, venom lacing his words. "A secretary who intervenes in your business, gives unsolicited advice, and tries to control decision making is not worth her price. There are many other qualified secretaries who will drive up sales, and do it better than she can."

I feel my heart fall.

Of course he would say that.

Mr. Lane thinks of me as disloyal now. Leaving NNTV so suddenly after all these years, I knew it would matter more to him than he let on during our last meeting.

He doesn't exactly tolerate betrayal. And being his secretary for so long, I've seen how he treats former employees enough to know how vicious he can be.

That's why I didn't want him and Dabi to meet.

My face reddens immensely at the mention of my frequent "interventions" and "unsolicited advice". Because Mr. Lane doesn't believe in teams, he believes in workers who do as they're told. That's it.

But considering how much Dabi cares about his space, the comment fills me with anxiety.

Especially given the conversation we had today.

Will he think this is a pattern now? Will it drive him further away from me - cause his lack of trust in me to balloon even more?

There's an uncomfortable feeling in my gut as my mind questions all these possibilities. I wish Aliyah hadn't seen me.

No.

I wish I just told Dabi I was busy when he asked me for dinner. I hesitantly glance at him, searching for any indication of how he's receiving this.

There's embarrassment written all over my face.

However, Dabi's expression doesn't change. He remains aloof.

Although on closer inspection, I think I see his jaw clench.

I feel my eyes water. Is he angry with me?

He should be.

Perhaps I am too talkative and opinionated for a secretary.

But Dabi's response makes me furrow my brows in confusion.

"She was a member of your team. Of course she would advise you. And intervene as necessary."

My eyes widen.

"It's as much her company as it is mine, so I do hope she does more of that for us in the future."

I look at Dabi in surprise, trying to figure him out. Doesn't he hate it when people intervene in his business though? Is he just saying this in front of Mr. Lane?

That's gotta be it.

Regardless, I'm grateful that he hasn't thrown me under the bus, using me as conversation material. Anyone else would happily listen and even share their own criticism of me to keep the conversation going. Especially considering Mr. Lane is realistically the more powerful CEO of the two. Anyone would say anything to get on his good side.

And part of me feels like Mr. Lane used me in order to shift to Dabi's good side too. After all, what manager doesn't love critiquing his employees?

Only Dabi didn't take the bait.

"I suppose I should thank you actually," Dabi continues, the height difference only further emphasizing the power imbalance in the conversation. Mr. Lane looks small for the first time ever, as he stands there looking up at Dabi. "If you hadn't let her go, our company wouldn't be in the place it is today. She's extremely capable, as you know. And such an agreeable team player, as well."

But instead of responding, Mr. Lane focuses on me with those murderous eyes.

As if it's my fault he was humiliated tonight.

How dare I go on to build up someone else's company. How dare I not cry and beg him to take me back, that I was sorry and have learned from my mistake. That I would never challenge his decisions again and be the loyal, silent employee he expects me to be.

I shrink under his stare, and before I know it, Dabi's hand is once again on my back.

He has no power over you.

I take a deep breath. "Unfortunately, Mr. Dabi has a prior engagement and we don't want to be late." I tell Mr. Lane. "But thank you for coming over personally to say hello. Hopefully, an opportunity for us to meet again arises in the future."

Mr. Lane nods coldly and walks away. He didn't even shake our hands before he left. Aliyah smiles at us apologetically and comes to hug me once again.

"He's a good man," She whispers in my ear. When she pulls away, she gives me a sly wink and my face reddens. She shakes Dabi's hand before she hurries behind Mr. Lane to the outdoor seating area where the rest of NNTV's administration and senior employees lounge.

And Dabi and I are alone once again.

[papergirllife]

Chasing The Flames

Chapter 7 : Beautiful Accidents

I'm so sorry this took so long. I hope the long hiatus was worth it with this outcome. Love y'all.

" You're going to be assisting in both Jeno and Jaemin's individual photoshoots with Allure Korea and Grazia Korea because they're currently understaffed due to the corona outbreak. "

" Okay? "

" You'll be fine, with the training I've given you, you just need to supervise if needed. "

" Alright. Can I have time and address? "

" Jaemin's having his tomorrow at 2pm. I'll send you the address and details about Jeno's shoot afterwards. "

When you got to Allure's head office, Jaemin was already sitting at the vanities.

As he noticed me coming his way, he took the nearest thing he could find to cover his face.

" Why are you covering your face? "

" You've never seen me barefaced before, don't want to scare you. "

" Bullshit. "

I lowered the magazine held up against his face to reveal Jaemin's face clean of make up.

" Perfect as it always has been. "

Jaemin turned his chair to my direction, and gave his full attention.

" I'm envious of your confidence. "

" Me? I'm not confident. "

" You are. You don't cover your face with foundation. You only use make up purely for its positive intention, that is to enhance one's features. "

" I'm just lazy, is all. "

" You should be thankful to your laziness then, because I am. "

I could feel my cheeks heat up at Jaemin's sweet words.

" Since it hasn't begun, I'm going to Starbucks for take away, you want your usual Americano right? "

" 4 shots please. "

" No. You should be grateful that I'm letting you have any caffeine. "

Jaemin ceased his pouting and smiled brightly at me.

" Can we share a muffin down stairs after we finish? "

" Whatever you say, sweet talker. "

When you finished the shoot you guys head into the deserted coffee shop as per Jaemin's request and shared a muffin.

" I can't believe you're making me eat a blueberry muffin. "

" It's nice. It's my comfort food, especially in the cold winter. "

" Okay, okay. But we're eating chocolate chip next time. "

" Deal. "

The both of you savoured the sweat taste of the muffin in silence, making you recount the things that happened today.

" I'm envious of your confidence. "

" I'm not as confident as you think I am. "

Jaemin tried looking into your shying eyes, wanting to understand the thoughts running through your mind.

" I have a scar above my left eyebrow, I got it when I was young in a water theme park by accident. I've started having bangs at highschool because of it. "

I lifted my hair to let him see what I hid away for most of my life. Jaemin just had that effect on me, willing me to open up to him.

I don't know if it is his caring eyes or sweet smile, but it just gets me every time.

Jaemin took a close look at me, purely observing, no judgement or whatsoever written on his face, he wasn't like the others.

" I could barely see it. And it doesn't matter, whether you have scars or not. Look at Taeyong hyung, he has a scar beside his eye but all seasonies love it. You shouldn't assume the fact that everyone wouldn't like it. It's the imperfections that make us flawless, irreplaceable. So you have nothing to hide Y/N, scar or no scar you're beautiful. "

" T-thank you. "

This is the first time someone has ever reduced me to happy tears about my scar, Na Jaemin is truly one in a million.

That evening, many thoughts were clouding my mind.

Why is Jaemin being so emotionally understanding?

Instead of plain flirting, he's flirting with real emotions. Zero intentions of gaining purely my attention, but also comforting me.

This side of Jaemin is like a puzzle piece that you just don't know how it goes in the bigger picture.

He's in a relationship with Jeno, but he's interested in me?

Or am I just reading into this too seriously?

He's probably only being a good listener.

Right. Nothing to worry about.

I still have to assist in Jeno's shoot two days later.

Time for bed.

Manager hyung said Y/N is going to be sitting in for this Grazia shoot, as she did with Jaemin's.

The biggest problem is that Jeno can't find anything to wear that will impress her but isn't too over the top.

What classifies as good looking to her, but not too over the top for a casual outfit?

" My, my, my Lee Jeno struggling to dress up for our dear Y/N. "

" Jaemin I'll let you have all my attention later, I'm busy right now. "

" Who says I came in to annoy you? I'm here to help. All your jackets are fine, just make sure you wear a white t shirt and black ripped skinny jeans underneath. "

Jeno looked at Jaemin with both his eyebrows raised.

" How are you sure that's what she likes? "

" I heard her complementing Kai sunbaenim's latest airport fashion, and that was it. But if you really want to make a lasting impression, it's time you bring out your black leather jacket. "

Jaemin's advice did work, because when Y/N stepped into the office lobby, both her eyes were on him.

" Hi. "

" Hi, I got you hot chocolate and a donut. "

Y/N's eyes lit up at the sound of food. Oddly, at that moment Y/N reminded Jeno of Jaemin.

" Thank you. "

Jeno noticed that Y/N was constantly shy when she's alone with him.

She can't even look him in the eyes for more than a millisecond.

Did he look too intimidating? He made sure he smiled today.

" Should we go up? "

Y/N nodded while sipping her hot chocolate.

' She's the cutest ', Jeno thinks.

Jeno held the door when they stepped into the elevator.

Jeno was just about to strike a conversation to fill in the emptiness when suddenly the elevator stopped moving.

Jeno grabbed the railings with one hand and held Y/N arm with the other as Jeno noticed that Y/N was wearing heels.

Once everything came to a final halt, Jeno let go of Y/N's arm, not wanting to cross any lines.

Y/N let out a loud sigh.

" I can't believe we're so unlucky. Just when I thought today was going to be okay. "

She teared out a few pages of her newspaper and sat down, tearing more afterwards and patted it, signalling for Jeno to sit down.

When Jeno took a seat, Y/N opened the brown bag, the sweet aroma of the donut covering the stale smell of disinfectant.

She tore half the donut and passed it to Jeno.

Jeno happily took it and quickly put the donut in his mouth to cover up his large smile.

Jeno looked sideways to see Y/N munching away happily like a tiny hamster, her round rosy cheeks stealing all his attention.

" Can I ask? Why are we sitting on newspapers? "

" So that we won't be exposing ourselves to any sort of viruses, and that includes our clothing. "

" You sound like Renjun. "

" No I don't! It's my job as a staff to make sure that idols of the company I'm working in aren't in any sort of harm. "

" Is that the front you're using as being caring? "

" Who says I'm caring for you? "

Y/N stood up to check up on the situation through the telecom to avoid letting Jeno see the blush dusting her cheeks.

" Hi, we're just wondering if someone is going to get us out here soon? "

" Our apologies Ms Y/N and Mr Jeno, the staff of this elevator's company is currently busy with another case and it might take a while for them to finish it up. If they take too long we'll call the fire fighters. "

Y/N slumps back on her make shift cushion with a pout on her face.

" Hey, don't be upset. Let's play dance charades, I'll start first. "

Although, Jeno purposely chose the songs that Y/N knows to let her win, Jeno can't help but mirror Y/N's smile whenever she gets the right song.

Soon enough it was Y/N's turn to dance and Jeno's turn to coo at her dancing.

After a few turns, the both of them for tired and opted to listening to music.

Y/N's head was laid against Jeno's shoulder, slowly being lulled into slumber by the soft music from Jeno's phone and the warmth radiating off him.

Their peaceful moment was however, interrupted by loud banging from the elevator doors.

" Stay away from the doors, we're going to open them! "

The doors were being forced open and the fire fighters told them to climb up as they were stuck between two floors.

Jeno sensing Y/N's discomfort in the situation climbed up first.

After Jeno got up, he beckoned Y/N to lift both her hands, and he lifted her up.

Y/N crashed on top of Jeno, their bodies against each others.

Jeno could feel Y/N's rapid heartbeat beating against his chest.

He could see the blush on her cheeks, the way her arms are wrapped around his shoulders.

Jeno didn't know why was he feeling such heavy emotions, all he knew that he wanted to keep feeling them.

As Y/N regained her senses, she pushed herself up, waking away without another word.

Jeno caught up to her and they walked into the studio that they were assigned to.

But because of the long wait on the elevator, the only photographer available in the company left, citing that she was a senior staff and that she doesn't revolve around things.

The only other empty slot that Grazia could give was taken up by Jeno's other activities.

So Y/N had to take up the job, browsing through Jeno's old shoots for reference.

The shoot went by smoothly, and Y/N it's even getting paid per photo.

" Why do you look at the camera differently at other shoots? "

" Because I was looking at you, not the lens. "

Jeno swear he loved it when your jaw dropped at his flirty remark.

When Y/N was driving home all she could think of was that Jeno was definitely flirting with her and that she does not want to be a home wrecker in his and Jaemin's relationship.

[the-fiction-witch]

Missed You

TV SHOW DOCTOR WHO

COUPLE TIMOTHY LATIMER AGE UP X READER

RATING SMUT

I stood cleaning glasses behind the counter listening to the people in town talk amongst themselves still a little on edge given everything going on I lanced up to the clock on the wall checking the time. I shift was over so I put my work down undoing my apron and heading towards the door with my handbag 

"Ahhh y/n, tell me my sweet are you working tonight?" Markus the butcher's son smiled to me as he sat by the door with his drink 

"We'll see, depends how busy I am" I winked heading out the door across the cobblestones of town army boys where everywhere all of them very interested in girls for the night I hurried along to my little house where I saw on my porch a familiar figure and almost jumped into his arms 

"Whoa… hello y/n" he laughs hugging me too 

"I missed you" I smile

"I missed you too" he smiled back so I unlocked my door and pulled him inside turning the lights on as I did seeing his rather clean face and clean uniform he must have cleaned himself up before he came to see me, he dumped his stuff on the table as he usually did fixing his messy blonde hair where it was beyond desperate for a trim even he was desperate for a shave

"Don't they have razors and such out there?' I asked 

"They do, but you ever tried to shave while guns are going off… it's rather distracting" he explained 

"Well your things are where you left them, because I'm not kissing you with that" I warn 

"Aww why not?" He asks wrapping his arms around my waist to pull me tight to him "you might like it? You don't know till you try" he suggested 

"I know Timothy, shave or go spend the night somewhere else" I told him pushing him away and starting to sort out 

"Fine" he sighed going and doing as I had asked "happy now?" He asks as he dried his face a little 

"Yes" I smiled fixing the bed a little where I left it a mess this morning 

"Uuummm you look so cute in your work uniform" he smiled cuddling me again 

"Aww and you look very cute in yours" I laughed giving his lips a little kiss 

"Don't I look strong? Heroic? Sexy?" He asked 

"Cute" I smiled 

"Okay...I look cute" he sighed 

"So? A quickie tonight? Or something else?" I asked cuddling into his chest 

"Uuuh, well maybe a quickie tonight and then something else in the morning" he smiled getting his money from his pocket handing it to me and kissing my hand "If that's okay?" He asks 

I counted up what he has given me and I smiled pushing him so he sat on my bed

"Of course Timothy" I smiled giving his head a kiss "You should have just said the usual" I winked going away from him a little and beginning to slowly and seductively remove my clothes I started with my shoes slowly kicking them across the room but still standing on my tiptoes, I undid my shirt pushing it off slowly revealing my black lacy underwear he was already biting hard on his bottom lip as he couldn't bare to take his eyes away from me as I threw the shirt to the floor and unzipped my skirt dropping it to the floor leaving me in my undergarments and stockings and he may have been drooling

"I've missed you so much" he groans 

"You where only gone three weeks Timothy" I laughed 

"That's a long time away from you" he groaned 

"Well you have that little picture I have you?" I smirked bending over to pick up my skirt 

"Oohhh God… I uhh I know I do it's just" he stuttered 

"Just what?" I asked putting my foot up on the table unclipping my suspenders and slowly peeling off my stocking 

"Just that picture doesn't do you justice my beautiful angel" he says "I spend all day looking at it, it's nothing compared to the real thing" 

"Isn't it? All day Humm what a dirty little boy you are" I smirked going over and putting my leg on the bed beside him he blushed a moment but I nodded and he instantly grabbed my leg caressing every inch of me with his hands kissing from my ankles to the clip of my suspenders 

"How can I not be when I have such a beautiful angel waiting for me?" He smirked between kisses he unclipped this one himself and slowly pulled my stocking off me slowly being careful not to ladder it as he did as soon as it was off me I smirked and sat on his lap with a giggle as I felt the cock hard erection under me 

"You really hate being away from me don't you?" I giggled

"I do," he muttered kissing my neck 

"What will you do when you have to go home?" I asked 

"What?" He asked stopping and pulling away 

"When all this is over? They'll send you home back to England, you won't ever see me again" i remind him 

"What are you talking about of course I will, I'll come see you. I mean if you wanted once it's all over… I'll take you with me"

"With you?" I asked in shock

"Ummm would you like that? I'll take you home with me? Back to England… we could get a little house, get married maybe start a little family" he suggested

"I don't know Timothy" I answered

"Or… I could stay here? With you"

"You'd stay here with me?" I asked 

"If you wanted me too, once this is all over" he smiled "so long as you're happy my angel then I'm happy" 

"Aww Timothy that's so sweet" I smiled hugging him "but we don't need to worry about that Not for a while longer" I said moving to lay on my bed and that was all the convincing he needed, as he instantly sat over me excitedly 

"Can I uhhh touch?" He asks and I nodded and his hands grabbed my breasts and groped them rather roughly but I know he wasn't trying to hurt me it's just that he's been off fighting for three weeks and he's clearly missed me very much "oohh god they feel so good angel" he groans his hands leaving my breasts to undo his belt quickly getting his pants off enough to get out his hard desperate cock, it was long and slender not to unlike Timothy himself, the vains down his shaft and the tenderness of his head showing just how much he's missed me as he clearly hasn't had any attention since he was here with me last his hand grabbed his base jerking as fast as he could "can I? Please?" He begs 

"Of course" I smiled pushing off my little panties and that was all he needed as he moved closer pushing apart my legs and within meer seconds he pushed inside me the whole length of him inside me as he dove hilt deep 

"Uuuugghh! God I've missed you angel!" He moaned loudly "umm so warm, so soft, uughhh I don't think I'm going to Last very long my sweet angel" 

"It's alright Timothy have your fun"

"You're sure?" He asks and I nodded so he grabbed my hips and began his thrusts they were quick but jagged where he couldn't get into a pase as he was already overwhelmed burying himself Inside me every other second biting hard on his mouth his eyes rolled back into his head lost in his own little world it felt amazing and of course I had Missed him too his hand moved up to grope my boob again and I could feel his thrusts slow and began to get sloppier bucking his hips in odd ways his moans louder and more throaty until I felt him shudder his hips moving irrarcily inside me as I felt him finish deep inside me "I'm so sorry… I'm sorry y/n" he groans as he collapsed laying his head on my chest while he caught his breath his hair sticking to his head with sweat 

"What are you sorry for?" I asked slowly petting his head as he calmed down 

"I didn't do anything for you… I'm sorry,"

"Tim, I'm a whore you don't have to make it good for me" I laughed

"But I still want to, I promise once I uhhh I get my strength back I'll… I'll do something for you" he says between breaths 

"I think you need a rest" I smiled moving so he pulled out and I let him lay in my bed and cozied up to him "get some sleep I'm right here, we'll talk more in the morning" I smiled giving him a kiss he kissed back and held me close within seconds he was fast asleep.

[roswelldetails]

RNM 2x05 - I'll Stand By You

So just a little note from me, the person behind the season 2 detailing.  I am trying really really hard to keep emotion out of these posts...which is really really hard for me because I'm an inherently emotional person. I'm a glass case of emotion, ready to shatter at any given moment. (#dramatic)  But I want to be true to the intent of this blog and keep my feelings, biases, and, you know, shipping out of this blog.

It was really really hard to do with this episode. Because I straight up ugly cried for like, 45 of the 60 minutes. 😂

So I guess, the point is, I'm proud of myself and sticking to the details here. My regular blog is where I'm doing the emotional flip out thing! 😂

EPISODE SUMMARY:

ACCEPTING REALITY — The discovery of some complications with Max’s (Nathan Dean) pod forces Liz (Jeanine Mason), Michael (Michael Vlamis) and Isobel (Lily Cowles) to confront the possibility that they may not be able to save him. Elsewhere, Maria (Heather Hemmens) and Alex (Tyler Blackburn) make amends. Kimberly McCullough directed the episode written by Alanna Bennett & Jason Gavin (#205). Original airdate 4/13/2020. 

DETAILS:

Max/Isobel/Michael reunite at age 11 according to what Michael tells Alex in 1x10.  So that would make the opening of this episode set in 2002ish.

Michael tells Max and Isobel, "I remember you. I don't know you."

"After nobody adopted me for a year they just stuck me with the name of that trucker who found us."

"I didn't ask you for anything."

This is like the thesis statement of Michael's whole history with Max in the flashbacks.

"Don't pay more than you collect, kid. Passing credit back and forth is a good way to get stuck with somebody forever."

Rosa's art. 

What I can see says: "...what they all told me, but I didn't listen" and "Stand the shelter".

Rosa on her dreams

"I have not had any freaky dreams in weeks. Okay, Max is probably off haunting Isobel now that they're strong enough for their psychic twincest weirdness."

"How long has that been happening?"

"Um, I don't know. It's an old boom box."

"Rosa, have electrical appliances been malfunctioning around you?"

"I really thought it was just a side effect of the handprint."

"If being in the pod introduced a new protein into your system it could have altered your DNA too. You could be developing abilities."

"Liz, look. The handprint is changing.  It's smaller."

"It's fading."

"Tell me this is a good thing."

"I don't think so."

Michael and Liz theorizing on why the pod shorted out:

"The pod's got a charge. It's like a battery powering the preservation process. This one's gone dead."

"Did the generator blow the electromagnetic threshold?"

"I think a surge came from the pod itself. But that pod has lasted almost a century. It shouldn't glitch out."

"Okay, well, then, this one did."

"All right, stop. It doesn't matter why the pod is broken. It just is. So how long does Max have?"

"My theory is that being tethered to Rosa through the mark is what kept Max from going brain-dead, and in turn the stasis process is what kept the mark from fading. So he could be gone by tonight."

"Okay, well, we have three more pods. So let's just put him into another pod."

"No. He's just gonna do it again. I haven't told you everything. I didn't want to scare you. I didn't want to be the one that took the hope away."

"Talk now, Rosa. Right now."

"I was seeing Max in my nightmares months before I told you about it, and he was begging me to stop you. He said that he was in a lot of pain in there."

"That's Noah's pod. Noah told us it was broken. It wasn't keeping him in stasis. He could feel time passing. None of us thought of that."

"We've been doing everything we can to make Max stronger. He pulled his own plug."

Note...as far as we know Isobel was the only one who knew about Noah's pod being broken.  In 1x12 it was before Liz arrived at the house that he told them about the broken pod, so only Max and Isobel heard that part of the story.

Alex on his training. "NSA intelligence cryptology training".

Monitor screen in the secret lab:

Noah's heart is still too weak to transplant. Kyle says it needs at least eight more weeks

"I wrote a paper for a bioethics class on patients in vegetative states who feel pain. Sometimes it's all they feel."

As a non sciencey person, I was wondering if bioethics class was a real thing. Tonight I saw an interview on the news with a UC Berkeley bioethics professor on COVID. So yes, it's a thing.

Alex on Michael that summer post-Rosa's death:

Starting fights with jocks

Broke into the drugstore

Not going to UNM

Hasn't hung out with Max all summer

Got busted for stealing hubcaps (Kyle's hubcaps, we learn later) 

Became a walking bar fight

Was in jail when Alex left to enlist

Michael on Max in 2008:

"It's more than that. And it's less than that. We were friends when we were kids, but now Max reminds me of a bunch of stuff that I'd rather forget. The only thing that we have in common anymore is Isobel."

Max's yearbook had a pencil stuck in the page with Liz and Max's photo in it. (The one we first saw in 1x03).

"Biology Club. Max hated science. He was in that club for four years just to watch your sister chew on the end of her pencil."

Max's mindscape:

First just desert, clouds, and then lightning strikes (destructive energy?)

Liz's antennae -- they disappear from Isobel's hands

Rosa describes it as broken

Crashdown special is Max's favorite "Little Green Man milkshake".

The Crashdown counter is kind of merged with biology lab equipment. 

The juke box is there

The Crashdown booths

Jeep

Neon Crashdown sign

One of those claw drop game machines (from the Crashdown) but it's filled with baked good displays.

The yearbook

Later, everything else is gone except the one Crashdown booth, the Jeep, and the neon sign.

The distorted music they follow to find Max is the Cactus Groove song in the music list...just, messed around with. See @angsty-nerd's post here:

"I'm the hothead. You are the hero. It's always been that way."

"You stole the hubcaps off Kyle Valenti's graduation present. Both his parents are cops. Do you want to end up in jail tonight?". 

👀 Tonight, specifically. 

Michael seemed excited about the job at Foster's Ranch until he found out that Max set it up for him.  Max found out about it from his dad (only like the 2nd or 3rd mention of his dad in the series so far).

"When I got back in town I asked Max why you and your brilliant mind hadn't changed the world yet. He said you didn't care about the world enough to bother changing it. He believed you could."

Max and Isobel in the mindscape:

"You're okay. I could feel something was wrong with you.  Everything felt…"

"Cold. I know."

"You can't be here. It's finally ending.  I can feel it. But I don't know what happens if you're in my head when I die."

"So it's true? You want this?"

"I could feel my connection to the outside world getting stronger, so I snapped. I couldn't take it anymore. I released a surge. You have to let me go, Iz."

"I can't take it anymore."

"Okay."

"I am so sorry."

"I just want to memorize this."

"Okay. Okay.  I need you to tell Liz something."

"You can tell her yourself.  She and Kyle are prepping for surgery.  They're going to use the faulty heart. She just wants to talk to you before you die."

"No. No."

"You won't be suffering. They're just gonna bring you back and then let you go."

"No you have to stop this.  You cannot bring me back under any circumstances."

"Max? What is really going on?"

"I am dangerous.  Whatever Liz is bringing back is not me. It's just some broken shell."

Maria on her mom's computer 

"Her nurse said that for the two weeks before she went missing, when she wasn't trying to escape, she was talking to someone online."

The 21st birthday flashback

Isobel gets Michael to help move Max after getting drunk on tequila.  He passed out in front of the tattoo parlor. It's the same tattoo parlor Michael goes to at the end of the episode.

Max's weird drunken statement.

"The thing is, there has to be there. Okay? There's always three. Until the very end.  I'll show you...What it means is you should be here…'cause it's all broken without three. So we'll figure it out.  You'll find your way back."

👀 Until the very end. Interesting.

On Max becoming a deputy:

"You know he did the whole police academy thing because of you, right? He thinks you're gonna get into the kind of trouble you can't get out of if you don't know someone."

Back in the mindscape:

"I figured it all out. She, there's an energy to suffering, there's an energy to death, and when I heal people, I absorb that energy. So when I resurrected Rosa, I took in ten years of emptiness. So if you resurrect me, you will be bringing back an infection. Don't want… I don't want to come back as a monster. I don't want to hurt anyone that I care about."

"That's what this is about? We've been hurting, Max. We don't work without you."

"You will! You will. You are stronger now than when I died. All of you are. You, Michael, Liz, you will survive this. The three of you. No, you need to stop them, Iz. Now."

"Okay. I love you."

"You too." Isobel disappears.

Max is using pretty similar wording to his drunken rambles in the 21st birthday flashback

We don't see that Max is chained down until this next exchange with Rosa. Isobel didn't see that detail as far as we know.  Didn't hear the chains clanking when they stood and hugged. Only after Isobel left.

"I'm sorry this is happening."

"Isobel is lying. She is buying time.  You know she'll never let me go. But you can feel the darkness too, right? That's why you don't like being in my head. Because you know it's real."

"I didn't want that to be true, but yes."

"I know my sister and I know your sister and they'll never give up. So you have to be the one to stop this surgery, okay? Or I will destroy everything that we love. You have to stop them to save them. Now go.  Please, Rosa. Go."

Isobel explaining to Liz

"When he saved Rosa he absorbed all of that dark energy. He's gonna have to expel it."

"And he's afraid he's gonna kill someone when he does."

"Yeah. So we just need someone stronger than Max to take that hit...if he thinks he needs to protect us he obviously doesn't know how capable we are. Bring him back, Liz. I'll handle the rest."

"I get it now. It's gotta be the three of us."

"He would never pull his plug to end his own suffering. Unless he thought he was saving us from something. And I'm a little sick of his heroic martyr crap."

In case you missed it, Michael did not know that.  At the beginning of the hospital sequence Isobel is telling Liz what she learned in Max's mindscape and says that she hasn't been able to get ahold of Michael.  Michael figured it out on his own. He finally "got it".

The pacemaker:

Isobel with Max at the end… everything is gone except the Jeep. And Bright Eyes playing (the song he and Liz danced to on their first date back in 2008). And then his eyes close and Bright Eyes fades away.

“First thing I remember is the three of us. We woke up terrified and lost. But together. And then all of the sudden I was alone. I got real good at being alone. I had given up on people entirely. And then you found me again. Hell of hero move. You showed up just in time. When you are a kid who nobody loves, kindness is a currency. Friendship doesn’t means jack. Family just lies, and hurts, and leaves. I’ve only ever known love to be temporary. So yeah, I push people away. Every time someone threatens to care about me I test their love until they have to leave. Connection is conditional. Everybody eventually gives up on the guy who refuses to be rescued. But you were the only one who I couldn’t run off. You never believed me when I tried to be something I wasn’t. So this thing in your chest, it might give your heart a pretty solid kick every once in a while. Consider it payback. It’s my hero move, Max. If you wake up, you consider us even, okay? If you wake up, we can be a family.”

Good visual parallels during Michael's speech. Alex and Kyle drinking together during the "and then you found me again". Maria walking up on "the guy who refuses to be rescued"

Max is in the coma for three weeks.  Wakes up at the secret lab (instead of his house, which is where he was previously.  I'm guessing it was a planned wake up because he's no longer plugged into all of the IVs and whatnot.

"I begged you to understand."

"Max, it's gonna be fine."

"No… I told you to let me go. I can feel it inside me."

"It's...it's symmetry, okay? It's just energy for energy.  We can deal with that. Fight it, Max. This isn't you."

"I don't want to hurt you. I need to get out. I need to get away from you, from everyone."

"I can't let you do that."

Max shoves Isobel and runs. When he shoves her there's a slight ringing like the sound they use when the aliens use their powers.  Isobel follows and stops him with her powers.

"I made a promise that if you came back and you weren't Max, and you were actually going to hurt people that I would kill you. I figure, hey, you got to play God. Make life and death decisions all on your own. Well it's my turn now."

MUSIC:

1. Letters To Cleo "Here and Now"

2. Lady Antebellum "Love Don't Live Here"

3. Cactus Groove "Fallin"

4. James Talley "Big Thunder"

8. Ross Copperman "Stars Are On Your Side"

5. Lindsey Ray "Keep You Safe"

6. Tommee Profitt feat. Sam Tinnesz "With you Til The End"

7. Bright Eyes "First Day Of My Life"

The Cactus Groove song is the first song this season that I haven’t been able to find on Spotify… let me know if any of y’all had any luck with it!

[orange-waterfalls]

It's Not A Joke

Captain Magnum x gender neutral!reader

@sierracolorstheworldofwords ty for the request!

A/N: The ending was a bit rushed because I wanted to get it done before I went to sleep and it is almost midnight,,, so,,, uh Rated T for swearing. Magnum being an oblivious FUCK and reader getting tired of his bullshit. Fluff. Slight angst at some points. This one's a bit short, sorry. Enjoy!

Word Count: 1.9k

--

You stare at Captain Magnum and sigh. He was so wonderful… he was fun, handsome, not to mention tall…

It's really no surprise you have a crush on him.

Every single person on the crew knows of your little crush, and you know that they know. It was obvious! You'd always stutter around him, you blushed whenever he complimented you, and you did everything he asked of you immediately and without question. Everyone knows.

Except, of course, the captain himself.

Everyone was surprised he didn't know, including you. You thought you were being pretty open about it. Granted, you hadn't actually told him yet, but he probably should've figured it out by now. For a pirate captain, he was pretty dumb.

"Really? Again?" Magnum's previous first mate asks. You'd started talking to him after you were made first mate, and you two got along. You both could complain about the captain to each other. You also learned his name was First Mate John. Well… just John now. You'd have to help him come up with a pirate name soon. You were a pretty shy person, but you were less so around John. You felt like you could be comfortable around him.

"Yes, again. What else am I supposed to do?" You scoff.

"I dunno... tell 'im?"

"If he hasn't figured it out by now, I'm not sure I want to," you both laugh.

"Fair enough," he smirks, 'but are ye at least gonna drop some hints or somethin'?" You slowly turn your head towards him.

"What do you think I've been doing the last 3 months?" You joke. He snorts and pats your shoulder.

"Best o' luck t' ye, kid," he chuckles. You give him a small wave goodbye and go back to looking at Magnum. He stands up from his spot on the stair leading to the wheel and starts walking over to you. You go into a mini panic as your heart speeds up and you go back to mopping the floor.

"First Mate Y/N!" He booms. You flinch at the volume.

"H-Hi captain," you stutter, avoiding his gaze, "W-What can I do for you?" He sets a strong hand on your shoulder and you buckle under the strength, your face heating up.

"I was wonderin' if ye would like t' be in charge o' th' next lootin'," he explains, "Ye've been here a while 'n I reckon ye could do it." Your eyes widen and you look up at him. That was apparently a bad idea because you were unable to form actual words after that.

"We, uh… I do.. I mean I'd… um…" you sputter out. He looks at you worriedly.

"Ye alright? Ye look unwell…" he reaches out and feels your forehead. You almost instantly pull away from him. He frowns.

"Ye're burnin' up, mate! Are ye sick?" He gently sets a hand on your head. You duck away, dropping your mop.

"I'm fine!" Your voice cracks, "I'm perfectly okay I just uh… I need to rest a bit is all! Yeah…" you speedwalk to the cabin you share with John and shut the door.

Magnum stands in the middle of the deck, feeling very confused.

"That was strange," he said to himself, "I wonder wha' th' problem be…"

--

About half an hour passed and you were sitting in your bed, your face in your hands. You went over the interaction several times in your head, feeling the same amount of embarrassment and shame each and every time. John walks into your shared room, looking smug.

"I reckon that went well, don't ye?" He teases.

"Shut up…" you groan.

"If he didn' know ye liked 'im afore, he oughta know now."

"And if he doesn't, I'm throwing myself overboard." John laughs and sits on your bed. You peek at him through your fingers.

"Kid, I mean no offense towards th' cap'n, but he's a moron. At least when it comes t' feelin's," you snort in agreement. "Ye needs t' tell 'im directly if ye wants 'im t' know." You remove your hands from your face and sigh.

"Ok… I'll tell him…" you pause. "Later…" John smiles at you.

"There we go," he consoles. He thinks for a moment, wondering what could take your mind off things, before speaking again. "So, the other day, what were you saying about a heist?"

--

That night, you walk out of your cabin, your knees shaking. John had given you another pep talk, along with a couple other crewmates. You felt a little better, but it didn't really help with your anxiety. Your heart is beating so fast you were afraid it would stop. Your palms are oh so very sweaty, and your legs have gone numb at this point. You barely feel them carrying you over to the captain, who was at the wheel. You stand next to him for five minutes, waiting for him to notice you're there. Eventually, he does.

"Ah! First Mate!" He bellowd. You flinch. "Wha' can I do fer ye?" You take a deep breath in.

"I have something to tell you, captain," you say shakily. Neither of you say anything for a while, and you wonder if he heard you.

"Well? Go on then!" He instructs.

"R-Right… ok… um…" you stammer. You keep playing with a button on your shirt, trying to think of what to say. You can feel his eyes on you and it made you even more nervous. Why did you let them talk you into this? You weren't ready! You couldn't do this. You… you…

You look to the side and see John watching you from behind the mast. He gives you a thumbs up. You respond with a smile and he leaves, decided to let you do this on your own. You take a deep breath and…

"I like you, captain," you blurt out. Magnum doesn't respond and you get scared.

"Be that all?" He laughed, "well, I like ye too!" You blink and look up at him. His face didn't seem to change very much. You're about to smile, but pause.

"Captain… I don't think you understand me…"

"O' course I do! I be yer cap'n, ye're part o' me crew, o' course we like each other!" You stare at him.

"That's not what I meant,"

"Oh? 'n wha' did ye mean?"

"I meant…" you pause, wondering if you should just give up. No. You made it this far. Finish it. you command yourself.

"I meant I love you." You say. He looks at you, eyebrows furrowed. "Like… I'm in love with you." You continue, hoping he gets it. He's quiet for a moment before laughing.

"That's real funny, Y/N!" He chortles. You stare at him before letting out a laugh.

"Yeah. Ok. Sure. Yeah, of course. That's fine. I don't even care! That's fucking fantastic!" You grumble. He stops laughing and looks at you.

"That's some language… are ye ok?" He asks. You start walking back to your cabin.

"Yeah, I'm ok! Of course I'm ok! Why wouldn't I be ok?!" You yell and slam your door. Magnum stands there, wondering what just happened.

John opens the door a couple minutes later and walks in.

"Ahoy bud… Ye alright?" He asks gently.

"I don't want to talk about it," you growl.

"Aw, bud…"

"It's not even the fact that he doesn't like me! It's the fact that he laughed! Why would he do that?" You lamented. John set a hand on your shoulder. He's about to say something to try and make you feel better, but he stops.

"Wait… he laughed?" John asks.

"Yeah… why?"

"Would you mind telling him again tomorrow?"

"What? Why the hell would I do that?"

"I want to test something. Please?" He begs. You look at him and sigh.

"Fine… this better be good…"

--

You and the rest of the crew sit and tell stories. Most of the stories are coming from Magnum, but you're not really listening. He notices this and tries to tell more interesting stories, or stories that he thinks you'll find interesting. You still refuse to even look at him, so he lets other people talk.

"Tell him. Right now," John whispers. You sigh and turn to look at Magnum. He leans forward a bit, wanting to hear what you have to say.

"I love you, captain," you say confidently. The whole crew looks at you, and then at Magnum.

"You made that joke last night, Y/N," he laughs.

"It wasn't a joke," you say. His smile falls. The crew decides that it would be a good time to leave, and that's exactly what they do.

"Wha'?"

"It wasn't a joke."

"Wha' do ye mean?"

"I mean I do love you, captain. I'm in love with you. I would like to be in a relationship with you…" your face heats up and you start sweating. God, why were you saying this? Maybe this was the only way he'd understand…

You look up at him and see a confused look on his face. Oh, fuck it… you think.

"I want a relationship with you. I want to hug you and kiss you and hold you close. I want to make you smile and I want to be your shoulder to cry on if you need me to. I want to whisper sweet nothings to you as we fall asleep. I want you to let me love you." You explain, heart racing. Both of you are silent for a minute. You squeeze your eyes shut, waiting for rejection.

"Oh…" he says, uncharacteristically soft. "I… love ye too…" you look at him. He's looking at you, a slight blush on his face.

"You… you do?" He nods a bit. "Then why in the name of Davy Jones did you think it was a joke?!" You shout.

"I didn' know ye'd like me back! I thought ye liked John!"

"What do you mean you thought I liked John?"

"I mean I thought ye liked John!"

"WHY WOULD YOU THINK I LIKED JOHN?!"

"I DUNNO, YE SEEM COMFORTABLE AROUND 'IM, I THOUGHT THAT MEANT YE LIKED 'IM!"

"Oh my God…" you rub the bridge of your nose. "Why did you think I'm always so nervous around you?"

"I thought... y'know... ye found me intimidatin'..."

"Of course I find you intimidating that doesn't mean I don't like you."

"Oh…" He rubs the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Uh... Sorry I was so ignorant t' yer... Affection…" you chuckle at the apology.

"Sorry I didn't tell you sooner," you both sat there, just looking at each other.

"So uh… should we… should we kiss?" He asks nervously.

"Only if you want to. We don't ha-" you're cut off by his lips settling onto yours. You put your hands on his shoulders to keep you upright. He puts his hands on your neck, tilting your head to where he's comfortable.

"Awww!" Multiple voices say from behind you.

"Get a room!" John calls out. You pull away and bury your head in Magnum's shoulder, your face burning.

"Oi! If ye all aren't swabbin' th' deck in th' next five seconds, ye're walkin' th' plank!" He commands. The crew all scramble to get to work. You sigh and pull back to look at him.

"I'm… gonna go help them…" you murmur with a blush. He sighs.

"Ah, okay... We'll... Continue later," he states. You smile and walk away, grabbing your mop. As you mop, you glance at Magnum, seeing him watch you with a lovesick grin on his face. John, also holding a mop, slides up next to you.

"So, when's th' weddin'?"

"Shut up, you fuck!"

the ending is so obviously rushed I'm sorry lol

[yuriko-mukami]

Dark 10

Yuriko’s Story

[Prologue] [01] [02] [03] [04] [05] [06] [07] [08] [09]

Dark 10

"Good grief, what a useless daughter you are! Such disgrace!"

Yuriko lowered her head. No matter what she said nothing got through to her father. Keisuke just didn't listen to her. While he had every right to blame Ruki for taking her away, Yuriko found it difficult to stand the accusations.

"I… we… Nothing happened. He only took care of me while I was sick."

It wasn’t the truth, not truly. Heat covered Yuriko’s face when she remembered what had happened during her stay at the Mukamis. The bath… and the night of the full moon. She had no idea… It had never occurred to her that the moon would have such an effect on vampires.

"After seeing your neck, do you really expect me to believe you? It wouldn't be a wonder if he had you knocked up already!"

"But Dad!"

Ruki hasn't even kissed me! Though he did… Better not talk about that…

Yuriko shouldn't have even thought about such things, yet she couldn’t stop it. Repeatedly the events from the last couple of days played in her mind. The way Ruki had… touched her… The promise she had made to him.

"You have dirtied yourself and shamed me! You are no use to me if you have given yourself to a monster."

"Ruki isn't—"

"He is."

"Then me…"

"A daughter of a monster. I wanted to give you a better life, but it seems you don't deserve it."

Yuriko stared at Keisuke, gasping. Somehow, she had thought that things would be different when she got back home… but the hate that lingered in the air was stronger than ever.

"I'll go to the grocery store…" Yuriko mumbled and turned around.

"You aren’t going anywhere!"

"Yes, I am!"

“Get back here right this instant!”

But Yuriko didn’t. She tugged her feet into the shoes and dashed out of the door. The conversation she had with Ruki earlier kept playing in her head.

 “That man is not worth your attention,” Ruki said, his voice being as emotionless as ever. The gaze in the steel-blue eyes didn’t give out any information either. It was like negotiating with an iceberg. “I cannot trust him to take care of you.”

“Umh… I have been taking care of myself for quite a while now. I can still do it… and it’s not like I can just run away from home. It’s disrespectful. I know how much that kind of action can hurt someone.”

Ruki was quiet for a moment. Something changed behind those icy eyes as if Yuriko had succeeded to pierce through.

“If I may continue… umh… I appreciate everything you have done…” Well, maybe not everything but the things you did to help me… “And I want to pay you back somehow, but Dad… he is blood-related family and I have obligations… and I want to believe that he… cares about me. He is just… bad at showing it…”

Cold fingers reached for Yuriko’s arm, pulling her closer to Ruki. Digits of another hand pushed her hair aside as he leaned in, whispering directly into her ear.

“Do not forget who your master is,” Ruki said. “You belong to me and only to me. I will not hand you to anyone else, not even to your father. You may go back home today, and you will discuss with him this matter. I am a patient master, but I will not wait forever for you to realize what is in your best interest, especially now that I know what you are…”

Yuriko stiffened as cool lips brushed her earlobe. A tip of Ruki’s nose traced her neck, making her swallow just before the lips near her skin parted, revealing the pair of yearning fangs. Everything else disappeared as if the time itself had stood still in the moment before Ruki penetrated through the sensitive skin just below her ear.

A moan left Yuriko’s lips and her eyes closed. Ruki wrapped his arm around her, holding her tenderly against his body when he savored every drop of her blood, he made run so hot to his mouth.

“This kitsune blood of yours is indeed intoxicating… Now, be a good girl, and let your master taste a little more of you…”

 "Yuriko?"

A familiar voice made Yuriko return to reality. Startling with a scorching face, she turned around and saw a tiny dark-haired girl from their school. What was Elizabeth doing in front of Yuriko’s apartment building? Yuriko didn’t know but seeing her friend suddenly raised a small smile on her lips.

“Elizabeth!”

Yuriko swayed a smile on her face, knowing perfectly well it wouldn’t reach her eyes but hoping that the other girl would be so considerate that she wouldn’t ask about it. Elizabeth didn’t disappoint her, though Yuriko could see a small frown between her brows.

“You and I should go for a walk,” Elizabeth said and smiled back in the same false manner as Yuriko.

It was Yuriko’s turn to frown. She had no idea where and why Elizabeth had suddenly come to ask her for a walk but since she was already out and in no hurry to get back there was no reason to say no either. That way Yuriko could avoid her father a little longer. So, she ended up nodding to Elizabeth’s suggestion.

Why do I feel everything is like a game?

“Where would you like to go? To the center or perhaps to the park?” Yuriko asked.

Elizabeth looked at Yuriko with slightly open eyes like she had been confused by the question.

“Hmm… I let you choose. I don’t know my way around this town very well yet.”

Neither did Yuriko, so she pondered the question for a while. She had to go through the park when she went for a run but maybe Elizabeth wasn’t interested in parks. The city center could be a better option in that regard, there were many kinds of things to see.

“Do you have a special interest?” Yuriko asked as the girls started to roam through the streets.

“I think we should pick a place as we go.”

“I’ve tasted mochi and it was really good. Have you tasted it?”

That was an odd answer, but Yuriko decided to go with it. The girls wandered forward, talking about school. Yuriko avoided mentioning her cold and how she had been skipping school because of it, nor did she say anything about Ruki or her father.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth seemed a little hesitant to answer any kinds of questions, so Yuriko was afraid they would run out of topics rather sooner than later. Until she mentioned sweets and suddenly there was a spark in Elizabeth’s eyes.

Yuriko had to hide a genuine laugh. Of course, she had tasted mochi many times but maybe it truly didn’t occur to Elizabeth. So, Yuriko told her how much she liked the ones with red bean paste in them, and since Elizabeth seemed to be really curious about different kinds of Japanese sweets, Yuriko ended up taking her to a sweet shop she had located recently. It was right next to a bookstore she had already visited a couple of times. The one that was anything but modern and had the most curious books in it. But this time Yuriko pushed that shop out of her mind and let her legs carry her toward a traditional sweet shop.

When the girls stepped in, a fragrant smell of candies and cookies hit their noses. The display window was full of different kinds of snacks starting with konpeito all the way to the mochi.

“Yuri-Yuri, look! These are the very same mochi I’ve tasted! I didn’t know there are so many different flavors!” Elizabeth cried out, eyes glimmering.

Yuriko who had gazed the other way now turned around and glanced at her friend with a confused face.

“Yuri-Yuri?” she repeated. “Elizabeth… Did you just… give me a nickname?”

Elizabeth’s face flared with all shades of red as her eyes widened. Hastily she lowered her head.

“I didn’t mean to offend you with that, really.”

“Oh… oh? But you didn’t offend me! Of course, you didn’t! I was just… surprised… The thing is… I don’t have that many friends… and the people I know here don’t use nicknames…” Well… they don’t use nice nicknames at least. I can’t count Livestock, M-kitsune-chan, or Vixen as friendly names… “Umh… anyway… I truly like Yuri-Yuri. You can use it. Do you have a nickname, Elizabeth?”

“I should have asked your permission,” Elizabeth said but lifted her head with a smile again. “Many people tend to shorten my name because it’s so long. I really don’t care how it is shortened, so you can call me whatever you want.”

“Okay then... Would ‘Eli-chan’ be alright with you? You are right that Elizabeth is quite a difficult and long name to say... though it’s a very beautiful name.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I don't mind. More importantly, we came here for the sweets. What would you suggest we try first?”

The girls made their order of various mochi and other sweets before sitting down at the corner table, chatting away. While Yuriko was enjoying her mochi and this peaceful moment, her mind still tried to wander. She kept going back to her conversations with Ruki.

  “You are awake again. How are you feeling, Livestock?”

The steel-blue eyes pierced Yuriko in the instant she opened hers. Everything was hazy as she sat up, but Ruki pushed her glasses into her hands. After putting them on, Yuriko glanced at him with a quivering smile that she struggled to hold on.

“Umh… I… feel better…”

Cold fingers brushed Yuriko’s forehead, pushing aside the strands that she purposefully kept on her face. An index finger traced her temple and cheek until it reached her chin, tilting her face up as Ruki sat next to her.

“Our conversation was interrupted before,” Ruki said, making Yuriko swallow when memory jumped back into her mind. “Now that you are awake, you should tell your master what this true nature of yours is.”

“I… It’s complicated. I don’t know much…I don’t know if you even believed it…”

The eyes said it all. It didn’t matter if Yuriko was worried or not, Ruki wanted to hear her words. No, he was ordering her to tell him.

He never asks… He only assumes he is entitled to know everything, to have everything he yearns for. I should tell him off… but…

“No matter what is it I will not let you go, you will not lose me. I will not leave you like your mother or treat you in the way as your father. I am your master, and I will take care of you… Yuriko.”

Such gentle words, probably the gentlest Ruki had said Yuriko so far. He even used her name again… and more importantly…

Does he truly mean it? That he won’t go away…? Everybody always leaves, and nobody stays with me. My friends… Haruko… Mom… Everyone started to hate me and left me… Would Ruki stay?

“Really?”

“Do you truly need to ask that, Yuriko? Have I not told you repeatedly that you belong to me?”

“You said… that my blood is yours.”

“Your very being is mine forever.”

So, he won’t go away? He will stay… I can have someone who doesn’t leave… Someone who cooks for me… His soup is so good. I can stand the other things if I don’t need to be alone anymore…

“I… was honest. I don’t know much but I think I might be partly…umh… a fox demon, kitsune.”

Ruki’s words keep coming back, how he still after Yuriko’s revelation had told her that he wouldn’t leave and how he had said that she should move in with him to be with someone who could help her understand the hidden supernatural side of hers. He had even promised to figure out the parts Yuriko didn’t know.

Ahhh! I can’t think about this now! I need to focus on Eliza– Eli-chan!

"Umh… Eli-chan? What… How did you happen to be on my home street? Were you going somewhere?" Yuriko finally asked.

Suddenly Elizabeth’s gaze was everywhere but at Yuriko. She shifted in her chair, still holding the strawberry mochi she had been about to eat.

"Well…"

Yuriko put her hands against the table and tried to keep her breathing steady. Lately, there have been too many odd things going on. Her temples throbbed when she thought about it. She was sitting here with a zombie in broad daylight, but her biggest worry was…

I don't actually know… but I'm not afraid of Eli-chan. I just have an odd feeling.

"I really enjoy these sweets and your company," Elizabeth said. "And I would like to spend more time with you…"

"Umh… I enjoy your company too but that doesn't answer my question…"

Elizabeth was quiet for a long time. She stared at the mochi in her fingers, fidgeting with it constantly.

“Erh… well…”

Before Elizabeth was able to form an answer the door of the shop opened, letting fresh air sail in but Yuriko smelled something else with it. Her head turned instantly, and her eyes darted to a young man who walked straight to the cashier, ordering every choice of sweet that had nuts in it.

The very same young man who Yuriko had met in the forest weeks ago.

So, he survived…

“Shin from special class…” Elizabeth mumbled, and Yuriko gazed at her friend again. There was an odd pink tint on Elizabeth's face all of sudden. Was it because Yuriko had been so demanding with her questions? She hadn’t meant to be, but she just truly wanted to know what was going on.

“You know him?” Yuriko changed the subject of the conversation with a very quiet whisper, swinging her hand slightly toward the male that was waiting for his order with an inpatient expression lingering on his face.

“... erh… kind of…” Elizabeth said, leaving Yuriko pondering what she didn’t mention. “I have talked with him a few times at school, that’s all.”

Elizabeth’s fingers scratched her neck as she squirmed in her chair while Yuriko couldn’t help but notice tiny, almost faded… Were those…? Or maybe Yuriko was just imagining things now…?

Abruptly Elizabeth grabbed the mochi and stuffed it into her mouth. Yuriko frowned, not knowing what to think anymore. Carefully she glanced at the counter where the salesperson just handed a paper bag to the young man who took it and turned around.

The single golden eye stopped at Yuriko, squinting a little. Right next to her Elizabeth sank into her seat, looking even tinier than usual. Yuriko opened her mouth but suddenly she had no idea what to say. There were people in the store; no way she would be able to talk about injuries, blood, and wolves now without getting all of them into trouble.

Ahh, all this is too much for me to handle! Why did I get caught in this world of terror?!

But Yuriko didn’t even have a chance to say anything when the young man turned around again and left with his sweets. Elizabeth sighed loudly and straightened up.

"Your boyfriend said… that someone should take you out today. He told me he couldn't come and didn't want to send his brothers,” she said to Yuriko, speaking so fast that the words tangled with each other.

For a moment there was nothing but emptiness in Yuriko’s head that was still all worked up with a sudden meeting with the young man with a single golden eye.

My boyfriend? But I don't…! Oh? What? Why?

"Ruki…"

"Yes. I have known him for a while… Well, I know about him more likely. He recommended me a book once when I saw him in the school library.” Elizabeth moved again. "I'm sorry, Yuri-Yuri. I truly wanted to see you… but I shouldn’t have fooled you like this. He said it was for your own good."

"I think… I should go back home… We'll see each other again at school, Eli-chan, but now I have to go. This was nice though. I'm glad that you came to see me today."

"Really?"

Yuriko nodded. She rose from her chair and said goodbye to Elizabeth, hurrying to the street. She had an odd feeling that there was something going on behind her back.

When Yuriko arrived home, she stepped quietly inside. The peculiar feeling didn’t leave her, yet she didn’t feel like letting her father know that she was back. Taking off her shoes, she sneaked to the corridor, listening to the sounds of home. The radio wasn’t on, and neither was a tv, but she could hear the voices coming from Keisuke’s study.

“You are a monster, they are monsters. There is no difference between you…”

Who is a monster? Mom?

“But she is valuable to me… No, you won’t do anything. I have contacts.”

What is he talking about…?

“My plans for my daughter are none of your business!”

Yuriko blinked a couple of times. It was like Keisuke was talking with someone, yet she couldn’t hear another person. Maybe he was on phone? Yuriko sneaked closer to the study as quietly as she could, trying to hear more.

“Hey! You aren’t going anywhere before we finish this!”

So there is someone with him!

Yuriko took the last steps to the door of Keisuke’s study, grabbed the door handle, and pulled the door open. Her father turned around, alone in the room, and stared at her with furious eyes.

"Get into your room! You are grounded until I tell you otherwise,” Keisuke said, his voice shaking.

"But…!"

"Get into your room!"

The eyes Yuriko met were colder than ever. Even when her father had found out about the school skipping, he hadn’t looked at Yuriko like that. The gaze hit her directly into the heart, piercing it with an icy spike without any mercy at all as if she was something nasty, something her father could barely look at, something disgusting.

Yuriko turned around and roamed into her room, sitting on her bed. A bit later she let herself fall down and reached for her fox plushie. Hugging it tightly, she pressed her face against it.

Had Ruki been correct? Would Yuriko be better off somewhere else than in her own home?

Author’s Notes: This chapter was written with the help of Elizabeth Virnien’s Admin and she had read it beforehand. I have her permission to use Eli as a part of Yuriko’s canon story. Scenes with Eli are based on RP interactions between Eli and Yuriko. I’m forever grateful to Eli’s Admin for her help and everything else. She is such a sweet girl.

Also, once again, a big thank you to @ask-ruki-mukami​‘s Admin for the help with Ruki. Without you I couldn’t have tapped into his character. This version of Ruki is still my own interpretation and might be a little bit different from yours.

[punkscowardschampions]

Chloé & James

Chloé: Could you sink any lower Chloé: you literally could not James: is that seriously all you've got to say to me? Chloé: Really, what could I possibly say to you Chloé: you're too young to have a midlife crisis but too old to be dating a child James: the children are fine, let's start there, since you haven't asked Chloé: I'm not interested in exchanging pleasantries Chloé: what the hell do you think you're playing at? Chloé: That girl, that family James: it's not a polite inquiry about the weather in Tuscany, it's an update on the children and their wellbeing James: Jay hasn't properly settled back into school but that's hardly surprising given the circumstances Chloé: Yes, it's hardly surprising when you're too busy trying to get into the pants of some 17 year old James: the girls come first, they always have Chloé: Oh please Chloé: how could you possibly think this was appropriate Chloé: to ever bring them around... that James: I don't think you're one to talk about inappropriate behaviour around the children, to be honest Chloé: Ask her if I've ever brought any man around James: I'm not parading her around them, nor have I ever Chloé: Likely story Chloé: if I know, it's clearly not a well-kept secret, James James: It's not a secret at all any more, but I've far from moved her in James: as far as Jay is concerned, we're friends Chloé: I told you you'd regret all of this Chloé: but my God, do you have no idea how much James: Chloé, please don't start with threats Chloé: We're beyond threats Chloé: it's all happened James: meaning what? Chloé: Meaning remember you started this James: we both know that simply isn't true Chloé: I'd check your little friend isn't in on it Chloé: that family is serious levels of messed up, I wouldn't be surprised James: so now you've progressed to conspiracy theories? James: your vendetta against that entire family has never interested me, okay? Chloé: The conspiracy was getting you to believe you were Jay's dad when McKenna turned out to be a freak James: please don't do this again Chloé: I'm not lying Chloé: I've lied to you about it until now Chloé: well actually, I tried to tell you countless times but you refuse to listen James: as far as scapegoats go, you'd be wiser to pick someone you've actually slept well James: with* Chloé: Ask him Chloé: I tried to get him to step up and then he dropped the cousin fucker bomb Chloé: I almost didn't believe it, but who would risk their entire reputation like that James: Everyone knows they've been together since before Jay was born Chloé: He was so wasted Chloé: and they'd had an argument or something, idk Chloé: he was blathering James: stop it James: this is a new low Chloé: your dates didn't even add up Chloé: not 'til I made them Chloé: I know she's not yours, I know I was already pregnant when we slept together James: say what you want, a DNA test will tell the truth James: she's mine whether or not that's ceased to be convenient for you Chloé: It will Chloé: and I'm telling McKenna Chloé: obviously, it had to be you when he ruined everything but I'm out of it now Chloé: and you two can fight amongst yourselves for all I care James: you're unbelievable Chloé: You'll believe it Chloé: See where her loyalties lie then James: this isn't a game, Chloé James: it's Jay's life, our daughter's life Chloé: She'll be fine Chloé: whoever she ends up with James: she doesn't know him & neither do you Chloé: He has kids Chloé: however inbred Chloé: it's not like he's a serial killer Chloé: he has money James: who are you? I thought I at least had some fucking idea, once Chloé: That was your mistake Chloé: you never had me Chloé: and the idea that you ever thought you were trying? Chloé: tragic, actually James: I don't want you & I never have James: I want Jay Chloé: That's not up to me Chloé: I've done my side of the divorce Chloé: if it's any consolation, I've relinquished my control over them and given it to you Chloé: so he can't just take her James: he can if he's her father, he'll have the same rights I've always insisted to you that I have Chloé: Don't be ridiculous Chloé: they take into account behaviour Chloé: his incest and absence will do him no favours, he might get his own taken from him James: he couldn't behave any other way towards her when he didn't know about any of this Chloé: Fight his case for him then, James Chloé: God, I forgot how pathetic you were Chloé: almost Chloé: what hope do you have if you're going to behave like this James: what about Matty, do you not have any other potential fathers for her? Chloé: Doesn't hurt to test them both Chloé: but no Chloé: I think she's yours Chloé: there was no one else at the time because I was trying James: trying James: scheming is closer to what you mean Chloé: Be thankful I gave you her Chloé: you could end up with nothing here if not Chloé: I always knew that James: can you hear yourself? you're trying to take everything from me & expecting me to react with good grace Chloé: Can you hear yourself Chloé: when have I ever treated you like anything but shit Chloé: let's be honest about the situation now that it is finally and thankfully over James: I could care less how you treat me or have ever, don't do this to her Chloé: You can't forget, now you know Chloé: it'll eat away at you James: if you tell Buster, he won't James: then it really is over Chloé: Why should I not? James: because I'll do anything James: there has to be something you want Chloé: Hmm James: think it over, I'm not going anywhere Chloé: No, you've got nothing of use for me Chloé: sorry James: Chloé, please Chloé: Stop James: no Chloé: This is just embarrassing now Chloé: I need to tell the truth Chloé: to set me free James: you needed to tell the truth 6 years ago James: it isn't about you now James: you know how much this will fuck her up, think about what everything with your real dad did to you Chloé: I'm doing it now James: she's happy here, you don't have to Chloé: I don't care Chloé: I just Chloé: don't James: why do you hate them so much, more than you care about your own daughter? Chloé: She ruined my life Chloé: Jay did Chloé: and she's his Chloé: and I only had Tilly to keep this charade going, which was as big a mistake James: so now you have to ruin everyone else's? James: it's not going to make you feel any different Chloé: I'm telling the truth Chloé: then there's nothing connecting me to any of you James: you're still her mother & Matilda's Chloé: Only biologically Chloé: it's a different form, I don't know Chloé: but I'm giving them up James: I don't believe that you want either of them to hate you, whatever you say Chloé: Believe what you like Chloé: I'm not coming back Chloé: and I truly don't care what either of them think James: if you truly didn't care you'd leave her with me James: you want to hurt all of us James: & if all of this is because Buster didn't reciprocate your crush, then truly, you're the only one who's pathetic Chloé: Does that seem likely? Chloé: Of course I don't care if your lives are ruined Chloé: none of you deserve any happiness Chloé: and why should it be up to me to provide it Chloé: I'm clearing my conscience and cutting ties, it's simple and my mind is made up James: you haven't got a conscience James: dress it up however you like, this is nothing but a final fuck you, because you haven't grown up & you're still that messed up teenager James: if Ava had a different last name you wouldn't be doing this Chloé: He deserves it as much as you Chloé: perhaps moreso James: why because he fell in love with someone other than you? Chloé: He ruined my life first Chloé: I should've done it then Chloé: but it'll be worse now James: no he didn't, he was drunk & upset & you took advantage of that James: he didn't make you keep Jay or marry me Chloé: I already told you keeping her was a mistake Chloé: what would you like me to do, timetravel? James: I don't consider her a mistake, so no James: us & everything that happened afterwards, yes, but none of that was her fault Chloé: Good for you Chloé: This is tiresome, I've said all I need to say to you James: you need to take responsibility for what you've done & the choices you've made & stop blaming her Chloé: You can't make me love her Chloé: deal with that, James James: I don't care if you never see her again, I'd actually prefer it, I'm trying to make you stop using her Chloé: I'm not James: just let me get a test done before you drag him into it Chloé: I can't trust you James: to do what's right by Jay? yes you can James: if I'm really not her father, she deserves to know that Chloé: Ugh, I need this over now Chloé: that'll take ages Chloé: you'll have to tell him James: she's 6, you can't rush it Chloé: I'm doing this today so that's your problem Chloé: I know already Chloé: so if you don't tell him as soon as you get your little test back Chloé: I will James: you're actually evil, there's no talking to you Chloé: I have no desire to speak to you Chloé: now or ever again Chloé: goodbye, James

[d-noona]

MAKE OVER

Chapter 13: The Project

Jung Hoseok x Reader

Reader as Kang Hyeonji

SUMMARY: When Kang Hyeonji transformed herself into a striking redhead, the entire male population of Seoul stood up and took notice. But her make over was for Jung Hoseok’s benefit alone. He began to show interest in the new look but not in the way she wanted. Suddenly he was over-protective, perhaps a little jealous. It seemed that the idea of having a relationship with her couldn’t be further from his mind. The girl however wants more. So it was time for an ultimatum. If Hoseok didn’t want Hyeonji to lose her virginity to another admirer, he had no option but to make love to her himself.

"So how did last night go?" Her mother asked when Hyeonji struggled out of bed shortly before midday. "You must have got home pretty late. I was still up reading at one-thirty."

Hyeonji knew she could not bear a full confession at that moment. She will still coming in terms with the end of her relationship with Hoseok. In the cold light of morning, it was a bitter pill to swallow that she'd exchanged a lifetime of friendship for one night of fantasy. Hoseok had delivered her home around three-thirty, neither of them having said a word to each other on the trip. When he'd try to say something in the driveway she'd stopped him with a look and quickly left. In her room, she'd felt too shattered to cry. She'd undressed and climbed into bed and just lain there, staring up at the ceiling, trying to make sense of the whole man/woman thing. No clear answers had come to comfort her. She'd finally dropped off around dawn, and had one of those awful dreams where she was travelling on a train and had lost her luggage, which passed by a no vacancy Inn called Omelas. It was a frustrating dream which she had from time to time. Inevitably, she woke feeling dreadful. Not that she needed an extra reason that morning. Hoseok didn't like her anymore. She'd become a sex-mad monster in his opinion; a complication. Hyeonji knew that he would not come around anymore and pride would stop her from seeking him out. Their friendship was over, ruined by her love for him.

"Sweetie?" Her mother probed gently.

She shook her head, unable to say anything. Zil sighed. "I presume it didn't work out like you hoped."

"No," Hyeonjie managed.

"I see. I'm so sorry my love. I know how much Hoseok means to you." As her mother caressed her hair gently. "Meant." Hyeonji said with sudden and unexpected determination. She stood up from where she'd been drooping over the kitchen table, her shoulders slumped in defeat. Now they straightened, her chin lifting in defiance of her depression. "Hoseok is the past, Mum. Today is the first day of the rest of my life, and I don't aim to waste it moping around. I'm going out."

"Out? Where, out?" Her mother replied in confusion.

"I really have no idea. Yet, i'll think about it while I have a bubble bath." With Hyeonji's declaration of sudden independence her mother stuttered. "A b..bubble bath? In midday?"

"Why not? Do you realize I haven't use bottle of bubble bath Han Byeol gave me for Christmas? I also have one of those bath bombs from Choon Hee. I think it's way overdue." As Hyeonji slams her palm on their kitchen table.

"What about the papers? The financial form Hoseok was going to leave with me last night. Did he forget?" Her mother asks. "No. He didn't. I'm sure he hasn't forgotten, Mum. Hobi isn't like that." Hyeonji responds only to realize she was still quick to defend his ex best friend. "Do you think I should go over and ask him about them? He must be there, his car is in the driveway."

Hyeonji flinched. The thought that Hoseok was physically so close rattled her momentary resolve to get on with her life. How could she go on, having won him in a fashion for one short night, only to lose him forever? "Yeah, I think that would be a good idea," she said briskly. "He's probably still asleep but I'm sure Mrs Jung will be up." Hyeonji turned and fled the room quickly before she weakend in front of her mother.

"Stay strong" she kept mumbling to herself. "You must stay strong!"

One hour later she was bathed and dressed in a white one piece sundress that went seven inches above her knee. It was pure and dainty, with the fabric swinging nicely on her legs. Allowing her freshly dried hair to fall on her shoulders with her perfectly made-up face. She'd also hunted out some pearl earrings which she'd only worn once, which now suited her look and her new hair color. She'd thought about putting on the new necklace Hoseok had given to her, but didn't want the constant reminder of him, so it stayed at the back of her top drawer. She did however, spray a whiff of Seductress behind her ears.

No one would've guessed just looking at her that inside she was having the mental and emotional battle of her life. It would be so easy to give in and give up, to sink back into the miserably mousy little nothing she'd once been. But to do that would be to waste all the changes she'd made. If nothing else she would remain grateful to Hoseok for being impetus behind her making those changes. Neither would she regret losing her virginity to him. How could she? She loved him. It angered her, however, that Hoseok had never recognized her love for him, when everyone else had, even dear old Jeon Jungkook. It had been easier for him to believe she'd suddenly turned into a sex-mad monster bitch than to face the fact that there could be something else behind her choosing him to become her first lover.

"Hyeonji?" Her mother called out from downstairs, and Hyeonji immediately tensed. She recognized that slightly sheepish tone in her mothers voice.

"Yes?" She called back curtly.

"Um...Hoseok's here. He wants to talk to you."

Hyeonji squeezed her eyes shut. "Oh God," she mumbled. Her thoughts racing as to why he wouldn't leave this shit alone. It was finished. They were finished. She'd risked the substance for the shadow and she'd lost. She understood that. Why didn't he? It looked as if she would have to spell it out for him again, because there is no way she was going to let him play with her emotions anymore, no matter how innocent his intentions. The way to hell was paved with good intentions. Maybe she should remind him of that. "I'll be right down," she said stiffly.

Gathering her strength, she slipped her bare feet into her beige sandals and forced herself to go down and face Hoseok. Her mother passed her on the stairs, obviously deciding to make herself scarce.

Hoseok was in the kitchen, standing with his back to the sink, his arms crossed. "You look awful," she said knowing that he didn't, actually. He looked fantastic, even with dark rings under his eyes and his clothing not up his usual satorial splendor. He was wearing his usual tattered jeans. Grey. Stonewashed, but his white T-shirt was crumpled.

"You don't," he returned, brown eyes washing over her. "You look beautiful."

Hyeonji declined to make a comment. "What is it that you want Hobi?" She asked coolly. "Your mother says youre going out." He arched his eyebrow at her.

"Yep" she responded. "Where?" Hoseok responds just as quick. "That is none of your business." She quipped.

"I am making it my business. Where are you going?" As he pushed himself off the sink, slowly approaching Hyeonji. She shrugged with his sudden question. "I'm not sure yet. Anywhere."

"In that case you're coming with me."

"No. Not good enough. Why should I?" Hyeonji starts to feel her blood boil. Hoseok can be persistent but she didn't think he'd be this damned controlling.

"It was...once. You used to be happy to go along with anything I suggested."

Her smile was not very nice. "Times have changed Hoseok. Haven't they?"

"Yes, and so have you," he bit out.

Hyeonji raised her eyebrows. "Do I detect a note of disapproval here? I must admit I'm at loss. Because I actually did do everything you suggested. This is your creation Jung Hoseok," she said, uncrossing her arms and sweeping them over her body. "You made me what I am today. You even gave me a splendid initiation into the pleasures of being fucked. I'm eternally grateful. They say a lot of girls' first experiences aren't anything to write about. I dunno about you, mine was pretty fucking awesome."

"I don't want your gratitude Hyeonji."

She placed both hands on her waist daring him even more. "Oh? What is it you want then? Tell me."

"You!" There was no denying the dark intent in his smouldering brown eyes. They raked over her, showing her with more than words what he wanted. Not love, God, no. There was nothing of love in the way he was looking at her. Lust, hot and strong, burned across the distance between them, branding her with its stunning heat. Hyeonji's coolness vanished momentarily, swamped by a white-hot deluge of answering desire.

"Don't fucking tell me its not mutual," he ground out. "I can see the truth in your face. You want me as much as I want you, Hyeonji as complicated as this might get, once was simply not enough."

She wasn't going to deny it. Impossible. Her heart was off running, and so was her conscience. If I can't have this love, she reasoned recklessly, then I'll settle for his lust. I'll settle for damned well anything at this moment. Even if it is fake love. The realization made a mockery of her earlier vow to get on with her life without Hobi. She was condemned to always being weak where he was concerned. Love made a woman weak, she accepted it with a sobering thought.

"What about Tinashe?" She asked, proud of herself that she didn't sound shaken as she was.

"You let me worry about Tinashe." He held out his hand and waited. She knew that to place her hand in his was to surrender to his wishes without reserve. From what she could see, he wasn't offering her anything but sex. He hadn't even promised to get rid of his old girlfriend. Hyeonji knew she could not cope with that. "I won't share you, Hobi."

"I won't share you either Hyeonji."

"You won't go back to her?" She spoke softly. "Not if you come with me right now." He replies. These unspoken words haunted Hyeonji, for she found them both dismaying and wildly exciting. It wasn't exactly what she wanted. Still becoming Hoseok's fuck buddy was a temptation beyond bearing. She hadn't yet had her fill of him in a sexual sense, either, had she? Difficult to knock back such a chance. Impossible, really. His face held a blackly triumphant satisfaction when she placed her trembling hand in his. His fingers closed tightly around its slender width and he yanked her towards him. Her lips parted on a breathless gasp as their bodies collided.

"So you're my creation, are you?" He murmured in a low, dangerously menacing voice. "In that case I've created a monster. A manipulative, demanding, conscienceless monster." He began stroking her neck, making her quiver with arousal and expectation. His eyes dropped to her mouth and she could feel the heat of her desire in their blistering brown eyes. Any moment he was going to kiss her. She wanted him to kiss her, ached for him to kiss her.

"No, I'm not going to kiss you," he growled, his fingers stilling on her throat. "Even though you want me to. You're going to learn to wait. You're going to learn a lot of things before I'm finished with you. You think you can play with people? You think you can use me then just move on to other men, other lovers," his fingertips pressed into the soft skin of her throat. "Think again, baby," he snapped, brown eyes gleaming. "Last night was only the first of many nights. And all of them will be with me. No one else. Not Jungkook or even your pathetic Mr X. Soon, your body will only respond to me. You're Daddy's little girl. You're Daddy's little project." He laughed. It was definitely a Mr Hyde laugh. It sent shivers down Hyeonji's spine.

"You, better than anyone know, how obsessive I can get about my projects," he went on in a fearsome fashion. "Nothing sways me from my goal. I promise you I will devote every minute of every day to the task, all my intellect, all my strength and every ounce of energy. I will become your tutor. Your master, your own personal devil!"

Hyeonji gaped at him, her eyes round, her heart pounding. This was a Hoseok she'd never met before. A madly impassioned, out-of-control Hoseok whose dark side had him firmly in its grip. But the insidious attraction of that dark side. His words were already sending her on the path to that particular hell. And hell it would eventually be. For she knew Hoseok well enough to know that his obsessions always burn out. Once a project was mastered, he quickly lost interest and abandoned it, moving on to the next project. And the next.

Hyeonji decided enough is enough. She might be dying to volunteer as his next project, but she would not be bullied or abused. She brushed past his temporarily stunned self and dashed upstairs. "Mum! Hoseok and I are going out for the day. Don't wait up." She heads back down to a stunned Hoseok. "Come on Daddy. Let's go."

Chapter 14

Masterlist